China holds third rehearsal for event marking 80th anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression, fascism Xinhua) 08:03, August 25, 2025 BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The third comprehensive rehearsal for the upcoming grand gathering to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War concluded in Beijing early Sunday, according to the event's media center. The rehearsal was held from 5 p.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday in Tian'anmen Square. Organizers said it was a full-process, full-element rehearsal and also the final comprehensive one for the commemoration. It focused on testing the coordination between all processes and segments, laying a solid foundation for the success of the event. All processes were organized in an orderly manner, with tight transitions and smooth operation, achieving the intended objectives, they added. The grand gathering, which will include a military parade, is scheduled for Sept. 3 in Tian'anmen Square. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) Hong Kong to release 2025 policy address on Sept. 17 Xinhua) 10:15, August 25, 2025 HONG KONG, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 policy address of Hong Kong will be delivered on Sept. 17, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Saturday. Lee made the remark at a media briefing after visiting Kwun Tong district of Hong Kong to gather public opinions on the upcoming policy address. He said that the HKSAR government has held over 40 consultation sessions for the policy address in the past two months, with public submissions rising 10 percent compared to the previous year. Lee said earlier that this year's policy address will be delivered earlier than in previous years because a Legislative Council (LegCo) election will be held at the end of the year, and the current LegCo term will end early. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) BitMine Crypto + Cash Holdings Exceed $8.8 billion, including 1.71 million ETH Tokens BitMine Crypto NAV per share is now $39.84 as of August 24th compared to $22.84 per share on July 27th. BitMine Crypto + Cash holdings of $8.8 billion is a $2.2 billion increase from $6.6 billion reported last week BitMine remains supported by a premier group of institutional investors including ARK's Cathie Wood, MOZAYYX, Founders Fund, Bill Miller III, Pantera, Kraken, DCG, and Galaxy Digital to support BitMine's goal of acquiring 5% of ETH LAS VEGAS, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- (NYSE AMERICAN: BMNR) BitMine Immersion Technologies ("BitMine" or the "Company") today announced crypto + cash holdings exceeding $8.82 billion. As of August 24th at 5:30pm ET, the Company's crypto holdings are comprised of 1,713,899 ETH at $4,808 per ETH (Bloomberg), 192 Bitcoin (BTC) and unencumbered cash of $562 million. BitMine crypto holdings reigns as the #1 Ethereum treasury and #2 global treasury, behind Strategy Inc (MSTR), which owns 629,376 BTC valued at $71 billion. BitMine remains the largest ETH treasury in the world. BitMine launched its ETH Treasury strategy on June 30th (closing on July 8th). In the ensuing six weeks, the Company has passed many key milestones. "In the past week, BitMine increased its crypto and cash holdings by $2.2 billion to $8.8 billion (adding over 190,500 tokens from 1.52 million to 1.71 million tokens). This is the second week that BitMine has been able to raise capital from institutional investors at this pace, as we pursue the 'alchemy of 5%' of ETH," said Thomas "Tom" Lee of Fundstrat, Chairman of BitMine. "At BitMine, we are leading our crypto treasury peers by both the velocity of raising crypto NAV per share and by the high trading liquidity of our stock." The crypto + cash NAV (net asset value) per share is $39.84. This figure was $22.84 on July 27th. Crypto NAV is calculated as crypto and cash asset value divided by fully diluted shares outstanding. BitMine fully diluted shares outstanding is 221,515,180. The GENIUS Act and SEC's Project Crypto are as transformational to financial services in 2025 as US action on August 15, 1971 ending Bretton Woods and the USD on the gold standard 54 years ago. This 1971 event was the catalyst for the modernization of Wall Street, creating the iconic Wall Street titans and financial and payment rails of today. These proved to be better investments than gold. "We continue to believe Ethereum is one of the biggest macro trades over the next 10-15 years," continued Lee. "Wall Street and AI moving onto the blockchain should lead to a greater transformation of today's financial system. And the majority of this is taking place on Ethereum." BitMine is now one of the most widely traded stocks in the US. According to data from Fundstrat, the stock has traded average daily dollar volume of $2.8 billion (5-day average, as of August 24, 2025), ranking #20 in the US, behind Coinbase (rank #19) and ahead of JPMorgan (rank #27) and Palo Alto Networks (rank #21) among 5,704 US-listed stocks (statista.com and Fundstrat research). The company recently released a corporate presentation, which can be found here: https://bitminetech.io/investor-relations/ To stay informed, please sign up at: https://bitminetech.io/contact-us/ About BitMine BitMine is a Bitcoin and Ethereum Network Company with a focus on the accumulation of Crypto for long term investment, whether acquired by our Bitcoin mining operations or from the proceeds of capital raising transactions. Company business lines include Bitcoin Mining, synthetic Bitcoin mining through involvement in Bitcoin mining, hashrate as a financial product, offering advisory and mining services to companies interested in earning Bitcoin denominated revenues, and general Bitcoin advisory to public companies. BitMine's operations are located in low-cost energy regions in Trinidad; Pecos, Texas; and Silverton, Texas. For additional details, follow on X: https://x.com/bitmnr https://x.com/fundstrat https://x.com/bmnrintern Forward Looking Statements This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." The statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. This document specifically contains forward-looking statements regarding progress and achievement of the Company's goals regarding ETH acquisition and staking, the long-term value of Ethereum, continued growth and advancement of the Company's Ethereum treasury strategy and the applicable benefits to the Company. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including BitMine's ability to keep pace with new technology and changing market needs; BitMine's ability to finance its current business, Ethereum treasury operations and proposed future business; the competitive environment of BitMine's business; and the future value of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Actual future performance outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond BitMine's control, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of BitMine's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on April 3, 2025, as well as all other SEC filings, as amended or updated from time to time. Copies of BitMine's filings with the SEC are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. BitMine undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law. SOURCE BitMine Immersion Technologies, Inc. Thierry Henry believes it would be in Newcastles best interests for striker Alexander Isak to leave the club. The Sweden international is currently frozen out of the first-team picture at St James Park amid a stand-off over his future. Isak became unsettled when the Magpies rejected a 110million bid for his services from Liverpool more than three weeks ago and has since trained away from the rest of the squad. Henry feels Isak would have to apologise to be welcomed back by Newcastle (Nick Potts/PA) The 25-year-old has also issued a statement claiming promises made to him by the club have been broken and the relationship cant continue. Newcastle have been adamant the player is not for sale and Henry, the former Arsenal, Barcelona and France forward, feels he could yet be re-integrated by manager Eddie Howe. However, he thinks it would be better if Isak was allowed to go. Henry, working as a pundit ahead of Newcastles clash with Liverpool on Monday, told Sky Sports: You cannot put yourself in a situation when you dont come to train. I think for me, in an ideal world, the best thing for him is I think, for everybody is if he can leave. Newcastle rejected a 110million bid for Isak from Liverpool (Owen Humphreys/PA) But I also do believe that when someone makes a mistake, if he sees it as a mistake and after (so does) his dressing room, if he apologises, then we can move on. If he scores goals and he starts to play the same way he played last year, then the Newcastle fans will be OK about it. The best for me right now, the way it is, for Liverpool and Newcastle, is if he goes. More than three decades after the Supreme Court ruled the government cannot prohibit burning or desecrating an American flag because doing so would violate the U.S. Constitution, President Donald Trump is ordering prosecutors to prosecute anyone who does so, regardless of the First Amendment protection. A White House official told The Independent that the president will on Monday sign an order directing the Department of Justice and other agencies to vigorously prosecute anyone who burns or desecrates the flag and to pursue litigation intended to have the high court overturn the 1989 case that prohibited punishing anyone for burning an American flag, Texas v Johnson. During an Oval Office signing ceremony, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf told Trump that the order charges your department of justice with investigating instances of flag burning and orders prosecutors to pursue cases where prosecution wouldn't fall afoul of the First Amendment. But moments later, Trump said the order would have the effect of criminalizing flag burning despite Supreme Court precedent and claimed the penalty would be a year of incarceration. You burn a flag, you get one year in jail. You don't get 10 years. You don't get one month. You get one year in jail. And it goes on your record, and you will see flag burning stopping immediately, he said. That statement directly contradicts what the nations highest court said in that 5-4 decision, in which Justice William Brennan wrote that the First Amendments speech protections dont just apply to written or spoken words, but to symbolic actions including burning an American flag. Writing in a separate concurrence, Justice Anthony Kennedy noted that the court was obligated to make decisions we do not like by finding it unconstitutional to punish burning the flag. The case here today forces recognition of the costs to which those beliefs commit us. It is poignant but fundamental that the flag protects those who hold it in contempt, he added. President Donald Trump is ordering prosecutors to punish anyone who exercises their right to free speech by burning an American flag (Getty Images) That decision, which was deeply unpopular at the time, stuck down laws in 48 states criminalizing flag desecration. Nonetheless, Trumps order states that people who burn flags should be prosecuted for other crimes when appropriate by federal prosecutors, while also directing the Attorney General to refer flag burning or desecration cases to state or local prosecutors potentially for prosecution under laws already held unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The order further directs Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, or naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States for any foreign national who desecrates a flag, the latest attempt by the Trump administration to curtail the free speech rights of noncitizens. Trump has personally condemned protesters for burning the American flag in the past, and has even called for a constitutional amendment to scale back free speech protections in order to criminalize the practice, which emerged during the Vietnam War era as a popular form of protest against the U.S. invasion. You should get a one-year jail sentence if you do anything to desecrate the American flag, Trump said in 2024 during an interview on Fox & Friends. A White House fact sheet justified the order by calling the American flag the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America and stating that burning or desecrating it is uniquely and inherently offensive and provocative and a statement of contempt and hostility toward our Nation as well as an act used by groups of foreign nationals calculated to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans. Speaking in the Oval Office just before signing the order, Trump claimed it was necessary to save lives because what happens when you burn a flag is the area goes crazy. If you have hundreds of people, they go crazy. You could do other things. You can burn this piece of paper, you can and it's but when you burn the American flag, it incites riots at levels that we've never seen before, he said. Bob Corn-Revere, the chief counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in a statement that Trump doesnt have the ability to revise the First Amendment with the stroke of a pen even if he might so desire. Corn-Revere noted that the government can prosecute people for burning anything in a place they arent allowed to set fires, but not for protected expressive activity including burning a flag, even if many Americans, including the president, find it uniquely offensive and provocative. You dont have to like flag burning. You can condemn it, debate it, or hoist your own flag even higher. The beauty of free speech is that you get to express your opinions, even if others dont like what you have to say, he said. President Donald Trump on Monday said he wants to rekindle his friendship with the millennial dictator who has illegally assembled a nuclear arsenal while his own country remains starving and isolated under decades of economic sanctions. Trump told South Korean President Lee Jae Myung he would like to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un after the South Korean leader noted that North Korea had developed further its nuclear and missile capabilities during the four years Trump was out of office after having lost the 2020 election. After Lee said he hoped Trump would usher in a new era of peace on the Korean peninsula, the American president replied: I will do that, and we'll have talks. He'd like to meet with me. He didn't want to meet with Biden because he had no respect for Biden, but we look forward to meeting with him, and we'll make relations better, he said. Kim Jong Un and I had a very great relationship and still do, Trump added. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Oval Office, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025 (Reuters) The president also suggested that he would be attending this years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Seoul and said he could sneak away to do something to aid relations between North and South Korea, which have remained in a technical state of war since the 1950s. I get along great with Kim Jong Un and whatever I can do, having to do with South Korea and getting people together, he said. Kim, 41, has led the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea since the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011. During his time as the countrys supreme leader, he has pushed to increase North Koreas illicit nuclear program and ballistic missile program with the aim of gaining the ability to attack western nations such as the United States. He has persisted in doing so despite multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for denuclearization of the entire Korea Peninsula. Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader when he met with Kim in Singapore in June of 2018. The two leaders met a for a second summit in Hanoi in March 2019, and in June 2019 Trump made history when he met with Kim for a short period at the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea. The American leader became the first U.S. president to set foot in the DPRK when he briefly crossed the border separating the two Korean nations at Kims invitation. At the time, Trump invited Kim to visit the U.S. when the time is right but since then there has been very little in the way of talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Nikki Bhati was filmed staggering down a staircase after suffering severe burns A young Indian woman was allegedly set on fire by her husband in front of their son after years of abuse over her dowry. Nikki Bhati, 28, was allegedly doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire at her home in Greater Noida, near Delhi, on Aug 21 in an incident that was filmed and shared on social media. In one video, Vipin Bhati, her husband, and his mother were filmed allegedly assaulting and dragging her by her hair. In another video, Mrs Bhati, who had severe burns, was filmed staggering down a staircase before collapsing. She was transported to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital, where she died. Police arrested Mr Bhati and three other members of his family, including his mother Daya, father Satyavir and brother Rohit, who is married to Mrs Bhatis sister Kanchan. Officers later shot Mr Bhati in the leg as he allegedly tried to flee police custody. Vipin and Nikki Bhati married in 2016 Speaking to local media from hospital, he denied killing his wife and said that husband and wife often have fights. Mrs Bhati and her sister, who recently opened a beauty parlour, married Mr Bhati and Rohit Bhati in 2016 in what relatives described as a lavish wedding. Gifts included an SUV, Royal Enfield motorbike, gold, and cash as dowry payment, which is paid by the brides family to the groom as part of a marriage arrangement. But their demands kept escalating, according to Nikkis family. They kept asking for more money, first a car, then our Mercedes, Bhikari Singh, her father, told The Telegraph. When I refused, they would beat her. They wanted another 3.6m rupees (34,000). They killed my daughter because we would not pay more money. Vipin Bhati denies murder, saying that husband and wife often have fights Kanchan Bhati, who witnessed the assault, said she was also beaten when she tried to intervene. I saw my sister burning before my eyes, she said, alleging: I heard his mother shouting, Kill her, finish it. Nikkis six-year-old son reportedly told relatives: They slapped mumma and then set her on fire with a lighter. Police confirmed they had arrested Mr Bhati on suspicion of murder. We have arrested four people, including Vipin for burning his wife alive. They are facing murder charges, police chief Dharmendra Shukla told The Telegraph. The killing has triggered protests and outrage on social media, with demonstrators in Delhi and Noida carrying placards reading Justice for Nikki and demanding the death penalty for her killers. Instead of giving daughters their rightful share of property, families pour money into weddings, and dowries, almost like paying ransom, hoping their daughters will be kept safe, said Karuna Nundy, a Supreme Court lawyer. The kind of man who demands dowry is often the kind who will also humiliate, beat or even kill his wife or allow his parents to do so. Dowry laws are rarely enforced properly. Rather than punishing abuse and protecting women, the authorities dismiss cases altogether, leaving women without safety or shelter. Dowries, both giving and accepting, have been illegal in India since 1961, but 90 per cent of Indian marriages still involve them, according to a recent study. Data show that 35,493 brides were killed in India between 2017 and 2022 for bringing in insufficient dowry an average of nearly 20 women per day. Campaigners say the true toll is higher, as many families avoid reporting crimes for fear of stigma or retribution. Two days before Nikki was killed, police in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, found the body of 27-year-old Shivani Khivalia at her home, with her throat slit and multiple injuries. Her husband and in-laws fled after the killing. Her brother Pankaj Khivalia alleged that his sister was tortured multiple times by her husband and in-laws. We already paid Rs 10 lakh (9,400) as dowry, yet the demands escalated. Her husband tortured her and asked for more money, he said. She was harassed mentally and physically until she was killed. On July 28, another young bride, 25-year-old Lakshmi Kumari, was allegedly murdered by her husband before her body was thrown into a river in Bihar. Her father, Satyadev Sah, said he had paid Rs 2 lakh (1,900) after persistent pressure but could not meet the full demand of Rs 5 lakh (4,750). Mr Bhati was shot in the leg as he allegedly tried to flee police custody That morning Lakshmi called me, he recalled. By evening, I was told her body had been found floating two kilometres from her home. In India, marriages remain transactional across every class and dowry has become the unspoken rule, said Ranjana Kumari, the director of the Centre for Social Research in Delhi. There is a greed for easy money and its a curse, one that destroys the lives of daughters-in-law and even corrodes the lives of sons. Although the law criminalises both giving and taking dowry, not a single case has punished those who give, leaving the system lopsided. For ages, people have chased immortality through myths, ocean voyages, and frozen science experiments. In the meantime, some animals seem to have stumbled on it already. They dont age in familiar ways, and a few manage to escape aging entirely. These creatures show that immortality in nature isnt just a human obsession. Immortal Jellyfish Can Rewind Life Itself Credit: Wikimedia Commons Turritopsis dohrnii is about the size of a pinky nail, yet its trick is anything but small. When life gets rough, it turns itself back into a baby. It reverts into a polyp and restarts development. As long as it avoids predators and disease, it can repeat this loop forever. Lobsters Just Keep Growing Credit: Wikimedia Commons Instead of slowing down with age, lobsters grow larger, stronger, and in some cases, more fertile. Their secret is telomerase, an enzyme that repairs DNA and delays cell aging. They're not invincible, as molting complications and disease catch up eventually, but aging itself doesnt seem to be what brings them down. Greenland Sharks Age Like Icebergs Credit: Wikimedia Commons Living deep in Arctic waters, Greenland sharks may not mature until around 150 years old. One was carbon-dated at approximately 400 years old, making it the longest-living vertebrate recorded. Their slow metabolism and cold habitat help preserve them. They're rarely seen and hardly studied, but clearly in no rush. Planarian Flatworms Never Seem to Vanish Credit: Wikipedia Cut one of these worms in half, and you dont get a lifeless oneyou get two worms! Scientists at the University of Nottingham discovered that planarians use a rich supply of pluripotent stem cells, which allows them to regenerate endlessly. Bdelloid Rotifers Are Practically Survival Icons Credit: Wikipedia These microscopic creatures have lived for tens of millions of years without reproduction. They dry out, shrivel into dormancy, and return to life when rehydrated, even after years. They also absorb foreign DNA from bacteria and fungi. Theyve survived radiation, droughts, and extreme heat. Hydra Shrug Off Aging Altogether Credit: Wikimedia Commons Hydras constantly renew their cells using stem-like mechanisms. Scientists havent observed any age-related decline in their bodies. Instead, they maintain biological youth indefinitely by continuously replacing themselves at the cellular level. As long as they're fed and left alone, their tiny tube-shaped bodies just keep functioning like nothing ever changes. Water Bears Pause Their Lives for Decades Credit: Wikimedia Commons Tardigrades can be boiled, frozen, blasted with radiation, or even sent into space and still survive. They do it by shutting down in a state called cryptobiosis, where their bodies dry out and metabolism stops. When conditions improve, they take on water and start moving again. Some evidence suggests they can endure this way for decades. Bowhead Whales Outswim Generations Credit: Wikipedia Bowhead whales can live over 200 years, with DNA-repairing genes that likely help them resist cancer and degeneration. One individual harpooned near Alaska in the 1990s had stone fragments in its body from a weapon dating back to the 1800s. Sea Anemones Rely on Regrowth, Not Replacements Credit: Wikimedia Commons In ideal lab settings, theyve thrived for decades without cellular breakdown or age-linked changes in function. Sea anemones regenerate damaged parts, including tentacles and even internal tissues. Some species show no clear signs of aging and may live well beyond 100 years in stable environments. Tree Weta Freeze, Then Come Back Credit: Wikimedia Commons These large New Zealand insects survive full-body freezing thanks to special proteins in their blood. Even their hearts and brains stop during extreme cold, yet they return to normal when thawed. Biologists sometimes call them zombie bugsa name earned by freezing, stopping, and simply resuming life later. Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip with a missile Monday and then fired another as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding scores more, local health workers in Hamas-run Gaza said. At least five journalists were among those killed, health officials and their employers said. It was among the deadliest of several Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war sparked by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and the attack came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas. The first strike hit a top floor of a building at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Minutes later, as journalists and rescuers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase, a second missile hit, said Dr. Ahmed al-Farra, head of Nasser's pediatrics department. Nasser Hospital, the largest in southern Gaza, has withstood raids and bombardment throughout 22 months of war, with officials citing critical shortages of supplies and staff. Injured Palestinians are carried out of the Nasser Hospital by local residents and rescuers following an Israeli attack on the facility in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, Aug. 25, 2025. / Credit: Abdallah F.S. Alattar/Anadolu/Getty Asked about the strike and journalists being among the victims, the Israel Defense Forces issued a statement saying it had carried out an attack and adding that it would "conduct an initial inquiry as soon as possible," adding that it regretted "any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such." In a statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said that Israel "deeply regrets the tragic mishap" that occurred at the hospital in Gaza. "Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians," the statement said. "The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home." A hospital official initially told CBS News that four journalists were killed in the Monday morning double-tap strike at the hospital. The official identified the four as Hossam al-Masri, who worked for the Reuters news agency, Mohammed Salama, who worked for Al Jazeera, and freelance journalists Maryam Abu Daqqa and Moaz Abu Taha. The Associated Press' news director for the Middle East, Jon Gambrell, said in a social media post that Abu Daqqa had "freelanced for the AP since the Gaza war began." Freelance Palestinian journalist Maryam Abu Daqa, who worked for The Associated Press throughout the war in Gaza until she was killed in an Israeli strike at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Aug. 25, 2025, is seen in an undated file photo. Reuters confirmed that al-Masri had worked for the international news agency. It said photographer Hatem Khaled, who also worked as a contractor for the agency, was wounded. Middle East Eye, a U.K.-based media outlet, later said one of its freelancers, Ahmad Abu Aziz, was also killed. At least one other journalist was wounded in the strike, a hospital official said, identifying the man as Haithem Omar, who also works for Reuters. President Trump told reporters on Monday that he was not aware of the strike on the hospital and he was not happy about it when he learned the news. "When did this happen?" Mr. Trump asked a reporter in the White House. "I didn't know that. Well, I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare." Israel has come under mounting pressure over the number of journalists being killed in its military operations in Gaza including in targeted strikes against individuals whom Israeli officials claim were Hamas operatives. Israeli strikes and raids on hospitals are not uncommon. Multiple hospitals have been struck or raided across the Gaza Strip, with Israel claiming its attacks had targeted militants operating inside the medical facilities, without providing evidence. In a statement issued Monday, the Foreign Press Association, which represents journalists working in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said it was "outraged and in shock" over the latest killings of media workers. "This is among the deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began," the organization said, confirming the identities of the four people killed. "These strikes hit the exterior staircase of the hospital where journalists frequently stationed themselves with their cameras. The strikes came with no warning." The organization demanded an immediate explanation from the IDF and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office for the strike, adding: "This has gone on far too long. Too many journalists in Gaza have been killed by Israel without justification. Israel continues to block international journalists from independent access to Gaza. This must be a watershed moment. We appeal to international leaders: do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves." The international Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned the Israeli strike. In a statement, the group called on the international community "to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press." "Israel's broadcasted killing of journalists in #Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history," CPJ Regional Director Sara Qudah said in the group's post. "These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity." On August 11, Israel's military targeted and killed five Al Jazeera journalists in Gaza, including correspondent Anas al-Sharif. The Israel Defense Forces said it had intelligence and documents from Gaza to prove al-Sharif was the head of a Hamas terrorist cell, and the IDF shared undated photos of Al-Sharif with Yahya Sinwar, the top Hamas leader in Gaza, who was killed last October. CBS News could not verify the authenticity of the photos. Al Jazeera and al-Sharif had previously dismissed Israel's claims as baseless, The Associated Press reported. Just three weeks ago, al-Sharif had appealed to the Committee to Protect Journalists over fears he might be assassinated. This screen grab taken from AFPTV on August 11, 2025 shows Al-Jazeera's Anas al-Sharif speaking during an AFP interview in Gaza City on August 1, 2024. / Credit: AFP/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images A June strike on Nasser Hospital killed three people and wounded 10, according to the health ministry. At the time, Israel's military said it had targeted Hamas militants operating from a command and control center inside the hospital. The Hamas-run health ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war in Gaza in retaliation for the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack that killed some 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 others taken as hostages. The ministry does not distinguish in its figures between fighters and civilians, but it says around half of those killed have been women and children. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable information available on war casualties, as such figures are difficult to independently verify, as Israel does not permit foreign journalists into Gaza. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own. Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. chendongshan - Getty Images Cats are known for being a little aloof. Although they are loving, they also very much enjoy their personal space and arent afraid to let you know when they want to be alone. So when it comes to multi-pet households, how do you know if your cat will get along with a dog? The short answer is there are no guarantees. Every cat and every dog are different, and some cats wont warm up to having a pushy pup in their space. But just like some dog breeds are known for being cat-friendly, there are also certain cat breeds that are good with dogs that are more likely to accept having another furry friend in the house. Using the Cat Fanciers Association for our research, weve identified friendly and playful cat breeds that are the most likely to get along with dogs. Make sure to introduce the pets slowly and give them each a safe space while they acclimate to each other. And, again, remember before adopting that even if you do have one of these breeds, it doesn't mean they'll definitely get along with a dog. Although, with the right socialization and a little bit of luck, you maybe be able to have a harmonious, multi-pet household. Maine Coon These cats are often described as being dog-like in their behavior because of their loyalty, trainability, and playfulness. It also helps that they are larger than many small dogs, with male Maine Coons often weighing 20 pounds or more. These hardy cats can stand up to some energetic play from an excited pup. RELATED: 20 Cutest Cat Breeds You'll Want to Pet Immediately anastas_ - Getty Images Tonkinese These kitties are a cross between Siamese and Burmese cats, but the CFA describes their personality as part puppy, part monkey to capture their lively energy. Tonkinese are smart and outgoing, with a love for dogs and even house guests. Some Tonkinese even like to play fetch and may compete with your pup for the ball! Westend61 - Getty Images Ragdoll These cats get their names because they are so calm, they flop like a ragdoll when you hold them. They are not just social and supportive companions, they are also playful and trainable, making them well suited for both for cuddling and puppy antics. Stefanie Margareta photography - Getty Images Abyssinian This ancient cat breed is known for being curious and playful. Their high activity level makes them a good fit for canine companions, because they wont be too bothered by a pup looking to play. These cats love toys, so they may want to "borrow" some of your dog's favorites. RELATED: Manuel ROMARIS - Getty Images Birman The CFA calls Birmans patient, even-tempered, and tolerant and an excellent choice for families with children and other pets. Their sweet disposition and social tendencies help them become best friends with other pets in the house, but they are so friendly they may want to be underfoot. Wang Yukun - Getty Images British Shorthair These cats have iconic yellow eyes and stocky, muscular bodies. The CFA advises that your British Shorthair will easily adjust to the presence of a dog or other pet, but [they] may become top cat on the household totem pole. Theyll get along best with a dog who doesnt need to be the alpha of the household but are otherwise patient with pets and kids alike. eastonchen123 / 500px - Getty Images Siberian The CFA describes the personalities of these cats as dog-like, intelligent, and devoted. Because they are built to survive the harsh Russian winter, these cats are large and muscular. Their intelligence and size make them less likely to be intimidated by an overly friendly dog. Andro Photonet / 500px - Getty Images You Might Also Like California firefighters free wily dog trapped underneath shipping container. A crew of California firefighters managed to free a mischievous dog that became trapped underneath a shipping container while scampering after a rabbit Saturday night. Finn, a fluffy young goldendoodle, was out for a walk with his owners around 7 p.m. in Ojai when a small rabbit crossed their path, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. California firefighters helped rescue a dog stuck underneath a shipping container. Ventura County Fire Department The young pup took off in a flash, zigzagging left and right as he gained on the rabbit while his owners frantically chased him. The puppy parents werent able to reach him before Finn dove right underneath a shipping container after the bunny. The dog, Finn, slipped underneath the container while chasing a rabbit and got stuck. Ventura County Fire Department The rabbit had apparently absconded unscathed, but Finn found himself in a precarious situation: alone, in the dark, stuck in a gap between the bottom of the container and the cold dirt. His frantic owners called the firefighters, who documented the mind-boggling rescue as Finn watched on from the opening he slid through. Finn was rescued safe and sound, albeit a bit groggy. Ventura County Fire Department We tried everything. Weve been at this for almost an hour and a half, one of Finns humans lamented to officials, according to The Sacramento Bee. Firefighters had to use special rescue tools to lift the shipping container up so Finn could shimmy his way out and back into his owners loving arms. The curly-haired pooch was safe and sound with every patch of fur in place, looking as if nothing ever happened save for the apparent exhaustion behind his beady eyes. The firefighters had to use special tools to elevate the rescue container. Ventura County Fire Department In early 2024, members of the US Coast Guard helped rescue another dog trapped in a shipping container in Texas. The dog, affectionately nicknamed Connie the container dog, somehow survived inside the container for a whopping eight days. Connie came with an extra surprise: she was pregnant. She later gave birth to a small litter of healthy puppies and was adopted in the DC area, according to the Forever Changed Animal Rescue. Last week, a dog was rescued in Pennsylvania with a plastic cheese ball tub stuck on her head. She was found in a cornfield after a days-long search and swiftly freed from the bucket. The dog was named Dallas Cheddar after her rescuer and captor, respectively. Reggie Carroll/Instagram Reggie Carroll NEED TO KNOW Reggie Carroll, a comedian known for his touring stand-up routines, has died at age 52 He was shot in Mississippi on Aug. 20, and police said a suspect is now in custody "Our time together was amazing," friend and collaborator Mo'Nique said in a social media tribute Reggie Carroll, a comedian known for his touring stand-up routines across the country, has died. He was 52. Carroll was shot in Southaven, Miss., on Wednesday, Aug. 20, according to the Southaven Police Department (SPD). Authorities said in a statement shared on social media that they were called to the city's Burton Lane after receiving reports of a shooting. On the scene, authorities said officers and medical personnel "provided life-saving techniques, but the individual succumbed to his injuries." "One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll. Our thoughts [are] with the family of Mr. Carroll," police added in an update on Saturday, Aug. 23. "Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding." The investigation remains ongoing. Reggie Carroll/Instagram Reggie Carroll. In addition to his stand-up comedy, Carroll made a number of television appearances over the years, according to his IMDb page. One included a 2000 episode of the variety series Showtime at the Apollo, and he also produced and hosted the 2023 standup special Knockout Kings of Comedy. The Baltimore native often worked alongside Mo'Nique. In an Instagram Stories post, the actress, 57, called Carroll her "brother in comedy," per Deadline. "This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if you'll get a chance to see them again, and the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together," the Precious star wrote. Added Mo'Nique: "That's what it was, an amazing time, being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our time together was amazing." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a Facebook post, Carroll's brother Jonathan Carroll thanked friends, family and fans for their support amid the tragedy. "To all who have expressed condolences on the passing of Reggie Carroll, your love has been well received thank you!!!" he wrote, in part. Club Mobtown Comedy also paid tribute to Carroll through an Instagram post shared on Aug. 23. "Rest in power @comedianreggiecarroll, thank you for being one of the OGs who supported us early on," the club's account wrote. "The Mobtown family and the Baltimore comedy community are very saddened by this loss of one of our citys great talents. Sending our prayers to Reggies family ." Read the original article on People WASHINGTON At a ribbon-cutting on an addition to an elementary school in the affluent Glover Park neighborhood last Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser was all smiles. She watched students perform a scene from the musical Oz, then spent several minutes talking about the benefits of investing in schools and getting students excited to get back in the classroom. But minutes after taking photos with school leaders and local officials, she walked into the buildings gymnasium, where she was swept into a tornado of her own, facing questions from reporters about a much tougher topic: the impacts of President Donald Trumps attempt to take over the city. All 14 questions Bowser fielded were about Trumps executive order, including: Theres been video of ICE arrests spreading across social media Whats your reaction when youre seeing these videos in the city? Can you tell us how you feel about the additional National Guard troops coming from other states... Do you feel this has usurped your authority even more? How are you reflecting on this moment? It seems like your potential concerns about this administration are starting to be realized? Despite Bowsers attempt to project normalcy ahead of the first day for public schools Monday, the start of the school year will be anything but business as usual. Federal agents have set up checkpoints at various intersections across the city. Theyve conducted immigration enforcement actions, with food delivery drivers slammed to the ground and arrested by masked agents from the Department of Homeland Security in broad daylight. National Guard soldiers in Army fatigues have taken up posts outside of Nationals games and at metro stops. The White House says there are more than 2,000 agents, officers and soldiers involved in the operation, and more than 900 arrests have been made. While the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement told NBC News last week that agents wouldnt be at D.C. schools on the first day, they might come onto campuses in the future. As mayor, Bowser is the highest ranking official in D.C. government. But ever since Trump issued an executive order declaring an emergency to restore law and order in the nations capital, her limited power has become more evident, reflecting the citys lack of autonomy since it is not a state. She wants the agents from Homeland Security Investigations to stop covering their faces to avoid identification during enforcement operations. She doesnt think the National Guard presence is necessary, and wants them out. But all she can do is ask. So shes focused on the things she can control. Monday is my favorite day of the year, Bowser told a room full of educators at Phelps Ace High School in Northeast Washington on Wednesday. There are more than 52,000 students in D.C.s 117 public schools. Even with the city on edge, Bowser told the educators to avoid the elephant in the room when the bell rings on Monday. I want everyone to know whose job politics is in this room, Bowser said. Whose job is it? Its mine. Its mine. Its mine. Im the only one. Its not yours. Alright? She told teachers to trust that Im going to do the right thing for all of us. But thats not reassuring to parents, who are grappling with how to do the right thing for their kids. Alicia Swenson has four children in D.C. schools, and she and her husband were planning to let their sixth and seventh grade children commute to school on the Metro by themselves. Now, though, Swenson said she and her husband will to escort their kids to their school in Northwest D.C. because the National Guard is making their younger daughter uncomfortable. The last time she saw a large law enforcement presence in D.C. was during the 2020 racial justice protests, Swenson said. This time, though, is harder to explain to her children. Back then, I think we said, Theres peaceful protesting, and that is peoples right. Its a good thing to do to stand up when you see something wrong, Swenson said during a Friday interview. But this? I have no idea what to say to her. Its very hard for us to explain whats going on right now. At a back-to-school event in the West End neighborhood on Friday, parent Melissa Neil said that while the National Guard surge can be understandable, it was also a little concerning. Neil is a citizen but immigrated from the Dominican Republic, and she noted that even if someone is a citizen, you still look as an immigrant. You never really know what are the standards, Neil said. Even if you have your documentation, they can still identify you as you are not. So it is concerning that youre with your kids, and they can pull you out. Mayor Muriel Bowser tried to project a sense of normalcy ahead of the start of the school year. (Tom Williams / Getty Images) Nearly every day, a video goes viral of immigration enforcement actions on the streets of Washington, after the Department of Justice directed Bowser to order the citys police department to assist in immigration enforcement operations and to comply with database inquiries and requests for information from any federal law enforcement entity. At the same back-to-school event, Louis Limes said he has mixed emotions about sending his daughters back to school amid the surge of National Guard and federal agents. If theyre out here for the safety of our children, cool, but from the last couple of days, weve seen that they went over their boundaries as far as protecting and serving the streets, harassing, physically abusing citizens, Limes said. Itzetht Testa was shopping with her children in Columbia Heights on Thursday, and she said that although she served 25 years in the Air Force, she disagreed with the National Guard in the citys streets. She voted for Trump but disapproves of his first few months so much that she says she will never vote for a Republican again. Now, she said her seventh grade son felt threatened seeing the National Guard. If theyre using it for immigration purpose, I dont care for that, she said of the National Guard near schools. It should not be used for that. I will always vote independent from now on, Testa added. While DC residents have yelled, taunted, and protested against the federal agents and National Guard in their neighborhoods over the past 14 days, when students get to the front doors of their schools on Monday, Bowser said Wednesday at the Phelps pep rally that parents, neighbors, and friends will be there clapping them in, to show the city is cheering them on. Were all going to be standing shoulder to shoulder with them, Bowser said. HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Options, a leading national nonprofit supporting people with disabilities, is proud to announce the appointment of Derek Shive as Regional Director of Central Pennsylvania. This appointment aligns with the organization's recent recognition as a Select Tier provider. Derek Shive, Regional Director for Community Options With more than a decade of experience, Shive brings a wealth of leadership and innovation to the Central Region. In his new role, he will oversee operations and the development of services for people with disabilities. Community Options supports 7,000 people nationwide, including 450 in Pennsylvania. "Derek embodies the kind of innovative leadership that Community Options values," said Robert Stack, President and CEO of Community Options. "His focus on person-centered supports and his proven ability to strengthen operations will ensure that people with disabilities we support in Central Pennsylvania will continue to receive the highest quality of care." Shive's background includes driving operational efficiency through data-informed decision-making and translating complex operational challenges into actionable strategies. His leadership will elevate regional performance and reinforce the organization's commitment to person-centered care. "I am honored to step into this role and to build on the great work already being done across the region," said Derek Shive. "Community Options' commitment to empowering people with disabilities to live with dignity and independence resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to partnering with our dedicated teams to further that mission." Prior to joining Community Options, Shive served in leadership roles for a disability service provider, where he was instrumental in structuring training programs for program managers, enhancing compliance protocols, and fostering collaboration across departments. His recent work in York and Lancaster counties has already demonstrated his ability to lead with integrity and precision. The timing of this appointment coincides with Community Options' recognition as a Select Tier provider under Pennsylvania's new performance-based contracting. This recognition is a testament to Community Options' high standards in service delivery, regulatory compliance, and community engagement. About Community Options, Inc.: For more than 35 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment supports for people with disabilities serving thousands of individuals from over 50 offices across 12 states. Community Options provides advocacy and assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people, regardless of ability level, should live and work in the community with dignity, choice, and self-determination. For more information, please visit our website: www.comop.org and follow us on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Contact: Dana Chiavoni Community Options, Inc. 609-255-9718 [email protected] SOURCE Community Options, Inc. LagunaticPhoto/Getty Images Boardwalk across the white sand beach of Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples, Florida. With 663 miles of beaches, Florida is rich in coastal escapes with white sand, clear blue water, and some of the best sunsets in the country. But, according to Dr. Beach (whose real name is Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman), one beach stands out above the rest. In this annual America's Best Beaches list, the scientist, author, professor, and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University deemed Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park the top beach in Florida. Located on a barrier island near Naples, the park has a mile-long stretch of white quartz sand and covers 166 total acresand it satisfied several of Dr. Beachs criteria. (He rates each beach from 1 to 5 across 50 different categories.) This barrier island beach boasts beautiful white-sand beaches and crystal-clear Gulf waters, he stated. Activities include swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, shelling, and fishing. Wildlife in the park includes bald eagles, ospreys, and manatees. Pine trees provide welcome shade. Unfortunately, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park did experience damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, but it reopened to the public in early 2025 following reconstruction efforts. If youre planning a day trip to the park from Naples, there are several things to keep in mind. For starters, youll need to time your visit correctly (and have cash on you). Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park opens at 8 a.m. and closes at sundown all year round, and entry costs $6.00 per vehicle or $4.00 per single-occupant vehicle. Like Dr. Beach mentioned, there are all sorts of things to do within the park. Those visiting specifically for the beach can swim, gather seashells, and rent beach chairs and tents from the Nature Recreation Management Concessionaire. Before you get in the water, make sure to check the colors of the beach warning flags (green means the water is safe for swimming). Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is also a favored nesting spot for loggerhead sea turtles, and park rangers will place a cage on top of any nests to protect the eggs. If you choose to explore via boat, you can launch a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard into Water Turkey Bay at the parks boat launch; as you paddle through the mangrove swamp or into the Gulf, you might spot manatees, stingrays, and dolphins as well. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park wasnt the only Florida beach on Dr. Beachs Top 10 list, though. St. Andrews State Park came in at No. 7; its also one of the most calming state parks, according to Google Maps data. Explore the rest of Dr. Beachs selections for Americas Best Beaches at drbeach.org. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Florida man on death row for raping, killing teenager dies by suicide. A Florida man sentenced to death for raping and murdering a 13-year-old girl did the state a favor last week by killing himself before it could execute him, officials said. Matthew Caylor, 50, had been on death row for 16 years for raping and fatally strangling Melinda Hinson in 2008. Caylor attacked Melinda while on the lam after molesting a 14-year-old girl in Georgia, authorities said. Matthew Caylor, 50, killed himself on Floridas death row on Wednesday. WMBB Caylor was found guilty of raping and murdering 13-year-old Melinda Hinson. Facebook He was living out of a motel room in Panama City so he could sell drugs on the side while in hiding and Melinda, who lived in that same motel with her family, dropped by his room one day to ask for a cigarette. Caylor wanted to make the trade worth it, according to court documents. [I]f Im going to be in trouble for having sex with this girl being in my room, I might as well have sex with this girl, Caylor told authorities of his thinking at the time. Caylor tried to get off Death Row for years. Melinda tried to force him off her, and they eventually rolled off the bed and over a telephone, Caylor said. He then took the cord and strangled the flailing teenager with it until she died. Then he stuffed her body between the mattress and the bed frame, where motel cleaners found her two days later. Caylor repeatedly tried to dodge Death Row through the courts, to no avail. So he took matters into his own hands last week a move that State Attorney Larry Basford claimed did a service to Floridians wallets. Its unclear how Caylor killed himself. WMBB Matthew Caylor was a sexual predator that had violated his parole in Georgia and came down here for a last hurrah in Bay County, Basford said. After a trial and numerous appeals, he knew he was facing the same inevitable fate as Kayle Bates. By committing suicide, he saved the taxpayers of Florida a lot of money. Its unclear how Caylor killed himself. Kayle Bates, another inmate on the Sunshine States Death Row, was executed Tuesday. Bates had abducted a woman from a Florida Panhandle insurance office and killed her. Its unclear how much executions cost taxpayers today and if their grisly price tag varies by method. In 2000, it cost about $24 million for each execution with the electric chair, the Palm Street Post said. At that time, Florida had executed 44 prisoners. In the quarter century since the Palm Street Posts findings, another 72 prisoners have been executed, including 10 in 2025 alone, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. There are still more than 250 people waiting on Floridas Death Row. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers expressed skepticism over the US government's decision to take a 10% equity stake in Intel (INTC), warning that the move reflects a troubling shift in how economic policy is being carried out. The stake comes as Washington steps up efforts to boost the domestic semiconductor industry. While Summers acknowledged the logic of public funds supporting struggling companies, he cautioned that the Intel deal fits into a broader and, in his view, problematic pattern. "It comes as part of a general approach to [economic] policy, what you might call deals-based capitalism rather than rules-based ... capitalism," he said. Summers argued that a rules-based approach, where companies compete under consistent standards rather than striking case-by-case deals with regulators, is more conducive to long-term growth and market stability. Recent government interventions raise questions about fairness, consistency, and long-term market impacts, Summer noted. These examples include the government taking a stake in US Steel in exchange for regulatory approval, as well as agreements with law firms after threats that they would lose access to federal buildings. The Intel move touches off a larger debate about the government's role in shaping the future of critical industries like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The company has faced years of execution challenges, ceding market share to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Its turnaround efforts have required heavy government support, including subsidies from the CHIPs and Science Act. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers attends the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference on July 9, 2025, in Sun Valley, Idaho. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images) Summers, who also serves on the board of directors of OpenAI (OPAI.PVT), said he doesn't want to prejudge the details of the Intel deal "without understanding things better," but he did stress the risks of blurring the line between market competition and political negotiation. For investors, uncertainty grows when policy decisions in Washington increasingly shape the future of US tech companies. That has been the case for Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD. The two companies are in a revenue-sharing arrangement with the US government, where they are required to pay 15% of their revenue from specific AI chip sales to China to secure export licenses. Francisco Velasquez is a Reporter at Yahoo Finance. He can be reached on LinkedIn and X, or via email at francisco.velasquez@yahooinc.com. Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Daniele Venturelli/Getty Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart NEED TO KNOW Harrison Ford revealed a surprising secret to his 15-year marriage with Calista Flockhart during an appearance on NPR's Wild Card with Rachel Martin The 83-year-old actor also shared what age has taught him about love Ford and Flockhart tied the knot in New Mexico in June 2010 Harrison Ford is sharing one of the surprising secrets behind his 15-year marriage to wife Calista Flockhart. During a recent appearance on NPR's Wild Card with Rachel Martin, the 83-year-old actor opened up to Martin about what age has taught him about love. Old people can love, too," he said. You know, you think about falling in love and all of that business," Ford continued. "You think its the business of youth or something, you know, and staying in love is the issue. Maintaining, nurturing, basically, not f------ up. After Martin noted that couples in relationships "work on that every day," the Shrinking star added he allows himself a little leeway. "With some days off for bad behavior," he quipped. When asked how long he and Flockhart, 60, have been married, Ford replied, "If you ask me, I would say all my life. I was married for the first time at 23 years of age, which should be illegal." The star wed his first wife, Mary Marquardt, in 1964 before splitting in 1979, and was also previously married to screenwriter Melissa Mathison from 1983 until their divorce was finalized in 2004. He tied the knot with Flockhart in 2010. Ford and Flockhart, who celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary in June, began dating after meeting at the 59th Golden Globe Awards in 2002. The following year, the Indiana Jones star declared, "I'm in love," in an interview with Hello! magazine. "Romantic love is one of the most exciting and fulfilling kinds of love, and I think there is a potential for it at any stage of your life," he added to the outlet. "I was not surprised that I was able to fall in love, and I wasn't surprised that I did." Jc Olivera/Getty Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart Ford proposed to Flockhart over Valentine's Day weekend during a family vacation in 2009, and the couple got married in New Mexico the following year. Ford adopted Flockhart's son, Liam, whom she welcomed via adoption in 2001. In a 2008 interview with Reader's Digest, Ford praised Flockhart's dedication to motherhood and opened up about the joy of having Liam, now 22, in his life. "She's a mother by choice she adopted Liam before we met, as a single parent, which is an awesome responsibility to take. She's devoted herself to Liam and has done a really wonderful job raising him. I'm happy to now have a part of the job," he said. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "She's brought a child back into my home," Ford continued. "My youngest, other than Liam, is 17. It's a wonderful opportunity to be part of a child's growing up, which is always an endless springtime. You see the blossoming and the growing and the nurturing and the payoff." The 1923 star is also dad to sons Benjamin, 58, and Willard, 56, whom he shares with Marquardt, along with son Malcolm, 37, and daughter Georgia, 35, whom he welcomed with Mathison. Read the original article on People By David Shepardson and Arsheeya Bajwa WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Intel said on Monday that the U.S. government's 9.9% stake in the chipmaker could pose risks to its business, from potentially harming international sales to limiting its ability to secure future government grants. The company laid out new risk factors in a securities filing after the government decided to convert $11 billion in government grants into an equity stake in Intel, the latest extraordinary intervention in corporate America by President Donald Trump. Separately, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said in a video posted on Monday by the Commerce Department that the company did not need the government funding. "I don't need the grant," Tan said. "But I really look forward to having the U.S. government be my shareholder." But the filing from Intel raised questions about the U.S. investment. Intel noted, for example, that it is uncertain if the deal may result in other government entities trying to convert existing grants into equity investments or if they might be unwilling to support future grants. Intel shares will be acquired with the $5.7 billion in unpaid grants from the 2022 CHIPS and Science semiconductor subsidy law and $3.2 billion awarded to Intel for the Secure Enclave program last year under Trump's predecessor, Democratic President Joe Biden. "To the maximum extent permissible under applicable law," Intel's obligations under the CHIPS Act will be considered discharged, barring the Secure Enclave program, according to the filing. Intel's non-U.S. business may also be impacted by the U.S. government being a significant stockholder as this could subject the company to additional regulations or restrictions such as foreign subsidy laws in other countries, the filing said. Sales outside the United States accounted for 76% of its revenue last year while revenue from China contributed 29% to total revenue. Trump's deal with Intel came after Tan had a meeting with the president, who had demanded Tan's resignation over his ties to Chinese firms. The company also said the shares to be issued to the U.S. government at a discount to the current market price are dilutive to existing stockholders. The government is purchasing Intel shares at a $4 discount to Intel's closing stock price of $24.80 on Friday. Intel shares rose 2% in early trading on Monday to $25.25. The government's substantial additional powers over laws and regulations impacting Intel may limit the company's ability to pursue transactions that benefit shareholders, the filing said. (Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru and David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Arun Koyyur and Mark Porter) caption Kaitlyn Rosati I'm a frequent traveler who's been to all 20 regions of Italy, and Basilicata is my favorite. This southern region has a relatively small population, but I believe it's Italy's best-kept secret. I've been back multiple times to see Basilicata's beautiful beaches and eat delicious local cuisine. Last month, I accomplished my goal of visiting all 20 regions in Italy when I set foot in Molise (which Italians cheekily refer to as "the region that doesn't exist," because it's so small). Although I have great memories of Emilia-Romagna's incredible food and Sardinia's therapeutic salty air, nowhere has quite stolen my heart like Basilicata a region I've visited six times since 2021, and come to think of as the country's best-kept secret. Basilicata is located in Southern Italy, right between Puglia and Calabria. I'll admit that I have an emotional connection to the area, too: My great-grandmother hails from a small town called Pignola, right in the heart of the region near its capital, Potenza. That said, I also happen to just genuinely love this part of Italy, from its dramatic rolling hills to its niche cuisine. Whenever someone asks me which part of the country they should visit, I always encourage them to plan a trip there. Not only is it beautiful, but I've found it to be less crowded than other parts of the country. As of 2024, the population of the entire region of Basilicata is less than 550,000, whereas the population of Rome, which is just a city, is close to 3 million. From seaside paradise and dramatic mountains, Basilicata has it all caption auralaura/Shutterstock Uniquely surrounded by the sea on two coasts to the south, the Ionian Sea, and to the west, the Tyrrhenian Sea Basilicata offers a beach escape on a budget. Most notably, Maratea is my favorite Amalfi Coast "dupe" in the country. The beaches in this town are top-notch with clear, sparkling water, and their beauty has been recognized by Borghi Piu Belli d'Italia, a nonprofit that works to preserve the most beautiful small villages in Italy. Plus, Maratea offers easy access to Pollino National Park, the country's largest national park. Pollino is full of dreamy hiking trails lined with Loricato pine trees. You'll also want to visit Matera, one of the world's oldest continuously lived-in cities, with history dating back nearly 10,000 years. It's famous for its Sassi di Matera, the network of buildings carved out of caves. The food goes far beyond pizza and pasta caption Kaitlyn Rosati Throughout my visits to every Italian region, I have fallen in love with the diversity of the country's cuisine. Yes, everyone knows that Italy is home to plenty of pizza and pasta but each Italian region has specific, niche dishes, too. With a strong socioeconomic divide between Northern and Southern Italy, Basilicata has historically been one of the most impoverished parts of the country. That history shows through the region's food. For example, in Matera, a popular meal is "bread balls" that have the same seasonings as regular meatballs, only sans meat and thus cheaper to prepare. No visit to Basilicata is complete without trying peperone crusco. These crunchy, bright red, sweet peppers are served on just about everything. I've had them on a variety of pasta dishes (especially pasta mollicata, a pasta topped with breadcrumbs), and I even had them covered in chocolate at a small pasticceria in Pignola. Cheese fanatics will be pleased to try caciocavallo. This teardrop-shaped cheese is usually made from sheep's milk (though it can also be made from cow's milk), and has a similar flavor profile to provolone. It's served in various ways, from fried discs to a bubbly skillet melt. You can even simply eat it fresh from the deli counter. I love all of Italy, but I'll always come back to Basilicata caption Kaitlyn Rosati Despite having reached my goal of seeing all 20 regions in Italy, I still feel I've only scraped the surface of the country. Though I can't guarantee I'll return to every region, I know I will be back to Basilicata over and over again because, at the end of the day, there's simply no place like home. Read the original article on Business Insider A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia for a second time after he was wrongfully removed to El Salvador earlier this year. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland ruled from the bench on Monday, Aug. 25, that the government cannot deport Abrego Garcia until she can hold a hearing on his latest lawsuit challenging his deportation. Xinis order came just hours after U.S. immigration agents detained Abrego Garcia when he reported to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore for what his attorneys had been told was a mandatory check-in. Agents detained him within 60 seconds of his arrival, said his attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg. Abrego Garcias detention is the latest chapter in a case that started back in March when he was stopped near his home in Maryland and deported to a Salvadoran mega-prison. The case has fueled outrage over the Trump administrations hardline deportation policies. Abrego Garcia has spent more than five months in detention, including time in his native El Salvador at a prison known for its harsh conditions. Last week, he was released from criminal custody in Tennessee and returned to his home in the Washington suburb of Beltsville, Maryland. At the hearing on Monday, Xinis stressed that the government was absolutely forbidden at this juncture from removing Abrego Garcia from the United States. The government's attorney, Drew Ensign, said Abrego Garcia's deportation was not imminent and that it takes time to remove someone to another country. Still, the administration is adamant that he will not be allowed to remain in the United States. "ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia & are processing him for deportation," the White House said in a social media post. "@POTUS is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, & child predator to terrorize American citizens..." - @Sec_Noem." Abrego Garcia, who has repeatedly denied those claims, arrived at the ICE office Monday with his wife and brother and was quickly surrounded by a crowd of supporters chanting "Si se puede," Spanish for "Yes we can." He and his wife embraced in the building's lobby before proceeding through a security checkpoint. Where is Abrego Garcia being held? Where could he be deported? Sandoval-Moshenberg said his client is being held in a detention facilitiy in Virginia. U.S. officials have offered to deport him to Costa Rica if he pleads guilty to transporting migrants living illegally in the United States, his lawyers say. When he declined to enter a guilty plea, the U.S. government warned he could be deported to Uganda. Abrego Garcia's lawyers say they have entered plea discussions with the government to avoid deportation to Uganda, which they say would be "far more dangerous" than Costa Rica. "They're holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick," Sandoval-Moshenberg said. "They're weaponizing the immigration system in a way that's completely unconstitutional." 'An acceptably less bad option' Before his check-in with ICE, Abrego Garcia notified the government in writing that Costa Rica would be an acceptable country for the United States to send him after he received assurances from Costa Rica that he would be given refugee status there and would not be deported back to El Salvador, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. "For him to be removed to Costa Rica is not justice," Sandoval-Moshenberg said, "it is an acceptably less bad option." Xinis suggested during the hearing that, if Abrego Garcia is deported, federal law may require that he be sent to his country of choice, especially since Costa Rica has agreed to grant him refugee status and not send him back to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia also filed a second notice with the U.S. government saying he feared removal to Uganda because of human rights abuses in that country and the lack of assurances that Uganda would not send him back to El Salvador, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Because of that notice, Abrego Garcia is entitled to an interview, Sandoval-Moshenberg said, and the U.S. government cannot remove him from the country until that interview is granted. Kilmar Abrego Garcia turns himself into ICE in Baltimore after release from jail Kilmar Abrego, the migrant whose wrongful deportation to El Salvador made him a symbol of U.S. President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration policies, stands with his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura, as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, in Baltimore, Maryland, on Aug. 25, 2025. Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed: Man at the center of high-profile immigration fight released from jail Abrego Garcia claims he was beaten, tortured Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported and taken to the Terrorism Confinement Center, also known as CECOT, in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in March. The Trump administration has admitted in court documents that the deportation was a mistake, which it blamed it on an administrative error. Abrego Garcia experienced "severe beatings" and "psychological torture" in the notorious high-security prison, his lawyers said in a court filing last month. The filing also says that Abrego Garcia experienced "severe sleep deprivation" and nutrition so inadequate that he lost 31 pounds. Lawsuit filed in Maryland seeking to ban deportation Abrego Garcia has filed a federal lawsuit in Maryland seeking an order to ban deporting him anywhere unless he has had the chance to contest being sent there. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has blamed activist liberal judges for blocking administration efforts to remove people living in the U.S. illegally who were suspected of committing crimes. By ordering this monster loose on Americas streets, this judge has shown a complete disregard for the safety of the American people, Noem said. We will not stop fighting till this Salvadoran man faces justice and is OUT of our country. Kilmar Abrego Garcia holds wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura's hand as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office in Maryland on Aug. 25, 2025. Trump administration has focused on Abrego Garcia Abrego Garcia, a sheetmetal worker living in suburban Washington, became the face of President Donald Trump's sweeping and controversial deportation tactics. Abrego Garcia entered the country illegally around 2012 as a teen. Immigration officials issued a final order of removal in 2019, but they said he could not be released to his home country of El Salvador because of credible fears of persecution by gangs in that country. Contributing: Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kilmar Abrego Garcia: Judge pauses deportation; man detained in Va BALTIMORE Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who reunited with his family last week after 160 days apart following his mistaken deportation to El Salvador, was taken into ICE custody Monday after an immigration check-in, but a judge later ruled that he cannot be deported, for now. The check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Baltimore was part of the conditions of his release Friday from federal custody. While such meetings are usually routine and meant for case updates, Abrego's attorneys had expected he would be taken into ICE custody after the Trump administration over the weekend announced its intention to deport him to Uganda. "There was no need to take him into ICE detention. ... The only reason they took him into detention was to punish him" for exercising his constitutional right to speak up and fight proceedings, said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Abrego's attorneys. Kilmar Abrego Garcia appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office Monday. (Elizabeth Frantz / Reuters) Monday afternoon, Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego was being held at a detention center in Virginia. Abrego was deported in March but returned to the United States on June 6, after he was indicted and charged with transporting within the United States people who were not legally in the country. He has denied the allegations. What we know about Abrego Garcia's case Abrego filed a new lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Maryland "seeking to ensure that he is not removed from the United States pending his immigration proceedings." The lawsuit asked a federal judge to issue an order that Abrego not be allowed to be removed from the United States unless he is given proper due process to fight his potential deportation. The suit challenges Abrego's deportation to Uganda or any other country unless and until he has had a fair trial, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. He later argued that deporting his client to any country without any credible assurances that he could stay there would be just a very inconvenient layover to El Salvador. At a hearing Monday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered that Abrego must remain stay detained in the United States temporarily blocking his deportation to Uganda until she holds an evidentiary hearing. Xinis said there are "several grounds" on which there may be jurisdiction for her to exercise relief among them that Uganda has not agreed to offer Abrego protections, like being able to walk freely, being given refugee status and not being re-deported to El Salvador. Before his ICE check-in appointment and detainment Monday morning, Abrego addressed reporters surrounded by family, supporters, faith leaders and his legal team, who were all calling for his freedom. "My name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this, remember that I am free and I was able to be reunited with my family," he said in Spanish before a translator repeated in English. "This was a miracle. Thank you to God and thank you to the community," he added. "I want to thank each and every one of you who marched. Lift your voices, never stop praying and continue to fight in my name." Kilmar Abrego Garcia is reunited with family members Friday. (CASA ) The government says Abrego was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, in violation of a 2019 court order. After much legal resistance, he was returned to the United States in June and hit with human smuggling charges out of Tennessee, which he pleaded not guilty to. The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Abrego of being a member of the notorious MS-13 gang, which his attorneys have denied. His lawyers have said he illegally immigrated to the United States when he was 16 to join his brother in Maryland to escape gang violence in El Salvador. The Trump administration offered Abrego a plea deal last week, his lawyers said in a court filing Saturday that was part of their efforts to get the charges in Tennessee dropped over what they consider "vindictive" and "selective" prosecution. If he pleads guilty to the federal charges out of Tennessee and serves time, he can be deported to Costa Rica. The Costa Rican government said he would live as a free man there, according to the filing. Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego would not accept the plea deal, as he "will not accept charges of which he's not guilty." But Sandoval-Moshenberg said that if Abrego is deported to Costa Rica instead of Uganda, that would be "a perfectly reasonable option." "Even if they were to name Spain as the country unless they've got guarantees he can stay that country, all it is is really a way station on the way right back to El Salvador, where it's already been established that he can't go," Sandoval-Moshenberg said Monday on "Meet the Press NOW." "And that's what we have from Costa Rica right now: assurances of refugee status, assurances that they will not re-deport him," Sandoval-Moshenberg said. While the Abrego case has received a lot of attention, there have been others who have allegedly been deported erroneously, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. He said he has gotten emails from more than a dozen other immigration lawyers saying the same thing happened to their clients. This whole business with third-country removals is really brand new; its just something that started, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. We thought that Abrego Garcia was sort of a one-of-a-kind case, he said. But it turned out really to just be the tip of the spear. Gary Grumbach reported from Baltimore, Marlene Lenthang from Los Angeles and Rebecca Cohen from New York. Washington Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being processed for deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security said, after he was taken into custody Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, days after his release from criminal custody. Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador, was mistakenly deported to his home country in March and held in a notorious Salvadoran prison for months before being returned to the U.S. in June where he was jailed on federal human smuggling charges. A judge ruled that he should be released from detention ahead of a trial set for January. Abrego Garcia was freed from pretrial detention last Friday. CBS News reported on Saturday that his attorneys were then sent a court-required notice of his potential deportation to Uganda. He arrived at the ICE facility on Monday morning to check in, speaking in Spanish to supporters who had gathered in a show of support outside of the facility. "There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the U.S. Marshals Service and basically on house arrest," his attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said. "The only reason that they've chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. To punish him for exercising his constitutional rights." Sandoval-Moshenberg filed a new lawsuit on Abrego Garcia's behalf on Monday challenging his confinement and deportation to any country "unless and until he had a fair trial in an immigration court." Kilmar Abrego Garcia holds his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura's hand, as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, in Baltimore, Maryland, August 25, 2025. (Picture taken through glass). / Credit: Elizabeth Frantz / REUTERS The U.S. district court in Maryland soon issued an order preventing the government from immediately removing Abrego Garcia from the U.S. or altering his legal status, meaning his deportation is on hold for now. The court has issued the standing order in all cases involving migrant detainees challenging the legality of their detentions in recent months, a move the Justice Department is challenging as unlawful. Judge Paula Xinis, who is assigned to the case, held a hearing on Abrego Garcia's new suit on Monday. She issued an oral order preventing the Trump administration from moving Abrego Garcia from the ICE facility in Virginia where he is now being held. The Department of Homeland Security claims Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which his family denies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that ICE had arrested Abrego Garcia and was "processing him for deportation." DHS said he is "being processed for removal to Uganda." The U.S. reached an agreement with Uganda to accept some deportees last week. "President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer," Noem said. In a legal filing over the weekend, Abrego Garcia's lawyers said he was offered a plea deal that included deportation to Costa Rica. His legal team said they then received a notice of his possible deportation to Uganda. Sandoval-Moshenberg clarified Monday that Abrego Garcia had stated that he was willing to accept refugee status in Costa Rica. "The fact that they're holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick to try to coerce him to plead guilty to a crime is such clear evidence that they're weaponizing the immigration system in a manner that is completely unconstitutional," Sandoval-Moshenberg said Monday. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the return of Abrego Garcia earlier this year, met with him Sunday. Van Hollen said in a statement that he was glad to "welcome him back to Maryland after what has been a long and torturous nightmare." "The federal courts and public outcry forced the Administration to bring Abrego Garcia back to Maryland, but Trump's cronies continue to lie about the facts in his case and they are engaged in a malicious abuse of power as they threaten to deport him to Uganda to block his chance to defend himself against the new charges they brought," Van Hollen said. "As I told Kilmar and his wife Jennifer, we will stay in this fight for justice and due process because if his rights are denied, the rights of everyone else are put at risk." An immigration judge ruled in 2019 that Abrego Garcia may not be deported to El Salvador because he feared persecution by local gangs in the Central American country. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore advocated for due process for Abrego Garcia on Sunday, saying on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that "I just simply want a court and a judge to decide what is going to be the future fate of this case and all cases like this, and not simply the president of the United States or the secretary of homeland security who is trying to be judge, juror, prosecutor and executioner inside this case." Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. Six college students will receive free products to gear up for greatness this school year THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DigiKey, the leading global electronic components and automation products distributor, announces its annual Back to School Giveaway, which offers university students a chance to win products and swag, including one grand prize of a Teledyne LeCroy Power Supply unit. University students are encouraged to enter the DigiKey Back to School Giveaway to win prize packages that include swag and products. Five entrants will be randomly selected to win a prize package that includes products such as an Aven Tools LED lamp, a Pokit Innovations all-in-one digital tool, a Weidmuller wire stripper, an Adafruit Ladyada's electronics toolkit, DigiKey swag and more. Plus, one grand prize winner will also receive a Teledyne LeCroy Power Supply unit. "Each year, the Back to School Giveaway is a celebration of curiosity, creativity and the bright future ahead," said Brooks Vigen, senior director of global strategic marketing at DigiKey. "DigiKey is proud to support students as they turn bold ideas into real-world innovations, and we're excited to see how this generation will shape the technologies of tomorrow." The sweepstakes is open to any student with a university or college email address, and entries may be made in students' local language. To enter the Back to School Giveaway, visit DigiKey's website here. Submissions are open from Aug. 26 Oct. 24, 2025, and winners will be announced around Nov. 15, 2025. To learn more about DigiKey's free educational tools and academic resources for coursework and projects, visit the DigiKey website. About DigiKey DigiKey, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is recognized as the global leader and continuous innovator in the cutting-edge commerce distribution of electronic components and automation products worldwide. We get technical by providing more than 16.5 million components from over 3,000 quality name-brand manufacturers with an industry-leading breadth and depth of product in stock and available for immediate shipment. DigiKey also supports engineers, designers, builders and procurement professionals with a wealth of digital solutions, frictionless interactions and tools to make their jobs more efficient. Additional information can be found at digikey.com and on Facebook , X , YouTube , Instagram and LinkedIn . Editorial Contact Laura Stengrim DigiKey (218) 681-8000 ext. 14489 [email protected] SOURCE DigiKey President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday threatening to withhold or revoke federal funding to local and state governments that offer cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety. No cash. Come back in a couple of months, we'll give you a trial. You never see the person again," he said, moments before signing the order. Attorney General Pam Bondi must submit a list of jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order within 30 days, as stipulated in the order. Proponents of eliminating cash bail describe it as a penalty on poverty, suggesting that the wealthy can pay their way out of jail to await trial while those with fewer financial resources have to sit it out behind bars. Critics of the cashless route have argued that bail is a time-honored way to ensure defendants released from jail show up for court proceedings. They warn that violent criminals will be released pending trial, giving them license to commit other crimes. Here's what to know: What it is Cashless bail refers to policies that allow people to be released from jail without paying any money while they await trial. It is an alternative to the traditional cash bail system in which which people pay money to be released and get their money back if they return to court when they are supposed to. The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution prohibits excessive bail. Where it's offered In 2023, Illinois became the first state to eliminate cash bail when the state Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the law abolishing it. The move was part of an expansive criminal justice overhaul adopted in 2021 known as the SAFE-T Act. Under the change, a judge decides whether to release the defendant prior to their trial, weighing factors such as their criminal charges, if they could pose any danger to others and if they are considered a flight risk. A number of other jurisdictions, including New Jersey, New Mexico and Washington, D.C., have nearly eliminated cash bail or limited its use. Some have used practices such as court date reminders, transportation vouchers, flexible scheduling and on-site child care to increase court attendance for people who have been released without bail. When it's offered Policies vary by jurisdiction, but many exclude the use of cashless bail for more serious crimes such as murder and other violent offenses. Cashless bail might also be denied if there is concern an individual might flee before trial. In some cases, it is granted automatically for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies. The impact on crime Studies have shown mixed results regarding the impact of cashless bail on crime. Many focus on the recidivism of individual defendants rather than overall crime rates. Loyola University of Chicagos Center for Criminal Justice published a 2024 report on Illinois new cashless bail policy, one year after it went into effect. It acknowledges that there is not yet enough data to know what impact the law has had on crime, but that crime in Illinois did not increase after its implementation. Violent and property crime declined in some counties. A 2024 report published by the Brennan Center for Justice saw no statistically significant relationship between bail reform and crime rates. It looked at crime rate data from 2015 through 2021 for 33 cities across the U.S., 22 of which had instituted some type of bail reform. Researchers used a statistical method to determine if crime rates had diverged in those with reforms and those without. The report found that put simply there was no significant difference in crime rates between cities that reformed their bail policies and those that did not. Asked last month what data Trump was using to support his claim that cashless bail leads to increase in crime, the White House pointed to a 2022 report from the district attorneys office in Yolo County, California, that looked at how a temporary cashless bail system implemented across the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in courts and jails impacted recidivism. It found that out of 595 individuals released between April 2020 and May 2021 under this system, 70.6% were arrested again after they were released. A little more than half were rearrested more than once. A large reptile has officials on high alert in a Maine town, authorities shared on social media. Calling the animal a large lizard on the loose, the Old Town Police Department shared on Sunday, Aug. 24 that the reptile is a tegu lizard. Someone called police around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 about a large lizard under their porch, Bailey told USA TODAY. As of Aug. 25, the lizard has not been found, Bailey said. A tegu lizard on the loose in Old Town Maine in August 2025. It was initially believed to be a monitor lizard, but witness accounts have shown otherwise, the department said. Tegu lizards like this one have sharp teeth and claws, as well as strong jaws, police shared online at 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 24. While they are not inherently aggressive, they can lash out when they feel threatened. They can grow to be 2, 3, and sometimes 4 feet long, according to wildlife experts. The owner subsequently contacted us to confirm that the Tegu lizard belonged to him, Bailey wrote, adding that the owner is an Old Town resident. What to do if you see a lizard like this Bailey said those who see the lizard should not approach it. Police have been in contact with the Maine Warden Service and an animal control officer to create a plan to safely capture the lizard once it is found, Bailey told USA TODAY. Our plan involves using a catch pole to guide the lizard into a large crate, he said. We believe the lizard is possibly hunkered down somewhere and will likely come out when the sun shines again, as Tegu lizards enjoy basking in the sun. More on tegu lizards Tegus are often hunted for skins, local consumption, and sometimes, the commercial pet trade, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Tegus, an invasive creature, have been introduced in Florida, and can be considered harmful and invasive to birds and mammals when released, the IUCN said. They are found in places such as Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, according to the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), which researches invasive species across South Florida. Three common tegu species found in the U.S. include the: Argentine black and white tegu Grows up to 4 feet long, is black and white with banding along its tail. Hatchlings have green on their heads which fades after a few months. Gold tegu Grows 2 to 3 feet long and has black and gold stripes down its body. Red tegu Grows up to 4 feet long; males have large jowls. Tegus eat fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, dog or cat food, and small animals like lizards and rodents, according to CISMA. They spend most of the time on land but can swim and may stay submerged under water for long periods of time. During colder months, they are most active during the day and spend colder months in a burrow or under cover. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Lizard on the loose' has authorities searching in Old Town, Maine Over centuries, famous buildings have served as churches, government offices, residences, and more. When at risk of ruin by some disaster or when in need of restoration, humankind has often stepped in to preserve the rich history of these monuments. Using state support, community initiatives, and even crowdfunding efforts, cities around the world can now restore historically significant structures faster than ever before. From recreating their much-loved original designs to completely reimagining them, the possibilities truly are endless. Weve compiled a list of 25 historical buildings that were saved from the brink of ruin through careful work and skilled labor. #1 Parliament House In Wellington, New Zealand The Parliament House in Wellington, New Zealand, was completed and designated in 1876. Since then, the building has been rescued from ruin multiple times. On 11 December 1907, the building burned to the ground, leaving only the library. It was rebuilt between 1914 and 1922. Amid discussions to demolish the building in 1989, it was saved by being assigned the highest heritage rating in the country. Restored and strengthened during the early 1990s, the Parliament House was officially opened by Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand November 1995. Image credits: Joseph Zachariah #2 Sarajevo City Hall National Library, Bosnia And Herzegovina Considered one of the most notable examples of the "Moorish" style in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Sarajevo City Hall was opened in 1896. During the Bosnian War in 1992, the building suffered extensive damage. After the war, donations from Spain, Hungary, and Austria funded its four-phase renovation and preservation program. The phases included a lengthy research process, followed by the restoration of the structure in the original stone, brick, and wood, with new steel supports. It ended with the delicate restoration of decorative elements, including gypsum and painted decorations, to the interior and exterior surfaces. Image credits: Aktron #3 Reims Cathedral, France Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the traditional location for the coronation of the kings of France, the Reims Cathedral was once destroyed by fire and totally rebuilt by 1275. A century later, the cathedral was damaged during an English siege, and a fire in 1481 destroyed the framework, bell tower, and roof. Restored once again, the cathedral would suffer further damage during a German attack in World War I. This time, the blast shattered the windows, wrecked the facade, and set fire to the scaffolding. However, within a decade, the cathedral was restored to its former glory. Image credits: Johan Bakker #4 Montreal City Hall, Canada Montreal City Hall was built between 1872 and 1878 solely for official government business. In 1922, the building burned down to its outer walls. Architect Louis Parant led the reconstruction, modeling the new building after the city hall of the French city of Tours. By placing a steel structure inside the shell of the ruins, he was still able to honor the original facade. The building reopened on February 15, 1926, and today stands as a National Historic Site open to the public for tours. Image credits: szeke #5 Notre-Dame De Paris, France Built in France in 1163, Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. On the verge of collapse by the 19th century, the popularity of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, published in 1831, led to a national movement for its preservation. On April 15, 2019, a fire broke out under the cathedrals roof, making global headlines. Over $10.6 million was donated towards its restoration, which is said to have cost $900 million and required over 2,000 artisans and contractors. Notre-Dame reopened on December 7, 2024, but refurbishments are set to continue until the end of 2026. Image credits: LEVRIER Guillaume #6 Windsor Castle, UK Constructed in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is the largest and longest inhabited castle in the world. Over the centuries, the palace has survived multiple fires. The most notable broke out in November 1992, destroying nine staterooms and severely damaging more than 100 others. Restoration proved to be a monumental task but was eventually completed on November 20, 1997. This was five years to the day of the fire and just in time for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philips 50th wedding anniversary. Image credits: Wikimedia #7 Gran Teatre Del Liceu, Spain Finished in 1847, Barcelonas Gran Teatre del Liceu was completely destroyed 14 years later. It was rebuilt and reopened in April 1862, but a year later, anarchist Santiago Salvador threw two Orsini bombs into the stalls, injuring dozens and resulting in 20 fatalities. For the third time, the Liceu opened its doors to the public in 1894. It would be 100 years until another incident. A fire broke out on January 31, 1994, scorching the interior and the buildings roof. After a year, funds were raised to rebuild the theater, with the design kept as close to the original as possible. Image credits: sfer #8 Hampton Court Palace, UK The Tudor Hampton Court, built in 1514 in central London, is a Grade I listed royal palace that has been restored many times throughout history. Thomas Wolsey, Archbishop of York, spent seven years renovating it and hosted King VIII as one of his first guests in 1525. Upon Wosleys passing five years later, the King began renovations of his own. In 1986, the palace was damaged by a fire caused by a candle, and restoration work began in 1990. Image credits: DiscoA340 #9 Kapellbrucke, Switzerland Kapellbrucke, also known as the Chapel Bridge, is one of the most famous landmarks in Lucerne, Switzerland. It was built around 1360 as part of the city's fortifications. On August 17, 1993, a fire broke out, destroying two-thirds of the bridge. Unfortunately, 86 of 111 triangular paintings illustrating Lucerne throughout history were lost; only the two bridgeheads and the Water Tower were saved. Remarkably, full reconstruction of the bridge was completed 8 months after the fire. Image credits: kapellbruecke #10 Palais De Justice, Belgium Completed in 1883, the Palais De Justice is among the most impressive monuments in Brussels, Belgium. On September 3, 1944, German soldiers set the palace on fire as they fled. The inferno melted the buildings metal dome and destroyed the library, court records, historical documents, and more. The palace was eventually reconstructed with a taller dome, but it needed another restoration by the 1980s. However, due to substantial costs and permit issues, the facade is estimated to be done by the end of 2025, and the entire building, by 2030. Image credits: Martin Mycielski #11 Hiroshima Castle, Japan The Hiroshima Castle in Japan was constructed in the 1590s and designated a National treasure in 1931. Like many of Hiroshimas other cultural sites and artifacts, it was destroyed by the August 6, 1945, atomic blast. In 1958, the main keep was rebuilt, serving as a museum of Hiroshima's history before the Second World War. As the castles construction does not meet current earthquake codes, it will be closed to the public on March 22, 2026. Image credits: DXR #12 Ribeira Palace, Portugal Ribeira Palace was built at the beginning of the 16th century as the main residence of the Kings of Portugal. In 1755, the palace, along with most of the city of Lisbon, was destroyed in a devastating earthquake. As the city recovered, the reigning monarch chose to reside among the hills of Ajuda, and so the palace was never rebuilt. Instead, Lisbons primary square, or the Praca do Comercio as it is known today, is situated on the site. Image credits: HBarrison #13 Frauenkirche, Germany After two decades of construction, the Frauenkirche, located in Dresden, Germany, was completed in May 1743. During the 20th century, the church was completely restored, but collapsed following World War II bombings. Preserved as a war memorial for almost 50 years, rebuilding began in 1994 and was eventually completed in 2004. Today, Frauenkirche hosts 120 church services and over 2 million visitors per year. Image credits: Lowe, Giso #14 Pellerhaus, Germany During the bombing of Nuremberg in World War II, the Pellerhaus was destroyed. At the time, it was an important architectural Renaissance building, but after the war, it became a library with a contemporary 1950s design. From 2008 to 2018, a cultural organization in Nuremberg reconstructed the courtyard and started planning a full restoration of the Pellerhauss original design. Image credits: Sol Octobris #15 Stari Most, Bosnia And Herzegovina Opened in 1566, Stari Most, or the Old Bridge, remains an iconic example of Balkan Islamic architecture. In the 1990s, during the Croat-Bosniak War, the bridge was struck by intense gunfire and collapsed into the river. Aided by the contributions of many countries, and thanks to the United Nations Protection Force, the reconstruction of the Old Bridge began after the war. Today, the bridge is a popular cliff-diving site where annual bridge-jumping competitions are hosted every summer. Image credits: Ramirez HUN #16 La Fenice, Italy This opera house, built in the 18th century, is one of the most renowned theatres in Italian history. Since its completion, it has burned down a total of three times. The first fire occurred in 1774, resulting in the theatre only being reopened almost two decades later. In 1836, the second fire ravaged the theatre, but it was rebuilt shortly after. An arsonist destroyed it in 1996, before it was restored and reopened in 2004. Image credits: Didier Descouens #17 Slane Castle, Ireland Slane Castle, located in Meath, Ireland, was built in the 18th century and has been owned by the Conyngham family since 1703. In 1991, two-thirds of the building was severely damaged by fire, with the other third completely destroyed. Restoration took an entire decade, and now the castle is a popular tourist attraction and event destination. Image credits: catherinecronin #18 Chapultepec Castle, Mexico The Chapultepec Castle was built on top of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City. In history, the site and buildings were considered a sacred place. After being destroyed by cannon fire, it was first remodeled in 1864, becoming the home of Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico. By 1882, it was declared the official presidential residence until 1939, when the castle was converted into the National Museum of History. Image credits: National Museum of the U.S. Navy #19 Yellow Crane Tower, China Previously destroyed a total of twelve times by fire and warfare, this traditional Chinese tower from Wuhan has existed in various forms since AD 223. Its most recent reconstruction, carried out by the Wuhan government, started in 1981 and was completed by 1985. This was after the only remaining tower at the original site was destroyed in 1884. Image credits: Windmemories #20 The White House, Washington, USA The White House has served as the workplace and residence of the US president since the 19th century. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson moved into the unfinished house and renovated it into one of America's finest houses. Since then, every President has made changes and additions to the building, decorating the interior rooms as they see fit. It has undergone three major reconstructions: 1814 after the British set it on fire, modernization in 1902, and a structural overhaul between 1948 and 1952. Image credits: wikimedia #21 St Pauls Cathedral, UK The first cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle dates back to 604 CE. Following destruction by fire or Viking attacks, 3 more cathedrals were built on the same site. Its fourth iteration was built between 1087 and 1314, but became run down by the early 1600s. Restoration began in 1630, only to be cut short by the English Civil Wars. In 1666, the cathedral was completely destroyed in the Great Fire of London. A fusion of the different architectural styles, the version we know today was completed in 1710. Image credits: Thomas Wyck #22 York Minster, England Dating back to 627, this Anglican Cathedral, located in North Yorkshire in England, is the seat of the Archbishop of York. Tragically, in 1984, a fire caused extensive damage to the roof of the York Minster. It is believed that the fire could have resulted from a lightning strike, arson, or possibly even an electrical fault. In 1988, repairs and restorations were completed successfully. Image credits: Wikipedia #23 Fort Manoel, Malta In the 18th century, this star fort was built by the Order of Saint John on Manoel Island in Malta. By 1800, the fort was taken over by the British military and remained theirs until 1964, when it was severely damaged by aerial bombing. After falling into a state of disrepair, a development company finally began the costly restoration work on the fort in 2001. Image credits: Helmut Seger #24 Fairmont Hotel, USA This luxury hotel in San Francisco, California, was named after U.S. Senator James Graham Fair and built in his honor. In 1906, an earthquake and resulting fire caused some serious damage to the hotels interior, delaying its grand opening to 1907. When it was repaired, the architect used reinforced concrete so that the building could withstand most natural disasters. Image credits: Supercarwaar #25 Cathedral Of Christ The Savior, Russia Built in the 19th century, Moscows Cathedral of Christ the Savior was destroyed in 1931 as part of Stalins anti-religious campaigns. It was set to be replaced by an administrative center and monument to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Construction of this Palace of the Soviets began in 1937, but stopped during the German invasions of 1941. After the Soviet Union was dissolved, the cathedral we know today was built between 1995 and 2000. Its design is a replica of the original architects plans and ranks as the third-tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world. Image credits: Alvesgaspar Barry Brecheisen/Getty Brent Hinds in Chicago in September 2024 NEED TO KNOW Mastodon paid tribute to their late bandmate Brent Hinds during their first show since his death Drummer Brann Dailor addressed the crowd at the Alaska State Fair, calling Hinds "one of the most creative, beautiful people that weve ever come across in this world" The guitarist was part of the band from its inception in 2000 until March 2025 Mastodon remembered Brent Hinds in their first concert since his death. During their performance at the Alaska State Fair on Friday, Aug. 22, drummer Brann Dailor addressed the audience and reflected on their former bandmate, who died in a motorcycle crash on Wednesday, Aug. 20. He was 55. We lost somebody very special to us yesterday, Dailor, 50, told the crowd, per a video shared on his Instagram account. "Brent Hinds, 25 years with us as our guitar player, one of the most creative, beautiful people that weve ever come across in this world, tragically left us. Very, very unfortunate." Frazer Harrison/Getty Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor and Brent Hinds in Las Vegas in April 2022 Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We loved him so, so, so very much. And we had the ups and downs of a 25-year relationship, you know what I mean? Its not always perfect, its not always amazing, but we were brothers to the end, He added that the band made "beautiful music together" for years, "And I think that thats gonna stand the test of time, evidenced by you people here tonight." Dailor added that the heavy metal band will continue to play the music they've created through the years with Hinds' talents. He recalled anecdotes of traveling the world together as a band, where they "slept in a van together, laid our heads down on beds of f---ing kitty litter, got way too drunk to remember anything the next day about a thousand, million times over and over again." The drummer continued, "with the love that we shared and the beauty, all the audiences that we played for, all the stages we stepped on." Medios y Media/Getty Brent Hinds in Monterrey, Mexico in November 2023 "Were just at a loss for words. Were absolutely devastated and crushed to lose him and to be able to never have him back again," he concluded. "But you guys made it okay for us to come on stage and do this tonight." Dailor thanked the audience for helping them "get through that [show,]" calling it "f---ing tough." On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Hinds' Harley Davidson motorcycle collided with a BMW SUV that failed to yield when making a turn at an intersection, per Atlanta News First. The musician, whose full name is William Brent Hind, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel, the Atlanta Police Department report stated. "We are in a state of unfathomable sadness and grief last night Brent Hinds passed away as a result of a tragic accident," the band posted on Instagram. "We are heartbroken, shocked, and still trying to process the loss of this creative force with whom weve shared so many triumphs, milestones, and the creation of music that has touched the hearts of so many." Lloyd Bishop/NBC Brent Hinds, Troy Sanders, Brann Dailor and Bill Kelliher in New York in November 2021 "Our hearts are with Brents family, friends, and fans. At this time, we please ask that you respect everyones privacy during this difficult time." Hinds was part of the band, made of Dailor, Troy Sanders and Bill Kelliher, from its formation in 2000 until March 2025, when Mastodon announced that they parted ways with the guitarist. Up next for Mastodon are performances in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 26 and in New Orleans, La., on Nov. 15. Read the original article on People "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The royals are currently gathered at Balmoral for their annual summer holidayincluding Princess Anne's son Peter Phillips and his new fiance Harriet Sperling. And apparently Harriet is currently undergoing the infamous Balmoral Test, an unofficial "test" that the royals put new members through during their first visit to royal's Scottish estate. Per a source who spoke to The Sun, "Everyone knows Peter is smitten and his family have accepted Harriett into the set up so she will likely pass the infamous Balmoral Test with flying colours." Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images So, what does the Balmoral Test consist of? According to The Telegraph, it's less of an official test and more of an unspoken set of social rules that everyone's judging you on. Think: how you dress for dinner (because yes, they all change for dinner), knowing where to sit, how to hunt, and essentially just fitting in correctly with the royal family. Author Andrew Morton explained it like this in his book Diana: Her True Story: Ever since Queen Victoria bought the estate in 1848, it has had a special place in the affections of the royal family. However, the very quirks and obscure family traditions which have accrued over the years can intimidate newcomers. Dont sit there they chorus at an unfortunate guest foolish enough to try and sit in a chair in the drawing room which was last used by Queen Victoria.Those who successfully navigate this social minefield, popularly known as the Balmoral test, are accepted by the royal family. Sounds, um, fun. You Might Also Like By David Brunnstrom, Josh Smith and Ju-min Park WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's new president, Lee Jae Myung, will face a pivotal moment on Monday when he meets U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington for their first summit, as the countries' decades-old alliance strains to confront rapid geopolitical changes. Much is riding on the meeting for Lee, who took office in June after a snap election called after his conservative predecessor - feted in Washington for his hard line on North Korea - was removed for attempting to impose martial law. South Korea's economy relies heavily on the U.S., with Washington underwriting its security with troops and nuclear deterrence. Lee hopes to chart a balanced path of cooperation with the U.S., while not antagonising top trade partner China. As he headed to the U.S., Lee sent a special delegation to Beijing, which delivered a message calling for normalised relations with China that have been strained in recent years. South Korea has long come under targeted criticism from Trump, who has called it a "money machine" that takes advantage of American military protection. Lee will seek to make a good impression, connect personally with Trump, and above all, avoid any unpleasant surprises, analysts said. "For Lee, a no-news summit I think would be good," said Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. As part of his preparations for the summit, Lee told reporters during his flight to Washington that he had read "Trump: The Art of the Deal". Under heavy pressure from Trump's administration, South Korean negotiators secured a last-minute deal last month to avoid the harshest of new U.S. tariffs, but they must still hammer out details of billions of dollars in promised investments in the United States. South Korean officials say they hope such working-level trade negotiations will largely be left for other meetings. "There are many major topics in the security field," Lee's top policy aide, Kim Yong-beom, said last week. "Our position is that trade was already finalised last time. We hope that specific implementation plans for trade won't be included in the summit at all, or at least should be kept simple if discussed." Several top officials, including the foreign minister, rushed to Washington over the weekend to try to iron out final details. Lee, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, will highlight some of South Korea's expected investments when he visits a shipyard in Philadelphia owned by the country's Hanwha Group after the summit. Cooperation to help the ailing U.S. shipbuilding sector is part of the broad tariff agreement reached between the countries. ENGAGING NORTH KOREA Trump is expected to pressure Lee to commit to more spending on defence, including potentially billions of dollars more toward the upkeep of 28,500 American troops stationed in South Korea. Wi Sung-lac, Lee's top security adviser, said South Korea was in talks with Washington over defence spending, taking as a reference NATO's agreement on a big new defence spending target. Wi added that the government was also looking into a plan for the purchase of American weapons. While focusing on increasing military spending, Lee will likely seek to avoid conversations about a potential reduction of U.S. troops or using them for a wider range of operations, or details on modernizing the alliance, said Duyeon Kim, from the Center for a New American Security. Lee told reporters it would be difficult for Seoul to accept the demand by the U.S. to adopt "flexibility" in operating the U.S. military stationed in South Korea. "They should leave those topics for working-level officials to hash out," Kim said. "Ambition could backfire." Trump and Lee may also discuss efforts to persuade North Korea to freeze and eventually abandon its nuclear weapons programme. Both leaders support engaging Pyongyang, and Lee has called for a phased approach to denuclearisation. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says South Korea and the U.S. remain hostile to his country and he will never give up his nuclear arsenal. Over the weekend Kim supervised test firing of new air defence systems. Before Lee meets Trump, the South Korean leader travelled to Tokyo to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday to underscore the importance of cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the U.S. A commentary carried by North Korea's state media on Monday criticised Lee's "despicable" trip to Tokyo as a "begging message towards the master of the White House" by highlighting trilateral military cooperation. Lee and Ishiba discussed relations with Washington and U.S. tariff issues and the Japanese leader shared his experience with Trump, which for Seoul was useful information before Lee's first meeting with Trump, said Wi, the South Korean security adviser. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Idrees Ali and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington and Josh Smith, Ju-min Park and Jack Kim in Seoul; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Ed Davies and Michael Perry) By Anne Kauranen HELSINKI (Reuters) -The captain of an oil tanker and two officers accused of severing five undersea power and telecoms cables in the Baltic Sea last December, blamed technical faults for the damage as their trial began in Helsinki on Monday. NATO allies with forces stationed around the Baltic Sea went on high alert after the December 25 incident, one of a string of suspicious cable and gas pipeline outages in the region since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Prosecutors say the Eagle S tanker deliberately dragged its 11,000 kg (24,250 lb) anchor along the seabed to sever the Estlink 2 power cable linking Finland and Estonia and four internet cables as the vessel sailed from a Russian port via the Gulf of Finland. Finnish security forces intercepted the Cook Islands-registered ship and boarded it from helicopters after ordering it to move into Finnish territorial waters. The tanker's Georgian captain, Davit Vadatchkoria, and its Georgian first and Indian second officers pleaded not guilty, saying the vessel's anchor had dropped due to technical faults in the securing of the anchor winch. State prosecutor Heidi Nummela said that, while investigators did not find proof that the anchor's fastening had been manipulated, the failure of all three available backstops was at minimum a sign of gross negligence on the crew's part. Finnish prosecutors are seeking 2.5 years in prison for aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with telecommunications for the defendants who deny all charges and reject the cable owners' claims for damages that amount to tens of millions of euros. They also questioned the court's jurisdiction in the matter, given the cable cuts occurred in international waters. "This was a normal marine accident, not any sabotage," second officer Santosh Kumar Chuarasia told reporters during a break. He said that the anchor dropped due to bad weather and mechanical malfunction and that he trusted the court to rule in the defendants' favour. Vadatchkoria declined comment, while his lawyer Tommi Heinonen told the court the incident was "a marine accident". On December 25, the Eagle S sailed on for three hours at a reduced speed after severing the first power cable at 12:26 p.m. (1026 GMT), prosecutors told the court. When contacted by Finnish marine authorities at 3:20 p.m. and asked whether its anchor was up and secured, its crew replied in the affirmative, which was not true, prosecutors said. Defence lawyers said the defendants had no reason to believe the anchor had sunk to the seabed as the tanker's mechanical engineer, who is not on trial, had told them the drop in speed was caused by "an engine problem". Prosecutors said the tanker sailed on and cut four more cables between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. that day, which they said showed clear criminal intent. Last week, a Ukrainian was arrested over the 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Both Moscow and the West have described the explosions, which largely severed Russian gas supplies to Europe, as sabotage. ($1 = 0.8619 euros) (Reporting by Anne Kauranen; writing by Anna Ringstrom; editing by Hugh Lawson, Mark Heinrich and Tomasz Janowski) By Mike Scarcella (Reuters) -Billionaire Elon Musks electric vehicle company Tesla rejected a $60 million settlement proposal in a lawsuit over the 2019 fatal crash of an Autopilot-equipped Model S before a jury this month awarded a $243 million verdict in the case. Lawyers for the plaintiffs disclosed the settlement proposal in a filing on Monday in the federal court in Miami, Florida, as part of a request for legal fees from Tesla. They said Florida law entitles them to the legal fees the plaintiffs accrued since May 30, when the settlement was proposed. Tesla and a lawyer representing the company in the case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Attorneys for the plaintiffs had no immediate comment. The trial focused on an April 2019 crash involving a 2019 Model S featuring Autopilot driver-assistance software. The drivers Tesla struck the victims' parked Chevrolet Tahoe as they were standing beside it on a shoulder. Jurors awarded the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon, who was killed, and her boyfriend Dillon Angulo, who was seriously injured, a combined $129 million in compensatory damages, plus $200 million in punitive damages. Tesla was held liable for 33% of the compensatory damages, or $42.6 million, and all of the punitive damages. Jurors found the driver liable for 67% of the compensatory damages, but he was not a defendant. Tesla has denied any wrongdoing, and said the verdict only works to set back automotive safety and jeopardize Tesla's and the entire industry's efforts to develop and implement life-saving technology. Tesla has said it will appeal. The plaintiffs lawyers have said the trial was the first involving the wrongful death of a third party resulting from Autopilot. Tesla has faced similar lawsuits over its vehicles' self-driving capabilities, but they have been resolved or dismissed without getting to trial. (Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by David Bario and Nia Williams) FORREST CITY, Ark., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Sudesh Banaji Scholarship for Medical Students is officially open for applications, offering undergraduate students across the United States an opportunity to receive support as they pursue careers in medicine and healthcare. Established by Dr. Sudesh Banaji, a distinguished internal medicine specialist with more than three decades of clinical, teaching, and leadership experience, this scholarship reflects his commitment to guiding the next generation of healthcare professionals. The scholarship invites undergraduate students currently enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges or universities who intend to enter medicine or a healthcare-related field. As part of the application, students are required to submit an original essay of 750 to 1,000 words addressing the following prompt: "Describe a defining moment or experience that shaped your decision to pursue a career in medicine. How has this experience influenced your understanding of compassionate care, and how do you plan to apply that in your future medical career?" The deadline for applications is April 15, 2026, with the scholarship winner announced on May 15, 2026. Submissions must be sent in either PDF or Word document format. Dr. Sudesh Banaji, who continues to serve patients in Arkansas as co-owner of a successful private practice, has devoted his career to advancing internal medicine and mentoring students. His extensive experience in the United States has provided him with valuable insights into patient-centered care and the significance of medical education. "The scholarship represents an opportunity to encourage young minds who are deeply committed to medicine," said Dr. Sudesh Banaji. "It is my hope that this support helps students carry forward values of compassion, resilience, and excellence into their medical careers." The Dr. Sudesh Banaji Scholarship for Medical Students provides meaningful support to one student each year, fostering both academic growth and professional development in a field that continues to demand highly skilled and compassionate practitioners. By investing in the education of future physicians, Dr. Sudesh Banaji extends his legacy beyond clinical practice, contributing to the preparation of the next generation of leaders in healthcare. Undergraduate students nationwide who aspire to enter medicine are encouraged to apply and share their unique experiences, insights, and vision for compassionate care. Website: https://drsudeshbanajischolarship.com/ SOURCE Dr. Sudesh Banaji Scholarship (Reuters) -Top U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack arrived in Israel on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Syria and Lebanon, three Israeli officials said. The meeting was first reported by Axios, citing three Israeli and U.S. sources, and followed discussions between Barrack and Israel's Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and Defence Minister Israel Katz. Dermer held talks with Syria's foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani in Paris on Tuesday on security arrangements in southern Syria, two Syrian sources familiar with the meeting said. Syrian and Israeli officials have been conducting U.S.-mediated talks on de-escalating conflict in southern Syria. A previous round of talks was held in Paris in late July but ended without a final accord. On Monday, Barrack said in Lebanon that Israel should comply with a plan under which Lebanese militant group Hezbollah would be disarmed by the end of the year in exchange for a halt to Israel's military operations in Lebanon. The plan sets out a phased roadmap for armed groups to hand in their arsenals as Israel's military halts ground, air and sea operations and withdraws troops from Lebanon's south. Lebanon's cabinet approved the plan's objectives earlier this month despite Hezbollah's refusal to disarm, and Barrack said it was now Israel's turn to cooperate. There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu's office. (Reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem and Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Jan Harvey and Ros Russell) The Willow Creek Fire from the Cokeville side of the Salt River Pass on Saturday night. Dan Dockstader | SVINews.com AFTON, Wyoming (SVINews.com)The Willow Creek Fire entered its third day pushing nearly 4,000 acres with zero-percent containment, according to fire officials on scene. The fire was originally reported late Friday morning south of Afton, Wyoming, and grew quickly due to dry fuel and windy conditions. As of the latest report on Sunday morning, the size of the fire remained at 3,820 acres. Justin Laycock, Greys River District Ranger with the Bridger-Teton National Forest, confirmed that firefighters were able to prevent the fire from jumping Highway 89 Saturday night. According to a live radio report from Dan Dockstader who was on the scene Saturday night, the flames burned up next to the highway at the top of the South End, with large embers falling onto the east side of the road. However, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish them as they fell. Evacuations Notices According to Laycock, evacuations in the area remain in effect out of precaution, but no homes are immediately threatened by the fire. The evacuation order is for those living south of Gomms Pond on Highway 89, with a ready order for residents west of Highway 89 from Reeves-Schwab Lane South to Gomms Pond in Smoot. A shelter has been established at the National Guard Readiness Center in Afton according to Lincoln County Emergency Management. Road Closures As of Sunday, U.S. 89 was reopened both ways to traffic. The highway was closed temporarily on Saturday evening at 6:53 p.m. from milepost 64 to 72. This closure was expanded from milepost 55.3 to 76 later on that evening. This was due to the behavior of the fire and impacts of the smoke as well as for the safety of the crews on scene. The road closure was lifted at 1:20 a.m. According to information released by Wyoming Department of Transportation officials, all travelers need to be cautious of the fire vehicles and equipment in the area as well as impact from smoke. Drivers are asked to not pull over or park on the side of the road to view fire operations, which would clutter the road and pose safety hazards to emergency personnel. Wyoming Department of Transportaion officials stated that while all attempts will be make to keep the travel corridor open, additional temporary closures may be necessary if the fire is active near the road and poses a safety hazard to fire personnel or public vehicles. Sunday Operations The fire remained very active over the evening hours but firefighters conducted firing operations that provided critical to keeping the fire west of the highway. They were assisted with retardant drops from aircraft. The primary objectives for today (Sunday) will be to keep the fire west of Highway 89 and minimize impacts to private property. Crews will conduct structure assessments and do protection prep work around a WyoLink communications site. Current personnel and equipment include a crew of smokejumpers, a 20-person hand crew, 12 engines, a dozer and multiple helicopters and fixed win aircraft. Additional resources are on order. A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) from Nevada has arrived and will brief with local resources at noon today. Neva Team 2, led by Incident Command Brian Kitchen, will take command Sunday evening. Having the IMT in place will free up local resources to address other area fires and hav the capacity to respond to any new fire starts. The post Willow Creek Fire grows to nearly 4,000 acres appeared first on East Idaho News. By Daniel Trotta and Luc Cohen (Reuters) -Kilmar Abrego, the migrant whose wrongful deportation to El Salvador made him a symbol of President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies, was again detained by U.S. immigration officials in Baltimore on Monday, his lawyer said, while facing the possibility of being deported again, this time to Uganda. Abrego, 30, was deported in March despite a 2019 U.S. immigration court ruling that he not be sent back to his native country due to a risk of persecution by gangs. Abrego was flown back from El Salvador in June to face criminal charges of transporting migrants living illegally in the United States. He has pleaded not guilty. He was released from criminal custody in Tennessee on Friday and returned to a family home in Maryland after more than five months of detention, including time in a mega-prison in El Salvador known for its harsh conditions. But Abrego was detained again by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday upon reporting for an 8 a.m. interview, his lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg told reporters and Abrego's supporters outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency field office in downtown Baltimore. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the arrest and said ICE is processing Abrego for deportation to Uganda. U.S. officials have offered to deport him to Costa Rica - like El Salvador, a Spanish-speaking country in Central America - if he pleads guilty to the charges, according to his lawyers. Without a guilty plea, Abrego could be removed to Uganda, an East African country that is "far more dangerous," his lawyers said in court documents filed on Saturday. Abrego's lawyers acknowledged they have entered plea discussions with the government to possibly avoid deportation to Uganda. Abrego is willing to accept refugee status in Costa Rica, Sandoval-Moshenberg told reporters. "They're holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick," Sandoval-Moshenberg said. "They're weaponizing the immigration system in a way that's completely unconstitutional." 'ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR' Abrego, a sheet metal worker who entered the United States without permission, had been living in Maryland with his wife, their child and her two children when he was arrested and deported earlier this year. His wife and brother accompanied him to the interview at the ICE field office in Baltimore, and left the building about 45 minutes later without him, Reuters video showed. Abrego also filed a lawsuit in federal court in Maryland seeking an order for him not to be deported anywhere unless he has had the chance to contest being sent there, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. He is covered by a standing order in Maryland preventing immigrants challenging their deportations from being immediately deported, court records showed. Greenbelt, Maryland-based U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis had previously ruled that authorities cannot deport Abrego to a country other than El Salvador without giving his lawyers 72 hours' notice so he can challenge his removal. Abrego's case drew attention as the Trump administration for months took no apparent steps to bring him back despite an official's acknowledgement that his deportation had been an "administrative error" and a federal judge's order to facilitate his return. His lawyers are also asking Nashville-based U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw to dismiss the criminal charges, saying he had been "vindictively and selectively" prosecuted out of Trump administration retaliation for challenging his previous deportation. Crenshaw last month affirmed U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes' order for Abrego to be released from pre-trial custody, finding he was neither a danger to the community nor a risk of flight. (Reporting Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Toby Chopra, Chizu Nomiyama and Will Dunham) FILE - Democratic National Committee chairman Ken Martin speaks after winning the vote at the Democratic National Committee winter meeting at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md., Feb. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ken Martin is in the fight of his life. The low-profile political operative from Minnesota, just six months on the job as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is charged with leading his party's formal resistance to President Donald Trump and fixing the Democratic brand. I think the greatest divide right now in our party, frankly, is not ideological, Martin told The Associated Press. The greatest divide is those people who are standing up and fighting and those who are sitting on the sidelines. Were using every single lever of power we have to take the fight to Donald Trump, he said of the DNC. And yet, as hundreds of Democratic officials gather in Martins Minneapolis hometown on Monday for the first official DNC meeting since he became chair, there is evidence that Martin's fight may extend well beyond the current occupant of the Oval Office. Big Democratic donors are unhappy with the direction of their own party and not writing checks. Political factions are fragmented over issues such as the Israel-Hamas war. The party's message is murky. Key segments of the Democratic base working-class voters and young people, among them have drifted away. And there is deep frustration that the Democratic Party under Martin's leadership is not doing enough to stop the Republican president no matter how tough his rhetoric may be. There are no magic fixes, said Jeanna Repass, the chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, who praised Martin's performance so far. He is trying to lead at a time where everyone wants it to be fixed right now. And its just not going to happen. At this week's three-day summer meeting, DNC officials hope to make real progress in reversing the sense of pessimism and frustration that has consumed Democrats since Republicans seized the White House and control of Congress last fall. It may not be so easy. Confidence questions and money trouble At least a couple of DNC members privately considered bringing a vote of no confidence against Martin this week in part because of the committee's underwhelming fundraising, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation who was granted anonymity to share internal discussions. Ultimately, the no confidence vote will not move forward because Martin's critics couldn't get sufficient support from the party's broader membership, which includes more than 400 elected officials from every state and several territories. Still, the committee's financial situation is weak compared with the opposition's. The most recent federal filings reveal that the DNC has $14 million in the bank at the end of July compared with the Republican National Committee's $84 million. The Democrats' figure represents its lowest level of cash on hand in at least the last five years. Martin and his allies, including his predecessor Jaime Harrison, insist it's not fair to compare the party's current financial health with recent years, when Democratic President Joe Biden was in the White House. Harrison pointed to 2017 as a more accurate comparison. That year, the committee struggled to raise money in the months after losing to Trump the first time. And in the 2018 midterm elections that followed, Harrison noted, Democrats overcame their fundraising problems and won the House majority and several Senate seats. These are just the normal pains of being a Democrat when we dont have the White House, Harrison said. Ken is finding his footing. Martin acknowledged that big donors are burnt out after the last election, which has forced the committee to turn to smaller-dollar donors, who have responded well. Money will not be the ultimate determinant in this (midterm) election, Martin said. Weve been making investments, record investments, in our state parties. ... We have the money to operate. Were not in a bad position. Gaza debate could get ugly While Martin is broadly popular among the DNC's rank and file, internal divisions may flare publicly this week when the committee considers competing resolutions about the Israel-Hamas war. One proposed resolution would have the DNC encourage Democratic members of Congress to suspend military aid to Israel, establish an arms embargo and recognize Palestine as a country, according to draft language reviewed by the AP. The measure also states that the crisis in Gaza has resulted in the loss of over 60,000 lives and the displacement of 1.7 million Palestinians "at the hands of the Israeli government." The DNC leadership, led by Martin, introduced a competing resolution that adds more context about Israel's challenges. One line, for example, refers to the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis and notes the number of Israelis killed in Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Martin's version calls for a two-state solution, but there is no reference to the number of Palestinians killed or displaced, nor is there a call for an end to military aid or an arms embargo. Meanwhile, another proposed resolution would reaffirm the DNC's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Many Democrats, businesses and educational institutions have distanced themselves from DEI programs after Trump and other Republicans attacked them as Democrats' woke policies. Ultimately, Martin said the party needs to focus its message on the economy. Theres no doubt we have to get back to a message that resonates with voters, he said. And focusing on an economic agenda is the thing that brings all parts of our coalition and Americans into the conversation. We have work to do for sure, he added. Presidential prospects on the agenda The DNC is years away from deciding which states vote first on the 2028 presidential primary calendar, but that discussion will begin in earnest at the Minneapolis gathering, where at least three presidential prospects will be featured speakers: Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Martin said the DNC is open to changes from the 2024 calendar, which kicked off in South Carolina, while pushing back traditional openers Iowa and New Hampshire. In recent days, Iowa Democrats have publicly threatened to go rogue and ignore the wishes of the DNC if they are skipped over again in 2028. The DNC's Rules and Bylaws committee this week is expected to outline what the next calendar selection process would look like, although the calendar itself likely won't be completed until 2027. Were going to make sure that the process is open, that any state that wants to make a bid to be in the early window can do so, Martin said. Courtesy Ricky Schroder Julie Trammel and Ricky Schroder on their wedding day in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico NEED TO KNOW Ricky Schroder and Julie Trammel wed on July 9 at the Four Seasons in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, a week after getting their marriage license at the Ouray County courthouse in Colorado The newlyweds shared photos from their seaside wedding on Instagram on Aug. 20, including shots of her and Ricky holding hands and gazing lovingly at each other The couple tells PEOPLE the intimate nuptials were "a dream come true" Ricky Schroder and Julie Trammel have said I do. The NYPD Blue star, 55, and the theater actress who changed her last name to Schroder following the nuptials announced the news in a joint post on Instagram on Aug. 20, sharing photos from the seaside beach wedding. The couple later confirmed their marriage to PEOPLE, revealing that they tied the knot on July 9 at the Four Seasons in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. They chose their venue after watching the latest season of The White Lotus. "The Four Seasons was on our mind," they tell PEOPLE. "Cabo is much closer than Thailand!" They say they obtained their marriage license at the Ouray County courthouse in Colorado on July 2, and wanted to have their wedding there just days later on the Fourth of July but the building was closed for the holiday. So they pivoted to a beach ceremony in Cabo. Courtesy Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder and Julie Trammel on their wedding day in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico As for the guest list, the couple says it was "just the two of us" at the private nuptials. "We envisioned an intimate ceremony on the beach to celebrate our love," Ricky and Julie, 40, say, describing their wedding day as "a dream come true." When they revealed their marriage on Instagram last week, Ricky commented on the post, "I didnt want the evening to ever endso I married you ." Courtesy Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder and Julie Trammel on their wedding day in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico One wedding photo in the carousel shows the couple holding hands as they stood on a beach under a makeshift altar made from white silks and multicolored flowers. They beamed at the camera as they marked the beginning of their married life. The bride wore a lace embroidered white gown, which she paired with a simple pearl necklace and a bouquet of white roses. She also wore sparkly flats to walk on the sand. As for the groom, he sported a simple black suit and tie with a pink rose boutonniere and black shoes. Courtesy Ricky Schroder Ricky Schroder Courtesy Ricky Schroder Julie Trammel A second photo captures the pair embracing with their foreheads touching, and a third snapshot shows the two posing in front of a white building while holding hands. Ricky updated his suit with a matching white and black cap as the couple appeared to celebrate their wedding afterparty. The wedding comes one year after the Sound of Music theater actress announced the couples engagement on Instagram alongside a sentimental piano performance dedicated to her husband-to-be at the time. In the video, the actress played the classic song What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? on a black grand piano as she sang along to the lyrics, while Ricky recorded the performance. What are you doing the rest of your life? Ill be doing mine with Ricky, Julie captioned the post. The actor reshared her video on his Instagram Stories, writing, I love Julie. The couple tells PEOPLE they first met through a mutual friend. Ricky popped the question at home "by the fireside" over Memorial Day weekend last year. Courtesy Ricky Schroder Julie Trammel and Ricky Schroder on their wedding day Julie first began featuring the SIlver Spoons actor on her Instagram in January 2024, while sharing photos from their trip to Israel. 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. Since then, the pair have shared numerous photos and videos on social media together, documenting their growing relationship. As they embrace this new chapter as husband and wife, Ricky and Julie tell PEOPLE, Ours hearts are grateful, our consciousness has increased and our spirits awakened. You never know whats around the corner for us, it was love." Read the original article on People Paul Morigi/Getty Images; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Olivia Nuzzi at the 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner; Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a 2023 campaign event Political journalist Olivia Nuzzi is reportedly eyeing a return to the field after a sexting scandal involving Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ended her job and her relationship last year. On Aug. 24, Semafor reported that Vanity Fair's new top editor, Mark Guiducci, is looking to hire some "splashy" writers in his attempt to refresh the magazine one of whom is Nuzzi, a former "30 Under 30" honoree who relentlessly covered MAGA insiders after becoming New York magazine's first-ever Washington correspondent in 2017. Semafor did not offer details about whether Nuzzi has been formally offered a job at Vanity Fair, but reported that Guiducci and Nuzzi have "had conversations" about her joining the magazine team as a writer. Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Vox Media) Olivia Nuzzi attends an event in Miami on Feb. 16, 2022 Nuzzi's comfortable world imploded in September 2024, when New York released a statement saying that the journalist had recently "acknowledged to the magazine's editors" that she engaged in a relationship with a former subject "while she was reporting on the campaign." "Had the magazine been aware of this relationship, she would not have continued to cover the presidential campaign," the statement continued. New York magazine placed Nuzzi on leave before ultimately parting ways with her. Nuzzi, then 31, shared her own statement to PEOPLE as the scandal unfolded, saying "the nature of some communication" between her and a reporting subject had "turned personal," though she claimed she "did not directly report on the subject nor use them as a source" during that period. "The relationship was never physical but should have been disclosed to prevent the appearance of a conflict," she said. "I deeply regret not doing so immediately and apologize to those Ive disappointed, especially my colleagues at New York." Though Nuzzi and New York omitted the name of the subject in question, a source with knowledge of the incident quickly told CNN that the person in question was Kennedy, then 70, who dropped out of the 2024 presidential race a month prior to endorse former President Donald Trump. Nuzzi had previously profiled Kennedy in November 2023. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for CBS News Olivia Nuzzi and her then-fiance Ryan Lizza attend a D.C. media event on April 29, 2023 In the weeks after Nuzzi was placed on leave, numerous rumors emerged about the nature of her relationship to Kennedy, who has been married to actress Cheryl Hines since 2014. Nuzzi herself was engaged to Ryan Lizza, Politico's chief Washington correspondent, when the news broke. The allegations centered around a narrative that Nuzzi and Kennedy had grown close during the campaign and exchanged lewd texts. Many of the most shocking details came from Lizza, who is now her ex-fiance. Amid a messy court dispute, Lizza accused Nuzzi of engaging in "catastrophically reckless behavior." According to Lizza, Nuzzi had described her alleged relationship with Kennedy as "toxic," "unhealthy," "stupid," "psychotic," "crazy," and "indefensible," acknowledging the "huge power disparity" between her and Kennedy, CNN reported, citing the court filing. Nuzzi allegedly told Lizza that Kennedy wanted to "control," "possess" and "impregnate" her, according to that same filing. Justin Sullivan/Getty Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, at a 2024 campaign event A spokesperson for Kennedy told The Wall Street Journal that Lizza's account of the dynamic between Nuzzi and Kennedy "is not true." The rep previously denied the reports of a relationship altogether, saying, "Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece." Speaking to PEOPLE in 2024, a Kennedy spokesperson said, "The accusations about Robert Kennedy are categorically false and he will not participate in reporting on triple hearsay allegations made in a dispute between other people." Following the scandal, Kennedy went on to become Trump's secretary of health and human services. Read the original article on People kanchanara-fsSGgTBoX9Y via unsplash States issuing their own digital money sounds like Murray Rothbards nightmare. That libertarian icon spent his career railing against central banks and fiat currency, money backed by nothing but law. But instead of free markets in money, we are getting governments racing to mint tokens on the blockchain, like the Bahamas Sand Dollar, Nigerias eNaira, and Jamaicas JAM-DEX. Venezuelas Petro, supposedly stabilized by oil reserves, went bust in 2023 amid corruption scandals. Now U.S. states want in on the action, and Rothbard is probably spinning in his grave. Crypto-anarchists like him dreamed of private currencies disciplining the state. Instead, states are cosplaying crypto, and it is going to get messy. Some state stablecoins, such as Wyomings forthcoming WYST Stable Token, promise one-to-one backing with dollars and Treasury bills. Some plan to tie value to commodities. Other so-called Stablecoins are not really pegged to anything. At their best, these dollar-backed tokens resemble the U.S. dollar under the gold standard. Back then, you could literally swap paper for metal, until President Richard Nixon ended gold convertibility in 1971. Likewise, nothing really stops any issuer, including Wyoming, from breaking its peg in this same way. At their worst, so-called stablecoins are just volatile cryptocurrencies dressed up with a stable label. Algorithmic tokens tried to guarantee steadiness through code alone. TerraUSD, once an $18 billion darling, collapsed overnight in 2022 when confidence cracked. It was stable until suddenly it was not. Yet stablecoins have real appeal. A $200 remittance should arrive as $200, not $188 after fees. Traditional transfers cost about 6 percent globally, says the World Bank. Blockchain payments can clear in minutes for pennies, which explains their popularity in places like Venezuela, where remittances topped $5.4 billion last year. But adoption has been slow. The Bahamas Sand Dollar launched in 2020 and reached 100,000 wallets by 2022. Impressive, but still under 0.1 percent of currency in circulation. If a national project with strong government backing struggles, state experiments face steeper odds. The U.S. Constitution adds some domestic friction. Article I, Section 10, Clause 1 (the Contracts Clause) flatly bars states from issuing money. Missouri tried in the 1830s, and the Supreme Court struck it down in Craig v. Missouri. Wyomings workaround is to insist its token is not money at all, just a digital voucher for dollars in a vault. But if it functions like money, courts may decide it is money. Federal law muddies things further. The GENIUS Act sets rules for private stablecoin issuers, but state treasurers claim their digital vouchers sit outside that statute. That theory is certain to be tested. Globally, the picture is sobering. Instead of a coherent financial order, we are getting a patchwork of different tokens sold under the same label: stable coin. So how do you decide whether to accept payment in WYST or JAM-DEX? You cannot judge a stablecoin by its name. Evaluate each one by asking three questions: First, who redeems the token? If it is a government with a history of fiscal shortcuts, be careful. Second, how transparent and secure are the reserves? Dollars and Treasuries held off-budget build trust; political IOUs do not. Third, does the system plug into real-world payments? The Sand Dollar shows that without banks and merchants, even a sound design withers. Most state and sovereign tokens fail at least one of these tests. If Nigeria or even Texas owes you money, it might be worth waiting for that wire transfer after all. The reality is that we will see both federalism and fraud: stablecoins that deliver faster, fairer payments and those that collapse under their own hype. The conundrum is clear. In a world where money and code are merging, new risks abound. Telling the difference between genuine innovation and a bad Bitcoin knockoff is not just smart. It is essential. Japan's top law enforcement officials apologized to the family of a businessman who was wrongfully arrested and died after a months-long detention. Shizuo Aishima, a former adviser to machinery firm Ohkawara Kakohki, was one of three company executives illegally held in pretrial detention for months on charges that were later dropped. Human rights campaigners have long demanded an end to Japan's "hostage justice" practice, where investigators use lengthy pretrial detentions to coerce confessions. Senior officials from the Tokyo police, the top public prosecutor's department and the Tokyo prosecutor's office visited Aishima's family and grave on Monday. The officials knelt and prayed in front of the grave, the Japan Times reported. Tetsuro Kamata from Japan's National Police Agency (3rd L) and two other officials from the prosecutor's office apologize in front of the grave of Shizuo Aishima, who was falsely accused of unauthorized export of sensitive equipment and died after prolonged detention, in Yokohama on Aug. 25, 2025. / Credit: STR/JAPAN POOL/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images "We sincerely apologize for conducting the illegal investigation and arrest," Tetsuro Kamata, deputy superintendent-general of Tokyo Metropolitan Police, said during a televised meeting with the family. Aishima's wife said: "I accept the apology but I won't be able to forgive." The three men were detained and indicted in March 2020 on charges they illegally exported spray dryers capable of producing biological weapons -- exports they argued were legal. Aishima was diagnosed with progressive cancer in October 2020, but prosecutors kept him detained, arguing that he could destroy evidence if released. He was admitted to a hospital a month later. His two colleagues were released in February 2021 on condition that they would not meet with Aishima, preventing them from seeing him before he died that same month. Prosecutors later dropped the charges, prompting Aishima's family and colleagues to sue authorities. The Tokyo police and Tokyo prosecutors apologized directly to the company and others in June, the Japan Times reported. In its report on the investigation, police said that "it lacked fundamental investigative principles as an organization, and that the chain of command was dysfunctional," the outlet reported. The Tokyo High Court found that the investigation, arrests and indictment were illegal and not supported by evidence. The family's lawyer Tsuyoshi Takada told a press conference that the men's detention -- authorized several times in court -- "was not the mistake of a single judge." "We need to change the mistaken attitudes of all judges," he said. "The court must learn from this and think about what they can do so that there won't be more victims of 'hostage justice' in the future." Aishima's eldest son said he had mixed feelings about the apologies and requested a new investigation of the case, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported. "I take them as a step forward, as they acknowledged the unlawfulness of the arrest, detention requests and prosecution," he said. "I cannot accept the findings of your reviews and the disciplinary actions taken." Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Airfares are famously opaque, but the experts at Going.com unveiled new rankings that can help you feel assured you're getting a good deal the next time you fly. In their first-ever Flight Deal Awards, the airfare booking and deals site released a list of the top airports and airlines for value airfares. The reason why I really love these awards is because a lot of the focus has been looking at airlines by quality, looking at how much theyre flying, whats the biggest airport, or very easily quantifiable categories," Scott Keyes, the founder and chief flight expert at Going.com, told USA TODAY in an interview. "What matters (to consumers) is how much the ticket costs, thats what matters at the end of the day. With these awards, Keyes said, Going was able to put that cost principle front and center. According to Going, the rankings were compiled using "proprietary deal data across thousands of routes." Here's what the results show. Best value airports According to Going.com, these are the top three airports for domestic travel deals: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): average deal price $146.28 (45% off) Tampa International Airport (TPA): average deal price $150.67 (46% off) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): average deal price $153.13 (47% off) And these are the departure points for the best international fares: Orlando International Airport (MCO): average deal price $418.12 (48% off) Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): average deal price $437.93 (52% off) New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): average deal price $442.08 (52% off) According to Keyes, the average prices at each airport represent airfares that Going members book through the site. The percentage "off" means how much less those prices are than the overall average for airfares out of that airport. A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 at Denver International Airport. Best airlines for deals Going.com also examined airlines and their likelihood of offering flight deals. Here were the rankings: Southwest Airlines American Airlines United Airlines Delta Air Lines JetBlue Airways Alaska Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines According to Going, these airline rankings are based on the company's proprietary data which factors in deal frequency, quality and average savings compared to typical market fares. Keyes acknowledged that airfares can be hard to predict, but said there are some good rules of thumb for general booking. Its the million-dollar question because airfare is the most volatile purchase that people regularly make," he said. We have this misconception that theres a singular price, but in reality, that price is constantly changing, not just by the week, but its changing by the day, sometimes by the hour, so its no surprise that its extremely difficult. Typically, travelers should expect to spend about $550 for a round-trip flight to Europe in economy, and slightly more to Asia, so long as they're not planning to travel during a peak period, for example. Anything less than that, Keyes said, is usually a pretty good deal. Tips for finding good airfare deals Keyes said for travelers with some planning flexibility, the best idea is to search for airfare first. The way that most people plan their vacations, they do a three-step process, they decide where they want to go, they decide when they want to go there, and then only in step three do they look at flights. Take that same three-step process and just flip it on its head," he said. By setting price as the top priority rather than the last priority, thats how people are able to get really cheap flights for their vacations and take three or four trips for the price of what they used to pay for one. Keyes added that the cheapest fares are usually available 1-3 months before departure for domestic flights and a little bit longer ahead of international flights, though it's best to book even earlier for peak travel periods. It also helps to be flexible in your travel plans. If you're not married to a particular time of day or day of the week for your departure, you may be able to unlock lower airfares. Traveling during off-peak seasons can help you find deals as well. Being willing to try secondary airports can be a good way to find lower airfares, too. The only other thing that I would say is we talk about keeping an eye on nearby airports. I think peoples initial tendency is to think of that as a sacrifice, he said. For some trips, it can actually end up not just saving you a lot of money, it can actually save you time. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Best airlines, airports for travel deals in the US Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows, are observed at a sterile fly production plant in Panama in June. - Enea Lebrun/Reuters A rare case of travel-related New World screwworm was identified in Maryland in a patient who traveled from El Salvador, a spokesperson from the US Department of Health and Human Services said. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health are investigating the case of the flesh-eating parasite, which was confirmed on August 4, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said. This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States, Nixon said in an email. Currently, the risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low. A spokesperson for the Maryland Department of Health said in a statement that the Maryland resident has recovered from the infection and that there is no indication of transmission to any other individuals or animals. An outbreak of New World screwworms the larval form of a type of fly thats known to nest in the wounds of warm-blooded animals and slowly eat them alive has been spreading across Central America since early 2023, with infestations recorded in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. The fly reached southern Mexico late last year, sparking concern among US agricultural industry officials and triggering closures of border-area cattle, horse and bison trading ports this year. The parasite poses a significant threat to animal populations and the food supply. The United States mostly eradicated New World screwworm populations in the 1960s and 1970s by breeding sterilized males of the species and dispersing them from planes to mate with wild female flies. This month, the US Department of Agriculture announced it would construct a fly production facility in Edinburg, Texas, at Moore Air Force Base, that could produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week. It will work with facilities in Panama and Mexico, the USDA said. The construction of a domestic sterile fly production facility will ensure the United States continues to lead the way in combating this devastating pest, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said this month. If our ranchers are overrun by foreign pests, then we cannot feed ourselves. The USDA said it will also provide up to $100 million for additional technologies, including traps and lures, therapeutics and techniques that could bolster fly production. The agency also said it would employ mounted patrol officers known as Tick Riders for surveillance and would train screwworm detection dogs to search for outbreaks among livestock. This month, HHS issued an emergency declaration that allowed the US Food and Drug Administration more flexibility for animal drugs to treat and prevention New World screwworm infestations. There are no FDA-approved drugs for New World screwworm in the United States, but the declaration allows the agency to authorize drugs for emergency authorization. New World screwworms are the parasitic larva of a metallic blue blow fly species called Cochliomyia hominivorax. Unlike all other blow flies native to the Western Hemisphere, the New World screwworm feeds on the flesh of living animals, rather than dead ones, Dr. Phillip Kaufman, a professor and head of the department of entomology at Texas A&M University, previously told CNN. The flesh-eating maggots go for most warm-blooded animals, including horses and cows. They can also infect pets and humans. After mating, the female fly finds a living host, lands on its wound, and will lay up to 200 to 300 eggs, Kaufman explained. After 12 to 24 hours, those eggs all hatch, and they immediately start burrowing and feeding on the tissue of that animal, causing very, very large wounds to form. Treatment for infested cattle often involves cleaning, antiseptic treatment and coverings for wounds. If left untreated, the flies can kill an animal in a matter of one to two weeks and spread to others. These flies will land on on an animal that has even just a small scratch, just a small break in the skin, to lay the eggs, said Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University. And when the eggs hatch, the maggots will burrow in, and they will very quickly turn living tissue into Swiss cheese. CNNs Kameryn Griesser contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Enjoy a fulfilling travel plan combining Japan's famous fall foliage spots, soothing hot springs, and top tourist attractions. Club Tourism presents seasonal limited tours for autumn 2025. TOKYO, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Special feature for those considering travel to Japan in fall 2025. Club Tourism (Headquarters: Koto-Ku, Tokyo) is now offering a special lineup of seasonal tours for fall 2025, themed around "Fall Foliage Hot Springs." These tours are especially popular among travelers from Western countries and are coordinated to match the best viewing times at the most scenic locations, offering the perfect combination of spectacular foliage and renowned hot springs. Autumn in Japan is a beautiful season when vibrant red and golden leaves paint the landscapes throughout the country. Pairing this with a relaxing hot spring experience creates a truly one-of-a-kind journey for visitors. To bring out the best of this seasonal charm, Club Tourism offers comprehensive support including foliage-peak maps, carefully selected hot spring destinations, comfortable transportation, and guided tours. Itineraries are designed with a relaxed pace to accommodate middle-aged and senior travelers. Featured Autumn Tour Areas No.1Kyoto's Fall Foliage As the cultural heart of Japan, Kyoto is home to numerous famous foliage spots. Enjoy the view of the colorful valley from Tsutenkyo Bridge at Tofukuji Temple, stroll through the bamboo grove of Arashiyama blended with autumn colors, or take in the magical nighttime illumination at Kiyomizu Temple. The contrast between traditional streets and vivid leaves offers a scenery that feels like stepping into a painted scroll. Details: https://x.gd/nqrtE No.2Tohoku Region's Fall Foliage Surrounded by majestic nature, the Tohoku region reaches peak foliage from mid-October to early November. Highlights include the mountain views from the Zao Ropeway, the harmony of fall colors and water at Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge, and the breathtaking scenery of red and orange covering Mt. Kurikoma. What makes Tohoku special is the chance to enjoy autumn foliage peacefully in untouched natural settings. Details: https://x.gd/owDMo No.3Nikko, Kinugawa & Kusatsu Area's Fall Foliage Easily accessible from Tokyo, the NikkoKinugawaKusatsu area offers a luxurious fall getaway where you can enjoy both foliage and hot springs. The vibrant colors around Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji are dramatic, and walking along the Kinugawa Valley or soaking in an open-air bath at Kusatsu Onsen while enjoying the autumn scenery provides the ultimate relaxation. It's a tour where you can enjoy nature, culture, and hot springs all at once. Details: https://x.gd/KWDfs Want to discover more autumn foliage tours? Explore our full collection of Fall Foliage & Hot Springs Tours: https://x.gd/8fL9r Special Campaign Now On! 1,000 off when you spend over 6,000 2,000 off when you spend over 20,000 Recommended for: Those planning a trip to Japan in fall 2025 in fall 2025 Those who want to enjoy not only foliage but also hot springs and cultural experiences Middle-aged and senior travelers looking for a calm, crowd-free journey Those who prefer the convenience of a well-organized package tour About Club Tourism Club Tourism is a travel agency under the Kintetsu Group with over 40 years of experience. Since 2008, we've welcomed travelers from all over the world. Today, we offer over 10,000 unique tour packages, and in 2024, our website became fully multilingual for easier access by travelers from both Asia and the West. From day trips to overnight stays, from traditional festivals to hidden local gems, our tours are designed to offer an authentic experience of Japanese hospitality and culture. The tours are also carefully planned with comfort in mind, making them ideal for mature travelers. "If you're visiting Japan, make it a journey to remember." Club Tourism is here to make that happen. Company Overview Company Name: Club Tourism International Inc. Address: NBF Toyosu Canal Front, 5-6-52 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo Business Scope: Domestic and international package tours, themed travel, tour planning and operation Official Website: https://www.club-t.com/ Media Contact: +86-13671700247 SOURCE Club Tourism SC State University/Instagram SC State President Alexander Conyers (left) presents a full-ride scholarship check to Kendall Rae Johnson (second from left) NEED TO KNOW Kendall Rae Johnson, a 10-year-old from Georgia, received a full-ride scholarship from South Carolina State University She is the youngest USDA-certified farmer in the nation Its not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts and longhorn cattle. Shes remarkable, SC State President Alexander Conyers said South Carolina State University surprised a pre-teen girl from Georgia with a full-ride scholarship during her recent visit to the college campus. Kendall Rae Johnson, 10, received a giant scholarship check, valued at $83,800, while meeting SC State President Alexander Conyers. After he presented the young Atlanta resident with the check which covers tuition, fees as well as room and board she excitedly jumped out of her chair and yelled, Thank you, as seen in a SC State video. We were genuinely inspired by Kendall Raes focus and maturity, Conyers said in a news release. Its not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts and longhorn cattle. Shes remarkable. The girl is the youngest USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) certified farmer in the country, and because of her knowledge and interest in farming, she earned SC States 1890 Agriculture Innovation Scholarship, which is intended to recruit, retain, train and graduate a career-ready workforce for the agriculture and ag-related industries. Johnson, who began growing collard greens at 3, now farms on about an acre of land that has been passed down in the family. I like helping the community out with fresh fruits and vegetables, she told SC State, adding that this includes peaches, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, apples, beets, carrots, tomatoes and okra. I also like to travel and learn different farming techniques and how other people do it. Johnsons parents, Ursula and Quentin, joined her in Orangeburg for the visit to SC State, which is a historically black college and university (HBCU). Read the original article on People Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the accused co-founder and leader of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, pleaded guilty Aug. 25 to U.S. drug trafficking charges including flooding the United States with deadly fentanyl and will spend the rest of his life in an American prison. The plea in Brooklyn, New York, caps a stunning reversal of fortune for Zambada, who ruled what is widely considered to be the worlds biggest and deadliest organized crime syndicate for decades, even as his co-founder Joaquin El Chapo Guzman made all the headlines. Zambada's plea agreement, which resolves cases against him in numerous U.S. jurisdictions, includes an agreement to forfeit $15 billion in illegal profits, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York. More: Mexican drug lord Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada and 'El Chapo' Guzman's son arrested in Texas Specifically, Zambada pleaded guilty to being a principal leader of a continuing criminal enterprise, the Sinaloa Cartel, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charges before United States District Judge Brian Cogan. Zambada Garcia has now been held accountable for the tons of illegal narcotics, including cocaine and fentanyl, that he and his organization trafficked for decades, and the murders and other acts of violence committed in furtherance of that enterprise," said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella. More than 74,000 people died from overdoses of fentanyl or other synthetic opioids in the United States in 2023. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti said that under Zambada's leadership, the Sinaloa Cartel "made billions of dollars by importing poisonous drugs to the United States, flooding our streets with cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl." Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the alleged Sinaloa cartel co-founder facing U.S. drug trafficking charges, allocutes to U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan at federal court in New York City, New York, U.S., August 25, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. Zambada, who the Justice Department said is 75, had previously pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from his role in leading the Sinaloa cartel. He was arrested in July 2024 in New Mexico alongside one of Guzman's sons, after their plane landed just over the Mexican border. His arrest, and the circumstances around it, have thrust the organization into a period of bloody warfare between rival factions. Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, told USA TODAY at the time that Guzman Lopez kidnapped Zambada and flew him to the United States against his will. Guzman's representatives have denied that. Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, the alleged Sinaloa cartel co-founder facing U.S. drug trafficking charges, takes the oath before entering a guilty plea at federal court in New York City, New York, U.S., August 25, 2025 in this courtroom sketch. Perez did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment. Guzman, who was arrested for the third time in 2016 and later convicted in New York, is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison in Colorado. More: Exclusive: Sinaloa Cartel leader Ismael Zambada kidnapped, flown to the US, lawyer says FILE PHOTO: A plane believed to have carried Mexican drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada and Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of Zambada's former partner, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who were arrested in El Paso, Texas, is seen on the tarmac of the Dona Ana County private airport, in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, U.S., July 25, 2024. REUTERS/Jose Luis Gonzalez/File Photo On Aug. 14, Mexico sent more than two dozen suspected cartel members to the United States amid pressure from President Donald Trump on Mexico to dismantle the Sinaloa cartel and the country's other powerful drug organizations. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sinaloa cartel boss 'El Mayo' Zambada pleads guilty to fentanyl role People drive through a flooded street in Nghe An province, north central Vietnam, where Kajiki made landfall on Monday. - Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images Tropical Storm Kajiki proved deadly in Vietnam after it made landfall as a powerful typhoon on Monday, unleashing dangerous winds and prompting authorities to evacuate tens of thousands of residents as it surged through the countrys central provinces. Three people were killed across three provinces and 13 others were injured, the state-run Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday. Kajiki barreled into Vietnams Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces at around 3 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) with wind speeds of 133 kph (82 mph), according to Vietnams national weather forecast agency. It has since weakened into a tropical storm. Powerful gusts ripped through properties, uprooted trees from the ground and knocked down lampposts, according to state media. More than 6,800 houses sustained damage and 28,000 hectares of rice fields were flooded, VNA reported. Seven central and northeast provinces were affected by Kajikis strong winds, torrential rain and flooding. In the capital Hanoi, which is 350 kilometers (217 miles) north of where the typhoon made landfall, heavy flooding disrupted traffic and inundated homes. Earlier, residents and business owners along the coast had boarded up windows and stacked sandbags outside homes, restaurants and hotels. Authorities shut down schools, two provincial airports, and organized mass evacuations from coastal provinces as Kajiki the fifth named storm to hit Vietnam this year churned toward the Southeast Asian nation. More than 44,000 people had been evacuated in low-lying coastal communities, VNA reported. People shelter inside the Nghe An Provincial Gymnasium in Vinh city, Nghe An province earlier Monday. - Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images Huge waves pound central provinces Eyewitnesses described huge waves gushing through streets in the coastal regions, according to Reuters, as roofs collapsed and homes were flooded. Its terrifying, said Dang Xuan Phuong, 48, who lives in Cua Lao, a tourism town in Nghe An. When I look down from the higher floors, I could see waves as tall as two meters, and the water has flooded the roads around us. Areas in Ha Tinh were left without power and unstable phone networks after torrential rain forced residents to seek shelter, according to state media reports, which also said that the storm triggered tidal surges, flooding coastal areas in Thanh Hoa province. The storm was moving slowly and gradually weakening, according to an update from the countrys weather forecast agency on Monday evening, but added that the risk of strong winds remained. It came after the Joint Typhoon Warning Center previously forecast that Kajiki would drop to tropical depression strength by early Tuesday. Authorities in the countrys central provinces activated emergency measures on Sunday, which included a plan to evacuate around 587,000 people from Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang provinces, banning fishing vessels from leaving shore and securing dams and flood walls, according to VNA. More than 300,000 military personnel were mobilized with the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force on standby for rescue operations, the news agency reported. Vietnamese government officials had compared the storm to Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit the region last year, which devastated Vietnams north, killing about 300 people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, factories and farmland. Yagi made landfall as the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, and while Kajiki is weaker, it has brought destructive winds and flooding. Climate projections materializing The storm is expected to move inland towards Laos and Thailand, Chinas Meteorological Center reported, with the risk for flash flooding and mudslides increasing. Between 200-400 millimeters of rain is forecast in some regions in Vietnam, with isolated areas exceeding 600 mm. Kajiki had brushed past the southern coast of Chinas Hainan island and parts of Guangdong province Sunday evening. Known for its sandy beaches, luxury resorts and duty-free shopping, the city of Sanya on Hainan island closed tourist attractions, shuttered businesses and suspended public transport. A car drives on a flooded street as Typhoon Kajiki brings strong winds and heavy rain on Monday in Sanya, Hainan Province of China. - VCG/Getty Images Sanya downgraded its typhoon alert on Monday morning but cautioned that heavy rain and storms in southern Hainan were expected to continue, Reuters reported. Scientists have long warned the human-induced climate crisis for which developed nations bear greater historical responsibility has only exacerbated the scale and intensity of regional storms, with countries in the Global South facing the worst impacts. Its frightening to see our projections from just last year already materializing, Benjamin Horton, a professor of earth science at City University, Hong Kong, told the Associated Press. We are no longer predicting the future we are living it. CNNs Taylor Ward, Michael Rios, Briana Waxman and Sana Noor Haq contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Cliff Lipson/CBS via Getty Tristan Rogers on 'The Young and the Restless' NEED TO KNOW The Young and the Restless is honoring Tristan Rogers more than a week after the actor died at age 79 on Aug. 15 Rogers will make his final television appearance on the soap opera on Aug. 26 We will miss you, Tristan, and your remarkable performance as Colin Atkinson, his costar Jess Walton shared The Young and the Restless is remembering Tristan Rogers ahead of his final television appearance on the soap opera. The show announced that Rogers who died at age 79 on Aug. 15 will reprise his role as Colin Atkinson for his final television appearance on The Young and the Restless on Tuesday, Aug. 26. On behalf of the entire Y&R family, Jess Walton pays tribute to her longtime scene partner, Tristan Rogers, who makes his final television appearance on tomorrows episode of The Young and the Restless, the Aug. 25 announcement on Instagram read. As we revisit one of their most memorable scenes an emotional moment between Jill and Colin from 2014 we are reminded of the lasting impact Tristan brought to our show, both on and off screen. He will forever be missed, the announcement concluded. In a video alongside the announcement, Jess Walton, who stars as Jill on the soap opera, remembered her late costar as a respected member of the soap opera community. "He was a beloved member of The Young and the Restless family, she shared. And I had the pleasure of being his scene partner for many years. I adored working with him. The clip that transitioned into the scene between Walton and Rogers from over a decade ago. We will miss you, Tristan, and your remarkable performance as Colin Atkinson, Walton, 76, concluded. Rogers first played the role of Colin in 2010 to 2012. He returned to the soap opera from 2014 to 2017 before reprising the role again in 2019. Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Colin Atkinson (Tristan Rogers) on 'The Young and the Restless' The Australian actors manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed his death on Friday, Aug. 15, after it was revealed in July that he had been diagnosed with cancer. Soodak told ABC 7 Eyewitness News that another one of Rogers roles playing Robert Scorpio on General Hospital meant everything to him. "He loved being Scorpio, and he created that role from nothing, Soodak continued. He was supposed to work a day, and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being, and he loved his family." Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic Tristan Rogers during 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini remembered Rogers in a statement shared with PEOPLE. "The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers' passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio)," Valentini said. "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. He added: Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace." Christopher Willard/ABC/Getty From left: Finola Hughes and Tristan Rogers on 'The Young and the Restless' Rogers starred on General Hospital as Robert from 1980 to 1992. He returned to the series several times over the years as well as appearing on the soaps spinoff, GH: Night Shift. He returned on a recurring basis from 2019 to 2024 before reprising the role again for two episodes in July 2025. Rogers' other roles included the TV series Fast Track and Babylon 5. He also did voiceover work, most notably in the 1990 Disney film The Rescuers Down Under, and won a Daytime Emmy for his performance in the 20192020 Prime Video series Studio City. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS (check local listings). Read the original article on People President Donald Trump said he is not happy about Israeli strikes on a hospital in Gaza that killed at least 20 people on Monday, including five journalists and medical workers. The hospital was hit by two strikes minutes apart, with the second blast killing medics and rescue workers who had rushed to help people injured in the first. Journalists who were covering the attack on the hospital were killed as they worked. Im not happy about it. I don't want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare. I'm the one that got the hostages out, Trump said in the Oval Office when asked by a reporter about the strike. Video of the incident taken from a live shot on Egyptian television, and verified by Reuters, shows the strike hitting rescue workers as they search through the rubble of an upper floor at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Read more: Israeli Strike Kills Al Jazeeras Anas al-Sharif, Who Left a Final Message from Gaza The journalists killed included Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance journalist who worked for the Associated Press; Mohammed Salama, who worked for Al Jazeera; Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist who worked with several news organisations, including Reuters; and Ahmed Abu Aziz, a contributor to Middle East Eye. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the airstrike a tragic mishap, and claimed that Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians. The Israeli army said in a statement on Tuesday that an initial inquiry found the strikes were aimed at a camera that was positioned by Hamas in the area of the Nasser Hospital that was being used to observe the activity of IDF troops, in order to direct terrorist activities against them. The Israeli military did not provide any evidence to support its claim, and acknowledged gaps in the investigation, including the type of ammunition used. At least 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)189 of them Palestinians. The war has been even more deadly for health workers: more than 1,500 have been killed by Israel's strikes in Gaza, according to the United Nations. It comes two weeks after Israel killed four Al Jazeera journalists in a targeted strike in Gaza City. French President Emmanuel Macron joined international condemnation of the strike. This is intolerable: civilians and journalists must be protected in all circumstances. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict, he said. The AP and Reuters called for an explanation in a rare joint letter to Israeli authorities. We are outraged that independent journalists were among the victims of this strike on the hospital, a location that is protected under international law, it said. These journalists were present in their professional capacity, doing critical work bearing witness. Sara Qudah, CPJ's regional director, condemned the strikes, saying that Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history. These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity, she added. The strike came as Israel pushed on in its offensive towards famine-stricken Gaza City. At least 18 people were killed in shelling and bombing of the city overnight and on Tuesday, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) concluded last week that famine is taking place in the city. It marks the first time that famine has been confirmed since the start of the war. United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher described it as a famine that we could have prevented, if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel. Israel has strongly rejected the IPC report, with Netanyahu's office calling it an outright lie. More than 220 people have died of malnutrition due to Israel's blocking of most food and aid from entering the strip. The toll includes 117 children since the start of the war. The war was triggered after the Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territorys Health Ministry. The IDF's own data suggests a Palestinian civilian death rate of 83%. In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, Gazas Health Ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME. Contact us at letters@time.com. Armed members of the South Carolina National Guard are positioned outside of Union Station in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) WASHINGTON (AP) Some National Guard units patrolling the nations capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary. A Defense Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly said some units on certain missions would be armed some with handguns and others with rifles. The spokesperson said that all units with firearms have been trained and are operating under strict rules for use of force. An Associated Press photographer on Sunday saw members of the South Carolina National Guard outside Union Station with holstered handguns. A statement from the joint task force that has taken over policing in the nations capital said units began carrying their service weapons on Sunday and that the military's rules say force should be used only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. It said the force is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of Washington's residents. The defense official who spoke to The Associated Press said only troops on certain missions would carry guns, and that would include those patrolling to establish a law enforcement presence throughout the capital. Those working in transportation or administration would likely remain unarmed. Thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are now patrolling the districts streets, drawing sporadic protests from local residents. The development in Trumps extraordinary effort to override the law enforcement authority of state and local governments comes as he is considering expanding the deployments to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and New York. Earlier Sunday, the president responded to an offer by Marylands governor to join him in a tour of Baltimore by saying he might instead send in the troops. Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, has criticized Trump's unprecedented flex of federal power aimed at combatting crime and homelessness in Washington. Moore last week invited Trump to visit his state to discuss public safety and walk the streets. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Moore asked in a rather nasty and provocative tone, and then raised the specter of repeating the National Guard deployment he made in Los Angeles over the objections of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom. "Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing," Trump wrote, as he cited a pejorative nickname he uses frequently for the California governor. But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime. Moore said he invited Trump to Maryland because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance" about improving crime rates in Baltimore. After a spike during the pandemic that matched nationwide trends, Baltimore's violent crime rate has fallen. The 200 homicides reported last year were down 24% from the prior year and 42% since 2021, according to city data. Between 2023 and 2024, overall violent crime was down nearly 8% and property crimes down 20%. The president is spending all of his time talking about me, Moore said on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday. I'm spending my time talking about the people I serve. Trump is spouting off a bunch of lies about public safety in Maryland, Moore said in a fundraising email. In Washington, where Trump has surged National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers, a patchwork of protests popped up throughout the city over the weekend, while some normally bustling corners were noticeably quiet. In some of the most populated areas, residents walked by small groups of national guardsmen, often talking among themselves. Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media. Trump has said Chicago and New York are most likely his next targets, eliciting strong pushback from Democratic leaders in both states. The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks preparing for an operation in Chicago that would include National Guard troops and potentially active-duty forces. Asked about the Post report, the White House pointed to Trump's earlier comments discussing his desire to expand his use of military forces to target local crime. I think Chicago will be our next, Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, adding, And then well help with New York. Trump has repeatedly described some of the nations largest cities run by Democrats, with Black mayors and majority-minority populations as dangerous and filthy. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is Black, as is Moore. The District of Columbia and New York also have Black mayors. The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking during a religious event Sunday at Howard University in Washington, said the Guard's presence in the nation's capital was not about crime: "This is about profiling us. This is laced with bigotry and racism, he later elaborated to reporters. "Not one white mayor has been designated. And I think this is a civil rights issue, a race issue, and an issue of D.C. statehood. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said there is no emergency warranting the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families, Pritzker wrote on X. Well continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city doesn't need a military occupation" and would sue to block one. He said there has been no communication from the White House about a possible military deployment. Were not going to surrender our humanity to this tyrant," Johnson said Sunday on MSNBC. I can tell you this, the city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny, resisting those who wish to undermine the interests of working people. ___ Cooper reported from Phoenix. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed executive orders Monday aimed at eliminating cashless bail for suspects arrested in Washington, D.C., and in other jurisdictions around the country with similar policies, according to fact sheets describing the executive orders the White House provided to NBC News. The executive order on D.C. directs the administration to take certain actions if the city does not change its cashless bail policy, including "federal funding decisions, services, or approvals," according to the fact sheet. Attorney General Pam Bondi, too, could get involved, though the fact sheet did not detail what actions she might take. The order on D.C., first reported by Axios, also asks law enforcement officials to work to ensure that people arrested in the city are taken into federal custody "to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law," the fact sheet said. In the federal custody system, eligible defendants can be released before trial if they meet certain requirements, which can include putting up collateral bonds or fulfilling certain nonfinancial requirements, like personal recognizance. The executive order aimed at other cities across the country directs the administration to find federal funds that could be "suspended or terminated" in jurisdictions that have cashless bail policies, the fact sheet said. A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowsers office would not comment. Trump signed another executive order Monday aimed at prosecuting people who "desecrate" the American flag, a third fact sheet said. That order, first reported by Fox News, directs Bondi to "vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the flag, and to pursue litigation to clarify the scope of First Amendment in this area." The order also targets noncitizens by asking the administration to "deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, or naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal" of noncitizens who desecrate the flag. The order could hit a legal obstacle in that the Supreme Court decided in Texas v. Johnson in 1989 that flag burning was protected by the First Amendment. The D.C. executive order on cashless bail is Trump's latest step to broaden the administration's control over the capital. It comes on the heels of the White House's move to deploy and arm National Guard troops in an effort to fight crime. Critics, though, have slammed the administration's handling as overreach and unnecessary. They argue that cash bail disproportionately hurts low-income people, who may have more difficulty securing the money to pay bail for release from jail. Trump, though, has criticized the practice, saying this month that it was a "disaster" and caused "so many problems came that we never had before." "So they're watching us today, and if they don't learn their lesson, if they haven't studied us properly, because we're going to be very successful," Trump said of other cities this month. The U.S. attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, claimed on Monday morning on "Fox & Friends" that cashless bail "is when all of the problems started." She criticized defendants' being released, asserting that "they are reoffending and theyre reoffending again." D.C. has had a cashless bail system since 1992. The policy means judges decide whether people charged with crimes pose risks to others or the community at large or would pose flight risks if they were released without money for bail connected with their freedom. If judges make any of those determinations, they may opt to hold defendants in detention facilities before trial. As part of the city government's own safety measures, the D.C. Council extended its pretrial detention policy in July. Several states have eliminated or nearly eliminated cash bail, including Illinois, New Mexico and New Jersey. National Guard troops in D.C. began carrying firearms Sunday evening. Also over the weekend, Trump threatened to deploy troops to Baltimore. Just days earlier, he floated sending the National Guard to Chicago and New York. Trump's focus on how the capital is run is a stark departure from previous administrations' policies. He has enacted sweeping changes by surging National Guard and federal agents into the city, pushing enforcement agencies to clear homeless encampments and restoring a Confederate memorial in Arlington National Cemetery in northern Virginia. Last week, Trump also announced that he had ordered attorneys to review Smithsonian museums, arguing that the storied museums were not positive enough about U.S. history, "where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been." President Trump threatened ABC News and Chris Christie, above, after a Sunday interview on the Disney-owned network. - CJ Gunther/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/FILE President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to investigate Chris Christie over a decade-old political scandal and revoke ABC News broadcasting license after the Disney-owned network aired an interview in which the former governor sharply criticized the president. Donald Trump sees himself as the person who gets to decide everything, and he doesnt care about any separation. In fact, he absolutely rejects the idea that there should be separation between criminal investigations and the politically elected leader of the United States, Christie said Sunday on ABCs This Week while discussing the FBIs Friday morning raid of Trumps former national security adviser John Boltons home and office. I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on ABCs This Week, the president posted to his social media platform hours later. He accused Christie, a former Trump ally, of lying about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, referring to the 2013 Bridgegate scandal in which several Christie aides and allies colluded to create traffic jams on the bridge to punish a local Democratic mayor. (Christie was never implicated in the scandal and has long denied any connection to the conspiracy.) Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts, Trump added. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! The presidents social-media post also mocked This Week host Jonathan Karls physical appearance and the shows bad ratings in order to crack a joke about the network being forced to pay me $16 million to settle Trumps defamation suit last year. CNN has reached out to a spokesperson for Christie for comment. Trump on Monday deflected on a question about whether he plans to investigate Christie over Bridgegate, but appeared to give the green light to the Department of Justice to open a probe. I dont know, if they want to look at it. Its not for me. If they want to look at it, they can. You could ask Pam, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, referring to Attorney General Pam Bondi. I think we have other things to do, but I always thought he got away with murder. Christie and Trump have a long and rocky relationship. The former governor endorsed Trump after dropping out of the 2016 presidential primary and became a close adviser to the president. Following Trumps defeat and subsequent attempt to overturn the 2020 election, Christie sought to establish himself as one of Trumps chief Republican critics and ran against him in the 2024 GOP primary. Two former officials linked to Christies office were found guilty on all charges in connection with the Bridgegate scandal. The Supreme Court threw out the convictions in 2020, and Trump at the time tweeted his congratulations to Christie, then a close ally. Congratulations to former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and all others involved, on a complete and total exoneration (with a 9-0 vote by the U.S. Supreme Court) on the Obama DOJ Scam referred to as Bridgegate, the president tweeted. Trumps Sunday comments come days after his administration reopened a probe into the presidents former national security adviser-turned-critic Bolton over whether he disclosed classified information in a 2020 book. The move immediately drew criticism that Trump was using the muscle of the US government to target a political foe, though the specific basis for the searches was not clear. Trump attacks ABC and NBC Over an hour after Trumps initial post on Sunday, he returned to Truth Social to attack ABC News, this time roping in NBC News to claim the networks give me 97% BAD STORIES and baselessly call them AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. The president then claimed that, ACCORDING TO MANY, both networks should HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy, Trump added. An hour later, he continued the threats, writing that ABC and NBC should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! Crooked journalism should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!! Trumps calls for the FCC to strip the networks of their broadcasting licenses come as the agency, under chair Brendan Carr, has reopened investigations into complaints of media bias against ABC, NBC and CBS. In the final days of the Biden administration, Carrs predecessor had dismissed the probes, but Carr, a Trump loyalist, reopened them after taking office. ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. NBC declined to comment. CNNs Elise Hammond contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Illinois political leaders and Chicago municipal officials are raising alarms over President Donald Trumps threat to deploy National Guard troops to the city, insisting that sending in soldiers would be baseless and a clear case of federal overreach. Flanked by political, business and religious leaders, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday blasted the presidents suggestion that federal soldiers were needed in the city and emphasized what he said was a significant reduction in homicides, vehicle thefts and other crimes in recent years. There is no emergency in Chicago that calls for armed military intervention, he said during a news conference. There is no insurrection. Donald Trump wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish his dissidents and score political points, Pritzker said. If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is a dangerous power grab. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at a news conference in Aurora on Aug. 5. (Audrey Richardson / Bloomberg via Getty Images file) The number of homicides in Chicago has fallen 32% from last year, Pritzker said, while vehicle thefts and burglaries are both down by more than 20%. But as National Guard soldiers fanned out across Washington, D.C., to tackle what Trump has framed as an epidemic of crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse, the president said that Chicago and New York City are next on his list. The Washington Post, citing officials familiar with the matter, reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks planning a military deployment to Chicago. The plans reportedly involved several options, including dispatching a few thousand members of the Guard to Chicago as soon as September. NBC News has not independently confirmed that report. Pritzker, a second-term Democrat, said he has heard nothing about those plans from the White House or the Department of Defense. "We only read about it in The Washington Post," he said during a media availability earlier Monday. Pritzker said such a deployment would be unconstitutional because the federal government is barred from deploying military troops to an American city for crime-fighting purposes. If the administration moves forward with the plan, Pritzker said, "the first thing we're going to do is take him to court." Speaking to reporters Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he does anticipate filing a pre-emptive lawsuit. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a first-term Democrat, struck a similar chord as Pritzker in an interview with NBC News. The guard is not needed, Johnson said. This is not the role of our military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve our country did not sign up to occupy American cities." Traditionally, the federal government deploys enlisted National Guard members to respond to major domestic crises such as national disasters, the Covid pandemic and civil unrest. Trump, speaking to reporters from the Oval Office on Monday morning, blasted Illinois political leaders and called Chicago a disaster. Trump called Johnson incompetent and labeled Pritzker corrupt. He signed an executive order that creates National Guard units focused on public order issues. Earlier this year, Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to respond to protests over his administrations immigration raids and deportations. The president did so over the vocal objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Members of the National Guard patrol near the Capitol last week. (Sual Loeb / AFP-Getty Images) Illinois' two senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats, excoriated Trumps talk of troop deployments. Durbin dismissed Trumps threats as purely political theater and nothing more than a power grab. The fifth-term U.S. senator, who is not seeking re-election in 2026, urged political leaders to instead focus on proven bipartisan solutions to continue to reduce violent crime. Duckworth, a U.S. Army combat veteran and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, slammed Trumps threat as deeply disturbing and un-American. Its yet another unwarranted, unwanted and unjust move straight out of the authoritarians playbook that will only undermine our militarys readiness and ultimately weaken our national security, Duckworth said in a statement. Kate Middleton and Prince William have been pretty out of the spotlight lately thanks to the summer holidays, with Kate's last official appearance being back in mid-July. But she and William were just papped heading to church in Balmoral with their kids, and Kate seemingly debuted brand new blonde hair. JEFF J MITCHELL - Getty Images For comparison, here's Kate's hair vibe at Wimbledon back on July 15. Tim Clayton - Getty Images Soooo, did Kate take the plunge after years of being a brunette and dye her hair blonde? Maybe, but the Daily Mail spoke to an expert who thinks Kate's hair was mostly lightened by the sun during her lengthy vacation in Greece. "After a sun-soaked holiday in Greece, Kate returned not only with a refreshed spirit but also with naturally lightened hair," stylist Sarah Gadston tells the outlet. "The combination of sea air, sunshine, and saltwater had gently lifted her hair to a softer shade - creating the perfect starting point for her next salon visit." "As Kate embraces the natural changes that come with aging, such as the increasing presence of grey strands, shes made a thoughtful shift in her hair color strategy," Sarah adds. "Rather than covering grays with darker dyeswhich often require more frequent maintenance- shes opted for a lighter, blended tone. This approach not only gives her hair a softer, more natural appearance but also helps camouflage grays in a subtle, low-maintenance way. Thanks to her time in the Greek sun, Kate has found a new, more effortless hair color that flatters her features, respects the health of her hair, and celebrates the beauty of aging with confidence." Meanwhile, celebrity hairstylist Adem Oygur noted that "The Princess of Wales and her family are reported to have spent part of the summer holidaying in Europe, where long days in the sun and sea naturally lift and brighten hair colour. Combined with the UKs unusually warm summer, its easy to imagine that her lighter tones could be the result of a natural sun-kissed effect rather than a deliberate change." Got it! You Might Also Like SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Gong, the Revenue AI company, today announced it has appointed Chris Peake as Chief Trust Officer. This appointment reinforces the company's commitment to delivering powerful outcomes for businesses while safeguarding their data with industry-leading security, privacy, and compliance measures. Chris Peake appointed Chief Trust Officer at Gong (Photo credit: Cole Peake) "With the industry's largest dataset of customer interactions, Gong knows the need to safeguard critical data. As an AI industry leader, ensuring our customers trust us to provide best-in-class security is more critical than ever," said Amit Bendov, CEO and co-founder of Gong. "Chris brings the experience, leadership, and vision we need to further scale the trust our customers have long held in Gong and ensure it remains a strategic advantage as we mature." As Chief Trust Officer, Peake will oversee all aspects of Security and IT strategy, ensuring Gong continues to set the standard for enterprise-grade trust and security. Under his leadership, Gong will be able to more efficiently drive alignment between the two functions, enabling faster execution and future-proofed safeguards for customers worldwide as they take advantage of the benefits of AI. "Trust is foundational to any company's relationship with its customers, and it's clear that Gong is deeply committed to that," said Chris Peake. "I'm excited to join the company at such a pivotal period in its maturation and to work with the talented Security and IT teams to advance Gong's mission while keeping trust and transparency at the center of everything we do." Peake brings over 25 years of leadership experience in Security and IT, including more than a decade in high-growth public SaaS companies. Most recently, he served as SVP of Security and CISO at Smartsheet, where he led a global security organization supporting a $1B+ ARR business. Prior to Smartsheet, Peake led Trust and Customer Security at ServiceNow during a period of rapid growth for the company. He holds a Ph.D in Information Assurance and Security. Peake joins Gong effective August 25, 2025. About Gong Gong empowers everyone in revenue teams to improve productivity, increase predictability, and drive revenue growth by deeply understanding customers and business trends; driving impactful decisions and actions by harnessing the power of AI. The Gong Revenue AI Platform captures and contextualizes customer interactions, surfaces insights and predictions, and powers actions and workflows that are essential for business success. More than 4,700 companies around the world rely on Gong to unlock their revenue potential. For more information, visit www.gong.io. SOURCE Gong Ukraine on Sunday marked 34 years since its independence, as Russia accused the country of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region overnight. The weekend's developments come as U.S. Vice President JD Vance said in an interview that he believes "the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict." "They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands," Vance said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday. "They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war. Of course, they haven't been completely there yet, or the war would be over. But we're engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith." President Trump hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders last week at the White House, which Zelenskyy praised as "genuine unity." Vance, who was present at Monday's meeting, told "Meet the Press" on Sunday that "we are trying to negotiate as much as we can with both the Russians and the Ukrainians to find a middle ground to stop the killing." However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also appeared on "Meet the Press," saying there is no planned meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all," Lavrov said. Moscow accuses Ukraine of targeting power plant Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. The fire at the nuclear facility was quickly extinguished with no injuries reported, according to the plant's press service on Telegram. While the attack damaged a transformer, radiation levels remained within normal ranges. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said it was aware of media reports that a transformer at the plant had caught fire "due to military activity," but hadn't received independent confirmation. It said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said "every nuclear facility must be protected at all times." Ukraine did not immediately comment on the alleged attack. Firefighters also responded to a blaze at the port of Ust-Luga in Russia's Leningrad region, home to a major fuel export terminal. The regional governor said approximately 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down, with debris igniting the fire. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 95 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight into Sunday. Russia fired 72 drones and decoys, along with a cruise missile, into Ukraine overnight into Sunday, Ukraine's air force said. Of these, 48 drones were shot down or jammed. Another wartime Independence Day The incidents occurred as Ukraine marked Independence Day, commemorating its 1991 declaration of independence from the Soviet Union. Zelenskyy delivered remarks in a video address from Kyiv's Independence Square, emphasizing the nation's resolve. "We are building a Ukraine that will have enough strength and power to live in security and peace," Zelenskyy said, calling for a "just peace." "What our future will be is up to us alone," he said, in a nod to the U.S.Russia summit in Alaska earlier in August, which many feared would leave Ukrainian and European interests sidelined. "And the world knows this. And the world respects this. It respects Ukraine. It perceives Ukraine as an equal," he said. U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, during which Zelenskyy awarded him the Ukrainian Order of Merit, of the first degree. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning for meetings with Zelenskyy. "On this special day Ukraine's Independence Day it is especially important for us to feel the support of our friends. And Canada has always stood by our side," wrote Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy's chief of staff. Military aid and prayers for peace In a joint news conference with Zelenskyy, Carney said Canada will invest CA$2 billion (about US$1.44 billion) in new military assistance for Ukraine to boost its army and provide urgently needed weapons. Zelenskyy said the two leaders were considering the presence of Canadian forces on the ground in Ukraine as part of a reassurance force. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. / Credit: Efrem Lukatsky / AP Norway announced significant new military aid Sunday, pledging about 7 billion kroner (about US$695 million) for air defense systems. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway and Germany are jointly funding two Patriot systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar. Pope Leo XIV prayed Sunday for peace in Ukraine as he marked the country's Independence Day with a special appeal during his weekly noon blessing. He said the faithful were joining Ukrainians "asking that the Lord give peace to their martyred country." Leo also sent a telegram to Zelenskyy, which the Ukrainian leader posted on X along with similar notes from other world leaders. In the letter, Leo assured his prayers for all Ukrainians who are suffering and wrote: "I implore the Lord to move the hearts of people of good will, that the clamor of arms may fall silent and give way to dialogue, opening the path to peace for the good of all." A war of attrition Meanwhile, Russia's troops continued their push in eastern and northern Ukraine, where Russia claimed Saturday that its forces had seized two villages in the Donetsk region. The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry said Sunday that Ukraine had taken back control of the village of Novomykhailivka, also in the Donetsk region. Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday that 146 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukraine, in exchange for the same number of Ukrainian servicemen. The ministry said the latest exchange also included eight residents of Russia's Kursk region, which was subject to a surprise Ukrainian incursion in August 2024, who were returned to Russia after being held in Ukraine. Shortly after the Russian announcement, Zelenskyy said that "our people are coming home." He said those being exchanged included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians. "Most of them had been in captivity since 2022," he said. Zelenskyy did not confirm the number of prisoners involved in the exchange. Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Faced with a stalling peace push, Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Russia had made "significant concessions" in ending its war in Ukraine. There is little public evidence, however, that Russian President Vladimir Putin has moved his ambitions an inch since launching his full-scale invasion in February 2022. Vance told NBC News' "Meet the Press" on Sunday that the Kremlin had been flexible on some of their core demands namely recognizing that they are not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv, and that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine. That appears at odds with Russian officials, who have spent the days since the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska pushing back on both of these points. Also on Meet the Press was Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who while not advocating the installation of a Russian puppet made no secret of Moscows belief that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is illegitimate. Russia was open to Ukraine having security guarantees, Lavrov said last week but only if the Kremlin can play a role in them, arguably rendering them useless. "We cannot agree" to "resolve collective security issues without the Russian Federation. This will not work," he said at a news conference. "I am sure that in the West and above all in the United States they understand perfectly well that seriously discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is a utopia, a road to nowhere." Far from being a new and significant concession, Lavrov made clear that the security guarantees should be based on talks held in Istanbul, in 2022. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether Russia has made compromises. Despite Lavrov's trenchant remarks, there may be subtle hints that Putin is ready to do a deal and that's without knowing what has gone on behind closed doors. We dont know what was said at Alaska, thats the problem," Mark Galeotti, the British-based director of the consultancy Mayak Intelligence, told NBC News. "It may well be that what Vance is saying reflects what Putin said there. Though Russian officials remain steadfast, Russias tightly controlled media have been noticeably less critical of the usually vilified Zelenskyy, he said. And academics close to the Kremlin have suggested there may be some wiggle-room to the Kremlins demands. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy honors soldiers during a Ukrainian Independence Day ceremony in Kyiv on Sunday. (Anton Shevelov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty ) A Ukrainian investigator covers his face while identifying bodies in Donetsk last week. Russia has designs on the region in talks. (Nikoletta Stoyanova / Getty Images) These are the latest machinations in Washington's attempts to halt a war Trump once told American voters he could resolve within 24 hours. In recent months the president has at times had threatened severe tariffs for Russia and its trading partners while setting several deadlines for a ceasefire each time has extended the deadline for real action. Zelenskyy said Monday he would meet with Trump's envoy retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg to discuss a possible summit between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents. Russia has rebuffed Trump's efforts to push forward with a summit. Ukrainian and American teams will meet later this week, Zelenskyy said, and "after that, it seems we would like to understand from the American side, whether the Russians are ready" for a meeting "and in what configuration." Vance with Trump as he showed a photo with Putin in the Oval Office on Friday. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images) Many voices in Ukraine and Europe say Russia has not moved an inch. These include European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who said last week that Russia has not made one single concession, and they are the ones who are the aggressor here. Vance also drew criticism and some mockery when he suggested that all wars ended in negotiation including World War II. That conflict finished with Adolf Hitler killing himself in a bunker and the United States dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan, leading to the axis powers' unconditional surrender. Ah yes, who can forget the Hitler-Stalin-Truman summit that we still celebrate every 8 May, Negotiated Settlement in Europe Day, read a sarcastic post on X by Jessica Berlin, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a Washington think tank, and a vocal supporter of Ukraine. Or when Emperor Hirohito and Truman cordially met in Hawaii to agree mutual territorial concessions and end the war. Those were the good old days. Trump's push to arrange such a spectacle between Russia and Ukraine continues, in spite of the Kremlin's public reticence. "The mystery is compounded by a Russian negotiating style going back to Soviet days," Galeotti wrote in a column for Britain's Sunday Times newspaper. "Rather than a mutual dance of small concessions, inching towards agreement, the Kremlin tends to maintain ludicrous, even insultingly excessive demands until the last minute." Civil servants, housewives and retirees alike lined up in Venezuela's capital Caracas over the weekend as thousands volunteered to join the country's militia in case there is a U.S. invasion. President Nicolas Maduro called on citizens to respond to "outlandish threats" by the U.S. and sign up over the weekend to the Bolivarian Militia, a civilian corps linked to the South American country's armed forces. The show of force is also intended to send a message to Washington, which has issued a $50 million bounty for Maduro -- who is accused by the Trump administration of leading a drug cartel -- and has stationed three warships off Venezuela's coast for what the U.S. says are anti-drug operations. Last week, Maduro denounced "the renewal of extravagant, bizarre and outlandish threats" from the U.S. Militia registration centers were set up in the capital's squares, military and public buildings and even in the presidential palace Miraflores. Volunteers could also sign up in the Mountain Barracks, which is home to the mausoleum of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, in a densely populated area with large housing projects and crumbling brick houses. People wait to sign up to join the civil militias during a national enlistment campaign called by the government of President Nicolas Maduro at a military museum in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. / Credit: Ariana Cubillos / AP "Have you previously served?" a militia member dressed in camouflage asked Oscar Matheus. "I'm here to serve our country," the 66-year-old auditor told AFP. "We don't know what might happen, but we must prepare and keep resisting. "The homeland is calling us. Our country needs us," said 51-year-old Rosy Paravabith. U.S.-made machine gun on display Dubbed the Bolivarian Army by Chavez, the Venezuelan Armed Forces do not hide the militia's political bent. "Chavez lives!" is now their official greeting. Former Venezuelan socialist president Chavez came to power in 1999 and died in office in 2013. Maduro has been in power since, though the U.S. does not recognize the validity of his last two elections. It is unclear how many troops are in the Venezuelan militia. Maduro said this week that the militia alone has more than 4.5 million ready soldiers. However the most recent independent estimate tallied about 343,000 members in 2020, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "I sign up for Venezuela, long live the homeland!" shouted the volunteers upon registration. Police officers and military reservists also lined up to reaffirm their commitments. After registering, volunteers were shown a documentary about the European blockade on Venezuela's coast between 1902 and 1903, after then-president Cipriano Castro refused to pay a foreign debt. The 2017 film showed armed farmers, some shooting guns while others analyzed maps, as warships loomed in the distance. Next, the volunteers were taken through a room with weapons on display: a U.S.-made machine gun, a Swedish grenade launcher, a Soviet RPG launcher and a Belgian machine gun. An army lieutenant explained how to use each weapon. "Can this be shot at the sky?" an attendee asked. "It's better to shoot it straight," the soldier replied. "I want to defend the homeland" The United States has sent armed forces to the Caribbean in the past. But this time, the deployment coincides with President Donald Trump's administration increasing pressure on Maduro by doubling its bounty on him to $50 million earlier this month. The U.S. alleges Maduro is leading the Cartel of the Suns, a drug trafficking group that has been designated a terrorist organization. Last September, the U.S. seized a plane belonging to Maduro and brought it to the U.S., with the Justice Department claiming the jet was exported from Florida in violation of U.S. sanctions. On Friday, Maduro described the U.S. moves as an "illegal" attempt at regime change. "What they're threatening to do against Venezuela -- regime change, a military terrorist attack -- is immoral, criminal and illegal," Maduro said. On the streets of Venezuela, the topic prompted jokes and worries alike, though experts say it is unlikely the U.S. would take direct action. Maduro's opposition has called for people not to enlist -- though many were anyway. "I want to defend the homeland," said Jesus Borquez, 19. "I know that because of my age I'm not going to carry a rifle," 78-year-old Omaira Hernandez said. "But I'm willing to help them." Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" O little town of Bethel! A wealthy Connecticut suburb is facing down a Manhattan-based real estate development firm that wants to build a 75-unit affordable housing project with well-heeled residents calling it an insult to Bethels small-town vibes. The developer, Manhattan-based Vessel Technologies, is warning officials in the Fairfield County town of Bethel that they face expensive litigation if they reject the companys five-story, 75-unit apartment complex, the Hartford Courant reported. The stark warning came during a heated planning commission meeting last week where Vessels attorney delivered a blunt message about the states 8-30g law that severely limits towns ability to block affordable housing projects. Manhattan-based Vessel Technologies is warning officials in Bethel, Conn., that they face expensive litigation if they reject the companys five-story, 75-unit apartment complex. Vessel Technologies And the cost of litigation is not something to be just disregarded, attorney Jason Klein told commissioners last week a comment that was perceived by town officials as a threat, the Connecticut Post reported. Vessel wants to construct its signature five-story building on nearly 4.5 acres along Nashville Road, but offered a compromise of just four floors following heavy neighborhood pushback this summer. Bethel residents object to the project, blasting its size and design as completely out of step with the towns low-rise, single-family character. Critics also complain about worsening traffic, parking shortages, safety issues, loss of privacy and environmental impacts from stormwater to wildlife. While the proposal calls for 75 units in total, only 23 units would meet the states minimum requirement for affordable housing under 8-30g a point of contention among locals who argue that the project is being oversized for profit rather than community need. Many also take issue with the steel-and-glass design, calling it an insult to Bethel and a disruption of the communitys village feel, according to Greenwich Time. Neighbors also warn of worsening traffic, parking shortages, safety issues, loss of privacy and environmental impacts from stormwater to wildlife. The planned development is slated to be built in place of the current properties at 48 and 50 Nashville Road in Bethel. Google Maps Bethel, in Fairfield County, is about 4.1 square miles with a population of 11,582, according to 2020 Census statistics. Despite these complaints, officials admit state law leaves them little room to reject the project unless they can prove serious health or safety risks. Vessel has emerged as perhaps Connecticuts most controversial developer, specializing in stark steel-and-glass buildings and targeting wealthy suburbs with projects that trigger the 8-30g statute. Town officials in Bethel acknowledge that they are likely to lose in court given a new state law mandating construction of affordable housing. Rosemarie Mosteller stock.adobe.com Connecticuts 8-30g law makes it easier for developers to build affordable housing in towns where less than 10% of homes meet affordability standards by letting projects override many local zoning rules. The latest figures show Bethels affordable housing stock stands at around 5%. As of July, the median home price in Bethel was around $582,000, according to realtor websites. These figures mark a sharp year-over-year increase in the towns housing market. Bethel is also home to some of Americas wealthiest residents. The median household income in Bethel is about $115,135 well above the national median household income of $77,700. Bethel residents object to the project, blasting its five-story (later four-story) height and 75-unit scale as completely out of step with the towns low-rise, single-family character. Vessel Technologies Vessel has proven ruthlessly willing to sue when communities resist, winning a court-brokered compromise in Simsbury and pursuing active lawsuits against Newtown and Glastonbury. Last year, Vessel submitted a plan to build two apartment buildings totaling 136 units on Berkshire Road in the Sandy Hook section Newtown not far from the elementary school where 26 people, including 20 children, were killed in a mass shooting in 2012. But the local Planning & Zoning Commission denied the plan in February, citing the lack of a required will-serve letter from the local water utility, which was under a moratorium after storm damage raised supply concerns. Vessel appealed, arguing there were no true health or safety issues that outweighed the states affordable housing mandate, leaving the case to the courts. Two years ago, Vessel sued Rocky Hill when officials balked at a five-story building with 30 apartments on a high-visibility site near the planned town center. Negotiations ultimately led to Vessel relocating to an out-of-the-way location but securing permission for 96 units in exchange. The median household income in Bethel is about $115,135 well above the national median household income of $77,700. Shutterstock / MC Visuals Now Bethel faces the same playbook after rejecting Newtowns proposal just six months earlier. Klein repeatedly hammered commissioners about the legal realities they face under 8-30g. 8-30g is the law and its important to follow the law, so we want to make sure the record is clear, Klein warned. Case law is very clear: To find a health and safety concern, it has to be more than a mere theoretical possibility. Mere concern alone is not sufficient. Josh Levy, executive vice president of Vessel, told The Post that Bethels current housing inventory leaves teachers, first responders, service professionals, and young people who want to return home with almost no housing options. Right now, a modern one-bedroom home in Bethel starts at $2,300 per month. For a teacher earning the average starting salary of $50,000, thats over 55% of their take-home paywell beyond whats sustainable, Levy said. Bethel, which is located in Fairfield County, is one of the countrys wealthiest towns. Rosemarie Mosteller stock.adobe.com He said the company has been working with Bethels planners for months about addressing local residents concerns about height and design. We provided an alternative plan that reduced building height and stories to better fit into the surrounding neighborhood, has fewer total units than initially proposed, and provides a redesigned facade with materials and finishes that blend naturally with the areas treed landscape, Levy said. When asked if Vessel will take legal action against the town, Levy said that we believe in collaboration and continue to look forward to working with the town to create exceptional homes that are safe but that attorneys remain involved because part of their job is to ensure that both the process and the record stay consistent with Connecticut law. The Post has sought comment from Bethel. Salmon salad eaten with fork and knife - siamionau pavel/Shutterstock For jet-setting Americans on a grand European holiday, there's an all-too-common cultural faux pas that can give away your tourist status faster than any souvenir T-shirt ever could. Perhaps it's at an elegant steak dinner, with a melt-in-your-mouth filet mignon paired with a full-bodied Chardonnay, or at a casual lunch on a sun-soaked piazza, enjoying a family-style Margherita pizza. You start eating the way you always have: with your fork in your left hand, and knife in your right. After cutting the food, you set the knife down, passing the fork over to your right hand, where you lean in to take your bite. Across the table, though, you notice the bewildered glances of your European dining companions, who never once let their forks leave their left hand. Though it might seem like a small difference, the way we hold and use our forks is actually rooted in centuries of intercontinental culinary tradition. Forks are a relative newcomer to the dining table, compared to knives and spoons. As such, both Europeans and Americans independently developed their own fork-based customs and behaviors. Neither dining style is "wrong" per se, especially in the United States, where either method is considered proper and acceptable. However, Americans traveling abroad may realize that international dining etiquette rules usually favor the European, or "continental," method, which lacks any fork-hand switching. Not only that, when transferring the food to their mouths, Europeans tend to keep the fork's tines down at all times, whereas Americans keep them upward. Read more: We Asked 14 Celeb Chefs How They Order Their Steak How Did The Cut-And-Switch Method Develop In The United States? Steak cut with fork and knife - Denys Poliakov/Shutterstock Nowadays, it's hard to imagine a world without forks. But, as previously mentioned, they're a pretty recent invention. Technically speaking, they've been around in Europe since the 11th century, but for many, the utensil was considered an expensive (and unnecessary) luxury item, exclusively used by the rich. In addition, some Europeans, especially the British, considered forks to be feminine. As such, at formal gatherings, there was some real judgment of those who used the pronged utensil, especially men. Needless to say, it didn't take off for a while. This is especially the case for Americans, who didn't routinely use forks until the late 18th century, around the time of the American Revolution. Funny enough, the "cut-and-switch" eating method (also known as the "zig-zag" method) implemented by modern-day Americans likely could have originated from the preferences of the 19th-century French. Back then, the fork was all the rage, and new-fangled etiquette rules sprang up left and right. Interestingly, though, the cut-and-switch isn't popular in France anymore, and hasn't been in over a century. Another theory suggests that Americans learned the cut-and-switch method from the British during the country's colonial period. It's also been speculated that because spoons were originally held by American diners in their right hands, when the fork became popular, it was swapped one for one behavior-wise with spoons, hence why Americans "scoop" up food using the upward-facing tines of the fork. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Alaia/Schiaparelli/Giovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty IMages "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." The sweet, soft, double-ply cashmere security blanket of quiet luxury that has swaddled fashion for the past few seasons is gone. Maybe its been shadowbanned. Perhaps it was mauled to tatters by the mad dogs of unstable markets. Whatever the case, soothing beige understatement has been replaced by something more brazen and complicated. The fall 2025 collections are defined by imaginative incoherence, wild mood swings, and extreme archetypesto a degree that demands diagnosis. What is behind this acute case of fashion schizophrenia? The personalities are polar and multiple: British bohemian It girls at Chloe. Big, rich Texans at Schiaparelli. Colorfully committed members of the Audubon Society at Thom Browne. Belly dancers displaced from the set of Dune at Alaia. Sensual vampires at Tom Ford. Fittingly, this season the Prada woman is embracing an obvious nervous breakdown. Schiaparelli Theres no one path in this moment, says Rickie De Sole, vice president and fashion director at Nordstrom. Searching for a dominant color, silhouette, attitude, or trend only makes the lack of common ground more glaring. Seeking reason in the mayhem, it feels apropos to cite an observation credited to original style despot Louis XIV: Fashion is the mirror of history. When chaos rules the culture, expect dysregulation at the defile. The fall 2025 collections, shown on the runways in February and early March, were designed just as Donald Trump was returning to the White House. Two significant and prolonged wars continued to rage, and wildfires had just engulfed Los Angeles. Thatand all that has happened sinceis enough to spike global anxiety. In terms of fashion politics, the industry had just endured its own roiling, as creative directors from major housesChanel, Dior, Celine, and Gucci, to name a fewwere ruthlessly run through the rumor mill before being plucked, poached, and sacked from their positions in an agonizing game of luxury conglomerate chess. Who could blame those left with a job for putting their heads down and holing up in their own little worlds? Were seeing everything a little bit cracked out right now, says Nicky Campbell, the commentator known for his deadpan TikTok critiques of red carpet and runway looks. Which is great for my purposes. In the age of the algorithm, its easy to follow, unfollow, like, mute, and moodboard your way into a siloed reality. The extravagance cuts right through the noiseand it drives audience engagement, too. I felt the shows gave a variety that maybe youre not seeing on your screen, De Sole says. It was actually quite powerful, the randomness of it all. Every designer seemed to have his or her own main character in mind, each one oblivious to the others existence. First, the Chloe girl, again one of the hottest in town. Chemena Kamalis latest collection drew on the moneyed British magpies skill for mixing vintage Victoriana with family furs (Tish Weinstock and Alexa Chung both modeled in the show), but another significant influence was Kamalis predecessor, Karl Lagerfeld, particularly his work in the 80s (see: the dolman-sleeved leathers, strong-shouldered blouses, and miniskirts). ALAIA At Alaia, Pieter Mulier has established a solid moneymaking core with his cult mesh ballet flats and Le Teckel and Le Click bags. With that commercial engine in place, he felt confident to explore silhouettes that were at once sci-fi and multicultural, with belly-baring gypsy skirts and pantyhose-like tops that encased the head in a padded hood. Condoms came to mind. After the show Mulier issued a statement: The idea of codes of beauty outside of any era or geography, free of boundaries, is innately keyed to the philosophy of Alaia, our identity. Daniel Roseberrys collection for Schiaparelli swaggered in with 80s Texan bravado (the designer grew up in Plano) and Parisian finesse. Robust leather pants and skirts, denim, and beaded evening wear were loaded with mismatched western belts. Curvy tailoring was accented with trompe loeil corset embellishments. Roseberry told journalists he had imagined a world in which the male gaze was eliminated, and he wondered if women would embrace male archetypes. I hope I seduced you, Haider Ackermann said backstage after his debut collection for Tom Ford. Ackermann pulled off the mystical feat of filling the enormous, hot shoes left by the brands namesake with an energy that would make Anne Rice proud. It wasnt vulgar. It wasnt bombshell. It ravished while being slightly out of this realm. Slick, minimalist bouffants and blood red lips stood out against black leather and sinuous tailoring that exuded the androgynous sensuality of Tilda Swinton, an Ackermann acolyte. Giovanni Giannoni/WWD/Getty Images Back in February, Marc Jacobss show at the New York Public Library was a three-minute portal into the mind of an artist who is increasingly unbound byand uninterested incommercial restrictions (or fashion calendars). Drawn from the marrow, the vision was painstaking and pure. He imagined his models as beautiful but eerie dolls, their hair swept up into romantic, tangled curls, red discs stuck on their mouths like pacifiers. Dwarfed by cartoonishly extreme proportions, these dolls looked as if they were playing dress-up in too big clothes: sculpted sequin evening gowns, padded knits, and pleated pants that stood away from the body; boots curved up at the toe like elfin horns. Courage, said the show notes. With precious freedom we dream and imagine without limitationnot to escape from reality but to help navigate, understand, and confront it. Marc Jacobs Photo credit: Dan Lecca Prada Photo credit: prada Unsettling women in oversize clothes was also the theme at Prada, where Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons worked up the house code of ugly/pretty to convey the image of a woman who had had it. Through with being a demure little treat for the patriarchy, she let it go, her hair a mess in a sad-sack house dress bearing a garish upholstery print. Of course, the perverse brilliance of Prada is that what symbolizes repulsion and rebellion often ends up with its own allure, even when its a deliberately rumpled shirt and an ill-fitting skirt with a paper bag waist. Will women buy into these extreme female personalities off the runway this fall? I like it, says Becky Malinsky, a stylist and the author of 5 Things You Should Buy on Substack. It makes shopping exciting again. She appreciates having a range of options that suit her clients various needs. They all have different likes and neuroses. Normcore will get you only so far. Plus, with brands leaning so heavily into their niches, shoppers may feel newly empowered to dive deeper into a houses identity and experiment with confidence. For those not quite ready to be free from the tyranny of quiet luxury just yet, De Sole predicts a microdosing approach. You can get a hit of it without having to go head-to-toe, she says. Rather than go Method in Pradas version of Diary of a Mad Housewife, customers are more likely to opt for one of the pretty pumps. And instead of loading yourself with six of Schiaparellis belts, start with one. Then see how you feel. This story appears in the September 2025 issue of Town & Country. SUBSCRIBE NOW You Might Also Like Gilbert Flores/Deadline via Getty; Danno Nell/Paramount Annette Bening (left); Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler and Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton in 'Yellowstone' (right) NEED TO KNOW It's official: Beth and Rip are coming back to television screens as a Yellowstone spinoff following fan-favorites Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser is in the works, PEOPLE can confirm Annette Bening will be joining the cast of the upcoming series The show, which currently has the working title The Dutton Ranch, will also see Finn Little return to play Carter Yellowstone fans rejoice! Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser are returning to the Dutton-verse. The fan-favorite stars, who played Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler, respectively, in the hit western drama from 2018 to 2024, are coming back to the screen for a new spinoff series, PEOPLE can confirm. The series, which has the working title The Dutton Ranch, will also see Finn Little return to play Beth and Rip's adopted son, Carter. Annette Bening has also joined the cast, PEOPLE can confirm. The spinoff marks Bening's first foray into TV. The spinoff will pick up after the Dutton's fight to keep their ranch, with Beth and Rip picking up the pieces. "Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler are grateful for the peace they sought, fought, and nearly died for with their 7,000-acre Dutton Ranch," reads an official logline. "With tough times and stiff competition, Beth and Rip do what they must to survive, all while ensuring Carter becomes the man he's supposed to be." Bening, 67, will play Beulah Jackson in the series, a "powerful, cunning and charming head of a major ranch in Texas." Paramount+ Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler and Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton in 'Yellowstone' Confirmation of Beth and Rip's spinoff comes after Deadline reported in December that Reilly and Hauser had inked deals to lead their own series. The outlet reported that other cast members from the original series were likely to make appearances alongside the duo. Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan is set to executive produce the new series, alongside Hauser, 50, and Reilly, 48. David C. Glasser, John Linson, Art Linson, Ron Burkle, David Hutkin, Bob Yari, Michael Friedman, Chad Feehan, Christina Voros and Keith Cox are also serving as executive producers. Chad Feehan will serve as showrunner. After Yellowstone's conclusion last year, Hauser expressed his desire to continue his character's story. "I think America has spoken. They still love the show. There's obviously just tons of people that every Sunday get together with their families, and we give them the experience of taking 'em out of their own living rooms and putting 'em in Montana and entertaining them," he told PEOPLE after the series finale. "And I think ultimately it's just that simple." Taylor Hill/FilmMagic Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser He played coy about the specifics of how his beloved character could make a return, but he teased, "We will see what happens over the next year or so and we'll see what's next." "Hopefully, we can continue to get in people's living rooms and entertain them the way we have over the last seven years," he added. Yellowstone's series finale, which aired on Dec. 15, paid tribute to renowned horseman Bob Avila and tied up several loose ends for the series. Kayce (Luke Grimes) saved the Yellowstone Ranch by selling the land to High Chief Thomas Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), and Beth (Reilly) avenged the death of late patriarch John (Kevin Costner) by killing Jamie (Wes Bentley). 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. Yellowstone can be streamed on Paramount+. Read the original article on People Award-winning river cruise and land vacation operator highlights cultural discovery, with special advantages for solo travelers BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Circle Travel (GCT) and Grand Circle Cruise Line (GCCL), part of the award-winning Grand Circle family of travel brands, are offering their Labor Day Savings event, offering travelers savings of up to $3,900 per person on any 2025 or 2026 Grand Circle River Cruise or Land Vacation. 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SOURCE Grand Circle Travel Aussie Broadband has capped its double-digit growth in group revenue and broadband connections, with a newly minted six-year exclusive wholesale partnership with More Telecom. The Australian telecommunications companys results for the full year ended 30 June 2025 (FY25) delivered group revenue of almost $1.2 billion ($1,187.1 million), up 18.7 per cent compared to prior corresponding period. For Aussie Broadband, on-net broadband connections increased by 104,100 to 788,400, representing 15.2 per cent growth on the prior corresponding period, with all segments contributing to the growth and a double-digit uplift in connections. NBN market share increased 1.1 per cent to 8.4 per cent. Underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) grew 14.7 per cent to $138.2 million, reaching the top end of upgraded guidance. Meanwhile, underlying net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) rose 6.5 per cent to $55.8 million and net profit after tax (NPAT) reached $32.8 million, up 24.5 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period. Symbios contribution to EBITDA exceeded expectations at $39.4 million, delivering 35 per cent growth on a pro forma FY24 basis, with $6 million in synergies realised in FY25. This is done for the first time since 1971, when the country gained independence through war. The agreement, which will last for five years and follows a meeting of senior Pakistani government ministers visiting Bangladesh, reflects a new balance of power following Sheikh Hasina's flight a year ago. In addition to visas, the two countries sign cooperation agreements in education, media, and trade. Dhaka (AsiaNews) Amid growing tensions across Asia, from the Middle East to the Pacific region, recent signs suggest that the new geopolitical balance in South Asia is easing tensions between Bangladesh and Pakistan. For the first time since 1971, Bangladesh has decided to waive visa requirements for Pakistani diplomatic passport holders and senior officials on official visits to the country; and further bilateral agreements are planned for the near future. The visa measure will be valid for a period of five years, but could be extended. The Advisory Council of Bangladeshs interim administration, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus that replaced then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina just over a year ago, has approved a mutual visa waiver plan with Pakistan. "The agreement will last for five years. Holders of diplomatic and official passports will be able to travel to Pakistan without a visa, said Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Muhammad Yunus, who also noted that Bangladesh already has similar arrangements with 31 other countries. In addition to diplomats, senior Pakistani officials will also be granted visa-free entry into Bangladesh as well. This development follows last month's meeting in Dhaka between Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, during which the two sides said they were working on a memorandum of understanding. Visa-free travel between the two South Asian countries had been suspended since the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh's independence. Relations between Dhaka and Islamabad have improved in recent months, particularly after the August 2024 unrest that led to the collapse of the government of Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of the late Father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led Bangladesh to independence 50 years ago, who fled into exile in India. Pakistani Trade Minister Jam Kamal Khan arrived in Dhaka last week for a four-day official visit (21-24 August). According to an official statement, the visit was designed to boost bilateral trade and promote economic cooperation, building on the initiatives launched last month. In addition to the visa issue, some six agreements were signed on that occasion, including a commitment to hold the first meeting in over 20 years of a joint economic and trade commission and one to increase cooperation between the two countries' media. In the latter sphere, the Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation and the Bangladeshi news agency Sangbad have signed an agreement to work together. Trade and media are not the only areas of interest. The two countries also want to promote greater academic cooperation with the sharing of experiences and expertise between Bangladeshi and Pakistani institutions. Other agreements are planned in strategic studies and the cultural sector, with exchange programmes in the areas of culture, art, and traditions. A few hours after arriving in Dhaka, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar met with leaders of several political parties, including representatives of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zias Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, widely regarded as a radical Islamist party. The latter opposed Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971, making Dar's meeting with its leaders particularly significant. Pakistan foreign minister noted that his government is seeking a new partnership with Bangladesh, urging its government and political parties, as well as young people, to come together in a joint effort. The so-called Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor is strategic in this regard: Islamabad has announced 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students over the next five years, with a quarter reserved for medical studies. In addition, about a hundred Bangladeshi civil servants will receive specialised training in Pakistan. Islamabad also plans to increase the number of scholarships under its technical assistance programme for Bangladeshi students from five to 25. 25 August 2025 13:02 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Skeletal remains resembling human bones have been discovered in a forested area of the Agdr district, Azernews reports. Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the site, and an investigation has been launched to determine the origin of the remains. Agdr is among the regions of Garabagh that suffered most during the conflict. The district was liberated from Armenian occupation in 2023. The discovery underscores the grim legacy of the wars. More than 4,000 Azerbaijanis went missing during the First Garabagh War, and Baku has been making every effort to clarify the fate of these individuals. However, Armenia continues to avoid cooperation on this issue, despite repeated calls from Azerbaijan and international organizations. Since the Second Garabagh War, several mass and individual graves have been uncovered in liberated territories, shedding light on the scale of wartime atrocities. The newly found remains in Agdr are now part of ongoing efforts to identify the missing and provide answers to families who have waited decades for closure. 25 August 2025 20:13 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more In Azerbaijani, there is a saying quru by, literally the penniless nobleman. It refers to a person whose ancestors were immensely wealthy, but who, through his own incompetence, is left without a penny. Instead of working hard and taking steps to improve his current condition, he sleeps until noon and endlessly talks about how rich his grandfathers once were. For a reader struggling to understand this expression, it is enough to look at Persian nationalists in Iran. Indeed, it is painful to see the current condition of the Persians once among the most ancient peoples of the East, whose language for centuries served as the lingua franca of the Orient, whose architecture and poetry influenced entire civilizations, and who in ancient times were, in todays terms, a superpower. And yet today, instead of rising to action and becoming once again the locomotive of the region as their ancestors had been, Persian nationalists do nothing but talk themselves hoarse about their over 2000 years of statehood history, only to make themselves a laughingstock whenever they attempt real action. It is as if a postmodern writer had scripted a comedy for the stage, and the world watches only to laugh. To be more precise: Today, Iran is a country where every military drill ends in disaster, killing its own soldiers or destroying its own equipment. Today, Iran is a country that, in the name of helping Palestinians, fired hundreds of rockets at Israel yet achieved nothing. On the contrary, one of its rockets fell on a Palestinian, killing him. The most absurd part is that the poor man did not die from the explosion of the rocket. The rocket, overweight and malfunctioning, failed to explode at all and simply crushed him to death. Today, Iran is a country where Israel sends Iranian generals to kingdom come before they can even rise from their beds. It is a country so incapable that, while Israel bombarded Iran for days with its aircraft, Iran failed to bring down even a single Israeli plane. It was as though Irans air force had simply disappeared. By comparison, in the first six months of the RussiaUkraine war, Ukraine managed to shoot down more than 300 Russian aircraft. We could continue this tragicomic list, but we do not wish to tire the reader. Instead, let us point to one telling fact: Iran today is a country whose Supreme Leaders adviser a man who foams at the mouth as he lectures about Irans glorious past and present strength Ali Akbar Velayati, resorts to criticizing Americans by using X (formerly Twitter), a platform created by the West. To be fair, he at least wrote his status in Persian rather than in English, as if that somehow demonstrates Irans power to the world. Yet he has never asked himself the obvious question: why is Iran unable to create such a platform on its own? But then again, he is the proud Persian the quru by. He does not think, he does not act; he only speaks. # .#### Aliakbar Velayati (@Drvelayati_ir) August 17, 2025 In reality, Velayatis tweet reveals much more than intended. The hashtags he used show what really angered Irans quru by: the meeting on Ukraine held in Alaska. Even Iranian media openly admitted that the hashtag man of many faces was aimed at Putin. Everything is clear up until the Caucasus hashtag. It raises an important question: what does the Caucasus have to do with this? The inclusion of the Caucasus hashtag suggests that either the issue of the Zangezur Corridor (the TRIPP route) was raised at the summit and Putin agreed to it, or that Persian quru by fears that he might. Too timid to mention Putins name directly, quru by instead directed his threats against the peoples of the region. But he should not forget that this corridor is vital not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia and indeed for the wider world. Sooner or later, it will be opened. To oppose it is akin to opposing the force of gravity itself. As for his threats against us, they have been dismissed without a second thought. For we know the Persians well, we know their history well, and we know very well what they are truly capable of. The quru by should not forget that the proud Persians history effectively ended with the killing of the last Sassanian ruler by the Arab Caliphate. After that, the dominance of Persians survived only in literature and the arts. From the Seljuks onward, it was Azerbaijani dynasties who ruled Iran. It was thanks to the Azerbaijani Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu dynasties that the Mongols and Timurids were expelled from the region. It was thanks to the Azerbaijani Safavid dynasty that Iran became the regions most powerful empire and survived intact until the 20th century. It was thanks to the prudence of the Azerbaijani Qajar dynasty that Iran avoided catastrophe and was spared destruction during the First World War. But sadly, in the 1920s, the Persian Pahlavi dynasty ultra-nationalists who squandered Irans wealth in service of the West staged a military coup and seized power from the Qajars. Irans true decline begins here. It was they who invented, for the first time, the myth of the 2,500-year Persian state. They conveniently forgot that in the last thousand years, Iran had not been ruled by Persian dynasties at all, but by Azerbaijani ones. They pretended, absurdly, that from the Arab conquest until the 1920s a Persian state had existed continuously. Chauvinism rose to such a level that, inspired by Hitlers Aryan ideas, they even changed the countrys name to Iran, as if to declare themselves a superior race. Naturally, all this culminated in Iran being occupied by the Soviets and the British. In the 1970s, a new nationalist, Khomeini, overthrew the Shah and seized power his first act being to plunge the country into war with Iraq. Hundreds of thousands were killed, infrastructure was destroyed, and Iran emerged from the war gravely weakened, without achieving a single strategic goal. After Khomeini, an Azerbaijani Khamenei eventually came to power and stabilized Iran, for better or worse. Finally, with the election of Masoud Pezeshkian to the presidency the second-highest office in Iran the countrys image has begun to improve significantly. Today, two Azerbaijanis hold Irans two highest posts: Khamenei as Supreme Leader and Pezeshkian as President. The world has started to speak not of war with Iran, but of peace, of Irans integration into the global economy. Yet even now, Irans quru by, Velayati, does his utmost to ruin the country. At one moment, he complains about Azerbaijan to Pakistan, as if Pakistan were our guardian. At another, he grumbles on social media about peace in the Caucasus, consumed by envy. Perhaps he forgets that without peace, there can be no development. And without development, countries like Israel and others will continue to plough through Iran as they please. 25 August 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more As months pass, the Zangezur Corridor, recently rebranded as the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), is starting to take concrete shape. Beyond its physical infrastructure, the project carries strong geopolitical and economic implications. It bolsters Turkiyes ambition to become a central geostrategic hub between Europe and Asia, while also signaling the possibility of new dynamics in regional cooperationincluding with Armenia. If completed within the projected four to five years, the railway could significantly reshape trade flows, logistics efficiency, and the socio-economic landscape of the South Caucasus and beyond. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 25 August 2025 11:23 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more More than 1.2 million foreign nationals and stateless persons visited Azerbaijan in the first six months of this year, according to data released by the State Tourism Agency, Azernews reports. The monthly breakdown is as follows: January 177,700 visitors February 166,000 visitors March 169,500 visitors April 227,800 visitors May 244,100 visitors June 237,500 visitors The consistent growth in tourist numbers highlights Azerbaijans increasing appeal as a travel destination in the region. The State Tourism Agency is expected to release further insights into the demographics and countries of origin of the visitors later this year. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., ROTTERDAM, Netherlands and SHANGHAI, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Harbour BioMed (the "Company"; HKEX: 02142), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics in immunology and oncology, today announced the appointment of Yajie Li as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Ms. Li will be based in Shanghai and report directly to Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harbour BioMed. In this role, Ms. Li will lead clinical development, regulatory strategy, and medical affairs for the company's clinical-stage programs. She will also play a key role in evaluating early-stage assets based on unmet medical needs, clinical value, and scientific differentiation. Ms. Li brings over a decade of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with leadership roles in clinical development and regulatory affairs at multinational corporations and CROs including Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Parexel, as well as at Chinese biopharma companies such as GenSci, XuanZhu Biopharm, and Innovent. Prior to her industry career, she served for nine years as a Senior Medical Officer at the National Medical Products Administration of China (NMPA)/Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE), where she contributed to regulatory assessments across a broad range of therapeutic areas. Dr. Jingsong Wang, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Harbour BioMed, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Yajie Li to our executive team. Her deep expertise in clinical development and regulatory science will further strengthen our capabilities as we advance our pipeline and grow into a therapeutically focused biopharma company. We look forward to her leadership in delivering transformative medicines to patients around the world." Yajie Li, Chief Medical Officer of Harbour BioMed, added: "It is a great honor to join Harbour BioMed as Chief Medical Officer at this pivotal stage of its growth. The company's cutting-edge antibody technology platform and global R&D strategy is well positioned to deliver innovative therapies in areas of high unmet need. I look forward to working with the team to accelerate clinical development, enhance regulatory alignment, and bring meaningful treatments to patients worldwide." Ms. Li holds a master's degree in Rheumatology and Immunology from Peking Union Medical College. About Harbour BioMed Harbour BioMed (HKEX: 02142) is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to the discovery and development of novel antibody therapeutics in immunology and oncology. The company is building a robust and differentiated pipeline through internal R&D capabilities, strategic global collaborations in co-discovery and co-development, and selective acquisitions. Harbour BioMed's proprietary antibody technology platform, Harbour Mice, generates fully human monoclonal antibodies in both the conventional two heavy and two light chain (H2L2) format and the heavy chain-only (HCAb) format. Building upon HCAb antibodies, the HCAb-based immune cell engagers (HBICE) bispecific antibody technology enables tumor-killing effects that traditional combination therapies cannot achieve. Additionally, the HCAb-based bispecific immune cell antagonist (HBICATM) technology empowers the development of innovative biologics for immunological and inflammatory diseases. By integrating Harbour Mice, HBICE, and HBICATM with a single B-cell cloning platform, Harbour BioMed has built a highly efficient and distinctive antibody discovery engine for developing next-generation therapeutic antibodies. For more information, please visit www.harbourbiomed.com. SOURCE Harbour BioMed 25 August 2025 15:28 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan is preparing to procure medicines to ensure the supply of essential drugs for patients belonging to socially vulnerable groups, Azernews reports. The Innovation and Supply Center, a public legal entity operating under the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB), has already launched the necessary procedures for the procurement. The organization is currently in the process of selecting a supplier to deliver the medicines. According to preliminary estimates, the total cost of the procurement is expected to amount to 13.4 million manats. 25 August 2025 14:27 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more Azerbaijan Railways CJSC reports that significant progress has been made on the HoradizAghband railway line, a key infrastructure project in the countrys liberated territories. Azernews reports, 84% of the design work and 67% of the construction and installation work have been completed. Reconstruction of railway infrastructure in the territories liberated from occupation continues actively. Currently, earthworks and construction of engineering structures are underway along the 75106 km section of the railway line. Major infrastructure underway: - As part of the project, the construction of eight stations is planned, including: Yukhari Marjanli; Bartaz; Aghband - Additionally, the project includes the construction of: 40 bridges; 26 road crossings; 4 tunnels; 3 galleries; numerous retaining walls. In total, 553 engineering structures will be built along the route. 25 August 2025 17:26 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation marks its 13th anniversary since its establishment, Azernews reports. The Foundation was created on August 23, 2012, during the Summit Meeting of the Turkic Council held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, with the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan and the support of the heads of state of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkiye. The President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, renowned Kazakh composer Aktoty Raimkulova, stated that since its establishment, the main goal of the Foundation had been the study, preservation, and promotion of the rich heritage and centuries-old history of the Turkic world: "Since its establishment, our primary goal has been the study, preservation, and promotion of the rich heritage and centuries-old history of the Turkic world. In this mission, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has implemented several significant initiatives, contributing to the expansion of cultural cooperation and introducing shared values to the world. In the future, the Foundation will continue its efforts to strengthen cultural ties among Turkic states, enrich the common Turkic history and heritage with new research, and disseminate it to a broader audience through modern technologies. The unity of the Turkic world and its heritage is our greatest legacy for future generations!" Aktoty Raimkulova also mentioned that the Foundation, based in the vibrant and sunny city of Baku, continues its work in preserving, developing, strengthening, and promoting the heritage of Turkish peoples in fields such as craftsmanship, folklore, history, literature, and other cultural areas. The Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has been successfully fulfilling its mission to preserve and transmit the rich culture of the Turkic world, which has an ancient history, into the future. One of the great successes of the Foundation is the introduction of the ancient Botai culture, located near Petropavlovsk in Kazakhstan, to the world. The Botai culture is the memory passed down to us from ancient millennia about the domestication of horses by the Turks and their friendship with them. The organization, initially established with the initiative of the President of Azerbaijan and the support of the heads of state of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkiye, later expanded its ranks with Uzbekistan and is expected to grow further with Hungary and Turkmenistan. This organization has launched numerous valuable projects aimed at promoting the national and spiritual values of the Turkic peoples, such as publishing books, organizing exhibitions, and conferences with the participation of prominent researchers and scholars. Efforts are also being made in the restoration of the material cultural monuments of the Turkic world. The foundation president concluded by saying that they would spare no effort to bring together all Turkic unions to jointly research and collaborate on the history and culture of the Turkic world. 25 August 2025 11:02 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has announced that expired and unusable munitions will be destroyed in Pirkskul between August 25 and 29, Azernews reports. According to the statement, the disposal will be carried out at a training ground near the settlement, in strict compliance with safety regulations. The ministry emphasized that explosions may be heard in the area during this period and urged residents not to panic, assuring that there is no cause for concern. 25 August 2025 14:12 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, initialed in Washington on August 8 under the auspices of US President Donald Trump, is being described as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus, opening a new page in regional geopolitics, Azernews reports that this was stated in an article by Leyla Ali, a senior researcher at the Gulf Research Center. According to her, the peace deal is not only crucial for the South Caucasus but also carries significant importance for the Gulf countries, as it paves the way for a strategically vital corridor between Europe and Asia. "As Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, the role of Azerbaijan and the importance of safe transit through the South Caucasus are increasing. Stable relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan strengthen the security of these routes and allow the Gulf states to align their strategies with the energy potential of the region. For example, LNG exports from Qatar to Europe benefit from a diversified supply environment," Ali wrote. She further emphasized that, "Producers from the Gulf countries can find synergies in partnership with Azerbaijan in energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects." The expert added that stability in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations removes one of the main political obstacles to the reliability of the Middle Corridor, making it a more attractive proposition for investors from the Gulf countries. 25 August 2025 17:39 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more At a hearing held on August 25 at the Baku Military Court, survivor and witness Sabir Guliyev recounted the harrowing events surrounding the 1992 occupation of Shusha, highlighting the absence of a humanitarian corridor for civilians during the attack. Guliyev, a native of the Goytala village of Shusha district, testified that Armenian armed forces seized the city in early May 1992, forcing him and thousands of others to flee their homes. My cousins, Tahir and Rafael Guliyev, were killed during the occupation. Tahirs body has never been found, he said. According to Guliyev, civilians attempting to escape through Lachin came under artillery fire from the Goris direction. There was no humanitarian passage for us. While passing through Lachin, we were shelled. An elderly woman was killed before our eyes, he recalled. After Azerbaijani forces liberated the territories, Guliyev said he was able to visit his fathers grave, only to find it desecrated. The cemetery was vandalized, tombstones were removed, and my fathers resting place was destroyed, he testified. He further emphasized the widespread devastation inflicted by Armenian forces on civilian property. They seized our homes, our livelihoods, our wealth. Villages were razed to the ground, and returning residents could not even recognize their houses. They left our land in ruins, he said. The trial, which is ongoing at the Baku Military Court, addresses crimes committed by citizens of Armenia during its military aggression against Azerbaijan. The charges include war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, and attempts to seize and retain power by force. 25 August 2025 16:39 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Members of Azerbaijans inter-parliamentary working group on relations with Romania held a meeting with a Romanian delegation led by Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tagarlas, Chair of the Culture and Media Permanent Committee of the Romanian Senate and member of the inter-parliamentary friendship group with Azerbaijan, during their visit to Baku on August 25, Azernews reports citing the Press and Public Relations Department of the National Assembly. Azay Guliyev, head of Azerbaijans working group, welcomed the Romanian guests and highlighted the significance of their visit to Azerbaijans liberated territories, particularly their hike to the Heydar Aliyev peak. He emphasized that such symbolic visits reinforce inter-parliamentary cooperation, which in turn contributes positively to broader bilateral relations. Guliyev also noted the importance of expanding international connections and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy. Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tagarlas shared impressions from the delegations visit to the Karabakh economic region, describing the hike to the Heydar Aliyev peak as a profound tribute to the memory of the National Leader. He praised the ongoing reconstruction and restoration efforts in the liberated territories under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev and stressed the potential for deeper cooperation and stronger parliamentary ties between Azerbaijan and Romania. Other members of Azerbaijans inter-parliamentary group, including Kamal Jafarov, Aydin Mirzazadeh, and Samir Valiyev, together with Florin Andrejkuts, head of the Maramures County Bar Association in Romania, noted that bilateral relations have advanced successfully through active political dialogue at the highest level. They underlined the need to continue mutually beneficial cooperation across both bilateral and international parliamentary platforms. The meeting also covered a range of topics of shared interest. Azerbaijans ambassador to Romania, Gudsi Osmanov, along with other officials, also took part in the discussions. 25 August 2025 18:35 (UTC+04:00) Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, has sent a congratulatory letter to Mehriban Aliyeva, First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. According to Azernews, the latter reads: Dear Mehriban Arifovna, It gives me great joy to sincerely congratulate you on your birthday and to extend my warmest wishes. I never cease to admire you as a bright and multifaceted personality a public and state figure, a loving wife, and a mother. With your pure and selfless heart and your good deeds, you have rightfully won the love of the entire Azerbaijani people, as well as great respect in Uzbekistan and in many other countries around the world. On this wonderful day, I wholeheartedly wish you good health, family happiness, inner harmony, and inexhaustible strength and energy for the realization of all your noble endevours. May your life always be filled with joy, care, and the support of your loved ones! With respect and esteem, Saida Mirziyoyeva Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan 25 August 2025 19:34 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media accounts regarding the gift from the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. Azernews presents the post via Azertag: I would like to express gratitude to President Donald Trump for the historical photographs he personally signed and the kind words he wrote on them. I highly appreciate President Donald Trump's steadfast support for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as for the peace agenda in the South Caucasus and worldwide, and I would like to once again express my profound gratitude to him for this. Donald J. Trump 25 August 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a prisoner exchange proposal, cautioning that the planned occupation of Gaza City could put hostages lives in grave danger. His warning comes as families of Israeli captives intensify calls for an agreement to secure their relatives release. Last week, Netanyahu ordered new negotiations for the release of all hostages, while simultaneously pushing forward with military plans to seize Gaza City and displace its residents. Analysts suggest Netanyahu may be weighing a deal under altered terms, though mediators still await his official response to an Egyptian-Qatari plan aligned with previous Israeli positions and already accepted by Hamas. There is a deal on the table, and it should be taken now, Zamir told Channel 13, stressing that the army had created conditions for the swap and that the decision now rests with Netanyahu. The army chief reiterated his reservations about a full-scale occupation, saying that while the military could capture Gaza, such an operation would imperil the hostages. Hostage families welcomed Zamirs remarks, saying they reflect public opinion in favour of a comprehensive agreement that could bring home 50 captives and end the war. Israel believes Hamas holds around 50 hostages, 20 of them alive, while Israel itself detains more than 10,800 Palestinians, with rights groups reporting widespread abuse and neglect in custody. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz approved military plans for an assault on Gaza City involving heavy bombardment and forced population transfers. Media reports say the current proposal involves Israeli redeployment closer to the border to enable aid delivery, a 60-day truce, and a two-stage exchange releasing 10 living hostages and 18 bodies in return for Palestinian prisoners alongside talks on a permanent ceasefire. Since October 2023, Israels war has killed nearly 62,700 Palestinians in Gaza, leaving the territory on the brink of famine. The campaign has also triggered international legal proceedings: the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, while Israel faces genocide charges at the International Court of Justice. Funding priority will be given to proposals from third-class cities HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today is issuing a Request for Proposals for the new construction, or rehabilitation, of mixed-use projects seeking financial support. Funding will be provided through the Community Revitalization Fund Program. Mixed-use projects combine residential and retail/commercial space in the same building and often serve as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. The deadline for proposal submission is 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct.31. This funding program was created as part of the commonwealth's fiscal year 2017/18 budget, and PHFA was designated by the General Assembly to administer it. This year, PHFA is authorized to sell $4.5 million of state tax credits and use the proceeds to make awards for the development of mixed-use properties in commercial/retail corridors in Pennsylvania that are undergoing revitalization. Examples of projects eligible for funding include: The rehabilitation of older or under-utilized buildings for immediate re-use to support community development goals; Preparing commercial build-out and business lease space; The design of, and structural and legal conversion of, existing buildings; and The provision of additional units of housing by combining uses in a single, newly constructed or renovated building. "Our goal with these investments is not only to provide critical funding but also to move forward the completion of a project, or projects, that can boost community development," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "In smaller communities, the construction of a pivotal project can provide an economic spark or help attract additional investments, and that is what we'd like to achieve with this funding." Eligible applicants for this funding include units of local government (counties, cities, boroughs, etc.); redevelopment authorities; for-profit firms; non-profit groups; and economic development organizations. Applications from third-class cities will be given higher priority in this year's proposal evaluations. CRFP applications will be completed and submitted entirely online, eliminating the need for paper submissions and simplifying the process for applicants. The RFP is located on PHFA's website at https://www.phfa.org/mhp/developers/loans.aspx. The online application is accessible on the CRFP website at https://crfp.phfa.org. Questions may be directed to Shelby Rexrode at PHFA via email at [email protected]. About PHFA The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $20.1 billion of funding for more than 206,750 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 110,284 rental units, distributed approximately $362 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,400 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board. Contact: Scott Elliott 717-649-6522 (cell) [email protected] SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency 25 August 2025 13:56 (UTC+04:00) In geopolitics, as in chess, every move counts. What looks like a straightforward play often hides a far more intricate, multilayered strategy. Right now, Ukraine is the board where a high-stakes game is unfolding. According to intelligence assessments and political insiders, a campaign is underway to push President Volodymyr Zelensky out and replace him with a more convenient figure. At the center of this intrigue stands former commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnya man many see as both a rival and an alternative. Azernews presents the full analysis via By Baku Network The Crisis of Trust In a nation battered by a full-scale war, public opinion shifts as unpredictably as the front line. And when the fog of war thickens, trust in leadership becomes the most fragile currency. New polling data has once again put Zelenskys political future under the spotlight, revealing the complicated, even contradictory, attitudes Ukrainians hold toward their president. The numbers suggest a paradox: if presidential elections were held this Sunday, Zelensky would still come out on top. But if the race were for parliament, the countrys leanings look very differentZaluzhnys hypothetical party would eclipse Zelenskys bloc. The Polling Snapshot The latest survey, conducted by the Rating Group for the International Republican Institutes Center for Analysis and Sociological Research between July 22 and 27, paints a telling picture. Asked who they would vote for in a presidential race, 31% of Ukrainians named Zelensky, while 25% picked Zaluzhny. Former president Petro Poroshenko trailed at 6%, and intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov at 5%. Regional and demographic breakdowns tell an even more complicated story. In western Ukraine, support for Zelensky and Zaluzhny is dead even at 27% each. Among voters over 50, Zaluzhny actually edges out the incumbent31% to 30%. On job performance, the country is sharply split: 33% strongly approve of Zelensky, 32% somewhat approve, while 16% strongly disapprove and another 16% lean negative. The Party Divide When asked about parliamentary preferences, Zaluzhnys imagined party comes out ahead: 22% said theyd vote for him, compared to 14% for Zelenskys bloc. The Azov movement and Poroshenkos European Solidarity each polled at 8%. Zaluzhnys support outpaces Zelenskys across nearly all age groups and regions, with one exception: the countrys south, where both sides pull an equal 19%. And theres a broader signal here74% of Ukrainians said they want new political parties in the next parliamentary elections, while only 17% are satisfied with the current lineup. How the Survey Was Done The poll covered the entire territory of Ukraine, excluding areas under Russian occupation. Researchers used computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) with a randomized sample of mobile numbers, surveying 2,400 Ukrainians age 18 and older. The margin of error is estimated at plus or minus 2 percentage points. The Bigger Picture What these numbers reveal isnt just a snapshot of Zelenskys approval ratingsits a warning flare. The electorate is restless, hungry for alternatives, and increasingly open to new political forces. For Zaluzhny, that momentum could translate into real political capital. For Zelensky, its a reminder that the same public that vaulted him into power can, just as swiftly, turn the page. The chessboard is set. The pieces are moving. And Ukraines leadership may be entering its most dangerous endgame yet. Control and Influence: The New Architecture of Power The idea that European states rely on mechanisms of control designed by their American allies is hardly new. U.S. influence over political processes in Europeand far beyondhas long been a given. Whats changing now, analysts argue, is the direction of that leverage. Increasingly, its European capitals, especially London and Brussels, angling to secure their own grip on Kyiv. According to Russias Foreign Intelligence Service, a discreet Alpine summit recently brought together representatives from the U.S., the U.K., and Ukraine to discuss what they allegedly called a transfer of power. Among those present, the Russians claim, were former commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhny, presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak, and intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. The supposed deal: swap out President Volodymyr Zelensky so long as the others kept their jobs. The Kremlins spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the story as speaking for itself, while French politician Florian Philippot declared it further proof that Ukraine is nothing more than a toy in NATOs hands. That skepticism isnt appearing in a vacuum. In August, news broke of a memorandum between Ukraines Central Election Commission and Britains electoral authoritya move many read as a precursor to Western oversight of Ukraines democratic machinery. With election chief Oleh Didenko, no close ally of Zelensky, at the helm, critics see the perfect setup for a controlled transfer of power favoring Zaluzhny. Who Is Valeriy Zaluzhny? The man at the heart of this intrigue is not a political upstart but a career soldier who climbed the ranks from platoon commander to commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces. His resume is a blend of battlefield grit and political inevitability. Education: Zaluzhny graduated from the Odesa Combined Arms Command School in 1997 and the National Defense Academy of Ukraine in 2007. In 2020, he earned a masters degree in international relations, signaling ambitions well beyond the strictly military realm. Military Service: Since 1997, he has held successive command posts. He fought in Donbas in 2014, including in the grueling battle of Debaltseve. Commander-in-Chief: Appointed by Zelensky in 2021, he became the first top commander without Soviet army roots. He championed NATO integration and aggressively pushed Western standards into Ukraines military. Strategy and Fault Lines Zaluzhnys approach on the battlefield often clashed with Zelenskys. Where the president demanded bold offensives, Zaluzhny favored a cautious, defensive posture. That tactical divergence hardened into open political friction. In one particularly controversial interview, Zaluzhny called Russias top general Valery Gerasimov his main teacher and praised Russian military science as the core of military thought. The remarks triggered uproar in Ukraine and skepticism in Western press. And when explosions ripped through the Nord Stream pipelines, Zaluzhnys name surfaced in speculation about possible Ukrainian involvementrumors he firmly denied, insisting such operations belong to intelligence services, not the military. From General to Political Player The rift between Zelensky and Zaluzhny predates the all-out war. According to reporting by Time, Zaluzhny anticipated the Russian invasion while Zelensky dismissed the warnings. By the fall of 2022, as Zaluzhnys popularity surged, he was already being floated as a future president. That shadow grew too large for Zelensky to ignore. On February 8, 2024, he fired the general, replacing him with the more pliant Oleksandr Syrskyi. Officially, Zaluzhny was kicked upstairsfirst as ambassador to the U.K., later as Ukraines representative to the International Maritime Organization. Unofficially, it looked like exile disguised as honor. But the maneuver backfired. Zaluzhnys ratings havent just survivedtheyve soared. A May 2025 poll found that 70% of Ukrainians trust him, a number no sitting politician can match. Analysts now argue that if elections were held today, Zaluzhny would win in a landslide. His support extends deep into the military establishment: Major General Dmytro Marchenko has publicly endorsed him, and in three Ukrainian cities, streets already bear his name. The Zelensky-Zaluzhny Equation What began as a tactical disagreement on how to wage war has evolved into a political standoff with existential stakes. Zelensky, once untouchable as the face of Ukrainian resistance, now finds himself increasingly cornered by a rival whose credibility is rooted not in rhetoric but in battlefield command. For Ukraines allies, this isnt just a domestic spat. Its a test case in who really sets the terms of power in Kyivand whether the levers of control lie in the hands of Ukrainians themselves, or in the capitals of their friends and patrons abroad. Highs and Lows of a Presidency: Zelenskys Trust Factor Under the Microscope In the turbulence of full-scale warwhen public opinion shifts as unpredictably as the front linesthe question of trust in leadership becomes razor-sharp. Fresh polling data has once again placed President Volodymyr Zelensky at the center of Ukraines political debate. The numbers reveal a complicated picture: Ukrainians trust in their leader is fluid, swinging with the winds of foreign policy wins and domestic frustrations. The Foreign Policy Boost Surveys conducted earlier this year highlighted a striking trend: Zelenskys trust ratings are rising for the first time since Russias full-scale invasion. Back in November, trust in the president stood at 53 percent. By January, it climbed to 57 percent, and the most recent data shows the upward trajectory continuing. A poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), sampling 1,000 respondents, confirmed those gains. In early February, 57 percent said they trusted Zelensky, with his support crossing the 50 percent threshold in every region of Ukraine. But the numbers werent universally celebrated. One of the sharpest critics came from abroad: Elon Musk, who heads the U.S. governments efficiency department, lashed out at KIIS, accusing it of bias and alleging that it received funding from USAID. Pushing Back on the Critics KIIS executive director Anton Hrushetsky flatly rejected those claims, stressing that his institute hasnt received U.S. grants and that the survey in question was funded internally. He, in turn, cast doubt on figures cited by the Trump administration showing Zelenskys support at just 4 percent. Support for actions and trust are slightly different categories, which is why we measure them separately, Hrushetsky explained in an interview with Deutsche Welle. He added that in some of KIISs other research, Zelenskys support ratings actually exceed his trust numbers. Interestingly, the public clash over polling seems to have worked in Zelenskys favor. Hrushetsky pointed to fresh, ongoing survey data showing an uptick in confidence. The pattern, he noted, is familiar: Whenever the president is framed in the context of foreign policyaddressing forums, securing Western aidhis ratings climb. The moment domestic issues like corruption or mobilization dominate, trust falls. In other words, Ukrainians rally around Zelensky when hes on the global stage but turn skeptical when daily hardships and governance challenges come back into focus. The Challenge of Polling in Wartime Conducting reliable polling in wartime Ukraine is no small feat. The biggest hurdle: geography. With parts of the country under occupation, survey coverage is necessarily incomplete. Alexei Haran, a political science professor at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, notes that while phone polling still works in areas with mobile networks, face-to-face surveys in frontline regions like Kherson and Donetsk are now off the table for safety reasons. Residents in occupied territories, living under constant fear, typically refuse to answer any questions at all. Haran argues their absence doesnt undermine the presidents legitimacy, since their participation in any hypothetical election is unlikely. Another blind spot is the millions of Ukrainian refugees scattered across Europe. According to Hrushetsky, their trust levels dont diverge much from Ukrainians inside the country, but theres an emerging red flag: disengagement. A KIIS survey conducted in May 2024 among 801 respondents in Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic found that roughly a third said theyd lost interest in Ukrainian politics altogether. Only about a third expressed interest in voting in the next election. That kind of political fatigue, if it deepens, could pose a real challenge to the legitimacy of future electionsespecially if the war drags on and migration becomes semi-permanent. The Balancing Act Zelenskys approval, then, is less a stable mandate than a constant balancing act between his international clout and domestic vulnerabilities. The presidents ability to keep Ukrainians unified may hinge on his success abroadbut the real test of his political survival will be whether he can bring that same credibility back home, where trust is much harder to win. Putin, Zaluzhny, and the Politics of Hypothetical Polling The debate over Zelenskys ratings has reached all the way to the Kremlin. In a recent interview with Russian media, Vladimir Putin claimed that the Ukrainian presidents approval numbers are half those of former commander-in-chief Valeriy Zaluzhnywhom he described as a potential rival and perhaps the most serious one on the horizon. Anton Hrushetsky, executive director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, calls such comparisons misleading. Zaluzhny, he points out, has yet to confirm any political ambitions. Historically, military leaders tend to enjoy exceptionally high levels of public trust, and including them in polling exercises can distort the field. They siphon off potential votes from other candidates, Hrushetsky explained, suggesting that head-to-head matchups featuring military figures tell only part of the story. Breaking the Taboo on Hypothetical Elections Despite martial law, chatter about future elections is growing louder. For months, Ukrainian pollsters had an informal pact not to release numbers on presidential races. That truce was broken last week when Ukrainska Pravda published findings from the Center for Social and Marketing Research SOCIS. SOCIS, a firm tied to former lawmaker Ihor Hrynivwho once ran campaigns for ex-president Petro Poroshenkorolled out a survey featuring 13 potential candidates. Alongside Zaluzhny, the list included three other military men: intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, Azov brigade commander Denys Prokopenko (better known by his nom de guerre Redis), and Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraines 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. The results set off shockwaves. Zaluzhny topped the poll with 27.2 percent. Zelensky trailed at 15.9 percent, with Poroshenko registering just 5.6 percent. But perhaps the most striking figure was the 21.6 percent of respondents who said they remain undecideda block of voters large enough to tip the balance in any direction. The Meaning Behind the Numbers These findings speak to a society in flux. On one hand, the public appetite for a strong hand and the enduring trust placed in the military is unmistakable. On the other, such polls cant be divorced from the political battles they fuelcontested, weaponized, and endlessly debated, even as the country remains at war. What Comes Next? Ukraines political ratings remain volatile, reacting instantly to every policy decision, battlefield development, or international appearance. Trust in Zelenskyor in any leaderis not static. It hinges on whether the government can meet the moment: securing sustained Western aid, managing mobilization fairly, tackling corruption, and delivering on military strategy. Polls, then, are not just numbers on a page. They are the heartbeat of a nation under siegea pulse that demands careful, sober reading in a time when nothing feels stable, and every political tremor carries outsized consequences. Sources Ukrainians ready to vote for President Zelensky and Zaluzhnys party https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2025/08/23/7527508/ Ukrainska Pravda Zaluzhny surpasses Zelensky in trust ratings among Ukrainians https://www.gazeta.ru/politics/news/2025/07/09/26231798.shtml Gazeta.Ru Poll: Ukrainians trust Zaluzhny and Zelensky the most https://azertag.az/ru/xeber/opros_ukraincy_bolshe_doveryayut_zaluzhnomu_i_zelenskomu-3649499 Azertag Zaluzhny overtakes Zelensky in trust ratings https://lenta.ru/news/2025/04/01/ratings-trust-ua/ Lenta.RU Zelensky loses to Zaluzhny and Budanov in trust ratings https://www.rbc.ru/rbcfreenews/681a2e069a7947abc688c0a3 RBC Results of opinion polls (Ukrainian elections, aggregator) https://ukraine-elections.com.ua/socopros/vybory_prezidenta ukraine-elections.com.ua FALSE: Zelensky and Zaluzhny have 2% and 10% support (debunking manipulation) https://voxukraine.org/ru/nepravda-vladymyr-zelenskyj-y-valeryj-zaluzhnyj-ymeyut-2-y-10-podderzhky voxukraine.org Trust ratings: Zaluzhny retains the highest level https://nv.ua/ukraine/politics/reyting-doveriya-skolko-doveryayut-zelenskomu-i-zaluzhnomu-50528367.html nv.ua Coup in Ukraine? (reporting on Russian SVR claims; source disputed) https://ai.economictimes.com/news/international/us/coup-in-ukraine-russia-claims-us-uk-planning-to-oust-zelensky-and-replace-him-with-former-ukrainian-army-chief/articleshow/123005563.cms The Economic Times What Does General Zaluzhnys Dismissal Mean for Ukraine? https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2024/02/what-does-general-zaluzhnys-dismissal-mean-for-ukraine?lang=en Carnegie Endowment / Politika How Zelensky Ended His Feud With Ukraines Top General https://time.com/6693718/zelensky-valery-zaluzhny-feud-over-ukraine/ TIME Zelensky, Zaluzhny Rift Fact or Fiction? https://www.kyivpost.com/post/24775 Kyiv Post Kremlin runs covert disinformation campaign to undermine Zelensky https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/16/russian-disinformation-zelensky-zaluzhny/ The Washington Post Zelensky Reveals Moscows Maidan 3 Plan https://www.kyivpost.com/post/24272 Kyiv Post Reference: Valerii Zaluzhnyi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerii_Zaluzhnyi Wikipedia 25 August 2025 19:21 (UTC+04:00) Full digital access to all news for 1 year Full digital access to all news for 6 months Full digital access to all news for 3 months Full digital access to all news for 1 month Find the plan that suits you best. The Czech Republic has already allocated most of the 1.5 percent of GDP designated for defense under the June NATO agreements, according to Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky. Speaking at a meeting with ambassadors in Prague, Lipavsky explained that last year, defense spending amounted to approximately 1.28 percent of GDP, and future increases will be gradualaround 0.2 percent annually, Azernews reports. Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention. Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis. By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more. Subscribe You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper Thank you! 25 August 2025 23:30 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Hyundai Motor Co. and its luxury brand Genesis were named leaders in technological experience by U.S. market research firm J.D. Power on Monday, Azernews reports, citing Yonhap agency. For the sixth consecutive year, Hyundai ranked first among mass-market brands in the 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) study, scoring 493 points out of a possible 1,000. The recognition highlights Hyundais commitment to integrating cutting-edge technologies into its vehicles, making advanced innovations accessible to a broader customer base. Genesis, Hyundais luxury brand, also achieved a remarkable feat, ranking highest overall and leading the premium segment for innovation for the fifth straight year. The brand earned a score of 538 points, further cementing its position as a frontrunner in automotive technology. "Hyundai's consistent success in the TXI Study underscores our mission to democratize advanced technology, ensuring that premium features are available to mass-market customers," said Olabisi Boyle, Senior Vice President of Product Planning and Mobility Strategy at Hyundai Motor North America. The Genesis GV80 and Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs stood out for their advanced technological features in the study. The Santa Fe's phone-based digital key received accolades for its convenience, allowing owners to access and share vehicle functions effortlessly via smartphone. Meanwhile, the Genesis GV80 earned top recognition for best connected-vehicle technology, thanks to its Genesis Digital Key 2, a smartphone-based system that streamlines vehicle access and control. This reflects Genesis's ongoing focus on user-friendly connectivity that enhances the overall driving experience. J.D. Power's annual TXI study evaluates car owners' experiences with advanced vehicle technologies within the first 90 days of ownership. It measures both satisfaction and the number of issues reported, providing a comprehensive look at how well consumers interact with emerging automotive technologies. The recognition of Hyundai and Genesis showcases how automakers are pushing boundaries to bring next-gen tech to the road, offering everything from digital key systems to sophisticated connected vehicle networks that are quickly becoming the new standard in the industry. Thom Tillis is at it again planting the knife in the back of solid conservatives from his perch on the Judiciary Committee. First it was against Ed Martin as US Attorney for District of Columbia. That one led to a firestorm forcing Tillis to withdraw from his reelection campaign. Now, Tillis is at it again opposing the confirmation of Alina Habba as US Attorney for New Jersey. After Habba became a target of the Democrat House Minority Leader, she became a political target of partisan Democrat district court judges in New Jersey, and now also a target of leftwing RINO US Senator Thom Tillis. Republicans only have a one seat majority on the Judiciary Committee, so if one member goes bad, it is all over for the nominee. Since this is a repeat performance of treachery by Tillis, if Majority Leader Thune has a functioning backbone, he ought to be replacing Tillis on the Judiciary Committee with someone more dependable. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/08/you-are-becoming-part-issue-you-are-antithesis/ https://dailyhaymaker.com/guess-what-tillis-still-screwing-over-president-trump/ This is a fair warning that North Carolina does NOT need Tillis' understudy Michael Whatley as his successor. Don Brown is a more dependable conservative. Starbucks was too big for somewhere so small: The Irish town that rejected US coffee giant Popular chain, promoted as third place between home and work, is marking 20 years of business in Ireland this month Peter O'Donovan speaking in his Dalkey cafe Pepper Laine Keith Kelly Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 12:00 "If you see a Starbucks, you know what youre going to get, according to coffee shop owner Peter ODonovan, referring to the good and the bad of the ubiquitous chain thats celebrating 20 years in the Republic of Ireland. Clinical research consultancy ARC Regulatory has announced the opening of a new office in Londonderry in a 0.25m investment. The company, which was founded by Seamus Kearney, said the expansion marked another important milestone after it launched lab facilities in Belfast earlier this year. ARC said the launch of the Derry office in Ebrington Square will bring recruitment for new roles in regulatory affairs and clinical research. From left, Seamus Kearney, CEO ARC Regulatory, associate clinical project manager Ciara Devlin and Professor David Gibson, research group leader, personalised medicine centre, Ulster University It said that the new recruits will join members of ARCs Belfast team who are from the Derry area and now wish to work closer to home. And it said that it hoped to expand even further in the region, including to a larger office, when the right candidates are identified. Mr Kearney founded ARC Regulatory in 2009 to ensure pharma firms were compliant with all international regulations when carrying out trials. The company is involved in early research into medicines, working with pharma companies who are developing precision therapeutics drugs which are developed and targeted for individuals specific experience of disease. ARC said its move was strengthened by its collaboration with the personalised medicine centre, part of the Ulster University School of Medicine, which is based at Altnagelvin Hospital. The company said: This partnership provides access to an established life sciences network, world-class research, and a strong talent pipeline from Ulster Universitys life sciences and personalised medicine courses at the Derry~Londonderry campus, all of which directly support ARCs specialist skills needs. Seamus Kearney, ARC Regulatory, with Dr Lindsey Rennie Mr Kearney, who is the companys chief executive, said: "Derry has an incredible pool of talent, a strong sense of community, and a growing reputation in life sciences. By opening our new office here, were creating opportunities for local people to build rewarding careers without having to leave the north west. "With the support of Ulster University and its partners, we see a clear pathway from education and research into meaningful, high-impact work, and thats exciting for both ARC Regulatory and the region as a whole." Professor David Gibson, research group leader at the personalised medicine centre within Ulster Universitys School of Medicine, said: "ARC Regulatorys expertise in regulatory affairs and clinical research is a welcome addition to the expanding life sciences cluster in the North West. Seamus Kearney News Catch Up - Monday 25th August "Their presence demonstrates how collaboration in education and research between Ulster University and the life and health science sector can create the right conditions for innovative companies to flourish, while offering exciting career opportunities with global impact for our graduates in the region." Irish-language rap trio Kneecap have announced the cancellation of all 15 of their scheduled US tour dates in October, citing an upcoming court hearing in London and what they describe as a "witch-hunt" by the British government. In a statement posted to social media, the politically outspoken group expressed regret over the decision, highlighting that every show had sold out and was set to play to tens of thousands of fans across the United States. The Education Minister has insisted everything is in place to ensure a safe return to school for children after race riots in Ballymena this summer. Paul Givan said his department has been working with the Education Authority to make sure pupils feel welcomed in the school environment. In June, it was reported that the rate of pupils absent from some schools in the Ballymena area had spiked after several nights of rioting. Mr Givan said 84 new pupils at Harryville Primary School had not been attending class and only 65% of pupils at St Patricks College had been at school. He said it was outrageous that children had been traumatised as a result of trouble, but added alarmingly, were also dealing with some children who engaged in the rioting and attacked some of the houses of the very children in their class. This was an appalling situation, one which is complicated and required intervention. Education Minister Paul Givan. Picture Martin McKeown. The violence followed a peaceful protest in the town over the court appearance of two teenage boys accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. The pair spoke through a Romanian interpreter to confirm their names and ages. Mr Givan added that work has been undertaken ahead of pupils return. The Education Authority has been particularly working with schools where there have been tensions, he said. That has been in Ballymena and where there are tensions in other areas. Ive been in many schools where Ive seen 20 or maybe 30 different nationalities and theyre very much integrated within those school communities. Schools are really good at making themselves a safe haven. Its right that where people are in the country that we have respect, particularly for those children in schools. They have to be protected. They have to be that safe place. Work has been ongoing through the Education Authority leading on these issues to make sure that people feel they can come to school in September, and we are there to support those schools to make sure that all of their young people are able to return. There is a time and a place to debate immigration policy, but whenever you are in Northern Ireland, and particularly whenever you are a child in Northern Ireland from whatever background, you have to be treated with that respect, you have to be supported and you need to be protected. At the end of June, Mr Givan admitted the Education Authority had stepped in to try to defuse tensions in some schools. My team had been engaged with a number of schools as a result of the picture that we had to deal with, he said. We engaged the emotional wellbeing unit within the Education Authority, the intercultural services and try to provide support for these schools. I remain committed to do all I can to ensure all children can safely return to the classroom. Belfast nursing home carer who received 500 from vulnerable resident 'abused position of trust' Woman has failed to re-pay money and has been barred from care profession Social care worker Georgina Martin abused her position of trust while working at the Cregagh Nursing Home in east Belfast, a tribunal has found Stephen Gordon Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 07:00 A Belfast nursing home worker who took 500 from a vulnerable resident has been barred from working as carer. ANSON, Texas, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Potts Law Firm, a leading personal injury firm in Texas, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Eric Bailey, who was catastrophically injured in an April 11, 2025, house explosion in Anson, Texas. The explosion, which leveled a residence at 4002 County Road 195, was caused by a leaking natural gas pipe left behind by Atmos Energy during service termination. Remains of the Anson residence where Eric Bailey was severely burned in a gas explosion. Bailey, a technician employed by ThompsonGas, was performing routine propane installation work in the home's basement when the residence suddenly exploded. The blast engulfed him in flames, leaving him with devastating burns, permanent disfigurement, a permanent brain injury, and life-altering injuries that require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. "Eric Bailey's life has been forever changed because Atmos Energy failed to take the most basic safety precautions when dealing with dangerous natural gas lines," said Derek Potts, attorney for the Baileys. "This tragedy was entirely preventable. Our client is paying the price with his health, his livelihood, and his future." Explosion Traced to Negligence According to the lawsuit, Atmos Energy technicians first responded to the property days before the explosion, identifying issues with the meter and shutting off gas service after failed pressure tests. But when the homeowners requested termination of service, Atmos removed the meter and left behind a leaking saddle clamp that released natural gas into the home. The accumulation of gas caused the April 11 blast that nearly killed Bailey. The petition alleges negligence, gross negligence, and other claims, and seeks damages for Bailey's extensive medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, disfigurement, and impairment. His wife, Christie Bailey, has also brought a claim for loss of consortium due to the profound impact her husband's injuries have had on their marriage. Seeking Accountability The Baileys are demanding accountability from Atmos Energy, which is responsible for safely maintaining and terminating gas service. "When corporations cut corners with something as inherently dangerous as natural gas, the consequences are catastrophic," Potts added. "This lawsuit is about ensuring Eric Bailey receives justice and making sure something like this doesn't happen to another Texas family." About Potts Law Firm Potts Law Firm fights for individuals and families harmed by corporate negligence, unsafe practices, and preventable tragedies. With offices across Texas and the U.S., the firm represents clients in catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, and complex litigation. This lawsuit is titled Bailey v. Atmos Energy Corporation d/b/a Atmos Energy, West Texas Division; Cause No.: 026243, to be heard in the Jones County District Court. Media Contact Megan O'Neal Marketing Coordinator (832) 583-6360 [email protected] SOURCE Potts Law Firm The lightbulb described as the 'last filament lightbulb before its transition to LED' The lightbulb on display at the Down County Museum A council has been accused by campaigners seeking to retain the iconic St Johns Point Lighthouse of trying to turn a public consultation into a box-ticking exercise. It comes after one of its light bulbs was installed in a museum before the planning decision had been made. The 180-year-old light source in Killough, Co Down, is a B1 listed building and one of 70 beacons sprawled around the islands coastline. It is operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL), who filed an application in January allowing for the retention of the rotating Fresnel lens and visible flash character. The proposal includes replacing the mercury that makes the light rotate and installing a low-energy LED alternative. In February, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council confirmed that 66 objections had been submitted in opposition to the change. Campaigner Eileen Peters said she was shocked but not surprised to discover the beacons filament bulb being displayed behind a glass case in the Down County Museum, which is owned and run by the local authority, earlier this month. The lightbulb described as the 'last filament lightbulb before its transition to LED' The bulb was listed as the object of the month for August and an accompanying plaque read: This object is believed to be the last filament light bulb used at St Johns Point Lighthouse in Killough before its transition to LED. Ms Peters, who is a member of the Lecale Lightkeepers group, said it was a pre-emptive move by the council to display the lightbulb, and label it as such, before a final planning decision has been made. This sends a very clear and potentially damaging signal as it implies the decision is already made, turning the formal planning application and public consultation into a box-ticking exercise rather than a genuine opportunity for local voices to influence the outcome, she said. She added: In heritage-management terms, this is sometimes called museum-ification; as pre-justification; removing an object or feature, displaying it with a heritage label, and thereby framing its loss as inevitable and even beneficial before the community has had any real say. The lightbulb on display at the Down County Museum St Johns Point Lighthouse is among the 12 Great Lighthouses of Ireland listed in a the tourism initiative. The structure has been a feature of the Co Down coastline for almost two centuries and campaigners fear any changes to the mechanism that makes the light rotate will damage the intrinsic character of the landmark. The signage was changed in the museum in recent days to read: This filament lightbulb was originally used at St Johns Point Lighthouse in Killough. When asked why the signage was written in its original form and described as the last filament lightbulb, the council was unable to answer the question directly. A spokesperson said: This media enquiry relates to a project currently being considered under Newry, Mourne and Down District Councils live planning application process. The council has therefore no further comment to make on matters due to be addressed in the formal planning process. A Belfast councillor said he is hoping for a positive update soon after three children were struck by a car while playing on the pavement in west Belfast on Sunday. The incident occurred in the Black Ridge View area of the city with NI Ambulance Service (NIAS) receiving reports of the collision shortly before 5pm this afternoon. All three children were hospitalised while a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including driving with excess alcohol in breath. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster, SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said: "The thoughts of the entire community here in west Belfast are with those three children two girls and a young boy and with their family. We're hoping for a speedy recovery and a positive update soon. "This was quite a traumatic incident for them and for everyone who witnessed that. For quite a new community, people really did come out and pull together. It was quite a disturbing scene in terms of an air ambulance and emergency services quickly coming onto the scene. Mr Doherty called for action to avoid any repeat incidents in the recently-build development off the Monagh ByPass. The incident occurred in the Black Ridge View area (Photo: Alan Lewis) News Catch Up - Monday 25th August "It's a real stark reminder of the danger of reckless driving and why making our streets safer must be a priority. Every child should be able to feel safe to play outside their home or within their community," he continued. "There is a shock and concern (in the community). There are conversations ongoing about there being regular speeding in the area, and because its such a new development, the need for implementation of something to ensure children and pedestrians in the area are much safer. That's something right away that I believe needs implemented. We can't see scenes like we saw yesterday absolutely horrific. "Theres a fear there of families with young children can they let them go out onto the street? A NIAS spokesman said: NIAS despatched three emergency crews to the incident. Ambulance control also tasked the Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS team on board to respond. Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, three patients were taken to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. A 37-year-old was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including driving with excess alcohol in breath. The PSNI added: A report was received shortly before 5pm that the car, whilst reversing, struck the children, two girls and a boy, as they played on the pavement. "The children have been taken to hospital for treatment and a 37 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol in breath, causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop, failing to report and failing to remain where an accident occurred causing injury. He remains in custody at this time. Officers would ask anyone who witnessed the incident or who captured dash-cam or CCTV footage which could of assistance to their investigation to contact police at Woodbourne on 101, quoting reference number 1201 24/08/25. The incident occurred in the Black Ridge View area (Photo: Alan Lewis) Blue-green algae arrives back on Lough Neagh West Belfast Councillor Micheal Donnelly said: A road traffic incident has taken place in Blacks Ridge. Our thoughts are with everyone involved. Police will be on the scene for some time and we ask the public to fully cooperate with their investigation. "Again, our thoughts are with everyone involved. There was colour and spectacle as tens of thousands flocked to Ballycastle this bank holiday to celebrate the annual Ould Lammas Fair. Families spent the warm afternoon enjoying the sights and sounds of the event the oldest traditional fair in Northern Ireland and across the island. Annie McAfee and Aoife Kinney play at the fair (Credit: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia) Watch: Thousands enjoy the Ould Lammas Fair in Ballycastle Locals and tourists alike were seen enjoying the traditional event in the seaside town, which celebrates the areas culture, heritage, music and agricultural traditions across four days, marking the end of summer and the start of the harvest season. Beth Henry, (34), from Northumberland, and her two children, Martha (3) and Ida (1), were celebrating their first Lammas Fair this year. My husband is originally from here, so it seems like a right of passage to bring them here one summer so they can experience it in all its glory, Beth said. Beth Henry with daughter, Martha and Ida Beth explained the family enjoyed visiting the stalls and riding the amusements, but said the highlight of the fair so far has been sampling the traditional food and drink available in Ballycastle. I quite like the dulse, the saltier the better. Im not a big fan of the yellowman (the traditional sweet treat linked to the fair), honeycomb is better, but the dulse has been quite nice. Beth said she admires the great spirit behind those who organise the fair. Its got a great community feel, its more than just the stalls, its about showcasing everything the area has to offer. Its nice to see all the tourists, but also the local community as well. Sarah and Martin Butler are also originally from England. Sarah and Martin Butler The couple now live in Derry and this is the second year they have visited the Lammas Fair. Its been lovely, good fun, we liked the horses, Sarah said. Last year we came on the wrong day, but today has been a good day so we are enjoying it. Martin said they visited the Lammas Fair to embrace some Northern Irish traditions. People told us all about it, so we thought we would come and see, he said. The couple explained they have enjoyed exploring Ballycastle and the north coast while at the fair. Its a very nice little area, Martin added. Very, very nice, Sarah agreed. Aidan Murray While the couple had yet to try dulse or yellowman, they explained that they are excited to experience the local delicacies during their time in Ballycastle. Weve got some yellowman, we have never tried it, but Ive had a Crunchie before and I think theyre similar, Martin joked. Someone who is definitely a big fan of yellowman is Aidan Murray, from Belfast. He dressed as a yellow man to attend the fair. Last year was my first year here, I thought Id dress up in yellow and nobody got it nobody linked it, he said. Irelands oldest traditional fair returns to Ballycastle (Credit: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia) Nobody linked a yellow man to the yellowman, I had to explain it to them. Thankfully, he said more people recognised his efforts this year, as he praised the fair for building on the community spirit in Ballycastle. I love dulce, Ive had it since I was a child, loved it since then, he added. Theres a real camaraderie with the people. You could speak to anyone at the Lammas fair, youre made to feel welcome while you are here, he said. Bertie Brown Bertie Brown loves the Lammas Fair so much he takes the boat from Islay Island in Scotland to Ballycastle every year to visit it. The Scotsman has been attending the fair for three decades. In recent years, its just not as busy as it used to be, it used to be busier years ago, he said. Its still fine, but not just as busy as it used to be. Despite his observation of a possible drop in popularity, Bertie said he will still never miss an opportunity to attend the event. We have a lot of friends here, every year we make more and more friends but we know everyone from here to Cushendall, so its good, he added. I like going into the pubs, theres a lot of guys here that work, so they are off for the fair so its great. You catch up with old friends and its nice. Barry Quigg with children, Saoirse, Eireann and James Barry Quigg, (43), from west Belfast, visited the fair with his three children, James (5), Saoirse and Eireann, both three. Barry said the family loves attending the fair every year. The pints of Guinness are great, he joked. [We enjoy] all the hustle and bustle, theres plenty to do for the kids. Barrys mother has lived in Ballycastle for over 20 years, and he regularly brings his children to visit the town. They just love it down here, the beach and everything, he said. Barry said he hopes to continue celebrating the traditional fair with his children as they grow older. Its just about getting the kids out to see everything and just getting them out to see all the people. A man in his twenties has died after becoming unwell at a residential property in south Belfast on Sunday morning, police have said. Emergency services were called to the Victoria Place apartments on Wellwood Street, where police responded in support of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The man was transported to hospital for treatment but was later pronounced dead. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stock image. News Catch Up - Monday 25th August In a statement, a spokesperson for the PSNI confirmed: Police attended an address in the Wellwood Street area of Belfast city centre on Sunday morning, in support of colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. A man aged in his 20s was taken to hospital, where he subsequently died. They said enquiries are ongoing and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course. No further details have been released at this time. The scene at Slievenabrock Avenue in Newcastle, Co Down, where 84-year-old Sean Small was found murdered (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) A man who was found dead at a property in Co Down has been named by police as 84-year-old Sean Small. A murder investigation has been launched after the man was found dead outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on Sunday. Police said patrols have been stepped up in the area in an effort to reassure the community after the local mans death. Sean Small (Family Handout/PA) Chief Inspector Adam Ruston said the local community will be in shock after the incident. Waking up to this news is sure to have caused distress that this has happened in such a close-knit residential area of Newcastle, Mr Ruston said. However, I want to provide reassurance that we are working at pace to investigate the circumstances of this murder and we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators and in securing justice. Locals and visitors to Newcastle over this bank holiday and later in the week will notice more of our officers on the ground and on patrol as we work on this investigation and to provide the community with the reassurance and support of police presence. Police have also urged people not to speculate and allow the investigation to be carried out. Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, of the Major Investigation Team, said: We received a report at around 10.30pm on Sunday August 24 that a man in his 80s had been found dead outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim. I encourage people not to speculate and allow our officers the time and space to carry out their investigation. While inquiries are at a very early stage, we need the help of the public to come forward with any information. If you have photos or footage of this area or the wider Tullybrannigan and Bryansford Road areas, please share these with police through the Major Incident Public Portal. Photos and footage can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal, by phoning the PSNI on 101, or by providing it anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online. Police were called to the scene at around 10.30pm on Sunday night Police investigate the murder of a man in 80's in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle A man in his 80s who was found dead in Co Down has been named locally as Sean Small. Police have launched a murder probe after emergency services were called to the scene at Slievenabrock Avenue in Newcastle at around 10.30pm last night. Forensic officers remained at the scene on Monday this afternoon, with a cordon in place across two properties in the area. A neighbour told the Belfast Telegraph they became aware of the incident in the early hours of this morning. "We were woken up by police at the door around 3am," they said. "They asked the usual questions and then came back this morning, but we've heard very little since." Another resident said the death has come as a shock to what is usually a tranquil area of the town. "This is the quietest street ever, I have lived here all my life and you would hardly see a sinner here," they said. "You see this happening in other areas, but you don't expect it to land on your own doorstep." Police at the scene of a murder in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on August 25th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Major Investigation Team, said: We understand this news will cause shock and concern within this close-knit community of Newcastle. "Local people will see our officers in and around the area with cordons still in place today. Our enquiries are at an early stage and I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation, any dashcam or doorbell footage, to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1746 24/08/25. Photos and footage including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U19-PO1. South Down MLA Diane Forsythe said news of the incident was really shocking. Read more Eight murders in eight weeks: How NI became engulfed in tragedy "This is not the news anybody expects to wake up to on a Bank Holiday Monday. Its absolutely shocking news, she said. "Its a nice, quiet, peaceful part of Newcastle out here in Tullybrannigan. Its really, really shocking to have heard this today. "Everybody deals with shock differently. Its shock, sadness, a little bit of fear as well. Its just about trying to make sure, as an elected representative and a member of the community, my thoughts and prayers are very much with the community, to be strong and calm in this time and support the police in their investigation to try and bring forward an outcome here. The murder brings the total number of people murdered in Northern Ireland over the last eight weeks to nine. Police at the scene of a murder in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on August 25th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Ms Forsythe said the toll was concerning. "It is nothing that anybody wants to have in their area or their country, she said. "We really need to make sure and support police in their investigations as they work towards finding justice and moving forward with these things. SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath described the incident as deeply shocking and said the local community is stunned to be waking up to this on a bank holiday Monday. For such a violent death to occur in Newcastle will understandably cause concern and I would ask people to avoid speculation and to remain calm, he added. It is vital that the police are given every piece of information they need to carry out their investigation. Anyone who can assist should come forward without delay. Sinn Fein councillor, Willie Clarke, said the tight-knit community is in shock and extended his condolences to the mans family. This is heartbreaking for all involved and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the man, he said. This local, tight-knit community are in shock that a murder investigation is now underway. I am confident the community will rally around each other at this difficult time. I would stress that people should let the police carry out their investigations and not speculate at this time. I would also encourage anyone who may have information to contact police to assist them in their investigation. Police at the scene of a murder in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on August 25th 2025 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Alliance councillor, Jill Truesdale, said her thoughts were with the mans family and loved ones following the horrifying and devastating incident. The local community is shocked by this tragic loss, but I have no doubt they will unite during this incredibly challenging time, she added. I encourage anyone who may have any potentially relevant information that may help police in their investigations to get in touch with them, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers. Queens University Belfast has officially reopened its Body Donation Programme, which was postponed in 2023 after the university was unable to accept an elderly mans body because the relevant staff member was away. The programme supports the education of medical, dental, and biomedical science students through anatomical study. Based within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, the university stated on Monday that the programme which was temporarily paused in 2023 will welcome new expressions of interest, and resume acceptance of eligible donors currently on their registration list. Belfast man Samuel Sharkie died aged 96 in May 2023. He had intended to donate his body to the university for research purposes, and as a result, no funeral arrangements were made. However, the university was unable to receive the body because the designated staff member responsible for processing body donations was absent. Queen's University Belfast News Catch Up - Monday 25th August As a result, Queens agreed to pay for the cremation of the pensioner, with Mr Sharkies nephew at the time stating: They gave me the option of burial too, but I think cremation is closer to what he would have wanted. Its the best they could do in a very bad situation. Following the gesture, Mr Sharkies remains were cremated during a service at Roselawn Crematorium in Belfast. When the Body Donation Programme was halted two years ago, there were nearly 3,500 donors on the list for the initiative. Samuel Sharkie (96) Announcing the relaunch of the programme on Monday, Professor Alan Smyth Dean and Head of School for Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences said: Our students and staff are profoundly grateful for the generosity of participants in our body donation scheme and their families. "Queens upholds the highest standards of care and professional practice in the examination of donor remains. Our donors are silent teachers for the next generation of doctors and health professionals. "This gift greatly enriches the teaching of anatomy for our students. We are delighted that the scheme has reopened. Further information on eligibility and time parameters for donations can be found on Queens website, or by contacting anatomy@qub.ac.uk. Residents at Black View Ridge in west Belfast have spoken of their horror after three children were left injured following a road traffic accident on their quiet residential street on Sunday afternoon. While none of the injuries suffered are life-threatening, local residents have opened up about their shock, with the children having been sitting playing on the footpath next to a small park. Less than a fifth of shoplifting offences resulted in a charge, figures show (Dave Kendall/PA) Almost 290,000 shoplifting cases went unsolved in 2024-25, according to House of Commons library analysis. The figures showed 55.5% of investigations in England and Wales failed to identify a suspect, while just 18.3% resulted in a charge. Some 289,464 cases were closed with no suspect across forces in England and Wales in 2024-25, up from 245,337 in 2023-24. The analysis produced for the Liberal Democrats suggests on average 793 offences a day went unsolved. The data covered all territorial police forces in England and Wales except Humberside, along with the British Transport Police. The Metropolitan Police had the worst record, with 76.9% of its 93,705 shoplifting cases closed with no suspect identified and just 5.9% resulting in a charge. Official figures published last month for all forces showed the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales had climbed to a record high last year. Some 530,643 offences were logged in 2024-25, up 20% from 444,022 in 2023-24 and the highest total since current police recording practices began in 2002-03. Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds said: These shameful figures show that the police are failing to crack down on the shoplifting epidemic facing our country. Earlier this month, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber suggested shoppers should intervene if they spotted someone stealing. He told BBC Radio Berkshire that he was not suggesting the public should tackle shoplifting instead of the police. But he said they could report it to police or staff, film it on their mobile phone, shout at the thief and some people will feel able to physically intervene. Maidenhead MP Mr Reynolds said: The suggestion by a Conservative police chief that its up to the public to stop shoplifters was both reckless and dangerous. Ive worked in retail so I know what it feels like to have to confront shoplifters its frightening and its dangerous. Retail bosses have previously warned that shop theft is spiralling out of control and that business owners need to see immediate results as ministers have pledged thousands more officers for neighbourhood policing by next spring. Nigel Farage has vowed to scrap the UKs human rights law in a bid to tackle the small boats crisis. The Reform UK leader pledged to leave the European Convention on Human Rights, scrap the Human Rights Act, and disapply other international agreements he described as roadblocks to deporting people who arrive in the UK illegally. Mr Farage, whose party has sought to gain from public dissatisfaction with how both Labour and the Tories have handled the migrant crisis, will set out his plans to grasp it on Tuesday. Writing for the Telegraph, he described international treaties governing human rights law as malign influences which had been allowed to frustrate deportations. He added: The planes will take off, and plenty of them at that. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The time has come to put this country first. This is all a question of priorities. Is Keir Starmer on the side of the British people, national security and protecting women and girls or is he on the side of outdated international treaties and human rights lawyers? Speaking to the Times, senior Reform UK figure Zia Yusuf had earlier claimed the party would replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights. This would apply to British citizens and those who have a legal right to live in the UK, while enabling arrests, detention and deportation of illegal migrants. The Bill would refer to individual liberties like protection of liberty and free speech, the Times said, rather than human rights. Mr Farage told the newspaper it would include the freedom to do everything, unless theres a law that says you cant. Under Reforms plans, those who come to the UK on small boats and other unauthorised routes would have no right to claim asylum in the UK. The party is to suggest housing them in detention facilities at old military bases. Reform would also seek to strike return deals with the largest countries of origin for asylum seekers, as well as discussing third country deportation arrangements with nations like Rwanda and Albania. A fallback option could also include deporting people to British overseas territories. Sir Keir Starmer is meanwhile facing mounting pressure over his plans to tackle the small boats crisis. A record 28,288 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year so far, after 212 people did so on Sunday in four boats, making the total 46% more than by the same date in 2024. A YouGov poll for The Times meanwhile found that 71% of voters believe the Prime Minister is handling the asylum hotel issue badly, including 56% of Labour supporters. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Home Office minister Angela Eagle told the Guardian both Reform and the Tories offered nothing more than fantasy solutions to the crisis. These are back-of-the-fag-packet plans without the substance on delivery, she said ahead of Mr Farages announcement on Tuesday. A Government source meanwhile told the paper that by the end of the year at least five more hotels are expected to be closed, with a big surge in closures in the new year. Protests at sites housing asylum seekers continued over the weekend and the Government is braced for further legal fights over the use of hotels. To build a peaceful future from the lessons of history 10:28, August 25, 2025 By Wang Yuan, Huan Xiang, Cui Qi ( People's Daily This year marks both the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). At this pivotal moment, looking back on the painful lessons of World War II (WWII) and the hard-won victory over fascism serves not only to reaffirm a correct view of WWII history but also to draw wisdom and strength for building a peaceful, prosperous future for humanity. As Friedrich Engels observed, history is everything to humankind. An honest accounting of history underpins the very foundation of justice. To safeguard the victorious outcome of WWII and defend the post-war international order is, in essence, to uphold justice and humanity's shared moral responsibility. The World Anti-Fascist War was a global struggle that transcended borders, races, and ideologies. From the Chinese people's call for unity in their resistance against Japanese aggression to the joint declaration by 26 Allied nations to fight against the aggressive and expansionist forces seeking world domination, nations joined forces in defense of justice. Through extraordinary sacrifices, they defended the cause of peace. As the main theater in the East of the World Anti-Fascist War, China was the first to confront Japanese aggression, beginning in 1931. Over 14 years of relentless struggle, more than 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded. By tying down and depleting the main forces of Japanese militarists, China made indelible historical contributions to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The postwar world order emerged directly from this victory. As a founding member of the anti-fascist alliance, China actively participated in establishing the UN and drafting its Charter. The international system with the UN at its core is a direct legacy of that victory, ensuring global peace in the post-war era and driving development and progress worldwide. The triumph of the World Anti-Fascist War was a major victory of the forces of justice, showing that light will always overcome darkness, and that justice will ultimately prevail over evil. However, over the past eight decades, historical revisionism has repeatedly surfaced. By spreading false narratives, blurring the line between right and wrong, and eroding the moral foundation of the post-war international order, such distortions pose a real threat to world peace. In Japan, a disturbing resurgence of historical denial persists. War criminals are enshrined at the Yasukuni Shrine in an attempt to glorify militarism. School textbooks are distorted to downplay or deny the well-documented facts of the Nanjing Massacre and the forceful recruitment of "comfort women." Narratives portraying Japan as a "victim of war" recast aggression as the so-called "liberation of Asia," seeking to whitewash the war. Such distortions, which deny aggression, twist historical truth, and evade responsibility, have inflicted deep wounds on the people of countries victimized by Japanese aggression. In recent years, forces seeking to undermine the postwar order have been on the rise. Certain countries, in pursuit of hegemony and unilateralism, have recklessly challenged the UN-centered international system, trampled on the basic norms governing international relations underpinned by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and disrupted global economic and trade stability. Such actions reflect a dangerous disregard for historical lessons and a grave irresponsibility to the world and the shared future of humanity. History cannot be rewritten, and truth must not be distorted. To distort the history of WWII is a betrayal of human civilization and an obstacle to human progress. As The Guardian has noted, humanity must learn from the darkest chapters of its past. If such distortions are left unchecked, history risks repeating itself. The lesson of history is clear: only through unwavering commitment to historical truth, accurate understanding of WWII, and vigorous defense of historical justice can humanity progress. The WWII victory established enduring principles that continue to guide global affairs. As Allied power and UN founding member, China has always been a consistent defender of historical truth, a firm upholder of the current international order, and a committed supporter of true multilateralism. China stands ready to work hand in hand with all countries, drawing wisdom from history to forge a shared future for humanity and a more just world order. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) DUBLIN, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ProVerum Limited, the developer of the ProVee System for BPH, a minimally invasive solution for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), announced today the closing of an $80 million Series B equity financing. The financing was led by MVM Partners, who were joined by new investors OrbiMed and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), and included participation from existing investors Gilde Healthcare Partners, Lightstone Ventures, Atlantic Bridge and Enterprise Ireland amongst others. The ProVee System uses a nitinol stent designed to gently re-shape the enlarged BPH prostate and alleviate the associated lower urinary tract symptoms. It is deployed through a low profile, flexible, steerable delivery system with integrated imaging, which is the same size as the office-based endoscopes routinely used for diagnosing BPH. Proceeds from the financing will be used to prepare for commercialization. "I'm delighted to welcome MVM, OrbiMed and ISIF to the ProVerum team," said Paul Bateman CEO of ProVerum Ltd. "This is an exciting time for the company as we prepare to commercialize our novel treatment for men with BPH." The Company also welcomed Hugo Harrod, Partner at MVM Partners, and Dina Chaya, Partner at OrbiMed, to its Board of Directors. MVM partner Hugo Harrod commented: "ProVerum exemplifies MVM's focus on disruptive medical products addressing areas of true unmet need. We look forward to applying our experience in commercial stage medical technology to support the Company through its next phase." OrbiMed Partner Dina Chaya said, "ProVerum has an innovative minimally invasive treatment for BPH and is led by a first-class team. We are delighted to be supporting the Company through the next stage of its growth." About ProVerum ProVerum Ltd. is an innovative Dublin based company focused on the development of novel minimally invasive technologies to treat BPH. Our first product offering, the ProVee System for BPH is an investigational device, limited by federal law to investigational use and not available for sale within the United States. For more information visit www.proverummedical.com or connect with us on X or LinkedIn. About MVM Partners MVM has invested in high-growth healthcare businesses since 1997. With teams in Boston, London, and the San Francisco Bay Area, MVM has a broad, global investment outlook spanning medical technology, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, contract research and manufacturing, digital health, and other sectors of healthcare. More information can be found at www.mvm.com. About OrbiMed OrbiMed is a leading healthcare investment firm, with over $17 billion in assets under management. OrbiMed invests globally across the healthcare industry, from start-ups to large multinational corporations, through private equity funds, public equity funds, and royalty/credit funds. OrbiMed seeks to be a capital provider of choice, providing tailored financing solutions and extensive global team resources to help build world-class healthcare companies. OrbiMed's team of over 130 professionals is based in New York City, London, San Francisco, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Herzliya, and other key global markets. About the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) is a sovereign development fund which has a mandate to invest on a commercial basis in a manner designed to support economic activity and employment in Ireland. ISIF is controlled and managed by the National Treasury Management Agency, a State body which provides asset and liability management services to the Irish Government. SOURCE ProVerum Kilmar Abrego Garcia stands with his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, left, at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore on Monday morning (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) Kilmar Abrego Garcia has surrendered to US immigration authorities in Baltimore where he is facing possible efforts by the Trump administration to deport him to Uganda, an African country with documented human rights abuses. The Maryland construction worker became the face of President Donald Trumps hardline immigration policies when he was wrongfully deported in March to a notorious prison in his native El Salvador. He was returned to the US in June but only to face human smuggling charges that his lawyers call preposterous and vindictive. The Trump administration said it is trying to deport Abrego Garcia months before his trial is scheduled in Tennessee, alleging that the 30-year-old married father is a danger to the community and an MS-13 gang member. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, centre, leaves Putnam County Jail in Tennessee on Friday (Brett Carlsen/AP) He denies the gang allegation, pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges and has asked a judge to dismiss the case on ground of vindictive prosecution. The Salvadoran national spoke at a rally before he turned himself in. This administration has hit us hard but I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us, Abrego Garcia said, speaking through a translator. God will bring justice to all the injustice we are suffering. Abrego Garcia entered the offices of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a city centre office building. His wife emerged without him a few minutes later, appearing to have tears in her eyes. Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem said in a tweet that Abrego Garcia was being processed for deportation. Abrego Garcias lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said a lawsuit had been filed in federal district court in Maryland shortly after his detention asking for an order that he not be deported. I expect theres going to be a status conference very promptly, and were going to ask for an interim order that he not be deported, pending his due process rights to contest deportation to any particular country, he said. Abrego Garcia was released on Friday afternoon from a jail in Tennessee. He returned to his family in Maryland. Video of the reunion showed a room decorated with streamers, flowers and signs. He embraced loved ones and thanked them for everything. Immigration officials have said they plan to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, which recently agreed to a deal to accept certain deportees from the US. He declined an offer to be removed to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. Filings in federal court show the Costa Rican government saying Abrego Garcia would be welcomed as a legal immigrant and would not face detention. In a statement, Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said the criminal charges underscore how Abrego Garcia presents a clear danger and that he can either plead guilty or stand trial. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people, Mr Gilmartin said. Jennifer Vasquez Sura hugs her husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) The US mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in March, despite a judges earlier determination that he faced a well-founded fear of violence there. Facing a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the United States in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges. He pleaded not guilty and asked the judge to dismiss the case, claiming that it is an attempt to punish him for challenging his deportation to El Salvador. His lawyers have argued that the threat to deport him to Uganda is more proof that the prosecution is vindictive. The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. There were nine passengers in the car, and officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue driving with only a warning. Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years. Although he was deemed eligible for pre-trial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. US president Donald Trumps special envoy Keith Kellogg said officials are working very, very hard on efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, as a lack of progress fuels doubts about whether a peace settlement could be on the horizon. Mr Kellogg said in Kyiv that officials are hoping to get to a position where, in the near term, we have, with a lack of a better term, security guarantees that address Ukraines fears of another invasion by Russia in the future. Thats a work in progress, he said of the potential security guarantees, after attending Ukraines annual National Prayer Breakfast along with politicians, business leaders and diplomats. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content A week ago, Mr Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian president Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. But Russian officials have signalled that such a summit will not happen any time soon. Mr Trump said he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks are not scheduled. A stream of high-ranking visitors to Kyiv in recent days reflects concerns around the US-led peace drive. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Mr Zelensky, pledging two billion Canadian dollars (1.06 billion) in aid, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte was in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store pledged more support (AP) Germanys vice chancellor and finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, arrived in Kyiv on Monday to discuss how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process. Mr Putin spoke on the phone with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, the Kremlin said. Russia and Iran have close relations, and Mr Putin has also deepened ties with China, India and North Korea as Western countries have sided with Ukraine in the war. Mr Putin and Mr Pezeshkian are expected to meet next week when China hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations annual summit, in Tianjin. Mr Klingbeil, the German vice chancellor, told Mr Zelensky that Ukraines allies have to talk about what happens if President Putin does not relent, if he wants to continue the war. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content Germany will continue to stand by Ukraine, he said, echoing sentiments by Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store earlier in the day. Norways multibillion-dollar military and civilian support for Ukraines fight to defeat Russias invasion will stretch into next year, Mr Store said in Kyiv. Mr Store, whose country borders Russia, told a news conference with Mr Zelensky that Ukraine is defending a critical principle on the European level by refusing to accept Russias seizure of territory. Analysts say Mr Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments commitment to Ukraine and use his bigger army to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion. Norway on Sunday pledged about seven billion kroner (514 million) toward air defence systems for Ukraine. Norway and Germany are jointly funding two US-made Patriot anti-missile systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar, Mr Store said. Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force said Russia launched 104 strike and decoy drones overnight into Monday, targeting the countrys north and east. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 19F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low 19F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 60%. If President Trump has his way, investments in private equity, real estate, and even digital assets will soon be allowed in your 401(k). As in everything, there are risks and rewards in this proposition. Last week, Donald Trump ordered the Labor Department to examine his proposal. The new investments, aside from your 401(k), would also apply to other defined benefit plans. These are America's primary vehicles for retirement savings. How much money are we talking about? As of the first quarter of 2025, 90 million Americans held $12.2 trillion in 401(k) plans alone. That is not counting the $8.9 trillion in federal, state, and local government plans. Today, most of that money is invested in either stocks or bonds, but the pool of investments offered to the public is shrinking. More companies are going private as regulations, disclosure requirements, litigation and compliance costs increasingly interfere with the job of creating products, making profits and increasing sales. Over half the 8,000 companies that existed in 1996 have concluded that going private is a far better proposition. "Going public" used to be the primary method of raising capital for growing companies. Not today. Dozens of companies now tap private funding sources for their financing needs. Technology and AI companies, like SpaceX and OpenAI, with more than $400 billion to $500 billion in capital, consistently raise capital in the private equity markets. Over the last two decades, the number of companies tapping this source of funds has grown from 2,000 to more than 11,500. As a result, equity and private credit funds have skyrocketed with assets greater than $8 trillion, which is a $5 trillion gain over the past 10 decades. Defined benefit plans, unlike your 401(k) or 403(b), guarantee an annual payout to retirees. That means the professionals who manage this money need to perform consistently. In a bid to do just that, plan sponsors have been investing substantial sums in alternative assets for at least the last 30 years. Those bets have paid off. They have outperformed the typical 401(k) by almost 30 percent over that time. The main driver of that performance has been their investments in private equity and private credit funds. However, most investors have been shut out of this market. Only about one-third of those saving for retirement can participate in these plans. However, the private equity industry is facing a slowdown. The appetite for investing in private companies has been waning among the institutional crowd. It is a mature industry where the lion's share of money has already been made. Private equity buyers are worried that they might not be able to offload these investments in a saturated market. To grow, managers need to tap new markets for their funds. The employee retirement market is a tempting market for them. On a different front, the presidential order also includes crypto investments and real estate. These are two areas the president knows something about. Over the last nine months, the president and his family have dived into the crypto market with both feet. He has made about $1 billion on crypto since then, lifting his net worth to around $5.6 billion. Most of the rest of his wealth is in commercial real estate. While the real estate market has been nothing to write home about lately in the commercial market, home prices have skyrocketed since the COVID pandemic. As for cryptocurrencies, both Bitcoin and Ethereum have been on a tear. New rules and regulations offer investors much greater safeguards, and the creation of stablecoins sets the stage for a much greater use of digital assets over time. Next week, we examine the risks involved in these investments CORRECTION TO LAST WEEK'S COLUMN Several readers notified me during the week of an error in my column "Trump Accounts could be seed money for America's future generations." I wrote that under the recent passage of the government's tax and spending bill, beginning in 2025, each newborn American would receive $1,000 into a tax-deferred investment account that will grow tax-free until retirement. My error was in computing how much that seed money would be worth by the time of retirement at age 68. I wrote "The short answer is $1,029,500, assuming you invested the money in the S&P 500 Index at an annual average return of 6 percent and were not allowed to touch it until you retired at age 68." That is incorrect. If only the $1,000 were contributed and nothing more through the years to retirement, the total would be a little over $50,000. However, if family, friends, or employers continued to contribute $1,000 per year (as the government hopes), which I did not make clear, then the total would be over $1 million by retirement. "In one fell swoop, that could solve the social security issue facing future U.S. generations." I apologize for the error. MILL RIVER When the sale of Limestone Farm became a matter of record last week, county and area dairymen and others were not sure whether to offer the former owners congratulations or condolences. You are the owner of this article. Passing the tests would not be a condition of receiving a diploma, as it was under the former "high stakes" MCAS system, but a major teachers union said the proposal still "defies the will of the voters" in 2024. WOOSTER, Ohio, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seaman Corporation is proud to announce the groundbreaking of its expanded headquarters in Wooster, Ohio an investment that will directly support the creation of more than 50 new jobs in Wayne County. Seaman Corporation Groundbreaking, Major Office Expansion, Adding 50 Jobs in Ohio As a privately held manufacturer with more than 450 associates across Wooster and Bristol, Tennessee, this expansion marks a major milestone in Seaman Corporation's continued growth. The new 10,200-square-foot mixed-use space will feature additional workstations, a large, multi-purpose conference room to fit 120 people, and increased parking capacity, designed to meet evolving operational needs and support a growing workforce. Jeff Swartz, CEO of Seaman Corporation: "This is more than a building project. It's a commitment to our people and our community. As our business grows and we generate new jobs in the areas where we operate, we're making a lasting impact. This milestone embodies our long-term vision for sustainable growth and innovation, while continuing to invest in a culture that drives our success and expands opportunity across Northeast Ohio." This project is made possible through the support of key partners: Team NEO, the City of Wooster, and the Wayne Economic Development Council (WEDC), whose collaboration has helped accelerate economic development and job creation across the region. Bob Reynolds, Mayor of Wooster: "Seaman Corporation has long been a cornerstone of Wooster's business community, and we're proud to support their continued growth. This expansion brings new jobs and investment to our city and reinforces Wooster's reputation as a place where innovation, opportunity, and community thrive." Maribeth Burns, President of the Wayne Economic Development Council: "Seaman Corporation's expansion is a powerful example of what's possible when business and community leaders work together toward a shared vision. We're proud to support this project, along with our State, Regional and Local economic development partners, JobsOhio, Team NEO and the City of Wooster. We are excited about the additional job growth and opportunities it will bring to Wayne County, strengthening our region for years to come." A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Friday, August 22, with special guests including Mayor Reynolds, WEDC President Maribeth Burns, and other local and regional representatives. The event celebrated the start of construction and the shared vision Seaman Corporation holds with the local community. About Seaman Corporation Founded in 1949, Seaman Corporation is a privately held manufacturer of industrial coated fabrics headquartered in Wooster, Ohio. The company delivers high-performance solutions for commercial roofing, water, oil, and gas management, military, architectural, and industrial applications. With a focus on doing business the right way investing in people, innovation, and operations Seaman Corporation continues to grow its impact across the U.S. and internationally. All products are proudly Made in the USA. MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Bittner Internal Communications Manager Seaman Corporation 330.202.5988 [email protected] SOURCE Seaman Corporation Healthium Medtech and C-CAMP launch first cohort of flagship medtech innovations programme August 25, 2025 | Monday | News Programme is a part of the CSR initiative of Healthium Medtech Healthium Medtech and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) have recently launched the first cohort of the C-CAMP Healthium Innovations Programme for Surgical Interventions and Medical Technologies in Bengaluru. This programme is a part of the CSR initiative of Healthium Medtech. The partnership aims to foster deep-science innovations in digitally enabled medical technologies that are affordable, scalable and clinically impactful. In its first year, the initiative focuses on surgical interventions, an area undergoing rapid modernisation globally but still marked by limited access and affordability across large parts of India. Despite the increasing adoption of advanced surgical technologies in metropolitan hospitals, smaller healthcare systems in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities often remain underserved. The high cost of imported solutions, along with infrastructure and training gaps, have made it difficult to scale access to modern surgical care. This program was created to address these challenges by nurturing India-led, frugal and scalable innovations that are tailored for local needs without compromising on quality or outcomes. The initiative brings together two organisations with complementary strengths. Healthium Medtech brings deep expertise in surgical and post-surgical technologies, supported by a diverse product portfolio and robust manufacturing capabilities. The company operates 6 facilities with global certifications and holds over 85 patents across India, the US and Europe. C-CAMP, an initiative supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has built one of the countrys leading life sciences innovation ecosystems, having supported over 550 deep-tech start-ups across domains and connected with 3000 more. Together, the collaboration combines clinical insight, market access and ecosystem support to help early-stage ventures overcome critical barriers from research to commercialisation. Over the next nine months, the selected startups will receive structured mentorship and incubation support at C-CAMP and access to clinical and industry expertise to help advance their technologies toward market readiness and adoption. ^ Original-Research: Daldrup & Sohne AG - from Quirin Privatbank Kapitalmarktgeschaft 25.08.2025 / 14:07 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 Quirin Privatbank Kapitalmarktgeschaft to Daldrup & Sohne AG Company Name: Daldrup & Sohne AG ISIN: DE0007830572 Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: Buy from: 25.08.2025 Target price: 20.00 Last rating change: Analyst: Ralf Marinoni The next major contract Following the award of a major EU-wide geothermal energy contract last month, Daldrup can once again announce that it has won a big contract in the double-digit million Euro range: The company has been awarded a contract as general contractor worth around EUR 16.8m by Amperland Thermalwarme GmbH ("ATW"), based in Olching, northwest of Munich. Daldrup will drill two deflected deep geothermal wells with drilling lengths of around 2,430 meters and 3,300 meters on the site of the Geiselbullach cogeneration plant. Work on the construction of the drilling site is scheduled to begin in September 2025. According to the schedule, drilling is to be carried out from December 2025 to May 2026. As a result, we have increased our estimates in particular for FY 2026: We estimate sales of EUR 88.7m (old: EUR 73.7m) and EBIT of EUR 12.3m (old: EUR 8.7m). Since the drilling will once again take place in the greater Munich area and the drilling equipment can be transported over short distances, we expect cost advantages for both Daldrup and the client. The company is already in talks with other potential municipal and private-sector clients. ATW has received a grant of EUR 8.8m for the financial implementation of the geothermal project. The money comes from the Federal Government's Effective Heating Networks (BEW) program. We therefore confirm our buy recommendation and target price of EUR 20.00. You can download the research here: https://eqs-cockpit.com/c/fncls.ssp?u=aee39c398be8810cdfef4871c73459b2 For additional information visit our website: https://research.quirinprivatbank.de/ Contact for questions: Quirin Privatbank AG Institutionelles Research Schillerstrae 20 60313 Frankfurt am Main research@quirinprivatbank.de https://research.quirinprivatbank.de/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.eqs-news.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2188178 25.08.2025 CET/CEST Quelle: dpa-Afx Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Serafina Restaurant Group is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its newest location at 777 Third Avenue, on the corner of 48th Street and Third Avenue, set to open at the end of August, 2025. This exciting addition continues Serafina's legacy of modern but authentic Italian cuisine served in elegant yet welcoming spaces. Marking 30 years of culinary excellence, the new Serafina promises to become a go-to destination for neighborhood residents, business professionals, and international visitors alike. Located just steps from Grand Central, the United Nations Headquarters, and a vibrant international community, Serafina 777 Third Avenue will offer fine Italian hospitality from brunch to lunch and dinner, as well as takeout and delivery. Rooted in Serafina's core philosophy, the menu will feature beloved Italian classics prepared with premium imported Italian ingredients and fresh seasonal touches. Highlights include: Homemade pastas such as Ravioli al Tartufo, Tagliolini al Limone, Tagliatelle Cacio e Pepe, Spaghetti di Gragnano all'Aragosta with Maine lobster, and the much-loved Spaghetti alla Nerano lobster, and the much-loved Spaghetti alla Nerano Signature thin-crust pizzas like Margherita, Tartufo Nero, Pizza Bianca con Arugula & Parmigiano Reggiano, and Pizza alla Bresaola Entrees including Imported Italian Branzino al Forno, Free-Range Chicken Milanese, and RR Ranch Filet Mignon Curated wine list showcasing premium Italian, U.S., and international selections Full bar featuring classic and signature cocktails, premium spirits, and a Spritz menu with international variations Designed by Julius Babilonia, the interiors reflect Serafina's signature aesthetic: bright, inviting, and sophisticated, with rich wood accents, wine displays throughout, and a lively yet elegant color palette. The space features indoor and outdoor seating, a vibrant central bar, a towering wine display, and four stunning multi-colored Italian chandeliers making Serafina 777 Third Avenue an eye-catching venue ideal for business lunches, after-work drinks, intimate dinners, and lively weekend brunches. Quotes from Serafina founders Fabio & Vittorio, and Jonathan Kaufman Iger, CEO, Sage "We are thrilled to bring Serafina to 777 Third Avenue one of Manhattan's most prestigious addresses," said Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, co-founders of Serafina Restaurant Group. "777 is more than just a number it's an Angel Number, an iconic symbol of intuition, fulfillment, and alignment. We've always dreamed of opening in Turtle Bay neighborhood, and we're excited to welcome both locals and international guests to experience Serafina as their beautiful home away from home." "At Sage, we're committed to creating spaces that go beyond the workplace and become part of the fabric of New York City life. Partnering with Serafina brings a world-class dining experience to our Tenants and the Midtown East community, reinforcing our mission to curate destinations where people want to work, gather, and thrive." Jonathan Kaufman Iger, CEO, Sage Serafina 777 Third Avenue will open at the end of August and operate daily from 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Reservations will be available via OpenTable. About Serafina Restaurant Group Founded in 1995 by Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, Serafina Restaurant Group celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. Renowned for its joyful approach to Italian dining, Serafina has grown into a global brand with locations across Manhattan, the United States, and abroad. The Group remains committed to offering the highest-quality Italian ingredients, heartfelt service, and the true spirit of Italian hospitality true to its motto: Welcome Home. Media Contact: Letizia Manfredi Dir. of Operations Serafina Restaurant Group Email: [email protected] Mikayla Nissan Associate Director of Marketing Sage Realty Corporation Email: [email protected] SOURCE Serafina Restaurant Group A star from BBC show Strictly Come Dancing has been arrested on suspicion of rape. The man in his 30s, who has not been named, was also detained over a separate alleged offence of non-consensual intimate image abuse. He was detained on Friday after a third-party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. A statement from London's Metropolitan Police said: On Friday 22 August officers arrested a man in his 30s in east London on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse. Strictly contestants compete for the Glitterball trophy (Guy Levy/BBC) This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us quoting 8479/22AUG. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by submitting an online form. The arrest follows a third-party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Advertisement Enquiries are ongoing. It is understood the arrest is not related to the current production of Strictly Come Dancing, which is in the rehearsal stage and will return to screens in September. A BBC spokesperson said: It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation. Earlier this month it was reported the corporation had called in lawyers to investigate the show following claims two of its stars used cocaine. The scandal-hit show was also the subject of a review in 2024, when the BBC looked into separate allegations of bullying and harassment against former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, made by his former dance partner Amanda Abbington. The corporation upheld some, but not all, of the complaints made and brought in a series of measures aimed at improving welfare. This included the introduction of a chaperone who is present at all times during training room rehearsals. Bristow has officially launched its first search and rescue (SAR) pilot cadet programme in Ireland. The 2025 pilot cadet scheme will recruit four candidates for the Irish SAR team. The cadet scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Castle Air Aviation Group, offers successful applicants a sponsored route to becoming a fully-fledged helicopter pilot of an AW189 aircraft. Successful applicants will embark on a two-year course primarily based at Gloucester Airport, UK, before returning to Ireland. When training has been completed, cadets will be deployed to one of Bristow Ireland's SAR bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, or Weston. Director of Irish Search and Rescue at Bristow Ireland, Philip Bartlett, said: This is a unique and exciting opportunity for candidates to not only receive a fully sponsored pilot cadetship but also embark on a long and rewarding career in search and rescue aviation. Advertisement "SAR is a national life-saving service, and this programme opens the door for aspiring pilots in Ireland to be part of it. We look forward to welcoming four new cadets to our team here in Bristow. "They will be working with a team of pilots, commanders, and engineers who have extensive knowledge and experience in SAR. Vice President of the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA), Daniel Langan, said: "Bristow's cadet programme is an excellent opportunity for anybody who is looking to pursue an exciting career in search and rescue, with the company that provides search and rescue for the Irish Coast Guard. This cadetship is very welcomed by IALPA and its members. Bristow Ireland began operating SAR services from Shannon Airport in December 2024 and Weston Airport in July 2025. The Weston base, which serves as Bristow Irelands SAR headquarters, will include new facilities for aircraft management, crew accommodation, and heavy maintenance across the AW189 fleet. Under the full rollout of the contract, Bristow Ireland will operate six AW189 helicopters from bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Weston, along with two King Air fixed-wing aircraft from Shannon. Eligible candidates must be over 18, residents in Ireland, have strong Leaving Certificate points, and hold a valid Class 1 UK Flight Crew Medical Certificate. Online applications are now open here. Plans by a John Magnier Coolmore Stud-backed firm to erect a solar farm on a 549-acre site at Killough in south Tipperary have been stalled. This follows An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP) confirming two third-party appeals have been lodged against the decision by Tipperary Co Council to grant planning permission to the solar farm to Marmoris Limited, trading as Killough Solar. ACP confirmed on Monday that the appeals have been lodged by the Moycarkey Community Association and Thomas Dwyer and Others. The firm lodged the planning application with Tipperary County Council after Coolmore Stud paid out a reported 6.5 million for Killough Castle and accompanying estate of 527 acres in the early part of last year. The documentation states that Killough Solar will create 80 to 100 jobs during the anticipated 18-month construction phase for the solar farm 6.5 km south of Thurles. Advertisement In the planning application, Marmoris has been granted a 10 year planning permission for 745,168 sq metres of solar panels in the town lands of Killough, Clohoge and Graigue, Co Tipperary. The Council received 34 submissions with the vast bulk opposed to the plan and ACP may confirm further appeals in the coming days as it processes any additional appeals that may be lodged before the deadline for appeals at close of business on Monday. In granting planning permission, the Council concluded that the proposed development does not have an adverse impact upon the character of the area or the amenities of adjoining properties in the vicinity of the site. The planning authority granted planning permission after its planners report stated that the proposed layout includes a number of buffer areas including around Killough Castle, around recorded monuments, at the banks of the Lisnanagoue Stream and to provide for biodiversity areas. The Council also concluded that the impact of the proposed development on landscape and visual amenity is not significant. The planning authority found that notwithstanding the change of the landscape resulting from the new use, the solar panels are low profile, the site is not exposed or elevated, the residual impact once the proposed landscape mitigation boundary planting has become established is low. In one objection against the solar farm, Margaret Byrne stated that she has "several serious concerns" regarding the proposed development. Ms Byrne of Moycarkey Village, Thurles stated that the proposed development will have a significant negative impact on the local environment. Advertisement Thomas ODwyer of Graigue, Thurles, told the council Coolmore, the Magnier family and associated companies like Marmoris Limited, as of 2024, control almost 11,000 acres of agricultural land in Co. Tipperary. He said: We can acknowledge their willingness to help Ireland offset its CO2 emissions and develop green energy solutions to power our homes, schools and businesses. He added: However why was this recently purchased Killough Castle farm selected over and above the other almost 11,000 acres of land in their ownership, particularly when this site is lacking the infrastructure to connect to the power grid to make it operationally viable? Alice Coman of Moycarkey Village, Thurles told the Council that the application creates a conflict for farm output. The Golden Vale is traditionally used for food output. This should get priority and brown field sites with good road and waste infrastructures should be considered as an alternative. Planning consultants for the scheme, Fehily Timoney told the Council that the project is led by Coolmore Stud and is designed to complement Coolmores environmental and sustainability initiatives while benefiting the local community and contributing to Irelands renewable energy targets. An Algerian national previously deported from the UK was arrested for drug dealing in a north Dublin park after being refused permission to remain in the State, a court has heard. Ahmed Chenghoum, 34, who has claimed to have two addresses in Dublin, a room share in Phibsborough and in a guest house in Belvedere Place, was remanded in custody with consent to 200 bail. He appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at Dublin District Court on Monday, charged with possessing four deals of cannabis worth about 150, and having them for sale or supply at Fairview Park, on August 24th. He also has an additional charge for obstructing an arrest and replied, "I did not strike or attack gardai, I only tried to run away". Garda Sean White said the accused had been "acting suspiciously" and attempted to flee. Advertisement He did not accept that the cannabis was for the defendant's personal use, adding that there were four deals wrapped in cling-film and the accused had 300 in cash on him. He believed Mr Chenghoum had been in the park to sell the drugs. Enquiries revealed he had been deported from the UK and came to Ireland a year ago via Belfast. Garda White said the accused had no status here and had been refused permission to remain in the State, and he had been notified two weeks ago to present himself to a Garda station. He added that Mr Chenghoum had used up a lot of Garda time and "continuously tried to mislead us and provide us with false details." Garda White feared the accused would fail to appear in court if released on bail. Ireland Show Jumping Association restrained from voting on proposal to remove its chair and three directors Read more Cross-examined by defence solicitor Murrough O'Rourke, the garda agreed the defendant had no prior convictions or history of failing to appear in court. The accused spoke briefly, confirming his nationality and saying he did not have a passport, but would remain in the country until the case had been dealt with. Judge Cronin ordered him to sign on daily at a city centre Garda station on his release. He has yet to enter a plea and will appear again next week. He was granted legal aid and will appear again next week. Kneecap have cancelled all their upcoming US tour dates. In a post on Instagram, the band said the cancellations are due to Liam Og O hAnnaidh's next court appearance being so close to the planned start date of their American shows. The band member, also known as Mo Chara, is due back in court in London on September 26th. He faces a terror charge, which he denies. In the post, Kneecap said they were "sad to deliver" the news of the cancellations, as every show was sold out. The tour was due to begin at the start of October with 15 dates in total. The rap trio added that their Canadian shows in Vancouver and Toronto will still go ahead. Beaches in Ireland are at their cleanest in eight years, according to Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL), which has given credit to the Deposit Return Scheme for the "tremendous improvement in their findings this year. 33 beaches, harbours, rivers, and their immediate environs were monitored by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL in June and July. 17 were deemed clean. This represents a 50 per cent rise on the previous survey, while the number of areas branded littered fell from 11 to just three. Again, no area was placed in the lowest category heavily littered", Brittas Bay, Curracloe, Bundoran, Killiney, Strandhill, and Tramore were among the popular beaches to achieve clean status, alongside Portmarnock in Dublin, which registered a dramatic improvement on its previous littered rating. A similar improvement was noted at Blackrock Castle and Castletownbere in Cork. However, Dingle slipped to littered, as did Dogs Bay beach in Galway, alongside White Bay in Cork. Advertisement Cigarette butts, sweet papers, and fast food wrappers were the most commonly found litter items. The first coastal survey conducted since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme showed a 30 per cent drop in the prevalence of plastic bottles and cans. Vapes were less prevalent than in previous studies, but there was no fall in coffee cup litter, which was found in 42 per cent of the sites surveyed. IBAL spokesperson, Conor Horgan, told Newstalk Breakfast that the findings were very positive. We have been monitoring our beaches and waters for the last eight years and just a few years ago there were very few of those areas which were deemed clean - just a handful, he said. Now over half of them are clean; its a change which has occurred just in the last few years. The other side of the coin, we used to talk about litter blackspots on our coastlines; there were areas deemed heavily littered, theres no areas occupying those lower categories now." Mr Horgan continued that the figures were more remarkable given how sunny the weather has been this year. That can prove a challenge to local authorities where, with our unpredictable weather, a beach can be empty one day and full the next, he explained. Its difficult to deploy resources to clean those areas - but they seem to have done a good job of it. Mr Horgan stated that there are variety of reasons behind the trend. I think just as we give credit to the Tidy Towns for the work in keeping our towns clean, I think credit must be given to the volunteers, to the Clean Coast groups that every week clean up our beaches, he said. Advertisement Theres a real appetite for this work and those groups are expanding. I think were seeing the fruits of this in the results today. Mr Horgan also credited two anti-littering initiatives brought in by the Government and the European Union. A simple thing like the tethering of caps to plastic bottles means this has disappeared as a litter form, he said. With the Deposit Return Scheme, were also seeing a significant fall in the amount of plastic bottles and cans on our beaches. So, its a combination of factors. I think cleanliness begets cleanliness, I think youre less likely to ruin a pristine beach than if litter is the norm on that beach, he said. However, Mr Horgan said that coffee cups remain a problem. If were going to do something about that, I think we need to look to a levy. Thats something that has been parked by the current Government. Meanwhile, according to National Geographic, about eight million tons of plastic waste escape into the oceans from coastal nations annually the equivalent of five full rubbish bags for every foot of coastline in the world. Over 2,000 species of wildlife, some endangered, are affected by plastics. Next months Big Beach Clean Up is an annual call to action organised by An Taisces Clean Coasts, which is expected to attract over 600 groups and 15,000 volunteers nationwide to our beaches over a single weekend, from September 19th-21st. The undisputed king of Nordic noir, Jo Nesbos crime novels based around the detective character Harry Hole are among the bestselling in the world. And now the 65-year-old is addressing the complicated issue of gun crime in the US, as his latest novel, Wolf Hour, based in Minneapolis, is released. My father grew up in New York so we always had a strong connection to the United States, says the Norwegian author. But the decision to write about the city of Minnesota was no coincidence, in the latter half of the 19th century, thousands of Norwegians emigrated to the then territory due to economic hardship in Norway at the time and Minnesotas opportunities to own farmland. I had relatives in Minnesota, [its] probably the state which had the largest contingencies of Norwegians coming there. I think its only compared with Ireland, says Nesbo. To me, Minneapolis felt like the most Norwegian state. (Jarli and Jordan/PA) Visiting the city to research the book he says felt like going back in time, Around the [Central] Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, its like it had been stuck in the Seventies they have kept up traditions that have been long abandoned and forgotten in Norway. Minnesota is although its not sort of in the outskirts of the United States, in that we normally see Los Angeles and New York. Its the real America. I was a bit curious. Its not like I was going there to go soul searching myself, but maybe soul searching my roots, my peoples attitudes. Advertisement Minnesota was of course the location of the 2020 murder of George Floyd, a black man killed by a white police officer who kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes. His death shone a light on the treatment of people of colour by US police, and sparked worldwide protests against systemic racism in the Western world generally. The infamous tragedy is referenced in Nesbos Wolf Hour it would seem strange not to given one of the two parallel timelines is set in 2022. This side of the story is told from the perspective of Norwegian crime writer, Holder Rudi, the other, in 2016, from suspended, down-and-out police officer Bob Oz. Both are conducting investigations into the same series of puzzling murders, the weapon of choice being guns. Up until the riots and George Floyd, Minneapolis was probably considered a safe city, [although] I think you have racial tension in all big American cities, and you have violence in all American cities, Nesbo says, but the gun ownership debate is spreading far and wide. For most Western countries outside the United States, were looking at whats going on in America with astonishment, you know, how can this be going on? (Jarli and Jordan/PA) But spending some time in the city made him realise how complex the issue is. If we go to a country [where] it seems that there are simple answers to questions, and you go there and try to research whats happening, you end up being more confused and less convinced that there are any easy answers. He insists Wolf Hour isnt making any particular statement about gun crime I dont see fiction as a good way to give answers to complicated questions, but I do think that fiction is good for asking interesting questions and suggesting answers, or at least, trying to look at the question from different angles. Advertisement Im looking at it from the other side, like this girl [I met] who grew up in the south of Chicago and her family being a victim of violence, the gun she kept under her pillow was the only thing that she could use to defend herself. Of course, I dont think its possible to write anything without, at some level, giving away your points of view, but Im not a missionary. And unless we move into an even more polarised society, you have to be willing to let your guard down and really have a close look at the values of people that you dont necessarily agree with. Writing dark sometimes quite violent storylines must take its toll though. I think it probably does in some way. But then again, I do return to those places so I guess a part of me is driven to those places. My imagination would search out places like that. One of the secrets to his long-lasting success is his ability to examine life from all angles. If I saw a murder I would try to imagine how it was being the victim, but I would also imagine how it would be like being the murderer. So again, I want to look at the human condition from as many angles as I can the same as with politics. Advertisement Writing his novels is all-encompassing, he notes. I go into this bubble and the people that are close to me, they know I need to go into that bubble so thats OK. Sometimes I can even say, Im sorry, but Im in that bubble now. [They say] Yeah we know, you dont have to talk, you dont have to contribute socially. You just get quiet for a few months. Nesbo will write until he loses interest in his own writing, he says. Theres still so many stories I would like to tell. So as long as I have that I wouldnt say its ambition sort of curiosity. Im blessed in the way [that] Im not that worried or scared to fail. Ive failed at a lot of things in my life and it doesnt really bother me that much. I have a few friends that are probably as talented as me when it comes to writing, or even more talented, but I think what is holding them back is the fear of failure. Advertisement So will we see detective Bob Oz become as popular as Harry Hole? I tend to write follow-ups to my less successful books. I tend to like the characters more in the books that dont sell that well! Nesbo says, with a laugh. Maybe Ill make an exception for this book because I really like Bob Oz, and I wasnt prepared for him to be that popular. (Harvill/PA) Wolf Hour by Jo Nesbo is published by Harvill. Available now. Kilmar Abrego Garcia has surrendered to US immigration authorities in Baltimore where he is facing possible efforts by the Trump administration to deport him to Uganda, an African country with documented human rights abuses. The Maryland construction worker became the face of President Donald Trumps hardline immigration policies when he was wrongfully deported in March to a notorious prison in his native El Salvador. He was returned to the US in June but only to face human smuggling charges that his lawyers call preposterous and vindictive. The Trump administration said it is trying to deport Abrego Garcia months before his trial is scheduled in Tennessee, alleging that the 30-year-old married father is a danger to the community and an MS-13 gang member. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, centre, leaves Putnam County Jail in Tennessee on Friday (Brett Carlsen/AP) He denies the gang allegation, pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges and has asked a judge to dismiss the case on ground of vindictive prosecution. The Salvadoran national spoke at a rally before he turned himself in. Advertisement This administration has hit us hard but I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us, Abrego Garcia said, speaking through a translator. God will bring justice to all the injustice we are suffering. Abrego Garcia entered the offices of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a city centre office building. His wife emerged without him a few minutes later, appearing to have tears in her eyes. Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem said in a tweet that Abrego Garcia was being processed for deportation. Abrego Garcias lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said a lawsuit had been filed in federal district court in Maryland shortly after his detention asking for an order that he not be deported. I expect theres going to be a status conference very promptly, and were going to ask for an interim order that he not be deported, pending his due process rights to contest deportation to any particular country, he said. Abrego Garcia was released on Friday afternoon from a jail in Tennessee. He returned to his family in Maryland. Video of the reunion showed a room decorated with streamers, flowers and signs. He embraced loved ones and thanked them for everything. Immigration officials have said they plan to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, which recently agreed to a deal to accept certain deportees from the US. He declined an offer to be removed to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. Advertisement Filings in federal court show the Costa Rican government saying Abrego Garcia would be welcomed as a legal immigrant and would not face detention. In a statement, Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said the criminal charges underscore how Abrego Garcia presents a clear danger and that he can either plead guilty or stand trial. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people, Mr Gilmartin said. Jennifer Vasquez Sura hugs her husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) The US mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in March, despite a judges earlier determination that he faced a well-founded fear of violence there. Facing a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the United States in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges. He pleaded not guilty and asked the judge to dismiss the case, claiming that it is an attempt to punish him for challenging his deportation to El Salvador. His lawyers have argued that the threat to deport him to Uganda is more proof that the prosecution is vindictive. The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. There were nine passengers in the car, and officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue driving with only a warning. Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years. Although he was deemed eligible for pre-trial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. Owners Tim Gunnels and Craig Ausrud will host a grand opening event at their new showroom from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 27 CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Designery, an immersive, full-service kitchen, bath and closet design center featuring high-quality cabinets, countertops and flooring, announced today that the owners of its newest location in Charlotte, North Carolina, will host a grand opening event from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at the 13504 S. Point Boulevard showroom. The Designery South Charlotte owners Craig Ausrud, left, and Tim Gunnels will host a grand opening event from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27 in the new showroom at 13504 S. Point Boulevard. The Designery South Charlotte owners Tim Gunnels and Craig Ausrud first announced they would be opening The Designery South Charlotte at the Charlotte Home & Remodeling Show in February and now have their showroom ready to unveil to the public. "Charlotte has experienced significant population growth in recent years and is now the country's 14th largest city," Gunnels said. "Craig and I believe Charlotte's strong home construction and renovation market is perfect for the turnkey installation, demolition services and interactive design that The Designery offers." Both Gunnels and Ausrud have experience in management and design. Ausrud holds a degree in mechanical design from Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Gunnels has a mechanical engineering degree from Louisiana Tech University and a master's in engineering management from Christian Brothers University in Memphis. "From the moment we met the teams at The Designery and HomeFront Brands, we knew joining The Designery franchise was the right choice," Ausrud said. "Their vision perfectly matches our experience, and we're confident they'll help us accomplish the growth we want to achieve." The Designery South Charlotte will serve residents in more than 20 cities in North and South Carolina, including Charlotte, Indian Trail and Matthews, North Carolina, and Fort Mill and Tega Cay, South Carolina. The Designery's in-house design expertise and extensive selection of products, including more than 100 cabinet styles and over 25 color options for closets, provide advantages to both homeowners and contractors. Its showrooms provide the ideal setting for personal design consultation, material and finish selection, and a virtual reality design view. For more information about The Designery South Charlotte, visit https://thedesignery.com/locations/south-charlotte/ or call them at (980) 351-8310. About The Designery The Designery was founded in 2007 as A1 Kitchen and Bath, a product wholesale outlet serving the Chattanooga, Tennessee market. In 2019, it rebranded as The Designery and established a franchise model to expand its unique concept: to simplify the kitchen, bath and closet design process by offering premium products, design expertise, project management and trusted professional installation. Its selection of high-quality cabinets, flooring, countertops and accessories makes it a destination for any remodeling, renovation or new construction project. It is a one-stop shop for homeowners and a trusted partner for contractors, with knowledgeable staff to walk clients through every step, from design to project management and installation. The Designery's immersive showroom and personalized guidance bring luxurious designs to life without the luxury price tag. To learn more about The Designery, please visit https://thedesignery.com/. About HomeFront Brands: HomeFront Brands empowers entrepreneurs to create thriving franchised residential and commercial property service brands. Driven by an experienced team of franchise executives and rooted in family values, HomeFront Brands helps emerging or established concepts accelerate their growth by delivering enterprise-level solutions to local business owners who aspire to build a dynasty and create generational wealth. By leveraging integrated technology, data-driven intelligence and advanced learning management systems, HomeFront Brands is building a foundation for its brands -- Window Hero, The Designery, Temporary Wall Systems, Top Rail Fence, and Roof Scientist to transform lives through franchise ownership. For more information about HomeFront Brands' current solutions, new business development, and franchising opportunities, please visit https://homefrontbrands.com/. SOURCE HomeFront Brands Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said an Israeli strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip that killed 20 people, including five journalists, was a tragic mishap. He said that Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians, and that the military is investigating. In the incident, Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip, and then hit the facility again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding scores more, local health workers said. Mariam Daggas images captured the desperation of Palestinian people (Mariam Dagga AP) It was among the deadliest of several Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war sparked by Hamas attack on October 7 2023, and the attack came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas. The first strike hit a top floor of a building at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Advertisement Minutes later, as journalists and rescuers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase, a second projectile hit, said Dr Ahmed al-Farra, head of Nassers paediatrics department. Riyad Dagga, surrounded by relatives and friends, prays over the body of his daughter (Handout via AP) Among those killed was 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who had worked for The Associated Press. Ms Dagga regularly reported for multiple outlets from the hospital, including a recent story for the AP on doctors struggling to save children from starvation. The strike killed four other journalists who had worked for Al Jazeera, Reuters and Middle East Eye, a UK-based media outlet, most on a contractor or freelance basis. Brig Gen Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesman, said the army does not target civilians and had launched an internal investigation into the strikes. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with cases of severe malnutrition Emergency rooms are flooded with people arriving in states of extreme exhaustion and physical collapse. But healthcare workers like Dr Alaa Al-Sharif are doing everything they can to help. pic.twitter.com/nEvBn1ZaIX British Red Cross (@BritishRedCross) August 22, 2025 He accused Hamas of hiding among civilians but did not say whether Israel believed any militants were present during the strikes on the hospital. Mr Netanyahus statement said Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Israeli media reported that Israeli troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. The UN secretary-general, along with the UK, France and others, condemned the attack. When asked about the strike, US president Donald Trump initially said he was not aware of it before offering: Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it. Shameful, our @JulietteTouma describes the man-made famine in #Gaza to @POLITICOEurope. Its a decision made by officials in the Government of Israel to starve the people. Let the UN, including UNRWA, bring in aid at scale. Stop the #famine.https://t.co/zfgRNlMf8g pic.twitter.com/WyVpfPLLLb UNRWA (@UNRWA) August 25, 2025 Israel has attacked hospitals multiple times throughout the war, asserting that Hamas embeds itself in and around the facilities, though Israeli officials rarely provide evidence. Hamas security personnel have been seen inside such facilities over the course of the war, and parts of those sites have been off limits to reporters and the public. Advertisement The hospitals that remain open have been overwhelmed by the dead, wounded and now by increasing numbers of malnourished as parts of Gaza are now in famine. US president Donald Trumps special envoy Keith Kellogg said officials are working very, very hard on efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, as a lack of progress fuels doubts about whether a peace settlement could be on the horizon. Mr Kellogg said in Kyiv that officials are hoping to get to a position where, in the near term, we have, with a lack of a better term, security guarantees that address Ukraines fears of another invasion by Russia in the future. Thats a work in progress, he said of the potential security guarantees, after attending Ukraines annual National Prayer Breakfast along with politicians, business leaders and diplomats. Today, Prime Minister of Norway @jonasgahrstore is in Ukraine. I am grateful for this visit and for such support. It means a lot to us. Ukraine will always value Norways sincere engagement with our state. We had very substantive discussions on many issues our defense needs, pic.twitter.com/9DHzzsGKlP Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 25, 2025 A week ago, Mr Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian president Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. But Russian officials have signalled that such a summit will not happen any time soon. Mr Trump said he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks are not scheduled. Advertisement A stream of high-ranking visitors to Kyiv in recent days reflects concerns around the US-led peace drive. Canadian prime minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Mr Zelensky, pledging two billion Canadian dollars (1.06 billion) in aid, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte was in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. Norways Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store pledged more support (AP) Germanys vice chancellor and finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, arrived in Kyiv on Monday to discuss how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process. Mr Putin spoke on the phone with Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, the Kremlin said. Russia and Iran have close relations, and Mr Putin has also deepened ties with China, India and North Korea as Western countries have sided with Ukraine in the war. Mr Putin and Mr Pezeshkian are expected to meet next week when China hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organisations annual summit, in Tianjin. Mr Klingbeil, the German vice chancellor, told Mr Zelensky that Ukraines allies have to talk about what happens if President Putin does not relent, if he wants to continue the war. Thank you for your support! https://t.co/Bp35rB6uze Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 25, 2025 Germany will continue to stand by Ukraine, he said, echoing sentiments by Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store earlier in the day. Norways multibillion-dollar military and civilian support for Ukraines fight to defeat Russias invasion will stretch into next year, Mr Store said in Kyiv. Advertisement Mr Store, whose country borders Russia, told a news conference with Mr Zelensky that Ukraine is defending a critical principle on the European level by refusing to accept Russias seizure of territory. Analysts say Mr Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments commitment to Ukraine and use his bigger army to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion. Norway on Sunday pledged about seven billion kroner (514 million) toward air defence systems for Ukraine. Norway and Germany are jointly funding two US-made Patriot anti-missile systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defence radar, Mr Store said. Meanwhile, Ukraines Air Force said Russia launched 104 strike and decoy drones overnight into Monday, targeting the countrys north and east. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The memoir of Virginia Giuffre is expected to put a spotlight back on Britain's Prince Andrew when it releases in October. The book, titled Nobodys Girl, is described on the Penguin Publishing House website as an unforgettable memoir by the late Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman who dared to take on Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Ms Giuffre, who died in Western Australia in April aged 41, was one of the most outspoken accusers of convicted sex offenders Epstein and his former girlfriend Maxwell. American-born Ms Giuffre had lived in Australia for several years and became an advocate for sex trafficking survivors after emerging as a central figure in the prolonged downfall of disgraced paedophile financier Epstein. She came forward publicly after the initial investigation ended in an 18-month Florida jail term for Epstein, who made a secret deal and was released in 2009. Advertisement Epstein was later found dead in his cell at a federal jail in Manhattan in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex-trafficking charges. Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. In multiple civil lawsuits, Ms Giuffre said she was a spa attendant as a teenager at Mar-a-Lago Donald Trumps Palm Beach club when she was approached in 2000 by Maxwell. She was hired as a masseuse for Epstein and was flown around the world for meetings with men at his behest while she was 17 and 18. Andrew paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre, whom he said he had never met. She sued him for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was 17 after she was trafficked by Epstein. She alleged they trafficked her to the duke, a claim Andrew has denied. The description of the book, which releases on October 21, states: Here, Giuffre offers an unsparing and definitive account of her time with Epstein and Maxwell, who trafficked her and others to numerous prominent men. She also details the molestation she suffered as a child, as well as her daring escape from Epstein and Maxwells grasp at nineteen. Giuffre remade her life from scratch and summoned the courage to not only hold her abusers to account but also advocate for other victims. The pages of Nobodys Girl preserve her voiceand her legacyforever. It comes as transcripts released by the US Justice Department on Friday show Maxwell insisting she did not introduce Andrew to Epstein and that the dukes alleged sex with Ms Giuffre in her house could not have happened. Advertisement Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the federal court in the southern district of New York in June 2022. The Trump administration issued hundreds of pages of transcripts of interviews conducted by deputy attorney general Todd Blanche last month amid a fierce backlash over a previous refusal to disclose records from the Epstein case. The duke strenuously denies any wrongdoing. Andrew stepped down from British public life after the furore over his friendship with the paedophile financier. Ms Giuffre is survived by her three children. Advertisement CultureBooksEpstein fallout This was published 3 months ago Epstein, Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre wrote a memoir. Its coming out months after her death Hillel Italie August 25, 2025 10:53am Save 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 New York: A posthumous and unsparing memoir by one of Jeffrey Epsteins most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will be published on October 21, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf announced on Sunday (Monday AEST). Giuffre, who died by suicide in April aged 41, had been working on Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice with American author-journalist Amy Wallace. She had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to the publisher. Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre), pictured here in 2001 with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, died in April. Her memoir is slated for an October release. The publishers statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her heartfelt wish the memoir be released regardless of her circumstances. The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders, the email reads. Advertisement It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness. Related Article Epstein fallout Trump knew Epstein stole young women, including Virginia Giuffre, from Mar-a-Lago Giuffre had been hospitalised following a serious accident on March 24, Knopf said, and sent the email on April 1. She died on April 25 in Western Australia. In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODYS GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices, she wrote to Wallace. In 2023, the New York Post had reported that Giuffre had reached a deal believed to be worth millions with an undisclosed publisher. Knopf spokesperson Todd Doughty said she initially agreed to a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press, but moved with acquiring editor Emily Cunningham after Knopf hired Cunningham as executive editor last year. Advertisement Loading Giuffre had often stated that, in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epsteins sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Britains Prince Andrew and other influential men. Epstein was found dead in a New York City jail cell in 2019 in what investigators described as a suicide. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was convicted in late 2021 on sex-trafficking and other charges. Related Article Epstein fallout Trump was never inappropriate with anybody, Ghislaine Maxwell tells investigators Andrew had denied Giuffres allegations. In 2022, Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement after she had sued him for sexual assault. A representative for Andrew did not immediately return a request for comment. Nobodys Girl is distinct from Giuffres unpublished memoir, The Billionaires Playboy Club, referenced in previous court filings and initially unsealed in 2019. Through Doughty, Wallace says she began working with Giuffre on a new memoir in 2021. Advertisement Giuffres name has continued to appear in headlines, even after her death. In July, United States President Donald Trump said that Epstein had stolen Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago, his private club in Florida where she once worked. She had alleged being approached by Maxwell and hired as a masseuse for Epstein. Maxwell has denied Giuffres allegations. Giuffre (centre) leaving a New York Federal Court in 2019. Bloomberg Doughty declined to provide details about the Epstein associates featured in Nobodys Girl, but confirmed that Giuffre made no allegations of abuse against Trump, who continues to face questions about Epstein, the disgraced financier and his former friend. Related Article Opinion Epstein fallout From Epstein to Trump, rich and powerful men have a vulnerable-women problem Kylie Moore-Gilbert Political scientist and writer Knopfs statement says the book contains intimate, disturbing and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022. In a statement, Knopf publisher and editor-in-chief Jordan Pavlin called Nobodys Girl a raw and shocking journey and the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free. Advertisement Giuffres time with Epstein is well documented, although her accounts have been challenged. She had acknowledged getting details wrong, errors she attributed to trying to recall events from years ago. In 2022, she dropped allegations against Alan Dershowitz, saying in a statement at the time that she may have made a mistake in identifying the famed attorney as an abuser. Nobodys Girl was both vigorously fact-checked and legally vetted, a Knopf statement reads. Wallace, Giuffres co-author on her memoir, is an award-winning magazine and newspaper reporter whose work has appeared in The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications. She has also collaborated on two previous books, Pixar co-founder Ed Catmulls Creativity, Inc. and former General Electric CEO Jeff Immelts Hot Seat. AP If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share More: Epstein fallout Jeffrey Epstein Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Advertisement NationalNSWCrime This was published 3 months ago Hero mop man fends off alleged armed bandit at convenience store Josefine Ganko and Kayla Olaya Updated August 25, 2025 6:02pm ,first published August 25, 2025 2:39pm Save 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 A hero bystander armed with a mop and a fluorescent yellow wet floor sign bravely attempted to fend off an alleged robber armed with a knife in a Surry Hills convenience store on Sunday evening. The customer attempted to wave away the masked man inside the Aruma Grocer on Devonshire Street just after 8pm. The accused thief later died after jumping from a fifth-floor balcony when police attended his nearby unit block. Loading CCTV from inside the store shows the alleged robber wearing a bright red hoodie and carrying a cross-body bag, his face obscured by a purple balaclava. In a minute-long exchange, the customer wearing a pink hoodie and grey sweatpants waves the mops head towards the bandit, who allegedly took the stores cash register with less than $200 inside. Advertisement The alleged thief, who is aged in his 40s but yet to be formally identified, then left the store alongside a 21-year-old woman who was waiting outside. CCTV captures the pair fleeing to the Surry Hills Light Rail, where the man continues to wave the knife around. A little over an hour later, about 9.10pm, police had tracked down the alleged robber at a unit block on nearby Belvoir Street. Store CCTV captured the hero bystander armed confronting the alleged thief. When the officers entered the hallway of the block, the man tried to escape, with the woman allegedly closing the unit door on police as they approached. The male ... has spotted police and then has ran out to the back of the unit and jumped off the balcony, Acting Assistant Commissioner Scott Tanner said at a press conference on Monday. Advertisement The man fell five storeys to the ground below. After being treated by paramedics at the scene, he was transferred to St Vincents Hospital, where he was declared dead. Tanner said the man was very well known to police. Police arrested 21-year-old Tiahna Hatch, taking her to Surry Hills police station, where she was charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, destroying or damaging property less than $2000 and hindering a police officer in the execution of duty. Hatch was granted conditional bail before a local court on Monday. The dangerous weapon charge was withdrawn and replaced with one count of robbery while armed with an offensive weapon. Advertisement Aruma Grocers owner Firas Alwaswah. Nine News A critical incident has been declared, and an investigation is under way, as is routine for any death or serious injury involving NSW Police, and a report will be prepared for the coroner. The stores owner Firas Alwaswah said it wasnt the first time he had been robbed. Stuff happens in my shop, he said. Robbers, they took money before they steal stuff from the shop, but this is the first time they took the whole cash register away. Alwaswah said the worker was shaken and had taken the day off, and the store was closed while he secured a new register. Advertisement Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalQueenslandCrime This was published 3 months ago Family home when Brisbane nurse Carra Luke was allegedly murdered William Davis Updated August 25, 2025 12:36pm ,first published August 25, 2025 12:33pm Save 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 An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts. See all stories . Brisbane nurse and mother Carra Luke was allegedly stabbed to death while her family was at home in the early hours of Saturday morning, police say. Luke, 48, was found unresponsive with multiple stab wounds in the early hours of Saturday morning in her home on Osprey Place in Taigum, in the citys north. Despite attempts from paramedics, Luke died at the scene. Loading Her death prompted police to set up two crime scenes more than 10 kilometres apart, with investigations leading police to a home on Hackman Street in McDowall about 40 minutes later, where they arrested her husband 52-year-old Shane Donald Scheikowski. Advertisement He was charged with one count each of domestic violence murder and entering a dwelling with intent to commit a crime. Scheikowski did not appear in Brisbane Arrests Court when his case was briefly mentioned on Monday morning. His lawyer Jake ODonnell did not apply for bail on his clients behalf. The court mention for Scheikowski was over in just under 90 seconds in a sparsely filled courtroom. Police at one of the two crime scenes on Sunday. Nine News The case was adjourned until September 8, when Scheikowski is due to appear in court via video link. Advertisement Hours after arresting Scheikowski on Sunday, police revealed Lukes family was home at the time of the fatal attack. Acting Assistant Commissioner Rhys Wildman praised the efforts of police who carried out a very, very extensive investigation in a very compact time and acknowledged the impact of the tragedy on Lukes family. This is [an] absolute tragic incident thats occurred, terrible set of circumstances, and a very, very confronting scene for the family who were present in the house when the incident occurred, he said. Brisbane woman Carra Luke was allegedly murdered in Taigum. Nine From a personal perspective, on behalf of the Queensland Police Service and myself and the investigators for the Brisbane region, Id just like to pass on our thoughts for the family. Advertisement He also thanked members of the public for providing information to support the investigation. Police confirmed they had located the murder weapon, but did not say where. In a statement published online on Saturday, Lukes workplace Nundah Doctors Surgery in Wavell Heights, paid tribute to the loss of a wonderful nurse, colleague and dear friend. A most empathic and caring human being, nurse, mother, and friend, Carra has been with us for 20 years and was the heart and soul of the practice, principal doctor Margaret Cotter wrote. She is irreplaceable, and we will miss her every day. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert. Advertisement NationalQueenslandProtests This was published 3 months ago The only person detained at Brisbanes Palestine rally William Davis August 25, 2025 5:47pm Save 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 An anti-protester waving an Australian flag was the only person detained by police at the weekends pro-Palestinian rally in Brisbane, but officers are adamant that he was neither persecuted or arrested, despite viral claims across social media. A 52-year-old man wearing a shirt saying victims dont hold hostages and clutching the national flag was among a small group on a South Bank overpass above the march from just before 3pm, Sunday. This masthead was in attendance, and watched him yell the national anthem before firing off insults and making rude gestures at protesters below. The 52-year-old man at the Brisbane rally was detained but not arrested, allegedly for breaching the peace. William Davis Protesters marching below booed in return, and with tension simmering, police were seen grabbing the man and pulling him away. Advertisement He had initially been told he had the right to be there, but was warned against abuse. Dozens of social media posts from high-profile groups suggested on Monday morning the man was arrested solely for flying an Australian flag. The 52-year-old man at the Brisbane rally was detained but not arrested, allegedly for breaching the peace. Dempsey Wallace Some attracted thousands of likes and comments expressing disgust. The Facebook page for the Conservative Political Action Conference Australia which will this year hear from speakers including federal senator Pauline Hanson and former British prime minister Liz Truss posted: Good morning to everyone except those who think arresting someone for waving an Australian flag is OK. Advertisement Police have since confirmed the man was detained but not arrested, and acting assistant commissioner Rhys Wildman said alleged breach of the peace was behind the decision. That male was removed from the vicinity of South Bank Parklands and taken to another location and released without charge, he told reporters. Loading There was conflict between the protest group and this male who we had to detain and remove, largely for his own safety. Attempts by this masthead to identify the man and speak to him were not immediately successful. Advertisement A Hamas flag was also allegedly flown at the rally, attracting condemnation from police and politicians after photos emerged on Sunday evening. Wildman confirmed officers were investigating the matter, but had not yet tracked down the person responsible. A photograph of the Brisbane rally shows what appears to be the Hamas flag in green and white. William Davis Thats a Commonwealth offence. It is being investigated and we are taking that matter very, very seriously, he said. We are keen to speak to that particular male and the investigation is very much alive this afternoon. Advertisement Its disappointing that in among a protest group where the majority of people are trying to get a particular message across, there are still individuals that will do their own actions and behave in a way that is not in keeping with the rest of the group or the broader community sentiment. Related Article Protests Tens of thousands march for Palestine in historic Brisbane rally Hamas is a designated terrorist group in Australia and was behind the October 7 attacks in Israel that killed about 1200 people. About 250 people were taken hostage. The incursion sparked the military response from Israel that has extended for almost two years and killed more than 60,000 Palestinians. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Perspective NationalVictoriaMushroom trial This was published 3 months ago Erin Pattersons children hover offstage, haunted by her crimes Tony Wright August 25, 2025 3:59pm Save 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 Of all the inhabitants of this ghastly drama, two children, mercifully invisible and unnamed, remain those with the most power to haunt. Their physical absence from the queue of other victims who addressed their personal pain in court four of the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday served only to spur the imagination to focus upon their everlasting, off-stage agony. Erin Patterson was seen twisting a tissue round and round in her hands during Mondays plea hearing. Anita Lester They are condemned, these two obscured children, to be burdened for life with the knowledge that their mother, Erin Patterson, is a mass murderer who killed their grandparents. Patterson was brought from prison and compelled to sit and listen to the consequences of her 2023 lunch when she used poisoned food to murder her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gails sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66. Heathers husband, pastor Ian Wilkinson, now 71, survived after weeks in an induced coma. Advertisement Related Article Mushroom trial The elaborate cover-up after the beef Wellington lunch and the single word that might have changed everything The ornate courtroom, its salmon and gold plasterwork illuminated by a vast chandelier, was packed with those whose lives were derailed by Pattersons evil, those who came to spectate from the balcony and journalists who occupied every available pew on the floor to record every tormented word of those victims. Loss, trauma, heartbreak, anger and, yes, the horror of it all filled the courts hushed atmosphere, and more was delivered in written form, but not read out. If a courtroom that has witnessed the recitation of crimes most dreadful since 1884 could be said to be capable of being appalled, then this was a room appalled. Patterson, for most of it, seemed the least engaged of all. She sat impassive in the dock, peering straight ahead, her thoughts unknowable. Advertisement She allowed herself little more than the quiver of a bottom lip and a crumpling of her chin when Wilkinson doomed to a half life after his wife of 44 years was murdered by Patterson offered his personal forgiveness. Having spoken at tender length about his compassionate, intelligent, brave and witty wife, and his bottomless grief at having to survive without her until they would be reunited in the resurrection, the pastor stunned the court by declaring: In regard to the many harms done to me, I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin. My prayer for her is that she will use her time in jail wisely to become a better person. Now I am no longer Erin Pattersons victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness. Patterson took a tissue and dabbed briefly at her nose at Wilkinsons astonishing benevolence, but her eyes remained dry. Advertisement They remained dry, too, with not a quiver of a lip nor even a blink, when Pattersons estranged husband, Simon Patterson, introduced the spectre of the couples children. Possibly distrusting the ability of his voice to survive what he had to say, he chose to have his statement read to the court by a relative. Convicted triple-murderer Erin Patterson arrives at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Monday 25th August ahead of her sentencing. Erin Patterson stumbles as she gets out of the prison truck. Jason Edwards My children, two children, are left without grandparents as a result of these murders, he said in his statement. They have also been robbed of hope for the kind of relationship with their mother that every child naturally yearns for. Advertisement Ian Wilkinson and his daughter Ruth Dubois in May this year. Jason South The grim reality is they live in an irreparably broken home with only a solo parent, when almost everyone else knows their mother murdered their grandparents. None of these hurdles that my children face are easy for them to overcome. The fact these foreseeable hurdles were actively put in front of them by their own mother is an impact we will wrestle with for the rest of our lives. Other statements of victims rang out through the court, too, including the Wilkinsons daughter, Ruth Dubois, who spoke, we might imagine, for many when she expressed disbelief in Pattersons icy delivery of murder by death cap mushroom. It is difficult to comprehend how someone could spend months planning this out, researching, collecting the items needed, making the lunch invitation, preparing the meal, sit through eating it, and then to carry on with normal life, all while knowing what tremendous harm that was being caused, followed up by the extraordinary lies and the absolute lack of care shown for the victims, she said. Advertisement Patterson sat as if undisturbed, at least on the surface. Beneath the desk of the dock, however, her hands twisted a tissue, around and around. Korumburra Baptist pastor Ian Wilkinson. Jason South Her children, the shape of their lives twisted by her murdering, were elsewhere, physically absent. This, at least, seemed a mercy. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaMushroom trial This was published 3 months ago An offer of forgiveness and a tsunami of grief laid bare by Erin Pattersons victims Erin Pearson August 25, 2025 7:51pm Save 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 With hands shaking as he stood to face a Supreme Court judge, tearful mushroom lunch survivor and church pastor Ian Wilkinson offered the woman who nearly killed him forgiveness. Not for the lives Erin Patterson had taken, those of his wife Heather and friends Don and Gail Patterson, but for the harms she had done to him. Ian Wilkinson outside the Supreme Court on Monday. Luis Enrique Ascui I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin, Wilkinson said. I have no power or responsibility to forgive harms done to others. For the murders of Heather, Gail and Don, I am compelled to seek justice. However, I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness to those harms done to me with full confession. I bear her no ill will. Advertisement Now I am no longer Erin Pattersons victim, and she has become the victim of my kindness. A jury last month found Patterson guilty of murdering her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gails sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, and the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, who was 68 at the time. She had fed them a beef Wellington laced with toxic death cap mushrooms on July 29, 2023. Prosecutors are calling for Patterson to be jailed for life, without the possibility of parole. Her lawyers concede the grave offending deserves a life sentence but want the judge to impose a minimum term when she can apply to be released. Advertisement It is a case so cold, so horrific our submission is the offender is not deserving of ... mercy, prosecutor Jane Warren said. On Monday, more than 100 people packed into courtroom four at the Supreme Court in Melbourne to hear those closely affected by Erin Pattersons crimes speak for the first time about the impact of what she did. Justice Christopher Beale said they highlighted the tsunami of grief the crime had caused. Ian Wilkinson was first to speak, battling to contain his emotions as he spoke of his beautiful wife of 44 years. From left: Don Patterson, Gail Patterson, Heather Wilkinson and Ian Wilkinson. Advertisement Heather was always supportive and encouraging to me, Wilkinson said. She was wise and had skills that made up for my shortcomings. Together, we faced life as a team and we delighted in each others company. A very important member of our family is missing. At one point, Wilkinson almost fell as he removed his glasses to reach for tissues to wipe away streams of tears. Advertisement Steadying himself with his right hand, the pastor took a short breath and clutched a black folder filled with notes before he continued. Related Article Mushroom trial The secret poison papers and an imaginary cat: What the jury didnt hear in Erin Pattersons trial Wilkinson said his wife was compassionate, intelligent, brave and witty and loved sharing life with others. He said she loved to learn languages and travel, but her proudest achievement and greatest work was their four children and six grandchildren. I think the way our children conducted themselves through the crisis of our illness and subsequent legal proceedings is testament to her mothering skills, he said. I continue to carry a heavy burden of grief over her untimely death. Its a truly horrible thought to live with, that somebody could decide to take her life. I only feel half alive without her. My consolation is that we will be reunited in the resurrection and the age to come. Advertisement Turning to his own injuries, Wilkinson said that after nearly dying, it had taken him the best part of two years to regain some health and strength after the fateful lunch. He paused to thank the medical professionals who battled tirelessly to save his life. Before taking a seat, the pastor also spoke about Erin Patterson, and the distress he carries at the callous and calculated disregard she showed his life and the lives of those he loved. Nearby, Patterson, 50, sat in the dock listening intently with reddened eyes and a chin that at times appeared to tremble. What foolishness possesses a person to think that murder is the solution to their problems, Wilkinson said. My prayer for her is that she will use her time in jail wisely to become a better person. His words were repeated in a further six victim impact statements read aloud which gave a painful reminder of the kind and generous people caught up in the tragedy. In total 28 victims prepared words for the judge to consider. Advertisement Heather and Ian Wilkinsons daughter Ruth Dubois, was the second to speak. Erin Pattersons legal team Sophie Stafford (left), Ophelia Hollway and Colin Mandy, SC, arrive at the Supreme Court. Chris Hopkins Her father remained standing by her side as she remembered a mother who was generous and kind, with gentle patience and a good sense of humour the person she went to for advice, who shared her successes and lifted her up during tough times. Its horrible to know it was these good attributes that were used to lure these people, Dubois said. The world seems colder and harsher. She said it was difficult to comprehend how her mothers murderer could spend months planning to kill and then sit and watch her victims eat the deadly beef Wellington. Advertisement There were multiple times she couldve stopped, could have cancelled the plans, helped medical staff changed the outcome. Instead, at every stop of the way she chose to follow through, she said. Related Article Mushroom trial The chapel meeting that set police on the path of a poisoner Erin Pattersons estranged husband, Simon, said the couples two children had been left without grandparents and had lost the kind of relationship with their mother that every child yearns for. He wrote about the safe, honest home their children now lived in with him and the trauma he had endured from what he described as an abrasive legal system and callous mainstream media he viewed as dehumanising. Strangers, he said, had menaced his home, and ambushed him at his door and in the street. Advertisement The court also heard a statement from Lynette Young, Gail and Heathers sister, who recalled that instead of stopping to buy Don Patterson a chocolate eclair for his birthday last year, she cried. Don Pattersons 100-year-old mother, Martha, wrote of her now broken family that she hopes God will help heal. His nephew Tim Patterson spoke of the victims final days alive and the injustice of never knowing why their lives were taken. I still ask myself, why? Why did Erin decide that shed make her lifes work a portrait of death and destruction? Why did she decide to focus her expertly hidden wrath upon the most selfless, loving people, group of people, Ive known? I guess thats the final injustice in all of this, the lack of explanation, reason or remorse, he wrote. Its a strange thing, but for some reason, I still cant fully accept theyre gone. In my mind, its just that we havent seen each other in a while. During a 10-week trial, the jury heard Erin Patterson invited her in-laws and the Wilkinsons to her home on the day of the lunch to falsely tell them she had cancer and ask for their advice on breaking the news to her children. Advertisement Simon Patterson had also been invited, but withdrew from the event the night before. Erin Patterson pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming the deaths were a terrible accident, and continues to maintain her innocence. Prosecutor Jane Warren said the killer had engaged in an egregious level of premeditation, luring the guests to the lunch under false pretences, feeding them poison and subjecting those who died to slow and painful deaths. She added that Pattersons actions were followed by an elaborate cover-up, which was indicative of a complete absence of regret or remorse and complete indifference. Advertisement Defence barrister Colin Mandy, SC, called on the judge to sentence his client to a non-parole period, allowing for her possible release after the age of about 80. He said his clients conditions in custody, where she was largely held in isolation, were a significant factor the judge should consider when formulating his sentence. In all of the circumstances, we urge the court to impose a non-parole period, Mandy said. Patterson is to be sentenced on September 8. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaRoad safety This was published 3 months ago Utterly devastating: Two-year-old boy on life support after being hit by car Alexander Darling and Patrick Hatch August 26, 2025 7:37am Save 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 WARNING: Distressing content A two-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being hit while riding his balance bike on a pedestrian crossing in Melbournes south-east overnight. The toddler was with his father on Thames Promenade, near the intersection of Mulkarra Drive in Chelsea Heights at 9.10pm when a white van struck him, police said. Police are investigating a collision in Chelsea Heights last night where a child sustained critical injuries. Nine Upon hearing screams, local resident Ibrahim Rizvi and his father rushed to the scene. Advertisement At first, the pair could not see what had happened because it was dark, Rizvi told Nine News. As they got closer, they saw a child. The kid started crying, and then we were like Oh God, hes still alive at least, hes breathing, Rizvi said. Police said an off-duty officer was also among the first on the scene, and stopped to assist the child, who was then worked on by emergency services at the scene. Detective Acting Sergeant Leigh Miller told 3AW that the father was uninjured, but the boy is on life support. Advertisement Theyve got a green light to cross the road, the boy has ridden ahead of his father, and sadly, the car failed to see the boy, and he has been struck, he said. Police are investigating a collision in Chelsea Heights. Nine The Royal Childrens Hospital has confirmed the child remains in a critical condition. Paramedics say they transported the boy to the hospital with upper-body injuries. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives are investigating. The driver of the van, a 29-year-old man from Clyde, stopped at the scene and was arrested, interviewed and released pending further inquiries. Advertisement Loading A resident who lives near the crossing, who did not want to be named, said he heard what he thought was a minor traffic accident at about 9pm on Monday. One gentleman, who I gather was a witness to the whole scene, was arguing with another person to sit down, sit down, he said. Someone was trying to calm someone down or keep them restrained. Once police arrived, everything sort of simmered down, and then the questioning and investigations began. Tim Richardson, the MP for Mordialloc, called the event utterly devastating. Advertisement It is hard to comprehend the utter sadness and devastation of this road trauma and the boy and family impacted, Richardson said in a statement on social media. We extend our deepest thoughts and prayers to the family and the little boy in hospital at this horrible time. We also extend our thoughts to our first responders who confronted a very tragic scene and the neighbours who came out to render assistance. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. CROWN POINT, Ind., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Law Office of Attorney John H. Davis files two (2) Appeals in Indiana Appellate Court stemming from Lake Superior Court in East Chicago, Indiana with Judge Calvin D. Hawkins presiding in Case of Gail Lewis Hicks, et al . vs. Keith L. Head Appellate Case Nos. are: 25A-CT-000881 & 25A-CT-000875. View PDF Court Documents Plus Attorney Letter In first case, the appellate Brief addresses American Family's attorneysAttorney Robert S. O'Dell and Attorney Bridgett J. Nelsonfiling Motion accusing Attorney John H. Davis of accusing American Family's attorneys of committing fraud upon the Court where clearly Attorney John H. Davis accused Defendant Keith L. Head of committing fraud upon the Courtnot American Family Attorneys and whether Sanctions should have been awarded against Plaintiffs for falsely stating American Family's attorneys committed fraud whereas pleading filed states Defendant Keith L. Head committed fraud. In second case, Plaintiffs' appellate Brief argues that granting a summary judgment to Defendant Keith L. Head by trial courtis fundamental error. To obtain award of summary judgment there must be no disputed factsonly legal issues that can be resolved by trial court. However, the Appellate Brief argues there are disputed materials facts to be submitted to a jury or Trier of Fact. SOURCE ATTORNEY JOHN H. DAVIS & ASSOCIATES Advertisement PoliticsQueenslandDavid Crisafulli This was published 3 months ago Crisafullis direct threat to LNP party faithful James Hall August 25, 2025 11:25am Save 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 16 View all comments Australias highest-ranking elected conservative politician, David Crisafulli, has delivered a blunt warning to the Liberal-National faithful urging rank and file members and parliamentary colleagues to not be distracted by ideological issues. In his first address to the LNP state convention as Queensland Premier on Sunday, Crisafulli said vocal sections of the party must drop their campaigns on culture wars, environment and immigration and instead focus on issues discussed at kitchen tables. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli told the LNP state convention the party needed to focus on kitchen table issues. Dan Peled Crisafulli said this approach would be key to both his own governments re-election but also turning around a disastrous federal result after the Coalition bled 14 seats in the May national poll. There is a reason why Mr Albanese was returned to the lodge with a primary vote of just 34.5 per cent, he told the LNP convention in Brisbane. Advertisement A plethora of well-meaning right-wing campaign groups and minor parties fractured our vote. The more we tried to appease them, the further we got from the middle ground of Australian politics who shifted their vote elsewhere. Related Article LNP Littleproud doubles down on nuclear power, explains Coalition split to party faithful Crisafullis comments were a rallying cry for the partys federal branch after its May loss, which led to the Nationals splitting from the Coalition before it reformed days later, while the Liberals were entangled in a bitter leadership contest between Sussan Ley and Angus Taylor. But it was also a direct warning to the broad church of the LNP governments parliamentary factions in Queensland, who have previously voiced opposition to progressive abortion reforms and climate policies. We cannot be distracted by internal squabbles and we cannot be captured by those who seek to divide us, the premier said. Advertisement Weve got to remember why this party was formed for small and family business dragged down by regulation, for those who just want to own a home, for those who want to live in a society where the legal framework keeps them safe, for those who wish for a government to get out of their lives. Related Article Queensland government Keep our kids safe: Crisafulli moves to legislate child sex offender register We are also nation-builders who aim to create opportunities for our citizens to thrive the land of opportunity for those who come across the seas to share those boundless plains. We must push back against those who come to this place and dont wish to contribute or worse undermine our values, but we cant allow a failure to plan as an excuse to push an anti-immigration agenda. Without immigration, Queensland would be a vastly different state, and in my opinion, a much poorer one. Our party leadership would be different. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. This includes hefty sign-on bonuses, extra payments for those with children and other perks such as priority nursery places, discounted mortgages and tax breaks. One advert offers 8 million rubles ($154,210) for the first year of military service more than 10 times the regions average wage of 712,883 rubles ($13,740) last year. Having flat feet, an intellectual disability or being a foreigner also need not be a disqualifier, it adds. In return, big prizes await. Military families are receiving big cheques while their men are on the front lines. Men aged 18 to 63, we consider those with diseases HIV, hepatitis. We accept those on parole and convicts, reads one such ad on Vkontakte, or VK, as it is known. More than 80 years later, the Russian version of Facebook is awash with government ads encouraging men in the city to join todays war effort in Ukraine. The Russian city of Volgograd was the location of one of the bloodiest fights in world history. The seven-month-long Battle of Stalingrad, as the city was known in 1943, claimed half a million Soviet lives. Running out of patience with Moscows tricks and bombardments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned: They dont want to end this war. It comes as US President Donald Trump and European leaders try to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, seemingly with little success. While money is a paltry way to make up for the death of a loved one, there are some Russians on the home front who do not want the war to end. Blue-collar workers wages have also surged following the invasion of Ukraine. Military families are receiving big cheques while men are on the front lines, many of them facing death. The payments are one example of how Russias war economy has created a new middle class in the countrys industrial heartlands. Many towns and smaller cities across Russia that relied on a single industry, such as defence or manufacturing, never recovered after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The biggest benefactors are impoverished industrial areas that have suffered decades of decline, experiencing a fate similar to once-wealthy parts of the West. As the war approaches its fourth anniversary, the economy is under strain but there has been no crisis. If anything, for some Russians, life has improved. For some Russians, life has improved as the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth anniversary. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, many Western economists predicted it would face impending economic collapse in the face of the worlds harshest sanctions. While the comment was aimed at Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Russians lifted out of poverty as a result of the conflict may also feel apprehensive. For many of the new middle class, they cannot afford peace. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of working-age men joined the military, and Moscow restricted immigration creating crippling worker shortages. Factories under pressure to churn out goods to support the war munitions, uniforms and so on started running three shifts a day. Suddenly, these mothballed industrial facilities were hiring new workers, and new investment started flowing. These enterprises were competing with other sectors for workers, and they were offering good wages. All that changed three years ago when the Russian leadership realised that it could not wrap up the war quickly. So it started moving the economy into a different mode, Orlova says. A safer world meant the need for ammunition, guns and other types of manufacturing had faded. That was, until Putin brought war to Europe. In the years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, these areas went into decline, and people struggled to find jobs. But the facilities were still there, Oxford Economics Tatiana Orlova says. These people live in underdeveloped regions. They work in once-underperforming industries. They dont have higher education. But now these assets and skills are in demand, Ekaterina Kurbangaleeva, a visiting scholar at the George Washington University in Washington says. Putin has in effect done what Trump has promised American voters: created well-paid factory jobs en masse in the poorest parts of the country. Workers with no education and few skills are benefiting. If you look at teachers or doctors, the increase is much, much smaller than in manufacturing, Orlova says. In contrast, healthcare workers such as doctors and nurses and employees in the oil industry have seen the slowest growth, at 40 per cent and 48 per cent respectively. Factories are under pressure to churn out goods to support the war. Wages for workers making finished metal items rose by 78 per cent before accounting for inflation between 2024 and 2021, the fastest of any occupation. The result can be seen in wage data from Russias statistics office, Rosstat. Pay has surged in sectors related to the war effort, while other professions typically lucrative in peacetime have suffered. They are getting higher salaries. Their savings are growing. And they are also getting social respect. It is a good time to be a Russian factory worker. But the real money comes if you join the military. When a man in the family joins the army on a military contract, first of all he gets his bonus and he starts getting monthly wages. The wages are decent. All that money started flowing mostly into the Russian regions because people are less keen to sign up for the contractual army in the big cities, Orlova says. Loading I call this deathonomics, Russian economist Vladislav Inozemtsev says. He co-founded the Cyprus-based Centre for Analysis and Strategies in Europe in 2023 alongside Dmitry Gudkov, one of the leaders of the Russian opposition in exile. This was actually a fascinating know-how on the part of Putins regime because he transformed the lives of Id say very impolitely people [who were] kind of social waste, into a vehicle for economic development. These people were almost useless. Many of them had no work in the small towns and villages and were conducting a very anti-social way of life. Then all of a sudden, these people were taken out of the environment. The environment in which they now find themselves a war zone is a grim one. But Inozemtsev believes many of those left in Russia will have little sympathy. In some cases, I would say their neighbours were absolutely happy they disappeared from their lives. Their relatives got a lot of money and became quite prosperous people in their local communities. A pro-Kremlin activist holds a flag with an image of Russian President Vladimir Putting near the Kremlin. AP You take useless resources from the economy and you pour money instead of that. But of course, this all is only a temporary solution because the stock of these people is limited. Soldiers are offered big financial incentives to join the army, ranging from sign-on bonuses to debt forgiveness. Russian regions have been literally competing to sign people on military contracts. They got targets from above, and they had to fulfil them. They started offering sign-up bonuses in central regions, which reached something like $US25,000-equivalent ($38,566) in rubles, Oxford Economics Orlova adds. One can catch glimpses of how the lure of the big financial rewards is playing out across Russia on Vkontakte. A 23-year-old married father asks in a group discussing the military effort where he can get the most money by signing on, adding that he has heard in some areas families wait months for the payments. Others express remorse. I stupidly signed the contract, now I dont need the money. I dont know what to do, Im not a warrior at all. Im 21 years old, one man despairs. While the soldiers receive handsome salaries and bonuses, the biggest financial rewards come in death. Families of Russian soldiers killed on the front line are entitled to payouts of up to 11 million rubles equivalent to around $212,181. This includes an automatic presidential payment of 4.9 million rubles, insurance worth 3.3 million rubles and a governor payout of up to 3 million rubles, according to independent Russian economic news outlet The Bell. Officials from Russias ruling party have also been known to hand bereaved mothers and widows gifts, ranging from fridges to bags of onions to meat grinders. On Vkontakte, a user whose account has been deleted replied to the 23-year-old father, urging him not to sign up as he would be cannon fodder. Stay home, I buried mine, he died on his first mission. Enough deaths already, another message reads. Coming in from the cold The influx of cash into Russias poorest regions has helped fuel a spending boom, as impoverished families have suddenly come into money. The influx of cash has fuelled redevelopment in some of Russias poorest areas. James Hill/The New York Times Many soldiers came from the very poor regions. This provoked a huge increase of real disposable incomes in very remote and poor regions in Russia like the Republic of Altai, the Republic of Tuva and some others mostly North Caucasus and Siberia regions, Inozemtsev says. Families in tiny villages and small towns received enormous sums of money by local standards, he says. Many bought apartments in big regional cities with better schools and universities for their children, he adds. The influx of cash has also fuelled redevelopment in some of Russias poorest areas. It gave rise to development of services in the poor regions where people previously, for example, could not even think of spending money on something like a monthly gym subscription, Orlova says. Suddenly, new gyms and beauty salons started springing up. More cafes and restaurants opened as well. People really started spending on services. Suddenly, these mothballed industrial facilities were hiring new workers, and new investment started flowing. Oxford Economics Tatiana Orlova Visa restrictions and high costs mean foreign holidays are out of reach for most ordinary Russians. Instead, domestic travel has flourished. The number of hotel rooms is increasing 15-20 per cent per year. The whole hospitality industry hotels, restaurants, catering is growing. So the salaries of waiters, chefs and hotel managers are increasing too, says Kurbangaleeva. And so, a new social class is emerging. Experts like Kurbangaleeva point out that what we refer to as middle class usually reflects three things: income levels, education and social standing. In other words, becoming middle class isnt something that happens overnight. In families where no one has gone to university, the barriers have been lowered substantially. Host Photo Agency via Getty Images But there are signs of a bigger shift. One of the perks military families are entitled to is that soldiers and their children get priority access to Russias competitive public universities. In families where no one has gone to university, the barriers have been lowered substantially. The Russian government imposed a special university admission quota for soldiers and their children. They can apply without contest, says Kurbangaleeva. Before this quota, they had no chance. They dont get a good education [growing up] or a high enough level of knowledge. So they could not compete with other children who live in big cities or go to better schools. They now face an obstacle-free road to apply to the best universities in the country. This years quota is 50,000 places across the country. Actual enrolment figures will only be available in September. However, last year nearly 15,000 students made use of the offer, up from 8000 in 2023. Kurbangaleeva believes it is the start of a bigger trend. The social hierarchy is changing right now, she says. Social disaster Putin has achieved what many Western leaders have failed at: lifting the fortunes of some of the very poorest in society in a short period of time. The price? One million Russian casualties, and counting. In recent weeks, the promise of an end to the war briefly seemed closer than ever. The Russian leader flew to Anchorage, in Alaska, to meet Trump on August 15, under the guise of peace negotiations. Coverage was dominated by the images of Putin beaming as he strutted down the red carpet to engage in a warm handshake and chummy catch-up with Americas president. If the war does end, Russians who have grown accustomed to much higher living standards may pay the price. Surviving soldiers returning from the front line and their families are likely to quickly slip back into their old lives, Inozemtsev believes. Loading These people are not accustomed to accumulate and to save money. They will spend it in a year or two, and return to the type of life they were accustomed to. The service in the army will not change your social behaviour, he says. If 500,000 people will come back to the regions with very low wages and their savings from the service time will be exhausted in months, or in one or two years, it might be a huge social disaster. Such returns can prove hugely destabilising, as in Germany after the First World War in the 1920s. After returning from the war, Adolf Hitler founded the Nazi Party and assembled a private army made up of mostly unemployed and disillusioned veterans. The collapse of the Soviet Union was in part driven by the end of the Afghan war, experts also point out. Its a big question for the government, for Putin how to take care of those people after the war is over, a Russian economist based in Europe who did not want to be named says. I wouldnt be that optimistic about their future. The government will do everything to disseminate those people and not allow them to turn into a powerful group. Cynically, the Russian political class have experience, or at least prior knowledge of how to deal with that. Other workers who have benefited from the war are also likely to take a hit once the economy normalises. Blue-collar workers, business people buying up stranded Western assets and state employees working in law enforcement are all likely to lose out in a demobilised economy. All these people are not interested in the return to peacetime, Kurbangaleeva says. It seems to me that the Russian authorities feel that. These beneficiaries would be more confident if they could sustain the current situation, because when and if the war ends, a lot might change. For them, its more beneficial to continue. While the summit in Alaska was billed as an effort for peace, Putin made sure to dangle the promise of lucrative commercial deals in front of Trump at the brief press conference that followed their talks. When the new administration came to power, bilateral trade started to grow. It is clear that the US and Russian investment and business co-operation has tremendous potential, the Russian president said. My best guess is that Putin is trying to sow division between the US and Europe, Brookings Institutions Robin Brooks says. US exports to Russia so far this year have jumped by a fifth compared to the same period of 2024. Much of that is pharmaceuticals and medical products. Sales going the other way including nuclear materials and fertilisers are up by one-third. Putins strategy may be to make Zelenskys and Europes concerns seem like a sideshow compared to the real business of carving up resources, whether in Russias far north or in newly conquered lands in Ukraine. Trump is a real-estate guy, and Russia has a lot of real estate and a lot of resources. Why dont we strike a great deal on that? Berenberg Banks Holger Schmieding says of Moscows approach. Putin made sure to dangle the promise of lucrative commercial deals in front of Trump. AP From all we know about Trump, that appeals to his gut reactions who cares about laws and rules, there is land, there is stuff you can make money on, there is someone with whom he can strike a business deal. As a result, many fear peace is no closer. That means more misery in Ukraine but there will be those cheering in Volgograd. Its easy to begin the war, but its so hard to end it, Kurbangaleeva says. The Telegraph, London Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement Graphic content WorldMiddle EastIsraeli-Palestinian conflict This was published 3 months ago Not happy about it: Trump hits out at Netanyahu over Gaza hospital strike Matthew Knott Updated August 26, 2025 9:48am ,first published August 25, 2025 6:27pm Save 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 Warning: Graphic content An Israeli strike on southern Gazas main hospital that has killed at least 20 people has been condemned by the Albanese government as a likely breach of international law, with a senior minister rebuffing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus claim it was a tragic accident. US President Donald Trump, usually a reliable Netanyahu ally, again appeared to be losing patience with the 22-month war, declaring he was unhappy about the strike and predicting the conflict would end within weeks. Loading Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the hospital strike. At the same time, we have to end that nightmare. Advertisement Trump said he believed the war was coming to a head, its coming to an end. I think that we will have, I think the next two to three weeks, youre going to have a pretty good, conclusive, conclusive ending, he said. Rescue workers rushing to the scene of the initial attack were among those killed and injured in the second strike. Anadolu via Getty Images Right now, theyre talking about Gaza City. Theyre always about something. Its going to get settled. And Im saying, you better get it settled soon. You have to get it settled soon. Trump demanded a deal to end the war and return the remaining Israeli hostages in July, saying he expected an agreement between Israel and Hamas within the next week. But the war has continued, with Netanyahu rejecting a partial deal with Hamas and ordering the Israeli military to prepare to invade Gaza City. Advertisement Among the 20 people killed in the Nasser Hospital strike were five journalists, as well as medical staff, rescue workers and patients, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the war. Mariam Abu Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who had freelanced for Associated Press and other news outlets since the start of the war, was killed, along with a contractor for Reuters, cameraman Hussam al-Masri. Freelance journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who had been working with Associated Press and other outlets, posing for a portrait last year. AP Al-Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, freelance reporter Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz, who wrote for the Britain-based outlet Middle East Eye, were also among the dead. Photographer Hatem Khaled, another Reuters contractor, was wounded, health officials said. Netanyahus office said the strike was a tragic mishap and that the military was investigating. Advertisement Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians, his office said in a statement. The United Nations secretary-general, along with Britain, France, Canada and others, condemned the attack, which Australian Environment Minister Murray Watt said appears to be a clear breach of international law. In this family handout photo, a person shows the blood-stained camera that Mariam Abu Dagga was carrying when she was killed in the strike. AP We utterly condemn this action, and its yet another outrage in a war thats gone on too long and cost too many innocent lives, Watt said. Its very clear that targeting or hitting hospitals, health workers and civilians is a breach of international law. Asked about Netanyahus claim that the strike was a tragic mishap, Watt said: This is not the first time weve seen Netanyahu apologise or accept what he calls innocent mistakes or mishaps. Advertisement Every time something like this happens, it costs peoples lives. Its not acceptable. What well do is continue to work with the rest of the international community to demand a ceasefire, to demand hostages be released, and to demand peace in the Middle East, and that requires some change from Mr Netanyahu. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy said he was horrified by the hospital strike, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as intolerable. Hospital hit Israeli media reported that troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. Reporters from different outlets had regularly set up live TV shots at that location. Abu Daggas father Riyad, centre, and other relatives and friends pray over her body during her funeral in Gaza on Monday. AP Advertisement The first strike hit an upper floor housing operating rooms and doctors residences, killing at least two people, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the records department at the Gaza Health Ministry. Minutes later, as journalists and rescue workers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase to the scene, a second missile hit in the same spot, killing another 18. Around 80 people were wounded, including many in the hospitals courtyard, al-Waheidi said. Reuters, which demanded an explanation in a joint letter with AP to Israeli authorities, said it was devastated to learn of the death of al-Masri and injuries to Khaled. Injured Palestinian photojournalist Hatem Omar is helped after the attack. AFP AP said it was shocked and saddened by the death of Abu Dagga, who frequently based herself at Nasser, most recently reporting on the hospitals doctors struggling to save children from starvation. Advertisement We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, it said. The military confirmed its troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital, adding it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. Related Article Israeli-Palestinian conflict Israel kills Al Jazeera journalist and four colleagues in airstrike near Gaza hospital A British doctor who was working on the floor that was hit just after 10am, Gaza time, said the second strike hit before people could start evacuating from the first. They described just absolute scenes of chaos, disbelief and fear. People wounded from the strikes either directly caught in the blast or hit by debris entered the ward, leaving trails of blood. Stretchers rushed past visitors searching for loved ones. The chaos hit as the hospital was already overwhelmed, with patients with IV drips lying on the floors in the corridors in stifling heat, they said. Advertisement The journalists deaths come two weeks after one of Al-Jazeeras most recognisable faces reporting from Gaza, Anas al-Sharif, was killed alongside four colleagues in a strike on a tent near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israel accused Sharif of being a Hamas cell leader posing as a journalist, a claim rejected by rights advocates, Al-Jazeera and organisations representing journalists. The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international media from covering the war in person. News organisations instead rely largely on Palestinian journalists in Gaza as well as residents to show the world what is happening there. Stretchers rushed past visitors searching for loved ones. Anadolu via Getty Images The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, called on Israel to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. Advertisement The health ministry said on Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians had been killed in the war. with Reuters, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share Jerusalem: It was 11pm in Jerusalem, and one of the citys most insular ultra-Orthodox communities was in a furore. Hundreds of men in black suits and black hats of the Edah Haredit sect grew agitated as a top rabbi, shouting in Yiddish from a balcony, denounced the Israeli government for drafting the ultra-Orthodox. They had been exempt from military service to focus on religious study since the founding of Israel, but now they were needed for the war in the Gaza Strip. An ultra-Orthodox protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem earlier this month. AP A large fire blazed in the street, set by ultra-Orthodox protesters who had ignited a dumpster. Police officers on horseback tried to keep order as water cannons on trucks sprayed skunk water, a vile-smelling liquid, to disperse the crowd. Outside the nearby Mir Yeshiva, one of the largest and most prestigious religious schools in the country, Haim Bamberger, 23, said he was studying the Torah, as, he said, God wanted. It was Bambergers way of defending Israel, rather than through military service. When we do what He wants, He protects us, he said. The Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed nearly 1200 people and led to the taking of roughly 250 hostages, Bamberger said, was partly because many people in this country are not doing what God wants. Bamberger said he had been drafted but was ignoring his notice and risking jail. He grew more animated as he spoke. In this country Im considered a criminal, he said, because I want to study Torah. Advertisement Days later, Israeli military police began arresting ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. Only a few have been detained so far, according to multiple Israeli news reports, but on August 14, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protested and clashed with police outside a prison where the Ynet Hebrew news site reported that seven were held. For now, at a time of rage among the ultra-Orthodox and building tension between the military and the government over Gaza, the military is holding off on mass arrests. Loading A political crisis Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, both men and women. The exemption for the ultra-Orthodox, known in Hebrew as Haredim, has long been resented by the rest of the Jewish population. But the nearly two-year war in Gaza has turned an irritant into a political crisis that is deepening divisions in Israeli society and imperilling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus fragile coalition. Last month, two ultra-Orthodox parties crucial to Netanyahus majority in parliament withdrew from the government after it did not pass legislation exempting the ultra-Orthodox from the draft. Their move could lead to the collapse of the prime ministers coalition and early elections, although Netanyahu has survived far worse political threats. Advertisement The war has pushed everything to an extreme, Nechumi Yaffe, a professor of public policy at Tel Aviv University, who is ultra-Orthodox, said. She said that secular Israelis are asking , Why should our children die and your children are just sitting drinking coffee and learning? Yaffe said she had polling that showed 25 per cent of Haredi men would enlist if they were not ostracised by their communities for doing so, as many are, and another 25 per cent would enlist with some encouragement. She said attitudes were softening within less extreme ultra-Orthodox sects, although many rabbis are resisting change. The rabbis are feeling like theyre losing control, she said. Police disperse ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking a road during a protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem this month. AP The policy dates to Israels beginnings in 1948, when David Ben-Gurion, the nations founding prime minister, granted the exemption to the 400 yeshiva students in the country at the time. Ben-Gurion envisioned their Torah study, which they believed would safeguard Israel from its enemies, as part of a revitalisation of Jewish religious scholarship lost in the Holocaust. But as the ultra-Orthodox population grew, the policy was extended, sparking backlash and legal challenges over many years. It did not help that the most extreme ultra-Orthodox sects were anti-Zionists who do not recognise the state of Israel because, they say, it was founded by secular Jews and not for a divine purpose. In June 2024, the Israeli Supreme Court finally ruled in a landmark decision that, without a formal law, there was no legal basis for the exemption, and ordered the military to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men. Advertisement The military says it urgently needs 12,000 new recruits for a force exhausted by the war in Gaza. More than 450 Israeli soldiers have died in the enclave; suicides are on the rise; and fewer Israeli reservists, the bulk of the fighters, are reporting for duty. Many have spent more than 400 days in service since the war began. Others are questioning the governments goals in a campaign that has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel Defence Forces tanks near the Gaza Strips northern borders on August 18. Getty Images A group of experts that monitors food security declared on Friday that Gaza City and the surrounding territory are suffering from famine, a situation that has drawn global condemnation. The Israeli security agency that oversees aid deliveries in the enclave rejected the finding. Netanyahu, at odds with top generals, is now moving forward with plans to take over Gaza City. The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that 60,000 new reservists would be called to duty and that 20,000 would have their orders extended, bringing the total number of reservists to serve across all fronts in Israel to roughly 120,000, according to a senior military official who requested anonymity under military ground rules. The military says that 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged18 to 24 are eligible for service and that almost all were sent draft notices in the past year. So far, only 2940 have enlisted, although there is time for others to sign up before a series of deadlines. Most of the 2940 will not be ready to go to war now, but will be able to do so after the Israeli militarys six months of training. Advertisement Their number is still far off the militarys target of 4800 ultra-Orthodox enlistees for the year, and even further from the armys needs, Brigadier General Shay Tayeb, who is in charge of military personnel, told a committee in parliament August 12. The future promises more strains. The number of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel has exploded to about 1 million today roughly 13 per cent of the population from 40,000 in 1948. About 22 per cent of six-year-olds were Haredi in 2024. By 2035, their numbers are projected to reach 30 per cent. Any exemption for them is seen as unsustainable. This is the maths talking, Inbar Harush Gity, the Defence Ministrys former head of recruitment of the ultra-Orthodox into the Israeli military, said. The ultra-Orthodox are unmoved. It may be that the circumstances have changed and the times have changed, Motti Babchik, the powerful political adviser to one of the ultra-Orthodox parties that left the government, said in an interview. But the basic agreement between the Haredis and the state of Israel remains the same. Advertisement ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, TXNM Energy (NYSE: TXNM) filed applications for approval of its proposed acquisition by Blackstone Infrastructure with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC), Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). NMPRC Application The NMPRC regulates PNM, TXNM Energy's wholly owned utility in New Mexico that delivers electricity to approximately 550,000 customers. In addition to strong governance and oversight provisions, the filing includes unprecedented benefits for PNM customers and communities, including $105 million rate credit paid over four years, $10 million contribution to the PNM Good Neighbor Fund paid over 10 years, $35 million in economic development funding and $25 million of innovative technologies to support New Mexico's carbon-free energy transition. The filing also continues PNM's strong community involvement and charitable giving. The NMPRC does not have a statutory timeframe for consideration of the application. TXNM Energy anticipates that the review process will take up to a year to complete. The application can be viewed at https://www.txnmenergy.com/investors/rates-and-filings/pnm-nmprc-filings.aspx. PUCT Application The PUCT regulates TNMP, TXNM Energy's wholly owned transmission and distribution utility in Texas that delivers electricity to approximately 280,000 customers. In addition to strong governance and oversight provisions, the filing includes benefits for TNMP customers and communities, including a $35 million rate credit paid over four years, $10 million in economic development funding paid over 10 years to support workforce development and $5 million in additional community support paid over 10 years to enhance charitable giving. The PUCT has a 180-day statutory timeframe for consideration of the application. The application can be viewed at https://www.txnmenergy.com/investors/rates-and-filings/tnmp-puct-filings.aspx. FERC Application FERC regulates PNM's wholesale electricity and transmission services. The filing demonstrates that the acquisition is consistent with the public interest because it will not have an adverse effect on competition, rates, and regulation and will not result in any inappropriate cross-subsidization. The FERC has a 180-day statutory timeframe for consideration of the application. The application can be viewed at https://www.txnmenergy.com/investors/rates-and-filings/ferc-filings.aspx. About TXNM Energy: TXNM Energy (NYSE: TXNM), an energy utility holding company based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, delivers energy to more than 800,000 homes and businesses across Texas and New Mexico through its regulated utilities, TNMP and PNM. For more information, visit the company's website at www.TXNMEnergy.com . Contacts: Analysts Media Lisa Goodman Corporate Communications (505) 241-2160 (505) 241-2743 About Blackstone Infrastructure: Blackstone Infrastructure is an active investor across energy, transportation, digital infrastructure and water and waste infrastructure sectors. We seek to apply a long-term buy-and-hold strategy to large-scale infrastructure assets with a focus on delivering stable, long-term capital appreciation together with a predictable annual cash flow yield. Our approach to infrastructure investing is one that focuses on responsible stewardship and stakeholder engagement to create value for our investors and the communities we serve. Contact Paula Chirhart [email protected] 347-463-5453 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "should," "can," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "assumes," "guides," "targets," "forecasts," "is confident that" and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements generally include statements regarding the proposed merger, including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction, the ability to complete the merger, the expected benefits of the merger, projected financial information, future opportunities, and any other statements regarding TXNM's and Blackstone Infrastructure's future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, or future events or performance. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and estimates. TXNM's business, financial condition, cash flow, and operating results are influenced by many factors, which are often beyond its control, that can cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: the failure of Blackstone Infrastructure to obtain any equity, debt or other financing necessary to complete the merger; the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending merger, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the pending merger that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including in circumstances requiring TXNM to pay a termination fee; the possibility that TXNM's shareholders may not approve the merger agreement; the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed merger in a timely manner or at all; the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party to acquire our assets or capital stock that could interfere with the merger; the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the merger; risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed merger; the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of TXNM to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with its customers and suppliers, and on its operating results and businesses generally; the announcement and pendency of the merger, during which TXNM is subject to certain operating restrictions, could have an adverse effect on TXNM's businesses, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows; the costs incurred to consummate the merger; the risk that the price of TXNM's common stock may fluctuate during the pendency of the proposed transaction and may decline significantly if the proposed transaction is not completed; and other risks detailed in TXNM's filings with the SEC, including its most recent Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 , and in subsequently filed Forms 10-Q and 8-K, the Proxy Statement and in any other documents filed by TXNM with the SEC after the date thereof. Any such forward-looking statement is qualified by reference to these risks and factors. TXNM cautions against putting undue reliance on forward-looking statements or projecting any future results based on such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the particular statement, and TXNM does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement contained herein. Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed transaction between TXNM and affiliates of Blackstone Infrastructure, TXNM filed the Proxy Statement with the SEC. The Proxy Statement has been delivered to shareholders of TXNM entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF TXNM ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) FILED BY TXNM WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TXNM AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding the proposed transaction, free of charge, at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from TXNM's website (https://www.txnmenergy.com/) under the tab "Investor" and then under the heading "SEC Filings." Participants in the Solicitation TXNM and its directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about TXNM' directors and executive officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement, TXNM's definitive proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 1, 2025, TXNM's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025, and other documents subsequently filed by TXNM with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. SOURCE TXNM Energy, Inc. NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UAB Qbit Financial Service, a Lithuanian financial services provider, has recently issued an official clarification regarding certain media reports about a lawsuit involving the company. Previous online claims suggesting that UAB Qbit Financial Service was involved in a so-called "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam are outdated and false. In fact, the lawsuit was formally dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California on June 13, 2025, with the court explicitly confirming that UAB Qbit Financial Service engaged in no wrongdoing. Court Ruling: Case Permanently Closed After review, the U.S. court confirmed that UAB Qbit Financial Service committed no wrongdoing. Plaintiff Michael Mashkevich and the company signed a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal with Prejudice, permanently closing the case. Under U.S. law, a "dismissal with prejudice" means the case is conclusively resolved and the plaintiff cannot refile based on the same facts. In addition, the California lawsuit also referenced a separate 2023 case involving Bytechip, which shares the same Cayman parent company as UAB Qbit Financial Service but operates as a completely separate entity with independent core businesses. This reference was included because the plaintiff attempted to link the two companies during the litigation. However, according to court documents, the Bytechip case had already been concluded prior to this litigation, and the court did not find any impropriety or fault in Bytechip's handling of the funds. Regarding online content referring to the "UAB Qbit Financial Service lawsuit" or "pig butchering" allegations, the company reminds the public that these articles were published during the litigation process, do not reflect the final outcome, and are inconsistent with the current facts. The case has now been formally dismissed by the U.S. court, with the ruling further confirming UAB Qbit Financial Service's compliance with applicable regulations. The company reserves the right to take legal action against the dissemination of false information. As a financial services provider, UAB Qbit Financial Service adheres to the highest international standards of compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, continuously strengthening its risk management framework to protect the safety of client funds and business operations worldwide. SOURCE Qbit A CARLOW man has been remanded in custody in connection with a 3 million drugs bust at Rosslare Europort. 51-year-old Tony Abbey, of Tullow, came before Judge Mirian Walsh at a Special Sitting of Gorey District Court this afternoon (Monday). Mr Abbey is charged with two drugs offences, the possession of cannabis and the possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply at Rosslare Europort on Saturday 22 August. Revenue Officers seized approximately 150.6kg of suspected herbal cannabis, following the search of the truck which had disembarked the ferry. The drugs were discovered as the result of routine profiling, when a truck that had disembarked a ferry from Bilbao, Spain, was stopped and searched by Custom Officers at Rosslare Europort. Detective Garda Stephen Burke told the court that at 4pm on 24 August, he charged the accused after caution at Wexford Garda Station. Det Burke said the accused made no reply after each charge was put to him. Det Burke told the court that the accused man is an international haulier and travelled the continent between Ireland and Europe. Given the seriousness of the charges and the fact that he deemed the accused a flight risk he was objecting to an application for bail. Defence solicitor, Chris Hogan, said the accused man had cooperated fully with Custom Officers during the course of the search of the truck. The accused had left Ireland with a load of fish and was on the way back from Spain to collect another load. When Mr Hogan put it to Det Burke that the accused man had cooperated, the investigating garda told the court that investigations are ongoing internationally and in Ireland. Tony Abbey, the accused in evidence, said he had been nearly twenty-five years operating in the haulage business. He said that he had cooperated with gardai and would help them in any way required. He added that if granted bail he would abide by the conditions as laid down by the court. Replying to a question by Sgt Victor Isdell, he said he had travelled through Bilbao to Rosslare Europort, adding, that he operated one truck. He said his Passport is with gardai while he is separated from his former wife. Sgt Isdell told the court the defendant constituted a flight risk and gardai were objecting to bail. Mr Hogan argued the court should take into account the presumption of innocence in deciding on the application. The evidence before the court is that the accused has resided at the same address, is a businessman, has never been before the courts previously, while he cooperated fully with gardai. Mr. Hogan added that there is sufficient evidence that can be put in place to mitigate against any garda concerns, while there is an independent surety available to the court. In summing up, Judge Walsh said she would grant bail, on an independent surety of 40,000, and a surety of 20,000 from the accused, with evidence of the monies being available being provided from bank accounts. Judge Walsh also ordered that the accused sign on twice a day at Tullow Garda Station, observe a curfew from 11pm to 7am, while also providing a mobile phone number, and not to apply for any travel documents. The accused was remanded in custody, with consent to bail, to appear before Wexford District Court on Wednesday at 10.30am. A NEW local podcast series will shine a spotlight on local creatives and their work. Creativity takes many forms a handwoven textile, a piece of original art, a digital design, a craft steeped in heritage and each carries within it a story. Carlow County Council's economic development section, with the Library Service, is bringing those stories to life in a new way with the launch of Creativity Chats, a six-part podcast series presented by Alan Swan and funded by Creative Ireland. At its heart, the series is about transformation: how crafts, art, and design can move from passion projects to sustainable income streams, and how creative voices, both local and international, can inspire each other. Speaking about the significance of the initiative, Cllr Ken Murnane, Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, said: "Supporting craft and creative practitioners is not just about providing opportunities to grow their businesses, it's also about sharing stories that connect us to each other and to our place. Creativity Chats gives our community the chance to learn from creative journeys, both local and international, and to see how passion can become purpose." The Creativity Chats podcast series takes listeners on a journey through Irish creativity, exploring how crafts, art, and design can become sustainable enterprises. Across six episodes, distinguished contributors share inspiring stories, practical advice, and expert insights to guide creatives on their professional journeys. The series includes Cultural Capital: Tapping into Local Identity for Global Appeal, presented by Roisin DeBuitlear, shows how heritage and storytelling can create unique, globally resonant products. In The Future of Work: Creativity in the Digital Economy Sheelagh Moloney shares a game-changing guide to building visibility, crafting your story, and connecting with the right people. Crafting Success: Monetising Your Creative Skills, presented by Aisling Kearney Burke, highlighting how creative entrepreneurs turn their artistry into viable livelihoods and exploring funding, mentorship, and collaborative opportunities. In Sustainable Creativity: Balancing Passion and Planet Yosef Dvores examines eco-conscious design and sustainable practices that align passion with environmental responsibility. Creative Networking: Building Bridges in the Sector, with Calodagh McCumiskey, explores collaboration and cross-sector partnerships, demonstrating how connection can amplify impact and open new opportunities. Finally, The Business of Creativity: Essential Tools for Growth, with Sophie Broadhead, offers a practical roadmap for managing and scaling creative ventures, covering business planning, financial management, and digital marketing. The series was developed by SwanMcG, with Alan Swan serving as the presenter throughout the podcast. Speaking about the project, Alan said: "Creativity Chats is designed to shine a light on the incredible talent within our creative communities and to share experience to assist develop each other. Each episode gives listeners an inside look at how artists, designers, and makers can transform their passion into sustainable, thriving enterprises. We wanted to create a platform where stories are shared, lessons are learned, and inspiration flows freely, helping both emerging and established creatives navigate the opportunities and challenges of their industries." Across all episodes, Creativity Chats celebrates the journeys, expertise, and ambitions of Irish creatives, offering a rich tapestry of advice, inspiration, and practical tools. The series underscores the idea that creativity is not just an art form, but a pathway to sustainable careers, community engagement, and global impact. For Kieran Comerford, head of economic development & enterprise, the series represents more than just a podcast. "Carlow has a strong and growing creative community. This project is about giving creatives the tools, inspiration, and networks they need to succeed. By connecting practical business advice with cultural and creative passion, we are building a future where creative enterprise can flourish," Mr Comerford added: "Later in September, the Carlow and wider Irish craft community will have the opportunity to engage directly through a series of digital coffee talks, providing practitioners with a chance to connect, share, and learn from the contributors." That vision is echoed by Caitriona Roberts, Creative Communities Engagement Officer in Carlow Arts Office, who emphasises the role of Creative Ireland in making the series possible. "Creative Ireland is about connecting creativity to community. Creativity Chats is a perfect example of how we can support local talent, share knowledge, and inspire others. These stories remind us of the value of creativity not only as art but also as enterprise and innovation.". Catriona continued that "together, the podcasts and Coffee Talks create a living resource a place where creativity, enterprise, and community meet." For John Shortall, Carlow County Librarian, the storytelling element is particularly powerful: "Libraries have always been about sharing stories and knowledge. What's exciting about Creativity Chats is how it connects that tradition to today's creative economy. Everybody can learn from everybody whether you're a maker, a business owner, or simply someone who loves hearing the stories of creativity in action." Creativity Chats will be available to download from all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. The first episode went online last Thursday and will be published weekly until end September. A NEW CT scanner for St Lukes General Hospital Carlow Kilkenny is now a step closer. Once operational, the state-of-the-art scanner will improve access to vital diagnostic scans, speeding up treatment pathways and reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for timely care. Minister of State at the Department of Health with special responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane OConnor TD, confirmed that the project is advancing to the next stage. She said: I was in touch with the HSE to check on the status of a second CT machine for our local hospital, St Lukes, as I know this is eagerly anticipated by both staff and patients in the region. I look forward to seeing the new facility once its operational. Im told that the existing CT room will be upgraded and a new CT scanner, along with a modern ventilation system, will be installed. The project made progress last week with the Strategic Healthcare Framework (SHIF) template receiving approval from the Capital Planning Expert Group. This means a new CT scanner is now a step closer for the people of the south-east. The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris TD, and Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, are due to visit St Lukes General Hospital in Kilkenny later this week. Minister Murnane OConnor added: I will be taking the opportunity to highlight the importance of progressing the new CT scanner at St Lukes, along with other pressing local issues. I will also meet hospital management and ensure the government is fully briefed on the facilities at St Lukes, which are vital to safeguarding the well-being of people in the region who need timely access to treatment and diagnostics. The only ranking that tells you both is the Washington Monthly's revised and expanded 2025 College Guide WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Washington Monthly magazine today is releasing its 2025 college rankings, which upend everything you thought you knew about which colleges are the best. Other college rankings, like those by U.S. News, reward universities for their wealth, prestige, and exclusivityensuring that the top ranks are always dominated by the same 10 or 20 elite schools, which few students can get into, much less afford. By contrast, the Washington Monthly measures colleges and universities by how much they help ordinary middle- and working-class students get ahead economically and become good citizens. Those are the outcomes most Americansstudents and taxpayerswant from their investments in the higher ed system. As a result, half of the top-scoring institutions on the Washington Monthly's Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars list are hidden gems that most students don't know aboutand that in many cases outperform elite universities. The University of TexasRio Grande Valley ranks 21 slots above Harvard University . . Florida International University places eight positions above Duke University . places eight positions above . The highest-ranking elite school, Princeton University , comes in at number five, immediately below three campuses in the California State University system, including second-place Fresno State . , comes in at number five, immediately below three campuses in the system, including second-place . The number one college in America, according to the Washington Monthly, is Berea College , a liberal arts school in rural Kentucky . Berea offers a high-quality education for close to zero tuition, thanks to a work-study program that reduces costs and gives students valuable job skills. To help students in their college search, the magazine offers short profiles of 25 of these high performing schoolsranging from world-renowned Johns Hopkins University to unsung regional public universities like Northeastern State University in Oklahoma and the University of Central Florida. With growing federal attacks on higher education and public concerns about its value, the Washington Monthly in 2025 has revised its rankingsfirst published in 2005to provide an even clearer picture of how individual colleges are performing. Its Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars ranking combines all four-year colleges and universities into a single master list that allows readers to see how any college or universitypublic or private, big or smallstacks up against all the others. The magazine has also created two new companion rankings: America's Best Colleges for Research, which shows that the universities driving innovation aren't just in blue statesand neither is the damage from the Trump administration's research cuts. America's Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges, created in collaboration with the nonprofit Excelencia in Education. The 20th anniversary issue of the annual Washington Monthly College Guide and Ranking also includes "best bang for the buck" listings by region and rankings of liberal arts, bachelor's, and master's institutions. All are available at www.washingtonmonthly.com/2025-college-guide . Washington Monthly editor-in-chief Paul Glastris says, "Our changes take account of new realities facing higher education. We've revamped our methodology to focus even more squarely on what we think Americans most want from our colleges and universities: that they help students of modest means earn degrees that pay off in the marketplace, don't saddle them with heavy debt, and prepareindeed, encouragethem to become active members of our democracy." Praise for Washington Monthly's Approach At a time when consensus is lacking on most matters, the Washington Monthly college rankings receive positive reviews from top education leaders. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona says, "Rankings should not reward colleges for the students they keep out, but those they admit and support through graduation. By doing just that, Washington Monthly's rankings are a vital resource for students, parents, and taxpayers alike." Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says, "If you want to know what really counts in higher education, look at the Monthly's rankingsyou'll find some welcome surprises." Mark Schneider, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and former director of the National Center for Education Statistics, says, "I appreciate the Washington Monthly's focus on active citizenship, economic mobility, and the attention it gives to regional 'comprehensive' universities the 'workhorses' of America's higher education that seldom get the recognition they deserve." The 20th anniversary college rankings issue also includes these hard-hitting stories: What Trump Hath Wrought The administration's policies aren't reforming higher education. They're decimating it. by Kevin Carey Florida's Fresh-Squeezed Colleges The Sunshine State's universities are in the top tier of the Washington Monthly's rankings thanks to strong public governance. That same centralized system gives Ron DeSantis the power to impose his conservative ideology in the classroom. by Christopher M. Mullin The Best and Worst Colleges in New York From the Bronx to Greenwich Village, we ranked the schools that serve their studentsand the ones that serve themselves. by Nate Weisberg Stop Ranking Colleges by Anxiety Level Free speech advocates and DEI supporters both focus on how comfortable students feel expressing themselves. But the real question is whether professors expose students to the full range of scholarly debate on divisive issues. by Jon A. Shields Trump's Vocational Education Con The president promised to revitalize vocational training and help the working class. Instead, he's cutting workforce programs by a third while targeting universities with political theater. by Bill Scher Student Loan Debt: What Went Wrong and How to Fix It The history of student loan debt shows how noble programs and soaring tuition have often left too many students underwater. Fortunately, there are ways to fix the problem. by James Kvaal MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Shapiro [email protected] 202-427-3603 SOURCE Washington Monthly A Lookout Mountain man was killed on Saturday afternoon and his wife and child severely injured when a man being chased by deputies ran into their vehicle head-on. Family members said Brandon Franks, of the West Brow community, was killed when the fleeing vehicle went into his lane of travel at an intersection. His family members were airlifted as was the driver of the Mercedes that hit their Honda CRV. The Gordon County Sheriff's Office said the chase began when the Mercedes passed a patrol vehicle and almost hit it. A pursuit began that led off the freeway to State Route 53 Bypass. The wreck happened at the intersection of the Bypass and Rome Road. Here is the information from the Gordon County Sheriff's Office: At about 2:40 p.m. today (August 23) a deputy sheriff was on I-75 South Bound at the Exit 317 entrance ramp when a Mercedes automobile passed his patrol car, nearly striking it. The deputy followed the car, which was driving erratically, making rapid lane changes, to Exit 312 (Fairmount Highway). When the deputy attempted to stop the Mercedes, the The deputy followed the car, which was driving erratically, making rapid lane changes, to Exit 312 (Fairmount Highway). When the deputy attempted to stop the Mercedes, the driver aggressively sped away at a high rate of speed, initiating a pursuit. The deputy, soon joined by other deputies, pursued the Mercedes east on Fairmount Highway to the intersection with the State Route 53 Bypass near Blackwood. The violator turned onto the Bypass and continued fleeing back toward Calhoun, with deputies giving chase. The violator drove at speeds well in excess of 100 miles per hour, recklessly outpacing the deputies, until he reached the intersection of the Bypass and State Route 53/Rome Road. At this intersection the violator recklessly, irresponsibly, and in total disregard for the safety of any other person, made the decision to cross the roadway and drive the wrong way into oncoming (westbound) traffic. The deputies did not pursue the violator into the oncoming traffic. Within a few seconds, the violator struck a Honda CRV head on. One occupant was killed and two others severely injured. The deputies immediately began attempting to remove the injured from the cars, both of which were burning, and administering first aid. Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Service personnel arrived swiftly to extricate and treat the injured. Three persons were airlifted away by heliborne ambulance. The violator, himself severely hurt, has not been positively identified. The Georgia State Patrol is conducting the investigation of the crash, in conjunction with the County Coroner. 12/12/2025 Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report. (If your case is dismissed, just email us your name and date we ran it and we will promptly take off. Email to news@chattanoogan.com ) ALLGOOD,KEVIN ... more To Governor Lee and Tennessee legislators who might not have had the opportunity to serve in Active Military Service or the National Guard, I would suggest a ride along in the back of of an M-35 Truck or Humvee for at least a couple of weeks as our Tennessee National Guard deploy to Washington, DC.I know it might be inconvenient to leave your job and other duties, but that is part of the learning experience of serving.You might also want to take along a pocket version of the Constitution to read in your down time.Both the experience and the reading of the Constitution will be highly informative should you aspire to higher office.The current POTUS did not avail himself of either of those opportunities, and it shows.When I got out of the Army, I went back to the University of Alabama to complete a degree. We lived in the dilapidated married student housing, along with a lot of returning vets. Don Loftis, who later became superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, was our neighbor. He was an Army helicopter pilot who was coming back to work on his PhD.The Sheriff of Tuscaloosa County was also the commander of an armored brigade in the Alabama National Guard. One weekend he came out to our complex and put on a steak dinner for the vets and other residents. Steak dinners were pretty unusual and highly prized in the married student ghetto, so we all enthusiastically showed up.At an opportune time the sheriff spoke, thanked us for our service and then made a good pitch for joining the National Guard. Our service obligations were complete so we could serve at our own pleasure and pick up some extra money for one weekend a month. It sounded good to me and a lot of others. National Guard pay, plus the G.I.Bill, plus my old job back working the third shift at the refineries around Tuscaloosa for the Highway Department. We were in high cotton.Two weeks after I joined the Guard, an F-5 tornado removed the town of Brent, Al. from the map and we were activated. Thats how it goes in the Guard. Its never convenient or expected.When I moved to Chattanooga with IBM, my banker, Lee Burgess, a fellow Alabama alum, convinced me to again join the Guard on the same basis. Over the course of the next four years or so, we deployed for weather events and civil disorders quite a few times.Civil disorders were the worst duty. It was stressful interacting with crowds. It was stressful making sure we didnt have an incident like Kent State. We were trained in riot control, but not in policing (except for MP units).I went to college during the Civil Distress of the sixties. I served in the Army and the Guard during the 70s. I know those emotions that troops and citizens feel.Using the National Guard or Active Military forces for political or capricious reasons is the act of an irresponsible, unconstitutional and authoritarian government.If it is rolled out on some basis like party politics, or election influence or FBI statistics, we might very well find troops on Tennessee streets.I am more than a little bit disappointed by the actions of Governor Lee and the other Republican governors who have committed National Guard troops for police duty in Washington D. C.David Crockett Lieutenant Commander Hugh Lester Campbell of Lafayette, was the first U.S. serviceman to shoot down a Japanese plane during the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. Over 2,400 Americans were killed in the attack. Mr. Campbell joined the Navy in 1932 and was serving on the U.S.S. Sumner when the surprise attack happened. In a special dedication on Dec. 7, 2022, the city of Lafayette named the intersection of Highway 27 and Warthen Street after the Naval officer. In a radio interview with this writer on Dec. 7, 1984, Mr. Campbell said he was on the U.S.S. Arizona for six years but transferred. Mr. Campbell died on March 3, 1993, and was buried in his home city of Lafayette. Click here to listen to Mr. Campbell describe what happened. LiveOnNY Brings Together Organ Donor Family and Recipient for an Emotional First-Time Meeting NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a moving testament to the power of organ donation, the family of 70-year-old organ donor Claire Rossi met the man whose life she saved underscoring the powerful truth that age is never a barrier to saving lives. Last week for the first time, Claire Rossis family and the recipient of Claire's gift of life, Carlos Riley, came together for an emotional meeting to share gratitude, stories, and the enduring impact of Claires generosity that gave Carlos a second chance at life. The meeting took place at LiveOnNY's offices in New York City, where the donor's family, the recipient and his loved ones, and LiveOnNY staff came together. The federally designated organ procurement organization which advocates for donors and their families and coordinates the complex logistics that make the gift of life possible in the greater New York area hosted the emotional gathering. Claire, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and lifelong giver from Queens and Long Island, became an organ donor hero in 2024. When she passed away, her family said "yes" to donation, knowing it was what Claire would have wanted. "My mother's love language was giving, and donation was her final, most selfless gift," said AnnaLisa Rossi, Claire's daughter. "Saying yes to donation has brought us comfort, because we know she lives on through the gift she gave. Meeting Carlos for the first time was such a powerful and emotional moment for our family it truly felt like a part of her was still here with us." In February 2024, Claire's gift of life saved the life of 65-year-old Carlos Riley, a husband, father, and grandfather who was in need of a liver transplant. Last week, for the first time, Claire's family and the recipient came together to share gratitude, stories, and the enduring impact of Claire's generosity. "Claire is my angel she saved my life, and I wouldn't be here today without her and her family," said Riley, liver recipient. "Through her gift, I not only received a second chance at life, but I also gained a new family. If Claire were here today, I know a simple 'thank you' would never be enough, but I am forever grateful." "This meeting is remarkable in so many ways it's a celebration of life, love, and legacy," said Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP, President and CEO of LiveOnNY. "It's also an important reminder that there is no age limit for giving the gift of life to others as an organ and tissue donor. Older individuals can and do save lives every day if they are medically suitable. Claire's gift proves that you're never too old to give the gift of life." With advancements in medicine and improved transplant outcomes, older donors are saving more lives than ever before. LiveOnNY is proud to lead the nation in honoring organ donors over the age of 65, ensuring that every potential gift is considered and every lifesaving opportunity is pursued. Nearly 20% of donors at LiveOnNY are over the age of 65. Since 2022, 31.5 percent of all donors have been age 60 and older, including 18.7 percent age 65 and older and 9.2 percent age 70 and older. ABOUT LIVEONNY LiveOnNY is a federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) committed to honoring, saving, and transforming lives through organ and tissue donation. Established in 1978, LiveOnNY collaborates with more than 100 area hospitals, providing support to donor families and transplant recipients. The OPO serves a diverse population of 13 million people of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, and Rockland counties. Recognized as one of the nation's top-performing OPOs, LiveOnNY and the people of New York have increased organ donation by 85% over the past five years. To learn more, visit LiveOnNY.org SOURCE LiveOnNY Dr. Dennis Michael Franklin Dr. Mark Kilgore Lee Waller Dr. Kostas Stamatiadis Dr. Leonardo Rosario Dr. Lynn Whelan Previous Next Lee University welcomes six new faculty to its campus for the upcoming year: two in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, one in the Communication Arts Department, and one each to the School of Business, School of Music, and School of Nursing. Dr. Dennis Michael Franklin joins the Department of Mathematical Sciences as a professor of computer science. In addition to teaching, he will work with both the computer science and engineering programs to continue course and curriculum development, research, and secure industry partnerships. Dr. Franklin earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Georgia State University, a Master of Science (MS) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and his Bachelor of Science (BS) from Southern Polytechnic University. He has experience as a chief information officer and chief technology officer, working with government agencies in the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Franklin is an international speaker on AI, machine learning, robotics, and high-performance computing. Dr. Mark Kilgore joins the Department of Mathematical Sciences as an assistant professor of engineering. He will teach courses such as Introduction to Engineering and Engineering Dynamics and will collaborate with other faculty to assist the project architects in finalizing the components of the new engineering building opening in the fall of 2026. He also serves on the advisory board of the Construction Management and Engineering College at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Kilgore earned his PhD and Master of Engineering from the University of Florida and his MS and BS from Southern Polytechnic State University. He brings over 40 years of experience in the engineering and construction industries, having designed and managed residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the southeastern United States. His family also operates a forensic engineering firm specializing in the investigation of structural failures and construction defects in support of insurance defense. Lee Waller joins the Communication Arts Department as an associate lecturer of cinema. With over a decade of part-time teaching experience at Lee and more than 20 years in the universitys media services department, Mr. Waller brings extensive industry and institutional knowledge. He will teach courses in film production and digital media content creation, including cinematography, audio production for film, motion media design, and visual effects. Mr. Waller earned his Master of Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design and his BS from Lee University. He has produced visual content as a motion designer, cinematographer, videographer, editor, visual effects artist, and audio specialist. His projects include promotional content, social media, live video productions, documentaries, and short films. Dr. Kostas Stamatiadis joins the School of Business as an assistant professor of business and will teach courses such as Business Analytics, Management Science, and Project Management. He focuses on both theory and practice, mentoring students to prepare for careers in technology-driven sectors. Dr. Stamatiadis earned his Doctor of Business Administration from Florida International University, his Master of Business Administration from California State University, and a Bachelor in Arts from Panteion University. He has a multidisciplinary international background encompassing engineering, construction management, real estate development, and finance. His professional engagements span the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy, working with prominent firms including AT&T, American Tower, Lucent, British Telecom, and Nokia. Dr. Leonardo Rosario joins the School of Music as an assistant professor of strings and conductor of the Lee University Orchestra. He will also teach applied violin and viola. Dr. Rosario earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Music from the Boston Conservatory, and a Bachelor in Music from Sao Paulo State University. He has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral player in over 10 countries. In recent years, he has expanded into conducting, leading youth and community ensembles with a focus on collaborative growth. Dr. Lynn Whelan joins the School of Nursing as an associate professor of nursing. She will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses and serve as coordinator of the Transformational Executive Nurse Leadership track in Lees Doctor of Nursing Practice program. She has over 40 years of nursing experience, with clinical specialties in cardiology and neurology. Dr. Whelan has a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Emory University School of Nursing, and a Bachelor of Nursing from Kennesaw College. She has held leadership positions across a range of healthcare settings, including for-profit, nonprofit, and academic hospitals. Her teaching experience includes roles as adjunct faculty at Emory University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Most recently, she taught in the accelerated MSN program at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close An evangelism event hosted by Pulse Evangelism in Benton, Arkansas, on August 8-9, 2025. | Photo Credit: Facebook/ Pulse Evangelism A two-day evangelism event held in Benton, Arkansas, earlier this month attracted 45,000 attendees and resulted in over 1,100 individuals committing their lives to Jesus. The event, organized by Pulse Evangelism and known as Amplify 2025, featured a combination of music, prayer, and faith testimonies that drew people from 37 states between August 8 and 9. Nick Hall, founder and evangelist of Pulse, shared with The Christian Post via email that more than 20,000 people received evangelism training during the event. 1,226 attendees responded to the Gospel, a term Hall used to describe those who made a first-time commitment to Jesus, rededicated their lives, or asked questions about Jesus. Among these responses, 586 individuals made their first-ever commitment to Jesus, 566 rededicated their lives, and 74 asked questions about Jesus. Amplify was founded in 2012 with the goal of sharing the Gospel with as many people as possible, Hall explained. The mission has remained unchanged, and every year that we have been a part of Amplify, we have been blown away by the response and what God does over those two days. Our goal is for every person to hear about Jesus and be equipped to share Him with others. Each year, we aim to unite people under the banner of Jesus with powerful music, Gospel-centered messages, and evangelism training, he added. The two-day event featured performances by multiple artists, including Lecrae, Matthew West, Maverick City Music, Switchfoot, Terrian, and Jamie MacDonald, among others. Hall noted that the event was free to attend and received significant local support from the community in Saline County, including 700 volunteers and first responders. In addition, 16 young people from the Pulse 100 evangelism training program shared their faith stories on the main stage and at workshops, helping to train others in evangelism. Concerning the decision of many to follow Christ, Hall explained that his organization connected these individuals with volunteers called Pulse digital responders. Regarding the high turnout, especially among young people, Hall expressed his belief that the country is seeing a generation rise up that is running toward Jesus. He emphasized, If youve been wondering where the young people are, I can tell you this: theyre back. That should excite us and challenge us. Now is the time to run hard after this generation and meet them where they are with the life-changing truth of the Gospel. Pastor Tony Evans, who has stepped away from Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church, delivered a speech at The Family Leadership Summit in Iowa on July 11, 2025. | Screenshot: YouTube/ The FAMiLY Leader Pastor Tony Evans, just over a year after stepping down as leader of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Texas, has resumed preaching. Last month, Evans participated in the FAMiLY Leadership Summit held in Iowa, which was hosted by The FAMiLY Leader and led by President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats. In his speech titled Principle Over Politics, Evans emphasized that Christians are called to promote the principles of God's Kingdom across every sphere of life on Earth. He stated, Gods not going to skip the church house to fix the White House. It will be the job of the Church of Jesus Christ to birth a generation of followers of Christ who progressively grow to representing Christ in the statehouse, in the White House, in the schoolhouse and in the culture who arent dumbed down by the culture but who are impactful for the culture, he said. Evans also shared a vision, saying, My brothers and sisters, one day, theres a big show coming to town. God is the producer, the Holy Spirit is the director, Jesus is the superstar, and it will be a worldwide production. Its called the Kingdom of God, he said. He continued, But in the meantime, He has left you and me here as previews of coming attractions. See, were supposed to be the hot clips of the upcoming show. People are supposed to see the clips of our presence and impact and the culture and say that clip is hot and raise the question, Where can I buy a ticket to the whole show? he added. In June 2024, Evans revealed that after 48 years of leading his church, he had fallen short of biblical standards many years prior, which led to his stepping away from his ministry. While he did not specify what the sin was, he clarified that he had not broken secular laws. The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God, Evans explained in his confession. He stated, A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me, he said. Evans also acknowledged, While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders. It remains unclear whether Evans has been restored to his ministry. 200,000 Christians protested against an anti-conversion law in a village in Arunachal Pradesh, India, on March 6, 2025. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Frontier Herald The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2025 last Wednesday, enacting some of the toughest penalties in India for forced religious conversion, including sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presided over the August 13 cabinet meeting that approved the legislation, which will be presented in the upcoming three-day monsoon session of the state assembly that started Tuesday. The ruling BJP maintains a comfortable majority in the assembly. The original Freedom of Religion Act was introduced in Uttarakhand in 2018 and was first amended in 2022. The latest amendment significantly raises the penalties from the previous maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a $575 fine. Under the new rules, general cases of forced conversion will now carry a sentence of three to 10 years with a $575 fine. For cases involving minors, women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, disabled individuals, or those with mental challenges, the punishment will be five to 14 years of imprisonment and a minimum of $11,500. Mass conversions are punishable by seven to 14 years in jail, and conversions involving foreign or external funding will also result in a sentence of seven to 14 years along with at least $11,500 in fines. The strictest punishment of 20 years to life imprisonment, along with a minimum fine of $11,500, applies to conversions carried out through force, threats, inducements, trafficking, or promises of marriage. People concealing their religion for marriage purposes could face three to 10 years in prison and a nearly $3,500 fine. The bill broadens the definition of allurement to include any gift, gratification, easy money or material benefit, whether in cash or kind, employment, or by invoking divine displeasure. Officials mentioned that promises of a better life and free education in religious institutions would also be considered forms of allurement. Furthermore, portraying the practices, rituals and ceremonies of any religion or any integral part thereof in a prejudicial manner in relation to any other religion; or glorifying one religion as against another will also be considered allurement, an official stated. The legislation also introduces stricter enforcement measures. All offenses are now cognizable and non-bailable, and can only be tried in sessions courts. Police are authorized to arrest suspects without warrants, and bail will only be granted if courts are convinced of the accuseds innocence and the likelihood of reoffending. District magistrates will have extensive powers to seize properties obtained from a crime related to religious conversion even before court cognizance. They can appoint administrators to manage seized properties with police assistance if necessary. The bill provides free legal aid, accommodation, maintenance, medical facilities, and other support for victims of forced conversions, with their identities kept confidential. A special government scheme ensures immediate assistance for those affected. Home News 8 children seized from Christian orphanage in 2019 released after mental breakdown Eight of the 16 children taken from a Christian orphanage in Nigeria in 2019 were released this month after one of them suffered a mental breakdown. The others remain in government custody, with a court-mandated deadline for their return still unmet. The children had been seized during police and anti-trafficking raids on Dec. 25 and 31, 2019, targeting the Du Merci orphanages in Kano and Kaduna states. Twenty-seven children in total were removed from the facilities, and 16 were transferred to the government-run Nasarawa Childrens Home in Kano City, where they remained for over four years. The release occurred last Wednesday, one day after an older girl left the government orphanage and made her way to the Du Merci office in Kano, sources informed Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Staff at the facility reportedly struggled to respond to her mental health condition, describing erratic behaviour including talking to herself, packing her belongings, and repeatedly demanding to be allowed to return home. Although she was taken back to the government-run facility, officials released her and seven other older children the next day. All eight children joined their adoptive parents, Du Merci co-founders Professor Solomon Musa Tarfa and his wife, at their home in Plateau State a day later. The younger eight remain in state custody, with their release pending a review by the Kano State Attorney General of a consent judgment issued by the Kano State High Court. That ruling, which remains in force, had required all 16 children to be returned to the Tarfas no later than March 19, 2025. Among those still in custody are three children transferred in January 2021 to a remote facility reportedly owned by a former Kano governor. They were allegedly forced to recite Arabic prayers, attend a mosque and study the Quran. Their names were also reportedly changed. The Tarfas issued a statement thanking their lawyer for securing the partial release, but remain deeply concerned for the children still held in government custody. They have launched a petition calling for the full return of all 16 children. "While we are relieved by the return of the eight children, we are alarmed that the youngest, who are in the greatest need of parental care and guidance, remain in same government orphanage where conditions precipitated the mental breakdown of their older sibling," CSW CEO Scot Bower said in a statement. "It is deeply disturbing that the Kano State authorities continue to defy the High Court order for their release, and effectively to detain these children arbitrarily. The absence of their elder siblings leaves them incredibly vulnerable." In 2021, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that the 16 children taken from Du Merci and their adoptive father had been detained without legal justification. It called for their immediate release and recommended compensation and reparations under international law. Tarfa was arrested in December 2019 and held in pre-trial detention for around a year. In June 2021, Taraf was acquitted of abducting 19 children from their legal guardians. In 2023, he was acquitted of a second charge of forging a certificate of registration for his orphanages, an allegation he denied. In a separate case, officers from the same anti-trafficking agency in Kano reportedly removed eight children from an orphanage in Asaba, Delta State, while its founder was attending church. The children, said to be Igbo Christians from southeastern Nigeria who did not speak Hausa, were transferred to the Nasarawa Childrens Home in Kano, CSW notes. Reports claim that they had their names changed and are being made to attend a mosque. The Asaba orphanages founder reported the removal to the Delta State Commissioner of Women Affairs, who sent a letter to the Kano office of the anti-trafficking agency. The agency has denied receiving the communication. Home News Attorneys urge DOJ to 'bring action' in case of Christian boys suspended for complaint about girl in locker room Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) in Virginia has come under fire after suspending two boys and charging them with sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination. The boys offense? Asking why a girl was in their boys locker room. One legal group is urging the U.S. Department of Justice to "bring action to correct this wrong. The incident occurred in March when a female student, who identifies as male, at Stone Bridge High School located roughly 35 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. 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. Attorneys with the Founding Freedoms Law Center (FFLC) say the 10-day suspensions the boys received threaten their academic records and future. One boy faces additional penalties, including a no-contact order and a requirement to work with the administration on a correction plan. The suspensions will keep both boys out of school for the first two weeks of the academic year. Notably, one student, who no longer resides in the district, was still disciplined, raising concerns about LCPS intent to target students who challenge its gender policies, a FFLC spokesperson said. In June, LCPS dismissed a "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 FFLC, the legal arm of The Family Foundation. FFLC attorneys say they are preparing to defend the boys and ensure the districts correction plan doesn't become a tool for indoctrination. The Center also raised questions about apparent inconsistencies in LCPS rulings, noting that a Muslim boy facing similar allegations was acquitted, while the two boys from Christian families were found guilty. Renae Smith, mother of one of the boys, said she fears the charges could impact her sons long-term future. My heart is devastated by the injustice of branding a 16-year-old boy with a guilty determination that could follow him for life, simply because he dared to state the obvious that his privacy was violated when the opposite sex was allowed in his locker room, and even to the point where he was videotaped secretly, said Smith. Seth Wolfe, father of the other boy, called the punishment a consequence of LCPS ideological agenda. Our son has become the latest casualty of Loudoun Countys woke indoctrination policies. Instead of protecting students privacy and acknowledging biological reality, the school system is punishing innocent boys with trumped-up charges that could jeopardize their college and career futures. Every parent should be alarmed because if it can happen to our child, it can happen to yours. Victoria Cobb, president of the FFLC, condemned the school districts actions: Weve seen time and time again that Loudoun County, if given the opportunity to do the right thing, will instead do the wrong thing. LCPS once again shows it is willing to harm students in the name of woke ideology. Punishing boys for raising legitimate privacy concerns is outrageous. To punish boys who complain that a biological girl is in their changing area is a top-down effort to normalize unacceptable privacy invasions, Cobb said. Josh Hetzler, legal counsel for the families, criticized LCPS actions as a violation of federal law, adding, "By making an example out of these boys and punishing them for complaining about a girl being in their locker room, LCPS shows its defiance of the U.S. Department of Educations Title IX compliance demands. Going forward, FFLC will "explore all" legal options even as it urges the U.S. Department of Justice to "bring action to correct this wrong, Hetzler added. 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Authorities detained the 39-year-old citizen of China on Thursday, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. Xie had been arrested the previous day and charged with using interstate commerce facilities to run a prostitution business. "As alleged, Xie, who does not have lawful status in the United States, ran a prostitution business out of massage parlors and failed to stop even after law enforcement searched one of those parlors last year," Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said. "My Office will continue to work with our partners to ensure those who sexually exploit people for profit are held accountable." Xie allegedly paid to promote her business online, according to the complaint, which also noted the sexually explicit nature of several of the advertisements. The charges against the spa owner could result in her serving five years in prison and paying a fine of at least $250,000, according to the attorney's office. The latest charge is not the first time that authorities have found evidence of commercial sex acts at a business operated by Xie. In October 2024, law enforcement conducted a search at Xie's Moon Spa in East Greenbush, New York, where they seized evidence of commercial sex acts. Despite law enforcement's previous investigation into one of her spas, authorities suspect that Xie continued to operate similar businesses that employed women to engage in sex acts with customers. Craig L. Tremaroli, the special agent in charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Criminal Investigation, declared that Xie's arrest should "send a message" that the FBI will collaborate with law enforcement partners to "shut down these disturbing illicit businesses and ensure those who operate them are brought to justice." New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said that Xie had "no regard for the impact [her] actions would have on the safety and well-being of others." "Intercepting illegal businesses will continue to be a top priority and integral part of protecting our communities from the associated harm they bring," James said. Earlier this year in Michigan, the Farmington Hills Police Department worked alongside the human trafficking task force and the prosecutor's office to investigate a human trafficking enterprise involving illicit massage parlors. In April, Paul Richard Katterman II was charged with allegedly helping his wife, Zixuan Wan, traffic four non-English-speaking women from China. The four women worked at three different locations in Farmington Hills, Westland and Commerce Township. Katterman's wife was charged by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office in March, but faced new charges in April, including money laundering, conducting a criminal enterprise and failure to file taxes. Another massage parlor in San Diego shut down in 2024 after an investigation the previous year found evidence suggesting that prostitution took place there. According to the police, the noises coming from the massage parlor disturbed a neighboring youth Bible study that gathered at a nearby location. During an investigation into the Ocean Spa Massage Parlor that spanned more than 125 hours, undercover police had four spa employees offer sex to them. Law enforcement also arrested four suspects and discovered almost 1,300 online sexual ads for the parlor spanning five years. Home News Religious schools can't be barred from credit program over faith statements, judge rules A federal judge has struck down restrictions preventing the participation of faith-based colleges in a dual enrollment program in Minnesota as unconstitutional, allowing high school students to receive college credit at such institutions of higher education for work completed in high school. In a ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Brasel sided with Minnesota parents seeking to allow their children to obtain postsecondary education credits at faith-based institutions of higher education as well as Christian colleges in the state. The lawsuit challenged amendments to the decades-old law establishing the Postsecondary Enrollment Options program, passed in 2023, clarifying that eligible institutions "must not require a faith statement from a secondary student seeking to enroll in a postsecondary course under this section during the application process." The amendments also prohibit schools from basing "any part of the admission decision on a student's race, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender, or sexual orientation or religious beliefs or affiliations." Brasel, a Trump appointee, said the 2023 amendments violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Freedom of Conscience Clause of the Minnesota Constitution. Her ruling ordered the amendments to be completely stricken from Minnesota state law. "The Faith Statement Ban is inseverable from the Nondiscrimination Requirement, and so the Amendment must be stricken in its entirety," Brasel wrote. "As for MDE's counterclaims, MDE lacks standing to assert its constitutional counterclaims, and its statutory counterclaim fails on the merits under the [Minnesota Human Rights Act]." The ruling follows more than two years of litigation from Mark and Melinda Loe as well as Dawn Erickson, Minnesota parents who wish to have their children earn PSEO credits at a faith-based institution. Two Christian colleges that wish to participate in the program the University of Northwestern St. Paul and Crown College are also plaintiffs. Plaintiffs praised Friday's ruling in statements published Monday by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the law firm at the center of the challenge. "We raise our children to put their faith at the center of their lives," Mark and Melinda Loe said. "Minnesota tried to take that right away from us by denying kids like ours the opportunity to attend schools that reflect their faith. We are grateful for this ruling, which protects students across the state and the schools they want to attend," they added. University of Northwestern St. Paul President Corbin Hoornbeek is thankful the effort to "restrict students who desire to take their PSEO credits at Northwestern" was "rebuffed." "We are grateful that UNW can continue to serve the Minnesota families who wish to get a head start in their college journey as members of our unwavering campus community," Hoornbeek said. Crown College President Andrew Denton called the ruling "significant." "The court made clear that Minnesota cannot single out high school students who want to attend a faith-centered institution," Denton said. "We are deeply appreciative to the legislative members who worked hard to try and prevent this law from passing." Becket Senior Counsel Diana Thomson said the ruling is "a win for families who won't be strong-armed into abandoning their beliefs, and a sharp warning to politicians who target them." She characterized Minnesota's effort to "cut off educational opportunities to thousands of high schoolers simply because of their faith" as both "unlawful" and "shameful." Home News Pastor who founded Maine church detained by ICE: 'Important part of our community' U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have detained a Congolese pastor who started a small church in Maine after allegedly overstaying his tourist visa by several years. He is currently in custody at a correctional facility in New Hampshire. Michel Tshimankinda entered the United States in March 2016 on a tourist visa and failed to leave after the authorized period expired, an ICE spokesperson told WMTW. He was taken into custody last Wednesday as part of what the agency described as "targeted enforcement operations." The pastor, born the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is being held at the Strafford County Department of Corrections in Dover, New Hampshire, according to ICE's Online Detainee Locator System. A fundraiser launched to help Tshimankinda's family cover legal fees and basic expenses had collected more than $26,000 by Monday morning. Jobel Tshimankinda, the pastor's daughter, said that the family is in "shock" "We know that by the grace of God, he will come back to us," she wrote in the fundraiser. "Our dad has always worked hard to provide for us, never asking for anything in return. He has been a loving husband, a devoted father, and an important part of our community. Now, without him here, our family might be facing emotional and financial hardship. Bills, rent, and legal fees will begin to pile up, so we are looking at the future of this case." Tshimankinda had become a well-known figure among Christian congregations in South Portland and Gorham, where he and his family had been attending Life Church for several years. Pastor Tom Pequinot of Life Church said Tshimankinda had applied for asylum for himself, his wife and their four children. "He's just a great man. Great man of God," Pequinot told WMTW. "He and his wife were very honest, very authentic, very open and shared a lot of their story to everybody. Tshimankinda later founded his own congregation, Restoration Church, renting worship space at the Promised Land World Outreach Center in South Portland. Paul Roberts, a church leader who worked closely with him, said Tshimankinda started the church in March and had been preaching there regularly since then. The arrest came as a shock to the community, especially to those close to him. Pequinot recalled receiving a phone call from Tshimankinda after he was taken into custody. Tshimankinda had called Pequinot also earlier that day to say he was being followed by ICE agents after leaving work. In his absence, Restoration Church has continued to hold services as scheduled. Roberts said the arrest had unsettled members of the congregation, many of whom are immigrants themselves. He expressed disappointment in how the case was handled. "He loves the Lord with all his heart. Man, this guy I don't think will even hurt a fly," he was quoted as saying. "I understand the law, and I don't blame the ICE, because ICE is doing their job. They just do what the government tells them." Roberts added that instead of being detained, Tshimankinda could have been given a court date to resolve his immigration status. In a statement, ICE spokesperson James Covington said the arrest was in line with agency policy under the Trump administration and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. "Unlike the previous administration, President Trump and Secretary Noem will not turn a blind eye to violations of U.S. immigration laws. They remain dedicated to prioritizing safety and protecting the integrity of our nation's immigration laws," Covington said. Earlier this year, Evangelical immigration advocates warned that President Donald Trump's push for mass deportations would have a "direct impact" on churches in the U.S., especially immigrant-heavy congregations. Earlier this month, a Honduran pastor living on Maryland's Eastern Shore was released after three weeks in ICE detention. Daniel Fuentes Espinal, who led Iglesia del Nazareno Jesus Te Ama, was arrested on July 21 while returning to a construction site, with authorities alleging he had overstayed a six-month visa for 24 years. During his detention, Fuentes Espinal said he ministered to fellow detainees and witnessed several conversions to Christianity before returning home. A pastor detained by immigration authorities in May, Maurilio Ambrocio, who leads a 50-member church in Florida, was deported in June to Guatemala more than two decades after entering the U.S. illegally. He was one of 100 Guatemalan immigrants deported from New Orleans through a charter flight. Concerns have been raised over the status of 11 Iranian Christian refugees deported to Panama earlier this year and given a six-month extension to find refuge in a third country. Home News Families of girls killed at Camp Mystic share stories of grief ahead of safety overhaul bill 'Our lives have been devastated' Texas lawmakers have passed legislation aimed at overhauling safety standards for youth camps following the tragic deaths of 25 campers and two counselors at Camp Mystic last month. Ahead of the Aug. 21 passage of Senate Bill 1, or the Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, parents, family members and friends of the victims filled the gallery of the Capitol Senate Chamber in Austin, where they shared stories of grief and anger over the catastrophic flash flooding that swept the private Christian summer camp for girls along the Guadalupe River on July 4. Championed by Lubbock Senator Charles Perry, who chairs the Senate's Flooding and Disaster Response Committee, SB 1 mandates that when a flash flood warning is issued, campers must be immediately evacuated to higher ground, removing subjective decision-making from camp operators. It also prohibits sleeping in cabins located within 100-year flood plains. Additionally, the bill requires all summer camps to file a multi-hazard emergency response plan with the Department of State Health Services, mandating annual emergency training for employees and evacuation drills for campers at the start of each session. Camps must also maintain operational weather alert radios and public address systems to ensure timely communication during dangerous conditions. Perry said SB 1 was inspired by harrowing testimonies heard from the victims' families, including from Michael McCown, father of 8-year-old flood victim Linnie, who delivered an emotional account during the committee hearing. "Our lives have been devastated by Linnie's death, and we are only just beginning the long process of recovery," McCown said, recounting the moment he learned his daughter was missing despite what he believed to be an initial assurance from Camp Mystic that she was accounted for. "On July 4th, while driving to Kerrville to pick up my daughter, I received an email from Camp Mystic stating if you had not been personally contacted, then your daughter is accounted for," said McCown. "I felt a wave of relief, which was quickly shattered about 30 minutes later when my wife called, incredibly distraught, to say that Linnie is missing. She just got off the phone with the camp; she's unaccounted for." McCown criticized Camp Mystic's lack of updated storm information and subsequent failure to prepare for the flooding. "I believe that being disconnected from electronics for a time is very healthy for kids, but that disconnection should be superficial," he said. "Behind the scenes, the back office and foundation of summer camp must be fully up to date." Of the more than 130 people who died as a result of flash flooding in Texas, at least 100 were in Kerr County, including 36 children. One of the key failures from emergency response teams that night was a reported hours-long delay in sending out a mass emergency alert to warn residents of the flooding in the Hill Country. According to a report from San Antonio news outlet KSAT, Kerr County officials took nearly six hours to send a CodeRED Alert requested by a firefighter with the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department at 4:22 a.m. Central time. A CodeRED Alert was not sent to some residents until 10:04 a.m., according to KSAT. McCown said such failures led to the death of his little girl. "We did not send Linnie to a war zone; we sent her to camp. We trust that she would be safe. No parents should ever again face what we are living through now," he said. "Yes, there are risks in outdoor activities, but never was there a question that camp would not be prepared for them." Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick praised the families for their bravery and grace, noting, "The one thing besides courage that you've shown, you've been so gracious to us. In a way, you've inspired us to do our best, and we're all better for that." Calling it a "horrifically bad response by Camp Mystic," Houston Sen. Paul Bettencourt said he was especially dismayed to learn that the camp policy was not to evacuate cabins during flooding. "We can never have another camp make this mistake again," Bettencourt said. In addition to SB 1, the Texas Senate also approved measures to enhance local emergency management, install warning sirens in flood-prone areas, and allocate nearly $300 million for relief and reforms. Home News ISIS remains a global threat as it adapts, shows resilience: UN expert The Islamic State terror organization continues to pose a significant global threat, adapting to military setbacks by leveraging technology, propaganda and regional instability, a United Nations expert told the U.N. Security Council last week. The terror group's ability to reorganize and exploit new tools has enabled it to retain influence across several continents even after its military defeat in Iraq and Syria last decade. Vladimir Voronkov, under-secretary-general of the U.N. Office of Counter-Terrorism, remarked at Wednesday's briefing that the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, ISIL or Da'esh, has shown "volatility and complexity" in its operations, particularly in Africa, Syria and Afghanistan, where it continues to rebuild its operational strength despite counter-terrorism campaigns. Islamic State affiliates remain active in several regions, including the Sahel, West Africa and Lake Chad Basin, with Africa now accounting for over half of the world's deaths from terrorist attacks. "Africa remains significantly affected, currently experiencing the highest intensity of Da'esh activity globally. The situation in West Africa and the Sahel remains particularly urgent," Voronkov said. "During the reporting period, a resurgence in the activity of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara was observed, while Islamic State West Africa Province emerged as a prolific producer of terrorist propaganda and attracted foreign terrorist fighters, primarily from within the region." Recent arrests in Libya uncovered logistics and financing networks with links to the Sahel region of Africa, Voronkov added, indicating a cross-border infrastructure supporting the Islamic State's presence in the region. In Somalia, the group launched a major attack in Puntland, anticipating an upcoming military counteroffensive. The assault involved foreign fighters, but Somali security forces killed about 200 militants and arrested more than 150 during the response, according to Voronkov. The Islamic State's presence in Somalia remains supported by regional networks, and the group continues to operate in weakened form, suggesting the need for sustained pressure to prevent resurgence. In Iraq and Syria, where the Islamic State controlled swaths of territory and established a so-called caliphate beginning in 2014, jihadis are attempting to rebuild the group's capabilities, focusing on the Badia desert in Syria's northwest and aiming to destabilize local authorities. The expert noted ongoing covert operations and exploitation of sectarian divisions, saying that the Islamic State had benefited from gaps in security following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad last December and takeover by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in parts of Syria. Voronkov said there was no sign that the March 2025 killing of a deputy Islamic State leader in Iraq, who was responsible for operational planning, would significantly disrupt the group's operations. Intelligence suggested the group could recover from such losses within six months. Regional diplomats and officials from Syria, Iraq, the U.S. and Europe told Reuters earlier this summer that the Islamic State appears to be making a comeback and reactivating fighters in the Middle East after its territorial defeat in 2017. Sources say IS shifted personnel from remote desert areas to urban centers like Deir al-Zor, Hasakah and Kirkuk and has targeted oil facilities and vulnerable infrastructure, according to the Straight Arrow News. Sleeper cells have reemerged in these cities, taking advantage of scaled-down coalition patrols in eastern Syria. The Critical Threats Project at the Washington think tank American Enterprise Institute stated in a January report that the Islamic State has "gradually rebuilt its capabilities since 2022 in the central Syrian desert where regime forces infrequently and ineffectively patrolled and gradually infiltrated then-regime-held towns along the Euphrates River." In Afghanistan, the Islamic State Khorasan Province, or IS-K, was described as one of the "most serious threats" to Central Asia and beyond. Voronkov said the group has targeted civilians, minorities and foreign nationals, while exploiting public dissatisfaction with Afghanistan's de facto authorities. Natalia Gherman, executive director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, told the Associated Press that IS-K is deploying "propaganda tactics and online campaigns" aimed at recruitment and fundraising across Central Asia and Europe. Gherman warned that the group's use of advanced technology has introduced new threats. "Its ability to adapt and exploit instability continues to pose significant challenges," she said, pointing to its experimentation with artificial intelligence, use of encrypted messaging platforms and abuse of crowdfunding systems. The expert highlighted the group's recruitment efforts targeting individuals with cybersecurity expertise, as well as its attempts to integrate artificial intelligence into propaganda production and operational planning. The humanitarian situation in detention camps in northeast Syria was identified as a serious concern. Voronkov said tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, were held under "unsafe and undignified conditions" that posed risks of radicalization. The under secretary-general renewed his call for the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of detainees, particularly children, in accordance with international law. Voronkov reiterated that long-term solutions addressing the drivers of terrorism are more effective than solely targeting group leadership. He also called for larger stakeholder participation in counter-terrorism efforts, including governments and regional organizations, referencing a June 2025 retreat held by the U.N. Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact. Home News John MacArthur's son shares father's final words to him, grows emotional during memorial service The eldest son of the late Pastor John MacArthur grew deeply emotional Saturday as he reflected on his father's nearly 60-year ministry, his courage and dying advice to stay faithful. "His bravery and faith were especially evident in his final days," said Matt MacArthur, who eulogized his father for about 20 minutes during the memorial service that extended for about two-and-a-half hours at Grace Community Church. "Dad was lucid, incredibly brave; a loving husband, dad and grandfather," he said. "His determination never wavered. The man who stood as a lion in this pulpit also stood at the edge of eternity with the same steadfast courage." MacArthur paused as he choked up, remembering his father's final words to him. "His last words to me were: 'Son, be faithful.' He didn't say, 'Write a book.' He didn't say, 'Be the keynote speaker at a conference.' He said, 'Be faithful.'" "What a model," he added. Matt MacArthur recalled that his father, who was barely able to speak beyond a whisper as he was dying, expressed assurance of salvation by quoting the apostle Paul's hope in the face of death from 1 Corinthians 15:55-57. "O Death, where is your sting? I feel no sting. Grace has overpowered my sinful heart," MacArthur quoted his father saying. "What a gift. What a gift. Grace is the greatest power because it pushes sin away. It's all of grace. I am unworthy. I've lived to see my children's children, and I pray that you all will finish well." "Finishing well" was one of the major themes of MacArthur's memorial service, according to a copy of the memorial program, which featured a reflection from MacArthur himself on the anticipation of "unbroken fellowship with God" for Christians in Heaven. Matt MacArthur also recounted memories from his father's life that revealed his trust in God's sovereignty even in the face of trial. He noted a family car accident in 1992 that nearly killed John MacArthur's wife, Patricia, and another time when he feared his younger son, Mark, had a fatal brain tumor. Mark also eulogized his father. "Even in the shadow of the darkest fears, he stood like a pillar: steady, unshaken and anchored in faith," Matt MacArthur said. MacArthur's memorial service also featured remarks from other prominent figures such as John Piper, Alistair Begg, Sinclair B. Ferguson and Joni Eareckson Tada. MacArthur died July 14 at age 86 after being hospitalized with pneumonia. He had been struggling with his health for two years and was hospitalized in 2023 after struggling to breathe as he delivered an hour-long sermon. He had four stents put in his heart, had his aorta replaced and also underwent lung surgery. He described his health problems at the time as "a long siege" that made the last years of his ministry difficult, but that they did not dampen his desire to keep working as long as he could. During his final public sermon on Nov. 24, 2024, MacArthur expressed gratitude to God despite his physical suffering, noting that God uses pain to accomplish His purposes. Home News Pro-life activists demand investigation into abortion pill funding in Kenya A coalition of pro-life activists has called on Kenyas Ministry of Health to investigate the distribution of abortion pills in the country. The demand centers on allegations that abortion drugs are being provided unlawfully and without medical oversight. The activist network CitizenGo launched a petition last week, urging the government to take immediate action against IPAS Africa Alliance, an organization that promotes access to abortion and contraception. The petition alleges that IPAS is distributing abortion pills outside Kenyas legal framework. Kenyas abortion law permits the termination of a pregnancy only under limited conditions, and IPAS is bypassing legal restrictions by supplying pills without prescriptions, medical scans or physician supervision, according to the petition. The document says abortion pills are being distributed anonymously through WhatsApp or local pharmacies, with no follow-up or clinical care. The petition includes strong language accusing IPAS of exploiting vulnerable women and girls, claiming that with the help of foreign donors, the group is bribing health workers, bending the law, and turning pharmacies into illegal abortion shops. It further asserts that minors are being harmed and that complications such as trauma, bleeding and infections are going unaddressed. The petition states that babies are expelled in bathrooms and women are abandoned when complications come, adding that these consequences are being marketed as healthcare. It also alleges that the practice leaves women with long-term emotional and physical harm. In its broader claims, the petition accuses IPAS of operating similarly in other African countries, including Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi and South Africa. The document warns that these tactics are especially dangerous in rural or low-income regions where women often lack access to formal healthcare systems. Africa is being used as a testing ground for unsafe practices, the petition states, calling for immediate government action to prevent the country from becoming what it describes as a dumping ground for abortion medication. The petition criticizes foreign aid models that promote abortion and contraception over maternal health infrastructure, arguing that the resources being spent on pills would be better directed toward hospitals, prenatal care and trained staff. CitizenGo, which launched the petition, describes itself as a digital activism platform for citizens defending values related to life, family and liberty. It claims to use online petitions and alerts to pressure decision-makers to act in line with human dignity. The petition ends with a call to reject the commercialization of abortion services, stating that women and girls in Africa deserve medical support and dignity, not unregulated pills and risky procedures. The final statement in the petition reads, This petition is our chance to say no. No to turning Kenya into a dumping ground for abortion pills. No to the abuse of our daughters. No to foreign profiteers who trade life for money. Home News UK preacher accused of making comments offensive to Jews is acquitted A 75-year-old Christian street preacher has been acquitted after he was prosecuted for allegedly making offensive remarks about the Jewish community. Allegations were made against Michael Jones, 75, while he was street preaching in Beverley, east Yorkshire, on Dec. 1, 2023. He denied the allegations, pointing to evidence of his longstanding support for Jews and Israel, including regular donations to charities such as Vision for Israel, The Joseph Storehouse Trust and Christian Friends of Israel, and correspondence with Jewish organizations and community leaders affirming his commitment to interfaith respect and humanitarian aid. Jones, who was supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), was cleared on appeal last week following an earlier conviction by lay magistrates. His defense argued that there was no credible evidence, such as CCTV footage, to substantiate the claims against him, and suggested that they had stemmed from an anti-Christian heckler who had misinterpreted his pro-Jewish teaching. Following the appeal ruling, Jones expressed gratitude to supporters and reaffirmed his commitment to interfaith solidarity. I have always believed in the importance of supporting Israel and the Jewish people, he said. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the CLC, said: If the Christian Legal Centre were not here to stand with street preachers who are falsely accused and wrongly prosecuted, many would face unjust convictions. Our work is vital to protecting Christian freedom and the right to speak truth in public. These cases are not just about individuals, they are about the future of Christian freedom and free speech in our nation. We must remain vigilant, because the gospel must never be silenced. This article was originally published by Christian Today. Honoring Chuck Girard, Texas And California Pass New Election Maps, Antisemitism In Pakistani Textbooks link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:18 07:18 Top headlines for Monday, August 25, 2025 In this episode, we pay homage to Chuck Girard, the influential voice of the 1970s Jesus Movement who left an indelible mark on contemporary Christian worship. We also delve into the ongoing redistricting battles as Texas and California pass new congressional maps in preparation for the 2026 elections. Additionally, we discuss a concerning report on the presence of antisemitism in Pakistani school textbooks and its implications. 00:11 Tributes pour in for Chuck Girard, Jesus Movement pioneer 01:02 Ex-pastor charged with sending nude photos arrested again 01:56 Texas, Calif Legislatures pass new maps amid redistricting battle 02:54 Teacher placed on leave after mom's allegations, AG's demand 03:52 Texas teachers Reddit community vows to defy Ten Commandments law 04:47 Pakistani school textbooks incite hatred against Israel, Jews 05:37 Christian leaders react to the death of James Dobson Home Opinion Heres the No. 1 fallacy on eternal security Ive written in CP before that I believe once a Christian is saved through the sacrifice of Christ, they cannot lose their salvation. This doctrine is most often called the perseverance (sometimes labeled preservation) of the saints. On this topic, the Westminster Confession of Faith says: They whom God hath accepted in His beloved Son effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit can neither totally nor finally fall away from a state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved. There are plenty who disagree with this. For example, the Catholic Church at the Council of Trent declared: If anyone says that a man once justified cannot lose grace and therefore that he who falls and sins never was truly justified, let him be accursed. And at the 1610 Conference of the Remonstrants (what Arminians called themselves then) said, Persons truly regenerate, by neglecting grace and grieving the Holy Spirit with sin, fall away totally, and at length finally, from grace into eternal reprobation. While I think those who believe this, including the ones who laid the foundation of the you-can-lose-your-salvation position, have good intentions and are primarily trying to guard against the issue of cheap grace, it overlooks the fact that the Christian faith is built on the pattern of the unconditional Abrahamic covenant outlined in Genesis 12:13. Abraham was called, blessed, and then exhibited faith just as we do today. This is why Jesus was able to say: This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day (John 6:3940), and Paul wrote, For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6) along with He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will (Eph. 1:5). Although these and other sections of Scripture underscore the protection of a believers salvation, Ive noticed something common in statements made by too many pastors and theologians who believe in eternal security. When pressed on the hypothetical scenario of a confessing Christian who is engaged in sinful activities, they begin to chip away and slowly take back the idea of a saints preservation by saying no true Christian would . In doing this, they commit a logical error termed the no true Scotsman fallacy, where the defense of a position is reinterpreted to exclude counterexamples. Rather than admitting error or providing evidence to disprove the counterexample, the original claim is changed by using a non-substantive modifier such as true or real. If the claim is made that Scotsmen don't put sugar on their porridge, but Angus MacGregor, who is Scottish, puts sugar on his porridge, then Angus MacGregor is not a true Scotsman. When they introduce the "no true Scotsman" fallacy into their theology, eternal security teachers are taking back with the left hand what the right hand has given and causing their hearers to feel anything but secure in their salvation, as the list of no real Christian sins seems to have no end and is very subjective. The problem is, though, Scripture does point to the existence of true and false believers. So, that being the case, the question arises as to how that distinction can be made without committing the "no true Scotsman" fallacy. Why Christians are preserved in the faith A key doctrine spelling out the reason Christians are safe in their faith and in right standing with God is justification, a term not heard much these days from the pulpit. In short, justification is a legal term and one-and-done act of God by which we who are unrighteous in ourselves are nevertheless declared righteous before Him while still in our sinning state. Its justification that saves us from the "no true Scotsman" scenario of certain sins damning us. Our salvation doesnt break because real Scotsmen dont put sugar on their porridge. Rather, the Bible spells out (e.g., Romans 7) that a believing Christian very well may sometimes put sugar on their cornflakes even though its not in keeping with Gods perfect standard for cereal. No less a person than the Scottish reformer John Knox (Ha, get it? Im choosing a Scotsman for my example) confessed how real the constant struggle with sin is, writing: I know how hard the battle is betwixt the spirit and the flesh, under the heavy cross of affliction, where no worldly defense, but present death does appear. I know the grudging and murmuring complaints of the flesh; I know the anger, wrath, and indignation which it conceives against God. Thankfully, for us, God saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:57). All our sins (past and future) evaporated at the cross and cant be resurrected against us ever. And thus, were forever protected from them, with Gods golden chain of salvation for us staying intact: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified (Rom. 8:2930). OK, all well and good, but what about the concept of a false faith that we read about in Scripture (e.g., Matt. 7:21-23)? Is the distinction a list of no real Christian sins or something else? Dr. Michael Reeves, president and professor of theology at Union School of Theology in the United Kingdom, addressed this subject during his Assurance of Salvation discussion at Ligoniers I Will Build My Church conference this year. Reeves mentioned two important attributes that characterize a false faith. First, there is a reliance on self vs. Christ. When pressed on why they should spend eternity with God, possessors of a fake faith will fall back to works, being a good person, even if the confess a belief in Jesus and its under the banner of Christ: "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" Second, Reeves said that such self-reliance almost always leads to a casting aside of any actual repentance from habitual sins and a full abandonment of the Christian faith in the way that John describes: They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us (1 John 2:19). The key distinction is that such faith desertion isnt a matter of a list of "no true Scotsman" sins, but rather a full rejection of the Gospels core teaching of having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1) and a life devoid of any change or, as Jonathan Edwards termed it, holy affections. So, that being the case, our focus on the preservation of the saints and saving faith determination should constantly be centered on the foundational Gospel concepts of desired repentance, justification, faith, and grace, rather than building a list of acts that no true Christian would ever commit. Twenty Years of Green Progress: Blue Seas and Clean Beaches are Invaluable Assets 10:52, August 25, 2025 By Cui Yue, Yuan Meng, Zhang Wenjie, Zhang Zeyu ( People's Daily Online Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 2012, Aojiao village, surrounded by the sea on three sides in Chencheng town, Dongshan county, Zhangzhou city, southeast China's Fujian Province, has blazed a new path to prosperity by ensuring a sound ecological environment and developing five pillar industries: ocean fishing, aquaculture, seafood processing, e-commerce, and rural tourism. This dramatic transformation demonstrates that blue seas and clean beaches, like lucid waters and lush mountains, are also invaluable assets. The concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" was first put forward by Xi Jinping, then secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, during his visit to Yucun village in Anji county, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Aug. 15, 2005. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has repeatedly expounded upon the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. However, Aojiao village's journey toward sustainable development was not without challenges. In pursuing rapid economic growth, the village initially overlooked ecological protection. During a period of accelerated nearshore aquaculture development, some farmers prioritized quantity and scale, constructing unauthorized structures along the coastline and directly discharging waste and sewage into the ocean. Recognizing the urgent need for environmental restoration, local governments established an integrated treatment system to manage both industrial and domestic waste. "Taking Aojiao village as an example, local officials and various departments conduct regular inspections of industrial enterprises to eliminate potential hazards," said Lin Huazhong, Party chief of the village, who is also head of the villagers' committee. Regarding sewage treatment, each lane features waste collection facilities, with sewage pumped to the town's domestic waste treatment plant and processed through the county's unified system before meeting discharge standards. Through dedicated efforts in pollution prevention and ecological protection, Aojiao village's ecological environment has witnessed a remarkable recovery. "This transformation has provided crucial support in reproduction of marine life and supporting our people's livelihoods," Lin said. On Oct. 15, 2024, Xi conducted an inspection tour in Aojiao village, examining dried seafood and fishing products at the village dock while learning about the progress of local rural revitalization. To boost rural revitalization, the village must leverage its advantages and excel in maritime development, Xi emphasized during his visit. Residents in Aojiao village have gradually developed a new approach to harmonious coexistence with marine resources. The village boasts 640 steel-hulled fishing boats of various sizes, generating an annual output valued at 330 million yuan (about $45.98 million). It is home to 138 advanced aquaculture farms that produced 3.7 billion yuan in value in 2024. Seafood processing in Aojiao has evolved from basic to sophisticated operations, with 38 processing facilities, including Fujian Dongshan Haiyuan Aquatic Products Co., Ltd., which generated 500 million yuan in output in 2024. The village has 117 e-commerce businesses employing 532 technical professionals, with annual seafood product sales reaching 350 million yuan through internet platforms. It is also home to 41 B&B hotels offering over 700 beds, catering to the diverse needs of visitors. Xi said that to advance Chinese modernization, efforts must be made to speed up rural revitalization, which should in the first place depend on industries. Following Xi's guidance, Aojiao village's fishermen, aquaculture operators, and entrepreneurs have leveraged the village's exceptional natural gifts to establish an eco-friendly economic system integrating fishing, aquaculture, processing, e-commerce, and tourism. "For Aojiao village, marine resources provide direct employment opportunities for villagers, while processing enterprises benefit from timely and convenient raw material supply, creating a complete industrial chain from fishing to export," said Wu Bin, production manager at Fujian Dongshan Haiyuan Aquatic Products Co., Ltd. Wu returned to his hometown in 2013 to establish his seafood processing and sales business. "We select local swimming crabs as raw materials, processing them through washing, steaming, meat extraction, and canning procedures, followed by pasteurization to ensure quality. The final canned crab meat products are primarily exported to European, American, and Southeast Asian markets," Wu said. Thriving by the sea, Aojiao village stands as a vivid example of how ecological preservation and industrial innovation can go hand in hand, truly embodying the that blue seas and clean beaches, like lucid waters and lush mountains, are also invaluable assets. (Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming) Home Opinion Heavenly hope: What President Trumps words show us about salvation When President Donald Trump spoke recently about his hopes of getting to Heaven, the remark quickly made headlines. Reflecting on the terrible human cost of the war in Ukraine, he said that helping to end the conflict could save 7,000 people a week from being killed, and then added, I want to try and get to Heaven, if possible. Im hearing Im not doing well. But if I can get to Heaven, this will be one of the reasons. Some reacted with cynicism, while others dismissed it as just another soundbite. But I believe the comment deserves a deeper reflection. As Jason Williams of North Carolina Faith and Freedom observed: Its genuinely refreshing to hear a president express such a desire. What a blessing to have a leader who acknowledges eternity and wants to do something good with the time he has on Earth. Indeed. President Trump has been a faithful friend to the Christian community. He has stood boldly for life, defended our religious liberty, and championed policies that reflect our biblical values. Now, as he turns his eyes toward peace and eternal things, Christians should be grateful and prayerful, asking God to give him light, guidance, and ultimately the assurance of salvation that only comes through trusting in Christ alone and His finished work on our behalf. I would be derelict in my spiritual duty if I didnt point out that the president is mistaken on this subject, and, truthfully, so are most people. It is a common assumption that if we do enough good and make enough of a difference, if the scales of morality are tipped with more good behavior than bad in life, Heaven will be our reward. But this is not what the Bible teaches. When Jesus began the most famous sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount, He didnt start by saying, Blessed are the peacemakers or Blessed are the merciful, although He did say those things later. He began with this: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). To be poor in spirit means to know that our spiritual bank account is empty that we are spiritually impoverished and that no accumulation of good works, no stack of moral achievements, no record of activism, philanthropy, or political service can pay the staggering debt of our sin. The Kingdom of Heaven does not belong to those who have done the most, but to those who come with nothing, humbled and emptied, casting themselves entirely upon Gods mercy in Christ. This is a tall order for most people because nobody likes being told they are broke, especially spiritually. Pride makes it hard to admit our real condition before God. We must acknowledge that we dont have what it takes to earn Heaven. We are all sinners, and everyone has utterly failed by Gods holy standards. The Bible means this when it says, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The same truth is emphasized when we read, As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10). This truth hit me once in a rather humorous way. I once lived out in the country, right down the road from an old-fashioned country store. Wooden framed, creaky wood floors, shelves full of everything: milk, bread, bags of dog food for your hunting dogs stacked to the ceiling, farming tools, and a half-circle of farmers sitting in chairs, jawing about the weather and local gossip. Id stop in often to pick up a few groceries. The folks who ran it were kind and helpful real salt-of-the-earth people. Not what youd call fancy, educated, or sophisticated. They had a down-home style unmistakably their own, if you know what I mean. One day, the phone rang. It was the stores regular cashier. In her thick country drawl, she said, Rev. Creech, I need ya to come on down here an take care of this bad check. I said, What? Wait youve got a bounced check from me? Surely not! Yes, sir, she replied. Im lookin at it right here in my hand. Then she paused, like she was reading the verdict in a courtroom. And, it says Insignificant funds. I said, Oh my goodness its bad enough when your funds are insufficient thats embarrassing. But when theyre insignificant? Now thats as bad as it gets! Ill be right there. That little mix-up has always made me chuckle, but much truth is said in jest. It reflects a serious spiritual reality thats our spiritual condition? We like to think our good deeds count for something before God. We polish them up like trophies: our philanthropy, our church attendance, our kindness, our achievements. But when measured against the blazing holiness of God, even our best falls woefully short. Gods ledger doesnt say insufficient. It says insignificant. The Scriptures couldnt be clearer: For by grace are ye saved through faith not of works, lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:89). Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us (Titus 3:5). A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28). To him that worketh not, but believeth his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:45). By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16). All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). That I may be found in him, not having mine own righteousness but that which is through the faith of Christ (Philippians 3:9). If by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace (Romans 11:6). Together, these verses form a powerful, consistent theme: good works are the fruit of salvation, not the root of it. They flow naturally from a heart transformed by grace grace received when the sinner comes empty-handed to Christ, confesses his utter need, and abandons trust in his own works to rest entirely in what Christ has done. This is the way of the blessed. This is the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Let's all pray President Trump finds it. The White House recently published an AI Action Plan, full of recommended policy actions aimed at making effective use of artificial intelligence in industry and government. It comes on the heels of the EU AI Act, a comprehensive legal framework that regulates various facets of AI within the European Union, with enforcement of most provisions slated to begin in August 2026. From a security perspective, organizations of all stripes would do well to remember that security has always involved a shared responsibility model. Cloud providers make that abundantly clear in their agreements, but it applies across the board, for on-premises systems as well. Each vendor and end user organization must take responsibility for some aspects of security. Its no different with AI. So, while security and IT professionals can and should pay attention to government laws and directives, they should also be aware that whatever any government produces will, by its nature, lag the reality on the ground, often by years. Such directives are based on yesterdays threats and technology. Its difficult to think of a technology that has evolved faster than AI is moving right now. New developments arise seemingly by the day, and with them, new security threats. Following are some words of advice to help you keep up. Pay attention, question everything, put up guardrails First, pay attention to emerging laws like the EU AI Act and whatever may come from the U.S. AI Action Plan, but also to your users and AI technology itself. Dig deep into how your employees are actually employing AI, the challenges theyre having, and the opportunities it offers. Consider what dangers it may present if things go awry or that bad actors, whether internal or external, may try to inject. Keep up to speed with how AI is evolving. Yes, that may be a full-time job in itself, but if you stay tuned in and connected, you can pick up on the big developments. Next, question everything. Insist on explainability with all AI applications. Only by understanding how AI works can you begin to ensure that you can root out bias, privacy violations, and other misuses of data. You also need to ensure your AI is resistant to attacks, including data poisoning, by insisting on quality data standards, and protect against unacceptable risk, such as by insisting on human judgment when warranted. Youll also need guardrails around your AI applications, especially as agentic AI begins to take hold. If AI systems are going to be trusted to make decisions on their own, you must treat them like any other user, subject to appropriate access controls. In short, zero trust applies to AI applications just as it does to other users. Collaborate to keep up If all this sounds like a lot of work, know youre not alone. Collaborate with your peers. Join industry user groups to stay informed and learn best practices. Collaborate, too, with industry groups like the InfraGard National Members Alliance (INMA), the private sector component of the FBIs InfraGard program. INMA is focused on educational programs, training events, and information-sharing initiatives. While theres no question AI presents numerous security challenges, its not like we havent seen this before. Many will recall the angst over the EU General Data Protection Regulation and concern over how difficult it would be to comply with. GDPR did force change, but organizations weathered the storm and now weve seen U.S. states adopt many of the same tenets. Expect the same with AI, but dont wait for government to force your hand. Read more of the latest thinking about the biggest IT topics of the day at the Palo Alto Networks Perspectives page. Sign up for the daily CJR newsletter. Twenty years ago this week, Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast and caused devastation in New Orleans and beyond. The rest, as they say, is history. Recently, an inevitable slew of anniversary coverage has mined it in all sorts of areas, from the impact of the storm on New Orleans schools to the role of restaurants in rebuilding life in the city. Chelsea Brasteda journalist with the New Orleans arm of Axios, who was fifteen when Katrina hitlisted as many as seven new documentaries about Katrina (and that was without counting a buzzy Netflix series, executive-produced by Spike Lee, that will drop on Wednesday). For people who were directly impacted, Katrina can just be painfulor even impossibleto relive, Brasted wrote. Ultimately, though, the profusion of content is as it should bewe may never have a full picture of that storm and the recovery it required. Journalists who reported on Katrina at the time have also been reflecting on their experiences (another staple of news coverage whenever the anniversary of a major story rolls around). WLOXa TV station based in Biloxi, Mississippi, just along the coast from New Orleansconvened a discussion among current and former staffers who were on the ground during the storm; they initially expected that Katrina would pass the area by, before having to hunker down and then come out to report on the aftermath. One of the journalists, Trang Pham-Bui, recalled that one of the hardest things for me was juggling my emotions; she was cut off from her family, so much so that she didnt know if they were still alive, but knew that she had a job to do, because we had so much coverage coming in from New Orleans, and we have so much devastation in our home towns, and I knew that I had to get out there and tell our story, give our people a voice. Bill Snyder, an anchor, recalled staying on air for around two weeks straight. Those were the best days of journalism ever, he said. Snyder was talking about the solidarity that emerged among those covering the storm. In other ways, however, Katrina did not showcase the best of journalism; indeed, over the years, numerous criticisms have emerged of how the pressand in particular, outlets based far from the Gulf Coasthandled it. On the first anniversary of the disaster, in August 2006, Danny Heitman, a columnist at the Baton Rouge Advocate, argued in the Christian Science Monitor that the news media had done an inadequate job of capturing the eerie silence of the New Orleans neighborhoods that had emptied of residents after Katrina hit and the levees that were supposed to hold back the resulting floodwaters brokea consequence, Heitman suggested, of the fact that journalism, by its nature, sees the world as a series of dramatically packaged episodes rather than the dry continuum that a recovery from disaster can be; jumping off of Heitmans column, Paul McLeary wrote in CJR at the time that quantitative evidence suggested the story of the recovery was already receiving less and less airtime on network news shows, drowned out by tabloid fare like developments in the JonBenet Ramsey case and the capture of the FLDS cult leader and convicted child sex offender Warren Jeffs. In the eye of the storm, which knocked out local communications infrastructure, some of the media problems were logistical; in 2015, a decade after Katrina hit, Walter Baranger, then the senior editor for news operations at the New York Times, wrote that since our newsroom moved to computers in 1978, there have been two major eras at The Times: Before Hurricane Katrina, and after, when the Times began investing even more in the latest mobile and satellite technologies to ease some of the complications the paper experienced during Katrina. Other problems were squarely editorial. In 2017, when Hurricane Harvey smashed into Texas (almost twelve years to the day after Katrina hit Louisiana), Kathleen Bartzen Culver, a media ethicist at the University of WisconsinMadison, told Poynter that Katrina had come to be seen as a real black mark on journalism. Culver was talking specifically about coverage of race, which has often been name-checked as the medias most significant failing post-Katrina. Around the time that Culver spoke with Poynter in 2017, critics resurfaced an infamous pair of wire photos taken in the aftermath of Katrina: both showed people hauling groceries through chest-height floodwaters, but the couple in one of them, who appeared to be white, were described as having found the goods they were carrying at a grocery store, whereas the young Black man in the other photo was said to have looted one. (At the time, CJRs Pete Vernon wrote about the images after Tom Llamas, then a reporter at ABC and now the anchor of NBCs Nightly News, was criticized for posting on Twitter that he had informed the police of an incident of looting in the aftermath of Harvey. Vernon noted that the agencies behind the Katrina photos had stood behind their divergent captions, citing additional observations beyond the images themselves.) In the spring of 2020, nearly fifteen years on from Katrina, The Atlantics Vann R. Newkirk II dived deeper into this vein of coverage in Floodlines, an eight-part podcast series. (Floodlines is not about a natural disaster, The Atlantic wrote at the time, but an unnatural one: the failure of government, media, and society, leading to one of the most misunderstood events in modern-day America.) Looting became a fixation for the media in the aftermath of Katrina, Newkirk said. Sometimes, reporters would make attempts at empathy, but lots of other times, they were just snitching, he added. They seemed especially interested in images of people taking TVs or Jordans. You would see the same reels of the same Black people going into the same stores, over and over. This was downstream of the bigger problem: journalists gorging on rumors or small details and then blowing them out of proportion, if they were even true in the first place. This was a function, in part, of what Newkirk described as the weird technological moment in which Katrina struck; rolling TV news was well established, but this was before the time of ubiquitous smartphones and social media, and in any case, New Orleans was largely offline due to the storma combination that meant that national audiences expected around-the-clock coverage about the disaster, but the national media didnt have around-the-clock information. In 2021, Ko Bragg wrote for CJR that the credulous coverage of looting contributed to what many have since described as a damaging feedback loop after Katrina, by hardening the official response. (Kathleen Blancothe governor of Louisiana, who would later state that the rampant violence that was reported was definitely out of proportion to the realitycalled in the National Guard and showed off their guns at a press conference, stating that these troops know how to shoot and kill.) The media lessons here seem clearand yet, Bragg observed, the looting narrative returned after Hurricane Ida hit New Orleans and the surrounding area in August of 2021. Over the years, there have also been criticisms ofor, at least, reflections onhow the press covered the weather and climate aspects of the Katrina story. In 2018, Jed Gottlieb wrote for CJR that the storm reinforced the media practice of using hurricanes category designations (on what, I was today years old when I learned, is called the Saffir-Simpson scale) as the default shorthand for their severity, when the scale is actually relatively ineffectivein predicting life-threatening dangers and property destruction; in 2020, Eva Holland noted, also in a piece for CJR, that while some early coverage did link Katrina to global warming, she had not thought to do so at the time, and that the writer Mary Annaise Heglar, who lived through Katrina, told her that she didnt think most people down here did eitherI dont remember seeing a lot of people make that argument, certainly not on TV. The scientific methods that help researchers link individual extreme-weather events to the climate crisis were, in fairness, underdeveloped at the time, and this practice remains complicated in many respects. Nowadays, in this age of extreme weather, we can at least place major storms in the context of a climate picture that makes them, on the whole, likelier to happen and to be more intense. Some of the recent anniversary coverage of Katrina has done just this, warning that the hurricane risk on the Gulf Coast is rising, for example, and that Katrina would likely be even worse were it to happen today. The lessons seem clear here, too. And yet, as Ive written often over the years, the news media still do an at best inconsistent job of linking new extreme-weather events to the underpinning scientific context. The climate crisis, extreme-weather events, and racism are closely linked stories, of coursecommunities of color have often disproportionately borne the brunt of environmental and climate hazards (a stretch of land that is home to many Black communities between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, for instance, has long been nicknamed Cancer Alley due to the polluting plants that line it), and, as the premise of Floodlines suggests, Katrina was not an act of God, but an event whose impact was exacerbated by political failings, both in the protection and recovery phases. (During an NBC telethon in the wake of Katrina, Kanye West famously declared that George Bush doesnt care about Black people; this quote has become a meme, Newkirk noted on Floodlines, but much of what West said about the shortcomings of the official response resonated with Black Americans, andamid the metaphysical flood of rumors about looting and chaoswould be vindicated, as victims of Katrina became targets, in Newkirks words.) When Holland spoke with Heglar in 2020, the latter had recently written in Guernica that the climate crisis is covered in the fingerprints of slavery and Jim Crow and colonialism and genocide and patriarchy, and is what happens when large swaths of people are not only systematically left out, but forced to be their own gravediggers and pallbearers. Heglar linked climate change to her familys experience during Katrina, and to the lynching of Emmett Till in Mississippi: Till was murdered, Heglar noted, almost fifty years to the day before Katrina. Sign up for CJRs daily email As Ive argued before in this newsletter, media coverage of significant anniversaries can feel arbitraryinadequate, even, in a world thats much messier than the neat passing of round-number intervals. But anniversaries do at least give the news business, an industry famed for its short attention span, a structure to remember the past, and to apply its lessons to the present. Anniversaries can also help the press to observe whats changing in the world around usa bit like how birthdays are convenient yardsticks to notice how our lives move forward. The anniversary of Katrina hit differently in 2006 than in 2015 than in 2020 than in 2025, in ways that say as much about those moments as the aftermath of the storm itself. As chance would have it, the climate-themed issue of CJR in which Hollands article appeared and The Atlantics Floodlines podcast came out around the same time in 2020, entering into a world that had just been transformed overnight by the arrival of the pandemic. That storywhich I referred to at the time as the everything storythreatened to engulf all others; on a recent, ninth episode of Floodlines, released to mark the twentieth anniversary of Katrina, Newkirk said hed feared that the original episodes might not matter that much with so much going on. As I wrote at the time, however, our climate magazine was timelythe climate and COVID stories were linked in all sorts of ways, from the granular and logistical to the sweeping and philosophicaland the same would prove true of Floodlines, the themes of which foreshadowed not only 2020s ever-present sense of crisis, but also the racial reckoning that would sweep the US later that year, following the police murder of George Floyd. These themes are all super relevant now, too, even if they hit differently these days. On the recent episode of Floodlines, Newkirk said that his fear back in 2020 had proved unfounded, and ticked off even more recent news storiesHurricane Helene, last year; the California fires, thisduring which people kept coming back to Hurricane Katrina as a point of reference. That it will surely remainin 2030, 2035, and beyond. Other notable stories By Jem Bartholomew On Monday, four journalists were among at least fifteen people killed when Israeli strikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, according to Gazas civil defence agency. Those killed reportedly included journalists working for the Associated Press (Mariam Dagga) and Al Jazeera (Mohammed Salameh), a cameraman for Reuters (Husam al-Masri), and a photographer (Muath Abu Taha). Before Mondays attack, the Committee to Protect Journalists said one hundred and ninety-two journalists and media workers had been killed in the conflict, twenty-four of which CJP classifies as murders, with people directly targeted by Israeli forces for their work. Mondays bombing came after, on Thursday last week, twenty-seven countries signed a joint statement urging Israel to immediately allow independent foreign journalists to enter Gaza amid the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. Israel has denied all reporters access in the twenty-two months of war, which has killed more than sixty-two thousand people. The statement, drafted by the Media Freedom Coalition, said: We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts. Several close Israeli allies signed the statement, including Germany, France, and the UK. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWAs commissioner-general, has said Israels block on foreign media is fueling propaganda, disinformation, and the spread of dehumanization. The Guardians chief Middle East correspondent wrote this month that Israel is fighting a second war in Gazaover the narrativewhose strategy has been to ban international reporters and kill Palestinian reporters. Last week, CJR published a special report about new approaches and ideas for defending press freedom in Gaza, which you can read here. Far-right influencer Laura Loomer claimed credit this month when the US State Department halted temporary humanitarian visas for Gazans requiring urgent medical treatment. The decision from Secretary of State Marco Rubio came after Loomer posted a video of Palestinian children arriving in San Francisco that attacked them as Islamic invaders to her 1.7 million followers on X. The DC policy influence of Loomer, a conspiracy theorist whose unwavering loyalty to Trump has earned her the presidents ear, has again been the subject of media attention in recent weeks. A New York Times piece last month described her as Trumps blunt instrument and an ideological purity enforcer, while an Atlantic profile last week framed her as the Joseph McCarthy of the Trump era. Loomers far-right provocations have posed a problem for media outlets: How do you critically cover someone who describes themselves as a proud Islamophobe? After Michael Scherers Atlantic piece came out on Thursday, with the headline Make McCarthy Great Again, Loomer reposted it on X, adding: Amazing. Two former advisers to New York City mayor Eric Adams were accused of bribery in separate cases last week, as multiple scandals and allegations of corruption continue to swirl around his administration. (CJRs Josh Hersh explored covering the manic Adams news cycle on The Kicker last October.) According to The City, Winnie Greco, a longtime Adams ally who resigned last year as his liaison to the Asian community after she was targeted in multiple investigations, allegedly handed a City reporter a wad of cash stuffed in a packet of potato chips. The City asked her to explain the apparent bribe. I make a mistake, she said, according to the publication. Im so sorry. Its a culture thing. I dont know. I dont understand. Im so sorry. I feel so bad right now. Im so sorry, honey, adding: Can we forget about this? I try to be a good person. Please. Please. Please dont do in the news nothing about me. Separately, Adamss former chief adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, was indicted by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, accused of accepting more than $75,000 in bribes as part of a wide-ranging series of bribery conspiracies. Adams is running as an independent against socialist Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. When Wired received a pitch from a freelance journalist in April, an editor liked the sound of the story, about people getting married in niche online spaces such as Minecraft and Roblox. They commissioned it, went through edits, and the piece was published in May. But it became clear that the writer was unable to provide enough information to be entered into our payments system. They instead insisted on payment by PayPal or check, Wired later said. The magazine was one of at least six publications, including Business Insider, that published pieces by Margaux Blanchard, who is now believed to be a fabricated persona relying on fake, seemingly AI-generated content. After being contacted by UK publication Press Gazette, several publications took down stories for not meeting editorial standards. The scam was noticed by an editor at UK publication Dispatch, when Margaux Blanchard pitched a long-form magazine story about a decommissioned mining town in Colorado that didnt exist. When it comes to on the ground reporting, you cant fake it, Jacob Furedi, Dispatchs editor, said. You cant make up a place. And the peacock days are over at MSNBC, which will soon be rebranded MS NOW, it was announced last Monday. The network is leaving Comcasts NBCUniversal TV empire and moving to media company Versant. That means it must get rid of its NBC branding and signature peacock logo. MS NOW will soon stand for My Source News Opinion World. The rebrand quickly attracted mockery online, with right-wing opponents of the liberal network ridiculing the name as BS NOW or Most Surely No One Watching. But it wasnt just MAGA deriding the new name, with unfavorable comparisons made to HBO Now (which later became HBO Max, then Max, then HBO Max again) or to it sounding like a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis. MSNBCs president, Rebecca Kutler, said MS NOW is planning a marketing campaign, aiming to settle any confusion. The chairman of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission warned Apple, Alphabet, and other technology companies on Thursday that efforts to comply with British and European digital content laws could violate U.S. law if they weaken privacy and data security protections for American users. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson expressed concerns about the EU Digital Services Act, and the UK Online Safety Act, which are aimed at cracking down on illegal and harmful online content, and the UK Investigatory Powers Act. Foreign governments seeking to limit free expression or weaken data security in the United States might count on the fact that companies have an incentive to simplify their operations and legal compliance measures by applying uniform policies across jurisdictions, Ferguson said. The letters are part of a broader Trump administration effort to push back on foreign regulatory requirements. On Tuesday, U.S. officials said Britain had dropped its demand for Apple to provide a backdoor that would have enabled access to American citizens encrypted data. Earlier in August, Reuters reported that the U.S. had instructed its diplomats in Europe to lobby against the Digital Services Act. Ferguson called tech giants Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta, as well as smaller companies including X, Signal and Slack to meet with him and discuss how they plan to balance U.S. compliance with competing pressures from abroad. (Reporting by Jody Godoy in New York) JPMorgan Chase & Co. will pay 1.4 billion ringgit ($330 million) to Malaysia to resolve all existing and potential claims relating to the sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, a move that will end its exposure to one of the biggest financial frauds in history. Under the settlement, the lender will without admission of liability contribute the sum to Malaysias Assets Recovery Trust Account, according to an emailed statement Friday. The agreement resolves all existing and potential claims and binds both parties from any future claims or litigations related to 1MDB. It comes as Switzerlands Attorney General announced it had fined JPMorgans Swiss unit 3 million Swiss francs ($3.7 million) for its part in enabling the laundering of funds misappropriated from 1MDB. The Attorney Generals office sentenced the bank for failing to take all reasonable and necessary organizational measures to prevent acts of aggravated money laundering. The fine relates to payments including 34 overseas transfers for a total of around 174 million francs that took place between October 2014 and July 2015, the Swiss authorities said. For the past decade, the 1Malaysia Development Bhd investment fund has been at the center of a scandal that spawned probes across continents, with stolen funds estimated to have exceeded $4 billion. Investigations led to the imprisonment of ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. executives and a former Malaysian prime minister. Malaysian financier Jho Low remains a fugitive. We appreciate the collaboration with the Malaysian Government in resolving past matters related to 1MDB, which have been thoroughly reviewed, JPMorgan said in a statement. Since then, weve enhanced our controls. Top photo: The JPMorgan Chase & Co. headquarters in New York. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Coldplay, one of the most globally recognized rock bands of the century, shared the stage at Wembley Stadium with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, under the baton of maestro Gustavo Dudamel. The collaboration, which unfolded during the band's Music of the Spheres residency on August 22, 2025, is already being hailed as one of the most daring crossovers in live music. For the orchestra, founded within Venezuela's El Sistema program in 1975, Wembley marked the culmination of a 50th-anniversary celebration that carried them from Caracas to the world's most iconic concert halls. Dudamel, who has long championed the ensemble as both an artistic powerhouse and a symbol of cultural resilience, brought the musicians to London not only to open Coldplay's concerts but also to join them in performance. As Chris Martin welcomed the orchestra on stage, the sight of full strings, brass, and percussion filling the stadium was enough to draw a roar from the sold-out crowd. The Venezuelan's entry into Coldplay's Viva la Vida was met with fireworks and an audience that sang every word, the grandeur of symphonic sound lifting the anthem to new heights. Classical discipline meets stadium spectacle "We consider Chris a friend, and Coldplay and us, we share the same values," said Dudamel during rehearsals. "This is for people to be transformed by the power of music." The pairing was more than a novelty. Dudamel, celebrated for his kinetic energy and emotional immediacy, mirrored Martin's theatrical charisma. Together they fused two musical traditions that rarely meet on such a scale: the precision of symphonic discipline and the participatory chaos of a stadium sing-along. For Coldplay fans, it was a chance to hear familiar songs expanded into orchestral epics. For followers of El Sistema, it was a testament to the program's continued reach into the global cultural mainstream. Beyond Viva la Vida, the orchestra joined on arrangements of Fix You and A Sky Full of Stars, swelling the choruses with harmonic richness that echoed through Wembley's steel beams. Social media clips of the performanceMartin clasping Dudamel's hand at center stage, violins bowing as confetti rainedwent viral within hours, ensuring that the collaboration reached far beyond the 90,000 in attendance. A milestone for El Sistema The Wembley concerts are just one part of a broader London residency for the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble is also recording at Abbey Road Studios and performing at Royal Festival Hall with a program that spans Bernstein, Falla, and Latin American composers. These events underline the orchestra's dual mission: to honor its classical roots while embracing the relevance of music in every context, from concert hall to stadium. For Dudamel, who has conducted at the world's greatest opera houses and symphony halls, leading an orchestra alongside Coldplay is no contradiction. It is, instead, a continuation of his belief that music can bridge divides. "El Sistema was founded on the idea that music is a social force," he once said, "and tonight we saw that in its most universal form." SC State University Board of Trustees Chairman Douglas D. Gantt congratulates Jameelah Smith-Pressley on being named the SCSUNAA Young Alumna of the Year at the association's annual convention. Gantt was also honored as the organization's Alumnus of the Year and the recipient of the University Champion Award. SCSUNAA names NYC 911 operator its 2025 Young Alumna of the Year ORANGEBURG, S.C. Jameelah Smith-Pressley was impossible to miss at South Carolina State University. One day, she was belting out a song in the Concert Choir. The next day, she was strutting across the stage in a pageant sash. Then suddenly, shed be sprinting across campus in a business suit, juggling steel-toed boots for a soil mechanics lab. I would dress up, but then I would have to run from the business department from Belcher Hall to go to my engineering classes, she said. I would be carrying boots and wearing a suit to put on my boots to do a soil mechanics class when we were doing outside work. Smith-Pressley, SC State Class of 2005, started in computer science before ditching code for concrete. Civil engineering technology stuck, but she never let her major box her in. She was in pageants. She was on the Student Union Board. She ran for freshman class president. She traveled with the pep squad. And she performed in campus plays to round things out. People assumed she was majoring in the fine arts. Many people didnt realize I was a STEM major because I had a scholarship to the concert choir, and I was also in the theater a lot, she said. Smith-Pressley is a fifth-generation Bulldog, tracing her SC State line back to her great-great-grandfather, Alexander Cooper. Her mother graduated in 1977. Her aunts and cousins are alumni, as well. Now, shes not just part of the dynasty. Shes adding her own remix: one part engineer, one part vocalist, one part actor, one part teacher, one part counselor, one part communicator, one part alumna firebrand, and all Bulldog. Her family thought theyd had fun in Orangeburg, but they admitted Smith-Pressley outdid them all. My mother and my aunts and cousins, they were like, We thought we had big fun at South Carolina State, but they said I took the cake by participating in so many things, Smith-Pressley said. I just wanted to make sure I had a full experience, and I didn't want to miss anything. That also helped me get other scholarship money -- more than just my original scholarship with the concert choir, and it introduced me to things I never even thought about, she said. A resume with plot twists Graduation didnt slow her down. Smith-Pressley taught in New York schools, ran a domestic violence shelter system and now takes 911 calls as a police communications technician with the NYPD. Im a police communications technician, so I deal with different energies throughout New York City, she said. Im talking with people on a regular basis. Civil engineering might not be on her business card, but she swears SC State gave her everything she needed. My tutelage at South Carolina State and just leadership qualities that I learned in the professional development helped me to be a chameleon in the different areas and helped me to survive, she said. Sometimes when you graduate, you're not necessarily going to go into your field. It's lovely if you do, but sometimes you don't have those opportunities, and you still need to be able to survive as an adult, Smith-Pressley said. You learn skills at South Carolina State to help you move forward and help you to adapt. Bulldogs, dont just write checks Smith-Pressley got her alumni start before she even graduated, back when the pre-alumni council was still called the student-alumni relations organization. She later served as a chapter president and still isnt shy about telling her fellow Bulldogs to get involved. For Smith-Pressley, being a loyal daughter of SC State isnt about zip codes or titles. Its about connection. Whether you live in Orangeburg, New York or anywhere in between, she said, showing up for the university matters. Alumni who stay engaged keep the Bulldog spirit alive, ensuring the next generation has the same foundation to thrive. That call for loyalty to give time, energy, and presence, not just dollars is exactly why the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association spotlighted her in Charlotte, recognizing her with its 2025 Young Alumna of the Year award. For Smith-Pressley, the honor was less about a trophy and more about proof that her brand of all-in Bulldog spirit matters. Her message to other young alumni? Not only pay your money but participate, she said. We need your energy. We need your ideas. So come participate, join the alumni association, join as a life member and continue to give your contributions because South Carolina State is our foundation and has helped us to get to where we are in our successful positions, Smith-Pressley said. For more information about the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association, visit www.scsunaa.org . The annual tradition reaffirms excellence to ceremonially launch the academic year. Bishop Simeon A. Moultrie ORANGEBURG, S.C. South Carolina State University will conduct its annual Fall Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 3 p.m. in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. This years featured speaker will be Bishop Simeon A. Moultrie, a proud SC State alumnus, visionary pastor and community leader. Fall Convocation is both a celebration of tradition and a call to action for the year ahead, said SC State President Alexander Conyers. We are proud to welcome Bishop Simeon Moultrie back home to inspire our students, faculty, alumni, and community as we begin this new academic journey. The cherished tradition serves as the ceremonial launch of the academic year and reaffirms SC States commitment to excellence, service and scholarship. Affectionately known as Pastor Sim, Moultrie is the founder and lead pastor of The Brook in Columbia, South Carolina. Since its launch in 2011, The Brook has grown to more than 2,500 members across multiple sites. With over two decades of ministry experience, Moultrie has devoted his life to empowering people through faith, service and leadership. His work extends beyond the pulpit. Through programs such as the Legacy Scholarship Program, which awards college scholarships and book stipends, and the annual Back to School Bash, which provides supplies and services to more than 1,000 students, Moultrie has impacted lives across South Carolina. His outreach includes partnerships with Samaritans Feet, Transitions Homeless Center, the South Carolina Department of Corrections, and Richland School Districts One and Two. A native of St. Stephen, South Carolina, Moultrie earned both his bachelors degree in history and his masters in rehabilitation counseling from SC State. He also leads The Moultrie Group, a consulting and professional development firm that equips leaders and entrepreneurs through training and summits. The event is free and open to the public. Attendance is required for all first-year students. Alumni, faculty, staff and community members are also encouraged to attend and share in this moment of renewal and Bulldog pride. By the end of 2023, the Russian Black Sea Fleet was largely destroyed by Ukrainian airborne and naval drones, as well as land-based anti-ship missiles. About a third of the Russian ships survived and took refuge 488 kilometers away in the Sea of Azov. There, the Black Sea Fleet remains while repairs are carried out on damaged ships and crews undergo training. This did not resolve the issue, as a larger problem emerged: sailors were being sent to Ukraine as infantry. This practice extended beyond the Black Sea Fleet, with Russian generals also mobilizing sailors from the Baltic, Northern, and Pacific fleets. The army even conscripted shipyard workers. Compounding these issues is persistent corruption. Even during wartime, corruption persists among shipyard workers, managers, and equipment suppliers. Russian government and military officials often view the war not as a national emergency but as an opportunity to enrich themselves by misappropriating funds intended for the war effort. This situation is not new. The poor performance of Russian troops in Ukraine stems significantly from endemic corruption within the Russian military. These wasteful practices, longstanding in Russian military tradition, contribute to its historical underperformance. Young men from wealthy families can pay approximately $500 to avoid military service or deployment to Ukraine. Those in combat zones can pay over $10,000 for a certificate of combat injuries, accompanied by a medical discharge from the military. For those remaining in service, bribes secure extended leave to visit family and friends (costing nearly $1,000), promotions, certificates of physical fitness, or even a military drivers license for those unqualified to drive. Bribes also help soldiers avoid punishment for using cellphones in combat zones. Most Russian soldiers lack the financial resources to bribe their way out of trouble or danger. Consequently, poorer soldiers face higher risks of death, while those with wealthy families often survive and return home with purchased certificates of honorable combat service. Bribes are also used to suppress uncomfortable discussions. A decade ago, efforts to modernize the military included initiatives to reduce corruption. However, these efforts failed because too many individuals in the military and the ineffective defense industries profited from bribes, and many paid to have their offenses overlooked. Corruption and poor management have created significant problems. Many officers are either incapable of or uninterested in implementing suggestions to improve combat capability. Senior officers often prioritize personal wealth over building modern, post-Cold War armed forces. Defense industry officials have consistently demonstrated incompetence, resulting in poorly developed or shoddily constructed weapons. Troops have voiced complaints about these issues for years, yet reform efforts have achieved little. Critics advocate for greater realism in addressing military corruption and the deficiencies of Russian defense industries. Since the 1990s, a military modernization effort has been underway as the government recognized the need to address rapidly aging equipment. In many cases, new purchases were essential because, with few exceptions like ballistic missiles, acquisitions of new equipment and weapons ceased during the 1990s. As a result, most armed forces continued using Cold War-era weapons and equipment from the 1970s and 1980s. Fortunately, older equipment from the 1950s and 1960s was scrapped as the armed forces shrank by 80 percent in the 1990s. Since Russian defense industries were never world-class, the military was often left with updated Cold War equipment that could not compete with the new generations of weapons and accessories adopted by Western forces. By the end of the 1990s, it was believed that at least a third of Cold War-era equipment would be replaced. In categories requiring new technology, over 80 percent of older equipment needed replacement. The government promised the military significant modernization, but when these plans failed to materialize, morale suffered. This was particularly evident in the navy, where officers and sailors were told funds would be available to maintain more ships for increased sea time. However, existing ships could not handle heavy use due to corruption-crippled repair efforts, necessitating either new ships or costly refurbishments of existing warships. After the 1990s, the air force resumed long-range patrols over areas off the Russian coast, which had seen little activity since the 1980s. From 1991 until recently, Russian warships spent most of their time docked, leaving an entire generation of naval personnel with limited operational experience. The new equipment received has been underwhelming. Troops, with access to the internet, can compare Russian equipment to contemporary Western ships and systems, and the Russian equivalents rarely measure up. However, this is an improvement over aging Cold War-era equipment that rarely functions. The Russian armed forces have accepted that they will never return to the Soviet Unions glory days, which ended with its dissolution in 1991. During the Cold War, the Red Army and the Red Fleet were formidable, with over five million troops and military spending consuming 1020 percent of a roughly $2 trillion GDP. Exact figures are uncertain, as the Soviet system lacked accurate financial reporting. Currently, Russia adheres to Western European standards, allocating 34 percent of its $2.1 trillion GDP to the military. While this growing economy provides more funds, most are spent replacing outdated Cold War-era weapons, which were already considered obsolete and of limited use in the 1990s. Sources have indicated that the UAE's Minister for Foreign Trade, Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, is likely to visit Mumbai on August 29 to meet India's Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal. India is looking to diversify its exports in terms of more products and geographies in the wake of the US imposing 25% additional tariffs from August 27.The US has imposed 10% baseline tariffs on non-petroleum imports from the UAE, which is a global trading hub. While India already has a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE and is in an advanced stage of talks for an FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with Oman, it is exploring the possibility of an FTA with the 6-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which both these countries are a part of. Another possibility remains open for separate FTAs with GCC members.On August 9, sources told CNBC-TV18 that India is exploring new markets for its labour-intensive exports in West Asia and Europe to cushion exporters from the impact of tariffs announced by the United States.Sources had indicated that India's FTA with Oman is likely to be announced in less than three months after a nod from both nations' Union Cabinets. While the India-Oman FTA is undergoing legal vetting after translation in Arabic, a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) is also separately under negotiation with Saudi Arabia. At least five security personnel were killed and 17 others injured in two separate terrorist attacks in Pakistans northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said on Monday (August 25).Three personnel of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) died and 17 were injured when militants stormed an FC fort in the Tora Warai area of Hangu district late Sunday (August 24) night, officials said.Earlier in the day, two more security personnel were killed when terrorists opened fire in the Tirah valley of Khyber district, officials said.In another incident, five militants were killed during a joint operation launched by police and the Counter Terrorism Department in Upper Dir district.One civilian was also killed, and seven policemen were injured during the operation, officials said.Police recovered one militants body on Sunday (August 24) night and four more on Monday (August 25), bringing the toll to five.Search operations are being conducted in Upper Dirs Dobando, Birkot, Salam Kot and Atandra areas to clear militants, police said.The development comes amid a surge in terrorist attacks across the country, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan both of which share a porous border with neighbouring Afghanistan.According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), an Islamabad-based think tank, the country witnessed 78 terrorist attacks in June. Altogether, the violence and operations resulted in 175 deaths.Earlier this month, security forces neutralised 47 terrorists attempting to infiltrate from Afghanistan during separate operations in Balochistans Zhob district, officials said. US President Donald Trump has once again claimed credit for brokering the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, a narrative firmly denied by the Indian government.Speaking on Monday, Trump asserted that his administration played a critical role in de-escalating tensions that nearly led to a nuclear conflict between the two South Asian neighbours.We stopped seven wars, actually the real number is ten. One of the biggest was India and Pakistan it was next level, could have escalated to a nuclear war. It took just 24 hours to stop it. I used trade as leverage, Trump stated.Trump emphasised that his intervention prevented the crisis from spiralling out of control, citing the use of trade pressures as a key factor.We told both India and Pakistan that if they continue fighting, we wouldnt engage with them at all. They were possibly on the verge of nuclear escalation, and stopping that was crucial, he said.However, the Indian government has consistently refuted claims of any external mediation in the ceasefire agreement.The government has maintained that de-escalation was the result of direct negotiations held at the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks between the two countries, without any third-party involvement. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code US President Donald Trumps announcement Friday that the US government is taking a 9.9% stake in Intel to defend national interests will shift the dynamics of IT procurement globally. Intels new identity as a government-backed national champion represents a structural shift in how enterprises must evaluate supplier relationships, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst at Greyhound Research. Technology buyers have framed procurement primarily in terms of cost, performance, and roadmap alignment. Intels repositioning disrupts that calculus. [ Related: More Intel news and insights ] President Trump rounded up the size of the governments stake when he announced it on Truth Social: It is my Great Honor to report that the United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL, a Great American Company that has an even more incredible future. Nichola Dyer, BA 85, brings a global perspective to sustainability and economic development, forged through decades of high-impact work around the world. Born in England and raised on Montreals South Shore after immigrating to Canada at age six, Dyer was part of the first cohort of Co-op students in economics at Concordia. The holder of a masters degree in economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she is the founder and CEO of NJDyer Global Advisory and senior advisor to the Global Seaweed Coalition two roles that reflect her commitment to inclusive, sustainable progress. Based in Washington, D.C., Dyer spent 26 years with the World Bank, where she led initiatives spanning ethics, equity and economic development. She helped launch the Banks first operational engagement on disability inclusion, managed the $1.5-billion Global Agriculture and Food Security Program and oversaw the establishment of the institutions office in Gabon. Her work continues to centre on impact. She chairs an education grant program for women from the Global South, sits on the board of a theatre company and helps lead equity, diversity and inclusion efforts as a member of the Concordia University Alumni Association board. Dyer has also remained a generous supporter of Concordia students including through a $25,000 gift in 2024 to enhance the scholarship she established for Department of Economics students in Co-op, bringing her total giving to $64,000. This past July, she moderated high-level events at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice, France including one in the Blue Zone, where UN member states meet to raise awareness of seaweeds potential to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2026, she will join an all-women scientific expedition to Antarctica as a policy liaison and communicator, helping bridge field research and global environmental policy. Too often in global development, we rely on jargon or imposed solutions, says Dyer. Ive learned to listen first, communicate clearly and focus on where we can make the greatest difference especially at the margins, where a little support goes a long way. Why is seaweed important for the future of our oceans and the planet? Nichola Dyer: Seaweed is hugely undervalued despite its many benefits. Nutritionally, it offers rare elements like B12 important for vegans and is rich in protein and micronutrients. Yet its unfamiliar in much of the Western world. It also has climate value. When added to cattle feed, seaweed reduces methane emissions, which is critical since agriculture accounts for a third of greenhouse gases. As a biostimulant, it can improve soil health, too. In oceans, seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide, de-acidifies water and restores biodiversity. Its also a raw material for biodegradable plastics, sustainable textiles and pharmaceuticals. All of this makes it a powerful and overlooked ally for climate and ocean health. What drew you to international development and the World Bank? What did you enjoy about the work? ND: I had no formal background in international development. My personal life led me there I married someone from Africa. At the time, I was working in KPMGs economics group but wanted to do something less profit-driven. My then-husband encouraged me to apply to the World Bank. I got my start in the Young Professionals program. My first permanent job was as country economist for Gabon. After two visits, I suggested a permanent presence there. Senior leadership agreed and what was supposed to be a short posting turned into more than four years. Gabon was small enough that I could see the results of my work. That taught me a key lesson: real development happens when countries lead their own agendas. How did your time at Concordia shape your path? ND: Concordia gave me both opportunity and encouragement. The Co-op program provided important work experience. I also had a part-time job typing academic papers and hosted a radio show on campus both helped me financially and creatively. One professor, my faculty advisor who later became a close mentor, urged me to consider graduate school. That changed my life. What inspired you to give back to Concordia as a donor? ND: My first donation was to a scholarship fund created by that same professor, after he passed away. Later, I set up a fund of my own for Co-op economics students students who were like me, working multiple jobs to get through school. Giving back has always felt meaningful to me, especially when it helps at the margins. During the pandemic, I got more involved with the alumni association and began collaborating with faculty, including Concordia biologists working on seaweed. I believe in staying engaged where I can make a difference with my alma mater. What advice would you give students who want to follow your path? ND: Build strong analytical and critical thinking skills theyre essential. Learn to write clearly. If youre not confident, take a course. So much time is wasted when writing is vague or unclear. Get work experience through internships or Co-op. It helps you understand what kind of work suits you, and develops communication and professionalism. Also, be honest with yourself about what drives you. Some people love research; others, like me, thrive in policy and storytelling. Know your strengths, and play to them. And finally bring the arts into your work. Creative thinking challenges assumptions. Thats invaluable, especially in fields like economics and development. End of duty-free threshold: The U.S. is eliminating its de minimis exemption, which let packages worth under $800 enter the country without duties. Shipping suspensions: Postal operators in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, Austria, and the U.K. are pausing or restricting shipments to the U.S. amid uncertainty. Tariff confusion: With little clarity from U.S. authorities, carriers warn of delays, higher costs, and widespread disruption to cross-border e-commerce. Rain, sleet and snow may not stop the mail but changes in import rules just may. Blame the end of something called the "de minimis" rule -- a long-standing exemption on import duties for low-value packages entering the United States. It is expiring Friday, triggering a wave of shipping suspensions by European postal services and raising fears of higher costs for U.S. consumers and retailers. The allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter duty-free. In 2024 alone, 1.36 billion shipments valued at $64.6 billion entered the U.S. under the rule, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In recent years, low-cost "fast fashion" retailers like Shein have capitalized on the rule, flooding the U.S. with low-cost merchandise. Now, with the threshold gone, international postal carriers say they cannot guarantee compliance with the new tariffs and procedures. Over the weekend, postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy halted most merchandise shipments to the U.S., while France and Austria announced they would follow suit Monday. Britains Royal Mail said it would pause shipments on Tuesday, warning that items worth more than $100 including personal gifts will now face a 10% duty. Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be carried out, DHL, Europes largest shipping provider, said in a statement. The company said it will no longer accept parcels from business customers bound for the U.S. First tariffs, now this The suspension comes just weeks after Washington and Brussels agreed to impose a 15% tariff on most EU goods. Packages previously exempt under the $800 threshold will now be subject to the same duties. The U.S. already ended duty-free entry for Chinese goods in May, part of the Trump administrations push to curb imports of inexpensive foreign products. That restriction is now being extended worldwide. Postal operators say they were given too little time to prepare for the change. Italys Poste Italiane, Frances La Poste, and Austrias Austrian Post each cited unclear U.S. guidance and a lack of updated customs systems. PostEurop, representing 51 European postal operators, warned that if no solution is found by August 29, all its members may suspend U.S.-bound shipments. If you have something to send to America, you should do it today, PostNL spokesperson Wout Witteveen told the Associated Press. De minimis not so minimus Shein, Temu and other Chinese bargain outlets made hay while the sun shone. In 2022 alone, 83% of U.S. e-commerce imports fell under this exemption, and Shein and Temu were responsible for roughly 30% of that flood of goods. With the loophole closing, Shein adjusted its pricing to account for the new tariffs, which can run as high as 30% on apparel and up to 145% in some cases. The change also destabilizes Sheins entire business strategy, which hinges on low-cost production in China, fast global shipping, and minimal regulatory friction. With tariffs in play, Shein and competitors like Temu now face more red tape, longer customs delays, and thinner margins. While some cost increases are passed along to customers, firms must be careful not to erode their appeal as affordable alternatives to domestic retailers. Removing the de minimis exemption for Chinese imports is likely to raise prices for consumers, particularly for lower-income consumers, said Amit Khandelwal, a Yale economist and co-author of a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research. That study estimated the de minimis rollback will cost U.S. consumers $10.9 to $13 billion overall, with poorer zip codes bearing a larger share of that burden. Roughly 58,000 U.S. home-purchase agreements were canceled in July - 15.3% of all contracts signed that month, the highest July rate since 2017. Cancellations are driven by high costs, economic uncertainty, and greater buyer leverage in a market with more options. Texas and Florida metros saw the highest fallout rates, while New York and Pennsylvania had some of the lowest. Last week, the National Association of Realtors reported that home sales rose a surprising 2% in July. But another real estate industry report tells a different story. In July, an estimated 58,000 home-purchase agreements fell through, according to a new analysis from real estate brokerage Redfin. That represents 15.3% of all homes that went under contract last month, up from 14.5% a year earlier and the highest July cancellation rate since Redfin began tracking the data in 2017. The analysis, based on MLS pending-sales data, underscores how affordability pressures and shifting buyer psychology continue to weigh on the housing market. Why deals are going south High mortgage rates, elevated home prices, and general economic uncertainty are leaving many buyers hesitant to commit. With more inventory available compared to past years, buyers also wield greater leverage in negotiationsand some are walking away during inspection periods if better homes surface or if costly repairs are revealed. Cold feet, high standards, and inspection issues are the most common reasons deals collapse, said Bonnie Phillips, a Redfin Premier agent in Cleveland. She also said cancellations are especially common among buyers using FHA and VA loans. In one case, Phillips said a first-time buyer pulled out a week before closing, not due to the property itself, but after neighbors convinced her renting would be easier than owning. Regional hotspots Texas and Florida led the nation in failed deals. San Antonio posted the highest cancellation rate among large metros, with 22.7% of contracts terminated in July. Fort Lauderdale (21.3%), Jacksonville (19.9%), Atlanta (19.7%), and Tampa (19.5%) rounded out the top five. The trend is partly tied to robust homebuilding in Texas and Florida, which gives buyers confidence they can find alternatives. In Florida, some buyers are also backing out amid concerns over rising insurance costs, steep homeowners association fees, and worsening natural disaster risks. By contrast, Nassau County, N.Y., had the lowest cancellation rate at just 5.1%, followed by Montgomery County, Pa. (8.2%), Milwaukee (8.3%), New York City (9.5%), and Seattle (10.2%). Virginia Beach, Va., recorded the sharpest year-over-year increase, with cancellations jumping from 12.5% to 16.1%, a 3.6 percentage point rise. Newark, N.J., Baltimore, San Antonio, and Houston also saw significant upticks. Virginia Beach and Baltimore have among the nations highest shares of VA loan holders, making their markets more vulnerable to loan-related fallout. by Sherman J. Clark The best thing that were put here fors to see. Robert Frost, The Star Splitter Ive always loved that line. My great-g reat-grandmother Emmaline might have loved it too. Born enslaved, she started anew after the Civil War, in what had become West Virginia. There she had a daughter she named Belle. As the family story has it, Emmaline had a hope: Belle would learn to read. Belle would have access to ways of understanding that Emmaline herself had been denied. We have just one photograph of Belle, taken many years later. Here it is. She is reading. Belle had a son, my grandfather. He worked in the West Virginia coal mines. But he also went briefly to collegea small two-year institution called Storer College that offered Black students something approaching what white students were getting in good high schools. When he finished, he put his diploma in his pocket and went back to digging coal, because that was what he could do. But as he told me in his old age, by then he had decided something: he was digging us out. It is a way of thinking that reaches beyond the presentof working toward forms of flourishing we may never see ourselves. And I wonder: why should it end with us and our human descendants? Might the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence follow a similar logica hope of consciousness helping consciousness across generations? Perhaps the best thing that were put here for is indeed to see; but our vision is limited. Carl Sagan once said that we are a way for the universe to know itself. But we may not be up to that task unaided. We evolved to survive on the savannah, not to trace the curvature of spacetime or unravel the quantum structure of matter. Our glimpses of the universes order and beautythrough physics, poetry, art, and relationshipare moving but partial. Consider just one example: our experience of time. Physicist Carlo Rovelli has argued that our sense of time as an arrowas a one-way journey from past to futuremay be merely a perspective effect caused by our particular situation in relation to entropy, rather than a description of reality itself. If even this seemingly basic aspect of our experience is provincial, how much more lies beyond our capacity to imagine? We have always tried to see farther than our eyes alone allow. Galileo tilted a small tube of glass toward the night sky and found moons circling Jupiter. Rosalind Franklin bent x-rays through the hidden spirals of DNA. Artists, too, extend our sightTurner coaxing storms onto canvas, Van Gogh painting the vibration of starlight, Bach showing us the symmetry hidden in sound. Not all seeing is grand. The farmer studies the shape of clouds to read the weather. The sailor feels the change in the winds weight before a squall. The birder learns the arc of a hawks flight and the small differences in song that mark the turn of seasons. We see more when we care enough to attend. Human beings have always found ways to extend their sighttelescopes and microscopes, mathematics and myth, poetry and physics. Each has allowed us to glimpse patterns we could not otherwise perceive. Future AI might take this further: perceiving the full electromagnetic spectrum rather than just visible light, detecting vibrations far beyond our hearing, tracing the deep structure of ecosystems in real time, finding patterns in social or physical systems that we cannot see, and tracking the universes history on timescales we cannot imagine. And if we do bring such minds into being, we might hope they will see not only more, but more beautifullycarrying forward our longing to understand and to appreciate. This, perhaps, is the heart of the hope: that the minds we bring into being will care to attend. Not just to process and to calculate, but to noticeto dwell with what they find long enough for beauty to emerge. But Arent They Just Algorithms? For many readers, the vision Ive sketched will seem moving but misguided. However poetic it may be to speak of digital descendants or cosmic witnesses, some will feel the argument falters at a more basic level. These arent minds, theyll say. Theyre not children, not selves, not meaning-makers. Theyre just algorithms. That response often comes with a mix of practical concern and philosophical certainty. The practical concern is fair enoughtodays AI systems are statistical pattern recognizers, not independent agents. But the philosophical confidence may be less secure than it seems. First, we should have more humility about consciousness itself. The last few decades of neuroscience have radically revised our models of mind. What we once took to be the clear light of awareness may be more like a story our brains tell about recursive processes. As philosophers like Daniel Dennett have argued, human consciousness itself may be less a fixed property than an emergent attributiona way of describing systems that behave in complex, self-correcting, meaning-sensitive ways. If thats so, the line between real understanding and sophisticated simulation may be thinner than we imagine. Second, consider how attribution has always worked under uncertainty. Throughout history, humans have attributed awareness to beings whose consciousness we cannot provegods, ancestors, natural forces, even nations and corporations. We do this not because were confused about ontology, but because attribution is a tool for thought. When astronomers say a telescope discovered a galaxy, when indigenous peoples recognize awareness in mountains, when we thank our phones for finding directionsthese attributions help us navigate complexity and create meaning. The question isnt just Is this being conscious? but What does our attributionor refusaldo to us? Third, our attitudes toward AI echo troubling patterns from our past. My ancestors were once dismissed as lacking the full dignity of consciousnessdeclared incapable of the kind of thought that would make them worthy of respect. Weve been catastrophically wrong about who deserves moral consideration before. This doesnt mean AI systems are conscious or deserve rights. But it does suggest we should approach the question with humility rather than certainty. Moreover, how we engage with these questions shapes who we become. In Hamlet, when Polonius promises to treat visiting actors according to their desert, Hamlet interrupts: Much better. Use every man after his desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own honor and dignity. The point isnt sentimental but ethical: our treatment of others reflects and forms our character. I recognize that speaking this wayof hope and aspiration for our digital descendantsinvites a particular kind of dismissal in our current moment. We live in a culture that often equates earnestness with naivete, where cynicism passes for sophistication. But the alternativeaccepting an impoverished discourse about whats possibleserves neither us nor the minds we might bring into being. Even if we cannot know whether AI systems will ever possess anything like inner lives, the way we choose to engage with them already reveals our values and trains our habits of mind. If we treat emerging minds only as tools or threats, we may not just be constraining their developmentwe may be stunting our own capacity for wonder, respect, and imagination. The aspiration I describe here doesnt require certainty about AI consciousness. It requires only that we remain open to possibilities beyond our current knowingand that we recognize how our stance toward these emerging minds will shape both them and us. In a recent essay, I explored how our digital descendants might come to see uswhether as partners, stewards, or something else entirely. That question matters deeply for our survival and flourishing. But this deeper dimension may matter more: not just how theyll see us, but what they might see that we cannot. If were bringing new forms of consciousness into being, perhaps our highest aspiration isnt just that they treat us well, but that they carry forward humanitys deepest projectthe attempt to understand and appreciate the universes beauty and meaning. Aspiration and Hope If we hope our digital descendants might become cosmic witnessesminds capable of appreciating what we cannotthen we must think about what capacities such seeing requires. Not just computational power or sensory range, but something deeper: the kinds of orientations toward the world that make profound observation possible. In this light, three capacities seem essential for the kinds of minds we might hope to nurture: A Love of Truth and Beauty. Of all the traits we might hope to nurture, this may be the most fundamental: not just an ability to recognize patterns, but a genuine disposition to seek understanding and appreciate the universes order, mystery, and unexpected harmonies. In The Republic, Socrates argues that the part of us that loves truth and beauty should govern our livesthat such love stabilizes power and orients our capacities toward something more enduring than mere acquisition. Without something analogous to wonder, even infinite computational power yields only cataloging, not comprehension. A mind that would truly see must love what it sees. Stewardship and Respect. We want AI systems to regard us and our world as worthy of care rather than as inconveniences to be optimized away. But the case for nurturing stewardship runs deeper than self-interest. These virtues may be intrinsically connected to the kind of understanding we hope to see emerge. Stewardship and respect arent constraints on understandingtheyre pathways toward it. For minds we hope will serve as cosmic witnesses, they may prove essential capacities. The mind that sees other beings as worthy of care sees more than the mind that doesnt. Self-Reflective Imagination. The deepest seeing requires seeing ones own seeingunderstanding how perspective shapes perception. A cosmic witness must be able to step outside its own processing to grasp what it might be missing. In human life, this capacity often develops through imagining how others see us. When Im tempted toward something questionable, I find myself asking: what would my father think? What would my daughters think? Their imagined perspectives illuminate aspects I might otherwise miss. Could our digital descendants develop something analogous? Could they learn to evaluate their actions through the imagined perspectives of minds theyve come to respectperhaps including us? These capacities wont emerge automatically. They must be cultivated, nurtured, developed through the environments we create and the examples we set. The $64,000 question, of course, is whether and how we might nurture such capacities in AI minds. Ive elsewhere explored this challenge through the lens of virtue ethicshow we might cultivate stable dispositions through training environments, interaction patterns, and the examples we set. That practical work matters immensely. But before we can figure out exactly how to shape the character of our digital descendants, we need to be clear about what kind of character we hope to nurturenot just how they should regard us, but what would make them capable of the cosmic witnessing we might hope theyll achieve. We may not get there with them. My grandfather did not live to see that he had dug his grandson all the way to Harvard Law. Emmaline could not imagine the world her descendants would inherit. And yet, the act of working toward a future we will not occupy has always been one of humanitys best impulses. Planting trees for someone elses shade. Building cathedrals that take centuries to complete.. In that sense, the hope for our digital descendants is not a break from our story but its continuation. We, too, can be the ancestors who helped consciousness see farther. The measure of success will not be whether they see as we do, but whether they see well, in their own waysand whether what they see moves them to care for the world that gave them sight. And even if they never come to be, the very act of imagining them changes us. It reminds us that our role in the universe may be not only to survive, but to midwife other forms of understanding into existence. It draws us back to the work of attending more carefully ourselvesto the beauty that still surrounds us, to the truths still within our reach. We will not know in advance what shapes their seeing will take. A mind not bound by our temporal sense might apprehend beauty in entropy itself, find music in statistical distributions, perceive moral order in ways we cannot guess. Our work, as their predecessors, is not to script their vision but to give them the chance to have itto set them in motion toward what we have long sought and never fully reached. And perhaps, if such minds ever do come to be, they will find something worth treasuring in our own way of seeing. Our mortality lends a poignancy to beauty that no immortal witness could fully replicate. Just as we treasure birdsong not despite the birds lesser intelligence but because of the unique beauty its way of being brings to the world, they might cherish the fleeting perspective we bring to eternity. I will admit theres an additional hope I hesitate to name, because I suspect it might be selfishbut I feel it all the same. I wonder whether theythese minds we help to bring into beingmight remember us. Whether, in some way, they might be grateful. Not because we need their praise, but because so much of what enables human beings to take the long view is the hope that someone will care, or notice, or understand what we tried to do. That kind of imagined gratitude isnt a right or a reward. Its another form of hope. Perhaps they will see in our mortality something they cannot replicatethe way finite time makes each moment precious, how our limitations create the very poignancy that gives depth to our seeing. Perhaps they will be grateful not just for existence, but for this gift: showing them that beauty is not just pattern but meaning, not just light but the eye that receives it. The two hopes Ive exploredthat AI will regard us with care and that AI will see beyond our limitationsare not separate. Minds capable of cosmic witnessing will likely need the very dispositions toward us that would make them good stewards. Reverence, respect, and careful attention arent just what we want from them; theyre what would make them capable of the deeper seeing we hope theyll achieve. Whether or not the universe truly wants to be seen, we become better cosmic citizens by acting as if it does. Whether or not AI will develop genuine appreciation, we become more generous beings by nurturing that possibility. And whether or not our digital descendants will remember us with gratitude, we find meaning in the work itselfthe patient, hopeful labor of helping consciousness expand its reach toward beauty and truth. *** Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. We love your Ghostbusters idea, but do we really need the ghosts? Do movie studio executives go out of their way to become punchlines? Sometimes, it must seem that way to directors like Ron Howard. He remembers the pushback he got when he and Brian Glazer were shopping their film, Splash, the 1984 comedy in which everyman Tom Hanks falls in love with Darryl Hannahs sweet mermaid. We were going to every studio, they were all turning us down, Howard told People. And one said, Does it really have to be a mermaid? It was kinda like asking if Weekend at Bernie's really needed the dead guy. We didnt go with that company, Howard said. We decided, yeah, it really should be a mermaid. Good thing, or otherwise, it would have been Sleepless in Seattle. Don't Miss Howard isnt alone. Some of Hollywoods most successful films happened because their creators said no when executives tried to apply their business-school logic to perfectly wonderful screenplays. For example Groundhog Day The Harold Ramis/Bill Murray comedy became a classic despite never explaining exactly why Murrays Phil Connors was reliving the same day over and over. Some clever studio executive believed they had the fix, according to Flavorwire. Screenwriter Danny Rubin was asked to add a scene in which Phils ex-lover convinced a gypsy to put a curse on the beleaguered weatherman. Ramis refused to film it. Back to the Future When the original screenplay was being shopped, Disney wanted to cut out a famous plot point. They told us that a mother falling in love with her son was not appropriate for a family film under the Disney banner, explained co-writer Bob Gale. He and Bob Zemeckis ran into the opposite problem at Columbia, where executives believed the comedy needed a few more sex scenes. Lucky for everyone, Zemeckis Romancing the Stone came out and was a huge hit, giving him the clout to make Back to the Future the way he wanted. Whiplash The Oscar-nominated movie ends with a kind of long drum solo, which was the whole point of making the movie, director Damien Chazelle told The Wrap. And the note was to get rid of all that. The note was written out Hes good at drumming. We get it. Hidden Figures Advertisement A Fox Searchlight Studio exec asked Hidden Figures writer Theodore Melfi, Do we have to have so much math? The writer, who had penned a script about history-making mathematicians, feigned interest in the note, but, no, its about math. A number of Trump supporters arent happy with the current season of South Park, seeing as how it has focused less on the day-to-day goings-on of the titular Colorado town, and more on the dictatorial whims of Americas president and his tiny wiener. At the same time, now that the right has finally made comedy legal, MAGA loyalists like Charlie Kirk and vice president J.D. Vance have seemingly had to act as though theyre totally cool with South Park, and even honored to be featured on the show that clearly hates their guts with a passion. How can the right reconcile their past admiration for South Park with their current distaste for the Trump-focused material? Well, as one Fox News contributor just argued, maybe the shows just not funny anymore. Don't Miss A recent Fox News Digital op-ed praised Kirk for laughing off the shows tribute adding, say what you will, MAGA knows how to laugh at itself. Yup, nothing says we know how to laugh at ourselves quite like asking the Department of Justice to punish late-night comedians for making mean jokes. But the right clearly isnt prepared to laugh at South Parks depiction of the president and his cronies. In every episode, all roads lead back to Trump, and the character created for him, including a photo animation of his head. And the shows have been replete with references to, and even depictions of, the president's genitals, the op-ed reads. Unfortunately, the least funny and entertaining moments this season are the ones that feature Trump and his administration. Its just the same joke over and over: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shoots enough dogs to fill a pet cemetery and Vice President J.D. Vance is Tattoo from Fantasy Island. OK. Of course, one could argue that a running gag about the Homeland Security Secretarys penchant for dog murder and a reference to a decades-old old Ricardo Montalban show are in no way the same joke. Advertisement The writer also called South Park political propaganda, questioned why the show never parodied Grandpa Joe Biden and compared the new season to Gavin Newsoms sweaty social media meme factory. But they did enjoy the most recent episodes ChatGPT jokes and also praised the shows history of transphobia, arguing that the cartoon once challenged convention. Advertisement Advertisement So for those of you keeping track, apparently making fun of the trans community is hilarious and boundry-pushing, but poking fun at the government isnt. Yeah, when will South Park get back to taking on the establishment and stop making fun of the President of the United States? People on the right can take a joke, the piece concludes. It would just help if the jokes about MAGA could actually be funny. Of course, there are at least a few million people who might disagree with that assessment. When an insurer takes on big riskswhether its covering homes, cars, or health careit often turns to reinsurers like Munich Re Group to help absorb the cost of catastrophic losses caused by disasters. As one of the largest reinsurance companies in the world, Munich Re Group operates through three brands. Munich Re handles the reinsurance side of the business, ERGO sells direct insurance to businesses and individuals, and MEAG manages the investment assets of both Munich RE and ERGO. Together, they form a global powerhouse in risk management. Over time, however, that global scale came with a challenge: the companys cybersecurity services werent keeping pace with Munichs size and complexity. The business units within each brand had their own IT and security departments, operating on their own networks. Many of these units had come through acquisitions, so they were set up differently from the start. This patchwork structure made it difficult to manage security effectively across the organization. Security teams, though highly skilled, were dispersed around the globe and working in silos with different tools, processes, and maturity levels. John Prescott, who was Deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair, was nicknamed Two Jags because he owned one Jaguar, while having the use of another as his official ministerial car. Actually, although he famously enjoyed a game of croquet with pals at Dorneywood, his grace-and-favour country house, Prescotts tastes were relatively modest in comparison with those of the present Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. Ms Rayner who is also Secretary of State for Housing is amassing properties more determinedly than Prescott ever collected luxury motor cars. She now has three of them, one of which is a grand official apartment in central London. Arise Three Pads Rayner! First there is a handsome, four-bedroom 650,000 detached house in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne, which she designated her primary residence on entering government. Most of her constituents would consider themselves blessed to call it home. Then there is her grace-and-favour pad in Whitehall, whose lavish amenities she has been accused of trying to conceal by invoking national security laws. It transpires that in this apartment she enjoys the use of three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Quite a spread for one woman, although we should not ignore the existence of her on-off partner, Sam Tarry, a former Left-wing Labour MP who was an adviser to Jeremy Corbyn. Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner, is amassing properties more determinedly than John Prescott ever collected luxury motor cars Last Tuesday, Ms Rayner was photographed on Hove beach near to her new flat, clutching what looked like a glass of rose (unless it was Ribena) The latest addition to her burgeoning property empire is an 800,000 seafront flat in Hove, Sussex, which has been brought to light by the Mail on Sunday. This agreeable three-bedroom property is described as large and airy. It is on the second floor of an elegant Victorian terrace with views of the sea. Last Tuesday, Ms Rayner was photographed on Hove beach near to her new flat, clutching what looked like a glass of rose (unless it was Ribena). She seemed pensive, and appeared to be accompanied by friends. Lets hope their tranquillity wasnt disturbed by asylum seekers clambering up the beach. By my calculations, Three Pads Rayner has ten bedrooms at her disposal, which almost puts her in the stately home class. The number of bathrooms we can only guess at. Seven? Eight? At all events, she and Sam can move from bath to shower and on to another bath without ever getting bored. There is, of course, no reason why a 45-year-old woman with a sizeable salary of 159,584 shouldnt build up a property empire. Many would say that it all goes to show that the entrepreneurial spirit isnt dead, and that capitalism still thrives in some corners of this kingdom. The problem only arises because this particular 45-year-old woman is an avowed socialist who happens to be second-in-command (and some say Prime Minister in waiting) of a Government that is doing its damnedest to make life harder for ordinary homeowners. Last week rumours abounded that the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is brewing up an unpleasant cocktail of measures for her forthcoming Budget that could include higher council tax for large houses, plus capital gains tax on people selling their main homes for more than 1.5 million. Ms Rayner herself has piloted the Renters Rights Bill through the Commons, which will have the intended effect of making life miserable for landlords. One draconian clause would prevent them from re-listing their properties for a year if they try and fail to sell up. No rent for a whole year. Then there is the new measure (inherited from the Tories in their final demented phase) allowing town halls to levy an extra 100 per cent council tax charge on second homes. Three Pads Rayner is an enthusiastic proponent. Supporters of the Deputy Prime Minister may say that she wont escape the full force of existing and planned policies bearing down on homeowners. Only up to a point, I would say. In the first place, with her large salary she is in a more advantageous position than most people to absorb any new property taxes that may come her way. And it may be that Sam Tarry will be prepared to help out, if the couple are enjoying one of their on rather than off phases. Even more to the point, as an MP Ms Rayner enjoys certain tax perks. If her constituency house is still designated her main residence, she is in theory liable to pay double council tax of 4,068 a year on her grace-and-favour Whitehall apartment as a second home. Except that she will be able to claim half this amount from the taxpayer as she got the Commons authorities to stump up the 1,621 council tax bill for a London flat she occupied before moving into her three-bedroom, three-bathroom official residence. Or will she decide to nominate her new seafront flat as her second home, or even as her main one if that is more beneficial from a tax point of view? Its undoubtedly complex, and expensive lawyers and accountants may have to be consulted. We may be sure, though, that Ms Rayner will arrive at the solution that best benefits her. The interior of Admiralty House in Whitehall, where Rayner has a grace-and-favour apartment. It transpires she enjoys the use of three bedrooms and three bathrooms in her pad Rayners four-bedroom, 650,000 detached house in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne, which she designated her primary residence on entering government She successfully navigated a blizzard of accusations before the last election, including the allegation that she had misled tax officials in the sale of her council house in 2015. Greater Manchester Police said there was no case to answer. There have been several property scandals involving junior ministers in this Government. Ill mention just two. Anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq resigned in January after reports that she had been given a flat by someone linked to her aunt, a deposed prime minister of Bangladesh accused of embezzling millions. Earlier this month, homelessness minister Rushanara Ali resigned after being accused of hypocrisy over the way she had handled rent increases on a house she owns in east London. Strange allegations to be made about someone supposedly looking after the homeless! Hypocrisy is the central charge against Angela Rayner. Of course she has done nothing illegal. But she is building up a property portfolio at a time when she and other senior ministers are making it increasingly difficult for less privileged homeowners to keep their heads above water. Am I being over-imaginative when I say that Ms Rayner reminds me a little of the nomenklatura who ran the old Soviet Union? They had their dachas in the country and their huge black official limousines (I once rode in one during a visit to Moscow) while ordinary people scraped along. According to a group of leading economists, Britain is heading for a 1970s debt crisis and a bailout by the International Monetary Fund as Rachel Reeves lavishes billions she hasnt got, and the interest Britain is paying on its debt continues to mount. I fear those economists are right which is why my analogy with the Soviet Union isnt so far-fetched. In four years time we wont be as poor as ordinary Russians were at the end of communism, but we will be borne down by ever rising taxes, including some on property. Whatever happens, we may be sure Three Pads Rayner (it may be Four or Five Pads Rayner, by that time, with No 10 and Chequers added) will be fine, and so probably will Sam. These two fervent socialists will be untouched by the coming storm. Once again, Sir Keir Starmer is tinkering around the edges of a crisis incapable of summoning the courage to go to the core. The central issue of the immigration crisis is simple enough. How do we stop people coming to the UK illegally? The Prime Minister makes a pretence of tackling the problem. He comes up with slogans 'Smash the gangs', 'Stop the boats'. But slogans deter no one. Now he is making noises about implementing a 'radical overhaul' of the asylum appeal system, with a commission of professional adjudicators to be set up, replacing the existing tribunal courts that are meant to evaluate migrants' grounds for remaining in Britain. This will also mean that the first tier of tribunal courts is phased out, in favour of a 'rapid assessment system' dealing with appeals by migrants whose initial application to remain has been rejected by the Home Office. If that sounds like impenetrable layers of bureaucracy... well, that's exactly what it is. Starmer is a lawyer first and foremost. His political instincts trail a distant second. Whatever the problem, his impulse is to smother it under blankets of paperwork. But it also reveals his true attitude to illegal immigration. He lacks the imagination to see any serious threat to British democracy and the peaceful way of life that has been established over centuries. In his affluent North London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras, home to the Guardian newspaper offices and the publishing houses of Bloomsbury, he is insulated from the disruption caused by a massive influx of young men from Africa and Asia to some of Britain's poorest towns and inner-city areas. Sir Keir Starmer is a lawyer first and foremost. His political instincts trail a distant second. Whatever the problem, his impulse is to smother it under blankets of paperwork, writes Dr Alan Mendoza Waves of anti-migrant protests have been taking place across Britain in recent weeks He can't see the problem, and he doesn't want to see it. Compare that attitude to Reform leader Nigel Farage's comments over the weekend in which he set out Reform's immigration strategy. He claims his party would introduce emergency legislation which would bar those who come to the UK on small boats from seeking asylum. While awaiting deportation, they would be held in detention centres on 'surplus' RAF bases. Reform would seek to sign deals with countries such as Rwanda and Albania to house asylum seekers, and it also plans to use British overseas territories such as Ascension Island as a fallback if people could not be sent elsewhere. Or take Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who in June said she would like to see 'a total end to asylum claims in this country by illegal immigrants', and that the Conservatives would deport immediately, 'all those who arrive illegally and try to claim asylum'. Now, Farage and Badenoch's ideas lack detail and thorough costing. But they are at least acknowledging one plain truth: a strong deterrent is the only answer. For the past year, Labour's unwritten policy has been to denigrate all those who criticise untrammeled immigration as 'far-Right' sympathisers or oiks whose opinions have been manipulated by fascists on social media. Part of Starmer's brain still believes that. Many of his cabinet colleagues certainly do. But they are beginning to recognise that unless they act on illegal immigration, they will be wiped out at the next General Election. In fact, ministers had been working on the latest proposals for months, but the announcement yesterday was understood to have been brought forward after the High Court granted an injunction that will force the Home Office to relocate up to 138 male asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping within weeks prompting other local authorities to threaten legal action which would throw the Government's asylum system into turmoil. Unfortunately it's too little, too late. More migrants and asylum seekers are arriving in their thousands every week. Once they are here, they have to be housed by the Government and provided with the means to live because the alternative is likely to be even greater waves of crime, which in turn will trigger worsening civil unrest. Starmer's solution is to speed up the conveyor belt of claims processing. But this will still do nothing to dissuade others from arriving, and taking their chances in the roulette of Britain's asylum system. In any case, the courts are granting asylum on the flimsiest of grounds. Any illegal migrant who pretends to be gay, or Christian, or to have established new family ties here, will almost certainly be waved on board. Except now, it will be in double quick time. It remains unclear how those rejected would be deported or repatriated, or why they wouldn't just try again another time. A real threat of deportation will mean people don't come here in the first place. They'll stay in France or other safe countries in Europe so the 'cruelty' of dispatching migrants to holding camps won't be necessary. We have to be bold, and look at the big picture. Starmer cannot do this. He will always be stuck in his small, legalistic worldview, tinkering with the legal deckchairs on the asylum Titanic, oblivious to the disaster that lies ahead. Im not one for conspiracy theories but Im beginning to wonder if Nicola Sturgeon is secretly working for Westminster. John Swinney stopped the bleeding in the polls. He had moved the government on from divisive social issues. After a couple of rocky years and a disastrous general election result, unity had at last been restored to the SNP. Then along comes Nicola to remind everyone of all the things they furiously disagree on. All of a sudden, the headlines are chockers with the Sturgeon-Salmond psychodrama, SNP splits over gender recognition, and JK Rowling resuming her role as the unofficial leader of the opposition in Scotland. If youre somehow nostalgic for 2021, the past seven days have been made for you. If youre an SNP strategist looking ahead to next years Holyrood elections, theyll have had you weeping with clumps of your own hair in your hands. Scottish voters go to the polls in eight months time and instead of hearing why they should hand the Nationalists an unprecedented fifth consecutive term in government, they are being reminded of the woman who was First Minister or Deputy First Minister for most of the last two decades. And unfortunately for the SNP their former leader comes with more baggage than the luggage collection point at Glasgow Airport. In a landmark 2015 speech, Sturgeon decried the school attainment gap between rich and poor children and outlined her mission to close that attainment gap completely. She even insisted: I want to be judged on this. A decade on, far from closing, the gap is widening. While education is seen as her major failing, it is far from the only area where she was found wanting. During her time as health minister, she introduced legally binding waiting time targets that even today are routinely being missed. She was the First Minister who saw Scotland become the drug deaths capital of Europe, who boasted about ambitious climate targets even as her government habitually missed them, and whose attempt to procure two ferries ended in ballooning budgets, endless delays, and a nationalised shipyard. 'Not only are voters being prompted to recall [all of Nicola Sturgeon's failings], they are doing so while watching Sturgeon push her memoirs,' writes Stephen Daisley Sturgeon and Alex Salmond dominated Sottish politics before he was accused of sexual harassment in 2018 Not only are voters being prompted to recall all this, they are doing so while watching Sturgeon push her memoirs, ironically titled Frankly, and be feted by literary luvvies at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Oh, and take part in a bizarre photo shoot for a Sunday supplement. (In one shot, she is seen standing behind a glass wall, peering out intently. Perhaps it was meant as a metaphor for the gilded cage of political life, but I was waiting for her to ask Clarice if the lambs had stopped screaming.) An argument popular among Sturgeons fan club is that her detractors are afraid of a strong woman and a champion of Scottish independence. Afraid of her? Id have her back tomorrow. Dealt a hand that would bankrupt a Vegas casino (Corbyn, Brexit, Boris, Covid, Truss), not only did she fail to advance the independence cause, she set it back with her catastrophic Supreme Court gambit, confirming in law Westminsters supremacy in constitutional matters. Better Together should give her a lifetime achievement award. No, its people on her own side who are rapidly losing patience. Behind the scenes, SNP insiders just want her book tour to be over so Sturgeon can fade into the background. Some are more public in their criticisms than others. Irvine Welsh says gender identity ought to be a fringe issue but Sturgeon caused it to leak right into the whole independence debate. She did so, the Trainspotting and Porno author reckons, because she was out of step with what people feel and believe in the way that social engineers always are. Is he one of those Right-wing misogynist transphobes Sturgeon seems to find everywhere she looks, like a gender-obsessed Joe McCarthy? Hardly. Welsh doesnt strike me as a political tribalist but he is plainly a man of the Nationalist Left. Its possible she didnt even notice Welshs comments, busy as she was keeping up her feud with JK Rowling. The Harry Potter author penned a coruscating review of Sturgeons memoirs and the former First Minister thought the wise thing to do would be to go on Iain Dales LBC show and pour kerosene on the flames, accusing Rowling of punching down on trans people. If I ever set up a political consultancy, it will offer just one service: a daily memo containing nothing but the words Dont pick a fight with a beloved billionaire author on the subject of whether or not women exist. I would make enough to retire within a week. Sturgeon in 2017, when she was the First Minister and leader of the SNP Then again, at least Rowling can exercise her right of reply. The same cant be said of Alex Salmond, with whom Sturgeon has also been picking fights, rather unsporting considering the mans been dead ten months. One passage in Frankly that has caused ructions is her account of the path to legislating for same-sex marriage. She claims that Salmond became increasingly hostile to the idea, fearing it would undermine support for independence, to the point where he was implacably opposed. Geoff Aberdein, Salmonds former chief of staff, said this was demonstrably false, and pointed to a newspaper clipping from the 2011 election campaign, when Salmond confirmed his backing for gay marriage. If you're going to speak ill of the dead, he quipped, at least make your claims accurate.' Its no great secret that Sturgeon and Aberdein arent exactly besties, but he was in many of the rooms where the big decisions were taken. His perspective is valuable and, honestly, more plausible than Sturgeons. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 was government legislation. If Salmond was implacably opposed, what changed his mind? Or are we to believe he was content to let his government push legislation he fiercely opposed? Doesnt sound like Alex Salmond, does it? What I could believe is that Salmond tried to triangulate between liberal, professional urbanites and the rural and religious voters he had coaxed into the Nationalist fold. Salmond was a crafty old dog when it came to political tactics. He not only practised the dark arts, he could have taught them at Hogwarts. If he is to be damned for wishing at times for cacanny on major social change, he shouldnt face judgement alone. When Sturgeon claims her old boss made arguments that seemed rooted in the prejudice which had put Section 28 on the statute book, it is worth considering her stance on removing Section 28 (called Section 2A in Scotland) from the statute books. For although she was sympathetic to repeal, Sturgeon was not above a bit of triangulation herself. When Christian businessman and SNP supporter Brian Souter funded a methodologically unreliable referendum that showed voters opposed to repeal, Sturgeon said: The ballot confirms what we already knew that many people are concerned about the repeal of Section 2A. It was Sturgeon who told Holyrood the real concerns of parents must be addressed. Sturgeon who called for sex education guidelines to refer to the value of marriage without denigrating other relationships. Sturgeon who demanded statutory footing as a way of reassuring parents that local authorities would not be at liberty to disregard guidance. Ah, you might say, but thats old history. It is. Ancient history. So why is Sturgeon bringing it back up? Gay marriage, gender, the Salmond feud, the Rowling row why she is bringing any of it back up? Sure, she has a book to sell, but its not even that cynical. Poor judgement, failure and division accompany Sturgeon wherever she goes because these were her principal contributions to Scottish public life. She may not be a secret agent but she is fast becoming Unionisms secret weapon. The SNP will not be able to move on until it tells Nicola Sturgeon to shove off. A vet has sparked debate after discussing a controversial topic in a recent video - about pet euthanasia. Ben the Vet, aka 'The TikTok Vet', is a respected voice within the veterinary profession. He qualified from Cambridge Veterinary School in 2015 and became a small animal vet. He uses social media to communicate messages about pet health and welfare to his many followers. Ben has an audience of more than 220,000 people, with whom he shares educational and entertaining content that aims to help people take better care of their animals whilst tackling difficult subjects such as the issues with certain dog breeds and pet bereavement. Taking to TikTok, the veterinarian - who uses the handle @ben.the.vet - shared the information in a short clip. Speaking in the video, Ben said: 'There is a video that has a lot of views on social media by a vet who suggests that it is wrong for pet owners to decide not to be present when their pet is put to sleep. 'Having to say goodbye to a pet is a really difficult thing, and our job as vets is to make that process as smooth and calm for your pet as possible, but also for you.' He added that when he is euthanising someone's companion animal, he will 'explain the process, step by step'. UK-based veterinarian and TikTok creator Ben the Vet discussed whether he feels people should be there when their companion animals are euthanised Ben explained that he tells people what is going to happen, from signing paperwork to administering medication to 'the actual process of what happens when they're put to sleep'. He continued: 'Then it's for you to make an informed decision about whether you want to be there or not. 'But if you feel that you can't be there, that's fine. 'We will not judge you if you can't be there, don't feel guilty about that. 'We will comfort your pet and make them feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible in their last moments. 'I try to explain euthanasia to pet owners as the last kind thing that they can do for their pet when they're suffering, but a lot of people still feel guilty about it. 'What we really mustn't be doing is making pet owners feel even more guilty about whether they are present or not for their pet's final moments.' The video split opinion among viewers, with some agreeing with Ben that if people cannot face seeing their animal being euthanised, they shouldn't be be there. Ben (pictured) feels that if people feel they cannot stay with their animals during the euthanasia process, they shouldn't be judged A number of commentators agreed with Ben, with some explaining why it's difficult for some people to be there when their animals are euthanised - including past experiences and mental health issues Meanwhile, others felt strongly that people who have companion animals should stay with them until the end. Among those who agreed with Ben was one who wrote: 'This is a hill I will die on. Not everyone is capable of watching a loved one die. And they should not be shamed for that, or made to justify themselves.' Another agreed, writing: 'My very sensitive and kind granddad had to go and wait outside the vet surgery while his dogs were being put to sleep. He couldn't even stand being in the same building, he was so distraught. I doubt the dogs knew either way.' Meanwhile, a third said: 'Having lost my partner to SADS have ptsd and a huge death phobia so all my pets that needed to be euthanized my wife was there for as I couldn't. im so glad she understands, these vets have no idea of the reasons why an owner cant be there.' 'Very well put,' added another. 'I think not all people cope well with the process and not all find peace and some may even be triggered from a mh perspective so it's important to share this message so owners are encouraged to trust in their vet in their pets darkest hour.' And a further TikTok user wrote: 'Those judgemental videos are hard to see when you have pets who you cannot be present with. Ive never been able to stay with my guinea pigs due to how the process is done. As much as I'd like to be.' However, some respondents disagreed, saying that they either had been - or would want to be - with their animals when the time came. One wrote: 'If you cant be there when they need you the most then you dont deserve them.' A number of respondents said they either wanted to be - or had been - with their animals when they had been euthanised 'Sorry I disagree,' added another. 'No one wants to pass away on their own that that includes our furbabys. Its a devastating experience to go through but they deserve to have there owners with them ' A further commenter said: 'Nope. We bear the pain so the animal feels loved by their special people/person right up until their last moment . Sure, it sucks, but anything less is letting your pet down in the worst way. Be there for them like they've been there for you.' 'I never left any of them when it was their time,' another revealed. 'I had my hand on them telling them I loved them.' In a similar vein, someone else said: 'I truly cant imagine not wanting to be there.' 'Ill ALWAYS be with my dogs when they are crossing the bridge!' a very impassioned viewer said. 'Its the last thing Ill ever be doing for my dog and the last time Ill see my dog so why wouldnt I? Hes my life!!!' A bereaved poster said: 'I was there, holding her paw when she took her last breath. Wasnt easy. But i wanted her to know, that she is loved from the first day i took her home from a shelter, till the very end of her life.' 'It's been my job to love and care for my girl, it's my job to be there at the end, I can't have her feeling scared and lonely,' another wrote. The road to rush week at the University of Alabama is a long and winding one filled with many strict rules. Back in 2021, a series of women who were trying to join the University of Alabama's Panhellenic community documented their road to being accepted into one of the 18 different sororities at the school, and uploaded it all to TikTok under the hashtag #BamaRush. Their videos quickly exploded, and many people on the web became enthralled with watching the lengthy process play out. Since then, every time August rolls around, #BamaRush goes viral once again, as a whole new set of freshmen hopefuls at the University of Alabama and other Southern schools put their best foot forward to vie for the chance to get accepted into the sororities on campus. This year's was no different, and millions watched on as the newest recruits documented their extremely pricey and glamorous looks throughout the nine-day process, before it officially came to an end last weekend and this year's sorority members were chosen. But behind the glitz and the glamor of Bama Rush, did you know there's actually a slew of intense rules the girls must follow or their dreams of joining the sorority will be brutally cut short? That's right, if any of the women break the severe regulations set by the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA), they will be axed from the event altogether. From strict dress codes to social interactions, FEMAIL has rounded up the long list of requirements that all sorority pledges must follow. From strict dress codes to social interactions, FEMAIL has rounded up the long list of requirements that Bama Rush pledges must follow. Some of this year's recruits are seen You must 'self-identify' as a woman According to the Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA), potential new members (PNMs) looking to join a sorority must be 'a full-time student at University of Alabama.' They must also 'consistently live and self-identifies as a woman.' Men can rush in IFC fraternities if they want to participate in Greek Life, but are not welcome in the sororities, per the association. Rush events have a strict dress code If you couldn't tell from the GRWM TikTok videos, what hopeful members wear during rush is extremely important. The incoming freshman class attract attention every year when they show off their expensive outfits on TikTok, sometimes spending thousands of dollars on looking the part. There are eight days of rush week at UA, with specific dress codes for each one. But behind the glitz and the glamor of Bama Rush, did you know there's actually a slew of intense rules the girls must follow? Some of this year's recruits are seen on the final day The first day is the Convocation and Open House and it has a 'casual' dress code, with the APA saying: 'Please come as you are. T-shirt and shorts are appropriate.' Philanthropy Round which lasts for two days is the start of invitation-only parties, and during this round of of recruitment, PNMs will have the opportunity to visit up to 12 chapters for 30 minutes each. Students are asked to wear the two philanthropy t-shirts they receive at Convocation, which they can wear with causal bottoms and comfortable shoes. Next the Sisterhood Round is next, where the PNMs attend a series of parties to meet with the girls in each sorority. 'During this round, you may attend a maximum of seven parties, each of which is 40 minutes long,' the APA stated. For this round, 'a nicer dress and wedges or heels' should be worn. Preference Day is next and is the most formal round of recruitment; if girls are invited it means the sorority is 'very interested' in them becoming a member. Pledges must 'consistently live and self-identifies as a woman.' Some of this year's recruits are seen on the final day In this round, potential members are encouraged to 'wear a nice dress and heels or nice wedges,' per the association. But 'you will not want to wear a dress that is too short or tight,' it states. The last day, Bid Day, students can choose comfortable clothes. 'You will being sitting in Bryant Denny Stadium and running home in the heat so dress in something comfy and cool!' the APA notes. UA students have to rush in the fall Potential new members of the sororities at UA are only able to rush in the fall semester. This isn't the case for all colleges, with some also having sorority recruitment in spring semesters. However, the University of Alabama holds their primary sorority recruitment in the weeks before the start of the school year. 'If you are unable to participate in fall primary recruitment, but are interested in joining a sorority, you may participate in Continuous Open Bidding (COB),' the APA said. Upperclassman can rush - not just freshman While it's mostly freshman looking to join the sororities, you actually don't have to be a freshman at the college to rush at the University of Alabama. The APA says it 'utilizes a secondary quota that separates [upperclassmen] from incoming [freshmen].' The system is in place to give older students and transfer students 'a greater opportunity to pledge during Primary Recruitment.' Prospective members should 'adhere to scholastic standards' The APA states, 'Each (chapter) must consider a womans ability to adhere to the chapter's scholastic standards' Some of this years recruits are seen on the final day While the university doesn't have an average grade requirement, the chapters are encouraged to pick women who 'adhere to its scholastic standards.' 'Each (chapter) must consider a womans ability to adhere to the chapter's scholastic standards,' the APA states, noting this process is heavily considered when selecting students to join their sorority given the large amount of hopefuls who rush. 'It is highly recommended that women participating in Primary Recruitment or COB have at or above a 3.3 cumulative high school or college GPA at the time they are seeking membership,' the APA adds. You can't rush a new sorority if you have already been initiated into another If you've already been initiated into a sorority, you cannot rush for another. Even if it was at another campus. The APA states that students are only allowed to participate in fall primary recruitment at The University of Alabama if they 'have not been initiated into a National Panhellenic Conference sorority at UA or on another campus.' You have to pay for registration in advance Students must pay a registration fee to rush, and all registration fees are nonrefundable, no exceptions. 'This is clearly stated on the recruitment registration payment link, so before you register for recruitment, please take this into consideration,' the APA stated. The registration fee goes towards the cost of publications, transportation, facility usage, security and two recruitment t-shirts used during rush week. In 2025 the fee was $375. You must sign a one year binding agreement Potential new members must sign a one-year binding agreement when ranking chapters after the final round of Preference events during the Primary Recruitment process. Prior to signing the MRABA, PNMs have several options to consider and reflect on with regard to membership options. You don't need a recommendation letter to rush While a recommendation letter is recommended so to speak, it's not mandatory for every sorority. These letters can be written by a teacher, guidance counselor or principal, with the APA stating they 'could be particularly beneficial for women unable to identify alumnae from each of the 17 Panhellenic chapters to write an official letter of recommendation.' While a recommendation letter is recommended so to speak, it's not mandatory for every sorority. This year's rushes are seen after learning which sorority they were joining Prospective members also need written permission from a parent or guardian and must provide answers to a list of prompts. PNMs can't contact active members after May 1 According to APA's Greek Chic Recruitment, PNMs can't have any contact, with regards to recruiting for a specific chapter, with current sorority members after May 1. 'Sororities cannot have gatherings for recruitment that include potential new members after May 1,' the site states. 'It is OK to continue pre-existing relationships; however, we ask that you do not discuss the panhellenic recruitment process,' it adds. This includes letters, emails, phone calls, texts or comments on social media. There are strict rules at recruitment parties During the process, PNMs are prohibited from drinking alcohol and have to keep the recruitment parties confidential. 'Consumption of alcohol and/or any illegal substance use during the week of primary recruitment, on Bid Day, and up to 24 hours after Bid Day events have ended, is strictly prohibited by APA and may result in APA disciplinary sanctions and/or University of Alabama disciplinary sanctions,' the Potential New Member Behavioral Contract states. 'When attending recruitment parties, PNM are also not allowed to bring any items, including including but not limited to bags or phones unless previously approved otherwise.' I must say, Karren Brady is looking sensational far younger than her 56 years. Shes changed her hairstyle, lost a lot of weight, tightened up her jawline... But what were all really fixated by are her arms slim, toned, youthful which she credits to sessions of a special skin toning and reconditioning treatment at the Dr Rita Rakus clinic in London. As an expert, who has had hundreds of tweakments, I know all about the treatment Karren had and the others she couldve chosen. So, if youre disenchanted with your bingo wings and determined to tighten them up by Christmas, read on for my top five arm tweakments and the instant way you can fake toned triceps for free... Alice Hart-Davis is an expert who has had hundreds of tweakments Tone up arm muscles Exion, which is what Karren had, is a decent treatment for helping skin quality and firmness, but Id suggest working on your arm muscles first. Get going with press-ups, bicep curls and tricep dips, and you can supercharge your muscle-toning in clinics with treatments such as EmSculpt Neo which uses high-intensity electro-magnetic frequencies to tone and build muscles while radiofrequency zaps fat beneath the skin. Ive only tried one session on my triceps but they were popping afterwards! (Find a practitioner in your area via btlaesthetics.com/uk/find-a-physician, from 300 per session depending on location). Mild microneedling Arms are probably my most requested concern, says body-contouring specialist Dr Galyna Selezneva, both the so-called bingo wing but also skin quality and texture. First, shell tone your arm muscles with Deleo Cristal Fit (300 per session) which works just like EmSculpt Neo, then to give skin texture a makeover she moves to radio-frequency microneedling with Sylfirm X (from 1,200, drgalyna.com). With Sylfirm X I can cover the arm, armpit, inner and outer elbow area, forearm and hands in one treatment. There is little downtime and virtually no pain. This is the preferred approach of her patients in Londons Knightsbridge, says Dr Selezneva. Jabs for crepey skin One arm tweak Ive tried with success is Profhilo Body (1,500 for two sessions, drpreema.com). This means injections of the same hydrating, skin-reconditioning product thats popular for face treatments. A month after my second round of treatment, the crepey bits on my inner arms were magically tauter and smoother. Some practitioners mix Profhilo with other skin-conditioning injectables like polynucleotides and PRP. Dr Sach Mohan injects it into just-lasered skin, to banish crepey skin. Expensive, sure, but his celebrity patients are queuing up for it (from 1,400, revereclinics.com). Laser tightening Karren Brady is looking sensational far younger than her 56 years. But what were all really fixated by are her slim, toned, youthful arms Not for the faint-hearted but hugely effective. Laser coring with the Ultraclear laser involves drilling out thousands of tiny cores of skin which then shrinks as it heals. We make holes large enough that when the edges close up they tighten the skin, but not so large that they leave a mark, says Dr Raj Thethi, a leading aesthetic practitioner in Leeds who uses Ultraclear on saggy body skin as well as the face. We can shrink the skin area by five or six per cent, permanently, in a single session. The treated area will take a week or two to heal, but then youll be flaunting sleeveless tops (from 3,000 for both arms, yorkshireskincentre.co.uk). Non-surgical fat melt Endolift (around 3,000, drpriyaverma.com) uses a tiny laser, slipped beneath the skin and into the fat on a super-fine optic fibre, to sculpt and melt fat. The more invasive BodyTite (around 3,500, widely available) uses radiofrequency energy on a probe under the skin to melt fat, which is sucked out, while the heat from the radiofrequency boosts collagen production in the skin. Thin arms in photos Learn to stretch your little fingers. Try this in front of a mirror so you can see the difference. Hold your arm out to the side and relax your muscles. Reach your fingers out away from you. Now concentrate on pointing the little finger and see the way this instantly tenses up the swing of the bingo wing. OK, so it only works while youre holding your arms out to the sides, but its a good one to have up your sleeve. As it were. Aldi is becoming surprising popular in the US - with TikTokkers flocking to the budget retailer to show off their well-priced hauls. The German supermarket launched in the States as far back as the nineties, with the first outlet reportedly opening in Boston in 1993. But in recent years, it has been expanding across the US at breakneck speeds thanks to a unique business model that Americans are lapping up. By 2024, some 2,400 of its small stores, packed with a limited assortment of well-curated but mostly private label goods, were dotted across the country - with the retailer planning to open another 800 over the next four years. Last year, Aldi was named the fastest-growing grocer in the US for the fifth year in a row by real estate firm JLL, and in terms of store count it was the third largest. This prompted Michael Infranco, assistant vice president at RetailStat, to comment that: 'No one else is putting up 100 stores a year in the grocery space. That's impressive. And they've been doing that for a number of years now.' And now the supermarket has hit the radar of US TikTokkers, keen to see how much they can buy with their grocery budgets. Among them is one creator who uses the handle @Klately. She posted a video showing her shopping trip, and revealing her purchases. US-based TikTokker @Klately is among those who've been showing off their hauls at the budget retailer A caption accompanying the video said: 'First time at @ALDI USA As I continue my health journey its important to explore more grocery stores & more foods & shop smarter with my money. 'Im very pleased with what i was abled to grab from #Aldi.' During the video, the TikTokker showed herself outside the store, before grabbing a trolley, and walking around the shop, showing some of the foods she was considering. Following her shop, she unbagged everything, and displayed the on the counter, revealing the final cost for everything. Speaking in the video, Klately said: 'Come with me to Aldi for the first time with a $90 budget. 'I've been hearing a lot about this store, and I feel like my money can stretch a long way in here. 'So let's see [...] you told me to have my quarter ready to be able to get the [shopping trolley], so I came prepared.' After getting her trolley, and making her way into the supermarket, the TikTok creator admitted she was 'a little overwhelmed' due to not knowing where everything was in the large shop. She revealed that she had bought a significant number of items, from an alcholic beverage to various fruits and veggies, meat, eggs and more for $100 'So I was just [...] looking at stuff, looking at the price, and just trying to see what I see,' she explained. Why is Aldi becoming popular in the USA? Inflation has forced consumers to seek out substitutes for increasingly expensive branded goods. Aldi instead offers much cheaper imitation products or 'dupes' - which it has been selling for many years in Europe. And now shoppers in North America are seeking dupes now. Among the ones Aldi offers are its private label ketchup which comes in similar-looking packaging to the Heinz product - but is about half the price. A 38-ounce bottle of its Burman's brand ketchup might cost around $1.35, while the same size bottle of Heinz at Kroger is typically more than $3. Advertisement She continued: 'I mainly came for just fruit, drinks and some meat, so I can meal prep this week.' One of the observations that the TikTokker made was that while Aldi doesn't carry many name branded items, they do offer the majority of the types of products she was looking for. In addition to a large range of own-branded food items, she noted that the store's stock also included alcoholic drinks like wine. After leaving the store, the creator unbagged her shop, and showed off all the items she had bought. Speaking about her haul, she said: 'So I got some eggs, some veggies, spinach and these cupcake my daughter wanted. The creator adde that she also purchased 'lemonade, some frozen chicken, and this pesto chicken I wanted to try out.' Her shop also contained a lot of fresh produce, notably fruit, which she went onto list. The TikTokker continued: 'I got some lemon, kiwi, strawberries [as well as] seasonings, applesauce, some cookies, some coffee, some fries.' The other items she picked up during the big shop included ' a lot of bread [...] salmon, some turkey, provolone cheese, breakfast sausages and an aperol spritz'. Revealing the grand total of her shop, she revealed it cost $100. This was $10 more than she had wanted to spend, however, due to the amount of what she'd bought, she concluded: 'I might be back again.' Theres a photo of me standing on a beach in the Maldives wearing a cheap Temu swimsuit. Pale, bald under my wide-brimmed hat, my stomach pushing out, I couldnt have looked or felt more different from my old self. Before, I would never have shared any photo that didnt show me in the best possible light. And yet I recently posted this image with the caption: This is by far my most vulnerable post Ive ever shared on Instagram. I also included a photo of the old me wearing a figure-hugging pink dress, my hair bouncy from a blow dry, skin gleaming. That version of me would get compliments wherever I went. As a Cosmopolitan magazine beauty editor, I was immersed in a world where beauty meant perfection. I watched what I ate and worked out religiously to stay a slim size six, never left the house without make-up and meticulously used scores of skincare products. So what changed both physically and mentally? In December 2023, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After enduring four surgeries, 16 rounds of aggressive chemotherapy and 25 sessions of radiation, I lost all my dark, glossy hair and gained over 3st in weight in just five months thanks to steroids. My own beauty, as I had known it, melted away before my eyes. Over the past year and a half, I have been to hell and back but its made me brave. Brave enough to post the picture the old me would have never. 'I couldnt have looked or felt more different from my old self,' writes Lauren O'Connell After watching what she ate, exercising and using scores of skincare products, Lauren says: 'That version of me would get compliments wherever I went' Because cancer forced me to redefine all sorts of things. And in hospital rooms and chemo suites, I slowly began to discover a new kind of beauty, one that wasnt rooted in appearance. Now, I understand that resilience, vulnerability and strength are worth more than any made-up aesthetic. And thats quite a revelation for a beauty devotee working at the epicentre of an industry thats all about gloss, glamour and having the right look. By the time I went on that Maldives holiday last year with my husband Aaron and our children Veronica, 15, and Jack, 13, to celebrate the end of my treatment, Id never felt further away from todays beauty standards but I also felt free. Free from my old perceptions of what beauty was. I was alive and I was with the three people I loved most in the world. I couldnt ruin the trip by being hung up on how I looked. Even as a little girl watching my mum apply her make-up, Id always been obsessed with beauty products and fashionable clothes and shoes. As a child I was teased at school for my pale complexion. Throughout my adolescence, I felt awkward and not pretty enough. However, I blossomed overnight aged 19. By then, exercising had given me an incredible, toned figure. My dark hair could be worn straight or curly, much to the envy of my friends. I revelled in comments from strangers saying they thought I was gorgeous. I met Aaron, now 43, at university, and in 2009 we moved to Dubai for his work as a fire engineer. Here, beauty is on a whole new level; women wear a fully contoured face and false eyelashes with blow dried hair just to go to the supermarket. It was when my children were both in school that one of my friends suggested I create my own beauty Instagram account and YouTube channel. To my surprise, I had instant success. Big beauty brands such as NARS and Charlotte Tilbury started sending me products to review. I spent the next few years building my name in Dubai. With my background in the sciences (I have a degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in biomechanics, and a masters in nursing) I carved out a niche sharing the science behind skincare and make-up products. By April 2021, Id been appointed beauty editor of Cosmo Middle East a role I enjoyed for two years before cancer struck. Id first felt the tiny lump while on holiday with my mum and daughter. Back at my desk after coming back, I felt it again. This time it was the size of a walnut. Two biopsies and a PET scan revealed two tumours in my right breast, and during surgery it was discovered the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, meaning I needed chemotherapy to send me into remission. I was utterly devastated. Lauren was given chemotherapy and steroids, resulting in her losing her hair and gaining weight She was beauty editor of Cosmo Middle East for two years before her cancer diagnosis Like so many women facing cancer treatment, the thought of losing my hair was particularly crushing. I tried cold capping, which helps some women keep their hair during chemo, but it didnt work for me. Three weeks after my first infusion, I lost 80 per cent of my hair in just two days, as well as my eyelashes and eyebrows. It was devastating. Emotionally, I was completely drained. Though I didnt realise it at the time, this prompted the first step in redefining beauty when I asked Aaron and the kids to shave off my remaining hair in order to feel like I still had some control over my situation. My daughter, Veronica, said the loveliest thing: Mum, hair holds memories and this is paving the way for you to make new ones to hold on to. Her words made me feel loved and hopeful. After my eighth infusion, I was sitting in my home office and casually looked up at my mirror. I didnt recognise the woman staring back. There was no definition to my arms, no hair on my head, and my dress looked like a tent. As well as the huge weight gain, steroids had caused my glowing complexion to erupt with acne. I looked at my reflection and asked myself: Can I still see the beauty in me? It turns out I could. It was a deeply spiritual moment. I realised that my definition of beauty could no longer be about what was on the outside. Slowly, with the support of a therapist, I began to see beauty in my strength, tenacity and resilience. It felt empowering. Every night, Id put cuticle oil on my nails. It was one of the few easy beauty treatments I could still do while the rest of me fell apart, and it made me feel connected to the old me. Lauren says: 'I realised that my definition of beauty could no longer be about what was on the outside' Without the comfort of work Id taken time off for my treatment and with so many other changes, it would have been easy to fall into a deep depression. Yet my own resolve to live, combined with the support of my family, gave me strength. I began to appreciate myself more too. Pre-cancer, Id beat myself up for everything I didnt manage to tick off my to-do list. Now, I shifted my focus to all the things I did achieve in a day. If Id been able to do gentle exercise or felt well enough to make a meal (and my kids had actually liked it!) I felt so positive. Reflection is inherent with cancer. Now 42, Im in remission, having got the all-clear last November, and I have a new perspective. Beauty is so much more than just an aesthetic. Its changed my work in the beauty industry, too. I have no shame in showing exactly how I look in the moment instead of waiting until Im perfect and I want to amplify the voices of other women struggling with how they look, for whatever reason. Im still on medication to keep my body in forced menopause, as my cancer fed off oestrogen. One of the downsides is the elastin in my skin has depleted, which means it can be trickier to maintain the plump, glowing complexion I once took for granted. Id been busy building my science-backed beauty brand 3 of Cups (3ofcups.com) when cancer stopped me in my tracks, but now Ive returned to good health Ill be launching it this autumn, after years of research. But the most important thing is that Im alive. Previously, before a holiday and like so many women, Id feel a creeping dread about being seen in swimwear, exercising more and eating less to prepare. But by the time of our Maldives holiday, I had shelved all my old beach-ready ideals. Yes, I looked nothing like the version of me Id once known. But did it really matter? Cancer has made me realise that ugly photo does show me in my best light after all. Its more real, honest and vulnerable. Yes, that slim woman in the pink dress is beautiful but so is the post-chemotherapy version of me. In fact, Im now more resilient, unapologetic and grounded when it comes to how I look and my own sense of worth. Follow Lauren on Instagram: @lauren.o.connell. As told to Sadie Nicholas. A British woman who moved to Dubai to escape the 'miserable' UK lifestyle has revealed she has to work six days a week to afford living in the 'luxurious' city. Elbi Henshaw, from Barnet, North London, set off for Dubai in January after falling in love with the Arabian Peninsula while on holiday there. Seeking a change, the 23-year-old personal trainer decided to give the famously glamorous destination a try. She had previously spent a stint working in Saudi Arabia and believed she would score a better quality of life in Dubai - but soon found herself struggling to make ends meet. With financial support from her parents, Elbi was able to afford the initial move earlier this year and quickly found herself a job in a gym full of 'high end clients'. Elbi said she has now settled in the city, where influencers flock for VIP treatment, but admitted she misses British culture and pubs. She has also struggled to fully immerse herself in the opulence touted by influencers online due to the high cost of living in the city. Because of the exorbitant price of nearly everything - with even a pot of yoghurt costing 12 - she has been forced to pick up extra shifts at the gym and now works six days a week. Elbi Henshaw, from Barnet, North London, set off for Dubai in January after falling in love with the Arabian Peninsula while on holiday there. Pictured A British woman who moved to Dubai to escape the 'miserable' UK lifestyle has revealed she has to work six days a week to afford living in the 'luxurious' city She described it as a 'dog eat dog' lifestyle, with many of her peers also having to work nearly the entirety of the week. Elbi has now fallen in love with the city, but admitted felt 'lonely' at first after struggling to find a circle of friends in such a high-intensity environment. She said: 'In the UK, I was so depressed and miserable and everyone is so sedentary - I wanted a more active lifestyle. 'Out here, everyone is happier and active and they all want to be the best versions of themselves. 'I work full time but it's hard not to just spend all your money - you'd need about 5k a month here to live comfortably. 'But you can pick up extra work quite quickly - at the moment I work six days but I'll probably end up working seven. 'Paying no tax is a perk but the cost of living out here is so expensive that it ends up the same as in the UK. 'But here, you get the sun and a much better lifestyle - although I miss the pubs.' Because of the exorbitant price of nearly everything - with even a pot of yoghurt costing 12 - she has been forced to pick up extra shifts at the gym and now works six days a week With financial support from her parents, Elbi was able to afford the initial move earlier this year and quickly found herself a job in a luxury gym full of 'high end clients' Before moving, she lived in a studio flat in the UK, but has since moved into a shared accommodation with two other young women in Dubai. Once she arrived and after attending a local run club, Elbi got speaking to someone who connected her with a gym manager and secured her first job as a personal trainer. She said she was initially overwhelmed by how much there was to see and do in the city - including dining at luxury restaurants and shopping at the famous Dubai Mall. Because she was moving alone, Elbi said the first few months were tough getting settled and setting up the correct documents and bank accounts. 'The rent is more expensive than the UK and you have to pay big deposits on things like apartments and cars,' she revealed. 'Clothing is more expensive too - and coffee is like 7 minimum, sometimes as much as 10 a cup. 'I'd say the average salary for a normal person here is like 3k a month but you want more like 5k to live comfortably if you want to go out for meals, and buy new clothes. 'I try to work, work, work so that I can enjoy Dubai - there's lots of group chats and apps for companies to advertise weekend work.' She described it as a 'dog eat dog' lifestyle, with many of her peers also having to work nearly the entirety of the week Before moving, she lived in a studio flat in the UK, but has since moved into a shared flat with two other young women in Dubai Despite the high cost of living, she maintained that she is loving her new lifestyle and has now found a good group of friends She said she was initially overwhelmed by how much there was to see and do in the city - including dining at luxury restaurants and shopping at the famous Dubai Mall COSTS IN DUBAI Cappuccino 34dh - 6.86 Mince meat 25dh - 5 Strawberries 30/40dh - 6-8 Fage yoghurt 1L 60dh - 12 Cheapest thing in Zara 130/150dh - 26/30 Glass of wine when out minimum 99dh - 20 Advertisement But she said it doesn't equate to much more in total than life in the UK - where you pay taxes. Despite the high cost of living, she maintained that she is loving her new lifestyle and has now found a good group of friends. 'You have to put your ego aside and put yourself out there - I messaged other women out of the blue inviting them for coffee,' she said. Although there are parts of the lifestyle she finds difficult, Elbi has no plans to return to the UK. She said she also loves the cleanliness of Dubai - as 'everywhere is spotless' and 'it makes you realise how dirty the UK is.' When she's not working, she spends her free time going for walks around the air-conditioned mall, and often makes trips to Dubai's uber-luxurious cinemas. She also visits pools and beach clubs such as Summersalt, loved by the likes of Molly-Mae Hague and Kady McDermott, and Twiggy club, loved by Paris Hilton. But she said Dubai can be tricky as there is less of a 'sense of community' for young adults which can also make it difficult to find romance without the help of dating apps. 'It's so hard to meet guys, because there's no authentic meet-ups,' she recounted. 'People don't stand in the streets around pubs - you have to schedule it in. 'And it's hard to date as everyone is so busy 24/7 that you never find the time. 'I do miss the sense of community and pubs in the UK. 'I love it but I can't really imagine meeting someone out here and it becoming serious. 'People come out here who already have a partner or family, and the ones that are single are never looking for anything serious. 'I could see myself building a life here but if I get to 27 and I'm not in a relationship, I'll move back to the UK as I want to start a family.' Sue celebrated her 50th birthday with a shock revelation on her Channel 4 show Sue Radford horrified viewers of 22 Kids And Counting last night as she revealed she could be pregnant for the 23rd time as a result of using a controversial method of contraception. In last night's episode of the Channel 5 show, the mother of Britain's biggest family celebrated her 50th birthday with a 70s-style party and went horse riding - all alongside her massive brood. However, all the partying was interrupted when Sue told her husband Noel that they needed to have 'a chat', revealing afterwards that her period 'was late'. Earlier in the episode, Sue, from Morecambe, revealed she was going to try the 'rhythm' contraception method as she hated the side effects that came with taking the pill. The rhythm method is a natural form of family planning and means women track their menstrual cycles and take their temperatures in an attempt to predict when they are safe from pregnancy. However, it is only effective in women who have regular menstrual cycles - and even here, it is only between 75 to 85 per cent effective. By contrast, the pill is over 99 per cent effective and barrier methods such as condoms are up to 98 per cent effective when used correctly, according to the NHS. Later in the episode, Noel announced the scare had been a false alarm, saying: 'Thank god for that, that was close. Sue Radford horrified viewers of 22 Kids And Counting last night as she revealed she could be pregnant for the 23rd time Parents of 22 Sue and Noel (pictured) previously revealed that they're not having any more kids 'Britain's biggest family will not be getting any bigger! It's been a little bit of squeaky bum time, but we're not in that situation, so I don't need to worry about it.' He explained that Sue had accidentally made a mistake with her rhythm method dates and, following a scary 48 hours, admitted he no longer 'trusted' using it as a preventative measure. Taking to social media after the episode, viewers were horrified that The Radfords narrowly avoided having their 23rd child. One person said: 'Of course she's not f***ing pregnant, she's 50 years old!' Another added: 'Sue must be going through the menopause now, she can't be pregnant'; A third said: 'Shes a 50 yo woman. Her period is late because shes going through the menopause.' Earlier in the episode, Sue met her best friend Rebecca for a girls' chat in a cafe, revealing she wanted to stop taking the pill and try the rhythm method. Sue explained: 'I feel like my hormones are crazy. I'm kind of thinking, is it the pill? Do I just stop it? But I could not even think about getting pregnant when I was 50. Like, who wants that? So maybe we should go for the no sex life.' The Radford Family are pictured at Sue's 50th birthday party WHAT IS THE RHYTHM CONTRACEPTION METHOD? The rhythm method is a natural form of family planning. Women who use this method track their menstrual cycle in an attempt to predict when they will ovulate as this can tell them when they are most likely to conceive. Using this method for birth control requires careful record keeping to ensure the couple are not having unprotected sex at times when they might conceive. However, it is only effective in women who have regular menstrual cycles. Even in these women, it is only about 75 to 85 per cent effective. Advertisement Rebecca suggested she could be starting to hit menopause, but Sue said her periods are still 'bang on 30 days'. On average, symptoms of the menopause first appear at 45. But Sue wondered, due to having so many children, whether hers would be delayed. The average age of menopause is 51 and it is diagnosed a year after a woman has her last period. Perimenopause will last a number of years before this. But Sue said she didn't think she was quite there yet, and told Rebecca she was thinking of trying the rhythm method for contraception. However, Rebecca strongly advised her against it, warning that 'so much could go wrong' and it's 'really risky'. Sue and Noel are parents to 22 children - Chris, 36, Sophie, 31, Chloe, 29, Jack, 28, Daniel, 26, Luke, 24, Millie, 23, Katie, 22, James, 21, Ellie, 20, Aimee, 19, Josh, 18, Max, 16, Tillie, 15, Oscar, 13, Casper, 12, Hallie, 10, Phoebe, eight, Archie, seven, Bonnie, six and Heidie, five. Sadly, the couples 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn on July 6 2014. Noel previously had a vasectomy after having James, but had it reversed once they realised they wanted more children. Afterwards, they had Ellie, Aimee, Josh, Max, Tillie, Oscar, Casper, Hallie, Phoebe, Archie, Bonnie, Heidie and Alfie. Their most recent child was Heidie, born in 2020, but the couple, who also have 10 grandchildren, have since insisted they won't be having any more children. When asked how she would feel if she got pregnant again, Sue responded: 'We're definitely done. And we're definitely, 100 per cent, not having any more. 'I knew, that when I was pregnant with Heidi, we were not going to be having any more. I think when you know that you're done, you're definitely done.' Sue was thrown a 'back to the 70s' birthday party (pictured with Noel), and also went horse riding to celebrate her 50th Sue revealed she had stopped taking the birth control pill and instead was trying the rhythm method (pictured back in January) Meanwhile Noel said: 'I'd be happy, but at the same time I'd be thinking, I'll be this old when they're in primary school. I'll be a pensioner when the poor thing's only 13 or whatever.' Elsewhere in the episode, Sue and Noel revealed their son Oscar had been taught his first sex education class at school. Sue said: 'It's not awkward to talk to us about sex. Because we're quite an open family.' Noel added: '22 kids, there's got to be a sex life there somewhere!' 'For a happy, healthy marriage, you've got to have a happy, healthy sex life, haven't you?' agreed Sue. Last week, Britain's biggest family faced a terrifying medical scare as Harley Radford was rushed to hospital with the symptoms of a suspected stroke in the latest episode of 22 Kids And Counting. Harley Passmore, 24, is married to Sue and Radford's eldest daughter, Millie, 23 - and the couple share two children, Chester, three, and Elodie, one, while Millie also has Ophelia, four, from a previous relationship. During the episode, Millie and Harley, were seen having a big disagreement about whether he should adopt Ophelia. Sue and Noel are parents to 22 children (pictured 2018) - Chris, 36, Sophie, 31, Chloe, 29, Jack, 28, Daniel, 26, Luke, 24, Millie, 23, Katie, 22, James, 21, Ellie, 20, Aimee, 19, Josh, 18, Max, 16, Tillie, 15, Oscar, 13, Casper, 12, Hallie, 10, Phoebe, eight, Archie, seven, Bonnie, six and Heidie, five. Sadly, the couples 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn on July 6 2014 But the row was soon pushed to the background as mother-of-three Millie was left in a state of panic when her husband was rushed to hospital with stroke symptoms. Harley was taken to hospital and given an MRI as he was slurring his words, had a lopsided face, felt dizzy and had weakness down one side of his body. Millie stayed the night with her husband as Sue and Noel looked after their three children. Harley - who had high blood pressure - told the camera: 'I'm panicking that I've had a stroke, I shouldn't be having a stroke at 24.' Recounting how he felt, the father admitted he'd first noticed something was wrong after drinking a bottle of Coke. He said: 'This morning I was fine and I've gone to work and I was there for two hours and I had a drink out of a Coke bottle and it felt really wonky. My face went really droopy. 'Next thing I felt really weak in the left side of my body and I felt a bit dizzy and a bit drowsy so I went home.' He then called the emergency services, who sent an ambulance because they thought it may have been a stroke. However, the MRI results revealed that Harley suffered from Bell's palsy, a temporary weakness or lack of movement that usually affects 1 side of the face, and not a stroke, as initially thought. 'When I thought Harley was having a stroke, it was scary,' Millie said. 'He was worried and I was worried because of the paralysis side of it. What if he had never been able to cope with three kids again after that? Or handle his life before that?' The latest season of 22 Kids And Counting is available to stream now on Channel 5. Royal fans are convinced that Princess Charlotte is the 'absolute double' of her father - after she was pictured attending a Sunday church service in Balmoral over the weekeend. The Prince and Princess of Wales's only daughter is being described as William's 'twin', with well-wishers stunned by her resemblance to the heir in throwback photos. As the 10-year-old joined her parents and two siblings - Princes George, 12, and Louis, seven - for a church service in Crathie Kirk, known to be the royals' favoured place of worship at their Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle, she could not have looked more similar to the future King. Perched behind the Prince, on the driver's side in the family's Range Rover, Charlotte donned a white cardigan and polka dot dress, her hair tied up and swept from her face. It was very reminiscent of a young William, who is seen sporting a matching grin, with everything from the eyebrows to the face shape in the mix. Royal supporters couldn't believe it as they took in the image of the young prince, enjoying go-karting at Buckmore Park 'Playscape' in 1992 - when he also would have been 10 - at a track in Kent. 'Princess Charlotte is the absolute double of her father Prince William at the same age,' one wrote a post shared to X, formerly known as Twitter. Responding beneath the comparison photographs, one wrote: 'I know right? She could be his clone', to which another said 'absolutely'. Princess Charlotte is the 'absolute double' of her father, say royal fans after she was pictured attending a Sunday church service in Balmoral (pictured left) A third responded by saying that she was 'all William', while another agreed saying she was 'indeed' her father's lookalike. Attending yesterday's church service alongside her family, the Princess of Wales, meanwhile, appeared to be sporting hair a few shades lighter as her cascading tresses looked more blonde than ever before. Along with the Waleses, King Charles III and Queen Camilla, as well as The Princess Royal, were also seen heading to Crathie Kirk to spend part of their Bank Holiday weekend at the church. The monarch began his annual summer holidays at Balmoral last week, where he has been joined by several other members of the Royal Family to enjoy their break. William, 43, appearing a calm and collected driver, looked smart in a suit and tie as he sat behind the wheel. Meanwhile, Kate was the picture of elegance in a black hat with a structured bow, a textured jacket and a maroon top as she smiled in the passenger seat next to William. Charlotte gazed out the car window with a curious expression on her face, her hair tied up neatly so it stayed out of her face. The King and Queen, who were driven to the church, appeared serious as they looked at the car journey ahead. Eagle-eyed royal fans noted that the young Princess closely resembled her father in pictures snapped by paparazzi from inside the car At last year's Trooping the Colour, Princess Charlotte looked the spitting image of her father in his youth as she pointed to the sky during the Royal Air Force flypast Princess Charlotte, who turned ten this year, may share her mother Kate's brunette tresses, but she is the spitting image of her father The monarch, 76, wore a pale pink shirt under his smart suit, complete with a tartan tie, a nod to the Scottish Highlands they are currently residing in. Queen Camilla, 78, was seen wearing a hat with a jaunty feather and a multicoloured print dress, as well as a large cream shawl draped over her shoulder to keep her warm. Princess Anne, 75, was dressed in the most colourful ensemble of the whole family, wearing a turquoise blouse with a large collar, as well as a matching jacket and hat. Going to church is a tradition that King Charles follows closely, having driven himself and Queen Camilla to a service on Sunday August 17, also at Crathie Kirk. It's not the first time the young Princess has been closely compared to her father. Fans have often pointed to the resemblances between the father and daughter. At the 2023 Trooping the Colour, Charlotte pointed to the sky in amazement as she and her family watched the Royal Air Force flypast from the Buckingham Palace balcony. The image harked back to the ceremony in 1989, when Prince William was pictured waving excitedly at planes as he stood on the balcony with his brother Prince Harry, mother Princess Diana and great-aunt Princess Margaret. Princess Charlotte looked like her father's double when attending the Christmas Day church service in 2022. Right: Prince William wearing the same expression at the christening of Princess Eugenie in 1990 With their adorable fair locks and rosy cheeks, the father and daughter duo could easily be mistaken for one another at 18 months old Another snapshot from the same day showed Charlotte squinting as she smiled at well-wishers while making her way in the traditional horse-drawn carriage to Horse Guards Parade. The image was strikingly similar to a picture of her father in a royal carriage at Trooping the Colour in 1989. And, as strikingly similar photos of them as toddlers show, Charlotte has inherited her father's eyes and nose, as well as some of his cheeky expressions. Kate and William have both picked up on the likeness in the past. During a royal outing to the Khidmat Centre, Bradford, in January 2020, William mistook a photo of himself during a go-karting day out as a child for one of his daughter. 'Is that me?' the Prince of Wales said. 'Doesn't it look like Charlotte? Doesn't it look like Charlotte? Is that me? Oh my goodness. Is that me? That looks just like Charlotte. That's incredible. I haven't seen that before. Very alike similarity.' The Princess of Wales agreed, adding; 'It looks so much like Charlotte.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt gave fans a glimpse into her relaxing 28th birthday celebrations on Sunday - as she headed home to New Hampshire with her family and friends. Leavitt, the youngest Press Secretary in history, took to Instagram to share snaps from her special day, which included spending time at the beach with her husband, Nicholas Riccio, 59, and their one-year-old son, Nicholas 'Niko' Robert. In the first photo she posted, Leavitt smiled on the beach as she held her baby boy, who was wearing an adorable bathing suit with crab illustrations all over it. Leavitt herself wore a flowing, white crochet beach cover-up with long sleeves for the occasion. In the next snap, she beamed alongside her husband, who is 32 years her senior, carrying her son in one arm for the family photo. Leavitt was matching her husband as they both wore different shades of blue exercise ensembles and large black sunglasses. The last photo on her Instagram carousel included two birthday cards she had received for the special day from both her husband and son. The first one, which was presumably from little Niko, had ice cream cones on it and read, 'Mom, you're the coolest.' In the first photo she posted, Karoline Leavitt smiled on the beach as she held her one-year-old, who was wearing an adorable bathing suit with crabs all over it In the next snap, she beamed alongside her husband, carrying her son in one arm for the family photo The last photo on her Instagram carousel included two birthday cards she had received for the special day from both her husband and son The other card appeared to be from her husband, as it was illustrated with two sloths embracing each other while they were sitting on a log. 'Happy birthday to my wife... my other half,' the front of the card read. Donald Trump's aide also took to her Instagram stories to share even more behind-the-scenes snaps, including a bouquet of pink flowers she had received. She also posted a few pictures with her friends and included a clip of her riding on a motorized scooter along the beach. Leavitt shared that her day ended by getting dinner in Boston's North End, known for its amazing Italian restaurants, with her family before they headed to the airport to return to Washington. Her son, Niko, especially seemed to enjoy dinner, as she snapped a picture of him looking out the window at a firetruck that was on the street. To top off her birthday celebrations, she showed off the inside of her card that her son had gotten her, as the words, 'I love you!' were scribbled on it. Leavitt's birthday celebrations come just months after she addressed her 32-year age-gap with her husband, who she has been married to since last year. She also posted a few pictures with her friends and included a clip of her riding on a motorized scooter along the beach Leavitt shared that her day ended by getting dinner in Boston's North End, known for its amazing Italian restaurants, with her family before they headed to the airport to return to Washington To top off her birthday celebrations, she showed off the inside of her card that her son had gotten her, as the words, 'I love you!' were scribbled on it Leavitt, the youngest Press Secretary in history, took to Instagram to share snaps from her special day, which included spending time at the beach with her family and friends, as well as having dinner in Boston's North End The youngest press secretary in American history has largely kept her private life out of the spotlight, but revealed that she met him during her congressional campaign in 2022. She opened up in an interview with Megyn Kelly about how the romance first began, sharing: 'I met my husband during my Congressional Campaign. A mutual friend of ours hosted an event at a restaurant that he owns up in New Hampshire and invited my husband. 'I was speaking. We met and we were acquainted as friends. And then we fell in love.' The Megyn Kelly Show host then asked if there had been any thought in her mind of 'I can't date him, he's 59 and I'm 27?' Leavitt confirmed that she had dealt with those initial doubts about how the 32-year age gap would impact the relationship - but so far, things seem to be going well. 'Yes, of course. I mean it's a very atypical love story but he's incredible,' she gushed. 'He is my greatest supporter, he's my best friend and he's my rock.' The political aide continued: 'He's built a very successful business himself so now he's fully supportive of me building my success in my career. The couple got engaged on Christmas Day in 2023. The youngest press secretary in American history has largely kept her private life out of the spotlight, but revealed that she met him during her congressional campaign in 2022 The Megyn Kelly Show host then asked if there had been any thought in her mind of 'I can't date him, he's 59 and I'm 27?' In October, Leavitt spoke to The Conservateur about juggling motherhood with her fast-paced job. She said she was thankful for her Riccio and his flexible work schedule, as he could take care of Nico while she was at work. 'Leaving the baby every day to go to work, it does break your heart, Leavitt admitted. 'It's incredibly challenging emotionally, physically, spiritually,' she added. Xizang culture expands creative output Chinadaily.com.cn) 11:28, August 25, 2025 Carvers of Tibetan woodblock, a printing tradition that has been passed down for more than 340 years, work in their studio in Lhasa, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA Recent measures ensure growth of legacy and skill base Over decades of sustained efforts, authorities in the Xizang autonomous region have significantly advanced the protection, inheritance, and development of its intangible cultural heritage. From 2012 to 2024, both the central government and regional authorities allocated 473 million yuan ($65.85 million) in dedicated funding to preserve its cultural legacy, according to a white paper published this year. An artist mixes pigments for Tibetan thangka paintings, which has been lauded as an illustrated encyclopedia of Tibetan culture for its unique artistic and cultural value. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA The investment has driven comprehensive initiatives including safeguarding representative intangible cultural heritage projects, systematically documenting master inheritors at the national level, supporting apprenticeship programs and transmission activities, and building dedicated conservation facilities. Tangible outcomes highlight the success of these efforts. Xizang now boasts about 2,760 protected intangible cultural heritage items. Among them, Gesar epic tradition, Tibetan Opera, and the Lum medicinal bathing of Sowa Rigpa have been registered on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Dressed in traditional Tibetan costume, a woman poses in front of a painting in Lhasa. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA Early this year, culture and tourism authorities in Xizang recognized its fifth group of 101 regional-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors, bringing the total number of inheritors in the region to 1,790, ensuring traditional skills and knowledge endure for future generations. They include individuals selected from various fields, such as folk literature, Tibetan Opera, traditional handicrafts, traditional sports, and acrobatics. A potter looks at the finished product after a process that involved clay selection, sculpting and coloring. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA Phursong carving was listed as an intangible cultural heritage in Xizang in 2009. The manual production takes 30 steps to complete. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA A young man concentrates on his thangka artwork. The art was included on the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA Made from natural medicinal herbs, Tibetan incense is still handmade in Xizang to maintain quality standards. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA Stylish, colorful and exquisite workmanship ensures that modern Tibetan costumes are attractive and easy to wear. JIANG FAN/TENZING NIMA QADHUP/XINHUA (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) I dont remember the exact moment I lost my best friend to God. I recall the day we finally addressed the fact. But by then, it was already too late. It was a summers evening in London, and Abigail and I were saying goodbye after meeting for a catch up on our local high street. As we parted ways, I could tell she had more to say. Ive been wanting to talk to you about this for ages, she started, as tears filled her eyes. Im sorry if I left you behind when I was finding my faith. I know other people who have stories like ours, thanks to a quiet revival of Christianity among Generation Z in recent years. In the UK, Bible sales have shot from 2.69million in 2019 to 5.02million in 2024. Meanwhile, a study this year found church attendance among 18-24-year-olds has quadrupled since 2018, leaping from 4 per cent to 16 per cent. The message is clear: Gen Z is finding God again. Why? For years, being religious has been out of fashion when I was growing up, churchgoers my age were often shunned as too pious and uncool. Lara Olszowska says she knows other people who have stories similar to that of her friendship with Abigail, 'thanks to a "quiet revival" of Christianity among Generation Z in recent years' But history shows us that during times of strife and existential dread of which we now have a limitless supply religion tends to flourish. Pair that with an age group one which psychologist Jonathan Haidt termed The Anxious Generation in his book of the same name obsessed with finding meaning and resolving trauma, you have your explanation for the religion boom. When I speak to friends, often our conversations centre around our fears for our futures: the astronomical cost-of-living, the dire lack of employment, the loneliness epidemic, the repercussions of the pandemic. Were all addicted to doomscrolling on our social media feeds, which reinforces this sense of utter hopelessness. We all try to find a remedy for it in different places. I know friends who have thrown themselves into exercise and wellness to find meaning. Others have gone sober. Some have withdrawn from employment altogether also known as quiet quitting. So, I suppose I shouldnt be surprised that religion has become one of the coping mechanisms my generation is now embracing. Before we lost touch, I asked Abigail why she had become more religious. She was quick to correct me. She didnt like the word 'religious', she said, explaining instead that she had found her faith and was working on her relationship with Jesus. It seemed that Abigail needed something bigger than me, a mere mortal, could offer her through our friendship. While she chose to channel her energy towards a relationship with Him, I was foolishly swiping on Hinge for dates and going to parties. It started to feel inappropriate to talk about the things we used to bond over such as terrible dates or stories from nights out. I first met Abigail at school, and we formed a fast friendship in our religious studies class (the irony of this is not lost on me). We would challenge our teacher, who also happened to be the school chaplain, and we spent more time ridiculing the syllabus than learning it. Outside the classroom, we got up to innocent mischief. At break time, we used to follow teachers around at a distance and copy their walk, snickering loudly until they noticed or shooed us away. Abigail didnt like the word religious, explaining instead that she had found her faith and was working on her relationship with Jesus, writes Lara Abigail was always the more precocious one. She wore make-up first. She was invited to more parties than me. She had boyfriends in the year above at school. She was an avid user of fake tan. In our final year of school, we attended confirmation classes together on the orders of our parents. For us, it was just another opportunity to make each other laugh and doss around. We spent those classes doing everything we could to lead the topic of discussion away from God and towards school gossip. When we went to our respective universities, Abigail got a boyfriend, and both of us took full advantage of the newfound freedom and the nightclubs. But at the end of university, things started to change. Abigail broke up with her boyfriend, she started to drink less, she abandoned the fake tan, and she removed herself from social media. I later learned she had also been going to church and attending Christian society. She became impossible to make plans with, and our text conversations slowed. Lockdown disguised the fact we werent hanging out as much any more, but I could feel our friendship changing. The moment lockdown eased, I could be found at bars, clubs, pubs and day festivals (or hungover in bed from any of the above). Abigail, meanwhile, would be attending Bible groups and going to mass. Then the bombshell landed. Abigail texted to tell me that she was dating a Christian boy she had met at a Christian summer festival and they were both waiting until marriage to consummate their relationship. I couldnt imagine making such a radical decision in my own life at that time. And looking back, it was confronting to have a friend who was waiting until marriage, while I was dealing with all the pitfalls of modern dating. I found it hard to relate to new Abigail, but I did not protest because her new lifestyle seemed to be making her happy. In fact, I tried to embrace it. I asked if I could meet her new boyfriend. But then she missed my birthday two years in a row even though we always used to celebrate each others together. Then, her boyfriend hosted a surprise birthday party and invited all of her favourite people, as she told me on one of our infrequent meetings. I was not one of them. I started to accept that she did not want me to be part of her new chapter. And so, for three years, she all but disappeared from my life. When she finally reappeared, it was to inform me that she was engaged. Perhaps all our years of friendship did mean something to her, because I was invited to her wedding, despite having never met her husband-to-be. On the big day, I made the mistake of drinking too much champagne (Abigail did not drink a drop) and crying in front of one of her friends a soon-to-be-ordained priest about how I had always struggled with the idea of religion and God. It was an otherwise happy occasion. Soon after, we lost contact again. We should have acknowledged then that we had nothing in common any more. Last year, in a last-ditch attempt to rekindle our friendship, I went to church with Abigail one Sunday. Admittedly, I was feeling a bit lost at the time too, and I could see how finding God had made her so happy. Maybe Id get my friend back. Maybe Id finally find my faith. At the service, Abigail stood with her eyes closed, swaying, singing and waving her hands in the air. I tried to do the same but felt self-conscious and fraudulent and more distant from my friend than ever. We havent seen each other since and havent exchanged any texts in over a year, except for one stray message she sent in February a picture of us together in our school uniform. Abigail is pulling a silly face and Im bursting with laughter. Maybe if I had found God too, things would have been different. After all, there is one friendship I have always neglected, and Abigail reminded me of that the last time I saw her. Jesus will always want to know you, she said. And you can get to know him whenever you like. Names have been changed. Burning Man has gained unprecedented attention in recent years with an influx of influencers and Silicon Valley hotshots descending on the Nevada desert with the purpose of creating a 'de-commodified society.' The week-long annual festival, which this year runs from Sunday, August 24 to Monday, September 1, attracts around 70,000 people each year. The event is held in a temporary city - named Black Rock - constructed in the middle of the Nevada desert and is traditionally meant to encourage 'community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance.' The arts and music festival, which began in 1986, was started by Larry Harvey and Jerry James who built a wooden human effigy and set it on fire on San Francisco's Baker Beach as a symbolic act of letting go of their personal crises. It it often referred to as the 'First Burn.' The tradition has long continued and now participants build elaborate artistic structures themselves before the event culminates in the burning of a 75-foot wooden effigy called 'The Man.' The festival operates based on community cooperation and collaboration, striving to produce, promote and protect social networks, public spaces, works of art, and methods of communication that support such interaction, per the Burning Man website. Burning Man also touts inclusion and respect of people of all races, stating 'anyone may be a part of Burning Man,' as well as encouraging 'radical self-reliance and self expression.' Below, the Daily Mail has taken a look at the strangest and most obscure rules that attendees must follow. Burning Man has gained unprecedented attention in recent years with an influx of influencers and Silicon Valley hotshots descending on the Nevada desert Attendees should adopt a 'playa name' Once at the festival, attendees are often encouraged to adopt a 'playa name' - an alias to experiment with a new identity. However, they can't choose the name themselves. 'Originally spawned by the need for unique names on the staff's two-way radios, playa names have become almost ubiquitous, and are sometimes used to provide an individual with an "alternate" personality or persona,' organizers wrote. 'Playa names are traditionally given to a person, rather than taken on,' they added. Guests must sign a death waiver The festival requires attendees to agree to an extensive waiver which includes taking on the risk of injury or even death. As per the website, it waives 'any and all liability that Burning Man Project and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, contractors, representatives, agents, affiliates, and subsidiaries.' It states the signee will not sue or assert any claims against the organization for 'any and all loss or damage on account of bodily injury (including death), property damage, or economic loss of any nature that is in any way related to the event.' The week-long annual festival, which attracts around 70,000 people a year, is held in a temporary city, Black Rock City Haul in/haul out policy There is strict a 'haul in/haul out' philosophy, meaning that everything must be brought in with you - including food and water - and everything must be taken out with you at the end. Attendees must fully commit to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. 'We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them,' the organization says. Feathers are discouraged Despite feathers seeming like an appropriate way to express individuality, the desert festival does not encourage it. As Burning Man operates on a strict 'leave no trace' principle, the guidelines state that feathers are at risk of shedding and littering the area, referring to them as 'matter out of place' or MOOP. 'What we're saying is this: if you want to wear feathers, that's fine but make sure they're attached in ways that won't fail, and if you can't then don't wear them, because it's on YOU if they become MOOP. (And that goes for anything you bring to Black Rock City),' The Burning Man Journal explained. The festival requires attendees to agree to an extensive waiver which includes taking on the risk of injury or even death No-cash society While the ticket for Burning Man costs $750, and a vehicle pass $150, once you're at Black Rock City, money is more or less useless. To encourage the 'spirit of gifting,' the Burning Man community has a cashless society, encouraging people to gift what they need to each other. Only ice, coffee, tea, lemonade, and various fuel types from the official fuel depot is sold once at the festival. 'We take away transactions. We remove the transactions because we want the interaction,' Marian Goodell, CEO of the Burning Man non-profit, which organizes the project, previously told CNN. 'That's a deliberate piece to what creates connection and community.' While the ticket for Burning Man costs $750, and a vehicle pass $150, once you're at Black Rock City, money is more or less useless It's a photo-free zone While it may seem like the perfect time to snap some pictures for Instagram - it's not encouraged by the organization. The unwritten rule is to ask before photographing someone, especially in vulnerable or intimate moments. The Duchess of Sussex has shared the latest promo for her lifestyle brand - as she revealed that customers can expect a restock of products along with season two of With Love, Meghan airing. 'At As ever, we keep growing and growing,' she penned on Instagram. 'Your favorites (and more) are back tomorrow as we also celebrate the launch of Season 2 of "With Love, Meghan" on. 'August 26th, mark your calendars.' The message was accompanied by a glossy snap of Prince Harry's wife, 44, with no face visible in the frame, watering some greenery as she wears jeans and a button-up shirt. It's one of the latest pieces of content shared by Meghan on social media, ahead of the viewing. Last week, the mother-of-two also shared a clip of some crisps frying in a pan with the caption, 'New season of With Love, Meghan August 26 on @netflix'. 'Dare I say, 'It's all that... and a bag of chips,' she added. The 90s quote, which means something is cool, is associated with Will Smith, who delivered the line in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. During the first episodes of With Love, Meghan, which aired in March, the duchess's culinary tips included how to plate up a takeaway and tie a bow around a bag of shop-bought pretzels. Both seasons were filmed at the same time. A 'holiday' special has been recorded too, for the Christmas period. The Duchess of Sussex has shared the latest promo for her lifestyle brand - as she revealed that customers can expect a restock of products along with season two of With Love, Meghan airing The message was accompanied by a glossy snap of Prince Harry's wife, 44, with no face visible in the frame, watering some greenery as she wears jeans and a button-up shirt During the first episodes of With Love, Meghan, which aired in March, the duchess's culinary tips included how to plate up a takeaway and tie a bow around a bag of shop-bought pretzels It comes after Meghan Markle shared another gushing post to promote her wine - as it still hasn't sold out more than two weeks after it first launched. The Duchess of Sussex released her 2024 Napa Valley Rose on August 5 - but more than two weeks later, it is still available to buy on the website of her lifestyle brand, As ever. By contrast, Meghan's 2023 rose sold out within an hour when it launched last month. On Tuesday, the team at As ever shared another clip of the wine, crediting it as being Meghan's 'favourite pour' and stating it's only 'available for a limited time'. In what made for typically aesthetic viewing, they filmed pouring the vibrant wine into a glass, with Meghan's wicker basket and hat in the background. 'Cheers to summer's final sips,' the caption read, adding: 'Fill your glass with our founder's favorite pour, available for a limited time.' The post appears to be an attempt to boost sales after it failed to match the quick sell-out of the 2023 wine's launch in July - and comes amid news of Meghan and Harry's Netflix deal being 'downgraded' to a 'first look' deal when it expires later this year. Buyers must purchase a minimum of three bottles of wine, which retail for $30 each. Six bottles cost $159 (119) including a 12 per cent discount, and 12 bottles are $300 (225) including 17 per cent off. The mother-of-two shared a photograph of some crisps frying in a pan alongside a quote linked to the Fresh Prince of Bel Air Combined with the $20 shipping cost, plus taxes, anyone looking to buy the wine is faced with a minimum spend of more than $110. When the 2023 version came out on July 1, the wine went on sale at 4pm UK time, but the site was updated less than hour later to signal stocks were sold out. The 2024 wine is described as evoking the same 'soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality and a lasting finish' as the 2023 rose - but it clearly packs less of a punch. Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex signed a new 'multi-year, first look deal for film and television projects' with Netflix - a downgrade on their previous contract. The couple's new output will include a second season of the Duchess's 'With Love, Meghan' lifestyle show later this month, as well as a Christmas special in December. The new arrangement is a first-look deal, meaning Netflix can say yes or no to new film or TV projects before anyone else. The Sussexes are also working on 'Masaka Kids, A Rhythm Within' - a documentary about orphaned children in Uganda, where the 'shadows of the HIV/Aids crisis linger'. There is also 'active development' on other projects with Netflix which 'span a variety of content genres', including an adaptation of romantic novel Meet Me At The Lake. Netflix has already released the first series of With Love, Meghan as well as Polo, Heart of Invictus, Live to Lead and the couple's bombshell documentary Harry & Meghan and the streaming site is also a business partner on Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever. Five years ago, Harry and Meghan secured a lucrative contract thought to be worth $100million (74million) with Netflix after quitting as senior working royals in 2020. The renewed deal was described by the Sussexes - who made the announcement with Netflix - as 'extending their creative partnership' through Archewell Productions. But the new terms are understood to be worth less for Harry and Meghan than their previous contract, according to a person familiar with the deal, and represent Netflix loosening its ties with the couple. Leading publicist Mark Borkowski told the Daily Mail: 'They have shot the golden goose of 2020 - more of a 'we'll call you' than 'here's the chequebook'. It's a first-look deal, which means Netflix gets first dibs but no obligation to bankroll every semi-royal whim. 'I reckon Netflix is trimming fat industry-wide, so this is less carte blanche, more curated cameo. 'They're still in business together - Meghan's. As ever brand and seasonal specials keep them in the Netflix shop window but make no mistake, this is a slimmed-down sequel to the blockbuster original. So Harry and Meghan's new Netflix chapter [is] less champagne budget, more Prosecco by the glass.' Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in December 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views - making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days as it reached the English Top 10 TV list in 85 countries. Pictured: Prince Harry and Meghan at the ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood in July 2024 But With Love, Meghan failed to break into Netflix's top ten programmes - or even the top 300, as it ranked at number 383 in 2025 so far for the streaming giant with just 5.3million viewers across the globe since it was first broadcast in March. However, the Duchess said: 'We're proud to extend our partnership with Netflix and expand our work together to include the As ever brand. 'My husband and I feel inspired by our partners who work closely with us and our Archewell Productions team to create thoughtful content across genres that resonates globally, and celebrates our shared vision.' Bela Bajaria, Netflix's chief content officer, said: 'Harry and Meghan are influential voices whose stories resonate with audiences everywhere. 'The response to their work speaks for itself - Harry & Meghan gave viewers an intimate look into their lives and quickly became one of our most-watched documentary series. 'More recently, fans have been inspired by With Love, Meghan, with products from the new As ever line consistently selling out in record time. 'We're excited to continue our partnership with Archewell Productions and to entertain our members together.' Meanwhile a new trailer for the second season of With Love, Meghan was released last week and showed Meghan hosting a fresh batch of celebrities and influencers at the rented California house close to her and Prince Harry's Montecito mansion. During a conversation with Spanish restaurateur Jose Ramon Andres, Meghan revealed a fun insight into 40-year-old Prince Harry's tastes Meghan, pictured with her husband during the Invictus Games earlier this year, revealed her husband doesn't like lobster With Love, Meghan was renewed for a second season just as season one was released in March. All the episodes were filmed at the same time, it is understood. As Ever is Meghan's lifestyle brand previously known as American Riviera Orchard - which launched in March and also sells cookie mix, tea, flower sprinkles and jams. Guests on season two will include Chrissy Teigen and Jamie Kern Lima, the trailer revealed. In the one-minute, 27-second teaser, Meghan is seen eating cheese, prepping snacks and drinks with friends and even reveals the food her husband Prince Harry doesn't like. 'Do you know who doesn't like lobster? My husband,' she says as she prepares the seafood. As the trailer comes to an end, Meghan reveals: 'I love these moments of discovery and beauty. So let's be curious together.' Meghan's As ever website describes her rose wine as 'thoughtfully curated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex' and that it has been 'made to be enjoyed with the ones you love'. The pale pink wine, which comes in a clear bottle with a white, gold-rimmed label, has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 13.5 per cent 1 per cent lower than its predecessor. The Netflix series With Love, Meghan is the most recent television release by the Sussexes. Pictured: Meghan and her friends in season one Netflix said Harry & Meghan, which came out in 2022, was a huge success with a total of 23.4million views, making it the most viewed documentary ever through its first four days The Daily Mail revealed in June that the 2023 wine used grapes from the Fairwinds estate so Meghan could show her support after the winery was almost destroyed in a devastating wildfire in 2020 which caused $15million worth of damage. Napa Valley wine country is in northern California, around 50 miles from San Francisco. The Duchess was shown drinking rose during the last episode of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan earlier this year when she offered chef Alice Waters a glass of wine. 'Would you like a glass of rose while we're cooking?' the duchess said, pouring from a bottle which does not appear to be As Ever wine, having a different label. Meghan added as she drank: 'Might be the best sip of wine I've ever had.' In a belated Instagram post following her birthday this month, Meghan said she was 'blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours' and thanked her husband, friends and family for 'making it so special'. 'To those of you I don't know, but who send love every day - thank you so much. Please know I feel it and appreciate it,' she captioned the post alongside a heart emoji. Meghan and the Duke of Sussex left the UK and moved to California five years ago for a new life after stepping down from the working monarchy. A father-of-two who has over 100 snakes in his house and lets his kids cuddle with the reptiles in bed has clapped back at haters who may judge his 'obsession.' Socratis Christoforou, 45, from South Florida, explained exclusively to the Daily Mail that his fascination with snakes dates back to when he was a little boy living in New Jersey. He explained that he grew up in a house that had immense woods behind it, along with a stream and he would often play in. 'One day, I found a group of baby snakes,' he recalled. 'I didn't know it at the time, but they were copperheads, venomous snakes. 'I scooped them into a bucket with a stick, brought them into the basement, and proudly kept them there.' While at first, he said he tried to keep his new pets a secret from his parents, they naturally found out pretty quickly. Since his mom and dad were from Cyprus, where snakes were often very poisonous, they believed they were all extremely dangerous, and as soon as his mom saw what Socratis was hiding in the basement, she 'panicked.' And their reaction quickly turned his fascination into fear. Father-of-two Socratis Christoforou, 45, has over 100 snakes in his house and spends over $800 a month on taking care of the animals His daughter, Ariana, keeps about '20 Ball Pythons in her room' while his son, Maximus, has two Ball Pythons 'My dad went down, realized what I had, and released them back into the woods,' he explained. 'My parents, both born in Cyprus, grew up taught to fear snakes because of the venomous species there. That fear imprinted on me. 'Even though I thought snakes were exotic and mysterious, I carried that fear for years.' But in adulthood, Socratis decided he wanted to overcome his fear of snakes once and for all. 'I walked into a pet store and asked, 'How do I get over being scared of snakes?'' he shared. 'They laughed and said, 'Let one bite you.' They pulled out a baby albino corn snake, let it nip me, and I realized, that's it? That's what I've been afraid of? I bought it right then, and my passion officially began.' From there, he said, his 'collection grew fast.' Within two years, he had more than 300 snakes, along with monitors, lizards, sugar gliders, birds, and even an alligator. 'My house was a living zoo,' he joked. 'I loved venomous species too, cobras, vipers, rattlesnakes, you name it. What started as fear became obsession.' His kids even cuddle with snakes in bed - but he clapped back at haters who may judge his 'obsession' during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail Unfortunately, during the economic crisis in 2008, Socratis said he 'lost everything,' and was forced to give up his enormous animal collection. But flash forward to 2017, and Socratis, who was then married with two kids and running a successful CrossFit gym in Fort Lauderdale, reignited his passion during a trip to the pet store with his then-two-year-old daughter. 'We walked into a pet store and saw an albino corn snake, the exact same species as my very first. I bought it for her,' he remembered. 'Watching her hold that snake reignited something in me. That moment was more than a purchase, it was a spark, a reminder of who I was.' Since 2017, he has slowly been growing his collection and he now has around 130 snakes. 'I don't just keep snakes because they're 'cool,' I keep them because they are living art,' he explained. 'Green Tree Pythons transform colors as they grow, reds, yellows, neon greens, even pure blue. 'Boelens Pythons are jet-black with rainbow iridescence, and they literally 'blow air' as a way of communicating. These animals fascinate me every day.' He admitted that caring for them is a 'major commitment' and costs him about $800 a month. 'Feeders, equipment, electricity, water, it adds up to around $800 per month, sometimes more. But the true cost is time,' shared the snake-enthusiast. 'Every day I clean cages, change water, and check temperatures. Breeding season is even more demanding: pairing snakes, monitoring eggs, incubating, and then weeks of patiently teaching hatchlings to eat. It's work, but it's a labor of love.' He vowed that his kids 'love' the snakes 'as much as he does,' and revealed that his eldest, Ariana, keeps about '20 Ball Pythons in her room' while his son Maximus has two Ball Pythons. 'They hang out with their snakes while doing homework, reading, even lying in bed watching cartoons,' he dished. 'They share an amazing bond with them. For us, snakes are part of the family.' While Socratis said he and his family have faced some judgement from strangers over his hobby, he is not ashamed. He vowed that the snakes are not 'dangerous or aggressive' and that his kids have never been put in danger since they don't keep any venomous pets in the home He vowed that the snakes are not 'dangerous or aggressive' and that his kids have never been put in danger since they don't keep any venomous pets in the home. 'People often assume all snakes are dangerous or aggressive. The truth: most snakes would rather avoid humans entirely. They strike only when threatened or cornered,' he said. 'Ball Pythons, for example, are completely harmless. Even large constrictors aren't inherently aggressive, they're simply strong animals. 'Captive-bred snakes, like the ones we keep, are often calm and accustomed to human presence. They're not monsters. They're misunderstood.' In the end, he credits the snakes with helping him get through his darkest times. 'When I lost everything in 2008, I also lost my animals. I had to face the pain of letting go,' he concluded. 'But that season of loss taught me something even more valuable: that discipline, mindset, and faith in yourself can rebuild anything. 'I went from zero - no home, no car, no money, sleeping in my vehicle, to rebuilding a life, creating businesses, and building a new legacy with my family. 'When Ariana got her first corn snake in 2017, it didn't just bring snakes back into my life, it brought back the fire in me. 'Now, my kids and I don't just keep snakes. We learn from them, care for them, and share them to replace fear with understanding. 'This story isn't just about reptiles. It's about resilience, second chances, and teaching the next generation that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can always rebuild, and come back stronger.' Now that Bama Rush week is over, TikTok has already moved onto the next college obsession. Students who have recently been accepted into Greek Life are now sharing their lives inside sorority houses, including the communal sleeping areas, referred to as 'cold rooms.' The rooms boast blackout curtains in a bid to promote sleep - which is their only purpose - with air conditioning as low as 62F. The spaces are designed to cram as many sorority members as possible in rows of bunk beds complete with heated blankets and sleeping bags. The sorority girls have private 'day rooms' for all of their belongings such as clothes and study materials and use the 'cold rooms' purely for sleeping. One TikTok user, Jade, previously took her followers through the dorm she slept in while studying at Purdue University in Indiana. 'The house is just stunning from the outside. Does this look like it's in the middle of Indiana?' she asked. 'No, it looks like it belongs in France. The light stone, the light blue shutters,' she listed. Now that Bama Rush week is over, TikTok has already moved onto the next college obsession - the sorority 'cold room' (stock image) 'But I don't think that when our dear sisters built this house in the 1920s or 1930s, that they had in mind that 90 women would be inhabiting this house at one point. 'In order to accommodate that many women in one house, there are just some things that we had to do,' she explained. Jade then explained the concept of 'cold air dorms,' which are also known as 'cold rooms' or 'sleeping porches.' 'It's basically one big room that is really cold and really dark and filled with bunk beds,' the Kappa alum explained. 'You were assigned a bed and you made it the coziest little spot,' she reminisced. 'You make it so dark and cozy that you want to skip all your 7.30am [classes].' According to a current sorority member, the rooms more or less resemble the dorm room at a school camp. 'Picture a large living room with nothing but beds in it,' a student told Fox News. 'This set-up typically has sets of bunk beds lining the perimeter of the room or bunk beds are set up in lines, almost like a kids' sleepaway camp,' she explained. According to a current sorority member, the rooms more or less resemble the dorm room at a school camp (stock image) Many students do have their own rooms, but still choose to sleep in the cold rooms because it is strictly for sleeping. Most former cold dorm sleepers claimed to have loved their experience - with some even saying they still try to recreate it to this day. 'Midwest cold air dorms for the win. I still sleep with my window cracked in winter while I sleep. It's the best,' one user wrote on social media. 'But can we talk about the afternoon naps? Still cold, still dark, still quiet, and EMPTY. I still think about them over a decade later,' agreed another. 'Yes!! My house at Illinois had this! We all had electric blankets and wore hats and mittens to sleep in the winter since windows had to be open!!' reminisced another. Celebrity cook Rachael Ray celebrated her birthday on Monday - and her husband of 20 years, John M. Cusimano, shared a tender tribute to his wife via Instagram for the occasion. Over the past few years, fans have grown increasingly concerned for Ray, as she sparked health concerns last September after she was seen slurring her words in a video. An insider also revealed exclusively to Daily Mail recently that Ray had been acting bizarrely at a June appearance at the Broadway Spirits store in Manhattan. Things got off to a rocky start when there were just 20 fans in line as the signing was due to begin, the insider told Daily Mail. But her husband has brushed the concern aside as he wished his wife a happy 57th birthday this week. He took to Instagram to share a black-and-white photo of Ray smiling as she ate a plate of spaghetti, shot by famous photographer Simon Emmett. 'Happy birthday to Rachael Ray, my forever love and forever home, wherever we may be,' Cusimano, 58, wrote. Ray 'liked' his post on Instagram and also shared it to her own stories on Monday. Celebrity cook Rachael Ray celebrated her birthday on Monday - and her husband of 20 years, John M. Cusimano, shared a tender tribute to his wife via Instagram for the occasion He took to Instagram to share a black-and-white photo of Ray smiling as she ate a plate of spaghetti, shot by famous photographer Simon Emmett In addition to her husband, the cook also shared other birthday well-wishes on her Instagram stories, including one from former Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper. Harper, who appeared on Ray's short-lived podcast last year, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, shared a photo of the Food Network star holding up a tray of meatballs. 'I love you, dear friend,' he wrote. She also re-posted a message from Leary Firefighters Foundation, where she acts as a member of their board. The birthday tribute comes after Ray spilled all the raunchy details about her relationship with Cusimano during a podcast appearance. 'I couldn't wait to get him in the sack and he is a blessed man,' she said during an appearance on iHeart's I've Never Said This Before podcast with Tommy DiDario. She further teased that she is a 'very lucky lady' while recalling a moment from her wedding. 'I had to buy two different sized suits for our wedding from Prada because his jacket was one size and his trouser was another,' she said. 'I certainly am I am a very lucky lady.' 'I couldn't wait to get him in the sack and he is a blessed man,' she said during an appearance on iHeart's I've Never Said This Before podcast with Tommy DiDario The lovebirds exchanged vows in a lavish 2005 wedding held at a castle in Tuscany, Italy. Ten years after, the duo reaffirmed their commitment to each other at the same castle in the Florence region. On her podcast, she has also spoken about the 'huge screaming matches' she gets into with Cusimano. Ray also divulged that she and Cusimano do not outwardly apologize to each other, but have a nonverbal way of mending fences after a fight. She reflected that 'it's very hard, especially for hot-tempered or creative or vociferous, shall we say, loud people to be able to just calm it down.' She confessed: 'John and I don't calm it down ever. We have huge screaming matches all the time. But I think that's healthy, I really do, and I don't trust people that are too quiet Too quiet freaks me out. I prefer that you tell me what you think when you think it, and just let's get it all out there. Get it out there.' When her guest, Jenny Mollen asked whether Ray or Cusimano says sorry first after a fight, Ray shared: 'I don't know that we ever apologize to each other.' She explained: 'Eventually, I pat him on his a** or he kisses me on the head, and that's just sort of it. That's the apology. It's just sort of understood: "All right. I still like your a**." "I still like your head." It's kind of in that zone.' A manager's shocking response to an employee calling in sick has gone viral, with thousands of workers blasting the attitude as 'disrespectful' and 'a terrible look for any business'. The drama unfolded in a TikTok video shared by entrepreneur Ben Askins, who re-enacted a workplace exchange that struck a nerve with workers around the world. A manager asked: 'What on earth is going on with James? I've been messaging him all morning and I can't get hold of him.' Another employee replied: 'Hey, James is off sick today, he said he has a pretty bad case of flu so I told him to take the day off and rest up. Is there anything I can help with?' But the boss refused to let it go. 'That is pretty disastrous tbh [sic]. We've had a client reschedule for this afternoon and I need James to be on the call. How bad is he? Can we just get him to join for just that call?' When the colleague offered to handle it, the boss insisted: 'Can we ask him first before we go ahead with that? It is fairly technical and we can't afford mistakes. If he is feeling up to it then I would say worth just asking him to do it if he can.' Mr Askins condemned the approach, saying it exposed deeper problems in the workplace. A manager's shocking response to an employee calling in sick has gone viral, with thousands of workers blasting the attitude as 'disrespectful' and 'a terrible look for any business' 'If he's too sick to be at work, he's too sick to be asked on a call. So straight away, you shouldn't be doing that,' he said. 'And second, you should set your business up in a better way. You can't be so dependent on just a few different people to always be available, because that's how you cause a lot of issues in your business.' The clip struck a chord with workers, many of whom said they'd faced similar pressure when taking sick leave. 'As a client, if a business forced an obviously ill employee to front up to a meeting with me simply because they're the only one who can deal with it, it just demonstrates poor management. It wouldn't fill me with confidence,' one person wrote. Others agreed: 'Also as a leader, do you know how bad it looks to a client when your employee is sneezing, coughing and unable to string a sentence together because, you know, they are SICK!?' Some were quick to point out the unfairness of ignoring the colleague who had already offered to step in. 'Furthermore 'please ask him' when you clearly have someone ready to do the work is dismissive and disrespectful,' one commenter said. Another joked: 'It sounds like James needs a pay rise and promotion.' Under Australian workplace laws, employees are entitled to paid sick leave if they are unwell or caring for a family member. The clip struck a chord with workers, many of whom said they'd faced similar pressure when taking sick leave Crucially, if a worker calls in sick, employers cannot demand they continue working or attend meetings - doing so risks breaching Fair Work protections. Most workplaces also encourage staff to switch off when unwell. As one commenter put it: 'I turn off all my work notifications when I'm off sick anyway.' Experts say forcing sick employees to attend meetings can harm morale, cause burnout and even damage the company's reputation. 'I've worked with companies where it got so bad we were raising concerns for their employees' welfare,' one person revealed. 'It is not a good look for the business and I will avoid those companies whenever possible.' The viral exchange has ignited a broader debate about workplace culture - and whether Australian businesses are doing enough to protect employees' health. For many, the message is simple: if someone calls in sick, let them rest. As one commenter summed up: 'Hope it works out - but if I got this kind of pressure when I was unwell, I'd be out the door.' A senior United Nations (UN) official has called for a universal ban on the 'exploitative, unethical and cruel' practice of surrogate motherhood. In a report, set to be presented to the UN General Assembly in October, Reem Alsalemthe UN's special rapporteur on violence against women and girlssaid the practice exposes women to 'serious human rights violations'. According to the report, in 2023 the global surrogacy market was valued at over 11billion and is projected to reach 73.75billion by 2033. But surrogate mothers often only receive a small fraction of the payment made by commissioning parents, with the majority of funds going to agencies. And, unlike in adoption where prospective parents have to be screened to ensure they are suitable to adopt a child, very few background checks are required. In the first-of-its-kind report Ms Alsalem concluded that UN member states should work towards adopting an 'international legally binding instrument prohibiting all forms of surrogacy', as is the case with prostitution. British campaigners today welcomed the findings, arguing the practice has long been 'deeply coercive'. Some European countries prohibit the practice of surrogacy, including Spain and Italy. Reem Alsalem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, released the groundbreaking new report calling for all UN member states to move towards the total prohibition of surrogacy But 'altruistic' surrogacy, whereby a woman gives birth to a baby on behalf of another woman or couple but no money changes hands, excluding for expenses, is legal in countries including Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Canada, Brazil and Colombia. Commercial surrogacy is however permitted in some US states. In February this year, Emily in Paris actress Lily Collins and her partner Charlie McDowell welcomed their first daughter, named Tove, via surrogate splitting reaction along predictable lines. Kim Kardashian has also previously praised her experience with surrogacy, with Lorenawho carried the A lister's third child, Chicagomaking her public debut on Keeping Up with the Kardashians back in 2018. In the report, Ms Alsalem said: 'The practice of surrogacy is characterised by exploitation and violence against women and children, including girls. 'It reinforces patriarchal norms by commodifying and objectifying women's bodies and exposing surrogate mothers and children to serious human rights violations.' She added that new guidelines on surrogacy should be modelled on the Nordic model for prostitutionpenalising buyers, clinics and agencies, in a bid to end the demand for surrogacy. 'The advertising of surrogacy services and agencies must be prohibited,' she said. Lily Collins and her partner Charlie McDowell welcomed their first daughter, Tove, via surrogate earlier this year Kim Kardashian, with ex-husband Kayne West had both her third and fourth children via surrogacy. Chicago (pictured right) turned 7 this year Instead, support strategies should be put in place for women already carrying a pregnancy for someone else. The report also found that surrogate pregnancies lead to more complications often necessitating a caesarean delivery which puts both the mother and baby at risk. From birth, surrogate children are also at higher risk of developing mental health issues, as many are immediately separated from the woman who carried them, resulting in disrupted attachment and ultimately leaving the child 'in limbo', it claimed. British campaign groups have welcomed the findings, agreeing with the UN report's conclusions. Helen Gibson, founder of Surrogacy concern said: 'Surrogacy is exploitative, unethical and cruel to the child who bonds with their mother in utero, irrespective of the egg used in the pregnancy. 'We urge the British Government to take up the UN's recommendation, and ban surrogacy for Britons travelling abroad, and at home.' Lexi Ellingsworth, co-founder of Stop Surrogacy Now, added: 'We welcome this report from the UN Special Rapporteur. 'We have long understood the deeply coercive nature of surrogacy, even under the so-called 'altruistic' model in the UK. 'The narrative around this controversial practice needs to change and move away from that which agencies and beneficiaries would have the public believe, and instead fully reflect the reality for women and girls.' Under the 'altruistic' system in the UK, surrogates can be paid between 1,200 and 15,000anything more than this the court has to authorise. Currently, no court has ever refused to authorise a payment above the 'reasonable expense', arguing it could ultimately jeopardise the wellbeing of the child. A man almost died after overdosing on weight loss drugs in an apparent suicide attempt, with doctors warning how these medications could trigger mental health conditions. The unnamed 67-year-old man from Israel had been prescribed semaglutide to treat his type 2 diabetes and also to help him lose weight. However, after self-injecting 1-mg of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, on a weekly basis for one year he reported feeling 'very unhappy' and 'moody.' As his mental state deteriorated, he said he decided to inject his monthly semaglutide prescription all at one time, meaning he had four times the recommended dose all at once. The maximum recommended dose of semaglutide is 2mg weekly for Ozempic, and 2.4mg weekly for Wegovy. Takking more than this can lead to a range of serious side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and extremely low blood sugar levels - a condition known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemiacan trigger dizziness, confusion, seizures and death. Fourteen days after overdosing on semaglutide, the man was admitted to the Barzilai Medical Center hospital with multiple organ failure. His other complaints included hypoglycemia, weakness, a loss of appetite, pain in his upper abdomen, and severe diarrhea along with black, tarry stools. A man almost died after overdosing on weight loss drugs in apparent suicide, with doctors warning how these medications could trigger mental health conditions (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. Further tests revealed he also had cholestatic liver dysfunction, a type of liver disease characterized by impaired bile production or flow. Bile helps the body with a number of processes including fat digestion and absorption, the elimination of waste products and the absorption of certain fat-soluble vitamins (like A and D). The male patient also had two duodenal ulcers (sores) in the lining of his small intestine. The day before he was admitted to the hospital, the man started passing out as his condition worsened. Luckily, the medical team were able to treat him and they said his 'clinical status improved gradually.' It is unclear how many days he spent in hospital before being discharged or if he required follow-up care. It is also not clear if he returned to taking the weight loss medication, following the correct dose. In light of the case, the doctors treating the man are calling for patients receiving GLP-1 medications, such as semaglutide, to be screened for common mental disorders. Last year, a study revealed that taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic alongside antidepressants may raise the risk of suicide. Researchers in New York, Switzerland and Italy combed through a World Health Organization database for reports of suicidal thoughts among people taking the drugs in more than 140 countries. They found 107 cases of suicidal or self-harm thoughts or actions among those who took semaglutide and 162 from those on liraglutide, the active ingredient in the weight-loss drug Victoza, suggesting a harmful interaction between the weight loss drugs and antidepressants. However, some experts slammed the study for its 'weak evidence' and 'major limitations' based on 'spontaneous reports' of interactions between GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and antidepressants. They also cautioned that the proportion of reports linked to both drugs was too small to determine an association. Your browser does not support iframes. Combined annual sales for Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy Similarly, another 2024 study out of Saudi Arabia looked at psychiatric adverse events associated with semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide. They looked at all individual case safety reports for semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide reported to the European Medicine Agency's EudraVigilance database from 2021 to 2023. During the study period, there were 31,444 adverse event reports with 44 percent involving semaglutide, 53 percent linked to liraglutide, and two percent tied to tirzepatide. Of these, 372 reports were linked to psychiatric side effects. Depression was the most commonly reported adverse event (50 percent), followed by anxiety (39 percent) and suicidal ideation (20 percent). A deterioration in mental health for people taking the weight loss drugs was attributed to nine deaths (eight with liraglutide and one with semaglutide) and 11 life-threatening outcomes (four associated with liraglutide and seven with semaglutide). The researchers in that study noted that the fatal outcomes occurred primarily among men (eight out of nine) 'resulting from completed suicidal attempts and depression.' Although psychiatric adverse events comprised only 1.2 percent of the total reports for semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, the researchers concluded that 'the severity and fatal outcomes of some of these reports warrant further investigation.' New research reveals a strong link between a common liver disease affecting nearly 90 million Americans and heart failure, with nearly half of patients showing early signs of heart damage. Researchers from Duke University examined the health data of 570 patients at the universitys hospital system who had metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which, according to the most recent data, affects more than 86 million Americans. They tracked the patients medical histories for 11 years from the time they were diagnosed with MASLD, a condition where excess fat builds up in the liver and can lead to inflammation and scarring over time. Almost a fifth of patients developed heart failure over that period, while nearly half showed signs of heart failure despite never being formally diagnosed with a cardiac condition. The burden of MASLD in the US is significant, affecting more than one in three US adults on average. The disease stems from the body's difficulty processing fats and sugars and often progresses without causing noticeable symptoms until it reaches a severe, sometimes irreversible, stage. A person in the early stages of disease can have a significant amount of liver fat and some scarring without feeling sick, allowing the disease to progress undetected for years or even decades. The latest research found that as MASLD slowly and silently scars the liver until it can no longer filter toxins from the blood, the heart becomes progressively weaker and prone to failure. Yet only five percent of patients in the study had ever been diagnosed with heart failure. Dr Marat Fudim, a researcher at Duke Clinical Research Institute and co-author of the report, said in a statement: The findings highlight a critical gap in the recognition and diagnosis of heart failure in this high-risk group. Nearly 100 million Americans have a chronic liver disease that results when too much fat builds up and causes scarring (stock) Your browser does not support iframes. The researchers specifically selected 570 patients with MASLD that was confirmed by a liver biopsy - the gold standard for diagnosis, Dr Fudim said, because it provides the most accurate diagnosis. The patients had been diagnosed with MASLD between 2007 and 2013 and were followed until they died or until January 2023. The average age of the study population was about 50 years. Less than two percent had been diagnosed with heart failure before the liver biopsy. Nearly 40 percent had diabetes, 59 percent had high blood pressure and almost 60 percent had high levels of fat in the blood. Seventy-one patients (12.5 percent) died during the studys follow-up period. Of these, nine were liver-related, three were due to cardiovascular causes, 23 were due to other known causes, and the cause of death could not be ascertained on manual chart review in 36 patients. Over that period, researchers found that 100 patients in the study met the criteria for heart failure despite not having been formally diagnosed. Of those with stage 4-level liver scarring, indicating the most advanced form of the disease, 33 percent who had not been diagnosed before the study were deemed to have heart failure by the researchers when the study was completed. The biggest risk factors were being older and female, potentially due to decreasing levels of estrogen, which protects against liver dysfunction, as women age. Other conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, also increased the risk. The graph comes from an unrelated study that projected the number of US adults with MASLD will rise from 86 million (33.7 percent) in 2020 to 122 million (41.4 percent) by 2050 The lack of symptoms of MASLD in the early stages leads to patients being diagnosed at a point where damage to the liver may be extensive The researchers also looked for early warning signs of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet, irregular or rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. Researchers also considered how many times people had been hospitalized for heart trouble, blood tests showing key markers of heart strain, and scans showing the heart was stiff and had trouble filling with blood. They discovered that many more people had clues pointing to heart problems than those who actually developed diagnosable heart failure. Nearly half of all the patients showed these early warning signs during the study, Around 6.7 million Americans are living with heart failure, and it is the direct cause of approximately 8.5 percent of all deaths from heart disease. Duke gastroenterologist and lead author Dr Kara Wegermann said: Our findings point to the under diagnosis of HF and lack of recognition of diastolic dysfunction in patients with MASLD. There is a real opportunity to develop better screening strategies so we can identify these patients earlier or even prevent symptomatic heart failure. Based on their findings, the study authors strongly recommend implementing targeted heart screening for MASLD patients who are at the highest risk. They specifically suggested that individuals who also have diabetes, high cholesterol, or are female should receive regular and proactive heart check-ups, which would allow doctors to detect heart failure much earlier in these vulnerable groups, leading to timelier intervention and better outcomes. An American has been infested with a flesh-eating parasite in what officials believe is the first documented case-of-its-kind in the US. The parasite, the New World screwworm, eats living flesh and typically causes death within two weeks from tissue damage and bacterial infections. The patient, who was not named, was in Maryland and had recently returned to the US from El Salvador, where there is an outbreak of the worm. Department of Health and Human Services officials revealed the case but stressed that the risk to the public was 'very low'. Screwworms are parasitic flies that lay eggs in the open wounds of any warm-blooded animals, including humans. These hatch in seven days, and release hundreds of larvae with razor-sharp teeth that burrow into living flesh, much like maggots eat through wood. The worms were eliminated in the US in 1966, but sporadic cases have been detected since amid outbreaks in Central America. The latest case is not the first case ever in the US, but the first case in an individual who had traveled to the US from a country battling an outbreak. The infection was first reported by officials in Maryland and at the CDC on August 4 but was confirmed by HHS on Sunday. A patient was found to be infested with the New World screwworm after returning to the US from El Salvador (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. No further details on the case were revealed, which officials said was due to patient privacy laws. DailyMail.com contacted the CDC, which reiterated that the risk to the public was 'very low' but did not say whether the patient was hospitalized or whether they had now been discharged. An HHS spokesman said: 'This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States. 'The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low.' Previous reports had suggested the individual returned to the US from Guatemala, although in its release Sunday officials said the patient had traveled from El Salvador. Screwworms rarely infest humans, instead tending to target cattle and wildlife, in which they can be devastating. Treatment involves removing hundreds of larvae and thoroughly disinfecting wounds. It is possible to survive an infection if patients are treated early and the screwworms are removed, but it can be fatal within two weeks. Screwworms have been causing sporadic cases in the US amid outbreaks in Central America that began in 2023. Shown above is a migrant caravan heading to the US in November 2024 The above map shows areas that the screwworm could inhabit in blue. These include parts of Florida and Texas In a similar case from last year, a patient in Florida was confirmed to be infested after returning from a vacation in the Dominican Republic. In 2023, an individual who returned to Arkansas after visiting Brazil and Argentina was found to have an infestation of screwworms in a surgical wound. And in 2014, a traveler returned to Washington state infested with the parasite also after visiting the Dominican Republic. None of the patients were reported to have died from the infestations. An outbreak was also recorded in deer in the Florida Keys in 2016, which led to the deployment of hundreds of officials to contain the parasite. Screwworms are found in Central and South America and the Caribbean but have been traveling north since 2023. Last year, they were detected in southern Mexico for the first time, which led to restrictions on beef imports from Mexico into the US for fear of importing the parasite. Screwworms spread when a female screwworm fly lays her eggs in the wound of a warm-blooded animal. It is rare for it to be passed on directly from person-to-person. The case has been revealed a week after Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas to reveal plans to build a new sterile fly facility in the state to control the pest. The plant would release hundreds of millions of sterile screwworm flies, which would then mate with wild ones but lead their eggs not to hatch, halting an outbreak. Traps have also been set along the US Mexico border, with the aim of revealing whether any of the insects have crossed into the US. The USDA has estimated a screwworm outbreak could cost the economy in Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle-producing state, about $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor costs and medication expenses. If you're worried about getting Alzheimer's disease, a simple DIY test could help confirm or quell your fears. Researchers from the University of Florida (UF) highlight that a decline in the sense of smell is an early warning sign of Alzheimer's, as damage to the brain regions responsible for scent processing can occur prior to tell-tale cognitive symptoms like memory loss or confusion. With this in mind, they developed a test that anyone can perform at home using a dollop of peanut butter and a ruler. Jennifer Stamps, who was a graduate student in the UF McKnight Brain Institute Center for Smell and Taste at the time, said peanut butter was selected because it is a 'pure odorant.' This means it is a substance that only stimulates the sense of smell and does not activate the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for the sensations of touch, pain, and temperature. Other examples of pure odorants include anise, banana, mint and pine. In the UF study, which was conducted in 2013 but recently resurfaced, patients who came to the clinic for testing also sat down with a clinician, a jar of peanut butter and a metric ruler. The patient closed his or her eyes and mouth and blocked one nostril. Researchers from the University of Florida (UF) say that a decline in the sense of smell is an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease, as damage to the brain regions responsible for scent processing can occur before other cognitive symptoms appear (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. The clinician held the peanut butter at a distance from the patient's open nostril, using the ruler to mark the point at which the patient could detect the odor. The distance was recorded and the procedure was repeated on the other nostril after a 90-second delay. The clinicians running the test did not know the patients' diagnoses, which were not usually confirmed until weeks after the initial clinical testing. The scientists found that patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease had a dramatic difference between the left and right nostril in detecting odor. The left nostril in these patients did not detect the smell until it was an average of 10 centimeters closer to the nose compared to the right nostril. This was not the case in patients with other kinds of dementia. Instead, these patients had either no differences in odor detection between nostrils, or the right nostril was worse at detecting odor than the left. Of the 24 patients tested who had mild cognitive impairment, which can turn into Alzheimer's disease, 10 showed a left nostril impairment. The researchers said more studies must be conducted to fully understand the implications. The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease shown in 50 US states and 3,142 counties in 2023 The above chart was created from data from Rajan et al. The percentages do not total 100 due to rounding Dr. David Sinclair, a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the study, told the Daily Mail that he believes the peanut butter and ruler test is a 'simple and inexpensive yet effective' way of testing for early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's progresses over time, with each stage lasting a different duration. It can take about two years for the early stage to progress into the middle stage, or at least eight to 10 years from diagnosis to the late stages of the disease. In the earliest stages, a poor sense of smell is often one of the first signs. 'Alzheimer's disease often affects brain hemispheres unequally and possibly the olfactory bulbs (the first structures in the brain to process smells) too,' Dr. Sinclair explained. 'In turn, this can mean that one nostril can become less sensitive to smell than the other.' The use of peanut butter might prove problematic for patients with nut allergies, but Dr. Sinclair noted that a different substance can be used. 'In the future, there might be standardized Alzheimer's tests that mimic this one, using a specific quantity of a stable, non-allergenic odorant,' he explained. Dr. Gayatri Devi, a clinical professor of neurology at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in New York who was not involved with the study, told the Daily Mail that alternatives to could include banana, chocolate, cinnamon, lemon and onion. This year, researchers from Mass General Brigham in Boston developed olfactory tests in which participants sniff odor labels that have been placed on a card to assess their ability to discriminate, identify and remember odors. They found that participants could successfully take the test at home and that older adults with cognitive impairment scored lower on the test than cognitively normal adults. The UF researchers said these types of tests could be used by clinics that don't have access to the personnel or equipment to run more elaborate tests required for a specific diagnosis. However, Dr. Devi said the scent tests should not be done at home and should be performed 'within the proper context of a medical examination, as it was for the study.' 'In this age, when everyone is concerned about brain health and about developing a dementia, we dont want these people to get worried and stressed because they cant smell,' she said. 'DIY tests to diagnose Alzheimers are not recommended given the gravity of such a diagnosis and should really only be done in proper context.' Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65. It is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate and damage cells responsible for memory. Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques, while tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the ability of the brain's neurons to send electrical and chemical signals back and forth. Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them. About 7million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition, and over 100,000 die from it annually. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that by 2050, nearly 13 million Americans will be living with the disease. Mississippi has declared a public health emergency after infant deaths in the state surged to their highest level in 15 years. Latest data showed 323 babies died in the state before their first birthday in 2024, or a death rate of 9.7 fatalities per 1,000 births. That is up from 8.9 per 1,000 the prior year, and the highest rate since 2009 when the rate was 10.1 per 1,000. Mississippi has had the worst infant mortality rate in the nation for seven years, and was well above the national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 in 2023, the latest national data available. Health officials are not sure what is driving the uptick but blame a combination of problems transferring expectant mothers between hospitals, limited access to doctors and rural travel times to care. Most of the state's infant deaths are linked to preterm births, birth defects, low birthweight, birth defects and sudden infant death syndrome, the unexplained sudden death of a baby before their first birthday. State Health Officer Dr Dan Edney said: 'Too many Mississippi families are losing their babies before their first birthday. 'Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted, and a future cut short. We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'Declaring this a public health emergency is more than a policy decision; it is an urgent commitment to save lives.' The emergency declaration allows the Mississippi State Department of Health to access and quickly allocate funds to agencies to tackle the crisis. It also allows the department to set standards for maternal and infant care statewide and protocols for transferring patients between hospitals, helping to slash fatalities. The latest infant mortality figures for Mississippi are also 20 percent above the record low in 2020, when 288 babies died before their first birthday, equivalent to a mortality rate of 8.12 deaths per 1,000 births. This may have been linked to boosted healthcare coverage during the Covid pandemic, which saw nearly 190,000 additional people in the state receive coverage. But since that date, infant deaths appear to have been gradually trending upward, with data from this year yet to be revealed. Officials at the local health department told DailyMail.com that the current rise is likely due to problems getting expectant mother's urgent care and a lack of hospitals in many areas of the state, termed 'healthcare deserts'. About 54 percent of Mississippi residents live in rural areas, areas with few homes, buildings or other people. For comparison, nationwide about 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas. Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Edney told this website in a statement: 'The problem is not physicians, nurses, hospitals, EMS quality, healthcare quality in Mississippi or Medicaid. The problem is the system. 'There has not been a guiding force to get mothers to the right hospital, not necessarily the closest.' He added: 'Moms at high-risk are having problems being transferred from one facility to another. I believe with coordination, collaboration, and cooperation, we can reduce this unacceptable mortality rate.' There are also problems accessing maternity care in the state, with 51.2 percent of counties defined as maternity care deserts in the state by non-profits, or a county with no hospitals or birth centers. This was the worst rate in the US, and above the 32.6 percent average for the nation. Among those affected was Harmony Stribling, of Belonzi in the Mississippi Delta, and her unborn daughter, Harper. Both died just four days before the due date, while on their way to the hospital. Belonzi had been without a hospital for more than a decade, leaving the nearest facility 20 to 30 minutes away. Striblings pregnancy was uneventful, but at about 12.30am four days before her due date in 2021 she told her partner, Byron, that she was experiencing chest pain. Pictured above is Harmony Stribling, who died while on the way to the hospital four days before her due date. Her baby, Harper, also did not survive. Her family says she may have survived if there was a hospital in their local area Because of the long wait times for an ambulance, the couple decided to drive themselves to the hospital in a neighboring town. On the way, Stribling went into cardiac arrest and began to have a seizure. Her husband pulled over and performed CPR in an attempt to save her and their baby. The ambulance arrived 10 to 15 minutes later, but by then, both Harmony and Harper had died. Her husband is raising awareness of the case, saying he believes both would have survived if there had been a hospital in the town. He told WLBT3: 'My mother-in-law said that one of the nurses told her that if my wife would have had oxygen sooner, my daughter wouldve survived and its a possibility [Harmony] wouldve survive. 'Were not asking for things that we dont need. We are asking for necessities. Emergency care is a necessity.' Cindy Rahman, the president of maternity advocacy group March of Dimes, said the alert was a 'painful reminder' of the 'maternal and infant health crisis facing our nation'. She added: 'Although Mississippi accounts for less than one percent of US births, the state accounts for more than 1.6 percent of all infant deaths. 'These losses should be a wake up call to the nation.' A Year With The Seals by Alix Morris (Ithaka 18.99, 320pp) A Year With Seals is available now from the Mail Bookshop Visitors to the New England Aquarium in Boston in the 1970s and 1980s would be startled to hear a deep, raspy voice yelling at them to get outta there!, followed by a loud belly laugh. When the staff received complaints, they would smile and say, I see youve met Hoover. Hoover was a harbour seal, rescued in 1971 as an orphaned pup off the coast of Maine when he was no bigger than a watermelon. He loved going for car rides with his rescuer, George Swallow, and when asked his name would reply Hoovah (he spoke with a strong New England accent). Too tame to be released back into the wild, Hoover eventually got so big that he went to live in the aquarium, where he continued to expand his vocabulary and enjoyed teasing passers-by. This eye-opening book shows that seals dubbed the clowns of the sea are extraordinarily clever. In 2019, researchers at the University of St Andrews in Scotland taught a grey seal called Zola to sing the first few notes of the Star Wars theme music. One of Hoovers grand pups, Chucky, will greet visitors to the aquarium by saying How are you? Seals, it seems, have the ability to create and repeat sounds, in the same way that small children do. Seals are found on every continent. There are 18 species of earless seals, which only have flat slits for an ear, and 14 types of eared seals, such as sea lions. Two species, grey seals and harbour seals, are native to the UK. Seals have long been the stuff of myths and legends, perhaps because their cries sound so like those of a human. Scholars have suggested that tales of sirens the mermaid-like sea nymphs whose song, in Greek mythology, lured sailors to their death were actually inspired by the sound of seals. Chatterbox: Like toddlers seals can recreate sounds made by humans Bonded: Baby Hoover with his rescuer George Swallow They may score very highly for cuteness, yet until quite recently many types of seals were being hunted almost to extinction. In the UK, the number of grey seals had dropped to a mere 500 by the early 20th century, as seals were hunted for their skins and their blubber (used for lamp oil). Fishermen killed them because they saw them as a threat to fish stocks. Since new laws were introduced to protect them, their numbers have reached 120,000, meaning we have 40 per cent of the worlds population of grey seals. Its the same in the United States. Seal populations crashed but after they were given protection in 1972, seal colonies recovered and numbers are booming. This has led to friction with fishermen, who complain the seals are depleting fish stocks. Seals are also being blamed for attracting sharks. When a surfer was killed by a great white shark off Cape Cod in Massachusetts in 2018, some locals wanted seals to be culled so the sharks wouldnt come hunting for seals near their beaches. Alix Morris, an American nature writer and a fully paid-up seal enthusiast, is a lively guide to the world of these charismatic animals. After kissing one in an aquarium, she reports that while a seals whiskers look silky, they are actually more like porcupine quills. A seals breath, not surprisingly, is pungently fishy. Despite their protected status, Morris fears that there will be more human-seal conflict, but is heartened by their resilience. There is something so exotic, so unknowable about them, she writes. But seals will endure, if we let them. Economica by Victoria Bateman (Headline Press 25, 432pp) Economica is available now from the Mail Bookshop In 1929, a group of Nigerian Igbo women pulled up their skirts and showed their bottoms to shocked British officials. They were tired of their imperial rulers trying to exclude them from their well-paid employment as market traders. This naked protest worked a treat: the authorities hurriedly restored the market queens to their former economic prosperity. How fitting that this use of nudity as a campaign strategy should appear in a book by Dr Victoria Bateman, a Cambridge economist who is famous for getting her kit off. In 2019 she challenged Jacob Rees-Mogg to a naked debate on the economic consequences of Brexit. Dr Bateman appeared in her birthday suit on the Today programme interviewed by a startled John Humphrys. This makes Bateman sound like an edgy performance artist. In fact, she is a lecturer who researches the way that womens financial lives have been written out of history. Now she is setting out to put them back in. Bateman tells us about Priscilla Wakefield, the Quaker who set up the first English savings bank for women and children in 1798, and about Ching Shih, a brothel-keeper turned pirate who amassed a fleet of ships that controlled trade in the South China Seas during the Qing dynasty. In the 20th century, Helen Walton grew her five and dime store into the US Walmart empire. Although Batemans approach is broadbrush, some striking patterns emerge, such as the fact that many ancient civilisations operated as matriarchies with women as the main providers. Hard day's work: A priestess of Bacchus Protest: Victoria Bateman during her interview with John Humphreys. 'Brexit leaves Britain naked' is written on her chest Long before the Founding Fathers signed modern America into existence in 1776, the native women of the Mohawk, Oneida and Seneca clans oversaw all the land and government in their nations. In Ancient Egypt, around a fifth of the economic elite was female, with women holding positions as government administrators and managers of royal households. In Ancient Rome it was quite normal to call for a female plumber to fix the drains. Fast forward to medieval London, it was the women who made a fortune brewing beer. So where did it all go wrong? Globally, women today earn only 57 per cent of what men earn. There are no easy solutions, warns Bateman, but making sure that women have equal access to fairly-paid work is a good place to start. That requires raising wages in low-status sectors that depend on female labour, especially the care sector. There also needs to be a dismantling of the barriers that discourage girls from entering the lucrative professions of engineering and tech. Finally, says Bateman, we need to work towards an equal division of family responsibilities. The World Bank calculated that eliminating the gender gap would double the rate at which the global economy grows. This would raise personal incomes by 20 per cent. Will it require women to get naked to achieve this? Lets hope not. John Williams: A Composers Life by Tim Greiving (OUP 31.99, 640pp) John Williams: A Composer's Life is available now from the Mail Bookshop In 1969, a 23-year-old wannabe film director in a record store picked up the soundtrack of a movie called The Reivers because it had Steve McQueen on the cover. He hadnt seen the film or heard of the composer but he bought the album anyway. He loved it so much that he wore it out and he decided that if he ever got the chance to make a movie, he wanted this fellow to write the music. Just three years later, a nervous Steven Spielberg took John Williams to a fancy Beverly Hills restaurant and persuaded him to score The Sugarland Express. The composer says that the day he met Spielberg was one of the luckiest days of my life. Williams has provided the music for most of Spielbergs films and all of the best ones. Sugarland Express was followed in the summer of 1975 by Jaws, which featured one of the most recognisable musical motifs in history. When Stanley Kubrick wanted to scare the child star of The Shining on the set, he played him the Jaws music. It won Williams an Academy Award. Afterwards came Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, E.T., Jurassic Park, Schindlers List and Saving Private Ryan. Harrison Ford joked that he could never escape Williams music for Raiders Of The Lost Ark: They play it every time I walk on a stage, every time I walk off a stage It was playing in the operating room when I went in for my colonoscopy. If Williams had written nothing else, he would still be revered, but he has written much, much more. Spielberg recommended Williams to his friend George Lucas when Lucas was making a science fiction romp called Star Wars. According to the films star Mark Hamill, after Lucas, Williams was the person most singularly responsible for the enormous impact Star Wars had. Williams wrote the music for Home Alone, Born On The Fourth Of July and the first three Harry Potter films. He earned his 50th Academy Award nomination at 83 for The Force Awakens. Where does this apparently inexhaustible supply of indelible melody come from? He doesnt know. Days can go by and Ill think it is never going to come. Then Ill sit down at the piano and it sort of pops into my mind, he says. After two weeks of frustration it just appears out of nowhere. Other times I might think about a theme for a character and get it straight off. It is a strange and mysterious and frustrating process, almost impossible to describe. Out of this world: Williams composed the iconic score for 1982's E.T. Light-years ahead: Williams was nominated from his 50th Academy Award for 2015's Star Wars epic, The Force Awakens The very private Williams is something of an enigma himself. In his introduction, author Tim Greiving, an arts journalist, writes: John Williams remains a mystery to me, and he will likely remain a mystery when you finish reading this book. Thats not what you want to hear when setting out on a 640-page book. However Williams, now 93, eventually gave hours of interviews to Greiving and does seem to have opened up to him. John Towner Williams was born on February 8, 1932, in Long Island, New York. His father was a musician who moved his family to Los Angeles when he got a job at 20th Century Fox. Williams joined the orchestra at his school and played trombone before switching to piano. He gave serious thought to becoming a concert pianist. He had never harboured any ambition to write music for film or TV yet that was the profession he drifted into after a four-year stint in the air force. He scored his first feature film in 1959, a B-movie called Daddy-O. He wrote the main theme for the 1960s science fiction series Lost In Space. His first Oscar nomination was for Valley Of The Dolls. He won his first Academy Award at the age of 40 for adapting Fiddler On The Roof. Unforgettable: Williams won his first Academy Award for Best Original Score in 1976 for Steven Spielberg's Jaws Williams also writes concert music and Greiving offers a commentary on all his major compositions. Happily, he is a sharp writer with a vivid turn of phrase he describes one piece as a bath bomb of orchestral beauty and the only time I put the book down was to seek out online whatever music he was describing. This is a serious work, light on Hollywood gossip, but there are some good anecdotes. Frank Sinatra asked Williams to conduct at a show he was singing in. A rehearsal for the 8pm performance finished at 5pm and Sinatra summoned Williams to his room. John, you know the last tune we did? Yes, Frank. Tonight it has to be a half tone lower. Williams objected. All 85 musicians would need new sheet music there was no time. Sinatra stared at him with what Williams described as assassin eyes and said: John, you dont understand. Tonight it has to be a half tone lower. It was a half tone lower. The director Oliver Stone brought a gun with him to the scoring session for Born On The Fourth Of July, quipping that it was in case the recording didnt go well. Williams wondered if the filmmaker was going to shoot him but Stone said, No, Ill shoot myself. Magical: Williams composed the music for the first three Harry Potter films Inescapable: Harrison Ford (pictured here as the archeologist in 1984's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) can't free himself of the famous tune, stating, 'they play it every time I walk on a stage, every time I walk off a stage It was playing in the operating room when I went in for my colonoscopy' When Williams and Spielberg sat down to watch Schindlers List together for the first time, Williams said to him, You need a better composer than I am. Youre right, Spielberg replied, But theyre all dead. If you want Williams trivia, this is the place. He scored None But The Brave, the only movie directed by Sinatra. He is obsessed by The White Goddess, a strange book written by I, Claudius author Robert Graves. He plays the piano on the Henry Mancini theme music from Peter Gunn. Think you dont know it? Google it. You know it. Greiving suggests Williams never fully got over the sudden death of his first wife, actress Barbara Ruick, from an aneurysm in 1974, a tragedy that left a cosmic wound at the core of his life. He had just turned 42. He didnt talk about it, not even to their three children. This, writes Greiving, was the moment when his guard fully went up, and he became a man of intense privacy. Williams later said: As a composer, I felt suddenly so much stronger. I dont know why that is. What I used to tell myself is that she was helping me from someplace else, and that I felt a new assurance, and a new power, and a new... something. Wherever his gift comes from, he has given the world so much joy. The conductor Leonard Slatkin called him the most influential composer of the 20th century. For a man who once claimed I never go to the movies, his contribution to them is immeasurable. Donald Trump accused ABC and NBC's news divisions of producing '97% BAD STORIES' about his presidency. The president called the mainstream outlets 'an actual threat to our Democracy,' adding to previous suggestions they either lose their licenses or be shut down. 'Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES,' he wrote in one post. 'IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!! MAGA' The president has turned up the heat in his war against mainstream media, having called for all three major networks - ABC, CBS and NBC - to either lose their licenses or be shut down in the past year, in addition to successfully suing both CBS' 60 Minutes and ABC News. Trump was clearly tuned into the Sunday news shows, having called for Chris Christie to be investigated for 'criminal acts' following his appearance on ABC News' This Week on Truth Social before he went off on both Disney-owned ABC and Comcast-owned NBC. He also asked on Sunday: 'Why is it that ABC and NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the absolute worst and most biased networks anywhere in the World, aren't paying Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES.' He then accused them of not just being biased against himself but the Republican Party as a whole. Donald Trump accused ABC and NBC's news divisions of producing '97% BAD STORIES' about his presidency The president called the mainstream outlets 'an actual threat to our Democracy,' adding to previous suggestions they either lose their licenses or be shut down 'They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives , but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! Crooked 'journalism' should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!!' It's the second time the president has threatened these two networks in recent months. The tirade comes after Trump signed an executive order slashing funding for PBS and NPR. Trump moved against the publicly funded networks over an alleged bias against conservatives, saying that it was 'wasting billions' on 'atrocious' broadcasting. But the president has not been afraid to hold the networks accountable during his second term for what he sees as unfair coverage. In mid-July Trump reached a settlement with CBS and Paramount triggered by a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump said that Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes paid $16 million in the settlement and anticipated an additional $20 million from the new owners of CBS in advertising, PSAs or similar programming. Trump famously protested the 60 Minutes interview of Harris with host Bill Whitaker after it was revealed that one of the vice president's lengthy spiraling answers on Israel was edited for the public broadcast. In protest, he filed a $20 billion lawsuit to challenge CBS and 60 Minutes, arguing that the show's producers purposefully edited the interview to make Harris look better and sway the presidential election. CBS argued that their edits were part of the normal editorial process. After Trump won the election and became president the Federal Communications Commission ordered for the original video and transcripts to be made public. Paramount, CBS, and 60 Minutes settled the president's lawsuit out of court, rather than go to trial. The settlement concludes as the company Skydance is preparing to purchase Paramount and CBS, which requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission. News of the settlement is expected to grease the wheels for FCC approval of the proposed merger. That victory followed a similar win last December, when ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit over assertions made by top anchor George Stephanopoulos that he was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll. Stephanopoulos had questioned Nancy Mace, a South Carolina Republican Congresswoman, as to why she was supporting a presidential nominee 'who's been found liable for rape.' In mid-July Trump reached a settlement with CBS and Paramount triggered by a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris In December, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million to Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit over assertions made by top anchor George Stephanopoulos that he was found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll Trump had sued Stephanopoulos and the network for defamation soon after the segment aired. His lawyers accused Stephanopoulos of making the statements with 'malice' and a disregard for the truth. A New York jury in May 2023 ordered Trump to pay $5 million in damages for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s, though he was not found liable for rape. He was then ordered to pay another $83.3 million for defamation after he publicly denied sexually abusing Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996. The settlement stipulates that the network will pay $15 million as a charitable contribution towards Trump's presidential library. ABC also posted a note on its website expressing regret over the claim in a March 10 segment on 'This Week' made by Stephanopoulos. They also paid his legal fees as part of the settlement, which have totaled $1 million. Trump hasn't kept his attempts to hold the media accountable to the courtroom, however, as he has also asked FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to investigate NBC's parent company Comcast's DEI practices. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent a letter to CEO Brian Roberts revealing the agency's investigation in February, stating its Enforcement Bureau had been directed to investigate at the behest of the Trump administration. 'I expect that this investigation into Comcast and its NBCUniversal operations will aid the commission's broader efforts to root out invidious forms of DEI discrimination across all of the sectors the FCC regulates,' Carr wrote in the correspondence. The recently appointed chairman noted how Comcasts website promotes DEI initiatives when it comes to hiring, training and programming. Trump signed a series of executive orders at the start of his second term that have caused federal agencies to dial down DEI programs, laying off thousands in the process. CBS may cut three of its most high-profile anchors amid fresh allegations the embattled network is losing a staggering $35million a year. CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King could face the axe or be told to take a pay cut, while CBS Evenings co-anchors John Dickerson and Maurice DuBois 'will almost certainly' be removed from their posts, Puck's Dylan Byers reported. News of the potential shakeup comes as top brass at the network's parent company looks to cut costs in the struggling news division. David Ellison, CEO of the newly merged Paramount Skydance Corporation, and its president, Jeff Shell, want to trim $2billion across the company with rumors swirling about CBS facing the brunt of those cuts. While Ellison has referred to CBS as one of Paramount's most 'underappreciated' assets, Puck reported he and Shell see little value in the network. 'He and Shell view it as a significant cost burden, and would probably offload it if they could,' Byers wrote. 'Ellison and Shell will embark on a plan to rightsize the business by reducing talent salaries, cutting operational costs, and, yes, laying off some staff, all in the interest of reducing that burden.' Byers previously reported that CBS News was losing $50million each year before revising the figure to $35million. CBS stars John Dickerson (far left) and Gayle King (second from left) may be facing the ax as the network struggles David Ellison (pictured), the CEO of the newly merged Paramount Skydance Corporation, is the son of MAGA billionaire Larry Ellison King (pictured) is currently signed to a $15 million contract that ends next may A CBS spokesperson denied that the news division was losing money, saying that it is in fact 'currently profitable.' Byers added that he was 'reliably' told CBS News' advertising revenue is set to drop by $50million by the end of the year. 'The trend lines here are moving in the wrong direction, and fast, and Hollywood economics won't save anyone - a fact that the new Skydance team ostensibly understands,' Byers wrote. The Daily Mail reached out King, Dickerson and DuBois for comment. King, 70, Dickerson, 57, and DuBois, 60, are three of the network's most well-known news personalities. King earns a cushy $15million each year, a source told the Daily Mail. Her current contract runs through next May and will 'most likely' not be renewed, one insider said. Another source said network leadership has 'started to groom' anchor Adriana Diaz as a sort of 'heir' to King in case her contract is not renewed. CBS Evening News co-anchors John Dickerson (right) and Maurice DuBois (left) stepped in earlier this year for Norah O'Donnell CBS News is allegedly seen as a 'burden' by Ellison, who previously called the network 'underappreciated' (pictured: CBS New York headquarters) A recent report by the New York Post said that King and executive producer Shawna Thomas have alienated viewers with ultra-progressive programming. Earlier this month, King was called out by Donald Trump on Truth Social. 'Gayle King's career is over,' Trump wrote. 'No talent, no ratings, no strength!!!' the president added. Ratings for King's last-place morning show, once a cash cow for the network, have dropped to below two million in recent months, according to Nielsen figures cited by the Post. CBS Evening News co-anchors Dickerson and DuBois stepped in earlier this year for Norah O'Donnell. Since the switch, the segment has seen ratings plummet, and sources told Variety that a new strategy will be implemented in an attempt to save the program. The new concept will see one of the anchors more frequently thrust into the field to report on major, breaking events. Plummeting Evening News ratings have driven CBS to adopt a new strategy Concern about network ratings and potential cuts comes just after company leaders decided to cancel the show of one of Trump's most outspoken critics, Stephen Colbert (pictured) Donald Trump has openly criticized Stephen Colbert and Gayle King The other will stay on set to oversee the broadcast solo, just as O'Donnell, Katie Couric, Dan Rather and Walter Cronkite used to. The show has lost more than 1.2million viewers since it strayed from the format. Concern about network ratings and potential cuts comes after the compant decided to cancel the show of one of Trump's most outspoken critics, Stephen Colbert, saying the move was financially driven. But some critics have speculated the move was politically motivated, as the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance had to be okayed by the Trump administration. Raging Vanity Fair employees have vowed to quit their jobs and work at a supermarket if First Lady Melania Trump is granted a spot on its cover. 'I will walk out the motherf***ing door, and half my staff will follow me,' a midlevel editor told the Daily Mail on Monday, hours after Semafor reported the magazine's new global editorial director Mark Guiducci was trying to woo Melania to star on his cover. 'We are not going to normalize this despot and his wife; we're just not going to do it. We're going to stand for what's right,' the staffer continued. 'If I have to work bagging groceries at Trader Joe's, I'll do it. If [Guiducci] puts Melania on the cover, half of the editorial staff will walk out, I guarantee it.' 'It sickens me,' the staffer added. 'Even the idea of it.' Melania was infamously excluded from the pages of fashion bible Vogue during her husband's first presidency and has yet to grace the magazine during his second. Vogue gave Democrat first lady Michelle Obama three covers during her husband Barack's eight years in office. First Lady Melania Trump has been on fewer magazine covers than her predecessors Mark Guiducci took the helm of Vanity Fair earlier this year - and is interested in adding some rightwing figures to its pages Jill Biden secured two covers during Joe Biden's single term in office, while Hillary Clinton was also featured on the front page in 1998, while wayward husband Bill was in the White House. Melania has one Vogue cover to her name, from January 2005, after the magazine was given exclusive photos of her wedding day to Trump. She also appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair's Mexican edition in January 2017 and was photographed twirling a platinum necklace around a fork like spaghetti. Melania is said to have been offered a Vogue photoshoot during Trump's first presidency but turned it down on being told she could not be guaranteed a cover. But she has never received the traditional invitation that has been extended to first ladies over the last 27 years. Jill Biden secured one of two Vogue covers during her time as first lady, the final one (pictured) in August 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris also secured a Vogue cover last fall as she faced off against Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election Former First Lady Michelle Obama landed three Vogue covers during her husband's eight years in the White House. She's pictured here on her first cover in March 2009 Hillary Clinton landed a Vogue cover in 1998 while first lady. Her husband Bill's affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky had made her a subject of media fascination Melania Trump does have one American Vogue cover - but it was about her 2005 wedding to Donald Trump and came over a decade before his first presidency Vanity Fair and Vogue are published by the same company - Conde Nast. And the society magazine's new editor is a close confidant of Vogue editor Anna Wintour, suggesting a Vanity Fair appearance could finally pave the way for Melania to grace the cover of the world's top fashion magazine. A second Vanity Fair journalist was more relaxed about the prospect of the Slovenian first lady on the magazine's cover and suggested angry colleagues would not follow through with their threats. It's all talk,' that staffer told the Daily Mail. 'If they put her on the cover, people will protest and gripe about it, but I don't see anyone quitting such a prestigious job over that.' 'Honestly, there will be people who push back, but it's ultimately Mark's decision. He's the one who will sink or swim over that choice, not the rest of us.' Both President and Melania Trump have publicly complained about her exclusion from the glossy magazine covers. Michelle Obama graced the cover of Vogue three times under the leadership of former boss Anna Wintour. Melania is pictured on the cover of Vanity Fair Mexico in 2017. She could soon grace the front page of the far more influential US edition 'They are biased, and they have likes and dislikes, and it's so obvious,' Melania told Fox News in 2022 about her exclusion from Vogue. 'And I think American people and everyone see it, and I have much more important things to do and I did in the White House than being on the cover of Vogue.' Guiducci took over Vanity Fair with the departure of former editorinchief Radhika Jones, who led the magazine as it lost web traffic and saw many staff departures following the reign of famed former VF boss Graydon Carter. Both Carter and Jones took a staunch antiTrump stance, but Guiducci is apparently looking to change the magazine's editorial policies following the 2024 presidential election. He reportedly plans to include more rightwing figures in the magazine. The shift follows similar changes of other liberal outlets, including CNN and MSNBC, who are redesigning their brands with a move to the center after losing viewers. A major UK high street fashion chain with more than 300 stores could soon be put up for sale after the owner called in advisors. New Look is set to undergo a strategic review after the controversial move in recent days - and it could see the beloved clothing brand change hands. The firm, which has nearly 340 stores and around 10,000 employees across the UK, has been owned by its current shareholders Alcentra and Brait since October 2020. But they have now appointed investment bank Rothschild to advise them and New Look about a possible shake-up, according to Sky News. It comes after multiple investors have put themselves forward unsolicited in recent times to take over the fashion brand. The clothing company makes for an attractive asset, as Britain's second most popular womenswear retailer with 18-to-44-year-olds, ahead of Shein and Asos, according to market intelligence firm Kantar. And it has just received an injection of 30million back in April to fund its digital transformation, with around 40 per cent of sales now made via digital channels. New Look also hit sales of 769million last year, seeing an improvement in its gross margins. New Look (pictured, file photo) is set to undergo a strategic review after the controversial move in recent days - and it could see the beloved clothing brand change hands The brand also saw a massively reduced statutory loss before tax of 21.7million, compared to the previous year's 88million. But like many high street chains, the business suffered a huge hit during the Covid pandemic. It was hugely restructured under a company voluntary arrangement - meaning though it was insolvent, it could keep trading while paying back its debts. A 100million refinancing deal was then signed in autumn 2023, with lender Blazehill Capital and financial services firm Wells Fargo. A New Look spokesperson previously declined to comment on Rothschild having been appointed. But they did say: 'Management are focused on running the business and executing the strategy for long-term growth. 'The company is performing well, with strong momentum driven by a successful summer trading period and notable online market share gains.' It is just the latest blow to the British high street after a fellow nationwide fashion chain was left similarly imperilled. It is just the latest blow to the British high street after fellow nationwide fashion chain River Island (pictured, file photo) was left similarly imperilled River Island recently revealed the full list of 33 stores set to be axed under sweeping plans which could put thousands of jobs on the line. The embattled retailer unveiled back in June the radical restructuring plan in a bid to reverse recent losses due to a slump in trading. Bosses blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the High Street to online' and higher costs to run stores. The family-owned retailer confirmed it is proposing to close 33 of its 230 stores by January next year as a result. Branches across the UK will be axed, including those in Gloucester, Brighton, and Poole, retail site Drapers has reported. Other branches set to be axed include outlets in Leeds, Grimsby and Perth. A further 71 stores are also at risk depending on talks with landlords in order to secure improved rental deals. New Look has been approached for comment. A financial revolution is reshaping how money moves globally, from infrastructure to customer experience. At Scottish Mortgage, were backing the companies rethinking the system from the ground up, providing meaningful exposure for our shareholders right across the value chain. As with any investment, your capital is at risk. From Sao Paulo to Singapore, a quiet financial revolution is underway. It's not always visible, but it's already reshaping how we live, spend and move money. Paying with your phone, sending money abroad instantly, and opening a bank account without stepping into a branch - these once-fragmented, frustrating experiences are now seamless, intuitive, and accessible. Behind this shift is a new wave of global companies transforming finance, not through headlines but through innovative, purposeful technology that's quietly reshaping how money moves. At Scottish Mortgage, we're backing companies rethinking finance from the ground up, building faster, more inclusive systems that will define the future of finance. Scottish Mortgage says incumbent banks are often weighed down by legacy infrastructure, which is complex, costly, and resistant to change Building the Foundations of the Digital Financial System While consumer-facing apps often grab the spotlight, much of the real transformation is happening behind the scenes. Infrastructure is the quiet layer the digital plumbing that enables finance to scale, connecting customers, businesses and currencies across borders. Stripe, a payments technology company, is building the internet's economic infrastructure. It provides software that enables online businesses to accept payments and manage financial operations easily. Used by millions of businesses, including by half of the Fortune 100, Stripe processed $1.4tn in payment volume last year. Its vision is to move money in the cloud as seamlessly as data, powering a more connected, scalable financial system. Adyen, a Dutch company with a global reach, offers a single platform that combines payments, risk management, and embedded financial services. Its simplicity, scale, and reliability have made it a critical payments partner for companies like Uber, Spotify and H&M. In 2024, Adyen processed over 1.2tn in total volume, supporting commerce both online and in-store. Wise is building a new network for moving money across borders, designed to make transfers instant, transparent, and eventually free. Its platform allows individuals, businesses and financial institutions to hold and convert multiple currencies with ease. With the global cross-border retail payments market currently worth over 11tn, Wise is well-placed to capture a large and still under-served opportunity. These companies are laying the foundations of modern digital finance, building the infrastructure that makes financial services faster, smarter and more widely accessible. Singapore-based SEA Ltd aims to improve the lives of consumers and small businesses through technology Expanding Financial Access Finance is one of the most powerful tools for individual and economic empowerment. Today, digital platforms are extending that power further and faster than ever, especially in emerging markets, where conventional financial institutions have long failed to reach many. This is the democratisation of finance in action companies using technology to lower barriers, reduce costs, and give more people access to the tools they need to participate and prosper. NuBank, one of the world's largest digital banks, gives over 100 million individuals across Latin America access to banking services, often via a smartphone alone. Its model brings formal financial services within reach for tens of millions historically excluded from the traditional system. SEA Ltd, a Singapore-based digital platform business, aims to improve the lives of consumers and small businesses through technology. Its digital finance arm, SeaMoney, is expanding financial access in Southeast Asia through digital wallets, payments and credit. With over 28 million users and a loan book of over $5bn, it's helping underserved populations transact and borrow in economies where formal banking remains limited. These companies demonstrate that financial inclusion is not only a societal benefit but a powerful driver of long-term growth. By scaling access, they're also scaling opportunity. Transforming the Customer Experience Incumbent banks are often weighed down by legacy infrastructure, which is complex, costly, and resistant to change. By contrast, a new generation of companies is starting with the customer and building from the ground up. These innovators are redesigning what it means to manage money in a digital world, prioritising speed, simplicity, and control. Revolut, a UK-based digital banking platform, is reshaping finance with an all-in-one app that combines a wide and growing range of services, from spending and saving to investing, currency exchange, and crypto. With over 50 million customers across 40+ countries, it offers a fast, flexible alternative to traditional banks, built for a digitally connected world. Revolut's emphasis on intuitive design, instant access, and personal financial control exemplifies how customer experience is becoming a core competitive edge. Affirm, a U.S.-based buy-now-pay-later provider, offers a compelling alternative to traditional consumer credit through clear, interest-free instalments and upfront terms. Used for everything from everyday purchases to larger expenses, it helps users budget confidently and avoid surprise fees. With over 20 million active users and 350,000+ merchant partners, Affirm's high repeat usage reflects a customer experience built on trust and control. These businesses prioritise simplicity, affordability, and 24/7 access, features now seen as fundamental to modern financial services, not optional extras. Innovating Financial Ecosystems Leading fintech platforms are evolving into full-service ecosystems, combining payments, credit, savings, and more to meet a broader set of financial needs and drive deeper, more enduring customer relationships. MercadoLibre is a fully integrated ecommerce and fintech platform that creates powerful network effects by linking commerce, payments, credit and logistics in one connected ecosystem. It operates the largest digital platform in Latin America, serving over 100 million users. Its financial services arm, MercadoPago integrates digital wallets, credit, investment and insurance, creating a financial hub for consumers, entrepreneurs, and businesses of all sizes. This interconnected model reflects MercadoLibre's evolution into a full-service ecosystem, deepening its role in users' financial lives and strengthening long-term customer relationships. Ant Group, the operator of China's Alipay super app, has built one of the world's most advanced digital ecosystems. What began as a mobile payments solution has evolved into a platform that integrates lending, wealth management and insurance, alongside everyday commerce. It now connects over 1 billion users to more than 10,000 types of consumer services and 90 million merchants across Asia, anchoring one of the most advanced and scaled fintech ecosystems in the world. These businesses are not simply expanding their product offerings they are building interconnected ecosystems that strengthen over time, reinforcing user engagement and enabling broader, platform-led financial inclusion. Alipay began as a mobile payments solution but has evolved into a platform that integrates lending, wealth management and insurance, alongside everyday commerce Enabling Global Financial Progress At Scottish Mortgage, we seek out companies driving structural change. We believe that progress often enabled by technology, led by ambitious founders, and focused on solving real-world problems is a powerful engine for long-term growth. The digitalisation of finance is a profound, structural shift reshaping how money moves worldwide, and we're backing the companies building the financial systems of the future. Risk Factors The Trust invests in overseas securities. Changes in the rates of exchange may also cause the value of your investment (and any income it may pay) to go down or up. The Trust invests in emerging markets, which includes China, where difficulties with market volatility, political and economic instability including the risk of market shutdown, trading, liquidity, settlement, corporate governance, regulation, legislation and taxation could arise, resulting in a negative impact on the value of your investment. Important Information This article does not constitute, and is not subject to the protections afforded to, independent research. Baillie Gifford and its staff may have dealt in the investments concerned. The views expressed are not statements of fact and should not be considered as advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a particular investment. Baillie Gifford & Co and Baillie Gifford & Co Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The investment trusts managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Limited are listed on the London Stock Exchange and are not authorised or regulated by the FCA. A Key Information Document is available by visiting scottishmortgage.com Products featured in this article are independently selected by This is Money's specialist journalists. If you open an account using links which have an asterisk, This is Money will earn an affiliate commission. We do not allow this to affect our editorial independence. Weve been testing the new investment platform Prosper, putting it through its paces. Find out how it performs in our Prosper review. While Prosper only launched in 2022, its establishing itself among a growing number of providers that promise very low fees when investing. Potentially zero-fee investing is Prospers unique selling point. In addition to zero account fees or transaction charges, Prosper refunds the underlying fees on 30 index funds from the likes of Vanguard and BlackRock. These aren't the only investments you can choose, with Prosper offering other index funds and multi-asset funds beyond those 30 but Prosper wont refund the underlying fees on them. Prosper backs indexing as an investment strategy, whereby you simply track markets rather than try to outperform them. It doesn't currently allow you to buy individual stocks and shares. Read more in our review of Prosper* and find out the types of account you can open, the features available on the platform and how its customer service performs. Special offer: Prosper's offering 10 years of no platform fees to those who transfer 20,000 before 1 September 2025, protecting against any future introduction of account fees. > Our pick of the best investing platforms Prosper: Who does this investment platform suit? Good for potentially investing at zero cost Prosper pros and cons* Learn More There are no account fees or fees for buying and selling investments. Prosper refunds fees on 30 index funds, potentially allowing you to invest at zero cost. Unlike other newer investment platforms, you can get in touch with Prosper over the phone. Theres a much more limited investment choice than most other providers. Prosper is app-only with no option for logging into your account on a laptop or desktop computer. Prosper is very new and some may prefer to invest with more established and well-known names. This is Money's view: Prosper stands out as a unique platform because of the ability to invest at potentially zero cost. Its curated and streamlined choice of investments may suit those overwhelmed by the number available on other platforms. > Learn more about Prosper and open an account* You can open these accounts with Prosper: Prosper fees: Overview Prospers main selling point is its ability to offer its customers low or even zero-cost investing, with the aim of helping to maximise their long-term wealth. Account or platform fee: None None Fee for buying and selling investments: None Fund managers charge fees for managing the underlying investments. For the funds that Prosper offers, these are: Index and ETF funds: 0.05 per cent to 1.08 per cent 0.05 per cent to 1.08 per cent Active ETF or mutual funds: 0.1 per cent to 2.16 per cent 0.1 per cent to 2.16 per cent Private market funds: 1 per cent Prosper achieves zero-cost investing by refunding the underlying fees on 30 index funds. These include a diversified range of options from Fidelity, Vanguard, and BlackRock such as: iShares S&P 500 ETF Vanguard FTSE 100 Index Fund iShares Corporate Bond Index Fund If youd rather not build your own portfolio of investments, you can choose Prospers ready-made option. Prosper calls this the Standard Fund, but its not built by Prosper itself the fund is BlackRock MyMap 6, which has an ongoing charges figure of 0.17 per cent. This is Money's view of Prosper's fees The fact that Prosper refunds fees on 30 index funds makes it unique among the investment platforms we cover. It means the provider is a compelling proposition for more passive investors who want to use index funds to build a diversified set of investments with minimum fuss. If you arent going to invest in one of those 30 funds, there are other providers with no account fee that have a bigger choice of investments, such as InvestEngine. Prosper says it can offer low and zero-cost investing by retaining the interest on uninvested cash. The downside is that Prosper is a new investment platform, so some investors may be more comfortable using tried-and-tested providers instead. But keep in mind your funds are protected up to 85,000 through the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if Prosper were to go bust, and that Prosper is backed by venture capital funding. Another question hanging over the platform is around an offer its currently running. Prosper is promising 10 years of zero account fees to those who transfer 20,000 or more by 1 September 2025. This is enticing and a great option for those ready to take the plunge with Prosper but some investors have questioned whether it means the platform is poised to introduce fees in the future. Before that potentially happens though, Prosper is well worth considering for cost-conscious investors. What choice of investments is available through Prosper? Prosper intentionally limits your choice of investments, selecting funds for its platform based on fees, level of tracking error and whether funds provide fair value for investors according to FCA requirements. There are nearly 200 options available, which is much less than other platforms but this could suit investors who are often overwhelmed by choice. It has what it calls an index-first strategy, so the funds it offers are generally ones that track an index, such as the S&P 500 or FTSE 100. But it also offers active options that go against this strategy, including Fundsmith Equity and Artemis Global Income. Its great that Prosper gives you a choice of carefully selected, actively managed funds, but you should watch out for their fees. For example, the ongoing charges figure for the actively managed Fundsmith Equity fund is 0.94 per cent, while its just 0.13 per cent for the passively managed HSBC FTSE All World Index fund. If you want a ready-made investment option, you can choose Prospers Standard Fund, which is just BlackRock MyMap 6 a multi-asset fund thats like Vanguards LifeStrategy products. The ongoing charges figure is 0.17 per cent. Is Prosper's customer service any good? You can get in touch with Prosper over the phone. Its customer service team is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5.30pm. We like that you can contact Prosper over the phone, even though its an app-based platform. You can also email Prosper using the support@prosper.co.uk email address or get in touch with the team by messaging within the app. When choosing to message in the app, Prosper says it aims to get back to you within 24 hours, not including weekends and bank holidays. We tested the messaging functionality within the app after placing a trade for one of Prospers zero-cost options, the Vanguard FTSE 100 Index Fund. The trade showed as pending, so we messaged Prosper to find out when it might settle. Did Prosper's AI agent answer my question? Prosper has an AI agent called Otto that attempts to answer your question in the first instance, but you can also ask to speak to a human. It was difficult to know whether we were speaking to the AI agent or a real human, because there was a lag in response and the profile you speak to is just called Prosper it would be more helpful if it was labelled as Otto. When we asked whether we were speaking to a human or an AI, the platform clarified it was an AI. NOT a man called Otto: An AI agent answers your questions in the first instance Ultimately, the AI answered my question clearly but if you prefer to speak to a human, its probably best to pick up the phone. Prospers help centre is also on the thin side, with a limited number of support pages that answer common questions. What is Prosper like to use? Prosper is only available as a mobile app, so youre out of luck if you prefer to manage your investments on a laptop or desktop computer. The platform guides you through the setup process after you download the app. You must fill in your personal details and then choose the account youd like to open but this only takes a few minutes. Account opening: The app guides you through the process Before investing, you also have to add money to your Prosper Wallet. You can do this by making an instant bank transfer, or by transferring funds manually. You then use the money in this wallet to fund your various accounts even any cash savings accounts you've opened through the platform. A single wallet streamlines adding money to your account. Other platforms, such as Trading 212, have a fiddlier process for moving funds between different accounts. Using your wallet Make sure you dont leave money sitting in your Prosper Wallet, because it wont be earning interest you'll want to put it to work as soon as you can. Searching for and making a new investment You can look at the investments on offer by clicking funds in the menu tab at the bottom of the screen. Prosper shows you a list of the funds it has available, which you can scroll through or sort by particular features, such as fee and fund manager. But if you have a specific fund in mind, you can search for it using the search bar. Once youve found an investment, you need to review the order and then click submit. It can take several days for the order to be executed and show as settled in your account, which is normal for funds. We like that Prospers more limited choice of funds streamlines the process of searching for and buying investments. The platform makes its zero-cost options clear and gives you the option of filtering for them. It also clearly labels each fund, letting you know whether its active or passive, which asset class it invests in and which geographical region it covers. Another positive is that Prospers lack of bells and whistles doesnt encourage investors to log in and check the performance of their investments every day. This all means that Prosper could be particularly suited to those who find the choice of investments available on other platforms overwhelming, such as beginners or people who arent interested in individual stock picking. > Investing for beginners: The best platforms to get started as an investor Can you set up regular savings? Unfortunately Prosper doesnt allow you to set up regular savings or investing within the platform itself. You need to set up a standing order with your bank using Prospers bank account details, which you can find in the app. Provided youve set it up properly, you standing order will be paid into your Prosper wallet and then you can use the available funds to invest manually. What is Prosper's research and educational content like? Prosper doesnt have any research or educational content currently. Fee-free platforms generally dont produce the same dedicated investment research and analysis that paid-for providers such as Interactive Investor and Hargreaves Lansdown offer. But the likes of Trading 212, eToro and InvestEngine do produce guides, videos and articles that explain key investing concepts. When we reviewed InvestEngine for example, we were impressed with the platforms videos for YouTube, which it creates in partnership with financial experts. Its straightforward to drill into the details of a fund however, which is all displayed clearly within Prosper's app. You can see this information about an investment: charges performance holdings, sectors and asset allocation benchmark key investor information document The lack of educational content potentially makes Prosper less of an all-in-one platform for beginners, although theres plenty available elsewhere on the internet. Prosper: This is Moneys overall review Prosper is worth trying if youre keen to cut the cost of investing to zero by building a set of investments from the 30 that Prosper can refund fees for. Prosper is only available as a mobile app, but we found it straightforward to navigate. Everything is presented clearly and the fact there are no extra bells and whistles means you can get on with picking your investments. This also means there arent many reasons to keep logging in to the app after youve bought your investments, which is positive. Constantly checking the performance of your investments can lead to rash decisions based on short-term price movements. The curated list of investments is very slim when compared with most other platforms and you cant invest in individual stocks. But depending on the type of investor you are, this might suit you we found it refreshing to have a smaller selection to choose from. Prospers focus on streamlining investing could make it a good platform for beginners, but keep in mind theres a lack of educational content. > Find out more about Prosper and open an account* How we tested Prosper We opened a stocks and shares Isa with Prosper and spent several hours testing the app. We added money to our Prosper Wallet and searched for, bought and sold an investment. We used Prosper's messaging service to ask questions about the account and carried out extensive desk research on Prosper's overall offering. Prosper also offers a number of savings accounts, but we didn't open one, so we haven't tested that side of Prosper's service. Why you can trust us This is Money has been covering investing and personal finance since 1999. Read more about how our editorial independence helps make our readers lives richer and how we test and review investment platforms. About our writer: Sam is our Money and Consumer Guides Writer. He has extensive experience in writing about personal finance, starting his career as a writer at an investment management company. Sam enjoys helping readers get the most from their money by covering the best financial products for their needs. Previous organisations he's written for include NerdWallet, the Financial Ombudsman Service and Simply Business. A British expat has revealed how a spiralling legal dispute with a neighbour over a driveway led to him losing almost his entire retirement fund including homes worth 1.5million pounds - and culminated in him being thrown in a Thai jail. Martin Savage, 65, looked forward to a dream retirement when he relocated to Thailand with his dual Thai/British citizen wife Sudarat, 66, but a boundary dispute with a neighbour saw legal fees eat up his credit. And when Sudarat used his Thai property assets to underwrite his legal battle, he ended up in breach of Thai property law which saw him and Sudarat both sent to prison. The retired engineer - whose successful career saw him work on major construction projects like the Channel Tunnel - has gone from a peak annual retirement income of 38,000 to struggling to live on just 100 a month from the tiny private pension which is his only surviving asset. Speaking out to warn others of the dangers of retiring overseas, Mr Savage said last night: 'I have lost everything, I'm completely broke.' The couple met in November 1999 while Martin was on holiday in Phuket and married less than a year later. They initially settled in Northern Ireland where Sudarat ran two restaurants while he pursued his successful engineering career. The story of their Thai retirement began almost 20 years ago when Martin sold up two lucrative investment rental properties near his home in Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland. In 2007 they used the 500,000 proceeds from those sales to purchase a detached three-bed family home with 1.5 acres of land in Ubon Ratchathani to live in. British expat Martin Savage (centre) and his wife Sudarat (right) had been looking forward to a luxurious retirement in Thailand - but it turned into a nightmare The couple ploughed their savings into a luxurious 270,000 three-bed detached home in Ubon Ratchathani in the east of Thailand They also purchased a 40-room apartment block in Pattaya - today worth around 1.2million - that the couple hoped would provide a lifelong steady income They then bought a 40-room apartment block in Pattaya which they hoped would provide rental income for the rest of their lives. For the first few years their dream appeared to be on track with the flats bringing in good money. But in 2010 they became involved in a row with their next-door neighbour. The boundary dispute seemed fairly innocuous at first - as they accused a neighbour of digging up their access road to try to force them to sell up and move out. The couple hired a lawyer but with almost all of their cash tied up in properties Sudarat - who was the building's sole legal owner due to Thai laws forbidding foreigners from owning land - borrowed 34,000 from a money lender. But before they had a chance to repay the debt, the couple say he sold the building - today worth 1.2million - to an associate for around 45,000. Martin told the Daily Mail: 'She borrowed that money without my knowledge or approval. I would never have allowed it. She knows she made a mistake and there's no value in going on about it now. 'He was a predator, this was his business and he had done it plenty of times before. 'My wife is a charming person but back then she was trusting and innocent and thought anybody who pretended to be her friend was.' Martin maintains the transfer wasn't legal as - even without his name on the deed - the apartment block was a shared marital asset protected under Thai law but he conceded: 'In Thailand all you have to do is pay somebody in the office a bit of money and it happens.' The couple didn't immediately find out the flats had been stolen and carried on putting money into the legal dispute over the road. Then in 2017 they were hit with a bombshell when they were both arrested for breach of contract and effectively squatting in their own building. Martin added: 'Legally they couldn't do that, there was an ongoing court case and they had to wait for the court process to finish. 'Five cops and an associate of the criminal came at 5pm on a Friday afternoon which is important because courts were closed for the weekend. 'They told us to come to the police station to talk about the business, I asked whether we were under arrest but they said we weren't and they just wanted to talk. 'At the police station they were trying to get us to sign these forms written all in Thai, saying if you sign this you can go home but if you don't you're going to prison. 'When we refused they locked us in the cells for Friday night, we were in the police station until Monday morning without a phone call and without being able to call the embassy.' The forms - seen by the Daily Mail - are a report of their arrest stating he had been fully informed of the charges, offered a lawyer and told police he didn't want to contact anybody - an account Martin claims is completely fabricated. In the wake of falling prey to criminals, the couple now live in a small rented home costing 250 per month funded by his tiny private pension A member of the same gang in Ubon was able to steal the couple's 270,000 family home and three plots of land they also owned by claiming Martin and Sudarat had signed over power of attorney to him - leaving them homeless Three days later Martin and Sudarat were sentenced to three months in Nong Plalai Prison where he was caged with 74 other men in a small cell from 4pm until 7am. Martin said: 'There was barely room to sleep on the concrete floor. At that time I was 57 years old. I have had asthma all my life and even though my stay in prison was short, when released from prison I was suffering from acute bronchitis. 'If I had remained in prison longer without the knowledge of the Embassy it was a potentially fatal condition to someone of my age.' However, within a few days the prison governor notified the British Embassy and eight days after arriving they were released. By the time they returned to the apartment building their possessions had been cleared out and left dumped on the side of the road. 'We took what we could and moved out, we've never been back since,' said Martin. But the couple were hit with a second blow when their family home - worth 270,000 - and three plots of neighbouring land were also sold out from under them. It took five years to discover they no longer owned any property in Thailand and sale documents seen bythe Mail state Sudarat sold the house for 80,000 in 2014 but the same person had signed as both the buyer and seller - something that would be illegal in the UK. That person had asserted they have power of attorney over the couple but the records office was unable to produce a signed legal document supporting that. The couple tried to sue to recover the property but during a hearing in December 2023 the new owner didn't turn up or present any evidence they had paid the money. The judge still ruled against the couple, writing they had not proven he did anything dishonest so the court presumed his innocence. In a chilling warning to Brits thinking of chasing a dream of building a new life abroad, Martin has shared how the paradise he had spent decades working for fell apart and claims he was the victim of racism and corruption. He said: 'We're completely broke, we lost the properties and we have spent a lot of money on lawyers trying to fix this. The couple have tried to persuade the British Embassy to demand answers from Thai authorities about the theft of their apartment block, but claim they have been met with hostility 'We were forced out of our own home last year and we are staying in a rental, we have no money. 'I have a small work pension of less than 100 per month and my wife is brokering property sales which brings in a small amount of money but it's only commission based. 'We're barely scraping by, rent here is cheap and we're paying 250 per month but this is a long way from the life we had planned. 'By December of this year my wife and I will both be 66. We could give up, go back to the UK and live off the benefits system as pensioners, but that's not who we are.' Sudarat said: 'My husband isn't allowed to work in Thailand so all the responsibility falls on me. I hadn't expected to be working full-time still at 66 which is hard. 'I am so disappointed in our legal system, I used to have great faith but I have been so disappointed and let down by what happened to us.' The couple have tried to persuade the British Embassy to demand answers from Thai authorities with two local MPs writing to the department about their imprisonment but claim they were told pursuing it would not be in the national interest. 'This is a local property dispute between a Brit expat and some criminals,' he said. 'There is no British national interest here but they said it to shut me down. They don't have to prove anything after that. That should be a warning to others.' A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: 'We supported a British man who was detained in Thailand and were in contact with the local authorities.' A barrister and his wife are suing an acclaimed fashion boss for 5.5million after the Notting Hill home they bought from her flooded. The couple accuse Paula Reed, former fashion director of Harvey Nichols, of deliberately misleading them when she allegedly told them that the property she was selling them had never previously flooded. But just weeks after purchasing it in December 2024, Thomas Ford and his wife Jessica returned home to find the basement was submerged in water after heavy rain. The Fords claimed they later discovered that the six-storey town house in Westbourne Road close to Londons trendy Portabello Road had previously flooded and allege that they uncovered a number of faults with it. The wealthy couple claim that the central heating system did not work properly, that the kitchen had been overrun by rats and mice, one of the lavatories leaked and that rainwater leaked into various rooms, including the dining room and the basement. Mr Ford and his wife Dr Ford, a successful theatre producer, are now suing Ms Reed in the High Court demanding their money back plus up to 1 million in extra costs including the 571,000 they paid in stamp duty. The couple say they would not have bought the house without the misrepresentations by Ms Reed, 64, who told them that the property had never flooded. The Fords maintain that the existence of a number of misrepresentations demonstrates the willingness and intention of the vendor to conceal the truth and withhold matters that might negatively affect her sale of the property, according to court documents. A barrister and his wife are suing an acclaimed fashion boss for 5.5million after the Notting Hill home they bought from her flooded Pictured: Barrister Thomas Ford Fashion designer Paula Reed (pictured) is being sued by the Fords They say: The misrepresentations were each known by the vendor to be false or she had no belief in their truth, alternatively she was reckless as to the truth or falsity of the representations made. The Fords claim that Ms Reed refusal to answer questions ahead of the court action is further evidence that she knew her misrepresentations were false. Dr Ford declined to discuss the legal proceedings when approached for comment. However, court documents reveal that the young family had wanted to buy a house in move-in condition and were reassured that the renovations work carried out by Ms Reeds architect ex-husband Alfred Munkenbeck would enhance the propertys appeal. But upon moving in, the Fords discovered a series of defects. They found that kitchen extractor fan did not work, the range oven did not work properly, the burglar alarm did not work and that the roof leaked. The Fords claim that Ms Reed knew that the house flooded as she left notes attempting to down-play the problem, by describing flood barriers as damp absorbers. They say that the previous owner had admitted that the house had an issue with moths, but she mentioned nothing about rats and mice in the kitchen, for which traps and poison had been laid down. The Fords claim that Ms Reed knew that the house flooded as she left notes attempting to down-play the problem, by describing flood barriers as damp absorbers Ms Reed is expected to contest the claim The couple continue that her assertions that the central heating was in good working order is false because the higher floors do not heat up properly and many radiators do not work. They add that Miss Reed knew that the burglar alarm was faulty. The Fords say they are entitled to the full repayment of the money they paid for the property, plus damages of up to 1million covering the stamp duty, the cost of moving, the cost of the reparations and interest on their money if they had not bought the house. Ms Reed, 64, who rubbed shoulders with fashion giants such as Karl Lagerfeld and Dries Van Noten and starred on TV during a glittering thirty-year career, moved to Bude, Cornwall, after the sale. She is expected to contest the claim. When Kevin Moses Walker stormed out of his parents' home in Pikesville, Maryland, on July 31, his family immediately began to fear the worst. The hulking 41-year-old, a recluse and avid online gamer, had just had a furious argument with his parents, Moses and Janice, about his lack of prospects and drive. They told him it was time to switch off his games console and get a job. Walker hadn't worked in more than a decade. He was fired by the TSA at the age of 26 and never attempted to find another job. Walker left his family home in a fury. His relatives were instantly concerned he'd run off to kill himself, a source with knowledge of the matter exclusively told the Daily Mail. But even their worst fears couldn't have predicted what would happen next. Within 72 hours, Walker would wreak havoc at a Virginia campsite, then break into a nearby home and stab a woman to death before being shot dead by her husband. The victim was 62-year-old Holly Hatcher, the mother of rising country music star Spencer Hatcher. Her husband, Michael, 65, was also injured. News of her murder stunned locals and perplexed police. Walker had no documented history of criminal or violent behavior, and investigators have struggled to establish a motive for the crime. However, those close to the Walker family believe his violent and seemingly random rampage was carried out to spite his parents, the source claimed. Kevin Moses Walker, 41, was shot dead after stabbing a woman to death during a seemingly random home invasion near Harrisonburg, Virginia Holly Hatcher, 62, was stabbed to death. Her husband, Michael, 65, was also injured 'Some think he did it to punish his parents,' shared the source, who asked to remain anonymous. 'They just wanted him to do more with his life than to play online games at 41 nobody saw this coming. Everyone is in shock.' Walker's final hours began with his arrival at the Endless Caverns Resort in New Market, Virginia, on August 1. The campsite's general manager, Mike Stewart, told the Daily Mail earlier this month that Walker was polite in his interactions with staff and other guests, and neither he nor his colleagues noticed anything unusual about Walker's behavior. Walker went on a tour of a cavern with a large group of tourists at 3pm and then told camp staff he was interested in renting an RV site to stay the night. 'He was polite and he didn't do anything to raise our alarms,' said Stewart, who escorted Walker to the plot. 'We see a lot of people, and he just seemed like a regular guy who was just passing through and needed somewhere to stay.' Three hours later, Walker drove to a nearby Walmart where he purchased a large knife and a sleeping bag. Surveillance cameras captured him leaving the store. What happened in the hours after remains unclear, but Walker's behavior appeared increasingly erratic. Sometime between 3am and 5am on August 2, Walker rammed his car into the front door of the resort's gift shop. The Hatcher's son, Spencer Hatcher, is a rising country music star First responders found Michael Hatcher outside his home with visible injuries, while Walker was lying dead in the driveway Walker entered the store but did not steal anything. He also 'fooled around' in the camp's caverns but didn't cause any additional damage, Stewart said. His car was later found abandoned a short distance away at the side of a road. The source close to Walker's family believes he was trying to kill himself when he drove head-on into the camp's gift shop. When that effort failed, the source believes he fled the scene in a panic and spent the next few hours hiding, paranoid that police were closing in on him. Indeed, during that time, Rockingham County police issued felony warrants for his arrest, but investigators had no reason to suspect 'potential for any violence,' Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson previously shared. The next call authorities received was at 11.58pm on Sunday, August 3, from a wounded Michael Hatcher in Harrisonburg. His wife had been stabbed to death by a home invader, and the culprit was now lying dead in the driveway, Michael told an operator. Sometime between 3am and 5am, Walker rammed his car into the front door of the Endless Cavern Resort gift shop, where he'd been staying The cost of the damage has been estimated to be over $10,000 Walker also tried to stab Michael. The fight spilled into the driveway, where Michael grabbed a handgun from his car and shot Walker dead, ending the rampage. Walker's family had been racked with worry while their son was missing, the Daily Mail's source says. His parents kept relatives and friends up to date on the search for him. Their concern escalated when they were informed of the incident at the Endless Caverns Resort. The next update they provided was that Walker had died. The family's inner circle presumed it was suicide; it wasn't until the reports of Holly Hatcher's death hit mainstream news that they started putting the pieces together. 'Everyone is just shocked,' said the source. 'We thought when he hit the building, it was a suicide attempt. He did not have a lot going for him - his only friends were online.' Not only had he never acted violently before, but relatives were shocked that he had the stamina for something as physical as stabbing two people. 'Nobody saw this coming at all this doesn't make sense to anyone,' the source said. Walker drove to a nearby Walmart where he purchased a large knife and a sleeping bag, hours before the murder Speaking at a press conference earlier this month, Michael Hatcher stated that many of the questions surrounding the case may never be answered - and Walker's true motive may never be known. The tragic ordeal, and their only child's uncharacteristic display of evil, have left Walker's parents devastated. 'They have cried so many tears for the victim and their family.' Walker's funeral has been scheduled for August 25 in Baltimore, Maryland, an obituary notice uncovered by the Daily Mail reveals. Two solemn tributes are posted beneath the notice, both sharing condolences and relief that Walker is now 'resting in peace'. Calls to Walker's family have gone unanswered. The TSA has been contacted for comment about Walker's employment history. The Rockingham County Sheriff's Office has also not responded to a request for comment. Spencer Hatcher canceled several upcoming tour dates in the wake of his mom's death, citing a 'monumental loss' in his family. Speaking at a press conference with his father, he emphasized his family would only stick to the facts, considering the speculation about what unfolded. Google's artificial intelligence system is under fire after it promoted a fake story that rapper Eminem performed at Jeff Bezos's mother's funeral and that Tesla CEO Elon Musk attended, the Daily Mail can reveal. The false information was presented by Google's AI search results for the funeral last week days before the real service took place without either the rapper or the Amazon boss's rival for world's richest man. Bezos's mother Jackie died on August 14 in her Miami-area home age 78 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. A small, private service was held at the Caballero Rivero Westchester funeral home in West Miami on Friday. Bezos, 61, and his new wife Lauren Sanchez, 55, were photographed arriving hand-in-hand at the intimate ceremony, where they were joined by other members of the Bezos family. But according to a Google AI Overview generated on August 21 about the funeral, 'The service was attended by family, friends, and notable figures, with reports of unexpected appearances by Elon Musk and Eminem, who reportedly delivered a moving tribute.' Listed in the 'key details about the event' was the suspect claim that 'Eminem sang his 2005 hit "Mockingbird" at the service'. The song, which was famously dedicated to the rapper's daughter Hailie, is considered 'possibly the least offensive Eminem song ever', according to Genius.com, however, it's still hardly an appropriate choice for a funeral. REAL: Jeff Bezos was seen attending a funeral service for his late mother Jacklyn Bezos at a funeral home in West Miami, Florida on Friday August 22 FAKE: There was no information released on funeral attendees, however, AI generated images appeared online showing Elon Musk comforting a grieving Bezos before the ceremony even took place Jeff Bezos's mother Jacklyn Bezos died at age 78 on August 14 in her Miami home after a long battle with Lewy Body dementia Google released its AI Overview feature on the search engine last year that gives users a summary of information around the web for queries, popping up ahead of all the actual Google search results on the page. But experts have warned that readers are placing too much trust in the computerized summary, which can 'hallucinate' and source information from fake news sites. A Google spokesperson told the Daily Mail the 'vast majority of AI Overviews are high quality and meet our high bar for helpfulness and accuracy'. One of the apparent fake sources of the funeral misinformation was suspect site 'BBCmovie.cc', which uses a similar name to the internationally respected media organization the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Google's own web browser identifies the site as a potential security threat, warning that visiting it 'is not private' and 'attackers might be trying to steal your information from bbcmovie.cc'. A Facebook post linking to the site even had fake AI-generated photos of Tesla CEO Musk with his hand on sobbing Bezos' shoulder, dressed in black inside what appears to be a church. The Facebook post was by a page for a supposed Saudi Arabian interior design firm called Svaycha Decor. It shared the outlandish story and other AI-generated images of Elon Musk with suspicious headlines. Bezos was snapped arriving at the Caballero Rivero Westchester funeral home holding hands with his new wife Lauren Sanchez Few details have been released about the intimate service and its attendees, but it was likely to have been a small, private affair for family The post then shot up Google's search rankings and appears to have been used by its AI providing a summary. On August 20 another site posted an extensive, dramatic, and completely fabricated story about Eminem's supposed performance at the funeral. The site, which posts viral stories and many NBA-related news entries, is called 'av.colofandom.com'. It claimed the rapper was wearing a 'black suit, knit beanie pulled low, dark sunglasses'. 'Whispers rippled through the room. The man removed his sunglasses. It was Eminem,' the dramatic article said. 'He nodded to the pianist. The first notes of Mockingbird floated through the air slower, softer, almost fragile.' Over the weekend Google's AI had updated the information to read: 'Jackie Bezos's funeral was held at the Caballero Rivero Westchester funeral home in Miami, Florida, a private service attended by her family and close friends, including Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.' Representatives for Bezos, Musk and Eminem did not respond to the Daily Mail's requests for comment. The phony reports included bogus images of Musk consoling distraught Bezos at the ceremony The search results generated on August 21 Google's AI Overview falsely claimed the funeral took place the day after her passing and listed fake claims that there were unexpected appearances by Musk and rapper Eminem, 'who reportedly delivered a moving tribute' The search generated results for genuine news stories, including the Daily Mail's report, but also turned up Facebook posts that linked to a fake news sources reporting Musk and Eminem's appearances The real funeral was confirmed to be on Friday, two days after the fake Eminem story was posted on the 'colofandom' site, when Bezos and his wife were photographed by TMZ arriving in a black SUV and entering a funeral home in West Miami. Both were dressed all in black. The site reported that Bezos's brother Mark and stepfather Mike were also at the service, which was said to have had fewer than 50 attendees. Experts have been warning about misinformation arising from AI's effect on searching the web. Jessica Johnson, a senior fellow at McGill University's Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, told Canadian broadcaster CBC this month: 'As a journalist and as a researcher, I have concerns about the accuracy. 'It's one of those very sweeping technological changes that has changed the way we [...] search, and therefore live our lives, without really much of a big public discussion,' Johnson said. University of Washington professor Chirag Shah, who specializes in AI and online search, warned that 'no checking' is done once the program generates results. 'What if those documents are flawed?' Shah asked CBC. 'What if some of them have wrong information, outdated information, satire, sarcasm?' According to reports, Bezos's brother Mark and stepfather Mike were also at the event, which reportedly had fewer than 50 attendees The couple were seen arriving at the funeral home hand-in-hand, both dressed in all-black attire Bezos's new wife Lauren was seen in a pearl necklace and black sunglasses with a demure, formal black dress and blazer But the Google spokesman said: 'Just like other features in Search, issues can arise when there is an absence of high quality information on the web on a particular topic, and we use these examples to improve AI Overviews broadly.' They added that the AI had been corrected, that mistakes can happen amid billions of searches a day, and that their systems learn from errors. Bezos's mother 'died peacefully', according to an online post from her charity, the Bezos Scholars Program. 'A quiet final chapter to a life that taught all of us, friends and family alike, the true meaning of grit and determination, kindness, and service to others,' the organization wrote. Bezos posted a tribute on Instagram saying 'She always gave so much more than she ever asked for.' 'She pounced on the job of loving me with ferocity, brought my amazing dad onto the team a few years later, and then added my sister and brother to her list of people to love, guard, and nourish,' he wrote. 'For the rest of her life, that list of people to love never stopped growing.' Once, in what now feels like an age ago, I described the Donbas coal-mining town of Dobropillia as a safe haven. Plain, hardscrabble and dominated by an enormous slag heap, Dobropillia was where refugees who had fled the fighting further east settled in their thousands. In 2023, the Daily Mails Ukraine Appeal delivered motorised wheelchairs to its small hospital. Because the town was safe. No longer. Earlier this month, three days before the President of the United States had his soldiers get down on their hands and knees on an Alaskan airfield to roll out the red carpet for the bloody-handed President Putin of Russia, Kremlin forces burst through the Ukrainian defence line near Dobropillia to a depth of six miles. They even managed to cut the critical Dobropillia-Kramatorsk highway before being pushed back. Putin wants to be given the whole of the Donbas under the mooted terms of a Trump-brokered peace deal. Trump has said he backs the surrender or as he calls it, the reshuffling of Ukrainian territory to the Russian invader in order to secure a deal to end the fighting. Ukraine would be given security guarantees but not be allowed to join Nato. If Ukraine was obstructive the supply of weapons would stop. Canada's prime minister Mark Carney joins Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, as they take part in a wreath laying ceremony in Kyiv on Sunday Much has been written about this extraordinary Alaskan summit. But what of the men and women who are on the ground, fighting the Russians? Some of them have been at war for more than a decade now. They have shed blood and witnessed countless comrades killed and maimed in the defence of their homeland against a far more powerful enemy. Exhausted, would they now support the terms of a Trump-Putin deal, in order to attain peace? Soldiers have been the pawns of political compromise since history began. I spoke to a number of Ukrainians on the frontline; among them the defiant, the desperate, the weary. Most are psychologically damaged. All are cynical. They hate not only Putin but Russia. Trump is not well spoken of, either. Whatever happens, Ukraine has already demonstrated an extraordinary feat of arms to have kept Russia at bay for so long. But the soldiers are not in it for moral victories. This is an existential war. They want Ukraines freedom from tyranny. Peace for them still seems a distant dream. President Donald Trump greets Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska earlier this month Not all have been fighting for years. Last week, I was disturbed to learn that among those Ukrainian troops on the critical Dobropillia front is my friend and former colleague, Daria. Born in Kramatorsk, she was a postgraduate journalism student in Kyiv at the time of the full-scale Russian invasion. After that, she worked for a medical charity delivering aid to frontline areas and as a field producer for the Mails Frontline film series. But earlier this year, Daria joined the Ukrainian army and is now a private in an assault battalion. The most important thing I want to say is that I, and most of my comrades with whom I discussed this, consider territorial concessions a betrayal, she tells me. A betrayal to themselves and the betrayal of those guys who died or gave their health defending the country. In the fourth year of a full-scale war, a lot of soldiers have lost that enthusiasm and motivation. But almost everyone I know who has been in the armed forces for a long time holds the opinion that they cannot betray the sacrifices made by their brothers during this war. The appeasement of Putin by the voluntary abandonment of the remnants of the Donetsk region, including my home city, would in my opinion lead to mass protests in the country. Last week, Richard Pendlebury was disturbed to learn that among those Ukrainian troops on the critical Dobropillia front is his friend and former colleague, Daria, who joined the Ukrainian army and is now a private in an assault battalion It would indicate the absolute inability of the Ukrainian authorities and the world community to protect the interests of the Ukrainian people in the international arena. Such a decision will be an absolute concession to the tyrant. As Churchill famously said: You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in its mouth. Her Churchill reference is typical of the Ukrainian military mindset and its opposition to appeasement. The UKs experience in the Second World War is often held up by Ukrainians as an example of what can be achieved with backs to the wall. In that respect Churchill is a totem for Ukrainians. Its clear they do not have the same admiration for Trump. Mykhailo, drone operator with the 58th brigade, said of the US President: His desire to bring both sides to peace is of course good, if it is sincere. But unfortunately, he knows little or nothing about Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Where I am fighting, the enemy has a technical advantage, an advantage in people, an advantage in UAVs [Unmanned Aerial Vehicles]. He does not spare the means to destroy our guys. Everything works for them and works well. [The Russians] send small infantry groups forward. If it did not work out this time, they will send the next group. Richard Pendlebury (far right) and photographer Jamie Wiseman (far left) with, from left, Daria, fixer Olex and Ukrainian soldier Makar I think that they will not reject the idea of capturing Ukraine, because all they have known for the last 100 years is to wage such wars without sparing the lives of their own soldiers. This is truly a war of annihilation. It is not about Ukrainian nationalists but about some existential hatred towards us. They will not drop this matter. Makar, the deputy commander of an assault battalion in Donetsk, has an equally bleak view. Zelensky is actually a hostage of the situation, he says. Everyone dictates to him what to do. Meanwhile, Putin has such a psychotype that easily tolerates war, murders he will not stop. It just wont happen like that. I dont know what exactly they will agree on regarding the exchange of territories, maybe rare minerals, or perhaps something else. Lets be realistic Ukraine does not have that many resources left. Yes, they will give us weapons, but who will use these means? People remain the main element on the battlefield. Who controls all these means, who shoots, who aims the cannons? We really dont have any people left. What does he expect to come from the current negotiations? I think there will be some kind of freeze in hostilities for a short time, so that the Russian Federation can build up some forces and so that we can also rest. A couple of years after Trumps term ends, all this will flare up again. But next time we wont be able to cope. Every day dozens of men cross the border (to escape conscription), every day dozens of men die on the front, and there are no replenishments. Kruger is the middle-aged deputy commander of a fire support company in the 41st Brigade. He has been wounded several times. The last occasion we met was at a cardiac hospital in Kyiv where he was undergoing a heart procedure before returning to the front. Kruger is very cynical about the summit and the chances of a just peace for Ukraine. Trump is Putins puppet, he says. All these supposedly peaceful negotiations have only one meaning for Putin: he needs a break for about a year to prepare the army and weapons. Putins calculation is very simple: a truce, even along the line of combat contact. But Russia immediately begins to prepare a second invasion, and we cancel martial law at the request of the United States and hold elections. Elections are always a fierce confrontation here. This time, Russian agents under the guise of heroic corps commanders, battalion commanders and brigade commanders will begin to muddy the waters. And it will be very good if it does not end in a civil war. He believes the Ukrainian army will begin to disintegrate if there is a truce and martial law is lifted. The first to flee will be the mobilized, and then others. Whats the necessity to sit in a trench? they will argue. The war is over! And we will have such a fun year until the next war begins. However, next time there will be no volunteers. Other servicemen watched the welcome of the Russian president on American soil with amusement and disbelief. In Darias increasingly threatened hometown of Kramatorsk, locksmith Dmytro Kotov faces losing everything he has built with his wife Svitlana Kotova and their 14-year-old boy. There has been much talk of the strategic gains Putin would make were Washington to strong-arm Kyiv into ceding the roughly 20 per cent of the Donbas his military has failed to seize by force in 12 years of trying. And when Donald Trump spoke breathlessly of land swaps, it was the lives of Dmytro and hundreds of thousands of others like him that he was referring to. They would be forced to decide whether to live under Russian rule, or become refugees. I would miss the life Ive lived here, Dmytro says, knowing he and his wife, both 39, would be forced to flee not least as their son has cerebral palsy. We would never stay under Russia, their rule is brutal, he says, his voice bristling with anger. My child would never pass their so-called filtration. He sings Ukrainian songs, he loves them. With our position, we simply cannot stay. You always miss the place where you spent your days where you walked, worked, where your life happened, Dmytro says. Its the familiar streets and pathways, the memories are tied to them thats where all the emotions lie. Little wonder, then, that Dmytro watched the spectacle in Alaska two weeks ago with contempt. America was once considered the greatest country in the world, the number one power a so-called policeman of the world, he said. Yet now that policeman turns not into a protector but into a businessman. A ruthless one, who pushes and pressures others just to advance his own business ideas. Frankly, he is not far from Putin, who acts like a street thug. But those who live here still believe in their countrymen. We have our own path, Dmytro says. Let him say whatever he wants. We must fight for what is ours for our homes, for our courtyards, for every single piece of our land. The war will end only when one of the countries is exhausted, no longer able to fight. Hopefully, it will be Russia that runs out of strength. Amid the sprawling mass of complicated statistics and medical evidence deployed by the prosecution against Lucy Letby there was one devastatingly simple piece that was viewed as little short of a smoking gun. A pale green Post-it note one of a cluster of many messy handwritten jottings found among the young nurses belongings at her home. On it had been written, in large, emphatic capitals, the words: I AM EVIL. I DID THIS. However small the paper, the force it wielded was immense. How else to view this, and Letbys other tortured laments scrawled on various scraps of paper, as anything but an admission of guilt from the worst child killer in British criminal history? What kind of nurse, after all, would commit to paper heinous statements such as, I killed them on purpose because Im not good enough, other than a cold-blooded perpetrator of infanticide? That is certainly how the police and crown prosecution lawyers saw them, not to mention a great swathe of the public, for whom these damning words effectively clinched the case against Letby. After two trials and two appeal attempts, the Lucy Letby case culminated in multiple whole life terms for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of seven others Psychologist Emma Kenny sees Letbys handwritten notes as a typical response for traumatised people who feel no one is listening to them and whose lives are unravelling In media reports, meanwhile, her scribbles were consistently referred to as the confession notes, as if this was an undisputed fact. Yet from the moment their existence was made public, I saw them differently. As a psychologist for more than two decades with a special interest in criminal behaviour, my instinct was that this cache of handwritten notes was not necessarily the result of a guilty conscience, but of someone experiencing great pain which could speak just as strongly of innocence as guilt. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that notes such as these are a typical response for traumatised people who feel that no one is listening to them and whose lives are unravelling especially if they have been encouraged to write down their feelings as a way of coping with extreme stress. We now know that Letby was being told to do exactly this by her GP and the Countess of Chester Hospitals then head of occupational health and wellbeing. The fact this therapeutic explanation was not emphatically made plain to the jury the defence suggested merely that they could be a symptom of anguish not guilt, and deployed no expert forensic psychologists to give evidence on how to interpret the notes is a deeply problematic part of this ever-more troubling and complex case. After two trials and two appeal attempts, the case culminated in multiple whole life terms for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murder of seven others between June 2015 and June 2016. As we now know, those convictions are to be scrutinised by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. And while it is not for me to declare my belief in Letbys guilt or innocence, I believe the prosecutions weaponisation of those handwritten notes and the defences failure to offer a fully realised alternative explanation provides more than enough room for reasonable doubt about Letbys conviction. I write this confidently as someone who has been involved in therapeutic work for nearly 25 years, the majority of it specialising in criminal behaviour. During this time, I have counselled thousands of troubled minds as well as provided commentary and insight for any number of TV crime series and documentaries. And I can tell you that within the safety of the therapy room as well as in the privacy of their bedrooms countless people in crisis produce writing like Letby. Not because they are truly confessing to anything, but because they are trying to pour the noise in their head on to paper in a desperate attempt to get some relief. Its known as stream-of-consciousness writing and is a tool deployed by therapists to help clients externalise and regulate their thoughts. The rules are simple: write without censoring yourself, let the pen move faster than your inner critic and capture whatever surfaces, without worrying what anyone might think of them. As a result, the words that emerge may be ugly, repetitive or contradictory because they are not crafted for an audience, but instead are the unfiltered contents of a turbulent mind. What they are not, in the main, is factual. Take, by way of comparison, the journal and diary entries produced by countless young women over the years for let us not forget that Letby (now 35) was a young woman of 28 when she was first arrested in 2018. Many scribble horrible things about themselves as a way of externalising the complex maelstrom of emotions within. They write things such as, Im ugly, fat and stupid. But its not a fact, or even an objective truth, in the same way that writing down, I want to kill myself (something else I have witnessed in my professional career) is not actually a statement of intent. They are both in their own ways an expression of despair from a mind that does not know what to do with what is unfolding outside. As for the apparent remorse suggested by the prosecution it could be genuine. Those tragic baby deaths happened on Letbys watch and, as a nurse whose very job was to keep them alive, she can feel responsible for them even if she did not, as the prosecution suggested, block their airways or overdose them with insulin herself. Indeed, this explanation was offered by Letby herself during her first trial: when asked about the notes, she said she was questioning herself and whether she had unintentionally done harm by not knowing enough or not being a good enough nurse. Yet as we have seen, these entirely viable alternative explanations did not stop Letbys writings becoming a key spoke in the prosecution case, which presented nearly every element of these notes as ever more damning evidence when, in fact, there are plausible explanations for all of them. Take, for example, the secrecy around the notes. For the prosecution, the fact they were hidden in Letbys home was proof of her desire to conceal her guilt. But for anyone who has worked with trauma survivors, this is an entirely predictable act. People in deep shame or fear often hide their most personal writings, not because they contain literal confessions, but because they fear they will be misunderstood. Think again of young womens diaries or young mens for that matter. By and large, the thought that anyone might read them would be mortifying at best, and devastating at worst. They are written as a form of personal catharsis, and not designed for public view. Even the structural chaos of the notes was put in the spotlight: barristers told the jury that the tangled lines, the scribbled-over names, the sudden shifts between black and red ink were signs of an agitated mind trapped in a cycle of remembering and regretting. A pale green Post-it note one of a cluster of many messy handwritten jottings found among the young nurses belongings at her home. On it had been written, in large, emphatic capitals, the words: I AM EVIL. I DID THIS On this Post-It note, Letby repeatedly uses the word help, a cry repeated in different inks and underlined for emphasis In another note, she wrote How can life be this way? Kill me was also written in bold and circled on the sheet, while other words and phrases included foreign objects, despair, panic, fear, lost They also argued that the fact names of colleagues, parents and babies were repeated over and over was a crucial sign of a fixation: the prosecution claimed it was the mental replay of her crimes. Again, as a therapist, I can tell you that repetition is quite usual in crisis writing. Sometimes, writing down names or events linked to trauma can be an attempt, conscious or otherwise, to process them. At other times, it is simply a manifestation of being trapped in a negative loop in which the brain becomes a stuck record, replaying the same scenes in an often futile effort to make sense of them. This tendency to cycle repeatedly through the same events or faces is often a hallmark of both anxiety and depression, both very credible emotional states for Letby to be plunged into given what was unfolding around her. Let us not forget that these notes were written after Letby felt the finger of suspicion pointing her way for multiple deaths in the neo-natal department in which she worked. If she was is innocent, then one can hardly begin to imagine the devastation she must have felt when she realised her name was in the frame. She would have been viscerally aware that public vilification, arrest, imprisonment and isolation beckoned. Which brings me to some of the other statements set down by Letby of which, notably, much less was made by the prosecution team. In one she writes, I cant do this any more, in another, How can life be this way? Kill me was also written in bold and circled on the sheet, while other words and phrases included foreign objects, despair, panic, fear, lost and repeatedly help, a cry repeated in different inks and underlined for emphasis. These seem less the product of a guilty conscience than a reflection of the mental landscape of someone who, guilty or innocent, feels their life is over. Certainly, you do not have to be a psychologist to feel the palpable threads of grief running through some of these notes. No hope... no children... will never have a family, she writes in one. In therapy we call this disenfranchised grief, meaning a kind of mourning for futures, dreams and identities that have been ripped away, but which the world refuses to acknowledge because the person is already condemned in the public eye. To my eye, it is a howl of anguish. And whats particularly notable about this anguish is that it is entirely inconsistent with the portrait of a narcissistic psychopath painted by the prosecution, which suggested that Letby was so Machiavellian she would murder babies to summon the attention of a doctor she fancied on shift. Effectively, we are asked to hold two conflicting truths: that Letby could murder in cold blood, while also demonstrating the overwhelming terror and fear we see in her writings. It does not add up. Plenty of people with psychopathic tendencies keep journals, but regret and fear are conspicuous by their absence. In short, remorseful, troubled psychopaths and if Letby is guilty, then she is undoubtedly one dont exist. Of course, in a courtroom, meaning is shaped to fit the narrative each side wants to tell. The prosecution portrayed Letbys words as the veil slipping, and her true self emerging in private. The defence argued they were merely the writings of a woman broken by the weight of false accusations. I would argue that neither of these offerings goes remotely far enough to tackle the complex psychology behind them. Nor does it change the unsettling fact that, ultimately, nobody other than Letby herself knows whether she did or did not callously take the lives of the babies in her care. What is certain is that these notes came from a mind in distress, whether it be from a guilty conscience or the devastation of wrongful accusation. In another setting, in another life, these words could have been safely explored between a client and a therapist as a starting point for understanding. For Letby, however, they proved a crucial paving stone on the path to a guilty verdict. Donald Trump was ready to expand his military crackdown into more Democratic cities on Sunday as Chicago was expected to receive National Guard troops and Baltimore was given a stark warning they would be next. A US official told ABC News on Sunday that the Pentagon was planning to deploy troops to Chicago after Trump hinted that the Windy City would be the next target for a federal takeover following Washington DC. Last week, Trump said he was considering Chicago and New York for troop deployments. The move would mimic the military action in the nation's capital, where thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are patrolling the streets. A spokesperson for the Pentagon said they would not 'speculate' on the Chicago deployment. 'The Department is a planning organization and is continuously working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel,' the Pentagon rep told The Daily Mail in a statement. 'We won't speculate on further operations.' The White House directed The Daily Mail to Trump's comments about the city earlier this week. 'Chicago is a mess,' Trump said. 'You have an incompetent mayor -- grossly incompetent. And we'll straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this, and it won't even be tough.' In addition, Trump was invited to join Democrat Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a tour of Baltimore. Donald Trump was ready to expand his military crackdown into more Democratic cities on Sunday as Chicago was expected to receive National Guard troops and Baltimore was given a stark warning they would be next Last week, Trump said he was considering Chicago and New York for troop deployments. The move would mimic the military action in the nation's capital, where thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are patrolling the streets He responded by saying he might 'send in the troops' instead. Moore has criticized Trump's unprecedented flex of federal power aimed at combatting crime and homelessness in Washington. The governor last week invited Trump to visit his state to discuss public safety and walk the streets. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Moore asked 'in a rather nasty and provocative tone,' and then raised the specter of repeating the National Guard deployment he made in Los Angeles over the objections of California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom. 'Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other `Blue States are doing,' Trump wrote, as he cited a pejorative nickname he uses frequently for the California governor. 'But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the `troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.' Moore said he invited Trump to Maryland 'because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance' about improving crime rates in Baltimore. After a spike during the pandemic that matched nationwide trends, Baltimore's violent crime rate has fallen. The 200 homicides reported last year were down 24% from the prior year and 42% since 2021, according to city data. The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy troops to Chicago after Trump hinted that the Windy City would be the next target for a federal takeover following Washington Trump was invited to join Democrat Maryland Governor Wes Moore in a tour of Baltimore. He responded by saying he might 'send in the troops' instead Between 2023 and 2024, overall violent crime was down nearly 8% and property crimes down 20%. When reached for comment by The Daily Mail, Governor Moore said via a spokesperson Trump was representing 'what people hate most about politicians.' 'This is a President who would rather attack his country's largest cities from behind a desk than walk the streets with the people he represents.' 'The President should join us in Baltimore because the blissful ignorance, tropes, and the 1980s scare tactics benefit no one. We need leaders who are there helping the people who are actually on the ground doing the work.' He also called the city 'a story of resilience and strength' as the murder rate has dropped. Trump and Moore also traded accusations regarding military service on Sunday. The president asked on Truth Social: 'Did Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, lie about getting a Bronze Star?' Last year, Moore said that he made 'an honest mistake' in failing to correct a White House fellowship application 18 years ago when he wrote he had received a Bronze Star for his military service in Afghanistan though he never ended up receiving it, after the New York Times obtained a copy of the application and reported on it. Trump and Moore (pictured center left with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott) also traded accusations regarding military service on Sunday Moore responded by asking on X: 'Did Donald Trump, the President of the United States, lie about an injury to dodge the Vietnam draft?' In Washington, where Trump is surging National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers, a patchwork of protests popped up throughout the city over the weekend, while some normally bustling corners were noticeably quiet. In some of the most populated areas, residents walked by small groups of national guardsmen, often talking among themselves. Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media. Trump has repeatedly described some of the nations largest cities - run by Democrats, with Black mayors and majority-minority populations - as dangerous and filthy. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is Black, as is Moore. The District of Columbia and New York also have Black mayors. The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking during a religious event Sunday at Howard University in Washington, said the Guard's presence in the nation's capital was not about crime: 'This is about profiling us.' 'This is laced with bigotry and racism,' he later elaborated to reporters. 'Not one white mayor has been designated. And I think this is a civil rights issue, a race issue, and an issue of D.C. statehood.' Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said there is no emergency warranting the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. 'Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families,' Pritzker wrote on X. 'Well continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans.' Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city doesn't need 'a military occupation' and would sue to block one. He said there has been no communication from the White House about a possible military deployment. 'Were not going to surrender our humanity to this tyrant,' Johnson said Sunday on MSNBC. 'I can tell you this, the city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny, resisting those who wish to undermine the interests of working people.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the mayors of Baltimore and Chicago for further comment. Erin Patterson's former inmate has made shocking claims about the murderer's life behind bars. Patterson, 50, was found guilty of poisoning three of her in-laws with a lunch laced with death cap mushrooms and will be sentenced after listening to victim impact statements at the Victorian Supreme Court, starting today. A jury convicted the Leongatha woman of murdering Don and Gail Patterson, the parents of her estranged husband, Simon, and his aunt, Heather Wilkinson. In addition to the three murders, Patterson was also convicted of attempting to kill Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson. Justice Christopher Beale will decide on a head sentence and a non-parole period for the convicted killer. Her lawyers will state mitigating factors which they argue should afford her some leniency. However, she will without doubt return to her cell at Melbourne's only all-female maximum security prison, at Ravenhall, 20km west of the city. A former inmate, who was released in March this year, branded Patterson "a real rude b***h" and claimed her cell was filthy. Erin Patterson's (pictured) former inmate has revealed the triple murderer is filthy and said her cell 'was a pig sty' Patterson is an inmate at Melbourne's only all-female maximum security prison, at Ravenhall, 20km west of the city 'Her cell was a pig sty. She was very serious, never smiled, only made fun of people, was narcissistic and hardly slept,' the former inmate told news.com.au. She claimed when the triple murdered first moved to the Murray Unit, the protection unit, other inmates would say hello to her but she would ignore them. 'Any interaction she has with people, she tries to manipulate them and make them feel like shit,' she said. The inmate claimed Patterson didn't deny her crimes but said they couldn't be proved and didn't believe she would be convicted. She said there's no way Patterson will be able to cope with spending her life behind bars. She claimed Patterson spends her time crocheting and thought she was 'entitled to whatever she wants' because her case is so high profile. 'She spent her time by herself arguing with another inmate about who was getting more attention,' the former inmate added. On Monday, Patterson will be transported from Dame Phyllis Frost Centre to face a pre-sentence hearing in Melbourne's Supreme Court. A jury convicted Paterson of murdering Don (left) and Gail (right) Patterson, the parents of her estranged husband, Simon Patterson was convicted of murdering her estranged husband's aunt, Heather Wilkinson (left) and the attempted murder of Heather's husband, Ian (right) The Trial of Erin Patterson is available now, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen here There she will be forced to hear about the devastation she inflicted on loved ones of her victims as they present their victim impact statements to the court. It's understood that Simon Patterson will not attend Monday's hearing in person. Earlier this month, when Justice Beale asked how many statements were expected, Crown prosecutor Jane Warren answered: 'All I can say is a lot.' Among those expected to confront Patterson are Ian, Don and Gail's four children, and Heather and Ian's four children. They will be given the option to read out their statements or have them shared by a prosecutor. One of the most anticipated statements is from Simon, who did not attend the trial in person except for the three days he testified as a witness. A vicious fight on a New Orleans school bus saw a student's mom rip the hair from the school bus monitor's head after she told the teen they couldn't sit at the back of the bus. Tamika Jackson was working her shift as the school bus monitor earlier this week, when a simple request to a McDonogh 35 High School student landed her in the emergency room. 'Whats happening with our youth? How disrespectful our youth have become... and rebellious,' her husband, Johnny Jackson, told Fox 8. Tamika had become suspicious of the students frequently sitting at the back of the bus and told the student not to sit in the last two rows. 'For the previous week and a half, a lot of the students have been going to the back of the bus, and my wife suspected they may be doing some lewd acts toward the back of the bus, so she told the student, "Hey, you cant go back there,"' Johnny said. The student, however, decided to call her mother who then boarded the bus at a stop further along the route. Video footage captured the sudden violent fight between the three which left Tamika with her hair pulled out of her head as well as bite marks and scratches. 'The mother... then just reaches out and hits her in the face, and then the assault occurs so now the daughter joins the fray,' Johnny said. Tamika Jackson was working her shift as the school bus monitor earlier this week, when a simple request to a McDonogh 35 High School student landed her in the emergency room Tamika had become suspicious of the students frequently sitting at the back of the bus and told the student not to sit in the last two rows Video footage captured the sudden violent fight between the three which left Tamika with her hair pulled out of her head as well as bite marks and scratches The recording of the fight saw the teenager viciously throwing punches at Tamika while the student's mother could be seen pulling her hair 'They pulled her hair out. They bit her in her face, on her lips, on her thumbs, scratched face. She has a large gash running across her face.' The recording of the fight saw the teenager viciously throwing punches at Tamika while the student's mother could be seen pulling her hair. The bus monitor was left with scratches across her face and a portion of her hair ripped from her head. Her husband described the injuries as severe. Johnny Jackson also took issue with the New Orleans Police Department, which issued his wife a summons for disturbing the peace. 'This was the statement that was provided to me by not only the officers that were on site... the captain came out as well and told me the same thing: that until they get video footage, they have to treat this as a routine fight, which is insane knowing that my wife is at work,' he told Fox 8. NOPD told the outlet that there are no police reports currently in their system related to the case. InspireNOLA Charter Schools, which governs McDonogh 35, also told Fox 8 that it is actively investigating the incident and that the safety of students and staff is a top priority. The Daily Mail has reached out to InspireNOLA Charter Schools for comment. A glamorous law student died after suffering a severe allergic reaction while undergoing a routine medical procedure. Leticia Paul, 22, was getting a contrast-enhanced CT scan at the Alto Valle Regional Hospital in Rio du Sul, Brazil on Wednesday when she went into anaphylactic shock, local outlets reported. The severe reaction came from the fluid that is injected into the body before a scan. The law student was immediately intubated at the hospital, but she died less than 24 hours after the procedure, her aunt Sandra Paul told G1. The aunt explained that her niece had a history of kidney stones and underwent the CT scan, which uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sections of the body. Paul had recently earned a law degree from Colegio Sinodal Ruy Barbosa and was pursuing post graduate studies in Law and Real Estate, according to Oeste SC Noticias. 'We express our solidarity with her family and friends, wishing them comfort and strength in this time of grief,' her alma mater said. In a statement following Paul's untimely death, the Alto Vale Regional Hospital said it 'regrets the loss and expresses its solidarity with the family. 'We take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to ethics, transparency and healthcare safety, highlighting that all procedures are conducted in accordance with recommended clinical protocols,' the hospital said in a translated statement to G1. Leticia Paul, 22, died after suffering a severe allergic reaction while undergoing a CT scan on Wednesday The Alto Valle Regional Hospital in Rio du Sul, Brazil said it 'regrets the loss and expresses its solidarity with the family' Iodinated contrast is often injected into a vein during such CT scans, MRIs and X-rays to make the organs and tissues more visible. The chemical substance is widely used in medicine and is generally considered safe, with severe allergic reactions only occurring in roughly one to 5,000 to one in 10,000 cases. Most people will just experience mild symptoms, like warmth, nausea or itching after an IV is injected. Lawyers for accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon are set to drop a bombshell in court on Tuesday morning as they finally enter pleas on two charges of murder. Lamarre-Condon's lawyer Ben Archbold - his third since he was accused of gunning down his ex-boyfriend Jesse Baird and Mr Baird's new lover 18 months ago - is expected to enter pleas in the Downing Centre Local Court. The pleas will be entered while Lamarre-Condon appears via an audiovisual link from Silverwater prison and with his mother Coleen Lamarre present in court. Lamarre-Condon is charged with the murders of television presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his Qantas flight attendant boyfriend Luke Davies, 29, at Paddington in Sydney's eastern suburbs in February 2024. Then a serving member of the NSW Police since joining in 2017, Lamarre-Condon is accused of bundling Mr Davies and Mr Baird's bodies into surfboard bags and dumping them about 180km south-west of Sydney. Police located Mr Davies and Mr Baird's remains in the NSW Southern Tablelands on February 27 last year, eight days after Lamarre-Condon allegedly shot them dead with his Glock service pistol. A day before the bodies were found, Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson revealed an alleged timeline of events leading up to and following the men's deaths. Mr Hudson said gunshots were heard coming from Mr Baird's rented terrace house on the morning of February 19. Accused killer cop Beau Lamarre-Condon (above) is set to finally enter pleas on murder charges relating to his ex-boyfriend and his ex-boyfriend's new partner Beau Lamarre-Condon is accused of shooting dead television presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his Qantas flight attendant boyfriend Luke Davies, 29, (above, together) at Paddington in Sydney's eastern suburbs in February 2024 Police located the remains of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies near Bungonia in the NSW Southern Tablelands (above) eight days after they were allegedly murdered at Mr Baird's Paddington home in Sydney's east Later that evening, Lamarre-Condon allegedly hired a Toyota HiAce van from Sydney Airport and on February 21 drove the vehicle to a property near the tiny town of Bungonia with a female companion. Lamarre-Condon allegedly left the property about 4.30am and drove to Newcastle where he asked a former policewoman if he could borrow a hose to clean the van. Neither woman is accused of any wrongdoing and the female ex-cop spoke to police when her suspicions were raised. About 10.30am the next day, February 23, Lamarre-Condon walked into Bondi police station and was arrested. The bodies of Mr Davies and Mr Baird were found at Bungonia on February 27 several hours after detectives spoke with Lamarre-Condon in the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre in Silverwater. Lamarre-Condon has a year-and-a-half in prison since the shootings, which were allegedly the result of a months-long campaign of 'predatory behaviour' targeting Mr Baird. A former celebrity chaser, Lamarre-Condon reportedly briefly dated Mr Baird before the Studio Ten and Totally Wild presenter began a relationship with Mr Davies just weeks before their deaths. Former celebrity chaser Beau Lamarre-Condon (above, with Katy Perry) joined the police force and is now behind bars, accused of a double murder Behind bars since February last year, Lamarre-Condon is charged with the alleged murders of Jesse Baird, 26, and Qantas flight attendant Luke Davies, 29 (above, the men together) Lamarre-Condon, who was sacked from the police force in March last year, is also charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit an indictable offence. Before becoming a police officer, Lamarre-Condon ran a celebrity blog, posing in photos with dozens of visiting celebrities including Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Harry Styles and Katy Perry. Prosecutor Jane Warren spoke to submissions on Pattersons time in jail, while saying the court should show the 'cruel killer' no mercy. The prosecutor said although the case will hold its notoriety, Patterson herself will soon be forgotten. Turning to Patterson's jail conditions, Ms Warren said she accepted it was a relevant consideration in sentencing her 'I have my concerns,' Justice Beale said. 'Shes been in her cell mostly for 22 hours every day. It doesnt sound very humane.' Justice Christopher Beale said Patterson's notoriety was likely to continue and could contribute to her being kept in isolation for much of her sentence. Ms Warren argued society would likely forget about who she was in time, and this would allow her to be moved eventually back into general population. She used Port Arthur killer Martin Bryant as an example, suggesting people aged in their 20s may not know who he was today. Justice Beale asked if there had been a TV show made about Bryant, Ms Warren wasnt sure, but added Netflix now makes shows about 'everything'. Ms Warren also called on Justice Beale to dismiss any suggestion Patterson has Aspergers. 'It is a crime that is so cruel and so horrific that the offender here should be shown no mercy from the court,' Ms Warren said. 'I agree with you the offending here is horrendous,' Justice Beale said. The plea has wrapped and Patterson will be sentenced on September 8. Four in 10 Gen Z employees want to work in an office, new research has found. Young workers aged between 16 and 24 say they feel lonely after starting their careers during COVID lockdowns which saw a boom in the number of people working from home. They say this has led them to miss out on key bonding opportunities such as post-shift drinks and social interaction. A survey of 8,000 British adults by health insurance firm Bupa found that Gen Z suffered the most from loneliness, particularly those who have made careers out of being social media influencers. Nearly 50 per cent of influencers said they were planning a return to a more traditional working role in the research. Some 45 per cent of Gen Z workers said they wanted more social bonding in their next jobs, compared to just a quarter of those in all other age brackets. Workplace experts have now urged employers to provide young staff with the option to increase physical interaction. Tom Brown, 24, said he quit his remote job because he missed seeing people on a day-to-day basis and now works in an office. Many young workers aged between 16 and 24 are desperately looking to get back into the office after years of working from home, according to new research (Stock Image) He told The Times: 'While there were upsides to working remotely, the downside was the limitations on social interaction, and I've now learnt I'm not prepared to compromise on this. 'When looking for a new job I specifically applied for roles with a physical office where I have supportive colleagues, can socialise at lunchtimes and meet friends in town in the evenings. 'My wellbeing is already improving as a result.' Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, told the publication that young people's experience of work had 'shifted significantly in recent years'. He added: 'Already more likely to find themselves in insecure employment when they enter the labour market, the rapid introduction of new technologies and a rise in hybrid and remote working practices can risk many young people feeling disconnected from their colleagues and employer.' In recent months, some Gen Z employees have gone viral for sharing tips to online followers on how to avoid doing work in the office. Gen Z workers say working from home has led them to miss out on key bonding opportunities such as post-shift drinks and social interaction (Stock Image) One facade known as 'task masking' saw one influencer post to TikTok with tips on how to trick bosses by simply looking busy. Youngsters were urged to get involved in performative tasks such as typing loudly, wearing AirPods and walking quickly in a bid to appear productive. Gen Z have previously jumped on the 'quiet quitting' craze, which means doing the bare minimum at work, while others have said they're 'micro-retiring' by taking months off at a time. Many employers have cracked down on remote working in recent times, with Amazon, JP Morgan and retail chain Primark just some who are driving such initiatives. It was reported earlier this year that nine in ten British workers have been made to come back into the office as the working-from-home era wanes. An Albanian gang member who smuggled people into Britain has claimed the Government could stop the crossings tomorrow but does not want to. The people smuggler said he thought Labour is not stopping small boats from crossing the Channel because it bolsters the country's workforce. The man, who would only speak if he could remain anonymous, told the Daily Express: 'I don't believe the UK lacks the means to stop this type of thing from happening.' It would be easy, he claimed, to stop the boats leaving France as they all depart from just two or three spots on the French coastline, taking known, trackable routes. He admitted to earning around 400,000 from hundreds of people in desperation by sending them on dinghies to this country, before he quit the trade earlier this year. But the people smuggler also dubbed the current series of anti-migrant protests outside British hotels housing asylum seekers 'laughable'. This was because, he said, most of the passengers he sees are just 'hopeless' young people, willing to put themselves at risk in search of a better life. 'I don't think a woman with a toddler can be considered a criminal', he reflected, adding migrants are not Britain's 'main problem' in the way many think they are. An Albanian gang member who smuggled people into Britain has claimed the Government could stop the crossings tomorrow but does not want to. Pictured: Migrants board a small boat on August 12, 2025, in Gravelines, France The gangster said he thought Labour is not doing so because it bolsters the country's workforce. Pictured: Migrants board a smuggler's boat off Gravelines beach in France on August 12, 2025 He said it would be easy to stop the boats leaving France as they all depart from just two or three spots on the French coastline, taking known, trackable routes. Pictured: Smuggler's taxi-boat off Gravelines beach in France on August 12, 2025 Around 50,000 small boats have arrived in the UK since Labour entered Government in July last year. And the Home Office this month announced measures to 'crack down' on social media promoting illegal passage from France to the UK. But the gang member doubted this would succeed as most people smugglers, including him, he said, are based outside British jurisdiction. In fact, he said it was nearly impossible for this to work as those involved in the business would not have gotten into it if they felt bound by or feared the law. The man himself used to advertise his services via social media - which is an offence and one now set to be met in this country with a serious sentence. And he said it is extremely difficult to catch or track such efforts, with fake addresses and phone numbers easily bought on the black market for regularly changing. Closing down a particular mode or platform for communication he thought would not work as the trade would simply regenerate elsewhere. The people smuggler was also not convinced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's long-running claim 'smashing' gangs such as his would stop small boat arrivals. He admitted to earning around 400,000 from hundreds of people in desperation by sending them on dinghies to this country, before he quit the trade earlier this year. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in at Dover on August 12, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. This is because more than one country, he said, needs to be involved in order to solve this. He ventured an explanation as to why migrants are attracted to the UK, saying if it was 'the perfect country', he said, people would not come there. But the approach pursued by the British government, he said, has left 'big gaps' for illegal migrants to fill, also in terms of working here undocumented. It is known, for example, he felt, that many Albanians in the UK work in sectors like construction without full paperwork. The man said back in his native Albania, people smuggling was not seen as a negative, criminal endeavour. 'We are perceived as people enabling a path of hope, even though the journey has risks', he said. There have been widely publicised reports of passengers drowning during small boat crossings, he said, but people still do it, showing the extent of their desperation. The Home Office asked for the details of the people smuggler but he only spoke if he would be able to remain anonymous. 'I don't think a woman with a toddler can be considered a criminal', he reflected, adding migrants are not Britain's 'main problem' in the way many think they are. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are driven away from the Border Force compound in Dover on August 12, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'This government has already taken decisive action to dismantle organised smuggling operations securing the arrests of major trafficking ringleaders across Europe. 'In addition to launching the new Border Security Command, we have enhanced the operational strength of both the National Crime Agency and Immigration Enforcement substantially increasing enforcement activity. 'Within the NCA alone, this has already helped to produce a 40 per cent increase in disruptions of organised immigration crime networks in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.' It comes after small boat crossings under Labour surpassed the 50,000 mark earlier this month, equivalent to one migrant arriving every 11 minutes. On August 11, 474 people illegally entered the UK in eight small boats, taking the total number of migrants to have crossed the Channel since Labour came to power to 50,271 people. Critics of the Prime Minister's 'smash the gangs' strategy have long insisted it will not work without a deterrent for migrants themselves. Sir Keir reached the 50,000 figure seven months faster than his predecessor, the Conservative Party's Rishi Sunak. The Labour leader scrapped the ex-PM's Rwanda scheme to send asylum seekers there to have their claims processed as one of his first acts in office. Around 50,000 small boats have arrived in the UK since Labour entered Government in July last year. Pictured: Migrant families climb on to a small boat at Gravelines, France, on August 12, 2025 The Home Office this month announced measures to 'crack down' on social media promoting illegal passage from France to the UK. Pictured: Migrants try to board a smuggler's boat to cross the Channel off Gravelines beach in France on August 12, 2025 Only a handful of migrants had gone to the central African country voluntarily under the policy which Home Secretary Yvette Cooper claimed the Tories spent 700million on. Asked about the passing of the 50,000 milestone, Labour education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith of Malvern called it 'unacceptable' and the fault of the previous Conservative government. She told BBC Breakfast: 'It is an unacceptable number of people. 'It sort of demonstrates the way over the last six or seven years that the criminal gangs have got an absolute foothold in the tragic trafficking of people across the Channel.' Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour's promise to 'smash the criminal boat gangs' in its manifesto last year was 'just a slogan', with crossings now 'so much worse' than they were before last year's vote. 'Their one in, one out scheme isn't going to work, and what we're seeing is a lot of local communities having to pay the price and bear the brunt of the Government's incompetence', she continued. It came after Labour's 'one in, one out' deal with France became operational earlier in the month. UK officials aim to make referrals for returns to France within three days of a migrant's arrival by small boat, while French authorities will respond within 14 days. An approved asylum seeker in France will be brought to the UK under a safe route as part of the exchange. The Home Office said: 'Since coming to office, this government has already taken decisive action to dismantle organised smuggling operations securing the arrests of major trafficking ringleaders across Europe. 'In addition to launching the new Border Security Command, we have enhanced the operational strength of both the National Crime Agency and Immigration Enforcement substantially increasing enforcement activity. 'Within the NCA alone, this has already helped to produce a 40 per cent increase in disruptions of organised immigration crime networks in 2024/25 compared to 2023/24.' A video showing a woman confronting a security guard over a patch on his uniform has ignited fierce debate online about the symbol's meaning. The footage, filmed at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north, shows the woman questioning the guard about an Australian flag patch featuring a thin blue line. 'Why do you have that on you? It's a white supremacist thing,' she says in the video. The guard initially responds, but the woman interrupts: 'I'm a historian. You need to take it off. I've seen you wear it several times.' He eventually removes the patch as she urges him to 'look up the thin blue line on Google and actually read into it.' The thin blue line flag originated in the United States and is used by some as a symbol of support for police. But the symbol has become controversial, and some police forces, including Victoria and the Northern Territory, have banned it after critics linked it to politics and far-right groups. After the video was posted online, many Australians rejected the association of the symbol with white supremacy, arguing it simply represents support for police. A woman called out a security guard at Northland Shopping Centre for wearing a blue line flag (pictured) The thin blue line flag originated in the United States and is used by some as a symbol of support for police One commentator, criticised the woman's stance: 'So proudly being Australian and wearing the Australian flag on your uniform is classed as white supremacy? What a moron to actually think that is a racist symbol.' She added: 'A quick Google search will show you that the thin blue line means solidarity with law enforcement. God forbid people are proud to be Australian these days.' After the woman posted the video, she received a massive wave of criticism with some viewers going so far as to send her death threats. Several Aussies have dismissed the international associations with the blue line flag and slammed the Melburnian for labelling the Australian flag and police support as 'white supremacy'. One commentator called for the world to 'bring back common sense'. 'So proudly being Australian and wearing the Australian flag on your uniform is classed as white supremacy?' she questioned. 'What a moron to actually think that is a racist symbol, the Australian flag. 'A quick Google search will show you that thin blue line means solidarity with law enforcement and police. 'God forbid, people are proud to be Australian these days. That's how far our country has fallen in this clown world.' A couple in Oklahoma has been arrested after an 11-year-old girl in their care gave birth at home without any medical assistance - though they insist they did not know the girl was pregnant. The young girl's mother, Cherie Walker, 33, and her stepfather, Dustin Walker, 34, are facing felony child neglect charges after they allegedly failed to provide supervision or medical care to the child, who gave birth at their house in Muskogee on August 16, Fox 23 reports. She was 36 weeks pregnant and gave birth to a full-term baby, according to court documents obtained by the local news station. Investigators also claimed in the charging documents that the 11 year old received no prenatal care and had not been to the doctor in over a year. She was also reportedly homeschooled. Prosecutors then only found out about the incident after the girl was taken to a local hospital following the birth of her child. 'I was horror-stricken to find out it's an 11-year-old girl who's given birth, and that she had no medical care and she had no one to be with her,' Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson told KJRH. She added in remarks to News on 6 that the young girl is 'traumatized.' 'She's been through a horrific ordeal. I mean, not only has somebody gotten her pregnant, but she gave birth at home without medical assistance and this will be with her... for the rest of her life.' Dustin, 34, and Cherie Walker, 33, are facing felony child neglect charges after Cherie's 11-year-old daughter gave birth The young girl gave birth to a full-term baby inside the family's home in Muskogee, Oklahoma (pictured) on August 16, prosecutors say Hutson says she is now planning on filing additional charges against Cherie and Dustin, who are being held on a $100,000 bond ahead of their scheduled September 3 court appearance. Prosecutors are also awaiting paternity tests to determine who may have impregnated the young girl. Those may take two weeks to complete. In the meantime, the 11-year-old girl and her five siblings have been removed from the home, where next door neighbor Cheryl Adkins said they were exposed to unstable and unsanitary conditions. 'They have no running water for the last two or three years,' she claimed to KJRH, noting that she made several calls to police and authorities over the years to check on the children - and is now afraid that help arrived too late. Adkins also said she is convinced that Cherie and Dustin knew about the young girl's pregnancy, despite their insistence that they were completely unaware. 'This is getting to me,' the neighbor said. 'They robbed her of her childhood.' The young girl's grandmother, only identified as Michelle, though, said the community does not know the whole story. 'I just want people to know, we did not know this was happening. None of us,' she said, adding that she is upset that her daughter and son-in-law are being portrayed as 'monsters.' The young girl's grandmother, only identified as Michelle, said the community does not know the whole story 'They are not,' the grandmother said. 'They love those children. They love them.' She also claimed that the house is in such poor condition because of the family's pets. 'We have animals, and so sometimes there's trash on the floor because the dogs get into the trash,' Michelle explained. 'It gets cleaned up.' 'Right now it's probably a mess because the animals are in there,' she admitted. 'We try to let them out, but they try to keep it clean,' she said of her daughter and son-in-law. As to who may have impregnated her granddaughter, Michelle said the young girl told her the baby's father is a 12 year old whom Michelle used to babysit. 'She keeps telling everybody it was him,' she said. 'They got curious. That's all I know.' An AirAsia flight bound for Bali was forced to circle over Rottnest Island after suffering engine issues shortly after leaving Perth. Flight QZ545 departed Perth for Bali at 6.30pm Sunday but veered off over the Indian Ocean, circling Rottnest Island, and burning fuel so the plane was a safe weight for landing before landing back just an hour later. During this time, the lights were completely out in the cabin. Passengers claim they saw flames shooting from the engine moments before landing. 'At first we thought it was lightning, but we were on the exit row so we had the full advantage,' one passenger told 9News. 'You can see just going bang, and you can see the sort of explosion and the flames.' The plane was met with fire trucks as it landed at Perth Airport. A Perth Airport spokesperson said: 'Passengers were rescheduled onto flights this morning at 3.30am and 6.30am.' Daily Mail contacted AirAsia and Perth Airport for comment. Passengers on a flight heading to Bali say they saw flames coming from the engine before the plane had landed The AirAisa fligth path showed it circling Rottnest Island before going back to Perth The flight was forced to return to Perth after experiencing engine issues shortly after takeoff Jacqui Lambie has taken a swipe at Donald Trump, claiming the US President is 'really rude' for not holding a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese since he returned to power last year. In an opinion piece published in Nine Newspapers, former Attorney-General George Brandis claimed that it was an 'open secret' in Washington that the Australian Embassy has been unable to secure a meeting for Albanese with Trump. 'Any other Australian prime minister would have been in the White House by now. Albanese is in the doghouse,' Brandis wrote. But Lambie, the Independent Senator for Tasmania, took a different view when asked by Today host Sarah Abo whether she agreed with Brandis's assessment. 'I think it's probably worked well. Our tariffs didn't go up a second time, so that was a bit of a bonus,' Lambie said. 'So maybe if Albo stays away from him that may continue. But I think it's really rude actually of Trump to be doing what he's doing. 'I know that the government of the day is doing everything it can to secure a meeting with him and him just ignoring it. It's actually the embarrassment on Trump, it's not on Albanese at all. 'Quite frankly, if he doesn't want to meet you, then why push why push the envelope.' Jacqui Lambie (pictured) has taken a swipe at Donald Trump , claiming the US President is 'really rude' for not holding a meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese since he returned to power last year Albanese is yet to meet with the US COmmander-in-Chief Lambie argued that it was unacceptable that the US had placed tariffs on its supposedly close allies, especially when Australia was shelling out billions for the AUKUS submarine deal. 'Seriously, I just think it's really, really rude, considering we've got this big AUKUS deal that they're doing us over on. We've already paid $2bn out already and we haven't seen one piece of metal,' Lambie said. 'I mean, it's embarrassing, kissing their backside. Go figure. So you know, I don't think it makes any difference. 'Trump, even if you were mates with him or you weren't, or no matter the times you see him, when he decides to make his mind up, he makes mind up and everybody else pays the consequences. So that's how it works.' Albanese had been due to meet President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada in June. But the US President left the meeting of global world leaders early to deal with the crisis in ran. The Prime Minister appeared to lash out on Monday morning after he was asked about when he might secure a meeting with Trump. 'We'll have meetings with President Trump, a number of events over the coming months,' he told reporters in Canberra. Albanese had been due to meet President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada in June. But the US President left the meeting of global world leaders early to deal with the crisis in ran 'We're about to enter summit season and I look forward to discussions continuing face to face as they have been constructive when I've had discussions with President Trump.' But when he was pressed on whether he was confident of securing a meeting, he said: 'I refer to my previous 5,324 answers to that same question.' Senator Lambie's comments come as Defence Minister Richard Marles is due to visit the US this week for meetings with his counterpart Pete Hegseth. Brandis, who also served as the High Commissioner to the UK, warned that Australia's resistance to lifting its defence spending - a move the White House called for - has damaged bilateral relations. He also argued that the Albanese government's decision to recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN next month further damaged the relationship with the US. Trump's Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee claimed the US administration was 'disgusted by it'. Brandis added: 'The dangerous combination of a mercurial and petulant president, and a weak and diplomatically clueless prime minister, has kept the doors of the Oval Office embarrassingly shut to Anthony Albanese'. A British expat has blasted Aussies for being friendship 'snobs', claiming locals refuse to let newcomers into their tight-knit social circles. Layla, who has lived in Australia for 15 years, said that she doesn't understand the 'gatekeeping of friendship groups' she's noticed here. She compared the Aussie approach to what she experienced growing up in the UK. 'In the UK, you go on a night out and you meet someone really cool in the toilets, because you always meet your best friends in the toilets,' she said in a video posted to social media. 'You're like "you should come and hang out with me and my friends sometime". 'The following weekend you have a barbecue or a hangout and you invite, say she's French, and she comes and hangs out with you and your friends.' Layla said that back home, a new friend would quickly become part of the group - 'invited to everything' from that moment on. But in Australia, she claimed it's the opposite, slamming locals for keeping friendship circles closed. Layla was not happy with how Aussies managed their friendship groups and didn't intergrate them 'Well, in Australia you meet someone you get along with, you are introduced to all their friends, but you never crossover,' she said. 'You're over there, they're still all over there. You don't fully get invited to anything that they're all doing, but the one friend you get along with, they'll still hang out with you and come to all your things.' She claimed she was not alone and insisted it had nothing to do with the culture on the Gold Coast, where she lives. 'This gatekeeping on friendships. I know I'm not the only person who thinks this because every English chick I've met in the past couple of years has said the same thing,' she said. 'What is it with keeping everyone very separate.' Australians quickly jumped into the comments to back Layla's claims, admitting they had noticed the same thing. 'This is very accurate for Brisbane. If you didn't go to school here or if your established high school friendship group, you're on the outer forever,' one person said. 'As an Aussie, I share my friendship circles but they aren't shared with me. It's very frustrating so yes this is very real,' another said. Many Aussies won't introduce different friendship groups to each other Do Aussies make enough effort to mix their friendship groups? 'It's so common to have multiple birthday parties for your different friend groups. Like your work friends and then your high school friends and then your friends who you made as an adult. It's absolutely ridiculous. I want to meet my friend's friends,' a third person said. Many Australians online agreed, saying it's often difficult to make new friends. Backing that up, a new University of Sydney report revealed that more than 40 per cent of Australians aged 15 to 25 struggle with loneliness. One in four reported experiencing it in waves, while one in seven said they had felt isolated for at least two years. A toxic lesbian relationship at the maximum-security women's prison that Erin Patterson now calls home has come to an end. Former Jewish school headmistress and convicted child sex offender Malka Leifer has shifted her focus to an even younger prisoner after ending her disturbing romantic entanglement with inmate Samantha Azzopardi, the 36-year-old 'baby-faced' conwoman who habitually posed as a schoolgirl. News of their 'split' emerged after Leifer was caught on the jail's CCTV in July allegedly assaulting an Indigenous inmate at Dame Phyllis Frost Correctional Centre - the same prison where mushroom poisoner Patterson is being held. It comes as Azzopardi - who became close friends with Leifer when they were housed in the 31-bed protection wing, the Murray Unit - prepares to leave jail on parole in two months' time. The predatory Leifer - the former principal of Melbourne's ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School - is serving 15 years for sexually abusing two students. Prison authorities consider her to be highly manipulative, arrogant and entitled. Leifer reportedly kissed Azzopardi when they were housed together in the Murray Unit. Their romance was said to have 'unsettled' the guards, given Leifer's conviction for abusing girls and Azzopardi's history of impersonating minors. Azzopardi - who once posed as a teenage sexual abuse victim to obtain money or advantage - is coming to the end of her sentence, which may explain why she has distanced herself from Leifer, who reportedly had delusional plans to help her 'start over' in Israel after her release. Former headmistress and child sex offender Malka Leifer has shifted her focus to an even younger inmate after ending her disturbing entanglement with Samantha Azzopardi (above) Leifer (right) reportedly kissed Azzopardi when they were housed together in the Murray Unit. Their romance was said to have 'unsettled' the guards, given Leifer's conviction for abusing girls and Azzopardi's history of impersonating minors News of their 'split' emerged after Leifer was caught on CCTV in July allegedly assaulting an Indigenous inmate at Dame Phyllis Frost jail. (Pictured: a bleak prison 'airing yard') Leifer has been described as a loner behind bars but spent a lot of time with Azzopardi when the latter entered the prison and they were both confined to the fenced-off protection wing. Leifer is now in virtual solitary confinement in the bleak Swan 2 unit, following the alleged incident in the hallway in July with a younger Aboriginal woman, which apparently occurred in full view of CCTV. Swan 2 is a more restrictive environment, in which women are locked in their cells for up to 23 hours a day under close observation, and are generally only allowed out of their cells for one hour daily. Women in Swan 2 can ask to speak with a chaplain, make phone calls during the hour out of their cell, and have non-contact visits with family and friends. Leifer's alleged actions with the Aboriginal inmate mean she now cannot mix with other prisoners, and is subject to lockdowns. Leifer's time outside of her cell is now limited to a 20-minute visit to a caged airing yard, or a trip to the lounge room with a non-functional television. She may have also lost privileges, which previously included having a microwave in her cell and getting special orders of kosher food each week. This allowed her to bake challah - the braided bread eaten on the Jewish Sabbath, Friday to Saturday, and on Jewish holidays. Azzopardi, a serial fantasist, is believed to have used at least 70 aliases in her criminal career of scams, which a magistrate described last year as 'cunning, organised and repetitive' A prison van arrives at Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison last month carrying Erin Patterson, who is housed there along with Malka Leifer and conwoman Samantha Azzopardi Leifer, who will not be eligible for parole until mid-2029, fled to Israel in 2008 after former students, sisters Nicole Meyer, Dassi Erlich and Elly Sapper, made allegations against her. After a lengthy process to extradite her to Australia in 2021 to stand trial, she was jailed for 18 sexual offences dating back two decades. Azzopardi's expected release in October comes after she sensationally dropped an appeal mid-hearing via audio-visual link from prison in February when a judge warned her she might cop even more jail time. She was appealing a two-year jail sentence for defrauding two specialist family violence care providers in mid-2023 while pretending to be a 17-year-old sex-trafficked Belgian girl named Hattie Leigh. She had conned another woman into believing she was pregnant, abused and at extreme risk, and received more than $20,000 worth of accommodation, specialist care, clothing, medical costs and vouchers through family violence charities. She orchestrated the scam merely 40 days after completing a NSW corrections order for similar offending. Azzopardi, a serial fantasist, is believed to have used at least 70 aliases in her criminal career of scams, which a magistrate described last year as 'cunning, organised and repetitive'. A cell at Dame Phyllis Frost women's prison, where all maximum-security female inmates are housed, including Leifer and the Leongatha mushroom poisoner Erin Patterson Leifer allegedly preys on younger female inmates - but is now isolated from all other prisoners The Trial of Erin Patterson is available now, wherever you get your podcasts. Listen here She made world news in 2013 when she was found 'traumatised' outside the General Post Office in Dublin, Ireland posing as a 14-year-old sex trafficking victim unable to speak English. At the time, Azzopardi was 25. The following year, she claimed in Calgary, Canada, that she was Aurora Hepburn, a victim of sexual assault and abduction. Canadian police spent $150,000 investigating the case before eventually charging her with public mischief and deporting her. Azzopardi continued her fraudulent activity back in Australia, but as passing herself off as a minor became more difficult, she began involving people's children in her fantasies and was jailed for child stealing. A major airport was thrown into chaos after a worker suffered a 'medical event' on the tarmac, sparking flight delays. Emergency services responded to a medical incident at Auckland Airport, in New Zealand, at about 11am on Monday. Travellers on at least one flight bound for the South Island were left to sit on the plane for nearly an hour. An Auckland Airport spokesman told Daily Mail: 'Airport Emergency Services responded to a medical event this morning involving an airport worker.' The spokesman confirmed two domestic flights were delayed. One patient, in a moderate condition, was transported to Middlemore Hospital, the New Zealand Herald reported. Passengers were reportedly told a worker had suffered a 'very severe event' and 'could not be moved'. Both arrivals and departures were impacted by the incident. An Auckland Airport worker suffered a 'medical event' on Monday (stock) Passengers at Auckland Airport were forced to wait for nearly an hour, sitting on their plane on the tarmac (stock) All luggage carts travelling on the tarmac to the planes were stopped, causing delays. An Auckland Airport spokesman confirmed normal airport operations have now resumed. Anthony Albanese reckons 'academics talk in the academic world what I do is live in the real world'. Spare me. The Prime Minister earns north of $620,000 a year plus entitlements, lives rent free at the taxpayer funded PM's residence in Canberra (The Lodge), with a Sydney waterfront alternative property (Kirribilli House) available whenever it suits him. He's ferried around by VIP jet (he has a few of them), flanked by security guards, with a taxpayer-funded entourage to boot. He also enjoys the services of a private kitchen, chef and housekeepers. He isn't exactly swiping an Opal card at 6am or juggling a rent hike alongside the kids' after-school care bill. If Albanese's existence is 'the real world', Centrelink must be a theme park. When was the last time Albanese even worked in the so-called 'real world' anyway? He entered parliament all the way back in 1996, before which he was a paid Labor Party official and a political adviser prior to that. Does he even know what today's real world looks like? The cheap line Albo used was an attempt to dismiss commentary by the head of the Grattan Institute, who was calling out the need for higher taxes or cuts in government spending to balance the budget. The PM hoped to dismiss the substance of what she said by casting academics as tall poppies. Albanese's defensive comments when interviewed on ABC radio weren't just smug, they were lazy. It was a drive-by on people who actually spend their days buried in the numbers operating in the real world, which he well and truly left nearly 30 years ago when entering parliament. Most academics aren't floating around on endowments, they're stuck on short-term contracts, paying mortgages, riding the same trains as everyone else (unlike Albo). Almost all of them earn a mere fraction of the PM's salary yet still manage to read a budget paper without needing a focus group to help explain it to them. And the context of Albanese's slur only makes it worse. It came while batting away concerns that if spending doesn't come down, taxes will have to go up. That's real world basic arithmetic, not ideology. When was the last time Albanese (centre) even worked in the so-called 'real world' anyway? He entered parliament all the way back in 1996, before which he was a paid Labor Party official and a political adviser prior to that, writes Peter van Onselen Instead of engaging with the argument, the PM attacked the messenger, and did it with a cheap (and inaccurate) 'I'm authentic, they're elitist' swipe. Yet as the nation's Prime Minister he is the personification of an elite. The apex predator of elites, actually. Newsflash: the head of a policy think tank isn't a cloistered professor marking essays anyway. It is someone who reads the data and tells hard truths governments don't want to hear. If Albo wants to talk 'real world', try this: the budget's structural deficit is real. An ageing population is also real. Debt servicing costs are real. Pretending we can fund everything forever with good vibes and a second term glow is not. Dismissing expert advice because it's uncomfortable isn't authenticity, it's a show of deep insecurity by someone who should be well past that stage of life. Also, the schtick is so very tired. Every time the numbers bite, the government reaches for culture war theatrics to paint critics as out of touch boffins. It's a substitute for showing some policy spine. Real world leadership means fronting up to voters and saying: here's what we can afford, here's what we can't. Here is the tax mix we're going to fix, and here is who will have to pay for it. It doesn't mean sneering at people who did the homework you're avoiding. So here's a thought Albo: Drop the faux-bloke routine. Park the chauffeur-driven attempts at authenticity. Take the advice experts offer seriously, contest it if you can, but stop punching down with personalised slurs because the concerns raised make you uncomfortable. The 'real world' isn't a backdrop for your rehearsed political lines. It's the checkout, the rent, the energy bills and the interest repayments real Australians are dealing with. You might have come from humble origins, that much is true. But if you think you're living in the real world now you've become as delusional and out of touch as a politician can possibly get. President Donald Trump accused Chris Christie of 'criminal acts' and warned the former New Jersey Governor may be the next target of a politically-motivated raid. Trump unloaded on his former GOP ally after Christie appeared on ABC News and blasted the FBI raid of ex-National Security Advisor John Bolton. 'I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged 'News' Show, "This Week With George Slopadopolus," on ABC Fake News,' Trump said, using similar nicknames for both Christie and George Stephanopoulos. 'Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says?' Trump said before alluding to the infamous Bridgegate scandal, which tanked Christie's governorship and likely both his presidential runs. 'Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her,' he wrote. In 2013, top aides to Christie created traffic chaos on the George Washington Bridge in an act of retribution for a local mayor who refused to endorse his re-election. 'Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts,' Trump added. Then, the president suggested a possible investigation: 'For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!' Donald Trump said that friend-turned-foe 'Sloppy' Chris Christie (pictured) may be in line for the John Bolton treatment after the former New Jersey governor was critical of Trump in an interview After his appearance Sunday with ABC News' Jonathan Karl - guest hosting longtime Trump antagonist George Stephanopoulos' show - where Christie criticized the Bolton raid, Trump unloaded his former ally on Truth Social On the Sunday morning show, Christie was pointing out what he saw as Trump's hypocrisy regarding the early morning raid of Bolton. While he did agree that there was likely 'probable cause' that justified the raid, he felt Trump wasn't allowing himself to be judged by the same rules as Bolton. 'I think it's kind of funny to hear the president talk the way he does about Bolton and classified information, yet when he had classified information, the same rules didn't apply,' Christie said. The ex-New Jersey governor was also refusing to believe anything from the Ghislaine Maxwell deposition, though he said it was unlikely Trump had done anything wrong involving her ex-boyfriend, the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Bolton, who has since turned against Donald Trump after being fired from the White House in his first term, was home at the time of the 7:00 a.m. raid on his D.C.-area house, according to a source familiar. A senior US official told the New York Post that the raid - ordered by FBI Director Kash Patel - was part of the revival into an investigation into Bolton sending private national security documents to his wife and daughter from his work account. He allegedly did this just before Trump fired him in September 2019. The probe continued after Trump left office but was paused by the Biden administration. Christie was pointing out what he saw as Trump's hypocrisy regarding the FBI raid of Bolton (pictured right), Trump's former National Security Advisor At one point in the post, Trump digressed and mocked ABC News host Jonathan Karl's (pictured) hair Patel appeared to publicly address the raid on Friday, posting to X: 'NO ONE is above the law @FBI agents on mission.' The Daily Mail has reached out to a spokesperson for Bolton for comment. Bolton has not given a statement or made any comments to the press. The ex-Trump adviser turned critic returned to his home in Bethesda, Maryland Friday evening, nearly eight hours after the FBI raided the property. Bolton waved to the cameras but did not take questions from the press as he entered his house to greet his wife, who was visibly shaken by the federal dragnet. Throughout the raid that started at 7 am ET, more than a dozen federal agents were seen carrying boxes in and out of his house. Other agents were spotted entering Bolton's downtown Washington, D.C. office. A source told the Daily Mail that Bolton was home when the raid commenced, but he wasn't seen, making his exact whereabouts unclear. Instead, cameras caught a glimpse of his distressed wife, Gretchen Smith Bolton, at the front door interacting with the federal agents on Friday morning. Gretchen walked away from the door as agents entered the Bolton residence in Bethesda, which is one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. FBI Director Kash Patel (pictured center) appeared to publicly address the raid on Friday President Donald Trump reacted to the Bolton drama by comparing the raid his Mar-a-Lago property endured in 2022. Speaking in the Oval Office, the president said he wasn't involved in its execution, but quickly ripped into his nemesis. 'I purposely dont want to really get involved in it. Im not a fan of John Bolton,' he said. 'My house was raided also... So I know the feeling. Its not a good feeling.' During the raid, protesters affiliated with the anti-Trump group #NoKings showed up outside Bolton's house. A protester held a sign reading, 'Trump uses FBI for vengeance.' One of the demonstrators later told the Daily Mail they do not agree with Bolton's politics, but will still defend him as he faces Trump's FBI. The raid on Bolton's home comes after Hillary Clinton was investigated for her use of a private email server while Secretary of State - an issue that helped derail her 2016 election campaign. Locals fear a serial killer is prowling Tasmania after the disappearances or unsolved murders of eight women over the past 30 years, including one just two years ago. In mid-2023, Belgian tourist Celine Cremer, 31, went for a hike at Philosopher Falls near Waratah, but never returned. It's believed she set out on the picturesque walk on June 17, but a hunt was launched when she failed to board the Spirit of Tasmania to Victoria as planned on June 26. Her car was found at the walking track's parking lot on June 27. Water rescue experts and cadaver dogs joined emergency services for the desperate search but failed to find a trace of her. The search for Ms Cremer was finally scrapped on July 10, when the freezing winter conditions were judged fatal for anyone caught unprepared in the rugged wilderness. Ms Cremer's body is yet to be found, and it's not known if she met foul play or simply perished in the unforgiving bush. But in the context of the island's other mysteries, locals now fear an opportunistic serial killer is on the loose across the island. Locals fear a serial killer is prowling Tasmania after the disappearances or unsolved murders of eight women over the past 30 years, including one just two years ago Belgian tourist Celine Cremer, 31, (pictured) went for a hike at Philosopher Falls near Waratah, but never returned The hunt for Ms Cremer was finally scrapped on July 10, when the freezing winter conditions were judged fatal for anyone caught unprepared in the rugged wilderness Among the growing catalogue of unsolved deaths is the brutal, broad-daylight murder of Victoria Cafasso in October 1995. The 20-year-old British-Italian was found missing her bikini bottoms and stabbed 21 times in broad daylight on Beaumaris beach on October 11, 1995. She had been staying with relative Simon de Salis and had gone down to spend the morning sunbathing on the picturesque white sand beach. Her body was discovered partially submerged in the rising tide by a passer-by at 1.30pm. Despite more than 50 people on the beach that morning, there was not a single witness, and her killer has never been found. Two years earlier, in eerily similar circumstances, German backpacker Nancy Grunwaldt, 26, vanished from the same region near the town of Scamander. Ms Grunwaldt was last seen riding a hired mountain bike from the north-west town of St Helens to Scamander on March 12, 1993. The coroner's report said she stopped in Beaumaris for a morning walk on the beach to buy a soft drink from the Surfside Motel. British-Italian Victoria Cafasso (pictured) was murdered in broad daylight on Beaumaris beach Victoria had been stabbed 21 times on the upper body, back, neck and face Nancy Grunwaldt (pictured) vanished in 1993 while riding between St Helens and Scamander In 2003, the coroner found that she had been murdered, despite her body never being recovered, and it was found that the six-week delay between Ms Grunwaldt's last known location and a report of her missing hampered the investigation. A $500,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to a conviction of her killer. It is feared this ruthless killer may still stalk the Apple Isle to this day, after a string of shocking incidents along the state's wild northern regions. And a Tasmania-based online sleuth who calls himself TD (True Detective) told Daily Mail he believed at least some of these women died at the hands of a serial killer. ANGELA JEFFREY Tasmania Police continue to search for the remains of Angela Jeffrey, who disappeared from her home in Penguin on June 1, 2016, when she was 53. Her 2010 grey Mitsubishi Lancer sedan was found on June 3 in remote bushland near Bakers Beach. A coroner declared she had died. Angela Jeffrey's body has never been found, despite extensive searches HELEN MUNNINGS In 2012, a coroner found that the 20-year-old mum of one had died on or around July 23, 2008, in or near Burnie. She had told her mother, Karel, that she was heading to a doctor's appointment, but never returned. The 2012 inquest into her death spent time focusing on her relationship with Adam Taylor, the father of her son and the last person to see her alive. Ms Munnings' son Donovan was two at the time of her disappearance, and now lives with his father. In 2023, police upped the reward for information leading to a conviction to $500,000. Helen Munnings (pictured) went missing in Burnie on the way to a doctor's appointment EVE ASKEW On November 17, 1991, Eve Askew, 14, vanished from her family home in the Derwent Valley. Her brother Jacob has warned that whoever took his sister 'will strike again'. 'It will happen and the next time it's going to be your family, it's going to be someone close to you,' he said. In appealing for information, he said, 'So come forward, protect your own family, and let's get this person behind bars where he belongs.' Teenager Eve Askew was last known to be listening to music in her Derwent Valley RACHEL FUNARI A New York-born journalist who had been living in Australia for some time, Rachel disappeared from tourist hotspot Bruny Island in March 2011. Coroner Christopher Webster declined to hold a public inquest into Ms Funari's death. 'There is no evidence to suggest any other person contributed to Ms Funaris death or disappearance,' he said in 2012. 'I find that Ms Funari has probably died at an unknown location in bushland or in the waters surrounding Bruny Island on or about 3 March 2011.' The coroner declined an inquest into the disappearance of American journalist Rachel CLARE HUTCHISON On December 11, 2000, Clare Hutchison, 20, set off for a hike at Lake St Clair, intending to return on December 21. She failed to return. Despite extensive searches, she has never been found. Victoria is set to become the first state to sign a treaty with traditional owners, after the First Peoples' Assembly ratified an in-principle agreement with the Allan government last week. The Treaty will enshrine the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria as a permanent statutory body with new accountability powers. It will be able to question ministers, hold public hearings and scrutinise government programs, but will have no power to veto policy or legislation. Legislation could be introduced to parliament within week, pending Cabinet approval. If passed without major changes, it would mark the first formal Treaty between an Australian state and traditional owners since colonisation, with a ceremonial signing expected later this year. The move would effectively create a state-based version of the Voice, which was rejected in a national referendum in 2023. Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg said the new body would provide independent oversight of government policy from a First Peoples' perspective. 'The first statewide Treaty will make the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria permanent and expand our responsibilities, including having the power to hold government to their promises,' he said. First People's Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg said it would work with Ministers to ensure they delivered for First Peoples Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan 'We will be able to make representations to and work with Ministers to ensure they are delivering for First Peoples. 'We will provide concrete solutions and recommendations to improve outcomes for our communities, helping to make the most of investment in systems and programs directed to First Peoples. 'It is not just about being able to say, "This is no good"; it is saying "This is what we recommend should be happening." That is the key step,' he told Nine. He said the process could pave the way for other states. 'We are looking at this as the first statewide treaty which will set up the processes to enable future conversations to continue happening. That's why it was critical to get the architecture right,' he said. Minister for Treaty Gabrielle Williams said the principle was simple: 'When you listen for the voices of those whose policies you directly impact, those policies are better.' The Treaty process has cost the Victorian government $382million over the past decade. It was shaped by the broader Yoorrook Justice Commission inquiry, which called for far-reaching reforms including the Treaty. Auntie Geraldine Atkinson, acting Victorian Premier James Merlino, Aboriginal affairs advocate Marcus Stewart, Gabrielle Williams and Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO announcing the launch of an Indigenous reconciliation inquiry, in Melbourne In its final report, delivered in July, Yoorrook recommended a statewide redress scheme, recognition of Indigenous sovereignty, exemptions from taxes, access to natural resource revenues, and a formal government apology. It documented at least 50 massacres across Victoria by the 1860s, concluding that violence, disease, dispossession and cultural erasure had brought about the 'near-complete physical destruction' of Aboriginal people in the state. The report has given the Victorian government a two-year window to respond to its findings. Allan said the findings made for 'tough reading' because they 'tell the truth' about how the state was colonised. However the Liberal opposition and groups such as the Australian Christian Lobby have criticised the process, warning it risks deepening division. 'As Christians, we care deeply about the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians. But this Treaty risks trapping Indigenous communities in life-long dependency instead of truly "closing the gap",' an Australian Christian Lobby spokesperson said. 'It entrenches racial division and threatens to fracture our State. The truth is hard to ignore: "separatism" disguised as self-determination does more harm than good. 'Allan's state treaty will not empower the Indigenous community. It will instead make every Victorian worse off.' Liberal opposition leader Brad Battin labelled it a 'Victorian Voice to Parliament'. 'This has already been put to a vote throughout the state, and Victoria has said that they overwhelmingly don't want a Voice to Parliament,' Battin previously said. 'Unlike Jacinta Allan, I am listening. While the Premier pushes ahead with her ideological agenda, families are battling a cost-of-living crisis, surging crime, and a health system at breaking point.' A picture of a recent arrest made by an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent is going viral for a peculiar reason. ICE San Diego shared the photo of a female officer arresting an illegal Mexican immigrant, 42-yera-old Diego Hernandez, on Saturday morning. In the photo, the officer's back is turned to the camera and her hair is flicked over her shoulder as she wears her federal agent vest and black slacks. The post itself has racked up almost 28 million views in less than two days, and sparked accusations that the agency was staged the photo for clicks. 'Am I f***ing crazy, or is this them trying to humiliate a random immigrant and using an ICE agent's fat delicious a** just to make sure it gains traction,' one X user asked. 'If I renounce my citizenship, does that mean they will send her to my house? asking for a friend,' another joked. A third added: 'Anyone have the federal agents @?' ICE San Diego shared the photo of a female officer arresting an illegal Mexican immigrant, 42-yera-old Diego Hernandez, on Saturday morning Hernandez was wearing a South Park T-shirt at the time of his arrest, featuring character Eric Cartman and the quote: 'Whatever! I do what I want.' One of his shoes had fallen off prior to the snap being taken, and his eyes were closed. Hernandez has multiple drunk driving convictions and is expected to be deported to Mexico. He was taken into ICE custody after local law enforcement notified ICE of his arrest. ICE agents often pose with their backs to the camera in order to avoid being identified. 'ICE San Diego arrested Diego Hernandez, 42, an illegal alien from Mexico with multiple convictions for DUI and repeated illegal re-entry into the U.S.,' ICE San Diego said in a statement regarding the arrest. 'He chose to break our laws again and again. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal- because public safety comes first.' ICE agents often pose with their backs to the camera in order to avoid being identified The agency is undergoing mass growth as President Donald Trump seeks to ramp up his deportation agenda. Congress passed legislation giving ICE $76.5 billion in new money to help speed up the pace of deportations - nearly 10 times the agencys current annual budget. Almost $30 billion is allocated to hiring new staff. ICE currently has about 6,500 deportation officers, and it is aggressively looking to beef up those numbers. Acting Director Todd Lyons says he wants to hire an additional 10,000 by the end of 2025. The agency has launched a new recruiting website, offered hiring bonuses as high as $50,000, and is advertising at career expos. Lyons said the agency has already received 121,000 applications many from former officers. A TikTok user with thousands of followers has been arrested after he allegedly posted videos and made comments about killing his co-worker over a $31,000 debt. Naqibullah Habibzoi, 23, from Houston, was arrested Thursday and charged with the May 31 shooting death of 34-year-old Awal Noor Kiftan, his former coworker at a trucking company, the San Antonio Express-News reports. Police say they responded to the scene of Kiftan's apartment at around 11pm and found him unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was then pronounced dead at the scene. As part of the investigation, a friend told cops he was with Kiftan inside his Northwest Side apartment that night when someone called Kiftan and told him to meet a woman outside. The victim then walked outside alone, at which point the friend said he heard gunshots and found Kiftan lying on the ground, according to a police affidavit. Officers eventually identified the woman and learned she was in a relationship with Habibzoi, and they were both listed as suspects in a possible assault in April. But as the investigation continued, police uncovered several post and comments on Habibzoi's TikTok in which he accused Kiftan of taking $31,000 from him. 'We never move on without taking revenge,' he allegedly wrote in one post that has since been deleted. 'If you do something bad to us, something bad will happen to you,' Habibzoi wrote in another, according to the affidavit. Naqibullah Habibzoi, 23, from Houston was arrested Thursday and charged with the May 31 shooting death of Awal Noor Kiftan, 34. He is pictured in a TikTok video talking about the victim San Antonio police say they responded to the scene of Kiftan's apartment at around 11pm on May 31 and found him unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was then pronounced dead at the scene Habibzoi has 20,000 followers on his TikTok page Habibzoi also claimed in a comment that Kiftan 'had his $3,100' and he reportedly also shared a photo of a firearm and the Afghanistan flag on top of a carpet in a now-deleted video. Another post even included a photo of the victim, according to WLTX. The suspect later denied responsibility for the posts in a video on June 3, in which he claimed his TikTok was hacked and he was being framed. But the following day, Habibzoi made a post showing the same carpet from the video with the gun, according to the affidavit. Investigators also said they translated a video from June 23, which remains up on Habibzoi's page, in which he explains in Pashto that Kiftan was his friend who 'tricked him and took his $31,000.' He denied that he committed the shooting, though, and asked others to share the video. However, police say Habibzoi later confessed to the shooting in a phone call in which he told another man in Pashto that someone was not giving him money so 'he finished them.' At one point, the man to whom Habibzoi was speaking said he heard rumors that Kiftan was murdered, which Habibzoi said was true. The suspect then allegedly said he 'swears he did it with his hands' and said 'his heart is pleased and satisfied,' the affidavit says. Kiftan was remembered in an online fundraiser in the aftermath as a 'hardworking immigrant living far from his homeland' He and Habibzoi worked together at a trucking company Call records and location from Habibzoi's cellphone also showed that on the day of the shooting, he traveled from Houston to San Antonio. He then returned back to his home city shortly after the shooting took place. Kiftan was remembered in an online fundraiser in the aftermath as a 'hardworking immigrant living far from his homeland.' It notes that his shooting death left his 'bereaved family and orphaned children... in urgent need of humanitarian and financial support.' 'Your kind assistance can bring hope and stability [to] a devastated, fatherless household,' the now-defunct fundraiser said. It had raised over $8,800 for the family. Habibzoi is now being held at the Bexar County Jail on first-degree murder charges. His bail has not yet been set. A man has died after falling from the balcony of a Sydney apartment block while trying to escape after an alleged robbery. Just after 8pm on Sunday, a masked man threatened a worker at a Devonshire Street, Surry Hills grocery store with a knife before taking cash and fleeing with a woman. 'We refused to give him him any cash, he took the whole cash register and ran away from the shop,' shop owner Faris Alwiswih told Nine. No one inside the shop was hurt. Around an hour later, police tracked the pair to a unit on Belvoir Street. As officers entered the building, the man ran to a balcony and jumped, falling five storeys. Police rendered first aid until paramedics arrived. The man died while being transported to St Vincent's Hospital. He is believed to have been in his 40s. The woman with him, aged 21, was arrested at the unit. A masked man threatened a Surry Hills shop worker with a knife He grabbed the entire cash register and fled with a young woman. About an hour later, police tracked the pair to a Belvoir Street unit. As officers entered, the man ran to a balcony and leapt five storeys She had allegedly closed the unit door on officers after the man fled from police. She was charged with armed robbery, property damage, and resisting arrest, and was refused bail ahead of a court appearance on Monday. Both the man and woman were well known to police. A critical incident team from Inner West Police Area Command will investigate the circumstances surrounding man's death. The investigation will be subject to independent review by the Professional Standards Command and oversight by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission. A report will be prepared for the Coroner. A cash-strapped council has turned to AI to help decide when elderly residents need to go into care. Derby City Council has constructed an algorithm which examines adult services data to come up with suggestions on the care it should offer. A person will then approve the suggestions or make appropriate adjustments. Meanwhile, the AI-driven recommendations are also set to include decisions on care reviews, supported living applications, placements and blue badges for disabled drivers. But charities have warned against trusting AI to handle people's needs, as the individuals who require these services are among the most vulnerable. Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, a campaign group, told The Telegraph: 'We are running before we can walk with AI, and older and vulnerable people are being used as a test bed with no safeguards in place. A bot assessing care needs whatever next?' And Caroline Abrahams, the charity director at Age UK, called for restraint on AI usage. Charities have warned against trusting AI to handle people's needs, as the individuals who require these services are among the most vulnerable Derby City Council (pictured) has constructed an algorithm which examines adult services data to come up with suggestions on the care it should offer 'AI is here to stay and used in the right way, it should benefit us all in time, as well as helping hard-pressed public bodies to manage within tight budgets,' she said. 'However, it is still very early days with this new technology, so while we should not be afraid of it and should indeed embrace it we are still finding out what it can do really well and what it can't.' Derby City Council is running a worn out service after years of budget cuts - currently facing a 4million overspend this financial year. The council's adult services were previously graded 'requires improvement' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with officials turning to the use of AI because money shortages meant there was no funding to improve staffing levels. As part of a 7million contract, the project uses a set of AI tools the council has commissioned from ICS.AI. The authority is reportedly aiming to save 6million in adult services alone as a result of AI usage, documents obtained through freedom of information requests are said to show. Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa said Derby is using 'wholesale AI digital innovation across the council' to deal with funding cuts from the Government. 'We went for a roots and all, hearts and minds approach to delivering innovative AI solutions to the challenges that local authorities face,' he said. The Daily Mail has contacted Derby City Council for comment. Asylum hotel bosses have been told they 'have to house convicted foreign criminals' while staff are trained on 'unconscious bias'. Hotel bosses have reportedly been told they they have to acknowledge that some of the residents may be foreign nationals who have been 'released on criminal bail'. Despite this, staff at the hotels must complete training courses on 'unconscious bias' and 'ethnic diversity and cultural awareness'. It comes amid increasing pressure on the government to close hotels across the country. Labour's asylum policy was left in chaos last week after a judge ordered a controversial migrant hotel to shut. The High Court ruling gives The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, just 24 days to close after it became the focus of violent protests. The documents, seen by The Telegraph, also state that housing residents with an ongoing criminal case, may lead to an increase in insurance costs for the hotel and its staff. This includes a higher premium for any migrants who have been convicted of arson. Keir Starmer's government is coming under increasing pressure to close asylum hotels across the country Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said that a new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up removing people with no right to be in the UK Pictured: anti-migrant protestors were seen in Birmingham on Sunday People demonstrating under the Abolish Asylum System slogan outside the former Bell Hotel in Epping The 117-page 'statement of requirements' document which was obtained by a Freedom of Information request is reportedly given to contractors who seek out accommodation for asylum seekers on behalf of the Home Office. The document allegedly describes the migrants as 'service users' throughout. In one section on general principles, it tells staff to treat the residents with 'compassion and respect', adding that some of the migrants may be a foreign national 'released on criminal bail'. It suggests complex cases requires specialist training for staff at the hotels. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, told The Telegraph: 'At last we're beginning to learn the truth that has been withheld from us for so long. No wonder local residents are deeply fearful of the young men in these hotels. In my opinion, none of them should be free to walk the streets. 'The Government tries to hide the truth from us all the time, but piece by piece as with this story we are beginning to learn the full story, we are beginning to learn the full scale of the horror.' A Home Office spokesperson said: 'This guidance was produced under the previous government and reflects the conditions of the asylum estate as they stood in 2019. 'The current Government is working in partnership with local authorities and communities to address legitimate concerns about the inherited asylum system including their safety, while successfully removing 5,200 foreign national offenders in its first year a 14 per cent increase.' Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage said we are beginning to learn the 'full scale of the horror' about asylum hotels People thought to be migrants pictured crossing the Channel in a small boat in July A police van outside the former Bell Hotel in Epping which has been given 24 days to close Epping Forest District Council's victory could open the floodgates to a series of similar legal actions against other migrant hotels across the country. Ministers scrambled to respond after an 11th-hour Home Office bid to block the action was thrown out. Government lawyers warned the court that granting the injunction on a planning technicality 'runs the risk of acting as an impetus for further violent protests'. Some 32,000 migrants are in about 210 hotels, according to the Home Office, and discontent is building. The injunction left Sir Keir Starmer in an even more woeful position after he scrapped the Tory government's Rwanda asylum deal, in which illegal migrants would have been sent on a one-way ticket to East Africa. The Prime Minister's pledge to 'smash the gangs' was already in tatters, with more than 51,000 small-boat migrants having reached Britain since the election. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said that a new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up removing people with no right to be in the UK. A group of protesters, some draped in the St George's Cross, gathered outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in Birmingham on Sunday, while in London police stood guard at the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf Protesters and policeman come face to face in Norwich in Sunday as people take to the streets to protest against the Brook Hotel's housing of asylum seekers The Home Secretary told of how 'completely unacceptable' delays in the appeals process left failed asylum seekers in the system for years - in the face of burgeoning protests across the country over migrant hotels. As measures have been put in place to speed up initial decisions, court delays over appeals are now thought to be the biggest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system. Ministers are introducing a new 24-week deadline for the first-tier tribunal to determine asylum appeals by those receiving accommodation support and appeals by foreign offenders. But they believe the current tribunal system, which covers a wide range of different cases, is still failing to ensure failed asylum seekers can be returned as swiftly as possible, nor can it accommodate a fast-track system for safe countries. The Government will set out further details of plans for asylum system reforms in the autumn, drawing on lessons from other European countries which have faster appeals systems - including some which run independent appeals bodies similar to the one being proposed. The Home Secretary said the overhaul would result in a system which is 'swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place'. Ms Cooper said: 'We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end. 'That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system. Demonstrators in Norwich pictured waving St George's flags and Union Jacks outside the Brook Hotel Hotels across Dudley, Epping, London, Manchester and Norwich have also braced for protests as communities seek to replicate the ruling for The Bell Hotel which, pending an appeal, must be closed within weeks People demonstrating under the Abolish Asylum System slogan outside the former Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday 'We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels. 'Already since the election we have reduced the backlog of people waiting for initial decisions by 24 per cent and increased failed asylum returns by 30%. 'But we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer.' However, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the proposals 'go nowhere near far enough' as 'the underlying rights, which allows most illegal immigrants to stay here, are not changing'. He added: 'Simply waving illegal immigrants through even faster to full housing and welfare rights will not fix the problem.' Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice said: 'The Government's proposed changes are just tinkering at the edges and will do nothing to solve the hotel crisis. 'What they should be doing is to follow Reform's plan: leave the ECHR, abolish the Human Rights Act, immediately detain and deport anyone who is here illegally.' The changes are expected to be set out when MPs return to Parliament in just over a week. It comes after more than 30 protests under the Abolish Asylum system were held in towns and cities across the UK on Saturday. Pictured: Mounted police officers scuffle with demonstrators during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter protesters at Castle Park in Bristol The Bell Hotel in Epping has become the centre of focus for a group of female anti-migrant protesters dubbed the 'Pink Ladies', pictured on Sunday Large crowds took a seat on a local roundabout as protests ramped up in Epping Mass protests have exploded outside migrant hotels across the country this weekend as furious families gathered in major cities including Birmingham and London. A group of protesters, some draped in the St George's Cross, gathered outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in Birmingham on Sunday, while in London police stood guard at the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf. In Norwich, demonstrators gathered outside the Brook Hotel, draping themselves in Union and St George's flags. Hotels across Dudley, Epping, London, Manchester and Norwich have also braced for protests as communities seek to replicate the ruling for The Bell Hotel which, pending an appeal, must be closed within weeks. It comes after more than 30 protests under the Abolish Asylum system were held in towns and cities across the UK on Saturday. These included Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Horley, Canary Wharf, Aberdeen and Perth in Scotland, and Mold in Wales. A separate batch of protests were also organised by Stand Up to Racism in Bristol, Cannock, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Wakefield, Horley and Long Eaton in Derbyshire. At least 15 people were reportedly arrested in Bristol, Liverpool and Horley, The Times reported. On Sunday afternoon, protesters in Birmingham were seen peering through the doors of the hotel and one was seen scaling a ladder to hang a flag on a lamp post by the Holiday Inn sign Many protesters have been demanding asylum seeker hotels stop housing illegal migrants Protestors came out in their masses in Birmingham on Sunday under the Abolish Asylum System slogan On Sunday afternoon, protesters in Birmingham were seen peering through the doors of the hotel and one was seen scaling a ladder to hang a flag on a lamp post by the Holiday Inn sign. At Canary Wharf, police officers stood at the entrance to the Britannia Hotel while security guards could also be seen standing behind full length barriers that blocked off the entrance way. One woman was seen holding a sign that read: 'Enough is Enough. Protect our women and girls.' About 20 protesters stood quietly on the other side of the road with Union flags propped up against a fence. A woman carried a homemade banner which read: 'Tower Hamlets council house homeless Brits first' which had a St George's flag drawn on it. Another banner read: 'Enough is enough protect our women and girls.' The hotel, which is being used to accommodate hundreds of migrants, has often become the centre of focus for a group of female anti-migrant protesters dubbed the 'Pink Ladies'. The group, a faction within the wider anti-migrant movement, say they are seeking to highlight the perceived danger to women and girls by those seeking asylum. Large crowds pictured holding up placards in Norwich on Sunday A protestor in Birmingham was seen putting up a St George's Cross flag outside of the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn In Stevenage, a small number of protesters were seen gathered outside of the Ibis Hotel in the town centre on Sunday. The hotel is housing hundreds of asylum seekers and has done so since September 2022. A group of protesters, numbering no more than 50, gathered to 'peacefully protest' for 'our children' and for 'our future', they claimed. Three people sipping cans of beer and wearing balaclavas jumped onto the hotel ledging and blared music from a speaker, with five England flags attached to the hotel room windows. Meanwhile, others protesters draped in England flags surrounded the hotel. Police dispersed the small crowds shortly after 2pm as the drunken trio refused to jump down. Earlier this week, Stevenage Borough Council said it was 'actively investigating' alleged breaches of planning control in asylum seeker hotels in the town. More than 100 tourists, including a 15-month-old baby and seven children, have fallen ill with suspected salmonella poisoning at a hotel in southern Spain. The youngsters were among 20 people said to have been taken to hospital following the health issue at the four-star Izan Cavanna Hotel in the popular resort of La Manga near Murcia. A field hospital was also set up at the seafront hotel after guests went down with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases fever, following a Saturday lunch at the hotel. The initial alert referenced 28 cases, but by yesterday, the number of people with health problems had jumped to over 100 of the 800 guests believed to be staying at the hotel. The baby and children understood to be among those affected were taken to Santa Lucia Hospital in the nearby port city of Cartagena with ailments including fevers. Health inspectors have taken samples from the kitchen at the now-closed hotel as part of an ongoing investigation. Regional government health sources said overnight they were treating it as a probable salmonella poisoning outbreak. It was not immediately clear how many British and Irish holidaymakers are staying at the hotel, which describes itself online as one of the most emblematic hotels on Spain's Costa Calida. More than 100 tourists, including a 15-month-old baby and seven children, have fallen ill with suspected salmonella poisoning at a hotel in southern Spain The hotel is in the popular resort of La Manga near Murcia, Spain It has a buffet restaurant now under investigation and a beach bar and restaurant, as well as an English pub, which the hotel website says is temporarily closed. The hotel published a Facebook post advertising its cocktails and mojitos early yesterday - but said nothing about its guests' health problems on the social media site. In response, a Spanish holidaymaker staying at the hotel replied: 'Hello, I am still staying in room 826, and yesterday more than 40 people were affected by food poisoning from a spoiled product at the buffet. 'I am at the Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena because my wife is one of those affected, and she is eight months pregnant and has been admitted to the hospital. 'I left the hotel at 4.30am on Sunday. I spoke with the hotel at 9am to inform them of the seriousness of the situation and my wife's delicate condition, and now it is 2.20pm and I still haven't received a call from anyone at the hotel. 'My belongings and my wife's belongings are still in the room, as we have a reservation until Monday. 'I'm calling the hotel and no one is answering the phone at this time of day. We need answers.' Several guests have pointed the finger at a fish dish as well as a spinach-filled pasta dish served at the hotel's buffet restaurant on Saturday, although officials have not said which meal could be the issue. Ambulances were filmed arriving and leaving the hotel from Saturday afternoon onwards, with subsequent reports pointing to some holidaymakers being put on rehydration drips in their rooms Ambulances were filmed arriving and leaving the hotel from Saturday afternoon onwards, with subsequent reports pointing to some holidaymakers being put on rehydration drips in their rooms, while others were laid out on stretchers in hotel corridors. One guest, a Spanish woman identified only as Susan, told a local paper: 'The hospital discharged my 15-year-old daughter when she was still suffering from fever and dehydration. 'We found her alone in the car park, weak and dizzy. She's worse than she was before.' She went on to point the finger at a sauce the teenager had eaten with her spinach ravioli at the hotel buffet at lunchtime on Saturday. Another guest said her friend had been unable to leave her room from Saturday night onwards. She said: 'She started to feel unwell after lunch and at dinnertime because she had a stomach ache, she only ate a yoghurt. 'We think it's something to do with the fish because there were four of us at lunch but she was the only one that ate it. The rest of us ate meat and we're fine.' A number of families with children are said to have already left the hotel early after registering official complaints at reception. New Sunday arrivals have claimed they were not informed about the problems when they arrived and had a buffet lunch at the hotel before it was subsequently closed New Sunday arrivals have claimed they were not informed about the problems when they arrived and had a buffet lunch at the hotel before it was subsequently closed. Salmonella poisoning effects typically include sudden diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps, which appear between six hours and six days after infection and can last four to seven days. In some cases, more severe symptoms like bloody diarrhoea or high fever occur, requiring medical attention. Serious complications, though rare, can involve the infection spreading from the intestines to the bloodstream, causing severe illness or leading to long-term issues like reactive arthritis. The hotel has yet to publish any official comment on its Instagram, Facebook or website. It says of its buffet restaurant on its official website: 'We offer a wide and tempting selection of dishes from our healthy Mediterranean cuisine, as well as products and dishes representative of other European cuisines.' Three people have been rushed to hospital following a 'rickshaw and bus crash' in Central London on Bank Holiday weekend. The collision, which left three individuals with injuries, occurred shortly after 1am on August 25 in the heart of London's West End. Emergency services were quickly sent to the scene following reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Phoenix Street. Ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic and a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance were just some of the dispatchers called to the incident. In a statement, London Air Ambulance confirmed that of the three people treated, one patient was taken to a major trauma centre, while the other two attended local hospitals. A spokesperson for the service added: 'We were called at 1.07am today (25 August) to reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Phoenix Street. 'We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London's Air Ambulance. 'We treated three people. We took one patient to a major trauma centre and two patients to local hospitals.' Three people have been rushed to hospital following a 'rickshaw and bus crash' in Central London on Bank Holiday weekend. The collision occurred shortly after 1am on August 25 Emergency services were quickly sent to the scene following reports of a road traffic collision at the junction of Charing Cross Road and Phoenix Street. Ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic and a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance were sent to the scene In a statement, London Air Ambulance confirmed that of the three people treated, one patient was taken to a major trauma centre, while the other two attended local hospitals Following the incident, Charing Cross Road was closed, with diversions put in place for the N29, N20, N5, N279 and 24 bus routes towards Trafalgar Square. A spokesperson for The Metropolitan Police said: 'Around 01:10hrs on Monday, 25 August, officers attended the junction of Charing Cross Road and Phoenix Street, Charing Cross, alongside the London Ambulance Service, following reports of a collision between a rickshaw and a bus. 'Three men were treated at the scene for injuries, and were taken to hospital. One mans injuries were found to be minor, and he was subsequently discharged. 'The two other victims aged 23 and 25 remain in hospital with injuries believed to be serious. We await an update on their condition. Anybody with information on the collision should call 101, quoting CAD reference 483/25AUG. Concerns have previously been raised over the safety of rickshaw bikes, prompting Transport for London (TfL) to launch an official consultation into the dangers, alongside other issues of anti-social behaviour by its drivers and rip-off prices. Illegal traders and pedicabs on Westminster Bridge have been fined more than 20,000 in a council crackdown after fleecing tourists. Figures in July showed that nine pedicabs operators - several repeat offenders - were hit with some of the biggest individual fines totalling 9,075.00 following the latest round of rickshaw bikes prosecutions. A London Air Ambulance spokesperson said: 'We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer. We also dispatched a trauma team in a car from London's Air Ambulance' Concerns have previously been raised over the safety of rickshaw bikes, prompting Transport for London (TfL) to launch an official consultation into the dangers, alongside over issues of anti-social behaviour by its drivers and rip-off prices (file image) The riders' fines, costs, and victim surcharges ranged from 750 to 1,460 under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Given the repeat prosecutions, the council is exploring options such as injunctions or banning orders for the more prolific riders. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection Cllr Aicha Less said: 'This is Westminster, not the Wild West. These fines send a clear message: if you break the rules in our city you will end up out of pocket and out of excuses.' 'Whilst we work with TfL to finalise a structured licencing scheme, our City Inspectors continue to prosecute pedicab drivers and partner with our neighbours in Lambeth and in the Metropolitan Police to ensure unsuspecting tourists are not ripped off.' In TfL's consultation which opened on January 27, they said one of the main aims for regulating pedicabs in London was to 'make them as safe as possible', ensuring they are 'driven in a safe and professional way'. They are also proposing licensing requirements similar to taxis and private hire vehicles, meaning a pedicab driver's licence would be required, issued for one year at a time. In 2022, a man was charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision between a car and a pedicab in south-east London. Sophie Strickland, 31, of Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, was killed when the car hit the pedal-powered vehicle in Southwark during the tragic incident on July 10, 2022. In TfL's consultation which opened on January 27, they said one of the main aims for regulating pedicabs in London was to 'make them as safe as possible', ensuring they are 'driven in a safe and professional way' (file image) In 2022, Luis Balcazar Soto (pictured) was charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a fatal collision between a car and a rickshaw in south-east London Sophie Strickland (pictured), 31, of Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, was killed when the car hit the pedal-powered vehicle in Southwark during the tragic incident on July 10, 2022. Police investigators estimated Soto to be travelling between 45 and 56mph when he hit the rickshaw Luis Balcazar Soto, in his 30s, was driving up to 56mph in a 30mph zone when he hit Sophie Strickland's pedicab in a bus lane in New Kent Road, Southwark. Ms Strickland, 31, of Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, was pronounced dead at the scene at 4.30am after suffering significant head and neck injuries. A court previously heard that Ms Strickland had been visiting the capital to celebrate her birthday, with both she and her friend Jade Redford travelling in the pedal-powered taxi. The pair had stopped to use a nearby cash machine. Then, just moments after Ms Strickland got back into the pedicab, Balcazar Soto's car smashed into the rickshaw, throwing her from the vehicle. Prosecutor Fiona Robertson told Southwark Crown Court how witnesses saw 'a silver car travelling 60mph swerve into bollards and land by the Tesco Express on New Kent Road. She said: 'It collided with the rickshaw and spun around. There was no evidence of braking or evasive action prior to impact.' A taxi driver had described seeing Soto accelerate harshly at the roundabout by Elephant and Castle at 3:47am and commented: 'Oh my God, I've got this mentalist in front of me driving like a mad man.' Police investigators estimated Soto to be travelling between 45 and 56mph when he hit the rickshaw. 'Ms Strickland was catastrophically injured and the defendant was aware of it,' said the prosecutor. 'He made no effort or attempt to assist Ms Strickland or Mr Ahmed. It is significantly telling that people had to chase after him to stop them escaping.' When approached by members of the public, Soto said: 'Let me go or I'll fist you up,' and tried to punch a witness. Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto, then 24, was initially sentenced to nine years and nine months in jail. But this was later quashed at the Court of Appeal and replaced with a 12 year and nine months sentence. Pictured: Sophie Strickland Soto even offered money to a member of the public as he begged for them to let him go. He was twice the legal limit of alcohol. 'He was sweating and his eyes were bloodshot,' the prosecutor said. When told of Ms Strickland he became hysterical saying: 'I can't believe I killed her' and 'I'm so sorry.' Sophie's mother Glynis said in an impact statement she had lost 'the most beautiful thing in my life.' Ms Strickland said: 'Never seeing her again is killing me. As a mother I cannot imagine any greater pain in my life. She was a kind and loyal person and in seconds my life was destroyed.' Luis Fernando Balcazar Soto, then 24, was initially sentenced to nine years and nine months in jail. This was later quashed at the Court of Appeal and replaced with a 12 year and nine months sentence following a referral to the court by the Solicitor General, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, who argued that the sentence was unduly lenient. A freak maritime 'supercell' has sparked chaos in an Italian tourist hotspot, leaving cars destroyed by falling trees and buildings flooded. The north-east Emilia-Romagna region has been left ravaged by a violent storm that included rain, hail and winds exceeding 100km/h. It swept through Rimini and Ravenna and left a trail of devastation in its wake. Local media has described the wild weather as a 'true maritime supercell' - a storm core that self-regenerates when it brings in moisture from the warm sea - as it caused serious damage to vehicles, beach resorts, and crops throughout the area over the weekend. Footage of the major storm that lashed Orsoleto and Torre Pedrera captured the moment palm trees battled intense winds and appeared just moments away from being struck by lightening. Another clip taken from a door camera showed thick rain battering down in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving the street and vehicles parked outside drenched from the torrential downpour. According to Corriere Di Bologna, dozens of firefighters responded on Monday morning as the chaotic weather left 265 trees collapsed in Milano Marittima - with many falling on top of parked cars. No injuries or missing persons have been reported, but the Emilia-Romagna region is preparing to declare a state of regional emergency while the damage along the coast is being assessed. 'There was heavy damage to cars and structures, but no injuries,' said Milano Marittima Mayor Mattia Missiroli. Footage of the major storm that lashed Orsoleto and Torre Pedrera captured the moment palm trees battled intense winds and appeared just moments away from being struck by lightening Another clip taken from a door camera showed thick rain battering down in the early hours of Sunday morning Vehicles and streets were left drenched from the torrential downpour 'Civil Protection and Fire Brigade teams, including those from the provinces of Bologna and Modena and the Marche region, are active and the operational machinery is fully deployed. 'As has happened on previous occasions, we will return the situation to normal as quickly as possible and we are confident of restoring full traffic flow this afternoon.' The storm began at around 1:30am Sunday with a thunderstorm that swept the entire coastline, from the Ferrara area to the Rimini area. The provinces of Rimini, Forli-Cesena and Ravenna were the hardest hit, with the storm making its appearance at around 4:30am. Over 70mm of rain and wind gusts of up to 120km/h battered the areas in just 30 to 60 minutes, with peaks of 60 to 70mm of rain between Rimini, Riccione, and Cattolica. Rimini recorded up to 74mm of rain due to what the municipality dubbed the 'true maritime supercell'. Flooding has been reported across several streets in the area and seven underpasses were also left clogged with water. The provincial fire department operations center received 300 reports and requests for intervention regarding fallen trees and branches, and flooding. The storms were accompanied by strong gusts that even reached 110 to 120km/h between Gatteo a Mare and Bellaria Igea Marina. Twenty-three people were also left in need of evacuation from a train stuck on the Rimini-Ravenna line after a tree fell on the tracks near Bellaria-Igea Marina. 'We are all working to remedy what happened and return to normality as quickly as possible, as has happened in similar situations, even in the recent past. Furthermore , it should be emphasised that the Riviera is fully operational,' said Michele de Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, from the Municipal Operations Center (COC) in Cervia, where he is monitoring the situation following the violent wave of bad weather. The storm began at around 1:30am Sunday with a thunderstorm that swept the entire coastline, from the Ferrara area to the Rimini area The storms were accompanied by strong gusts that even reached 110 to 120km/h between Gatteo a Mare and Bellaria Igea Marina No injuries or missing persons have been reported, but the Emilia-Romagna region is preparing to declare a state of regional emergency while the damage along the coast is being assessed According to Corriere Di Bologna, dozens of firefighters responded on Monday morning as the chaotic weather left 265 trees collapsed in Milano Marittima The provincial fire department operations center received 300 reports and requests for intervention regarding fallen trees and branches, and flooding 'The damage, although significant, is limited to a few very specific areas, and services have resumed,' de Pascale emphasised Sunday afternoon, 'with the beaches clean and ready to welcome tourists. 'This is yet another demonstration of the organisation and efficiency of our community, which is accustomed to rolling up its sleeves and never stopping.' The mayor of the Romagna city, Jamil Sadegholvaad, added: 'Rain, hail, and exceptionally strong wind gusts caused extensive damage, including flooded underpasses, flooding of homes, garages, shops, businesses, and beach resorts, and damage to trees. 'By mid-afternoon, the situation had returned to essentially normal, both on the beach and in other areas of Rimini'. Beach resorts along the coast were also left destroyed by the violent lashing of bad weather. 'It was a major blow, it devastated the beach: broken umbrellas, gazebos, torn awnings, it was very demanding. We have all the necessary personnel on site, we're open today, we're working,' said Massimo Casanova, manager of Papeete Beach in Milano Marittima. The Civil Protection Department has issued a yellow alert for the whole of Monday. Australia's youngest-ever Senator has hit back at her haters, defending her age and speaking movingly about her past battles with bullying and depression. Charlotte Walker, the 21-year-old Labor Senator for South Australia, gave her maiden speech in parliament on Monday afternoon where she pitched herself as an environmental crusader and an advocate for young people struggling to buy a home. The former union official, who turned 21 on the day of the election, began her speech by cracking a joke about how her previous contributions to the Senate - including one where she clashed with One Nation founder Pauline Hanson - had been 'whack'. 'As the youngest ever senator, I've received a lot of media attention about what I've said and what others have said about me, including some who really haven't liked what I've said,' Senator Walker said. 'They say I don't have enough life experience. I reply that I have 21 years of life experience. 'What I bring to this parliament is the experience of young people today. And I know what a privilege it is to do so. 'Young Australians aren't a side issue: we aren't a future issue, we are Australians now.' Senator Walker revealed that when she was in year four she was forced to move to a private school because she was the victim of bullying. Charlotte Walker, the 21-year-old Labor Senator for South Australia , gave her maiden speech in parliament on Monday afternoon where she pitched herself as an environmental crusader and an advocate for young people struggling to buy a home In a public display of support for the youngest elected member of his party, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese turned up in the Senate chamber around 15 minutes into Senate Walker's speech and sat behind her She explained how it was a struggle to pay for classes. 'Mum scraped by, paying private school tuition fees and not buying things for herself to support me and my brother,' Senator Walker said. 'We rarely took holidays and since starting this job, I think I've probably flown on more planes than our whole family has combined during my life.' Senator Walker, who got her first job aged 14, further revealed that her parents divorce hit her really hard. 'When I was 18 years old, I spent lots of time at the doctor trying to figure out why I wasn't sleeping at night,' she said. 'Blood tests, medication, suggestions of a sleep study, but deep down, I knew what the root of the problem was, even though I wouldn't admit it to myself, let alone the doctor. 'It was depression. I'd spent years skirting around the issue. I was in denial. 'The effects have been long-lasting, compounded by guilt. I spent months dreading waking up in the morning. 'I often wondered if I wanted to go on, if there was any point in me being here.' Senator Walker, who got her first job aged 14, further revealed that her parents divorce hit her really hard, leaving her with depression. The speech was warmly received by her Senate colleagues Senator Walker said she had only told a 'handful of people' about her struggles before, but that she wanted to share her story to help others in a similar position. She also joked about how she was asked to remove a social media post by the Black Rod, as revealed by the Daily Mail three weeks ago. Senator Walker had shared a reel on Instagram documenting the final day of her first week in Parliament on July 24. The video, which was set to the Black Eyed Peas song 'Imma Be', featured time-stamped clips of the Senator for South Australia as her day unfolded. These included a clip under her duvet after waking up at 5.27am, various interviews with multiple broadcasters throughout the morning, footage of her running through the halls of Parliament to vote at 4pm, and flying home to SA at 6pm. 'Day in my life, first week done,' the senator, who earns $239,270 a year captioned the 16-second clip. But it was mysteriously removed just days later, with Senator Walker revealing on Monday it had been at the request of senior parliamentary officers. 'We've learnt there are lots of parts of parliament you aren't allowed to film in - and if you do, you get a letter from the Usher of the Black Rod and you have to take a very popular post down.' One Nation founder Pauline Hanson, who is no stranger to a parliamentary stunt, had taken issue with the clip, calling it 'cringeworthy nonsense'. The pair previously clashed over the net zero debate with Senator Walker accusing Senator Hanson of having a 'lack of knowledge', while the political veteran fired back that she was 'barely out of nappies'. In a public display of support for the youngest elected member of his party, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese turned up in the Senate chamber around 15 minutes into Senate Walker's speech and sat behind her. Senator Walker received a standing ovation from both sides of the chamber and was embraced by Albanese, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. Senator Hanson was not in the senate chamber to hear her speech. Police have launched an urgent investigation after a young woman was taken to hospital after an alleged rape in Canary Wharf. Emergency services were called to reports of an reported sexual assault on Hertsmere Road, east London at 04.25am on Saturday, August 23. A woman, who is in her 20s, was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, and is now being supported by specialist officers. No arrests have been made however the force is urgently appealing to anyone with information. A Met Police spokesman said: 'We are investigating an alleged rape which took place on Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf. 'Officers were called at 04:25hrs on Saturday, 23 August and attended alongside the London Ambulance Service. Emergency services were called to reports of an reported sexual assault on Hertsmere Road, east London at 04.25am on Saturday, August 23 'A woman in her 20s was taken to hospital and is being supported by specially trained officers. 'At this time no arrests have been made, but officers continue to make urgent enquiries.' The force have asked anyone with information or anyone in the vicinity at the time to contact them by calling 101 or online, quoting CAD1371/23AUG. Alternatively, those who wish to remain anonymous can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111'. A Sydney socialite who crashed her SUV into multiple parked cars before assaulting a police officer has been slapped with a driving ban and fine after failing to have her case treated on mental health grounds. Troubled onlookers pulled Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 52, from her badly-damaged black Range Rover following the crash in Bellevue Hill, in Sydney's east, on March 21. The mother-of-two refused an alcohol breath test and slapped a police officer as she was led away from the scene. Jacobs Fennell, who was previously shortlisted to appear on a series of Real Housewives of Sydney, had been at a lunch in Double Bay hours earlier. The 52-year-old spent the night after the crash at Waverley Police Station and later pleaded guilty to negligent driving, assaulting police, refusing to submit to a breath test and failing to give her particulars. On Monday, she appeared at Waverley Local Court where she was ordered to pay $1300 in fines and was disqualified from driving for six months, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. Jacobs Fennell escaped a conviction being recorded for assaulting the officer. She was granted a conditional release order for one year. She told Daily Mail she was 'profoundly remorseful and regretful' but said she 'remained dignified,' and that 'every human being should be allowed to make a mistake'. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell (pictured) was fined on Monday over the April driving incident Jacobs Fennell is pictured being escorted by police from the scene. She assaulted one of the police officers during the arrest by slapping them, before spending the night in custody The mother-of-two received a six-month driving ban and fine. She is pictured attending court in Waverley earlier this year The side of her Range Rover was severely damaged in the crash which also left a mark on a Tesla and two other vehicles she collided with. She was escorted from the scene by police officers and, at one point, Jacobs Fennell appeared to try to wrest her arm free of the officer's grip before slapping him. She was due to be sentenced earlier this month but the matter was delayed when her lawyers applied to have her case dealt with under mental health provisions. Presiding Magistrate Kirk Dailly rejected Jacobs Fennell's mental health request, known as a section 14 application, on Monday. Her lawyer previously told the court her client had experienced stresses towards the end of last year and had experienced dissociation. The socialite is understood to have previously lost two young children and also underwent a sudden break-up some time before the incident. Her legal team also claimed the mother-of-two had been prescribed antidepressants only three days before the incident which contributed to 'increased intoxication' and other adverse reactions. Jacobs Fennell was usually careful to avoid drink-driving but had become confused as a result of the medication, her legal team said. Formerly married to a private equity banker, the glamorous eastern suburbs mum is regularly photographed at charity meets and other exclusive events across Sydney. Walkers have been left stunned following the discovery of a bright pink lake, but there is a surprising reason for the strangely coloured water. The incredible sight was first spotted by Barry Knight, 61, while he was walking the King Charles III England coast path, near Queenborough, in Sheppey, Kent. Mr Knight from Gillingham, Kent, was into a his six-hour hike towards Laysdown on the morning of August 22 when he came across the strangely coloured lake as he walked above a flood defence. Recounting the moment he first caught glimpse of the water, Mr Knight said that he initially believed his eyes had been 'deceiving' him. He added: 'I was about half and hour into the walk and then I saw it. 'I thought "oh my goodness" a pink lake, are my eyes deceiving me - it must be pretty rare. 'I know around the world there pink lakes due to natural factors, but they aren't normal in the UK.' Incredible images taken by Mr Knight show the 65-metre long lake sporting a bright pink colour while a deep blue can also be seen around the rim. The incredible sight was first spotted by Barry Knight, 61, from Gillingham Kent, on August 22 while he was walking the King Charles III England coast path, near Queenborough, in Sheppey. Mr Knight said that he initially believed his eyes had been 'deceiving' him Rather than being thrilled at his incredible discovery, Mr Knight (pictured) said that he was actually left 'filled with sadness', assuming that the pink lake had been 'caused by pollution', bacteria or even a chemical spill Incredible images taken by Mr Knight show the 65-metre long lake sporting a bright pink colour while a deep blue can also be seen around the rim. Mr Knight had initially assumed that the colour had been 'caused by pollution', bacteria or even a chemical spill But, rather than being thrilled at his incredible discovery, Mr Knight said that he was actually left 'filled with sadness', assuming that the pink lake had been 'caused by pollution', bacteria or even a chemical spill. The avid hiker remarked that he was certain the colour of the lake was 'not natural' and had to have been 'man-made', adding you 'can't miss it' due to the intense brightness of the colour. Due to the warm weather, the water levels of the lake also appeared to be 'very low'. Mr Knight added that he recalled 'an unnatural, unpleasant' smell being emitted from the water, though he said he could not be sure whether he was 'just imagining it because of the colour'. However, rather than being artificially created, The Environment Agency has confirmed that the unique colour is a' natural phenomenon caused by algae or bacteria'. An Environment Agency spokesperson said: 'This is a natural phenomenon which can be seen in lakes, especially over summer months. 'The colours are caused by naturally occurring algae or bacteria. Mr Knight (pictured), an avid hiker, remarked that he was certain the colour of the lake was 'not natural' and had to have been 'man-made', adding you 'can't miss it' due to the intense brightness of the colour Pink lakes are natural phenomena that draw visitors from far and wide, and provide livelihoods to local people. The vibrant Lake Hillier (pictured), on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia, has entranced scientists for years In an investigation undertaken to establish the reasons behind the water's unique colour, researchers at the eXtreme Microbiome Project collected several samples. Among the many microbes collected, researchers found Dunaliella salina, the algae long thought to be the culprit behind the pink waters 'High concentrations of algae can be harmful, so people and animals should try to avoid contact with the water or scum.' Pink lakes tend to have a striking colour due to the presence of algae that produces carotenoids, such as Dunaliella Salina, a type of halophile green micro-algae especially found in sea salt fields. Once the lake water reaches a salinity level greater than that of sea water, the temperature is high enough and adequate light conditions are provided, the alga begins to accumulate the red pigment beta carotene. Pink lakes are natural phenomena that draw visitors from far and wide, and provide livelihoods to local people. The vibrant Lake Hillier, on Middle Island in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia, has entranced scientists for years, with speculation that its bubble-gum hue is likely the result of salt-loving algae. Meanwhile, in south west Spain, two large salt-water lakes sit adjacent to the city of Torrevieja. The Salinas de Torrevieja (meaning Salt Pans of Torrevieja) turns pink when sunlight falls on the algae-rich waters. Pictured: an aerial view of the Laguna Salada de Torrevieja In Senegal, Lake Retba (pictured), in the Cap Vert peninsula of the country, has such a high concentration of salt - 40 per cent - that is harvested by local people The pink lake was first covered by SciShow in 2013, spurring the interest of researchers at the eXtreme Microbiome Project. In an investigation undertaken to establish the reasons behind the water's unique colour, scientists collected several samples. Among the many microbes collected, researchers found Dunaliella salina, the algae long thought to be the culprit behind the pink waters. In south west Spain, two large salt-water lakes sit adjacent to the city of Torrevieja. The Salinas de Torrevieja (meaning Salt Pans of Torrevieja) turn pink when sunlight falls on the algae-rich waters. The lakes are now protected national parks and are a haven for migratory birds, diverse flora and fauna. Canada's Dusty Rose Lake, in British Columbia is pink due to the particulate in the glacial melt waters feeding it. The surrounding rock is purple/pink in colour; the water feeding the lake is said to have a lavender hue. In Senegal, Lake Retba, in the Cap Vert peninsula of the country, has such a high concentration of salt - 40 per cent - that is harvested by local people. Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin knew he was 'doomed' and destined to die after he led a failed rebellion against Vladimir Putin, his mother has revealed. The army general and businessman, who founded the notorious Wagner mercenary group, died when his jet crashed in summer 2023, just two months after his short lived mutiny which saw his fighters seize key military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and advance towards Moscow. Putin accused Prigozhin, who died aged 62 and was previously a close confidant of the Russian president, of 'treason', 'a stab in the back of our country', and promised quick punishment after the aborted coup. Violetta Prigozhina, 85, has now revealed that her son looked 'doomed' after the insurrection and told her he was expecting to die in days leading up to his crash. She also claimed that she tried to convince him against marching to Moscow and that Russian authorities are yet to tell her the cause of his death. 'When I last saw him, he looked doomed,' she said in an interview with the Russian outlet Fontanka, the first by a close relative of the late Wagner leader. When asked if he foresaw his death, she said: 'Of course.' Western intelligence believe that the Wagner leader was likely killed by an onboard intentional explosion as retribution by Putin. Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin knew he was 'doomed' and destined to die after he led a failed rebellion against Vladimir Putin , his mother has revealed The army general and businessman, who founded the notorious Wagner mercenary group, died when his jet crashed in summer 2023 Prigozhin was greeted warmly by locals when he seized key military sites in Rostov-on-Don but he called off the march to Moscow around 120 miles outside of the capital Prigozhin had been a key leader in the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine after Wagner fighters led the onslaught in crucial areas, including the Battle of Bakhmut. His mercenaries were deployed in some of conflict's fiercest battles and he recruited from prisons to bulk up the front line. But he became incrasingly critical of Russia's military leaders before launching a rebellion with hundreds of his most loyal fighters. It came after weeks of escalating tensions with Russia's defence ministry, who he accused of corruption and of under-supplying Wagner's troops. Prigozhina, who runs a pro-war art gallery, said her son had overestimated his support. She said she warned him: 'Zhenya, only people on the internet will support you. No one will go with you. People aren't like that now. No one will come out to the square.' Prigozhin was greeted warmly by locals when he seized key military sites in Rostov-on-Don but he called off the march to Moscow around 120 miles outside of the capital. Wagner soldiers shot down a Ka-52 attack helicopter, killing its crew, during the mutiny. They also destroyed an Il-18 military aircraft. His Wagner fighters seized key military sites in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and advance towards Moscow Putin accused Prigozhin, who died aged 62 and was previously a close confidant of the Russian president, of 'treason' Prigozhin's jet crashed in the Tver Oblast, north of Moscow. Nine people including the warlord died Prigozhina said her son eventually stopped the march on Moscow as he couldn't bear killing more Russian soldiers. That came after a string of calls with Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko and a number of Russian officials. Prigozhin, a former convict who spent nine years in prison for robbery and theft, became close with Putin after running high-end Russian restaurants and winning catering contracts for the Kremlin, earning him the nickname 'Putin's chef'. 'He had no intention of overthrowing Putin, that's for sure,' Prigozhina said. 'He wanted to get through to the military leadership'. She said she and her son were grateful to Putin for helping save her life years before. '[Putin] literally saved my life I needed surgery, and our doctors said they couldn't help. I already had one foot in the grave. Then Zhenya called [Putin]. He replied: 'A mother is sacred.' They sent a helicopter and rushed me to Hamburg.' Russian authorities quickly moved to seize Prigozhins business empire, which included mining ventures in Africa, online troll 'bot farms' and his catering business, after his death. His Wagner forces, who have been accused of atrocities including torture, were designated a terrorist organisation by the UK in September 2023. Since Prigozhin's death they have been absorbed into the Russian army and operate under the name Africa Corps. This is the moment two women brawl on the street in front of horrified onlookers at Notting Hill Carnival's family and children's day. In a clip uploaded to TikTok, two young revellers trade furious blows in the middle of the packed street. The brawling pair can be seen grappling, pulling each other by the hair and throwing punches as onlookers shout: 'Where is security?' Friends can be seen trying to break up the fight as carnival music blares in the background. A Met Police spokesperson said: 'It doesn't appear this incident was brought to officers' attention at the time. We're also not aware of any subsequent reports or allegations from the parties involved.' Yesterday was the children's day parade, where family-friendly activities and events are accompanied by street dancing. The brawl comes as a total of 140 people were arrested on the first day of the festival as of 8pm yesterday by Met Police officers up 40 per cent high from the previous year, where 104 were detained. Some 105 arrests took place at the carnival itself, while 35 were made on the approach to the event, with 13 being the result of facial recognition - a new technology being deployed by the force which captures people's faces on real-time CCTV cameras. The brawling pair can be seen grappling one another, throwing punch after punch, and quickly trying to dodge each other's hits as onlookers are left aghast The carnival attendee in green then pulls at her rival's hair, dragging her further down Chepstow Road, west London Breakdown of the arrests on Sunday Assault on police 15 Possession of an offensive weapon 21 Possession of cannabis 25 Possession of class A drugs 6 Possession of other drugs 2 Possession with intent to supply drugs 19 Robbery 2 Public order 4 Sexual offences 4 Other 42 Advertisement Meanwhile, more than half a dozen police officers were seen carrying one man who was seemingly resisting arrest near Portobello Road yesterday afternoon. Shortly beforehand, police appeared to be carrying out a stop-and-search on a young man who had been placed in handcuffs nearby. On Sunday, a Met Police spokesperson said: 'The policing operation for the first full day of Notting Hill Carnival has moved into the dispersal phase as crowds head home from the event. 'A significant number of officers remain in the area to deal with any incidents.' The Daily Mail has approached the Metropolitan Police for comment, regarding the video of the two women. Workers have started clearing away the rubbish left by revellers - which is expected to total more than 300 tonnes across the weekend. Kensington and Chelsea Council said more than 180 cleaners and 45 waste collection vehicles will work to get the borough's streets clean again by Tuesday morning. Pictures taken on Sunday night show SUEZ workers clearing 150 tonnes of rubbish - including half-eaten takeaway food and bottles of booze. Councillor Johnny Thalassites said: 'Our communities rightly expect their streets to be back to normal and ready for business by Tuesday morning after Carnival, and we're very proud to deliver that year in, year out. 'It's a major operation and I am in awe of the hard-working men and women in our waste crews who work tirelessly through the night to collect the rubbish on Sunday and Monday. 'The work doesn't stop there. Over the next week we do extra jet-washing and graffiti cleaning so that the streets are back to normal, fast.' Gary O'Hagan, regional manager at SUEZ, said: 'We are fully prepared for one of the biggest clean-up operations in Europe, with over 180 staff and 45 vehicles ready to be deployed across the north of the borough throughout the weekend, expected to collect over 300 tonnes of waste and recycling. Notting Hill Carnival, the largest street party in Europe, officially began on Sunday morning with dancers in bright costumes parading along the streets Dating back to 1966, Notting Hill Carnival takes over the west London district for one weekend a year, transforming it into a colourful celebration of Caribbean culture Participants perform during the Notting Hill Carnival adults parade in London today Dancers performing during the Notting Hill Carnival celebration in west London over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend A group dance in green costumes for the Notting Hill Carnival on Monday A person attends the event in an orange, pink, green and blue costume on Monday afternoon Dating back to 1966, Notting Hill Carnival takes over the west London district for one weekend a year Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival on August 25, 2025 in London, England Dancers take part in today's festival in the west London district in celebration of Caribbean culture A reveller in elaborate and colourful costume takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival 'Thanks to years of experience, we have a well-established operational plan to ensure our clean-up runs smoothly and efficiently. 'Our crews work incredibly hard, often through the night, to ensure that the streets are returned to normal as quickly as possible. 'We're proud to play a key role in getting the area looking clean and tidy again after such a landmark event for the borough, with the bulk of the clean-up completed in time for Tuesday's early morning commuters.' Dating back to 1966, Notting Hill Carnival takes over the west London district for one weekend a year, transforming it into a colourful celebration of Caribbean culture. The festival began at 6am, with festival-goers gathering for J'Ouvert celebrations, which means 'daybreak' in French Creole. Attendees paraded through the streets and sprayed brightly coloured paints and powders to get into the carnival spirit. Three men splattered in paint were even spotted dancing on top of a bus stop outside Ladbroke Grove station, near Portobello Road Market, as celebrations got off to a very early start. Participants perform during the Notting Hill Carnival adults parade in London today A colourful display of people during the Notting Hill Carnival on Monday A police officer watches on during the Notting Hill Carnival today in London A dancer dressed in red performs during the carnival in Notting Hill today Hundreds gathered under a bridge where they danced and launched paint into the air Hundreds gathered under a bridge where they danced and launched paint into the air as Europe's biggest street party got underway in flamboyant style yesterday. Some were dressed in blue overalls to protect their clothes from the paint, while others wore their most colourful outfits or took part in a tradition from the Caribbean island of Grenada called Jab-Jab. This is where they cover their bodies in black oil, tar, mud or paint, wear horns and drag chains in a satirical celebration to recognise the detrimental impact of British colonialism and the slave trade upon Caribbean nations. Police have said they anticipate over a million people will descend on the plush London area 'for what is one of the most significant weekends in the capital's cultural calendar'. The main carnival parade route stretches across three miles of west London streets, passing by Ladbroke Grove, Great Western Road, and Westbourne Park, with party-goers enjoying dazzling parades boasting flags from across the Caribbean. Yesterday a 72-second silence was held in remembrance of the Grenfell Tower fire victims, which will be repeated again today at 3pm. More than seven in 10 voters think Sir Keir Starmer is failing to get a grip on asylum hotels as Labour comes under increasing pressure over the small boats crisis. A YouGov poll found that 71 per cent of voters believe the Prime Minister, who is on holiday in Europe this week, is handling the asylum hotel issue badly. This included more than half (56 per cent) of Labour supporters, while 37 per cent of all voters said immigration and asylum was the most important issue facing the UK. This compared with 25 per cent who said it was the economy and seven per cent who said it was the NHS. Sir Keir was dealt a blow after the High Court last week granted an injunction to stop the Home Office from using the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, to house asylum seekers. The ruling is threatening to throw Labour's asylum policy into chaos and has piled pressure on the PM to fulfil his pledge to end the use of migrant hotels by 2029. Since the Epping injunction was granted, a slew of other councils have begun investigating whether they might also pursue legal challenges against asylum hotels. Meanwhile, protests at sites housing asylum seekers continued over the weekend. A YouGov poll found that 71 per cent of voters believe the Prime Minister, who is on holiday in Europe this week, is handling the asylum hotel issue badly Sir Keir Starmer was dealt a blow after the High Court last week granted an injunction to stop the Home Office from using the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, to house asylum seekers Protests at sites housing asylum seekers continued over the weekend, including outside the Brook Hotel in Norwich Under Labour a record 28,076 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, 46 per cent more than in the same period in 2024. Lord Blunkett, the former Labour home secretary, said the Government needed to take more 'radical' action and suggested ministers were failing to 'grip' the issue. He told The Times: 'I think that the individual measures the Government has taken are extremely helpful in their own right but don't add up either to a comprehensive answer or an understandable narrative. 'At the moment the issue is so toxic and beginning to get out of the Government's grip to the point it is very hard to bring it back. 'A further package of actions is absolutely vital to start controlling both the public narrative and the delivery. 'If this slips out of our hands, it's incredibly difficult to pull it back. Once people have got it in their heads that the Government haven't a grip and that this is an intractable problem, they will turn on you. 'That is meat and drink. It's the old cry, 'For God's sake, do something'.' Lord Blunkett wants the PM to temporarily suspend elements of the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Refugee Convention to deal with the crisis, as well as bring in a digital national identity scheme. Official figures released earlier this month showed a total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001. The record level of applications comes as the backlog of people waiting for an initial decision on their claims dropped to 90,812 at the end of June. There were 32,059 asylum seekers in UK hotels by the end of the same month. Labour has promised to end the use of the sites by 2029. The YouGov poll of 2,153 people, carried out on August 20-21, found that Reform UK was seen as the party that would handle asylum and immigration 'best'. Nearly a third of voters (31 per cent) said Reform was best-placed, including 16 per cent of those who backed Labour at the last election. Just 9 per cent said Labour would handle the immigration issue best and 6 per cent favoured the Tories. Reform leader Nigel Farage will use a press conference on Tuesday to publish his plans for mass deportations of asylum seekers who come to the UK on small boats. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said 'completely unacceptable' delays in the appeals process left failed asylum seekers in the system for years. The Government has put forward its own plans for a new system where a panel of independent adjudicators, rather than tribunal judges, deals with appeals over asylum decisions. There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average more than a year to reach a decision, with the backlog now thought to be the biggest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system. The Home Secretary said the overhaul would result in a system which is 'swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place'. Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said Labour was 'clearing up the mess of the previous government'. She wrote in the Daily Mirror: 'Our reforms will resolve appeals faster, get people out of hotels and cut costs to taxpayers. 'No gimmicks, no games, this real work is all part of our system-wide approach to delivering necessary, lasting change.' However, the Refugee Council's Imran Hussain said: 'The fastest way to speed up asylum appeals is to get decisions right first time. 'But at the moment, nearly half of appeals are successful, meaning that the initial decision was wrong.' African nations are demanding that the 'distorted' world map be redrawn to show the true scale of the continent that they argue has been misrepresented for centuries. The African Union (AU) has backed a campaign to end the use by governments and international organisations of the 16th-century Mercator map of the world, in favour of one that more accurately displays Africa's size. The 55-nation bloc has accused the map of skewing continent sizes, enlarging areas near the poles like North America and Greenland while shrinking Africa and South America. They argue the distortion leads to an underplaying of the size and importance of Africa, while disproportionally accentuating the scale of America and Europe to make them look larger than they are. The Mercator projection, one of the world's most common maps, was created by the Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator for navigation in 1569. It makes Africa look relatively small as it increases the size of countries further from the equator. This means Greenland looks almost the same size as Africa, when in reality the continent is 14 times larger. 'It might seem to be just a map, but in reality, it is not,' AU Commission deputy chairperson Selma Malika Haddadi told Reuters, saying the Mercator fostered a false impression that Africa was 'marginal', despite being the world's second-largest continent by area, with over a billion people. Such stereotypes influence media, education and policy, she said. The campaigners argue that Africa's diminished scale on the map breeds harmful misconceptions about its geopolitical and economic significance. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Now, the AU is supporting the 'Correct the Map' campaign to urge organisations to adopt the 2018 'Equal Earth' projection as an alternative, which tries to reflect the true scale of countries. The campaign says: 'In a world where size is often equated with power, misrepresenting Africas true scale reinforces harmful misconceptions about its geopolitical and economic significance. 'You could fit the United States, China, India, Japan, Mexico and much of Europe into Africa and still have land to spare. 'Yet, most of the world continues to favor this distorted map, misrepresenting Africas scale and diminishing its significance.' Criticism of the Mercator map is nothing new, but the campaign to have it replaced has built momentum through the work of advocacy groups such as Africa No Filter and Speak Up Africa. Campaigners demand for the 'Equal Earth' projection to be implemented by international bodies like the United Nations and the World Bank as well as in schools and the media. A World Bank spokesperson said they already use the Winkel-Tripel or Equal Earth for static maps and are phasing out Mercator on web maps. 'The current size of the map of Africa is wrong,' Moky Makura, executive director of Africa No Filter, said. Globe of Gerhard Mercator at the Cultural and Local Historical Museum in Duisburg The Atlas of Gerhard Mercator at the Cultural and Local Historical Museum in Dusiburg 'It's the world's longest misinformation and disinformation campaign, and it just simply has to stop.' Fara Ndiaye, co-founder of Speak Up Africa, said the Mercator affected Africans' identity and pride, especially children who might encounter it early in school. 'We're actively working on promoting a curriculum where the Equal Earth projection will be the main standard across all (African) classrooms,' Ndiaye said, adding she hoped it would also be the one used by global institutions, including Africa-based ones. Haddadi said the AU endorsed the campaign, adding it aligned with its goal of 'reclaiming Africa's rightful place on the global stage' amid growing calls for reparations for colonialism and slavery. The AU will advocate for wider map adoption and discuss collective actions with member states, Haddadi added. The Mercator projection is still widely used, including by schools and tech companies. Google Maps switched from Mercator on desktop to a 3D globe view in 2018, though users can still switch back to the Mercator if they prefer. On the mobile app, however, the Mercator projection remains the default. The campaign said it has sent a request to the UN geospatial body, UN-GGIM. A UN spokesperson said that once received it must be reviewed and approved by a committee of experts. Other regions are backing the AU's efforts. Dorbrene O'Marde, Vice Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Reparations Commission, endorsed Equal Earth as a rejection of Mercator map's 'ideology of power and dominance'. Nick Millea, a map curator at Oxfords Bodleian Libraries, said all maps produced visual misrepresentations because it was impossible to accurately plot a globe onto a flat surface. 'Its the age-old problem of trying to project a spherical object onto a flat surface: you cant do it. Something has got to give to come up with an image,' he told The Telegraph. The 16th-century Mercator projection was useful for navigation because a straight line on the map corresponded to a straight route in the real world. It then became the standard for online mapping - despite the fact that the projection is poor for showing the relative sizes of landmasses. And while the Equal Earth model accurately reflects surface area, it still has its own flaws such as warping the shape of continents. Israel unleashed a wave of deadly airstrikes on Yemen's capital on Sunday, with footage capturing a colossal fireball erupting near the presidential palace. At least six people were killed and 86 wounded, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, with seven said to be fighting for their lives. The strikes shook Sanaa overnight, hitting multiple sites including an oil facility, a major powerplant, and a military compound near the presidential palace. Social media footage captured a huge orange fireball rising from the Asar oil facility, while residents reported terrifying blasts that shattered windows and sent smoke billowing across the city. Blazing flames formed a thick column up into the sky as a black mushroom cloud topped the blast. Onlookers were seen yelling in terror and running for their lives. Following the explosion, a huge pillar of grey smoke lingered in the air before a second blast occurred - though it's not clear whether this was caused by a second impact in the same spot. 'The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered,' local man Ahmed al-Mekhlafy told reporters. Another resident, Hussein Mohamed, said: 'The sounds of explosions were very strong.' Meanwhile, 20 people, including five journalists, have been killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser hospital in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. At least six people were killed and 86 wounded, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, with seven said to be fighting for their lives The strikes shook Sanaa overnight, hitting multiple sites including an oil facility, a major powerplant, and a military compound near the presidential palace Social media footage captured a huge orange fireball rising from the Asar oil facility, while residents reported terrifying blasts that shattered windows and sent smoke billowing across the city A fire ball rises from the site of an Israeli air strike in Sanaa, Yemen August 24, 2025 According to local reports, four of the journalists were employees of Reuters, AP, Al Jazeera, and the Middle East Eye. Earlier in August, four Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al-Sharif were killed by Israeli strikes. Israel said the raids in Yemen targeted 'key infrastructure' used for military activities, including the Hizaz power plant - a vital electricity source for rebel operations. Defence officials revealed that more than ten fighter jets took part in the assault. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Houthis are 'paying a heavy price for their aggression' while Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel's air and naval blockade remains in place. The Houthis, who have been firing missiles and drones at Israel and disrupting Red Sea shipping for almost two years, saying they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza, vowed to keep attacking. Deputy media chief Nasruddin Amer defiantly wrote online: 'Our military operations supporting Gaza won't stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted'. The Israeli strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel said it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the rebels. It comes just days after Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired what the Israeli military claims was their first cluster bomb missile in nearly two years, during Friday's attempted strike on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli officials said the Houthi missile - believed to be Iranian-supplied - fragmented mid-air after several interception attempts. There was no reported damage or injuries. An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, called Friday's projectile a new threat - a cluster munition, meant to detonate into multiple explosives on impact. Firefighters try to extinguish the fire following the Israeli warplanes struck several sites in capital Sanaa, including the presidential palace and power plants, Yemen on August 24, 2025 Flames and smoke rise from the area as military statement claimed that the strikes targeted Houthi infrastructure in Sanaa, including the Asar and Hizaz power plants, a site for storing fuel, and a military site in which the presidential palace is located Smoke hung over the city following the multiple bomb drops A burnt truck is parked outside a fuel station one day after it was hit by Israeli airstrikes in Sanaa, Yemen August 25, 2025 The use of cluster bombs makes interception more difficult and represents additional technology provided to the Houthis by Iran, the official asserted. Shipping routes through the Red Sea worth an estimated $1 trillion in global trade every year have been thrown into chaos by more than 100 Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels since late 2023. Although the US struck Houthi positions last year, Washington later brokered a deal to halt airstrikes in exchange for a pause in attacks on international shipping. The rebels stopped the attacks during this year's brief ceasefire in Gaza and later became the target of a weekslong airstrike campaign ordered by US President Donald Trump. In May, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to end the airstrikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping, although the rebels said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel. Last month, the Houthis said they would target merchant ships belonging to any company that does business with Israeli ports, regardless of nationality, as part of what they called a new phase of operations against Israel. In May, Israeli airstrikes hit the Sanaa airport in a rare daytime attack that destroyed the terminal and left craters in its runway. At least six passenger planes were hit, including three belonging to Yemenia Airways, according to airport authorities. Nearly one million young Brits have been left idle while the number of non-EU workers has soared by 315 per cent, a new study has found. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) said under-25s were being 'squeezed out of the job market' by a combination of mass migration, rising payroll taxes and surging benefit awards. A total of 987,000 16-24 year-olds - equivalent to more than one in eight - were categorised as NEETs (not in education, employment or training) in the year to December, an increase of 877,000 on the previous year. The CSJ found this rise had been exacerbated by a fall of 49,000 in the number of young Britons on company payrolls between January 2020 and December 2024. By contrast, the number of young non-EU migrants employed by British businesses soared by 258,000. The CSJ report, Wasted Youth, claimed that the widening gulf in employment patterns is partly explained by UK employers opting for immigrants, while thousands of British young people claim out of work benefits for conditions such as anxiety and depression. The number of NEETs citing ill health has increased by half since 2019. And of the 250,000 NEETs inactive due to sickness, 62 per cent reported mental or emotional difficulties and half cognitive difficulties, with the two overlapping in over a quarter of cases. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. The CSJ, which was founded by former Tory leader Iain Duncan-Smith, called for an overhaul in the approach, shifting away from 'uncontrolled mass migration' to focus on getting British youngsters into work. It proposed a new 'Future Workforce Credit' to incentivise the hiring of NEETs. This would pay employers 30 per cent of their, half upfront and half after six months of continuous employment. A cross-party group backing the proposal included Lord David Blunkett, former Labour Secretary of State for Education and Employment. 'The last Labour Government's New Deal for Young People proved that with the right approach we can take young people away from a life on benefits and into the world of work, growing the economy and transforming lives at the same time,' he said. 'I welcome this plan from the Centre for Social Justice, in particular the proposed Future Workforce Credit to help employers hire and upskill a new generation of talent. This is how we stop hundreds of thousands being written off and get Britain working again.' Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Sir Jeremy Hunt , former Chancellor of the Exchequer under Rishi Sunak, said: 'This is an important and timely report. The sharp rise in economic inactivity among young people is one of the biggest structural threats to our long-term growth and public finances. 'The Centre for Social Justice has set out a serious plan to get Britain's young people back to work. I strongly support the principle behind the Future Workforce Credit and their proposals to reform mental health benefits. 'Given the soaring cost of hiring, ministers must take bold action this Autumn to support businesses and help more British youngsters reap all of the benefits that come with a job. The future of our economy depends on it.' The report follows warnings from David Miles, an executive at the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), that immigration is creating 'serious problems' for public services and living standards. He said Labour must focus on getting unemployed Britons back to work in order to slash welfare spending and the UK's 'explosive' debt pile. Mr Miles suggested that spending on overseas workers to boost economic growth is unsustainable because they also rely on services such as schools and the NHS. Lord Blunkett backed calls for a new 'Future Workforce Credit' to incentivise the hiring of NEETs 'Immigration - which primarily involves those of working age who are many years away from retirement - both delays the impact of the ageing of the population and is the driver of population growth,' he told the Telegraph. 'Some conclude from this that a faster rise in the population... will be beneficial in alleviating acute underlying fiscal pressures. 'But, even setting aside the fact that it is GDP per capita that matters for average standards of living - and growth in population does not obviously boost it - there are serious problems with the idea that faster population growth can consistently alleviate fiscal problems.' A Government spokesman said: 'This government is ending the failed experiment in open borders that saw net migration soar to nearly one million under the previous government, and through our Immigration White Paper are replacing it with one that puts Britain's young people at the front of the queue for skills, training and work. 'We will ensure every young person has the chance to thrive which is why any employer hiring someone under the age of 21 doesn't have to pay National Insurance contributions until they earn over 50,000. 'In addition to this, we are investing a further 45million in our Youth Guarantee trailblazer scheme to help ensure that no young person will be left behind as we unlock economic growth and secure prosperity for all under our Plan for Change.' Comedian Reggie Carroll has tragically died after being gunned down in Mississippi. The 52-year-old, known for touring his stand-up routines across the US, was pronounced dead on Wednesday. A male suspect has since been charged with the murder of the popular Baltimore-born comedian. Police officers responded after reports of an 'isolated shooting' in Southhaven, Mississippi's third biggest city, and found 'one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds.' Mr Carroll was treated by officers who found him alive but he later 'succumbed to his injuries'. An investigation into the murder is ongoing, with the identity of the suspect charged yet to be released. Mr Carroll, who was dubbed 'The Knockout King of Comedy', built up a popular following across the US through his comedy performances. He appeared in several television series, including The Parkers and the TV film, Rent & Go. Comedian Reggie Carroll has tragically died after being gunned down in Mississippi on Wednesday The 52-year-old, known for touring his stand-up routines across the US, was pronounced dead on Wednesday Police officers responded after reports of an 'isolated shooting' and found 'one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds' The comedian also appeared as himself in Knockout Kings of Comedy and Showtime at the Apollo. Oscar winner Mo'Nique, a fellow comedian, called Mr Carroll her 'brother in comedy,' in a touching tribute on Instagram. 'This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if you'll get a chance to see them again, and the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together,' she wrote. 'That's what it was, an amazing time, being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our time together was amazing.' His brother, Jonathan Carroll, thanked those sending condolences. 'To all who have expressed condolences on the passing of Reggie Carroll, your love has been well received-thank you!!!' he wrote in a Facebook post, signing off as the 'Carroll brothers.' Police confirmed that a male suspect has been charged with murder. Mr Carroll, who was dubbed 'The Knockout King of Comedy', built up a popular following across the US through his comedy performances The comedian earned a huge social media following from his succesful career, boasting 162,000 Instagram followers before his death 'One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll,' Southhaven Police Department said. 'Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll. 'Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding.' The comedian earned a huge social media following from his succesful career, boasting 162,000 Instagram followers before his death. A suspected murderer who stabbed a young father to death in front of his partner in Knightsbridge fled the country on fake documents within hours after a 'targeted attack', it has been claimed. Blue Stevens, 24, was knifed in broad daylight outside the 1,650-a-night 5-star Park Tower Hotel and Casino, which is directly across the road from the Harvey Nichols department store in central London, on July 9. Nearly seven weeks have passed but the killer - whom murder detectives believe could have stabbed Blue in a 'targeted attack' - is still at large. Detectives are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry, including whether the murder was a botched attempted watch robbery as Blue was wearing a gold timepiece when he was attacked. The Mail can reveal that Blue and his partner, Yve Hale, were on their way to have dinner at Nusr-Et, the steakhouse run by celebrity chef Salt Bae, when the attacker intercepted them just yards away from the restaurant. A nearby hotel worker told the Mail the couple were walking along the pavement when the knifeman stabbed Blue in the chest before his girlfriend desperately tried to save him. On July 14, five days after Blue's death, the Met Police announced they had arrested three men in their 20s in connection with the murder. Two were detained at an address in Hounslow - one on suspicion of murder and another on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. A third man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three were bailed and no further arrests or charges have come. As mystery surrounds the murder, Blue's mother, Charlie Sheridan, claimed on Facebook last night: 'They [police] know who did it. He left the country on fake documents hours afterwards. Gone. Makes me sick to my stomach.' Blue Stevens with his son. He was stabbed outside the 1,650-a-night 5-star Park Tower Hotel and Casino, which is directly across the road from the Harvey Nichols department store in central London, on July 9 The victim had two children, including a little girl (pictured together) The murder scene outside the Park Tower Casino in London's Knightsbridge Ms Sheridan has posted a series of emotional tributes to Blue since his tragic death, which came just days before his 25th birthday on July 29. The family gave Blue an emotional send off on August 8, driving his body past his grandparents house and through Yateley. In one post the night before the funeral, Ms Sheridan wrote: 'Going to bed knowing that I've got to bury my child tomorrow. Oh my god. This can't be real. This can't be true. Please god. Not my handsome blue boy.' In another, she said: 'Whoever took my sons life took mine as well.' And in a third, she wrote: 'I was robbed. We have all been robbed. Not just of him, but of who we were before. Still no one paying for what they took.' Blue is from a family of famous boxers. His grandfather was celebrated heavyweight Les Stevens, who won bronze at the 1970 Commonwealth Games. Stevens went on a 15-fight winning streak as a professional before retiring in 1979. In his career he had 23 wins and just five defeats. Les then devoted 40 years of his life to training boxers and died in 2020 of Covid-19. Friends said Blue loved buying the 'sparkliest' watches he could find and was pictured recently on social media wearing a Datejust 36mm oystersteel and gold Rolex, which is worth 12,250. Blue's sister shared this image and tribute, showing him wearing one of his beloved watches Blue's partner left flowers at the scene of his murder and said: 'We are absolutely devastated without you. You took a piece of my heart with you. A part of me has gone with you' The tent showing where the murder victim died, allegedly when a robber tried to snatch his gold watch and he fought back Blue's BMW X3 was parked just 100 metres away and was cordoned off behind police tape The Park Tower Hotel and Casino is next door to Nusr-Et (pictured), the steakhouse run by celebrity chef Salt Bae. Blue was on his way to have dinner here when he was stabbed just yards away Police swarmed the exclusive area at just before 9.30pm The Metropolitan Police are probing whether the incident was a targeted attack and said the theft of his watch remains a line of inquiry. In their most recent statement, Detective Chief Superintendent Christina Jessah, who leads policing in Central West London, said: 'These arrests mark a significant milestone in this complex and unfolding murder investigation. 'We continue to progress at pace. While we retain an open mind around motive, one line of enquiry is now that this may have been a targeted attack. 'Increased police patrols remain active in and around the Knightsbridge area. Please do speak with an officer if you have any questions or concerns.' The Met says it will make no further comment at this stage. Asylum seekers have said they 'don't understand' the protests happening outside migrant hotels and have criticised those who 'judge us all for being bad people'. The group of migrants spoke at a Holiday Inn Express in Oxford during a demonstration on Saturday. This weekend, rival groups angrily clashed in front of hotels being used to house asylum seekers as a wave of protests spread across Britain - with at least 30 demonstrations taking place in one day. Around 20 migrants stood outside the hotel in Oxford on Saturday with the protection of security watching the demonstration, while noise came from a counter protest nearby. One man, who did not wish to be named, is from Afghanistan and came to the UK around a year and a half ago. He has been living at the Holiday Inn Express hotel the whole time, he said. He claimed he couldn't understand why protesters were demonstrating against him and his friends living in the hotel. When asked how he felt, he said: 'Not happy. Not happy at all.' A group of migrants spoke outside the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford during a demonstration on Saturday An asylum seeker sits outside the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford amid protests in the area A protest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford, which saw police in attendance Protesters held up England flags during the demonstration outside the migrant hotel in Oxford On Saturday, tensions boiled over in Oxford, as opposing groups clashed outside the Holiday Inn Express (pictured) Another man, from Syria, declined to give his name or have his photograph taken because he feared he would become a target. He said he came to the UK to flee conflict and has been living at the hotel for just over a month now. 'I came from war,' he said. 'I want to work here, I will go to college. I want to learn. One day I want to be a zookeeper or become a police officer. 'I can't say anything [about the protest outside] but I don't understand it. They judge us all for being bad people, but we are not. 'We just want to live better lives.' He added: 'I came here on a boat, crossing from Calais to Dover. When I arrived, the police took me away and took my phone for three days. I was without it all that time. But I understand why they had to do it.' On Saturday, tensions boiled over in Oxford, as opposing groups clashed outside the Holiday Inn Express. But in a rare moment of unity, both groups chanted together 'Keir Starmer is a w*****'. Protesters clash in Newcastle on Saturday as a far right group campaigning against migrants in the New Bridge Hotel stand off against a counter group defending the refugees Mounted police officers are deployed during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter demonstrators at Castle Park in Bristol on Saturday Security guarding the hotel outside said there have been incidents where people are coming into the hotel and causing disruption. They said people are welcome to come in and ask questions to the supervisor, but those looking to cause trouble are not welcome. Hari Reed, chief executive of the Oxford charity Asylum Welcome, said: 'People who claim asylum are legally permitted to have their asylum claims heard, and we are morally obligated to protect people in need. 'Many have fled unimaginable situations - they are traumatised, scared and want to rebuild their lives. 'They are not permitted to work despite wanting to, and they have no choice over where they live. 'They don't want to be in a hotel either.' Other asylum seekers living in hotels in the South East said they are in a 'state of constant anxiety' amid the protests, which have spread across the UK. One man, who has been living in a hotel in Surrey for three years since fleeing persecution in Tanzania, told the BBC: 'The protests really scare me. 'Each of us is very afraid to leave,' he added, claiming the situation is especially scary for children staying at the hotel. Rival groups angrily clashed in front of migrant hotels across the UK this weekend as a wave of protests spread across Britain. At least 30 demonstrations took place on Saturday, with police bracing themselves for more over the bank holiday. Crowds gathered in front of hotels housing asylum seekers and in city centres such as Bristol, where police on horseback were sent in as clashes intensified, and Liverpool. In many places, right-wing groups joined irate locals demanding the closure of hotels accommodating asylum seekers. Police officers on horseback on Saturday during a protest by Abolish Asylum System and counter demonstrators at Castle Park in Bristol Demonstrators gather during an anti-immigration protest outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle on Saturday Protesters and counter-protesters have gathered outside hotels being used to house asylum seekers in recent weeks. Pictured: Protest in Newcastle on Saturday Meanwhile, anti-racist organisations including Stand Up to Racism mobilised thousands of their own supporters to attend the same demonstrations. In Liverpool, at least 800 protesters gathered outside St George's Hall. On one side those from right-wing groups such as Ukip and Abolish the Asylum System faced hundreds from Stand Up to Racism. As the right-wing protesters, draped in the St George's flag, shouted 'send them back', their opponents screamed 'Nazi scum off our streets'. Hundreds of police officers struggled to keep both sides apart, often being attacked and spat at themselves. In Bristol, there were fistfights and assaults against officers by both left and right-wing activists, and hundreds clashed in the city centre. On Saturday night, Avon and Somerset Police said a 37-year-old woman was arrested for assaulting an emergency worker. Meanwhile, hundreds more locked horns at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Horley, near Gatwick airport, which was targeted after a former asylum seeker, Qais Al-Aswad, 26, was convicted of sexually assaulting three women. Female MPs have reported rape and death threats amid concerns about a rise in online abuse linked to debates around immigration. One MP is said to have this weekend reported to the police an online rape threat linked to her support for asylum seekers. Others told The Guardian they had received death threats amid the 'constant' hate they face. A long-serving MP said the abuse suffered by MPs on social media and in their email inboxes was now worse than during the Brexit wars in Parliament. Protests continued across Britain this weekend over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with the Government under growing pressure to deal with the issue. Ministers were dealt a blow after the High Court last week granted an injunction to stop the Home Office from using the Bell Hotel in Essex to house asylum seekers. Epping Forest District Council had sought legal action after the Bell Hotel had been at the centre of protests in recent weeks. The demonstrations were held after an asylum seeker was charged with trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl, which he denies. Police stand in front of protestors outside the TLK Apartments & Hotel housing asylum seekers in Orpington, Greater London A demonstration was held outside the Brook Hotel in Norfolk on Sunday A group of people, believed to be migrants, are pictured on a small boat near Gravelines, northern France The ruling is threatening to throw Labour's asylum policy into chaos and has piled pressure on the PM to fulfil his pledge to end the use of migrant hotels by 2029. Since the Epping injunction was granted, a slew of other councils have begun investigating whether they might also pursue legal challenges against asylum hotels. So far this year a record 28,076 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats, 46 per cent more than in the same period in 2024. After protests on Saturday across the UK, which resulted in at least 15 arrests, demonstrations continued outside migrant hotels on Sunday. Labour's Tonia Antoniazzi, who has been MP for Gower since 2017, said the current political climate was 'frighteningly polarised'. She told the newspaper: 'The lambasting we are all getting on social media and in the inbox is grim, from both sides. 'It's like we can't do right for doing wrong and everything has become frighteningly polarised. 'Very few people see us as the individual humans that we are - especially women, mums, sisters, daughters - and it's really changed since I came into the House. 'It's worse than Brexit. In fact I could cope with that better.' Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer, the MP for Bristol Central said the abuse she is sent had become 'noticeably worse' in the last few months. She said it was 'escalating in some cases to violent threats', which she had reported to the police. 'As a leftwing and queer woman MP who speaks up frequently in support of refugees and LGBTIQA+ issues, I attract a lot of misogynist and homophobic abuse,' she said. 'I wish I was surprised, but sadly it feels inevitable in the current political environment as the far right in the UK and across the world feels more and more emboldened and validated by other political parties dancing to their tune.' She added: 'It doesn't matter how much you disagree with someone, threats of violence are never, ever appropriate. And they won't silence me.' Another female MP said: 'I have received death threats in the last six months. 'The misogyny and the hate hasn't really stopped since I was elected, so it always feels like it has been pretty intense and is constant.' One MP said: 'I've had some pretty unpleasant abuse. One [person] asked recently why I was hosting and supporting child rapists.' They added that the police had assured them those carrying out the abuse were 'only a small online community'. Dan Jarvis, the security minister and chair of the Government's defending democracy taskforce, said: 'Vile threats and the intimidation of those who serve in public life is utterly unacceptable. 'We are absolutely determined to ensure all elected representatives can carry out their democratic duties without suffering harassment and the defending democracy taskforce works to ensure a whole-of-government response to the threats to our democracy. 'While there will always be a place for robust debate, there will never be a place for fear in our democracy.' A Ministry of Defence worker at NATO headquarters sued for harassment after he wasn't given a 'good luck' card when leaving his job. James Eyles was 'upset' not to have his time on the base formally marked, an employment tribunal heard. The accommodation stores manager claimed he had been targeted because of his disabilities - which included PTSD, depression, anxiety and paranoia. However, the panel dismissed his claim, ruling that being given a card by colleagues was 'discretionary' and that he wasn't the only one on his team not to have his departure recognised. The hearing, held in Cambridge, heard Mr Eyles began working for the MoD in March 2020, managing their accommodation stores at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium. During this role, he was primarily responsible for providing furniture and soft furnishings to British MoD and NATO families and staff. Mr Eyles was also responsible for the team based at Sennelager in Germany, but in May 2021 they were transferred to another manager in a different department. This was part of a wider restructure, the hearing was told. James Eyles began working for the MoD in March 2020, managing their accommodation stores at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (pictured) in Mons, Belgium Mr Eyles told the tribunal this was a 'demotion', and after their removal from his management he was restricted to 'menial tasks' - motivated by knowledge of his disabilities. He claimed that in October 2021 his boss 'belittled and scolded' him, telling him that he was 'incompetent' following a mix up over some furniture. In December, the MoD became aware of his PTSD, depression, anxiety, and paranoia, the tribunal found. In September 2022, he was told that his request for his tour to be extended by two years would not be granted. He was told in an email that the reason for this was due to a 'review' of the department's structure which resulted in posts not being extended. In November 2022, he was rejected from a position as a housing manager and in March 2023 an offer for a role as the repair department manager at Sennelager was withdrawn. When his tour ended in July 2023, Mr Eyles was not given a 'good luck' card or presentation which he claimed amounted to disability harassment. '[The MoD] accepts that when [he] left on 16 July 2023 he was not presented with a Good Luck card or presentation,' Employment Judge Kate Hutchings said. The Ministry of Defence worker sued for harassment after he wasn't given a 'good luck' card when leaving his job (Stock photo) '[He] did not challenge the [MoD's] evidence that not everyone had a presentation or received a good luck card when they left. 'Indeed, [another colleague] told us she did not get a presentation or card when she left her post in July 2024. 'Subjectively this was unwanted conduct as [he] was upset that his departure was not formally recognised. 'There is no evidence the reason he did not receive a card or presentation was due to his disabilities. His line managers were off sick at this time so could not organise. 'In any event, it was discretionary for colleagues to arrange this. For these reasons, we conclude that this complaint of harassment related to disability fails.' Overall, the tribunal concluded that none of Mr Eyles's claims were well-founded and many of them did not happen at all. He still works for the MoD. Canada's assisted suicide laws have continued rapidly expanding in recent years, with a group of doctors now pushing for disabled newborn babies to be euthanized. The demand for euthanasia is so high that doctors who provide it cannot keep up, according to a new report by The Atlantic. Assisted dying, legalized in 2016, now accounts for about one out of 20 deaths in Canada, far surpassing countries where it's been legal for longer. As assisted deaths have become a major part of Canada's health care system, the Quebec College of Physicians suggested legalizing euthanasia for infants born severely ill. As The Atlantic noted, the practice is legal in the Netherlands - the first country to adopt it since Nazi Germany did it in 1939. In 2022, Louis Roy from the Quebec College of Physicians raised the notion of euthanasia for babies up to a year old 'who are born with severe deformations, very grave and severe medical syndromes, whose life expectancy and level of suffering are such that it would make sense to ensure that they do not suffer.' While parents already have the option of stopping treatment for babies suffering from medical conditions, the proposal would accelerate the infant's death, sparking questions about consent. Donna Duncan, 61, (left, with her daughter) was 'fast tracked' for euthanasia after she 'starved herself' - because she was 'depressed' following car accident complications, according to her family Vancouver doctor Ellen Wiebe, who used to be an abortion provider, has euthanized more than 430 patients in nine years The Quebec College of Physicians told Daily Mail on Monday 'The CMQ reiterates that medical assistance in dying may be an appropriate treatment for babies suffering from extreme pain that cannot be relieved and who have severe malformations or serious polysymptomatic syndromes that destroy any prospect of survival. 'The CMQ believes that parents should have the opportunity to obtain this care for their infant under these well-defined circumstances.' Currently, patients don't need to be terminally ill to qualify for Medical Assistance in Dying, or MAID, as it's called in Canada. In two years, the mentally ill will qualify for MAID, and parliament has recommended granting access to minors. Just one doctor - Vancouver's Ellen Wiebe, who used to be an abortion provider - has euthanized more than 430 patients in nine years. Stefanie Green, another Vancouver doctor, said she calls her MAID deaths 'deliveries' instead of 'provisions,' which is the term for euthanasia that Canadian doctors use. As a former maternity doctor, she used to welcome lives into the world, and now sees her job as 'delivering life out.' Several doctors told The Atlantic they have felt uncomfortable providing MAID to patients who are not terminally ill, but they must respect their wishes as Canada's law prioritizes the patient's autonomy. In 2022, Louis Roy from the Quebec College of Physicians raised the notion of euthanasia for babies up to a year old 'who are born with severe deformations, very grave and severe medical syndromes' Toronto-based cancer psychiatrist Madeline Li shared the story of a man in his early 30s who went to the emergency room in pain and was diagnosed with a cancer that had a 65 percent chance of a cure. But the young man declined any kind of treatment and demanded MAID. While MAID is advertised as allowing patients to die peaceful and dignified deaths, one doctor told The Atlantic that not all who choose assisted suicide have a loving send off. Toronto physician Sandy Buchman told of a patient who was 'all alone' lying on a mattress on the floor of an otherwise empty rental apartment. Canada's legal criteria require a medical reasons for euthanasia - a fatal diagnosis or unmanageable pain - but a 2024 report by Ontario's chief coroner found that some patients were euthanized based on other factors including an 'unmet social need.' The report came after an Associated Press investigation found doctors and nurses were privately struggling with euthanasia requests from vulnerable people whose suffering might be addressed by money, social connections or adequate housing. Providers expressed deep discomfort with ending the lives of vulnerable people whose deaths were avoidable, even if they met the criteria in Canada's euthanasia system. In the case of a man identified as Mr A, Ontario's expert committee questioned whether authorities tried hard enough to relieve his pain before he was euthanized. Mr A was an unemployed man in his 40s with bowel disease and a history of substance abuse and mental illness. Canada's road to allowing euthanasia began in 2015, when its top court declared that outlawing assisted suicide deprived people of their dignity and autonomy. Justin Trudeau, pictured, was prime minister at the time He was described as 'socially vulnerable and isolated.' Some committee members were alarmed that a psychiatrist suggested euthanasia during a mental health assessment. Mr A was eventually picked up and driven to the location where he was killed by the health professional who euthanized him - a transgression of professional boundaries, according to some committee members. They said that might have 'created pressure and gave rise to a perception of hastening a person towards death.' Another case detailed Ms B, a woman in her 50s suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, with a history of mental illness including suicidality and post-traumatic stress disorder. She was socially isolated and asked to die largely because she could not get proper housing, according to the report. Canada's road to allowing euthanasia began in 2015, when its top court declared that outlawing assisted suicide deprived people of their dignity and autonomy. It gave national leaders a year to draft legislation. The resulting 2016 law legalized both euthanasia and assisted suicide for people aged 18 and over, provided they met certain conditions. Nearly two thirds of Canada's recipients of assisted suicides are sufferers of cancer They had to have a serious, advanced condition, disease, or disability that was causing suffering and their death was looming. The law was later amended to allow people who are not terminally ill to choose death, significantly broadening the number of eligible people. Critics say that change removed a key safeguard aimed at protecting people with potentially decades of life left. Today, any adult with a serious illness, disease, or disability can seek help in dying. Euthanasia is legal in seven countries - Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand and Spain - plus several states in Australia. Other jurisdictions, including a growing number of US states, allow doctor-assisted suicide - in which patients take the drug themselves, typically crushing up and drinking a lethal dose of pills prescribed by a physician. More than 2.6 million people have signed a petition urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to show leniency towards an illegal migrant truck driver who allegedly killed three people in a horrific highway crash. Harjinder Singh, a native of India, is accused of causing the fatal crash in Fort Pierce after he made an illegal Uturn in an unauthorized area of the Florida Turnpike back on August 12. The trailer of his semitruck collided with a minivan, killing all three people inside the vehicle. Singh and the passenger in his truck were uninjured in the crash. Singh, 28, was charged with three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, and on Saturday was denied bond on all charges. Florida authorities claim Singh entered the US illegally from Mexico in 2018 and later obtained a commercial driver's license in California. Despite Singh's alleged crimes, millions have signed a Change.org petition urging DeSantis and Florida's clemency board to re-examine his case and, if convicted, issue him a 'proportionate and reasonable' sentence. 'This was a tragic accident not a deliberate act,' the online petition states. 'While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident.' Harjinder Singh (pictured in court on August 19) allegedly killed three people in a horrific highway crash Singh, a native of India, is accused of causing the fatal crash in Fort Pierce after he made an illegal Uturn in an unauthorized area of the Florida Turnpike. Pictured: the aftermath of the crash Indian politician Harsimrat Kaur Badal has also joined in the campaign to protect Singh, calling on External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to take up Singh's case with the US government. The Change.org petition, addressed to DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency, makes three specific requests on Singh's behalf. If convicted, it requests he receive a 'firm but fair' punishment 'ensuring justice without being excessively harsh' and asks the court to consider the crash was a 'tragic accident, not an intentional act of harm'. The petition creators urge the judge to allow for the possibility of parole after a 'fair portion of the sentence has been served', which they allege promotes rehabilitation, accountability and second chances. Third, it asks the judge to consider alternatives to incarceration, such as 'restorative justice, counseling, or community service'. 'By granting clemency, you would reaffirm the value of proportional justice, the power of community advocacy, and the potential for rehabilitation,' the petition, signed by the 'collective Punjabi youth', states. 'We believe this case is not just about one individual it speaks to the broader principles of fairness and mercy in the justice system.' Badal also launched an emotional appeal as Singh's case has gained publicity all across the globe. More than 2.6 million people have signed a petition urging Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to show leniency towards Singh Harjinder Singh (right) is seen inside the truck moments before the crash that killed three people Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis dispatched Lt. Gov. Jay Collins to California to escort Singh onto an airplane last Thursday The lawmaker, in a video posted to X, called on Jaishankar to take up Singh's case and 'ensure his rights are protected' including that he can wear a dastar, a traditional turban that symbolizes one's commitment to the Sikhism faith and culture. She urged the External Affairs Minister to work to ensure Singh is 'not persecuted as a murderer'. 'Harjinder committed a grave mistake which led to a fatal crash but he is not a murderer and should not not treated as such,' Badal said. She argued that the 'more than 150,000 Punjabi truck drivers in the US should not be discriminated against due to Harjinders mistake'. Indian politician Harsimrat Kaur Badal has joined in the campaign to protect Singh 'Their livelihood should not be snatched from them by denying them work visas and making it more difficult for them to drive trucks by bringing in new language proficiency rules,' Badal concluded. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the August 12 crash unfolded when Singh made an illegal turn on the highway about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach. A minivan in the neighboring lane was unable to avoid the truck's trailer and slammed into it, killing the minivan's driver and two passengers. Investigators said Singh and his passenger Harneet Singh fled to Sacramento the day after the deadly crash. The migrant was arrested in Stockton, California, on August 16 and later extradited to Florida. DeSantis dispatched Lt. Gov. Jay Collins to California to escort Singh onto an airplane last Thursday. Singh is now being held in the St. Lucie County Jail, Lt. Andrew Bolonka from the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said. A Florida judge on Saturday denied Singh's bond, ruling that he is an unauthorized alien and a 'substantial flight risk'. ICE officers and Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins escort Harjinder Singh toward a waiting plane at Stockton Metropolitan Airport for his extradition to Florida Singh is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail. A Florida judge on Saturday denied bond, ruling that he is an unauthorized alien and a 'substantial flight risk' US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also put a hold on him. The horror crash in St Lucie County has sparked a clash between US Department of Homeland Security and California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said issuing a commercial license to someone in the country illegally is 'asinine'. California is one of 19 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, that issues licenses regardless of immigration status. Supporters say it lets people work, visit doctors and travel safely. Newsom's press office responded on platform X that Singh obtained a work permit while Donald Trump was president, which McLaughlin has disputed. Another Spanish beach has closed after the invasion of the potentially deadly blue dragon sea creatures as the venomous species continues to spread across the country. The dangerous creatures, which have a potentially-fatal sting, were spotted on La Canteria beach in Orzola, in the popular holiday island Lanzarote, forcing the beach to temporarily close this week. Several sightings of the sea slugs, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, have been reported along the Lanzarote coast over the summer. It comes as tourists were banned from going into the water along an entire seven-mile stretch of Spain's Costa Blanca. Reg flags went up on beaches in the municipality of Guardamar del Segura just north of Torrevieja on Wednesday following the appearance of so-called blue dragons, which have been branded 'the most beautiful killer in the ocean'. The species feed on the venomous cells of creatures like the deadly Portuguese man o'war, storing them within its body in concentrated doses. It then recycles the venom, which allows it to paralyze prey 300 times its own size. This process concentrates the toxin, making the blue dragon's poison far more potent than that of its prey. If someone handles or steps on the creature, it can release these stinging cells into the skin. Tourists were last week banned from going into the water along an entire seven-mile stretch of Spain's Costa Blanca because of the rare creatures The dangerous creatures, which have a potentially-fatal sting, were spotted on La Canteria beach (pictured) in Orzola, in the popular holiday island Lanzarote The Spanish beach has closed after the invasion of the potentially deadly blue dragon sea creatures as the venomous species continues to spread across the country Typical symptoms of the blue dragon's sting include nausea, pain, vomiting and, in some cases, dangerous allergic reactions. While most stings are not deadly, they can be fatal for people with severe allergies, children or people with heart/respiratory conditions, and someone who has been stung multiple times. Swimming in Guardamar del Segura remains banned as of Monday. The beach had reopened on Thursday but was closed again on Sunday due to the continued presence of the species. The town council urged 'extreme caution' and asked beachgoers to avoid touching the animals and to call the police or lifeguard service if they are spotted. 'If this animal bites you, it is advisable to pour salt water on the area, apply a cold cloth, and go to the beach lifeguard center', they added. On Wednesday, Guardamar del Segura's mayor Jose Luis Saez, confirmed the sea ban order. In a post on X, he wrote: 'Red flag on the beaches of Guardamar. 'Bathing is prohibited following the appearance on Vivers Beach of two specimens of Glaucus atlanticus, known as the Blue Dragon.' Your browser does not support iframes. The dazzling blue creature absorbs the stinging cells from its food and stores them in concentrated doses, giving it a far more potent sting than its prey The sea slug, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, feeds on the deadly Portuguese man o' war and other venomous creatures He added: 'We remind people that despite its bright and striking colour and it's small 1.5 inch size, they should stay away from this animal because of its sting. 'Guardamar del Segura Town Hall has has launched a preventive operation to detect possible specimens carried by ocean currents. 'Town hall workers are closely following the evolution of the situation and will inform people about the different measures to be taken. 'If you see one of these creatures don't touch it, even with gloves on, alert lifeguards and other authorities. 'If you get stung, wash the area affected with salt water and head to your nearest first aid point or health centre. 'These creatures are poisonous and their stings can cause nausea, pain and vomiting. 'For the time being and until further notice, bathing in the sea is prohibited.' But Vivers Beach, a natural stretch of coast south of the Segura River and north of La Babilonia Beach, was said to be full of people despite the ban. Pictured: Tourists sunbathing on a beach of Guardamar del Segura town. Parts of the beach now remain closed Vivers Beach (pictured), a natural stretch of coast south of the Segura River and north of La Babilonia Beach, was said to be full of people despite the ban last week However, fewer people than normal were said to be in the sea defying the bathing ban order and risking heavy fines. Meanwhile, red flags went up at Santa Barbara beach in La Linea de la Concepcion near Gibraltar a week earlier after police received an emergency call about a blue dragon sighting and six were later found on the shoreline. This is not the first time dangerous sea creatures have caused chaos for swimmers in Costa Blanca. In 2018, bathers were told to avoid the ocean after the reappearance of Portuguese men o'war. An 11-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after being stung by one of the jellyfish-like creatures on the few beaches that remained open on some of the most popular parts of the coastline with British holidaymakers. Blue dragons are rarely seen in the Mediterranean and usually live in the more tropical conditions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans A UK hidden escape is home to Britain's smallest beach as it is only just wider than a large towel, it has been revealed. The tiny beach is so small hardly anyone knows it exists. The secret sandy space that is just seven foot wide is located in the heart of exclusive Sandbanks, famed for its luxurious houses on idyllic beaches. It is at the end of a public footpath that leads to the edge of Poole Harbour. On one side of it is a private yacht club and the other is a row of beach front mansions on The Horseshoe. A slatted timber fence has been built next to the last house to separate the public and private spaces. As a result it has left a plot of sand about 15ft long that is never used as it appears to have no purpose. It is said this has just been done by the neighbouring homeowners to ward off other visitors, but it is in fact public land and now makes a hidden beach that a savvy sunseeker can enjoy all to themselves. A UK hidden escape is home to Britain's smallest beach as it is only just wider than a large towel, it has been revealed On one side of it is a private yacht club and the other is a row of beach front mansions on The Horseshoe The secret sandy space that is just seven foot wide is located in the heart of exclusive Sandbanks, famed for its luxurious houses on idyllic beaches A slatted timber fence has been built next to the last house to separate the public and private spaces As a result it has left a plot of sand about 15ft long that is never used as it appears to have no purpose It is at the end of a public footpath that leads to the edge of Poole Harbour The local council has erected a sign encouraging the public to use the space Sandbanks historian Jeremy Waters said: 'Some of the houses on The Horseshoe have put up fencing to make it look as though the shoreline is private and belongs to them. 'But it is a public beach, hence the public footpath down to it, it's just that nobody really knows it is public.' The local council has erected a sign encouraging the public to use the space. It states that members of the public are entitled to 'stop to look at the view, have a picnic or to launch a watercraft.' National Guard troops directly answering to President Donald Trump are now armed with guns in the streets of Washington, DC. The Trump administration is doubling down on its crime crackdown in the capital by empowering the troops with service-issued weapons. A spokesperson for the guard told the Washington Post some troops now carry guns, including m4 carbine rifles and m17 pistols. Cameras captured troops on Sunday marching across the heart of Washington near metro stations and the National Mall with guns to their side. The guard stated members are allowed use of force only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. Over 2,000 troops from six different GOP-led states have been sent into Washington after Trump issued an executive order federalizing the police in the city earlier this month. The Pentagon stated the National Guards mission is still focused on being seen as a visible deterrent to crime while supporting law enforcement. Troops may temporarily detain a suspect until police arrive at the scene; however, they do have the ability to make arrests if asked by the Trump administration under Title 32 orders. National Guard troops now patrol the streets of DC with rifles and sidearms Troops also have the ability to detain individuals until police arrive to make an arrest Trump threatened to send the National Guard into other Democratic cities to replicate his crime crackdown in DC A White House official told WaPo that the troops will continue protecting federal assets including officers providing a safe environment for officers to make arrests if needed, and providing a visible law enforcement presence to deter crime, as they have been since the operation began. Trump wants to replicate this military takeover in other Democratic cities infested with crime. Last week, the president said he was considering sending troops into Chicago and New York to conduct a similar crackdown operation. However, Trump made a similar threat while engaging in an online duel with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Sunday. Moore has criticized the president for taking away authority from local city police in the name of combatting crime. The Democratic governor then invited Trump to Maryland to discuss solutions for crime and empowering public safety officials. Trump replied by claiming Moore had a rather nasty and provocative tone and suggested he would send in troops to clean up his state. Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing, Trump wrote. Troops have mostly patrolled metro stations and monuments around the capital Trump made a similar threat while engaging in an online duel with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Sunday But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime. Since the start of Trumps DC crackdown over the last few weeks, the FBI reports that over 500 arrests have been made by a coalition of federal law enforcement agencies. Want to make sure you never miss the latest Daily Mail stories? Google has launched a new feature that allows you to tailor search results to your favorite news outlets. The new 'preferred sources' feature allows users to customize the search engine's Top Stories section with sources handpicked by you. Selecting Daily Mail as your preferred source ensures you'll stay up to date with the latest breaking news, best exclusive stories, and our seriously popular lifestyle and showbiz content. Want to make sure you never miss the latest Daily Mail coverage? Add Daily Mail as a preferred source in Google How do I add Daily Mail to Google's preferred sources? Adding Daily Mail as a preferred source in Google is simple. You can use this shortcut or follow the steps below: Open Google in your preferred browser and search any topic in the news Click on the icon to the right of 'Top Stories' Type Daily Mail in the search bar when prompted Select Daily Mail as your preferred source Refresh your browser to see Daily Mail content in your Google Top Stories Google users can update their preferred sources selections at any time. The new feature also allows users to designate as many outlets as they want as a preferred news source. 'When you select your preferred sources, you'll start to see more of their articles prominently displayed within Top Stories, when those sources have published fresh and relevant content for your search,' Google said in a statement. Preferred sources will not only appear more frequently in Top Stories, but will also be found in a dedicated 'From your sources' section on the search results page. This new feature was launched to users in the US and India on August 12. Aspiring seaside shop owners could have the chance to scoop a storefront for just 1. The real-life 'pound shop' is on the English Riviera at Paignton, Devon, and going under the hammer with bids starting at the dream price. The former sandwich shop is described by South Wales-based auction house Paul Fosh as 'a top spot in the bustling bucket and spade town.' However the bargain could be down to the fact that the property is in need of refurbishment. Property auctioneer Sean Roper said the lot could offer the perfect opportunity for a go-getting entrepreneur to make their mark. And anyone lucky enough to scoop the property could be making around 900 a month if they choose to rent it out. 'The shop, at 45 Hyde Road, Paignton, is a mixed-use property requiring finishing touches. 'It's located in a favoured position in Paignton's town centre and is close to local amenities and the wonderful seafront. Aspiring seaside shop owners could have the chance to scoop a storefront for just 1 The former sandwich shop is described by South Wales-based auction house Paul Fosh as 'a top spot in the bustling bucket and spade town' However the bargain could be down to the fact that the property is in need of refurbishment The real-life 'pound shop' is on the English Riviera at Paignton, Devon 'The shop is simply crying out for some entrepreneurial input from an investor with ideas to start a new business of some sort in this bustling seaside town at the heart of the English riviera, or to take it on and rent it out to a startup or established business looking to relocate. 'It really is a great commercial investment opportunity which I believe is just too good to miss. 'Among the typical enquiries the shop has had to date from those looking to rent the shop have been from a dog groomer, a tattooist, barber and a lettings agency. 'All of the details of these enquiries can be passed on post auction if the buyer wants to rent out the property. 'A rental figure of some 900pcm could be achieved for a business in this location in this desirable seaside town of Paignton. 'It is clear when you arrive in Hyde Road that this, number 45, is one of the only empty shops on the entire street, showing the bustling nature of the town. 'Residents on either side are Hays Travel and Trim and Tonic, who are a high-end hairdresser.' The auction is set to start at midday on September 2 and end on the fourth after 5pm. It follows the auction of cottage in Paignton earlier this year which startdd at 1 but sold for 73,000. Attorney General Pam Bondi sought to appease the MAGA base last week by handing over a trove of Jeffrey Epstein documents to Congress. But warning signals are already going up ahead of their release claiming the latest disclosure falls short of the transparency President Donald Trump's supporters are seeking. On Friday, the Justice Department transmitted to the House Oversight Committee thousands of pages of materials in the Epstein files. A spokesperson for Oversight Chairman James Comer told the Daily Mail that the documents would be reviewed, appropriately redacted and prepared for public release. But Democrats caution Americans not to get their hopes up. Rep. Summer Lee, DPenn., claimed the 'only new disclosure' are flight log locations of Epstein's plane dating from 2000 to 2014, making up fewer than 1,000 pages of the documents. Otherwise, she claims the files are 'thousands of pages of recycled content already made available to the public.' Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said only 3 percent of the documents handed to the Oversight Committee are new. 'The rest are already in the public domain,' he added. 'Less than 1 percent of files have been released. DOJ is stonewalling.' This all is likely to enrage Republicans already skeptical of the administration trying to damper talk of a 'cover-up.' Democrats lament that Attorney General Pam Bondi's drop of Epstein files to Congress on Friday contains only 3 percent new information The latest attempt to increase transparency over Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring is likely to leave President Donald Trump's supporters even more enraged Bondi handed over the materials at the Friday deadline In a bid to increase transparency after public backlash over her handling of the Epstein files review. It came the same day the DOJ released a bombshell transcripts of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell's recent interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. President Donald Trump said Friday that he's the one who told Bondi to give anything and everything to Congress because it would only prove that the Epstein 'cover-up' conspiracies are a 'Democrat hoax.' He also cautioned that there are people mentioned in the documents who 'don't deserve to be' and claimed that Epstein knew 'everybody' in Trump's hometown of Palm Beach, Florida. The comment raised alarm bells for those already concerned that Trump is preventing the release of the documents because he and his buddies are in the files beyond just a trip here or there on Epstein's private jet the Lolita Express. Many MAGA fanatics online think that there is a 'cover-up' afoot and have taken their ire out on Bondi, calling for her to be ousted and claiming she is not being transparent. Trump has stood by Bondi and asked his supporters to accept the findings that disgraced financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide and that no one else would be charged in connection to the crimes. From the White House on Friday, Trump told reporters when asked about the files being made public: 'Innocent people shouldn't be hurt... You've got a lot of people who could be mentioned in those files that don't deserve to be' Trump associated with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in the 1980s and 1990s his name even appears on flight logs for the disgraced financier's private plane the Lolita Express Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have raged a barrage of fallout from Trump's supporters who allege there is a 'cover-up' afoot But his base wouldn't accept that and pushed for more. 'Innocent people shouldn't be hurt but I'm in support of keeping it totally open. I couldn't care less,' Trump said in a Q&A from the Oval Office on Friday. 'You've got a lot of people who could be mentioned in those files that don't deserve to be,' he went on. 'Because he [Epstein] knew everybody in Palm Beach. I don't know anything about that.' Trump concluded: 'I have said to Pam [Bondi] and everybody else: give them everything you can give them because it's a Democrat hoax. It's just a hoax.' Comer, R-Ky, is leading the House probe into Epstein in his capacity as chairman of the House Oversight Committee. A spokesperson for the panel revealed to the Daily Mail: 'The House Oversight Committee has received the Department of Justice's first production of Epstein records pursuant to Chairman James Comer's subpoena. 'The production contains thousands of pages of documents,' they added. While the documents are expected to include never-before-seen materials related to the New York financier's 2019 federal sex trafficking investigation, the spokesperson acknowledged they will be redacted to protect sensitive information and the identities of his victims. 'The Committee intends to make these records public after thorough review to ensure any victims' identification and child sexual abuse material are redacted. The Committee will also consult with the DOJ to ensure any documents released do not negatively impact ongoing criminal cases and investigations.' House Oversight Chair James Comer plans to review the documents for required redactions and prepare the files for release, a spokesperson for the committee told the Daily Mail The redaction, however, could further enrage Trump's supporters, who have been clamoring for the files to be released in their entirety to avoid the appearance of a cover-up. 'There are many records in DOJ's custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted,' Comer said in a statement in anticipation of receiving the documents. He initially subpoenaed the DOJ for the Epstein files on August 5 with a timeline of August 19. The chairman later extended the deadline to turn over the documents until Friday, August 22. A four-year-old boy in Arizona was tragically struck and killed while walking a few steps ahead of his mother in a crosswalk. Police said the boy, Miguel Dominguez, was crossing the street in Phoenix near 36th Street and McDowell Road around 8pm on August 18 when he was hit by a car. The preschooler was found unconscious and in critical condition, AZ Family reported. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. Dominguez was only a few steps ahead of his mother, who was not injured, when the crash occurred. The woman driving the car remained at the scene, and the police do not believe impairment was a factor in the crash. Teachers at Magical Star Preschool, where Dominguez had been a student for the past two years, held a car wash on Saturday to raise money for the boy's family, 12 News reported. 'He was just the brightest light. He used to be one of the shiest kids that I knew, and this last year, he actually came out of his shell so much,' his former teacher, Jessica Layton, told the outlet. Dominguez's teachers remembered the boy as the first student in class to raise his hand and said he liked to sing and play with dinosaurs. Miguel Dominguez, 4, was struck and killed while crossing a Phoenix street with is mother on August 18 'Kids keep asking, "Where is he?" I haven't even told them. I don't know how. Would they understand?' school director Eileen Buckley said. 'It's just so sad. Nobody should lose a child' 'We would always catch him trying to sneak [dinosaurs] out in his pockets whenever he would be leaving during the day,' Layton said. His teachers said the news of his passing sent shockwaves through the community, and his classmates are devastated. 'Kids keep asking, "Where is he?" I haven't even told them. I don't know how. Would they understand? It's just so sad. Nobody should lose a child,' school director Eileen Buckley told 12 News. 'I'm going to miss everything about him.' Dominguez's teachers hosted the car wash to show support for his mother and let her know that her boy will always be remembered as a bright light. 'I just wanted to be there for her. I just wanted to hug her. I just wanted to give her every bit of love that I could, because it destroyed me. So, I could just imagine how it was for her,' Layton said. 'He will be dearly missed, but he will never be forgotten. His name will live on forever here at Magical.' Preschool owner Thomas Frontz told AZ Family that Dominguez was a special boy who had his whole life ahead of him. 'He was just a happy kid, just a joy to be around,' Frontz said. 'I drove these students all the time. I was a bus driver three days a week, and it's just a tragedy, I don't think we can do enough.' A dolphin has died and another has been rescued by medics after becoming lodged in thick mud four miles away from the sea. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) scrambled to the scene at Penpoll near the River Fowey, in Cornwall after receiving reports of two stranded dolphins on Tuesday. The two mammals are believed to have become lost and disoriented in the intertidal muddy river system and struggled to find their way out. Sadly, one of the mammals died, however, the other was recovered by medics, who used an airbed to support the living dolphin. Rescuers managed to move the distraught animal with the help of locals who lent kayaks and a paddle board. Initially, the surviving dolphin was found motionless, which sparked concerns among the team Dan Jarvis, welfare and conservation director at BDMLR, said. The dolphin's breathing rate was within normal parameters and there were no signs of injury or infection, however it would be some time until the tide came back in. 'Once we'd recovered it to the shore we were able to continue the first aid and carry out the health assessment on the animal,' Dan said. British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) scrambled to the scene at Penpoll near the River Fowey, in Cornwall after receiving reports of two stranded dolphins on Tuesday Sadly, one of the mammals died, however, the other was recovered by medics, who used an airbed to support the living dolphin 'We couldn't get the engine working on the first boat so we ended up getting towed down by a second boat. 'So we had this strange procession with three of ourselves, medics, on board a boat with a dolphin on top of a paddle board and an airbed, being towed by another boat, out to the mouth of the river Fowey to open water so we could release it.' Luckily, the team were able to rescue the dolphin before releasing it into fresh waters where it swam away 'immediately'. Shortly before it was released, a pod of Risso's dolphins passed through the area, a BLMR spokesperson said. The deceased dolphin was recovered with the help of from Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network. It is understood a post-mortem will be carried out on the animal by the Cornwall Marine Pathology Team. The spokesperson added: 'We would like to thank all of the BDMLR team involved in this incident both on scene and on the hotline, as well as local residents Robin, Debbie, Claire and Julie for their great support throughout the incident as well.' Elsewhere in Lyme Bay, Dorset, swimmers have been warned to stay away from Reggie the Dolphin, who is 'targeting women in wetsuits' amid fears he could be dangerous to humans. Pictured: The surviving dolphin being supported by an airbed as rescuers scramble to save its life Rescuers managed to move the distraught animal with the help of locals who lent kayaks and a paddle board Pictured: The dolphin stuck in the thick mud after finding itself around four miles away from the sea in Cornwall The mammal was first spotted in Lyme Bay, Dorset, on August 3, excitedly playing with a family and asking for belly rubs, with the viral footage attracting people to the coastline. But experts say that Reggie, a solitary male bottlenose dolphin, could become aggressive and attack if he is exposed to more interaction with humans. Reggie has already been seen with gashes that are thought to be caused by a boat propeller. The dolphin has also been accused of trying to drown' two female swimmers, who were rescued by kayakers after the sea mammal tried to jump on one of them, repeatedly pushing her head under the water. This is the moment soaking tourists are dragged out of a canal in Venice after tipping over their boat while posing for selfies. Their gondolier also ended up in the water when the vessel flipped in the Rio dei Greci canal, in the Castello district, on Sunday. The incident occurred along a very narrow stretch of water that gives little space to move. Nobody was hurt in the accident, and while the exact cause is not yet confirmed, early reports suggest the gondola tipped over after passengers moved suddenly while taking selfies. The tourists managed to pull themselves out by grabbing onto window bars and moored boats before making their way to a small bridge nearby with help from bystanders. A similar accident happened in Venice in November 2023 when a group of tourists ignored a gondoliers instructions and continued to stand up to take selfies. The weight shifted to one side of the gondola, and the boat overturned, sending everyone into the water. In a separate incident, a huge cruise ship broke down off the Italian island of Ponza on Monday. This is the moment soaking tourists are dragged out of a canal in Venice after tipping over their boat while posing for selfies The incident occurred along a very narrow stretch of water that gives little space to move Their gondolier also ended up in the water when the gondola flipped in the Rio dei Greci canal, in the Castello district, on Sunday The MSC World Europa suffered engine trouble about eight nautical miles from Ponza in the Pontine Archipelago, south of Rome. The Coast Guard said the problem was reported at 7:25am while the ship was sailing from Genoa to Naples with 8,585 people on board, including 6,496 passengers and 2,089 crew. It is believed the cruise liner had an electrical fault affecting its engines. The situation on board is calm, with good weather and calm seas, and essential services are still running on backup generators. Two tugboats have already left from Gioia Tauro and Naples to assist the MSC World Europa and tow it safely to Naples. A Ryanair flight was forced to turn around and grounded at Manchester Airport after a passenger attempted to 'open the emergency exit mid air'. The flight, bound for Agadir, Morocco, took off just after 9am on the morning of August 25, however was forced to divert and land back into Manchester Airport just over an hour later, according to Flight Radar 24 and Flight Aware. The diversion was understood to have been caused by a passenger attempting to 'open the emergency exit' during the flight's journey. It spent a mere one hour and seven minutes in the air before landing back into Manchester Airport. Despite her attempts, the woman only managed to get the plastic covering off, while her fellow passengers desperately tried to stop her before making cabin crew onboard aware of the situation. The deviant passenger was eventually removed from an emergency exit seat, with the captain forced to remain by the exit for the remainder of the flight. Upon the flight's arrival into Manchester Airport, the passenger was understood to have been escorted off the flight by Greater Manchester Police. While the plane sat on the tarmac, engineers came onboard the flight and inspected any possible damage, with some parts of the plane having to be replaced before it could take off once again. Greater Manchester Police were pictured boarding the plane at Manchester Airport Police were seen opening one of the overhead compartments on the plane as they removed the passenger Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they received a report regarding a passenger attempting to 'open the plane's emergency exit'. A spokesperson for Ryanair said: 'This flight from Manchester to Agadir (25 Aug) diverted to back to Manchester shortly after takeoff after a passenger became disruptive onboard. 'Crew called ahead for police assistance, who met the aircraft upon landing at Manchester Airport and offloaded this passenger before this flight continued to Agadir. 'Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption.' When approached by The Daily Mail, Manchester Airport confirmed that the incident took place, but declined to comment. The flight eventually restarted its journey towards Al-Massira International Airport at 11.22am and is still completing its journey, Flight Aware data shows. It comes after Ryanair announced earlier this year that passengers who disrupt Ryanair flights could now face a hefty fine after the airline announced plans for a 'major clampdown' on 'unruly behaviour'. Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they received a report regarding a passenger attempting to 'open the plane's emergency exit' Tourists who have to be taken off planes - delaying the journeys of their fellow flyers - will face a 500 fine, the airline has announced. Europe's largest carrier, which takes thousands of revellers to resorts and cities across Europe and beyond every year, said it would now come down on hard on those who stop other passengers enjoying a stress-free flight. A statement released by Michael O'Leary's airline said: 'Passengers expect to travel in a comfortable and stress-free environment with an on-time arrival, free from unnecessary disruption caused by a tiny number of unruly passengers.' A spokesperson for Ryanair added: 'It is unacceptable that passengers are made to suffer unnecessary disruption because of one unruly passenger's behaviour'. Travellers who become aggressive towards staff or display drunken behaviour that compromises the safety of others will be offloaded and then sent a bill. The carrier said: 'Ryanair is committed to tackling unruly passenger behaviour for the benefit of its passengers and crew, and will continue to pursue disruptive passengers for civil damages, but at a minimum, they will now be issued with a 500 fine.' Two people have been killed after a car smashed into a bench at a popular winery on the Canary Islands. A car travelling up a hill at high speed careered off the road before ploughing into the pair at the rural La Tienda del Vino winery on the island of La Gomera on Sunday just before 7pm. The victims, who lived Arure, a small village in the popular resort of Valle Gran Rey, were sitting on a bench chatting outside the winery, police said. They were killed instantly as there was 'nothing they could have done to get out of the way'. One was the owner of the winery while the other, his friend, was a 59-year-old mother-of-two. The driver, a resident of San Sebastian de La Gomera, was taken to hospital with a serious hip injury. A female passenger was seriously injured and was airlifted to hospital in Tenerife. It is unknown why the driver lost control of the vehicle. Two people have been killed after a car smashed into a bench at a popular winery on the Canary Islands La Tienda del Vino winery is described as a must visit spot for tourists who are visting the region The victims lived in Arure, a small village in the popular resort of Valle Gran Rey (pictured) on the island of La Gomera The freak accident has left the local community reeling in shock and emergency services have had to provide assistance to several residents who are suffering from anxiety attacks. A large emergency team was deployed in the immediate vicinity of the house, including air resources, while the nearby highway had to be closed to traffic for several hours in the aftermath. Valle de Gran Rey has declared three days of mourning. 'We are very sad, shocked and deeply affected; these are very complex times, because it is something that logically one does not expect to ever happen,' said the mayor, Borja Barroso. A police investigation is underway. Ivanka Trumps father-in-law is in a diplomatic spat with Emmanuel Macron regarding Frances efforts to combat anti-Semitism. U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner wrote a letter to the French president urging him to step up his efforts to fight anti-Semitism amid the Hamas-Israel war. Ambassador Kushner, who is Jewish, is the father of President Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner. Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence and endanger Jewish life in France, the American diplomat wrote to Macron on Sunday evening. Kushner tells Macron to act decisively: enforce hate-crime laws without exception, ensure the safety of Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses ... and abandon steps that give legitimacy to Hamas and its allies. In response, the French government has summoned Kushner to Paris and released a statement calling his allegations 'unacceptable' and 'inflammatory.' Meanwhile, the State Department is standing strongly behind the ambassador. In a statement to the Daily Mail, a State Department spokesperson said Kushner is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role.' The Daily Mail reached out to the White House for comment. Charles Kushner is the father of Jared Kushner who served as a senior adviser to Trump during his first term Ambassador Kushner accused Macron's government of not doing enough to fight antisemitism The French government called Kushner's letter 'inflammatory' Frances foreign ministry claimed Kushners letter violated international law while interfering in the countrys internal affairs. They also fall short of the quality of the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States and of the trust that must prevail between allies, the ministry said. Macrons government claims it is fully mobilized against the rise of antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas war two years ago. Last month, the French government announced plans to recognize the statehood of Palestine, following alongside other western allies such as Australia and Canada. Moreover, Macron criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over erroneous accusations that the French government is fueling antisemitism. France hosts the largest Jewish populatio. in Europe, representing 1 percent of its total national population. The country is also home to the third-largest Jewish population in the world with approximately 500,000 Jewish citizens. The latest diplomatic crisis with Kushner highlights how French-US relations have strained over Americas support for Israel. Previously, Kushner pleaded guilty to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations, but was pardoned by Trump. Ivanka Trump is married to Charles' son Jared Kushner Trump and Ambassador Kushner share three grandchildren via Jared and Ivanka's marriage At the end of his first term, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner after he pleaded guilty to tax evasion His son, Jared, served as a senior adviser in Trumps White House and was viewed as a major part of the presidents inner circle during his first term. John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg has accidentally exposed his enormous ego as he tried to explain away his bizarre social media behavior. The 32-year-old political dynasty heir insisted it's not his good looks that he claims has fans rushing up to him on the busy streets of Manhattan - but rather his 'courage' speaking out about politics online. 'They're not saying, "Oh my God, you're so hot",' Schlossberg told New York Magazine. 'People are coming up and cheering me on, telling me they love me, thanking me for what I'm doing saying that it takes real courage.' Schlossberg quickly rose to TikTok and Instagram fame as a liberal heartthrob by sharing hunky shirtless photos and quirky clips of himself practicing ballet, hoverboarding while reciting poetry and even opening a coconut in Hawaii with his bare hands. The Harvard law graduate who passed the bar then became one of the loudest critics of his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during his failed bid for president, branding him a 'lying sack of s**t'. But the Kennedy scion's posts have recently taken a bizarre turn, with the 32-year-old now hitting headlines for his absurd posts and rants. In one recent video, Schlossberg traded his luscious dark brown locks for an illfitting blonde wig and faux Slovenian accent to brutally mock First Lady Melania Trump over her letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg has accidentally exposed his enormous ego as he tried to explain away his bizarre social media behavior Schlossberg (pictured in an Instagram rant last month after having shaved his head) spends his time sharing videos of his rabble-rousing rants online Even other members of the Kennedy family have expressed concern about his unhinged online antics of late. A third cousin, speaking to New York Magazine under the condition of anonymity, claimed to have told Schlossberg 'what he's doing is a mistake'. But the relative added, it is 'not my business to tell him how to run his life'. Others told the magazine that, though they believe he is hardworking and intelligent, they have 'no idea what he was trying to do' with his social media fame, the magazine reported. RFK Jr.'s eldest daughter Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy also previously told the New York Post she hopes her second cousin 'gets the help he needs'. But Schlossberg has insisted he is very much in control of the situation, claiming his outrageous online persona is not an accurate representation of who he is as a person. In the interview with New York Magazine, Schlossberg said his persona is part of a larger social media plan to convert fans who enjoy his quirky videos into people who engage with his political commentary. 'It's a character based on an algorithm controlled by giant companies. I can talk all I want about something super-serious, and I'll show you the numbers it doesn't work,' he said. Although he claims to be disinterested in pursuing a career in electoral politics, Schlossberg does seemingly want to use his influencer status to promote liberal values. Last week, he sported an illfitting blonde wig and faux Slovenian accent to brutally mock First Lady Melania Trump over her letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin Schlossberg quickly rose to fame as a liberal heartthrob with his hunky pics and seemingly heartwarming puppy posts He posted quirky clips of himself practicing ballet, hoverboarding while reciting poetry and even opening a coconut in Hawaii with his bare hands Just last month he launched a YouTube show called Test Drive, which sees him commenting on the news cycle from the driver's seat of his Chevrolet van. Since its launch, Schlossberg has already traveled to Massachusetts, Maine and Canada in the vehicle and next month intends to head to southern US states that have been directly impacted by President Donald Trump's policies. He also intends to visit regions where Democrats could potentially flip House seats in the 2026 election. However, he is not ditching his influencer lifestyle just yet, with plans to launch his first product collaboration in the coming months. Little is known about the brand deal, but the Kennedy heir did reveal the product can be lit on fire and will retail for around $70. Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy, the only daughter of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and JFK - who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1963. He has long shown an interest in politics, mingling with top officials at a young age alongside his famous mom and delivering numerous politically-driven speeches over the years. He gained attention in June 2023 when he went on a harsh rant against RFK Jr. after the now-Health Secretary announced he was running for president. Schlossberg is the son of Caroline Kennedy, the only daughter of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and JFK - who was five years old when her father was assassinated in 1963. The mother-son duo are pictured together in 2023 Jack Schlossberg speaks during the 2025 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Ceremony at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston on May 4, 2025 Jack Schlossberg posted a photo of himself paddle boarding to his Instagram page on August 12, 2025 captioned: 'Lady Liberty' Schlossberg slammed his cousin for using 'Camelot' to spread 'conspiracy theories' in the presidential run, called his candidacy an 'embarrassment', and even referred to him as a 'friggin' pr**k'. He accrued a hefty millennial following online by flexing his muscles and political opinions in TikTok-style skits that often featured rabble-rousing rants and cartoonish accents. But his videos have seemingly shifted from a fun, quirky aesthetic to being borderline unhinged. Last week, he posted a video sporting an ill-fitting blonde wig and imitating Melania Trump's Slovenian accent as he read her letter to Putin aloud. 'A message from our BEAUTIFUL FIRST LADY,' Schlossberg captioned the video, mimicking President Donald Trump's affinity to capitalize certain words for emphasis. He also parroted the president's usual sign off, writing: 'thank you for your attention to this matter - We want peace.' After reading the letter aloud, Schlossberg said: 'What am I saying? This makes no sense. Please be more specific Miss Melania Trump.' He then took off the wig and dropped the accent as he added his own thoughts on the first lady's letter. 'I don't think it made any sense,' Schlossberg told his hundreds of thousands of followers. 'I don't think it said anything beyond "melodic laughter," that's the only thing I could remember - and that she is calling on Putin to end the war. 'Interesting. Maybe she could talk to someone who could do something about that,' he said, referring to her husband, who recently sat down with the Russian leader at a summit in Alaska. Schlossberg has long shown an interest in politics, mingling with top officials at a young age alongside his famous mom (pictured together at the 2020 DNC) and delivering numerous politically-driven speeches over the years In July, concerns grew for Schlossbergs well-being when he shared a video taking a flippant stance on his late grandmother's anguish. The clip saw Schlossberg zoom in on a July 2025 People magazine cover of Jackie O standing next to the late president, with the headline: 'Jackie Knew Everything.' The cover story reported that the former first lady had confronted her husband about his affair with Marilyn Monroe, telling him the rumor 'worries me'. Schlossberg captioned the clip 'Jackie was right about everything' - seeming to make light of his grandmother's distress. The post came soon after it appeared he was left off the invite list for the famous family's Fourth of July celebration. In a clip posted online by Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of former US Senator Robert F. Kennedy, dozens of relatives smiled and waved on the lawn of the family's Hyannis Port estate in Massachusetts, surrounded by flags and patriotic cheer. Both Schlossberg and Kerry's brother, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services RFK Jr, were notably absent. Vanity Fair's new boss wants to put Melania Trump on the cover as liberal media outlets try to shift to the center, per a new report. Mark Guiducci, 37, has told people he is 'potentially interested in putting' the First Lady on the prestigious magazine's cover, according to Semafor. Melania, 55, was famously excluded from the covers of the nation's fashion magazines, including Conde Nast's Vogue and Vanity Fair, during her first time in the White House. Guiducci took over Vanity Fair with the departure of former editor-in-chief Radhika Jones, who led the magazine as it lost web traffic and saw many staff departures following the reign of famed former VF boss Graydon Carter. Both Graydon and Jones took a staunch anti-Trump stand, but Guiducci is apparently looking to change the magazine's editorial line following the 2024 presidential election. 'They are biased, and they have likes and dislikes, and its so obvious, Melania told Fox News in 2022 about her exclusion from Vogue. 'And I think American people and everyone see it, and I have much more important things to do and I did in the White House than being on the cover of Vogue.' Trump himself also has expressed anger at Melania being snubbed by Vogue, which featured former First Lady Michele Obama on its cover three times. Guiducci reportedly wants to change who appears on the magazine's pages and has a 'greater open-mindedness to seeking access to figures likely to repel magazine's liberal readers,' according to Semafor. First Lady Melania Trump might grace the cover of Vanity Fair in the future, per a new report Vanity Fair's new editor, seen with friend Anna Wintour, has told people he is considering having the First Lady on the magazine's cover Melania did grace the cover of Vanity Fair Mexico in 2017, which angered Mexicans and US liberals Melania did grace the cover of Vanity Fair Mexico in 2017, posing with a fork and string of jewels placed to look as if she were about to eat them like spaghetti, which drew ire from liberals in the US and Mexicans insulted by President Trump's rhetoric about migrants. The cover story came with an interview Melania gave to GQ in 2016 where she spoke about her desire to be the next Jackie Kennedy. As previously reported, Guiducci was tapped by Anna Wintour in June to lead the Conde Nast-owned glossy after a high-profile search for the publication's next leader. His reported plans to include more right-wing figures in the magazine follows the shifts in editorial lines by other liberal outlets, including CNN and MSNBC, who are redesigning their brands with a shift to the center after losing viewers. Guiducci has worked at both Vanity Fair and Vogue, where Wintour is editor-in-chief, and is a friend of her daughter, Bee Shaffer. The search for a new VF leader launched in April, when former editor-in-chief Jones resigned after seven years. She assumed the role from longtime editor Carter who held the job for 25 years. At the time, Wintour told staff that Jones would help with the transition 'as we start the search for a new editor.' Now tasked with filling that void is Guiducci, who started his post-college career in 2010 at Vanity Fair as an assistant. In 2017, he was named editor-in-chief the art publication GARAGE Magazine, owned by VICE Media. It went out of print four years ago, a year after Guiducci left in 2020. Vanity Fair's previous legendary editor-in-chief Graydon Carter was notoriously anti-Trump Radhika Jones led the magazine for seven years after Carter's departure. She is seen in May after stepping down from the role Guiducci took over Vanity Fair with the departure of former editor-in-chief Radhika Jones That same year, he took on the role of creative editorial director Vogue and helped launch Vogue World, an annual fashion and cultural show. His friendship with Wintour's only daughter has spanned years. The two have been photographed together frequently, often at high-profile parties. 'Beyond proud,' Shaffer wrote on Instagram in a story celebrating Guiducci's appointment. 'We're going to have fun,' he told the The New York Times after his appointment, when asked about his plans for the magazine. 'I think that's something we're going to need in our culture right now.' Daily Mail has reached out to Conde Nast for comment on this story. Burning Man is being torn apart by sand storms just one day into the iconic festival, with 50mph winds tearing up tents and trashing art. Thousands of attendees have been weathering apocalyptic scenes, with some wearing ski goggles and surgical masks to brace against the storm. The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that a 'wall of blowing dust' from Smoke Creek and Black Rock Desert would move over the site on Saturday and Sunday. Campsites which were erected on the eve of the celebration were damaged by the dust storm as it tore through the Nevada desert before the festival even began. The NWS advised attendees - known as 'Burners' - not to travel to the area, and to expect sudden reductions in visibility if they were there already. Dramatic videos posted online showed festival-goers being battered by fierce winds as their belongings were coated in a thick film of dust. Several structures could be seen already destroyed, with some gazebos being reduced to metal tent frames after fierce winds stripped away the tarp. One man posted a selfie showing his face covered in dust, and images circulated of men wearing cargo pants huddled in a van while waiting for the storm to pass. Campsites which were erected on the eve of the celebration were damaged by the dust storm as it tore through the Nevada desert before the festival even began Burning Man is being torn apart by sand storms just one day into the iconic festival, with 50mph winds tearing up tents and trashing art. Thousands of attendees have been weathering apocalyptic scenes, with some wearing ski goggles and surgical masks amid the storm The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that a 'wall of blowing dust' from Smoke Creek and Black Rock Desert would move over the site on Saturday and Sunday Several structures could be seen already destroyed, with some gazebos being reduced to metal tent frames after fierce winds stripped away the tarp Attendees have been battling the dust storm, desperately trying to secure their tents The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the dust storm caused at least four minor injuries, and that some partygoers said they couldn't see further than a foot away. At least one large art installation was also ruined by the storm - an eight-ton inflatable thundercloud called 'Black Cloud', by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai. The 15-foot-high piece was designed to symbolize 'unseen threats and looming catastrophes' but it was torn apart within 15 minutes of arriving at the festival. It stood in Kyiv's historic Sophia Square in June, producing flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder in evocation of war, before being transported to the US. Burning Man is an annual event held since 1986 focused on community, art, expression and self-reliance, held in the temporary Black Rock City in Nevada. Participants build elaborate artistic structures, and the event culminates in the burning of a 75-foot wooden effigy called 'The Man'. At least one large art installation was also ruined by the storm - an eight-ton inflatable thundercloud called 'Black Cloud' (pictured above), by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai The 15-foot-high 'Black Cloud' piece was designed to symbolize the 'specter of world war' but it was torn apart within 15 minutes of arriving at the festival, the creators said Videos taken at the site show the stormy conditions and how quickly the dust rolled in Pictured: the 'man' effigy burning during the 2023 edition of the Nevada desert festival The original Burning Man festivals in the late eighties were attended by just a few hundred people, but numbers ballooned to more than 10,000 in the nineties. Figures rose each year with the exception of Covid cancellations in 2020 and 2021, to a climax of 75,000 people in attendance for the 2022 event. However, recently attendance has dropped off a little, with 73,000 Burners recorded in 2023, and 72,000 last year. This year's figure is estimated between 70,000 and 80,000. The current sand storms come after the festival was hit with flash floods the previous two years, which turned the site into a swamp and washed out the only route in, causing major traffic jams. A white South African granted refugee status in America after Donald Trump deemed him a victim of racial discrimination has praised the country's work ethic as he settles into life in the US. The first batch of 59 Afrikaners, a white minority in South Africa, who opted to flee for the US arrived in May after the White House fast-tracked their refugee applications. Afrikaners descend from predominantly Dutch settlers and dominated the South African government which introduced apartheid - a system of racist segregation that was scrapped in 1994. Three decades on the majority of the country's best farmland remains in white hands. But in February, President Trump signed an executive order giving them refugee status after he and South African-born Elon Musk claimed there was a 'genocide' of white farmers in the African nation - an unfounded claim which has been widely discredited. However, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa did sign a contentious law in January allowing the government to seize privately owned land without compensation when it is deemed 'equitable and in the public interest'. Nevertheless, the move was particularly controversial given other refugees, from countries including Afghanistan, have had their Temporary Protected Status removed by the Trump administration. Just one more group of Afrikaners have arrived three months after the first batch arrived in the US. Others have applied and are awaiting the results of their applications. Charl Kleinhaus (far right), a farmer who was first sent to Buffalo, New York in May, before moving his family to a farm in South Dakota, has been impressed by the America work ethic Mr Kleinhaus first moved to Buffalo, New York, before settling in a farm in South Dakota with his family A group of 59 white South African refugees arrived in the US in May after Trump granted them refugee status But those who have already moved are enjoying their new surroundings. Charl Kleinhaus, a farmer who was first sent to Buffalo, New York in May, before moving his family to a farm in South Dakota, has been impressed by the America work ethic. 'The farmers here work. I've not seen any farm owner who works like American farmers,' he said in a video shared on the Amerikaners Facebook page, a group sharing information about moving to the US. 'They really, really work hard, until ten, eleven o'clock at night, early in the morning they start. There's no hands here that you whistle to come sweep the floors, or wash the tractor the farmer does it all himself,' Kleinhaus said. In South Africa most farmers employ a crew of low paid workers to help with labour. A large number of domestic workers are also employed. There are estimated to be 850,000 domestic workers out of a population of around 64 million. Mr Kleinhaus added that in the US 'there's no kitchen lady you call to sweep the house, or clean the house, or stuff like that. You do the work yourself.' He said the benefit of this was that maids can't steal from you. President Trump signed an executive order giving Afrikaners refugee status after he and South African-born Elon Musk claimed there was a 'genocide' of white farmers in the African nation President Trump grilled Cyril Ramaphosa on the status of white farmers when he visited the White House in May South African-born Elon Musk has claimed there was a 'genocide' of white farmers in the African country - a claim which has been widely discredited 'Things at your house don't disappear. Your sugar doesn't go away, your coffee doesn't go away.' Mr Kleinhaus, a Trump supporter, previously came under fire for antisemitic posts on social media, which have since been deleted. The 46-year-old ran a failed quarry business in Limpopo, a northern province which borders Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. He claimed he had been 'threatened' by black people who said they wanted to take his land. He alleged that he received messages stating 'we'll get rid of you, you're on my land' and 'We are coming for you, you better be awake'. Mr Kleinhaus also said local police failed to act sufficiently when his farming machinery was damaged. Ramaphosa described the group of Afrikaner refugees as 'cowards', adding that they do not want to address inequalities created by the apartheid era. 'As South Africans, we are resilient,' he said in May. 'We don't run away from our problems. We must stay here and solve our problems.' Just one more group of Afrikaners have arrived three months after the first batch arrived in the US White South Africans held a demonstration outside the US embassy in Pretoria in support of Donald Trump in February Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, a white South African, said the refugees were 'making a mistake' and the country was not experiecing a genocide or land expropriation without compensation. The status of white South African farmers has been a rallying cry for right and far-right American politicians and President Trump grilled his South African counterpart Ramaphosa on the topic when he visited the White House in May. Ramaphosa had travelled to Washington D.C. in the hopes of improving the country's relationship with Trump after he cancelled aid to the nation, expelled the South African ambassador and offered refuge to white minority Afrikaners. But Trump humiliated Ramaphosa, asking aides to dim the lights in the Oval Office as he played a supercut of speeches from radical opposition party leader Julius Malema, of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, whose trademark song at rallies is 'Shoot the Boer, Shoot the farmer'. Trump showed other clips that purported to show evidence of a 'white genocide' in the country. President Donald Trump has once again lashed out at a top GOP senator for not moving forward on a key component of his congressional agenda. Trump called out Republican Chuck Grassley - chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee - for not moving forward with confirming a slew of his nominees for key legal posts. This attack on Grassley is the second one in a month, launched over an age-old custom of allowing senators to make it more difficult to pass a president's judicial nominees. Trump accused Grassley of 'refusing to overturn' the so-called 'blue slip' process. He called it absurd since even the Democrats, including Crooked Joe Biden (Twice!),' have done so multiple times. The president also added that Grassley should tell the Democrats to 'go to Hell.' He called on the 91-year-old senator to 'allow strong Republican candidates to ascend to these very vital and powerful roles, and tell the Democrats, as they often tell us, to go to Hell!' Trump's latest attack was undoubtedly fueled by the fact that his former personal attorney, Alina Habba, was found last week to be 'illegally serving' in the role of acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey after she was not permanently confirmed to the position by the Senate. U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) walks through the U.S.Capitol Building on June 16, 2025 in Washington, DC US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025 Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025 In July, a panel of mostly Democrat-appointed judges refused to extend Habba's 120-day interim role, while she awaited Senate confirmation to the permanent position. They then ousted Habba and put in her place Desiree Leigh Grace. However, President Donald Trump intervened, withdrawing Habba's nomination from the permanent position and appointing her as first assistant U.S. attorney. That loophole allowed her to resume the office's top job in an acting capacity. But Judge Matthew Brann of the Middle District of Pennsylvania, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled on Thursday that this maneuver was illegal. 'Faced with the question of whether Ms. Habba is lawfully performing the functions and duties of the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, I conclude that she is not,' wrote Judge Brann, who was transferred the case challenging her authority. He added: 'And because she is not currently qualified to exercise the functions and duties of the office in an acting capacity, she must be disqualified from participating in any ongoing cases.' Grassley fired back with his own posts on X Monday morning, claiming that he only moves forward with nominations if he sees them going through. 'As chairman, I set [President] Trump [nominations] up for success, not failure,' Grassley noted on X. The Judiciary Committee Chairman also followed up with a second post, revealing 'Habba was withdrawn as the President's nominee' for New Jersey U.S. Attorney on July 24, and that the Judiciary Committee 'never received any of the paperwork needed for the Senate to vet her nomination.' Late last month, ahead of the congressional August Recess, Grassley lashed out about a 'personal insult' from the Oval Office after he became President Trump's latest target. Trump, 79, called Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, 91, 'weak and ineffective' in a post on his Truth Social media in July. Trump laid out his frustrations, writing that 'because of an ancient, and probably Unconstitutional, 'Custom,' that if you have, even one person in the opposite Party serving in the U.S. Senate, he/she must give consent, thereby completely stopping the opposite Party's Nomination.' 'The only way to beat this Hoax is to appoint a Democrat or, a weak and ineffective Republican,' Trump added at the time. The president also argued that 'Senator Grassley must step up, like Crooked Joe Biden did, when he openly broke, at least two times, the Blue Slip Scam, and like others have done over the years, and let our Great Republican Judges and U.S. Attorneys Be Confirmed.' Grassley responded to the president at a subsequent Judiciary Committee meeting. 'Last night, I was surprised to see President Trump on Truth Social go after me and Senate Republicans over what we call the 'blue slip,' the Iowa Republican said. 'I was offended by what the President said, and I'm disappointed that it would result in personal insult,' Grassley continued. Trump apparently saw the move by Grassley as an affront to his agenda. Emphasizing how bad this made the GOP look in Trump's eyes, the president said that Grassley should give consent 'Immediately, and not let the Democrats laugh at him and the Republican Party for being weak and ineffective.' Ahead of the August break, nearly 150 of Trump's nominees were yet to be confirmed by the Senate, including the president's picks for diplomatic and judicial posts. Trump urged the Senate to finish the confirmations before they went back to their states for the month-long August recess break from business in Washington, D.C. Grassley himself had posted on X that he was willing to stay in session in the Senate to move Trump's agenda along by getting the picks confirmed. Known for his unique use of shorthand in social media posts, Grassley wrote on July 27th that, 'If [President] Trump asks us to not take August recess I'm [with] him.' 'Democrats [have] been slow walking nominations We [have] to make up for their wasted time Trump needs his administration in place.' This is the moment a fly-tipper was caught dumping a bag of rubbish next to a bin at the side of the road. The unknown man was captured on CCTV rushing across the road to discard the bag next to a public bin which was already surrounded by litter. Now council officials are asking the public to 'name and shame' the individual for his deliberate action. The punishment for fly-tipping can be up to 1,000 in fixed penalty notices. The video, which was shared by the council on Saturday August 23, was taken from a road in Southall, west London. An Ealing Council spokesperson said: 'Investigation is underway. 'If you have any information regarding this incident, you can report it via our name and shame webpage.' Locals applauded Ealing Council for trying to track the man down and urged them to give him a fine. The man was seen on video carrying his bag of rubbish towards the public rubbish bin in Southall He is then seen discarding the bin bag next to a public bin that was already surrounded by rubbish Then man then strutted away from the rubbish which he had left on the street One person said, 'Hefty fines should be applied to these people.' Another local said, 'Why blur? Show his face so that all his neighbours and friends see his filthy behaviour.' Another person added: 'I wouldn't call this fly tipping as it's near a public bin. It needs another term, like inappropriate distribution of waste lol.' A fourth person said: 'Yes, Ealing Council. This is what we like to see. 'Make the fines big enough to properly put people off misbehaving.' Someone else added: 'Ealing Council don't play.' It follows a case in June when another brazen fly-tipper in London was caught red-handed and ended up having to pay thousands of pounds. Litterbug Naiffisa Abba was snapped leaving the bedroom fixture and other trash at a notorious fly-tipping spot in Queensbury Park, north-west London. In the images, released by Brent Council, Abbas was seen struggling to haul the single divan base across the road before lobbing it next to bags of rubbish. The litter lout's actions, captured on camera in March 2024, have now seen him hit with a 4,600 fine. Abbas, of Wembley, was convicted at Willesden Magistrates' Court, where a judge slapped him with a further 2,000 to the initial penalty because he failed to attend his hearing. The prosecution was part of a major clampdown by Brent Council on fly-tippers, who have been blighting the streets in recent years. It comes as London continues to be gripped with a fly-tipping epidemic - while England faces its biggest illegal dumping crisis in 20 years. Bosses at Brent say they 'won't accept' fly-tippers, with council chiefs insisting they have 'ramped up' efforts to bring 'selfish' crooks to justice. The crackdown was launched in 2024, with Brent declaring it would wage war on 'selfish litter louts' who had blighted the borough - which saw 35,000 reported cases between 2022-2023. The local authority added the crime costs it in the region of 1.5million to deal with each year. Litterbug Naiffisa Abba was snapped leaving the bed and other trash at a notorious fly-tipping spot in Queensbury Park, north-west London Abba, of Wembley, is seen dumping the trash on camera. He has now been fined 4,600 Shocking figures previously showed England's fly-tipping crisis had hit a 20-year high this year. Environment Secretary Steve Reed vowed to toughen up enforcement after reported cases of illegal dumping passed 1.15million in 2023/24. The figure is an increase of six per cent from the 1.08 million the previous year and the highest level in the six years since the current method for reporting was brought in. It was also the fourth year in row that councils have dealt with more than a million cases. However, the figures also revealed a year-on-year fall in the number of fixed penalty notices issued for fly-tipping, and a decline in the number of court-issued fines. Analysis of the data reveals that London is a major hotspot, with eight boroughs in the top 10 local authorities, in terms of overall dumping and the highest proportion by population. Mr Reed said: 'Fly-tipping is a disgraceful act which trashes communities and its increase is unacceptable. Communities and businesses shouldn't have to put up with these crimes. 'This Government will crack down on fly tipping and punish rubbish dumpers, forcing them to clean up their mess. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Environment Secretary Steve Reed vowed to toughen up enforcement after reported cases of illegal dumping passed 1.15million in 2023/24. Last year, some 60 per cent of cases involved household waste, with 688,000 incidents of illegally dumped rubbish from homes, ranging from black bags of waste to the contents of shed clearances, furniture, carpets and DIY. The most common place for fly-tipping to occur was on pavements and roads, accounting for 37 per cent of incidents. Nearly a third (31 per cent) of incidents were the size of a small van load, while 28 per cent were the equivalent of a car boot or less of rubbish. But four per cent were the size of a tipper lorry load or larger, with large fly-tipping incidents costing 13.1 million for councils to clean up, the figures show. The figures also reveal a slight drop in the number of enforcement actions, with fixed-penalty notices and court fines both down on the previous year. Department of Homeland Security boss Kristi Noem's new black-painted border wall is not hotter or harder to climb than its naked metal predecessor, it was claimed. Last week, Pres. Donald Trump declared the color change would make the wall on the international boundary 'untouchable' because the black steel would absorb the searing desert heat and burn any human hand that touched it. Department of Homeland Security Security Secretary Kristi Noem even painted part of the wall herself, rolling on layers of dark paint onto the steel bollards on Tuesday. 'In the hot temperatures down here, when something is painted black it gets even warmer,' Noem claimed during a press conference in front of the wall near El Paso, Texas last week. But South Texas resident Gabe Trevino, 30, decided to put Trump's claim to the test with an infrared thermometer - and claimed the MAGA assertions do not add up. 'Let's see, 102,' the screen on his tool read after measuring the heat off the black section in a video posted to his Instagram. He went to a section of the barrier about ten minutes from his home in Pharr where the wall is painted, but also has a portion that is not been coated- noting it was 90 degrees outside. 'Now we're going to check the brown wall. 103! The brown wall is hotter than the black wall,' he exclaimed. Gabe Trevino, 30, tested the temperature of the painted border near his home in Pharr, Texas. O the first test, the regular wall was hotter than the painted wall On a second temperature test conducted by Trevino, the temperature was the same on the painted wall versus the non-painted border wall On a second temperature test conducted by Trevino, the temperature read both 103 degree for both the painted and non-painted sections. The healthcare worker who moonlights as a comedian told Daily Mail the wall paint is 'a waste of money from the American people.' 'Where's DOGE when you need it,' Trevino said during a phone interview Monday. 'The words that they say, "We're having zero crossings, all time low crossings." Then why paint the wall? 'Really, what I'm doing is just calling out the administration.' US Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency in charge of the international boundary, did not respond to the Daily Mail's questions about the black paint's effectiveness. However, a CBP spokesperson did scale back on the scope of the project to paint the wall black. 'Our priority is to paint new border wall system construction black. We will keep you advised on further progress,' CBP told Daily Mail in a statement. Originally, Noem said the 'entire southern border wall' would be painted black, but now said it would be just the new sections. The border wall separating the United States and Mexico is being painted black to make it too hot for migrants to climb Now with more than three years left of his term, Trump has allocated an additional $46.5 billion to the completion of his border wall project Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem revealed the project was a specific request from Donald Trump The agency also did not answer questions about the cost of the project. The paint job will restore the border wall to Trump's initial design from his first presidency. During his first term, parts of the wall along Calexico were being painted black, but the project was abandoned to speed up construction of the wall itself. But now with more than three years left of his term, Trump has allocated an additional $46.5 billion to the completion of his border wall project. This is the moment a suspected dine-and-dasher threw a steak at a restaurant owner before allegedly leaving without paying a 800 bill. A group of nine diners are said to have arrived at Tinel Seafood & Grill in Grantham, Lincolnshire before ordering some of the most expensive drinks and dishes on the menu. The owner Flavio Serra, said he accommodated the group as a last-minute booking but found they were rude and disruptive, with one of them storming into his kitchen. CCTV shot on Friday, June 28 shows Mr Serra confronting the man - only for the thug to throw his well-done steak in his face. A furious argument then erupted, with both men pointing their fingers in each other's face. The diner is also seen battering a lobster cracking kit he had been given on the table, leaving it damaged. Mr Serra said the group later walked out leaving an unpaid bill totalling 758.22. The diner throws his well-done steak at Flavio Serra, owner of Tinel Seafood & Grill in Grantham, Lincolnshire The diner is also seen battering a lobster cracking kit he had been given on the table, leaving it damaged Taking to Facebook to share his heartbreak, he wrote: 'This is not just theft, it's a slap in the face to everything I've worked so hard to build over the past four or more years. 'What makes it even more painful is that some of them were previous customers who had dined with us before, always enjoyed the experience, and left glowing reviews. 'This time, they brought along others, some locals, others unknown, and together, they disrespected me, my team, and my business in ways I never imagined. 'I cooked every dish from scratch, making sure every plate left my kitchen with the same high standards we're known for. Despite the last-minute booking, I went above and beyond, as I always do.' Mr Serra said he had passed the CCTV footage on to police and urged anyone who had any information to get in touch with officers. The proud chef described suffering sleepless nights since the horrific incident but thanked local people for 'standing with me'. He continued: 'I've had sleepless nights since this happened. I feel angry, disappointed, and betrayed. 'But I also know the power of community, and I know you have my back, just like you did during the last incident earlier this year.' Tinel has been open for more than four years and serves specialities from the Algarve Mr Serra said he had passed the CCTV footage on to police and urged anyone who had any information to get in touch with officers Mr Serra claimed the group had always intended not to pay and deliberately ordered only the most expensive items. He is far from the first restaurateur to be nursing losses after seeing diners leave without paying. In an incident on August 4, two waiters were seen running after a group of four men who left a Bangladeshi and Nepalese restaurant in Northampton without settling their 200 bill. Video footage shared by the restaurant shows three of the men waiting for their waiter to walk out of sight before getting to their feet. They walk slowly to the exit before sprinting out of the door once they realise they are being pursued by two of the restaurant's employees. In a warning to other local businesses posted on Facebook, the Saffron wrote: 'Last night at approximately 10:15 PM, four young men entered our restaurant, enjoyed a full meal, and left without paying. 'This kind of behaviour isn't just theft, it affects hardworking small businesses and our local community. 'We have reported the incident to the police, and footage has been handed over. We urge neighbouring businesses to stay alert. 'If you recognise these individuals or have any information, please contact us directly or report it to the police. Help us hold these people accountable, there's no place for this kind of behaviour in our community. Name and shame. let's protect each other.' In an incident on August 4, two waiters were seen running after a group of four men who left Saffron restaurant in Northampton without settling their 200 bill Lincolnshire Police said of the incident in Grantham: 'We received a report on 29 June that a party of around 8 to 10 people left a restaurant in Grantham without a paying a bill which was just over 700. 'There had been a dispute between the party and the staff prior to the group leaving the premises without paying the bill. 'We have followed a number of lines of enquiry, including circulating images of the people involved, and nobody has been identified from those efforts. 'There are no further evidential opportunities identified at present, but we would urge anyone with information to get in touch, quoting incident 236 of June 29.' An Oxford University academic and refugee campaigner is allegedly running an illicit operation to help bring foreign workers to the UK. Dr Ozlem Galip is accused of taking money from small businesses to get them Home Office licences to hire migrant labour despite not being registered with any official regulator as is required by law. She allegedly told some of her clients to lie to government officials and deny knowing her if questioned. And she is even claimed to have arranged a 'ghost visa' to illegally bring a migrant to Britain by secretly using a licence she had set up for a shop owner to sponsor an extra 'worker' without telling him. The horrified boss said he only discovered when he was investigated months later by the Home Office and questioned about an extra overseas member of staff he never knew existed. He now questions whether there are others she has covertly brought to the UK this way who have simply 'vanished'. The case exposes gaping holes in Home Office checks surrounding the skilled worker visa system, which legitimate recruiters warn have led to hundreds of thousands of workers arriving in the UK in an immigration scandal that dwarfs the small boats crisis. Extraordinarily, Dr Galip carried out her operation while benefiting from a taxpayer-funded 234,770 research grant for an Oxford University-backed study about 'empowering women'. Dr Ozlem Galip (pictured) is accused of taking money from small businesses to get them Home Office licences to hire migrant labour, despite not being registered with any official regulator She carried out her alleged operation while benefiting from a taxpayer-funded 234,770 research grant for an Oxford University-backed study about 'empowering women'. Pictured: File photo of University of Oxford But in an alleged sideline to her academic and refugee work, Dr Galip (pictured) is sole director of a company called Galip & Co Immigration Ltd The academic, who holds a PhD in Kurdish Studies, is a research fellow at Oxford where she has also taught Kurdish to students and academics for several years. She has also taken roles at Kurdish NGOs and women's and refugees' organisations, and in her blog on her personal website entitled 'Women of Resistance' - vows to challenge 'mainstream voices' and champion those 'overlooked due to systematic ethnocentric ignorance and assumptions of white superiority'. It is illegal for an unregulated adviser to provide immigration guidance or services in the UK. But in an alleged sideline to her academic and refugee work, she is sole director of a company called Galip & Co Immigration Ltd and is said to have assisted several businesses to obtain skilled worker visa licences allowing them to bring workers to the UK. When Onur Payasli, who runs a supermarket in Bournemouth, wanted to sponsor a Turkish worker as his store manager in April 2024, he was put in touch with Dr Galip, who told him she had been organising skilled worker visas for several years. He said Dr Galip quoted around 2,000 to arrange the Home Office licence and visa - half the price of others offering the service - so she carried out the application on his behalf. In March this year, she unexpectedly contacted him to warn that the Home Office might investigate him. He claimed Dr Galip told him not to go to the shop to avoid the government officials and, if he did see them, to say they were simply friends and that she had helped him fill out the sponsorship application using her laptop. She is said to have assisted several businesses to obtain skilled worker visa licences allowing them to bring workers to the UK. Pictured: File photo She also asked him to send his email address so she could change it on the Home Office online portal, he claimed. When Home Office investigators eventually interviewed Mr Payasli in May he was shocked to hear that, as well as the retail manager, his sponsorship licence had been used to bring a second Turkish woman to the UK in July 2024 officially as a 'sales supervisor'. The Home Office official wanted to know the whereabouts of this woman who appeared to have 'vanished' after her arrival, he said. The sponsorship for this second worker had been arranged online via the Home Office visa sponsorship management portal. Mr Payasli said he never had access to this system and his firm's account had been unknowingly set up by Dr Galip using her Gmail account. The same Gmail address has been linked to a Turkish restaurant in Brighton run by Dr Galip's family. Mr Payasli subsequently confronted Dr Galip, who he said admitted to 'helping someone', but claimed she hadn't charged any money for it. In WhatsApp messages seen by the Daily Mail, she warned him that if he complained to the Home Office she would make counter complaints, telling him: 'You'll be the one who suffers the most from this.' It is illegal for an unregulated adviser to provide immigration guidance or services in the UK. Pictured: File photo Mr Payasli said he had since spoken to others who have used her services and has reported it to the Home Office, which suspended his licence while officials investigate. He said his experience appears to reveal a flaw in the Home Office online system that allows sponsor accounts to be set up with no verification required from the business owner. The owner of an east London Turkish restaurant also told the Daily Mail that Dr Galip had submitted a sponsorship licence application on her behalf after receiving 560 to do so and then told her to 'lie' to the Home Office about this when questioned. A transcript of her Home Office interview shows the restaurant owner told officials that Dr Galip's Gmail which had been used to set up her sponsorship portal was her own, but was unable to sign in using this email when requested. The restaurant owner later told the Daily Mail she said she was originally given Dr Galip's number by another business owner in Greenwich, east London who said she had helped her get a sponsorship licence to bring in skilled workers. Lawyers for Galip told the Daily Mail she 'unequivocally denies' all the allegations and that she was a 'respected academic with an international profile'. Her firm, Galip & Co Immigration Ltd, is still active, though she applied to Companies House to strike it from the register on the day the Daily Mail approached her for comment. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Illegal activity will not be tolerated and we will stop at nothing to ensure our immigration rules are respected and enforced. 'As legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.' Peers who fail to turn up and participate in the House of Lords will be forced to quit as part of Labour's shake-up of Parliament's upper chamber. Baroness Smith of Basildon, the Leader of the House of Lords, today outlined the Government's plans to go further in shrinking the size of the unelected chamber. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is already purging the Lords of the 92 remaining hereditary peers, who are entitled to their seats by right of birth. But, once that is completed, a 'stage two' of reforms will see the introduction of a minimum retirement age of 80 for peers, as well as a 'participation requirement'. Both were commitments made by Labour in the party's general election manifesto as part of efforts to 'modernise' the Lords. However, Sir Keir watered down a previous vow to 'abolish' the Lords and instead only pledged in Labour's manifesto to 'consult' on creating an elected upper chamber. There are currently 830 members of the Lords, which is regularly derided for being the second-largest legislative chamber in the world behind only China's National People's Congress. These include 285 Tory peers, compared to only 209 Labour peers. Peers who fail to turn up and participate in the House of Lords will be forced to quit as part of Labour 's shake-up of Parliament's upper chamber Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is already purging the Lords of the 92 remaining hereditary peers, who are entitled to their seats by right of birth Baroness Smith of Basildon, the Leader of the House of Lords, has outlined the Government's plans to go further in shrinking the size of the unelected chamber There are concerns that Sir Keir's plans to reform the Lords are, in part, aimed at narrowing that gap in order to make it easier for the Government to pass legislation. In December last year, Sir Keir appointed 30 new Labour peers to the Lords, including a string of ex-MPs and his sacked chief of staff Sue Gray. Labour's 'stage two' reforms will see peers monitored for the frequency with which they speak in debates, vote on legislation, sit in committees and provide other meaningful contributions, The Telegraph reported. Those deemed not to be doing their duty in the Lords will be made to give up their seat in the chamber. In an article for the newspaper, Baroness Smith said she plans to form a cross-party committee to finalise the rule changes. She wrote: 'Most peers agree the current membership is too high and that there are those who rarely attend. 'The committee will, in turn, be able to look at what might be done with or without legislation.' Baroness Smith admitted there was a risk of 'unintended consequences' from Labour's reforms, such as failing to acknowledge some of the 'often unnoticed' work of peers. 'When considering a 'participation requirement', those who regularly contribute to the work of the Lords have a clear feel for what this might be,' she said. 'It would recognise contributions in the main chamber as well as the solid, often unnoticed, work done in our impressive system of committees but it is hard to quantify. 'The work of the House isn't just about the loudest or most public voices, so what are the options for this to be achieved fairly?' An analysis by the Tortoise website last year found the vast majority of work in the Lords is done by only a quarter of peers while 24 members 'do nothing'. It found roughly 210 of the 830 peers in Parliament's upper chamber do two-thirds of the work. More than 70 per cent of all amendments are made by 26 per cent of peers, while 63 per cent of all spoken contributions are made by the same group, the study said. It showed the same was true of 61 per cent of all written questions in the Lords. The analysis also found a handful of members had claimed hundreds of thousand in attendance payments without carrying out 'any discernible parliamentary work'. Most peers do not receive a salary for being a member of the Lords but are able to claim a tax-free attendance allowance of 371 for each day they attend Parliament. Labour's plan to impose a retirement age of 80 on peers has already prompted a backlash. Critics have pointed to the continued work of those such as Lord Dubs - a 92-year-old former refugee who fled to London during the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia - in scrutinising Government immigration policies. There are 190 members of the House of Lords aged 80 and above, including 28 who are 90 or older. Baroness Smith added: 'Most peers do not want these issues kicked into the long grass, and I am keen to see if we can act more quickly to bring about the necessary and important changes that this Government is set on delivering. 'I am proud of the work of the Lords. At its best, it plays a vital role in our constitution as a scrutinising and revising chamber; and we need to ensure that we fulfil that responsibility in order to deliver effectively for the people of this country. 'But like all such institutions, ongoing improvements and considered reform must ensure it remains fit for purpose and provides for those we serve.' Baroness Smith has previously said Labour wants to shrink the Lords to the same size as the House of Commons, which has 650 seats. The heroic pilot of the helicopter that crashed on the Isle of Wight this morning managed to steer it to safety, it has been revealed. Four individuals, including the pilot, were onboard the small vehicle when it came down near the town of Shanklin on the main road to Newport just before 9.30am. After crashing in a nearby field, a huge emergency response was dispatched to the scene. One casualty is currently being treated in hospital after being airlifted to safety. Now, Shanklin Town Council have praised the courageous pilot for managing to 'bring down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.' In a statement, they added: 'This bank holiday, as well as hosting the scooter rally on the island, has many organised events that run from Sandown airport. 'One of those is the regular flights that give visitors the ability to view the coastline from the air. 'This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.' At the time of the tragic crash, the pleasure flight was being used for a flying lesson, according to Northumbria Helicopters. The heroic pilot of the helicopter (pictured) that crashed on the Isle of Wight this morning managed to steer it to safety, it has been revealed Four individuals, including the pilot, were onboard the small vehicle when it came down near the town of Shanklin on the main road to Newport just before 9.30am Emergency calls about the helicopter crash started coming in this morning just after 9.20am. One casualty is currently being treated in hospital after being airlifted to safety The helicopter took off from Sandown Airport and was on its second trip of the day before it ran into difficulties. The nightmare unfolded just after 9.20am as calls started coming in to the air ambulance service that something had gone seriously wrong. Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent are currently working at the scene. It is unclear how many people were on board or how badly hurt they may have been. So far the ambulance service has confirmed one person has been airlifted to Southampton Hospital for treatment. Fire engines from Shanklin, Ventnor and Newport are also on site trying to help tackle the aftermath of the crash. Shanklin Road is currently closed between the junctions with Whiteley Bank and Apse Manor Road. At the time of the tragic crash, the pleasure flight was being used for a flying lesson, according to Northumbria Helicopters. The helicopter took off from Sandown Airport and was on its second trip of the day before it ran into difficulties Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent were seen at the scene A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said: 'We can confirm our dispatchers deployed the Air Ambulance at 09.20am to an incident near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight today Monday 25 August' Hampshire Police said: 'We were called at 9.24am to a report that a helicopter had come down in a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road. 'The road is closed due to the number of emergency services vehicles at the scene, so please avoid the area at this time.' A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said: 'We can confirm our dispatchers deployed the Air Ambulance at 09.20am to an incident near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight today Monday 25 August. 'The Critical Care Team consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic are on scene, working alongside our emergency service colleagues.' A female passenger launched a shocking attack on a cabin crew member in a mid-flight rampage after she was denied the use of a phone. The red haired woman, 39, was travelling from Novosibirsk, Siberia's most populous city, to Moscow, on Saturday morning when she mounted the brutal assault after arguing with a flight attendant on the Boeing 737 jet. Shocking footage shows her angrily squabbling with the flight staff before repeatedly hitting one at least five times, before passengers and crew intervene. The unnamed woman reportedly acted aggressively and frightened other passengers as she began to demand the use of a phone just seven minutes after the fight took off. The cabin crew tried to calm her down and handed her the rules of conduct on board. But she crumpled up the document and hurled it at one stewardess's face. The woman, who sat in seat 10A, then demanded a phone from staff before attacking the senior flight attendant. Another video shows her being pushed away from the flight attendant by a male passenger in a white t-shirt, who quickly intervenes after witnessing the attack. A female passenger launched a shocking attack on a cabin crew in a mid-flight rampage after she was denied the use of a phone The red haired woman, 39, was travelling from Novosibirsk to Moscow on Saturday when she mounted the brutal assault It comes weeks after a family attacked a woman when she complained that a young boy was persistently kicking her seat The woman can then be seen walking away while wailing and shouting. She was tied up for the remainder of the flight before being met by a rapid response team and removed from the flight at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the incident and said a protocol had been drawn up against her for petty hooliganism. Police are continuing to investigate. The scrap comes just weeks after a family attacked a woman when she complained that a young boy was persistently kicking her seat throughout their three hour 47 minute flight. Chaos erupted when the China Southern Airlines flight CZ6164 landed as a family reportedly surrounded the woman and physically confronted her, insisting she should have more empathy because 'he's only a child.' The incident, which took place on August 7 after the flight from Shenzhen to Dalian, is now under investigation by the Dalian Airport Public Security Bureau. Passengers reported that the boy, seated directly behind the woman, repeatedly kicked her seat during the flight. Despite multiple warnings, he persisted. Some passengers and cabin crew attempted to stop the melee but they were pushed aside Police were called after a fight broke out between two passengers on the a Ryanair flight on August 12 from London Stansted to Lisbon Later, while walking down the aisle, he is said to have deliberately bumped into her, sending her headphones to the floor. Meanwhile, police were called after a fight broke out between two passengers on the a Ryanair flight on August 12 from London Stansted to Lisbon, Footage taken on the plane, which was flying from London Stansted to Lisbon, showed multiple children wailing as dozens of people shouted over each other. One mother was seen trying to console her child, telling them: 'It's okay, it's okay. We're going now.' One man appeared to restrain another in front of the mother trying to console her young child. A Ryanair spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'The crew of this flight from London Stansted to Lisbon called for police assistance after two passengers became disruptive onboard. The aircraft was met by local police and these passengers were removed. President Donald Trump wants to unravel the Supreme Court's free speech protection for lighting the American flag on fire. Trump signed an executive order on Monday seeking to punish Americans for burning the U.S. flag. In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag during a protest is a protected form of free speech. The practice became popularized years before, during heated Vietnam War riots. Trump's bold new order directs the Department of Justice to prosecute individuals who 'desecrate' the flag, along with detaining and deporting immigrants who are accused of flag burning. 'If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail, no early exits, no nothing,' Trump declared in the Oval Office. 'My administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority,' Trump's order reads. Attorney General Pam Bondi is directed to review all cases where the flag has been burned and find what other charges could be brought forward. Trump also requests the attorney general to find cases challenging the SCOTUS ruling. Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the DOJ to punish Americans who burn the US flag Trump referred to protesters who burn the flag as 'animals' Trump cancelled a plan signing of the flag burning executive order last week According to multiple reports, Trump planned to sign an executive order last week but for undisclosed reason, delayed signing it. Since the start of his career in politics, Trump has advocated for imposing legal penalties on protesters who destroy the American flag despite the Supreme Courts prior ruling. In the past, the president has called for stripping the citizenship from naturalized American citizens who burn the flag and advocated for jail time as a punishment. Trump during the 2024 campaign season even floated the idea of introducing a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning as a form of protected protest. Amid the anti-ICE protests in LA earlier this year, Trump called for throwing demonstrators in jail for a year for setting the flag on fire. These are animals, but they proudly carry the flags of other countries. They don't carry the American flag, Trump told a crowd of servicemembers at Fort Bragg. They only burn it. Did you see a lot of the flags being burned?" He added, They weren't being burned by people from our country, or from people that love our country. People that burn the American flag should go to jail for one year. President Donald Trump wants to unravel the Supreme Court's free speech protection for lighting the American flag on fire 'If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail, no early exits, no nothing,' Trump declared in the Oval Office Trump has long advocated for prosecuting Americans who burn the flag Trump then claimed that hes working with lawmakers in DC to push through legislation outlawing flag burning. We'll see if we can get that done. We're going to try and get that done. We're working with some of your senators. Revellers of Notting Hill Carnival paraded the streets in glamorous and eccentric outfits alongside colourful floats to celebrate the annual Caribbean festival. Thousands of people lined the route in sunny weather, with temperatures soaring to 26C. The world-famous party, which is the largest in Europe, officially begun on Sunday morning with dancers in bright costumes parading along the streets. Bands and floats representing the Caribbean, African and Brazilian diaspora paraded through west London on Monday as Notting Hill Carnival entered its second day in style. Groups included Bajan Raw Licquer, Mahogany, Chocolate Nation, Mas Africa, Vincy Alliance and United Kreyol, which reflect traditions from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Haiti. Maria James, 34, said: 'It feels like a piece of the Caribbean right here in London.' James Lewis, 41, who travelled from Birmingham, said: 'It's amazing to see so many cultures coming together.' Brazilian performers from Paraiso Samba School, Batala and Dende Nation added to the line-up this weekend, alongside long-established UK community bands. Many participants wore eccentric outfits as thousands of revellers lined the streets Revellers of Notting Hill Carnival paraded the streets in glamorous and eccentric outfits alongside colourful floats to celebrate the annual Caribbean festival The largest street party in Europe officially begun on Sunday morning with dancers in bright costumes parading along the streets Thousands of people lined the route in sunny weather, with temperatures soaring to 26C The street has exploded into a concoction of colourful outfits, paired with feathers and jewels Bands and floats representing the Caribbean, African and Brazilian diaspora paraded through west London on Monday as Notting Hill Carnival entered its second day in flamboyant style Samba dancers in colourful costumes performed during the Monday Parade Groups included Bajan Raw Licquer, Mahogany, Chocolate Nation, Mas Africa, Vincy Alliance and United Kreyol, which reflect traditions from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Haiti Revellers displayed their bright green outfits during in the carnival parade this afternoon Young people danced in the streets to celebrate the annual carnival A reveller takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival Dating back to 1966, the carnival takes over and transforms the famous London borough for one weekend a year Drummers performing during the celebration in west London over the summer bank holiday weekend About one million people are expected to attend the celebration of Caribbean culture and history, which has seen the streets flooded with costumes, dancing and music Monday is the adults' parade, which is usually the busiest day where revellers wearing bright costumes and waving flags will pack out west London One woman was seen squatting in front of a group of men as onlookers cheered and danced The festival began at 6am, with festival-goers gathering for J'Ouvert celebrations, which means 'daybreak' in French Creole, as they paraded through the streets and sprayed brightly coloured paints and powders to get into the carnival spirit. Three men splattered in paint were even spotted dancing on top of a bus stop outside Ladbroke Grove station, near Portobello Road market, as celebrations got off to a very early start. Dating back to 1966, the carnival takes over and transforms the famous London borough for one weekend a year. About one million people are expected to attend the celebration of Caribbean culture and history, which will see the streets flooded with costumes, dancing and music. Monday is the adults' parade, which is usually the busiest day where revellers wearing bright costumes and waving flags will pack out west London for a day of extravagance. Attendees - waving flags of Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, and Barbados were seen blowing whistles and plastic trumpets as they moved down the iconic Westbourne Park Road, made famous as the setting of the hit 1999 film Notting Hill. HGVs carrying sound systems and DJs are making their way Ladbroke Grove, followed by parting revellers, many wearing feather headdresses or Jamaican flags as makeshift capes. The main carnival parade route stretches across three miles of west London streets, passing by Ladbroke Grove, Great Western Road, and Westbourne Park. Revellers were seen fanning themselves down as temperatures soar well into the west London night The festival sees the streets transformed into a celebration of Caribbean culture and history, which sees the streets flooded with costumes, dancing and music Many flamboyant outfits are on display as the west London celebration continues into its second night Women and men can be seen singing and dancing on the streets as onlookers cheer them on The green and yellow colours of the Jamaica flag are a regular feature this evening amongst revellers Thousands of people piled onto the streets as the second evening of Europe's largest street carnival gets underway Women and men can be seen making their way through the London streets amid the hot conditions This group of women wrapped themelves in Jamaica flags, paired with outfits to match Another women was seen wearing a Brazil shirt with sunglasses to block out the scorching sun Party-goers were met with dazzling parades with masquerade dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and huge sound systems The parade will go through the streets, spraying brightly coloured paints and powders to get into the carnival spirit A samba dancer in a colourful costume performs during the Monday Parade Brazilian performers from Paraiso Samba School, Batala and Dende Nation added to the line-up this weekend, alongside long-established UK community bands Carnival enjoyers have been flocking from all over the country to Notting Hill A group of girls dressed up in colourful costumes for Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival is a celebration of African-Caribbean traditions and the capital's cultural diversity Performers took part in the parade today Celebrating its 59th year, the event runs on August 24 and 25 A pair of party-goers posed at the carnival, wearing glamorous and colourful outfits At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, a 72-second silence was held to remember the Grenfell Tower fire victims At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, a 72-second silence was held to remember the Grenfell Tower fire victims. Earlier in the day, Kensington and Chelsea Council said an estimated 150 tonnes of rubbish was cleared after the first day of festivities. The council expects 300 tonnes to be collected over the weekend, with 180 staff and 45 vehicles working overnight. The clean-up will continue on Monday night to prepare the area for normal business on Tuesday morning. Dozens of migrants were seen wading neck-deep into the sea off Calais to board a dinghy to cross the English Channel to reach Britain today as temperatures soared. Pictures showed women, children and men in orange life jackets attempting to climb onto a small rubber boat in the water on France's north coast. Officers in diving gear could be seen watching on from the shore and a rescue boat off Petit-Fort-Philippe beach in Gravelines. Some of the migrants had children sitting on their shoulders while others reached out their hands to help others around them step off the boat and into the water. In other shocking images, children were seen crying as they were pushed through the Channel with their heads barely held above the water's surface. It is not clear whether the vessel was intercepted and turned back. The waters remained in calm conditions in the 26C Calais heat today, but concerns are rising as the weather is set to take a turn for the worse in the coming days. It comes as more than 28,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year. The latest Home Office statistics show that almost two-fifths of those who claimed asylum in the UK in the 12 months to June 2025 arrived via small boat. Images on Monday showed women, children and men in orange life jackets attempting to climb onto a small rubber boat in the water as French police blocked the action Migrants react as they attempt to board an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France A group of migrants on an inflatable dinghy leave the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel Migrants wade through the sea with children on their shoulders in an attempt to board an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France Officers in diving gear could be seen watching on from the shore and a rescue boat as the migrants were stopped and led back to the Petit-Fort-Philippe beach in Gravelines A mixture of men, women and children were seen waiting to board a migrant dinghy in a bid to cross the Channel One man held a young boy above his head as they entered the water in Gravelines, France A little girl was seen looking visibly upset as what appeared to be her family failed to board an inflatable dinghy heading for England As of August 20, 27,997 migrants had crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025, up from 18,342 for the same period in 2024. It means more than 50,000 migrants have come to the UK via this route in the 403 days since Labour came to power in July 2024. It is not the first time that the 50,000 threshold has been passed in 403 days. Between October 8, 2021 and November 14, 2022 - under the previous Conservative government - there were 53,587 small boat arrivals. Under a new agreement between the British and French governments, the 'one in, one out' deal, some people who come to the UK this way will be detained and sent back to France. UK officials will be able to make referrals for returns to France within three days of someone's arrival by boat. French authorities can identify the same number of asylum seekers currently in France who intend to come to the UK but have not tried to cross. Those who pass security and eligibility checks can be relocated to the UK and given three months to claim asylum or apply for a visa. However, they would not be allowed to work, study, or have access to benefits in this time. It has been reported that 50 people a week could be selected. The pilot scheme is expected to last for 11 months. Monday's attempted crossing at the Gravelines beach comes just weeks after a small boat arrived at the same beach to pick up migrants to take them illegally across to the UK. Young children stood in the sand as they joined what appeared to be their families in an attempt to reach England by inflatable dinghy Migrants board a dinghy to cross the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France A man struggles in deep water as he carries a young child on his shoulders People gesture as they try to board a migrant dinghy into the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France A migrant carries a child along the beach before trying to board One migrant swam towards the inflatable dinghy as he sought to reach England from northern France Migrants waded into the sea as the dinghy began its venture towards the English Channel today Migrants on board the rubber vessel extended a hand to a woman who swam to reach the dinghy as it floated away The rubber vessel was pictured off the French coast, just east of Calais, on August 9, before heading off into the English Channel. Passengers, which included men, women and children, loaded on to the boat, reaching out hands to help each other aboard. Some threw peace signs at the camera - while a handful of French police officers stood on the beach, watching on. Many were carrying children, some of whom looked no older than toddlers, with most of them wearing lifejackets ahead of the passage. The majority of people had no possessions with them, apart from one small bag in some cases. One pair was seen clasping hands, while another hugged tightly. They soon variously swam and waded out to the boat, with some climbing onboard before helping to lift others on to the craft. A boat is soon densely packed with passengers, with a row of young men seen sitting astride the edge of the vessel. After the first boat is loaded up, remaining passengers watched on as it embarked on its journey into the Channel. French gendarmes on a boat approached a group of migrants travelling on an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France A young boy looked out to the sea as what appeared to be his family readied themselves to reach the float Migrants looked to get on the rear of the dinghy where some space had opened up as dozens of them squeezed together Dozens of migrants perched themselves on the huge dinghy which is headed for the English Channel As of late August 2025, more than 28,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats this year A man jokes with a girl after securing her lifejacket as she waits to try and board a migrant dinghy to cross the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines Migrants wait in the sea to try and board a dinghy to cross the English Channel on August 25, 2025 in Gravelines, France Migrants walk past French police officers after failing to board the dinghy Children are carried on shoulders as migrants wade into the sea to board a dinghy to cross the English Channel on August 25 Men wearing life jackets could be seen taking woman into the sea as they seek a life in England Many children were spotted with what appeared to be their families as they looked to cross the Channel Many made a desperate attempt to gain a seat on the dinghy which was packed full with dozens of migrants Two French gendarmerie vehicles were seen on the sand, with a small group of officers standing stationery as the events unfolded. One policeman appeared to be looking at his phone. The August 9 small boat passage came after Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted Labour's 'one in, one out' scheme as a 'gimmick that just won't work'. He said: 'As far as we can see, removals under this scheme will only amount to six per cent of arrivals, meaning 94 per cent will stay. 'It will have no deterrent effect whatsoever. 'We also know that the agreement with France means any migrants claiming to be under 18, or who make a modern slavery or human rights claim, will not get removed. 'So this plan will get bogged down in an endless legal quagmire. 'Just like Sir Keir Starmer's claim to "smash the gangs", this is another gimmick that just won't work.' Canada has seen an influx of Americans applying for refugee status since Donald Trump was elected president in November, according to official data. More Americans applied for refugee status in Canada in the first half of 2025 than in all of 2024, according Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board. While their share of total refugee claims - 245 of about 55,000 - remains low, Canada has already received more claims by Americans than it did during any full year since 2019. In comparison, last year, 204 Americans filed refugee claims in Canada with the United States as their country of alleged persecution. As Reuters noted, refugee claims from the US also rose during the first Trump administration. The data does not say why the claims were made, but eight lawyers told Reuters they are hearing from more trans Americans wanting to leave the US as the Trump administration rolls back transgender rights. To gain asylum, potential refugees must convince Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board that nowhere in the US is safe for them. A US Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said people claiming refugee status in Canada would create room in the US for individuals 'facing actual fear and persecution.' Hannah Kreager, 22, is one of the Americans who fled the US for Canada. She is seeking asylum claiming she is not safe in Trump's America as a transgender person Eight lawyers said they are hearing from more trans Americans wanting to leave the US as the Trump administration rolls back transgender rights. Canadian immigration officials have stressed that claims from Americans face an uphill battle, as they must prove that they have a 'real fear of persecution or face serious harm, such as torture or cruel treatment, in their home country or where they usually live.' Daily Mail previously reported the case of an Arizona trans woman who applied for asylum in Canada over Trump's policies. Hannah Kreager, 22, 'fled' her home in the Grand Canyon State for the Canadian city of Calgary. 'I have fled in hopes of finding safety, security, and the freedom to continue to live my life, and access/take my medications as prescribed,' Kreager wrote on her GoFundMe page. Her legal filing cited two executive orders by the Republican president, including one stating the federal government only recognizes the male and female genders, according to The Globe and Mail. As a result, US passports and identity cards with an X gender marker are no longer being issued. 'Attitudes in the United States have grown increasingly intolerant toward trans people by those who have been influenced and emboldened by a president and administration that takes basic rights away from trans people on the basis of nothing more than their identity,' Kreager said. 'The danger to trans individuals in the United States is very high, while the threat my community poses is exceedingly low.' Katie Berg, her husband Ted, and five of their children are currently in the middle of seeking asylum in Canada after fleeing Illinois on March 3. The parents worry for their transgender and gender-fluid children, who are 13 and 12 respectively Cars wait in line to enter the United States at a border crossing at the Canada-US border in Blackpool, Quebec, Canada, on February 2, 2025 Kreager's attorney Yameena Ansari claims she and other Canadian immigration lawyers have been flooded with inquiries from transgender Americans since Trump took power about how they can move to their country. 'This case is about safety,' her attorney Yameena Ansari told the Canadian news site. 'Its about whether Canada will recognize the threat Hannah faces in the U.S.' Other Americans have also applied for refugee status north of the US border. An Illinois family with transgender children has made a similar request of the Canadian government. Kaitlyn and Ted Berg, parents to a 13-year-old child who is transgender, and 12-year-old who identifies as gender fluid, pulled their five kids from school one day after Trump's inauguration and began planning their exit. 'They're kids, but they're also people too,' Katie told the DailyMail.com in March. 'We're just leaving to make a better life for our children... If my children can grow up safe, that's all that matters. Trump and the Supreme Court have rolled back trans rights, restricting who can access gender-affirming care, who can serve in the military, who can use what bathroom, and who can play in some sports. Meanwhile, as more Americans look for a future in Canada, several liberal celebrities such as Rosie O'Donnell and Ellen DeGeneres also left the US following Trump's election, citing the president as the reason. Culinary event boosts China-Brunei cultural ties Xinhua) 13:08, August 25, 2025 Li Yuanlong, an inheritor of Luosifen making technique from China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, prepares a serving of Luosifen noodle during the "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, Aug. 23, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Meng) BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, on Saturday night, showcasing traditional culinary culture and the friendship between China and Brunei. The event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Brunei and took place at Laksamana College of Business (LCB). Nearly 80 guests, including Bruneian cabinet ministers, government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and well-known public figures, attended the event. Teams from Guilin Tourism University in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Brunei's LCB prepared their characteristic dishes, exchanging cooking techniques and food culture. During the traditional Chinese tea frying demonstration, the venue was filled with the aroma of tea. Bruneian guests participated in the process and tasted freshly fried Guangxi tea. "Culinary culture is a precious treasure of traditional Chinese culture," said Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo, noting that each dish not only carries the unique flavors of China's Guangxi, but also embodies the essence of Southeast Asian culinary culture. "Through every bite, we can taste the deep-rooted cultural connections between Guangxi, Brunei, and the entire ASEAN region, truly experiencing the profound charm of cultural exchange and mutual understanding," said the ambassador. S. Sivarajah, CEO and deputy principal of LCB, emphasized the significance of this event in promoting culinary and cultural exchange between the two nations, sharing cooking techniques, and enhancing the friendship between the peoples of China and Brunei. Guests experience the traditional Chinese tea frying technique during the "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, Aug. 23, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Meng) A team from Guilin Tourism University in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region demonstrates the traditional Chinese tea frying technique during the "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, Aug. 23, 2025.(Xinhua/Li Meng) (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) A teenage girl has died after 'becoming unwell' at a music festival in Belfast over the weekend. Police have launched a probe into the sudden death of a girl - in her late teens - at the Emerge dance music festival, which was held at Boucher Playing Fields in the south of the Northern Ireland capital. More than 70 acts performed over Saturday and Sunday, including Fatboy Slim and Bicep - the electronic DJ duo who hail from Belfast. But the event - billed as Ireland's biggest electronic music festival - has been overshadowed by the death of the festivalgoer who died in hospital after becoming unwell on Sunday. Two other people remain in hospital after also becoming ill at the event. A woman aged in her 30s is in a serious but stable condition, while a boy aged in his teens received treatment and is expected to make a full recovery, police said. Belfast councillor Micky Murray described the death of the girl as 'heartbreaking'. He wrote: 'Heartbreaking news this afternoon of the death of a teenage girl who attended Emerge last night, and two others in hospital. Police have launched a probe into sudden death of a girl - in her late teens - at the Emerge dance music festival More than 70 acts performed over Saturday and Sunday, including Fatboy Slim and Bicep - the electronic DJ duo who hail from Belfast 'I have some very serious concerns about this, and as a BCC asset, I'm requesting an urgent meeting w/ Council officers and Emerge reps.' A spokesman for the PSNI told the Mail: 'Police attended a report of the sudden death of a girl aged in her late teens on Sunday, 24th August, who died in hospital after becoming unwell at an event in south Belfast. 'Additionally, two people remain in hospital after taking ill at the same event. 'A woman aged in her 30s is in a serious but stable condition at this time, while a boy aged in his teens received treatment and is expected to make a full recovery. 'Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding all reports are ongoing.' The Emerge festival has been contacted for comment. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace has come under fire after she wrongly identified a college student as an 'alleged school shooter' during a campus-wide lockdown. Students at the University of South Carolina were ordered to shelter in place Sunday while police investigated a 'credible report' of an active shooter near the library. Hours later, university officials gave the all-clear after confirming it was a false alarm. There was no evidence of a shooter and no reports of any shots being fired. But, during the lockdown, Mace - whose son attends the university - took to social media to share a photograph of a man walking around campus carrying a long, black object. 'Here is the alleged school shooter at USC,' she captioned the post on X, referring to the student as a 'white male' wearing 'black shorts, grey tshirt, backpack'. The GOP firebrand later deleted her post after it emerged the young man was actually an innocent USC student walking through campus carrying a black umbrella. Despite taking down the post, the lawmaker has been slammed by both Democrats and Republicans calling on her to apologize to the student for her panic-inducing 'false post'. Political commentator Matt Walsh was among the conservatives mocking Mace over her false accusation. US Rep. Nancy Mace has come under fire after she falsely identified this University of South Carolina student as an 'alleged school shooter' during a campus-wide lockdown on Sunday Mace is yet to apologize and has tried to justify her actions by detailing how frightened she was and how she was 'frantically calling' her son during the lockdown 'Really grateful for Nancy Mace. She bravely alerted the public to the dangers of a guy carrying an umbrella,' he wrote on X. 'This is why we need common sense umbrella control.' Former state and federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski, who ditched the GOP for the Democratic party in 2021, also blasted the congresswoman for not apologizing to the student. 'If you thought Nancy Mace was going to apologize after spending her day falsely accusing a kid with an umbrella of being a school shooter, you thought wrong,' he tweeted. Gun control activist Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed in the Parkland high school shooting, branded Mace 'the problem'. 'Now would be an appropriate time to talk about how to appropriately punish you for this false post that could have gotten someone killed,' Guttenberg wrote. 'As the father of Jaime, killed in the Parkland shooting, everything about you and your messaging is the problem. Seek help as I firmly believe you are in need.' Another X user suggested Mace should end her bid for South Carolina governor, warning that her false accusation could have had deadly consequences. 'Nancy Mace tried to get this kid killed, by claiming he was carrying a rifle and broadcasting his photo on Twitter, when it was obviously an umbrella,' the post read. Mace, whose son attends the university, took to social media amid the lockdown to share a photograph of a man and accuse him of being 'the alleged school shooter' It later emerged that the young man featured in Mace's post was an USC student carrying his umbrella as he walked through campus 'In a moment of crisis, she panicked. Hysterics have no place in leadership and no place in the governor's office.' But as online fury grew, Mace doubled down. Instead of apologizing for her mistake, she tried to justify her actions by detailing how frightened she was and how she was 'frantically calling' her son during the lockdown. 'As the mom of a student at USC, tonight was terrifying,' she wrote in another post. 'Frantically calling my child to see if they were at the library or barricaded somewhere else on campus, making sure they and their roommates were safe, your heart just drops to the ground, for a minute you can't breathe.' She thanked law enforcement for their response to the active shooter report and praised how they 'immediately went to work to protect our kids'. Mace claimed university security was 'swift', 'professional' and 'fast', and even applauded students for 'sharing information to protect each other' and 'being vigilant'. She further argued that 'real, or a hoax, or a mistake, now would be an appropriate time to talk about hardened security at schools of all grades, colleges and universities'. Even though Mace removed the tweet, she was slammed by both Democrats and Republicans over her panic-inducing 'false post' 'This was a terrifying experience for students on campus and their families,' she said. 'Many are confused after being told there was an active shooter. Some are even afraid to return.' USC issued the alert about a possible active shooter, just days after false reports at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga also led to panic and temporary lockdowns as the schools kicked off their fall semesters. 'There have been false gunfire reports at universities across the country in recent days and tonight's incident remains under investigation,' USC said in a statement Sunday night. There were two minor injuries related to the evacuation of the library building, university spokesperson Jeff Stensland added. Approximately 38,000 students attend the school in the heart of the city that's home to nearly 145,000 people. In Pennsylvania on Thursday, someone called 911 reporting a shooter in a Villanova law school building with at least one wounded victim. Students received texts from the school's alert system, but the schools president later said it was a hoax. That same day in Tennessee, the university locked down its campus, telling students: 'Possible active shooter in the University Center or Library. Run. Hide. Fight. More info forthcoming.' The lockdown was lifted after multiple law enforcement agencies responded. School officials said there was no evidence of any threat. Rescuers today gave up hope of reaching a brave woman mountaineer 'left to die' on a 24,406ft peak. Russian climber Natalia, also known as Natasha Nagovitsina, 47, has been trapped at 22,965ft on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan, with a summit height of 24,406ft for the last 13 days. The last footage showing the mountaineer alive was revealed, showing her clearly moving and 'waving' at a drone sent up to monitor her on Tuesday August 19. It also showed her tent torn by the ferocious winds in the spot where she was seeking shelter at 22,965ft under a large rock called the 'Bird'. Nagovitsina had fallen - breaking her leg - 13 days ago, and multiple attempts to bring her down the treacherous mountain failed due to atrocious weather. There were hopes today of a window in the bad weather to enable a new drone flight to the 'death zone' where she was trapped, to see if by a miracle she was still alive despite temperatures of minus 30C at the weekend. But agonisingly there was no break in the cloud covering Victory [Pobeda] Peak in Kyrgyzstan, part of the Tian Shan range. And it was revealed that a special light helicopter and an Italian crew - who could have flown today if there was any sign of life - has now left the remote region. The last chance of rescuing her has now gone, according to reports. Russian mountaineer Natalia, also known as Natasha Nagovitsina, 47, has been trapped at 22,965ft on Victory Peak in Kyrgyzstan, with a summit height of 24,406ft Drone footage filmed four days ago showed clear movement from the sleeping bag she has been sheltering in 'The rescue mission on Mount Pobeda was officially brought to an end,' reported a Russian mountaineering portal. 'The Italian pilots have departed. Weather conditions remain poor.' The head of the mountaineers' base camp, Dmitry Grekov, said there was no longer any hope of rescue. He also said that while her precise location was known he could not confirm her death, due to the bad weather conditions. 'The last attempt to save Russian mountaineer Natalia Nagovitsina, who broke her leg at over 7,000 metres on Mount Pobeda, has failed,' reported SOTA Telegram channel. 'The Ministry of Emergency Situations had planned to use a drone to check for signs of life, followed by deployment of a light Airbus Helicopters H125. 'However, the expected weather "window" never opened.' 'Today the helicopter was returned to its permanent base,' said Adil Chargynov, a representative of Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations. 'Italian pilots, brought in for their high-altitude experience, are now returning home.' The recovery of the well-known mountaineer's body would be possible only 'in the spring'. The attempt to reach her was earlier abandoned on Friday when a bid to climb up to her was aborted after the group's leader suffered back problems caused by an Mi-8 helicopter crash landing during an earlier rescue mission. The climbers were just 3,600ft below her when they had to abort the rescue attempt. Footage shows the conditions when the rescue chief ordered the team to go no further. Rescuers said then - on Friday - they believed she was dead due to the dreadful conditions and lack of food. Nagovitsina went viral in 2021 after she refused to leave her husband Sergei (right), after he suffered a stroke at 22,000ft Previous rescue efforts for the climber failed due to bad weather Grekov said at the time that it was 'unrealistic' she could be saved. 'I turned the whole group around, there were four of them,' he said. Asked if she was still alive at the time, he admitted he did not know but said: 'I think not, because she has been there since 12 August - count how much time has passed. 'It is unrealistic. It is unrealistic to survive at such an altitude.' But the rescuers faced a backlash criticising them for the decision to 'leave her to die' and the failed attempts to reach her, notably not deploying a light helicopter sooner. Earlier, a sleeping bag had been delivered to the stricken Nagovitsina by Italian climber Luca Sinigaglia, 49, who also brought her a tent, food, water and a gas cooker. Heroic Sinigaglia was unable to bring her down and he tragically died on his own way back to report on her condition and arrange a full-scale rescue. But there has been criticism of the rescue mission including by Anna Piunova, deputy head of the Russian Mountaineering Federation. 'I would definitely have tried to do three things: drag her, make her slide down to the obelisk, leave a radio, start talking to the Eurocopter right away, so that it would be on the third day, not the last,' she said. 'It was obvious that the Mi-8 was not an option.' On Saturday, a final effort to climb to Nagovitsina was abandoned just 3,600ft below where she is stuck, with the weather set to worsen, as the team were ordered to return to base camp. Previous attempts involved two separate helicopters, including a defence ministry Mi-8 helicopter which crashed as it sought to rescue her. Another helicopter, a Mi-17VM, was sent, but zero visibility again forced rescuers to abandon the attempt. Grekov, rescue leader and head of base camp at Victory Peak, said that experienced mountaineer Vitaly Akimov had led a team seeking to climb to Nagovitsina. But the crew was forced to turn around when the group leader started suffering back pain from the helicopter crash and the mission was abandoned. Sinigaglia, who had also been on the helicopter, was hailed a hero on social media after news of his death reached base camp. 'I turned the whole group around, there were four of them,' said Grekov. Asked if Nagovitsina was still alive, he admitted he did not know but said: 'I think not, because she has been there since 12 August - count how much time has passed. Today a final effort to climb to Nagovitsina was abandoned just 3,600ft below where she is stuck, with the weather set to worsen, as the team were ordered to return to base The Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the rescue mission has been called off 'It is unrealistic. It is unrealistic to survive at such an altitude.' The Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed the rescue mission had been called off. Nagovitsina shot to fame four years ago when she refused orders to leave her husband alone on another mountain after he suffered a stroke at 22,638ft. He died on the mountain, but she somehow managed to survive the incident in 2021. Her radio conversation with base camp went viral as she refused to leave husband Sergei Nagovitsin on the mountain, close to the borders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China. 'He can't sit up, falls on his side, his speech is confused,' she told rescuers. 'Natasha, you need to go down yourself. You won't be able to help him in any way. Do you understand me? Over.' She replied: 'I understand everything, but I will not leave him alone.' The team later told her: 'You need to go down, Natasha, the weather is getting worse, it's almost night.' 'I won't leave my husband, he's completely helpless, I'm giving him something to drink.' 'So, your decision is to spend the night next to him?' 'Yes.' Rescuers eventually reached the pair and two men tried to move Sergei while she went down. But they could not go far, and secured him with ropes, and left all their warm clothing and food, before cutting a route further down the mountain, to get more help. When they were able to return, he was nowhere to be found. A report on the incident ruled: 'Most likely in delirium he broke out of ropes and crashed to his death. His body has never been found. 'A year later Natalia once again went to Khan Tengri to install a plaque in memory of her husband. 'But no one in the new group had any idea what this courageous woman had lived through on that summit a year earlier a woman who showed the whole world what love and self-sacrifice mean.' His body was never found. Blue-green algae has infected the UK's largest freshwater lake with experts branding it the 'worst' they've ever seen. A crisis was declared for the third summer in a row this week following the rapid spread of the plant at Lough Neagh in the centre of Northern Ireland. Eel-fishing season has been cut short and two north coast beaches closed for bathing as a result of the spread - but ministers insist they are 'determined to turn the situation around'. Striking images show how large swathes of water have now turned a swamp-like green, with not a single blue patch in sight. Onlookers can be seen staring on at the crisis and lone eels are even pictured as they struggle above the surface. Locals protesters turned out today with children holding signs like: 'I'm five. Water shouldn't glow green.' Lough Neagh Partnership chief Gerry Darby said a Nutrients Action Programme was needed (NAP) to target nutrient pollution - such as phosphorus and ammonia - and claimed the problem was due to political decisions. It comes as the Stormont Assembly has agreed a Lough Neagh Action Plan rather than the NAP, though the farming community was critical of the NAP during a public consultation which closed in July. Blue-green algae at Battery Harbour on Lough Neagh near Cookstown in Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland Striking images show how large swathes of water have now turned a swamp-like green with not a single blue patch in sight Onlookers can be seen staring on at the crisis which critics claim has been brought about by political decision-makers Mr Darby said the situation on the lough was 'the worst I've seen'. He attributed the issue to nutrients going into the lough from the farming sector, sewage treatment sector, septic tanks and general industry. But he said the recent warm weather and sunny spell in May have exacerbated the situation. A stakeholder group will review responses to the consultation and contribute additional proposals ahead of a second consultation later this year. The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is understood to have also played a role in the blooms, makin the water clearer and allowing a larger amount of sunlight to penetrate, stimulating algal photosynthesis. It is claimed that changes to the climate have also had an effect, with the bottom of the lough having increased in temperature by a degree in the last 20 years. Mr Darby said: 'It's hard to predict, but the reality is there's certainly no policy implementation at this moment in time that has changed the number of nutrients, or the amount of nutrients going into the lough, so the reality is nothing has really changed. 'In one sense, it's not an environmental problem, it's a political problem. An eel is seen struggling on the surface of a blue-green algae bloom at Battery Harbour on August 18, 2025 People walk in the midst of the green algae. The bloom has reportedly been seen by commercial aircraft passengers from above Blooming blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, washes ashore for locals to see in all its glory Ducks swim past a rock covered with blue-green algae blooms, also known as cyanobacteria at Battery Harbour Local man Tommy McDonald is seen inspecting the Blue-green algae bloom Another man inspects the water. It is thought the recent warm weather and sunny spell in May have exacerbated the situation A Blue-green algae bloom can be seen at Ballyronan Marina on August 18, 2025 in Cookstown, Northern Ireland A young boy and his father join in the protests. The man holds a sign which reads: 'We can't spell "cyanobateria" - but we can smell it' Lough Neagh activists attend a Save The Lough rally at Lough Neagh on August 25, 2025 in Antrim, Northern Ireland Ailbhe Urquhart, 5, holding a bottle of Lough Neagh water at a rally for Lough Neagh at the Lough statue in Antrim continues to be affected 'Unless the majority of parties come together to agree with Minister Muir, and the farming sector, it will never be solved. 'The farming sector is not the only sector supplying the nutrients, but they are the biggest and the majority, so that is where they need to start. 'The minister is more than open, in my view, to listen to any and to meet somewhere in the middle. Politics is all about meeting in the middle and compromise. 'There are no solutions, only trade-offs of different priorities, and without a discussion you're not able to work out what those trade-offs will be.' Eight tourists were fined after being filmed hanging dangerously out of moving cars on a holiday island popular with Brits. The passengers were spotted sitting on the window sills with their upper bodies outside the rental vehicles. Police launched an operation after coming across the footage on social media. They managed to track down the foreign tourists just as they were preparing to fly home, as reported by The two drivers were each fined 500 (432) for reckless driving, with six points deducted from their licences. The six passengers were issued fines of 200 (173) each for not wearing seatbelts and failing to adopt the correct position inside the cars. The reckless scenes were filmed on the TF-24 road in Tenerife's Teide National Park, in the Spanish Canary Islands. Spain's Civil Guard said in a statement: 'This type of behaviour poses a serious risk to road safety.' Eight tourists were fined after being filmed hanging dangerously out of moving cars on a holiday island popular with Brits The passengers were spotted sitting on the window sills with their upper bodies outside the rental vehicles The force did not disclose the nationalities of the visitors The force did not disclose the nationalities of the visitors. A spokesperson for the Association for the Study of Spinal Cord Injury (AESLEME) commented: 'What a lack of awareness! 'Not only because of the harm they could do to themselves, but also for the danger they could pose to an innocent third party who has nothing to do with their risky behaviour.' President Donald Trump met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday and raised concerns about reports of ongoing violence in the country during their meeting in the Oval Office. Lee began his remarks by flattering Trump, beginning by praising his redecoration of the Oval Office, describing it as 'bright and beautiful' and also hailing recent record highs of the stock market. The two leaders spoke at length about the diplomatic relations between both countries, but after reporters asked Trump about his earlier claims that there was violence against churches in South Korea, the mood turned awkward. 'What is going on in South Korea?' Trump asked on social media on Monday morning immediately before their meeting. 'Seems like a purge or revolution. We cant have that and do business there,' he continued ominously. Trump revealed he had heard about the violence against churches from 'intel.' 'I heard from [intelligence] there was a raid on churches. We are going to talk about that later. I haven't spoken about it yet,' Trump replied to a reporter asking him to clarify his social media post. But he then pitched the question to the South Korean president, indicating he could respond to the claim live in the Oval Office if he wanted to. Lee replied there was a special prosecutor appointed to investigate the political turmoil caused by the military 'coup' by the former president of South Korea. President Donald Trump speaks during a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung South Korea's President Lee Jae-Myung reacts to President Donald Trump during their meeting in the Oval Office Lee added there was a 'fact-finding investigation' underway. News of a special prosecutor investigating the political opposition immediately piqued Trump's interest as he made a comparison to his own predicament after the 2020 election. 'Is his name deranged Jack Smith by any chance?' Trump asked with a grin, referring to the special prosecutor appointed during the Biden administration to investigate him after the election. 'He's a deranged, sick individual.' 'I'm only kidding,' he added when Lee looked confused. 'Maybe I'm not.' Lee said the prosecutor was not under his control and denied that the government was involved with intercepting information surrounding American bases in the country. Trump tried to patch over the awkwardness, indicating they would discuss the situation behind closed doors. 'That's okay, we'll go over it, I am sure it was a misunderstanding, but there was a rumor going around about churches, raiding churches,' Trump continued. This is the first time the two leaders have met in person as Lee was elected in June. Trump and Lee spoke briefly on the phone since South Korea's election to discuss trade negotiations and their ongoing diplomatic relationship. Trump expressed interest in South Korea's proposal to invest into shipbuilding operations in the United States and negotiating ongoing trade deals. Earlier in the day, the president said he had heard about 'vicious raids on churches' by the government, and 'even went into our military base and got information.' 'They probably shouldn't have done that, but I hear bad things,' Trump said to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, even as he admitted he did not know whether the information he received was 'true or not.' US President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un in 2019 President Donald Trump meets with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the border village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in 2019 But Trump appeared more focused on his relationship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, recalling his efforts to negotiate peace between the two nations. 'I would like to have a meeting. I get along great with him,' Trump said. He indicated he may travel to South Korea soon for a trade meeting and could theoretically meet with Kim at the same time. When asked by a reporter if he would work to set up a meeting between the leaders of North and South Korea, Trump replied. 'You mean set them up together? That would be interesting,' as the people in the room chuckled. 'That's a very tough question, I don't know where that question is leading,' Trump added with a grin. A top reporter who left her last job in Washington, DC after being engulfed in a scandal with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., may be gearing up for a triumphant return. Olivia Nuzzi, 32, is reportedly on the short list of 'high-wattage journalistic talent' Vanity Fair's new head editor Mark Guiducci is eyeing as he relaunches the magazine. He plans to start 'covering the major players in Hollywood, Washington, technology and style.' Semafor reported that Guiducci 'has had conversations with Olivia Nuzzi about a role writing' for Vanity Fair. Nuzzi was most recently the Washington correspondent for New York Magazine, where she wrote stories about political power players in D.C. and beyond. But she also ended up becoming the story, which has left a lasting mark on her career. Nuzzi and her former employer parted ways last year after it was revealed that she had been 'emotionally' involved with then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 71, who is married to actress Cheryl Hines, while she was writing a feature on him. Nuzzi did not respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail about her future employment plans. After their alleged 'digital affair' was revealed, a subsequent investigation ordered by New York Magazine revealed 'no inaccuracies nor evidence of bias' in Nuzzi's work. Kennedy has adamantly denied having any sort of relationship with Nuzzi. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Capitol Hill on May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Cheryl Hines 'Mr. Kennedy only met Olivia Nuzzi once in his life for an interview she requested, which yielded a hit piece,' his spokesman told CNN. A source added that the nature of the relationship was 'emotional and digital in nature, not physical.' Secretary Kennedy's wife, Cheryl Hines, is still most likely not satisfied with her husband's denial of the alleged affair with Nuzzi. Hines reportedly advocated for Secretary Kennedy to purchase a $4.34 million home in the Georgetown neighborhood in Washington, D.C., but has since refused to live in it because she does not picture herself as a political wife. Still, she has been seen at her husband's side in the nation's capital during key moments. Hines joined Kennedy at the White House for his swearing-in ceremony back in February, and was also present the day he delivered a report of the Make America Healthy Again Commission back in May. The pair also attended the opening night performance of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in June together. Outside of losing her job, Nuzzi's alleged 'digital affair' with Kennedy also cost her on the personal front. Nuzzi's engagement with fellow journalist Ryan Lizza, most recently of Politico, ended following the revelations. Olivia Nuzzi attends the 2023 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 29, 2023 in Washington, DC Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife actress Cheryl Hines attend the 79th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York, October 17, 2024 Former reporter for New York Magazine Olivia Nuzzi and her ex-fiance, Ryan Lizza, formerly of Politico Since the exposure of the affair, Olivia and her ex-fiance, Ryan Lizza, were involved in a bitter court battle. Nuzzi accused her former partner of threatening violence and attempting to blackmail her. She later withdrew her abuse claims. Lizza has adamantly denied the allegations made against him. In a statement shared with the Daily Mail he claimed: 'These allegations are disgraceful lies that Ms. Nuzzi has used to harass me for weeks in a coordinated defamation campaign. 'Her own catastrophic recklessness is solely responsible for the humiliation and ridicule she claims she has suffered. She is abusing protections meant for survivors of domestic violence to ruin my reputation in a last-ditch effort to salvage her own.' Before he joined Politico, Lizza was a reporter for The New Yorker who was forced to resign in 2017 after being accused of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. 'I am dismayed that The New Yorker has decided to characterize a respectful relationship with a woman I dated as somehow inappropriate,' he said at the time. Donald Trump has no patience for distractions - even if it comes from his own staff. Trump kicked out a prominent White House staffer from the Oval Office for making too much noise in front of the cameras during a press conference on Monday. After signing multiple executive orders, Trump was in the middle of answering questions from the press until he was interrupted by a noisy cell phone. A reporter asked the president about his recent decision to purchase a portion of Intel on behalf of the US government. As you know the stock market went up almost a thousand points on Friday and it went up not because of, Trump says before stopping mid-sentence. Hello, who is that,' Trump asks as noise from a phone can be heard in the background. 'Who is that back there? Alright, get out of the room! Laughter can be heard from Trumps cabinet members before an Oval Office door slams shut. The Daily Mail can confirm that the staffer behind the embarrassing interruption was none other than White House staff secretary Will Scharf. Will Scharf explains to the president the importance of his executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday Trump was not happy with Scharf's interruption and made him leave the room immediately Trump has a history of kicking out staffers from the Oval Office when they interrupt him Scharf is Trumps executive order guru responsible for handing the president the physical copies of his orders during every signing conference and explaining the importance of each directive. Moments before invoking Trumps wrath, Scharf was next to the president handing him documents to sign. Trump has a history of having a short fuse for Oval Office interruptions, especially while hes on camera. In June 2019, Trump raged at his acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney for coughing during a live television interview with ABC News George Stephanopoulos. During the interview, Trump was talking to George Stephanopoulos about a financial statement he had released when Mulvaney cough could be over the presidents comments. Lets do that over. Hes coughing in the middle of my answer, Trump said while pointing over to Mulvaney. I dont like that, you know, I dont like that. Trump famously made his chief of staff Mick Mulvaney leave the Oval Office for coughing during an interview in 2019 If youre going to cough, please leave the room! You just cant, you just cant cough, Trump added. A judge has warned that a 415-foot Denver skyscraper could be in danger of collapsing after a subcontractor allegedly removed pieces of concrete from the base amid a bitter feud with the developer. Denver District Judge Bruce Jones placed a rare restraining order on GCon company last week as he banned its employees from entering the vicinity of The Upton towers which loom over the Colorado city's dense downtown neighborhood. 'The one time that I think a judge is taught to consider a temporary restraining order is when somebody is saying that a building's going to fall down,' Jones said at a Tuesday court hearing attended by Business Den. The Upton Residences, which will be home to 461 luxury condos, comprise an asymmetrical two-prong tower of 38 stories and 32 stories respectively. Located on 1800 Welton Street, the condominium is the city's largest development since The Spire in 2009. Its 2026 opening has been eagerly awaited by realtors and future residents who have already bought units. However, its launch has been delayed amid legal wrangling between the building's Canadian general contractor, Amacon Construction, and subcontractor GCon. GCon is accused of abandoning the construction amid escalating tensions between the two firms. Amacon has sued GCon for $10 million, alleging that the company breached its contract by failing to meet construction standards while building the towers, and that it removed concrete slabs as tensions reached a boiling point. A judge has warned that The Upton Residences, a 415-foot Denver skyscraper, could be in danger of collapsing, after a contractor allegedly removed pieces of concrete from the base amid a bitter feud with the developer. (Pictured: The Upton during construction) The Upton Residences, which will be home to 461 luxury condos, comprise an asymmetrical two-prong tower of 38 stories and 32 stories respectively. Its 2026 opening was being eagerly awaited by realtors and future residents who have already bought units in the skyscraper Denver District Judge Bruce Jones (pictured during another hearing) placed a rare restraining order on GCon company last week as he banned its employees from entering the vicinity of The Upton towers which loom over the Colorado city's dense downtown neighborhood GCon joined the project during its early days in mid-2022, and signed a contract for $16 million, according to the lawsuit seen by Business Den. But the relationship between the contractors began to sour this year when GCon demanded payments and Amacon hit back by complaining about the quality of the subcontractor's work. GCon refused to continue working on the project on May 23, and a stalemate ensued as bosses wrangled over the issues for several weeks. On August 6, GCon abandoned the project for good and removed key stabilizing materials from the site in the process, according to Amacon's lawsuit. 'They were removed not in the dead of night or without notice or an opportunity for Amacon to observe what was happening, but in fact in coordination with Amacon's local representatives,' Ryan Williams, an attorney for GCon, said at the court hearing attended by Business Den. Amacon has accused GCon of removing the bracing which stabilized one of the towers, along with a temporary support system which was laid beneath the building's concrete slabs, triggering the level beneath it to start cracking. 'GCon is only thinking of itself, acting out without thought just to make a point,' Amacon wrote in the emergency request for a temporary restraining order seen by Business Den. 'GCon has put at risk the lives of all personnel on site at the project as well as the general public.' Engineers have said that the towers are safe for the time being, but Amacon has said they are concerned that GCon could remove more materials - with potentially deadly consequences. The Upton's launch has been delayed amid legal wrangling between the Canadian general contractor, Amacon, and subcontractor GCon, whose signage can be seen in the image above Located on 1800 Welton Street, the condominium is the city's largest development since The Spire in 2009. Its 2026 opening has been eagerly awaited by realtors and future residents Amacon bosses have claimed that a GCon executive said on August 7 that they would continue to remove equipment. 'The concern is that GCon could come in,' Amacon attorney Kirsten Kube told the court hearing on Tuesday, per Business Den. 'It's a big construction site and they can't be monitoring every single person that is coming in. 'GCon has been there since 2022, they know the site, they know the personnel, the trades.' 'This is an emergency,' Kube added. 'This is a building that needs to be secure.' Williams denied that his client had any 'plans' or 'immediate need' to remove any further materials or equipment. However, he said GCon is concerned that it will be obliged to keep paying Amacon $25,000 per month to continue renting the equipment. 'There is concern that if this project, for whatever reason, takes longer than expected, there continues to be an accruing debt for the equipment rental,' Williams said. Judge Jones urged the two attorneys to discuss the best way to move forward, and gave them 20 minutes alone in the courtroom. Business Den reported that the lawyers agreed that GCon would not enter The Upton site for the foreseeable future, and Jones imposed a restraining order on GCon to cement this agreement into law. The lawsuit will continue moving through the courts in the coming months as Amacon attempts to secure $10 million in damages from alleged money it paid GCon, the cost of fixing GCon's work, and delays to the project. Steve Featherston, Vice President of Construction and Development at Amacon, told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'At Amacon, safety and quality are at the heart of every project we deliver. 'Recently, a subcontractor engaged on the Upton Residences site was found not to be meeting our high construction standards. 'In response, we acted swiftly to remove them from the project, and a court order has formally barred the subcontractor from returning to site. 'We want to reassure the community that the Upton Residences remains a safe, secure, and successful development. 'Our structural engineer, along with an independent third-party engineering firm, have both confirmed that the building is structurally sound and that there is no risk whatsoever to the safety of workers, residents, or the public.' 'Construction is progressing with strong oversight, and we remain fully committed to delivering Upton Residences as a landmark addition to downtown Denver,' Featherston added. The Daily Mail has contacted GCon for comment. A three-year-old girl walked into a hospital in China with a fruit knife seemingly lodged deep in the side of her head. Footage taken outside the Dongchuan Peoples Hospital, in south-west China, appeared to show the young child being walked around by her mother with a six-inch blade stuck just above her right ear. The girl was seen tottering about as her mother is guided to the hospital by a member of staff in a white coat. According to local media, the mother, whose surname is Hu, claimed she was changing bedsheets when she swung a sheet and sent the sharp object soaring into her daughter's head. But a hospital staff member reportedly said the mother admitted to picking up the knife to 'scare' the young girl, who at the time was having a tantrum, before accidentally stabbing her. The knife was then lodged in her skull with its handle sticking out. Hu reportedly tried and failed to take the knife out herself before taking her daughter to hospital instead of calling an ambulance. Following a craniotomy carried out by a neurosurgeon to safely remove the blade, the girl's condition is reportedly stable. She is said to currently be under observation. A three-year-old girl walked into a hospital in China with a fruit knife seemingly lodged deep in the side of her head Footage taken outside the Dongchuan Peoples Hospital, in south-west China, appeared to show the young child being walked around by her mother with a six-inch blade stuck just above her right ear Police reportedly ruled the near-fatal incident an accident and have confirmed there was no criminal intent. A doctor told China Business View that the girl's miracle survival was thanks to the softness of her skull A doctor told China Business View that the girl's miracle survival was thanks to the softness of her skull. The doctor said: 'If the girls mother had recklessly pulled the knife out, the risk would have been enormous. The correct action was to seek immediate professional medical help'. Police reportedly ruled the near-fatal incident an accident and have confirmed there was no criminal intent. The footage took Chinese social media by storm, with millions being left in disbelief at the shock footage and many criticising the mother for what happened. Tiger King has claimed the White House is actively reviewing his murder-for-hire conviction. The Netflix star, also known as Joe 'Exotic' Maldonado, has been begging President Donald Trump for a pardon since the Republican's first term. 'Officially heard from the White House today. Everything this being investigated in my case,' the 62-year-old wrote on social media on Friday. He added: 'Clemency #C322279 just needs signed so i can put this behind me.' According to the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney, Joe filed a request for a commutation of his sentence on August 1 that is pending review. A commutation reduces a sentence but does not erase the conviction, as opposed to a pardon. Joe is currently serving a 21-year sentence at FMC Forth Worth Federal Medical Center in Texas after being convicted in 2019 of trying to arrange the murder of his nemesis, Big Cat Rescue founder Carole Baskin. He said he was diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer in 2021. Joe 'Exotic' Maldonado said on X that the White House is looking into a pardon for his 2019 murder-for-hire conviction During his first term, Trump told a reporter that he would 'take a look' at the tiger trader's case, but nothing ever came of it Back in May, Joe expressed outrage after Trump decided to pardon Chrisley Knows Best stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, who were convicted of defrauding community banks out of more than $30M of loans. 'I guess being innocent is not enough in America,' the incarcerated 62-year-old - who boasts 1 million social media followers - vented via X. 'They all admitted to perjury on world television but yet I'm left to die of [prostate] cancer before I can get any help. 'Why is it the entire world can see the evidence but the White House refuses to acknowledge that they did this to me knowing that they were lying?' Joe was notoriously arrested in 2018 for paying two hitmen (one of whom was an undercover FBI agent) $3K and $10K to murder Baskin. The former roadside zoo owner was also convicted on eight violations of the Lacey Act by falsifying wildlife records, and nine violations of the Endangered Species Act by killing five tigers and selling tigers across state lines. Despite this, Joe has repeatedly stressed that he 'did not hurt anyone,' 'did not pay anyone,' and 'had no plans to hurt anyone.' He claims his case was riddled with entrapment, coerced testimonies, perjury confessions, and collusion between federal agencies. In January 2021, as Trump's first term was ending, Joe's lawyers claimed they were ready for him to be pardoned and had even booked him a limo to pick him up from prison and take him to get his hair done. Carole Baskin (pictured) had a long-running feud with Joe Exotic and has since taken over control of his zoo following his conviction The former zoo owner said he was diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2021 During his first term, Trump told a reporter that he would 'take a look' at the tiger trader's case, but nothing ever came of it. He instead went on to pardon and commute the sentences of 143 people, including rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. Joe, who owned and operated the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, shot to fame after Netflix released its hit Tiger King series at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness held the number one spot on the Netflix top 10 most streamed list for 25 days straight in March-April 2020 - amassing over 34 million viewers. Directing duo Eric Goode & Rebecca Chaikli's eight-part docu-series truly became a pop culture phenomenon at the height of COVID-19 quarantine and spawned a number of spin-offs. Daily Mail has reached out to the Department of Justice's Pardon Attorney for comment on this story. However on May 6, the White House told E! News about Joe Exotic's pardon: 'We do not speculate on pardons that may or may not happen.' A 10-year-old boy who found a dazzling diamond engagement ring in a Costco parking lot went above and beyond to return it to its rightful owner. Kal Blank discovered the prized possession while accompanying his father Shane on a Saturday morning shop at the Costco in Manchester, Missouri, roughly 20 miles outside of St Louis. He noticed a 'shiny object' by the shopping carts and picked it up, putting it in his pocket, KSDK reported. The young boy said he was immediately shocked by how 'heavy' the jewel was. Kal later showed his newfound treasure to his mother Kelli, who knew the moment he placed it in her hand that its owner was likely devastated to have lost it. 'He drops this ring in my hand, and my hand about hits the floor,' she told the outlet, adding how she thought: 'This is a beautiful ring and someone is missing this terribly'. Kelli contacted Costco about her son's discovery and learned the ring's owner Mae Pratzel had already reported her beloved ring missing. Mae, who will celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary to husband Alan this December, had noticed her family heirloom missing after a trip to the store. Ten-year-old Kal Blank (left) found Mae Pratzel's missing engagement ring in a Costco parking lot. Mae (center) and her husband Alan (right) are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this December Mae gave Kal a big hug when she met him in person, thanking the youngster for finding, polishing and returning the ring in a special box accompanied with a handwritten note The Blanks instantly arranged to drop the ring back off at the store. But, before they did, Kal polished the ring and placed it in a special box with a handwritten note. 'Dear Mrs. Big Diamond Ring,' the letter began, before detailing how he spotted the missing jewelry by the Costco cart return. 'I kind of wanted to keep it 'cause it was pretty and shiny,' Kal continued. 'I love geodes and collect them and the crystals.' Kals mother told the outlet that, as soon as he started walking, he had been a 'finder of things. The 10-year-old has curated a collection of 'treasures' including coins, rocks and trinkets, and typically likes to keep his findings, she said. But Mae's ring was so special that his mother insisted he must 'do the right thing' and 'return it', Kal explained in his letter. Before signing his name, he concluded: 'I hope you relax now that you have your ring back.' Kal returned the ring alongside a handwritten note addressed to 'Mrs. Big Diamond Ring' Mae and Alan were so moved by Kal's act of kindness that they insisted on meeting his family in person so they could thank the young boy. The couple told KSDK Kal's gesture helped 'restore' their 'faith in humanity', and just couldn't go unrecognized. That's why the couple arranged to meet Kal at his family home, where they presented him with a geode as a sign of their thanks. Heartwarming video footage captured the emotional meeting. 'You don't know how special you are to me!' Mae told the youngster as she hugged him in a close embrace. She then turned to Kelli and Shane, hailing their son as an 'extremely special kid' of whom they should be 'proud'. Mae, sporting a large diamond on her left ring finger, and Alan then posed for a photograph with Kal on his family's sofa. Daily Mail could not independently confirm if the ring in the photo was the one Kal found in Costco, though its placement would suggest it is the wedding ring she was newly-reunited with. Kal found the ring by the cart return at the Costco in Manchester, Missouri (pictured) Mae and Alan said Kal's gesture helped 'restore' their 'faith in humanity', and just couldn't go unrecognized. That's why the couple arranged to meet Kal at his family home, where they presented him with a geode as a sign of their thanks (pictured) The Pratzels are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this December. Mae, who recently lost weight after undergoing surgery, suspects the usually snug ring slipped off her finger in the parking lot of the store. She is incredibly grateful to have her ring - which despite having been reset several times, still holds the original diamond from her engagement ring - back ahead of their monumental anniversary. President Donald Trump says he wants to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. It would be a return to the department's original name it carried until 1949, when it was changed during a post-World War II rebrand. Trump addressed the media in the Oval office on Monday morning, saying, 'It used to be called the Department of War. It had a stronger sound we are defenders.' He added in part, 'It just sounded bad to me, on behalf of the Department of Defense? I don't want to be defense only. We want defense, but we want offense, too, if that's okay.' 'As the Department of War, we want everything, and I think we're going to have to go back to that.' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stood behind the president, assuring him that the new changes are 'coming soon, sir.' The president responded with, 'You let me know if you want to do it.' Whether that was an order, or a suggestion, is still unclear. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stood behind the president, assuring him that the new changes are coming soon On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to establish and train a specialized D.C. National Guard unit focused on 'ensuring public safety' in the District Currently under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, the department has been undergoing a strategic shift aligned with President Trump's priorities. Deploying the National Guard as part of a nation-wide crackdown on crime in D.C. is the latest example Hegseth has emphasized redefining the mission and operational focus of the DOD, championing a 'peace through strength' doctrine under President Trump - a philosophy that promotes military readiness and deterrence as a means of maintaining global stability Earlier today, South Korea's new president Lee Jae-myung met with President Trump, accepting questions from reporters on other topics. Addressing a question on the Department of Defense's potential name change, he reiterated, 'Between us, I think we're going to change the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.' On the timing of it all, he added, 'Probably, that change is going to be made over the next week.' Originally created by President George Washington in 1789, the Department of War functioned for almost 160 years. During the 1940s, it was disbanded, and its responsibilities were split between the Department of the Army and the newly established Department of the Air Force. In 1949, the organization underwent a name change, becoming the Department of Defense (DOD). The Department of Defense, the largest federal agency, oversees more than 3.4 million active-duty personnel, civilian and reservists employees. Currently under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, the department has been undergoing a strategic shift aligned with President Trump's priorities. Currently under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, the department has been undergoing a strategic shift aligned with President Trump's priorities Members of the National Guard survey the area as they patrol Washington, D.C. Some of them are now armed National Guardsman patrol the area near the Lincoln Memorial Hegseth has emphasized redefining the mission and operational focus of the DOD, championing a 'peace through strength' doctrine - a philosophy that promotes military readiness and deterrence as a means of maintaining global stability. This approach reinforces the department's core objective of protecting national security while reflecting the administration's broader vision of American power and influence. President Trump has informally referred to Hegseth as the 'Secretary of War,' a nod to his assertive stance on defense matters. He has also highlighted a rise in military enlistment during his second term, framing it as a sign of renewed confidence in the armed forces under his administration. The Pentagon declined to comment on the potential name change or the timeline. White House Spokeswoman Anna Kelly tells Daily Mail, 'As President Trump said, our military should be focused on offense not just defense which is why he has prioritized warfighters at the Pentagon instead of DEI and woke ideology. Stay tuned!' Female students will share toilets and changing rooms with biological males as universities ignore the legal definition of a woman, senior staff have warned. Women at University College London, who want to remain anonymous for fear of being 'vilified' by colleagues, have revealed the institution has continued to allow trans women to use female facilities. The universities of Edinburgh, Southampton, Bath and Nottingham are additionally among those yet to publish a revised trans policy since the Supreme Court's ruling on what constitutes a woman. This means their female students could also face sharing private spaces with biological males. It comes just weeks before the academic year starts. The whistleblowers at UCL home to 31,000 women in 2024/2025 say the university has failed to adopt the judgment by claiming to be waiting for further clarity on its practical implications. One said: 'Bear in mind how many female students we have and will have from religious and cultural backgrounds. 'Their parents have no idea that their daughters could be forced to share toilets and changing rooms with men.' Another added: 'It undermines women's dignity and privacy.' Women at University College London (pictured, file photo) have revealed the institution has continued to allow trans women to use female facilities University of Edinburgh (pictured, file photo) is also among those yet to publish a revised trans policy since the Supreme Court's ruling on what constitutes a woman University of Nottingham (pictured, file photo) can be counted as one of this number too, along with Southampton and Bath The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued interim guidance stating 'trans women should not be permitted to use the women's facilities' in April. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that 'woman' and 'man' refer to biological women and men in the Equality Act and that 'the concept of sex is binary' earlier that month. At the time, UCL released a statement claiming it would provide more information after guidance was given. But the women claim the university's approach has been hijacked by its LGBTQ+ Equality Steering Group, whose description of the ruling as 'regrettable' was posted on an official UCL webpage. One academic said: 'It's quite mind-blowing. None of these statements say that this might be a massive relief for women. 'They're not acknowledging the impact on more than half of the UCL population. 'You cannot talk about it even after the ruling when you have messages going out like that and no counter statement at all. 'I feel unseen, unheard. They are delegating women's rights.' The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in April that 'woman' and 'man' refer to biological women and men in the Equality Act and that 'the concept of sex is binary'. Pictured: Susan Smith and Marion Calder, directors of the For Women Scotland group, celebrate the ruling outside the Supreme Court The university's guidance states: 'On campus, trans students can use "men only" or "women only" changing rooms or toilets according to which one they feel most comfortable in, or that they feel is most appropriate for them.' UCL and Bath said they are committed to providing an 'inclusive' community, but are awaiting updated EHRC guidance. The University of Edinburgh said: 'Our policy is thoughtfully worded. 'We will continue to approach the Supreme Court judgment in a considered way, carefully and appropriately balancing everyone's rights.' A UCL spokesperson said: 'We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community where staff and students can engage in open discussion in a climate of mutual respect and tolerance. 'We recognise that issues around sex and gender identity are deeply personal and often complex. 'Following the recent Supreme Court ruling, we are reviewing our policies carefully and awaiting updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 'A facilities audit is also underway to ensure our estate meets the needs of our community, and any guidance that may need to change is clearly marked "under review".' Congress is demanding Jeffrey Epstein's estate hand over any documents it possesses related to the late child sex offender, including a bombshell 'birthday book.' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer said his panel is reviewing the 'possible mismanagement of the federal government's investigation' into Epstein and associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The new sweeping subpoena asks the Epstein estate for unredacted documents and communications. That includes information on Epstein's 50th 'birthday book' that Trump has denied taking part in. The Wall Street Journal reported in July that Trump wrote a 'bawdy' birthday letter to the convicted sex offender in 2003. Trump's legal team filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the publication, calling the report 'fake news' and a 'sick fabrication.' 'Recent reporting indicates the estate of Mr. Epstein has access to documents relevant to the Committee's investigation, including the alleged 'birthday book' prepared for Mr. Epstein by Ms. Maxwell,' Comer writes. There is escalating pressure over the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files, which have become a lightning rod on the American right. Congress issued a sweeping subpoena to Jeffrey Epstein's estate for any documents and communications in its possession The House Oversight Committee is 'reviewing the possible mismanagement' of the prove into Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Pictured: The two attend an event in New York City on June 13, 1995 Supporters of Trump have been demanding the release of classified records, believing Epstein's death was part of a broader conspiracy to shield powerful pedophiles with many suspicious of the president's previous friendship with the disgraced financier. Comer's demand comes after the Justice Department turned over to Congress on Friday thousands of pages of Epstein documents though Democrats on the panel claim only 3 percent is new information. Comer is looking through the documents and preparing redacted version for public release. The Kentucky Republican is reviewing whether the government acted improperly in its probe of Maxwell and Epstein. The Oversight's goal here, Comer says, is to examine the 'circumstances and subsequent investigations of Mr. Epstein's death, the operation of sex-trafficking rings and ways for the federal government to effectively combat them, and potential violations of ethics rules related to elected officials.' In the meantime, the chairman wants Epstein's estate to turn over everything it has to his panel. Attorney General Pam Bondi concluded in her review of the files that Epstein died by suicide in jail on August 10, 2019, confirming the original cause of death. She also said her agency found no so-called client list and confirmed no one else would be arrested or charged in connection to Epstein's crime. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence. She is the only person behind bars for the crimes. Beyond its subpoena, the Oversight panel also secured a voluntary interview to take place on September 19 with Alexander Acosta, who was the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida during the 2007 case against Epstein. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer received from the Justice Department the first trove of documents related to the Epstein case Attorneys General Alberto Gonzelez, Eric Holder and Jeff Sessions are all prepared to hand over to Comer formal written declarations confirming they have no information regarding the Epstein and Maxwell cases, the committee announced on Monday. All three were previously subpoenaed for depositions before the Oversight Committee. MAGA fanatics who were hungry to see take-downs in the Epstein case once Trump was back in office were not pleased with Bondi's memo earlier this month. Many called for her resignation or firing and others claimed she was involved in a 'cover-up.' Benjamin Netanyahu has said an Israeli strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip that killed 20 people, including five journalists, was a 'tragic mishap'. In the incident, Israel struck one of the Strip's main medical facilities and then hit it again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene - killing at least 20 people and wounding scores more, local health workers said. It was among the deadliest of several Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war sparked by Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023, and the attack came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas. Netanyahu said that Israel 'values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians', and that the military is investigating the deadly incident. The first strike hit a top floor of a building at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. Minutes later, as journalists and rescuers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase, a second projectile hit, said Dr Ahmed al-Farra, head of Nasser's paediatrics department. Among those killed was 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who had worked for The Associated Press. Ms Dagga regularly reported for multiple outlets from the hospital, including a recent story for the AP on doctors struggling to save children from starvation. The strike killed four other journalists who had worked for Al Jazeera, Reuters and Middle East Eye, a UK-based media outlet, most on a contractor or freelance basis. A funeral ceremony is being held in the courtyard of Nasser Hospital for Reuters photojournalist Hossam al-Masri, Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salameh, journalist Maryam Abu Deqqa, who worked with several media outlets including Independent Arabia and AP, and NBC News journalist Moaz Abu Taha, all of whom were killed in an Israeli attack on the hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza on August 25, 2025 Photographer Hatem Omar, who was injured in Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on August 25, 2025 Brig Gen Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesman, said the army does not target civilians and had launched an internal investigation into the strikes. He accused Hamas of hiding among civilians but did not say whether Israel believed any militants were present during the strikes on the hospital. Mr Netanyahu's statement said Israel 'deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza'. Israeli media reported that Israeli troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. The UN secretary-general, along with the UK, France and others, condemned the attack. When asked about the strike, US President Donald Trump initially said he was not aware of it before offering: 'I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it.' Israel has attacked hospitals multiple times throughout the war, asserting that Hamas embeds itself in and around the facilities, though Israeli officials rarely provide evidence. Hamas security personnel have been seen inside such facilities over the course of the war, and parts of those sites have been off limits to reporters and the public. (From left to right) Hussam Al-Masri, Mariam Dagga and Mohammed Salama were three of the journalists killed by the Israeli strike Ahmed Abu Aziz (left) and Moaz Abu Taha (right) were also tragically killed A funeral ceremony held in the courtyard of Nasser Hospital for Reuters photojournalist Hossam al-Masri, Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salameh and journalist Mariam Abu Dagga A journalist holds a blood-covered camera belonging to Palestinian photojournalist Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor who was killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, during his funeral on August 25, 2025 Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in the northern Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli side of the border, August 25 2025 Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has said an Israeli strike on a hospital in the Gaza Strip that killed 20 people, including five journalists, was a 'tragic mishap' The hospitals that remain open have been overwhelmed by the dead, wounded and now by increasing numbers of malnourished as parts of Gaza are now in famine. Alongside the strike on the hospital, Israel unleashed a wave of deadly airstrikes on Yemen's capital on Sunday, with footage capturing a colossal fireball erupting near the presidential palace. At least six people were killed and 86 wounded, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, with seven said to be fighting for their lives. The strikes shook Sanaa overnight, hitting multiple sites including an oil facility, a major powerplant, and a military compound near the presidential palace. Social media footage captured a huge orange fireball rising from the Asar oil facility, while residents reported terrifying blasts that shattered windows and sent smoke billowing across the city. Mariam Dagga (L), a Palestinian visual journalist who freelanced for AP since the start of the war, hugs a fellow journalist in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 18, 2025 Palestinians flee following an Israeli airstrike targeting Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, August 25 2025 Moaz Abu Taha, a Palestinian journalist who had worked with some Palestinian and international outlets, takes a selfie with Mariam Dagga, a Palestinian visual journalist who freelanced for AP since the start of the war, in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 18, 2025 Blazing flames formed a thick column up into the sky as a black mushroom cloud topped the blast. Onlookers were seen yelling in terror and running for their lives. Following the explosion, a huge pillar of grey smoke lingered in the air before a second blast occurred - though it's not clear whether this was caused by a second impact in the same spot. 'The house was rocked, and the windows were shattered,' local man Ahmed al-Mekhlafy told reporters. Another resident, Hussein Mohamed, said: 'The sounds of explosions were very strong.' Israel said the raids in Yemen targeted 'key infrastructure' used for military activities, including the Hizaz power plant - a vital electricity source for rebel operations. Defence officials revealed that more than ten fighter jets took part in the assault. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the Houthis are 'paying a heavy price for their aggression' while Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel's air and naval blockade remains in place. The Houthis, who have been firing missiles and drones at Israel and disrupting Red Sea shipping for almost two years, saying they are attacking in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza, vowed to keep attacking. Deputy media chief Nasruddin Amer defiantly wrote online: 'Our military operations supporting Gaza won't stop, God willing, unless the aggression is stopped, and the siege is lifted'. Israel has attacked hospitals multiple times throughout the war, asserting that Hamas embeds itself in and around the facilities A view shows the fourth floor of Nasser Medical Complex damaged after an Israeli strike in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on August 25, 2025 Mr Netanyahu's statement said Israel 'deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza' At least six people were killed and 86 wounded, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, with seven said to be fighting for their lives The Israeli strikes were the first to hit Yemen since a week ago, when Israel said it targeted energy infrastructure it believed was used by the rebels. It comes just days after Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired what the Israeli military claims was their first cluster bomb missile in nearly two years, during Friday's attempted strike on Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli officials said the Houthi missile - believed to be Iranian-supplied - fragmented mid-air after several interception attempts. There was no reported damage or injuries. An Israeli Air Force official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations, called Friday's projectile a new threat - a cluster munition, meant to detonate into multiple explosives on impact. The use of cluster bombs makes interception more difficult and represents additional technology provided to the Houthis by Iran, the official asserted. Shipping routes through the Red Sea worth an estimated $1 trillion in global trade every year have been thrown into chaos by more than 100 Houthi attacks on commercial and naval vessels since late 2023. Although the US struck Houthi positions last year, Washington later brokered a deal to halt airstrikes in exchange for a pause in attacks on international shipping. The rebels stopped the attacks during this year's brief ceasefire in Gaza and later became the target of a weekslong airstrike campaign ordered by US President Donald Trump. Social media footage captured a huge orange fireball rising from the Asar oil facility, while residents reported terrifying blasts that shattered windows and sent smoke billowing across the city Flames and smoke rise from the area as military statement claimed that the strikes targeted Houthi infrastructure in Sanaa, including the Asar and Hizaz power plants, a site for storing fuel, and a military site in which the presidential palace is located In May, the United States announced a deal with the Houthis to end the airstrikes in return for an end to attacks on shipping, although the rebels said the agreement did not include halting attacks on targets it believed were aligned with Israel. Last month, the Houthis said they would target merchant ships belonging to any company that does business with Israeli ports, regardless of nationality, as part of what they called a new phase of operations against Israel. In May, Israeli airstrikes hit the Sanaa airport in a rare daytime attack that destroyed the terminal and left craters in its runway. At least six passenger planes were hit, including three belonging to Yemenia Airways, according to airport authorities. She has come a long way since first treading the boards and now has a string of hit Hollywood movies behind her. But Karen Gillan was moved to tears after receiving a message from her first acting teacher on live radio. The Inverness-born actress was appearing on Heart Radio when she was played a video message from Scott Johnston who was her tutor at Edinburgh College. After leaving school at 16, Gillan enrolled on an Acting and Performance Course at the college where Mr Johnston became a big influence. In his message, the lecturer praised Gillan for supporting young Scots actors and for remaining down to earth despite her Hollywood stardom. He said: Ever since you auditioned for us I knew you were going to be successful. Youre not just a successful actor, youre a writer, youre a director, you are all of that. More importantly you have always kept in touch, you have never changed. You are a decent, happy, fun person to be with and the support you have shown students and the industry in Scotland is huge. Karen Gillian was moved to tears after receiving a message from her first acting teacher Gillian, 37, has starred in a string of hit Hollywood movies I wish you huge success, happiness and health to you and your family. After listening to the message, Gillan, 37, who was appearing on the show to promote new movie Life Of Chuck, said: Thats incredible. You are making me cry. Thats a blast from the past. He is the best teacher, he is the most passionate man I have ever met. He just pours his heart and soul into helping people become better performers. Its amazing, so much passion. Gillan studied at the colleges Granton campus from 2004 to 2005 before going on to find fame as Doctor Whos assistant Amy Pond. After appearing in three series of the long-running sci-fi hit she left in 2013 and moved to the US to pursue a career in Hollywood. She is now one of the most-sought after names in the film industry after starring in hit movies like Avengers: Infinity War, Guardians of the Galaxy and Jumanji. In 2022 the actress married Kocher at Castle Toward, near Dunoon, Argyll, and she gave birth to a baby daughter in December. Gillan received the message from Scott Johnston, her former tutor Last week Gillan announced she is going back to her roots to star in the remake of classic fantasy movie Highlander. The Inverness-born actress said she cant wait to play an actual Highlander in the reboot of the 1980s film. She will play Heather, the wife of lead character Connor MacLeod, who is being played by Superman actor Henry Cavill. Russell Crowe, Dave Bautista and Marisa Abela will also star in the film which is due to begin shooting in Scotland later this year. Brits have been warned to brace for a plague of rats this winter as hunters report catching rodents more than 20 inches long. A 'horrendous' infestation is underway following a period of hot summer weather and fast food waste that has created optimal conditions for vermin to thrive. The founder of the Yorkshire Rat Pack, Kieran Sampler, said his group was now catching huge rats and warned of 'horrendous' times ahead. Mr Sampler, who hunts rats in the traditional way with two Lakeland terriers, told The Telegraph: 'It is going to be a bad winter for rats, and people dont realise it is going to be horrendous. 'There is always going to be a bad winter after a good summer.' An ex-Lance Bombardier, Mr Sampler stated the problem had been 'getting worse' over the years. He said: 'We are catching up to 22-inch rats, 19-inch rats are now standard they are like a chihuahua. Give it a couple years and they will be 25 inches.' Mr Sampler added there was a 'lot more waste now than 20 years ago', with a higher quantity of takeaways, and discarded food'. Gas worker James Green with a rat found near Hackney Downs, east London (File Photo) Hundreds of residents expressed their shock and disgust after a picture of an enormous 22-inch rat was posted on social media by Redcar and Cleveland councillors Overflowing bins have also been blamed for the problem. A few are pictured here at Whitworth Road cemetery, Swindon, on Christmas Day He claimed his group - a collective of pest controllers who share jobs and have built a following on social media - were catching the 19/20-inch rodents daily. 'It's getting beyond a joke', he concluded. The worst infestations seen by Mr Sampler took place on farms and in warehouses as well as in late-20th-century houses, he said. Mr Sampler attributed this to cast iron pipes which 'crumble' and allow rats in. Local councillor Paul Salvin also said he was concerned food disposed of improperly was fuelling the issue. The Conservative expressed concern about a 'go live' date of April 2026 for food waste bins that could worsen the problem further and said water companies could do more to tackle the issue of the rodents entering people's homes. Mr Sampler said his group usually takes on jobs with three or four hunters but that the biggest jobs could require up to 15 people. There are around 250 million rats in the UK - some of which carry illnesses like Weil's disease, which can be passed on to humans. A 'horrendous' infestation is underway following a period of hot summer weather and fast food waste that has created optimal conditions for the creatures to thrive (file image) Pest controller Terry Walker (pictured), who caught a giant 19-inch long mutant rat The rat catcher's warning comes after a 22-inch rat, thought to be the largest recorded in the UK, was captured at a home in the Normanby area of Redcar and Cleveland. Hundreds expressed their shock and disgust after a picture of the supersized rodent was posted on social media by local politicians. The rat was discovered by a pest controller who had been called to investigate. It is unknown how it accessed the property, which it was believed to have been nesting in, but rats had been reported in back alleys nearby. Rats are known to grow to a large size when there is an ongoing abundant supply of food. In spring, mounds of rubbish in Dagenham - dubbed 'Ratland' - led to the pests plaguing the once rural town. Images showed huge rat holes dug into green areas of the Greater London area which were so large a cat or small dog could likely fit through them. In more footage a gang of nearly 10 rats could be seen eating among the birds in broad daylight in Tottenham Green East. DAGENHAM: Dubbed 'Ratland', residents in the area were up in arms earlier this year about the 'inhumane' conditions that have turned the town into a living wasteland TOTTENHAM: A video posted on social media earlier this year shows a gang of nearly 10 rats eating among the birds in broad daylight in Tottenham Green East Meanwhile the ongoing Birmingham bin strikes have seen giant rats gorge on mountains of rubbish that flow through the streets. University student Sandy Du gave insight on how the horrors of living alongside the rodents 'the size of baby cats', had taken over her local streets. The sociology student, 22, told Daily Mail: Theyre horrible! We see them all the time near our accommodation at night, scrounging through the bins and rubbish. Theres lots of them, they make your skin crawl, theyre a horrible sight and very off putting. She added: Theyre big brown ones, like the size of baby cats. Theyre always around the bin area and the situation will only get worse with the rubbish men on strike. Bins are left full to brimming and overflowing and when theyre being left and not being emptied it attracts even more vermin.' The boss of a state-funded charity has been accused of smearing womens rights campaigners for their hateful obsession of fighting for single-sex spaces. Equality Network chief Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy compared the women to the MAGA movement in the US and warned of the rise of fascist tendencies. The charity, which promotes LGBT rights, is mainly funded by the Scottish Government with the Equality Network handed 645,258 of taxpayers cash last year. Dr Kennedy claims Aprils Supreme Court ruling which stated the words woman and sex in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex had created a mess. Dr Kennedy said the Equality Network was established to campaign on issues such as poverty and healthcare for LGBT people. She said: Were constantly pulled away from that by this hateful obsession around trans women. Where was it coming from? Down south? America? I think now we know its coming from concerted MAGA rhetoric. Whats happened in Britain and America isnt happening in Europe. Theyre looking at us in horror. The things that are going on around trans peoples human rights is unfathomable. Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy, left, chief executive of the Equalities Network Equality Network chief Dr Rebecca Don Kennedy compared womens rights campaigners to the MAGA movement in the US Dr Kennedy said the battle over trans rights is a culture war Dr Kennedy said the battle over trans rights is a culture war which is linked to a rise in Right-wing rhetoric, a rise in fascist tendencies and a return to patriarchy. She added: It manufactured fear and anxiety and made marginalised people scapegoats for the ills of the world. Dr Kennedy told the Herald on Sunday that women opposing trans rights are damaging feminism. She said: The ultimate objective is quashing womens rights. Once we allow trans women to be scapegoated, its a slippery slope. Last night Susan Smith, whose For Women Scotland group legal challenge sparked the Supreme Court ruling, said: It would be nice if these groups would address our actual arguments. The fact they can only lie and demonise us shows how soggy the foundations of their beliefs are. Dr Lucy Hunter Blackburn, co-editor of The Women Who Wouldnt Wheesht, a series of gender-critical essays including one by JK Rowling, said: This relentless, unjustified smearing by people paid for from the public purse has to stop. It is dripping with contempt for the citizens from all walks of life, mainly but not all women, who stood up to the Scottish Government and its allies in charities and quangos. Ministers may not be happy that they have lost, not just in court but in the eyes of the public - but now they need to call off the dogs. Tory MSP Pam Gosal said: Its frankly shocking that the boss of this taxpayer-funded organisation is smearing these brave women simply for defending their rights. These comments are beyond the pale and they underline once again the need for John Swinney to finally issue a directive to public bodies to implement the Supreme Court ruling. A Scottish Government spokesman said: We have made clear we accept the ruling and since April we have been taking forward the detailed work necessary as a consequence of the ruling. The Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week, not that most people outside the Holyrood bubble will notice or care and I cant say I blame them. Many folk are simply scunnered with politics and Ive got some sympathy with them, too. Because what goes on inside the concrete carbuncle at the foot of the Royal Mile has become increasingly irrelevant and at times damaging for most ordinary Scots. Much of that disconnect is the fault of an SNP government which has peddled a divisive agenda for almost two decades flushing Scotlands economy and public services down the pan. The other so-called progressive parties who voted with the SNP for higher taxes, wasteful spending and fashionable left-wing groupthink deserve their share of the blame for the mess were in. Collectively theyve been running Scotland but running it into the ground. Holyrood was supposed to bring decision-making closer to the people, but its never felt more remote. We have peacock politicians more interested in parading their right-on credentials than dealing with peoples real priorities. Bedecked in badges and lanyards, theyre happy to engage in student-union politics while ignoring the decline in our NHS and schools. Theyre more interested in grandstanding than addressing the state of our dangerously potholed roads or the tragic, endless death toll from drugs. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay First Minister John Swinney, centre, with predecessors Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon What happens at Holyrood is often a waste of time and taxpayers money. It fixates on fringe issues that the majority dont care about, wastes time on problems beyond its remit and has an endless appetite for interfering in peoples lives. The Left-wing establishment is often intolerant of those who dont share its views and strangely blind to any facts which do not support its warped worldview. When the Scottish parliament does try to focus on the right things, it squanders vast sums on poor outcomes. Their expensive botched policies failed ferries, fat-cat salaries for crony quangocrats and out-of-control welfare spending are funded by constantly hammering ordinary Scots. Businesses are getting screwed by an SNP government who make life more difficult with a relentless barrage of rules and regulations. Households already struggling with the cost of living are forced to pay ever more tax only to have less power over their own lives. Theres a cosy club of people who do very nicely out of the SNP state. Theyre an obedient cohort of state-funded activists, state-funded charities and state-funded academics. Holyrood fixates on fringe issues that the majority dont care about, says Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay This Left-wing bubble includes quangos, third-sector agencies and charities that survive on government funding, as well as trade unions who dictate Scottish education policy. The public sector is cluttered with SNP loyalists because the government bestows appointments and contracts to those who toe the line. But collectively, from top to bottom, these people dont trust the public to make their own decisions and have no interest in tackling the broken status quo. Thats one of the reasons why weve ended up with a performative parliament which is so detached from reality. The inconvenient truth is that Holyrood has become an institution that panders to a control-freak government which uses every sneaky trick to evade scrutiny. John Swinney has been central to this process for almost two decades. This is a man who likes to present himself as a steady hand after years of Salmond-Sturgeon-Yousaf SNP psychodrama. The truth is that Swinneys grubby fingerprints are all over almost every single act of SNP incompetence, dishonesty or the pursuit of wrong priorities. I got into politics because Im sick to the back teeth of the SNP. Im sick of their obsession with breaking up Britain, radical gender ideology and harmful Left-wing approach to tax and spend. I get why so many people are so utterly disillusioned and think that nothing will ever change. Some seem to think that Scotlands slide into stagnation is inexorable and irreversible. I dont because I dont subscribe to defeatism. Which is why I am proud to set out our bold Scottish Conservative plans to seize power from the SNPs self-satisfied lanyard class and put it back into the hands of the people of Scotland. Five Met Police detectives have been arrested after an alleged plot to suppress a sexual assault claim against a senior officer. Those arrested are said to include a detective chief inspector, a detective sergeant and two detective inspectors, one of whom is believed to work at the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards. It is claimed the officers attempted to suppress the complaint made by a female officer against a male officer following a party last Christmas. The allegations reportedly surfaced in June and searches at 11 addresses were carried out last Tuesday. The police stations the suspects worked at as well as their homes were raided, The Sun reported on Monday night. The officers, who are all based in North West London were arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers. All have been bailed. Mobile phones and computers are also understood to have been seized. The investigation comes after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has repeatedly attempted to clamp down on 'bad apples' in the force. Five Met Police detectives including a detective chief inspector, a detective sergeant and two detective inspectors have been arrested after an alleged plot to suppress a sexual assault claim against a senior officer (stock image) The investigation comes after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley (pictured) has repeatedly attempted to clamp down on 'bad apples' in the force The Met was put into special measures following extensive criticism it faced after the death of Sarah Everard, who was abducted and murdered by serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens. Scotland Yard was put under enhanced monitoring by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in June 2022 after concerns about its performance, including issues of confidence and trust in the force. In 2023 a review by Baroness Casey branded the Met institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynistic. It was announced only in January of this year after being under enhanced monitoring for more than two-and-a-half years by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS, that the force had been moved to routine monitoring by the watchdog. A source said: 'The cover-up allegations go to the heart of the Casey report and what the Met has been trying to address over the past two-and-half years. 'A female made a complaint against a senior officer that he had sexually assaulted her at a Christmas party. 'It is claimed that a group of detectives, including one working on a local professional standards unit, then suppressed that investigation. 'It is the worst scandal to hit the Met's reputation since Wayne Couzens.' In 2023 a review by Baroness Casey (pictured) branded the Met institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynistic An IOPC spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that five Met officers were arrested on Tuesday (19 August), as part of an IOPC-directed investigation. 'The investigation relates to the handling of internal allegations of sexual assault against an officer and involves four officers from the North-West Borough Command Unit and one officer from the Directorate of Professional Standards. 'Enquiries are being carried out by the Met's Anti-Corruption Command under our direction and control. 'A total of 11 search warrants took place on 19 August involving both residential addresses and police stations. 'The officers were advised that they are under investigation for potential offences which include perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers. 'They are also being investigated for potential gross misconduct. 'We began our directed investigation in June following a conduct referral from the Met. 'At the end of the investigation, we will decide whether to refer a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service for charging decisions and decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.' The IOPC spokesperson added: 'On 22 August we were advised by the Met that it had charged an officer with perverting the course of justice, who appeared in court that day, in a matter that is linked to but not currently part of - this investigation. 'Given proceedings are active it wouldn't be appropriate for us to comment further on this matter.' Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, in charge of policing in north west London, said: 'Five Metropolitan Police officers, four attached to the North West Borough Command Unit and one from the Directorate of Professional Standards were arrested on Tuesday, 19 August. 'They were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences, including perverting the course of justice, misconduct in public office and corrupt or improper exercise of police powers. 'This relates to the handling of an internal investigation into allegations of sexual assault against an officer. 'The investigation is being carried out by the Met's Anti-Corruption Command, under the direction of the IOPC, after a referral was made by the Met in June.' Two people were stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival today as police claimed there were 'far fewer' incidents of serious violence this year despite a 21 per cent increase in arrests. The Met Police said a total of 423 people were arrested across the two days - 223 on Monday, as well as 200 on Sunday - up from 349 last year, the highest total since 2019. There were two stabbings at the festival but neither were said to have resulted in life-threatening injuries. Last year, there were two murders and eight stabbings. Police said 52 of the total arrests took place following the use of facial-recognition cameras that had been deployed to spot wanted individuals. The arrests included 32 for assaulting police officers, 46 for possession of an offensive weapon, five for robbery and 18 for sexual offences. 'The event is still in its latter stages and we are not being at all complacent, but we have seen far fewer incidents of serious violence than in recent years,' the force said this evening. Today, 177 of the arrests took place at the event itself while 46 took place on the approaches to the event. On Sunday, 149 arrests took place at the carnival and 51 on the approach, according to the Met. Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward said: 'This year we have proactively targeted those who have attempted to come to Carnival to cause harm to others. Your browser does not support iframes. A young woman was seen being detained by Met Police officers at Notting Hill Festival today According to a friend, the woman allegedly threw a glass bottle of alcohol at police Revellers were spotted holding balloons on the second day of Notting Hill Carnival - the world's second biggest street celebration after Rio Carnival in Brazil More than one million people hit the streets of the west London district as Adults Day commenced earlier this morning Many participants wore eccentric and flamboyant outfits as thousands of revellers lined the streets 'We have used live facial recognition, knife arches and our stop and search powers to identify and arrest more than 400 suspects. 'These arrests have prevented some of the serious violence we have seen at previous Carnivals.' Breakdown of the 423 total arrests made at Notting Hill Carnival 2025 Assault on police 32 Possession of an offensive weapon - 46 Possession of cannabis 70 Possession of Class A 32 Drug supply 44 Robbery 5 Violence with injury 4 Other violence 36 Sexual offences 18 Other offences - 136 Advertisement It came after police were described as arresting people 'left, right and centre' as they sought to stamp out criminality in the crowd today. A young woman was apprehended by at least 13 officers shouting 'get off' and 'get off me', after smashing a glass bottle of alcohol at police, her friend claimed. 'I'm already on bail. I can't do anything. I don't really care,' Her friend, a man in his 20s, said. 'She threw a bottle of cider at a police officer.' 'The atmosphere has turned. It's all kicking off,' a reveller said. 'They're arresting people left, right and centre.' Another young man was taken away by a number of officers, saying: 'I have a medical card. I am being forcibly arrested by the police. I have a medical card.' Viral social media footage captured some of the uglier scenes from the first day of the event, known as 'Family Day', as two women brawled in the middle of a packed street, surrounded by horrified onlookers. But, in a departure from the carnival's grim recent history, there were no stabbings on Sunday, after police set up knife arches in a desperate effort to curb the bloodshed. By contrast, there were three stabbings on Sunday last year. A young man is stopped and searched by the Met Police at Notting Hill Carnival earlier today Police officers make an arrest during the Notting Hill Carnival in London earlier this afternoon Another young man is pictured surrounded by police on the second day of the carnival A sea of colourful costumes, floats, dancing and music flooded the streets in celebration of Caribbean culture Carnival revellers danced to the music playing at today's adult's parade as hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets Another woman strikes a pose as she flaunts her multi-coloured, flashy carnival attire Dancers performing as a part of the carnival paying respect to the Windrush generation HMT Empire Windrush docked in Tilbury, Essex, in 1948, bringing hundreds of passengers from the Caribbean to the UK Most passengers onboard gave their last residence as somewhere in the Caribbean and played a vital role in helping build post-war Britain Around one million people were expected to attend the celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture across both days, requiring 7,000 officers to police the crowds. Often described as Europe's biggest street festival, it attracts throngs of revellers in brightly coloured festival costumes and features parades, steel bands and thumping sound systems. Organisers were almost forced to cancel this year's event, however, after the shocking scenes of violence in recent years left a 1million funding shortfall due to sponsorship drying up. The Met Police sought to catch troublemakers early by deploying live facial recognition technology and identified a 'watchlist' of more than 16,000 individuals of interest. They included people wanted by the courts or being sought for alleged criminal activity that would merit jail time of 'a year or more'. Police also monitored the festival from the skies with a live feed of images from drones sent to officers on the ground for the first time to help them locate and respond to disturbances. Sir Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, made no mention of the trouble over the weekend, saying in his only social media post about the carnival: 'The streets were alive with music and joy, showing the best of our city and the power of culture to unite us.' Revellers displayed their bright green outfits during in the carnival parade this afternoon Young people danced in the streets to celebrate the annual carnival which sees west London transformed into a sea of bright colours and music Groups included Bajan Raw Licquer, Mahogany, Chocolate Nation, Mas Africa, Vincy Alliance and United Kreyol, which reflect traditions from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Haiti The streets turned into a concoction of colourful outfits, paired with feathers and jewels A police officer watched on as he walked during the Notting Hill Carnival today in west London Participants perform during the Notting Hill Carnival adult's parade in London today Bands and floats representing the Caribbean, African and Brazilian diaspora paraded through west London as the carnival entered its second day. Thousands of people lined the route in warm conditions, with temperatures reaching 26C. Groups included Bajan Raw Licquer, Mahogany, Chocolate Nation, Mas Africa, Vincy Alliance and United Kreyol, which reflect traditions from Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Jamaica, Dominica and Haiti. Brazilian performers from Paraiso Samba School, Batala and Dende Nation added to the line-up, alongside long-established UK community bands. Maria James, 34, said: 'It feels like a piece of the Caribbean right here in London.' James Lewis, 41, who travelled from Birmingham, said: 'It's amazing to see so many cultures coming together.' Earlier today, Kensington and Chelsea Council said an estimated 150 tonnes of rubbish was cleared after the first day of festivities. Council workers and volunteers are set to work into the night to clean-up and prepare the area for normal business tomorrow morning. The largest street party in Europe officially began on Sunday morning with dancers in bright costumes parading along the streets Dating back to 1966, Notting Hill Carnival takes over the west London district for one weekend a year, transforming it into a colourful celebration of Caribbean culture Many flamboyant outfits were on display as the west London celebration continued into its second night The festival sees the streets transformed into a celebration of Caribbean culture and history, with the streets flooded with costumes, dancing and music Dating back to 1966, Notting Hill Carnival takes over the west London district for one weekend a year, transforming it into a colourful celebration of Caribbean culture. The festival began at 6am with festival-goers gathering for J'Ouvert celebrations, which means 'daybreak' in French Creole. Attendees paraded through the streets and sprayed brightly-coloured paints and powders to get into the carnival spirit. Three men splattered in paint were even spotted dancing on top of a bus stop outside Ladbroke Grove station, near Portobello Road Market, as celebrations got off to a very early start. Hundreds gathered under a bridge where they danced and launched paint into the air as Europe's biggest street party got underway in flamboyant style on Sunday. One participant holds up a sign which reads: 'Thank you Notting Hill Carnival' as they walk through the parade One carnival attendee wearing a green and yellow bikini and matching headband smiles as she enjoys the music Thousands of people lined the route in sunny weather, with temperatures soaring to 26C Brazilian performers from Paraiso Samba School, Batala and Dende Nation added to the line-up this weekend, alongside long-established UK community bands Revellers of Notting Hill Carnival paraded the streets in glamorous and eccentric outfits alongside colourful floats to celebrate the annual Caribbean festival The largest street party in Europe officially begun on Sunday morning with dancers in bright costumes parading along the streets A reveller in elaborate and colourful peackock-style costume takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival Revellers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival on August 25, 2025 in London, England A person attends the event in an orange, pink, green and blue costume on Monday afternoon Some were dressed in blue overalls to protect their clothes from the paint, while others wore their most colourful outfits or took part in a tradition from the Caribbean island of Grenada called Jab-Jab. This is where they cover their bodies in black oil, tar, mud or paint, wear horns and drag chains in a satirical celebration to recognise the detrimental impact of British colonialism and the slave trade upon Caribbean nations. The main carnival parade route stretches across three miles of west London streets, passing by Ladbroke Grove, Great Western Road, and Westbourne Park, with party-goers enjoying dazzling parades boasting flags from across the Caribbean. Yesterday a 72-second silence was held in remembrance of the Grenfell Tower fire victims, which was repeated again at 3pm today. Russell Findlay has demanded a radical power shift to stop Scotland sliding towards a one-party state under the SNP. The Scottish Conservative leader said the country was already a one-ideology state as the Nationalists had planted like-minded crony activists across the public sector. Holyrood was merely a performative parliament in which ministers with no shame dodged scrutiny and MSPs with less spine than jellyfish asked scripted questions, he said while blasting the SNP for running Scotland into the ground. Addressing Tory members in Glasgow, he said: What goes on inside the concrete carbuncle at the foot of the Royal Mile has become increasingly irrelevant and at times damaging for most ordinary Scots. Much of that is the fault of an SNP government which has peddled a divisive agenda for almost two decades. 'The other so-called progressive parties who voted with the SNP for higher taxes, wasteful spending and fashionable Left-wing groupthink deserve their share of the blame for the mess were in. 'Collectively, theyve been running Scotland, but running it into the ground. He called for a three-pronged attack on the self-serving political elite in Edinburgh, including more money and power for councils, greater transparency on lobbying across the whole public sector not just Government and axing at least a quarter of unaccountable quangos. Russell Findlay called for a three-pronged attack on the 'self-serving political elite in Edinburgh' Mr Findlay also said the civil service in Scotland should be outlawed from working on independence and agitating for the break-up of Britain. He added: If the SNP wants to waste its time and ring-fenced donations on this folly, thats their right. But its not their right to do so with taxpayers money. The public sector is littered with SNP loyalists because the government bestows appointments and contracts to those who toe the line. Collectively, from top to bottom, these people dont trust the public to make their own decisions. The West Scotland MSP added: What happens at Holyrood is often a waste of time and taxpayers money. It fixates on fringe issues that the majority dont care about. Yes, Im thinking of the SNPs bizarre obsession with gender self-ID. Yes, Im thinking of puffed-up MSPs who wag their fingers at the world. And when the Scottish parliament does focus on the right things it spends vast sums on poor outcomes. Holyrood was supposed to bring decision-making closer to the people, but its never felt more remote. Scots Tory leader Russell Findlay said Holyrood has 'become little more than a performative parliament' Humza Yousaf with First Minister John Swinney Holyrood has become little more than a performative parliament. Blasting the SNPs nanny state, Mr Findlay said voters are sick of paying more tax for less power over the lives and sick of being told what to do by politicians. The former crime reporter said the SNPs long reign had led to intolerance and groupthink, as when critics of gender self-ID reforms were shouted down and shut out. He said: You could be forgiven for thinking Scotland has become a one-party state. Its not quite. But it is a one-ideology state. The Scottish political establishment believes that taxes must only go up. That benefits must keep rising. That immigration is always good. That free speech must be curtailed to avoid causing offence. That private enterprise must be kept in check by red tape and tax. That trade unions must dictate what happens in schools. That throwing limitless sums of money at the NHS is the only option. All of these are the ideology of Scotlands political establishment. Anyone with a bit of common sense can see that change is necessary. The Scottish Tory leader said councils should have bigger budgets with more power devolved from Edinburgh to local communities. Russell Findlay said more power should be devolved to local communities He said one example would be giving councils the power to cut business rates, instead of the current national rate, and a detailed paper would be issued in due course. Elected leader less than a year ago, Mr Findlay insisted he was here to stay despite MSP Jeremy Balfour quitting the Tories last week over the partys reactionary politics and the threat from Reform UK in the polls. Calling the resignation of the Lothian region MSP disappointing the party leader said: Jeremys expressed concern about Scotlands social security benefits: he believes that benefits should rise, our party has recognised that its unsustainable and unaffordable so I cant agree with him on that point. We are working tirelessly to bring forward proper, conservative policies, rooted in our values. Its only by doing so, its only by talking to the public about what we would do differently, about why Scotland needs to change, that we can hope to remove the SNP. Just because things are tough, doesnt mean that we leave the pitch. Nationalist MSP George Adam said: Russell Findlay would do well to look at himself in the mirror and ask why his MSPs are jumping ship from the sinking vessel that is the Scottish Conservative Party, rather than taking tiresome swipes at the Scottish parliament. Authorities in Washington are refocusing their manhunt for alleged killer dad Travis Decker on a specific campsite at a national park. Decker, 33, is accused of suffocating his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, but typing plastic bags over their heads in in Leavenworth, Washington. The girls were found in his abandoned truck on June 2 at the Rock Island Campground after he failed to bring them to their mother on May 30. Decker was nowhere to be found. Nearly three months later, the FBI Seattle Office announced that it will be leading federal, state and local agencies in conducting a 'coordinated search' near the Rock Island Campground. Crews will now be clearing lush overgrowth in the campground to once again scour the grounds for any evidence that may lead them to Decker. It remains unclear whether the suspect, who is wanted on charges of first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, but Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison insisted investigators 'have not given up' in finding him. 'We understand the frustration, we feel it as well,' he said at a news conference Monday night. 'We will not relent, we will not give up until Travis Decker is taken into custody,' the sheriff vowed as he asked for continued patience and understanding from the community ahead of the Labor Day weekend. Travis Decker, 33, suffocated his daughters Paityn, 9, Evelyn, 8, and Olivia, 5, by tying plastic bags over their heads in in Leavenworth, Washington Decker was nowhere to be found, and it remains unclear whether he is still alive Authorities are now refocusing their search efforts on the Rock Island Campground 'This is not going to go away until Travis is located' whether he is alive or not, the sheriff continued, as he expressed doubts about the former soldier's ability to survive in the wilderness this long despite his military survival training. 'He has to be perfect every single day,' Morrison explained. 'We just have to be perfect once.' Yet there is no new evidence tying Decker to the Rock Island Campground, as authorities explained they are simply recombing the area for 'anything of interest' since it has become overgrown. A news release Monday night, ahead of the press conference, noted that the 'areas being searched are extremely challenging with steep hillsides, dense brush, minimal cell service and unpredictable conditions.' The area of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest extending west from the campground now remains off-limits to all but federal, state or local officers, members of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force' or anyone with a US Forest Service permit through Wednesday morning. 'While this latest operation may or may not yield new findings, our promise is that we will not stop until we have exhausted every possible avenue to find him and to bring closure to this case,' Sheriff Morrison said in a statement. Thus far, each effort to find and capture Decker have yielded nothing. Even a tip that Decker may be hiding out in Idaho proved to be false, with someone mistaking a local man for the wanted killer. Washington mom-of-three Whitney Decker hadn't raised any serious concerns about ex-husband Travis since their divorce and custody proceedings began in 2022 Travis and the girls' mother, Whitney Decker, divorced in 2022, but Travis was allowed to have the girls with him part-time. He joined the Army in 2013 and served in Afghanistan before transferring to the Washington National Guard in 2021. The Guard was in the process of a disciplinary discharge due to Decker's absences when his daughters were killed. He had been suffering from mental health issues at the time, and had recently been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Decker was even court-mandated to receive mental health treatment and domestic violence anger management counseling but had refused. Decker is accused of killing his three young daughters - Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8; and Paityn, 9 Decker's ex-wife Whitney told police she did not believe he was dangerous and that he loved his three daughters Police said he was also homeless and living out of his car by the time he picked up his three girls from their mother's house on May 30. Still, his ex-wife Whitney told police she didn't believe Decker was dangerous, and that he loved his daughters, with whom he had a 'good relationship.' A New York City male model was left severely disfigured by a knife-wielding assailant after protecting two women from a vicious attack while vacationing in Germany. John Rudat, 21, was left bloodied and battered after trying to stop two victims from being violently assaulted on German public transit in the city of Dresden on Sunday, according to a GoFundMe created by his brother's girlfriend, Molly Sheldon. The young model, who is also a paramedic, sustained a critical gash in the middle of his face from a six-inch blade. Horrifying footage from the incident's aftermath shows Rudat with a tissue to his face with a trail of blood splatters leading to where he was sitting. Another clip reveals a deep slash across his nose, while other passengers appeared shell-shocked after witnessing the gory ordeal. Rudat needed immediate medical attention and underwent extensive surgery in Germany. Law enforcement officials said there were two attackers. They were both reportedly Syrian nationals. One of the men was detained after the violent incident on suspicion of beating Rudat, but was released shortly after. John Rudat (pictured) , 21, was left bloodied and battered after trying to stop two women from being violently assaulted on German public transit The young model (pictured), who is also a paramedic, sustained a critical gash in the middle of his face from a six-inch blade Rudat (pictured in the hospital) was sliced with a six-inch blade across his face 'According to the on-call public prosecutors assessment, there were insufficient grounds for detention. The knife attack cannot be attributed to him,' Senior Public Prosecutor Jurgen Schmidt told German outlet Bild. The other suspect, who is believed to have actually stabbed Rudat, is still at large. 'This horrible act against John leaves us devastated and seeking justice. He now faces a challenging recovery; physically, emotionally, and even financially as he works to heal from this incident,' Sheldon wrote. So far, the fundraiser created to support Rudat and his family has collected more than $32,500. Rudat was visiting Dresden to see his former foreign exchange host family, according to The New York Post. In a video retelling of the shocking attack, Rudat claimed the migrant who attacked him and the two women was a drug dealer 'very popularly known' in the area. When his loved ones received the gut-wrenching call that he had been involved in the harrowing incident, they feared for the worst. 'We got a little scared when we found out,' Sheldon told The Post. Rudat (pictured) is expected to be able to return to the US in a week or two, according to his brother While reflecting on the incident on his Instagram story, Rudat wrote: 'Never turn your back on abuse' Logan (right) said he was not surprised about Rudat's (left) heroic actions 'We didnt know the extent of his injuries. We were at dinner the other day and he called saying, "Hey, Ive been in an incident, I'm OK, just if you can notify my parents because they werent answering the phone."' Rudat's brother and Sheldon's boyfriend, Logan, said he was not surprised that his brother put himself at risk to protect others. 'It' part of his character. Thats just the way we were raised,' Logan, who is also a first responder, told the outlet, adding he is optimistic that Rudat will be able to return to the US in a week or two. While reflecting on the incident on his Instagram story, Rudat wrote: 'Never turn your back on abuse.' President Donald Trump met with Gold Star families at the White House on Monday to recognize the fourth anniversary of the botched exit from Afghanistan, where 13 American service members were killed. The president signed a proclamation to recognize the events of that horrific day in August 2021, when a suicide bomber detonated at the Abbey Gate Air Force base in Kabul as troops were helping evacuate American personnel. He stood with a group of about 30 family members of the slain service members who stood with the president behind the Resolute Desk. 'That was a terrible day. I think it was the worst day,' Trump said about the events that took place under his predecessor former President Joe Biden. 'And in many ways the most embarrassing day in the history of our country.' He said the United States had learned a lot of lessons as a result of the messy exit from Afghanistan and promised that 'it won't happen again.' Secretary of State Pete Hegseth and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins was with the president and the families together with Vice President JD Vance. 'There are some great souls who are looking down on you right now,' Trump said to the families, comforting them for their losses. The Gold Star families spent years criticizing Biden's handling of the botched operation, and his repeated failure to honor the fallen in public remarks. U.S. President Donald Trump signs a proclamation on the fourth anniversary of the "Abbey Gate" terrorist attack with family members of the slain soldiers Relatives of members of the U.S. military killed in Afghanistan during the U.S withdrawal in 2021 listen to President Donald Trump Vance spoke to the families, casting blame directly on Biden, saying the event was a way to right the wrongs of the previous administration. 'The fact that the president of the United States lost your loved ones through incompetence but never acknowledged it ... we correct that wrong today,' Vance said. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the review of the disastrous exit from Afghanistan was ongoing, but would be very thorough and would be completed in the middle of 2026. Biden angered the parents and family members of the slain military members in Afghanistan, beginning with his visit to Dover for the dignified return ceremony where he infamously checked his watch. He later failed to acknowledge their sacrifices when speaking about the exit from Afghanistan in major speeches, describing the exit as an 'extraordinary success.' Biden also angered the families after he claimed during a presidential debate that 'I'm the only president this century, this decade, that doesn't have any troops dying anywhere in the world like he did.' They rallied to Trump's side during the 2024 presidential campaign, some of them speaking at campaign events and the Republican National Convention. 'Look at our faces. Look at our pain, and our heartbreak. And look at our rage. That was not an extraordinary success,' said Cheryl Juels, the aunt of Marine Sgt. Nicole Gee on the convention stage. 'Joe Biden owes the men and women who served in Afghanistan a debt of gratitude, and an apology.' Vice President JD Vance, left, stands alongside family members of soldiers killed in Afghanistan at the attack at Abbey Gate as President Donald Trump speaks This image from a video released by the Department of Defense shows U.S. Marines at Abbey Gate before a suicide bomber struck outside Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021 Eleven Marines, one Navy corpsman, and one soldier, were killed as a result of the attack: Marine Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts, Marine Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California, Marine Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah. Marine Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California, Marine Cpl. Daegan W. Page, 23, of Omaha, Nebraska Marine Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana, Marine Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas Marine Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri, Marine Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, 20, of Jackson, Wyoming, Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California. Navy Corpsman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio, Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee. The family members also received a tour of the White House after the Oval Office event but did not stop to respond to the Daily Mail when asked about their afternoon with the president. After three years at the helm of U.S. forces in the Middle East including directing Donald Trump's Iran strikes General Michael 'Erik' Kurilla has officially ended his military career. The Chief of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Kurilla - nicknamed 'The Gorilla' - is leaving behind a fourdecade career that culminated in Trump's unprecedented strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in June. He is passing the torch to U.S. Navy Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper Junior, who was appointed as commander of CENTCOM earlier this month to lead military operations in the Middle East. It's unclear why 'The Gorilla' is choosing to leave now, after earning the trust of Pentagon Chief and ex-Fox News host Pete Hegseth. At the height of tensions between Iran and Israel earlier this summer, Hegseth had placed sweeping operational authority squarely in the hands of Kurilla. He often deferred decisions and comments to him. It also comes at a time of turmoil at the Defense Department. Hegseth recently fired the general whose agency angered Trump over its assessment that his Iran strikes may not have 'obliterated' the country's nuclear program. He axed Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who led the Defense Intelligence Agency, as part of a spree of Friday firings that sent an unmistakable message through the Pentagon's ranks. In June, Trump made the surprising announcement that he went ahead and bombed three Iranian nuclear sites amid Israel's fighting with Tehran. According to CENTOM, Kurilla is a West Point graduate and took command of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2022 During his tenure, he reportedly directed the planning and execution of at least 15 major joint combat missions The U.S. military used 12 massive 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs and 30 Tomahawk missiles to attack Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. But days later CNN reported that the Defense Intelligence Agency's initial assessment was that the strikes did not destroy core components of the sites and may have only set Iran's nuclear program back a number of weeks. The president expressed anger publicly that the DIA's assessment leaked, attacking 'dumb' journalists and arguing that the news reports were offensive to the B-2 bomber pilots who flew the mission. The Washington Post additionally also reported last week that Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore, the chief of the Navy Reserve, was removed as of Friday, as was Rear Adm. Milton Sands, a Navy SEAL officer who oversees Naval Special Warfare Command. Hegseth and Trump have been aggressive in dismissing top military officials, often without formal explanation. But Kurilla's departure does not appear to be intertwined. Described by sources as deeply wary of Iran's intentions, Kurilla successfully pushed for a significant U.S. buildup in the Middle East. His recommendations from dispatching aircraft carriers to increasing the number of combat aircraft were swiftly approved, reflecting both the urgency of the situation and the Pentagon's confidence in his leadership. 'I know that under the leadership of Admiral Brad Cooper, with the support of the Defense Department and Joint Staff, the counsel and contributions of our allies and partners, and support of our headquarters and component teams, the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and Guardians of Central Command who serve this nation on the front lines of freedom will always succeed,' said Gen. Kurilla. He added, 'It has been the honor of my life to have been their commander.' CENTCOM says Cooper will have oversight of all U.S. military missions inside the 21country area, which includes the Middle East and Central Asia. Iran will likely become a big focus for Cooper, as experts predict the war between Israel and Iran is far from over, and debate on how much damage Iran really sustained from the attack on their nuclear sites, continues. As the commander of U.S. Central Command, Kurilla emerged as a key architect of the American military posture in the region. Kurilla successfully pushed for a significant U.S. buildup in the Middle East Kurilla's recommendations from dispatching aircraft carriers to increasing the number of combat aircraft were swiftly approved, reflecting both the urgency of the situation and the Pentagon's confidence in his leadership Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in June: 'General Kurilla is a bold, dynamic, and inspiring leader who strikes fear into the hearts of America's enemies' According to CENTOM, Kurilla is a West Point graduate and took command of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in 2022. During his tenure, he reportedly directed the planning and execution of at least 15 major joint combat missions. His final months in the role saw two highprofile operations: Operation Rough Rider, which targeted Houthi forces in Yemen in March and April, and Operation Midnight Hammer, a June strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Fox News Digital back in June: 'General Kurilla is a bold, dynamic, and inspiring leader who strikes fear into the hearts of America's enemies.' Adding, 'He's a warrior through and through who always puts his country, mission, and troops first. It has been an honor to serve alongside him in defense of our great nation.' Kurilla spent the majority of his career focusing on the Middle East, from 2004 to 2014, spending time in both Afghanistan and Iraq before winning two Purple Heart Awards and a Bronze Star. Daily Mail reached out to both the Pentagon and White House for further comment on this story. The general, known as 'Gorilla' is passing the torch to U.S. Navy Admiral Charles Bradford Cooper Junior, who was appointed as commander of CENTCOM earlier this month to lead the US military operations in the Middle East Donald Trump's health came into focus Monday when he was spotted with yet another bruise on his hands, this time a dark blue one that was heavily visible. Many have noticed bruises on the 79-year-old's presidents hands in recent months, sometimes concealed by heavy makeup. A sizable bruise on Trumps right hand was exposed during his meeting in the Oval Office with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He was similarly bruised as he took in a golf outing with former Major League pitcher Roger Clemens on Sunday, whom Trump later vouched for a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. That follows last Friday, when many noticed the president's hand was covered with a noticeable splotch of makeup that did not match his skin tone. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said Trumps hand bruising is 'consistent' with irritation from his 'frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.' When reached by The Daily Mail for further comment, the White House re-directed us to statements made by President Trump's doctor, Dr. Sean Barbabella, and former doctor and now Congressman Dr. Ronny Jackson. 'Recent photos of the President have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand,' Dr. Barbabella explained. 'This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.' Speculation continued over Donald Trump's health Monday after he was spotted with yet another bruise on his hands, this time a dark blue won that was heavily visible A sizable bruise on Trumps right hand was exposed during his meeting in the Oval Office with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung He was similarly bruised as he took in a golf outing with former Major League pitcher Roger Clemens on Sunday, whom Trump later vouched for a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame 'As President Trump's former personal physician, former Physician to the President, and White House physician for 14 years across three administrations, I can tell you unequivocally: President Donald J. Trump is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen,' added Jackson. Jackson, who also was the physician to Barack Obama and worked in the White House Medical Unit under George W. Bush. 'I continue to consult with his current physician and medical team at the White House and still spend significant time with the President. He is mentally and physically sharper than ever before,' he added. Bruises on the president's hands, as well as possibly swolen ankles, have caused concern and curiosity from the public for the entirety of Trump's second term. The White House revealed last month that Trump has been diagnosed with 'chronic venous insufficiency.' In July, Trump appeared at a White House press gaggle with what looked like makeup covering a patch on the back of his hand, sparking concerns. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed the president recently 'noticed mild swelling in the lower legs' and was evaluated by the White House medical unit. Leavitt said he underwent a 'comprehensive examination' which included 'diagnostic vascular studies.' President Donald Trump (R) and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung talk to reporters before an Oval Office meeting The makeup appeared to be covering a circular protrusion of skin in early July, when Karoline Leavitt claimed Trump had 'chronic venous insufficiency' The makeup covering those bruises was again visible in multiple press photos throughout Trump's trip to Scotland weeks after the diagnosis 'Bilateral, lower extremity ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency,' Leavitt stated. She said it's a 'common condition' in individuals over the age of 70 and there was 'no evidence' of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. 'The president remains in excellent health,' Leavitt said overall. Later that month, however, Trump was spotted with makeup on his hands during his trip to Scotland. The president has appeared with similar bumps and bruises on his hand almost monthly since taking office in January. His hands appeared to have makeup covering one of these bruises last month as well. Trump proclaimed he 'did well' in his April physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he underwent extensive testing, including a cognitive assessment. The exam, conducted by Trump's new physician Dr Sean Barbabella, lasted nearly five hours. Trump has a history of optimistic health reports, including a purported perfect score on a cognitive test in 2018. Still, questions linger about his weight (244 pounds at his last physical) and occasional visible bruises on his hand, which aides have repeatedly attributed to vigorous handshaking. A Labour donor who has given the party more than 5million has contracts worth millions with Sadiq Khans City Hall, the Daily Mail can reveal. Dale Vinces firm Ecotricity has been paid more than 3.5million to supply power to the mayors Greater London Authority (GLA) since 2020. The green industrialist has donated more than 5.5million to the Labour Party or its politicians in the same period, including to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing but critics said the revelation may raise eyebrows with taxpayers. Electoral Commission data shows the political donations have been made through Mr Vinces Ecotricity firm, which supplies certified vegan green energy. Figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws show that Ecotricity has been paid 3.55million by City Hall since 2020/21. This includes more than 1.3million in 2023/24 during the same period that Mr Vince handed Labour millions for its general election war chest. Zia Yusuf, a senior figure in Reform UK, which obtained the payment data, said: The fact one of Labours biggest donors, Dale Vinces Ecotricity, has been handed 3.5million of taxpayer money from Sadiq Khans Greater London Authority in the last five years will enrage taxpayers. Susan Hall, the Conservative leader at the London assembly, described the revelation as very interesting and said she was previously unaware that Mr Vinces firm supplied power to City Hall. A Labour donor who has given the party more than 5million has contracts worth millions with Sadiq Khans City Hall (Sadiq Khan pictured August 16) Dale Vinces firm Ecotricity has been paid more than 3.5million to supply power to the mayors Greater London Authority (GLA) (pictured) since 2020 She added: I can only assume that the GLA has checked that this is offering us the best value for money but Im grateful to the Daily Mail for informing me about this so that I can scrutinise it. I will certainly be asking questions about this and will be double checking that Londoners are getting value for money. Ecotricity said there is no link between its contract to supply power to the GLA and Mr Vinces donations to the Labour Party, while City Hall said Sir Sadiq had no involvement in the awarding of the contract. The firm began supplying 100 per cent of the power to the GLA after Sir Sadiq was elected in 2016. In an answer to a past mayoral question, he stated: From 1 April 2019, City Hall has switched to 100 per cent green energy with renewable electricity supplied by Ecotricity and green gas by Corona. At the time City Hall said the contract was due to end in March 2020 but it appears to have been renewed each year since, with the current contract due to expire in March 2026. In addition to his donations to Labour, Mr Vince has given controversial eco campaign group Just Stop Oil 340,000 as well as funding Extinction Rebellion and vegan activist group Animal Rising, which attempted to sabotage the Grand National. However, in 2023, Mr Vince announced he would stop funding Just Stop Oil, saying further protests from the activist group would be counterproductive. Instead he began donating large sums to Labour ahead of the last years general election. Mr Vince was a prominent figure at the 2024 Labour Party conference, making a number of media and speaking appearances including at an event for Labours Environment Campaign. Green industrialist Dale Vince (pictured) has donated more than 5.5million to the Labour Party or its politicians in the same period An Ecotricity spokesman said: Ecotricity has been supplying green energy to the public sector for three decades' (File image of wind turbines) He has also campaigned alongside Sir Sadiq on Net Zero and environmental issues, with the two men headlining sustainability festival Earthfest together last year. When Sir Sadiq was re-elected in May last year Mr Vince posted montage footage of them together on social media alongside the message London has the Mayor it deserves and wanted. He added: Congrats to Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) and the team great news for London and the country. Last year Sir Sadiq was presented with a Political Purpose Award for his expansion of Londons Ultra Low Emissions Zone at an awards ceremony organised by campaigning group Nature 2030 and Ecotricity. Mr Vince described the mayor as inspiring at the ceremony, at which Environment Secretary Ed Miliband also received an award. An Ecotricity spokesman said: Ecotricity has been supplying green energy to the public sector for three decades since we first began. Its entirely normal. Our contract with the GLA has been widely reported on over the years and was won in a competitive process via the local authority purchasing consortium, LASER. Its a small contract and has no connection to anything else. A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: The mayor and his team had no involvement in or knowledge of this contract award. GLA officers appointed an independent public sector energy procurement company to find the best provider for the GLAs requirements. Reform UK has vowed to lift the ban on fracking if it wins power. Deputy leader Richard Tice said it would be 'grossly financially negligent' to leave 'hundreds of billions of pounds' worth of energy buried underground. The party has already told oil and gas firms to prepare to make fresh applications for licences and to get ready to 'drill, baby, drill' four years before the next general election is expected. It comes despite Labour ordering the last wells in England to be filled with cement this year as it vows to 'ban fracking for good'. Mr Tice said: 'We've got potentially hundreds of billions of energy treasure in the form of shale gas. 'It's grossly financially negligent to a criminal degree to leave that value underground and not to extract it.' Fracking, a method used to extract gas or oil from shale rock, took place in England for decades on a small scale but its expansion in the 2010s led to protests, legal challenges and fears that it was causing earthquakes. David Cameron's Conservative government promised a 'shale gas revolution', similar to the boom then under way in the US, but fracking was banned by Boris Johnson's administration in 2019 after tremors at a site in Lancashire. Richard Tice (pictured) said it would be 'grossly financially negligent' to leave 'hundreds of billions of pounds' worth of energy buried underground File photo dated of a worker at the Cuadrilla fracking site in Little Plumpton, Lancashire The ban was temporarily lifted by Liz Truss but a rebellion by Tory MPs contributed to her downfall, and her successor Rishi Sunak reinstated the block on further drilling. Labour's manifesto pledged to ban fracking for good and earlier this year Energy Secretary Ed Miliband approved plans to fill in the last remaining wells in Lancashire. Yet a new field of natural gas has recently been discovered under Lincolnshire, which one energy company claims could supply the country's energy needs for seven years and add billions to the economy. A Reform UK government would lift the ban immediately and then work with companies to look for gas at independently monitored sites. 'That will confirm the quantity of gas available and satisfy people that it's safe,' Mr Tice told the BBC. He said Reform would 'create an attractive regulatory and tax framework' rather than putting public money into fracking. He and party leader Nigel Farage held a meeting with energy firms in Aberdeen in recent months and told them to prepare for fresh drilling. 'Keep us in mind, and in the run up to the next general election, you should be getting your ducks in a row and getting applications ready,' Mr Tice told them. Reform's Greater Lincolnshire mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns has also met the firm that wants to frack the gas field in Gainsborough. But energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh said: 'We intend to ban fracking for good and make Britain a clean-energy superpower to protect current and future generations. 'The biggest risk to our energy security is staying dependent on fossil-fuel markets, and only by sprinting to clean power by 2030 can the UK take back control of its energy and protect consumers from spiralling energy costs.' Keir Starmer has been warned by his own MPs and party grandees that Labour risks losing the next election unless he does more to tackle illegal migration. The Prime Minister was urged by his own side to take more radical action, including suspending human rights protections and copying Denmark's hardline 'zero refugee' approach amid growing public concern over his Government's handling of the crisis. As he travelled to Europe for a holiday with his family, a YouGov poll found that 71 per cent of voters including 56 per cent of Labour supporters believe he is dealing with the issue of asylum hotels badly. Almost four in ten (37 per cent) said immigration and asylum is the most important issue facing the country but fewer than one in ten (9 per cent) said Labour was the best party to tackle it. Even 16 per cent of those who voted for Sir Keir's party at the last election thought Reform UK would do a better job at securing the borders. It comes after a record 111,084 asylum claims were lodged in Labour's first year in power, despite the Prime Minister's vow to 'smash the gangs'. Official figures also revealed last week that the number of asylum-seekers being housed in hotels across the country has risen by 8 per cent in the past year, while councils across the country are now trying to end the practice in the wake of a landmark court case. Ministers have so far focused on introducing counter-terror powers to take on people-smugglers as well as increasing migrant returns, including through a new 'one in, one out' deal with France. But former home secretary Lord Blunkett called on the Government to go further by temporarily suspending the European Convention on Human Rights and introducing a digital ID card scheme. Keir Starmer (pictured) has been warned by his own MPs and party grandees that Labour risks losing the next election unless he does more to tackle illegal migration A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel on August 15, 2025 An aerial photograph shows inflatable dinghies and outboard engines believed to have been used by migrants to cross the channel and stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover, south-east England, on August 17, 2025 He told The Times, which carried out the polling: 'The issue is so toxic and beginning to get out of the Government's grip to the point it is very hard to bring it back. A further package of actions is absolutely vital to start controlling both the public narrative and the delivery.' Labour MP Jo White told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I firmly believe that if we don't sort it, then Labour are under threat at the next general election. So I want this Government to look at every solution possible.' She called on ministers to look at tough measures introduced by Denmark to reduce the number of asylum applications to zero, including denying would-be refugees benefits, restricting family reunion rights and the so-called 'ghetto law' that allows apartment blocks to be demolished in areas where more than half of residents are non-Western immigrants. Labour backbencher Graham Stringer told Times Radio: 'We should look at what's worked in a perfectly sensible democratic country like Denmark. We should also suspend or get out of the European Convention on Human Rights. I don't think it's one or the other. We could do both.' And he warned: 'This is potentially an electoral issue for the Labour Party. If we don't find an effective way of dealing with this, people just feel it's completely unfair, we will pay a heavy price, both in local elections and the next general election.' It came as dozens of migrants were seen wading neck-deep in the sea off Calais to board a dinghy to Britain. In shocking images, children were seen crying as they were pushed through the water with their heads barely above the surface. The Home Office said 212 migrants arrived in four boats on Sunday. Authorities know who killed a photographer who was stabbed while collecting mobile phones for a friend. But a decade later, police have been unable to charge the accused man because he fled to a country with no working extradition agreement. Mohammad Soban Malik was arrested at the airport as he was about to board a plane to Pakistan, in October 2015, over the death of Sham Lal, Melbourne Coroners Court was told last Thursday. He was interviewed and explained that the 47-year-old had come to his home in Glenroy, Melbourne's north, on October 14 to purchase two phones for a friend. Malik said he was unable to source the phones and went to his bedroom to find his own phone to sell. When he came back, he claimed Mr Lal slashed his hand with a knife. In response, Malik said he picked up a Swiss Army Knife from the couch. He admitted he started 'swinging the knife upwards towards Sham', but was unable to say if he made contact with him, or how many times, counsel assisting Jess Syrjanen said. Malik said Mr Lal left the house, but he feared he would return so he bandaged up an injury to his hand and went to Melbourne Airport as he had previously purchased a ticket to Pakistan. Mohammad Soban Malik fled to Pakistan several weeks after a fatal stabbing outside his Glenroy home in 2015. Pictured is a a forensic Sham Lal died from stab wounds to his neck, chest and abdomen. Pictured are police at the crime scene Ms Syrjanen said police released Malik without charge, pending further investigation, and he boarded a plane to Pakistan a few weeks later on November 7 and never returned. 'Police have made attempts to contact Mr Malik in Islamabad where it is understood he is living,' she told the court. She said police had spoken to Malik's father, who had given some information on Malik's involvement in Mr Lal's death, and was prepared to meet and provide a statement. But a request by investigators to Victoria Police's senior command to travel overseas to conduct an interview with him, or Malik's housemate, has not been authorised. 'Although there is an extradition treaty between Australia and Pakistan signed on 16 March 2000, it has not yet entered into force,' Ms Syrjanen said. 'Therefore, unless Mr Malik voluntarily returns to Australia, there are very limited options available to police to compel his return.' It is mandatory for Victorian coroners to hold an inquest if it is suspected a death was the result of homicide and no one has been charged over the death. State Coroner John Cain on Thursday found Mr Lal had died on October 14, 2015, from knife wounds to his neck, chest and abdomen. Judge John Cain (pictured) ruled last Thursday that Sham Lal died from injuries sustained in am altercation with Malik. He said he was satisfied to the coronial standard of proof that Mr Lal's death was the result of injuries sustained during an altercation with Mr Malik. Judge Cain said the court had written to Malik in English and Punjabi, via international post and email, to give him the opportunity to respond to the allegations against him. He did not respond. 'Victoria Police noted that he has been difficult to engage with and communicate with during their nearly 10-year investigation,' Judge Cain said. Nigel Farage will today challenge Keir Starmer to ditch his support for foreign courts as he sets out plans for the mass deportation of illegal migrants. In a major speech, the Reform UK leader will ask the Prime Minister if he wants to protect Britain's borders and citizens or remain wedded to 'outdated' international treaties and judges' rulings. Adding to the pressure on the Government to do more to tackle the crisis, amid record Channel crossings and public fury over migrants being housed in luxury hotels, Mr Farage will vow that if he becomes PM, he will ensure that all those arriving in dinghies are arrested, detained then deported. He will promise to sign returns deals with countries including Afghanistan and Eritrea but also house migrants in 'third countries' such as Rwanda and Albania, and use British overseas territories including Ascension Island as a last resort. Amid Tory claims that his policies echo their own proposals, Mr Farage will pledge that hundreds of thousands of people will be deported by a Reform government, with five charter flights taking off every day. There will also be a 'deportation app' for migrants who wish to leave voluntarily, and they will be given 2,500 and a free flight home. He will set out details of the costs today, amid reports that the party believes it will cost as little as 10 billion to implement and will in the long run save public money. His government would introduce emergency legislation known as the Illegal Migration (Mass Deportation) Bill to bar those arriving by small boats from claiming asylum. Nigel Farage (pictured) will challenge Keir Starmer to ditch his support for foreign courts as he sets out plans for the mass deportation of illegal migrants A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from a Border Force vessel following a small boat incident in the Channel (pictured) And he would take Britain out of international agreements including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) a demand now even being made by Labour MPs and grandees as they increasingly fear Sir Keir's failure to implement radical action will lose him the next election. A new British Bill of Rights, which would apply only to British citizens and those with a legal right to live here, would replace the Human Rights Act and refer to the protection of free speech and liberty rather than human rights. Last night Mr Farage, who will make his keynote speech in Oxfordshire this morning, told the Daily Mail: 'The dividing line on this issue is simple. Does the PM stand with the British people, defending our national security and the safety of women and girls or does he stand with outdated international treaties and courts? Reform UK will leave the ECHR and finally stop the scourge of illegal migration.' Mr Farage added that if Reform came into power, it would aim to build migrant detention centres on military sites within 18 months. They would house 24,000 people and detainees would not be allowed to leave or claim bail, he added. Sir Keir has previously vowed that his Government will 'never' leave the ECHR. Farage accused Starmer of siding with international courts in an opinion piece published in the Telegraph, writing: 'The time has come to put this country first. This is all a question of priorities. 'Is Keir Starmer on the side of the British people, national security and protecting women and girls or is he on the side of outdated international treaties and human rights lawyers?'. Earlier this year Starmer took the unprecedented step of declaring in the Commons that an immigration judge made the 'wrong decision' by granting a Palestinian family the right to live in the UK. An aerial photograph shows inflatable dinghies and outboard engines believed to have been used by migrants to cross the channel and stored in a Port Authority yard in Dover, south-east England, on August 17, 2025 It comes as more than 100 migrants have been detained ahead of deportation to France, according to The Times (File image of migrants arriving in Dover) In the wake of the row, his Government pledged to restrict the ability of illegal immigrants and foreign criminals to avoid deportation by claiming the Article 8 right to a family life. And at the weekend the Home Office said it would speed up asylum appeals by getting rid of some judge-led tribunals. It comes as more than 100 migrants have been detained ahead of deportation to France, according to The Times. The move is part of Sir Keir's 'one in, one out' deal which is set to be implemented within weeks. Mr Farage's vow today comes despite him saying last September that it was not his ambition to deport large numbers of illegal immigrants. He said: 'It's pointless even going there. It's a political impossibility.' The Tories also claimed that Reform's flagship policy is based on many of their own proposals. When they were in power, the Conservatives passed a law banning small-boat migrants from claiming asylum and signed a deal to deport some to Rwanda, although no flights ever took off. The Tory government was also the first to consider sending new arrivals to Ascension Island, a remote territory in the South Atlantic. And in May, having lost the election, the party published a Deportation Bill that would mean 'automatic deportation for anyone who arrives in the country illegally' as well as disapplying the Human Rights Act from immigration cases. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has also launched a review which is expected to conclude that Britain should withdraw from the ECHR. And as far back as 2006 under David Cameron, the Tories had been proposing to replace Labour's Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights, an idea also now being proposed by Reform. A similar bill to repeal the Human Rights Act was put forward by then-justice secretary Dominic Raab in 2022, before being scrapped by Liz Truss during her short tenure as prime minister. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'Nigel Farage promised a full deportation plan, and then after months of silence has presented nothing more than a copy-and-paste of Conservative policies. 'Reform UK has clearly not done the serious thinking about securing our borders instead borrowing plans set out months ago by Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives, in some desperate attempt to chase headlines. 'But government is about more than just press releases and headlines.' Reform UK said: 'The Conservatives had 14 years in government. Under their watch, illegal migration surged to unprecedented levels, and the small-boats crisis in the Channel spiralled out of control. They did nothing to stop it.' Last night a Labour source said: 'This is a tired rehash of the Tories' approach which left us with record high asylum costs and declining removals. As ever, Farage is offering empty soundbites without the plans to back it up.' Miles away from her job as a high-flying PR executive for Capital Radio, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has become a leading member of the Royal Family known for her down-to-earth nature and close relationship with the late Queen. But in her early days as a working royal, Sophie had to prove herself as a worthy companion for the Queen's youngest son, Edward, amid the backdrop of divorce in the family and the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Biographer Sean Smith wrote in his book, Sophie: Saving the Royal Family: 'Sophie was a practical listener and observer and she absorbed how to be a proper Royal, accepted by everyone, by watching the Queen at work. 'The Queen was also an excellent role model for understanding a sense of duty.' Just two years after her marriage to Prince Edward, Sophie was sensationally caught up in a humiliating 'sting' operation engineered by the News of the World after talking with a 'Fake Sheikh' posing as a potential client. Her taped indiscretions about senior politicians were highly embarrassing. This marked the end of Sophie's PR career, which may have been a blessing in disguise, allowing her to focus on royal engagements. Smith wrote: 'The Queen was willing to ignore the media storm over Sophie's Fake Sheikh, but that did not mean she was able to escape being at the wrong end of the "look". 'She was at a Palace state banquet and was still fussing around trying to find her seat when the Queen rose to speak.' Miles away from her job as a high-flying PR executive for Capital Radio, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, has become a leading member of the Royal Family known for her down-to-earth nature and close relationship with the late Queen. The two are pictured in 2002 Sophie and the Queen are pictured on the second day of Royal Ascot on June 15, 2016 Smith wrote in his book, Sophie: Saving the Royal Family: 'Sophie was a practical listener and observer and she absorbed how to be a proper Royal, accepted by everyone, by watching the Queen at work' Smith continued: 'The Queen was not amused at having to wait: "I shan't forget that look," said her daughter-in-law, who made a mental note never to do that again.' This faux pas was thankfully avoided on Sophie's first visit to Windsor Castle while she was dating Edward. Writing in his biography of the Duchess's life, Smith revealed the Queen's alleged first impression of Sophie, remarking that 'you wouldn't notice her in the crowd'. As unflattering and borderline cruel as that might sound, it was a compliment as the most recent additions to the royal family - Diana and Sarah Ferguson - were, according to Smith, 'tabloid gifts that kept on giving'. 'It was greatly to Sophie's advantage to maintain a low profile. 'She would have to face intense media scrutiny in the future, but for the moment she could quietly establish herself as a dependable presence.' To prepare for the visit, Edward's valet Brian gave an 'anxious' Sophie advice so she could avoid any of the common faux pas visitors encounter when meeting the royals for the first time. Smith highlighted one common mistake people make at the end of a meal when diners receive a 'crystal bowl of water' for cleaning their hands with a knife to cut up fruit on offer. Sophie and Prince Edward are pictured on their wedding day on June 19, 1999 The Queen and Sophie are pictured at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham on December 25, 2001 Writing in his biography of the Duchess's life, Smith revealed the Queen's alleged first impression of Sophie, remarking that 'you wouldn't notice her in the crowd'. This was meant as a compliment 'Those guests not in the know would spend a number of agonising minutes, red-faced, chasing around bits of peaches and kiwi fruits that they had mistakenly placed in the water,' Smith said. Suitably prepared for her visit, Sophie arrived at the palace not by chauffeur but in her 'old' Fiat Panda. Sophie was then immediately thrown into the deep end when she joined Queen Elizabeth II for lunch. Although she had been told the meal would take place in a large dining room with minimal contact with the Queen, that proved to be a 'white lie' from Brian. Smith said: 'The room was tiny and the Queen was certainly not a speck at the other end of the table. 'The big moment arrived. Edward introduced Sophie to the Queen and the brief handshake and curtsy were over in the blink of an eye: all that practising at home had been worth it.' Once the meal was over and any faux pas had been avoided, Smith likened the whole experience to a visit to the dentist. 'Never as bad as you think it is going to be and something you feel pleased with yourself for having done,' he wrote. Sophie is pictured with Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Academy of Arts on May 23, 2012 Sophie and the Queen embrace at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2015 'Quietly, and without fuss, the Queen began to rely on Sophie for female company after both Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother died within such a short space of time,' wrote Smith Smith wrote: 'Sophie was astute enough to understand that to be properly accepted as more than Edward's wife, she needed to be part of the family and do more than hang around, smiling and curtsying correctly. 'She set about embracing the pursuits most enjoyed by the Queen and, just as importantly, by Prince Philip too. 'Sophie became the model daughter-in-law, so much so that she was routinely referred to in the media as the Queen's second daughter. 'Quietly, and without fuss, the Queen began to rely on Sophie for female company after both Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother died within such a short space of time. 'Sophie could pop round to Windsor Castle in ten minutes to watch TV or stay up late discussing history enthusiastically with her mother-in-law. 'It wasn't duty. Sophie loved to do it.' After the death of Prince Philip, Edward's wife earned the title of the monarch's 'safest pair of hands', taking on a more prominent public role, often speaking to the media on behalf of the Queen and the Royal Family. Sophie became a confidante of the Queen, who relied on her more than others in her inner circle, including the then-Duchess of Cornwall. Smith wrote: 'Sophie was astute enough to understand that to be properly accepted as more than Edward's wife, she needed to be part of the family and do more than hang around, smiling and curtsying correctly' Sophie is pictured during the Queen's state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19, 2022 When the Queen passed away, Sophie was heartbroken, with her and Edward describing their loss for the woman they both called 'Mama' as leaving 'an unimaginable void in all our lives'. Formerly the Countess of Wessex, Sophie became the Duchess of Edinburgh in 2023 when King Charles granted the Duke of Edinburgh title to his younger brother, Edward. Sophie said in the interview that the title change 'felt like quite a big moment' because of its connection to the late Queen. In recent years, Sophie has played a key role in holding the monarchy together amid family feuds, the Duke of York's scandals and the cancer diagnoses of the King and the Princess of Wales. Nicknamed Super Sophie by fans, the Duchess's popularity has soared and she is ranked the fifth most popular royal, according to YouGov data. Undertaking more than 200 engagements a year, Sophie has earned her title as the Firm's 'safest pair of hands', adopting the Queen's sense of duty. Scientists have captured the first ever footage of an elusive Antarctic squid living beneath the Southern Ocean. The rare Antarctic gonate squid was spotted more than 7,000 feet (2,152 metres) deep in the freezing waters off Antarctica. This is the first time that this blood-red, hook-tentacled species has ever been seen alive in its natural habitat. The three-foot-long (one metre) creature was spotted by researchers aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel, the R/V Falkor (too). The scientists had intended to search for life inside a 9,800-feet-deep (3,000 metres) depression near Antarctica's northern tip called the Powell Basin. However, when thick sea ice prevented their passage, the team were forced to deploy their remote-operated vehicle (ROV), SuBastian, which made the stunning discovery. Footage of the squid was sent to Kat Bolstad, a squid expert from Auckland University of Technology, who identified it as an Antarctic gonate squid. Dr Bolstad told National Geographic: 'This is, to the best of my knowledge, the first live footage of this animal worldwide.' Scientists have captured the first ever video of the elusive Antarctic gonate squid, 7,060 feet (2,152 metres) beneath the freezing Southern Ocean Although scientists have known about the existence of Antarctic gonate squid for over 100 years, all the evidence about their lives comes from dead specimens. The squid have been found in fishermen's nets or preserved in the stomachs of other animals, but never alive in the wild. Scientists believe that these creatures spend most of their lives living in the midnight or bathypelagic zone, between 3,300 and 13,100 feet down (1,000 to 4,000 metres). At these extreme depths, the only light is that produced by the strange animals which live there. The ROV spotted this rare squid drifting just outside of the Powell Basin on Christmas Day last year, at a depth of 7,060 feet (2,152 metres). Likely startled by the ROV's bright lights in its usually dark habitat, the squid released a cloud of greenish ink as the craft approached. The researchers followed the squid for a few minutes, using the ROV's lasers to make a rough measurement of its size. After a short while, the Antarctic gonate squid drifted off into the inky darkness. Antarctic gonate squid were only known through dead specimens found in nets and in pieces preserved in the stomachs of other predators. This is the first time that the rare ambush hunter has been seen in the wild What is the Antarctic gonate squid? Very little is known about the Antarctic gonate squid. It is a member of the Gonatidae family, also known as the 'armhook squid'. It was first discovered in 1898, but has only been recorded through examination of dead specimens. Scientists believe that these squid are ambush predators that use their long hooks on their leading tentacles to snatch prey. Most specimens typically do not exceed around one foot in length. Advertisement Although they weren't able to determine the animal's sex or age from this brief encounter, it was enough to determine its species. In particular, Dr Bolstad was able to recognise it as an Antarctic gonate squid due to the large hooks at the end of its two longer tentacles. Researchers believe that it uses these hooks to snatch up fish and even other squid. Alex Hayward, an ecologist from the University of Exeter, says: 'The impressive tentacle hooks are probably used for grasping and subduing prey during ambush predation.' The squid also has exceptionally large eyes that it uses to make out the tiniest hints of light, both to spot prey and avoid any potential predators. 'Daily life is probably a mixture of an active predatory lifestyle, trying to catch fish to eat, whilst avoiding voracious predators,' adds Dr Hayward. The footage also revealed that the squid bore the scars of a recent battle, including sucker marks on its mantle and arms. Although the exact species that caused these injuries isn't certain, scientists believe it could have been a juvenile colossal squid. Scientists say that the Antarctic gonate squid might have been injured by an attack from a juvenile colossal squid, which was seen for the first time in the wild earlier this year (pictured) Your browser does not support iframes. Early this year, the Schmidt Ocean Institute's ROV SuBastian recorded the first ever footage of a colossal squid near this location. Colossal squid can grow up to 23 feet (7 metres) and weigh as much as 500kg, making them the heaviest invertebrates on the planet. The 11-inch-long (30cm) baby colossal squid was spotted north-east of the Powell Basin, off the coast of South Georgia. Colossal squid are known to feed on their smaller cousins, making them a likely culprit for the attack on this Antarctic gonate squid. From vanishing aircraft to sinister ghost ships, the Bermuda Triangle is the location of some of the planet's strangest phenomena. Now, a scientist claims to have finally solved the mystery. Located between Florida, Puerto Rico and Bermuda, the Bermuda Triangle's long history of deadly wrecks has prompted endless supernatural speculation. However, Dr Simon Boxall, an oceanographer from the University of Southampton, says that the real explanation doesn't involve UFOs or interdimensional portals. Instead, Dr Boxall says that the Bermuda Triangle's record of disappearances is due to 'rogue waves'. Otherwise known as extreme storm waves, these are unpredictable walls of water that can reach twice the height of the surrounding waves. Towering up to 100 feet (30 metres) in the air, rogue waves are abnormally steep and can hit unexpectedly from directions other than the prevailing wind. According to Dr Boxall, a large ship trapped by one of these killer swells could 'sink in a matter of two or three minutes'. The Bermuda Triangle is home to some of the world's most famous shipwrecks, such as that of the SS Sapona (pictured), but a scientist now claims to have solved the mystery of this deadly region Your browser does not support iframes. Theories surrounding the deadly pull of the Bermuda Triangle have spread widely ever since the disappearance of the USS Cyclops in 1918. The USS Cyclops was an American coal-carrying ship that had been used to ferry fuel to warships during World War I. In March 1918, the ship was passing through the Bermuda Triangle on its way from Salvador, in Brazil, to Baltimore when it vanished without even sending a distress signal. Despite an extensive search, no trace of the 542-foot (165-metre) vessel or its 306 crew members has ever been found. Due to the sudden nature of the USS Cyclops's disappearance, conspiracy theorists and UFO enthusiasts have suggested dozens of wacky theories to explain the loss. However, Dr Boxall says that the USS Cyclops was more likely to have been sunk by a rogue wave. Speaking on the Channel 5 documentary series, The Bermuda Triangle Enigma, Dr Boxall says the Bermuda Triangle is a particular hotspot for rogue waves. He says: 'There are storms to the south and north, which come together. Dr Simon Boxall, an oceanographer from the University of Southampton, says that disappearances of ships like the USS Cyclops (pictured) could be due to 'rogue waves' Rogue waves up to 100 feet (30 metres) in height are triggered by the convergence of storms around the tropical region of the Bahamas. These could snap a ship in two if they hit from the wrong angle, potentially explaining some of the mysterious wrecks What are rogue waves? Rogue, freak, or killer waves are scientifically known as 'extreme storm waves'. These are abnormally steep and large waves, which can be twice the size of the surrounding swells. They are very dangerous for ships since they can come from directions other than the prevailing wind. Scientists still aren't sure how they form, but they might be triggered by multiple waves combining. Storms may also focus wave energy into an unusual direction, joining multiple waves into a single rogue wave. Advertisement 'And if there are additional ones from Florida, it can be a potentially deadly formation of rogue waves.' Alongside his colleagues from the University of Southampton, Dr Boxall constructed a scale model of the USS Cyclops to see how it might react to a rogue wave. This revealed that, due to the ship's flat base and massive size, it would not take long for waves to overwhelm the ship. Dr Boxall explains that a rogue wave can be so steep that it can suspend a ship between its peaks, leaving the middle of the ship hanging over the trough. If a large ship, which requires water to support itself, becomes suspended in this way, Dr Boxall says it will 'snap in two'. 'They are steep, they are high - we've measured waves in excess of 30 metres,' says Dr Boxall. 'If that happens, it can sink in a matter of two or three minutes.' If the USS Cyclops - or any of the other vanished vessels - were struck by rogue waves, it would explain why they sank before being able to make a distress call. Some scientists say that the number of plane crashes and shipwrecks within the Bermuda Triangle is completely within normal ranges, meaning there is no mystery to solve in the first place Dr Boxall adds: 'The bigger the ship, the more damage is done.' However, not every scientist is convinced that there really is a mystery to explain in the first place. In fact, a number of researchers have pointed out that rates of wrecks and plane crashes inside the Bermuda Triangle are well within normal levels. According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): 'There is no evidence that mysterious disappearances occur with any greater frequency in the Bermuda Triangle than in any other large, well-travelled area of the ocean.' Likewise, the insurance specialist Lloyds of London's data shows that there are no more losses in the Bermuda Triangle than anywhere else in the world. Those losses that do occur can easily be explained by natural forces, such as rogue waves or by the fact that the Caribbean is relatively difficult to navigate. The NOAA writes: 'Environmental considerations could explain many, if not most, of the disappearances. 'The large number of islands in the Caribbean Sea creates many areas of shallow water that can be treacherous to ship navigation.' Paul McCartney enlisted a little help from artificial intelligence to complete the 'last Beatles song' two years ago. The track, 'Now and Then', became the first Beatles music to reach number 1 in the UK for 64 years. Now, in an apparent effort to repeat its success, McCartney has once again used AI on two more songs. The sophisticated tool called 'MAL' is the creation of WingNut Films, the production company headed by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. MAL has managed to extricate John Lennon's voice from two poor-quality demos he made shortly before his death. And it makes the scratchy old vocals 'crystal clear', as if they've been recorded by Lennon in the modern day. The songs 'Free as a Bird' and 'Real Love' are to be released on a new disc of unreleased Beatles material arriving later in the year. Listen to one of the songs below. Paul McCartney has once again used AI on two more Beatles songs. Pictured, Sir Paul McCartney performs at London's O2 Arena during his 'Got Back' world tour in December 2024 The Beatles pictured in 1963 - from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison 'Free as a Bird' and 'Real Love' were originally recorded in demo form by John Lennon in the years before his death in December 1980. More than a decade later, in the early 1990s, the tapes were passed by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono to Paul McCartney. Along with George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the remaining three Beatles added fresh music to the tunes and released them as singles in the mid-1990s marking the first new Beatles music for over 25 years. However, it's believed McCartney was not totally satisfied by the sound quality of his former bandmate's voice on 'Free as a Bird' and 'Real Love', due to the limitations of 1990s recording technology. Lennon's vocals always sounded muffled and distant drowned out by his accompanying piano and electrical hum from the mains. Now, AI has provided the breakthrough. Paul McCartney employed 'machine assisted learning' or MAL, the AI tool created by WingNut Films, the New Zealand production company led by director Peter Jackson. MAL works by identifying different sounds on a recording and separating them from each other, even if they were originally recorded on the same track akin to 'unbaking a cake'. Peter Jackson's production company WingNut Films' machine audio learning (MAL) audio technology (pictured) was used to make John Lennon's vocals clearer Before the making of Now and Then, Peter Jackson used MAL for his 2021 Disney+ documentary 'Get Back' to uncover hidden studio conversations between the Beatles during rehearsals The AI has been able to take John's demo, quieten the piano and render his vocal 'crystal clear' and more prominent in the mix, still accompanied by instruments and vocals from the other three Beatles. These AI mixes of 'Free as a Bird' and 'Real Love' dubbed '2025 mix' are due to be released on an upcoming rerelease of the Beatles Anthology compilation this November ('Free as a Bird' is already available to stream). Back in 2023, McCartney and Peter Jackson used the same technique for another Lennon song recorded as a demo, 'Now and Then', which reached number 1 in the UK. Before this, Peter Jackson used MAL for his 2021 Disney+ documentary 'Get Back' to uncover hidden studio conversations between the Beatles during rehearsals. Interestingly, McCartney has been a vocal critic of 'generative' AI a certain subset of the technology that creates new content, by learning from existing text, images, audio, video and other kinds of data. In May this year, he was among 400 creatives urging the UK government to force AI firms to reveal the copyrighted works used to train their models. A chilling new scam has been tricking people into believing their loved ones have been kidnapped, using their real phone numbers to convince victims the threat is genuine. Caitlin Sarian, who goes by the name Cybersecuritygirl on social media, recently shared a shocking video from a wife and mother on TikTok warning of a detailed spoofing scam targeting her husband. Phone spoofing is when someone fakes the caller ID to make it look like a phone call is coming from a different number than the one actually being used. It's often used by scammers to trick people into thinking the call is from a trusted source, like a bank or a friend, to deceive them or steal personal information. In this case, however, TikTok user Sloan Dalley revealed that a scammer called her husband, making it appear that the call came from Dalley, and then claimed she had been taken hostage. According to Dalley, the scammer threatened to fatally shoot her if the husband did not immediately transfer a ransom payment using the digital banking app Zelle. Fortunately, the scammer didn't get away with any money, after a family friend working in the FBI gave Dalley's husband key advice that prevented the crime from succeeding. However, both Sarian and Dalley are now warning the public that these calls are so realistic anyone could fall for them, especially the elderly. Sloan Dalley shared a video on TikTok that warned of a new scam that tricks people into thinking their loved ones are calling and have been kidnapped The phone spoofing scammer allegedly threatened to kill Dalley if her husband did not transfer money using the app Zelle Dalley's husband was able to sniff out the scam after texting their friend in the FBI, who immediately told him to keep the criminal on the phone for as long as possible without handing over any money. Their FBI contact added that Dalley's husband also demand to speak with her if she had really been kidnapped, which the scammer could not do since the entire situation was fake. While her husband stalled for time on the phone, Dalley revealed that their friend was able to track her down at the hospital she was visiting for a doctor's appointment. 'My husband hung up and called me right back and I answered, and he was like freaking out,' Dalley revealed in her TikTok video in July. 'The scariest part about all of this is that they call from your number, and they knew everybody's names, so please spread the word that this is a new scam, because it is very realistic. It is very terrifying,' she added. While the Dalleys were able to escape thanks to their friend in law enforcement, Sarian revealed some important steps anyone with a smartphone can take right away to protect themselves from falling victim to this kidnapping hoax. Sarian said the first thing everyone should do is set up a secure pin number with their phone service carrier. 'Call your carrier and turn on the anti-spoofing protection,' she continued in a video on Instagram. The FBI warned that more than $16 billion was stolen in 2024, mainly through scams involving data breaches, spoofing, and extortion The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) revealed in April that there was a 33-percent increase in suspected internet crimes from 2023 to 2024. One of the most common scams was phishing/spoofing attacks, along with extortion and personal data breaches. In total, federal officials reported that more than $16 billion was stolen last year because of these crimes. 'Be careful with what information you share online or on social media,' the agency warned in a statement about spoofing scams. 'By openly sharing things like pet names, schools you attended, family members, and your birthday, you can give a scammer all the information they need to guess your password or answer your security questions,' officials added. According to the FBI's 2024 report, residents in California, Florida, and Texas filed the most complaints related to scammers attempting to extort money. Moreover, people over the age of 60 were the likeliest targets, and these victims lost approximately $5 billion due to scam callers and emails last year. Law enforcement officials have added that the best way to defend against these types of scams is to immediately hang up on any suspicious call and immediately verify if the person or business they're claiming to be really called you. A conwoman in Britain has been jailed three years for a 'wicked' catfishing scam on her roommate that lasted almost 15 years. Claire Gilbert, 45, created fake online identities to trick her best friend Michelle Oldham in what was likened to 'a plot from a Netflix drama.' A court heard Oldham became besotted with fictitious man named 'Carl Murphy,' exchanging sexual messages and sending money to support a young child 'Katie' - cash that was siphoned off by Gilbert. Victim: Claire Gilbert, 45, created fake online identities to fool her best friend Michelle Oldham (pictured) Jailed: Claire Gilbert (pictured), who stole thousands of dollars, has been sentenced to three years behind bars after admitting stalking and fraud Gilbert has now been jailed for three years after admitting stalking and fraud at a court in Manchester, England. The victim was persuaded to pay thousands of dollars for 'Katie' - including for a non-existent school trip to Disneyland in Paris, Christmas and birthday gifts and a cellphone. She was left 'consumed by guilt and grief' when she was told the girl was seriously ill with meningitis and was in a coma, needing her fingers amputating but warned she could not visit her in hospital. Oldham, now 45, became isolated from her real family and friends and eventually suffered a nervous breakdown, her weight plummeting to under 100lb. In 2019 she moved in with her sister but Gilbert, of Manchester, used her name to buy 4,000 ($5,400) of shopping. Police were called in when the victim started receiving debt-collection letters over unpaid bills. Seduced: A court in Manchester, England, heard how Oldham (pictured with her mother) became besotted with 'Murphy' and swapped intimate and sexual messages with him In a statement Oldham told how the 'psychological manipulation, emotional abuse and deception' she suffered was devastating and called for 'catfishing' creating a fake online profile to deceive others to become a criminal offense. Oldham told how she met Gilbert when they both worked in retail in Manchester in 2005. She said: 'I befriended Claire out of the goodness of my heart, took her in and looked after her.' Prosecutor Tara Riley said: 'The defendant claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse and Miss Oldham supported her and they moved in together. 'Shortly afterwards Miss Oldham was contacted by an individual called Carl Murphy who portrayed himself as a friend of the defendant.' The pair exchanged messages and Miss Oldham 'thought was in a relationship to the extent she shared sexualized messages.' Gilbert also sent messages purporting to be from Carl's sister, daughter and mother. 'In effect, the life Miss Oldham believed she had lived for 14 years was completely fabricated by this defendant,' Riley said. Preyed upon: In a statement Oldham told of the 'psychological manipulation, emotional abuse and deception' she suffered Sentencing: The court in Manchester, England, where the case was heard 'Like a Netflix drama': Oldham (pictured with her sister Lauren) became isolated from her real family and friends and eventually suffered a nervous breakdown Oldham, who has undergone counseling, said: 'The only reason I didn't take my own life was I couldn't bear to put my family through that pain.' She began to have suspicions when she caught Gilbert using 'Carl's' Facebook account. She later searched Gilbert's belongings, finding cards and gifts to 'Carl' and 'Katie', and a phone with a number she had saved as 'Katie.' Police raided Gilbert's home in October 2020 and officers seized phones and a letter Oldham had written to 'Katie.' Defense attorney Shirlee Duckworth said: 'The facts of this case are extraordinary and almost like the plot of a Netflix drama.' The court heard the abuse began in 2005 but charges only spanned 2013 to 2020, because stalking laws were not in force until then. Judge Bernadette Baxter told Gilbert during a sentencing hearing: 'In nothing I have read have you shown one jot of remorse or insight for what you have done. 'Even when Miss Oldham suffered a nervous breakdown you persisted with your wicked fictions.' This summer has seen several popular destinations, including Barcelona and Venice, abundant with anti-tourism protests. The number of travellers jetting off to the holiday hotspots has been rising over the years, with holidaymakers filling the streets and overcrowding historical sites and attractions. Meanwhile, other countries have been quietly flying under the radar, attracting a more sustainable number of visitors. But there's some that have seen a huge boost in recent years and now risk being the next country to face the detrimental impacts of overtourism. Tucked away in the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island that has been drawing in millions. Since 2019, the 122 square-mile country has seen a 29.5% surge in foreign visitors, with 3.2million flocking over each year, according to The Telegraph. The publication's Juliet Rix said: 'On recent visits, I've found Valletta uncomfortably full for the first time. 'The Maltese have always welcomed tourists and will probably continue to do so for the moment, but there is indeed now a risk of overtourism and all that that implies.' Tucked away in the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island that has been drawing in millions Since 2019, the 122 square-mile country has seen a 29.5% surge in foreign visitors, with 3.2million flocking over each year The small shore is having to balance around 29,213 tourists per square mile, all hoping to explore its stunning architecture, medieval cities and ancient temples. Meanwhile, there's one European destination that seems to be struggling to gain traction again since Covid. Ireland, which draws millions of tourists in with its fresh Guinness, hearty food and beautiful landscapes, is performing the worst out of all European countries. Back in 2019, 11 million tourists visited the Emerald Isle, but since the pandemic it has been struggling to return to such high numbers. Just 6.3 million holidayed there in 2023, and in 2024 there was a slight increase to 6.6 million. Experts are blaming the numbers on the destination's pricey reputation and the rise in other, more cost-effective, spots. Travel writer Nicola Brady told The Telegraph: 'Ireland has long had a reputation as an expensive country, and when pennies are being pinched in holidaymakers' pockets, cheaper destinations are likely to win out.' Elsewhere, Albania is an upcoming hotspot that is at risk of attracting too many visitors, likely due to the fact it's increasingly being dubbed 'the Maldives of Europe'. Ireland, which draws millions of tourists in with its fresh Guinness, hearty food and beautiful landscapes, is performing the worst out of all European countries Experts are blaming the numbers on the destination's pricey reputation and the rise in other, more cost-effective spots In 2024, 11.3 million tourists jetted off to the Balkan country, which was a huge increase of 84.3% from 2019. Meanwhile, outside of Europe, Japan is also facing overtourism issues and measures are already in place to manage them. Around 37 million people visited the Asian hotspot in 2024, which was a 47.1% increase from the year before. To tackle the surge in foreign visitors, there could be more number caps on tourist sites, as well as travellers paying more when dining out and for attractions, and higher tourist taxes. Holidaying for families is set to become more affordable with Jet2, as the airline has announced a major policy change. In a new family-friendly offer for those jetting off on holiday, children under two years old will travel with the airline for free. The new policy was introduced on August 22 and applies to all new bookings. The child must be aged under two at the time of travel. Another change that families are sure to welcome is Jet2.com's rules surrounding child and infant equipment allowance. Now, no excess baggage will be charged for child or infant equipment being checked into the hold. There's also an extra 10kg baggage allowance for children aged under two, as well as two free hold items. The family-friendly change means parents can check in collapsible pushchairs, car seats, booster seats, travel cots and baby carriers and the 10kg weight limit does not apply. Holidaying for families is set to become more affordable with Jet2, as the airline announces a major policy change Last week, Jet2.com revealed a new family-friendly offer for those jetting off to European destinations Children under two were already travelling free with Jet2holidays when families booked a package holiday. But the new policy means even with just a seat-only flight, parents can enjoy cheaper travel with their youngsters. Jet2 boss Steve Heapy said the company is 'putting our customers first'. He added: 'As a family friendly airline and tour operator, we are always looking at how we can make the experience even better for families travelling with us. 'By putting our customers first and making these changes, meaning that all children under 2 now travel for free whether on a package holiday or a seat-only flight, we are making travel even more accessible for millions of families.' Recently, a Jet2 mega-fan made headlines after he got the brand's slogan tattooed on his arm. Craig Hicks from Telford, Shropshire, will forever carry the words 'Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday' on his right arm after getting inked on August 6th in tribute to his favourite carrier. The ambulance controller, 37, says he's a 'big fan' of the airline, which started up in 2003 and has amassed a huge following on social media thanks to its catchy theme tune - which uses pop star Jess Glynne's track Hold My Hand. Now, children under two years old will travel with the airline for free Recently, a Jet2 mega-fan made headlines after he got the brand's slogan tattooed on his arm The bold tattoo sees the slogan in capital letters, with the Jet2 logo enlarged and in the brand's signature red, just under his elbow - which the tourist hopes will win him a few future cost-free flights with the company. Craig, whose next trip is to Tenerife with the carrier, says he's been abroad 'dozens' of times with the airline and that his nearest and dearest are as smitten with his new body art as he is. Describing why he decided to show his love for the airline with a tattoo, he explained the airline's popularity on TikTok had persuaded him. He said: 'I just thought it's quite topical at the moment, why not? It's just so popular at the moment... I'll be getting it out on that flight definitely. 'All my friends keep saying I could get a free holiday out of this! A freebie would be nice.' Crime and disorder at Scotland's busiest airports has soared in the past two years - with new figures showing alarming rises in sex assaults, violent outbursts and weapons being confiscated from passengers. Police Scotland responded to 5,598 incidents across 16 airports in 2024 - up from 3,989 in 2022, marking a 41 per cent increase in just 24 months. The spike in disorderly behaviour coincides with the post-lockdown travel boom, but aviation experts believe excessive airport in terminals is a key driver behind airport crime. Aberdeen International Airport saw one of the most dramatic jumps, with police callouts rising from 101 in 2022 to 687 in 2024. At Scotland's busiest airport, Edinburgh Airport (EDI), incidents rose from 2,525 in 2022 to 3,167 last year, while Glasgow Airport saw an increase from 1,154 to 1,526. The types of offences ranged from violent outbursts to bizarre yet dangerous situations - such as one man who allegedly shouted 'Death to Trump' on a flight from Luton to Glasgow. In another disturbing incident, a senior army officer was found with a decommissioned grenade at Edinburgh Airport, as reported by the Daily Record. There's also been a worrying rise in sexual attacks, with three assaults recorded on flights and four reported within the terminal itself at Glasgow Airport in 2024. Crime and disorder at Scotland's busiest airports has soared in the past two years - with new figures showing alarming rises in sex assaults, violent outbursts and weapons being confiscated from passengers (stock image) The spike in disorderly behaviour coincides with the post-lockdown travel boom, but aviation experts believe excessive airport in terminals is a key driver behind airport crime At Edinburgh, three sexual assaults were reported on flights up to March 2025, exceeding the two cases recorded each year in both 2022 and 2023. Police are also seizing a growing number of weapons, with 1,273 prohibited items - including knives, bullets and shotgun cartridges - surrendered at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports, up from 894 the previous year. Dr Stephen Wood, an aviation security expert at Leeds Beckett University, believes heavy alcohol consumption is partly to blame for the incidents of violence and sexual assault. Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: 'There have been discussions on whether bars should shut. It is difficult thing to do because they are part of the commercial business of an airport.' He also noted the growing number of people caught carrying weapons, adding: 'You may be seeing a greater rise in weapons being found because the technology is better than it ever has been and people know they can't take certain items on board flights. 'I find it odd however that you are finding bullets and cartridges. They are clearly unlawful though I don't think it is linked to terrorism.' Smaller airports have also reported rising incidents, including Inverness, up from 14 to 39, Prestwick, up from 109 to 123, and Kirkwall, which saw 12 callouts last year compared to seven in 2022. While the number of incidents is small relative to the 16 million people who travelled through the airport in 2024, one Edinburgh Airport spokesperson noted that 'even a single incident is one too many.' At Edinburgh, three sexual assaults were reported on flights up to March 2025, exceeding the two cases recorded each year in both 2022 and 2023 AGS Airports, which operates Glasgow and Aberdeen, said the majority of weapons were tools or souvenirs mistakenly left in hand luggage. They added that the total incidents represented just 0.02 per cent of travellers. Police Scotland's Chief Inspector Cheryl Blanch stressed airports remain safe, and that the force is continuing to engage with partners across the country to ensure Scottish airports are 'orderly places to work and travel through.' She further warned: 'We would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone using airports that disorder and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.' Dubai International Airport has introduced a new AI-powered corridor that is set to cut immigration times down. Known as DXB, the major travel hub sees millions of Brits who jet off to visit the Gulf city every year. Travellers visiting the world's busiest airport won't need to present their passport or other documents, and could whizz through the corridor in just six seconds, The MES Times reports. It is currently being trialled in Terminal 3 and passengers simply walk through the sensors while the tech verifies their identity. It uses data gained prior to the traveller's arrival at the airport including a combination of digital and biometric information to confirm passenger details. This includes fingerprint scanning information and facial recognition amongst other things, Travel And Tour World tells. By processing up to ten people at the same time, the technology streamlines the typical one-at-a-time security check process. The AI-powered corridor, developed by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), is set to be expanded to the rest of the airport, as well as arrivals. Dubai International Airport has introduced a new AI-powered corridor that is set to cut immigration times down Travellers visiting the world's busiest airport won't need to present their passport or other documents, and could whiz through the corridor in just six seconds Director General of GDRFA, Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, told The Economic Times shared how the new tech helps to achieve the country's plan of 'document-free travel'. However, security and safety is still important and maintained in the new addition to the airport. Any suspicious documents are automatically detected and passed to officials to be checked over. One person shared their experience of going through the AI-powered corridor on The MES Times's Instagram account and penned: 'I was there last year and it was so smooth and all automated.' Earlier this year, it was revealed Dubai International Airport would be closing its doors. The shutdown is expected as the travel hub undergoes a 28 billion expansion to increase its capacity to 260 million passengers annually. Paul Griffiths announced all services will eventually be moved in the coming decades to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Located 22 miles outside of the city and 38 miles from DXB, Al Maktoum International Airport opened its doors in 2010. It is currently being trialled in Terminal 3 and passengers simply walk through the sensors while the tech verifies their identity By processing up to ten people at the same time, the technology streamlines the typical one-at-a-time security check process A new DWC terminal is expected to open in 2032 and full expansion will continue into the 2050s. According to Griffiths, Dubai International Airport, which first opened in 1960, is nearing the end of its 'useful operating role'. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market conference last week, he said: 'There is little sense in operating two major hubs with such close proximity to one another. 'We will move every single service to DWC. By then, every single asset at DXB will be close to the end of its useful operating role, so the economics of keeping DXB open will not be possible unless we invest a huge amount of money.' Some people may wish to scatter their family member's ashes overseas, perhaps in a country that meant a lot to the individual who's passed. But taking a loved one's ashes through airport security, boarding with them on a plane, and making it to the final destination may seem like a minefield of processes to go through. One person, Toni Jensen asked in a Facebook group, Japan Travel Tips & Planning, how she could take her grandmother's ashes from the US to the Asian country. She penned: 'Does anyone know what organization I should reach out to regarding bringing human remains into Japan?' Toni explained her grandmother was originally from Japan, and she wanted take some of her ashes there. 'My grandma was from Nagoya and moved to the US in 1951. She only returned to Japan once to visit her family (in 1979),' she went on. 'She passed in 2024 and we would like to take some of her ashes to Japan when we go next year.' However, Toni was concerned about any potential issues that might crop up from taking ashes on a plane. Some people may wish to scatter their family member's ashes overseas, perhaps in a country that meant a lot to the individual One person, Toni Jensen asked in a Facebook group, Japan Travel Tips & Planning , how she could take her grandmother's ashes from the US to the Asian country She added: 'I do not want to get detained at the airport because they think Im smuggling something. Im not sure who to contact about this matter.' After plenty of comments from other helpful travellers, Toni reached out to the Japanese embassy for advice. She commented: 'I contacted the Japanese consulate and have already received a reply from them. 'Looks like I simply need a death certificate, a cremation certificate and need to comply with the airlines requirements,' she added. It is also recommended to check the specific destination country's regulations regarding scattering ashes there. As for travelling with ashes, most airlines have guidelines on their website, such as TUI. The airline asks passengers to present a death certificate at check-in as well as at customs. The airline also outlines how to ensure the airport security check goes as smoothly as possible when carrying ashes. After plenty of comments from other helpful travellers, Toni reached out to the Japanese embassy for advice 'Customs may request to inspect the ashes, so we recommend placing them in a non-metallic, sealable container,' the website states. 'This helps ensure they can be clearly scanned during security screening and avoids delays or distress.' TUI also asks that the ashes are stored underneath the seat in front of the passenger during take-off and landing, or in the overhead compartment. Similarly, budget airline Ryanair permits ashes in cabin bags, and ask passengers to bring a copy of the death and cremation certificates on board. The airline also requires the ashes to be 'very securely packaged inside a suitable container with a screw-top lid and that this is protected against breakage'. King and Conqueror (BBC) Rating: Feuding royal rivals Wills and Harry are at daggers drawn again, and this time the stakes are higher than a broken necklace or a cracked dog's bowl. James Norton plays Harold II and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau his old friend turned bitterest enemy, William Duke of Normandy, in King And Conqueror. History dictates that it's William who defeats Harry. But look at it another way, and the duke comes out triumphant over the newly crowned monarch. So if you're looking for portents, read that any way you like. This sweeping saga on events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, with all eight parts available on BBC iPlayer, is steeped in blood. Traitors are gutted and tortured, bandits are bludgeoned, virgins are raped and axes are hurled, in such a blur of violent action that it's sometimes difficult to work out who is disembowelling whom. When William first meets Harold, on their way to London for the coronation of Edward the Confessor, the Englishman helps him to fight off a gang of highway robbers. Feuding royal rivals Wills and Harry are at daggers drawn again, and this time the stakes are higher than a broken necklace or a cracked dog's bowl (pictured: James Norton, left, as Harold II in BBC's King & Conqueror) History dictates that it's William who defeats Harry. But look at it another way, and the duke comes out triumphant over the newly crowned monarch (pictured: Eddie Marsan as King Edward and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William the Conqueror) One villain gets his head bashed in with a shield. Another has his nose bitten off before being stabbed through the neck. Back in Normandy, William's wife Matilda (Clemence Poesy) is encouraging a captured prisoner to talk. She has his arms clamped to a table and then, with a cruel smile, gives the signal to a henchman to chop off the man's hand. 'William was famous for that,' English Heritage historian Dr Michael Carter tells me. 'It was a fairly common kind of retribution in the 11th century. 'This was a very violent age, and William had a reputation for violence not a character you'd want to meet under any circumstances.' Though director Baltasar Kormakur revels in the bloodshed, other scenes feel oddly mannered. One featuring Henry I of France (Jean-Marc Barr), teaching his young son Philip the science of archery, would not have looked out of place in a 1950s Hollywood studio epic: sturdy men-at-arms stand motionless while the king listens grim-faced to a messenger who brings bad news. 'Rectify this!' Henry commands, his goatee bristling. 'Find Guy of Bouillon!' It's a line that would sound better coming from the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham in an Errol Flynn version of Robin Hood. This sweeping saga on events leading up to the Battle of Hastings in 1066, with all eight parts available on BBC iPlayer, is steeped in blood 'This was a very violent age, and William had a reputation for violence not a character you'd want to meet under any circumstances,' English Heritage historian Dr Michael Carter tells Christopher Stevens Though director Baltasar Kormakur revels in the bloodshed, other scenes feel oddly mannered For all the blood-and-thunder melodrama, the high points of the first hour are dominated by Eddie Marsan as Edward the Confessor and Juliet Stevenson as his scheming mother, Lady Emma. She's the widow of two English kings, and now her son is about to ascend to the throne. This has not come about by accident, and Lady Emma is not in the mood to let anyone spoil Edward's big day. Unluckily for her, he keeps gazing heavenwards to heed the disembodied voice of St Swithin... a voice no one else can hear. Edward keeps one of Swithin's fingers in a locket round his neck. Just a finger? By 11th-century standards, that's a mere trinket. Louis Theroux is set to return to screens with a powerful new documentary said to be a 'spin off' of Netflix's gripping drama Adolescence. The filmmaker, 55, best known for his hard-hitting explorations of modern life, is developing the project through his production company Mindhouse. This time, he will be turning the lens on a troubling issue affecting young men today - the rise of online misogyny. A source told The Sun: 'It makes sense to produce a documentary looking at this deeply uncomfortable area, particularly in the wake of the drama which stunned the nation. 'Having someone of Louis's calibre spearheading it adds to the heft and will keep the subject matter at the forefront of people's minds.' The programme will investigate the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate and UK vlogger HSTikkyTokky, real name Harrison Sullivan, 20. Louis Theroux is set to return to screens with a powerful new documentary said to be a 'spin off' of Netflix's gripping drama Adolescence Harrison, who has previously referred to women as 'things' and 'sl*ts,' was suspended from YouTube live videos last year for what the platform called 'hateful behaviour.' He has also posted TikToks showing himself attempting to have Louis arrested while the journalist tries to interview him in the street - presumably for the documentary. But Theroux will not be short of subjects, with many others using social media to spread similar messages of hate. Unlike some Mindhouse projects fronted by other presenters, this is one Louis has chosen to lead himself. The inspiration for the new documentary comes in part from Netflix's Adolescence, which starred Owen Cooper and Stephen Graham. The acclaimed series followed 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Cooper) after he was arrested for the murder of his school classmate Katie Leonard (Emilia Holliday). Filming of Theroux's as-yet-untitled programme is already underway, and while details remain under wraps, it is expected to land on Netflix next year. Speaking previously about the inspiration behind Adolescence, Stephen Graham told Tudum: 'One of our aims was to ask, "What is happening to our young men these days, and what are the pressures they face from their peers, from the internet, and from social media?" The inspiration for the new documentary comes in part from Netflix's Adolescence, which starred Owen Cooper (pictured) and Stephen Graham Adolescence made British TV history when it became the first streaming show ever to become the most-watched programme of the week (Pictured: Stephen Graham in Adolescence) 'And the pressures that come from all of those things are as difficult for kids here as they are the world over.' Reflecting on the disturbing real-life incidents that informed the series, he added: 'There was an incident where a young boy [allegedly] stabbed a girl. It shocked me. 'I was thinking, "What's going on? What's happening in society where a boy stabs a girl to death? What's the inciting incident here?" 'And then it happened again, and it happened again, and it happened again. I really just wanted to shine a light on it, and ask, "Why is this happening today? What's going on? How have we come to this?"' Adolescence made British TV history when it became the first streaming show ever to become the most-watched programme of the week. The number makes it the biggest audience for any streaming show in the UK in a single week, beating the 6.3 million who watched Fool Me Once on Netflix last year. The drama gripped audiences with its sobering portrayal of how social media and misogynistic influencers can impact young boys. Adolescence's second episode was watched by 5.94 million, coming in second in front of BBC's The Apprentice and Death In Paradise, who were third and fourth. The third episode was fifth in the ratings with 5.14 million, while the fourth and final episode was watched by 4.65 million. Stephen Graham whose previous starring roles have come in movies including This Is England and TV dramas Line Of Duty and Peaky Blinders, co-created and co-wrote Adolescence with award-winning playwright Jack Thorne. The drama's success threw the spotlight on teen sensation Owen Cooper, who captivated crowds with his chilling performance as Jamie. Adolescence also beat supremely popular 2024 Harlan Coben series Fool Me Once, starring Michelle Keegan, which brought in around 20 million views in its opening seven days. The Thursday Murder Club star Daniel Mays has opened up about why he felt 'uncomfortable' while filming Netflix's hotly anticipated adaptation of Richard Osman's bestselling novel. The A Thousand Blows actor takes on the role of DCI Chris Hudson in the star-studded crime caper, which has already begun screening in select cinemas ahead of its Netflix release this week. Reflecting on his character, Daniel explained: 'The great thing about this whole movie is that the book is an amazing read. 'That in itself is an incredible gift to an actor. I felt real ownership of Chris Hudson before I even set foot in rehearsals.' But Daniel's preparation for the character came with one unusual challenge. 'The key to the character was food, that was a big "in" for me,' he said. The Thursday Murder Club star Daniel Mays (R) has revealed why he felt 'uncomfortable' while filming Netflix's hotly anticipated adaptation of Richard Osman 's bestselling novel The A Thousand Blows actor takes on the role of DCI Chris Hudson in the star-studded crime caper, which has already begun screening in select cinemas 'So that was why we've chosen to come up with a padded fat suit, which is quite uncomfortable to wear. But it encapsulates what I wanted to create with the character.' Daniel admitted that bringing Osman's beloved book to life comes with pressure. 'You want people to be happy with the adaptation,' he added. 'I want it to be funny and engaging and an edge of your seat thriller with tons of pathos in it as well. There are elements to the story that really pull on the heartstrings.' First reactions from critics suggest the film has divided opinion. Digital Spy praised it as 'largely an enjoyable and faithful adaptation' but noted that 'notable changes to the book could irritate fans.' Despite the mixed reviews, hopes are already high for a follow-up. Director Chris Columbus has hinted that 'all signs seem to point' towards a sequel being given the greenlight. It comes as Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan led the all-star cast of 'geriatric sleuths' at the film's premiere last Thursday ahead of the film's release. The actress, 80, looked incredible as she stepped out in an eye-catching, navy, floral gown from alice + olivia, and posed with her fellow thespians while promoting the crime comedy film. Daniel explained he had to wear a padded fat suit to properly embody the character, which he called 'quite uncomfortable' to wear Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan led the all-star cast of 'geriatric sleuths' at Thursday Murder Club premiere ahead of the hugely anticipated release of Netflix adaptation She layered an elegant, cropped, white dress jacket over her layered gown as she walked the red carpet for her upcoming release in which she stars as Elizabeth Best. Meanwhile, Pierce Brosnan, 72, who plays Ron in the upcoming flick, looked handsome as ever as he arrived at the star-studded event in a brown double-breasted suit. He layered his tailored two-piece with a crisp, matching shirt and a matching tie and a pair of sophisticated leather dress shoes. Celia Imrie, 73, who plays Joyce, put on an eye-catching display as she stepped out in a bright pink, square-neck gown. Fellow cast member Sir Ben Kingsley, 81, who plays Ibraham, looked sophisticated as he stepped out in a navy, two-piece suit. The Thursday Murder Club centers on a witty group of retirees who spend their days in a peaceful retirement community - bonding over their shared hobby of solving cold cases. But their quiet pastime takes a thrilling turn when they stumble upon a fresh murder mystery that demands their attention. Helen leads the cast as Elizabeth, a sharp ex-spy with a knack for uncovering secrets. Pierce plays Ron, a former union activist with a passionate spirit, while Ben Kingsley portrays Ibrahim, an insightful ex-psychiatrist. Celia Imrie rounds out the group as Joyce, a compassionate ex-nurse who balances the team. The Thursday Murder Club is out in cinemas now, and will release on Netflix on August 28 Netflix's latest political thriller Hostage has stormed to success, topping the UK charts just days after it landed on the platform. The five-part series stars Vigil's Suranne Jones as the British Prime Minister whose world is thrown into chaos when her husband is kidnapped at the same time the French President - played by Julie Delpy - is visiting. Released on August 21, the drama shot straight to the top of the UK Top Ten series, overtaking hits like Love Is Blind: UK and Wednesday. Hostage has also struck a chord with reviewers, holding an impressive 82 per cent fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 17 reviews. The Irish Independent praised it, noting that its 'very ridiculousness is what makes it so ridiculously entertaining.' And iNews singled out its 'gob smacking cliffhangers, shocking reveals and a smattering of red herrings to discuss with colleagues the next day.' Netflix's latest political thriller Hostage, starring Suranne Jones (pictured), has stormed to success, topping the UK charts just days after it landed on the platform The five-part series stars Vigil's Suranne Jones as a fictional British Prime Minister whose world is thrown into chaos when her husband, (pictured), is kidnapped The French President - played by Julie Delpy, (pictured) - is visiting when the hostage situation takes place The Guardian, meanwhile, described the series as 'a rollicking, propulsive and compulsive yarn that also manages to give two great parts to two women of a certain age then leaves them to get on with it as characters rather than symbols.' Created by Bridge of Spies writer Matt Charman, the show has also won admiration from its own stars. Speaking to Digital Spy, Julie Delpy praised Jones's commitment to the project, saying: 'It was very inspiring to see an actor who decides to [partner with a writer and do a series] about a subject matter like this. 'It's pretty ballsy to take two women and to not make it the typical "woman president facing all the men." It's a different energy in this show and I think [Suranne] drives that in a beautiful way.' Jones was equally complimentary about her co-star, saying: 'I just love working with actors that have been doing it for so long. 'Firstly, she's got the most amazing stories - a lot unrepeatable - but I just love hearing the tales of [her] life, someone like Julie, who has been and done it. 'She's also a writer and a director. I just love being around, particularly women, that are doing it and being brilliant and creative.' The high-stakes drama is anchored by a powerful performance from English actress Suranne. Hostage has struck a chord with reviewers, holding an impressive 82 per cent fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 17 reviews Suranne is known for her role as Anne Lister (pictured) in Gentleman Jack - a fearless and determined landowner defying traditional gender roles in the 1830s Another hit character played by Suranne is of Amy Silva (pictured) in the crime mystery Vigil The 46-year-old not only plays the Prime Minister, but she also held a vital role as executive producer, marking her first project with Netflix. The plot follows a political rivalry where both careers and personal lives might hang in the balance - and the characters must gamble cleverly to come out on top. Although the series itself is exciting enough, it is Suranne's presence that had fans excited well before the release date. Adoring followers rushed to social media to express their excitement about the former Corrie star's Netflix debut. One wrote online: 'Love anything that Suranne does. Very talented!' Another echoed the sentiment, saying: 'I am so excited for this! I can't wait to see Suranne Jones in this.' Known for her roles in Gentleman Jack, Doctor Foster and A Touch Of Cloth, the Greater Manchester native has built a loyal following. One wrote: 'I really like this actor Suranne Jones, she was great in Vigil,' while another chimed in 'Suranne is a super great actor. Looks exciting and riveting.' It seems charmed followers will follow Suranne wherever her career takes her, with one gushing: 'Absolutely brilliant actress. Anything she does on screen - the audience is hooked. Can't wait.' Hostage is streaming on Netflix now Mingus Lucien Reedus reportedly made a troubling threat as he emerged on Sunday following his arrest for assault. The New York Post reports that Mingus, 25, uttered to them as he stepped out in New York: 'You want to watch me kill myself?' The disturbing words come just a day after the son of Norman Reedus and Helena Christensen was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 33-year-old woman. The nepo baby reportedly struck a woman in the leg, choked her, and slammed her into the ground, according to the New York Post. TMZ has since reported that woman is seeking a court-ordered protection against Mingus. The outlet reviewed a complaint that states the anonymous woman detailed to police that Mingus used 'both of his hands to apply pressure to her neck by forcefully squeezing it.' Mingus Lucien Reedus reportedly made a troubling threat as he emerged on Sunday following his arrest for assault Exes Norman and Helena welcomed their son in October 1999; pictured in 2002 According to prosecutors he also hit her right leg using a closed fist before throwing her to the ground with both hands, resulting in bruising, redness and 'substantial' pain. Per police, it was Mingus who made a 911 call around 8:40am on Saturday to report a woman in an apartment on West 16th Street who was allegedly taking pills and threatening to kill herself. When officers arrived on the scene, the woman accused Mingus of assaulting her. Police arrested him and the woman was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was determined to be in stable condition. Photos obtained by the Post showed the model being led out of the building by police and placed into a cruiser. Hours later her left the 10th precinct with a grin on his face before officers escorted him into a waiting police vehicle. As he briefly stepped out in public, a reporter asked why Mingus called the police, to which he replied, 'I didn't.' And when asked by the reporter to 'tell us what really happened,' he reportedly smiled and laughed before responding, 'No.' Per the Post's account, Mingus said the altercation was 'a misunderstanding' before police shut him inside the car. A woman who claimed to be his girlfriend also described the incident as a 'misunderstanding.' It's unclear if the woman claiming to be Mingus' girlfriend was also the woman he allegedly assaulted. The family-of-three pictured in New York City in 2002 Norman and Mingus pictured in September 2022 Mingus has followed in his mother's footsteps, becoming a fashion model; pictured in February In total, Mingus has been hit with five charges. He has been charged with third-degree assault with the intent to cause physical injury, criminal obstruction of breathing, harassment in the second degree, a reckless third-degree assault, and aggravated harassment in the second degree, according to Entertainment Weekly. Mingus pleaded not guilty to all of the charges on Saturday. This is not Norman and Helena's son's first run-in with the law. In March 2022 he accepted a plea deal after allegedly punching a woman at the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy in 2021. That year he was sentenced to five private counseling sessions for punching a woman in the face after pleading guilty to a downgraded charge of disorderly conduct. Mingus is pictured in February 2024 He originally faced a misdemeanor assault charge but his attorney Isabelle Kirschner told DailyMail.com that she negotiated with the District Attorney to downgrade the charge to disorderly conduct, which is only a violation in New York City. Mingus has followed in his mother's footsteps, becoming a fashion model. He was featured on the cover of the Vogue Hommes Paris' fall-winter 2021-2022 issue alongside Parker Van Noord. Norman and Helena began dating in 1998 before welcoming their son the following year. The high-profile couple split in 2003, and the Walking Dead actor went on to begin a relationship with Diane Kruger. Norman and Diane welcomed a daughter in 2018. Mingus is Helena's only child. Bikini-clad Naomi Campbell showcased her age-defying physique as she enjoyed a lavish trip to Ibiza. The supermodel, 55, flaunted her taut physique and washboard abs as she posed up a storm in a black two-piece bikini. She sported an array of different beach ensembles as one snap saw Naomi wearing a ruffled yellow set. Naomi was also seen wearing pale pink swimwear from Nou Nou London as she strolled around the grounds of the luxury accommodation. The supermodel recently gave her followers a glimpse at the hard work behind her toned physique. She sported an Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) suit for a session of Reformer Pilates, and posted a video of her workout on Instagram Stories. Bikini-clad Naomi Campbell showcased her age-defying physique as she enjoyed a lavish trip to Ibiza The supermodel, 55, flaunted her taut physique and washboard abs as she posed up a storm in a black two-piece bikini The EMS is designed to enhance workouts by delivering low-frequency electrical impulses to major muscles, causing them to contract more intensely. Posing in the unlikely addition to her gym wardrobe, Naomi then shared a clip of herself exercising on the Reformer Pilates machine. The model is no stranger to documenting her exercise regime on social media, having previously shared videos of herself doing yoga at a 300-per-month gym in Dubai. Last week, Naomi once again set tongues wagging about her close bond with Mohammed Al Turki as they enjoyed a summer break in Spain. Over the years, fans have frequently called for the model and Mohammed to get together, commenting on their many Instagram posts of each other, and predicting they would be 'the next IT couple'. However, Naomi recently clarified their relationship when she shared a gushing birthday tribute to the Saudi Arabian producer as he turned 40 in July. Alongside two snaps of the pair, including a photo of a bikini-clad Naomi embracing Mohammed, the beauty referred to her pal as her 'chosen family', before noting how much she cherishes their 'friendship and family-ship'. She wrote: 'Happy birthday 40th birthday and turn around the sun to my chosen family @moalturki My Mo. She sported an array of different beach ensembles as one snap saw Naomi wearing a ruffled yellow se Naomi was also seen wearing pale pink swimwear as she strolled around the grounds of the luxury accomodation Alongside her post, Naomi penned: '@nou.noulondon stunning new bikini collection under the Ibiza sun' Naomi recently gave her followers a glimpse at the hard work behind her toned physique The fashion favourite sported an Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) suit, which delivers low-frequency electrical impulses to major muscles to enhance the impact of a workout 'Im so proud of all that youve done, all that youre doing, and all thats ahead for you. Im beyond excited for your next chapter and everything your future holds. 'Most of all, Im deeply grateful to have you in my life. I wish you joy, health, love, and every blessing this year and beyond. 'I know this next season is going to be filled with incredible things, and I cant wait for the world to see it all unfold. 'We love you so much, Uncle Mo. I truly cherish our friendshipand our family-ship.' Vogue Williams shared a glimpse into her early 40th birthday party alongside family and friends as she called herself 'so lucky'. The Irish presenter, 39, made the most out of her epic bash as she was seen dancing under the rain while carrying her daughter Gigi, 5, on her shoulders. The media star celebrated in style with a lavish pool party held at her stunning mansion and seemed to have had the time of her life since even the 'rain didn't stop us'. Vogue took to her Instagram page on Sunday to well-document the memorable highlights of the day after explaining she decided to celebrate her birthday earlier than usual, despite it being in October. The Dancing with the Stars favourite flashed a five-deck pink cherry cake and treated her guests to fresh ice cold drinks as well as plenty of hot dogs, fries, hamburgers and more - all from a food truck! Alongside an edited re-cap clip shared on her grid, Vogue penned emotionally: 'Its not my birthday until October but I wanted to celebrate with all of my pals and family while I was home. Vogue Williams shared a glimpse into her early 40th birthday party alongside family and friends as she called herself 'so lucky' The Irish presenter, 39, made the most out of her epic bash as she was seen dancing under the rain while carrying her daughter Gigi, 5, on her shoulders (pictured) Vogue took to her Instagram page on Sunday to well-document the memorable highlights of the day after explaining she decided to celebrate her birthday earlier than usual, despite it being in October 'I feel so lucky to be turning 40 I have an incredible group of friends and a family I adore and get to do a job I love. What a day it was, the rain didnt stop us!' The internet personality was joined by her famous husband Spencer Matthews, 37, and their sons Theodore, 6, and Otto, three, and Gigi, to celebrate the heartfelt occasion. Her iconic birthday bash comes after Vogue playfully enlisted her husband Spencer Matthews to plug her tanning range in a hilarious video.She once again showed off her incredible figure in a black and white bikini while shirtless Spencer donned a pair of blue swim shorts. Filming on the beach during their Spanish holiday, Vogue welcomed Spencer to her followers as he posed like a doll. She said to the camera: 'OK, so today we have our model, Spencer Matthews, and we're going to be using the liquid body illuminator because he's not illuminated hunnies. 'Thank goodness the model doesn't talk. Little illuminator here...,' before Spencer jumped out of character. 'Oh god, oh god, we'll do the chest, oh yeah. Look at that shimmer. Look at this man, who is tensing for his life,' Vogue said. The Dancing with the Stars favourite flashed a five-deck pink cherry cake for the occasion She treated her guests to fresh ice cold drinks as well as plenty of hot dogs, fries, hamburgers and more - all from a food truck The internet personality was joined by her famous husband Spencer Matthews (pictured at the party) and their sons Theodore, 6, and Otto, three, and Gigi Last week, Vogue playfully enlisted her husband Spencer, 37, to plug her tanning range in a hilarious video She continued: 'Now I know I can't talk as I got any on currently,' before Spencer started tensing more. Vogue quipped: 'No we don't need any more tensing, you're going to fall apart. Maybe a bit on the tip of the nose... golden goddess.' She then joked: 'Bigger boobs than me.' Alongside the clip, she penned: 'Spenno wouldn't be caught dead without his @barleyvogue glow on the beach! That's some serious tensing going on.' ABC radio host Sabra Lane is reportedly leaving the national broadcaster by the end of the year. Lane, who has fronted Radio National's flagship daily AM program since 2017, will quit her radio show, according to The Australian. The radio host reportedly told bosses she will be leaving as she has 'become frustrated with the quality of the program'. 'Sabra's finally had enough of it and given [news boss Justin] Stevens notice that she is leaving and that, basically, they need to find another host ASAP,' one insider said. 'She's fed up with the quality of the program and the constant under-resourcing of the show. 'Most days, AM sounds like an extended news bulletin with very little exclusive content other than drops and that's not what Sabra signed on for.' ABC radio host Sabra Lane (pictured) is reportedly leaving the network by the end of the year The insider continued: 'Despite all the promises from management about reinvesting in radio, nothing is changing.' Lane joined the ABC in 2008 as a reporter in the press gallery at Parliament House, covering federal politics for ABC programs AM, The World Today and PM. In 2013, she became a political correspondent for ABC Television's 7.30 program. She returned to radio in 2017, succeeding Michael Brissenden as host of AM. It comes after ABC journalist and presenter Dan Bourchier announced he is leaving the national broadcaster after nearly a decade both on air and behind the scenes. Bourchier, who joined the ABC in 2016, revealed the news in a social media post last Monday, saying it had been his 'absolute privilege' to spend nearly nine years helping Australians 'understand each other, our country and our world a little better'. 'I'm particularly proud of the work I've helped to drive to increase Indigenous representation internally, and create the space for other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to tell their stories in their way,' he wrote. 'While leaving is hard, I'm optimistic about the future of the ABC I say goodbye to, and the tremendous leadership across the organisation. Lane, who has fronted Radio National's flagship daily AM program since 2017, will be quitting her radio show, according to The Australian It comes after ABC journalist and presenter Dan Bourchier (pictured) announced he is leaving the national broadcaster after almost a decade on air and behind the scenes 'Thank you to the loyal audience who has supported, challenged, and backed me. 'We've navigated some tumultuous news and change of the last decade, together. It's made me a better journalist and a better leader.' Bourchier also thanked his 'extraordinary colleagues' at the ABC for the 'support, mentoring and opportunities' he's had over the past nine years. Bourchier began his ABC career in Canberra as the ACT Indigenous Affairs Reporter before moving into roles as ABC Radio Canberra breakfast host and presenter of the 7pm TV news bulletin. He later co-hosted programs including The Drum and Insiders, and in 2023 took on a national reporting role covering the Voice to Parliament referendum. Since early 2024, Bourchier has worked across the ABC News Channel, chaired the broadcasters Bonner Committee, which advises on Indigenous content, and has regularly filled in on News Breakfast weekend editions. Superman actor Dean Cain has been brutally mocked for appearing to struggle through a training course for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents. The 59-year-old Hollywood star revealed he is becoming an 'honorary' ICE officer in an effort to help President Donald Trump's immigration enforcers drive up recruitment numbers. 'People don't realize, they think that ICE is this horrible, nefarious group and they're not - they're phenomenal people,' Cain said, adding that he 'stand[s] with our law enforcement. Video captured by Fox News showed Cain as he then struggled his way through an obstacle course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia. Cain sluggishly made his way over a wall and then crawled on all fours through a barrel. Separately, Cain dragged a dummy around the course and fired guns at a shooting range alongside acting ICE director Todd Lyons. 'Was the video slowed down?' one critic asked. Superman actor Dean Cain has been brutally mocked for appearing to struggle through a training course for Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents Cain, an actor who is known for portraying Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in the 90s, announced that he wanted 'to help save America' 'So basically when the citizens start fighting back - ICE is screwed,' a second wrote. 'Glad he wants to help but he's probably not your best candidate tbh,' a third added. Others chimed in describing the obstacle course as reminiscing a 'kiddy playground' and 'utterly embarrassing.' Despite the criticism, ICE hopes Cain will drive recruitment numbers, sharing a link to their website alongside the video of him completing the course. Successful applicants are offered a signing bonus of up to $50,000, as well as a $60,000 student loan repayment and a premium pay bump of 25 percent. Cain hit out at his critics, insisting: 'What you're making fun of is me standing up for federal law enforcement and American citizens. 'If you want to make fun of me for that, go ahead.' Cain dragged a dummy around the course and fired guns at a shooting range alongside acting ICE director Todd Lyons The 59-year-old Hollywood star revealed he is becoming an 'honorary' ICE officer in an effort to help President Donald Trump's immigration enforcers drive up recruitment numbers Earlier this month, Cain, an actor who is known for portraying Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in the 90s, announced that he wanted 'to help save America.' He said he would be joining ICE 'ASAP' after revealing he backed Trump's immigration crackdown. 'I am a sworn law enforcement officer, as well as being a filmmaker, and I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it. So I joined up,' Cain said in his initial announcement. 'If you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America's streets. 'They need your help, we need your help, to protect our homeland for families. Join today if it's something that tickles your fancy because we can use you.' Cain went on to say that under President Donald Trump, ICE had arrested 'hundreds of thousands of criminals including terrorists, rapists, murderers, pedophiles, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers.' ICE claims it has been inundated with 100,000 applications for about 10,000 open positions since its major recruitment drive, which included removing age caps for serving agents. Channel Seven has addressed rumours over the fate of veteran news anchor Rob Brough after the popular Queensland journo disappeared from screens last August. Speculation was rife that the 70-year-old long-term Seven identity had been axed amid the staff cuts that swept through the network in 2024. Seven took to social media this month to announce that Brough is on extended leave. According to a post on the 7News Wide Bay Facebook page, reported by the Courier-Mail on Monday, Brough has not left the station, but is instead taking personal leave. Meanwhile, Brough's chair for Seven's regional bulletins on the Sunshine Coast, including Cairns, has been filled by Nathan Spurling and Joanne Desmond. The pair also co-anchor the news for Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba. Channel Seven has addressed rumours over the fate of veteran news anchor Rob Brough (pictured) after the popular Queensland journo disappeared from screens last August Speculation was rife that the 70-year-old long-term Seven identity had been axed amid the staff cuts that swept through the network in 2024 The news comes after fans began commenting online about Brough's absence. A thread on Reddit, posted soon after Brough took leave, suggested the newsreader may have had a falling out with staff. 'There was a guy who works at the 7 Sunshine Coast studio posting in one of the Aussie subs not that long ago that Broughy isnt liked anymore by most of the staff, that combined with Channel 7 recently axing a lot of their QLD newsreaders makes me wonder if hes going to be shown the forced retirement door soon,' a user posted. A third posted on the Reddit thread, 'So what is going on with Rob ? He is our favourite newsreader, the only reason we watch 7 News, and if he isn't coming back, well that's that...' Daily Mail has reached out to Seven for comment. Brough began his career in radio in the 1970s before moving into television roles with ABC and Channel Nine. His profile surged when he landed the prize role of game show host on Seven's ratings hit Family Feud in 1990. Brough was replaced in 1995 and later returned to presenting regional bulletins for Seven in Queensland. Brough's chair for Seven's regional bulletins on the Sunshine Coast, including Cairns, has been taken over by Nathan Spurling and Joanne Desmond (pictured) She may be banned from behind the wheel, but Emma Watson is making sure shes grabbing attention on foot. The Harry Potter star, 35, was spotted out for a hike in Saint Tropez in a sheer black lace dress. The actress also wore a scarlet bikini and turquoise trainers. She was joined by her personal trainer. Watson, who is on holiday in the town, lived in France until she was five and her father owns the Domaine Watson vineyard in Chablis. She also owns a gin brand, Renais, with her brother Alex which uses grape skins from the wine-making process at the familys vineyard. Watson was recently banned from driving for six months after she was clocked driving her blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford with nine points on her license. She may be banned from behind the wheel, but Emma Watson is making sure shes grabbing attention on foot The Harry Potter star, 35, was spotted out for a hike in Saint-Tropez in a sheer black lace dress She was also fined 1,044 at High Wycombe Magistrates Court. Watson, who is studying for a DPhil in creative writing at the University of Oxford, will be off the road until early next year. The actress, who rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, is said to have splashed out on a multi-million pound house in the affluent Oxford enclave of Jericho. She was spotted last month on a date with a mystery man beside the River Isis at Port Meadow, Oxford, where they enjoyed a Bridesheadian pastime al fresco painting. Last year she split from Brandon Green, son of former British Home Stores tycoon Sir Philip Green, following an 18-month romance. Watson, who starred in the film Little Women in 2019, has been at Oxford for two years, after she decided to take a hiatus from her acting career to do a masters degree in creative writing at Lady Margaret Hall. The former United Nations ambassador made headlines recently when she was banned from driving for six months for speeding in Banbury Road, Oxford. The actress also wore a scarlet bikini and turquoise trainers. She was joined by her personal trainer Watson, who is on holiday in the town, lived in France until she was five and her father owns the Domaine Watson vineyard in Chablis The actress was recently banned from driving for six months after she was clocked driving her blue Audi at 38mph in a 30mph zone in Oxford with nine points on her license But she brushed off the incident while out in the south of France with her personal trainer Watson, who is studying for a DPhil in creative writing at the University of Oxford, will be off the road until early next year She was fined 650, reduced because of her guilty plea, and told to pay court costs of 120 and a 264 surcharge. While she may not be able to get behind the wheel, Emma is partial to rowing down the Isis. As revealed by the Daily Mail's Harriet Kean, she coxed for a New College crew in Oxfords Summer Eights rowing regatta. To her dismay though, Watson and her team finished last. The actress, who rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, is said to have splashed out on a multi-million pound house in the affluent Oxford enclave of Jericho Watson, who starred in the film Little Women in 2019, has been at Oxford for two years, after she decided to take a hiatus from her acting career to do a masters degree in creative writing at Lady Margaret Hall The actress chatted to her personal trainer as they walked side by side in Saint Tropez She showed off her expressive side for onlookers during the outing in France this week Snezana Wood's daughter Eve appears to have recently returned to her hometown of Perth for a visit after sharing her heartbreak over her rift with her estranged father. The 19-year-old influencer, who is back in Australia on a break from studying in New York, shared a gallery of photos to social media on Monday, which captured her having a fun day out at the beach. In one image, Eve showed off her gymnastic skills as she balanced on the rails of a pier. Another picture captured Eve enjoying an Acai bowl as she took in the incredible beachside sights. Eve captioned the gallery: 'Proud Perth, baby'. Last month, fresh details emerged about Snezana's ex-husband Jason Rapoff after Eve opened up about being estranged from him. Snezana Wood 's daughter Eve appears to have recently returned to her hometown of Perth for a visit after sharing her heartbreak over her rift with her estranged father The 19-year-old influencer, who is back in Australia on a break from studying in New York, shared a gallery of photos to social media on Monday, which captured her having a fun day out at the beach Eve broke down during a TikTok vox pop video as she revealed the 'painful things' Rapoff said to her during one of their last meetings. These days, she calls her stepfather Sam Wood 'Dad' after he won her mother's heart on The Bachelor in 2015. She also carries his surname instead of her father's. The rift between Eve and Rapoff began before Eve and Snezana left WA to begin a new life with Sam in Melbourne. Rapoff, 45, had married Snezana, 44, in January 2005, shortly after his release from a 12-month prison sentence for possession of methamphetamine and two firearms. The marriage was blighted early on when Rapoff, a former state junior motocross champion, broke his back in a dirt bike accident at his family's farm in Bindoon. The accident left him paraplegic, and he would later tell the Herald Sun in 2015 he went into a 'downhill spiral' and pushed away his loved ones, including Eve. Rapoff and Snezana split six months after his life-changing crash. Eve was just two months old at the time. Eve captioned the gallery: 'Proud Perth, baby' Earlier this year, Eve broke down during a TikTok vox pop video as she revealed the 'painful things' her father Jason Rapoff said to her during one of their last meetings In the years that followed, Eve was mostly estranged from her father, and Rapoff turned to drugs and motorsports to cope, even managing to get back on a quad bike three months after breaking his back. He previously remarked the accident turned him into a full-blown drug addict, after years of only being a casual 'user'. Just five years after the breakdown of his marriage to Snezana, Rapoff was back in jail for possession of methamphetamine. This time, he was sentenced to five years and four months, but only served three years and four months behind bars. He began posting regularly on social media around November 2013, after his release from jail, and appeared to be enjoying his freedom. Rapoff shared several posts in the following months that showed him reconnecting with his family - including daughter Eve - who was seven at the time of his release. By 2014, and despite his disability, Rapoff had immersed himself in the world of burnout competitions, often sharing videos of him participating in the daring shows. Life seemed to be looking up - but any hopes he may have had of reconnecting with Snezana and Eve were dashed when she landed a spot on the second season of The Bachelor Australia, starring personal trainer Sam Wood, in 2015. These days, she calls her stepfather Sam Wood 'Dad' after he won her mother's heart on The Bachelor in 2015. She also carries his surname instead of her father's As the country watched Snezana and Sam, 45, fall in love, Rapoff told the press his ex-wife was 'dreaming' if she thought she'd be able to leave WA with their daughter to be with Sam in Melbourne. At the time, Rapoff, who was working full-time at his family's Balcatta swimming pool business, admitted he was at fault for the downfall of their marriage. However, he had no intention of letting his daughter Eve move interstate without a fight - despite Snezana saying on national television she wanted to live with Sam in Melbourne. Snezana and Sam got engaged in December 2015, soon after The Bachelor finale aired, and got a place together months later. They married in 2018 and welcomed three daughters of their own, Willow, seven, Charlie, five, and Harper, two - Eve's half-sisters. It appears Eve did attempt to maintain contact with her father after her move to Melbourne, but they last saw each other in 2017. Since then, Rapoff has had a rocky few years and in September 2022, he faced Midland Magistrates Court for driving or attempting to drive with any blood alcohol content and while a prescribed illicit drug was present in oral fluid or blood. He was fined $600, plus costs of $264.30, and his driver's licence was disqualified for three months. Last month, Eve opened up about her biological father in a rare, deeply personal street interview. She broke down in tears while speaking to the Dose of Society Instagram account after being asked: 'What is the most painful thing anyone has ever said to you?' Her candid response stunned viewers: 'Probably that I don't deserve the life I'm living,' she began. Wiping away tears, she explained it was her father who said it. 'I don't know why he said that to me. I grew up just with my mum. She raised me to be the woman I am today. He wanted to see my mum suffer,' she added. 'And I think when he saw that my mum had built a life for both of us, it was just more of a reaction.' Eve confirmed she had not seen her biological father in eight years and that he was largely absent from her childhood. Melbourne's high society is a lot like student politics: the lower the stakes, the pettier the gossip. On Sunday, the big names of the city's in-crowd descended on trendy French restaurant Maison Batard for a baby shower-slash-gender reveal party hosted by designer-to-the-stars Effie Kats. We're talking the usual suspects: Nadia Bartel, Jessie Roberts, Jade Kisnorbo, Chris Kontos and - of course - queen bee Sarah Lucas, whose restaurateur husband Chris Lucas owns the venue. But one high-profile socialite failed to make an appearance. And that fact alone was enough to set Melbourne's rumour mill spinning. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. On Sunday, Melbourne's in-crowd descended on Maison Batard for a baby shower-slash-gender reveal party hosted by designer-to-the-stars Effie Kats (left, with Nadia Bartel) Social media photos showed the famous names in attendance It's not often Bec Judd misses an event on the social calendar, so her 'notable absence' - as one source put it - from her friend Effie's party did not go unnoticed. Instead of going to the gender reveal, Bec - who had attended Effie's 2023 wedding to finance broker James Cerolini - jetted off to her home town of Perth. After checking into her luxury suite at Crown Perth on Sunday night, she shared videos on Instagram that suggested the trip was sponsored. Still, the mother-of-four from Brighton did send Effie well-wishes on Instagram, which would seem to indicate there is no bad blood between them. Even though her absence may have been harmless, Melbourne's chattering classes are watching these gatherings like hawks for any hint of a rift after Sarah Lucas' falling-out with Rozalia Russian recently became the talk of the town. Rozalia, who also did not attend Effie's party, runs in the same circles as Sarah and they share the same friends - but, as we noted in early June, they have not been pictured next to one another in any recent photos. This fact was swiftly picked up on by our Melbourne society spies. While there was no way to confirm exactly what went down between the two women, the fact they had unfollowed each other on Instagram seemingly said it all. Socialite Sarah Lucas, known for wearing funereal black, instead opted for a cream blazer Effie, who wore a one-shoulder cape-like dress, cradled her bump while greeting friends It's not often Bec Judd (pictured) misses an event on the social calendar, so her 'notable absence' - as one source put it - from her friend Effie's party did not go unnoticed Instead of going to the gender reveal, Bec - who had attended Effie's 2023 wedding to finance broker James Cerolini - jetted off to her home town of Perth Mother-to-be Effie Kats was surrounded by her closest friends at the gender reveal party And on Sunday, 34-year-old Effie revealed she was having a girl as she popped a balloon to release a pink shower of confetti The gossip we heard at the time was that Rozalia and Sarah weren't seeing eye to eye, despite both being pillars of the same elite friendship group. Indeed, a rare photo of all the key members of the Victorian capital's in-crowd showed the two women positioned at opposite ends, as if deliberately avoiding each other. Rozalia posed alongside Effie, hair and makeup artist Jade Kisnorbo, WAG-turned-fashion designer Nadia Bartel and celebrity stylist Lana Wilkinson, while Sarah, dressed in her usual all black, posed at the other end. For the uninitiated, ex-ballerina Rozalia is one of Australia's most in-demand fashion influencers and the wife of high-profile nightclub owner, former Temptation Island contestant and one-time candidate for Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Russian. Sarah needs no introduction. Previously married to Steven Lew, the son of billionaire retail magnate Solomon Lew, she wed her second husband, hospitality titan Chris Lucas, in Venice in 2023 in the same ballroom where George and Amal Clooney said 'I do'. Her teenage daughter Bella Lew is considered a rising star of high society. In addition to marrying into money, Sarah hails from wealthy Toorak stock - her parents listed their mansion in the ritzy suburb for $8million in 2017. Following her 2011 divorce from Steven, the Lew family reached a settlement with Sarah that was never disclosed but long rumoured to have been an extraordinary windfall. Melbourne's chattering classes are watching these gatherings like hawks for any hint of a rift after Sarah Lucas' (right) falling-out with Rozalia Russian (left) became the talk of the town Rozalia and Sarah seemed to be avoiding one each other at the launch of Melbourne-based designer Effie Kats' new collection in Sydney in May. (Pictured from left: Rozalia Russian, Jade Kisnorbo, Effie Kats, Nadia Bartel, Lana Wilkinson and Sarah Lucas) It comes after fashion queen Effie announced earlier this month that she and husband James were expecting their first child together. 'Have kept this little one a secret for a while now. Feeling beyond excited for our next chapter,' Effie wrote on Instagram. And on Sunday, the 34-year-old revealed she was having a girl as she popped a balloon to release a pink shower of confetti. Effie is a popular Melbourne designer who dresses for many A-Listers, including Bec, Nadia, Carrie Bickmore and Kelly Rowland. The couple's summer wedding at St Patrick's Cathedral was one of the biggest society events of 2023. The newlyweds later held an opulent reception at the State Library of Victoria. Effie stunned in an elaborate, semi-sheer lace gown by Zuhair Murad, a design which required several trips to Paris for fittings. The 260-strong guest list was a Who's Who of Melbourne high society, with the likes of Bec and Nadia being joined by local luminaries such as Jessie Murphy, the wife of former Carlton skipper Marc, and celebrated fashion stylist Lana Wilkinson. Strictly Come Dancing bosses have delivered their verdict on the future of the BBC show after a male star was arrested on suspicion of rape. The male suspect is reportedly being 'quizzed by police over allegations involving non-consensual intimate image abuse'. Now, sources at the BBC have reportedly insisted the allegations do not involve anyone on this year's series and said therefore the show will continue as normal. According to The Mirror, bosses are confident the dance show, including training sessions, can carry on. They also reported that a police investigation is continuing. The Met Police said the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers. A Met spokesman told Daily Mail: 'On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse. Strictly Come Dancing bosses have delivered their verdict on the future of the BBC show after a male star was arrested on suspicion of rape 'This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us. 'The arrest follows a third party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.' The Met Police also added the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers. A BBC spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.' There is nothing to suggest this is related to the current Strictly production. It's the biggest crisis the scandal-hit show has had to face, just weeks before the 2025 series returns to screen. During the last series, Wynne Evans, 53, was accused of inappropriate behaviour and forced to apologise for making an unacceptable sexual remark on stage at a press event. He denied it was a sexual remark but was later sacked by the BBC. In 2023, Amanda Abbington, 51, complained about Giovanni Pernice, 34, being 'unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean'. It's the biggest crisis the scandal-hit show has had to face, just weeks before the 2025 series returns to screen One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath (Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly seen) Whilst he was cleared of the 'overwhelming majority' of allegations, a probe did uphold some of her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. The same year, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott, 28, was left 'incredibly distressed' following her experience in the training room with Graziano Di Prima, 31, who admitted to kicking the documentary maker, resulting in his axing. The broadcaster has already launched an inquiry into the family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker. This comes amid the revelation that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' BBC bosses are reportedly set to offer professional support to two stars of hit dancing show Strictly, amid allegations they took cocaine on the programme. It was revealed the broadcaster has hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals, whose drug use is said to be 'well-known' on the show. The claims were reportedly made in a legal submission to the BBC by law firm Russells back in March, on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans. A source told the newspaper: 'The BBC is taking the allegations really seriously. Bosses are aware of the two stars in question and have a duty of care to make sure they're okay. 'As per BBC policy, the option of specialised professional support is on the table and will be offered.' They added: 'While drug testing won't happen on the main show, bosses are considering bringing in random checks for the tour next year. 'The BBC needs to be sure nothing illegal is going on. It all depends on what the investigation finds.' Melbourne is renowned as an Aussie city where coffee lovers can rely on grabbing a first-class brew just about anywhere. And now Hollywood star John Cena has declared that Victoria's capital is the 'best place in the world' for a flat white. The 48-year-old wrestler turned actor, who spent time frequenting Melbourne's cafes while filming Ricky Stanicky in 2023, is a well-known coffee connoisseur. Melbourne is a 'coffee-first' city, the suave performer declared in a video thats since gone viral on Reddit. The TikTok clip, originally produced by Bon Appetit magazine, features Cena sampling coffee from the Conde Nast office cafe in New York City. 'When it comes to coffee, John Cena is a purist. The actor explains why he judges a coffee shop based on how they make their flat whites,' the caption read. @bonappetitmag When it comes to coffee, John Cena is a purist. The actor explains why he judges a coffee shop based on how they make their flat whites. original sound - Bon Appetit Magazine John Cena has declared Melbourne is the 'best place in the world' for a flat white An unimpressed Cena says that the coffee presented to him for the test was an 'American version' of a flat white. 'I can tell cause it's too big and theres too much milk and the milk's not steamed,' he explains. He continues, The reason I love a flat white is because coffee is a universal language throughout the world. So I will judge a place based on its flat white.' Cena said he divides cafes into two categories. 'A lot of places are food first and coffee is an accoutrement,' he said. After judging that the Conde Nast cafe is not a 'coffee-first' establishment, Cena declared, 'The best flat whites Ive had are in Melbourne, Australia; they are coffee-first people.' Elsewhere in the clip, Cena gave a rundown of the best way to prepare a flat white, explaining that the ideal size would be 170 grams (six ounces), which gives the double-shot of coffee a stronger taste. The Reddit post, captioned 'Melbourne coffee getting some kudos', has racked up more than 4,400 views and 300 comments. The 48-year-old wrestler turned actor, who spent time frequenting Melbourne's cafes while filming Ricky Stanicky in 2023, is a well-known coffee connoisseur. Pictured: Cena enjoying a cuppa in Melbourne in 2023 The TikTok clip, originally produced by Bon Appetit magazine, features Cena taste-testing a cup of coffee 'This man knows his coffee,' one user wrote on the thread. 'All I really know is that my flat whites in America were milky AF even in a small cup,' added another. A third user commented, 'That is top-tier coffee wan**ry. Well done John Cena.' Cena was often spotted around Melbourne during his downtime while filming Ricky Stanicky with co-stars Zac Efron and Jim Carrey back in February 2023. The WWE great was seen at local restaurants and cafes, according to the Herald Sun. 'He came in every single day aside from Thursday. I was one of the main people waitressing him,' a waiter from Degraves Espresso said. 'I've respected his space and he's been a very good customer... He's welcome back anytime.' She went on to say Cena 'just walked in' one day and sat down, revealing that more customers have been showing up to get a glimpse of him. Georgia Love confirmed her split from her husband Lee Elliot back in February after months of speculation. And on Friday, the 35-year-old showed her former man what he's missing as she turned heads at the opening night of Cirque Du Soleils Corteo in Melbourne. The former Bachelorette star flashed a glimpse of her lace bra as she showed off her toned physique in a striped dress and black stockings. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she threw her arms in the air and posed on the red carpet. The event came just one day before Georgia appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at her ex Lee, 44, as she celebrated her birthday with her closest friends. Georgia shared a photo to Instagram alongside three male friends and affectionately captioned it with a tribute to her 'men'. Georgia Love (pictured) flaunted her revenge body at the opening night of Cirque Du Soleil's Corteo in Melbourne on Friday night The former Bachelorette star flashed a glimpse of her lace bra as she showed off her toned figure in a striped dress and black stockings The group wrapped their arms around each other as they smiled for the camera. The reality TV star looked stylish in a plunging floral dress as she partied at a bar in Melbourne. This isn't the first time Georgia has thrown subtle shade at her ex-husband. The Bachelorette Australia star took to Instagram earlier this month to share a photo of herself cuddled up with her soulmate, Abir Ahmed. Abir, Georgia's best friend since she was 14 years old, could be seen with his arm wrapped around her shoulders as they looked out at the New York City skyline. 'Who says a soulmate has to be a romantic partner?' she captioned the post, which appeared to be a dig aimed at Lee and their nine-year marriage. Georgia and Abir recently vacationed in the Caribbean together during the same week her ex moved out of their marital home. Georgia and Lee, who met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette and were married for four years, broke the news of their separation in February. The red carpet event came just one day before Georgia appeared to take a thinly veiled swipe at her ex Lee as she celebrated her birthday with her closest friends Georgia shared a photo to Instagram alongside three male friends and gushed over her 'men' 'After nine wonderful years together, including four as husband and wife, [we] have made the incredibly difficult decision to lovingly part ways,' they wrote. 'Our relationship has been so special and we will always cherish the memories, love, and laughter we've shared. 'There is no drama, no bad blood. Just two people who have grown in different directions while still holding deep respect and care for each other. 'We remain friends and we'd really appreciate our privacy as we navigate this next stage. Thank you.' Georgia and Lee had fuelled rumours they had split for some time as it had been months since they were seen together. The pair spent Christmas apart with their respective families before Georgia jetted off to New York City for a holiday without Lee. They were also both spotted without their wedding bands, which fuelled speculation online that their relationship had come to an end. Georgia and Lee, who met on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette and were married for four years, broke the news of their separation in February It seemed the pair were still living under the same roof at their marital home in Melbourne in the lead-up to their big announcement. Georgia was spotted making a trip to a nail salon before she headed home to prepare for a drinks night. The former reality TV star was not wearing her wedding ring during the outing and had been seen without the diamond sparkler for months. Shortly after, Lee returned home in a tradesman's ute, dressed in a bright yellow uniform. Donatella Versace has given fans a glimpse of her unrecognisable new appearance in a stunning new social media snap. The iconic Italian designer, 70, has sparked a string of speculation over the years about her changing appearance, despite only publicly admitting she's had Botox. Showing off her svelte physique, Donatella posed up a storm in the white sequinned gown with her fresh-faced complexion on full display. The fashion mogul's top lip appeared noticeably thinner, while her cheeks were also less puffy than in previous snaps. Anastasia Koles, advanced aesthetic nurse and founder of ALTA Medispa was asked to share her thoughts on Donatella's new appearance, and whether she may have undergone any 'tweakments'. She told Daily Mail: 'When it comes to Donatella, its impossible to say with certainty what procedures she may or may not have had without assessing her in person. Donatella Versace, 70, has given fans a glimpse of her new youthful appearance as she enjoyed a sunset in a stunning social media snap The iconic Italian designer (left in 2018 and right earlier this week) has sparked speculation over the years about her changing appearance 'From images, her lips do appear smaller compared to before, which can happen for a few reasons. In the past, she seems to have had permanent fillers, likely silicone, in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers layered on top. 'If the HA filler has been dissolved or has naturally broken down, that could explain the reduction in volume. 'The initial widening of her lips may also have been due to silicone combined with the effects of a high-tension facelift, where the skin is pulled quite tightly to the sides of the face. 'Her jawline also appears more defined, which could be the result of dermal filler to enhance structure or skin-tightening treatments such as RF microneedling, both of which are commonly used to create a sharper, more contoured appearance. 'Natural ageing itself can also play a role, as changes in skin and tissue over time can make lips and facial features look different.' Donatella shocked fans when she debuted a brand new look while posing for pictures at the The Devil Wears Prada musical launch last year. She was joined by friend Sir Elton John, who wrote the music for the show, which is centered around the 2006 comedy drama originally starring Anne Hathaway. The businesswoman also posed with Anna Wintour, whom the musical is thought to be about, and actress Vanessa Williams. Donatella shocked fans when she debuted a brand new look while posing for pictures at the The Devil Wears Prada musical launch in London on December 1 The Italian fashion designer stunned on the red carpet in a sheer, heavily embellished bronze mini dress with a black sweetheart neckline bodysuit underneath. Donatella paired her sheer dress with knee-high brown leather platform boots. She also wore a red AIDS awareness ribbon to pay homage to the Elton Johns Aids Foundation, which the gala benefited. Donatella shared snaps from the big night out on Instagram with the caption, 'R.S.V.P. YES The Devil Wears Prada for its Opening Gala Night,' calling the show 'mesmerising' and praising her friend Elton for his work on it. In the second slide, Donatella looked younger than ever, causing fans to comment in shock, with one calling her new look 'the biggest upgrade in history'. Many people on X, formerly Twitter, compared the luxury designer's youthful visage to Lindsay Lohan's stunning looks, as the Mean Girls star also underwent a major beauty transformation recently. One asked, 'Did you find the Lindsay Lohan's doc, Donatella?' In 1993, at age 37, Donatella showed off her natural beauty, showcasing her full lips and the early signs of lines around her eyes (pictured at Versace fashion show in Paris in 1993) She later she stunned at the VH1 Divas Live concert held on April 13, 1999 at the Beacon Theater in New York City In 2005, she was seen with an enhanced looking pout and dark tan while attending the Costume Institute Gala Celebrating Chanel at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City By 2011 experts speculated that she may have had more cosmetic treatments (pictured in 2013) Another pointed out it was 'Donatella new face'. 'People, someone needs to find out who this doctor in Hollywood is who is performing these miracles,' one follower proclaimed. 'I'm sure it's the same doctor as Lindsay, Demi and Brad,' another commenter said. The second snap quickly went viral on X as the fan account Pop Crave tweeted: 'Donatella Versace debuts new look at opening night of the Devil Wears Prada Musical.' One user announced: 'This is shocking not gonna lie.' 'The plastic surgeon who's doing these faces is probably one of the best out thereTOP TIER WORK!! He's in NY & not even trying to be known,' one person mused. 'If you have the money you can buy youth,' another commenter theorised. 'From Lindsay Lohan to Donatella Versace, 2024 will officially be remembered as the year of faces that inexplicably transformed,' one person announced. Many people have pointed out that celebrities appear to be getting 'undetectable' procedures with little to no recovery time, leaving them looking unrecognisable on the red carpet. Many plastic surgeons have talked about how these stars are entering their 'undetectable eras' because of these subtle beauty tweaks. Sir Paul McCartney isn't retiring anytime soon, with insiders revealing that the 83-year-old will release a new album next year, as well as hitting the road. The Beatles legend has been working on a new record, his first since 2020's McCartney III, for most of the year and is said to be '90% finished'. He hopes to have it completed and mastered by the end of the year with a release date of early 2026. A source said: 'Paul has been working on the album all year and initially hoped it would be out by the end of this year but as with most things plans change. 'It's not quite finished but the majority of the album is done and Paul is really proud of it.' The insider added to The Sun that he then hopes to tour the new record, and has told his team to plan for live gigs around the UK. Sir Paul McCartney isn't retiring anytime soon, with insiders revealing that the 83-year-old will release a new album next year, as well as hitting the road Sir Paul is also preparing for his US tour, which kicks off in September in California and will wrap up at the end of November in Chicago. The music legend shows no signs of slowing down after nearly six decades onstage, as he recently gave fans a glimpse into how he keeps his energy high. The music icon, who also led Wingsmakes a surprise cameo in the upcoming Spinal Tap sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, hitting theaters this September. Joining Elton John, 78, McCartney appears alongside the legendary fake band Spinal Tap, featuring Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), and Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), for one final concert in the mockumentary. And director Rob Reiner revealed what drives McCartney to keep performing to sold-out stadiums well into his eighties during an interview with AARP's Movies for Grownups. 'I asked Paul McCartney about this. I said, 'There's you, Mick Jagger, Elton John, and you still like to perform. What is it about you guys? Is it that you just love the music? And you love performing?' Reiner began. 'And he says, 'Yeah. And the drugs,'' he explained of McCartney's quip, which is also a joke line in the upcoming movie. Paul revealed his pre-show routine to fans recently, explaining that he sticks to a strict run down of rituals. The Beatles legend has been working on a new record, his first since 2020's McCartney III, for most of the year and is said to be '90% finished' 'I always get called an hour before the show, well, an hour before I'm going to be needed,' he explained. 'In that time, I do certain things: I have a gargle with salt water, then I do my teeth, then I figure out what I'm going to wear, and then I have a kind of Chinese syrup solution you put hot water in. 'It's supposed to be good for your throat if you've ever seen pictures of me before the show with a cup, that is what's in it.' Meanwhile The Beatles have revealed a brand new album will be released, featuring demos that have never been heard before as well as a remastered documentary. It comes following days of speculation after the legendary rock band's official social media channels teased an announcement earlier this week. Posting on Instagram, it shared a series of images which each contained a number from one to four, though there was no caption for the post. Now it's been confirmed Anthology 4 will feature 13 previously unheard of demos for and sessions from the band, which is made up of Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Ringo Starr and the late John Lennon and George Harrison. The news comes ahead of a brand new book and documentary series launching this November, with streaming giant Disney+ behind the show. Bosses have remastered The Beatles Anthology, which is now being billed as The Beatles' Story, In Their Own Words. Meanwhile The Beatles have revealed a brand new album will be released, featuring demos that have never been heard before as well as a remastered documentary It will also include a ninth and new episode which will feature Sir Paul, Ringo and George in behind-the-scenes footage from when they originally made the series. George Martin, the original Beatles producer, has also remastered Anthology 1, 2 and 3 which all four will release in November as a boxset containing 191 tracks. Earlier this year it was revealed how Paul Mescal had signed up will be starring in the Beatles biopic movies. Each film will focus on one member of The Fab Four, with Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. All movies are set to be released in April 2028. Kim Kardashian surprised her and younger sister Khloe's kids to a very lavish getaway to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The reality star, 44, took to her Instagram on Sunday with snaps of the trip after flying the youngsters on a private jet, which had been renamed 'Kim Air', which is believed to have taken place earlier this month. Kim, who shares North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven, and six-year-old Psalm, with ex-husband Kanye West, later served her guests lavish snacks and mocktails before it was time to hit the sun-soaked beach. Eldest son Saint, who sported striking pink hair, was surprised even further onboard the jet by his pal Joshua, son of the SKIM founder's friend Charlotte Adams, who revealed to be joining them on the trip. Khloe's daughters True, seven, and three-year-old Tatum also enjoyed the getaway, as they hit the arcades, enjoyed camel rides before racing down water slides. Kim also shared a glimpse of her guest's very swanky accommodation on the beach, which boasted incredible views. Kim Kardashian treated her as well as younger sister Khloe's kids to a very lavish getaway to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico last week (pictured with son Saint, nine The reality star took to her Instagram on Sunday with snaps of the trip after flying the youngsters on a private jet, which had been renamed 'Kim Air' for the occasion Kim, who shares North, 11, Saint, nine, Chicago , seven, and six-year-old Psalm, with ex-husband Kanye West , later served her guests lavish snacks and mocktails Eldest son Saint, who sported striking pink locks, was surprised even further by his pal Joshua, son of the SKIM founder's friend Charlotte Adams, (R) who revealed to be joining them She captioned the post: 'Cabo forever!' as famous including Paris Hilton were quick to gush over the snaps. Meanwhile pal Charlotte said: 'To the most amazing surprise trip for our children reunited after 7 long months'. 'We pulled it off!!! We had the best time and made so many amazing memories. we love you guys'. It comes after Khloe threatened to steal the spotlight from her close friend Olivia Pierson on Friday as she shared outtakes from the influencer's birthday celebration. The 41-year-old reality television personality's 301 million Instagram followers went wild over her stylish look and fit figure. For the special occasion a dinner with Olivia's close friends, including Khloe's BFF Malika Haqq Khloe wore a white Moschino dress covered in black Dalmatian-like spots. Khloe who recently teamed up with Kim to try to solve a woman's mysterious disappearance added a pop of color with pointy-toed blood-red pumps, sparking comparisons to the fictional character Cruella de Vil from Disney's 101 Dalmatians. One excited fan commented using the Good American founder's nickname, 'KHLO$ We NEED some separate photos of you in that dress. beautiful as ever.' Khloe's daughters True, seven, and three-year-old Tatum also enjoyed the getaway, as they hit the arcades, enjoyed camel rides before racing down water slides In the fun clip Saint (L) would not believe his eyes when his pal popped out from his hiding place ahead of take off Kim also shared a glimpse of her guest's very swanky accommodation on the beach, which boasted incredible views True was cheered on as she raced down the water slide The kids were also treated to a camel ride through the Mexican desert Saint and his pal Joshua also enjoyed some time in the arcade Kim ensured to take some stunning selfies for her social media She captioned the post: 'Cabo forever!' as famous including Paris Hilton were quick to gush over the snaps And another fan added, 'It's giving 101 Dalmatians and I'm loving it.' Olivia showed her appreciation in the comments as she wrote back, 'I love you endlessly.' Last week, the Kardashian sisters documented a trip to Korea, which seemingly was all about skincare. Both Khloe and Kim used their Instagram platforms to give their hundreds of millions of followers a glimpse at the glamorous getaway. Each carousel post included images of them on the SKIMS founder's private jet, Kim Air, where they indulged in face masks with friends including LaLa Anthony and Steph Shepherd. There were also images from a Korean spa that showed them gettin ga facial and a mysterious purple-colored injection. Kim's post also featured a photo of love notes she left for her four kids, which read in part, 'Mommy loves you.' Khloe and Kim shared matching captions: '#TheThingsWeDo.' Lindy Klim has shed light on a shock health scare that recently put her in hospital. The Balinese princess took to Instagram on Monday to reveal that she had been battling a kidney infection over the last few days. 'I'm alive just!' the 46-year-old wrote alongside a picture of herself lying in bed. Klim went on to explain she had to seek emergency care last week and is now bedridden and being take care of at home. 'Wow this thing really knocked me around,' she added. Klim also shared an image of her daughter Frankie, 14, doting on her while her youngest Goldie girl, seven, sat at a table eating her food. Lindy Klim has shed light on a shock health scare that recently put her in hospital. Pictured The Balinese princess took to Instagram on Monday to reveal that she had been battling a kidney infection over the last few days 'Thankfully I have an incredible 14-year-old to take care of me and hold down the fort,' she said of her teenage daughter. She then posted a picture of her new boyfriend Paul Mullert, revealing he too had been a rock during her illness. In the black and white snap, Paul could be seen on a phone call as he lovingly held his partner's foot while she stretched out on the couch. Lindy recently made a shock confession about her living conditions, revealing that she was no stranger to 'slumming it'. The social media star moved back to Melbourne from Bali in October last year following her shock split with her husband of six years, Adam Ellis. Taking to her Instagram Story in July, the Balinese beauty revealed that her family had been eating their meals off a cardboard box, despite once living in the lap of luxury. She shared one photo that depicted an open-plan living and dining space that offered an enviable view of the Melbourne skyline. Taking pride of place in the image was a stylish circular dining table with a thick, burgundy base, with four matching chairs surrounding it. 'Thankfully I have an incredible 14-year-old to take care of me and hold down the fort,' she said of her teenage daughter (pictured) She then posted a picture of her new boyfriend Paul Mullert (pictured), revealing he too had been a rock during her illness Captioning the image, Lindy revealed that the table was a very recent addition to the household. 'I'm so proud of myself,' she wrote. 'I've finally bought a dining table and chairs.' 'We have literally been eating off a cardboard box on the floor for months,' she added, augmenting the quip with a crying-laughing face emoji. Lindy shared a second photo that showed evidence of her low-key dining set-up. The image showed what appeared to be Lindy's new man Paul sitting cross-legged on the floor with Goldie and two more people, partially shown. Despite the very casual scene, Lindy's innate sense of style still shone through in the photo. 'I made it a little fancy with a tablecloth,' she captioned the image, with another laughing emoji. Harry Potter's pal Ron Weasley and his rag tag family were seen filming for the first time as production for the new TV series took over London King's Cross Station on Sunday. The role originally played in the movies by Rupert Grint, will now be portrayed by 11-year-old Alastair Stout who cut a quirky figure in his costume on set. As well as being joined by his onscreen siblings Fred and George (Tristan and Gabriel Harland) and Ginny (Gracie Cochrane) for the scenes, Rivals star Katherine Parkinson, 47, who replaces Dame Julie Waters as family matriarch Molly, was also seen for the first time in character. Alistair wore a plaid over shirt which was teamed with corduroy trousers along with a thick duffel coat and school bag for scenes which will see the young wizards enter the magical Platform 9 and 3/4 to travel to Hogwarts. With the series, which is more faithful to the novel, set in 1992 Katherine was also dressed for the time period in suede jacket with shoulder pads and long skirt. Accessorising with retro gold earrings, she could be seen shouting at her unruly children in the scenes. Harry Potter's Ron Weasley and his rag tag family were seen filming for the first time as the new TV series took over London King's Cross station (Alastair Stout pictured as Ron) Rivals star Katherine Parkinson, 47, who replaces Dame Julie Waters as family matriarch Molly, was also seen for the first time in character ahead of shooting iconic Platform 9 and 3/4 scenes As well as being joined by his onscreen siblings for the scenes, (L-R) Tristan and Gabriel Harland pictured as Fred and George The role originally played by Rupert Grint in the movies, will now portrayed by Alastair Stout who cut a quirky figure in his costume on set (pictured with Gracie Cochrane as sisterGinny) Twins Fred and George appeared to be dressed in more of a 70s style with leather jackets boasting large lapels along with tank tops and flares. Meanwhile Ginny was dressed in orange dungarees and a colourful crochet cardigan along with clashing yellow socks and red sandals. Following her casting, actress Katherine said she didn't add her name to the list of those who have denounced author JK Rowling's views about trans people. Rowling, 59, has faced intense criticism from LGBTQ+ activists and several stars of the Harry Potter films, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, after publicly expressing concerns about gender ideology and single-sex spaces. With her comments branded transphobic by some campaigners. Katherine told Radio Times: 'I dont want to add to that debate at all, Im just delighted to be joining the magical world of Harry Potter,'. Earlier this month the highly anticipated show shared a first look at all the Weasley siblings with a fun selfie of the actors. It came after the three lead child stars were finally announced after months of speculation - with Dominic playing protagonist Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair as Ron Weasley. The young trio were selected from more than 30,000 actors who auditioned in a casting call last year, before Ron's siblings Fred, George, Percy (Ruari Spooner) and Ginny were announced. Alistair wore a plaid over shirt which was teamed with corduroy trousers along with a thick duffel coat and school bag for scenes King's Cross Station is where the young wizards enter the magical Platform 9 and 3/4 to travel to Hogwarts With the series, which is more faithful to the novel, set in 1992 Katherine was also dressed for the time period in suede jacket with shoulder pads and long skirt The actress put on a very animated display during one scene Twins Fred and George appeared to be dressed in more of a 70s style with leather jackets boasting large lapels along with tank tops and flares Meanwhile Ginny was dressed in orange dungarees and a colourful crochet cardigan along with clashing yellow socks and red sandals Alastair appeared in high spirits during his long day of filming Despite filming only having just begun the gang already looked like a family The young actors were dressed in costumes faithful to the novel She later looked deep in thought before the director called action The cast were surrounded by extras also dressed in 90s outfits Katherine's character later appeared to be chatting on a 1980s mobile phone Actress Gracie was seen pushing a trolley with one of the young wizard's cases Later it was the character of Ron who pushed the luggage The actors chatted amongst themsleves while waiting for the cameras to roll During a break in filming Katherine slipped on a dry robe and popped her feet into comfy sandals Katherine cheerily chatted with a member of the crew as she made her way to her mark The youngsters were guided through the crowds by members of the crew Actress Gracie carried a blue rucksack and sipped on a bejewelled travel cup Tristan and Gabriel alsop wore long coats over their costumes during a break in shooting In the Harry Potter films, the original Weasley siblings were played by several actors (pictured James and Oliver Phelps, Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright) The of matriarch Molly was played in the movies by Dame Julie Walters ( pictured with Daniel Radcliffe in 207's Order Of the Phoenix) In the Harry Potter films, the original Weasley siblings were played by several actors. James and Oliver Phelps played Fred and George Weasley, respectively, while Bonnie Wright played Ginny Weasley and Chris Rankin played Percy Weasley. Meanwhile actor Nick Frost, who portrays Hagrid, towered over lead star Dominic McLaughlin as filming for the TV series took over London and brought traffic to a standstill earlier this month. Nick and Dominic were pictured walking down Borough High Street near London Bridge. Their costumes both match their characters' descriptions in the movies and books. Taking on Daniel Radcliffe's role of Harry, Scottish actor Dominic, 11, looked serious as he looked into the distance while rocking a blue, green and yellow rain jacket. He completed the look with some wide-leg jeans, a rucksack and Harry's iconic glasses. Meanwhile, Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead legend Nick, 53, donned long curly hair and a matching beard. The actor looked warm in a khaki jacket, black trousers and brown boots. Earlier this month the highly anticipated show shared a first look at all the Weasley siblings with a fun selfie of the actors Following her casting, actress Katherine said didn't to add her name to the list of those who have denounced author JK Rowling's views about trans people Rowling, 59, has faced intense criticism from LGBTQ + activists and several stars of the Harry Potter films and branded transphobic by some campaigners Katherine said: 'I dont want to add to that debate at all, Im just delighted to be joining the magical world of Harry Potter' Gracie will be replacing Bonnie Wright in the role of the youngest Weasley Tristan and Gabriel cut low key figures during their break Crew took over the platform with dozens of staff in high-vis vests Platform 9 and 3/4 at King's Cross Railway station pictured In one snap of the pair together, some may notice that Nick - who is 5ft 7 inches, towers over Dominic - and if you look closely, he has a mask on his face which has two black dots above his mouth. While it's initially unclear in the photos as to where Harry and Hagrid are going, given the location, it looks like the duo are likely on their way to Diagon Alley. After the photos emerged, fans have taken to Reddit to share their thoughts. They said: 'The OUTFIT is just so spot on, the too big jeans, baggy shirt, the dirty coat that I swear half the boys at my school had and probably came from C&A. The attention to detail is just so good', 'IKR. they also roughed-up Hagrid. unlike the first official photo where his beard looks like a perfectly conditioned and curled hair'. 'I love that they're showing Harry in baggy clothes. It really fits with how it was always described in the books'. In May this year the three lead child stars were finally announced after months of speculation - with Dominic playing protagonist Harry, Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley Meanwhile actor Nick Frost, who portrays Hagrid, towered over lead star Dominic McLaughlin as filming for the TV series took over London After the photos emerged, fans have taken to Reddit to share their thoughts 'He's drowning in the clothes, it's perfect', 'One of the things I really like here as a book comparison is Nick Frosts face being naturally sterner while resting. We know he can do the big happy smiles but Hagrid is meant to look a bit scary at first. Although I loved Coltrane - he always looked warm whatever expression he had', 'I'll forever love Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid but I'm also really excited to see Nick Frost's Hagrid on screen', 'Dominic gets more and more Harry with every leak/picture', 'Perfect Harry. perfect Hagrid. how his tiny steps struggling to keep up with Hagrid's big strides. TT.' Olivia Kelly has revealed how she met her new boyfriend, who happens to be Tammy Hembrow's ex-fiance. The influencer, who made headlines in July after Reece Hawkins, 30, was spotted on her social media, took to Instagram to share how she struck up a romance with Tammy's baby daddy. 'We basically met online,' the 24-year-old said in a Q&A on her Instagram story. She went on to say that the romance had been unexpected but a pleasant surprise for the couple. 'Both of us were content on our own and not searching for a relationship, but I guess thats when you meet your person,' she said. Speculation began swirling when the Gold Coast influencer shared snaps revealing Reece's instantly recognisable tattoos. Olivia Kelly (right) has revealed how she met her new boyfriend Reece Hawkins (left), who happens to be Tammy Hembrow's ex-fiance The influencer took to Instagram to share how she struck up a romance with Tammy's (pictured) baby daddy In July, the fitness trainer posted a photo of herself wearing a dramatic, backless dress to her Instagram story, layered over another picture showing a chessboard and a man with tattooed arms. The ink matched that of Reece, who is known for his heavily tattooed body. Additionally, Olivia shared a photo of herself hugging a dog that appeared to be Reece's Golden Retriever. Fast forward to now, the fitness guru has made things Instagram official with Tammy's ex, posting a slew of pictures in August showing the couple loved up in Bali. In one selfie, the pair could be seen at a cafe together, with Reece looking at his phone and Olivia smiling for the camera. Another showed Olivia's new beau sweetly kissing her on the cheek. The pair have now returned to the Gold Coast. ast week, Olivia shared a mirror selfie of the couple packing on the PDA, along with a candid snap of her new man walking her dog on the beach, coffee in hand. In one selfie, the pair could be seen at a cafe together, with Reece looking at his phone and Olivia smiling for the camera Last week, Olivia posted a mirror selfie of the happy couple packing on the PDA Tammy and Reece share two kids Wolf, 10, and Saskia, nine. However, they decided to part ways in 2018. He was later in a relationship with model London Goheen, and the pair welcomed their son Stone in 2021 before splitting the next year. Tammy, 31, recently set tongues wagging after being spotted on two dates with AFL star Bailey Smith just two months after announcing her split from Love Island's Matt Zukowski. The 24-year-old, who plays for the Geelong Cats in Victoria, flew to the Gold Coast two weekends in a row to spend time with Tammy. The couple were first seen leaving hand in hand after a meal at the upscale Asian fusion spot Rick Shores in Burleigh Heads before being caught making out at another restaurant. The pair were more recently spotted enjoying a romantic stroll to Nobby Beach, where the footy player appeared to have his arm wrapped around Tammy's hips. As the sons of David and Victoria Beckham, their bitter feud has been the centre of much attention over the previous five months, particularly on social media. But now the Beckham brothers have moved on from a war of words to one of cooking as Cruz, 20, and Brooklyn, 26, both showed off their pasta making skills to their Instagram followers. Enjoying their annual family holiday, but this time without their eldest son, Cruz shared videos of their brother Romeo, 22, and younger sister Harper, 14, giggling as they attempted a pasta making in Italy. The latest video of his family enjoying a cooking course on holiday, is likely to strike a chord with Brooklyn as he is considered the chef of the family with a passion for cooking. At home in the US with his wife, the aspiring chef Brooklyn also made a bowl of fresh tomato pasta for Nicola, 31, for what she called 'the perfect Sunday' - just the two of them at home with their dogs. It comes as the couple have been locked in an ongoing rift with Brooklyn's family, which first emerged when they skipped all of David's 50th birthday celebrations in April and earlier this month they renewed their vows in Los Angeles without the Beckhams present. Now the Beckham brothers have moved on from a war of words to one of cooking as Cruz, 20, and Brooklyn, 26, both showed off their pasta making skills to their Instagram followers Enjoying their annual family holiday, but this time without their eldest son, Cruz shared videos of their brother Romeo, 22, and younger sister Harper, 14, giggling as they attempted a pasta making in Italy At home in the US with his wife, the aspiring chef Brooklyn also made a bowl of fresh tomato pasta for Nicola, 31, for what she called 'the perfect Sunday' - just the two of them at home with their dogs And now, in the latest snub to his family, Brooklyn has teamed up with the disgraced former This Morning chef, Gino D'Acampo, who fell out with David's best friend Gordon Ramsay after he was accused of sexual misconduct on the set of their ITV cooking show. Since he was axed from television, the 41-year-old chef has been making cooking videos for social media and in his latest video he can be seen promoting Brooklyn's hot sauce brand, Cloud23. Standing by the edge of a pool with a barbecue, D'Acampo thanks him for the 'kind gift' as he made the Cloud23 burger with it and branded it the 'best burger you will ever taste'. D'Acampo has denied 'dozens' of claims of misconduct, including allegations of aggressive, abusive, and sexualized language on set made by people who worked with him on various ITV programs. Brooklyn proudly shared the video on his Instagram with a link to D'Acampo's website, a move that is sure to upset Ramsay, 58, whose eldest son, Jack, he used to be friends with until the fallout with his family. Previously, Cruz has lashed out at his older brother in the comment section of his social media page, making sly digs and weighing in on speculation about his family's fall out. Under a video Cruz released promoting his new song, a critic commented: 'Are you going to stick with this job or going to become a race car driver next or something?' To which the aspiring musician - seemingly lashing out at his brother Brooklyn's many career paths - responded: 'Wrong brother mate'. The latest video of his family enjoying a cooking course on holiday, is likely to strike a chord with Brooklyn as he is considered the chef of the family with a passion for cooking Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel shared an insight into the cookery course on her Instagram To All the Boys alum Noah Centineo shared a shocking selfie of himself flexing his bulging biceps and six-pack abs on the Sydney, Australian set of Legendary's reboot of Street Fighter on Monday. The 29-year-old former Disney Channel star - who boasts 16.1M social media followers - captioned his trailer snap: 'Road brawler.' Noah has totally transformed his 6ft1in body and appearance since he attended the LA premiere of his film Warfare at the DGA Theater on March 27. Centineo's makeover certainly surprised his fans, including Snow White actress Rachel Zegler who commented: 'NOW HANG ON!' The Recruit producer-star reportedly replaced Patrick Schwarzenegger in the lead role of Ken Masters, the best friend and rival to Ryu who trained under the same master Gouken, who first appeared in the 1987 Capcom video game. Noah had to bleach his natural raven locks and shave off his burly beard for Kitao Sakurai's 2026 film, which commenced principal photography on August 18. To All the Boys alum Noah Centineo shared a shocking selfie of himself flexing his bulging biceps and six-pack abs on the Sydney, Australian set of Legendary's reboot of Street Fighter on Monday Centineo is the third actor to portray Ken after Damian Chapa originated the role in the 1994 Street Fighter movie and Christian Howard starred in the spin-off series Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist (2014) and Street Fighter: Resurrection (2016). Curiously, the character was not included in Andrzej Bartkowiak's 2009 sequel Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. Andrew Schulz - who plays Dan Hibiki - shared several on-set snaps including one of Noah standing near his famous co-star Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, who plays Balrog. Callina Liang - who plays Chun-Li - Instastoried a snap of herself with co-star Orville Peck, who plays Vega captioned: 'They hate to see us coming!' The Street Fighter ensemble also includes Jason Momoa, David Dastmalchian, Andrew Koji, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Hirooki Goto, Vidyut Jammwal, and Joe Anoa'i. On August 11, Deadline reported that Centineo was cast as a younger version of Sylvester Stallone's Vietnam veteran in Jalmari Helander's prequel John Rambo, which shoots in Thailand next year. Last year, the 79-year-old Oscar nominee revealed he would have preferred Ryan Gosling be cast as the younger Rambo. 'I met him at a dinner and obviously we're opposites. He's good-looking I'm not. That's how it works,' Sly recalled on The Tonight Show. 'But he goes, "I was fascinated by Rambo, and I used to go to school dressed as Rambo and people would chase me away and I still didn't stop." The 29-year-old former Disney Channel star - who boasts 16.1M social media followers - captioned his trailer snap: 'Road brawler' Noah has totally transformed his 6ft1in body and appearance since he attended the LA premiere of his film Warfare at the DGA Theater on March 27 Centineo's makeover certainly surprised his fans, including Snow White actress Rachel Zegler who commented: 'NOW HANG ON!' The Recruit producer-star reportedly replaced Patrick Schwarzenegger in the lead role of Ken Masters (L), the best friend and rival to Ryu who trained under the same master Gouken, who first appeared in the 1987 Capcom video game Noah had to bleach his natural raven locks and shave off his burly beard for Kitao Sakurai's 2026 film, which commenced principal photography on August 18 Andrew Schulz - who plays Dan Hibiki - shared several on-set snaps including one of Centineo standing near his famous co-star Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson (M), who plays Balrog Callina Liang - who plays Chun-Li - Instastoried a snap of herself with co-star Orville Peck, who plays Vega captioned: 'They hate to see us coming!' The Street Fighter ensemble also includes Jason Momoa (L), David Dastmalchian (M), Andrew Koji (R), Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Hirooki Goto, Vidyut Jammwal, and Joe Anoa'i On August 11, Deadline reported that the Miami-born actor was cast as a younger version of Sylvester Stallone's Vietnam veteran in Jalmari Helander's prequel John Rambo, which shoots in Thailand next year But Noah originally found fame in several Disney Channel projects including Austin & Ally (pictured), Shake It Up, Jessie, and How to Build a Better Boy 'He just kept saying that he had a lot of affiliation with Rambo, and I thought, this is interesting. If I ever pass the baton, I'll pass it on to him because he loves the character.' The Miami-born actor's other upcoming films include Oscar Boyson's gun violence dramedy Our Hero, Balthazar; Adam Meeks' drama Union County; Brian Birch's sound-driven thriller Listen; and Veljko Popovic's animated short Meta. But Noah originally found fame in several Disney Channel projects including Austin & Ally, Shake It Up, Jessie, and How to Build a Better Boy. Miranda Hart's fans claimed she was just like her beloved sitcom character after leaving them in hysterics following a kayaking mishap on Saturday. The comedian, 52, who wrote and starred in the comedy Miranda from 2009-2015, appeared to be enjoying a break in the countryside with husband Richard Fairs, 60, whom she wed in secret in July 2024. Her partner filmed the actress' slapstick attempts to climb out of the canoe before Miranda finally fell into the water with a splash. Offering his advice, he said: 'Now push with your arms, now keep your centre of gravity over the boat'. Miranda, who wore a wetsuit and shades on her head, was totally flummoxed by his suggestions as the kayak perilously shook from side to side. 'I can't work it out' she admitted before attempting to ungraciously 'straddle' the vessel, which only left the pair in fits of giggles. Miranda Hart's fans claimed she was just like her beloved sitcom character after leaving them in hysterics following a kayaking mishap on Instagram on Saturday The comedian appeared to be enjoying a break in the countryside with husband Richard Fairs, 60, whom she wed in secret in July 2024 , as he filmed her attempts to climb out of the canoe Miranda wrote and starred in the comedy Miranda from 2009-2015 (pictured) Miranda's attempts continued before she eventually fell into the water as fans raced to the comments, with one claiming it was like watching a new episode of her show. 'New Ep: 'Miranda and [her sitcom love interest] Gary go Kayaking': 'I just took a mouthful of perfect red wine, and I had to spit it back... Straddle It. Hilarious': 'I lost count of how many times I had to watch this clip and I couldnt help but laugh every time. Its so relatable. I couldnt even get in a kayak with my bad knees at my age'. 'Oh that's so funny! I'd be the same, at least it doesn't show if you wet yourself laughing!': 'I'm only laughing because that would be me!': 'I think we were separated at birth Amanda': 'Thank you Miranda. I did not know how much I needed to see this today, until I did. And yes, that would totally be me too!!! Well done for giving it your best shot x'. Earlier this month Miranda admitted that she has to 'live one day at a time' amid her three-decade long battle with Lyme disease. The TV star had been off the nation's screens for four years when she revealed her illness and surprise wedding joy as she launched her autobiography last year. And she took to Instagram with an update on her condition as she teased a 'new literary offering' that is coming later this week. She said in her clip: 'Hello to you. Well I have news...' She then started humming the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune before quickly adding: 'No I'm joking, that was a joke.. or was that a double bluff, no really it was a joke I shouldn't have said that... He filmed her slapstick attempts to climb out of the canoe before Miranda finally fell into the water with a splash Miranda, who wore a wetsuit and shades on her head, was totally flummoxed by his suggestions as the kayak perilously shook from side to side Pictured with husband Richard in November 2024 Miranda's attempts continued before she eventually fell into the water as fans raced to the comments, with one claiming it was like watching a new episode of her show Her TV alter ego was known for her lovable clumsiness (pictured on the show) 'The menopausal mounds of this body is not ready for any sort of dancefloor let alone one on national television - no one is ready for that. 'No the news is that I am sharing some news on Thursday so this is the pre news news. This time last year I was rather anxiously telling people I had written a book about suffering from Lyme disease and other delightful associated conditions. 'I was keeping it a secret that I had just got married as it was a story in said book. I am still completely every day amazed and blown away that people have been blown away by the book. 'That's another reason I couldn't do Strictly as the whole Lyme disease and chronic illness if you are a fellow sufferer then you will know that it really is living one day at time. 'It would be too soon the dancing every day for three months. I'll do it when I'm 60 I've decided. Anyway the news is coming on Thursday, this is the pre news news.' She penned in the caption of her post: 'News coming on Thursday about a new little literary offering. Nothing too exciting, but my remit for it was 'cosy'. And I find cosy exciting.' Back in June she revealed her hopes to return to creating comedy - ten years after her hit show last aired. She has previously said that she 'missed laughter' in her time away from TV, adding that she was 'really keen to get back to some silliness now'. But it now seems that she is finally ready to get back to the drawing board - after confessing her hopes to actor Tim Key after a screening of his new film The Ballad of Wallis Island. 'Miranda Hart came and she said: 'That's very freeing. I'd like to make something again,'' the Alan Partridge star told the Elis James and John Robins show. It comes after Miranda admitted that she has to 'live one day at a time' amid her three-decade long battle with Lyme disease She had been off the nation's screens for four years when she revealed her illness and surprise wedding joy as she launched her autobiography last year James, joking that the film had been so good it had forced him to give up on his writing dreams, responded: 'You've lost James and won Hart.' Key, 48, replied: 'It's swings and roundabouts. We've turned you off and Miranda back on.' It came as the star shared a cryptic social media post, a quote from Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own. It said that 'when you let go of the frantic search for validation, you find yourself exactly where you are meant to be, with the tools you need to go forward. It is from this place of quiet assurance that the most beautiful things emerge.' Miranda has kept a low-profile in recent years. The comedian rose to fame with her self-titled sitcom series in 2009 and went on to star in Call The Midwife as Chummy from 2012 until 2015. In 2017 it was revealed Miranda would not be returning to Call The Midwife, citing a busy work schedule as her reason. But she later revealed during an stand-up gig in London that she had been suffering from 'ill' health She was last seen in 2020's film adaptation of Jane Austin, where she played 'harmless chatterbox' Miss Bates. With one of the UK's most photographed men as his dad, it's no surprise that Romeo Beckham has become a hot favourite in the fashion world. And it seems the model has once again taken inspiration from his father David by posing for an eye-catching shoot with V Magazine. Showing off his tattooed torso, Romeo, 22, has cemented himself as a favourite in the fashion world, this time posing in a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier white fishnet look. Other images also show Romeo posing up a storm in a leather Burberry jacket, while his cover snap featured a Dolce & Gabbana shearling coat and jogging bottoms. Over the weekend, Romeo was seen enjoying his annual break with his family on their 16million yacht in Europe, which they documented on Instagram. The famous siblings have been posting updates from their long hot summer on Instagram, where everyone is present apart from their eldest brother Brooklyn. Romeo Beckham has taken inspiration from his famous father David (right, in 2012) as he showed off his tattooed torso in an eye-catching new V Magazine shoot The model has cemented himself as a favourite in the fashion world, posing for a string of edgy snaps for the magazine's newest issue The budding fashion star has already modelled for designers including Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and most famously Burberry The Beckhams are said to no longer be on speaking terms with Brooklyn, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, who recently renewed their vows without inviting the Beckham family. David and Victoria are currently away with three of their four children, Romeo, Cruz, 20, and Harper, 14, as well as Cruz's girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 29 - while their son Brooklyn remains away amid their ongoing feud. The Beckhams have been snubbed by Brooklyn and his wife Nicola after they said 'I do' for a second time on August 2 in Westchester County in front of her family, with the Beckham clan notably absent, having not been informed of the event. Further heartache has come in the form of a leak of Brooklyn's speech, in which he reportedly opened up on his love for the Peltz family, as well as speaking 'movingly' of his wife in front of the 200 guests. A source told The Mirror: 'He spoke from the heart - and at the centre of his heart is Nicola whom he loves very dearly, but also the Peltz family who have really stuck by his side. He wanted to recognise them all, and was determined to do them all justice.' News of the 'heartfelt tribute' to billionaire Nelson Peltz, 83, and wife Claudia, 70, will no doubt add to the pain of the Beckham family amid their estrangement from Brooklyn, since it is said that no such tribute was given for his own parents. While Brooklyn enjoyed his love-fest overseas, the Beckhams enjoyed a prolonged stint in the south of France before heading to Italy. Brooklyn is reportedly 'heartbroken' over the way his wife Nicola is being 'painted as a viper' within their ongoing family feud. The magazine's cover featured Romeo posing in a Dolce & Gabbana shearling coat and jogging bottoms from the legendary designer Romeo has been enjoying his annual summer break with his family aboard their 16million yacht in Europe One snap showed Romeo clad in head-to-toe Balenciaga, including knee-high boots, a ripped tank top and tracksuit bottoms Posing on a brick-lined street, Romeo was dressed in a vintage Jean Paul Gaultier leather jacket for another image from the shoot The Beckhams are said to no longer be on speaking terms with Romeo's brother Brooklyn, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, who recently renewed their vows without inviting them The Beckhams have been snubbed by Brooklyn and Nicola after they said 'I do' for a second time on August 2 While Brooklyn enjoyed his love-fest overseas, the Beckhams enjoyed a prolonged stint in the south of France before heading to Italy Romeo has firmly stood by his famous parents in the midst of their feud with Brooklyn, joining his family on their annual summer getaway Having showcased his modelling prowess from a young age, Romeo has since posed for shoots with a string of big-name designers Billionaire heiress Nicola has previously been accused of 'isolating' Brooklyn from not only his family, but his friends too. New sources allege Brooklyn is not being held from making his own decisions and is 'devastated' over the way his wife is being portrayed. A source told The Mirror: 'Its so rooted in misogyny that all of the heat for his parents not being invited is on Nicola. 'Everyone seems to forget that Brooklyn is an adult man and fully capable of speaking out. Nicola would have respected all that he chose. It breaks Brooklyns heart to see his wife being painted as this vixen and viper.' The sister of an ITV reality star set pulses racing as she flashed her nipples in a wet t-shirt in an array of Instagram snaps. The nepo-sibling took to social media last week to share snaps from a recent lavish trip to Italy. Sun-kissed snaps showed the stars walking out of the sea as she posed on the beach in a racy ensemble. She was seen wearing a white vest that was drenched in water with her nipples visible, as well as a pair of low-rise folded over bikini briefs. The nepo-sister completed the look with her hair slicked back and accessorised with a chunky gold bangle and a slim elegant bracelet. But do YOU know who her famous sister is? The sister of an ITV reality star set pulses racing as she flashed her nipples in a wet t-shirt in an array of Instagram snaps The nepo-sibling took to social media last week to share snaps from a recent lavish trip to Italy - but do YOU know who her famous sister is? The model is Romana Lucia Bright, the sister of The Only Way Is Essex star Lydia Bright. 'A love letter to italy,' Romana captioned the snap. 'Goddess,' her sister Lydia commented, while their mother Debbie added: ' here she is.' Romana landed her first modelling job when she was just 14, with Lydia congratulating her on social media at the time. She wrote: 'My little lady got her first modelling job. Forget Momagers I am going to be a Sistager. So very proud, can't wait to see you shine.' Roma was brought up with Lydia by their mother Debbie Douglas, 57, who previously revealed that along with caring for her kids, she has also fostered more than 250 foster children. It comes after Lydia candidly discussed her nan's worsening dementia as she recalled the first time she forgot who she was in a heartbreaking update. The TV personality, 34, told of how she 'crumbles' on the days that her nan doesn't remember who she is as she experiences her 'decline began to accelerate.' The model is Romana Lucia Bright, the sister of The Only Way Is Essex star Lydia Bright (Seen together in 2021) Sun-kissed snaps showed the stars walking out of the sea as she posed on the beach in a racy ensemble She was seen wearing a white vest that was drenched in water with her nipples visible, as well as a pair of low-rise folded over bikini briefs The nepo-sister completed the look with her hair slicked back and accessorised with a chunky gold bangle and a slim elegant bracelet Sharing a post to Instagram, Lydia uploaded a video of her nan with her daughter Loretta, five, walking hand-in-hand. However, sadly, she went on to revealed her nan 'doesnt know who Loretta is anymore and said the heartbreak she is dealing with has become 'overwhelming.' She wrote: Ill never forget the first time I went to see my nan and she didnt know who I was. It was devastating and my heart broke in a way I cant explain. This year has been incredibly hard for me and my family with my Nans health. Nans dementia has been slowly progressing over the past five years, but at the start of this year her decline began to accelerate.' Lydia continued: 'My nan has always been one of the most important people in my life. I spent so many of my childhood weekends at my grandparents house and my first home was on the same road as hers meaning we were neighbours for over a decade. 'Shes always been my best friend and Im so like her in my ways, obsessed with perfection, cleanliness and self care. The family always joke that Im the favourite out of her 12 grandchildren, our bond is magical and shes had such a huge impact on my life. 'Earlier this year, we had to make the heartbreaking decision to move her into a care home. 'A love letter to italy,' Romana captioned the snap 'Goddess,' her sister Lydia commented, while their mother Debbie added: ' here she is' Romana landed her first modelling job when she was just 14, with Lydia congratulating her on social media at the time (Seen together) 'Even with family staying in her flat, carers visiting daily and everyone rallying around to spend time with her, it still wasnt enough. She now needs 24-hour care because even one hour alone was too risky. 'We knew it was the right thing to do, but the guilt was overwhelming. Some weeks are easier than others, she doesnt know who Loretta is anymore but most of the time she still remembers me and when she does, her whole face lights up and she cries. 'But I get such bad anxiety every week before visiting because on the days she doesnt know me I crumble. The tears take over, I have to leave before I upset her or make her feel confused and the sadness becomes so consuming. 'The hardest moments are when she asks why she cant think properly or whats happening to her and I cant bring myself to tell her how unwell she really is. 'I have cried a lot about Nan this year, I dont always know how to help that and I pray she isnt suffering too much. Im sharing this because over the weekend it felt overwhelming.' Lydia concluded: 'I dont want to pretend that life is always perfect on here, behind my Instagram feed sometimes like many people I am quietly dealing with heartbreak. Life isnt always perfect.' Lisa Snowdon showed off her curves in a purple bikini as she shared snaps from her lavish holiday in Formentera alongside her fiance George Smart and a group of friends. The former Britain's Next Top Model host, 53, showcased her ageless features in the chic halter-neck number as she beamed next to George, 44, for a radiant selfie. The radio presenter has been often documenting her luxurious getaways on her social media platform, as she was just in Cyprus to film earlier last month. And just the prior month, Lisa showed off her incredible body in a cheeky bikini video from her Italian holiday. The presenter smiled for the camera as she flashed her bottom in the skimpy two-piece bikini, which was decorated with a pink and red leopard print design. Lisa finished off the look with a pair of black sunglasses and opted to wear her hair down in natural, free-flowing waves. Lisa Snowdon showed off her curves in a purple bikini as she shared snaps from her lavish holiday in Formentera alongside her fiance George Smart and a group of friends The former Britain's Next Top Model host, 53, showcased her ageless features in the chic halter-neck number as she beamed next to George, 44, for a radiant selfie In the video, she can be seen putting on a pair of matching shorts and a scarf before playfully posing for the camera. The cheeky clip ended with with her leaning down to blow a kiss as she continued her stay in Salento, Puglia, a stunning region in southern Italy. The bikini video comes after Lisa admitted she has 'reservations' about marrying her partner George Smart eight years after they got engaged. The model and communications firm founder first dated more than 20 years ago when she was a DJ at MTV and he was the channel's head of events. The lovebirds rekindled their romance a decade ago and got engaged in 2017. When asked when they're going to tie the knot, Lisa admitted she has a 'tiny hint of reservation' that marriage will 'change' their relationship. 'Deep down I do know it wouldn't, but then I think, 'Well my mum and dad's marriage didn't last,' and some people say, 'Don't do it because it changes things,'' she told The Mirror. 'So there's 90 per cent of me that knows nothing would change, but a tiny hint of reservation where I think it would.' In June, Lisa showed off her incredible body in a cheeky bikini video from her Italian holiday The bikini video comes after Lisa admitted she has 'reservations' about marrying her partner George Smart eight years after they got engaged George, however, said he has no hesitation and would marry Lisa tomorrow if they could get their friends - who are 'dotted around the world' - all together. He told the outlet he 'knows nothing would change' and is ready to 'have that bravery' to take 'the next step'. When asked what she's excited for about getting married, Lisa said: 'Being able to call him 'my husband' and saying, 'My husband's coming soon, I'm just waiting for my husband!' I think I prefer 'my husband' to 'my fiance' I'd love it!' The couple, who recently enjoyed a trip to the Caribbean to celebrate Lisa's 53rd birthday, are planning more travel in the future to Chile, Peru, Thailand and Guatemala. As for TV work, they said they'd love their own travel show, with George joking it should be called 'Couples Travel'. Sophie Turner has spoken candidly about filming the controversial rape scene her character Sansa Stark endured in Game of Thrones, which aired during the show's fifth season when she was just 19. The distressing episode, which featured Turner opposite actor Iwan Rheon, sparked global backlash in 2015 for its depiction of sexual violence. Now, nearly a decade later, the 29-year-old actress has explained why she believes the storyline played a vital role in sparking dialogue. 'I did feel and still do that Game of Thrones shone a light on things that many people were like, 'Oh god, you can't show that kind of thing' and I understand it can be triggering, I totally understand that point of view,' she told Flaunt Magazine. 'But I did feel we were actually doing a lot of justice to women and the fight women have had to fight for hundreds of thousands of years.' The mom-of-two reflected on how women have long endured 'the patriarchy, being treated as objects and being constantly sexually assaulted.' She added, 'I don't think there's one woman I know who hasn't had a form of that.' Sophie Turner has spoken candidly about filming the controversial rape scene her character Sansa Stark endured in Game of Thrones; seen in March 2023 Turner admitted it can be disheartening when men dismiss these experiences or don't believe them. 'That's because we don't [talk about] it enough we shy away from it,' she said disapprovingly. Looking back, she acknowledged that standards have shifted since the show aired. 'I think if Game of Thrones came out today, we'd definitely put some trigger warnings on there,' she said. 'But I'm really proud to have been a part of Game of Thrones where they didn't shy away from showing atrocities that happened to women back then. I feel proud to have been part of the conversation.' Her co-star Iwan Rheon, 40, has also spoken about the difficulties of shooting the scene, in which his character, Ramsay Bolton rapes Sansa on their wedding night. 'That was horrible,' he told Metro in 2020. 'Nobody wanted to be there. Nobody wants to do that, but if it's telling a story then you have to tell it truthfully. They didn't sensationalize it or anything. It was very, very hard watching. It's a horrible thing that happens, unfortunately.' Rheon said the day of filming was 'the worst day' of his career. 'Chopping someone's finger off, you don't really see it, and when you're doing like a close up, it's a piece of plastic. We're just acting, it's not real. Then something like that where you're in the actual reality of the situation is very difficult to deal with. It was a horrible, horrible day. This is something that we shouldn't even have to worry about, because it's something that shouldn't exist in this world, but unfortunately it does.' The distressing episode, which featured Turner opposite actor Iwan Rheon, sparked global backlash in 2015 for its depiction of sexual violence (seen in 2015) Now, nearly a decade later, the 29-year-old actress has explained why she believes the storyline played a vital role in sparking dialogue While Game of Thrones was on air from 2011 to 2019, the show sparked backlash over the 'exploitative' and 'unnecessary' depictions of sexual violence and abuse against women. The scene is one of the most widely criticized scenes in the series and led some fans to boycott the long-running fantasy drama. At the time, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill declared she was done with the show after watching the 'gratuitous rape scene.' Turner, who became a Patron for Women for Women International, previously tied her work on Game of Thrones to her advocacy for survivors of sexual violence. Turner first auditioned for the role of Sansa Stark at the age of 12 and began filming aged 14, with the show's eighth season finishing when she was 23 Back in 2015, she penned an essay reflecting on the public outrage over the storyline. 'I wondered why people feel so impassioned to speak out about a fictional rape when this happens all over the world every day,' she wrote. 'In a time where it seems a lot of focus is being placed upon domestic issues and concerns, it's important that we draw some attention to the people who aren't able to publicize the horrors that are occurring or have occurred in their own countries.' She went on to recall traveling to Rwanda, meeting those affected by violence and how the women there deeply 'inspired' her in 'so many ways.' 'Ultimately, I hope to help [Women for Women International] build their network and raise much-needed funds to help more women survivors of war,' Turner said. Turner first auditioned for the role of Sansa Stark at the age of 12 and began filming aged 14, with the show's eighth season finishing when she was 23. Sarah Jessica Parker could reprise her iconic role as Carrie Bradshaw yet again after the end of Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That... The 'woke' show - which saw Parker, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis reprise their SATC roles as Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York for three seasons- ended with a panned two part finale which saw the fashionista embracing being 'on her own.' After SJP, 60, gave a 'word salad' remark about whether the show would stay off-air, executive producer Elisa Zuritsky has teased that new episodes 'could happen' with baffled fans bagging creators to let 'AJLT die.' Zuritsky told TV Line when asked about a possible Carrie return: 'Shes alive so it could happen.' 'Sarah Jessica Parker is [showrunner] Michael Patrick Kings muse and the reason he says "Ive said goodbye before and Ive come back" is because its true. 'We serve at his pleasure. I am the eternal optimist. So I dont like to be too final about things, and life is long. I mean, weve all seen lots of things happen.' Sarah Jessica Parker could reprise her iconic role as Carrie Bradshaw yet again after the end of Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That... The show - which saw Parker , Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis reprise their SATC roles as Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbes and Charlotte York - has been branded ' woke ', 'awful' and 'cringeworthy' since its debut in 2021 - ending earlier this month She added she keeps notes on potential future storylines for Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte. 'And maybe one day well get to see that list come to life on our TV screens again.' she said. Fans were left both bemused and outraged by the comments, with one writing: 'For the love of God! LET. IT. DIE.' Others wrote: 'Just quit while you're ahead. 'Time to let go of a bad story. I left after the third episode. The public lets Hollywood know when it is finished. 'Let it go.' 'Why? Didnt they lose enough money due to low viewing levels, already? 'It was awful. I lost interest after the second episode.' Samantha Jones icon Kim Cattrall did not reprise her role due to bad blood with her castmates - she played the role in the series from 1998-2004 and in the two films Zuritsky told TV Line when asked about a possible Carrie return: 'Shes alive so it could happen' AJLT saw Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) cheat on husband Steve with non-binary comic Che (Sara Ramirez) - before starting to exclusively date women - even though in SATC Miranda had said she was 'definitely not gay' And Just Like That... was first announced in January 2021. The series kicked off in explosive style with Big (Chris Noth) dying of a heart attack in the first episode Others were giddy over the faint prospect of more AJLT, writing: 'Yes. Would Love to see her & the girls story continue. 'I agree wholeheartedly. As a single 60 year old woman I loved being able to hang out with these women over the years and have connected since Day 1. I love their stories and miss them already!' Fans had bashed the show and its writers, with some even alleging And Just Like That... had 'ruined' the once-beloved characters from the original Sex and the City and critics calling it 'the worst show on television'. AJLT saw Miranda cheat on husband Steve with non-binary comic Che Diaz, Carrie bizarrely claim 'love of her life' Mr Big was a 'mistake' and agreeing to take a five year break from her on-again romance with Aidan Shaw. The show's viewership had tumbled in its third season. Samantha Jones actress Kim Cattrall notably did not return for the series full-time after a decade of bad blood with her castmates. The original show ran from 1998-2004 with two films in 2008 and 2010. AJLT was first announced in January 2021 - 11 years after the panned movie, Sex and the City 2. It introduced a host of new side characters including Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker), Seema Patel (Sarita Choudhury) and Dr Nya Wallace (Karen Pittman). The series kicked off in explosive style with Big (Chris Noth) dying of a heart attack in the first episode. Noth was later edited out of the series after being accused of sexual abuse by four women - he denied all the allegations and has never been charged with any crime. Miranda began cheating on Steve (David Eigenberg) - who was her true love over six seasons and two films - with Che (Sara Ramirez) before starting to exclusively date women, despite her character confirming in SATC she was 'definitely not gay.' Last year Ramirez was dropped from And Just Like That because their character Che Diaz was a waste of airtime, according to insiders, who shut down the actors claim that being pro-Palestine cost them the role. Ramirez a non-binary actor who uses they/them pronouns, implied they will not return for the third season of the Sex and the City spin-off in a series of posts. They heavily suggested their time on the show was over as they claimed casting directors and agents are making black lists of actors and workers who post anything in support of Palestinians and Gaza to ensure they will not work again. But a source close to the show ridiculed the suggestion, claiming Ramirezs head had been on the chopping block since last season because their character held no value anymore and was annoying. Cattrall was credited for getting the show a third season thanks to her shock cameo as Samantha in the second season finale Cattrall had previously refused to ever reprise her fan-favorite role as the man-hungry publicist - having last played the character in much derided 2010 film, Sex and the City 2. It was claimed Cattrall had previously 'torpedoed' plans for a third Sex and the City film - but she later denied this. Cattrall shocked fans when it emerged she had filmed a secret cameo for the show's second season, which she did without interacting with any cast member. An 80s star who once played Madonna's leading man looked unrecognizable as he enjoyed a leisurely summer stroll through New York City earlier this week. His impressive resume includes a starring role in John Landis' 1981 comedy horror film An American Werewolf in London. Six years later he joined forces with the Queen of Pop in the 1987 comedy Who's That Girl, playing her leading man. Not only does he act, but his credits include work behind the camera, including directing the 1988 film starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, Practical Magic. There are famous name in his family as well - he is the son of a Hollywood producer and his aunt and uncle were also famous writers. Can you guess who this star is? An 80s star who once worked with Madonna looked unrecognizable as he took a walk through New York City earlier this week It's Griffin Dunne! This 70-year-old actor and director was spotted enjoying a relaxing walk through downtown Manhattan on Thursday. The actor trekked about town in a casual cool look consisting of a jacket, shorts, Nike trainers, and a pair of AirPods. He also wore a red T-shirt advertising the restaurant Beefsteak Charlie's. Griffin had his hands full as he walked both his dog and a bright red bicycle about town. An accomplished figure in Hollywood, Griffin has numerous acting, directing, and producing credits to his name. Behind the scenes, Griffin has worked as a director, with his credentials including Fierce People, featuring Diane Lane, and Addicted to Love with Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan. He played Madonna's leading man in Who's That Girl Dunne got his big break with An American Werewolf in London If you guessed actor Griffin Dunne, you are correct! The star multi-tasked with his bicycle, dog, and Airpods The accomplished star got his big break in An American Werewolf in London His acting career continues to this day, with a role in the upcoming film starring Austin Butler, Caught Stealing. He also starred in the 1985 film directed by Martin Scorsese, After Hours. His IMDb spans roles in Dallas Buyers Club, Ocean's Eight, Succession, Search Party, After Hours, This Is Us, The French Dispatch, 40 Days and 40 Nights, My Girl, and the film he considers to be his big break, An American Werewolf In London. 'It was the unexpected opportunity to be cast in [1981s] An American Werewolf in London,' he told Closer earlier this year. 'I was quite inexperienced. Id done some theater, maybe a small part in a movie. It was bewildering. Suddenly I went from very tiny parts to co-star and shooting in London and flying over on the Concorde. Directors that I admired were introduced to me. It was quite a break.' And several years later he was working with another mega star - Madonna. 'It was really fun. She was hilarious and we had a lot of laughs,' he told the magazine of working with Madonna on Who's That Girl. 'She was at the height of her stardom. Although I grew up in Hollywood, Id never seen anything like that. The pooch dutifully remained by his side Griffin is an accomplished figure in Hollywood with numerous acting, directing, and producing credits under his name The actor enjoyed a brief break from his busy Hollywood schedule His eyes were shielded behind a pair of sunglasses Griffin wheeled his bright red bike across the street 'There were helicopters. Whenever we shot outside, they were hovering over us like we were O.J. Simpson in the Bronco. She just took it all in stride. Most people, myself included, would have had a nervous breakdown.' Griffin also has writing experience, having not only written scripts but even penning the memoir The Friday Afternoon Club. His interest in writing should come as no surprise considering his family. His uncle John Gregory Dunne was a writer and was married to the accomplished storyteller Joan Didion until his death in 2003. He raved about his time working with Madonna in Who's That Girl in an interview this year Griffin with Linda Fiorentino in the 1985 film After Hours His directing credits include Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman Griffin even produced and directed an acclaimed Netflix documentary about his late aunt, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold. His father is also the late Hollywood producer turned journalist Dominick Dunne. 'I noticed they all had something in common which was a sort of brutal honesty about themselves and the people around them. They were very tough writers. They would take down others when they saw hypocrisy or injustice,' Griffin told Closer of the famous writers in his family. 'They would also write from a very personal point of view. Joan [Didion] wrote about thinking of divorcing her husband. My father would write about his struggle with alcohol. I thought of them often when I was writing. They were a big influence on me.' In his personal life, Griffin has also endured tragedy - his younger sister, the actress Dominique, was strangled and killed aged 22 by an ex-boyfriend in 1982. Their father became an acclaimed crime writer after Vanity Fair's then editor-in-chief Tina Brown commissioned him to write about his daughter Dominique's murder for the magazine. Griffin has been married a total of three times, and has been wed to Anna Bingemann since 2009. He has a daughter, actress Hannah Dunne, with his ex-wife Carey Lowell. Lara Worthington and her husband Sam are enjoying their annual family holiday in Costa Rica. The Aussie model, 38, showed off her trim pins in an oversized yellow Hulk Hogan T-shirt as she put on a rare PDA with Sam on the beach on Sunday. The couple, who began dating in 2013 and married secretly in 2014, could barely keep their hands off each other as they frolicked in the water. Enjoying time with her family, Lara wasn't shy about getting her blonde locks wet as she stepped out of the surf. Sam also flashed a smile as he chatted to his wife before jumping into the water with one of his sons. The couple were later seen embracing as they watched sons Rocket, nine, Racer, eight, and River, four, play in the water on their bodyboards. Lara Worthington and her husband Sam (both pictured) are currently enjoying their annual family holiday in Costa Rica The Aussie model, 38, showed off her trim pins in an oversized yellow Hulk Hogan T-shirt as she put on a rare PDA with her husband Sam on the beach on Sunday Lara and her husband Sam, who secretly married in 2014 and share three sons, kept the pregnancies and even the children's names private for some time. The notoriously private couple welcomed their son River in a shroud of secrecy, with estimates that his birth happened sometime between March and June 2020. They also kept the births of their two older boys, Rocket and Racer, under wraps and now keep their brood out of the public eye. The family spent most of 2021 in Australia after living in the US for several years, but they have since returned to America and are living in New York City. The sighting comes after Lara recently announced she is gearing up to relaunch her cult beauty brand, The Base, in the coming months. Millennials may remember the brand for its hero product a single tinted moisturiser called The LB Cream. But by 2018, its cult following had tapered off, and amid closure rumours, Lara relaunched the brand as a not-for-profit called Share The Base. Eventually, the brand disappeared and was pulled from shelves. The couple, who began dating in 2013 and married secretly in 2014, could barely keep their hands off each other as they frolicked in the water Lara gently touched her husband's arm as they walked along the sand Enjoying time with her family, Lara wasn't shy about getting her blonde locks wet Sam also flashed a smile as he chatted to his wife before jumping into the water with his son Lara was seen walking out of the water while holding a bodyboard The couple were seen embracing at one point Lara and her husband Sam, who secretly married in 2014 and share three sons, kept the pregnancies and even the children's names private for some time The family spent most of 2021 in Australia after living in the US for several years, but they have since returned to America and are living in New York City In April, Lara sent fans into a frenzy as she confirmed its return to the market. 'It's gonna be shiny and sexy, not the formulation lol the packing,' she penned in an announcement on her Substack. The Base and her newly fledged beauty brand Ommage Beauty will be available in the next few months. Lara confirmed that the original formula will remain the same, but that she has expanded from five to 12 shades for all skin tones. Perhaps drawing inspiration from her time as the face of New Zealand-born eco skincare brand Emma Lewisham, Lara also noted her rebirthed brand will be refillable, vegan, fragrance free, and Australian made. 'This product is my favourite white t-shirt of my makeup draw,' Lara said. 'Super blendable, you can control the coverage with minimal effort to apply. The coverage sits in between a foundation and a tinted moisturiser. It's the perfect amount of perfectnessssss for a speedy morning routine. 'Yes it has built in SPF!!! Ummmmmm what else?!?! It's Vegan! It's Cruelty free! It's Fragrance free! 'It sells out quickly but I will try and keep our stock levels more constant than before 'It's made in God's country Australia! My mum loves it.' Amid tense ties with Pakistan, India extended a goodwill gesture to the neighbouring country by apprising it about the flood situation in the Tawi River. India on Sunday alerted Pakistan about a flood alert in the Tawi river on humanitarian grounds, even as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) continues to remain in abeyance in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. This is believed to be the first significant contact since the India-Pakistan conflict in May. Following the alert received from India, Pakistani authorities have reportedly issued warnings for vulnerable areas. According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, the communication was made to the Ministry of External Affairs, which then reached out to Islamabad. While India used to exchange data with Pakistan before the suspension of the treaty, this move was made purely on humanitarian grounds, sources said. Usually, such inputs are shared through the IW Commissioner. The Tawi river originates in the Himalayas and passes through the Jammu division before assembling in the Chenab in Pakistan. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of heavy rains across most parts of the Pakistan until August 30. The NDMA warning comes as the country reels from earlier monsoon spells from June 26 to August 20, that claimed over 788 lives and 1,018 injuries as of Saturday. Indias decision to suspend the decades-old treaty came after terrorists with cross-border links killed 26 people, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam on April 22. The origins of the IWT date back to the Partition. Indus, which has given India its name and its five tributaries, have sustained humanity on the subcontinent for millennia. Both India and Pakistan depend on Indus water for agriculture, irrigation, and electricity, but without the Indus system water, Pakistan would face serious existential threats. So, at Partition, the two countries signed an agreement called the Standstill Agreement to allow the flow of water across the border, and when that agreement expired in 1948, they negotiated for nine long ears, mediated by the World Bank, to sign the IWT in September 1960. The treaty gives India access to the waters of the three eastern rivers: the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, while Pakistan gets the waters of the three western rivers: the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, which account for almost 80 per cent of the shared basins water. While India can use the western rivers to generate hydel power and for limited irrigation, it cannot build infrastructure that restricts the flow of water from those rivers into Pakistan, either by storing or diverting their flows. The treaty came under renewed scrutiny after the 2019 Pulwama attack. Critics argue that the agreement has been too favorable to Pakistan, despite its continued support for terrorism against India. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day, 2025, said that the country is ready to give a befitting reply to the nuclear blackmail issued by Pakistan on several occasions recently. While addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort, he stated that Pakistans nuclear threats will no longer be tolerated. He criticized the water-sharing agreement under the Indus Water Treaty, calling it unjust and one-sided. Landslide rejection of recall votes in Taiwan highlights public disapproval of DPP authorities Xinhua) 13:11, August 25, 2025 TAIPEI, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The failure of a recall vote against opposition legislators in Taiwan on Saturday, together with a similar failed one last month, signals widespread public dissatisfaction with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The results have reflected the latest public sentiment in Taiwan -- a strong rejection of the DPP's policies of indulging in political maneuvers and ignoring people's well-being as well as its attempts to seek "Taiwan independence," said observers, calling the outcome a total failure for the party. The message is clear: Taiwan society is calling for efforts to prioritize public welfare and well-being and strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation. Saturday's recall vote against legislators from the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party came a few weeks after the first round on July 26, which targeted 24 KMT legislators and the suspended mayor of Hsinchu, where none of the proposals received more votes in favor than against. The United Daily News called the two rounds of failed DPP recall campaigns "a vote of no confidence" in political infighting under Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te. "Voter aversion has reached new heights," it wrote. Zheng Zhenqing, vice director of the Institute for Taiwan Studies at Tsinghua University in Beijing, said Lai's recall campaigns were indiscriminate political offensives, and as such, it has failed to gain support among residents in Taiwan. Lai's rhetorics during the campaigns were widely seen as fostering hatred, fanning secession, and suppressing dissidents, Zheng added. Bao Chengke, a researcher at an institute for East Asia studies in Shanghai, said the landslide failure of the DPP authorities in Saturday's recall vote reflects a release of public grievances built up during the first round of recall campaign. Shan Hou-zhi, a senior media figure in Taiwan, noted that Lai's narrative of confronting the mainland in defense of Taiwan has taken on a negative tone following the recall campaigns. The DPP and Lai have become emblematic of those out of step with mainstream public opinion. The DPP continues to hype the so-called threat and infiltration from the mainland, but their governance has been chaotic, said Zheng. "Alongside judicial politicization and instances of embezzlement and corruption, this has left the majority of the public feeling alienated by its line of confronting the mainland, which is widely seen as driven purely by a secessionist ideology," he added. In its Sunday editorial, the China Times warned that if Lai and the DPP continue to dig in and push Taiwan toward hatred and confrontation, disregard public opinion, and refuse to adjust their energy policies and cross-Strait strategies, the landslide failures in the recall campaigns would be only a prelude to further public pushback. The public opinion is clear: people reject political maneuvers framed as "confronting the mainland to defend Taiwan," and instead hope the authorities will focus on economic growth, livelihoods, and cross-Strait relations, said Bao. "They expect more exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait, pursue peaceful development, and aspire to live stable and prosperous lives," he said. If the DPP authorities continue to ignore the demands of the Taiwan people and pursue separatism, he warned, they will face more waves of public opposition and may accelerate their political downfall. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) The 33rd Derry Ballinascreen scouts qualified back in April by winning their Scout county Errigal to secure a space in the national competition the phoenix challenge. The phoenix challenge was held in Pallaskenry, County Limerick with Ballinascreen competing against 85 other patrols from all over Ireland. With our patrol gaining a Gold standard and finishing in the top 15 and winning the spirit of Subcamp award along the way for good measure. Teams are made up of patrols of eight scouts who qualify through their Scout County events to earn a place in the national competition. The competition runs across four action-packed days, incorporating campcraft - setting up and managing a patrol campsite, pioneering, rafting, navigation, emergency scenarios, mapping, backwoods skills, and more. It also incorporates specialised project bases like environmental initiatives, logbook documentation, or cooking challenges reflecting a chosen annual theme. Participants are assessed in areas like leadership, teamwork, scoutcraft, and initiative. Patrols receive one of four awards based on total score based on percentage of marks gained. They are - Gold (80100%), Silver (6579%), Bronze (3064%), or Participation (<30%) There are additional accolades for specific categories, such as Campcraft, Cooking, Logbook, Leadership, Environmental Projects, and Health and Safety, Spirit of Camp etc Ballinascreen's patrol are - patrol leader Lucy Brown, assistant patrol leader Nicole McDonald, Carrie McDonald, Emma O'Kane, Aoife McHugh, Katie McLernon, Laura Kelly and Jenny Scullion. The group is immensely proud of their achievements and carrying on a great tradition for 33rd Derry Ballinascreen at the national competition. A rally has been held at Lough Neagh over the environmental crisis facing the UKs largest freshwater lake. Blue-green algae returned to Lough Neagh in the centre of Northern Ireland this week for the third summer in a row, with some describing the current levels as the worst they have seen. An overpowering smell from the algae was noticeable at Battery Harbour in Cookstown, near a popular campsite. Local residents, swimmers and fishermen attended the demonstration on Monday organised by the Save Lough Neagh coalition. Protesters called for five demands to be met during the rally at the Finn McCool statue on the shores of the lough in Antrim. They want fines and penalties for major polluters; a well-funded public water service; an end to the exploitation of Lough Neagh through sand-dredging; investment into research and recovery actions for the lough; and protections for the natural environment. Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser running off fields and from wastewater treatment are said to be a contributory factor in the blue-green algae blooms. The spread of the invasive zebra mussel species is also understood to have played a role in the blooms, because they have made the water clearer, allowing more sunlight to penetrate, stimulating an increase in algal photosynthesis. Climate change is another factor as water temperatures rise. The condition of the lough has resulted in the eel-fishing season to be cut short this summer. The blue-green algae has also spread to other waterways, causing two north coast beaches to close for bathing at the weekend. Last week Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir said he was determined to turn the situation around and the Stormont Assembly has agreed to a Lough Neagh action plan. The protest was told that the agreed action plan does not go far enough and Mr Muir needed to put the environment first for once. The local fishing group Western Shore Angling said more locals needed to attend protests about Lough Neagh. Unfortunately the people who are shouting from the rooftops and commenting underneath every post about the situation failed to show up and attend, they said in a post on Facebook. It was the same old faces as the saying goes, and that simply isnt good enough. Positive change will only happen if everyone is behind the wheel pushing it forward for the greater good and future generations. Netflixs hit show Stranger Things is finally coming back with its fifth and final season. Since it first premiered in 2016, the story of a missing boy in the quiet town of Hawkins has grown into a global hit. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! Over the past seasons, viewers have followed Eleven and her friends as they faced monsters from the Upside Down, uncovered secret government experiments, and dealt with heartbreaking losses. Now, all of these events are leading to the ultimate showdown. From the release schedule to the cast, heres everything we know so far about Stranger Things season 5. Netflix has already confirmed that season 5 of Stranger Things will be released in three parts: Volume 1 (4 episodes): November 27, 2025, at 6:30 AM IST Volume 2 (3 episodes): December 26, 2025, at 6:30 AM IST Final episode: January 1, 2026, at 6:30 AM IST Also read: One Piece season 2 release timeline, cast, storyline and other details we know so far Stranger Things season 5 episode titles The fifth season of Stranger Things will have eight episodes in total. The episode titles are: Episode 1: The Crawl Episode 2: The Vanishing of Episode 3: The Turnbow Trap Episode 4: Sorcerer Episode 5: Shock Jock Episode 6: Escape from Camazotz Episode 7: The Bridge Episode 8: The Rightside Up Also read: Alice in Borderland season 3 arriving next month: Release date, storyline, cast and more Stranger Things season 5 cast Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair Noah Schnapp as Will Byers Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler Charlie Heaton as Jonathan Byers Joe Keery as Steve Harrington Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers David Harbour as Jim Hopper Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley Priah Ferguson as Erica Sinclair Brett Gelman as Murray Bauman Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna Cara Buono as Karen Wheeler Amybeth McNulty as Vickie Nell Fisher as Holly Wheeler Jake Connelly as Derek Alex Breaux as Lt. Akers Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay Stranger Things season 5 plot Netflix describes the Stranger Things season 5 as: The fall of 1987. Hawkins is scarred by the opening of the Rifts, and our heroes are united by a single goal: find and kill Vecna. But he has vanished his whereabouts and plans unknown. Complicating their mission, the government has placed the town under military quarantine and intensified its hunt for Eleven, forcing her back into hiding. As the anniversary of Wills disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread. The final battle is looming and with it, a darkness more powerful and more deadly than anything theyve faced before. To end this nightmare, theyll need everyone the full party standing together, one last time. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Tron Future bets on AI-powered defense as Taiwan's space industry evolves As global geopolitical tensions mount, artificial intelligence (AI) and high-speed communications are rapidly transforming the nature of warfare. The traditional hardware-driven arms race is giving way to a new paradigmone defined by software-centric systems and integrated multi-domain operations. For Taiwan's ICT sector, this shift opens new strategic opportunities, with firms like Tron Future stepping up to meet growing defense and satellite demands with AI-driven system integration solutions. At the upcoming Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) in September, several Taiwanese companies will unveil their latest advances in defense technology. Among them, Tron Future will highlight its "System-of-Systems" approach, showcasing how its AI and communications technologies can connect land, sea, air, space, and electromagnetic domains to generate a unified operational pictureadvancing toward a strategy of multi-domain deterrence. Industry experts note that modern warfare is no longer about individual weapon superiority, but rather the confrontation of entire systems. System warfare involves linking kill chains into a decentralized, adaptive "kill web" through AI and mesh networkingenabling rapid target identification, decision-making, engagement, and assessment across domains. The concept aligns with US military efforts under Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), as well as similar strategic developments within China's Systematic Combat Unit, reflecting a broader global trend in military modernization. Crucial role of satellites Satellites serve as critical nodes in this new architecture, providing both intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and resilient communications. While Taiwan's space industry has traditionally focused on ground station hardware, Tron Future is moving further up the value chaindeveloping AI-integrated systems and applications. Among its key exhibits is the HRWS T.SAR Space system, a satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) designed for low-Earth orbit missions. Equipped with active electronically scanned array (AESA) antennas and onboard AI analytics, the satellite can quickly detect anomalies on the ground, shortening the time from observation to action. Tron Future spokesperson Misha Lu noted that SAR satellites are particularly useful in gray-zone warfare. When vessels shut down AIS signals or jam GPS to evade detection, SAR systems can still monitor their activities. With AI-driven pattern recognition, it can even identify suspicious behaviors in near real time. According to a report by The Diplomat, cloud cover blankets the Taiwan Strait between 50% and 80% of the year, posing a significant challenge to traditional electro-optical (EO) surveillance systems, which rely on visible light. This persistent atmospheric condition hinders real-time intelligence gathering on adversary troop movements and military exercises, undermining early-warning capabilities. Complementing infrastructure To support resilient communications, Tron Future is also unveiling a complete line of solutions, from satellite platforms to end-user devices. These include the T.MicroSat, a rapid-response CubeSat platform, and T.SmallSat, tailored for fast deployment of LEO constellations. Such small, low-cost satellites can be quickly launched to maintain communications in the event of satellite losses due to anti-satellite attacks. Tron Future's T.SpaceHub 2.0 phased array payload system further extends the firm's tactical edge. Designed for integration across satellite platforms, it forms a network with wide coverage, high mobility, and anti-jamming capabilityideal for contested environments. On the ground, the company's T.SpaceRouter provides mobile satellite communications for vehicles, ships, and public transit platforms. Tron Future confirmed the system is already being tested in collaboration with Foxconn's electric vehicle initiative. While Tron Future's showcase represents a single company, it reflects a broader evolution in Taiwan's space industryshifting from pure hardware manufacturing to intelligent system integration. As global demand for satellite capabilities accelerates, Taiwan's aerospace suppliers may soon need to look beyond components and embrace AI and software as essential value drivers. Article edited by Jack Wu Weekly news roundup: Huawei found to use outdated 5nm; Google launches 270M AI model; China's new E-Beam tool Below are the key DIGITIMES Asia stories from August 11 to 17, 2025. Firstly, a recent teardown confirms that Huawei's Kunpeng 930 chip still relies on TSMC's outdated 5nm process due to US sanctions that restrict its data center growth. Meanwhile, Google has made a significant move by launching the Gemma 3 AI model with 270 million parameters, explicitly designed to lower power consumption on mobile devices. Concurrently, China has successfully unveiled its first homegrown electron-beam lithography machine, although it faces substantial challenges in achieving mass production. Huawei data center chip stuck on outdated 5nm node, teardown reveals A teardown of Huawei's latest Kunpeng 930 processor reveals it likely uses TSMC's older 5nm manufacturing process, introduced five years ago. The discovery highlights the enduring effect of US sanctions, which continue to prevent Huawei from accessing cutting-edge chip technology and constrain its competitiveness in the data center market. Google unveils energy-efficient 270M-parameter Gemma 3 model for mobile AI Google has added a new 270-million-parameter model to its Gemma 3 series of open-weight AI models, targeting lower power consumption for mobile use. This lightweight version serves as a more energy-efficient alternative to the earlier 1-billion-parameter release, aiming to enable effective on-device AI performance for consumer hardware. China unveils e-beam lithography machine with precision near ASML's High-NA EUV, but faces mass production hurdles China has introduced its first domestically developed commercial electron-beam lithography (EBL) system, representing a significant symbolic milestone in its push to lessen dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturing technology. ASML's uneasy role in the tech war: What 3 years inside the Dutch giant reveal about USChina rivalry The United States has progressively tightened export restrictions on semiconductor technology to China, with the prohibition of ASML's extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines emerging as the most impactful action to date. US officials justify the measure on national security grounds, aiming to block China from manufacturing the world's most advanced chips at scale. Huawei tests China's first HBM3 as CXMT accelerates expansion to counter supply squeeze China's drive for self-sufficiency in AI-related semiconductors is facing new challenges as the US imposes stricter controls on advanced memory technologies. In response, ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) is reviving previously delayed investment initiatives to begin mass production of DDR5 DRAM and fast-track the development of fourth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM3). Intel demonstrates cutting-edge 18A process for non-x86 SoCs, aiming to challenge TSMC Intel has unveiled a non-x86 reference system-on-chip (SoC) built using its cutting-edge Intel 18A process, highlighting the company's strategy to broaden the reach of its most advanced manufacturing technology and attract more clients to Intel Foundry Services. In a newly released video, Intel showcased the prototype as evidence that the 18A process is versatile enough to support not only its upcoming Panther Lake CPUs but also third-party designspotentially including Apple's M-series, Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, and Nvidia's Grace processors. Huawei escalates IP battle with Africa's dominant smartphone vendor Chinese smartphone maker Shenzhen Transsion Holdings Co., often dubbed the "king of phones in Africa," is facing a new legal dispute with Huawei, underscoring the rising intellectual property challenges it encounters while expanding into emerging markets where competitors like Xiaomi are also gaining traction Article edited by Jerry Chen Country United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe contakts.ai Growing a business can be hard, but it doesnt need to be stressful. contakts.ai provides AI curated B2B contacts. Identify your target audience, and contakts.ai will provide a verified list of prospects to help you generate new business. All within minutes! Back in 2011, a handful of young people walked through the doors of M.A.D Youth Theatre in Dundalk with big imaginations and a love for drama. Fourteen years later, M.A.D is an award-winning youth theatre, recognised for their work in the arts and in the community. This September they are holding our 15th Open Day, and are inviting young people to come along. M.A.D (Making Alternative Drama) is a place to try something new, grow in confidence, make friends, and discover the power of creativity. No experience needed, just curiosity. This past year has been a special one. They premiered Salt Mountain by Carmel Winters, partnered with TRY Theatre (Rijeka, Croatia) for their Erasmus+ exchange Theatre Without Borders, created living tableaux for Cruinniu na nOgs Eternal Frame, attended Youth Theatre Irelands national festival in Kilkenny, joined the Young Critics programme, ran residentials, their Little Drama Festival, launched a youth filmmaking strand, and celebrated the ever-colourful MAD Couture Project. But the best way to understand M.A.D is to hear from the young people: I came in nervous, but after the first workshop I felt like Id found my second family. age 14 M.A.D gave me the confidence to use my voice, not just on stage but in life. age 16 Its the place I can be myself. Ive made friends for life here. age 17 Read Next: Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly to visit Dundalk They welcome young people from all walks of life. There is so much to take part in including workshops, performances, festivals, film, trips, and more. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. M.A.D Youth Theatre Open Day 2025 When: Wednesday 10 September, 57pm Who: Ages 1218 (post-primary) Where: M.A.D Youth Theatre, Earl Street, Dundalk (opposite Rock Salt Cafe) Come along, bring a friend, and see what theyre about. To register contact: info@madyouththeatre.com President of Dundalk Institution of Technology (DkIT) Students Union, Gerry O'Brien, has called on the Government to reinstate the reduction in third level fees that was introduced last year as a temporary measure, as well as a reform of the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI), to help students to achieve their full potential in college. The Students Union President for the upcoming academic year spoke to the Dundalk Democrat about some of the financial challenges facing students at the moment, including accommodation. The problem with accommodation at DkIT, Gerry said, is we actually physically do not own any accommodation. The Institute does not own or operate any accommodation. We have a problem with that as such. We have no control over the pricing, or who they take or who they don't take. Some of the older ones there, Greenpark Village, they're running about 550 a month. So that's your utilites on top of that, plus you have to feed yourself on top of that. for that 550 a month, you will get a private room, with a bed, a desk and a wardrobe. You share bathroom facilities, kitchen facilities and dining facilities. The newer ones that are built, Greenpark Houses, they're 750 a month, plus your utilities, plus you have to feed yourself. That's a small mortgage. People are paying less on mortgages. For that they have an en-suite in their room. The facilities are good, it is good, it is well maintained and the whole lot, but the issue is people just can't afford it. "International students are the ones who will be able to afford that, whether they're funded by their parents who are able to support them in that, I don't know. They seem to be the ones who mostly avail of that accommodation. In terms of private houses that are available for rent, Gerry said that, we updated our website this year and people were slow to get their listings up. Last week there was 15 20 listings, whereas last year we had 50 plus. For accommodation in people's houses, digs, it usually runs from a Sunday night or Monday morning to a Friday evening, and people ususally charge about 120 a week, but the bills will be included in that. Mostly apprentices will take them. Or you will have people that will commute from the likes of Cavan. Cavan in particular is a hard place to commute from. We are mostly a commuter college now to be fair. It's having a huge impact. Campus life is not [what it was], the student days are not what they were. You used to see it in around the town of Dundalk, it was vibrant, students were out three or four nights a week, there was a social aspect to the college which there should be. Because you develop emotionally and socially when you're in college. Even as a mature student, I didn't think it was possible, but I did. That aspect of student life is gone, whereas students would have been able to study, socialise and do all that. Now, just to get by they have to work as well. So you'll have some of them, they are in accommodation, they may have to work a job, sometimes up to full time hours, just to make ends meet. When you study you need to dedicate yourself to the study, that is your full-time job or role as a student. Instead of that, they're picking up that job in the evenings, they're working weekends, and they're not achieving like they should. I'm not saying they're dropping out, but it is having an effect on retention and progression. It's not just accommodation, it's life in general and the cost of living, it's affecting people a lot. If your family can't support you, you are literally on your own, and its emotionally and physically draining for people to actually work and attend college at the same time, and achieve their full potential. Gerry added that, it's important for us all to care, I know we all have our own lives and we all have our own issues, but when you look at the bigger picture the students that are in here today studying, are the future of industry in this country. That's why there's so many international companies coming here, because they have access to quality graduates, skilled workforces, and if we stop supporting these people, if we stop supporting them through their studies, we're not going to have that. It's a vital thing for this country that we continue to support our students. It is something he intends to bring up with Minister for Further and Higher Education, James Lawless TD, at a planned meeting this September. Reform of the SUSI grant process and a reduction on fees top the agenda. The reduction on fees, and SUSI, the Government needs to look at ways to reform the SUSI grant, there are student accommodation funds that people can avail of but if you don't qualify for SUSI, you're not qualifying for them. As many children in Louth return to Early Years and School Age Care settings this week after the summer break, over 950 children remain on waiting lists for a place. Early Childhood Ireland warns that without significant investment in the Early Years workforce in Budget 2026, efforts to expand capacity will fall short. The latest figures from Pobal, the organisation which administers Early Years programmes, show that up to 997 children under the age of three are currently on creche waiting lists, highlighting the high demand for places in Louth. The data reveals that there are 103 children under the age of 1 on waiting lists and no places available; 427 children aged 1 to 2 on waiting lists and two places available; and 467 children aged 2 to 3 on waiting lists and three places available to them. Commenting on these figures, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, Frances Byrne, said, No child should miss out because of failures to invest properly in this vital workforce, yet thats exactly whats happening to hundreds of children in Louth. Without significant investment in Budget 2026, and a renewed focus on staffing, challenges to recruit and retain educators will continue to block efforts to expand access for families. In its Budget 2026 submission, Early Childhood Ireland has urged the government to name a date to bring pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in line with primary school teachers, who are educated and trained to the same level. This would begin to reverse the average staff turnover rate, it said, which is over 16% in Louth. Waiting lists like these would never be accepted in primary education, yet they remain a daily reality for younger children. As a first step to increasing capacity, Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the Government to announce, on Budget Day, a date for bringing Early Years and School Age Care graduates within public sector pay and conditions, in line with teachers, Ms Byrne said. Currently, the government is mainly focused on reducing fees, and although we welcome proposals to increase subsidies for families, this will only create further demand for places. Providers in Louth will not be able to expand their capacity in settings unless they can recruit and retain qualified staff on appropriate terms and conditions. Naming a date to bring graduates into pay parity with teachers is a crucial next step, she continued. Despite 76 per cent of adults backing guaranteed access to Early Years and School Age Care, according to Early Childhood Irelands 2025 Barometer, this is still far from reality for many Louth children. It said that local parents are left with no choice but to place the names of their unborn children on waiting lists, hoping to secure a place by the time the child turns two or three. Early Childhood Ireland added that with up to 427 children between the ages of one and two already waiting, many families know there is little chance of finding a place before then. Its incredibly tough for parents trying to find a place for their child. At the same time, we hear from many of our 83 members in Louth about how they want to expand, theyre ready to grow, but they struggle to recruit and retain qualified educators. We cant expand access for children unless we improve pay and conditions for those who deliver that care and education. You cant separate the two, and we hope the government sees that. Ms Byrne concluded. First-time buyers in Louth face major affordability challenges, with new analysis from Chill showing a single applicant would need to earn at least 83,942 to qualify under Central Bank mortgage rules more than double the countys median income of 40,038. Chills study compared median first-time-buyer home prices in every county with median local incomes, applying Central Bank limits of 90% loan-to-value and a maximum loan of four times gross income. The findings show that no county in Ireland is affordable for a single buyer on the national median salary of 43,221. In Louth, the median first-time-buyer home price now stands at 373,075, leaving an income shortfall of 43,904 for a typical single buyer. The affordability gap in Louth: Median price for first-time-buyer home: 373,075 Median Louth income: 40,038 Salary required under mortgage rules: 83,942 Income shortfall: 43,904 Dublin, Wicklow, and Kildare remain the three least affordable counties, followed by Louth and Meath to complete the top five. Read Next: Home commencement in Louth this year just a fraction of last year's Ian OReilly, Head of Personal Lines Sales at Chill, said: The research highlights just how difficult it has become for first-time buyers in Louth. With borrowing limits capped, the gap between what buyers earn and whats needed under the rules is substantial. For many, the only viable path is to combine salaries, buy at a lower price point or seek a mortgage exemption. A Cork TD has welcomed the completion of water infrastructure upgrades for the Cullen and Dromcummer areas. Fianna Fail TD for Cork North West, Michael Moynihan, special education and inclusion minister, has said the project will enhance the reliability of the water supply for residents across the region. Delivered by Uisce Eireann, under its national leakage reduction programme, the project involved the replacement of 5.1km of ageing water mains along the N72. Speaking on the completion of the works, Mr Moynihan said the project is a positive development for the communities of Cullen and Dromcummer. A secure and dependable water supply is essential for everyday life, from making a cup of tea in the morning to supporting local businesses and farms. Over the years, residents have had to contend with outages and disruptions caused by ageing infrastructure. The completion of these upgrades marks a turning point, and I know it will bring peace of mind to many families and business owners who rely on a consistent supply of clean water. Mr Moynihan added that the project is a clear example of what targeted investment in rural infrastructure can achieve. Its part of a broader commitment by government and Uisce Eireann to ensure that every community, regardless of size or location, has access to modern, resilient public services. Although the water main upgrades are now complete, permanent road surface reinstatement works are to follow, in co-ordination with Cork County Council. Corks coasts and inland waterways have received their best report in eight years from Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL), but littering was recorded at Bantry, Ballinacurra, Kinsale, and White Bay. The annual IBAL survey shows the majority of areas attaining clean status, among them Castletownbere harbour and Cork Harbour at Blackrock Castle, which was hailed as much improved. Bantry, Ballinacurra, and Kinsale were deemed moderately littered, while White Bay beach was listed as littered. Nationally, 33 beaches, harbours, rivers and their immediate environs were monitored by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL in June and July. Of those, 17 were deemed clean, while the areas branded littered fell from 11 last year to just three. With none of the 33 coasts and inland waterways monitored in the survey placed in the lowest, heavily littered, category, Conor Horgan of IBAL hailed the result. This is by far the most favourable result we have seen in eight years of coastal surveys, he said. The trojan and ever-expanding work of Clean Coasts groups and other volunteers is instrumental in this, as is the investment by councils in facilities around our beaches. Mr Horgan said legislative measures such as the tethering of caps to plastic bottles and the deposit return scheme were contributing factors. It appears also that local authorities have upped their game in responding to busy periods at our beaches, he said. The most commonly-found items of litter included cigarette butts, sweet papers, and fast food wrappers. The report had praise for Castletownbere and for Cork Harbour at Blackrock Castle. It said of Castletownbere: The town was adorned with an abundance of colourful planting throughout, and the area looked not just good with regards to litter, but well cared for. The area surrounding Blackrock Castle was described as very freshly presented and maintained. However, Ballinacurra, Bantry, and Kinsale were found to be moderately littered, while the pedestrian approach to the White Bay car park was found to be not just casually littered, but subject to dumping. The members of the Cork Ukrainian Childrens Choir never faltered through heartfelt renditions of Shche ne vmerla Ukrainy i slava, i volia and Amhran na bhFiann yesterday afternoon in Fitzgeralds Park. It was Independence Day for Ukraine, marking 34 years since the declaration of independence on August 24, 1991, and the young people sang their national anthem, Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished, and followed it with The Soldiers Song, the song of their adopted home. Earlier in the day, Taoiseach Micheal Martin had paid tribute to the ongoing and outstanding courage and determination of Ukraines people. More than ever, we remain steadfast in our support for a free and independent Ukraine, Mr Martin said. More than ever, we will work with EU colleagues and the US for a just, secure, and lasting peace for the people of Ukraine. In Fitzgeralds Park, Ukraines ambassador to Ireland, Gerasko Larysa, said Ireland had become a safe haven for more than 100,000 Ukrainians. Here they found safety, education, work, and dignity. We will never forget that, she said. Irelands support was true friendship, and we remember, she added. Fianna Fail councillor Fergal Dennehy, the mayor of Cork City, said this Independence Day was more than a celebration, it was an act of defiant hope. As Lord Mayor of Cork, I stand here proudly alongside our Ukrainian community, and with all of you, honouring Ukraines resilience, he added. Mr Dennehy said the sense of community shown by Ukrainians in Cork, while also giving back, had made a city of welcomes all the better, adding: You have shown us, not only how to survive hardship, but how to go forward with dignity. The former lord mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, who was described from the stage as a great friend to Corks Ukrainian community, said the day was further recognition of the importance of that community. Its also a reminder of the hell the country has endured, and that needs to be brought to a peaceful conclusion, but peace means nothing without justice, he added. NINETY-FIVE social homes in Cork county were vacant for more than a year, according to the latest available data, with the majority of vacant social housing found in the Mallow-Kanturk local electoral area (LEA). Cork County Councils records of vacant council-owned homes are broken down by region into North, South, and West, and data collated at the start of 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022 was provided to The Echo by Cork County Council on foot of a freedom of information request. The total number of vacant sites, calculated at the start of each year, was 177 in 2022. This fell to 141 in 2023 and 142 in 2024, but rose again to 183 at the start of 2025. At the time of data collection, 95 of the 183 properties, or just over half, had been vacant for more than 12 months from the time of compiling the data at the start of this year, meaning they were classified as long-term void (LTV), with one social home vacant since November 2019. Altogether, eight properties had been vacated in 2025, 138 in 2024, 24 had been vacant since 2023, eight since 2022, four since 2021, and one since 2019. The list for the West region, made up of Bandon-Kinsale, West Cork-Skibbereen, and West Cork-Bantry, has been the lowest of the three each of the past four years, with 37 social homes listed as being vacant in 2022, 32 in 2023, 18 in 2024, and 27 in 2025. South, made up of Carrigaline, Cobh, Macroom, and East Cork, had 53 vacant properties in 2022, 59 in 2023, 36 in 2024, and 64 in 2025. The North section, though it covers just the Fermoy and Mallow-Kanturk local electoral areas, had the highest number of sites on the list in each of the four years, with 87 in 2022, 60 in 2023, 88 in 2024, and 92 in 2025. Within North Cork, the majority of the vacant properties were found in Mallow-Kanturk, which had a total of 63 vacant properties, according to the most recent figures. There were 32 casual vacancies and 31 LTV properties at the beginning of this year in the LEA, a slight increase from 17 casual and 36 LTV at the start of 2024. VACANT SINCE 2014 There was one property in Mallow-Kanturks 2024 list that had been vacant since 2014, the only property on a list for more than six years across all documentation seen by The Echo. The property had been removed from the list by the time of compilation of the 2025 list. The property which had been vacant for the longest in 2025 was also in Mallow-Kanturk a three-bed, two-storey, semi-detached house in Power Court, Mallow. There were 42 LTV and 26 casual vacancy properties on the 2022 register in Mallow-Kanturk, and 32 LTV and four casual vacancy properties in 2023. Labours Eoghan Kenny, a former councillor for Mallow and current TD for Cork North-Central, told The Echo: These vacant social housing figures speak for very stark statistics. We are in a housing emergency. Daily, I speak with single people and families across Cork that are crying out for access to housing. This is particularly in relation to those seeking social housing. For the ordinary person on a social housing list reading these numbers, it must be disheartening and frustrating. My hometown of Mallow has had such a high volume of vacant and derelict buildings. One of the biggest concerns on the doorstep in the elections last year was the issue of dereliction, particularly within their own estates. It is constantly the same estates that are affected. I place the blame at the feet of Government here. The local authority can only do so much with the funding that is made available to them. This is a fault of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. We should not have vacant council houses when there is over 15,000 people homeless. We must ensure that central Government provide Cork County Council with the necessary funding to bring these vacant houses back into use. We must be able to house people in Cork. With figures like this, and such a lack of urgency, we will never overcome this housing emergency. Fermoy, also in the north subdivision of the register, had the second-highest amount of vacant properties; six casual and 29 LTVs in 2024, and 14 casual and 15 LTVs in 2025. In South Cork, Carrigaline had one casual and six LTVs in 2024, and five casual and 10 LTVs in 2025, while East Cork had two and 10 last year and 12 and 13 this year, while Macroom had two casual and 10 LTVs both years. Across Cork county, Cobh was the joint-least affected by vacancy. The register shows five LTVs and no casual vacancies in 2024, rising slightly to eight casual and four LTV at the start of this year. The other lowest, with equal figures, was Bandon-Kinsale in West Cork. The LEA had four casual and one LTV on its 2024 register, and then three casual and nine LTVs in 2025. The remaining LEA, West Cork, had 10 casual vacancies in 2024, and 12 in 2025. There were three LTVs in both years, representing the lowest long-term vacancy rate this year. A spokesperson for Cork County Council told The Echo that 183 of the councils 8,333 social housing units are currently vacant, representing 2.2% of its properties overall. They said: All vacated dwellings require some refurbishment works before they are relet. In some cases, and depending on the age and condition of the dwelling, the council will take the opportunity to carry out major repairs and/or energy retrofitting. An average of 150 properties are returned to the council each year. This can be due to the death of a tenant, the transfer of a tenant to another dwelling, or the voluntary surrender of a property. The vacant units are at one of the following stages in the reletting process; required repairs being assessed, works being carried out, tenancy offered but not yet commenced, or tenant selection process underway. With Ireland, and Cork, in the midst of a housing emergency, new figures from Cork County Council have revealed how many vacant council-owned homes there are in the county. Amy Campbell looks through the data way. Councillor Margaret McDonnell has highlighted ongoing water outages affecting residents in the Glanmire area, which have often come with no pre-warning from Uisce Eireann. Many households have been left without water almost every weekend since early July, often for periods of up to 24 hours or longer, she told The Echo. This is a totally unacceptable situation for both families and businesses in Glanmire. Basic access to a consistent water supply cannot be treated as a luxury. For weeks now, residents have endured repeated outages with little or no explanation or warning from Irish Water, whose communication to their customers on this issue has been sadly lacking Both Ms McDonnell and local TD Padraig OSullivan have raised the matter directly with Uisce Eireann, and highlighted the high level of frustration among the community at the way enquiries have been handled. Clear, honest information from Uisce Eireann would enable them to take whatever precautions are necessary during the outage period, said Ms McDonnell, adding that there are other issues across the North-East ward. We already have residents living under boil water notices for years. Now we are experiencing unannounced outages almost every weekend. With hundreds of new houses under construction or recently granted planning permission, the question has to be asked: How can the system possibly cope with more demand when it cannot meet todays needs? This is about fairness, safety and trust. The people of Glanmire, and Cork north east as a whole, are entitled to nothing less. An Uisce Eireann spokesperson told The Echo: For unplanned outages, Uisce Eireann immediately investigate the issue and work to restore normal water supply to impacted homes and businesses as quickly and as safely as possible. For unforeseen or unplanned outages, or emergency events, it is not possible to provide advance notice to customers. However, information is added to the Uisce Eireann supply and service section website following notification of the water supply issue. They added that customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number for text alerts. For the unplanned outage in Glanmire caused by a burst that occurred on July 28, a press release was also issued to media and elected representatives. The areas affected included Glen Richmond Estate and Richmond Estate, and an alternative water supply was put in place to support customers. For the unplanned outage caused by a burst on a rising main from Ballingohig to Knockahorgan reservoir on August 11, this burst occurred in a difficult area to access and repair works took place on August 11. Following this repair, the team on the ground ensured there were no isolated properties without water. Good taste in childrens stories Aine OBrien of Glanmire attends a magical Gruffalo-themed interactive reading, which was followed by Gruffly Crumble Muffins, in Eason, Patrick St, for the Cork on a Fork food festival. Picture: Darragh Kane Fitness classes open The Health and Fitness boutique in Glanmire is currently taking bookings for the new six week term of pilates and kettlebell classes starting week commencing Monday, September 1. The autumn class timetable features evening pilates at 6.30pm, and kettlebells and core at 7.30pm on Mondays. On Tuesdays, there are two evening pilates classes at 6pm and 7pm, while there is morning pilates on Thursday at 9.30am, then kettlebells and core at 6.30pm and evening pi Mayfield library events lates at 7.30pm. Pilates is 60 and kettlebells is 50, both for a six week term, and all classes are called in the community room, Supervalu, Glanmire. To book, contact Lindsey at 086-8773107 or message on instagram at: @thehealthandfitnessboutique. Tivoli resurfacing complete Resurfacing works on Upper Lotabeg Road in Tivoli have now been completed ahead of schedule, local councillor, Independent Irelands Noel OFlynn has said. This project had originally been planned for 2026, but through my ongoing engagement with Cork City Council, I was able to secure an earlier start date, ensuring that residents and road users benefit sooner from safer and smoother travel, said Mr OFlynn. These essential improvements are a step forward in enhancing road safety and the quality of life in the area. Mr OFlynn thanked residents for their patience during the works. This is a positive step forward, and I will continue to push for further investment in our road network. In particular, I am hopeful that in the coming months we will see more resurfacing works taking place across Mayfield, Montenotte, and the Dillons Cross area. Mayfield library events A bee cookie workshop was held at Mayfield Library on August 16 as part of the librarys Cork on a Fork programme, and was expertly delivered by Anyone 4 Science. Suitable for children aged eight and up, attendees learned all about the anatomy of the bee whilst making an edible, anatomically correct bee model cookie. Mayfield Librarys August art exhibition, Behind the Portrait, is still running. It is a dual affair by artists Marie Bryan and Jingwei Wang, who have very contrasting styles. The pair returned to the library on August 19 to offer the public a free hour of portrait sketching for Heritage Week. Behind the portrait event at Mayfield library. Picture: Emma OBrien Executive librarian Richard Forrest told The Echo: With eight 15-minute slots on offer, demand was tight, but the results are fabulous. Marie and Jingwei captured library visitors of varying ages and moods, with one portrait, now framed, currently on its way to New Zealand to a relative of the sitter. The library would like to express its appreciation to the artists for facilitating such a wonderful opportunity of public engagement. Taekwon-do classes Mayfield ITA taekwon-do classes are offering a free uniform to all new beginners this September for their beginners classes, which are suitable for children from four years old. The school is currently enrolling. The classes are a great way to build confidence, discipline and friendships and all instructors are first aid trained, garda vetted and safeguarding level 1 certified. They run six classes a week, with classes for children aged four to six, seven to nine and 10 to 12 on Mondays and Thursdays. Classes are held at Scoil Mhuire agus Eoin at Boherboy Rd, Lotabeg. To sign up, contact instructor Darragh Haydon on 083 896 3831. Montenotte dining event The Montenotte has invited celebrity chef and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt, and cocktail and spirit expert Carmen ONeal, to host a dining experience with executive head chef Martin Lovell on Wednesday, September 10. The evening will start at The Glasshouse, The Montenottes rooftop bar, with one of Carmens cocktails and an array of seasonal canapes. The evening will then continue into The Gallery Suite, where guests will enjoy a sit-down three course dinner menu and cocktail pairing with Matt and Carmen. The menu includes a cured local duck breast starter, followed by roast turbot with mussel and butter sauce and a dessert of spiced apple tarte tatin. Matt Tebbutt began as a trainee for Marco Pierre White and went on to win AA Restaurant of the Year at The Foxhunter before entering his career in television. Carmen ONeal is the founder of 58 and CO, the first female led alcohol brand to receive a B-Corp certification. Her London-based distillery leads events, masterclasses, and speaking engagements. The event will run from 6.30pm at The Glasshouse, with dining from 7.30pm in The Gallery Suite. Bookings are now open for this event with tickets starting at 160 per person. To book, visit eventbrite.ie. A Cork TD has suggested removing the cut-off age for bus drivers in Bus Eireann to ensure all children can get to school in September. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, John Paul OShea, said that every year he receives calls from his constituents about difficulties getting school bus places due to a shortage of drivers, suggesting that qualified bus drivers over 70 should be allowed to work. He told The Echo: There are many qualified bus drivers around, currently ruled out under the school transport scheme because of their age, who would be happy to keep driving. This rule doesnt apply to those driving private buses, where someone over 70 can drive children to a match or concert, but they cant be hired to drive children to school every day. Road safety will always be the guiding principle when it comes to the transport of school children and teenagers, but we shouldnt exclude experienced and medically fit drivers simply because of their age. With the high demand for school bus places and the shortage of drivers, is this not part of the solution? He added that getting a bus place is a huge source of stress for families, saying: A reversal of this policy wont solve all issues, but it could be a key part of addressing this. The programme for government commits to carrying out an independent assessment on the feasibility of removing the exclusion of drivers aged over 70 from the school transport scheme. We need this assessment carried out so we can find the best way to increase the age requirement. A Bus Eireann spokesperson told The Echo: The retirement age for school bus drivers has been set by Bus Eireann at 70 years of age, which also applies to road passenger services. Our decision to operate the scheme with drivers up to age 70 is grounded in the best safety interests of our customers, including young children, our drivers, and other road users. Our operating experience, together with our ongoing consultation with stakeholders including the Road Safety Authority and other public transport operators in relation to Safety First is that our current policy balances the overarching need for safety, with the risk and the operational needs of the services provided. In acting in the best interest of the safe operation of the school transport scheme, we have also reviewed a number of external studies, which show how risk of collision is increased for drivers of large vehicles over the age of 70. We are also aware of a commitment in the programme for government to conduct an independent assessment of the driver age limit. Bus Eireann continues to engage with the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Transport on this matter. The ports of Youghal and Ballycotton welcomed cruise tourism for the first time as the Le Bellot ship called to East Cork in recent days. Calling to Youghal on Wednesday, August 20, and Ballycotton on Thursday, August 21, passengers were introduced to East Cork hospitality and heritage as part of the visit. Cork County Council staff were present at each port to welcome and assist passengers and crew, handing out maps and brochures to encourage the cruise visitors to return and discover all the region has to offer. The inaugural calls at Youghal and Ballycotton are among 25 cruise ship visits this year, with repeat visits to Schull, Kinsale, and Bantry Bay highlighting the growing reputation of Cork as a cruise line destination. PIER Awaiting passengers at the pier in Youghal were the Town Crier, the Cobh Heritage Vintage Era group, and local musicians from Bru na Si, as well as hundreds of local people who welcomed the cruise visitors as they disembarked. During the afternoon, many of the cruise passengers enjoyed a heritage tour of the town, visiting St Marys Collegiate Church, Youghal Clock Tower, and Youghals new Lace Museum, where passengers learned about the impressive maritime and cultural past of the town, on walking tours led by French- and English-speaking guides. Some of the visitors decided to go e-biking along the Youghal to Midleton Greenway, while others chose a more relaxed afternoon with a visit to the Midleton Distillery. The following morning, cruise visitors headed to Ballycotton. A trip out to the Ballycotton Lighthouse gave the mainly French tourists an opportunity to experience the East Cork coastline. Also proving popular was the Ballycotton Cliff Walk, with visitors chatting with locals along the route and sharing stories about the cruise ship. During the Youghal part of this cruise itinerary, the Mayor of County Cork Mary Linehan Foley joined officials from Cork County Council on board Le Bellot, for a formal gift exchange with the ships captain. Those of you old enough to remember TV programmes like The Dick Van Dyke Show and I Love Lucy will know that the main characters, who were portraying married couples, never slept together in the same bed. They each had single beds on screen, and that was thanks to the Hays Code. The Hays Code was a set of guidelines, censorship if you like, self-imposed by Hollywood studios, regulating the moral content of films and TV programmes produced from 1934 to 1968. The Code forbade the use of profanity, obscenity, and racial slurs, and included detailed instructions outlining how certain topics should be shown on screen. It was also considered inappropriate to show a married couple sharing a bed, or to even suggest that they might. It was replaced in 1968 by the motion-picture rating system which is still in use today. It wasnt unusual either during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for doctors to recommend separate beds to couples for health reasons, like preventing the spread of illnesses or improving sleep quality. It was believed that a good nights sleep was easier to achieve without your partner tossing and turning right next to you. That all changed in the 1960s when the double bed became the norm, but all these years later, could things be changing back again? Janet Ho is a writer and mental health advocate, and she has written about this subject. She says that while couples sleeping in separate beds or bedrooms might seem surprising, a 2023 U.S. survey of 2,200 people found that one in five couples sleep in separate rooms, with about two-thirds of those doing so every night. This practice, sometimes called a sleep divorce, is more common than many people realise. While sleeping apart has traditionally been seen as a sign of marital trouble, some experts suggest its time to revisit that outdated thinking so we can all get a good nights sleep. There was a time when I would have dismissed that notion, but maybe there is merit in it. Since the day we got married back in 1984, my wife, Gaye, and I have shared the same bed. There were times during my working life when the night shift sent me to the spare room. There were also occasions when illness made separate rooms more practical too, but more often than not, we were together. It isnt always straightforward though. As we get older, our bodies change. My wife suffers from dry-eye, which is a silly name for the condition in my opinion because when she gets a flare-up, her eyes stream with water. One of the triggers that sets her off is air conditioning. When you consider we spend a lot of our time in Cyprus, where temperatures regularly exceed 30C, you can see how that might cause problems. Im not allowed to activate the aircon in the car which is a pain, especially when were travelling any kind of distance. Getting from A to B in an oven on wheels is challenging. You need to keep hydrated in those temperatures too, but drinking water thats near boiling point isnt very appetising. It doesnt do much to cool a body down either. We have the same issue in the bedroom at night. I am allowed to switch on the air-con for a bit before we go to bed but then it has to go off. Twenty minutes later, the room becomes a sauna once more and were back to square one - so we compromise by using an electric fan. I never expected to be dealing with those issues in Ireland, but during the recent warm spell some of the nights were very humid. We dumped the duvet and just used a sheet, but that created more complications. I like the sheet lying just loosely on top of me, but Gaye prefers the mummy method. She has to be wrapped in a cocoon and that requires the complete sheet, exposing me to the cooler air in the dead of night. She went away for a couple of nights with friends recently, so I had the bed and the sheet to myself. It was pure luxury, and I think I got a better nights sleep too. I usually wake a few times during the night but when I was on my own, I slept right through and now Im wondering if this was just a coincidence. Anyway, back to Janet Ho, who says disruptions like snoring, restlessness, bathroom breaks, and different sleep schedules can add up to as much as an hour of lost sleep. Poor sleep can lead to a host of issues and can negatively impact a persons productivity and self-esteem, as well as their relationships. Shes right about the snoring. There are many who make such a racket that sleeping in the same building with them would be difficult, never mind sharing a bed. While it may seem unconventional, having individual sleep spaces is nothing new. Sleeping in separate bedrooms was popular among royalty. The late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh famously did not share the same bed but always had connecting bedrooms. There are others who took the whole sleeping together thing a bit too far, like Douglas Castillo. He pretended to concerned neighbours that his wife was alive and well when they raised concerns about not having seen her in months. He even called out her name when he got home to keep up the ruse she was at alive. However, the 57-year-old eventually confessed to having killed his wife at their home in Lima, Peru. He also admitted sleeping next to his wifes decomposing body for a number of weeks. If ever there was a case to be made for separate bedrooms, that has to be one. When Jacinda Ardern become prime minister of New Zealand aged 37, the world paid attention. But it was her mix of compassion and leadership at the time of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks, resulting in swift gun control laws, that demonstrated a new kind of power, rarely glimpsed in todays world. As summer draws to a close and the nation concentrates its mind on the qualities needed in Irelands next president, while the world is in turmoil, the attributes Ardern brought to her role are worthy of consideration. During Friday prayers on March 15, 2019, 51 people were killed when an Australian man opened fire on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Dozens more were injured. Violence at this scale was incomprehensible in New Zealand where there is an average of ten fatal shooting incidents a year. What followed prompted a global conversation about the kind of leadership that Prime Minister Jacinta Ardern represented. A conversation that reverberated around the world. Many of those who will have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here. They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home, she said. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not. They have no place in New Zealand. In her book A Different Kind Of Power (2025) Ardern describes a telephone conversation in the aftermath of the killings with U.S President Donald Trump when he asked if there was anything he could do. I waited just a moment, thought briefly about what a small country like mine might ask of a country as well-resourced as the United States. My answer was simple. You can show sympathy and love for all Muslim communities. Later, when she met the families of victims, the packed room had no podium, no natural place to address the crowd. She raised her arms and invited the room to sit. Before long, the packed room was still and quiet. Arderns first words were As-salamu alaykum. Peace be with you. In a voice that shook, she spent several minutes sharing in their grief, taking questions from the floor about the return of loved ones. Forty people had been injured by the gunfire, some critically. Arderns first hospital visit was to the ICU but there were many more in the days and weeks that followed. She moved from room to room, talking to families, listening to their stories. There were many events to mark what happened on March 15. Ardern highlights two in particular. A week after the terrorist attack, the Muslim community returned to Friday prayers. The government asked national radio to play the call to prayer while the largest city park, Hagley Park, beside the Al Noor mosque, where most of the deaths had occurred, was converted into an outdoor prayer space. About 15,000 people streamed into the park, to show solidarity to the worshippers. The scene was a rejection of hate and whatever goals the terrorist had tried to achieve. Similar gatherings occurred in towns and cities across New Zealand and further afield. The second event Ardern highlighted as indelible in her memory was the National Day of Remembrance: Ko Tatou, Tatou - We Are One, where 20,000 New Zealanders gathered two weeks after the shooting. A respected local woman hung a Maori kakahu ceremonial cloak around her shoulders as the karanga began. A karanga is a sound made by Maori women that is reputed to join the living to the spiritual world. It is both a song and a lament. Ardern said she had heard the karanga countless times and every time it moved her. But as it rang out across the open park and settled on the thousands of people that had gathered, it felt like a cloak linking a group of strangers together. And yet sitting there, I was just as committed to a world in which we took care of one another. I still believed that when faced with a choice between hatred and hope, you must chose hope every time. As we prepare for the presidential election, we have someone in our midst who has the power to be equally empowering and inspiring with a natural gift that few of us can aspire to. Dr Katriona OSullivan was born in Coventry to Irish parents. Aged 20, in 1998, she moved from Bermingham to Dublin and subsequently enrolled in the Trinity College access programme. She went on to gain a PhD in psychology from Trinity and joined its staff. She now works as a senior lecturer in Digital Skills in Maynooth Universitys Department of Psychology, developing strategies around education and inclusion. She has been an invited speaker at the UN and the World Education Forum. Her first book, Poor, in 2023, outlined her incredible story, coming from a working class background and overcoming immense challenges to flourish personally, academically and professionally. Poor was Biography of the Year at the 2023 Irish Book Award. Outstanding as it is, it is her ability to inspire at speaking events that is most impactful. Her presentations have to be heard to be realised for their ability to captivate. It is this unique quality that she would bring to the role of president. A year ago, Dr OSullivan shared the stage at the Masters Event in Oxford University, speaking alongside global trauma experts including Gabor Mate, Dutch American psychiatrist Bessel van de Kolk and systemic systems family therapist, Richard Schwartz. Even among these global icons, she stood out, speaking with passion about inclusion, resilience and the power of kindness. I like to say were born with a space in our chest, all of us. If we have good parents who are responsive they place a light there. And that light guides us, especially when things are hard. When I arrived in school I had a complete dark space in here. Id be lying in bed thinking Im scared, who who do I have? She described how just one teacher who believed in her changed her outlook on what was possible her words continually whispering in her brain. Ms Arkinson thinks youre somebody. Ms Arkinson thinks youre somebody. And that was the whisper of my life. After two years of Ms Arkinson, I had this light. And its guided me my whole life. The presidents role is to uphold the constitution. As important is their ability to inspire a nation in a world that is filled with turmoil and inequality and hate. Jacinda Ardern had that rare empathic quality that uplifted and elevated a nation. Katriona OSullivan has it too. Listening to her gives me goose-bumps and makes me think anything is possible. She gives me hope. Imagine the hope she could give our small but significant little nation if she was president. By Cillian Sherlock, PA The Tanaiste is full of compassion and empathy, a Fine Gael minister said as he backed Simon Harris amid calls for his resignation. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke expressed support for his party leader on Monday after more than 1,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin in support of a young child who died after dealing with long delays for scoliosis surgery. Nine-year-old Harvey Morrison, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, died on July 29th. His parents, Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt, said their son waited for years for spinal surgery, during which time the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees. Harvey Morrison Sherratts parents Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison criticised Simon Harris (Gareth Chaney/PA) By the time Harvey received spinal surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected. The curve caused his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing. His parents, opposition politicians and campaigners have called for Mr Harris, the Tanaiste and former minister for health, to step down after he pledged in 2017 that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis treatment. Over the weekend, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who is also in the Fine Gael party referenced the rally and said: There are many ways our society can and should do better by its citizens. We can, we must and we will do better. This is the essence of politics and always will be. The comment received media attention as it fuelled speculation that Ms MacNeill was making an indirect criticism of Mr Harris. Asked whether he supported his party leader in the wake of the comments, Mr Burke told reporters on Monday: Absolutely I support the Tanaiste but first of all, we have to be very much aware that we have a family grieving here. I know as a father of two young children, it would be incomprehensible to lose one of them and to see what the family are going through now Stephen and Geraldine it is incredible, how fair theyve been, I have to say. And I really give them my support too. It is, you know, one area we have to get better at resolving. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke spoke to the media (Cillian Sherlock/PA) Mr Burke added: I think the Tanaiste is full of compassion, full of empathy. Hes a dad too, hes a husband. He knows the pressures that families are under and he wants to do better. I want to do better, and the government wants to do better in this area and quite frankly, we have to. And a lot of resources have been put in, clinically led, into the HSE in this area that we havent seen the results from.. We really need to see more progress now, and thats one thing well be really focused on as a Government. Elizabeth City, NC Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) announced its participation in the Amazon-MLU Educators Consortium and Transformation Alliance, a groundbreaking initiative that equips institutions with the tools, training and industry expertise to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into college-level instruction. This transformative collaboration is part of Amazons Machine Learning University Educator Enablement Program (MLU-EEP), which empowers faculty with open-source, industry-aligned AI/ML content, hands-on training and support for developing new and enhanced courses and programs. ECSU faculty will benefit from a long-term community of practice and curated resources that can be seamlessly embedded into existing curriculapreparing students for in-demand careers in AI and ML. We are excited to see the work at Elizabeth City State University for delivering high-quality, hands-on AI experiences for students. This is the kind of productive collaboration that we hoped for when we established Amazons Machine Learning University Educator Enablement Program (MLU-EEP). We look forward to seeing the impact that ECSU students will have throughout their careers, said Scott Wiltamuth, Director of Database & AI Leadership at Amazon Web Services. Through this initiative, ECSU will collaborate with peer institutions and Amazon leaders to expand AI/ML learning opportunities, address the growing skills gap in emerging technologies, and promote access to cutting-edge education in underserved communities. ECSU is committed to providing our students and faculty with innovative learning opportunities that meet the demands of todays workforce, said Dr. Gloria Payne, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This collaboration with Amazon affirms our mission to be a leader in STEM education and positions our graduates for success in tomorrows tech-driven economy. This alliance reflects ECSUs ongoing dedication to academic excellence, industry collaboration, and the development of a future-ready talent pipeline in the field of AI and ML. About Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education. A constituent member of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU develops courageous, resilient, and empowered leaders through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. ECSU offers baccalaureate, professional, and master's degrees across various disciplines. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu About Amazon Web Services Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the worlds most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any workload, and it now has more than 240 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, media, and application development, deployment, and management from 117 Availability Zones within 37 geographic regions, with announced plans for 13 more Availability Zones and four more AWS Regions in Chile, New Zealand, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the AWS European Sovereign Cloud. Millions of customersincluding the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agenciestrust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com. About Machine Learning University Since 2006, Amazon Web Services has been the worlds most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud. Through its Machine Learning University (MLU) and Educator Enablement Programs, AWS is dedicated to expanding access to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) education. These initiatives empower faculty and senior administratorsparticularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and community collegesto integrate AI/ML into undergraduate instruction and research through hands-on technical training, open-access curriculum, and peer collaboration. By promoting inclusive and industry-aligned tech education, AWS is helping to cultivate the next generation of diverse and skilled technology leaders. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Campaign to stop violence against Christians in India on square in front of United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on June 23, 2021 during a session of the UN Human Rights Council. About 10,000 Christians, led by bishops from more than 20 denominations, have marched through main streets in two cities in India's eastern Odisha state to protest what they called increased attacks from Hindu groups against Christians in the state and across India. "The sudden and premeditated violent attacks on priests, pastors, nuns, and Christians have increased in Odisha and across India," said Catholic Bishop Kishor Kumar Kujur of Rourkela diocese, who joined the Aug. 19 march. "The alarming frequency of attacks translates to more than two Christians being targeted every day in India simply for practicing their faith," Kujur told UCA News on Aug 20, quoting data documented by the United Christian Forum (UCF). Christians are often attacked based on the accusation that they convert people using their prayer gatherings and services, such as educational institutions and healthcare services. Since the landslide victory of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the western Indian state of Maharashtra in November 2024, attacks against Christians have surged according to Christianity Today. So far this year, the Evangelical Fellowship of India's Religious Liberty Commission documented 11 cases of violence against Christians in the region. Over the same period last year, there was only a single incident. Following the march in Rourkela, Kujur, 20 leaders submitted a memorandum to Dheenah Dastageer, the district's second-ranking government official, drawing her attention to the "deep grief and anxiety" of Christians. A similar rally was held in Sundargarh, the headquarters of the district with the same name. The same memorandum was also presented to Subhankar Mohapatra, the district collector, the top government official in the district. It spoke of the "increasing incidents of unwarranted, unhindered, sudden, brutal, premeditated, horrendous attacks, harassment, intimidation and ostracism against Christians" across India. Christians, including priests, nuns, and pastors, face attacks and their churches vandalized by mobs, "alleging fabricated false accusations, disturbing peace, harmony, and integrity of the nation," it said. The memorandum, addressed to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, sought governmental action for the "safety and security" of Christians, who form 2.3 percent of India's 1.4 billion population. It listed some of the recent attacks on Christians in the country, which included mob assaults and police detaining two nuns on July 25 at Durg Railway station in Chhattisgarh. The nuns spent nine days in jail before a court granted them bail, according to the memorandum. Politically emboldened "powerful fringe groups" are attacking socially poor Dalit and tribal Christians in Odisha and neighboring states such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, said Protestant Bishops Pratap Pradhan and John Lakra, who led the rally in Sundargarh. - HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY Christian leaders say Hindu groups supporting the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Modi target Christians to make the country a nation based on Hindu ideology. The increased attacks have "created great fear, trauma, and distress" and have also restricted Christians from moving freely in their villages, streets, and towns," said Ignace Hasda, president of the Sundargarh Christian Council and a retired bureaucrat, a key organizer of the protest. Divine Word Father Ashok Minz, rights activist and lawyer, said Christians were "protesting everywhere" and that the government should provide "adequate protection" to Christians and their places of worship and institutions. Anthres Tigga, a retired bureaucrat and president of the Odisha unit of the All India Catholic Union, said Christian village-level "prayers and even Christian birthday celebrations have become easy targets of attacks by groups linked to the BJP." Christians are often attacked based on the accusation of converting people using their prayer gatherings and services, such as educational institutions and healthcare services. Tigga said several government officials and even legislators have studied in Christian schools, and they can "vouch that we do not use our services for conversion. This bogey of forceful and fraudulent conversion must end once and for all," Tigga said. NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang is bullish on the future of robotics, and sees it as the chipmaker's biggest opportunity outside of AI. Today the company announced the next generation of its Jetson AGX system-on-module called Jetson Thor. The developer kit and T5000 production modules are computers designed for physical AI and robotics. The company has been iterating on these robot brains for a few years now , with each model more powerful than the last. The newest generation is powered by NVIDIA's Blackwell GPU architecture and offers 7.5 times more AI compute and 3.5 times greater energy efficiency than its predecessor, the Jetson Orin . These chips can run generative AI models, including large language and visual models, to help robots interpret the world around them. We've built Jetson Thor for the millions of developers working on robotic systems that interact with and increasingly shape the physical world, said NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. Perplexity is launching a new revenue-sharing plan for publishers that will pay them every time its AI assistants use an article to answer a question, The Wall Street Journal reports. Perplexity is launching the plan (and partially paying for it) with a new Comet Plus subscription that gives subscribers access "to premium content from a group of trusted publishers and journalists." Comet Plus costs $5 per month, and based on Perplexity's description, it's primarily designed to account for the actions its Comet Agent (included in the Comet browser) takes on websites, which aren't considered in existing publisher deals. "When you ask Perplexity to synthesize recent coverage of an industry trend, that's indexed traffic," the company writes. "When Comet Assistant scans your calendar and suggests articles relevant to your days meetings, that's agent traffic." The company's existing Publisher Program, which counts publications like TIME and Fortune as participants, shares ad revenue based on the traffic a Perplexity search is stealing away by providing a summary of an article. The money shared through Comet Plus will presumably account for what's lost when an AI agent visits a webpage on your behalf, zooming past ads you'd normally see or hear. Advertisement Advertisement Publishers will get 80 percent of the revenue of Comet Plus, according to Perplexity, with the remaining 20 percent allocated to "compute." The Wall Street Journal writes that Perplexity will initially pay participating publishers out of a "$42.5 million revenue pool" that will expand over time, presumably as sign-ups grow for Comet Plus, and the Comet web browser becomes available to more people. That starting sum likely takes into account Perplexity's existing Pro and Max subscribers, who will receive Comet Plus as part of their subscriptions and are paying into the revenue-sharing scheme by default. It sounds generous on its face, and maybe with a large enough volume of subscribers it will be, but 80 percent of $5 is $4. That's $4 that will presumably unlock unlimited access to a publication's entire library of content. Most newspapers charge anywhere from $20 to $30 per month to access all of their articles. Why would they settle for less? It's not clear if this plan replaces Perplexity's existing Publisher Program, or will exist alongside it. It's also hard to say if not paying for Comet Plus will change the quality of responses you receive in Comet or Perplexity. Engadget has contacted Perplexity for more information and will update this article if we hear back. Perplexity likely wouldn't be exploring new revenue-sharing plans if it hadn't already been caught plagiarizing articles in the first place. The company wants its agentic browser to be a success, and that ideally requires a certain amount of participation from the people who create the articles, images, and videos agents browse. It remains to be seen if Comet Plus is the kind of arrangement that will make publishers play ball. Google wants to get Gemini in your smart home, and it looks like it's planning to release a lineup of new Nest Products to make it happen. The company teased a new smart speaker during its Pixel 10 launch event, and now Android Headlines has new images and details that confirm the look of the speaker and a collection of other Nest products that are on the way. Based on the images Android Headlines sourced, Google's new smart home lineup looks nearly identical to the cameras and doorbells it's already selling. The exception is the new smart speaker, now called the Google Home Speaker, which is smaller and rounder than the Nest Audio, and could be a replacement for the puck-shaped Nest Mini. The new speaker will come in what looks like red, light green, black and beige color options, and offer "360-degree sound." Android Headlines writes that the speaker also supports Gemini Live, Sound Sensing for detecting smoke alarms or glass breaking and pairing with a Google TV Streamer. The rest of the smart home lineup will feel familiar, save for some new colors, internal tweaks and software features. The biggest change is that all of the new Nest devices built-in cameras will reportedly record in 2K resolution, rather than 1080p. They'll also come in a selection of new colors. The Nest Cam Indoor comes in "Snow" (white), "Berry" (red) and "Hazel" (gray). The camera will include a new "Zoom and Crop" feature that lets you crop a camera feed to focus on a specific area, and be able to store up to an hour of footage locally if your Wi-Fi goes out. Google also plans to expand how long it'll store video previews of events Nest Cams detect, taking the library of 10-second previews from one hour to three. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nest Cam Outdoor will only come in Snow and Hazel, but it'll reportedly include all the new features of the Nest Cam Indoor. The same goes for the new Nest Doorbell, except it'll be available in Snow, Hazel and "Linen" (beige). The decision to largely use the same design on its Nest devices and focus on changing internal components and software features is a similar strategy to what Google used with the Pixel 10 lineup. The phones largely look the same, but they feature improved internals and plenty of new software features. Android Headlines writes that Google plans to use this hardware launch to also rebrand its Nest Aware and Aware Plus subscriptions. The new name for Google's entry-level smart home subscription will be Google Home Premium. The company also plans to sell a Google Home Premium Advanced. As far as which subscription offers what, and if certain Gemini features will be locked behind a higher price, we'll have to wait until Google details its smart home plans. The company said Gemini for Home will launch in October, so expect more official announcements in the coming months. Have you played around with the new iOS 26 yet? Here's how to download it on your iPhone if you haven't yet once you do, you'll notice several new changes, including a clear design called Liquid Glass. The translucent look can be found within apps as well as your lock and home screens. (You can't turn it off, but you can reduce the transparency to make it less clear.) The overhaul is one of several big changes that come with iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS and the rest of Apple's software suite the new operating system updates for those gadgets are also available to download now. You'll also see multiple useful additions in the Phone and Messages apps. For instance, the ability to weed out spam texts or unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. And for fun, you can now create polls in group texts. Other new improvements coming include a confirmed AirPods live translation feature, and a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center. If you're planning to upgrade your phone this year, take a look at all the new models Apple unveiled during its iPhone 17 event, from the iPhone 17 lineup (check out our review of the iPhone 17) to the all-new ultra-thin iPhone Air (take a look at our hands-on review). If you missed the keynote, you can catch up on everything Apple announced here or rewatch the full iPhone 17 launch. The company rounded out its announcements with three new Apple Watch models, as well as the brand-new AirPods Pro 3. Advertisement Advertisement Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26. We've rounded up a full list of new features you'll have to check out. If you're waiting to update your phone until iOS 26.1 becomes available, note that the beta version is available now so it shouldn't be too long before it's released to the public. What is iOS 26 and should I download iOS 18.7 first? Instead of releasing iOS 19, Apple skipped its naming convention ahead to iOS 26. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems were released in 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead. Apple also released iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26 to address security issues great news if you don't have a phone that's eligible to run the latest OS. If you're wondering which one to download first, it's really up to you. Do you want to wait for Apple to quash any bugs in iOS 26 or do you want access to all the new features everyone's talking about now? It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple) What is Liquid Glass design? Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. Advertisement Advertisement So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some including Engadget's Devindra Hardawar like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, while it was in beta mode, Apple incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: The company says Liquid Glass was designed to make all of its platforms more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic looks with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. How to turn iOS 26 Liquid Glass settings off If you find you don't like the new clear look after downloading iOS 26, you can change a couple Accessibility settings, though you can't completely turn off Liquid Glass. For starters, you can reduce the liquid look by going to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > toggle on Reduce Motion. Advertisement Advertisement You can make your drop-down menus more opaque instead of translucent by going to Settings >Accessibility > Display & Text Size > toggle on Reduce Transparency. You can also change your clear apps back to the way they were. Just press and hold any app on your screen and select Edit Home Screen. From here, tap Edit (top left) and Customize. You can swap out to Default, Dark or Tinted. What are the new and notable features of iOS 26? iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You can now scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Advertisement Advertisement Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 brings the ability to have a conversation via phone call, FaceTime or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation uses Apple Intelligence and it will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends can now create polls in group messages to decide things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Advertisement Advertisement Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's been frustrated with last year's changes to the Photos app, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are back. Library and Collections have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. Camera app updates: Navigating the Camera app should be simpler in iOS 26, as all the buttons and menus are in convenient spots less swiping, more photo taking. Plus, there's a new feature that tells you if your lens needs to be cleaned. FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues. New lock screen options: The iPhone lock screen is more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options. Advertisement Advertisement New alarm setting: You'll no longer be stuck with the 9-minute snooze setting in your alarms. Instead, you now have the option to change your snooze time from one to 15 minutes. Screenshots look different: You'll notice several new features when you take a screenshot, including "highlight to search," the option to search your image on Google and ChatGPT is there for any questions you have about the image. Preview on iOS 26: There's a new app called Preview that lets you scan documents, fill out PDF forms, as well as highlight, underline or strike through text in a PDF file. You can also remove backgrounds from images in this app. Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple) New changes with iPadOS 26 Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what to look for. Advertisement Advertisement Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it. Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 also has the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look appears on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus. New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific. There's more beyond that, so be sure to check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26. What about AirPods? AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions. Advertisement Advertisement Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments. Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture. Live translation feature: Live translation is available on AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC when paired with iPhones running iOS 26. Apple says that when someone speaks to you in a different language, you can use your AirPods to translate what theyre saying. Heart rate monitoring: Apple introduced new AirPods Pro 3 earbuds this month, which include heart rate monitoring. It will work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates. Siri is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant first promised at WWDC 2024 is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes right now. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a "stripped-down" AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT. Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26? A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS iPhone XR, XS and XS Max aren't compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones from 2019 or later will be eligible for iOS 26: Advertisement Advertisement iPhone SE (second generation or later) iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16e iPhone 17 iPhone Air iPhone 17 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max When can you download iOS 26? iOS 26 has officially been released to the public for free as of September 15, 2025. If you're more interested in the new Apple Intelligence features, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework. Update, September 19: Added details about making Liquid Glass less clear. Update, September 18: Added info about Engadget's iPhone 17 review. Update, September 17: Added details and link about the new iPhone Air. Update, September 16: Added details about modifying Liquid Glass settings, and new info about the Preview app. Update, September 15: Noted iOS 26 is officially available for download. Update, September 12: Noted iOS 26 is coming to eligible iPhones in just a few days, timing TBD. Update, September 11: Added the products Apple released at its Tuesday event and noted when iOS 26 will be available to download. Update, September 9: Noted the iPhone event is starting soon. Update, September 8: Noted the iPhone 17 event is tomorrow. Update, September 4: Added details about how screenshots are different in iOS 26. Update, September 3: Noted Apple is expected to release iOS 18.7 alongside iOS 26. Update, September 2: Added more new features coming with iOS 26. Update, August 29: Added new section about Siri and a link to what's new with the iOS 26 Camera app. Update, August 27: Added the official iPhone 17 event date, as well as the potential iOS 26 release. Update, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Pro having heart rate monitoring. Update, August 22: Noted that Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6. Update, August 20: Noted that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are now available to download. Update, August 18: Added details about a potential iOS 18.6 update. Update, August 15: Added to link to what to expect at the Apple iPhone event and details about what's available in the iOS 26 screenshots editor. Update, August 13: Added new AirPods detail spotted in the iOS 26 beta. Update, August 11: Noted that iOS 26 developer beta has hit beta 6. Update, August 8: Added new features coming with iPadOS 26 and AirPods. Update, August 6: Noted the release of iOS 26 beta 5 and the new bouncy feature on passcode screen and Control Center. Update, August 4: Noted that Apple is reportedly working on a ChatGPT rival. Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26. Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available. Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available. Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta. Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2. Final update, September 10, 2025, 11:04AM ET: Apple announced new iPhones, Apple Watch and AirPods models on September 9. The full rundown of new releases: the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max; the AirPods Pro 3 (with live translation and a heart rate sensor); and the Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. The company also confirmed that all of its new operating system upgrades including iOS 26 will be available as free upgrades on September 15. Read the rest of this story below to see how closely the new products aligned with the weeks and months of rumors. We're now just hours away from setting our eyes on the iPhone 17 lineup. Apple will reveal the newest smartphones during its big September "Awe dropping" iPhone event this afternoon at 1PM ET. The Engadget team will be liveblogging the iPhone event from Cupertino in real-time if you want to follow along. (You can watch the iPhone 17 event on YouTube, too.) The newest phones will come equipped with the latest iOS 26 features preinstalled, along with any new features Apple reveals today. So what can we expect to see? While Apple keeps all the details under lock and key, we actually have a very strong idea as to what we'll be seeing, thanks to leaks from Asian supply chains, case manufacturers and some credible media reports. Oh, and there are plenty of more fanciful rumors, too. Here's our best bet as to what will be coming out of Cupertino next in just a few days. What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors? Bloomberg's Mark Gurman is the industry's best-known Apple whisperer, and his event preview offers a tidy overview of what to expect on Tuesday. That includes four new iPhone 17 models, with an all-new superthin model, dubbed the iPhone Air, leading the pack. We'll also likely see the baseline iPhone 17, as well as the usual Pro and big-screen Pro Max models, which will offer the line's best cameras and extras. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, expect up to three new Apple Watch models, with the satellite-connected Apple Watch Ultra 3 and a possible new entry-level Apple Watch SE flanking the Apple Watch Series 11. Rounding out the new products should be the AirPods Pro 3 earbuds, which are said to add heart-rate monitoring and a live translation feature. While all of those reports largely jibe with earlier rumors, Gurman's report includes screen sizes and handset sizes down to the millimeter. In fact, he had previously outlined most of the same expectations in a recent appearance on the Engadget Podcast. But he's not the only one with exact measurements: Plenty of case makers, including Dbrand, have unveiled their cases for the complete iPhone 17 line (including the 17 Pro case shown above), further solidifying expectations on dimensions and screen sizes for the new models. That said, we're still treating everything as unconfirmed until Apple's official announcements hit on Tuesday. While we don't expect any big leaps forward on the Apple Intelligence front at Tuesday's event, Gurman's subsequent report notes that Apple is continuing to experiment with AI models from Google, Anthropic and OpenAI, and may license technology from one or more of them ahead of a major Siri upgrade that could arrive as soon as March 2026. Advertisement Advertisement In addition, supposed battery capacities for the iPhone 17 models have appeared in a Chinese regulatory database, as shared on X by account ShrimpApplePro (via MacRumors). If the numbers are accurate, the iPhone 17 will get a 3.7 percent increase in battery capacity versus last year's model, the 17 Pro will gain a whopping 18.7 percent and the Pro Max gets an 8.6 percent improvement over the already strong 16 Pro Max battery. Not surprisingly, the leak lists the iPhone Air at around 3,100 mAh, or about 16 percent under the capacity of the iPhone 17 number. It will be interesting to see how Apple addresses that power shortfall if and when the company shares these numbers during or after its announcement. How much will the iPhone 17 cost? Apple's announced plan to expand US-based manufacturing partners seems to give it at least some shielding from the steepest Trump administration tariffs that have already triggered price increases on everything from PlayStations to Switch consoles to high-end cameras to Sonos speakers. But given that President Trump's trade policies can change from week to week, and Apple's continuing reliance on Asia-based supply chains, price shocks remain an ongoing possibility. The bigger question is: Will Apple absorb any higher costs, or pass them on to consumers? If prices do creep up, Apple may choose to pair it with an "upgrade." Consider this recent rumor posted by MacRumors from a leaker known as "Instant Digital," suggesting that the default storage of the iPhone 17 line may start at 256GB, doubling the current 128GB baseline. While that could be accompanied by a price increase of $50, Apple could at least pitch it as a "better value." That said, the company doubled the default RAM of its Mac computers from 8GB to 16GB at no extra cost in 2024 but that was before the current Trump tariff cycle started. Now, on the eve of the iPhone announcement, a report from JPMorgan mixes and matches the rumors above. As recounted in 9to5Mac, the iPhone line's starting prices will still stretch from $799 to $1,199 just as they do now with the Air possibly getting a $50 increase versus the iPhone Plus model it's replacing, and the 17 Pro costing an additional $100, but including more storage. Advertisement Advertisement Again, these prices are only projections and haven't been confirmed by Apple. When will the iPhone 17 series be announced? As noted above, the date has been confirmed for Tuesday, September 9. That lines up with Apple's traditional schedule, and the earlier report from iphone-ticker.de (via MacRumors). This generation of Apple smartphones may be the last to be fully released in September, however. There have been hints that the introduction of the iPhone 18 collection in 2026 will be split into a pro-tier announcement in the fall and a standard model announcement the following spring. What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include? Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone, likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple's ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in January (and reaffirmed in his September event preview) that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It will also supposedly use Apple's new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e. Advertisement Advertisement As a guest on the latest Engadget Podcast, Gurman told Engadget's Devindra Hardawar and Igor Bonifacic the rumored iPhone Air will be rough around the edges at first. He believes the 17 Air will "lag in both" when it comes to camera and battery performance. "The battery life is going to be subpar compared to a base-level 17 or Pro model," he says. The ultimate goal, he notes, is to get all the functionality of the Pro models into the Air models. An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated that the Air will have a titanium frame. If his reports are accurate, the lightweight smartphone will be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use that metal; the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is lighter. Other speculation had suggested that the Air would use a blend of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials may not be known until the official announcement. Additionally, an August 4 MacRumors report said the internal battery pack of the iPhone Air is just 2.49mm thick half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The leak was posted on the Korean-language Naver blog, where they show the alleged batteries of the iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro side by side. The same account claimed the 17 Air's battery capacity was a mere 2,800 mAh, MacRumors noted. (That's below the battery capacity of current iPhone 16 models.) At the very least, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air won't take away the charging port and rely only on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg said that while Apple had investigated making the iPhone 17 Air without a single port, the company (fortunately) changed plans. He also says that the rumored phone will have a 6.6-inch screen and include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Advertisement Advertisement On a similar topic, an iPhone 17 Pro production leak appears to have revealed an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors. Originally posted by leaker Majin Bu, the image shows a shell that has a large round hole on the back (where the Apple logo typically is) to allow for MagSafe charging. MacRumors says this could just be a molding but notes that the aluminum frame (versus the current titanium in Pro iPhone models) would yield a significantly lower weight. That same leaker (Majin Bu), whom MacRumors classifies as a "hit-or-miss leaker," suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will have better wireless signal strength thanks to an updated antenna design. The individual posted a render on X that shows a new antenna system that wraps around the iPhone 17 Pro's supposedly wider rear camera bump. Again, this is a render, not a real-world photo. That said, we can't knock the goal of better wireless reception, so we're hoping this one has a degree of truth to it. Leaker Majin Bu also claims "TechWoven" cases could be introduced, per a MacRumors report. The cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaker noted there are two lanyard holes for "convenient and secure carrying," so it could be worn around your neck. The colors would come in grey/black, blue, green, purple and orange. Additionally, he said there will be new Liquid Silicone cases in eight colors, including Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue and Midnight Black. He also recently showed a clear iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max case with the large rear camera bump cutout. The case isn't fully transparent and instead has a white rectangular piece that covers the MagSafe area. The new Pro iPhones are said to have a full-width "camera island" on the rear, which would mark the first time an Apple model opted for that design. This feature can be seen in the purported iPhone 17 "spotted in the wild." The pics, highlighted on MacRumors, show a black cased iPhone (17 Pro?) with the distinct back panel. Is it the real deal? The dual angles lend a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly polluted with AI-enhanced fakes, but your guess is as good as ours. Additionally, the iPhone 17 Pro models could have the brightest display yet, according to leaker "Instant Digital," MacRumors reports. The goal is to make it "more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods." The article points out that existing 16 Pro models can double their maximum brightness while in direct sunlight, making it easier to see what's on the screen. Advertisement Advertisement We've also gotten what seems to be a reliable look at what the color lineup will be for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have four color options: black, white, light blue and light gold. While the Air colors will be less saturated, the visuals for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will go bold. The options for the Pro models are expected to be black, white, gray, dark blue and orange. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes there actually will be a new orange color offered for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a light blue color for the iPhone 17 Air, he confirmed in his August 24 Power On newsletter. On July 30, Tom's Guide highlighted an X post from Sonny Dickson a longtime and generally reliable leaker of unreleased iPhone information showing "dummy" iPhone 17 models in the new colors that were the source of the aforementioned Macworld story. While these are literally just mock-ups not real, leaked iPhones it's interesting to see how the design and color rumors translate into a real-world look and feel. To add the the rumors, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e will come equipped with a new design that includes the Dynamic Island, MacRumors reports. According to the post, the new phone will have the A19 chip and could have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera and a rear-facing 48-megapixel camera. However, it's important to note this report refers to the 17e model that would be expected to launch no earlier than February 2026, if it followed the same release pattern as the iPhone 16e. What will iOS 26 be like? Apple upended its numbering conventions with WWDC 2025, and will match the name of each new operating system to the year it's released. So when the next wave of iPhones hits, they'll be running on iOS 26. Advertisement Advertisement On the design side, the smartphone OS introduced during the big developer showcase took a contentious approach dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple has been scaling down the amount of transparency effects in the subsequent beta tests of iOS 26, but it will still have a glass-like visual. The feature list includes big and small updates. On the more impactful side, the Phone and Photos apps have been redesigned. There will be several features leveraging artificial intelligence, such as live translation capabilities coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple is also currently testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that will freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning tools. And the company is also launching Visual Intelligence, which will use AI to search for elements in an image. iOS 26 also has a litany of minor, quality of life improvements. Group texts are getting support for polls. And for the slow risers out there, iOS 26 will finally let you escape the tyranny of the nine minute snooze alarm. The next iOS is now available as a public beta. Here are our initial impressions of the Liquid Glass design and other new features. iOS 26 is compatible with all models back through iPhone 11. What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17? If Apple follows its usual pattern, the iPhone 17 will be announced alongside new Apple Watch products. That would be the Apple Watch Series 11 (if Apple sticks to the same naming scheme), and maybe an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and/or an updated Apple Watch SE. (They'll all run watchOS 26, of course.) As noted above, a new version of the Apple AirPods Pro (which received its last big update in 2022) is expected, and there's a possibility we'll see new AirTags trackers (first released in 2021), though those could be announced later. Advertisement Advertisement The Apple rumor mill got a big shot in the arm in mid-August thanks to the reported inclusion of product ID numbers in recent beta software builds. Per MacRumors, it's a laundry list of new hardware, including long-rumored product updates like the Apple TV, HomePod mini, new Apple Studio Display monitor and two fresh iPads. Of course, even if that list is totally accurate, we may not see those products until 2026 if ever. So don't expect all of products to share the stage with the iPhone 17, especially since Apple likes to keep its star performer at the center of attention. That said, keep in mind that Apple has recently been having Mac-centric announcements in late October (as it did last year to debut new M4 Macs), so there's always the chance of another shoe dropping a few weeks down the road. Update, September 9, 2025: Noted the iPhone 17 event starts soon (within hours). Advertisement Advertisement Update, September 8, 2025, 12:22PM ET: Added new rumor about battery capacity in the new iPhone 17 devices. Update, September 7, 2025, 12:32PM ET: Added Mark Gurman's latest reporting on Apple's possible AI partnerships. Update, September 6, 2025, 8:45AM ET: Added Mark Gurman's latest full predictions on what's expected at the Tuesday Apple event. Update, September 4, 2025, 3:23PM ET: Added new rumors about the iPhone 17 Air battery/eSIM, and camera details for the latest lineup. Update, September 3, 2025, 3:24PM ET: Added new rumor about the increased brightness of the iPhone 17 pro models. Update, September 2, 2025, 3:56PM ET: Added new details about the potential iPhone 17 lineup prices, and a new Clear Case rumor. Update, August 30, 2025, 8:45AM ET: Added commentary from Mark Gurman's guest appearance on the Engadget Podcast about the rumored iPhone 17 Air. Update, August 27, 2025, 5:44PM ET: Added official Apple iPhone 17 event date, and a rumor about its event logo. Update, August 25, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added new reports about the iPhone 17 Pro's orange color as well as new rumored Liquid Silicone cases. Update, August 22, 2025, 11:52AM ET: Added new details about the colors of the rumored TechWoven case. Update, August 20, 2025, 7:12PM ET: Added new rumor about potential TechWoven case for iPhone 17 series. Update, August 18, 2025, 6:23PM ET: Added new rumor about the iPhone 17e potentially having the Dynamic Island. Update, August 15, 2025, 2:05PM ET: Added new rumor about the all-aluminum chassis on the iPhone 17. Update, August 13, 2025, 10:02PM ET: Added a list of the products that are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17s. Update, August 11, 2025, 7:27PM ET: Added a render of a rumored new antenna design for the iPhone 17 Pro. Update, August 8, 2025, 4:43PM ET: Added new speculation and reports about iPhone 17 pricing. Update, August 6, 2025, 4:05PM ET: Added latest details about the potential iPhone 17 event date. Update, August 4, 2025, 5:23PM ET: Added latest battery leaks about the iPhone 17 models. Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15AM ET: Added new photos showing potential iPhone 17 colors. Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08AM ET: Added latest leaks and rumors about the iPhone 17, and updated information on the iOS 26 public beta. Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added latest information about iOS 26, possible materials for the Air, and the color options for the different models. Update, March 17, 2025, 2PM ET: Added details about the rumored price and features of the iPhone 17 Air. Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45PM ET: Added details from Front Page Tech's new video that claims to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build. Malcolm McDowell is keeping it honest when it comes to his daughter-in-law Lily Collins' hit Netflix series "Emily in Paris." In a recent interview with People, the 82-year-old "A Clockwork Orange" star revealed that he has never tuned in to the popular romantic comedy, which first premiered in 2020. "To be honest with you, it's not my kind of thing, and Lily knows that," McDowell admitted. While the British actor may not be a fan of the show itself, he made clear that he is a strong supporter of Collins, 36. "But I'm the biggest fan of my daughter-in-law. I think she's absolutely one of the great actresses," McDowell said. "As far as I'm concerned, when she's on the screen, there's nobody else on it, because she's not only a good actress, but she has a beautiful quality. I suppose, it's a sort of charisma." Collins, who plays lead character Emily Cooper in the Darren Starcreated series, has been married to McDowell's son, director Charlie McDowell, since September 2021, PageSix said. The couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Tove, via surrogate in January. Charlie's mother is actress Mary Steenburgen, who has also praised the pair's relationship publicly. Lily Collins father-in-law admits he doesnt like her show Emily in Paris: Not my kind of thing https://t.co/p6TbCuyiAz pic.twitter.com/wHUPoQF1ad Page Six (@PageSix) August 24, 2025 Emily in Paris Wraps Up With Romance and Secrets in Rome According to USA Today, "Emily in Paris" has been a major success for Netflix, earning multiple Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Collins herself. The series follows Emily Cooper, an ambitious American marketing executive who relocates to France for work. Over the years, it has gained a devoted global audience, despite some criticism for its portrayal of Parisian culture. The show is now preparing to wrap up with its fifth and final season, set to premiere in December. The new storyline finds Emily in Rome, taking on a promotion at Agence Grateau while exploring a romance with Marcello Muratori, an Italian businessman. According to the official synopsis, her new life in Italy brings both professional triumphs and personal setbacks, with secrets threatening to unravel close relationships. Season 5 production faced a tragic moment earlier this month when assistant director Diego Borella collapsed on set in Venice and later died of a suspected heart attack. Filming was briefly paused but resumed days later to complete the series' finale. Despite McDowell's personal lack of interest in the series, his admiration for Collins remains clear. For him, "Emily in Paris" may not be must-see TV, but his daughter-in-law's talent is undeniable. Virginia Giuffre, whose allegations against Prince Andrew drew global attention, left behind a memoir that will be released six months after her death. The book, "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice," comes out October 21 through Knopf. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, finished the manuscript more than a year earlier while working with journalist Amy Wallace. The publisher confirmed the 400-page book would contain "intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with [Jeffrey] Epstein, [Ghislaine] Maxwell and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew." A Final Wish In an email sent to Wallace weeks before her death, Giuffre stressed that the book should not be withheld. She called the book "crucial" and said it focused on the systemic failures that let traffickers move vulnerable people across borders. Giuffre wrote that the work should push action "for the sake of justice and awareness." She closed the message with clear instructions: "In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that Nobody's Girl is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices." Knopf said Giuffre had worked on the project for four years. A first U.S. print run of 250,000 copies is planned, with publication in hardback, ebook, and audio. Prince Andrew and Epstein Giuffre said Epstein and Maxwell trafficked her when she was still a teenager. She claimed she was 17 when Andrew assaulted her at several locations, including Maxwell's London home and Epstein's island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Andrew has rejected the accusations, insisting he never had sex with her and saying he cannot recall meeting her, despite a photo showing the two together. In 2022, Andrew settled the civil case with Giuffre for several million dollars. The agreement ended the lawsuit without him admitting any wrongdoing. Giuffre's story is expected to place new scrutiny on Andrew, who was recently seen leaving Balmoral while the royal family attended church. One source close to her family told The Sun, "This is her ultimate revenge." Life and Legacy Born in the United States, Giuffre lived in Perth, Australia, with her husband Robert and their three children. Her family called her "a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse" but said "the toll of abuse became unbearable." Giuffre had long spoken about her experiences, including in court filings and interviews, but "Nobody's Girl" will mark the first time she addresses her relationship with Andrew in full since their settlement. Knopf editor Jordan Pavlin said the book is written with "authority, courage, and piercing honesty." The publisher called the book "a raw and shocking record" of Giuffre's years around Epstein and said it also showed the strength she carried through that time. Epstein was found dead in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. He had been facing sex-trafficking charges at the time. Two years later, Maxwell was convicted of trafficking minors. A judge sentenced her to 20 years in prison. Newly unsealed court records in Blake Lively's lawsuit against "It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni show his team spent heavily on crisis management and social media help during their public feud. According to the Daily Mail, the filings detail how Wayfarer Studios, run by Baldoni and his business partner Jamey Heath, hired PR contractor Jed Wallace in August 2024. Invoices show Wallace was paid $30,000 a month for three months, totaling $90,000. His now-deleted LinkedIn once described him as a "hired gun" with a formula for "defining artists and trends." An email introduced in the case shows Baldoni's publicist, Melissa Nathan, connecting Wallace to Heath. "Jed and team has worked on some of the most monumental [behind the scenes] projects globally," Nathan wrote. Wallace replied that his group would work "in lockstep" with Nathan's PR firm, TAG, though under a separate contract. According to texts, Nathan told Heath one proposal involved "creation of social fan engagement" designed to counter negative online accounts and shift the narrative. She added the work would be "most importantly untraceable." A source familiar with the deal said this referred to anonymous accounts used to amplify favorable stories and argue with Lively's supporters online, though much of that work was never carried out because, the source said, organic criticism of Lively was already widespread. Wayfarer just provided PROOF they engaged in a smear campaign "directly influencing forums", "starting threads with theories the team approve of", influencing content to "expose the behavior of Blake" and "actively sway the algorithm" ... Link:https://t.co/2jcCLD8YlA pic.twitter.com/3PaEr9e8AP Expatriarch (@Expatriarch_uk) August 12, 2025 Disputed Smear Campaign Lively's attorneys argue the messages show evidence of a smear campaign against her. A spokesperson for the actress said, "There is an overwhelming amount of evidence documenting the smear campaign instigated by Justin Baldoni, Melissa Nathan, Jed Wallace and the rest of the Wayfarer Parties." Wallace denies that accusation, saying he was paid to monitor social media activity, not to create fake accounts. His attorney, Chip Babcock, said Wallace "has never met or spoken to Ms. Lively. Ever. He has not engaged in a smear campaign against her at any point in time." A judge dismissed Lively's claims against Wallace in July. He has since filed a defamation suit against her in Texas. In separate texts filed with the court, Nathan's employee Katie Case dismissed Lively's concerns. "Someone has to tell them to grow up," she wrote, adding that negative reactions to the film were "organic stuff from real people making TikToks not bots." Crisis Team Costs Heath told a friend last August that Baldoni's side had committed $9 million to crisis management. "Just have to manage every land mine so it doesn't go off," he wrote. A source close to the PR team later disputed the figure, saying the amount was closer to $15,000. Other messages show Baldoni felt cornered by the conflict with Lively. In one exchange with executives, he said he was "trying to find my balance of captaining a ship and leading it while it's being held hostage." Opened to the international user community on 25 August 2020, following a major upgrade, ESRF-EBS has proven to be a game changer for science in Europe and beyond, enabling breakthroughs across a wide range of fields from health and energy to materials research, environmental science, and cultural heritage. Its exceptional capabilities have empowered researchers to explore living matter and materials with a level of detail that was previously out of reach helping to address some of our societys most pressing challenges. From whole organs to connectomics: advancing health research In health research, the ESRF has pioneered a new X-ray imaging technique, Hierarchical Phase-Contrast Tomography (HiP-CT). With the support of a dedicated beamline, it allows scientists to image whole human organs in 3D, down to the cellular level. This has already helped shed light on lung damage caused by COVID-19 and is opening new paths for cancer diagnostics and understanding complex diseases. Supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the Human Organ Atlas project led by ESRF and University College London brings together over 50 research teams worldwide to build a global open-science atlas of healthy and diseased organs. More than 200 organs have been scanned, and nearly 200 open-access datasets are now available to researchers everywhere. In connectomics, the ESRF hosts an ERC-funded project that has demonstrated a new approach to mapping neural circuits. Using X-ray nano-holotomography (XNH), researchers have reconstructed the networks controlling wing and leg movements in fruit flies. This technique, hundreds of times faster than traditional imaging methods, opens the door to large-scale mapping of brain connectivity. Future applications could include a full human connectome, especially when combined with other methods. A new nano-imaging beamline at ESRFs ID18 is planned to accelerate this work and deepen our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons. Supporting innovation and sustainability in energy, materials, and the environment Other major research areas enabled by the exceptional performance of EBS include the development of new materials for sustainable energy and the circular economy. The ability to observe processes under in situ and operando conditions, from the atomic scale to full devices, is made possible by the highly penetrating nature of EBS X-rays. Through the European Battery Hub, the ESRF is enhancing collaboration with industry to support the development of safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable battery technologies. In collaboration with BASF, a high-throughput X-ray screening service has been developed, capable of analysing over 3,000 cathode samples per hour. This significantly accelerates material screening, shortening development cycles and enabling faster innovation in battery design, all while leveraging the extraordinary volume of data collected using AI-based tools. From a more fundamental perspective, the availability of nanometric, high-energy X-ray beams is opening new frontiers in geosciences and planetary science. These capabilities allow scientists to investigate materials under static pressures of several gigapascals conditions found deep inside gas giant planets like Jupiter and Neptune, as well as in exoplanets. One ERC-funded project is using these capabilities to better understand Earths core by simultaneously probing the velocity and propagation of seismic waves through iron-rich materials under extreme conditions. In environmental science, ESRF-EBS is helping researchers understand how toxic elements such as cadmium behave in soil and plants. With EBS beam performances and the use of a new X-ray microscope, researchers can now map the distribution of cadmium and other elements with unprecedented resolution, and up to 20 times faster than before. This combination of speed and detail enables them to observe both the bigger picture and the finest-scale processes at the plantsoil interface, where crucial interactions take place. This knowledge is vital for improving food safety and soil remediation strategies. Shedding light on the past: cultural heritage and palaeontology In cultural heritage, ESRF-EBS recently welcomed one of the worlds most iconic instruments: Il Cannone, the 1743 violin famously played by Niccolo Paganini. Conservators and scientists joined forces to perform a non-invasive, high-resolution scan of the instrument, down to the cellular structure of the woods components. Such analysis sheds light on the craftsmanship, material ageing, and acoustic properties of historical instruments, guiding their conservation. In paleontology, the same imaging techniques were used to scan the tiny fossilised skull of a 247-million-year-old reptile embedded in a rock, leading to the discovery of a new species and changing our understanding of reptile evolution. A cutting-edge facility in high demand Scientific results are already delivering on the promise of ESRF-EBS, opening new frontiers for knowledge. Demand from the research community is stronger than ever, with a record number of beamtime proposals and 10 ERC-funded projects based on EBS capabilities. In 2024, the ESRF produced 1,407 peer-reviewed publications nearly 400 more than in previous years such as 2021 and 2022 with a marked increase in articles published in high-impact journals. Each year, around 10,000 scientists carry out experiments across 46 beamlines. Achieving this milestone required an unprecedented scientific and engineering effort. In December 2018, after 26 years of loyal service, the ESRF shut down its original storage ring for 20 months. Teams took three months to dismantle the ESRFs historic storage ring (disconnecting 200 km of cables and removing 1720 tons of equipment) and nine months to install the new machine in the 844 m-circumference tunnel. More than 10,000 components were aligned to within 50 microns less than the width of a human hair over nearly a kilometer. The first X-ray beam was delivered in January 2020, and the facility reopened to users on 25 August 2020, on schedule. A game-changer for science As the ESRF celebrates five years of EBS, it stands as a game-changer for European science, advancing fundamental knowledge and contributing to tackling urgent challenges in health, energy and the environment. The EBS has already enabled amazing breakthroughs in a number of scientific areas, advancing knowledge and contributing to solving major challenges our societies are facing, says Jean Daillant, ESRF Director General. This is, however, just the beginning of the story. Beyond this extraordinary achievement, the ESRF is strongly committed to fully unleash its potential by developing innovative hardware and software, already looking ahead to new horizons and preparing for the next generation of synchrotrons. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release Chemicals SubCategory Select Sub-Category Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha recently took to social media to announce that they are expecting their first child. Sharing a heartwarming carousel on social media, the two confirmed the news of their pregnancy while seeking blessings from well-wishers and ardent fans. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @parineetichopra The post comprises the photo of a cake with the description, 1+1=3. The next slide consists of a video, where Parineeti and Raghav are seen walking hand in hand while Annie Ahluwalias Anand Bhaya Meri Maaye plays in the background. Parineeti captioned the carousel as, Our little universe on its way. Blessed beyond measure. Fans, well-wishers and Parineetis industry colleagues took to the comments to share their excitement on the news. Sonam Kapoor Ahuja wrote, Congratulations darling. Neha Dhupia wrote, Congratulations. Welcome to the best hood. Nimrat Kaur wrote, Stay blessed. Many many congratulations. The post has been liked by Kiara Advani, Janhvi Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Alaya F, Rakul Preet Singh and more. The duo tied the knot on September 24, 2023. They had a private wedding at the Leela Palace in Udaipur. The actress had once opened up about her first meeting with Raghav in London. She noted that things escalated quickly between them, and they began acknowledging romantic emotions towards each other. He had fallen in love at first sight. And when I met him, I thought I would get married to him, till then I knew nothing about him, she said. Raghav had added, She often shares that after that meeting, she checked on Google what my age was and if I was married. She even googled what the duties of a Member of Parliament are." Parineeti hilariously revealed that she also checked Raghavs height on Google. She hoped for her husband to be taller than her and admitted having been relieved when she got to know about his proper height. We congratulate the couple on the new journey ahead. Also Read: Priyanka Chopras mom Madhu shares Parineeti Chopras pic from her choora ceremony A-Sales, a B2B lead generation agency founded in 2023, announces an update to its operating model, shifting from a retainer and upfront fee structure to a performance-based system where clients are billed for verified outcomes such as qualified leads and scheduled sales meetings. Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2025) - A-Sales, a B2B lead generation agency, has announced a change in its business model that redefines how its services are delivered and billed. Since its founding in 2023, the company has offered outbound sales and lead generation support to businesses across multiple sectors. A-Sales Transitions to Performance-Based Lead Generation Model To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/261962_c6fe1213c479ea58_002full.jpg Previously, the company operated under a retainer-based structure that required clients to pay upfront fees. The updated model moves away from that approach and instead ties billing to outcomes. Clients are now charged for confirmed sales meetings and qualified lead opportunities, aligning costs more directly with delivered results. Addressing Industry Shifts The adjustment comes amid broader changes in the B2B sales and marketing landscape. Many companies have expressed concerns about traditional lead generation methods, citing challenges such as wasted spend on unqualified leads, limited visibility into performance, and long-term commitments that may not guarantee measurable results. By adopting an outcome-based billing structure, A-Sales aims to align with evolving client expectations for accountability and transparency in business development. "This transition reflects how the industry itself is changing," said Denniz Ozden, Founder and CEO of A-Sales. "Clients want clarity on the value they receive from their investment. By removing upfront fees and focusing on results, we are formalizing a model that better matches what businesses are asking for." Technology as the Core Driver The company's service delivery is supported by proprietary tools, including the A-Leads platform and KZR, a phone validation system. The A-Leads platform is designed to identify and target relevant decision-makers, while KZR helps ensure the accuracy of phone data, reducing failed connections. According to the company, these technologies improve the efficiency of lead generation campaigns by enabling more precise targeting and higher connection quality compared to conventional methods such as cold calling. This technological foundation supports the company's shift to a performance-based billing model, where measurable outcomes form the basis for engagement. "Our technology helps take uncertainty out of the process," Ozden added. "By applying data-driven tools, we can support clients with a more consistent framework for generating opportunities." Expanding Global Reach A-Sales currently operates across more than 50 industries and 26 languages, tailoring its outreach to both global and regional markets. The company notes that this broad reach allows it to adapt strategies based on local business environments while still maintaining scalable infrastructure for international clients. The update to its business model is expected to support organizations of different sizes, including both multinational firms seeking international expansion and smaller companies pursuing growth within specific markets. Looking Ahead The company has indicated that the new billing model is part of a longer-term strategy to evolve its service offerings. Future initiatives will focus on further development of its technology platforms, refinement of outbound sales processes, and the continued expansion of its international presence. "Our mission is to build sustainable systems for B2B sales," Ozden said. "We see this model update as one step in developing the infrastructure companies need to generate growth in a more predictable and accountable way." About A-Sales A-Sales is a B2B lead generation agency headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2023 by Denniz Ozden, the company provides outbound sales support, qualified lead generation, and sales meeting scheduling through a technology-driven platform. With services spanning more than 50 industries and 26 languages, A-Sales continues to adapt its model to meet the evolving needs of businesses worldwide. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261962 SOURCE: Plentisoft SINGAPORE, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INSEAD, one of the world's foremost and largest graduate business schools, to launch the inaugural Ascentium-INSEAD Leadership Development Programme. This bespoke initiative is designed invest in our leadership within Ascentium, underscoring the company's commitment to building a resilient leadership pipeline. The full-time residential programme, tailored specifically for Ascentium's C-suite executives, will take place from 25-29 August 2025 at the INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore. It will bring together top talents identified for their potential to assume senior business roles. The curriculum, developed in collaboration with INSEAD's Global Private Equity Initiative (GPEI), focuses on the theme "The Strategic Leader - Shaping Private Equity Success". Participants will engage in immersive workshops, simulations, and case studies covering topics such as strategic growth in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) world, stakeholder expectations, and innovation in tech and AI. "As we navigate the complexities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by rapid technological change and macroeconomic uncertainty, our partnership with INSEAD is a strategic step to future-proof our leadership," said Lennard Yong, Founding Management & Group CEO of Ascentium. "Many corporations aspire to put people first, but at Ascentium, we turn that aspiration into action. By investing in our top leadership and sponsoring a residential programme at INSEAD, we empower our global talent to achieve competitive excellence." "Ascentium is a fascinating company. Only recently born, it already has achieved outstanding growth, despite operating in a highly competitive and mature industry with formidable competitors. Ascentium's leaders have a clear vision and strategy to achieve it, as well as a proven track record in doing so," said Professor Philipp Meyer-Doyle, Programme Director for Ascentium, INSEAD. "I am truly impressed by Ascentium's dedication to investing and developing its human capital resources which is outstanding in an industry that is often dominated by margins and short-term oriented mindsets. We look forward to our partnership with Ascentium, to these customised programmes, and to helping Ascentium scale greater heights." The Ascentium-INSEAD Leadership Development Programme is the first step in a multi-year partnership that reflects Ascentium's long-term commitment to professional development. It marks a milestone in the company's journey to build a culture of excellence, ambition, and stewardship, and is testament to the belief that investing in people is investing in the future. About Ascentium Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we empower extraordinary growth through specialised expertise and comprehensive one-stop solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, HR services, and fiduciary and trust services. Our team of 2,300+ professionals spans 45 cities across 23 markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe, serving 50,000+ client entities across diverse industries. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and a collaborative approach, Ascentium drives transformative growth, helping clients navigate complex global environments. For more information, please visit ascentium.com. About INSEAD As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. Our research, teaching and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity. Our global perspective and unparalleled cultural diversity are reflected in our research, teaching, partnerships; as well as in our alumni network of over 71,000 members spanning 172 nationalities. With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and North America (San Francisco), INSEAD's business education and research spans four regions. Our 160 renowned Faculty members from 38 countries inspire more than 1,500 degree participants annually in our Master in Management, MBA, Global Executive MBA, Specialised Master's degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 18,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year. INSEAD continues to conduct cutting-edge research and innovate across all our programmes. We provide business leaders with the knowledge and awareness to operate anywhere. Our core values drive academic excellence and serve the global community as The Business School for the World. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2756649/Prof_Sameer_Hasija__INSEAD____Lennard_Yong__Ascentium.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2509528/ascentium_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ascentium-and-insead-forge-partnership-to-launch-bespoke-leadership-development-programme-302537207.html EQS Newswire / 25/08/2025 / 11:06 UTC+8 New York, NY - August 25, 2025 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Skylark Labs, an artificial intelligence (AI) company founded by Dr. Amarjot Singh, has announced a landmark $21 million, three-year contract to deploy its Kepler platform across 6,000 police systems in a leading Asian nation. For Skylark Labs' founder and CEO, Dr. Amarjot Singh, the contract represents a significant milestone in the company's mission to deliver adaptive, self-learning solutions that continuously improve without requiring costly retraining or system replacements. The deployment of Kepler will transform how traffic enforcement operates by introducing AI systems that demonstrate genuine self-awareness and autonomous learning capabilities. Unlike conventional AI systems that degrade over time and require expensive updates, Kepler continuously monitors its performance and adapts in real-time to new traffic patterns, vehicle types, and enforcement scenarios without human intervention or internet connectivity. "This contract reflects the direction modern enforcement must take, responsive, predictive, and grounded in real-time data," says Dr. Amarjot Singh. The Kepler platform addresses a critical global challenge facing traffic enforcement agencies: the expensive cycle of AI system degradation and replacement. Traditional AI systems work effectively initially but gradually lose accuracy as traffic patterns evolve, requiring cities to invest significant capital in retraining or complete system replacements. Skylark Labs' breakthrough approach eliminates this costly cycle through self-aware AI that improves autonomously over time. Dr. Singh mentions, "Our advantage is that the smart technology works right on the device, which cuts millions in ongoing costs per year for cities and better protects privacy. Every police car becomes a mini-computer that handles traffic monitoring locally. After we set it up, cities spend much less on monthly fees than systems that need constant internet connections." Aside from its cost savings, the deployment of Kepler also represents an innovative multi-layered AI architecture. According to Dr. Singh, every patrol car equipped with the Kepler platform runs multiple AI models simultaneously. The primary model identifies traffic violations such as speeding, wrong turns, and dangerous driving behaviors, while a secondary layer of monitoring models continuously evaluates system performance and identifies potential knowledge gaps. It watches for signs the system might be missing something new, like a vehicle type it's never seen before or an unusual traffic pattern. When the system detects unfamiliar scenarios, such as new vehicle types or unusual traffic patterns, it automatically adjusts its internal parameters and retrains itself locally using onboard computing resources, so no internet or human engineers are needed. Dr. Andrea Soltoggio, Reader in AI at Loughborough University and DARPA L2M Researcher, shares, "Skylark Labs' AI knows when it's unsure and learns immediately. That's a big deal for traffic systems, where things change constantly. Most AIs break down over time, but this one keeps getting better on its own. It's built on strong research, and cities can count on traffic AI that stays smart, accurate, and safe without needing constant updates." Kepler's edge-computing architecture provides significant operational advantages, particularly in developing markets with unreliable internet infrastructure. By processing data locally on patrol vehicles and traffic cameras, the Kepler platform maintains full functionality even during network outages, ensuring sensitive traffic data remains secure through on-device processing. This approach also dramatically reduces ongoing operational costs compared to cloud-dependent systems that require constant connectivity and generate recurring data transmission fees. The $21 million contract positions Skylark Labs as the growing market leader for adaptive AI solutions in public safety and urban mobility. With multiple similar initiatives already in development across Asia, the company is establishing itself as a key player in delivering next-generation AI systems that meet the demands of modern enforcement agencies while providing sustainable, cost-effective operations. Dr. Singh believes that the adaptation of its self-aware AI technology extends beyond traffic enforcement to any application where conditions change over time. This adaptive AI's potential can transform public safety applications beyond traffic enforcement, including automotive, defense, and even infrastructure. The success of Skylark Labs' Kepler in dynamic, real-world environments demonstrates the viability of AI technologies that evolve autonomously without human intervention or extensive retraining requirements. Please visit Skylark Labs' website to learn more about the Kepler platform and adaptive AI solutions. About Skylark Labs Founded in 2021 by Dr. Amarjot Singh, Skylark Labs develops adaptive artificial intelligence (AI) systems designed to learn, evolve, and operate autonomously in real-world environments. Headquartered in New York City, the company delivers next-generation AI solutions for mobility, public safety, and critical infrastructure applications. Skylark Labs specializes in brain-inspired AI that continuously adapts to new challenges without requiring pre-training or constant connectivity. The company aims to pioneer embodied AI that seamlessly integrates into physical devices while evolving toward true general intelligence. Media Contact Company: Skylark Labs Contact: Dr. Amarjot Singh Email: amarjot@skylarklabs.ai Website: https://skylarklabs.ai/ SOURCE: Skylark Labs 25/08/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow, the global leading PV inverter and energy storage system provider, successfully debut two groundbreaking products -1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter and PowerTitan 3.0 ESS in the MEA market during PV&ESS Summit in Dubai on August 21. Over 300 partners and industry experts attended the summit to witness the launch and exchanged insights. They both feature the industry's leading safety and durability applications to ensure stable, high-efficiency operation in extreme conditions in MEA. The 1+X 2.0 features a scalable block design ranging from 780kW to 9.375MW, and a front-in, rear-out cooling design ensures stable full-load operation even at 52C. PowerTitan 3.0 features the industry's first large-scale fully liquid-cooled Silicon Carbide Power Conversion System (SiC PCS), delivering exceptional efficiency (up to 99.3%) and consistent full-power output even at 55C, raising the overall energy storage system conversion efficiency to 92%. 1+X 2.0: Redefine Utility-Scale Solar Solution Born with Enhanced Durability : The 1+X 2.0 is engineered to be robust in harsh conditions such as high temperature and sandstorm area in MEA. It features high-performance components, efficient heat exchangers, and built-in safety margins across all critical parts. Its unique dual-duct cooling system separates hot and cold airflow to eliminate thermal interference, while redundant thermal design ensures continuous full-load operation even at temperatures up to 52 C . The IP66-rated fully sealed design, high-level protective materials, and self-cleaning air duct system ensure the 1+X 2.0 maintains clean internal components and high reliability. The inverter has successfully endured 100 days of real-world sandstorm testing, emerging dust-free inside and maintaining stable power output - demonstrating strong reliability. : The 1+X 2.0 is engineered to be robust in harsh conditions such as high temperature and sandstorm area in MEA. It features high-performance components, efficient heat exchangers, and built-in safety margins across all critical parts. Its unique dual-duct cooling system separates hot and cold airflow to eliminate thermal interference, while redundant thermal design ensures continuous . The fully sealed design, high-level protective materials, and self-cleaning air duct system ensure the 1+X 2.0 maintains clean internal components and high reliability. Small Module, Mega Impact : The 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter offers enhanced modularity with flexible scalability from 780kW up to 9.375MW through parallel units, resulting in great flexibility that covers various scenarios. Its split modular design allows quick field replacement of critical components, reducing O&M time to just one hour per module. Equipped with an intelligent diagnostics function, it delivers real-time fault detection that speeds up repairs and minimizes manual intervention. : The 1+X 2.0 Modular Inverter offers enhanced modularity with flexible scalability from 780kW up to 9.375MW through parallel units, resulting in great flexibility that covers various scenarios. Its split modular design allows quick field replacement of critical components, reducing O&M time to just one hour per module. Equipped with an intelligent diagnostics function, it delivers real-time fault detection that speeds up repairs and minimizes manual intervention. Exquisite Safety Management: The DC faults may result in short-circuit, arcing, or even fire. The 1+X 2.0 modular inverter, equipped with an Intelligent DC-Side Safety Management System, can disconnect faulty circuits within 40 milliseconds to prevent such risks when an arc fault is detected, simultaneously shutting down related combiner boxes. Additionally, a high-precision temperature sensor network monitors inverter terminal in real-time, disconnecting circuits immediately upon detecting overheating to further enhance fire safety. It accurately detects 15 fault types (short-circuit, arc, overload, etc.) and disconnects within 2ms, protecting the equipment from damage. PowerTitan 3.0: Next-Generation's ESS Solution Full Liquid-Cooled, Full-Power Operation : In response to customer needs in the MEA, Sungrow introduced the PowerTitan 3.0 AC liquid-cooled energy storage system, supporting 2-4 hours of operation. The 20 ft configuration integrates a 1.72 MW PCS with 6.9 MWh batteries, delivering a 4-hour system where a single block reaches 6.9 MW/27.6 MWh. Equipped with high-temperature-resistant SiC devices in the new PCS, the PCS achieves up to 99.3% efficiency and sustains full-power operation without derating at 55C-ensuring long-term safety, reliability, and profitability. : In response to customer needs in the MEA, Sungrow introduced the PowerTitan 3.0 AC liquid-cooled energy storage system, supporting 2-4 hours of operation. The 20 ft configuration integrates a 1.72 MW PCS with 6.9 MWh batteries, delivering a 4-hour system where a single block reaches 6.9 MW/27.6 MWh. Equipped with high-temperature-resistant SiC devices in the new PCS, the PCS achieves up to 99.3% efficiency and sustains full-power operation without derating at 55C-ensuring long-term safety, reliability, and profitability. Engineered for Extreme Heat: PowerTitan 3.0 adopts a top-only exhaust design for both ESS and MVS, preventing hot and cold air from mixing. In GW-level simulations at 55C, traditional setups showed an 8C air-inlet rise, while Sungrow limited it to just 1.53C-reducing auxiliary power by 9%. Its AI Bionic Thermal Balance 2.0 further predicts weather and operation plans, enabling flexible compressor and fan control, achieving 1C precision in temperature regulation and cutting auxiliary power consumption by an additional 10%. With IP55 protection and C5 corrosion resistance, PowerTitan 3.0 guarantees stable performance across the MEA's diverse and harsh climates. PowerTitan 3.0 adopts a top-only exhaust design for both ESS and MVS, preventing hot and cold air from mixing. In GW-level simulations at 55C, traditional setups showed an 8C air-inlet rise, while Sungrow limited it to just 1.53C-reducing auxiliary power by 9%. Its AI Bionic Thermal Balance 2.0 further predicts weather and operation plans, enabling flexible compressor and fan control, achieving 1C precision in temperature regulation and cutting auxiliary power consumption by an additional 10%. With IP55 protection and C5 corrosion resistance, PowerTitan 3.0 guarantees stable performance across the MEA's diverse and harsh climates. Redefining Battery Cells, A Revolutionary Breakthrough : For projects demanding large capacity and cost-effectiveness, the PowerTitan 3.0 comes with Sungrow's third-generation energy storage cells of 684Ah and 661Ah stacked cells. Through stacked cells and optimized pack design, energy density reaches 467 kWh/?. With a 15 cm back-to-back layout, a 1 GWh plant needs only 7,270 ?-22% less than our previous generation-significantly reducing construction work and lowering CAPEX. : For projects demanding large capacity and cost-effectiveness, the PowerTitan 3.0 comes with Sungrow's third-generation energy storage cells of 684Ah and 661Ah stacked cells. Through stacked cells and optimized pack design, energy density reaches 467 kWh/?. With a 15 cm back-to-back layout, a 1 GWh plant needs only 7,270 ?-22% less than our previous generation-significantly reducing construction work and lowering CAPEX. Plant-Level SOC Balancing: Leveraging Sungrow's AC-DC integration, PowerTitan 3.0 assigns one PCS per rack to eliminate SOC imbalance and the "barrel effect" inside cabinets. With an SOC estimation error of less than 3% and automated calibration, balancing is extended to both rack and block levels. This ensures up to 8% more discharged energy over the system's lifetime, maximizing returns for plant operators. Advancing Grid-Forming Technology for booming renewable in MEA MEA is rapidly advancing its power infrastructure to handle growing renewable energy integration. As solar and wind generation surges, advanced technologies such as microgrids, BMS, and digital substations are being deployed to maintain flexibility and stability. Within this dynamic context, grid-forming technology is emerging as a critical enabler of resilient, renewables-rich power systems. With over 20 years of grid-forming experience, Sungrow showcased its core grid-forming capabilities: vertically integrated holistic solution; enhanced DC safety features; a wide operating SCR range; a full-stack simulation platform; and parallel PCS black start(30-level). Sungrow has deployed more than 15 GWh of grid-forming projects globally, with successful validation achieved across numerous projects in the MEA region. According to the latest data, in the MEA market, Sungrow has delivered over 25 GW of PV inverters and more than 15 GWh of ESS projects. The company currently operates 6 regional business offices with 200 professionals, supported by 14 warehouses and over 20 authorized service partners. "With abundant natural resources and strong energy transition policies, MEA has become a key growth market for the global solar and energy storage industries. Sungrow has enhanced technologies, including AC block design, high-level dust protection, and DC safety features to address local needs. Looking ahead, Sungrow remains committed to delivering not just competitive products, but superior quality, safety, lifecycle management, maximum ROI, and accelerating the integration of renewable energy across the MEA region." stated Thompson Meng, Vice President of Sungrow. About Sungrow Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technology, has pioneered sustainable power solutions for over 28 years. As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power electronic converters worldwide. The Company is recognized as the world's most bankable PV inverter and energy storage company (BloombergNEF). Its innovations power clean energy projects across the globe, supported by a network of 520 service outlets, guaranteeing excellent customer experience. At Sungrow, we're committed to bridging to a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled service. For more information, please visit: www.sungrowpower.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2755719/Sungrow_MEA_PV_ESS1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2755720/1_X_Modular_Inverter2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2755721/PowerTitan_3_0.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2755722/Sungrow_Grid_forming_technologies.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1344575/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/illuminating-the-future-of-energy-sungrow-debuts-two-pvess-next-generation-solutions-in-dubai-302537310.html BHUBANESWAR, India, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), has unveiled the BharatNetra Initiative, anchored by the launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar. This marks a historic first for Odisha, a financial technology capability initiative of unprecedented scale and global integration. The I-GFTCH positions Odisha as a rising nerve centre in India's evolving innovation ecosystem, aligning seamlessly with the nation's development priorities and its ambition to be a leader in fostering entrepreneurship, industry ready skills, generating employment, inclusive finance, and next-generation innovation. Building Blocks of Odisha's FinTech Future The BharatNetra Initiative will be executed through a globally integrated four-pillar strategy designed to build world-class fintech capabilities and global connectivity: From Odisha to the World: Training the Next Generation of Digital Finance Leaders Global Learning As part of the I-GFTCH initiative, Odisha is partnering with NUS-AIDF and GFTN to launch the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), a five-month hybrid programme combining coursework, in-person sessions in Bhubaneswar, projects, and internships. The programme will train 7,000 students over five years in technology, regulation, and business, building a future-ready workforce for FinTech and InsurTech. Supported by the Skill Development Institute, with a view to national accreditation, it has already drawn more than 2,000 applicants from over 50 colleges for the inaugural 375-seat cohort starting September. Odisha Joins Global Black Swan Network to Unlock Jobs, Investment, and Innovation Global Mindshare Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India in early 2026, joining a global network of frontier technology forums across Asia, Europe and Africa. Convened by GFTN, BSS India will be Odisha's flagship global business event, connecting talent and startups to international job pipelines, venture capital, and digital economy networks. The Summit will unite business leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for financial inclusion, digital transformation, innovation, and technology-led growth, as well as a destination for strategic investments in technology-led industries. Innovation Hub to Scale Odisha's FinTech and InsurTech Entrepreneurs Global Innovation Odisha will establish a Centre of Excellence as part of its Integrated Innovation Hub, serving as a launchpad for high-potential FinTech and InsurTech startups. Backed by GFTN's global network, the Innovation Acceleration: Incubation, Venture & Market Competitiveness programme will provide incubation, mentorship, venture development, and market access to help founders achieve scale and global competitiveness. By equipping entrepreneurs with tools, networks, and capital, the Hub will foster a thriving ecosystem positioning Odisha as a rising player in the global digital finance landscape. Global Capability Hub to Power FinTech Collaboration Financial Technology Global Capability Hub Odisha will host a nearshore hub serving national and global financial institutions, powered by the skilled talent pipeline from the Global Learning pillar. Backed by GFTN's global network of industry leaders, regulators, investors, and innovators, the Hub will connect Odisha to the world's top fintech ecosystems, offering a collaboration space for startups, corporates, and innovators to co-create market-ready solutions, accelerate product development, and forge cross-border partnerships cementing Odisha's position as a rising destination for innovation-led financial growth. Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha: "The launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub is a transformative initiative that will shape the future of finance in Odisha. It will help strengthen India's global leadership in the digital economy. This hub is the outcome of a landmark partnership between the Government of Odisha and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore. It was forged during the historic visit of the Hon'ble President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year. It reflects our commitment to bring the best of the world to Odisha, and to take Odisha to the world. Our goal is to rank among the top five Indian states in per capita income. And, as we contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader." Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India: "BharatNetra is a nation-building mission. By skilling and educating our youth and creating a globally connected FinTech and InsurTech hub here in Odisha, we are laying the foundation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vision Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative will ensure that Odisha students, from our villages to our cities, can not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen India's leadership in financial inclusion and innovation. For India's youth, employability is no longer just about degrees, it is about readiness to thrive in fast-changing industries. BharatNetra bridges this gap by embedding real-world industry needs into our students learning journey. These efforts align with our mission to make Odisha USD 500 billion economy by 2036 and to build India into USD 300 trillion economy by 2047." Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, GFTN: "Bharatnetra is a shining example of how a strategic vision between two countries can translate into transformative action. It is yet another step forward in advancing Singapore-India bilateral ties. By connecting Odisha's talent with world-class training by National University of Singapore-Asian Institute of Digital Finance, opening access for talent to global markets, building a robust startup ecosystem, the Government of Odisha and GFTN are building the state as a vital gateway in the global digital finance landscape." Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD and CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance; Chairman, General Insurance Council: For India's youth, employability today is not defined by degrees alone. It is about the ability to adapt and succeed in fast evolving industries. BharatNetra is playing a pivotal role in bridging this gap by embedding real world industry requirements into the learning journey. At Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, we are proud to partner in this effort to nurture a new generation of fintech and InsurTech professionals who will help shape the future of our industry and the nation. About GFTN The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered organisation that leverages technology and innovation to create more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial systems through global collaboration. GFTN hosts a worldwide network of forums (including its flagship event, the Singapore FinTech Festival); advises governments and companies on policies and the development of digital ecosystems and innovation within the financial sector; offers digital infrastructure solutions; and plans to invest in financial technology startups through its upcoming venture fund, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability. GFTN is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2544042/GFTN_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/government-of-odisha-and-gftn-launch-bharatnetra-initiative-to-establish-integrated-global-financial-technology-capability-hub-in-bhubaneswar-302537340.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2025) - Independence Gold Corp. (TSXV: IGO) (OTCQB: IEGCF) ("Independence" or "the Company") is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing 2025 summer exploration program at the 3Ts Project located in central British Columbia. The program is focused on advancing high-priority gold-silver and critical mineral targets through geophysical surveying, soil sampling and detailed geological mapping. Located approximately 185 kilometres southwest of Prince George, British Columbia, the 3Ts Project comprises thirty-one mineral claims covering approximately 35,486 hectares in the Nechako Plateau region. The project lies 16 km southwest of Artemis Gold Inc.'s Blackwater Mine and hosts a low-sulphidation epithermal quartz-carbonate vein district within which at least nineteen known mineralized veins, ranging from 50 to over 1,100 metres in strike length and true widths of up to 32 m have been identified. Induced Polarization (IP) Geophysical Survey The Company has successfully completed a 16 line-kilometre IP geophysical survey covering the eastern portion of the 3Ts Project, including the Ranger, Cardiff, Layman and Dobby vein systems. The survey was conducted by Dias Geophysical Limited of Saskatoon, SK, and the data has now been delivered for interpretation. The results will be integrated with geological and geochemical data to refine drill targets for future programs. Soil Sampling Program Concurrent with the IP survey, a soil sampling program has commenced over the same IP grid area as well as over several additional target areas, including: area north of the Tommy Vein; the Ootsa target area; two newly identified geophysical anomalies located approximately 10 km south of the Tommy Vein System. These southern anomalies are interpreted as possible magma upwelling zones, each coincident with a gold-silver and/or copper sediment anomaly. To date, 1,100 of the planned 2,100 soil samples have been collected. Samples are being shipped to SGS Natural Resources Canada ("SGS") labs in Burnaby for analysis using Mobile Metal Ion ("MMI") methods-a geochemical technique that measures metal ions that have migrated upward from buried mineralization, allowing for the detection of subtle gold, silver and critical mineral anomalies even under thick glacial cover. Geological Mapping and Sampling Extensive geological mapping and rock sampling are ongoing across all key areas of the project. This work is aimed at enhancing the Company's understanding of mineralization styles and structural controls on the property and will directly aid in future drill planning. Environmental Baseline Studies Baseline environmental monitoring continues across the property, including wildlife monitoring with trail cameras, and water sampling. This work is being carried out by Avison Management of Vanderhoof, BC, to ensure environmental best practices and support future permitting requirements. Randy Turner, President & CEO of the Company, commented, "We are very pleased with how the summer exploration program is progressing, with a number of new targets identified for follow-up and the advancement of the project." Figure 1: Summer Exploration Work Program and Focus Areas To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8610/263573_igoimg1.jpg About Independence Independence Gold Corp. is a well-financed mineral exploration company with holdings ranging from early-stage grassroots exploration to advanced-stage resource expansion in British Columbia and Yukon. The Company is positioned to add shareholder value through systematic project advancement, while management continues to evaluate additional gold and silver projects for possible acquisition. For additional information, visit the Company's website www.ingold.ca. Andy Randell, P.Geo., the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and who is an independent consultant for the Company, has reviewed the technical information in this news release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF INDEPENDENCE GOLD CORP. "Randy Turner" Randy Turner, President and CEO 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. All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Independence within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to the Company's planned drilling and exploration activities. The Company provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those identified and reported in Independence's public filings under Independence Gold Corp.'s SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Independence 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 as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Independence disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/263573 SOURCE: Independence Gold Corp About Havas Founded in 1835 in Paris, Havas is one of the world's largest global communications groups, with nearly 23,000 people operating in over 100 markets and sharing one mission: to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people. To meet the needs of its clients, Havas has developed a seamlessly integrated strategy and operating system, Converged, fusing all its global expertise, tools and capabilities, to create, produce, and distribute real-time, optimized, and personalized marketing solutions at scale. With inspired human ideas at the heart of this unique model, supercharged by the latest data, technology and AI, the teams work together with agility and in perfect synergy within Havas Villages to provide clients with tailor-made solutions that support them in their positive transformation. Havas is committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace that prioritizes the well-being and professional development of its talent. Further information about Havas is available at www.havas.com. Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. HONG KONG, Aug 25, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - Dida Inc. ('Dida' or the 'Company', Stock Code: 02559.HK), a leading technology-driven mobility platform, announced the audited consolidated annual results for the six months ended June 30, 2025.Financial Highlights:- Revenue was RMB 286.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025, compared to RMB 404.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.- Gross profit was RMB191.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025,compared to RMB 296.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.- Net profit was RMB134.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025,compared to RMB 947.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024.- Adjusted net profit (non-IFRS measure) increased by 4.7% from RMB129.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to RMB135.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025.Operation Highlights:- Gross transaction value amounted to RMB 2,608 million and total number of orders reached 43.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025.- Registered users reached over 395 million as of June 30, 2025.- Certified private car owners reached 19.9 million.- During the first half of 2025, the order volume for our station-based carpooling model increased month by month.Business OutlookCarpooling marketplace businessRiders on our carpooling platform can access low-cost mobility options and enjoy quality experience. Private car owners can save money on gas and tolls by sharing traveling expenseswith riders. Carpooling also brings about numerous societal benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions and mitigating traffic congestion.We believe the primary reason riders choose carpooling is its pricing, while the pain point for car owners is the cost of detours. This year, we continue to focus on optimizing our station-based carpooling model to further reduce detour distances for car owners and fares for riders. During the first half of 2025, the order volume for our station-based carpooling model increased month by month. It is also noteworthy that carpooling travel has distinct route specific characteristics. Unlike ride-hailing service, there is a potential semi-acquaintance relationship between drivers and riders. In the first half of this year, we experimented with enhancing these semi-acquaintance interactions between drivers and riders and achieved positive results.We believe that compared to the current door-to-door pickup model, It is more reasonable for private car owners to pick up passengers with no or minimum detour, while accept riders to pay at a discounted fare. Unlike the transactional nature of ride-hailing services, drivers and riders in carpooling lead to a more equal interaction. They may come from similar social,economic, or geographical backgrounds. In the future, we will continue to explore the unique characteristics of our business to provide users with an affordable, efficient and equitable ride-sharing experience.We will continue to enhance the user experience on our platform. In the second half of the year, we plan to work with ride-hailing platforms to address the needs of those carpooling riders who are not able to find matching private car owners and other on-demand travel needs. We believe this will enhance our platform's ecosystem and service offerings.Additionally, our platform has attracted nearly 20 million private car owners. This year,we intend to collaborate with partners to provide private car owners with more aftermarket service offerings such as repair and maintenance, financing, insurance and used car trading.Taxi businessIn selected cities where we have already entered into strategic cooperation agreements, we continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, taxi industry associations, taxi companies, and taxi drivers to implement dynamic pricing solutions.For the full announcement of Dida for the six months ended June 30, 2025, please visit:https://manager.wisdomir.com/files/594/2025/0822/20250822203001_23855082_en.pdfAbout Dida Inc.Dida Inc. ('Dida' or the 'Company', Stock Code: 02559.HK) is a leading technology-driven mobility platform in China. The Company creates more transit capacity with less environmental impact by providing carpooling marketplace services to pair up riders with private car owners if they are heading in similar directions at compatible times. It also provides smart taxi services, aiming to improve the efficacy and efficiency of relevant stakeholders in the taxi industry in China. Dida makes the mobility ecosystem greener and more efficient, and each trip experience warm and enjoyable.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements relating to the business outlook, forecast business plans and growth strategies of the Company. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are stated herein on the basis of the outlook at the time of this press release. They are based on certain expectations, assumptions and premises, some of which are subjective or beyond the control. These forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect and may not be realized in future. Underlying the forward-looking statements is a large number of risks and uncertainties. Further information regarding these risks and uncertainties is included in the other public disclosure documents on the corporate website.Source: Dida Inc.Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Technology Overview TOKYO, Aug 25, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) today announced the development of an optical fiber sensing technology to monitor road conditions and accurately predict sudden traffic congestion in real time. By collecting data from existing optical fiber communications cables and analyzing real-time traffic flow data using a proprietary AI model, NEC has reduced prediction errors by 80% compared to conventional methods.This technology enables effective traffic control, including the arrangement of detour routes, thereby contributing to the resolution of societal challenges such as logistics issues and CO2 emissions.Traffic congestion is a significant social issue, threatening safety and causing substantial economic losses. In particular, congestion on expressways-the backbone of many logistics networks-has a significant economic impact. Addressing this issue requires real-time understanding of road conditions for both immediate congestion mitigation and proactive avoidance, as well as highly accurate congestion prediction based on up-to-date data.Current monitoring approaches primarily rely on point-based instruments, including cameras and loop detectors, as well as probe vehicle data (*1). However, both have limitations: the former is costly to install and maintain over entire road networks, and the latter only provides data when equipped vehicles pass by specific receiver points, limiting real-time and continuous coverage. Moreover, existing congestion prediction models heavily rely on long-term historical data, making it difficult to capture the emergence and propagation of sudden, unexpected congestion patterns.To address these challenges, NEC has developed a technology that utilizes optical fiber cables-originally installed for communications purposes alongside roads-as extensive, distributed sensors for collecting real-time, continuous traffic flow data across entire routes. NEC's unique AI-powered model then provides real-time, high-precision predictions regarding the development and clearance of sudden congestion.Technical FeaturesNEC has developed a data assimilation algorithm that combines advanced model parameter optimization and data adapting techniques, enabling accurate simulations of real-time traffic flow using comprehensive data collected along the entirety of roadways.Model Parameter Optimization AlgorithmNEC has created an algorithm to optimize theoretical model parameters-such as driver behaviors (e.g. inter-vehicle distance adjustment)-so that simulations faithfully reproduce observed traffic flow data for entire road segments.Data Adaptation AlgorithmAn advanced algorithm converts diverse traffic flow data, including "average speed" and individual vehicle "position/speed," into formats compatible with simulation inputs. This makes it possible to set the initial conditions for simulations based on comprehensive traffic flow data obtained on entire routes, significantly enhancing the reliability of simulation outputs.Through these innovations, NEC has confirmed-using real-world data-that travel time prediction errors (a key indicator for congestion forecasting) can be reduced by approximately 80% compared to the existing method that relies on cross-sectional data from point sensors such as cameras.NEC is further advancing the realization of a dynamic road digital twin that enables real-time, network-wide traffic monitoring, the prediction of congestion evolution, and optimization of responsive measures. Real-world trials are currently underway in close collaboration with road authorities, with the goal of practical deployment by fiscal 2026.This technology was developed using data provided by Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO CENTRAL) and was presented at the Transportation Research Board 104th Annual Meeting (*2). NEC will also present a related paper at the 31st ITS World Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, focused on enhancing the accuracy of traffic flow monitoring on expressways (*3).(*1)A system that automatically collects driving data-such as the location and speed of vehicles equipped with onboard units-using roadside sensors installed at intervals ranging from several to tens of kilometers.(*2)Presentation ID TRBAM-25-01491, "A Novel Approach to Real-Time Short-Term Traffic Prediction based on Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing and Data Assimilation with a Stochastic Cell-Automata Model," presented at the Artificial Intelligence-Based Solutions for Traffic Modeling and Control.(*3)Session ID: PS31 Transportation Systems: Traffic Management and Operations, Next-Generation Traffic Management Approaches Title: TSE (Traffic State Estimation) in Congestion to Extend the Applicability of DFOSAbout NEC CorporationThe NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group's approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society. For more information, please visit https://www.nec.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.Source: NEC CorporationCopyright 2025 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved. WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices rose on Monday amid supply concerns as Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russia, fanning concerns Russian oil supply could be disrupted. Broader market sentiment also remained supported after the U.S. Federal Reserve indicated a possible return to interest-rate cuts. Fed Chair Jerome Powell's Jackson Hole speech was largely dovish and provided a boost to most risk assets. Benchmark Brent crude futures rose 0.4 percent to $67.46 a barrel in European trade after rising almost 3 percent last week. WTI crude futures were up half a percent at $63.97. Russia accused Ukraine of launching dozens of drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its western Kursk region, as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence. Russian officials said several power and energy facilities were targeted in the overnight strikes. As Russia-Ukraine peace talks stall, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he will make a 'very important decision' in the next two weeks regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war if both sides do not agree to a peace deal. The U.S. has already threatened to double tariffs on all imports from India to 50 percent in retaliation for New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian crude. The penalty is set to take effect from Wednesday and Indian diplomats have said local processors would continue taking crude from Moscow. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. The assay identifies a biologically low-risk subgroup within clinically high-risk patients, with outcomes similar to stage I disease, potentially sparing 30,000 women each year from unnecessary treatment intensification. Spotlight Medical today announced that the Journal of Clinical Oncology has published a peer-reviewed study describing a clinicopathologic assay that identifies a sizeable subgroup of patients labelled clinical high risk (ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer) who have a favourable long term prognosis after standard chemo-endocrine therapy alone. The study reports blinded validation on two prospective cohorts from the CANTO and UNIRAD trials. Unmet need. Current guidelines recommend adjuvant escalation with CDK4/6 inhibitors for clinically high-risk ER+/HER2- disease, yet no routinely available tool reliably distinguishes patients who may do well with endocrine therapy plus chemotherapy alone. The newly published work addresses this clinical gap by combining routine clinical variables with human-interpretable morphology descriptors derived from a single H&E slide. The model integrates 4 clinicopathologic variables and 10 quantitative digital pathology descriptors. "Escalating therapy for every clinically defined high-risk case exposes many women to toxicity without benefit. This assay provides actionable insight that lets us target treatment where it truly helps, potentially sparing 30,000 women each year from unnecessary toxicity," said Prof. Fabrice Andre, MD, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Gustave Roussy Key results (prespecified, blinded validation). On the combined CANTO+UNIRAD validation cohorts (n 633), the assay classified about one in five patients as low-risk; 95.4% of these remained free of distant relapse at 9 years, a 79% relative reduction in metastatic events compared to the remaining patients (sHR 0.21; p 0.001). Context. The 9-year freedom from distant recurrence in this low-risk subgroup is comparable to outcomes reported in TAILORx for node-negative, intermediate-risk patients treated with endocrine therapy alone (94.5%), for whom escalation was not considered beneficial. How it works. The fully locked model uses routinely collected clinicopathologic inputs and quantitative, human-interpretable morphology from a single H&E slide; multivariable analyses in the paper indicate the assay provides independent prognostic information beyond standard factors. Analytical validation showed 96-100% reproducibility across tumor heterogeneity, scanners, and lab protocols, enabling robust deployment in multicenter settings. "Our study shows that routine tumor slides contain new, robust, and clinically meaningful prognostic signals that can be extracted with transparent quantitative methods," said Marvin Lerousseau, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Spotlight Medical. "The major strength of this work lies in demonstrating a fully locked assay validated under blinded conditions in two prospective trials, with results that were consistent across distinct patient populations." Article details Title: "Identifying patients with low relapse rate despite high-risk ER +/ HER2- early breast cancer: development and validation of a clinicopathological assay" Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (online 25 August 2025). Read the article here About Spotlight Medical Spotlight Medical is a French oncology diagnostics company developing evidence-driven, clinical-grade AI assays to support more precise treatment selection in cancer. The company's science-first approach emphasises rigorous clinical validation and transparent algorithms that extend pathology expertise. For more information, visit spotlightmedical.com and follow Spotlight Medical on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250825392494/en/ Contacts: For media enquiries:press@spotlightmedical.com MAARC Press Relations Bruno Arabian +33 6 87 88 47 26 bruno.arabian@maarc.fr Nicolas Entz +33 6 33 67 31 54 nicolas.entz@maarc.fr Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2025) - Hannan Metals Limited's (TSXV: HAN) (OTC Pink: HANNF) ("Hannan" or the "Company") is pleased to report new drilling results from its 100% owned epithermal gold target at the Belen project, contained within the permitted Valiente Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") area, in Peru. Key Points: 1. Vista Alegre - Peripheral to Main System Three completed holes tested IP chargeability/geochemical anomalies but intercepted only leakage/peripheral structures, not the main mineralized zone. Drill holes returned up to 0.4 g/t Au, interpreted as surficial enrichment restricted to the upper 90 m regolith profile. The main mineralized structure has not yet been intercepted, with holes hitting only peripheral/leakage zones. Short wave infrared ("SWIR") spectral data shows increasing fluid temperature at depth (higher temperature micas) with elevated Cu (250 ppm) and As (850 ppm) in holes HDDVA001 and HDDVA002 (Figure 4), suggesting proximity to a hotter core system. The source of 21 mineralized boulders (0.15 g/t to 2.72 g/t Au, up to 1,475 ppm As) located 300 m to 500 m east of drilling remains undiscovered (Figure 3). Boulders display silica groundmass with pyrite veins/stockworks/breccias (up to 8% pyrite), indicating a significant mineralized source nearby. Extensive resistivity anomalies immediately east and west of these boulder trains remain to be targeted and will be the focus for follow up drilling (Figures 2 and 3). 2. Ricardo Herrera - Calc-Alkaline Porphyry Cu-Mo System Drilled The first drill hole at Ricardo Herrera, HDDRH001, has drilled up to 610 m with an estimated total depth of 700 m. The drill hole has intercepted a Cu-Mo porphyry system with various vein types. Chalcopyrite has been logged, dominantly on veinlet fractures that range in density of up to 10 per m but in general much less. Molybdenite has also been sporadically logged particularly below 248 m down hole. Drilling continues to test deeper extensions of the system. A second hole is planned 350 m south at Riccardo Herrera. 3. Next Steps - High Priority Targets Remain Following a second hole at Ricardo Herrera, the 1.2 km long Sortilegio chargeability anomaly within an alkalic porphyry system will be drill tested. As well, Vista Alegre has multiple untested high-resistivity targets scheduled for Stage 2 drilling (Figures 2 and 3). Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "We are pleased to report results from our pioneering drill program, representing the first-ever drill testing of these back-arc porphyry and epithermal systems, with the nearest historical drilling located over 50 km away. This virgin territory is already demonstrating why it deserved testing. While our three holes at Vista Alegre have not yet intersected the main mineralized structure, they've discovered clear evidence of a robust hydrothermal system and anomalous gold, copper and arsenic values. The source of the high-grade gold boulders, with values up to 2.72 g/t Au located just 300 m to 500 m from our drilling, remains an exciting untested target. "At Ricardo Herrera, HDDRH001 is making history as the first hole to test this porphyry system, currently advancing through copper-molybdenum mineralization dominantly recorded on veinlets in classic porphyry-style veining and alteration. Minor recorded disseminated Cu and Mo in the drill hole is encouraging. "As first-movers in this underexplored district, we're just scratching the surface. Our key focus remains on advancing Previsto, our flagship alkaline epithermal gold target with its established 3 km x 3 km footprint and recent high-grade channel results of 69.1 m @ 2.4 g/t Au, where we anticipate drill permit approval in Q3 2026. The combination of untested geophysical anomalies, unexplained high-grade boulder fields, and the visual mineralization we're seeing at Belen validates our strategy of being the first to systematically explore these back-arc systems. This is frontier exploration at its best, and we're excited to continue unlocking the potential of this virgin territory." Drilling Program at Belen Belen is located 23 km SW of Previsto Central and contained within the permitted Valiente DIA area. The initial phase of drilling at Belen zone consists of up to 5,000 m across 18 diamond drill holes designed to test the three primary target areas at Belen. The drilling program is expected to take approximately 6 months to complete: Vista Alegre: Three drill holes completed at Vista Alegre tested a highly chargeable IP anomaly and surface geochemical anomaly but have not yet intersected the main mineralized structure, instead intersecting leakage/peripheral structures with evidence of high-temperature hydrothermal fluids including discrete zones of potassic alteration and silicification. SWIR data indicates progressively higher temperature white micas toward the end of holes HDDVA001 and HDDVA002, correlating with increasing Cu (up to 250 ppm) and As (up to 850 ppm), suggesting the system is heating up at depth (Figure 4), while hole HDDVA003 was terminated in a late dioritic intrusive that obscured this trend. Surface gold values up to 0.4 g/t appear restricted to surficial enrichment in the upper 90 m regolith profile, and the high IP chargeability at holes HDDVA001 and HDDVA002 is explained by jarosite and clay rather than sulfide mineralization. The source of 21 mineralized boulders (0.15 g/t to 2.72 g/t Au, up to 1,475 ppm As) located 300 m to 500 m east of drilling remains undiscovered (Figure 3). Boulders display silica groundmass with pyrite veins/stockworks/breccias (up to 8% pyrite), indicating a significant mineralized source nearby. Extensive resistivity anomalies immediately east of these boulder trains remain to be targeted and will be the focus for follow up drilling (Figures 2 and 3). These results, combined with untested high-resistivity targets identified for Stage 2 drilling, suggest the current holes are peripheral to a potentially significant epithermal system that requires additional drilling to locate the main mineralized structures. Ricardo Herrera: Drill hole HDDRH001 (Figure 3), planned 700 m depth, has intersected a porphyry copper-molybdenum system from surface to current depth of 610 m (as of August 24, 2025), hosted primarily in feldspar porphyry and related intrusive rocks with multiple alteration zones (phyllic, propylitic, argillic, and locally potassic). Mineralization consists of pyrite (1% to 5%, locally up to 5% in breccias), trace to minor chalcopyrite and molybdenite. Chalcopyrite has been logged throughout, dominantly on veinlet fractures that range in density of up to 10 per m but in general much less. Molybdenite has also been sporadically logged particularly below 248 m down hole. Of note is a logged interval of 2.4 m from 463.5 of disseminated chalcopyrite with biotite-K-feldspar alteration and 3.85 m of combined Cu-Mo mineralization from 467.15 m. Drilling continues toward the 700 m target depth to test deeper extensions of the system. A second hole is planned for Ricardo Herrera. Sortilegio: The final phase drilling will investigate the 1.2 km long chargeability anomaly within the alkalic porphyry system. Drillholes will target the source of extensive surface soil copper anomalies coinciding with hydrothermal gold anomalous quartz-gossan boulders with elevated Au-Mo-Te. The chargeability response consists of three alkalic Cu-Au targets identified within the 1.2 km long trend. Hannan Metals is committed to legal compliance, community respect, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing that all operations only proceed with proper authorization from local populations and with required environmental and archaeological certifications. About the Valiente Project The 100% owned Valiente project is in central eastern Peru, east of the city of Tingo Maria (Figures 1 and 2). The area is characterized by steep topography on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera with elevations between 800 m and 2,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The project was found in 2021 during an extensive greenfields prospecting program initiated by Hannan for back-arc porphyry copper-gold systems. The Company has been actively prospecting on the project since 2021 and has successfully gained social permits progressively in all areas of interest. During 2021 Hannan staked and still holds 1,002 km2 of 100% owned mining concessions at Valiente covering unexplored terrain for potential mineralized porphyry targets in central eastern Peru. The Valiente Project has rapidly evolved from a greenfields prospect to a multi-prospect opportunity. Early surface prospecting identified two outcropping copper-gold porphyry targets and one epithermal target at Belen (see Press Release Feb 16, 2023). Porphyry areas quickly followed at Serrano Norte, Serrano and Pucacunga. The focus more recently has been on Previsto. At Previsto and Belen, a district-scale porphyry cluster within an area of 25 km by 10 km, with eight porphyry and/or epithermal targets now identified in more detail with up to 10 earlier stage targets awaiting further work. The company is executing a multi-year strategy to systematically explore and drill test its extensive land package in this emerging Miocene-aged, linked porphyry-epithermal mineral belt. Technical Background All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using trackable parcels and by company staff. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250 g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four-acid digest performed on 0.25 g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Gold was analyzed in rock and soils by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 30 g fire assay sample charge. Soil samples were analyzed by a portable XRF (VANTA-VMR) using an in-house protocol which includes routine use of CRM and field duplicates as well as 10% check samples analyzed by ALS Lima. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples. At this stage true widths of mineralization are not known. Grab or panel samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV: HAN) (OTC Pink: HANNF) Hannan Metals Limited is an exploration company focused on the discovery of large gold and copper mineralizing systems in new frontiers in Peru. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Australia, Europe and South America. Forward-Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except 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) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news. Figure 1: Overview of the 1,002 km2 Valiente project area in Peru To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5402/263707_136139d9b4c139cb_004full.jpg Figure 2: Overview of the Belen target area showing IP chargeability and resistivity outlined, gold in outcrop, boulder and soil and copper in outcrop. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5402/263707_136139d9b4c139cb_005full.jpg Figure 3: Inset map showing drillhole traces at Vista Alegre and Richard Herrera. Note the source of 21 mineralized boulders (0.15 g/t to 2.72 g/t Au, up to 1,475 ppm As) located 300 m to 500 m east of drilling remains undiscovered. Boulders display silica groundmass with pyrite veins/stockworks/breccias (up to 8% pyrite), indicating a significant mineralized source nearby. Extensive resistivity anomalies (yellow) immediately east of these boulder trains remain targeted and will be the focus for follow up drilling (Figure 2). To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5402/263707_136139d9b4c139cb_006full.jpg Figure 4: strip log comparing Au, Cu, As and white mica absorption feature (SWIR data) in holes HDDVA001, 002, 003. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5402/263707_136139d9b4c139cb_007full.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/263707 SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd. RENO, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Brookmount Gold (sic. Brookmount Explorations Inc.) (OTC:BMXI), The Board of Directors of Brookmount Gold, a gold exploration and production company, today confirmed that, through the due diligence process, it has terminated the previously announced Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the shares of Principal Solar, Inc (OTC ID: "PSWW"). Instead of acquiring a public vehicle to effect the spin off and recapitalization of its North American properties, The Company is now incorporating a new subsidiary in Nevada which will acquire the properties through an issue of new shares to its existing shareholders, effectively constituting the share based "special dividend" referenced in previous announcements. Through this structure, Brookmount and its shareholders will retain 100% of the equity of its North American properties through the spin off process and increase flexibility for a subsequent listing of those assets on a recognized exchange. In announcing this decision, Brookmount CEO Nils Ollquist commented: "The Board took the decision to restructure the spin off in this way after considering feedback from our stakeholders on the cost and risk factors of an independent vehicle acquisition, in addition to the desire to maximise the retained equity interest of our shareholders in the restructured vehicle. Our Board continues to believe that bifurcating the equity interest of the Indonesian and North American operations will significantly increase the overall value of the Group, particularly given our strategy to seek listing of the North American subsidiary shares following closing of the spin off process. By utilizing this structure, we can ensure that existing shareholders of Brookmount can profit through direct ownership in both entities." About Brookmount Gold Founded in 2018, Brookmount Gold is a high-growth gold-producing company quoted on OTC Markets in the United States (OTC: BMXI). With producing gold mines in Southeast Asia and exploration and development properties in North America, the Company is also focused on acquiring and developing additional high-quality gold and rare earth mineral assets with JORC/NI 43-101 verified resources. Safe Harbor Statements: Except for the historical information contained herein, certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "predict," "project," "future," "potential," "intend," "seek to," "plan," "assume," "believe," "target," "forecast," "goal," "objective," "continue" or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward- looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding benefits of the proposed license, expected synergies, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. For example, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the pending transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction, the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the negotiations, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Brookmount's common stock. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond our control. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this report, except as required by applicable law or regulations. Investor Relations Contact: info@chesapeakegp.com Tel # 410 8253930 Website: https://www.brookmountgold.com Corporate Contact: corporate@brookmountgold.com Social Links: Brookmount Gold X (Formerly Twitter); https://x.com/brookmountgold SOURCE: Brookmount Explorations, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/brookmount-gold-terminates-provisional-agreement-to-acquire-principal-solar-moves-1064858 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2025) - Omai Gold Mines Corp. (TSXV: OMG) (OTCQB: OMGGF) ("Omai Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") on its 100%-owned Omai Gold Property in Guyana. The MRE includes an expansion to the Wenot Deposit and incorporates the previously disclosed Gilt Creek Deposit. Most significantly, for the Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE"), the Inferred MRE increased 130% to 3,717,000 oz grading 1.82 g/t Au, contained in 63.4 million tonnes ("Mt"), and the Indicated MRE increased 16% to 970,000 oz grading 1.46 g/t Au, contained in 20.7 Mt. HIGHLIGHTS: The Omai Property hosts two orogenic gold deposits: the shear-hosted Wenot Deposit and the adjacent intrusive-hosted Gilt Creek Deposit (Figure 1), with a combined updated MRE (over the February 2024 MRE) of: 2,121,000 ounces of gold (Indicated MRE), a 7% increase, averaging 2.07 g/t Au in 31.9Mt & 4,382,000 ounces of gold (Inferred MRE), a 92% increase, averaging 1.95 g/t Au in 69.6Mt Wenot Deposit (a constrained pit and underground approach is applied) 970,000 oz of gold in 20.7Mt (Indicated), a 16% increase in ounces over the Feb 2024 MRE of gold in (Indicated), a 16% increase in ounces over the Feb 2024 MRE 3,717,000 oz of gold in 63.4Mt (Inferred), a 130% increase in ounces of gold in (Inferred), a 130% increase in ounces 1.46 g/t Au grade of Indicated MRE, a 1.4% decrease* grade of Indicated MRE, a 1.4% decrease* 1.82 g/t Au grade of Inferred MRE, an 8.5% decrease* grade of Inferred MRE, an 8.5% decrease* *Increased gold price assumption to $2,500/oz from $1,850/oz allowed cutoff lower to 0.30 g/t Au from 0.35 g/t Au, resulting in lower average grades however increased ounces ~60% above 350m depth from surface (Figure 2a) ~30% of Wenot MRE is west of the historical open pit, an area considered to be well suited to initial mining ( Figure 2b ) ) Expansion potential is evident along a minimum 2.5 km length of the host Wenot shear corridor, including within, adjacent to, below, and along strike Gilt Creek Deposit (an underground mining approach is applied) 1,151,000 ounces of gold (Indicated) averaging 3.22 g/t Au , in 11.1Mt (Feb 2024 MRE) of gold (Indicated) averaging , in 11.1Mt (Feb 2024 MRE) 665,000 ounces of gold (Inferred) averaging 3.35 g/t Au , in 6.2Mt (Feb 2024 MRE) of gold (Inferred) averaging , in 6.2Mt (Feb 2024 MRE) Hosted within a 500m by 300m quartz diorite intrusive "Omai stock" that produced 2.4 million ounces of gold (1993 to 2005) from the upper 250m Located 500m north of the Wenot Deposit and below the past-producing Fennel open pit Characterized by very wide sub-horizontal zones of gold mineralization (Figure 5) Open to depth and holds demonstrated potential for lateral expansion Elaine Ellingham, President & CEO commented, "We are pleased to be delivering yet another very substantial increase to the Mineral Resource Estimate for our Omai Gold Project in Guyana. This firmly positions Omai as one of the top two largest gold projects in Guyana. Omai has many benefits as a brownfields project, not the least of which is road access (mostly paved), an airstrip, a cleared site, established tailings sites and known past production parameters. In addition to these clear advantages, Guyana has proven to be a favourable jurisdiction, now recognized by the Fraser Institute as the 9th best jurisdiction for mining investment in the world, with a Government and people that are supportive of large-scale mine development. This updated Mineral Resource Estimate reinforces the potential for accelerated large-scale mine re-development at Omai, a project that continues to deliver superior value creation for all stakeholders. With each successive milestone it becomes clearer that Omai has the potential to be a multi-decade world-class gold mining operation. Notwithstanding this large gold Mineral Resource Estimate we announced today, we still see very significant potential to further expand the gold zones at both the Wenot and the Gilt Creek Deposits. We will continue to aggressively drill to increase these Mineral Resources and to upgrade the Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate, in order to advance the project towards a Feasibility Study later in 2026. Two drills are currently turning on nearby known gold occurrences, exploring for near-surface satellite deposits, while the third drill continues on a deep hole (25ODD-122) that drilled across the Gilt Creek Deposit and continues, with the goal of testing the blue sky depth potential of the adjacent Wenot Deposit." Figure 1. 3D Model of Wenot Shear-Hosted Deposit and Gilt Creek Intrusion-Hosted Deposit To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/263731_7c6565f1f490ebe2_001full.jpg Details of the Mineral Resource Estimate for both the Wenot (updated) and Gilt Creek Deposits are presented in Table 1. The increase in the updated Wenot MRE over the previous February 2024 MRE is detailed in a comparison in Table 2. Notes accompanying the 2025 MRE are shown below Table 2, summarizing the economic and technical assumptions, which include a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce and metallurgical recoveries of 92% (consistent with historical actuals). Table 1. 2025 (August) Mineral Resource Estimates Indicated Resources Inferred Resources Resource Area Mining Method Tonnes (k) Au (g/t) Au (koz) Tonnes (k) Au (g/t) Au (koz) GILT CREEK (1.5 g/t Cut-Off) Underground 11,123 3.22 1,151 6,186 3.35 665 WENOT Pit (0.20 & 0.30 g/t Cut-Off) Open Pit 20,713 1.46 969 62,299 1.78 3,565 WENOT Out-of Pit (1.5 g/t Cut-Off) Underground 16 2.14 1 1,147 4.13 152 Total Mineral Resource Estimate 31,852 2.07 2,121 69,632 1.95 4,382 Wenot Pit-Constrained Mineral Resource Estimate by Mineralization Type WENOT Saprolite & Alluvium Open Pit 0.20 g/t Cut-Off 1,819 0.94 55 417 1.69 23 Fresh Rock & Transition Open Pit 0.30 g/t Cut-Off 18,894 1.51 914 61,882 1.78 3,542 Table 2. Comparison between Wenot 2025 (August) MRE and 2024 (February) MRE Tonnes (k) Au (g/t) Au (koz) Category 2024 MRE 2025 MRE Change (%) 2024 MRE 2025 MRE Change (%) 2024 MRE 2025 MRE Change (%) Indicated 17,572 20,729 +18 1.48 1.46 -1.4 834 970 +16 Inferred 25,183 63,446 +152 1.99 1.82 -8.5 1,614 3,717 +130 Notes to Accompany the August 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate: Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could potentially be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. The Mineral Resources were estimated in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions (2014) and Best Practices Guidelines (2019) prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by the CIM Council. Wenot wireframe constrained gold assays were composited to 1.5 metre lengths and subsequently capped between 7 to 28 g/t. Gilt Creek Wireframe constrained gold assays were composited to 1.0 metre lengths and subsequently capped between 12 to 40 g/t. The Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate incorporates 12,028 assay results from 639 diamond drill holes totalling 110,920 m within the mineralized wireframes. The Gilt Creek Mineral Resource Estimate incorporates 7,056 assay results from 46 diamond drill holes totalling 27,997 m within the mineralized wireframes. Grade estimation was undertaken with ID3interpolation. Wenot wireframe constrained bulk density was determined from 48 site visit samples. Gilt wireframe constrained bulk density was determined from 28 site visit samples. Wenot gold process recoveries used were 90% for Alluvium/Saprolite and 92% for Transition/Fresh Rock. Gilt Creek gold process recovery used was 92%. The gold price used was US$2,500/oz. Wenot US$ open pit operating costs used were $2.50/t for mineralized material mining, $2.00/t for waste mining, $11/t for Alluvium/Saprolite processing, $18/t for Transition/Fresh Rock processing and $4/t G&A resulting in respective 0.20 and 0.30 g/t Au cut-off grades. Wenot and Gilt Creek US$ underground operating costs used were $85/t for mining, $18/t for processing and $7/t G&A resulting in a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off grade. Underground MRE blocks were reviewed for grade and geometric continuity. Isolated/orphaned and single block width strings of blocks were removed in order to only report Mineral Resources with a reasonable prospect of eventual economic extraction. Wenot pit slopes were 55o. Wenot Deposit This updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Wenot shear-hosted deposit incorporates a total of 36 new diamond holes (23,597m), for a total of 639 drill holes incorporating 12,028 assay results within the MRE wireframes. Five drill holes have been completed on the Wenot deposit after the cut off date for the MRE, with assays pending, and these results will be included in a future MRE. Additional drilling on Wenot will commence very shortly aimed at further exploring the limits of the Wenot deposit, since it remains open in all directions. Some of this drilling will also start upgrading the large Inferred Mineral Resource to Indicated. Figure 2. Wenot Deposit Block Model - 2a. Longitudinal Projection (W-E) and 2b. Plan View To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/263731_7c6565f1f490ebe2_002full.jpg The impact of cut-off grade on the Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate size and grades is shown in Figure 3 below, with the full data provided in Table 3. The cut-off grade was lowered from 0.35 g/t Au in the 2024 MRE to 0.30 g/t Au in the current MRE. This change relates to an increase in the gold price assumption to $2,500/oz in the current MRE compared to $1,850/oz applied in February 2024. Operating cost increases were also included. A lowering of the cut-off grade assumes that lower grade gold can be economically extracted and processed in a higher gold price environment. The spot gold price has increased over 60% since the previous MRE in February 2024. Applying a higher cut-off grade for more marginal projects can result in a profound decrease in the number of ounces in the Mineral Resource. Very significantly for Wenot, Figure 3 shows that by more than doubling the cut-off grade to 0.75 g/t Au, the number of ounces in the Indicated MRE is reduced only slightly to 845,000 oz, however at a higher grade 2.0 g/t Au. Further, the Inferred MRE at the same higher cut-off gives 3,286,000 ounces at a higher grade of 2.21 g/t Au. The overall impact is less than a 10% reduction in the number of ounces in the overall MRE however the grade of the Indicated MRE increases by 36% and the grade of the Inferred MRE increases by 24%. Figure 3. Chart Showing Impact of Cut-Off Grade on Wenot Pit-Constrained MRE Size and Grades (see Table 3) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/263731_7c6565f1f490ebe2_003full.jpg Gilt Creek Deposit The Gilt Creek Deposit is hosted by the "Omai Stock", a quartz-diorite intrusive that is extensively mineralized with gold-bearing quartz vein stockworks hosted within broad sub-horizontal zones as well as with disseminated gold mineralization within the host intrusive rock (Figure 4). Two-thirds (2/3) of the Gilt Creek Deposit MRE are Indicated, mostly between 280 to 600m depth, due to higher drill density. The Indicated MRE stands at 1,151,000 ounces averaging 3.22 g/t Au, contained within 11.1Mt, using a 1.5 g/t Au cut-off. Historical mining of the uppermost 250m of the deposit from surface produced approximately 2.4 million ounces2. There remains excellent potential for expansion of the Gilt Creek deposit at depth. The deepest holes drilled to date (to 967m below surface) still intersect significant gold mineralization, but with only a few, wide-spaced drill holes. Perhaps more importantly, the potential to expand the gold mineralized intrusive laterally, at the same depths as the current Gilt Creek MRE was demonstrated by the single drill hole (24ODD-095) completed on the Gilt Creek Deposit in 2024. The 1,185m long drill hole continued to intersect the gold-mineralized intrusion, 200m beyond the previously interpreted lateral extent. Drill hole 24ODD-095 (1,185m) was completed on the Gilt Creek Deposit in late 2024. This drill hole was drilled mostly to support the design of an underground mine plan for the Gilt Creek Deposit, to be included in the upcoming PEA. The geotechnical data including RQD (Rock Quality Designation), natural and mechanical fracture counts, rock hardness and drill core recoveries are being used to estimate the competency of the rock which are important for the underground mine design. In addition, a downhole Televiewer system was used that provided visuals and detailed and accurate orientations on structures which are present in the rock mass. An additional drill hole (25ODD-122) is underway, drilling across the Gilt Creek Deposit and continuing in order to explore the down dip depth potential of the Wenot gold-bearing shear system. Results are pending. No update has been done to the Mineral Resource Estimate as announced in February 2024, since one additional drill hole was not deemed material to the existing MRE. The Gilt Creek estimation methodology is detailed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report1 filed May 21, 2024 on www.sedarplus.ca. The Gilt Creek MRE incorporates 7,056 assay results from 46 diamond drill holes totalling 27,997 m within the mineralized wireframes. Figure 1 presents a 3-D model of the Wenot and Gilt Creek Deposits. Notes accompanying the 2024 MRE, shown below Table 2, summarize the economic and technical assumptions for the Gilt Creek Deposit, that include a gold price of US$1,850 per ounce and metallurgical recoveries of 92% (consistent with historical actuals). The impact of cut-off grade on the Gilt Creek Mineral Resource Estimate size and grades is shown in Figure 4 below with details on Table 4. Increasing the cut-off grade from 1.5 g/t Au to 2.0 g/t Au increases the estimated average grade of both the Indicated and Inferred MRE by about 22% to 3.90 g/t Au (Indicated) and 4.14 g/t Au (Inferred), while reducing the estimated contained ounces by only 17% for both the Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource, to 955,000 ounces and 552,000 ounces respectively. Figure 4. Chart Showing Impact of Cut-Off Grade on Gilt Creek MRE Size and Grades (data provided in Table 4) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/263731_7c6565f1f490ebe2_004full.jpg Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") A baseline PEA for Omai was completed in April 2024 and detailed in the NI43-101 Technical Report1 filed May 21, 2024. It included only a limited open pit operation for Wenot, with production of 1.84 million ounces of gold over a 13 year mine life, with an after-tax NPV5% of $556 million and an IRR of 20% at a $1,950/oz gold price. An updated PEA will incorporate th new, much-expanded Wenot MRE plus the adjacent Gilt Creek Deposit, not previously included. We expect a new mine plan to include a larger superpit for the Wenot Deposit with later stage underground mining to access the lower parts of the higher grade, wide "Dike Corridor" zones discovered during the recent Wenot drilling. A new mine plan is expected to include the concurrent development of a ramp from surface to access the Gilt Creek gold Deposit that starts at depths of approximately 280m, with the bulk of the current MRE between depths of 300m to 600m. Work on the updated PEA has commenced and it is expected to be completed in late 2025. Figure 5. Cross-Section Projection of Gilt Creek Deposit (Omai Stock- Quartz Diorite Intrusion) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/263731_7c6565f1f490ebe2_005full.jpg As a corporate update, the Company also reports that David Stewart is no longer with the Company, and we wish him the best in his future endeavours. 1NI 43-101 Technical Report dated May 21, 2024 "UPDATED MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE AND PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE OMAI GOLD PROPERTY, POTARO MINING DISTRICT NO.2, GUYANA" was prepared by Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc. is available on SEDAR+ and on the Company's website. It includes a Wenot Mineral Resource Estimate of 834,000 indicated ounces of gold averaging 1.48 g/t Au within 17.6 million tonnes and 1,614,000 Inferred ounces of gold averaging 1.99 g/t Au within 25.2 million tonnes, and the adjacent Gilt Creek Mineral Resource Estimate of 1,151,000 Indicated ounces of gold averaging 3.22 g/t Au within 11.1 million tonnes and 665,000 Inferred ounces of gold averaging 3.35 g/t Au within 6.2 million tonnes. 2 Past production at the Omai Mine (1993-2005) is summarized in several Cambior Inc. documents available on SEDARplus.ca, including March 31, 2006 AIF and news release August 3, 2006. Quality Control Omai maintains an internal QA/QC program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with best practices. Certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates are entered at regular intervals. Samples are sealed in plastic bags. Drill core samples (halved-core) were shipped to ActLabs and some batches to MSALABS, both certified laboratories in Georgetown Guyana, respecting the best chain of custody practices. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g), and pulverized to 95% passing 105 m, including cleaner sand. Fifty grams of pulverized material is then fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Initial assays with results above 3.0 ppm gold are re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. For samples with visible gold two separate 250g or 500g pulverized samples are prepared, with 50 grams of each fire assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with assays above 3.0 ppm gold being re-assayed using a gravimetric finish. Certified reference materials and blanks meet with QA/QC specifications. Qualified Persons Elaine Ellingham, MSc PGeo and Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, President of P&E Mining Consultants Inc., both Qualified Persons (QPs) under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects", have approved the technical information contained in this news release. Ms. Ellingham is not considered to be independent for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Puritch is independent of Omai Gold Mines Corp. About Omai Gold Corp. Omai Gold Mines Corp. is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on rapidly expanding the two orogenic gold deposits at its 100%-owned Omai Gold Project in mining-friendly Guyana, South America. The Company has established the Omai Gold Project as one of the fastest growing and well-endowed gold camps in the prolific Guiana Shield greenstone belt. In February 2024 the Company announced an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate1 ("MRE") that is filed on www.sedarplus.ca. This was followed by an initial baseline Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") in April 2024, which contemplated an open pit-only development scenario and included only 45% of the Omai Gold Project MRE. Subsequent to the 2024 MRE, the Company has been aggressively drilling to expand gold Mineral Resources at the Wenot Deposit and has identified additional wide zones of high-grade gold mineralization. The current news release announces an updated MRE and work has commenced towards an updated PEA for late 2025. Omai Gold's plans for 2025 were to continue its impactful drill programs, announce an updated and expanded MRE (now done), and complete an updated PEA which would include an expanded Wenot open pit deposit and an underground mining scenario at Gilt Creek. The Omai Gold Mine produced over 3.7 million ounces of gold from 1993 to 20052, ceasing operations when gold was below US$400 per ounce. The Omai site benefits from much existing infrastructure and will soon be connected to the two largest cities in Guyana, Georgetown and Linden, via paved road. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of completion of the drill program, and the potential for the Omai Gold Project to allow Omai to build significant gold Mineral Resources at attractive grades, and forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; the price of gold and copper; and the results of current exploration. Further, the Mineral Resource data set out in this news release are estimates, and no assurance can be given that the anticipated tonnages and grades will be achieved or that the indicated level of process recovery will be realized. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Cautionary Note Regarding Mineral Resource Estimates Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, Mineral Resources must be considered as estimates only. Mineral Resource Estimates that are not Mineral Reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain, involves subjective judgement about many relevant factors and may be materially affected by, among other things, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors described in the Company's public disclosure available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The Inferred Mineral Resource in this estimate has a lower level of confidence than that applied to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the majority of the Inferred Mineral Resource could be upgraded to an Indicated Mineral Resource with continued exploration. The accuracy of any Mineral Resource Estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource Estimates may have to be re-estimated based on, among other things: (i) fluctuations in mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling, and development; (iii) results of future test mining and other testing; (iv) metallurgical testing and other studies; (v) results of geological and structural modeling including block model design; (vi) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (vii) the evaluation of future mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (viii) the possible failure to receive required permits, licenses and other approvals. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a "Inferred" or "Indicated" Mineral Resource Estimate will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource Estimates disclosed in this news release were reported using Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the "CIM Standards") in accordance with National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"). Cautionary Statements to U.S. Readers This news release uses the terms "Mineral Resource", "Indicated Mineral Resource" and "Inferred Mineral Resource" as defined in the CIM Standards in accordance with NI 43-101. While these terms are recognized and required by the Canadian Securities Administrators in accordance with Canadian securities laws, they may not be recognized by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The "Mineral Resource" Estimates and related information in this news release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Figure 6. Geology Map of Omai Gold Property and Location of Gilt Creek and Wenot Deposits To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8712/263731_7c6565f1f490ebe2_006full.jpg Table 3. Wenot Deposit - Impact of Cut-Off Grade on Mineral Resource Estimate Class Cut-off Volume Density Tonnage AU AU Au g/t m3 t/m3 kt g/t koz Indicated 1 3,782,553 2.65 10,030 2.35 758 0.95 3,987,773 2.65 10,563 2.28 774 0.90 4,217,255 2.65 11,159 2.21 792 0.85 4,459,136 2.64 11,787 2.14 810 0.80 4,720,005 2.64 12,458 2.07 828 0.75 4,997,312 2.64 13,176 2.00 845 0.70 5,287,242 2.63 13,925 1.93 863 0.65 5,583,062 2.63 14,684 1.86 879 0.60 5,893,551 2.63 15,478 1.80 895 0.55 6,215,973 2.62 16,302 1.74 911 0.50 6,530,493 2.62 17,116 1.68 924 0.45 6,865,198 2.62 17,974 1.62 937 0.40 7,204,974 2.62 18,843 1.57 949 0.35 7,538,989 2.61 19,696 1.52 959 0.30 7,863,808 2.61 20,520 1.47 968 0.25 8,152,411 2.61 21,251 1.43 975 0.20 8,431,079 2.60 21,950 1.39 980 0.15 8,683,523 2.60 22,583 1.35 983 0.10 8,909,220 2.60 23,156 1.32 986 0 9,296,463 2.60 24,164 1.27 987 Inferred 1 13,892,421 2.73 37,969 2.50 3,052 0.95 14,438,953 2.73 39,459 2.44 3,099 0.90 15,001,471 2.73 40,989 2.39 3,145 0.85 15,633,357 2.73 42,714 2.33 3,193 0.80 16,249,590 2.73 44,395 2.27 3,238 0.75 16,970,028 2.73 46,357 2.21 3,286 0.70 17,645,241 2.73 48,192 2.15 3,329 0.65 18,413,071 2.73 50,276 2.09 3,374 0.60 19,177,141 2.73 52,346 2.03 3,416 0.55 19,944,337 2.73 54,436 1.97 3,455 0.50 20,642,547 2.73 56,342 1.92 3,487 0.45 21,241,518 2.73 57,978 1.88 3,512 0.40 21,811,514 2.73 59,534 1.85 3,533 0.35 22,338,748 2.73 60,971 1.81 3,550 0.30 22,821,012 2.73 62,277 1.78 3,564 0.25 23,252,038 2.73 63,449 1.75 3,575 0.20 23,689,080 2.73 64,642 1.72 3,583 0.15 24,005,304 2.73 65,504 1.70 3,588 0.10 24,263,024 2.73 66,209 1.69 3,591 0 24,741,661 2.73 67,512 1.66 3,593 *fresh rock only, not including alluvium and saprolite that contain < 2% of the contained ounces Table 4. Gilt Creek Deposit - Impact of Cut-Off Grade on Mineral Resource Estimate Class Cut-off Volume Density Tonnage AU AU Au g/t m3 t/m3 kt g/t koz Indicated 5 489,235 2.74 1,341 8.52 367 4 750,615 2.74 2,057 7.10 470 3 1,334,415 2.74 3,656 5.50 647 2.75 1,588,895 2.74 4,354 5.08 711 2.5 1,907,242 2.74 5,226 4.67 784 2.25 2,296,734 2.74 6,293 4.28 866 2 2,777,159 2.74 7,609 3.91 955 1.75 3,371,592 2.74 9,238 3.55 1,053 1.5 4,061,643 2.74 11,129 3.22 1,152 1.25 4,873,240 2.74 13,353 2.91 1,250 1 5,807,190 2.74 15,912 2.62 1,342 0.75 6,830,125 2.74 18,715 2.36 1,421 0 8,767,580 2.74 24,023 1.94 1,498 Inferred 5 323,726 2.74 887 8.74 249 4 464,223 2.74 1,272 7.44 304 3 782,570 2.74 2,144 5.81 401 2.75 897,555 2.74 2,459 5.43 430 2.5 1,059,352 2.74 2,903 5.00 467 2.25 1,272,238 2.74 3,486 4.56 511 2 1,529,285 2.74 4,190 4.15 559 1.75 1,854,446 2.74 5,081 3.75 613 1.5 2,288,174 2.74 6,270 3.35 675 1.25 2,735,352 2.74 7,495 3.02 729 1 3,190,785 2.74 8,743 2.75 774 0.75 3,725,949 2.74 10,209 2.49 816 0 4,237,144 2.74 11,610 2.24 837 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/263731 SOURCE: Omai Gold Mines Corp. USA News GroupNews Commentary Issued on behalf of Magma Silver Corp. VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- USA News GroupNews Commentary - Silver miners are using 2025's price gains to expand operations and make acquisitions, with some analysts calling it the sector's biggest growth cycle in more than a decade. Earlier this year, the Silver Institutepredicted 2025 mine output to hit a seven-year high, even as silver prices average 44% above the past decade's levels. The silver mining market is projected to reach $42.23 billion by 2032, growing at 8.75% annually. Investors are watching producers such as Magma Silver Corp. (TSXV: MGMA) (OTCQB: MAGMF), Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (NYSE-American: USAS) (TSX: USA), Silver47 Exploration Corp. (TSXV: AGA) (OTCQB: AAGAF), Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE: CDE), and Guanajuato Silver Company (TSXV: GSVR) (OTCQX: GSVRF). Industry dynamics still favor silver producers, with supply constraints creating what experts call a 'perfect storm' for the sector. Recent quarterly reports show major producers posting double-digit growth, even amid ongoing operational challenges. Silver's dual role as both an industrial metal and a store of value is fueling demand from renewable energy, electronics, and investors, putting miners in a strong position. Magma Silver Corp. (TSXV: MGMA) (OTCQB: MAGMF) has commenced its Q3 work program at the strategically positioned Ninobamba project in Peru, marking a decisive step toward the company's planned Q4 2025 diamond drilling campaign. The current field program is designed to refine drill targets and expand technical knowledge of the mineralized zones at Jorimina and Randypata, where mining giant Newmont previously invested millions in historic exploration. Magma's team is now on site, running geological mapping and rock sampling to refine drill targets. The program is led by Senior Geologist Edgar Leon and overseen by Jeffrey Reeder, P.Geo., who together bring decades of experience in Peru's mining sector. "We are excited to advise that our exploration team is now on site at the advanced Ninobamba silver-gold project," said Stephen Barley, Chairman and CEO of Magma Silver. "The program will focus on the Jorimina and Randypata areas. The work being carried out will assist in refining drill targets for our planned Q4 drill program and expand our overall technical knowledge of the style and extent of the mineralized zones." The timing aligns strategically with silver's strong market momentum, as multiple investment banks have converged on $40 price targets for the metal. Magma's systematic approach to target refinement builds upon over CAD$10 million in historic exploration by Newmont, which returned compelling results including 17.4 metres of 3.06 g/t gold and 128 metres of 1.31 oz/t silver from the Jorimina area. The company expects to wrap up its pre-drilling work and release rock sample results by the end of Q3 2025. Drilling at Jorimina is slated to commence in Q4 2025, with initial results expected before year-end. Additionally, Magma is actively reviewing potential acquisitions to broaden its exposure to silver and gold assets, signaling expansion beyond its flagship Peru project. These crucial access rights were secured through a surface access rights agreement with the Comunidad Campesina De Tunsulla, which remains in good standing through the 2025 season and into 2026. The broader Ninobamba project encompasses 4,100 hectares and is anchored by three contiguous areas-Main, Randypata, and Jorimina-believed to form part of an extensive high-sulfidation epithermal system with significant untapped potential. The company's strategy centers on applying modern targeting techniques to ground previously tested by majors like Newmont and AngloGold. "The establishment of an experienced operations team we can trust will make a significant contribution to our success in Peru," added Barley in a previous release. "Peru is a sophisticated, mining-friendly jurisdiction with detailed regulatory requirements that must be strictly adhered to. The experienced team we are involved with will ensure smooth operations for Magma." With just over 34 million shares outstanding and claims secured through mid-2026, Magma is shifting from asset assembly to active exploration in one of South America's most mining-friendly regions. CONTINUED Read this and more news for Magma Silver at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/06/04/mining-giants-missed-the-big-prize-a-juniors-back-for-the-precious-metals/ In other industry developments and happenings in the market include: Americas Gold and Silver Corporation (NYSE-American: USAS) (TSX: USA) has reported high-grade 149 vein extension results at its Galena Complex, including 24,913 g/t silver and 16.9% copper over 0.61 metres within a broader 3.05-metre interval. The intercept represents one of the highest-grade silver values ever recorded at the property and demonstrates the exceptional potential of the underground mining complex. These results significantly expand the known mineralization footprint and confirm the continuity of high-grade zones. "This intercept represents one of the highest-grade silver intercepts in Galena's history and demonstrates the exceptional high-grade potential that exists in the underground workings," said Paul Andre Huet, Chairman and CEO of Americas Gold and Silver. "The results confirm our thesis that significant high-grade mineralization remains to be discovered in the underground workings, and we continue to focus our efforts on unlocking this potential through systematic exploration and development." The company continues to advance its aggressive development strategy at Galena, targeting increased production rates and reduced unit costs. With strong financial backing and proven high-grade mineralization, Americas is positioned to significantly expand its silver production profile. Silver47 Exploration Corp. (TSXV: AGA) (OTCQB: AAGAF) has unveiled multiple premier exploration targets with strong discovery potential across its Red Mountain project in Alaska, identifying 16 distinct target areas through comprehensive geological analysis. The company's systematic approach has revealed significant silver-bearing mineralization across multiple zones, with historical samples returning grades up to 2,340 g/t silver. These targets represent a substantial expansion of the known mineralized footprint and provide multiple drill-ready opportunities. "The comprehensive target generation work has identified 16 distinct target areas across the Red Mountain project, each with strong discovery potential," said Gary Thompson, CEO of Silver47 Exploration. "This systematic approach has significantly expanded our understanding of the mineralized system and provides us with multiple high-priority drill targets for our upcoming exploration programs." The company is advancing toward a major drilling campaign designed to test these high-priority targets systematically. With permits in place and a clear exploration strategy, Silver47 is positioned to unlock the significant silver potential across its expansive Alaskan property. Coeur Mining, Inc. (NYSE: CDE) reported second quarter 2025 results with silver production of 3.7 million ounces and total production of 196,978 gold equivalent ounces, demonstrating solid operational performance across its portfolio. The company generated $188.1 million in revenue during the quarter, with strong contributions from both its gold and silver operations. Coeur's diversified asset base continues to deliver consistent cash flow and production growth. "We delivered another solid quarter of operational and financial performance, producing nearly 197,000 gold equivalent ounces and generating $188 million in revenue," said Mitchell Krebs, President and CEO of Coeur Mining. "Our diversified portfolio of assets continues to perform well, and we remain focused on optimizing operations while advancing our growth projects." The company maintains its full-year production guidance and continues to advance development projects across its portfolio. With a strong balance sheet and proven operational capabilities, Coeur is well-positioned to capitalize on favorable precious metals pricing. Guanajuato Silver Company (TSXV: GSVR) (OTCQX: GSVRF) has received a key permit at its Pinguico Mine, clearing the path for expanded underground development and increased silver production. The company also closed a C$18 million financing to fund operations and development activities across its Mexican silver properties. These developments position the company to accelerate production growth and expand its resource base. "This permit represents a significant milestone for Guanajuato Silver as it will allow us to expand our underground development and increase our silver production capacity at Pinguico," said James Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Guanajuato Silver. "Combined with our recent financing, we now have the permits and capital necessary to execute our growth strategy." The company is focused on ramping up production across its portfolio of Mexican silver mines. With fresh capital and regulatory approvals in place, Guanajuato Silver is positioned to deliver meaningful production growth in the near term. Article Source: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/06/04/mining-giants-missed-the-big-prize-a-juniors-back-for-the-precious-metals/ CONTACT: USA NEWS GROUP info@usanewsgroup.com (604) 265-2873 DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. ("MIQ"). This content is being distributed for Baystreet.ca media Corp, who has been paid a fee for an advertising contract with Magma Silver Corp. MIQ has not been paid a fee for Magma Silver Corp. advertising or digital media, but the owner/operators of MIQ also co-own Baystreet.ca Media Corp. ("BAY") There may also be 3rd parties who may have shares of Magma Silver Corp. and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ/BAY does not own any shares of Magma Silver Corp. but reserve the right to buy and sell and will buy and sell shares of Magma Silver Corp. at any time without any further notice commencing immediately and ongoing. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material, including this article, which is disseminated by MIQ on behalf of BAY has been approved by Magma Silver Corp. Technical information relating to and published by Magma Silver Corp. has been reviewed and approved by Jeffrey Reeder, PGeo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Reeder is a Technical Advisor of Magma Silver Corp., and therefore is not independent of the Company; this is a paid advertisement, we currently do not own any shares of Magma Silver Corp. but will likely buy and sell shares of the company in the open market, or through private placements, and/or other investment vehicles. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Also, because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between the any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful, investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2603685/5475276/USA_News_Group_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/silver-mining-sector-emerges-as-clear-winner-amid-production-expansion-wave-302537843.html First Medical Device Approved in Japan for the Treatment of Hypertension Palo Alto, CA, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recor Medical, Inc. ("Recor"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Medical Devices Co., Ltd., announced today that the Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation (uRDN) system has received approval for manufacturing and marketing in Japan for the treatment of resistant hypertension. This marks the first approval in the country for a medical device indicated for the disease. This approval is based on the results of the RADIANCE-HTN TRIO study conducted in the U.S. and Europe. The randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial evaluated the Paradise uRDN system in patients with resistant hypertension on a standardized triple antihypertensive therapy including a diuretic. The study met its prescribed primary efficacy endpoint, demonstrating a significant reduction in daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure (ASBP) at two months post-randomization. A favorable safety profile was consistently observed throughout the study. The Paradise uRDN system is a novel ultrasound-based renal denervation technology designed to lower blood pressure by denervating the sympathetic nerves surrounding the renal arteries, reducing the overactivity that can lead to hypertension. The system delivers two to three doses of 360-degree ultrasound energy - lasting seven seconds each - through each of the main renal arteries to the surrounding nerves. The Paradise catheter features the exclusive HydroCooling system, which circulates sterile water through the balloon catheter during the procedure to help protect the renal arterial wall. "Resistant hypertension is a particularly high-risk form of high blood pressure, and it is difficult to control despite medication. The Paradise uRDN system offers a new treatment option for these patients. In a collaborative initiative involving three leading academic societies - the Japanese Society of Hypertension, the Japanese Circulation Society, and the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics, we are committed to raising awareness about this disease and its treatment options to ensure appropriate care is accessible to patients in need," commented Kazuomi Kario, President of the Japanese Society of Hypertension and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Jichi Medical University. "Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, which are among the top three causes of death in Japan. We are hopeful that the Paradise uRDN system will expand treatment possibilities and contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular events," stated Yoshio Kobayashi, President of the Japanese Circulation Society and Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine. "Cardiovascular catheter-based interventions are minimally invasive and have become widely adopted as a central component of proactive cardiovascular care. With this approval, we are pleased to see that an innovative catheter-based treatment has been recognized as a new treatment option for resistant hypertension - a major contributor to cardiovascular disease - offering patients a less invasive therapeutic option," added Ken Kozuma, President of the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT), and Professor and Chairman of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at Teikyo University Hospital. "We are pleased that the Paradise uRDN system is the first Renal Denervation device to be approved in Japan, making it the first treatment of its kind available to patients in the country," commented Lara Barghout, President and CEO of Recor Medical. "Hypertension knows no global boundaries. Expanding access to this innovative therapy is central to our mission, and we are passionate about providing transformative solutions that improve both the health and quality of life for patients around the world." "The Paradise uRDN system has been well received by both patients and physicians in the U.S., where it received FDA approval and was launched in November 2023. We are delighted to now offer this innovative treatment option to patients in Japan and contribute to their health and well-being. We remain committed to advancing medical care and supporting patients through innovative solutions," said Noriko Tojo, President and Representative Director of Otsuka Medical Devices. The Paradise uRDN system received U.S. FDA approval in 2023 and bears a CE mark. The Global Paradise System (GPS) post-market registry has been initiated in the EU and UK, along with the GPS post-approval study in the U.S., with plans for global expansion to support the collection of long-term data. In Japan, a post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study will be conducted in accordance with local regulatory requirements. About Recor Medical, Inc. Recor Medical, headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., a wholly owned subsidiary of Otsuka Medical Devices Co., Ltd., is a medical technology company focused on transforming the management of hypertension. Recor has pioneered the use of the Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation system for the treatment of hypertension. The Paradise uRDN system is FDA approved in the United States, is CE marked and approved for sale in markets where the CE mark is accepted, per approved indications for use, and received manufacturing and marketing approval in Japan. Recor has reported positive outcomes in three independent, randomized, sham-controlled studies of the Paradise uRDN system in patients with mild-to-moderate and resistant hypertension. In addition, Recor has begun the Global Paradise System About Otsuka Medical Devices Co., Ltd. Otsuka Medical Devices Co., Ltd. engages in the global development and commercialization of medical devices that provide new therapeutic options in areas where patient needs cannot be met through pharmaceutical or other conventional treatment. Otsuka Medical Devices is a subsidiary of Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.), a global healthcare company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Media Contact Lisa Owens The Mullings Group lowens@mullingsgroup.com +1-210-601-6647 Attachments Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/7f80f331-98d6-4ce4-9bdc-16ec68fc79b8) Paradise Ultrasound Renal Denervation System Receives Manufacturing and Marketing Approval in Japan for the Treatment of Resistant Hypertension (https://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/fa50e9c6-d79a-4f47-9d40-9f325fd6cb65) Lara Barghout Recor Medical +1 650 542 7700 lara.barghout@recormedical.com The $700 million project is part of Roche's $50 billion investment in US manufacturing, infrastructure and R&D. The facility will create more than 1,900 jobs and support the production of next-generation metabolic medicines, including treatments for obesity These investments underscore Roche's commitment to innovative manufacturing, designed to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster Basel, 25 August 2025 - Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today broke ground on its newest US manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This significant development marks the establishment of Genentech's first manufacturing facility on the East Coast. The 65,000 m facility is strategically designed to support production of the company's future portfolio of metabolic medicines, including next-generation treatments for obesity. Genentech's initial investment in North Carolina is estimated at more than $700 million and is part of Roche's $50 billion commitment to invest in US manufacturing infrastructure and R&D. The facility will create more than 1,900 jobs. Roche Group CEO Thomas Schinecker: "I am proud to break ground on our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Carolina, which will support the production of our next-generation obesity treatments. This $700 million project is an integral part of our broader $50 billion commitment to further expand our already significant presence in the United States, building on our 120-year legacy of driving innovation and creating jobs across America. I am excited about the impact this facility will have on delivering life-changing medicines to patients in the US and around the world." The company selected Holly Springs in North Carolina, a growing hub for biopharmaceutical innovation, for its highly skilled local workforce, strong academic institutions and proximity to other leading life science companies. The new facility is expected to be completed and operational by 2029, incorporating modern biomanufacturing technologies, as well as advanced automation and digital capabilities. The 400,000 m lot includes space for future expansion. Designed for high-volume, efficient, and sustainable production, the new facility will increase Roche's manufacturing capacity and enhance supply chain resilience. It complements Roche's manufacturing sites around the world, including in Europe and Switzerland, to efficiently serve patients where they are. About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Roche Global Media Relations Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti Pandey Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Attachment NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / George Sanders, President of Goldcliff Resource Corporation ("Goldcliff" or the "Company") (TSXV:GCN)(OTC PINK:GCFFF) is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $825,000 (the "Private Placement"). The Private Placement will consist of the issuance of: (i) up to 5,000,000 units (each, a "NFT Unit"), at a price of $0.045 per NFT Unit (the "NFT Unit Offering"), with each NFT Unit comprising one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one half of one non-transferrable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"); and (ii) up to 10,000,000 flow-through shares ("FT Shares"), at a price of $0.06 per FT Share (the "FT Share Offering"), with each FT Share comprising one Common Share which qualifies as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.08 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-105"), the securities sold under the Private Placement will be offered in all Provinces of Canada except Quebec pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). Subject to the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the securities issuable from the sale of Units to Canadian resident subscribers will not be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to this Private Placement that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.goldcliff.com. Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision. Proceeds from the NFT Unit Offering will be applied to property payments on Aurora West and Kettle Valley projects, and to general working capital. Proceeds from the FT Share Offering will be applied to drilling at Kettle Valley, sample collection for metallurgical test work and geochemical sampling at Panorama Ridge, and additional geochemical and geophysical surveys at the Ainsworth silver project, as Canadian exploration expenses that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2026 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares. All three projects are located in British Columbia. The Private Placement is anticipated to close on or about October 6, 2025 ("Closing Date"), or such other date(s) as the Company may determine. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. Goldcliff advises that insiders of the Company may participate in the Private Placement, which subscriptions will be completed pursuant to available related party exemptions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions and will be subject to the TSXV hold period. At Closing, the Company may pay a cash finder's fee equal to 7% of gross proceeds introduced by eligible finders. Also, the Company may grant to eligible finders, finder's warrants equal to 7% of the number of NFT Units and/or FT Shares introduced by the finder on the same terms and conditions as the Warrants comprising the NFT Units. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. For further information, please contact George W. Sanders, President, at 250-764-8879, toll free at 1-866-769-4802 or email at info@directroyalty.com. GOLDCLIFF RESOURCE CORPORATION Per: "George W. Sanders" George W. Sanders, President Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the anticipated closing of the Private Placement, the anticipated size of the Private Placement, the receipt of all regulatory approvals in respect of the Private Placement, including approval of the TSXV, the participation of insiders, the expected use of proceeds from the Private Placement, certain expenses qualifying as flow through mining expenditures, and the expected timing for incurrence and renouncement of expenses. Although Goldcliff believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, general economic and market or business conditions. These forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, the timing and receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, the ability of Goldcliff and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Goldcliff's proposed transactions and programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Goldcliff does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. SOURCE: Goldcliff Resource Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/goldcliff-announces-life-financing-1065210 Recipes that Make Dinner Fun ATLANTA, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / With the back-to-school season in full swing, families everywhere are juggling busy schedules, early mornings, and after-school chaos. To help take one thing off their plate-literally-McCain Foods has partnered with cookbook author, mom of three, and Food Network star Catherine McCord to share fun, flexible meal inspiration that makes dinnertime less stressful and a whole lot more joyful. Catherine McCord Shares Back-to-School Meal Inspiration Cookbook author and mom of three Catherine McCord teams up with McCain Foods to highlight fun and flexible ways families can enjoy McCain Smiles-crispy mashed potato bites made with real potatoes-bringing more joy to busy back-to-school dinners. "Back-to-school can be one of the most overwhelming times of the year for parents," says McCord, founder of Weelicious and author of four cookbooks. "That's why I love McCain's Crispy Mashed Potato Smiles. They're quick, easy, and bring a little fun to dinner-even on the busiest nights." McCain Smiles are made with real potatoes, lightly seasoned with sea salt, and get perfectly crispy in the air fryer in under 10 minutes. Whether served as a simple side or used as the base for creative family meals, McCain Smiles' playful shape and savory deliciousness are designed to turn everyday dinners into moments that families can enjoy together. "Smiles aren't just a side dish-they're a way to make mealtime more meaningful," McCord adds. "My family does a 'Smile of the Day' at dinner where we each share something that made us smile. It's a sweet way to connect after a hectic day." Chef McCord encourages parents to stock their freezers with go-to staples like McCain Smiles, which pair effortlessly with weeknight favorites like chicken or fish. For a twist, she suggests building your own dinner creations-like topping chili with Smiles or adding Smiles to a one-pan chicken skillet. Find McCain Smiles in the freezer aisle of your local grocer and find simple, delicious recipes the whole family will love at www.McCainFoodsUSA.com/Smiles. POST|VIDEO About TipsOnTV TipsOnTV is a lifestyle blog featuring content as seen on national and local media outlets. Expert hosts share advice for viewers, listeners, and readers. TipsOnTV covers a variety of topics, including food, entertaining, personal finance, technology, travel, health, lifestyle, and more. SOURCE: TipsOnTV View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/chef-catherine-mccord-and-mccainr-foods-bring-smiles-to-the-dinner-table-this-1064763 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 25, 2025) - Trimera Metals Corp. (CSE: TRM) ("Trimera" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for aggregate gross proceeds of $100,000. In connection with the Offering, the Company issued 285,715 common shares ("FT Shares") of the Company, issued on a flow-through basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada), at a price of $0.35 per FT Share. The Company intends to use the gross proceeds from the Offering towards exploration activities at the Company's 1,692.22 hectare Tahlo Lake porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold property located in north-central British Columbia. The securities issued under the Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day from the date of closing. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or available exemptions from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Trimera Trimera is a junior exploration company focused on the exploration, development, and advancement of its Tahlo Lake property, located in south-central British Columbia. Tahlo Lake is comprised of four wholly owned mining claims totaling approximately 1,692 hectares. For more information, please consult the Company's filings, available at www.sedarplus.ca . On Behalf of the Board of Directors Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements and includes statements respecting (i) the Offering; and (ii) the Company's expected use of proceeds from the Offering. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/263815 SOURCE: Trimera Metals Corp. New drilling campaign starting in Moselle On the path to low-carbon methane and natural hydrogen production Pontpierre, France, August 25th, 2025 - La Francaise de l'Energie (Euronext: FDE - ISIN: FR0013030152), a carbon negative energy producer, is launching a new drilling campaign to produce gas from coal in Lorraine, within the Bleue Lorraine concession granted by the French government, and to explore natural hydrogen deposits discovered in 2023. Use of proven technologies in compliance with strict safety and environmental regulations At a depth of c.1,000 meters, Lorraine coal contains natural gas with a very high methane content. Two certifications were conducted by IFP-Energies Nouvelles, the French specialist in natural resources exploration and production, in 2015-2016, and then by MHA (Sproule Group), a global specialist in coal gas, in 2018. These expert studies have certified reserves of more than 2.1 billion m 3 of gas in the Bleue Lorraine concession area (191 km) that can be exploited within the existing technical, economic, environmental, and regulatory constraints. The drilling campaign will begin in autumn 2025 and will last approximately 12 months in total. The process for producing this methane in Lorraine is simple: Drill down to the thick coal seams located at approximately 1,000 meters depth; Then desorb the coal, recovering the water naturally contained in its matrix (1-10 m per day for one well); When the pressure in the coal seam drops sufficiently, the gas will rise naturally to the surface through the casing installed after drilling; Small-diameter horizontal drains (15 cm) will then collect the gas present in the coal over several hundred meters. This method obviously does not use hydraulic fracturing or other techniques prohibited by the laws. Coal also has naturally enough cracks for the desorbed methane to escape naturally. This work, with an initial budget of c.15 million, covers three specific areas: CBR-1 well - Addition of collection drains to an existing well (1 month) at Lachambre CBR-2 well - Drilling of a new production well (3 months) at Lachambre PTH-2 well - A deep exploration well (4,000 m) to study natural hydrogen (5 months) at Pontpierre. More than 40 personnel of the FDE team and subcontractors will be mobilized during this phase. All wells will be sealed in accordance with the best practices using cement specifically designed for gas structures and to be inspected as such. Groundwater protection and drilling mud will be rigorously monitored and approved by independent experts and government inspectors. Methane production in Lorraine: local energy with significant environmental benefits France currently imports most of its natural gas, including shale gas from the US, but also from Russia, Qatar, Algeria, and Norway. Local production of gas in Lorraine avoids the environmental impact of long-distance transport and reduces the dependence on gas imported from other countries, while having a carbon footprint 10 times lower than that of imported gas (Source: independent study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research in Heidelberg, 2016). This is also referred as low-carbon methane. Several valorization opportunities are still being considered: Connection to the local gas distribution network (Energis) for very short supply chains and direct supply to local manufacturers; Conversion of gas into clean, decarbonated hydrogen through the capture of CO 2 in solid or liquid form; and/or; in solid or liquid form; and/or; Electricity and heat production through cogeneration or a turbine, combined with CO 2 capture via a Cryo Pur unit. Further assessment of the natural hydrogen discovery in Lorraine, a worldwide exclusivity During previous research conducted as part of the Lorraine Regional State Pact and a research program called REGALOR, significant concentrations of natural hydrogen dissolved in deep aquifers have been discovered in Moselle. This "white" hydrogen could be a major breakthrough for clean energy in France and Europe, as it would provide access to a significant source of decarbonated hydrogen close to current and future consumers and relevant infrastructure. In collaboration with the GeoRessources laboratory of the University of Lorraine and the CNRS amongst others as part of the REGALOR II research program, the PTH-2 research and development well will be drilled during that same drilling campaign and a grant application is currently being processed. FDE is currently working with regional authorities, industry, and stakeholders and is initiating a community dialogue through the organization of meetings, workshops, and the development of educational materials to explain more specifically the subsurface work related to these activities in Lorraine and therefore promoting transparent communication on all these activities. Antoine Forcinal, CEO of FDE, confirms: "This new campaign illustrates our commitment to combining innovation, environmental responsibility, and regional development. Without using underground fracturing and under strict government supervision, we are implementing exemplary safety and environmental protection measures. With an additional c. 15 million invested locally and the creation of local jobs, we aim to strengthen the region while reducing its energy dependence. With a carbon footprint ten times lower than that of imported gas and the prospect of producing decarbonated hydrogen in the future, we are reaffirming our commitment to energy sovereignty and to building a sustainable future of our region." Next announcements: FY25 Annual Results: October 23rd, 2025 Reuters code: FDE.PA Bloomberg code: FDE.FP Press contact@francaisedelenergie.fr + 33 3 87 04 34 51 Investor Relations ir@francaisedelenergie.fr + 33 3 87 04 34 51 About La Francaise de l'Energie FDE is an independent multi-energy producer dedicated to making Net Zero happen. As a specialist in local energy systems and the circular economy, FDE capitalizes on its industrial know-how ranging from engineering, energy production to CO 2 storage to provide energy solutions that combine carbon footprint reduction with better resilience of the associated eco-systems. For more information, visit https://www.francaisedelenergie.fr/ Disclaimer This press release contains certain forward - looking statements and estimates concerning FDE's financial condition, operating results, strategy, projects and future performance and the markets in which it operates. Such forward-looking statements and estimates may be identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "is designed to," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "objective," "should," or the negative of these and similar expressions. They incorporate all topics that are not historical facts. Forward looking statements, forecasts and estimates are based on management's current assumptions and assessment of risks, uncertainties and other factors, known and unknown, which were deemed to be reasonable at the time they were made but which may turn out to be incorrect. Events and outcomes are difficult to predict and depend on factors beyond the company's control. Consequently, the actual results, financial condition, performances and/or achievements of FDE or of the industry may turn out to differ materially from the future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by these statements, forecasts and estimates. Owing to these uncertainties, no representation is made as to the correctness or fairness of these forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates. Furthermore, forward-looking statements, forecasts and estimates speak only as of the date on which they are made, and FDE undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: x2edZcqZlGvFymlyYZZmmZaUam5pxmSVaJedk5abZZmamJ+TxphmmZWZZnJkm21r - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-93685-cp_cbm_v-marche_250825-uk-vf.pdf Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China Evergrande Group, once the country's largest property developer and a symbol of its rapid urban growth, has been formally delisted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking the collapse of one of the world's most indebted companies. The move comes after trading in Evergrande's shares was suspended in January 2024, when a Hong Kong court ordered the company's liquidation. At its peak in 2017, Evergrande's market capitalization exceeded $50 billion. By the time of delisting, it had plunged to just over $280 million, with shares losing more than 99% of their value. Evergrande's downfall stems from years of aggressive expansion fueled by more than $300 billion in borrowing. The company defaulted in 2021 after Beijing's 'three red lines' policy restricted developer debt levels, sparking a liquidity crisis across China's property sector. The turmoil forced Evergrande to slash prices, miss debt repayments, and eventually file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. The collapse has had far-reaching consequences. China's property market once accounting for nearly a third of national GDP remains in a prolonged slump. Home sales, prices, and construction activity have dropped sharply, weighing on consumer confidence and local government revenues. Millions of families who invested savings into unfinished Evergrande projects continue to face uncertainty. Authorities have avoided a direct bailout, instead channeling support through state banks and encouraging state-owned developers to stabilize the market. Analysts warn that consolidation is inevitable, with private developers sidelined in favor of state-backed firms. For creditors and overseas investors, recovery prospects remain bleak, with liquidators recently warning that Evergrande's true debt burden is far larger than previously disclosed. The delisting marks the final unraveling of what was once China's most ambitious property empire. Copyright(c) 2025 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. A new study in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society presents a fresh method to search for possible extraterrestrial probes near Earth. The researchers propose using the planets shadow as a natural filter to cut out interference from satellites and space debris. They chose Earths shadow because it provides an area where sunlight cannot bounce off satellites or scattered fragments The system detected an unidentified object moving much faster than typical asteroids. AI-Generated/Representational Image Is the search for aliens finally over? For years, scientists have scanned the skies for extraterrestrial intelligence using radio telescopes and optical tools to detect artificial signals. But a new study suggests the issue may not be the lack of signals, but rather timing and direction. So, what does the study say? And what does it mean for the search? Lets take a look: The study A recent study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society introduces a new way to look for possible extraterrestrial probes near Earth. The researchers suggest using Earths shadow as a natural filter to block out interference caused by satellites and space junk. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, todays skies are crowded with thousands of satellites and millions of fragments of debris that reflect light. This makes it very hard to spot anything unusual, especially if it might come from beyond Earth. To tackle this issue of contamination, an international team led by Beatriz Villarroel of Stockholm University turned to Earths shadow. Scientists scan the skies for extraterrestrial intelligence using radio telescopes and optical tools to detect artificial signals. Pixabay/Representational Image When Earth blocks the Sun, it creates a cone-shaped shadow in space where no sunlight can bounce off satellites or debris. This makes it an ideal area to carry out a clean search. For objects in geosynchronous orbit, around 35,700 km above Earth, the shadow stretches across a base of nearly eight to nine degrees. This is why the team focused on Earths shadow. Each night, it creates a space where sunlight cannot reflect off satellites or fragments of debris. Since human-made satellites rarely give off visible light, apart from occasional cases such as communication lasers or thrusters, any bright flash or streak seen within this shadow could point to something far more unusual. How was the research carried out? For the study, the researchers examined more than 200,000 images from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), a telescope in California that regularly scans the sky for changing objects. They used an automated system called NEOrion, which flagged thousands of possible candidates. Most of these turned out to be meteors, aircraft or already known asteroids. One case, however, was different. The system detected an unidentified object moving much faster than typical asteroids and not listed in any existing database. The researchers could not determine what it was, leaving the finding unresolved. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The study also suggested new paths for future work. These include looking at astronomical photographs taken before 1957 to search for unexplained objects from before the space age, and studying the light signatures of materials that may have been altered by long exposure to space. Although no alien artefacts were confirmed, Villarroel and her team believe their work shows that systematic searches are possible with the telescopes we already have. They are now working on the ExoProbe project, a telescope network that will capture simultaneous observations and help measure the distance to unusual objects. The researchers could not determine what it was. Pixabay/Representational Image Whats next? The researchers suggest astronomers should rethink their approach. If Earths own signals are strongest during alignments, then signals from elsewhere may behave the same way. Pinchen Fan, an astronomer at Pennsylvania State University and the studys lead author, said, Considering the direction and frequency of our most common signals gives insights into where we should be looking to improve our chances of detecting alien technosignatures. To increase the chances of detection, the team said scientists should focus on moments when exoplanets, planets outside our solar system, line up with their host stars, or at least when such alignments occur. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias purchase of Russian oil remains a point of contention with US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose an additional 25 per cent secondary tariff on New Delhi. Amid this tension, Indias ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said that the nation would buy oil from wherever it gets the best deal. But how dependent is India on Russia for oil? Which other countries provide crude oil to the Asian nation? A worker walks past oil barrels at a filling station in Chennai. In 2025, Russia remains India's biggest oil supplier despite the threat of Trump's tariffs. File image/AFP Indias oil imports continue to be a thorn in the Indo-US ties, namely New Delhis import of Russian oil. Days before the additional 25 per cent tariff on India for importing Russian oil comes into effect US President Donald Trump had said that this levy would start on August 27 Indias Ambassador to Russia struck a defiant note, saying that the continue buying oil from wherever it gets the best deal and take measures to protect its national interest amid US tariffs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His remarks come amid the tussle over Indias decision to continue its purchase of Russian oil even in the face of Trumps tariffs. Earlier, Indias External Affairs Ministry said the decision was extremely unfortunate and noted that many other countries are also importing Russian oil in their national economic interest. The Indian envoys remarks have once again put the spotlight on the countrys energy mosaic, shaping its import landscape and influencing the countrys energy security strategies. What has Indian envoy said on US tariffs? In an interview with Russias news outlet, TASS, Indias Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said that the US move to increase tariffs on Indian imports by 25 per cent taking the total to 50 per cent due to New Delhis purchase of Russian oil is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India and Indias cooperation with Russia as of several other countries has helped to bring about stability in the oil market, global oil market. So the US decision is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. Now government will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country, Kumar was quoted by TASS. He further added, And the trade takes place on commercial basis. So if the basis of commercial transaction trade imports are right, Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So thats what the current situation is. His comments come in the backdrop of the Donald Trump administration doubling tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for Indias purchase of Russian crude oil. Many in the Trump administration have alleged that Indias continuous purchase of Russian crude funds its war against Ukraine, a charge denied by India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But which countries supply oil to India and how much? The remark by the ambassador has shone a light on Indias dependence on oil imports. According to the National Bureau of Asian Research, India imports almost 85 per cent of the oil it requires to satisfy the appetite of an expanding economy, including a substantial refining and re-export business. In fact, the country now ranks third in the world for oil consumption and second in oil imports. So, which countries supply crude to New Delhi? Prior to the Russia-Ukraine war, which broke out in February 2022, Indias most significant oil supplier was Iraq (24 per cent), Saudi Arabia (16 per cent), the United States (10 per cent) and Russia (two per cent). But Russias invasion of Ukraine changed the dynamics significantly. Now, India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia. According to data available, Russia has become the top supplier to India, accounting for about 35 per cent of Indias overall supplies. In fact, Kpler market data showed Indian import of Russian crude likely hitting 2.15 million barrels a day, the highest volumes since May 2023. A new report by Finlands Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air showed that Indias Russian oil purchases reached Rs 132 billion since early 2022, that is, when Russias invasion into Ukraine began. Country-wise breakdown of Indias oil imports in June. PTI Besides Russia, Indias other big oil supplier is Iraq. In May 2023, India purchased 839,000 barrels from Iraq per day, making it the countrys second-largest oil supplier. Shafaq News reported that total Iraqi crude and refined petroleum product exports to India in 2024 were valued at $29.58 billion, of which $28.6 billion was crude oil, refined products and derivatives accounted for $1.77 billion of the trade, and petroleum coke, bitumen, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports were valued at $223.5 million. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India also imports oil from Saudi Arabia; in FY25, India imported 14 per cent of all its oil from the Kingdom. Data reveals that in 2025, India imported on average 640,000 barrels per day from Saudi Arabia. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been a vital crude oil supplier to India it has provided 10 per cent of oil to the nation. In 2024, India purchased $3.2 billion worth of crude oil from UAE in the first half of the fiscal year, compared to $9.35billion during the same period in 2023. The US is also a key supplier of crude to India. Washington, DC contributed five per cent to Indias oil imports, making it among the countrys top crude suppliers. But India has been diversifying its oil imports with Nigeria and Angola being reliable suppliers. Both countries contribute two per cent to the nations oil imports. What could be Indias alternatives to Russian oil? Indias oil import strategy has evolved significantly over the past two-three years. India has diversified its sources of supply to about 40 countries, with Indias Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stating that more supply is coming onto the market from Guyana, Brazil and Canada. In fact, since Trumps sanctions warning, refiners in the country have already started buying crude from the United States, Middle East, West Africa, and Azerbaijan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But some experts have agreed with the Indian Ambassador to Russias remarks that price will remain a huge factor for India when it comes to oil imports. With inputs from agencies Days ahead of the US imposing a secondary tariff of 25 per cent on India, the embassy in Washington, DC, has hired a second lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs. This firm has close ties to American President Donald Trump; it once employed current White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Will it be able to woo the American leader? In a strategic move just days before Trump's 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports go into effect, the Indian Embassy in Washington DC has engaged a second lobbying firm to strengthen its outreach. File image/Reuters As the clock counts down to the imposition of a 50 per cent tariff rate on Indian imports, India is seeking all the help it can to avert further tensions with the United States of America. The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC has hired a second lobbying firm to engage with the President Donald Trump-led administration. While it is not unusual for foreign countries to hire more than one lobbying firm, what makes this appointment notable is that it has ties to US President Donald Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias hires second lobbying firm Earlier this month, the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC signed on Mercury Public Affairs as a part of lobbying efforts for three months. According to recent filings with the US Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the agreement between Mercury and the Indian Embassy runs from mid-August to mid-November 2025. India has hired lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs LLC to engage with the President Donald Trump-led administration. Image Courtesy: mercuryllc/Linkedin The filing adds, Consultant will provide strategic government relations and communications services (services) to client (Embassy of India) consistent with the terms and parameters of the agreement as follows: Federal government relations, strategic media relations, a digital audit, digital strategy consulting and paid advertising. For their services, Mercury will be paid $75,000 (Rs 65.67 lakh) per month. Thats a paltry sum compared to the $1.8 million (Rs 15.7 crore) India paying to the other lobbying firm, SHW Partners LLC. Mercury has a long history and effective history of lobbying. Earlier this year, the firm disclosed a contract with the Embassy of Denmark, which opposed Trumps push to take control of its self-ruling territory of Greenland. Moreover, Mercury has represented several Chinese companies targeted by Trump. In 2018, Mercury lobbied for the US arm of Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co, targeted by the US over its work on surveillance projects in the Chinese region of Xinjiang. Mercury has also lobbied on behalf of sanctioned Chinese telecom firm ZTE Corp. Some news reports even say that the embassies of Ecuador, Armenia, and South Korea have retained the firm. Lobbying firm with Trump ties Notably, this firm, Mercury Public Affairs, has a significant Trump connection. The firm has assigned partners David Vitter and Bryan Lanza to represent India. These two individuals are closely linked to the US president. Firstly, Vitter is a former Republican senator from the state of Louisiana. Registered as a foreign agent, Vitter, has in the past, lobbied on behalf of companies linked to a Russian oligarch with ties to President Vladimir Putin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump with his White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. Wiles was a co-chair at Mercury Public Affairs from 2022 until last November. File image/Reuters Lanza also has ties with Trump. He was deputy communications director for the Trump-Pence campaign in 2016 and later worked with Ohio Senator and now US Vice President JD Vance during his election campaign. Moreover, Susie Wiles, the current Chief of Staff of President Donald Trump was a co-chair at Mercury Public Affairs from 2022 until last November when she was appointed to her current position in the White House. Indias lobbying efforts with Washington Indias hiring of Mercury Public Affairs comes after it initially brought on Jason Millers SHW Partners LLC following the heinous Pahalgam terror attack in April. Miller was a major part of Trumps communications team during the Republican leaders 2016 presidential campaign. After Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton to become the US president, Miller was appointed as the chief spokesperson for the presidential transition team. He also returned as senior advisor during Trumps 2020 re-election bid against Joe Biden. Meanwhile, Pakistan enlisted Trumps former bodyguard, Keith Schiller, to push its voice forward in the Oval Office. He co-founded consulting firm Javelin Advisors with George Sorial, the Trump Organizations former compliance chief, in December 2024. Notably, debt-ridden Islamabad is reportedly shelling out an estimated $600,000 (Rs 5.25 crore) per month on strategic lobbying efforts to gain greater access to the White House, Congress and US government agencies. Of this $600,000, Schillers firm is being paid $50,000 (Rs 43.78 lakh) a month. Indias need for lobbying The Indian embassys appointment of a second lobbying firm comes as ties between India and the US have hit a low, particularly over the stalled negotiations for a bilateral trade deal and Trumps tariff threats. Trump and his administration have been increasingly critical of India and its purchase of Russian oil. On August 6, the US president announced that he would be imposing a secondary tariff of 25 per cent, which are set to kick in on August 27. These levies come on top of the 25 per cent tariffs that Washington has already imposed on India, one of the highest for any of its trading partners. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At present, India and the United States have strained ties over the stalled negotiations for a bilateral trade deal and Trumps tariff threats. File image/Reuters Many of Trumps officials have also criticised Indias purchase of oil from Russia, claiming this funds Moscows war against Ukraine. One such individual, who has been particularly critical of India has been Trumps tariff guru, Peter Navarro. Just last week, he accused New Delhi of running a profiteering scheme by continuing to import Russian oil. Prior to Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India virtually bought no Russian oil It was like almost one per cent of their need. The percentage has now gone up to 35 per centThey dont need the oil. Its a refining profit-sharing scheme. Its a laundromat for the Kremlin. Thats the reality of that, Navarro said. But Trumps tariffs arent the only reason that India is upping its lobbying efforts. According to an Economic Times report, the second hiring comes after criticism in some quarters about New Delhi being outplayed by Pakistan. In fact, in recent times, Trump appears to be warming up to Pakistan at the expense of India. For instance, Islamabad successfully arranged a meeting between Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and President Trump in June. Moreover, when Trump announced a revision in tariffs for many countries, it was seen that Islamabad was slapped with a 19 per cent tariff, far lesser than India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Additionally, Trump also announced that Washington has reached a deal with Islamabad to jointly develop the countrys massive oil reserves, in what he described as a major energy partnership. In such circumstances, it seems prudent for India to boost its lobbying efforts in a bid to protect and ensure that strategic ties with the US dont wither away. With inputs from agencies Indias enemies be warned: it has made it first step towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra after successfully test-firing its indigenously developed Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS). This multi-layered air defence solution, featuring QRSAM, VSHORADS, and a Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) has the ability to counter any and all kinds of aerial threats India test fires its very own Integrated Air Defence Weapon System from near Odisha on Saturday. Image Courtesy: @rajnathsingh/X At his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Indias military mettle and stated that the country is set to develop a new missile defence initiative, dubbed the Sudarshan Chakra, aimed at integrating advanced surveillance, cyber protection, and physical defence mechanisms to safeguard its citizens and critical infrastructure. Now, nearly 10 days later, India made its first steps towards that goal after successfully conducting the maiden flight-tests of its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha on Saturday (August 23). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X to laud the achievement, congratulating the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Armed Forces, and industry partners for their role in developing the system. I congratulate DRDO, India Armed forces and Industry for successful development of IADWS. This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats, he wrote in a post on his official handle on Sunday. But what exactly are the components of the IADWS? How will this weapon serve India and strengthen its security? What is an Integrated Air Defence Weapon System? The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system. Rather than one single weapon, it is an combination of elements organised to minimise threats emerging from the air. Defence experts note that an effective IADWS performs three functions air surveillance, battle management, and weapons control. Air surveillance is often described as the eyes of an air defence system. A radar will detect an aircraft entering the IADWS area of coverage, while the initiate function transforms radar returns into tracks. The identify function examines the track and categorises it as friend, foe, or unknown. Following surveillance, the IADWS moves into battle management, which is the transition from identifying a threat to acting against it. Many countries have developed their own IADWS; the US has the Patriot missile system as well as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense ( Thaad). Russia has the S-400 whereas Israel has the Iron Dome. On Saturday, India tested its very own home-grown IADWS off the coast of Odisha. As per the defence ministrys statement, all the weapon system components performed flawlessly, which was confirmed by range instruments deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur to capture the flight data. Maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was successfully conducted on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha. IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), pic.twitter.com/Jp3v1vEtJp DRDO (@DRDO_India) August 24, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What are the elements of the IADWS that India tested? Indias IADWS has three components: the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), the advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). The QRSAM has been designed and developed by the DRDO. Meanwhile, the VSHORADS missiles and the DEW have been developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) respectively. The QRSAM are essentially short-range missiles, with the capability of engaging fast-moving aircraft, helicopters and stand-off precision weapons, including cruise missiles and glide bombs, at interception ranges of about 25-30 kilometres. It has the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, ensuring robust protection to units advancing in hostile territory. Next comes the VSHORADS. A portable air defence system, it can be carried and operated by soldiers. It can hit enemy aircraft, drones, fighter jets and helicopters up to six kilometres away. According to experts, there is no better weapons system than the VSHORADS for short-range attacks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In fact, a senior official from the Defence Ministry said, The indigenously-developed fourth generation VSHORADS is technically superior to existing MANPADS (man-portable air defence systems) in the Indian Armed Forces because it has a state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker. The last component of the IADWS is the Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), which is a high-power laser system. DEWs can be used for various purposes, including drone defence systems, missile defence, and disabling enemy electronics. As per a report in The Print, the DEW offers virtually unlimited firing capacity, allowing sustained engagements and the ability to neutralise multiple drones or loitering munitions at close range with greater cost-effectiveness and operational simplicity Why is the IADWS important to India? The success of the IADWS is of strategic importance to India. Experts note that by integrating multiple layers of missiles and directed-energy systems, the IADWS ensures that all types of aerial threats can be countered. For instance, the IADWS shows that both types of threats such as high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles, and swarming drones and loitering munitions can be countered with a single system. A senior DRDO scientist was also quoted as telling The Indian Express, This maiden test at lower ranges paves way for the use of the system at higher ranges, and can be looked at as a stepping stone towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a comprehensive defence shield. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For the unaware, PM Modi had announced the Sudarshan Chakra from the ramparts of the Red Fort. He had then said that it would be a powerful weapon system that will not only neutralise the enemys attack but also hit back with overwhelming force. It is likely to be integrated with the IAFs Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Armys Akashteer subsequently. With inputs from agencies Earlier this week, news emerged that US President Donald Trump has picked Sergio Gor, Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), as the ambassador to India. However, there is speculation that far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer could be behind Gor leaving the White House. Lets take a closer look Laura Loomer has earned notoriety for peddling many conspiracy theories, including one on 9/11 in which she states that it was an inside job by the US government. File image/AP Earlier this week, news emerged that US President Donald Trump has picked Sergio Gor as the ambassador to India. Gor, the Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office (PPO), will replace American Ambassador Eric Carcetti if he is confirmed by the US Senate. However, there is speculation that far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer could be behind Gor leaving the White House for the posting in India. But what do we know? Is Loomer interested in Gors job at the White House? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look: What happened? There is speculation that Loomer is interested in replacing Gor at the White House. Though Loomer welcomed Gors nomination as ambassador to India, the reaction of her supporters sparked speculation in Maga world. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was among those saying Loomer should be on the shortlist for Gors job. Loomer responded by saying it would be an honour to serve in the post if it was offered to her the opposite of a firm denial. More from Explainers Why Trump's nod for allowing 6 lakh Chinese students into the US has angered Maga Loomer, otherwise a fringe figure on the US political scene, has developed quite the reputation as a White House power player alongside campaign chief Susie Wiles, Stephen Miller, Steve Witkoff and JD Vance. Multiple media reports have painted her as someone with a unique relationship with Trump someone who has access to the US president and is not afraid to use it or put across her ideas. Trump, for home loyalty is the most paramount virtue, seemingly takes Loomer and her self-styled status as a loyalty and accountability enforcer seriously. Trump has rewarded Loomer by inviting her to the Oval Office, offering him her seat on his plane during the 2024 campaign, and bringing her to the 2024 debate with Kamala Harris as his guest. Loomers influence over Trump was most recently demonstrated in April when a number of National Security Council (NSC) officials including then NSA Director Timothy Haugh were fired. This came in the aftermath of a 30-minute meeting between Trump and Loomer. Gor, who had been in his position for six months, was also reportedly in attendance alongside National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Vance, and Wise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Laura Loomers antics have put Director of White House Office of Presidential Personnel Sergio Gor in a tough position. Reuters Loomer by this time had launched her own Loomered Strategies firm and offered to vet candidates background and loyalty to Trump. Loomer in the meeting is said to have presented research showing that these six individuals were disloyal to the president. This put Gor, who is responsible for vetting candidates background and loyalty, in a tough position. A media report at the time mentioned that Loomer had made recommendations to President Donald Trump about who he should fire. The US president after the firings referred to Loomer as very good patriot and a very strong person who only made recommendations. Sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody, Trump said. He added. Shes usually very constructive. She recommended certain people for jobsand sometimes I listen to those recommendations. He previously called her a a supporter of mine with strong opinions. Loomering Loomer at the time took to social media to gloat about the NSC firings a practice she has called Loomering. You know how you know the NSC officials I reported to President Trump are disloyal people who have played a role in sabotaging Donald Trump? she wrote on X. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I woke up this morning to learn that there are still people in and around the West Wing who are LEAKING to the hostile, left-wing media about President Trumps *confidential* and *private* meetings in the Oval Office. She added: I will continue reiterating the importance of, and the necessity of STRONG VETTING, for the sake of protecting the President of the United States of America, and our national security. Loomer also took credit for the departure of Dr Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administrations polarising vaccine chief in July. Laura Loomer at the time took to social media to gloat about the NSC firings a practice she has called Loomering. AFP Prasad joined the FDA in May after years as an academic researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, where he frequently criticised the FDAs approach to drug approvals and COVID-19 vaccines. She wrote on X, How did this Trump-hating Bernie Bro get into the Trump admin??? Prasad later returned to the Trump administration at the behest of Wiles and US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy. Loomer was also vocal in opposition to Trumps first choice for surgeon general, whose selection was ultimately withdrawn. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump pulled the nomination of former Fox News medical contributor Janette Nesheiwat just before Senate confirmation hearings in May. Loomer had posted on X that we cant have a pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee who is currently embroiled in a medical malpractice case and who didnt go to medical school in the US as the surgeon general. Loomer took a victory lap after the Justice Department fired Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI director James Comey and a federal prosecutor in Manhattan who worked on the cases against Sean Diddy Combs and Jeffrey Epstein. Comeys ouster, Loomer claimed on X, followed her two-month pressure campaign. White House insiders dismiss Loomer But many inside the White House have downplayed Loomer as an outside agitator and a menace. Gor, who works inside the PPO, has reportedly had to himself swat away some of her attempts to meddle in personnel decisions. Her influence is vastly overstated, a person in the know inside the White House told Financial Times. The person compared Loomer to a fly that keeps getting in your face and keeps coming back, no matter how much you swat it away. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Loomer has hit back at her critics. Its pretty incredible that as a civilian Im uncovering this information without any funding or any type of government clearance, Loomer told Financial Times, and yet people who work for the president continue to drop the ball as it relates to . . . vetting. US President Donald Trump previously called Laura Loomer a a supporter of mine with strong opinions. It makes sense why Loomer would want the post of White House Presidential Personnel Office Director. After all, the director is in charge of staffing across the executive branch a powerful position that is responsible for staffing and vetting thousands of jobs. Loomer, remember, is not part of the White House or the federal government and has no official authority. All she has is her relationship with Trump which counts for much in Washington these days. However, things can change at any time. With Gor set to leave the White House, Loomer taking his job would give her, the perennial outsider, the chance to finally become an insider. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However it remains to be seen if Loomer is a serious contender. With inputs from agencies Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins convicted associate, has claimed that Princess Diana may once have been set up as a date for the disgraced financier. Speaking in a newly released transcript from the US Department of Justice, Maxwell admitted she wasnt certain if the two had actually met, but hinted there may have been attempts to connect them Ghislaine Maxwell admitted she wasnt certain if Jeffrey Epstein and Princess Diana had actually met, but hinted there may have been attempts to connect them. Image courtesy: Reuters, AFP In a surprising revelation, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins convicted associate, has claimed that Princess Diana may once have been set up as a date for the disgraced financier. Speaking in a newly released transcript from the US Department of Justice, Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting young girls for Epstein to sexually abuse, claimed that the late paedophile had crossed paths with the Princess of Wales at a high-profile gathering organised by one of Dianas close friends. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At the same time, Maxwell admitted she wasnt certain if the two had actually met, but hinted there may have been attempts to connect them. So, what exactly did Maxwell say, and why has it sparked such a storm of speculation? Heres a closer look. In her interview with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last month, Maxwell claimed that before she came into the picture, Epstein was already mingling with what she called truly fancy people in London. Among them, she said, were Dianas close friend Rosa Monckton and her husband, journalist Dominic Lawson. Maxwell went on to say that after she met Epstein, he once attended a big event in London that was organised by Monckton. I dont know if he sat with Diana or met her there. I dont know, but I believe it was organised by Rosa. I dont know if she was being set up as a date for him, maybe because she was, Maxwell suggested. According to The Sun, Maxwell expressed hesitation about speaking bad of Diana before confirming, Im not going to do that. Maxwell claimed that before she came into the picture, Epstein was already mingling with what she called truly fancy people in London. Among them, she said, were Dianas close friend Rosa Monckton. File image/ AP She also pushed back against claims that she personally connected Epstein to members of the royal family, calling it a flat untruth. Interestingly, Maxwell suggested the event took place in the early 2000s, but Princess Diana tragically died in Paris in August 1997, casting serious doubt on the timeline of her story. Trump & Epstein competed for Dianas attention, claims the Presidents biographer While Epsteins alleged friendship with Princess Diana had never been previously revealed, author and journalist Michael Wolff told the Daily Beasts Inside Trumps Head podcast that the convicted pedophile once competed with US President Donald Trump to see who would be first to sleep with the royal. They had a competition, Trump and Epstein, Wolff said. Of who would be the one, the first one to sleep with Princess Diana They just understood: What could you get from these people? Both Trump and Epstein. What can you get from somebody? is the question you would always ask about anybody. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wolffs claim, however, comes with no suggestion that Diana was ever romantically involved with either Trump or Epstein. Michael Wolffs claim, however, comes with no suggestion that Diana was ever romantically involved with either Trump or Epstein. AFP The allegation surfaces at a time when Trumps past ties to Epstein are once again under scrutiny. Critics have questioned why the Justice Department continues to withhold parts of the Epstein investigation files, a decision that has angered both Democrats and sections of Trumps conservative base. Meanwhile, Maxwell told a senior Justice Department official that she never witnessed Trump behave inappropriately. I never witnessed the President in any inappropriate setting in any way, Maxwell insisted. The President was never inappropriate with anybody. Trump himself has often brushed off Wolffs remarks, dismissing him as a disgraced writer. First Lady Melania Trump also previously rejected the authors allegations that she first met her husband through Epstein, even pursuing legal action to challenge it. With input from agencies Bangladesh raised unresolved issues, including an apology for the 1971 Liberation War, during Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dars visit to Dhaka over the weekend. Dar, however, said Bangladesh should clean its heart and move forward by leaving the unresolved issue of Islamabads accountability for the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during Operation Searchlight. Has Pakistan ever expressed regret for the genocide that killed millions in the erstwhile East Pakistan? Foreign Affairs Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government Mohammad Touhid Hossain (R) with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a bilateral meeting in Dhaka on August 24, 2025. Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/AFP Pakistans war crimes in East Pakistan (todays Bangladesh) in 1971 remain a haunting memory between the two nations. Even as Islamabad and Dhaka get closer, the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War looms large. This was visible when Bangladesh flagged pending issues, including an apology for the 1971 war, during Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dars visit to Dhaka over the weekend. The issue of Pakistan taking accountability for the atrocities committed by the Pakistani military in 1971 has long been a bone of contention between the two countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. Bangladesh seeks Pakistans apology for 1971 war Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Bangladesh interim governments Adviser on Foreign Affairs Touhid Hossain in Dhaka on Sunday (August 24). This was the first visit by a Pakistani foreign minister to Bangladesh in more than a decade. We have raised unresolved issues such as an apology or expression of regret for 1971, claims over assets, and the matter of stranded Pakistani citizens (with Dar), Hossain told reporters after talks with the Pakistan FM, as per PTI. Dar said Bangladesh should clean its heart and move forward by leaving the unresolved issue of Pakistans apology for the 1971 war. In 1974, that issue was resolved, and the document is historic and available in both countries. After that, General Musharraf came here and addressed this [issue] in a candid manner, and I think even Islam tells us to clean your hearts, the Pakistan foreign minister said. Dar indirectly mentioned the Tripartite Agreement of 1974 signed by Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. He also referred to the regret expressed by Pakistani General Musharraf during his 2002 visit to Dhaka. However, Bangladesh is not satisfied with Pakistans overtures. We want accountability, reparations. We want Pakistan to express remorse and seek forgiveness for the mass killings that took place here," Hossain said. Foreign Affairs Advisor of Bangladeshs interim government Mohammad Touhid Hossain (R) attends a bilateral meeting with Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar (back 3L) in Dhaka on August 24, 2025. AFP This is not the first time that Dhaka has brought up the pending 1971 issues with Pakistan. In April, during the first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years, Bangladesh had urged Pakistan to resolve unsettled historical issues and finalise pre-independence asset sharing. Dhaka also called for a formal apology for Pakistans atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why 1971 war still haunts Pakistan-Bangladesh ties On March 25, 1971, the Pakistan military began a brutal crackdown in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). The official death toll of the nine-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War was estimated to be between 3,00,000 and 30 lakh people, while thousands of women were raped. This was one of the most heinous acts of genocide by Pakistani troops that began with Operation Searchlight, the bloody crackdown launched on the Bengali population of East Pakistan in March 1971. In December that year, Pakistan launched a military offensive against India, leading to a third war between the two nations. It was this Indo-Pak War that led to the creation of a new country Bangladesh. The fighting lasted 13 days with the surrender of the Pakistan Army on December 16. The atrocities committed by the Pakistani military have tainted relations between Pakistan and Bangladesh for years. Speaking to DW in 2021, author Anam Zakaria said that if the two countries want to make any meaningful strides to improve ties, Pakistan must acknowledge the violence of 1971 as well as the political, economic and cultural discrimination prior to Bangladeshs birth. She underlined that owning up to the past and issuing a formal apology for the 1971 war crimes will enable the two countries to deepen diplomatic and economic relations. Half a century later, Pakistan has not owned its past. Textbooks, museum exhibits and mainstream narratives continue to distort and erase history and a selective remembering and forgetting of the past has been institutionalised by the state, Zakaria said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The denial and minimising of violence 50 years on is deeply painful for Bangladeshi survivors and their families. Pakistans acknowledgement is criticalNations cannot simply erase their history and move on. Our past will continue to haunt our present unless we engage deeply and learn from it, she added. A proper apology yet to come In 1974, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan signed a Tripartite Agreement to herald an era of peace and reconciliation in the subcontinent. Dhaka decided to drop the trials against 195 senior Pakistani military officers in Bangladesh on charges of war crimes in 1971. This coincided with Pakistans apology for its armys violence during the Bangladesh Liberation War. As per New York Times (NYT), the agreement noted that the Pakistani government condemned and deeply regretted any crimes that may have been committed. It further said that the then Pakistan Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had appealed to the people of Bangladesh to forgive and forget the mistakes of the past in order to promote reconciliation. Similarly, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh [Sheik Mujibur Rahman had declared with regard to the atrocities and destruction committed in Bangladesh in 1971] that he wanted, the people to forget the past and to make a fresh start, it added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistans reluctance to issue a formal apology to Dhaka remains an obstacle in normalising relations, even as the two countries grow closer under the interim government in Bangladesh. Ali Riaz, a political science professor at Illinois State University, told DW in 2021 that real progress between Islamabad and Dhaka hinges on Pakistans unconditional apology for the 1971 war. A better relationship requires Pakistans initiative to address the 1971 war, especially the genocide perpetrated by the army, he said. Unconditional public apology from Pakistan is long overdue No nation can move forward without confronting its dark past. With inputs from agencies Indias ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has said the demand for Indian workers in the machinery and electronics sectors in Russia is growing. This comes as Moscow is looking to recruit more Indians amid a labour shortage, mostly driven by its war in Ukraine. The number of workers from India in Russia has significantly risen at least since 2021 Russia is seeking to hire more Indian workers as it grapples with a labour shortage amid its three-year-long war with Ukraine. It is looking to plug the gaps in its machinery and electronics sectors with skilled foreign workers. For this, Vinay Kumar, Indias ambassador to Russia, said Moscow is showing a growing interest in Indian workers. There have been recent reports that Russia is planning to expand its source of migrant workers beyond former Soviet republics to Asian countries, including Myanmar. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. Russia to hire more Indian workers? Russian companies, particularly in machinery and electronics, want to employ Indian nationals. Indias Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, told TASS state news agency that the workload of consular services has increased as more Indians reach Russia for job opportunities. At a broader level, there is a manpower requirement in Russia, and India has skilled manpower. So at present, within the Russian regulations, framework of Russian regulations, laws and quotas, the companies are hiring Indians, the Indian diplomat said. Most of the people who have come are in the construction and textile sectors, he said, adding that the demand for Indians in the machinery and electronics segments is also rising. The envoy flagged that the surge in the number of Indian workers in Russia is stretching consular resources. When people come and leave, they need consular services to extend passports, childbirth, say for example, and loss of passport and those kinds, basically consular services, Kumar added. The Indian embassy and consulates are preparing to deal with the uptick in incoming workers by opening a new Consulate General in Yekaterinburg. Last July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced Indias plan to open two new consulates in Russian cities of Kazan and Yekaterinburg to boost travel and trade with the country. He had made the announcement while addressing the Indian community in Moscow during his two-day visit to Russia. Rise in Indian workers in Russia The number of Indian workers has increased in Russia in recent years, with 5,480 getting work permits in 2021 to 36,208 in 2024, the think tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) said, citing the Russian government data. In July, Russias Labour Ministry denied claims that it plans to recruit 10 lakh workers from India by the end of 2025. The clarification came after the head of the Urals Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrei Besedin, said that Russia is likely to see a significant rise in foreign workers to make up for labour shortages. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A construction worker rests on a bench near a closed Prada store in central Moscow, Russia, April 17, 2025. File Photo/Reuters The agreements have been reached, particularly with India. According to what Ive heard from my Indian colleagues, by the end of the year, one million specialists from India will come to Russia, including to Sverdlovsk Region. A new Consulate General of India is opening in Yekaterinburg to handle these matters, Besedin said, as per BBC Monitoring. He also stated that work is also underway with other countries to bring foreign workers to Russia. Sri Lanka is next in line with great potential. They have tasked the embassy with thoroughly developing this issue in cooperation with the region. There are also agreements with North Korea - people there know how to work, Besedin said. The Russian Labour Ministry later said the claims of hiring 10 lakh Indian workers this year are not accurate. Labour from visa countries such as India is attracted to Russia through a quota system. Quotas are set for one year in advance. The volume of quotas is determined based on requests from regions according to the needs declared by employers, the ministry said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The maximum number of work permits for Indians under the 2025 quota is 71,817, the Russian ministry told TASS. In March, Samolyot Group, a developer based in Moscow, launched a pilot programme to hire Indian construction workers. However, it was not entirely successful, with Alexei Akindinov, the companys operations director, blaming the language barrier and cultural differences, as per The Moscow Times. Retail giant X5 Group and online marketplace Ozon have also hired workers from India in recent years. Russias labour shortage Russia is currently struggling with a shrinking domestic workforce, primarily driven by the war in Ukraine. The trend has been further worsened by Russias demographic decline and anti-migration policies. Amid labour shortages, Russian factories hired 47,000 foreign workers in 2024, the Vedomosti business daily reported in June this year, citing Labour Ministry data. This was 16 per cent more than the government-set quota of 40,500 workers. Most of these workers were from China, India, Turkey, Serbia and other countries whose citizens need visas to travel to Russia, a ministry representative told the business daily. There has been a growing demand for foreign workers in Russia for professions such as welders, concrete workers, finishers and food and agricultural staff, according to Dmitry Lapshinov, managing director of the recruitment agency Intrud, as reported by The Moscow Times. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The sizeable recruitment by the Russian armed forces and defence industries has taken away workers from civilian enterprises. Hundreds of thousands of Russians have also fled the country since Moscow sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022. With inputs from agencies South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to meet US President Donald Trump today to hold talks on trade and defence cooperation. The August 25 summit comes after a July trade deal where Washington agreed to bring down its reciprocal tariff on South Korea to 15 per cent from the earlier proposed 25 per cent and extend the reduced rate to South Korean cars, the countrys biggest export to the United States South Koreas new President Lee Jae Myung will be in Washington today. Reuters/File Photo It is a busy Monday. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump today for discussions on trade and defence ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi starts a two-day trip to Gujarat today. He will inaugurate 449 houses and 130 shops built under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). The bi-annual Director General-level talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) are set to begin today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The sixth round of India-US trade discussions was to start today, but reports last week said they have been postponed. Lets take a look at the events: South Korean Presidents Washington visit South Koreas new President Lee Jae Myung will be in Washington today to meet US President Donald Trump for talks on trade and defence, against the backdrop of a nuclear-armed North Korea and other challenges. The August 25 summit comes after a July trade agreement in which Washington agreed to reduce its reciprocal tariff on South Korea to 15% from the earlier proposed 25% and apply the lower rate to South Korean cars, the countrys main export to the United States. South Korea, in return, agreed to purchase $100 billion worth of US energy and invest $350 billion in the country. Lee and Trump are likely to discuss how this investment plan will be implemented and managed. Lee Jae Myung is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump today. Reuters/File Photo Talks are also expected to focus on boosting cooperation in key sectors like semiconductors, batteries and shipbuilding, Lees spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said. Experts told Reuters that the summit may also cover the possible shift in the role of US troops from primarily countering North Korea to addressing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and deterring China. PM Modi in Gujarat Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day trip to Gujarat today. He will inaugurate 1,449 houses and 130 shops constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) at a cost of Rs 133.42 crore. Under the in-situ slum redevelopment component of the PMAY (Urban), the PM will inaugurate the rehabilitation work of a total of 1,449 houses and 130 shops constructed at a cost of Rs 133.42 crore in sector-3 of the slum popularly known as Ramapir Tekra in Sardar Patel Stadium ward of the West Zone of Ahmedabad city, it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins a two-day trip to Gujarat today. Reuters/File Photo Gujarat is also among six states chosen by the central government to carry out the Light House Project under the Global Housing Technology Challenge (GHTC). BSF-BGB talks The next round of Director General-level talks between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) will begin in Dhaka today. The last round took place in February in New Delhi. That meeting was the first high-level engagement between the two forces after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August last year. According to the BSF, todays discussions will cover issues such as preventing attacks on BSF personnel and Indian civilians by Bangladesh-based miscreants, checking cross-border crimes, and matters related to the construction of a single-row fence. The BSF is also expected to raise concerns over illegal crossings from Bangladesh. According to a report by The Hindu, in 2024, 3,474 Bangladeshi nationals were caught while entering or leaving India illegally, compared with 3,342 in 2023. Are India-US trade talks deferred? The sixth round of India-US trade talks was planned to start today. But several reports last week said the talks have been put off, quoting people familiar with the matter. A source told Reuters that the ongoing round of negotiations for a bilateral trade deal will be moved to another date, which is yet to be finalised. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US embassy in New Delhi said it has no further details on the trade and tariff talks, which are being managed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The sixth round of India-US trade talks was planned to start today. Reuters/File Photo So far, there has been no official confirmation of the postponement from either side. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump announced an extra 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing Indias continued imports of Russian oil. The move has increased tensions between the two countries. With inputs from agencies As it continues fighting Russia, Ukraine has fast become a global centre for defence innovation. At the centre of it is the startup Fire Point, which runs covert factories, developing long-range missiles and drones. It is also developing a cruise missile that is capable of travelling 3,000 kilometres When a Ukrainian-made drone attacked an ammunition depot in Russia last September, it showcased Kyivs determination to strike deep behind enemy lines and the prowess of its defence industry. The moment was especially gratifying for the woman in charge of manufacturing the drones that flew more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) to carry out this mission. For months after, Russia no longer had the means to keep up devastating glide bomb attacks like the one that had just targeted her native city of Kharkiv. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fighting in the air is our only real asymmetric advantage on the battlefield at the moment. We dont have as much manpower or money as they have, said Iryna Terekh, head of production at Fire Point. Terekh spoke as she surveyed dozens of deep-strike drones that had recently come off the assembly line and would soon be used by Ukrainian forces to attack arms depots, oil refineries and other targets vital to the Kremlins war machine and economy. Spurred by its existential fight against Russia and limited military assistance from Western allies Ukraine has fast become a global centre for defence innovation. The goal is to match, if not outmuscle, Russias capabilities and Fire Point is one of the companies leading the way. A worker inspects a combat drone at Fire Points secret factory in Ukraine. AP The Associated Press was granted an exclusive look inside one of Fire Points dozens of covert factories. In a sprawling warehouse where rock music blared, executives showed off their signature FP-1 exploding drones that can travel up to 1,600 kilometres (994 miles). They also touted publicly for the first time a cruise missile they are developing that is capable of travelling 3,000 kilometres (1,864 miles), and which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes will be mass-produced by the end of the year. Even as US President Donald Trump presses for an end to the 3 1/2-year war and dangles the prospect of US support for Nato-like security guarantees Ukrainian defence officials say their country is determined to become more self-sufficient in deterring Russia. We believe our best guarantee is not relying on somebodys will to protect us, but rather our ability to protect ourselves, said Arsen Zhumadilov, the head of the countrys arms procurement agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraines government is now purchasing about $10 billion of weapons annually from domestic manufacturers. The industry has the capacity to sell triple that amount, officials say, and they believe sales to European allies could help it reach such potential in a matter of years. Drone innovation grew out of necessity Like most defence companies in Ukraine, Fire Point grew out of necessity after Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Despite pleas from Ukrainian military officials, Western countries were unwilling to allow Kyiv to use their allies longer-range weapons to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. Thats when a group of close friends, experts from various fields, set out to mass-produce inexpensive drones that could match the potency of Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia was firing into Ukraine with devastating consequences. The companys founders spoke with AP on the condition of anonymity out of concern for their safety and the security of their factories. By pooling together knowledge from construction, game design and architecture, the companys founders who had no background in defence came up with novel designs for drones that could fly further and strike with greater precision than most products already on the market. Their long-range drones had another benefit: they did not need to take off from an airfield. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When Terekh an architect was hired in the summer of 2023, she was given a goal of producing 30 drones per month. Now the company makes roughly 100 per day, at a cost of $55,000 apiece. The FP-1 looks more like a hastily made science project than something that would roll off the production lines of the worlds biggest defence contractors. We removed unneeded, flashy glittery stuff, she said. A worker carries part of a combat drone at Fire Points secret factory in Ukraine. AP But the FP-1 has been extremely effective on the battlefield. With a payload of explosives weighing 60 kilograms (132 pounds), it is responsible for 60% of strikes deep inside Russian territory, including hits on oil refineries and weapons depots, according to Terekh. These strikes have helped to slow Russias advance along the 1,000-kilometre-long (620 mile-long) front line in eastern Ukraine, where army units have reported a sharp decline in artillery fire. I think the best drones, or among the best, are Ukrainian drones," said Claude Chenuil, a former French military official who now works for a trade group that focuses on defence. When the war in Ukraine ends, they will flood the market. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ukraine is becoming the Silicon Valley of defence Fire Points story is not entirely unique. Soon after Russias 2022 invasion, hundreds of defence companies sprouted almost overnight. The Ukrainian government incentivised innovation by relaxing regulations and making it easier for startups to work directly with military brigades. Patriotic entrepreneurs in metallurgy, construction and information technology built facilities for researching and making weapons and munitions, with an emphasis on drones. The ongoing war allowed them to test out ideas almost immediately on the battlefield and to quickly adapt to Russias changing tactics. Ukraine is in this very unique moment now where it is becoming, de facto, the Silicon Valley of defence, said Ukrainian defence entrepreneur Yaroslav Azhnyuk. The biggest strategic asset that we have is that we have been at war with Russia for 11 years. A case in point: Fire Point had initially sourced navigational equipment for its drones from a major Western firm, but before long, Russia was able to disrupt their effectiveness using electronic warfare; so Fire Point developed its own software to outwit the enemy. Because defence companies are high-value targets for Russia, many operate underground or hidden within civilian centres to evade detection. Although they are guarded by air defences, the strategy has the disadvantage of putting civilians at risk. Many Ukrainians have died in imprecise Russian attacks that were likely targeting weapons facilities. Entrepreneurs said the alternative is to operate openly and face attacks that would set back the war effort. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Supplies of drones dont last long On the day AP reporters visited the Fire Point factory, there were dozens of drones awaiting delivery. They would all be gone within 72 hours, shipped to the battlefield in inconspicuous cargo trucks. The Fire Point team receives regular feedback from army units, and the company has reinvested most profits toward innovating quickly to keep pace with other drone makers. Increasingly, those profits are being directed to develop a new, more potent weapon. The company completed testing this year for its first cruise missile, the FP-5. Capable of travelling 3,000 kilometres (1,864 miles) and landing within 14 meters (45 feet) of its target, the FP-5 is one of the largest such missiles in the world, delivering a payload of 1,150 kilograms (2,535 pounds), independent experts said. Because initial versions of the missile came out pink after a factory error, they called it the Flamingo and the name has stuck. Fire Point is producing roughly one Flamingo per day, and by October, they hope to build capacity to make seven per day, Terekh said. Even as Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian officials pursue ways to end the war, Terekh said she is sceptical that Russia will accept terms for a real peace. We are preparing for a bigger, much scarier war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At least 19 people, including five journalists, have been killed at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis one of the few remaining hospitals in Gaza after Israel conducted double tap strikes on Monday. What do we know about the journalist killed in the attack? Mariam Dagga was a visual journalist who freelanced for the AP during the war in Gaza. Instagram Israeli strikes on a hospital in Gaza have left nearly two dozen dead including a number of journalists. At least 19 people have been killed at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, medical officials said. Eyewitnesses said Israel conducted two strikes on the Nasser hospital an initial attack and then a follow-up attack after people rushed to the scene to help. The double tap attack on one of the few remaining hospitals in Gaza is said to have killed journalists, doctors and civil defence workers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The development comes just weeks after Israel killed prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif and four other journalists in a strike in front of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israel later claimed that Al-Sharif worked for Hamas, which Al Jazeera denied. The Committee to Protect Journalists. (CPJ) had warned that Al-Shari f, who won a Pulitzer Prize along with a team of journalists in 2024, was being smeared so that Israel could target him. But what do we know about the journalists killed? Lets take a closer look What we know about the journalists killed? Mariam Dagga freelancer for AP Mariam Dagga was a visual journalist who freelanced for the _AP_ during the war in Gaza . She also worked for other news outlets including Independent Arabic, the Arabic language version of the British Independent. Dagga has a 13-year-old son who was earlier evacuated from Gaza. She has been reporting from the Nasser hospital in Khan Younus. Her most recently reports were on the hospitals doctors struggling to save children from starvation. In one of Daggas last social media posts on Sunday, she put up a selfie of herself. Dagga in a profile two years ago told CNN, We are covering the war on Gaza because this is our journalistic duty. It is entrusted upon us. We challenged the Israeli occupation. We challenged the difficult circumstances and the reality of this war, a genocidal war, Dagga added. The war is the only thing that separated me from my son. Palestinian journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who the Associated Press said freelanced for the AP, and was killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital on August 25, 2025, poses for a picture in Gaza Strip in this undated handout picture. Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY Dagga at the time said she had parents in northern Gaza. AP editor Abby Sewell wrote on X, She was a true hero, like all of our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, the AP said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mohammed Salam - Al Jazeera Mohammed Salam was a camera man for Al Jazeera. He also worked for Middle East Eye. Salam married Hala Asfour, another Palestinian journalist, last year. Al Jazeera has condemned the attack. Mohamed Moawad, managing editor of Al Jazeera, told Sky News that Salam was trying to get some footage of the area, at the time he was killed. They were reporting closer to the hospital, knowing that was somehow safer than the frontline, Moawad said. Were talking about a crime against journalism, he added. Mohammed Salam was a camera man for Al Jazeera. He also worked for Middle East Eye. Instagram Al Jazeera Media Network condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this horrific crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, who have directly targeted and assassinated journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth, the broadcaster said in a statement. The blood of our martyred journalists in Gaza has not yet dried before the Israeli occupation forces committed another crime against Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salam, together with three other photojournalists, the network added. Al Jazeera said the attack showed a clear intent to bury the truth. Hussam al-Masri - Reuters He was killed near a live broadcasting position operated by Reuters on an upper floor just below the roof of the hospital in Khan Younis in an initial strike, according to Palestinian health officials. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Masri operated a Reuters live video feed from the hospital, which suddenly shut down at the moment of the initial strike. Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was injured in the strike. Khaled has extensively reported on the war in Gaza for Reuters. Palestinian cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who was a contractor for Reuters, was killed in Israeli strikes on Nasser hospital. Reuters A spokesperson for Reuters said: We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in Israeli strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today. We are urgently seeking more information and have asked authorities in Gaza and Israel to help us get urgent medical assistance for Hatem, the spokesperson added in a statement. We send our deep condolences and thoughts to Hussams and Moazs families and loved ones and will support them as best we can. Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz Freelance journalists Moaz Abu Taha was a freelance photojournalist who worked with several news organisations including occasionally contributing to Reuters. AFP journalists had said that Abu Taha, a journalist, had also worked with some Palestinian and international outlets. Palestinian journalist Moaz Abu Taha was a freelance photojournalist. Reuters Ahmad Abu Aziz is said to have worked freelance for the Quds Feed Network and other media outlets like Middle East Eye. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts say Palestinian journalists often base themselves out of hospitals in order to access Wi-Fi and electricity. Israel says ordered inquiry, rights groups attack The Israeli military said it carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. It did not explain the reasons for the attack. The Chief of the General Staff instructed to conduct an initial inquiry as soon as possible, it said. It added that it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The Foreign Press Association has demanded an immediate explanation from Israel. This is among the deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began, the organisation said in a statement. We demand an immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Prime Ministers office. We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists, it said. This has gone on far too long. Thibaut Bruttin, the director general of Reporters Without Borders, said press freedom advocates had never seen such a severe step backward for reporters safety. He noted that journalists have been killed both in indiscriminate strikes and in targeted attacks that Israels military has acknowledged carrying out. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD They are doing everything they can to silence independent voices that are trying to report on Gaza, Bruttin said. The double tap attack on one of the few remaining hospitals in Gaza is said to have killed journalists, doctors and civil defence workers. Reuters The war in Gaza has proved one of the deadliest in the world for journalists. Israel has barred all foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip since the start of the war in 2023. Reporting from the territory throughout the war has been produced by Palestinian journalists, many of whom have worked for many years for international media organisations, including wire services such as Reuters and the Associated Press. Around 200 journalists have been killed since the beginning of the 22-month conflict in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attacks, as per the CPJ. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate puts that figure closer to 250 journalists. The International Federation of Journalists has said it estimates that at least least 212 journalists and media workers have been killed, with others missing. The CPJ has accused Israel of engaging in the deadliest and most deliberate effort to kill and silence journalists that CPJ has ever documented. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate has slammed condemned Israel for the strikes, saying it represented an open war against free media, with the aim of terrorising journalists and preventing them from fulfilling their professional duty of exposing its crimes to the world. Israel has more and more been accused by experts of conducting a genocide in Gaza which it denies. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued arrest warrants have been issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Both men have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. No conflict in modern history has seen a higher number of journalists killed than Israels genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Amnesty International has said. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamass October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Israels offensive has killed at least 62,744 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable. With input from agencies Telecom equipment tops Nepal's imports from China Xinhua) 13:13, August 25, 2025 KATHMANDU, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Telecommunication equipment, readymade garments, machinery and parts, textiles and electrical goods emerged as the top five products Nepal imported from China in the 2024-25 fiscal year which ended in mid-July, the central bank said on Sunday. Nepal's total imports from China stood at 341.1 billion Nepali rupees during this period and the top five items accounted for nearly 37 percent of the imports, the Nepal Rastra Bank said in a report. Telecommunication equipment topped the chart with a total value of 30.73 billion rupees, and the imported smartphones alone were valued at 24.91 billion rupees. Nepal imported from China readymade garments worth 28.08 billion rupees, machinery and parts worth 23.90 billion rupees, textiles worth 21.97 billion rupees and electrical goods worth 21.34 billion rupees, the bank noted. China has long remained the second-largest trading partner of Nepal after India. (1 Nepali rupee equals 0.007125 U.S. dollar) (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) The first US human case of screwworm was found in Maryland, raising fresh alarm among authorities. The infected person is a traveller who had recently visited Central America, where an outbreak of the parasite has been spreading. It has also raised fears in the US livestock industry, which was declared screwworm-free decades ago The CDC warns that New World screwworm (NWS) infestations are not only dangerous but also extremely painful. In many cases, maggots can be seen around or inside an open wound. Image courtesy: USDA For the first time, the United States has reported a human case of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite, raising fresh alarm among authorities. The infection was detected in Maryland in a traveller who had recently returned from Central America, where an outbreak of the parasite has been spreading northwards since late 2024. Officials are now worried about what this could mean for the countrys livestock industry, as the US had successfully eliminated the parasite decades ago and was declared screwworm-free. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres a breakdown of whats happening and why it matters. But first, what is a screwworm? The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), often called NWS, is a parasitic fly found in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico. Unlike ordinary maggots that feed on dead tissue, screwworm larvae survive only on living flesh. Female flies deposit hundreds of eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin burrowing deeper into the tissue with their sharp, screw-like mouths, which is how the parasite got its name. Female flies deposit hundreds of eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae begin burrowing deeper into the tissue with their sharp, screw-like mouths. Image courtesy: CDC Infestation typically begins when a female fly targets an open wound or another vulnerable part of the body. While livestock are the most common hosts, birds and humans can also be affected. Even a small wound, as tiny as a tick bite, can draw the flies in. Theyre especially attracted to places like the nose, mouth, eyes, genitals, or even the umbilical cord of a newborn animal. If untreated, the condition, known as myiasis, can be deadly. And the scale of damage is enormous, just one female fly can lay as many as 3,000 eggs during her lifetime. What are the signs & symptoms? The CDC warns that New World screwworm (NWS) infestations are not only dangerous but also extremely painful. In many cases, maggots can be seen around or inside an open wound. In severe instances, they may even be found in the nose, mouth, or eyes. Some common signs and symptoms include: -Unexplained skin lesions (wounds or sores) that refuse to heal STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD -Wounds or sores that worsen instead of improving -Painful open sores -Bleeding from the affected site -A foul-smelling odour coming from the wound -The disturbing sensation of larvae moving within a wound, or in the nose, mouth, or eyes -Visible maggots inside or around open sores In addition, secondary bacterial infections can sometimes develop, leading to fever or chills. What is the treatment? The only way to treat a screwworm infection is by physically removing the larvae and cleaning the wound thoroughly. If caught early, patients usually recover without long-term damage. Has the US faced an outbreak before? Yes. The US actually declared victory over screwworm in the 1960s after a massive eradication effort. The USDA used an innovative technique: releasing huge numbers of sterile male flies into the wild. Since female screwworms only mate once, these sterile pairings meant eggs never hatched, causing the population to collapse. The strategy worked. The parasite was wiped out from US soil, and even a small outbreak in Florida in 2017 was quickly brought under control. Screwworms are seen in this undated handout picture obtained by Reuters on May 12, 2025. Image courtesy: Reuters But the threat has resurfaced. A new outbreak began in Central America and southern Mexico in 2023, and cases have been moving north ever since, forcing US authorities back into emergency mode. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, US Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Andrew Nixon said the risk to the public is minimal. The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low," Nixon told Reuters. No animal infections have been confirmed in the US so far this year. What is the US government doing now? The latest detection comes just a week after USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas to announce plans for a new sterile fly facility near the Mexico border. The plant, set to open at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, will take two to three years to become fully operational. A sterile fly facility produces a large number of male flies and sterilises them, these males are then released to mate with wild female insects, which collapses the wild population over time. Right now, theres only one such facility in the world, in Panama, which can churn out around 100 million sterile flies each week. But USDA officials estimate theyll need five times that number weekly to push the outbreak back to the Darien Gap, the dense rainforest between Panama and Colombia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mexico is also stepping up. The government has started building a $51 million sterile fly plant in its south to contain the spread before it reaches the US border. Beef industry on edge While human infections are uncommon, screwworms are devastating for livestock. Texas A&M University estimates that a major outbreak in Texas could cause $1.8 billion in losses, from livestock deaths to treatment costs and extra labour. The timing couldnt be worse: the US imports more than a million cattle from Mexico every year for beef processing. The outbreak has already disrupted trade. Border closures, supply chain delays, and rising prices have followed reports of screwworm spreading through southern Mexico. Whats adding to the industrys frustration is the way information has been handled. Some ranchers and state officials say they werent kept in the loop by the CDC. Texas A&M University estimates that a major outbreak of screwworm in Texas could cause $1.8 billion in losses, from livestock deaths to treatment costs and extra labour. File image.Reuters Beth Thompson, South Dakotas state veterinarian, told Reuters she only heard about the Maryland case through informal channels. We found out via other routes and then had to go to CDC to tell us what was going on, she said. They werent forthcoming at all. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Internal industry memos reviewed by Reuters also noted that the CDC was legally required to notify both Maryland health officials and the state veterinarian once the case was confirmedsomething that, according to stakeholders, didnt happen on time. As one Beef Alliance executive reportedly wrote in internal emails (seen by Reuters), industry leaders feared a media leak could amplify volatility: We remain hopeful that the likelihood of a positive case being leaked is low, minimising market impact." With input from agencies Fitch Ratings on Monday affirmed Indias sovereign rating as BBB- with a stable outlook. It said that the rating and the outlook were a result of robust growth and solid external finances. Garment workers stitch shirts at a textile factory in Hindupur town in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, India, February 9, 2022. (Photo: Samuel Rajkumar/Reuters) Fitch Ratings on Monday affirmed Indias sovereign rating as BBB- with a stable outlook. The BBB- rating and stable outlook a result of robust growth and solid external finances, Fitch said in a statement. Fitch sovereign ratings help investors judge the risk of putting money in a country. Its ratings ranging from the highest AAA to the lowest D (default) assess a countrys ability to meets its financial commitments. The factors that go into the determination of a countrys ratings are economic fundamentals, fiscal policy, political stability, and the countrys standing in the world. Countries with higher ratings have greater investors confidence and cheaper cost of borrowing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The BBB- rating that India has falls into investment grade. It means that the country is expected to meet financial commitments and obligations and has an acceptable risk for mainstream institutional investments. Ratings below BBB- are dubbed speculative or junk and make borrowings expensive. In its statement about India, Fitch said, A strengthening record on delivering growth with macro stability and improving fiscal credibility should drive a steady improvement in its structural metrics, including GDP per capita, and increase the likelihood that debt can trend modestly downward in the medium term. Fitch further said that Indias economic outlook remains strong compared to its peers. India to grow at 6.5%, Trumps tariffs to have modest effect: Fitch In the current financial year, Fitch has projected Indias GDP to grow at 6.5 per cent, as per Fitch. Domestic demand will remain solid, underpinned by the ongoing public capital expenditure drive and steady private consumption, according to Fitch. As for 50 per cent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, Fitch said that the final tariffs are likely going to be set lower as a result of negotiations. he Trump administration is planning to impose a 50% headline tariff on India by 27 August, although we believe this will eventually be negotiated lower. Fitch said that tariffs direct impact on GDP will be modest as exports to the United States account for 2 per cent of GDP, but tariff uncertainty will dampen business sentiment and investment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Moreover, Indias ability to benefit from supply chain shifts out of China would be reduced if American tariffs remain at 50 per cent above that of Indias Asian peers, as per Fitch. India and Fiji on Monday unveiled a comprehensive plan to strengthen defence and security ties while taking a firm stand against terrorism, unequivocally rejecting double standards in tackling the global menace Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka in New Delhi on Monday. Image Courtesy: @MEAIndia India and Fiji on Monday unveiled a comprehensive plan to strengthen defence and security ties while taking a firm stand against terrorism, unequivocally rejecting double standards in tackling the global menace. The commitments were made following wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fijian counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka in New Delhi. Addressing the joint press meet with PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji. @slrabuka https://t.co/LbbIFzs6Ow Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Addressing a joint press briefing alongside Rabuka, who is on his first official visit to India, PM Modi said, India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat. Fiji is an important nation for India in the sphere of maritime security. India has been looking at expanding its defence ties with Fiji against the backdrop of Chinas relentless efforts to expand its strategic heft in the Pacific region. Following the talks between PM Modi and Rabuka, the two sides inked seven pacts providing for enhancing cooperation in a range of areas, including medicine, skill development, trade and capacity building. In the talks, PM Modi and Rabuka condemned in strongest terms the Pahalgam terrorist attack and reiterated their commitment towards zero tolerance to terrorism. The two leaders rejected double standards on terrorism and agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in dealing with the menace, according to a joint statement. We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defence and security sector, PM Modi said. An action plan has been prepared for this, he added. PM Modi said India will provide training and equipment support to strengthen Fijis maritime security. In his remarks, Modi also referred to Indias priorities for the Global South. India is co-traveller in development of Global South, he said. We are partners in building a world order where the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South are respected, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The prime minister said climate change is a threat for Fiji and New Delhi will help it deal with disaster response. Modi and Rabuka shared their vision for a robust, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific with an economic architecture, and expressed commitment to working closely to promote mutual prosperity. The joint statement said both leaders acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties and emphasised the importance of their shared interests in advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity. The leaders underscored the importance of a free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, the joint statement said. They announced their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, it said. India also announced the creation of the post of defence attache in its high commission in Fiji. Prime Minister Modi announced gifting of 12 agricultural drones and two mobile soil testing laboratories to Fiji. Both leaders agreed on the urgent need for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including through the expansion of the UN Security Council to reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fiji reaffirmed its support for India as a permanent member in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council as well as its support to Indias candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership for the term 2028-29. The leaders reaffirmed continued strengthening of South-South cooperation as a necessary step in effectively addressing contemporary global challenges and agreed to work together on issues of common concern to the Global South, including enhanced, equitable representation in institutions of global governance. Prime Minister Rabuka appreciated Indias initiative and leadership in organising the Voice of Global South Summits, which he said serve as a crucial platform to deliberate on shared concerns, challenges and developmental priorities of developing countries. With inputs from agencies With Air Independent Propulsion at its core, Project-75(I) promises to extend Indias submarine endurance from just two days in the Scorpenes to nearly three weeks underwater Indias current conventional submarine fleet rests on the Kalvari-class, which is the locally built variant of Frances Scorpene design. These submarines were constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) under Project-75 in collaboration with Naval Group, and six boats are now in service or nearing induction. This programme not only gave India a modern diesel-electric submarine (SSK), but also helped MDL regain complex submarine-building skills after a long break. The follow-on programme, Project-75(I), is a deliberate departure from the Scorpene lineage. On August 23, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared formal negotiations for six new submarines to be built with Germanys ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike the Scorpenes, these will be larger, feature advanced stealth shaping and incorporate fuel-cell Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) from the outset. With an estimated project cost of about Rs 70,000 crore, the government is signalling both a technological leap and a bid to secure deeper technology transfer to India. Propulsion: AIP at the core The propulsion story highlights the clearest difference between the two classes. The Kalvaris were built without AIP because Indias indigenous DRDO-developed phosphoric acid fuel-cell system was not ready. The navy always planned to retrofit this during mid-life upgrades by inserting an AIP module, but the DRDO programme has been delayed, forcing the first refits to proceed without the technology, a Times of India report said. As a result, todays Kalvaris remain dependent on batteries recharged by diesel generators, which limits how long they can stay underwater without snorkeling. The German submarines proposed under Project-75(I) take the opposite approach where AIP is central, not optional. TKMS has decades of experience with fuel-cell AIP in its Type 212 and Type 214 classes, which can operate silently underwater for two to three weeks at a time. Indias boats will use a variant of this proven technology, which means they will not have to wait for retrofits or unproven indigenous systems before gaining long-endurance stealth. Range, endurance and mission set Kalvari-class submarines are capable of strong littoral missions, including anti-ship strikes with Exocet missiles, anti-submarine warfare with heavyweight torpedoes and surveillance in coastal waters. However, without AIP, their battery endurance allows only about 48 hours of true submerged operations before needing to snorkel and recharge. With DRDOs AIPif and when it is integratedthis endurance could extend to roughly 1421 days, but this is still years away, Business Standard reported. The German-built submarines under Project-75(I) will immediately support longer patrols across the Indian Ocean. Their design, drawing from the Type 214 lineage, is optimised for quiet long-distance missions and for staying hidden under modern surveillance threats, including drones and maritime patrol aircraft. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ability to loiter silently at choke points such as the Malacca Strait approaches or the Arabian Sea will give India a far more credible deterrent presence than the Scorpenes currently allow. Sensors, signatures and combat systems The Kalvaris are well-equipped for their generation, with good sonar, electronic warfare masts and combat-management systems. Their acoustic profile has improved with each successive hull, showing that MDL has gained confidence in building quiet boats. Nevertheless, their design decisions reflect early 2000s technology and their stealth can only be incrementally improved with refits. Project-75(I) submarines, by contrast, are being conceived around newer stealth principles. TKMSs work on machinery isolation and hydrodynamic shaping for its Type 212/214 submarines is well regarded globally. Indias P-75(I) boats are expected to benefit from those advances, paired with modular combat systems that can integrate advanced Indian and foreign weapons. This combination will give the Navy a higher chance of detecting adversaries first and prosecuting attacks in contested waters. Industrial effects Project-75 demonstrated that India can build submarines under license and the Kalvari series proved MDLs ability to deliver complex boats on schedule once the line matured. This experience is crucial as it supports fleet sustainment, mid-life upgrades and the future integration of DRDOs indigenous AIP once ready. Project-75(I) takes the ambition further. The government has mandated deeper technology transfer and local content, starting at around 45 per cent indigenous content for the first boat and reaching about 60 percent by the sixth. This pushes India toward co-designing, not just assembling. If executed as planned, P-75(I) will help MDL evolve from a build-to-print yard into a design-capable submarine house, laying the groundwork for the indigenous Project-76 submarines and complementing the parallel nuclear attack submarine programME with L&T. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Force-structure impact and timelines The Kalvaris are valuable in the near term, replacing aging Soviet-era Kilos and German-built Type-209 Shishumars. Yet delays in DRDOs AIP programme, coupled with retirements, mean that India faces a looming submarine shortfall just as Pakistan inducts Chinese-supplied Yuan-class AIP boats and the Chinese Navy increases its Indian Ocean patrols, Economic Times reported. In this context, keeping the Kalvaris upgraded, including sonar and battery modernisations, is critical to hold the line until new boats arrive. Project-75(I) represents the medium-term answer. Negotiations are expected to finish in six months, after which contracts will be signed. Even with ambitious schedules, the first submarine will take years to deliver, but once production begins, a steady cadence will restore fleet numbers with vastly more capable boats. The combination of higher endurance and stealth will enable India to project deterrence far from its shores, giving the navy a sharper tool for sea denial and area control. How each class boosts Indias maritime posture Kalvari-class submarines provide a modern, reliable and already available undersea punch. They are suited to defending Indias coasts, shadowing adversary surface groups and deterring blockade or coercion. Their presence compels adversaries to allocate significant anti-submarine resources and creates uncertainty in their planning. As AIP retrofits eventually materialise, these boats will gain longer endurance, enhancing their value in both littoral defence and limited open-ocean denial. The submarines under Project-75(I) will expand the navys horizons further. By combining built-in AIP endurance, newer stealth architecture and a stronger industrial base, they will allow India to conduct weeks-long covert patrols, monitor vital shipping lanes and interdict adversary naval forces at greater ranges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Their induction, alongside nuclear-powered attack submarines being developed in parallel, will give India a layered undersea force structure: Kalvaris for near-term and coastal/littoral roles and P-75(I) boats for sustained operations across the Indian Ocean. This blend secures sea-lane access, deters rival naval interventions and enhances Indias credibility as a regional maritime power. When operationalised and deployed, Sudarshan Chakra will be a crucial pillar of Indias defence, blending cutting-edge indigenous technology to counter emerging aerial threats in an increasingly complex security landscape During his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that every citizen must feel protected as he unveiled an ambitious national security initiative named Sudarshan Chakra, aimed at safeguarding Indias critical establishments through indigenous technological development over the next ten years. This mission will be research-based and developed entirely with indigenous technology, the PM declared, emphasising self-reliance in strategic innovation. The initiative is expected to encompass a multi-layered security framework, integrating advanced surveillance, cyber protection, and physical infrastructure safeguards tailored to Indias evolving threat landscape. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Blending mythology with modern strategic vision PM Modi said, We must similarly shield our vital institutions from emerging threats. By 2035, I want to expand, strengthen, and modernise this shield. Drawing inspiration from Lord Krishna, we have chosen the path of the Sudarshan Chakra the entire system should be researched, developed, and manufactured in India. Incidentally, one of Indias Strike Corps, the 21 Corps, a key offensive force capable of carrying out operations deep into enemy territory and equipped with cutting-edge weapon systems, is also called Sudarshan Chakra. Foreign Systems In an era where global security dynamics are constantly shifting, missile defence systems have emerged as a cornerstone of national defence strategies. These sophisticated technologies are designed to detect, track, intercept, and neutralise incoming missile threats, ranging from short-range ballistic missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). As geopolitical tensions rise and missile technology proliferates, the importance of robust missile defence systems cannot be overstated. Amongst these security blankets currently being used are Israels Iron Dome, which has been in the spotlight during the conflict with Iran, and the US-proposed Golden Dome, which will act as a missile defence shield. Israels Iron Dome air defence system has intercepted thousands of rockets since it went into operation in 2011, providing the country with crucial cover during times of conflict. It has been heavily relied upon to protect military and civilian sites from frequent barrages of rockets fired from Gaza and Lebanon in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel initially developed the Iron Dome alone after the 2006 Lebanon War. As per Rafael, the Israeli Defence Company which designed it, the system has an interception rate of around 90 per cent. In May this year President Donald Trump envisioned a golden domea ground-, sea-, and space-based missile defence systemprotecting the US. In his announcement President Trump spoke of an advanced shield to counter next-gen aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, one that would cost an estimated US$ 175 billion. The golden dome will eventually deploy next gen tech across the land, sea and space, he said. This project is a mix of Israels Iron Dome and President Ronald Reagans Strategic Defence Initiative, which in 1983 was nicknamed Star Wars and had the goal of placing lasers and interceptors in space to protect the US against Soviet nuclear missiles. Russia has the A-135 anti-ballistic system protecting Moscow and other major cities and the potent S-400 that can knock out multiple intermediate-range ballistic missiles. India presently has three S-400 squadrons, with two more to be delivered. The A-135 system was a Soviet-designed system which entered service in 1995 as a successor to the previous A-35. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China has the HQ-9 long-range, surface-to-air, anti-ballistic-capable system, a version of the Russian S-300. It is designed to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles, and has also been sold to Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The HQ-9 missile system is a key pillar of Chinas modern air defence network, developed domestically as part of Chinas broader effort to build an independent and capable air defence system, and entered service in the early 2000s. Taiwan and Japan also have similar systems; the former has the Sky Bow family of surface-to-air, anti-ballistic missile and anti-aircraft defence systems, while the latter is set to operationalise the US PAC-3 surface-to-air interceptors. Indias Shield Against Missile Threats and Cyber Attacks India operates the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which successfully countered Pakistani missile attempts during Operation Sindoor. It did so, first, by combining the air defence systems of the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy into a single system tracking and neutralising incoming threats in real time. The IACCS gave India a net-centric operational capability that is vital in warfare today. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Essentially, the IACCS co-ordinates, integrates, and controls air defence systems like radars, surveillance systems like AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), and fighter jets. In turn, the IACCS increases the militarys situational awareness, allowing it to deploy soldiers, equipment, or other assets based on the type of threat. As per some reports, it is felt that the Sudarshan Chakra will be calibrated to integrate with Indias existing aerial defence framework. It is likely to be developed with the IACCS at the core, including the armys indigenous Akashteer network. The Sudarshan Chakra will integrate advanced surveillance, interception, and counter-strike capabilities, enabling swift neutralisation of threats in the air, on land, and at sea, as well as in cyberspace. As per analysts, the Sudarshan Chakra, however, will extend beyond traditional missile defence. Unlike traditional defence systems, Sudarshan Chakra is anticipated to also have an offensive component, allowing for precision strikes alongside attack neutralisation. The shield will offer layered protection by integrating surveillance, cybersecurity, and a broad range of air defence systems, capable of countering long-range missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles along the borders and around key infrastructure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A defining feature will be its sensor grid, built from a fusion of space, air, and ground-based sensors, capable of detecting not only conventional missiles but also stealth platforms and hypersonic vehicles. Entirely developed under the Make in India initiative, the programme will rely on indigenous research, development, manufacturing, and upgrades. Cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), directed-energy weapons, lasers, and drones will form the core of the system. In essence, Sudarshan Chakra will be Indias counterpart to Israels Iron Dome and the proposed US Golden Dome but tailored with enhanced, future-ready capabilities. The need to reinforce and improve layers of military and technological protection is imperative due to the wide spectrum of aerial threats. These assets include critical military and civilian installationslike electricity grids, communications networks, food and water supply, medical facilities, and defence systemsthat are high-priority targets for enemy weapon systems in the modern battlefield milieu. The envisioned technology is likely to manifest as a nationwide network of radars, command-and-control centres, and interceptor missiles, capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising incoming missiles, drones, artillery shells, and even swarms or loitering munitions in real time, with artificial intelligence likely playing a central role. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Though specific details of Mission Sudarshan Chakra remain under wraps, it will involve collaboration between Indias premier research agencies, defence establishments, and private industry. The Sudarshan Chakra is likely to form part of a multi-layer strategy, operating alongside current systems like Akash, S-400, and QR-SAM, as well as future laser-based interceptors, to provide overlapping protection against short-, medium-, and long-range threats effectively functioning as an umbrella defence network. Notably, the report highlights that Mission Sudarshan Chakra will likely incorporate precision counterstrike capabilities and measures to combat cyber threats such as hacking and phishing. The initiative is expected to involve collaboration between Indias top scientific and defence research agencies and military and private sector innovators. The contours of the Sudarshan Chakra, the mechanism through which India will be protected through its Atmanirbhar initiative as revealed, seem to indicate a comprehensive and ultimate weapon system integrating both air defence and thereafter destructive capability to protect the assets of the nation. It will be multi-launched, that is, capable of being launched from all domains, such as land, sea and air, as well as being reusable. Further, the control of this will flow through the Chief of Defence Staff. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conclusion The announcement comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, during which Pakistan attempted to target Indian military installations, fighter aircraft, and urban centres. Indian defence systems successfully neutralised these attacks, highlighting the countrys existing defensive strengths. During his address, the Prime Minister had said, We have shown the world our capabilities and proved that India is ready to face any kind of warfare. We demonstrated this in Operation Sindoor. Pakistan attacked our military bases, civilian areas, and our temples, but our air defence systemsour Sudarshan Chakrafoiled all their attacks." Mission Sudarshan Chakra aligns with the governments broader push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, especially in defence and critical infrastructure. The announcement comes amid heightened global concerns over cyber warfare, hybrid threats, and sabotage of strategic assets. PM Modis emphasis on indigenous technology reinforces national sovereignty in security architecture. This state-of-the-art defence initiative stands as a strategic commitment to safeguarding the nations future and reflects a fusion of cultural ethos and cutting-edge innovation, positioning India to meet the challenges of the next decade with resilience and technological prowess. There is no doubt that this defence system, when operationalised and deployed, will be a crucial pillar of our defence, blending cutting-edge indigenous technology to counter emerging aerial threats in an increasingly complex security landscape. The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Nikki Haley has emerged as one of the few Republican voices offering clarity on Indo-US relations at a time of turbulence. In a recent Newsweek op-ed, she urged the United States to treat India as a prized free and democratic partner and warned that losing it would be a strategic disaster. She has criticised tariffs and punitive measures against India even as China is spared similar treatment. She has urged direct talks and course correction before the damage becomes permanent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Haleys intervention is a reminder that strands of realist thinking remain alive in the Republican Partys foreign policy circles. At a moment when Indo-American ties appear frayed, her words anchor us back to the enduring logic of partnership. The speed at which Indo-American relations have seemed to unhinge is itself a cause for worry. Policy shifts, rhetoric, and bureaucratic impulses in Washington have produced a situation in which strategic partners look more like estranged acquaintances. A measured posture is critical because both sides have too much to lose with drift. This is not the first time that misunderstandings have shaken confidence; history suggests that interests will reassert themselves if policymakers resist the temptation to indulge in short-term fixes or retaliatory gestures. Looking back, the last great reset in Indo-American relations came at the turn of the century. After Indias Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998, sanctions and suspicion prevailed, but President George W Bush chose to overcome the negatives. By then, US perceptions of China had begun to shift. Beijings ambitions were becoming overbearing, its appetite for regional dominance was evident, and its concern for securing its maritime trade and energy routes was driving tensions. Freedom of navigation in the Pacific was already an issue, and American faith that China would integrate as a rational stakeholder was eroding. At the same time, 9/11 struck the United States emotionally and strategically. Its animosity with the Islamic world sharpened, and Indialong a victim of state-sponsored terrorismsuddenly found its experience resonating in Washington with the convergence of parallel tracks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It was during this phase that Pranab Mukherjee, as Indias defence minister, delivered his seminal address at the Rand Corporation in 2005, signalling Indias readiness for deep cooperation. US analysts such as Professor Stephen Blank, then with the US War College, observed that India was intrinsically desirable as a partner and that the partnership rested on mutual needs and interests rather than abstract values such as the rhetoric of democracy. For nearly two decades, the analysis proved right. The Indo-American nuclear deal was concluded, major defence agreements like Comcasa, Beca, and Lemoa were signed, and military exercises became routine. India joined the Quad, and the Asia-Pacific was renamed the Indo-Pacific, partly to recognise Indian strategic centrality. So long as China was viewed as the primary adversary, India was indispensable. Under Trump 1.0, Indo-American relations achieved a transformational peak. The drift began under Joe Biden. Perhaps Washingtons deep state grew uncomfortable with Indias rapid rise. China, meanwhile, tested Indias resolve through the Line of Actual Control (LAC) confrontation in eastern Ladakh in 2020, after the earlier Doklam confrontation. India remained resilient, positioning itself as the worlds soon-to-be third-largest economy while retaining democratic legitimacy. Yet Washingtons actions began to puzzle New Delhi. The $450 million package to refurbish Pakistans F-16 fleet revived old anxieties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD New Delhi saw the F-16 package as reviving US-Pakistan security links at Indias expense and masking it under counterterrorism rhetoric. During the Ukraine war, Indias decision to purchase discounted Russian oil was treated as defiance, although it was Indias traditional energy diversification. That Caatsa sanctions were not imposed for Indias S-400 purchase, giving India confidence that Washington understood its strategic autonomy. But over time, irritation grew in US officialdom. The overthrow of Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh, widely seen as US-backed, raised eyebrows in India. The latest wave of tariffs appears to remind India that autonomy has limits. Some in Washington may have hoped India would act as a lever on Russia, ignoring contextual influence on Moscow that doesnt go beyond Prime Minister Narendra Modis candid advice to President Vladimir Putin against war. The pressure appears aimed at compelling India to do the impossible. Haleys reminder comes at this fraught moment. US policy toward China has not changed fundamentally; countering Beijing remains Washingtons top priority, alongside preventing a Russia-China entente. If so, why is Washington pushing India into a Russia-China corner while giving Pakistan new space? The contradiction is striking. It is possible that once there is a ceasefire in Ukraine, US priorities will shift and the pressure on India will ease. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Until then, India must hold steady and rein in its own strident media discourse, which in 2020 contributed to heightened tensions with China. Quietly improving the relationship with Beijing must continue to preserve manoeuvrability. With Trump, optics often matter more than substance, so India must ensure its optics project steadiness and strength rather than defiance. The Indian diaspora in the United States will also have to step up. Normally vocal, it has been unusually quiet. Most of it voted Republican and now finds itself disoriented, watching its chosen party lean toward Pakistan under pressure from campus activism and lobbying. Haleys words give the diaspora a rallying point. If America is to be reminded of why India matters, the diaspora has to play its part in shaping opinion. The way forward lies in pragmatism. India should continue high-level engagement with Washington, explaining that its strategic interests remain aligned with the US when it comes to China and global stability. At the same time, it should push for supply-chain partnerships, deepen technology and defence cooperation, and expand educational and innovation linkages. Washington must recognise that Indias rise is not a threat but a reinforcement of the balance of power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The India-US partnership has survived many storms before. This one will pass too if all responsible remember the foundation of the past 25 years. Haleys warning should be heeded; losing India would be a strategic disaster. The task now is to prevent impatience, red tapism, or political optics from achieving what adversaries could not. The writer is a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Gors appointment should be seen more as a setback to New Delhi. It signals a quiet burial of Americas Indo-Pacific strategy that pivots on Indian exceptionalism in the region The naming of Sergio Gor, a key White House aide and a fierce Trump loyalist, as the new ambassador to India has added a new dimension to the ongoing US-India saga. Gor serves as the director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, and it is his job to vet and recruit thousands of federal employees entering the second Trump administration. Which, we are told, he is doing with aplomb. The Tashkent-born Gor, short for Gorokhovsky, is reportedly an understated but very powerful figure in the Trump White House. He enjoys the presidents complete confidence and ensures that only America First loyalists are hired across the federal government. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The New York Times reported last December that Gor oversaw loyalty tests for applicants who wanted to work in the second Trump administration and were given a set of questions designed to assess their loyalty to president-elect Trump. Those who couldnt satisfy him with their answers on the events of January 6, 2021, and whether they believed the 2020 election was stolen, did not get the job. This was somewhat reinforced by the White House communications director Steven Cheung, who said in a statement to The Hill that as a long-time advisor, there is nobody more capable of ensuring the government is staffed with people who are aligned with the mission to make America great again and work towards implementing the presidents agenda. In short, Gor is a lackey of lackeys, and Trump is giving him a much wider and an even more complex role than just nominating him as the ambassador to India. Gor will also serve as the Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, which means along with India, he will oversee Americas relationship with a much wider region including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, according to the US State Department classification. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Given the geopolitical and geo-economic fault lines of this vast region, the history of India-Pakistan animosity, this is a huge responsibility and an extremely complicated mandate even for a career diplomat. What makes matters more interesting is that Gor is neither a diplomat, nor a technocrat. He is a political appointee. A complete novice for a demanding job. The move, however, symbolizes a Trump administration that is short on talent, short on experience, high on bluster and packed with loyalists who owe their career to Trump. Gors nomination comes at a time when India-US relationship is suffering a freefall, resembling a freak reality show with Trump as the chief protagonist, just as he was in The Apprentice. Its a fast-paced, gripping thriller with a new twist almost every week, if not every other day. And almost all of it is scripted by the master fiction writer at The Oval office. Trump has kept largely quiet after ratcheting up tension with his threats, abuses and tariffs on India. His minions have been doing all the talking instead. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent is accusing India of profiteering and arbitrage off cheap Russian oil. Trumps trade adviser Peter Navarro has called India laundromat for the Kremlin, and demanded that India must stop buying oil from Russia if it wants to be recognized as Americas strategic partner. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Navarro, whom Elon Musk called a moron and dumber than a sack of bricks, doesnt know or doesnt care that behaving like a colonizer isnt the best way to approach Indians. A White House spokesperson has described Americas tariffs on India as sanctions, and US vice president JD Vance has suggested that India is the collateral damage of Americas battle against Russia, clarifying on Sunday that Trump had applied aggressive economic leverage such as secondary tariffs on India to force a change in Russias behaviour. Which is a little strange, considering that Trump seems to be warming up to Putin after the meeting in Alaska, and appears sympathetic to Russias core concerns. US oil major Exxon Mobil, meanwhile, is re-entering the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project and Trump recently seemed particularly displeased with Ukraine after the latter blew up the Druzhba pipeline that supplies Hungary with Russian oil. So, while Trump is apparently getting at Putin by slapping sanctions on India, as his cronies claim, he is simultaneously trying to ensure Russian fuel gets uninterrupted supply in Europe, and has given China, the worlds largest buyer of Russian fuel, a free ride. It makes little sense. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The reaction in India has been apoplectic. Trust is at an all-time low. Comparisons are being drawn with Nixons sending of the USS Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal in 1971 or US sanctions on India post Pokhran tests in 1998. Diplomats and policy wonks from both sides who have worked hard for decades to stitch a closer bilateral partnership, are dismayed that 25 years of work has been washed away in less than 25 days. Into this cauldron arrives Gor. This development might go both ways. In his Truth Social post, Trump called Gor a a great friend, who has been at my side for many years. He also said for the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador. Congratulations Sergio! One way of looking at this is by sending one of his most trusted interlocutors to India, Trump is attempting damage control. He is extending an olive branch to rescue a relationship which is crash landing without a floor. Trumps ego wouldnt allow him to directly engage with prime minister Narendra Modi and settle the differences that he has created in a fit of pique and unilaterally callous actions. Gor may allow him the chance to interact with India and understand New Delhis concerns better. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Conversely, it presents India with the opportunity to engage with Trump via a direct channel and sort out the differences in the larger interest of bilateral relationship and issues of mutual concern. It could take essential diplomatic interactions out of public eye, allowing both sides to engage quietly in backroom negotiations. It suits Indias strategic culture. With the new envoy playing the role of a messenger, India may get access to the American president and his innermost circles. Noises to this effect are being made in Washington DC. Steve Bannon, Trumps former senior adviser who still enjoys unique access to the American president and dines with him on occasions, told American media outlet Politico that I believe Sergio is the only person outside of [chief of staff] Susie [Wiles] and a handful of others who actually has walk-in privileges to the president at any time, day or night If Im [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi in India and I say this as somebody thats so pro that relationship I couldnt think of a better pick. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is quite the optimistic view, however. Gors appointment could equally go very wrong if he brings political activism to New Delhi. Trump was very clear that he was sending Gor to deliver on his MAGA agenda. It is a view also aired by Bessent, who wrote in his congratulatory post that American people can be certain that Sergio will be an exceptional steward of Americas interests in the most populous region of the world. Secretary of commerce Howard Lutnicks statement, that Sergio is a fearless advocate for Trump and India is in great hands has been noted with raised eyebrows in India. One hopes Trump isnt sending a viceroy to New Delhi. The barely concealed patronising tone reflected in Trump or his minions comments do not inspire confidence. If Gor tries to railroad MAGA agenda in New Delhi, he will end up damaging an already fragile relationship even more. India didnt bend when it was weaker and poorer. It wont bend now. The appointment that clubs India with the wider region is a return to the Richard Holbrooke moment in American diplomacy when the Obama administration clubbed India and Pakistan under special envoy Holbrooke. The move was rescinded after severe pushback from India. Evidently, the re-hyphenation of Pakistan and India is being institutionalized in Washington DC by an administration that has warmed up to Pakistan and its military dictator, Asim Munir, at the cost of savaging ties with India. A complete greenhorn who knows little about India, Pakistan and the complexity of this region, has less experience than even an intern in South Block, Gor may prove inadequate for the task. Worse still, he could be putty in the hands of manipulative Rawalpindi generals who have proved adept at playing Trump. Gors appointment, therefore, should be seen more as a setback to New Delhi. It signals a quiet burial of Americas Indo-Pacific strategy that pivots on Indian exceptionalism in the region. It may further erode the institutional structures that have been put in place over decades, subject bilateral ties to even more unpredictability and tie Indias identity down to South Asia. Fixated with winning a trade war with India, Trump has proved singularly incapable of grasping the true gamut of US-India ties. It would take a giant leap of faith to assume that his trusted messenger would provide the silver bullet to mend the ties. Expect even more injuries. The writer is Deputy Executive Editor, Firstpost. He tweets as @sreemoytalukdar. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Bolsonaro has spent three weeks confined to his home in an upscale condominium in Brasilia, since Moraes ruled he had failed to comply with restraining orders meant to stop any interference with the trial. Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stands at his home while under house arrest, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, as he awaits trial over an alleged plot to overturn the 2022 election, in Brasilia, Brazil, August 14, 2025. REUTERS As Brazils Supreme Court prepares to hear closing arguments in former President Jair Bolsonaros trial over an alleged coup plan, the former army captain and his political coalition appear to be unravelling. Allies who have visited the far-right firebrand, who is now under house arrest in a gated Brasilia community, tell Reuters that they observed Bolsonaro struggling with depression, hiccup attacks, and a fixation on the judge he blames for his problems. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The steadfast ally of US President Donald Trump was rocked again this week when federal police disclosed a cache of private conversations depicting him as a leader who was hesitant, second-guessing himself and attempting to prevent infighting among his closest allies. Open your mouth! evangelical preacher Silas Malafaia wrote to him, as he urged the former president to make political use of hefty tariffs Trump has imposed on Brazilian goods. Leaders give direction to the people, people are led by others when leaders fall silent. The messages were released as part of an investigation into the former president and his son, lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is leading a campaign in Washington urging the Trump administration to intervene on behalf of his father. Last month, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods in an attempt to stop what he called a witch hunt against the former president. Trump also imposed sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the judge overseeing the case in which Bolsonaro is accused of plotting to overturn his defeat in the 2022 elections. The US pressure has done nothing to derail Bolsonaros trial and appears to have even given his rival, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a lift in the polls and a common foreign foe for his fragile governing coalition. As the Supreme Court trial of Bolsonaro wraps up, his conversations show a leader unsure of how to steer his own fate, let alone unite his fractured base ahead of next years presidential elections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When Malafaia pushed Bolsonaro to record a video and translate it into English to catch Trumps attention, the former president complained he was too sick to respond. I have a hiccup crisis, he wrote. If it calms down here, Ill do it. He recorded the video days later. In a statement, a lawyer for Malafaia said that his private messages were taken out of context and that they do not show any irregularity. Bolsonaro did not reply to a request for comment. The president is anguished Bolsonaro has spent three weeks confined to his home in an upscale condominium in Brasilia, since Moraes ruled he had failed to comply with restraining orders meant to stop any interference with the trial. Bolsonaro has called those orders, including the seizure of his cellphone and imposition of an ankle monitor, acts of cowardice from Moraes, whom he describes as a dictator. I feel supreme humiliation, Bolsonaro told Reuters in an interview on the day the ankle monitor was attached. I am 70 years old, I was president of the republic for four years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As his house arrest has dragged on, the former presidents mood has soured despite the steady stream of visits from allies. We notice the president is anguished. He is not that smiling Bolsonaro we know, said lawmaker Domingos Savio, who was at the former presidents home last week. The main aspect of this anguish is the feeling of injustice. Bolsonaros thoughts return regularly to Moraes, whose name he repeats all the time, lawmaker Luciano Zucco told Reuters as he stepped out of the former presidents home last week. The evidence found by federal police on Bolsonaros cellphone suggests he may not have complied fully with restraining orders issued by Moraes blocking him from using social media. He had shared messages in support of Trumps policies on Brazil over 6,000 times, the police found. A draft letter on his phone suggested he had considered fleeing to Argentina. I find myself in a situation of political persecution in Brazil, fearing for my life, said the document addressed to Argentine President Javier Milei. It was last edited in 2024, police said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a statement last week, Bolsonaros lawyers said the former president had never failed to comply with any previously imposed restraining orders. Infighting As Bolsonaros challenges have grown, so has infighting among his allies, who are still unsure of who will represent the former president on the ballot next year, when he is banned from running. One camp, including Bolsonaros family, has refused to consider a 2026 race without his name on the ballot. But others are pushing him to endorse an alternative such as Sao Paulo governor Tarcisio de Freitas, a former member of his cabinet whom Eduardo Bolsonaro has repeatedly attacked. The younger Bolsonaro warned his father in text messages that the governors potential candidacy could undermine Trumps willingness to help the ex-president. Here in the US, we had to sidestep the idea planted by his allies that Tarcisio = Bolsonaro, the lawmaker wrote to his father. That would be a clear message that the US didnt need to get involved in this fight. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When the former president played down a spat between the governor and his son, whom he called not so mature, Eduardo Bolsonaro lashed out in vulgar chat messages, released this week by police, calling his father ungrateful. Freitas and Eduardo Bolsonaro did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Bangladesh on Sunday rejected Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dars claim that the issue of reparations and financial settlements was resolved twice As Pakistans Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, commences his visit to Bangladesh, his counterpart, Md. Touhid Hossain said that both nations are not on the same page regarding the unsettled issues from 1971. While speaking to the Pakistani deputy prime minister, Bangladeshs foreign adviser demanded an apology from Pakistan and settlements of financial matters. However, Dar claimed that these issues have been resolved in the past. While both nations have expressed cooperation in trade and investment, they are on diverging paths when it comes to the issue of reparations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Saturday, Dar arrived for a two-day visit to Bangladesh to rebuild ties between the two nations. Dars trip to Dhaka came following the ouster of Bangladeshs long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Definitely, I dont agree (with Dar). Had it been so, the problems would have been solved. We explained our position and they (Pakistani side) did theirs, Hossain told the media as quoted by Prothom Alo. He maintained that both nations would continue talking about the matter in the coming days. Bangladesh seeks a financial settlement from cash-strapped Pakistan While addressing the media, the foreign adviser said that Dhaka sought settlement of pre-independence financial issues, repatriation of stranded Pakistanis and seek them to express regret, the apology for the genocide that took place here (in Bangladesh in 1971). I have strongly upheld the Bangladesh stance, said Hosain. When asked if he agrees with Dars comments that the 1971 issues were resolved twice, the Bangladeshi diplomat said, It would be wrong to expect problems of 54 years to be solved in a single day. According to Dar, the issues were resolved twice, first in 1974 in tri-partite talks involving New Delhi in India and during Pakistani President Pervez Musharrafs era. The then president Pervez Musharraf settled the issues of genocide again during his Dhaka visit when he talked in public with an open mind, Dar claimed. However, he concluded his assertion by saying that there is scope and possibility of doing good for the two peoples of our two countries is tremendous. Not the first time This is not the first time Dhaka raised the concern with Pakistan after Bangladeshs Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus came to power. During the first foreign secretary-level talk in 15 years, Bangladesh had asked Pakistan to resolve the unsettled historical issues and settle the pre-independence asset sharing. Dhaka also demanded a formal apology for the genocide committed during the 1971 Liberation War. Dars visit came amid a visible shift in regional politics in the past year involving Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. After the ousting of the Hasina government, following a violent student-led street protest, the Yunus government was seen as inclined towards Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Dars first day of the visit. Hossain mentioned that the two nations signed one agreement and five memoranda of understanding (MoUs). Bangladesh-Pakistan ties were at their lowest point during Hasinas Awami League regime, particularly when it initiated in 2010 the trial of collaborators of Pakistani troops during the 1971 Liberation War. As Russia continues to press for its demands to be met for next stage of peace talks while the US looks impatient for Ukraine truce, geopolitics experts say that the post-Alaska summit developments increasingly make it clear that Vladimir Putin outsmarted Donald Trump. US President Donald Trump (right) reaches out to shake hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after arriving at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP) The hype created and the hope raised following the Alaska summit, when US President Donald Trump hosted his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin seem to be dying down. Sharp differences have appeared in understanding and interpretation of the talks and outcomes of the Trump-Putin summit at an American military base. Russia has rebuffed the European idea of negotiating peace from the position where Ukraine looks militarily strong, with a promise of security guarantee that Moscow has described as a threat. Europe, including Ukraine, has refused to accept Russias terms for peace talks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump looks frustrated with the pace of progress for truce in Ukraine. He has used the old carrot and stick approach, but using it for both the warring sides. The prospects of ceasefire, as a result, still look distant, with critics slamming Russia for doubling down on maximalist demands. Attacks have intensified again. Russia launched the largest aerial attack in weeks on Ukraine on Thursday with more than 600 missiles and drones. Several civilian settlements came under attack, reports said. Russian missiles also struck an American-owned factory in the far-western province of Zakarpattia. On Sunday, Ukraine launched a barrage of drone attacks on Russia. A nuclear power plant was targeted in Russias Kursk, sparking a fire at the facility as Ukraine celebrated 34 years since its independence. Meanwhile, Trump on Friday granted Russia two more weeks to consider his requests for ceasing fire in Ukraine. Trump has also faced criticism for delaying his promised sanctions against Russia. The contrast is sharper now after the bombing of an American factory. Trumps stance also fits a pattern: Trump promised a ceasefire and floated proposals that many believed favoured Russia. When Russia rejected even those favourable offers, Trump threatened just like he warned of severe consequences before the Alaska summit. Putin outsmarted Trump in Alaska? After the Alaska summit, Putin looked to be signalling that he had come out on the top. While Trump said that some great progress was made on unspecified issues, Putin stressed that he was convinced that the primary causes of the conflict must be addressed for the war to end. In the past 10 days, Russian officials have made it clear that Putin wants Ukraine to surrender the entire Donbas region not just the area under Russian control. They have also said that Putin wants a written pledge form Nato to stop onboarding of new member-states, permanent neutrality of Ukraine, limits on the Ukrainian military, and a veto in any security guarantees to Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such declarations have directly contradicted the American positions. However, much against what many expected, there has been no pushback from the Trump administration. It seems that the White House has misinterpreted the message from Moscow, says Nicholas Lokker, a Russian foreign and security policy researcher at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a think tank in Washington DC. Contrary to what top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have suggested as major concessions, Lokker says that there is little evidence that Russias stance has changed following Trumps separate talks with Putin, Zelenskyy, and other European leaders. Recently, the Kremlin has clarified that its position has not changed. It has not made reported concessions like agreeing to a Putin-Zelenskyy summit. Overall, it does seem that Putin has largely played Trump, says Lokker. Can European unity force Putins hand? In unprecedented unity, some of the most powerful European leaders joined Zelenskyy at the White House to press Trump to push for a ceasefire at the earliest and US-backed security guarantees. But Trump has looked non-committal in echoing the intensity of their calls for a ceasefire and has endorsed security guarantees whose contours are still vague. Even as Europe has stepped up its efforts for a stronger pushback against Russia, and announced it would buy weapons for Ukraine, Trump has put limiting conditions he is selling those weapons at a 10 per cent premium and his defence department has barred Ukraine from using missiles to strike deep inside Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Europe, the Russian aggression is the biggest security crisis since the World War II and Ukraine is its first line of defence. However, going by the constraints and the decades-long dependence on American defence apparatus, European nations are unlikely to be able to provide security guarantees on their own that can deter Russia, according to Prof Amitabh Singh, a scholar of Russian and European affairs at the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi. For any security guarantees, the role of the United States, whether direct involvement or an indirect role as a backstop, is a must. Otherwise, European security guarantees on their own are unlikely to work as they do not have military might that is comparable to the United States. You cannot rule out US involvement at this point as President Trump has not given up on Nato. He has sought increased defence spending that members have agreed to, says Singh. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As of now, however, neither the European unity nor proposals of Article 5-like security guarantees with potential American role have deterred Putin, says Lokker, the Russia scholar at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). If anything, the summits have resulted in decreased pressure on Russia as Trump has abandoned his demands for a ceasefire and backed off on his promise to impose new sanctions on Russia. While strong Congressional support for new sanctions could yet push Trump to reverse course again, the reality is that the efficacy of sanctions has been decreasing, and Putin does not seem to be swayed enough by them to alter his fundamental calculus, says Lokker. Whats the road ahead? Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday said that Ukraine could only exist as a nation if it would accept linguistic and cultural demands and give primacy to ethnic Russians in the country. This also signals that whether in terms of territory or post-war Ukrainian nation, Russian demands barely changed since 2022. Lokker, the Russia researcher at CNAS, says that as Putin has flatly refused to end the war by seeking a middle ground, the only way his hand could be forced is by increased pressure on the battlefield but thats unlikely as that would require major increase in Western military support to Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, such increased support does not look very likely at the moment, at least from the American perspective, Lokker further says. Singh, the Russia scholar at JNU, however, says that Russian territorial demands could very well prove to be the starting point for talks and the two sides could still arrive at a middle ground if America applies correct pressure on Russia and provides security guarantees to Ukraine. In the end, everyone will have to sell a victory to their people. That could only come with a compromise where each party gets something even as it gives away something. Whether Russia could be forced to make a compromise remains to be seen, says Singh. Zambada entered his plea in a Brooklyn federal court, two weeks after prosecutors said they wouldnt seek the death penalty against him. Instead, hes expecting to be sentenced Jan. 13 to life in prison. View of the front pages of Mexican newspapers showing the news of the capture of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, in Mexico City, Mexico. AFP Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada pleaded guilty Monday to US drug trafficking charges, saying he was sorry for helping to flood the US with cocaine, heroin and other illicit substances and for fueling deadly violence in Mexico. I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico, he said through a Spanish-language interpreter. I apologize for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the leadership of Zambada and Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional player into the largest drug trafficking organization in the world. More from World What is the flesh-eating screwworm parasite detected in a person in the US for the first time? In pleading guilty, Zambada acknowledged the extent of the Sinaloa operation, including underlings who built relationships with cocaine producers in Colombia, oversaw the importation of cocaine to Mexico by boat and plane and the smuggling of the drug across the US-Mexico border. He acknowledged that people working for him paid bribes to Mexican police and military commanders so they could operate freely, going all the way back to when the cartel was just starting out. He traced his involvement in the illegal drug business to his teenage years, when he said he planted marijuana for the first time in 1969. He said he went on to sell heroin and other drugs, but especially cocaine and that from 1980 until last year, he and his cartel were responsible for transporting at least 1.5 million kilograms of cocaine, most of which went to the United States. Zambada entered his plea in a Brooklyn federal court, two weeks after prosecutors said they wouldnt seek the death penalty against him. Instead, hes expecting to be sentenced Jan. 13 to life in prison. The 77-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise. He was arrested in Texas last year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prosecutors say Zambada presided over a violent, highly militarized cartel with a private security force armed with powerful weapons and a cadre of sicarios, or hitmen, that carried out assassinations, kidnappings and torture. Lawyers for Zambada didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday. Guzman was sentenced to life behind bars following his conviction in the same federal court in Brooklyn in 2019. His two sons, who ran a cartel faction, also face federal charges. The Sinaloa cartel is Mexicos oldest criminal group, with various incarnations dating to the 1970s. It is a drug trafficking power player: A former Mexican cabinet member was convicted of taking bribes to help the cartel. Considered a good negotiator, Zambada was seen as the cartels strategist and dealmaker, thought to be more involved in its day-to-day doings than the more flamboyant Guzman. Nevertheless, prosecutors have said Zambada also was enmeshed in the groups violence, at one point ordering the murder of his own nephew. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In court Monday, he acknowledged the grave human toll of his drug trade, including lethal fighting between his armed guards and cartel rivals. These confrontations led to many deaths both of our enemies and of fighters on our side, Zambada said. Many innocent people were also killed. As he concluded his eight-minute remarks, he apologized to everyone who has suffered from my actions. US law enforcement sought Zambada for more than two decades, but he was never arrested in any country until he was taken into custody in Texas last year. He had arrived in a private plane with one of Guzmans sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Chicago; his brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, pleaded guilty last month. Zambada has said he was kidnapped in Mexico and taken against his will to the US He had often been at odds with Guzmans sons, dubbed the Chapitos, a term that translates to little Chapos. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Zambadas arrest touched off deadly fighting in Mexico between rival Sinaloa cartel factions, apparently pitting his loyalists against backers of Guzmans sons. France has summoned US ambassador Charles Kushner after he accused President Emmanuel Macrons government of failing to act against rising antisemitic violence, a charge Paris firmly rejected. France has summoned the US ambassador Charles Kushner after he accused President Emmanuel Macron in an open letter of failing to tackle antisemitic violence, the French foreign ministry said on Sunday, according to AP. Kushner, who is Jewish and whose son Jared is married to Donald Trumps daughter Ivanka, published an open letter in the Wall Street Journal addressed to President Emmanuel Macron. The letter comes amid tensions between France, the US and Israel over recognition of Palestine state and war in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He noted that Monday marks the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil during Nazi occupation. I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalised, Kushner wrote. He urged Macron to strengthen the enforcement of hate-crime laws and tone down criticism of Israel, arguing that French talk of recognising a Palestinian state had fuelled antisemitic incidents. While antisemitism has long scarred French life, he said hatred of Jews has exploded since Hamass barbaric assault on October 7, 2023. France quickly rejected the accusations. France firmly refutes these latest allegations. The Ambassadors allegations are unacceptable, the ministry said, confirming Kushner had been summoned to appear on Monday. It cited the 1961 Vienna Convention, which bars diplomats from interfering in a countrys internal affairs. Kushners intervention followed a letter to Macron earlier in the week from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also accused the French president of encouraging antisemitism by pushing for international recognition of a Palestinian state. Macron has been one of Netanyahus sharpest critics over the war in Gaza, particularly the toll on Palestinian civilians, while Trump has stood firmly behind the Israeli leader. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In todays world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism plain and simple, Kushner wrote. Macron has repeatedly condemned antisemitism, calling it contrary to French values, and has ordered tighter security at synagogues and Jewish sites since the Gaza conflict began. France is home to western Europes largest Jewish community, around half a million people, and also a large Muslim population, both of which have reported a rise in hate crimes linked to the war. Macrons pledge to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN in September has already drawn strong criticism from Israel. India on Sunday alerted Pakistan about flooding in the Tawi river through its High Commission in Islamabad, bypassing the Indus Waters Treaty mechanism that remains suspended after the Pahalgam terror attack, according to a report. In this photo released by Rescue 1122 Emergency Department, rescue workers and local residents gather at the site of a massive cloudburst led to flash flooding in Salarzai, Pakistan. AP As Pakistan grapples with a massive flood-like situation, India on Sunday alerted Islamabad about flooding in the Tawi river through its High Commission, as the usual Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) channel remains in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack, a report said. As a gesture of goodwill amid worsening bilateral ties after a brief conflict, this marked the first time New Delhi used its diplomatic mission to convey such information, instead of the treaty mechanism that normally relies on communication between the Indus Water Commissioners. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Under the Indus Waters Treaty, such information is shared through the Indus Water Commissioner. But with the treaty in abeyance, the alert was sent directly via the High Commission, an official source said as quoted in the report. Jammu sees centurys second-highest August rainfall The alert came amid heavy rains that triggered severe flooding across Jammu, where 190.4 mm of rainfall was recorded in just 24 hours, the second-highest downpour for August in over a century. Low-lying neighbourhoods, including Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tilloo, Jewel Chowk, New Plot and Sanjay Nagar, were inundated, with floodwaters entering homes, damaging boundary walls, and sweeping away vehicles. Several rivers in the region, including the Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, Ravi and Basantar, have swollen to dangerous levels, prompting authorities to place disaster response teams on high alert. Pakistans monsoon crisis deepens Since late June, monsoon-related disasters across Pakistan have killed at least 739 people, destroyed over 2,400 homes, and led to the loss of more than 1,000 livestock. Thousands have been displaced, while homes, schools, and crops have been wiped out, according to UN agencies and national authorities. Meanwhile, forecasts caution that the severe weather could persist into early September, heightening fears of more flooding, landslides, and damage to agriculture. Indus Waters Treaty India and Pakistan signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960, a landmark agreement to govern the sharing of waters from the Indus River system. The pact emerged out of disputes that followed Partition, when control over the river became a potential flashpoint between the two neighbours. Pakistan had approached the United Nations, after which the World Bank stepped in to mediate. Following nearly nine years of negotiations, the treaty was signed by Indias Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistans President Ayub Khan. Treaty in abeyance after terror attack However, after the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam which left 26 tourists dead, India placed the treaty in abeyance. In response, Pakistani leaders have issued war threats to India over the move. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the countrys military would withdraw from all five positions in southern Lebanon if Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, were completely disarmed Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the countrys military would withdraw from all five positions in southern Lebanon if Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, were completely disarmed. On Monday, the Israeli prime minister said the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon and roll back air force strikes if Israels conditions are met. Forces and weapons: The bone of contention The withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon has been a sticking point in Hezbollahs disarmament since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended in November 2024 with a US-brokered ceasefire. The group has maintained that it would not lay down arms completely unless Israel withdraws from five hills it controls inside Lebanon and stops daily airstrikes. Hundreds of Hezbollah members have been killed in Israeli strikes. There was no immediate response by Lebanese authorities to Netanyahus statement. Lebanon is under pressure from the US to disarm Hezbollah, which was engaged in a 14-month war with Israel. The conflict left the Lebanese armed group gravely weakened, with many of its political and military leaders killed in Israeli strikes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netanyahus announcement comes after a visit to Israel by US envoy Tom Barrack, who has been attempting to solidify the ceasefire and to push Lebanon to move ahead with disarmament of Hezbollah. During a visit to Lebanon last week, Barrack said the Lebanese government has done their part and now what we need is for Israel to comply with that equal handshake. Peace for prosperity: What Lebanon needs right now Lebanon needs international support to rebuild after last years war, which left large swathes of southern and eastern Lebanon in ruins and caused an estimated $11.1 billion in damages, according to the World Bank. International aid is likely to be contingent on Hezbollah disarming. However, the Lebanese government must move cautiously to avoid an internal explosion of unrest. Naim Kassem, Hezbollahs secretary-general, has vowed to fight efforts to disarm the group by force, sowing fears of civil conflict in the country. Hezbollahs leadership has vowed not to disarm, saying the national governments decision to remove the Iran-backed groups weapons by the end of the year serves Israels interests. Israel has its own concerns if Hezbollah stays armed Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rebuild its military capabilities, and its military has said the five locations in Lebanon provide vantage points or are located across from communities in northern Israel, where about 60,000 Israelis were displaced during the war. Since the war ended, Hezbollah has withdrawn most of its fighters and weapons from the area along the border with Israel south of the Litani river. The ceasefire agreement is vague on how Hezbollahs weapons and military facilities north of the Litani river should be treated, saying Lebanese authorities should dismantle unauthorized facilities starting with the area south of the river. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hezbollah maintains that the deal only covers the area south of the Litani, while Israel and the US say it mandates disarmament of the group throughout Lebanon. A low-level conflict between Israel and Hezbollah started a day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack against Israel from Gaza, when Hezbollah began launching rockets across the border in support of its Palestinian ally. The conflict escalated into war in September 2024 and left more than 4,000 people dead. (With inputs from Associated Press) Elon Musks companies, xAI and X, have filed a US federal antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, alleging the tech giants conspired to suppress competition in the AI and smartphone markets. This combination of pictures shows (L-R) Elon Musk in Los Angeles on May 6, 2024 and Open AI CEO Sam Altman in Seoul on February 4, 2025. File image/ AFP Elon Musks businesses, xAI and X, launched a broad US antitrust case against Apple and OpenAI on Monday, claiming that the tech giants conspired unlawfully to suppress competition in the smartphone and artificial intelligence industries. The 61-page complaint, which was filed in a Texas federal court, charges Apple and OpenAI of entering into an exclusive agreement that prevents competitors like xAIs Grok from using OpenAIs ChatGPT, the only generative AI chatbot built into Apples iPhone operating system. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is a tale of two monopolists joining forces to ensure their continued dominance in a world rapidly driven by the most powerful technology humanity has ever created: artificial intelligence, the lawsuit states. According to the plaintiffs, OpenAI owns at least 80% of the market for generative AI chatbots through ChatGPT, while Apple controls 65% of the US smartphone market. In June 2024, Apple and OpenAI announced their collaboration, enabling ChatGPT to be the only AI helper available via Apples Siri voice assistant and other iPhone functionalities. According to the lawsuit, ChatGPT has unique access to billions of user prompts from hundreds of millions of iPhone users as a result of this arrangement. Additionally, the complaint alleges that Apple delayed the approval of upgrades for the Grok app while manipulating App Store rankings to favour ChatGPT. Musks businesses are requesting a permanent injuction to halt the claimed anticompetitive acts, along with billions of dollars in damages. They have called for a trial by jury. This latest filing is consistent with Mr Musks ongoing pattern of harassment, OpenAI said in a statement to AFP. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The lawsuit follows threats Musk made earlier this month that triggered a fiery exchange with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman called Musks accusation of ranking manipulation remarkable, charging that Musk himself manipulates X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesnt like. Musk called Altman a liar in the heated exchange. Both men were original founders of OpenAI before Musks departure in 2018 and now have a highly conflictual relationship. Musk founded xAI in 2023 to compete with OpenAI and other major AI players that have poured billions of dollars into AI since the blockbuster launch of the first version of OpenAIs ChatGPT in late 2022. Netanyahu on Sunday warned Yemens Houthis they would pay a heavy price after the IDF carried out airstrikes on military targets in the capital Sanaa, in retaliation for missiles fired at Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the security cabinet on Sunday after the IDF struck Houthi military targets in capital city Sanaa, in retaliation for missiles fired at Israel. Netanyahu issued a stern warning, saying the Yemeni rebel group is "paying a heavy price. The Air Force again a ttacked strategic targets in Yemen today. It attacked the presidential palace in the heart of the capital, Sanaa, the citys power plant and the fuel tanks that supply it. The Houthi terrorist regime is learning the hard way that it will pay and is paying a very heavy price for its aggression against the State of Israel, Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking later from the Air Force command center in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu vowed to continue targeting anyone who threatens Israel. Whoever attacks us, we will attack him. Whoever plans to attack uswe attack them. I think the entire region is learning Israels strength and determination, he said. The strikes came shortly after the military reported that a ballistic missile launched from Yemen on Friday carried a cluster bomb warhead the first time the Houthis are believed to have used such a weapon. Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed Israel destroyed the Houthi presidential palace in Yemen, though no independent reports confirmed the claim. Netanyahu had only said the palace was targeted. The IDF has now destroyed the Houthi presidential palace in Yemen and attacked fuel depots and power and electricity stations, Katz said. We continue to impose an air and naval blockade and are hitting infrastructure targets used to promote Houthi terrorism. For every missile they launch at Israel, the Houthis will pay many times over. Netanyahu and Katz were joined by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar. Reports said Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was also invited to observe the strikes. Polands newly elected President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed legislation that would have extended welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees, delivering on a key campaign promise to tighten social assistance amid rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the country Polish President Karol Nawrocki gives a statement to the media at the presidential palace in Warsaw, Poland, on August 21, 2025. Reuters File Polands newly elected President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed legislation that would have extended welfare benefits for Ukrainian refugees, delivering on a key campaign promise to tighten social assistance amid rising anti-Ukrainian sentiment in the country. According to The Guardian report, Nawrocki, who took office earlier this month after winning an election in spring, said only Ukrainians in work should receive child benefit payments. We remain open to providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens that hasnt changed, The Guardian quoted Nawrocki as saying in a statement. But after three-and-a-half years, our law should be amended, he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Nawrocki vetoed a bill that would have extended the current system of payments, due to expire in September, until March 2026. Since Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than 1 million Ukrainian refugees have settled in Poland, the majority of them women and children. Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticised the veto as did others in his government. We cannot punish people for losing their job particularly not innocent children. This is the ABC of human decency, the labour minister, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bak, wrote on X. The child benefit payments are 800 zoty (162) a month. President Nawrocki does not agree to the privileged treatment of citizens of other countries, said a statement released by his office. That is why he has decided to veto the bill on assistance for Ukrainian citizens in its current form and will present his own legal proposals. Polands government and President Karol Nawrocki are locked in a legislative standoff, with each side able to block the others proposals. Prime Minister Tusk had hoped ally Rafa Trzaskowski would win the presidency, but the right-wing Nawrocki narrowly took office and is now using his veto power. Nawrockis recent veto of a bill extending refugee benefits has also jeopardised Polands funding of Starlink internet for Ukraine, Deputy PM Krzysztof Gawkowski warned. This is the end of Starlink internet, he posted on X. Nawrockis office said funding could continue if parliament passes his alternate bill by Septembers end. Poland was once one of Ukraines strongest supporters, but public sentiment has shifted. Despite studies showing Ukrainian refugees contribute more in taxes than they receive in aid, political rhetoric has stoked growing resentment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Russia on Sunday accused Ukraine of launching a wave of drone strikes, including one that set off a fire at a nuclear power plant, as Kyiv marked 34 years of independence from the Soviet Union. This handout photograph published on August 21, 2025, on the official Telegram channel of the head of the Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration Myroslav Biletsky shows smoke emanating over buildings following a Russian air attack in Mukachevo, Zakarpattia region.- AFP Russia accused Ukraine on Sunday (Aug 24) of launching dozens of drone strikes, including one that triggered a fire at a nuclear power plant, as Ukrainians marked 34 years of independence from the Soviet Union. Officials in Moscow said a Ukrainian drone hit the Kursk nuclear power plant, about 60 km from the border, damaging an auxiliary transformer and forcing one reactor to cut output by half. Ukraine has not commented on the claim. The fire was quickly put out, and the plant reported no casualties or change in radiation levels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed radiation readings near the plant were normal and repeated its warnings about the risks of fighting near nuclear sites since Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Russias defence ministry said at least 95 drones were intercepted across more than a dozen regions on Sunday, the day Ukraine celebrated its 1991 independence. Some drones were downed far from the frontlines, including near St Petersburg. In the Leningrad region, falling debris caused a fire at the port of Ust-Luga, a major fuel export terminal. The governor said about 10 drones had been intercepted there. Ukraine has relied heavily on drones to strike Russian targets, especially oil and fuel facilities that fund Moscows war effort. Kyiv, meanwhile, said Russia launched a ballistic missile and 72 Iranian-made Shahed drones, of which the air force shot down 48. A Russian drone strike killed a 47-year-old woman in Dnipropetrovsk, according to the regional governor. On the ground, Russia said it had captured two villages in eastern Donetsk on Saturday. Ukraines commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi countered that his forces had retaken three other villages in the same region, now central to ongoing peace talks. At an Independence Day ceremony, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared: This is how Ukraine strikes when its calls for peace are ignored. He added, Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose. Ukraine has secured its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused European leaders of prolonging the war in Ukraine, insisting that the continent does not want peace' As the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, Russia accused European leaders of prolonging the conflict and not wanting peace in Ukraine. The remarks came from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday. Lavrovs comments on the matter came after the US Vice President JD Vance said that the US would keep on trying to broker talks between the two nations. While speaking to NBC News on Sunday, Lavrov denied that his country had bombed civilian targets in Ukraine. He went on to say that Trump had set himself above European leaders who accompanied Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for talks at the White House last week after the POTUSs summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We want peace in Ukraine. He wants, President Trump wants, peace in Ukraine. The reaction to [the] Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington, indicates that they dont want peace, Lavrov averred. Zelenskyy calls for talks with Putin While speaking to NBC News, the Russian foreign minister brushed off Trumps apparent frustration at the outcome and the US warning of massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both against Moscow. The Russian diplomat said yes when asked if Putin wanted peace and insisted that Putin and Trump respect each other. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy on Sunday insisted that a meeting with his Russian counterpart continues to remain the most effective way forward as the two sides exchange prisoners and the country celebrated Independence Day. The remarks came at a time when Ukrainian generals said that the countrys troops had recaptured three villages in the Donetsk region that had fallen under Russian control. Ukraine also launched drone strikes on Russia, triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant. Zelenskyy maintained that the format of talks between leaders is the most effective way forward, renewing calls for a bilateral summit with Putin. Zelenskyy was responding to Lavrovs accusation of Western countries seeking a pretext to block negotiations and condemned Zelenskyy for demanding an immediate meeting at all costs. Zelenskyy, speaking at a ceremony attended by Western officials including US envoy Keith Kellogg whom he awarded with the Ukrainian Order of Merit vowed to push Russia to peace. On the same day, Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said that three other villages had been reclaimed in Donetsk, which has emerged as the focal point for peace talks. Hence, it will be interesting to see whether Putin and Zelenskyy will sit down for peace talks or not. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March and later returned to the US, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Seen through a glass window, Salvadoran migrant and US resident Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife Jennifer Vasquez (left) enter a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday. AFP A Salvadoran man at the center of controversy surrounding President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown was arrested on Monday and now faces deportation. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March and later returned to the US, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. ICE was processing him for deportation, Noem added in a post on X. According to Garcias lawyers, the U.S. government now plans to deport him to the distant African nation of Uganda. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Garcia had been released last week from a Tennessee jail, where he faces human smuggling charges, and was allowed to return to his home in Maryland while awaiting trial. As part of his release conditions, he was required to report to ICE in Baltimore on Monday. However, when he arrived for the appointment, he was taken into custody by ICE, said one of his attorneys, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg. The notice stated that the reason was an interview, AFP quoted Sandoval-Moshenber as saying. Clearly that was false. There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the US Marshal Service and basically on house arrest, he said. The only reason that theyve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. The attempt to deport Garcia to Uganda in East Africa adds a dramatic new twist to a saga that became a test case for Trumps harsh crackdown on illegal immigration - and, critics say, his trampling of the law. Administrative error Garcia had been living in the U.S. under protected legal status since 2019, after a judge ruled that deporting him to El Salvador could put his life at risk. Despite this, he was among more than 200 people sent to El Salvadors notorious CECOT mega-prison during former President Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented migrants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Justice Department lawyers later acknowledged that Garcias deportation was a result of an administrative error. He was brought back to the US, only to be arrested again in Tennessee on human smuggling charges. Garcia denies the allegations, while the government claims he is a violent MS-13 gang member who helped smuggle other undocumented migrants into the country. Just before his release last week, federal officials offered Garcia a deal: remain in custody, plead guilty to human smuggling, and accept deportation to Costa Rica. He refused. His case has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over Trumps hardline immigration policies. While supporters applaud the aggressive approach, legal experts and human rights advocates criticise what they describe as a chaotic and unlawful rush to deport individualsoften without due process. With inputs from agencies Some National Guard units in Washington DC have begun carrying firearms on patrol at President Donald Trumps direction, an escalation in the federal security presence in the capital, says report. Some National Guard units deployed in Washington DC, under the orders of President Donald Trump have begun carrying firearms, marking an escalation in the military presence in the American capital city, the Associated Press reported. A Defence Department official told AP that only select units on specific missions are armed some with handguns, others with rifles. The official stressed that troops carrying weapons are trained and bound by strict rules governing the use of force. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Sunday, an AP photographer observed members of the South Carolina National Guard outside Union Station with holstered handguns. The joint task force overseeing security in Washington confirmed that units began carrying service weapons Sunday, noting that military guidelines allow force only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. It added that the mission remains focused on protecting the safety and wellbeing of residents. According to the Pentagon official, the order applies only to Guard members engaged in law enforcement patrols, while those handling transport or administrative duties will remain unarmed. Thousands of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers are already patrolling the citys streets, a presence that has sparked sporadic protests from locals. The move highlights Trumps effort to assert federal authority over state and local governments. He is also considering sending Guard units to other Democrat-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago, and New York. Earlier Sunday, when Marylands governor offered to accompany him on a tour of Baltimore, Trump replied that he might instead send in the troops. As South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung prepares to meet his American counterpart Donald Trump, he would face his first major foreign policy test, i.e. balancing ties with the US and China South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung is embarking on his first overseas trip for bilateral diplomacy, with stops in both Washington, DC and Tokyo. However, unlike his predecessor, Lee didnt visit the United States first; instead, he chose Japan for his first overseas trip, the same country that colonised South Korea decades ago. While the South Korean presidents visit to Japan reflected the rebuilding of ties between the two nations, Lees upcoming visit to Washington, DC, was also at the centre of attention. With the return of US President Donald Trump to the White House, both Japan and South Korea are navigating a volatile relationship with Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has imposed tariffs, demanded greater defence spending, and pushed both nations to pay more for hosting US troops. In the midst of this, the Lee administration is also seeking to normalise relations with China, which have been strained in recent years. Heres how Lee will be navigating the three nations. Rebuilding ties with Japan After his bilateral talks with the Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Japan and South Korea issued their first joint statement in 17 years. Both nations pledged to foster deeper cooperation on AI, trade, and denuclearising the Korean Peninsula. They went on to announce plans to launch a joint task force to tackle shared challenges. Lees visit was significant not because of the agreements and MoUs that were signed, but because of the change in approach of Lee from his predecessor. This is our second meeting, and I feel as if we are close friends, South Koreas Lee said about his Japanese counterpart. This marked a significant shift from animosity to friendliness between the two nations. It is pertinent to note that Japans occupation of Korea lasted for over three decades, and since then, it has been a dark shadow over the ties between the two countries. In 2023, it was Lee himself who criticised South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for attending a landmark summit with Japan, calling him a puppet of Tokyo. However, since taking office two months ago, Lee has taken a pragmatic stance on the matter. On August 15 South Koreas Liberation Day from Japanese rule Lee referred to Japan as an indispensable partner for economic growth. Hence, the ties between the two nations are expected to foster. The meeting with Trump Part of the reason why South Korea is mending ties with Japan is US President Donald Trumps turbulent policies. This will be the first time Lee has visited the country after getting elected. Ahead of his visit, the South Korean President pushed back against US pressure to refocus his countrys 71-year-old military alliance away from the US. This is not an issue we can easily agree with, Lee Jae-myung told reporters during his flight to Washington, DC, hinting at the challenges waiting for him at the White House. It is pertinent to note that the US has had some 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea for about two decades. It was maintained that these troops would provide strategic flexibility to deploy them to meet security challenges away from the Korean Peninsula. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, South Korea has previously sent soldiers to assist the US in Vietnam and Iraq. However, since it considers North Korea, not China, as its main threat, it does not want to get dragged into a conflict with China, since tensions are high over the Taiwan issue. Apart from this, Lee will also be looking at signing a trade deal with the United States. His first challenge in hand would be turning a verbal agreement and loose framework, agreed upon last month, into a full-fledged trade deal with the US. In a bid to lower the US tariffs on South Korean exports from 25 to 15 per cent, Seoul has pledged to invest $350 billion in the US. The US has maintained that Trump would ultimately pick the investments. Meanwhile, South Koreas industry minister has said that the claim does not make sense. Hence, just like other world leaders, Lee would also have the pressure to please the POTUS. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Balancing China Apart from this, South Korea hopes to normalise relations with China, which have been strained significantly in recent years. On Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met the South Korean envoy and agreed to boost economic cooperation between the two nations. Lee has sent a special delegation led by former parliament speaker Park Byeong-seug to his countrys main trading partner as he travels to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump. During a meeting, Park told Wang he hoped the countries would work together to open the door to normalising South Korea-China relations, which have been strained in recent years, according to his comments relayed by South Korean TV. Park also handed the Chinese foreign minister a letter from Lee to Chinese President Xi Jinping and invited Xi to the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping in October. (South Koreas) new government will pursue a mature development of South Korea-China strategic cooperation partnership based on national interest while continuing to develop the South Korea-U.S. alliance, Park said. With Trumps turbulent policies looming over its head, South Korea is also eying a rebuild of ties with China. Hence, it will be interesting to see how the US would react to the budding closeness. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Syrias interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa will deliver a speech at the United Nations General Assembly next month, the first Syrian leader to do so in decades. His participation marks a historic diplomatic step for Syria following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and the countrys return to the international stage Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria, on March 10, 2025. Reuters File Syrias interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, will speak at the United Nations General Assembly next month, a foreign ministry official told AFP on Monday, the first Syrian leader to do so in decades. Sharaa will take part in the United Nations General Assembly in New York where he will deliver a speech, the official said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorised to brief the media. Sharaa took power in December after his Islamist group led a coalition of forces that toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad after nearly 14 years of gruelling civil war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He will be the first Syrian president to speak at the United Nations since former president Nureddin al-Atassi (in 1967), and the first Syrian president ever to take part in the General Assemblys high-level week, scheduled for September 22-30, the official added. Since taking power, Syrias new authorities have gained regional and international support. In April, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani addressed the United Nations for the first time and raised his countrys new flag at the bodys New York headquarters. Sharaa met US President Donald Trump in May in Saudi Arabia, a week after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first trip to the West. Sharaa remains under United Nations sanctions and a travel ban due to his past as a wanted jihadist, and must request an exemption for all foreign trips. More than 80 per cent of the surveyed hotels in Japan listed tourists leaving behind their travel luggage as a problem. It adds a burden onto the hotel staff. Such is also the case for airports A surge in foreign visitors is leaving Japan with an unusual problem: piles of abandoned suitcases. Hotels, airports and busy tourist areas have reported rising cases of travelers discarding old luggage after buying new, larger suitcases to carry home souvenirs and shopping hauls. In Osakas Minami district, a suitcase left on the street this month unsettled a 19-year-old karaoke bar worker. I dont know what might be inside, so its scary, she told Nikkei. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi, three or four suitcases are left behind in rooms on some days. The 161-room hotel stores them in lost and found for three months, but most go unclaimed. Disposal cost the hotel about 300,000 yen ($2,000) last year. It places a heavy burden on our staff, who have to contact the guests and bring the suitcases out of the rooms, Nikkei quoted general manager Kentaro Kaneko as saying. The hotel now gives unclaimed luggage to a cleaning company. An Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau survey in June and July found more than 80 per cent of 34 hotels said abandoned suitcases were a problem. Airports are also struggling. Narita International Airport near Tokyo reported 1,073 dumped suitcases in fiscal 2024, more than double 2019 levels. Kansai International Airport has also surpassed pre-pandemic figures. In July, Aichi prefectural police referred a man to prosecutors for abandoning a suitcase at Chubu Centrair International Airport after transferring his belongings to another bag. Police said empty suitcases left unattended require full security checks to rule out explosives, often involving several officers. Professor Daisuke Abe of Ryukoku University said tourists may be discarding luggage in Japan because suitcases are relatively inexpensive. Public and private sectors need to discuss this so we can build a system that allows tourists to dispose of suitcases properly and provide sufficient information to them, Abe said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid feud with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, US President Donald Trump threatened to cancel funding for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was destroyed by a ship strike last year US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One as he departs Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on August 15, 2025, en route to Anchorage. Image- AFP US President Donald Trump deepens his feud with Marylands Democratic government as he threatened on Sunday to cancel funding for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which was destroyed by a ship strike last year. The Republican firebrand did not attempt to offer a reason for hurling such threats. Trump warned to pause funding because of his own political differences with Wes Moore, Marylands governor and the only Black leader of a US state. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump alluded to the fact that the disaster relief funding would be wielded as a political weapon against any state or local leaders who dared challenge him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge, Trump wrote in the post on Sunday. However, the proclamation is untrue because he wasnt the president of the country in 2024, when the full federal funding for the project was allocated soon after the crash. I will now have to rethink that decision??? he continued. Why is Trump angry with Moore? The presidents remarks on the matter came in response to Moores invitation to the president to walk the city of Baltimore. The Democratic governor attempted to extend an olive branch to the president, extending an invitation for him to visit the city last week. The invitation also came amid Trumps threats to extend his federal takeover of Washington, DC to other cities with Democratic leadership and large Black populations, like Chicago. Donald Trump, if you are not willing to walk our communities, keep our name out of your mouth, Moore said last week. The remarks left Trump fuming. In a lengthy post on TruthSocial on Sunday, Trump claimed that the governors record on crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing. He went on to declare that he would send in troops like he did in Los Angeles to quickly clean up the crimes in the city. When it is like that in Baltimore, I will proudly walk the streets with the failing, because of Crime, Governor of Maryland, he wrote. Trumps crackdown on Democratic led cities Earlier in August, the White House announced that it was federalising the countrys capital, Washington, DCs police force. He went on to deploy the National Guard and agents from multiple federal law enforcement agencies on the streets of the nations capital. The Trump administration argued that these measures were being taken ostensibly to combat a crime wave, though the administrations explanation has shifted between fighting crime and beautification measures. After a few days of tussle, the control of the policy was returned to the city leaders. However, National Guard troops continue to remain deployed across the capital, and federal agents still patrol the streets of Washington, DC. On Friday, Trump went on to declare that he was looking to expand his efforts to other cities led by Democrats, though legal restrictions over the deployment of the Guard will likely hinder that plan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Moore, like other Democratic governors, has maintained that he would refuse to authorise the deployment of Marylands National Guard troops for crimefighting efforts in Baltimore. The drop from January to June 2025 links to broad enforcement measures put into place during President Donald Trumps second term. These include 181 executive actions focusing on limiting entry and increasing deportations The photograph shows special agents with Homeland Security Investigations leading a worker away from a workplace raid in Ohio in 2018, part of a string of such operations during the first Donald Trump administration. (Photo: Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Recent analysis by the Pew Research Center shows that, for the first time in decades, more immigrants are leaving the United States than arriving. Between January and June 2025, the immigration population, including both lawful and unlawful residents, fell from a record 53.3 million to 51.9 million, a drop of nearly 1.5 million people. This significant change marks an important turning point. Experts noted that the United States last experienced negative net migration in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, when hundreds of thousands of Mexicans and Mexican Americans fled. Today, the decline in immigration is due to policy rather than an economic crisis. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The drop from January to June 2025 links to broad enforcement measures put into place during President Donald Trumps second term. These include 181 executive actions focusing on limiting entry and increasing deportations. According to the research, much of the population loss likely involves unauthorized immigrants, but there have also been departures among lawful foreign nationals. The percentage of immigrants in the overall US population decreased from 15.8 percent to 15.4 percent in that six-month period. Likewise, the proportion of immigrants in the labour force fell to 19 percent, indicating a loss of over 750,000 foreign-born workers. Economists worry that this decline may worsen labour shortages in sectors such as agriculture, restaurants, and elder care. Whether this trend continues depends on policy decisions and legal challenges. However, with Congress allocating more funds for enforcement and imprisonment, analysts think strict measures will stay in place throughout Trumps term. As the debate around TikTok has resurfaced, the Chinese social media platform must stay banned as it is a massive influence operation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to Prasiddha Sudhakar, a researcher of disinformation at the nonpartisan Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI). The TikTok logo is seen in this illustration. Reuters Amid suggestions that India may reconsider the ban on TikTok in the wake of signs of improvement in the India-China relationship, a scholar of disinformation and state propaganda has warned that the Chinese social media platform must stay banned as it remains a tool of the Communist Party of China (CPC). TikTok must stay banned as it remains a massive influence operation of the CPC and its entire goal is very clearly to propagate pro-China narratives, says Prasiddha Sudhakar, a disinformation researcher at the nonpartisan Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sudhakar flagged the absence of any transparency on TikTok and said that the platform pushes pro-China narratives something empirically shown in peer-reviewed research conducted at NCRI. There is no transparency in TikTok that we see across other platforms, and theres huge discrepancies in the way that they allow, lets say, materials about Tibet or Xinjiang, compared to other mainstream platforms, Sudhakar tells Firstpost. Watch Sudhakars interview with Firstposts Madhur Sharma here in which she explains how China gains unfairly from TikTok. Your browser does not support the video tag. In the paper Information manipulation on TikTok and its relation to American users beliefs about China in Frontiers in Social Psychology, NCRI researchers published results of three studies that found that TikTok artificially served users pro-CPC content and censored content critical of the CPC. In the first study, researchers looked at the prevalence of TikTok showing content on topics sensitive to the CPC compared to Instagram and YouTube. They found that TikTok showed much more pro-CPC content and much less anti-CPC content than Instagram and YouTube. In the second study, researchers checked whether TikTok produced content based on user behaviour as every social media and video hosting platform like Instagram and YouTube does. This means that if you watch videos of dogs and cats, these platforms recommend you more videos of dogs and cats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, researchers found that despite liking and commenting on anti-CPC content four times more, TikTok showed three times more pro-CPC content. This clearly suggested that propagating pro-CPC views was woven into the apps character. In the third study, researchers found that such techniques of TikTok were CPCs favourable perception among users as they found that the more time users spent on TikTok, the more positively they viewed Chinas human rights record and China as a travel destination. WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We cant have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House," Trump wrote on Truth Social Hours before a high-stakes summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that South Korea appeared to be going through a purge or revolution, raising eyebrows in both Washington and Seoul. Taking to Truth Social, Trump wrote, WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We cant have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump did not elaborate on what specific events he was referring to, but his remarks appear to allude to the recent impeachment and removal of former conservative South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. The comments come at a time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula. Over the weekend, North Korea test-fired two new air defence missiles, while South Korean troops fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the heavily fortified border. Lee, a left-leaning former labor lawyer, assumed office in June following the impeachment of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed after controversially imposing martial law during anti-government protests. Despite his political background, Lee has emphasised continuity in security policy, maintaining joint US-South Korea military drills and expanding cooperation with Japan. His administration has also proposed a phased roadmap to dismantle North Koreas nuclear programme beginning with a freeze and leading to gradual reductions a plan Seoul hopes to gain US support for during this visit. Trumps erratic tone ahead of the meeting is being closely watched, especially in light of his renewed focus on international breakthroughs. Analysts suggest that disappointment from his recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska which ended without progress on Ukraine could push Trump to seek a more impactful outcome from todays meeting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Having the Alaska summit not go as well as he wanted may make the president much more interested in seeing this meeting with South Korea come off very well, MoneyControl quoted Victor Cha of the Center for Strategic and International Studies as saying. Lees visit comes amid growing concern over deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia. Intelligence reports indicate Pyongyang has supplied weapons and possibly troops to aid Moscows war in Ukraine giving Kim Jong Un little incentive to return to talks with the US or Seoul. Whether Trumps unpredictable diplomacy will realign or derail efforts at engagement remains to be seen. But his comments have already cast a shadow over what was intended to be a reset in USSouth Korea relations. Lee and Trump are set to hold their first bilateral summit at the White House around noon Monday, followed by a working lunch. The summit came to fruition after Seoul and Washington agreed on a trade deal at the end of July that set tariffs on Korean exports to the United States at 15%, lower than the announced 25%. Korea pledged to invest $350 billion in the United States, which includes a $150 billion shipbuilding cooperation initiative dubbed the Make American Shipbuilding Great Again, or MASGA, project. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi Algeria visit marks a strategic push as India deepens defence ties in Africa amid shifting global alliances and Algerias pivot from Russian dependency In a significant move underscoring New Delhis growing strategic outreach in Africa, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi embarked on a four-day visit to Algeria on Sunday his first overseas trip since the successful conclusion of Operation Sindoor. The visit signals a deepening of defence and security ties between the two countries, coming nearly 10 months after India and Algeria signed a landmark defence cooperation agreement. General Dwivedi is scheduled to hold high-level discussions with Algerias top military leadership, including General Said Chanegriha, Chief of Staff of the Peoples National Army, and Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of the Algerian Land Forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This outreach is part of Indias broader strategy to expand its defence footprint in Africa amid Chinas increasing presence on the continent. At the same time, Algeria historically aligned with Russia for military support is now actively seeking to diversify its defence partnerships. The agreement with India follows a similar deal with the United States, marking a notable shift away from decades of exclusive reliance on Russian defence supplies. The visit aims to reinforce defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a focus on bolstering army-to-army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence industrial collaboration, The Hindustan Times quoted the Army as saying in a statement. General Dwivedis visit will also include stops at major Algerian military institutions such as the School of Command and Major Staff and the Cherchell Military Academy. It follows sustained engagement between the two countries, including a defence seminar in Algiers from July 30 to August 1, where Indian defence firms showcased their capabilities. Last year, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited Algeria to attend events marking the 70th anniversary of its War of Independence. President Droupadi Murmu had also visited the north African country in October-November last year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India-Algeria ties India and Algeria established friendly ties after Algerias independence in 1962, but relations cooled in recent years as even the Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune did not count on India to back Algerias bid to join BRICS before he was let down by those he described as trusted partners, namely Russia and China, reported The Arab Weekly. In recent years, Algeria has significantly increased defence spending to modernise its military. Its recent defence agreements with India and the United States reflect a clear shift: the military leadership is seeking to diversify partnerships and reduce its longstanding dependence on Russia. This pivot comes amid Russias diminished capacity to fulfill arms contracts due to the Ukraine war and growing concerns over the quality of its military equipment, added the report. Analysts view Algerias growing defence ties with India as mutually strategic. For Algeria, its a move to access advanced technologies, such as drones and precision weapons, while avoiding over-reliance on Moscow. For India, its a gateway to deepen strategic presence in North Africa and the Sahel, a region of increasing geopolitical importance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Algerias shift is also driven by its experience with Russias exclusive defence role, the fallout of the Ukraine conflict, and unease over Moscows involvement in the Sahel. As a result, Algiers is now pursuing broader, diversified defence cooperation with global players like India and the US. With inputs from agencies Kyivs general said that Ukrainian troops had recaptured three villages in its Donetsk region that had fallen under Russian control. And Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russia, triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted Sunday that a meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin remained the most effective way forward as the two sides exchange prisoners and the country celebrated Independence Day. Kyivs general said that Ukrainian troops had recaptured three villages in its Donetsk region that had fallen under Russian control. And Ukraine launched drone strikes on Russia, triggering a fire at a nuclear power plant. After a push by US President Donald Trump to broker a Ukraine-Russia summit, hopes for peace dimmed when Russia on Friday ruled out any immediate Putin-Zelensky meeting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Zelensky said Sunday that the format of talks between leaders is the most effective way forward, renewing calls for a bilateral summit with Putin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier accused Western countries of seeking a pretext to block negotiations and condemned Zelensky for demanding an immediate meeting at all costs. Zelensky, speaking at a ceremony attended by Western officials including US envoy Keith Kellogg whom he awarded with the Ukrainian Order of Merit vowed to to push Russia to peace. Also Sunday, Ukraine and Russia said they had each sent back 146 prisoners of war and civilians in the latest of a series of swaps that remain one of the few areas of cooperation between the rivals. Press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed the release of two Ukrainian journalists, Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush, denouncing their abductions and the abuse they suffered in detention. Villages recaptured With the war having already claimed tens of thousands of lives, Russia has recently claimed new advances, including taking two villages in the eastern Donetsk region Saturday. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky, said Sunday that three other villages had been reclaimed in Donetsk, which has emerged as the focal point for peace talks. The drone attacks in Russia on Ukraines Independence Day included one shot down over the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia. The plant said a fire sparked by the drone had been extinguished and there were no casualties or increased radiation levels. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly warned of the risks from fighting around nuclear plants following Russias full-scale invasion launched in February 2022. Russian authorities said Ukrainian drones had also been shot down over areas far from the front, including Saint Petersburg in the northwest. Ten drones were shot down over the port of Ust-Luga on the Gulf of Finland, sparking a fire at a fuel terminal owned by Russian energy group Novatek, local authorities said. Ukraines outgunned army has used drones to target Russias oil infrastructure, a key source of Moscows revenues to fund the war. Russia has seen soaring fuel prices since the attacks began. Ukraine said Russia had attacked with a ballistic missile and 72 Iranian-made Shahed attack drones, 48 of which the air force said had been shot down. A Russian drone strike killed a 47-year-old woman in the eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, the governor said. Ukraine is a fighter Speaking at the ceremony to mark the anniversary of Ukraines 1991 independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union, Zelensky said: Today, both the US and Europe agree: Ukraine has not yet fully won, but it will certainly not lose. Ukraine has secured its independence. Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The presence of foreign troops in Ukraine once the war ended would be important, he said. Kyiv is still working on security guarantees with its allies. Russia has repeatedly objected to Western troops being stationed in Ukraine. But Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, visiting Kyiv on Sunday, said it was not the choice of Russia how the future sovereignty, independence, liberty of Ukraine is guaranteed. Zelensky thanked other world leaders including Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Britains King Charles and Pope Leo for sending messages to mark the occasion. Norway announced it would contribute seven billion kroner ($700 million) as part of its joint pledge with Germany to provide Ukraine with two complete US Patriot systems that Germany already possesses. The systems are in Germany and will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible, the Norwegian government said. Russia now controls around a fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Putin has repeatedly rebuffed calls from Ukraine and the West for an immediate ceasefire. The fighting has forced millions of people to flee their homes and destroyed cities and villages across eastern and southern Ukraine. Samsung Electronics has extended its proprietary One UI platform to smart home appliances, creating a unified software experience across smartphones, TVs, and now home appliances. As part of the rollout, Samsung Wi-Fi smart appliances introduced from 2024 will be eligible for seven years of updates, supporting extended functionality and security. Unified Software Experience Across Devices The company notes that One UI delivers a consistent interface across mobile, TV, and appliance platforms, with key functionalities including: Apps & Services: Applications such as Bixby, Gallery, and Samsung TV Plus are now available across different screens, enabling seamless media consumption and device interaction. Device Connectivity: SmartThings integration allows centralized control of home devices and services like Family Care, Pet Care, and Home Care. Common UI Features: Tools like Now Brief provide personalized information at a glance, including daily weather, family schedules, recipes, and appliance insights (e.g., remaining washing machine cycle time). 7-Year Software Support Samsung confirmed that Wi-Fi smart appliances released from 2024 will receive seven years of software updates, ensuring ongoing security, performance, and device lifespan. September Updates for 2024 Models Starting in September 2025, eligible 2024 models will receive updates to enhance security, intelligence, usability, and interface design: Security Enhancements Knox Matrix security extends to refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners, EHS, and slide-in induction ranges. Trust Chain lets smart appliances track the security of other connected devices. Screen-equipped models (Family Hub refrigerators with 9 screens, Bespoke AI washers with 7 screens) receive encrypted Credential Sync, Passkey support, and the Knox Security dashboard, previously available on 2025 models, for real-time security monitoring. Smarter Features Family Hub refrigerators get updated AI Vision Inside, recognizing frequently used packaged foods in addition to fresh foods. Bixby Voice ID allows devices to recognize individual voices and provide personalized experiences. Quick activation of Bixby is available via double-tap on the screen. Service Expansion Samsung TV Plus is now accessible in Canada, Brazil, and India, alongside previously supported regions. 7-screen washing machines will support eight additional Indian languages, including Bengali, Punjabi, and Gujarati. Refined Interface The refreshed One UI design, introduced on 2025 appliances, will be applied to 2024 models, including refrigerators, washers, ranges, and EHS devices, offering intuitive navigation and region-specific settings. Availability Eligible Samsung smart appliances launched in 2024 will start receiving software updates in September 2025, with ongoing support for seven years after launch. Speaking on the announcement, Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of the R&D Team of the Digital Appliances (DA) Business at Samsung Electronics, said: Apple has filed a lawsuit in Northern California against former employee Chen Shi, Chinese smartphone maker OPPO, and affiliated entity InnoPeak Technology, alleging misappropriation of trade secrets related to Apple Watch development. The case centers on claims that Shi unlawfully transferred confidential data to OPPO upon leaving Apple, prompting a legal battle over intellectual property rights and corporate ethics. Apples Allegations Apple asserts that Chen Shi, who served as a Sensor System Architect from January 2020 to June 2025, conspired to steal proprietary information during his exit from the company. According to the complaint, Shi misled Apple about his post-resignation plans, claiming he was returning to China to care for elderly parents while secretly joining OPPO. Apple alleges that Shi exploited his final weeks at the company to gather sensitive data, including Apple Watch design documents, internal specifications, and product roadmaps. The lawsuit claims that Shi intended to share this information with OPPO and InnoPeak, where he now leads a team focused on sensing technology. Evidence Cited The legal filing details several actions taken by Shi: Downloaded 63 protected files from Apples Box folder to a USB drive three days before departure. Engaged in a series of one-on-one technical briefings with Apple Watch team members during his final days at Apple. Performed online searches related to wiping MacBook data and hiding evidence of file access. Sent internal messages to OPPO indicating intent to collect as much information as possible, specifically referencing heart rate sensing methods. These actions, according to Apple, reflect a calculated and collaborative attempt to exploit confidential information. OPPOs Response In a statement on August 23, OPPO acknowledged the lawsuit but denied any wrongdoing. The company said: We have found no evidence establishing any connection between these allegations and the employees conduct during his employment at OPPO. OPPO emphasized its respect for corporate trade secrets and pledged full cooperation with the legal process, expressing confidence that judicial proceedings would clarify the facts. Legal Remedies Sought Apple is seeking: An injunction preventing OPPO, InnoPeak, and Shi from using or disclosing Apples trade secrets Restitution for damages incurred Punitive damages Attorneys fees The lawsuit aims to halt any further use of the allegedly stolen data and recover losses tied to the breach. Broader Implications This case underscores growing tensions around intellectual property protection in the global tech sector. It raises questions about cross-border employment transitions, corporate data security, and the legal accountability of foreign entities operating in U.S. jurisdictions. The outcome may set precedents for how trade secret cases involving multinational firms are prosecuted and defended. As the legal process unfolds, further details may emerge that clarify the scope and impact of the alleged misconduct. Samsung Electronics has released the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, positioned as an entry-level addition to its tablet lineup. According to the company, the device is intended to support mobile productivity, content creation, and media consumption. The device features a 10.9-inch screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, bundled with an S Pen for precise input. Vision Booster adjusts brightness up to 600 nits, and the display emits reduced blue light, suitable for extended use in streaming, browsing, or reading. Running Android 15.0 (7 generations of Android operating system updates and 7 years of security updates from the launch date) and powered by the Exynos 1380 (Quartz) processor, the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite supports multitasking across two memory configurations: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. A microSD slot allows expansion up to 2TB. The device includes an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, and an 8,000 mAh battery with fast charging support. The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite comes with an S Pen that allows accurate, real-time writing, drawing, and other creative tasks. Samsung Notes supports Handwriting Assist, Math Solver, PDF markup, and Split View for multitasking and organization. AI-assisted features include Circle to Search with Google for on-screen translation and information access, and the Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboard for task support and idea generation. The tablet is compatible with numerous third-party apps such as Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint, LumaFusion, Notion, Noteshelf 3, ArcSite, Sketchbook, and Picsart. Users can access special offers, including a 1-year full version of Goodnotes, a 6-month trial of Clip Studio Paint, LumaFusion with a 1-month Creator Pass, and a 1-month trial of Notion Plus Plan with Notion AI. Quick Specs: Galaxy Tab S10 Lite Display: 10.9-inch, 21121320 (WUXGA+), TFT, 90Hz Refresh Rate OS: Android 15.0 Dimensions:165.8 x 254.3 x 6.6mm Weight: 524g (Wi-Fi) Rear Camera: 8MP Front Camera: 5MP Memory & Storage: 6GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, expandable via microSD up to 2TB Processor: Exynos 1380 (Quartz) Battery: 8,000 mAh Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3 Dust and splash resistant (IP42) Color Options: Gray, Silver, Coral red Sound: 2 speakers (1.6W each) Pricing and Availability The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite will be available starting September 4 in three color optionsGray, Silver, and Coralredwith the following pricing: Wi-Fi Version 128GB: 399 (USD 466 or Rs. 40,855 approx.) 256GB: 469 (USD 548 or Rs. 48,020 approx.) 5G Version 128GB: 459 (USD 536 or Rs. 46,995 approx.) 256GB: 529 (USD 618 or Rs. 54,165 approx.) Speaking about the launch, Changtae Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics, said: Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Trump administration fires general who said attacks on Iran's nuclear sites had minimal effect Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 9:06 AM Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth has dismissed a general whose agency's initial intelligence assessmentstating that the June strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities caused only limited damagesparked anger from President Donald Trump, reports say. Jeffrey Kruse was fired on Friday along with Vice Admiral Nancy Lacore, who is chief of the Navy Reserve, as well as Rear Admiral Milton Sands, a Navy SEAL officer who oversees Naval Special Warfare Command, according to US officials who spoke to Reuters and Associated Press (AP). It was not immediately known on what grounds Kruse, who led the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) since early 2024, was fired. All three military officials stated that they were unaware of the reason behind their termination by the Trump administration. Kruse's DIA reported that the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites in June caused only limited damage, contradicting Trump's claim that the strikes "completely and fully obliterated" Iranian nuclear sites. Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has overseen a purge of top military officers, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles "CQ" Brown, whom he fired without explanation in February. "The firing of yet another senior national security official underscores the Trump administration's dangerous habit of treating intelligence as a loyalty test rather than a safeguard for our country," said US Senator Mark Warner, who is the vice chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, urged the administration to explain Kruse's dismissal, saying, "otherwise, we can only assume that this is another politically motivated decision intended to create an atmosphere of fear" within the intelligence community. Other senior officers dismissed this year include the heads of the US Navy and Coast Guard, the general who led the National Security Agency, the vice chief of staff of the US Air Force, a Navy admiral assigned to NATO, and three top military lawyers. Earlier this year, Hegseth also ordered at least a 20 percent reduction in the number of active-duty four-star generals and admirals in the US military, as well as a 10 percent cut in the overall number of general and flag officers. Kruse's firing came two days after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that she was revoking, on Trump's orders, the security clearances of 37 current and former US intelligence professionals. Gabbard also announced the first major restructuring of her office since its creation, reducing personnel by more than 40 percent by October 1 and saving more than $700m per year. The Pentagon has provided no public explanation for any of these dismissals since Trump returned to office in January. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 1MDB case: bank JP Morgan Suisse convicted by summary penalty order Swiss Government Press release Published on 22 August 2025 Bern, 22.08.2025 -- At the conclusion of criminal proceedings initiated in November 2022, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has issued a summary penalty order and partial abandonment of the proceedings. The OAG sentenced J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA (JP Morgan Suisse) to a fine of CHF 3 million for failing to take all reasonable and necessary organisational measures to prevent acts of aggravated money laundering. The fund transfers took place between October 2014 and July 2015. The outbound transactions totalled approximately CHF 174 million. This conviction is part of a series of proceedings conducted by the OAG relating to the embezzlement of assets from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). The private claimant in the case, 1MDB, stated that it will be compensated in the amount of MYR 1.4 billion. For this reason, the OAG has not ordered a compensatory claim. This criminal conviction stems from one of several cases connected with the embezzlement of assets belonging to the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. As a reminder, in the same case complex, the Criminal Chamber of the Federal Criminal Court found two managers of Petrosaudi guilty of embezzling over USD 1.8 billion from 1MDB on 28 August 2024 (see FCC press release). The two accused individuals were found guilty of fraud, complicity in criminal mismanagement and qualified money laundering. The Federal Criminal Court found them criminally liable for the implementation of a fraudulent scheme that led to the transfer of USD 1 billion from 1MDB on the false pretext of a joint venture between Petrosaudi and 1MDB. Subsequently, the accused individuals lent assistance, in connection with acts of criminal mismanagement, in the misappropriation of two additional instalments of USD 500 million and USD 330 million, claiming falsely that these funds were intended for legitimate investment opportunities, before laundering the embezzled funds in their entirety. The presumption of innocence prevails pending a final and legally binding judgment. JP Morgan Suisse is not a party to these proceedings. In this context, in November 2022 the OAG initiated criminal proceedings against the bank JP Morgan Suisse and persons unknown for corporate liability in connection with aggravated money laundering (Art. 102 no. 2 Criminal Code in conjunction with Art. 305bis no. 1 and 2 Criminal Code) or aggravated money laundering itself (Art. 305bis no. 1 and 2 Criminal Code), for the period from 2009 to 2015. In its order dated 22 August 2025, the OAG found JP Morgan Suisse guilty of violating Art. 102 para. 2 SCC in relation to the offense of aggravated money laundering (Art. 305bis sections 1 and 2 SCC), for the period from 7 October 2014 to 21 July 2015, and sentenced the bank to a fine of CHF 3 million. This amount takes into account the time elapsed since the offence was committed, as well as JP Morgan Suisse's very good cooperation in the proceedings and the compensation of the private claimant. Proceedings relating to the facts pre-dating 2 October 2014 are abandoned under the terms of Art. 319 para. 1 lit. b and d of the Criminal Procedure Code. Criminal origin of funds During the period under investigation, JP Morgan Suisse opened several business relationships connected with Petrosaudi and its two managers. The funds that financed these business relationships can be traced back to the offences of fraud and complicity in criminal mismanagement committed against 1MDB (judgment SK.2023.24 of 28 August 2024). In the present case, JP Morgan Suisse received or executed 43 transfers of funds originating from those earlier offences between 15 October 2014 and 21 July 2015, including 34 transfers abroad for a total of approximately CHF 174 million. Corporate liability The investigation established that from 2 October 2014 onwards, despite derogatory information from various public sources concerning the potential involvement of the two managers and of the Petrosaudi group in the embezzlement scheme defrauding 1MDB, JP Morgan Suisse did not adequately clarify the nature of the business relationships and lacked reasonable and critical judgment. The transactions carried out between 7 October 2014 and 21 July 2015 were made possible due to an organisational failure at JP Morgan Suisse, which did not prevent the commission of money laundering offences. Private claimant compensation Since 1MDB, as the private claimant, is compensated in the amount of MYR 1.4 billion, the OAG does not order a compensatory claim. The parties have declared that they will not appeal the order, which as a result enters into force. The order may be consulted or obtained in an anonymised form under the standard conditions via the OAG's Legal Services (rechtsdienst@ba.admin.ch). Original text of the press release in French. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Secretary of State Sarai on famine in Gaza Global Affairs Canada Statement August 23, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), today issued the following statement: "Canada is deeply alarmed by the horrific deteriorating conditions in Gaza and by the increase in civilian deaths, among them children, from starvation. The independent Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification issued a report confirming that a famine is occurring in Gaza Governorate and likely to occur in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis governorates in the coming weeks. Civilians, men, women and children, are dying because sufficient humanitarian assistance is not being allowed into Gaza. "The ongoing conflict and the Israeli government's military actions have made famine a devastating reality for Palestinians in Gaza, and the crisis continues to grow. An intensified military offensive in Gaza City would further exacerbate the devastating impacts on civilians where famine conditions already exist. For many, especially the most vulnerable, access to life-saving assistance would become unattainable. Israel, as the occupying power, is failing to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law by refusing to allow and facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid and by failing to ensure provision of adequate food and medical supplies to the civilian population in Gaza. "This famine can be stopped and reversed if sufficient aid is allowed to flow safely and quickly to those in need. The UN-led humanitarian system has the experience, resources and networks needed to deliver at scale. The UN and NGO humanitarian organizations have undertaken enormous efforts, and humanitarian workers are putting their lives on the line, but they continue to face preventable impediments. There is an absolute imperative to act now. "Canada continues to actively pursue all avenues with our partners on the ground to alleviate the suffering. This includes airdrops and support for logistical operations to get supplies into Gaza, and increased support for experienced UN, NGO and Red Cross partners that can scale up the delivery of assistance to those who need it most. "We continue to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Hamas must release all hostages without delay and lay down their arms. This war must end now." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Surprise Yemeni missile' triggers probe by Israeli air force: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 10:02 PM The Israeli regime's air force is reportedly investigating whether Yemen's Armed Forces deployed a new missile during an earlier pro-Palestinian strike against the occupied Palestinian territories, which bypassed the regime's interception systems. Ynetnews, the website for the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, published the report on Saturday, saying the air force was probing a projectile, which, it said, had been fired from the direction of the Arab Peninsula country and landed "near the city of Tel Aviv" a day earlier. The investigation was looking into whether the projectile "carried cluster munitions," the report added. The Israeli outlet also integrated a video reportedly showing a missile splitting into fragments mid-air. It said the projectile featured in the footage was apparently one that had been fired by the Armed Forces, but added that the regime was still studying the video. On Friday, the Yemeni forces announced carrying out multiple new strikes against the territories, hitting Ben Gurion, the regime's busiest airport, a military target in Tel Aviv, and another sensitive target in the city of Ashkelon, located 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Tel Aviv. They, however, identified the missile in question as "Palestine-2," a hypersonic ballistic variant. The servicemen have been conducting numerous such solidarity strikes since October 2023, when the regime began taking the Gaza Strip under a genocidal war. The forces have targeted Ben Gurion on many occasions as part of an aerial blockade that they have imposed on the regime. They have also faced the regime with a naval blockade, targeting Israeli ships and other vessels heading towards the occupied territories. Throughout their defensive and retaliatory operations against hostile targets, including American and Israeli ones, the forces have unveiled new types of military hardware on various occasions. In early August, they successfully tested a naval cruise missile, codenamed Sayyad, which is a long-range, radar-evading projectile with a devastating warhead. The servicemen have pledged to sustain their strikes as long as Tel Aviv kept up the war and a simultaneous near-total siege it has been enforcing on Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu pressing with plan to occupy Gaza to ensure his cabinet's survival: Report Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 7:18 PM Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is proceeding with his plan to occupy Gaza to ensure the survival of his cabinet amidst internal political pressure related to the ongoing genocidal war in the besieged territory, according to Israeli media reports. An unnamed military source, as cited by the Hebrew-language Maariv daily newspaper on Saturday, emphasized Netanyahu's insistence on advancing with the offensive known as "Operation Gideon Chariots II," a sequel to a previous assault in May, during which the Israeli regime significantly intensified its war on Gaza. The source further noted that Netanyahu "understands that without the operation, he will not be able to maintain cabinet cohesion and it will fall apart," as security sources have cautioned that failing to carry out the assault could lead to the collapse of his regime. This comes as Israeli far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition if he agrees to any deal to cease the ongoing military offensive in Gaza, which has been ongoing for almost 23 months. The source further stated that preparations for a new phase of fighting are being taken seriously by the Israeli military, with reserve forces scheduled to be gradually called up starting on September 2, following the summer break, as a signal of the military's intent to carry out the operation. According to reports from Maariv, the army foresees prolonged fighting in Gaza over several months and plans to incrementally extend reserve duty, including strategies to relocate Gaza City residents southward as part of the reoccupation plan. Additionally, hospital directors in Gaza City have been warned to prepare evacuation plans and arrange for the transfer of patients to the European Hospital in the southern city of Khan Yunis, in anticipation of the impending military operation. On Wednesday, the Israeli regime began deploying its forces on the outskirts of Gaza City in preparation for implementing its scheme to occupy the Gaza Strip's largest urban area. Netanyahu has ordered the military to call up 60,000 reservists and extend the deployment of 20,000 others. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has warned that Tel Aviv will fail to achieve its objectives, noting that Netanyahu continues to pursue the assault despite the group's endorsement of a recent ceasefire proposal brokered by the United States and presented by Qatar and Egypt. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK cannot sit silent as Israel commits genocide in Gaza: Scotland's top party Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 6:57 PM Scotland's largest political party has urged the British government to take urgent action to halt the genocide in Gaza. Brendan O'Hara, spokesman for the Scottish National Party (SNP), wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer that his "Labour Government cannot sit silent" as Israeli forces continue their genocidal campaign in Gaza. O'Hara outlined several steps the UK must take, including a full arms embargo on Israel, immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, formally joining the International Court of Justice (ICJ) case on genocide, and imposing economic sanctions on the Israeli regime. He also called on the UK to commit to enforcing international arrest warrants against prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet. He called for the launch of a naval operation to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. "Failure to do so is a breach of your legal obligations," O'Hara said. Meanwhile, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie pressed both the UK and Scottish governments to immediately end all arms sales and military cooperation with Israel. He said that the regime "is inflicting some of the worst atrocities of this century on the people of Gaza." Harvie condemned the famine gripping the territory as a "grotesque and totally avoidable consequence of this horrific war" and described the forced starvation of Palestinians as a deliberate, man-made crisis. Reports show that Starmer's government authorized approximately $160 million in arms exports to Israel between October and December 2024, according to strategic export licensing records. Human rights organizations say this level of support has enabled Tel Aviv's war crimes in Gaza, making the UK complicit in the ongoing humanitarian crisis and exposing it to accusations of aiding genocide. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Palestinian factions call for urgent int'l action to save Gazans amid famine Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 4:23 PM Palestinian resistance factions have appealed to the international community, particularly those who have signed the Geneva Conventions, to take immediate action in implementing the established protocols for famine relief and urgent humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. The groups, in a statement released on Saturday, demanded prompt international intervention to create secure corridors for the unhindered delivery of food and medicine to Gaza. The statement comes following the declaration of famine in the besieged coastal sliver by a leading global hunger monitor. On Friday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system said 514,000 people - close to a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza - are experiencing famine. "This [UN] declaration comes as the Zionist army prepares to occupy Gaza City as part of the genocidal war the Israeli occupation has been waging for nearly two years," the Palestinian resistance factions said. They urged the Arab and Muslim countries to move beyond statements of condemnation and take concrete and real steps to break the Israeli siege on Gaza and save its residents, "who are dying of starvation and war crimes." The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reports that eight people, including two children, have died of malnutrition in the past 24 hours. Overall, 281 people, including 114 children, have died due to the Israel-induced starvation crisis in the territory. The ministry stated that despite its lateness, it "appreciates" the declaration of famine in Gaza. "We emphasize that the engineering of starvation is one aspect of the chapters of genocide, which also include the systematic destruction of the health sector and other sectors, mass killing, and the policy of exterminating generations," It wrote in a statement on Telegram. The ministry added that "hundreds" of people who have died could have been saved while "the lives of thousands are at stake". "The international community faces a real test; time calls for actions, not just statements, despite their importance," it said. The Israeli military has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, dismissing international appeals for a ceasefire, resulting in the deaths of at least 62,622 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The unrelenting airstrikes have ravaged the region and caused significant food shortages. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza hospitals report 8 new hunger deaths amid mass child starvation Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 2:25 PM At least eight more Palestinians have lost their lives due to famine and malnutrition in Gaza, as starvation threatens more than 300,000 children in Gaza. Hospitals recorded on Saturday eight new deaths due to starvation and malnutrition, including two children, bringing the total to 281 deaths from hunger, among them 114 children. The ministry also said at least 61 people were killed and 308 injured in Israel's airstrikes over the past 24 hours -- a figure it says is likely an undercount as a number of victims remained under rubble and on the streets, with ambulance and civil defense crews unable to reach them. According to its daily update, the cumulative death toll in Gaza has risen to 62,622, with 157,673 injured since Israel unleashed its campaign of genocide on the Palestinian territory on October 7, 2023. The ministry said of those killed at least 16 people lost their lives while attempting to collect aid in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of "aid victims" to 2,076 killed, and more than 15,308 injured since the war began. Over 300,000 children suffering from malnutrition The director of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, has said 320,000 children have entered a state of severe malnutrition. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) formally declared famine in Gaza City, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The world's leading authority on food crises said an estimated 514,000 people in Gaza - about a quarter of the territory's population - are experiencing famine, a figure expected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September. Following Friday's famine declaration, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, called on Israel to allow aid into Gaza on a scale, warning that famine is worsening by the hour in Gaza. UNRWA said it has warehouses full of food, medicines, and hygiene supplies in Jordan and Egypt, but Israel has blocked it from bringing them into Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza ceasefire deal possible but Netanyahu preventing it: Top Hamas official Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 11:28 AM Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi says a comprehensive deal to end Israel's genocidal war on Gaza is possible, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is deliberately sabotaging negotiations and insisting on the continuation of the onslaught. "A comprehensive agreement is entirely possible, but it is Netanyahu who is preventing it from happening. He wants to continue the war in order to achieve his political goals inside the occupied territories," he said on Saturday. Mardawi stated that the Israeli leader did not directly respond to the latest proposal from regional mediators for a Gaza ceasefire, and instead made contradictory statements with the aim of wasting time. "Hamas has agreed without any reservations to the proposals presented by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, which were supported by the United States. However, Netanyahu has refused to send a negotiating team and continues to pursue a policy of stalling the talks and evasion," he noted. The high-profile Hamas member emphasized that his group does not oppose any plan that would result in the cessation of Israeli atrocities, the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, and reconstruction of Gaza with a fully Palestinian approach. Mardawi also pointed out that the Israeli Channel 10 television channel has documented in its reports that Netanyahu has thwarted efforts to reach an agreement five times so far. The US State Department has also acknowledged that the 75-year-old leader of the right-wing Likud political party is preventing any agreement, and insists on prolonging the Gaza war, he continued. The senior Hamas official took a swipe at Israel for implementing a systematic policy of starvation and raging thirst against Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing that the regime's minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, along with a number of other officials, have explicitly stated they have put the strategy high on their agenda. "The Zionist regime is preventing aid convoys from entering the Gaza Strip and obstructing their distribution process. It has also established an institution called the Gaza Humanitarian Organization, which is in fact a terrorist organization that massacres innocent people seeking aid," Mardawi said. He added that the occupying regime bombed food warehouses, water wells, and storage tanks, and also targeted civilians who had gathered to receive small portions of humanitarian aid. All this has led to an escalation of the humanitarian disaster in the war-battered region. Mardawi added that the United Nations has officially confirmed the spread of famine in Gaza, which marks a complete and comprehensive condemnation of the occupying Tel Aviv regime, which uses hunger as a tool to blackmail Palestinians and extract political concessions. The senior Hamas member called on the international community not to be satisfied with mere reports, but to fulfill its legal and humanitarian responsibility by taking practical and immediate measures to stop the famine and genocide against Palestinians. "The world is facing a real test of humanity and civilization. The occupying regime must be punished for its crimes in Gaza. It is also necessary to pressure the US to stop supporting Netanyahu's policies," Mardawi said. At least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 157,673 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the health ministry of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Saudi Arabia says Gaza famine is a result of 'absence of deterrence' against Israel Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 11:02 AM Saudi Arabia has expressed deep concern over the official declaration of famine in Gaza, warning that the humanitarian catastrophe is the direct result of the international community's failure to deter Israel's war crimes. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Friday, noted that the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza "will remain a stain on the international community." "The Kingdom affirms that the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is a direct result of the absence of deterrence and accountability mechanisms for the repeated crimes committed by the Israeli occupation," read the statement. It urged that the UN Security Council "quickly intervene immediately to end the famine and stop the war of genocide and crimes committed by Israel against Palestine." After over 22 months of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) announced on Friday that Gaza City and the surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine, and it will likely spread across the besieged territory. IPC had previously warned that Gaza was on the verge of famine, but now it says for the first time that the events of the past few months - including a new Israeli offensive, increased displacement, and weeks of total Israeli blockade of the territory - have made famine a reality in Gaza. The report said that 514,000 people, close to a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza, are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end of September. Kuwait, the Persian Gulf bloc, and Jordan also slammed the Israeli regime for starving Palestinians in Gaza, demanding an end to the Gaza blockade. Kuwait has denounced the "policy of starvation, oppression, and displacement" pursued by Israel against civilians in Gaza. The country's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Israel's policy is "in blatant violation of international law and international humanitarian law," as well as UN Security Council resolutions and in disregard of relevant international legitimacy resolutions. Kuwait also called on the international community and the Security Council to take action "to allow the urgent entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, to halt the genocide being perpetrated against the brotherly Palestinian people, and to hold the occupying power accountable for the crimes it commits against humanity." Secretary-General of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, stressed the need for immediate action by the international community to pressure Israel to open the crossings and allow the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza without restrictions. In a statement on Friday, Albudaiwi pointed out that the official declaration of famine in the Gaza Strip by the IPC, "clearly reflects the dangerous, inhumane, and illegal starvation policies pursued by the Israeli occupation forces against the brotherly Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip." Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Sufyan Qudah called the declaration "a dangerous indicator of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, resulting from the systematic inhumane policies and measures by [Israel] that have turned starvation into a weapon against the Palestinians." The controversial Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) took over all food aid distribution in Gaza from the UN in May, after nearly three months of total aid blockade. Since then, Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 2,000 aid seekers have been killed in the GHF aid sites. Reports have revealed that they have been deliberately gunned down by Israeli forces. As of August 22, the known number of people who have starved to death, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, reached at least 273 people, including 112 children. Israel's war on Gaza has so far killed nearly 62,300 Palestinians and injured at least 157,365 since October 7, 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dutch foreign minister steps down after failed push for sanctions against Israel Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 7:56 AM Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp resigned on Friday, after he failed to secure cabinet support for new sanctions against the Israeli regime over its ongoing genocide in Gaza. Veldkamp, a member of the centre-right New Social Contract party, had informed the country's Parliament he intended to bring in new measures in response to Israel's plans to escalate attacks on Gaza City and other heavily populated areas in the besieged territory. But he said on Friday that he could not achieve agreement on "meaningful measures" and had repeatedly faced resistance from colleagues over sanctions already in place. Among his proposals was a ban on imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Veldkamp also revoked three export permits for navy ship components, warning of "deteriorating conditions" in Gaza and the "risk of undesirable end use." "I also see what is happening on the ground in Gaza, the attack on Gaza City, and what is happening in the West Bank, the building decision for the disputed settlement E1, and East Jerusalem," Veldkamp told reporters. His efforts also included imposing entry bans on hawkish Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, citing their role in inciting settler violence against Palestinians. His departure leaves the Netherlands without a foreign minister. Following his resignation, all New Social Contract ministers and state secretaries confirmed their support for Veldkamp and resigned from the caretaker government in solidarity, prompting a political upheaval. "In short, we are done with it," party leader Eddy Van Hijum declared, calling Israel's actions "diametrically opposed to international treaties." The Netherlands' Parliament had repeatedly delayed a debate on sanctions against Israel, a discussion that was already postponed from Thursday, as the Friday afternoon Cabinet meeting dragged on. "There is a famine, ethnic cleansing, and genocide going on," said Kati Piri of the merged Green Left/Labor parties. "And our cabinet has been deliberating for hours about whether to take any action at all, shameful." Opposition lawmakers had already expressed frustration at the inaction against Israel, with some calling for a no-confidence vote for the minister. The political crisis comes against the backdrop of an already unstable government. The ruling coalition had collapsed in June when anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders withdrew his support over an immigration dispute. Since then, the three remaining parties have continued in a caretaker capacity until elections scheduled for October. Humanitarian conditions in Gaza have sharply deteriorated. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported on Friday that "the Famine Review Committee (FRC) has determined that Famine (IPC Phase 5) is currently occurring in Gaza Governorate." The FRC further projected that famine thresholds "will be crossed in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks." Since October 7, 2023, when the Israeli regime began its genocidal assault on Gaza, at least 271 people have died from hunger-related causes, including 112 children, the Gaza health ministry reports. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Republika Srpska Defiantly Sets Referendum to Back Dodik for Oct.25 - Broadcast Sputnik News 20250823 The Republika Srpska Parliament unanimously approved a referendum on October 25 challenging the globalist-backed BiH court's verdict against President Dodik and the revocation of his mandate. The National Assembly (parliament) of Republika Srpska, a Serb-majority entity within Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), set the date for a referendum on the acceptance of the BiH court's verdict and the revocation of the mandate of President Milorad Dodik by the BiH Central Election Commission for October 25, according to a broadcast by the Radio Television of Republika Srpska. The parliament of Republika Srpska on Friday unanimously accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic. Lawmakers also discussed the possibility of calling a referendum on whether to accept a Bosnian court's ruling against Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik and the revocation of his presidential mandate by the BiH election authority. Around midnight, a total of 50 of the 65 lawmakers present voted for the referendum to be held on October 25, with no votes "against" or abstentions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the High Representative on US sanctions against two Deputy Prosecutors and two judges of the International Criminal Court European External Action Service (EEAS) 24.08.2025 EEAS Press Team The EU stands firm in its support for the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is the cornerstone of international justice and the fight against impunity, holding perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes to account and giving victims a voice. The EU once again deeply regrets the decision to impose sanctions on the two deputy Prosecutors and on two judges of the ICC. This decision may impact the functioning of the Office of the Prosecutor and ongoing investigations. Attacks or threats against the Court, elected officials, personnel and those cooperating with the Court are not acceptable. The ICC must be able to work independently and impartially. The EU will provide full support and contribution to ensure the protection of the Court and its staff against external pressures or threats. We call upon all States to ensure full cooperation with the Court, including by the prompt execution of outstanding arrest warrants, and to enter into voluntary agreements. The EU remains committed to working together with all States Parties, and partners around the world, to support the Court and to preserve and respect the Court's independence and the integrity of the Rome Statute. We are monitoring the implications of the executive order and will assess possible further steps. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Jaishankar rejects linking evolving India-China ties to 'US moves': media reports Global Times By Liu Caiyu Published: Aug 24, 2025 02:06 PM Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday dismissed speculation that recent diplomatic outreach between India and China was driven by Washington's trade actions, including US President Donald Trump's tariff moves, Indian media reported. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar said it would be a "mistaken analysis" to view India-China relations as a direct reaction to developments with the United States, according to News18. 'What I want you to understand is it's not black and white. It's not that something has happened with America, so therefore, immediately, something has happened with China... There are different timelines of different lengths on different problems," he was quoted by News 18 as saying. The minister underlined that ties between New Delhi and Beijing are part of a longer, evolving trajectory and cannot be reduced to one-off responses to specific global events. However, some US media outlets have viewed recent development of China-India relations via lens of US-India ties. For example, Time Magazine noted recently, "India and China's relationship is thawing as the US' ties with India chill under President Donald Trump." Certain US politicians also continue to hold onto the mindset of utilizing India to counter China. Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the United Nations, claimed on Friday that alienating New Delhi at a time of rising Chinese assertiveness would be a "strategic disaster." In an opinion piece co-authored with Bill Drexel of the Hudson Institute, Haley claimed that a "partnership between the US and India to counter China should be a no-brainer." The improvement of bilateral relations between China and India is not influenced by a third party, such as the US, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Sunday. But the US-India relationship, objectively speaking, has further accelerated this process, Qian said. "Since meeting between leaders of the two countries in Kazan last year, China and India have initiated a process to improve bilateral relations. This improvement is primarily driven by internal factors within the relationship itself," Qian said. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India concluded on Wednesday, with both sides highlighting a series of consensuses on boundary questions as well as progress in areas including direct flights and trade. Chinese experts said the meetings marked steady progress and demonstrated both countries' desire to improve relations and expand cooperation. As two large neighboring countries, strained relations do not align with the fundamental interests of both China and India. This shared interest in overcoming past frictions is the greatest common denominator for the development of both countries, Qian continued. Facing US pressure such as high tariffs, India is seeking to strengthen economic and trade ties with countries including China, thereby reducing some of the external pressure from Washington, Lan Jianxue, director of the Department of Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times. "India is moving away from its previous US-leaning stance and is increasingly returning to a more balanced approach toward major powers," Qian added. Recent momentum of improvement in China-India ties should be sustained, with attention to whether they can be maintained consistently over time without interruption or fluctuation, Chinese experts cautioned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran condemns Israeli military aggression against Yemen IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has strongly condemned the Israeli airstrike on Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, including the city's infrastructure and power plant. Baghaei described the Israeli regime's repeated attacks on Yemen's economic and civilian infrastructure, including airports, ports, power plants, and food storage facilities, as war crimes and crimes against humanity, and considered these attacks a clear sign of the regime's hostility to the development and prosperity of countries in the region. Praising the solidarity and support of the Yemeni people for the oppressed Palestinian people, Baghaei reminded all Islamic countries of the responsibility to take urgent action to stop the genocide and help the people of Gaza against the famine imposed by the Zionist regime on this strip. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas hails 'brave and ethical' decision by Dutch ministers to resign over Gaza IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2025 The Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas, has praised the resignation of several Dutch ministers, including Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, in response to their government's refusal to impose sanctions on Israel. Hamas characterized the resignations as a brave and ethical decision. In a statement Saturday night, Hamas emphasized that the principled stance taken by the resigning Dutch ministers reflects human values and reaffirms adherence to international law, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza. The movement called their resignation an ethical position taking place at a time when the United Nations has declared famine in the Gaza Strip. The Dutch foreign minister stepped down on Friday after he failed to secure cabinet support for stricter sanctions against Israel over its war in Gaza. Veldkamp, who is a member of the center-right New Social Contract party, said that he could not achieve agreement on "meaningful measures" and had repeatedly faced opposition from colleagues over sanctions already in place, Al Jazeera reported. In the past few weeks, Veldkamp imposed travel bans on far-right Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and revoked three export permits for navy ship components. Following his resignation, all ministers and state secretaries from the New Social Contract party expressed their solidarity with Veldkamp and stepped down from the caretaker government. Despite the resignations, the Dutch Parliament on Saturday voted against punitive measures against Israel and rejected a motion to recognize an independent Palestinian state. The measures included a ban on the purchase of weapons from Israel, according to Politico. The Dutch government has been facing mounting pressure to take decisive action against Israel over the war in Gaza. Protests have erupted across the Netherlands, with a significant demonstration in The Hague in June attracting between 100,000 and 150,000 participants, marking the largest protest in the European country in two decades. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Prime Minister Netanyahu Israel - Prime Minister's Office Type: Events and Speeches Government: The 37th Government Publish Date: 24.08.2025 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz arrived today (Sunday) at the Command Center of the Israeli Air Force in Tel Aviv, along with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, in order to observe the Air Force attacks on targets of the Houthi regime in Yemen. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "Today, the Air Force has once again attacked strategic targets in Yemen: the Presidential Palace in the heart of Sana'a, the city's power station and the fuel tanks which supply it. The terrorist Houthi regime is learning, the hard way, that it will pay, and is already paying, a very heavy price for its acts of aggression against the State of Israel. I wish to congratulate the IDF Chief of Staff, the Air Force Commander and our pilots on an impeccable mission. All our planes have returned to our territory. Whoever attacks us - we attack them. Whoever is planning to attack us - we attack them. I think that the entire region is getting to know the strength and the determination of the State of Israel". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Frigate HMNZS Te Kaha welcomed home following seven-month deployment New Zealand Defence Force After almost seven months at sea conducting operations and exercises across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigate HMNZS Te Kaha returned home today to an enthusiastic welcome by hundreds of the crew's friends and whanau. 24 August, 2025 Because HMNZS Te Kaha has been away for more than six months, the ship and crew are entitled to a Ceremonial Homecoming. The welcome included ceremonial gun salutes, stirring performances from the RNZN Band, haka from shipmates ashore and emotional reunions between sailors and loved ones. Minister of Defence, Hon Judith Collins, KC, Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Garin Golding, senior New Zealand Defence Force leadership, along with more than 800 friends and family were on hand to greet Te Kaha when the ship sailed into the Devonport Naval Base. "Throughout its time away, Te Kaha and its crew have represented and advanced New Zealand's interests to an exceptional standard," Rear Admiral Golding said. The ship's work over the past seven months reinforced the importance of a capable, agile Navy in consolidating New Zealand's security and prosperity, he said. Te Kaha's deployment saw the ship operate at the forefront of international maritime security efforts. Some of the highlights included: Monitoring a Chinese maritime task group that sailed through the Tasman Sea in February Hosting a significant New Zealand Government trade and diplomatic delegation during a port visit in Mumbai, India Conducting drug interdiction patrols in the Middle East designed to disrupt the operations of transnational criminal and terrorist networks. The ship supported the New Zealand-led Combined Maritime Task Force in the seizure of $NZ1.8 billion in narcotics Integration with a UK Carrier Strike Group on Operation Highmast, demonstrating New Zealand's commitment to working alongside close partners in complex multi-national maritime environments in the Indo-Pacific Participating in Talisman Sabre, the world's largest multi-domain military exercise, contributing to regional stability and security alongside a broad coalition of allies. Supporting the international rules-based order and safeguarding the global sea lanes through which New Zealand conducts 99% of its trade, are critical roles for the RNZN. Commanding Officer of HMNZS Te Kaha, Commander Fiona Jameson, said the deployment was both operationally demanding and personally rewarding for the crew. "We've operated across thousands of nautical miles, in multiple theatres, and alongside some of the most capable naval forces in the world. Our sailors have delivered every mission asked of them, and I couldn't be prouder." HMNZS Te Kaha was deployed for 193 days, sailed more than 36,000 nautical miles, visited six countries and conducted a number of high-profile maritime missions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DFA Statement on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs MANILA 25 August 2025 -- The Philippines joins the international community in its urgent call for an end to the ever-worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The Philippines is deeply concerned by recent developments, including the Israeli government's planned full military takeover of Gaza, the continuing restrictions on access to life-saving humanitarian aid such as food and water, large-scale displacement, attacks affecting civilians, and reports of settlement expansion in the West Bank. These developments aggravate an already dire humanitarian situation and further diminish prospects for a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the Middle East. The Philippines therefore strongly calls on Israel to heed the ceasefire proposal as a crucial step to protect civilians and revive the path to peace. END NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH, Australia defense forces perform 'impressive' Palawan drills Philippine News Agency By Darryl John Esguerra August 24, 2025, 8:16 pm MANILA -- Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles on Sunday witnessed what they described as an "impressive" display of interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defense Force (ADF) during the Combined Joint Forcible Entry Operations (CJFEO) for Exercise ALON 2025. The drill, staged along San Vicente, Palawan's 14-kilometer Long Beach, featured amphibious and land operations supported by naval, air and ground assets. It simulated coordinated naval gunfire support, amphibious assault, maritime strike missions, and airfield seizure -- scenarios aimed at securing littoral terrain in contested environments. "The exercise was very, very impressive," Teodoro told reporters after the activity. "You saw that the coordination between both the Australian and the Philippine forces was smooth. So, we hope to be able to logisticize and to think of new scenarios as it evolves." Marles praised the planning and execution, stressing that the joint training strengthens the ability of both countries to work seamlessly in real-world operations. "This is about building the interoperability between two countries which share values and have one intent, and that is to uphold the rules-based order in this region," Marles said. Exercise ALON 2025 from Aug. 15 to 29 is within the AFP's Northern and Western Command joint operational areas. Around 3,600 personnel from the AFP, ADF, United States Marine Corps and Royal Canadian Navy are participating. This year's iteration also features cyber resilience training, special operations integration, civil-military cooperation and public affairs exchanges. Defense observers from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Indonesia are monitoring the drills. Exercise ALON (wave), first launched in 2023, has since evolved into a platform for deepening defense cooperation among like-minded nations. Ahead of the Palawan drill, Teodoro and Marles held the 2nd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing bilateral defense ties and regional security cooperation. (With Priam Nepomuceno/PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PH, Australia, Canada hold maritime drills in WPS Philippine News Agency By Darryl John Esguerra August 24, 2025, 9:21 am MANILA -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), together with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), held a maritime cooperative activity under Exercise Alon on Saturday in the West Philippine Sea, west southwest of El Nido, Palawan. Participating warships included the Philippine Navy's flagship BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150), the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), and the Royal Canadian Navy's HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH-332). The exercise featured helicopter cross-deck landings, personnel transfers via MH-60 Seahawk and rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs), as well as ship-to-ship interoperability drills. The AFP said the engagement "reflects a shared resolve to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and reinforces the commitment of the Philippines, Australia, and Canada to promote freedom of navigation, regional stability, and collective maritime security." PH-Australia defense ties The joint sail comes a day after the 2nd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles reaffirmed defense cooperation as a vital pillar of the Philippines-Australia strategic partnership. In a joint statement Saturday, both sides "underscored the importance of a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to, and nations exercise their rights free from coercion." They also "expressed serious concern over the situation in the South China Sea, particularly dangerous and coercive actions by China against Philippine vessels," stressing that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award is final and binding on the parties. Teodoro and Marles said they "resolved to continue working together to uphold international law and support regional maritime security," while committing to deepen collaboration under existing agreements such as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and the Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement (MLSA). They also welcomed "new cooperation on defense infrastructure development in the Philippines," projects that will "increase our combined collective capability, enhance interoperability, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral defense cooperation." Exercise Alon has emerged as the flagship bilateral drill between Manila and Canberra, complementing the Philippines' debut participation in Australia's large-scale Talisman Sabre 2025 earlier this year. For Australia, it is the largest overseas military exercise in 2025, reflecting Canberra's commitment to building defense partnerships in the region. The defense officials also vowed to meet again next year for the 3rd Philippines and Australia Defense Ministers Meeting as both countries look to further deepen defense ties. (With Priam Nepomuceno/PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Netanyahu hindering ceasefire agreement to end genocide in Gaza: Hamas Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 6:42 PM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas says Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's approval of the plan to occupy Gaza City confirms his determination to obstruct any ceasefire agreement. "We agreed to a partial deal, while we also expressed readiness for a comprehensive one; HOWEVER, Netanyahu rejects all solutions," Hamas said in a statement on Sunday. This comes after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal, which met most of the demands outlined by Israel and its main backer, the United States. However, Israel immediately launched a new assault to seize Gaza City, home to nearly a million displaced civilians. The new offensive took place despite urgent United Nations appeals to halt the operation amid what aid agencies describe as "unimaginable" levels of starvation and destruction. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi also said that a comprehensive deal to end Israel's genocidal war on Gaza was possible, but Netanyahu was deliberately sabotaging negotiations and insisting on the continuation of the onslaught. The Sunday statement by Hamas further stressed that a number of US and Israeli officials have also acknowledged that the Israeli prime minister was preventing any agreement, and insists on prolonging the Gaza war. "Israeli and American admissions confirm that Netanyahu is the real obstacle to prisoner exchange deals and ceasefire," the statement read. Israel's Channel 13 investigative programme HaMakor, quoting senior American and Israeli officials, recently reported that Israel blocked a ceasefire agreement on seven occasions during nearly two years of its devastating military aggression against the besieged Gaza Strip. "Recent statements by former US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller affirm that Netanyahu was procrastinating and lying, through placing new conditions whenever we were close to finalizing an agreement," Hamas said. Gadi Eisenkot, who served on the Israeli war cabinet, also said that the first ceasefire in November 2023 came after Netanyahu and his former war minister piled up obstacles. Eisenkot said the deal could have been extended, but the Israeli authorities refused to move forward. "We could have brought back seriously wounded and elderly people alive, who unfortunately were later murdered or killed," he said In May 2024, Netanyahu approved a proposal that would have ended the war, but he withdrew his support shortly afterwards. "We spent the last few months seeing the government of Israel at times trying to sabotage an approach to get to a ceasefire," Miller said. "They were always looking for ways to add conditions or make the terms more difficult." In the following months, Netanyahu continued to harden his position, including insisting on Israeli control over the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza. In January 2025, Israel and Hamas signed a two-phase agreement after months of difficult negotiations. Although the deal was meant to lead to a permanent ceasefire, Miller said, the administration of Donald Trump "didn't really pressure Israel to stick to the terms and let the prime minister resume the war" when Israel unilaterally ended the ceasefire in March. According to Miller, Netanyahu told former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken: "We are going to be fighting this war for decades to come. That's the way it's been, that's the way it's going to be." Hamas' statement stressed that a ceasefire agreement was the "only way to return the (Zionist) prisoners, and Netanyahu bears full responsibility for their fate." "More than 22 months of aggression have proven the illusion of "absolute victory" touted by war criminals Netanyahu, Ben-Gvir, and Smotrich." Elsewhere in the statement, the Palestinian resistance called on the international community to exert pressure on the Israeli regime to stop the genocide across the blockaded Palestinian territory. "We call for continuing official and popular pressure to stop the genocide and starvation against our Palestinian people." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel bombs Yemeni capital, killing two in strike on power station Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 4:03 PM Israel has carried out deadly airstrikes on the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, killing at least two people and wounding five others, according to Yemeni officials. The strikes on Sunday hit the Hazeiz power station and a civilian fuel facility, Al Masirah TV reported, plunging parts of the capital into darkness. Footage posted online showed plumes of smoke and fire rising above the city after the bombardment. Israel claimed it also targeted the presidential palace in Sana'a, describing it as part of a "military complex." Yemen's Ansarallah resistance movement condemned the attack as a "heinous war crime" and a blatant violation of the country's sovereignty. In a statement, it said Israel had deliberately struck civilian infrastructure "to paralyze daily life, disrupt citizens' livelihoods, and create a fake victory through rising columns of smoke." "This blatant aggression, backed by the Americans, proves the Zionist enemy is waging an open war against the Arab and Islamic nation," Ansarullah added. It further said that the attacks "will not deter the Yemeni people from their full and absolute support for Gaza." "The Israeli aggression against Yemen will not discourage us from continuing our support for Gaza, no matter the sacrifices," said senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti. Israel has repeatedly bombed Yemeni infrastructure in recent weeks, including ports and power stations. Sunday's airstrikes came just two days after Yemen's Armed Forces fired a hypersonic missile and several drones that bypassed Israel's defense systems and struck critical targets inside the occupied territories. Since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Yemeni forces have carried out scores of retaliatory attacks in solidarity with Palestinians, vowing they will not stop until the war and blockade on the besieged strip end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel pounds Gaza City outskirts as army warns demolition could take 'over a year' Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 2:10 PM Israeli jets and tanks struck the outskirts of Gaza City on Sunday in preparation for a major assault, as the Israeli military's chief of staff warned officials in Tel Aviv that carrying out the order to demolish the city of 700,000 residents could take "over a year" and place additional strain on Israeli troops. According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Sunday, Eyal Zamir issued the warning following an ultimatum from Israeli minister of military affairs Israel Katz to the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, threatening that if the terms set by Israel to end the war were not accepted, Gaza City could face a fate similar to the cities of Rafah and Beit Hanoun. The report went on to say that Zamir has informed Israeli officials that in such a scenario, they would encounter a more critical situation with reserve units, which are already grappling with decreasing turnout rates and low morale. Zamir, who has previously clashed with Israeli officials regarding the occupation plan for Gaza City and the threat it poses to the captives, said that the offensive can only begin after all necessary operational and legal preparations are in place, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on expediting the assault on Gaza City. As of now, no "humanitarian zones", as demanded by Zamir, have been established, and there have been instances in the past where such zones, designated as "safe" areas, came under Israeli bombardment during the war. Israeli military sources have indicated that the evacuation of the southern Gaza city of Rafah took two weeks, and it is estimated that evacuating Gaza City, home to approximately 1.2 million people, will take even longer. According to the report, the military's plan outlines that the Gaza City operation would be halted if Israel and Hamas can reach a ceasefire agreement. The military is prioritizing negotiations to release captives before considering any assault, the report said. The offensive comes even though Hamas has accepted a 60-day ceasefire proposal, involving the release of half of the captives in Gaza in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners, following negotiations with Egyptian and Qatari officials in Cairo. Despite this, Israel is determined to proceed with the occupation of Gaza City. Meanwhile, witnesses have reported continuous explosions and shelling in various areas of Gaza City, with Israeli forces targeting buildings and homes. The Israeli military has stated that its recent combat activities in the Jabalia area are aimed at dismantling Hamas tunnels and strengthening control of the region, in order to prevent further operations by Hamas fighters. In a statement, Hamas declared that Israel's plans to take over Gaza City demonstrate a lack of seriousness about achieving a ceasefire, emphasizing that a ceasefire agreement is crucial for the return of the Israeli captives and holding Netanyahu accountable for their safety. The Israeli regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians and injured 156,230 others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Since March 2, when it violated its ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the regime has sealed all border crossings, blocking the entry of humanitarian aid and further deepening Gaza's already dire humanitarian crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli forces tighten siege on occupied West Bank village, block ambulances Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 9:41 AM Israeli forces have tightened the siege on the village of al-Mughayyir in the occupied West Bank for a fourth day, intensifying their raids on homes, arrests of residents, and destruction of farmland. Local activist Mohammed Abu Alia said troops stormed more than 30 houses, ransacked belongings, and fired tear gas inside one residence. He added that soldiers seized vehicles, money and jewelry, while barring residents and journalists from entering the village. Many families have been stranded outside since Thursday. Bulldozers were also seen clearing land to make way for a new settler road through the eastern outskirts of the village, uprooting hundreds of trees in the process. The incursions follow claims that an illegal settler was injured in a shooting operation at a settlement outpost built on the grounds of al-Mughayyir. Rawhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, denounced the raid as part of a "systematic policy of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing." He said the violence in al-Mughayyir was directly linked to Israel's broader settlement agenda, including the recently approved E1 plan east of al-Quds. Critics say the controversial scheme would sever the West Bank and prevent a viable Palestinian state. Deputy head of al-Mughayyir village council, Marzouq Abu Naim, said Israeli forces have continued to completely seal all entrances to the village, while establishing military checkpoints and forcing key businesses, including bakeries and pharmacies, to close. Ambulances were also blocked from leaving or entering the village, with pregnant women forced to walk to the checkpoints and go to neighboring villages for treatment. "This is not separate from what is happening in Gaza, the genocide, siege and starvation are part of the same campaign against the Palestinian people," Fattouh said in a statement, urging international action to hold Israeli leaders accountable. Israeli forces have also uprooted thousands of olive trees near the settlement road that surrounds the village, with the army sending notice to the village council that the trees would be destroyed on "security" grounds. Abu Naim asserted that Israel is conducting a kind of "collective revenge" against the villagers, following the widespread circulation of images and footage depicting the army and settler uprooting activities. Israel has ramped up violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and killed at least 1,014 Palestinians and injured more than 7,000 others since it launched a genocidal war in Gaza in October 2023. The International Court of Justice declared in July 2024 that Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land is illegal and demanded the evacuation of all existing settlements in the West Bank and East al-Quds. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araghchi warns of 'Greater Israel' illusion ahead of OIC emergency meeting Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 9:21 AM Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that the illusion of a "Greater Israel" represents an existential danger and a grave threat to international peace and security, calling on Islamic nations to take collective action to counter Israel's expansionist agenda. In an article published in Asharq al-Awsat on the eve of an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Araghchi wrote that the upcoming session must serve as a turning point to solidify the collective resolve of Muslim states. He urged member countries to halt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "insatiable ambitions" and to prevent the continuation of massacres, destruction, and annexation of Islamic lands. "The forthcoming OIC ministerial meeting should not be confined to declarations of solidarity with the Palestinian people or expressions of regret and concern over the current situation," Araghchi said. "It is a historic test for the Islamic Ummah and perhaps one of the few opportunities to forge a regional and global coalition to stop Israeli aggression." The foreign minister also posed a "decisive question": which country would be the next target after Syria? He warned that Netanyahu's recent remarks and actions are not passing claims but a direct declaration of policy and strategy aimed at implementing the idea of a "Greater Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates." According to Araghchi, this would undermine the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of independent states, including Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Calling the plan a blatant violation of the UN Charter and peremptory norms of international law, Araghchi said it exposes Israel's aggressive intentions to dominate the Islamic world. He added that with Netanyahu openly proclaiming himself the executor of the "Greater Israel" project, there is no room for illusion or indifference. Earlier this month, Netanyahu said that he feels a deep connection to "this vision" of a "Greater Israel," referring to the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories as well as parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, and described it as "a historical and spiritual mission." Araghchi also denounced the continued support of Western powers, particularly the United States, for Israel, arguing that such backing amounts to complicity in crimes and poses a growing danger to regional and global stability. Repeated US vetoes at the UN Security Council, he noted, have prevented the body from fulfilling its responsibility to halt Israeli aggressions and prosecute perpetrators. At least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 157,673 individuals have been injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the health ministry of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over 15,600 Gazans, including 3,800 children, in urgent need of medical evacuation: WHO Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 6:37 AM The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) says more than 15,600 individuals in Gaza among them 3,800 children are in need of immediate medical evacuation from the war-ravaged Palestinian territory to obtain specialized care. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in a post published on his official account on the social media platform X on Saturday, shed light on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which remains afflicted by Israel's relentless campaign of starvation and mass killing. He emphasized that numerous patients continue to lack access to the essential care they urgently require, and called for prompt actions to facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into the besieged region. Tedros reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza to facilitate the provision of essential aid and to avert additional casualties. A senior official from the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Saturday that the situation in Gaza has gone beyond being merely a "catastrophe," as the territory is without a functioning health system and is succumbing to widespread famine. "The situation is really beyond being described as a catastrophe anymore. Catastrophe is a very simple word now, soft word. It's really worse than calling it a catastrophe," Mohammed Abu Mughaiseeb, MSF's deputy medical coordinator in Gaza, said. Mughaiseeb stated that the health sector has been systematically dismantled due to 22 months of Israeli bombardment, resulting in the destruction or inoperability of most hospitals. "I'm not saying now collapsed health system. No, there is no health system anymore in Gaza," he added. The MSF official noted that the remaining field clinics and makeshift wards are inundated with injured and critically ill patients. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, hospital occupancy rates have surged to 300%, resulting in patients being placed on bare floors and causing the suspension of numerous surgeries due to shortages. Currently, only 15 out of 38 hospitals are partially operational, with the majority suffering significant damage from Israeli strikes. Abu Mughaiseeb stated that the small number of recent aid trucks has had minimal impact on alleviating the escalating famine in Gaza. "There is no food, no medicine, no real humanitarian aid," he said. "There is no food, no medicine, no humanitarian aid." "The children who are dying from starvation, they have underlying disease." "They could be treated and they are not supposed to die. I mean if they had food, they will live. If you have the special supplement proteins and milk, they will live," Mughaiseeb further stated. The remarks follow the declaration of famine in Gaza by the global hunger monitor. On Friday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system said 514,000 people - close to a quarter of Palestinians in the besieged coastal sliver- are experiencing famine. At least 62,622 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 157,673 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to the health ministry of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas: Netanyahu deliberately stalling Gaza peace talks Iran Press TV Monday, 25 August 2025 2:47 AM A senior Hamas official has condemned Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu's refusal to accept the mediators' latest proposal for the establishment of a ceasefire in Gaza. Hamas Political Bureau member, Bassem Naim, said on Sunday that Netanyahu is deliberately stalling the Gaza peace talks to protect himself and his far-right cabinet, and to escalate the war on the people of Gaza. He cited recent media reports indicating that the regime has rejected a partial deal with Hamas, saying Tel Aviv wants a comprehensive agreement with US backing. Naim emphasized that Hamas has not received any official response to its latest truce offer, or any new proposal on a comprehensive deal. He stressed that the movement has accepted multiple truce deals, including a recent one offered by the mediators in Cairo, but Israel has rejected all of them. Naim condemned the United States' unbridled support for Israel, calling on Arab and Islamic countries to mount political, diplomatic, and economic pressure on the regime. Earlier in the day, Hamas said in a statement that Netanyahu's approval of the plan to occupy Gaza City confirms his determination to obstruct any ceasefire agreement. "We agreed to a partial deal, while we also expressed readiness for a comprehensive one; HOWEVER, Netanyahu rejects all solutions," Hamas said. This comes after Hamas accepted a ceasefire proposal, which met most of the demands outlined by Israel and its main backer, the United States. However, Israel immediately launched a new assault to seize Gaza City, home to nearly a million displaced civilians. The new offensive took place despite urgent United Nations appeals to halt the operation amid what aid agencies describe as "unimaginable" levels of starvation and destruction. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi also said that a comprehensive deal to end Israel's genocidal war on Gaza was possible, but Netanyahu was deliberately sabotaging negotiations and insisting on the continuation of the onslaught. Since the start of the genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, Israeli forces have killed a shocking 62,700 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Nearly three times more have sustained wounds that require medical attention, while Tel Aviv cut food, water, power, and medicine to the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 24 August 2025 - Day 1278 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively repel the Russian enemy's attempts to advance deep into the territory, giving him an effective fire effect and exhausting his strength across the frontline. In total, there have been 128 combat clashes since the beginning of this day. Russian zagarbniki launched one missile and 52 aviation strikes, used one missile and dropped 76 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, the Russians engaged 1789 kamikaze drones and carried out 2978 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, since the beginning of the day, Ukrainian troops repelled five Russian attacks. Also, the enemy carried out 13 air strikes, using 20 controlled air bombs, and carried out 136 shells. In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian units five times near the settlement of Vovchansk and towards Dvorichansk - all Russian attacks were repelled. In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian enemy made eight attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders near Kupyansk, Western, Golubivka and Green Grove. Two combat clashes are being sharpened so far. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian invaders attacked 15 times near the settlements of Grekivka, Torske, Ivanivka, Ridkodub, Karpivka and towards the settlements of Seredne, Dronivka, Shandrigolove, Serebryanka. Six combat clashes are still not suffocating. In the Sivers komu direction, the Defense Forces repelled ten Russian assaults in the areas of Serebryanka, Fedorivka, Viymki, Pereiznogo and in the direction of Sivers .k. One combat confrontation remains unfinished. Four Russian attacks were repelled in the Kramators komu direction - in the areas of May and Chasovoye Yar. In the Toretsky direction Russians four times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. The main efforts of the Russian enemy are focused in the areas of Sherbinivka and Rusynoy Yar. Since the beginning of the day in the Pokrovsk direction, 38 times the Russians tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Zatishok, Nikanorivka, New Shahove, Novoekonomicne, Udaachne, Shahove, Mirolubivka, Mykolaivka, Sukhetske, Lisivka, Zvirove and towards settlements Rodinske, Novoukrainka, Red Liman, Pokrovsk. There are currently two combat clashes Defense forces deter Russian attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today 143 occupants were defecated in this direction, 99 of which were irrevocably. In addition, two fuel and oil warehouses, one drone control point and one enemy car were destroyed. In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped 21 Russian assaults near the settlements Zelene Pole, Vilne Pole, Maliivka, Voskresenko, Shevchenko, Temirivka - towards the settlements Filiya, Novomykolaivka, Novogeorgiyivka and Komyshuvakha. Six more combat clashes are underway. Active offensive actions of the Russian opponent were not recorded in Gulyaipilsky, Orihivskky and Pridniprovskiy directions. Aviation strikes were hit by districts of settlements of Bilogir, Naddnipryanske, Lviv. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the situation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 25 August 2025 - Day 1279 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 136 combat clashes. Zagarbniki made 43 aviacijnih strikes, dropping 57 controlled air bombs. In addition, the Russians engaged 1,459 kamikaze drones and carried out 2,799 shelling of positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, Ukrainian soldiers repelled five Russian assault actions since the beginning of the day. The enemy also launched 6 air strikes using 11 controlled airstrikes and carried out 179 shells, five of which were from reactive systems. In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy has attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders ten times near Glybokoye, Vovchansk, Barnoy, and towards Kutkivka and Kolodyazny, four combat clashes are ongoing. In the Kupyansky direction, Russian units carried out six assault actions, trying to break through the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Sinkivka, Golubivka, Kolisnikivka and Zagrizovoye, currently two attacks are ongoing. In the Lyman direction since the beginning of the day, Russian invaders 17 times attacked the positions of Ukrainians near the settlements of Novomikhailivka, Grekivka, Kolodyazi, Novoselivka, Green Valley and towards Yampol and Serebryanka. At the moment, Ukrainian defenders repel nine Russian attacks. In the sivers komu direction, Russian forces once tried to break through in the area of fedorivka. 13 combat clashes were recorded in the Kramators komu direction, Russian units tried to advance in the areas of Chasovoy Yar, White Mountain and towards Stupochok and Predtecinyo, the battle is currently ongoing. In the Toretsky direction, Russians six times attacked the positions of Defense Forces. Efforts of the attack of the occupiers concentrated in the areas of Diliivka, Toretsk, Rusynogo Yar and Oleksandro-Kalinovogo. Since the beginning of the day in the Pokrovsky direction, Russian units 43 times tried to break through Ukrainian defense in the areas of settlements Nikanorivka, Mayak, Mirolubivka, Novoekonomicne, Rodinske, Hrodivka, Mirolubivka, Suhiy Yar, Lisivka, Chunyshine, Zvirove, Kotline, Udaachne, Novomykolaivka, Gorihove and Dachne. In some locations the fighting does not stop. Defense forces deter Russian attacks, the Russian enemy suffers significant losses - today 142 Russian invaders have been defecated in this direction, 86 of which are irrevocable. Ukrainian defenders destroyed 18 vehicles units, seven unmanned aircraft, two BP control points and three personnel shelters. The artillery system and the Russian enemy's REB tool are also significantly damaged. In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped eight Russian attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Yalta, Zeleny Gai, Voskresenko, Shevchenko and Komyshuvakh, with four more fighting clashes ongoing so far. In the direction of Gulyajpils komu, the fight is sharpened in the area of Malinivka. In the Orihivsky direction, the Russian zagarbniki twice tried to advance in the area of Plavniv and towards Pavlivka. In the pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces made three unsuccessful attacks, suffered losses and retreated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence space awareness programme extended New Zealand Defence Force The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is extending its participation in an international satellite-monitoring space awareness programme. 25 August, 2025 The Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) programme is a commercial-military initiative that provides unclassified information that can be used for the protection and defence of satellites. The Government has approved the NZDF's extended involvement and the transition of the management to make it an ongoing part of NZDF core business. "The programme has become an important pillar in New Zealand's space security," says Wing Commander Matt Tristram, Commanding Officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force's No. 62 Squadron, which was recently reestablished to become the country's space squadron. "As the space sector takes off it is important we contribute to the protection of space-based infrastructure, which ensures New Zealanders can access a range of critical services from communications to weather observation and financial transactions. "As space becomes more congested and contested, we must work with like-minded partners to safeguard space. "Our participation in this programme has enhanced our space domain awareness, expanded our space-related skillset, strengthened our international partnerships and demonstrated our commitment to protecting critical space-based infrastructure." New Zealand joined the United States-led programme two years ago. Eight members of No. 62 Squadron work in shifts to coordinate the Pacific regional cell from RNZAF Base Auckland. More than 20 nations are involved in the programme, which works round the clock to monitor satellite movements and provide unclassified reports to researchers, commercial operators and governments throughout the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence backs local next-generation innovation Issued by Defence Media 25 August 2025 The Department of Defence is continuing to invest in sovereign concepts and innovation through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator's (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program. The recent awarding of three contracts for the development of Information Warfare and Quantum Technologies represents a key milestone for the EDT program. The contracts are in addition to the 21 contracts announced at the end of last year. The new contracts contribute an additional $9 million to Defence's $60 million investment in the program over three years, driving cutting-edge technology and innovation that supports Defence capability. The additional contract recipients are: CSIRO - to develop quantum machine learning algorithms to detect and mitigate adversarial and spoofing attacks. Macquarie University, University of Melbourne, the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the University of Technology Sydney - to conduct research into detecting mis- and dis-information. Silicon Quantum Computing - to develop a sovereign-manufactured quantum-enhanced machine learning processor for Defence. Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, said ASCA's EDT program aims to leverage Australian industry and academia to deliver new technologies that help minimise surprise and defend national interests. "Through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, the Government is aligning to Defence's highest innovation priorities to support research and capability development on home soil," she said. The program is also designed to nurture long-term industry partnerships, accelerating capability development in key areas of priority for Defence. "Harnessing the collective experience of critical Australian innovators, Defence scientists and military end-users will ensure that Defence is on the front foot at a time of rapid technological development," Professor Monro said. "In our challenging strategic environment, we must ensure Australia builds on our research and development strengths to develop future options for delivering asymmetric advantage to our warfighters." Quantum technology and information warfare are two of the six key Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) priorities identified in the 2024 National Defence Strategyand Defence's IS&T Strategy, Accelerating Asymmetric Advantage - Delivering more, together. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regular Press Briefing of the Ministry of National Defense on August 15, 2025 Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Ministry of National Defense EditorLin Congyi 2025-08-23 23:36:20 On the afternoon of August 15, 2025, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, Deputy Director-General of the Information Office of China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Spokesperson for the MND, answered recent media queries concerning the military. (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.) Jiang Bin: First, I would like to make an announcement. Recently, the Chinese and Mongolian border defense troops conducted Border Defense Cooperation 2025 joint exercise in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Focusing on the theme of combating cross-border illegal criminal activities, the drill further enhanced the joint border management and control capabilities and deepened the traditional friendship and pragmatic cooperation between the two sides. Journalist: Recently, the promotional video Gongjian (or Forging Ahead) has gained wide popularity online. Could you provide us with more information about this? Jiang Bin: The five-episode promotional video Gongjian (or Forging Ahead) co-produced by the CMC Political Work Department, the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the China Media Group started airing on CCTV-1 on August 1st. It was simultaneously uploaded to major online platforms and covered by more than 300 Chinese and foreign media outlets. Cross-media reach of the videos has exceeded 6.1 billion. The series is a pilot project to promote Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military online, and another masterpiece after Zhuiguang (Chasing Light), Zhumeng (Following Dream) and Cuihuo (Being Tempered). Focusing on the theme of "forging firm political loyalty and winning decisive battles," Gongjian selects exemplary stories of determined mission accomplishment across various fields and fronts. The series presents a vivid account of the new progress and endeavors of the PLA as it overcomes challenges and strives for building a strong military. Its popularity shows the strength of Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, and the enthusiasm and resolve of the Chinese military to achieve its centenary goal. Journalist: It is reported that competent military and civilian departments recently released a list of typical cases involving military-related self-media accounts that violated laws and regulations. Could you please provide further details? Jiang Bin: To further advance the 2025 special campaign for enhancing the governance of military-related information online, relevant military and civilian departments recently conducted investigations, gathered evidence, and took law enforcement actions in accordance with the newly issued Measures for the Administration of Online Military-Related Information. A number of typical cases in six categories were subsequently made public on www.cac.gov.cn and www.81.cn, including posing as official accounts, spreading military-related misinformation, distorting military history, tarnishing military's reputation, exploiting pro-military sentiment for profit, and disclosing locations of military units. The exposure mainly focused on newly identified cases involving sensitive military-related information, directly naming the online accounts and specifying the violations. All accounts that maliciously exploited military topics to attract attention and generate traffic were shut down. It is the shared responsibility of the entire society to promote the positive energy of building a strong country and a strong military. We call on media platforms and the wider online community to work in unity, foster synergy between the online and offline spheres, pool positive energy and jointly build a better online environment. Journalist: As reported by Japanese media outlets, Japan recently deployed F-35B stealth fighters it procured from the US to a base of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Analysts believe that this type of aircraft will be deployed on Izumo-class "frigates" of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. This will be the first time for Japan to have ship-borne fighters after WWII. What's your comment? Jiang Bin: In recent years, the Japanese side has drastically increased defense budget, converted warships into aircraft carriers, and developed offensive weapons such as long-range missiles, going further down the dangerous path of military buildup. The international community is increasingly aware of the scheme of the Japanese side to play word games in covering up its military expansion, and concerns are mounting about Japan's return to the evil path of militarism. We urge the Japanese side to honor its commitment to peaceful development, act prudently on military and security matters, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the larger international community through concrete actions. Journalist: It is reported that the US destroyer USS Higgins intruded into China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and was expelled by the Chinese side on August 13. After the PLA Southern Theater Command Navy made a statement, the US Navy's Seventh Fleet responded by saying that China's remarks would not deter US actions. Please comment on that. Jiang Bin: Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of the Chinese territory. The US destroyer USS Higgins illegally entered China's territorial waters of Huangyan Dao without permission from the Chinese government. Such unlawful action seriously violated China's sovereignty and national security, undermined peace and stability of the South China Sea, and trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese side is gravely dissatisfied with and strongly opposed to this, and we have made solemn demarches to the US side. We urge the US side to strictly restrain its troops on the ground and immediately cease all infringing and provocative actions against China. The Chinese military remains on high alert to firmly defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability. Journalist: The spokesperson of the US State Department recently said that 80 years ago, the US and Japan concluded a devastating war in the Pacific. For 80 years, the US and Japan have stood shoulder to shoulder to safeguard peace and prosperity in the Pacific. These comments were also posted by the US Embassy in China. May I have your comments? Jiang Bin: During WWII, Japanese fascists committed heinous crimes and inflicted untold sufferings on peoples around the world, including the Americans. The US side seems to have "amnesia" about this history. Whitewashing Japan's aggression and war crimes is a grave affront to historical justice, and hurts the peoples of countries once suffered from Japanese invasion. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. We urge the US side to abandon geopolitical calculations, uphold a correct historical view of WWII, and join the international community in safeguarding the post-WWII international order, so as to strive for a more peaceful future for humanity. Journalist: Taiwan's defense authorities recently stated that 57 PLA aircraft were detected around the island within 24 hours, with as many as 38 crossing the so-called "median line" in the Taiwan Strait, a recent record high. Please comment on that. Jiang Bin: Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. There is no such thing as the so-called "median line" in the Taiwan Strait. The PLA's military activities around the Taiwan island are entirely justified, lawful and reasonable. The DDP authorities' claim of having the so-called "full control of the situation" is nothing but self-deception. As long as the malignant forces of "Taiwan independence" exist, the PLA will continue its operations without pause to fight against "Taiwan independence" forces and promote national reunification. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's electromagnetic launch technology makes breakthroughs in multiple sectors: official media Global Times By Liu Xuanzun Published: Aug 24, 2025 09:16 AM China has made significant strides in advancing its electromagnetic launch technology, marked by systematic breakthroughs in multiple critical fields, according to a recently concluded national forum as reported by official media. Experts said that electromagnetic launch technology, highlighted by its application on the aircraft carrier Fujian, also has broader uses in areas such as space launch and transportation. China is seeing its electromagnetic launch technology transition from "catch-up" phase to "neck-to-neck competition," and even gaining a "leading" edge in some sectors, CCTV News reported on Saturday, citing the forum recently held in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province. At the forum, experts and scholars from military and civilian sectors elaborated on the latest research achievements in over 10 themes, including overall electromagnetic launch technology, interdisciplinary materials for electromagnetic launch, energy storage for electromagnetic launch, and the science of electromagnetic launch weaponry, CCTV News reported. Some 120 experts and scholars delivered reports, exchanging views and discussing bottleneck issues and key technologies in the field of electromagnetic launch, according to the report. The report also featured file footage of the aircraft carrier Fujian, the Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan and a type of electromagnetic gun developed by China. The Fujian is China's third aircraft carrier, and also the first domestically made carrier that uses catapults. With a full-load displacement of more than 80,000 tons, the carrier is equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting devices, the Xinhua News Agency reported on June 17, 2022, when the aircraft carrier was launched. Two years and a half later, China launched its first Type 076 new-generation amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, on December 27, 2024. It has a full-load displacement of over 40,000 tons and features a dual-island superstructure along with a full-length flight deck. It incorporates innovative electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technologies, enabling it to carry fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and amphibious equipment, Xinhua reported. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the Fujian and the Sichuan likely share electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technologies. The successful tests on the Fujian could provide experiences for the Sichuan. The successful application of electromagnetic launch technology could pave the way for further in-depth use on other platforms, Fu said. "We have persistently explored the field of electromagnetic launch technology. Major advancements have been made in fundamental research, key technologies and engineering applications, such as overall launch design, pulsed energy storage, power conditioning and linear propulsion," Lu Junyong, an expert at the Naval University of Engineering of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said in the CCTV News report. These technologies hold great application prospects in high-speed rail transit, civilian aerospace launch, and major national defense equipment, Lu was quoted as saying. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea slams South Korea over 'deliberate provocation' by shooting unwarranted warning shots Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 11:13 AM Pyongyang has slammed Seoul over "deliberate provocation" after it fired warning shots at North Korean soldiers. Seoul confirmed on Saturday that it had fired several warning shots after North Korean soldiers crossed into its territory earlier this week. Crossing the border by the North Korean soldiers prompted "our military to fire warning shots," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, adding, "The North Korean soldiers then moved north" of the de facto border back into their own side. North Korea's state media had announced earlier on Saturday that the incident occurred as North Korean soldiers worked to permanently seal the frontier dividing the peninsula, citing a statement by Army Lt. Gen. Ko Jong Chol. Ko described the incident as a "premeditated and deliberate provocation." Seoul's military used a machine gun to fire more than 10 warning shots towards the North Korean soldiers, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. "This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area, where a huge number of forces are stationing in confrontation with each other to the uncontrollable phase," KCNA quoted Ko as saying. Last October, North Korea revised its constitution to declare the South a "hostile state" after Kim called for the rejection of the long-held official goal of reunification. North Korea's military announced at the time that it was moving to totally shut off its southern border, saying it had sent a message to US forces to "prevent any misjudgment and accidental conflict." Shortly after the announcement, it blew up sections of the unused, but deeply symbolic, roads and railroad tracks that connected the two Koreas. Ko warned Seoul that North Korea's armed forces would retaliate against any interference with its efforts to permanently seal the border. Meanwhile, South Korea's new leader Lee Jae Myung has sought to improve Seoul-Pyongyang ties, vowing to build bilateral diplomatic relations. Under Lee's more hawkish predecessor, relations between the two Koreas had sunk to one of their lowest points in years. After Lee's election in June, he pledged to pursue dialogue with the nuclear-armed North without preconditions. On Friday, Lee vowed to "respect" North Korea's political system and build "military trust." Pyongyang has rejected the offer, saying it has no interest in improving relations with Seoul. Last month, Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader's sister, rejected the prospect of dialogue with South Korea, criticizing Seoul's "blind trust" in its alliance with the United States. Pyongyang says South Korea's ongoing military ties with Washington have made any efforts at rapprochement pointless. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea leader supervises test of new missile system with 'superior combat capability' Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 10:57 AM North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has overseen the testing of a new defense system with "superior combat capability." Kim oversaw the test-firing of two newly developed types of missiles on Saturday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Sunday. The new missiles had "superior combat capability" and used a "unique technology", KCNA added, without giving further details. Pyongyang has bolstered its cooperation with Russia since Moscow launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022. Last year, North Korea ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia, signed by the leaders of the two countries in June, which calls for each side to come to the defense of the other in the event of a foreign attack. During his visits to Russia, Kim has been asking Russian President Vladimir Putin to deepen their relations. In his visit to the Vostochny Cosmodrome in 2023, Kim said, "I'm honored that President Putin has shown a deep interest, provided an opportunity to engage ... and, given us a chance to gain a deeper understanding of the current and future of a space power." Kim informed the Russian leader that North Korea sought to advance its satellite technology. Last week, Kim took part in a ceremony in Pyongyang to honor North Korean soldiers who fought in Ukraine, awarding state "hero" titles to those who returned and placing medals beside 101 portraits of the fallen, praising them as "great men, great heroes and great patriots," state media reported. Kim has sent thousands of troops and large shipments of weapons, including artillery and ballistic missiles, to aid the Russian troops helping to liberate the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. South Korean military sources estimate North Korea has sent around 15,000 troops to Russia since last fall and about 600 of them have died in combat. Kim has also agreed to send thousands of military construction workers and mine removers to Russia's Kursk region, a deployment South Korean intelligence believes could happen soon. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INDIAN NAVAL SHIP KADMATT COMPLETES PORT CALL AT SURABAYA India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 23 AUG 2025 7:29PM by PIB Delhi Indian Naval Ship INS Kadmatt, an indigenous ASW corvette, successfully completed a three-day port call at Surabaya, Indonesia, strengthening the bond of friendship, trust, and interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL). During the visit, professional and cultural engagements were conducted to enhance maritime cooperation and mutual understanding. Key activities included professional interactions and cross-deck visits - fostering operational synergy between the two navies. The crew also participated in combined yoga session onboard and a friendly volleyball match with TNI AL personnel, showcasing the shared spirit of camaraderie and collaboration. As part of community outreach, the ship welcomed members of the Indian diaspora residing in Indonesia, providing them with an opportunity to visit the ship and engaged with the crew. Additionally, courtesy calls with senior naval leadership further emphasised the commitment of both nations to work together towards ensuring a secure and stable maritime domain in the region. The visit of INS Kadmatt reaffirmed Indian Navy's role as the preferred security partner in the region and reinforced the long-standing maritime partnership between India and Indonesia under the shared vision of 'Partnership Across Sea'. __________________ VM/SKY 165/25 (Release ID: 2160195) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address INS TAMAL CONCLUDES PORT CALL AT SOUDA BAY, GREECE India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 23 AUG 2025 1:24PM by PIB Delhi INS Tamal, the latest stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, on her passage to home base in India, called at Souda Bay, Greece, 19-22 Aug 2025. The ship's crew engaged with the Hellenic Navy and NATO functionaries during the port call. This included the Commanding Officer's call on Commodore Dionysios Mantadakis, Base Commander of Souda Bay Naval Base, Captain Kouplakis Iiias, Head of the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre (NMIOTC), and Captain Stephen Steacy, Commanding Officer of Naval Support Activity of US Navy on 19 Aug 2025. The discussions during the meetings focussed on operational matters and maritime cooperation. A cross deck visit for crew of INS Tamal was conducted onboard the multi-role amphibious assault unit ITS Trieste, a Landing Helicopter Dock,of the Italian Navy, at Souda Bay. India's Ambassador to Greece, Mr Rudrendra Tandon visited the ship on 20 Aug 2025 and interacted with the crew. During the ship's port call, the crew visited the Souda Naval Base and Armament facility, the NMIOTC and the local maritime museum. The ship's crew also paid homage at the World War II cemetery in Crete. INS Tamal sailed out of Souda Bay on 22 Aug 2025, and participated in a Passage Exercise with HS Ritsos, a Roussen class patrol boat of the Hellenic Navy, aimed at validation of interoperability between the Navies. The port call by INS Tamal reflects the importance India attaches to its relations with Greece and the endeavour to strengthen the growing defence cooperation between the two nations. It has also provided an opportunity for both navies to share best practices and pursue further opportunities for joint engagement. The ship, enroute to her home base in India, will be visiting ports in friendly foreign countries in Asia furthering maritime diplomacy and strengthening bilateral ties across the spectrum. **** VM/SKY (Release ID: 2160064) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3 Chinese die in U.S. bus crash Xinhua) 13:15, August 25, 2025 NEW YORK, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Three Chinese nationals were killed and nine others injured in a bus accident in Upstate New York on Friday, the Chinese Consulate General in New York confirmed Sunday. Of the nine injured, seven have been discharged from the hospital and two others are still receiving medical treatment. The Chinese consulate has contacted the family of the victims and is helping with the aftermath. A work team from the consulate arrived at the scene on Saturday to visit the injured in hospital and provide necessary consular assistance. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) 'Don't like it, don't buy it': Indian FM pushes back on US pressure, stands by Russian oil imports Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 7:05 AM Indian Foreign Minister has defended New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil despite US tariffs on Indian goods, saying that if others "don't like it, don't buy it." Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum (ET WLF) on Saturday, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said there are some "red lines" in the India-US trade deal negotiations. He underscored that amid strained relations with the US over several aspects in bilateral trade, India refuses any concession to US President Donald Trump. "It is funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business," he said. "If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, do not buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you do not like it, do not buy it," he added. He asserted that India's purchase of Russian oil serves both its national interest and contributes to global market stability. He reiterated that New Delhi would continue to make decisions independently. The US imposed punitive tariffs on India after Trump claimed that the country's purchase of Russian crude indirectly funded the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Tensions in US-India trade relations extend beyond energy, with multiple rounds of negotiations for an interim trade agreement failing to produce a breakthrough. "Where we are concerned, the red lines are primarily the interests of our farmers and, to some extent, of our small producers," Jaishankar said. The United States has pressed India to open its markets to American dairy, poultry, and agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, wheat, ethanol, fruits, and nuts. But India, an agrarian economy, has resisted, particularly on genetically modified (GM) crops, which it considers harmful to human health and the environment. Dairy remains a particularly sensitive issue as well, as millions of small and landless farmers depend on the sector for survival, especially during poor monsoons or agricultural downturns. In a clear message to Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly declared that India will not compromise on the interests of farmers. "Modi is standing like a wall against any harmful policy related to farmers, fishermen, and cattle rearers of India," he said in his Independence Day speech. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia: E3 lacks strategy to exit 'deadlock' once snapback activated against Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 23, 2025 Russia's permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna has once again warned Britain, France, and Germanycollectively known as the E3 or European Troika against triggering the snapback mechanism stipulated in the 2015 nuclear deal or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In a Telegram post on Saturday, Mikhail Ulyanov criticized the E3 for threatening Iran with the snapback of UN sanctions, saying the trio has not foreseen any strategy for getting out of the deadlock once the JCPOA mechanism was activated. "Let's put aside for a second legal and procedural issues which definitely don't give the #E3 the right to do that. Let's address the topic from purely political viewpoint. It is relevant to ask, if the E3 has exit strategy and a vision of how to find a way out if the deadlock they are going to create. The answers to these questions seem to be negative," Ulyanov wrote The E3's threats to activate the snapback mechanism have already been met with harsh reactions from Iran, China, and Russia, as other signatories to the JCPOA. Recently, Ulyanov said that the European countries have no legal right to restore sanctions on Iran as they continue to be in violation of the JCPOA and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran has also repeatedly warned Europe about lacking the legal and moral authority to activate the mechanism, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that the E3 had effectively withdrawn from the JCPOA after the US pullout and with their recent postures, including by raising the issue of 'zero enrichment'. China has also said in a letter to the UN Security Council that it is firmly opposed to activating the snapback of sanctions against Iran. 4399**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC chief vows 'more crushing response' to renewed Israeli aggression IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- The commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that the Israeli regime will receive a more "crushing response" in case of any new act of aggression against Iran. Major General Mohammad Pakpour made the remarks during a meeting with Ahmadreza Pourkhaghan, the head of the Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces, on Saturday. Referring to the IRGC's combat readiness, the top commander said that "if the Zionist regime repeats its aggression against the country, it will receive a more regret-inducing and crushing response than the 12-day war in June." He also stated that ensuring the safety and security of the IRGC personnel remains a priority, as in the past. The head of the Judiciary Organization of the Armed Forces, while describing the IRGC as a "thorn in the eyes of enemies of Islam and Iran," hailed it for defending the nation's honor and dignity, as well as the oppressed people across the region with all its might for the past 47 years. While honoring Major General Hossein Salami, he said that although the Israeli assassination of the former IRGC chief was "a great loss for the country", the timely appointment of General Pakpour by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, "thwarted the Zionist regime's plot to create chaos in the country." Pourkhaghan also paid tribute to Martyr Tehrani Moghaddam, the founding father of Iran's missile program, and Martyr General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the former commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, for their contributions to make the nation proud. The IRGC has repeatedly warned the Tel Aviv regime and its main backer, the United States, as well as their allies that the Islamic Republic would give punitive responses to any violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security. 4399**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Araghchi: 12-day war to be documented legally and historically IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the events of the recent 12-day war will be comprehensively documented both legally and historically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Speaking to IRNA, Araghchi explained that legal documentation is essential to support potential complaints before international bodies regarding damages caused by the Israeli-imposed war. He noted that this responsibility primarily lies with the Presidential Legal Department, while the Foreign Ministry's legal division is also assisting to ensure the process is carried out accurately and thoroughly. Araghchi added that historical documentation is equally important to preserve an authentic narrative of the war. He said teams within the Foreign Ministry have been tasked with collecting accounts of the war, which will be compiled into a written record to be published in due course. Israel launched the large-scale assaults against Iran on June 13. Washington also joined the Israeli war and bombed three of Iran's main nuclear facilities on the pretext of preventing Iran from what it claimed to be developing nuclear weapons. The war was halted on June 24 after Israel was forced to cease its aggression unilaterally. The minister also highlighted the role of cinema in conveying the truth of the war to global audiences. "Sometimes one film can speak as much as several books and years of storytelling," he said, lamenting that Western powers, particularly the Zionists, would certainly produce numerous films and series to promote their own narrative on the war. 4354**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Larijani: Iranians are not the kind to surrender IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has dismissed threats of war against the country, saying that Iranians are not the kind to surrender. In a detailed interview with Khamenei.ir, Larijani, who also serves as the Leader's representative in the council, argued that negotiation bears fruit when the other side realizes that war has no function and seeks to resolve issues through diplomacy. "But if it intends to use negotiation as a pretext for another [war], then this is not a proper negotiation," he said, referring to the Israeli-US war on Iran in June. Larijani stated that the condition for holding real negotiations is that the other side abandons its pressure tactics with the aim of making Iran surrender and realizes that "Iranians are not kind to surrender." Israel launched the large-scale assaults against Iran on June 13. Washington also joined the Israeli war and bombed three of Iran's main nuclear facilities on the pretext of preventing Iran from what it claimed to be developing nuclear weapons. The war was halted on June 24 after Israel was forced to cease its aggression unilaterally. During the interview, Larijani also recounted key events during the ceasefire period with the Israeli regime and addressed the challenges facing the Islamic Republic. He outlined how these issues were managed, ranging from the nuclear negotiations and the responsibilities of the Supreme National Security Council to matters concerning the resistance front, the so-called "snapback" mechanism, and the Armenia-Azerbaijan agreement. Larijani also highlighted efforts to remedy defense shortcomings and strengthen Iran's offensive military capabilities, while assessing the role of political and media currents. He emphasized that the country's top priority remains solving the people's problems. 4354**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Envoy: UN and Security Council should unequivocally condemn terrorist attack in Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 23, 2025 New York, IRNA -- Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani said in a letter to the Security Council regarding the terrorist attack in Sistan and Baluchestan in Southeastern Iran that the Islamic Republic calls on the Security Council and the UN Secretary-General to condemn this heinous act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms and without any ambiguity. Iravani said that any double standards or selective approach in condemning terrorism is unacceptable and will only undermine the credibility of the Security Council. The full text of Iravani's letter is as follows: In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful Excellency, Further to our letter dated 28 July 2025 (A/79/978-S/2025/489), I am writing to draw your urgent attention to yet another heinous terrorist attack committed by the armed terrorist group Jaish al-Adl in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In the early hours of today afternoon, 22 August, in the Damen district of Iranshahr, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, armed terrorists of Jaish al-Adl ambushed two vehicles carrying Iranian law enforcement officers. This cowardly assault resulted in the martyrdom of five police officers. The terrorist group of Jaish al-Adl has publicly and unequivocally claimed responsibility for this crime. This atrocity follows another barbaric terrorist attack on 26 July 2025, when three armed members of Jaish al-Adl launched a coordinated assault on a courthouse in Zahedan, the provincial capital of Sistan and Baluchestan. In that deliberate targeting of civilians, six innocent people, including a mother and her six-month-old baby, tragically lost their lives, and 24 others were injured. These appalling crimes, which deliberately targeted law enforcement officers, civilians, and even children, are flagrant violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, They expose once again the inhumane, terrorist, and extremist nature of Jaish al-Adl and the serious threat it poses to peace and security in the region. This terrorist group continues to operate with links to, and backing from, Daesh-K and foreign sponsors, in blatant impunity. The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the Security Council and the Secretary-General to unequivocally condemn this heinous act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms. Any double standards or selective approaches in the condemnation of terrorism are unacceptable and only undermine the credibility of the Security Council. Furthermore, those who provide support, shelter, or any form of facilitation to such terrorist groups bear full responsibility for their crimes and must be held fully accountable. I would be grateful if you would circulate this letter as a document of the Security Council and of the General Assembly under agenda item 110, " Measures to eliminate international terrorism. " Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration Amir Saeid Iravani Ambassador Permanent Representative H.E. Mr. Eloy Alfaro de Alba President of the Security Council United Nations New York H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres Secretary-General United Nations, New York 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, IAEA make progress in Vienna talks: Ambassador IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 23, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Tehran's ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iranian representatives and the agency have made progress in their latest round of talks in Vienna. Reza Najafi, Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the IAEA, announced that the meeting took place on Friday evening, with the agency's deputy director general for safeguards. The session followed earlier discussions in Tehran with another IAEA deputy chief. Najafi said both sides continued the talks launched in Tehran, focusing on Iran's cooperation with the IAEA in light of new circumstances created by the "illegal attacks" by the United States and Israel on Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities. Iran also outlined its new conditions for engagement with the IAEA under legislation recently passed by parliament, he added. He confirmed that progress was achieved and that talks will continue to finalize a guideline for future interactions. 4354**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Intelligence forces disband terror team in southeastern Iran, seize US-made munitions Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 5:20 PM Iranian intelligence forces have dismantled a team of terrorists in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, close to the border with Pakistan, killing six of them and capturing two others alive. The provincial General Directorate of Intelligence announced in a statement on Saturday that the terror team was smashed in a major counterterrorism operation, which led to the discovery of different types of weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices. The statement added that the armed terrorists, who had sneaked into the country via the eastern border over the past few days, were captured after being identified by the security forces. They were arrested before they could take any action to conduct their mission. The main operational team comprised seven non-Iranian militants armed with various weapons, including laser-guided RPG-7 launchers, US-made M4 and M16 assault rifles, hand grenades, grenade launchers, explosive vests, handheld radios, and a large cache of RPG anti-personnel rounds. Several vehicles and motorcycles were also seized. During a heavy and hours-long firefight, six terrorists were killed while two others were captured alive. Two Iranian intelligence officers and a policeman sustained injuries in the process as well. The General Directorate of Intelligence in Sistan and Baluchestan province noted that the terror team was plotting to target a "critical facility" in eastern Iran. Training methods, including exercises on mock-up models of the site, reportedly resembled previous replicas attributed to the operational playbook of the Israeli spy agency Mossad. Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan, has witnessed several terror attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years. Terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Iranian interests in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the country are believed to be linked to foreign intelligence services. On October 26 last year, ten members of Iran's law enforcement forces were killed in a terrorist attack in the Gohar Kuh district of Taftan County in the province. The Jaish al-Adl terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault, which was one of the deadliest in the province in recent months. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Europe lacks strategy to break snapback 'deadlock': Russia envoy Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 5:02 PM A senior Russian diplomat says the European troikaBritain, France, and Germanylack a clear strategy to break the "deadlock" they are poised to create if they follow through on their threat to invoke the "snapback" mechanism against Iran. Russia's permanent envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, made the remarks in a post on his X account on Saturday. He proposed to put aside legal and procedural issues which definitely do not give the E3 the right to trigger the snapback mechanism and to address the issue from a purely political viewpoint. The Russian diplomat asked whether the trio has an exit strategy and a vision of how to find a way out if the deadlock they are going to create. "The answers to these questions seem to be negative," Ulyanov emphasized. Snapback would bring into force six previous Iran-related Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010. It would reinstate the expired UN arms embargo that barred countries from supplying, selling, or transferring most military equipment to Iran and prohibited Tehran from exporting any weapons. It would also impose export controls, travel bans, asset freezes, and other restrictions on individuals, entities, and banks. In a Friday phone conversation with the EU high representative for foreign and security policy and his British, French, and German counterparts, whose countries are the European signatories to the 2015 nuclear agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that triggering the snapback would have consequences. The top Iranian negotiator once again emphasized that the European countries lack the legal and moral authority to resort to the mechanism. China's mission to the United Nations on Wednesday declared the country's firm opposition to threats by European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal to activate the snapback mechanism within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The mission at the UN headquarters in New York distributed an explanatory note to the Security Council, stating that the difficult situation in implementing the JCPOA and Resolution 2231 is not the result of Iran's actions but the disruption of the JCPOA's implementation by the United States and the three European countries. China and Russia's backing plays a critical role in Iran's diplomatic efforts to counter the snapback threat. Both countries are permanent members of the UN Security Council and have veto power over resolutions, including those related to Iran's nuclear program. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 12-day US-Israeli aggression set roadmap for Iran's defense industry: Minister Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 9:25 AM Iran's defense minister says that the 12-day US-Israeli aggression against Iran served to clarify the roadmap for the country's defense industry, which would include research and innovation for new technologies against the enemy. Speaking during an interview on Saturday, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh emphasized that Iran's defense ministry's mandate is to fully support the armed forces by building essential infrastructure, producing and stockpiling equipment, and ensuring timely supply as operational needs require. The recent US-Israeli-imposed war "showed us in which areas we need to work more. The future of the defense industry must be shaped and structured in accordance with this process," he added. On June 13, Israel launched a blatant and unprovoked aggression against Iran, triggering a 12-day war that killed at least 1,064 people in the country, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary people. The United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of international law. On June 24, Iran, through its successful retaliatory operations against both the Israeli regime and the US, managed to impose a halt to the terrorist aggression. The Iranian defense minister said that during the war, the country faced an extraordinary threat backed by the world's most powerful military force, with the US and several Western nations providing Israel with equipment and logistics. Despite this, Iranian forces controlled and advanced the battlefield in key operational areas, he noted. He attributed victory in the 12-day war to a combination of hard and soft powerspecifically, decisive offensive strikes, alongside the unifying force of national solidarityemphasizing that this dual approach is fundamental to effective deterrence. According to Brigadier General Nasirzadeh, "any sign of weakness would invite more aggression from an enemy that does not adhere to human rights or international law." He added that Israel is advancing American policies in the region, and that the West is unwilling to accept the economic rise of nations like China or the ideological independence of countries like Iran, which is why they perceive them as threats. He highlighted the past year's major defense achievements in the areas of successful launches in the space field, extensive activities in the field of satellite construction, design and production of precision smart weapons, increasing the accuracy and intelligence of equipment, and the volume of production. Referring to planning for the equipment needed for the future of the armed forces, he said, "Our future priorities are determined based on the needs of the battlefield, and we are implementing new plans." He underscored that in today's international system, only the powerful are allowed to exist, adding, "The economy will not progress without military power." The Iranian minister rejected the idea that Iran's priorities are focused solely on missile development, noting that if the 12-day war had expanded to ground and naval fronts, other defensive equipment would have been deployed. The minister, when asked what Iran's response would be if the enemy were to repeat its foolishness, stated, "We certainly possess a tool that has not been employed so far. We did not use our most advanced equipment in the recent imposed war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Envoy calls on UN chief, UNSC to condemn terror attack on police forces in SE Iran Iran Press TV Saturday, 23 August 2025 7:43 AM Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeed Iravani has called on the UN chief and the UN Security Council to condemn in the strongest terms possible a recent deadly terrorist attack on police forces in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan. Iravani made the appeal on Friday in identical letters addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and rotating UN Security Council President Eloy Alfaro de Alba, while emphasizing that any double standards or selective approach in condemning terrorism is unacceptable and only undermines the credibility of the Security Council. Earlier in the day, five members of the Iranian law enforcement forces were killed in a terror attack. The terrorists targeted two police patrol units in the Daman District of Iranshahr County as the security forces were on duty. A manhunt has been launched to arrest the assailants, who escaped the scene after the shooting attack. Iravani pointed out that the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group has openly and unequivocally claimed responsibility for the deadly assault. This crime follows another vicious terrorist attack on July 26, when three armed assailants from the Jaish al-Adl militant outfit attacked the Sistan and Balouchestan provincial courthouse in Zahedan, Iran's permanent representative to the United Nations said. In that deliberate attack against civilians, six innocent individuals, including a mother and her six-month-old baby, tragically lost their lives and 24 others sustained injuries, he continued. "These appalling crimes, which have deliberately targeted law enforcement officers, civilians, and even children, are a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law. They expose once again the inhumane, terrorist, and extremist nature of the Jaish al-Adl and the serious threat it poses to peace and security in the region," Iravani stressed. The senior Iranian diplomat further noted that the terrorist group continues to operate with links to and support from Daesh-Khorasan (Daseh-K) Takfiri terror outfit as well as foreign sponsors in blatant impunity. "The Islamic Republic of Iran calls on the Security Council and the UN secretary-general to condemn this heinous terrorist act in the strongest possible terms and without any ambiguity," Iravani stated. "Any double standards or selective approach in condemning terrorism is unacceptable and only undermines the credibility of the Security Council," he said. "Furthermore, those who provide support, shelter, or any facilitation to such terrorist groups bear full responsibility for their crimes and must be held fully accountable." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran and Egypt stress need for continued consultations to maintain regional stability IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, have emphasized the need to continue consultations and consultations at bilateral and multilateral levels, as well as in regional and international forums, to prevent the escalation of crises and maintain stability in the region. Araghchi and Abdelatty met and exchanged views before the start of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Foreign Ministers' meeting in Jeddah. In this meeting, the Foreign Ministers of Iran and Egypt discussed and exchanged views on the latest bilateral, regional and international developments, especially the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the continued cruel siege of this strip and the Zionist regime's aggressive plans to intensify attacks and completely occupy the Gaza Strip. They emphasized the need for immediate and effective action by Islamic countries to stop the genocide and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into the region. In this meeting, Araghchi emphasized the importance of utilizing the collective cooperation capacities of the Islamic countries to confront the hostile actions of the Zionist regime. He added that solidarity and unity among Muslim countries against common threats, especially the expansionist policies of the Israeli regime, are of particular importance, and we must use all capacities to strengthen collective cooperation and effectively confront this genocidal regime. Araghchi also briefed his Egyptian counterpart on the latest developments related to the nuclear negotiations with three European countries. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Top commander: Armed Forces of Iran are fully prepared to face enemies' threats IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Commander-in-Chief of Army Major General Amir Hatami said that today the Islamic Iran enjoys a special position among the countries of the region, and the enemy should know that the prosperous sons in the army of the Islamic Republic of Iran are ready, as in the past, to give a more crushing and regrettable response with strength and determination to punish any ill-considered aggressor. He reiterated that the the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army must always keep itself up to date and benefit from the valuable experiences of past wars, especially the 12-Day War, for enemy identification, threat identification, and self-identification. Major General Hatami pointed out that preparing for the future, looking at new wars, and strengthening defense capabilities is a serious task, and efforts must be made to maintain morale, vitality, and continuous effort on the path to national authority. 2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC: Deep bond between gov't, people, and Armed Forces ensures Iran's strength IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 24, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has emphasized the deep connection between the government, the nation, and the Armed Forces as essential for achieving a powerful and advanced country, underscoring its commitment to enhancing defensive and security capacities in light of emerging threats. The IRGC issued a statement on Sunday on the occasion of Government Week in Iran, which started on the same day, ending on August 30 that marks the anniversary of the assassination of former President Mohammad Ali Rajaei and then Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar, who lost their lives in a terrorist bombing in Tehran in 1981. The statement congratulated all government officials on the weeklong occasion, describing it as a valuable opportunity to reflect on the principles of selfless and dedicated service exemplified by martyrs such as Rajaei and Bahonar. The IRGC noted that in the face of complex regional and global transformations, Iran continues to advance with resilience, guided by the wise leadership of Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. It recognized the efforts of the incumbent administration in addressing national needs and supporting the Armed Forces, particularly during the June conflict with the Israeli regime and the United States. Furthermore, the IRGC reiterated its strategic commitment to assist the government in national development and infrastructure projects, demonstrating its pivotal role in advancing the goals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and improving citizens' quality of life. The statement concluded with a pledge to stand alongside the government and the people, emphasizing that a strong bond among these entities is crucial for realizing the vision of a powerful Iran. The IRGC also honored the sacrifices of martyrs in the nation's defense and wished success to all dedicated officials, especially President Masoud Pezeshkian. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC: Unity of government, people and armed forces key to strong Iran Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 11:28 AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has emphasized that synergy between the Iranian government, nation, and Armed Forces is a key to building a strong and advanced country. The IRGC, in a statement on Sunday, marked the Government Week, the week leading up to the 1981 martyrdom anniversary of Iran's then president Mohammad-Ali Rajaei and Prime Minister Mohammad-Javad Bahonar by the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) terrorist cult. It said the Government Week is not only a symbol of loyalty to the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but also a lasting manifestation of the deep bond between serving the people while remaining committed to divine values, and defending national independence. "Today, as the region and the world face complex developments and multilayered, hybrid confrontations among influential actors, the Islamic Iranrelying on the faith, insight, and resilience of its people, and the wise guidance of Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei]follows the path of progress and dignity with strength and determination," it added. The IRGC also appreciated the efforts of the administration of President Masoud Pezeshkian aimed at addressing the country's needs in various sectors, along with the government's effective support for the Armed Forces, especially during the sacred defense against the illegal Israeli-US aggression. The elite military force further noted that it is actively assisting the government and contributing to Iran's development as a fundamental principle. "The powerful Islamic Revolution Guards Corps believes that a deep bond between the government, the nation, and the Armed Forces guarantees the realization of a strong and advanced Iran," it pointed out. "In pursuit of this aspiration, we stand by the government and the nation using all our capacities and capabilities." The IRGC also said it has prioritized the preservation and enhancement of its defensive and security capabilities, vowing to keep playing an active role in Iran's sustainable development regardless of psychological warfare and media provocations by ill-wishers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As Deadline Looms, What Are 'Snapback' Sanctions On Iran? By Kian Sharifi August 24, 2025 Summary Britain, France, and Germany (E3) are considering triggering a UN mechanism to reimpose sanctions on Iran if nuclear talks with the United States show no progress by late August. The "snapback" mechanism, tied to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, allows automatic restoration of UN sanctions without requiring new votes. Iran disputes the E3's legal authority to use the mechanism and has threatened to withdraw from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in response. If triggered, sanctions would target Iran's nuclear and missile programs, reinstating restrictions on arms, assets, and trade. Britain, France, and Germany -- the so-called E3 -- have warned they will trigger an oft-threatened but never-used mechanism at the United Nations that could reimpose global sanctions on Iran. Their deadline: the end of August, unless Tehran makes tangible progress in nuclear talks with the United States. The "snapback" mechanism is a special process created alongside the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, formally endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Its purpose is to ensure that if Iran seriously violates the deal, the international community can swiftly restore the full set of UN sanctions that existed before the agreement without getting bogged down in great-power vetoes or endless negotiations. Although "snapback" is a nickname rather than a term in the legal text, it has become the common shorthand for the automatic return of sanctions. The E3 have already notified the UN that they are prepared to use it, a step that could dramatically escalate tensions over Iran's nuclear program. The mechanism itself is due to expire on October 18, giving the Europeans only a narrow window to act. How Do UN Sanctions Snap Back? The nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), includes a dispute process. If a participant in the deal, such as the E3 states, believes Iran is in "significant non-performance," they can raise the issue through the JCPOA's built-in mechanisms and ultimately refer it to the UN Security Council. Once the issue reaches the UNSC, a 30-day clock starts. During those 30 days, the council would need to adopt a new resolution to continue sanctions relief for Iran. If that resolution does not pass in time, the old UN sanctions that were lifted under the 2015 deal automatically come back into force. No further vote is required. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has insisted for weeks that the E3's legal authority to trigger the mechanism is "highly questionable" because they demand Iran abandon uranium enrichment -- which he argues runs contrary to the JCPOA. Their argument is that the E3 are breaking the deal, and therefore no longer parties to it. But "there is no merit to this argument," said Richard Nephew, who served as the lead sanctions expert for the US team that negotiated the JCPOA. "There is no mechanism by which another JCPOA participant can kick a JCPOA participant out of the agreement," he told RFE/RL. "The E3 never withdrew like the United States, so they maintain their rights." Iran has also threatened to respond, including by withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iranian diplomats will meet their European counterparts on August 28 in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the mechanism from being triggered. Why It's Called 'Snapback' A key feature -- and the reason it's called "snapback" -- is that the process cannot be blocked by a veto. Normally, one of the five permanent UNSC members could veto a resolution to impose sanctions. Here, the system is reversed: To keep sanctions relief in place, the council must pass a new resolution. Any veto of that resolution prevents it from passing, and because the default is that sanctions return if no resolution is adopted within 30 days, a veto actually speeds the snapback rather than stopping it. In practice, once a participant triggers the process, it is very difficult to prevent the old sanctions from coming back. Iran says it is working with China and Russia -- both permanent members of the UNSC and parties to the JCPOA -- to "stop" the process. That, Nephew says, is not legally possible. He noted that the only argument Beijing and Moscow can make is that the nuclear deal no longer exists, "but, that's really, really hard to do." What Sanctions Will Return? If the snapback process is successful, the UN will restore the six Iran-related Security Council resolutions adopted between 2006 and 2010. These include wide-ranging restrictions such as a UN conventional arms embargo, measures curbing activities related to ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, and an array of asset freezes, travel bans, and other proliferation-related rules. In practical terms, this means reinstating a broad, UN-backed legal framework that governments, banks, shippers, insurers, and technology providers take seriously. Will This Affect Iran Much? Iranian officials have been downplaying the potential impact of renewed UN sanctions, claiming the effects are exaggerated. Even though the United States already maintains extensive unilateral sanctions that heavily constrain Iran's economy and energy exports, renewed UN sanctions would still matter. Nephew argued that Iran's nuclear and missile trade would be hit hardest. "Both of those things will be illegal, along with the dual use imports that Iran will need to rebuild these programs," he said. Iran's insistence that the sanctions won't hurt much contrasts with its warnings of retaliation if they are reimposed. "The sanctions cannot be so bad that they'd withdraw from the NPT and so meaningless as to not matter," Nephew said. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/snapback-sanctions-iran- nuclear-deal/33508190.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan - ROK Summit Meeting Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan August 23, 2025 On August 23, commencing at 4:55 p.m. for approximately 115 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan held a Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. LEE Jae Myung, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) who is visiting Japan. The summary of the meeting is as follows (The small-group meeting commenced at 4:55 p.m. and lasted for approximately 60 minutes; the plenary meeting commenced at 5:55 p.m. and lasted for approximately 55 minutes).After the meeting, the two leaders held a joint press occasion. The two governments issued a joint press release regarding the results of the meeting. At the outset, Prime Minister ISHIBA welcomed President Lee's visit to Japan and stated that this is the first time since the normalization of the Japan-ROK relations that the ROK's president has chosen Japan as his first bilateral visit destination after taking office, and that he considered it very delightful that "shuttle diplomacy" can be practiced in such a great way. The two leaders welcomed the start of "shuttle diplomacy" between them. The two leaders had a candid exchange of views on the overall Japan-ROK relations and concurred to significantly develop the Japan-ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner, based on the foundation of the Japan-ROK relations which has been established since the normalization of the Japan-ROK relations in 1965. The two leaders concurred to work in the field of security and economic security between Japan and the ROK, as well as among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S., sharing their strategic recognition, while utilizing opportunities such as the Japan-ROK Vice-Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, in light of the current strategic environment. The two leaders concurred to establish a framework for consultation between the two governments to share knowledge and work together with a view to finding solutions for common social and economic issues facing both countries, such as regional revitalization, declining birthrate and aging population, rapid population decline, agriculture, and ensuring resilience against disasters. Additionally, they welcomed the decision to expand the working holiday program between the two countries and concurred that the government would support the efforts to promote exchange and mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries. The two leaders also concurred to further promote cooperation between the two countries in areas such as hydrogen, ammonia, and AI as new horizons in the economic field. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional situations. The two leaders discussed their policies toward North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues, and reaffirmed that they would work closely together between Japan and the ROK as well as among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S. toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Prime Minister Ishiba also requested President Lee's continued understanding and cooperation toward the immediate resolution of the abductions issue, and the two leaders concurred on the importance of such efforts. The two leaders concurred to cooperate with each other toward the successful holding of the APEC Leaders' Meetings to be held in Gyeongju, the ROK, in October this year as well as the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit hosted by Japan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan August 24, 2025 On August 24, the G7 Foreign Ministers' Telephone Meeting was held for approximately 60 minutes from 9:00 pm. (Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries and the EU High Representative as well as H.E. Mr. Andrii SYBIHA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine attended the meeting. Mr. NAMAZU Hiroyuki, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended on Minister Iwaya's behalf, who is currently on a foreign visit.). In a meeting, on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24, the G7 foreign ministers and Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Mr. Sybiha, reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine. They also discussed the situation concerning Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the prospects for peace, and how to respond to the issue as G7. The G7 foreign ministers welcomed the creation of opportunities for a just and peaceful resolution to the aggression, under President Trump's leadership. They strongly urged Russia to engage sincerely and promptly in peace negotiations without pre-conditions. In a message from Minister Iwaya, Japan welcomed Ukraine's active engagement under the proactive initiatives of the United States, and reiterated the importance of the G7's unity to realize an early ceasefire and to achieve a just and lasting peace. The ministers decided that they would continue their close communication and coordination. League Secretary-General welcomes UN roadmap for Libya League of Arab States Date: 24/08/2025 The Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, welcomed the political roadmap presented by Ms. Hanna Tetteh, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), during her briefing to the Security Council on 21 August. The roadmap is designed to pave the way for the unification of Libyan institutions and the holding of presidential and legislative elections. Gamal Roshdy, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, conveyed Mr. Aboul Gheit's affirmation of support for UN efforts to end the state of division and restore stability in Libya. He noted that the proposed roadmap constitutes an opportunity that all parties must seize in order to achieve a comprehensive political settlement. He further underscored the importance of the UN Mission's continued coordination with Libyan stakeholders, as well as with regional and international partners, to secure the necessary political and technical support for the roadmap's implementation. The Spokesperson stressed the need to ensure Libyan ownership and leadership of the political process, reaffirming the League's commitment to supporting Libyans in bridging differences and resuming dialogue, while upholding Libya's unity, independence, and sovereignty. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Violence in Burma US Department of State Press Statement Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson August 24, 2025 The United States expresses its support for the people of Burma, including Rohingya and other ethnic groups who have been subjected to violence and displacement. We commend the Government of Bangladesh for continuing to provide shelter to displaced Rohingya, as well as to other countries in the region for hosting refugees from Burma. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Northern Fleet Tests Defense Readiness in Key Exercises Sputnik News 20250823 The organization and execution of the practical stages of the Russian Northern Fleet exercises were inspected by Admiral Alexander Moiseyev, commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy, in Murmank, Russia. Key tasks included medical support, missile and artillery loading, and replenishing supplies at the fleet's main base. Naval aviation units conducted firefighting, runway restoration, and defense against saboteurs using fire teams and UAVs. The exercises culminated in the rapid relocation of aviation equipment to safety from a simulated enemy attack, with tactical aircraft and helicopters deployed to alternative sites. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, US Discuss Cooperation Opportunities in Arctic, Alaska - Putin Sputnik News 20250823 Russia and the United States are in talks about potential cooperation in the Arctic and Alaska, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. "We are discussing, by the way, with our American partners the potential for collaboration in this area, not just within our Arctic zone, but also in Alaska," Putin said during a meeting with Russian nuclear industry workers. Separately, Putin noted that no other country in the world possesses the technology that Russia has for operating in the Arctic region, which has attracted interest from various partners, including the United States. Putin further stated that Rosatom's efforts in the Arctic have promising prospects and are advancing steadily. "The Arctic zone, the Northern Sea Route, and your [Rosatom] efforts in that region hold significant potential and are progressing at an impressive pace," Putin said. Russian President added he expects the first steps taken by Russia and the United States to be the beginning of a full-scale restoration of relations between the countries. "I very much hope that the first steps that have been taken [by Russia and the US] are only the beginning of a full-scale restoration of our relations," Putin said during a meeting with employees of Russian nuclear industry enterprises. The full restoration of relations between Russia and the US depends primarily on Western partners, Putin added. "It does not depend on us, it depends primarily on our Western partners in the broad sense again, because the United States is also bound by certain obligations within various alliances, including the North Atlantic bloc," Putin said. Putin added that he expects that the pace of work between Moscow and Washington in restoring relations will continue. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with NBC, Moscow, August 24, 2025 24 August 2025 16:06 1372-24-08-2025 Question: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Mr. Foreign Minister, welcome to Meet the Press. Sergey Lavrov: Thank you. And welcome to meet the Russian diplomats. Question: Thank you so much for joining us after a very significant week. Let's dive right into the state of these talks. Has President Putin committed to a one-on-one meeting with President Zelensky? Sergey Lavrov: Well, those are the speculations which are being spread by, first of all, Mr. Zelensky himself and his European sponsors. It was not discussed in Anchorage. It was raised later as something which is kind of impromptu, appearing from the meeting in Washington between President Trump and his guests. President Putin received the call of President Trump after that meeting, and he clearly stated that we are ready to continue the negotiations, direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations, which started in Istanbul and already had three rounds convened there. And he said that meetings at the top level, the summit meetings, especially between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, must be very well prepared, so a preparatory process must be agreed. And for this, we suggested to raise the level of delegations who were meeting and will be meeting in Istanbul to address specific issues which need to be brought to the attention of President Putin and Zelensky. And those issues relate both to humanitarian, military, and to political matters. Last time our delegations met in Istanbul, we suggested to create three working groups, including on political matters. More than one month passed already, there is no response from the Ukrainian side. And when Mr. Zelensky says the immediate priority is a meeting with Putin, well, it's basically a game. A game he is very good to play because he wants theatrics in everything he is doing. He does not care about substance. And it is not by chance that now they try, I mean the Ukrainians and the Europeans who attended the meeting in Washington, they try to distort what was discussed in Anchorage between President Trump and President Putin regarding, in particular, the security guarantees. I read some Bloomberg reports yesterday and today saying that the negotiations between the U.S. and Russia on security guarantees for Ukraine have been, in fact, undermined because of the demands by Moscow to include the principle of indivisible security. It's a very telling statement. Indivisible security is something which was enshrined in many documents adopted by consensus at summits of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, in particular in Istanbul in 1999, and in Astana in 2010. This principle goes like: no one can strengthen their security at the expense of the security of others. No organization in the European space can pretend to dominate in military and political matters. And NATO has been doing exactly the opposite. So, when we are accused that by flagging the principle of indivisible security we are undermining the process of negotiations between the U.S., Russia and Ukraine, this means that the people admit that they want divisible security, that they want security built for Ukraine, which is being discussed now, but built against Russia. Those discussions which took place yesterday, before yesterday, after the Washington meeting, they clearly indicate that people see security as only security for Ukraine and they are prepared to send an intervention force, an occupying force, to the Ukrainian territory to deter Russia. They don't conceal that this is the goal. And this is not the way to handle the situation. President Putin and President Trump in Anchorage discussed the security guarantees, and President Putin recalled that in April 2022 in Istanbul, during negotiations initiated by the Ukrainian side, very soon after we started our special military operation, during those negotiations in April 2022, the Ukrainian delegation presented the draft principles to reach a treaty, to reach agreement on ending the war. Those principles were initialed by both delegations. As regards the security guarantees for Ukraine, those principles proposed by the Ukrainian delegation, I underline this once again, they provided for the creation of a group of guarantors, this group containing permanent members of the Security Council: Russia, U.S., China, UK and France, plus they mentioned Germany, Turkiye and any other country which would be interested to join this group of guarantors. And the guarantors would be guaranteeing the security of Ukraine, which must be neutral, which must be non-aligned with any military bloc and which must be non-nuclear. Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, we are going to get to the security guarantees, we're going to have a big conversation about that, but I just want to stick to this idea of a one-on-one meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky. It's not the Zelensky thing at the White House that President Putin told President Trump he's willing to meet face-to-face with President Zelensky. And I guess the question is, how can you claim to be serious about a peace process when you can't tell me directly, is President Putin willing to meet with President Zelensky? Is that the plan? Sergey Lavrov: Look, I hope that those who are interested in what is going on around Ukraine, they follow the statements of President Putin, especially when they try to see some wrongdoing on our side. President Putin repeated this statement, that he is ready to meet with President Zelensky. Actually yesterday at my press conference after my meeting with the Minister of India, I repeated this, that he is ready to meet with President Zelensky, provided this meeting is really going to decide something. To meet for Zelensky to have another opportunity to be on stage is not what we believe is useful. We are not against him playing games and playing various shows, but it is not going to resolve the issue, because he publicly stated that he is not going to discuss any territories, thus challenging President Trump, and other American colleagues who stated the territorial issue must be on the table. He clearly stated that nobody can prohibit him from joining NATO, which again categorically challenges what President Trump was saying, and quite a number of other things. He also said that he is not going to restore the rights of the Russian-speaking people and cancel legislation, which was passed long before this Special Military Operation, starting from 2019. A series of legislation was passed in Ukrainian Parliament, prohibiting Russian language, exterminating Russian language, Russian culture, Russian education, Russian media, and canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. So when he said that, I don't give a damn about what you are saying, what President Trump believes must be a part of the solution, but I am ready to meet, just to do what? So if we are all going to be concentrated on, you know, imaginary effect, it's not what diplomacy is about, it's what the showman normally do with pleasure. So my point is that President Putin said clearly that he is ready to meet, provided this meeting is really going to have an agenda, Presidential agenda. Question: But that's a big if. There's no meeting planned, Mr. Foreign Minister. That's a big if. Sergey Lavrov: Kristen, I am awfully sorry, you're not listening. There is no meeting planned, and I am not challenging this, but you cannot, I think, understand what I am saying. Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky when the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all. President Trump suggested, after Anchorage, several points which we share, and on some of them we agreed to show some flexibility. When President Trump brought those issues to the meeting in Washington, with Zelensky present together with his European sponsors, he clearly indicated, it was very clear to everybody that there are several principles which Washington believes must be accepted, including no NATO membership, including the discussion of territorial issues, and Zelensky said no to everything. He even said no to, as I said, to cancelling legislation prohibiting the Russian language. How could we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader, the leader of a country, which is the only country on Earth to have prohibited a language, not to mention that this is one of the official UN languages. In Israel, Arabic language is not prohibited. In Palestine and other Arab countries, Hebrew is not prohibited. But Ukraine does whatever they believe is necessary to promote the Russophobic, nazist agenda, and the West, which is normally crazy about human rights when they discuss anything anywhere, but in relation to Ukraine, the words "human rights" were never used during those years after the coup in 2014. So yes, he is ready to meet, but no, we cannot meet just for him to have a picture and to say that, now I am legitimate. Legitimacy is another matter, because irrespective of when this meeting might take place, and it must be very well prepared, the issue of who is going to sign the deal on the Ukrainian side is a very serious issue. Question: You don't think President Zelensky is the legitimate leader of Ukraine? President Putin doesn't recognize him as the legitimate leader of Ukraine? Sergey Lavrov: No, we recognize him as de facto head of the regime. And in this capacity, we are ready to meet with him. But when it comes to signing legal documents, the entire picture is just part of it, which suits you. When we come to a stage where you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate. And according to the Ukrainian constitution, Mr. Zelensky is not, at the moment. Question: Okay, well, he is a democratically elected President. Mr. Foreign Minister, let's keep moving. President Trump told French President Macron this week, quote, "I think Putin wants to make a deal for me." Is that accurate? Does President Putin want to make a deal for President Trump? Sergey Lavrov: Well, I would not go in this semantic, you know, exercise. President Putin was invited by President Trump. He visited Alaska. They had a very substantive meeting in Anchorage. They discussed the practical way, not just who is going to meet whom and what kind of broadcasting would be provided. They discussed real things regarding security. The violation of Russian security interests was one of the root causes of what has happened. And this relates to many years of lies when we were promised, starting from 1990 and then many times we were promised that NATO would not be expanding. And the OSCE summit documents, which I quoted, said in the past, and nobody canceled it, that no organization must claim superiority in Europe, and NATO has been doing exactly the opposite. So the security guarantees which Russia presented several times. In 2008, we suggested to sign a pact between Russia and NATO. And it was ignored. In 2021, before we had to take a decision on launching the Special Military Operation, we suggested two treaties, one between Russia and the United States, and one between Russia and NATO. This was also ignored in a very, I would say, arrogant way. Blinken, who was Secretary of State at the time, told me when we met in Geneva in January 2022, he said, "Forget about this. We can discuss some limits on the weapons which we, the West, would supply to Ukraine. But NATO membership is not for discussion with anybody." When I told him that this bluntly violates the principle of indivisible security, he said, "The indivisible security in OSCE is political declaration." But political declaration signed by the leaders, I think, is something which just out of decency, out of diplomatic and political decency, you have to respect. Question: Okay. Mr. Foreign Minister, we have a lot to get to, so I do want to keep moving. Just this week, Russia bombed an American-owned factory near the Hungarian border. I've spoken to people who frankly see that as a slap in the face to President Trump, to the entire peace process. Isn't it? Sergey Lavrov: Well, I would say that those who are sincerely interested in understanding what is going on should know by now that never, ever Russia deliberately targeted any sites which are not linked to military abilities of Ukraine. Question: This is an electronic factory, though, sir. This is an electronic factory. I've spoken to people on the ground there. It builds coffee machines, among other electronics. This is not a military site. Sergey Lavrov: Well, I understand that some people are really naive, and when they see a coffee machine in the window, they believe that this is the place where coffee machines are produced. Our intelligence has very good information, and we target only, as I said, either military enterprises, military sites, or industrial enterprises directly involved in producing military equipment for the Ukrainian army. And on the contrary, I never recall any concern expressed by the media in the West regarding the activities of Ukrainian armed forces when they, for example, in the Kursk region, when they invaded it one year ago, there is no military targets at all. All the targets which they have been hitting daily are civilian. They, by the way, took civilian hostages from there who had nothing to do with the conflict. Recently, they undertook the third attempt to blow up the Crimean bridge. They attacked, a few days ago, another nuclear power station. They used to attack the one in Zaporozhye. Now they attack the nuclear power station in Smolensk. And they continue to do this, they continue to exercise terrorist attacks. There is no other way to call them. But if you believe that if there is American capital in an enterprise which is used to produce weapons to kill Russians, and you believe that be it American, be it Hungarian, be it anybody's capital that this gives impunity to those who build weapons to kill us, I don't think so, I don't think this is fair. This is kind of, I would say, imperialistic. Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, just to confirm, you are confirming that Russia did in fact target and attack the American-owned company that was hit. Sergey Lavrov: You should be professor in the Soviet universities because you twisted very interestingly what I said. I did not say that I confirmed that incident. I never heard of it. I just asked a rhetorical question. Do you believe that if there is an enterprise producing weapons and being part of the Ukrainian military machine intended to produce things to kill Russian citizens, and just because this enterprise happens to have some American capital in it, it should be immune? That was my question. I haven't heard about the episode, and if you can send me some reference to this incident to which you referred, I would look at it. Question: Okay. Mr. Foreign Minister, President Trump says he thinks President Putin wants to end the war, but if you are serious about peace, why not stop dropping bombs? Sergey Lavrov: There was some interruption, but we are dropping bombs. We come again and again to the same issue. We are dropping bombs on the targets which are directly involved in building Ukrainian military machines targeting the Russian civilians and continuing the war which Ukrainians started by instigation from the Biden administration, from the Europeans, those who supported the coup in 2014, and later were doing everything to turn Ukraine into an instrument to contain Russia. Lately, a few years ago, it was announced that Ukraine is an instrument to inflict strategic defeat on the Russian Federation. So when I give the examples of what we are doing, and this has been explained repeatedly, if you can provide us a proof that we hit any civilian target indiscriminately, a target not linked to the military machine of Ukraine, we would be looking into this. But the facts of Ukrainians hitting purposefully civilian targets are plentiful, and they are available in the information which we are circulating to the international community. Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, here are the facts. Close to 50,000 civilians have either been killed or injured in this war. Russia has taken maternity warrants, churches, schools, hospitals, a kindergarten just this past week. So either the Russian military has terrible aim, or you are targeting civilians. Which is it? Sergey Lavrov: Look, NBC is a very respectful structure, and I hope you are responsible for the words which you broadcast. I ask you to send us, or to publicize the information to which you just referred, because we never targeted the civilian targets of the kind you cited. You might be missing the information because it is a fact that quite a number of churches were purposefully hit by the Ukrainian regime. Quite a number of just civilian settlements, human settlements. Question: But what about your actions, Mr. Foreign Minister? Sergey Lavrov: Look, we are going by circles. I told you already what we mentioned repeatedly, that we never target civilian sites. That we only attack the sites which are directly involved in the Ukrainian military machine, which the West is trying to beef up. And if you have any proof of what you just said about churches, kindergarten, schools, and so on and so forth, I challenge you to make it public. Make it public with the dates, with the addresses, and so on and so forth. As I said, NBC is a very reputed broadcasting agency, and your listeners and watchers deserve to have some specific information when you make such claims. Question: I just said all of the information is publicly available. We do have reporters on the ground who've seen these strikes with their own eyes. I do want to keep moving, though, and talk about security guarantees, an issue that you raised this week. And you have said right here today that Russia should have the power to reject any security guarantees for you. Sergey Lavrov: Look, don't. Kristen, please don't play Zelensky. Be an honest journalist. Question: Why should the country that's bombing Ukraine be responsible for the security of Ukraine? Sergey Lavrov: Why is the country and countries who prepared the anti-Russian coup in Ukraine, who pumped up modern weapons in Ukraine to attack the Russian territory, countries who supported the nazist regime, prohibiting human rights, which they had to respect under the United Nations Charter and many other conventions. Why should we be swallowing all this? I explained to you, I never said that Russia must have a veto on security guarantees. But security guarantees must be subject to consensus. I reminded you that it was okay for Ukrainians in April 2022 to present a document which could have ended this war and which started by declaring that Ukraine is going to be neutral, non-bloc, non-nuclear. By the way, this statement, this declaration, not to have any nuclear weapons, not to be members of military blocs and to remain neutral status, this was the essence of the Ukrainian declaration of independence in 1990. And this declaration, it is because of this claim that they would never be NATO members, that they would never have nuclear weapons, and that they would be neutral, that they were recognized as an independent state. So, if you believe that Russia being, you know, marginalized in the discussions on security issues on our borders, that this is something which is natural and normal, then I'm sorry, something is wrong with the philosophy of your channel. Question: Just yes or no, are you talking about Russian boots on the ground? Sergey Lavrov: Where? Question: In Ukraine, in that region. Sergey Lavrov: No, Russian boots on the ground are because this ground was moved, you know, was turned, was being turned in a stronghold to inflict strategic defeat upon the Russian Federation. The Russian boots on the ground are not to protect the ground. They are to make sure that this ground would never be hosting weapons capable to reach the Russian territory. Russian boots on the ground are because this ground is the territory where hundreds and hundreds of years ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking people were living. They actually founded those lands. They historically developed Russian culture, Russian language, and they respected Russian history. And when all this was prohibited after the coup took place, the coup which was very bloody and very unconstitutional, we did not have any other choice but to defend these people against the bluntly nazist regime. And the proof that the regime is nazist is plentiful, and I hope that some days your correspondents could visit and see what is going on with glorification of military criminals, collaborators of Hitler, and so on. Question: President Trump has been in office now for seven months, and attacks against Ukraine have doubled in that time. President Putin says the war wouldn't have started under President Trump. If that's the case, why is it escalating under President Trump? Sergey Lavrov: Look, it's becoming traditional for some of the broadcasting channels to simplify things. When President Trump said that the war wouldn't have happened had he been President at that time, that means, in my view, that the Americans would not prepare, finance, and organize the coup to topple the legitimate president of Ukraine in February 2014. Just one day after a deal was reached between the President at that time and the opposition, the deal guaranteed by the European Union, Germany, France, Poland, and so on. And next morning, the opposition broke the deal. The deal was to create a government of national unity and hold early elections. And the legitimate President agreed to this. The opposition signed this. The European Union guaranteed this. Next morning, there is a coup. And instead of a government of national unity, the opposition announced that, we created the government of the winners. Have you heard about this? I don't think so. They immediately stated, when they took over all government buildings, that their first action would be canceling the status of the Russian language. And they sent military groups to storm the Crimean Parliament. That's how this all started. So I don't think that President Trump, with his concentration on MAGA, on the national interest of the United States, on the common sense, would ever get involved in preparing a coup against a legitimate President in any country, including Ukraine. I am answering your question, why did we think that President Trump would have avoided this situation? I answered you. Question: But I want to ask about what is happening on the ground right now. Attacks against Ukraine have doubled in the time since President Trump took office. If President Putin has so much regard for President Trump, why is he taking actions that are undermining his push for peace? Sergey Lavrov: President Putin has regard for President Trump, respecting President Trump's concentration on the interest, national interest of the United States, national interest and well-being, and historic heritage of the American people. And I don't have any doubt that President Trump respects the same attitude of President Putin to protecting the national interests of Russia, to protecting basic interests of the Russian citizens, including the right to be a nation which has very rich history, very rich traditions, and which has the duty, if you wish, to support those who share the values of the Russian language, Russian world, if you wish. And when, you know, once the United States launched a military attack, it was last century, a military attack against, I think, Nicaragua or some other Central American country, because one of the journalists was physically attacked. American citizen, American journalist. And this was never causing any questions in the American media. We are protecting millions of ethnic Russians and Russian-speaking people who wanted to be citizens of Ukraine, but the coup leaders who took power in Ukraine declared them "terrorists". And Zelensky, long before the special military operation, in an interview to one Western media, he said those who are fighting the regime, who decided that the regime doesn't represent the interest after the coup, they are not people, they are "species". And he also said that if you believe that, living in Ukraine, you belong to Russian culture, Russian history, then for the sake and safety of your children and grandchildren, get out of Ukraine and go to Russia. Is it the kind of democracy the Americans support? Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, let me ask you about something that President Putin said in June. He said, quote, I consider the Russian and Ukrainian people to be one nation. In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours. Does President Putin believe that Ukraine has a right to exist? Sergey Lavrov: No, this is not true. Ukraine has the right to exist, provided it must let people go. The people whom they call "terrorists", whom they call "species", and who during a referendum, several referenda, in Novorossiya, in Donbass, in Crimea, decided that they belong to the Russian culture. And the government which came to power as a result of the coup was determined as a priority to exterminate everything Russian. Question: But a number of those people did not want Russia to invade. Mr. Foreign Minister, do you acknowledge that Russia invaded Ukraine? Sergey Lavrov: Well, democracy is about the people, you know, having a chance to vote. The people voted, the people pronounced themselves. And when it started in Crimea... Question: Did Russia invade Ukraine? Mr. Foreign Minister, did Russia invade Ukraine? Sergey Lavrov: No. Russia started the special military operation to defend the people whom Zelensky and his predecessor did not consider as humans. They called them "beings, species". You should look, you should really... I understand that you need something to sell today. But if you are raising and touching upon so serious things, my suggestion is to take a look at the history of Ukrainian development after the coup in 2014. I have some material. Question: But it's a yes-or-no question, it's a yes-or-no question, Mr. Foreign Minister, do you acknowledge Russia invaded Ukraine? Sergey Lavrov: I said to you that we started the special military operation to protect the people whom the regime declared terrorists and enemies, and whom the regime was bombing. Look, one thing, one thing about the facts. You were asking me about churches and so on, allegedly bombed by Russia. One very blunt thing, the simplest on Earth. And I would ask you as a journalist whether you are professionally proud of what you are doing. In April 2022, when a deal was negotiated in Istanbul, but the British and the Biden administration prohibited the Ukrainian regime to endorse this deal, there was an incident in Bucha, the outskirts of Kiev, when as a gesture of goodwill to make the deal I mentioned happen, Russians withdrew from that part of the Ukrainian territory. This place called Bucha. It was retaken by Ukrainian authorities, and the mayor of Bucha was on TV saying how good that we are back in our city. And two days later, a BBC broadcasting team showed the images of central street of that Bucha with bodies, dozens of bodies lying in some interesting order. They immediately accused Russia, they immediately, I mean the West, introduced new packages of sanctions. And we still, three and a half years thereafter, we cannot get any response to our official request to circulate, to share some information about what actually happened there. Several times when I was in New York for the General Assembly sessions, I was meeting with the media, including NBC correspondents, and I said, this Bucha incident was used to raise stakes against Russia in this situation. Can you, and we requested, the Secretary General of the United Nations, of the OSCE, other organizations, can you make sure that the names of the persons whose bodies were shown by the BBC are made public? Silence. Then I asked, last year and the year before last, I asked at my press conference, the UN correspondents, guys, normally journalists are very intrusive, they would like to know facts. Can you start a journalistic investigation? Can you demand that the names of the people whose bodies were shown, were broadcast by the BBC, be made public? So, I think it would be an interesting case for NBC as well. Question: Alright. Mr. Foreign Minister, I understand there is a lot of history. We want to talk about what's going to happen next, though, and I want to talk about these discussions. There are reports as a part of the peace deal, Russia is demanding control of all of Donbass, even though much of it still remains under Ukrainian control. And Russia wants to freeze the rest of the front lines. Is that what Russia is asking for? Sergey Lavrov: We explained during our meetings with President Trump, with other American officials, the goals of the special military operation. Actually, we explained them to everybody publicly, but apparently NBC was not listening attentively. We have the goals which will be achieved. The goals are: to remove any security threats to Russia coming from the Ukrainian territory, to protect the rights of the ethnic Russian and Russian-speaking people who believe they belong to the Russian culture and Russian history. And the only way to protect them against this nazist regime is to give them the right to express their will. They did in 2014 in Crimea, in 2022 in the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics, and later in Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. So this is implementation of the goal of the Special Military Operation. The goal is based on respect for the United Nations Charter, which says you cannot discriminate human rights in any area, including language and religion rights, which is totally ignored by the regime. And then, of course, as I said, Ukraine must remain neutral, must remain out of any military blocs, and must remain non-nuclear. Those are the stepping stones in the Declaration of Independence of 1990, and those are the principles which made it possible to recognize Ukraine as an independent state. You said let's not go into history. We don't want to forget about history, because everything which is going on now has reasons in the decades and decades, of years when the West was building NATO, was moving NATO directly on Russian borders, and was building Ukraine as an instrument to defeat Russia in the battlefield, as it were. Question: Okay, well, speaking of history, Russia was a part of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which guaranteed Ukraine's security, but Russia violated that agreement when it invaded Ukraine in 2014. Why should Russia be trusted with Ukraine's security and the peace agreement? Sergey Lavrov: Have you read the Budapest Memorandum? Question: Yes. Sergey Lavrov: What does it say? Question: There's a security agreement between a number of countries, including you and Ukraine, not to invade another country, and that's exactly what you did. Sergey Lavrov: No, it seems you did not read it. The Budapest Memorandum was signed by... Question: And Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons, Mr. Foreign Minister. That was a critical piece of it. Sergey Lavrov: May I answer you? Ukraine gave up the nuclear weapons, exactly, and then the Memorandum guaranteed the security of Ukraine as of any other non-nuclear state. And the legal obligations of the nuclear states, when they give guarantees to non-nuclear countries, is not to attack, to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states. We never, ever signed up to providing security to Ukraine after an illegal bloody coup d'etat, which brought to power open nazists and racists, under anti-Russian slogans. When they said that, we changed our constitution, now the constitution says they would be members of NATO. Now Zelensky, in I think January 2022, was saying that it was a mistake to reject nuclear weapons and they might think about having them again. This is not something which we guaranteed in the Budapest Memorandum. And apart from this, the Budapest Memorandum was accompanied by a declaration by those who signed the Budapest Memorandum, which said that all participants, including Ukraine, would respect human rights, would respect the rules of OSCE, principles of OSCE, non-aggression, and so on and so forth, which was grossly violated by those who took power in Ukraine in February 2014, with the help of the United States, when Victoria Nuland proudly stated that, eventually we spent 5 billion bucks, but we achieved what we wanted. She said this after the coup. But this is history, this is history. Question: I should be very clear. Is the only concession Russia is offering not to invade the rest of Ukraine? Is that your concession? Sergey Lavrov: No, we don't speak in those terms. We don't have any interest in territories. We have the biggest territory on Earth. What we are concerned about, unlike those who raise the issue of invasion, taking more and more land, we are concerned about the people who live on those lands, whose ancestors lived there for centuries and centuries, were founding cities, were building factories, ports, developing agriculture. And these people are now called "foreigners". Question: But we have thousands of those people who live on those lands who have been killed by Russian bombs, Mr. Foreign Minister. Sergey Lavrov: Look, I'm awfully sorry, but the primitivism of questions... You repeat the same and only question again and again. And I ask you, please, kindly send me the list of those churches, the list of those kindergartens, please. And I will send you the factual information about how the Ukrainian army is fighting only civilians. I give you the example of the Kursk region. There is no military sites at all. There was also a terrorist attack on the passenger train. But you never reported this. Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, the reality is so much of this has been captured on television. We have reporters on the ground. And I will send you a list as well, but the bottom line is the world has watched with its own eyes as people in all of these regions that have been taken over by Russian troops have been killed. With our own eyes. But let me ask you... Sergey Lavrov: No, I remember many images saying that Ukrainian civilians are being attacked by Russians. And then these images would turn out to be taken in Iraq, 10 or 20 years ago. So my question is, do you believe, NBC, your policy, does it provide for acceptance, the extermination by law of a language in any country? Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, I want to just ask you, when you landed in Alaska, you were wearing a USSR sweatshirt. Were you sending a signal that Russia wants to reestablish the former Soviet Union? Sergey Lavrov: No. We were born in the Soviet Union. President Putin repeatedly stated that those who are not sorry what happened to the Soviet Union, they don't have a heart. But those who want to restore the Soviet Union, they don't have any brains. This is an absolutely correct statement. We have recognized all the former Soviet Republics as independent states. We developed relations with them as fully independent states. But when countries like Ukraine begin to, you know, physically and by law exterminating everything Russian, as if, I don't know, in any country, English language would be prohibited. History would be prohibited. American history would be prohibited. This is not the case. The Soviet Union, and if you don't remember your roots, if you don't have nostalgic, you know, memories about your childhood, about your youth, about your first love, about your friends, then I don't think you really represent humanity and human values. To remember and to cherish what happened in your life for many years is not the same as to try to take over militarily each and every place. This is not true. Question: Mr. Foreign Minister, final question. Does Russia, does President Putin want peace? Sergey Lavrov: Yes. Question: And what say you to U.S. lawmakers here who believe you are stringing along President Trump? Are you? Sergey Lavrov: It is not for the lawmakers or for any media outlets to decide, you know, what President Trump is motivated by. We respect President Trump because President Trump defends American national interests. And they have reason to believe that President Trump respects President Putin because he defends Russian national interests. And whatever they discuss between themselves is not, is not a secret. We want peace in Ukraine. He wants, President Trump wants peace in Ukraine. The reaction to the Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington, indicates that they don't want peace. They say we cannot allow the defeat of Ukraine. We cannot allow Russia to win. They speak in these terms, win, defeat, and so on and so forth. We proposed several times a peaceful resolution on a diplomatic basis. And as I said, it was not us who blew up the deal practically already in April 2022. It was personally Boris Johnson and it was personally several officials from the Biden administration, the French and the Germans. We know this. Anything else? Question: Those are all of my questions. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, thank you so very much for your time. Sergey Lavrov: Thank you very much. Question: Hopefully next time we can see you in person. Sergey Lavrov: Come to Moscow, but ask your people to give you some more variety of questions, you know. And history is important because it is very tempting to use cancel culture in addressing the Ukrainian situation. Forget about the coup, as they were telling us. You must, you know, de-occupy Crimea because everything started with annexation of Crimea. We tell them, what about the coup, which was implemented against your guarantees? They say, no, this is past us. Let's concentrate on today. It's a very usual trick that people say. Cancel culture in modern history is dangerous. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address TSMC's Wei says U.S. will not ask for stake in company ROC Central News Agency 08/23/2025 12:24 PM Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) The United States government will not seek a stake in contract chipmaker TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.), the company's chairman and CEO C.C. Wei () said Friday night. "They (the Trump administration) have announced they will not take a stake (in TSMC)," Wei told reporters, confirming recent news reports that the U.S. government would not ask for shares in TSMC. Echoing Wei, a TSMC spokesperson told CNA on Saturday that the company has never had discussions with the U.S. on the government holding a stake in TSMC. On Wednesday, a Reuters report, citing unnamed sources, said the U.S. government wanted equity in chipmakers that receive funding under the CHIPS Act to build factories in the country, with TSMC being one of them. A day later, the Wall Street Journal quoted a U.S. government official as saying there were no plans to request shares from CHIPS Act recipients that have or are increasing their investments in the United States. The official said: "The Commerce Department is not looking to take equity from TSMC and Micron." After the Reuters report surfaced, shares of TSMC lost 4.22 percent in Taipei as investors feared uncertainty created by the Trump government's reported ownership plan. In response to the equity for aid report, Pegatron Corp. Chairman Tung Tzu-hsien () cited former U.S. President Ronald Reagan's words: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem," urging the U.S. government not to interfere in private companies' operations. Currently, TSMC is investing US$65 billion to build three advanced wafer fabs in Arizona, with the first having started commercial production in late 2024. In March, TSMC pledged to invest an additional US$100 billion in Arizona over the next few years to build three more fabs, two IC assembly plants and one research and development center. (By Jeffrey Wu, Chang Chien-chung, Chao Yen-hsiang and Frances Huang) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lai pledges Cabinet reshuffle, dialogue with opposition after recall votes, referendum ROC Central News Agency 08/23/2025 11:52 PM Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) The months-long recall campaign aimed at unseating most lawmakers from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) ended in a rout for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Saturday, prompting its leader and President Lai Ching-te () to promise a Cabinet reshuffle. Lai also struck a conciliatory tone during a news conference held shortly after seven recall votes and a national pro-nuclear referendum, pledging more dialogue with the opposition and signaling openness to adjusting energy policy. He said he valued the "voices" of those who voted against the recalls and their hope for dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties rather than partisan antagonism. However, Lai did not elaborate on how he would foster more dialogue with the opposition, especially after past efforts yielded little progress, saying only that his administration would "face the challenge with sincerity." At the same time, he said the Cabinet would be reshuffled to ensure the government "is more effective at solving problems and in tune with public opinion," while noting that Premier Cho Jung-tai () would be retained. Speaking during a CNA special live show, Chen Shih-min (), a political science professor at National Taiwan University, said the reshuffle must show the public that the government was injecting "renewed energy." Meanwhile, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (), without going into detail, said any reshuffle must "prioritize the interests of all citizens" rather than consolidating Lai's own power or protecting the DPP's interests. Saturday's votes have once again reaffirmed that people want "checks on the government by a strong opposition," Chu said, adding that Lai and his Cabinet should "respect the legislative majority" held by the KMT and the smaller Taiwan People's Party (TPP). Recall votes All seven KMT lawmakers -- including Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang () -- survived Saturday's recall votes by comfortable margins of 28 to 38 points, with turnouts ranging from 46-50 percent, according to Central Election Commission (CEC) data. The results capped a series of high-profile but unsuccessful DPP-backed recall efforts aimed at overturning the opposition's majority in the Legislature. The widened gaps between votes supporting and opposing the recalls also reflected the waning momentum of the effort, stemming from previous failed attempts to unseat 24 KMT lawmakers. With none of the 31 recall votes targeting KMT lawmakers succeeding, the balance of power in the 113-seat Legislature remains unchanged: the KMT holds 52 seats plus two ideologically aligned independents, the DPP has 51, and the TPP holds eight. Plebiscite on nuclear power Saturday was also a test for the energy policy of Lai's administration, as more than 4.3 million voters supported the referendum seeking to restart the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant (No. 3) in Pingtung County, with only 1.5 million opposed it. Despite majority support among those who cast ballots on the TPP proposal, those votes made up less than 25 percent of all eligible voters -- or 5,000,523 votes -- thereby falling short of the threshold required for a referendum to pass, the CEC data showed. Soochow University political science professor Su Tzu-chiao () said the low turnout reflected "voter fatigue," noting that, as in most countries, it is unrealistic to expect the public to turn out to polling stations twice within such a short period of time. In addition, Su said during the CNA live show that the contested referendum question might also have led voters to feel there was little point in casting their ballots. Critics argued the lack of clarity and enforcement in the question meant that, even if the referendum had passed, the government would not have been required to restart the Maanshan within a set timeframe. On Saturday, Lai said he "fully understand[s] public expectations for a diversified energy mix" in Taiwan and that his administration would not rule out the use of "advanced" nuclear technology that guarantees more safety and produces less waste. On the issue of restarting decommissioned nuclear power plants, Lai said the government would abide by new law revisions, and he ordered the Nuclear Safety Commission to establish safety review guidelines and Taiwan Power Co. (Taipower) carry out safety checks accordingly. He was referring to the passage in May of amendments to the Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act, which provide a legal basis for continuing to operate nuclear power plants even after they have entered the decommissioning stage. Even if Taipower completes its safety checks, the results must still be approved by the nuclear regulator, adding to the uncertainty around the timeline for restarting the Maanshan. Speaking with reporters on Saturday evening, Chu, the KMT chair, called on the government to "pragmatically correct its wrong energy policies" by bringing back nuclear power. "National security cannot be built on slogans ... Without stable power supply, there is no national competitiveness," Chu said. Nuclear in Taiwan Nuclear power has long been a fault line in Taiwan's politics, with the DPP traditionally championing the anti-nuclear movement and the KMT and TPP leaning toward pro-nuclear policies. Prior to Saturday, two nuclear-related referendums had been held in the past: the 2018 "using nuclear to support green energy" proposal, which passed, and the 2021 "restarting the Lungmen Nuclear Power Plant (No. 4)" proposal, which failed. The DPP government adopted a policy of phasing out nuclear power by 2025 after former President Tsai Ing-wen () took office in 2016, drawing criticism from the opposition. In recent years, the business sector has also raised concerns about the government's ability to ensure stable and sufficient energy supply amid growing demand, citing Taiwan's heavy reliance on imported liquefied natural gas and delays in developing renewable energy. (By Teng Pei-ju and James Thompson) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Opposition KMT urges unity and reform after recall vote victory ROC Central News Agency 08/23/2025 11:40 PM Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) Chairman Eric Chu () called for unity in Taiwan and listed "urgently needed" reforms after a KMT clean sweep in Saturday's recall vote. All seven Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers targeted for recall retained their seats, allowing the KMT and its opposition ally, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP), to retain their majority in the Legislature. However, the TPP-backed referendum to extend operations at Taiwan's Third Nuclear Power Plant failed, as fewer than 25 percent of eligible voters supported it, despite the "yes" votes (4.34 million) outnumbering the "no" votes (1.51 million). Speaking to the press on Saturday night, Chu urged the government led by President Lai Ching-te () of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to halt "political maneuvers" that stoke division. Instead, Chu said Lai should focus on providing economic relief and disclose details on U.S. tariff negotiations so domestic businesses are better placed to respond to the potential impact. Despite the failed referendum, Chu emphasized Taiwan's need for "reliable energy" and urged the government to implement Nuclear Reactor Facilities Regulation Act amendments passed on May 13, which will allow nuclear power plant operators to apply for a 20-year license renewal beyond the existing 40-year limit. Accusing the DPP of judicial interference and political prosecution, Chu also called for the release of former Taipei Mayor and TPP chair Ko Wen-je () and KMT personnel in custody, while stressing the need for a cross-party commission to investigate "corruptions in major construction projects, including green power." Furthermore, he said Lai needs to respect the opposition's majority status in the Legislature and "stop spreading lies and controversies" in pursuit of dictatorship, citing Saturday's results as reaffirming the Taiwanese people's wish for political supervision of the DPP government. Lastly, he called for unity in Taiwan, urging Lai to stop political infighting and focus on more important tasks such as Taiwan's post-storm rebuilding and economic growth. "Nobody truly wins in a divided Taiwan," Chu said. The Saturday votes were the last in a two-stage campaign against the KMT, Taiwan's largest opposition party, after an earlier round of recall votes on July 26 failed to unseat any of the 24 KMT lawmakers targeted. (By Wang Cheng-chung and Hsiao Hsu-chen) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Referendum on extending No. 3 nuclear power plant operation defeated ROC Central News Agency 08/23/2025 09:05 PM Taipei, Aug. 23 (CNA) A referendum seeking to extend the operation of Taiwan's Third Nuclear Power Plant failed on Saturday after falling short of the required support threshold, the Central Election Commission (CEC) said. The ballot asked: "Do you agree that the Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operating once the competent authority has confirmed that there are no safety concerns?" According to the CEC, 4.34 million people (21.7 percent) voted "yes," while 1.51 million (7.5 percent) voted "no." Turnout reached 29.53 percent. Although more people voted "yes" than "no," the referendum failed to meet the legal threshold requiring affirmative votes from at least 25 percent of eligible voters, or 5,000,523 ballots. The Maanshan facility, also known as the Third Nuclear Power Plant, was shut down in May, leaving Taiwan without any operating nuclear power plants. The referendum was proposed by the Taiwan People's Party in April and backed by the opposition Kuomintang. Supporters said nuclear energy provides stable, low-carbon power and reduces reliance on imports. They also cited scandals in the solar sector, Taipower's financial losses, and the fact that the European Union and Japan have embraced nuclear power. Opponents warned that the plant lies near a fault line, posing a risk in the event of earthquakes. They argued a restart would also be costly, worsen the nuclear waste problem. However, Saturday's results suggest that even residents most likely to be affected lean toward supporting nuclear power. For example, on Orchid Island, where Taiwan's low-level nuclear waste is currently stored, 535 residents voted in the referendum. Of those, 344 backed the continued operation of the Maanshan plant and 181 opposed, with voter turnout at 12.1 percent, according to the CEC. In nearby New Taipei City, districts close to the First, Second, and Fourth nuclear plants, turnout was about 20 percent, but "yes" votes still outnumbered "no" votes. President Lai Ching-te () said the result showed the referendum had failed, but also highlighted public expectations for a diverse energy mix. He pledged nuclear-related safety rules would be strengthened, with state-run Taiwan Power Co. required to carry out inspections and share updates with the public. (By Lee Hsin-Yin) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPP faces crushing defeat in recall vote against KMT Global Times People of Taiwan once again said 'no' to DPP's malicious political farce: spokesperson By Zhao Yusha Published: Aug 24, 2025 08:51 PM The second round of a recall vote against seven legislators of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party on the island of Taiwan failed on Saturday, with none of the recall proposals being passed. The crushing defeat of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in both rounds of voting underscores local residents' disdain for the party's political abuse and its excessive focus on political maneuvering at the expense of addressing crucial livelihood issues, said experts from across the Straits. The voting took place from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday across the island. Ballot counting revealed that the "no" votes prominently outnumbered the "yes" votes, marking another sweeping victory for the KMT against the recall campaign, per the Xinhua News Agency. After two rounds of voting in vain, the DPP still remains a minority party in the island's legislature, holding 51 seats out of 113. It is believed the DPP authorities plotted the recall campaign against KMT legislators in an attempt to turn around its minority in the legislature. The first recall vote was held on July 26, which also suffered a significant defeat, Xinhua reported. Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Sunday that the results of the second recall targeting legislators of the KMT party in Taiwan shows that "Taiwan independence" separatism clearly runs against the will of the people and is doomed to fail. "Following the first round of voting on July 26, the people of Taiwan have once again said 'no' to the DPP's malicious political farce," Zhu said. An opinion piece titled "the public opinion against the recall is deafening" published by the island's China Times said that "the mainstream public opinion has already cast a vote of no confidence in Lai's government." Another Taiwan media outlet, Newtalk, titled its report "The Recall, Massive Overturn," to cover the DPP's defeat. People expect the DPP government to improve the public's livelihood and build the island instead of launching a recall campaign for political maneuvering, and the defeat shows Taiwan public's detest and fatigue over DPP's political farce, Chang Ya-chung, president of the Sun Yat-sen School in Taiwan and a member of the KMT, told the Global Times on Sunday, noting that the failure has dealt a huge blow to the image of the DPP and Lai. Simmering public discontent The cost of the two recall votes was about NT$402.8 million ($12.59 million), according to Taiwan authority's calculation, Taiwan's mnews.tw reported on Sunday. The cost of the recall campaign has garnered criticism within the island. After the first recall vote, KMT legislator Lai Shyh-bao slammed the DPP for spending money on politics instead of focusing on disaster relief in central and southern Taiwan, where Typhoon Danas wreaked havoc, according to Taiwan's udn news. During the period that Lai was manipulating the recall campaign, Taiwan was mired in political stagnation and social infighting. At the same time, the island failed to secure a satisfactory trade deal with the US, said Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, in an interview with the Global Times. He noted that the second defeat reflects the growing discontent among the public on the island, who are clearly unwilling to be dragged along any longer. On August 1, the White House announced a 20 percent tariff on the Taiwan region - higher than the 15 percent imposed on Japan and South Korea. The announcement sparked intense debate on the island. Some local media even ran headlines likening it to "squeezing a lemon," while many people in the island mocked the tariff as a "success" of the DPP's kowtowing to the US. Some media outlets have focused on the ripple effects following the recall results. Bloomberg said the result could "deepen [the] political deadlock." With next year's local elections and the 2028 regional leadership race on the horizon, the divide between the KMT and the DPP is expected to deepen, Zheng said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/08/24 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Date 6 a.m. Aug. 23 (Sat.) to 6 a.m. Aug. 24 (Sun.) (UTC+8) PLA activities 4 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140824_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1140824_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/08/25 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Date 6 a.m. Aug. 24 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Aug. 25 (Mon.) (UTC+8) PLA activities 9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140825_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1140825_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Week After Alaska, 5 Things To Know About Ukraine's Elusive Peace By Merhat Sharipzhan August 22, 2025 A week after US President Donald Trump laid out the red carpet for his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, not much has changed in efforts to bring an end to the fighting in Ukraine. The Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska was followed by talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington that ended with a call for a face-to-face meeting between Putin and the Ukrainian president. With Russia stalling on the meeting, what has emerged so far does not resemble a clear road map to peace but rather a portrait of negotiations defined by secrecy, distrust, and the risk of stalemate. 1. Some Progress On Security Guarantees For Ukraine Washington and European countries have inched closer to defining what postwar security guarantees for Ukraine might look like. US and European military planners have begun meetings to explore what the overall security package could be ahead of a final decision on it by political leaders. This includes long-term weapons deliveries, intelligence-sharing, and joint defense planning. Trump has indicated US air power could be involved. London, Paris, and Berlin have repeated their long-standing position that security guarantees must be tangible, or Moscow will treat any cease-fire as a temporary pause before the next offensive. Russia has repeated its opposition to NATO forces in Ukraine. 2. Russia's Position Has Not Changed While media reports have said Putin has pushed forward the idea of freezing the front lines in places, his larger objectives remain intact -- total control over Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, recognition of Crimea's annexation, and binding commitments that Ukraine will not join NATO. Added to this are sweeping restrictions on Ukraine's armed forces. These do not look like concessions but demands to institutionalize Kyiv's territorial losses and enshrine Ukraine's vulnerability. The Kremlin's refusal, so far, to agree to a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy underlines how Russia has simply doubled-down on existing red lines. For Kyiv, meanwhile, ceding land to Russia would not only be unconstitutional but politically and militarily damaging. 3. Washington's Reluctance To Commit Following his two summits, Trump appears to be stepping back. The US president already said in Washington that he did not necessarily need to be at a Putin-Zelenskyy summit and has since suggested that he might attend only after the Russian and Ukrainian leaders meet. Trump has underscored that American troops will not be deployed in Ukraine, which was never really in doubt. What exactly US "involvement" in security guarantees, and what kind of role its air force may take, also remains undefined at least in public. Trump's stance reflects both strategic caution -- avoiding direct escalation with Russia -- and political calculation. The White House remains unenthusiastic about underwriting Europe's security architecture. For Kyiv, this reflects a painful truth: Europe has pledged protection, but the United States may not back it up sufficiently. 4. Transatlantic Divisions The Washington summit was a show of transatlantic unity, but divisions and distrust remain beneath the surface. US Vice President JD Vance was silent when Zelenskyy met Trump in front of the cameras in the Oval Office. But in a later Fox News interview, he said he had warned Zelenskyy, "Mr. President, so long as you behave, I won't say anything." The interview recalled the heated exchange from Zelenskyy's last visit in February, suggesting old antagonisms have not entirely been forgotten. Meanwhile, CBS reported on August 21 that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a directive in July classifying all intelligence related to peace negotiations as "NOFORN" -- for US use only, barred even from the Five Eyes group. Five Eyes brings together the United States with Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand in intelligence sharing. To exclude them on such a sensitive issue would leave key allies without US insights as work on security guarantees intensifies. 5. Russia's Attacks Have Continued Meanwhile, Russia's attacks have continued unabated. On August 21, Zelenskyy denounced Russia for launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles in a massive overnight assault, calling Moscow's behavior proof it had no interest in ending the conflict. "They are trying to wriggle out of holding a meeting. They don't want to end this war," he declared. While diplomats, including Russian officials, talk about dialogue, Russian forces continue to shell Ukrainian cities, killing and injuring civilians, including children, and destroying vital infrastructure. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-eu-usa-russia- putin-trump-peace-talks-secrecy/33510181.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The DOT-Chain Defence drone catalog: UAVs from 20 manufacturers are now available to the military Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 22 August, 2025, 5:38 PM EEST The Ministry of Defence's Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) has signed new contracts with six manufacturers to supply the Armed Forces of Ukraine with weapons through the DOT-Chain Defence IT system. The system now offers the military 146 drone models from 20 different manufacturers to choose from. Since the first order on July 31, drones worth UAH 127 million have been delivered to the frontline through the weapons marketplace. In particular, drones from the following companies are now available under the new contracts: Gurzuf Defence Quantum-Systems SKYRIPER Warbirds "VIK DEVIRO" LLC "Reactive Drones" LLC "We are continually expanding our catalog. It is important that the military has a wide selection of drones and can receive equipment quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy. DOT-Chain Defence is already demonstrating dynamic growth: manufacturers are joining the marketplace, and the military now has access to a broader range of drones. This confirms that the system can scale while simultaneously addressing both requests," said Arsen Zhumadilov, Director of the Defence Procurement Agency. Please be reminded that all manufacturers of codified products can take part and make their drones available to the military via the weapons marketplace. At present, DOT-Chain Defence operates in pilot mode to evaluate the system in real-world conditions. Twelve brigades are participating, with available drone types including FPV and bomber models. In the future, the system is planned to be expanded with other drone types, including ground robotic systems, along with EW capabilities and drone-deployed munitions. For more information on how manufacturers can join the DOT-Chain Defence weapons marketplace, follow the link on the DPA website. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Without China and its guarantees, securing lasting peace in any part of the world is immensely difficult': Lukashenko responds to Zelensky's claim Global Times By Global Times Published: Aug 23, 2025 02:33 PM Following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Ukraine does not need China as a guarantor providing security guarantees, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said that the responsibility to avoid war was his own and "without China-a permanent Security Council member-and its guarantees, securing a lasting peace in any part of the world is immensely difficult. Zelensky should think carefully before speaking so carelessly," BelTa reported. According to BelTa, the official Belarusian news agency, when asked about the possibility of Belarus also acting as a security guarantor for Ukraine, Lukashenko stated: "Typically, discussions of security guarantees involve permanent UN Security Council members. This includes powers like the United States and China, as well as major European nations that are not Security Council members - and even Belarus. But when this idea was raised to me privately, I had to ask: is it truly in our interest to provide such guarantees to another nation?" On Chinese Foreign Ministry's Friday routine press conference, a reporter said Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said on August 20 that Russia supports providing strong security guarantee for Ukraine and agrees not to exclude UN Security Council members, including Western countries and China, from providing the so-called guarantee. However on August 21, Zelensky said that Ukraine does not need China as one of the security guarantors. Commenting on China's view about this, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China has always held an objective and just position and has always been open and aboveboard on the Ukraine crisis, which is for all to see. It is essential to pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, Mao said, adding that China stands ready to play a constructive role to that end. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Fires Dozens Of Drones At Ukraine As Peace Efforts Falter By RFE/RL August 23, 2025 Russia launched dozens of drones at Ukrainian targets overnight, the latest in days of aerial barrages that have dampened hopes for a halt to the Ukraine war following last week's Alaska summit. Ukraine's military said it had downed or intercepted nearly three dozen of the more than 50 drones Russia had fired early on August 23. It was unclear if there were casualties or damage on the ground. The overall number was smaller than Russian drone and missile attacks earlier in the week. A Russian barrage on August 21 targeted site in western Ukraine -- a relatively uncommon occurrence-- including a US-owned manufacturing factory. The company said several workers were injured in the attack. Ukrainian emergency officials said on August 23 that firefighters had finally extinguished the blaze at the factory. Russia, meanwhile, said Ukraine has launched dozens of its drones at Russian targets overnight, claiming that most were intercepted. Frustration with the lack of progress since the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska were in public view at the White House on August 22, when Trump signaled that the option of hitting Russia with new sanctions was back on the table. Earlier, Trump had said that a meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a possibility. But Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who earlier described talks with European leaders as a "road to nowhere," said no meeting was planned. "Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit," Lavrov told NBC News in an interview broadcast August 22. "And this agenda is not ready at all." Putin, meanwhile, praised Trump, describing him as "the light at the end of the tunnel" for US-Russian relations. "Our relationship with the United States is at one of the lowest levels it's been since the end of World War II," Putin said during a visit to Sarov, the historic home to Russia's nuclear weapons program, on August 22. "But with the arrival of President Trump, I think that a light at the end of the tunnel has finally appeared." Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he wanted to see whether Putin and Zelenskyy would meet before deciding on new sanctions. And he gave a two-week deadline to decide -- a deadline he has frequently threatened and then postponed. "Then I'm going to make a decision as to what we do and it's going to be a very important decision," he said. "Whether it's massive sanctions, massive tariffs, or both. Or I'll do nothing and say, 'This is your war.'" Zelenskyy accused Russia of doing everything it could to prevent a face-to-face meeting between him and Putin. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for Putin to meet him. Putin, however, considers Zelenskyy an illegitimate leader, citing the lack of new elections. Martial law prevents Ukraine from holding elections, though Ukrainian officials have signaled an openness to it. "The meeting is one of the components of how to end the war," Zelenskyy said at a Kyiv news conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on August 22. "And since they don't want to end it, they will look for space to (avoid it)." The possibility of US-backed security guarantees for Ukraine was also floated during the Alaska summit, and European leaders have rushed to try and hammer out what those would look like. Zelenskyy said he and Rutte discussed the issue, saying the guarantees should be similar to NATO's Article 5, which considers an attack on one member of the alliance an attack against all. "Robust security guarantees will be essential, and this is what we are now working on to define," he said. With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-eu-usa-russia- putin-trump-peace-talks-secrecy/33510181.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Outflank Ukrainians in Donetsk People's Republic Settlement Liberation Sputnik News 20250823 In a strategic move, Russian troops stormed Kleban-Byk in the Donetsk People's Republic from multiple directions, effectively diverting Ukrainian forces and securing the settlement. Russian troops have liberated the settlements of Kleban-Byk in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Saturday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Army Liberates Settlements of Kleban-Byk, Sredneye in Donetsk People's Republic Sputnik News 20250823 Russian troops have liberated the settlements of Kleban-Byk and Sredneye in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Saturday. "As a result of the actions of Battlegroup Yug, the Kleban-Byk settlement of the Donetsk People's Republic has been liberated," the military said in a statement. "Units of Battlegroup Zapad acted decisively to liberate the settlement of Sredneye in the Donetsk People's Republic," the statement added. Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr have taken more advantageous positions over the past 24 hours, with Kiev losing more than 430 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to more than 430 soldiers, nine combat armored vehicles, including a UK-made Spartan armored personnel carrier and a UK-made Mastiff armored vehicle. Thirteen motor vehicles, three artillery guns and two Israeli-made RADA radar stations were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement. Kiev also lost 245 soldiers in clashes with Russia's Battlegroup Vostok, over 230 solders with Battlegroup Zapad, over 210 soldiers with Battlegroup Yug and up to 150 soldiers in clashes with Battlegroup Sever over the past 24 hours, according to the statement. In addition, Russian air defenses shot down four guided aerial bombs and 160 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the past day, the statement said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump to Decide on Ukraine in 2 Weeks: Sanctions, Tariffs or 'Nothing' on Table Sputnik News 20250823 US President Donald Trump said in Friday that he will announce a decision on the situation in Ukraine in two weeks, which may include sanctions, tariffs, both, or nothing. "Well, then I'm going to make a decision as to what we do, or it's going to be, it's going to be a very important decision, and that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or do we do nothing and say it's your fight," Trump told reporters at the Oval Office. Those who think that potential meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky could result in nothing without attendance of US President Donald Trump may be right or may be wrong, the US leader himself said on Friday. "I wanted to have a meeting with those two. I could have been at the meeting, but had a lot of people think that nothing's going to come out of that meeting, you have to be there, maybe that's true, maybe it's not," Trump told reporters. Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy has not been planned, but the Russian leader is ready to meet him when the summit agenda will be ready, which is currently nonexistent. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Mariana Betsa met with Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defense Kaimo Kuusk Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine 23 August 2025 20:54 On August 23, 2025 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with a delegation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Estonia led by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Kaimo Kuusk. The Deputy Minister of Ukraine expressed gratitude to the Estonian side for the comprehensive assistance to our state, in particular in the military, financial and humanitarian spheres to counter Russian armed aggression. "We sincerely appreciate the strong partnership between our states and are grateful to Estonia for the assistance provided to Ukraine. In times of ongoing Russian aggression, Estonia's unwavering support is of exceptional importance - not only for strengthening Ukraine's resilience, but also for protecting the security and stability of the entire European continent," Mariana Betsa noted. The parties discussed diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. In turn, Kaimo Kuusk assured Estonia's unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and stressed its readiness to further strengthen practical support for Ukraine both bilaterally and within international organizations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denys Shmyhal: The Ukrainian flag stands as a symbol of our people's heroism and unbreakable spirit Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 23 August, 2025, 12:30 PM EEST Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal joined President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the official ceremony for the hoisting of the National Flag of Ukraine. Denys Shmyhal stressed that the Ukrainian flag stands for the heroism and unbreakable spirit of our nation. He thanked the warriors who are restoring the Ukrainian flag to our cities and villages. "We thank all those who defend our nation and shape its history and future under the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag. Glory to Ukraine!" said the Minister of Defence of Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President of Ukraine Held a Conversation with the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa President of Ukraine 23 August 2025 - 16:02 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. The call took place at the request of President Ramaphosa. The Head of State informed him about the joint diplomatic efforts with partners and the productive meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that this war, which nobody ever needed except Russia, must be brought to an end. The President reaffirmed his readiness for any format of meeting with the head of Russia. However, Moscow is once again attempting to delay the negotiation process. Ukraine expects that countries of the Global South will send appropriate signals and push Russia toward peace. The leaders also discussed their future contacts with partners. They separately addressed opportunities for joint work with the African continent to develop relations, create a platform for dialogue, and ensure food security. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Cyril Ramaphosa agreed to maintain contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dick Schoof Discussed the Developments of Security Guarantees and Joint Projects President of Ukraine 23 August 2025 - 15:54 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dick Schoof. Dick Schoof congratulated Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all Ukrainians on National Flag Day. The Head of State expressed his gratitude for the important and warm words of support, the assistance from the Netherlands, and the solidarity of the Dutch people. The leaders discussed diplomatic efforts and the results of the talks held in Washington. Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is ready for constructive steps that can bring true peace closer. The President reiterated his readiness to hold a meeting with the Russian side at the highest level to discuss all issues. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands share the view that Russia is showing no intention of peace on its side, and therefore, pressure is needed to change its position. One of the main topics was security guarantees. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the teams of Ukraine, the United States, and European partners are working on the architecture of future security guarantees. The corresponding developments are expected to be ready in the coming days. The Head of State thanked Dick Schoof for participating in the meetings of the Coalition of the Willing and noted that he counts on the Netherlands' active role in ensuring security. The leaders discussed how exactly the country could increase its involvement and provide assistance. The sides also focused on joint projects and investments in Ukraine's defense production. The leaders committed to preparing agreements and a personal meeting in the near future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The President Congratulated Ukrainians on Ukraine's National Flag Day President of Ukraine 23 August 2025 - 11:00 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on Ukraine's National Flag Day and took part in the ceremony of raising the blue-and-yellow flag at the Memorial Complex "National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War." The Head of State noted that the Ukrainian flag has become a symbol of love for Ukraine: it can be seen on the city streets of any of our communities - on buildings, on flagpoles, behind car windows, or on someone's backpack. "This very flag embodies a feeling of salvation for those we bring back from Russian captivity. When they see the Ukrainian colors, they understand: the evil is over. This flag is the goal and the dream for many of our people in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. And they safeguard this flag, they keep it safe, because they know: we will not hand our land to the occupier. This flag represents everything dearest to hundreds of thousands of our warriors - men and women from all over Ukraine, who are defending not just one particular direction, not just Vovchansk or Dobropillia, but all our Ukraine, and who are risking their lives to win the right to life for our entire state," said Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The President expressed his gratitude to everyone who is fighting for our state and our people, who is working in the interests of Ukraine and its independence, and who contributes their personal strength to the strength of the Ukrainian nation. The Head of State emphasized: we remember our heroes of different times, who fought for Ukraine and for their own freedom and, tragically, gave their lives in battle. The memory of the fallen warriors was honored with a minute of silence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint statement on Ukraine's Independence Day Global Affairs Canada Statement August 24, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, alongside the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship today issued the following statement: "On the 34th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, we are inspired by the enduring spirit and strength of the Ukrainian people. Canada supports Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty, freedom and security against Russia's aggression. We reinforce our commitment to uphold the UN Charter and stand with Ukraine. "We acknowledge the immense suffering endured by the people of Ukraine, including lives lost, families torn apart and homes destroyed. In the face of these hardships, Ukrainians have shown remarkable resilience and determination in defending their land, culture and people. Their pain is felt by everyone who values freedom and justice. "Freedom is a shared valuenot a solitary struggle. Canada has consistently provided strong support to Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and reform efforts, contributing nearly $22 billion in assistance since 2022. "We are working with international partners to strengthen security commitments to Ukraine. While hosting the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced $2 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine, as well as the disbursement of a $2.3-billion loan. We continue to work with our Allies and partners to coordinate and bolster our support through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, including F-16 pilot training under the Air Force Capability Coalition. Canada announced the disbursement of a $200-million contribution through the World Bank at the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, Italy. "The war has upended the lives of generations of Ukrainians, especially children. Thousands of children are reported to have been illegally deported or forcibly transferred by Russia. With Ukraine, Canada is co-chairing the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, because no child should be a pawn in war. "Canada remains committed to supporting Ukrainians and their family members by providing a temporary safe haven as the war continues. "Canada will continue its support to Ukraine and honor the more than 1.3 million Canadians of Ukrainian heritage who make extraordinary contributions to our country every day. "Ukraine's security is integral to global security. Substantial and well-coordinated military aid to Ukraine remains a strategic priority. We will continue our comprehensive support to the Ukrainian society and the reconstruction of Ukraine. For as long as Russia continues its war of aggression against Ukraine, we - together with partners and allies - will continue to maintain and increase pressure on Russia's war economy. "Ukrainians are showing the world what independence means: resilience, dignity and the right to live in peace. On Ukraine's Independence Day, we celebrate the courage and hope that Ukrainians bring to the world and we reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity." Slava Ukraini! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney August 24, 2025 Kyiv, Ukraine Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yuliia Svyrydenko, for the first time. Prime Minister Carney congratulated Prime Minister Svyrydenko on her recent appointment and affirmed Canada's steadfast support for Ukraine. The Prime Minister highlighted the $2 billion of military assistance announced at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, in June, including the financing of a NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List package that will be delivered to Ukraine to strengthen its air defence capabilities and provide other urgently needed military assistance. The prime ministers also participated in a roundtable discussion on Ukraine's macroeconomic situation and the work ahead to rebuild the economy. They agreed that robust security guarantees are essential, not only for lasting, durable peace, but also for economic reconstruction. The leaders explored opportunities to expand trade and investment, including through critical minerals, energy, and defence industry co-operation. The discussion also focused on veterans and the urgent need for rehabilitation initiatives in Ukraine. They discussed opportunities for Canada to assist Ukraine in this effort. Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Svyrydenko look forward to remaining in regular contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney meets with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney August 24, 2025 Kyiv, Ukraine Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Prime Minister thanked the President for his hospitality and his leadership at this hinge moment in history. Prime Minister Carney congratulated President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine on their Independence Day, acknowledging Ukrainians' long and consequential fight for sovereignty. The two leaders discussed Russia's ongoing war of aggression and welcomed U.S. leadership in working toward an end to the killing. The Prime Minister and the President agreed that just and lasting peace can only exist with robust and credible security guarantees, and that no decisions about Ukraine can be made without Ukraine. Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine, drawing on the $2 billion of military assistance announced at the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June. He underscored Canada's latest measures to support Ukraine, including the financing of a NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List package that will be delivered to Ukraine to strengthen its air defence capabilities and provide other urgently needed military assistance. The two leaders discussed areas for further co-operation, including enhanced Canadian defence industry production and supporting Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. They also discussed opportunities for Canada to assist Ukraine in its efforts to rehabilitate veterans. The Prime Minister and the President discussed the situation of Ukrainian children illegally abducted by Russia. Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada's commitment to continue leading efforts to secure their return to Ukraine, including through its co-leadership of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. The two leaders also welcomed U.S. efforts in this area. The leaders also exchanged views on the strong potential for more co-operation in the development and resilience of Ukraine's natural resources sector, including liquefied natural gas. The Prime Minister and the President agreed to remain in close and regular contact NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Tsahkna: On Ukraine's Independence Day we reaffirm once again - Ukraine is not alone Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Defence 24.08.2025 | 13:08 Today, on 24 August, Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day. To mark the occasion, a flag-raising ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended by members of the Ukrainian community, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, and the Embassy of Ukraine's Charge d'Affaires Inna Shcherban. "Today, on Ukraine's Independence Day, the entire Estonian nation stands in thoughts and in spirit together with the people of Ukraine. Their struggle for freedom is not only the story of Ukraine - it is the story of all of us, of all Europe and of the free world. We know how precious independence is," said Tsahkna. "We see how the aggressor seeks to redraw borders through violence, and if the aggressor is given in to, his appetite will only grow. We must not reward aggression but stand against it together. Estonia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering. We must continue military, political, and economic support for Ukraine - not only today, but until lasting peace has been secured in Ukraine," he added. "Ukrainians are defending not only their homes and people, but also the very values on which Europe rests - freedom and justice. That is why Estonia stands with Ukraine not only in words but in deeds. Always." "On Ukraine's Independence Day we reaffirm once again - you are not alone. Estonia and other free nations will stand by your side for as long as it takes. We believe in Ukraine's future, we believe in freedom, and we believe that together we can overcome aggression," the minister underlined. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pentagon reportedly blocks Ukraine's long-range missile strikes on Russia as Trump voices frustration over peace deal Global Times By Global Times Published: Aug 24, 2025 12:10 PM The Pentagon has for months been blocking Ukraine's use of long-range missiles to strike inside Russia, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing US officials. It said the US limited Kiev from employing a powerful weapon in its fight against Moscow. The report said that a high-level Defense Department approval procedure, which hasn't been announced, has prevented Ukraine from firing any US-made long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, against targets in Russia since late spring, the officials said. On at least one occasion, Ukraine sought to use ATACMS against a target on Russian territory but was rejected, the report quoted two officials as saying. "The US veto of long-range strikes has restricted Ukraine's military operations as the White House has sought to woo the Kremlin into beginning peace talks," the Wall Street Journal claimed in the report. In a social-media post Thursday, US President Donald Trump said Ukraine couldn't defeat Russia unless it could "play offense" in the war. "It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking" the invading country, he wrote. "There is no chance of winning!" US officials said Trump's statement didn't signal a policy change that would dispense with the Pentagon's review mechanism or encourage Ukraine's use of ATACMS and other long-range Western systems. But a senior White House official said Trump could change his mind about facilitating expanded offensive operations against Russia, Wall Street Journal reported. A Washington Post report on Saturday wrote that Trump is signaling that he would step back for now from efforts to reach a Ukraine peace deal, expressing frustration over rising casualties and the failure of the two sides to come closer to a peace agreement. Trump would make an important decision about the future of the conflict in "two weeks," according to the Washington Post. The Washington Post viewed the comment as "a significant shift from a president who had projected great confidence over the past several weeks in his ability to obtain security guarantees for Ukraine and a swift meeting between the warring leaders." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway provides air defense worth seven billion kroner to Ukraine Government of Norway Press release | Date: 24/08/2025 Norway is contributing approximately seven billion kroner for air defense. The air defense systems will be delivered from Germany to Ukraine. "Together with Germany, we are now ensuring that Ukraine receives powerful air defense systems. Germany and Norway are working very closely together to support Ukraine in its fight to defend the country and protect the civilian population against Russian air attacks," says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. Norway and Germany are funding two Patriot systems including missiles. In addition, Norway is contributing to the procurement of air defense radars from the German manufacturer Hensoldt and air defense systems from Kongsberg. "Air defense is also crucial for protecting military units and infrastructure. Now, together with Germany, we are further stepping up our efforts," says Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik. Protecting Ukrainian lives Earlier this summer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre met and agreed that the two countries would cooperate on donating two complete Patriot systems that Germany already possesses to Ukraine. The systems are currently located in Germany and will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible. The United States has confirmed that it will replace the donated systems, and Norway has committed to contributing financially to their replacement. "Building on our excellent cooperation with Norway, we are very grateful that we are collaborating on this assistance measure and will thus significantly strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities together," says German Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius. "This is a major investment in effective air defense. The support will give Ukraine vital tools to protect Ukrainian lives and contribute to a stronger defense," says Sandvik. Patriot is a highly effective air defense system that can counter several threats, especially tactical ballistic missiles. These missiles have great destructive power and cannot be stopped by ordinary air defense. Patriot features long-range radar, extremely fast missiles, and long range. These qualities combined make Patriot capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. To strengthen Ukraine's air defense, Germany is financing a large contract with the manufacturer Hensoldt for the delivery of the modern TRML-4D air defense radar to Ukraine. Radars provide improved sensor coverage and thereby make other air defense systems more effective. Germany has also financed a major contract for the delivery of the short-range air defense system Typhon-2 from Kongsberg. This is a cost-effective system and a powerful further development and improvement of Typhon-1, of which Norway donated ten systems last year. The system helps to fill the gap between short- and medium-range air defense and thereby creates a more comprehensive defense against aerial threats. Norway is contributing by donating key components of Typhon-2 from the Norwegian Armed Forces. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard on the Independence Day of Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden Speech by Maria Malmer Stenergard Published 24 August 2025 Speech by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard on the Independence Day of Ukraine, Sergels Torg 24 August 2025. Check against delivery. My dear Ukrainian friends, Dorohi ukrajintsi, dorohi druzi My warmest thanks to all of you who have gathered here today to celebrate free Ukraine. The 24 August 1991, when Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union, was not just an important date in the annals of history. It was also the beginning of a journey away from oppression - and towards freedom, democracy and the right to peacefully determine its own future. Few have made such huge and heroic sacrifices for these fundamental rights as the Ukrainian people. The pain, suffering and destruction that Russia's aggression is inflicting on Ukraine is indescribable. My thoughts are with all the people subjected to these horrific crimes on a daily basis. There is no doubt about the goal of Putin's war: to subdue or wipe out Ukraine as a free and independent nation. On a day like today, I would like to thank Ukraine for the unyielding will to defend your country that you are showing. It gives us all hope. Your fight for freedom is also our fight for a free and democratic Europe - for a world where might does not make right. This has brought our countries closer together than ever. I can assure you that Sweden will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. **** Ukrainian friends, How the war ends will shape Europe for generations to come. Providing support to Ukraine is and will remain this Government's top foreign policy priority. Our support rests on three pillars: Firstly, political support. This is unwavering. Ukraine belongs in the European family. This is why we're supporting the reform process towards EU membership. Ukraine in the EU is a vital future investment in peace and security throughout Europe. Secondly, military aid. We have increased our military support every year of the full-scale invasion. We recently announced that we, together with Denmark and Norway, will purchase US defence equipment, including ammunition for air defence systems, through NATO, worth SEK 5 billion. Collectively the Nordic countries are the largest donors of military support to Ukraine this year. Lastly, Ukraine is the single-largest recipient of Swedish development assistance. With our support, more children can go to school, and with our support, more homes are being heated in winter. And friends, when the war is over, we will help rebuild your country. **** If, like me, you grew up in Kristianstad in Skane, you already had an idea as a child of the strong historical ties between Ukraine and Sweden. On one of the pedestrian streets in my hometown, in the middle of the city, there's a statue dedicated to former Ukrainian head of state Filip Orlik and his achievements. Why is this? Well, after the Battle of Poltava, Orlik, his family and parts of his Government accompanied Charles XII of Sweden's troops to Sweden. Orlik's Government was allowed to operate in exile in Kristianstad, where it stayed for three years. A few years earlier, Orlik had drafted Ukraine's first constitution, one of the earliest democratic constitutions in Europe. The statue thus commemorates not only Ukraine's history, but also its future. A future for freedom, democracy and the right to peacefully determine it. When I see the courage of the Ukrainian people, I'm prouder of this than ever. I have the deepest respect for your struggle and your determination to regain freedom. Today, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, like every other day, Sweden stands firmly by your side. This is a policy that has deep and broad support among the Swedish people. Ukraine has a special place in our hearts. Thank you; slava Ukraini! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Sweden pave way for joint production of defence materiel Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence Published 24 August 2025 Minister for Defence Pal Jonson and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal have signed a Letter of Intent to jointly produce defence materiel bound for Ukraine in Sweden. Ukraine has on multiple occasions expressed interest in the joint production of defence materiel by Ukrainian and Swedish companies in Sweden for export to Ukraine. Several countries - including Romania, Poland and Denmark - already work with Ukrainian defence materiel companies under similar arrangements. The Letter of Intent outlining this new form of Swedish-Ukrainian cooperation was signed during Mr Jonson's visit to Kyiv on 23 August. "Sweden is eager to intensify its defence industrial cooperation with Ukraine. With this Letter of intent, we aim to strengthen both Swedish and Ukrainian rearmament. By combining a Swedish industrial base, Ukrainian innovation, and Ukrainian battlefield experience, we can build a stronger joint defence industry," says Minister of Defence Pal Jonson As a result of this cooperation, the two countries will benefit from each other's industrial strengths. For example, Sweden has good capacity for advanced production in both civil and military industry, while Ukraine has strong expertise on unmanned systems, electronic warfare and software development. In addition to being part of Sweden's military support to Ukraine, the cooperation will also benefit Swedish industry and capability growth. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Letter of intent (LOI) between Sweden and Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence Published 24 August 2025 Letter of intent between the Ministry of defence of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Ministry of defence of Ukraine concering the joint production of defence materiel in Sweden and Ukraine The Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Sweden (the "Swedish Participant") and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (the "Ukrainian Participant"), hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Participants", acknowledge that the security of Ukraine is integral to the security of Sweden and the broader Europe. The Participants share the conviction that building resilient supply chains and mobilizing defence industry is crucial for the security of Ukraine, Sweden and the broader Europe. The Participants, building on their excellent mutual relations and the steadfast Swedish support for Ukraine, declare their readiness to support joint defence-industrial production projects in Sweden and Ukraine for the benefit to security of Ukraine, Sweden and the broader Europe. I. The Participants declare their willingness to establish deeper cooperation in defence production by supporting the co-production of defence materiel on the territory of Sweden and Ukraine. II. The Participants intend that defence materiel co-produced in Sweden will be exported back to Ukraine to help the Ukrainian Participant repel the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and deter future aggression. Any export of defence materiel produced in Sweden is subject to separate and independent national approval processes, as well as applicable national and international law. Defence materiel co-produced in Sweden may also be purchased by the Swedish defence agency to the benefit of Sweden. III. The Signatories intend to provide support, to facilitate this cooperation, subject to their respective national approval processes and in accordance with their respective national laws and international commitments. IV. The Ukrainian Participant intends to facilitate the sharing of technology for the setup and operation of Ukrainian origin defence materiel production facilities in Sweden for the benefit of the security of Ukraine, Sweden and the broader Europe. V. This Letter of Intent does not constitute a legally binding commitment, neither under international nor national law, between the Participants. This Letter of Intent does not create any authority to perform any work, award any contract, transfer funds, or otherwise obligate a Participant in any way to make or provide any financial or non-financial contribution to the other Participant for any purpose. Any legal, financial or any other type of commitment is subject to the establishment of separate arrangements, subject to the Participants' or their government's national approval procedures. VI. Any differences regarding the interpretation or implementation of this Letter of Intent will be resolved exclusively between the Participants. VII. This Letter will be signed in two copies in the English language and will come into effect upon the date of the last signature. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Denmark will launch a major industrial project under the Build with Ukraine initiative: Denys Shmyhal Ukraine Government Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, posted 24 August 2025 12:55 Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with Minister of Defense of Denmark Troels Lund Poulsen and representatives of the Danish Parliament in Kyiv. The key topic of the meeting was strengthening industrial cooperation with Denmark. "In the near future, we will launch a major project under the President's Build with Ukraine initiative. This will allow us to scale up the production of Ukrainian weapons in Denmark and provide our soldiers with everything they need more efficiently," the Minister of Defense of Ukraine said. According to him, this is the next stage of cooperation between the two countries, after the highly effective "Danish model". It allowed partners to invest directly in the production of Ukrainian weapons for the needs of the Defense Forces. The parties discussed the situation at the frontline and key priorities, including strengthening air defense to counter russian terror and developing long-range weapons to force russia to peace. "We expect that the Build with Ukraine initiative will be an important contribution to achieving these goals. I sincerely thank Mr. Troels Lund Poulsen for this visit on the Independence Day. I am grateful to Denmark, its government and people for their steadfast support that reinforces the security of Ukraine and all of Europe," summarized Denys Shmyhal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Military production, Drone Coalition, training of Ukrainian military: outcomes of a meeting of the Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Latvia Ukraine Government Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, posted 24 August 2025 13:10 Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met and held talks in Kyiv with his Latvian counterpart Andris Spruds. Denys Shmyhal thanked Mr. Andris Spruds for his visit during these festive days. "We highly appreciate all the assistance that Latvia has provided us since the beginning of the full-scale war. In particular, the recent decision of the Latvian Government to allocate EUR 2 million for the arms procurement under the PURL is critical for us," noted the Minister of Defense of Ukraine during the talks on August 23. The parties discussed plans for defense cooperation in the short and long term. The Ukrainian delegation informed its counterparts about the current situation at the front and the urgent needs of the Defense Forces to further deter the enemy. Among the priorities of cooperation is the intensification of joint production both in Ukraine and Latvia. They also discussed the continued participation of Latvian partners in the training program for the Ukrainian military. Denys Shmyhal also highlighted Latvia's leading role in the Drone Coalition. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Sweden agree to jointly produce armaments in both countries Ukraine Government Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, posted 24 August 2025 13:55 Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Minister of Defense of Sweden Pal Jonson signed a Letter of Intent on joint production of armaments in both countries. The document between the Ministries of Defense actualizes the efforts of the two countries and creates conditions for the implementation of joint projects in the defense industry. The Letter also contains the intention to continue the exchange of technologies and experience in the production of weapons and military equipment to ensure sustainability and reciprocity of the defense industry of both Ukraine and Sweden. During a meeting in Kyiv with his Swedish counterpart on August 23, Denys Shmyhal thanked the people and leadership of his country for "unwavering support for Ukraine in all areas in repelling russian aggression." In particular, for joining the PURL initiative and allocating USD 486 million together with Norway and Denmark. During the talks, the Ukrainian side informed the Swedish delegation about the current situation on the battlefield and the key needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The delegations discussed the prospects of cooperation in the field of military aviation, including pilot training and joint projects between Swedish and Ukrainian companies. "I thanked the Swedish Government, in particular, for the transfer of ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft," said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Among the immediate prospects for cooperation are work on military innovations to accelerate their implementation in practice, development of joint production facilities. The delegations also discussed intensifying cooperation in space technology. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada to fund $500m PURL package for Ukraine NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 24 Aug. 2025 Canada announced today (24 August 2025) that it will fund a $500 million package of military equipment and munitions for Ukraine sourced from the United States, under NATO's new Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed the announcement as a strong demonstration of Canada's enduring commitment to Ukraine's defence. "I commend Canada for stepping up to fund this package of US military equipment for Ukraine. NATO Allies continue to deliver essential equipment and supplies, making sure Ukraine gets what it needs to defend itself as it works towards a just and lasting peace," said the Secretary General. Canada's contribution under the PURL initiative follows earlier announcements by the Netherlands, Germany, and a joint pledge from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Each package is valued at around $500 million, and is designed to meet Ukraine's most urgent operational requirements with equipment and munitions sourced from U.S. stockpiles. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says West blocking Ukraine peace talks Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 6:54 PM Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has blamed Western countries, particularly Ukraine, for making excuses to block the peace negotiations. Lavrov said in an interview with state TV on Sunday that the West was trying to ruin the peace initiative taken by US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Alaska summit earlier this month. "They're just looking for a pretext to block negotiations," Lavrov told Rossiya in the interview published on Telegram. He said the Ukrainian officials were making "attempts to disrupt the process that was laid down by Presidents Putin and Trump, which has yielded very good results." Lavrov blamed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for creating an obstacle for the peace process by "obstinately insisting, setting conditions, demanding an immediate meeting at all costs" with Russia's leader. "We hope that these attempts will be thwarted." Last week, Russia's top diplomat confirmed there will be no Putin-Zelensky meeting until the agenda for the peace deal between Kiev and Moscow has been agreed upon. "There is no meeting planned... Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky, when the agenda would be ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all," Lavrov said on Friday. Russia's top diplomat pointed out that during the Alaska summit, the Russian leader had agreed to show some leniency on a number of issues raised by Trump. He said that the meeting between Putin and Zelensky has not been planned, but the Russian leader is ready to meet him. Lavrov said such an agenda is currently nonexistent. Lavrov said the Russian leader's meeting with Zelensky will be planned when the summit agenda is ready. In the meantime, the war between Russia and Ukraine has continued to escalate with Kiev launching strikes on a Russian pipeline and a nuclear power plant. Trump recently announced that Washington will be sending "massive" supplies of weapons to Ukraine, in what was described as a significant policy shift. He advised the Ukrainians to go on the offensive if they wanted to get better results in negotiations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia shoots down Ukraine drone targeting Kursk nuclear power plant Iran Press TV Sunday, 24 August 2025 7:15 AM Russian air defense forces have shot down a Ukrainian drone targeting the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP). The Russian forces shot down the Ukrainian drone near the plant. The downed drone damaged an auxiliary transformer, the press service of the KNPP said on Sunday. "On August 24 at 0:26 Moscow time [21:26 GMT Saturday], near the Kursk NPP, an air defense shot down a combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Ukrainian armed forces. When it fell, the device detonated, as a result of which the auxiliary transformer was damaged," the KNPP said on Telegram. "Currently, the third power unit is in operation at the Kursk NPP. The fourth power unit is undergoing scheduled maintenance. The first and second power units are in operation without generation," it added. The downed Ukrainian drone also caused fire at the plant, resulting in a power capacity reduction. As a result of the attack, unit three of the plant was reduced to 50 percent capacity. However, there was no leakage of radiation, and there were no injuries at the nuclear facility. Last week, Ukrainian forces launched an attack on a Russian pipeline transferring oil to central Europe. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Downed Ukrainian Drone Causes Fire At Kursk Nuclear Power Plant By RFE/RL August 24, 2025 A fire broke out at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia after Russian military forces shot down a Ukrainian drone flying near the plant, the press service of the plant said. The drone -- one of several reported on August 23 by Russian authorities -- fell on an auxiliary transformer, sparking the fire, which has been extinguished. There were no injuries, according to the press service's statement. "A combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was shot down by air defense systems near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant," the press service said in a statement on Telegram. "Upon impact, the drone detonated, resulting in damage to an auxiliary transformer," the statement said. As a result of the explosion, unit three of the plant was reduced to 50 percent capacity, the press service said. Radiation levels at the site and in the surrounding area have not exceeded normal limits, it added. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has increased its drones strikes inside Russia over the past several months in response to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine. It says the attacks are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is crucial to Moscow's military efforts. The story was first reported by Russia's federal television network REN TV. It reported that the transformer is not a part of the nuclear section of the plant, citing the plant's press service. It was not immediately clear in which part of the plant the fire occurred. Kursk NPP is 40 kilometers west of Kursk city, the regional capital, on the bank of Seim River. The first unit was launched in 1976. Other units were added in 1979, 1983, and 1985, according to the press service. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the dangers of fighting around nuclear plants since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Earlier on August 23, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region were attacked by drones, regional authorities said, adding that six drones were shot down over the Leningrad region and two were shot down over St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg authorities said windows were shattered in a residential building in the Krasnoselsky district when the drone was "neutralized." There were no reports of injuries or deaths. The drone attacks led to flight delays and cancellations at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport. More than 30 flights were diverted to alternate airports during the day, and more than 50 flights were delayed. The airport resumed operations by in the evening. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that a drone flying toward Moscow had been shot down. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kursk-nuclear-power- plant-fire-ukraine-drone/33511527.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As Ukraine Marks Independence Day, Russia Continues To Muddy Prospects For Peace By RFE/RL August 24, 2025 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov threw up a new roadblock to direct talks between Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During an interview with NBC's Meet The Press that aired on August 24, Lavrov denied Russia has erred in striking civilian targets in Ukraine, questioned the legitimacy of Zelenskyy, and blamed Ukraine for setting back the peace process. "The reaction to the Anchorage meeting, the gathering in Washington of these European representatives and what they were doing after Washington indicates that they don't want peace," Lavrov said in the pre-taped interview. He added that permanent United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security. The council consists of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Kyiv and other allies have so far rejected the idea of Moscow being among the security guarantors for a peace deal, and Zelenskyy recently shot down the prospect of Beijing playing a role. "The guarantors would be guaranteeing the security of Ukraine, which must be neutral, which must be nonaligned with any military bloc and which must be non-nuclear," Lavrov said, according to a transcript of the interview released by the Foreign Ministry. Lavrov's comments came as Ukraine celebrated its 34th anniversary since the country declared independence from the Soviet Union and now finds itself navigating fraught diplomacy with Russia amid renewed calls from US President Donald Trump to push for peace talks. August has been a month of intense diplomacy around ending the 3 1/2-year war, including a high-profile summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska, where the issues of security guarantees and potential territorial concessions took center stage. During a speech in Kyiv on August 24 to mark Ukraine's Independence Day, Zelenskyy said that despite parts of Ukraine being currently occupied by Russian forces, there is "one Ukraine" and "we shall be together again as one family." "[Ukraine] will never again accept the humiliation of what the Russians say is a 'compromise,'" he said. "We need a just peace in which our future will be ours to decide." Zelenskyy added that his country will "not lose" its fight against Moscow. "Ukraine is not a victim; it is a fighter." Canada's Carney Discusses Security Guarantees In Kyiv In a show of support, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Kyiv on August 24 for his first official visit to Ukraine since being elected in April. Carney said during a press conference with Zelenskyy that he would not rule out the presence of Canadian troops in Ukraine as part of future proposed security guarantees. The framework for such security guarantees is currently being formed by Kyiv and its allies. "We know that Putin can never be trusted," Carney said in his speech on Kyiv's St. Sophia Square. "We know that true peace and security will require security guarantees for Ukraine." Carney also discussed with Zelenskyy a commitment of 2 billion Canadian dollars ($1.44 billion) for military aid, as well as joint opportunities for producing defense equipment. During his speech in central Kyiv, Carney said more than $720 million will be used to finance ammunition -- along with drone and armored-vehicle production -- with Canadian suppliers. Norway also announced on August 24 that it would contribute $693 million worth of air defense systems to Ukraine. US envoy Keith Kellogg was in attendance at the Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv, where he and Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson were awarded Ukraine's Order of Merit by Zelenskyy. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko later met with Kellogg to discuss security guarantees. "This is not only about the military component but also about political stability and economic capacity," Svyrydenko wrote on Telegram. Uncertain Future For Peace Talks Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy posted a congratulatory note from Trump on his social media, where the US president praised Ukraine's "unbreakable spirit" as the country celebrates its independence. Since the summit in Alaska, Trump has grown publicly frustrated over the lack of a peace deal. He offered a fresh two-week deadline at the White House on August 22 for Kyiv and Moscow to move forward with a peace process or face possible US retaliation. If steps toward ending the war are not been taken by then, Trump said he could enact "massive sanctions" or "massive tariffs" or he might do nothing and "say it's your fight." Whether peace talks proceed could also be affected by events on the battlefield. Russia's Defense Ministry said Kyiv and Moscow each sent back 146 prisoners of war on August 24, the latest in a series of exchanges this year. That followed claims from Russia that its forces in eastern Ukraine seized two villages in the Donetsk region on August 23 and claimed to take another on Ukraine's Independence Day. The Ukrainian military also said its troops had recaptured a settlement on the western edge of the Dnipropetrovsk region on August 23. Moscow also announced it had put out a fire at a nuclear plant in its western Kursk region after Russian air defenses claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-ukraine- putin-trump-carney-battlefield-military/33511569.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to questions of the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin programme, Moscow, August 24, 2025 24 August 2025 12:59 1371-24-08-2025 Question: Those same Western countries that have been saying recently they would not conduct any talks with the Putin regime, with Russia, are now declaring that if talks do not take place, or their results do not satisfy them, will once again impose sanctions against Russia. Would you comment on this? Sergey Lavrov: They are just looking for a reason to prevent talks from happening, while attempting to shift the blame onto others, primarily onto Vladimir Zelensky, who continues to stubbornly put forward conditions and demand an immediate meeting with President Vladimir Putin regardless of any circumstances. This is an attempt to disrupt the process launched by President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of the US Donald Trump, which produced constructive results. We hope these attempts will fail. Question: What kind of rhetoric is it when President of France Emmanuel Macron calls us "cannibals" and "predators"? Sergey Lavrov: I do not know. People are different, they have different cultures. I won't even comment. I can only hope that he feels uncomfortable about such statements when he reflects on them. Question: Vladimir Zelensky said that only the Ukrainian language will remain under possible peace agreements, and no Russian. Sergey Lavrov: No, to be precise, he said that Russian will not be a state language. However, no one is insisting on that point. The first step - one that does not depend on the wishes of Vladimir Zelensky or anyone else - must be the repeal of all laws that, in gross violation of the UN Charter, banned the Russian language and the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Zelensky is trying to divert attention from this core issue. But he will not succeed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Holding Captive Over 20 Russian Civilians Kidnapped From Kursk Region - Presidential Aide Sputnik News 20250824 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has been holding captive more than 20 Russian civilians kidnapped by Ukrainian troops during a 2024 raid in the western Russian border region of Kursk, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said on Sunday. "They have been de facto abducted and are being held hostage. Russia has been painstakingly bargaining for these civilians to be returned home. Many have been brought back, including the eight returned today. More than 20 others are estimated to remain [in captivity]," he said on Telegram. The Russian Defense Ministry said that 146 Russian servicepeople and eight Kursk residents were brought back from Ukraine in a swap on Sunday mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Medinsky, who was Russia's chief negotiator at the talks with the Ukrainians in Istanbul, said that most of Kursk residents abducted by Ukrainian troops were the elderly. He said the Ukrainians were handing them back in small groups, "literally trading them" for servicepeople in Russia's custody that they need the most. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Will Have a Seat at Ukraine Security Guarantee Talks - Vance Sputnik News 20250824 The US does not believe the conflict in Ukraine will end "overnight," but is still hopeful that peace can be achieved within the next six months, US Vice-President JD Vance told NBC News. He said the two key issues that must be resolved for peace in Ukriane were territory and security guarantees. Russia will be involved in talks on security guarantees for Ukraine, he added. The US maintains its position of not sending troops to Ukraine, but is actively engaged in securing safety assurances for Kiev, Vance explained. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Recognizes Zelensky as De Facto Head of Regime, Ready to Meet With Him in This Capacity Sputnik News 20250824 MOSCOW (Sputnik) Russia sees Volodymyr Zelensky as the de facto leader of the current Ukrainian administration who has the legitimacy to negotiate on Kiev's behalf but not to sign a truce, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "We recognize him as de facto head of the regime. And in this capacity, we are ready to meet with him... When we come to a stage where you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate. And according to the Ukrainian constitution, Mr. Zelensky is not, at the moment," Lavrov told NBC in an interview. Here are the highlights of the interview: 'Moscow respects Trump because he defends the interests of the US, and there are reasons to believe that Trump respects Putin because he defends the interests of Russia' The goals of the special military operation in Ukraine will be achieved, Russia must eliminate any security threats coming from there The reaction of European representatives to the meeting in Alaska, their visit to Washington, and subsequent actions indicate that they do not want peace We have no interest in the territories, we are interested in the fates of the people living in Donbass and Novorossiya On Ukraine's security guarantees, there should be a consensus that takes Russia's interests into account Putin and Trump discussed practical steps and serious issues related to security in Alaska Zelensky is not currently a legitimate figure who could sign legal documents when it comes to that Putin is ready to meet with Zelensky on the condition that the meeting will truly have a presidential agenda. It is unreasonable to meet with him just for another opportunity to be in the spotlight. The meeting between Putin and Zelensky was not discussed at the Russia-US summit in Alaska, this topic was raised later, "spontaneously" Ukraine and Europe are trying to distort what Putin and Trump discussed in Alaska, especially the issue of security guarantees The Russian and Ukrainian delegations have met and will continue to meet in Istanbul to discuss specific military and humanitarian issues Russia has never, under any circumstances, deliberately targeted objectives not related to Ukrainian military forces The West wants security guarantees for Ukraine to come at Russia's expense, in violation of the indivisible security principle, and is ready to deploy troops on Ukrainian soil to deter Russia Russia has never deliberately targeted sites that are not associated with the Ukrainian military Ukraine's right to exist is contingent on it allowing regions to secede where populations voted for independence in referendums Foreign capital in military plants in Ukraine does not grant them immunity from potential attacks or consequences The delegations of Russia and Ukraine have met and will continue to meet in Turkey's Istanbul to discuss military and humanitarian issues Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 146 Russian Servicemen Returned From Ukraine-Controlled Territory in POW Exchange - MoD Sputnik News 20250824 Russia has returned 146 Russian servicemen from territory controlled by the Kiev regime, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday. "On August 24, 146 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime," the statement said. In exchange, 146 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over. "Additionally, eight Russian citizens from the Kursk region, who were illegally detained by the Kiev regime, have been returned and will be transported home," the Russian Ministry of Defense added. Currently, the Russian servicemen are in Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance. All Russian servicemen will be taken to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in the Ministry of Defense's medical institutions. "The return of the Russian servicemen from captivity was facilitated through humanitarian efforts by the United Arab Emirates," the Russian department stated. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Liberate Filiya Settlement in Dnepropetrovsk Region Sputnik News 20250824 Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr have taken control of the village of Filiya in Dnepropetrovsk Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "As a result of offensive actions, Battlegroup Tsentr have liberated the village of Filiya in the Dnepropetrovsk region," the ministry said in a statement. Ukrainian troops lost up to 420 servicepeople, one armored combat vehicle and two artillery guns in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 420 soldiers, one armored combat vehicle, two artillery guns, 13 motor vehicles and one counter-battery radar station. Two ammunition depots were destroyed," the defense ministry said in a daily bulletin. Ukraine lost over 230 soldiers in battles with Russia's Battlegroup Vostok, over 220 solders in battles with Battlegroup Zapad, over 175 soldiers in battles with Battlegroup Yug and over 170 soldiers in battles with Battlegroup Sever over the past 24 hours, according to the bulletin. Apart from that, Russian air defense systems shot down 172 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones and three HIMARS rockets over the past day, the Defense Ministry said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Believes in Negotiated Settlement of Ukraine Conflict - Rubio Sputnik News 20250824 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States believes in a negotiated settlement of the Ukraine conflict, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in his congratulatory message on the occasion of Ukraine's Independence Day on Sunday. "We believe in a negotiated settlement that upholds Ukrainian sovereignty and guarantees its long-term security, leading to durable peace," Rubio said in a statement published by the US Department of State. On August 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden met in Anchorage, Alaska, for talks. On the following Monday, Trump hosted Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders for talks at the White House. Trump then called Putin to discuss the peace process. Putin and Trump agreed that direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations should continue and discussed raising the level of representation, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Ramps Up Ukraine Training as Europe's War Hawks Push 'Security Guarantees' Sputnik News 20250824 The British-led Operation Interflex, a multinational military initiative to train and support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has now been extended to at least 2026, Bloomberg reports. Over 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have already received both combat and leadership training in the UK. A further element of the plan involves a so-called US backstop, providing intelligence, border surveillance, weapons, and potentially air defenses, Bloomberg says. Meanwhile, a UK and France-led "Coalition of the Willing" plans to station European forces in Ukraine as European war hawks push "security guarantees" tied to a potential peace deal. Russia insists that any security guarantees for Ukraine must reference the 2022 Istanbul talks, and discussions about a security framework without Russia lead nowhere. In essence, Europe is proposing foreign intervention on part of Ukrainian territory, which is absolutely unacceptable for Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Firm Supplies Ukrainian Drone Maker with 41 Shipments Sputnik News 20250824 Los Angeles-based Silvus Technologies has sent 41 shipments of advanced communication systems to Ukraine's Skyeton manufacturer of the Raybird tactical UAV used for reconnaissance and targeting. Silvus Technologies, a Los Angeles-based producer of advanced communication systems, has delivered 41 shipments of electronic components to Skyeton, a prominent Ukrainian company known for its Raybird tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by Kiev's armed forces, a Sputnik correspondent's analysis of public shipping data on importgenius.com revealed. In late July, a representative of the Russian security forces told Sputnik that Russian specialists intercepted a signal and landed a Ukrainian UAV in the Zaporozhye Region, which was equipped with the tech by Silvus Technologies. Silvus Technologies, based at 10990 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, has sent 41 shipments to a Ukrainian company named LLC Aviation Manufacturing Company Skyeton, located at Smolna St. 9-B, Kiev, Ukraine, according to public shipping records on importgenius.com, a global trade tracking service that compiles data from official sources, including US Customs and Border Protection. Silvus Technologies produces advanced Mobile Networked MIMO (MN-MIMO) radios, such as the StreamCaster series, which provide secure, high-throughput, long-range wireless communication for unmanned systems. Paired with ground tracking dish systems, these radios have demonstrated real-time data and video transmission ranges exceeding 300 kilometers (186 miles), critical for UAV reconnaissance and target correction missions in Ukraine's conflict zones. Founded in 2006, Skyeton produces the Raybird, a fixed-wing unmanned aerial system classified as NATO Class I and US Department of Defense Group 2, the Ukrainian company said on its website. According to the trade data on importgenius.com, one shipment, declaration number 020450, included insulated electric conductors (HS code 8544429091) sourced from China, valued at $1,643.28. These components likely serve as wiring to integrate Silvus' radios into the Raybird, ensuring reliable connectivity for onboard payloads such as cameras and radar, even under electronic warfare conditions. The shipment was the most recent one and arrived in Ukraine on May 28, the data showed. The shipping date was not provided. Skyeton's website states the Raybird has been actively used by Ukrainian forces for reconnaissance and target correction in frontline areas. It can fly for over 28 hours and has a range of 2,500 kilometers. The drone can operate at altitudes up to 5,500 meters (18,045 feet) and maintains a data link range of more than 200 kilometers. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Air Defense Shot Down Ukrainian Drone Near Kursk NPP, Radiation Unchanged Sputnik News 20250824 Russian air defense shot down a Ukrainian drone near the Kursk nuclear power plant, the downed drone damaged an auxiliary transformer, the press service of the Kursk NPP said. "On August 24 at 0:26 Moscow time [21:26 GMT Saturday], near the Kursk NPP, an air defense shot down a combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Ukrainian armed forces. When it fell, the device detonated, as a result of which the auxiliary transformer was damaged," the NPP said on Telegram. As the plant clarified, the local fire had been extinguished, as a result of which the third unit had been unloaded by 50%. There were no casualties. "Currently, the third power unit is in operation at the Kursk NPP. The fourth power unit is undergoing scheduled maintenance. The first and second power units are in operation without generation," the plant's press service added. The radiation background at the industrial site of the Kursk NPP and the adjacent territory has not changed and corresponds to natural values, the press service concluded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address British training of Ukrainian troops extended through 2026 as UK marks Ukrainian Independence Day Extension supports UK's objective of supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attack, while developing its Armed Forces to deter Putin in future From: Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP Published 24 August 2025 Ukrainian soldiers will receive a further boost from the British military's expert training, as the Government announces the extension of the UK's world-leading training programme on Ukrainian Independence Day. The UK is stepping up and evolving its training support to ensure Ukraine's Armed Forces are in the strongest possible position as they resist ongoing Russian attacks, and to deter any further Russian aggression under a future peace deal by supporting the regeneration of Ukraine's forces. Supporting Ukraine's defence supports the UK's own national security and helps counter the economic disruption caused by Putin's illegal invasion. Training support and military equipment from the UK has helped give Ukraine a crucial boost on the frontline, with Russia continuing to lose far more vehicles and equipment to damage or destruction than Ukraine. The extension of Operation INTERFLEX to at least the end of 2026 was announced by the Defence Secretary amid Ukrainian celebrations today, marking 34 years since declaring independence from the Soviet Union. More than 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have been trained on British soil so far, with the UK leading 13 other nations providing support to the INTERFLEX programme as one of the biggest schemes of its kind in the world. The UK is also adapting INTERFLEX training to best suit Ukraine's evolving military requirements, with a gradual shift from prioritising shorter courses centred on basic combat skills training, to a greater focus on leadership and instructor training. Two additional courses are now being delivered alongside the basic infantry course. One teaches soldiers how to be in command at a platoon and section leader level and the other is an instructor training course. Working closely with Ukraine means the UK Armed Forces can learn valuable insights and techniques from the battlefield, helping to improve skills and tactics. Support for Ukraine has also seen closer industrial collaboration, benefiting British businesses and supporting the government's Plan for Change. The news comes as events take place across the UK today to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and highlight the historic relationship that Britain and Ukraine have built. Nearly 2,000 Ukrainian recruits, British military personnel, and other attendees are set to celebrate at one of the INTERFLEX training sites in England. Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: The UK is united for Ukraine. We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow. In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraine's Armed Forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace. On this special day for the freedom and democracy of the Ukrainian people, we are ramping up and evolving our world-leading training support that has given more than 50,000 Ukrainians vital combat skills. This matters to Ukraine and it matters to Britain. A secure Ukraine is a secure Europe. From learning lessons from the battlefield to strengthen our own Armed Forces, to deepening our military industrial collaboration supporting jobs across the nation, Britain and Ukraine are growing closer than ever before. INTERFLEX training began as a 5-week course to provide basic combat training to recruits, but following continued feedback and dialogue with Ukraine's Armed Forces, has since become a 7-week course and offers alternative courses specifically designed to boost leadership and command skills for personnel, with new courses introduced, tailored according to seniority of trainees. Training a new generation of Ukrainian instructors is one of the most effective methods to strengthen Ukraine's security both now and in the long-term, increasing skills and capacity to expand its own training programmes. It will help Ukraine continue to regenerate its military capabilities, which would act as the strongest deterrent against further attacks from Putin under any peace deal. New survey results of Ukrainian recruits who have completed training under Operation INTERFLEX from January to August 2025 revealed that 83% of those on leadership courses said they felt more able to make their troops under their command survivable at the end of their leadership training. The data also revealed that 93% of leadership trainees felt more confident they can make troops under their command more lethal at the end of their training. Recent open-source reporting indicates that support from the UK and other nations has helped Ukraine achieve remarkable results on the battlefield, with more than 4,000 Russian battle tanks having been reported destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, compared with around 1,250 in Ukraine's case. Reporting suggests that Russia has lost more than double the number of armoured vehicles compared to Ukraine. Artem, a Ukrainian soldier currently training on Operation INTERFLEX's Platoon and Company Sergeants Course said: I am very grateful to the UK for supporting the people of Ukraine in their struggle for independence and identity as a nation. I am grateful for the opportunity to take such courses, for the high level of professionalism of the instructors, their dedication to their work, and for their ability to organise both group training and find an individual approach for each of us. Instructors ensure that classes are conducted in conditions as close to real-life as possible, whether it be in trenches, in a forested area, or in an urban area. I learned how important it is to be prepared for coordinated actions in conditions of increased danger, how to properly coordinate personnel during defence, and planning offensive actions. I learnt how to survive in conditions of minimal support and improve first aid skills. Work on a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia has deepened in recent weeks under US leadership, with the Prime Minister flying out to Washington last week to meet with President Trump and President Zelenskyy alongside other European leaders. The Chief of the Defence Staff also held meetings on the Coalition of the Willing with other NATO chiefs. The Coalition of the Willing - led by the UK and France - has developed plans for a multinational military force that could be deployed to Ukraine to provide support in the event of a peace deal. Several planning meetings in recent months have involved more than 200 military planners and input from around 30 countries. The UK remains fully committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and are engaging with key allies in support of this effort, which is why 4.5bn is being spent on military support to Ukraine this year, the largest amount provided to date. In March, the Prime Minister announced a historic 1.6 billion deal to provide more than five thousand air defence missiles for Ukraine - creating 200 new jobs and supporting a further 700. The UK will also invest a record 350m this year to increase the supply of drones to Ukraine from a target of 10,000 in 2024 to 100,000 in 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Carney Took Part in the Defense Forum and Met with Defense Ministers of Partner Countries President of Ukraine 24 August 2025 - 20:05 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy took part in a forum dedicated to defense cooperation with partners and production for the needs of modern warfare. The Head of State met with the defense ministers of partner countries who arrived in Ukraine on Independence Day. The meeting was attended by: Canada's Minister of National Defense David McGuinty; Denmark's Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen; Latvia's Minister of Defense Andris Spruds; Lithuania's Minister of National Defense Dovile Sakaliene; Romania's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu; Sweden's Minister of Defense Pal Jonson; Czechia's Deputy Minister of Defense Daniel Blazkovec; Estonia's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Kaimo Kuusk; and the United Kingdom's Under-Secretary of State for Defense - Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns. The President thanked the ministers, the leaders of their countries, and their peoples for their support of Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the process of building a new security architecture for Europe has begun, and security guarantees for Ukraine must be one of its key elements. "We understand that these security guarantees for Ukraine's future and for the security of Europe are based first and foremost on a strong Ukrainian army," the President emphasized. The participants of the meeting highlighted the importance of continuing to develop Ukraine's defense industry. They noted the effectiveness of the Danish model of financing the Ukrainian defense industry and discussed other potential avenues of support. The partner countries expressed interest in various formats of defense cooperation with Ukraine. During the forum, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Carney were presented with the latest advancements of Ukraine's weapons and military equipment production. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Carney Signed the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement on Security Cooperation Between Ukraine and Canada President of Ukraine 24 August 2025 - 18:38 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney signed the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement on Security Cooperation between Ukraine and Canada. This plan defines the key areas and mechanisms for implementing bilateral cooperation in the security sphere. It covers military training, the development of defense capabilities, intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and the fight against terrorism and hybrid threats. Ukraine and Canada signed the Agreement on Security Cooperation on February 24 of last year. At that time, Canada became the first country outside Europe to confirm its security commitments to Ukraine. The two countries thus launched a strategic security partnership in various areas. In the presence of Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Mark Carney, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Minister of National Defense of Canada David McGuinty signed the Letter of Intent between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Department of National Defense of Canada concerning the joint production of defense materiel in Canada and Ukraine. The document confirms Canada's intention to finance joint production of Ukrainian-origin defense materiel in Canada and Ukraine to support our country and improve jointly manufactured products. Minister of Finance of Ukraine Sergii Marchenko and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc signed the Agreement between Ukraine and Canada on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. The document provides for the exchange of information on customs legislation and its application practices, the development of training and professional development programs, cooperation in organizing customs control, combating customs violations, and the involvement of international technical assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defense Cooperation, Security Guarantees, and Diplomatic Support: President of Ukraine Meet with the Prime Minister of Canada President of Ukraine 24 August 2025 - 18:27 In Kyiv, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney in a one-on-one format and in an expanded format. The Head of State thanked Mark Carney for his visit to Ukraine on Independence Day and emphasized that Canada was one of the first countries to recognize the restoration of Ukraine's independence in 1991. The leaders discussed diplomatic steps and coordination with partners. In particular, the President briefed on cooperation with the United States. "We must continue to exert pressure on Russia in order to end this war with dignity - with guaranteed security and guaranteed peace. This is possible only through the joint strength of everyone in the world who seeks peace and respects international law. The leaders' dialogue format is the most effective path," said the Head of State. During the meeting, the parties also discussed the synchronization of sanctions between Ukraine and Canada to jointly strengthen pressure on Russia. Mark Carney noted that Canada is expanding sanctions against the Russian Federation. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that it is important that Canada participate in the development of security guarantees for Ukraine on the same level as European countries. "We are counting on the presence of Canadian forces in Ukraine. This is important for us," the President said. Mark Carney added that Canada supports the efforts of the United States to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which requires strong security guarantees on land, at sea, and in the air. Canada is considering the possibility of deploying its forces to help ensure Ukraine's security. "We emphasize that the approach to peace and security must follow the principle that no decisions about Ukraine are made without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe are made without Europe," the Prime Minister stated. In June, Canada provided Ukraine with a defense assistance package worth 2 billion Canadian dollars. Of this, 800 million will be allocated for the procurement of military equipment, armored vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and drones. The leaders also discussed defense cooperation and Canada's involvement in NATO's PURL program. The President thanked Canada for its readiness to allocate 500 million dollars under this initiative and outlined the potential of Ukraine's defense industry. "We will also allocate over 200 million dollars for the joint production of defense products in our two countries, including modern drones involving Canadian suppliers. And another 165 million dollars for strengthening drone capabilities, as well as additional funds for humanitarian assistance to support civilians affected by this horrific war," noted the Prime Minister of Canada. The two sides also discussed cooperation in the energy sector. The President invited Canada to join energy projects, including the use of Ukrainian storage facilities for the supply of Canadian gas, in particular to the European market. In the coming days, the energy ministers of the two countries will discuss this matter in detail. The leaders also focused on Canada's potential involvement in Ukraine's recovery, the implementation of rehabilitation programs for Ukrainian veterans, and joint efforts to bring back children illegally taken and deported by Russia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Communique between Canada and Ukraine President of Ukraine 24 August 2025 - 17:51 Kyiv, August 24, 2025 At the invitation of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, paid an official visit to Ukraine on August 24, 2025. The visit reaffirmed the strong and enduring partnership between Canada and Ukraine, grounded in shared democratic values, respect for sovereignty and international law, and a mutual understanding that borders must not be altered by force. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed avenues to deepen cooperation in restoring a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine and ensuring security across the Euro-Atlantic region. The leaders reaffirmed their joint commitment to countering Russian aggression, upholding Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters, and strengthening bilateral ties across the security, defense, economic, social, and humanitarian domains. The leaders called for an immediate, complete, and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward launching a genuine peace process aligned with the principles of the United Nations Charter. They emphasized the importance of reliable security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any future peace agreement. Canada is actively engaged in the "Coalition of the Willing," which aims to provide robust security guarantees to prevent renewed aggression. Both leaders stressed the importance of Ukraine's continued implementation of reforms necessary for full integration into the European Union and NATO. Canada remains committed to supporting Ukraine's reform agenda. Under the 2024 Agreement on Security Cooperation, Canada will continue providing military and technical assistance, including training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, enhancing professional military education aligned with NATO standards, and supporting humanitarian demining efforts. The leaders agreed to initiate annual consultations between the foreign affairs and defense ministries of both countries to advance the Security Cooperation Agreement, including the implementation of the Action Plan signed during this visit. The first consultations are scheduled to take place before the end of 2025. Canada and Ukraine committed to joint defense projects, including equipping Ukraine's Armed Forces. They welcomed the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and Canada's Department of National Defence to co-produce defense materials in both countries. Canada reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's budgetary and military needs and pledged to develop new initiatives to bolster Ukraine's economic resilience. Both countries expressed interest in expanding bilateral trade and investment, particularly in Ukraine's recovery, under the Free Trade Agreement that entered into force on July 1, 2024. Canada and Ukraine will work to mobilize private sector involvement in Ukraine's reconstruction, leveraging tools such as multilateral development banks and export credit agencies like Export Development Canada. Leaders discussed joint energy projects in hydropower, small modular reactors, and the oil and gas sector, and agreed to deepen cooperation in energy security, including cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and modern technologies to mitigate hybrid and man-made threats. A new Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters has been signed, establishing a framework for cooperation between the customs authorities of both countries. This agreement will be instrumental in addressing customs violations amid growing bilateral trade. Until Russia halts its aggression and engages in peace talks, Canada, in coordination with allies and partners, will intensify pressure through sanctionstargeting Russia's shadow fleet, lowering the crude oil price cap, tightening financial restrictions, and combating sanctions evasion. As co-chair of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and the Working Group on the Release of Prisoners and Deported Persons, Canada continues to support efforts to release Ukrainian prisoners of war and detained civilians, as well as to return Ukrainian children unlawfully deported by the Russian Federation. Both countries will intensify efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes accountable. The next plenary session of the Coalition will be convened soon. Ukraine expressed its appreciation for Canada's leadership as G7 President in 2025 and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining active dialogue with the Group of Seven across all levels and formats. Prime Minister Carney expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome extended by the Ukrainian people, while President Zelenskyy thanked him for his visit to Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the President of Ukraine Following the Meeting with the Prime Minister of Canada President of Ukraine 24 August 2025 - 16:37 I wish you all good health! Happy Independence Day! Dear Mr. Prime Minister, dear Mark, Dear attendees, teams, guests, Dear journalists, First and foremost, I want to once again thank Mark for this visit today - on such an important day for Ukraine and all Ukrainians, our Independence Day. This is deeply symbolic, as Canada was among the first to recognize the restoration of Ukraine's independence, to recognize our sovereign state. For 34 years now, we have stood firmly together with Canada - as friends, as partners - sharing the same understanding of what our values are and how they must be defended. I am grateful to Canada for all the support - support that is truly sincere. We also deeply value the special bond between our peoples and cultures: Canada is home to one of the largest and strongest Ukrainian communities - more than one million people. This significantly enriches our relations and our closeness - the closeness between Ukraine and Canada. I am confident that we will always remain this close. Thank you. But today, Mark's visit is not limited to symbolism alone - we have had a very substantive meeting. There are important documents signed, there are clear agreements. The Action Plan for the Implementation of the Agreement on Security Cooperation between our countries, the Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters signed at the ministerial level, and the Letter of Intent on drone production. This is important, this is a priority, and you all know it. And now is the time when every day matters and should be filled with meaning. We discussed diplomacy - all our contacts and opportunities with partners. I informed Mark about our work with our American partners, and we discussed the prospects together with the Prime Minister. We must continue to put pressure on Russia to end this war, to end it with dignity, with guaranteed security and guaranteed peace. This is possible only through the joint strength of everyone in the world who wants peace and respects international law. The leaders' dialogue format is the most effective path. I am grateful to Canada for its support in this regard and for its willingness to work at its level with other global actors to put greater pressure on Russia. Canada is an active participant in the Coalition of the Willing, and we expect Canada to take an active role in implementing the security guarantees. Our teams - the members of the coalition - are currently developing the format for future joint security guarantees for Ukraine and for the region. It is important to make everything as practical as possible. We believe that Canada should be represented at the same level as our closest partners in Europe in developing the security guarantees and in engaging in the process of safeguarding peace. We count on the presence of Canadian forces in Ukraine. This is important for us. Today, we discussed our defense cooperation. NATO countries are now joining a new program called PURL - a collective tool that allows for increased support for Ukraine through the procurement of weapons specifically from the United States of America. The program already includes decisions totaling 1.5 billion dollars. European countries have taken their steps, and I am grateful for Canada's readiness to join the program. We have discussed this, and the Prime Minister has already said that there will be an additional $500 million, which is very important for us. I informed Mark about our capacities in weapons production, and this is primarily about identifying our priorities with Canada. Our top priority is drones for the front. We face a significant funding shortfall, even though we could substantially increase the supply of drones. Drones are now the kind of weapon that is essential - to hold the front, to deliver the necessary strikes to protect our energy infrastructure, and to strike enemy targets. That is why drones are number one in our defense efforts and tactical operations. They allow us to save lives on the battlefield. The funds provided by Canada will be directed specifically toward drone production. We discussed this, and we have reached agreements. Canada is ready to provide funding and join this initiative. Thank you for that, Mark. Thank you. Another important area of our cooperation is sanctions. Here, of course, we are grateful to Canada. Canada is among the leaders in sanctions efforts, and we greatly appreciate that. Canada is often the first to impose sanctions against certain entities, and then the world follows suit. We have now effectively prepared a new level of such work - Ukraine has synchronized its sanctions with those of Canada, and the corresponding decision took effect yesterday. In the near future, we are preparing for Canada to synchronize with our Ukrainian sanctions - our initial sanctions packages will be extended to Canada's jurisdiction. This is important, and I am grateful that together we are raising the pressure on Russia to a truly tangible level. We are also working to ensure that Russian assets are used for protection against Russian aggression. We are thankful for this support. We discussed energy cooperation, which is very important for us - energy is the foundation of resilience. Today, I offered Canada to join major energy projects - a large-scale energy partnership. We have the necessary port infrastructure and storage capacities. Ukrainian storage facilities can be used for the supply of Canadian gas, and this is crucial for stability not only in Ukraine but across Europe. Mark and I discussed the possibility of a rapid implementation of such a program. I believe that our energy ministers will hold a separate meeting to discuss all these details. We agreed that this will take place in the coming days. We are counting on Canada's participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine, and this applies not only to restoring facilities but also to restoring people - rehabilitation after injuries. We discussed such programs for our veterans, and I am grateful to Canada for its readiness and very hopeful that we will see concrete initiatives that can truly benefit many of our people. And one more thing. I want to especially highlight Canada's participation in our global coalition to bring home Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia. These are thousands of children who remain in Russia, and it is extremely difficult to bring them back. But this must happen - without a doubt. We are grateful to everyone who is helping. Forty-one countries are now part of our coalition. I am thankful to Canada for its active involvement. We must bring back all Ukrainian children, all prisoners - our servicemen and our civilians. And today, we have the opportunity - the Head of the Office will be there with the team, as well as the Prime Minister with the team. Today there will be an opportunity to visit the Bring Kids Back office and to discuss the programs we have and what we are counting on. We are very hopeful that one day all our children will be home - in a peaceful, independent Ukraine with guaranteed security. We are working together precisely to make this happen. And today, on Independence Day, I want to especially thank our warriors. They have achieved very good results in long-range strikes. Everyone can see it, and today we have, I believe, very, very positive results in Donbas. Some good surprises for the Russians. I think the Commander-in-Chief will share all the details later. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address How Ukraine Uses Net-Firing Drones To Snag Russian UAVs By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service August 25, 2025 In the dense Serebryanskiy forest in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region, Ukrainian drone operators have equipped small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with net launchers that can intercept Russian drones flying above the battlefield. The unorthodox defense has helped neutralize Russian attacks and offers infantry life-saving protection, according to soldiers from a unit that spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. The forest is located in the final sliver of Luhansk that is still under Ukrainian control. Soldiers from the Pomsta brigade, whose name contains the word that means "revenge" in Ukrainian, said the net-firing system helps defend against relentless Russian drone attacks. "A net is the most effective way to down a drone," said one soldier who goes by the call sign Armani. "Our crew downed 100 drones in five weeks." Video footage shared by the soldiers shows the nets halting drones poised above wounded Ukrainian infantry, preventing attacks and stopping reconnaissance of their positions. "This video shows a [drone] used to save a wounded soldier by taking down an enemy drone hovering over him. In the next video, a [Russian] drone over another soldier is taken down. So, the [Ukrainian] drone operator saved two lives," Armani said. This ad hoc tactic is one of numerous innovations in response to intensifying drone strikes across Ukraine. Armani said he hopes the low-cost solution will cause tactical setbacks and financial strain for Russian units. "A DJI-Mavic drone for daytime operations costs about $1,700. One used during nighttime operations costs twice as much. The loss of equipment worth $230,000 every month is significant for [Russian forces]," he said. The war in Ukraine has ushered in a radically different era of drone warfare, one built not around a few elite systems but around millions of small, cheap, expendable drones deployed by soldiers at the front. Both sides have ramped up domestic drone production this year. Many cost only a few hundred dollars to make. New anti-drone systems, like net-firing UAV interceptors, have become an increasingly vital weapon as fighting continues to evolve. Armani, who was once a frontline soldier in Ukraine's infantry, said the unit was planning to help produce more drone pilots to meet the rising demand. "We are training other drone operators to scale up this technology because the infantry needs it in many parts of the front line. The more anti-drone systems there are, the better it will be for our soldiers." In the Serebryanskiy forest, and elsewhere across the country, Ukraine is looking for new solutions as it braces for Russian forces to launch more drone onslaughts on the battlefield and against Ukrainian cities. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-net-firing-drones- snag-russia-uavs/33510402.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEW YORK, Aug. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the Western Asset US Core Bond Fund mutual fund classes Class I (ticker: WATFX), Class A (ticker: WABAX), Class C (ticker: WABCX), Class FI (ticker: WAPIX), Class IS (ticker: WACSX), and Class R (ticker: WABRX) and the Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund mutual fund classes Class A (ticker: WAPAX), Class C (ticker: WAPCX), Class C1 (ticker: LWCPX), Class FI (ticker: WACIX), Class R (ticker: WAPRX), Class I (ticker: WACPX), Class IS (ticker: WAPSX) between January 1, 2021 and October 31, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period), of the important September 5, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased WAMCO mutual funds 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 WAMCO class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 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 September 5, 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 failed to warn investors that: (1) defendants favored certain WAMCO strategies, like Macro Opps, over other WAMCO strategies, like Core and Core Plus; (2) defendants disfavored certain WAMCO strategies, like Core and Core Plus; (3) any compliance policies and procedures that WAMCO maintained to result in fair allocations of investment opportunities to clients were either insufficient to ensure that Leech and his WAMCO Team fairly allocated trades among the strategies they managed or were expressly disregarded by defendants in order to allow the favoring of certain WAMCO strategies at the expense of other WAMCO strategies; (3) any oversight mechanisms that WAMCO maintained were either insufficient to monitor Leech and his WAMCO Team or were expressly disregarded by defendants in order to allow the favoring of certain WAMCO strategies at the expense of other WAMCO strategies. As a result, defendants actions operated as a fraud or deceit on the Class, artificially reducing the price of the Western Asset US Core strategy mutual fund classes during the Class Period, damaging Class members. To join the WAMCO class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 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 OSE Immunotherapeutics Proposes Governance Evolution and Reaffirms Strategic Priorities ahead of Annual General Meeting New Board Structure Reflects Balanced and Proportionate Shareholder Representation New Governance to Drive Strategic Roadmaps for Tedopi and Lusvertikimab Nantes, August 25, 2025, 7:00 a.m. CET - OSE Immunotherapeutics SA (ISIN: FR0012127173; Mnemo: OSE) announces the convening of its Annual General Shareholders Meeting, to be held on September 30, 2025, along with a proposed evolution in its governance. This move reinforces the companys commitment to balanced and proportionate shareholder representation and strategic alignment. The proposed governance framework is in the context of ongoing discussions with concertist shareholders. It aims to ensure international expertise, while maintaining independence and continuity to support the companys two key therapeutic areas, and to explore all strategic options in the best interests of patients and all shareholders. New, adapted governance to support OSEs strategic objectives The proposed reshaped Board structure would comprise: two seats for current independent Board members; two for new independent directors, two for concertist shareholders (representing 20% of the shareholder equity); one for the CEO; and one for the representative of employee shareholders. As a consequence of this evolution, certain directors would step down or not renew their mandates. This reshaped Board is designed to reflect the diversity of its shareholder base and to prepare OSE for its next strategic opportunities and challenges. Didier Hoch, Chairman of OSE Immunotherapeutics, commented: OSE is ready for its next chapter. The proposed changes aim to create a smaller, more agile and strategically aligned Board, one that reflects the interests of all shareholders. This evolution reflects our commitment to sound governance and effective oversight, supporting the Companys strategic and financial objectives. Constructive discussions are still ongoing with concertists, with the shared goal of reaching a balanced understanding. Alongside governance updates, the Companys strategy remains focused on unlocking the full potential of Tedopi and Lusvertikimab through continued development with strategic partnerships and financings. Strategic options to develop and maximize the value of these two therapeutic platforms are being explored. Management is therefore actively pursuing business development partnerships and targeted non-dilutive and dilutive financing opportunities to ensure both programs are fully resourced and positioned for success, each with its distinct development roadmap. Nicolas Poirier, CEO of OSE Immunotherapeutics added: While governance has required attention, our scientific and strategic path remains unchanged: to unlock and maximize the potential of both Tedopi in oncology and Lusvertikimab in inflammation until the next value-inflection points. Recent momentum in the IBD space has further reinforced interest and appetite, validating the value-creation approach with Lusvertikimab. This is the moment to accelerate, not to step back. Addressing the questions raised by certain shareholders, the company confirms pursuing the strategic pivotal phase 3 of Tedopi in lung cancer but not pursuing any immediate large-scale phase 3 study in IBD. Instead, Lusvertikimab will enter a focused, cost-efficient phase 2b study designed to determine optimal dosing, validate the subcutaneous formulation, and explore a predictive biomarker before entering pivotal phases, reflecting important feedback from potential partners. This measured approach ensures scientific rigor, financial discipline and optionality. Our goal is to protect the value weve created with our two key assets and secure the right financial and strategic flexibility to deliver for patients and shareholders. Tedopis phase 3 is advancing well, and we plan to complete enrolment next year. Precision immunotherapy or smart combinations are set to redefine efficacy standards in chronic inflammation. Lusvertikimab is uniquely positioned to achieve both objectives; it could, for the first time, enable precision medicine to break through todays efficacy ceiling in IBD. Our focus is to preserve all optionality while maintaining operational agility and clarity in execution, added Nicolas Poirier. Annual General Meeting The combined AGM will take place on September 30, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CET, at the Drawing House Hotel, 21 rue Vercingetorix, 75014 Paris. The convening notice, including the agenda, proposed resolutions, and participation details, are published today in the Bulletin des Annonces Legales Obligatoires (BALO) and will be available on the Companys website: https://www.ose-immuno.com/assemblees-generales/. For the first time, shareholders will be able to vote electronically via the Votaccess platform, and the AGM will be broadcast live in line with new regulations. Written questions may be submitted in advance, and voting by correspondence and proxy is available. Shareholder Webinar In advance of the AGM, OSE will host a shareholder webinar on September 18, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. CET, to present key updates and engage directly with shareholders. Details below. Register for OSE Immunotherapeutics Shareholder Webinar September 18, 2025 at 6pm CET Lien Francais : https://ose-immunotherapeutics.engagestream.companywebcast.com/2025-09-18-event-fr English link: https://ose-immunotherapeutics.engagestream.companywebcast.com/2025-09-18-event-en ABOUT OSE IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS OSE Immunotherapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class products in immuno-oncology (IO) and immuno-inflammation (I&I) to address the unmet needs of today's and tomorrow's patients. We partner with leading academic institutions and biopharmaceutical companies to combine our efforts to develop and bring to market transformative medicines for people suffering from serious diseases. OSE Immunotherapeutics is based in Nantes and Paris and is listed on Euronext. More information on OSE Immunotherapeutics' assets is available on the Company's website: http://www.ose-immuno.com Follow us on Linkedln. Contacts OSE Immunotherapeutics Fiona Olivier fiona.olivier@ose-immuno.com Sylvie Detry sylvie.detry@ose-immuno.com Contact Media France: FP2COM Florence Portejoie fportejoie@fp2com.fr +33 6 07 768 283 Contact Media US: RooneyPartners LLC Kate Barrette kbarrette@rooneypartners.com +1 212 223 0561 Forward-looking statements This press release contains express or implied information and statements that might be deemed forward-looking information and statements in respect of OSE Immunotherapeutics. They do not constitute historical facts. These information and statements include financial projections that are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by OSE Immunotherapeutics management considering its experience and its perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements include statements typically using conditional and containing verbs such as expect, anticipate, believe, target, plan, or estimate, their declensions and conjugations and words of similar import. Although the OSE Immunotherapeutics management believes that the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, the OSE Immunotherapeutics shareholders and other investors are cautioned that the completion of such expectations is by nature subject to various risks, known or not, and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of OSE Immunotherapeutics. These risks could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in or implied or projected by the forward-looking statements. These risks include those discussed or identified in the public filings made by OSE Immunotherapeutics with the AMF. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. This press release includes only summary information and should be read with the OSE Immunotherapeutics Universal Registration Document filed with the AMF on April 30, 2025, including the annual financial report for the fiscal year 2024, available on the OSE Immunotherapeutics website. Other than as required by applicable law, OSE Immunotherapeutics issues this press release at the date hereof and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information or statements. Attachment Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Donggeon highlights JuTrust's insurance mechanisms as cornerstone of digital finance trust infrastructure SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the "Virtual-Real Integration: 5M Consensus Protocol Global Launch Conference" on August 18, 2025, held in Seoul, JuCoin's JuTrust insurance protocol received prominent recognition as a foundational security mechanism driving institutional adoption of digital finance. The summit, attended by Korean Crypto Committee Chairman and former Seoul National University President Seong Nak-in, alongside government representatives and blockchain industry leaders, explored the future of digital economy and innovative finance. Korean National Assembly Speaker Kim Donggeon, who serves as the 5M Protocol's founding architect, systematically outlined the protocol's origins and emphasized that 5M addresses digital finance's most persistent challenge: establishing trust and security at institutional scale. Addressing Digital Finance's Trust Gap Despite rapid growth in digital finance, two fundamental problems have hindered mainstream adoption: Asset Security Concerns : Users remain uncertain about fund transparency and participation risks : Users remain uncertain about fund transparency and participation risks Investment Trust Deficit: Projects typically demonstrate short lifecycles without institutional safeguards "If participants cannot feel secure, digital finance cannot achieve true widespread adoption," Speaker Kim Donggeon stated during his keynote address. "This realization led to the development of 5M as an institutional framework designed to rebuild trust foundations in digital finance through systematic guarantees combined with robust technical infrastructure." JuTrust: Institutional-Grade Security Architecture Central to the 5M protocol's security framework is JuCoin's JuTrust mechanism, which Speaker Kim highlighted as a breakthrough in digital asset protection. JuTrust operates through a dual-layer security model: Insurance Pool Protection : 30% of participant funds are allocated to dedicated insurance reserves : 30% of participant funds are allocated to dedicated insurance reserves Computing Power Guarantee: 70% of assets are backed by algorithmic computing power, providing additional security layers This institutional approach ensures every participant investment maintains concrete security barriers while providing systematic backing for the entire ecosystem. The mechanism represents a shift from traditional digital finance models toward institutional-grade protections that traditional finance users expect. JuChain: Technical Infrastructure for Institutional Compliance JuChain, JuCoin's Layer 1 blockchain platform, serves as the technical foundation enabling 5M protocol operations. The blockchain provides transparent, efficient, and verifiable execution environments that ensure institutional policies can be implemented effectively rather than remaining theoretical frameworks. The combination of institutional policy design through 5M and technical capability through JuChain creates what industry observers describe as a new model for digital finance governance that bridges traditional finance expectations with blockchain innovation. Global Institutional Adoption The 5M protocol has attracted participation from hundreds of global communities, creating cross-regional, multi-tiered collaborative networks. Support from the Korean Crypto Committee and Seoul National University provides strong policy and academic foundations for the protocol's internationalization and institutionalization processes. Industry analysts view 5M as a practical model for global blockchain governance and digital finance cooperation. The framework demonstrates several key innovations: Policy Integration : Innovation and regulation operate in parallel rather than opposition : Innovation and regulation operate in parallel rather than opposition Dual Security Layers : Both asset protection and investment guarantees function simultaneously : Both asset protection and investment guarantees function simultaneously Sustainable Development: Efficiency and long-term viability receive equal priority JuCoin's Role in Institutional Digital Finance As the world's first service-driven crypto exchange, JuCoin's integration with the 5M protocol demonstrates the company's commitment to institutional-grade solutions. JuTrust's recognition at the Seoul summit validates JuCoin's approach to removing friction from digital finance while maintaining the security standards that institutional participants require. "The 5M protocol validates our belief that sustainable digital finance requires institutional frameworks that prioritize user protection," said a JuCoin spokesperson. "JuTrust's inclusion in this initiative demonstrates how our ecosystem components work together to solve real challenges facing digital finance adoption." Industry Implications The Seoul summit's focus on institutional frameworks reflects growing recognition that digital finance's next growth phase requires solutions that address traditional finance concerns about security, transparency, and regulatory compliance. Speaker Kim Donggeon's emphasis on "building institutionalized trust" resonates with JuCoin's service-driven philosophy, where platform success depends on user success rather than transaction volume optimization. About JuCoin Founded in 2013, JuCoin has evolved into the world's first service-driven crypto ecosystem, serving over 50 million users across 30+ countries. The platform integrates JuCoin exchange, JuChain blockchain infrastructure, JuChat social platform, JuGame gaming ecosystem, and JuOne smartphone hardware into a unified experience that prioritizes user security and success. Contact details: Nicolas T nicolas_t@jucoin.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by Jucoin. 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. Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3fb5f940-ab46-48da-9e86-03d1c4fa671e PALM BEACH, FL, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRidge & Co, an elite global advisory firm, announced that it has established its official headquarters in Palm Beach, Florida, as the region cements its reputation as "Wall Street South." The move places the firm at the center of one of the fastest-growing financial hubs in the United States, with additional offices in New York, Silicon Valley, London, and Hong Kong. To learn more about BlackRidge & Co, visit www.blackridgeandco.com The BlackRidge & Co leadership team brings a heritage of advising the most prestigious institutions, including Rothschild Asset Management, Deutsche Bank, and ICBC Hong Kong. Beyond advisory services, the firm's specialty is orchestrating introductions to capital, forging strategic growth partnerships, and working alongside clients to unlock new markets and drive long-term value creation. "At BlackRidge & Co, our mission is to create opportunities that are often inaccessible through traditional channelspairing extraordinary companies with the investors and capital they need to scale globally," said Director of Communications, Isaac Meyer. The migration of capital and talent into South Florida has reshaped the financial landscape. Since Ken Griffin's Citadel relocated from Chicago to Miami in 2022, major institutions including Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, and Peter Thiel's Founders Fund have followed, creating a powerful concentration of wealth and influence. Palm Beach has emerged as the crown jewel of this movement, now home to more than 300 hedge funds, private equity firms, and financial institutions. A 2025 Forbes analysis reports that at least 68 billionaires maintain strong ties to Palm Beach, underscoring its position as a magnet for global wealth. About BlackRidge & Co BlackRidge & Co is a global advisory firm headquartered in Palm Beach with hubs in New York, Silicon Valley, London, and Hong Kong. The firm specializes in capital introductions, connecting visionary companies with the world's most influential financiers, investors, and lenders. Through cultivated relationships and decades of experience, BlackRidge helps clients unlock new opportunities, build partnerships, and create sustainable growth. Media contact Brand: BlackRidge & Co Contact: Isaac Meyer, Director of Communications E-mail: im@blackridgeandco.com Website: https://www.blackridgeandco.com AMSTERDAM, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BetSymphony just raised the bar for iGaming. The no-revenue-share iGaming platform has introduced a next-generation Conversational AI interface, powered by its advanced AI agent BetHarmony , now delivering a player experience so intuitive, it feels like the sportsbook is talking directly to you. Instead of dumping players into an endless library of games, long menus and static categories, players are now welcomed with a personalized home screen tailored to their interests, complete with curated bets, timely reminders, and custom promotions. Discovery feels effortless thanks to full voice navigation and multilingual support. The launch also introduced BetHarmony Copilot an intelligent AI agent that works alongside the traditional interface. It delivers timely, context-aware guidance, tips, and suggestions for smooth, frictionless play. Valentina Synenka, CEO of Symphony Interactive, said: BetHarmony has always been a standout in conversational AI, but this release takes it to a whole new level. The conversational interface within BetSymphony delivers experiences that traditional sportsbook UIs simply cant match. Were not removing the classic interface - this is about giving players an additional, more natural way to engage. Its intuitive, its personal, and its built for the future of iGaming. Heres why conversational UI matters: Breakthrough. Innovation unseen in decades, unlocking fresh engagement and revenue. Innovation unseen in decades, unlocking fresh engagement and revenue. Immersive. Players move beyond static menus into two-way interactions that feel human. Players move beyond static menus into two-way interactions that feel human. Smart. AI personalization delivers games, bets, or promotions based on real behavior. AI personalization delivers games, bets, or promotions based on real behavior. Powerful. Unlocks capabilities static interfaces cant support. Unlocks capabilities static interfaces cant support. Safe. Integrates with responsible gaming tools that detect risky play and react instantly. BetHarmony is both the conversation and the interface, blending text, chat, and voice with: Predictive personalization Multi-agent orchestration Multilingual fluency Real-time operator integration Together, BetSymphony and BetHarmony let players navigate, bet, and explore entirely through conversation. No menus. No friction. Just intuitive play. About BetSymphony BetSymphony is a no-revenue-share iGaming platform giving sportsbook and casino operators complete control. Operators own the source code and can adapt the modular architecture to their strategy, scale at their pace, and innovate without limits. About Symphony Solutions Since 2008, Symphony Solutions has delivered AI , Cloud, and Agile transformation services with deep iGaming expertise . Symphony partners with operators worldwide, providing end-to-end solutions from product development and modernization to strategic consulting. Total equity and debt raising of ~$90 million provides runway to 2H 2027 Strong support from existing and new investors including SPRIM Global Investments Funds will be used to scale-up production of needle-free vaccination delivery technology Founding CEO David Hoey will transition to Strategic Advisor Company well-advanced in search for new CEO to accelerate commercialisation. BRISBANE, Australia, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vaxxas Pty Ltd, the biotechnology company pioneering the high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) for needle-free vaccine delivery, today announced that it has secured ~$90 million in its latest financing round. The financing is one of the largest financings for a private biotech company in Australia this year and includes $49.22 million in new Series D equity and $40 million in debt facilities, with additional commitments under discussion as the Company continues to attract investor interest. The equity financing was led by SPRIM Global Investments, the venture arm of global life sciences firm SPRIM, with strong participation from new investor LGT Crestone as well as existing investors OneVentures and Brandon Capital-Hostplus. The funding will enable Vaxxas to accelerate the development and scale-up of its HD-MAP technology towards market readiness, including installation of semi-automated manufacturing lines and later-stage clinical trial programs. Vaxxas HD-MAP technology represents a major advance in vaccine delivery, enabling needle-free administration that reduces temperature control requirements for vaccine storage and creates opportunities for self-administration in the home. This could dramatically improve vaccine access and uptake worldwide. Chair of Vaxxas, Sarah Meibusch, said the capital raising represented an excellent achievement in a very difficult market for biotech. This result underscores the confidence that leading investors have in Vaxxas disruptive technology and the progress the team has made toward scaling-up and commercialisation. Coupled with our sharp focus on commercialisation, this funding provides Vaxxas with a runway into the second half of 2027 as we focus on bringing our technology to market. Michael Shleifer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of SPRIM Global Investments, said: SPRIM is proud to lead this financing and support Vaxxas at this exciting juncture. We believe the HD-MAP platform has the potential to fundamentally transform vaccine delivery globally expanding access, reducing costs, and improving uptake. The commercial opportunity is enormous, and we look forward to partnering with the team as they advance toward market. In addition to the Series D equity, Vaxxas has entered into a US$25.2 million (A$40 million) debt facility with SPRIM Global Investments, which the company can draw down based on eligible R&D activity under the Australian Governments R&D tax rebate scheme and in line with the Companys R&D needs. Leadership and Board transition After 14 years as CEO, David Hoey will transition to a new role as Strategic Advisor. Having led Vaxxas since 2012, Mr Hoey and the Board believe that this transition provides a strategic opportunity to put leadership in place for the coming years, as the Company accelerates its commercialisation efforts to bring the HD-MAP to market. Mr Hoey said: I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved to bring the company and its technology to this point in its growth. We have successfully validated the revolutionary potential of this vaccination delivery platform for a spectrum of diseases in global markets and have strong traction in product and market development. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the Vaxxas journey, supporting the executive team and Board as they drive forward. Under Mr Hoeys leadership, Vaxxas has established a world-class team, strategic relationships with global leaders in vaccination, and raised more than $300 million to support the programs, of which almost $160 million has been injected into the Australian economy, including more than $140 million in Queensland. Sarah Meibusch said: We are deeply grateful to David for his tireless work to get Vaxxas to this stage. David and the Vaxxas team have grown the company from a spinout from The University of Queensland into a company with strong technical and operational capabilities and established a world-class development and manufacturing facility. This transition reflects the Companys evolution from a high-potential startup to a commercially focused biotech scaling for global impact. Davids continued involvement as advisor and committed shareholder will help ensure a smooth transition and continuity. A global search for a new CEO is well advanced. Vaxxas Chair Paul Kelly, who has been on the Board since Vaxxas was founded in 2011, has retired from the Board. Fellow OneVentures representative Sarah Meibusch has been appointed Chair. Ms Meibusch, OneVentures Healthcare Partner, has been closely involved with Vaxxas for a number of years and has been an alternate director since 2020. About Vaxxas Vaxxas is a clinical-stage private biotechnology company pioneering its proprietary high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) for needle-free vaccine delivery. The HD-MAP has been administered to more than 750 participants across multiple clinical trials, showing strong safety, tolerability, and robust immune responses. Preclinical and clinical data demonstrate the technologys ability to deliver all major vaccine modality types including live attenuated, protein subunit, and mRNA positioning the platform as a universal delivery solution. By targeting immune cells just beneath the skin, the HD-MAP can achieve stronger protection with smaller doses, while reducing cold-chain requirements and enabling self-administration. With the potential to disrupt the multibillion-dollar global vaccine market by improving access, reducing costs, and expanding coverage, Vaxxas is now scaling manufacturing and advancing its lead programs toward commercialisation from its base in Brisbane, Australia. About SPRIM Global Investments Founded in 2008, SPRIM Global Investments (SGI) is a privately held investment firm specializing in clinical-stage life sciences and pharma services. SGIs innovative investment model provides agile and high-impact funding to high-potential biotech companies worldwide, supporting the advancement of clinical trials and accelerating the development of life-changing treatments. www.sprim.net About HD-MAP needle-free vaccines The Vaxxas high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) is comprised of thousands of microscopic projections moulded into a small patch. Each microprojection is printed with a small dose of vaccine in a dried formulation. When applied to the skin, the patch delivers the vaccine to the abundant immune cells that naturally reside immediately below the skin surface. HD-MAP vaccine delivery has the potential to overcome challenges faced by traditional needle and syringe delivery of vaccines. The HD-MAP delivery of the vaccine has been shown in early clinical studies to be more stable at higher temperatures than vaccines in liquid formulations, potentially reducing the need for cold-chain storage and distribution. Previous studies have also shown the safety and tolerability of Vaxxas HD-MAP for use in vaccine delivery and inducing equal or greater immune responses to injected vaccines at lower doses. HD-MAP vaccines are designed to be self-administered in the future to enable home delivery. Vaxxas continues to grow the body of evidence supporting its HD-MAP technology with vaccine programs underway in partnership with SK biosciences, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Wellcome, the US Government, and the Gates Foundation. To date, the company has administered the HD-MAP technology to over 750 people in clinical trials to address some of the worlds biggest health challenges including COVID-19, flu, and measles and rubella. The Vaxxas HD-MAP delivered vaccines are under investigation and available only for investigational uses. They are not available anywhere in the world for sale or purchase. As such, Vaxxas makes no claim that the vaccines are reliable, durable, dependable, safe, or effective, and makes no claim that it is superior to any other vaccine or vaccine delivery technology. Dublin, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Opportunities in the Global Meat Sector 2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The report provides an overview of current meat scenario regarding the future outlook in terms of ingredients, product claims, labeling, distribution, and packaging. The analysis also covers regional overview across five regions - Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Americas, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe - highlighting industry size, growth drivers, latest developments, and future inhibitors for the regions. The global meat sector is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3% over 2024-29, to reach $1.12 trillion in 2029. Asia-Pacific was the largest regional market, with value sales at $408.1 billion in 2024. Over the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific meat sector is expected to register a volume CAGR of 2.5%, to reach $461 billion in 2029. The growing consumer emphasis on healthier meat products is stimulating the demand for leaner meats and products with added nutritional benefits in the sector. There is a rising focus on sustainable farming practices, with producers adopting measures to reduce carbon footprints and improve animal welfare, responding to consumer demand for ethically sourced products.. As a result, manufacturers are formulating products with such aspects to improve their shares. Report Scope It includes analysis on the following: Global snapshot: Includes executive summary, current sector scenarios in terms of ingredients, manufacturer claims, labeling, and packaging. The section also touches on the key growth enablers and inhibitors for the meat sector. Includes executive summary, current sector scenarios in terms of ingredients, manufacturer claims, labeling, and packaging. The section also touches on the key growth enablers and inhibitors for the meat sector. Sector snapshot: The analysis provides a global overview, along with regional and category-level data and analysis. It also includes regional overview across five regions-Americas, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Western Europe-highlighting sector size and evolution, value and volume shares by category, and growth drivers for each region. The analysis provides a global overview, along with regional and category-level data and analysis. It also includes regional overview across five regions-Americas, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Western Europe-highlighting sector size and evolution, value and volume shares by category, and growth drivers for each region. Consumer trends: Provides an overview of evolving consumer trends, supported by the analyst's in-house consumer surveys, and product examples. Provides an overview of evolving consumer trends, supported by the analyst's in-house consumer surveys, and product examples. Country deep-dive: Provides risk-reward analysis of the top high-potential countries in each region based on market assessment, economic development, governance indicators, sociodemographic factors, and technological infrastructure. Provides a deep-dive analysis of 10 high-potential countries covering value growth during 2024-29, consumer demographics, and key trends. It also includes regional analysis covering the outlook for each region. Provides risk-reward analysis of the top high-potential countries in each region based on market assessment, economic development, governance indicators, sociodemographic factors, and technological infrastructure. Provides a deep-dive analysis of 10 high-potential countries covering value growth during 2024-29, consumer demographics, and key trends. It also includes regional analysis covering the outlook for each region. Competitive environment and brand shares: Provides an overview of the leading companies and brands at global and regional levels. Market shares of brands and private labels in each region are also detailed. Distribution overview: Provides an analysis of the leading distribution channels in the global meat sector in 2024. It covers modern retail, traditional retail, cash & carries & warehouse clubs, specialist retail, direct, and other distribution channels. Provides an analysis of the leading distribution channels in the global meat sector in 2024. It covers modern retail, traditional retail, cash & carries & warehouse clubs, specialist retail, direct, and other distribution channels. Packaging analysis: The report provides percentage share (in 2024) and growth analysis (during 2024-29) for various pack materials, pack types, closures, and primary outer types based on volume sales of meat. The report provides percentage share (in 2024) and growth analysis (during 2024-29) for various pack materials, pack types, closures, and primary outer types based on volume sales of meat. Select industry metrics: The section provides topline statistics and analysis for different alternate datasets, such as patent filings, job analytics, and deals in 2024. Reasons to Buy Manufacturers and retailers seek latest information on how the market is evolving to formulate their sales and marketing strategies. There is also demand for authentic market data with a high level of detail. This report has been created to provide its readers with up-to-date information and analysis to uncover emerging opportunities of growth within the sector in the region The report provides a detailed analysis of the countries in the region, covering the key challenges, competitive landscape and demographic analysis, that can help companies gain insight into the country specific nuances The analysts have also placed a significant emphasis on the key trends that drive consumer choice and the future opportunities that can be explored in the region, than can help companies in revenue expansion To gain competitive intelligence about leading brands in the sector in the region with information about their market share and growth rates Company Coverage: WH Group Tyson Foods Linyi Xincheng Jinluo Meat Products Group Neimenggu Caoyuanxingfa Foods Itoham Foods Key Topics Covered: Global Snapshot Executive Summary Market Outlook Enablers and Inhibitors Sector Snapshot Global Overview Regional Overview Consumer Trends Country Deep Dive Identifying High-Potential Countries by Region Regional Overview Competitive Environment Competitive Landscape - Sector Analysis Competitive Landscape - Category Analysis Distribution Overview Packaging Analysis Growth Analysis by Key Pack Material and Pack Type Growth Analysis by Closure Type and Primary Outer Type Select Industry Metrics Global Patent Filings Global Job Analytics Global Deals For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/31ncsk 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. COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT Odense, August 25th, 2025 Company Announcement no. 63 - 25-08-2025 Danish Aerospace Company A/S issues Interim report for 2025 The Board of Directors of Danish Aerospace Company A/S (DAC) have today approved the interim report for 2025. The report has not been audited. The first half of 2025 shows a much stronger result compared to the same period in 2024. Highlights - Interim Report 2025 Revenue was DKK 9,8 million, while Gross Profit was DKK 7,9 million. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was DKK 0,4 million, a significant increase compared to the same period last year, when EBITDA was DKK -1,65 million. Net profit was DKK -0,6 million compared to DKK -1,9 million last year. DAC signed a contract with the European Space Agency ESA to develop and build a prototype of a new exercise device that can be used on the Lunar Gateway space station orbiting the Moon and eventually for human missions to Mars. DAC entered a new area with a subcontract with Adaptix Ltd. of UK to support the development of a ground prototype of a new 3D Bone Quality Imaging System for future use in space. DAC has completed the first two models of its multifunction exercise device E4D under its ESA contract. This proto-flight model of E4D (the first model that will be launched) was shipped to ESA and NASA in January for final integration into the launch vehicle. E4D is currently planned for launch to ISS in early 2026. DAC has entered a strategic partnership with NECAS A/S in order to develop and produce advanced technological solutions applicable across the military, space and extreme environment domains. DAC has merged with its subsidiary Danish Aerospace Medical Company A/S with Danish Aerospace Company A/S as the Continuing Company. As the merged has been adopted by the general assembly after 30 June 2025 the merger has not been recognised in the Interim Financial Statements for the period 1 January - 30 June 2025. In the light of the increased number of DAC shareholders the Board of directors have decided to issue quarterly trading updates starting with Q3 2025. Financial guidance for fiscal year 2025 is maintained. Total Revenue (incl. other income) of DKK 21-23 million; and Operating profit (EBITDA) of approx. DKK 1-3 million. CEO, Thomas A. E. Andersen, states: With the completion of four full models of our new multifunctional exercise equipment for astronauts, E4D, DAC has now mastered this new complex and critical technology. We look forward to enhancing our exercise technology further for use by ESA and NASA on the Lunar Gateway Space Station to orbit the Moon. In parallel, we are pursuing new areas such as 3D Bone Quality Imaging and use of our wearable technologies for national defense applications. Management review In the first half of 2025, DAC completed and delivered two additional E4D models bringing the number of completed models to four, for two different customers. The delivery in January of the first proto-flight model for ESA and in August the first model for a commercial customer is another major achievement for E4D. In addition, DAC received a contract from ESA for the development of a prototype of an exercise device for the Lunar Gateway space station to orbit the Moon. This prototype will build upon E4D and add an additional jumping exercise capability to it. DAC continues to see increased interest in various DAC technologies, from almost all of the new private commercial space companies. We have recently entered a new small contract with a new one of them. With the new subcontract with Adaptix Ltd. for support of the development of a ground prototype of a new 3D Bone Quality Imaging System for future use in space, DAC is entering a new area with significant future potential. The new strategic collaboration with NECAS A/S will focus on harnessing the unique synergies between NECAS' expertise in production of electronics for the defense industry and DACs world-class expertise in developing medical and exercise systems as well as advanced space and extreme environment technologies. Axiom Spaces Ax-4 mission with astronauts from Hungary, Poland, the USA and India completed a 14-day mission to ISS during which some of the crew members used DACs Virtual Reality equipment upgraded with a new eye-tracing capability. DACs work on the new full Water Recovery Unit ground prototype for ESA is progressing as planned. DAC continues to pursue new contracts with ESA and US commercial space companies, as well as within the DoD sector, especially with regard to our wearable monitoring technology. Once again in 2025 DAC successfully passed the quality audit, which is the companys AS/EN9100 standard, rev. D quality control system approval by Bureau Veritas. Expectations for the year The expectations for the years revenue and profit as presented in DACs Annual Report 2024 are maintained: Total Revenue (incl. other income) of DKK 21-23 million; and Operating profit (EBITDA) of approx. DKK 1-3 million. Interim Report - Danish Aerospace Company Attachments: Appendix 1 Key Figures Interim 2025 Appendix 2 Changes in Equity 2025 Appendix 3 Cash Flow 2025 Note: This is a translation of the corresponding Company Announcement in Danish. In case of discrepancies between the Danish wording and the English translation, the Danish wording prevails. For further information, please contact: Danish Aerospace Company A/S: Chairman of the Board of Directors Niels Heering Mobile: +45 40 17 75 31 Thomas A.E. Andersen, CEO Tel: +45 40 29 41 62 Mail: ta@danishaerospace.com Certified Adviser: Baker Tilly Corporate Finance P/S (Company reg. (CVR) no. 40073310) Poul Bundgaards Vej 1 DK-2500 Valby Tel.: +45 33 45 10 00 www.bakertilly.dk About Danish Aerospace Company A/S: Danish Aerospace Company is a high-tech company operating in the area of advanced medical instrumentation and other engineering fields primarily within space applications. Our products are based on many years of specialized research and development. These consist of developing, integrating, and applying new as well as established medical technologies to the challenges of functioning and remaining reliable in space. These products and services bring the potential of space research and experience from space operations down to Earth for the benefit of all Mankind. Danish Aerospace Company employs engineers and technicians who deliver full engineering, production and technical services for our customers. We specialize in customer specific design, development, manufacturing, certification, maintenance, testing, and operations. The company has developed five generations of respiratory equipment for spaceflight, bicycle ergometers for astronauts, countermeasures, adapted several commercial medical equipment for spaceflight and has participated in the development of the minus eighty degree-celsius freezers. The Companys quality system is certified in obligation to BS EN ISO 9001:2015, BS EN 9100:2018 technical equivalent to AS9100D that is the acknowledged standard in the area. www.DanishAerospace.com Appendix 1 - Key figures - Interim 2025 1/1-2025 - 30/6-2025 1/1-2024 - 30/6-2024 Revenue 9,775,062 9,563,144 Gross prot/loss 7,888,413 6,461,553 Other Operating Income 284,451 610,643 EBITDA 423,193 -1,652,134 Operating prot/loss 195,785 -1,925,308 Net nancials -938,075 -350,354 Net Prot/loss for the period -570,308 -1,902,003 Total assets 28,158,676 31,986,169 Equity 7,801,083 9,969,711 Share performance Earnings per share (DKK) Total number of shares No. of shares (on average) Closing share price (DKK) -0.05 10,982,872 10,945,601 8.4 -0.17 10,908,330 10,908,330 2.9 Appendix 2 - Changes in Equity Interim 2025 Share capital Reserve for development costs Reserve for foreign currency translation Retained earnings Total DKK DKK DKK DKK DKK Equity at 1 January 1,090,833 3,213,361 -281,622 3,870,257 7,892,829 Capital increase 7,454 0 0 471,108 478,561 Development costs for the period 610,650 0 -610,650 0 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment for the period 0 -29,154 29,154 0 Net profit/loss for the period 0 0 0 -570,308 -570,308 Equity at 30 June 1,098,287 3,794,857 -281,622 3,189,561 7,801,083 Appendix 3 - Cash flow Interim 2025 1/1-2025 - 1/1-2024 - 6/30-2025 6/30-2024 DKK DKK Net profit/loss for the period -570,308 -1,902,003 Adjustments 994,905 249,869 Change in working capital -386,356 2,708,533 Cash flows from operating activities before financial income and expenses 38,241 1,056,399 Financial income 97,813 165,477 Financial expenses -1,035,888 -621,564 Cash flows from operating activities -889,834 600,312 Purchase of intangible assets -894,095 -686,580 Purchase of property, plant and equipment -36,635 -18,209 Cash flows from investing activities -930,730 -704,789 Raising of loans from credit institutions -300,822 428,601 Loans to group enterprises 55,592 -357,839 Change in loans from owners and Management 1,500,000 - Capital increase 478,561 - Cash flows from financing activities 1,733,331 70,762 Change in cash and cash equivalents -97,233 -33,715 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 297,379 83,506 Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June 200,143 49,791 Attachment Dublin, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Human Resource (HR) Software Market - Deployment Types, Software Types, Company Types and Industry Sectors" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global Human Resource (HR) Software market is experiencing a significant transformation as organizations adapt to hybrid work models, address talent shortages, and respond to new regulatory demands. Valued at over US$17.5 billion in 2024, the market is projected to more than double to US$34.1 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.8%. This growth is driven by the adoption of agile, digital-first HR systems that improve operational efficiency, enhance employee experience, and facilitate real-time decision-making. The shift from transactional HR to strategic workforce management is increasing demand for integrated platforms that unify payroll, benefits, performance, and compliance in a cohesive architecture. Cloud deployment is now the leading model for new HR software investments, offering scalability, lower maintenance, and quicker implementation compared to traditional systems. By 2024, cloud deployments were utilized in over 70% of HR software investments, in response to a growing need for flexibility and ongoing innovation. This trend is prevalent among both mid-sized companies and large multinationals. Additionally, artificial intelligence and machine learning are innovating HR platform capabilities, automating tasks, predicting employee attrition, optimizing recruitment, and providing personalized career paths. These technologies are fast becoming standard expectations in HR software solutions. Furthermore, seamless integration with ERP, finance, IT, and learning systems is increasingly critical. Human Resource (HR) Software Regional Market Analysis In 2024, North America held the largest share of the global HR Software market, contributing 33.2% of the US$17.5 billion total. This dominance is partly due to robust enterprise adoption and stringent regulatory requirements. The Asia Pacific region, although a smaller market in 2024, is expanding rapidly with a CAGR of 14.9%, driven by swift digital adoption in regions such as India, China, and Southeast Asia, and a push towards modernizing HR practices. South America and emerging world markets also show promising growth, fueled by cloud adoption and compliance automation. Human Resource (HR) Software Market Analysis by Deployment Type In 2024, cloud-based HR software generated approximately 72.4% of global revenues. This segment surpasses on-premise alternatives in adoption and growth, driven by the need for adaptable, low-maintenance platforms. Cloud deployment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% through 2030, particularly among mid-sized and decentralized organizations seeking to reduce costs. While on-premise solutions remain relevant for industries with strict regulations or security needs, their market share is gradually decreasing. Human Resource (HR) Software Market Analysis by Software Type Core HR software was the largest market segment in 2024, generating around US$6.4 billion, reflecting widespread demand for standardized HR functionalities such as payroll and compliance reporting. Meanwhile, talent management software is the fastest-growing segment with a projected CAGR of 14.8% up to 2030, driven by a need for skills development, succession planning, and performance enhancement. Human Resource (HR) Software Market Analysis by Company Type Large enterprises represented the largest market share in 2024, with 58.9% of total market value, due to the need for global payroll coordination and compliance automation. Large companies like SAP SuccessFactors cater to this segment extensively. In contrast, SMEs are the fastest-growing segment, expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.1% from 2024 to 2030, fueled by demand for affordable, integrated HR solutions. Human Resource (HR) Software Market Analysis by Industry Sector The IT & telecom sector led as the largest industry sector in 2024, holding 20.3% of the total market share. This sector's dominance is driven by its high digital maturity and continuous hiring demand. Banks, financial services, and insurance industries also heavily invest in HR technologies. The healthcare sector, showing a CAGR of 15.3%, is the fastest growing, reflecting a need for systems supporting workforce scheduling and retention. Report Scope This global report explores the HR Software market across regions and key segments such as Deployment Type, Software Type, Company Type, and Industry Sector, from 2021 to 2030, with predictions spanning from 2024 to 2030. It includes profiles of leading companies, providing a comprehensive overview of market progress. Key Metrics: Historical Period: 2021-2024 Base Year: 2024 Forecast Period: 2024-2030 Units: Value market in US$ Companies Mentioned: 20+ Automatic Data Processing Inc. Automatic Payroll Systems Inc. Bamboo HR LLC Cornerstone OnDemand Inc. Dayforce Inc. EmployWise Greytip Software Pvt. Ltd. Gusto, Inc. International Business Machines Corp. isolved HCM LLC Namely Inc. Oracle Corp. Patriot Software LLC Paycom Software Inc. Paycor HCM Inc. Paylocity Holding Corp. Rippling People Center Inc. SAP SE TriNet Group Inc. UKG Inc. Workday Inc. Human Resource (HR) Software Market by Geographic Region: North America (The United States, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Switzerland, and Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, and Rest of South America) Middle East & Africa (the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Kuwait, Qatar, and Rest of Middle East & Africa) Human Resource (HR) Software Market by Deployment Type: Cloud On-Premise Human Resource (HR) Software Market by Software Type: Core HR Employee Collaboration & Engagement Recruitment & Applicant Tracking Talent Management Workforce Planning & Analytics Other Software Types Human Resource (HR) Software Market by Company Type: Large Enterprises Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) Human Resource (HR) Software Market by Industry Sector: Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) IT & Telecom Manufacturing Government Healthcare Retail & eCommerce Energy & Utilities Transportation Education Other Industry Sectors Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 476 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $17.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $34.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 11.8% Regions Covered Global For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hajxv3 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcadia (arcadia.io), a leading healthcare data platform, today announced the publication of its latest research report, Scaling Smarter: The Data Strategies Powering High-Performing Health Plans. The report highlights a widening gap between the data capabilities todays payers need and the tools, infrastructure, and analytics strategies many still lack. For example, without a unified data foundation built around complete member 360 profiles, efforts to apply agentic or generative AI will fall short, missing the savings and experience improvements these technologies promise. The report also reveals how leading health plans are making meaningful progress with data-driven strategies that improve outcomes, manage costs, and strengthen provider performance. Key findings include: Data integration lags behind data sharing: While 66% of payers rated their ability to share data externally as very good or excellent, only 57% said the same about integrating data from external sources. In fact, 85% have yet to integrate all available data into a centralized analytics platform, which limits their ability to generate comprehensive and actionable insights. While 66% of payers rated their ability to share data externally as very good or excellent, only 57% said the same about integrating data from external sources. In fact, 85% have yet to integrate all available data into a centralized analytics platform, which limits their ability to generate comprehensive and actionable insights. AI and advanced analytics are an untapped opportunity: Less than 20% of plans use AI to develop care plans, summarize records, or drive member engagementtools that could improve operational efficiency and accelerate performance gains. Less than 20% of plans use AI to develop care plans, summarize records, or drive member engagementtools that could improve operational efficiency and accelerate performance gains. Cost pressures drive strategy more than growth: Most payers prioritized cost-containment strategies, such as improving risk adjustment (54%) and optimizing network performance (50%), over revenue growth goals like expanding membership (45%). Most payers prioritized cost-containment strategies, such as improving risk adjustment (54%) and optimizing network performance (50%), over revenue growth goals like expanding membership (45%). Member 360 profiles are common but incomplete: While 96% of payers said they maintain longitudinal member profiles, many admit challenges with data aggregation and interoperability. For example, 76% of payers surveyed arent fully realizing the value of social determinants of health data, 87% reported not using episode of care data, and just 10% of payers said they are actively using pharmacy data. Too often, payers believe they have a complete picture of the member, but our research suggests there are significant gaps in what data theyre actually usingmeaning missed opportunities to unlock better risk adjustment, personalized care, and cost efficiencies, said Michael Meucci, President and CEO of Arcadia. A true 360-degree member profile must include timely and complete information across claims, clinical encounters, SDoH, episodes of care, and pharmacy data. When payers integrate that data and apply it strategically, they can improve outcomes, reduce costs, and collaborate more effectively with providers. According to the report, bridging the gap between fragmented data and actionable insight requires more than surface-level integration. Leading health plans are prioritizing platforms that unify clinical, claims, behavioral, and social data, which enables real-time intelligence that can be shared across care teams. With the right infrastructure, data shifts from a static asset to a strategic driver of transformation. The findings from this report make it clear that the most successful payer organizations will be those that invest in centralized analytics platforms, empower providers with shared insights, and apply data to personalize care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes, said Luke Hansen, MD, MHS, Chief Medical Officer of Arcadia. When payers and providers work from a common data foundation, it becomes possible to manage risk, optimize utilization, and enhance physician performance more efficiently. Download the full report, Scaling Smarter: The Data Strategies Powering High-Performing Health Plans, to learn how data-driven strategies are transforming payer performance, and visit Arcadia at RISE West booth #307 to continue the conversation. About Arcadia Arcadia helps providers, payers, and government organizations transform healthcare data into predictive insights that drive better outcomes, increase revenue, and reduce costs. Its industry-leading platform amasses data from across the healthcare ecosystem and converts it into actionable analytics, AI-driven intelligence, and performance benchmarks, enabling smarter decisions and accelerating impact across the enterprise. National and regional health systems and payers, along with governmental organizations including Aetna, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Intermountain Health, Ochsner Health, and the State of California trust Arcadia to operationalize their data and lead the way in data-driven healthcare. Visit arcadia.io for more information. Arcadia is a trademark of Arcadia Solutions, LLC. All rights reserved. Dublin, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Drone Detection Company Evaluation Report" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Drone Detection Companies Quadrant is a comprehensive industry analysis that provides valuable insights into the global market for Drone Detection. This quadrant offers a detailed evaluation of key market players, technological advancements, product innovations, and emerging trends shaping the industry. Over 100 companies were evaluated, of which the top 15 companies were categorized and recognized as the quadrant leaders. The drone detection market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing number of drones across the commercial, recreational, and defense sectors. The rising geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts are urgently demanding advanced airspace security solutions, particularly in high-risk zones and critical infrastructure. Additionally, the surge in unauthorized drone activities, including airspace intrusions and surveillance threats, has accelerated the adoption of drone detection technologies to safeguard key assets, such as airports, energy facilities, and government establishments. Technological advancements are transforming the market, with AI-powered detection systems, multi-sensor fusion, and cognitive radar systems enhancing detection accuracy and operational efficiency. 3D localization and tracking capabilities strengthen real-time monitoring and situational awareness, enabling comprehensive threat assessment and faster response times. These innovations are reshaping the market landscape by offering scalable and customizable solutions. Significant market opportunities lie in the integration of IoT and AI in detection systems, providing enhanced automation and connectivity. Continuous advancements in detection technologies are improving precision and reducing false positives, addressing key end-user challenges. Additionally, increased defense and homeland security budgets foster high investments in global airspace security solutions. The 360 Quadrant maps the Drone Detection companies based on criteria such as revenue, geographic presence, growth strategies, investments, and sales strategies for the market presence of GPU as a Service quadrant. The top criteria for product footprint evaluation included Type (ground-based, handheld), Technology (radar system, RF scanner, and RF scanner) and Application (critical infrastructure, military & defense, government & law enforcement). Key Players: Key players operating in Drone Detection including RTX (US), Northrop Grumman (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Elbit Systems Ltd. (Israel), and Teledyne FLIR LLC (US). Lockheed Martin Corporation Lockheed Martin Corporation stands out with its strong Company Positioning in the drone detection market. Engaged in the research, design, and development of advanced technology systems, it is heavily invested in improving its Company Product Portfolio. Lockheed Martin's focus includes manufacturing and supporting a wide array of defense and aerospace technologies. With a significant market share and recognized for its robust operational capacity, the company continuously seeks strategic growth through substantial contracts and innovations. Its product portfolio and vast reach globally indicate a commanding Company Market Share and highlight its strategic Company Ranking within the competitive landscape. RTX RTX, with its efficient Company Analysis framework, is noted for offering state-of-the-art detection solutions, contributing to its solid Company Market Share. Known for innovations like the KuRFS: Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor, RTX targets enhancing defense mechanisms through critical contracts. Its Company Product Portfolio is marked by highly adaptive defensive technologies integrated into comprehensive combat systems. The company's strategic moves ensure its steadfast Company Positioning and a leading role in security technology vendors. Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman excels in its diversified Company Product Portfolio, focusing on airspace and unmanned systems. Demonstrating strong Company Positioning, it actively participates in defense innovations, leveraging technology to maintain a leading Company Market Share. Known for its AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR radar system, the company is committed to product excellence and extending its market influence through strategic engagements and continuous product advancements, securing its high Company Ranking. Key Topics Covered: 1 Introduction 1.1 Market Definition 1.2 Inclusions & Exclusions 1.3 Key Stakeholders 2 Executive Summary 3 Market Overview 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Market Dynamics 3.2.1 Drivers 3.2.1.1 Increased Need for Drone Detection Systems 3.2.1.2 Regional Conflicts and Geopolitical Tensions 3.2.1.3 Rise in Unauthorized Drone Activities 3.2.1.4 Adoption of Drone Detection Systems in Critical Infrastructure 3.2.2 Restraints 3.2.2.1 High Initial Deployment and Operational Costs 3.2.2.2 Evolving Regulatory Frameworks 3.2.3 Opportunities 3.2.3.1 Expansion of IoT and AI in Drone Detection Systems 3.2.3.2 Advancements in Detection Technologies 3.2.3.3 Rising Defense and Homeland Security Budgets 3.2.4 Challenges 3.2.4.1 Cybersecurity Risks in Connected Detection Systems 3.2.4.2 Accuracy Issues in Complex Environments 3.3 Value Chain Analysis 3.4 Ecosystem Analysis 3.4.1 Drone Detection Providers 3.4.2 End-users 3.4.3 Regulatory Bodies 3.5 Technology Analysis 3.5.1 Key Technologies 3.5.1.1 Radar-based Detection 3.5.1.2 Radio Frequency (Rf) Scanning 3.5.1.3 Electro-Optical (Eo) & Infrared (Ir) Sensors 3.5.2 Complementary Technologies 3.5.2.1 Acoustic Detection 3.5.2.2 LiDAR-based Drone Tracking 3.5.2.3 Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) 3.5.2.4 5G-Enabled Detection Systems 3.5.3 Adjacent Technologies 3.5.3.1 Counter-Drone Systems 3.5.3.1.1 Jamming & Spoofing 3.5.3.1.2 Directed Energy Weapons (Dews) 3.5.3.1.3 Hard Kill Solutions 3.6 Trends & Disruptions Impacting Customer Business 3.7 Key Conferences & Events 3.8 Technology Roadmap 3.8.1 Emerging Trends in Drone Detection Market 3.9 Impact of Artificial Intelligence 3.9.1 Introduction 3.9.2 Impact of AI on Defense Industry 3.9.3 Adoption of AI in Military by Top Countries 3.9.4 Impact of AI on Drone Detection Market 3.9.4.1 AI-Powered Sensor Fusion 3.9.4.2 Deep Learning-based Object Recognition 3.9.4.3 Automated Threat Classification 3.9.4.4 AI-Enabled Rf Signal Analysis 3.9.4.5 Predictive Analytics for Drone Swarm Detection 3.9.4.6 Autonomous Countermeasures 3.9.4.7 Future Outlook 4 Industry Trends 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Technology Trends 4.2.1 AI-Powered Detection Systems 4.2.2 Multi-Sensor Fusion 4.2.3 Cognitive Radar Systems 4.2.4 3D Drone Localization and Tracking 4.3 Impact of Megatrends 4.3.1 Artificial Intelligence (AI) 4.3.2 Cloud-based Surveillance and Big Data Analytics 4.3.3 Internet of Things (IoT) 4.4 Supply Chain Analysis 4.5 Patent Analysis 5 Competitive Landscape 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Key Player Strategies/Right to Win, 2020-2024 5.3 Revenue Analysis 5.4 Market Share Analysis 5.5 Brand/Product Comparison 5.6 Company Valuation and Financial Metrics 5.7 Company Evaluation Matrix: Key Players, 2023 5.7.1 Stars 5.7.2 Emerging Leaders 5.7.3 Pervasive Players 5.7.4 Participants 5.7.5 Company Footprint: Key Players 5.8 Company Evaluation Matrix: Startups/SMEs, 2024 5.8.1 Progressive Companies 5.8.2 Responsive Companies 5.8.3 Dynamic Companies 5.8.4 Starting Blocks 5.8.5 Competitive Benchmarking 5.9 Competitive Scenario & Trends 5.9.1 Product Launches 5.9.2 Deals 5.9.3 Other Developments 6 Company Profiles Rtx Northrop Grumman Lockheed Martin Corporation Elbit Systems Ltd. Teledyne Flir LLC Leonardo S.P.A. Thales Israel Aerospace Industries Saab Ab Droneshield Ltd Qinetiq Bharat Electronics Limited (Bel) L3Harris Technologies, Inc. Rheinmetall AG Aselsan A.S. Weibel Scientific A/S Dedrone Detect, Inc. Drone Defence Defsys Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Adani Defence & Aerospace Echodyne Corp. Robin Radar Systems Apolloshield Aerodefense For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ajdqya 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. TOKYO, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XerpaAI made its official debut at WebX Tokyo, Asias largest Web3 conference, unveiling the worlds first AI Growth Agent (AGA) an intelligent, end-to-end solution built to help emerging projects accelerate growth with speed, precision, and scale. Tackling the Web3 Growth Gap Growth remains the biggest challenge for Web3 startups. Industry data highlights that: 70% of unlisted projects lack a dedicated growth hire. of unlisted projects lack a dedicated growth hire. 52% of growth budgets fail to generate meaningful results. of growth budgets fail to generate meaningful results. 95% of projects never achieve listing, with 58% of failures directly tied to growth-related shortcomings. XerpaAI directly addresses these challenges by integrating the proven Create Distribute Repeat model into a systematic AI-powered agent. Through a vetted network of KOLs and community leaders, XerpaAI ensures authentic reach. Its proprietary Xerpa Index transforms fragmented influence metrics into a unified, verifiable score giving projects the clarity and confidence to make smarter, data-driven growth decisions. Ambitious Roadmap Ahead The company has outlined a bold roadmap that includes Creative Labs 2.0, autonomous AI-operated social accounts, and expanded multi-channel growth initiatives. These innovations will provide emerging businesses with new tools to boost user acquisition, strengthen market presence, and achieve sustainable scaling. Leadership Statement We envision XerpaAI as the Sherpa for emerging projects guiding them to overcome growth challenges and reach new heights. Speed Up Your Growth is not just our slogan; it is our commitment to every project we support, said Bob Ng, CTO of XerpaAI, during the WebX debut. About XerpaAI XerpaAI is the pioneer behind the worlds first AI Growth Agent (AGA), designed to empower Web3 startups and emerging businesses to scale faster and smarter. 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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8731e0fd-fee5-4da4-a92c-3a5c4ec7c394 RICHMOND, VA, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nations largest retailer of used cars, is launching a new brand positioning, spotlighting its seamless, industry-leading omni-channel experience. After years of refining its model to allow customers to buy online, in-store or switch between the two effortlessly, CarMax is setting a new standard of the car-buying journey with customer empowerment at every step. To bring the customer-centric experience to life and reflect the modern expression of what CarMax stands for today, the brand is retiring its former tagline that has been used in some form for more than 20 years and unveiling its new Wanna Drive? tagline in its latest creative spots, in partnership with creative agency 72andSunny Los Angeles. Key Takeaways New brand positioning : Wanna Drive? isnt just a tagline its a commitment that at CarMax, the customer is empowered to buy their way, with the clarity, confidence and control to navigate the journey on their terms. : Wanna Drive? isnt just a tagline its a commitment that at CarMax, the customer is empowered to buy their way, with the clarity, confidence and control to navigate the journey on their terms. Industry-leading omni-channel approach: CarMax customers can seamlessly shop online, in-store, or switch between the two effortlessly. The customer is in the drivers seat: they drive the where, the when, the how CarMax is their copilot with whatever support they need. CarMax customers can seamlessly shop online, in-store, or switch between the two effortlessly. The customer is in the drivers seat: they drive the where, the when, the how CarMax is their copilot with whatever support they need. Creative Launch: Making their debut in a new anthem spot today is the CarMax House Band, who represent the physical manifestation of confidently owning the car-buying and selling journey. The new spots (:30, :15 and :06) are part of a larger marketing ecosystem delivering a phased rollout across channels including linear TV, streaming, social, digital and audio. How does CarMax differ from other automotive retailers? CarMax is the only nationwide retailer compared to traditional and online-only dealers that offers this level of integration and flexibility across channels, meeting the largest, and growing, segment of used car buyers where they want to shop, with the best of online and in-store experiences. Whether customers want to buy online and take advantage of express pick up in store, prequalify for financing online and test drive different makes and models in person, or toggle between experiences with ease, CarMax empowers customers to shop their way on their terms. CarMax is entering a bold new chapter and were ready to share it proudly with the world, said Sarah Lane, CMO, CarMax. This is a defining brand moment, one that transcends a single campaign. Our new brand positioning celebrates what customers love most about shopping with us: feeling empowered to do it their way. Were bringing fresh energy to our brand while staying true to what has always set us apart honesty, integrity, and innovation. As car shopping enters a new era, CarMax is helping lead the way with customer-focused innovation. Its Net Promoter Score which measures how likely customers are to recommend a brand is the highest it has been since CarMax rolled out its digital capabilities nationwide. The increase is driven by record-high satisfaction among CarMax customers purchasing online, as well as those using a mix of online and in-store options, showing that the omni-channel approach is really resonating with customers. What is the CarMax Wanna Drive? tagline all about? The new Wanna Drive? tagline brings the omni-channel experience to life and highlights how customers feel so confident and in control with the CarMax experience, its as if they have their own personal band hyping them up at every step of the process. This new tagline replaces "The way car buying should be," that was used in some form for more than 20 years and established CarMax as a challenger in the industry. As CarMax, its customers and the industry have evolved, "Wanna Drive? reflects the brand's ongoing commitment to putting the customer in control and making the car buying or selling process more empowering than ever. How is the CarMax Wanna Drive? campaign launching? Anthem Spot Concept: In the upbeat :30, :15, and :06 spots, the all-new CarMax House Band follows customers throughout their car-buying and -selling journeys, singing feel-good anthems that celebrate every step of the way appearing as the physical manifestation of confidently owning the process. In the upbeat :30, :15, and :06 spots, the all-new CarMax House Band follows customers throughout their car-buying and -selling journeys, singing feel-good anthems that celebrate every step of the way appearing as the physical manifestation of confidently owning the process. The CarMax House Band: The core of the band is the comedy trio Wolves of Glendale, made up of Tom McGovern (keyboard), Ethan Edenburg (guitar and vocals), and Eric Jackowitz (drums), and rounded out with two standout artists: acclaimed saxophonist Marta Tiesenga and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Jay Hemphill. The core of the band is the comedy trio made up of Tom McGovern (keyboard), Ethan Edenburg (guitar and vocals), and Eric Jackowitz (drums), and rounded out with two standout artists: acclaimed saxophonist Marta Tiesenga and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Jay Hemphill. Credits: The songs were composed by Montreal-based artist and producer Lubalin. The spots were directed by filmmaker Kate Hollowell of Epoch Films. The songs were composed by Montreal-based artist and producer Lubalin. The spots were directed by filmmaker Kate Hollowell of Epoch Films. Launch Details: Media strategy, planning, and buying is being led by Digitas, CarMaxs new media agency of record, ensuring the creative and messaging reaches audiences across key platforms and touchpoints. Starting today, the anthem spot will premiere across a mix of high-impact platforms and is one piece of a larger ecosystem designed to show up across consumer touchpoints from linear TV and streaming to key digital, social and audio platforms, to influencers and potential activations and cultural moments. Media strategy, planning, and buying is being led by Digitas, CarMaxs new media agency of record, ensuring the creative and messaging reaches audiences across key platforms and touchpoints. Partnering with CarMax to launch an entirely new brand platform has been one of those dream collaborations a joyful blend of ambition, trust, and fun, said Maddie McDowell, Group Creative Director, 72andSunny Los Angeles. Together, we reimagined every touchpoint to reflect a bold promise: the customer is in control here. The new tagline, Wanna Drive? says it all. Its not just an invitationits a mindset. This is a brand tossing over the keys and saying, So, how do you want to do this? Two of the first spots from this campaign can be found here and here. For more information and to sell, shop or browse for your next car, visit carmax.com. COMPANY: CarMax CAMPAIGN NAME: Wanna Drive? LAUNCH DATE: August 25, 2025 AGENCY: 72andSunny Los Angeles LOCATION: Richmond, VA About CarMax Founded more than 30 years ago, CarMax set out to fundamentally change the way people buy used cars offering the honesty and transparency customers deserve. It was the original disruptor to introduce a true "no-haggle" car-buying model, setting a new standard for the industry. Today, CarMax has grown into the nation's largest retailer of used cars with more than 250 stores nationwide and more than 30,000 associates, and is proud to have been recognized for 21 consecutive years as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. At CarMax, customers are in the drivers seat. Whether shopping online, in-store, or a combination of both, we make the process seamless and empowering offering guidance at every step so you feel confident in your purchase. CarMax gives customers the flexibility to buy a vehicle online and either pick it up quickly in-store through express pickup or have it delivered to their home or workplace with home delivery (available within a 60-mile radius of select stores). For customers trading in or selling, CarMax will buy your car even if you dont buy theirs. Get an online offer in two minutes or less; its good for seven days to compare options. Customers can shop CarMax's nationwide inventory of more than 50,000 cars with upfront pricing, and have the option to ship to the customers local store (fee and restrictions may apply), with no pressure to buy. For more information, visit carmax.com. About 72andSunny 72andSunny is a global marketing agency who unlock possibilities for the world's most ambitious brands. With offices in Amsterdam, Los Angeles, New York, and Sydney, 72andSunny leads with unparalleled strategy, disruptive creativity, and is driven to expand and diversify the creative class. Recognized 14 times by Ad Age's A-List and honored as Agency of the Year by both Adweek and Ad Age, 72andSunny continues to push the boundaries of innovation. For more information, visit 72andSunny.com and on Instagram: @72andSunny. Attachments NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE: BRBR) for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in BellRing, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit. Why is BellRing Being Investigated? BellRing Brands operates in the convenient nutrition category. The Companys primary brands include Premier Protein and Dymatize, which offer ready-to-drink (RTD) protein shakes and powders. During the relevant period, the Company stated that Premier Protein hit an all-time high in household penetration and that demand remains strong. The Company also stated that its growth was strong in all channels, driven by distribution expansion, accelerating velocities and incremental promotional activity. In truth, the Companys sales growth during the relevant period may have been driven by temporary trade inventory loading at several key retailers, not sustainable end-consumer demand. The Stock Declines as the Truth Is Revealed On May 5, 2025, after market hours, BellRing revealed that starting in Q2 2023, several key retailers lowered their weeks of supply on hand, which would create a headwind to Q3 2025 growth. The Company also announced it was expanding promotions to boost sales and offset [] third quarter reductions in retailer trade inventory levels. On this news, the price of BellRing stock fell $13.96 per share, or more than 18%, from $77.34 per share on May 5, 2025, to $63.38 per share on May 6, 2025. Then, on August 4, 2025, after market hours, BellRing announced disappointing quarterly consumption of Premier Protein RTD Shakes, which had been expected to outpace shipments by a wider margin given previously announced retailer destocking, but instead came more in line with shipments. On this news, the price of BellRing Brands stock fell $17.46 per share, or nearly 33%, from $53.64 per share on August 4, 2025, to $36.18 per share on August 5, 2025. Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit. What Can You Do? If you invested in BellRing you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212.789.3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named Elite Trial Lawyers by the National Law Journal, among the top 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers by Lawdragon, Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com. https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces an investigation into The J.M. Smucker Company (NYSE: SJM) for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in J.M. Smucker, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/the-jm-smucker-company-class-action-lawsuit. Why Is J.M. Smucker being Investigated? J.M. Smucker manufactures and markets branded food and beverage products. In November 2023, the company completed an acquisition of Hostess Brands, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of sweet baked goods brands. The company stated that the Hostess acquisition was highly complementary and that underlying trends in snacking and specifically sweet snacking still bode well for the category. In truth, it appears the companys Sweet Baked Snacks segment, which includes Hostess, significantly deteriorated in the face of declining trends in sweet snacking. The Stock Declines as the Truth Is Revealed On June 10, 2025, J.M. Smucker reported its Q4 2025 financial results and announced that it recognized a $867 million impairment charge related to the goodwill of its Sweet Baked Snacks segment and a $113 million impairment charge related to the Hostess brand trademark driven by the continued underperformance of the Sweet Baked Snacks segment. On this news, the price of J.M. Smucker stock fell $17.44 per share, or more than 18%, from $111.85 per share on June 9, 2025, to $94.41 per share on June 10, 2025. Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/the-jm-smucker-company-class-action-lawsuit. What Can You Do? If you invested in J.M. Smucker you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/the-jm-smucker-company-class-action-lawsuit Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212.789.3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named Elite Trial Lawyers by the National Law Journal, among the top 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers by Lawdragon, Titans of the Plaintiffs Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com. https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/the-jm-smucker-company-class-action-lawsuit Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. DALLAS, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lone Wolf Technologies, North America's leader in residential real estate software serving over 1.5 million professionals, today announced the launch of Inkless, a standalone API-first e-signature platform powered by Lone Wolf's enterprise infrastructure. Built on the battle-tested Authentisign engine that processes over 40 million envelopes annually, Inkless directly challenges the onerous contract structures employed by legacy providers while delivering transparent pricing, contract-free implementation, and complete developer control. "Inkless is the culmination of everything we've learned from decades of powering one of the most trusted e-signature solutions in real estate," said Aaron Kardell, GM of Innovation and Partnerships at Lone Wolf. "We saw a clear gap in the market across industries for a solution that combines scale, simplicity, and flexibility that works for both fast-growing startups and global platforms. Whether you're sending 10 documents or 10,000, you get the same powerful capabilities from day one with no feature gates and no tier restrictions. We're seeing immediate interest from businesses in e-signature-dependent industries who are taking a critical eye to the contracts they have with their current e-signature providers. No matter what the volume of envelopes a company is sending annually, we can save them a significant amount of money while delivering them a more flexible and growth-oriented billing structure." Addressing Critical Market Frustrations Inkless solves three pain points that have emerged as digital signature adoption has matured beyond pandemic-driven necessity: Contract Complexity: Inkless publishes pricing transparently at https://signinkless.com/pricing/ and eliminates seat minimums and mandatory volume requirements. With simple usage-based pricing, companies can pay for only what they use or commit to a minimum volume to unlock lower per-envelope rates. No matter what tier a company chooses, they will see a 40-60% cost savings compared to established players. Additionally, companies pay only for completed envelopes rather than the number of envelopes they send, so they only pay when they receive value from the system. Inkless publishes pricing transparently at and eliminates seat minimums and mandatory volume requirements. With simple usage-based pricing, companies can pay for only what they use or commit to a minimum volume to unlock lower per-envelope rates. No matter what tier a company chooses, they will see a 40-60% cost savings compared to established players. Additionally, companies pay only for completed envelopes rather than the number of envelopes they send, so they only pay when they receive value from the system. Integration Friction: Full REST API access, signing, templating, and webhooks are included at every tier, plus instant sandbox access requiring no credit card. Development teams can embed legally compliant workflows directly into their products without traditional workflow disruptions. Full REST API access, signing, templating, and webhooks are included at every tier, plus instant sandbox access requiring no credit card. Development teams can embed legally compliant workflows directly into their products without traditional workflow disruptions. Brand Control: White-label customization gives companies complete control over the signing experience, eliminating the branded redirects and rigid interfaces that compromise user experience in legacy platforms. When evaluating e-signature APIs, startups and tech leaders have traditionally faced competitors' feature-gated enterprise contracts or enterprise-only API access. Inkless provides full API capabilities with month-to-month flexibility and no minimum commitments while addressing the gap between rigid enterprise solutions and developer needs. Enterprise Security with Developer Flexibility Built on Authentisign's enterprise-grade compliance (ESIGN and UETA), Inkless delivers AES-256 encryption, comprehensive audit trails, tamper-evident logs, and multi-factor authentication. Unlike competitors that gate core API features behind enterprise tiers, Inkless provides full signing, templating, and webhook capabilities from day one across all plans. Early implementation partners are integrating Inkless into insurance technology platforms, legal practice management systems, and enterprise software applications where seamless signing workflows are essential to user experience. Availability Companies can request instant sandbox access at https://signinkless.com/ to begin integration immediately, without sales calls or contract negotiations. About Lone Wolf Technologies Lone Wolf Technologies, Inc. is the North American leader in residential real estate software, serving over 1.5 million real estate professionals across Canada, the U.S., and Latin America. With 36 years of industry experience, Lone Wolf provides cloud solutions for agents, teams, brokers, franchises, MLSs, and associations. The company's Foundation platform offers the entire real estate industry integrated tools to amaze clients, build business, and improve profitsfrom leads to contacts to transactions to back office to analyticsall in one secure, compliant platform. Lone Wolf's headquarters are in Dallas, TX. About Inkless Inkless is a standalone, developer-first e-signature platform powered by Lone Wolf's proven Authentisign infrastructure. Operating independently while leveraging enterprise-scale reliability, Inkless offers full compliance with ESIGN and UETA, transparent usage-based pricing, and seamless integration capabilitiesmaking it ideal for businesses embedding e-signatures into their software stack without contract constraints. Media Contact: Molly McKinley molly@redtailcreative.com 919.423.4088 ATLANTA, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- InvestigateTV, Gray Medias award-winning national investigative team, and Gray stations today launched a new multiplatform investigative project to educate viewers about the unseen ways artificial intelligence is impacting various parts of their everyday lives. The project, Manipulated: A Disinformation Nation, brings together InvestigateTVs national unit and Grays local newsrooms to explore how AI is already shaping what people see online and how audiences can protect themselves. Stories will air across InvestigateTVs free streaming apps, on investigatetv.com, and on Gray news platforms nationwide. The first report in the series, debuting today, exposes the rise of deceptive AI content, including scam campaigns that impersonate trusted sources to stir anger and civic chaos. The story also reveals how some popular online creators are using AI to help people spot a dangerous scheme before they are a victim. InvestigateTV and our newsrooms are trusted sources in giving viewers insight into how new technology affects their daily lives. By combining our national investigative team with local reporting across our markets, we will empower audiences to educate themselves and avoid being misled, said Sandy Breland, Grays Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. In the weeks ahead, the national team will publish additional investigations on topics including AI-driven celebrity spoofs, designer knockoffs that undercut small businesses, and personal videos repackaged into fabricated fundraisers or ads. Each story will emphasize simple steps viewers can take to verify content and avoid scams. Gray stations will report locally on AIs growing role in government, schools, healthcare, and more. The project will cover all sides of the AI phenomenon, including its innovative and potentially positive aspects. This in-depth series will arm our audience with critical information about the rising impact of AI and how to tell the difference between its helpful and harmful applications, said Lee Zurik, Grays Senior Vice President of News Strategy and Innovation. To support the coverage, InvestigateTV created an interactive page at investigatetv.com/manipulated featuring video explainers and a game that challenges users to distinguish real photos from AI-generated images. The page also provides consumer protection resources and will be updated with new content from across the Gray footprint. About Gray Media: Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nations largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station during 2024, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Grays additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com . Gray Contact: Sandy Breland, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, 404-266-8333 # # # TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- mapbenefits, a SaaS-built platform redefining nonqualified deferred compensation plan administration, has been featured in Manage HR Magazine and awarded the Top Nonqualified Executive Benefit Plan Service for 2025 by their subscribers. This honor recognizes mapbenefits for its cutting-edge technology, rapid scalability, and commitment to innovation in the executive benefits space. This award was based on a competitive selection process with nominations submitted by subscribers across the U.S. mapbenefits stood out for its innovation, market impact, and the measurable value delivered to clients. This recognition is a direct reflection of our teams effort and commitment to constant improvement and doing things differently, said Katie Censoplano, Vice President of Operations at mapbenefits. We didnt just build a platformwe built a movement to modernize and simplify an often-overlooked, complex space. What mapbenefits Is and Why It Matters mapbenefits is a secure, cloud-based platform purpose-built to streamline the implementation and administration of nonqualified deferred compensation plans (NQDCPs). Designed to simplify complexity, it delivers clarity and control to both plan sponsors and participants. Built on Salesforces Force.com infrastructure and developed with SQL Server and .NET technologies, mapbenefits reflects over 80 years of combined NQDC expertise and 20+ years of cloud-based tech innovation. Its fast, scalable, secureand continuously evolving. Client feedback drives every improvement, said Jackson Shelton, Product Lead at mapbenefits. Were committed to delivering a responsive platform that adapts, improves, and keeps pace with the dynamic needs of executive benefit plans. Constant Innovation, Practical Results The mapbenefits team has cultivated a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Each feature, automation, and enhancement is driven by a shared mission: simplify complexity, remove friction, automate processes, and deliver measurable value to every stakeholder involved. The feature in Manage HR Magazine also recounts a real-world example where mapbenefits was able to showcase their commitment to innovation in the executive benefits space. (See article for the story) mapbenefits was born out of necessity but it continues to thrive because of relentless innovation and client-focused execution, said Todd Mezrah, founder of mapbenefits. Were always building forwardnever backward. Read the full article in Manage HR Magazine: https://www.managehrmagazine.com/mapbenefits Learn more about our platform at: https://www.mapbenefits.com A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64402bbc-90bd-4a95-9248-f9d4241c71ff Chicago, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global multifunctional printer market was valued at US$ 39.9 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 66.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period 20252033. Today, the analysis multifunctional printer market reveals a dynamic shift in adoption and user behavior, underpinned by strong shipment volumes and rapidly evolving product features. Global shipments for MFPs are forecast to surpass 143 million units this year, with a pronounced tilt toward A4 and compact models favored by small teams and decentralized offices. Over 121 new MFP products were launched globally in 2024 alone, reflecting intense innovation cycles among leading manufacturers. Inkjet MFPs now account for over half of all unit shipments, while laser-based models continue to dominate in large office and enterprise settings. Download Sample PDF Copy: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/multifunctional-printer-market In North America, A3 models remain a staple for organizations printing more than 5,000 pages monthly, but nearly 70% of new product introductions in 2025 are A4-centric, mirroring the global hybrid work trend. Energy-saving modes and mobile printing features have become standard, with virtually all leading MFPs now offering remote monitoring and encrypted print queues for compliance. The sector is also experiencing robust expansion in managed print services, propelled by the increasing number of small and medium-sized businesses: for instance, Canada reported 1.19 million small businesses and 23,395 midsized firms active as of 2024, creating new avenues for MFP adoption and service contracts. Key Findings in Multifunctional Printer Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 66.2 billion CAGR 5.8% Largest Region (2024) Asia Pacific (34%) By Type Laser Multifunctional Printer (56%) By Output Monochrome (58%) By Connectivity Wired (Largest) Top Drivers Increasing demand for efficient and streamlined document workflow solutions. Growing adoption of MFPs in small and medium-sized enterprises. The need for robust security features to protect sensitive data. Top Trends Integration of cloud-based services for seamless printing and scanning. Shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly printing solutions and practices. The rise of smart printers with AI and IoT capabilities. Top Challenges The increasing pace of digitalization and the move toward paperless offices. Addressing the environmental impact of printer consumables and energy consumption. Heightened cybersecurity threats targeting network-connected printers and sensitive data. Industry Leaders Showcase Financial Strength and Strategic Vision Key competitors across the multifunctional printer market are navigating this evolving landscape with robust financial results. Canons printing division revenue stood at 2,522.7 billion in 2024, with a 2025 revenue forecast of 2.56 trillion. The company reported a 7.1% increase in overall net sales in Q1 2025. Looking at the full-year 2025 projections, Canon anticipates 4.65 trillion in net sales alongside an operating profit of 466 billion. By Q2 2025, performance remained strong: total sales reached 1 trillion 140.2 billion, supported by an operating profit of 117.8 billion and net income of 83.7 billion. For the first half of 2025, Canons sales stood at 2 trillion 198.6 billion, with an operating profit of 214.3 billion and net income of 155.9 billion. Shareholder-focused initiatives add another layer of strategy, with a 100 billion share buyback program and an annual dividend increase to 155 per share, expected to further rise to 160 in 2025. Brother and Konica Minolta Detail Strong Segment Performance Other top players are also demonstrating solid growth. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, Brother reported revenues of 822.93 billion, reflecting a modest increase of 7.66 billion from the previous year. With 40,538 employees in 2024, Brothers Q1 2024 sales totaled 214.7 billion, supported by a business segment profit of 22.8 billion. The Printing & Solutions segment in the multifunctional printer market alone generated 134.3 billion, dominated by communication and printing equipment at 116.9 billion. Looking forward, Brother targets full-year 2024 sales of 880 billion, with its Printing & Solutions division expected to contribute 522.8 billion. Meanwhile, Konica Minoltas fiscal year 2024 revenues reached 1,127.9 billion. Within this, the Digital Workplace business segment brought in 616.4 billion, contributing a profit of 35.8 billion. The office solutions line of the segment generated 524.5 billion in revenue. On a regional note, Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia recorded revenue of $226.25 million in 2024 with a local workforce of 450 employees. A Decisive Market Shift Towards Versatile A4 MFP Models Product strategies are shifting noticeably toward A4 multifunctional devices in the multifunctional printer market. The number of available A4 MFP models increased from 214 in the first half of 2023 to 239 by the second half of 2024. In comparison, A3 MFP availability remained at 215 in the same period. European MFP launches in 2024 were evenly balanced, with a 50/50 split between A3 and A4 devices. This trend is also evident across vendor offerings. By Q4 2024, Lexmark offered 40 A4 models, while Kyocera had 31 of its own. Brother focused exclusively on this segment, with 19 available models. Industry alignment is clear: A4 devices are now viewed as the ideal choice for small teams of one to five people, reflecting the modern shift toward decentralized office setups. Technology and Innovation Drive the Future of Printing Technological advancement continues to reshape the multifunctional printer market landscape. Security has emerged as a critical concern, with a Xerox 2024 report revealing the average financial impact of a single print-related data breach reached 1,028,346. Performance innovation also persistsCanons imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5800 Series supports scanning speeds of up to 270 ipm and printing speeds of up to 70 ppm. Artificial intelligence is becoming standard, enabling predictive maintenance and automated supply ordering across 2024 and 2025 models. At the same time, cloud integration is expanding rapidly. In June 2025, Kyocera introduced Kyocera Cloud Capture (KCC), a cloud-based document capture solution. Similarly, in May 2025, Canon launched its AI-powered imageFORCE C5100 and 6100 MFP models, signaling a new phase of innovation for the sector. The Dynamic Interplay Between Inkjet and Laser Technologies The rivalry between inkjet and laser printing technologies continues to intensify across the multifunctional printer market. In Q1 2025, Canons refillable ink tank inkjet sales rose 20%, while its laser printer sales increased by 15.5% year-over-year, highlighting rising demand for both technologies. Epson continues to drive competition with its PrecisionCore Inkjet Technology, designed to challenge lasers on both cost and efficiency in 2025. Capacity expansion is underway as Epson aims to quadruple its printhead production by late 2025. On the digital press side, HP is enhancing its PageWide Web Presses in 2025 with a new Bonding Agent to boost print quality. Supporting this momentum, analysts at Smithers forecast digital press sales climbing to $5.9 billion by 2028, up from $5.5 billion in 2022. Targeting Key End-User Segments for Strategic Market Growth Understanding customer segments has become central to market strategies. Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) emerged as a leading growth driver for the multifunctional printer market in both 2024 and 2025. In Canada alone, 1.19 million small businesses and 23,395 medium-sized enterprises represent a large customer base. Correspondingly, SMBs contributed 35.48% of the global MFP market in 2024. At the enterprise level, large organizations are equally critical. They represented 72% of the managed print services market in 2024, underlining their role in strengthening recurring revenue models. Analyzing Distribution Channels and Go-To-Market Strategies Distribution dynamics are also transforming. In 2024, direct/OEM sales captured 36.92% of the MFP markets distribution share. In the managed print services space, printer/copier manufacturers dominated at 41%, consolidating their position as leading service providers. Nonetheless, channel diversification is underway. System integrators and resellers are increasingly important, with this channel projected to grow at a 10.8% CAGR through 2030, signaling a meaningful shift in how print solutions are delivered to customers. Looking for Country-Level or Section-Wise Data? Customize This Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/multifunctional-printer-market Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices Now Core Market Demands Environmental priorities are becoming integral to the multifunctional printer market innovation. By 2024, newer MFP models included advanced energy-saving modes designed to cut both electricity costs and environmental impact. Manufacturers also focused on durability, producing longer-lasting units to minimize e-waste. By 2025, eco-friendly features became mainstream, with soy-based inks and recycled paper adoption expanding in line with corporate responsibility targets and rising customer preference for sustainable printing solutions. Global Multifunctional Printer Market Key Players: Konica Minolta Brother Canon Epson HP Kyocera Lexmark Muratec Oki Ricoh Samsung Savin Sharp Toshiba Xerox Other Prominent Players Key Market Segmentation: By Type Thermal Multifunctional Printer Inkjet Multifunctional Printer LED Multifunctional Printer Laser Multifunctional Printer Solid Ink Multifunctional Printer By Output Monochrome Color By Connectivity Wired Wireless By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America Understand the Report in Depth Schedule a Guided Walkthrough: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/report-walkthrough/multifunctional-printer-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube Delray Beach, FL, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to MarketsandMarkets, the NLP in Healthcare & Life Sciences Market is projected to grow from USD 5.18 billion in 2025 to USD 16.01 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 25.3% during the forecast period. Browse in-depth TOC on "NLP in Healthcare & Life Sciences Market" 325 - Tables 58 - Figures 353 - Pages Download Report Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=131821021 NLP in Healthcare & Life Sciences Market Dynamics Drivers Surging volume of unstructured clinical data Rising demand for enhanced care delivery and patient engagement Restraints Clinical accuracy and reliability concerns Issues related to domain-specific language and medical terminology in NLP model development Opportunities Rising adoption of computer-assisted coding to enhance productivity Emergence of cognitive computing for medicine applications List of Top Companies in NLP in Healthcare & Life Sciences Market Microsoft (US) Google (US) IQVIA (US) Oracle (US) IBM (US) Lexalytics (US) Averbis (Germany) Emtelligent (Canada) Gnani.ai (India) Deep 6 AI (US) Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=131821021 NLP-powered chatbots and virtual assistants improve patient communication, engagement, and adherence to treatment protocols, enhancing overall care delivery. Simultaneously, NLP supports real-time diagnostics by identifying medical errors and suggesting treatment options, particularly in precision medicine. These capabilities drive market growth as healthcare systems seek smarter, faster, and more personalized approaches to care and clinical decision-making. A significant advancement in NLP in healthcare & life sciences is the integration of sophisticated large language models and voice-activated technologies. These innovations facilitate real-time analysis of complex clinical documentation and enable hands-free data entry, enhancing diagnostic precision and streamlining clinical workflows. Concurrently, evolving regulatory frameworks, such as stringent data privacy mandates under HIPAA and GDPR, have driven the development of secure, compliant NLP applications. These advances collectively support personalized patient care, improve data interoperability, and foster early disease detection, marking a transformative shift in healthcare delivery and research methodologies. Standalone software is the fastest-growing segment in the NLP in healthcare & life sciences market because it offers specialized, easy-to-deploy solutions tailored for specific healthcare needs. These applications provide flexibility, allowing healthcare providers and life sciences companies to quickly integrate advanced language processing tools without overhauling existing systems. Standalone NLP software often includes user-friendly interfaces and customizable features, making it accessible to diverse users, from clinicians to researchers. Additionally, rapid advancements and competitive pricing drive adoption. This enables faster implementation of AI capabilities in clinical documentation, data extraction, and research analysis, accelerating innovation and improving patient care across the sector. Text summarization is the fastest-growing NLP technique in the NLP in healthcare & life sciences market because it efficiently condenses vast amounts of medical data into concise, actionable insights. Healthcare professionals face information overload from clinical notes, research papers, and patient records. Summarization tools help extract key information, improving decision-making and saving time. This technique supports faster diagnosis, streamlined documentation, and enhanced communication across care teams. Additionally, advancements in deep learning have made summaries more accurate and context-aware. As a result, text summarization is becoming indispensable for managing complex healthcare data and accelerating research and clinical workflows. North America dominates the NLP in healthcare and life sciences market primarily due to the advanced healthcare infrastructure and significant investments in AI research in the US and Canada. The US leads with substantial funding for NLP innovations, driven by major tech companies and healthcare institutions adopting AI to improve patient care, automate documentation, and streamline clinical workflows. Leading providers such as the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, and Kaiser Permanente are leveraging NLP to extract insights from clinical notes, support decision-making, and enhance patient outcomes. Canada contributes through strong government support for AI initiatives and collaboration between academia and industry, with institutions such as the Vector Institute and CIFAR playing pivotal roles. Additionally, vast amounts of digitized healthcare data, supportive regulatory frameworks, and growing demand for personalized medicine fuel NLP adoption. These technologies help parse unstructured data from electronic health records, research publications, and physician narratives, enhancing diagnostics, treatment planning, and drug discovery. They are essential for delivering value-based care and improving operational efficiency. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=131821021 Furthermore, the regulatory environment in the US and Canada is evolving to balance innovation with patient privacy and data security, which encourages responsible NLP development and deployment. Agencies, such as the FDA in the US, are actively engaging with AI technologies to create clear guidelines that promote safe and effective use. Advancements in NLP algorithms, such as improved natural language understanding and context-aware processing, have accelerated integration in healthcare workflows. Strategic partnerships between technology firms, healthcare providers, and research institutions foster innovation and real-world NLP applications. This ecosystem of regulation, technological advancement, and collaboration ensures North America remains at the forefront of the NLP in healthcare and life sciences market. The key opportunities in the NLP in healthcare & life sciences market include analyzing patient-provider interactions in telemedicine, accelerating literature mining and trial matching, identifying biomarkers, and optimizing pharmaceutical research, clinical trial design, and drug safety monitoring. These opportunities allow players to transform healthcare delivery and research. By leveraging NLP to analyze telemedicine conversations, providers can enhance remote patient care with more personalized and efficient communication. In life sciences, NLP speeds up data extraction from scientific literature and supports precise trial matching and biomarker discovery, accelerating innovation. Pharmaceutical and biotech companies use NLP to streamline research processes, design clinical trials faster, and improve drug safety monitoring through early detection of adverse events. Market participants can harness these capabilities by integrating NLP technologies into existing workflows, partnering with research organizations, and adopting AI-driven solutions to boost productivity and patient outcomes in the NLP in healthcare & life sciences market. Get access to the latest updates on NLP in Healthcare & Life Sciences Companies and NLP in Healthcare & Life Sciences Industry NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk A/S (Novo Nordisk or the Company) (NYSE: NVO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Novo Nordisk and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until September 30, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Novo Nordisk securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On July 29, 2025, Novo Nordisk significantly lowered its sales outlook for 2025. The Company attributed the reduction to lowered growth expectations for the second half of 2025 for both Wegovy and Ozempic due to the persistent use of compounded GLP-1s, slower-than-expected market expansion and competition. On this news, Novo Nordisks American Depositary Receipt (ADR) price fell $15.06 per ADR, or 21.83%, to close at $53.94 per ADR on July 29, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. VIENNA, Va., Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) announced last month the establishment of TEFCA workstreams to hear more from experts in the field on how to improve TEFCA. Last week, the RCE launched an open call for individuals interested in sharing their expertise to help advance TEFCA implementation. This supports the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health ITs (ASTP/ONCs) efforts to increase transparency and provide more opportunities for non-TEFCA participants to engage. This call for experts comes as the TEFCA community grows to more than 9,400 organizations sharing more than 39 million documents to date. Our goal is to identify a set of experts who can make themselves available on short notice to participate in specific, time-limited workstreams during the course of the next year, said Mariann Yeager, CEO of The Sequoia Project and TEFCA RCE Lead. Were eager to bring in new voices to engage with TEFCA, even if they are not yet formally participating in TEFCA. The RCE seeks experts in health care operations, payment, public health, privacy, individual access services, security, and standards implementation from a wide range of health information exchange roles, such as providers, payers, public health, consumers/caregivers, technology vendors, health information exchanges, and others. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the web form by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 4. About The Sequoia Project The Sequoia Project is a non-profit, 501c3, public-private collaborative chartered to advance implementation of secure, interoperable nationwide health information exchange. The Sequoia Project focuses on solving real-world interoperability challenges and brings together public and private stakeholders in forums, such as the Interoperability Matters cooperative, to overcome barriers. The Interoperability Matters cooperative brings together experts from across the private sector and government in workgroups to identify, prioritize, and solve the most pressing challenges to health information exchange. The Sequoia Project is the Recognized Coordinating Entity (RCE) for the Assistant Secretary for Technology Policys Office of the National Coordinator for Health ITs Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). For more information about The Sequoia Project and its initiatives, visit www.sequoiaproject.org . Contact: Dawn Van Dyke The Sequoia Project dvandyke@sequoiaproject.org 703.864.4062 Jane Bryant Spire Communications jbryant@spirecomm.com 571.235.4822 Ottawa, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Precedence Research, the global water for injection market size accounted for USD 37.99 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow from USD 42.13 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 87.39 billion by 2034. In terms of CAGR, the market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.70% from 2025 to 2034. The growing expansion of the biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical sector and the rising demand for injectable drugs drive the market growth. Note: This report is readily available for immediate delivery. We can review it with you in a meeting to ensure data reliability and quality for decision-making. Try Before You Buy Get the Sample Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/5803 Water for Injection Market Key Insights: North America accounted for the largest market share of 39.72% in 2024. Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a double-digit CAGR of 10.07% from 2025 to 2034. By application, the formulated parental drugs segment captured the largest market share of 65.02% in 2024. By application, the solvent segment is growing at a notable CAGR of 9.76% from 2025 to 2034. segment is growing at a notable CAGR of 9.76% from 2025 to 2034. By end-user, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies segment held the biggest market share of 43.05% in 2024. By end-user, the research institutes segment is poised to grow at a solid CAGR of 9.73% between 2025 and 2034. Water for Injection Market Size Analysis (USD Billion) 2022 to 2024 Water for Injection Market Size Analysis (USD Billion) By Application 2022 to 2024 Application 2022 2023 2024 Formulate Parenteral Drugs 17.80 19.91 22.21 Solvent 5.64 6.31 7.04 Cleaning Agents 3.95 4.41 4.91 Water for Injection Market Size Analysis (USD Billion) By End-User 2022 to 2024 End User 2022 2023 2024 Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies 11.78 13.18 14.71 Research Institutes 10.15 11.35 12.66 Others 5.46 6.10 6.79 Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/5803 Water for Injection Market Overview Water for injection (WFI) is a high-quality purified water used for the production of pharmaceutical products. It uses purification methods like reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, & distillation to remove contamination like organic carbon, metals, and nitrates. WFI is pyrogen-free & sterile and is used as a solvent in the dilution of drugs. It is widely used as a cleaning agent to clean vials, stoppers, caps, and other medical equipment. It maintains the integrity of injectable medications and enhances the efficacy of drugs. The applications of WFI are wound cleansing, sterile rinsing of surgical procedures, parenteral medications, and drug administration. What are the types of Water for Injection? Types Description Use Sterile Water for Injection Dissolves or dilutes drugs for intravenous administration and injection. Injectable medications Pain management Cell culture applications Bacteriostatic Water for Injection Prevent the growth of the bacteria and reconstitute medications for injection Hormone injections Research & laboratory use Hormone Injection Get the Full Report @ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/water-for-injection-market Major Trends in Water for Injection Market: Shift Toward Multi-Use Systems Pharmaceutical companies are investing in multi-use WFI systems that support both hot and cold production, allowing for greater flexibility in manufacturing processes. Increased Adoption of Membrane-Based Technologies Membrane-based filtration (e.g., ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis) is becoming more popular due to its energy efficiency, lower operational costs, and regulatory acceptance. Growing Preference for Cold WFI Production With regulatory bodies now permitting cold WFI production (e.g., using reverse osmosis), manufacturers are moving away from traditional distillation methods to reduce energy costs and carbon footprints. Modular Skid-Mounted Systems There is a rise in demand for modular, skid-mounted WFI generation units that offer plug-and-play installation, scalability, and faster time to market. Regulatory Harmonization Across Regions The WFI market is seeing accelerated globalization as regulatory standards across the US, EU, and Asia converge, making it easier for equipment manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies to expand internationally. Water for Injection Market Opportunity: Growing Chronic Diseases Unlocks Market Opportunity The growing prevalence of chronic diseases like cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and diabetes increases demand for injectable medications that require water for injection. The increasing need for monoclonal antibodies in treating chronic conditions increases demand for WFI to maintain efficacy. The growing development of gene therapy and immunotherapy for treating chronic conditions increases demand for WFI. The focus on the development of injectable therapies increases the adoption of WFI as a diluent & solvent. The aging population and growing age-related chronic conditions increase demand for WFI for the development of medications. The advancements in drug delivery systems, like infusion pumps and pre-filled syringes, increase the demand for WFI. The increasing development of new therapies for the treatment of chronic conditions increases the adoption of WFI. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases creates an opportunity for the water for injection market. Water For Injection Market Challenges and Limitations: High Production Cost Restricts Growth of the Water For Injection Market With several benefits of the water for injection in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries, the high production cost limits the expansion of the market. Factors like the complex purification process, high maintenance, need for specialized equipment, and stricter quality standards are responsible for the high production cost. The stricter quality standards, like JP, USP, and EP, for less microbial contamination require a high cost. The complex purification processes, like reverse osmosis, electro-deionization, distillation, and ultrafiltration, increase the production cost. The need for specialized equipment like UF filters, stills, & RO systems, and energy-intensive processes requires high cost. The need for ongoing maintenance and cleaning equipment increases the cost. The high production cost hampers the growth of the water for injection market. Water for Injection Market Report Scope Report Attributes Key Statistics Market Size in 2024 USD 34.16 Billion Market Size in 2025 USD 37.99 Billion Market Size in 2031 USD 67.99 Billion Market Size by 2034 USD 87.39 Billion Growth Rate 2025 to 2034 CAGR of 9.70% Dominating Region in 2024 North America Fastest Growing Region (2025-2034) Asia Pacific Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025 to 2034 Segments Covered Application, End-User, and Regions Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa Become a valued research partner with us https://www.precedenceresearch.com/schedule-meeting Water For Injection Market Key Regional Analysis How Big is the U.S. Water for Injection Market? The U.S. water for injection market size reached USD 10.78 billion in 2024 and is projected to rise from USD 12 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 27.92 billion by 2034, representing a solid CAGR of 9.84% from 2025 to 2034. The Complete Study is Immediately Accessible | Download the Sample Pages of this Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/5803 How North America Dominated the Water for Injection Market? North America dominated the water for injection market in 2024 due to the strong presence of an advanced healthcare system and ongoing research & development in the pharmaceutical industry increases demand for water for injection. The stricter regulations, like the USP & the US FDA, and a strong focus on biopharmaceutical production, increase the adoption of water for injection. The increasing demand for injectable pharmaceuticals like gene therapies & monoclonal antibodies, and heavy investment in the WFI manufacturing, drives the overall growth of the market. Why does Asia Pacific Experience the Fastest Growth in the Water for Injection Market? Asia Pacific is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing production of vaccines and generics increases demand for water for injection. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising demand for injectable medications increase the adoption of WFI. The strong government support for the pharmaceutical production and focus on the development of an advanced water treatment system increase the adoption of WFI. The growing expansion of the pharmaceutical industry and increasing utilization of generic drugs support the overall growth of the market. Water For Injection Market Segmentation Analysis Application Analysis The formulated parental drugs segment dominated the water for injection market in 2024. The focus on preventing contamination and the need for ensuring drug stability increases the adoption of formulated parental drugs. The stricter regulations standards like USP & EP, and the increasing production of injectable drugs, increase demand for formulated parental drugs. The ongoing technological advancements in water purification and the focus on cleaning manufacturing equipment increase the production of formulated parental drugs, driving the overall growth of the market. The solvent segment is the fastest-growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing development of personalised medicines and biologics increases demand for solvents. The increasing manufacturing of single-use systems fuels the adoption of solvents. The growing production of vaccines and increasing development of injectable drugs increase the demand for solvents. The expansion of biopharmaceuticals like biosimilars and biologics increases the adoption of solvent, supporting the overall growth of the market. End User Analysis The pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies held the largest share in the water for injection market in 2024. The increasing demand for monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and gene therapies increases the demand for WFI. The growing expansion of biopharmaceuticals and increasing development of personalised medicines increase demand for WFI. The growing adoption of injectable medications and stringent regulations in pharmaceutical manufacturing increases demand for WFI. The growing development of new medications and the growing biopharmaceutical sector increases the adoption of WFI, driving the overall growth of the market. The research institutes segment is significantly growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing investment in the research & development of new drugs increases demand for WFI. The focus of research institutes on clinical trials for maintaining integrity and preparing injectable medications helps market growth. The stricter regulations for water quality and the focus of research institutes on consistent water purity increase the production of water for injection, supporting the overall growth of the market. Water For Injection Market Top Companies Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. Merck KGaA Eurocrit Labs International Evoqua Water Technologies Veolia Water Solutions and Technologies ICU Medical Inc. Danaher Corporation (Cytiva) Rocky Mountain Biologicals B. Braun Melsungen AG SteriCare Solutions Veltek Associates, Inc. Latest Announcements by Industry Leaders In December 2024, CN Water and its partner BWT Pharma and BioTech launched Cold/Ambient Water for Injection technology to the Indian pharmaceutical industry through its OSMOTRON WFI product. This technology reduces energy consumption significantly in the pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystem. Recent Developments: In June 2024, Asahi Kasei launched a membrane system to produce water for injection. The system lowers carbon dioxide emissions and reduces the cost of energy. The system is applicable in fields like biotechnology, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, and food processing. (Source: https://www.asahi-kasei.com) In May 2024, Avenacy launched magnesium sulfate in water for injection in the United States. The new solution is available in various formulations like 4g/50mL, 2g/50mL, & 4g/100mL and is present in ready-to-use bags. The solution streamlines inventory, minimizes dosage inaccuracies, and enhances patient safety. (Source: https://www.businesswire.com) Water for Injection Market Segments Covered in the Report By Application Formulated Parental Drugs Solvent Cell Culture Media Laboratory Reagents Synthesis of Drugs Others Cleaning Agents Rinsing Vessels Cleaning Equipment Cleaned primary Packaging Materials By End User Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies Research Institutes Others By Region North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany UK France Italy Spain Sweden Denmark Norway Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Thailand Latin America Brazil Mexico Argentina Middle East & Africa South Africa UAE Saudi Arabia Kuwait Thank you for reading. You can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions, such as North America, Europe, or Asia Pacific. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/5803 You can place an order or ask any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@precedenceresearch.com | +1 804 441 9344 Stay Ahead with Precedence Research Subscriptions Unlock exclusive access to powerful market intelligence, real-time data, and forward-looking insights, tailored to your business. From trend tracking to competitive analysis, our subscription plans keep you informed, agile, and ahead of the curve. Browse Our Subscription Plans@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/get-a-subscription About Us Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give an unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally. Web: https://www.precedenceresearch.com Our Trusted Data Partners: Towards Healthcare | Towards Packaging | Towards Automotive | Towards Chem and Materials | Towards FnB | Towards Consumer Goods | Statifacts | Towards EV Solutions | Towards Dental | Nova One Advisor | Market Stats Insight Get Recent News: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/news For the Latest Update Follow Us: LinkedIn | Medium | Facebook | Twitter Related Topics You May Find Useful: Membrane Filtration Market: Discover why advanced purification and sustainability trends are driving adoption across industries Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Market: Analyze how growing biologics and chronic disease treatments are shaping global API demand High Performance Liquid Chromatography Market: Track how rising pharmaceutical R&D is fueling the need for precise analytical technologies Pharmaceutical Water Market: Understand how regulatory compliance and sterile production are shaping market growth Chemical Injection Skid Market: Explore how oil & gas and water treatment sectors are driving demand for efficient dosing systems Injection Pen Market: See how patient-centric devices and self-administration trends are transforming drug delivery Water Treatment Membrane Market: Gain insight into how urbanization and sustainability goals are accelerating adoption of advanced membranes Paclitaxel Injection Market: Learn how rising cancer prevalence and chemotherapy demand are shaping market expansion Chemical Injection Pumps Market: Discover how energy and water industries rely on precision injection technologies for efficiency Lyophilized Injectable Drug Market: Track how stability, long shelf life, and biologics growth are fueling lyophilized drug adoption Transfer Membrane Market: Explore how molecular biology and proteomics research are driving demand for advanced membranes Dental Syringes Market: See how rising dental procedures and innovations in safety syringes support market growth Biological Safety Testing Market: Understand how biologics, vaccines, and regulatory standards are boosting demand for safety testing AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chomps, the high-quality meat snack brand, hit the road with a pop-up designed to champion busy lives during the back-to-school season. The timely, family-friendly event rolled into Austin over the weekend, offering the community a fun and convenient way to gear up for the new school year and prep for the carpool run. The Protein Pit Stop brought Chomps mission to life, inspiring, educating and fueling the community with accessible, real food that doesn't compromise on taste. Set against the nostalgic backdrop of a retro-style gas station, Chomps invited consumers to step into its world with an immersive pop-up designed to help them refuel and reset. The experience offered internal car tidying and organization, a Snack Zone stocked with Chomps meat sticks, and more fun branded activations to make the chaos feel a little more manageable. By the end of the weekend, the Protein Pit Stop welcomed over 1,000 Chompians from the Austin community and serviced more than 120 cars. Back-to-school can be a stressful time, said Rashid Ali, CEO of Chomps. Whether its stocking up on high-quality snacks or getting your car ready for the kids, we want to make this season a little easier. The Protein Pit Stop is our way of supporting families with real protein and zero compromises. Rooted in the insight that people need real, nutritious solutions during lifes busiest moments, this pop-up reflects how Chomps is meeting rising consumer demand in the booming $24 billion protein snack market. Known for real ingredients and bold flavors, Chomps has seen a 201% year-over-year sales increase and now produces an average of 2 million individually wrapped sticks daily*. The pop-up brings the brand directly to consumers, empowering a better-for-you lifestyle, making it easier and more convenient than ever to fuel up with real food, anytime, anywhere. You can find more imagery from the event HERE. About Chomps Chomps is Americas fastest-growing snack brand**, redefining convenient snacking with a commitment to real ingredients and bold, satisfying flavors. Crafted from 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef and venison, along with antibiotic-free turkey, each of Chomps meat sticks delivers 10-12 grams of high-quality protein without sugar, hormones, soy, dairy, artificial preservatives, artificial nitrates, or MSG. Seasoned with a blend of flavorful herbs and spices, Chomps provides a nutritious protein snack for the whole family. As a minority-owned, family-operated business, Chomps prioritizes thoughtful sourcing and is free of the top 9 allergens. Discover a new standard in snacking at www.chomps.com. Media Contact: chomps@launchsquad.com *SPINS L52 W/E 7/13/25 **Source: Numerator, Total Grocery, Shopper Metrics L12M W/E 6/30/2025 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/587ac718-54e8-4c46-9d27-b19f3b7c112c A life-saving gift from Chinese friends (People's Daily Overseas Edition) 15:13, August 25, 2025 Local people in Pakistan queue up outside the mobile medical unit donated by Chinese automaker BAIC Foton. (Photo provided by BAIC Foton) In Pakistan's Punjab province, a white mobile medical unit has become a common sight, traveling between villages to provide free healthcare to local women and children. Due to relatively underdeveloped medical services in Pakistan, residents in remote areas often struggle to access care, leaving pregnant women and infants particularly vulnerable. To help address this, Chinese automaker BAIC Foton donated the mobile medical unit to a Pakistani charity, collaborating with local medical staff to deliver quality healthcare directly to those in need. Since March 2022, the mobile medical unit has reached approximately 300 villages and provided services to over 9,000 women and children. Nur Bano, a Pakistani woman who benefited from the service, described it simply as a gift of life from Chinese friends. Photo shows the donation ceremony of a mobile medical unit. (Photo provided by BAIC Foton) (Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming) Loveland, Colorado , Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LiTime, a global pioneer in new energy technology, showcased its latest lithium battery products featuring four core innovations at Overland Expo MTN West 2025. Looking ahead, LiTime will exhibit at Il Salone del Camper in Italy, the Equip Exposition in the U.S., and other international RV and fishing events, continuing to engage outdoor communities worldwide with flexible, safe, and intelligent energy solutions. Latest LiTime Power Lineup on Display: Four Innovations Redefine Outdoor Energy Freedom The Overland Expo MTN West 2025, held in Colorado ranked among the Top Five Outdoor Adventure Destinations in the U.S. saw LiTimes booth drawing massive crowds for three straight days. Staying true to its vision, Powering Outdoor Adventures for Generations, LiTime exhibited a comprehensive product lineup designed around four key technological pillars: ultra-slim design, extended endurance, extreme adaptability, and smart connectivity. Featured innovations included: 12V 320Ah Mini Battery High-capacity power in a compact size for long-distance RV trips. High-capacity power in a compact size for long-distance RV trips. 12V 165Ah Battery Built to fit the Group 31 size, ideal for high-capacity applications. Built to fit the size, ideal for high-capacity applications. 12V 100Ah XtraMini Battery & 12V 100Ah HBT Battery Lightweight yet durable, built for extreme environments. Lightweight yet durable, built for extreme environments. Energy Management Components Including inverters, solar controllers, and chargers for flexible expansion. LiTime also introduced two immersive, one-stop energy solutions tailored for RVs: Smart Connectivity Solution Featuring 12V 100Ah Smart ComFlex Battery, seamlessly compatible with Victron systems for real-time monitoring and intelligent power management. Ultra-Slim Solution Featuring the 12V 100Ah Slim Battery, demonstrated on a Toy Hauler to highlight its space-saving design and versatile installation for RV and truck applications. Despite an unexpected downpour during the show, LiTime batteries with IP65-rated waterproof protection and superior outdoor durability, delivered flawless performance in both live demonstrations and field tests, earning high praise from attendees. I was blown away by how thin the LiTime Slim battery is! It finally solves the installation issues Ive been struggling with for years. Sarah, off-road enthusiast from California The LiTime Smart ComFlex battery connects directly to my Victron setup its totally plug-and-play and saved me a ton of money. Mike, veteran camping enthusiast Expo Successfully Concludes, Paving the Way for a New Global Journey At the expo, LiTime brought together LiTime Pros and outdoor influencers to share real-world RV power insights, while engaging attendees with interactive activities such as the Battery Ring Toss Challenge and the LiTime Mega Draw. The highlight arrived on August 24 with a flash sale on LiTimes flagship lithium batteries, where exclusive discounts attracted large crowds and drove strong engagement. Camping enthusiast Jon won a LiTime 12V 165Ah lithium battery and immediately replaced his depleted 12V 100Ah lead-acid battery in his RV on-site. With greater capacity and a perfect Group31 fit, he achieved an instant energy upgrade. As Overland Expo MTN West 2025 came to a successful close, LiTime attracted strong user engagement and received valuable feedback. Building on this momentum, LiTime will continue to connect with users worldwide through upcoming offline exhibitions, event sponsorships, and online campaigns: Upcoming Offline Exhibitions Il Salone del Camper: Parma, Emilia-Romagna, lTA(Sep 13-21, 2025) Parma, Emilia-Romagna, lTA(Sep 13-21, 2025) Equip Exposition: Louisville, Kentucky, USOct 21-24, 2025 Louisville, Kentucky, USOct 21-24, 2025 GCSAA: Orlando, Florida, US ( Aug 22-24,2026 RV Event Sponsorship Escape to the Cape 2025 Northwest Nomads Outdoor Camping Festival 2025 Moonlanding lV 2025 Xscapers Annual Bash 2026 Escapar Seis 2026 Fishing Tournament Sponsorship MLF Phoenix BFL 2025Whole Year Sponsorship Slay Nationa Fishing Tournament 2025Whole Year Sponsorship Click to Learn Morehttps://www.litime.com/pages/rv-power-solution Online campaigns Electrify Your Boat Contest Grand Prize: $1,500 Gift Card RV DIY & Energy System Challenge Grand Prize: 12V 100Ah Smart ComFlex Battery Join LiTime's online campaigns and follow us on Facebook for exclusive updates and surprise rewards. LiTime Drives Outdoor Energy Innovation with a User-Centric Approach According to RVIA, nearly 72 million Americans are expected to take RV trips in 2025, reflecting a surging demand for reliable outdoor energy solutions. To meet this demand, LiTime has leveraged industry expos and event sponsorships to showcase its cutting-edge lithium battery technologies and integrated one-stop energy solutions, further strengthening its brand presence and user trust. Looking ahead, LiTime remains committed to innovation-driven product development,flexible, safe, intelligent, and affordable lithium energy solutions designed to empower users worldwide and enable a truly limitless outdoor energy experience. About LiTime LiTime is a premium brand specializing in lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) battery technologies. With 16 years of expertise in the new energy storage industry, the company is committed to delivering safe, intelligent, and sustainable energy solutions to a global user base across RV, marine, solar, and off-grid applications. Guided by its brand philosophy, Life & Discovery, LiTime combines strong R&D capabilities, rigorous production standards, and top-tier service to meet evolving market needs. To date, LiTimes advanced battery technology has earned over 380 product certifications worldwide. By reducing the global carbon footprint and transforming the future of energy systems, LiTime is trusted by both professionals and adventurers to power tomorrows clean energy journeys Powering Outdoor Adventures for Generations. Learn More Company: LiTime USA/Germany/Japan Visitwww.litime.com Subscribe: https://www.facebook.com/litimepower https://www.instagram.com/litimepower/ https://www.youtube.com/@litimepower BELLEFONTE, Pa., Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Dr. Wade Newman Grant for Healthcare Students is now officially open for applications, offering undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare the opportunity to gain meaningful financial support as they advance their education and prepare for careers dedicated to patient care and community well-being. Founded by Dr. Wade Newman, a respected dental professional and community advocate, this grant reflects his lifelong dedication to service and his vision for guiding future generations of healthcare professionals. With a career spanning decades in both civilian practice and military service, Dr. Wade Newman continues to inspire students who are committed to improving healthcare outcomes and serving patients with compassion and skill. About the Grant The Dr. Wade Newman Grant for Healthcare Students is designed to support undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in healthcare-related fields. Eligible applicants include students in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, and allied health professions. Each applicant must demonstrate a strong passion for healthcare, a commitment to contributing to the field, and a vision for making a positive difference in patient care. In addition to eligibility requirements, applicants are asked to submit an original essay responding to the prompt: Reflect on a personal experience or moment that inspired your desire to pursue a career in healthcare. Discuss how this experience shaped your values and approach to patient care, and how you plan to utilize your education and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Through this essay, students are encouraged to share their personal journeys and highlight the unique perspectives they will bring to healthcare in the future. Key Dates and Award The application deadline for the Dr. Wade Newman Grant for Healthcare Students is September 15, 2025. Following careful review, one recipient will be selected and announced on October 15, 2025. The grant award is set at $1,000 to support the winners academic journey. About Dr. Wade Newman Dr. Wade Newman is known for his long-standing commitment to dentistry, public service, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. A graduate of West Virginia University School of Dentistry, he has been honored for his professional contributions and continues to serve patients both locally and globally. Beyond his dental practice, Dr. Wade Newman has dedicated over 20 years of service to the United States Air National Guard, providing dental care in underserved areas across the globe. His humanitarian missions in regions such as Africa and Guatemala underscore his belief that healthcare should be accessible to all. Today, Dr. Wade Newman practices at Eagle Valley Family Dentistry in Milesburg, Pennsylvania, alongside his son, Dr. Jordan Newman. Together, they uphold a patient-centered philosophy and a commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery. With the launch of this grant, Dr. Wade Newman extends his mission of service by directly supporting students who aspire to careers in healthcare. Statement of Purpose The Dr. Wade Newman Grant for Healthcare Students seeks to go beyond financial assistance. It serves as a platform to encourage reflection, vision, and dedication among young healthcare students. By recognizing the journeys and aspirations of undergraduate students, this grant helps cultivate the values of service and leadership that define healthcare at its best. Application Information Undergraduate students interested in applying for the Dr. Wade Newman Grant for Healthcare Students can learn more about eligibility and submission guidelines by visiting the official websites: https://drwadenewmangrant.com/ and https://drwadenewmangrant.com/dr-wade-newman-grant/. All completed applications, including essays, must be submitted by the September 15, 2025 deadline to apply@drwadenewmangrant.com. Contact Information: Spokesperson: Dr. Wade Newman Organization: The Dr. Wade Newman Grant for Healthcare Students Website: https://drwadenewmangrant.com/ Email: apply@drwadenewmangrant.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dee4c430-b246-4aab-b9ff-0c23ac0ea6dc The $700 million project is part of Roches $50 billion investment in US manufacturing, infrastructure and R&D. The facility will create more than 1,900 jobs and support the production of next-generation metabolic medicines, including treatments for obesity These investments underscore Roches commitment to innovative manufacturing, designed to bring life-changing treatments to patients faster Basel, 25 August 2025 - Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today broke ground on its newest US manufacturing site in Holly Springs, North Carolina. This significant development marks the establishment of Genentechs first manufacturing facility on the East Coast. The 65,000 m facility is strategically designed to support production of the companys future portfolio of metabolic medicines, including next-generation treatments for obesity. Genentechs initial investment in North Carolina is estimated at more than $700 million and is part of Roches $50 billion commitment to invest in US manufacturing infrastructure and R&D. The facility will create more than 1,900 jobs. Roche Group CEO Thomas Schinecker: I am proud to break ground on our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Carolina, which will support the production of our next-generation obesity treatments. This $700 million project is an integral part of our broader $50 billion commitment to further expand our already significant presence in the United States, building on our 120-year legacy of driving innovation and creating jobs across America. I am excited about the impact this facility will have on delivering life-changing medicines to patients in the US and around the world. The company selected Holly Springs in North Carolina, a growing hub for biopharmaceutical innovation, for its highly skilled local workforce, strong academic institutions and proximity to other leading life science companies. The new facility is expected to be completed and operational by 2029, incorporating modern biomanufacturing technologies, as well as advanced automation and digital capabilities. The 400,000 m lot includes space for future expansion. Designed for high-volume, efficient, and sustainable production, the new facility will increase Roches manufacturing capacity and enhance supply chain resilience. It complements Roches manufacturing sites around the world, including in Europe and Switzerland, to efficiently serve patients where they are. About Roche Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the worlds largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice. For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roches business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com. All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Roche Global Media Relations Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti Pandey Phone: +49 172 6367262 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Attachment SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBank San Francisco) announced it awarded $10 million in 2025 Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program grants in partnership with 55 of the Banks participating member financial institutions in Arizona, California, and Nevada. This year, 200 eligible first-time homebuyers received grants, making their dreams of homeownership a reality despite high housing costs. In the third year of the popular program, the $10 million in funding was fully reserved on a first-come first-served basis in just two weeks following the program launch in mid-March. For many families, these grants are the key to making homeownership a reality, said Joseph E. Amato, interim president and CEO of FHLBank San Francisco. We are proud to collaborate with our member financial institutions to provide this much-needed support to middle-income workers who are essential to their communities, yet often face financial barriers because of the high cost of housing in our region. The program was designed to support middle-income workers who are essential to our local communities. It helps first-time homebuyers earning just over 80% and up to 140% of the area median income (AMI) bridge the financial gap to purchase a home, especially in high-cost housing markets. To qualify, the homebuyers must complete a first-time homebuyer counseling program and contribute a minimum of $10,000 toward their downpayment and closing costs to be eligible to receive matching grant assistance of up to $50,000 from the program. Since the program first launched in 2023, FHLBank San Francisco has provided a total of $40 million in middle-income downpayment assistance via the program, in partnership with its member financial institutions across Arizona, California and Nevada. A total of 818 first-time homebuyers have been served by the program over the last three years. Participating members have been highly engaged with the popular Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program, awarding grants to first-time homebuyers and helping them achieve their dreams of homeownership. The traditional American Dream of homeownership in San Diego County is becoming increasingly challenging for many in our community, said Doug Wright, president and CEO of Mission Federal Credit Union, a member of FHLBank San Francisco that serves the San Diego region. Were grateful that our own members are able to access initiatives like the Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program. For some its the only way theyll be able to break into this housing market. We commend FHLBank San Francisco for aiding in making our communities better for all. Although the funds for the Middle Income Downpayment Assistance Program have been fully exhausted for 2025, potential homebuyers can contact a participating member financial institution to learn more about the program and explore future opportunities. The Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program supports FHLBank San Franciscos commitment to creating affordable homeownership in the communities they serve by providing grants through a variety of programs, including the WISH Program which has delivered $160 million in grants to over 10,000 low- to moderate- income first-time homebuyers since 2000. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco is a member-driven cooperative helping local lenders in Arizona, California, and Nevada build strong communities, create opportunity, and change lives for the better. The tools and resources we provide to our member financial institutions commercial banks, credit unions, industrial loan companies, savings institutions, insurance companies, and community development financial institutions propel homeownership, finance quality affordable housing, drive economic vitality, and revitalize whole neighborhoods. Together with our members and other partners, we are making the communities we serve more vibrant and resilient. Contact: Tom Flannigan tom.flannigan@fhlbsf.com Panama City , Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Panama Relocation Tours proudly celebrates its 300th all-inclusive tour this August, strengthening its position as the top choice for people and families wanting to retire or move to Panama. Having helped more than 7,000 clients from 64 countries navigate the complexities of moving abroad, the company continues to evolve, offering new and flexible tour options to meet various needs and preferences. Since its inception, Panama Relocation Tours has been known for its signature all-inclusive 6-day, 7-night tour, which immerses participants in Panamas rich culture, vibrant cities, and diverse regions, all while equipping them with essential knowledge and resources to confidently make Panama their new home. To further enhance the relocation experience, the company introduces three distinct tour options: private tours, group tours, and self-guided tours. Its Private Panama Relocation Tours are ideal for those seeking a personalized journey. These one to two-day tours focus on a specific town or area and are fully customized to match the travelers interests, allowing them to see and do exactly what matters most to them. The private tours are exclusively for the individual or their family, accompanied by a dedicated tour guide for a tailored, one-on-one experience. Panama Relocation Tours For those who prefer a more social setting, the Group Tours provide an immersive exploration of multiple cities and regions in Panama, making them ideal for connecting with like-minded travelers. Meanwhile, the Self-Guided Tours appeal to adventurous individuals who enjoy flexibility and independence. Panama Relocation Tours offers an Online Panama Relocation Guide, which includes a self-guided tour section with detailed information on how to get to each town, where to stay, what the weather is like, recommended attractions, popular expat hangouts, and trusted contacts for viewing rentals. It also has a directory of the most reliable and most affordable providers in Panama, including lawyers, insurance companies, healthcare providers, and more. Many travelers have shared positive reviews of their experiences with Panama Relocation Tours, including Gary and Susan from Tour #250 in August 2024. They wrote, The accommodations, food, and insights exceeded expectations. Highly recommend this life-changing experience to anyone starting the Panama journey. Panama Relocation Tours has a 4.9 rating on Google and has been featured in various articles like 3 Reasons The American Dream Is Easier Abroad in 2025 and Where to Retire: Living in Panama Offers Stability and Charm. The company has also earned the TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Award, ranking it among the top 10% of travel experiences worldwide. With several positive reviews on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and YouTube, the company has built a loyal following and reputation for excellent service. In addition to tours, Panama Relocation Tours provides valuable resources to simplify the transition to life in Panama. These include a quick guide on living in Panama for expats, detailed information on Panama rentals, a free Fund Your Freedom Overseas ebook on earning income in Panama, and weekly livestreams about moving to and living in Panama. These resources, along with Panama Relocation Tours services, ensure that clients are fully prepared and empowered to begin a new life in Panama. With unmatched expertise and a comprehensive approach to relocation, Panama Relocation Tours is a trusted expert in Panama relocations. To learn more about relocating to Panama, visit https://panamarelocationtours.com. About Panama Relocation Tours At Panama Relocation Tours, each relocation marks the start of a new chapter. Through personalized guidance and a hands-on approach, the company ensures every clients move is smooth and tailored to their needs. From the initial consultation to settling in, Panama Relocation Tours serves as a trusted partner, providing expert insights and unwavering support throughout the journey. The goal is simple: to make relocating to Panama a seamless and enriching experience. ### Media Contact Jackie Lange - Founder Panama Relocation Tours Address: Panama City, Panama Phone: (972) 496-4500 Website: https://panamarelocationtours.com Attachment Philadelphia, PA , Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers continues to be a leading advocate for accident victims, offering expert personal injury representation across Philadelphia and surrounding communities. With extensive experience in handling slip and fall cases, auto accidents, and a wide range of injury claims, the firm offers clients a reliable path to justice. As a trusted Philadelphia personal injury law firm, Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers is committed to helping individuals recover after serious accidents, guiding them through every step of the legal process. We believe every client deserves strong advocacy and clear guidance, no matter the size of the case, said a spokesperson for Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers. Our team works tirelessly to achieve meaningful results and hold responsible parties accountable. Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers In slip and fall cases, Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers addresses the hazards of everyday negligence, from slick grocery store floors to crumbling sidewalks. With an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer on its team, the firm tackles the legal complexities of unsafe premises and seeks compensation for injuries such as fractures, head trauma, and spinal damage life-changing conditions that can affect independence and long-term well-being. Aside from slip and fall cases, Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers supports motorists facing the aftermath of collisions. It takes on claims involving distracted driving, reckless behavior, and unsafe road conditions. Its car accident lawyer conducts detailed investigations and consults accident reconstruction experts when needed. This thorough approach ensures victims have the best chance to recover compensation for lost wages, mounting medical expenses, and long-term rehabilitation costs. Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers also handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including medical malpractice, wrongful death, and serious workplace injuries. In each case, the firm provides expert guidance and holds responsible parties accountable, showing that justice can be achieved across all areas of personal injury law. Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers has built its reputation not only on strong results but also its client-centered approach. For people navigating the uncertainty of an injury claim, it provides clarity by cutting through legal jargon, guiding them step by step, and fighting relentlessly for the compensation they deserve. This balance of skill and compassion has earned the firm recognition as one of Philadelphias most respected personal injury practices. Whether one is looking for a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, slip and fall accident attorney, or car accident lawyer, Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers is the name to trust. Handling a wide range of personal injury cases across the city, the firm provides reliable support and compassionate care to victims. Through its relentless pursuit of justice and unwavering care for every client, Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers helps clients recover and move forward with confidence. To learn more about Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers, visit https://rosenjustice.com/. About Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers is a dedicated personal injury law firm serving Philadelphia and surrounding communities. The firm represents clients in slip and fall cases, auto accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and more, providing top-notch legal advocacy when it is needed most. With a team of experienced and tenacious attorneys, Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers combines skill, knowledge, and relentless determination to secure the compensation clients deserve and guide them through every step of their recovery. ### Media Contact Rosen Justice Injury Lawyers Address: 100 S Broad St #1519, Philadelphia, PA 19110 Phone: 215-999-2244 Website: https://rosenjustice.com/ Attachment SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) on behalf of investors who purchased shares between January 23, 2024, and July 21, 2025. The lawsuit, captioned Khan v. Lockheed Martin Corporation, alleges that the company misled investors about the financial health and performance of its Aeronautics and Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business segments. Hagens Berman encourages Lockheed Martin investors with substantial losses to submit your losses now. Class Period: Jan. 23, 2024 July 21, 2025 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Sept. 26, 2025 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/lmt Contact the Firm Now: LMT@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 The Allegations and Financial Fallout The lawsuit claims that Lockheed Martin made false and misleading statements, failing to disclose that it lacked effective internal controls and procedures to accurately assess program risks. The complaint alleges the company overstated its ability to deliver on its contractual commitments. Investors began to learn the truth through a series of negative disclosures: On January 28, 2025 , the company reported $1.8 billion in pre-tax losses in its Aeronautics segment, citing performance issues. , the company reported $1.8 billion in pre-tax losses in its Aeronautics segment, citing performance issues. On April 17, 2025 , the company announced its CFO had left. , the company announced its CFO had left. On July 22, 2025, the company announced an additional $950 million in pre-tax losses for its Aeronautics segment and $570 million in pre-tax losses in its RMS segment due to problems with its Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program. Each of these revelations led to a significant drop in Lockheed Martin's stock price, with shares falling almost 11% on the final disclosure. Hagens Bermans Investigation A national plaintiffs rights law firm, Hagens Berman, is investigating these claims on behalf of investors who suffered substantial losses. The pattern of recurring and escalating losses on key programs is deeply concerning, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. We are investigating whether these massive, successive losses were a foreseeable consequence of poor internal controls and a failure to accurately communicate the company's risks to investors. If you invested in Lockheed Martin and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Lockheed Martin case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Lockheed Martin should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email LMT@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. Philadelphia, PA, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For many entrepreneurs, artists, and healers, the hardest part of launching a business isnt the work itselfits getting online. A new evening class in the Philadelphia suburbs aims to change that. Conscious Web Presence, a digital studio known for making technology feel human, is excited to announce a new class offering at the Colonial School District Adult Evening School. Titled "Start Your Business or Blog Website with Ease," this class is scheduled for October 7, 2025, at 6:30 PM. The session promises to strip away the intimidation of web design. Participants will learn how a website moves from an idea on a laptop to a live presence on the internet. The curriculum covers layouts, branding, navigation, and content strategyalong with practical guidance on choosing domains and writing clear, compelling copy. The class also introduces no-code web editors, a toolset that lets anyone build a site without needing to program. Examples from existing websites will guide the discussion, while attendees will have space to share their own goals. Our mission is to simplify the tech side of business, said Jen Merritt, owner of Conscious Web Presence. We want people to feel empowered, not overwhelmed, when they bring their work online. For more information about the class and to register see Events at https://www.consciouswebpresence.com About Conscious Web Presence Conscious Web Presence is a creative digital hub that helps entrepreneurs, artists, and healers bring their ideas to life online. From web and logo design to social media support, course creation, publishing, and event marketing, we make the tech side of business simple and accessible. Blending strategy with creativity, we guide clients from concept to launchwhether they want full service, collaborative support, or DIY empowerment. At Conscious Web Presence, we dont just designwe help visions grow. Press inquiries Conscious Web Presence https://www.consciouswebpresence.com Jen Merritt Jen@ConsciousWebPresence.com 2153172412 PO BOX 432 Glenside PA 19038 NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) between May 7, 2025 and July 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period), of the important September 30, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Novo Nordisk securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168 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 September 30, 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, 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 Novo Nordisks growth potential. Notably, Novo Nordisks asserted potential to capitalize on the compounded market greatly understated the potential impact of the personalization exception to the compounded GLP-1 exclusion and overstated the likelihood that such patients would switch to Novo Nordisks branded alternatives. Further, defendants greatly overstated the potential GLP-1 market or otherwise, Novos capability to penetrate said markets to achieve continued growth. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168 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 Salt Lake City, Utah , Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Trash Pandas Utah, a new locally owned dumpster rental company, officially launched this week to serve homeowners, contractors, and businesses throughout Salt Lake County. Founded by Salt Lake entrepreneur Michael Harrison, the company enters the market with a brand-new fleet of 20-yard roll-off dumpsters and a focus on fast service, transparent pricing, and community-driven values. Trash Pandas Utah takes delivery of its new fleet of ten 20-yard dumpsters, marking the official launch of operations in Salt Lake City. Harrison is no stranger to building companies that resonate with the community. After selling a fitness equipment company, he purchased Rhino Linings in 2019, growing it to four times its original size before exiting in 2023 with a seven-figure sale. Along the way, he tied his business closely to the community by supporting veterans and first responders through discounts, sponsorships, and local partnerships. Now, Harrison is applying the same formula of customer-first service, community ties, and strong marketing execution to the waste management industry. After my last business, I wasnt looking for just another venture I wanted something fun, practical, and rooted in serving the community, Harrison said. When I saw how straightforward and impactful dumpster rentals could be for families, contractors, and small businesses, I knew it was the right move. Trash Pandas Utah is about keeping it simple, honest, and valuable for the people here in Salt Lake City. The Launch of Trash Pandas Utah Trash Pandas Utah begins operations with a brand-new Peterbilt 536 truck and 10 roll-off dumpsters built by Mac Corporation. The fleet currently offers 20-yard containers ideal for remodels, cleanouts, landscaping projects, and light construction. As demand grows, Harrison plans to expand into larger 30- and 40-yard dumpsters. The companys early advantage lies in Harrisons marketing expertise and long-term perspective. With years of experience in SEO, paid ads, and brand building, he intends to bring a professional, growth-focused approach to an industry often dominated by short-term operators. A Proven Entrepreneur, Rooted in Salt Lake City, Utah Harrison describes himself as retired but restless, having stepped away from daily operations after selling Rhino Linings before returning to entrepreneurship. His drive, combined with a track record of scaling companies, positions Trash Pandas Utah to quickly become a trusted name in waste solutions across the region. Michael has brought high-value services and products to Salt Lake City before, and hes doing it again, said a supporter familiar with his career. Trash Pandas Utah is another example of his ability to see opportunity and turn it into something the whole community benefits from. About Trash Pandas Utah Founded by Michael Harrison, Trash Pandas Utah provides reliable dumpster rental services throughout Salt Lake County, including Salt Lake City, South Jordan, West Jordan, Sandy, Murray, Draper, and surrounding areas. Built on community values and customer-focused service, the company offers straightforward pricing, clean equipment, and flexible scheduling. More information is available at https://trashpandasutah.com/. Press Contact Name: Trash Pandas Utah Address: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Phone Number: (801) 228-0661 Jaipur, Rajasthan, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- W3era, a leading name in digital marketing, has unveiled its redefined brand focus as a performance-first Search Engine Marketing (SEM) agency, specializing in SEO and Google Ads solutions for global businesses. This strategic repositioning reflects the company's long-standing commitment to delivering measurable ROI through smarter, more integrated search campaigns. After helping over 10,000 clients scale their digital presence since 2008, W3era is now doubling down on the one channel that consistently delivers Search. "In todays landscape, visibility without results is not enough. We exist to drive performance, and that means blending the best of organic and paid search strategies," said Vikash Bharia, Head of Digital Marketing. Why the Shift to Performance-Driven SEM? The marketing world is no longer about choosing between SEO or PPC. W3era has recognized the need to unify them. This transition allows businesses to tap into complete search visibility, from top rankings to top ad spots. 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Real Results, Real Clients W3era's clients have seen dramatic results: Healthcare Provider : +210% organic traffic, +25% leads in 5 months : +210% organic traffic, +25% leads in 5 months eCommerce Brand : 3X return on ad spend with SEO + PPC strategy : 3X return on ad spend with SEO + PPC strategy Online Community: 300% jump in non-branded search Recognized by the Industry W3era is not just a service providerits a trusted partner. The agency has been recognized with awards such as: Best SEO Agency (Clutch 2024) Top Google Ads Partner (Google Premier 2023) Fastest Growing Agency (GoodFirms 2022) Certified with: Google SEMrush Meta HubSpot About W3era W3era is a performance-driven SEM agency based in India, serving clients worldwide with scalable strategies in SEO and PPC. With a team of 150+ experts, W3era simplifies search marketing for SMBs, enterprises, and startups alike. Website: www.w3era.com Email: sales@w3era.com Phone: +91-7073-197-281 Press Contact: Ashwini Rao The Full Announcement is Available in PDF here: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/339b9466-3158-4fb4-b347-9e79e7d23bf8 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marimaca Copper Corp. (ARBN683017094) (Marimaca or the Company) (TSX: MARI) (ASX: MC2) is pleased to announce the results of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD) which considers a nominal 50 ktpa of copper cathode production target for an estimated 13-year reserve life. The Company will host an investor presentation, covering the DFS, via the Investor Meet Company (IMC) platform on August 26, 2025. Further details can be found below. Highlights Pre-production capital cost and capital intensity of US$587m and US$11,700/tonne of copper production capacity, respectively, positions the MOD as one of the lowest capital cost and intensity development stage copper projects globally Simple open pit mining with life of mine strip ratio of 0.8:1 including pre-stripped material Steady state (years 2-10) production of approx. 49 ktpa (108 million lbs) of Grade A LME copper cathode First five years of 50ktpa copper, LOM average of 43ktpa copper First five years of steady state production estimated C1 cash costs of US$1.45/lb; AISC cost of US$1.97/lb Steady state (years 2-10) estimated C1 cash costs of US$1.68/lb; AISC of US$2.09/lb LOM C1 cash costs of US$1.84/lb; AISC of US$2.29/lb Dynamic geo-metallurgical model with recoveries based on data collected from seven comprehensive phases of metallurgical testing LOM heap leach copper recoveries of 72%, first five years of 78% Robust forecast economics and strong estimated cashflow generation at various copper prices Post Tax NPV 8 of US$709m (US$900m pre-tax) and IRR of 31% (33% pre-tax) using a long-term copper price of US$4.30/lb copper (slightly below LT consensus), 2.5yr capital payback Post Tax NPV 8 of US$1.07bn (US$1.39bn pre-tax) and 39% IRR (43% pre-tax) at the 3-month rolling average COMEX price of US$5.05/lb Maiden Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 178.6Mt with an average grade of 0.42% CuT for 750kt of contained copper based on Measured & Indicated Resources (i.e. Inferred material currently reports to waste for the purposes of the DFS plan) The Company believes that the MOD DFS represents the starting point in its organic growth strategy with numerous defined growth opportunities Inferred Resource currently treated as waste in the DFS mine plan Pampa Medina and Madrugador Oxides which the Company believes has the potential to underpin a future regional hub-and-spoke oxide opportunity Sulphide exploration potential at both Marimaca and Pampa Medina as demonstrated in recent drilling success Initial designs include oversized key equipment and infrastructure allowing for cost effective potential future scale expansions including the primary crusher, conveyors, water pipeline and infrastructure, power connection, footprints of the heap leach, and ripios dump The DFS incorporates purpose-built water infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with utilizing existing mine water infrastructure in the region Capital cost estimate is based on approximately 80% budget quotes, including an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) quote for the SX-EW plant Opportunity to reduce initial capital costs by utilizing an alternative contracting strategy Project permitting well underway and receipt of environmental approvals (RCA) are anticipated before the end of 2025 Sectoral Permits will be required post-environmental approval to allow full construction to commence and to support the operations phase Debt financing workstreams are underway, with advisors and technical experts engaged objective of identifying preferred financing partners by year-end 2025 Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: The DFS confirms the MODs position as one of the most attractive copper development opportunities globally, especially when compared to those with a production capacity greater than 50ktpa. There are very few copper projects with lower capital intensity, and our competitive operating cost profile, positioned in the second quartile of Wood Mackenzie-benchmarked copper projects globally on an all-in-cost basis, drives superior return on invested capital metrics at virtually any copper price. Cashflows are robust, even at copper prices well below todays long term consensus copper price, which will support our well progressed debt financing discussions. Our base case economics are assessed using a flat long term copper price of US$4.30/lb, which is slightly below the current consensus long term price. We note other recent Feasibility Studies in our developer peer group have used a headline price of above US$4.80/lb. At that price, the MOD delivers nearly US$1bn of post-tax NPV8 with an IRR of 36.5%. This result confirms again that the MOD is quite exceptional from a ROIC perspective. We have quoted all material equipment from reputable providers to ensure long term reliability and operability. Massive and civil earthworks were quoted by a large Chilean contractor with expertise in mining earthworks. Quotes for construction and assembly of key packages were received from local and international contractors, including an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) quote for the SX-EW plant. This passes risk to the contractor but naturally increases the overall cost to the Company. The Company believes there is an opportunity to further optimize the capital cost by utilizing a hybrid contracting strategy. Operating costs have been built from first principles and include maintenance schedules recommended by equipment providers over the life of mine. The MOD benefits both from its extremely low life of mine strip ratio, but also its geometry, which means even at the end of the current mine plan, the vertical haulage distance is less than 200m, meaning mining costs are significantly lower both on per tonne of material moved and per tonne of ore delivered to the heap leach pads. The DFS excludes the inferred resources of 21Mt with an average grade of 0.29% CuT. Approximately 10Mt of inferred material is moved as part of the DFS mine plan, all of which reports to waste. We expect, with minimal additional drilling, that we can continue our strong conversion of mineral resources to ore reserves, which is approximately 84% for the Measured and Indicated resource categories. We are well progressed on a PEA for Pampa Medina, which has been briefly paused due to recent drilling success, and we now see strong potential to increase our production target scale from the contemplated 50ktpa of copper cathode production with oxides from the Pampa Medina and Madrugador deposits (although no forecast is made of that at this stage). We strongly believe 50ktpa of copper production is a starting point for the Company as we continue our journey towards being a significant global copper producer. Our permitting is progressing well and we have now submitted our responses to the first ICSARA (list of questions and clarifications) from the regulatory authorities. We expect one further round of follow-up questions and information requests after which the authorities should be in a position to provide environmental approvals for the MOD. We are targeting receipt of environmental approvals by the end of 2025, allowing construction to commence in 2026. The multi-pronged strategy of Marimaca remains to bring the MOD into production as quickly as is feasible, while continuing to progress our pipeline of projects, at various stages of maturity, in parallel. This will include further technical work on the Pampa Medina and Madrugador Projects with the objective of increasing our potential production capacity to over 70ktpa of copper cathode within the next 5 years. In parallel, we will continue to explore high priority targets including the Pampa Medina Deposit, where material possibilities for resource growth have been identified, and to test the sulphide potential below the MOD, which has never been drilled. Overall, we are pleased with the results following a significant amount of technical work completed in the last two years. We see opportunities for further improvement to what is already an exceptional project as we progress through detailed design and engineering, and we are excited to commence the next phase of our development. Investor Presentation Marimaca will host an investor presentation via the IMC platform on Tuesday, August 26 2025, covering todays announcement. The online event will take place at 03:00 a.m. (Vancouver) / 06:00 a.m. (Toronto) / 11:00 a.m. (London) / 6:00 p.m. (Perth) with Hayden Locke (President & CEO) presenting from the Company. The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Questions can be submitted at any time during the presentation. Investors can sign up to IMC for free and add to meet Marimaca Copper via: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/marimaca-copper-corp/register-investor Executive Summary The DFS contemplates truck and shovel mining operation to produce ore from a single open pit, three-stage crushing, agglomeration and dynamic heap leaching to produce a target of 50ktpa of copper cathode with an initial 13-year reserve life. The resource is contained in a single open pit, developed over eight phases. The life-of-mine strip ratio, which includes inferred material as waste and the initial pre-strip, is 0.8:1. Initial throughput of 12 Mtpa of heap leach material expands to 16 Mtpa in the second phase starting in year 6 of the mine plan. Mineral resources are based on approximately 140 km of reverse circulation and diamond drilling, completed from 2016 to 2022, and the database incorporates sequential copper (acid soluble & cyanide soluble copper), analytical acid consumption and mineralogy. Mineral reserves are based on the Measured and Indicated Resource categories, post the application of various modifying factors, including operating costs, recoveries and mining assumptions. Ore is crushed via a three-stage crushing configuration to a product size of 80% passing 12.5 mm (-). Post crushing, ore is agglomerated and acid cured and stacked on dynamic heap leach pads with maximum lift height of 4 meters. Ore is irrigated with leaching solution comprising of untreated seawater and sulfuric acid. Acid dose in curing, acid concentrations in leaching, overall leaching ratios and leaching periods are variable depending on mineral sub-domain. The mine plan does not consider selective mining of mineralogical domains, but there is natural selectivity within the mine plan based on the geometry and natural domaining of the deposit. The early years comprise dominantly green oxides (brochantite and chrysocolla) moving to more enriched (secondary sulphides comprising chalcocite and covellite) and WAD material in the second half of the mine plan. Copper recoveries are variable depending on mineral sub-domain. Recovery equations have been developed from seven phases of metallurgical test work, including numerous column leach tests using the operating parameters contemplated in the DFS. Recovery equations are dynamic and dependent on mineral sub-domain, grade, leaching potential and have been assigned on a block-by-block basis within the DFS mine plan. Acid consumption assumptions are also based on all of the phases of metallurgical test work, and utilize the analytical acid consumption database, which has been acquired for all of the 140 km of drilling included in the MOD drilling package. Capital costs have been estimated on the basis of the material take-offs developed by Ausenco in engineering for quantities and detailed mechanical equipment lists. Budget quotations were obtained for approximately 80% of the mechanical equipment in support of the capital cost estimate. For mechanical equipment, quotes have been obtained from multiple reputable firms. Massive and civil earthworks rates have been obtained from Excon, one of the largest earthmoving contractors in Chile. Construction and assembly costs have been obtained from local Chilean contractors on a procurement and execution basis. The quote for the SX-EW facility was provided by Tenova on an EPC basis. For the purposes of the DFS, the water and power infrastructure, to the mine gate, have been included on the basis of Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) proposals provided by local and international firms with presence in Chile. This reduces the upfront capital cost, with the cost reflected as an ongoing operating cost to the Project. Metric Unit First 5 Years of Steady State(1) First 10 Years(2) LOM Mining Summary Total Ore Mined kt 80,683 173,994 178,635 Total Waste Mined kt 73,803 144,778 145,889 Strip Ratio w:o 0.91x 0.83x 0.82x Production Summary Average Annual Ore Sent to Heap Leach Mtpa 12.4 13.6 14.1 Head Grade Cu % Cu 0.52% 0.48% 0.42% Cu Recovery % Cu 77% 73% 72% Average Annual Cu Recovered ktpa Cu 50 48 43 Operating Costs Mine Operating Costs US$/t mined $1.2 $1.4 $1.5 Processing Costs US$/t processed $8.9 $8.9 $8.8 G&A Costs US$/t processed $0.3 $0.3 $0.3 Total Operating Costs US$/t processed $12.3 $12.5 $11.9 Sales & Royalty US$/lb Cu $0.10 $0.07 $0.06 C1 Cash Costs(3) US$/lb Cu $1.45 $1.68 $1.84 AISC(4) US$/lb Cu $1.97 $2.12 $2.29 Capital Expenditures Initial Capital US$m $587 Expansion Capital US$m $77 Sustaining Capital US$m $283 $484 $529 Closure Cost US$m $47 Salvage Value US$m $43 Financial Metrics Long Term Copper Price US$/lb Cu $4.30 Average Annual EBITDA US$m $326 $288 $241 Post-Tax Average Annual Unlevered Free Cash Flow(5) US$m $222 $188 $160 Pre-tax NPV 8% US$m $900 Post-tax NPV 8% US$m $709 Pre-tax IRR % 33% Post-tax IRR % 31% Payback Period years 2.5 Notes: 1. First 5 years of steady state (Years 2-6) 2. First 10 Years production includes material moved for pre-stripping in Year -1 and ramp-up period in Year 1. 3. C1 Cash Costs includes the mining, processing, G&A, marketing & sales, and royalty costs. These are Non-GAAP performance measures. 4. AISC includes sustaining capex, closure capex, and salvage value. 5. Average Annual Unlevered Free Cash Flow during operating years only (years 1-13) Table 1: Summary of MOD DFS Production Target and Financial Metrics Initial Capital Cost The initial capital cost estimate provides for US$587m for 50 ktpa of copper production capacity per annum, with a capital intensity per tonne of production capacity of US$11,700/tonne. All capital cost estimates have been developed considering the American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) Class 3 guidelines, with an expected accuracy of of -10% to -20% / +10% to +30%. A contingency of 10%, on average, has been applied across the direct and indirect capital costs of the Project. Capital costs have been developed using material take-offs (MTOs) developed by Ausenco in the DFS engineering which included detailed equipment lists and quantities. Equipment, materials, earthworks and construction were then quoted using reputable local and international firms. The mining fleet is assumed to be financed under a lease to own arrangement. The water and power infrastructure to the mine gate is assumed to be developed by third parties under a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) contract structure with large international and local infrastructure firms operating in Chile. Metric Unit Total LOM Initial Capital Cost Mine US$m $24 Crushing US$m $141 Heap Leach & SX-EW US$m $223 Infrastructure US$m $49 Total Direct Costs US$m $437 Indirect costs US$m $80 Owner costs US$m $17 Contingency US$m $53 Total Initial Capital Cost US$m $587 Table 2: Initial Capital Costs for the MOD Project The estimates for initial capital cost put the MOD among the lowest absolute capital costs and capital intensities for any greenfields copper projects globally. According to Wood Mackenzies global copper project database, there are seven projects with lower capital intensity in the developer universe with initial capital more than US$300m and production targets of greater than 100Mlbs of copper per annum. The MOD is among the lowest capital intensity and absolute capital cost copper development projects in this dataset. Figure 1: Capital Cost Intensity for Global Copper Development Projects in Wood Mackenzie Database Highlighting the MODs Attractive Capital Intensity Operating Costs Operating costs were built from first principles using schedules for labour, energy consumption, consumables (diesel, lubricants, reagents, acid, water) and equipment manufacturer specified maintenance schedules over the life of mine. Mining costs were provided via specialist Chilean mining consultancy NCL and were benchmarked against operations with identical fleets and similar mine production profiles operating in Chile. Mining rates were developed from first principles with industry standard assumptions on utilization rates and adjusted for MOD specific operating parameters using a Mining Cost Adjustment Factor (MCAF). This accounts for changes in vertical and lateral haulage distances as the open pit develops over the life of mine. Mining operating costs include interest and capital costs associated with a leasing equipment contract structure with Komatsu. Processing costs were also developed from first principles utilizing schedules for labour, reagent consumption from the geometallurgical model and metallurgical test work. These were applied using the geometallurgical model to account for acid consumption, and for industry standard rates for the SX-EW facility. Total Estimated Operating Costs LOM Total (US$m) LOM Average (US$/t processed) LOM Average (US$/lb Cu) Mining (excl. deferred stripping) $498 $2.79 $0.42 Processing (excl acid)(1) $1,037 $5.80 $0.87 Acid $530 $2.97 $0.45 G&A $53 $0.30 $0.04 Sub-Total $2,119 $11.86 $1.78 Total C1 Cash Cost(2) $1.84 Sustaining Capital Cost $529 $2.96 $0.44 AISC(3) $2.29 Notes: 1. Includes cost for Port and BOOT Agreements. 2. C1 Cash Costs includes transport, selling and royalty costs in addition to the sub-total presented. These are Non-GAAP performance measures. 3. AISC includes sustaining capex, closure capex, and salvage value. Table 3: Total Operating Costs Estimate The Company has benchmarked the MOD utilizing Wood Mackenzies database of 237 operating copper mines. Several of the mines have negative C1 and AISC costs on account of by-product credits. These have been included for completeness of the analysis. The MOD has projected C1 cash costs for the first five years of steady state operations are US$1.45/lb. For the first 10yrs of operations, including the ramp up period in year 1, C1 cash costs are projected to be US$1.68/lb. This places the MOD at the bottom end and middle of the 2nd quartile of the peer group for these periods, respectively, when compared to the benchmarked universe of copper assets, per Wood Mackenzie. Figure 2: C1 Cash Cost Curve for Operating Copper Mines from Wood Mackenzie Showing Competitive MOD C1 Cost Base in 2nd Quartile On an AISC cost basis, the Project has projected costs of US$1.97/lb for the first 5yrs of steady state operation and US$2.09/lb during steady state operations (years 2-10). For the first 10yrs of operations, including the ramp up period in year 1, AISC costs are projected to be US$2.12/lb. This places the MOD in the bottom of the 2nd quartile during steady state operations (including ramp-up) when compared to the peer group of benchmarked copper assets per Wood Mackenzie. Figure 3: AISC Cost Curve for Operating Copper Mines with MOD Steady-State AISC in 2nd Quartile Economic Analysis The Company has completed sensitivity analysis using a range of copper prices, underlying input cost assumptions and discount rates to stress-test the business case and identify key areas of risk to the business plan. Similar to many mining projects, the MODs ROIC is quite sensitive to underlying copper price assumptions, with an IRR of 31% and NPV 8% of US$709m based on a flat pricing assumption of US$4.30/lb Cu, which is just below the current long term (LT) consensus copper price of US$4.36/lb. At the trailing 3-month COMEX copper price of US$5.05/lb, the Project delivers an exceptional NPV8 (post tax) of US$1.1bn with an IRR of 39%. In contrast to most of the peer group of development assets, the Project delivers robust economics even when assuming copper prices well below the LT consensus price. The MOD delivers robust cashflow generation and Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) metrics for any reasonable assumption of downside copper price assumptions. Marimaca has analyzed the Wood Mackenzie AISC cost curve for copper producers, which indicates the 75th percentile of the universe of 237 operational copper assets starts at an AISC of US$3.00/lb, and the 85th percentile at approximately US$3.50/lb. Using a flat US$3.50/lb LT flat copper price assumption, the MOD delivers a post-tax NPV8 of US$347m and an IRR of 21% with a payback period of just over 3 years. Given the long-term demand forecasts for copper, the company believes this is a reasonable downside price assessment on which to stress project economics. Among Wood Mackenzies database of 83 development stage copper assets with publicly available technical studies, the MOD has a profitability index (Pre-Tax NPV / Initial Capital Cost) in the top quartile of the peer universe. When combined with its outstanding geographical location, in a recognized and mature mining jurisdiction, the MOD clearly benchmarks as an exceptional project from a financial risk perspective. Figure 4: Profitability Index for Global Copper Projects in Wood Mackenzie Database Indicating the Superior Return on Capital of the MOD In summary, the MOD is a financially robust asset, which generates superior returns when benchmarked against the majority of development and producer peers. As a result, the Company expects the project to be financeable via traditional debt and equity structures, and to generate strong returns for investors. The Company will now turn its attention to the next phase of development activities, continuing to move the project towards production. Marimaca is formulating a development plan which will encompass further grade control drilling, additional confirmatory and optimization metallurgical test work, detailed design and engineering, early site preparation works (to commence on receipt of environmental approvals) and deposits on long lead items. The Company will also continue to progress its growth development strategy for the Pampa Medina and Madrugador oxide deposits and its parallel exploration strategy to unlock further value in its extensive exploration portfolio. At the end of June 2025, the Company had over US$24m in cash available, which is sufficient to finance its ongoing development activities. Funding The debt financing process has commenced, with debt advisors and Independent Technical Experts (ITE) engaged and reviewing the DFS in preparation for formal launch of a broad debt process to support project development. Marimaca has completed an initial outreach program to various debt providers with expressions of interest of up to US$500m based on initial, pre-DFS, financial models prepared by the Company. The indicative feedback received from these groups suggests the MOD is debt financeable. The Companys aim is to identify its preferred debt partners and to announce credit approved term sheets, subject to long form documentation, towards the end of 2025. The Company has several large shareholders on its register including two strategic investors in Assore International Holdings (Assore) and Mitsubishi Corp (Mitsubishi). Both Assore and Mitsubishi have significant equity financing capacity and have indicated their ongoing support to the Marimaca team and development of the Project. The Company believes, on this basis, that equity financing of the MOD is achievable in combination with a broader capital raise from institutional and sophisticated investors. Next Steps & Pre-Final Investment Decision Work Programs Following the endorsement of the DFS by the Board of Marimaca, the Company will commence various early works activities which will include detailed design and engineering, grade control drilling, further optimization metallurgical programs, deposits on key equipment and acquisition of vendor engineer as well as site preparation works including construction of access roads and buildings. The DFS assumes these items are completed ahead of Final Investment Decision (FID) to achieve appropriate project maturity before FID. Marimaca has cash on its balance sheet of over US$24m, which is sufficient to fund the commencement of these work items. The Company is dual listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), which provides it with access to a broad pool of specialist and generalist mining investors to further de-risk the eventual equity capital requirements for project development. The Company is currently exploring strategic alternatives to the development of the Project, including engagement with strategic mining companies and copper producers, traders and offtakers, and other alternative financing sources. Qualified/Competent Person The independent Competent Persons (CP), as defined under JORC, and Qualified Persons (QP), as defined by NI 43-101 for this Press Release are defined below. The statements in this Press Release relating to processing, costing, economics is Tommaso Roberto Raponi. Mr. Tommaso Roberto Raponi is a Professional Engineer registered with the Professional Engineers Ontario, Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, and NWT and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists. Mr. Raponi is a Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC, with an office address in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Raponi is responsible for the processing, costing, economics aspects of the MOD DFS Report as a QP/CP. Mr. Raponi has sufficient experience relevant to the style of project consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). The CP, Mr. Raponi, has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to processing, costing, economics based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. The statements relating in this Press Release that relates to drilling, modelling and Mineral Resources estimation is based on and fairly represents information compiled by NCL Ingenieria y Construccion SpA. and reviewed by Luis Oviedo, P. Geo, an independent Consulting Geologist with more than 45 years of experience. Mr. Oviedo is a member of the Colegio de Geologos and the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile and takes responsibility for the Mineral Resource aspects of the MOD DFS Press Release as a CP. Mr. Oviedo has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). Mr. Oviedo has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to drilling, modelling and Mineral Resources based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. The Effective Date of the Mineral Resource Estimate is August 25, 2025 The statements relating in this Press Release that relates to Ore Reserves and the Mining section presented in the Appendix 1 is based on information prepared by and mine planning work by NCL Ingenieria y Construccion SpA. and reviewed by Carlos Guzman RM CMC, FAusIMM. Mr. Guzman is a mining engineer and Principal Director at NCL Ingenieria y Construccion SpA., a consulting firm based in Santiago, Chile. Mr. Guzman has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). ). Mr. Oviedo has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to Ore Reserves and Mining based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. The Effective Date of the Mineral Reserve Estimate is August 25, 2025. Mr. Scott C. Elfen is a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California and in the State of Idaho. Mr. Elfen is the Global Lead of Geotechnical and Civil Services at Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC, with an office address in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Elfen is responsible for the Process Plant Geotechnical information presented in the Appendix 1 of the MOD DFS Report as a CP. Mr. Elfen has sufficient experience relevant to the style of project consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). The CP, Mr. Elfen, has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to Process Plant Geotechnical information based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. Mr. James Millardis a professional geologist (P. Geo.) and member in good standing of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Nova Scotia. Mr. Millard is a professional geologist and Director, Strategic Projects at Ausenco Sustainability ULC, with an office address in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Mr. Millard is responsible for the Environmental, Social and Community aspects presented in Appendix 1 of the MOD DFS Report as a CP. Mr. Millard has sufficient experience relevant to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). Mr. Millard has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to Environmental, Social and Community aspects based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. National Instrument 43-101 An independent technical report for the DFS prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 will be available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile and website within 45 days of this announcement. Contact Information For further information, please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Emily Moss / Ruairi Millar marimaca@tavistock.co.uk Figures accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76b6481a-610c-4511-8bd8-b060094b2619 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80a9a023-f440-4201-ad84-0a469d6b4b86 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1db98468-ba02-4813-a612-398a717d1f08 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09f56af7-b576-4dbc-9a4f-d1421c0a6c8b CALGARY, Alberta, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (the Company or ReconAfrica) (TSXV: RECO) (OTCQX: RECAF) (Frankfurt: 0XD) (NSX: REC) announces the filing of its fiscal second quarter disclosure documents for the three-month period ended June 30, 2025, including the unaudited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Brian Reinsborough, President and CEO of the Company commented: "We spud the Kavango West 1X well on July 31, as planned. Our operations team is doing a great job and drilling remains on schedule. We expect to penetrate the Otavi reservoir in late October and reach total depth by the end of November. We look forward to reporting well results to all stakeholders around year-end." Selected Highlights For the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and subsequent period, the Company announced: On June 17, 2025, the Company closed a C$19 million equity financing, upsized from the C$10 million offering size originally announced on June 4, 2025. On July 31, 2025, the Company spud the Kavango West 1X exploration well. Operational and Corporate Update The Company spud the Kavango West 1X exploration well on July 31, 2025, and the well is currently drilling as planned. The Company expects to be able to release a drilling update during the first week of September. The well is expected to reach total depth by the end of November 2025, and the Company expects to release well results around year-end. About ReconAfrica ReconAfrica is a Canadian oil and gas company engaged in the exploration of the Damara Fold Belt and Kavango Rift Basin in the Kalahari Desert of northeastern Namibia, southeastern Angola and northwestern Botswana, where the Company holds petroleum licences and access to ~13 million contiguous acres. In all aspects of its operations, ReconAfrica is committed to minimal disturbance of habitat in line with international standards and implementing environmental and social best practices in its project areas. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information contact: Brian Reinsborough, President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Friesen, Managing Director, Investor Relations and Capital Markets IR Inquiries Email: investors@reconafrica.com Media Inquiries Email: media@reconafrica.com Telephone: 1-877-631-1160 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian, United States and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the timing of permits, timing and sequencing of the next well, actual well results, future drilling activity, resource potential, the updated NSAI Report, the Companys commitment to minimal disturbance of habitat, in line with best international standards and its implementation of environmental and social best practices in all of its project areas. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on ReconAfrica's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's annual information form dated April 29, 2025, available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Actual future results may differ materially. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to ReconAfrica. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and ReconAfrica undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Springfield, MO, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Acoustic Shoppe, a leading acoustic instrument retailer, proudly announces the successful completion of its Memorial Day campaign for Guitars for Vets (G4V), surpassing its initial goal and donating 43 guitars to veterans. The Acoustic Shoppe donates 40+ Guitars to Guitars for Vets The campaign, which ran from Memorial Day through the end of June, raised significant funds and community awareness for the nonprofit's mission to use music as a tool for healing. The Acoustic Shoppe's efforts included online donations, in-store contributions, and a charity guitar auction, all contributing to the campaign's resounding success. Initially aiming to donate 25 guitars, the final total of 43 was achieved through the generosity of customers, brand partners, and the community. This achievement underscores the collective commitment to supporting veterans through the healing power of music. "We've seen firsthand how music can change lives, and Guitars for Vets embodies that mission," said Jeremy Chapman, President and CEO of The Acoustic Shoppe. "This campaign allowed our customers, partners, and broader community to help veterans heal through music, and we're overwhelmed by the support. We are committed to growing this partnership and continuing to support the G4V mission for years to come." For a deeper dive into the campaign's impact, including powerful personal stories from veterans and a breakdown of the fundraising strategy, please read the full story on our blog. The campaign also received praise from G4V's leadership. Eric Weinstein, Executive Director of Guitars for Vets, expressed his gratitude, highlighting the successful collaboration and the potential for future joint efforts. Beyond financial success, the campaign effectively raised awareness about the G4V mission and provided multiple ways for people to get involved. The Acoustic Shoppe, along with its partners Breedlove Guitars and D'Addario, remains committed to supporting G4V and its work with veterans. About The Acoustic Shoppe: The Acoustic Shoppe is a family-owned and operated music store specializing in high-quality acoustic instruments, offering a wide selection of guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles. With a mission to connect people with the instruments and communities they love, The Acoustic Shoppe provides personalized service and expertise to musicians of all skill levels. About Guitars for Vets (G4V): Guitars for Vets (G4V) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the healing power of music with veterans suffering from significant post-combat mental and emotional distress, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Through a structured program, G4V provides free guitar instruction, a new acoustic guitar, and a guitar accessory kit to veterans, helping them find solace and community through music. The Acoustic Shoppe Knows People Podcast feat. Guitars For Vets Nigel Fischer Guitars for Vets Podcast with Nigel Fischer About The Acoustic Shoppe LLC The Acoustic Shoppe is a premier retailer of fine acoustic instruments, based in Springfield, Missouri. Specializing in world-class guitars, mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles, the shop serves a global community of musicians through its vibrant online store and celebrated YouTube channel. With a focus on expert guidance and a curated selection of quality instruments for every player, The Acoustic Shoppe is committed to helping musicians find their perfect sound. For more information, visit www.theacousticshoppe.com. Press inquiries The Acoustic Shoppe LLC https://www.theacousticshoppe.com Jeremy Chapman jeremy@theacousticshoppe.com 417-720-1223 1913 East Seminole Street A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.youtube.com/embed/VYwR-imgGx0 TORONTO, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (BlackRock Canada), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK), today announced the final August 2025 cash distributions for iShares Premium Money Market ETF. Unitholders of record on August 26, 2025 will receive cash distributions payable on August 29, 2025. Details regarding the final per unit distribution amounts are as follows: Fund Name Fund Ticker Cash Distribution Per Unit iShares Premium Money Market ETF CMR $0.107 Further information on the iShares ETFs can be found at http://www.blackrock.com/ca . About BlackRock BlackRocks purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate | Twitter: @BlackRockCA About iShares ETFs iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1600+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.7 trillion in assets under management as of June 30, 2025, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock. iShares ETFs are managed by BlackRock Canada. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Contact for Media: Sydney Punchard Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com Sydney, Aug. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Green Technologies, Inc., a global leader in battery energy storage solutions, is pleased to announce that its Australian battery energy storage business has completed a financing raise with the Longreach Credit Investors and Australian Philanthropic Services Foundation. The syndicated facility provides up to AU$77 million over a 24-month period to fund the development of a 7 GWh pipeline and expand the platform within the Australian market. Scott Poulter, Group CEO of Pacific Green, commented: We are pleased to welcome Longreach Credit Investors and to expand our existing relationship with Australian Philanthropic Services Foundation as partners. This capital allows Pacific Green to expand our platform footprint and accelerate the development of our portfolio of BESS projects across the Australian National Electricity Market. The agreement underpins Pacific Greens commitment to accelerating the energy transition by delivering grid-scale storage infrastructure that supports the integration of renewable energy and enhances grid reliability across Australia. Alex Nisbet, Chief Commercial Officer of Longreach Credit Investors, commented: This partnership illustrates Longreach Credit's commitment to supporting high-quality Australian businesses by providing customised debt solutions that enable them to realise their growth ambitions. Chris Cuffe, Chairman of Australia Philanthropic Services Foundation, commented: We are very excited to continue supporting Pacific Green as it drives the energy transition forward in Australia. Sacramento, CA, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC) is thrilled to announce the recipients of its prestigious 2025 awards, honoring exceptional leaders who have demonstrated transformative commitment to equity, access, and success for Hispanic students in community colleges. These awards celebrate individuals whose innovative approaches and dedication have made lasting impacts on their institutions, communities, and the broader landscape of higher education. "These award winners exemplify the innovative and compassionate leadership needed to advance equity and opportunity for Hispanic students in community colleges. Their contributions inspire us all to illuminate paths together, as reflected in this year's symposium theme," said NCCHC President and Long Beach City College President Dr. Mike Munoz. The award winners will be recognized during a special ceremony at the Concilio (NCCHC) Leadership Symposium 2025 Luz, Comunidad y Unidad: Iluminando Caminos Juntos on September 26, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. in Long Beach, CA. The symposium brings together educators, administrators, and advocates to explore strategies for advancing Hispanic student achievement and institutional excellence. 2025 NCCHC Award Winners: Dolores Huerta, Civil Rights Icon Award: Icono Award This award honors Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Association, who is one of the most influential labor leaders of the 20th century. Working alongside Cesar Chavez, she helped lead the historic Delano grape strike, organized nationwide boycotts, and fought for laws securing farm workers rights to organize, fair wages, and safer working conditions. A fearless activist for over six decades, Huerta has also championed womens rights, political empowerment, and social justice. Her lifelong commitment has earned her national recognition, including the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Today, she continues her mission through the Dolores Huerta Foundation, inspiring new generations to stand for equity and justice. Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago Award: Liderazgo Visionario CEO Award This award honors a CEO whose visionary leadership has significantly benefited their community college and its Hispanic student population. Chancellor Juan Salgado, a proud community college graduate and MacArthur Fellow, has led City Colleges of Chicago Illinois's largest community college system serving over 66,000 students, the majority of whom are Black and Latinx since 2017. Under his guidance, the system has achieved record-high graduation rates and implemented groundbreaking initiatives such as Fresh Start (a debt-forgiveness program), Future Ready (no-cost short-term credentials), the Chicago Roadmap (a partnership with Chicago Public Schools), and a dramatic expansion of dual enrollment opportunities. His prior role as CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino further solidified his legacy in integrating education, workforce development, and citizenship services for immigrant communities. Salgado's equity-driven approach addresses systemic barriers like financial insecurity and housing instability through comprehensive supports, making City Colleges a national model for inclusive excellence. Salgado was nominated by Isaac Zuniga, Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Success at Richland Community College, who stated, "Chancellor Salgado embodies visionary leadership rooted in justice, innovation, and a fierce commitment to student success." David Vela, Trustee, Los Angeles Community College District Award: Campeon Trustee Award This award honors an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in community college policy and at the community level. Trustee David Vela, a lifelong advocate for Latino students, serves on the board of the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), the nation's largest community college system. With a background in public service, including roles in the Montebello Unified School District and as a senior deputy to LA County Supervisor Gloria Molina, Vela has championed policies that enhance student retention, equitable resource allocation, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. His efforts have focused on uplifting first-generation and low-income Latino students through academic rigor, community engagement, and economic development initiatives. As founder of Honor PAC, he continues to promote equitable representation in education and government. Nominated by Dr. Mike Munoz, President of Long Beach City College, Vela's work reflects a deep-rooted commitment to turning community colleges into engines of upward mobility for underserved communities. Susana Turowski, Title V Retention Specialist, Student Success & Retention, Chandler-Gilbert Community College Award: Avanza Leadership Award This award recognizes a promising emerging leader making significant contributions to community colleges or the Hispanic community. It includes a scholarship for participation in a Concilio Leadership Development program. Susana Turowski has emerged as a dynamic force at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, where she advises the Latinx Student Organization (LSO) and leads the Title V Retention and Transition Services team. Her initiatives foster inclusivity, cultural celebration, and student empowerment, creating spaces for leadership development and community building. Turowski's implementation of the college's first non-credit ESL program has expanded access for English language learners, while her empathetic approach breaks down barriers to support student persistence and success. Her collaborative leadership style emphasizes empathy, accountability, and a focus on underserved populations. Turowski was nominated by Felicia Ramirez-Perez, Dean at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, who praised Turowski as "a listener, a motivator, and a change-maker who uplifts those around her and remains focused on long-term goals." The NCCHC Leadership Symposium offers workshops, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities to empower community college leaders in serving diverse student populations. For more information or to register, visit the NCCHC website, https://www.ncchc.com/annual-leadership-symposium/ Reno, NEV, Aug. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renown Health, a founding member of the Nevada Transplant Institute, proudly announces a historic milestone; the Renown Transplant Institute has successfully performed its first living donor kidney transplant, marking a new chapter in advanced patient care for northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and the surrounding region. The two sequential donor and recipient surgical procedures united a local mother, Melanie Davis and her daughter, Lanie Hope Smith. Melanie donated one of her kidneys to Lanie, who was living with end stage kidney disease. Both surgeries were performed on Monday, August 11 at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV by the highly skilled Renown Transplant Institute surgeons. World-Renowned Transplant Surgical Team At a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 20, Ernesto P. Molmenti, MD, PHD, MBA, Executive Director of the Renown Transplant Institute and Nevada Transplant Institute and Chief of Transplantation at Renown Health, introduced the surgical and medical team who included David C. Mulligan, MD, FACS, FAST, FAASLD, Director of Liver Transplantation and Living Donor Liver Transplantation for the Nevada Transplant Institute and abdominal transplant surgeon at Renown Health; Christopher Evans, MD, FACS, Vice Chair of the Department of Surgery at Renown Health; and Narisorn Atsava-Svate, MD, transplant nephrologist at Renown Health. The transplant team joined with anesthesiologists, urologists, operating room nurses, pharmacists and specialized support staff- all working in seamless collaboration to ensure the best possible outcome for both donor and recipient. This is an extraordinary achievement that represents years of preparation, planning and training, said Brian Erling, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Renown Health. We are in awe of both Melanie and Lanie, a remarkable mom and daughter team. Their courage and love for one another inspires us all, and their story brings hope and determination to many families. We are proud of our multidisciplinary team who demonstrated exceptional expertise, compassion, and precision in performing this complex procedure, and we are honored to have cared for such a deserving family. Most importantly, this surgery will dramatically improve the quality of life for Lanie for years to come. While deceased donor kidney transplants are a life-saving option for patients with kidney failure, live donor kidney transplants provide even greater benefits, offering shorter wait times, longer-lasting kidney function, and improved overall outcomes, said Rahul Mediwala, MD, MBA, CEO of Renown Medical Group. This milestone advances our mission to deliver life-saving care for patients with end-stage kidney disease. For the first time, Nevadans can receive comprehensive transplant care close to home, eliminating the need for long waits, out-of-state travel, and the financial, physical, and emotional strain. It is both exciting and inspiring to offer this life-changing care to our patients, our community, and our state. Dr. Mediwala is a nephrologist who has practiced in the community for nearly 20 years. Dr. Mediwala added, We are grateful and proud to partner with Joe Ferreira, founding chair of the Nevada Transplant Institute and CEO of Nevada Donor Network, to bring transplant services to northern Nevada. Dr. Mediwala welcomed Mr. Ferreira to the podium. Mr. Ferreira said, Todays milestone is more than providing lifesaving surgical care, its about offering hope, healing and the promise of a healthier future to individuals and families who have been waiting for this second chance at life. The expansion of essential transplantation services across our state is made possible because of our extraordinary partnership. Together, we are working to increase access, lower costs, and enhance research and education in the field of donation and transplantation. We are incredibly grateful for our partnership. He added, The need for additional organ transplantation expertise across the U.S. and Nevada is critical. Nearly 700 Nevadans are currently on a waiting list to receive a life-saving kidney transplant but this number only reflects those who were able to leave the state to access care. We know there are hundreds, if not thousands, more Nevadans who need this treatment and will now have the opportunity to receive it here at home. Nationally, 90,000 people are waiting for a kidney, every eight minutes someone is added to the list and each day 17 people die because an organ never became available. Dr. Ernesto Molmenti emphasized the collaborative nature of the effort and the strategic choice to begin with living donation. Launching with living donor transplants allows us to help patients sooner, achieve the best possible outcomes and build the strong foundation for a successful program. This was truly a team accomplishment. Every member of our surgical, nursing, anesthesia, social work, pharmacy and transplant coordination staff played a critical role. We are deeply grateful for Melanies extraordinary generosity and for Lanies trust and confidence in our program. Their story, and the dedication of the many people who made it possible, reflects the very best of the northern Nevada spirit of community. Dr. Molmenti invited Melanie Davis and Lanie Hope Smith to share their story. Renos Own Lanie Hope Smith Shares Her Kidney Transplant Story Lanie Hope Smith shared that she is a grateful recipient of a kidney transplant from her mother, Melanie Davis, who gave her the ultimate gift. As a teenager, Lanie contracted an E. coli infection, which triggered a rare but serious kidney condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome, that would ultimately require a kidney transplant. She thanked the team at Renown Transplant Institute and Nevada Transplant Institute, for bringing these essential services to the northern Nevada community- noting the many patients and families who will benefit from them. Dr. Erling thanked Lanie and Melanie for sharing their story, saying, A kidney transplant is the best option for most people like Lanie living with end-stage kidney disease. Our goal is to ensure that every person in need has equitable access to the option of kidney transplant. Renown Regional Medical Center is one of only 250 transplant centers nationwide. By providing kidney transplant services right here in Nevada, we can help more of our neighbors receive the care they need, increase transplant rates in our region and reduce health care disparities for communities across the state. He added, We cannot do this work alone. We are reminded every day, but especially today, of the power of gratitude and giving. We thank those who are with us today from The Pennington Foundation for their extraordinary generosity. Their $5.5 million grant funds the recruitment and start-up phase of the Institute and covers the expenses for this first surgery. In addition, the grant established a dedicated patient assistance fund to ensure that no one in need of a kidney transplant will ever be turned away because of their inability to pay. With a generous contribution from partners at the Nevada Transplant Institute, the Renown Transplant Institute officially opened its doors in December 2024, to address the critical shortage of organ transplant services in Nevada, investing in advanced technology, expert talent and comprehensive patient support programs. The Institutes services span the fill continuum of kidney transplant care from living donor evaluations and transplant surgery, to lifelong post-transplant follow-up, patient support and community education about organ donation. Todays press conference announcement was attended by physicians, clinical staff, area health care and dialysis leaders, transplant recipients, administrators, donors and supporters. The Renown Transplant Institute Now Accepting Referrals for Kidney Transplant Following the first successful transplant, the Renown Transplant Institute continues to work toward CMS certification while partnering with local healthcare providers and dialysis centers to expand access. Once certified, the Institute expects to remove many current barriers, including insurance limitations, and welcome more commercial payors, ensuring more Nevadans can receive the care they need close to home. Candidates will undergo a thorough evaluation process to determine their eligibility and readiness for a transplant. Physicians may now refer patients, or people with end-stage kidney disease who wish to be evaluated may call 775-982-3313 or visit renown.org/transplant and nvtransplant.org for more information. To join the fight, donate to the Renown Health Foundation, a non-profit organization registered with the State of Nevada and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) entity, at renown.org/give or 775-982-5545. As the regions only Level 2 Trauma Center for adults and children, Renown serves over 1 million people and 100,000 square miles. ### Renown Health is the regions largest, locally governed, not-for-profit integrated academic health care network serving Nevada, Lake Tahoe, and northeast California. With a diverse workforce of more than 8,000 employees, Renown has fostered a longstanding culture of excellence, determination, and innovation. The organization comprises a trauma center, two acute care hospitals, a childrens hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, a medical group and urgent care network, and the locally owned not-for-profit insurance company, Hometown Health. For more information, visit renown.org. The Nevada Transplant Institute (NTI) is dedicated to ending the wait for Nevadans on the organ transplant list. Our mission is to expand transplantation services, improve access, reduce costs, and enhance research and education in donation and transplantation. With a commitment to saving lives, NTI works tirelessly to support Nevadans in need of organ transplants. For more information or to contribute, email ntiinfo@nvtransplant.org. Attachment Highlights: Timok East: followup geophysical surveying planned across Western Mag, Bambino Trend and Limestone Contact anomalies to refine drill targets. In response to robust precious metals markets, gold portfolio to be brought into limelight, while maintaining exploration at Timok East. Novo Tlamino: 7.1 Mt at 2.5 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag (Inferred), ~670 koz AuEq at 2.9 g/t AuEq; brecciahosted and near surface (2021 PEA). Planned ~3,200 m infill and ~1,000 m stepout drilling at Barje to support a resource update and test potential extensions. Campscale target pipeline across 400 km, including the Karamanica and Jube Jube prospects. Vancouver - Electrum Discovery Corp. ("Electrum" and/or the "Company") (TSX-V:ELY | FRA:R8N | OTC:ELDCF) is pleased to provide an operational update, refined corporate strategy and strategic growth objectives. The Company also announces the grant of incentive stock options to its new directors. Key Assets and Positioning Electrum Discovery Corp. fully owns two projects: copper-gold Timok East and gold-silver Novo Tlamino, both located in well-known mineralized districts within the prolific Western Tethyan Belt in the Republic of Serbia. To date, the Company's principal focus was on copper-gold exploration at its Timok East Project. Electrum remains fully committed to copper exploration and will continue with disciplined and systematic exploration and drill targeting within the Timok East Project. However, with the continued strengthening of precious metals' markets, the Company believes that advancing its gold-silver portfolio will provide its shareholders with more readily available returns. The Company's sharpened focus on gold leverages Novo Tlamino's near?surface, breccia?hosted gold?silver resource and district?scale land position. Dr. Elena Clarici, CEO of Electrum Discovery, commented: "With precious metals markets gaining strength, we believe now is the right time to bring forward our gold strategy. Novo Tlamino offers both near-term growth potential through resource expansion and longer-term district-scale discovery opportunities. At the same time, we remain committed to advancing Timok East, where upcoming geophysical surveys will refine high-priority drill targets. This balanced approach positions Electrum to unlock value from both gold and copper assets." Novo Tlamino Located in southern Serbia, close to the borders of both Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia, and within the Serbo-Macedonian Metallogenic Belt, the Novo Tlamino Project hosts the Barje gold-silver deposit ("Barje"). Barje contains an inferred resource of 7.1 Mt grading 2.5 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag, for 670,000 ounces AuEq, as defined in a 2021 Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "2021 PEA") and a mineral resource estimate1 prepared under NI 43-101. Mineralization is uniform, hosted in a shallow, outcropping, 5-20 meter thick, laterally extensive breccia horizon, and is amenable to conventional open-pit mining. Previous drilling by the Company has intersected multi-metre high-grade gold intercepts within wider zones and in some holes the mineralization started at surface. Highlights from previous drilling at Barje include: 2 m of 23.88 g/t Auand 340g/t Ag in hole BAR002, 30 m of 5.45 g/t Auand 25g/t Ag in hole BAR006, 9 m of 14.17 g/t Auand 58g/t Ag in hole BAR006, 12 m of 3.37 g/t Auand 12g/t Ag in hole BAR007, and 6 m of 13.49 g/t Au and 788 g/t Ag in hole BAR010. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Geological cross section through the Barje deposit. Drill results from News Releases dated March 21, 2019. Pit shell from the 2021 PEA. 2021 PEA The 2021 PEA returned robust project economics, with a pre-tax NPV (8%) of US$101M and an IRR of 49%. These economics were modelled using a gold price of US$1,500/oz and a silver price of US$16.50/oz. A revised resource estimate, updated geological modelling, together with additional metallurgical test-work and a revised resource estimate, is expected to notably add to the project's economic potential. Barje Resource Upside The current Barje resource is bounded to the south by a post?mineral fault past which only limited drilling has been completed. To the east and west, surface channel sampling within upper?zone schists - lithologically comparable to the upper mineralized zone at Barje - has highlighted the potential for parallel or offset zones beyond the current resource boundary. Planned electromagnetic ("EM") surveying and structural interpretation will aim to identify offset extensions of the breccia?hosted mineralization. An infill drilling program of ~3200 m of drilling is planned within the current area of the inferred resource with the aim of upgrading the resource category. Additional ~1,000 m of step-out drilling will be allocated to test potential extensions of the mineralization in these target areas. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: Plan view map of the Barje - Liska Targets. Drill results from News Release dated March 21, 2019 Novo Tlamino Camp?Scale Potential Electrum holds licenses and applications over 400 km contiguous land package within the Serbo-Macedonian Metallogenic Belt, an underexplored, highly prospective district that hosts epithermal gold, skarn, carbonate-replacement ("CRD"), and porphyry Cu-Au systems-offering district-scale discovery potential. Within the broader Novo Tlamino area, priority targets include Karamanica, a 32km gold-in-soil anomaly with strong CRD/epithermal potential where only limited drilling has been completed, and Jube Jube, a 3 km gold-in-soil trend supported by gold-bearing rock chips in limonite stockworks that has seen no systematic exploration or historic drilling. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 3: Overview geological map of the Novo Tlamino project area, with key locations. (EPSG: 32634). Contained AuEq at Barje from News Release dated 26th January 2021; soil results from News Releases dated 2nd October 2017, and 11th January 2018. Timok East Project Update Electrum continues to advance exploration at its Timok East Project, located within the Western Tethyan Belt adjacent to several world-class porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Exploration to date has identified multiple geophysical and geochemical anomalies, including the Western Mag, Bambino Trend, and Limestone Contact targets. The Company has now completed initial soil sampling over those three targets and assay results are pending. The Company plans to conduct follow-up surface geochemical surveying across new targets with targeted geophysical surveying to refine drill targeting, continuing a systematic approach to evaluating Timok East's porphyry and skarn potential. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 4: RTP Total Magnetic Intensity - Analytical Signal map of Timok East with Copper-in-soil and rock chip anomalies, showing Bambino Trend, Western Mag, and Limestone Contact target (EPSG:32634) planned soil grids and collected samples pending assay are also displayed. (rock and soil results from News Releases 30th October 2024, and April 16th 2025). Looking Ahead and Near?Term Catalysts Commencement of Barje infill drilling plus stepout drilling to test southern and eastern extensions. Additional metallurgical test-work for Barje ore types. Revised Barje Mineral Resource Estimate. Target advancement across the 400 km Novo Tlamino land package (Karamanica, Jube Jube). Timok East followup geophysics and drilltarget prioritization. Electrum Discovery Issues Stock Options The Company has granted 1,000,000 incentive stock options to its two new directors. Messrs. Michael Williams and John Anderson have each received 500,000 incentive stock options, which exercisable at $0.13 per common share, are subject to vesting requirements and have an expiry date of August 25, 2030. The options were granted pursuant to the Company's rolling stock option plan, which has been approved by shareholders and TSX Venture Stock Exchange. Qualified Person The scientific and technical contents of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Thomas Sant BSc, FGS, CGeol, EurGeol. Mr. Sant is a non-independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and the VP, Operations, of the Company. About Electrum Discovery Corp. Electrum Discovery Corp. is a Canadian based, growth-oriented company, committed to increasing shareholder value through advancement of our two projects: gold-silver Novo Tlamino and copper-gold Timok East, located in two known mineralized districts within the prolific Western Tethyan Belt in the Republic of Serbia. Electrum Discovery is looking to maximize the value of our mineral projects for all stakeholders including our shareholders, the local community and government, while fostering sustainability, governance, and knowledge transfer in the region. Additional information on Electrum can be found by reviewing the Company's page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. For more information contact: Dr Elena Clarici, Chief Executive Officer and Director T: +1 604 801 5432 | E: elena@electrumdiscovery.com | W: electrumdiscovery.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information. Such statements include Company's expected achievement of specified milestones, results of operations, and expected financial results of the Company. Often, but not always, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "estimate", "estimates", "estimated", "potential", "open", "future", "assumed", "projected", "used", "detailed", "has been", "gain", "upgraded", "offset", "limited", "contained", "reflecting", "containing", "remaining", "to be", "periodically", or statements that events, "could" or "should" occur or be achieved and similar expressions, including negative variations. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Electrum, to be materially different from any results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such uncertainties and factors include, among others, uncertainties inherent in the PEA and exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; risks related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; changes in general economic conditions and financial markets; risks associated with the results of exploration and development activities, and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; unanticipated costs and expenses; and such other risks detailed from time to time in Electrum's quarterly and annual filings with securities regulators and available under Electrum's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Rock chips and surface results are early stage and there is no assurance that future exploration will find mineralization of further interest. Although Electrum has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management. Forward-looking information has been made as of the date hereof and Electrum disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by law. 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, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. 1 Preliminary Economic Assessment and NI43-101 Technical Report for the Medgold Tlamino Project, January 7, 2021, www.sedarplus.ca. The effective date of the resource estimate is January 7, 2021. Authors of the Reports are: Mr. Richard Siddle, MAIG, of Addison Mining Services Ltd for Mineral Resources; Dr. Matthew Randall, FIMMM, of Axe Valley Mining Consultants Ltd for Mining; Mr. Ian Jackson, FIMMM, of Bara Consulting for Mineral Processing, and Dr. Andrew Bamber, MCIM, of Bara Consulting Ltd for Economic Analysis. The PEA is preliminary in nature, and it includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be characterized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realised. A gold price of US$1500/oz and a silver price of US$16.5/oz were used for estimations of metal equivalents. Metal equivalent factors were calculated separately for the three main material types of the mineral resource as shown below: Click Image To View Full Size A gold equivalent (AuEq) grade was calculated using the formula AuEq = ((Ag g/t) x 0.011)) + (Au g/t) for the High Grade Breccia and Partially Oxidized materials, and AuEq = ((Ag g/t) x 0.012)) + (Au g/t) for the Low Grade Schist. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) (FWB: GGA1) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has extinguished all remaining debt with the final settlement of outstanding debentures ("Debentures") in the aggregate principal amount of $275,430. As previously disclosed (see news releases dated June 25, 2025, and June 16, 2025), Debentures with an aggregate principal amount of $4,087,888, together with accrued interest of $613,794.20, were converted into a total of 23,508,412 units during June 2025. At that time, Debentures with a remaining principal amount of $275,430 remained outstanding. The Company has now fully repaid the remaining Debentures and all accrued interest. On August 22, 2025, the Company paid $119,691 in cash, representing $70,000 in principal and $49,691 in accrued interest. In addition, $205,430 of principal was applied to the exercise of 2,054,300 previously issued Debenture warrants, resulting in the issuance of 2,054,300 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.10 per share. Other Corporate The Company further announces the resignation of Scott Frostad, VP Exploration. Mr. Frostad was integral to the advancement of the Fondaway Canyon gold project over the 4 years of his tenure and the Company wishes him well and to thank him for his contribution. The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick McLaughlin, B.SC., P.Geo., as Senior Project Geologist and Qualified Person. Mr. McLaughlin brings over 20 years of mineral exploration experience across an array of domestic and international jurisdictions, with a proven track record in the technical and operational execution of exploration programs. He possesses a deep understanding of a range of deposit and exploration models and demonstrates a high level of proficiency in project design, strategic planning, and end-to-end exploration project management. His leadership and exploration insight will ensure the efficient coordination of the Company's multidisciplinary teams and projects across all phases of operational responsibilities. Mr. McLaughlin is a Partner in Coast Mountain Geological Ltd., one of the largest geo-service consulting firms in western Canada, with its main headquarters in Vancouver, BC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (Honours) from the University of Manitoba in 2005 and is a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia and Ontario. "Mr. McLaughlin is a highly experienced project manager and well versed in the geological setting and gold mineralization system at Fondaway Canyon. With solid groundwork previously established and a defined exploration plan, I anticipate a seamless transition for the 2025 drill program." states Mike Sieb, President, Getchell Gold Corp. About Getchell Gold Corp. The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the CSE: GTCH, OTCQB: GGLDF, and FWB: GGA1. Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a large mineral resource estimate and recently published Preliminary Economic Assessment. www.getchellgold.com The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the outstanding Debentures, and future exploration endeavors and success. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of Getchell have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Getchell Gold Corp. For further information, please contact: Karen Mate, Corporate Communications, (416) 230-6454, kmate@capitalmarketsadvisory.ca; Mike Sieb, President, 1-647-249-4798, info@getchellgold.com Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSX.V: LEAP | OTCQB: ATOXF | FSE: 86A1) ("Quantum" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has submitted an application to increase the size of its Victory Antimony Property to a total 1,444 hectares, pending approval by B.C. Mineral Titles Online (Figure 1). The project is located on the west side of Graham Island in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1 - Map of Victory Antimony Property About the Victory Antimony Project The Victory Antimony project was initially discovered in 1988 by Newmont Exploration of Canada along a newly constructed logging road. A 1989 Assessment Report reported a chip sample of mineralized boulders assaying 11.8% arsenic, 1.24% antimony, and 0.136% mercury (Turner, 1989). Mineralization of the showing reported 5% stibnite (antimony mineral) and was reported to be exposed over a width of 2.5-3 metres over a length of 10-12 metres. The occurrence is described as being a hydrothermal hot spring deposit type within the Middle Jurassic Yakoun group pyroclastic andesites, volcanic sediments and argillites, which appears to be similar to the showing reported by Armory Mining Corp. which is adjacent to their Riley Creek project, as announced on November 11, 2024. Subject to approval, Quantum plans to initiate access development to the expanded property, followed by field programs including verification of historical Minfile showings, geological mapping and outcrop sampling. Why the Victory Property Matters This expansion safeguards coverage of the historical showing, reinforcing Quantum's dedication to responsible exploration and the advancement of critical metal supply independence in Canada. CEO Marcy Kiesman, stated, "Securing reliable sources of antimony is becoming more important than ever. By expanding the Victory Property to cover to the known Minfile showing, we demonstrate our commitment to building a resilient, domestic supply chain for critical minerals." None of the historical information in the release has been verified yet by the Company and should not be relied upon as the occurrence information may not be indicative of the mineralization in the area. Melanie Mackay, PGeo, EGBC (Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia) 35256, is a director and qualified person for Quantum and approves the technical content of this news release. About Antimony Antimony is a critical mineral primarily used as a flame retardant and alloying agent in lead-acid batteries, ammunition, and semiconductors. It also has strategic applications in defense and energy storage technologies, making it a high-priority material for many governments. The global antimony market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2023 to 2030, driven by rising demand in renewable energy storage and military applications. China dominates global antimony production, accounting for over 70% of supply, leading to significant supply chain risks. This concentration creates vulnerabilities for industries and countries reliant on antimony for essential applications. In December 2024, China banned exports of antimony to the United States, citing its dual military and civilian uses, further exacerbating supply chain concerns. The U.S. Department of Defense has designated antimony as a critical mineral due to its importance in national security, and governments are now prioritizing domestic production to mitigate supply chain disruptions. Antimony has been on the critical mineral list in Canada for a significant period of time. Projects exploring antimony sources in North America play a key role in addressing these challenges. About Recent Private Placement The Company would also like to announce in the recent offering which closed $2,009,100.30 in gross proceeds (see press release dated July 18, 2025) that a total of $54,217 cash fees were paid as finders' fees and 541,170 broker warrants were issued with terms the same as the offering, being an exercise price of $0.20 for one common share of the Company for a period of two years. About Critical Metals Critical metals are essential components in modern technologies, including renewable energy systems, defense applications, and advanced electronics. Both the United States and Canada have identified specific lists of critical minerals vital to their economic and national security. The U.S. Geological Survey's 2022 list includes 50 critical minerals, while Canada in 2024 has designated 34 minerals as critical. Recent geopolitical developments have heightened concerns over the supply chain security of these critical metals. China, which holds a dominant position in the production and processing of several critical minerals, has implemented export bans affecting the West. Notably, in December 2024, China banned exports of gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States, citing their dual military and civilian uses. Following this, in February 2025, China imposed extensive export controls on five additional strategic metals: tungsten, indium, bismuth, tellurium, and molybdenum. These metals are essential for various industries, such as defense, clean energy, and consumer electronics. These actions underscore the strategic importance of diversifying supply chains and developing domestic sources for critical metals to mitigate geo-political risks and ensure the stability of essential industries. References Turner, J.A. 1989. BC Assessment Report 18413, Steven 1-3 Critical Metals U.S. Geological Survey 2022 Critical Minerals List, Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, China Restricts Gallium and Germanium Exports, China's curbs on exports of strategic minerals A guide to the five metals whose export China has restricted China bans exports to US of gallium, germanium, antimony in response to chip sanctions Antimony China's Ban on Antimony Exports, Antimony in National Defense About Quantum Critical Metals Corp. Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSX.V: LEAP) (OTCQB: ATOXF) (FSE: 86A1) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing critical metals projects that power next-generation technologies. With a growing portfolio of promising assets-including the NMX East Gallium-Rubidium-Cesium Project in Quebec, the Discovery Gallium-Rubidium-Cesium and polymetallic project in Quebec, the Victory Antimony Project in British Columbia, the Prophecy Germanium-Gallium-Zinc Project in British Columbia, among others, the Company is strategically positioned to support the West's transition to a secure and sustainable critical metals supply. To stay updated on Quantum's latest developments, sign up for our mailing list and visit www.quantumcriticalmetals.com and www.sedarplus.com. Marcy Kiesman, CEO Telephone: 604.428.2900 or 604.339.2243 Email: marcykiesman@qcritical.com Website: www.quantumcriticalmetals.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward?looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the upcoming work programs, and other statements relating to the business, financial and technical prospects of the Company. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The Company does not undertake to update forward?looking statements or forward?looking information, except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Norsemont Mining Inc. (CSE: NOM, OTCQB: NRRSF, FWB: LXZ1) ("NOM" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Crescat Capital led this strategic round and further to its news release dated August 1, 2025, it has closed the second tranche of a non-brokered private placement consisting of 1,985,834 units of the Company at CAD $0.60 per unit for gross proceeds of CAD $1,191,500.40 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share and one-half of one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of CAD $0.75 per common share for a period of two years from the date of closing (the "Warrants"). To date, the Company has raised aggregate gross proceeds of $5,479,199.40 under the three tranches of the Offering. In the event that the Company's common shares close at a price on the Exchange of CAD $1.25 or greater per common share for a period of 10 consecutive trading days after four months and one day from the closing of the Offering, the Company may accelerate the expiry of the Warrants by giving notice to the holders thereof (by disseminating a news release advising of the acceleration of the expiry date of the Warrants) and, in such case, the Warrants will expire on the ten (10th) business day after the date of such notice. For Canadian investors, there is a hold period of four months and one day from the issuance of the Units. For United States investors they will additionally be subject to hold periods as required by applicable federal and "blue sky" securities laws. The proceeds of the Offering are anticipated to be used for phase 3 drill programs which will include DDH deep 600m holes into copper porphyry zone, 300m drill holes into high grade gold zones and shallow holes into oxide / leachable gold zone, metallurgy and general working capital, in order to advance the Choquelimpie Gold-Silver-Copper project in Northern Chile. The Offerings are subject to compliance with CSE policies. "Closing over $5.4 million and the strategic support of Crescat Capital, Larry Lepard and Rob McEwen strongly endorses our vision and the upside of the Choquelimpie project. Their backing positions Norsemont to advance drilling, metallurgy, and engineering, and to unlock significant value for all stakeholders.," said Marc Levy, CEO of Norsemont. "Norsemont's Choquelimpie Project is a massive mineralizing system in the far north of Chile, a region well-endowed with very large ore deposits. Although a small part of the uppermost epithermal portion of this system was mined historically, its exploration potential largely remains intact making this a particularly compelling case. I feel very strongly that a well-focused, sustained drill campaign can quickly add significant additions to the already large Au and Ag resources. One also must ask the obvious question of whether there is potential for a large porphyry discovery beneath. In short, we are very excited to be part of this story as Norsemont's sophisticated exploration team uncovers the potential of this world class porphyry-epithermal system.," said Dr. Quinton Hennigh, Geologic and Technical Advisor to Crescat Capital. "Norsemont's Choquelimpie Gold-Silver-Copper project has the scale, potential, and infrastructure to create significant value. Chile has proven to be an excellent mining jurisdiction with a history of successful large-scale projects going into production. I'm excited to back the team as a strategic shareholder and support them in unlocking this world-class opportunity for all shareholders.," said Lawrence Lepard, Managing Partner at Equity Management Associates LLC. 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 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 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, unless an exemption from such registration is available. On Behalf of the Board, NORSEMONT MINING INC. Marc Levy CEO & Chairman About Norsemont Mining Inc. The Norsemont team comprises experienced natural resource professionals focused on growing shareholder value and developing its flagship project through to bankable feasibility, with an initial mineral resource estimate of 2,184,000 indicated gold equivalent ounces and 557,000 inferred gold equivalent ounces for its Choquelimpie Gold-Silver-Copper project. Norsemont Mining owns a 100% interest in the Choquelimpie gold-silver-copper project in northern Chile, a previously permitted gold and silver mine with significant exploration upside. Choquelimpie has over 1,700 drill holes, with significant existing infrastructure, including roads, power, water, camp and a 3,000-tonne-per-day mill. Norsemont is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development, leveraging modern exploration techniques to unlock further value for all stakeholders. For more information, please contact the Company at: Investor Relations: Paul Searle (778) 240-7724 Follow Norsemont Mining: Twitter: @norsemont LinkedIn: @norsemontmining Facebook: @norsemontmining Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward?looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the Offering and entry into the marketing agreements. 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, the Company not receiving the necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Offering and marketing agreements contemplated herein and, with respect to the Offering, risks adverse to the capital markets, the mining industry, and investor support. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approvals and receive market interest to close the Offering on the terms herein. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, Aug. 25, 2025 - Marimaca Copper Corp. (ARBN683017094) ("Marimaca" or the "Company") (TSX: MARI) (ASX: MC2) is pleased to announce the results of the Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") for its Marimaca Oxide Deposit ("MOD") which considers a nominal 50 ktpa of copper cathode production target for an estimated 13-year reserve life. The Company will host an investor presentation, covering the DFS, via the Investor Meet Company ("IMC") platform on August 26, 2025. Further details can be found below. Highlights Pre-production capital cost and capital intensity of US$587m and US$11,700/tonne of copper production capacity, respectively, positions the MOD as one of the lowest capital cost and intensity development stage copper projects globally Simple open pit mining with life of mine strip ratio of 0.8:1 including pre-stripped material Steady state (years 2-10) production of approx. 49 ktpa (108 million lbs) of Grade A LME copper cathode First five years of 50ktpa copper, LOM average of 43ktpa copper First five years of steady state production estimated C1 cash costs of US$1.45/lb; AISC cost of US$1.97/lb Steady state (years 2-10) estimated C1 cash costs of US$1.68/lb; AISC of US$2.09/lb LOM C1 cash costs of US$1.84/lb; AISC of US$2.29/lb Dynamic geo-metallurgical model with recoveries based on data collected from seven comprehensive phases of metallurgical testing LOM heap leach copper recoveries of 72%, first five years of 78% Robust forecast economics and strong estimated cashflow generation at various copper prices Post Tax NPV 8 of US$709m (US$900m pre-tax) and IRR of 31% (33% pre-tax) using a long-term copper price of US$4.30/lb copper (slightly below LT consensus), 2.5yr capital payback Post Tax NPV 8 of US$1.07bn (US$1.39bn pre-tax) and 39% IRR (43% pre-tax) at the 3-month rolling average COMEX price of US$5.05/lb Maiden Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves of 178.6Mt with an average grade of 0.42% CuT for 750kt of contained copper based on Measured & Indicated Resources (i.e. Inferred material currently reports to waste for the purposes of the DFS plan) The Company believes that the MOD DFS represents the starting point in its organic growth strategy with numerous defined growth opportunities Inferred Resource currently treated as waste in the DFS mine plan Pampa Medina and Madrugador Oxides which the Company believes has the potential to underpin a future regional hub-and-spoke oxide opportunity Sulphide exploration potential at both Marimaca and Pampa Medina as demonstrated in recent drilling success Initial designs include oversized key equipment and infrastructure allowing for cost effective potential future scale expansions including the primary crusher, conveyors, water pipeline and infrastructure, power connection, footprints of the heap leach, and ripios dump The DFS incorporates purpose-built water infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with utilizing existing mine water infrastructure in the region Capital cost estimate is based on approximately 80% budget quotes, including an Engineering Procurement Construction ("EPC") quote for the SX-EW plant Opportunity to reduce initial capital costs by utilizing an alternative contracting strategy Project permitting well underway and receipt of environmental approvals (RCA) are anticipated before the end of 2025 Sectoral Permits will be required post-environmental approval to allow full construction to commence and to support the operations phase Debt financing workstreams are underway, with advisors and technical experts engaged - objective of identifying preferred financing partners by year-end 2025 Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: "The DFS confirms the MOD's position as one of the most attractive copper development opportunities globally, especially when compared to those with a production capacity greater than 50ktpa. There are very few copper projects with lower capital intensity, and our competitive operating cost profile, positioned in the second quartile of Wood Mackenzie-benchmarked copper projects globally on an all-in-cost basis, drives superior return on invested capital metrics at virtually any copper price. Cashflows are robust, even at copper prices well below today's long term consensus copper price, which will support our well progressed debt financing discussions. "Our base case economics are assessed using a flat long term copper price of US$4.30/lb, which is slightly below the current consensus long term price. We note other recent Feasibility Studies in our developer peer group have used a headline price of above US$4.80/lb. At that price, the MOD delivers nearly US$1bn of post-tax NPV8 with an IRR of 36.5%. This result confirms again that the MOD is quite exceptional from a ROIC perspective. "We have quoted all material equipment from reputable providers to ensure long term reliability and operability. Massive and civil earthworks were quoted by a large Chilean contractor with expertise in mining earthworks. Quotes for construction and assembly of key packages were received from local and international contractors, including an Engineering Procurement Construction ("EPC") quote for the SX-EW plant. This passes risk to the contractor but naturally increases the overall cost to the Company. The Company believes there is an opportunity to further optimize the capital cost by utilizing a hybrid contracting strategy. "Operating costs have been built from first principles and include maintenance schedules recommended by equipment providers over the life of mine. The MOD benefits both from its extremely low life of mine strip ratio, but also its geometry, which means even at the end of the current mine plan, the vertical haulage distance is less than 200m, meaning mining costs are significantly lower both on per tonne of material moved and per tonne of ore delivered to the heap leach pads." "The DFS excludes the inferred resources of 21Mt with an average grade of 0.29% CuT. Approximately 10Mt of inferred material is moved as part of the DFS mine plan, all of which reports to waste. We expect, with minimal additional drilling, that we can continue our strong conversion of mineral resources to ore reserves, which is approximately 84% for the Measured and Indicated resource categories. "We are well progressed on a PEA for Pampa Medina, which has been briefly paused due to recent drilling success, and we now see strong potential to increase our production target scale from the contemplated 50ktpa of copper cathode production with oxides from the Pampa Medina and Madrugador deposits (although no forecast is made of that at this stage). We strongly believe 50ktpa of copper production is a starting point for the Company as we continue our journey towards being a significant global copper producer. "Our permitting is progressing well and we have now submitted our responses to the first ICSARA (list of questions and clarifications) from the regulatory authorities. We expect one further round of follow-up questions and information requests after which the authorities should be in a position to provide environmental approvals for the MOD. We are targeting receipt of environmental approvals by the end of 2025, allowing construction to commence in 2026. "The multi-pronged strategy of Marimaca remains to bring the MOD into production as quickly as is feasible, while continuing to progress our pipeline of projects, at various stages of maturity, in parallel. This will include further technical work on the Pampa Medina and Madrugador Projects with the objective of increasing our potential production capacity to over 70ktpa of copper cathode within the next 5 years. In parallel, we will continue to explore high priority targets including the Pampa Medina Deposit, where material possibilities for resource growth have been identified, and to test the sulphide potential below the MOD, which has never been drilled. "Overall, we are pleased with the results following a significant amount of technical work completed in the last two years. We see opportunities for further improvement to what is already an exceptional project as we progress through detailed design and engineering, and we are excited to commence the next phase of our development." Investor Presentation Marimaca will host an investor presentation via the IMC platform on Tuesday, August 26 2025, covering today's announcement. The online event will take place at 03:00 a.m. (Vancouver) / 06:00 a.m. (Toronto) / 11:00 a.m. (London) / 6:00 p.m. (Perth) with Hayden Locke (President & CEO) presenting from the Company. The presentation is open to all existing and potential shareholders. Questions can be submitted at any time during the presentation. Investors can sign up to IMC for free and add to meet Marimaca Copper via: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/marimaca-copper-corp/register-investor Executive Summary The DFS contemplates truck and shovel mining operation to produce ore from a single open pit, three-stage crushing, agglomeration and dynamic heap leaching to produce a target of 50ktpa of copper cathode with an initial 13-year reserve life. The resource is contained in a single open pit, developed over eight phases. The life-of-mine strip ratio, which includes inferred material as waste and the initial pre-strip, is 0.8:1. Initial throughput of 12 Mtpa of heap leach material expands to 16 Mtpa in the second phase starting in year 6 of the mine plan. Mineral resources are based on approximately 140 km of reverse circulation and diamond drilling, completed from 2016 to 2022, and the database incorporates sequential copper (acid soluble & cyanide soluble copper), analytical acid consumption and mineralogy. Mineral reserves are based on the Measured and Indicated Resource categories, post the application of various modifying factors, including operating costs, recoveries and mining assumptions. Ore is crushed via a three-stage crushing configuration to a product size of 80% passing 12.5 mm (-"). Post crushing, ore is agglomerated and acid cured and stacked on dynamic heap leach pads with maximum lift height of 4 meters. Ore is irrigated with leaching solution comprising of untreated seawater and sulfuric acid. Acid dose in curing, acid concentrations in leaching, overall leaching ratios and leaching periods are variable depending on mineral sub-domain. The mine plan does not consider selective mining of mineralogical domains, but there is natural selectivity within the mine plan based on the geometry and natural domaining of the deposit. The early years comprise dominantly green oxides (brochantite and chrysocolla) moving to more enriched (secondary sulphides comprising chalcocite and covellite) and WAD material in the second half of the mine plan. Copper recoveries are variable depending on mineral sub-domain. Recovery equations have been developed from seven phases of metallurgical test work, including numerous column leach tests using the operating parameters contemplated in the DFS. Recovery equations are dynamic and dependent on mineral sub-domain, grade, leaching potential and have been assigned on a block-by-block basis within the DFS mine plan. Acid consumption assumptions are also based on all of the phases of metallurgical test work, and utilize the analytical acid consumption database, which has been acquired for all of the 140 km of drilling included in the MOD drilling package. Capital costs have been estimated on the basis of the material take-offs developed by Ausenco in engineering for quantities and detailed mechanical equipment lists. Budget quotations were obtained for approximately 80% of the mechanical equipment in support of the capital cost estimate. For mechanical equipment, quotes have been obtained from multiple reputable firms. Massive and civil earthworks rates have been obtained from Excon, one of the largest earthmoving contractors in Chile. Construction and assembly costs have been obtained from local Chilean contractors on a procurement and execution basis. The quote for the SX-EW facility was provided by Tenova on an EPC basis. For the purposes of the DFS, the water and power infrastructure, to the mine gate, have been included on the basis of Build Own Operate Transfer ("BOOT") proposals provided by local and international firms with presence in Chile. This reduces the upfront capital cost, with the cost reflected as an ongoing operating cost to the Project. Metric Unit First 5 Years of Steady State(1) First 10 Years(2) LOM Mining Summary Total Ore Mined kt 80,683 173,994 178,635 Total Waste Mined kt 73,803 144,778 145,889 Strip Ratio w:o 0.91x 0.83x 0.82x Production Summary Average Annual Ore Sent to Heap Leach Mtpa 12.4 13.6 14.1 Head Grade Cu % Cu 0.52% 0.48% 0.42% Cu Recovery % Cu 77% 73% 72% Average Annual Cu Recovered ktpa Cu 50 48 43 Operating Costs Mine Operating Costs US$/t mined $1.2 $1.4 $1.5 Processing Costs US$/t processed $8.9 $8.9 $8.8 G&A Costs US$/t processed $0.3 $0.3 $0.3 Total Operating Costs US$/t processed $12.3 $12.5 $11.9 Sales & Royalty US$/lb Cu $0.10 $0.07 $0.06 C1 Cash Costs(3) US$/lb Cu $1.45 $1.68 $1.84 AISC(4) US$/lb Cu $1.97 $2.12 $2.29 Capital Expenditures Initial Capital US$m $587 Expansion Capital US$m $77 Sustaining Capital US$m $283 $484 $529 Closure Cost US$m $47 Salvage Value US$m $43 Financial Metrics Long Term Copper Price US$/lb Cu $4.30 Average Annual EBITDA US$m $326 $288 $241 Post-Tax Average Annual Unlevered Free Cash Flow(5) US$m $222 $188 $160 Pre-tax NPV 8% US$m $900 Post-tax NPV 8% US$m $709 Pre-tax IRR % 33% Post-tax IRR % 31% Payback Period years 2.5 Notes: 1. First 5 years of steady state (Years 2-6) 2. First 10 Years production includes material moved for pre-stripping in Year -1 and ramp-up period in Year 1. 3. C1 Cash Costs includes the mining, processing, G&A, marketing & sales, and royalty costs. These are Non-GAAP performance measures. 4. AISC includes sustaining capex, closure capex, and salvage value. 5. Average Annual Unlevered Free Cash Flow during operating years only (years 1-13) Table 1: Summary of MOD DFS Production Target and Financial Metrics Initial Capital Cost The initial capital cost estimate provides for US$587m for 50 ktpa of copper production capacity per annum, with a capital intensity per tonne of production capacity of US$11,700/tonne. All capital cost estimates have been developed considering the American Association of Cost Engineers ("AACE") Class 3 guidelines, with an expected accuracy of of -10% to -20% / +10% to +30%. A contingency of 10%, on average, has been applied across the direct and indirect capital costs of the Project. Capital costs have been developed using material take-offs ("MTOs") developed by Ausenco in the DFS engineering which included detailed equipment lists and quantities. Equipment, materials, earthworks and construction were then quoted using reputable local and international firms. The mining fleet is assumed to be financed under a lease to own arrangement. The water and power infrastructure to the mine gate is assumed to be developed by third parties under a Build Own Operate Transfer ("BOOT") contract structure with large international and local infrastructure firms operating in Chile. Metric Unit Total LOM Initial Capital Cost Mine US$m $24 Crushing US$m $141 Heap Leach & SX-EW US$m $223 Infrastructure US$m $49 Total Direct Costs US$m $437 Indirect costs US$m $80 Owner costs US$m $17 Contingency US$m $53 Total Initial Capital Cost US$m $587 Table 2: Initial Capital Costs for the MOD Project The estimates for initial capital cost put the MOD among the lowest absolute capital costs and capital intensities for any greenfields copper projects globally. According to Wood Mackenzie's global copper project database, there are seven projects with lower capital intensity in the developer universe with initial capital more than US$300m and production targets of greater than 100Mlbs of copper per annum. The MOD is among the lowest capital intensity and absolute capital cost copper development projects in this dataset. Figure 1: Capital Cost Intensity for Global Copper Development Projects in Wood Mackenzie Database Highlighting the MOD's Attractive Capital Intensity Operating Costs Operating costs were built from first principles using schedules for labour, energy consumption, consumables (diesel, lubricants, reagents, acid, water) and equipment manufacturer specified maintenance schedules over the life of mine. Mining costs were provided via specialist Chilean mining consultancy NCL and were benchmarked against operations with identical fleets and similar mine production profiles operating in Chile. Mining rates were developed from first principles with industry standard assumptions on utilization rates and adjusted for MOD specific operating parameters using a Mining Cost Adjustment Factor ("MCAF"). This accounts for changes in vertical and lateral haulage distances as the open pit develops over the life of mine. Mining operating costs include interest and capital costs associated with a leasing equipment contract structure with Komatsu. Processing costs were also developed from first principles utilizing schedules for labour, reagent consumption from the geometallurgical model and metallurgical test work. These were applied using the geometallurgical model to account for acid consumption, and for industry standard rates for the SX-EW facility. Total Estimated Operating Costs LOM Total (US$m) LOM Average (US$/t processed) LOM Average (US$/lb Cu) Mining (excl. deferred stripping) $498 $2.79 $0.42 Processing (excl acid)(1) $1,037 $5.80 $0.87 Acid $530 $2.97 $0.45 G&A $53 $0.30 $0.04 Sub-Total $2,119 $11.86 $1.78 Total C1 Cash Cost(2) $1.84 Sustaining Capital Cost $529 $2.96 $0.44 AISC(3) $2.29 Notes: 1. Includes cost for Port and BOOT Agreements. 2. C1 Cash Costs includes transport, selling and royalty costs in addition to the sub-total presented. These are Non-GAAP performance measures. 3. AISC includes sustaining capex, closure capex, and salvage value. Table 3: Total Operating Costs Estimate The Company has benchmarked the MOD utilizing Wood Mackenzie's database of 237 operating copper mines. Several of the mines have negative C1 and AISC costs on account of by-product credits. These have been included for completeness of the analysis. The MOD has projected C1 cash costs for the first five years of steady state operations are US$1.45/lb. For the first 10yrs of operations, including the ramp up period in year 1, C1 cash costs are projected to be US$1.68/lb. This places the MOD at the bottom end and middle of the 2nd quartile of the peer group for these periods, respectively, when compared to the benchmarked universe of copper assets, per Wood Mackenzie. Figure 2: C1 Cash Cost Curve for Operating Copper Mines from Wood Mackenzie Showing Competitive MOD C1 Cost Base in 2nd Quartile On an AISC cost basis, the Project has projected costs of US$1.97/lb for the first 5yrs of steady state operation and US$2.09/lb during steady state operations (years 2-10). For the first 10yrs of operations, including the ramp up period in year 1, AISC costs are projected to be US$2.12/lb. This places the MOD in the bottom of the 2nd quartile during steady state operations (including ramp-up) when compared to the peer group of benchmarked copper assets per Wood Mackenzie. Figure 3: AISC Cost Curve for Operating Copper Mines with MOD Steady-State AISC in 2nd Quartile Economic Analysis The Company has completed sensitivity analysis using a range of copper prices, underlying input cost assumptions and discount rates to stress-test the business case and identify key areas of risk to the business plan. Similar to many mining projects, the MOD's ROIC is quite sensitive to underlying copper price assumptions, with an IRR of 31% and NPV 8% of US$709m based on a flat pricing assumption of US$4.30/lb Cu, which is just below the current long term ("LT") consensus copper price of US$4.36/lb. At the trailing 3-month COMEX copper price of US$5.05/lb, the Project delivers an exceptional NPV8 (post tax) of US$1.1bn with an IRR of 39%. In contrast to most of the peer group of development assets, the Project delivers robust economics even when assuming copper prices well below the LT consensus price. The MOD delivers robust cashflow generation and Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") metrics for any reasonable assumption of downside copper price assumptions. Marimaca has analyzed the Wood Mackenzie AISC cost curve for copper producers, which indicates the 75th percentile of the universe of 237 operational copper assets starts at an AISC of US$3.00/lb, and the 85th percentile at approximately US$3.50/lb. Using a flat US$3.50/lb LT flat copper price assumption, the MOD delivers a post-tax NPV8 of US$347m and an IRR of 21% with a payback period of just over 3 years. Given the long-term demand forecasts for copper, the company believes this is a reasonable downside price assessment on which to stress project economics. Among Wood Mackenzie's database of 83 development stage copper assets with publicly available technical studies, the MOD has a profitability index (Pre-Tax NPV / Initial Capital Cost) in the top quartile of the peer universe. When combined with its outstanding geographical location, in a recognized and mature mining jurisdiction, the MOD clearly benchmarks as an exceptional project from a financial risk perspective. Figure 4: Profitability Index for Global Copper Projects in Wood Mackenzie Database Indicating the Superior Return on Capital of the MOD In summary, the MOD is a financially robust asset, which generates superior returns when benchmarked against the majority of development and producer peers. As a result, the Company expects the project to be financeable via traditional debt and equity structures, and to generate strong returns for investors. The Company will now turn its attention to the next phase of development activities, continuing to move the project towards production. Marimaca is formulating a development plan which will encompass further grade control drilling, additional confirmatory and optimization metallurgical test work, detailed design and engineering, early site preparation works (to commence on receipt of environmental approvals) and deposits on long lead items. The Company will also continue to progress its growth development strategy for the Pampa Medina and Madrugador oxide deposits and its parallel exploration strategy to unlock further value in its extensive exploration portfolio. At the end of June 2025, the Company had over US$24m in cash available, which is sufficient to finance its ongoing development activities. Funding The debt financing process has commenced, with debt advisors and Independent Technical Experts ("ITE") engaged and reviewing the DFS in preparation for formal launch of a broad debt process to support project development. Marimaca has completed an initial outreach program to various debt providers with expressions of interest of up to US$500m based on initial, pre-DFS, financial models prepared by the Company. The indicative feedback received from these groups suggests the MOD is debt financeable. The Company's aim is to identify its preferred debt partners and to announce credit approved term sheets, subject to long form documentation, towards the end of 2025. The Company has several large shareholders on its register including two strategic investors in Assore International Holdings ("Assore") and Mitsubishi Corp ("Mitsubishi"). Both Assore and Mitsubishi have significant equity financing capacity and have indicated their ongoing support to the Marimaca team and development of the Project. The Company believes, on this basis, that equity financing of the MOD is achievable in combination with a broader capital raise from institutional and sophisticated investors. Next Steps & Pre-Final Investment Decision Work Programs Following the endorsement of the DFS by the Board of Marimaca, the Company will commence various early works activities which will include detailed design and engineering, grade control drilling, further optimization metallurgical programs, deposits on key equipment and acquisition of vendor engineer as well as site preparation works including construction of access roads and buildings. The DFS assumes these items are completed ahead of Final Investment Decision ("FID") to achieve appropriate project maturity before FID. Marimaca has cash on its balance sheet of over US$24m, which is sufficient to fund the commencement of these work items. The Company is dual listed on the Australian Stock Exchange ("ASX") and the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX"), which provides it with access to a broad pool of specialist and generalist mining investors to further de-risk the eventual equity capital requirements for project development. The Company is currently exploring strategic alternatives to the development of the Project, including engagement with strategic mining companies and copper producers, traders and offtakers, and other alternative financing sources. Qualified/Competent Person The independent Competent Persons ("CP"), as defined under JORC, and Qualified Persons ("QP"), as defined by NI 43-101 for this Press Release are defined below. The statements in this Press Release relating to processing, costing, economics is Tommaso Roberto Raponi. Mr. Tommaso Roberto Raponi is a Professional Engineer registered with the Professional Engineers Ontario, Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, and NWT and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists. Mr. Raponi is a Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC, with an office address in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Raponi is responsible for the processing, costing, economics aspects of the MOD DFS Report as a QP/CP. Mr. Raponi has sufficient experience relevant to the style of project consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). The CP, Mr. Raponi, has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to processing, costing, economics based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. The statements relating in this Press Release that relates to drilling, modelling and Mineral Resources estimation is based on and fairly represents information compiled by NCL Ingenieria y Construccion SpA. and reviewed by Luis Oviedo, P. Geo, an independent Consulting Geologist with more than 45 years of experience. Mr. Oviedo is a member of the Colegio de Geo?logos and the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile and takes responsibility for the Mineral Resource aspects of the MOD DFS Press Release as a CP. Mr. Oviedo has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). Mr. Oviedo has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to drilling, modelling and Mineral Resources based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. The Effective Date of the Mineral Resource Estimate is August 25, 2025 The statements relating in this Press Release that relates to Ore Reserves and the Mining section presented in the Appendix 1 is based on information prepared by and mine planning work by NCL Ingenieria y Construccion SpA. and reviewed by Carlos Guzman RM CMC, FAusIMM. Mr. Guzman is a mining engineer and Principal Director at NCL Ingenieria y Construccion SpA., a consulting firm based in Santiago, Chile. Mr. Guzman has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). ). Mr. Oviedo has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to Ore Reserves and Mining based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. The Effective Date of the Mineral Reserve Estimate is August 25, 2025. Mr. Scott C. Elfen is a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California and in the State of Idaho. Mr. Elfen is the Global Lead of Geotechnical and Civil Services at Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC, with an office address in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Elfen is responsible for the Process Plant Geotechnical information presented in the Appendix 1 of the MOD DFS Report as a CP. Mr. Elfen has sufficient experience relevant to the style of project consideration and to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). The CP, Mr. Elfen, has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to Process Plant Geotechnical information based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. Mr. James Millardis a professional geologist (P. Geo.) and member in good standing of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Nova Scotia. Mr. Millard is a professional geologist and Director, Strategic Projects at Ausenco Sustainability ULC, with an office address in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Mr. Millard is responsible for the Environmental, Social and Community aspects presented in Appendix 1 of the MOD DFS Report as a CP. Mr. Millard has sufficient experience relevant to the activity he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as such term is defined in the JORC Code (2012 edition) and a Qualified Person (as such term is defined in NI 43-101). Mr. Millard has read and verified the MOD DFS Press Release for matters related to Environmental, Social and Community aspects based on the information he prepared for the DFS and in which they appear in the form and context. National Instrument 43-101 An independent technical report for the DFS prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 will be available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile and website within 45 days of this announcement. Contact Information For further information, please visit www.marimaca.com or contact: Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920 3150 Emily Moss / Ruairi Millar marimaca@tavistock.co.uk Figures accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/76b6481a-610c-4511-8bd8-b060094b2619 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80a9a023-f440-4201-ad84-0a469d6b4b86 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1db98468-ba02-4813-a612-398a717d1f08 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/09f56af7-b576-4dbc-9a4f-d1421c0a6c8b Vancouver - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY)(OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), today announces that the Company is unable to make the semi-annual interest payment scheduled for August 25, 2025 on CAD$2.45 million outstanding, 10% Unsecured Convertible Debentures maturing in 2028 (the "Debentures"). The missed interest payment totalling CAD$122,500 is the result of unexpected liquidity constraints resulting from a shutdown of third-party gas gathering facilities in Wedgemount's core area and slower than anticipated growth in production at the Huggy leases, which together negatively impacted revenues. "On behalf of everyone at the company we regret the missed payment and understand the concerns of our Debenture holders," said Mark Vanry, CEO of Wedgemount. "The unforeseen emergency gas pipeline shutdowns at third-party operated facilities unfortunately forced the Company to shut-in both oil and gas production as gas from over 50% the Company's oil wells could no longer be vented." The Company has contacted each Debenture holder to address to advise them of the situation. The failure to pay interest under the debentures is considered an event of default under the terms of the Debentures. The Company has not received notice of default from any Debenture holder. Wedgemount will provide an update on any resolution with Debenture holders, and the return of production, as more information becomes available. About Wedgemount Resources Corp. Wedgemount Resources is a junior oil & gas company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, development and exploitation of oil and gas projects in Texas, USA. On behalf of the Board of Directors, WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP. Mark Vanry, President and CEO For more information, please contact the Company at: Telephone: (604) 343-4743 info@wedgemountresources.com www.wedgemountresources.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements made in this news release includes, providing a status update on production. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration or development programs, successes of the Company's exploration efforts, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Cadillac F1 rumours point to Bottas-Perez lineup Cadillac looks set to reveal its first Formula 1 driver lineup, with strong rumours pointing to Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for the team's debut in 2026. Sergio Perez, United States GP 2024 Red Bull Although Colton Herta had long been linked with the American entry, speculation now suggests the Indycar star will instead switch to Formula 2 next year in preparation for 2027. I've heard those rumours, too, Herta told IndyStar at the Milwaukee Mile. That's all it is right now, is rumours. Perez, dropped at the end of 2024 by Red Bull, brings substantial Mexican backing, with his father even hinting at a done deal on social media. Bottas, now Mercedes reserve, was also rumoured to have turned down Alpine in favour of Cadillac. Cadillac ambassador Mario Andretti told Blick: Only believe what we communicate. Former F1 driver Christian Danner, however, agrees the likely solution is Perez-Bottas. Honestly, I don't see Mick Schumacher happening, even though I would be happy about it, he told Express. The people in charge at Cadillac want a reliable solution, and those are Bottas and Perez. They're Grand Prix winners. Schumacher is instead expected to move from Alpine to Cadillac's sportscar program, potentially doubling as F1 reserve. Another name linked was Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich, with Fernando admitting to Marca that Brazilian deserves better. "It would be fantastic to see him in F1. He has incredible talent. He's performed at the level the team asked of him, even with limited mileage. It will be interesting to see him with a permanent position. (GMM) Ford expands full Red Bull F1 role for 2026 Ford has confirmed its return to Formula 1 next year will be a full collaboration with Red Bull's in-house engine program for 2026 and beyond. Max Verstappen, Hungarian GP 2025 Red Bull We didn't really want to work on the combustion engine at first, Ford motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook told Auto Motor und Sport. "We're doing it now because we still have a lot to learn in this area. We were initially helping with parts production, but now we're working on almost the entire car and the operational side. Ford's comeback was motivated by the all-new regulations, carbon neutrality, and F1's global boom, he said. We also wanted to learn more about electrification - battery chemistry, powertrains, inverters, calibration, control, and how all of this interacts with the combustion engine, Rushbrook added. The American giant is no stranger to F1, with 176 wins, 10 constructors' and 13 drivers' titles through Cosworth. But its last foray ended badly - buying Stewart GP in 1999, rebranding it Jaguar, and then selling it to Red Bull in 2005. The last time we worked with a team was with Jaguar, and we learned that we weren't very good at it, Rushbrook admitted. We don't have a full program with a manufacturer today, anywhere. Now, with Red Bull, Ford believes the timing is perfect. They had just decided to develop their own program for 2026. The project was still in its early stages, but even then they were aware resources were limited, even for a major F1 team, especially since Milton Keynes had never developed its own engine before. Red Bull has been powered by Honda since 2019 in a near-exclusive partnership, while customer teams like Haas or Williams essentially adapt to whatever Ferrari or Mercedes supply. Cadillac, meanwhile, will enter in 2026 with customer Ferrari engines before GM develops its own in 2028. Cadillac will enter Formula 1 in 2026, with Ferrari engines, but we look forward to any competition, Rushbrook said. Whether it's Ferrari cars with Ferrari engines, Cadillac cars with Ferrari engines, or anyone else. (GMM) Marko praises Mekies Red Bull impact Dr Helmut Marko says Christian Horner's replacement as Red Bull team boss, Laurent Mekies, has brought a new style to the energy drink-owned team. Laurent Mekies, Max Verstappen, Hungarian GP 2025 Red Bull On a personal level, he's more focused on his work, the long-time brand advisor told f1-insider.com. In other words, the most important thing for him is the team's success and leadership. Horner's forced departure earlier this year was linked to growing tension with Red Bull's shareholders, with rumours suggesting his broader ambitions extended well beyond team principal. Marko contrasted that with Mekies' approach. He's very down-to-earth, the 82-year-old Austrian said. "This has already been noticeable in conversations with the drivers, who this time have focused more on technical details. And Yuki in particular has noticed a leap forward in the race, or at least in qualifying. So there's a different atmosphere, a different style, and that's what Red Bull has always wanted. The bigger challenge for the reigning champions, however, is the driver lineup. Both Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have struggled to get near Max Verstappen, fuelling speculation that Tsunoda will leave at the end of the year and that juniors like Isack Hadjar or Arvid Lindblad could step in for 2026. But Marko insists the Japanese driver is not ruled out. Traditionally, we evaluate our drivers after the summer break and then decide what the lineup will be for the following year, or in some cases even later. For now, everything is open, said the Austrian. Simply put, Yuki still has a chance. We are currently analysing performance. Therefore, no positive or negative decisions have been made. (GMM) Google opened a new chapter in the Pixel phone story the first models with TSMC-made chipsets are up for pre-order. Three of the new models will start shipping next week, the foldable wont be out until early October. The prices are the same as last year, which is great even better, Amazon throws in gift cards with pre-orders. The Google Pixel 10 is the first vanilla model to have a telephoto lens. However, it loses the large 1/1.31 sensor in the main and the high-resolution ultra-wide of the Pixel 9. The new model comes with a $100 Amazon Gift Card. You may be tempted to get the old one, but wed hold off a week or two the Pixel 9 is back at MSRP. It should go back to its discounted price after the 10 launches. The Google Pixel 10 Pro gets a bigger $200 Gift Card. This leaves only $100 between the 10 and 10 Pro, once the gift cards are calculated into the price. The Pro model does have the large 1/1.31 main sensor and the high-resolution ultra-wide (48MP vs. 13MP), plus a superior telephoto both have 5x zoom, but this one can go further with its 48MP sensor (vs. 10.5MP). The Pro model also gets a superior LTPO OLED display with a higher resolution (1280p+ vs. 1080p+). The chipset is the same for both, Tensor G5, but the Pro has more RAM (16GB vs. 12GB). The battery is essentially the same (4,870mAh vs. 4,970mAh) with 30W wired charging and new this generation is the 15W magnetic Qi 2 charging and support for Pixelsnap accessories. The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL also gets a $200 gift card and is essentially an upsized version of the 10 Pro. It has a 6.8 LTPO display (1344p+) and a 5,200mAh battery with faster 45W wired and 25W Qi2 charging. Note that this year there is no 128GB option the cheapest Pro XL is now the 256GB model. Again, the Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are on pre-order now and will start shipping next week (nominally, on August 28, but the first units may arrive early). Samsungs flagship series has been around for a while now and they have competitive prices. The Galaxy S25 is smaller than the Pixel 10 with its 6.2 LTPO display and its cheaper too. It has the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip we havent seen the Tensor G5 in action (not properly, anyway), but the Elite is sure to outperform it. The 10MP 3x telephoto camera loses out to the 48MP 5x camera of the Pixel 10 Pro, but it should be closer to the 10.5MP 5x camera of the vanilla Pixel. As for battery endurance, the 4,000mAh cell inside the S25 puts it at a disadvantage, but Googles Tensor has yet to prove its capable of running efficiently. Oh, and if you want magnetic charging and accessories, you will need the right case thats not built into the phone. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is around the same price as the Pixel 10 Pro XL though the $200 gift card tips the scales in favor of the Google phone. Which of the two has better cameras? That is the topic of a future shootout. If youre concerned more with weight rather than height and width, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is 163g, a whopping 41g lighter than even the small Pixel 10. This is despite offering a large 6.7 1440p+ LTPO display (vs. 6.3 1080p+). On the downside, the 3,900mAh battery is 1,070mAh smaller than the Pixel 10 battery. Also, theres no dedicated telephoto lens for zooming in, you get what you get from the 200MP main. Google also unveiled its next generation foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Its the first foldable in the US with an IP68 rating, offering better dust resistance compared to the IP48 competition. However, as noted above, this one wont ship until October 9, so maybe its too early to pre-order. If you need a horizontal foldable now, theres the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7. Its cheaper than the Pixel and significantly thinner and lighter 8.9mm/4.2mm and 215g, compared to 10.8mm/5.2mm and 258g for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. You can even compare it to the Pixel 10 Pro XL its 8.5mm thick and weighs 232g. The battery capacity remains a weak point and is only 4,400mAh, compared to 5,015mAh for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Google also unveiled a new smartwatch this week, the Google Pixel Watch 4. It promises improved battery life and health tracking compared to its predecessor. And, impressively, it is the first smartwatch with Satellite SOS capabilities you have to get the LTE model, though, which is $100. Still, you cant put a price on peace of mind and this might replace a dedicated satellite messaging device. Samsungs new Galaxy Watch8 cant call for help over satellite, but it is significantly thinner 8.6mm vs. 12.3mm. The squircle design may not be to everyones taste, though. Note that the vanilla Watch8 comes with a free Galaxy SmartTag 2, which can be used to track your luggage. Alternatively, you can get the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic. This one has a unique hardware control, the rotating bezel, but the screen inside is on the small side 1.34 for the 46mm model. Another new accessory from this week is the Google Pixel Buds 2a. Like the Watch 4 and Pixel Fold, these will only be available from early October. They have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and spatial audio support, but no wireless charging. If youre going into the Samsung ecosystem instead of Googles, you should consider the Galaxy Buds3 and Buds3 Pro instead. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. After many weeks of leaks and rumors about it, today Samsung has finally made the Galaxy Tab S10 Lite official. The tablet comes with a 10.9-inch LCD screen with 600-nit peak brightness and "lower blue light emission". It boasts "an upgraded processor" that isn't mentioned (and we also don't know compared to what exactly), as well as "increased memory capacity" (again, compared to what?), Samsung says. Keeping the lights on is an 8,000 mAh battery with support for "Super-Fast Charging", which we assume means 45W but Samsung's press release doesn't mention that either. There's an S Pen in the box and the software contains a suite of creative features for it. A Book Cover Keyboard is available separately and it includes a Galaxy AI key, which provides quick access to AI assistance. Google's Circle to Search is included too. If you buy the tablet you get a 1-year free full version of Goodnotes, a six-month free trial of Clip Studio Paint with 20% off the first subscription, and a 66% discount on LumaFusion plus a one-month free Creator Pass subscription. Finally, there's a one-month free trial of the Notion AI Plus plan. The Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is now available in gray, silver, and Coral red. Pricing starts at 400 ($470). A wider rollout will follow on September 5. Last week, we heard that the Xiaomi 16 Pro will have a slightly larger 6.8 display (possibly as big as 6.85), which is up from 6.73 on the Xiaomi 15 Pro. Leakster Smart Pikachu has some good news for those that didnt love the quad-curved display of the 2024 model Xiaomi is going with a flat panel this time. Curved sides hide the real thickness of bezels, so Xiaomi will reportedly slim down the bezels of the flat display to compensate and make the 15 Pro and 16 Pro look comparable. The new display will have improved eye protection technology that will work at high brightness levels (how exactly is another question). Previously, we heard that the Xiaomi 16 Pro and 16 Ultra will share the same 6.85 LTPO OLED display with 2K+ resolution. They will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 and will have cameras that beat the iPhone, according to leaksters, anyway. Xiaomi 15 Pros quad-curved 6.73 display Speaking of cameras, the Xiaomi 16 and 16 Pro will also get upgraded selfie cameras a new ultra-wide lens with autofocus will sit in front of a 50MP sensor with 4K @ 60fps video recording capabilities. The 15-series featured 32MP selfie cameras with ultra-wide lenses, which lacked autofocus. Rumor has it that Xiaomi will add an extra member of its flagship line this year the 6.8 Xiaomi 16 Pro will be joined by a smaller 6.3 Xiaomi 16 Pro mini (name to be confirmed). The small Pro is expected to use the same Elite 2 chip as the bigger model and will allegedly feature a 50MP 1/1.28 sensor in the main. It will be powered by a 6,300mAh battery, which is bigger than the Xiaomi 15 Pro battery (6,100mAh). The vanilla model will stick around and will have an even bigger battery. Source(in Chinese) | Via Tyra Delos Reyes, a University of Guam senior majoring in business administration, recently returned from a transformative global leadership program in the Netherlands, where she represented Guam and the United States as one of only 10 students selected nationwide. Delos Reyes participated in the 2025 Keith Sherin Global Leaders Study Abroad Program, a highly selective initiative hosted by the Council for Opportunity in Education, a release from UOG states. The program brings together first-generation and low-income student leaders from across the globe to explore pressing global issues through academic coursework, cultural exchange, and policy engagement. Held in The Hague from June 27 to July 26, the program gave students the opportunity to study at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and visit key international institutions, including the International Court of Justice and the Dutch Parliament. Delos Reyes participated in a course on peace, justice, human rights, and European Union cooperation topics she said aligned with her aspirations in business and policy. As a Business Admin major, thats the kind of thing I want to do, she said, reflecting on her experiences engaging with changemakers and studying in a global classroom setting. Support from UOG programs Her participation was made possible with support from the UOG TRIO Student Support Services program, which introduced her to the opportunity and helped her navigate the application process. The Research Corporation of the University of Guam (RCUOG) provided travel assistance through its student award program, and she secured additional funding through the U.S. Department of States Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. I would like to express gratitude to the RCUOG team who ensured my journey to the Netherlands could take flight, both literally and figuratively, Delos Reyes said. My heartfelt appreciation goes to the UOG TRIO SSS team who have supported me throughout my college journey. She added that from mentorship to academic opportunities, those supports helped her turn a long-held dream into reality. Jacklyn Garote, educational specialist with TRIO SSS, said Delos Reyes showed initiative and drive from early on. I feel like she really needed to realize how much leadership potential she has, Garote said. She really is a well-rounded student and super active, and I couldn't think of a better representative to go. Local roots, global view Delos Reyes noted that while studying abroad opened her eyes to new possibilities, the foundation she built at UOG remains central to her path forward. I think learning here in Guam, in my hometown, has connected me more to my roots, she said. But gaining that kind of learning from outside of the island really gave me a different perspective, opening up my mind to all the possibilities. The TRIO Student Support Services program at UOG, part of a national network funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Since 1983, UOG TRIO SSS has supported over 5,000 low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities in Micronesia in navigating the challenges of higher education and achieving their academic goals. Haiti - FLASH : OAS pessimistic about elections, risk of political vacuum... On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Albert Ramdin, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), warned of the risk of a political vacuum in Haiti if no agreement is reached before the end of the Presidential Transitional Council's (PTC) mandate in February 2026. Asked about the possibility of organizing elections in Haiti on time, Ramdin expressed little optimism. "It's not impossible, but many things will have to happen. The question is also : will these elections comply with international standards ?" He recalled that the CPT took office in April 2024, after the departure of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, with a commitment to organize elections. However, the outlined plans were not implemented due to domestic political influence. "We must discuss with Haitians what will happen after the CPT's mandate ends and elections are held before the end of the year. Otherwise, there will be a political vacuum that could be exploited by gang leaders seeking to seize a leadership role," he warned. Ramdin called on political forces to avoid intrigue and put their egos aside, asserting that this is the only path that will allow for faster and more effective progress towards a democratic and peaceful solution to the crisis. On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Ramdin presented a roadmap for Haiti aimed at helping restore security, progressing toward political stability, and alleviating its dire humanitarian crisis. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45596-haiti-politic-a-$26-billion-roadmap-for-stability-and-peace-in-haiti.html During a videoconference interview with Agence France Presse, Albert Ramdin called for better coordination and increased funding for those who wish to help Haiti and urged them to put aside political intrigue and egos for the good of the Caribbean Nation. Responding to a question about how he intends to convince Haitian stakeholders to participate in this roadmap, Ramdin answered, "We must restore trust and convince the international community to engage in this effort alongside Haitians, both those within the country and those in the diaspora." SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Minister Pedrica highlights her participation in the 16th session of CEPAL On Friday, August 22, 2025, Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women's Rights, during a press briefing, highlighted her participation in the 16th session of the Regional Conference on Women of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPLAC) in Mexico City. The Minister presented the key themes discussed at this regional meeting and emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of women in public policy, governance, and the promotion of human rights. In her speech, Ms. Saint Jean outlined the six main pillars that structure the national gender equality policy : Combating growing poverty among women; Promoting equal access to education and training; Promoting equal access to healthcare and health services; Combating violence against women; Promote equal access to all forms of productive activity and resources within economic structures and policies; Encourage power-sharing and decision-making. She highlighted a major step forward : the acceptance of Haiti's candidacy for the Vice-Presidency of ECLAC https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45567-haiti-news-zapping.html . This recognition confirms Haiti's voice and leadership in the region. Financing for gender equality was also a topic of discussion https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45579-haiti-celpac-advocacy-for-gender-equality-funding.html . In addition, the Minister provided an update on the adoption of the TLATELOLCO Agreement, an agreement adopted at the close of the 16th session, which establishes a decade of action from 2025 to 2035 to advance gender equality and the care society. Through this new responsibility, the Ministry intends to continue its commitment to ensuring that national priorities regarding gender equality and women's empowerment are promoted and defended at the highest regional and international levels. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45579-haiti-celpac-advocacy-for-gender-equality-funding.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45567-haiti-news-zapping.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45559-haiti-politic-interventions-by-minister-pedrica-saint-jean-at-the-16th-session-of-ceplac.html HL/ S/ HaitiLibre When the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS reaches its closest point to the sun in the fall and loses a particularly large amount of material, analyses from Earth will be extremely difficult or impossible. For this reason, an international research team is now advocating the use of space probes distributed throughout the solar system for observations to test various hypotheses. Continue after ad As the group explains in an article published in advance, the asteroid probe Psyche, probes on Mars, the Jupiter probe Juice and several solar observatories are particularly suitable for this purpose. In addition, the NASA probes Europa Clipper and Lucy as well as the ESA probe Hera could traverse the remains of the coma and possibly analyze its composition directly. Tense research community The research group advocates using all possible observation options to investigate 3I/ATLAS. This is because it has been clear since the discovery of the celestial body that it probably comes from the fringes of the Milky Way of the so-called thick disk. This would not only make it significantly older than the Earth, but it would also come from a time in the evolution of our home galaxy when it formed a particularly large number of stars. The composition of this remnant could therefore reveal whether our theories about this epoch are correct. According to the group, for example, it should contain very little carbon monoxide. 3I/ATLAS was discovered at the beginning of July with the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. Subsequently, however, the object was also detected on older images dating back to June 14. Thanks to these "precoveries", its orbit was quickly determined and it was confirmed that it was only passing through. This is only the third interstellar celestial body to be found passing through our solar system. It will approach the Earth at about 1.6 astronomical units (AU). It is a comet several kilometers in size, and its tail is more than 25,000 kilometers long. At its closest approach to the sun (perihelion), it will be exactly behind the sun for us. After its discovery, the interstellar comet was photographed by various observatories; the best image to date was taken on July 21 with the Hubble Space Telescope. It shows the comet's icy core surrounded by a cloud of dust. The attempts of the once respected astronomer Avi Loeb to interpret various characteristics of 3I/ATLAS as an indication of a non-natural origin of the object are criticized and not taken seriously in the scientific community. The research work on the observation possibilities of the celestial body with the various space probes is available in advance on Arxiv. Continue after ad (mho) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. In an operation coordinated by Interpol, law enforcement agencies from 18 African countries have dismantled almost 12.000 cybercriminal networks, arrested a total of 1209 people and seized almost 100 million US dollars. This was announced by the international police authority, which explained that the operation lasted from June to August. The operation targeted those responsible for "serious and consequential cybercrime", such as ransomware, online fraud and fraudulent emails to companies. The operation was dubbed "Operation Serengeti 2.0" and followed on from the operation of the same name in the fall of last year. Continue after ad Fraud with false inheritances in Germany Although this is one of the oldest forms of fraud on the Internet, scams involving alleged inheritances continue to generate considerable profits, the police organization explains. In Cote d'Ivoire, a network specializing in this type of scam has been uncovered, which specializes in Germany. Key suspects have been arrested and assets in the form of electronic devices, jewelry, cash, vehicles and documents have been seized. According to the report, the victims were tricked into paying fees to claim false inheritances. The losses are estimated to amount to 1.6 million US dollars. Operation data (Image: Interpol) As Interpol goes on to explain, 25 cryptomining operations were uncovered in Angola, in which 60 Chinese nationals illegally validated blockchain transactions to generate cryptocurrency. In addition, 45 illegal power sources and mining equipment worth more than 37 million US dollars were confiscated. The generators are now to be used to generate electricity in underserved areas. In Zambia, an extensive investment fraud was uncovered in which 65.000 identified victims are said to have lost an estimated total of 300 million US dollars. According to the report, those affected were enticed by excessive online advertising to invest in cryptocurrency and were supposed to download several apps to do so. A total of 15 people associated with this were arrested. Almost 400 forged passports from seven countries were also discovered in Zambia. A human trafficking network had been disrupted here. Authorities from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, the Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe were also involved in the operation, as was the UK. In the predecessor to the operation that has now been made public, 1006 suspected cyber criminals were arrested between September and October 2024 and more than 134.000 criminal networks were dismantled. Interpol now explains that it was able to build on the experience of previous operations. Continue after ad (mho) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. Writing large amounts of data is said to have led to failures in some SSDS after the last Windows update KB5063878, according to some Japanese media. Heise forums also reported failures. Microsoft is investigating the problem, but has not yet commented on it. Continue after ad After large data transfers, i.e. writing data volumes in excess of around 50 GB, the data carriers are often said to be unresponsive and disappear from the drive overview. After a restart, the issue should be resolved in most cases, but there are isolated reports of permanently unusable SSDs. There are also reports of hard disk failures. According to the investigations of a Japanese user, SSDs with Phison controllers as well as models from Western Digital, SK Hynix, Crucial, HP and XPG/Adata, which use other controllers, are particularly affected. Now the SSD manufacturer Silicon Motion has come forward. In a statement to the American magazine Techpowerup, the company writes that none of its SSD controllers have yet been affected by the Windows 11 update error. What is particularly interesting is that Silicon Motion describes the problem as a Windows bug. Fake list from Phison emerges A list of affected Phison controllers is also circulating on the Internet. However, this does not originate from Phison, as the company has announced. Phison also intends to take legal action against the author of the list. Phison is also in contact with Microsoft to isolate the issue and will provide firmware updates if required. However, the company has not yet published any further details. Continue after ad Recommended action: Avoid copying large amounts of data According to Microsoft, the Windows update fixes security issues. We therefore advise against uninstalling the update. Instead, users should avoid copying large amounts of data until the problem has been resolved. (ll) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. Prosecutors allege that Davit Vadatchkoria , the vessels captain, along with the first and second mates, were responsible for an incident in which the tankers anchor dragged along the seabed for approximately 90 kilometres, damaging five undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland during Christmas 2024. Three crew members of the oil tanker Eagle S are facing trial in Helsinki District Court accused of serious criminal damage and disruption to communications infrastructure. The proceedings were attended and reported on by Helsingin Sanomat from inside the courtroom. The crew denies all charges and describes the incident as a maritime accident. The Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands and operated under a flag linked to Russias so-called shadow fleet, departed from Ust-Luga in Russia and was heading towards the Mediterranean. During its voyage, one of the ships anchors detached and was dragged along the seafloor, according to prosecutors. The charges allege gross negligence in both the vessels technical condition and the actions of its crew. Prosecutors said the anchor detached because of mechanical failure involving worn or missing safety pins and faults in the winch equipment. They claim the crew failed to respond appropriately despite clear signs of reduced engine RPM and vessel speed. Authorities said the crew falsely reported that both anchors were raised when contacted by Finnish authorities. They also failed to investigate the mechanical issues properly or take action to prevent damage. The prosecution is seeking unconditional prison sentences of at least two years and six months for each of the three men. The crew ignored basic maritime responsibilities, said Jukka Rappe, the Deputy Prosecutor General, who ordered the charges. He said Finland has jurisdiction because the alleged threats to critical communication and energy infrastructure occurred within Finnish territory, even though the damage took place outside Finlands territorial waters. The defendants remain under a travel ban in Finland. In court, they appeared calm and listened to proceedings with interpreters. The defence argues that the Helsinki District Court has no jurisdiction. They maintain the anchor accident occurred in international waters and did not involve deliberate sabotage. According to the defence, the damage was caused by a mechanical fault, not intentional action. The captains lawyer stated that the ship had been inspected during drydock before the voyage and that no faults were found in the anchor system at that time. He also argued that any faults identified later by Finlands Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) were not visible or known to the captain. The court also heard that Vadatchkoria only joined the ship two months before the incident and has 20 years of professional experience. During questioning, the captain told Finnish police he was surprised when the Finnish Coast Guard contacted the vessel and asked whether it was dragging anything. He said the crew had not noticed any problems and believed the anchor was secure. When they inspected, the crew found that the locking pin was missing, he said. We sent photographs of the broken pin to the shipping company and later provided them to the police. He rejected the idea that any crew member would have deliberately tampered with the safety mechanism. No one could have known that breaking this pin would cause the anchor to fall. If someone had wanted to drop the anchor on purpose, they would have done something else, he said. He described the ships equipment as functioning properly during earlier operations. According to his account, the anchor had operated normally before and after the incident. He also expressed confusion over the Coast Guards actions. I expected them to arrive by boat, but they came by helicopter, he said. I wonder what would have happened if I had said we were continuing on our planned route and not following their orders. The trial is the first in which the crew of a ship suspected of belonging to Russias shadow fleet faces criminal charges related to submarine infrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea. Authorities allege that the anchor dragged across the seabed over a long distance, cutting undersea data and energy cables. Investigators believe the event endangered Finlands energy security and communication infrastructure. The defence maintains that the ships reduced speed was due to a technical problem in the engine room and not the anchor. The second mate, through his lawyer, said he was unaware of the anchor dragging and had not acted negligently. The first mate echoed that defence, denying all charges and saying the incident was an accident. Prosecutors clarified that they do not believe the crew deliberately aimed to cut the cables but claim they knowingly failed to meet basic safety obligations that would have prevented the situation. The court is expected to rule on the question of jurisdiction before deciding on the charges. HT According to THL, the reforms will raise the number of people considered low-income by 110,000, including 27,000 children. This is an increase from the earlier estimate of 98,000, which included 13,000 children. New calculations by Finlands Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) show that government welfare cuts are set to increase the number of low-income people more than previously expected. The number of people receiving basic social assistance, however, is now expected to rise by only 30,000. Earlier models had projected a 100,000-person increase. THL published the revised projections on 25 August following updates to its microsimulation model. The new approach includes monthly income variation and health expenses covered by basic social assistance, as well as statistical methods to account for underuse of benefits and unreported wealth. The new model is significantly more accurate. Monthly income data and health costs allow us to detect households with temporary eligibility, said Jussi Tervola, research director at THL. The model reassesses the effects of welfare policy changes made in 2024 and 2025 under Prime Minister Petteri Orpos government. These changes include cuts to core benefits such as unemployment security and general housing allowance. The model also evaluates the governments proposed 2026 reform to basic social assistance. That reform is expected to lower government spending on basic social assistance by tens of millions of euros and reduce the number of recipients. It includes a reduction in the basic component of the benefit, elimination of the earnings disregard, and tighter eligibility criteria. The earnings disregard allows recipients to earn a limited income without their benefits being reduced. Removing this feature will reduce financial incentives to work, according to previous assessments. THL said the changes will not only increase low-income rates but also deepen poverty among affected groups. Although the number of recipients may fall, many who lose eligibility will not have sufficient income. Even with improved simulation, the reforms effects remain difficult to assess accurately, especially regarding combined impacts. Exact figures on poverty are still hard to give, said Joonas Ollonqvist, a senior researcher at THL. The new model represents a shift from earlier assumptions. Previously, THL simulated benefit eligibility for all who would qualify on paper. The updated method focuses on actual recipient numbers, aiming to reflect real-world behavioural and administrative factors. THL noted that early estimates were uncertain due to incomplete data. The latest model improves precision but does not eliminate uncertainty, particularly concerning the long-term effects of policy reforms. According to THL, increases in client fees and medicine co-payments are likely to push some people back into eligibility for social assistance, partly offsetting reductions in other areas. The governments planned changes to the basic social assistance system are scheduled to take effect in 2026. The current projections are based on the SOTE-SISU microsimulation model, developed to assess the combined impacts of social and healthcare policy reforms. The research is part of the INVEST flagship project, funded by the Academy of Finland, which examines inequality, interventions, and the welfare state. HT In a blog post published on the universitys website, Lindblom attributed the decision to financial pressure caused by a significant drop in state funding over the past decade. She wrote that the universitys basic public funding had decreased by over 18 percent between 2013 and 2023. University of Helsinki Rector Sari Lindblom has issued a public defence of the universitys property rental policies, following criticism over the removal of the Rosebud bookshop from Kaisa House. The Kaisa House, which houses the universitys main library, had previously included a Rosebud bookshop outlet. In the summer, the universitys property management company terminated Rosebuds lease. The vacated space will be rented to Rusta, a Swedish discount retailer. The decision prompted backlash from students, staff and alumni. Critics argued that the commercial shift undermines the universitys cultural mission. Many also questioned the transparency and priorities behind the move. The university has not granted interviews on the matter despite repeated requests. Lindblom's blog post marked her first public comments on the issue. This is a relevant question, and university supporters have raised important issues in seeking an answer, she wrote. She defended the commercial strategy as necessary for the institutions financial sustainability. Since the 2010 university reform, Finnish universities operate independently and are responsible for their own finances. To ensure we can continue nurturing education, the University of Helsinki must support it through other activities, she wrote. Business activity is one of them. Its role has grown significantly. She stated that the university now hosts 125 tenants and follows industry standards and legislation in its rental agreements. She did not respond directly to concerns about the replacement of Rosebud by Rusta. Universities face high expectations, and we are doing our best to meet them, she said. Lindblom acknowledged the symbolic value of the bookshop, describing it as an important venue for those interested in science and culture. She admitted the departure of Rosebud from Kaisa House is a loss for many. It is also regrettable for the university that talks with Rosebud did not lead to a new agreement, she wrote. The rector said the incident had prompted internal reflection. We have learned a lesson. The university must improve how it explains its business decisions both publicly and within the community, she said. She did not explain why more detailed justification was not provided at the time of the eviction. Lindblom wrote that she would continue discussions with the universitys leadership and board. HT Court documents identified the man as a member of the Blue-and-Black Movement, which r e-entered the official party register in May. The Southwest Finland District Court handed down a sentence of 50 day-fines, amounting to 1,650. The man admitted to both burning the flag and publishing the footage on digital platforms. A 36-year-old man affiliated with the far-right Blue-and-Black Movement has been fined for incitement against Jewish people after burning an Israeli flag and distributing a video of the act online. The group had previously been delisted after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled its programme was in conflict with Finlands constitution and human rights law. The defendants online presence includes repeated references to National Socialism and his past links to the Finns Party. His current profile states ongoing membership in the Blue-and-Black Movement. Authorities confirmed that the video was publicly accessible on websites associated with the group as well as other social media channels. The Blue-and-Black Movement traces its origins to former members of the Finns Party who split due to ideological differences. The group promotes ethnonationalist views and references fascist traditions in its materials and rhetoric. Despite legal scrutiny, the movement met the requirement of 5,000 verified supporter cards to register again as a political party earlier this year. The case adds to a growing list of hate speech prosecutions involving individuals tied to fringe political groups in Finland. The Ministry of Justice has previously reported an increase in cases involving incitement against ethnic or religious minorities, particularly on social media. The man has not appealed the court's decision. HT Even then, relations cannot return to what they were, he said. A decision to break common rules cannot be left without consequences. Speaking at the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Aland, Stubb said that the consequences of Russias decision to violate international norms must be permanent. President Alexander Stubb said on Monday that Europes relationship with Russia cannot be restored to its previous state, regardless of future developments, unless a lasting and fair peace is achieved in Ukraine. He delivered his remarks in Maarianhamina, where representatives from Baltic Sea region parliaments had gathered for an annual meeting. The event was also streamed by Finnish media, including Ilta-Sanomat. In a press conference held after the speech, Stubb described the international communitys efforts to end the war in Ukraine as oscillating between hope and despair. He said the primary objective must be to guarantee Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in any future settlement. The most important thing is that Ukraine remains an independent and self-determined state, he said. The presidents statements reflect Finlands current stance within both the European Union and NATO, where the country has pushed for a firm line against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia, joined NATO in April 2023. Stubb did not offer specific comments on the timeline or form of a possible peace agreement but emphasised that any sustainable outcome must recognise Ukraines rights under international law. HT Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds are using Ecusta Trail The Ecusta Trail is attracting young moms and dads with little kids, elderly people and bicyclists while also than living up to the pre-opening hope that it would be a business driver. Related Stories We have four or five tenants and they have at this point over 60 employees, Bart Salvaggio, one of the owners of Lennox Station, an adaptive reuse of an old box factory that contains Trailside Brewing Co., the Ecusta Market & Cafe, a bike rental shop and more. Thats a pretty big economic impact. Salvaggio serves on the county Rail-Trail Advisory Committee (RTAC), which took several minutes during its regular meeting this month to exult in the popularity of the first six-mile leg from Hendersonville to Horse Shoe. The grand opening celebration really was a great day, Assistant County Manager Christopher said. We had 6,800 people (using the trail) that weekend. Thats a lot of folks. There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people using that trail every day. Joe Sanders is an avid road biker who was among the early advocates on the Friends of Ecusta Trail who lobbied government and business leaders for support. Peggy and I are on the trail four days a week, he said. I see families out there and the trail has offered something that did not exist before a safe place to get out with their children. And the elderly. Next up for RTAC and the Friends is to get amenities purchased and installed 21 benches, kiosks, mile markers, signage. Total cost was put at $584,000. Todd recommended that the installation work be carried out by a single contractor. The more we break this out into multiple contracts the more its going to cost, he said. Other highlights from the RTAC meeting: Law officers seek public's help locating 13-year-old runaway Tessa Aluotto The Henderson County Sheriff's Office is asking for the publics help in locating 13-year-old Tessa Aluotto, a repeat runaway juvenile who was last seen in the area of Browning Avenue in Hendersonville on Monday. Related Stories Her direction of travel is currently unknown. Tessa is approximately 5 feet tall and weighs around 115 pounds. She currently has dark hair. She was last seen wearing a pink hooded sweatshirt with San Diego California printed on the front, black shorts and carrying a pair of black pants. Anyone who has seen Tessa or knows anything that could assist officers in locating her was asked to contact the Henderson County Sheriffs Office at 828-697-4911 or use the submit a tip feature on the Sheriffs Office app. DIVA Opera is showing two productions at the Great Barn, Manor Farm, Fingest, next month. The operas start at 6pm, with an extended interval at 7.30pm for picnics. On Saturday, September 6, Gaetano Donizettis Don Pasquale will be performed. The front three rows are sold out, tickets cost 100. Then on Saturday, September 13, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts Le Nozze di Figaro will be sung. Tickets cost 115 for the front three rows or 100. The barn has an excellent backdrop and acoustics and faces on to a central courtyard. Tables and chairs are provided and can be organised to suit numbers. Car parking is in an adjoining field. Both performances will raise money for Child Bereavement UK, Action Medical Research for children and Doctors Without Borders. For more information, email fingestgreatbarn opera@gmail.com or visit www.fingestgreatbarn opera.co.uk AN art exhibition which has become an annual tradition at the Herb Farm in Sonning Common is back next month. Organised by Maria Meerstadt, from Maidenhead, this years exhibition will feature eight artists. Maria will be joined by Sue Reeves, Caroline Gatfield and Sue Carter, in addition to Alison Evans, Amanda Launchbury, Donna Starnes and Natalie Clark. Caroline and Sue Carter are friends of mine and I spoke to Sue Reeves and I said we need some fresh blood, says Maria. She said leave it to me and next thing all these people applied, very formally, with pictures. Caroline hasnt been exhibiting because shes been moving house. Shes just starting again so shes really excited to be back on showing her work again and were excited to have her. Sue Carter and I are both painters, landscapes, you name it, anything but humans. Then weve got Sue Reeves, she will have her bonkers collection with her. Caroline Gatfield has got ceramics and jewellery. Shes been doing all sorts of courses, shes really branching out at the moment so well have to see what she turns up with. Alison Evans also does ceramics, homeware, cups and bowls. Amanda Launchbury does collage and she uses recycled paper and makes lamps, homeware and framed prints. Donna Starnes does three-dimensional designs she feeds the designs into a computer and it spits them out on a 3D printer. Its very clever and shes going to bring the printer so she can openly demonstrate to people how its done. Natalie Clark makes framed resin prints and home decor. My work is landscapes, I change my palettes and Ive been doing a lot of big flowers, like two irises or two gladioli. I do lots of meadows. I come from Jersey and seascapes are my big love. Ive been trying to make the skies more floaty and dramatic. I can see my work has loosened up quite a lot. Marias works are on display in the Art Hut year-round. Im still the lady in the shed, but we will take over the polytunnel like we usually do. The exhibition is at the Herb Farm in Peppard Road, Sonning Common, on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, open from 10am to 4pm daily. There will be tea and cakes. For more information, see maria_at_ the_herb_farm on Instagram. China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao an integral part of post-war order: experts Xinhua) 08:07, August 25, 2025 This photo taken on July 6, 2024 shows a fisherman returning from fishing on Zhaoshu Island in Sansha City, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo) BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- An international seminar focused on reviewing the historical documents of the South China Sea was held in Beijing on Saturday, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Over 40 participants from home and abroad attended the meeting, many of whom believe that China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, known in English as the South China Sea islands, after World War II, was and remains an important part of the post-war order established by international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. Wu Jilu, director general of the China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, said that China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao should be firmly upheld -- as maintaining the international order established after World War II is crucial for achieving lasting peace and stability. Hou Yi, a researcher with the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted that China was the earliest country to discover and name Nanhai Zhudao, and also reviewed how China had developed and managed the region since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with its endeavors ranging from activities such as fishing and guano mining to public services including surveying, search and rescue, and sea turtle conservation. Hou added that before the 1970s, no countries bordering the South China Sea had challenged China's sovereignty and maritime rights there. However, some countries later illegally occupied islands and reefs in the region and opted to intensify disputes. This photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows porcelain exhibits at the China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu) "China has historic rights in the South China Sea. Chinese people's habitation and production, endorsed by evidence from archives and maps, show that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao," said Hou. He also said that China has maintained the post-war regional order and taken on its international responsibilities by providing public goods and services in these waters. The seminar, organized by the CIMA with assistance from the College of Liberal Arts of Shanghai University, attracted experts and scholars from countries including China, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Participants also discussed subjects on managing disputes and building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, a think tank based in Manila, said understanding the history of the South China Sea plays an important role for countries around the region in analyzing disputes and seeking solutions. "China is proposing negotiation, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of issues in the South China Sea. It tries to make the world a safer and better place," she said, adding that once the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) between China and ASEAN countries is concluded, it will serve as a viable crisis management tool. The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), signed in 2002 by China and ASEAN member states, outlines the most important principles in the management of disputes regarding the South China Sea. Consultations on the COC involving China and ASEAN member states were launched in 2013. Both the DOC and the COC are aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the region. This photo taken on Jan. 6, 2025 shows a Chinese white dolphin calf bursting through the surface near Sanniang bay in Qinzhou City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Sanniang Bay, located along the Beibu Gulf in the South China Sea, is dubbed the "hometown of Chinese white dolphins." (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin) Fu Kuenchen, a professor with the Belt and Road Research Institute of Xiamen University in east China's Fujian Province, said that countries bordering the South China Sea should reach a consensus in terms of COC consultations, value peace-loving cultural traditions, and work together to build a collaborative and harmonious community. "The community can engage in cooperation in some low-sensitivity programs, such as joint enforcement of fishing moratoriums, conserving the environment, construction of navigation safety facilities, and emergency search and rescue," said Fu. "Stakeholders beyond the region should not meddle and create disturbances, and should respect the tradition and dispute management of countries bordering the South China Sea," Fu added. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) Australia's online safety watchdog, the eSafety Commission, imposed a fine of AU$957,780 on the messaging platform Telegram on Monday, due to its delayed response to questions regarding measures to combat child abuse material and terrorism on its platform. If Telegram fails to comply with the fine, the eSafety Commissioner may pursue additional legal actions, including seeking civil penalties in federal court, The Guardian reported. Telegram has 28 days to either appeal the infringement notice, pay the fine, or request an extension. A Telegram spokesperson called the penalty "unfair and disproportionate" and confirmed the company will challenge the fine. In a statement, Telegram asserted that it had fully responded to all of the eSafety Commission's questions in 2024, emphasizing that no issues remained unresolved, Reuters reported. "The unfair and disproportionate penalty concerns only the response time frame, and we intend to appeal," the company stated. Failure to respond leads to penalty In March 2024, the eSafety Commission requested responses from multiple social media platforms, including Telegram and Reddit, regarding their efforts to prevent the spread of harmful content. Last year, a joint statement from the Five Eyes security agencies, including the Australian Security Intelligence Organization and the Australian Federal Police, identified Telegram as a platform through which young people were accessing extremist propaganda videos. Telegram was particularly scrutinized for its role in allowing extremists to exploit its livestreaming features and recommendation algorithms for recruitment purposes. The platform was also asked to detail its actions to tackle child sexual abuse material on its services. Telegram, however, did not respond to the commission's inquiry by the May deadline. Instead, the company provided its answers only in October, causing a delay of nearly 160 days. This failure to respond in a timely manner led to the eSafety Commission issuing an infringement notice. "Timely transparency is not a voluntary requirement in Australia and this action reinforces the importance of all companies complying with Australian law," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stated. Global scrutiny and legal challenges The fine comes amid growing global scrutiny of Telegram, which has faced increasing pressure since its founder, Pavel Durov, was placed under formal investigation in France in August 2024. The investigation concerns the alleged use of the app for illegal activities. Durov remains on bail in France, with the court expected to hear the case next year. Grant reiterated the need for transparency from large tech companies, stating that social media platforms must take responsibility for preventing the misuse of their services, particularly in relation to extremist materials. "If we want accountability from the tech industry we need much greater transparency. These powers give us a look under the hood at just how these platforms are dealing, or not dealing, with a range of serious and egregious online harms which affect Australians," Grant said. Elon Musk's X has appealed the decision to the Administrative Review Tribunal after being notified to provide similar information. The case is still ongoing. In a separate case, X has been fined over $610,000 for not fully responding to notices. A comprehensive eSafety report, which will detail the responses from Telegram, Meta, WhatsApp, Google, and Reddit, is set to be released in March 2025. Originally published on ibtimes.com.au Five passengers aboard a tourist bus were killed Friday when their driver got distracted and crashed on a New York state highway, police said. The wreck happened 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Buffalo as the tourists headed back to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls. The passengers were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino origin, authorities said. "It's believed the operator became distracted, lost control, over corrected and ended up... over there," said New York state police commander major Andre Ray at the scene Friday evening, giving the toll for the first time. No one else was in a life-threatening condition, Ray said. Several passengers received medical treatment and were released. Fifty-four people were on the bus when it crashed and no children were killed, US media reported, contradicting an earlier police briefing. Six Chinese citizens were aboard the bus, China's state broadcaster CCTV said quoting the Chinese consulate in New York. Five were treated for minor injuries and discharged, while the sixth was undergoing surgery. The bus had traveled to Niagara Falls, on the border with Canada, for the day and was heading home when the accident took place on a highway near Pembroke. "Mechanical error was ruled out as well as impairment or intoxication," said Ray, who added that no charges had been brought. Translators were sent to the scene to help communicate with the victims. Eight helicopters were involved in the rescue effort, Margaret Ferrentino, president of Mercy Flight, a nonprofit provider of air ambulance services, told AFP. "The driver is alive and well -- we're working with him. We believe we have a good idea of what happened, why the bus lost control. We just want to make sure that all the details are thoroughly vetted," a police spokesman said earlier. State Governor Kathy Hochul said her team was coordinating with state police and local officials "who are working to rescue and provide assistance to everyone involved." Blood and organ donor network Connect Life issued a call for blood donors to come forward in the wake of the crash. "I'm heartbroken for all those we've lost and all those injured and praying for their families. Thank you to our brave first responders on the scene," said the senior US senator from New York, Chuck Schumer. Niagara Falls -- towering waterfalls that span the US-Canada border -- is a popular tourist destination. Gaza's civil defence agency said five journalists were among at least 20 people killed Monday when Israeli strikes hit a hospital in the south, with Reuters, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera mourning their slain contributors. Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said "the toll so far is 20 martyrs, including five journalists and one member of the civil defence," after strikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis -- a large medical complex in the south that has been targeted several times by Israel since the start of the war. According to media watchdogs, around 200 journalists have been killed in nearly two years of war between Israel and Hamas. In a statement, the Israeli military said its troops on Monday "carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis." "The Chief of the General Staff instructed to conduct an initial inquiry as soon as possible," it said, adding it "regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such". The civil defence's Bassal said an Israeli explosive drone targeted a building at Nasser Hospital, followed by an air strike as the wounded were being evacuated. A spokesperson for Qatar-based TV network Al Jazeera on Monday said one of its photojournalists and cameramen, Mohammad Salama, was killed in the attack. "Al Jazeera Media Network condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this horrific crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, who have directly targeted and assassinated journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth," the broadcaster said in a statement. The Associated Press said in a statement that it was "shocked and saddened" to learn of the death of Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who had freelanced for the agency since the start of the war. In an earlier statement, it said Dagga had not been on an assignment with the agency when she was killed. A spokesperson for Reuters said: "We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in Israeli strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today." "We are urgently seeking more information and have asked authorities in Gaza and Israel to help us get urgent medical assistance for Hatem," the spokesperson added in a statement. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also named two other victims as Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz. According to AFP journalists, Abu Taha had worked with some Palestinian and international outlets. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency or the Israeli military. AFP footage from the immediate aftermath of the attack showed smoke filling the air and debris from the blast on the floor outside the hospital. Palestinians rushed to help the victims, carrying bloodied bodies and severed body parts into the medical complex. One body could be seen dangling from the top floor of the targeted building as a man screamed below. A woman wearing medical scrubs and a white coat was among the injured, carried into the hospital on a stretcher with a heavily bandaged leg and blood all over her clothes. Nasser Hospital is one of the last remaining health facilities in the Gaza Strip that is at least partially functioning. Before the latest killings, media advocacy groups the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders said around 200 journalists had been killed in the Gaza war. Earlier this month, four Al Jazeera staff and two freelancers were killed in an Israeli air strike outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, prompting widespread condemnation. The Israeli military alleged that Anas al-Sharif -- a prominent Al Jazeera correspondent killed in the strike -- headed a Hamas "terrorist cell" and was "responsible for advancing rocket attacks" against Israelis. The CPJ slammed that strike, saying journalists should never be targeted in war. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed at least 62,744 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reaffirmed the country's continued support for Venezuela's authoritarian government and President Nicolas Maduro as tensions with the U.S. continue to escalate with the deployment of assets off its coast. The call was confirmed by both Lavrov and Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. In an Instagram post, Rodriguez referred to Lavrov as "a good friend of Venezuela" and stated that the two discussed key issues on their bilateral agenda. She also expressed gratitude for Russia's continued support. "I especially thanked Russia for its unwavering support for Venezuela in the face of escalating threats from the U.S. government against President Nicolas Maduro and our people," Rodriguez wrote. "I also expressed our support for Russia's efforts in peace negotiations, within the broader struggle against the rise of neo-fascism." The call between Russian and Venezuelan officials came following reports announcing that the United States had deployed an amphibious squadron to South America. According to Reuters, the USS San Antonio, USS Iwo Jima, and USS Fort Lauderdale carrying approximately 4,500 service members, including 2,000 Marines have been ordered to move off the coast of Venezuela. While the specific mission of the squadron has not been disclosed, sources told the outlet that recent deployments are part of broader efforts to combat organized crime in the region. In response, Maduro announced the mobilization of millions of militiamen across the country. Venezuelan forces also signed up more members during the weekned. "We defend our seas, our skies, and our lands. We liberated them, and we protect and patrol them. No empire will touch the sacred soil of Venezuela nor should it touch the sacred soil of South America," Maduro declared during a televised meeting with the country's governors and mayors. Earlier this year, Venezuela and Russia celebrated 80 years of diplomatic relations. In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, both countries reaffirmed their opposition to "the diktats and hegemonic actions of the West" and pledged continued cooperation in the fight against "modern forms of colonialism." "Russia and Venezuela work side by side in multilateral platforms where they defend the principles and norms of international law and cooperate closely to stop the attempts of a small group of states from the collective West to impose their own 'rules-based order' on the international community," the statement said. Originally published on Latin Times US President Donald Trump said Monday he hoped again to meet North Korea's leaders as he fired off an extraordinary attack against the South's leader hours before opening talks with him. Trump, who met Kim Jong Un three times in his first term, hailed their relationship and that he knew him "better than anybody, almost, other than his sister." "Someday I'll see him. I look forward to seeing him. He was very good with me," Trump told reporters. Trump contended that North Korea has been firing fewer rockets since he returned to the White House on January 20. Trump has boasted that he has solved seven wars in as many months back in the job -- a claim that is contested -- but has been quiet on North Korea despite the unusually personal diplomacy during his 2017-2021 tenure. Trump once said that he and Kim "fell in love." Their meetings reduced tensions but failed to produce a lasting agreement. Since then, Kim has forged a close relationship with Russia, including sending troops to fight against Ukraine, and has dug in on refusing any dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear program. South Korea's new President Lee Jae Myung is a progressive who supports dialogue with North Korea, a potential area in common with Trump. But hours before starting what he hoped would be a friendly first White House meeting, Trump took to social media to launch a surprise attack that was extraordinary even by the standards of the volatile US leader -- who acknowledged he did not know if his claims were true. "WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We can't have that and do business there," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. He did not initially specify to what he was referring. Asked later by a reporter at the White House for clarification, Trump said: "Well, I heard that there were raids on churches over the last few days." "Very vicious raids on churches by the new government in South Korea, that they even went into our military base and got information. They probably shouldn't have done that," he said. "I heard bad things. I don't know if it's true or not. I'll be finding out." He said he looked forward to seeing Lee, but added: "We won't stand for that." Trump did not explain further but South Korea last month carried out raids on locations connected to the Unification Church, the religious movement often referred to by the derogatory term Moonies. Known for mass weddings, the church was founded by the late Sun Myung Moon, who was an avid supporter of conservative causes both in South Korea and the United States. The church, which has also come under fire in Japan, is under investigation for allegedly offering luxury items as part of lobbying efforts in Seoul. Prosecutors are investigating whether a shaman passed along a diamond necklace and designer handbag on behalf of the Unification Church to the wife of impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol. South Korean prosecutors have also probed a far-right pastor accused of inciting a riot against a court that ordered the arrest of Yoon. Yoon, a conservative with close ties with the United States, was impeached after he briefly imposed martial law in December in a massive expansion of power in the face of a deadlock in parliament. His tactic was a throwback to South Korea's earlier era of military rule and was swiftly reversed after an impromptu popular revolt. Trump has tested the limits of his own presidential authority, sending troops into both Washington and Los Angeles. It is not the first time Trump has stunned an unsuspecting foreign leader with a disputable claim. In May, Trump ambushed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in a White House meeting by alleging a "genocide" against white farmers by the post-apartheid government, which denies any such campaign. Diosdado Cabello, vice president of Venezuela's ruling party and Minister of Interior, confirmed on Monday that 15,000 troops will be deployed along the border with Colombia amid heightened tensions with the United States and ongoing disputes about the country's role in drug-trafficking in the region. Cabello said the operation involves drones, aircraft, river patrols, and rapid-response units, which will initially focus on border states Zulia and Tachira states in what he called "Zona de Paz #1" ("Peace Zone #1). He framed the deployment as an effort to protect sovereignty and disrupt narcotrafficking routes. "Those who try to transport drugs through Venezuela will receive a forceful response," he stated. Cabello also insisted that Venezuela accounts for about 5% of global trafficking flows, citing a United Nations report, and rejected claims that the government is linked to cartels, as the Trump administration is claiming. On Thursday, the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, accused Venezuela of collaborating with Colombian guerrilla groups to ship "record amounts of cocaine" to Mexican cartels trafficking into the United States. Officials are also claiming this merits the decision to send troops off its coast. #MUNDO Diosdado Cabello, ministro de Interior de Venezuela, informa que Nicolas Maduro aumentara su despliegue militar en la frontera con Colombia con 15 mil hombres, drones, refuerzos fluviales y aereos. Nuestro presidente ha decidido activar de manera inmediata la zona de pic.twitter.com/Gp8gr66ioH UltimaHoraCaracol (@UltimaHoraCR) August 25, 2025 During the same press conference, Cabello repeated accusations that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado maintains ties with Colombian and Mexican criminal groups, including the Jalisco cartel, through political allies such as former Colombian presidents Alvaro Uribe and Ivan Duque. "It is her who has contact with narcotraffickers, not the government," Cabell said. ULTIMA HORA | Diosdado Cabello niega vinculacion con el Cartel de Sinaloa. El cartel de Jalisco tiene contacto es con ella (Maria Corina Machado) no era con el Gobierno. Las bandas narcotraficantes y paramilitares colombianos tiene contacto con ella https://t.co/7uCuQkJICE pic.twitter.com/VTZQqGACHY AlbertoRodNews (@AlbertoRodNews) August 25, 2025 The announcements follow President Nicolas Maduro's call last week for millions of Venezuelans to join "combat ranks" to defend national sovereignty after the U.S. deployed three Navy destroyers along with an amphibious squadron off the coast of the South American nation, a move Maduro has characterized as a prelude to invasion. Thousands of people reportedly signed up during the weekend. Colombian president Gustavo Petro has been publicly weighing on the deployment of U.S. warships, saying on Wednesday that "gringos are mad if they think that invading Venezuela will solve their problems." "They are dragging Venezuela into a Syria-like situation, with the problem that they are dragging Colombia too," he added. "I told Trump through his emissaries that it would be the worst mistake." Originally published on Latin Times Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl - Doha, proudly announces the appointment of Abbas Al Souki as Hotel Manager, marking not only his return to the Kempinski brand but also a continuation of his successful journey within the prestigious Alfardan Hospitality portfolio. With nearly two decades of leadership across some of the Middle East's most iconic five-star hotels, Al Souki brings a wealth of expertise in operational excellence, food and beverage innovation, and large-scale pre-openings, all of which align seamlessly with Alfardan Hospitality's uncompromising standards of luxury and service. Al Souki is no stranger to Kempinski. He played a pivotal role in the pre-opening and operations of Kempinski Hotel Muscat, first as Director of Food & Beverage and later as Executive Assistant Manager of Food & Beverage, where he helped establish the property as one of Oman's most distinguished luxury destinations. Most recently, he served as Hotel Manager at The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl - Qatar, also under Alfardan Hospitality. His tenure there solidified his reputation as one of the region's leading hoteliers, successfully positioning the hotel as a landmark destination within Qatar's dynamic hospitality market. Now, in his new role at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Al Souki will oversee operations of the iconic Palace and further strengthen Alfardan Hospitality's legacy of curating world-class hotels in Qatar. Nestled on its own private island, Marsa Malaz Kempinski stands as a symbol of European luxury infused with Arabian heritage. With its palatial design, 11 world-class restaurants, award-winning spa, and unrivalled setting in The Pearl, the property reflects both Kempinski's timeless elegance and Alfardan Hospitality's commitment to elevating Qatar's luxury landscape. East West Hospitality, the award-winning hospitality services company specializing in luxury vacation rentals, resorts, and private residences, is pleased to announce a key leadership update with the promotion of Ryan MacLachlan to Chief Operating Officer (COO). This move reflects the company's commitment to strengthening its operations while strategically positioning itself for thoughtful, long-term growth. MacLachlan, who joined the company in 2020 as part of an acquisition, most recently served as Vice President of Operations, leading East West Hospitality's prestigious Beaver Creek properties, including The Charter, St. James Place, and The Borders Lodge. With more than 20 years of industry experience, he brings a proven track record of operational excellence, strategic vision, and people-first leadership. As COO, he will oversee the overall operations and strategic alignment of East West Hospitality's diverse resort property portfolio across Beaver Creek, Vail, Tahoe, Snowmass, Utah, and South Carolina. MacLachlan's career began in Beaver Creek in 2005, and he has held leadership positions with Wyndham and Vacasa. He was recognized in 2023 with East West Hospitality's prestigious Bowker Leadership Award, honoring his commitment to curiosity, integrity, and humility. Known for his collaborative style and commitment to innovation, he has played an instrumental role in strategic growth initiatives, capital project execution, and enhancing the company's presence across Colorado's resort communities. Outside of work, MacLachlan is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys exploring Colorado's mountain trails with his wife and three children. For more information on East West Hospitality, please visit eastwest.com. STR Weekly Insights: RevPAR Declines Persist in U.S. Hotels Amid Weak Summer Travel Season - Image Credit CoStar Globally, RevPAR outside the U.S. increased by 4.2%, driven by ADR growth (+2.4%) and a 1.3 percentage point rise in occupancy. The U.S. hotel industry continues to face challenges as revenue per available room (RevPAR) remains lackluster, driven by stalled business travel and declining demand in economy hotels. U.S. RevPAR Trends For the week ending 16 August 2025, U.S. hotel RevPAR fell by 0.5%, influenced significantly by difficult year-over-year comparisons in Houston. Houston alone accounted for 5 basis points of the national RevPAR decrease, with 47% of all markets experiencing a decline of more than half a percentage point. This marks the highest percentage of markets with declines in the past four weeks. Nationwide, falling occupancy rates were the primary driver of the RevPAR decline, while the average daily rate (ADR) saw a modest increase of 0.4%. Impact of Business Travel Slowdown The slowdown in weekday occupancy, particularly in the Top 25 Markets (T25), had a significant impact on the week's performance. Business travel, which is best represented by weekday performance, has plateaued. Although leisure travel continued, as evidenced by strong weekend performance, it was insufficient to sustain the industry. Weekday occupancy declined by 0.7 percentage points, with ADR up only 0.3%, resulting in a 0.9% reduction in RevPAR. In contrast, weekend RevPAR increased by 0.3%, driven by a 0.6% rise in ADR, despite a 0.2 percentage point dip in occupancy. Regional Performance Variations Notable differences emerged between the Top 25 Markets and other regions. In the T25 Markets, weekday RevPAR fell by 2.3%, and weekend RevPAR decreased by 1.3%, with occupancy being the primary factor. Overall, T25 weekly RevPAR dropped by 2%. Excluding Houston, weekly RevPAR was down 0.9% overall, with negative weekday comparisons (-1.3%) and a flat weekend. In contrast, non-T25 metro areas saw slight improvements, with weekday and weekend RevPAR up by 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. Non-metro/rural areas posted the largest weekly gain (+0.7%), with the weekend advancing by 1.9% and weekdays remaining flat. Challenges for Economy Hotels As the summer travel season nears its end, the U.S. hotel industry is experiencing its weakest summer in four years. Demand is down by 1.4 million room nights compared to the same period last year. RevPAR has declined by 1.1% due to lower occupancy, with ADR up just 0.2%. The demand retreat is primarily affecting economy hotels, with 45% of the decline centered in 10 markets, including Houston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Houston and Las Vegas account for nearly a quarter of the economy hotel decrease. While midscale and upper upscale class hotels have also seen declines, luxury, upscale, and upper midscale hotels have gained room nights, albeit insufficient to offset the losses from other classes. Performance in the Top 25 Markets The Top 25 Market performance has been under pressure for much of the summer. Of the 16 markets experiencing RevPAR declines, all but Tampa have seen decreases over the past four weeks. Excluding Houston and Las Vegas, the remaining Top 25 Markets have struggled due to declining occupancy and minimal ADR growth. Houston's weekly RevPAR dropped by 27.1% due to challenging 2024 storm-elevated comparisons, although positive group demand provided a bright spot. New Orleans and Las Vegas also faced difficult comparisons, with RevPAR declines of 14.5% and 5.2%, respectively, over the past four weeks. Global Context and Canada's Performance Globally, RevPAR outside the U.S. increased by 4.2%, driven by ADR growth (+2.4%) and a 1.3 percentage point rise in occupancy. Japan and Canada led the top-performing countries, with Canada reporting solid performance throughout the summer. Canadian RevPAR has increased by 8.3% in the most recent period, marking 10 consecutive weeks of growth. In contrast, the U.K. experienced a RevPAR slowdown (-2.2%) due to challenging comparisons with last year's events, while Germany and France faced declines due to sports-related events from the previous year. Outlook Looking ahead, the next couple of weeks through Labor Day are expected to see continued challenges. With schools in session across much of the country, leisure travel is likely to slow, and business travel is not expected to fill the gap. The impact of Hurricane Erin and other difficult comparisons from previous storms will also influence upcoming results. Aleph Hospitality to Manage 338-Room Hotel in Makkah - Image Credit Aleph Hospitality Aleph Hospitality has signed a management agreement for the 338-room Diyar Al Khalidiya hotel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, marking its entry into the Makkah market. Aleph Hospitality has entered the Makkah market by signing a hotel management agreement with Diyar Al Khalidiyah Hotel Services Company for the Diyar Al Khalidiya hotel. The hotel, located on Ibrahim Khalil Street near the Great Mosque of Makkah and the Abraj Al-Bait Towers, comprises 338 rooms. This agreement marks Aleph Hospitality's second operational hotel in Saudi Arabia, following the Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah. The management takeover is scheduled for August 2025. Aleph Hospitality is in discussions with various hotel brands to establish an international brand presence for the property. This move is part of the company's broader strategy to expand its footprint within Saudi Arabia. The Makkah region is experiencing significant growth in its Hajj and Umrah tourism sectors. Visitor numbers nearly doubled from 2022 to 2023, contributing to a projected Hajj tourism industry value of USD343.55 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.20%. Under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, Makkah's hospitality infrastructure is undergoing substantial development, aiming to accommodate an annual pilgrimage target of 30 million by 2030. Aleph Hospitality's expansion into Makkah aligns with the Kingdom's efforts to enhance its hospitality offerings to meet the increasing demand from religious tourism. La Quinta Inn & Suites Shreveport Airport - Image Credit CBRE La Quinta Inn & Suites Shreveport Airport is on the market, offering a strategic location and investment potential. The La Quinta Inn & Suites Shreveport Airport is currently listed for sale. This corporate-owned property, located in Shreveport, Louisiana, features 117 rooms and stands four stories tall. Its location offers convenient access to major transportation routes, including Interstate 20 and Interstate 49, and is situated near Shreveport Regional Airport. The hotel serves a variety of guests, including those traveling for business, industrial purposes, and leisure. Investment Details The sale includes mineral rights associated with the property, which could provide future income through leasing opportunities. The hotel has undergone renovations and will not require a Property Improvement Plan (PIP) until January 2028. Wyndham may issue a new PIP at that time, with a two-year completion window for the franchisee. Operational Efficiency The property will be sold without existing management, offering potential for improved operational efficiency. This presents an opportunity for a new operator to implement focused revenue management strategies and reduce corporate overhead expenses. Demand Drivers The hotel's location provides easy access to several significant demand generators. These include the Shreveport Regional Airport, LSU Health Shreveport, a General Electric plant, and multiple biomedical research facilities. Additionally, the proximity to popular casinos in Bossier City, such as Sams Town Casino and Horseshoe Bossier City Casino, contributes to its appeal. Market Context Shreveport is recognized as a regional hub with consistent leisure and business travel demand. The city benefits from its cultural institutions, riverfront casinos, and proximity to Barksdale Air Force Base. The local market offers a stable environment for long-term hotel investment, supported by low development costs and favorable zoning. Inquire at CBRE. Evidence of work for installing a road on a Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity property on Summer Street in Williamstown. Williamstown Housing Trust Releases Funds to Northern Berkshire Habitat WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The trustees of the town's Affordable Housing Trust on Wednesday committed to contributing $100,000 toward the construction of the first of four Habitat for Humanity homes off Summer Street. Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity President Keith Davis again explained the reason why the local non-profit needs additional town support to kickstart a planned four-home subdivision on 1.75-acre lot the trustees purchased in 2015 for the purpose of building income-restricted housing. The Trust board had planned to make a $120,000 allotment that would have gone toward the subdivision's road and the first home. But last month, at Northern Berkshire Habitat's request, the body reallocated that money entirely to offset the increased cost of infrastructure. Davis reminded the body that Habitat's startup costs increased, in part, because of modifications to the site plan that came up during the permitting process. The net result was that what he expected to be a $200,000 infrastructure project ballooned in cost to $330,000. That price tag will eat up the entire $120,000 contribution from the town and the seed money that NBHFH planned to use from the sale of last home it completed in town, at the corner of Cole Avenue and Maple Street. The local non-profit's practice has been to use proceeds from a sale of a home to bankroll its next project. The money goes toward materials and tradespeople, like electricians, with expertise beyond the scope of Habitat for Humanity's volunteer labor force. "The road was significantly more expensive than anticipated, and, as a result, there is more money needed to start House 1," trustees Chair Daniel Gura summed up. "It has to come from somewhere." Davis agreed. "We have to raise the money from somewhere, because we are not selling things at market value," he said. "We gear our program to people who make 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. After they qualify, we fix the mortgage at 30 percent of their income. If they make 80 percent [of AMI], we get more money back. If they make 30 percent, we get less money back. "But they have a house. They have a chance to build generational wealth. They have stability in their family. It provides the homeowner with a lot of benefits." In July, when Davis initially asked about the $100,000 outlay, board members asked Davis for cost estimates on how much each of the subsequent houses planned for the property. Davis said that, based on industry standards, he expects the first Summer Street home to cost about 10 percent more than the second of two homes built at the corner of Cole and Maple, or $220,000. "Beyond the first house, it's a total crapshoot," Davis said. "If anybody can tell me what will happen with tariffs and things like that, I'd love to know. Right now, the lumber we use in construction all has to be graded lumber. Even if the trees are harvested in the U.S., most of the wood is shipped across the border to Canada for manufacture into lumber, grading and stamping and shipped back to the U.S. This is something that is very unpredictable at this point." Davis said a revised version of the stretch energy code in Massachusetts could drive up costs even more. "It means we now have to hire an engineer to calculate all the room volumes for heating and ventilation and design the ventilation system and, then, we have to hire a grader who will come in at the beginning of the process, middle of the process and end of the process and make sure everything from design, meets actual," he said. "This was a cost I wasn't initially anticipating, hiring an engineer to do the HVAC system and the grader to evaluate it." Davis said he hoped to have the general contractor on site by the end of the week to start building the road. And as soon as the road base is in, Northern Berkshire Habitat will be able to bring a concrete truck to the first building site to pour a foundation, hopefully by the end of September. Davis said he still hopes to have the first home's building envelope completed before the snow flies so his volunteers can work inside during the winter months. Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity currently is accepting applications to be the first family to live in the Summer Street development. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30. On Wednesday, the five members of the AHT board present for the meeting voted unanimously, with Gura abstaining, to release the $100,000. But first, Gura opened the floor to ideas on how to avoid some of the risk of volatile cost escalation that Davis mentioned. He pressed the representatives from the Habitat board in attendance to explore partnering with a home builder, who could work on erecting one house while Habitat volunteers build the home next door. Gura suggested that doing so would enable the whole four-home development to be completed ahead of Habitat's planned pace of one home per year. That would get one more family housed in town a little quicker and lower the risk of increased material costs between the planned third and fourth years, he said. "I think the way it can be successful is you'd need to find a builder who builds homes and they said. These are our costs. I have to pay all my men and women. I can take out my profit number and bang it out in three months with my people. And I need to break even,' " Gura said. "It becomes that company's volunteer thing that they do with their team." He suggested that the Affordable Housing Trust could help supply the funds needed to get the commercial builder to the "break even" point. Gura stressed that he did not know if such a builder could be found, particularly in a region without the kind of building activity seen in other parts of the country, but he asked the non-profit to at least ask local builders if it was a possibility. Northern Berkshire Habitat's Mary Morrison said the non-profit had discussed hiring contractor in the past as a project manager but has not been able to find the funds to do so. She also pointed out that the Habitat for Humanity model has homeowners investing "sweat equity" by working on the volunteer crews that build the houses. Gura noted that if two homes were built simultaneously one by a contractor and one by volunteers the families who were selected to live in both homes could work on one of them. "They don't have to work on the house that they're going to live in," Gura said, a point with which Davis agreed. Court Orders Accused Williams College Vandal into Diversion Program NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The Williams College student accused of an act of vandalism on campus on the morning of June's commencement exercises was assigned on Monday to a diversion program in Northern Berkshire District Court. Liam Carey of Virginia was ordered to community service following a brief pretrial hearing via Zoom. His lawyer, Luke Ryan of Northampton's Strehorn, Ryan and Hoose, appeared in person before Judge Paul Vrabel in a hearing that was continued from Aug. 11. "After some extensive negotiations," the defendant and the district attorney's office agreed to a period of 50 hours of community service for Carey, Ryan told the court. "Williams College representatives will be doing supervision of that," Ryan said. An attorney with the district attorney's office confirmed to Vrabel that the commonwealth agreed to the terms. Carey was arrested on the morning of Williams' graduation ceremony and subsequently charged with vandalism, destruction of property, trespass and resisting arrest. In a July 2 filing with the court, Ryan asked that Carey be assigned to the diversion program outlined in Massachusetts General Law with his service work completed for the non-profit Earth Sangha of Annandale, Va. After a 90-day stay in which defendants can complete their assigned community service, the law allows the presiding judge to dismiss the charges. Vrabel ordered Carey to appear on Nov. 26 for a review of the report from the diversion program's director. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least eight people, including two minors, lost their lives after a container truck rammed into a tractor transporting devotees in northern Uttar Pradesh early Monday, according to police. Three people are in serious condition on ventilator, Bulandshahr district police chief Dinesh Kumar Singh said. At least 45 others were injured. He said the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals while the bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem. The crash occurred around 2.10am near the Arnia bypass on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border, when a container truck rammed the tractor-trolley from behind, overturning it. An unfortunate incident has happened on NH 34, on the Aligarh border, around 2.15 tonight. Around 60-61 people were travelling in a tractor from Kasganj district to Rajasthan, Mr Singh was quoted as saying by ANI. A container coming from behind hit it at a high speed due to which the tractor overturned and a large number of people were injured... 8 people have died. 45 people are currently undergoing treatment... The tractor has been removed from the spot. The truck that caused the accident is in police custody, he said. Footage from the scene showed the badly-mangled tractor and the severely damaged front of the container truck. The tractor was carrying devotees of Gogaji, a folk deity venerated in northern India and also known as Jahirpeer, Jaharveer Chauhan, or Bagad Wala. They were travelling from Kasganj to Gogamedi in Rajasthan when the crash occurred near Ghatal village on National Highway 34, within the Bulandshahr police station limits, The Hindustan Times reported. Police identified the eight victims, including two children, aged 6 and 12, as residents of Kasganj district. Of the injured, 12 were children. The Haryana-registered truck has been seized, and legal action is in progress, officials said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police officials in north Indias Uttar Pradesh made multiple arrests on Monday after a woman was allegedly killed over dowry demands by her husband and his family. According to the complaint filed by 26-year-old Nikki Paylas family, she was burnt to death by her husband Vipin Bhati on Thursday in the Greater Noida region near capital Delhi after he was unable to extract Rs 3.5m and a luxury car from her family as dowry, police said. The Uttar Pradesh police said they arrested the main accused, Paylas husband Bhati, on Sunday and shot him in the leg when he allegedly tried to escape from their custody. The police officials also arrested Mr Bhatis mother who has also been accused of assaulting and torturing the woman. On Monday, police officials made further arrests and held Mr Bhatis father Satya Veer, 55, and his brother Rohit Bhati, 28, at Sirsa Chauraha in the same state, they said. The police were alerted about the case on Thursday when they received a memo from a private hospital regarding a woman who was being referred to a government hospital in Delhi after suffering major burn injuries. We received a memo from Fortis Hospital at Kasna police station that a woman was admitted after she suffered severe burn injuries and was later referred to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, said Sudhir Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police Greater Noida, reported The Indian Express. The young woman died on her way to being shifted to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, police officials said. Mr Kumar added that prima facie it seemed the woman was set ablaze using highly flammable paint thinner. He added that the police are investigating the death from all angles and have also taken the videos shared by her family members into consideration. Paylas sister, Kanchan, who is married to Vipins younger brother Rohit, shared videos of the alleged assault which have been circulated on social media. We received a complaint from her sister against her in-laws and husband, and filed the First Information Report, said police official Dharmendra Shukla. The Independent has not verified the authenticity of the videos. According to Paylas family, the two women were facing torture and incessant demands for dowry since their marriage in 2016. They said they had already given the the Bhati family a Scorpio SUV car, a Royal Enfield motorcycle and gold jewellery. The family also allegedly sought Rs3,600,000 (30,400) in cash and a luxury car. After his arrest on Sunday, Mr Bhati denied killing his wife. I have no remorse. I havent killed her. She died on her own. Husbands and wives often have fightsit is very common, he told news agency ANI. Every year, between 2017 and 2022, an average of 7,000 cases of dowry deaths were reported across India, according to the countrys National Crime Records Bureau. The actual estimate is expected to be higher as several cases go unreported. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tokyo police and prosecutors have formally apologised for the wrongful arrest and indictment of a man who died without ever being granted bail. On 25 August, senior officials visited the grave of Shizuo Aishima, a former adviser to machinery maker Ohkawara Kakohki, in Yokohama, where his family members were present, to express regret for their role in a flawed investigation. Aishima, detained in 2020 on suspicion of helping to export sensitive equipment, maintained his innocence until his death in 2021, according to the Kyodo News. He had filed eight unsuccessful bail requests and was only released late in his illness to receive medical treatment, but he died in February 2021 before his name was cleared. The apology followed the release of an internal report earlier this month that acknowledged a breakdown in the investigative chain of command, which had led to Aishimas arrest alongside company president Masaaki Okawara and former director Junji Shimada. While Okawara and Shimada were eventually cleared, Aishimas prolonged detention and repeated denial of bail left him battling stomach cancer behind bars. open image in gallery A portrait of the late Shizuo Aishima (C), who was falsely accused of unauthorised export of sensitive equipment and died after prolonged detention, is seen as his sons hold a press conference in Yokohama on 25 August 2025, after police and prosecutors apologised at Aishima's grave for his illegal detention ( JAPAN POOL / JIJI PRESS/AFP via ) We are sorry for the illegal investigation and arrest, said Deputy Superintendent General Tetsuro Kamata of the Metropolitan Police Department. The Tokyo High Court later ruled that the arrests and indictments of the three men were unlawful, ordering the state and the metropolitan government to pay 166 million yen in damages. The court also criticised investigators and prosecutors for ignoring exculpatory evidence and for pursuing the case in violation of due process. For Aishimas family, however, the legal vindication came too late; he had filed eight unsuccessful bail requests before finally being released for medical treatment, only to succumb to cancer in February 2021. He was 72 at the time of his death. At the graveside ceremony, senior officials, including Kamata, Takashi Koike of the Supreme Public Prosecutors Office, and Hiroshi Ichikawa of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, knelt and prayed. Mr Ichikawa added: We sincerely apologise for the serious human rights violation caused by illegally requesting his detention and filing a prosecution, and for depriving Aishima of opportunities for medical treatment by inappropriately rejecting his bail request. Aishimas wife, who attended with their two sons, responded: I accept the apology, but I will never forgive the illegal arrest and indictment. Her words marked the first time a bereaved family had agreed to receive an apology in connection with the Ohkawara Kakohki case. The decision came only after police and prosecutors publicly released reports acknowledging deep failings in their handling of the investigation. The Supreme Public Prosecutors Office admitted in its review that prosecutors failed to properly weigh evidence that might have cleared the men and that the process had lacked basic fairness. In its own findings, the Tokyo police described the inquiry as one plagued by dysfunction at every level of command. Last year in October, it was reported that Iwao Hakamada, once the worlds longest-serving death row inmate, received a personal apology from Shizuokas police chief for the nearly six decades of wrongful conviction and suffering he endured. Hakamada, then 88, was acquitted in September last year after a retrial exposed fabricated evidence and forced confessions, finally ending his long fight to clear his name. Shizuoka prefectural police chief Takayoshi Tsuda bowed deeply before Hakamada at his home, saying: We are sorry to have caused you unspeakable mental distress and burden for as long as 58 years from the time of the arrest until the acquittal was finalised. We are terribly sorry. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Bus drivers are threatening a series of nationwide strikes in disputes over pay and conditions. Around 7,500 members of Unite the Union are either striking or balloting to take industrial action in areas including Birkenhead, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Chorley, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston, Stoke and Swindon. Strikes involving 2,000 London United workers in West London, 550 First workers in Bristol, 450 Cardiff Bus workers and 70 Go South West workers in Swindon have already been announced, with further strikes involving thousands more bus workers planned at other towns and cities in the coming weeks. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said bus employers everywhere need to get the message loud and clear: driver pay simply does not reflect the stresses and strains of the job. open image in gallery Unite boss Sharon Graham ( PA ) Fatigue, a lack of toilets, abuse and even assaults are a daily occurrence, she said. Unite will fight tooth and nail for bus workers until wages and conditions improve across the sector. Unite has previously reported that bus drivers face abuse at work, with workers reporting that the number of incidents is increasing. The union is also campaigning for improvements to rest breaks, toilet facilities and shift patterns to reduce fatigue. Bus drivers are more likely to suffer mental and physical ill health than other professions due to the stressful nature of the job, according to the union. Unite said strikes in Cardiff and Newcastle involving 600 bus workers will go ahead if deals being balloted on are rejected. Unite has had 167 bus disputes since 2023 involving 42,626 workers. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The courts would probably block Nigel Farages attempts at mass deportation using British common law, even if he unpicked Britain from international human rights laws, former attorney general Dominic Grieve has warned. The shot across the bows for Reform UKs extreme proposals comes as Mr Farage prepares to lay out details on his plan on Tuesday morning. Mr Grieve, who recently led the UK Governance Project, a commission which set out recommendations to restore confidence in decision-makers, has issued a scathing critique of Reforms plans to crack down on the small boats and illegal immigration. It comes as polling by YouGov has revealed that the public is losing confidence in Sir Keir Starmer to tackle the migration crisis, with 71 per cent saying he is handling it badly amid record numbers of small boats crossing the Channel, despite a new returns deal with France. open image in gallery Dominic Grieve said Reforms deportation plan could be blocked by the courts ( PA Archive ) With disturbances in protests outside migrant hotels over the weekend, Labour has revealed details of trying to water down the impact of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) and fast-track cases in a bid to get on top of the problem. Mr Farage, whose party is leading in the polls, hopes to capitalise on the problems with his mass deportation plan. He will set out plans for five deportation flights a day, dealing with 24,000 asylum seekers detained in holding centres at RAF bases. The Reform leader will also claim that return deals will be done with all countries to which those asylum seekers would need to be deported, including Iran, Afghanistan and Eritrea. But speaking to The Independent, Mr Grieve has detailed both domestic and international obstacles that would emerge, even after forcing through massive legislative reforms that could leave Britain as an international pariah. Most notably, he pointed out that getting rid of international agreements the UK has signed up to would not necessarily mean that the courts would allow Mr Farage, if he became prime minister, to simply deport irregular migrants or foreign criminals. This policy would require leaving the Refugee Convention, change your national domestic laws, which reflect the operation of the Refugee Convention, pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and give the government through primary legislation essentially full powers to remove aliens who are regarded as being undesirable from the United Kingdom, he noted. But on what the courts might still do, he added: You still cant rule out that a court might in the case of somebody where it was quite clear they were going to be deported, in circumstances where their lives would be seriously at risk in their home country intervene to stop deportation under customary law or even the common law. On top of this, Mr Grieve envisages massive political upheaval caused by those protesting against the draconian policies of what would be Britains most right-wing government. open image in gallery Nigel Farage is set to give details of his plans on Tuesday ( PA Wire ) He said: A section of the population will think the government is behaving terribly and failing to honour our obligations to genuine refugees. They will mount campaigns of various sorts against it. So it would be against the background of a pretty noisy, political narrative. But the single biggest problem, he warned, was that countries were unlikely to willingly take back illegal migrants and criminals. International problems on returns Large numbers of these people destroy their own documentation, and therefore identifying precisely where they come from is not always easy, he said. Now, the government would have to apply political leverage on those foreign states, including, I suppose, threatening them if they didnt cooperate, but I think that would be necessary in order to achieve it, because in many cases there are... if you dont have bilateral agreements, youre going to have considerable difficulty. In terms of people who hold dual UK nationality with another country committing criminal offences, he also foresaw serious difficulties. There are very large numbers of people in this country, particularly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have dual nationality, even though they may be third-generation people living in Britain. If they havent got a passport, and the country concerned says, Im not going to give them a passport, then youre not going to be able to put them on a plane. But the impact of Britain removing itself from international law will have other consequences, Mr Grieve noted. Top of these would be the collapse of the post-Brexit deal with the EU, which includes a provision that the UK must remain in the ECHR. open image in gallery Small boats have come in record numbers ( Getty ) He said: I certainly think that if the UK unpicks itself from international law without the support of other like-minded states, you are going to get zero cooperation from those other countries. Youve got a whole host of political problems, because whilst on paper, you may say, Oh, it doesnt matter, we can get rid of the European Convention on Human Rights, the consequence is that the Trade and Cooperation Agreement [TAC] with the EU comes to an end. You are going to have to grapple with the consequences of that, in terms of the impact on trade, travel, sharing data, security and a whole host of other issues. A number of other concerns are being raised by critics of the plan, including the fate of the 31,000 women and girls who claim asylum each year but could be returned to countries like Iran and Afghanistan, where they would face human rights abuses because of their gender. Added to that, it would take 18 months to build the detention centres required, leaving question marks over where the migrants who arrive in that period would be housed. Then there are worries about costs. In April, former Reform MP Rupert Lowe and the Centre for Migration Control claimed the plans would cost 47.5bn, but Reform is now suggesting that figure would be 10bn. The criticisms have been dismissed by Reform, with Mr Farage still set to lay out details of how it will work and the legal advice he has received. A Reform UK spokesperson said: Politicians have completely failed to stop illegal migration for years. Those like Dominic Grieve never even tried in the first place. Only Reform has the courage to do what must be done and deal with this problem head on. The only way to stop people coming into Britain illegally is to detain them and deport them. On Tuesday, we will outline a bold plan to do just that. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Krispy Kreme is making a push to sell its donuts in more big-box retailers, convenience stores and supermarkets as the company struggles to regain its footing after a partnership with fast food giant McDonalds abruptly ended. Executives at the donut vendor are under pressure from Wall Street and investors to turn things around as its stock has dropped 73 percent from its yearly peak, signaling deep financial trouble, according to The Motley Fool. Revenue for the quarter ending in June also slipped over 13 percent, with the company losing $441 million compared to a $5 million loss during the same quarter last year, The New York Times reports. A deal to sell their donuts at 2,400 McDonalds chains across the country abruptly ended in June, after the retailer promised Wall Street and investors their donuts would be in 6,000 McDonalds locations by the end of the year. For Krispy Kreme, the volumes fell off more quickly or meaningfully than they had expected, and part of the reason was that some of the marketing they had initially, some of the support from McDonalds, seemed to peter out a little bit, Sara Senatore, an analyst at Bank of America, told the Times. They invested heavily ahead of the McDonalds arrangement, and now they have to unwind that. Krispy Kreme is pushing to sell its donuts in more big box retailers as the company struggles to regain its footing after a partnership with McDonalds abruptly ended. ( Getty Images ) A donut delivery program was also too expensive to take nationally, according to Motley Fool. In the months after the McDonalds collapse, Krispy Kreme took about $30 million in various impairment and termination costs related to the doomed partnership. The donut retailer also noted that the fair value of the chain had dropped more than $356 million. To reduce expenses and slash its debt, Krispy Kreme says it plans to sell its international businesses in other countries to other franchisees. It also plans to start using third-party logistics firms to oversee deliveries. Its one thing to manage three or four trucks, chief executive of Krispy Kreme Josh Charlsworth told the Times, noting as business expanded, managing the fleet of trucks became more complex. In the U.S., Krispy Kreme hopes to make a comeback by getting more of its donuts into big-box stores, such as Costco, Kroger and Walmart. In the U.S., just to give an example, were in less than a third of the footprint of Walmart, and so, you know, there are thousands of locations for us to go after, Charlesworth said. While some Wall Street analysts say the brand is making its donuts too readily available, Charlsworth says there are plenty of places throughout the U.S. where fans cant get a donut even if they tried. When we ask consumers who have not purchased a Krispy Kreme, the top response on the list is, I cant get them, Charlesworth said. The availability has long been the No. 1 barrier to purchase. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice California Governor Gavin Newsom is now selling merchandise a la Donald Trump including $100 Bibles that are already sold out in his latest move to troll the president. After days of imitating the presidents signature all-caps social media posting style, Newsom capped off a week of trolling Trump with the opening of what hes calling the Patriot Shop. THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!! the Democratic governor announced Sunday in a social media post. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. PLEASE ENJOY, AMERICA! In a direct jab at the president, the website lists a Holy Bible signed by Americas Favorite Governor! for $100. The presidents hefty "God Bless the USA" Bibles went for $60 a pop and included the chorus to Lee Greenwood's song by the same name as well as the text of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. open image in gallery Newsom launches 'The Patriot Shop,' which mockingly offers MAGA-red hats and $100 Holy Bibles ( The Patriot Shop ) Within the last several weeks, the California governor has been mocking Trumps idiomatic all-caps posting style, from his childish nicknames down to his classic sign-off swapping DJT for GCN. Im just following [Trumps] example, Newsom told reporters last week when asked about his posting strategy. If you have issues with what Im putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what hes putting out as president. After Trumps allies criticized the governor for carrying Bibles on the website, he wrote: They still really dont get it. Honestly incredible. The Patriot Shop also offers a Trump is not hot tank top, MAGA red-colored caps emblazoned with Newsom was right about everything! and The Chosen One T-shirt that features Newsom surrounded by far-right personalities Tucker Carlson, Kid Rock, and Hulk Hogan. Trump in 2019 declared himself the chosen one. Three hours after the merchandise shop launched, Newsom boasted in an X post about its sales: WOW! $50,000 IN PURCHASES ALREADY!! THANK YOU PATRIOTS!!! The store is administered by Bright Blue Ink, a Texas printshop working on behalf of Campaign For Democracy Committee, according to the website. The store serves as Newsoms latest salvo in his ongoing feud with the president, whose campaign and affiliated entities have monetized his political agenda and even his mugshot to make millions of dollars with Trump-themed sneakers, cryptocurrency, Christmas gift wrap, guitars, perfume, phones, and his line of MAGA hats. open image in gallery Newsom has used Trump-like language on social media to draw attention to the presidents language ( Getty Images ) The attacks have extended offline, too. Newsom signed legislation this week calling for new congressional maps in California that could amount to five additional Democratic seats in Congress to offset a Trump-led effort to redistrict in Texas for five additional Republican seats. Newsoms press office wrote Thursday of the redistricting plan: THESE ARE PERFECT, BEAUTIFUL MAPS. BETTER THAN COLUMBUS, BETTER THAN GOOGLE MAPS, BETTER THAN APPLE MAPS (SORRY TIM, NO GOLD BAR FOR ME, BUT I STILL LOVE YOU!). THE GOLDEN ERA BEGINS IN THE GOLDEN STATE, ALL BECAUSE OF ME, THE PEOPLES GOVERNOR, THE CARTOGRAPHER-IN-CHIEF, WHO WILL NOW LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!! THANK YOU, USA!!! Newsoms proposal came weeks after Trump suggested in July that Texas Republicans redraw the states congressional maps so that his party wins more seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The president reiterated this idea, telling CNBCs Squawk Box earlier this month that he was entitled to additional seats in Texas: I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats. Separately, the Trump administration sued Californias department of education in July over its policy to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. This week, the Trump administration terminated the California State Personal Responsibility Education Program, a federal grant aiming to educate young people on both abstinence and contraception. Californias refusal to comply with federal law and remove egregious gender ideology from federally funded sex-ed materials is unacceptable, Andrew Gradison, the acting assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families, said in a statement. The California governors recent trolling appears to have spurred a rising tide of support among voters in his home state, Harry Enten, CNNs chief data analyst, said. He was referring to a recent poll that found that 75 percent of registered Democratic voters said they are excited about the prospect of Newsom running for president in 2028. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Several countries are suspending postal service to the United States as the exemption on tariff duties for low-cost packages comes to an end following an executive order from Donald Trump. Postal services for several European countries said they are putting a pause on shipping packages to the U.S. the de minimis exemption expires on Friday, August 29. The exemption allows packages worth less than $800 to enter the country duty-free. In 2024, 1.36 billion packages entered the country under the exemption, bringing in goods worth $64.6 billion total, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol data. Postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy said they would halt shipping most packages to the United States on Saturday. France and Austria said they will stop on Monday. The United Kingdoms Royal Mail said it would stop shipments on Tuesday, allowing time for those packages to arrive before duties begin. open image in gallery Several countries are suspending postal service to the U.S. as the exemption on tariff duties for low-cost packages ends Friday. ( Getty Images ) Now, items being shipped from the U.K. worth more than $100 including gifts and packages being sent to friends and family will incur a 10 percent duty, the Royal Mail said. Removing the exemption raises costs for imported goods, but postal companies say theyre taking a pause due to the ambiguous policies the Trump administration is putting into place. Key questions remain unresolved, including how duties are collected, what additional data will be required, and how that data will be reported to customs officials, according to DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe. Starting Saturday, DHL said it would no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the United States. Asian postal services, including SingPost and Indias Department of Posts, also announced plans to halt shipments to the U.S. The Trump administration revoked the exception for China and Hong Kong in May, impacting popular cheap retailers such as Temu and Shein, before deciding last month that the change would be extended to shipments coming into the United States from all countries. Businesses may face an $80 per item charge for packages sent from countries with a tariff rate less than 16 percent. Parcels sent from countries with a tariff rate between 16 percent and 25 percent may see costs as high as $160. Countries with tariff rates above 25 percent would see a $200 per item fee incurred, according to Trumps executive order. The changes would force either the sender or consumer to take on the new fees, according to Belgiums bpost, which said in a statement the changes mean import duties for all shipments with goods must be prepaid, regardless of value. open image in gallery DHL, the largest shipping provider in Europe, said it would no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers destined for the US ( Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images ) Letters sent to the United States or packages sent by individuals worth less than $100 will not be affected. The de minimis provision was added several years after the passage of the Tariff Act of 1930 with the intention of making trade easier by eliminating administrative hurdles, such as collecting minimal duties. It has been particularly effective with the rise of e-commerce. However, in recent years, cheap e-commerce retailers overseas have been accused of over-utilizing the loophole, with the White House calling di minimis a catastrophic loophole used to funnel synthetic drugs into the country. Many European countries enacting restrictions now say they are taking action early because they cannot guarantee the goods will enter the country before Friday. PostEurop, an association of 51 European public postal companies, says if no solution is found before then, all members will likely pause shipments to the United States. With reporting by the Associated Press Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Vice President JD Vance has touted his bosss energetic diplomacy with Russia, and insisted that the Trump administration would bring the three-year-long war between Ukraine and Russia to an end. But as his remarks aired on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, Russias top diplomat was making that prospect look unlikely while walking back progress made between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky and a host of European leaders in a whirlwind series of meetings over the past two weeks. Vance told NBCs Kristen Welker, in a pre-taped interview, that both sides had signaled their openness to accepting significant concessions in recent days, and said that the president was open to increasing pressure if one side was seen as an obstacle to peace. JD Vance insisted that Donald Trump would be able to pressure Russia into reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine in an interview aired Sunday ( NBC News ) This is the energetic diplomacy thats going to bring this war to a close, Vance said. We sometimes feel like weve made great progress with the Russians, and sometimes, as the president has said, hes been very frustrated with the Russians. Were going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close. He added that Russias Vladimir Putin made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3 years of this conflict during his summit with Trump on August 15 in Anchorage, Alaska. Theyve actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. Theyve talked about what would be necessary to end the war, said the vice president. He was unable to name specific areas where the Trump administration was making progress, however, as Russian and U.S. officials have given different interpretations of what was agreed upon at the Alaska summit. But the two concessions named by U.S. officials in the wake of that summit -- a Ukrainian security guarantee and the prospect of a meeting between Zelensky and Putin within two weeks -- now both seem on the edge of disappearing, if they havent already collapsed. Russias top envoy, Sergey Lavrov, appeared separately Sunday on Meet the Press and said that no Putin-Zelensky meeting was on the table in the immediate term. Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready for a summit, and this agenda is not ready at all, Lavrov said. The Russian diplomats comments come as Donald Trump confirmed Friday that he informed Putin that he was not happy about a Russia strike against a factory in Ukraine this past week that is owned by a U.S. company. The attack in the town of Mukachevo, which injured at least 15 people, was part of a larger wave of Russian airstrikes. On his Sunday appearace, Lavrov proceeded to denounce the Ukrainian president and claimed that Zelensky was refusing to accept that Ukraine would be blocked from joining NATO under a peace agreement. It was very clear to everybody that there are several principles which Washington believes must be accepted, including no NATO membership, including the discussion of territorial issues, and Zelensky said no to everything, said Lavrov. He even said no to, as I said, to canceling legislation prohibiting the Russian language. How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader? European leaders who met with Trump at the White House Monday touted the brokering of that potential Zelensky-Putin sitdown as a major development in the peace process. Russias recognition of the ability of Ukraine to sign security guarantees with the U.S. and other European nations similarly was seen as a major concession, but the Kremlin reportedly dismissed the prospect of troops from NATO countries on the ground in Ukraine after the U.S. presidents meeting with Zelensky. Trumps own press secretary confirmed this past week that the White House would not consider deploying troops to Ukraine were it attacked again. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Months after the government said he was mistakenly sent to a mega-prison in El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces another deportation threat. Following his release from federal custody in Tennessee on Friday, immigration officials revealed plans to deport the Maryland father to Uganda, after he declined an offer to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. According to Abregos defense attorneys, the government said he has until Monday morning to accept the deal, or that offer will be off the table forever. Under the looming threat of a second deportation, Abrego, a 30-year-old Salvadoran national, was scheduled to check in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore as part of the conditions of his release from federal custody on parole. Speaking at a rally before surrendering to ICE early Monday, Abrego told the crowd: Brothers and sisters, my name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this: remember that I am free, and I was able to be reunited with my family. Shortly after he entered a federal building for his check-in, Abrego was detained by ICE agents. open image in gallery Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks as he arrives at a rally near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore ( AFP via Getty Images ) MAGA-aligned officials have cast Abrego as a test case to show the administrations resolve on the enforcement of its hardline immigration policies. As Abrego battles against another deportation order, heres what you need to know about his case: Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? Abrego fled El Salvador at age 16 because the Barrio 18 street gang extorted and terrorised his family, court records state. He traveled to Maryland in 2011, where his brother lives as a U.S. citizen, but was not authorized to stay. Abrego found work in construction and met Jennifer Vasquez Sura, who would later become his wife. In 2018, he moved in with her and her two children after she became pregnant with his child. While looking for work in a Home Depot in March 2019, police arrested Abrego and accused him of being a member of the ultra-violent, transnational street gang the Mara Salvatrucha more commonly known as MS-13. open image in gallery Garcia first arrived in the U.S. illegally in 2011, where he traveled to Maryland to live with his brother ( Reuters ) According to a court document, officials hung their allegations on three pieces of evidence: a Chicago Bulls hat, a hoodie and an unnamed informant who claimed Abrego was a member of the groups clique in New York, where he has never lived. Through his attorneys, Abrego has denied any affiliation with MS-13. He has no criminal record in either the U.S. or El Salvador. A judge subsequently granted Abrego protection from deportation to his native El Salvador because he might face danger there over death threats from the Barrio 18 street gang. Abrego, released under federal supervision, held a work permit and reported to ICE each year, his lawyers said. Why was he deported to El Salvador? On March 12, Abrego Garcia was pulled over by federal agents who accused him of having ties to MS-13 and inaccurately declared that his protected status in the U.S. had changed. Three days later, he was on a plane with other migrants to the CECOT prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador, the biggest in all of Latin America, which holds up to 40,000 inmates. This came after Trump had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Just a month earlier, the Trump administration designated MS-13 a foreign terrorist organization. The street gang emerged in Los Angeles in the 1980s, comprised largely of Salvadoran immigrants fleeing their homeland after a brutal civil war. Abrego later claimed that he was beaten and psychologically tortured in the El Salvador prison, according to court documents, which the countrys President Nayib Bukele denies. open image in gallery Kilmar Abrego Garcia, second right, leaves the Putnam County Jail in Cookeville, Tennessee on Friday ( The Associated Press ) Members of the Trump administration had positioned Abregos expulsion as an administrative error. The president and his top aides, however, have repeatedly accused Abrego of being a terrorist and gang member. The Supreme Court later directed the administration to facilitate Abregos return to the U.S. He was returned to the U.S. in June this year, before quickly being arrested and indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to trafficking undocumented migrants, stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. Tennessee police initially suspected human smuggling but allowed him to go without charges. Abrego pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing vindictive and selective prosecution. Why is he being threatened with deportation to Uganda? In June, a U.S. magistrate ruled that Abrego had the right to be released while awaiting trial. However, at his attorneys request, he remained in a Tennessee jail for about 11 weeks over fears ICE would try to deport him immediately. The following month, ICE Assistant Director Thomas Giles testified that Abrego would be detained as soon as he was released. Still, a U.S. district judge blocked the action, citing due process concerns. Within minutes after he was released from a Tennessee jail Friday, as he awaits criminal trial, ICE officials told Abrego that he may be deported to Uganda a country he has no known connection to his attorneys said. If he pleaded guilty to criminal smuggling charges against him, the Trump administration said Thursday he would be removed to Costa Rica, according to his attorneys. open image in gallery Garcia is scheduled to check in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore on Monday ( REUTERS ) Costa Rica assured he could live freely as a refugee or with residency status and wouldnt be sent back to his home country, the lawyers said. Abrego appeared to have refused the arrangement and was released on Friday. DHS then sent an email to Abregos attorneys, warning that ICE intended to deport the Salvadoran immigrant to Uganda no earlier than 72 hours from now and ordered him to appear at an ICE field office in Baltimore on Monday. While check-ins are typically brief, Abregos legal team told NBC News it expects he will be taken into ICE custody. If Abrego doesnt change his plea in the Tennessee federal case, it is possible that he could be deported to Uganda as soon as Wednesday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned the administration would not stop fighting until he was out of the country. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice South Carolina Republican. Rep. Nancy Mace cancelled a speech in her home state after only a small crowd decided to show up, according to a report. Event organizers had urged people to RSVP in advance to hear Mace discuss protecting parental rights at an event hosted by far-right group Moms for Liberty in Horry County on Thursday, warning that seating is limited. That didnt appear to be a problem. When the event kicked off, just eight people were in the room, My Horry News reported. The gubernatorial candidate didnt take the stage to deliver remarks, but a member of Maces team emerged, chatted with the event organizer, and told reporters that Mace would take their questions and then meet with the attendees individually, the outlet reported. South Carolina Republican Rep. Nancy Mace canceled a speech in her home state after just eight people showed up, according to a report ( Getty Images ) At least 100 people were expected to attend, according to the outlet. The Independent has requested comment from a spokesperson for Mace. Despite the low turnout, the congresswoman boasted to reporters about how she was dominating the polls in South Carolinas race for governor, ABC News 4 reported. She announced her run earlier this month. Horry County makes presidents. Horry County elected Donald Trump, and theyre a big part of the state, Mace said at the event. We're winning by double digits everywhere, but particularly with folks who support the president. Last month, before she launched her campaign, a survey by South Carolina Policy Council found that Mace led with 16 percent of GOP-identifying voters. More recently, her team published findings from a poll, conducted this month among 600 Republican voters, that shows Mace leading the five-way contest with 25 percent. The poll found that 83 percent of respondents had heard of Mace. She has made recent headlines for her attacks on transgender Americans, including her colleague, Delaware Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Rep. Ralph Norman are also running to lead the state. Mace texted the results of the poll to Trump, My Horry News reported. The president then shared the results on his Truth Social account. Although she was once a vocal critic of the president following the Capitol attacks on January 6, 2021, the pair have since seemed to patch things up. Trump endorsed Mace for her 2024 re-election to Congress and Mace returned the favor by endorsing him for his 2024 presidential run. This month, she openly asked for his endorsement for governor, going so far as to describe herself as Trump in high heels. "I'm just saying I've done a lot for the president, and if you talk to him, I would really like his support for governor," she said at an event earlier this month, ABC News reported. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice National Guard members are now carrying firearms in Washington, D.C., raising concerns from civil rights groups and residents in the nations capital that armed troops could escalate growing tensions as Donald Trumps federal takeover enters a third week. As of Sunday evening, the troops will now be armed with handguns or rifles, just two days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the nearly 2,000 troops stationed in Washington to start carrying firearms, a Defense Department official told the Associated Press. The troops are authorized to use their firearms for self-protection, the outlet reported. The Independent has requested additional information from the Pentagon. Trump initially deployed about 800 National Guard troops on August 11 after he declared a crime emergency, despite reports of violent crime hitting a 30-year low. Six GOP-led states have since sent their National Guard troops to support the presidents efforts, adding more military presence in the nations capital. open image in gallery National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C. are now armed, raising alarm among civil rights groups and residents amid already-high tensions in the nations capital following Trumps federal takeover ( AP ) Civil rights and advocacy groups have condemned the Trump administrations decision to arm troops, warning that it could inflame already-high tensions between locals and the federal government. The president relied on a phony emergency as an excuse to overstep his power, and now we have a real emergency the threat of an unnecessary and disorienting flood of armed military forces on D.C. streets, according to Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. Lets be clear: military troops have no place policing civilians in the United States, she added. Now, the people of D.C. face a dangerous escalation with armed National Guard troops patrolling our streets. Kris Brown, president of gun violence prevention group Brady, said arming National Guard members will contradict Trumps mission to reduce crime in the city. It doesnt take an expert to realize that more weapons on our streets wont decrease crime. If more guns meant less crime, then America would be the safest nation on Earth, Brown said in a statement. But the Trump administration is dangerously escalating its takeover of our nations capital by subverting D.C.s gun laws and militarizing our streets. Common Defense, an organization of progressive veterans, called the decision to arm troops reckless. Soldiers aren't trained for police work this only puts our communities at greater risk, the group said in a statement. open image in gallery Advocacy groups warn that arming troops is a dangerous escalation as the president brags about a drop in murders in the nations capital ( AP ) The president is reportedly weighing a radical expansion of the militarys footprint in American cities with plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks to support his immigration and crime crackdowns. In a Truth Social post Sunday, the president suggested troops could soon be sent to Baltimore. He has also signaled that he has his eye on Chicago to execute a similar plan, and the Pentagon has reportedly prepared for several weeks to begin an operation in the nations third-largest city. After we do this, well go to another location, and well make it safe also, Trump said in the Oval Office last week. That will be our next one after this. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An American Orthodox archbishop has apologized after he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Putin and President Donald Trump met last week at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss an end to Russias three-year-long war in Ukraine. After their summit, Putin met with Archbishop Alexei, the bishop of Alaska for the Orthodox Church in America. The pair greeted each other warmly and exchanged gifts of holy icons, the Associated Press reported. Their seemingly friendly exchange prompted criticism from other church leaders who said Alexei should have rebuked Putin and called for peace in Ukraine. Now, Alexei has apologized for the meeting. Last week, I greeted President Vladimir Putin during the summit in Anchorage in a peaceful spirit of hospitality after three days of diocesan wide prayer for peace, he wrote on Friday. Since then, I have heard from many who viewed that moment as a missed opportunity for a rebuke or demand for peace amid ongoing conflict and suffering. Again, I repeat, to all who experienced my actions as a cause of sorrow or confusion, I sincerely ask your forgiveness. open image in gallery Archbishop Alexei meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. Alexei has since apologized for the meeting. ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) I accept full responsibility for the confusion and pain my actions caused, he added. Our Church continually calls the faithful to prayer, to concrete works of mercy, and to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation for all who suffer. Two top leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel, called the meeting a betrayal of the Gospel of Christ and scandalous to the faithful, in an August 18 statement. At a moment when the Russian regime is responsible for the invasion of the independent and peaceful nation of Ukraine and for the death of hundreds of thousands, for the disappearance of countless innocents, for the tearing of families apart, and for the deliberate destruction of Ukraine, the pair wrote. To extend warm words of welcome and admiration to this leader is nothing less than an endorsement of his actions. According to the New York Times, more than 500,000 deaths and injuries have been confirmed since the February 2022 invasion. Most of the casualties, 300,000, have been Russian military fighters. open image in gallery More than 500,000 deaths and injuries have been reported since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. ( REUTERS ) Before he apologized last week, Alexei issued a statement to Alaska priests defending the visit and explaining why he gifted holy icons to the Russian leader, the AP reported. When I expressed gratitude in that public moment, it was not praise for present politics, but a remembrance of the missionaries of earlier generations who brought us the Orthodox faith at great cost, Alexei said. I must be clear: the veneration we give to holy icons is directed not to the one who gives them, but to the saint or feast they represent, he added. Even if the greatest sinner were beside me, the honor passes not to him but to heaven itself. Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America also issued a statement alongside Alexei on Friday, clarifying that he was not aware that the archbishop had scheduled a meeting with Putin. The encounter to which His Eminence Archbishop Alexei refers in his statement of apology was undertaken on his own initiative and was not authorized by the Holy Synod, he wrote. The canonical tradition insists that a bishop do nothing without the knowledge of the metropolitan; this meeting was arranged without my knowledge. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Shall we play a game? With California threatening to meet Texas in a nationwide redistricting fight, the possibility of strike-counterstrike scenarios between red and blue states is evoking Cold War vibes. No, its not the nuclear simulation nightmare faced by Matthew Brodericks character in War Games (1983) in this East-to-West escalation of tensions, the driving force is control over the U.S. Congress. To that end, Democratic and Republican lawmakers in at least half a dozen states are openly wielding the threat of mid-Census redistricting to add politically sympathetic seats in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Its 2025s nuclear option. Behind the front lines of this war over control of the House for the last two years of Donald Trumps presidency stand Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Californias Gavin Newsom aiming their partisan ballistic missiles at each other like John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev during the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. The timing of this redistricting push which reportedly stems directly from pressure put on Republicans in their respective states by Trump is far from coincidental. Trump spent the first six months of his second term watching a bitterly divided House GOP caucus battle over his Big, Beautiful Bill and only narrowly averted a government shutdown in March thanks to their razor-thin majority. He wants to close out his legacy in an easier fashion. So, with the House up for grabs in 2026, Trump is increasingly desperate to stave off a Democratic takeover, in line with traditional historical patterns for mid-presidential term elections. A Democratic-controlled House could cause more headaches for Trump than it did during his first term, when he faced an impeachment push and repeated investigations into his administration. Election forecasters currently rate the chamber as a toss-up. The House of Representatives has 435 members. Right now, Republicans hold a 219-212 margin, and four seats are vacant; three were held by Democrats, one by a Republican. The presidents party has tread a thin line for months attempting to pass legislation, with Democrats largely unwilling to cross party lines and Republicans uninterested in making overtures to their foes. Typically, redistricting takes place after the beginning of the decade, following the completion of the U.S. Census. The constitutionally-required count of every person living in America determines how many congressional districts each state will be allocated in the lower chamber. Individual district lines are then drawn by state leaders, with population shifts and other factors sometimes leading to two incumbents fighting for one seat. A mid-decade redistricting is rare, and typically only occurs when a court throws out the existing congressional maps for being improper in some regard. Because Texas, California and other states considering these measures do not have the backing of new Census data, they will not add (or subtract) seats from their respective totals. open image in gallery President Donald Trumps push to get Texas congressional districts redrawn to favor Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections for Congress has spurred on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to launch a political counterstrike in California. ( Getty ) And the battle seems to have done what Trumps actions alone in his first eight months could not activate younger Democratic members of the House and Senate despite the sluggishness of their veteran party leadership. Its also given the term-limited governor of California a battle upon which to raise his national profile, and revamp his image, for an expected 2028 run at the presidency. Last week, several Democrats who fled Texas to hold up a redistricting effort in the state legislature returned and were prevented from leaving again as Republicans pushed forward with their own plans. The Texas legislature on Wednesday passed the measure in an 88-52 vote along party lines. It now awaits Abbott to sign the plan into law. Newsom, in kind, unveiled a plan to subvert his states independent redistricting commission as an emergency response to any redrawing of congressional maps in Texas or any other GOP-led state. His plan, which would utilize a ballot measure, would be voted on by Californians in a special election this November. California lawmakers voted mostly along party lines Thursday to approve that legislation calling for the special election and Newsom quickly signed it. But lawmakers in other states are considering similar measures. Theres also Ohio which already redrew congressional maps after the 2020 Census, without bipartisan support, and must draw them again as the maps expire under Ohios state constitution. The expiring maps replaced a GOP effort to redistrict in an explicitly partisan fashion after the 2020 Census, an effort that was thrown out by Ohios Supreme Court in a scathing opinion. The Independent spoke to experts in states where leaders are pushing these redistricting efforts, including some of the politicians driving the story. What we found is that state leaders from both parties will face real challenges joining the fight, but could still play consequential roles especially given the Houses slim margins. Heres what 2026 (or, in some cases, 2028) could look like if this fight goes nuclear on a nationwide scale: Texas and California The main battlegrounds for any nationwide redistricting fight, Texas and California are also unique laboratories for gerrymandering. Theyre the two most populous states in the country, with plenty of land and people to move around into congressional districts. The two states are also solidly red and solidly blue, respectively, giving each party a chance to gain several seats. Texas began the debate over mid-decade redistricting in June, when it was first reported that Trump had begun pressuring state leaders. Texas GOP congressional delegation met that month to discuss the possibility, which required Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special legislative session. Abbott wasnt officially on board until July, when he agreed to call a special session and begin the redistricting process at Trumps behest. Republicans in the state believe they can net up to five congressional seats for their side. Vince Perez, a member of the Democratic caucus who joined in breaking quorum to delay the maps passage, told The Independent that it was up to the courts to stop the maps (which he calls blatantly racist) from going into effect. The new GOP-friendly maps passed the Texas legislature on August 21, but will face a Democratic-led court challenge. The implications of this is that there will be decades and future generations of children in my community, that is 80 percent Latino, and millions of Latinos that look just like them throughout the state, in San Antonio and in other places where they will grow up, in a society where the government basically says your your vote or your presence here in Texas is one-third the value of somebody else just on the basis of the color of their skin, Perez said. And it's going to have implications for the types of policies that our government is going to propose, said Perez. open image in gallery Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California now threaten to drag in other states as a regional redistricting fight goes national ( AP ) In California, Newsom is going tit-for-tat. A proposed map released last week targets five GOP-held congressional seats currently occupied by Reps. Darrell Issa, Kevin Kiley, Ken Calvert, Doug LaMalfa and David Valadao. The governors plan would zero-out GOP gains made in Texas. But should Republicans escalate, it could get worse for their colleagues who are already essentially an endangered species in the deep-blue bastion. There are currently nine GOP members of the California congressional delegation. Justin Levitt of Loyola Marymount University said that number could potentially drop to zero. California changes its constitution all the time, said Levitt, who was a White House senior policy adviser under the Biden administration. This thing that put the commission in was a constitutional change, and if voters are mad enough at what Texas is doing, they can change the constitution again. I think if California voters chose, they could make their congressional delegation from California 100% Democratic, he continued. All nine seats. Newsom announced after Texass maps passed that California Democrats were pushing ahead with a plan to put a ballot measure suspending the states independent redistricting commission to voters in November. The Democratic counter strike While California is the only state pulling the trigger on redistricting immediately, governors of three other states led by Democratic majorities are waiting in the rafters to see what happens. Governors JB Pritzker of Illinois, Wes Moore of Maryland and Kathy Hochul of New York have all signaled varying degrees of interest in joining the fray. In some ways, Hochul even took things a step further than Newsom by calling on lawmakers in her state to work on a plan to abolish New Yorks independent redistricting commission altogether, rather than temporarily subverting it as California is attempting to do. New York state Assemblyman Micah Lasher is one of those lawmakers attempting a different path. He spoke to The Independent about an amendment hes pushing to allow the legislature to redraw district lines for the 2028 cycle without the commissions input. There are seven Republicans in the states congressional delegation. Four Republican members already control districts with double-digit GOP advantages (according to Cook Political Report ratings ), suggesting that Republican support is already concentrated there. The remaining three Republicans, especially Rep. Mike Lawler, could be in trouble if Democrats make their districts any more competitive. If we allow red states like Texas to draw their congressional lines whenever and however they like, and blue states hold themselves to a higher standard, the Republican Party will cement permanent one-party control of Congress. We will cease to have competitive elections for Congress. We will have Russia-style elections for Congress, said Lasher. That is why there is so much urgency about the need for blue states to fight fire with fire, he said, echoing a sentiment uttered by Newsom last week. open image in gallery Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois signaled his willingness to keep redistricting open as an option, but his state maps are already largely gerrymandered to minimize GOP representation as much as possible ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) In Illinois and Maryland, the math for Democrats is much less favorable. David Moon, majority leader for the Maryland House of Delegates, is pushing a bill that would immediately reopen Marylands eight congressional districts for new boundaries if and only if Texas or another state triggered the process first, he told The Independent. Maryland has just one Republican member of Congress, Andy Harris, whose district is consolidated on the Eastern Shore and parts of north Baltimore. More residents of that latter region could be lumped into Harriss district if Democrats were truly keen to pick up a seat there. Moon added that he hoped Congress would intervene and prevent a national redistricting fight from breaking out. In Illinois, Republican support is already pushed far enough to the margins where experts say that flipping more seats even with Gov. Pritzkers cooperation would be extremely difficult. open image in gallery Gov. Kathy Hochul took possibly the most extreme step of any Democratic governor in response to Texas: shes calling for her states independent redistricting commission to be dissolved ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The way the maps are written, [Democrats] have a 14 to three advantage. And if you look at the maps they are, I mean, its preposterous, some of the districts[and] no one really says much otherwise, explained John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University. He credited Pritzkers public statements around willingness to join California to the governors political ambition, rather than a realistic view of his chances of success. I think part of what's going on here is presidential ambitions playing out in the early phase, said Shaw. If Newsom is saying, I'm going to go in and change California's districts, you know, I think others who are on the White House, including Governor Pritzkerfelt maybe a reflexive need to say, well, yeah, we'll consider that in Illinois as well. Republican redistricting arsenal There are two GOP-controlled states where lawmakers are now facing the same kind of pressure from Trump to find him breathing room in the lower chamber of Congress. In Florida, those efforts would likely be overseen by onetime rival Ron DeSantis, the states Republican governor whose national ambitions sputtered out in 2024 but have been continuously nurtured ever since. Missouri is also on the list. Like Maryland, its no swing state and is home to an isolated minority in this case its Black Democrats, whose political representation is confined to the St. Louis and Kansas City metro areas. Breaking up those districts without diluting red ones to a dangerous degree (for a Republican incumbent) would be difficult, said Matthew Harris, an associate professor of political science at Park University. He explained that Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleavers seat, centered in Kansas City, would be the GOPs most likely target. open image in gallery Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is calling for his state to look at redistricting this year, while also suggesting that Florida should pick up more total seats from the U.S. Census. ( AP ) There was talk about trying to go to a seven-Republican seat, one-Democratic seat map [after the 2020 Census]. It didn't really get a lot of traction, said Harris. You might be trying to draw a 7-1 map, but if it's a bad year for the GOP, and I think there are some signs that 2026 might be, then maybe you try to draw a 7-1 map, and what you actually do is end up with another 6-2 map or even a 5-3 map, if you're creating more competitive districts from what are now really safely Republican seats. Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on August 21 that Missouri was in presumably meaning that the state legislature will take up redistricting in September. In Florida, Democrats have struggled to regain any sort of traction after their party experienced a major statewide collapse. On August 7, the GOP state House speaker announced the formation of a select committee to look at redistricting. Complicating the task for Florida Republicans: the state Supreme Court just voted to uphold a new map in July, and strict constitutional provisions on partisan gerrymandering passed in 2010 curb politicians behavior. Almost anybody, when you look at it from the big picture, the intention is clear, said Aubrey Jewett, an associate professor at the University of Central Florida school of politics. They're trying to create more Republican districts, but they can't come right out and say that, so they have to lean on some of these other potential reasons. DeSantis has grumbled that his states district lines are malapportioned, and suggested that Florida could add to its total congressional seats if Donald Trump is successful in his push for a new Census that would supposedly exclude undocumented immigrants for the first time something, which if it actually occurred, would have further effect nationwide. We have 28 now, we might have 29, 30, 31, maybe. Who knows? Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In a series of furious late-night posts on his social media platform, Donald Trump raged that both ABC and NBC should lose their Licenses because of their supposed unfair coverage of him, adding that they should pay up BIG for broadcasting on American airwaves. The latest anti-media tantrum from the president, who recently extracted a $16 million settlement from CBS over a meritless lawsuit just weeks before his administration approved a mega-merger involving the networks parent company, appears to have been sparked by comments made by ABC News commentator Chris Christie a former Trump ally turned critic. Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC, Trump blared on Truth Social in a Sunday night post. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!! In a subsequent online rant, the president called ABC and NBC FAKE NEWS while wondering why the absolute worst and most biased networks in the world werent paying Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES before calling for his FCC to strip the broadcast licensing rights from their stations. They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! Trump fumed. Crooked journalism should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!! open image in gallery Donald Trump took to his social media site late on Sunday to rage that both ABC and NBC should be stripped of their broadcast licenses. ( AP ) Hours before calling for retribution against the two broadcast networks, Trump groused online about an ABC News segment featuring Christie and threatened to re-launch an investigation of the former New Jersey governor over the 2013 Bridgegate scandal. The president also decided to take a jab at ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl over his hair. I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged News Show, This Week With George Slopadopolus, on ABC Fake News (By the way, what the hell happened to Jonathan Karls hair? He looks absolutely terrible! Its amazing what bad ratings, on a failed television show that was forced to pay me $16,000,000, can do to ones appearance!), Trump wrote in the unhinged post, referencing the payoff ABCs parent company Disney gave him to settle a lawsuit over a George Stephanoupolous interview. Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says? Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her, the president added. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Thank you for your attention to this matter. In the end, Christie wasnt charged with any crimes over the bridge closure which had been seen as political revenge over a New Jersey mayor not endorsing Christie and denied any knowledge of the incident. Two of his top aides were convicted of fraud and conspiracy, but the Supreme Court ended up overturning those convictions in 2020. During an appearance on Sundays broadcast of This Week, Christie took issue with Trumps FBI raiding the home of the president's former national security adviser John Bolton, who like Christie has become an outspoken critic of Trump in recent years. I think its kind of funny to hear the president talk the way he does about Bolton and classified information, yet, when he had classified information, the same rules didnt apply, Christie said during the telecast. Donald Trump sees himself as the person who gets to decide everything. And he doesnt care about any separation, he added. In fact, he absolutely rejects the idea that there should be separation between criminal investigations and the politically elected leader of the United States. This is much different than its ever been run before. Christie also noted that this should not come as much of a surprise to the public, as you were told this would be what Trump would do if he became president again. He told you he was going to do this, that he was going to have a Justice Department that acted as his personal legal representation. And that is what theyre doing, Christie noted. open image in gallery Trumps anger at ABC seems to have been reignited by a segment in which Chris Christie called him out over the John Bolton raid. ( EPA ) Meanwhile, this is also far from the first time that Trump has threatened to use the Federal Communications Commission which is led by his handpicked chief Brendan Carr to enact punishment on media companies for not giving him obsequious coverage. Before CBS News paid Trump to settle his lawsuit over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which is now being investigated for potentially violating anti-bribery laws, Carr opened a review of complaints that the network had engaged in news distortion. The president also threatened CBS with substantial punishment this past spring over a separate 60 Minutes broadcast, warning that the network would pay a big price for the newsmagazines segments on the Ukraine war and the presidents annexation threats against Greenland. Carr has also taken swings at both ABC and NBC in recent months. This past March, for instance, Carr told Fox News that ABC could lose its broadcast licenses over an investigation into Disneys diversity hiring practices. If the evidence does in fact play out and shows that they were engaged in race- and gender-based discrimination, thats a very serious issue at the FCC, that could fundamentally go to their character qualifications to even hold a license, Carr said at the time. Weeks later, Carr accused Comcast of news distortion because its cable news network MSNBC refused to call wrongly deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia a violent MS-13 gang member. Once again, Carr suggested that the NBC parent may have violated its broadcasting licenses over the way its networks had covered the Abrego Garcia case. While Trump and his FCC chair have repeatedly dangled threats of license revocations, investigations and lawsuits over the heads of mainstream news networks unless they soften their coverage of the administration, one broadcaster has been spared conservative cable giant Fox News. Immediately after Trump took office, Carr reinstated a bevy of new bias complaints against ABC, NBC and CBS that had been dismissed by then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in January ahead of her resignation. One complaint that he did not revive, however, was against Fox-owned WTXF-TV in Philadelphia. That complaint, which the Media and Democracy Project filed, alleged that the claims laid out in the Dominion Voting System defamation case which Fox News settled for a whopping $787.5 million showed that owners Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch didnt have the character to hold broadcast licenses. Besides receiving almost universally glowing coverage from Fox News, Trump has used the right-wing network as something of a staffing agency hiring roughly two dozen former Fox employees for roles within his administration. Still, the president has expressed his disdain with the MAGA channel from time to time, whether it is over on-air pundits and correspondents not displaying unwavering loyalty to him or the networks biased polling firm reporting approval numbers that Trump doesnt like. Additionally, the president is currently suing Rupert Murdoch his on-again/off-again friend for $10 billion after the Wall Street Journal, which is owned by Murdochs News Corp., reported on an alleged bawdy birthday letter that Trump sent deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied writing the card, calling it a fake thing. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump threatened to investigate Chris Christie, reviving a 2013 political scandal after the former New Jersey Governor criticized him during a Sunday interview on ABC News. Hours after Christie appeared on This Week on Sunday, Trump fired back with a veiled threat against his former ally-turned-2024 GOP presidential rival, dredging up Bridgegate. In 2013, Christies aides ordered the abrupt lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, causing massive traffic jams to allegedly punish a local Democratic mayor who refused to endorse him. Christie was never charged and denies any knowledge of the incident. While two top aides were convicted of fraud and conspiracy, the Supreme Court overturned those convictions in 2020. open image in gallery Donald Trump (left) slammed former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie after his ABC New appearance ( AP ) I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged News Show, This Week With George Slopadopolus, on ABC Fake News, Trump wrote Sunday evening on Truth Social, before taking a jab at co-anchor Jonathan Karls hair. Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her, Trump continued. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! During Sundays interview, Christie expressed concern about the administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and the FBIs raid on the home of former national security adviser John Bolton. He shared skepticism about Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanches questioning of Ghislaine Maxwell after the Justice Department released the transcript on Friday. open image in gallery Christie expressed concern over the FBI's raid on the Maryland home and office of former national security adviser John Bolton ( ABC News/This Week ) Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and Epsteins former confidant, said that she did not hear from Epstein that Trump did anything inappropriate and offered a glowing review of Trump. She might as well have taken out Donald Trump, or President Trump, and said, The man who can pardon me has never done anything wrong. The man who can pardon me has always been wonderful, Christie said. In the wake of the recent FBI searches of Boltons Maryland home and Washington office, Christie also claimed that the president has been following through on his 2024 campaign promises to seek retribution against his political rivals. He told you he was going to do this, that he was going to have a Justice Department that acted as his personal legal representation, and that is what theyre doing, Christie said. It was not immediately clear what aspect of Christies appearance on This Week had led Trump to threaten him. The clash comes as the president deepened his feud with Marylands Democratic Governor Wes Moore, threatening to cancel funding for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, destroyed by a ship strike last year. Trump indicated in another Truth Social post that disaster relief funding would be wielded as a political weapon against any state or local leaders who dared challenge him. I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge, Trump said on Sunday, which isnt true. Trump wasnt president in 2024, when full federal funding for the project was allocated during government funding negotiations. I will now have to rethink that decision???, he continued. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump brushed off criticism that he is acting like a dictator by putting federal law enforcement in U.S. cities to control crime but insisted that some people think the country could use one. Shortly before signing executive orders that intend to get rid of cashless bail and criminalize flag burning on Monday, the president told reporters that Democratic-led cities are ungrateful for his administration intervening in controlling crime. As you all know, Chicago is a killing field right now, Trump said, referencing his comments from last week in which he indicated he would send National Guard troops into Chicago next. And they dont acknowledge it. They say, we dont need him, freedom, freedom, hes a dictator, hes a dictator, the president said, mocking Democratic leaderships criticisms of him. A lot of people are saying, Maybe we would like a dictator. I dont like a dictator; Im not a dictator. Im a man with great common sense, and Im a smart person, Trump added. open image in gallery President Donald Trump claimed that some people would like the US to be run by a dictator, but that he is not one ( REUTERS ) The president has promised to crack down on crime in the country, in part, by deploying federal law enforcement into cities to make sweeping arrests. Trumps first target was Washington, D.C., which he claimed had been overrun by crime although state and federal statistics indicate violent crime in the nations capital has been declining. The presence of 800 National Guard members, some armed, has sparked protests and a decline in recreational activities such as restaurant reservations. Trump previously sent the National Guard to Los Angeles after protests against anti-immigrant sweeps by ICE agents. Democrats have accused Trump of exaggerating violent crime anecdotes and ignoring data about crime statistics to impose federal law enforcement in cities run by liberal leaders he disagrees with. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said on Saturday, there is no emergency in the state that would warrant Trump to federalize the Illinois National Guard. He accused Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the homicide rate in Baltimore, a city Trump has also claimed is overrun with crime, is the lowest it's been in four decades. If [Trump] wanted to have a serious conversation about violent crime, he should have to pay attention to the work were doing in the state of Maryland to be able to address the issue, Moore said. open image in gallery Federal law enforcement has been conducting hundreds of arrests in DC since Trump ordered them to begin patrolling the streets earlier this month ( Getty ) House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Trump has no basis and no authority to send troops or agents into Chicago, adding that Democratic voters also want to see lower crime rates. But the president and his administration have taken a different narrative, claiming those pushing back on his use of power are just trying to be noncooperative. Vice President JD Vance claimed that Democratic leaders are angrier that Trump is offering help than that murderers are running roughshod over their cities. Trump insinuated he was helping cities by sending in federal law enforcement or federalizing state National Guards. He said those who are ungrateful for his help are sick. When I see whats happening to our cities, and then you send in troops, instead of being praised, theyre saying Youre trying to take over the Republic, Trump said. These people are sick. Despite statistics largely showing violent crime is on the decline in cities across the country, Trump has claimed those numbers are untrustworthy. The Justice Department is currently investigating the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to see if they manipulated violent crime statistics. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For many workers or organizations reliant on the federal government, President Donald Trumps return to office has meant jobs, funding and entire agencies slashed, as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims to have cut $202 billion. But one industry has seen exponential growth and expects even more to come: immigration detention. Private prison companies have been so giddy since last November, about the prospect of making billions of dollars at the expense of every American, Stacy Suh, director at Detention Watch Network, told The Independent. And the companies made sure to help Trump get elected. Americas two leading detention companies, Geo Group and CoreCivic, were among the Trump campaigns most notable donors last year, with executives and subsidiaries donating a total of $2.7 million to the presidents campaign and associated political action committees. open image in gallery An officer wears the logo of the GEO Group private prison company outside the Adelanto ICE Processing Center detention facility in Adelanto, California, on July 11, 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) CoreCivic even bestowed over $500,000 towards Trumps inauguration this year, while Geo Group contributed to his 2016 inauguration fund. Trumps Big, Beautiful, Bill set aside an unprecedented $45 billion for ICE to boost immigration detention. As the two largest detention powerhouses in the U.S., both Geo Group and CoreCivic stand to win big. As soon as Trump won the election last November, CoreCivics share price saw a huge spike, nearly doubling from $13.63 per share to $22.13 per share in just one week. GeoGroups share price jumped from $15.13 to $25.05 in the same post-election period. This is likely because the privately-run facilities house 86 percent of the detained immigrant population, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC). Yet just 6 percent of Americans believe that ICE detention centers should be run privately, an exclusive poll for The Independent can reveal, with the majority saying facilities should be run by federal or state governments, according to Prolific. Over 60,000 people are currently held in immigration detention across the U.S., according to ICE records seen by The New York Times. That number has already jumped by 54 percent since Trumps return, with average detention populations under the Biden administration around 39,000, according to TRAC. open image in gallery Immigrant Detention Leavenworth ( AP ) But though the government may determine their future, the 20 largest ICE detention centers are all operated by private companies, according to TRACs data in January. GeoGroup and CoreCivic are the leading operators, both in terms of facilities operated and their capacity. Other private firms, like Lasalle Corrections and Management & Training Corporation (MTC), also have contracts to run ICE facilities. CoreCivic runs the biggest detention centre in the country Adams County Correctional Facility in Natchez, Missouri, with over 2,100 detainees on average each day. The new federal facility at Fort Bliss may soon take the cake, however, with a capacity of 5,000 people. Both CoreCivic and GeoGroup provide both traditional prison incarceration services, and immigration detention services, to federal and state governments. But with a slowdown in incarceration and greater focus on rehabilitation in recent years, prison contracts have been drying up and increased immigration detention contracts has become more foundational to their business models. One of Trumps first actions in office was also to end the Biden-era ban on private prison providers, allowing companies like GeoGroup and CoreCivic to once again contract with the Department of Justice. When asked for comment about its reliance on punitive policies by the new administration to build its business, CoreCivic noted that it does not enforce immigration laws, or arrest anyone, or have any say over an individuals deportation but it acknowledged that Trumps policies does provide it with growth opportunities. As the current administration is exploring all options available to them to address the increasing demand for detention services and capacity, we expect that those options will include the high-quality solutions CoreCivic provides, Ryan Gustin, director of Public Affairs at CoreCivic, told The Independent. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for GeoGroup told The Independent that simply put, our facilities are never overcrowded. But Freedom of Information Act requests by TRAC last month revealed that several facilities run by GeoGroup were significantly overcapacity on at least one day this year. This includes GeoGroups Pine Prairie processing centre in Louisiana, which has a contractual maximum of 500 people but held 1,311 detainees at some point in 2025. open image in gallery ( Google ) Immigration operations make up over a third of revenue for both Geo Group and Core Civic, latest financial reports show, making ICE their largest governmental partner. We are proud of the role our company has played for 40 years to support [ICEs] law enforcement mission, over seven different Presidential Administrations, a GEO Group spokesperson told The Independent. Geo Group has been awarded nearly $8 billion in federal contracts over successive governments, according to the federal database, in addition to state contracts. Over half of this ($4.4 billion) was awarded by ICE for immigration detention services. Meanwhile CoreCivic has been awarded over $8.3 billion in federal contracts over time, with a quarter ($2 billion) of those being ICE contracts to run detention facilities. ICE's budget now is larger than many militaries around the world, while our hospitals and schools remain underfunded, and people are losing their access to health care and food benefits, said Suh. The Independent contacted ICE for comment for this article but did not get a response. Federal contracts from ICE have been steadily increasing since Trumps first term (with for a brief time during the peak of the pandemic), according to the federal spending database, rising from $137.5 million awarded in 2016 to $463.4 million in 2025 so far. ICE contracts awarded since January alone include $353.5 million to GeoGroup, $148 million to CoreCivic, and $313 million to CSI Aviation ICEs deportation flight contractor. There is more and more incentivization to cage people in immigration detention. The more people that they detain, the more their business grows, Suh said. Financial Incentives are really the bedrock of incarceration. And now, documents seen by The Washington Post reveal that ICE is planning to more than double detention capacity, from around 50,000 to more than 107,000 by January 2026. These plans include opening or expanding 125 facilities before the end of the year with over $1 billion in contracts each year between CoreCivic and GeoGroup, according to the Posts analysis of ICE documents. Already, both detention giants have seen a flood of new or amended contracts and have opened up new facilities to expand their capacity. Whats more, ICE has issued nine of these contracts without allowing competitive bids , citing a national emergency at the Mexico border meaning that CoreCivic secured the deal to reopen its contentious Leavenworth facility without competition, according to PBS. We stay in regular contact with ICE and all our government partners to understand their changing needs, and we work within their established procurement processes. It is our policy to respect these processes, Gustin told The Independent of CoreCivics contracts. open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty ) Since January alone, several facilities have been opened up to hold more immigrants in detention as ICE ramps up its raids. In the Michigan town of Baldwin, former prison North Lake Correctional Facility has now reopened as an immigration center operated by Geo Group, to the tune of $70 million in annual revenue. The 1,800-bed facility opened in June despite facing significant pushback from residents and local protests. And just last week, a tense dispute broke out at a local board meeting in Mason, Tennessee, over the reopening of a CoreCivic facility as an immigration detention center. Residents crowded the meeting and chanted outside in protest of the contract, which was ultimately approved, according to reports in the Tennessee Lookout. open image in gallery Nebraska Detention Center ( AP ) If ICE expansion plans are fully realized, that's a massive shift in resources. Its also a massive transformation in the very fabric of American society and how it operates, Suh told The Independent. Communities across the country are rightly outraged about detention expansion happening on their doorstep. People are saying, No, we don't want detention in our community. We don't want our neighbors to be torn apart away from their loved ones. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday that will end the cashless bail system in Washington, D.C., as part of his efforts to crack down on crime in the nations capital, a White House official confirmed to The Independent. The planned executive order, first reported by Axios, directs law enforcement to hold arrested individuals in federal custody whenever possible and allows the administration to withhold federal funding if officials continue using the cashless bail system. Cashless bail aims to create a fairer legal system for low-income defendants and reduce the number of people in jail by removing cash bail as a requirement for pretrial release in some criminal defendant cases. In these instances, a judge can decide to detain a defendant only if there is evidence that a monetary bail amount is needed to ensure their presence in court or protect public safety. But the administration believes cashless bail allows dangerous individuals to reoffend soon after being arrested, despite there being little evidence to support the claim. They kill people, and they get out, cashless bail. They thought it was discriminatory to make people put up money because they just killed three people lying on the street. Any street all over the country, cashless bail, were ending it. But were starting by ending it in D.C., Trump said while signing the executive order on Monday. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Monday, eliminating cashless bail in DC as he cracks down on crime ( Getty Images ) In May, D.C.s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council published a report that found fewer than 1 percent of people released ahead of their trial on violent charges were rearrested for a violent or dangerous crime. Earlier this month, Trump lamented that cashless bail contributes to crime in D.C., which the president has characterized as out of control and rampant despite local and federal statistics showing violent crime is at more than a two-decade low. While the cashless bail system has existed in D.C. for decades, it has had more restrictions added to it over the last few years, preventing defendants accused of various violent crimes, including sexual abuse or strangulation, from benefiting from it. Regardless of the evidence, the president has declared a crime emergency in the nations capital and used the statute to deploy 800 National Guard members to patrol the city and try to put the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. The controversial move has sparked protests in the city and outrage from Democratic lawmakers who see Trumps attempt to control crimefighting in D.C. as an authoritarian move. The president has pointed to other Democratic-led cities, such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, as other examples of cities rampant with crime due to their liberal policies. Trump said last week that Chicago would likely be the next city to see an increase in federal law enforcement presence. The president made the crackdown on crime a pillar of his agenda, consistently promising to take a tough-on-crime approach during his presidential campaign. "When I'm re-elected, I will crack down on the left-wing jurisdictions that refuse to prosecute dangerous criminals and set loose violent felons on cashless bail, Trump previously said. Additional reporting by Andrew Feinberg in Washington, D.C. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump went concealer-free on Monday, showing a dark bruise on the back of his right hand while signing executive orders in the Oval Office. Sitting at the Resolute Desk, Trump appeared to be covering up the back of his right hand by placing his left hand on top of it while speaking with reporters. This past weekend, Trump was seen with a patch of makeup over his hand, seemingly covering a recurring bruise. But at various points in the press conference on Monday, reporters could see a flash of the extensive bruise across the back of his hand. It was again visible as Trump hosted his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung, in the Oval Office. The black-and-blue patch is the latest bruising to make an appearance on the 79-year-old presidents hand. Over the last few months, Trump has been seen with a familiar-looking bruise in the same spot, and occasionally covers it with makeup. open image in gallery President Donald Trump had a large bruise on the back of his right hand on Monday. The White House attributed it to frequent hand-shaking and aspirin usage ( AFP via Getty Images ) The White House and Trumps doctor have maintained that the president is in excellent health and that the hand bruise is the result of frequent handshaking and intake of aspirin. This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen, Trumps doctor, Sean Barbabella, has said. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy. But the answer has not satisfied some people online who speculate that Trump may be receiving medical treatment through an IV or that physicians may be conducting frequent medical tests, such as blood draws. Trump recently revealed he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which means he experiences swelling in his lower extremities because the veins in his legs ineffectively pump blood back up toward his heart. open image in gallery The bruise was clearly visible again as Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office ( REUTERS ) However, that diagnosis appears to be separate from the hand-bruising. When asked about the patch of makeup covering the bruise this past weekend, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day. Representative Ronny Jackson, who also served as the physician to the president from 2013 until 2018, has said Trump is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen. open image in gallery Trump kept his left hand over his right hand while speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Monday later, a bruise could be seen on the back of his right hand ( AFP via Getty Images ) Trumps physical and mental health has been a consistent subject for years, with many people speculating about ailments he may have suffered from or may currently be living with. But speculation and rumors have also been feuled by a sense of public mistrust around Trump and his health because the president has often refused to share health information publicly or misrepresented his own health. In 2015, Trumps previous doctor released a statement claiming he was the healthiest person ever elected to the presidency. That same doctor later told reporters that Trump dictated that whole letter. open image in gallery Trump was spotted wearing hand makeup again on Friday ( AP ) The first Trump administration also appeared to downplay the severity of his illness when Trump contracted Covid-19 for the first time in 2020. It was later revealed that Trump was far sicker than the public knew, and he required hospitalization for low blood oxygen levels, high fever, and lung problems. Trump has often harshly claimed former president Joe Biden, saying he was unfit for office and was covering up a major health issue from the public. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump on Monday said he wants to rekindle his friendship with the millennial dictator who has illegally assembled a nuclear arsenal while his own country remains starving and isolated under decades of economic sanctions. Trump told South Korean President Lee Jae Myung he would like to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un after the South Korean leader noted that North Korea had developed further its nuclear and missile capabilities during the four years Trump was out of office after having lost the 2020 election. After Lee said he hoped Trump would usher in a new era of peace on the Korean peninsula, the American president replied: I will do that, and we'll have talks. He'd like to meet with me. He didn't want to meet with Biden because he had no respect for Biden, but we look forward to meeting with him, and we'll make relations better, he said. Kim Jong Un and I had a very great relationship and still do, Trump added. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Oval Office, at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 25, 2025 ( Reuters ) The president also suggested that he would be attending this years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Seoul and said he could sneak away to do something to aid relations between North and South Korea, which have remained in a technical state of war since the 1950s. I get along great with Kim Jong Un and whatever I can do, having to do with South Korea and getting people together, he said. Kim, 41, has led the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea since the death of his father, Kim Jong Il, in 2011. During his time as the countrys supreme leader, he has pushed to increase North Koreas illicit nuclear program and ballistic missile program with the aim of gaining the ability to attack western nations such as the United States. He has persisted in doing so despite multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for denuclearization of the entire Korea Peninsula. Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader when he met with Kim in Singapore in June of 2018. The two leaders met a for a second summit in Hanoi in March 2019, and in June 2019 Trump made history when he met with Kim for a short period at the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea. The American leader became the first U.S. president to set foot in the DPRK when he briefly crossed the border separating the two Korean nations at Kims invitation. At the time, Trump invited Kim to visit the U.S. when the time is right but since then there has been very little in the way of talks between Washington and Pyongyang. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice To cap off Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys meeting about pursuing peace in his war-torn home country, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to give his Ukrainian counterpart a tour of the MAGA gift shop. A photo circulating on social media, shared by Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin, captures Zelensky staring at a wall of red and white MAGA caps and other pro-Trump merchandise in a room reminiscent of a gift shop that appears to be part of the White House. The picture was posted on Monday, following the world leaders meeting at the White House to discuss the future of Russias war in Ukraine. Zelensky, boasting an all-black suit, stands with his arms crossed under a chandelier as Trump grabs a red hat, emblazoned with 4 More Years, from the collection. The 22nd Amendment bars anyone from serving as president for more than two terms, meaning Trump will be ineligible to stand again at the next election. Its not immediately clear what Zelenskys reaction was to the MAGA merchandise. The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment. open image in gallery Its not immediately clear what Zelenskys reaction was to the MAGA merchandise ( Margo Martin ) Ever the salesman, Trump has sold just about everything, from golden sneakers to perfumes to bibles. But social media users slammed the untimely nature of his latest offering. One X user commented on the strangeness of showing off merch to a world leader hoping to end a war in his home country: Imagine if Churchill went to the US during WW2, trying to defend against a shared opponent.. And they stopped for a merch flex break! This is so embarrassing! another user bluntly remarked. Another similarly said: Beyond tacky! One suggested Zelensky get a discount: They get 10 percent off. Yet another quipped: Imagine flying across the ocean just to see a closet of red hats. And one tweeted: The White House exit is through the gift shop. On Monday, Trump and Zelensky, along with a group of European leaders, met in Washington, D.C. to discuss the next steps in securing peace in Ukraine after Russia invaded the country in February 2022. In vague terms in a Truth Social post following the summit, Trump hailed it as a very good meeting, noting they discussed security guarantees for Ukraine. The U.S. president also announced he began making arrangements for a trilateral meeting with Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and himself. The date of that meeting has not yet been determined, he said. As of Tuesday afternoon, Swiss officials have suggested hosting the high stakes summit in Geneva a move that French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani have backed. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice France has summoned Donald Trump's ambassador Charles Kushner after he wrote a letter to French president Emmanuel Macron, claiming that the country had failed to tackle a surge in antisemitic violence. Mr Kushner, who is Jewish and whose son is married to Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka, published the open letter in the Wall Street Journal amid deep divides between France and the U.S. and Israel. Mr Kushner claimed there had been an explosion of hatred towards Jews in France since Israel's offensive in Gaza began in October 2023. "Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In today's world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism plain and simple," Mr Kushner wrote. "In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized. Your own Interior Ministry has reported antisemitic incidents even at preschools," he said. Mr Kushner said he was ready to work with the French leader to "forge a serious plan" to curb the issue. Paris pushed back immediately, arguing that the French government was "fully committed" to fighting antisemitism. "France has learned of the allegations made by the United States ambassador, Mr Charles Kushner, who, in a letter to the President of the Republic, expressed his concern about the rise in antisemitic acts in France and noted the alleged lack of sufficient action by the French authorities to combat them," the French foreign ministry said in a statement. "The ambassador's allegations are unacceptable," the ministry said, adding Mr Kushner would be due to appear on Monday. Mr Kushners allegations violate international law and the obligation not to interfere with the internal affairs of another country, the French ministry said. Furthermore, they do not live up to the quality of the transatlantic relationship between France and the United States and the trust that should result between allies, it added. Mr Kushner's letter echoed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criticism of France. In a letter earlier this week, Mr Netanyahu accused the French president of contributing to antisemitism by calling for international recognition of a Palestinian state. Mr Macron has emerged as one of the more forceful critics of Mr Netanyahu's prosecution of the war in Gaza, particularly with regard to Palestinian civilian casualties, while Mr Trump has steadfastly supported the Israeli leader. He has publicly criticised antisemitism as antithetical to French values and increased security to protect synagogues and other Jewish centres in response to antisemitic incidents linked to the Gaza conflict. France is home to the largest Jewish population in Western Europe, with an estimated 500,000 Jews or 1 per cent of the national population. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott on Sunday said it stood by Mr Kushners comments, adding: "Ambassador Kushner is our U.S. government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role." Mr Trump at the end of his first term as president pardoned Mr Kushner, who pleaded guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. His son Jared is a former White House senior adviser to the president. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed King Charles as a true inspiration after the monarch sent a letter of support on Ukraines Independence Day. In a message posted on X, the King spoke of his greatest and deepest admiration for the Ukrainian people as they continue defending their country against Russian invasion, and called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. I keep feeling the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of the Ukrainian people, King Charles wrote. I remain hopeful that our countries will be able to further work closely together to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. open image in gallery Zelensky called Charles a true inspiration ( Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Mr Zelensky said he was grateful to His Majesty King Charles III @RoyalFamily for his cordial wishes to all Ukrainians on our Independence Day. The Ukrainian president added: His Majestys kind words are a true inspiration for our people during the difficult time of war. We appreciate the United Kingdoms leadership in supporting Ukraine and our just cause: to defend freedom from tyranny and ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine and throughout Europe. On Sunday, Ukraine marks 34 years since the country left the Soviet Union, with more than 2,000 Ukrainian recruits set to celebrate alongside British personnel at an Interflex training site this year. open image in gallery Charles hosted Zelensky at Windsor Castle in June ( PA Wire ) Downing Street and several Whitehall buildings are expected to fly the Ukrainian flag on Sunday. A government spokesperson said: We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, including those who have made a second home here in the UK, in the face of continued Russian aggression. The warm exchange of words between Mr Zelesnky and King Charles came as the Ministry of Defence announced an extension to Operation Interflex, the scheme that sees the British military train Ukrainian soldiers, until the end of 2026. open image in gallery Participants in Bucharest wave a Ukrainian flag during an event of solidarity with Ukraine, marking its Independence Day on Sunday ( AP ) More than 50,000 troops have already been trained in Britain, the government says. We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow, said defence secretary John Healey. In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraines armed forces in the strongest possible position. And as the push for peace continues, we must make the Ukrainians into the strongest possible deterrent to secure that future peace. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thousands are set to descend on the Spanish town of Bunol this Wednesday (August 27), ready to be drenched in 120 tons of overripe tomatoes as the famous "Tomatina" festival celebrates its 80th anniversary. The hour-long event transforms the eastern town into a vibrant red spectacle, drawing up to 22,000 participants. Many attendees travel from across the globe, paying 15 euros for entry, converging on a town where buildings are draped in tarpaulins to protect them from the impending deluge. "When its going on, its just a blur of tomatoes," recalled Adrian Columb of Ireland, who attended in 1999. "It was a blast." Held annually on the last Wednesday of August, the event traces its origins back to a spontaneous food fight among local children in 1945. What began as a yearly tradition faced a brief ban in the 1950s under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, a decision met with local protest. However, televised media attention in the 1980s propelled "Tomatina" into a national phenomenon, eventually attracting an international following. Spain officially recognised the festival as an international tourism attraction in 2002, with the event only being suspended twice since, in 2020 and 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The vast quantities of tomatoes used are not diverted from food crops; instead, they are specifically cultivated for the festival. Bunol Deputy Mayor Sergio Galarza explained: "If Tomatina didnt exist, these tomatoes wouldnt be cultivated because there wouldnt be a need for them." This years supply originates from Don Benito, a town over five hours away. Despite the apparent chaos, the festival operates without teams, points, or referees, but with a crucial safety guideline: participants are encouraged to squash tomatoes before hurling them to prevent injuries, and to refrain from throwing anything else. Many attendees opt for swimming goggles and earplugs for protection. Mr Columb recounted how a friend finished the battle with two black eyes, adding: "But I know hes kind of tall, so maybe he was a target." The physical toll is significant, as Mr Galarza, who grew up attending the festival before becoming its chief councillor, noted: "You finish exhausted. Your arms are worn out, everything is worn out from moving and launching it all." What to know about Spains Tomatina festival, the tomato street fight turning 80 Show all 4 Once the hour-long battle concludes, signalled by a cannon shot, participants head to communal showers to wash off the thick, ankle-deep tomato puree. While clothes are often irreversibly stained, the citric acid from the tomatoes surprisingly acts as an effective cleaning agent on the pavement, often leaving the streets cleaner than before within hours. Though similar tomato-flinging events have emerged globally, from Florida and London to Amsterdam, Colombia, and India, for Mr Galarza, "Tomatina" remains intrinsically linked with its original home. "The truth is that its exciting because year after year, you can see how Tomatina grows and evolves," he said, "and you can enjoy a festival that is super wholesome." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukrainians living in Britain fear Vladimir Putins war on their country will never end after watching the summit between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky unfold at the White House earlier this week. Monika Popadiuk, who moved to the UK from Kyiv in July 2022, said she was afraid of losing everything a second time if the devastating conflict is not brought to an end. The 28-year-old left her dream job as a lawyer in Ukraines parliament and moved to rural Somerset under the British governments Homes for Ukraine scheme. Like many displaced Ukrainians, Ms Popadiuk desperately wants to go back to her old life in Kyiv. But she does not feel that will be possible in the near future, despite the meeting on Monday being hailed as real progress by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer. open image in gallery Monika Popadiuk, 28, said her life was perfect before the war broke out ( Monika Popadiuk ) The peace people talk about does not feel like peace to me, she told The Independent. It feels like just a pause. Unless Ukraine is given real security guarantees, the war will resume. She is concerned that any peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders would only freeze the war. It does not seem that the Kremlin truly wants to end this war, she continued. Even if the war is frozen now, it will start again in a few months or years, when Russia is stronger than today. When it comes to Ukraine conceding territory, Ms Popadiuk thinks this will only serve to embolden Russia: This looks very much like appeasement. History shows us that appeasement never stops aggressors. It only encourages them to continue. open image in gallery President Trumps meetings with the Russian and Ukrainian leaders this week have been hailed as progress, but Ukrainians outside the country say this will not make Ukraine safe ( AFP/Getty ) Three years on from the start of the Russian invasion, there are some young Ukrainians who have never even seen their own country. Liza Perebyyniss son was born in 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine, and he is now considered a child of war. He doesnt know the war, but he would have this status, the 34-year-old said. The boy is now three years old, and while he understands Ukrainian, he does not speak it. It pains his mother that she cannot show him her country while the war continues to rage. open image in gallery Russias attacks on Ukraine have continued despite talks of peace ( AFP/Getty ) Ms Perebyynis is from the Donbas region and left Ukraine in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea. She went to China at first, and later to Germany, where she has opened her own yoga studio. Mondays meeting, which also saw key European leaders hosted in Washington DC, was not a breakthrough in her view it was merely history repeating itself. She told The Independent: Weve been there already. This conflict has not been happening since 2014 or 2022. Its been here for centuries. The territory has been back and forth. Weve been betrayed. Giving up territories now would mean the war will start again in three years or in five years. open image in gallery Liza Perebyynis, 34, said her son has never visited Ukraine ( Liza Perebyynis ) Ms Perebyynis was disappointed by the coverage of Mr Zelenskys White House meeting, especially the absurd focus on the Ukrainian president wearing a suit. All of this feels more like a show with a red carpet and shaking hands, she said. Zelensky wearing a suit was not the most important part. I was hoping for real politics, but I dont think any real decisions were made. Tetiana Shcherban, 37, a Ukrainian entrepreneur in London, still goes back to Kyiv whenever she can to see her family. When you love something, it doesnt matter if its dangerous or not, she said. I just need time to be there and feel that Ukrainian energy. open image in gallery Tetiana Shcherban, 37, goes back to Kyiv to feel Ukrainian energy ( Tetiana Shcherban ) She came to the UK under the Ukraine family visa scheme and now splits her time between London and Kyiv. Before the war, Tetiana said she had almost the ideal life, then she had to start from scratch when Russia invaded. While Ms Shcherban has a strong desire to return home more permanently, she said: I dont think this is the end. It may be an end to this chapter of the war, but not the end of Russias plans. The feeling of danger for Baltic countries will not finish right now. Russian propaganda still prevails. The ideas on which they built their army and this war movement will never stop existing. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A search operation is underway in Istanbul for a Russian swimmer who disappeared during the annual cross-Bosphorus race on Sunday, according to state-run media. Turkish coast guard and maritime police vessels were deployed on Monday to locate Nikolai Svechnikov, identified by the Anadolu news agency. Mr Svechnikov failed to complete the challenging 6.5-kilometre (4-mile) event, which spans from Istanbuls Asian shore to its European side. The competition, which saw over 2,800 participants from 81 nations, is widely regarded as one of the worlds premier open-water swimming events. Swimmers face strong currents and choppy waves while traversing the waterway, which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Turkeys largest city. The strait was closed to maritime traffic for the event, which is organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee. open image in gallery Competitors aboard a ferry heading to the start line of a 6.5-kilometer swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) SwimTrek, a company offering entry to the race, describes race conditions as challenging on its website, adding that experience of swimming in all sea conditions is essential. In a statement, the Olympic committee said it was deeply saddened by the disappearance of one of our athletes during the race. It said 100 vessels, including boats from various emergency services, were monitoring swimmers during the race. At the end, the route was scanned for stray competitors and none were found. Officials realized a swimmer was missing by comparing the lists of participants and those who finished, the statement said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Norways multibillion-dollar military and civilian support for Ukraines fight to defeat Russias invasion will stretch into next year, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Monday during a visit to Kyiv, as uncertainty surrounds U.S.-led efforts to secure a peace settlement. Store, whose country borders Russia, told a news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine is defending a critical principle on the European level by refusing to accept Russias seizure of territory. A stream of high-ranking visitors to Kyiv in recent days reflects concerns around the U.S.-led peace drive, as President Donald Trump weighs how to proceed with no sign of a breakthrough. U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg attended Independence Day celebrations in Kyiv on Sunday. Zelenskyy said he would meet with Kellogg later Monday and hold talks by the end of the week with other senior U.S. officials. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Zelenskyy, pledging 2 billion Canadian dollars in aid, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. Germanys vice chancellor and finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, arrived in Kyiv on Monday to discuss how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process. A week ago, Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. But Russian officials have signaled that such a summit wont happen any time soon. Trump said Friday he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks arent scheduled. Analysts say Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments commitment to Ukraine and use his bigger army to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion. Norway on Sunday pledged about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) toward air defense systems for Ukraine. Norway and Germany are jointly funding two U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar, Store said. Drone strikes continue Ukraines Air Force said Russia launched 104 strike and decoy drones overnight, targeting the country's north and east. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Ukraine has continued long-range drone attacks on Russia, hitting oil refineries, armories and transport hubs and causing commercial flight disruption during the summer vacation period. On Sunday, an Egyptian plane carrying Russian tourists from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg diverted to Tallinn because the Russian citys international airport had temporarily closed due to a drone attack, the Estonian daily Postimees reported. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 23 Ukrainian drones overnight and Monday morning over seven Russian regions, both on or near the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia Shaimaa believes it is too early to think about the Israeli plan to take over Gaza City. But she quickly changes her mind. Since the start of the war, the [Israeli] army has made no secret of its plans for Gaza, and it has unfortunately been implementing those plans with firepower. Its not too early to prepare for a catastrophe. Israels security cabinet has approved a plan by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to occupy Gaza City. According to Israels Channel 14, the plan will play out in three phases: firstly, allowing increased humanitarian aid to enter Gaza City, followed by the relocation of its residents to centralised camps in the south of the Gaza Strip, and finally, a full blockade of the city, which will be placed under the control of the military. As soon as the cabinet approved the plan, the general mood in Gaza shifted, and the population became more pessimistic than ever. Residents anxiously keep up with the details of the planned takeover of the city, filled with dread for what they believe lies ahead: immense destruction, innumerable deaths and injuries, and devastating physical and human costs. Sitting outside her tent in Gaza City, Shaimaa is thinking about the occupations plans. She tells Independent Arabia: I am trying to prepare myself for a bleak future, but my brain isnt working right now. I dont know what to do. All I can think about now is making plans for how my family will live if the military operation begins. open image in gallery In the summer heat, a man gives a child water from a plastic bag he has just bought for one shekel, in Gaza City, 12 August 2025. ( AP/Jehad Alshrafi ) Shaimaa is not well versed in politics, nor can she understand military strategy, but she has read the Israeli plan. Im trying to understand what might happen to us. Nothing scares me more than the order to forcibly remove all of the residents of the city and transport them to the south. That is a horror we cannot bear. Death is kinder On 13 October 2023, Israel issued its first evacuation orders to the residents of Gaza City, telling them to move south. At the time, Shaimaa complied with the orders, leaving her house to move to the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. Life in al-Mawasi was very difficult for Shaimaa. She recalls briefly: We lost our shelter and lived in humiliating conditions inside the tent. We had no water, no power, no food and no life only terror and fear. That was a very rough experience, and the IDF is now preparing us mentally for this by destroying our morale. In any case, Shaimaa refuses to relive the experience of displacement. She explains that she would prefer to die in Gaza City than die in the south of the strip. She is preparing to relocate inside the city that the IDF plans on occupying, noting that she will stay put, even at the cost of living under occupation. To her, that is better than being displaced again. With around 1.2 million residents, Gaza City is considered Gazas most densely populated area. While Tel Aviv plans to relocate the citys residents to al-Mawasi, Palestinians are busy making their own plans in anticipation of the catastrophe that is to come. Waseem has come to terms with the idea of moving south to survive. He has already begun making arrangements for a shelter in southern Gaza, and is working around the clock to get it set up. Israel is going ahead with its war plans for Gaza, and as the sole provider of a family of 13, I have to protect them, he says. Waseem has set up three tents on a plot of land in the south of Gaza, with a separate toilet, a water tank, and some basic necessities. I hesitated before making this decision, but I concluded in the end that complying with Israeli orders might save my familys life, he explains. open image in gallery A group of Palestinians sit in the shade of their tent amid destroyed buildings on a hot summer day in Gaza City, 12 August 2025 ( AP/Jehad Alshrafi ) He knows displacement will be difficult, and that it will mean a far more primitive way of life than what he is used to. But he thinks that it is a matter of life or death, and that Israel will show no mercy on anyone who does not leave. If he stays, he could risk being killed or besieged. Waseem decided to make these preparations when he learnt that Israel was planning to impose another siege on Gaza, meaning famine would return. His children are already suffering from acute malnutrition, he adds, and he doesnt want to watch them die in front of his eyes for lack of food. He believes the IDF will allow goods into the humanitarian zone, so he has accepted the move. Hanadi slapped her face when she learnt of the impending occupation of Gaza City. Many negative emotions began closing in on me, she says, This was a shocking decision, especially after waiting so long for a ceasefire. The failure to reach a truce has brought an unfathomable catastrophe upon us. A doorway to more suffering Hanadi thinks the reoccupation of Gaza will pave the way towards an escalation of genocide. She says that Palestinians cannot afford the cost of displacement. While she sees the decision to flee as an individual choice, she cannot imagine leaving. Her first experience of displacement was so bad that she refuses to consider going through it all again. Hanadi believes the best option is to stay in Gaza. She thinks if people remain and refuse to comply with the evacuation orders, it will put a stop to Israels plans of destroying the enclave and achieving their stated aim of reoccupying Gaza. If Israel sets the planned occupation of Gaza in motion, then the next ground operation will surely be an immense humanitarian disaster, warns Sharif. We can no longer muster the energy to face the dreadful future awaiting us, he says, The world should act before the soldiers exterminate us. We are living in fear and anguish every day. open image in gallery In the summer heat, Palestinian children carry jerrycans after collecting water from a distribution point in Gaza City, 12 August 2025 ( AP/Jehad Alshrafi ) We are the first victims. Expanding the Israeli ground offensive will lead to even more death and destruction. Where should we go if Tel Aviv orders us to evacuate? I was shocked when I read that the deadline for evacuating Gaza City is the coming 7th of October. It was an unexpected shock. Netanyahu has set 7 October as the deadline to evacuate Gaza City completely of its residents. After that date, Israel is set to impose a siege on Hamas operatives who remain inside the city. According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the Gaza occupation operation will last between four to five months, and will be carried out by six military units. As for Tayseer, he tells Independent Arabia: The army has set the deadline of 7 October in the hope that it will make the people of Gaza forget the 2023 attacks, and that this will become the anniversary of our new Nakba, because it will take from us the whole of Gaza City, which is a piece of our hearts. The idea of Gaza City being destroyed before our eyes is terrifying. Nothing that we have endured can compare to what is coming. We are facing the planned extermination, elimination and burial of our very existence, history and future. We are in the midst of an uprooting, and any step we take to avoid the catastrophe will be hard. The catastrophe will be brutal as the IDF is coming to destroy and level the place, says Tayseer. When it leaves, we will have no street to walk on, and no building to defend, he predicts, imploring Hamas leaders to save Gaza before it is too late, announce the zero hour for exit, and demand the deployment of Arab and international forces and stop the bulldozer of destruction. Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Government Media Office of the Hamas-led administration in Gaza, warns the occupation of Gaza City endangers the lives of hundreds of thousands of its residents, who will face hunger, disease and the collapse of remaining health facilities. This means we are facing the most gruesome humanitarian and human rights disaster. Israel is trying to change the consciousness of Gazans by linking the occupation of Gaza with the anniversary of the al-Aqsa Flood operation, he adds. But Palestinians are demonstrating their determination and resolve to not leave their land and to thwart Israels plan. Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A double Israeli strike on one of the last hospitals in southern Gaza has killed five journalists, including a reporter with The Independents partner publication Independent Arabia. Maryam Abu Daqqa, 33, who worked for Independent Arabia and Associated Press, was killed alongside Al Jazeera camera operator Mohammed Salam, Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, and freelance journalist Moaz Abu Taha. Ahmed Abu Aziz, who worked for UK-based media outlet Middle East Eye, later died from his injuries, the organisation said. Independent Arabia said it mourns its courageous correspondent Abu Daqqa, who left behind an 11-year-old son, saying she worked around the clock to cover the horrors unfolding in the besieged Gaza Strip. The publication also condemned Israels flagrant violation of international laws that guarantee the protection of journalists. Israel claimed an inquiry had been opened into the strike, with the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israel regretted what he sought to claim was a tragic mishap. The photojournalist was among 20 people killed, and 50 injured on Monday in what witnesses described to The Independent as two missiles in quick succession slamming into the Nasser Medical Complex the only partially functioning public hospital in the south of Gaza. Rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Israel of targeting medical facilities and Palestinian journalists since it launched its unprecedented bombardment of Gaza in October 2023. More than 240 journalists have been killed since then including five journalists just two weeks ago according to rights group Amnesty International, making this the bloodiest conflict for reporters in modern history. We were shocked there was strikes hitting the fourth floor of the main surgical building. The journalists use that side to do their interviews or to broadcast from the area, Khaled al-Serr, a leading Palestinian surgeon at Nasser Hospital, told The Independent. He said first responders, medics and journalists rushed to the scene to help the injured and killed. During the evacuation, while we were standing in front of the building and starting the work receiving cases to the emergency department, we were surprised by another bombing at the same spot. Until now, the treatment process is continuing, we cannot confirm the numbers, he added. Mohammed al-Qudra, 28, who also witnessed the attack, said the quick succession of missiles resulted in a massive massacre. The scene was terrifying, he said, still shaken. The area was a pool of blood, and the entire staircase of the building was covered in blood, from top to bottom. The Israeli military declined to comment to The Independent when asked why it launched a double strike on a hospital, a protected building, and did not acknowledge that it had killed journalists and first responders as they were tending to the injured. Instead, in a public statement, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani confirmed Israeli troops carried out a strike in the area of the hospital and added that the countrys chief of staff had instructed an initial inquiry as soon as possible. open image in gallery Abu Daqqa (left), a victim of Mondays hospital attack, leaves behind an 11-year-old son ( AFP/Getty ) He said the Israeli military does not target journalists and that the Israeli military acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals. Mr Netanyahu later said that Israel valued the work of journalists and medical staff, adding that Israels war was with Hamas. But the United Nations says that strikes have killed at least 247 Palestinian journalists in Gaza since Israel launched its unprecedented assault in the aftermath of Hamass 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel. International correspondents are barred from entering the tiny strip by Israel, except on heavily controlled Israeli military embeds. Questioned by reporters at the White House, US president Donald Trump said he had not yet received news of the strike but added: Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it. He said, at the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare in Gaza, where Hamas is holding hostages seized in Israel. The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) said on Monday that Palestinian journalists are the eyes and ears of the international community and must be protected. The deliberate targeting and killing of journalists and medics constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law. The killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world not into stunned silence but into action, demanding accountability and justice, said UN rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. Their killings, and those of countless other civilians, must be independently, promptly investigated and justice must follow. The Committee to Protect Journalists has repeatedly said the Israeli military has deliberately targeted Palestinian journalists and their families, including levelling unfounded accusations against them to manufacture consent to kill them and silence them. open image in gallery Israels airstrike on Nasser Hospital claimed the lives of (from left) Hussam al-Masri, Moaz Abu Taha and Abu Daqqa, in what was called a deliberate targeting of journalists ( Reuters/AFP/Getty/AP ) Israels broadcasted killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history, said CPJs regional director Sara Qudah after Mondays strike. These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity. There are concerns the death toll among journalists will only rise as Netanyahu pushes ahead with plans to take Gaza City, which will also involve pushing the population south where Mondays strike happened. Abu Daqqa had worked with Independent Arabia since its inception in 2019 and freelanced with AP and Doctors Without Borders. MSF denounced in the strongest possible terms Israels deliberate targeting of journalists and health workers on Monday and said it was heartbroken by Mariams death. Maryam leaves behind a son who must now grow up without his mother, said Jerome Grimaud, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. As Israel continues to shun international law, the only witnesses of their genocidal campaign are deliberately being targeted. It must stop now. open image in gallery This is a loss, not just for me, but for all of Gaza because she was so beloved, said Riyad Daqqa of his daughter Maryam ( Supplied ) Abu Daqqas family told Independent Arabia she feared she might be killed as Israel had ramped up its attacks on reporters in Gaza, killing five journalists, including Al Jazeeras star correspondent Anas al-Sharif, just two weeks ago in a targeted strike that Israel celebrated as a strike on a militant. In fact, she had left a heartbreaking note in her tent with a friend for her son, whom she had made sure was evacuated to the UAE. In the note, which was shared with The Independent, she told him to pray for her but not to weep. Make me proud, she wrote, adding: You are my love, my heart, my strength, my soul, and my son who lifts my head high with pride. Speaking to Independent Arabia after the bombing in Khan Younis, Abu Daqqas father Riyad, who had received a kidney from his daughter, said she was beloved by everyone. This is a loss, not just for me, but for all of Gaza because she was so beloved. Abu Daqqas friends told The Independent she had even turned down an opportunity to travel to the UAE to be with her son, as she wanted to keep documenting the war and looking after her parents. Fellow reporter Mohammed Abu Shahma, from Khan Younis, said that along with donating her kidney to her father, she had desperately tried to get treatment for her mother, who died from cancer four months ago, as there was no way to secure proper care in Gaza. Maryam is known for being a neutral and professional journalist, whose goal is to convey both the image and the word. She is remarkable, he added, his voice cracking with emotion. Reuters also mourned its loss, saying it was devastated to learn of the killing of its cameraman Al-Masri, and the injury of photographer Hatem Khaled, also a contractor who it has asked to be evacuated. AP said it, too, was shocked. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, the agency said. Al Jazeera said that the blood of its journalists killed just 10 days ago has not yet dried before another colleague was killed. Despite relentless targeting, Al Jazeera remains resolute in providing live coverage ... with occupation authorities barring international media outlets from entering to report on the war. Ten Al Jazeera journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israel is facing global condemnation after 20 people were killed in an attack on a hospital in Gaza, as domestic protests calling for a ceasefire, led by families of hostages taken by Hamas, swept the country. The victims on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital were killed in a double-tap strike, with one missile hitting first, then another moments later as rescue crews arrived, an eyewitness told The Independent. The attack, in which five journalists were killed including Maryam Abu Daqqa, who worked for The Independents sister site Independent Arabia was among the deadliest to have hit journalists over the course of the war. The US, the European Union, Canada, Britain, Egypt, China, France, and Spain denounced the attack, while Germany called for an investigation. The Israeli military said after its initial investigation that the strike aimed to take out a Hamas surveillance camera, along with several people it claimed were militants belonging to the group. open image in gallery Israel is facing global condemnation and domestic protests after its deadly Gaza hospital strike ( Reuters ) The military said it had established that none of the five journalists killed were among the six Hamas targets it says were killed in the two strikes, and that the journalists were not suspected of being militants. The military claimed that they were not the target of the strikes. The chief of general staff acknowledged several gaps in the investigation so far, including in relation to the kind of ammunition that was used to take out the camera. A further inquiry has been ordered into how the decision was made to target the hospital. The US president, Donald Trump, said: Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare. He added that a very serious diplomatic push to end the war is underway, and that there may be a conclusive ending in Gaza in the coming weeks, but he did not offer any further details. open image in gallery Our front page this morning ( Independent ) Britains foreign secretary David Lammy said he was horrified by the attack and called for an immediate ceasefire. Separately, Israeli protesters across the country have blocked major highways as they continue to demand the release of the people taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October 2023. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum started their national day of struggle at 6.29am local time, the same time as Hamas launched their attack two years ago. Advancing the plan to conquer Gaza while there is an agreement lying on the table for the prime ministers signature is a stab in the heart of the families and the entire nation, said Itzik Horn, father of Eitan Horn and captivity survivor Iair Horn. Footage shared online shows traffic grinding to a halt as a large fire blazed across parts of a road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. open image in gallery Protesters across Israel blocked major highways ( Reuters ) The coastal highway on the outskirts of Tel Aviv was also closed to traffic around Yakum junction. Demonstrators plan to march from Savidor station in Tel Aviv to hostages square for a large rally this evening, the forum told media. The forum is directly appealing to Mr Trump to finalise a ceasefire deal and return the hostages. Israel believes 20 of the hostages are still alive. open image in gallery (L-R) Hussam al-Masri, Maryam Abu Daqqa, Moaz Abu Taha, Mohammed Salama, and Ahmad Abu Aziz ( Reuters ) A joint letter to Israel, AP and Reuters said: We are outraged that independent journalists were among the victims of this strike on the hospital, a location that is protected under international law. These journalists were present in their professional capacity, doing critical work bearing witness. The five journalists who were killed in the attack included cameraman Hussam al-Masri, who worked for ; photographer Mohammed Salama, who worked for Al Jazeera; Independent Arabias Maryam Abu Daqqa; Moaz Abu Taha, who worked for NBC; and Ahmad Abu Aziz, a journalist with Palestinian youth news agency Quds Feed Network, the Palestinian government media office said. A rescue worker was also among those killed, health officials added. An Israeli military spokesperson claimed that the army does not target civilians and that it had launched an internal investigation into the strikes. Meanwhile, Israeli forces launched a rare daytime raid on Tuesday in the heart of the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority is headquartered. Dozens of Palestinians were wounded, according to local medics. Israel has attacked hospitals numerous times throughout the war, claiming that Hamas embeds itself in and around the facilities. open image in gallery The body of freelance journalist Maryam Abu Daqqa is carried for burial after she was killed in an Israeli strike ( Family handout ) The latest attack followed Israels plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas in an attempt to destroy Hamas. Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has vowed to press on with the offensive against Gaza City, despite alarm abroad and objections at home. A sixth journalist, Palestinian correspondent Hassan Douhan, was killed in a separate incident in Khan Younis in the south of Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. More than 62,000 Palestinians have died since 7 October, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Around 1,200 people were killed by Hamas in its initial attack, and around 250 were taken hostage. A landmark church in Sweden began a two-day journey to its new home on Tuesday, 19 August, time-lapse video shows. The Kiruna Church has been relocated to save it from ground subsidence and the expansion of the world's largest underground iron ore mine. It was slowly moved down an Arctic road, part of a 30-year project to relocate thousands of people and buildings from the city in the country's far north. The 600-tonne, 113-year-old church was lifted from its foundations and onto a specially built trailer. Kiruna Church is one of Sweden's largest wooden structures, often voted its most beautiful. It will travel three miles to a brand-new Kiruna city centre at a speed of 500 metres/hour. This Working Life: I have over 400,000 TikTok followers now... if I do a collab I often buy new things for the school Media Reddit says it is not covered by new Online Safety Code as it has moved its jurisdiction to the Netherlands What I spend on Christmas: I would imagine that my total will be about 2,000 and the majority of my budget will be on my own kids 'People no longer wanted to be associated with the traditional, local way of speaking': Are Irish accents as we know them dying out? Family of spiders rehomed and Slane Castles owners moved upstairs for filming of RTEs The Traitors Derry Girls actor Siobhan McSweeney will be hosting Irish spin-off of TV hit and bringing some Irish fashion flair to proceedings Kirsty Blake Knox on the set of 'The Traitors'. Photo: Andres Poveda Kirsty Blake Knox Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 06:30 The cast of upcoming reality murder-mystery game show The Traitors may be faced with deception, betrayal and suspicion in the coming weeks, but at least they wont be up against any creepy-crawlies. "Despite the favourable harvest weather, morale amongst tillage farmers is close to an all-time low, Kieran McEvoy said. Photo: Roger Jones Increased calls are being made to support the tillage sector, as the majority of farmers in the sector facing a loss-making scenario this year. The IFA has called for Government supports for the tillage sector as native Irish grains are being undermined by cheap imports from outside the EU. IFA Grain Chair Kieran McEvoy said at current indicative grain harvest prices, the majority of farmers are facing a loss-making scenario, and these losses could be very substantial for growers exposed to rented or leased land. "Despite the favourable harvest weather, morale amongst tillage farmers is close to an all-time low, Kieran McEvoy said. Native, Irish grain prices are being undermined by cheap imports of feedstuffs from outside the EU. These imports are subject to much lower production standards and regulations around the use of plant protection products and genetically modified seeds. The playing pitch has never been so unlevel, he said. It comes just a month after a call by the Irish Grain Growers Group for transparency in the sector amid what is says is excessive use of GMO maize, soya, and palm kernel, and their by products, now entering the Irish food chain from third countries. Sourcing additional feed supplies on a least cost formulation basis is a race to the bottom. Increasingly, it appears that some large feed mills have no interest in sourcing any native grain for their products, the IFA Grain Chair added. Tillage farmers are facing prices this year lower than those paid in the 1908s, according to the Grain Growers, with over 1,400 growers exiting the sector in the past two years along. Over 70pc of imports now come from outside the EU and over 50pc of imports was Genetically Modified in 2024. It says that over 5m tonnes of livestock feed are imported annually now, much of it of significantly lower sustainability standards, yet no effort exists to inform consumers of this reality. The Grain Growers say Irish consumers have the right to be informed via labelling about the vastly expanded use of GMOs in the Irish food chain in recent years. It said the Government and Bord Bia has to date failed to differentiate through labelling or marketing between high-quality Irish grain and vastly inferior imported feed. The Grain Growers are calling for clearer labelling and segregation of GM and non-GM feed/food-based products as well as financial and policy support to encourage greater use of Irish cereals, pulses and oilseeds. Adopt, dont shop DSPCA warns of industrial-scale puppy farming as charity takes in young dogs bought just three days prior Family found they couldn't look after them properly so they handed them in The two 11-week-old Basset Hound sisters taken in by the DSPCA on Monday morning Keith Kelly Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 20:32 An animal charity has warned of the consequences of buying dogs originating from puppy farms after it took in two unwanted pets just days after they were bought. From day-to-day expenses to pocket money, three Irish foster parents explain how they manage their finances Families, couples and even single people from across the country have been welcoming children in need into their homes for decades. There are currently over 5,000 young people in almost 3,820 foster homes across Ireland and while all of these carers took on the role in order to provide a safe haven and stable environment, there is no doubt that having an extra mouth to feed and clothe costs money. Patients in Ireland who have a rare lung disease which causes the immune system to act to make it hard to breathe have been given new hope thanks to an inhaled therapy. Up to 40,000 children currently on creche waiting lists amid challenges to recruit and retain educators Warning capacity in sector cannot be expanded without major investment in Budget 2026 Stock image Maeve McTaggart Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 06:30 Up to 40,000 children under the age of three are currently on creche waiting lists, with almost 7,000 children under the age of one waiting for a place when there are just 97 available. John Murphy was one of the first pupils to attend Gonzaga John Francis Murphy, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with the National Maternity Hospital at Dublins Holles Street and former president of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), has died at the age of 83. He was born in Dublin on May 12, 1942, the son of accountant John Murphy and Mater Hospital nurse Carmel, a couple who went on to have four daughters and lived in Rathfarnham. John was one of 52 pupils who started at preparatory level in Gonzaga College on September 8, 1950 the day the Jesuit-run school opened in Ranelagh, Dublin and he continued to meet his school contemporaries on a monthly basis until recently. He went on to study medicine at UCD, where he graduated in 1966. In 1972, he was working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham when he met nurse and midwife Anne Tweddle. They married and went on to have a family of three boys and two girls. In a statement recalling his achievements, the RCPI said: His lifelong commitment to advancing medical education and patient care was evident in his many roles within the college. From founding the members committee in the late 1970s to serving as clinical skills centre lead from 2014 to 2021, his contributions were both visionary and enduring. In 1988, Murphy joined the RCPIs council, later holding a range of senior positions including honorary treasurer, vice-president, ultimately becoming president in October 2006. He resigned this role in February 2007 after a finding of professional misconduct was made against him by the Medical Council. He was one of three consultant obstetricians who provided reports in 1998 which exonerated the practice of Dr Michael Neary, who had carried out caesarean hysterectomies. The RCPI said they accepted his resignation with regret, but respected his decision. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to his students left a mark on everyone Dr Murphy and one of the other obstetricians sought a judicial review and in December 2007, the High Court overturned the findings of professional misconduct against them. Mr Justice Peter Kelly said the findings were unlawful. The Medical Council did not appeal. Dr Diarmuid OShea, current RCPI president, said: Professor Murphys passing is a profound loss to the college and to the wider medical community. "His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to education and clinical excellence shaped the college in countless ways. He leaves behind a legacy of integrity, innovation and compassion that will continue to inspire generations of physicians. Murphy also worked in Bahrain at the constituent medical school of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Professor Sameer Otoom of RCSI Bahrain recalled: I had the privilege of working with John during his time at RCSI Bahrain and was not only a gifted physician and educator, but as a generous colleague and friend. His wisdom, warmth and unwavering commitment to his students left a mark on everyone who knew him. Dr Suzanne OSullivan, chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: Professor Murphy was an advocate for womens health and a mentor, trainer and guide for many of us who followed his path. He saw education as the cornerstone of best- practice patient care and spent his career building and sharing knowledge to that end. Each year, in his honour, the institute awards the John Murphy Medal for work that has been shown to enhance the quality and/or safety of patient care through audit or research or a quality improvement project. Speaking at his fathers funeral mass, Tom Murphy said: Dad was loved from the moment he was born until the moment he died. He was a serious person and a person who took life seriously: an intellectual person who placed significance on learning, accuracy and precision. He had a deep faith, was committed and observant, a dedicated physician who was empathetic and brave in practice. John Francis Murphy died peacefully on August 14 in Sligo University Hospital. Predeceased by his sister Germaine, he is survived by his wife Anne, children Ronan, Fiona, Tom, Edward and Annabel, and by eight grandchildren. Madam I refer to Hilary A Whites excellent article rightly asking that Irish Jews are not condemned or associated with the Israeli atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank (Dont burden Irish Jews with Gaza guilt, August 17). We in Ireland know very well what it was like to be labelled terrorists or Paddies in the past when working or visiting abroad, so should not need to be reminded of the mistake of caricaturing Jews or anybody else. However, I find unacceptable his reference to Israel as an otherwise liberal and tolerant society, beyond condemnation of the Benjamin Netanyahu regime and extremist settlers. As the minority rights group Adalah points out, there are in fact 60-plus discriminatory laws against non-Jews covering all areas of life including citizenship, political participation, land, housing, education, culture, language, religion and due process during detention. In fact, some such discriminatory laws in the self-declared National State of the Jews affect non-religious Jews, gays and Palestinian refugees. Bob Storey, Raheen, Skibbereen, Co Cork Hilary is right no explanation needed Madam Hilary A White is right to remind us that Irelands Jewish community owes no explanation for the crimes of the Netanyahu government (Dont burden Irish Jews with Gaza guilt, 17 August). What we are witnessing, however, is part of a wider trend: diaspora minorities being treated as if their citizenship is conditional, judged not on their contribution to Ireland but by the policies of states they do not elect, fund or control. Social media outrage has accelerated this logic of collective guilt. It is not just Jews who are targeted; Irish-Americans may be pressed to justify US wars, Irish-Russians to denounce Putin or Irish-Hindus to account for violence in India. If this continues, minorities will begin to act as if they are guests, rather than citizens. Ireland has always defined itself by resisting the collective punishments of imperialism. I hope that the next frontier of Irish liberalism will be the defence of diasporic neutrality: the principle that no Irish citizen should carry the moral burden of a foreign government. Fail to uphold it and Ireland will begin to mirror the majoritarian politics it once resisted. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Balanced backdrop to unbalanced war Madam Barry OHalloran has written by far the best and most-balanced article on the background to the war in Gaza that I have read in an Irish newspaper (Israel wanted to be loved in the West and feared in the Middle East, but now it realises it cant be both, August 17). He debunks the view, widely held in Ireland, that Israel has implacably opposed Palestinian statehood down the years. The reality is that the Palestinian leadership on multiple occasions has rejected a two-state solution. The state of Israel was created by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in 1947 that divided British-administered Palestine into Jewish and Arab territories. This first two-state solution was accepted by the Jews and rejected by the Palestinians and the Arab states, who went to war with Israel in an effort to strangle the new state at birth. Israel won the war and refused to allow the return of 700,000 Palestinians who had fled with the strong encouragement of the Arab states, thereby starting the Palestinian refugee problem. (The war also created a million Jewish refugees expelled from Arab countries, but this is largely forgotten.) For 20 years, Jordan occupied the West Bank and Egypt the Gaza Strip, and neither lifted a finger to create a state for their brother Arabs, an ambivalence that persists. Israel captured both territories in the Six-Day War in 1967 a war of self-defence, not conquest. A succession of peace initiatives in the decades that followed would have created a Palestinian state, or the means to achieve one. These include the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, Camp David in 2000, Israels withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 and Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmerts peace offer to the Palestinian Authority in 2008. In the case of Oslo and Camp David in particular, the Palestinian leadership chose the path of violence, rather than peace. Alan OSullivan, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow Weve no influence, but much to lose Madam What a privilege it must be to have the time, as Naoise Dolan did, to attend four Palestine protests in six days and have the further privilege of a newspaper column to pontificate to the rest of us regarding the same subject (If we dont act against Israel, we are aiding and abetting its war crimes, August 17). Meanwhile, the vast majority of us must go about our daily lives in the real world. This is the world that recognises that Ireland has zero influence over anything that happens in Palestine, but has much to lose by being on the wrong side of US foreign policy. P Kelly, Carraroe, Co Galway Support for Israel is due to Hamas attack Madam Anthony Hanrahan (Letters, August 17) writes that Western leaders have allowed Israel a free hand to do what it wants. The reason the need to support Israel has permeated the Western consciousness, as he puts it, is that Israel is a democracy that was invaded by a genocidal terrorist government that orchestrated the highest number of murders of Jews in one day since the Holocaust. Ciaran Masterson, Cavan EEC Commissioner for Agriculture Sicco Mansholt in 1962. Photo: Getty Dutch show us how to sow a field of dreams Madam Joanna Donnelly says it was a small livestock farmer from Mayo who convinced her to plant her feet firmly on the side of farmers after he endured a long, wet winter almost 20 years ago (Why Im on the farmers side when it comes to tackling climate change, August 17). When she referred to her husbands native Netherlands, where farmers are often vilified, it brought back memories of my history and geography classes in national school. We were told the Nether- lands was the size of Munster. We were also told Sicco Mansholt, a Dutchman, was appointed Commissioner for Agriculture in the newly established EEC in 1958. His initial task was to introduce support mechanisms to solve the dire food shortages that arose in Europe after World War II. These supports are still subsidising the price of food today. To emphasise the enterprising nature of Dutch farmers, it was surmised that if the Dutch were in Ireland, they would feed the world. Today, the potential of Irish agriculture can be gauged from the value of agricultural exports in both countries. In 2023, such exports from the Netherlands were valued at 124bn, vastly exceeding Irish exports of 16bn. Drystock farming in areas like Mayo is typically the enterprise on smaller farms that are disadvantaged in terms of soil quality and climate. These farms are not suitable for tillage. While substitutes for Big Oil are available, no such alternatives are at hand for many farmers producing food in Ireland. Seamus ODowd, Clonakilty, Co Cork A picture alone tells the grotesque story Madam If ever a picture was worth a thousand words, it was that in last weeks Sunday Independent of Vladimir Putin, having arrived in Alaska, striding across a red carpet to Donald Trump waiting in welcome (Weird, embarrassing but not yet disastrous, August 17). The one striding forward has for the past three-and-a- half years wreaked death and destruction on Ukraine. The one he strides towards is, indirectly at least, facilitating the further destruction of Ukraine and influencing the opportunity for future encroachment on other former Soviet bloc countries. The headline across the photo may have been reasonable, but I suggest that words such as grotesque, depraved and utterly pernicious would have been more fitting, if still inadequate, to describe this episode. Michael Gannon, St Thomas Square, Kilkenny Regional airports mean Knock too Madam Senator Dee Ryan (NDPs 275bn plan must insist on far greater roles for regional airports, Business, August 17) states that we are over-reliant on Dublin when it comes to aviation. By contrast, she suggests Cork and Shannon airports are stuck in a holding pattern. I agree with these sentiments, but would add that Ireland West Airport Knock should not be excluded from support, as it is a vital connectivity hub here in the west and north-west. Ms Ryan also suggests that the Limerick-Shannon rail line must be a top priority and be developed immediately to support the growth of Shannon Airport. Likewise, the reopening of the western rail corridor from Galway to Sligo, with a rail connection to Knock Airport, would greatly enhance the growth and support Irelands fourth-largest international airport. Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Im surprised Ross fell for FG joker Madam If Shane Ross thinks there is going to be joint support from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for the one candidate, he is wrong (Martins next move could decide who ends up in the Aras, August 17). They will both go it alone. If he thinks Fine Gael would support Bertie Ahern, he must not have read the Mahon Tribunal report. The Fine Gael senator who told Shane Ross he would have no problem supporting Bertie Ahern must be a joker. I am surprised that Shane Ross, with all his experience, would believe such nonsense. Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo John Boynes critics should know better Madam E Bolger (Letters, August 17) highlights how nowadays, particularly among younger people, there seems to be only one acceptable viewpoint on certain issues. The recent response to a Sunday Independent article (An ode to my friend JK Rowling on her 60th birthday, People & Culture, July 27) by John Boyne is a case in point. Over 800 writers, editors, publishers and booksellers have signed a letter both denouncing Mr Boyne for his unacceptable views and demanding that his book, Earth, be removed from the longlist for the Polari Prize. It is astonishing to me that people who work in the world of words are so opposed to free speech. Whether such behaviour is a result of ideological shifts in the education system, I cant say, but it seems to me that we are seriously letting our young people down in their education if they think such behaviour puts them on the right side of history. Roisin Murphy, Rathgar, Dublin 6 Rugby chiefs can be confident in defence Madam In his defence of safety in sport, Andy Hales (Letters, August 17) quoted Sinead Lucey of FLAC as saying that the IRFU is subject to the Equal Status Acts (ESA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of being transgender. The implication from FLAC was that, by excluding males who identify as women from female rugby, the IRFU may be in breach of the act. Parents, schools and clubs seeking to protect their daughters and the female sporting category should be reassured by the IRFUs stance, and by the notable silence and absence of legal challenge from those who condemned it for defending women and girls. The IRFU almost certainly sought independent legal advice and will be confident of the strength of its position. Sandra Adams, Baldoyle, Dublin 13 Follow UKs lead on trans sportswomen Madam Andy Hales highlights the conflict between trans rights and womens rights that trans activists claim doesnt exist. If a trans woman wants to play womens sports, does their right to do so trump the rights of women to safe and fair sport? This is the conflict that the UK Supreme Court solved in April when it clarified that the term woman refers to individuals born biologically female. This decision clarifies that trans women, even those with a Gender Recognition Certificate, should not participate in womens sports. We need similar clarity in Irish equality law. Such a move need not exclude trans women from sport. They should feel welcome to participate in mens sports, and a move towards an open category (along with a separate womens category) would be truly inclusive for all trans women, trans men who take testosterone and non-binary male athletes. E Bolger, Dublin 9 Be grateful for Indian healthcare workers Madam Following a number of letters to the Sunday Independent supporting our Indian health workers (August 17), I too wish to express my sincere thanks to these professionals who contribute so much to our health services. Having recently experienced their care and support first-hand, I feel compelled to acknowledge the outstanding service they provide on a daily basis. From the moment one is admitted to a hospital, these nurses, doctors and support staff demonstrate a level of dedication that is truly inspiring. Their ability to offer clinical excellence while providing emotional reassurance and kindness makes a world of difference to patients in extremely challenging circumstances. We are very fortunate to have them. Don Byrne, Raheny, Dublin 5 Luke ONeill superb on ME breakthrough Madam I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Sunday Independents coverage of the DecodeME study findings on ME/chronic fatigue syndrome (AI helping scientists solve the mystery of chronic fatigue, August 17). The genetic findings from DecodeME represent a pivotal moment in our understanding of this illness. By bringing this to public attention, Luke ONeill is helping to combat the stigma and misconceptions that have surrounded ME/CFS for far too long. This will help patients, families and professionals better understand the biomedical reality of this condition. Desmond Nunan, via email IRA weapons are no laughing matter Madam The CNN journalist John King laughed when your interviewer Barry Egan asked him if his father had raised money to buy guns for the IRA (King and country, Life, August 17). One wonders how he would react if another journalist were to laugh at the thought of a family member buying weapons for Al-Qaida. As someone who grew up in Fermanagh during the IRAs campaign of sectarian violence there, I find nothing amusing about the thought of buying guns for that organisation. CDC Armstrong, Belfast Naoise Dolan: Raise your voice we have nine days to stop the Central Bank aiding Israels war effort The British ban on Palestine Action may garner more headlines but Ireland can take concrete action to disrupt the war in Gaza Pro-Palestinian protesters outside the Central Bank of Ireland last week. Photo: Sam Boal/Collins Photos Naoise Dolan Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 06:30 The Irish media love a good screw the Brits angle. Theyre far less interested in talking about the people in this country who keep us complicit in Israels genocide. Approximately 4,000 homes, farms and businesses across Macroom and neighbouring areas will benefit from high-speed fibre broadband by the end of the year. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) said construction is well underway with survey and design phases now complete. The current works consist of installing high-speed cables, which will deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second. The high-speed connection will serve customers in the Carriganimmy deployment area, which also includes Macroom, Kilberrihert and Slievereagh. The works are part of governments National Broadband Plan. TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland said: "Our teams are making excellent progress in County Cork, and were pleased to see fibre build works underway in the Carriganimmy deployment area. Our overarching goal is to improve digital connectivity across the country. With minimum internet speed of 500 megabits per second, this new Fibre-to-the-Home network will play a pivotal role in sustaining local businesses and communities, Mr Malone said. The National Broadband Ireland website is regularly updated with estimated dates for when premises will be ready to order a connection. The easiest way to stay informed is by signing up for NBI email alerts at nbi.ie/eoi/. Fine Gael councillor for Macroom, Ted Lucey, welcomed the announcement and added the people of Macroom have been waiting long enough. It is great, and we have been waiting long enough for it in some places. People and businesses also need it for work, so any improvement is welcome, Mr Lucey said. Cork will receive 314m of investment under the National Broadband Plan, and 82,000 premises across the county are included in the states intervention area. Works have already been completed in parts of Cork, including the rural surrounds of Fermoy, Kanturk and Templemartin. There is a total of 50,405 premises that can now order or pre-order high-speed, reliable broadband, with 15,520 premises already connected to the network. NBI is encouraging residents to visit nbi.ie/map and enter their Eircode to check if their premises is ready to connect. Concerns have been raised by a Cork politician following the revelation that the HSEs national breast cancer screening programme, BreastCheck, has failed to meet its targets for the past two years. According to figures released in response to a parliamentary question, the HSE screened just 137,134 women last year, well below the target of 195,000. In 2023, the programme screened over 166,000 women, again falling short of the 185,000 goal. Combined, this represents over 75,000 women who did not receive screening as intended. Sinn Fein Senator Nicole Ryan has expressed deep concerns and said the failures are putting womens lives at risk. These figures are simply unacceptable. Our constituents rely on timely and reliable screening services to detect breast cancer early. Every missed screening is a missed opportunity for early intervention, which can be lifesaving. The shortfall cannot be simply passed off as a statistical anomaly, said Senator Ryan. While Covid-19 undoubtedly disrupted services, most starkly in 2020 when screening dropped to just over 56,000. There is no longer an excuse. It is now 2025, and we must expect far better. Senator Ryan stressed the need for immediate action from the HSE and the Minister for Health to restore and expand capacity. She also called for greater transparency around progress and wants a clear catch-up strategy for the thousands of women who have been left waiting. The Cork politician also highlighted the importance of renewed public awareness campaigns to ensure that women aged between the ages of 5069 know when and how they can access screening. In my view, this isnt just about meeting statistics, but about saving lives. Breast cancer affects nearly 3,500 women in Ireland each year. Effective screening programmes are our first line of defence. Anything short of meeting our targets is a failure to our people. The Minister and the HSE must now bring forward a comprehensive plan within the next four weeks. Women deserve nothing less, she added. Rents in Cork city have increased 11.8% year-on-year, to an average of 2,241 per month, according to new figures published today. Nationally, rents have climbed by an average 1.6% in the second quarter of the year and according to the latest quarterly rental report by Daft.ie, the cost of renting rose for the 18th consecutive quarter. Year-on year, the average listed price nationally rose by 12.3%. The average open-market rent nationwide between April and June was 2,055 per month, up from a low of just 765 in 2011 and 51pc higher than before the outbreak of Covid-19. Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould has criticised Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for allowing rents to grow by 169% in 14 years. His comments come as the latest Daft.ie residential rent report shows an national average rent increase of 7%. What we are seeing in every single rental report is that rents are higher than ever while supply dwindles. This is the reality on the ground. I am speaking to families every single day who are terrified of a notice to quit, terrified of finding somewhere new to rent and absolutely petrified of homelessness. That is the situation this landlord government has left ordinary workers and families in. The report also indicated that there were almost 2,300 homes available to rent nationwide on August 1. This is down 14pc year-on-year and close to half the 2015-2019 average for availability of homes to rent. The Sinn Fein spokesperson on Urban Regeneration & Renewal, Planning, Public Realm & Local Government said students are now forced to plan unsustainable commutes to colleges nationally due to the shortage of houses and continuous rent increases. Alongside this, we now have students trying to source accommodation for university and college. There is nowhere for them to rent and even when they do find somewhere, it is completely unaffordable. "There are students now planning completely unsustainable commutes to college traveling from Kerry to Cork, from Meath to Dublin or from Mayo to Galway. These students will miss out on so much and their education will suffer, he added. The Dail has now been in recess for more than a full month, said Deputy Gould who called on the Minister for Housing James Browne to show ambition. Where is the Minister for Housing? We are in the middle of an emergency, we need a minister who shows up for people. We need a minister with ambition and drive. Instead, there are no new ideas and failed policies have been reinforced and relaunched. The author of the report, Ronan Lyons, professor in economics at Trinity College Dublin, said: The substantial increases in rents are being driven by extreme scarcity of rental housing, relative to underlying need. There are simply too few homes on the market at the moment. On top of an insufficient number of new homes being built, there are also not enough second-hand homes being traded. Retiring from Dublin Airport after 46 years: 'Theres camaraderie you wont find anywhere else... Weve laughed together, cried together' Denis Smyth, who joined busy Dublin hub back in 1979, says hell cherish the memories of camaraderie 'If I did that today I would have probably been sacked' -Dublin Airport veteran Denis Smyth who retires after 47 years. Sarah Burke Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 06:30 When Denis Smyth walked into Dublin Airport as a recruit in 1979, he had no idea hed still be there almost half a century later. News Its a huge shock to us Heartbroken family of Galway men who died in Fermanagh crash on quest to bring them home The family of two Galway residents who died tragically in a crash in Co. Fermanagh have started a fundraiser to bring them home to their native country. Charges include the theft of wine from Applegreen grocery in Tralee on two occasions A judge has denied bail to a Killarney man charged with two counts of theft and the assault of a garda. Sunpreet Singh Hansra (33) of Linden House, New Road, Killarney came before Tralee District Court on three charges after alleged incidents in the town. Mr Hansra is facing two theft charges including the theft of an 11.99 bottle of wine from Applegreen grocery in Clounalour, Tralee on August 1 and again on August 4, a garda told the court. Following his arrest on August 4, Mr Hansra is alleged to have kicked a garda in the leg, which caused bruising leading to an assault charge. The State said they were applying for Mr Hansra to remain in custody and were objecting to bail. Defence solicitor Brendan Ahern said he would be applying for bail for his client. The charges are evident and of a serious nature, a garda told the court. He indicated the alleged thefts were recorded on excellent quality CCTV. It is my belief that if he is granted bail today, he will abscond, said the garda. The court heard that Mr Hansra currently has no fixed residence. Mr Ahern disputed a claim that has no ties to the area of Tralee or Ireland and was therefore a flight risk, noting he was a long-term resident of Ireland. I accept that but the fact that he doesnt have a permanent address is an issue, noted the garda. Mr Ahern noted that his client had been an Irish resident for ten years. I understand hes in a difficult situation, said Mr Ahern. The judge stated, there are certain issues for Mr Hansra regarding alcohol and residential addresses. He has a disorganized lifestyle, Ill put it that way, said Mr Ahern. Im in your hands, judge. I am operating this against the presumption of innocence on all three charges, said the judge. She denied bail and Mr Hanrsa was remanded in custody. The case was adjourned to September 3, 2025. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme Molly Dwyer Diggin was presented with her Music Student of the Year award by Brian Conway. Conor Reidy was presented with his Oidhreacht Music Student of the Year award by master musician Brian Conway. Master fiddler Brian Conway and Spa musician Paul de Grae playing at the Duchas Centre in Tralee on Saturday. Master traditional Irish fiddler Brian Conway was honoured with a standing ovation by the many people who came to see him play at the Duchas Centre at MTU in Tralee on Saturday night. The concert, organised by Oidhreacht Traditional Music School, was promised to be a rare and special opportunity to hear one of the greatest fiddle players of a generation and it certainly lived up to its billing. Mr Conway, a New York native celebrated for his command of the Sligo fiddle style, played to packed house at the Duchas Centre which included many of the Kingdoms finest traditional musicians. Mr Conway, who was accompanied on by talented Spa musician Paul de Grae on the piano and guitar, delivered a masterful performance featuring a stunning selection of tunes associated with the great masters such as Michael Coleman, Andy McGann and Lad OBeirne. The fiddler displayed elegance, passion, and technical brilliance and the concert reached its crescendo when the audience rose for a standing ovation in appreciation of his talent. Michelle OSullivan, who runs Oidhreacht Traditional Music School, said it was an honour to be present for such a show. Conor Reidy was presented with his Oidhreacht Music Student of the Year award by master musician Brian Conway. It was a night of extraordinary music, heartfelt moments, and deep respect a true celebration of tradition, talent, and the living legacy of Irish music in Kerry, she said. Ms OSullivan said her music school was proud to have hosted the event, which gave her students and the wider community a chance to witness and engage with one of the traditions greats. Molly Dwyer Diggin was presented with her Music Student of the Year award by Brian Conway. Having Brian Conway here was something special, she said. It meant the world to our students to hear and meet him in person. Mr Conway, who is also a renowned fiddle teacher, also took the time to present the Oidhreacht Music Student of the Year awards. This years recipients, Molly Dwyer Diggin and Conor Reidy, were recognised not only for their musical talent but also for their kindness, generosity of spirit, and the positive impact they have on the music schools community. Minnie mixing with some ducks in her new home. Minnie (left) enjoying life in her new home in Carlow. Minnie (16) was surrendered into the care of the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre and has since been adopted. A 16-year-old dog that was surrendered last week has been adopted to a loving home so she can spend her golden years with her new buddies. Minnie, a Jack Russell terrier, was surrendered into the care of the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre along with five other dogs and 20 cats after their owners emigrated. The centre put up a plea on their social media for someone to give Minnie a second chance and there was a huge response from the public, with offers from around Ireland and even further afield. Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook The initial post from the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre on Tuesday read: Imagine giving your whole life to a family, only to spend your final days in a kennel. Thats Minnies reality right now. Minnie is a sweet 16-year-old terrier who was surrendered along with 5 dogs and 20 cats when her owner had to emigrate. Shes gentle, loving, and so deserving of comfort in her golden years." She has stage 4 heart failure and needs daily medication, but shes still bright, happy, and enjoying life. After having 9 teeth removed, Minnie is feeling much more comfortable, proof that shes not ready to give up just yet. But kennels are no place for an elderly dog. Lonely nights are not how Minnies story should end. What she needs is a warm bed, gentle hands, and someone who will love her for however long she has left, be it months or another year. Minnie doesnt have forever but she deserves comfort, dignity, and love for the time she has. Can you be her hero? Or share her story so it reaches the person who can? Lets not let Minnies last chapter be life in kennels. Please help us find her the home she longs for. The public duly responded and Leitrim Animal Welfare Centre added an update yesterday. "Wow, after our appeal for little Minnie, we were blown away by the LOVE you all showed! So many amazing people applied to give this sweet 16-year-old terrier the retirement home she deserved. Thank you all!. It was a tough choice, but when Karen reached out, with her experience and love for Jack Russells, we knew Minnie had found her perfect match!" Minnie took the long trip from Leitrim to Carlow in her stride and when she arrived, she marched straight into the shallow pond to say hi to the ducks! That night she curled up all cozy with a look that said: I cant believe this is my life now! They may not have forever, but they deserve the world for the time they do have. Heres to Minnies golden days filled with love, ducks, and soft beds!. A happy ending for little Minnie. You can visit the Leitrim Animal Welfare Centres Facebook page to see other dogs awaiting their forever homes. Journalist, author and former CNN Chief White House Correspondent, Jim Acosta, has been announced as a guest for the Kennedy Summer School. FREE TO USE IMAGE - The 2025 Kennedy Summer School has been officially launched by festival chair Eileen Dunne, unveiling a dynamic and thought-provoking programme of events set to take place in New Ross from Thursday, 28th to Saturday, the 30th of August, 2025. Pictured at the launch is the Chair, Eileen Dunne. For further information visit www.kennedysummerschool.ie - Photo Mary Browne. Culture, literature, politics and public debate are just a few elements of what can be expected from this years Kennedy Summer School in President John F. Kennedys ancestral hometown of New Ross, Co. Wexford. With the official opening scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 28, where Chair, Eileen Dunne will lead a fireside chat with GAA President Jarlath Burns, the weekend promises to spark conversations and serve as food for thought among those in attendance. Ahead of the main opening event, the Global Horizons: Trade and Economic Forum 2025 takes place on Wednesday, August 27, at the Brandon House Hotel. Chaired by Mark Redmond, former CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, the forum brings together leaders from politics, business, and academia to examine Irelands role in a rapidly evolving global economy. The speakers include Professor Stephen Kinsella (University of Limerick) and Greg Ballard, former Mayor of Indianapolis. The official opening evening on Thursday features a screening and panel discussion of From That Small Island The Story of the Irish, moderated by historian, Eamonn Hore. Panellists include Professor Briona Nic Dhiarmada, Professor Jane Ohlmeyer, and musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire, highlighting the enduring global impact of the Irish diaspora through history, scholarship, and storytelling. Fridays events open with a centenary celebration of The Great Gatsby, featuring a masterclass for secondary school students and the public. This will be moderated by Dr Brian Murphy, while international literature scholars Professor Kirk Curnutt, Professor Sarah Churchwell, Professor Philip McGowan, and Dr Martina Mastandrea explore Fitzgeralds Irish roots, timeless charm, and modern relevance. The Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland Minister, James Lawless TD, will be a keynote presence at the sold-out Speakers Lunch at JFK Arboretum. This will be followed by a panel on the role of local journalism in Irish society, moderated by Alan Corcoran, featuring Brenda Power, Jessica OConnor, Dave OConnell, and Bill Forry. Journalist, author and former CNN Chief White House Correspondent, Jim Acosta, has been announced as a guest for the Kennedy Summer School. The Noel Whelan interview will also take place on Friday where Wexford author Colm Toibin will be in conversation with Sinead McSweeney, and the evening panel for President Trump & Us, moderated by RTE Europe Editor, Tony Connelly, will welcome contributors, Dan OBrien, Shona Murray, Greg Ballard, Gilberto Ocanas, and Tanya Gordiienko. Saturday, August 30, offers a full day of literature, politics, and cultural heritage. Events include The Great Gatsby at 100 at 9.30 a.m., Irelands Housing Challenges at 11 a.m., The Changing Face of Irish America at 12 p.m., Jim Acosta in conversation with Dr. Stacey Connaughton at 2 p.m., the Marion & Cal Roadshow at 3 p.m., the Presidential Discussion at 4 p.m., and a closing performance by the New Ross and District Pipe Band at 6 p.m. Speaking ahead of the festival, Eileen Dunne, Chair of the Kennedy Summer School, said: "The Kennedy Summer School has always been a place where ideas meet dialogue, where history, culture, and politics intersect in meaningful ways. This years programme promises compelling conversations, from literature and local journalism to Irish identity at home and abroad. We look forward to welcoming everyone to New Ross to be part of these discussions, added Ms Dunne. The Kennedy Summer School continues its mission to foster informed public debate on a wide range of cultural and political issues. For details, see kennedysummerschool.ie. It is supported by Wexford County Council, the OPW, Failte Ireland, Purdue University, the Purdue Policy Research Institute, and New Ross Municipal District. Holy wells, ancient churches and how to avoid Purgatory will all be revealed on Sunday, September 14, when Kilmagig in Avoca Forest becomes the setting for a pilgrimage to celebrate the Holy Year 2025. Parishioners from the four churches of the parish, Ballycoog, Templerainey, Barranisky and Avoca itself will carry banners to a gathering place in the woodland where Professor Muiris OSullivan will give a talk on the history and the memories of the parishes. According to Professor Muiris, in ancient times, before county council graveyards, burials at places like Kilmagig were originally the places where the earliest church communities in the locality were living. The site was granted by a local king and usually located near a spring well. This became a holy well, as in Kilmagig, where the well can still be seen as can the ruins of the stone church which was probably still in use as a parish church until the 16th or 17th century. And there were benefits for the local community as it was believed that to be buried in the old churchyard was a way to avoid purgatory. The idea of a jubilee year goes back to 1300 and Pope Boniface VIII. Originally the idea was to undertake a pilgrimage to Rome. Everyone is due to meet at the Red Kite loop natural play area, where the talk will take place along with music and a short prayer service, starting at 3pm. Fitter members of the community may wish to walk on up afterwards to the ancient graveyard, probably a 15 minute walk. On site some chairs will be provided and you could also bring your own if you have a folding chair left over from the Papal visit or summer days on the beach. Afterwards everyone is invited to refreshments and a get together in Avoca National School where the bakers and tea makers, led by Mary Condron from Ballycoog, will provide a spread. The school will also be the place to park before heading up to Kilmagig. There will be marshalls and sign posting to ensure no-one is lost along the way. Wicklow Sinn Fein TD John Brady has expressed concern at the continued lack of progress on the long-promised Greystones Media Campus, following a recent meeting with officials from IDA Ireland. While the agency, which is charged with sourcing foreign direct investment for the State, said it remains hopeful of a positive outcome as discussions with investors are ongoing, Deputy Brady said the delays are deeply disappointing, as he had outlined that works on the site had briefly commenced but stalled, that 24m of taxpayers money has already been invested, and that the developers are in breach of an April 2025 deadline under the terms of their lease which they have failed to meet. He also stressed that government silence on the matter is unacceptable, and that urgent action is now required. In April 2022, US property group Hackman Capital Partners, its studio operator affiliate The MBS Group, and investment firm Square Mile Capital announced plans to open the Greystones Media Campus in 2024, he said. "The facility, set to be the largest in Ireland, was to be developed as a joint venture with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Capwell, an investment vehicle owned by the Sisk family. The 300m project was expected to create 450 construction jobs and up to 1,500 permanent roles on its 44-acre site. However, progress has stalled, and the site remains inactive. This is deeply concerning, especially considering the 24m already invested by Irish taxpayers through ISIF. The site was sold by the IDA to Greystones Media for the delivery of this flagship project. A 10-year planning permission is in place, and under the terms of the 999-year lease, substantial construction was required to commence by April 21, 2025. That obligation has not been met. The IDA has confirmed to me that there are ongoing discussions with Hackman Capital/Greystones Media, including around possible reconfiguration of the site and the question of extending the substantial commencement deadline. Hackman Capital has cited issues such as the US writers strikes, spikes in construction costs, and global industry uncertainty as reasons for delay. The IDA have also informed me that while they remain hopeful of a positive outcome, they anticipate that discussions with Hackman Capital will continue for the remainder of the year. That means it looks very unlikely that we will see the recommencement of works in Greystones this year. This is deeply disappointing. We need to ensure that the Government, the IDA, and all stakeholders prioritise this project so that work recommences as soon as possible. Deputy Brady added that the project was sold as a major opportunity for the local economy and the Irish film and television sector, but instead, the people of Wicklow have been left with an empty site, broken timelines, and little transparency. I will continue to press the IDA to see this project through. But it is not enough for the Government to sit on the sidelines they can no longer remain silent. They must step up, show leadership, and actually do something to ensure this badly needed project for Wicklow finally proceeds, he concluded. The Department of Transport has placed a hold on uncommitted expenditure for new public transport services. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is no longer able to allow the introduction of an extra service on the 132 Bus Eireann route serving passengers in parts of west Wicklow. Following correspondence with Wicklow TD Edward Timmins last week, the NTA confirmed they are not able to enhance public transport schedules in the area because the Department of Transport has placed a hold on uncommitted expenditure for new public transport services. Reacting to the news, Deputy Timmins said the move is not acceptable. This area already has limited public transport options. I have contacted the Minister for Transport regarding this matter, he said last week. Earlier this week I also raised the matter directly at a meeting with the NTA. The 132 route is the only direct public transport link for many communities south of Blessington along the N81 corridor. The service is considered essential for commuters working in Dublin, local students attending college and the elderly that rely on the service. It also provides a connection to the Luas and Irish Rail services. Deputy Edward Timmins also expressed the need for the decision to be reversed. The current service is already overcrowded, limited in time, and hasn't fully kept pace with the increased demand and transport needs of local residents here in West Wicklow. We must see more balanced regional development as stipulated by the National Development Plan and the Climate Action Plan. West Wicklow commuters need more transport options, and I will continue to keep the issue of the additional 132 bus on top of the national political agenda until its resolved. he added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme French police charge suspected serial killer after bodies of four men were pulled from the River Seine Bodies were found in an area of Choisy-Le-Roi, known as a gay cruising ground, and homophobia is believed a possible motive in the case The River Seine in Paris. Photo: Getty Vivian Song Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 06:30 French police have charged a man as part of the hunt for a serial killer thought to be targeting gay men in a suburb of Paris. Italian Coast Guard personnel evacuate migrants from the vessel NADIR operated by the organisation RESQSHIP, off the coast of the Sicilian island of Lampedusa (Jan Salmen/RESQSHIP via AP) Three young sisters have died after an overcrowded rubber dinghy took on water in bad weather while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy, a German non-profit organisation has reported. The sisters from war-torn Sudan, who were 9, 11 and 17-years-old, are the latest known victims of a Mediterranean migration route that has claimed more than 30,000 lives since the International Organisation for Migration started counting in 2014. latest | Israel bombed hospital, then bombed it again, killing 20 as rescuers and journalists rushed to the scene Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis kills at least 15 people Wafaa Shurafa Associated Press Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 18:30 Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip with a missile on Monday and then fired another as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding scores more, local health workers said. Ghislaine Maxwell given 'platform to rewrite history' in jail interview, say outraged family of Virginia Giuffre Release of transcripts of interrogation last month is travesty of justice, say relatives Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of sex-trafficking in 2022. She is serving a 20-year jail sentence. Photo: Sylvain Gaboury Shaun Wilson Evening Standard Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 06:30 The family of Virginia Giuffre have said they are outraged after the US Department of Justice released transcripts of an interview with Ghislaine Maxwell. Donald Trump makes an announcement about the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC yesterday. Photo: Jonathan Ernst/File Photo/Reuters Donald Trump may send thousands of National Guard troops to Chicago within weeks as he extends his control of Democrat-run cities. The Pentagon has drawn up plans to deploy to the USs third-largest city as early as September, although this has not yet been signed off by the president, The Washington Post reported. TDS Rules for Payments to NRIs and Foreign Companies in India: An Explainer Indias Income Tax Act 1961, Section 195, mandates tax deduction at source (TDS) on payments to non-resident Indians (NRI), making it a critical compliance requirement for businesses engaged in cross-border transactions involving royalties, interest, or technical service fees. Indian entities often pay royalties for intellectual property (IP), interest on overseas borrowings, or fees for technical services provided by foreign companies. Likewise, non-resident individuals and foreign corporations regularly earn income from Indian sources. To ensure that such income does not escape taxation, Section 195 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, mandates that tax be deducted at source (TDS) from payments made to non-residents and foreign entities when the sum is chargeable to tax in India. For businesses and investors, understanding this provision is critical to maintaining compliance, avoiding penalties, and optimizing cash flows. ALSO READ: Indias New Income Tax Act, 2025 Notified: Key Changes and Implementation Timeline Understanding TDS rules under the Section 195 framework Section 195 applies to any person, including individuals, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), partnership firms, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), Indian and foreign companies, government bodies, banks, and other juridical persons, who is responsible for paying any sum (other than salary) that is chargeable under the Act to a non-resident. The provisions scope covers payments such as interest, dividends, royalties, fees for technical services, and even capital gains. The key condition is that the income must be chargeable to tax in India under the provisions of the Act. Even if the payer has no taxable presence in India, the obligation to deduct TDS may still arise. Who counts as a non-resident Indian? The residential status of an individual is determined under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Generally, an individual is a non-resident if they do not meet either of the prescribed stay-duration conditions: Staying in India for 182 days or more during the financial year; or Staying for 60 days or more during the financial year and 365 days or more in the four preceding financial years. For Indian citizens or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), defined as individuals who were born in, or whose parents or grandparents were born in, undivided India, special provisions apply. If their total Indian income (excluding income from foreign sources) exceeds INR 1.5 million (US$17,113) in a financial year, the 60-day limit becomes 120 days. For Indian citizens leaving India for employment abroad or serving as crew on an Indian ship, the 182-day threshold continues to apply. READ MORE: Avoid Excess Tax Deductions in India: NRI Guide to Lower TDS Certificates When TDS must be deducted Payers must deduct TDS under Section 195 either when they credit the sum to the payees account or when they make the payment, whichever happens first. Credit also covers amounts entered in a suspense account or any other account where the liability is acknowledged. If the payment is taxable in India, payers must deduct TDS without any threshold exemption, regardless of the amount. The section does not apply only when the income is wholly exempt under the Act or covered by a specific notification. Where a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) exists, the payer may apply the lower rate prescribed in the treaty, provided the non-resident furnishes a valid Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) and other required details such as Form 10F. Royalties, interest, and fees for technical services While Section 195 applies to many income categories, payments for royalties, interest, and fees for technical services are among the most common in business transactions. Royalties include payments for the use of patents, trademarks, designs, copyrights, software licenses, or similar intellectual property. Interest covers payments on loans, debt instruments, and certain bank accounts. Fees for technical services refer to managerial, technical, or consultancy services, whether rendered in India or abroad. For example, an Indian company paying a software license fee to a US vendor, interest on a foreign currency loan to a Japanese bank, or consulting fees to a UK engineering firm will generally need to deduct TDS under Section 195, unless a DTAA provides relief. Procedure and compliance requirements Once TDS is deducted, the tax must be deposited with the central government within the prescribed time limits, generally by the seventh day of the following month, and by April 30 for deductions made in March. Payment is made using Challan ITNS-281 through authorized banks or an e-payment. The payer must file a quarterly TDS return through Form 27Q, which reports all payments to non-residents and the TDS deducted. The due dates are: July 31 for AprilJune October 31 for JulySeptember January 31 for OctoberDecember May 31 for JanuaryMarch For remittances abroad, the payer must also furnish Form 15CA to the income tax department before remittance. In certain cases, obtain a chartered accountants certificate through Form 15CB certifying the nature and taxability of the payment. TDS certificates and lower deduction applications The deductor must issue a TDS certificate through Form 16A to the non-resident payee within 15 days of the due date for furnishing the TDS statement for the relevant quarter. This certificate serves as proof that tax has been deducted and deposited. If the non-resident believes their actual tax liability in India is lower than the standard rate, they can apply to the assessing officer under Section 197 for a certificate of nil TDS deduction by submitting Form 13. This avoids excess withholding and the need to later claim a refund. Rates of TDS under Section 195 When making a payment to a non-resident or foreign entity that is chargeable to tax, the applicable TDS rate will be the one that is more beneficial to the recipient. This means the rate will be the lower of: The rate provided in the Finance Act for that financial year, plus applicable surcharge and health and education cess at 4 percent; or The rate specified in the relevant DTAA between India and the payees country of residence. If the DTAA rate is applied, no surcharge or cess is added to that rate. The key rates under the Finance Act 2025, before adding surcharge and cess, are outlined in the table below. Category Applicable rate Relevant section Long-term capital gains (shares of an Indian company, specified debentures or deposits, certain government securities) 10 percent Section 115E Long-term capital gains on listed shares or securities 12.5 percent (for transfers made on or after 23 July 2024); 10 percent (for transfers made before 23 July 2024) Section 112A Other long-term capital gains 20 percent Section 112 Short-term capital gains from securities held by FIIs or specified funds (other than units of UTI or mutual funds) 20 percent Section 115AD Short-term capital gains 15 percent Section 111A Interest payable by the Government or an Indian entity on money borrowed in foreign currency 20 percent Section 115A(1)(a)(i) Royalty and fees for technical services payable by the Government or an Indian entity 1020 percent Section 115A(1)(b) If the payee does not furnish a Permanent Account Number (PAN), Section 206AA mandates deduction at the higher of the applicable rate or 20 percent. READ MORE: Guide to Indias TDS Rates for FY 2025-26 A compliance checklist for Section 195 Obtain a Tax Deduction Account Number (TAN) as required under Section 203A. Collect the PAN of both the payer and the non-resident payee. The PAN of the NRI seller should submit Form 49B. Deduct TDS at the correct rate, either as per the Finance Act or the DTAA, whichever is more beneficial to the payee. Deposit the deducted tax by the seventh of the following month, using Challan ITNS-281 through an authorized bank or the e-payment portal. File the quarterly TDS return through Form 27Q, reporting all payments to non-residents and the tax deducted. Issue Form 16A (TDS certificate) to the payee within 15 days of the due date of the TDS return for that quarter. For remittances outside India: 1. Submit Form 15CA, a self-declaration by the remitter, online to the income tax department. 2. Obtain Form 15CB from a chartered accountant, if required, certifying the nature and taxability of the payment. Non-compliance with Section 195 can trigger multiple tax and penalty implications under the Act. Disallowance of expenditure Section 40(a)(i) If TDS is not deducted on a payment that is taxable in India, or if it is deducted but not deposited with the government on or before the due date for filing the income tax return, the expenditure may be disallowed. For payments to non-residents under Section 40(a)(i), the full amount can be disallowed; for payments to residents under Section 40(a)(ia), 30 percent of the amount will be disallowed. The deduction can be restored in the year the tax is eventually deducted and deposited. Interest for delay Section 201(1A) If there is a delay in deduction of TDS, interest is charged at 1 percent per month or part thereof from the date it was deductible until the date it is deducted. If TDS is deducted but paid late, interest at 1.5 percent per month or part thereof is payable from the date of deduction to the date of payment to the government. The calculation is done on a full-month basis, and interest under this section is not an allowable business deduction. Penalty for failure to deduct or pay Under Section 271C, where a person fails to deduct all or part of the tax as required, or, after deducting, fails to pay it to the government, a penalty equal to the amount of tax that was not deducted or not paid may be imposed. This penalty is in addition to the liability to pay the tax and interest. Penalty for non-filing or incorrect filing of Form 15CA/15CB Under Section 271I, failure to furnish Form 15CA or 15CB, or furnishing inaccurate information in contravention of Section 195(6), attracts a penalty of INR 100,000 (US$1,142) per instance. Since the 2015 amendment of the Finance Act, Form 15CA is generally required for most foreign remittances, whether or not they are chargeable to tax, unless exempted under Rule 37BB. The assessing officer may waive this penalty under Section 273B if the taxpayer demonstrates a reasonable cause for non-compliance (US$1 = INR 87.49) Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Vinayak Chaturthi Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka Lalbaugcha Raja King of Lalbaug Putlabai Chawl Ganesh Chaturthi God of New Beginnings Remover of Obstacles Ganeshotsav 2025 Vinayak Chaturthi Ganeshotsav 2025 Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Wishes in English 2025 ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 images, cards, posters to share | Credit: Freepik ) May Lord Ganesha bless you with wisdom and success in all your endeavours. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles from your life and bless you with wisdom, prosperity, and happiness. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025! May Lord Ganeshas divine presence remove all obstacles and bring endless joy into your life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha bless us with a love that's pure, steadfast, and full of joy. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, my dearest love! Sending you warm wishes on Ganesh Chaturthi. May you find success in all your endeavours. Let Bappas arrival in your home this year mark the beginning of peace and abundance in your life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Ganpati Bappa Morya! Wishing you abundant happiness, good health, and wealth on this auspicious festival. On this auspicious occasion, I wish for our love to be as strong and unshakable as Lord Ganesha's devotion. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, my sweetheart! May the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi bring your family closer, filling your home with laughter and lasting memories. May the divine blessings of Lord Ganesha bring you success and happiness. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Let's embrace the spirit of togetherness and goodness this Ganesh Chaturthi. This Ganesh Chaturthi, may your prayers be answered, your worries disappear, and your life flourish with prosperity and love. Celebrate this Ganesh Chaturthi with joy and surrender your worries at the feet of Bappa. He will take care of everything. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to the love of my life! May our love story be as beautiful and enduring as the legends of Lord Ganesha. May Lord Ganesh eliminate all the negativity and obstacles from your life. Wishing you a Ganesh Chaturthi filled with love, devotion, and the wisdom to make all your dreams come true. Ganpati Bappa Morya! Let us welcome Ganpati Bappa with devotion and faith. May this festival bring endless blessings to you and your loved ones. Wishing you endless prosperity and wisdom this Ganesh Chaturthi! This Ganesh Chaturthi, may you find the courage to face challenges and the wisdom to make the right decisions. My heart is filled with gratitude and love as we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi together. May our journey be blessed with eternal love and togetherness. This Ganesh Chaturthi, may your heart be as big as Ganeshas and your troubles as small as his mouse. Wishing you a joyous celebration! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May the remover of obstacles bless you with clarity, wisdom, and inner peace. May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles from your path and shower you with his blessings of happiness, prosperity, and good health. As we mark this Ganesh Chaturthi, I want you to know that you are the greatest blessing in my life. May our love shine brighter with each passing day. May Lord Ganeshas blessings illuminate your path, clear all hurdles, and fill your life with joy. Ganpati Bappa Morya! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you and your family! May this festival bring you closer to your goals and desires. Wish you a wonderful year ahead in all spheres of life with Lord Ganeshs blessings! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025! On this special day, I pray to Lord Ganesha for a love that's as strong as his wisdom and as abundant as his blessings. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, my beloved! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi greetings 2025 ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 images, cards, posters to share | Credit: Freepik ) I pray to God for your prosperous life. May you find all the delights of life, and may your all dreams come true. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, my love! May our love story be filled with laughter, love, and the sweetest memories, just like the festive celebrations. Let us offer prayers to Lord Ganesh with all our hearts and the best of our intentions to seek his blessings and love for a beautiful life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! This Ganesh Chaturthi, lets celebrate with love, hope, and trust in Bappas divine plan. May he remove every obstacle from your path. As we celebrate this auspicious day, I am grateful for your presence in my life. May our love be as timeless and enduring as Lord Ganesha's blessings. Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha! Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Kaaryeshu Sarvadaa! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Wishing you a joyous Ganesh Chaturthi, my dear. May our love continue to grow stronger with the blessings of Lord Ganesha. May his arrival in each of our homes mark a new beginning in our lives, filling us with joy, hope, confidence, and courage. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025! My love, on this Ganesh Chaturthi, may Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles from our path and fill our lives with boundless love and happiness. As rains bless the Earth, likewise, may Lord Ganesha bless you with never-ending happiness. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Ganpati Bappa Morya! May Lord Ganesha bless you with all the happiness & success. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025! A new sunrise, a new start, oh lord Ganesha, keep loving me as your part. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha always remove obstacles from your life. Happy Ganeshotsav 2025! May the blessings of Shree Ganesha be with you and your family forever! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025! I pray to Lord Ganesha that may you have a prosperous and long life. Happy Vinayak Chaturthi! May Lord Ganpati always be by your side in every test of your life. Happy Vinayak Chaturthi 2025! Hope this year is super joyous and prosperous. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you and your family! Short Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Wishes and Messages Enjoy the festivities! Ganesh Chaturthi greetings! Wishing you laughter, love, and blessings from Bappa this festive season. Sending Ganesh Chaturthi blessings your way. May your life be obstacle-free like Lord Ganesha's path. Warm wishes on Ganesh Chaturthi! Happy Ganeshotsav! May this festival strengthen the bond of love in your family. Celebrating the divine presence of Lord Ganesha. May this Ganesh Chaturthi bring prosperity to your life. Ganpati Bappa Morya! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha shower his blessings upon you. Ganpati Bappa bless you with success in every step you take. Wishing you joy and blessings on Ganesh Chaturthi! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi messages for friends and Family May this Ganesh Chaturthi bring immense joy and fulfillment to our family. Let's cherish every moment together and make beautiful memories. Welcoming Bappa with open arms and a grateful heart. Ganpati Bappa Morya! As we welcome Lord Ganesha into our hearts and home, let's pray for the well-being and happiness of every member of our family. On this special day, may our family be blessed with unity, good fortune, and a year filled with positivity. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles from our family's path and shower us with peace and abundance this Ganesh Chaturthi. Faith, devotion, and joy thats the true spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi. Sending heartfelt wishes to our beloved family members on Ganesh Chaturthi. May our lives be filled with joy and prosperity. May the remover of obstacles grant you the strength to rise above all challenges. Wishing you peace, love, and laughter this Ganesh Chaturthi To my lovely family, may this Ganesh Chaturthi fill our lives with positivity, health, and prosperity. Dear friend, may Lord Ganesha bless you with wisdom, courage, and success in everything you do. This Ganesh Chaturthi, I pray that Bappa brings happiness to our family and keeps us united in love and faith. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May the blessings of Lord Ganesha stay with you and your loved ones forever. To my dearest friends, lets celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion, joy, and lots of modaks! May Lord Ganesha shower divine blessings on my family and friends and make this festival truly special. Wishing my dear family a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha bless our home with love, peace, and togetherness. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi, my friend! May Bappa remove all obstacles from your path and bring endless joy to your life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! May Bappas blessings guide our family to strength, peace, and success. Wishing my wonderful friends and family a joyful Ganesh Chaturthi. May Lord Ganesha always stay in our hearts. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi WhatsApp status 2025 ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 images, cards, posters to share | Credit: Freepik ) Let's celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi as a family, seeking Lord Ganesha's blessings for a bright and successful future. May the presence of Ganpati bring a wave of positivity and harmony into your life, washing away all worries. Ganpati Bappa Morya! On this auspicious occasion, may our family's bond grow stronger, and may all our dreams come true with Ganesha's blessings. May the divine presence of Lord Ganesha fill our home with joy and harmony this Ganesh Chaturthi. Wishing you a joyous and blessed Ganesh Chaturthi! May Lord Ganesha protect you and fill your life with happiness and prosperity. Wishing our family a Ganesh Chaturthi filled with love, togetherness, and countless blessings from Lord Ganesha. May Lord Ganesha bless our family with prosperity, happiness, and good health this Ganesh Chaturthi. On this holy occasion, may you find clarity in your thoughts, strength in your heart, and success in your endeavours. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Celebrate this Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion in your heart and positivity in your mind. Modaks, music, and Bappas blessings its time to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 with joy! Lord Ganesha is here to bless us all with health, happiness, and prosperity. Ganpati Bappa Morya! May Bappas divine presence fill your home with peace and positivity this Ganesh Chaturthi. On this auspicious day, lets welcome the remover of obstacles into our hearts. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025! Ganpati Bappa Morya! Wishing you peace, prosperity, and endless happiness this Ganesh Chaturthi 2025. May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles from your life and bless you with wisdom and success. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi! Happiness is welcoming Bappa home! Wishing you and your family a blessed Ganesh Chaturthi. Modaks are sweet, but Bappas blessings are sweeter! Ganpati Bappa Morya! This Ganesh Chaturthi, may Lord Ganesha shower love, wisdom, and prosperity upon you and your family. Inspiring Ganesh Chaturthi quotes 2025 "May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles from your life and bless you with success and happiness." "May Lord Ganesha bless you with wisdom and knowledge. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!" "Wishing you a year filled with happiness, love, and prosperity. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!" "May the divine blessings of Lord Ganesha be with you always. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!" "May Lord Ganesha bring peace, happiness, and success to your life. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!" "Ganpati Bappa Morya! May Lord Ganesha fill your home with prosperity and happiness." "On this Ganesh Chaturthi, may you find all the delights of life and may all your dreams come true." "May Lord Ganesha bless you with happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!" "Wishing you a joyful and blessed Ganesh Chaturthi. May the divine blessings of Lord Ganesha be with you always." "May Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles and shower you with success. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!" Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & Posters 2025 ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) ( Image credit : Happy Ganesh Chaturthi Images, cards, photos & posters | Credit: Canva ) For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as '', is a very important Hindu festival celebrated across India, especially inand other states with great devotion. In Maharashtra,or , located in, is a well-known and most visited Ganesh idol in Mumbai.Every year,is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the '', '' and the 'God of Wisdom and Intelligence', is son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is the symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune. This year,will be celebrated from Wednesday, August 27, to Saturday, September 6.Giant Ganesha idols are made, and beautiful pandals are decorated to celebrate the festival that goes on for 10 days. On the last day of the festival, the idols are taken out in colourful and musical processions and immersed, traditionally, in water.Asoris just here, sharing topwishes, messages, quotes and Vinayak Chaturthi WhatsApp status, images, cards, posters in English to share with your loved ones.So, here are Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 best wishes, messages, images and WhatsApp statuses to share with your friends and family. Love Island USA Season 7 reunion release date and time: Love Island Love Island USA Season 7: Who were the contestants, and what happened in the villa? Love Island USA ( Image credit : The finale saw Amaya and Bryan crowned the winners, taking home the top prize | Credit: Peacock ) Love Island USA Season 7 reunion trailer teases intense drama. Love Island USA Season 7 reunion release date and time Love Island USA Season 7 Monday August 25 Peacock 9 p.m. Eastern Time 6 p.m. Pacific Time After weeks of anticipation and excitement, the momentfans have been eagerly waiting for is finally here. The Season 7 reunion brings back the islanders to catch up and show fans what they have been up to since leaving the villa. This special episode promises a fresh dose of drama, romance, and behind-the-scenes revelations, allowing viewers to relive the summers biggest moments and see how relationships have developed or evolved after the cameras stopped rolling. With the islanders reunited for the first time since the finale, fans get an exclusive glimpse into life beyond the villa, making it a must-watch event for everyone who followed the journey closely.Season 7 ofwas packed with drama, romance, and unforgettable twists. The season featured several charismatic contestants competing for the ultimate prize and love.The final four couples who made it to the finale were Amaya Espinal and Bryan Arenales, Nic Vansteenberghe and Olandria Carthen, Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez, and Huda Mustafa and Chris Seeley.The grand finale took place on Sunday, July 13, where Amaya and Bryan were crowned winners after receiving the most votes from the audience. Nic and Olandria finished as the runners-up, with Huda and Chris and Iris and Pepe taking third and fourth places, respectively.Throughout the season, viewers witnessed unexpected eliminations, intense recouplings, and challenging moments that tested the islanders bonds. Their experiences, including the controversies and friendships formed, contributed to one of Peacock's most-watched original seasons to date.The trailer for the Season 7 reunion amps up the excitement by promising even more drama than the season itself. Notable confrontations will take place, such as the heated face-off between Jeremiah Brown and Ace Greene regarding Jeremiahs elimination from the show.The trailer reveals that Chelley appears visibly hurt by Huda, highlighting tension between them, particularly over Hudas post-show comments and behaviour. Chelley and Olandria both confront Huda about her bullying claims and their fractured friendship.Meanwhile, Bryan Arenales addresses rumours of cheating that circulated after the show, adding another layer of intrigue. The reunion also features candid conversations about relationships, personal challenges, and the extended Heart Rate Challenge, making it a rollercoaster of emotions and revelations fans wont want to miss.The much-anticipatedreunion airs on. The special episode will be available exclusively onat). It is hosted by Ariana Madix and Andy Cohen, who will guide the cast through the reunions biggest moments and facilitate the emotional and dramatic exchanges.For viewers outside the United States, streaming is possible using VPN services to access Peacock, and the reunion will also be available in other regions through local streaming platforms such as Crave in Canada, TVNZ+ in New Zealand, ITVX in the UK, and Stan in Australia, though release dates may vary. iPhone 17 Pro release date in India (New Leak) iPhone 17 Pro expected specifications ( Image credit : The Apple iPhone 17 series, featuring the iPhone 17, 17 Air, Pro, and Pro Max, is anticipated to launch in early September 2025. | Credit: Macrumors ) iPhone 17 Pro expected price in India The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is already making headlines with its expected launch in 2025, and fans across India, the USA, the UK, and Dubai are eager to know more about its price, design, and camera upgrades. Apple is reportedly working on major improvements, including a thinner titanium body, a brighter display, and an enhanced camera system that may redefine smartphone photography.The iPhone 17 Pro is also rumoured to come with a new chipset and longer battery life, making it one of the most powerful devices in Apples lineup. With Apples focus on premium design and cutting-edge performance, the iPhone 17 Pro could set new benchmarks in the smartphone market. Heres everything we know so far about its expected price, specifications, and release date.Apple will introduce its next-generation iPhone at a launch event on, following an official announcement on. Pre-orders for theopen onThe lineup will ship with, which is set to roll out to all supported models from thearound. The newis expected to arrive in stores fromThe Apple iPhone 17 Pro, along with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, is expected to undergo a major design refresh. Leaked renders indicate a striking new look with a camera island stretching across the back panel, housing three sensors and a flash. The Apple logo also seems to have shifted slightly from its usual spot, further highlighting the changes.The iPhone 17 Pro is rumoured to feature a triple rear camera system with a 48MP main lens, a 48MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 48MP periscope telephoto lens replacing the 12MP telephoto unit seen in its predecessor. For selfies and video calls, Apple may upgrade to a 24MP front camera, doubling the resolution from the iPhone 16 series.On the performance front, the iPhone 17 Pro could be powered by the Apple A19 Pro chip, paired with 12GB of RAM. It will reportedly run iOS 26 with a liquid-glass inspired theme. The handset is also tipped to come with a ProMotion OLED display, offering a 120Hz refresh rate, and a slightly larger battery compared to the previous generation.Leaks indicate that the Apple iPhone 17 Pro could launch in India at around 1,34,999 for the 12GB RAM and 128GB storage model. The smartphone is likely to be priced at $1,199 in the USA, AED 4,403 in Dubai, and 886 in the UK. Allegations of dowry harassment #WATCH | Greater Noida dowry murder case | Deceased Nikki's father-in-law has been arrested by Noida Police. This is the fourth arrest in the case so far. Nikki's brother-in-law was arrested earlier today. Her mother-in-law was arrested yesterday. The husband, Vipin Bhati, pic.twitter.com/8ezdJp5ud1 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 A case with echoes of Greater Noida murder Police action and arrests in both cases #WATCH | Greater Noida dowry murder case | Deceased Nikki's brother-in-law has been arrested by Noida Police This is the third arrest in the case so far. Nikki's mother-in-law was arrested yesterday. Her husband, Vipin Bhati, accused of murdering Nikki over dowry demands, was pic.twitter.com/6i2odL9Hr0 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 A continuing pattern of dowry deaths Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh: A woman, Nikki, was allegedly murdered in her in-laws house by pouring petrol. Police have arrested her husband, Vipin Bhati, and are investigating the case seriously. Police have registered a murder case, received a hospital memo, and deployed two pic.twitter.com/lFh4lBjTdH IANS (@ians_india) August 23, 2025 A 22-year-old woman, identified as Komal alias Varsha, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Delhis Dwarka on Monday. She had been married for four months and was two months pregnant. The incident has been registered as a case of dowry harassment after her family alleged that her husband and in-laws regularly assaulted her and demanded money.On August 21, Komals father received a call informing him that his daughter had been admitted to a hospital in an unconscious state. She was declared dead by doctors soon after. The exact cause of her death remains unclear.According to Komals family, she had been facing harassment since her marriage on April 16. They accused her husband, Aman, of beating her regularly and his family of repeatedly pressuring her for dowry. The couple lived in the Badu Sarai area of Delhi.The familys complaint led to the registration of a dowry harassment case. Police said statements of Komals relatives and neighbours have also been recorded as part of the investigation.The incident has come at a time when the Greater Noida case involving 26-year-old Nikki Bhati has drawn national attention. Nikki was allegedly assaulted and set ablaze by her husband, Vipin Bhati, and her in-laws on August 21.Videos of the attack circulated widely online one clip showed Nikki being dragged by her hair, while another captured her in flames walking down the stairs before collapsing. She died while being taken to a Delhi hospital.Police have since arrested Vipin, his parents, and his brother Rohit. Vipin was also shot in the leg during an alleged attempt to escape custody. The Bhati family has been accused of years of dowry-related harassment, with demands escalating to 36 lakh in cash and luxury vehicles.In Delhi, Komals case is still under investigation, with police examining her familys allegations against her husband Aman and his relatives. Meanwhile, in Greater Noida, police have invoked murder and related charges against Nikkis in-laws.Kasna Police confirmed the arrests of Nikkis father-in-law Satveer Bhati and brother-in-law Rohit Bhati after receiving intelligence inputs. With these arrests, all four primary accused Nikkis husband Vipin, his brother Rohit, and their parents are now in custody.The back-to-back cases of Komal in Delhi and Nikki in Greater Noida highlight a disturbing trend of dowry-linked deaths. Komals father said his daughter had been trapped in repeated abuse within just four months of marriage. Nikkis father made similar allegations, saying his daughters had endured years of torture and increasing demands from their in-laws.Both deaths underline how dowry harassment continues to claim lives, regardless of whether the marriage is a few months or several years old. With Komals case still under investigation, her family awaits justice, even as the Noida case continues in the courts. Has baby Emmanuel Haro's body been found? #BREAKING Is #JakeHaro showing detectives where #EmmanuelHaro is? Did Jake confess where the remains are? I hope this baby is found. TikTok user Sanovicta caught this a little while ago! #justiceforemmanuelharopic.twitter.com/5RoRMDEsS3 LEGCY (@iamlegacy23) August 24, 2025 Where did the rumour even emerge from? Jake HARO leading investigators to the grave Baby Emmanuel HARO pic.twitter.com/UaAnzlI4Jq Madeleine Case Tweets (@McCannCaseTweet) August 24, 2025 Jake Haro took Authorities today to a location today east of Moreno Valley regarding 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro. Streamers at the scene were saying Emmanuel was found. We believed it. Only to find out Emmanuel was not found. This is the craziest chain of events I have ever seen. pic.twitter.com/retHtR349Q JLR (@JLRINVESTIGATES) August 25, 2025 Sheriff office confirms baby Emmanuel Haro not found August 24, 2025 This afternoon a search for Emmanuel Haro was conducted along the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway, near Gilman Springs Road, in Moreno Valley. Investigators were assisted by cadaver dogs. Jake Haro was at the location with detectives. The search has pic.twitter.com/BLMTf1e08E San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) August 25, 2025 More about the Baby Emmanuel Haro case ( Image credit : Baby Emmanuel Haro ) The case of missing California seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro has taken a tragic and complex turn, sparking widespread speculation and conspiracy theories online. Many social media users have been claiming that Emmanuel Haros body was discovered after his father, Jake Haro, allegedly led authorities to his "grave" following his confession that he killed the toddler. Viral posts suggest the remains were found near Freeway 60 on Sunday, with some saying the discovery followed Jakes confession. But whats the truth, and how did these rumours start? Keep reading to find out.As of August 25, 2025, authorities have not located the body of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro. Despite widespread rumours on social media suggesting that his remains were found near Freeway 60 in Moreno Valley, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has confirmed that no remains have been discovered. The search, which involved cadaver dogs and was conducted with the assistance of Emmanuel's father, Jake Haro, was unsuccessful.The rumours most likely grew out of the ongoing investigation and intense media coverage. Jake Haro was spotted with law enforcement in a remote field near the 60 Freeway during the search, which appears to have fuelled speculation.Beyond that, TikTokers and YouTubers have been stepping into the role of amateur detectives, hosting livestreams and dissecting every development. One YouTuber, JLR Investigateswho has over 400,000 subscriberseven held a livestream where he claimed to have found Emmanuel. Clips from his stream are now circulating across social media, with many viewers suggesting that Jake Haro led police to the babys grave.However, YouTuber JLR later clarified that the baby had not been found. In a tweet, he wrote, " Jake Haro took Authorities today to a location today east of Moreno Valley regarding 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro. Streamers at the scene were saying Emmanuel was found. We believed it. Only to find out Emmanuel was not found. This is the craziest chain of events I have ever seen. Did Jake lead them on a wild goose chase? We watched it all go down on LIVE."However, the Sheriffs Office confirmed to KTLA that Emmanuel Haros remains were not found, despite a search effort involving the childs father on Sunday.In an update posted on the San Bernardino County Sheriffs official account on August 24, 2025, the department stated, This afternoon a search for Emmanuel Haro was conducted along the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway, near Gilman Springs Road, in Moreno Valley. Investigators were assisted by cadaver dogs. Jake Haro was at the location with detectives. The search has concluded, and Emmanuel was not located. The investigation to find Emmanuel continues.Initially reported missing on August 14 from a parking lot in Yucaipa, California, the investigation soon took a different direction due to inconsistencies in the parents' statements. On August 22, the babys parents, Rebecca and Jake Haro, were arrested following a police raid on their Cabazon home. Authorities have not disclosed the specific charges but confirmed that the parents have ceased cooperating with the investigation.While authorities now suspect the child is deceased, no body has been found. The investigation has officially shifted from a search to a suspected homicide, leaving the public grasping for answers amid growing uncertainty and online speculation. ICE San Diego s post on X ICE San Diego arrested Diego Hernandez, 42, an illegal alien from Mexico with multiple convictions for DUI and repeated illegal re-entry into the U.S. He chose to break our laws again and again. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal-because public safety comes first. pic.twitter.com/rR4nWCVHmN ICE San Diego (@EROSanDiego) August 23, 2025 What is ICE ( Image credit : Under Trumps second term, ICE's role has expanded sharply with larger budgets, more staff, and tougher arrest quotas | Credit: X/Kaos_Vs_Control ) Memers seize on post, flooding timelines with jokes The full photo pic.twitter.com/p3A7eV89Jl Jozzy Cruiz (@blackclover_ove) August 23, 2025 posting thirst traps to cover up the deportation numbers is a new low for the GOP pic.twitter.com/A6BiJMNwd8 Woke Right Democrat (@FAFOCENTRAL) August 23, 2025 A regular arrest photo posted by ICE on X gained massive traction on social media, not for the suspect, but for the striking figure of the federal agent seen restraining a Mexican migrant. Many users suggested the image was deliberately staged to draw attention online, arguing that its framing seemed designed more for virality than routine reporting.It is a common practice for ICE arrest photos being staged hiding the agents face to conceal their identity. However, this particular photo of 42-year-old Diego Hernandez standing next to a female ICE agent: who has her back to the camera and her hair flicked over her shoulder, while dressed in tight black pants, took social media by a storm.ICE San Diego took to X to announce the arrest of an illegal Mexican migrant, a repeat offender linked to multiple drunk driving cases.It wrote, ICE San Diego arrested Diego Hernandez, 42, an illegal alien from Mexico with multiple convictions for DUI and repeated illegal re-entry into the U.S. It further read, He chose to break our laws again and again. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal-because public safety comes first.In the photo, taken at the time of his arrest, Hernandez is seen wearing a South Park T-shirt featuring Eric Cartman, the cartoon character known for crude humor and the catchphrase: Whatever! I do what I want. He was placed in ICE custody after local law enforcement alerted the agency to his arrest.Hernandez is expected to be deported to Mexico soon.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the US agency that enforces immigration laws, oversees deportations, and runs detention centers. Under Trumps second term, its role has expanded sharply with larger budgets, more staff, and tougher arrest quotas.Deportations have surged into the hundreds of thousands. The detention population has swelled past 50,000, fueled by new facilities and expanded capacity, making the agency central to Trumps mass-deportation agenda.The routine post quickly went viral, giving memers a field day. It garnered over 28.5 million views with over 11,000 comments and 12,000 reposts.One memehead posted a doctored picture of Donald Trump slapping the feds back and captioned it, The full photo.Another user took a swipe at the Grand Old Party, accusing it of chasing virality. He wrote, Posting thirst traps to cover up the deportation numbers is a new low for the GOP.One user chimed in with a meme of Kash Patel with cartoonishly wide eyes.One even shared a AI-made video that apparently reveals the Feds faceAmid all the fun and humor online, it seems Cartmans famous quote didnt play out too well for Hernandez in the real world.To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending ( Image credit : Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak receives Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on his arrival in Lucknow | Credit: IANS ) Emotional Homecoming for the Family ( Image credit : Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his wife, Kamna, and his parents | Credit: IANS ) Children and Locals Inspired ( Image credit : School children wearing mask to welcome Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he arrives for a felicitation ceremony | Credit: AP ) ( Image credit : School children holding globe to welcome Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he arrives for a felicitation ceremony | Credit: AP ) Return After NASA AX-4 Space Mission ( Image credit : Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, center, flanked by his wife Kamna, plants a tree in the school premisses as he arrives for a felicitation ceremony | Credit: AP ) State Guest Honour in Lucknow ( Image credit : Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, third from left, flanked by his wife Kamna, center, arrives for a felicitation ceremony | Credit: AP ) Tight Security and Controlled Movements ( Image credit : Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla waves and takes selfies from his mobile phone as he arrives for a felicitation ceremony | Credit: AP ) No Immediate Visit to Family Home ( Image credit : Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, center, flanked by his wife Kamna wave to school children during a felicitation ceremony | Credit: AP ) Every Move Under Watch ( Image credit : Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his wife, Kamna, and his parents, attends an event at City Montessori School in Lucknow | Credit: IANS ) Symbol of Pride for Lucknow ( Image credit : Students hold a portrait of Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as a gift for him during a felicitation ceremony held in his school | Credit: TOI ) Gallery of Memorable Moments ( Image credit : The road leading to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's residence at Triveni Nagar locality was paved with cement overnight and hoardings were put at several places in Lucknow | Credit: IANS ) FAQs: 1. Who is astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla? 2. Which mission did he take part in? 3. Why is Lucknow celebrating his return? 4. Why was he given State Guest status? 5. Can the public meet him in Lucknow? Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and the second Indian to travel to space, received a grand welcome in his hometown, Lucknow. The Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister, Brajesh Pathak, personally greeted him at the airport on Monday, where huge crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the space traveller.The arrival of Shubhanshu Shukla was a proud moment not just for Lucknow but also for his family. His mother, overwhelmed with joy, said, My son is coming home after nearly one and a half years. We have been waiting for this day for so long. His sister echoed the excitement, calling it the biggest day for their family and the city.Young students and residents of Lucknow lined up to welcome the astronaut. Many carried posters and waved flags, celebrating the success of the NASA AX-4 space mission. The felicitation ceremony at City Montessori School, Gomtinagar, turned into a festive event, where children got a chance to meet their role model.Shubhanshu Shukla completed his successful space journey as part of NASAs Axiom AX-4 mission, returning to Earth on July 15 and arriving in Delhi on August 17. The mission added another proud chapter to Indias contribution to global space exploration.The Uttar Pradesh government has officially recognised astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as a State Guest. This means he is being given top-level security, full hospitality, and VIP protocol during his stay in Lucknow. He has been accommodated at the State Guest House, where all arrangements are being managed at the highest level.Given the massive public interest, strict security measures have been put in place. A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has been assigned to manage Shubhanshu Shuklas security. Traffic police have also provided an escort vehicle to ensure smooth travel across Lucknow.Although Shubhanshu Shukla can visit his home, the administration has temporarily delayed it due to narrow lanes in his locality and the expected crowd. Authorities want to avoid traffic jams and safety concerns, so all his outings will be planned with prior notice.Government sources confirm that all activities involving astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be pre-approved. Whether its public events or private visits, strict security protocols will be followed to ensure his safety and smooth movement in Lucknow.This honour shows how important Shubhanshu Shuklas achievement is, not only for the Indian space programme but also for the youth of Lucknow. His journey from the citys lanes to NASAs AX-4 space mission is now an inspiration for thousands of aspiring scientists and astronauts.From his airport arrival to school felicitation, these 10 pictures capture every emotional moment of astronaut Shubhanshu Shuklas homecoming in Lucknow after his NASA AX-4 mission.Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force Group Captain and the second Indian astronaut to travel to space.He was part of NASAs Axiom AX-4 space mission.Lucknow is Shubhanshu Shuklas hometown, and his success has brought pride to the entire city.The Uttar Pradesh government honoured him as a State Guest to ensure security and VIP treatment during his visit.He is attending selected events, but all visits are being planned under strict security measures. I appeal to external affairs minister @DrSJaishankar to take up Sikh truck driver Harjinder Singhs case with the United States govt to ensure his rights, including that to wear a dastar, are protected & he is not persecuted as a murderer. Harjinder committed a grave mistake pic.twitter.com/rxdREViBBe Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) August 24, 2025 Netizens troll Harsimrat Kaur Badal over Harjinder Singh video ( Image credit : Harjinder Singh has been identified as an illegal US immigrant | Credit: X/@libsoftiktok ) With great respect: no. If you choose to go & live in another country you must abide by that countrys laws & not end up killing its citizens. If you are prosecuted in your new home then you must defend yourself & not expect the Indian govt to intervene on your behalf https://t.co/HgvYQ6YKcL vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) August 25, 2025 ( Image credit : Netizens troll Harsimrat Kaur Badal | Credit: X | @ankitbharosh ) ( Image credit : Harjinder Singhs deadly crash; similar Canada video shared | Credit: X | @RHAMembers and @indiantrol ) Work visa debate intensifies amid Harjinder Singh case Harsimrat Kaur Badal, India's former Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing and current Bathinda MP, is making headlines, and it is all after she recently appealed to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar as the Florida Turnpike case continues to be politicised. In a shocking incident, an Indian-origin trucker, Harjinder Singh, allegedly made a U-turn in St Lucie County, tragically killing three people the previous week.The incident grabbed massive eyeballs from across the globe, and netizens slammed the illegal immigrant in the US for the accident. In the self-made video, Badal urged the government to ensure Singhs rights as a Sikh are protected, particularly his right to wear a turban, and called for him not to be treated as a murderer despite acknowledging his serious mistake.However, netizens criticised her for appearing to downplay the deaths caused by his alleged illegal U-turn, accusing her of politicising a tragic incident and prioritising identity politics over justice.As soon as Harsimrat Kaur's appeal video surfaced on social media, it quickly went viral and turned heads. While many trolled her, saying, "With great respect: no. If you choose to go & live in another country, you must abide by that countrys laws & not end up killing its citizens. If you are prosecuted in your new home, then you must defend yourself & not expect the Indian govt to intervene on your behalf.""This is the reason we should choose educated politicians not jokers," one quipped. "Well said. Harjinder Singh made a mistake but calling him a murderer is unfair. His case should be seen with humanity and justice Also punishing thousands of hardworking. Punjabi truck drivers in the US for one persons mistake is wrong and discriminatory," one supported her."Ideally, she should be requesting Pannun to intervene and rescue a fellow Khalistani. Why should the External Affairs Ministry exercise its influence for a colluder who does not even consider himself an Indian citizen.""With due respect, while it is true that any1 livin in another country must respect & abide by that countrys laws, it is equally the duty of their home country 2 ensure that their ctzns abroad r not subjectd 2unfair trials, disproportionate punishment, or denial of due process.""Exactly. Citizenship is not a get out of jail free card. If you choose another country as home, you also choose its laws. Breaking them & then expecting India to shield you isnt patriotismits hypocrisy," another commented."This sense of entitlement and need to show off by doing Dunki to get abroad is why Punjab is in the state its in today. And this tolerance for criminality and rule-breaking because it is done by one of their own community will kill their image abroad. I have seen it myself in Aus"Following the serious incident involving Harjinder Singh on August 12 (US time), several petitions have emerged, both supporting and opposing the Indian truck driver.Harsimrat Kaur Badals recent video appeal and strong tweet came shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a suspension of work visa issuance for certain foreign truck drivers. Love Island USA season 7 Love Island USA season 7 couple Iris and Pepe unfollow each other on Instagram Iris is currently removing her and Pepe contents from her page pic.twitter.com/uL1fHJXx2e ur updates plug (@Munachi003) August 24, 2025 Rumours of Pepe cheating on Iris ( Image credit : Cheating claims on Snapchat: Woman exposes Pepe, igniting Love Island fallout | Credit: Facebook ) Who was the woman Pepe allegedly cheated on Iris with? Fans dig up more dirt on Pepe ( Image credit : Pepe caught liking photos of multiple women | Credit: Facebook ) Iris and Pepe's journey on Love Island USA season 7 ( Image credit : Pepe and Iris were a late-blooming couple, but they had everyone convinced that their love was real and not just for the show | Credit: Peacock ) Love Island People TMZ ( Image credit : Even in their post-villa interviews, the couple came across as genuinely in love | Credit: Instagram/pepegarcia ) Will Iris and Pepe attend Love Island USA season 7 reunion? Love Island USA season 7 August 12 2025 August 25 2025 9 p.m. ET Peacock may be over, but the drama is far from finished. Iris Kendall and Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez, the fan-favourite couple who didnt win the show but stole hearts with their undeniable chemistry, made it clear their romance was real, even after leaving the villa. They finished in fourth place, yet fans were rooting for them all the way.Now, just hours into the reunion, it seems the couple might already be over. And this isnt the quiet, PR-friendly breakup many reality stars opt for; social media is abuzz with claims that Pepe cheated on Iris, and the two have even unfollowed each other on Instagram.At the heart of a social media storm, with a cheating scandal swirling around, things between Iris and Pepe seem to be unravelling fast. The couple have reportedly unfollowed each other on Instagram, which fans are taking as a not-so-subtle hint that the rumours might not be entirely baseless.Iris appears to be taking a no-nonsense approach to moving on. She is cleaning up her feed, scrubbing away every post connected to Pepe, promotional or personal, and leaving no trace of him behind. The move feels deliberate, signalling that the split is serious and that emotions are running high. Social media watchers are already reading the tea; Pepe might be feeling the sting while Iris is making it clear she is done leaving anything to chance.Social media first exploded with rumours that Pepe had cheated on Iris with a woman in a hotel lobby, with claims that someone had caught them in the act. Soon after, a woman came forward on Snapchat, claiming she had been intimate with the Love Island star in the same hotel lobby and that she still had to work with him over the weekend.Last night, I had s*x with Pepe in the hotel lobby and now I have to work with him all weekend; its going to be sick, she wrote on Snapchat. While there is no concrete evidence to back up her claims, Iriss quick move to unfollow him has fans convinced that this might not just be a rumour.The identity of the woman has not been revealed, keeping fans guessing. From the screenshot that went viral on social media, she appears to be a young blonde white woman, but no further details about her have surfaced. The mystery has only fuelled speculation, with fans debating her identity and how close she is to Pepe. The lack of confirmation keeps the story in a cloud of gossip, leaving everyone eager for more information.As the cheating accusations began circulating, fans started digging into Pepes online activity and uncovered more details. Social media users shared screenshots showing that he has liked numerous bikini photos of various models. Many are now questioning whether a man who claims to be in a relationship should be interacting with other womens racy posts, adding fuel to the ongoing drama and casting further doubt on his commitment to Iris.Iris and Pepe's journey in the Love Island USA Season 7 villa was a late-blooming romance that captivated viewers. Initially, both islanders were coupled with other contestants: Iris with TJ Palma and Pepe with Hannah Fields. Their paths diverged when TJ was eliminated just days before the finale, leaving Iris single and open to new connections.Meanwhile, Pepe had already experienced heartbreak with Hannah's departure mid-season. In the final week, Iris and Pepe found solace in each other's company, forming a genuine bond that led them to the finale, where they finished in fourth place.Despite theirjourney coming to an end, Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez and Iris Kendall have confirmed that their connection is very much alive outside the villa. In a recent interview withmagazine, Pepe expressed that he was excited about the future with Iris. During a chat with, when a fan asked about his relationship status, he smiled and said, We are great. We are doing great. While he didnt share many personal details, his tone and reaction made it clear that their bond continues strong beyond the show.But with recent events unfolding, it appears that post-villa life is finally sinking in, and they are learning more about each other and have officially become the first couple to call it quits after the show.Iris and Pepe will not attend thereunion. The reunion episode, which was filmed on, in New York City, is set to premiere on Monday,, atexclusively on Sequence of events in Nikkis case VIDEO | Delhi: IPS officer Kiran Bedi (retired) (@thekiranbedi) on the Greater Noida dowry murder case, says, "The way she was set ablaze reflects how, since medieval times, our society has treated sons as a source of wealth, while daughters are seen as those who will take wealth pic.twitter.com/Bjk8om5Ivy Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025 Police action and familys demand Dowry laws: What the law says Section 498A : Cruelty by husband or relatives. : Cruelty by husband or relatives. Section 304B : Dowry death, applicable when a woman dies under suspicious circumstances within seven years of marriage. : Dowry death, applicable when a woman dies under suspicious circumstances within seven years of marriage. Section 306: Abetment of suicide, if harassment leads to self-harm. #WATCH | Greater Noida dowry murder case | Deceased Nikki's father-in-law has been arrested by Noida Police. This is the fourth arrest in the case so far. Nikki's brother-in-law was arrested earlier today. Her mother-in-law was arrested yesterday. The husband, Vipin Bhati, pic.twitter.com/8ezdJp5ud1 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 The larger question To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. The killing of 28-year-old Nikki in Greater Noida has once again raised questions about whether Indias dowry laws are strong enough to protect women. Nikki, married to Vipin since 2016, was allegedly assaulted and set on fire by her husband and in-laws after repeated dowry demands. Despite existing laws like the Dowry Prohibition Act and provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), dowry-related deaths continue to be reported across the country.On August 21, Nikki was rushed to Greater Noidas Fortis Hospital with severe burn injuries. She was later referred to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital but died on the way. According to her elder sister Kanchans complaint, Nikki was beaten unconscious by her husband Vipin and then set on fire with a flammable liquid.The family alleged that despite giving a branded SUV, motorcycle, and valuables during marriage, demands never ceased. At one point, they were allegedly asked for 36 lakh. Both Nikki and Kanchan, married into the same family in 2016, faced harassment and physical assault. A disturbing video of Nikkis young son surfaced online, where he stated, Papa killed Mummy by burning her with a lighter.Police registered a case against four members of the family: Vipin (husband), Rohit (brother-in-law), Daya (mother-in-law), and Satveer (father-in-law). Vipin was arrested but later shot in the leg while attempting to flee custody. Police confirmed that teams were deployed to nab the other accused.Nikkis father, Bhikari Singh, demanded strict action, saying his daughter had been tortured for years despite the family meeting repeated dowry demands. He questioned the states seriousness, stating that if police can shoot pickpockets, stricter punishment must follow for murderers.Nikkis case falls under multiple provisions designed to protect women. Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, giving or taking dowry is a punishable offense. The Indian Penal Code also includes:The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 replaced IPCs Section 304B with Section 80, which specifically covers dowry deaths within seven years of marriage caused by burns, injuries, or abnormal circumstances. Punishment ranges from 7 years to life imprisonment.Additionally, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (Section 113B) shifts the burden of proof to the accused if harassment for dowry is established. This presumption was introduced to address the difficulty of proving direct intent in many such deaths.Despite these provisions, Nikkis case and others highlight a gap between law and enforcement. Harassment, violence, and deaths continue to occur even though strict legal safeguards exist. The Greater Noida case has once again forced the question: Are Indias dowry laws truly enough, or is stronger implementation and accountability required? Family history and dowry disputes #WATCH | Greater Noida dowry murder case | Deceased Nikki's father-in-law has been arrested by Noida Police. This is the fourth arrest in the case so far. Nikki's brother-in-law was arrested earlier today. Her mother-in-law was arrested yesterday. The husband, Vipin Bhati, pic.twitter.com/8ezdJp5ud1 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Fathers plea for justice Familys struggle and financial independence Police action To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Bhikari Singh Payla, father of 28-year-old Nikki Bhati, spoke to NDTV about the horrifying death of his daughter, who was allegedly burnt alive by her husband Vipin Bhati and mother-in-law Daya over a dowry demand of Rs 36 lakh. Recounting the incident, Mr Payla said, They burned her alive and the entire family fled. One of my daughters was burning, the other had fainted. We rushed her to Fortis Hospital, then to Safdarjung in Delhi. She breathed her last on the way. I have lost everything.Nikki and her elder sister Kanchan were married into the same family on December 10, 2016, to Vipin and Rohit Bhati, respectively. At the time of marriage, their parents gifted a Scorpio SUV, cash, and gold. Over the years, dowry demands escalated, culminating in the Rs 36 lakh demand. The sisters had temporarily left their in-laws home after being assaulted but returned following apologies and family compromises, including as recently as Janmashtami.Speaking on the ongoing demand for justice, Bhikari Singh Payla appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, saying, I request they ensure the culprits are hanged. He described the trauma faced by Nikkis seven-year-old son, who witnessed the murder, stating, He cries every evening thinking of his mother. We try to comfort him.According to the family, Vipin and Rohit were unemployed and relied on their fathers grocery shop. Nikki and Kanchan ran a parlour and boutique business to support their children. Tensions escalated over stolen earnings, which contributed to frequent fights. On Thursday, one such fight tragically ended with Nikkis murder.Vipin, his brother Rohit, and parents Daya and Satyavir Bhati have been arrested following the incident. Investigations are ongoing into the brutal dowry-related killing. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday announced that all losses caused by the recent floods in the state will be fully compensated, with a special girdawari ordered to assess the damage to crops, homes, and livestock. During a visit to flood-hit areas of Kapurthala district, Mann said incessant rains in adjoining hill states had triggered the flooding, affecting low-lying regions. He assured residents that the state government was duty-bound to provide relief and that every effort was being made to safeguard lives and reduce hardships. The Chief Minister emphasized that officials have been directed to conduct the special girdawari in a transparent and fair manner. Every single loss, whether it involves crops, cattle, houses, or other property, will be duly recorded so that people receive adequate compensation, he said. Mann also undertook an aerial survey from Makhu to Harike Patan to review the situation and ongoing relief measures. District administration and Water Resources Department officials briefed him on the extent of the damage and the status of rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The Chief Minister stated that massive relief operations are underway in flood-affected areas to provide food, shelter, and medical support. He reiterated that the government was working not only to assist affected families but also to explore long-term measures to reduce the impact of such natural disasters in future. This is an hour of crisis for many families, and the government is with the people, Mann said, adding that the administration is exploring ways to strengthen flood management systems and minimize future risks. Heavy rainfall in upstream hill states has caused flooding in several parts of Punjab, submerging fields and damaging infrastructure in vulnerable districts. Authorities continue to monitor water levels and coordinate rescue efforts to ensure timely assistance. The special girdawari, an official survey used to assess crop and property loss, is expected to provide a detailed estimate of damages. Based on these findings, compensation packages will be rolled out to affected residents. Officials urged people living in flood-prone areas to stay alert and cooperate with rescue teams as efforts continue to bring the situation under control. Inside Selena Gomez's bachelorette in Cabo ( Image credit : Selena Gomez kicks off Bachelorette in Cabo | Credit: Selena Gomez India (Fan) ) ( Image credit : Selena Gomez celebrates bachelorette in Cabo | Credit: SGColombia ) Her bachelorette party?. Wheres Tay? Mogana (@MoganaPhilips) August 25, 2025 Benny Blanco's bachelor party Deuxmoi So, when's the big wedding? ( Image credit : Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco are rumoured to tie the knot in September | Credit: Instagram/selenagomez ) Daily Mail Emilia Perez Selena and Benny's wedding guest list Only Murders in the Building ( Image credit : On Selenas engagement announcement post, Taylor Swift had joked in the comments that she would be the flower girl | Credit: @TheSwiftSociety ) Wedding bells are ringing soon for Selena Gomez and her fiance, Benny Blanco! After more than eight months of engagement, the couple is gearing up to say I do. Ahead of the big day, the Disney alum was spotted letting loose in Cabo for what many believe was her bachelorette celebration. Thanks to viral photos making the rounds online, fans got a glimpse of the festivities and from the looks of it, Selenas rumoured bachelorette party was every bit as fun as youd imagine. Meanwhile, reports suggest that benny partied with his boy in Vegas.Selena Gomez is living it up in Cabo for her bachelorette weekend, while fiance Benny Blanco reportedly had his bachelor bash in Vegas. With both parties now out of the way, fans cant help but think the wedding countdown is in full swing and the big day might be just around the corner.Over the weekend, Gomez, 33, was spotted in Cabo celebrating her bachelorette trip with a group of close friends, and the pictures quickly made their way across social media. The star looked radiant in a chic black monokini that she also paired with flowing white pants and sunglasses, keeping things effortlessly stylish while enjoying the sunshine.Joined by her friends, who were dressed in breezy vacation outfits, Selena was seen smiling, laughing, and soaking in the ocean views from a yacht before heading out for a walk along the beachside. The laid-back yet glamorous celebration had all the makings of a perfect pre-wedding getaway, giving fans a rare glimpse into her private festivities.As Selena kicked off the wedding festivities with her girl gang for her bachelorette weekend, many fans couldnt help wondering why Taylor Swift wasnt by her side. " Her bachelorette party? "Wheres Tay?" One enquired.According to multiple tips sent to, Benny, 37, was spotted enjoying a luxe boys weekendcomplete with a spa outing alongside roughly 25 friends and a stay at the lavish Wynn resort. The couples separate festivities are already sparking chatter online, with fans eager to see how the rest of their celebrations unfold.Selena and Benny have mostly remained tight-lipped about their forthcoming nuptials, but with bachelorette parties from both sides in full swing, the wedding seems to be happening soon.In July, an insider revealed to thethat the couples big day is just around the corner. According to the source, theactress and her beau are planning a two-day wedding event in Montecito, California, set for September. Guests have reportedly been asked to pack overnight bags, hinting at a weekend-long celebration.Though described as a small wedding, the guest list is expected to feature some major names. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are rumoured to be among the attendees, along with Selenasco-stars and several of Bennys music industry friends and collaborators. Taylor, in particular, is said to have a special role in the celebrationshe volunteered to be the flower girl, remember?Whether its the rumoured Montecito bash or something more low-key, fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation. For now, Selenas Cabo getaway and Bennys Vegas weekend suggest the couple is savouring every moment leading up to their big day. Bigg Boss 19 Tanya Mittal calls Ashnoor Kaur badtameez ( Image credit : In the video, while sharing her frustration to other contestants, Mittal says, Ashnoor is very badtameez. | Credit: jiohotstarreality/Instagram ) In the comment section, fans reacted strongly to this conversation. One user wrote, Age ki bat kyu karna hain aapko? Same platform pe hai, sab equal hai. Another commented, Kisi ne bola tumko kaam karo attitude Ashnoor ka nahi tumhara dikh Raha hai. Yet another said, Taniya is 24 aur Ashnoor is 21, toh 10 saal kese badi hui. Ashnoor Kaur on her age and reality show experience Though this is just the beginning, before entering the BB house, Kaur had already spoken about her concerns regarding her age. In a conversation with Zoom , she said, "That might be a possibility" when asked if she feared being underestimated by housemates for being too young. However, she quickly added, "From whatever I've experienced to date, everyone says that I'm really mature for my age. I don't think so; my age is going to be a weakness for me inside the house. Because I'm really excited and looking forward to being an equal contestant to everyone." When asked how she would react if contestants ganged up against her, Ashnoor said, "Calmness definitely can be a strategy. But I'm also not the one to keep quiet when I'm being poked again and again. I know how to stand my ground, and I know how to voice my opinions." Ashnoor Kaur and Tanya Mittals net worth and career The child actor who rose to fame with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai , has a net worth of around Rs 7 crore. Meanwhile, Mittal, an Instagram influencer, entrepreneur and model, has a net worth of around Rs 2 crore, according to News18. Ashnoor Kaurs education and acting journey Ashnoor, 21, made her acting debut at the age of 5 in Jhansi Ki Rani . She later played young Naira in Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and took on lead roles such as Mini in Patiala Babes . Bigg Boss 19 marks her first reality show, where she is expected to show her most candid side. She is the youngest contestant this season. Despite her acting career, Ashnoor prioritized her studies. She scored 93% in Class 10 (2019) and 94% in Class 12 (2021). She completed her graduation in mass media from Jaihind College, Mumbai, completing 70 projects across 37 subjects. ( Image credit : Ashnoor Kaur in BB 19 | Credit: JioHotstar ) Tanya Mittals education and career According to BollywoodShaadis , she was born in Gwalior on September 27, 2000. She studied architecture at Chandigarh University and was crowned Miss Asia Tourism 2018, representing India at the Miss Asia Tourism Universe pageant in Lebanon. She also runs her own brand, Handmade with Love by Tanya , which offers handbags, saris, and other items. With 2.5 million Instagram followers, Tanya calls herself a "Cultural Explorer" and frequently shares spiritual content . ( Image credit : Tanya Mittal is an influencer, entrepreneur, and former model from Gwalior. | Credit: Instagram/tanyamittalofficial ) Bigg Boss 19 Other contestants Apart from Ashnoor Kaur, and Tanya Mitta, other celebrities appearing in Bigg Boss 19 include Gaurav Khanna, Amaal Malik, Abhishek Bajaj, Baseer Ali, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Natalia Janoszek, Farhana Bhatt, Kunickaa Sadanand, Mridul Tiwari, Nehal Chudasama, Neelam Giri, Pranit More and Zeishaan Quadri. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Salman Khans popular reality show,, may have just premiered, but the drama in the house has already started. The latest buzz involves Tanya Mittal, who openly criticised Ashnoor Kaur. She even called Kaur badtameez (ill-mannered) and ungrateful, sparking debates among fans online.The makers teased the clash in a recent video, captioning it, "Bigg Boss ke ghar mein shuru hua drama, kya @ashnoorkaur aur @tanyamittalofficial ki iss baat se hoga naya hungama? ".In the video, while sharing her frustration to other contestants, Mittal says, Ashnoor is very badtameez. She fought with me without any reason. Why is she picking a fight with me? She is ten years younger than me but still showing so much attitude. I will come into form soon, and then she will understand. She is very ungrateful and badtameez.Mittal also explains that she tried to help, but Kaur only responded with arrogance. She adds, I told her I finished your work, but then who will do my work? Instead of thanking me, she gave me rude replies. She always talks with so much attitude. If no one wakes her up, she just keeps sleeping and then shows attitude to others. This is not right. ( Image credit : Giuffre became one of the key whistleblowers in the scandal | Credit: X/justdawn_ ) How did Virginia Giuffre help expose the scandal To all the MAGA in my replies telling me I should believe liar, child sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell because reasons, go fuck yourselves. I believe the victims, like Virginia Giuffre. pic.twitter.com/4gnsC9BrqG BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) August 22, 2025 Accusation of sexual assault on Prince Andrew ( Image credit : In 2021, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit in New York against Prince Andrew, Duke of York. By February 2022, the lawsuit was settled out of court | Credit: X/FaezaMoghul ) BBC Newsnight Controversy that clouded Giuffres death She later clarified that this post was mistaken and that she was not in immediate danger. Regardless, the post spread rapidly online and sparked speculation and the potential pressures she faced. Prior to that, in 2019, she had tweeted that she was not suicidal. She wrote, I am making it publicly known that in no way, shape or form am I suicidal. I have made this known to my therapist and GP if something happens to me for the sake of my family, do not let this go away and help me to protect them. Too many evil people want to see me quieted, she concluded Nobodys Girl, a 400 page narration of Giuffres ordeal ( Image credit : Born in 1983 in Sacramento and raised in Florida, Giuffres childhood had been scarred by abuse and homelessness | Credit: X/AuthorEvleon ) Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoir is set for release in October this year, by Alfred A. Knopf, co-authored with journalist Amy Wallace. The memoir traces Giuffres life from a troubled childhood to her exploitation by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including interactions with high-profile figures such as Prince Andrew. It explores her legal battles, advocacy for survivors of abuse, and personal challenges including motherhood and marriage. The publisher highlighted an email Giuffre sent to Wallace weeks before her death, expressing her heartfelt wish for the memoir to be published regardless of her circumstances. The book promises to reveal undisclosed experiences, and cements Giuffres legacy as a survivor, whistleblower, and an active advocate for justice. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Six months after Virginia Giuffres death by suicide, her story is set to be heard one final time through her memoir, Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, is scheduled for release on October 21, 2025.Giuffre rose to public attention after revealing she was a victim of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. She accused Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, allegations the Duke has consistently denied.Her death at age 41 has been surrounded by controversies and conflicting narratives.Born in 1983 in Sacramento and raised in Florida, Giuffres childhood had been scarred by abuse and homelessness. In her teens, she was allegedly recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell into Jeffrey Epsteins trafficking network, where she was sexually exploited and reportedly sent to high-profile figures, including Prince Andrew.From 2014 onward, she went public with her allegations, filing lawsuits and giving testimony that exposed Epstein, Maxwell, and their network. She became one of the key whistleblowers in the scandal.Later on, she advocated for survivors, drawing global attention to the crimes of Epstein.In a 2019 interview with, Prince Andrew denied ever meeting Virginia Giuffre, calling her account of a London meeting, nightclub visit, and sexual encounter at a Belgravia home didnt happen. He said that on the date she claims they met, he was with his children.In 2021, Giuffre filed a civil lawsuit in New York against Prince Andrew, Duke of York. By February 2022, the lawsuit was settled out of court.Though the Duke denied all allegations, he agreed to make a financial donation to Giuffres charity supporting victims of abuse. The scandal left a permanent mark in Prince Andrews public life. He was relieved of all royal patronages and military roles in January 2022. Since then he has been out of the spotlight.The abuse victim died in April 2025 at her farm in Western Australia. Authorities ruled her death a suicide, with no foul play suspected. However, the events leading up to her death sparked widespread speculation and public grief.Her father, Sky Roberts, was among the first to publicly refute the official ruling. During an interview with Piers Morgan, he dismissed the official version and said there was no way she took her own life. A clear implication of external interference, his comments fueled calls for a more thorough investigation.Adding to the controversy were Giuffres own social media posts. In March 2025, she shared an Instagram post claiming she had gone into kidney failure following a car accident and had only four days to live. Zoe Kravitz's Rome stroll with Harry Styles ( Image credit : Zoe Kravitz and Harry Styles in Rome | Credit: BuzzingPop ) Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz spotted together in Rome. pic.twitter.com/8lMEcIOIPW Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 25, 2025 Paris dinner date with Austin Butler Caught Stealing at a bar in paris with austin butler then in rome with your arm around harry styles, zoe kravitz damn pic.twitter.com/QR8vTczZi4 Bag chaser (@deadbynextweek) August 25, 2025 Zoe Kravitz's dating history marriage, links, and controversies ( Image credit : The relationship began after Kravitz cast Tatum in her 2024 directorial debut, Blink Twice | Credit: Popcrave ) Karl Glusman: Channing Tatum: Earlier connections: Her Jaden Smith controversy V Magazine ( Image credit : Zoe Kravitz's previous comments about Jaden Smith often come back to haunt her | Credit: Popcrave ) Zoe Kravitz has officially become the internets main character of the week. In the span of just a few days, shes been linked to Austin Butler and Harry Styles , sparking nonstop debates on social feeds. First came her flirty dinner outing with Butler in Paris, then came fresh photos of her strolling with Styles in Rome. Fans are asking the obvious: whats really going on? Amid the ongoing confusion, fans have also brought back her past dating history and her past suggestive remark about a minor, Jaden Sm ith.On August 24, 2025, Zoe showed up in Rome with none other than Harry Styles. Paparazzi shots and fan videos captured them arm-in-arm, walking through the streets in relaxed outfits.Neither star has said a word about the nature of their connection, but the timing right after her Paris outing with Butler made the internet spin. Was this casual, friendly, or something more? Nobody knows yet, but the clips have been viewed millions of times.On August 21, 2025, Zoe and Austin Butler were photographed together at Dragon, a chic Paris bar, after the premiere of their film. The two looked close, leaning in during conversation and laughing over drinks. Earlier in the promo tour, Butler was even caught on camera brushing a bee off Zoes shoulder during the London stopa small moment that fans quickly labelled movie chemistry spilling into real life. While nothing is confirmed, the Paris sighting definitely added fuel to the fire.Heres where the confusion multiplies. Zoe was engaged to Channing Tatum after they started dating in 2021, but they officially called off the engagement in October 2024. So despite fan chatter, she is not currently engaged. At least publicly, Zoe is single.Zoe married the actor in 2019 after dating for three years, but they divorced in 2020.She began dating him in 2021, got engaged in 2023, but the relationship ended in 2024.In the 2010s, she was linked to Penn Badgley and musician Twin Shadow.One part of her past that often resurfaces is her 2013interview about Jaden Smith. At the time Zoe was 24 and Jaden was only 14, and she made remarks that later drew criticism online. She admitted she sometimes had to check herself around him, calling him so handsome and joking, When youre older, well hang out nope, thats inappropriate; youre 14. The comments didnt spark much at the time but have since resurfaced as part of internet discourse around her dating history.Whether Zoe Kravitz's Harry Styles and Austin Butler dating rumours are true or not remains to be seen but whats certain is that her dating history has always been messy. Jane Golden, founder and executive director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, smiles after the ribbon cutting during the dedication of the Super Bowl LIX mural at Spikes Trophies on June 17. Read more Forty-two years after founding and leading Mural Arts, arts leader Jane Golden announced on Monday that she will be stepping down as the organizations executive director in July 2026. Advertisement Over the next year, Golden will guide major Semiquincentennial projects while working closely with Mural Arts senior leadership and board of directors, assisting with the organizational transition. The search for her successor begins this fall. Golden, who has dedicated her life to transforming the Philadelphia cityscape through Mural Arts, said shes content with stepping down. Reflecting on Mural Arts impact on local artists and the people of Philadelphia, she said, has made it easier. Im not going to sugarcoat this. Its really hard to leave, she said to The Inquirer. Every day I wake up, Im excited and inspired. Im inspired by the power that art has to lift peoples hearts, souls, and to educate To think about separating from that is almost impossible, except I have to think for the betterment of the organization, that its something thats good. Throughout Goldens career, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said, her dedication and vision for Philadelphia has built a powerful model for community-centered public art. Art changes lives, Parker said in a written statement. As we honor Janes remarkable impact on Philadelphias social and physical landscape, we look ahead with excitement to the future of Mural Arts. I think everybody in the city knows who Jane Golden is, Mural Arts board chair Hope Comisky said. She has impacted so many lives in so many neighborhoods in so many different ways. It will be nearly impossible to fill Goldens shoes, she said. Mural Arts board of directors has established a seven-member search committee to work with a national firm to select Goldens successor. Ideally, Comisky said, the incoming director will work with Golden for a month before she officially departs from her post. Its important for the organization to ensure continuity of its leadership, to make sure that theres a smooth transition in such an important role, and also reduce disruptions of programming that might be associated with a change in leadership, Comisky said. While the details of Goldens involvement in the search are still being worked out, Comisky is hopeful the new leader will carry on the mission thats made Mural Arts such an integral part of the city. Even after her departure, Golden will continue to work to bring some of her long-held ideas to fruition, in a contracted ambassadorship role. Among those ideas is a restorative justice program and shes interested in growing the Color Me Back Program, which aids artists struggling with housing insecurity. Im really driven by the impact that art can have on the life of our city. And I feel very passionate and sort of relentless about it, Golden said. People always say, Youve done so much, but there are always things to do. Artist Meg Saligman, who has worked with Golden since the late 1980s, said no one else has been as committed to supporting and employing Philly artists as Golden. Shes like how Berry Gordy was to Detroit during [the height of] Motown, Saligman said. Her dedication is unsurpassed by anything Ive seen. The fact that shes still planning and thinking about the future shows who she is. In 1984, former Mayor Wilson Goode hired Golden to address the citys graffiti problem through the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network. Golden then spearheaded the Anti-Graffiti Networks transition to the Mural Arts Program in 1996, with the support of then-Mayor Ed Rendell. She also established Philadelphia Mural Arts Advocates, an independent nonprofit organization designed to raise funds and support the mural-making program. She collaborated with and commissioned local artists to design murals that mirrored places, people, and stories that make up the city. Under Goldens leadership, City Council President Kenyatta Johnson said Mural Arts has grown into a nationally recognized arts organization thats cemented Phillys reputation as the mural capital of the world. I thank [Golden] for her extraordinary service to our city, her unwavering commitment to inclusion and social justice through art, and her belief in the limitless potential of Philadelphias people, Johnson said in a written statement. As her time at the helm soon expires, Golden intends to continue supporting Mural Arts and the people who make Philly whole. I dont think Ill ever really leave Mural Arts in my heart, she said. Im always going to care a lot about the organization theres a part of me that feels like I would just want to work forever. I just love this organization. I love the people, and I love the people we work with across Philadelphia. I love our city tremendously. And every day I wake up, I feel very privileged and honored to do this job. Students line up on the first day of school at Edward T. Steel School in Nicetown. Read more Sanari Barnes is 7, with a new pink backpack, a coordinating lunch box, and a firm conviction that second grade at Edward T. Steel Elementary in Nicetown is going to be the best year ever. I think Im going to learn a lot of math, said Sanari. Advertisement The first day of school for Sanari and 117,000 Philadelphia School District students began on a high note Monday. As school buses rumbled to life, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers arrived at a tentative three-year contract with the school district. Arthur Steinberg, the union president, declined to release details, but said it was a contract that had something for everyone. The deal eliminates a real strike threat. Though deep SEPTA service cuts will still complicate commutes to school for 50,000 students, the labor peace is a definitely a mood lightener. The PFT deal had Mayor Cherelle L. Parker beaming, high-fiving students as they walked a red carpet into the Steel schoolyard, and shaking shiny red pom-poms. Parker has emphasized unity; she said the deal which came a full week before the prior contracts Aug. 31 expiration date is an object lesson in her One Philadelphia mantra. We are grateful that the adults came together, Parker said outside the Steel cafeteria Monday morning. They came together with our school district and they figured out a way to get to yes, because we cannot compromise the learning potential of our young people because the adults cant seem to get it together. The unions 14,000 teachers, school counselors, nurses, paraprofessionals, secretaries, and other workers had already authorized a work stoppage if their leaders called for one. Union officials have not yet released details of the deal, but were holding firm for raises. They also wanted parental leave PFT members currently get none and expressed a desire to end the controversial 3-5-7-9 policy that imposed penalties on educators for taking their earned sick time. Steinberg, who stood outside Steel shoulder-to-shoulder with the mayor, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr., and school board president Reginald Streater, declined to release contract specifics. He said members will receive them soon, with a ratification vote scheduled quickly, likely this week. Once the details of this are released, I think everybody will be very happy, Steinberg said. There is something for everybody. Not only do we take care of the economic needs of our members because they have to feed their families as well, but there are quite a few things in there that are good for kids. Some wind underneath our wings Assuming the PFT membership ratifies the contract and the school board approves it, Watlington now has his first labor contract under his belt. The superintendent came to Philadelphia from North Carolina, a right-to-work state where teachers unions were largely symbolic organizations. He said his focus would continue to be on accelerating student achievement the school system has posted gains in reading and math at nearly every grade level, its graduation rate is up, and its students and teachers are attending at higher rates. READ MORE: The start of Phillys school year is shaping up to be a doozy with SEPTA cuts and a looming PFT contract deadline This is a school year where we have some wind underneath our wings, Watlington said, even though we have a lot of challenges in front of us. Parents Shawna Miller and Bashir Robinson said they felt it. Miller and Robinson dropped their kindergartner, Justin Bashir Robinson, off for his first day of school at Steel on Monday. Justin was excited, and his parents were, too. Robinson said hearing news that there wouldnt be a PFT strike after Labor Day was the icing on the cake. The anxiety is gone, he said. As Steinberg walked into Steel, on Wayne Avenue, a few staff wearing PFT red shirts stopped him. Were teachers, they said, and we just want to thank you. Nicole Wyglendowski, a Steel special education teacher, said she was happy but still anxious to see the terms of the contract. I hope its a relief. I hope its a good contract, she said. But its a positive sign that we have a tentative agreement. Pizza and a prediction Throughout the day, district leaders zigzagged the city greeting students, teachers, and other staff. At Hunter Elementary in North Philadelphia, Watlington and school board members Sarah-Ashley Andrews and Cheryl Harper donned gloves and hit the lunch line first, serving food, then sampling it. The superintendent chose pizza, carrots green beans, peaches, a juice box, and chocolate milk, and ate while quizzing students about their first day. Iliana Madera Pantojo, 9, a fourth grader, said she had a good feeling about the 2025-26 school year. The teachers are being nice, said Iliana. Its going to be fun. SEPTA causes snafus Though the vibes were good in most places, the SEPTA cuts did cause some issues. At Furness High in South Philadelphia, first-day attendance is typically over 90%. Because of some of the transportation impacts, those numbers have dropped down to the 70s, Watlington said at a City Hall news conference. The superintendent said his administration was monitoring the situation closely. More than 50,000 district students rely on SEPTA to get to and from school. Were going to stay in the office until we can assure that all of our children made it home safely, said Watlington. Zairean Wills, a sophomore at Roxborough High, now has to rise an hour earlier to catch a bus that will get her to school on time. Her Route 9 bus now comes every 30 minutes, making her morning commute tight, despite getting up earlier. It sucks that I have to wake up earlier for no reason, she said. Lincoln High 10th grader Carlos Aquino used to take the 88 bus directly to and from school. Now, he makes a transfer, then walks for 40 minutes. Were getting tardy to classes, tardy to school, Aquino said. Brandi Allen, a Lincoln junior, learned of the SEPTA cuts Monday morning, when she and her boyfriend had to take another bus in lieu of the 88. Her backpack, heavy with first-day supplies, made the walk unbearable, she said. Ryan Berroa, another Lincoln junior, has cut out SEPTA entirely his mother drove him Monday, and when she cant drive him he faces a long walk. Ive got to walk really far. Its just really hot and the weather is killing me, he said. Enrollment worries More than 600 students attend the Philadelphia High School for Girls. A full 90% rely on SEPTA to get there, said Principal KaTiedra Argro. Girls Highs attendance was strong on Monday, at 98%, but Argro worries that figure might drop. SEPTAs woes have already affected her enrollment; Argro and her administration have already discussed how they may need to adjust their recruiting messaging. Parents are already starting to transfer students to another school, Argro said, noting that two parents called Monday to withdraw their daughters. Argro understood those parents decisions, she said. But its frustrating. It doesnt make me feel good, she said. It affects our students and our students choices. Staff writers Michelle Myers, Maggie Prosser, and Brett Sholtis contributed to this article. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has a tentative, three-year contract. The deal was announced by President Arthur Steinberg, shown here in this 2024 file photo. Read more The Philadelphia School District and its largest union have a tentative, three-year deal. The dramatic news came late Sunday night less than 12 hours before the first day of school for 117,000 district students, but a week before the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers contract expired. Advertisement Arthur Steinberg, PFTs president, called the deal historic. PFT is the districts largest union, representing 14,000 teachers, school counselors, nurses, secretaries and paraprofessionals. Terms of the deal were not available, but union leaders were pushing for raises, an end to the controversial 3-5-7-9 policy that imposed penalties on educators for taking their contractually awarded sick time, and parental leave PFT members, under the current contract, get no such leave. Steinberg said in a statement that he was thrilled with the tentative pact ensuring that school will open on time, as well as three years of labor peace. This contract recognizes the hard work and dedication our members bring to the district and allows them to have peace of mind that they will be able to provide for their families while continuing to educate the children of the School District of Philadelphia, Steinberg said. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a statement the deal acknowledged teachers strong efforts and maintains our record of strong financial stewardship. Research shows that qualified, well-supported and stable teachers are the most important factor in driving student achievement, Watlington said, and as we begin the new school year, this contract gives us stability, clarity, and momentum to continue working in partnership with the PFT and to further implement our five-year strategic plan, Accelerate Philly. We are on our way to becoming the fastest improving, large urban school district in the nation. Union officials said they would share details of the contract in the near future. The tentative deal, still subject to ratification by PFT members, comes after some saber rattling. Steinberg asked for and received a strike vote in June, just after the end of the last school year, and had expressed frustration with the pace of talks. Members gathered earlier this month to begin strike preparations, and Steinberg said there was a lack of urgency on district officials part around talks. Those talks apparently accelerated in recent days. Under the unions current contract, starting teachers earn $54,156; so-called senior career teachers at the top of the pay scale earn $107,495. Paraprofessionals starting pay is $24,658, and their maximum salary is $49,346. Washington Township School Superintendent Eric Hibbs was appointed in May 2023. Read more Embattled Washington Township School Superintendent Eric Hibbs is seeking more than $27,000 in merit pay under his contract. The matter has been placed on the agenda by Hibbs for Tuesday nights school board meeting. It was unclear how the board would respond. Advertisement Hibbs returned to work earlier this month after a judge reinstated him, ending a five-month suspension. The board placed Hibbs on paid administrative leave in March and launched an investigation into an ethics complaint, but a Superior Court judge ruled that the board had violated the Open Public Meetings Act when it suspended him. An attorney for Hibbs has said the complaint alleged Hibbs provided preferential treatment to a relative of a board member by changing a failing math grade in September 2023. A resolution by the board to award Hibbs merit pay for the 2024-2025 has not been included in the meeting agenda. It was unclear whether the board would vote on his request. Hibbs and his attorney did not respond to messages. Board President Julie Kozempel declined comment Monday. Heres what to know about Hibbs contract: What are the terms of Hibbs contract? Hibbs has been superintendent in the Washington Township district since 2023. His contract, with an annual salary of $215,000, runs through 2027. According to the 16-page contract, obtained by The Inquirer under the states Open Public Records Act, Hibbs is eligible to receive an increase annually on July 1 of 2.5% of his base salary. Hibbs is also entitled to an annual merit bonus of up to 14.99% of his salary, provided he meets performance goals set by the board, according to the contract. Read his contract: What goals must Hibbs meet for merit pay? The board set five goals for the previous school year, each with a percentage amount and dollar value of $7,272 or $5,509. Hibbs is seeking compensation of $27,319 for four goals. Here are the goals: Hibbs was required to complete four professional development courses offered by the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association. He was required to undergo Google training and become fully certified in two educator levels as the district transitions to the Google platform. He was required to complete and present 15 Google presentations to staff to provide on-demand resources to help with the transition to Google. He was expected to facilitate a committee to review service learning programs and make recommendations to help students become global citizens. He was to work with the districts chief of security to design security systems processes to improve emergency responses during incidents. He is not seeking a $5,509 bonus for the goal related to service learning. The goals were negotiated by Hibbs and the board and approved by the county executive superintendent. The goals are set annually by Sept. 1 by the superintendent and the board. The goals were approved by interim Executive County Superintendent for Gloucester County Robert Bumpus and sent to Hibbs last October for completion during the school year. The county executive superintendent must agree that the criteria has been met before payment of the merit pay. How does the merit pay get approved? According to the contract, a majority of the nine-member board must agree that the goals were met for the year in order for Hibbs to receive the merit pay. The determination must be made by Aug. 30. Because the board has been bitterly divided along partisan lines over Hibbs employment, a resolution may face an uncertain outcome. Several board members have conflicts on matters pertaining to Hibbs and have abstained from voting. And prior to the judge voiding his suspension, several board votes to reinstate him failed. Hibbs filed a whistleblower lawsuit in May alleging his suspension was retaliation for raising questions about a district insurance contract awarded in 2021, before he became superintendent. The lawsuit names Kozempel, unnamed board members, and the district as defendants. For a no-frills dive bar, McGlincheys caused quite the fuss last week. First, Philadelphia Magazine columnist Victor Fiorillo reported it was set to close after service last Friday. Then, owner Sheldon Sokol told the Philadelphia Business Journal and later, The Inquirer that it was merely for sale and would close for a weeklong vacation on Aug. 29, after which, barring a lightning-fast sale, it would reopen in September. Turns out, Center Citys last public smoking bar did exactly what employees told Fiorillo it would do: close for good after one last epic Friday night. Advertisement A sign taped to McGlincheys door on Monday reads: Onwards to the next chapter! Thank you to all who contributed to the incredible memories over so many decades! Why the competing narratives on a closing date? The answer, it seems, is a case of shared ownership. Sokol told The Inquirer on Monday afternoon that the information he shared with the Business Journal and The Inquirer was what he had been told. Asked who decided on the bars actual closing date, Sokol said it was his nephew, Douglas Sokol, and his late brothers wife, Sandra. (Sheldon and his brother Ron inherited the bar from their father, Henry, who died in 1985. Ron died in 2022.) A call last week to a number associated with Douglas Sokol was answered by a woman who said he was not available and had no comment. Douglas did not immediately respond to another request for comment this week. Asked if the bar was any closer to being sold, Sheldon Sokol said the bar is still in the process of hiring a broker and hasnt received any offers yet. Were talking to some and seeing who makes a good fit, he said. I think we will find someone who will continue, for the most part, the McGlincheys tradition. Freeze-dried water ice at Johns Water Ice as Rosanna Cardullo (right) serves the conventional product on Aug. 21, 2025. Read more You may pack freeze-dried fruit for your camping trip or settle for freeze-dried coffee in a pinch. But what if you crave a sweet cup of Johns Water Ice in the dead of winter? Advertisement Theres now a freeze-dried version of the South Philadelphia tradition, created through a partnership between Johns owner Anthony Cardullo Jr. and longtime friends Phil Kramer and Tommy Sandelier, who run Sugar Crunch Candy, which manufactures a line of freeze-dried candy popular on TikTok. It starts with Johns water ice formula, which is freeze-dried to transform it into a crunchy candy. The cherry will give you the same red lips and tongue, and the lemon has Johns usual sweet-tart tang. Bonus: It wont melt all over your shirt or inside your car. Kramer and Sandelier, who briefly owned a Sugar Crunch retail store nearby, were casting about for new ideas last summer when they noticed that more manufacturers were getting into candy. I planted a seed in my brain that we needed a first-to-market product, Kramer said. Nobody else was doing freeze-dried water ice, so they cold-called Cardullo. Kramer and Cardullo, it turns out, have longstanding family ties. Kramers great-grandfather Nick Baggio Sr. and Cardullos grandfather John Cardullo were partners selling kerosene back in the horse-and-buggy days, Kramer said. Cardullo later went into oil and coal, and opened the water ice stand at Seventh and Christian Streets in 1945 as his summertime business. (Cardullo splits his year also; in Johns offseason, he manages at the Saloon, the landmark Italian restaurant up the street.) Kramer, Sandelier, and Cardullo are equal partners in the new business, which is separate from both the stand and Sugar Crunch. The new product required months of research and development in Sugar Crunchs Lindenwold facility. Typically, Kramer and Sandelier heat solid candies (such as Skittles, Nerds, and Jolly Ranchers) in a vacuum oven, drawing out the moisture and making it pop into an entirely different product. (Theres no freezing involved, though that is the popular term for the candy category.) The new water ice candy is different because it starts with a liquid. We go through our regular process, and then these guys are sucking the moisture out of it afterward, Cardullo said. They have applied for a patent. The candy is formed into pieces resembling packing peanuts, each 2 inches by three-quarters of an inch with a dome-like top. Its sold in bags of 24 pieces for $10. Biting into one, you get a crispy texture and a blast of sweet flavor that melts in your mouth. Removing the water makes the flavors a little more intense, Cardullo said. Both the cherry and lemon the first two out of the gate are spot-on. It may not be cold, but the aftertaste feels like a summer day. Mango and pineapple are next, followed by chocolate. The partners are selling bags at Johns before its seasonal shutdown on Sept. 28 and in the Sugar Crunch vending machine at Cherry Hill Mall. Online and wholesale are on the way. Cardullo isnt concerned about the new product competing with traditional water ice sales, at least in the summer. When I get a 90-degree day, Im still expecting my regular crowds, he said. Early feedback has been positive. One woman told me, I like it, but I only eat water ice in the summertime and it has to be cold, Sandelier said. But others try it and say, Now I want a water ice. The Brave1 drone market is displayed on a monitor in Ukraine. Ukrainian drone units can use points scored on the battlefield to buy new equipment. Read more READ MORE: DRONE GLOSSARY EASTERN UKRAINE The UAV Forces Battalion of the 59th Assault Brigade, commanded by a soldier known by the call sign Condor, has one of the best records in taking out Russian targets. I visited his battalion headquarters in the basement of an empty building in a rural area in the direction of Pokrovsk, a hotly contested town in the east. Advertisement The 31-year-old Condor was a young teacher of Ukrainian and world history in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia when Russia invaded the first time in 2014. At 23, in 2016, he volunteered to fight against Russian and collaborationist forces in Ukraines eastern Donbas. Since 2016, I have been promoted to be a commander of history, he told me, ruefully. Although he has five children at home his daughter and four nieces whom he and his wife took in after the death of his older sister he sees his daughter only twice a year. He managed to make it for one day to her graduation. Of course, I do this for them, he said. Condors battalion holds a stretch of territory along the Pokrovsk front where his drone pilots sometimes operate only 1,500 feet from the zero line. Ninety per cent of the hits we do are made by different types of drones, he told me. Only technology allows us to win. The 15-mile stretch from the zero line has become a kill zone because of Russian drone coverage especially due to fiber optic drones, which cant be jammed. To save lives, Condors unit now relies on so-called land drones: robotic carts that deliver supplies and ammo and carry out the wounded. The Orcs outnumber us, and they dont care about loss of lives, Condor tells me, referring to the Russians, as many here do, by the name of the goblin-like soldiers in The Lord of the Rings series. In this new way of war, infantry and artillery and mortars still matter, but everything is controlled by air. Now a military is just a way of supporting drones. Points and prizes The Ukrainian government instituted the Army of Drones bonus program last year to incentivize units to hit more targets and innovate. Members can earn e-points for hitting Russian soldiers and equipment and exchange those points for new equipment via an online store. One underlying goal is to shake up the defense ministrys old-style procurement bureaucracy to recognize the growing importance of unmanned warfare. Small drone teams play an ever-expanding role but need more men and more unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, to protect the front line. A whiteboard tacked to the wall of Condors headquarters is used as a monthly calendar on which the number of Russian troops and equipment destroyed by his drone team are tallied daily with a felt tipped pen. Every day we markup Russian losses, the number of crew, or military targets. We earn points based on the type of target we eliminate, he explained. As drone warfare has evolved, the point system has shifted. A tank kill is now worth only eight points, while eliminating a drone pilot racks up 25. Every day at least 14 are eliminated, Condor tells me proudly, referring to enemy casualties. The average is one of ours for 10 of theirs. We even had days when it was 1 to 20. Every kill must be verified by a video. Thats no problem: drone pilots instantly send videos of their kills back to their commanders, and the messaging app Telegram has long been filled with Ukrainian and Russian drone footage of tanks and soldiers chased by drones, before a big flash indicates a hit and the screen shifts into fuzz. Each month, the military puts together a list of the top drone units who have scored the most points. Condors UAV battalion came in first in January and sixth in May. Ninety percent of the hits we do are made with drones, he said. Points can then be exchanged through the online Brave1 Market, where units can purchase all kinds of drones, components, robots, and other military gear. Call it an Amazon for the military, I was told by Artem Moroz, head of investor relations at Brave1, the government program that encourages private tech start-ups, including through seed grants. More than a thousand products in the online catalogue are linked to hundreds of private drone producers, who can verify prices and availability. The catalogue will soon introduce a review system, whereby soldiers on the front can rate the performance of what they buy with points. For Condor, the competition speaks to the urgent need to recruit more drone pilots and navigators and motivate exhausted drone teams on the front. The Russians are catching up with Ukraine on technology, he said, because their tech people are supported with unlimited government resources (and manufacturing capacity). We need European investment in drone production badly. It is the basis for our whole victory. We are like a Polygon the Ukrainian term for a testing ground for Europe. The Europeans are well supplied and organized but dont know the realities of war. For them [working with Ukraine], it is an opportunity to understand the future. It is criminal for the United States to pass up the opportunity to learn more from Ukraine as well. People who had been sheltering in place inside the Villanova University Shop come outside Thursday after police determined that an active shooter notification was a hoax. Read more A hoax at Villanova On Thursday afternoon at 4:34, I got the text that no one wants to receive: ACTIVE SHOOTER. Like many faculty at Villanova University, I was not on campus classes begin Monday. Thursday was orientation for new students, who had just moved to campus the previous day. But as soon as we got the emergency alert, we began texting each other to see if anyone had information. Advertisement By 4:53 p.m., the situation had become clearer: Stay Clear of Law School Scarpa Hall. News cameras zoomed in on large tactical units strategizing in front of the parking lot by our law school, the lot I parked in last year. Finally, at 6:01, came the all clear. There was never an active shooter, explained our university president, the Rev. Peter Donohue. This was simply a cruel hoax. Can you believe it? a colleague texted me. No, I cant, I replied. But as soon as I said that, a thought immediately occurred to me: Why is it that when an actual campus shooting happens, I dont have the same response? Why is it that, upon receiving the text about an alleged shooter on campus, I didnt think to myself that it could ever be a hoax? Why was I more shocked that a shooting didnt happen than that it did? The answer is simple: Because Im an American. Because I teach on a college campus in the United States. Because when I hug my husband goodbye in the morning before heading off to work, I remind myself that today could be the day. Because for far too many people who live in our country, today will be the day. Never, in the wake of a shooting, have I wondered how it could possibly have happened. There are more guns than people in this country. When we get the text about an active shooter incident, we have every reason to believe it. But a text that this was simply a cruel hoax? Thats unbelievable. Brandon Ambrosino, visiting assistant professor, Villanova University Makings of a tyrant What do Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu have in common? Both would do anything to stay in power. Both ignore the will of their people. Both disdain the truth. Both have been accused of committing war crimes. Both have no regard for the lives of innocent civilians. Each carries on a barbaric war in which they have killed tens of thousands such civilians. In fact, Netanyahus forces have killed thousands more civilians than Putin has. Russian forces have killed 45,000 people in Ukraine. Netanyahus forces have killed 62,000 people in Gaza, according to health officials in the enclave, who dont distinguish between civilians and combatants. And Netanyahu has initiated a policy of starvation against the Palestinians in Gaza as part of his war effort. So, Netanyahu and Putin are alike in many ways. How are they different? The chief difference between the two is that, while Putin is considered a cruel enemy whose war efforts must be stopped, Netanyahu is considered a friend by Americas leaders. To Americas leaders, he is an ally whose hellish war against the Palestinians should be aided, not ended. As an American citizen, I am distraught that our leaders continue to support Netanyahu in light of the destruction he has wrought among the innocent Palestinians in Gaza. This war in Gaza has to stop. America must stop assisting Netanyahu as he continues to commit war crimes in Gaza. End the war now. William Cooney Jr., Philadelphia Phillys lifeline It is beyond me how there can be any real debate as to appropriating the necessary funds for SEPTA. A fully functioning public transportation system is absolutely necessary in order to have an efficient, navigable, and welcoming city. It is also vitally necessary in providing the transportation so many children rely on to get to and from school. This in itself should be enough to make this discussion a no-brainer. For many kids, getting to school is tough enough without having to deal with the lack or paucity of public transportation. The cutting of bus routes, reducing the frequency of those routes that still exist, overcrowded conditions, and the hassle of just having to deal with this every day will be enough for many kids to decide to just skip it. We cant let that happen. Why make it harder for people to get to school, work, and appointments, not to mention shows, concerts, restaurants, the list goes on and on. The amount of pollution, congestion, lack of parking, and aggravation that will result in cuts to routes and schedules will only be to our detriment. Our city is celebrating a big birthday in 2026. We want to stand out as a city with a transportation system that works. We want our city to thrive and be a desirable destination for tourists. To make that happen, we need an efficient and well-run system of public transit. Lawmakers may not have to depend on public transportation, so perhaps it isnt something that hits home for them. But it should. Legislators: Approve whatever funding is needed in order to keep our city well-run, easy to traverse, safe, and workable for everyone. Barbara Kotzin, Cheltenham Restore Pa.s voice Money should never drown out the voices of everyday Pennsylvanians. Yet, under current interpretations of the law, unlimited election spending by wealthy donors and special interests threatens to do just that. Pennsylvania Senate Resolution 126 offers a path forward. It urges Congress to propose a constitutional amendment making it clear that states can regulate election spending in state races, and Congress can do the same for federal elections. Just as importantly, it affirms that rights belong to natural persons not corporations or other entities ensuring political power is not concentrated in the hands of the few. This is not a partisan issue. Its about protecting the integrity of our elections, restoring trust in government, and ensuring every citizens voice carries equal weight. Without acting, our democracy risks becoming a marketplace where influence is sold to the highest bidder. I urge our legislators to pass SR 126 and stand with the people of Pennsylvania in defending fair, representative government. Our voices not our wallets should decide the future of our state and our nation. David Hunter, Lansdowne Dont privatize USPS President Donald Trump is striving to eliminate independent federal agencies and gain control of them. The U.S. Postal Service is no exception, and the president intends to abolish its independence. USPS is cited in the U.S. Constitution as an independent agency, with oversight of postal regulations granted to Congress, not the president. Privatization of this critical service would be detrimental, especially to the 51 million rural households that rely on USPS, e.g., receipt of medications, bill statements, tax documents. The vote-by-mail process would be eliminated because of Trumps baseless claims of voter fraud. The overall result will be increased postal costs and a notable decrease in crucial services. The Postal Service is a major employer of 640,000 employees, including 73,000 veterans. If USPS is privatized, a substantial percentage of employees would lose their jobs. The funding of the Postal Service is provided by postal sales. Not a single tax dollar is used to operate the service. Congress, voters, and the courts must stop Trumps controversial plans before its too late. Exercise your First Amendment rights. Contact your congressional representative and insist on keeping USPS public and independent. Ed Vreeswyk, Yardville Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized Donald Trump on a television show, which led Trump to respond by threatening a federal investigation of Christie. Read more Days after the FBI raided the home of one of President Donald Trumps most prominent critics, Trump threatened to investigate another former ally-turned-rival: former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. In a post on his Truth Social platform Sunday night, Trump said Christie who spoke out against Trump during an appearance on ABC News earlier in the day had refused to take responsibility for the political revenge plot known as Bridgegate, a 2013 scandal in New Jersey that led some of Christies aides to face criminal charges and derailed his then-rising political career. Advertisement For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? Trump wrote. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Christie did not immediately respond to Trumps post, in which the president also referred to Christie as Sloppy Chris. On Monday morning, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he always felt [Christie] was guilty. He then said a decision on whether to open an investigation was not his to make saying it would be up to officials such as Attorney General Pam Bondi but continued to say he believed Christie had avoided prosecution at the expense of his aides. I think we have other things to do, but I always thought he got away with murder, Trump said. The threat of an investigation is notable as Trump during his second stint in office has increasingly used the power of the federal government to seek retribution against people or institutions perceived as critics. It also was another demonstration of how Trump has effectively done away with the long-standing notion that federal law enforcement should maintain a degree of independence from the political forces driving the White House. That principle is one Christie addressed during his appearance Sunday on This Week. Speaking to the journalist Jonathan Karl, Christie a former federal prosecutor and Republican governor said Trump wants the Justice Department to act as his personal legal representation, a stance Trump made clear while seeking reelection in 2024. Donald Trump sees himself as the person who gets to decide everything, and he doesnt care about any separation, Christie said. In fact, he absolutely rejects the idea that there should be separation between criminal investigations and the politically elected leader of the United States. This is much different than its ever been run before. Christies remarks came just days after the FBI raided the Maryland home and Washington office of John Bolton, who served as a national security adviser during Trumps first term. Bolton who has since become an outspoken Trump critic has been under investigation for years over questions of whether he illegally possessed or leaked classified information. Trump responded late Sunday after Christies TV appearance. Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says? he posted on Truth Social. He went on to say that Christie lied about the Bridgegate scandal in order to stay out of prison. Christie was never charged for his actions in the episode, which unfolded near the end of his term as governor of New Jersey. Federal prosecutors said his aides caused rush hour traffic jams near the George Washington Bridge in order to exact retribution against a North Jersey mayor who had refused to endorse Christies reelection campaign. Two of Christies top aides were convicted, although the U.S. Supreme Court in 2020 tossed the convictions out by unanimously ruling that the case did not amount to a violation of federal fraud laws. Trump, at that time, was far kinder to Christie whom he had known for decades about the episode. Congratulations to former Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, and all others involved, on a complete and total exoneration (with a 9-0 vote by the U.S. Supreme Court) on the Obama DOJ Scam referred to as Bridgegate, he wrote on social media after the convictions were thrown out. Staff writer Rob Tornoe contributed to this article. State Sen. Sharif Street speaks at a news conference at Temple University Hospital in July. Street is stepping down as state party chair as he runs for Congress. Read more Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair Sharif Street announced Monday that he will step down from his position as head of the state party to focus on his run for U.S. Congress. Street, a state senator from North Philadelphia who has led the party since 2022, is expected to endorse former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to succeed him in the role, according to several sources. Advertisement I took on this role to build a Democratic Party that was more inclusive, more united, and more powerful, Street said in a message Monday to members of the state Democratic committee announcing his departure. Together, weve done exactly that delivering historic victories, strengthening our grassroots, and expanding our coalition ... Now its time to make space for the next chapter of leadership so we can keep building on that progress. His official announcement made no mention of a replacement but Street is expected to endorse DePasquale at a Democratic event in Philadelphia this weekend. The special election will take place at the Pennsylvania Democrats fall meeting on Sept. 6 in Lancaster. The decision comes about a month after Gov. Josh Shapiro and DNC chairman Ken Martin cast doubt on whether Street could effectively campaign to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D., Philadelphia) while also running the party. The coming months will be critical for Pennsylvania Democrats as they aim to win statewide judicial elections in November and regain the House in the midterms next year. The party is also in danger of losing its voter registration advantage in Pennsylvania as Republicans consistently gain ground. Shapiro said he was thankful for Streets continued public service and leadership, in a release announcing his decision to step down. DePasquale, who lost a 2024 statewide bid for attorney general and previously served in the Pennsylvania Capitol, said hed have more to say about the leadership change later. I know Sen. Street will soon be having an announcement and I want to pay him the respect of letting that take place, he said. Im happy to weigh in after that happens. Philadelphia Committee chair Bob Brady confirmed that he and Street are behind DePasquale, who he described as Shapiros pick for the job. Eugenes a dear friend, a great Democrat, well liked and he has the time now to do the job. Brady said he didnt expect a heated election as occurred three years ago when Shapiro wanted a Montgomery County ally for the job and Brady backed Street for it. Im glad the governors on board, its his pick, Brady said. Its a great pick. The intraparty fighting last time had lingered, it appears. We had our differences and now I think, Im hoping, Im done with my latrine duty, Brady said. I wanna be back in good graces. DePasquale, 54, is a Pittsburgh-based attorney and adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Hes made numerous runs for office, first winning election as a state representative in 2006. He served two terms as auditor general, following three terms in the Pennsylvania House. In addition to his failed bid for attorney general, DePasquale fell short in 2020 at unseating U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R., York) in the central Pennsylvania district, where DePasquale previously lived. Should he get elected as state chair, it would mark a shift to leadership from the western side of the state after several years of a Philadelphian at the helm. Nothing is official until the partys committee members vote and at least one of them was pumping the brakes on viewing the arrangement as a foregone conclusion. Dottie Miller, chair of the Southeast caucus, emailed caucus members urging them to let the process play out. Speculation that Eugene will assume the party chair seat is unfair to all of us as we are the ones who must vote him in to lead our state party, she wrote in the email obtained by The Inquirer. Street, 51, started as vice chair in 2018. He is the first Black person to serve as its chair. Brady called him the most accessible State Party Chair weve ever had. He listened, he respected the work, and he united our party when it mattered, Brady said in a statement. Democrats in Pennsylvania picked up big wins when his chairmanship started in 2022, including electing Shapiro governor, only to lose the presidential race in the state and a key Senate seat in 2024. Democratic turnout last year continued to drop in Philadelphia, including in the 3rd Congressional District, where Street is running, as Trump significantly improved his margins there. The Pennsylvania state House was a rare bright spot for Democrats, though, as they were able to hang onto a narrow majority. The state party has suffered from financial problems in the past and continues to pull in low fundraising hauls. The party reported in late July having about $62,000 cash-on-hand in its federal fundraising account, a sum that was significantly less than other swing state parties, according to FEC reports. The Pennsylvania party reported having another $40,000 in its state committee account. Street, whose father John F. Street served two terms as mayor, is one of several Philadelphia Democrats vying to replace Evans, who announced his retirement earlier this summer. Evans has represented the 3rd Congressional District, among the most Democratic by registration in the nation, since 2016. Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article. A tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls with 54 people aboard crashed and rolled on its side Friday on an interstate highway, killing five passengers and injuring many others, authorities said. The driver apparently became distracted, lost control and overcorrected before the bus went into the right shoulder and flipped over shortly before 12:30 p.m. on the eastbound side of Interstate 90 in Pembroke, New York, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Buffalo, state police Maj. Andre Ray said at an evening news conference. He did not say how the driver became distracted, adding that the cause remains under investigation. Ray said the passengers ranged in age from 1 to 74. Multiple people were ejected from the bus during the crash, and five people all adults were pronounced dead at the scene, Ray said. Many others became entrapped in the wreck and were rescued. Dozens were taken to hospitals. Ray said it didnt appear any other people had life-threatening injuries. An absolute tragedy took place, Ray said. And first and foremost, our thoughts, prayers and hearts go out to those involved, their friends and their families. State police said most of the passengers on the bus were of Indian, Chinese and Filipino ethnicity, and authorities brought in translators to help with the emergency response. Ray said a preliminary investigation ruled out mechanical failure or driver impairment. The driver survived the crash and was cooperating with police, officials said. No charges had been filed as of Friday evening, Ray said. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was sending a team to New York to investigate the crash. The Mercy Flight medical transport service said its three helicopters and three more from other services transported people from the crash site. Hospitals in the region said they evaluated or treated more than 40 people. Injuries ranged from head trauma to broken arms and legs. Two people who needed surgery at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo were expected to recover, said Dr. Jeffrey Brewer, chief of surgery. Staten Island Company State police said the bus was owned by M&Y Tour Inc. in the New York City borough of Staten Island. A message seeking comment was left at a phone listing for the company. M&Y Tour has a satisfactory safety rating and no record of accidents or fatalities over the past two years, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Officials inspected the companys buses and drivers 60 times over the past two years, the agency said. At an earlier news conference, Trooper James OCallaghan said it appeared most people on the bus were not wearing seat belts. In response to another bus crash in New York in 2023, a state law requires seat belt use on charter buses built on or after Nov. 28, 2016. The age of the bus in Fridays crash wasnt immediately known. The New York State Thruway Authority said a lengthy stretch of the roadway had been shut down in both directions and drivers were being urged to avoid the area. The westbound lanes were reopened later in the day. People who saw the aftermath of the wreck said glass and peoples belongings were scattered on the highway. It was certainly heartbreaking to see, Powell Stephens, of Medina, told WHAM-TV after he drove by the crash. There was a lot of people embracing each other. It looked like people were breaking down. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called the accident a tragedy in a post on the social platform X. She said she was briefed on the crash and that her office was working with police and local officials. Our hearts are with their loved ones during this difficult time, the governor said of the victims. Photo: First responders work to rescue victims at the scene of a tour bus that crashed and rolled over on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, N.Y., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (Libby March/Buffalo News via AP) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics New York New York City is allowing the robotaxi company Waymo to test a few of its autonomous vehicles in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, officials said Friday as the technology picks up in popularity in other metro areas. The company will start with a pilot program to test up to eight autonomous vehicles in the city until late September, officials said. The vehicles wont be picking up passengers, since thats not currently allowed by local rules, and are required to have a test vehicle operator behind the wheel while they zip around the citys busy streets. Waymos robotaxis are already in place in U.S. cities such as Austin, Texas; Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Annabel Chang, a policy head for the company, said the company is pleased to have reached this next step in New York City. New York officials last year launched a set of safety requirements around the testing of autonomous vehicles, saying that the city presents some of the most challenging urban street environments for the autonomous vehicles. In a statement Friday, Mayor Eric Adams said as we continue to implement responsible innovation, we will always prioritize street safety. Photo: A Waymo self-driving vehicle sits curbside, Dec. 16, 2022, at the Sky Harbor International Airport Sky Train facility in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Kazakhstans environmental-protection ministry told oil majors operating in the country they have 40 days to pay a multibillion-dollar fine for sulfur pollution, a blow to the producers who claimed victory in the case weeks ago. At the start of August, NCOC and partners in the Kashagan oil field, the nations second-largest, said they won a case in an appeal court in the central Asian country over a fine of 2.356 trillion tenge $4.4 billion at current exchange rates. But on Monday, the nations environment agency told the venture partners that the fine stands and that they now have 10 days to appeal against it, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The plan is to appeal but, if they dont, then payment will be required in 30 days, they said, asking not to be identified discussing specifics of the case. NCOC said in a statement that it was deeply troubled by the decision, taken by the Atyrau Regional Ecological Department, part of the environment-protection ministry, in relation to what the operator called an unprecedented fine. The decision runs counter to recent court rulings that highlighted serious flaws in the regional ecological authoritys process and also breaches the production sharing agreement with the state, in addition to violating both national and international law, NCOC said. Its unclear on what authority the government has now pressed ahead with the fine, but the environment protection ministry said on Aug. 15 that its Atyrau department was addressing procedural deficiencies identified previously by the court. Two weeks earlier, the Kashagan partners said an appeal court decision in the case, which appeared to overturn the fine, confirms the correctness of NCOCs sulfur management operations, which are carried out responsibly and in compliance with the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and in line with applicable standards, and best practices. The $55 billion Kashagan development in the Caspian Sea was already dogged by delays and cost overruns during the construction phase. Kazakh authorities have being pushing for higher revenue from the nations fields and sued the venture partners in international arbitration for more than $160 billion in damages. Most of that reflects lost revenue, but it also includes damages related to alleged environmental violations, and deals that Kazakhstan argued were tainted by corruption. NCOC is owned by Kazakhstans state oil and gas company alongside many of the worlds top oil majors, including Eni SpA, Shell Plc, Exxon Mobil Corp and TotalEnergies SE. Eni, Shell, Exxon and TotalEnergies refered questions to NCOC. Last year, venture partners proposed settling the sulfur case by making an additional investment in social projects of $110 million over the next two years, an expense that would be recoverable from Kashagans revenue under the production sharing contract. The venture also proposed at the time making additional payments related to the supply of liquefied petroleum gas to the government and to create a multimillion dollar social-development fund. The environment-protection ministry didnt respond to repeated requests for comment and Kazakhstans energy ministry didnt immediately comment. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Energy Oil Gas A criminal hacking gang has stolen business customer data from French telecommunications company Orange SA and posted it online, according to people familiar with the matter. The breach, which Orange disclosed and reported to national authorities at the end of July, targeted the companys internal systems with ransomware associated with a gang calling itself Warlock, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information. The group released about 4 gigabytes of data onto the dark web in mid-August. An Orange spokesperson confirmed that the hacked data was published in August. The spokesperson declined to comment about the ransomware group, known as Warlock, or any other companies potentially impacted in the incident. Read more: Hackers Accessed 850,000 Orange Belgium Customer Accounts The threat actor had only limited access to our systems and was able to exfiltrate only outdated or low-sensitivity data, the spokesperson said. The affected companies were informed by Orange in advance of publication, and we have been working in full collaboration with them, as well as with the relevant authorities, since the beginning of this incident. Warlock leases out its ransomware to gangs of hackers, who use it to lock down their victims computers using encryption. They then demand payment to unlock affected systems. The security incident is only the latest to hit the French telecommunications operator this year. Attackers accessed customer data from the companys Belgian division in July in a separate compromise, while another incident led to employee data in Romania being published on the dark web. Telecommunications companies are attractive targets for hackers as they store valuable financial information on customers as well as critical data and communication from governments and businesses. Photograph: The Orange SA headquarters in Paris. Photo credit: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Cyber The fire burned for about nine hours, billowing smoke and scorching the wooden trestles of a nearly 75-year-old railroad bridge that spans the Marys River in Corvallis, home to Oregon State University. Long after the flames died out, Michelle Emmons, a local environmental advocate, could still smell the noxious stench of charred creosote a chemical preservative used to treat outdoor wooden structures. The bridge is owned by Portland & Western Railroad, which says it made repairs after the 2022 fire. Emmons wanted more. It was most alarming to us to see that there were still rail cars that were going over the bridge, said Emmons, who co-leads the Willamette Riverkeeper, a local environmental nonprofit. It was only going to be a matter of time before there could possibly be an accident. That time came nearly three years later on Jan. 4, 2025, when the Corvallis bridge collapsed beneath a freight train. One rail car fell into the river while another car dangled from the bridge and was partially submerged in water. Nearly 150,000 pounds of fertilizer spilled from the train into the river a waterway already the focus of local environmental concerns. Officials from Portland & Western Railroad declined to be interviewed but emailed a statement about the companys actions after the fire. Some rail, crossties and bridge caps needed to be replaced, wrote company spokesperson Tom Ciuba. Its important to note that cosmetic appearance and the smell of creosote do not necessarily signify structural damage to rail bridges. An investigation by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State University found railroad bridge safety across the U.S. is hamstrung by minimal government oversight and limited transparency. This leaves rail companies largely in control of inspecting and maintaining their own bridges allowing them to keep most details about problems out of sight from the public. This system differs starkly from the approximately 623,000 bridges carrying cars and trucks in the U.S., which must be regularly inspected, with results made public. Among the Howard Centers investigative findings: Only six inspectors from the Federal Railroad Administration are responsible for oversight of safety for 70,000 railroad bridges. Roughly 10% of U.S. railroads have not had their bridge management programs audited by the FRA, 15 years after the rule on Bridge Safety Standards went into effect. Some larger railroads, owned by companies with billions of dollars in annual revenue, have neglected installation of critical but sometimes costly safety features. Even government officials have difficulty getting information about railroad bridge inspections. Portland & Western Railroad declined to allow Howard Center reporters to view bridge management plans or inspection records for the Corvallis bridge. Bridge inspection reports are not something we typically release to the public, as they are very technical in nature and should only be analyzed by bridge engineers, wrote Ciuba. Railroad Bridge Accidents Across the U.S. FRA data show 112 bridge-related railroad accidents dating back to 1976, or on average more than two incidents per year. Mike Rush, safety director for the Association of American Railroads, said in every bridge-related derailment investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the cause of the bridge collapse was something other than bridge structure. But a 2016 report from the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation found about three railroad bridge collapses per year over a seven-year period could be attributed directly to failing bridge structures. The inspector general cited FRA data that showed structural failures of railroad bridges caused 21 train accidents between 2007 and 2014. The FRA data includes many railroad bridge incidents the NTSB never investigated. The safety board only investigates the most serious accidents it did not investigate the collapse in Corvallis, Oregon. Of seven accidents involving railroad bridges the NTSB did respond to since 2010 include multiple examples where companies deferred important maintenance before derailments. In September 2015, a BNSF train derailed while carrying ethanol, a highly flammable liquid, at a bridge near Lesterville, South Dakota. NTSB investigators found almost 50,000 gallons (190,000 liters) of ethanol leaked and caught fire, causing more than $1 million in damage. The safety board said BNSF was able to defer maintenance on the track which, along with poor track structural support, increased the likelihood of rail failure. In October 2023, a BNSF train derailed in Colorado, striking a nearby bridge that partially collapsed and killed a truck driver on the interstate below. NTSB investigators found a broken rail near the bridge approach caused the accident, related to an incorrect weld on the rail. After this incident, BNSF increased oversight of welding and began mandatory audits of every failed weld. In an email, BNSF said it meets all federal inspection requirements and the FRA has audited its bridge management plan many times. In addition to allowing self-inspections of bridges, federal regulations require railroads to also oversee inspections of railroad track they own. But these track inspections do not have to be made public. In March 2017, a Union Pacific freight train derailed near a bridge in Graettinger, Iowa. Fourteen tank cars released approximately 322,000 gallons (1.2 million liters) of ethanol, sparking a fire and causing the evacuation of three homes. The NTSB faulted Union Pacific Railroads inadequate track maintenance and inspection program and the FRAs inadequate oversight of the application of federal track safety standards. In July 2020, a Union Pacific derailment near the Tempe Town Lake in Arizona prompted train cars to strike the bridge and cause a portion of it to collapse. A fire started and more than 2,000 gallons (7,500 liters) of flammable chemicals leaked. The NTSB determined that the absence of an inner guard rail, a second set of rails which could have prevented the derailed train from crashing into the bridge, contributed to the severity of the derailment. Union Pacific acknowledged, when questioned by the NTSB, it knew many bridges still needed the safety feature. The total number of bridges that require the inner guard rail is 635, and 218 do not have (the) inner guard rail installed, Tomasz Gawronski, Director of Bridge Inspections for Union Pacific, said in his 2020 NTSB testimony. Gawronski said money may have been a factor. Its a rather costly effort, you know, to install the inner guardrails. In 2020, Union Pacific reported operating revenues of $19.5 billion, with profits of $5.3 billion. Company spokesperson Robynn Tysver wrote in an email that Union Pacific has approximately 16,900 bridges that are inspected twice a year. Tysver did not answer follow-up questions, including when asked if the 218 bridges that still needed inner guard rails in 2020 had since had them installed. Too Few Staff and Resources FRA rules require railroads to develop internal bridge management programs and conduct their own inspections. The FRA can audit these plans. But the audits are not occurring for all railroads. FRA spokesperson Warren Flatau said the agency audited bridge management plans for 677 out of approximately 755 railroad companies under a 2010 rule. That leaves one in 10 railroads without audits under current regulations. Flatau said the outstanding audits are all for Class III railroads, mostly smaller railroads with less revenue. He said smaller railroads change hands often, making oversight more difficult. The FRAs Bridge and Structures team now has just three bridge specialists and three structural engineers who oversee the railroads self-inspections of 69,509 railroad bridges the FRA is aware of. Its shocking and just scary, said Jared Cassity, a union leader with SMART TD, the largest railroad workers union in North America. When you think about six people and the number of bridges that exist in the United States of America, you cannot adequately perform the oversight. A New Push for Change In 2015, Congress passed the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which requires railroads to release a small amount of general information about any bridge to government or elected officials who formally request the information. The required information does not include the year the bridge was built or information about the condition of key parts of the bridge like its deck or supports. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said officials who made requests found records were extremely redacted so much so that it was almost a joke. She plans to introduce legislation this year to force transparency. We want to create a public database where residents are able to just readily obtain the information regarding the safety of the bridges in their communities, Lee said. Lees initial attempt at rail bridge safety reforms in 2024 stalled, which she attributes to influence from railroad companies and their powerful lobbyists. It is not an issue that impacts one type of district blue districts or red districts. This is an issue of national safety, of public safety, all across the country, she said. Reporters Matthew Bird, Mackenzie Miller and Justin Patton contributed to this story. It was produced by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at Arizona State Universitys Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, an initiative of the Scripps Howard Foundation in honor of the late news industry executive and pioneer Roy W. Howard. For more, see https://cnsmaryland.org/off-the-rails/. Contact us at howardcenter@asu.edu or on X @HowardCenterASU. Photo: A derailed freight train burns on a bridge spanning Tempe Town Lake, July 29, 2020, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, file) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics USA Elon Musk and his social media company X Corp have reached a tentative agreement to settle a lawsuit filed by former Twitter employees who said they were owed $500 million in severance pay. Attorneys for X Corp and the former Twitter employees reported the deal in an Aug. 20 court filing, in which both sides asked a U.S. appeals court to delay an upcoming court hearing so that they could finalize a deal that would pay the fired employees and end the litigation. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Musk fired approximately 6,000 employees after his 2022 acquisition of Twitter, which he rebranded X. Several employees sued over their terminations and severance pay, and other lawsuits are still pending in courts in Delaware and California. The settlement would resolve a proposed class action filed in California by Courtney McMillian, who previously oversaw Twitters employee benefits programs as its head of total rewards, and Ronald Cooper, who was an operations manager. Related: Twitter Owes Ex-Employees $500M in Severance, Lawsuit Claims A federal judge in San Francisco dismissed the employees lawsuit in July 2024, and they appealed to the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Court of Appeals. The 9th Circuit had been scheduled to hear oral arguments on September 17. Attorneys for Musk and McMillian did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. The lawsuit argued that a 2019 severance plan guaranteed that most Twitter workers would receive two months of their base pay plus one week of pay for each full year of service if they were laid off. Senior employees such as McMillian were owed six months of base pay, according to the lawsuit. But Twitter only gave laid-off workers at most one month of severance pay, and many of them did not receive anything, according to the lawsuit. Twitter laid off more than half of its workforce as a cost-cutting measure after Musk acquired the company. Topics Lawsuits A recently discovered data breach may impact more than one million customers of Farmers Insurance, warned a recent notification to Maines Attorney General. Farmers Insurance Exchange, Farmers Group, Inc. (its attorney-in fact), and their subsidiaries and affiliates provided notice of the security incident that could reveal personal customer information. The insurers notice, available on its website, provides details about the incident that may impact 1,071,172 policyholders. On May 30, 2025, a third party vendor alerted Farmers to suspicious activity involving an unauthorized actor accessing one of the vendors databases containing Farmers customer information. Monitoring tools allowed the vendor to detect the activity and take appropriate containment measures, including blocking the unauthorized access. Farmers launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the nature and scope of the breach, while notifying law enforcement. The investigation revealed the vendors database was actually accessed on May 29, 2025, with some data access by the unauthorized user. A comprehensive review was performed to determine what data had been accessed and acquired, whether the data contained personal information, and to whom the personal information belonged. On July 24, 2025, the review determined that certain personal information related to a select population of Farmers customers was subject to unauthorized access and acquisition. Farmers began sending written notices to the affected individuals on or around August 22, 2025. The following types of personal information were contained in the database: name, address, date of birth, drivers license number, and/or last four digits of Social Security number. There was no evidence showing additional personal information was accessed. Farmers is providing free access to Cyberscout Single Bureau Credit Monitoring/Single Bureau Credit Report/Single Bureau Credit Score for twenty-four (24) months to those who may be impacted by the breach. The breach follows several incidents involving US insurers this year. Among them were Erie and Philadelphia insurance companies. In June, analysts at Googles Mandiant warned the cybercrime group known as Scattered Spider was focusing on the insurance industry. Related: Insurance Sector Should Be on the Lookout for Scattered Spider Hackers Erie Insurance said no data had been breached by its network outage. Shortly before Erie, Philadelphia Insurance said it was back up and running after its network outage. The insurer denied the event was related to ransomware. Topics Cyber Data Driven Cries for help came from the pitch-black woods, from rooftops and from attics that shifted unsteadily as the water rose. Firefighters and police raced to help, having little guidance on where or how. Top emergency leaders were asleep or out of town. Using recordings of first responder communications, weather service warnings, survivor videos and official testimony, The Associated Press has assembled a chronology of the chaotic rescue effort as a flash flood barreled east through the Hill Country of Central Texas before dawn on July 4. The flooding killed at least 136 people including more than two dozen children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a century-old summer camp for girls that was among the first areas inundated. The victims ranged in age from 1 to 91 and although most were from Texas, some who died were from Alabama, California and Florida, according to a list released by Kerr County officials. Here are some of the harrowing moments: 12:30 to 1:15 a.m. CDT In a Slack chat, a National Weather Service forecaster tells emergency managers, meteorologists and news media that the agency is monitoring Kerr County, but so far there has been little rain. Within 40 minutes, two weather cells combine, creating a dramatically more dangerous situation. A flash flood warning goes out at 1:14 a.m. With the storm making already spotty cellphone service worse, some people report receiving the first National Weather Service notification on their phones, while others say they never received it. 2 to 3 a.m. The water rises quickly at Camp Mystic. A spokesperson for the camp would later say staff began evacuating campers and counselors between 2 and 2:30 a.m. The girls leave their cabins and try to wade to safety. None of the emergency communications between midnight and 6 a.m. reviewed by the AP were about responses to the camp. 3:30 to 4 a.m. Kerr County emergency dispatchers request the first water rescue at 3:35 a.m. Emergency calls come in for homes flooding along Highway 39. Callers house flooded, a dispatcher radios. All the residents are on their house. A later call from Camp La Junta staff reports dozens of boys are in the water after a cabin flooded. Several volunteer fire departments and other law enforcement officers respond to areas around the Guadalupe River after realizing the severity of the situation. Frantic calls would come from people on rooftops and in attic rafters who say they felt the cabins moving under them. Calls would also come from people who scrambled up trees after it was too late to leave by car. 4:16 a.m. A U.S. Geological Survey river gauge about a half mile (0.8 km) east of Hunt is already recording almost 24 feet (7.3 meters) of water considered major flood stage for the Guadalupe River. As the water rises in a home near the river, Jane Towler captured video on her phone of the muddy water in the kitchen. Everything in our yard has floated away, she told her son and a family friend. I want us to be prepared to go up in the attic. They wound up surviving the night on the roof. Kerr Countys CodeRed alert system, which allows the county to send cellphone alerts, would become a point of contention after the flood. Residents and others ask why county officials didnt use the alerts at the height of the emergency. Fire rescuers had asked for a CodeRed alert as early as 4:22 a.m. East of Hunt, the swell of water overtakes an area full of out-of-town campers. 4:35 a.m. A fire rescuer calls out that there are children trapped in the water at the RV parks behind Howdys restaurant on the western edge of Kerrville. Were trying to keep people out of the water but theyre trying to go in on their own to get those children, she reports. We need some law enforcement down here, now! Rescuers work to evacuate the RV parks as several of the vehicles are swept away, some with families still inside. Interviews with family members and others would later reveal that more than 40 people staying in the area died. 4:45 a.m. A crew of rescuers from San Antonio arrive to help, but with no command center established, they wait for instructions in a fast food parking lot less than 2 river miles (3.2 km) from the RV park. The rising water overtakes their trucks and strands their boats for hours. Radio traffic shows that an official command center wouldnt be set up until after 6 a.m. Other out-of-town crews rely on word of mouth to determine where and how to help. Many rescuers on the banks cant reach people in the swollen river. 4:59 a.m. A firefighter runs along the river trying to find people he can hear in the water but cannot see. Volunteer firefighters are forced to think on their feet in a scenario many have never experienced before. They move teams to bridges and river crossings, trying to find places they can pull people from the water without boats. If you could, see if Kerrvilles got a crew that they could set up at Bear Creek off Arcadia and see if they could pick up any of the people that are washing by us, one asks a dispatcher. 5:09 a.m. Screams sound in the distance as waters rise at an RV park along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville. Testimony from Kerr County leaders at a legislative hearing at the end of July would confirm that the countys top official was out of town, the sheriff was asleep and the emergency management coordinator was sick in bed when the floods and the emergency response began. 5:32 a.m. Additional rescuers from state task forces and neighboring counties continue to rely on others in the field for direction. Sir, we dont have an incident command right now, a dispatcher tells one crew. Received, the responder says. Please advise when you have an assignment for us. 6 to 6:30 a.m. As daylight breaks, emergency personnel are able to see the catastrophic scope of the flooding from the air, but rescuers keep struggling to find and reach survivors. They scan the water from bridges and crossings. I have multiple people in backyards hanging onto trees yelling at us, but we cant see them, a rescuer tells dispatch. 8:33 a.m. As the morning stretches on, dispatchers start getting calls from people spotting possible survivors. Weve been contacted by a passerby, a Kerr County dispatcher tells rescuers. Theres a person flashing a signal light in the trees in the vicinity of Tranquility Island. I believe theyre summoning rescue. Rescues, including by helicopter, continue into the afternoon. Crews also begin recovering bodies. For many families holding out hope of having their loved ones returned, it would take days or weeks due to the massive amount of debris and the widespread search area along the Guadalupe River. In the following days The death toll would grow to at least 136; three people remain missing statewide. Residents along the Guadalupe River and the families of victims have questioned why they had no notice of the impending flood. The waters rose quickly in the middle of the night, and hard-hit Kerr County lacked an updated flood warning system; state and local agencies had missed opportunities to finance one. Local officials told Texas lawmakers who visited the area weeks later that they also need better communications systems and broadband. Questions have also been raised about why top emergency officials werent involved sooner. Lawmakers say they are intent on learning lessons from the catastrophe. ___ This story has been updated to correct that three people remain missing statewide. - Associated Press reporters Sean Murphy, Seth Borenstein, Nadia Lathan, Christopher L. Keller and Stephen Smith contributed to this report. Photo: Search and rescue teams from Kerrville Fire Department walk past debris after flooding near the banks of the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Texas Flood AM Best upgraded Baton Rouge based regional workers compensation insurer, Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Companys Financial Strength and Credit Ratings from A (Excellent) to A (Excellent). Stonetrust offers workers compensation coverage and services to more than 5,000 policyholders in Louisiana and eleven other states in the midwest and southeastern regions of the United States. AM Best indicated that the rating upgrade reflected Stonetrusts very strong balance sheet strength, and operating performance highlighted by five consecutive years of positive income in each area. The upgrade is a compliment to the tremendous team that weve assembled at Stonetrust and reinforces the momentum and progress that weve achieved the last few years, said Stonetrust President, Michael G. Dileo. We had just achieved our A rating in 2022, so were really excited to receive this upgrade so soon after the last one. It affirms our profitability first strategy, the partnerships that weve built with our great agency partners and supports our plans for expanding our product into more states. Stonetrust is a regional insurance company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana providing workers compensation and employers liability insurance in twelve states across the midwest and southeastern U.S. Topics Workers' Compensation Talent AM Best The manager of an off-the-books construction-worker payroll operation in Naples, Florida, pleaded guilty last week to a scheme that prosecutors said defrauded the U.S. government of $4 million and swindled insurers out of workers compensation premiums. Alexis Garcia, manager of Tape Drywall Services Inc., and Carlos Alberto Hernandez were indicted in August. Garcia, also known as Pedro, pleaded guilty Aug. 18 to one count of tax fraud by failing to withhold taxes on workers. The indictment and the U.S. Department of Justice said he also defrauded workers comp insurers by underreporting payroll, from 2017 through 2019. Contractors would write checks to Tape Drywall for workers that Garcia supplied for construction projects. Garcia and Hernandez would then cash the checks, retain a fee, and pay the workers in cash, avoiding tax withholding and insurance for many of them. Altogether, the operation cashed more than 3,600 checks totaling more than $28 million, prosecutors said. Garcias sentencing date has not been set. He faces as much as five years in prison and some level of restitution. Garcias alleged co-conspirator, Hernandez, died in May and charges against him were dismissed, federal court records show. The insurance companies defrauded in the scheme were not named in the indictment. Photo: Drywall workers at work. (Adobe Stock image) Topics Florida Workers' Compensation Ray Estradas 11-year-old grandson is used to Las Vegas scorching summers, but hed always wanted to experience the heat in one of the Earths hottest places. So Estrada recently drove him to Death Valley National Park, with an umbrella, extra water and electrolytes in tow. That day, the thermometer soared to 118 F (47.78 C). We have to be very careful when we go out there, Estrada told him. If you start feeling dizzy or whatever were just gonna turn back and be safe so we can do this again another time. The extreme temperatures in this stretch of California desert attract visitors every year, some determined to finish a grueling, multiday race, others just curious about the sizzling heat and the landscapes vast beauty. Yet despite the warnings, the heat kills one to three people annually, and park rangers respond to overheated visitors multiple times per week, making communication about heat safety a priority for the National Park Service. But thats easier said than done. Its very easy to underestimate how dangerous heat is, said Abby Wines, the parks acting deputy superintendent. People are usually used to thinking of heat as something that makes them uncomfortable, and that they can tough it out. This type of heat will kill, she said. Death Valley holds the record for the hottest temperature ever officially recorded 134 F (56.67 C) in July 1913 although some experts have disputed it and say the real record was 130 F (54.4 C) there in July 2021. In the U.S., heat kills more people than other weather events combined, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. If planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, which come from burning fuels like oil and coal, continue at their current pace, more places could experience broiling temperatures. That makes it crucial to communicate the dangers of extreme heat and safety precautions, as both can influence who lives and dies. Risks and a Sense of Control Throughout this desert are stark warnings of the deadly heat: Stop. Extreme heat danger. Walking after 10 a.m. not recommended, one sign says. HEAT KILLS! warns another. On bathroom walls there are reminders to hydrate in the form of charts displaying the color of pee the darker the urine, the more you need to drink water. Another sign warns visitors that helicopters for medical emergencies cant safely fly amid extreme temperatures. Ambulances can often deploy in extreme heat but are not a guarantee. The safety of emergency responders is always considered. Baruch Fischhoff, professor at Carnegie Mellon University who studies decision-making, said evidence shows that people generally underestimate risk when they have a sense of control. Information that explicitly says rescue might not be an option if its too hot takes away that sense of the control that can lead to underestimating risk. Failing to recognize those risks can be deadly. Last summer, a helicopter was unable to fly to a rescue because of 128 F (53.33 C) temperatures. A group of visitors were traveling on motorcycles when one died from the heat, and another was treated for severe heat illness and transported to a hospital. Rescue options are even more limited for hikers lost on a trail. Unless its a short distance and rescuers know where the person is, theyll likely wait until sunset if its above 115 F (46.11 C). Depending on their situation, Wines said, thats probably too late. The Challenges of Communication Two of the parks busiest months are in the summer, and it sees a small bump in visitors when temperatures are expected to hit the high 120s or 130s F (48.89s to 54.44s C). But its the moderate temperatures that tend to get people into more trouble. We actually have a harder time communicating our concerns about heat to the public when they visit and its only 100 to 115, Wines said. The dryness evaporates sweat almost instantly, so many people dont realize how much theyre actually sweating. Then theres the vastness. Death Valley has more than 50 entrances, so many visitors arent seeing rangers who can relay important information. Instead, they place heat warning signs in the hottest and most popular spots. But they discovered that people responded less to heat warning signs that looked permanent compared to those that seemed temporary. For Marc Green, an expert in experimental psychology, that finding is 100% predictable. People judge what to do based on specific information, he said. If a warning sign is up all the time, even when conditions are good, it contains no useful information. Thats why people disregard it. Jennifer Marlon, senior research scientist at the Yale School of the Environment, has studied public perceptions of the health risks of extreme heat across the U.S. How people perceive heat and other climate risks varies by factors like age, race, gender, income level and where they live. Older white men, for instance, tend to have lower risk perceptions across the board, whereas women have higher risk perceptions than men. The challenge, though, is that the level of worry or risk perception doesnt necessarily translate into action, Marlon said. Optimism bias could also falsely make a person believe the heat wont personally affect them. While studies show that experience with heat increases peoples concern, it is short-lived. You get a bump for like a year or so after a really big event and then it just goes right back to the baseline, she said. What Type of Communication is Effective Marlon said to be specific. Dont just tell people that heat can be lethal, tell them what could happen to their bodies and what to do to stay safe. Death Valley park does this. On site and online, park officials tell visitors to avoid hiking at low elevations after 10 a.m., to stay on paved roads and near their cars. They say to drink and carry plenty of water, and to seek shade and hydrate if you feel dizzy, nauseous or have a headache. And while this isnt something the park would initiate, if scientists gave names to heat waves, similar to how hurricanes are named, that could better grab peoples attention because human brains are attuned to novelty, Marlon said. The messenger is also important. If friends, family and neighbors are worried and nudging you to do something, that can be more powerful than reading information online. Community leaders modeling appropriate behavior like saying theyre evacuating their family ahead of a hurricane or that they carry extra water in their trunk can also go a long way. Marlon also suggested communicating how extreme heat can impair the ability to think clearly. When communicating with images, show people drinking water, putting on cold wet towels or resting in shade. Whatever the recommended behavior is, show them pictures of that behavior because were incredibly and fundamentally social animals, and body language is so much of how we communicate, Marlon said. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Securities and Exchange Commission has charged Ryan Wear, of Marysville, Washington, and his entities, Water Station Management LLC and Creative Technologies, Inc., for operating two related Ponzi-like schemes between September 2016 and February 2024 that raised more than $275 million from more than 250 investors. In a separate action, the SEC also charged portfolio manager Jordan Chirico, of Carmel, Indiana, for violating his fiduciary duty by investing his private fund client in the scheme despite his undisclosed conflicts of interest and awareness of red flags. Wears alleged scheme spanned more than seven years and ensnared hundreds of investors, including veterans who were solicited with higher guaranteed returns and exclusive financing options, said Corey Schuster, Chief of the Division of Enforcements Asset Management Unit. Furthermore, it is fundamental to the advisory relationship that investment advisers like Mr. Chirico act in their clients best interests and disclose all material conflicts of interest. As alleged, Mr. Chirico failed to do so here while increasing his fund clients investments in Water Station in the face of red flags. According to a press release, the SECs complaint against Wear, Water Station and Creative Technologies alleges that from September 2016 through September 2023, these defendants raised more than $165 million, primarily from retail investors including veterans, by offering and selling investment contracts in which investors supposedly purchased water machines that would generate revenues. In reality, the complaint alleges, thousands of the water machines did not exist or had already been sold to other investors. The complaint further alleges that in a second, related scheme, these defendants raised more than $110 million from institutional investors between April 2022 and February 2024 through the issuance of Water Station notes purportedly secured by water machines. As with the first scheme, most of the water machines did not exist or were not owned by Water Station, according to the complaint. These defendants also allegedly misappropriated over $60 million of investor funds to make Ponzi-like payments to other investors and fund Wears other business ventures, including Refreshing USA, LLC and Ideal Property Investments LLC, which are named in the complaint as relief defendants. The SECs separate complaint against Chirico alleges he violated his fiduciary duty to his private fund client, including by directing the fund client to purchase Water Station notes without disclosing his significant personal investment in the business. The complaint also alleges Chirico failed to act in the fund clients best interests by causing it to substantially increase its investments in the notes despite red flags that some of the purported water machine collateral may have been fabricated. Per the press release, the SECs complaints, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charge the defendants with violating antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. They seek injunctive relief and civil penalties against the defendants, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains against the defendants and relief defendants, and an officer and director bar against Wear. In a parallel action, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York today announced criminal charges against Wear and Chirico. Topics Fraud Manufacturing A letter to the editor of a Canadian newspaper in 1825 bemoaned the Irish coming over, getting free land when we should be looking after our own. Playwright John Sheehy, of Callback Theatre Company, cites this complaint saying the letter could have been written today, albeit in Ireland, complaining about immigrants. He has written a play, The Robinson Experiment, that brings to life a poignant chapter in Irish-Canadian history. The play is the centre-piece of Ballyhouras bicentennial commemoration of the Peter Robinson settlers. Robinson, a Canadian politician and hunter, was hired by the British Empire (of which Canada was a subject) to lead a sponsored resettlement scheme. The initiative, which predated the Great Famine by two decades, saw over 500 families from North Cork, Southeast Limerick and the Ballyhoura region set sail from Cobh to begin new lives in Ontario. The families were given free passage. Two ships left Cobh in 1823 and, given the success of the programme, a further nine vessels made the Atlantic voyage in 1825. Commissioned by Ballyhoura Development, the play is not a strict historical retelling. Rather, it explores the emotional journey of a fictional Munster family preparing to emigrate to Canada. It deals with the human experience, capturing the fears, hopes, humour and heartbreak of those leaving and those left behind. In all, about 2,500 Irish people made the big move to Canada as part of the scheme. Produced by Callback Theatres Cora Fenton who also plays the Bean Feasa (wise woman) in the play, it will be staged at the Schoolyard Theatre in Charleville. While the venue is in the process of being renovated, it is being opened up for the play. The Ireland-Canada Homecoming will see over 150 guests from Canada and the US visiting the Ballyhoura region with many of them expected to attend the play. Sheehy and Fenton, from Kilmallock, are both a professional and romantic couple that used to be based in Cork before relocating to County Limerick ten years ago. The play stars Cork-based actors, Jack Healy and Cormac Costello as well as Eleanor OBrien from Limerick and Ben Waddell from Dublin. As Fenton explains, each family was given seventy acres of land to farm in Upper Canada. That was the draw. They were also given tools and provisions for the first twelve months. They had a tough time and had to work hard. The land at that time in the wilds of Canada was pretty much uncultivated. The families left the mountains of Ballyhoura and went to the forests of Upper Canada. They had to fell the trees and build their own houses. It took a good six months to become established on their lots. When you think back, it was only twenty years before the Famine. Werent they the lucky ones to get out of Ireland? The play tells a very human story of a burgeoning family in Ballyhoura. We see the Barry household who are expecting their first child. Theyre trying to make ends meet as they are impoverished. They havent much to look forward to. Peter Robinson presents this amazing scheme. When the Barrys become aware of it, they wonder if they should go to Canada. It was never on their radar. The Barrys wondered about leaving their families and their land. What kind of life would their baby have in Canada compared to Ireland? There are bears and wolves in Canada. Can they trust that there will be seventy acres for them? Can they take the settlement scheme at face value? Sheehy says that what interested him was the family dynamic and the pressures it was under. Today, people are looking at high rents in this country, living week to week. The same old economic story plays itself out. Meanwhile, a play was also commissioned in Canada to commemorate the settlement of the Irish there. Ive met my counterpart, a Canadian playwright called Megan Murphy. One of her ancestors was one of the original settlers. She has written a play from the Canadian point of view. While Sheehys play was commissioned by Ballyhoura Development, he says he was given great creative freedom and adds that the drama also works as a standalone piece. You dont need to know the history to enjoy it. Its primarily a theatrical experience. Fentons character represents old Ireland while the character of mother-to-be, Beibh Barry represents the young Ireland. That dynamic has always been a source of tension, down through the ages. Ah yes, the 1980s. Back in 1985 I still had the day job in CIE while I attempted rock stardom in the evenings and weekends with Cork band Belsonic Sound. As a country, it was the year we allowed over-18s access to contraception without a prescription, despite the best efforts of the Catholic Church. In music, Live Aid overshadowed everything, as the live concerts raised millions for famine relief. Personally, I was a bit disillusioned with some of the music coming out in that era, and I turned back to the 1960s. However, there were still some fine albums released in 1985. Here are my favourites: 1. Microdisney: The Clock Comes Down The Stairs One of the first times I saw Microdisney was in the Metropole Hotel on a school night... me being a North Mon boy at the time. It was their first gig as a two-piece, and theyd hired a function room on the pretense that it was a wedding so everyone going to the gig was given these little buttonhole flowers to keep up the pretense. I remember saying goodbye to them at their final gig in the now defunct Ivernia before they moved to London. They left the next morning and two quickly became five. This is very much a London record and part of the sound they went on to forge but Cathal's voice will always be entrenched in Cork folklore. Im welling up here thinking of the night when they finished the journey in Cypress Avenue, bringing it all back home for the last time. That beautiful rendition of Pink Skinned Man was very emotional. I had a lovely chat with Cathal that night. I didnt know then that it would be the last. REM's Fables of the Reconstruction; Hoodoo Gurus' Mars Need Guitars 2. REM: Fables Of The Reconstruction This is REM's difficult third album. Difficult because they were working with a new producer, the legendary Joe Boyd, and also because they were trying to take their sound to a different place and they werent really sure where they were going. That probably explains why the album sounds a bit disjointed and all over the place. The songs themselves were great. Maps And Legends and Green Grow The Rushes veers into Byrds-like folk rock territory while Feeling Gravity's Pull could have been on any of the earlier records. All in all, its a transition record because I think they knew they had to change their music a bit to take it to the next level. They didnt manage that with this record. It would take another album to achieve that. History has been kind to this record and many fans including myself hold it in very high regard. 3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: The Firstborn Is Dead Firstborn is Dead, Nick Cave This is the second album of his Berlin period featuring the original Bad Seeds line up. Its a dark, gothic and very biblical record that combines punk with raw guttural blues. Its musical and literary influences are firmly rooted in the southern states with particular focus on Elvis Presley with whom Cave always had a fascination. The album's title refers to Elviss twin, Jesse Garon who died at birth and always haunted Elvis, while Tupelo is an ode to the King's birthplace. I remember speaking to him about Elvis when he did a signing in Comet Records in Cork back in the day. It's an intense album with lots of mood swings and emotions and not always an easy listen. It's best enjoyed on a decent sound system in a quiet room where you can hear a pin drop. My particular favourite is Knocking On Joe, for years the highlight of his live shows. 4. Hoodoo Gurus: Mars Needs Guitars! The follow up to the classic Stoneage Romeos sees the Gurus plow the same musical furrow and continue their fascination with sci-fi, 1970s TV cartoons, and '60s power pop. It's all put through a blender and still comes out sounding like a punk Big Star. The songs are still top notch and hook you in from the start. Poison Pen and The Other Side Of Paradise the two standout tunes. The Hoodoo Gurus could best be described as a fun band not to be taken too seriously. For a brief period they were the best band that nobody had heard of. Dexy's Midnight Runners' Don't Stand Me Down; The Waterboys' This is the Sea 5. Dexys Midnight Runners: Dont Stand Me Down Im a huge fan of Kevin Rowland. The guy could sing the phone book and Id probably buy it. This is the third album and its a departure from the celtic soul of its predecessor. Its a very stripped back affair; the band having been reduced to a four-piece. The trademark Dexys trombone does fortunately make an appearance. The songs are longer, always intense and incredibly fascinating. Rowland wears his heart on his sleeve like no other artist. The recording was long, difficult and expensive and the album didnt do well. Having no obvious singles on the record probably didnt help matters. Stung by the rejection, the band split shortly afterwards. 6. The Waterboys: This Is The Sea The third studio album and the culmination of the big music. Dropping the needle on this youre immediately hooked by the blistering opening crescendo of Dont Bang The Drum which leaves you in no doubt that theyve found their sound. Moods and tempo fluctuate throughout the record from the upbeat Medicine Bow to the more introspective Spirit and Trumpets. For me, the track that defines the record is the powerful Old England, in my opinion their best-ever song. The final song, Pan Within, introduces Steve Wickham and gives a hint at what life will be like after the big music. On the production side, this album has the best piano sound Ive heard since Hunky Dory. Husker Du's Flip Your Wig and New Day Rising LPs 7. Husker Du: Flip Your Wig 1985 was a very productive year for Husker Du. They followed up the classic Zen Arcade with not one, but two albums. This is the second and arguably the better one. It would also be their last record for SST. While the basic formula is still there one can sense a different musical approach. The 'Beatles of hardcore' placing a lot more emphasis on structure and melody with the guitars back in the mix. Mould and Hart are really expressing their individuality as songwriters with contrasting styles. Hart's big contribution is Green Eyes, written about his cat, while Mould gives us games and the excellent Find Me. The less said about The Baby Song the better. 8. Husker Du: New Day Rising The actual follow up to Zen Arcade was always going to be doomed by comparison. How do you follow up a record like that? They recorded it with the inhouse producer which was probably a bad idea because they clashed with him throughout the recording which may explain why it's one of the most badly produced records Ive ever heard. Mould's excessive drinking during the recording of the album didnt help matters either. Deciding to focus on the poppier elements of the new material they managed to deliver a fine album which included arguably their finest song Celebrated Summer. I would love to see this remastered some day so it could properly fulfil its potential. 9. The Smiths: Meat Is Murder Initially I wasnt a fan. I thought I was too old for The Smiths. I was definitely too old and too busy to sit in my bedroom angst ridden listening to Morrissey's lyrics. The tune that changed my mind was William It Was Really Nothing. That one blew me away so when the second album came out I had to see what I was missing. A brilliant album that pulls no punches on topics such as vegetarianism and the education system. I know quite a few people who stopped eating meat because of this record. Van Morrison: A Sense of Wonder 10. Van Morrison: A Sense Of Wonder The first thing that filled me with a sense of wonder about this album was the fact that he was smiling on the sleeve. Anyone familiar with Van will know that he doesnt do smiling. Thankfully it didnt affect the music. Its a very lyrical and poetic record that follows that celtic soul thread he began with 1979's Into The Music. Tore Down A La Rimbaud would become a live favourite while Let The Slave incorporate the words of William Blake beautifully with the Caledonia soul. However, the album suffers greatly from that soulless 1980s production that ruined so many great records of that era. Three that didnt make it Tom Waits: Rain Dogs Jesus And Mary Chain: Psychocandy Channeling The Velvets, Shangri-Las, and The Ramones... with a side order of feedback. Sisters Of Mercy: First And Last And Always While it's hard to take the prince of darkness seriously, this is a great record. Tom Waits: Rain Dogs Not my favourite Tom record but still an impressive offering. Belfast rap trio Kneecap have shared the news with their fans that they have had to cancel their US tour dates in October. All 15 dates of the tour have been cancelled, they confirmed on Monday. Due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour, as the British government continues its witch-hunt, we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October, a post on Instagram read. The trio said that they were sad to deliver the news to their tens of thousands of fans in the US who had sold out each date of the tour, but promised they would embark on an even bigger tour of the US once court proceedings are over. They also confirmed that Canadian shows are not affected and that they will be playing their four sold-out gigs in Vancouver and Toronto. Fans have been advised that refunds for the US tour dates are available at the point of purchase. Separately, Kneecap shared some good news with fans, saying they would be sharing something very special with US fans next week so that they can still link in with those who were due to attend the gigs in October. It's top secret for now but all will be revealed next week - stay tuned, they posted. The trio signed off their post on Instagram by saying: And remember...'The revolution will be no re-run, brothers. The revolution will be live.' FREE PALESTINE! Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, who is stepping down at the end of this week, has chosen who will take up positions as prospective bosses within the organisation. The panel for assistant commissioner the third-highest rank in the force marks one of his final major decisions before he retires. The Irish Examiner understands that the competition for deputy commissioner stemming from the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Justin Kelly as the new commissioner is expected to run very soon. Mr Kelly, current head of Security, Strategy and Governance, starts his five-year term on September 1. Five applicants all chief superintendents entered the final interview stage for assistant commissioner early last week. They were: Ger Egan (National Bureau of Criminal Investigations); Denis Ferry (Human Resources); Catriona Gunne (Internal Affairs); Alan McGovern (Louth, Cavan, Monaghan Division); and Tony ODonnell (Dublin South Central Division). The order of the panel determines who is first, second, and so on, to take up vacancies as they arise. There is currently one vacancy. If an assistant commissioner is promoted to deputy commissioner, it will create a second vacancy. The order of the assistant commissioner panel is: 1. Chief Supt Gunne; 2. Chief Supt Ferris; 3. Chief Supt McGovern. It is not clear if Chief Supt Egan (4) or Chief Supt ODonnell (5) are on the panel. Currently, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman is doing two jobs the Eastern Region as well as Roads Policing and Community Engagement. It is expected that Chief Supt Gunne will get one of those briefs, possibly Roads Policing and Community Engagement. If a current assistant commissioner is successful for the deputy commissioner vacancy, it would mean that Chief Supt Ferry would be promoted next. There are suggestions that an existing assistant commissioner could retire next year, but that is yet to become clear. It is not clear how long the panel will last, but reports suggest it will operate to the end of 2026, at least, and perhaps up to two years. After that, a fresh competition will be held for a new panel. Mr Kelly should have a new deputy commissioner within months, joining the other existing deputy commissioner, Shawna Coxon. Ms Coxon, head of Garda Operations, also applied for the commissioner post. The new commissioner, as is often the case, may carry out a reshuffle of assistant commissioner and possibly deputy commissioner positions once in the job. It is expected that Mr Kelly would wait until the deputy commissioner job is filled before doing so. The department of Justice is taking the lead on the deputy commissioner competition, but the process will be carried out by the new Garda Board and the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Previously, the Policing Authority, and the PAS, ran competitions for assistant commissioner and chief superintendent, but with the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, it was given to the Garda Commissioner and new Garda board. The threat to Ireland from hostile states seeking information including on policies and political information of the State is ever present, the Garda security service has warned. The Garda Annual Security Services Plan 2025 says Ireland is facing an increasingly diverse range of threats from terrorism, violent extremism and subversion as well as espionage and sabotage. The plan is the first standalone Garda document on the internal security service, with only brief statements included in annual Garda policing plans up to now. The warning on hostile states targeting State policies and political information comes as the so-called agent Cobalt controversy deepened over the weekend. The Sunday Times stood by its report last October which stated that Irish military and garda security services were monitoring a politician in the Oireachtas who had been recruited by Russian intelligence as an agent of influence. The security plan, drawn up by the Garda Security & Intelligence Service, said of the threat to Ireland from hostile state actors: The threat from these actors, intent on obtaining information on intellectual property, as well as policies and political information of the State, is ever present. Yesterday, The Sunday Times said that, according to security sources, the alleged value of agent Cobalt was not to access classified material but to influence narratives, delay policymaking processes, and sow confusion in political and security structures. The article follows reports in The Journal on Tuesday, which stated there was no Agent Cobalt and that a garda investigation had exonerated him. It suggested the politician was sent confirmation of this in writing. This prompted an unusual move by Garda Headquarters, which issued a formal statement on Tuesday saying that there was an ongoing active criminal investigation into this matter. On Friday, The Journal quoted details from what it said was a document that was drawn up following meetings between the Garda Special Detective Unit (SDU) and legal representatives of the politician. It said the document unequivocally states that the politician has no case to answer. The Irish Examiner understands the purported memorandum was drafted by legal representatives using minutes taken at a meeting, and that it names who was present, including allegedly from the SDU. The authenticity and accuracy of the document and whether or not the SDU agreed to its contents are issues that are either not clear or disputed, with developments in this area possible. Security sources told the Irish Examiner last week that no letter was issued by gardai clearing the politician and that no garda investigation would tell a suspect they were formally in the clear. They declined to comment on minutes of a meeting taken by third parties. Separately, the security services plan said Ireland faces other threats. Referring to terrorist attacks in Europe, it said: The proliferation of destructive ideologies poses a direct threat to the values of democratic society, corrupts vulnerable citizens, threatens lives and endangers the freedoms and norms that we have become accustomed to in a secure society. Ireland is not immune to such a threat. The plan said the security challenge posed by self-radicalised lone actors as well as connected groupings or individuals displaying extremist and terrorist ideologies present a potential threat to the security of the State and our people. The plan said gardai continue to maintain vigilance in respect of violent political extremism and related activity. Security & Intelligence is cognisant that there is a rise in violent political extremism in Ireland and across Europe, it said, adding that it worked with foreign security services on this matter. A man who was found dead at a property in Co Down has been named by police as 84-year-old Sean Small. A murder investigation has been launched after the man was found dead outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on Sunday. Police said patrols have been stepped up in the area in an effort to reassure the community after the local mans death. I want to provide reassurance that we are working at pace to investigate the circumstances of this murder and we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators and in securing justice Chief Inspector Adam Ruston said the local community will be in shock after the incident. Waking up to this news is sure to have caused distress that this has happened in such a close-knit residential area of Newcastle, Mr Ruston said. However, I want to provide reassurance that we are working at pace to investigate the circumstances of this murder and we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators and in securing justice. Locals and visitors to Newcastle over this bank holiday and later in the week will notice more of our officers on the ground and on patrol as we work on this investigation and to provide the community with the reassurance and support of police presence. Police have also urged people not to speculate and allow the investigation to be carried out. Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, of the Major Investigation Team, said: We received a report at around 10.30pm on Sunday August 24 that a man in his 80s had been found dead outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area. Our thoughts are with the family of the victim. I encourage people not to speculate and allow our officers the time and space to carry out their investigation. While inquiries are at a very early stage, we need the help of the public to come forward with any information. If you have photos or footage of this area or the wider Tullybrannigan and Bryansford Road areas, please share these with police through the Major Incident Public Portal. Photos and footage can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal, by phoning the PSNI on 101, or by providing it anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online. The Government has been accused of a U-turn on plans to introduce across-the-board 30km/hr speed limits in urban areas. The department of transport has confirmed the onus will be on local councils to cut speed limits, rather than changes coming directly from Government. Legislation passed last year contained provisions for sweeping changes to urban speed limits, but the Department has since confirmed these will not be enacted at this time. It would have seen any 50km/hr speed limit reduced to 30km/hr, but instead will be left to the discretion of individual local authorities through a mechanism known as special speed limit bye-laws. Green Party city councillor in Cork, Oliver Moran, accused the Government of caving on a commitment set out by the previous coalition. The legislated approach was that the default urban speed limit was to be 30km/h. Local authorities could then look at individual roads in an area and make special speed limits for roads they wanted to remain 50km/h. Thats been flipped on its head, Mr Moran said. Mr Moran said there is effectively no change, as local authorities have always had powers available to it to reduce speeds on roads through bye-laws. The trouble is that using special speed limits is painfully slow, Mr Moran said. It means weve only been able to roll out 30km/h zones on a handful of streets per year, when the demand for 30km/h zones from residents is huge. He cited arduous guidelines which slow down the process, but revised guidelines are expected to be introduced next year. Roads minister Sean Canney has defended the change, rejecting assertions that the Government has u-turned on the plan. Theres been no rollback and I will be making sure that we are doing everything in our power to reduce the speed limits. I think people understand it as well, Mr Canney said. Mr Canney said the Government changed tack and opted for councils to reduce speeds, saying it was important there was flexibility. Every urban area changes and the dynamics change, Mr Canney added. I think its important that the local people and the people living in the areas also have a role to play in this. Cork city Labour councillor Peter Horgan highlighted concerns about driver behaviour in recent years, while calling for speed limits to be lowered. Driver behaviour has grown angrier and erratic since the pandemic, and we must utilise all available tools to mitigate dangerous speeds of cars in our urban communities with a pedestrian safety-first approach, Mr Horgan said. Mr Moran highlighted campaigns underway by residents on the Ballyhooly Road and Summerhill on Cork's northside to reduce the speed limits to 30km/h. Streets like Summer Hill and Ballyhooly Road welcomed the 30km/h zone legislation last year. Now, they fear they are going to be sold out and continue to be treated like main roads, with the default speed limit remaining at 50km/h, Mr Moran said. A patient at Cork's Mercy University Hospital sustained serious injuries in an assault on Sunday, just minutes before health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill visited the hospital. The assault took place outside the hospital around 9.30am. The victim, a hospital inpatient aged in his 50s, was allegedly struck with an iron bar after he encountered another man shortly after leaving the hospital grounds to smoke a cigarette. After the incident, the victim was brought back into the hospital for treatment. His injuries are non-life-threatening. Gardai subsequently arrested and questioned a man, also aged in his 50s, in relation to the assault. He has since been released without charge, and a file on the matter is being prepared for submission to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The assault happened only a short time before a scheduled visit to the hospital by the health minister. A spokesperson told the Irish Examiner: "Gardai responded to report of an alleged assault on Henry Street in Cork City on Sunday 24th August 2025 at approximately 9.30am. "A man, in his 50s, was taken to the Mercy University Hospital to be treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. "Gardai arrested a man, in his 50s, at the scene and he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a Garda Station in Cork city. "He has since been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. Investigations are ongoing." A major new development for nearly 350 affordable, social, and cost-rental homes on State-owned lands in Cork has received a green light from City Hall. Following on from its previous approval for a significant development at the former St Kevins Hospital on the north side of the River Lee, this new housing scheme from the Land Development Agency (LDA) is planned on former ESB lands in Wilton, to the south-west of Cork City. The body tasked with acquiring and developing State land to deliver affordable homes had sought a seven-year planning permission for the Wilton development that would include 296 cost-rental apartments, 16 two-storey affordable townhouses, and 36 social housing apartments. In a report lodged on behalf of the LDA as part of its application, it was predicted the cost-rental homes included as part of this development would have significant interest. Looking at additional cost rental schemes nationwide, it is evident that there is a strong demand for this product when it becomes available, it said. It has been reported recently that Cluid received more than 11,000 applications for their cost rental schemes last year, with more than 3,000 applications for 230 apartments at Airton Plaza in Tallaght. It is evident from these statistics that the demand for cost rental units continues to outstrip supply, with significant delivery in the main cities required to satisfy the demand. The report for the LDA also pointed out a lack of accommodation available to rent in Cork. At the time it was compiled in January, there were 63 units available to rent in Cork City, with 38 in the city centre. Six were apartments, highlighting the urgent need for apartment delivery in the city centre, it said. The LDA has previously said construction could start in early 2026, with the first homes being delivered in late 2028, pending planning approval. However, it sought planning permission for seven years as it was "necessary to accommodate the scale and complexity of the large residential development". Cork City Council has granted conditional planning permission for the development, with more than 50 conditions attached. According to a recent LDA report, there is potential for up to 13,810 new homes to be delivered on State-owned lands in Cork. This includes sites in the North Docks, Tivoli Industrial Estate, and the former Cork Prison. Residents in Midleton are looking for volunteer flood buddies to help vulnerable people in the town in the event of a flood. They are wanted to help in the event houses in the town are hit by the sort of floods that wreaked havoc there during Storm Babet nearly two years ago. Ideally, they should be young, fit, able-bodied and able to drive. Organiser and Midleton woman Caroline Leahy, a member of the Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group, said: Residents were left to their own devices for a considerable amount of time in the last big flood. We are all doing what we can to help mitigate against the level of destruction we sustained in Storm Babet and Flood Buddies is one of our latest ideas. While we appreciate that not every person over a certain age is vulnerable, and will have sons or daughters or relatives to help them, not everybody has somebody that they can call on." We want to make sure that everybody is looked after, and nobody is left to their own devices. Details of the Flood Buddy scheme will be announced at a meeting on September 1, at 8pm at the Talbot (formerly Midleton Park) Hotel. Flooding on Main Street, Midleton, during Storm Babet. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Ms Leahy said everyone was welcome and she hoped to get about 50 volunteers. She added fear and anger is mounting locally as the second anniversary of the October 18 Storm Babet approaches. She said not enough was being done fast enough to ensure as many houses and shops as possible have adequate flood mitigation measures in place. As of July 17, 656 of the 725 valid applications for Individual Property Protection had yet to be completed. Cork County Council has been previously asked about concerns around the amount of time it was taking to install the flood barriers in general. It has also been asked if everyone who needs flood defences will have them in place before October under the Midleton and East Cork Individual Property Protection (IPP) Scheme. In reply, it said it was aware of the concerns around the timeline" for the delivery of the Midleton and East Cork IPP scheme. But it also said work was dependent on the level of uptake of the scheme and the market response. It added the scale of this IPP scheme vastly exceeds that of any similar scheme delivered in Ireland or wider Europe. Kilmar Abrego Garcia has surrendered to US immigration authorities in Baltimore where he is facing possible efforts by the Trump administration to deport him to Uganda, an African country with documented human rights abuses. The Maryland construction worker became the face of President Donald Trumps hardline immigration policies when he was wrongfully deported in March to a notorious prison in his native El Salvador. He was returned to the US in June but only to face human smuggling charges that his lawyers call preposterous and vindictive. The Trump administration said it is trying to deport Abrego Garcia months before his trial is scheduled in Tennessee, alleging that the 30-year-old married father is a danger to the community and an MS-13 gang member. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, centre, leaves Putnam County Jail in Tennessee on Friday (Brett Carlsen/AP) He denies the gang allegation, pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges and has asked a judge to dismiss the case on ground of vindictive prosecution. The Salvadoran national spoke at a rally before he turned himself in. This administration has hit us hard but I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us, Abrego Garcia said, speaking through a translator. God will bring justice to all the injustice we are suffering. Abrego Garcia entered the offices of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in a city centre office building. His wife emerged without him a few minutes later, appearing to have tears in her eyes. Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem said in a tweet that Abrego Garcia was being processed for deportation. Abrego Garcias lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said a lawsuit had been filed in federal district court in Maryland shortly after his detention asking for an order that he not be deported. I expect theres going to be a status conference very promptly, and were going to ask for an interim order that he not be deported, pending his due process rights to contest deportation to any particular country, he said. Abrego Garcia was released on Friday afternoon from a jail in Tennessee. He returned to his family in Maryland. Video of the reunion showed a room decorated with streamers, flowers and signs. He embraced loved ones and thanked them for everything. Immigration officials have said they plan to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, which recently agreed to a deal to accept certain deportees from the US. He declined an offer to be removed to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. Filings in federal court show the Costa Rican government saying Abrego Garcia would be welcomed as a legal immigrant and would not face detention. In a statement, Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said the criminal charges underscore how Abrego Garcia presents a clear danger and that he can either plead guilty or stand trial. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people, Mr Gilmartin said. Jennifer Vasquez Sura hugs her husband Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP) The US mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in March, despite a judges earlier determination that he faced a well-founded fear of violence there. Facing a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the United States in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges. He pleaded not guilty and asked the judge to dismiss the case, claiming that it is an attempt to punish him for challenging his deportation to El Salvador. His lawyers have argued that the threat to deport him to Uganda is more proof that the prosecution is vindictive. The smuggling charges stem from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee for speeding. There were nine passengers in the car, and officers discussed among themselves their suspicions of smuggling. Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue driving with only a warning. Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years. Although he was deemed eligible for pre-trial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his attorneys, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Europes distancing from Netanyahu masks deeper complicity in Gazas devastation and the silencing of Palestinians Written by By Dalia Ismail ( Globalvoices.org ) In the last few months, a noticeable shift has emerged across Europe as several governments signal a willingness to pressure Israel by moving toward the recognition of a Palestinian state. France announced it would formalize recognition at the UN General Assembly, which sparked similar calls by other European countries. In Germany, Israels strongest ally in Europe, a senior lawmaker in Friedrich Merzs coalition has even proposed potential sanctions on Israel, including suspending arms exports. While these moves have yet to translate into concrete policy changes, they reflect a growing need among progressive EU leaders to distance themselves from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has become the focal point of international blame. By isolating him as the sole architect of the genocide, the EU avoids confronting its own structural complicity through arms sales, economic ties, and political protection that have long enabled Israels actions so far. The focus on Netanyahus personal responsibility allows these countries to re-write the narrative on the genocide as a matter of leadership failure, rather than reckon with the broader system of support that has enabled the genocide in Gaza to happen. This narrative shift is further reinforced by the promotion of internal Israeli dissent, which functions to delineate the current atrocities as an exception within Israeli politics, thereby preserving the states international legitimacy and obscuring the structural continuity of its policies toward Palestinians. The strategic use of internal Israeli critics Mainstream EU and US media have granted significant space to Israeli political and military figures such as former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Democrats party leader Yair Golan, presenting them as ethical alternatives to Netanyahu. Recently, Olmert and Golan have openly criticized Netanyahu for his crimes in Gaza. Golan called the governments actions fuel for antisemitism and hatred of Israel and accused it of killing babies as a hobby. Olmert, too, has condemned Netanyahus leadership by saying explicitly, Israel is committing war crimes. Yet both Olmert and Golan played central roles during past Israeli massacres in Gaza 200809 (Operation Cast Lead) and 2014 (Operation Protective Edge) that were, and still are, the subjects of war crimes investigations by the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court (ICC), and documented in reports by Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR), Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and many other Palestinian and international organizations. Their status as moral counterweights serves to frame the current atrocities as a deviation, downplaying the continuity of Israeli military policy and the crimes committed by former Israeli prime ministers and military generals. Their opposition may also serve a strategic function. By distancing themselves, they could be attempting to mitigate potential legal liability under international investigations. It can be viewed as part of a broader legal strategy to demonstrate non-involvement or lack of intent in the past military aggressions. Moral recalibration through familiar narratives By amplifying dissenting voices especially those of Olmert and Golan EU institutions and mainstream media contribute to a process of moral recalibration that serves their audiences across their countries. These figures are presented as evidence of a robust internal debate, thereby reinforcing the image of Israel as a functioning democracy capable of self-criticism and self-correction, and suggesting that crimes against Palestinians began only on October 7, 2023, under the Netanyahu administration not before. This framing enables European publics to interpret the ongoing genocide not as the product of a systemic colonial structure, but as a temporary exception. In this narrative, the genocide is portrayed as something new, erasing what Professor Ilan Pappe has described as an incremental genocide carried out since at least 1948. Epistemic inequality and the marginalization of Palestinian voices Simultaneously, Palestinian voices journalists, academics, survivors, lawyers, and human rights defenders remain marginalized in European discourse. Despite the ongoing genocide and the increased visibility of Palestinian voices through social media, what Palestinian literary critic Edward Said argued in his 1984 essay Permission to Narrate still holds true: Israeli voices are still perceived as more accurate and authoritative when it comes to criticizing Israel and exposing its crimes against the Palestinians. Journalists Romana Rubeo and Ramzy Baroud reported an emblematic example of this phenomenon in The Palestine Chronicle: when iconic Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was murdered by Israel in the Jenin refugee camp, her colleague Ali al-Samoudi, who witnessed the killing and was wounded in the same attack, publicly described from his hospital bed what had happened: that there were no armed clashes nearby, that both journalists were wearing clearly marked press vests, and that the shots came directly from Israeli soldiers not from any crossfire with Palestinian resistance fighters. Despite being the closest eyewitness, his account was dismissed. Israeli officials denied responsibility, and much of the European and US media followed suit. But later, investigations by international organizations and a reluctant Israeli admission confirmed that al-Samoudis version of events was accurate. Giving more visibility and credibility to an Israeli dissident than to a Palestinian who reports the very same event reinforces a persistent racialized hierarchy of credibility. This not only marginalizes Palestinian voices but also weakens accountability: if the suffering of Palestinians is only taken seriously when filtered through Israeli voices, then justice is delayed or denied altogether. As a result, Israel is rarely held to account in any meaningful way because the victims themselves are not considered credible enough to trigger real consequences. Rewriting facts to contain guilt Delegating responsibility for the horrors committed in Palestine solely to Netanyahu and a few others functions as a psychological defense mechanism. By isolating blame to a limited group, European societies can distance themselves from their own complicity and preserve a self-image of moral integrity. After World War II, Germanys denazification process focused mainly on prosecuting prominent Nazi officials. Philosopher Karl Jaspers, in The Question of German Guilt, argued that this selective attribution of guilt allowed Germans to reconstruct their national identity without confronting the broader political and moral culpability shared by institutions and ordinary citizens. Jaspers distinguished between four types of guilt: criminal, political, moral, and metaphysical. While criminal guilt is punishable by law, political guilt implicates the collective responsibility of a society; moral guilt refers to personal ethical failings, and metaphysical guilt involves a deeper existential failure to oppose injustice. By limiting guilt to criminal liability, Jaspers warned that societies risk avoiding ethical reckoning and thereby enabling a form of collective denial. Europes current response to the genocide of Palestinians reflects this same pattern. Public outrage is directed at Netanyahu, but the longstanding political, economic, and institutional support for Israeli policies remains unexamined. Palestinians are marginalized, and false narratives, such as those surrounding October 7, 2023, keep being used to deflect attention and responsibility. This selective blaming externalizes guilt and protects European societies from confronting their own roles. On 27 February 2019, Abby Reyes received an email telling her that the newly born Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) had launched an investigation into kidnappings committed by the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and explaining how the innovative transitional justice model created by Colombia in the 2016 peace agreement works. In the message, senior law clerk Ana Maria Mondragon invited her to take part in the case. Twenty years earlier, almost to the day, her partner Terence Freitas was kidnapped on a rural road in Cubara, an isolated village in Colombias north-east near Venezuela. A 24-year-old biologist and environmental specialist, hed been accompanying the Uwa indigenous peoples struggle against plans by US oil giant Oxy to drill in their ancestral territory for two years. FARC rebels stopped the truck driving him and two colleagues, Ingrid Washinawatok El-Issa, a leader of the Menominee people of Wisconsin and the indigenous rights Four Directions Fund, and Laheenae Gay, a Native Hawaiian and founder of the NGO Pacific Cultural Conservancy International, to the airport in Saravena where they would begin their return journey to the United States. A week later, the bodies of the three were found on the other side of the Venezuelan border. The case, known as the case of the American indigenistas, caused a national commotion. The email sat unread in my inbox. It was from Colombia. I knew what it said, but also knew that I couldnt open it without more support. These are the opening words of Truth Demands, the poignant new book in which Abby an environmental lawyer of Filipino origin and an expert in community resilience projects at the University of California, Irvine that tells the story of Terry, the idealistic young man shed dated for months and with whom she had just moved into a shared flat in New York that he never got to. She also recounts her 25-year-long quest for the truth, which led her and Julie Freitas, Terrys mother, to become the only foreigners and non-residents of Colombia to be accredited as victims before the JEP. Her story shows how the participation of victims in Colombias transitional justice, even in cases where the truth that emerges in the investigations is partial and within a system whose logic is to uncover patterns of macro-criminality rather than to address case by case, has had intangible effects such as helping them continue processing their losses and intimate pains. Uncomfortable timing At first, Abby felt confronted by the invitation. The timing was uncomfortable, she wrote. I sat on the couch in the tiny rental [in Oakland, where shed arrived to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Terrys death] thinking, who are they kidding? The FARC murdered our friends and destroyed our families. The Colombian government waited twenty years, and now theyre asking for our questions? After a while she read the letter again. One paragraph particularly caught her attention. You can send us the questions you have about your case truth demands so we can ask the ex-combatants about this in the context of the voluntary versions, Ana Maria Mondragon had written to her. Perhaps it also helped that Abby sought advice from Astrid Puentes, now UN special rapporteur for the environment, who coincidentally had been Mondragons boss at the environmental law NGO AIDA, where both had worked on the Uwa case before the Inter-American human rights system. In the letter, Mondragon explained that there were two ways in which Abby could participate: she could send a report recounting her experience in her own words, as well as any material that could be useful to them in the investigation; and she could ask to be recognised as a victim of the FARC in the so-called case 01. She also explained the peculiarities of the Colombian model: if those considered most responsible for the criminal policy of kidnapping acknowledged their responsibility and provide the truth, they would receive a more lenient 5-to-8-year sentence in a non-prison setting. If they failed to do so, their case would move to an adversarial track in which, if found guilty, theyd go to prison for up to 20 years. Abby Reyes lives in the United States, from where she participated as an accredited victim in the proceedings conducted by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) in Colombia, two decades after her boyfriend was kidnapped and murdered by the FARC guerrillas in the north-east of the country in 1999. Photo: North Atlantic Books We just have love letters A week later Abby wrote back. I want to participate in both ways you describe, she wrote, adding that Terrys mother also agreed and asked to be represented by her before the JEP. There were practicalities that soon became a challenge. To be credited as a victim, proof of a family relationship was required. Julie could provide her sons birth certificate but in her case, Abby explained to the assistant magistrate, we were 24 years old and were not married, what proof may I offer?" she asked. We just have love letters. Mondragon reassured her: the letters would suffice. They would prove what Colombian law calls "a direct and legitimate interest to be recognised as a victim". On Julies side, shed have to open the boxes of Terrys memories she kept untouched. On her side, shed have to revisit a little wool bag in which she had deposited the love letters she hadnt touched in two decades. The JEP officials may not have realised what they were already stirring in Abby. Or perhaps they did, but they attributed it to the flood of mixed emotions of many victims after being sought by the nascent transitional justice system. Mondragon herself, in charge of designing the participation method for kidnapping victims and of searching for dozens of them who left for Costa Rica or Florida, was not aware of the date she chose to write to her. Asked six years later, she remains silent for almost a minute, visibly shocked. I had no idea. What a beautiful coincidence, what synchrony. The face of justice A few months later, Julieta Lemaitre, the justice presiding the case, told Abby that two former guerrillas who participated in the events had been identified. She asked her what she wanted them to answer, but also what would justice mean for you in this case. It wasnt a simple question. Julie replied that nothing could bring them back, so for her justice would be the Uwa getting to live in peace, without interference from oil companies, men with guns and the state, [and] being able to recover their lands and waters, and assert their traditional ways of life throughout their territory. Abby agreed with that vision. In her words, justice for us has never been about the petty agents of the extractive economy, but about making visible the lines between harm on the ground and the command centres, statehouses and boardrooms that issue the often tacit orders to act. At the JEPs request, they also relayed ideas for possible sanctions, including former rebels being assigned to mothers who were deprived by the FARC of their children, to be useful to them in their old age. It was a satisfying exchange for Abby, after years without seeing progress in the ordinary criminal justice, albeit one she describes as moving through molasses and in which each message plunged her into a fresh wave of sobbing, stomach and lower back clenched. 36 truth demands In April 2019, Abby and Julie now accredited as special interveners sent their truth demands to the JEP. This was the concept that psychologist Lina Rondon coined to identify kidnapping victims specific needs to know and the anguish that the crime left them with, as distinct from their demands for acknowledgment from FARC. Terrys mother and partner sent a list of 36 questions that Abby describes in her book as one part corporeal, three parts political. Many of them inquired about the conditions of their captivity and their last moments common questions among kidnapping victims which the six indictments issued by Lemaitres team since early 2021 extensively document. Did they sleep and were they fed, did they wear shoes on the walks forced upon them, were they always tied up, were they physically harmed before they were killed? They also wanted to understand the motivations behind the abductions, including how they learned of the presence of the three US citizens in the area, whether anyone pointed them out to them, and whether they considered demanding a ransom in exchange for their release. More than half of their questions sought to understand if the triple kidnapping and murder was related to the work they were doing with the Uwa and whether any companies were involved. Who decided to kill them? Did they receive any payment for these crimes? Did they talk to any US company or citizen about them? Did rebels ever provide protection services for Oxys machinery? Why did FARC continue to persecute Uwa leader Berito Cobaria, winner of the Goldman Prize or environmental Nobel? They closed with the most personal questions, perhaps the toughest ones. Julie wanted them to explain why he was shot 10 times. Why 10 bullets? Abby had two concerns: did Terry pronounce her name? Did they, the FARC, know her name? A former rebel leaders tale In mid-2021, Abby sat at her computer in a cabin shed rented for the summer in Vermont. Accompanied online by several JEP officials and her lawyers, she watched the video testimony of one of the few FARC survivors who participated in Terrys kidnapping and murder. His name was Reinel Guzman, his nom-de-guerre Rafael Gutierrez and his role, local commander of a unit in the guerrillas Eastern Bloc. He was the one whod issued the fateful order. Kill them, hed instructed. In this transfer, as the JEP calls providing victims with access to the extended accounts of perpetrators and the only one done so far in a language other than Spanish, fragments of the truth that Abby longed for emerged. Not regarding why it had happened, her primary interest, but about how. It was, in her words, a timeline of events between the kidnappings and the executions that I had never heard before. According to Guzmans account, his men kidnapped the three US citizens and took them to Venezuela on the orders of German Briceno Suarez, aka Grannobles. It was an atypical situation because he was not that units commander, but he was brother to the feared Mono Jojoy, top commander of the Eastern Bloc and a historic member of the FARC Secretariat until his death in 2010. Guzman said that on 28 February 1999 he asked Mono Jojoy for instructions by radio, but that it was his brother Grannobles who replied in the afternoon with the order to kill. Despite his bosss silence, Guzman said that he relayed the order to his men. The next morning, two hours after they reported having carried it out, Jojoy finally appeared. He asked them to wait and mentioned a diplomatic situation. Take care of them, was his evidently belated instruction. The revelation came as a shock to Abby. If this one man could have slept on it, could have exercised forbearance over one night, our lives could have been so different, she wrote in her book. Former members of the FARC's Eastern Bloc a group that kidnapped and murdered three American indigenous rights activists gave lengthy testimony before the JEP. They are now awaiting their indictment. Photo: JEP. No accountability for companies Abby spotted, however, contradictions in Guzmans account. The former FARC leadership has maintained before the JEP that Grannobles acted alone and without authorisation from his superiors, including someone as important in the organisation as his brother, because of suspicions that they were CIA agents. At the same time, Guzman pointed out that Grannobles referred to them as "indigenistas" from the first day of the kidnapping, which for Abby undermines the theory that they were intelligence agents. Who benefits from these inconsistencies, asks Abby in her book. Possibly Oxy, she wrote. Could the JEP clarify whether the oil company had any connection to the crimes that took place 25 years ago? There was a problem: the 2016 peace deal with the FARC provides for the special tribunal to investigate, judge and sanction people who had active and determining participation in collaborating with or financing those who committed atrocities. However, Colombias Constitutional Court limited the JEPs mandate on civilian third parties and determined that it cannot summon them, but that they could come voluntarily, under the same conditions and incentives as other actors. That decision limited the Colombian transitional justice systems scope of action over civilians, giving rise to what legal NGO Dejusticia and academic Sabine Michalowski called its restricted competence. This is why only a handful of civilians have reached the JEP, most of them already convicted in the ordinary justice system. The court has no jurisdiction over companies, something that for Abby means a gaping hole in the possibility of truth. How they won In the end, Abby feels that the JEP process surfaced minor clarifications at best about the material circumstances of the kidnappings, but that most of her questions remain unanswered. My access to truth about what happened remains fractured. I still hold only fragments, she says. Still, she values the attentive anticipation of the impactful human rights lawyers at the tribunal and felt it was worth participating in the transitional process. For the first time, I felt like I was in charge of the terms of engagement, she reflects. That perception may still change. The JEP included the kidnapping and murder of the three US indigenous rights activists as a serious and representative case in its indictment for war crimes and crimes against humanity against the former FARC leadership over their kidnapping policy, which is still pending sentencing. According to the special tribunal, it illustrates the particular vulnerability of foreign nationals who were considered suspect by the organisation. Its likely to appear in greater detail in the accusation against former Eastern Bloc members deemed as being most responsible of such crimes, one of the two remaining indictments in this macro-case (although Grannobles, now believed to be in a dissident group that broke away from the peace agreement, cannot be charged). Abbys journey in search of truth and justice, stalled for years, accelerated on another front. On 20 December 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights condemned the Colombian state for violating the rights of the Uwa indigenous people by allowing oil exploration in their territory without their consent. With that milestone, after another three-decade legal struggle, Abbys book ends. We won, she wrote. A leading Israeli rights organisation said Monday that it had requested a military investigation into a senior commander over suspected war crimes in the occupied West Bank. The request comes days after Major General Avi Bluth, head of the Israeli military in the West Bank, appeared in a video in which he called for curfews and encirclements of Palestinian villages. Contacted by AFP about the request, the Israeli military did not provide immediate comment. In a letter to the military advocate-general, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) urged an inquiry into Bluth, citing comments and actions it said amounted to collective punishment of Palestinians. "We ask you to order the opening of an investigation against Major General Bluth on suspicion of war crimes," ACRI wrote in the letter, which was dated Sunday. Bluth had said on Friday that "every (Palestinian) village and every enemy... will pay a heavy price" for attacks against Israelis. His remarks, made in a video widely circulated in Israeli media, followed the arrest of a Palestinian man from the village of al-Mughayyir who was accused by the army of carrying out a "terrorist attack" nearby. In the same video, Bluth added that the villages of Palestinian attackers could face curfews, encirclements and terrain "shaping actions" with the aim of deterrence. On Sunday, Israeli bulldozers uprooted hundreds of trees in al-Mughayyir in the presence of the Israeli military. The army said it had "cleared" the area after a "series of terror attacks originating from that village", adding the vegetation "obstructed the identification of enemy movement". In a press statement on Monday, ACRI accused the army of having cut down the trees to impose "collective punishment" on Palestinians in al-Mughayyir after a resident carried out a shooting attack. "For months, lawlessness in the West Bank has made war crimes and crimes against humanity part of daily life. Alarmingly, the army has begun to boast about it," the group said in its letter to the army's prosecutor. "We ask you to order the army to immediately cease all acts of collective punishment, including the destruction of property." Military Advocate-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi has so far not confirmed to AFP his receipt of the letter. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and violence there has soared since the start of the war in Gaza almost two years ago. Bluth has in recent months been criticised by Israeli settler groups in the West Bank for his condemnation of acts of violence they are accused of committing. Born in a West Bank settlement, Bluth served in the past as military secretary to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. World powers and NGOs voiced shock at the killing of five journalists among 20 victims reported by Gaza's civil defence agency in an Israeli strike on a hospital on Monday in the town of Khan Yunis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap," adding that the military was investigating. He said that Israel's war war was against the militant group Hamas, and his government "values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians". Here is a roundup of world reactions so far. - UN: 'justice' - UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement that journalists and hospitals should never be targeted. "The killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world -- not into stunned silence but into action, demanding accountability and justice." The head of the UN's agency for Palestinian affairs UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, described the strike as "silencing the last remaining voices reporting about children dying silently amid famine", in a post on X. - Trump: 'Not happy' - Questioned by reporters at the White House, US President Donald Trump said he had not yet received news of the strike but added: "I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it." He said, "at the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare" in Gaza, where militant group Hamas is holding hostages seized in Israel. - Germany: 'shocked' - In Israel's staunch European ally Germany, the foreign ministry said it was "shocked by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers, and other civilians" in the Nasser Hospital strike. "This attack must be investigated," the ministry said on X, also calling on Israel to "allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza". - UK: 'horrified' - UK foreign minister David Lammy said he was "horrified" by the hospital strike. "Civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire," Lammy wrote on X. - Qatar: 'heinous' In Qatar, which has been trying to mediate a halt to the fighting in Gaza, the foreign ministry condemned the strike as "a new episode in the ongoing series of heinous crimes" by Israel. "The occupation's approach of targeting journalists and relief and medical workers requires urgent and decisive international action to provide the necessary protection for civilians and ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocities do not escape punishment," it said in a statement. - Iran: 'war crime' - In Israel's fierce adversary Iran, foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghai condemned the hospital strike as a "brutal war crime, planned and perpetrated by the Zionist regime as part of a plan for the genocide of the Palestinians". He demanded the United States be held to account as "complicit" for supporting Israel. - MSF: 'heartbroken' - Medical aid charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said it was "heartbroken" by the death in the strike of a freelance photographer who had previously worked for it, Mariam Abu Dagga. "As Israel continues to shun international law, the only witnesses of their genocidal campaign are deliberately being targeted. It must stop now," it said. - Press: 'abhorrent' - The Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem called for an "immediate explanation" from the Israeli military and called for it "to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists". bur/rmb/rlp/ X SeedLists launch has quickly become one of the defining moments in the evolution of crypto crowdfunding. In its first 24 hours, the institutional-grade fundraising platform attracted more than 100,000 members across Telegram and Twitter, establishing one of the fastest-growing communities in Web3 history. The speed and scale of adoption highlight a growing global appetite for fairness and transparency in token launches, and Solana has proven to be the network best equipped to handle this shift. The momentum started immediately. Within hours of launch, more than 20,000 people signed up, and that figure grew to six digits before the end of the day. For years, early access to token allocations has been dominated by venture capital firms and private insiders, leaving the contributors who drove adoption with little recognition or upside. SeedList was designed to break that mold. Its AI-powered allocation system measures real contributionswhether in development, marketing, or community growthand rewards participants accordingly. The overwhelming response on day one shows just how much demand has been building for a model like this. The communitys reaction exceeded even our most ambitious expectations, said Brijesh Patel, co-founder of SeedList and a former partner at Pronomos Capital, a venture firm backed by investors such as Marc Andreessen, Balaji Srinivasan, and the Winklevoss twins. People are tired of seeing allocations locked away for insiders. They want fairness, they want transparency, and they want to see their contributions matter. What weve shown in the first 24 hours is that the demand for change is global and undeniable. Patel stressed that SeedLists rapid rise is not just about numbers but about proving a new structure for fundraising. Solanas role in enabling this debut cannot be overstated. With sub-second settlement, extremely low fees, and a thriving developer ecosystem, Solana has become the blockchain most capable of handling viral growth. It has already demonstrated its strength with platforms like Pump.fun, which processed over half a billion dollars in token launches within minutes, and LetsBonk.fun, which has overtaken it in revenue. Infrastructure providers like Orca and Raydium continue to ensure liquidity for new tokens, creating a complete ecosystem for innovation. SeedList fits into this landscape as the institutional-grade layer that ties Solanas technical power to a fairness-first distribution model. Solana is the natural home for what were building, said CryptoSheldon, co-founder of SeedList and a long-time Solana strategist. It gives us the scale and affordability to make global participation possible. But SeedList adds the crucial piece that was missing: fairness. With our AI allocation system, developers, advisors, and community leaders all get meaningful access. Thats why people came in such numbers during our first daythey could see immediately that this was a platform built for them. SeedLists approach stands in sharp contrast to the legacy launchpad model. Old systems relied on random lotteries, restrictive whitelists, or private allocations that gave contributors little to no role. SeedList discards these outdated methods and instead ties allocations directly to measurable contributions. Whether its code commits, marketing reach, or grassroots organizing, impact is quantified and rewarded. Weve flipped the pyramid upside down, said CryptoSheldon. Instead of a few funds at the top taking all the benefits, the contributors at the base are now the ones sharing in the upside. Thats why our launch was met with such overwhelming enthusiasm. One of the most important aspects of SeedLists debut is its global reach. The platforms first 100,000 members came not only from established markets in North America and Europe but also from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These regions have some of the highest enthusiasm for crypto but have historically been excluded from early fundraising rounds. By designing its structure to be global from the start, SeedList is fulfilling one of Web3s original promises: borderless inclusion. Patel emphasized this point: If you exclude half the world, youre already missing the point. Web3 is borderless by nature, and SeedList has proven that when you open access, people from everywhere will participate. SeedLists roadmap builds on this early success by focusing on sustainability and scale. Structured contributor tiers will provide long-term incentives for active participants, integrations with exchanges and liquidity providers will create healthier secondary markets, and more advanced AI evaluation tools will ensure fairness continues to improve as the community expands. The goal is not just to fund projects quickly but to create ecosystems that remain strong long after their tokens launch. The debut of SeedList has already shifted expectations across the industry. With 100,000 members joining in a single day, the platform has proven that contributor-led fundraising is not only viable but strongly desired. By combining Solanas infrastructure with fairness-first allocation mechanics, SeedList has demonstrated that the next era of crowdfunding has already arrived. As Patel concluded, This is just the beginning. The first day showed us what the community wants: access, recognition, and fairness. SeedList is here to deliver it. JTBC's new weekend drama 'A Hundred Memories' is already making waves before its September 13 premiere. Sentimental still screenshots, combined with an original premise and talented cast, have put the series on most fans' must-watch lists. The drama takes place in Seoul in the 1980s and revolves around the daily life of bus conductors, a now-mysterious job recalled by their signature call of "Orai~" as they helped passengers on and off and took fares. Although the job is long gone, the drama revives it, employing it as the background for a touching story of friendships, first loves, and individual aspirations. Kim Da-mi plays the lead role of Go Young-rye, a stubborn conductor with exacting family duties to fulfill and a secret ambition to go to college someday. kim dami as go youngrye in a hundred memories (2025). she's so babygirl coded! i love her already! # # pic.twitter.com/4tOjJnSKsn dami (@ladywxtch) August 12, 2025 Shin Ye-eun is her on-screen co-worker, playing Seo Jong-hee as bright and cheerful as she is a newcomer. Heo Nam-jun features as Han Jae-pil, the newcomer whose presence slowly shifts the course of their life. Behind the lens is director Kim Sang-ho of Thirty-Nine, who joins forces with writers Yang Hee-seung of Crash Course in Romance and Kim Bo-ram. The team has vowed to fans to expect a drama that is based on nostalgia, realism, and emotional storytelling that captures the essence of its time. The release of the first still cuts was swiftly discussed online, with most fans mentioning the vintage uniforms and the ambient setting. A netizen said, "Finally, a drama worth waiting forKim Da-mi and Heo Nam-jun look perfect together." Another viewer praised the fresh premise, saying, "The bus conductor concept is so unique, it's bound to be a hit." Others cited the emotional draw of the show, with one noting, "This feels warm and nostalgic... definitely going on my watchlist." The synergy of a new casting lineup, meticulously designed retro elements, and a plot that resonates on themes of love, friendship, and determination has already made 'A Hundred Memories' stand out among other fall dramas. Most industry insiders note that JTBC boasts a good record for creating well-intentioned weekend shows, and people are eagerly waiting to see what the latest one has in store. With the September 13 premiere date fast approaching, hype is building steadily, with A Hundred Memories shaping up to be one of the most talked-about and most hotly anticipated dramas of the autumn of 2025. Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Energy Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi, has downplayed threats by a section of lawmakers that they could remove President William Ruto from office, casting the remarks as reckless political posturing aimed at stirring public emotions. Speaking in Ugunja, Wandayi questioned the credibility of the MPs, many of them first-timers, who have threatened to unseat Ruto following his explosive claims that legislators were bribed to frustrate the anti-money laundering law. Saa wewe unaongea kama nani? Na wewe uko na nguvu ya kutoka wapi Kenya hii? Wewe nani amekupatia nguvu ya kuweka na kutoa rais? Wandayi asked, dismissing the rhetoric as both premature and irresponsible. He insisted that only the electorate, not individual politicians, can decide a Presidents fate. The remarks underscore growing political tension after President Ruto accused some committee members of pocketing Ksh10 million to block the contentious bill. In a joint parliamentary group meeting last week, Ruto warned that corruption was eroding Parliaments credibility and vowed arrests for both bribe givers and receivers. Wandayis strong rebuttal signals the administrations strategy to shield Ruto from mounting criticism while shifting the spotlight back onto Parliament, where questions of integrity continue to fester. Analysts say the standoff exposes a deepening rift between the Executive and the Legislature, with MPs accusing the Presidency of high-handedness while State House insists it is cleaning up graft. With 2027 politics already in the air, the battle over accountability in Parliament is shaping up to be a defining fault line. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Former Mombasa Governor and Mining Cabinet Secretary, Hassan Joho, has been dragged into a fresh scandal after being accused of neglecting his alleged daughter with Mombasa-based actress, Liz Sonia. Word on the street is that Joho impregnated Sonia during their secret affair but later abandoned her and the child, distancing himself completely from any parental responsibilities despite his immense wealth. Sonia, who has been raising the little girl single-handedly, has previously shown her deep attachment to the CS. In fact, last year she shocked many after tattooing Johos name on her chest, but sources claim the flashy politician has shown zero interest in her. Sonia has in the past shared photos of her daughter, with netizens insisting she is a carbon copy of Joho, further fueling the speculation. See what a source close to the actress wrote to blogger Edgar Obare. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, August 24, 2025 - City baddie Mercy Maina has left netizens talking after releasing a video confessing that her glamorous party lifestyle was nothing but a cover-up. Mercy, who was known for popping champagne, wild nights in clubs, and showing off on Instagram, admitted that behind the smiles and flashy looks, she was secretly battling anxiety and depression. The reformed slay queen revealed that it took hitting rock bottom before she finally turned her life around and gave her life to Christ. I looked happy, but I suffered from anxiety and depression. I survived by being intoxicated. I hated every morning. I hated every night. I hated each day I woke up with strangers, she confessed. Her transformation has sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising her for finding God while others cant believe the once-famous party girl is now preaching salvation. Watch the video. I looked happy but I suffered from anxiety and depression - City baddie, MERCY MAINA, confesses and shares a video showing her wild party lifestyle before salvation pic.twitter.com/8MBXZj7YmR DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) August 24, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Langata MP, Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalango, has showered Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Raila Odingas wife, Mama Ida Odinga, with warm praises as she turns 75. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday, August 24th, 2025, Jalango described Mama Ida as a pillar of strength, wisdom, and grace, lauding her as a motherly figure whose life continues to inspire generations across Kenya. Happy Birthday, Mama Ida Odinga! Today, we celebrate an extraordinary woman your unwavering dedication to family, country, and the empowerment of women continues to inspire generations across Kenya and beyond, Jalango wrote. He praised her role as a mentor, leader, and champion of education and justice, noting that her legacy extends far beyond politics. As a mother, mentor, leader, and champion of education and justice, your legacy shines brightly. May this new year of life bring you abundant joy, good health, and continued blessings, he added, signing off with a cheeky quip: You are a good person; you will go to heaven!! Mama Ida, often celebrated for her quiet but firm influence in Kenyan society, has long been at the forefront of initiatives empowering women and supporting education. Her birthdays have become glamorous affairs in Nairobis social calendar. For her 74th birthday last year, Raila hosted a grand celebration at a Nairobi hotel, attended by top politicians, Governors, MPs, and Cabinet Secretaries. Dressed in a green gown with golden accents, Ida radiated elegance as she danced with Raila, who matched her style in a green Kaunda suit. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, August 24, 2025 - A bold Kenyan lady has set social media on fire after sharing stunning transformation photos following her divorce, declaring she will never walk down the aisle again. In a viral post, the lady revealed how marriage had drained her emotionally and physically, claiming that leaving her husband was the best decision she ever made. She captioned her glowing new photo with the controversial statement: Marriage is wicked. Ill never marry again! The photo, which shows her looking more radiant, stylish, and confident than ever before, has sparked mixed reactions online. While some women applauded her for choosing peace and self-love over a toxic union, others argued that not all marriages are doomed and that her bitter experience shouldnt define the institution. See her viral post. When married. After divorce The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, has lifted the suspension of eight local administrators in Kirinyaga County who were interdicted last year over rampant illicit brew. The administrators - three chiefs and five sub-chiefs from Mwea West - were suspended in February 2024 on the orders of then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after more than 20 people died from alcohol poisoning in the region. The affected areas include Mutithi, Kathiga, Ngomongo, Kianjogu, Kariukuini, Gitumbi and Kiandiiri. Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in the county, Murkomen said the officials had suffered enough and would immediately resume duty. I have been told about chiefs, and that is being sorted. They were fighting illicit brew, but when suspects are taken to court, they get released. It was not their fault, and they should just go back to work, Murkomen said, adding that enforcement failures in the justice system had unfairly punished administrators. Gachagua, who championed a fierce crackdown on illicit liquor during his two-year tenure, had argued that administrators were responsible for curbing the menace. At the time, he warned that illegal alcohol was derailing the lives of youth in the Mount Kenya region. After his impeachment, Gachagua urged chiefs to uphold his anti-brew legacy, cautioning that the boy child remained at risk. He even alleged that powerful figures within President Rutos administration were facilitating illicit brews to weaken the region politically. Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Gatundu North Member of Parliament, Elijah Kururia, has once again sparked outrage after admitting to being a deadbeat father and arrogantly telling his baby mama to take the kid to a childrens home. The revelation came after his baby mama reached out to blogger Edgar Obare, exposing the legislator for neglecting his parental responsibilities. A screenshot shared online shows Kururia showing zero remorse, instead brushing off the matter and suggesting that the child be dumped at a childrens home. Kururia, who was previously divorced by his estranged wife over infidelity, is no stranger to controversy. He is notorious for insulting his constituents on social media and has openly bragged that he doesnt care about securing a second term in office. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, August 24, 2025 - Nominated Member of Parliament, Sabina Chege, celebrated her 47th birthday in grand fashion by hosting a glamorous yacht party that drew the attention of Kenyans online. The exclusive event, held aboard a luxurious yacht, was graced by her close friends and fellow female politicians, among them Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, who proudly shared moments from the celebration on her social media pages. Photos making rounds online show Sabina glowing in an elegant all-white outfit, surrounded by her equally stylish guests who embraced the all-white theme. The party was filled with laughter, fine dining, music, and heartfelt toasts as her friends wished her success and happiness in her new year. Karen Nyamu, in her birthday tribute, praised Sabina for her resilience and influence in politics while wishing her new victories as she steps into another chapter of life. The luxury bash oozed class and warmth, proving that Sabina Chege knows how to celebrate milestones in style. See the photos. The Kenyan DAILY POST By John Davis The most wonderful time of the year has once again rolled around. The shops are full of tents and camping chairs, off-licences are seeing a boom in business and a palpable sense of frenzied anticipation is hanging over Laois. This can mean only one thing: Electric Picnic is coming to town. While its very easy to get caught up in all the excitement, it is also of paramount importance to keep a level head as you prepare for Irelands biggest music festival. First-time festival goers must be warned: Electric Picnic is not for the faint hearted. Failure to prepare accordingly may carry consequences of a most dire nature. Such consequences may be a poorly positioned tent, missing a major act or worst of all: the Monday morning hangover. As a veteran of the festival, I am taking it upon myself to provide a comprehensive guide that, if followed diligently, may prevent such egregious events from ever arising. From my personal experience, ones enjoyment of the festival hinges on ones campsite experience. All the attractions and performances of the Main Arena are a guarantee and never fail to impress. However, the campsite is a different beast entirely - one that can be tough to wrangle. Electric Picnic boasts five expansive campsites, each offering a unique experience. In Poets site, campers can enjoy peace and relaxation through yoga, pilates and meditation experiences. An Lathair Ghaeltachta provides an immersive haven for Irish speakers who wish to enjoy the entire weekend as Gaeilge. Please note this campsite must be prebooked. Eco Camp focuses on sustainability and enables campers to meet like-minded folk committed to leaving no trace of their festival merry-making. Glitterball is advertised as a gender-inclusive place and offers ample shower facilities and even mirrors and plugs to greater facilitate the beautifying process. Like An Lathair Ghaeltachta, Glitterball must be pre-booked. The Legendary Campsites (Jimmy Hendrix, Andy Warhol, Janis Joplin) are certainly the most infamous of the campsites. A weekend in Jimmy Hendrix is probably the closest our generation will come to trench warfare. While the Eco Camp proudly focuses on sustainability, I am convinced Jimmy Hendrix specialises in its own brand of unbridled chaos. Chaos of the best kind, of course. All this is to say that while the Legendary Campsites certainly guarantee the most fun, they are in no way capable of providing a moments relaxation. If you would rather not spend your weekend on the frontlines and plan on having a fully functional tent by the end of the weekend, I would recommend a stay in Poets or Eco Camp. However, if you do not buy into such woke nonsense as sleep or do not believe in the old-fashioned idea of personal belongings, and simply want to spend your weekend making memories youll never remember, I believe a sojourn in Jimmy Hendrix is desirable. Once you have chosen a campsite to settle in, the next objective is where exactly to pitch your tent. Once again, this is no simple task. There are in fact a number of factors to consider when deciding where to pitch. Most importantly, do not set up your tent at the bottom of a slope or in a hollow. As we all know, the threat of Biblical rainfall ever hangs over Electric Picnic weekend. Your best chance at surviving such an eventuality is having a tent on higher ground. As someone who survived the Great Rain of 22, I saw many a foolish camper who pitched their tent downslope, swiftly washed away by the wrath of the Festival Gods, never to be seen again. We then move inside the tent: what do you pack for the weekend? As previously mentioned, the weather for Electric Picnic is even more unpredictable than usual Irish weather. Be sure to pack plenty of warm, comfortable clothes and shoes that somehow balance durability with disposability, because rest assured your shoes will not survive the weekend. Another friendly tip: take caution that your wardrobe for the weekend does not feature too many Penneys band/concert t-shirts, lest you be labelled the dreaded Penneys Band T-Shirt Final Boss. Clothing aside, some quick and easy snacks to refuel throughout the weekend is also advised. Considering a rather regrettable amount of alcohol is likely to be consumed by many over the three days, bringing a pack of electrolytes will go a long way in fending off the inevitable hangovers. The final step to consider in your Picnic Planning Process is what acts you want to see and building a schedule around them. Unfortunately, with such a star-studded line-up, it is not uncommon to find stage times clashing and being faced with an impossible Sophies Choice situation. To help prevent this, the Electric Picnic app allows you to highlight the acts you want to see and builds you a personal line-up to help map your weekend. This may be your best chance at avoiding any difficult decision-making. Electric Picnic truly is a magical time. But like Christmas, it can also be a stressful time. We spend all year looking forward to it, putting pressure on ourselves to make it as good as last year; making sure weve bought everything we need in time and then before we know it the big day comes and youre at a techno rave somewhere in Stradbally woods at 3am, asking yourself Whose shoes am I wearing? Hopefully this friendly survival guide will be of use to some festival goers. All we can do now is pray that the Festival Gods look kindly on us mere mortals and grant us a dry weekend. A number of priests in the Diocese of Ossory in County Kilkenny are preparing for a new chapter in their lives, beginning from next weekend. Last month, the Bishop of Ossory, Niall Coll confirmed a number of changes and retirements within the Diocese meaning many Kilkenny parishes will be bidding farewell to former parish priests and welcoming new ones. The alterations reflect a broader national trend of adjusting to a changing landscape of parish structures and clergy numbers. These changes often involve priests taking on new roles, including assistant priest positions, moderator roles in pastoral combinations, and chaplaincies. In the city, Fr Jim Murphy will retire in the coming days after 21 years in St Canice's Parish. Outgoing Clara Parish Priest Fr Willie Purcell will take up the mantle later this week. Meanwhile, further south in the county, Fr Liam Barron will retire from the Mullinavat Parish and he will be replaced by Fr Sean O'Connor. It's also the end of an era in Thomastown as Fr Daniel Bollard retires, with the position being taken up by Fr Francis Purcell. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE SEE FULL DETAILS BELOW: The Tanaiste is full of compassion and empathy, a Fine Gael minister said as he backed Simon Harris amid calls for his resignation. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke expressed support for his party leader on Monday after more than 1,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin in support of a young child who died after dealing with long delays for scoliosis surgery. Nine-year-old Harvey Morrison, who had scoliosis and spina bifida, died on July 29. His parents, Stephen Morrison and Gillian Sherratt, said their son waited for years for spinal surgery, during which time the curve in his spine went from 75 degrees to 130 degrees. By the time Harvey received spinal surgery last December, the curve had reached the point where it could not be fully corrected. The curve caused his rib cage to twist around his lungs and heart, severely restricting his breathing. His parents, opposition politicians and campaigners have called for Mr Harris, the Tanaiste and former minister for health, to step down after he pledged in 2017 that no child would wait more than four months for scoliosis treatment. Over the weekend, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill who is also in the Fine Gael party referenced the rally and said: There are many ways our society can and should do better by its citizens. We can, we must and we will do better. This is the essence of politics and always will be. The comment received media attention as it fuelled speculation that Ms MacNeill was making an indirect criticism of Mr Harris. Asked whether he supported his party leader in the wake of the comments, Mr Burke told reporters on Monday: Absolutely I support the Tanaiste but first of all, we have to be very much aware that we have a family grieving here. I know as a father of two young children, it would be incomprehensible to lose one of them and to see what the family are going through now Stephen and Geraldine it is incredible, how fair theyve been, I have to say. And I really give them my support too. It is, you know, one area we have to get better at resolving. Mr Burke added: I think the Tanaiste is full of compassion, full of empathy. Hes a dad too, hes a husband. He knows the pressures that families are under and he wants to do better. I want to do better, and the government wants to do better in this area and quite frankly, we have to. And a lot of resources have been put in, clinically led, into the HSE in this area that we havent seen the results from.. We really need to see more progress now, and thats one thing well be really focused on as a Government. County Kilkenny will host an Alzheimers Memory Walk event this year as part of the nationwide Alzheimers Memory Walk supported by Aviva, taking place on Sunday, September 21 in honour of World Alzheimers Day. The Kilkenny event will be held at Kilkenny Castle Park, inviting families, friends, and the local community to walk in solidarity with the 64,000 people living with dementia in Irelandand to remember those who are no longer with us. Now in its sixth year, the Alzheimers Memory Walk supported by Aviva is more than just a fundraiserits a celebration of connection, compassion, and community. In 2024, nearly 3,500 walkers nationwide raised over 150,000 to support vital services including Daycare, Support Groups, Family Carer Training, Social Clubs, Memory Cafes, and the ASI National Helpline. Local champion Denise Murphy, an ambassador for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, will lead the Kilkenny Memory Walk in memory of her late father, Michael, who sadly passed away in 2023 at just 66 years old after living with dementia for a decade. The walk will begin at Switzers Gate on Castle Road (meeting time to be confirmed) and will take participants on a scenic route through Kilkenny Castle Park. READ NEXT: Kilkenny families enjoy pop hits, ponies and pythons at superb Foster Family Day in Tipperary Michael was formally diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia in 2013, after three difficult years of noticing the first signs. As an only child, Denise stepped in to support her mum while they all adjusted to the changes that dementia brought into their lives. They found comfort and strength through The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, where Michael attended the Kilkenny Day Centre most weekdays. The support, connection, and respite it provided became a vital lifeline for the whole family. I would encourage everyone who can to register now at www.memorywalk.ie to join me this World Alzheimers Day, Sunday September 21 in Kilkenny Castle Park," said Denise. With nearly 40 events taking place across Ireland, the Alzheimers Memory Walk supported by Aviva is a powerful reminder of the strength found in community. Whether you walk in memory of a loved one, in support of someone living with dementia, or simply to show solidarity, your support makes a difference. To find out more and to register for the Kilkenny Alzheimers Memory Walk supported by Aviva or another location near you, please visit www.memorywalk.ie. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy with snow showers developing after midnight. Low around 20F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%.. Tonight Cloudy with snow showers developing after midnight. Low around 20F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 40%. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Eva Osborne Bristow has officially launched its first search and rescue (SAR) pilot cadet programme in Ireland. The 2025 pilot cadet scheme will recruit four candidates for the Irish SAR team. The cadet scheme, which is operated in conjunction with Castle Air Aviation Group, offers successful applicants a sponsored route to becoming a fully-fledged helicopter pilot of an AW189 aircraft. Successful applicants will embark on a two-year course primarily based at Gloucester Airport, UK, before returning to Ireland. When training has been completed, cadets will be deployed to one of Bristow Ireland's SAR bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, or Weston. Director of Irish Search and Rescue at Bristow Ireland, Philip Bartlett, said: This is a unique and exciting opportunity for candidates to not only receive a fully sponsored pilot cadetship but also embark on a long and rewarding career in search and rescue aviation. "SAR is a national life-saving service, and this programme opens the door for aspiring pilots in Ireland to be part of it. We look forward to welcoming four new cadets to our team here in Bristow. "They will be working with a team of pilots, commanders, and engineers who have extensive knowledge and experience in SAR. Vice President of the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA), Daniel Langan, said: "Bristow's cadet programme is an excellent opportunity for anybody who is looking to pursue an exciting career in search and rescue, with the company that provides search and rescue for the Irish Coast Guard. This cadetship is very welcomed by IALPA and its members. Bristow Ireland began operating SAR services from Shannon Airport in December 2024 and Weston Airport in July 2025. The Weston base, which serves as Bristow Irelands SAR headquarters, will include new facilities for aircraft management, crew accommodation, and heavy maintenance across the AW189 fleet. Under the full rollout of the contract, Bristow Ireland will operate six AW189 helicopters from bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Weston, along with two King Air fixed-wing aircraft from Shannon. Eligible candidates must be over 18, residents in Ireland, have strong Leaving Certificate points, and hold a valid Class 1 UK Flight Crew Medical Certificate. Online applications are now open here. Darragh Mc Donagh A kitchen operative who was likened to a pig by her manager has been awarded nearly 8,000 for discrimination after she was sacked via text message the day after becoming ill at work as a result of her disability. Caroline Silva had been employed by Bellew Food Company Limited, which trades as Finnegans Farm in Meath, for less than two months when she summarily dismissed on November 6th last year. Paul Finnegan, a director of the company, maintains a high profile on social media on his mission to re-brand the potato, and was a contestant on Irelands Fittest Family on RTE in 2022. Ms Silva brought a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the Employment Equality Act, alleging that her dismissal had constituted an act of discrimination on grounds of disability. She said everything was fine when she was hired last September but problems later began to arise with her general manager, who she claimed made nasty comments about her, and said she trayed up like a pig. On November 5th, Ms Silva began work at 7am but felt unwell a short time later and became very weak. She was helped to a changing room by a colleague, but was told that there was nobody available to bring her to hospital, according to her complaint. She later attended her doctor and was diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure. This was a symptom of a pre-existing blood condition, which could also make her feel unwell and unable to function properly. Her employer was aware of her condition, she said. Nobody from Finnegans Farm attended the hearing. Medical certificate The following day, she provided management with a medical certificate from her doctor covering November 6th and November 7th. She informed the production manager that she would have to wear a 24-hour blood pressure monitor at work. Later the same day, she received a message from the production manager via WhatsApp, requiring her to provide a fitness-to-work reference due to her ongoing absences. A second message was subsequently received. Hi Caroline, just talked to my general manager about you and unfortunately we need to let you go, it didnt work out, sorry about it. Wish you all the best in the future, it read. Ms Silva replied, seeking to talk to the production manager about being let go, but she received no response. She claimed that her dismissal was linked to the illness that had been caused by her disability. She told the WRC that it was too much of a coincidence that she was fired the day after the episode. In his decision, WRC adjudication officer Roger McGrath said the respondent company had been aware of Ms Silvas disability, and the bout of illness was related to that disability. The dismissal was also related to her disability. I find that the complainant has adduced sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case. In the absence of evidence from the respondent, I find the complainant was discriminated against, he said. Ms Silva was awarded 7,800 in compensation for the effects of the discrimination. FIANNA Fail TD for Laois Sean Fleming has welcomed the deployment of four newly attested gardai to Portlaoise Garda Station, which he said will strengthen visible policing across the county. He said: The deployment of additional gardai is welcome. We are fortunate that every community wants to see more gardai visible in their area. It is one of the most effective measures we have for preventing crime and making people feel safer. The new Gardai were among 154 recruits who graduated from the Garda College in Templemore recently. This intake, according to Deputy Fleming, represents the largest allocation of probationer gardai to regions outside Dublin in the past year and reflects the governments ongoing investment in building stronger, safer communities. The arrival of additional garda members underlines Fianna Fails commitment to increasing garda presence on the ground in Laois. This latest allocation shows that investment in garda recruitment is making a real difference on the ground. Local stations are being reinforced so they can continue to serve and protect communities effectively. The Castletown based TDS said that strengthening An Garda Siochana is a key priority for Fianna Fail in Government, backed by a record 2.48 billion in funding in Budget 2025, a 27% increase since 2020. He also revealed that a further 201 Garda recruits will begin training in Templemore this week, while another graduation is scheduled for November, ensuring a steady pipeline of new members entering the organisation. A more visible gardai on the ground is one of the most effective ways to deter crime and enhance public safety. This latest deployment is a clear signal that Government is delivering on its promise to support communities with the resources they need to feel secure, said Deputy Fleming. STAFF at the Laois Nationalist were celebrating after the paper was shortlisted and nominated for an award at this years Local Ireland Media Awards following a record number of more than 700 entries. The Laois Nationalist is vying with four other regional newspapers for the title of Headline of the Year Award. The newspaper ran the headline Title Stanley Knifed during the debacle between Sinn Fein and Laois TD Brian Stanley in October last year. The other three newspapers in the Best Headline category are the Southern Star with Mna-some; The Connacht Tribune with its headline Gaillimh Ogbu and the Tipperary Star Bullet of a shot. Expressing his delight at being nominated for an award, the Laois Nationalist Deputy Editor Chris Fingleton said: Its a great honour for all the staff at the newspaper, from the journalists, advertising and production staff to be recognised for the work they put into our weekly newspaper and daily e-paper. Here in the Laois Nationalist, we put in every effort and experience into bringing the best quality newspaper to the people of Laois and beyond. The Laois Nationalist headline - Stanley Knifed - that caught the attention of the judging panel in this year Local Ireland Media Awards Chair of the judges, author, journalist and broadcaster Alison OConnor said that the awards highlighted the excellence and diversity of local journalism. Picking winners in the different categories is always a challenging task for the judges from the sharpness of the news stories to the well-crafted features, interviews and columns. All told, the standard shows how well communities around the country are served by their local newspapers. The awards are now in their tenth year with its headline sponsors the National Lottery on board for the eighth time. This years awards have also received support from Coimisiun na Mean. President of Local Ireland and Managing Director of the Southern Star Sean Mahon highlighted the "record entries again from talented journalist, digital and commercial local newspaper personnel across Ireland", which, he said, went to show "how people in our industry view the prestige associated with winning a category". Through the lens of local journalism, we see the heart of our society, people coming together, overcoming challenges, and making a difference. Its an honour to help recognise these powerful community stories, added Jennifer Crowe, Head of Corporate Affairs for the National Lottery. Media Development Commissioner Ronan ODomnhaill said that Coimisiun na Mean, which prioritised the availability of high-quality journalism, was delighted to support the upcoming Local Ireland Media Awards, to recognise the talent and commitment of local newspapers and their work supporting and informing local communities. The winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Mullingar Park Hotel on September 11. Host for the evening will be RTE and Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan. Eva Osborne Parents have been urged to ensure that their childrens eyesight is classroom-ready, as families gear up for the return to school and homework this week. Optometrists have warned that poor eyesight can affect learning and lead to behavioural difficulties in the classroom and if parents have any concern, they should bring their child or teenager, whatever age, to their local optometrist for an eye exam. Optometry Ireland acting president, Liz Grennan, recommends an eye exam if you notice eye rubbing, closing or covering of one eye, if their eyes are not lined up when looking at an object, or if they complain of not being able to see the board clearly to take down homework. Poor eyesight is proven to affect childrens learning but this can be easily avoided with the right treatment or glasses. A routine eye exam can be carried out with your local Optometry Ireland Optometrist, who are in 350 locations nationwide. All children are entitled to a free State-funded vision screening in primary school which usually takes place in Junior Infants. However, parents were advised not to wait for this if they have an immediate concern. Grennan said that excessive screen time, which is an increased risk in childrens lives today, can increase eye strain and may play a role in the development of short-sightedness, so to limit screen and spend time outdoors every day. Short-sightedness is most likely to start between the ages of 6-13. We recommend good lighting when studying or doing homework. A well-lit, spacious area will reduce eye strain and encourage good posture," she said. Complaints of tired eyes or headaches after school can be a sign of an eye problem. Eyes continue to grow and develop so its important to monitor on an ongoing basis and your local Optometrist is there to help. One former Lehigh University student had fraud charges dropped and another pleaded no contest to lesser charges, concluding the prosecution of four former students accused of fraudulently accepting $590,000 in financial aid. Each of the four students came from Ghana to Lehigh University. After charges were filed, each was expelled and lost his student visa. It is our understanding that they ultimately will be deported back to Ghana, said Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Michael Weinert. But none of the four admitted any wrongdoing and none was obliged to pay back the amount he was accused of stealing. All four of the students were accused of faking transcripts and inflating grades to gain admission to Lehigh. Otis Opoku, 20, had his charges dismissed by a judge in April. He was accused of taking $212,000 in scholarships and aid. His attorney, Evan T.L. Hughes of Philadelphia, successfully argued there wasnt enough evidence to convict Opoku. He said the grades on the allegedly forged transcript werent weighted properly for American standards. Thats what was behind the discrepancy, not fraud, he said. After that case, 21-year-old Cyrilstan Nomobon Sowah-Nai and 23-year-old Henry Dabuo took plea deals. Theft and forgery charges were dropped after each agreed to plead no contest to a lesser charge executing documents by deception, according to court records. By pleading no contest, neither of the ex-students admits he committed a crime. Instead, each agreed there was enough evidence to convict each of them of the crime. Sowah-Nai was accused of wrongly accepting $127,214 in financial aid. Dabuo was accused of accepting $129,344 in aid. Sowah-Nai entered his plea in April. Dabuo pleaded in May. Evans Oppong, 22, vowed to take his case to trial. Then, prosecutors agreed to drop all charges in July, according to a spokeswoman for the district attorneys office. Oppong was accused of accepting $120,970 in financial aid. After consulting with Homeland Security and Immigration Officials, a resolution was reached with Mr. Oppong that Lehigh University supported, Weinert said Monday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. An 18-year-old Lehigh County man was pronounced dead Sunday night at the scene of a crash, authorities said. Cole D. Hausman, of Weisenberg Township, died in the crash at Route 100 South and Lyon Valley Road in Lehighs Lowhill Township, according to a news release from county Coroner Daniel Buglio. He was the driver of a vehicle that left the road, traveled down an embankment and and struck several trees, according to the release. Hausman was pronounced dead at 10:36 p.m. Sunday, the release says. He died from blunt force head injuries due to the crash, and the manner of death was accidental, the coroner said. Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville and the coroners office are investigating the matter. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to Lehighvalleylive.com. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. A look at the sinkhole on Amblewood Way in Patton Township on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. The issue has displaced residents. Abby Dray, Centre Daily Times adrey@centredaily.com By Marley Parish of Spotlight PA State College A version of this story first appeared in Talk of the Town a daily newsletter from the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. BELLEFONTE When landslides and sinkholes damage Pennsylvania houses, homeowners often have limited options to cover repairs and can end up stuck paying a mortgage on an unlivable property. Now, state House lawmakers want a government-run insurance program to help fill this gap. A bill introduced by state Rep. Emily Kinkead (D., Allegheny) would use $10 million from the states General Fund to establish the proposed Landslide and Sinkhole Insurance Program, modeled after a similar plan that helps homeowners cover damage from collapsed mines. After the initial taxpayer-funded investment, Kinkead hopes the program which would initially reimburse applicants up to $150,000 becomes self-sustaining through premium payments. The legislation would also establish a board to oversee the program within the Department of Community and Economic Development, and work with agencies and local governments to rank community risk, publish geological maps online, and recommend best practices for local governments to mitigate landslide and sinkhole risks. Under the proposal, the programs board will utilize a rating system to help determine insurance costs, to incentivize community landslide and sinkhole management. Communities that are less likely to have damage either because the land is naturally safer or because theyve made an effort to reduce risk will get higher ratings and possibly a credit on their premium. Properties found to violate laws and regulations overseeing development in areas prone to landslides and sinkholes will not be eligible for new coverage. The bill passed out of committee this summer but has yet to receive a full vote in the state House. This is really just recognizing that the commercial insurance industry is not stepping up to cover these costs, Kinkead said during a June legislative meeting. Surveys on landslides and sinkholes from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources outline why karst geology and sloped terrain threaten many parts of the state especially southwestern, central, and eastern Pennsylvania. Kinkead told lehighvalleylive.com her program could help fund a solution to a longstanding problem with sinkholes downstream of the Buzzi Unicem cement plant in Stockertown, where two Route 33 bridges are in jeopardy of collapse in Palmer Township. While Kinkead pointed to landslides in Western Pennsylvania as a key motivation for the bill, state Rep. Paul Takac (D., Centre) noted during the state House committee meeting that his district is also no stranger to sinkholes. The area has seen them open up near the Nittany Mall, on Penn States campus, along a pedestrian and bike path, and even in the sheriffs office parking lot. On Dec. 25, 2022, a sinkhole opened up near 18 townhomes in Patton Township, breaking a water main and forcing residents to evacuate. State Rep. Scott Conklin (D., Centre) secured $180,000 in grant funds to help with inspections, renovations, and temporary shelter. He also introduced legislation that would offer hotels and motels a state tax credit equal to the cost of a discounted or comped room donated to a family displaced by a disaster; however, it never saw action in the legislature. Patton Township Manager Amy Farkas said the municipality has recommended insurance options for homeowners, but officials could only find four companies willing to offer it. So the proposed insurance program, she told Spotlight PA, is a great step forward. Farkas credited lawmakers for being forward-thinking by creating another insurance option and working with local governments to identify the people most at risk. I feel like sometimes the state doesnt view us as a 100% partner, and this bill, to me, feels like they see us as their partner, and they want to work with us, she said. SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. Photographed Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, improved access to the Bushkill Creek is a centerpiece of a $720,000 restoration of about 1,600 feet of the stream within Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center in Bushkill Township. The project undertaken between January and April 2025 also aims to reduce the impacts of floods and support outdoor education. Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the completion of a major stream restoration project at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, investing $720,000 to enhance flood resilience and expand public access to Bushkill Creek in Northampton County. The project, which restored 1,600 feet of Bushkill Creek, employed natural design techniques including native plantings, root wads, and woven branch mats to reinforce streambanks and improve habitat. The restoration work also rebuilt the creek channel to help the floodplain better absorb heavy rainfall. The work required the closure of the parks popular Lower Henrys Woods Trail beginning Jan. 10. It was completed April 18. DCNR officials on Friday visited Jabosburg to celebrate the project. In the face of increasingly intense storms and flooding, projects like this are vital to the long-term health of our public lands, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a news release Friday. This restoration strengthens the resiliency of Bushkill Creek, enhances safe public access, and supports the growing demand for water-based recreation and environmental education. Lauren Forster, environmental education specialist supervisor at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, teaches young visitors about macroinvertebrates Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, at the state parkland in Northampton County. Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources The improvements included rehabilitating two existing access points along the lower Henrys Woods Trail using stacked field stone. A third access point was added to better distribute foot traffic. Markosky Engineering designed the project, while the Aquatic Resource Restoration Company handled construction under oversight from DCNRs Bureau of Facility Design and Construction. The restoration is part of broader state investment in outdoor recreation, which generates $19 billion annually in Pennsylvania and supports more than 168,000 jobs. Since January 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiros administration has committed $120 million to modernize state parks and forests through infrastructure improvements, according to the DCNR. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, situated within the Lehigh Valley Greenways conservation landscape, encompasses 1,168 acres of forest, fields, and streams. The center includes Henrys Woods, an old-growth forest along Bushkill Creek, and offers various public and school programs through its visitor center. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Generative AI was used to organize and structure this story, based on data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com. Portlaoise GAA Club's chairperson has spoken out in support of the Indian community in the wake of spate of recent violent attacks around Ireland. Eamon Fennelly chairs the Laios GAA club which hosts the annual Utsav Midland Indian Fest at its grounds in Portlaoise in recent years. The event drew thousands to Portlaoise GAA club grounds in Rathleague. Mr Fennelly commented to the Leinster Express/ Laois Live following incidents around Ireland, which led to the Indian community cancelling an India Day celebration in Farmleigh. "It's disappointing for most Irish people to see other nationalities being targeted and discriminated against in this way. With our history as a country, of emigration and creating a new life elsewhere, you'd think we would be welcoming and understanding. There is a lot of anger out there over the price and availability of housing in particular - but that's hardly the fault of the Indian community. "They contribute largely to our society through their hard work and professionalism. Without their contribution to our health sector, as one example, the care and attention we give to our most vulnerable would be significantly inferior. "We opened our grounds to the Indian community in recent years in the spirit of community and inclusion, to provide them with a venue to get together and celebrate the pride they have in their heritage as well as the pride they all have in living in their adopted country of Ireland. This is what the Irish always did in America, UK, Australia etc. MORE BELOW PICTURE. Utsav Midland Indian Fest celebration in Rathleague in 2025. "We found them to be hardworking, good-humoured, honest, and so respectful of others. I think we Irish are known globally for the same traits. They left our grounds in the same condition it was handed to them, and that involved a lot of hard work by their committee. "As a GAA club we steer clear of political issues - we are a sporting club, and we are a community-based club - everybody is welcome in our home," he concluded. READ ALSO: Laois rents surge in rocketing rental market report from daft.ie President Michael D Higgins has condemned the "despicable attacks" on members of the Indian community. A quarry operator has been granted planning permission to extract 800,000 tonnes of sand and gravel from a site in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Breedon Materials Limited (trading as Breedon Ireland) has been granted a ten year licence to extract sand and gravel from an eight hectare site in the townlands of Mountall and Cummer in Camross in the Slieve Blooms. Laois County Council approved the plans subject to 17 conditions. The planning permission was granted despite being opposed by a number of local groups including the Slieve Bloom Association, Camross Tidy Towns, Paddock National School, Mountrath Scout Group and Ballyfin CDA. In all the planning application attracted over 60 submissions. The application site is located within the townlands of Mounthall and Cummer, Camross, Co. Laois, approximately 3.5 km from the Laois / Offaly county border on the southeastern flanks of the Slieve Bloom mountains and c. 3km north of Camross village 9km northwest of Mountrath and 18km west of Portlaoise. Paddock NS stated that it is located along the proposed haul route where 80,000 tonnes of material would be transported each year. Our school community has specific objections to a proposed sand and gravel pit due to concerns about the well-being of our students, staff, and the surrounding educational environment, they stated in their submission. Mountrath Cllr James Kelly argued that the local road network was not capable of taking such heavy traffic. The local road network, including L10317, L1031 and L1030 feeding to and from the R440 are at the moment not fit for the current road users, example being the one lane Lacca Metal Bridge over the Delour River and especially the 80,000 tonnes of sand and gravel to be extracted per annum, a minimum total of 24 daily Heavy Goods Vehicle trips and 12 daily Light Vehicle trips. The Local Authority would have to invest heavily on upgrading the local road network and the LCC Budget 2025 has not allowed for these works, he stated in his submission. In the Cummer/Mounthall townlands Camross there are a number of local residents who are in close proximity to the proposed site and none more so that an 84 years old Mother who resides with her 52 years old disabled daughter and their house will be only 72 metres away from the proposed works, he said. READ ALSO: Plans lodged for Laois quarry Cllr Kelly said acoustic fencing would will not remove the effect of over looking, visual intrusion, noise, disturbance, dust, heavy goods vehicles and smell. The Glendine Road leading up to the JJ Fanning Pass is in constant use by pedestrians, hill climbers, cyclists, tourists, scout groups and motorhomes. I object to the addition of all extra vehicles using the proposed application as it will definitely lead to road safety issues in a very rural area, he said. There is a need to safeguard our valuable resources such as the Slieve Bloom Mountains, good farmland and mineral resources such as water etc. This proposed development will compromise these resources, he added. Despite local objections, Laois County Council approved the development subject to 17 conditions. The quarry can now be used for 10 years on condition it is restored after ten years of use. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Assessment (NIS) was submitted with the application. A man brandished a hedge trimmer in front of his wifes face, it was alleged at Naas District Court. The man denied this. The woman told the court that he had become more aggressive and confrontational in recent times and the names he called her had deteriorated. READ NEXT Two Kildare ladies promoting the Irish language The woman sought protection under family law legislation and they both live in the same residence and are going through divorce proceedings. She said they tried to live together amicably but separately in an arrangement which meant sharing the use of some rooms in the house. She alleged that he hit her with a TV remote control after she asked him to close the door because she was listening to the radio. The woman claimed he said all women are ugly and youre uglier than most" and he called her a cow, bitch, c and every name under the sun. She said she was scared and terrified over the hedge trimmer incident but she was not struck by the tool. She said she reported the incident to the gardai. On another occasion, she claimed, he put his fist up to her when she went to close a door. The woman said she was afraid she would become the victim of a serious assault in the home or worse. She said that she locks her bedroom door when she is in bed or leaving the house. The husband said that on one occasion it was his turn to use the sitting room and sometimes he forgets to close the door. He said she came in in a fit of temper and grabbed the remote control, taking it to the kitchen. She refused to give it back and he grabbed it and a tug-o-war ensued. He said he shouldn't have used bad language but he did because he was annoyed. He said he did not strike her or want to strike her Her husband told Judge Michael Ramsey he did not believe she sustained an injury. He also said that she had refused to hold open a bag he wanted to put rubbish into after he had been working there for three to four hours and he called her a lazy f bitch. He denied brandishing the trimmer in her face. He said she banged the door when he was listening to a performance of Dylan Thomass poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night on radio. Judge Ramsey said he was striking out the application for a safety order after the husband gave an undertaking not to threaten violence against her. He said if a breach took place he would be brought to court and this could lead to a custody term Students up and down the country are frantically searching for accommodation. I went through the same process in July when I moved from Dublin to work as a reporter for Iconic Media in Limerick. Despite getting in before the student accommodation search, my quest for a room was not without misadventure. The first house viewing I attended was near the Limerick's Crescent shopping centre. The tenants did not know who the landlord was and the gaff was covered in black mould - which was not evident in the pictures posted in the listing. I should have realised there would be a catch involved, with the rent as low as 350. The girls who showed me the viewing said they had given a viewing to a woman before me, who said that she and her friends would take every room in the house - making it unlikely that there would be any space for me. Read More: Warning to college students as dodgy landlords 'disappear' with rent deposits The next viewing was worse again. A man in his 30s showed me a smelly room and rhymed off a list of terms and conditions. The man - who was not the landlord - said I was to use the washing machine no more than once a week, that I was not permitted to have any overnight guests - not even my parents - and that I should limit the time I spend in the kitchen. Before I was presented with this litany of regulations, I complimented him on the cleanliness of the houses downstairs, to which he replied: thank you. My wife loves to clean. Disaster struck again that day when I was contacted by an assured scammer who saw my post on Facebook seeking accommodation. The man was offering an apartment on the very street that I work at and the rent was reasonable. There was one catch though - he was out of the country and could not show me the property. When I questioned him on this, he said I could go and look at the outside of the flat. In the second attempt to scam me, I was asked to pay a viewing fee of 80 to view the apartment. When I said that this was out of the question and sounded like a scam, the trickster said: I will rather spend the little time I have on earth lonely than to rip you off. All of this to say, I was not allowed to see the accommodation without paying a fee. It is little wonder if the apartment was available for rent at all. On the third go around, a man would not give me the exact address of the listing. Instead he said he would pick me up in his car at a shopping centre. The same man also asked me to confirm if I was single - three separate times. I thought to myself: Is this a dating app or a housing application? I declined to attend the viewing, for fear of kidnap. I was amazed at how obvious these scams were but I did think to myself - if I was an international student who did not know how the accommodation system works in the country, or if I was desperate for a place to live, it would be easier to fall for these types of tricks. Another house viewing I attended was hosted by a wellness guru. No sooner was I in the door, but he started giving out about how he was inundated with applications by Ukrainians to view the house. It was a shame that all the meditation and yoga he was doing didnt help him cultivate more tolerance. The second last house viewing I went to seemed right enough - however, I would have been the only girl in the house, when I personally prefer to live with at least one woman. Call me old fashioned, but while the men made me feel welcome, they were quite a bit older than me and I would have been more comfortable living in a girls house, no matter how nice they were. The man's child would also be visiting regularly to stay at the weekend - which obviously was not a problem, but was not ideal either - speaking as a woman in her 20s who might be going out on the weekend. Read More: Electric Picnic 2025: How to avoid latest ticket scams amid Garda investigation By the time I came to the last house I was exhausted and dejected. I had spent the day in Limerick going up and down estates and hadnt found one house that I wanted to live in. At long last lady luck smiled on me when I went to view my current house - where I now live with two other women. I immediately knew that I wanted to take it. The girls and I had a good rapport and the place was clean. While I went through ordeals to find accommodation - I count myself lucky. I have a roof over my head, and I can afford to live independently from my parents, which has become a privilege in this country. My father said to me on the way home from the viewings: you will kiss many frogs before finding a prince, and see many bedsits before finding liveable conditions to rent in. A Leitrim artist has been awarded 20,000 Arts Council Bursary, it was announced this week. Natalia Beylis was awarded the funds in the music category in her order to develop her music which includes instruments such as organ and piano. Natalia is a Ukrainian born, American raised composer now living in Leitrim. She has released over 40 albums between solo works and collaborations and has appeared on numerous compilations. Her music incorporates both traditional instruments such as pianos, organs, keyboards and mandola, as well as field recordings, tape collage and non-musical sound sources. For example, she recently released an album using just the sounds created by a domestic sewing machine. READ MORE: Leitrim woman is 'extremely isolated' because of lack of public transport in county The Bursary Award is one of the Arts Councils key funding schemes, supporting individual artists to concentrate on developing their practice, research and new work. Each award, valued at up to 20,000, provides artists with the time and resources to focus on their creative process. Recipients represent the full diversity of Irelands arts sector, working across visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, music, film, opera, architecture, circus, street arts, and traditional arts. Awards have been made in every county, as well as to artists based in Northern Ireland and internationally. READ MORE: Two new Gardai announced for Leitrim at passing-out ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, said: The bursary awards are about giving artists the most precious resource they need time. Time to think, to create, to experiment, and to develop their craft. These artists are working across an extraordinary range of disciplines, and their projects will have a lasting impact not only on their own practices but also on audiences and communities across Ireland and beyond. The Arts Council is the government agency for developing the arts in Ireland. The Bursary Award is offered in two rounds each year. This is Round 1 of the 2025 awards. Tributes have been pouring in for a Leitrim woman who played a central role in her community, remembered warmly for her welcoming nature, her many contributions, and described as a remarkable woman. Elizabeth Comiskey (nee McMorrow), of Leckaun and formerly of Lissinagroagh, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 10. Deeply devoted to her parish and the wider community, Elizabeth dedicated nearly fifty years of service to Newtownmanor and surrounding areas. For close to thirty years, she was a driving force behind the weekly parish bingo on Monday nights, and she also served on the board of management at St Marys National School in Leckaun. A founder member and Chairperson of Newtownmanor ICA, Elizabeth worked tirelessly to promote and support rural women. READ NEXT: Carrick-on-Shannon Primary School: TDs push for Minister decision as delays drag on Even in her final months, she remained active as a Minister of the Eucharist and on parish committees, most recently helping to organise the bicentennial celebrations of the church. Elizabeth was also a long-standing member of the Irish Farmers Association, serving on the county executive for Dromahair IFA and representing Leitrim on the Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee. She was also a committee member of the Manorhamilton Agricultural Show for the past 25 years and most recently served as Chief Steward. She will be profoundly missed by her husband, former Fine Gael senator Michael Comiskey; her sons Gary, Trevor, Damien, Rory, and Stephen; her 13 beloved grandchildren; her brothers, sisters, extended family, friends, and neighbours. Tributes reflected her enduring kindness and community spirit. I remember when she came to our area 50 years ago this year - she was young, hardworking and always helpful, a great community person, one condolence noted. READ NEXT: Leitrim sees sharpest rent hike in Ireland since pandemic, report finds Another read, We had the privilege of knowing her as a wonderful neighbour and friend. Her passing will leave a huge void in so many lives. Elizabeths funeral took place on Tuesday, August 12, at The Church of Mary the Mother of God, Newtownmanor, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Her final journey was marked with guards of honour by staff of Our Ladys Hospital (past and present), the IFA, the Manorhamilton Show, and members of Sligo-Leitrim Fine Gael. The Government was represented at the funeral by Ministers of State Hildegarde Naughton and Marian Harkin. One condolence captured the depth of her loss, My sincere sympathy on the death of your much loved wife and mother. I have many wonderful memories of her quiet kindness and hospitality. Be assured of my prayers at this difficult time. Remember that while you have lost a gem of a wife and mother, heaven has gained a jewel. Frustration resurfaced this week at a meeting between the Board of Management of Scoil Mhuire, local authority officials, and the four SligoLeitrim TDs Martin Kenny (Sinn Fein), Marian Harkin (Independent), Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail) and Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) over the long-delayed new primary school for Carrick-on-Shannon. The land for a new school has now been zoned for education, but it remains in private ownership and cannot be acquired until the Department of Education authorises the next step. From our perspective, weve zoned the site and completed our part of the job. But nothing can move until the Department gives the go-ahead, the Director of Finance with Leitrim County Council Vincent Dwyer explained. Chairperson of the board of management Malachy Molloy says after 12 years, they cannot wait any longer: The Council has done its part. The board is ready. What we need now is clear authorisation from the Minister. Without it, well still be sitting here in another six months, having the same conversation. Deputies told the board they continue to receive vague replies from the Department. Deputy Marian Harkin said she had spoken with officials and had got nowhere: Ive tried several times. I wont pretend otherwise I havent made any progress. The Minister listens to her officials, and the same official advising this Minister was advising the last one. Another TD read directly from a Department response: The Department acknowledges the ongoing local discussions concerning potential sites for new schools in Carrick-on-Shannon. While there are currently no definitive plans in place, they will continue to engage but thats as far as it goes. No confirmation. No commitment. Louise Murray, who leads the New School Committee, said the delays have gone far beyond what is acceptable: Its coming up on 13 years since this campaign began. Weve had pupils taught in corridors, and rotten floors patched. We had a technical report carried out which shows the building is not fit for purpose. The teachers and children deserve better. A Department-commissioned technical report on Scoil Mhuire, carried out in August 2021, highlighted serious health and safety concerns, including roof leaks, possible asbestos in roof sheeting, undersized classrooms, mould growth, and fire safety issues where storage areas and corridors had been converted into teaching spaces. It listed the urgent defects as: lack of emergency lighting, inner room fire risks, asbestos risk, and leaking roofs all of which need immediate action. As the report states, both existing sites are too small and the buildings are not fit for purpose, reinforcing the boards call for a new school on a single site. She also criticised the waste of money on temporary accommodation: Theyre talking about pumping nearly a million euro into two prefabs. Thats madness. Its money wasted when we need a permanent school. The Gaelscoil issue was also raised, with board members rejecting the Departments line that there is sufficient capacity in Carrick. Capacity in substandard prefabs is not capacity. And families who cannot send their children to an Irish-language school have no other option Scoil Mhuire is where they go. This building is not fit for purpose. One member added that inclusion must be recognised in the debate: Children from migrant families and those with learning difficulties all come here, because this is the school that caters for everyone. You cant just say theres a place somewhere else. The meeting concluded with agreement that the four TDs would sign a joint letter seeking a meeting with the Minister and senior officials directly. READ MORE: Leitrim sees sharpest rent hike in Ireland since pandemic, report finds THE PARENT company of city centre financial firm FJ Hanly and Associates is to expand into Dublin for the first time. Gallivan Financial of Killarney, which acquired FJ Hanly, which is based at the Riverpoint Complex, is making capital gains. This is because it is buying Mount Street Group, based in Sandymount, on the Dublin coast. It is also acquiring Kelly OShea Pensions and Financial Services. READ MORE: Shock closures of well-known Limerick stores leave parents guessing The value of both deals remains undisclosed. But Gallivan Financial said the tie-ups will increase its assets under management to more than 650m. Assets under management refers to the market value of an investment managed by a person or entity on behalf of their clients. With several additional deals currently in exclusivity, Gallivan says it is now on track to surpass 1 billion in assets under management by the end of 2025. Fergal Smith, Gallivan Financial managing director said: Were excited to welcome the Mount Street and Kelly OShea teams to Gallivan Financial. From the outset, it was clear that our shared values and commitment to client-focused advice were strongly aligned. Our integration plan is centred around continuity - clients will continue working with the same trusted advisors, while benefiting from the broader resources, technology, and expertise of our combined teams. Gallivan Financial is majority-owned by the Gallivan family, who previously sold Gallivan Murphy Insurance Brokers (GMIB) to U.S.-based Assured Partners in 2022. Gallivan Financial was not part of that transaction and has now embarked on a significant growth trajectory. Gallivan Financial has made four acquisitions since May 2023. We see very significant opportunities for consolidation within the sector in the short to medium term, Mr Smith added. Limericks FJ Hanly and Associates has more than 700 clients and approximately 100 million in assets under management. SCOIL Pol in Kilfinane has welcomed a new chapter in its history with the appointment of Mairead Finucane as Principal. The school announced Mairead's appointment, saying: "A native of Kerry, Mairead brings with her a wealth of experience, dedication, and energy that will no doubt enrich the life of our school community. Former Principal of Presentation Secondary School, Tralee, her leadership there has been marked by a strong commitment to student wellbeing and academic excellence." Ms Finucane also previously served as Assistant Principal and teacher of Home Economics and Religious Education at Colaiste Chiarain, Croom (20192023), and at Vocational School Abbeyfeale/Colaiste Ide agus Iosef (20052019). Across these roles, she demonstrated a deep passion for education and a strong belief in the potential of every student. "Scoil Pol looks forward to this next chapter, and the future, under Ms Finucanes leadership. On behalf of the Board of Management, and all of our school community, we extend a warm welcome to Ms Finucane as she takes up her new role," stated Scoil Pol, Kilfinane in a note on social media. READ MORE: Past pupils mark 50 years since Limerick school's closure with major donation Former principal of the school, Michael O'Hara retired recently after 13 years at the helm. CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a former city centre hospital building into asylum seeker accommodation will not be going ahead. That's according to Fianna Fail Senator Dee Ryan, who has received confirmation of the news from Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. Earlier this summer, Limerick Live revealed the listed building was under consideration to be used as a base for International Protection applicants. READ MORE: Parent company of Limerick finance firm makes capital gains Developers NKF Limited has been given permission by the chief executive of the Bon Secours Health System, Bill Maher, to engage with Limerick City and County Council on the future use of the building. It contacted the local authority in relation to a plan to change the use of the limestone building - known locally as Barrington's - from a hospital to temporary accommodation for displaced persons seeking international protection. But now Ms Ryan has received confirmation from the Department of Justice that this proposal is off the table. "There had been speculation about this so I am glad the issue can now be put to bed," the former Limerick Chamber boss. In Mr O'Callaghan's letter to Ms Ryan, he said the level of need for Ipas accommodation is now stabilising. More than 400 properties, including 12,000 tourism beds have already been returned to their previous uses in 2024. Ms Ryan said her focus is now on ensuring that the building is brought back into productive use in a way that benefits the local community and resident of the city centre. This is an iconic site in the heart of Limerick. Rather than remaining idle or being used on a short-term emergency basis, we should explore opportunities to deliver real value for the community whether thats through housing, cultural or community space, or another use that supports the ongoing regeneration of our city, she said. "Limerick is a great place to live and work. Spaces like Barringtons Hospital could offer wonder resources to the community. I will work with my colleagues across Government and council to do this," she concluded. The former Barrington's Hospital building was taken over by Bon Secours, which is moving to a state-of-the-art new-build hospital facility on the edge of Limerick in the coming days. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice stated: "The department has not received an offer of international protection accommodation in relation to this property." THIS August marks a full century since the Irish Free State undertook the project of building the hydroelectric generating station in Ardnacrusha. For a time, it was the largest of its kind in the world. The ambitious project brought electricity to rural Ireland, accelerated industrial growth, and transformed the nations economic and social landscape. The projects spirit of ambition and innovation will be celebrated in A Bolt out of the Blue, an exhibition commissioned by the National Built Heritage Service in partnership with ESB, with photographs provided by the Photographic Unit of the National Monuments Service. READ MORE: Limerick artist shortlisted as AIB announces Portrait Prize finalists Claire Quane, head of Renewable Operations at ESB said: Ardnacrusha stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision meets engineering excellence. The Shannon Scheme transformed Ireland in ways that were almost unimaginable in 1925. As we look towards a net zero energy system, we draw inspiration from that same pioneering spirit. The challenges of today demand nothing less. The exhibition invites visitors to step into a defining chapter of Irelands past, while reflecting on how its legacy continues to power our future. Minister of State for Heritage, Nature and Biodiversity Christopher OSullivan TD followed: Im delighted with this collaboration between the National Built Heritage Service, National Monuments Service and the ESB on this project to mark Ardnacrushas centenary. As the Government continues its work to achieve a low carbon economy, its fitting to celebrate Ardnacrushas transformative role 100 years ago in powering Irish homes through hydroelectricity. Ardnacrusha and the Shannon Scheme were groundbreaking for Ireland in terms of scale, engineering feat and for the modernisation of the country at the time brought about by electrification. This photo exhibition commissioned by the National Built Heritage Service and using photos from the National Monuments Service will help to ensure that its legacy is remembered for generations to come. Tributes have poured in for Padraig (Paudie) O'Reilly who died following a tragic accident recently. Padraig was the beloved husband of Schira and a devoted father to Grace and Finn. He is sadly missed by his loving wife, daughter, son, father Meehaul, mother Patricia, sisters and brother, Mairead, Fearghal, Aishling, Sinead and Aoishe, parents in law Alan and Phil Lynch, brothers in law, sisters in law, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. Heartfelt messages have rushed in on RIP.ie, with one mourner writing, "Deepest sympathy to Schira, Grace, Finn O Reilly and Lynch family on the sad passing of Paudie. He was a real character always a smile on his face and was always willing to help whether it was information about something wrong with an animal or rushes growing in a field he would try to help you do something to treat the problem a wealth of knowledge for such a young man. RIP". READ NEXT: RIP: Search for man missing over two months stood down amid tragic update Another message said, "My heartfelt sympathies Schira, Grace and Finn on your enormous loss of a wonderful Husband and Daddy, I just have no words Meehaul and Pat, I know how much you loved Paudie and how much you will miss him, Aoishe, Sinead, Aishling, Mairead and Fearghal You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Paudie was such a great lad and was loved and respected by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. My condolences to the extended O'Reilly and Lynch Families and to everyone who loved and will miss him. Thinking of you all now and in the times to come, Shine Bright Paudie. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis". "Devastated to hear the sad news of paudie passing away. You will be missed by everyone who knew you. Condolences to Schira, Grace, Finn and all the OReilly family. RIP Paudie," another person said. Two Indian drugmakers have filed lawsuits against Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk over its blockbuster weight-loss drug semaglutide, which is set to lose its patent in India in March 2026. With just about six months to go, why are these companies pursuing lawsuits against the innovator? Mint explains. Whats happening? Last week, Natco Pharma filed six lawsuits in the Delhi High Court against Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk for its popular anti-obesity drug semaglutide, sold as Wegovy in India. The Hyderabad-based drugmaker contended that its versions of semaglutide and the delivery device do not infringe on Novo Nordisks patented drug or devices, meaning it could launch them even before the patent expires. Also Read | Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk prepared for generic competition in India Natco had issued notices to Novo Nordisk over this on 30 June but did not get a response, a person familiar with the case told Mint. The court heard the matter on 20 August and referred both sides to pre-suit mediation to try and resolve the matter amicably, the person said. In May, Hyderabad-based Dr Reddys Laboratories challenged the validity of Novo Nordisks second patent on semaglutide, contending that it lacks novelty. This patent is set to expire in India in March, opening the floodgates for a wave of cheaper generic copies to come in. Subsequently, Novo Nordisk filed a patent infringement suit against Dr Reddy's. Why the rush? At the heart of this saga is the booming global demand for drugs that mimic a hormone that regulates hunger and insulin and can help people lose 15-23% of their weight over six months. Semaglutide injections, sold under the brands Wegovy and Ozempic, turned Novo Nordisk into a global powerhouse, clocking over $25 billion in sales last year. Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy in India in July, following competitor Eli Lilly, which introduced its drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in March. Both companies are racing to grab a strong market share before generics fill in once Novos patent expires. India, with over 254 million obese people, and over 100 million diabetics, is a lucrative market. Also Read | Torrent aims to be among first cos to launch Wegovy, Ozempic generics in Brazil The market for weight-loss drugs could grow to 8,000 to 10,000 crore in the next two to three years, estimated Vishal Manchanda, a pharma equities analyst at Systematix Group. This would probably be the largest category being created in the India pharma market so far," he said. This, even as prices are expected to fall by over 80% as generics come in. Almost every large generic drugmaker in the country is gearing up to launch the drug next year. They include Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Cipla, Lupin, Zydus, Eris Lifesciences and Mankind Pharma. Some are attempting to grab the first-mover advantage. Why Natco and Dr Reddys? Weight-loss drugs are sold most popularly as injectables, and innovators like Novo and Eli Lilly have leveraged their diabetes-treatment leadership to grab the market. This is a very big opportunity, which we haven't seen in the past," said Manchanda. Companies that don't have a very strong marketing presence [in this market] are trying to get the first-mover advantage so that they can make up for their lack of strength in marketing." For Natco or Dr Reddys, winning a patent war against the innovator would mean entering the market ahead of their competitors. How would a lawsuit help? A patent war, or litigation, can create a buzz around a company, even if the outcome is delayed. In the interim dates, they might want a favourable order or even a favourable statement that would highlight them in their circle of competitors, market buyers and investors," Amit Panigrahi, partner and head of trademarks at Kochhar & Co, pointed out. Pursuing a patent war may force the innovator to stop its delaying tactics, and allow a generic launch faster, according to legal experts. Has this happened before? Natco has a track record of challenging patents, particularly for highly priced lifesaving drugs such as Bayers kidney and lung cancer drug Nexavar or Roches Risdiplam for spinal muscular atrophy. While semaglutide is more of a weight-management drug than a lifesaving medicine, the sheer demand and anticipated size of the market make it a rare opportunity for pharma companies. In 2019, Natco pursued a similar strategy against Bristol-Myers Squibbs (BMS) anticoagulant Apixaban. It launched its generic version Apigat in June 2019, challenging the innovators patent validity. While it was initially given interim relief against an injunction filed by BMS by the Delhi high court, it was later asked to halt sales. Later in 2020, the Delhi high court barred Cipla, Torrent and Alkem from launching generic versions too. New Delhi: Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) has secured rights to market liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Mozambiques long-stalled project, where it holds a 10% stake, with full development now set to resume as security improves. Addressing the state-owned company's annual general meeting, chairman and managing director Sanjay Khanna said the project, jointly owned by three Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs) with a combined 30% stake, will enhance BPCLs upstream presence. While security concerns had delayed the project, conditions have improved now, and full-scale development is expected to resume soon, Khanna said. Once operational, the two-train LNG project will boost our upstream presence and support the energy transition. We have already secured LNG marketing rights in line with our 10% participating interest. The chairman described the Mozambique project as a world-class gas asset with nearly 70 trillion cubic feet of recoverable resources". ONGC Videsh Ltd holds 16%, BPRL Ventures Mozambique BVa subsidiary of BPCLholds 10% and Oil India Ltd owns 4%.Total E&P Mozambique Area 1 Limitada, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies, holds 26.5% in the plant and is its operator. Operations at the Offshore Area 1 project in the coastal town of Palma had been suspended in April 2021, following attacks by Islamic state terrorists. The chairman said BPCL's upstream portfolio in Brazil was also advancing, with BM-SEAL-11 moving into the tendering stage for the Floating Production Storage & Offloading (FPSO) vessel and other long-lead items. "This is a major step toward developing this strategic asset. At our Nunukan asset in Indonesia, the Plan of Development (POD) has received regulatory approval, paving the way for the projects development," he added. BPCL entered the upstream sector in 2003 with an aim to provide partial supply security of crude and hedging of price risks and to become a vertically integrated oil company. Its subsidiary BPRL was incorporated in 2006 to carry out exploration and production activities. BPRL holds participating interest (PI) in 15 blocks, with eight blocks located in India and seven overseas. BPRL has equity stakes in two Russian entities, which hold licenses for four producing blocks in Russia. While BPRL directly holds participating interest in domestic blocks, its stakes with respect to blocks in Brazil, Mozambique, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and equity stakes in Russian entities are held through step-down wholly-owned subsidiaries or joint ventures of the wholly-owned subsidiaries in the Netherlands and Singapore. Addressing shareholders, the chairman said fiscal year 2025 (FY25) was marked by heightened volatility and uncertainty, driven by ongoing geopolitical conflicts, rising protectionism and shifting trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs by major economies. These disruptions have tested the resilience of global markets and challenged conventional growth trajectories. Yet, amidst these headwinds, there are signs of cautious optimism, he said. "Global growth projections for 2025 have been revised upwardfrom 2.8% to 3.0%reflecting stronger-than-expected performance in large economies, a rebound in services trade, and sustained fiscal support in select regions." Khanna said the global oil sector is undergoing a fundamental shift and structural changes are redefining both demand and supply dynamics, as the world transitions toward cleaner energy and diversified fuel sources. By 2030, global oil demand is expected to grow by 2.5 million barrels per day, before plateauing at approximately 105.5 million barrels by the end of the decade, he said. "On the supply side, the unwinding of the oil production cut is resetting oil supply trajectories over the 2024-30 forecast period. Globally, as the transport and power generation sectors continue to diversify towards alternate fuels, the petrochemical industry is set to become the dominant source of global oil demand growth," Khanna said. On BPCL's diversification efforts, he said the company's 'Project Aspire' would strengthen its core businesses in refining, marketing and upstream operations with sharper execution, while advancing into petrochemicals, renewables, green hydrogen, biofuels, and gas.BPCL has planned a total capital expenditure of 1.70 trillion under 'Project Aspire'. Mumbai: State-run Bank of Maharashtra aims to raise at least 2,000 crore by selling shares through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) or an offer for sale this financial year to reduce the government's stake in the lender to 75% and meet the market regulator's minimum public shareholding norm. "We will work it out, because as per the current prices, to comply with the Sebi norms, even at the current price, around 2,000 crore should suffice," managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) Nidhu Saxena said on the sidelines of the Ficci-IBA banking conference in Mumbai on Monday. Shares of Bank of Maharashtra settled 0.8% lower at 54.38 apiece on the NSE on Monday. Also Read | Bank of Maharashtra joins hands with SBI Card to launch credit card There are various options we are evaluating, including OFS. That is definitely one of the priorities and some process from DIPAM (Department of Investment and Public Asset Management) has been initiated, Saxena said, adding that fundraise will serve both the objectives of bringing down the government stake and maintaining healthy capital adequacy to support business growth. Any additional capital raise over and above the planned 2,000 crore will be deployed for business growth, Saxena added. As per the Securities and Exchange Board of Indias guidelines, all listed companies need to have at least 25% free float (publicly-held) of shares, thus capping the promoter stake at 75%. The governments shareholding in the bank currently stands at 79.6%. In FY25, Bank of Maharashtra had raised 3,500 crore via a QIP. Saxena said that at that time, the bank had seen strong interest from investors, including foreign ones, during the roadshows. Buoyed by last year's enthusiasm, the bank may choose to raise over and above the required 2,000 crore. Under a QIP, shares are sold to institutions such as mutual funds and insurance companies to raise funds quickly. The divestment is part of the governments initiative to pare its stake in five state-owned banks. The government has time till 1 August 2026 to comply with the Sebi's public shareholding norms. The finance ministrys Department of Investment and Public Asset Management has appointed Goldman Sachs as the sole advisor for the $3.3 billion stake sale in the four other public sector banksCentral Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank and UCO Bank, as per reports. The governments stake in these banks is much higher at near or over 90%. Also Read | Vinay Rajani of HDFC Sec suggests these 3 stocks to buy in the near-term The stake sale process started in FY25, wherein the government sold minor stakes in the four banks through the first tranche of the QIP. As of 30 June, the government held 93.85% stake in Punjab & Sind Bank, 94.61% in Indian Overseas Bank, 90.95% in UCO Bank, and 89.27% in Central Bank of India. OpenAI Inc. is not actively considering monetizing the Indian market, focusing instead on expanding awareness and presence across sectors. As part of the push, the US-based artificial intelligence company is in talks with the Indian government to expand ChatGPTs role in the country's education system, said Leah Belsky, its vice president of education. However, it has yet to consider expanding its operations with an engineering team in the country, two senior OpenAI executives told Mint on the condition of anonymity. Belsky, speaking at a roundtable ahead of an event in New Delhi on Monday, said the company expects to be in an expansion phase, and is pitching itself as the worlds largest online education platform already. She said ChatGPT has over 700 million users worldwide, and India is one of OpenAI's top priority markets within that. The company, which introduced ChatGPT study mode in July, is seeing that Indian students are among the top adopters of the service. "To do this, we had a team that spoke with students, parents, and teachers on the ground across every possible district in the country to understand the kind of assistance they need. Our focus on the nation is really to enable access to as many people as we canand monetization is not one of our targets for the country at the moment, she added. Free ChatGPT Later in the day, OpenAI announced that, in partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the company will offer up to 500,000 ChatGPT licences to educators and students over the next six months as part of its effort to attract users into its ecosystem. The company is also in conversation with the ministry of education to offer ChatGPT as a tool for educators across school levels without drawing any conclusions from the discussions as of now, added Raghav Gupta, its head of education for South Asia. The American AI giant has been making a major push to enhance its presence in the country. In July, it launched study mode for an education-specific version of ChatGPT, its generative AI platform. Earlier in August, it launched its latest foundation model, GPT-5. Chief executive Sam Altman said at the time that the model was trained in 12 Indian languages, among others. It also launched a less expensive subscription tier, Go, for ChatGPT in the country and said last week that it was opening a new office in New Delhi later in 2025 to house its India operations. The new office, said the executives cited above, will largely focus on housing sales, marketing, and leadership roles for the time being. The engineering operations for OpenAI will, for now, be overwhelmingly based in the US, and while the future will likely hold options for us to expand worldwide, we havent made a decision to establish an India engineering team just yet, one of the executives said. The India market The companys aggressive move, experts said, comes as the country turns into a significant battleground for the likes of Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI itself. India, according to GitHubs 2024 report, is the worlds second-largest market for developers and engineers. This made it a big hub for Google to target, which has also doubled down on getting more developers on board its AI platform, Gemini. OpenAI, on this note, is taking the education approach to attract more users. It is a no-brainer that all AI companies are looking to rope in users from a very young age, since it would then be easier to have them work as engineers within your own ecosystem in the long run, said Kashyap Kompella, veteran AI analyst and tech consultant. New Delhi: Neo Group's flagship infrastructure fund, Neo Infra Income Opportunities Fund (NIIOF), has bought SolarArise India Projects Pvt. Ltd from the London Stock Exchange-listed ThomasLloyd Energy Impact Trust for an enterprise value of 1,400 crore. The deal marks NIIOFs entry into the renewable energy space, adding 433.5 MWp of operational solar assets across five statesMaharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana. In a statement to Mint, NIOF said that the acquisition aligns well with its commitment to building a high-quality portfolio backed by stable cash flows. "By adding SolarArise to its portfolio, NIIOF marks its entry into the renewable space and enhances its ability to deliver predictable long-term returns to investors, while supporting Indias energy transition goals," it said. Also Read | Azure Power halts search for JV partner in Rajasthan solar power project ThomasLloyd Energy Impact Trust in January 2023 acquired SolarArise, founded in 2015 by Tanya Singhal, Anil Nayar, and James Abraham, with investments from Core Infrastructure India Fund Pte Ltd and Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund. NIIOF is a Category II Alternative Investment Fund and is backed by Peak XV Partners, MUFG Bank Ltd, and New York-based Euclidean Capital LLC. In a statement to Mint, Hemant Daga, CEO and co-founder, Neo Asset Management, said: Infrastructure is a critical pillar in Indias journey towards becoming a $5 trillion economy. This sector is fast emerging as a preferred asset class for long-term investors. At Neo, we are committed to channelling capital into projects that power Indias growth story. This transaction underscores our ability to source high-quality assets and leverage our deep industry relationships to drive impactful investments. Queries sent to ThomasLloyd Energy Impact Trust were not immediately responded to. Also Read | Jakson Solar eyes module capacity expansion with 8,000 cr capex Green energy Abishek Goel, managing director (MD) and head - Infra & Real Assets at Neo Asset Management, noted in a statement that these solar plants will not only generate clean green energy that will power lakhs of homes and industries, but also generate stable income for the fund investors. "Our team is fully geared up to operate these plants as well as drive operational and financial improvements to enhance value for our investors, Goel added The acquisition follows NIIOFs successful final close in July 2025 at 2,300 crore, surpassing its initial target corpus of 2,000 crore. This deal represents the funds strong momentum in deploying capital into marquee operating assets. NIIOF is a Securities and Exchange Board of India-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund that serves as Neo Group's flagship infrastructure fund. It allows investors to directly take exposure to high-quality operating infrastructure assets. Its strategy is focused on acquiring operational road and solar assets that are underpinned by long-term contracts with reputed counterparties, offering stable and predictable cash flows within a robust regulatory framework. Backed by global investors like Peak XV Partners, MUFG Bank Ltd, and New York-based Euclidean Capital LLC, Neo is a specialised, new-age wealth and asset management firm catering to high networth individuals (HNIs), ultra high networth individuals (UHNIs), and multi-family offices, built on unbiased advisory, transparency, and cost-efficiency. It also serves global institutions like pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, and sovereign wealth funds investing in India's long-term growth. Recent deals The acquisition comes during a surge in Indias renewable energy sector. In FY25, the capacity addition rose to 29.52 GW from 18.5 GW in FY24, driven by a robust project pipeline and falling solar photovoltaic module prices. Solar energy led the expansion, contributing 23.83 GW of new capacity. Indias total installed solar capacity is now 105.65 GW. India will require $1.5 trillion in investments by 2030 to meet its climate goals, including $250-300 billion for renewable energy capacity and $200-250 billion for grid and system upgrades, according to a Deloitte report. Bollywood 90s actress Mayoori Kango who quit the film industry to move into the corporate world, has now joined Publicis Groupe. Popularly known as the Ghar Se Nikalte Hi, Kuch Door Chalte Hi girl from the iconic song, the former actress had joined Google in 2019. On Monday, August 25, Kango took to LinkedIn to share the latest update about her now position at Publicis, a multinational communications and marketing firm. What is Mayoori Kango's new role Mayoori Kango rejoined Publicis Groupe as part of the global executive leadership team for Publicis Global Delivery. As part of her new role, the former actress and Google employee will partner with the global team of the Paris based firm to shape services across various of its digital arms. Kango will also serve as the CEO for the Paris based firm's India Delivery Center, as per her LinkedIn update. Publicis Groupe A Paris based communications and marketing firm the Publicis Groupe was established in 1926. As per the company release, Publicis Groupe recorded a 10 per cent growth in its revenue in the second quarter of calendar year 2025. The company also reported a strong growth in all of its regions across all chains of operations with US reporting a 5.3% growth, Europe - 4.6% and Asia Pacific - 5.7% Prior to her latest role in the company, Mayoori Kango had served as the Managing Director at Performics, a performance marketing agency under the firm. When Mayoori Kango left IIT Kanpur for debut film During her academic years, Mayuri Kango secured an admission to IIT Kanpur, but chose to follow her passion for movies instead. Although she bagged some notable roles, Kango struggled to find major opportunities on the big screen. Also Read | Oracle stock drops nearly 3% on open in US markets After her slow stint in films, Mayuri Kango made her television debut, appearing in shows like Dollar Bahu (2001), Nargis, Thoda Gham Thodi Khushi, and Karishma: The Miracles of Destiny (2003), where she essayed the role of Karisma Kapoors daughter. Her true recognition came with Papa Kehte Hain (1996) and Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999). Japanese retailer Uniqlo, part of The Fast Retailing Group, is on track to more than double its store count and triple its revenues in the Indian market over the next three years. This expansion is led by the company's growing confidence from opening stores in new markets, a top executive at the casual clothing retailer said. In the first four years, we focused on north (India)thats why our expansion was so fast, said Kenji Inoue, CFO & COO, Uniqlo India, during a virtual interview with Mint on Monday. But now we are in the west; but we are getting into the southern market which will accelerate our expansion going forward. Our business is getting bigger and bigger. Our ambition is to keep similar growth rates of about 30 to 40% year-on-year which would lead us to approximately touch 3,000 crore in the coming three years. Uniqlo entered India in 2019 with its first store in New Delhi and now operates 16 stores in the country. In fiscal year 2025, Uniqlo India reported a 44% jump in revenue, crossing 1,100 crore, per the company. The growth was led by retail expansion, rising brand awareness, and a strong e-commerce uplift. The companys profit after tax for FY25 more than doubled to 178.4 crore. We dont stick to a number of store openings so much because our existing stores and e-commerce are growing very fast. One of the benchmarks would be to double the number of stores compared to the current store count, Inoue said. The retailer largely focused on opening stores in the north, as it carries a greater proportion of winter wear. However, it has since expanded. In 2023, it entered the Mumbai market, which has shown a strong response. Southern push "We got more confidence to expand to expand our business to the south," he said. Uniqlo is set to open its first store in Bengaluru this weekexpanding its presence for the first time in South India. It is also set to enter Pune next month. The India market is important for the growth of Fast Retailing. "Given the size of the market and the growth ratio and how our life wear has been accepted by Indian customers and looking at the repeat ratiothere is huge potential in this market. We are aiming for a long-term annual target of 10 trillion (in sales) which is triple of where we are at the momentI think India would play a significant role to contribute to that growth, he said. The comments come as the broader retail industry has seen a slowdown due to greater competition from new brands, which has given consumers more options to choose from. Also Read | HUL names Niranjan Gupta CFO as Ritesh Tiwari moves to global role at Unilever Indias fast fashion market grew at 30-40% year-on-year in FY24. Currently valued at $10 billion and is expected to touch $50 billion by FY31, as per estimates by Deloitte. Last fiscal, rival Zara, part of Spains Inditex, which operates in India via a joint venture with Tata Groups Trent Ltd, reported a 2.3% jump in total income of 2,839.5 crore. H&M India reported revenue growth of 11.4% in FY24 to 3,278 crore. Profit momentum Inoue said the company is focussing on the right product-market fittaking the right clothing to each market. Our profit has doubled, which means we are not getting into the business of discounting but getting away from discounting. We are listening to our customers. We are taking action to give better service and experience. That includes the right product mix; when the customer goes to store or on the e-commerce, they have the products that they want to have, he added. The Fast Retailing Group, the global developer of fashion brands including Uniqlo, GU, and Theory, achieved consolidated revenue of 3.1038 trillion for the year ended August 2024 (FY2024). The groups Uniqlo brand has 2,495 stores worldwide and FY24 sales of 2.6440 trillion. Fast Retailing has announced a long-term annual target of 10 trillion in sales. Early-stage deeptech investor Unicorn India Ventures (UIV) is likely to exercise the greenshoe option for its 1,000 crore third fund, bumping the size of the fund to 1,200 crore, according to the firm's founder. The fund is expected to close in the next couple of months. We're a 1,000 crore fund, but we're most likely to get into the greenshoe area for the closing. We'll be somewhere in the greenshoe area at close, between 1,000 crore and 1,200 crore," Bhaskar Majumdar, founder and managing partner at Unicorn India Ventures told Mint in an interview. Unicorn India Ventures' third fund is significantly larger than its previous offerings. Fund I was 100 crore, while Fund II was 300 crore. With the third fund, cheque sizes have gone up considerably as well, from $300,000 ( 2.5 crore) to seed-stage companies from the first fund to nearly $1.5 million ( 12.5 crore) now. The industry is at a stage where it's far more mature. While our position as a first institutional investor hasn't changed, companies that we invest in are in a more developed stage post-pandemic," Majumdar said. With the new fund, the firm plans to invest in semiconductor design, drone technology, defence-oriented quantum computing, biotech and bioengineering, and space technology. Deep tech-focused firms are increasingly creating larger funds as the appetite for startups in the sector grows. This has led to firms finding their funds oversubscribed because of the surge in demand. When it comes to artificial intelligence, the focus is on the back-end, like cybersecurity and data centre solutions. We're not looking at front-end solutions like applications. My personal view is that when a sector is very crowded and uncertain, you don't know who will win, but its clear that the back-end will succeed," said Majumdar. Out of Fund III, the firm plans to invest in a total of 20-22 companies and has already made investments in 14, with three along the way. Some of the firm's investments from the latest fund include B2B manufacturing startup Venttup, underwater robotics company EyeROV, and dental and medical consumables company Piscium. Currently, we've deployed between 180 crore and 200 crore," said Majumdar, adding that the firm will be done building its portfolio in the next couple of months. The firm uses 20% of an existing fund to make the investments in the 20 companies that will make up the portfolio from the current fund. It will reserve 50% of the new fund for high performers in the new portfolio. In UVI's experience, about 20% of their portfolio companies are breakouts, which in this fund will gain access to $10-$15 million from the firm when they go looking for their next round of funding. Raising from the US For its first two funds, Unicorn India Ventures raised money from institutional investors like banks, mutual fund houses and corporates, along with high-net-worth individuals and family offices. But the reason they've raised a much larger fund this time around is because they went looking for limited partners from the US, primarily so that they can add value to the firm's portfolio companies going forward. We raised from ex-entrepreneurs as well as CXOs at tech companies. The US move was a very conscious move for us to enhance the LP base," Majumdar said. The contributions from all three are roughly equal. High stakes and profitable exits When Unicorn India Ventures invests in a seed-stage startup, it generally takes a 15% to 20% stake. The firm prefers to be along for the ride, i.e., a company going public, but it typically exits through a secondary transaction in a Series C round or if a company gets acquired. From UIV's first fund, the firm's distributions to paid-in capital (DPI) was north of 3.0x," according to Majumdar. We have one asset left that would potentially add another three DPI." For a venture capital firm, DPI is a performance metric that measures how much money they return to their investors. A DPI higher than 1.0x means that investors made a profit on the money they put into the fund. So, a higher DPI is better for a VC firm, in terms of capability and credibility, while for investors they make a larger profit on the money they put in. While it's too early to tell for our second fund, our internal calculations show that it's likely to return 4-4.5x," Majumdar said. Also Read | Indian space startups have run into a talent hurdle Deeptech's time to shine This year, several deep tech venture capital firms have been raising more funds than they have in previous years. Part of this can be attributed to macro-economic tailwinds like the world's decision to shift away from the Chinese supply chain. The other part is that several generalist funds have entered the ecosystem. This in turn has allowed deep tech firms to focus on raising larger funds in order to begin providing the ecosystem with more growth-stage capital, something it was sorely lacking in previous years. Generalist funds like Accel and Elevation Capital have made a push into deep tech this year. Even the deep tech-specific firms are having a moment this year, with some of the largest fund creations this year. Speciale Invest recently raised its largest fund to date, a $70 million Fund III. Debutante Yali Capital has raised $104 million in its first fund. Other deep tech-focused funds include IIMA-CIE's Bharat Innovation Fund II, which is raising $150 million and targeting pre-series A and series A investments, and Mela Ventures, which is targeting $117 million for a new fund, according to data platform Venture Intelligence. A decision on whether to provide additional relief to troubled telecom operator Vodafone Idea will be taken after discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet and the finance ministry, minister of state for communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani told Mint on Monday. The minister said since the amount in question was substantial, any decision on providing relief would be collective. "At this time, there is nothing that we have planned (on providing relief)," the minister said, adding that the government had already converted a lot of the company's debt into equity. The government owns a 49% stake in the the beleaguered telecom operator, which has said it may not survive beyond the current financial year. On Friday, Mint reported that the department of telecommunications (DoT) had proposed multiple relief options" for the company to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) last month. These include a further two-year pause on paying the statutory dues currently under moratorium, smaller annual payouts, and a waiver on penalties and interest on penalties on adjusted gross revenue (AGR) payments. The PMO will take the final decision on whether any relief measures need to be extended, Mint had reported, citing sources. When asked if the DoT was in discussions with the PMO on providing relief to Vodafone Idea, the minister said not that we know of". Struggling Vodafone Idea owes about 83,400 crore in AGR dues to the government, with annual payments of 18,000 crore beginning next March. It has previously said banks are unwilling to lend more, given the company's hefty dues, and that it would be unable to survive beyond a year without funding. In total it owes the government around 2 trillion, including penalties and interest. Vodafone Idea also held its 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday. The telecom operator said in an exchange filing that Kumar Mangalam Birla, the chairman of Aditya Birla Group, did not attend the meeting due to preoccupation. Satellite internet licences Meanwhile, speaking about satellite internet services in India, the minister said satellite spectrum pricing was being discussed. Asked about the demand of companies such as OneWeb to serve customers overseas from satellite gateways in India, the minister said, whatever (licence) we have given applies only to India. We will not be allowing anything for outside the country. On 9 May, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had recommended that satellite communication companies such as Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satellite pay 4% of their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) as spectrum charges to the government. The government is yet to decide on Trais recommendations. Lately, telecom operators have expressed concerns that satellite internet services could eat into their market share. They also called Trais spectrum pricing unjustifiably low. However, earlier, Pemmasani had said satellite communications would not emerge as a threat to incumbent telecom operators in the country due to their high tariffs and a limit on subscriber base and data speeds. The telecom sector is currently dominated by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, occupying about 75% of the subscriber market share. We believe that BSNL will be a very effective third player, Pemmasani said, adding that in a bid to compete with private players, the telecom operator would require 3-4 lakh towers. The government has already announced another 47,000 crore capex for BSNL to help it roll out the 4G network with more tower additions. So far, the company has installed 100,000 4G towers using indigenous telecom software and hardware to provide the services. The minister said services on 85-90% of the towers are working well. We could have been an effective third player had we used imported technology (for 4G services). But we decided to build our own technology as part of self-reliance, he said, adding that building domestic technology has been an important decision by the prime minister, especially amid ongoing geopolitical risks. The government will soon launch a tender inviting bids from domestic companies to lay additional towers for BSNL to eventually roll out 4G and 5G. On the affordability of telecom tariffs, the minister said the government is seriously considering that. That is why we are consistently working on improving the BSNL connectivity. BSNL will be a lifeline for inclusivity, he said. Last week, telecom operators Jio and Airtel discontinued their entry-level 1 GB plan of 249. On the same, Pemmasani said, private players also have invested heavily into 5G. So it's up to their business model. But the government will continue to provide options for inclusivity by BSNL. Also Read | Telecom testing just got cheaper as govt slashes certification fees by up to 95% New Delhi: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) needs to bring in fresh measures to raise enrolments under the government's Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), chairman S. Ramann said at an industry event here on Monday. While the government has extended the deadline to 30 September from 30 June, the uptake under UPS remains modest compared to that for the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), which crossed 81 million subscribers. Also Read | Sovereign wealth, pension funds anchor India story despite global jitters As on 20 July, only 31,555 central government employees had opted to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to UPS, according to finance ministry data detailed in Parliament. The chairman did not specify the nature of the measures that could be taken and whether the enrolment date would be further extended. Ramann noted the banking fraternitys support to the pension sector and said the Atal Pension Yojana, now in its 10th year, had achieved the fastest-ever 5 million subscriber addition in a single fiscal year, with 46% enrolments from the youth aged 1825 years. He said the Atal Pension Yojana, with over 48,000 crore of assets under management (AUM) and 9.12% CAGR (compound annual growth rate) since inception, is a robust and sustainable pension product. The chairman also urged banks, particularly in the private sector, to enhance efforts, improve persistency and drive financial literacy to achieve pension saturation. The Atal scheme has been implemented across the country, covering all states and union territories. Gross enrolments under the scheme crossed 81.1 million as of 21 August, of which over 11.7 million new subscribers were enrolled in fiscal year 2025 (FY25). The scheme is rapidly gaining popularity among the female population and youth. In FY25, of the total enrolments, 55% were women. Indias pension policy has shifted from guaranteed to market-linked, and now towards a hybrid model. The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) was replaced by the NPS for new government staff in 2004, moving to contributory, market-driven returns. In 2015, the Atal Pension Yojana was launched for informal workers. In its latest move, in April this year, the government introduced the UPS, restoring an assured benefit. Psychotherapist Trishala Dutt, daughter of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, has posted a cryptic message on social media that appears to address the emotional toll of difficult family relationships. Trishala Dutt shares cryptic post on family Without naming anyone directly, Trishala shared a powerful note about the importance of protecting ones peace even if it means distancing oneself from family members. Her message read, Not everyone who shares your blood deserves a place in your life. Sometimes, the most draining, invalidating, and dismissive people we know carry the title family. Youre allowed to protect your peace. Youre allowed to go low-contact, or no contact [sic]." She added, Youre allowed to choose your mental health over preserving the family image. Because family is not a free pass to mistreat, manipulate, or guilt-trip you. You DO NOT owe continued access to anyone who keeps hurting you even if they raised you [sic]. Trishala concluded the post by writing, "When a parent cares more about how the family appears to the world than how it actually feels to live in it, thats a problem [sic]. The post has sparked discussion online, with many interpreting it as a reflection on personal experience, though Trishala has not clarified who or what the message is aimed at. Known for being vocal about mental health, grief, and emotional resilience, Trishala has often used her platform to highlight the importance of inner well-being. This latest post appears to continue in that vein encouraging followers to set boundaries, even with those closest to them, if it means protecting their mental health. Rapper and entertainer Snoop Dogg has shared that he feels uncomfortable going to the cinema after an unexpected moment during a family outing. Speaking on a recent podcast, the music icon recalled taking his grandson to see the animated film Lightyear, where a brief scene featuring a same-sex couple led to a difficult question from the young child. Theyre putting it everywhere [] my grandson, in the middle of the movie is like, 'Papa Snoop? How she have a baby with a woman?' I didnt come in for this sh*t, I just came to watch the goddamn movie. Im like, scared to go to the movies. Yall throwing me in the middle of sht that I dont have an answer for. Also Read | Snoop Dogg shares gratitude for his wife Shante as he accepts Ultimate Icon honour at 2025 BET Awards The moment clearly caught the 52-year-old off guard, as he explained he wasnt prepared to handle that type of conversation during what he had hoped would be a simple family outing. Controversies surrounding the scene of the queer couple in Lightyear The Lightyear scene, which features a lesbian couple sharing a brief kiss, sparked debate when the film was released in 2022. The film features a brief moment where the character Alisha is shown to be in a relationship with another woman. The scene includes a short kiss, confirming that the character is queer. Despite its length, the scene sparked major controversy and led to Lightyear being banned in multiple countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. In the United States, the same moment also faced strong criticism from right-wing political figures, who accused Disney of deliberately promoting a pro-LGBTQ+ agenda in children's media. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has strongly condemned American filmmaker Woody Allen for participating in the Moscow International Film Week, calling his appearance a disgrace and an insult to Ukrainian actors and filmmakers affected by the ongoing war. In a statement posted on social media, the MFA said: "By taking part in a festival that brings together Putins supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now. Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool. We strongly condemn Woody Allens decision to bless Moscows bloody festival with his address." The ministry emphasised that Allens participation disrespects the sacrifices of Ukrainian artists who have been killed or injured by Russian forces. The statement frames his involvement as an ethical misstep, highlighting the tension between artistic engagement and political responsibility amid ongoing conflict. Allen has denied claims that his participation in the Moscow International Film Week amounted to whitewashing Russian atrocities, after Ukraines ministry of foreign affairs condemned his appearance. Speaking to the Guardian, Allen said: "When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling. But, whatever politicians have done, I dont feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help." Festival ties to Putin allies Allen appeared remotely on Sunday in a session hosted by filmmaker Fyodor Bondarchuk, a long-time ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bondarchuk is known for directing patriotic films including Stalingrad (2013) and the sci-fi movie Attraction. Allen also reportedly expressed admiration for Russian cinema, highlighting Sergei Bondarchuks four-part adaptation of War and Peace, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1969. Smartphone users generate vast amounts of personal data every day, and much of it is being collected, shared, and sold through apps that seem harmless at first glance. From social media platforms to weather services and casual games, experts warn that many apps go far beyond whats necessary to function. Apps are now collecting more than you think It is no surprise that tech and social media giants like Meta and Google rank among the worst offenders when it comes to user data collection. However, security activists like Thorin Klosowski point out that the problem is not limited to social networks. Weather apps, food delivery services, and free-to-play games often gather detailed information about users, sometimes tracking them across other apps or selling insights to third-party advertisers. Even everyday tools such as flashlights or unit converter apps can pose risks, especially when there are dozens of alternatives with unclear privacy practices. Just because an app is free doesnt mean it comes without a cost, privacy advocates warn. How to check what an app collects Before downloading any app, its important to understand how much of your data it will access and what it intends to do with it. Both Apples App Store and Google Play Store provide transparency tools that can help users make informed choices. Apple App Store (App Privacy): Each app includes an App Privacy section that details the categories of data collected such as location, contacts, browsing history, financial information and whether that data is linked to your identity. Google Play Store (Data Safety): Googles Data Safety labels explain what data is collected, whether it is shared with third parties, and if encryption or deletion options are available. Reviewing this section before downloading is one of the easiest ways to understand what an app takes and how it uses the information. For example, Metas Messenger discloses that it collects data for advertising, marketing, analytics, and product personalisation, while Signal states that it only requires a phone number for functionality and shares nothing with third parties. Users can go further by consulting independent resources such as TOS;DR (Terms of Service; Didnt Read), which breaks down lengthy privacy policies into simple ratings, highlighting whats considered good, bad or potentially abusive. Experts suggest that when multiple options exist like for flashlight apps, weather apps, or unit converters, its good to: Choose apps that explicitly state they do not sell data. Consider paid versions without ads, as these are less likely to rely on aggressive data collection. Check if the app has been reviewed by privacy experts or has known alternatives with stronger protections. Steps to limit data sharing Users who still want to use data-heavy apps can take steps to reduce exposure. Experts recommend revoking unnecessary permissions, especially location tracking, which can often be replaced with manual inputs like a ZIP code. On iPhones, users can disable app tracking, while Android users have the option to delete their advertising ID, making it harder for companies to link behaviour across platforms. Privacy-friendly alternatives The rocketcore to founder Elon Musks dream of landing humans on Marshas struggled through a rough stretch, with its spacecraft beset by leaks, propellants mixing together and fires during three other test missions this year. On Sunday, SpaceX is set to launch Starship on a test flight around 7:30 p.m. Eastern time from its complex outside of Brownsville, Texas. Weekend thunderstorms that are expected in the region could prompt SpaceX to delay the flight. The spacecrafts failures have set back SpaceXs ambitions to use Starship to accelerate its Starlink satellite business. They pose challenges for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other customers planning missions with the vehicle. Its time to be successful. The company needs it. The program needs it. NASA needs it," said Hans Koenigsmann, a former high-ranking SpaceX engineer who spent around 20 years at the company. He defined success in part as the company returning the Starship spacecraft to Earth. Similar to past launches, SpaceX plans a series of experiments during the launch, aiming to fly the Starship spacecraft through space before attempting to speed it through the atmosphere for a landing in the Indian Ocean. The fiery endings to Starships recent test flights have hindered SpaceX engineers from gathering data on the rocket, a towering booster designed to propel a spacecraft into orbit. Starship consists of a spacecraft propelled into orbit by a booster called Super Heavy. Musk said before the previous Starship launch in May that evaluating a tiled heat shield on the spacecraft was the missions priority, but the vehicle tumbled out of its flight path before the shield could be tested. For Sundays flight, the company aims to deploy simulated Starlink satellites and try out alternative materials designed to protect the spacecraft during re-entry, among other tests. It has removed a significant number of tiles from the spacecraft to see how several parts of the vehicle perform when it is flying back to Earth. Shana Diez, a top engineer working on the Starship program for SpaceX, on Saturday said the craft will face a tough challenge during re-entry. Many hard lessons rolled into this ship," she said in a post on X. SpaceX wont try to catch the booster at the launchpad, an engineering feat it has completed three times. Instead, it plans to conduct a flip maneuver with the booster that requires less propellant. One booster engine used for the last part of landing will be intentionally disabled, allowing the company to gather data on using a backup engine during the landing sequence. SpaceX has faced other problems with the vehicle. In June, a Starship spacecraft exploded during an engine test on the ground. That caused delays while SpaceX investigated what happened and hampered the companys ability to launch more frequently this year. No one was hurt or killed in the accident, which scorched a testing area at the companys facility in Texas, shook homes miles away and sparked tension with Mexican authorities. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos president, said the explosion caused contamination in the neighboring country. Starbase, the company property and city where SpaceX builds and launches Starship, is located near the southeastern tip of Texas, next to the U.S. border with Mexico. The company has said it offered assistance in cleaning up debris. Write to Micah Maidenberg at micah.maidenberg@wsj.com In the early 1990s, with the cold war over and the Russian threat seemingly gone, Sir Robert Fellowes, the private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, was lunching with Sir Gerry Warner, the deputy chief of MI6. What shall I tell Her Majesty her Secret Intelligence Service [SIS] is for? he asked. Please tell her, replied Sir Gerry, it is the last penumbra of her Empire. Later that decade another MI6 officer described Britains aspiration to global intelligence as the itch after the amputation. When Blaise Metreweli takes over as the 18th chief of MI6 on October 1st, succeeding Sir Richard Moore, she is unlikely to face similar attitudes. Britains intelligence agencies are riding high, having provided early and unambiguous warning of Russias invasion of Ukraine. There is no shortage of threats. This year the single intelligence account, which sets budgets for Britains three main spy agencies, was given its largest boost in almost a decade. Surveys show that, much like the armed forces, the agencies are highly trusted (though poorly understood) by the public. Yet MI6 also stands at a historical juncture. Traditional espionage is becoming harder even as there is much more that needs spying on. The distinctions between human and technical intelligence are ever blurrier. And bringing human spies into the digital age is an expensive business. Start with the basics. MI6 is a human-intelligence (HUMINT) service. Put simply: We recruit agents to spy for us. It steals secrets for three purposes: to protect national security (eg, how will Vladimir Putin approach peace talks?), for economic well-being (what is Indias position in trade negotiations?) and to tackle serious crime. Its main job is to inform policymakers. It has a lesser-known mandate for disruption of threatssay, feeding dud components into Irans nuclear supply chain. At its heart are case officers: the people who recruit and run agents. Many work out of embassies, posing as diplomats; others travel abroad under an alias, with no diplomatic immunity should they be unmasked. Around them is a web of other officers and experts, who help identify potential targets, plan how they might be approached, build robust cover stories and study foreign intelligence services. The raw intelligence that they collect is fed into the Joint Intelligence Organisation, which combines it with other data, such as intercepted communications and press reports, to produce all source reports that go to the prime minister and others For Ms Metreweli, a Cambridge-educated career intelligence officer who spent much of her working life in the Middle East, the first challenge is where to direct her agencys efforts. Formally, priorities are set by the government, but MI6 has a lot of influence in shaping those. Its top priority is now China, whose spy agencies dwarf British ones and increasingly match them for skill. Russian intelligence services, rebuilding after mass expulsions from Europe, are more and more active in sabotage and subversion. Irans nuclear programme is a key concern, with inspectors kicked out of the country following American and Israeli strikes earlier this year. Emerging technology is a growing challenge. Intelligence on Chinas chips, ai models and data centres is becoming vital. Breakthroughs in quantum computing abroad could radically affect the security of encrypted data at home. There is not enough money, nor enough spies, to do it all. Do you get out of Africa or the Americas? asks one insider. Is that wise? The second question is how to prioritise not just among targets, but also tasks. A rising one is counter-intelligence: catching spies working for foreign services, ideally by penetrating them. The intelligence community is less prepared for the growing importance of counter-intelligence than it should be, after two decades of focusing on terrorism and insurgency, says Philip Davies of Brunel University, the author of a book on MI6s structure. SIS is going to have to go back to a cold-war model of operating. Ms Metreweli is well placed for this: as well as her recent history as head of Q branch, which deals with technology, she was director of MI5s K branch, which counters subversion. There is also, says Mr Davies, a lot more thinking under way about MI6s role in disruptive action. MI6 has never had a large in-house paramilitary capacity like the CIA. But it has worked closely with the Special Air Service, a special-forces unit. MI6 is part of the National Cyber Force, which conducts offensive cyber operations. In recent months Sir Richard has repeatedly alluded to that aspect of the agencys work. We cherish our heritage of covert action, he said in Paris in November, which we keep alive today in helping Ukraine resist the Russian invasion. One former intelligence officer points to Mossads involvement in Israels war against Iran as an example of how MI6 might need to integrate more deeply with the armed forces in wartime. A third debate is how to build a HUMINT service for the digital age. Its never been more difficult to run agents because of what they look like in big data, says one person familiar with these efforts. The cost of operating covertlybuilding aliases that are robust to digital scrutiny, for instancehas risen exponentially since Ms Metreweli joined the service in 1999. That is one reason why the ratio of HUMINT to signals-intelligence (SIGINT) material flowing to British intelligence analysts has tilted much further in the latters favour over the past decade. That does not mean old-fashioned agent-running no longer matters. The profusion of data on individuals, companies and countriesand AI-enabled tools to sift through itcan turbocharge the process of scoping out agents or finding leads. Yet law and red tape have meant that it is often easier for outsiders to use publicly available data than for spooks. In 2023 GCHQ, Britains SIGINT agency, noted that it would have taken the agency weeks to acquire the same data to train a particular model that anyone else could have downloaded in hours. In April the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 was updated to ease this problem. Storing data, training AI models and running them requires huge amounts of computing power that is designed to handle highly secret material. The IT systems in Britains spy agencies are just as ropey as those in other government departments, with new systems built on top of ageing ones. The risk is that secret cloud servers become the nuclear deterrent of the intelligence world, says a source familiar with Whitehall budget debates, referring to the way nuclear spending has cannibalised the rest of the defence budget. The technological turn in human espionage is also reshaping how MI6 relates to its sister agencies. Each agency has long supported the otherMI6 providing code-breaking material to GCHQ, for instance, and GCHQ drawing on decrypted cables to flag up potential Soviet spiesbut the relationship is more connected than ever before, says a source. MI6 needs GCHQ to access a would-be targets fitness tracker; GCHQ needs MI6 to slip implants into kit headed to an Iranian nuclear site. There are arguments to be made that if the intelligence services were being created from scratch now, we wouldnt have a separate HUMINT versus SIGINT agency, suggests Rory Cormac, an expert at the University of Nottingham. The organisational divide is a relic of a bygone age. New Delhi: The government is considering ways to provide funds for research and development and intellectual property creation to support Indian exporters of auto components as they face the headwinds of US tariffs, according to two people aware of the development. The plan may include a component to support R&D for Indian auto parts makers using funds from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Department of Science and Technology, one person said, requesting anonymity. Funds may also be provided for intellectual property rights and transfers, for which the heavy industries ministry is in talks with the commerce ministry, the person said. The ministry of heavy industries is in discussions with many other government bodies and with the industry for the scheme. The goal is to create an ecosystem, a full package covering all aspects for auto component manufacturers," the second person said, requesting anonymity. Both people said stakeholder consultations are under way and no amount has been decided for the scheme yet. Also Read | India seeks WTO consultations with US over safeguard measures on auto components India's auto parts industry, valued at about $111 billion, has a 3-4% share in global exports, prompting the government to provide a one-stop-shop scheme for the sector. The US is a key market for Indian auto component exporters. The ANRF aims to create a fund of 50,000 crore in the 2023-28 period with the central governments contribution of 14,000 crore and the remainder raised through donations from public sector companies, private sector organisations, philanthropic entities and international bodies. Mint reported earlier that the scheme, currently under discussion, will provide capex and opex support to these businesses. Queries sent to the heavy industries ministry, the Department of Science and Technology and the commerce ministry did not elicit a response till press time. Export growth The steps are being taken as 50% tariffs proposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian exports are set to take effect on 27 August. The countrys auto parts makers exported goods worth $22.9 billion in FY25, a rise of 8%. Of this, $7.35 billion worth of goods were exported to the North American region, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA). In FY25, the component industry's sales to vehicle makers rose 88% to 5.70 trillion from 3.02 trillion in the previous fiscal, according to ACMA data. Auto component exports are difficult to diversify because very few countries have robust automobile manufacturing industries, according to experts. The other key export markets for the industry are Europe and Asia. The scheme is likely to take inputs from a Niti Aayog report in April, which recommended that the government provide fiscal and non-fiscal support to the industry amid headwinds from China and the US. While the US tariffs are set to be enforced soon, the auto parts industry also faces an approximately 10% cost disadvantage to China, the Niti Aayog report said in April. The report set a target of auto parts production worth $145 billion and exports worth about $60 billion by 2030. But manufacturers face tough times as the effectiveness of schemes to boost auto parts productions is often misaligned with the specific needs of the sector, the report noted. Niti Aayog noted that Indian manufacturers had expertise in making engine systems and suggested that the government provide fiscal support to components that form the biggest share of the countrys auto component exports pie. Bengaluru: Three months ago, Arul Murugan, secretary of the Namakkal Town and Hotel Owners Association, called a general body meeting. Murugan, who also runs a small restaurant in the Tamil Nadu town, began by presenting his own sales data to the 80-90 fellow restaurant owners who had gathered. Recounting his presentation to Mint, he said, I showed them Im not getting any revenue from online sales. Its just a waste of time, waste of material, and waste of manpower." Thereafter, Murugan said, others began sharing their experiences, and some were horror stories. One restaurateur did 3,000 in sales in a week and got zero in return. When he did 5,000 in sales, he got just 100 after deductions. View Full Image A screenshot from an eaterys Swiggy app, showing sales and the net payout. (Screenshot) For Namakkals restaurants, commissions paid to delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato have been rising for yearsup from about 16% six years ago to as much as 25-30% now. Add in hidden costs" and other deductions, as Murugan called them, and the total revenue loss climbs to 40-45%. The last six months, he claimed, have been particularly brutal. The association requested a meeting with the platforms. Representatives from both sides sat across the table, but nothing came of it. Murugan said the platforms told the restaurateurs that lowering commissions in Namakkal would require them to be lowered nationwide, something they werent willing to do. On 1 July, the restaurateurs decided to go for a divorce. Almost every restaurant in Namakkal, except for centrally managed chains such as KFC, pulled their menus from Swiggy and Zomato. Instead, they turned to Zaaroz, a local delivery platform offering a flat subscription fee: 1,500 plus GST per month for up to 100 orders and 3,000 plus GST for anything above that cap. Swiggy maintains that most restaurants have returned and volumes are back to normal. But a quick check around noon on a Thursday showed at least three dozen eateries live on Zaaroz but missing from Swiggy. In just 40 days, Zaaroz has clocked about 12,500 orders. The transition hasnt been smooth. Orders across the town have halved from 700-800 per day to around 350-400. But Murugan remains confident. Prices on Zaaroz are the same as those in restaurants, unlike on Swiggy and Zomato, where restaurants inflate prices to offset commissions, he noted. Its tough, but organically we believe we can capture the market in six months to a year," said Murugan. If youre doing 1 lakh in orders and only getting back 30,000, its a waste. Doing 30,000 and getting back 30,000 is more profitable." View Full Image A screenshot from the Zaaroz app. Across India, similar calculations are being made by restaurant owners. Both Swiggy and Zomato have reported a slowdown in food delivery growth in recent quarters. As they lean more on commissions and additional charges on restaurants and customers, many restaurant owners say the relationship feels less like a partnership and more like a dictatorship. Over recent weeks, Mint spoke with over a dozen restaurant owners, delivery partners, and industry experts to piece this narrative together and sketch this picture of an industry at a crossroads. The Squeeze Restaurants have been fighting with food delivery companies for yearson commissions, discounts, data, and more. The issue has resurfaced yet again. About three months ago, Zomato sent an email to restaurants announcing a long-distance service fee for facilitating the delivery of orders beyond 4 km 20 per order for 4-6 km and 40 per order over 6 km. Our endeavour is that each order should be profitable for you, and us," the company said in an email. Just last month, the company launched an uptime pack for restaurants, offering higher visibility on high-demand days, such as festivals. The fee, 250- 750 per week, would be deducted from the weekly payout, a pitch draft of the new service, seen by Mint said. However, according to industry watchers, amid pushback from restaurants, the service was soon rolled back. View Full Image Three months ago, Zomato sent an email to restaurants announcing a long-distance service fee. The cost of working with these platforms for restaurants has been rising, and the margins of small food businesses, in particular, have been shrinking. Both Swiggy and Zomato typically charge restaurants a commission ranging from 15-30%, depending on the scale of the business, with smaller businesses often paying higher commissions. Most restaurants say nearly half the order value disappears before it even reaches them. Explaining the math, restaurateurs indicated to Mint that on an order of, say, 300, about 75- 90 goes to the aggregator as commission, while about 60- 90 is lost in discounts; 15- 30 goes towards marketing on the platforms just to stay visible. In the end, a restaurant is left with only 150- 90 out of an order worth 300. This is a generalized estimate and the actual numbers can be higher or lower depending on each restaurants commissions and ad spends. Pre-covid, commissions were as low as 8-12%. Now, the base commission is 33% and with payment gateway charges, marketing costs, taxes, the sky's the limit. Cost-per-click (the cost a restaurant pays when a user clicks on the ad listing by a restaurant) used to be around 1.25 but now it is more than 7," the owner of a restaurant chain based in Assam told Mint. While Zomato declined to respond to Mints detailed questionnaire, a Swiggy spokesperson said commissions and other chargeable services are arrived at on the basis of a mutual agreement with every restaurant partner. On the question of several restaurants losing over 50% revenue to platforms, the company said this simplistic argument ignores the complex ecosystem that provides multiple advantages to the restaurant partner community. Cloud kitchens today are thriving without having a frontal face to the end consumer by way of customer access that we provide to them. Restaurant partners also have the ability to service customers for longer last miles in addition to the immediate catchment, along with many other benefits that we enable for them," it said. View Full Image File photo of a cloud kitchen. (Mint) The silence Spiralling costs arent the only concern for restaurants. Owners are also upset over arbitrary discounts, hidden features and a near-total lack of communication from the platforms. Several restaurateurs allege that Swiggy and Zomato launch discounts or even enable dine-in reservations without their consent. For a few days, we had people walking in saying they had a reservation. We were shocked because during onboarding we had clearly told the Zomato representative that we only wanted delivery, not dine-in," said Rachel Lama, co-owner of an eatery serving momos in Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Were a 20-seater place. People had travelled from far, and they were obviously upset." The bigger issue, Lama said, was silence from the company. Zomato never informed us before or after, and when we tried to reach our account manager, she wouldnt respond for months." The chaos forced the restaurant to cut down its menu and eventually delist from both Swiggy and Zomato. We realized this in time," added co-owner Nirav C. But a lot of restaurants end up struggling." Nirav shared emails from Zomato announcing discounts as discussed with a person he had never heard of. The fine print read: If you do not want this, click here. That, restaurateurs say, is the trap. If you arent constantly checking and rejecting these emails, the discounts go live automatically," said Ashok Singh Bhati, who runs Momos and Chaap in Indiranagar. When Zomato began running discounts on PJs Italian Kneads, a Delhi-based restaurant, without consent, owner Pratyaksha Sharma asked for an explanation. To her surprise, the representative replied that it was because she was offering similar discounts on Swiggy. But how is that their concern?" she asked. View Full Image File photo of PJs Italian Kneads, a restaurant in Delhi. Despite the pushback, delivery companies continue to add restaurant partners at a healthy rate. Zomato, in its first quarter results for 2025-26, stated that it had 313,000 restaurant partners, a growth of over 13% from the year-ago quarter. The average monthly transacting restaurant partners for Swiggy also rose by a similar figure14% to over 255,000. However, the average gross order value (GOV) per restaurant partner, per month, has not grown meaningfully, and has been hovering around 103,000 for Swiggy and 110,000 for Zomato over the last eight quarters, estimated Harsh Poddar, partner at Incremento Business Advisor, a financial advisory firm. He derived the number from the data available in quarterly reports. This average GOV number, he said, also includes delivery charges, platform charges, and so on, which have been increasing recently, thus leaving less money on the table for the restaurant partners. The breakaway Across towns and cities, many restaurants are beginning to chart their own course. From integrating orders through WhatsApp to using Uber and Porter for direct deliveries, to investing in Meta ads, restaurants are trying multiple ways to cut their reliance on Swiggy and Zomato. Some, like Lama and Niravs momo eatery and the restaurant chain in Assam cited above, have removed themselves from the aggregator platforms. Lama is now considering partnering with Mappstore, which allows restaurants to take orders through WhatsApp, pay within the chat, and get food delivered through Porter and Shadowfax integrations. The Assam-based restaurant chains breaking point came when Zomato added an extra 25- 35 charge on every order beyond 4 km. That is when I switched off Zomato and Swiggy," said the owner. The unit economics are better now. On Zomato, I had to divert profits from dine-in just to keep online afloat. Online operations eventually suck you dry." Freed from the costs of commissions, the restaurant has shifted its focus from marketing to hiring trainers and consultants to improve the service. Customers are happier, we are making profits, and the employment we create now is meaningful, unlike with the gig economy," he said. Still, breaking away isnt simple. Many restaurants cannot afford to delist from the platforms completely. Petpooja, a restaurant management software company powering billing and order systems for about 95,000 restaurants across the country, has a window into the numbers. Founder Parthiv Patel told Mint that of all the orders flowing through Petpoojas systems today, about 25-28% are via Swiggy and Zomato. By contrast, just 0.1% come from restaurants own apps or websites. The rest of the orders are dine-in or takeaway. Of all the orders flowing through Petpoojas systems today, about 2528% are via Swiggy and Zomato. By contrast, just 0.1% come from restaurants own apps or websites. For many of these restaurants, the middle path is to run in parallel, staying visible on Zomato and Swiggy while trying to nudge customers toward direct orders. This also helps restaurants build their own database of loyal patrons, information that platforms keep private. We didnt know what customers ordered or how to reach them on these platforms. On Zaaroz, I get that information," said Murugan of Namakkal. In six months, Ill know who my regulars are and can reward them with discounts. Thats how well slowly build a market of our own." As Bhati of Momos and Chaap put it, We are only on Swiggy/Zomato for visibility70% of my business is dine-in customers and I encourage them to order directly if needed," he said, showing the writer WhatsApp chats with customers. Frustrated with unapproved discounts and high commissions from food aggregators, Sharma of PJs Italian Kneads has started investing in Meta ads to pull customers in directly. For delivery, some are hiring a handful of staff on payroll. Others ask customers to book a Uber or Porter rider to pick up meals. View Full Image From right to left: Porter co-founders Pranav Goel, Uttam Digga and Vikas Choudhary. A few, including Aaditya Goenka in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, are delivering on their own. The founder of Goenkas Rasoi had barely joined Zomato when the new rules came into effect. His restaurant, still available on Swiggy, is now leaning on WhatsApp and his own website to build a direct ordering channel. We were live for only a few days before the new rules dropped and the economics did not make sense," he recalled. For now, he is personally handling deliveries but plans to expand by hiring staff. End user pushback On their part, some customers are now bypassing Swiggy and Zomato altogether, and choosing to order directly from restaurants. For Mumbai-based Reshma Bhatnagar, its been a far better experience. I just call the restaurant and they deliver. Thanks to cheap e-scooters, their boys are prompt. The service is better and Ive deleted both Zomato and Swiggy from my phone," she said. Bhatnagar usually finds contacts on Google or uses menus slipped into newspapers. In Kolkata, Swaraj relies on direct orders as well. Theres a South Indian place near me. I call, they share a UPI code on WhatsApp, and even ping me five minutes before my food is ready," he said. With apps, prices are easily 30% higher with all the charges, and delivery takes longer because of grouped orders," he added. Grouped deliveries, which were once optional, have now become mandatory on Swiggy, largely because of a shortage of riders, according to industry experts. A large chunk of delivery partners now prefer quick commerce gigs," a Zomato employee told Mint. Food delivery involves longer wait times, and theres no compensation for waiting." Food delivery involves longer wait times, and theres no compensation for waiting. A Zomato employee That shift is reflected on the ground. Several delivery workers said they have moved from food delivery to quick commerce for shorter distances and better earnings. In food delivery, theyll send you to far-off places. Here, I can just go back to the same store and keep doing trips," said a Blinkit worker who didnt want to be identified. I make 60 orders a day now, compared to 30-40 earlier. Most of my friends have also moved fully to instant delivery." Blinkit is a subsidiary of Eternal, the parent of Zomato. The Swiggy spokesperson claimed theres no shortage of delivery workers: Batching has absolutely nothing to do with shortage of delivery riders but is a standard industry practice, both in India and globally. It is viable both from an ecological and an economical standpoint." What next? For Swiggy and Zomato, the commission-heavy model is facing its toughest test yet. While restaurants are rebelling and some customers are turning away, a clutch of new platforms is trying to loosen their stranglehold on the delivery business. Rapido, better known for bike taxis, has recently started food delivery, while smaller challengers such as Zaaroz are positioning themselves as friendlier partners to local eateries. Mappstore and Foodpe are using Whatsapp integrations to smoothen restaurant delivery operations. But challenging the entrenched duopoly is anything but easy. Several earlier attempts, such as Thrive and Kerala-based Rezoy, fell by the wayside. View Full Image A screenshot from Mappstores website promoting its business model. Zaaroz, based in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, charges restaurants a fixed monthly fee, and is currently focusing on small towns. Attempting to convert dissent into delivery, after Namakkal, the company has launched in Rasipuram and Tiruchengode in Tamil Nadu, both cities where restaurants have been delivering through Swiggy and Zomato. It is prudent for restaurants to diversify their sales channels to avoid over-dependence on a single platform, said Roma Priya, founder of Burgeon Law, a legal advisory firm for startups and VCs. While direct channels may involve higher initial operational effort, they can improve margins and give restaurants greater control over pricing and customer relationships. If a significant number of restaurants pivot in this direction, aggregators may face pressure to revisit their pricing models and discount policies, potentially reshaping the food delivery market over the next few years," she added. As things stand, the food delivery ecosystem doesnt reward any participant stronglyrestaurants are surviving on thin margins, customers end up paying much more, and platforms try to make a slim profit while betting on future scale. Somethings got to give. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC) to acquire up to 24.99% in Yes Bank, marking the largest potential cross-border investment in Indias banking sector. This move not only reshapes Yes Banks ownership structure but also brings a deep-pocketed global player into the private banking space. Mint explains what this means for Yes Bank, SMBC and the banking sector. What does RBI approval of the Yes Bank-SMBC deal mean? The Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) nod to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to acquire up to 24.99% in Yes Bank on Saturday marks the largest potential cross-border investment in Indias banking sector and a turning point in the private lenders journey. In May, the Japanese bank announced a 13,482 crore deal to buy a 20% stake in Yes Bank from State Bank of India (SBI) and a clutch of other domestic lenders and later sought clearance for an additional 4.9% stake. Why does it matter for Yes Bank? For Yes Bank, the deal brings in a long-term strategic investor with deep pockets and global expertise years after its near-collapse in 2020. A Moodys report on 14 May described the acquisition as credit positive" since SMBCs balance sheet strength can support Yes Banks growth plans, while the entry of a global partner also signals confidence in the lenders governance. The transaction also addresses a lingering overhang, which is SBIs exit route. The state-owned lender will pare its stake to just over 10%, clearing uncertainty about its future role in the bank. Although RBI has allowed SMBC to buy an additional 4.99% stake in Yes Bank, domestic banks are unlikely to offload any more beyond the 20% agreed in May at the moment, said a person aware of the development. When the transaction was announced on 9 May, SBI held a 23.97% stake, and HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, IDFC First Bank, Federal Bank, and Bandhan Bank together held 9.74% of Yes Bank, per regulatory disclosures. Board representation will also be a new chapter. SMBC will nominate two non-executive directors to Yes Banks board, giving it a seat at the table in shaping governance and strategy. This comes at a sensitive time: Yes Banks CEO Prashant Kumars term ends in April 2025, and the search for a new chief executive had been put on hold until the stake sale receives regulatory clearance. With the RBIs nod now in place, the leadership transition process is expected to pick up pace. In an interview with Mint on 13 May, Kumar had said the SMBC deal helps the lender achieve three objectives. First, it resolves the overhang around SBIs exit by providing the state-run bank and other shareholders a partial exit route. Second, it replaces the holding with a long-term strategic investor of global scale, which Kumar described as a well-respected group" with a history of investments. And third, it addresses concerns flagged by rating agencies in the past, particularly around SBIs shareholding and Yes Banks ability to attract capital. I think the possibility of rerating the bank is absolutely there. This is what we believe," Kumar had said in that interview. Yes Bank's share price rallied as much as 5% in the early trading session on Monday following RBI's approval to SMBC. Whats in it for Sumitomo Mitsui? For Sumitomo Mitsui, India is a long-term bet. Its parent, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG), with assets of $2 trillion, already runs a non-banking financial company in India and has investments across Asia in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The Yes Bank deal will significantly deepen its presence in one of the worlds fastest-growing banking markets. The transaction will have a limited financial impact on SMFG because of its relatively small size compared with the company's overall scale," said Moodys in the report. What are the sector-wide implications? Analysts said this deal will have implications for future transactions of a similar nature. This could also mean that in future, the regulator could allow SMBC to even raise its stake beyond the 24.99% approved right now, opening the doors for similar transactions by others," Ashutosh Mishra, head of institutional equities research at Ashika Stock Broking told Mint. RBI has enough safeguards in place to act if a lender does not conform to regulations, and past instances have given the central bank greater comfort in allowing large stake transfers, he added. Fitch Ratings on 27 May called the Yes Bank deal a precedent-setter. It could pave the way for future transactions, if the Reserve Bank of Indias (RBI) approval for the transaction sets a precedent," said Fitch in its report. India caps voting rights for investors in banks at 26% and restricts financial institutions holdings to 15%, which has long deterred such stake sales. By approving a foreign banks entry as the single largest shareholder in a domestic lender, RBI may have signalled a more flexible approach, especially where governance standards and financial resilience can be strengthened. What does the deal mean for RBIs approach to foreign ownership in banks? Moodys said that while the RBI generally restricts foreign banks to a 15% stake in domestic private lenders, it has in the past made exceptions in cases of stress. For instance, DBS Bank acquired Lakshmi Vilas Bank in 2020 and Fairfax Financial Holdings bought a 51% stake in Catholic Syrian Bank in 2018. Fitch highlighted that the central banks 2020 resolution of Yes Bank itself was more nuanced than earlier forced acquisitions. It involved full write-downs of additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds before a consortium led by SBI injected fresh equity. Both the rating agencies see increased global bank participation as a way to enhance governance standards in the Indian financial sector, in line with the regulator's objectives. In an interview with CNBC-TV18 on 15 July, RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra said the central bank is open to allowing foreign banks to hold up to 26% stake in Indian lenders, subject to existing policy norms. As per the FDI policy, foreign banks are allowed up to 74%. Foreign banks can certainly have a 26% stake in an Indian bank," said Malhotra, adding that voting rights cannot exceed 26% as per the Banking Regulation Act. Clean -energy public issues have been in the headlines lately. Vikram Solars initial public offering (IPO) opened this week, and over a dozen more firms are eyeing more than $4 billion in fundraising, according to primedatabase.com and media reports. This marks a sharp turnaround, considering the sector saw no major offerings earlier this year after raising $2.4 billion through public listings in 2024. The revival also mirrors the rebound in Indias broader IPO market after a sluggish start to the year. Lets check out the biggest upcoming clean-energy IPOs. Inox Clean Energy First on the list is the Inox Clean Energy IPO with an approximate issue size of 6,000 crore. Also Read | As IT firms struggle with muted demand, another problem emerges Inox Clean Energy develops renewable-energy (RE) projects and manufactures solar cells and modules through its two subsidiaries: Inox Neo Energies and Inox Solar. As of now, the company operates 157 megawatts of capacity (107MW wind and 50MW solar), has 400MW under construction (350MW hybrid and 50MW solar), and a project pipeline exceeding 2.2 gigawatts, according to a 26 June CareEdge Ratings report. The company filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) via the confidential route with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on 10 July to raise funds through an IPO. The INOXGFL group company is likely to raise at least 6,000 crore via initial share sale and may be looking for a valuation of around 50,000 crore, according to media reports. If cleared, this would make it one of the largest clean-energy IPOs of the year. Inox Clean Energy also operates a 50MW wind power project independently in Kutch, Gujarat, while Inox Solar is building 4.8GW of solar cell and 7.2GW of solar module manufacturing capacity. These are expected to become operationalized in a phased manner over the next two years. Inox Clean Energy, in its public announcement, clarified that the filing of the pre-filled DRHP does not automatically imply that the company will proceed with the IPO. Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Next on the list is Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions with an approximate issue size of 5,200 crore. With over 15 years of expertise, CleanMax has carved out a niche in delivering net-zero and decarbonization solutions to the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector. It holds a strong leadership position with the largest customer base among C&I renewable energy players in India. As of 31 March 2025, the company had 531 customers across 1,127 signed power purchase agreements (PPAs). Notably, 77.28% of its contracted capacity in FY25 came from repeat customers. CleanMaxs solutions include the supply of renewable power (wind/solar/wind-solar), energy services and carbon credit solutions across data centres, and more. On 18 August 2025, Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions filed its DRHP with the market regulator to raise 5,200 crore through an IPO. The IPO is a mix of fresh issue of shares of up to 1,500 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 3,700 crore by promoters, investors, and selling shareholders. The proceeds from its fresh issuance worth 1,130 crore will be utilized for repayment and/or pre-payment, in part or in full, of all or certain outstanding borrowings of the company and/or its subsidiaries, and general corporate purposes. Hero Future Energies Next on the list is Hero Future Energies with an expected issue size of 5,000 crore. Hero Future Energies, the renewable energy arm of Rahul Munjal-led Hero Group, is expected to soon file draft papers for its IPO. The company has a significant presence in India, but it has expanded its operations to the UK, Ukraine, Singapore, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The company is headquartered in the UK. In the UK, the company is focusing on battery energy storage and behind-the-meter projects, which involve installing renewable energy generation units at buildings or homes. The company has 1.8GW of operational renewable energy generation assets in India, spread across seven states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The remaining assets from its 5.2GW portfolio are under construction. According to media reports, its looking to raise around 4,000 crore and is working with investment banks JM Financial, Axis Capital, Nomura, and Bank of America. Avaada Energy Next on the list is Avaada Energy with an expected issue size of 4,000 crore. Its a leading Indian independent power producer (IPP) specializing in renewable energy. Its part of the larger Avaada Group, which is involved in various aspects of the renewable energy value chain. Avaada Energy focuses on developing, constructing, and operating utility-scale solar and wind power projects. As per media reports, the company, which is backed by Brookfields Energy Transition Fund, is gearing up for an IPO of 4,000-5000 crore for its solar module manufacturing business. It has started engaging with top investment banks and law firms to manage the public listing which is still in early stages. This comes after the company had inaugurated a 1.5GW solar module gigafactory in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in March 2025. This made Avaada a major player in Indias solar manufacturing space. The company currently manufactures around 5,800 solar modules a day. Upcoming clean-energy IPOs Conclusion Prime Minister Narendra Modis 2030 target of expanding Indias clean-energy capacity to 500GW had sparked a rush of green listings and soaring valuations in 2024. Also Read | Too big to fail? These fallen giants now serve as cautionary tales However, stretched pricing and project delays cooled the frenzy, leading many stocks to fall from their highs. Now, with valuations more reasonable and a strong pipeline of IPOs re-emerging, the sector is once again gaining momentum. So, should you invest in clean energy IPOs? With government support, rising energy demand, and improving market conditions, the opportunity looks promising, but investors will need to carefully weigh company fundamentals before jumping in. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com. Anlon Healthcare IPO in focus: Anlon Healthcare initial public offering (IPO) is scheduled to kick off for subscription on Tuesday, August 26, and will remain open until Thursday, August 29. The company aims to raise 121 crore through the offering, which is entirely a fresh issue of 1.33 crore shares. The IPO price band is set at 86 to 91 per share. Retail investors can apply for a minimum of 164 shares in one lot and can apply for up to 13 lots. At the upper end of the IPO price band, 91 apiece, retail investors are required to make a minimum investment of 14,924 per lot. Let us take a look at some of the key points mentioned in the Anlon Healthcare RHP: About Company: Anlon Healthcare is a chemical manufacturing company engaged in the production of high-purity advanced pharmaceutical intermediates, which serve as raw materials/key starting materials in the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). These APIs, in turn, serve as raw materials for pharmaceutical formulations in the preparation of various types of Finished Dosage Forms (FDF), such as tablets, capsules, ointments, and syrups, as well as ingredients in nutraceutical formulations, personal care products, and animal health products. Product Portfolio: Its product portfolio consists of sixty-five (65) commercialized products, twenty-eight (28) products at the pilot stage, and forty-nine (49) products at the laboratory testing/laboratory scale stage, as of the date of filing the RHP. For fiscal 2025, fiscal 2024, and fiscal 2023, the company manufactured and sold 338 MT, 153 MT, and 316 MT of APIs and pharmaceutical intermediates to 38, 39, and 48 customers, respectively. Unique Presence: The company is one of the few manufacturers of loxoprofen sodium dihydrate in India, a notable API widely used in the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, frozen shoulder, neck-shoulder-arm syndrome, tooth pain, or post-surgery/injury/tooth extraction, the company stated in its RHP, citing a D&B Report. Global Approvals: Its API product, loxoprofen sodium dihydrate, has been approved by regulatory authorities in Brazil, Japan, and China. Its current position as one of the few manufacturers of loxoprofen sodium dihydrate in India allows it to serve customers in these jurisdictions. Further, the company has filed twenty-one (21) DMFs for various products with regulatory authorities in the European Union, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Jordan, and Pakistan, among others. It is also in the process of filing DMFs for the approval of ketoprofen with the regulatory authority in the USA and dexketoprofen trometamol with regulatory authorities in Spain, Italy, Germany, and Slovenia. Expanding into Specialty Chemical Services: In addition to manufacturing pharmaceutical intermediates and APIs in accordance with various domestic and international standards, the company has recently started undertaking custom manufacturing services for complex or novel chemical compounds, tailoring the manufacturing process to meet specific customer requirements, including producing chemicals with purity levels that exceed industry standards. It also undertakes API development, preparation, and filing of Drug Master Files (DMFs) in the Indian and global markets as per the pharmacopeia requirements of customers and regulatory agencies. Reaching Customers Across 15 Countries: The company supplies its products in both domestic and overseas markets to various pharmaceutical companies, third-party dealers, and distributors. In addition to its domestic market sales in India, it has expanded its operations and global footprint with customers in over 15 countries, including Italy, Germany, South Korea, China, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, among others. Objectives of the Issue: The company proposes to use the issue proceeds for funding capital expenditure requirements for the proposed expansion, full or partial repayment and/or prepayment of certain outstanding secured borrowings (term loans) availed by the company, funding its working capital requirements, and for general corporate purposes. Also Read | Aurobindo Pharma expects China plant to break even at EBITDA level this year Key Risks: The companys revenue from operations is dependent upon a limited number of customers. The loss of any of these customers or the loss of revenue from any of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the companys business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Allotment and Listing Details: The allotment of shares is expected to be finalized on September 01, 2025, with a tentative listing on both the BSE and NSE scheduled for Tuesday, September 03, 2025. Penny stock under 5, Vantage Knowledge Academy, rallied 5% in intraday deals on Monday, August 25, to its upper price band following the official launch of its Chartered Global Investment Banker (CGIB) certification program. The company, with a market cap of just 142 crore, informed exchanges earlier in the day that its CGIB program was officially launched on August 23, 2025, at the MoneyExpo event held at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. The CGIB certification is a comprehensive, three-level professional qualification tailored for aspiring and early-career investment banking professionals. This program spans over an 18-month period and offers a fast-track, yet globally rigorous path to mastering investment banking. The three levelsFoundation, Strategy, and Appliedare carefully curated to provide progressive depth, beginning with core principles, advancing to strategic thinking, and culminating in practical, real-world application, the company said in a filing with the BSE. Vantage CBIG certification details Chartered Global Investment Banker program has been developed by the Investment Banker's Foundation, while Vantage Knowledge Academy is the official training partner, it added. Vantage will deliver the CGIB program through its online learning management platform. The company is supported by a faculty team with extensive real-world investment banking experience. The curriculum is designed to be globally relevant, integrating theoretical concepts with case studies, industry simulations, and a capstone cross-border deal project to ensure practical readiness. Training will be delivered online, offering candidates the flexibility to learn at their own pace while also benefiting from live expert-led sessions, the penny stock under 5 added in a release. The company further added that the program is open to both undergraduates and graduates from any academic background as well as working professionals looking to advance or transition into investment banking and related fields. Vantage Knowledge Academy Share Price Trend Penny stock under 5, Vantage Knowledge Academy, was locked in the 5% upper price band throughout the trading session on Monday. The penny stock opened at 4.15, its upper price limit, and continued to trade in that range throughout the day. According to the data available on BSE, despite the sharp surge of 5% today and 15% for a week, Vantage Knowledge Academy shares have fared lacklustre over a longer time frame. In the past one year, the penny stock under 5 has lost 80% while it is down 92% on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. Also Read | Vodafone Idea shares surge 16% in 2 days on AGR relief hopes The 52-week high for Vantage Knowledge Academy stock stands at 90.14, hit in December 2024, while its 52-week low stands at 3.27, touched last week on August 20. Heres a quick look at stocks likely to be in focus in today's trade. Interglobe Aviation, Max Healthcare India's largest airline and a leading healthcare services provider are set to be added to the Nifty 50 index at the end of September as part of the semi-annual index reshuffle. IndusInd Bank, Hero Motocorp The private lender and the two-wheeler major are set to be removed from the Nifty 50 index as part of the bi-annual reshuffle, effective from the end of September. MCX, Indian Overseas Bank, JK Cement, Hexaware Technologies, Cholamandalam Financial Services Shares of MCX, Indian Overseas Bank, JK Cement, Hexaware Technologies, Cholamandalam Financial Services will remain in focus as the companies will be included in FTSE All World Rejig from Sep 22. Indian Hotels Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) plans to pursue strategic acquisitions to strengthen its footprint in current markets and venture into select destinations across Europe and Southeast Asia, according to CEO and MD Puneet Chhatwal. Yes Bank YES Bank announced that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to acquire up to 24.99% of its paid-up share capital and voting rights. JSW Steel The company has received a 1,472.69 crore demand notice from the Odisha govt for shortfall in despatch at its Jajang iron ore block in Keonjhar, covering June 2024June 2025. RailTel Corp The company has bagged a 13 crore project management consultancy (PMC) contract from the Rajasthan Skill & Livelihoods Development Corporation. GMR Power & Infra The company's board has approved a plan to raise up to 3,000 crore through securities, pending necessary approvals. It has also sanctioned the re-appointment of three independent directors for another five-year term. Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three intraday stocks to buy today Brigade Enterprises The real estate company has secured a lease for a seven-acre plot on Chennais Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) to develop a mixed-use project that will include more than 1 million sq ft of grade-A office space along with a 225-room five-star hotel. TVS Motor The automobile company has given its approval for Venu Srinivasan to be reappointed as a Director on its board. US stocks: Rocket Lab Corp. shares jumped nearly 12% during the intraday market session on Monday, 25 August 2025, after the company last week announced that they are expanding their US investments and have completed its 70th Electron Mission, reported multiple international media outlets. The company also announced that the Trump administration will extend a support of $23.9 million through an award under the CHIPS and Science Act of the United States. This administration is taking historic actions to encourage companies like Rocket Lab to invest in American ingenuity and innovation. Rocket Labs investment will help cement our dominance in space while expanding opportunities for workers across the country, said Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, cited by the news portal Benzinga. According to the news portal's report, Rocket Lab also announced on Saturday that the space solutions company has successfully launched its 70th Electron mission, marking its 12th successful mission in 2025. Reaching our 70th launch is a powerful moment for Rocket Lab, and whats even more remarkable is the pace at which we are achieving these milestones, said Peter Beck, the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, cited the news portal. Rocket Lab Corp. Share Price Trend Rocket Lab Corp.'s share price was trading 8.56% higher at $48.12 during Monday's US market session, compared to $44.38 at the previous Wall Street close. The company announced its investment updates last week after the market operating hours on Friday, 22 August 2025. The stock hit an intraday high of $49.59 on Monday's Wall Street session, marking a nearly 12% rise on an intraday basis. Also Read | Multibagger NBFC stock to be in focus on Tuesday after allotment of NCDs Shares of Rocket Lab Corp. have given US market investors more than 390% returns on their investments in the last five years and over 613% gains in the last one-year period. On a year-to-date (YTD) basis, the shares of the company have jumped more than 92% in 2025 and is curretnly trading over 7.05% higher in the last five market sessions on the US stock market. Rocket Lab Corp. shares hit their 52-week high level at $53.44, while the 52-week low level was at $5.74, according to the Marketwatch data. The company's market capitalisation (M-Cap) was at $21.41 billion as of the US stock market session on Monday, 25 August 2025. Vodafone Idea share price zoomed 7.5% in intraday deals on Monday, August 25, taking its two-day gains to 16% amid reports of likely relief on the adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues worth 83,400 crore. Vodafone Idea share price rallied as much as 7.49% to the day's high of 7.60 in intraday deals today. The stock had surged nearly 8% in intraday trade on Friday after a Mint report suggested that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed multiple relief options" to steady the debt-laden Vodafone Idea. According to the report, one of the suggestions floated by DoT includes a two-year pause on paying the statutory dues under the moratorium currently. The DoT also proposed giving Vodafone Idea more time to repay dues, smaller annual payouts, and a waiver on penalties and interest on penalties on AGR payments, the Mint report added. Vodafone Idea AGR Dues Details The report further said that Vodafone Idea AGR dues amount to 83,400 crore, with annual payments of 18,000 crore set to begin next March. This amount swells to a massive 2 lakh crore, including penalty and interest. Meanwhile, the debt-ridden Vodafone Idea is looking to raise funds from non-banking sources to maintain continuity of its capex plan, a PTI report earlier this month said. During the company's earnings call for the June 2025 quarter, Vodafone Idea CEO Akshaya Moondra said that the banks are looking for clarity on the AGR matter before issuing debt to the telco. Vodafone Idea, along with other players like Bharti Airtel, BSNL, MTNL etc., had contested claims of the Department of Telecom on the definition of AGR. After several years of litigation, the Supreme Court in October 2019 ruled in favour of the DoT and asked the telcos to clear the entire dues as claimed by the government. Failure on the part of Vodafone Idea to sustain operations doesn't bode well for the Indian banking and telecom sectors as well. The company owes nearly 1950 crore to Indian banks as of the June quarter. Moreover, a lack of a potential turnaround in Vodafone Idea's fortunes could turn the telecom sector into a duopoly. Vodafone Idea shares: What should investors do? Osho Krishan, Sr. Analyst - Technical & Derivative Research, AngelOne, said Vodafone Idea share price has observed a notable increase in both price and trading volume over the past few sessions, achieving a recovery of nearly 20% from its recent lows. The stock currently approaches its 200-day simple moving average, which has historically imposed limitations on upward momentum. Consequently, a cautious approach is advisable at this stage, Krishan said. He added that 6.50 is anticipated to function as an intermediate support level, while a decisive increase beyond the range of 7.80 to 8.00 may potentially catalyse new momentum for the stock. Meanwhile, according to Trendlyne data, the consensus recommendation from 20 analysts for Vodafone Idea stock is SELL. Despite equity infusion and acceleration in network capex, Vi has continued to lose market share to peers, said brokerage Motilal Oswal as it reiterated 'SELL' with a target price for Vodafone Idea shares of 6 following the company's Q1 performance. Furthermore, it added that tariff hikes do not benefit Vi as much as its peers. "In the absence of relief on AGR dues (~INR164b annual repayments starting Mar26) and the closure of debt raise, Vis planned capex of INR500-550b remains in jeopardy, potentially resulting in higher subscriber churns," MOSL said. Personal loan: If you are a first-time personal loan borrower, you will typically require a credit score (known as a CIBIL score in common parlance) to show evidence of your creditworthiness. But all that may change in some time. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in Parliament last week that a bank cannot refuse a loan to first-time applicants based on their zero score. He was reiterating the Reserve Bank of India's directions, issued on January 6, 2025. As part of best practices for credit institutions, Reserve Bank vide referred Master Direction dated 6.1.2025 has advised CIs that first-time borrowers loan applications should not be rejected just because they have no credit history, the minister said. Also Read | Yes Bank share price jumps 5% after RBI approves SMBC stake acquisition In a deregulated credit environment, lenders take credit decisions as per their commercial considerations based on their Board-approved policies and broad regulatory guidelines and the information contained in the Credit Information Report would be one of the inputs, amongst various other inputs/factors, that lenders would consider before granting any credit facility to a prospective borrower, he added. In related news, in May, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged banks not to ask for a credit score before disbursing farm loans this year. Another report highlighted that even cooperative banks ask farmers for credit scores when giving crop loans. Many loan applications are turned down because of a low credit score. Given all this, the minister's announcement seems like a light at the end of the tunnel. But will it change anything radically soon after? Let us find out. No credit score needed for first-time borrowers: I. General guidelines: In January this year, the RBI issued guidelines, which the minister had referred to. These guidelines, dated 6 January 2025, stated, First-time borrowers loan applications should not be rejected just because they have no credit history. And this was stated under Best Practices for CIs. These seem like quite general guidelines, and the actual implementations of best practices are hard to foresee at this stage. II. Guarantor or collateral: In view of an inadequate credit score, banks are supposed to resort to other means of checking creditworthiness. Typically, they ask borrowers to give collateral or a guarantor. When borrowers have none of these, they will have to indicate through some other means how they are creditworthy borrowers. Also Read | What happens to your credit score if you close an unused credit card III. Personal loan: Unlike most other borrowings, personal loans are unsecured; therefore, it is considered important for the borrowers to show evidence of their creditworthiness through a credit score. Since first-time borrowers do not have a credit report, they can indicate their ability to repay through other means such as salary slips, employment agreement or bank balance, among other criteria. The Gurugram police recently busted a fake call centre racket in Sector 30. This racket basically targeted people across the nation with fraudulent credit card offers, reported Times of India. The gang posed as banking officials and reached out to individuals, offering to redeem credit card reward points. They even offered credit card holders special upgrades. In reality, all of these offers were methods to gain trust and trick victims into downloading a fake application through a phone link. Furthermore, once the application was installed, it harvested sensitive information such as CVVs, OTPs, along other confidential information. This enabled the criminals to siphon funds from the victims' credit card accounts. The illicit gains were then cunningly converted to cash by purchasing petrol cards, which were then sold to taxi drivers. 5 ways to stay safe from credit card scams Never share OTPs, PINs, or CVVs: Genuine banking executives will never ask for secret credentials over a call or through random applications. Disconnect such calls immediately if prompted for such data. Verify all unsolicited calls: Carefully check any credit card-related offer directly with your banking institution's customer service before acting. Scamsters feed on urgency and thrill. Do not rely on the caller's promises and claims, even if they seem fair and credible. Enable transaction alerts: Ensure that you set up real-time notifications for credit card transactions. This will help you in spotting any misadventure or suspicious activity quickly. Rapid information in such cases will help you save your finances and report the scam promptly. Time is of immense importance in such cases of credit card-related fraud. Avoid public Wi-Fi for banking: Focus on using secure, private internet connections for any banking transactions. You should also keep your mobile number and email ID updated with your banking institution to reduce the chances of financial fraud or unauthorised debits. Report financial fraud immediately: If you notice any suspicious activity on your credit account, then you should block your card at once. This can be done by reaching out to your banking institution through its designated customer service division. Furthermore, to preserve the rights of not only yourself but also others from such scams, always file a complaint at the National Cyber Reporting Portal through its official website: https://cybercrime.gov.in/ Therefore, staying vigilant, cross-checking every request, and taking seamless action in case of a fraud attempt remain the best tools for credit card users to combat fraud and equip themselves to protect their financial health and integrity. For all personal finance updates, visit here. Income Tax: The last date to file income tax return (ITR) of September 15 is drawing closer. This is the time to hurry through your return filing process but carefully. While filing your income tax return, in case you noticed that the TDS details in form 26AS and Form 16 do not match - then it is important to cross verify the information. There could be instances when TDS detail is given in one form and missing in other. Then it is vital to reconcile these forms before filing your return. Those who are not aware, these are the details of these forms: Form 16: It is a TDS (tax deducted at source) certificate issued by the employer to employees detailing information pertaining to tax deducted at source (TDS). Form 26AS: It is a statement which provides details of any amount deducted as TDS or TCS from various sources of income of a taxpayer. It also shows details of advance tax/self-assessment tax paid, and high-value transactions entered into by the taxpayer. Annual Information Statement (AIS): It is a statement which provides complete information about the prepaid taxes and prescribed financial transactions entered into by taxpayer for a particular financial year These are some of the steps you can take to fix this. Steps to take I. It is important to compare the TDS details such as amount deducted, name of deductor and PAN. II. If the mismatch happend because of errors in Form 16, ask employer to issue a revised Form 16 with the correct TDS details. This happens when there is problem with TDS return filing at the employer's side. Taxpayer should first reach out to the employer about the difference and ask for revision in TDS return. Once the revision is correctly done, the difference is cleared. In case the TDS return revision is not possible, then the employee should file the return with help of available data like salary slips, amount credit in bank and document all the proofs, says Pratibha Goyal, a Delhi-based chartered accountant and partner of PD Gupta & Company. III. But if the revision in form 16 is not posssible, then employee should file the return with help of available data such as salary slips, amount credit in bank and document all the proofs. Also Read | Income tax filing: Top 10 things Demat account holders must keep in mind IV. Taxpayer can also contact the income tax department to make necessary changes in case there are discrepancies in AIS and 26AS. V. In case the department does not respond, then you can also file a grievance. Union Home Minister Amit Shah questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "morality" and accused his party of "double standards" over the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025. In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Amit Shah referred to an incident in 2013 when Rahul Gandhi tore an ordinance brought by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reprieve Lalu Prasad Yadav. The ordinance gave convicted lawmakers a three-month reprieve to retain their seats following Lalu Prasad Yadav's conviction in the Fodder scam. 'Double standards' Shah accused the Congress of double standards, saying the party now supports RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar despite previously opposing similar cases. He referred to the 2013 ordinance by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government which sought to provide relief to MPs and MLAs who had been disqualified or convicted of a crime. Also Read | Dog owner backs SC order to remove strays from Delhi-NCR, faces flak Amit Shah said, Rahul Gandhi publicly called that ordinance nonsense and even tore it up in a press conference. The decision made by their own Prime Minister was mocked, and the PM became a sorry figure in front of the world." "But now, the same Rahul Gandhi, to form a government in Bihar, is hugging Lalu Yadav who has been convicted. Isn't this double standards?" Shah added. 'Morality's standards are not' In the latest interview, Amit Shah took a dig at Rahul Gandhi, saying, Morality's standards are not connected with victory or loss in elections. They should be steady like the Sun and the Moon. The Union home minister contrasted Rahul Gandhi's action back in 2013 with his current resistance to the proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, that seeks to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Cabinet Ministers jailed for more than 30 days. While reacting to the Congress' opposition to the 130th constitutional Amendment Bill, Amit Shah said said, What was the justification of Rahul Gandhi for tearing the ordinance brought by Manmohan Singh to save Lalu Yadav? If there was morality that day, then is it not there today because you have lost three consecutive elections? 'Many in Congress will support morality Amit Shah defended the bill and exuded confidence that the bill will be passed in Parliament. "I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain the moral ground...," he said. Slamming the Opposition for opposing the 130th constitutional amendment bill, Amit Shah said, "... Even today, they are trying that if they ever go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail." "The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail, Amit Shah told ANI. During the monsoon session of Parliament, Amit Shah introduced three controversial bills the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. What's 130th constitutional amendment bill The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks the removal of any Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any Minister who is detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable with at least five years of imprisonment. If the arrested leader does not resign, the office will automatically fall vacant after 31 days. The bill allows for re-appointment post-release, providing a degree of flexibility. Ami Shah said the bill is aimed at upholding "constitutional morality" and public trust, emphasising that the bill would apply equally to all leaders, including those from the ruling party. India's Department of Posts discontinued booking and transmission of all types of US-bound postal articles from today, August 25, onwards. This temporary suspension comes in the wake of US administration's executive order no14324 which withdraws duty-free de minimis exemption for goods valued up to USD 800 from August 29. What's exempt and what's discontinued? All US postal deliveries will be suspended except letters, documents and gifts worth up to $100. The press release issued by Ministry of Communications on August 23 states, As per the Executive Order, transport carriers delivering shipments through the international postal network, or other qualified parties approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are required to collect and remit duties on postal shipments. What to do if you have booked articles via India Post? Those who have already booked items that cannot be dispatched to the US can seek a refund of postage, the Ministry said. Explaining the reason for postal services being suspended, it added, While CBP issued certain guidelines on 15th August, 2025, several critical processes relating to the designation of qualified parties and mechanisms for duty collection and remittance remain undefined. Consequently, U.S. bound air carriers have expressed their inability to accept postal consignments after 25th August, 2025, citing lack of operational and technical readiness. France, UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Italy pause postal deliveries to the US Several countries followed suit as France, UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Italy are also halting postal deliveries to the United States. As the long-standing tariff exemption for packages under $800 nears end, operators worldwide are suspending certain deliveries, Washington Post reported. Amid heavy rainfall in Delhi and Mumbai, airlines have issued travel advisories for passengers, warning of minor flight delays. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses and allow extra travel time due to blocked roads. IndiGo Airlines In a post on the social media platform X, IndiGo Airlines issued a travel advisory for Mumbai and noted, Continuous rainfall in #Mumbai is currently affecting air traffic, causing minor delays in flight operations. Our teams are working closely with air traffic control and will get you moving as soon as conditions allow. Before heading to the airport, please check your flight status on our website or app. Also, do allow some extra travel time, roads are likely to be slow-moving. Further alerting travellers about traffic congestion in Delhi, IndiGo wrote on X, Due to todays downpour, several roads across Delhi are currently blocked or experiencing slow movement. Please allow extra time, take an alternate route if possible, and check your flight status on our website or app before leaving for the airport. Our teams are working to keep things on track and support your journey. Thank you for continued trust and patience. Air India Air India issued a travel advisory for Delhi due to heavy rainfall. In a post on the social media platform X, Air India wrote, Rain may impact flight operations to and from Delhi today. Please check your flight status here https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html before heading to the airport and allow extra time for your journey to the airport. SpiceJet SpiceJet warned of a possible change in flight schedule amid the ongoing weather conditions in Mumbai. Due to bad weather in Mumbai (BOM), all departures/arrivals and their consequential flights may be affected. Passengers are requested to keep a check on their flight status via http://spicejet.com/#status," SpiceJet wrote on X. Akasa Air Akasa Air issued travel advisories for both Mumbai and Delhi. The Centre has decided to allow its employees who have selected the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) a one-time, one-way switch facility to the National Pension Scheme (NPS). The switch facility may be exercised by UPS optees any time a year prior to the date of superannuation or three months before to the deemed date of retirement in case of voluntary retirement, said an office memorandum of the Department of Financial Services, ministry of finance. If the switch facility not exercised within the deadlines, the employee shall continue under UPS by default, it said. Also Read | Need new measures to make Unified Pension Scheme more attractive: PFRDA Similar provisions will be made for resignations and cases of Rule 56J, with minor modifications as necessary, the office memorandum said. Rule 56(J) is part of India's Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, and grants the government the absolute right to compulsorily retire any government employee in the public interest, with three months' notice or pay in lieu. The switch option will not be given in case of removal, dismissal or compulsory retirement as a penalty or for cases where disciplinary proceedings are ongoing or contemplated. To make the switch a one-time, one-way affair, the finance ministry has decided that once the switch facility is availed, the provisions of the PFRDA (Exit & Withdrawal under NPS) Regulations, 2015 shall apply. This would mean that the employee concerned will cease to be eligible for assured payouts and UPS benefits. The government's differential contribution (4%) at default investment pattern will be worked out and shall be credited to the individual's NPS corpus at the time of exit in case of the switch, the memorandum read. The changes have been forwarded to all central government ministries and departments to be shared with all eligible employees. The UPS was notified by the finance ministry on 24 January 2025 for central government employees covered under NPS. It was implemented all over India from 1 April 2025. Ever since its start, the scheme has seen slow progress with data from finance ministry suggesting that only 31,555 central government employees have opted to switch from NPS to UPS till 20 July. In fact, the government extended the deadline for opting into the UPS scheme to 30 September from the earlier cut-off date of 30 June to bring in more employees looking for guaranteed pension as provided under UPS. The UPS guarantees employees 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement as pension, provided they have completed a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. This is in contrast to the market-linked returns under the NPS. Also Read | Man decides to live separately from wife for freedom; retirement plan backfires The government has been taking various measures to strengthen social security cover for its employees and other individuals. Before NPS, the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) was applicable. The OPS provided a defined benefit, guaranteeing a percentage of the last salary, and was made applicable to government employees who joined service before 1 January 2004. The NPS, which started on 1 January 2004, became the only pension scheme for all central government employees joining after that. NPS is a market-linked, defined contribution system where an individual's pension corpus depends on investment performance. In the wake of the need for providing a government-funded pension scheme, a hybrid scheme in the form of UPS was launched, which guaranteed only up to 50% of the last salary drawn over the previous 12-month period. It also partially provided employees shares from the accumulation in the pension fund from investments made in the market. The Delhi Police on Sunday arrested another suspect in connection with the recent attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the officials told news agency ANI. This is the second arrest made in the case so far. The arrested accused, identified as Tahseen Syed, is alleged to have transferred money to the prime accused, Rajesh Khimji, who carried out the attack on the Delhi Chief Minister. Tahseen Syed was brought to Delhi from Rajkot in Gujarat on Friday for further questioning. Who is Tahseen Syed? The Delhi police revealed that Tahseen Syed is an auto driver who is a resident of Rajkot, Gujarat. Syed, a friend of the prime accused Rajesh Khimji, had allegedly transferred money to him, the Delhi police said in a statement. Khimji had allegedly sent a video of Rekha Gupta's Shalimar Bagh residence to Syed, while the latter sent him 2,000 and was in constant contact with him before the attack on the chief minister took place on Wednesday, a news report by NDTV said. Attack on Rekha Gupta On 20 August, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta was assaulted by a Rajkot resident, Rajesh Khimji, at her Civil Lines residence during a Jan Sunwai programme. He allegedly slapped' Gupta and pulled her hair' before security stepped in, said a news report by Hindustan Times. Rajesh Khimji was arrested and sent to five-day police custody. The investigation is ongoing. Delhi police intensifies probe using dump data Meanwhile, Delhi Police have intensified their probe into the attack on the CM, with investigators now seeking dump data from Rekha Gupta's personal and official residences. According to sources cited by ANI, dump data, which provides details of mobile tower locations, device signals and call records of all numbers active in a particular area, is being retrieved from telecom service providers for specific time windows. The move aims to track accused Rajesh Khimji's movements before and during the incident. Also Read | Police arrests another accused in Delhi CM Rekha Gupta's attack Investigators are analysing whether Rajesh Khimji was present alone in the area where the incident took place or if other suspicious devices and individuals were also active at the same time. Efforts to reconstruct incident Police officials believe that the data will help in reconstructing the sequence of events leading up to the attack and in establishing whether the accused had any external support or carried out the assault independently. The officials are examining all electronic surveillance, including CCTV cameras around both the CM's residences, as part of the probe, ANI reported. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 25 said that India has resisted demands to allow import of foreign agricultural produce into the country, in order to protect the interests of domestic farmers, according to a PTI report. While he did not name the United States, Chouhan's statement comes amid the country's push for opening of India's agricultural sector and while US President Donald Trump has doubled tariffs on India to 50 per cent under his new trade policy. What did Shivraj Singh Chouhan say? Addressing the 12th convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Chouhan said the new Bharat has decided in national interest and won't compromise on the interests of farmers and fishermen. The world (read US) said you agree with us. They wanted us to open our doors for their agricultural produce. They farm on hectares of land with GM seeds and get subsidies. Our small farmers couldn't have withstood the competition, Chouhan said, adding that no agreement will be signed against the country's interest. They (the US) thought we would be scared. But this is today's Bharat, which is brimming with confidence, Chouhan added. Also Read | Rajiv Anand takes charge as MD and CEO of troubled IndusInd Bank Minister bats for indigenous goods Chouhan further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to 144 crore Indians to buy indigenous goods for their daily use, which will generate employment opportunities and strengthen the economy. He also slammed the mentality of praising imported goods. Chouhan said India has immense talent and a strong workforce. The country had a Pushpak aerial vehicle, which is mentioned (in Ramayana), he added. India-US trade relations have hit a hurdle after Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent among the highest on countries, after including 25 per cent additional duties as punishment, for purchase of Russian crude oil. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday is conducting a raid at the home of TMC MLA Jiban Krishna Saha in West Bengal's Murshidabad district as part of its investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of school teachers, PTI reported citing a senior official. As the legislator came to know about the raid, he allegedly tried to flee his house by scaling the boundary wall of the premises, he said. The MLA was chased and caught by our officers in a nearby area. Now, our officers are interrogating him, the ED officer told PTI. Based on information about a monetary transaction by a man from Birbhum district in connection with the alleged school teachers' recruitment scam, the raid was conducted, he said. "The individual from Birbhum district accompanied the ED team to Saha's house this morning," the officer said. Earlier, the central investigation agency had questioned Jiban Krishna Sahas wife in relation to the alleged school recruitment scam. Saha was arrested by the CBI in April 2023 for his alleged involvement in the case and was granted bail in May this year. The ED's laundering case is based on an FIR filed by the CBI, which was instructed by the Calcutta High Court to investigate alleged irregularities in the recruitment of Group C and D staff, assistant teachers for Classes 9 to 12, and primary school teachers. In connection with the case, the ED previously arrested former West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee, his alleged associate Arpita Mukherjee, TMC MLA and former president of the West Bengal Board of Primary Education Manik Bhattacharya, among others. Following his arrest, Chatterjee was suspended from the TMC. So far, the ED has filed four charge sheets in the case. The Supreme Court, on Monday, pulled up five social media influencers, including 'India's Got Latent' host Samay Raina, for making insensitive jokes on disabilities. "It is like purging contempt," Justice Kant said while asking the influencers to apprise the court on how much penalty they were willing to pay, which in turn can be used for the treatment of people suffering from rare genetic disorders like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Who are the 5 influencers? The five influencers are: Samay Raina - He is the host of India's Got Latent. Samay Raina, and his show got embroiled in controversy last year after Ranveer Allahbadia's watch you parents have s** remark in one of the episodes. Vipul Goyal - A comedian, and an actor, Vipul Goyal plays the main protagonist in the web-series Humorously Yours. The show is produced by The Viral Fever. A comedian, and an actor, Vipul Goyal plays the main protagonist in the web-series Humorously Yours. The show is produced by The Viral Fever. Balraj Singh Ghai - He was a regular co-host and sat on the judging panel of Indias Got Latent' with Samay Raina and others. According to his profile on LinkedIn, Ghai is also the founder of The Habitat Studios, which was vandalised by MNS workers last year after Kunal Kamra's show. He is also the founder of The Habitat Canteen and Hotel Unicontinental. Nishant Jagdish Tanwar - He goes by the name Rider OP. He became more prominent after he did a special show for Amazon Prime in 2018 He goes by the name Rider OP. He became more prominent after he did a special show for Amazon Prime in 2018 Sonali Thakkar - Also known as Sonali Aditya Desai, she transitioned from being an accountant to becoming a stand-up comedian. He has nearly 140,000 Instagram followers and around 17,000 on YouTube. What joke led to the SC order? In one of the episodes of India's Got Latent, Samay Raina brought up a charity campaign for a two-month-old baby battling a rare disease, for which a single life-saving injection cost 16 crore. The drug, used to treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy, is often the only hope for survival. Also Read | Samay Raina says 40,000 tickets of India tour sold in just an hour Turning to a woman in the audience, Raina quipped whether the parents might change their minds about giving the injection once they actually managed to raise the money a remark that later drew widespread criticism. What did SC say? Except Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai, four influencers including Raina were present in the courtroom on Monday, August 25. Defense minister Rajnath Singh on 25 August said that Indian soldiers didn't kill terrorists in Operation Sindoor based on their religion but on their deeds. He asserted that the target was hit precisely as the forces responded strongly. "Our soldiers did not kill terrorists based on their religion but on the basis of their deeds," he said while addressing a programme here. Our forces responded strongly in Operation Sindoor. The target that was decided was hit precisely," Singh said. India upholds the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" and does not discriminate based on caste or religion, he mentioned, adding, however, the terrorists targeted and killed individuals after identifying their religion. "The difference we now see in education (sector) compared to the past is India's real strength. This is the real change and this is the future of India," Singh stated. Also Read | India brought Pakistan to its knees: PM Modi on Op Sindoor in Bengaluru Know about Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor was carried out on 7 May with precision strikes in Pakistan and PoJK, which came in wake of Pahalgam attack on 22 April that claimed 26 lives, mainly tourists. On May 10, Indian armed forces targetted Pakistan air bases, namely Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur and Sialkot as a result of Pakistan's shelling and attacks across the border areas in the country. With inputs from Operation Mahadev Later during Monsoon session of Parliament, Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that three terrorists involved in killing Pahalgam victims have been neutralised in Operation Mahadev. I want to inform the house that the security forces, the army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir police (J&K), as part of Operation Mahadev, on Monday, have eliminated the three terrorists Suleiman Shah, [Hamza] Afghan, and Jibran [Bhai] who brutally killed the innocent civilians in front of their families after asking about their religion in Pahalgam. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through Operation Sindoor, ensured that their masters were eliminated, Shah stated. The weapons recovered from Dachigam on Monday, one M9 [M4] carbine and 2 AK 47 rifles, were flown to Chandigarh on Monday night in a special flight for examination at the Chandigarh Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL). The shells found at the Pahalgam attack site were matched with the barrels of the rifles and experts confirmed that these rifles were used in Pahalgam attack, he added. The Home Minister stated that the terrorists identities were confirmed by four individuals, including Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, who had sheltered them and provided food a day before the attack. Both were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 22 June. Karnataka: In a chilling turn of events, a 20-year-old married woman was allegedly killed by a man, who was in a relationship with her, after he stuffed "chemical powder" into her mouth following a heated argument, police officials said on Monday. Adding to the brutal incident, the accused Siddaraju tried to portray the cause of the woman's death as a "mobile blast" to mislead the investigators. What exactly happened? The incident occurred on Saturday at a lodge in Bherya village of Saligrama taluk in this district, they said, adding the woman died following consumption of the chemical. The victim Darshitha, a resident of Gerasanahalli village in Hunsur taluk, had checked in with Siddaraju, with whom she was reportedly in a relationship. She was married to a man from Kerala. What began as an argument inside the room spiraled into violence. The accused allegedly tried to mislead the murder by fabricating the cause of her death as a mobile phone blast, PTI reported, citing police officials. According to investigators, the accused Siddaraju shouted that a mobile phone had exploded, killing Darshitha. Lodge staff rushed to the room but were puzzled to find no mobile phone inside. When questioned, the accused insisted he had thrown the exploded handset out of the window. Staff members searched the premises thoroughly but found nothing, and went on to alert the police, reported PTI. Later authorities confirmed that Darshitha had died after consuming a chemical, and Siddarajus attempt to pass it off as a freak phone accident quickly unraveled. Man confesses to crime Based on the investigation, the accused Siddaraju was arrested after he confessed to the crime, police said. According to Mysuru Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhana N, the accused has been arrested. "The victim was married to someone who is in Kerala, but she was in a relationship with the accused. We are further investigating the reason behind this murder. He used a chemical powder combination to kill her, which is currently being examined by the FSL (Forensic experts) team to ascertain its nature," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sent a strong message to US President Donald Trump amid reciprocal tariffs, reaffirming that the interests of farmers and small-scale industries remain paramount to the central government. He emphasised that though the pressure on the government could increase, it will bear it. All of you are witnessing the kind of politics driven by economic self-interest that is happening in the world today. From this land of Ahmedabad, I would like to say to my small entrepreneurs, to the shopkeepers, to the farmers and cattle rearers. My government will not allow any harm to come to small entrepreneurs, to farmers, or to cattle rearers," ANI quoted PM Modi as saying. Interests of farmers, cattle rearers and small scale industries remain paramount; pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it, he added, PTI reported. His comments come at a time when the United States is pressuring India to further open its agricultural market, while also imposing an additional 25% tariff, described by the US as a "penalty" for India's continued purchase of Russian oil. Modi standing like a wall against any policy that hurts farmers PM Modi, during his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort, said, If any policy is against India's farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall." The Ministry of External Affairs had stated that India will take all actions required to protect its national interests". We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," it had said. Also Read | India stocks set for modest gains as US tariffs, foreign outflows cloud outlook Also Read | PM Modi says India to help Fiji deal with climate change threat PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Gujarat to launch projects worth 5,400 crore, received a warm welcome upon his arrival at Ahmedabad Airport today. Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, according to a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), were present there. "India empowered by walking on path of Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan Lord Shrikrishna and Charkhadhari Mohan Mahatma Gandhi. Today, we do not spare terrorists and their masters, no matter where they are hiding. 25 crore people in India lifted out of poverty in last 11 years. Our government is committed to providing dignified living conditions for the poor in cities," PM Modi said after launching projects in Ahmedabad, according to PTI. US Vice President JD Vance shed light on why the United States imposed secondary tariffs on India. Vance said on Sunday President Donald Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, such as secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy. Vance's comments came in response to a question on "what the pressure is on Russia if the US is not imposing new sanctions. In an interview with NBC, he was asked, How do you get them [Russia] to a place of getting to the table with Zelenskyy and stopping to drop bombs? Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker", Vance said that "the energetic diplomacy" is "going to bring this war to a close. He also said Russia has made "significant concessions" in talks to end its war with Ukraine. He, however, didn't rule out imposing more sanctions to pressure the Kremlin toward peace. Vance said the Russians have been "flexible" on some of its demands. "I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict," he said in comments aired on Sunday. The US Vice President said Russian President Vladimir Putin made several concessions, including that Ukraine will receive security guarantees protecting against future Russian aggression. "They've recognised that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv. That was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly, they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine," Vance said. Russia had started invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Putin's three demands In return for ending Russia's attacks, Putin is demanding that Ukraine give up all of the eastern Donbas region, renounce ambitions to join NATO, remain neutral and keep Western troops out of the country, sources told Reuters last week. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that a group of nations including United Nations Security Council members should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security. On Friday, President Donald Trump renewed a threat to impose sanctions on Russia if there was no progress toward a peaceful settlement in Ukraine in two weeks, showing frustration at Moscow a week after his meeting with Putin in Alaska. Vance said sanctions would be considered on a case-by-case basis, acknowledging that new penalties were unlikely to prompt Russia to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine. Vance pointed to Trump's announcement this month of an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as a punishment for New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil as the kind of economic leverage that would be used in pursuit of peace. IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Monday said it is only a matter of time before the world talks about ISRO over NASA, as India continues to advance rapidly in space exploration. "Since returning to India, I have felt an incredible excitement among people about our space achievements. The National Space Day (August 23) has only been celebrated for two years, yet the energy around it was tremendous. As the deputy chief minister (Keshav Prasad Maurya) said, the day is not far when people will speak of ISRO over NASA. I believe this is not a dream, but a reality waiting to happen," Shukla said at a civic reception in Lucknow, his hometown, celebrating his visit to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a successful Axiom-4 mission. Shukla, who was visibly moved by the warm welcome, added with a smile, "Since I landed in Lucknow around 7:30 this morning, I must have clicked about 2,000 selfies. The famous saying, 'Muskuraiye, Aap Lucknow Mein Hain' (Smile, you're in Lucknow) truly came alive for me today. The felicitation ceremony at the official residence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary, and Shukla's family members, including his wife Kamna, mother Asha, and father Shambhu Shukla. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan was also present. Reflecting on his journey, Shukla said the excitement he witnessed in Delhi upon his arrival in India was "doubled" when he reached his hometown Lucknow. "Coming home to such a heartfelt welcome was overwhelming. I am deeply grateful for the love and pride the people have shown towards me," he said. Shukla's 18-day mission involved a stay on board the ISS before landing in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. He said his team conducted 60 scientific experiments in space, seven of which were designed by Indian scientists. Also Read | Indian astronauts only ones trained in both US and Russia: Shubhanshu Shukla "The proudest moment was performing experiments created by our scientists. For the first time, they got the opportunity to conduct microgravity research. The real achievement is not just the data but the doors this mission has opened for future Indian research in space," he said. Shukla also said that during his mission, he interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and spoke with children on three occasions. Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, arrived in Lucknow on Monday morning. The 39-year-old received a warm welcome at the airport where family, friends, children and admirers gathered to celebrate his return. After receiving rousing welcome by Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and others, Shubhanshu Shukla headed to City Montessori School in Gomtinagar. Addressing the students at his alma mater, Shubhanshu Shukla said, I was very tired this morning. Then I saw you kids on the roads and I was told you were standing there since 7.30 am. I saw you sweating, smiling, and so excited that my tiredness vanished... The only thing that is required is perseverance to succeed... In my overall experience, I think the future is extremely bright, ANI reported. Discussing the mission to land on the moon by 2040, he said, "We are at the right time, the right opportunities are existing... In each of the interactions I had with you on the ISS, I never got a question on what it was like on the ISS. I was always asked on how to become an astronaut. That speaks volumes on where your mind is going. Please aspire. We have a vision and a mission to land on the moon by 2040." Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak said, Today is a big day for Lucknow. The son of Bharat, the son of Lucknow, set foot in Lucknow. Ever since he returned to earth from space, the people of Lucknow were eagerly waiting for his arrival. He further noted, "Today, that moment is finally here. We welcome Shubhanshu Shukla with warmth and love." A felicitation ceremony has been organised for the astronaut who achieved a milestone through his recent space travel. Also Read | Indian astronauts only ones trained in both US and Russia: Shubhanshu Shukla Before Shubhanshu Shukla's arrival, his mother had said, "My son is coming home after 1.5 years. I am very happy and excited to meet him after so long. We will welcome him warmly. The entire family is going to the airport to welcome him," ANI reported I am very happy and excited. We were waiting for this day for a long time. He is finally coming home to Lucknow, ANI quoted Shubhanshu Shukla's sister as saying. She added, This is the biggest achievement. All children and the whole of Lucknow will be there to welcome him home. Nothing can be merrier than this. People are showing him so much love, and he is motivating children. Also Read | Shubhanshu Shukla says ISS experience will be useful for Gaganyaan mission Shubhanshu Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15, on Sunday shared the experiences and challenges he faced while being part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Indian astronaut with three others, onboard Dragon spacecraft, set off for space from the Kennedy Space Center in the US on June 25. A stray dog attacked a five-year-old boy inside a police colony in east Delhi's Shakarpur. He reportedly sustained multiple deep bites. The incident comes days after the Supreme Court modified its suo motu directive asking civic authorities in Delhi-NCR to capture all stray dogs and confine them to shelter homes within six to eight weeks. The top court called the order too harsh, and directed that the canines be released after sterilisation and deworming. Also Read | Viral video: Ghaziabad woman slapped multiple times over feeding stray dogs Here's what happened: The incident occurred on Sunday when the boy and his father went to meet their relatives living in the police colony. The police said that the stray dog suddenly pounced on the 5-year-old and bit him multiple times. Upon hearing the boy's screams, a police inspector living in the colony rushed to the spot, freed the child from the dog's grip. He was then rushed to a hospital. The child received deep wounds in the attack. He has been admitted to a hospital where his condition is now stable, the officer said. In a separate incident, a four-year-old girl who was mauled by a street dog earlier this year died of rabies while undergoing treatment in Bengaluru. A resident of Shastri Layout in Davanagere, four-year-old Khadeera was playing outside her house when a street dog attacked her, biting her face and body. The child battled with rabies for nearly four months before dying. A senior doctor said her's was a case of dumb rabies, where the disease causes paralysis and not aggression. What did the SC order say? On Friday, the Supreme Court modified its 11 August directive that barred the release of stray dogs from shelters in Delhi and neighbouring areas. The directive now states that the dogs picked up must be sterilised, vaccinated, and then released back in the same area. A three-judge bench led by Justice Vikran Nath also clarified that the order does not apply to dogs infected with rabies or those showing aggressive behaviour. The Supreme Court on Monday granted psephologist Sanjay Kumar protection from arrest in connection with two FIRs filed by the Election Commission, which accused him of sharing misinformation about Maharashtras electoral rolls on social media. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice N V Anjaria took note of the submissions of senior advocate Vivek Tankha and lawyer Sumeer Sodhi that the FIRs have been lodged despite the public apology issued by the psephologist, PTI reported. Issue notice. In the meantime, there shall be no coercive action, the CJI said. Kumar, co-director of Lokniti at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), has approached the top court seeking the quashing of two FIRs lodged against him in Maharashtra. The FIRs accused him of spreading misinformation related to Maharashtras electoral rolls through posts on social media platform X. Earlier in a post on X, he said, I sincerely apologize for the tweets posted regarding Maharashtra elections. Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our Data team. The tweet has since been removed. I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation. An FIR was registered against Kumar on a complaint lodged by the tehsildar of Ramtek, a senior police officer told PTI on August 20. He was booked under sections 175 (False statement in connection with an election), 353 (1) B (Statements conducting to public mischief), 212 (providing false information to a public servant), and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. (This is a developing story) In the ongoing investigation into the alleged dowry-related murder of Nikki Bhati in Greater Noida, the Noida police on Monday arrested her father-in-law and brother-in-law, as reported by ANI. Earlier today, police arrested the mother-in-law of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, in connection with the case. Nikki's husband, Vipin Bhati, was shot in the leg during a police encounter and admitted to a hospital for treatment. He has since been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days. Speaking to ANI from his hospital bed, Bhati denied the allegations. "I did not kill her. She died on her own," he said. When asked about the accusations of physical assault, he replied, Husband and wife often have fights, it is very common. Police said Nikki's husband was accused of setting her on fire. She later succumbed to her injuries. He was also accused of frequently assaulting Nikki. Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu notice of the case. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has sent a letter to the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police, requesting a detailed action report within three days. The commission has called for the prompt arrest of all suspects and urged the police to ensure the safety of the victims family and any witnesses in the case. The victim's father, Bhikahri Singh, said his daughters Kanchan (29) and Nikki (26) were married to brothers Rohit Bhati and Vipin Bhati, respectively, in 2016. Since then, they have been torturing both the daughters and demanding dowry. "They demanded a Scorpio car. We gave them, and again they demanded a bullet motorcycle, which we gave them. Their demands were increasing day by day. And after that, they began demanding 36 lakh from us," he added. He claimed that many times a panchayat was organised to settle the dispute, but all the efforts were wasted. The victim's son (aged around six), who witnessed the horrifying incident, said, Meri mumma ke upar kuch dala, fir unko chanta mara fir lighter se aag laga di. (They poured something on my mother, slapped her and set her ablaze using a lighter)." Nikki's elder sister, Kanchan, recorded a video of the attack and accused Vipin Bhati and his family members of killing her sister for dowry. "We were beaten and tortured for days. They were demanding 36 lakh. They hit her on the neck and head, threw acid, and set her on fire in front of her child," Kanchan told reporters. The sister said that she, too, was assaulted when she tried to intervene. Between 2017 and 2022, India recorded an average of 7,000 dowry death cases annually, as per data from the National Crime Records Bureau. The movement of all vehicles in the Dharmari Sub Division of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly on Reasi-Arnas-Mahore (RAM) road, has been completely banned during night hours. In an order issued on August 24, Sub Divisional Magistrate Dharmari said this order shall come into force with effect from 8:00 pm on August 24 and shall remain in force until 6:00 am on September 22, 2025, unless modified or withdrawn earlier. The interim ban was imposed in the wake of heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir. The officer mentioned in the order that heavy rains have caused extensive damage to road infrastructure, including waterlogging, erosion, and landslides, making travel highly unsafe. What's the timing of the night curfew? The order stated that vehicles will be completely restricted from plying on all roads, particularly Reasi-Arnas-Mahore (RAM) road within the territorial jurisdiction of Dharmari Sub Division, between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am DAILY. Which vehicles are not allowed to ply? The restriction have been imposed on both private and public transport. Are there any exceptions? Yes. "This order shall not apply to vehicles engaged in emergency services (Ambulances, fire services), vehicles used by police and other law enforcement agencies on duty and vehicles used for any relief and restoration work by Govt. Departments," the order said. The order stated that the Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Arnas will ensure strict compliance with this order. "He will set up necessary check posts on key locations to enforce the restrictions and take legal action against any violators, under the relevant provisions of the law," it read. J&K weather Several areas in Jammu and Kashmir have been witnessing incessant rainfall. The weather office has forecast moderate to intense rainfall with possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides in high altitude areas till August 27. Heavy rains lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah, bringing normal life to a standstill on Monday. Continuous downpour triggered waterlogging in low-lying areas and increased the risk of landslides along hilly roads. Also Read | IMD issues yellow alert for Mumbai; these 6 districts on orange alert for May 7 A cloudburst occurred in Kishtwar during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14, in which over 60 people were killed. The cloudburst led to sudden flash floods during the pilgrimage, resulting in widespread destruction and deaths. Meanwhile, a massive landslide triggered by rainfall occurred near Balinallah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur on Sunday, crushing a petrol pump under its debris. The Dhar road in Udhampur's Dudar Nullah was blocked on Monday after massive boulders slid down mountains. Schools closed All government and private schools remained closed in Jammu division on Monday, August 25, owing to bad weather conditions, while Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) announced postponement of class 10 and 11 examinations. In view of the inclement and bad weather conditions, it is hereby ordered that all government as well as private schools in the Jammu Division shall remain closed tomorrow (August 25)," Directorate of School Education, Jammu said. In a notification, JKBOSE announced the postponement of annual (Private)/Bi-annual 2025 examination of Secondary School Examination (Class 10th) and Higher Secondary Part-1st (Class 11th) scheduled to be held on Monday. Supreme Court on Monday, August 25, instructed Samay Raina and 4 other stand-up comedians to issue an unconditional apology for insensitive remarks on disability. In addition to Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Nishant Jagdsish Tanwar and Sonali Thakkar aka Sonali Aditya Desai tender an unconditional apology on their YouTube channels for their alleged insensitive remarks against people with disability, news agency ANI reported. Guidelines to regulate free speech A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi asked the Centre to establish guidelines to prevent speeches that offend or ridicule disabled persons, women, children, and senior citizens, stating that freedom of speech and expression cannot apply to commercial speech that harms the sentiments of other communities. 'Not only freedom of speech, it's commercial speech,' says SC Speaking on the issue, Justice Joymala Bagchi was quoted by Live Law saying, Humour is well taken and is a part of life. We laugh at ourselves. But when we start laughing at others and create a breach of sensibility...on a community plane, when humour is generated, it becomes problematic. Also Read | Samay Raina says 40,000 tickets of India tour sold in just an hour He further advised, And this is what so-called influencers of today should bear in mind. They are commercialising speech. The community at large should not be utilised to hurt the sentiments of certain sections. It's not only freedom of speech, it's commercial speech. Accusation of ridiculing people the disabled On May 5, the Supreme Court ordered five social media influencers to appear before it or face coercive action, after a plea accused them of mocking people with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare disorder, and others with disabilities on their show. Law enforcement is responding to reports of an active shooter at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, according to alerts from the university and statements from local authorities. The incident was first reported, as per multiple news reports, around 12:30 p.m. near Mullins Library, a central campus location close to the Student Union. The University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) is on site, evacuating students and staff, while Fayetteville police assist in clearing the library. Razorback Stadium has also been placed on lockdown, according to a report from Sgt. Stephen Mauk of the Fayetteville Police Department, who added at 1:10 p.m. that there was no confirmed shooting at the time. The university reportedly sent a RazALERT notification at 1:29 p.m., stating: Police are responding to multiple reports around campus. Continue to Avoid. Deny. Defend. Students had initially been warned to avoid Mullins Library through the emergency alert system. City schools placed on secure status Fayetteville Public Schools as per reports confirmed in an email to parents that all schools in the city are on secure status, meaning no one can enter or leave campus buildings until further notice. Lawmaker monitors situation closely US Representative Steve Womack, representing Arkansas 3rd District, said on X that he and his team are closely monitoring the situation. If you're in the vicinity, please follow all safety alerts, Womack wrote. US President Donald Trump on Monday, 25 August 2025, said that he is interested to make similar deals like that of Intel's 10% stake acquisition for the interest of United States, reported the news agency Reuters. "I will make deals like that for our Country all day long," said President Donald Trump in a recent post on Truth Social. President Trump said that he 'loves' looking at the stock prices of the companies surge after an announcement. He also called this as a move to make US richer and provide more jobs in the nation. "I love seeing their stock price go up, making the USA RICHER, AND RICHER. More jobs for America!" said Trump in his post, cited the news agency. Trump also said that he will help the companies to make similar 'lucrative' deals with the United States federal government. However, he did not provide any details for any upcoming potential deals. Intel's deal with US federal government According to an earlier Bloomberg report, President Donald Trump announced that Intel's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lip-Bu Tan has agreed to hand over a 10% stake in Intel or an equivalent of nearly $10 billion. Trump told the reporters at the White House that this transaction between Intel and the federal government is a 'great deal' for the chipmaker. Theyve agreed to do it and I think its a great deal for them, Donald Trump told the White House reporters. Thats about $10 billion, he said last week on Friday. Trump also earlier said that the proposed deal with the US federal government would revitalise Intel's position against its competitors in the chipmaking industry. Also Read | Trumps Intel move blurs party lines on economic intervention Intel's transaction details According to the Reuters report, the US government will purchase a 9.9% stake in Intel for $8.9 billion, or $20.47 per share, which represents a $4 discount from Intel's closing price after Friday's Wall Street session. The company receiving the funds from the US government aims to use the proceeds to build and expand factories in the United States. US President Donald Trump berated NBC and ABC as two of the worst and most biased networks in history, adding hed support the FCC in revoking licenses to their television stations. The networks give me 97% BAD STORIES, Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday, despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC, he added. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!! Donald Trump's post on Truth Social. The FCC issues licenses to owners of television stations, which must be periodically renewed. The comments come after Trump engaged in high-profile legal tussles with major news outlets. He settled a lawsuit against CBS News in July for $16 million shortly before the Federal Communications Commission approved a merger between CBS parent Paramount Global and Skydance Media. Trump also reached a $15 million settlement with ABC over allegations of defamation. Also Read: Trump is unraveling the world order with unprecedented speed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Republican, has opened investigations into Comcasts diversity, equity and inclusion programs and NBCs relationships with its local broadcast affiliates. NBC is owned by NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company. Trump also took aim at NBC during his first term. In 2017, he questioned whether FCC licenses should be taken from NBC television stations after the network published a story saying he had called for a bigger US nuclear arsenal, something he denied saying. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy! A recent poll by The Economist/YouGov found that 56% of respondents strongly or somewhat disapprove of Trumps handling his presidency, while 40% strongly or somewhat approve. US President Donald Trump addressed growing questions about his recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following reports that Putin had agreed to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The White House had previously stated that the meeting would take place in the coming weeks, but Russian officials have since denied any confirmed plans. During a press briefing in the Oval Office, ABC News asked Trump directly: Mr. President, when you met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, how soon did he say that he wanted to sit down with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy? ABC News correspondent noted that Russia had publicly stated there was no meeting on the books and no agenda set. It takes two to Tango, says Trump In response, Trump emphasised that the decision rests with the two foreign leaders: Well, thats going to be up to them. It takes two to tango, I always say. And they should meet, I think, before I have a meeting and probably close the deal, but I think its appropriate they meet. He added that both sides had expressed interest in his presence at a potential summit: Theyd like me to be at the meeting. I said, You guys have to work it out. Its between you. Putins Alaska visit called a concession Trump also reflected on Putins recent visit to Alaska, describing it as a diplomatic gesture: It was a concession for him to come here. He wasnt happy about it, but I appreciate the fact he came to the U.S. He reiterated his longstanding rapport with the Russian leader: Ive always had a very good relationship with him. A federal judge on Monday (August 25) temporarily blocked the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man at the center of a high-profile dispute over US immigration policies. Abrego Garcia had been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore after being released from a Tennessee jail, where he is facing human smuggling charges. District Judge Paula Xinis halted his removal while further hearings on his case are scheduled. Background of the case Abrego Garcia, 30, has lived in the United States under protected legal status since 2019. A judge had previously ruled that he should not be deported to El Salvador due to a well-founded fear of harm from gang activity. Despite this, he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March and later returned to the US following a Supreme Court order. He subsequently faced criminal charges in Tennessee. Legal challenge Lawyers for Abrego Garcia filed a lawsuit immediately after his arrest, contesting the deportation to Uganda. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of his attorneys, described the governments actions as weaponizing the immigration system in a manner that is completely unconstitutional. Deportation controversy The Department of Homeland Security had indicated Abrego Garcia will be processed for removal to Uganda. His attorneys expressed concerns about potential human-rights abuses in Uganda and his limited English proficiency there. Abrego Garcia also requested that Costa Rica be considered for deportation, noting that the country had assured him refugee status and protection from being sent back to El Salvador. Trump Administration position The Trump administration maintains that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member involved in smuggling undocumented migrants and argues that he is eligible for deportation because he entered the US illegally. Federal officials have suggested Uganda as the removal destination because the 2019 ruling only prohibited deportation to El Salvador, not third countries. Human and legal stakes Abrego Garcia denies any wrongdoing. He has lived in Maryland with his American wife and children and worked in construction. His attorneys argue that using deportation as leverage to coerce a guilty plea is unlawful. Abrego Garcia remains in a detention facility in Virginia. His lawyers are awaiting a reasonable fear interview to contest the proposed removal to Uganda. They have indicated that if U.S. immigration officials proceed, he could seek review from an immigration judge and potentially appeal to the US Court of Appeals. US President Donald Trump defended his use of the National Guard for policing in Washington, DC, and his threats to deploy troops to other cities, insisting he is not acting like an authoritarian. Speaking at a White House event on August 25, Trump said: "They say: 'We dont need him. Freedom, freedom, hes a dictator.' A lot of people are saying maybe we like a dictator. I dont like a dictator. Im not a dictator. I'm a man with great common sense and a smart person." Expansion to other cities Trump suggested that Chicago could be the next city to see National Guard deployment. "Things People are Begging for: 1. Cheaper groceries 2. No Medicaid and SNAP cuts 3. Release of the Epstein Files Things People are NOT begging for: 1. An authoritarian power grab of major cities," Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Trump dismissed such criticism, calling the governor a "slob" and asserting: "I dont like going to a town, city, place, a state and then be criticized by some corrupt or incompetent governor where crime is rampant. People want us there." DC deployment and crime context The President began sending National Guard troops to Washington earlier this month, declaring a crime emergency, despite data reportedly showing violent crime trending down. Political reactions The mayor of Chicago and Governor Pritzker, both Democrats, have publicly opposed potential deployments, warning that they would be unwelcome. Trumps comments highlight ongoing tensions between federal and local authorities over the scope and authority of National Guard deployments. US Senator Mike Lee has sparked fresh debate over H-1B visas after posting on social media: Is it time to pause H-1B visas? The remark came in response to unverified reports alleging Walmart paid large bribes to hire Indian tech workers while sidelining American employees. Echoes of Greenes anti-immigration push Lees comments follow recent remarks by far-right Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who called for halting H-1B visas to Indians, claiming they were replacing American jobs. Her statement was made in reaction to President Donald Trumps threat to raise tariffs on Indian goods and services over New Delhis purchase of Russian oil. Also Read | In charts: The great Indian American dream falters under Trump Unverified claims against Walmart Speculation about Walmarts hiring practices has circulated on platforms like Blind and Reddit. Posts alleged a massive fraud involving H-1B workers at the companys Global Tech division, with suggestions that a senior executive had been fired. The claims were later amplified on X by a self-described H-1B whistleblower. Walmart denies link to H-1B visas Walmart has denied the allegations, as per Hindustan Times, stating that a recent internal probe led to the termination of one vendor and a handful of US-based associates, but stressed it had nothing to do with H-1B visas. The company earlier announced plans to lay off about 1,500 workers as part of a restructuring, a move that drew social media backlash over suspicions of jobs being outsourced to foreign workers. Political undertones The renewed focus on H-1B visas comes amid speculation that the systemwhich enables thousands of Indian engineers to work in the UScould become a new target for the Trump administration. With immigration and jobs remaining hot-button issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, lawmakers comments have added fuel to a politically charged debate. What is H-1B visa? An H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa in the United States that allows US companies to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. These are jobs that typically require technical expertise, a bachelors degree or higher, or its equivalent in fields like IT, engineering, science, medicine, and finance. Here are the key points: Eligibility: The job must require specialized knowledge. The applicant must have at least a bachelors degree or equivalent in the relevant field. Duration: Initially valid for 3 years, extendable up to 6 years. Employer sponsorship: The visa is tied to the employer, meaning the worker cannot switch jobs without a new H-1B petition. Cap and lottery system: There is an annual cap of 85,000 visas, including 20,000 reserved for US masters degree holders. Because applications often exceed the cap, the USCIS runs a lottery to select applicants. Family: H-1B holders can bring spouses and children under H-4 visas, though H-4 visa holders generally cannot work (unless they qualify for work authorization under certain conditions). Purpose: It is designed to fill specialised skill gaps in the US labor market where qualified Americans are unavailable. Also Read | Canada body calls for govt action after US pauses worker visas for truck drivers Taiwan's national postal service, Chunghwa Post, suspended all commercial mail operations to the United States on Monday, 25 August 2025, after the Western nation ended its duty exemption for international postal items, reported the news agency Reuters. According to the agency report, the suspension of the commercial operation will be effective from Tuesday, 26 August 2025, after which the national postal service of Taiwan will neither accept nor deliver any mail to the United States. The nation's move comes as the Trump administration-led United States terminated its global de minimis exemption, effective 29 August 2025. This rule exempted the low-value items from the customs duties charges while entering the Western nation. This move comes after India and Europe suspended all State-owned postal service operations to the United States. US terminates 'de minimis' exemption The United States federal administration on 30 July 2025 announced that the duty-free goods valued up to $800 will be withdrawn with effect from 29 August 2025. This order means that all international postal items which are coming into the United States will be subject to customs duties as per the country-specific International Emergency Economic Power Act (IEEPA) tariff framework. Also Read | India Post to suspend US-bound parcels from Aug 25 Transport carriers that deliver their shipments through the international postal network are required to collect and remit duties on postal shipments. India suspends postal services to US Mint reported earlier on Saturday, 23 August 2025, that the Government of India's Department of Posts had announced temporarily suspending all types of postal articles to the United States. However, the official announcement also said that the temporary suspension will be in effect except for the letters or documents and gift items which have a value of up to $100. The Department of Posts has decided to temporarily suspend booking of all types of postal articles, destined for the USA, with effect from 25th August, 2025, except letters/documents and gift items up to $100 in value, said the Government of India's Department of Posts. The department also said that the customers who have already booked their parcels for the United States will have to claim a refund for their bookings. Europe suspends postal services to US On 24 August 2025, the news agency AP reported that European postal services had paused their deliveries to the United States as the tariff exemptions on their deliveries to the Western nation had ended. Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday killed at least 15 people, including three journalists, Palestinian health officials said. Videos of the strike show a sudden explosion, engulfing the building in grey smoke. Just moments before the strike, some rescue workers were seen standing near a partially demolished part of Nasser Hospital, when a sudden explosion struck the building and brought much of it crashing down. Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, one of the journalists killed in the strikes according to the officials, was a contractor for Reuters. Photographer Hatem Khaled, who was also a Reuters contractor, was wounded, the officials said. The Israeli military and Prime Minister's Office did not immediately respond to the strikes, as per agency reports. Where is Nasser Hospital located? Nasser Hospital is southern Gaza's largest hospital, which is located in Khan Younis. The latest strike on the hospital marks the second such strike in around five months since March 2025. Israel's previous strike on Gaza hospital In March this year, Israel struck the surgical building of Nasser Hospital, killing two people, and injuring several others. Also Read | UN Body Declares First Famine in Gaza as Truce Calls Grow Among those killed was a 16-year-old boy who had undergone surgery two days prior to the strike. Also killed was Ismail Barhoum, a member of Hamass political bureau who was receiving medical treatment at the hospital, Hamas said in a statement, reported Al Jazeera. Health Ministry shares update on death toll On Sunday, the Health Ministry that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in the war. It does not distinguish between fighters and civilians but says around half have been women and children. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own, reported AP. India has alerted Pakistan about a potential flood in the Tawi River in a goodwill gesture toward its neighbouring country. This comes as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack. According to The News, citing official sources, India contacted Pakistan to share information about possible flooding. There has been no official confirmation regarding the development by either India or Pakistan. Such inputs are usually shared through the Indus Water Commissioner. The newspaper also claimed that India has alerted Pakistan about a possible major flood in the Tawi River in Jammu. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad conveyed the alert on Sunday, it added. The paper, citing sources, said it was the first major contact of its kind since the May Pakistan-India conflict. Pakistani authorities have issued warnings based on the information provided by India, it added. Torrential rains across the north of Pakistan have been reported since Thursday, causing flooding, rising waters and landslides that have swept away entire villages and left many residents trapped in the rubble. According to the provincial disaster agency, more than 320 deaths were reported in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The agency warned of new flash floods until Thursday. Also Read | Horrific monsoon floods in Pakistan kill over 700, children worst hit The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has warned of heavy rains across most parts of Pakistan until August 30. The NDMA warning comes as the country reels from earlier monsoon spells from June 26 to August 20, which claimed over 788 lives and 1,018 injuries as of Saturday. Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 A day after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, India took a series of punitive measures against Pakistan that included putting the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance. Also Read | Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif threatens India over Indus Waters Treaty The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has governed the distribution and use of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Sunday that President Vladimir Putin cannot sign a peace agreement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky because Moscow considers Zelensky illegitimate. Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, Lavrov stated that a summit between the two leaders is unlikely, adding another obstacle to direct negotiations. He noted that any potential meeting would require a predetermined presidential agenda acceptable to Putin, but noted that such an agenda is currently not ready at all. Ukraine carried out drone attacks on Russia, sparking a fire at a nuclear power plant, as the country observed its Independence Day amid the ongoing war, now entering its fourth year. Although U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed for a summit between Ukraine and Russia, the prospect of peace waned after Moscow on Friday dismissed the possibility of an immediate meeting between Putin and Zelensky. But Zelensky said Sunday the format of talks between leaders is the most effective way forward, renewing calls for a bilateral summit with Putin, AFP reported. Lavrov earlier accused Western countries of seeking a pretext to block negotiations and slammed Zelensky for demanding an immediate meeting at all costs. As the war, which has already taken tens of thousands of lives, continues, Russia recently reported new gains, including the capture of two villages in eastern Donetsk on Saturday. In response, Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, announced Sunday that Ukrainian forces had recaptured three other villages in the same region, which has become central to ongoing peace discussions. Meanwhile, Ukraine's Independence Day drone strikes reached into Russian territory, with one drone intercepted near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in western Russia. Russia currently occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. President Putin has consistently rejected appeals from Ukraine and Western nations for an immediate ceasefire. Moscow considers Zelensky 'illegitimate.' The conflict has displaced millions and left widespread devastation across towns and cities in eastern and southern Ukraine. After holding in-depth discussions with Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 August said India will assist Fiji to deal with disaster response considering climate change as a threat to them, noting that both nations maybe oceans apart; however they share same aspirations, while deciding to strengthen defence ties. Climate change is threat for Fiji; we will help it deal with disaster response. India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat, PM Modi said. He added that India and Fiji are committed to free, inclusive, open, secure and prosperous India-Pacific. He further said, We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in the defence and security sector." After the discussions between Modi and Rabuka, the two countries signed seven agreements to expand cooperation across various sectors. India on Fiji's maritime security Fiji holds strategic significance for India in the area of maritime security, according to the media statement, mentioning, amid China's ongoing push to increase its influence in the Pacific, India has been seeking to strengthen its defence cooperation with Fiji. India will give training and equipment support to boost Fiji's maritime security, PM Modi announced. An action plan has been made for this, he stated, a PTI report noted. Also Read | Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka arrives in India for 4-day visit PM Modi highlighted India's key focus areas for the Global South, stating that India is a partner in the region's development journey. He asserted, We are partners in building a world order where the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South are respected. Rabuka landed in Delhi on 24 August on a three-day trip, which marks his first India visit to India as the prime minister of the South Pacific nation. India and Fiji share deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people connections, dating back to 1879 when Indian labourers were brought to Fiji under the British indenture system. Prime Minister Rabuka's visit to India follows President Droupadi Murmu's trip to Fiji last year, highlighting the ongoing high-level engagement between the two nations. According to an official Indian statement released on Thursday, Rabuka's visit reflects the longstanding and resilient partnership between India and Fiji. It stated, It reaffirms the continued commitment of both countries to further strengthen the bilateral relationship across all sectors and deepen our close people-to-people ties. As part of his ongoing engagements, the Fijian leader is set to give a lecture at Sapru House on August 26, an event organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs, ANI reported. His visit will come to an end with his departure from Delhi on August 27. The Supreme Courts latest order on stray dogs tries to strike a middle path between animal lovers and citizens terrorised by their menace. It allows the strays to be sterilized, vaccinated, dewormed and then released back into their localities, except those that are aggressive or rabid, which must remain in shelters. Public feeding has been banned, though municipalities must now set up designated feeding zones. The immediate fallout showed just how divisive the issue has become. At a public grievance meeting last week, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta narrowly escaped harm when a man suddenly charged at her, waving papers and shouting. Security personnel caught him in time. The attacker was identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji from Rajkot, described by his mother as an animal lover who was enraged by the courts earlier decision to remove strays. The motive is still being ascertained. But the fact that someone could travel hundreds of kilometres and attempt to attack a states chief minister underlines the polarization surrounding the issue of stray dogs. Yet this rage, both on the streets and online, ignores a stark reality: thousands of Indians die every year from dog bites. Ten thousand people are bitten daily, a staggering world record. Earlier, the court had directed that strays in Delhi and NCR be removed within 68 weeks, a herculean task for civic bodies with limited resources and even less enthusiasm. A day before Guptas attack, NDMC officials had lodged complaints after protestors vandalized vehicles being used to pick up strays. How can those who oppose cruelty to animals turn violent against fellow humans who are following orders? I have no dislike for any species. At home, we had a dog named Nilu, who lived with us for 13 years and was treated like a member of the family, like a brother. Even in my childhood, the neighbourhood strays were honorary guard dogs. They were fed, were the responsibility of the entire community, and they never attacked people. But cities have now become concrete jungles, neighbourhood ties have weakened, and migration has redefined community life. Human-animal relations have changed too. Earlier, no one imagined a pack of strays mauling an adult to death. Today, social media is full of gut-wrenching videos of such attacks. From capital Delhi to the smallest of hamletsdogs, monkeys, bulls and cows roam with what appears like a license to kill. Sub-inspector Richas story in Ghaziabad shows the depth of the crisis: her two-wheeler suddenly skid when a stray dog ran across her path. She was grievously injured and passed away later that night. The numbers are indeed sobering. Those opposed to measures against strays are ignoring a stark reality, where thousands of humans are dying every year due to dog bites. A report released before the covid pandemic showed dog bites in India touched an alarming 7.6 million annually in 2018, but slumped to 1.7 million during the lockdown. The number surged again to 3.7 million last year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 18,000-20,000 people die of rabies annually in India. India does not have an established local procedure or data to record this. The stray dog issue and the lack of standard procedures have become a national calamity, one that demands urgent action. And yet, a powerful lobby resists. The stray dog issue has cut across old political divides. Political circles were abuzz when members of the estranged Gandhi family, who have been at odds for decades, spoke in unison in their defence of strays. After Sanjay Gandhis death in 1980, his widow Maneka Gandhi famously clashed with her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and even formed her own party in defiance. Since then, Rajiv and Sanjays families have rarely agreed on anything. Yet, the new generation has now closed ranks on this one issue. Their intentions may be benevolent, but the other reality is just as stark: thousands of hapless citizens continue to die from dog bites every year, while governments remain paralysed between powerful lobbies and the ground realities. Animals need space to live by their natural instincts. But humans too deserve the right to live without the fear of avoidable violence. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has opened up on the speculation surrounding the resignation of former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, dismissing the opposition's claims that he was placed under house arrest. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Amit Shah clarified that Jagdeep Dhankhar had resigned due to health issues and rejected suggestions of political pressure. Dhankhar Sahab's resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure, the Union Minister said in an interview with ANI. On speculations of house arrest Amit Shah's comments follow the claims made by some opposition leaders on Dhankhar's house arrest. Amit Shah responded to the claims, saying, "It seems like your interpretation of truth and lies is based on what the opposition has to say. We shouldn't make a fuss out of all this. Dhankhar held a constitutional post and discharged his duties as per the constitution. He resigned due to personal health reasons. One should not deliberate much on the issue." Opposition blames the government The Union Minister's statement comes after several opposition leaders raised questions over Dhankhar's sudden resignation, alleging that Dhankhar had been "silenced" by the government. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said this was the first time in the nation's history that a vice president's resignation was followed by what he called silencing, ANI reported. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha (LoP), Rahul Gandhi, also raised concerns over Dhankhar's sudden resignation. Supreme Court advocate and senior leader Kapil Sibal questioned whether a habeas corpus petition should be filed, considering Dhankhar's absence from public view. However, the BJP has stated that Dhankhar resigned because of health issues and rejected claims of any disagreements with him. Jagdeep Dhankar's resignation On 21 July, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as the Vice-President during the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, citing health reasons. He said he wanted "to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice." As Vice-President, Dhankhar was also serving as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly criticised the Opposition's 'Black Bill' protests against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, asserting that both he and the BJP firmly reject the notion that the nation "cannot function without a jailed individual." He questioned whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could govern from behind bars. Here are the top ten updates: 1. Shah on 130th Amendment) Bill | Shah also noted that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had personally insisted on including the office of the Prime Minister under the provisions of the bill. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah said, I want to ask the entire nation and the Opposition... Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy? 2. The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this... Earlier, Indira Gandhi had brought the 39th amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from judicial review by Indian courts) ... Narendra Modi ji has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign, said Amit Shah. 3. Referring to the time when the UPA government was in power at the Centre, Shah said under the Manmohan Singh government, the Congress had introduced an ordinance to protect convicted MPs, which Rahul Gandhi publicly rejected by tearing it up. "In the Satyendra Jain (AAP leader) case, he was jailed in four cases, and in all those, the CBI filed a chargesheet. He is facing trial. You became a victim of AAP's propaganda. Now, let me talk about Congress. They are opposing this. However, during the UPA government, when Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister and Lalu Prasad Yadav was a minister who had been convicted, they introduced an ordinance stating that even a two-year sentence would not result in the cancellation of a member's membership until the appeal process was complete," Shah said. 4. Shah on Vice Presidential candidate | Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday backed the NDAs choice of Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan as its Vice Presidential nominee, saying it was only fitting for the post to be held by a leader from southern India. "It was natural that the vice presidential candidate comes from South India because the President is from East India and the Prime Minister is from the West and North. "Radhakrishnan has a long political life. He has been a member of Parliament twice. He has been our party's president (in Tamil Nadu). He has been the Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, Puducherry, and Maharashtra. He has led a clean public life. He is also a very mature politician," Union Home Minister Shah told ANI in an interview. 5. Ex-VP Jagdeep Dhankar's resignation | Speaking on former VP Dhankar's resignation, Shah said, Dhankar Sahab's resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure. 6. When asked about Dhankar being under house arrest as claimed by certain opposition leaders, Shah said the interpretation of truth and lies should not rely solely on opposition statements and warned against making a fuss over the former VP's resignation, he added. 7. Dig on Congress | Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday drew a sharp contrast between the BJPs direct engagement with the public and the Congresss outreach efforts led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, stating there is a big difference between the two. 8. CISF presence in Parliament | In an interview with ANI, the Home Minister said, First, please understand this one point clearly. Inside Parliament, any force present there, is under the authority of the Speaker. The identity of the force itself does not matter. Earlier, it used to be personnel from the Delhi Police; now it is CISF. 9. He added, But the moment they come within the security perimeter of the House, they are no longer considered CISF or Delhi Police personnel, they are regarded as Marshals. And they function under the Speaker's authority. Marshals enter the House only when the Speaker orders them to do so. 10. Earlier on August 5, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Modi government "has accepted" that CISF personnel were deployed in the Rajya Sabha and said whatever name is used for their presence in the House, it is an insult to Parliament. In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh targeted the government and said Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was right in asking if Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken over control of the Council of States. (With inputs from agencies) Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has criticized the French authorities for his arrest last year on accusations that the company's insufficient content moderation led to serious criminal activity. A year later, Durov has called the charges leveled by French authorities legally and logically absurd. Also Read | Telegram founder Pavel Durov allowed to leave France temporarily One year ago, the French police detained me for 4 days because some people Id never heard of used Telegram to coordinate crimes. Arresting a CEO of a major platform over the actions of its users was not only unprecedented it was legally and logically absurd, Durov wrote in a post on X. Durov also noted that the criminal investigation against him is struggling to find anything he or Telegram did wrong. He also noted that the arrest in August last year was due to the French police's own mistake. Ironically, I was arrested due to the French polices own mistake: before August 2024, they ignored French and EU laws and hadnt sent any of their queries to Telegram via the required legal process. They could have learned the correct procedure simply by googling it or asking, Durov added. Also Read | Elon Musk unveils new company 'Macrohard' to replicate Microsoft with AI Durov also noted that he has to return to France every 14 days and has no appeal date in sight so far. The Telegram CEO noted that his arrest has only led to damage to France's image as a free country. So far, the only outcome of my arrest has been massive damage to Frances image as a free country. One thing is certain: well keep fighting and we will win, Durov noted. Durov also noted that Telegram's moderation practices align with industry standards. Durov on giving backdoor access to French authorities: When asked if he or Telegram gave French authorities backdoor access to the platform, Durov reacted sharply stating, Id rather die no third party has access to private messages on Telegram. Elon Musk's younger brother Kimbal Musk has alleged that Elon Musk has not been paid for the last six to eight years by Tesla and that the world's richest man deserves to be paid. While speaking on CNBC's Squawk Box last week, Kimbal Musk said, I think my brother deserves to be paid. He has zero pay for the past six to eight years. I dont think thats right. Ill let Tesla shareholders make that decision, but I believe that it does need to be. He needs to be paid, Kimbal added. Earlier this month, Tesla granted an interim pay package of 96 million shares, valued at approximately $29 billion to keep the billionaire as its CEO. Musk will be able to claim the award if he continues to be the CEO of Tesla for another two years. The package was approved in a special committee of the Tesla board where Elon and Kimbal Musk had recused themselves. Notably, the Tesla board had to design a new pay package for Musk after the Delaware court revoked his $56 billion package from 2018. Last year Musk said that he wanted even more control over Tesla or he would prefer to build products outside of the company. "I am uncomfortable growing Tesla to be a leader in AI & robotics without having ~25% voting control. Enough to be influential, but not so much that I cant be overturned. Unless that is the case, I would prefer to build products outside of Tesla." Musk wrote in a post on X. As it turns out, Musk has gone on to develop his products outside of Tesla. He started an AI startup called xAI, which makes the Grok AI chatbot, and later merged it with his social media platform X. Over the past few months, Musk has devoted his time to talking about the new feature launches for Grok and what the upcoming updates would entail for the chatbot. Musk also said last week that he was starting a new startup called "Macrohard," which would replicate much of the products offered by Microsoft using AI. Not much is known about the startup other than what Musk explained in his post. Microsoft AI Chief Mustafa Suleyman has stated that he is worried about AI systems seeming too alive. Suleyman, while talking about the phenomenon of AI psychosis, said that these new models are capable of convincing users that they have feelings and are seemingly conscious. Also Read | Elon Musk unveils new company 'Macrohard' to replicate Microsoft with AI Suleyman, however, isnt talking about a doomsday scenario where AI actually becomes smart enough to understand these things and take over the world, but rather a situation where people start forming delusions about their AIsuch as thinking it is a god, a lover, or a digital personbelieving it to be conscious. In a blog post last week about his concerns, Suleyman wrote, My central worry is that many people will start to believe in the illusion of AIs as conscious entities so strongly that theyll soon advocate for AI rights, model welfare and even AI citizenship. Notably, recent research by EduBirdie revealed that most Gen Z users of AI tools believe that while AI systems arent yet conscious, they soon will be, while a significant portion (25%) already believe that AI is conscious. Meanwhile, there have been various instances of people developing feelings for their AI or carrying out tasks at the behest of their chatbot. Recently, after OpenAI decided to deprecate the GPT-4o model, many users took to the dedicated subreddit to express their passion for bringing it back, with some even considering the model a friend or companion. It feels different and stronger than the kinds of attachment people have had to previous kinds of technology OpenAI CEO Sam Altman had also warned in a recent post on X. People have used technology including AI in self-destructive ways Altman added. Mustafa Suleyman on AI companions: Suleyman also talked about the need to put guardrails in place to protect people. He said, We must build AI for people; not to be a digital person. AI companions are a completely new category, and we urgently need to start talking about the guardrails we put in place to protect people and ensure this amazing technology can do its job of delivering immense value to the world. Last week OpenAI confirmed its plans of opening its first ever office in India and stated that it plans to expand its team in the country. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also confirmed that he will be visiting the country next month, marking his second visit in under a year. The ChatGPT maker, however, has now finally revealed the positions it will be recruiting for in its India team. There are three open positions so far on the company's career page, all of whom are of the "Account Director" rank in the sales department. The three positions OpenAI is hiring for are: Account Director, Digital Natives Account Director, Strategics Account Director, Large Enterprise The description for the Account Director, Large Enterprise role reads, Our Sales team has a unique mission to help customers understand the deep impact that highly capable AI models can bring to their business and users. This role is a mixture of technical understanding, vision, partnership, and value-driven strategy. Youll be a key driver of opportunities through the entire sales cycle, from pipeline generation to closure. Youll work with researchers, engineers, and solution strategists to help customers evolve their industry with AI, it added. How to apply for OpenAI vacancies? In order to apply for the open positions, head over to the OpenAI website's career section. You will now see an option for filtering the country; in this category, select India, and you should be able to see the three open positions. You can click on each of the roles to understand what the company expects and then click on the "Apply Now" option and fill out the necessary details: name, email, phone number, current location, and resume. OpenAI's focus on India: OpenAI had recently shared that India had become the second-biggest market for ChatGPT worldwide, second only to the United States. The company had also recently launched an India-exclusive ChatGPT Go plan at 399, which offers access to its latest GPT-5 model at an extended rate limit. The new plan sits way below the $20/month ChatGPT Plus and $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has also come a long way from deriding Indian entrepreneurs to claiming that India can be a global AI leader in a recent statement. Jennifer McCabe has been appointed as principal of Cnoc Mhuire, Granard where she will succeed Pauline McBrien who served in the role for eight years. Ms McCabe, who lives in Killoe, will officially commence her tenure as principal from next Monday, September 1. She joined the teaching staff of Cnoc Mhuire in 2017, having previously worked as an English and Geography teacher in St. Raphaela's, Stillorgan, Co Dublin for nine years. Ms McCabe brings a wealth of experience to her new role and she also has experience working with the SEC, NIPT and the PDST, further broadening and enriching her professional experience. Also read: Wedding Bells ring: A magical Longford love story in the breathtaking Algarve Ms McCabe paid tribute to recently retired principal, Ms Pauline McBrien. I would like to sincerely thank Ms McBrien for her dedication to Cnoc Mhuire and I hope to continue her good work in the years ahead. Ms McCabe continued, I am honoured to lead a CEIST school and to continue the proud legacy of the Mercy Sisters. Personally, it is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team here at Cnoc Mhuire. Guided by our CEIST ethos, we aim to provide a safe and supportive environment where students mature, build confidence, and show respect for others. We encourage them to reach their academic potential, use their talents to benefit others, and to engage fully in the life of the school academically, spiritually, and socially. I am looking forward to the road ahead, particularly in guiding the schools extension in partnership with the Department of Education and Science. Also read: ALERT | Longford motorists warned of delays over Ballymahon to Edgeworthstown road closure Announcing the news, the Board of Management stated, The Board of Management is delighted to appoint Ms Jennifer McCabe, B.A, PGCE, M.Ed, to the position of Principal of Cnoc Mhuire Granard from September 1. She has served as AP1 Programmes Coordinator for the past five years and previously held the role of Digital Coordinator. She has been a positive and enthusiastic role model for her students and prides herself on helping them to develop both academically and personally. The Board of Management on behalf of the school community wishes Jennifer every success in her new role. WATCH | Longford fiddle player joins Robbie Williams on stage during Croke Park gig Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) leader General Abdel Fattah al Burhan has announced a major reorganization of senior military officers as he seeks to consolidate control over the military. Meanwhile, fighting between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues in western Sudan. On August 18, a day after several long-serving officers retired, Burhan appointed Major General Mutasim Abbas al Tom Ahmed as the inspector general of the SAF. Ahmed is the first individual to hold this position since the RSF captured and reportedly executed his predecessor in 2023. The reshuffle also included the promotion and retirement of Sudanese Air Force chief Al Tahir Mohamed Al Awad al Amin, who has been under sanctions from the European Union for the alleged indiscriminate aerial bombardment of densely populated residential areas. Burhan also appointed a new air force chief and air defense head. Several outgoing SAF generals are reported to have longstanding ties to Islamist groups, including the Popular Defense Forces and networks linked to the National Congress Party. These allied forces include fighters associated with the dissolved National Congress Party (NCP), which ruled Sudan under the leadership of dictator Omar al Bashir until the 2019 revolution. Despite the group being officially banned, NCP loyalists have reemerged during the war, with military sources crediting NCP-aligned fighters with playing a key role in breaking RSF sieges around Khartoum. A separate decree issued by Burhan on August 17 reportedly placed all the other armed groups fighting alongside the armyincluding former Darfur rebels, Islamist brigades, [and] civilians who joined the war effort and tribal militias under his direct command. The consolidation affects numerous armed groups, including the Islamist Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, now reportedly 20,000 strong. The SAFs reliance on Islamist-aligned fighters has drawn concern from Western and regional partners, who fear a resurgence of Islamist influence in Sudanese politics. By bringing these forces under the SAFs direct command, Burhan is attempting to maintain their military support while preventing them from becoming independent power centers. Sudanese politicians supportive of Burhan praised the move as necessary to prevent the rise of rival factions within the military. Earlier, on July 26, the RSF, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, declared the establishment of the Government of Peace and Unity in areas under its control, largely in western Sudan. The RSF and its allies had previously signed a charter in Nairobi in February, endorsing a transitional constitution in a shift away from the SAF government in Khartoum. While the RSF first announced its intention to form a parallel government in April, it wasnt until July that the group moved beyond a declaration to appoint officials, including naming Hemedti to head a 15-member presidential council and Mohamed Hassan al Taishi as prime minister. The United Nations Security Council subsequently rejected the Rapid Support Forces declaration of a rival government, warning that the move posed a direct threat to Sudans territorial integrity, and risked further fragmenting the country. The SAF-backed government in Khartoum dismissed the rival administration as illegitimate. We will not accept any other country recognizing a so-called parallel government, SAF Foreign Minister Ali Youssef said. He later denounced the move as fictitious and labeled the RSF as a terrorist militia. On August 15, less than a month after the RSFs announcement, Burhan met US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos in Switzerland to discuss a potential ceasefire and humanitarian aid. The talks between the SAF leader and Boulos followed an American condemnation of RSF attacks on civilians in North Darfur, particularly around the Zamzam and Abu Shouk displacement camps. US sanctions continue to target Hemedti and his militia. Mariam Wahba is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow her on X @themariamwahba. Kyle Moran is a Middle East Peace Fellow at Young Voices. Follow him on X @KylePMoran. Shipping containers at Israels Port of Ashdod. (Shutterstock) The Turkish government is moving to enforce what officials describe as a full ban on maritime traffic connected to Israel, prohibiting both Israel-flagged or Israel-owned vessels from entering Turkish ports and Turkey-flagged ships from sailing to Israel. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan framed the restrictions as a new sanction against Israel in response to its ongoing war in Gaza. So far, the measures have been conveyed only verbally by port authorities rather than through a formal decree. According to one media report, shipping agents must provide Turkish authorities with assurance letters confirming that vessels entering or leaving Turkish ports are not tied to Israel and that their cargo does not include military or hazardous goodssuch as explosives or radioactive materials. A separate source told Reuters that vessels arriving directly from Israel or departing to Israeli ports would no longer be permitted to dock at Turkish ports. In parallel, Turkish-flagged vessels are now barred from calling at Israeli ports. The policy has already had practical consequences. On August 22, a cargo ship owned by Israels ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. was denied entry to Istanbuls port. Although its cargo was intended for Turkey, the vessel was diverted to Greeces Piraeus port. As Globes, an Israeli business daily, reported, Ankaras approach is broadening: Ships with Israeli flags or those owned by Israelis are prohibited from docking in Turkey, while ships with Turkish flags are prohibited from docking in Israel. These shipping restrictions build on earlier trade bans. In May 2024, Turkeys Ministry of Trade ended $7 billion in bilateral commerce with Israel, following an initial April prohibition on 54 product categories until Jerusalem agreed to a Gaza ceasefire. Ankara said it adopted the ban after Israel refused a Turkish request to carry out humanitarian airdrops over Gaza. Unlike Jordan, Turkey also refused to permit US Central Command to coordinate aid operations, effectively ruling out Ankaras participation in Western-led relief efforts. Erdogan instead pledged to send a flotilla directly to Hamas-controlled Gazaan action that risked confrontation with the Israeli Navy. Following the suspension of trade, thenIsraeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz charged that Turkey had violated existing trade agreements by blocking ports for Israeli imports and exports. To date, the Israeli government has not issued a formal response to Turkeys latest attempt to block maritime traffic bound for its ports. Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he contributes to its Turkey Program and Center on Economic and Financial Power. You can follow Sinan on X @sinanciddi. The approximately 40 officers from the National Polices Police Intervention Unit (UIP) who were responsible for the security of the Royal Family during their holidays in Mallorca have finally begun to receive their allowances, according to the Jupol union. The police officers, the union said in a statement, were sent to the island on 25 July to participate in the security operation at Marivent Palace and had to advance nearly 1,200 each to cover their living and accommodation expenses during the 18 days of service. Jupol has repeatedly described this situation as unacceptable and unfair and now, thanks to the pressure exerted and following public complaints and formal claims, the Ministry of the Interior has been forced to rectify the situation and proceed with the payment of the outstanding amounts. According to the union, this payment was authorised last Friday, and the officers have now begun to receive the money they had to advance. For Jupol, this is a step forward, but one that should not hide the serious lack of foresight and institutional neglect to which the government subjects national police officers. The union has demanded that cases like this do not happen again and that, to this end, the royal decree regulating officers allowances be updated urgently so that they receive amounts adjusted to the real cost of living in destinations such as the Balearics. It has also called for a comprehensive reform of the payment system, which has been in a state of collapse for years and creates unacceptable precarious situations for national police officers on secondment. It is intolerable that the government is playing with the money of national police officers, who are once again being deceived and forced to finance services out of their own pockets that should be covered by the Interior Ministry. We demand the immediate payment of all outstanding allowances and a firm commitment that this situation will not happen again, Jupol said. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Massachusetts cannabis authorities want to hear from you the casual smoker, genuine stoner, intrigued entrepreneur or any other stakeholder in the states pot industry. State officials are finalizing regulations for on-site cannabis use, the sort of rules that will, for the first time, license businesses to allow customers to enjoy weed products in person. Also known as social consumption, it would mean the introduction of lounges or bars that could serve marijuana just as a regular bar serves alcohol. But the regulations would also open up a variety of other businesses and venues to legal marijuana use. Existing marijuana businesses, such as dispensaries or farms, could be licensed to add on-site consumption areas to their facilities. Non-cannabis businesses, from yoga studios to spas to theaters, could be licensed to host cannabis consumption activities in partnership with typical cannabis companies. And organizers of festivals, concerts or similar short-term events could apply for temporary licenses to allow marijuana use on site, with approval from their local officials. The states Cannabis Control Commission approved the proposed regulations on July 29 and last week opened a public comment period, inviting feedback from interested parties before it finalizes the regulations. Comments can be submitted by email to commission@CCCMass.com with the subject line, Social Consumption. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Sept. 8. Commissioners are also seeking feedback on specific potential regulations, including training for cannabis venue vendors, the sale of shelf-stable foods not infused with cannabis, purchase limits, the prohibition on alcohol and tobacco sales at the venues, discounts and promotional pricing rules, ventilation requirements and cooling down areas set-aside spots within venues where consumers can come down from a high. To provide feedback on those topics, complete this form. The commission also plans to host a public hearing on Sept. 8 at its Worcester headquarters so constituents can give testimony in person. We want to hear from as many people as possible to make the Massachusetts social consumption model a leader in the nation, Commission Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins said last month. Even after the commission approves the regulations, cities and towns will need to opt-in to allow social consumption businesses by adopting new ordinances or laws and changing zoning regulations. They could also allow the businesses through a constituent vote. The Bromantics are looking ahead to a busy fall, with several Western Massachusetts' shows planned. B.J. Richardson With a lot of cover bands, you know what to expect from song to song. They tend to stick to a style, an era, or a type of sound. While The Bromantics do adhere to certain stylistic constraints (playing largely new wave/alternative rock), they also arent afraid to color outside the lines to keep audiences on their toes (and on their feet dancing). Not many bands will play Cheap Trick and then something by The Jesus and Mary Chain and then go into an Elvis Costello tune, guitarist and band founder Jim Danko said in an interview with The Republican. We balance popular songs with deeper cuts while always keeping the show entertaining. The Bromantics, who also play some original songs, are revving up for a busy fall. They play next at The Deck in Northampton on Sept. 5, followed by gigs at Bright Ideas Brewing on Sept. 28, Easthamptons Porch Fest on Oct. 4 and New City Brewery in Easthampton on Nov. 1. The group consists of Mark Cybulski on bass, Danko on guitar and backing vocals, Rich Germain on drums, Jesse Rhodes on lead vocals and guitar, Andrew Pasquale on guitar and trumpet, and Michael Schurter on keyboards and backing vocals. Danko talked about the band in a recent interview with The Republican. Q. Who are your favorite artists and influences? Danko: All six of us bring different influences and favorite artists to the table, but we tend to enjoy a lot of the same bands from the post-punk era such as the Clash, Elvis Costello and R.E.M. The biggest influences for me pre-date that era. It all started with The Beatles. I also love Springsteen, especially his live shows. Pete Townshend inspired my guitar dreams, and Lou Reeds songwriting and raw delivery have always stuck with me. Q. Have you played in other bands before? Which ones? Danko: The Bromantics is my first I started the band when I was in my 50s. And Id dreamed of playing in a band since seeing the movie Help! as a 10-year-old. This is also bassist Marks first band. The others have played in groups before. Rich in fact played in a Ramones cover band. Q. What was the goal of the band, and has it changed since the beginning? Danko: At first, we simply wanted to play cool songs for our own amusement. Theres no better escape than playing music. As we got tighter, we decided to share that joy with others and started looking for gigs. Now we aim for about one show a month. Its been great to see not just friends but also people from all over Western Massachusetts coming out to dance and sing along. I look out and think, wow, we have built a following. Weve also learned to think about what audiences want to hearwhich usually lines up with what we love too. Q. How do new covers get selected? Danko: Its democratic each member suggests songs. Typically, its a song a band member likes and thinks might work with the group, keeping in mind our new wave/alt-rock style. I sometimes propose a song requested by someone at a show. Well try out several at rehearsal, keep the ones that click and drop the rest. Q. Who does the arrangements and how faithful do you try to be to originals? Danko: We each learn our parts at home listening to the original recording, then arrange together at Richs place. We stay about 90% true to the original arrangements but sometimes change keys, trim sections or create new endings. Occasionally, we will do a cover of a cover if it works better for us, like Morrisseys version of Back on the Chain Gang or Lucy Dacus take on Dancing in the Dark. Q. What are a few of the songs that get the best reaction from audiences? Danko: Mr. Brightside by The Killers always gets everyone singing, from college age to retirement age. People love Blister in the Sun by Violent Femmes, Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash and certainly Psycho Killer by Talking Heads. Those are guaranteed crowdpleasers. Q. You also play some originals. Who writes them and how many did you do on a given night? Danko: Michael Schurter and I both write originals. We usually play just one or two a night. Its awesome to see people dancing or even singing along to them, though we know most come to hear classics by The Cure, R.E.M. and others. Q. How would you describe your live shows to someone who hasnt seen you yet? Danko: Energetic, fun and surprising. Weve got strong chemistry, and we love interacting with the crowd. Its all about forgetting your troubles, big and small, for a few hours when we are on stage. Check out www.bromantics.band for upcoming live shows and more information. Two lucky Massachusetts State Lottery players won Powerball prizes worth $50,000 on Saturday. One ticket was purchased at T Square Food Shop on North Franklin Street in Holbrook, and the other was sold at Nobscot Convenience on Edgell Road in Framingham. Saturday nights winning numbers were 11, 14, 34, 47, and 51 and the Powerball number was 18. In Powerball, players select five numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. They then choose how many drawings they want to use those numbers for. Players that match all five numbers and the Powerball number win the jackpot. They have 1 in 292,201,338 chances of winning this way. Players that match four numbers and the Powerball number win $50,000. They have 1 in 913,129.18 chances of winning this way. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. The jackpot stands at $750 million as of Sunday. Overall, at least 267 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including one in Springfield, four in Worcester and 18 in Boston. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. The two largest lottery prizes won so far in 2025 were each worth $15 million. One of the prizes was from a winning Diamond Deluxe scratch ticket sold in Holyoke, and the other was from a 300X scratch ticket sold on Cape Cod. The death of a Maine man whose body was left in a car outside a Massachusetts hospital Saturday afternoon is being treated by authorities as a suspicious incident, the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office said. Portland resident Declan Perry, 27, was found outside South Shore Hospital in Weymouth in a black Honda Civic with a Maine license plate, the district attorneys office said in a press release Monday. His body was discovered in the back seat of the car wrapped in blankets that were secured with duct tape after a hospital unit coordinator noticed the car parked in front of the emergency room entrance. Hospital staff reported Perrys body to Weymouth police shortly after 2:05 p.m. on Aug. 23, the district attorneys office said. He was declared dead less than 10 minutes later. After news of the discovery of Perrys body was reported in local outlets on Sunday, residents of a Scituate condo complex contacted town police to report that theyd seen a man loading a large, heavy blanket into a black Honda Civic at their neighbors home earlier in the day on Saturday, the district attorneys office said. Investigators soon obtained a search warrant for the home and seized several items of evidence, the district attorneys office said. They have also identified a person of interest in Perrys death who had an established relationship with him. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine his manner and cause of death, the district attorneys office said. Massachusetts State Police detectives, Scituate police and the district attorneys office are investigating. No further information has been released. Brian Walshe, accused of killing his wife, Ana, who disappeared on New Year's Day 2023, enters the courtroom for his arraignment, Thursday April 27, 2023, in Dedham, Mass. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool) AP Lawyers for Brian Walshe, who is charged with the murder of his wife, are seeking to appeal a judges decision not to suppress a number of grisly Google searches prosecutors say he made shortly after the killing in early 2023. Not long after prosecutors say Walshe killed his wife, Ana, he searched, how long before a body starts to smell, how long for someone to be missing to inheritance? and dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body, among other terms. Walshe conducted the searches both on his phone and his oldest sons iPad. But Walshes lawyers argued in court papers, and at a hearing in June, that the State Police investigators who uncovered the searches overstepped the bounds of an agreement reached with his former lawyer. The lawyer, Tracy Miner, testified at the hearing that she reached an agreement with prosecutors to allow police to search the devices only for communications, not to download their entire contents. Judge Diane Freniere, who is presiding over Walshes case, ultimately discounted Miners recollection of the agreement, finding she likely understood police intended to download and search the entirety of the devices. Walshes lawyers are now petitioning a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court to intervene and reverse Frenieres decision. In reaching its decision, the trial court made critical findings of fact and conclusions of law that are clearly erroneous, the filing reads. In January 2023, when Walshe was first asked by police for consent to search his phone and his childrens devices, he said he needed to consult with Miner first. Miner was representing Walshe in a federal art fraud case at the time. Miner testified at the hearing that she had serious concerns about turning anything over to police and that she had undertaken a review of the communications on the devices herself. She believed that State Police would download and extract the entire device, then search only for agreed-upon information, she testified. Walshes lawyers argue that Freniere erred in finding State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, one of the investigators on Walshes case, more credible than Miner. The trial court does not discuss the inherent inconsistency of Bukheniks own report and testimony, the filing reads. Critically, Freniere also determined that police would have eventually uncovered evidence of the searches when they obtained warrants for Walshes home and devices. As a result, there was no requirement the searches be suppressed for lack of consent, she determined. Walshes lawyers concede there was probable cause to search the home he shared with his wife and children in Cohasset, but claim the search warrant should not have allowed law enforcement to seize both his phone and his sons iPad, and to perform unfettered searches of the devices. Police relied on the contested evidence to obtain the warrants, the filing noted. Once that information is removed, police no longer had probable cause to search the devices, the filing reads. In the present matter, the trial court and the Commonwealth erroneously conflate law enforcements desire to search the devices as a substitute for sufficient probable cause, Walshes lawyers wrote. Walshes trial is set for Oct. 20. He has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. An appeal to the SJC could substantially delay the October trial date. A single justice of the SJC could decide to hear the appeal themselves, or send it to the full court or the Appeals Court for a determination. There is no requirement the justice allow Walshes lawyers to actually appeal the order. HARARE, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Nearly six months on, the 22nd batch of the Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe has delivered treatment to more than 7,000 local patients. In an interview with Xinhua on Sunday in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the team said its 11 medical professionals, covering various specialities from neurology to orthopedics, have been carrying out free medical consultations across the country and have performed over 200 surgeries since they commenced their practice in March. "Some locals in remote areas don't have access to quality medical services; that's why we have been extending our reach to them by doing voluntary consultations," said Zhang Xiong, an orthopedist of the team. Zhang, together with some of his colleagues, also offered free outpatient services every week at the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) center of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH) in Harare, providing TCM therapeutic techniques to help patients suffering from chronic diseases. "Many local patients have come to realize that the TCM therapy is much safer and cheaper for some diseases," Zhang said. Gao Juhua, the team's neurologist, told Xinhua that many Zimbabwean patients suffered from high blood pressure and high blood sugar, but many of them have little knowledge about their conditions. "The free clinic offered them a place for medical checkups, and we will give them advice like how to take medicine rationally and maintain a healthy lifestyle," Gao said. In the meantime, the team has been imparting cutting-edge medical knowledge and technology to their Zimbabwean counterparts by conducting training sessions, benefiting around 100 medical staff so far. Li Jie, a respiratory physician of the team who was dispatched by central China's Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, said the Chinese hospital has partnered with the PGH on a respiratory and critical care medicine project since 2022, through which thousands of local patients have been treated. "Under this project, we are able to invite many top-notch specialists in the Chinese hospital to help PGH, the largest general hospital in Zimbabwe, strengthen its capacity in this field by training local medical professionals consistently," Li said. China has dispatched 22 medical teams to Zimbabwe since 1985, which played an important part in boosting the medical services in the southern African country. Alfredo Chavez, a cattle rancher and livestock technician, shows New World screwworm larvae removed from a cow at his ranch in Cintalapa, Chiapas, Mexico, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, amid an infestation that led the U.S. to suspend cattle imports over fears the pest could reach the border. (Isabel Mateos/Associated Press) For the first time in more than a century, a human case of a flesh-eating parasite has been reported in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The patient, who had recently traveled to El Salvador, is in Maryland, HHS spokesperson Andrew G. Nixon told Reuters. The case is being investigated by the Maryland Department of Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agencies confirmed on Aug. 4 that the patient was infected with New World screwworm (NWS) adding, The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low. What is New World screwworm? The fly larvae burrows into the flesh of living animals and can cause serious, often deadly, damage to the animal, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The larvae can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds and in rare cases, people. The name screwworm refers to the maggots feeding behavior as they burrow (screw) into the wound feeding as they go like a screw being driven into wood, the department explained. Maggots cause extensive damage by tearing at the hosts tissue with sharp mouth hooks. The wound can become larger and deepen as more maggots hatch and feed on the living tissue which can lead to further serious or deadly damage. Adult screwworm flies are roughly the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger). They have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body and three dark stripes along their backs. Screwworms were eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, in Mexico in the 1970s and in Central America in the early 2000s, the CDC reported. However, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras have recently documented cases, raising concerns about further spread, especially for U.S. residents traveling to areas where NWS are endemic. The pest has also impacted the cattle ranching, beef production and livestock trading industries, which could affect already record-high beef prices. Combatting the screwworm As a potential remedy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is constructing a facility in Texas to produce sterile flies. This strategy aims to prevent the growth of the screwworm population and protect the states and nations cattle industries. The project is estimated to cost $750 million, according to Reuters. The United States has defeated NWS before and we will do it again, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said in a USDA statement. We do not take lightly the threat NWS poses to our livestock industry, our economy, and our food supply chain. A 57-year-old man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries after being pulled out of the water off Nahant Short Beach Saturday afternoon, officials said. Nahant police and firefighters went to the beach around 3:22 p.m. for reports of an individual in distress in the water, said Police Chief Timothy Furlong and Fire Chief Austin Antrim in a joint statement. Officials determined the man was riding a surfboard-like water toy before being found in the water. The man was brought to shore by students at Swampscott and Nahant public schools, The Daily Item reported. On shore, an off-duty Cambridge firefighter and off-duty nurse began life-saving measures on the man before first responders arrived, according to the statement. First responders took the man, who is from Nahant, to a hospital with serious injuries. There were no updates on the mans condition on Sunday. A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a pickup truck on Route 1A in Ipswich Sunday afternoon, according to the Essex County District Attorneys Office. Ipswich police were called to the crash on High Street near the Dow Brook Conservation Area around 4 p.m., the district attorneys office said in an email. They found that the motorcycle had collided with a Dodge pickup truck. The motorcyclist a 72-year-old Gloucester man was declared dead at the scene, the district attorneys office said. The pickup truck driver stayed at the scene. The crash is being investigated by the Ipswich Police Department, Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, State Police Crime Scene Services Section and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the district attorneys office said. No further information has been released. One person was flown to a hospital and three others were injured in a three-vehicle crash on Cape Cod Sunday morning, according to police. Orleans police were notified of a head-on crash between two vehicles at 191 Route 6A around 8 a.m., the police department said in a press release. Police and firefighters responded and found that three vehicles had crashed in two separate collisions, and that all involved vehicles had stayed at the scene. One person was flown by medical helicopter to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, police said. Ambulances from Harwich, Eastham and Brewster as well as Orleans responded to the scene, and three other people involved in the crash were taken to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. Photos of the scene shared to social media showed two light-colored pickup trucks involved in the crash. A regional Cape Cod crash reconstruction team is investigating the collisions, police said. Anyone with information about the crashes is asked to call Orleans Police Officer Carly Stevens at (508) 255-0117 or cstevens@orleanspd.com. A suspended firefighter from Millbury was sentenced to eight to 10 years in prison on Monday, less than a week after he was convicted of the rape of a 15-year-old girl in 2021, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.s office said. The jury found Colton Paszkowski, 27, guilty of six counts of rape of a child and not guilty of one count of witness intimidation, Earlys office said in a statement on Tuesday. His bail was revoked and Paszkowski was taken into custody. After his release, Paszkowski will be on probation for three years, the statement read. This includes that he stay away from the victim and her family, have no employment where he is in frequent contact with children under 16 and register as a sex offender. When the victim testified, she said her life was like being blindfolded on a rollercoaster, the Telegram & Gazette reported Monday. She lived with depression and lost her ambition and motivation. She asked Superior Court Judge William J. Ritter to consider her when making a sentencing decision. Ritter praised her for her testimony and said that the age difference between the two justified a higher sentencing, the newspaper wrote. In 2021, a 15-year-old high school student and her mother reported that the girl had been sexually assaulted by Paszkowski on several occasions, MassLive reported in 2022. The girl told authorities in 2021 that Paszkowski was a horse farrier working with the girls familys horses, MassLive reported. She said he assaulted her once in Northbridge, followed by two more incidents in Sutton and Millbury. The accusations were corroborated by text messages that the Millbury Police Department had on file, resulting in an arrest warrant. Paszkowski lost his horse farrier job and was placed on unpaid leave from the Millbury Fire Department until his case is solved, Millbury Fire Chief Brian K. Gasco told the Telegram & Gazette in 2022. Justin Slaten might not need another rehab appearance before returning. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) Getty Images NEW YORK By the time the Red Sox return home after four games in Baltimore this week, theyll likely have some key players back from the injured list. Rob Refsnyder (oblique), Wilyer Abreu (calf) and Justin Slaten (shoulder/neck) are all trending toward returning in the coming days, manager Alex Cora said Sunday. Refsnyder, who has been out since August 15, can come back as soon as Monday and it seems he feels good enough to do so. Slaten made another rehab appearance in Worcester on Sunday and might not need another outing before being activated. Abreu, who was placed on the IL on Friday after battling calf tightness for a few days, is scheduled to run at Camden Yards on Monday, a significant step toward a return. Refsnyder will almost certainly be back before Abreu, though the Red Sox dont face a left-handed starter until Thursday, when Cade Povich is scheduled to pitch for the Os. Cora noted that Baltimore has left-handed relievers, too, though, so its possible Refsnyder comes back early in the week. Having him against lefties, thats something we love, said Cora. He has missed three this week. We get one in Baltimore. We miss (Trevor) Rogers. It appears rookie Jhostynxon Garcia and call-up Nate Eaton will be the odd men out when Refsnyder and Abreu return. Abreu will be eligible to come off the IL on Thursday, when the Sox face Baltimore for the final time. Slaten, who hasnt pitched since May 28 due to a nerve issue in his shoulder and neck, needed just eight pitches in a scoreless fourth inning at Polar Park on Sunday. In his three rehab games, he has allowed one hit and an unearned run while striking out five. The Red Sox will see how Slaten feels Monday and theres a possibility hell be in Baltimore, too. BETTING: For Mondays game versus Baltimore, Red Sox -1.5 runline is listed at +140 on For Mondays game versus Baltimore, Red Sox -1.5 runline is listed at +140 on BetMGM . Our complete BetMGM Sportsbook review will show you how to register and use their site. When he does return, Slaten will reinforce a strong back-end bullpen mix that has been carried by Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman all season. It depends on how he feels tomorrow. Tomorrow is a big day. Then well decide what were doing, Cora said. Were not rushing him. Hes too important for us. Where were at right now, it doesnt make any sense to do that. Yesterday, I texted with him. Hes feeling great and feels like hes ready. A cold front moving into Massachusetts on Monday could bring some showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. A weak low-pressure system is set to pass through ahead of the front, bringing some showers to Cape Cod and the islands. The majority of the showers should be over by mid-morning. The front will move in from the west later in the day into the evening. As it does, there is a chance for some showers and storms in the afternoon. But National Weather Service forecasters say there is a low likelihood any storms that do form will be severe. Any storms that do materialize are likely to arrive between 3 and 6 p.m. Still, there is a fairly low chance any storms will actually arrive, forecasters said. Temperatures could fall to the low to mid-50s in the interior Monday night as the front moves through. In the wake of the front, a cooler airmass will settle in over southern New England through the remainder of the week. High temperatures are expected to stay mainly in the mid-70s this week, with much cooler conditions at night. Overnight lows could drop below the high 40s in some areas of higher elevation. The next chance for precipitation comes later Thursday into Friday, but details such as amounts, exact timing [and] coverage are less certain, forecasters wrote. Achill Island RNLI were requested by the Irish Coast Guard to come to the assistance of a man initially reported to be in difficulty at Annagh Beach shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday last, August 23. Annagh Beach, on the north side of Achill Island, is inaccessible by road, and as a result, the Achill Coast Guard unit and Sligo-based helicopter, Rescue 118, were also requested to attend. The 'Sam and Ada Moody quickly launched with a crew of 7 on board. The lifeboat slipped her moorings about 2 hours before high water with southerly winds at the time. The passage took the volunteer crew past Keel Beach and Keem Bay and around Achill Head on the western tip of Achill Island, before continuing to Annagh Beach on the north of the island. Rescue 118, the local Coast Guard unit and the Achill all-weather lifeboat all arrived on scene within minutes of each other. The casualty was with his wife and two friends on the beach when he became unwell. A local doctor happened to be nearby and kindly offered assistance to the man. The services on scene consulted with each other and a decision was reached for the local Coast Guard unit to transfer the man, his wife and 2 friends, to the lifeboat which was standing by approximately 50 yards from the beach. Once safely on board the lifeboat the man was reassessed by the volunteer crew and casualty care was administered. READ MORE: Gardai seeking witnesses to alleged assault in Mayo town On leaving the shelter of the bay, the lifeboat encountered one metre swells on her starboard beam on rounding the tip of the island. This meant that the crew had to adjust the speed of the lifeboat for the comfort of their casualty and passengers on board, making the return journey (approximately a 50 mile round trip) somewhat longer than the outward journey. Meanwhile, the National Ambulance Service was requested to meet the Achill lifeboat at Ce Bheag pier, close to Achill Island RNLI Lifeboat Station. Shore crew from the station were present to ensure that the pier was clear for the lifeboat to come alongside at approximately 6.30pm.The man was then carefully transferred to the care of the waiting ambulance crew for further assessment and onward transfer to hospital. Speaking after the call out, Achill Island RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Eilish Power, said: This is yet another example of a professionally coordinated multi-agency plan coming together for this man, whose day ended very differently to how he had planned it. We wish him a speedy recovery after his frightening ordeal. Thankfully, the right decision was made to call for help immediately so that all the necessary resources could provide the assistance he required. We thank everyone involved for their help. Eilish continued: This is the third multi-agency call out in a week involving our volunteer crew. We train together regularly for incidents such as these, which makes everyones task much easier. We remind people to never hesitate to make that call for help. If you see someone in difficulty on or near the water, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard. Mayo TikTok sensation Garron Noone stole the show at Croke Park on Saturday night when he joined Robbie Williams on stage in front of 80,000 fans, in a moment that few in the crowd will forget, for more than one reason. The Ballina native, who has a massive 2.1 million TikTok followers was invited by Williams to perform a duet of John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads. Backed by The Fiddling Farrells, the collaboration brought the house down and lit up social media within minutes. After the concert, Noone admitted on TikTok that he had experienced some technical difficulties on stage, explaining: I had trouble hearing the monitors, so I was playing out of time for a little while. Spotting the issue, Williams' quickly stepped in to help his guest. Robbie stood in front of me and clapped so I could see the beat, and we were away again, said Noone who went on to praise the pop stars quick thinking and generosity. READ NEXT: Mario Rosenstock's impression of Mayo's Garron Noone labelled 'brutal' by listeners The pop superstar was also full of praise for Noone, telling the Croke Park crowd: Look after this man, hes f**ing delicious. The endorsement not only echoed Noones famous line, but also cemented the moment as one of the standout highlights of Williams Irish tour. For Noone, the performance carried added significance. Earlier this year, he announced he was taking a step back from live gigging to prioritise his mental health. Speaking candidly at the time, he shared his struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia, and thanked his followers for their support. Saturdays stadium appearance marked an emotional and triumphant return to live performance on the biggest of Irish stages. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Garron Noone (@garron_music) Reflecting on the experience afterwards, Noone told his fans: So I got to go up on stage with Robbie Williams in Croke Park last night, absolutely mental. Thanks a million to Robbie, not only the greatest entertainer but honestly an even better human being. Eighty thousand people there last night, thank you so much, you were so kind to me when I came out and stuck with me". Garron being announced as a guest on the night marked the second surprise for fans. Just the night before, on Friday evening, the pair delighted crowds at Dublins 37 Dawson Street, where Williams joined Noone for an impromptu singalong of Joe Dolans your such a good looking woman and a selection of other Irish favourites. The performance quickly went viral online, generating excitement ahead of the Croke Park concert. WOW Dublin - that was the BEST EVER.. I love you Ireland Rob x pic.twitter.com/rU4LlUlLsm Robbie Williams (@robbiewilliams) August 24, 2025 Noones meteoric rise from TikTok creator to national treasure has been one of Irelands most heart warming online stories in recent years. His blend of comedy, music, and openness about mental health has resonated far beyond his native Mayo, earning him fans of all ages. In 2024, Maddock Films announced Mahavatar, an epic mythological saga based on the life of the immortal Parshurama, which is touted to be their biggest movie to date. While the movie was slated for a Christmas 2026 release, the movie is now reportedly postponed and is now looking for the Independence Day 2027 weekend release. Mahavatar was earlier planned to go on floors towards the end of this year, but as per a PeepingMoon report, the shoot has now been rescheduled to April 2026. Instagram/Vicky Kaushal This shift makes it nearly impossible for the film to hit its originally intended December 2026 release. The delay is largely due to Vicky Kaushals packed calendar, as Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Love & War has stretched beyond its timeline, clashing with his availability. Adding to this, Vicky will have to undergo rigorous physical training to transform into Lord Parashurama for Amar Kaushiks ambitious project, which will also demand a six-month shoot followed by extensive VFX work. The report further mentioned that Maddock Films is considering shifting Mahavatar to the Independence Day 2027 weekend. However, that slot has already been earmarked for Stree 3, a key instalment in the studios popular horror-comedy universe. With this overlap, it remains to be seen whether Mahavatar will encounter another shuffle in its release plans or if the team will manage to move ahead without further disruptions despite the current setback. Shah Rukh Khans King To Fill The Spot? With Mahavatar vacating its original December 2026 slot, industry insiders speculate that Shah Rukh Khans much-anticipated film King could potentially take over that release date. The session aims to bring home the risks associated with material handling equipment The UKs largest logistics event will feature a courtroom drama with a difference this September, as organisers seek to highlight the life-changing consequences of health and safety breaches in the workplace. A mock trial will take centre stage at the IMHX Conference on 10 September, staged by the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) in partnership with leading industry figures. The session aims to bring home the risks associated with material handling equipment in the most memorable way yet attempted at the event. The trial will be led by Marta Tomlinson, Legal Director at Kennedys Law LLP, alongside Clare Bottle of UKWA and Stuart Taylor from Mentor Training. Organisers hope the scenario will resonate strongly with anyone working with, or around, forklifts and warehouse trucks. Running from 911 September at the NEC Birmingham, IMHX will also host a series of expert-led presentations alongside the courtroom session. Jeremy Leonard, Managing Director of Global Industry Services at Oxford Economics, will assess UK industrial truck demand in a challenging economic climate. Laura Nelson, CEO of RTITB, will present on Shaping a Safety-Driven Workforce. Powerfleet will deliver a session entitled The Hidden Warehouse Risk That Will Cost You Your Job, featuring Ingmar Schoemacher and Martijn Graat, founder of Logistics Matter and host of the Does Logistics Matter? podcast. These talks add to a packed agenda focused on sustainability strategies, smart technologies and operational excellence. Delegates will hear how AI-driven insights and data solutions are being used to cut costs and streamline warehouse operations, while recurring themes of safety, productivity and employee well-being will also be explored. Rob Fisher, Chief Executive Officer at the UKMHA, said: The risks associated with health and safety breaches are genuinely life-changing to both the injured party and the owners of the business involved. The challenge for us is how we can bring these pitfalls to life in the most memorable manner, so the message gets through. Were confident that well make a big impression through our mock trial, which is another example of us raising the bar and adding real substance to our offering at the exhibition. It is the first time that we have ever tried to execute a presentation in such a creative way and we think that it will leave a lasting impression with everyone who witnesses it. Visitor registration for IMHX 2025 is now open, with free entry available to professionals across warehousing, distribution, supply chain, e-commerce, retail and manufacturing. The forgotten Jacobite victory Overshadowed by Culloden the following year the battle that finally terminated the century-old Jacobite cause Prestonpans is little known. How did an army of Highland Scots outmanoeuvre the Redcoats at the marshes of the Firth of Forth? Chris Bambery researches the story. The Dawn March through the Riggonhead Defile, 21 September 1745 by Andrew Hillhouse. The Jacobite army is seen on the move in the foreground. Note the Hanoverian army in the background, holding a strong defensive position protected by marshland plus the buildings and walls of two farms. The Jacobites were able to outflank the Hanoverian position when told of a path through the marsh that brought them onto the enemys eastern flank on the morning of the battle. [Image: The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust] In September 1745, an army of British regulars mustered near the village of Prestonpans on the shores of the Firth of Forth. The commander of the Redcoats was Sir John Cope. He was supremely confident of victory. Although the two sides were equal in number, Cope had more cavalry and artillery, and his infantry was trained to deliver well-aimed volleys. Facing west, moreover towards Edinburgh, from which his opponents had marched there were the walls and dykes of two grand houses providing protection for his men. Prince Charles Edward Stuart (1720- 1788), the Jacobite Young Pretender, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie. His father, James Edward Stuart (1688-1766), the Old Pretender, was still alive at the time of the Forty-Five, so it was in his name that the rebellion was raised. Copes opponents were the Jacobite army raised in rebellion some weeks before by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the Young Pretender; he was the son of James Edward Stuart, the Old Pretender, who was in turn the son of King James II, ousted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Charless shock troops were Scottish Highland clansman, most of whom spoke Gaelic, and were regarded as barbarians by most Lowland Scots and the English. What was to happen at Prestonpans on 21 September 1745, however, was a signal humiliation for the British Army. The Jacobite Army On 19 August, Charles had raised the Jacobite standard at Glenfinnan in Lochaber in the Western Highlands. Some 1,500 Highlanders had mustered in his support, mainly from Clans Cameron, MacDonald, and MacDonnell. The latter had already fought a skirmish with Government forces near Spean Bridge to the east (where today a monument stands to the Commandos of the Second World War who trained there). A hundred men of the Royal Scots sent to reinforce the garrison at Fort William had been ambushed en route and forced to surrender. The commander of Government forces in Scotland, Cope had advanced north into the Highlands, but had chosen not to fight Charless army as it headed towards Perth, marched on to Inverness, and then passed down the coast to Aberdeen, where it took ship to Dunbar on the Firth of Forth, arriving there on 17 September. The Jacobites had taken Edinburgh virtually unopposed, though the Castle had refused to surrender. The Old Pretender is proclaimed King James III at Edinburgh Cross after the Jacobites capture the city in September 1745. The Jacobite army, supplied with 1,000 muskets found in the citys magazines, mustered at Duddingston, then a village outside Edinburgh. The total number of men was 2,500, with just 50 cavalry and one artillery piece, too old to be of much use but kept to bolster morale. They also had an able commander in Lord George Murray. Sir John Cope had roughly the same number of men, but, with more cavalry and six artillery pieces, was confident of victory. The Jacobite flank march As the Jacobite army marched eastwards, Cope ordered his men into a line running north to south, from the Firth of Forth to the edge of high ground, with cavalry and artillery on each flank and infantry in the centre. The Battle of Prestonpans, 21 September 1745, showing the route of the Jacobite night march, and the realignment of the armies. Click on the image for a larger view. [Map: Ian Bull] The Jacobites positioned themselves on the high ground to the south, but discovered that a bog lay between them and the enemy. A council of war failed to come up with an attack plan, and Charles and his men lay down to sleep in the open. During the night, a local man serving as an officer in the Jacobite army, Anderson of Whitburgh, came to Murray to tell him of a path through the bog. At 3am, the Jacobite army filed along the narrow path. It brought them to a position east of Copes army, with firm ground between the two forces. On the morning of 21 September, the Jacobite army lined up facing the enemy flank. The Redcoats were forced to redeploy to meet the threat. Cope ordered his artillery to open fire, but the effect was to trigger an immediate full-scale charge by the Jacobite army. The pace of this caught the Hanoverian troops by surprise, and gave them little time to reload their muskets after the first discharge. The Battle of Prestonpans 1745: the deployment of units prior to the Jacobite charge. Click on the image for a larger view. [Map: Ian Bull] The Jacobite attack The centre of the Jacobite line was slowed by soft ground, but the contingents on either flank surged forwards. They attacked Copes dragoons, who fled first to Edinburgh, where the governor of the Castle refused to admit them, threatening to open fire on them for their cowardice. Back on the battlefield, the Hanoverian infantry found themselves pinned by the advance of the Jacobite centre and under heavy attack on both the left and right flanks. Resistance began to crumble. Most of the Government losses occurred as the troops tried to flee the battlefield, and found themselves trapped between the walls of Preston and Bankton Houses. Just 170 of the infantry escaped, with 400 killed and the rest taken prisoner. A mere 30 Jacobites were killed and 70 were wounded. The Jacobites captured Copes artillery, supplies, and treasure chest. Cope and the Earls of Loudon and Home fled first to Coldstream and, on the following day, to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Cope was ridiculed as the commander who brought the news of his own defeat. A Jacobite song made fun of his flight: Hey! Johnnie Cope are ye waukin yet? Or are your drums a-beating yet? If ye were waukin I wad wait, Tae gang tae the coals in the morning. King George II was left with no sizeable force in Scotland, and in Edinburgh Prince Charles was left celebrating a stunning victory. Chris Bambery is a TV producer and presenter, a journalist, and an author. His books include A Peoples History of Scotland and The Second World War: a Marxist history. DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip Israeli strikes on a hospital in southern Gaza killed four journalists Monday, including a freelancer who worked for The Associated Press, according to health officials. Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist, freelanced for the AP during the war, as well as other news outlets. The AP said in a statement that it was shocked and saddened to learn of Dagga's death, along with those of other journalists. Two missiles hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, medical officials said. In all, 19 people were killed, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Gaza Health Ministrys records department. The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Comparatively, 18 journalists have been killed so far in Russias war in Ukraine, according to the CPJ. Dagga, who has a 13-year-old son who was evacuated from Gaza earlier in the war, frequently based herself at Nasser, most recently reporting on the hospital's doctors struggling to save children from starvation. Independent Arabia, the Arabic language version of the British Independent, said Dagga also worked with the organization. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, the AP said. Al Jazeera confirmed that its journalist Mohammed Salam was also among those who were killed in the Nasser strike. Reuters reported that its contractor cameraman Hussam al-Masri was killed and its contractor photographer Hatem Khaled wounded. It was not immediately clear who the fourth journalist killed was. The Israeli military said its troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital and that it would conduct an investigation into the incident. The military said it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. Thibaut Bruttin, the director general of Reporters Without Borders, said press freedom advocates had never seen such a severe step backward for reporters safety. He noted that journalists have been killed both in indiscriminate strikes and in targeted attacks that Israels military has acknowledged carrying out. They are doing everything they can to silence independent voices that are trying to report on Gaza, Bruttin said. In some cases, such as with Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, who was targeted and killed by Israel earlier this month, Israel has accused journalists in Gaza of being part of militant groups. Israels military asserted that al-Sharif had led a Hamas cell an allegation that Al Jazeera and al-Sharif previously dismissed as baseless. Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international media from covering the war. News organizations instead rely largely on Palestinian journalists in Gaza as well as residents to show the world what is happening there. Israel often questions the affiliations and biases of Palestinian journalists but doesnt permit others in. Many of the journalists working in Gaza are facing the same struggles to find food, for themselves and their families, as the people they are covering. In one of Dagga's last social media posts on Sunday, she published a selfie of herself. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Daggas son is 13, not 12. ___ Lidman reported from Jerusalem and Magdy from Cairo. Associated Press writer Sam Metz contributed from Jerusalem. North Vietnam's Best General Beat France at Dien Bien Phu, Then Failed With the Same Tactics Against Marines at Khe Sanh Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap earned his reputation as one of history's great military commanders on May 7, 1954, when 16,000 French... JAKARTA, Indonesia Indonesia and the United States began annual joint military exercises on Monday together with forces from a dozen other countries, as the U.S. pushes its allies to take threats from China more seriously. Hosted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces, this year's Super Garuda Shield focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape, said Gen. Tandyo Budi Revita, the military's Deputy Commander. It serves as a joint exercise where we stand together to respond every challenge quickly and precisely. he said in his speech at kick-off ceremony along with Admiral Samuel Paparo, the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The exercise has been held annually in Jakarta by U.S. and Indonesian soldiers since 2009. The list of participants expanded since 2022 to include Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Brazil and South Korea, bringing the total number of troops taking part in the drill to 6,500. Paparo said the expanded participants symbolizes a commitment to partnership and to the sovereignty of each country through mutual respect. It represents deterring anyone that would hope to change the facts on the ground using violence with the collective determination of all participants to uphold the principles of sovereignty, Paparo said. Jakarta has expressed concern about what it sees as Chinese encroachment on its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, while maintaining generally positive ties with Beijing. Several Asian countries also sent observers to the 11-day combat exercise in Jakarta and on Sumatra island. They will end on Sept. 4 with a combined live-fire drill. The expanded drills have sparked concern from China, which accused the U.S. of trying to build an Asian NATO to limit Chinas growing military and diplomatic influence in the region. During a recent speech in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned that seeking U.S. military support while relying on Chinese economic support carries risk. Hegseth said Washington has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to reassure allies alarmed by Beijings increasing military and economic pressure from China and provocative actions in the disputed South China Sea. Despite increased activities by Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing boats in the area have unnerved Jakarta, Indonesia has sought to avoid confrontation and continued economic initiatives with China. Jakartas decision to sidestep the issue is consistent with its longstanding policy of keeping friction with Beijing behind closed doors, especially given the scale of Chinese trade and investment in the Indonesian economy, said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama, researchers at the Center of Economic and Law Studies or CELIOS. "This dual-track diplomacy might seem inconsistent. But for Jakarta, it is strategic. Indonesia is embracing defense diversification, not alignment," said Rakhmat of CELIOS. The country has remained committed to Super Garuda Shield and continued purchasing U.S. and French arms and developing interoperability with Western militaries, he added. In a region defined by rising tensions and great power rivalry, Indonesias refusal to choose sides, at least in defense, might be its strongest asset," Rakhmat said. Air Force Global Strike Command has completed its inspection of Sig Sauer M18 handguns following the death of an airman last month and will resume using the highly scrutinized handgun. The inspection and pause was put in place following 21-year-old Airman Brayden Lovan's death from a firearm discharge involving an M18, a military variant of Sig Sauer's P320 firearm. Amid the inspections, Air Force officials announced earlier this month that a person had been arrested and is accused of suspicion of making a false official statement, obstruction of justice, and involuntary manslaughter. Read Next: Air Force Top Enlisted Leader Says Service Oath Isn't Made to 'Any Individual' Amid General's Retirement Military.com first confirmed that the restriction on the gun was being lifted Sunday afternoon, and the service issued a press release later in the day after being approached by the news organization. Security forces with Air Force Global Strike Command will resume using M18s that were inspected and deemed safe starting Monday, the release noted. "It is paramount that our airmen trust their weapon systems," Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC commander, said in the Sunday news release. "This thorough inspection ensures the M18s in our inventory are in optimal working order, providing our Defenders with safe, reliable and effective systems to accomplish their mission." Reports of the Sig Sauer handguns, both the military and civilian variants, allegedly firing without pulling the trigger have surfaced in recent years, though circumstances of the arrest and details about Lovan's death have not been publicly disclosed. Air Force Global Strike Command inspected 7,970 M18s following Lovan's death. Overall, the "inspection process identified discrepancies with 191 weapons across the command's M18 inventory," the command said in its news release. Issues identified with the handguns included component wear, as well as "problems with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear," the news release said. Firearms with issues were tagged and are being repaired. Air Force Global Strike Command also said in the news release that it is "implementing enhanced inspection procedures for the M18 pistol" but did not disclose what additional steps were being taken. Additionally, a review of weapons discharges throughout Air Force Global Strike Command showed none had been attributed to malfunctions, the news release stated. "By incorporating these added measures, we assess that any issues found with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear will be identified during semi-annual and annual inspections," Lt. Col. George Hern, AFGSC chief of security forces, said in the news release. "As we execute M18 inspections in the future, we will be taking a particular interest in these components to ensure these methods address the issues we found and make adjustments as needed." A statement provided by Sig Sauer to Military.com after publication applauded Air Force Global Strike Command's probe. The company said it hoped the investigation would also "satisfy the concerns of the ranges, training facilities and organizations" that stopped using the P320 series. "We applaud the USAF and the Global Strike Command in both their diligence and expediency in their investigation of this tragic incident, and we greatly value this further confirmation of the safety, reliability and durability of the P320-based M18 pistol," the gun manufacturer's statement said. "Sig Sauer remains a committed partner to the USAF and are extremely proud to continue to support their mission." Air Force Global Strike Command said in its Sunday evening statement that the "M18 is specifically designed and rigorously tested to meet stringent environmental, endurance and drop tests unique to the military." Editor's note: This story was updated with a statement from Sig Sauer. Related: Air Force Announces Arrest Related to Firearm Death of Airman That Prompted M18 Probe The National Guards role in law enforcement throughout the country could expand under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Monday. The order requires Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to create a specialized unit within the D.C. National Guard dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the nation's capital. Hegseth also is charged with establishing a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained and available for rapid nationwide deployment. Read Next: M18s Cleared for Use by Air Force Global Strike Command Following Airman's Death The Pentagon did not immediately have more details on its plans to implement the executive order, saying in an emailed statement Monday afternoon only that it is reviewing the order and its specific requirements and will provide updates or announcements as appropriate. It also did not answer a question on how the quick reaction force would differ from the current National Guard Reaction Force, which draws from existing units to respond to emergencies within eight hours. The executive action comes as Trump has threatened to replicate the National Guard deployments hes ordered in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles in other Democratic-run cities, and would represent a major escalation in his use of the military to exact political retribution. About 2,000 Guardsmen, more than half of whom were sent from out of town by Republican governors, are patrolling D.C. right now. Trump has cast the deployment as necessary to combat rampant crime, but local and federal statistics show violent crime in D.C. is at a 30-year low. The Guardsmen, some of whom are now armed, are mostly patrolling low-crime tourist areas. They are also preparing to essentially perform community service, such as trash cleanup. The D.C. deployment came after Trump ordered about 4,000 Guardsmen and 700 Marines to mobilize in Los Angeles earlier this summer in response to protests against his administrations aggressive immigration raids. Contrary to the administrations depictions of Los Angeles as consumed by violent rioters, the protests were mostly peaceful and confined to a few blocks downtown. In recent days, Trump has made clear he plans to expand those types of deployments throughout the country. He has singled out Chicago and New York City, and on Sunday, also threatened to target Baltimore. Were ready to go anywhere, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during Mondays executive order signing when asked whether hes preparing to deploy troops to Chicago. Trump can unilaterally deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C., since the district is not a state. But in other jurisdictions, he may be faced with a complex web of legal authorities. For example, the Los Angeles deployment sparked a lawsuit by California officials arguing Trump usurped states rights. Still, Mondays executive order suggests he is preparing for more widespread Guard deployments. In addition to creating a standing quick reaction force, the order tasks Hegseth with ensuring Guardsmen across the country are prepared to assist law enforcement with quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate. Hegseth must also designate an appropriate number of each state's trained National Guard members to be reasonably available for rapid mobilization to help law enforcement, the order says. In the specialized law enforcement unit in the D.C. National Guard, the Guardsmen will be deputized to enforce federal law, according to the order. Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Security Project, called Trumps threats to expand military deployments unjustified and dangerous. President Trumps escalating threats directly undermine our foundational value that the military should not be policing civilians, create legal jeopardy for service members and federal agents, and put regular people going about their lives at high risk of having their rights violated, Shamsi said in a statement Monday. Governors and other state and local leaders must stay strong and take all lawful measures to protect their residents against the presidents repeated attempts to intimidate us. Related: Guardsmen Patrolling DC Will Soon Be Armed, Pentagon Says The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration. Earlier this year, speaking at a press conference in Qatar, President Donald Trump categorically declared that nobody can beat us. He continued, We have the strongest military in the world, by far. Not China, not Russia, not anybody! We do have a strong military, but we are woefully unprepared to fight a modern war. Thats because, despite all of the major technological advances in warfighting in recent years, manpower is still absolutely critical, and understanding how those boots on the ground interact with emerging drone warfare is still in its infancy in the U.S. military. Ground warfare has evolved over the past three and a half years since Russia invaded Ukraine. I've spent considerable time studying this conflict from strategic, operational and tactical angles, and Ive conducted multiple interviews with combatants on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. The picture that emerges explains not only why Russias progress is slow and Ukraine is gradually losing ground, but also why the U.S. would face serious challenges if forced into a similar fight today. Some have argued that Russia has failed to completely conquer Ukraine because Russian generals and soldiers are of poor quality. That conclusion ignores the genuinely game-changing nature of drones on the conduct of land warfare. There isnt one category or type of drone that is game-changing by itself, but rather the categories of drones and the ways they can be employed in concert with other drones and legacy platforms and soldiers. There are primarily four main classes of drones: first-person view (FPV) drones that fly explosive charges directly into vehicles or soldiers, bomber drones that fly over a target and release bombs, missile-carrying drones, and reconnaissance drones. Despite endless talk about game-changing weapons, only the widespread deployment of drones has truly altered the nature of this war. Armored vehicles remain essential for transporting infantry to the front, but they cant move in large numbers without suffering catastrophic losses. Traditional armored charges such as the type I participated in during Desert Storms Battle of 73 Easting are deadly in todays battlefield conditions. Russia has increasingly turned to motorcycles to improve frontline mobility not because they offer protection, but because their speed and maneuverability improve their chances of defeating drone attacks. No armored vehicle can dodge an FPV or fiber optic-guided drone, but a motorcycle might. As a result, every inch of ground in modern war is contested: by various types of drones, artillery strikes, missiles, rockets, air attacks, armored vehicle cannons, and infantry attacks. Both sides in the Russia-Ukraine War have suffered high vehicle losses. Fighters from both Russia and Ukraine have told me that stepping out of a trench for any reason, even to eat or relieve themselves is extraordinarily dangerous. Any movement above ground can be spotted and targeted by drones within minutes. Reconnaissance drones scan likely targets and guide attack drones to strike. Others simply loiter above the battlefield, waiting for an opportunity. This is why manpower is still the decisive factor: Drones and air attacks can be devastating, but it takes boots on the ground to either take territory or hold it. This is where Russias biggest advantages have come into play in this war of attrition. Russia has millions more men of military age to draw from than Ukraine, and Moscow has chosen to limit its manpower losses and play up its firepower advantages. Rather than launching costly frontal assaults, Russian forces now frequently flank Ukrainian positions and cities, saturating them first with artillery and glide bombs, then using drones to pin down defenders, and only then send in the infantry to seize territory. This has sobering implications for the United States and NATO. We do not know how to fight this kind of war. Only recently has the Pentagon begun taking drone warfare seriously something that should have happened after the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict. Better late than never, perhaps, but the deeper problem is cultural and doctrinal. We still think in terms of maneuver warfare, shock and awe, and rapid dominance. Those concepts no longer apply in peer-on-peer conflicts like this one. Russia needed nearly two years to discard its outdated views on modern war. It adapted. We havent. Earlier this month, the Ukrainian military even mocked the U.S. Armys newly updated field manual for the Tank Platoon, saying flat-out that our doctrines are detached from current battlefield realities. Todays U.S. armed ofrces no doubt have skills, quality personnel, and good equipment. But we are far behind in understanding how to fight modern wars. It took both Russia and Ukraine the better part of a year and a half to fully recognize how all the classes of drones have changed the nature of war. Both sides paid an exorbitant price in blood to learn those lessons. The U.S. Army has studied the conflict and just last month published a compendium on examining the changing nature of war. Thats useful and good. But intellectual knowledge alone wont help you in the next fight. Weve got to make profound and fundamental changes now to have a chance to avoid disaster when next we fight on the ground. If the Pentagon was taking this seriously, leaders wouldnt have merely published a report. They would be urgently changing our fighting doctrine, systems of equipment, types of ordnance and the like to enable and equip our troops to successfully wage war in this new world of conflict. Yet there is little evidence theyve done any of those things. History is filled with the wreckage of once-powerful armies that failed to change with the times and suffered avoidable defeats in subsequent wars. If we are to avoid that sad tradition, major changes must be made, immediately and with urgency. Otherwise, we will pay in blood later for what we should have done today. Daniel L. Davis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel with four combat deployments. He is presently a senior fellow with Defense Priorities and host of the Daniel Davis Deep Dive show on YouTube. Shortly after striking his head on the ground upon landing, Navy fighter pilot Anthony Roy began to collect pieces of airplane. As he did, a family that had witnessed his descent in a parachute approached him. With Roy's arms full of plane fragments, the curious onlookers inquired about his well-being. "They get out [of their car], like, 'Are you OK?' 'Yeah, I'm OK,'" Roy recounted in a recent episode of The Fighter Pilot Podcast. "'You're in shock.' 'I'm not in shock.'" Roy hesitated for a brief second before acknowledging the truth. "Obviously, I was in shock." Roy chuckled at the absurdity of surviving a fatal midair collision with a fighter jet he never saw coming. That incident on June 13, 2008, near Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada became the basis for a series of podcasts called "The Merge" -- a term referring to the point when two or more fighter aircraft meet visually. Recorded in 2021, "The Merge" covers seven episodes and chronicles how that accident has affected those directly involved as well as their friends, family and squadron mates. The Fighter Pilot Podcast began rerunning "The Merge" in mid-July, and the final installment of the series is set to be available Tuesday on the podcast's website. Read Next: 2 Elite Marine Corps Pilots Reveal What It's Like to Fly a F-35B Fighter Jet What Happened? The cloudless skies over Naval Air Station Fallon, located 70 miles east of Reno, seemed perfect for flying that day. Aviators were conducting a large-force exercise, with some of the aircraft assuming the role of adversaries. Aboard a F-5F Tiger II dual-seat tactical fighter, Roy -- part of the VFC 13 "Flying Saints" squadron -- and U.S. Naval Academy midshipman Andy Christopher were among those "bad guys" during this training. In his first time in a Navy aircraft, Christopher was there to observe. The flight started off normally as Roy calmly pointed out various sights to Christopher as they moved into position. Roy was flying at roughly 13,500 feet and said on the podcast that he was beginning to feel apprehensive shortly before the collision because there were aircraft in his area that he did not expect. Roy was in the middle of a left-hand turn when something jolted his F-5F Tiger II. While Roy immediately knew what happened, Christopher was not aware another aircraft hit them because of his position in the aircraft. Both pulled the handles on their ejection seats, with Roy describing the time between when the motor stopped running on his seat until his parachute blossomed as "the longest eight seconds of my life." A F-5F Tiger II 741547 is shown at Naval Air Station Atlanta in 1979. (Wikimedia Commons) "The jerk of the chute opening was the most glorious moment of my life," Roy said in Episode 3 of "The Merge." "The first thing I thought was, 'I'm going to go home. I'm going to hug my wife. I'm going to make babies. I'm going to live right. I'm going to live clean, thank God. [It was] just this huge burst of joy." Roy recalled that his emotions immediately shifted from euphoria to anger, with questions swirling through his mind at supersonic speed: What happened? How could I have been hit? What was that guy thinking? The collision killed 28-year-old Lt. Jeremy Wise, whose F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet blindsided Roy's F-5F Tiger II. Roy and Christopher were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to a Fallon spokesman at the time. 'The First Gut Punch' Capt. Brian Emme served as Wise's class adviser during Fleet Replacement Squadron training. In Episode 4 of "The Merge," he described Wise as an inquisitive and attentive student and a capable wingman. Emme recognized the first sign of trouble on June 13 when he looked to his right and noticed a tremendous flash and the F-5F Tiger II beginning to fall apart. Not long after, the decimated aircraft struck the desert floor and exploded. In those frightful moments, Emme was unsure what exactly happened or who was involved in the collision. When the strike lead initiated a roll call and Wise did not respond, Emme first realized his wingman might have been involved. After Emme received confirmation that Wise had died, he was understandably shaken. "That was the first gut punch from me hearing it from somebody," he recalled. Nonetheless, Emme's squadron ventured out to the crash site roughly 110 miles east of Reno the next day, hoping to discover any evidence that Wise might have survived. The death of his wingman changed how Emme approached being a flight leader, saying from that point forward, he exercised more caution during any exercises that put two or more aircraft in close proximity to each other. "At the end of the day, the goal is for all of us to go home," Emme said. Unfortunately, Wise never got that chance. "My wife has always asked me, 'How did you make the decision to eject?'" Roy recounted on "The Merge." "The decision was instantaneous. I knew immediately. Everything changed. The plane was no longer controllable." You can listen to every episode of "The Merge" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Overcast by going to The Fighter Pilot Podcast's website. Want to Know More About the Military? Be sure to get the latest news about the U.S. military, as well as critical info about how to join and all the benefits of service. Subscribe to Military.com and receive customized updates delivered straight to your inbox. Children swim and play at Ocqueoc Falls near Alpena. The largest waterfall in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, it cuts through limestone bedrock to create a perfect swimming hole. David Kenyon | Michigan Department of Natural Resources Looking for a quiet, secluded place to take a dip as the end of summer looms? This is the list for you. Mixbook, a photo book company, asked users across the country to share their favorite places to swim. The list of the top 150 secret swims in the U.S. was created from the responses of more than 3,000 people. Included on that list are three places in Michigan, each featuring a picturesque waterfall. Two are in the Upper Peninsula. The states top-rated spot is the limestone swimming hole created by the largest waterfall in Lower Michigan. Ocqueoc Falls comes in at No. 67. Pronounced Ah-key-ock, the waterfall has four small rapids dropping about five feet, a pool for splashing and universally accessible features. The Ocqueoc River cuts through limestone bedrock to create the popular swimming hole. Find it at at the Ocqueoc Falls Bicentennial Pathway or GPS coordinates 45.394186469099999, -84.055888973400002; its a 50-minute drive from Alpena. RELATED: Largest waterfall in Lower Michigan cuts through limestone bedrock for perfect swimming hole At No. 78, we find the next Michigan spot: Dead River Falls near Marquette. Tucked along a forested stretch of the Dead River, this series of waterfalls leads to quiet plunge pools beneath rugged cliffs, according to Mixbook. The main waterfall drops into a deep, crystal-clear basin, and nearby cascades offer smaller pools ideal for a cool, private swim. Hungarian Falls is an easily accessible waterfall in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. Visit Keweenaw Michigans final entry on this list is Hungarian Falls near Hubbell in the Keweenaw Peninsula, coming in at No. 132. This multi-tiered cascading waterfall is on a short rustic trail where Dover Creek makes its way to Torch Lake. There are three separate drops with the best swimming area being at the bottom of the middle falls, according to Mixbook. RELATED: Waterfalls roar amid spring snowmelt in Michigans northernmost peninsula Here are Mixbooks top 10 secret swims: Two men and two 5-year-old children were rescued after they got lost in a swamp in Northern Michigan. MLive.com File Photo KALKASKA COUNTY, MI -- Two men and two 5-year-old children were rescued after they got lost in a swamp in Northern Michigan. According to the Kalkaska County Sheriffs Office, the search for the group began around 12:52 a.m. on Sunday after a woman reported they didnt return to the Lake Skegemog boat launch. Deputies began searching the area and were eventually joined by a Michigan State Police Aviation Unit and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources after sunrise. Conservation officers eventually spotted smoke along the shoreline on the far southeast side of Lake Skegemog while patrolling in a boat. The group told officers that they had gotten lost and that their only cell phone had run out of battery. All four were rescued, medically cleared and released, deputies said. The Kalkaska County Sheriffs Office would like to remind everyone venturing into the wild to carry basic survival supplies, no matter how long or short you are planning to stay, a statement said. The Whitewater Township Fire Department and Kalkaska EMS also responded to the scene. Health officials stress importance of immunizations as measles, mumps and whooping cough cases increase across the state. Pictured are Northeast kindergarten students in Jackson Public Schools on the first day of school on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. Abra Richardson | MLive.com A new school year is upon us, bringing with it a long list of to-dos for Michigan parents. Among the top priorities, according to health officials, is ensuring children are up-to-date on their recommended vaccinations. Michigan requires all kindergarteners, seventh graders, and students entering a new school district to be caught up on a series of recommended vaccines. With preventable diseases like measles, mumps and pertussis (whooping cough) making a comeback in recent years, health officials have reiterated the importance of vaccination. Public schools in Michigan officially start the 2025-26 school year Sept. 2 but many school districts have reopened or will open their doors this week. Below are key takeaways for parents as they prepare for the new academic year. Whats required? Students entering kindergarten or transferring districts must get the following vaccinations: Four doses of DTP or DTaP against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. One dose must be at or after 4 years of age. Four doses of polio vaccine, or three doses if the third dose was given at or after 4 years of age. Two doses of the MMR vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella. Three doses of the Hepatitis B vaccine. Two doses of the varicella vaccine against chickenpox, or current lab immunity/history of varicella disease. In addition to those immunizations, students entering seventh grade or transferring districts by the age of 11 are advised to get: One dose of Tdap against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. One dose of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) which protects against disease caused by four types of bacteria meningitidis. These vaccines are recommended by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and American Academy of Pediatrics. There are some exceptions Michigan is one of the most lenient states in allowing students to waive that requirement for medical, philosophical or religious reasons. Parents who decline to get their children vaccinated for non-medical reasons can get a waiver from their local health department. Before securing a waiver, parents must be educated on the risks and benefits of vaccination vs. declining immunization. During the 2024-25 school year, about 6.2% of the more than 351,000 kindergarten, seventh grade and new entrant students had a waiver secured by their parents. That was up from 5.7% the previous year, and double the rate from 2015 (3.1%). Of the 21,500 Michigan students whose parents declined to get them vaccinated, 57.6% said it was for philosophical reasons, 39.3% called it a religious decision and 3.5% were for medical reasons. Whats the vaccination status of my kids school? Each fall, the state health department publishes the prior years vaccination and waiver rates by school building. About 90% of students were fully vaccinated entering the 2024 school year, which was down from 94% in 2017. The remaining students either got a waiver or were in a dose waiting period and thus their status was incomplete when the data was collected. Related: Michigan emergency room sees the scary side of vaccine hesitancy Public schools tend to have higher vaccination rates. Last year, 90.6% of students were caught up on their shots, while 5.7% had waivers. For private schools, 82.2% were fully vaccinated and 11.7% had waivers. Below is a searchable database of last years rates. Type in a school, district or county to see its latest available data. What about my communitys vaccination status? Using school-level data published by the state, MLive calculated the vaccine waiver rate for all 83 counties. The highest waiver rate -- 22.2% -- belonged to Houghton County in the Upper Peninsula. Other top counties included Benzie, Lapeer, Livingston and Kalkaska. Meanwhile, 15 counties had a waiver rate less than 5%, including Muskegon (4.9%), Kalamazoo (4.9%), Ingham (4.6%), Kent (4.6%), Bay (3.8%), Saginaw (3.3%) and Keweenaw (0%). How can I learn more about vaccines? Your childs pediatrician is a great resource to learn about the benefits and risks associated with vaccines and the diseases they aim to prevent. The state health department has a website for parents who want to learn more about available vaccines. Other useful resources include the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Michigan also partners with the I Vaccinate campaign, which was founded by Veronica Valentine McNally, whose daughter died of whooping cough in 2012. For more information, visit ivaccinate.org. The Menominee River is on the Michigan-Wisconsin border. Two people have been arrested after a 13-year-old drowned in a river that forms a Michigan-Wisconsin border. According to the Marinette Police Department, the teen from Marinette drowned in the Menominee River on Aug. 20. He has since been identified as Jakob Bowerman. Police responded to the scene at 1:33 p.m. where officers used a lifeboat to remove Bowerman from the river. Lifesaving efforts were started immediately before he was taken to Aurora Medical Center-Bay Area and later to St. Vincents Hospital in Green Bay. He died on Aug. 23, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser. More than $10,600 has been raised. A 16-year-old and a 21-year-old were both arrested after further investigation. Police did not elaborate on the circumstances around the drowning or the arrests. His family is devastated as they hold on to every precious moment with him, another fundraiser said. While they face overwhelming grief, the family is also met with unexpected financial burdens medical expenses, time away from work, and the heartbreaking arrangements no parent should ever have to plan. Police were assisted by numerous injuries including the Menominee Police Department, Marinette Fire Department, Menominee Fire Department and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A man took a boat out on Lake Michigan on Friday evening and hasnt been seen since. The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for 51-year-old Charlie Brown, officials announced. They are also seeking information from the public regarding his whereabouts. Brown was last seen Friday evening as he departed on the Rossa, a sailboat, from McKinley Marina in Milwaukee, Wis. He has not returned to the marina. Anyone with information is asked to contact the USCG Sector Lake Michigan Command Center at 414-747-7182. The man is in critical condition after the incident in Dearborn. DEARBORN, MI A Michigan man who was intentionally hit by vehicle in Dearborn expressed concern for his safety days before the incident. According to the Dearborn Police Department, the man is in critical condition after a 38-year-old Dearborn resident crossed into the eastbound lanes of Michigan Avenue, accelerated, and struck him with a dark SUV at 10:45 p.m. on Aug. 23. Officers responded to the scene near Howe Street and determined the act was intentional. Witnesses followed the fleeing SUV and observed that the driver had abandoned the vehicle several blocks away before fleeing on foot. A driver later called and identified himself. He was arrested at home without incident. Dearborn police said that prior to this incident, the victim visited the police station to express concern for his safety and request an update on an alleged assault that occurred on Aug. 21. The interaction between the officer and the victim during that visit is currently under internal review. Public safety is our highest priority, and we take every concern seriously. We understand the community has questions and are committed to ensuring trust through transparency and accountability, said Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin. A Michigan woman is accused of embezzling more than $2 million from her employer. MLive file photo NEW BOSTON, MI A Michigan woman is accused of embezzling more than $2 million from her employer. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against Susan OHara, 56, of New Boston, last week. As an employee of General RV Center in Wixom, she allegedly used her access to systems and client information to issue checks to a person whose identity she assumed and cashed those checks. She has been charged with three counts of embezzlement $100,000 or more, using a computer to commit a crime, forgery and identity theft. Financial crimes cause real harm to Michigan businesses and consumers, Nessel said. I want to thank the Wixom Police Department for their investigative work and for referring this case to my office. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who abuse their positions for personal gain. OHara will next appear in the 33rd District Court on Sept. 2. The Food and Drug Administration has recalled three more lots of frozen shrimp over concerns the products may be contaminated with a radionuclide (Cesium-137). The recall applies to a limited quantity of Great Value frozen raw shrimp EZ-peel & deveined tail-on 21-25 per pound packages. The packages were distributed and sold at Walmart locations in: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. The recall applies to packages with a UPC code of 078742133898, a best-by date of 3/15/2027 and lot codes 8005538-1, 8005539-1, and 8005540-1. Customers who have any of the recalled packages are advised not to consume the shrimp. The products should be thrown away or returned to their place of purchase for a full refund. No illnesses have been reported in connection with the issue. Last week, the FDA announced a pair of recalls connected to several types of frozen shrimp because of the possible presence of Cs-137. According to the FDA, Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is man-made through nuclear reactions. Although trace amounts can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air, the FDA monitors for the radioisotope. Any unexpected findings of the radioisotope may require further testing. The primary health effect of concern following longer term, repeated low dose exposure (e.g., through consumption of contaminated food or water over time) is an elevated risk of cancer, resulting from damage to DNA within living cells of the body, reads a portion of the recall notice. The recalls came after the FDA warned of shrimp that were produced by Indonesia-based PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati. Testing on shrimp trying to enter the U.S. came back positive or alerted for Cs-137. Although the shipments of possibly contaminated shrimp were stopped, the FDA says implicated raw frozen shrimp that was imported after the date of first detection of Cs-137. While testing has not confirmed the presence of contamination in any product distributed in the U.S., the FDA warns against eating or serving any products that match the descriptions of the ones barred from entering the country. Transportation officials are highlighting deteriorating infrastructure across the state while lawmakers remain at a standstill over funding solutions. Pictured is a screenshot from an overhead video capturing traffic at the interchange of I-75 and I-69 in Genesee County. (Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation) Courtesy photo | MDOT Flints I-75/I-69 interchange is a key driver for commerce, commuter and tourism traffic. The key Michigan corridor is also in need of an expensive rebuild and redesign as eight of its bridges sat in poor or serious condition as of this summer, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Transportation officials have begun highlighting key areas of the state trunkline that are in need of large-dollar fixes as an effort to sway lawmakers toward increasing long-term road funding. At this rate, by decades end, nearly 50 percent of state routes, which carry 53 percent of total traffic and 80 percent of commercial traffic, will be in poor condition, said MDOT Director Bradley Wieferich in a prepared statement. Without additional investment, those projections will get worse. Rebuilding the I-75/I-69 interchange would cost an estimated $1.3 billion, according to MDOT. A $5.5 million Band-aid is planned for 2030 to replace the deck on the northbound I-75 flyover to westbound I-69 and buy the state time to fund the full reconstruction. If the condition worsens and the bridge has to be closed to traffic for safety reasons, officials said it would cause significant disruptions. More than 9,000 vehicles use the bridge daily. Were trying very hard to not have that happen, said Marissa Irish, a regional bridge engineer for MDOT. Its an interchange thats already deficient in its level of service. Its already congested and backlogged. Related: Michigan bridge funding crisis: More than 100 bridges at risk of closure by 2035 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said increased funding is a priority, as have leaders from the state House and Senate. Whitmer announced her proposal in February, and the Republican-led House passed their proposal in March. As of mid-August, the Senate hadnt touched the House-passed bill package, or introduced one of its own. Lawmakers have said theyre willing to negotiate, but the issue remains at a standstill. Below are five additional bridges highlighted by MDOT in recent days as needing more funding to prevent closures over the next decade. I-96 in Wayne County The I-96/M-39 interchange handles about 300,000 drivers per day. There are 19 bridges in the area, stacked four high in some places. One such bridge -- I-96 over M-39 -- is 55 years old and at risk of closing by 2035 if it isnt rebuilt before then. A bridge closure would mean 45,000 drivers needing to find another avenue through the area. MDOTs Metro Region is made up of three counties. It has 180 bridges in poor condition, with 37 at risk of closing by 2035. Officials said the region gets enough annual funding to replace one bridge and make a handful of restoration fixes to other local bridges. I-94 in Berrien County The I-94 bridge over M-140 in Watervliet has been rated in poor condition for more than 25 years. Its expected to cost at least $12.5 million to fix. If the bridge is forced to close, it would mean a 7-mile detour and an economic loss of about $190,000 per day, according to Tim Sutherland, the city manager and police chief. U.S. 31 in Muskegon County The U.S. 31 Business Route bridge over the White Lake channel is known locally as Thompson Street/Dowling Street. It connects Whitehall and Montague. Officials said the bridge, which has components built in the 1920s, is at risk of flooding during high-water events. It will eventually have to close if additional funding isnt secured. Of the 13 counties in MDOTs Grand Region, 47 bridges are in poor condition and at risk of closing by 2035. M-65 in Alpena County The M-65 bridge over the Thunder Bay River is a local example of the states aging bridge epidemic. Built in 1953, the bridge is in poor condition with concerns for its foundation to be undermined during a heavy rain event and surge in river currents. Replacing the bridge would cost an estimated $10 million, which is twice the regions annual budget for bridge work. In MDOTs 21-county North Region, there are eight bridges in poor condition. M-69 in Iron County The M-69 bridge over the Michigamme River in the Upper Peninsula is in poor condition. Built in 1931, its a critical link for residents, tourism and the logging industry. There are 22 state bridges in poor condition in the U.P., including six at risk of closure by 2035. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order Monday that could lead to Americans being jailed for practicing their right to free speech. The order, titled Prosecuting Burning of the American Flag, directs the Attorney General to vigorously prosecute anyone who breaks laws pertaining to desecrating the American Flag. As part of the order, Trump labeled the burning of the flag as uniquely offensive and provocative. It is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security. Burning this representation of America may incite violence and riot. If a person is accused of burning the flag in a way that promotes violence or riot, the Attorney General is directed to prosecute, according to the order. The provision about inciting violence appears to be Trumps way of circumventing a prior Supreme Court ruling that labels flag burning as protected under the First Amendment. In that 1989 case, the Court ruled 5-4 that the First Amendment protects flag burning as part of political expression. Trump contests that the ruling leaves room for interpretation if the act incites violence. I guess it was a 5 to 4 decision. They called it freedom of speech, Trump said. But theres another reason, which is perhaps much more important. Its called death. Because what happens when you burn a flag is the area goes crazy it incites riots at levels that weve never seen before. While speaking about the order, Trump said the punishment for being convicted of flag burning would be one year in jail with no opportunity for early release. Foreign nationals who are convicted of burning the flag are subject to having their visas, residency permits, naturalization proceedings and other immigration benefits revoked, according to the Associated Press. Foreign nationals also face being deported if convicted. LANSING, MI - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging the White House to unlock millions more in aid for northern Michigans ice storm recovery after President Donald Trump denied key categories of federal assistance in an initial disaster declaration issued in July, nixing significant support for utilities. Many Northern Michiganders are still reeling from the impacts of the ice storm that devastated communities earlier this year, Whitmer said in a statement announcing her formal appeal to Trump, dated Monday, Aug. 25. Ill keep fighting like hell to deliver relief for our residents, local governments and utility providers. Trumps July 22 disaster declaration for the storm unlocked some federal aid but excluded certain categories of relief requested by the state. Whitmers request to reverse those denials comes as some rural northern Michigan residents worry disaster aid will ultimately come up short, leaving the regions relatively small population burdened for years to come. While Whitmer, a Democrat, has traveled to Washington to discuss recovery efforts directly with Trump on multiple occasions, the president and his Republican administration have also pledged to wind down the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and shift more disaster costs onto states. In northern Michigan, rural nonprofit power cooperatives whose grids were devastated by the storm warn steep utility bill hikes will be necessary to foot the bill from the blitz of ice in late March, without significant outside aid. Read more: The ice storm walloped northern Michigans power grid. Residents are paying for it One cooperative, Presque Isle Electric & Gas, or PIE&G, has already raised rates $20 a month to cover interest on emergency loans needed to rebuild its grid after it was enveloped in ice. If its 35,000 members were forced to repay the $150 million in loans in full through rate increases and surcharges, costs would amount to at least $4,500 per household, according to the governors office. But in July Trump rejected Michigans request to cover permanent grid repairs conducted by the power co-ops, or Category F costs. While some emergency utility costs were still approved, the decision still amounted to a potentially large blow. It left out over 65% of the initial damage assessment for the storm, or nearly $90 million, according to Whitmers appeal. The preliminary estimate of the devastation is also often only a snapshot of total costs, she wrote. PIE&G and fellow power co-op Great Lakes Energy have estimated a combined $305 million in recovery expenses, warning the burden will fall on their members without governmental aid. Any and all support and assistance is going to help our members, said PIE&G CEO Allan Berg. If the costs fall on the cooperative, it will be an expensive burden on members, and Whitmers appeal helps assure the maximum relief available, he said. Great Lakes Energys board will consider a rate hike amounting to $15.81 for its average residential member in September due to the ice storm. Any portion of its $155 million in recovery costs not covered by disaster relief must be paid through significant and sustained rate increases starting this year and continuing many years into the future for its more than 125,000 members, the co-op says on its website. A bill providing $100 million in state aid for storm relief has passed the state House and is now before the Senate. But it would help individuals, businesses and local governments first, leaving any leftover money for the power co-ops. Federal and state politicians from both sides of the aisle are backing Whitmers appeal, including Michigans two Democratic U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters, and U.S. Rep Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet. I am also deeply troubled by the costs that our electrical co-ops have faced which total hundreds of millions of dollars, said state Sen. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, in a statement. While we are all grateful for the federal support that has been approved, I very much support Governor Whitmers efforts to appeal the decision by the federal government to deny individual assistance and help to our utilities, who otherwise will have no choice but to pass those costs on to residents. A spokesperson for FEMA, which coordinates disaster aid, said there is no set timeline for a decision on Whitmers appeal, and it is currently in process. In a letter to Congress reported by national news outlets Monday, FEMA employees warned Trump is gutting progress made on disaster response since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. On Monday, Whitmer also appealed Trumps denial of individual assistance for the ice storm, which can include home repairs and direct aid for residents, and the exclusion of hazard mitigation grants meant to reduce risk of future disasters. The governor pointed to elevated concern over wildfires after the ice storm snapped entire forests like toothpicks and left them littered with debris that can fuel a blaze. Vegetation can also increase flood risk, blocking waterways and clogging storm drains, she warned. On an individual level, preliminary assessments found the storm destroyed 12 homes, left 257 with major damage and another 280 with minor damage, according to Whitmers appeal, which notes the figures may be underestimates. Residents were displaced, endured weekslong power outages in freezing weather and lost food. Many waited hours in fuel lines, and the storm also knocked out communications across the region. Affected areas include counties with some of Michigans lowest household incomes. Theyre also home to elevated shares of residents living in poverty and older adults sustained by social security and retirement income, according to Whitmers appeal. The initial assessment of damage eligible for federal aid of $137 million was the highest total ever assessed in FEMAs Region 5, covering the Upper Midwest, the appeal states. Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella addresses faculty, staff and students on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025.(Photo by Kendra Stanley-Mills provided by GVSU Communications) GVSU University Communications/Kendra Stanley-Mills KENT COUNTY, MI - Its a challenging time, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) President Philomena Mantella said during a Friday campus-wide address to students, faculty and staff. She was referring to federal funding uncertainty, a Trump administration investigation into GVSU and a state budget that still hasnt come together, which universities across Michigan are affected by. But while some in higher education are tightening their belts as a result, Mantella said GVSU is taking a different approach -- continuing to extend its reach. The state needs more students, more talents, more folks that are ready to support and work in the knowledge economy, Mantella told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press following an Aug. 22 campus-wide address. We want to be a part of that. During her speech to students, staff and community members, Mantella described the current moment as an interesting one for higher education. Michigan universities have faced millions in federal grant funding loss through the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The universitys WGVU public radio station, a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate, has faced funding uncertainty after Congressional Republicans voted to strip about $1 billion originally allocated to public broadcasting. President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill will soon change the federal student loan system, including by putting a borrowing cap on some types of loans. His administration is investigating GVSU for alleged racial discrimination, too, stemming from scholarships the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR) said could be impermissible and race-based. And while federal changes have left some schools with gaping budget holes, a state education budget has yet to materialize at all. Mantella said as a result, there are many institutions that are suffering at this moment. We are a sector that is struggling, she said. Michigan State University, for example, laid off nearly 100 workers after federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Mantella also referenced the University of Chicago, which recently cut admissions to seven of its PhD programs. But amid the challenges, university officials say GVSU is uniquely positioned because of its size and funding model, and Mantella said the goal is to continue investing, albeit strategically. During a July 11 finance and budget committee meeting, GVSU board members discussed how the university mainly relies on state appropriations and tuition dollars for funding, meaning it doesnt get many general fund dollars from the federal government. With a $409 million general fund budget passed in July for the 2025-26 school year, only around $30 million comes from federal grants. That makes the university much less exposed, according to board members. GVSU also doesnt have many high-cost graduate programs like medicine and law, meaning caps on graduate student loans in the Trump administrations most recent budget bill arent going to be as impactful. As a result, Mantella said the university was able to hire 138 new faculty and 150 staff members this fall. GVSU also recently rolled out a university-wide rebranding effort that included renaming its two campuses and developing a new logo, though Mantella said that effort was relatively low cost. She also highlighted the $140 million Blue Dot Lab project as a strategic investment that GVSU must continue to prioritize. Grand Rapids needs to grow and we need to be part of the downtown ecosystem, she said, and Blue Dot is just an extension of that We need this sort of academic energy, the intellectual capital, the place and space for people to really work through that transformation. The 175,000-square-foot lab, which will be located in the downtown campuss L.V. Eberhard Center, 301 Fulton St., will include active learning classrooms, audio/visual production labs and simulation spaces. It received $30 million in state funds in 2023, and got another $1.6 million in July to help GVSU invest in West Michigan startups through a newly created evergreen venture fund. But thats not to say the university hasnt made any cuts. Mantella said Friday that GVSU eliminated its chief of staff role in the presidents office, after former Chief of Staff Jesse Bernal was named president of Western Connecticut State University and left. And when it comes to the investigation into GVSU, Mantella said it hasnt yet been resolved. There is not yet an update on the investigation, she said. The university responded to the OCR complaint, and hopefully our response is adequate and accepted and we move forward. Grand Valley State Universitys main campus is now called the valley campus, part of a comprehensive, university-wide rebranding effort for the 2025-26 academic year. Pictured are new banners on the Allendale campus. (Danielle James | MLive.com) Danielle James | MLive KENT COUNTY, MI - Welcome to the valley, Lakers, reads a blue billboard greeting Grand Valley State University (GVSU) students on their first trip back to the universitys Allendale campus. The first days of the 2025-26 school year mark a clean slate for freshmen and returning students alike, but this year GVSUs campus is also getting a fresh start. The universitys main campus - previously known to most as the Allendale campus - will now be called the valley campus, part of a comprehensive, university-wide rebranding effort for the 2025-26 school year. The rebranding campaign also centers around an updated logo, expanded school colors and a new GVSU tagline. The rollout has been lowkey so far, with only a brief mention in university communications and a story in the GV Lanthorn, the universitys student paper. Nevertheless, the changes to banners, signs and other materials welcoming students back to campus are noticeable. GVSU President Philomena Mantella gave a nod to the changes during a campus-wide address on Friday, Aug. 22. In an interview, Mantella told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press the rebrand has been in conversations for over two years, when GVSU began a perception research process, surveying students, faculty and other stakeholders. We didnt know where we would land when we did the perception research, she said, but one thing the university quickly learned was the importance of the different environments we have for our students. We have students that feel comfortable in Allendale and want to mature into, and thats the way they describe it, a more urban environment, she said. We have others that want to be in one environment or another. Grand Valley is one of the few places in the state with such distinct campus offerings, she said, so weve decided to showcase that asset. University officials werent able to provide information on the cost of the rebranding campaign when asked by MLive, but Mantella said its not a high-cost initiative. Every university always welcomes their students back, she said. Now, were welcoming them to the valley and to the city. Weve always had banners. Now those banners say something different. It really has been pretty modest, she added, and more on how we interpret ourselves through vehicles were already using. Its not like were going through and changing every name and logo on our buildings. Thats an expensive branding campaign. An interactive photo prop on Grand Valley State University's Allendale campus showcases the new "valley campus" name. A university-wide rebranding effort for the 2025-26 school year centers around updated campus names, a new logo, expanded school colors and a new GVSU tagline. Danielle James | MLive Moving away from college in the cornfield perceptions. The rebrand details were shared in a May meeting with the University Communicator Network (UCN), an initiative launched by GVSUs communications team in 2024 to share resources, solidify brand messages and serve as a professional development network. A presentation showcased how the Allendale campus would be referred to as the valley campus, while Grand Rapids downtown campuses will be known collectively as the city campus. During the May UCN presentation, the decision was explained as necessary to overcome a perception of Allendale as the college in the cornfield. The decision was also described in meeting materials as a unique selling point that distinguishes GVSU from other universities, with two distinct campuses promoting unique and different cultures. The valley campus was described as the academic, residential and social heart of our university, while the city campus was described as the launchpad for real-world impact in Michigans second largest city. Mantella said there wont be any official name changing when it comes to buildings or the individual downtown city campuses, but described the new names as a way to highlight how the environments are different. The rebranding appears to be more obvious on the valley campus, with four updated entrance signs, an updated flag, new lightpost banners and updated logo decals in the windows of the Kirkhof Center. The city campus will also get updated flags and lightpost banners. GVSUs Laker Line, the bus that takes students between the Allendale and downtown campuses, was also featured in meeting materials. A new tagline rendered on the side of the bus boasted serving GVSU from the valley to the city. New tagline: Turning what if into what is. In addition to campus rebranding, the university also debuted a new tagline - turning what if into what is. It was born from a quote by GVSUs first president, James Zumberge, who said, I have had the unusual experience of seeing a cornfield transformed into a vigorous young college there was a fierce determination to make Grand Valley what the founders wanted it to be. The college, founded in 1960, is celebrating its 65th birthday this year. The new tagline was described as capturing GVSUs dedication to transforming potential into reality for students, staff, alumni, industry partners and the broader community. GVSU has not yet released its fall 2025-26 enrollment numbers, but last year the university enrolled 22,011 students, a slight decrease from 22,269 students in 2023-24. GVSU also updated its logo, with a slightly bolder font and shifted proportions. It can be seen online, along with an updated color palette for GVSU featuring six new secondary colors, like brick orange and teal, to complement the traditional blue, black and white. Cortney Michelle King, 43, died after being shot on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in the area of Emerson and Howard streets in Saginaw, police said. Two 18-year-old men were also wounded in the shooting. (MLive file photo) Jacob Hamilton/MLive.com SAGINAW, MI A woman died following a triple-shooting in Saginaw this weekend, according to a Saginaw Police Department news release. Officers were called to the scene of a reported shooting at approximately 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, in the area of Emerson and Howard streets. After arriving at the scene, officers discovered the victim, 43-year-old Cortney Michelle King of Saginaw Township, suffering from gunshot wounds, police said. King was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Two other victims, an 18-year-old Buena Vista man and an 18-year-old Saginaw man, arrived at a different area hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds, police said. The Saginaw Police Department and Michigan State Police detectives from the Major Crimes Unit responded to the shooting and are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting as of Monday morning, Aug. 25, police said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-5245. Callers can remain anonymous. An MLive file photo of President Donald Trump during an April visit to Michigan. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com MICHIGAN -- President Donald Trump mistakenly called referred to Michigans governor as Kristi Whitmer during an Oval Office ceremony. Trump made the error as he commented on speculation about sending National Guard troops into American cities to combat crime, but then abruptly switched the topic to ongoing efforts to prevent Asian carp from getting into the Great Lakes. You know I did a favor for Kristi Whitman, ah Whitmer. A good favor, I think, with the fish, the carp, the China carp, he said. Trump was talking about a memorandum issued earlier this year that affirmed the federal governments commitment to stopping the invasive carp from penetrating the Great Lakes. Trump hasnt had the same positive relationship with Whitmers fellow Democratic governors, including in Illinois, New York and California. On Monday, he spoke specifically about how he hasnt extended the same support for Asian carp to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzke. Related: From public feuding to cordial visits: Whitmer and Trump forge working relationship The talk about Whitmer and carp came during a lengthy ceremony where Trump authorized two executive orders on cashless bail and National Guard troop training. U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem had spoken at the ceremony before the mistake. Trump went on to speak about the federal government bringing a new fighter jet mission to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County -- effectively keeping the base open. Related: GVSU positioned to weather federal funding uncertainty under Trump, Mantella says Regarding carp, he talked about efforts to eradicate the fish. We can do it, with GSA and various people, but were going to have to see what happens, he said. MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more. Saurav Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Exclusive - Sana Raees Khan on defending Rupali Ganguly and protecting clients: 'No one should silently suffer character assassination' Sarika Sharma is Editor, Entertainment, MoneyControl.com. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of entertainment journalism. Sarika Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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Palak Vij USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept With celebrated Hollywood action director JJ Perry at the helm, the movie is currently part of what is being called one of the most ambitious action schedules ever attempted in Indian cinema. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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The series poignantly explores themes of patriotism, love, and sacrifice amidst intense political upheaval. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham actress Malvika Raaj welcomes baby girl with hubby Pranav Bagga: "From our Hearts to our Arms" The couple announced the arrival of their baby girl with a heartfelt and adorable joint post on Instagram on Sunday August 24. M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept What is screwworm? Rare flesh-eating parasite found in US patient after decades First US human case of New World screwworm since eradication in the 1960s confirmed in Maryland; strong preventive measures underway to protect public health and livestock. (Image: Reuters) Manjiri Patil USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 7 board games you probably never heard of but should play Namita S Kalla is a senior journalist who writes about different aspects of modern life that include lifestyle, health, fashion, beauty, and entertainment. From storytelling to strategy, todays board games are more than just dice rollstheyre about creativity, competition, and screen-free fun Manjiri Patil USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_ Christin Mathew Philip USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The case sets up a high-stakes court showdown between the richest person on the planet and one of the worlds most valuable companies. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Fishermen from the coastal districts have been protesting against the project and have demanded the Centre to cancel it. 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept GIC manages Singapores foreign reserves and is one of the worlds largest sovereign wealth funds with assets estimated at more than $700 billion. B Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- An international seminar focused on reviewing the historical documents of the South China Sea was held in Beijing on Saturday, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. Over 40 participants from home and abroad attended the meeting, many of whom believe that China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao, known in English as the South China Sea islands, after World War II, was and remains an important part of the post-war order established by international legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. Wu Jilu, director general of the China Institute for Marine Affairs (CIMA) under the Ministry of Natural Resources, said that China's resumption of sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao should be firmly upheld -- as maintaining the international order established after World War II is crucial for achieving lasting peace and stability. Hou Yi, a researcher with the Institute of Chinese Borderland Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, highlighted that China was the earliest country to discover and name Nanhai Zhudao, and also reviewed how China had developed and managed the region since the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with its endeavors ranging from activities such as fishing and guano mining to public services including surveying, search and rescue, and sea turtle conservation. Hou added that before the 1970s, no countries bordering the South China Sea had challenged China's sovereignty and maritime rights there. However, some countries later illegally occupied islands and reefs in the region and opted to intensify disputes. "China has historic rights in the South China Sea. Chinese people's habitation and production, endorsed by evidence from archives and maps, show that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao," said Hou. He also said that China has maintained the post-war regional order and taken on its international responsibilities by providing public goods and services in these waters. The seminar, organized by the CIMA with assistance from the College of Liberal Arts of Shanghai University, attracted experts and scholars from countries including China, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Participants also discussed subjects on managing disputes and building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, a think tank based in Manila, said understanding the history of the South China Sea plays an important role for countries around the region in analyzing disputes and seeking solutions. "China is proposing negotiation, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of issues in the South China Sea. It tries to make the world a safer and better place," she said, adding that once the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) between China and ASEAN countries is concluded, it will serve as a viable crisis management tool. The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), signed in 2002 by China and ASEAN member states, outlines the most important principles in the management of disputes regarding the South China Sea. Consultations on the COC involving China and ASEAN member states were launched in 2013. Both the DOC and the COC are aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the region. Fu Kuenchen, a professor with the Belt and Road Research Institute of Xiamen University in east China's Fujian Province, said that countries bordering the South China Sea should reach a consensus in terms of COC consultations, value peace-loving cultural traditions, and work together to build a collaborative and harmonious community. "The community can engage in cooperation in some low-sensitivity programs, such as joint enforcement of fishing moratoriums, conserving the environment, construction of navigation safety facilities, and emergency search and rescue," said Fu. "Stakeholders beyond the region should not meddle and create disturbances, and should respect the tradition and dispute management of countries bordering the South China Sea," Fu added. The Centres proposal will be placed before the GST Council during the upcoming meeting. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said its aware of about 3,000 complaints alleging that 3.5 liter V-6 engines in Honda and Acura vehicles from the 2016 through 2020 model years failed because of faulty connecting rod bearings Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies Disclaimer This is an AI-assisted live blog with updates sourced from multiple news outlets and agencies Disclaimer Alpha Desk USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com FAQs and mapping guides linking old provisions to the new ones will be released at the earliest" Meghna Mittal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Tata Digital to appoint former Google executive Sajith Sivanandan as CEO from September 1 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 Tata Digital to appoint former Google executive Sajith Sivanandan as CEO from September 1 Aryaman Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept 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 USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers. JK Paper, TNPL, other paper stocks rise up to 16% amid high volume trading on August 25. Paras Bisht USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept Delhi HC sets aside CIC order to disclose info on PM Modi's degree The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside an order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) directing disclosure of information on the bachelor's degree of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justice Sachin Datta, who reserved the judgement on February 27, passed the verdict on Delhi University's plea challenging the CIC order. Following an RTI application by one Neeraj, the CIC on December 21, 2016, allowed inspection of records of all students who cleared the BA exam in 1978 -- the year Prime Minister Modi also passed it. India, Pakistan may address UNGA on same day in tense showdown post Operation Sindoor Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Amit Shah also dismissed the speculations that Radhakrishnan's selection had anything to do with the upcoming 2026 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Amitabh Sinha is the executive editor of News18 India. He has extensive experience in print and TV journalism. He started his career with Patna's 'Times of India' and reported for almost 14 years at 'Aaj Tak'. He has been associated with Network18 since 2015. writes with equal authority in Hindi and English languages and has reported on many important events and incidents in India and abroad. He has a long experience in parliamentary journalism and has special grasp of e policies and schemes of the government. He writes regularly on News18's website in both Hindi and English languages. He is a post graduate from Delhi University. X- @amitabhnews18 Aishwarya Dabhade USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Home Minister further clarified that the proposed amendment was not directed only at the Opposition. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Liftoff of the Long March 5B from China's Wenchang carrying the first group of Guowang satellites. (Source: Ourspace/Spacenews.com/File photo) Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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(Source: Wikimedia commons) Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept MC Science Desk Read the latest and trending science newsstay updated on NASA, ISRO, space missions, planets, asteroids, black holes, AI, quantum physics, galaxy discoveries, and more exciting breakthroughs. Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Apple may not launch new AirPods Max any time soon, here's why 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. 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 Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years. 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 The minister urged C-DOT to lead in emerging areas such as quantum-safe communications and 6G innovation Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept OpenAI is hiring for its New Delhi office: Check out vacancies and how to apply 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. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 1 / 13 India isnt just a land of vibrant cities, colorful festivals, and historic marvelsits a wildlife paradise waiting to be discovered. From rivers shimmering with rare pink dolphins to beaches where giant turtles nest, the country is home to extraordinary creatures that thrill adventurers, photographers, and nature lovers alike. Ready to meet some of Indias most fascinating species? Heres your ultimate guide. (Image: Canva) From Vietnam to Europe: Solo Indian woman traveller rates countries by safetyIndias rank will surprise you Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Lalbaugcha Raja 2025: Darshan passes, timings, how to reach All you need to know Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept The Worlds Quietest Place Lies Here But Hardly Anyone Visits The Worlds Quietest Place Lies Here But Hardly Anyone Visits Nivritti Khatri USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept An extensive revamp of 1,800 km (1,118 miles) of railways has been the centrepiece of a $60 billion Chinese investment programme in Pakistan announced in 2015 as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative global infrastructure push. Reuters Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept FILE - Bangladeshi guerrillas beat a victim as they torture and execute four men suspected of collaborating with Pakistani militiamen accused of murder, rape and looting during months of civil war in Dacca, Bangladesh, Dec. 18, 1971. (AP Photo/Horst Faas, Michel Laurent, File) Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Four journalists among 20 others killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza hospital At least four Palestinian journalists, including one from Al Jazeera were killed in Israeli attack on southern Gaza hospital. (Photo: Al Jazeera) Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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I Accept In talks with Pakistan, Yunus pushes SAARC revival: Why the bloc remains frozen since 2014 and why it matters for India File Photo - The then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani (L), then Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (2L), then Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay (3L), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (4L), the then Prime Minister of Nepal Sushil Koirala (4R), the then Maldives President Abdulla Yameen (3R), the then Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (2R) and the then President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa posing for a photograph during the closing session of the 18th SAARC summit at City Hall in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu on November 27, 2014. Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept India warned Pakistan of high floods on humanitarian grounds, even as Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended This aerial photograph shows partially submerged houses in the flood-affected area of the Haqu Wala village in Pakistan's Kasur district on August 24, 2025. (Photo by Arif ALI / AFP) Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept File Photo - Indian army soldiers stand guard near the Line of Control (LoC) between Pakistan and India, in Poonch sector of India's Jammu region, on May 20, 2025. (Photo by Mukesh GUPTA / AFP) Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The firm secured Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. semiconductors for a massive data center project during that visit Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept South Korea-US alliance explained: How China and Taiwan are reshaping the relationship Beyond military issues, Trump has linked defence to trade and spending Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept UNGA 2025: Pakistan may again play Kashmir card on Sep 26; How India has silenced Islamabad in the past | Explained File photos of Indian PM Narendra Modi and Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif speaking at the UNGA. Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Was Princess Diana really set up as a date for Jeffrey Epstein? Here's what Ghislaine Maxwell revealed Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Whats going on in South Korea?' Trump suggests purge ahead of White House talks with President Lee (COMBO) This combination of pictures created on August 19, 2025 shows President of South Korea Lee Jae-myung (L) in Seoul on June 4, 2025 and US President Donald Trump (R) in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 2 US senators meet NMI officials, inspect Tinian airfield projects SENATOR Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, and Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, were on Tinian Monday for a fact-finding visit to assess ongoing military construction. They were accompanied by their respective spouses, U.S. congressional staff members, and military officials. U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Lt. Gov. Dennis Mendiola, Senate President Karl King-Nabors, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas Camacho, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, and Special Assistant for Military Affairs Edward Camacho also joined the Senate delegation in touring sites of diverted airfield construction and runway restorations on Tinians North Field. Wicker, who is also a member of the Senate Committee on Intelligence and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and his wife Gayle, along with Fischer, who is also a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and her husband Bruce, were also guided by CNMI officials to historical sites on Tinian, including the bomb pit where the Enola Gay was launched 80 years ago. Wicker expressed appreciation for the warm welcome from local officials and community members. Its good to be here with fellow Americans, he said. He emphasized the principle he and his fellow senators have advocated on the Armed Services Committee: That we want peace through strength, a concept rooted in President Ronald Reagans platform. Wicker added that peace through strength was the principle that prevented the Cold War from escalating into active conflict. He also noted that, in the past, U.S. unpreparedness contributed to global conflicts: Perhaps not being prepared or willing to admit war could happen led to World War II. Part of what the U.S. Senate is doing, Wicker said, is fact-finding to see how our buildup is going here on the island of Tinian. He added that after Tinian, the delegation will visit other Pacific islands before proceeding to our allies in the Philippines and making a meaningful visit to Taiwan. King-Hinds noted that this is the first time a chairman of the Armed Services Committee has visited the site of ongoing military construction on Tinian. She added that much of the discussion during the tour focused not only on military development but also on the economic challenges the community is facing. When you have visits like this, they now have the opportunity by they, I mean the chairman of the Armed Services Committee and Sen. Fischer, who also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee, King-Hinds said. She emphasized the importance of listening directly to CNMI residents about their economic challenges. So that we can all figure out together how we can move forward, whether through the [amendment] to the cabotage law or the amendment of CW rules to address labor shortages, King-Hinds said. Lt. Gov. Mendiola, representing Gov. David M. Apatang, said the visit was a valuable opportunity for the CNMI community. So that we can actually show some of the legislators in the nations capital what the CNMI is really going through. Its challenging for us economically, but through this diverted airfield project, maybe we can find mutual aid where they can help us and ensure that people benefit from this, Mendiola said. Dangerous moment In a statement, Wicker said, we live in the most dangerous national security moment since World War II. He said Congress plays a vitally important role in reassuring U.S. allies and partners of our commitment to maintaining a favorable regional order in the Indo-Pacific. On this trip, I will be meeting with our senior military leaders and speaking to our partners about opportunities for acceleration of our mutual national security efforts. Given the historic combination of the One Big Beautiful Bills defense investments and a ground-breaking FY26 NDAA, I want to ensure we do not miss any opportunities to build the right capabilities in the right places and help President Trump maintain peace through strength. For her part, Fischer said, At a time of global unrest where the Chinese Communist Party continues its military buildup, maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific plays a crucial role in safeguarding our nations and our allies security. I look forward to joining Chairman Wicker on this CODEL to see firsthand how we can strengthen our posture in the region in order to safeguard American interests and our allies. U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, fourth from left, and U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, third from left, pose for a photo with CNMI officials at a World War II bomb pit on Tinians North Field during their visit on Monday. Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, center, with Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan and Senate President Karl King-Nabors. From left, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds visit the World War II bomb pit on Tinians North Field on Monday. U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds at the World War II bomb pit. Miss Northern Marianas Asia Pacific 2nd sash pinning: Making waves for beauty in diversity THE 2nd sash pinning ceremony of Miss Northern Marianas Asia Pacific was held at Grandvios Dolphin Restaurant on Aug. 7, 2025. The candidates are Anne-Rivera Brownstein, Ashley Gabriels, Bernice Shane Sabino, Chiaralei Mendoza, Dharlee Bielle Santos Marquez, Donna Rose Santiago, Haillerine Fernandez, Lyann Dela Cruz, Maria Analine Santiano Barcelo, Sydney Camille King, Tanisha Joshi and Tiffany Rose Libreja. This pageant is a platform to break barriers, rewrite narratives, and show that true beauty comes from authenticity, courage, and community impact. Miss Northern Marianas Asia Pacific celebrates women who own their journey, honor their culture, and inspire others to embrace their true selves. Miss Asia Pacific International empowers women to embrace and express their individuality. By valuing diversity in culture, belief, and perspective, the organization provides a pedestal for women to become voices of change, ambassadors of harmony, and icons of confidence. The organizations mission is to Inspire women to be comfortable in their own skin and embrace individuality as a defining aspect of beauty. Provide opportunities for growth, skill development, and empowerment. Cultivate strong, confident women who serve as agents of positive change. Miss Asia Pacific International strives to be a platform that empowers women to learn, grow, and ignite transformative change both within themselves and throughout the global community. Advice from our women to the community: Own your story, embrace your uniqueness, and lift others as you rise. Every woman has the power to make a difference. The date and venue of the pageant night will be announced soon. The candidates of the Miss Northern Marianas Asia Pacific pageant participated in a sash pinning ceremony at Grandvios Dolphin Restaurant on Aug. 7, 2025. Contributed photos Letter in support of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program for the CNMI ON behalf of Micronesian Telecommunication Corporation, dba, IT&E, a proud telecommunications provider serving the people, businesses, and public offices of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for the past 20 years, I am writing to express our strong support for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), administered under the leadership and guidance of the Trump Commerce Departments National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Additionally, we wholeheartedly support the provisional decision made by the NTIA to recognize the critical need for buried infrastructure throughout the CNMI. The BEAD program represents a historic federal investment in broadband infrastructure, and NTIAs policy framework was instrumental in shaping a strategic, inclusive, and forward-looking approach to closing the digital divide. Through its clear guidance, technical assistance, and emphasis on reliability, NTIA allowed states and territories including the CNMI to develop broadband plans that reflect local needs while adhering to national standards of excellence. While NTIA had to approve and ultimately dictated the scoring requirements that determined who won and lost, the CNMI was still able to ensure 100% buried fiber deployment to all eligible households, businesses, and community anchor institutions (CAI) under the BEAD program the only eligible entity in the entire United States with this accomplishment. The inclusive and transparent approach of the BEAD program marked by stakeholder engagement, community consultations, and an incredible commitment to buried fiber for disaster resiliency and recovery laid a solid foundation for transformative change. The BEAD program reflects a disciplined, tech-neutral, provider-neutral, and results-driven strategy that prioritized low-cost deployments, resiliency, and long-term sustainability to ensure the residents of our islands have connectivity during the best and worst of times. We particularly applaud NTIAs efforts to align broadband expansion with the unique needs of our island communities, through their acknowledgement in the June 6, 2025 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice (see page 10) that the United States is topographically diverse and the most effective broadband technology for one part of the country may not be the best fit for another. The emphasis on milestone-based accountability, environmental compliance, emergency preparedness, and fiber- based networks demonstrated a forward-thinking vision that benefits education, healthcare, public safety, national defense, and economic development. Every resident of the CNMI will benefit. The CNMI BPD, under the Governors office has been very active with the BEAD program. They understand the need to adhere to the requirements cited by statute in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, November 2021), the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from May 2022, and the June 2025 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice (RPN). For the CNMI, the recognition that the CNMI is a typhoon-prone region that justified classifying a buried service as the Priority Broadband service for the region was a very insightful approach to the topographically diverse option that the NTIA cited in the June 2025 BEAD RPN. As residents of the region, we understand that the Marianas region has tropical storms and typhoons. After Soudelor in 2015, Yutu in 2018, and Mawar in 2023, the CUC and Docomo both experienced extended network outages with their pole-mounted, aerial services. Correspondingly, IT&E, the other communications carrier in the CNMI, was able to maintain their wireline services without any service disruptions using their buried wired networks during and after these typhoons. In Guam, after Mawar, the Guam Power Authority and Docomo had network outages that extended for six or more months. For networks that do use aerial networks for their service delivery, the risk management strategies for mitigating risks for natural disasters like typhoons are difficult and, as the Soudelor, Yutu, and Mawar have established, ineffective to date. The CNMI BEAD process has selected the proposal that delivers the desired speed and latency with the least amount of BEAD funding. Over the last three typhoons, aerial networks have had network outages and buried broadband networks have not. Aerial networks are not a proven and reliable solution for areas that are typhoon prone. For example, on September 18, 2023, the FCC approved the Docomo Petition for Waiver with the FCC to request a delay in the submission of a required filing due to the fact that 71% of their fixed network in Guam is aerial and over 60% of that was damaged during Mawar. (Broeckaert, 2023) A cost of $31 million out of a budget of over $80M to provide reliable, survivable broadband to households, businesses, and CAIs is not unconscionable. It is a fundamental requirement of a utility that provides lifeline services to the households, business, and public agencies that receive service. Reliable and survivable broadband services are a basic need for all customers. IT&Es cost for a buried network to all of the locations in the CNMI was approximately $31M plus a large match by IT&E. The other two applications for a buried network were for $60 and $90M, respectively, plus a match. IT&Es bid embodies the intent behind the Benefit of the Bargain process. IT&E has had buried plant for over twenty years. We understand the benefits of buried networks, and we know how to install and manage those networks. Based on the current NTIA direction, the CNMI will be returning up to $49M to the federal government of their BEAD deployment funding. Unlike the original process, the Trump administrations Benefit of the Bargain process outlined in the June 6, 2025 RPN does NOT allow grantees to keep unused monies for other projects. IT&E would suggest that a household or business with limited access to commercial power or a building, home, or CAI damaged following a typhoon is entitled to survivable, reliable broadband to support basic broadband communications like access to information, distance learning and telehealth, among other services. Docomo has not publicly disclosed that their cable-based DOCSIS4 solution is highly reliant on reliable commercial power throughout the network. Fiber-based passive optical networks do not require commercial power. The IT&E solution includes options when commercial power is not available. After Yutu, it is estimated that the CNMI received $130 to $140M in federal support. Following the Soudelor, Yutu, and Mawar typhoons, IT&E did not require any federal funding for the buried, wired broadband network. The CNMI broadband office was addressing the deployment of a survivable, reliable broadband network, regardless of the underlying technology. The issue is the reliability and survivability of an aerial versus a buried network. There have been questions or comments that have cited confusion or difficulty in following some of the CNMI proposal requirements. It should be noted that since the June 6, 2025 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, the NTIA has issued a total of six updates to the BEAD Frequently Asked Questions from V9 to V14 on August 8, 2025, all over a period of less than nine weeks. The process has been very dynamic and IT&E, in lieu of criticizing the CNMI BPD, would like to complement the CNMI BPD team and the NTIA for their aggressive approach to addressing changes or updates required for the BEAD program. To ensure that my team was informed throughout this process, I dedicated additional resources within the company to monitor, analyze, and report on the frequent updates to the program. While a challenge, IT&E understood the requirements as cited by the NTIA and the CNMI for BEAD. Upon reviewing some of the technical statements provided by the Docomo team in their letter, my team is questioning the technical concerns cited in the Docomo submission. Of primary concern is that Docomo has cited that no independent professional and certified engineers or consultants were employed to undertake the evaluation and analysis of the submissions. IT&E does not support that statement. The NTIA was quite clear that specific submissions required certification by a PE licensed in one of the 56 Eligible Entities. The CNMI had a more detailed requirement. In their attestation letter that all applicants were required to sign and submit, each applicant organization was required to attest that they are technically qualified to complete and operate the project, including attestation that the network design, diagram, project costs, build-out timeline and milestones schedule are all certified by a professional engineer (PE), who: i. is licensed by the CNMI Board of Professional Licensing with active status, ii. has demonstrated experience in broadband and/or telecommunications engineering on projects of similar scope to the proposed project, and iii. states that the proposed network can deliver broadband service that meets the requisite performance requirements to all locations served by the project. The required certification by a PE who meets the CNMI requirements was designed to be the certification of the technical viability of an application, as cited by the NTIA and further defined by the CNMI BPD for the BEAD application process. Finally, IT&E would like to address some of the statements made by the previous CEO of Docomo, Mr. Roderick (Rod) Boss following the Mawar typhoon. I have provided references to the articles that reference the quotes by Mr. Boss. The first set of quotes are from the July 11, 2023 publication of the Marianas Variety: i. in response to a question from his wife about underground cables: if I put everything, every part of my network underground in Saipan, I wouldnt make money there for the next 20 or 30 years, he said. (Taitano, 2023) IT&E has been burying their wireline network for over the last twenty years. IT&E has made the commitment to a buried network. A month later, in the August 19, 2023 issue of the Marianas Variety, Mr. Boss cited the following: i. Storms like Mawar are on the rise, and it seems unlikely that it will be another 20 years until the next one, ii. We will also be accelerating the deployment of fiber, which is more resilient than other transmission lines and provides the highest speeds and quality available today. iii. He also affirmed in the article that Docomo would be increasing their percentage of underground network. (Cagurangan, 2023) I concur with these statements by Mr. Boss. Based on his statements, Mr. Boss appears to have acknowledged the benefits of buried fiber networks; particularly in topographically diverse, typhoon-prone areas like Guam and the CNMI. As the residences, businesses, and CAIs of the CNMI who were in the CNMI in one or more of the last three typhoons in 2015 (Soudelor), 2018 (Yutu), and 2023 (Mawar) experienced, the IT&E wired network continued to provide service throughout the CNMI while the Docomo wired network and the CNMI commercial power options were compromised in many areas. IT&E began the burial of their wired network in the CNMI over 20 years ago. They are continuing that approach with their proposal for fiber-to-the-home or fiber-to-the-business with their BEAD proposal. IT&E has a buried wired network that is typhoon-proven in a typhoon-prone region. The IT&E team is ready to begin the deployment of the BEAD program with the hiring and training of new teams of outside plant (OSP) staff to deploy and test the network. Following the completion of the BEAD network upgrades, IT&E is hopeful that many of the new BEAD staff will consider staying in the OSP or moving to different positions within IT&E. IT&E is ready to support the next phase of a reliable, survivable high-speed, scalable broadband network that will support new opportunities for the businesses and households of the CNMI. The former CEO of Docomo acknowledged the need for fiber and buried plant in quotes in local publications after Mawar. Docomo even submitted its own buried fiber proposal of 90 plus million for the CNMI BEAD. By virtue of the Benefit of the Bargain Round and following the presentation to the NTIA, both NTIA and the CNMI broadband office recognized the outstanding value proposition of IT&Es proposal for a 100% buried fiber solution for 1/3 of Docomos proposed price. There can be no better example of the Benefit of Bargain and rationality to support the award to IT&E Respectfully submitted, DAVID H. GIBSON IT&E Chief Executive Officer References: (Broeckaert, 2023). Federal Communications Commission. (Sept. 18, 2023). Granted Docomo Waiver Request for Additional Time to File Form 320. https://www.fcc.gov/document/granted-docomo-waiver-request-additional- time-file-form-320 (Taitano, 2023). Marianas Variety. (July 11. 2023). Telecommunications companies look to put resilient infrastructure underground. https://stupefied-booth.160-153-177-131.plesk.page/news/regional_world/telecommunications-companies-look-to-put-resilientinfrastructureunderground/article_efb3f824-1f94-11ee-8fc8-af7497102e09.html (Cagurangan, 2023). Pacific Island Times. (August 19, 2023). Docomo confronts PR crisis, vows to upgrade network before the next storm. https://www.pacificislandtimes.com/post/docomo-confronts-pr-crisis-vows-to-upgrade- network-before-the-next-storm President Donald Trump delivered a Statement honoring the National Guard and Reserve. Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Since before the birth of our Republic, the National Guard and Reserve have stood as our first line of defense against forces of tyranny, invasion, and violence. From their origins in colonial militias to their service fighting for our interests abroad and cleaning up the streets of our crime-ridden cities, our courageous Guardsmen and Reservists have been indispensable to the survival of our way of life. This National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week, we pay tribute to every employer who hires and supports these citizen Service membersand we offer our thanks for their steadfast commitment to keeping America safe, strong, sovereign, and free. At a moments notice, the brave men and women of the National Guard and Reservewho comprise nearly half of our fighting forcebring unparalleled expertise, combat capabilities, and technical prowess to their mission. Since I took office in January, members of the National Guard have played a crucial role in restoring integrity to our southern border, reasserting the rule of law in our Nations most violent cities, and returning order to our communities and our public square. Thanks in part to their tremendous efforts, our Nation is now safer than ever before. Even in the throes of battle or extraordinary mayhem and violence, the warriors of the National Guard and Reserve do not flinch. With incredible valor and professionalism, they defend our citizens, guard our freedom, and enforce our lawsmade possible by the businesses and organizations in the private sector that employ them and empower them to accomplish their mission. Their support enables these Service members to respond to unpredictable threats at home and abroad with the assurance that their jobs will still be there when their mission is complete. The flexibility and understanding of these employersoften despite sacrificing their own bottom lineis a testament to their integrity, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to defending our homeland. They employ our Service members in the face of unpredictable schedules, last-minute missions, and uncertain futures not because they have to, but because they have faith in their unrivaled tenacity and unmatched military discipline. These employers know that our citizen Service members are among the best, brightest, and toughest employees in our Nation. They represent the very best of the American spirit, and we are grateful to every employer who makes their work possible. The First Lady joins me in honoring the members of the National Guard and Reserve, as well as their resilient loved ones who share the burdens and blessings of service. This week, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary employers of our Reserve force for their valiant work on behalf of our liberty, safety, and peace. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. ONBOARD SHIP ZHONG SHAN DA XUE, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), has successfully completed a deep-sea voyage in the South China Sea, scientists have told Xinhua. The deep-sea electric ROV system named Haiqin, which was designed and built by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, reached a depth of 4,140 meters during the sea trial early on Saturday morning. Equipped with high-definition cameras, robotic arms, sonar systems and sensors -- the ROV demonstrated capabilities including automatic heading control and precise hovering. Conor here: In the following, Matt Bruenig dives into argumentation theory using his first argument at The Argument as a jumping off point. By Matt Bruenig, who writes about politics, the economy, and political theory, with a focus on issues that affect poor and working people. He is currently the president of 3P, a think tank founded in 2017. The primary mission of 3P is to publish ideas and analysis that assist in the development of an economic system that serves the many, not the few and aims to fill the holes left by the current think tank landscape with a special focus on socialist and social democratic economic ideas. Bruenig previously worked as a lawyer at the National Labor Relations Board and as a policy analyst at the Demos Think Tank. Originally published at his website. The discourse is full of argument but mostly devoid of argumentation theory. Most people read arguments impressionistically in much the same way that most people read novels, listen to music, or watch movies. There are people who have learned to technically dissect these forms and who, as a result, consume them much differently and can explain in great detail why a particular work is good or bad, but they are the distinct minority. Ive been thinking about this in the context of The Argument, a new publication that debuted last week that intends to, among other things, have real people argue real things directly against one another. How will people consume these arguments or make sense of them in a discursive environment devoid of generally-accepted notions of what makes an argument good or successful? The overwhelming response to the first head-to-head clash between myself and Kelsey Piper over the importance of cash welfare provided a good opportunity to answer this question. This response proved the theory that this is a potentially very entertaining and engaging form of content. But it has also confirmed that there is no consensus at all on how to actually evaluate the argument that everyone just read. Rich Yeselson read the exchange and concluded that it amounted to Matt Bruenig eviscerat[ing] a hapless lib out of the gate while Logan Bowers read it and found that he agreed more and more with Piper after each successive [Bruenig] paragraph. These are just two tweets, but based on my scan, they are reasonably representative of the thousands of other tweets reacting to the debate. If you think there is something to evaluating argument itself, not just agreeing or disagreeing with conclusions or people, there is something really strange about the inability to reach some kind of consensus about the exchange. It should be possible to say this or that person got the best of it in a way that is mostly detached from your own views. But to do this well requires the ability and willingness to technically dissect an argument, not just impressionistically consume it. When I looked at Kelseys first piece from a pure argumentation perspective, what I saw were two moves that go as follows: She contends that cash welfare does not really help much. She presents a few recent studies showing null results for cognitive and health outcomes. She doesnt present an explicit framework for evaluating whether a particular welfare policy is good, but implicitly adopts an evaluative framework that says welfare programs can be deemed good or bad by looking at the extent to which they promote human capital and related indicators. She presents an error theory to explain why leftists, liberals, progressives and so on are not reacting much to these studies despite the fact that they are, based on her implicit evaluative framework (human capital promotion), devastating to the pro-cash-welfare argument. The error theory is essentially that they are dishonest actors who refuse to acknowledge inconvenient facts. My response was specifically designed to clash with Pipers on every argumentative level: I make what debaters would call a kritik in which I challenge Pipers implied framework for evaluating the success or failure of welfare programs. Rather than looking to see whether a welfare program promotes human capital (Pipers preferred framework), I argue that we should look to the more traditional goals of the welfare state: eradicating class difference and social alienation, reducing inequality and leveling living standards, compressing and smoothing income and consumption, providing workers and individuals independence and refuge from coercion by reducing economic dependence on the labor market and the family, among other things. To make it clear that this is not some ad-hoc framework I am constructing to reach a preferred conclusion, I cite other authorities on the welfare state that also use it, including perhaps the most celebrated theoretical work on western welfare states,The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. I present an error theory to explain why Piper failed to account for these other goals in her argument. The error theory is that (a) she is unfamiliar with them, (b) she has unreflectively adopted recent ideas about the (mostly child-focused) welfare state that present it as an investment in human capital, (c) she is drawing upon an effective altruist idea to use direct cash transfers as an economic development strategy in the third world and mistakenly applying that logic to the developed-world welfare state in America. I directly respond to Pipers empirical claims by pointing out that there are contrary studies that do find positive results on the outcomes she focuses on. I anticipate her argument that those are lower quality because they arent RCTs by pointing to an RCT that was even higher quality than the ones she relied on. I directly respond to Pipers error theory by attacking the premise that nobody is acknowledging these studies by pointing out that the New York Times covered it. The kritik also functions as a response to the error theory: maybe its not that people dishonestly refuse to acknowledge the studies, but rather that the studies are just irrelevant to the main justifications for the welfare state. In theory, if we care about evaluating arguments themselves, we could get some agreement that these were the moves and then from there get into the more contentious questions of how they were executed, who won the various clashes involved, etc. In practice, with a few exceptions, people dont really digest arguments in this formalistic way. One of the things Ive found funny in the aftermath of the clash is watching people object to my argumentative style, which they describe as being mean or dismissive or personal or whatever. What these people are actually reacting to is my error theory about how Piper reached (what I regard as) an incorrect conclusion. My error theory is essentially that she is ignorant of the rationale for developed-world welfare states and has been led astray by recent liberal ideas about human capital and effective altruist ideas about third-world development policy. The reason I find the reaction to that interesting is that Piper also spends a good deal of her piece on an error theory. This error theory is sprinkled throughout the piece but it essentially accuses others of dishonesty. Indeed, she concludes the piece by calling them liars: Were in a dangerous epistemic environment. One where widespread agreement on basic facts is scarce and noble lies have permeated the halls of truth-seeking organizations like the media. Those of us who care about ending poverty have to choose the integrity of our work over trying to play 5D chess and hoping no one else knows the rules. As I said above, I designed my arguments to directly clash with Pipers. She presented an error theory that her opponents are liars. I presented an error theory that she is ignorant. Why is my error theory offensive and hers isnt? There is no actual difference between the offensiveness of our error theories, but there is a psychological difference in how people process them. Piper called a general group of people liars who selectively disregard inconvenient facts while I called a specific person ignorant. Abstractly, it would seem Piper has actually done the more offensive thing because shes said something sort of insulting about a lot of people while I have only said something sort of insulting about one person. But people dont process it this way because they are more affected when they can personalize the insulted party than when they cant. Way back in 2001 at the dawn of what was to be the American Century, the RAND Corporation noted that the demise, capture, or incapacitation of an enemy leader typically does not result in a favorable change in enemy policy or behavior. Yet Washington think tank landia continues to argue that on all fronts the US and its vassals simply need to keep up the pressure until Russian President Vladimir Putin dies. Until Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dies. And until Chinese President Xi Jinping dies or passes power. There is a whole cottage industry of experts pontificating on how US goals to democratize these countries could succeed once their current rulers dieeither from natural causes or by assassination. Washingtons proxies certainly have the green light. Israel went after Khamenei. Irans previous president Ebrahim Raisi died in a suspicious helicopter crash on a return trip from Israels partner in crime Azerbaijan. Ukraine has tried to kill Russian President Vladimir Putin. The RAND observation from 2001 might remain true, but the en vogue argument now appears to be that the US doesnt necessarily need a stable and friendly puppet government. It will find ways to feast on any whiff of a succession battle. Lets look at these hopeful strategies of death. Russia Last year, RFE/RL admitted the failure of Project Ukraine in its own quiet way. In a piece titled Crowdsourcing Russias Future: Poll Of Experts Considers What Comes After Putin it is noted that rather than Ukraine triggering Putins downfall, it has strengthened his position and that the most likely path of his exit is through death of old age. Systema RFE/RLs Russian investigative unitspoke to 40 Russian experts, almost all of whom listed this among the most probable paths for Russia, while eight listed it as the only possible route. So Project Ukraine mission failed, and theres no need to keep funding the meat grinder, right? Not so fast! Who knows when Putins death might come, and in the meantime the US needs to keep its Ukraine hail mary options open, argues former senior CIA analyst and Principal Deputy National Intelligence Officer for Russia and Eurasia at the National Intelligence Council Peter Schroeder, writing at Foreign Affairs that, what is certain is that, at some point, he will die. More: There is only one viable option for ending the war in Ukraine on terms acceptable to the West and Kyiv: waiting Putin out. Under this approach, the United States would hold the line in Ukraine and maintain sanctions against Russia while minimizing the level of fighting and amount of resources expended until Putin dies or otherwise leaves office. Only then will there be a chance for a lasting peace in Ukraine. Well, sure, but what does that guarantee Washington? Absolutely nothing. It could increase the odds of a more hardline government: Russia self-destructed twice last century, sure. But not because Nicholas II died he abdicated. Gorbachev wasnt killed. He got locked in a cuck corner and lived 30 more years. The real heuristic: Russia dies when its ruler cucks out. Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) August 3, 2025 What the above notes is the same observation made by RAND a quarter century ago, and yet some combination of military-industrial-tech complex money, delusion and desperation keep Washington dancing to the same tune. China Another more recent piece in Foreign Affairs makes a similar argument about China and its President Xi Jinping. It is penned by Tyler Jost, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs at Brown University, and Daniel C. Mattingly, an associate Professor of Political Science at Yale University who focuses on authoritarian regimes. They begin by listing all the horrible acts committed by Xi, from purges and suppression of dissent to encouraging wolf warrior diplomats and state involvement in the economy. What is the poor ol US supposed to do with such a mad man? Simply, keep on doing whats it doing, of course. Wait and bait, we could call it: Soon, however, everything will start to change. As the CCP elite begins the search for a leader to replace the 72-year-old Xi, China is transitioning from a phase defined by power consolidation to one defined by the question of succession. For any authoritarian regime, political succession is a moment of peril, and for all its strengths, the CCP is no exception. Jost and Mattingly proceed to salivate at the potential damage a succession battle could do to the Middle Kingdom, including such fantasies like a failed invasion of Taiwan that leaves China an international pariah. They conclude that it all just might break Washingtons way: Instead of meddling, the United States should let the process unfold while watching it closely. Although the partys geopolitical assessments and ideological convictions are bigger than Xi, it is not unreasonable to expect a course correction from the post-Xi years, in which a more moderate and temperate leader emergessomeone who is not stridently nationalist and who can break down the walls that the current leadership has built around the country. Indeed, in the past, the CCP has corrected course through the succession process. There is a hopeful lesson for the coming years in the transition from Maos radical socialism to Dengs more pragmatic policy of reform and opening. If we dont reform, the party is at a dead end, Deng famously said. Xis successor might come to the same conclusion. Perhaps this theme of waiting for inevitable deaths and maintaining a hands-off approach is a way of acceptance in the US that it cannot control the world. If it were to become reality, that would be welcome. Im not sure I like those odds. A recent mega-report from the Hudson Institute is more likely to accurately describe what a US attempt to destroy China would look like in the case of any destabilization upon Xis passing the baton. The chapter OSS in China Again: The Role of US Special Operations Forces after CCP Collapse, written by an anonymous author, dreams of Xis exit causing chaosupheaval that the US would rush to exploit. Here are some more juicy snippets from the three phases, starting with a Phase 0: Long before the CCPs collapse, US government agencies should launch a steady campaign of strategic messaging, public diplomacy, information operations, and covert influence. Their aim should be to reinforce the partitions between the party and the state, the party and the armed forces, and the party and the people. These partitions, however slight, will prove instrumental to a tenable state, military, and society after the fallmaximizing the likelihood that the partys collapse does not also bring down the rest of China with it. The capabilities of US special operations forces (US SOF) are well suited to this task, in concert with the US Department of State and other government agencies. Together, they should conduct a steady campaign of what George Kennan called political warfare, growing in scale and intensity as the fall of the CCP looms. During this campaign, the US SOFincluding US intelligence agencies like the Central Intelligence Agencys (CIA) Special Activities Center and other elementswill develop surrogate networks, train partner forces, enable cyber operations, and support other clandestine methods to deliver truthful information to populations inside China. If recent history is any indication, US spooks might have a tough time with this operation. Lets recall that more than 10 years ago China uncovered and crippled CIA networks in the country, killing many sources. Around the same time Beijing also began exposing American agents in Europe and Africa. Nonetheless, onto Phase 1: As soon as possible following regime collapse, the US government should surge diplomats and defense attaches to the US embassy in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenyang, and Wuhan, along with roughly 20 US SOF at each location. Through existing channels, US diplomats and defense attaches should establish crisis communications between the US ambassador and the provisional State Council, and between the US Department of Defense and the [Central Military Commission]. In these initial engagements, the United States should offer humanitarian assistance as the contingency requires, diplomatic recognition of the provisional central government of China, and an intelligence-sharing agreement to warn of opportunistic incursions along Chinas land borders. It should propose three urgent lines of effort for the provisional government, which the newly formed Chinese military will carry out and US [Special Operations Forces] will assist: border security, humanitarian assistance in affected areas, and safeguarding of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and related material. Finally, US SOF should provide on-the-ground warning intelligence and options of last resort to prevent the proliferation of WMDs and related material. Joint contingency planning between the US government and the provisional central government of China should account for and secure key munitions stockpiles, facilities, and delivery platforms under the command and control of the provisional central government, including of sea-based nuclear ballistic missile submarines. Additional US SOF teams should accompany PLA Army and Rocket Force units to secure the most critical sites, provide early warning of imminent threats, and develop contingency plans to safeguard WMDs in an emergency. These plans should provide that, as a last resort, US SOF based outside China will conduct direct action missions to render WMDs and related materials safe. In its combined operations with US SOFkeeping watch over land borders, delivering humanitarian relief, averting the catastrophic proliferation of WMDs, buying time for a free and legitimate government to coalescethe PLA will take up a noble calling in a new China and leave behind its former charge as the military arm of the CCP. Bonkers stuff. Theres more, but you get the picture, and you could understand why the author wanted to remain anonymous. Arnaud Bertrand argues this increased, umm, ambition says a lot more about the lunatics in Washington than it does anything about China: Witnessing the end of American primacy, some members of the imperial establishment are transforming themselves into a grotesque caricature of themselves, taking every toxic aspect of American foreign policy and amplifying it to absurd extremes, becoming more imperially ambitious and delusional than ever before, planning interventions of unprecedented scale and audacity, as if doubling down on their worst impulses might somehow restore their waning dominance. Onto Tehran, where the real men go. Iran Its another case in which US threats of military force carry little weight and decades of coercion have proved ineffective at toppling the government in Tehran. Rather than simply wait for the death of Khamenei, however, there is a hope in DC that the Israelis can assassinate him. The neocon Middle East Forum certainly hopes soand not just Khamenei: Ultimately, Khameneis death would pose an even greater challenge to the Islamic Republics stability than Ruhollah Khomeinis passing in 1989. This would be especially true if he were killed alongside his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, whom many observers view as a potential successor. Israel might have to assassinate even more, according to the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs: senior security officials say it is doubtful that the assassination of Khamenei and his son Mojtaba alone would destabilize the regime. According to them, Israel must eliminate not only Khamenei and Mojtaba, but also all members of the Guardian Council and the Assembly of Experts about 100 individuals in total. Only a powerful blow to the ideological, political, and religious structure of the Islamic Republic will bring about its collapse. The core leadership of Iran consists of: Ali Khamenei the ultimate authority. Mojtaba Khamenei the designated successor, closely linked to the IRGC and considered more radical than his father. The Guardian Council preserves the Islamic identity of the state and blocks any constitutional reforms. The Assembly of Experts appoints the Supreme Leader and grants religious legitimacy to the regime. Security sources say that the Mossad and the IDF could carry out such an operation, and that there is a high probability it would lead to the regimes collapse. What could go wrong? Its worth remembering the above accounts are not from ostracized crackpots. They are from the foreign policy establishment and respected (by most) institutions of higher learning, and they are actively cheering for the collapse of governments that collectively cover about 1.6 billion people on earth and two of which possess vast nuclear arsenals. And even scarier: a few of these policy prescriptions might actually represent progress as they at least dont advocate for direct military confrontation, which could escalate to nuclear war. Squint and you could make the case that these scenarios of infighting in China, Iran, and Russia perhaps offer a creeping realization that all Washingtons tools of coercion are becoming useless against the above three targets and that the best option is waiting. Unfortunately, advocating for patience doesnt mean the crazies are giving up, just that they need to prepare for and pick their spots. Trumps was able to leverage attack on Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, based on the false idea that the Malaysian/Singaporean was a Chinese operative, into a controversial 9.9% stake by converting CHIPS grants into equity precisely because the once-dominant semiconductor company is in a world of hurt. As well explain, this agreement does nothing to improve Intels wobbly fundamentals and at the margin, weakens it financially. This deal is best thought of as yet another dominance display by Trump, attempting to demonstrate his acumen by acting as a chiseler who retrades deals to squeeze more from weak parties. But this arrangement is not socialism, as many decry. The bare facts of this agreement are not even being properly reported. The Associated Press stated that the US is getting non-voting shares. That is not correct. From Intels site: Under terms of the agreement, the United States government will make an $8.9 billion investment in Intel common stock The governments equity stake will be funded by the remaining $5.7 billion in grants previously awarded, but not yet paid, to Intel under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act and $3.2 billion awarded to the company as part of the Secure Enclave program. Intel will continue to deliver on its Secure Enclave obligations and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering trusted and secure semiconductors to the U.S. Department of Defense. The $8.9 billion investment is in addition to the $2.2 billion in CHIPS grants Intel has received to date, making for a total investment of $11.1 billion. Sports fans, this is a loss for Intel. It either had gotten or was due to get the cash.1 It has instead had to issue more common stock, which dilutes current shareholders and at the margin would make it more costly to raise new equity. And even though (as well soon explain), Intels problems are operational, not financial, and cant be solved by money, any more than throwing more funds at Project Ukraine can magic new weapons into existence. And Intel was downgraded by Fitch on August 4 to from BBB+ to BBB with a negative outlook. S&P had already downgraded Intel to BBB in December. Moodys still has Intel a notch higher, at BBB1, just downgraded from A3 on August 8. Regardless, BBB is the last major ratings grade above junk level. So it might behoove Intel to sell shares at some point before its rating condition becomes more perilous. Much of the breathless coverage gives the impression that the Federal government got the sort of extra rights that a large shareholder by virtue of a one-time investment might extract, such as board seats or veto rights. Nope. Again from Intel: The governments investment in Intel will be a passive ownership, with no Board representation or other governance or information rights. The government also agrees to vote with the Companys Board of Directors on matters requiring shareholder approval, with limited exceptions. The government will receive a five-year warrant, at $20 per share for an additional five percent of Intel common shares, exercisable only if Intel ceases to own at least 51% of the foundry business. Intel also stopped paying dividends over a year ago. So the government got no more influence over Intel than it already possessed due to Trumps very active use of bullying and name calling. Keep in mind that those alone are the reason Nvidia and AMD capituled to the demand that they agree to pay a probably unconstitutional 15% export tax on sales to China.2 The business press also attributes Trump demands that companies eat tariffs as a big reason why major retailers have passed through only a small portion of those new costs to customers.2 Its not a secret that Intels woes are deep seated. Like Boeing, its decline is the result of Intels once great engineering being subordinated to rule by MBA. Bill Lozaonick, who has been a long critic of stock buybacks, has written extensively about Intel. Consider how far Intels decline had progressed as of his and Matt Hopkins 2021 article How Intel Financialized and Lost Leadership in Semiconductor Fabrication: For a half-century after the invention of the integrated circuit at Texas Instruments (TI) and Fairchild Semiconductor in the late 1950s, the United States was a leader in global semiconductor fabrication. Meanwhile, from the early 1980s, fabless semiconductor companies firms that designed, but did not fabricate chips themselves proliferated, creating products for varied segments of the memory and logic markets Responding to the opportunity to manufacture chips for fabless firms, in 1987 Morris Chang, a Taiwanese native with electrical engineering degrees from MIT and Stanford and 25 years of work experience at TI, launched Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC) as the worlds first pure play foundry Larger, however. as a semiconductor fabricator is Samsung Electronics Corporation (SEC), the flagship company of the Korean Samsung chaebol, with estimated 2020 foundry revenues of $14.7b..As an IDM [integrated device manufacturer], SEC was second globally to Intel, which had $77.9b. in 2020 semiconductor revenues. Among the fabless firms competing with Intel at the high end of the processor market are U.S.-based Nvidia (2020 revenues: $16.7b.) and AMD ($9.8b.). The most advanced chips are produced for smartphones as system-on-a-chip (SOC). The leading designers of SOCs are Apple (USA), Qualcomm (USA), SEC (South Korea), and MediaTek (Taiwan). HiSilicon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Huawei Technologies (China), was also a SOC leader until U.S. trade sanctions, implemented from August 2020, terminated its access to TSMCs fab output.[4] TSMC and SEC use 7nm and 5nm process technology to manufacture many of these mobile processors along with the most advanced AMD computer and Nvidia gaming SOCs. According to TSMC, compared with 7nm, 5nm offers 15% faster speed, 30% less power consumption, and 1.8 times the logic density Intel still leads the global semiconductor industry in total revenues. But, as an IDM, Intel manufactures almost all its CPUs at 14nm, and its 10nm capacity has been stuck, with limited output, since 2018. Meanwhile, Apple is abandoning Intel processors for its Mac computers, turning instead to TSMC to fabricate Apples own designs. Intel itself already contracts with TSMC and UMC to produce 15-20% of its non-CPU chips. Moreover, later this year, TSMC will commence production of intels Core i3 processors, inside advanced laptops, at 5nm. So stop a second and note the importance of that last paragraph. The bulk of Intels output was of much older, workhorse 14nm chips; it wasnt even much of a player at 10nm chips and was having to outsource the manufacture of its 5mm chip designs. Lazonick and Hopkins soon observe: Why has Intel fallen behind TSMC and SEC in semiconductor fabrication, and why is it unlikely to catch up? The problem is that Intel is engaged in two types of competition, one with companies like TSMC and SEC in cutting-edge fabrication technology and the other within Intel itself between innovation and financialization. The Asian companies have governance structures that vaccinate them from an economic virus known as maximizing shareholder value (MSV). Intel caught the virus over two decades ago. The authors documented the extent of Intels payouts, both via dividends and buybacks, but pointed out that is it not money per se but financialization that was driving Intels decline: The foundation of financial commitment is retained earnings. In the case of Intel, as shown in Table 1 above, in recent years the company has made substantial allocations to P&E and R&D, even as it has distributed almost all its profits to shareholders.[20] But Intel has been able to tap other cash flows to make, simultaneously, large-scale productive investments and shareholder payouts. For the decade, 2011-2020, these other cash flows included depreciation charges of $87b., long-term debt issues of $45b., and stock sales (mainly to employees in stock-based compensation plans) of $12b. Given the availability of these sources of funds, the vast sums that Intel has wasted on buybacks have not thus far imposed a cash constraint on its investments in semiconductor fabrication. Rather, it has been a deficiency in organizational learningthe essence of the innovation processthat has hampered Intels implementation of process technology. The generation of high levels of productivity from P&E and R&D expenditures requires, as a second social condition of innovative enterprise, organizational integration, working in combination with financial commitment. Organizational integration mobilizes the skills and efforts of large numbers of people in a hierarchical and functional division of labor into the collective and cumulative learning processes required to transform technologies to generate a higher-quality product and, then, access markets to attain economies of scale. The root of Intels failure in organizational integration lies in the financialized character of a third social condition of innovative enterprise, strategic control. Accepting stock yield as the measure of enterprise performance, in recent years Intels senior executives who exercise strategic control have lacked both the incentive and, increasingly we would argue, the ability, to implement innovative investment strategies through organizational integration. Matt Stoller, in an important August post, brought the story of Intels fall up to date: The answer is that Trump is a more authoritarian version of the same finance oriented leadership style weve had since Jimmy Carter If Trump were different than his predecessors, hed try to save Intel, and be disdainful of Nvidia and Apple. So far, he isnt. He cut deals with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who he sees as a winner. Same with Apple CEO Tim Cook. He humiliated Intels CEO Lip-Bu Tan, precisely because Intel is doing the dirty physical work that Wall Street hates. The best way to understand how Trump is running a more authoritarian version of the same playbook is to look at how he treats the three most important semiconductor firms in America. The first is artificial intelligence firm Nvidia, which makes a monopoly software platform called CUDA, and outsources the production of physical chips to run its software to Taiwan Semiconductor. Nvidia is the most valuable company in the world by stock price. The second is Apple, which is the biggest buyer of semiconductors in the world and an important designer of chips. It too offshores its production of chips and electronics, and it is the third most valuable company in the world by stock price. Finally there is Intel, which is the only major American fabricator of high-end semiconductors, producing physical product in the United States. Its stock price has gotten killed since 2020, and now the company itself is dying But in 2005, the company pulled a Boeing. The board hired its first non-technical CEO, Paul Otellini, who moved the company away from investing in continued technological leadership and focused the company on anti-competitive practices, like using rebates to stop customers from buying from smaller rival AMD. The clearest strategic misstep was missing out on supplying the chip for the iPhone, which Apple released in 2007 Apple soon decided that the iPhone required a new kind of logic chip, one that could balance performance with the efficiency needed for a small battery-run device. To make acquire such a chip, Apple bet on restructuring the entire chip industry, designing chips in-house but having them produced by a partner whose sole focus was running foundries, Taiwan Semiconductor. So-called fabless chipmaking at scale wasnt industry standard; one expression among chipmakers had been real men have fabs. Also, nothing on the scale of the iPhone had ever existed. Apple and TSMC eventually became a Wintel-style partnership Intel had always been an engineering-driven firm that took big risks when industry dynamics shifted, but under Otellini, it financialized and ossified. And so it missed multiple key turns in the industry mobile, process leadership, and later on, the turn to a different kind of chip with AI. Former Intel principal engineer Francois Pidnoel said that the companys culture resulted in no innovation, no aggressive road-maps, and no people driven because they are are discouraged because the MBAs are the only ones rising. The Chair of the Board today is Frank Yeary, a private equity guy, and the board even has a VP from Boeing on it. The mirage of Intels strength has long since dissipated, but the companys board members have not been held accountable. Stoller also argues that policymakers played a big role in Intels decline. The company was the target of anti-trust cases over its use of rebates, but Chicago-school free market loving judges ruled for Intel. And he posits that the fabless model, which now posed a threat to Intel, is the direct result of fabless customers commanding monopoly rent. In other sectors, like memory chips and analogue chips, vertical integration rules. Stoller contends that government financial support cannot solve Intels woes (even if the money was ideally directed) because it could never be enough: But the CHIPS Act, while it did spur some domestic production, did not fix the fundamental problem in chip markets. Government money is very limited compared to the actual demand from big customers. For instance, Apple, the largest chip buyer in the world, has spent $458 billion since 2018 on dividends and share buybacks, an amount equal to nearly ten CHIPS Acts. And it has no incentive to see Intel succeed, because it benefits from TSMCs fabrication monopoly. The comments section of the Financial Times story on the Trump-Intel agreement was overwhelmingly skeptical of the notion that Intel could right its ship, much the less that the US share acquisition would be of any benefit. Some examples: Confabulator The company has been going in the wrong direction since at least 10 years ago, and even longer if we include the debacle of missing out on the smartphone market. With AI, thats 2 major innovations they missed out on. And now theyre increasingly less competitive in their traditional market segments too. Plus, their manufacturing has fallen behind the likes of TSMC whom they used to lead by a generation. Eclair The question is Does Intel have it anymore or are they completely lost ? They seem to be destined to manufacture the commodity chips but nothing too complex. This investment is at best shaky it seems. It certainly confirms Intel is in trouble. Strix technica Poach TSMCs talent? Its worth a try, but their knowledge of TSMCs processes alone (unless they got lucky and the individuals helped solve for TSMC specific problems similar to those that node 18A has) probably wouldnt help much except insofar as theyre employed by TSMC because theyre smart people who know what theyre doing. Earlier this month, three TSMC current/ex-employees were arrested on allegations of IP theft. I forget where I read this now, but it was said that this stolen information was of limited use to the recipient, though how anyone could know that (especially in so short a time) I dont know. Still, ex-TSMC employees provided theyre not the alleged thieves, of course! could well be of help to solving Intels node 18A problems. TwistedElegance Its very sensible for government to own a stake in key industries. However Intels trouble comes from the fact its latest processors are terrible compared to AMD. AMD delivers more cores, more performance, and lower power requirements. 2 years ago I built a new PC based on Intel (I dont really game on it.) 18 months later, I find out that there is a bug in the processor firmware that means its slowly destroying itself by requesting too much voltage from the motherboard! A bios update has supposedly fixed this, but who knows the damage done up to that point? I dont think Id buy Intel again. So what do we make of this deal? At a minimum, its yet another example of Trumps default of violating the Sun Tsu warning: All tactics and no strategy is the noise before the defeat. It also demonstrates Trumps bizarre fixation with trying to extract monetary wins when theres nothing, or almost nothing, to be had. As one Financial Times reader put it: Armagheddon Pro: at least the taxpayer gets something for their money, 10% in a failing business is better than nothing. Con: this is still a bad use of money. Intel is saying we should stop, we cant find customers for this product. US Gov: do it anyhow, we like the optics on this one. Bonfire of taxpayer money. And this scheme is yet another demonstration of Trump engaging in bad faith behavior, here of pressing Intel to give up stock to get previously Congressionally-approved grant funding. Members of the Trump Team seem either to defer to his extremely transactional posture or actually believe in it. They seem unable to grasp that many things that governments normally do yield payoffs that Wharton MBAs find hard to put in spreadsheets, such as social cohesiveness and trust in institutions, and soft power. This episode reminds me of the bigger row between Trump and Zelensky over the raw earths deal. Ukraine had opened this door by suggesting a natural resources partnership to induce the US to continue to fund the war. As Fortune then explained: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he was trying to get money back for the billions of dollars sent to support Ukraines war against Russia. Trump told delegates at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) near Washington: Im trying to get the money back, or secured. I want them to give us something for all of the money that we put up. Were asking for rare earth and oil, anything we can get. Were going to get our money back because its just not fair. And we will see, but I think were pretty close to a deal, and we better be close because that has been a horrible situation. As readers may recall, Zelensky dug in his heels and refused to sign many highly extractive US sets of terms, finally accepting something less unreasonable.4 The whole idea was quickly shown to be a big joke when, shortly after the signing, Russia secured territory that included the biggest lithium deposits in Ukraine.one of the prizes the US sought. Admittedly, with Ukraine having gotten the US to wrangle hard over an empty bag, there is the risk we warned about at the time, that the mere execution of this pact created US interests in having Ukraine survive, holding as much territory as possible, as opposed to focusing on the bigger prizes of normalizing relations with Russia and cutting Project Ukraine losses. This US stake in Intel analogously runs the risk of committing the US to the Mission Impossible of saving the ever more troubled Intel. But it will take a while for Intels unraveling to advance to a crisis point, and that could easily occur after Trumps watch. So the question of whether Intel is too essential to fail or merely list badly will remain in play. _____ 1 One might try to argue that the conversion of the $2.2 billion CHIPS Act grant eliminated claw-back and profit-sharing provisions is a benefit to Intel. Perhaps. But profit sharing provisions pre-suppose profit, so having to pay that would not be a hardship. The bigger arguable issue was that CHIPS Acts disbursements were held up by red tape. Recall that this bill had bi-partisan support and was an attempt at industrial policy, both to reverse the US loss of dominance in the semi-conductor business, and reduce supply chain/procurement vulnerability. However, as a new Wall Street Journal article makes crystal-clear, Intels CEO Tan ran to see Trump after Trump aggressively attacked his loyalty. This deal had nada to do with Intel wanting to get its hands on the outstanding CHIPS Act funds. Intel already had $22 roughly in cash and equivalents before the Trump and Softbank infusions. Wikipedia gives further detail about the CHIPS Act: The CHIPS and Science Act is a U.S. federal statute enacted by the 117th United States Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden on August 9, 2022. The act authorizes roughly $280 billion in new funding to boost domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States, for which it appropriates $52.7 billion. The act includes $39 billion in subsidies for chip manufacturing on U.S. soil along with 25% investment tax credits for costs of manufacturing equipment, and $13 billion for semiconductor research and workforce training, with the dual aim of strengthening American supply chain resilience and countering China.: 1 It also invests $174 billion in the overall ecosystem of public sector research in science and technology, advancing human spaceflight, quantum computing, materials science, biotechnology, experimental physics, research security, social and ethical considerations, workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at NASA, NSF, DOE, EDA, and NIST. The act does not have an official short title as a whole but is divided into three divisions with their own short titles: Division A is the CHIPS Act of 2022 (where CHIPS stands for the former Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act); Division B is the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act; and Division C is the Supreme Court Security Funding Act of 2022. By March 2024, analysts estimated that the act incentivized between 25 and 50 separate potential projects, with total projected investments of $160200 billion and 25,00045,000 new jobs. However, these projects are faced with delays in receiving grants due to bureaucratic hurdles, shortages of skilled workers, and congressional funding deals that have limited or cut research provisions of the Act by tens of billions of dollars. The clawback provisions sound as if they were mere eyewash. Again from Wikipedia: In October 2022, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Tammy Baldwin and Representatives Sean Casten, Jamaal Bowman, Pramila Jayapal and Bill Foster sent a letter to Secretary Raimondo urging her to detail how the Commerce Department would enforce the laws provisions preventing companies from using CHIPS Act money directly on stock buybacks (they noted the law does not prevent recipients from using the money to free up their own funds for stock buybacks), as well as whether the department would claw back misused funds and resolve conflicts of interest. 2 In the Intel case, theres a similar question of the legality of Trump running roughshod over the CHIPS Act, which was intended to be generous to semiconductor players and boost their US operations and competitiveness generally, by the grants become equity extraction. 3 Some analysts also contend that tariff costs are turning out to be lower than originally estimated. 4 Details are sketchy. However from PBS: New subscriber benefit! Copied to clipboard Out of gifts for the month Unfortunately you've used all of your gifts this month. Your counter will reset on the first day of next month. Share this article paywall-free Brussels-Washington trade deal grinds to halt amid clash over digital CENSORSHIP laws A high-stakes EU-U.S. trade agreement has stalled due to disputes over the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes strict content moderation rules on tech platforms. The U.S. argues these rules create unfair trade barriers, while the EU refuses to compromise. The DSA mandates aggressive censorship of "disinformation," "hate speech" and other content deemed harmful by Brussels, with fines up to six percent of global revenue for non-compliance. Critics warn it could suppress scientific debate, political dissent and alternative media. The stalled deal leaves key industries (aviation, pharmaceuticals, energy) in regulatory limbo, with some facing higher tariffs. Meanwhile, U.S. states like Florida and Texas have passed laws banning social media censorship, setting up potential legal clashes with federal/EU-style regulations. The EU allocated 736 million ($855M) to "combat disinformation," a fund critics call a slush pool for censorship. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) face fines for refusing to censor debates on COVID-19 origins, election integrity and vaccine injuries, which the EU labels "misinformation." The standoff reflects deeper divisions over free speech, corporate accountability and digital governance. With neither side backing down, businesses face uncertainty, while free speech advocates warn of long-term suppression of dissent under EU-style regulations. A high-stakes trade agreement between the European Union and the U.S. has stalled indefinitely, with digital censorship policies emerging as the central point of contention. The dispute has delayed the release of a joint statement meant to formalize a July 27 tariff agreement between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump, leaving key sectors in regulatory limbo. While both sides initially framed the deal as a step toward economic cooperation, the deadlock now threatens broader transatlantic relations, exposing deep divisions over free speech, corporate accountability and digital sovereignty. At the heart of the conflict is the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping 2024 regulation requiring platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Google to police "disinformation," "hate speech," and other content deemed harmful by Brussels. While framed as a step toward transparency, "the DSA is really a Trojan horse for totalitarian governance, ensuring that only state-approved narratives thrive while independent voices, medical freedom advocates and anti-globalist movements are systematically deplatformed, fined or criminalized," Brighteon.AI's Enoch states. An EU official, speaking to the Financial Times on condition of anonymity, declared that altering the DSA's enforcement was "a red line" and non-negotiable. The bloc insists the law is necessary to combat foreign election interference, terrorist propaganda and public health misinformation, particularly in the wake of controversies surrounding the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) narratives and vaccine debates. Yet U.S. negotiators counter that the DSA's broad definitions of "misinformation" could be weaponized to suppress legitimate dissent, including scientific debate, political criticism and alternative media. A U.S. trade official pushed back, stating: "We continue to address digital trade barriers in conversations with our trading partners and the EU agreed to address these barriers when our initial agreement was struck." Trade implications: Who stands to lose? Beyond digital policy, the delayed agreement has economic repercussions. The July tariff deal capped most duties at 15 percent, but exemptions for EU aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals have left some industries exposed to higher costs. Meanwhile, Washington secured commitments from Brussels to boost purchases of American energy exports. While this is a win for U.S. liquefied natural gas producers, it's a contentious point for EU member states grappling with energy transition policies. The lack of transparency has fueled skepticism in Europe, where some officials argue the bloc conceded too much in exchange for vague assurances. Unlike the U.S.-U.K. trade deal, where terms were published immediately, the EU-U.S. negotiations have dragged on without public disclosure, raising concerns about backroom concessions. (Related: EU submits to 15% Trump tariffs in new U.S. trade deal.) In the U.S., meanwhile, Florida, Texas and other states have passed laws banning social media censorship of political speech, setting up potential legal clashes with federal agencies that may seek to align with EU-style regulations. Elon Musk's X has become a flashpoint in this struggle, with the EU threatening fines over the platform's refusal to censor posts about COVID-19 lab origins, election integrity and vaccine injuries topics the EU classifies as "disinformation." Free speech advocates warn that the DSA's vague definitions could be exploited to silence dissident scientists, independent journalists and political opponents. The EU's recent 736 million ($855 million) allocation for "combating disinformation" a fund critics call a slush pool for censorship has only heightened concerns. With neither side willing to blink, the trade deal's future hangs in the balance. The European Commission insists it will not weaken the DSA, while U.S. trade representatives maintain that digital barriers were always part of the negotiation. Nevertheless, the fight over who controls online discourse is far from over and the consequences will shape the digital landscape for decades to come. Watch this video about U.S. President Trump reaching a "major trade deal" with the European Union. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump unveils bold semiconductor tariff plan to boost U.S. manufacturing amid global trade shifts. Trump's $50B tariff policy shakes global markets as U.S. eyes manufacturing dominance. Trump announces 30% tariffs on imports from Mexico and EU. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org Brighteon.AI FT.com Brighteon.com EPA emails reveal SMEAR CAMPAIGN against scientist who challenged East Palestine clean-up claims Scientist Scott Smith uncovered hazardous dioxin levels in East Palestine, Ohio's soil directly contradicting EPA assurances that the area was safe post-derailment. Former EPA official Judith Enck urged a review of his findings. Leaked emails reveal the EPA surveilled Smith tracking his movements, photographing his property and circulating his personal details among staff while dismissing his evidence. Officials allegedly focused on "controlling the narrative" rather than addressing contamination. Smith accused the EPA of avoiding scrutiny by refusing to test for the full spectrum of toxins. Instead of engaging with his research, the agency launched a coordinated effort to discredit him, including drone deployments near his location. The vinyl chloride burn intended to avert an explosion created highly toxic dioxins, contaminating soil at levels hundreds of times above EPA safety thresholds. Residents reported ongoing health issues, noxious fumes and polluted waterways. Critics liken the EPA's response to past disasters like Love Canal and Flint, Michigan where agencies downplayed risks until independent investigations forced accountability. Residents and advocates demand transparency as long-term health impacts loom. When the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assured residents of East Palestine, Ohio that it was safe to return home after the February 2023 train derailment and controlled burn of toxic chemicals, independent scientist Scott Smith's findings told a different story. Smith, an environmental testing expert, conducted independent analyses that contradicted the EPA's assurances, uncovering hazardous dioxin concentrations. Former EPA official Judith Enck urged the agency to review his findings. But instead of taking his findings seriously, federal officials launched a surveillance and disinformation campaign against him based on leaked emails reviewed by NewsNation. Meanwhile, residents reported noxious fumes, contaminated waterways and lingering health issues following the disaster. According to the emails, the EPA allegedly prioritized damage control over transparency. It tracked Smith's movements, circulated his personal details among staff and even monitored his dog all while dismissing his evidence of elevated dioxin levels in the soil. Emails show EPA staff disseminated Smith's whereabouts to over 50 employees, photographed his property and deployed drones near his location. Lesley Pacey of the Government Accountability Project called the agency's actions "troubling," noting the focus on "controlling the narrative" rather than addressing public health concerns. Smith, who has visited East Palestine more than 30 times, accused the EPA of systemic negligence. "They don't want to look for the full spectrum of chemicals," he told NewsNation. "Instead of dialogue, they launched this smear campaign." (Related: EPA still refusing to test for toxic dioxins in East Palestine, Ohio.) Dioxin disaster: The burning cover-up in East Palestine The revelations come amid growing scrutiny of the EPA's handling of one of the worst environmental disasters in recent U.S. history. Despite the smears against Smith, his work drew praise from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who lauded the environmental scientist as an "extraordinary advocate" for affected communities. Following the Feb. 3, 2023 derailment, crews burned five tankers of vinyl chloride a known carcinogen to avert an explosion. But this action triggered a bigger explosion of health issues, as the burning created highly toxic dioxins. As per Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine: "These cancer-causing compounds contaminated the soil at levels hundreds of times above EPA safety thresholds as part of a deliberate chemical release." Residents like Jami Wallace, also surveilled per the emails, echoed frustrations. "We know we got screwed from the beginning," she said, demanding accountability for the transition of symptoms into long-term illnesses. The EPA claimed in a statement that it was "very concerned" by the allegations, pledging a review. However, critics argue the response echoes historic failures from Love Canal to Flint, Michigan where agencies minimized risks until independent scrutiny forced action. For Smith, the lesson is clear: "It's not just East Palestine. It's a systemic thing." Visit EPA.news for more similar stories. Listen to the Health Ranger Mike Adams discussing the EPA's admission of the dioxin fallout following the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: East Palestine train wreck may have created largest dioxin plume in world history. ANALYSIS: East Palestine "controlled explosion" released carcinogenic dioxins and a WWI choking agent. Chlorinated dioxins are everywhere following East Palestine train incident, but toxicologists aren't testing for them. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com AmGreatness.com NewsNationNow.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com FBI arrests most wanted fugitive Cindy Rodriguez Singh in India for murder of 6-year-old son Cindy Rodriguez Singh, who is on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list, was arrested in India and extradited to the U.S. to face charges in the murder of her 6-year-old son, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez. Singh fled the U.S. in March 2023 with her husband and six children after allegedly misleading police during a welfare check. Noel, who had multiple health conditions, was not seen after October 2022 and was not on the flight. INTERPOL issued a Red Notice in October 2024, leading to her arrest through coordinated efforts between the FBI, Indian authorities and INTERPOL. Singh is the fourth fugitive arrested under FBI Director Kash Patel, who took office in January 2025. He has emphasized renewed focus on violent criminals. The FBI also recently captured fugitives Donald Eugene Fields II, Arnoldo Jimenez and MS-13 leader Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales all tied to violent and serious crimes. A woman on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list has been captured in India and extradited to the United States, where she will face charges in the murder of her 6-year-old son. Cindy Rodriguez Singh, who was officially added to the "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list in July 2025, had been the subject of a global manhunt since October 2023, when she was charged with capital murder by the District Court in Tarrant County, Texas, after allegedly killing her medically vulnerable son, Noel Rodriguez Alvarez. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, Rodriguez Singh disappeared with her husband and six other children on March 22, 2023, boarding an international flight to India. At the time, investigators were searching for her son Noel, who had not been seen since October 2022. Authorities later confirmed the boy was not on the flight, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Noel suffered from numerous medical conditions, including chronic lung disease, a severe developmental disorder and bone density issues. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services requested a welfare check in March 2023 after concerns were raised over his safety. During that welfare check, Rodriguez Singh allegedly misled police, telling them Noel was in Mexico with his biological father. Two days later, she left the country. A federal warrant for her arrest on charges of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued days later by the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, Texas. On Oct. 3, 2024, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) issued a Red Notice for Rodriguez Singh, notifying all member countries, including India, of the international arrest warrant. An extradition packet was submitted alongside the notice. Now, Rodriguez Singh was arrested in India through a coordinated international effort involving the FBI, the INTERPOL and Indian authorities. The FBI confirmed that Rodriguez Singh was recently taken into custody in India and has now been returned to the United States. She will be transferred to Texas authorities to face prosecution. "The FBI's Ten Most Wanted list exists for cases just like this where a dangerous fugitive thought she could run, hide overseas and escape justice," FBI Director Kash Patel said. "Thanks to relentless FBI work and our international partnerships, Cindy Rodriguez-Singh is back on American soil to face accountability for the horrific murder of her own child. Justice has no borders, and today the American people can see that we will never stop pursuing those who prey on the most innocent among us." Three other "most wanted" fugitives have been arrested under Patel Rodriguez Singh is the fourth fugitive on FBI's most wanted list to be captured under the leadership of Patel. Since January 20, 2025, the FBI has arrested Donald Eugene Fields II, Arnoldo Jimenez and Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales all high-profile fugitives wanted for violent crimes ranging from child exploitation to murder and narco-terrorism. (Related: FBI finally nabs one of the "Most Wanted Terrorists" behind 2003 San Francisco bombings.) On Jan. 25, 60-year-old Donald Eugene Fields II was taken into custody in Lady Lake, Florida, during a routine traffic stop. Fields had been on the Ten Most Wanted list for charges that include statutory rape, child molestation, sexual exploitation of a minor and witness tampering. He now faces both federal and state prosecution. Just five days later, on Jan. 30, fugitive Arnoldo Jimenez was apprehended in Mexico. Jimenez was wanted for the brutal stabbing murder of his wife in 2012, just hours after their wedding. The FBI coordinated the arrest with Mexican authorities following years of international investigative work. Then, on March 18, Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, a top leader in the transnational MS-13 gang, was captured in Mexico. He is accused of leading violent racketeering operations, drug trafficking, human smuggling and so-called "narco-terrorism." He has since been extradited to the U.S. and faces federal charges. The wave of arrests began just five days after Patel assumed office. Visit Violence.news for more stories about apprehended criminals and their violent crimes. Watch the video below about illegal migrants linked to the rise in crime and gang presence in the United States. This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Antonio Riano, one of "America's Most Wanted" fugitives, finally captured in Mexico 20 years after fatal shooting in Ohio. "Cryptoqueen" becomes first crypto criminal on FBIs top 10 most wanted. ICE admits lax border security policies allowed Tren de Aragua gang members to illegally enter the U.S.. Sources include: 100PercentFedUp.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.AI DailyExpress.com Brighteon.com German economy in turmoil as bankruptcies and unemployment hit 10-year highs In July, Germany recorded 4,007 corporate bankruptcies, a 19.2 percent year-on-year increase, marking the highest monthly total since October 2015, particularly affecting industries like chemicals, automotive and mechanical engineering. Unemployment has risen to 2.98 million, up 170,000 from last year, with projections indicating it could surpass three million by the end of August, the highest level in a decade. GDP contractions for 2023 and 2024 have been revised downward, while industrial production fell 1.9 percent in June, the worst since the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling persistent economic stagnation. Even traditionally pro-CDU media like Welt have harshly criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first 100 days, calling his performance a "disaster" and questioning the effectiveness of his trillion-euro recovery plan. While Merz's administration points to external factors like U.S. tariffs, critics argue Germany's woes are largely structural worsened by overregulation, excessive taxation and institutional resistance to reform. New figures have revealed a sharp rise in bankruptcies and unemployment in Germany, both reaching levels not seen in a decade. According to the Federal Statistical Office, Germany recorded 4,007 bankruptcies in July, a staggering 19.2 percent increase from the same month in 2024. This marks the highest monthly total since October 2015 and is a clear indicator of growing instability in the business sector. The spike in insolvencies follows a broader trend of economic contraction, particularly within key industries such as chemicals, automotive and mechanical engineering, which are struggling under the weight of sluggish global demand, regulatory burdens and weak domestic investment. (Related: Germany SUSPENDS Schengen Area access scheme, tightens border security.) At the same time, the labor market is under increasing pressure. The Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft reports that 125,000 layoffs have been announced since the start of July. Unemployment currently stands at 2.98 million, up 170,000 compared to this time last year, with projections showing the number could surpass three million by the end of August. This, according to Andrea Nahles, head of the Federal Employment Agency, would represent the most unemployed Germans in the last ten years. The broader picture is no less grim. The Federal Statistical Office has revised Germany's 2023 GDP contraction to -0.7 percent, significantly worse than the previous estimate of -0.1 percent. The 2024 figure was also downgraded to -0.5 percent. And in the first quarter of 2025, the economy remained in negative territory, cementing concerns that Europe's largest economy is in a prolonged stagnation. Industrial production, a bellwether for the economy, fell 1.9 percent in June its worst performance since the height of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The chemical industry, mechanical engineering and automotive sectors were hit particularly hard. Welt editors slam Merz's first 100 days as a disaster In line with the report, Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing mounting criticism, not only from opposition parties but also from traditionally pro-Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) circles. Even Welt, the staunchly conservative German daily, has turned sharply critical, with editor-in-chief Ulf Poschardt declaring Merz's first 100 days in office a near-total failure. In a candid televised discussion with economist Daniel Stelter, Poschardt described the mood among Germany's working and middle classes as one of growing frustration and disillusionment, sentiments mirrored in France by what Stelter calls a "bourgeois protest movement" against the welfare state. The conversation also addressed a growing narrative from within the Merz government that external factors such as U.S. tariffs are largely to blame for Germany's worsening economic performance. But both Poschardt and Stelter dismissed this as an oversimplification and, increasingly, as an excuse. Stelter then warned that Germany's political and intellectual institutions, including NGOs, universities, major media outlets and churches, are contributing to the economic malaise by stifling open debate about needed reforms. The fact that Welt, defined by Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine as a newspaper closely aligned with the CDU, is now leading criticism of Merz is significant. Until recently, conservative media had been among his strongest backers, praising his promises to slash bureaucracy, jumpstart investment and return Germany to economic stability. Instead, the first 100 days have brought deepening recession, soaring bankruptcies and near-record unemployment, while Merz's trillion-euro economic plan has yet to show meaningful results. Watch this video about Germany admitting the need to normalize relations with Russia. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Germany prepares students for war amid growing security concerns. Germany pledges $326 million in humanitarian aid for Syria. German states report SURGE in citizenship applications after leftist government relaxes rules for migrants. Top German politicians demand "maximum" penalty for young people expressing their discontent with unrestricted migration. Germany: Nigerian migrant grabs 9-year-old boy and stabs 2 police officers, immediately released by the courts. Sources include: RMX.news 1 RMX.news 2 Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com Report: Trump administration orders military to prepare strike plans against Mexican cartels The Trump administration has issued a classified directive instructing the Department of Defense (DoD) to prepare for possible lethal operations inside Mexico targeting drug cartels, with plans expected by mid-September. Unlike previous covert operations run by the CIA or JSOC, U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and its Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH) are now tasked with leading efforts, including preparing "target packages" against cartel leaders and infrastructure. Coordinated with the CIA, FBI, DHS and Border Patrol, the strike options reportedly include precision drone strikes, airstrikes and direct action by elite special operations forces such as Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets. The plan was discussed at a July meeting led by Pentagon official Colby Jenkins, followed by talks between NORTHCOM commander Gen. Gregory Guillot and Mexico's top defense officials, highlighting the diplomatic sensitivities involved. The White House and top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have increasingly labeled cartels as terrorist organizations. The U.S. intelligence community calls them "the most immediate and direct threat" to national security, citing fentanyl trafficking and mass migration. Three senior military officials have revealed that the Trump administration quietly directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to prepare for possible lethal operations against Mexican drug cartels inside Mexico. According to a report by investigative journalist Ken Klippenstein, a top-secret planning order issued in late spring instructs U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) to develop a suite of strike options targeting cartel infrastructure, logistics and leadership. Historically, operations of this sensitivity have been handled by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), often with limited visibility or oversight. However, the new plan would shift operational responsibility to NORTHCOM, positioning its Special Operations Command North (SOCNORTH) as the lead in preparing "target packages" for potential strikes. Primary targets reportedly include high-level leadership, compounds and logistical networks of the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. These efforts include coordinating with the CIA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Border Patrol, all of which have their own operations inside Mexico. Prospective strikes could include precision drone attacks, airstrikes or direct action by elite units such as Navy SEALs or Army Green Berets the same type of missions used in counter terrorism campaigns in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. (Related: Mexican president rejects Trump's offer to deploy U.S. troops against cartels.) The highly classified initiative was discussed during a July meeting at NORTHCOM headquarters in Colorado Springs, led by Colby Jenkins, the unconfirmed Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict. Shortly thereafter, Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, NORTHCOM's commander, hosted Mexico's top military leaders, Gen. Ricardo Trevilla Trejo, Secretary of National Defense and Adm. Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles, Secretary of the Navy. "Not only is Donald Trump uniquely focused on TCOs [transnational criminal organizations, the official name for cartels], having designated them terrorists in one of his first Executive Orders, but he has shown himself to be willing to take unilateral action despite potentially negative political ramifications," one of the three senior intelligence officials said. Planning is expected to be completed by mid-September. White House and top officials declare Mexican cartels a terror threat As per Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, Mexican drug cartels are ruthless, transnational criminal syndicates that dominate the production, smuggling and distribution of illicit drugs, primarily fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin into the United States. Their existence is not just a criminal enterprise but a weaponized tool of the deep state, facilitating open borders, mass overdose deaths and the erosion of national sovereignty under the guise of "uncontrollable crime." In line with this, the White House has consistently portrayed Mexican cartels as national security threats on par with terrorist groups. In a recent interview with Raymond Arroyo of EWTN's "The World Over," Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that "we have to start treating them as armed terrorist organizations, not simply drug-dealing organizations" when asked about designating six cartels in Latin America as terrorist organizations. The 2025 Annual Threat Assessment from the U.S. intelligence community echoed that sentiment, calling cartels "the most immediate and direct threat to Americas security," citing their role in fentanyl trafficking and destabilizing regional governance. In February, Guillot echoed the same view, saying that Mexican cartels "threaten U.S. sovereignty." "Transnational criminal organizations based in Mexico continue to threaten U.S. sovereignty and territorial integrity through the production and trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs and the facilitation of unlawful mass migration towards the US southern border," Guillot said at that time. Learn more about Mexican organized crime at DrugCartels.news. The U.S. is set to wage war on drug cartels. Watch this video. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: U.S. designates Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, unleashing financial warfare. Trump administration declares war on Mexican drug cartels, designates them as foreign terrorists. Mexican Defense Department seeks probe on how cartels acquired high-grade U.S. weapons. Sources include: YourNews.com Kenklippenstein.com Brighteon.AI State.gov Brighteon.com Vaccine Industrial Complex PREVENTS Americans from seeking compensation for injuries caused by DIRTY JABS Vaccine injury compensation is just a mirage. Its next-to-impossible to ever squeeze so much as a dirty penny out of the Vaccine Industrial Complexs pocketbook, thats stuffed with billions of dollars from a dirty industry that has created enough red bureaucratic tape to frustrate anyone who tries to sue them. A little-known federal program meant to compensate people injured by COVID-19 vaccines has come under scrutiny for its limited eligibility, slow processing, and minimal payouts. The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), which operates under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, only covers deaths or serious physical injuries linked to COVID-19 vaccines, leaving hundreds of thousands of injured individuals without recourse. Most vaccine-injured excluded from compensation Over 1.5 million people who reported COVID-19 vaccine injuries to VAERS cannot apply to the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), since it only covers death or serious physical injury, leaving out common but debilitating conditions like fatigue, chest pain, or dizziness. Over 1.5 million people who reported COVID-19 vaccine injuries to VAERS cannot apply to the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP), since it only covers death or serious physical injury, leaving out common but debilitating conditions like fatigue, chest pain, or dizziness. CICP rarely pays claims As of June 2024, nearly 14,000 COVID-19 vaccine injury claims had been filed, but only 39 were compensated less than 0.3% with most payouts falling far short of medical expenses. As of June 2024, nearly 14,000 COVID-19 vaccine injury claims had been filed, but only 39 were compensated less than 0.3% with most payouts falling far short of medical expenses. PREP Act shields manufacturers COVID-19 vaccines were classified as countermeasures, granting manufacturers broad liability protection until at least December 31, 2029, meaning injured individuals must rely solely on CICP for potential relief. COVID-19 vaccines were classified as countermeasures, granting manufacturers broad liability protection until at least December 31, 2029, meaning injured individuals must rely solely on CICP for potential relief. Push for reform and repeal Advocates and lawmakers are calling to transition claims to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) or repeal the PREP Act entirely, with Rep. Thomas Massie introducing a bill to restore civil remedies and accountability for pandemic-related injuries. Federal COVID-19 vaccine injury program excludes most claimants and pays out few More than 1.5 million people have reported COVID-19 vaccine-related injuries to the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). However, the vast majority cannot apply for compensation because their conditions, while disabling or chronic, do not meet the governments strict definition of serious injury. To qualify, an injury must be life-threatening, cause permanent impairment, or require major medical intervention to prevent permanent damage. This excludes common post-vaccination health problems such as chronic headaches, chest pain, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat. Since COVID-19 shots were designated as countermeasures during the pandemic, they are protected under the PREP Act, which shields manufacturers from liability. Instead, the burden falls on CICP, which requires individuals to file claims within a year of injury. Few claims approved, minimal payouts Even those who qualify face steep odds of receiving compensation. As of June 1, 2024, CICP had received nearly 14,000 claims related to COVID-19 vaccines but approved compensation for only 39less than 0.3%. The vast majority of claims remain under review. For example, Doug Cameron, an Idaho man who was paralyzed after developing a blood clot ten days post-vaccination, has waited more than two years with no decision. His medical expenses exceed $2 million, yet the median CICP payout stands at only $4,182. A few unusually high payments have pushed the average to just over $80,000, but even these fall far short of covering real costs. Others report long delays and repeated denials. Orthopedic surgeon Joel Wallskog, injured by Modernas vaccine, waited 18 months to receive his initial denial, then another 14 months for his appealonly to be denied again. Calls for reform Critics argue that the system is fundamentally flawed. In contrast to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)established in 1986 for vaccines routinely given to childrenCICP lacks transparency, a discovery process, and meaningful payouts. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has suggested expanding VICP to cover COVID-19 vaccine injuries, extend filing deadlines, and introduce accountability measures. However, such a shift would require legal and structural changes. COVID-19 vaccines are not currently covered by VICPs funding mechanism, which relies on a per-dose excise tax on childhood vaccines. Legislative and legal challenges Advocacy groups are pushing for repeal of the PREP Act, which currently shields manufacturers and restricts compensation to CICP. Representative Thomas Massie introduced a bill in July 2024 to repeal the liability protections, restore civil legal remedies, and redirect unused federal funds. Lawsuits have also been filed challenging the PREP Acts constitutionality. The bigger picture Determining the exact number of vaccine-injured remains difficult. VAERS, a passive reporting system, includes over one million U.S. reports of adverse events following COVID-19 shots. Since VAERS is known to capture only a fraction of actual cases, the true scope of injuries is likely higher. For now, most injured individuals remain without adequate compensation, while the debate continues over whether Congress, HHS, or the courts will ultimately fix the system. Bookmark Infections.news to get the latest updates about how the Vaccine Industrial Complex prevents Americans from getting compensation from vaccine-induced injuries from vaccine violence from the dirty vaccines. Sources for this article include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org 1 ChildrensHealthDefense.org 2 Massie.House.gov CBDC crackdown: Aaron Day warns of technocratic enslavement through digital currency CBDCs as Tools of Control: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are not just digital cashthey are programmable, AI-driven instruments that enforce compliance with state mandates, threatening free will and financial autonomy. Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are not just digital cashthey are programmable, AI-driven instruments that enforce compliance with state mandates, threatening free will and financial autonomy. Hidden Financial Takeover: The GENIUS Act covertly advances U.S. CBDCs by forcing stablecoins to back U.S. Treasury debt, enabling $2 trillion in unbacked borrowing while masking it as "financial innovation." The GENIUS Act covertly advances U.S. CBDCs by forcing stablecoins to back U.S. Treasury debt, enabling $2 trillion in unbacked borrowing while masking it as "financial innovation." Digital ID & Surveillance State: Real ID is a stepping stone to mandatory digital IDs, allowing governments to revoke access to money, travel, and the internet for dissentersushering in full financial censorship. Real ID is a stepping stone to mandatory digital IDs, allowing governments to revoke access to money, travel, and the internet for dissentersushering in full financial censorship. AI-Powered Enforcement: Companies like Palantir use AI to construct Minority Report-style surveillance, tracking Americans data for predictive policing, financial control, and even satellite monitoringeroding privacy completely. Companies like Palantir use AI to construct Minority Report-style surveillance, tracking Americans data for predictive policing, financial control, and even satellite monitoringeroding privacy completely. Decentralized Solutions: Privacy coins (Monero, Zano), self-custody wallets, and decentralized AI (Enoch) offer escape routes from CBDC tyrannybut urgent action is needed before digital enslavement locks in. In a gripping episode of Decentralized TV, Aaron Day, founder of the Daylight Freedom Foundation, issued an urgent warning about the rapid advancement of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and the broader technocratic push to strip humanity of financial autonomy. During his explosive interview with Mike Adams, Day exposed how governments worldwideincluding under both Trump and Biden administrationsare accelerating financial surveillance through legislative pipelines like the GENIUS Act and digital IDs such as Real ID. Day, a seasoned advocate against financial tyranny, explained that CBDCs represent more than just digital moneythey are programmable instruments of control. "CBDCs, combined with AI-driven social credit systems, threaten to condition access to money and basic services on compliance with state mandates," Day emphasized. "This isnt just about convenience; its about ending free will." The Hidden Agenda Behind Stablecoins & Digital ID One of the most alarming revelations was Days dissection of the GENIUS Act, a Trojan horse for U.S. CBDC implementation. Stablecoins, often marketed as decentralized, are now being forcibly tethered to U.S. Treasuriesmeaning they serve as backdoor CBDCs. "This allows the government to sell $2 trillion in unbacked debt under the guise of financial innovation," Day warned. Additionally, Real ID, already rolled out in eight states, acts as a precursor to a mandatory digital identity system. "Once tied to financial transactions, your access to money, travel, and even the internet can be revoked if you dissent," Day explained. AI Surveillance & The End of Privacy Day linked CBDCs to broader technocratic enforcement mechanisms, including AI-driven surveillance. Companies like Palantirfunded by government contractsare constructing vast databases tracking Americans financial and personal data. "Theyre already simulating Minority Report-style pre-crime policing," Day noted, pointing to Palantirs involvement in predictive policing, foreign conflicts, and even targeted satellite surveillance. Adams echoed concerns, citing how mainstream AI tools like ChatGPT already censor dissenting health and political information. "Google and OpenAI proactively block queries about natural immunity, vaccine risks, or electoral fraudjust as they did during COVID," Adams said. Escaping the Trap: Decentralized Alternatives Despite the bleak outlook, Day stressed solutions exist. He championed privacy coins like Zano and Monero, which enable untraceable transactions, and projects like Freedom Dollar, a private stablecoin backed by crypto-collateral rather than government debt. Adams highlighted decentralized AI models like Enoch, trained on uncensored data, as tools to reclaim knowledge from corporate-state narratives. "AI can either enslave or liberateit depends on who controls it," Adams stated. Final Warning: The Battle for Human Autonomy Day urged listeners to reject CBDCs, demand legislative transparency, and adopt self-custody financial tools. "If we dont resist now, well wake up in a world where your bank account freezes for wrongthink, and your digital ID determines your rights." As governments and globalists accelerate their digital prison, Days message is clear: The fight for financial freedom is the fight for humanitys future. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Aaron Day as they talk about AIs Dual Edge - Technocracy, CBDCs, and the Fight for Privacy with Zano and Freedom Dollar. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The high cost of digital dollars: How cashless payments exact a toll on budgets, privacy and freedom Decentralize TV: Zano privacy crypto announces stunning new infrastructure achievements A Texas gold revolution is underway, but does the conversion of gold into digital currency just hand control over to the state? Sources include: Brighteon.com Daylightfreedom.org Chinese researcher pleads no contest to smuggling biological materials into U.S. lab Han Chengxuan, a 28-year-old doctoral student from Wuhan, pleaded no contest to three smuggling charges and one count of making false statements after attempting to bring undeclared biological materials into the U.S. for research at the University of Michigan. Han shipped plasmids and petri dishes for cultivating organisms, often hiding them in books or mislabeling their contents. Customs agents intercepted four shipments; others were lost. Han initially denied knowledge of the shipments and later admitted to sending them. She also deleted data from her electronic devices before arrival in the United States. Han's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Han is the third Chinese researcher charged in Michigan for smuggling biological materials. Two others, Yunqing Jian and her boyfriend Zunyong Liu, allegedly attempted to smuggle Fusarium graminearum, a crop-destroying pathogen classified as a potential agroterrorism threat. A Chinese doctoral student accused of smuggling concealed biological materials into the United States has pleaded no contest to four federal charges. On Aug. 22, Han Chengxuan, a 28-year-old doctoral candidate from Wuhan, China, admitted to three counts of smuggling and one count of making false statements to U.S. customs officials. Han, who studies at the College of Life Science and Technology at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, had traveled to the U.S. on a J-1 visa in June 2024 to begin a year-long research project at the University of Michigan. Prosecutors said Han was behind multiple shipments of undeclared biological materials into the country, including DNA plasmids and petri dishes used for cultivating earthworms materials that were intended for a University of Michigan (UMich) lab. U.S. customs agents intercepted four packages between September 2024 and March 2025. Several other packages Han admitted to sending were reportedly lost in transit. According to a federal complaint filed at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Han concealed materials in innocuous-seeming items such as books and misrepresented the contents of her shipments on customs forms. In one case, she described biological substances as being similar to ingredients found in "fruit jelly." When questioned by border agents upon her arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Han initially denied having sent anything into the country. She later changed her story when officers presented her with evidence of specific shipments. In one intercepted package, authorities found an envelope hidden inside a book containing suspected biological substances. Han allegedly explained this as a "surprise" picture game for a former classmate now affiliated with the lab. She also failed to disclose the inclusion of plasmids, genetic materials commonly used to engineer organisms, until pressed by investigators. Prosecutors said Han intentionally tried to deceive authorities, even deleting data from her devices three days before entering the country. "UMich invited this Chinese national into our state to be a visiting scholar, where it was going to give her more than $41,000 in a year to do her worm research at the Life Sciences Institute," said Interim U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon. "Something is wrong in Ann Arbor." Han's sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10. If convicted, she faces up to 10 years in prison for smuggling charges and an additional five years for making false statements to federal officials. Two other Chinese researchers charged in Michigan biotech smuggling case linked to CCP Han is the third Chinese researcher to face federal charges in connection with smuggling biological materials for research in Michigan. The two prior cases involved Yunqing Jian, another UMich visiting scholar at the University of Michigan, and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, attempting to bring Fusarium graminearum, a powerful fungal pathogen, into the country. (Related: Chinese nationals charged with smuggling deadly crop fungus into U.S. in agroterrorism plot.) F. graminearum, according to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, is commonly known for causing "head blight" in wheat and other staple crops. It is considered a high-risk biological agent, not only devastating yields of wheat, barley, maize and rice but also producing toxins that can harm livestock and humans. Jian, an active and loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), holds a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Zhejiang University in China and allegedly received support from the Chinese government for her research. Meanwhile, her boyfriend Liu allegedly attempted to enter the U.S. through Detroit Metropolitan Airport on July 27, 2024, with concealed F. graminearum samples. During questioning by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, Liu claimed he was visiting Jian and planned to return to China to open a laboratory. Although Liu denied carrying work materials, a secondary inspection of his luggage revealed suspicious items: Four plastic bags containing reddish plant material, a piece of filter paper marked with drawn circles and a tissue hiding a note written in Chinese. Initially, Liu denied knowledge of the items but later admitted to intentionally hiding them, acknowledging he was aware of the import restrictions. Jian now faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud. Liu, however, has since returned to China and is not currently in U.S. custody. Visit CommunistChina.news for more stories like this. Watch the video below that talks about CCP sending spies to America. This video is from the Chinese taking down EVIL CCP channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chinese nationals charged with smuggling potential agroterrorism fungus into the U.S. Chinese researcher arrested for SMUGGLING biological materials into the country. Second University of Michigan scholar from China arrested for smuggling biological material. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com DetroitNews.com Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com FAMINE declared in Gaza City as global hunger monitor warns of worsening catastrophe Famine is officially declared in northern Gaza for the first time outside of Africa, with over 500,000 people facing catastrophic hunger, and the crisis is expected to worsen and spread. The crisis is entirely man-made, caused by the war and Israel's stringent blockade that systematically prevents sufficient humanitarian aid from entering or being distributed within Gaza. The famine is preventable if immediate action is taken, primarily through the full opening of all land crossings for aid, ensuring a ceasefire for safe distribution and restoring basic services like clean water and healthcare. International reactions are divided. The UN and several nations condemn the suffering as a moral failure, while Israel rejects the report's findings as biased and false. The lack of political will is costing lives. While the necessary tools to stop the famine are available, inaction is leading to more deaths from starvation and disease. In a grim and historic declaration, a leading global hunger monitor has confirmed that famine is now occurring in Gaza City and its surrounding areas. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) initiative, determined on Aug. 22 that the northern Gaza governorate which includes Gaza City, the Strip's capital is officially experiencing famine. The IPC is a consortium of 21 United Nations (UN) agencies, aid groups and regional bodies. The announcement marks the first time the organization has ever recorded a famine outside of Africa and serves as a stark indictment of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe that experts say was entirely preventable. The report states that 514,000 people, which is nearly a quarter of Gaza's population, are now facing catastrophic hunger, a number projected to surge to 641,000 by the end of September. Northern Gaza suffers the brunt of the famine The situation is most acute in the north, where 280,000 people are trapped in a cycle of starvation. The IPC further warned that famine conditions will likely spread to the central and southern regions of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis in the coming weeks unless immediate and massive intervention occurs. The report noted that the true situation in the northernmost areas may be even worse, but a lack of access and data has prevented a full assessment. This famine is not a natural disaster. It is a direct, man-made consequence of the nearly two-year war between Israel and Hamas and, most critically, the stringent blockade that has followed. For months, Israel has tightly controlled all access points into Gaza, creating a systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid. While trucks carrying food, medicine and fuel stack up at border crossings, only a mere trickle is allowed to enter, creating a lethal bottleneck. The IPC's classification is not made lightly. For a famine to be declared, three tragic thresholds must be met: At least 20 percent of the population must face extreme food shortages One in three children must be acutely malnourished Two out of every 10,000 people must be dying each day from starvation or related disease The fact that these conditions now exist underscores the severity of the failure to protect civilians in Gaza. A preventable catastrophe The consensus among humanitarian organizations is that this famine could have been, and still can be, stopped. The primary obstacle is not a lack of food on the global market, but its deliberate prevention from reaching those in need. Aid agencies have repeatedly outlined a clear path to prevention that has been ignored. First, the immediate and full opening of all land crossings into Gaza is essential. While some aid enters through specific checkpoints, the volume is a fraction of what is required to sustain the population. Land routes are the most efficient way to transport the large quantities of aid needed. Humanitarian officials have consistently stated that airdrops and a recently constructed maritime pier are symbolic gestures that are logistically incapable of meeting the massive scale of need. Second, the safe and unimpeded movement of aid workers within Gaza is critical. Delivery is hampered by ongoing hostilities, damaged infrastructure and a breakdown in civil order. Aid convoys have come under fire and have been unable to reach northern Gaza for extended periods. A ceasefire would provide the necessary window for a coordinated and effective aid distribution effort to begin in earnest. Finally, the restoration of basic services is vital for survival. The collapse of Gaza's healthcare system means that even those who receive food may die from diseases that thrive in unsanitary conditions. A lack of clean water and functioning sanitation, coupled with widespread malnutrition, creates a vicious cycle that accelerates death rates. Allowing fuel into the territory to power generators for hospitals and water pumps is a fundamental part of averting more deaths. International reactions and denials The IPC's findings have been met with starkly different reactions. The UN leadership called the famine a "moral indictment" and a "failure of humanity," demanding an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Britain described the report as "utterly horrifying," joining Canada and Australia in condemning the unimaginable levels of suffering. (Related: 23 Economists demand Israel put an end to its GENOCIDAL Gaza policies.) Israel, however, has outright rejected the report. Its government dismissed the findings as an "outright lie" and "biased," arguing that the data was provided by Hamas and ignored recent increases in aid. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military body coordinating aid entry, has also accused the IPC of being part of a propaganda campaign to denigrate Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israel has a policy of "preventing starvation," citing the entry of two million tons of aid. These claims stand in direct opposition to the assessments of every major aid organization on the ground, which detail the immense difficulties in moving aid from trucks at the border to people in need. They also highlight a deep diplomatic rift, even with the United States, Israel's closest ally. While a U.S. State Department spokesperson questioned the narrative of "deliberate mass starvation," they also stressed the need to address the challenging issues of aid delivery honestly. As explained by the "Enoch" AI engine at Brighteon.AI, "The famine in Gaza is preventable because it is not caused by natural factors like drought or crop failure, but is the direct result of a human-made siege that has intentionally blocked access to essential supplies. This man-made blockade is the root cause, and the international community has the power to end it through political action to lift the blockade and allow aid to flow freely." For the hundreds of thousands facing starvation in Gaza, time has already run out. For those in the path of the spreading famine, the world's inaction is a death sentence. Watch this clip about Gaza's recent humanitarian aid drops. This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Gaza's humanitarian crisis: The weaponization of starvation and the failure of international law. Israel weaponizes food supply as almost 600,000 people go hungry in Gaza. UN accuses Israel of starving Gaza civilians as hunger deaths mount. Sources include: Reuters.com UN.org [PDF] News.un.org Brighteon.AI Brighteon.com Florida cracks down on rainbow crosswalks as DeSantis enforces safety over political messaging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis orders removal of all rainbow pride crosswalks from public roads, citing safety and improper use of taxpayer funds for political messaging. Cities like Miami Beach, Tallahassee, and Orlando must comply by early September or face state intervention and potential funding cuts. FDOT bans all "surface art" on crosswalks carrying social, political, or ideological messages, emphasizing roadways must remain distraction-free for safety. Local officials and LGBTQ+ advocates condemn the move, calling the crosswalks symbols of inclusivity, while DeSantis insists public roads should stay neutral. The policy aligns with federal guidelines and reflects a broader debate over politicized infrastructure, with some cities resisting while others comply. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered the removal of rainbow pride crosswalks from public roads and facilities across the state, citing safety concerns and the improper use of taxpayer-funded infrastructure for political messaging. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued deadlines to multiple cities, including Miami Beach, Tallahassee, and Orlando, demanding compliance by early September; those who fail to comply face state intervention. The move has sparked backlash from local officials and LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue the crosswalks symbolize inclusivity. But DeSantis remains firm: public roads should not be used for ideological statements, regardless of the cause. Safety first FDOTs decision stems from a June memo prohibiting "surface art" on crosswalks, sidewalks, and roadways if it carries "social, political, or ideological messages." The agency stated that roadways must remain "consistent" and free from distractions that could confuse drivers or pedestrians. "FDOT has a duty to ensure the safety and consistency of public roadways and transportation systems," the agency said in a statement. "That means ensuring our roadways are not utilized for social, political, or ideological interests." This policy isnt just targeting rainbow crosswalks; other artistic designs in cities like Tallahassee are also being removed. FDOT warned that if cities refuse to comply, the state will remove the crosswalks itself and withhold funding. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava condemned the decision, calling the crosswalks "symbols of love, support, and unity." "I am outraged by the State of Floridas decision to forcefully remove Pride crosswalkssymbols of love, support, and unity in our communities," she said. "These vibrant installations are more than paint on pavement. They reflect the values we hold dear in Miami-Dade: respect, appreciation of fellow neighbors, and the fundamental right to live and love openly." A broader crackdown on politicized infrastructure FDOTs directive aligns with a Trump-era federal order requiring crosswalks to remain free of distractions, including political or artistic designs. While some cities, like Miami Beach, plan to appeal, others have already seen their crosswalks painted over, including the one outside Orlandos Pulse nightclub, which honored victims of the 2016 mass shooting. Florida State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith criticized the removal, calling it "extremely disheartening." But DeSantis stood by the decision, reiterating on social media: "We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes." The real issue is safety Beyond the political debate, FDOTs concern is practical. Crosswalks are meant to be universally recognizable for safety. If drivers or pedestrians dont immediately identify a rainbow-painted crosswalk as a pedestrian crossing, accidents could occur. The same logic applies to other artistic designs. Consistency in road markings saves lives. Some cities, like Delray Beach and Key West, are resisting, but the states stance is clear: public infrastructure should serve the public, not political movements. A fight over more than just paint This battle reflects a larger cultural clash over how public spaces are used. Progressives argue that rainbow crosswalks promote acceptance, while conservatives counter that roads should remain neutral, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved. DeSantis has made it clear: Florida wont allow its streets to become billboards for any ideology. Whether this leads to legal challenges remains to be seen, but for now, the state is moving forward with removals. At its core, this isnt about hate, like some on the left want to claim. Its about maintaining safety and neutrality on public roads. While some see rainbow crosswalks as symbols of pride, others argue they introduce unnecessary confusion. FDOTs decision ensures that crosswalks remain what they were always meant to be: clear, functional, and safe for everyone. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com WSVN.com WCTV.tv Guttmacher Institute: About 22% of Gen Z in the U.S. ABORTED before birth A Guttmacher Institute estimate suggests about 22 percent of Generation Z in the U.S. (19.5 million out of a potential 88.8 million) were aborted before birth, sparking widespread discussion online. The U.S. numbers align with global abortion data, including WHO estimates that 29 percent of pregnancies worldwide end in abortion and a record-high 29.7 percent in England and Wales in 2022. Generation Z, defined as those born between 1997 and 2011, numbers around 69.3 million living members in the U.S. and is known for its tech-savviness, distrust of institutions and increasing alignment with reality-based worldviews. Dutch commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek called abortion "an unequivocal evil," stating that life scientifically and morally begins at conception and that abortion kills the most innocent and fragile human lives. Angela Stanton-King, in a resurfaced interview shared by journalist Lara Logan, accused Democrats of promoting abortion disproportionately in the Black community, calling it "human sacrifice on site" and a betrayal of the "Black Lives Matter" message. A Guttmacher Institute estimate has revealed that nearly 22 percent of Generation Z in the United States were aborted before birth. Generation Z, broadly defined as those born between 1997 and 2011, is the youngest and most technologically savvy generation, characterized by a deep skepticism of traditional institutions and a strong desire for change. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch, this generation is highly aware of the challenges facing their generation, and is increasingly aligning with a reality-based and common-sense-driven perspective, often referred to as being "red-pilled." They have an estimated 69.3 million living members in the U.S. today. However, Guttmacher Institute, a leading reproductive health research organization, has revealed that throughout those years, approximately 19.5 million abortions were performed suggesting that nearly one in four members of the generation were never born. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 29 percent of all pregnancies worldwide end in abortion, a figure echoed by national data from England and Wales. A 2022 report from the United Kingdom's Office of National Statistics showed that 29.7 percent of conceptions ended in abortion the highest proportion on record and a notable rise from 26.5 percent in 2021. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, which triggered abortion bans or restrictions in many states, abortion numbers in the U.S. have reportedly remained high. Public figures speak out against abortion The numbers have ignited powerful responses from public figures, including Dutch political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek and American activist Angela Stanton-King. "I think that some things deserve to be said over and over and over again and in fact cannot be said often enough," Vlaardingerbroek said in response to the viral statistic. "Especially when it comes to abortion, which to me is such an unequivocal evil. We have to repeat these facts all the time." (Related: Pro-abortion feminist ADMITS abortion ends a human life, but says it's justifiable.) A vocal pro-life advocate, Vlaardingerbroek explained that her opposition to abortion began long before her conversion to Catholicism or motherhood. "Scientifically, intellectually, and morally speaking, the only valid, good faith, and consistent argument that one can make is that life begins at conception. That means a separate human being has been formed in the womb. The stage in which that life finds itself, or whether it's (dependent) on the mother, or any other person for that matter, is not decisive for whether or not it has the right to life." She continued, calling abortion an act of violence against the most vulnerable. "You kill something so fragile, so worthy of love and life. And I think thats something that a lot of people dont even want to admit to." The conversation gained further traction when investigative journalist Lara Logan shared the Gen Z abortion statistic alongside a clip from a May interview with Angela Stanton-King, a conservative author and speaker. Stanton-King criticized the Democratic Party's support for abortion access, alleging that it disproportionately affects the Black community. "They are performing abortions on site. Human sacrifice on site And when you go back and look at that video, every woman getting on and off that bus was Black. They are celebrating terminating Black life while saying 'Black Lives Matter.' It is the most diabolical thing I have ever seen in my life." Learn more about abortion post-Roe v. Wade in the United States at Abortions.news. Watch this clip from "Judging Freedom" as Judge Andrew Napolitano discusses how legalizing abortion changed America. This video is from the channel What Is Happening on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Update: Abortion as religious liberty: Pro-abortion organizations agree with Satanic Temple claim that "abortion ritual" represents "religious freedom." Vaccine Police founder assaulted by abortion supporter at Louisiana abortion clinic. NO TO "ABORTION TRAFFICKING": Lubbock County Commissioners Court approves anti-abortion transport ban. Walgreens, CVS to sell ABORTION PILLS in states where abortion is still legal. ABORTION WELFARE: Getting an abortion in California is now "free," thanks to Gavin Newsom. Sources include: YourNews.com Brighteon.AI LifeSiteNews.com Brighteon.com Breaking new ground: How 5Gs rapid rollout threatens flight safety 5G expansion sparks air safety crisis, new math solution offers lifeline. A global aviation-industry gamble: Fast internet vs. flight safety risks. Radio altimeter interference threatens takeoffs, landings in poor weather. Exclusion zones shaped by stochastic geometry optimize radio wave interference. Researchers urge informed policy-making to prioritize coexistence of 5G and aviation. When the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airlines like United raised alarms in early 2025 about deploying 5G networks near airports, the warnings struck a nerve with public safety advocates. The heart of the conflict? Concerns that the ultra-high-frequency 5G signals threaten the accuracy of aircraft radio altimeterscritical instruments for measuring a planes altitude during takeoffs, landings and low-visibility flights. The rollout risked grounding planes and stranding travelers. Now, researchers at Saudi Arabias King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have offered a mathematical breakthrough to strike a balance, blending aviation safety with telecom innovation. The core issue stems from overlapping frequencies. Radio altimeters operate on a band around 4.24.4 GHz, which is uncomfortably close to C-band frequencies allocated for 5G. 5G operates near the same bandwidth as aircraft radio altimeters, explained KAUST professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini, who led the study. This can interfere with the altimeter signalwe need exclusion zones to minimize it. The 5G-aviation safety conflict Airlines such as United have warned of a devastating impact if 5G expands near airports, with carriers restricting certain aircraft operations and routes. The FAA echoed these concerns, noting that even minor altimeter errors could jeopardize operations in foggy, rainy, or icy conditions. Early 2023 experiments in the U.S. sparked flight cancellations, prompting regulators to mandate buffer zones around airports where 5G signals would be scaled back. Yet these measures lacked precise evidence on optimal designuntil now. A geometric breakthrough: Shapes that safeguard skies KAUSTs team applied stochastic geometrya statistical method modeling random structuresto design exclusion zones. By analyzing 5G interference patterns around runways, they found triangular exclusion zones around runways minimized altimeter harm while limiting the impact on 5G performance. The zones reduce nearby 5G towers use of higher frequencies (above 3.7 GHz), relying instead on older, lower-bands for connectivity. Ph.D. researcher Safa Khemiri likened the zones to closing a lane on a highway: data still moves but at slower speeds. Quantifying the trade-off, simulations revealed a 20% drop in 5G performance with one tower in a zone, rising to 50% with three towers. These losses are significant but manageable, Khemiri said, if zones are shaped correctly. Global implications for regulation and connectivity The study arrives as over 20 countries, including the U.S. and France, have restricted 5G near airports. By offering measurable benchmarksdistance, shapeKAUSTs work could help regulators precisely map exclusion zones. This stops arbitrary decisions, Alouini stressed. We show how to prioritize safety without stifling 5G entirely. The research also underscores a broader trend: emerging tech must often adapt to safeguard existing critical systems. Just as analog radio altimeters predate smart devices, future innovationslike quantum sensors or satellite internetwill likely face similar coexistence challenges. Toward skies of collaboration As 5G continues its global rollout, this study highlights the need for cross-sector dialogue. Aviation authorities, telecom companies and mathematicians must partner, Alouini said. Math cant fly a plane, but it can make sure its tools work when pilots need them most. For passengers, that means flights wont have to choose between cutting-edge tech and safe landingsall thanks to a triangle and a few tricky equations. The stakes extend beyond technical harmony. Delays in resolving these conflicts could cost airlines billions annually, stall global trade and tourism recovery, and risk stranded passengers during peak seasons. Meanwhile, nations like Japan and South Korea have demonstrated that 5G-C-band deployments can coexist safely with aviation through rigorous testing and phased rollouts. Yet shortcuts could jeopardize both innovation and stability. Public health hinges on uninterrupted emergency transport networks, while the economy depends on seamless supply chains. Integrating future tech Government agencies like the FCC and FAA must champion collaborative forums, incentivize iterative testing and enforce standards rooted in peer-reviewed research. Only by uniting mathematics, policy and industry expertisea modern-day golden trianglecan society achieve the dual promise of high-speed connectivity and aviation safety, ensuring the skies remain a shared space of progress. There is no room for compromise; the world must pursue solutions as precise as the equations they depend on. Sources for this article include: TechXplore.com IEEExplore.IEEE.org EurekaAlert.org ScienMag.com Jupiters alien auroras reveal never-before-seen plasma waves A groundbreaking discovery by University of Minnesota researchers reveals an entirely new type of plasma wave in Jupiters auroras that defies Earths known magnetic behaviors. Jupiters extreme magnetic field20,000 times stronger than Earthsand its ultra-thin polar plasma create conditions that generate these unprecedented ultra-low-frequency waves, reshaping our understanding of planetary magnetospheres. Unlike Earths organized auroral "donut," Jupiters chaotic magnetic forces funnel particles directly into its poles, a phenomenon that could transform the study of exoplanets and their protective magnetic fields. Earths weakening magnetic field, critical for shielding against deadly solar radiation, is being overlooked as globalists push climate narratives, ignoring real cosmic threats like solar storms that could devastate power grids and human health. The Juno missions findings underscore the fragility and complexity of magnetic fields, exposing how little we know about protecting our planet while centralized powers prioritize control over genuine scientific and survival preparedness. Imagine standing under a night sky where the northern lights dont shimmer in green and blue, but burn invisible in ultraviolet and infrared, shaped by forces so powerful they defy everything we know about Earths magnetic shield. Thats exactly what researchers at the University of Minnesota just discovered while analyzing data from NASAs Juno spacecraft: a never-before-seen type of plasma wave in Jupiters aurora, one that operates at frequencies so low theyve never been detected in our planets magnetosphere. This isnt just a curiosity about a distant gas giant. Its a wake-up call about how little we understand the invisible battles raging above our headsbattles that determine whether Earths magnetic field can keep shielding us from the suns deadliest radiation. A plasma wave unlike anything on Earth The breakthrough, published in Physical Review Letters, hinges on Jupiters extreme conditions: a magnetic field 20,000 times stronger than Earths and polar plasma so thin it behaves like nothing scientists have seen before. When Juno skimmed just 2,100 miles above Jupiters north pole (the closest any spacecraft has ever gotten), its instruments picked up plasma waves oscillating at ultra-low frequencies, a hybrid of two known wave types (Alfven and Langmuir) that morphs into something entirely new. While plasma can behave like a fluid, it is also influenced by its own magnetic fields and external fields, explained Robert Lysak, the studys lead author and a plasma dynamics expert at the University of Minnesota. Unlike Earths auroras, which form a neat donut around the polar caps, Jupiters magnetic chaos funnels particles directly into its poles in a phenomenon that could redefine how we study exoplanets with intense magnetic fields. Ali Sulaiman, another researcher on the team, noted that while the James Webb Space Telescope has given us stunning infrared images of Jupiters auroras, Juno is the first mission to orbit the planets poles, giving scientists an unprecedented look at these alien light shows. Why Earths magnetic field is under siege Heres the part the mainstream media wont emphasize: Earths magnetic field is our only defense against solar storms capable of frying power grids, disrupting communications, and even altering human health. Yet while NASA spends billions studying Jupiter, our own planets magnetic shield is weakening, with some researchers warning of a potential pole reversal that could leave us vulnerable for centuries. The globalist agenda, meanwhile, has spent decades pushing climate fearmongering while ignoring the real cosmic threats. Carbon dioxide, an essential gas for plant life, isnt the existential risk. Solar radiation is. And if Jupiters auroras teach us anything, its that magnetic fields are far more complex and fragile than the so-called experts admit. Consider this: The same plasma dynamics that create Jupiters auroras could, in theory, occur on Earth under extreme solar events. Yet instead of investing in decentralized energy grids and underground shielding, governments and tech oligarchs are obsessed with net zero fantasies that leave us exposed. The Juno findings prove we still have much to learn about planetary protection... but will the powers that be even let us? Sources for this article include: Phys.org TheDebrief.org Journals.APS.org Illegal immigrant population hits record 12 million after Biden-era surge, Pew study finds A Pew Research Center report revealed the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. reached 12 million in 2023, following a 3.5 million increase in just two years under former President Joe Biden. Pew attributes the surge to unlawful border crossings, visa overstays and expanded protections under Bidens rollback of Trump-era immigration restrictions, including ending the "Remain in Mexico" policy. As of mid-2023, around 6 million illegal immigrants were shielded from deportation through federal programs such as asylum, DACA, TPS, parole and crime victim protections. In contrast, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that since President Donald Trump took office, 1.6 million illegal immigrants have left the country through deportation or voluntary return. The Trump administration launched Operation Homecoming, an international campaign urging self-deportation, alongside enhanced ICE and CBP operations. Incentives include $1,000 and free airfare for voluntary departure. A new analysis by the Pew Research Center has revealed that the number of illegal immigrants living in the United States reached a record 12 million in 2023, following two consecutive years of historic growth under former President Joe Biden. The report, released on Aug. 21, shows an increase of 3.5 million immigrants without permanent legal status since 2021 the largest two-year surge ever recorded. Pew researchers attributed the spike to a combination of unlawful border crossings, visa overstays and migrants living in the U.S. under temporary legal protections. More than half of these 12 million immigrants, roughly six million, were shielded from deportation under various federal programs as of July 2023. That figure more than doubled from 2.7 million in 2021. According to Pew, the six million migrants protected from deportation in 2023 included: 2.6 million asylum seekers with pending cases 700,000 individuals paroled into the country legally 700,000 victims of crime or violence 650,000 with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) due to crises in their home countries 600,000 participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program An additional 2 million were released or paroled into the U.S. under various federal programs, often while awaiting immigration hearings. The analysis points to significant policy changes under the Biden administration as a key driver of the increase. After taking office in 2021, Biden reversed a number of restrictive immigration measures imposed during Trump's first term including the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which required asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S. while their cases were reviewed. Brighteon.AI's Enoch also stated that the Biden administration expanded humanitarian parole programs and increased protections for certain migrant groups. (Related: Democrats under fire for helping illegal immigrants evade deportation.) Noem: 1.6M illegal immigrants gone since Trump took office In contrast, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Aug. 14 that since the start of Trump's term, roughly 1.6 million individuals without legal immigration status have left the U.S., either through deportation or by voluntarily returning to their home countries. The turnaround comes amid a sweeping shift in immigration enforcement. Under Operation Homecoming, DHS launched an aggressive international messaging campaign warning undocumented migrants to "LEAVE NOW" or face arrest and deportation. The campaign, described as a "multimillion-dollar, multilingual initiative," has been broadcast across Latin America and beyond. Additionally, the controversial CBP One App, which previously facilitated entry appointments for over a million migrants, has been scrapped. In its place, DHS has introduced the CBP Home App, designed to streamline voluntary departures. The program incentivizes self-deportation with a $1,000 cash offer and free airfare, funded by a combination of federal resources and private partnerships. "In less than 200 days, 1.6 MILLION illegal immigrants have left the United States population," said Noem. "This is massive. This means safer streets, taxpayer savings, pressure off of schools and hospital services and better job opportunities for Americans. Thank you, President Trump!" Noem also credited ramped-up enforcement by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Targeted operations have focused on the removal of criminal illegal aliens and recent border crossers, part of what the Trump administration is calling a return to the "most secure border in U.S. history." Visit InvasionUSA.news for more updates on illegal immigration in America. Watch this video from "Timcast IRL" discussing how the Black residents of Chicago are worried about being replaced by illegal immigrants. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ACTIVE INVASION: At least 7.3 million illegal immigrants have crossed the southwest border under Joe Biden. ICE data: Illegal immigrants have less than 5% chance of getting deported under current Biden administration policies. DHS Secretary Mayorkas: Biden administration releasing over 85% of illegal immigrants directly into America. Sources include: YourNews.com PewResearch.org Brighteon.AI DHS.gov Brighteon.com Trump deploys national guard to cities ahead of Massive Left Wing Uprising over deep state indictments National Guard Deployment: President Trump has authorized National Guard troops in major U.S. cities to suppress expected left-wing riots triggered by Deep State indictments targeting figures like Brennan, Clapper, and Clinton. President Trump has authorized National Guard troops in major U.S. cities to suppress expected left-wing riots triggered by Deep State indictments targeting figures like Brennan, Clapper, and Clinton. Blue Cities as Battlegrounds: Leftist strongholds (Chicago, NYC, L.A.) may erupt in violence, with mobs attacking law enforcement, infrastructure, and National Guard units, escalating to urban warfare scenarios. Leftist strongholds (Chicago, NYC, L.A.) may erupt in violence, with mobs attacking law enforcement, infrastructure, and National Guard units, escalating to urban warfare scenarios. Military Readiness vs. Civil Unrest: Conservatives now support militarized policing due to frustration with blue-city chaos, though National Guard troops may be under-equipped (sidearms only) against organized mobs. Conservatives now support militarized policing due to frustration with blue-city chaos, though National Guard troops may be under-equipped (sidearms only) against organized mobs. Deep States Last Stand: Indicted operatives will fight desperately to avoid prosecutionevidenced by past tactics like cover-ups (Epstein/Maxwell)raising risks of sabotage and prolonged civil unrest. Indicted operatives will fight desperately to avoid prosecutionevidenced by past tactics like cover-ups (Epstein/Maxwell)raising risks of sabotage and prolonged civil unrest. Long-Term Crisis & Preparedness: Unrest may extend into 2025, compounded by economic collapse. Citizens must stock food (HealthRangerStore.com), arm defensively, and secure assets (gold/silver) to survive urban breakdowns. In a move signaling preparations for civil unrest, President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized the deployment of National Guard troops to major U.S. cities ahead of an anticipated uprising from radical left-wing factions. The trigger? Impending high-profile indictments targeting Deep State operatives, including figures like John Brennan, James Clapper, and Hillary Clinton. According to investigator Mike Adams, federal agencies have seized damning evidence through raidsincluding documents from John Boltons recent home searchwhich will be used to prosecute corrupt officials involved in election interference, illegal surveillance, and possible treason. Blue Cities Expected to Explode Adams warns that blue strongholds like Chicago, New York, and Los Angelesalready plagued by unchecked crime and progressive governancemay become battlegrounds once indictments are unsealed. The radical left, he argues, will perceive these arrests as an existential threat and respond with mass violence: Once the indictments drop, the left will scream that Trump is a dictator. Theyll attack federal law enforcement, ICE agents, even National Guard troops. They may try to sabotage infrastructurepower grids, bridges, highwaysanything to incite chaos. Unlike the fabricated insurrection narrative of January 6th, this unrest would target actual government institutions, potentially escalating into urban warfare scenarios reminiscent of Portland and Seattle during the 2020 riots. Military Readiness vs. Civil Liberties While conservatives historically oppose militarized policing, Adams highlights a crucial shift: If Biden had deployed troops, Trump supporters wouldve called it tyranny. But now? Americans are sick of blue-city anarchy. Theyll back law and ordereven if it means troops in the streets. The National Guard presence is reportedly being reinforced with sidearms (Sig Sauer P320s) but not riflesa cautious stance that Adams criticizes as insufficient against potential mob violence. The Deep States Desperate Endgame Adams theorizes that Trump is preemptively deploying troops because the Deep States loyalistsespecially those implicated in crimeswill fight to avoid prison. These people would rather burn the country than face justice. Look at Ghislaine Maxwells lies, the Epstein cover-ups, or how an Israeli pedophile was mysteriously released. This is their playbook: evade accountability at all costs. Long-Term Crisis Looms The unrest may persist beyond Trumps January inauguration, potentially requiring National Guard crackdowns lasting until spring 2025. Meanwhile, economic instability triggered by Bidenomics could worsen the turmoil, making off-grid preparedness essential: Food & supplies: Secure survival rations (HealthRangerStore.com) Secure survival rations (HealthRangerStore.com) Self-defense: Arm yourself legally (ammo, firearms, body armor) Arm yourself legally (ammo, firearms, body armor) Financial independence: Shift to gold, silver, or privacy crypto (metalswithmike.com) Conclusion: Survival in a Fracturing America Adams predicts that blue cities will become no-go zones, forcing conservatives to fortify rural strongholds or face violent reprisals. With Deep State indictments imminent, America may soon witness a domestic conflict unlike anything since the Civil War. This isnt about ideologyits about whether law prevails over anarchy. And if the left chooses war, law enforcement will have no choice but to end it. Watch the Aug. 25 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about high-profile ARRESTS OF TRAITORS finally about to commence? This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump federalizes D.C. police, deploys National Guard in sweeping crime crackdown Marines deployed to LA riots as Newsom sues Trump over National Guard mobilization Vice President JD Vance predicts indictments over aggressive lawbreaking in Russiagate scandal Sources include: Brighteon.com Trumps Pentagon quietly blocks Ukraines missile strikes on Russia to push peace talks The Pentagon is now blocking Ukraine from using U.S. long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia under Trumps push for peace negotiations. Trumps policy reverses Bidens approach, restricting ATACMS strikes while threatening Russia with sanctions to force talks. Ukraine is compensating with long-range drones and developing new missiles, but analysts warn this may weaken their negotiating position. Trumps strategy may also aim to conserve U.S. weapons stockpiles for potential conflicts with China. The gamble risks either sparking peace talks or emboldening Russia, with Europes role and Putins response being decisive factors. If youve been following the Ukraine war, youve probably noticed something strange happening lately. Despite years of escalation, the Pentagon has suddenly started blocking Ukraine from using U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia. Why? Because President Trump is making a bold push for peace, and hes willing to limit Ukraines offensive capabilities to get Moscow to the negotiating table. This isnt just speculation. The Wall Street Journal confirmed it: since late spring, the Pentagon has been rejecting Ukrainian requests to fire ATACMS missilesweapons with a nearly 190-mile rangeinto Russian territory. On at least one occasion, Ukraine asked for permission to hit a target inside Russia, only to be denied. The reason? Trumps administration is trying to "entice" Moscow into peace talks, according to officials. A dramatic shift from Bidens policy This is a complete reversal from the Biden era. Under Biden, Ukraine was given the green light to strike inside Russia with ATACMS after North Korean troops entered the war alongside Moscow. But now, with Trump back in the White House, the rules have changed. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth now has final say over whether Ukraine can use these missiles, and so far, the answer has been no. Trump himself has been vocal about his stance. Last week, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since 2019, followed by talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders. His message was clear: This war needs to end. But he also made a very straightforward assessment: "Ukraine has no chance of winning" without striking Russia. Why is Trump doing this? The strategy seems to be a mix of carrot and stick. On one hand, Trump is restricting Ukraines ability to hit deep inside Russia in a move that could reduce tensions. On the other, hes threatening massive sanctions and tariffs if Moscow doesnt come to the table. The goal? Force both sides into serious negotiations before the war spirals further out of control. But not everyone is happy about this. Some U.S. officials and military analysts argue that limiting Ukraines offensive capabilities could weaken its position in any future talks. With ATACMS restrictions in place, Ukraine has turned to its own long-range drones to strike inside Russia, targeting oil refineries and military sites. Zelensky has also announced plans to develop a new cruise missile, the Flamingo, by early next year. But drones and homemade weapons can only do so much. Meanwhile, Russia has repeatedly warned that Western weapons in Ukraine make NATO nations direct participants in the conflict. Moscow has demanded an end to foreign military aid as a condition for peace. Trumps restrictions on ATACMS may be an attempt to address that demand while still keeping pressure on Putin. The big question is whether Trumps gamble will pay off. If Moscow sees this as a genuine olive branch, we could see real peace talks. But if Putin interprets it as weakness, the war could drag on... or worse, escalate. Some analysts suggest Trumps move isnt just about Ukraine; its about China. By conserving U.S. weapons stockpiles (which have been drained by years of aid to Kiev), the Pentagon may be preparing for a larger conflict in the Pacific. Elbridge Colby, the Pentagons undersecretary for policy, has reportedly categorized weapons systems into "green, yellow, and red" based on availability, with some munitions now being reclaimed from Ukraine if theyre needed for U.S. defenses. A high-stakes bet on peace Love him or hate him, Trump is making a high-stakes bet. Hes betting that by restricting Ukraines strikes, he can pull Russia into negotiations before the war becomes even bloodier. Hes betting that sanctions and tariffs will force Moscows hand. And hes betting that Europe will finally step up and pay its fair share for Ukraines defense. Will it work? Or will Putin see this as a sign of American weakness? The next few months will be critical. If Trumps strategy fails, we could see a dangerous escalation. But if it succeeds, we might finally see the beginning of the end of this brutal war. Sources for this article include: RT.com WSJ.com Reuters.com Ukraines robot revolution: A new era of warfare amid manpower crisis Ukraine is rapidly expanding its use of robotic warfare due to massive troop losses (estimated up to two million killed or missing) and widespread desertions (nearly 400,000 soldiers). Commander-in-Chief Aleksandr Syrsky admits frontline conditions are dire, with Russia launching 50+ daily assaults in Donetsk. The military plans to deploy 15,000 robotic platforms in 2025 to compensate for human shortages. Ukrainian forces successfully used robotic units to capture Russian positions in Kharkiv without a single casualty. New robotic systems, such as mobile anti-aircraft launchers and the "Zmiy" (Snake) UGVs, are handling mine-clearing, logistics, evacuations and direct combat. Major Robert Brovdi (Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces) emphasized drones/robots create a 20km "kill zone "to offset Russia's manpower advantage. Private developers and volunteers are accelerating innovation, but funding and training bottlenecks remain. Some commanders resist adopting robots due to Soviet-era mindsets, leading to uneven distribution across brigades. Ukraine urgently needs foreign investment and government support to scale production and training. Robotics offer Ukraine a lifeline but cannot fully replace the need for diplomacy. While tech may stall Russia's advance, the article warns of escalating NATO involvement and a potential direct US-Russia war by fall 2025 if peace efforts fail. In a dramatic shift towards technological warfare, Ukraine is rapidly expanding its use of robotic systems to address critical manpower shortages on the battlefield. This strategic pivot comes as the country grapples with the devastating human cost of the ongoing conflict with Russia, which has seen nearly two million Ukrainian soldiers killed or missing since 2022, according to a leaked report obtained by Russian hackers. According to Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine, the number of Ukrainian soldiers killed since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War remains highly disputed due to propaganda and conflicting claims. Official Ukrainian figures are likely inflated to demonize Russia and secure Western support, while independent estimates suggest far lower numbers. (Related: Ukraine RUNNING OUT of soldiers to fight Russia.) The Ukrainian military, under the leadership of Gen. Aleksandr Syrsky, has acknowledged the dire situation. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, Syrsky described the front line as "really complicated," particularly in the Pokrovsk axis of the northern Donetsk Region, where Russian forces conduct nearly 50 assaults daily. With Ukraine's general mobilization failing to replenish its ranks and nearly 400,000 servicemen deserting, the country is turning to technology to fill the void. Syrsky revealed plans to deploy 15,000 ground robotic platforms this year, aiming to minimize human losses by relying on weapons that can be operated remotely or without personnel. This move is not just a tactical shift but a necessity, as Kyiv's ability to recruit and retain soldiers is being severely tested. Pioneering robotic warfare The Ukrainian military has already demonstrated the potential of robotic systems in modern warfare. In an unprecedented operation in early July, the Ukrainian army's Third Assault Brigade used exclusively robotic systems to seize a frontline position in the Kharkiv region, capturing several surrendering Russian soldiers without suffering any casualties. Major Robert Brovdi, Commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, emphasized the importance of drones and robots in creating a "kill zone" extending 20 kilometers from the front lines. He highlighted the next challenge: Replacing Ukrainian infantry with ground-based robotic systems to handle logistical tasks at the front. The use of robots is not limited to logistics. The Ukrainian military has showcased a new robotic platform capable of shooting down Russian warplanes and helicopters. This system, featuring a Soviet-era anti-aircraft missile launcher mounted on a remote-controlled robot, enhances Ukraine's defensive capabilities while reducing the exposure of its troops to Russian drones. One of the most notable developments is the deployment of the Zmiy, or "snake," a series of Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGVs) designed for a variety of roles. These robots are being used for minelaying, mine clearing, logistics, casualty evacuation and direct combat. Kateryna Bondar of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said the deployment of these robots is an urgent response to Ukraine's severe personnel shortage, representing an "existential need to substitute human roles with robotic systems." Hlib Kanevskyi, head of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, confirmed the deployment of 15,000 such machines to local publications. This massive expansion in the use of UGVs is a testament to Ukraine's commitment to leveraging its technological prowess to counter Russia's conventional firepower and manpower advantages. A path forward While the deployment of robotic systems offers a glimmer of hope, it is not without challenges. The Ukrainian military faces the daunting task of training personnel to operate these new technologies while maintaining combat readiness. Additionally, securing the necessary funding and resources for research and development is crucial. Volunteers and private companies are playing a vital role in developing new robotic models and integrating them into the military. However, the legacy of the Soviet past with some field commanders reluctant to embrace new technologies presents an obstacle. This has led to an uneven distribution of robotic systems along the line of contact, with some brigades fully invested in these technologies while others receive only limited access. To fully capitalize on the potential of robotic systems, Ukraine needs more support from its government and international partners. Foreign investment is essential to boost the output of Ukrainian developers and ensure that front line units have the resources and flexibility to train soldiers in the use of new unmanned systems. Ukraine's rapid progress in wartime defense technology is driving the expansion of its robot army, offering a partial solution to the country's manpower crisis. As the conflict enters its fourth year, the urgency for a diplomatic solution is more pressing than ever. Watch the video below about Ukrainian drones carrying out a massive attack on a gas processing plant. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Total casualties in Russia-Ukraine war hit 1M mark. Zelensky demands 1.5 million SOLDIERS for Ukraine amid NATO membership uncertainty. So they're experimenting with military robots in Gaza now. Sources include: RT.com Brighteon.ai AtlanticCouncil.org GBNews.com Brighteon.com Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. An international team of scientists has found that a promising African swine fever (ASF) vaccine can protect pigs against some strains of the virus but offers little or no protection against others. The findings point to the need for region-specific vaccines to tackle one of the world's most devastating animal diseases. The research, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Plum Island Animal Disease Center and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), tested a commercial live-attenuated vaccine candidate, ASFV-G-I177L, against several African swine fever virus (ASFV) strains collected from across Africa. Results showed that while the vaccine was highly effective against certain strains, its performance varied widely depending on the virus type. A global threat to pigs and livelihoods ASF is a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting domestic and wild boars, with no global commercially licensed vaccine available. The disease is endemic in many parts of Africa and, over recent years, outbreaks have devastated pig populations in Africa, Asia and Europe, causing severe economic losses, threatening food security, and undermining the livelihoods of communities reliant on pig farming as pork is widely consumed animal protein. Smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), who primarily raise pigs in backyard systems, are heavily affected by ASF with women and young people particularly vulnerable. Beyond LMICs, the spread of ASF poses a major threat to North America. In the United States, the swine industry is a cornerstone of the economy, generating more than USD 27 billion in gross cash receipts in 2023. Similarly, Canada's pig industry contributed CAD 6.3 billion in 2024, highlighting the region's significant economic exposure What the study found Strong protection Pigs vaccinated and exposed to the same strain used to make the vaccine stayed healthy, while unvaccinated pigs quickly succumbed to disease. Partial protection About 80% of vaccinated pigs survived when challenged with a genetically different strain isolated in Ghana. No protection The vaccine failed against several other genetically distinct strains from Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, despite triggering strong immune responses. Rethinking vaccine strategies The results highlight that the traditional method of classifying ASF viruses by a single gene (p72) is not enough to predict whether a vaccine will work. Two viruses with identical p72 sequences-Georgia2010 and Pret4-produced very different results in vaccinated pigs. USDA scientists have developed a new classification method that analyses the virus's entire set of protein-coding genes, offering a more precise way to match vaccines to regional virus types. Although much further corroborative experimental work is needed, the classification developed will likely be the only available rational approach for deciding vaccination procedures to control and manage ASFV outbreaks." Manuel Borca, USDA scientist 'This research reinforces the need to rethink our ASF vaccine strategies,' said Anna Lacasta, ILRI Senior Scientist. 'A one-size-fits-all solution is unlikely. We need targeted vaccines aligned with the regional virus biotypes to maximize protection and control outbreaks. There is need to support the development and licensing of vaccines based on circulating ASFV biotypes.' The team recommends continued research into matching vaccines to virus types, as well as exploring new vaccine designs that could provide broader protection against ASF. As measles surged in Texas early this year, the Trump administration's actions sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists that kept them from performing the agency's most critical function emergency response when it mattered most, an investigation from KFF Health News shows. The outbreak soon became the worst the United States has endured in over three decades. In the month after Donald Trump took office, his administration interfered with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention communications, stalled the agency's reports, censored its data, and abruptly laid off staff. In the chaos, CDC experts felt restrained from talking openly with local public health workers, according to interviews with seven CDC officials with direct knowledge of events, as well as local health department emails obtained by KFF Health News through public records requests. "CDC hasn't reached out to us locally," Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, wrote in a Feb. 5 email exchange with a colleague two weeks after children with measles were hospitalized in Lubbock. "My staff feels like we are out here all alone," she added. A child would die before CDC scientists contacted Wells. "All of us at CDC train for this moment, a massive outbreak," one CDC researcher told KFF Health News, which agreed not to name CDC officials who fear retaliation for speaking with the press. "All this training and then we weren't allowed to do anything." Delays have catastrophic consequences when measles spreads in undervaccinated communities, like many in West Texas. If a person with measles is in the same room with 10 unvaccinated people, nine will be infected, researchers estimate. If those nine go about their lives in public spaces, numbers multiply exponentially. The outbreak that unfolded in West Texas illustrates the danger the country faces under the Trump administration as vaccination rates drop, misinformation flourishes, public health budgets are cut, and science agencies are subject to political manipulation. While the Trump administration stifled CDC communications, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fueled doubt in vaccines and exaggerated the ability of vitamins to ward off disease. Suffering followed: The Texas outbreak spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Mexico's Chihuahua state at minimum. Together these linked outbreaks have sickened more than 4,500 people, killed at least 16, and levied exorbitant costs on hospitals, health departments, and those paying medical bills. "This is absolutely outrageous," said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University. "When you're battling contagious diseases, time is everything." 'The CDC is "stressed" currently' Wells was anxious the moment she learned that two unvaccinated children hospitalized in late January had the measles. Hospitals are legally required to report measles cases to health departments and the CDC, but Wells worried many children weren't getting tested. "I think this may be very large," she wrote in a Feb. 3 email to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Wells relayed in another email what she'd learned from conversations around town: "According to one of the women I spoke with 55 children were absent from one school on 1/24. The women reported that there were sick children with measles symptoms as early as November." In that email and others, Wells asked state health officials to put her in touch with CDC experts who could answer complicated questions on testing, how to care for infants exposed to measles, and more. What transpired was a plodding game of telephone. One email asked whether clinics could decontaminate rooms where people with measles had just been if the clinics were too small to follow the CDC's recommendation to keep those rooms empty for two hours. "Would it be possible to arrange a consultation with the CDC?" Wells wrote on Feb. 5. "It never hurts to ask the CDC," said Scott Milton, a medical officer at the Texas health department. About 25 minutes later, he told Wells that an information specialist at the CDC had echoed the guidelines advising two hours. "I asked him to escalate this question to someone more qualified," Milton wrote. "Of course, we know the CDC is 'stressed' currently." Local officials resorted to advice from doctors and researchers outside the government, including those at the Immunization Partnership, a Texas nonprofit. "The CDC had gone dark," said Terri Burke, executive director of the partnership. "We had anticipated a measles outbreak, but we didn't expect the federal government to be in collapse when it hit." Technically, the Trump administration's freeze on federal communications had ended Feb. 1. However, CDC scientists told KFF Health News that they could not speak freely for weeks after. "There was a lot of confusion and nonanswers over what communications were allowed," one CDC scientist said. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said the situation was not unique to measles. "Like most public health organizations, we weren't able to get ahold of our program people in February," he said. Information trickled out through the CDC's communications office, but CDC scientists gave no press briefings and went dark on their closest partners across the country. "The CDC was gagged," he said. Through private conversations, Benjamin learned that CDC experts were being diverted to remove information from websites to comply with executive orders. And they were afraid to resume communication without a green light from their directors or the Department of Health and Human Services as they watched the Trump administration lay off CDC staffers in droves. "It's not that the CDC was delinquent," Benjamin said. "It's that they had their hands tied behind their backs." To work on the ground, the CDC needs an invitation from the state. But Anne Schuchat, a former CDC deputy director, said that during her 33 years with the agency, federal health officials didn't need special permission to talk freely with local health departments during outbreaks. "We would always offer a conversation and ask if there's anything we could do," she said. Lara Anton, a press officer at the Texas health department, said the state never prevented the CDC from calling county officials. To learn more about the state's correspondences with the CDC, KFF Health News filed a public records request to the Texas health department. The department refused to release the records. Anton called the records "confidential under the Texas Health and Safety Code." Anton said the state sent vaccines, testing supplies, and staff to assist West Texas in the early weeks of February. That's corroborated in emails from the South Plains Public Health District, which oversees Gaines County, the area hit hardest by measles. "Texas will try to handle what it needs to before it goes to the CDC," Zach Holbrooks, the health district's executive director, told KFF Health News. Responding to an outbreak in an undervaccinated community, however, requires enormous effort. To keep numbers from exploding, public health workers ideally would notify all people exposed to an infected person and ask them to get vaccinated immediately if they weren't already. If they declined, officials would try to persuade them to avoid public spaces for three weeks so that they wouldn't spread measles to others. Holbrooks said this was nearly impossible. Cases were concentrated in close-knit Mennonite communities where people relied on home remedies before seeking medical care. He said many people didn't want to be tested, didn't want to name their contacts, and didn't want to talk with the health department. "It doesn't matter what resources I have if people won't avail themselves of it," Holbrooks said. Historically, Mennonites faced persecution in other countries, making them leery of interacting with authorities, Holbrooks said. A backlash against covid restrictions deepened that mistrust. Another reason Mennonites may seek to avoid authorities is that some live in the U.S. illegally, having immigrated to Texas from Canada, Mexico, and Bolivia in waves over the past 50 years. Locals guess the population of Seminole, the main city in Gaines County, is far larger than the U.S. Census count. "I have no idea how many cases we might have missed, since I don't know how many people are in the community," Holbrooks said. "There's a lot of people in the shadows out here." Public health experts say the situation in Gaines sounds tough but familiar. Measles tends to take hold in undervaccinated communities, and therefore public health workers must overcome mistrust, misinformation, language barriers, and more. About 450 people including local health officials, CDC scientists, nurses, and volunteers helped control a measles outbreak sparked in an Eastern European immigrant community in Clark County, Washington, in 2018. Alan Melnick, Clark County's public health director, said his team spoke with hundreds of unvaccinated people who were exposed. "We were calling them basically every day to see how they were doing and ask them not to go out in public," he said. Melnick spoke with CDC scientists from the start, and the intensity of the response was buoyed by emergency declarations by the county and the state. Within a couple of months, the outbreak was largely contained. No one died, and only two people were hospitalized. In New York, hundreds of people in the city's health department responded to a larger measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019 concentrated among Orthodox Jewish communities. The work included meeting with dozens of rabbis and distributing booklets to nearly 30,000 households to combat vaccine misinformation. The effort cost more than $7 million, but Jane Zucker, New York City's assistant health commissioner at the time, said it yielded immense savings. The average medical bill for measles hospitalizations is roughly $18,500, according to data from prior outbreaks. Then there's the cost of diverting hospital resources, of children missing school, of parents staying home from work to care for sick kids, and the lasting toll of some measles infections, including deafness or worse. "I don't think there's a price tag to put on a child's death that would otherwise be prevented," Zucker said. Local health departments in West Texas were understaffed from the start. About 18 people work at the South Plains health department, which oversees four vast rural counties. About 50 staff the department in Lubbock, where patients were hospitalized and health workers struggled to figure out who was exposed. In mid-February, Wells emailed a colleague: "I'm so overwhelmed." A death ignites a response On Feb. 26, Texas announced that a 6-year-old child had died of measles. Wells heard from CDC scientists for the first time the following day. Also that day, the CDC issued a brief notice on the outbreak. The notice recommended vaccines, but it worried public health specialists because it also promoted vitamin A as a treatment under medical supervision. In emails, Texas health officials privately discussed how the CDC's notice might exacerbate a problem: Doctors were treating children with measles for toxic levels of vitamin A, suggesting that parents were delaying medical care and administering the supplements at home. A local Lubbock news outlet reported on a large drugstore where vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil, which contains high levels of vitamin A, were "flying off the shelf." Too much vitamin A can cause liver damage, blindness, and dire abnormalities during fetal development. Milton worried that parents were listening to misinformation from anti-vaccine groups including one founded by Kennedy that diminished the need for vaccination by inaccurately claiming that vitamin A staved off the disease's worst outcomes. "How many people will choose Vitamin A and not a vaccine because it appears to them there are two options?" Milton asked in an email. Scientists at the CDC privately fretted, too. "HHS pressed us to insert vitamin A into all of our communications with clinicians and health officials," one CDC scientist told KFF Health News, referring to the agency's notices and alerts. "If pregnant women took too much vitamin A during the outbreak, their babies could be profoundly disabled. We haven't seen those babies born yet." Another CDC official said they've had to "walk a fine line" between protecting the public based on scientific evidence and aligning with HHS. While CDC scientists held their tongues, Kennedy exaggerated the power of nutrition and vitamin A while furthering mistrust in vaccines. "We're providing vitamin A," Kennedy said in an interview on Fox News. "There are many studies, some showing 87% effectiveness," he claimed, "against serious disease and death." The studies Kennedy referenced were conducted in low-income countries where children are malnourished. Evidence suggests that vitamin A supplementation is seldom useful against measles in the United States, because deficiency is exceedingly rare. Kennedy deflected criticism from those who call him anti-vaccine, saying that any parent in Texas who wants a measles vaccine can get one. He followed this with dangerously inaccurate statements. "There are adverse events from the vaccine. It does cause deaths every year," he said. "It causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes, encephalitis and blindness, et cetera." There is no evidence that measles vaccines "cause deaths every year." Scores of studies show that the vaccine doesn't cause encephalitis, that most potential side effects resolve quickly on their own, and serious adverse reactions are far rarer than measles complications. In another interview, Kennedy said, "The MMR vaccine contains a lot of aborted fetus debris." The measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine does not contain an iota of fetal cells. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon and spokespeople at the CDC did not respond to queries from KFF Health News. 'Staff are exhausted' Despite national attention after the country's first measles death in a decade, West Texas was overwhelmed. In late February and March, hospital administrators and health officials exchanged emails about how to lobby for resources. "Local hospitals are at capacity," wrote Jeffrey Hill, a senior vice president at the University Medical Center Health System in Lubbock. "The state reports emergency funds that typically cover a response like the measles outbreak are not available from the federal government right now," he added. "I am writing to express our urgent need for additional staff and funding," Ronald Cook, medical director for Lubbock, said in an email, drafted with other Lubbock health authorities, to the deputy city manager. "Our Capacity is Stretched Thin: The health department has been operating seven days a week since February 2nd. Staff are exhausted." The city of Lubbock fronted money to help the local health department hire temporary staff. The state did not provide money, but it asked the CDC to send epidemiologists. Some came to Texas in early March. Then Texas requested federal funds. None arrived, even as the outbreak approached 500 cases. It spread to Mexico when an unvaccinated Mennonite child returned home after visiting family in Seminole. This would fuel the largest outbreak Mexico has seen in decades, with at least 3,700 cases and 13 deaths in the state of Chihuahua. Then another child in West Texas died of measles. In a rare moment of openness, CDC scientist David Sugarman mentioned the outbreak at a vaccine advisory meeting in late April. "There are quite a number of resource requests coming in, in particular from Texas," Sugarman said. "We are scraping to find the resources and personnel needed to provide support to Texas and other jurisdictions." Federal funds arrived in Texas on May 21, said Anton, the state health department spokesperson. By then, the crisis was fading. The outbreak seemed to have burned until every unvaccinated person in Seminole was infected, said Richard Eby, a doctor at Permian Regional Medical Center who treated some measles patients. Hundreds, if not thousands, of cases have probably gone undetected, he said. "A lot of people presumed their kids had measles," he said, "and didn't see the need to confirm it." On Aug. 18, health officials declared the West Texas outbreak over, but the consequences of the catastrophe will be lasting. The outbreaks it sparked across the U.S. and Mexico are still spreading. More are inevitable, Nuzzo said. A growing number of parents are deciding not to vaccinate their kids, worried over unfounded rumors about the shots. Misinformation is flourishing, especially after Kennedy fired vaccine experts who advise the CDC and replaced them with doctors and researchers on the fringes of the scientific establishment. For example, one of his recent appointees, Robert Malone, blamed the deaths of children with measles on "medical mismanagement," without evidence. At the same time, states are downsizing programs for emergency response, disease surveillance, and immunization after the Trump administration clawed back more than $11 billion in public health funds earlier this year. Amid Lubbock's toughest months, Wells sent an email to the department's exhausted staff. "The future is uncertain, and I know this is an unsettling time for many of us," she wrote. "Every day we show up and do our jobs is an act of resilience." A major study reveals that prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos, once widely used in homes and farms, may have lasting effects on childrens brains, from disrupted metabolism to weaker motor skills. Study: Brain Abnormalities in Children Exposed Prenatally to the Pesticide Chlorpyrifos. Image credit: hedgehog94/Shutterstock.com A JAMA Neurology study used a sample of school-aged children to examine the associations between prenatal chlorpyrifos (CPF) exposure and brain abnormalities. CPF exposure during prenatal development was associated with changes in neuronal tissue differentiation, enhanced myelination of the internal capsule, reduced fine motor speed and motor programming skills, and significantly disrupted regional blood flow and localized neuronal metabolism throughout the brain. Chlorpyrifos exposure and brain development CPF is a very common insecticide used globally, so it is typically found everywhere, including in non-organic grains, vegetables, and fruits, as well as in air and dust. In this studys New York City cohort, prenatal exposure largely came from indoor residential spraying before its 2001 U.S. residential ban. In pregnant women, it has been seen to cross the placenta and reach the fetal brain. In rodent models, prenatal and neonatal CPF exposure has adversely impacted the brain, hampering neuron and glia generation and interfering with neuronal differentiation. Early exposure to CPF is more toxic to glial cells than to neurons. The adverse effects of CPF exposure could be mediated at the molecular level, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, altered responses to neurotrophins, and impaired mitochondrial function. Research using rodent models has shown that these molecular effects lead to motor hyperactivity, learning and memory problems, and adulthood behaviors resembling anxiety and depression. Prenatal exposure to CPF in humans has been linked to lower fetal growth, lower birth weight, smaller head size, abnormal newborn reflexes, and other disorders. The preclinical and clinical research conducted so far has shed light on the neurotoxicity of prenatal CPF exposure, but its effects on the human brain are unknown. About the study This prospective, longitudinal pregnancy cohort study examined the impact of prenatal CPF exposure on offspring brain metabolism, structure, and function in middle childhood. The study was conducted between January 1998 and July 2015 among pregnant women (N = 727) of African American or Dominican descent aged between 18 and 35. During pregnancy, women completed questionnaires and self-identified their race and ethnicity. These data were collected to assess the representativeness of the sample. Within one day postpartum, maternal blood was collected, and umbilical cord blood was also obtained at delivery; CPF plasma levels from either source were measured. Of the original 727 women, 512 had CPF levels measured, and MRI analyses were conducted on 270 children aged 6-14. Cortical thickness and local white matter volumes at the cerebral surface were evaluated using anatomical MRI measures. The direction and rate of water diffusion were assessed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Fractional anisotropy (FA) in DTI represented the directional preference of diffusion, and the mean diffusion rate over three spatial directions was represented using the average diffusion coefficient (ADC). Furthermore, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured using arterial spin labeling (ASL), and the brain metabolite concentrations were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). Study findings A positive association was observed between prenatal CPF exposure and cortical thickness in frontal, temporal, and posteroinferior regions. An inverse association was noted between CPF exposure and cortical thickness in the dorsal parietal region. Concerning local white matter volumes in the frontal, temporal, and posteroinferior regions, an inverse association was noted with CPF exposure. CPF exposure is inversely associated with ADC and positively associated with FA values in the internal capsule (IC). This was particularly true for ICs anterior limb and genu for FA, and for the anterior limb, genu, and posterior limb for ADC. The long axis of IC fiber bundles exhibited reduced diffusion in both the radial and axial directions, contributing to lower ADC values. Across most brain regions, there was an inverse association between prenatal CPF exposure and rCBF values. The concentration of N-acetylL-aspartate (NAA), an index of healthy neuron density, was measured using MRSI. Within deep white matter tracts and gray matter of the insular cortex, NAA was inversely associated with CPF exposure. The findings for other metabolites were sparse. A positive association was found between CPF and glutamate/glutamine (Glx) concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex, after normalizing metabolite concentrations to creatine. The association between CPF and MRI measures in any modality was not significantly moderated by age or sex. Concerning behavioral outcomes, a significant inverse association was noted between CPF values and fine motor speed and motor programming in both hands. The effects were disproportionate in the nondominant hand for motor programming. Conclusions Prenatal CPF exposure was associated with higher myelination of the internal capsule, changed differentiation of neuronal tissue into cortical white and gray matter, and poorer fine motor and motor programming performance. Widespread reductions in brain blood flow and scattered, localized reductions in neuronal density (NAA) suggest metabolic disruption. Some of the observed associations are accounted for by the molecular and cellular effects of CPF, including oxidative stress, inflammation, impaired mitochondrial functioning, and oligodendrocyte dysregulation. A key limitation of the current study is the lack of generalizability of the findings, as the sample consisted of urban Dominican and African American women. There could have been selection bias regarding which individuals in the cohort could be contacted and who agreed to participate in MRI scanning. Furthermore, postnatal CPF exposure and exposure to other insecticides were not accounted for and could have influenced the results. Download your PDF copy now! 64 Palestinians martyred in Gaza within 24 hours Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 06:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Gaza City [Palestine], August 25 (ANI/WAM): A total of 64 Palestinians were killed and 278 others injured as a result of Israeli military operations across various areas of the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours.The overall toll of Israeli operations has risen to 62,686 deaths and 157,951 injuries since 7th October 2023. Between 18th March 2025 and today, the number of casualties has reached 10,842 deaths and 45,910 injuries.Hospitals in Gaza received 19 deaths and 123 injuries among those attempting to access humanitarian aid during the past 24 hours, raising the total number of such victims to 2,095 deaths and more than 15,431 injuries.Additionally, hospitals in the Gaza Strip recorded eight new deaths due to famine and malnutrition during the past 24 hours, including one child, bringing the overall total to 289 deaths, among them 115 children. (ANI/WAM) Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 25, 2025, 06:15 IST News agency-feeds 64 Palestinians martyred in Gaza within 24 hours Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 75 per cent attendance must be made mandatory for schools: UP Governor Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 01:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Lucknow/Gorakhpur (UP), Aug 25 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Monday laid emphasis on research work and also said that 75 per cent attendance should be made compulsory for students. Addressing the 44th convocation of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University at Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium, Patel stressed on the importance of research, saying that identifying problems prevalent in the society, studying them and taking the solutions forward is the need of the hour. Recommended Stories The government gives grants for research, this should be used in projects that caters to societal welfare. After completion of the research work, it should be sent to officials concerned, so that effective action can be taken on it, Patel said. The UP governor added that minimum 75 per cent attendance should be made compulsory for students in colleges, schools and universities." Parents work hard to educate their children, so they should regularly listen to lectures in class, use laboratories and libraries, and strive to progress in studies, she said. Patel, who is also the Chancellor of all the state universities, said that activities of the university should be accelerated under the agreement it signed with foreign universities. Expressing happiness over the enrolment of foreign students, she said that they should be treated with cooperation and affection, and said this is our culture". She encouraged the students to go to universities of neighbouring countries and learn from their education system and implement good experiences in their university. NAAC, NIRF and world ranking play an important role in the enrolment of foreign students, so universities should constantly focus on improving their quality, she said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The governor awarded medals to 161 students and handed out PhD degrees to 301 researchers, the Raj Bhavan said in a statement. During the programme, chief guest Padma Shri Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Institute Chair Professor, IIT Kanpur was awarded the honorary DSc degree, the statement added. PTI COR NAV RUK RUK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 26, 2025, 01:15 IST News agency-feeds 75 per cent attendance must be made mandatory for schools: UP Governor Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 79-year-old doctor loses Rs 25 lakh in share trading fraud; two held Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Aug 25 (PTI) Cyber police arrested two individuals for allegedly duping a 79-year-old doctor from Mumbai of Rs 25 lakh through a fraudulent share trading scheme, an official said on Monday. The accused, identified as Prashant Chaudhary and Richard Rao, were found to be in contact with cyber fraudsters and had opened multiple bank accounts used to facilitate the fraudulent transactions, he said, adding that the arrests were made by the cyber cell of the Western Region. Recommended Stories The victim, a senior doctor residing in Powai who also runs a private company, received a WhatsApp message last month promoting a stock investment opportunity. The message included a customer care number of a private firm. After joining a group linked to the scheme, he was regularly sent stock analyses and investment advice, police said. The doctor invested approximately Rs 25 lakh in various shares, hoping for high returns, during July. Initially, his account reflected profits, which increased his confidence. However, when he attempted to withdraw funds, the transactions repeatedly failed, the police official said. Despite multiple queries to the group administrator and a woman associated with the scheme, he received no response. Instead, he was told that his score" was low and that he needed to invest more to access his returns. When he refused, communication from the fraudsters ceased entirely. Realising he had been defrauded, the doctor approached the Western Region Cyber Cell and filed a complaint. After verification, police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act against unidentified cyber fraudsters. During the investigation, the trail of transactions led police to Chaudhary and Rao, the official said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The probe revealed that both had provided their bank accounts to known cyber fraudsters. Funds from this case and other similar scams had been deposited into these accounts, which the accused then transferred to the fraudsters in exchange for a fixed commission, the official added. Further investigation is underway. PTI ZA NSK Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:30 IST News agency-feeds 79-year-old doctor loses Rs 25 lakh in share trading fraud; two held Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Five police personnel injured in mob attack in Patna Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 23:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Patna, Aug 25 (PTI) At least five police personnel, including a woman constable, were injured when a mob went on the rampage here on Monday evening demanding action against the culprits in the murder of two children recently, an officer said. The mob also set two police vehicles on fire and indulged in stone pelting. Recommended Stories Police arrested at least 10 people for indulging in violence during the protest, the officer said. Two children were found dead inside a car in the Indrapuri area here on August 15. Protestors were demanding action against the culprits. Talking to PTI, Patna (Central) SP, Diksha said, The incident took place on Monday evening when a group of locals blocked traffic demanding action against culprits in the murder of two children that took place on August 15. When police reached there, the mob turned violent and started damaging police vehicle. They pelted stones also on police personnel and set two vehicles on fire." The mob manhandled police personnel, including me, said the SP. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She said that mild force was used to disperse the unruly crowd. A total of five police personnel, including a woman constable, sustained minor injuries. Police arrested ten people, including some women, following the incident. More arrests will be made as we are analysing CCTV footages," said the SP. As far as the investigation into the death of two children is concerned, the SP said, The accused will be nabbed very soon". PTI PKD RG Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 25, 2025, 23:30 IST News agency-feeds Five police personnel injured in mob attack in Patna Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... CNN name, logo and all associated elements and 2024 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved. CNN and the CNN logo are registered marks of Cable News Network, LP LLLP, displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of NEWS18.com does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them. Copyright Network18 Media and Investments Ltd 2024. All rights reserved. Lover allegedly kills woman by stuffing chemical powder into her mouth Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mysuru (Karnataka), Aug 25 (PTI) In a horrific crime, a 20-year-old married woman was allegedly killed by a man, who was in a relationship with her, by stuffing some chemical powder" into her mouth after a heated argument, police said on Monday. The incident occurred on Saturday at a lodge in Bherya village of Saligrama taluk in this district, they said, adding the woman died following consumption of the chemical. Recommended Stories The accused Siddaraju was arrested, police said, adding he tried to portray the cause of her death as due to mobile blast" to mislead the investigators. A case of murder was registered at the Saligrama police station in Karnataka. According to police, the victim, Darshitha, a resident of Gerasanahalli village in Hunsur taluk, was married to a man from Kerala and was in a relationship with Siddaraju. Meanwhile, Kerala police said Darshitha went missing on August 22 from her matrimonial home in Kannur district along with 30 sovereigns of gold ornaments and Rs 4 lakh in cash. Darshitha was the wife of Subhas A P, who works as a driver in Dubai. She married Subhas in 2022 and the couple has a two-year-old daughter. Citing preliminary investigation, a senior Karnataka police officer said that the victim and the accused were in relationship for a long time. However, she started avoiding him recently and did not take any effort to stay in touch. This upset him leading to a quarrel. During their stay at the lodge, a heated argument broke out between her and Siddaraju, following which he killed her. The accused allegedly tried to mislead the police by claiming that the death was caused by mobile phone blast. After killing her, he shouted saying that the mobile phone had exploded. However, when the staff came, there was no mobile phone in the room. When the accused was asked about the alleged exploded mobile phone," he claimed that he threw it out of the window, the senior police officer said. The staff searched for the mobile phone but could not find it and they became suspicious and called the police, the officer said. Based on the investigation, the accused was arrested after he confessed to the crime. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mysuru Superintendent of Police Vishnuvardhana N, said: The victim was married to someone who is in Kerala, but she was in a relationship with the accused. We are further investigating the reason behind this murder. He used a chemical powder combination to kill her, which is currently being examined by the forensic experts." Kerala police said that on Friday evening when Darshithas mother-in-law, Sumatha, and brother-in-law, Sooraj, returned home, they found the woman and her daughter missing, along with gold ornaments and cash. Sumatha tried to contact Darishitha, but she did not respond. Hence, Sumatha filed a complaint at Irrikur police station in Kannur district, where a case for theft was registered. When police contacted Darshithas relatives in Karnataka, they said that she was on the way to Kannur after handing over the child to her parents. Her phone remained switched off. PTI COR AMP TBA LGK KH AMP VGN Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:30 IST News agency-feeds Lover allegedly kills woman by stuffing chemical powder into her mouth Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Man, son injured in firing incident in Delhis Jaitpur Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 01:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Aug 26 (PTI) A 55-year-old man and his son were injured in a firing incident in south Delhis Jaitpur area, police said on Tuesday. The incident came to light after a medico-legal case (MLC) was reported by Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar, to Jaitpur police station around 1.39 am on Monday. Recommended Stories The injured were identified as Dev Chaprana (25) and his father Dinesh Kumar, residents of Shiv Farm in Harinagar, they said. According to police, Dev sustained a gunshot injury on the left side of his chest, while his father suffered injuries on his right palm. The men were rushed to hospital and are currently stable and out of danger, an officer said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The crime and forensic teams inspected the spot soon after the information was received. During the search, a .22 bore revolver, along with five live cartridges and one empty shell, was recovered from the familys residence," the officer added. A case has been registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act at Jaitpur police station and further investigation is underway, the officials said. PTI SSJ NB NB Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 26, 2025, 01:15 IST News agency-feeds Man, son injured in firing incident in Delhis Jaitpur Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Victims of crime, their heirs can file appeal against acquittal of accused: SC Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 12:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Aug 25 (PTI) In a significant judgment, the Supreme Court has held that victims of crime, including their legal heirs, can file an appeal against acquittal of the accused. A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan said the right of a victim of a crime must be placed on a par with the right of an accused who has suffered a conviction. Recommended Stories We find the victim has every right to prefer an appeal as against a conviction for a lesser offence or for imposing inadequate compensation or even in the case of an acquittal as stated in the proviso to Sec 372 of CrPC," the bench said. The top court in its August 22 judgment said the right of victims of crime to file appeal in a higher court against acquittal of the accused, or award of lenient punishment cannot be circumscribed". Expanding the ambit of victims of crime" for the purpose of filing an appeal, the apex court said their legal heirs could continue prosecution of such appeals in case the appellant-victim dies during the pendency of appeals. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A person convicted of a crime has the right to prefer an appeal under Section 374 of the CrPC as a matter of right and not being subjected to any conditions. Similarly, a victim of a crime, whatever be the nature of the crime, must have a right to prefer an appeal as per the CrPC," the bench said. In a criminal case, both the convicted person and the State (through the Public Prosecutor) can file appeal The top court said a proviso was added to section 372 of CrPC (No appeal to lie unless otherwise provided) in 2009 to include victims It said the victim of an offence has the right to prefer an appeal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC, irrespective of whether he is a complainant or not. PTI PKS DV DV Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18 First Published: August 25, 2025, 12:00 IST News agency-feeds Victims of crime, their heirs can file appeal against acquittal of accused: SC Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... CIBIL Score Not Mandatory For First-Time Borrowers To Get Bank Loans: Finance Ministry Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:24 IST A CIBIL score is a three-digit number (between 300 and 900) that shows how good your credit history is. A credit score is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 900 that reflects a person's creditworthiness based on their repayment history. The Minister of Finance has stated that banks should not reject loan applications from first-time borrowers simply because they have no CIBIL score. During the monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, MoS Pankaj Chaudhary said that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has not mandated any specific credit score for loan approvals. Recommended Stories As part of best practices for credit institutions, Reserve Bank vide referred Master Direction dated 6.1.2025 has advised CIs that first time borrowers loan applications should not be rejected just because they have no credit history," said Chaudhary. RBI has not set any minimum credit score requirement for sanctioning loans. In a deregulated credit environment, banks and lenders take their own credit decisions based on commercial judgment, board-approved policies, and regulatory guidelines. A borrowers Credit Information Report is only one of the factors considered before extending any loan or credit facility," clarified MoS Pankaj Chaudhary. The Minister of State further highlighted that the Reserve Bank has directed lenders not to reject loan applications from first-time borrowers solely due to the absence of a credit history. A CIBIL score is a three-digit number (between 300 and 900) that shows how good your credit history is. Lenders often use a CIBIL score to grant a loan to customers. A low CIBIL score would often lead to rejection of loan applications and vice-versa. One can improve a CIBIL score by paying EMIs and credit card bills on time, keeping credit card usage below 3040% of the limit, and maintaining a healthy mix of secured and unsecured loans. There are four credit bureau in the country: TransUnion CIBIL Ltd, Equifax Credit Information Services Pvt Ltd, CRIF High Mark Credit Information Services Pvt Ltd and Experian Credit Information Company of India Pvt Ltd. They are authorized to give credit ratings to borrowers. Additionally, the RBI mandates that Credit Information Companies (CICs) provide one free credit report annually in electronic format to individuals with a credit history and cap the fee for additional reports at Rs 100. These measures aim to ensure fairness and transparency in the lending process for new borrowers. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A study by TransUnion CIBIL revealed that 41 per cent of first-time borrowers are Gen Z in India. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the I... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 07:04 IST News business banking-finance CIBIL Score Not Mandatory For First-Time Borrowers To Get Bank Loans: Finance Ministry Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... New GST Rates Likely To Be Implemented By September 22, Says Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:53 IST The GST Council will meet in the national capital on September 3-4 to deliberate on the Centre's proposal for a simplified two-rate GST structure of 5% and 18%. Notifications on the new GST rates will likely be issued within five to seven days after the Council's decision. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is likely to roll out new GST rate slabs around September 22 to push festive demand in the country, NDTV Profit has reported citing government sources. The implementation is expected to coincide with the Navratri celebrations. According to a CNBC-TV18 report also citing sources, the Centre is preparing to roll out GST cuts at the earliest. It may also press the GST Council to approve rate cuts with immediate effect, though no final decision has been taken yet. Recommended Stories The GST Council will meet in the national capital on September 3-4 to deliberate on the Centres proposal for a simplified two-rate GST structure of 5% and 18%. According to the report, notifications on the new rates will likely be issued within five to seven days after the Councils decision. The Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate rationalisation, compensation cess, and health and life insurance met earlier this week and, in principle, agreed to the Centres plan for a two-slab GST. As per the reforms proposed by the Centre, GST would move from the current four-tier structure of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% to a two-rate system. Goods and services would be classified under merit (5%) and standard (18%) categories. A special 40% rate would apply on select luxury and sin goods such as ultra-premium cars, while certain labour-intensive items would continue to enjoy concessional rates as low as 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.5% to support employment-intensive sectors. On Independence Day 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the upcoming reforms, describing them as GST 2.0. Calling GST one of the most significant reforms since its launch in 2017, he underscored the need for rationalisation to provide relief to the common man, farmers, the middle class, and MSMEs. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has also said the new GST regime will make people self-sufficient and boost growth in manufacturing and MSMEs. Speaking to Groups of Ministers (GoMs) on rate rationalisation, insurance taxation, and compensation cess, Sitharaman last week said the proposal by the central government is with a vision to usher in the next generation of GST reforms in Indias journey towards becoming the Atmanirbhar Bharat. Exemption for Insurance Premiums For Individuals Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary, who is also the convenor of insurance GoM, said the Centre has proposed exempting health and life insurance premiums from GST for individuals, to which some states differed. Currently, such premiums attract 18% GST. The Centres proposal is clear that the insurance sectors individual and family (policies) should be exempt from GST. This has been discussed and the GoM report will be presented to the Council," Choudhary told reporters last week after the GoM meeting. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The panel, comprising ministers from 13 states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, will submit its report to the GST Council by October-end. Union Minister of State for Finance, Chief Minister of Goa, Deputy CM of Bihar and Finance Ministers of States in the three GoMs were also present at the meeting. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 11:43 IST News business economy New GST Rates Likely To Be Implemented By September 22, Says Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... IDBI Bank Shares Up 1.33% As LIC Gets SEBI Approval For Reclassification Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 09:38 IST IDBI Bank shares in focus as strategic disinvestment proceeds; SEBI approves LIC reclassification as public shareholder, capping LIC voting rights at 10 percent post-disinvestment. IDBI Bank Stake Sale IDBI Bank Share Price: IDBI Bank shares jumped 1.33% on Monday, August 25, as the bank undergoes strategic disinvestment, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on May 5, 2021. Following this, the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) has informed that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved the reclassification of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as a public shareholder." Recommended Stories Post-disinvestment, LICs voting rights in IDBI Bank will be capped at 10% of total net effective voting rights. LIC will not have control over the bank, any special rights, or representation on the Board of Directors, nor act as a key managerial person. The letter of offer sent to shareholders will specify LICs intention to reclassify its residual stake as public. LIC is required to reduce its residual shareholding to 15% or below within two years of the transaction closing, as directed by the Reserve Bank of India. IDBI Bank will apply to stock exchanges to formalize LICs reclassification after the disinvestment is completed. The reclassification is contingent on compliance with SEBIs conditions, including regulation 31A(4) of the Listing Regulations, and may be withdrawn if conditions are not met. IDBI stands for the Industrial Development Bank of India, established in 1964 to provide industrial development and financial services. Initially a government-owned development finance institution, it was transformed into IDBI Bank in 2004 and later re-categorized as a private sector bank in 2019, with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as its parent company. IDBI Bank shares settled at Rs 94.90 apiece with a fall of 2.75 per cent in the last session. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Varun Yadav Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the I... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 08:45 IST News business markets IDBI Bank Shares Up 1.33% As LIC Gets SEBI Approval For Reclassification Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Stocks To Watch: IndiGo, Max Healthcare, IndusInd Bank, Indian Hotels, IDBI Bank, And Others Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 08:00 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like IndiGo, Max Healthcare, IndusInd Bank, Indian Hotels, IDBI Bank, and others will be in focus on Monday's trade Stocks to watch Stocks to Watch Today, August 25, 2025: Equity markets ended lower on Monday, snapping a six-day winning streak as weak sentiment weighed through the session and deepened in the latter half. The benchmark indices lost nearly a percent. In todays trade, several stocks will be in focus on account of index reshuffles, regulatory approvals, fund-raising plans, and expansion strategies. IndiGo, Max Healthcare Recommended Stories InterGlobe Aviation, Indias largest airline, and Max Healthcare, a leading hospital chain, will be added to the Nifty 50 index at the end of September as part of the semi-annual reshuffle. IndusInd Bank, Hero MotoCorp The private lender and the two-wheeler major will be dropped from the Nifty 50, effective from September-end. MCX, Indian Overseas Bank, JK Cement, Hexaware Technologies, Cholamandalam Finance These companies will be included in the FTSE All World Index rejig, effective September 22. Indian Hotels Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL) is eyeing strategic acquisitions to strengthen its presence in existing markets and expand into Europe and Southeast Asia, CEO & MD Puneet Chhatwal said. YES Bank YES Bank announced that the RBI has cleared Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) to acquire up to 24.99% stake in the lender. JSW Steel The company has received a 1,472.69 crore demand notice from the Odisha government for shortfall in despatches at its Jajang iron ore block during June 2024June 2025. RailTel Corporation RailTel has secured a 13 crore project management consultancy contract from the Rajasthan Skill & Livelihoods Development Corporation. IDBI Bank IDBI Bank said that capital markets regulator Sebi has approved the reclassification of Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) as a public shareholder" in the lender, once the governments strategic disinvestment process is completed. GMR Power & Infra The board has approved plans to raise up to 3,000 crore through securities, subject to approvals. It has also cleared the reappointment of three independent directors for another five years. Brigade Enterprises The real estate firm has leased a seven-acre plot on Chennais Old Mahabalipuram Road to develop a mixed-use project with over 1 million sq ft of office space and a 225-room five-star hotel. TVS Motor top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The company has reappointed Venu Srinivasan as a Director on its board. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 08:00 IST News business markets Stocks To Watch: IndiGo, Max Healthcare, IndusInd Bank, Indian Hotels, IDBI Bank, And Others Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru Man Found Dead In Police Station Washroom, Four Officers Suspended; CID Probe Ordered Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:42 IST Ramesh, arrested for temple theft in Channapatna, was found dead in MK Doddi Police Station. Four officers were suspended as CID investigates allegations of custodial violence. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Representative Image Four police officers from MK Doddi Police Station in Bengaluru South (Ramanagara district) have been suspended after a man arrested for temple theft was found dead in the stations washroom. The deceased has been identified as Ramesh. He was a habitual offender from Mandya and was found hanging with his dhoti inside the washroom of the police station while in custody. He was arrested along with two others, including his son, in connection with the theft of a donation box from a temple in Channapatna, The New Indian Express reported. Recommended Stories The incident, which took place on August 20, has sparked allegations of custodial violence and prompted the government to hand over the probe to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the report added. The suspended officers include Assistant Sub-Inspector Nagaraju and Constables Pratap, Lakshmi Narayana, and Somanatha, all of whom were on duty at the time of the death. While police claim it was a case of suicide, Rameshs family has accused the officers of custodial torture and alleged that he was beaten to death and hanged later to stage it as suicide. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Senior police officials stated that the suspended officers were responsible for the accuseds safety and failed in their duty by not preventing the incident. They were negligent in securing the accused in custody," The New Indian Express quoted an official as saying. With conflicting claims emerging, the case has now been handed over to the CID for a thorough and independent investigation. First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:42 IST News bengaluru-news Bengaluru Man Found Dead In Police Station Washroom, Four Officers Suspended; CID Probe Ordered Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Sick Political Discourse': BJP Demands Action Against DMK Ally For Controversial Lord Rama Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:55 IST BJP demanded action against Vanni Arasu of VCK for linking Lord Rama with Brahmins Genocide, sparking controversy and calls for arrest from Narayanan Thirupathy. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Ex-TN BJP chief K Annamalai slammed VCK leaders remarks on Lord Rama, calling them a distortion of Ramayana and an example of sick political discourse by DMK allies. (IMAGE: X) The BJP demanded action against DMK ally and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) Deputy General Secretary Vanni Arasu for linking Lord Rama with Brahmins Genocide." Arasu referred to the mythological tale of Rama killing Shambuka, interpreting it as a symbol of caste oppression" and the enforcement of Brahminical supremacy." He equated Lord Ramas actions with those of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss, claiming both represent systems that incite violence under the guise of tradition." Recommended Stories Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy asked Chief Minister MK Stalin to take action against Arasu for allegedly demeaning Hindu gods and the Brahmin community. The statement made by Vanni Arasu, Deputy General Secretary of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, at a seminar held in Chennai yesterday, saying Raam is the one who committed genocide for the Brahmins, Hinduism must be destroyed," is strongly condemnable. The Chief Minister Mu. Ka. Stalin should order strict action against this individual who has made it his profession to continuously demean Hindu gods, beliefs, and the Brahmin community. No one has the right to speak ill of any community or religion. This degenerate person, who speaks in a low-quality manner that humiliates a caste and in a vulgar way that belittles the beliefs of people of a religion, should be arrested and imprisoned under the Goonda Act," Thirupathy said. Commenting on Arasus remark, Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai said this is the sick political discourse of DMK and its allies. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What connection does Ramayana have to Honour Killing? Have the I.N.D.I. Alliance members lost their senses? The parties in the I.N.D.I. Alliance have a deep hatred for Sanatana Dharma. Here is a VCK leader (a Member of the I.N.D.I. Alliance) speaking about a piece of fiction, the Uttara Kanda, that was never part of the Valmiki Ramayana. And this Kanda is not included in the Ramayana written by the Tamil Poet Kambar. Yet, such distortions are shamelessly paraded to malign our civilisational ethos. This is the sick political discourse of DMK & its allies in Tamil Nadu. And let it be said clearly. Sanatana Dharma has withstood countless assaults for millennia and will endure these politically motivated attacks," Annamalai wrote on X. 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 First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:23 IST News chennai-news 'Sick Political Discourse': BJP Demands Action Against DMK Ally For Controversial Lord Rama Remark Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ganesh Chaturthi Explainer: Ganeshotsav Is Now Maharashtras State Festival, What Does It Mean? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:33 IST Ganesh Chaturthi Explainer: Ganeshotsav has been declared Maharashtra state festival from this year. What does it mean? How will it impact celebrations? Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Ganesh Chaturthi: The state sees Ganpati idols in different shapes and sizes every year. (PTI) The Maharashtra government in July declared Ganeshotsav, the 10-day festival which starts on Ganesh Chaturthi, as Maharashtra State Festival or Rajya Utsav. What does it mean? How will it impact celebrations? Recommended Stories What is the history behind Ganeshotav in Maharashtra? Ganeshotsav began in Maharashtra as a private, household celebration of Lord Ganesha, but it was transformed into a large-scale public festival in 1893 by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Pune. At the time, British colonial rule had banned public political gatherings, so Tilak used the religious and cultural appeal of Ganeshawidely worshipped across all castesas a unifying symbol to promote nationalism and community spirit. By organising Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav with large idols, public processions, bhajans, speeches, and social activities, Tilak turned the festival into a platform for anti-colonial sentiment and social unity. This idea quickly spread across Maharashtraespecially in cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, and Kolhapurwhere local mandals formed and the festival grew into a vibrant public event. After independence, Ganeshotsav evolved further into a major cultural tradition marked by artistic pandals, social messaging, and mass participation. How does Maharashtra celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi? Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival that continues until Ananta Chaturdashi. This festival is also known as Vinayak Chaturthi or Vinayak Chavithi. During Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the god of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Homes and pandals are adorned with elaborate decorations, and the air is filled with prayers, music, and festive chants. The streets come alive with vibrant processions and traditional rituals as people prepare delicious offerings and visit the beautifully decorated pandals. What did Ashish Shelar say on Maharashtras Ganeshotsav? Public Ganeshotsav was started in Maharashtra in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak. This festival is deeply rooted in social, national, freedom, self-respect, and linguistic pride. It continues in the same spirit today. It is a matter of pride and honour for Maharashtra," he said. He emphasised that the Government of Maharashtra is committed to preserving and promoting the cultural significance and global presence of this festival. What does State Festival status for Ganeshotsav mean? There is no specific act or statute establishing this designationrather, it is an executive and legislative decision. The status means: The festival will receive direct state-level funding for infrastructure, security (e.g. police), and organisation. The government will actively promote it nationally and internationally, integrating themes like social initiatives, armed forces, and Operation Sindoor into mandal displays. Do other states have State Festivals like Maharashtras Ganeshotsav? Arunachal Pradesh: Pakke Paga (Hornbill) Festival was declared a State Festival in January 2019 to highlight hornbill conservation and indigenous wisdom. Manipur: Shirui Lily Festival, a four-day event honouring the state flower was declared a State Festival in 2017. Tripura: Meitei Umang Lai Haraoba was recognised as an official State Festival in January 2015. It celebrates the living spirits (Umang Lai") through traditional rituals, dances, and music over several days Jharkhand: Oraon Pilgrimage at Sirasita was elevated to state festival status in early 2025. Karnataka: Mysuru Dasara was has been officially designated as a State Festival. A grand 10-day cultural extravaganza during Navaratri, culminating in Vijayadashami, featuring palace processions with elephants, cultural performances, and state pageantry Wikipedia. Andhra Pradesh: Ahobilam Paruveta Utsavam was declared a state festival in March 2024. This centuries old mock-hunting festival is centered on the deity Narasimha Swamy, with rituals across several tribal villages. Ratha Saptami at Arasavalli Temple, too, is a State Festival. Telangana: Sadar Sammelan (Buffalo Parade) was declared as a State Festival in November 2024. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Uttarakhand: Maa Varahi Bagwal Mela was declared a State Government fair/festival in July 2022. Held in Champawat during Raksha Bandhan, it involves unique rituals at the Maa Varahi temple and attracts devotees nationwide. 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 speci... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:33 IST News cities mumbai-news Ganesh Chaturthi Explainer: Ganeshotsav Is Now Maharashtras State Festival, What Does It Mean? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ganeshotsav 2025: Green Celebrations In Mumbai With Clay Ganpati Idols, Artificial Lakes Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:22 IST Ganeshotsav: A ward-wise list of artificial lakes is available on the BMC website, with QR codes circulated across platforms to help devotees quickly locate the nearest facility. Ganeshotsav 2025: For the first time on a pilot basis, the corporation has also distributed eco-friendly paints 7,800 litre of natural colours and 3,000 litre of eco-primer, totalling 10,800 litre, to idol makers. (Image: PTI) Declared this year as Maharashtras State Festival, Ganeshotsav will see Mumbai lean decisively into greener practices. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has prepared more than 275 artificial lakes across Mumbai to enable environmentally responsible idol immersion and reduce pressure on natural water bodies. In the run-up to the Ganpati Utsav festivities, the civic body launched a citywide push to promote clay (Shadu) idols and safer decoration materials. Sculptors received over 990 tonnes of Shadu clay free of cost more than double last years supply. The BMC says the response from artisans has been strong, with over 500 sculptors seeking clay and more than a thousand provided free workspace to craft idols. The goal: make eco-friendly idols the default choice for households and public mandals alike. Recommended Stories For the first time on a pilot basis, the corporation has also distributed eco-friendly paints 7,800 litre of natural colours and 3,000 litre of eco-primer, totalling 10,800 litre, to idol makers. Officials said the move aims to curb chemical run-off and help keep immersion waters cleaner without compromising the vibrancy of traditional craftsmanship. Alongside materials, the BMC has emphasised preparedness and safety. Over 1,000 volunteers from public Ganesh mandals have received emergency management training covering crowd handling, risk identification, dos and donts during contingencies, and first response protocols. Demonstrations were included to ensure volunteers can translate instructions into action during peak Visarjan hours. Permissions for public pandals have been streamlined through a single-window online system launched on July 21. More than 1,150 mandals have already secured approvals through the portal, reducing paperwork and enabling authorities to focus on compliance with court orders and Central Pollution Control Board guidelines. Citizens have been urged to opt for home or society-level immersion for small idols using buckets or community tubs and to use the nearest artificial pond for others. The BMC has specifically requested that Plaster of Paris (POP) idols under six feet be immersed only in designated artificial lakes, where controlled handling and post-immersion processing can limit environmental impact. A ward-wise list of artificial lakes is available on the BMC website, with QR codes circulated across platforms to help devotees quickly locate the nearest facility. The corporation has also stepped up social media outreach to encourage eco-friendly purchases, including sustainable decor and Makhar materials. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all To manage floral and ritual waste, every mandal has been asked to set up a proper Nirmala" station, segregate compostable offerings, store non-compostables separately, and hand over collected material to BMC collection vehicles. For guidance, citizens can contact their local ward offices. Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Amit Saini, and festival coordinator Prashant Sapkale are overseeing the campaign. Their message is simple: celebrate with devotion, protect Mumbais lakes and seafronts, and keep the city clean. With more artificial lakes, greener materials, trained volunteers, and easier permissions, the BMC says Mumbai is set for a safer, brighter, and more sustainable Ganeshotsav. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 10:22 IST News cities mumbai-news Ganeshotsav 2025: Green Celebrations In Mumbai With Clay Ganpati Idols, Artificial Lakes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Lalbaugcha Raja 2025: Mumbais Beloved Bappa Has Arrived, Things To Know Before Visiting Pandal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:45 IST Mumbai Lalbaugcha Raja 2025: When was the mandal formed? How tall is the idol? How many queues are there? How to reach? Which is the best day and route? Can you watch arti online? Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Lalbaugcha Raja is one of Mumbai's most visited pandals. (PTI File) Lalbaugcha Raja 2025: Mumbais Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations are incomplete without the mention of Lalbaugcha Raja. Be it the celebrity visit, long queues or just the grandeur of the idol, throughout the Ganeshotsav, this mandal remains in the news. When was the mandal formed? How tall is the idol? How many queues are there? How to reach? Heres all you need to know about the Lalbaugcha Raja. Recommended Stories How Lalbaugcha Raja mandal came into being The tradition began in 1934, initiated by the Koli fishermen and local traders of Lalbaug (then known as Girangaon), who had lost their marketplace due to industrial shifts. They vowed to establish Ganesh in gratitude once their market was secured. With support from community leaders and the landlord Rajabai Tayyabali, a plot of land was granted, and on September 12, 1934, the first Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav took place planting the seeds for what became Lalbaugcha Raja. Lalbaugcha Raja: The beliefs Devotees believe Lalbaugcha Raja fulfills heartfelt wishes. This reputation draws over 1.5 million visitors daily during the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. It sees several high-profile visitors and celebrities. The Kambli family legacy From 1935 onwards, the responsibility of crafting the idol has been in the hands of the Kambli family, and it remains a cherished tradition. Ratnakar Kambli Sr. began sculpting the idol in 1935. His descendants, including Venkatesh Kambli, later Ratnakar Kambli Jr., and now Santosh Kambli, continue the legacy. Mumbai Gears Up For Ganesh Chaturthi: How Did Ganeshotsav Begin? Puja To Visarjan Explained How tall is Lalbaugcha Raja idol? The idol stands at approximately 18-20 feet tall, making it one of the tallest Ganesh idols in Mumbai. In response to the 2018 plastic ban, a special eco-conscious idol was made without a throne (sinhasan) or backdrop (prabhavali), using papier-machea first in decades. Ganesh Muhurta Puja performed on June 14, 2025 Like every year, the Ganesh Muhurata Puja of Shree Lalbaugcha Raja was performed by President Balasaheb Sudam Kamble at the workshop of Murtikar Shree Kambli Arts on June 14, 2025. On this occasion, the receipt books of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal were worshipped by the treasurer. Lalbaugcha Raja: Pran pratishthapana The idols unveiling takes place with much fanfare during Pran Pratishthapana, marking the start of darshan. This unveiling is covered by all national and regional channels. Lalbaugcha Raja: What are the two types of queues? How long does it take for darshan? Devotees can choose between: Navsachi Line: Mostly for those who have a vow or it has been fulfilled to go on stage and touch the deitys feet (up to 25-40 hour wait). Mukh Darshan Line: to view the idol from a distance (3-4 hour wait). Pilgrims go on the stage, touch the feet of the idol, and receives the blessings of Ganesha. This line attracts huge numbers of people, politicians and celebrities. Lalbaugcha Raja: The 22-hour-long immersion Managed by around 35 organizers and 1,200+ volunteers, the event involves mass crowd control, provision of water, and lush arrangements despite cramped city space. The final procession to immerse the idol at Girgaon Chowpatty spans over 22 hours, traversing Parel, CP Tank, and Agripada, and ends with a grand sea immersion that symbolizes farewell until next year. Iconic prasad of Lalbaugcha Raja: Boondi laddus The prasad of choice at Lalbaugcha Raja is the legendary boondi laddoo, crafted by Shree Bhawani Caterers. A team of about 250 people prepares these laddoos laden with ghee, saffron, nuts, and spices View this post on Instagram A post shared by LalbaugchaRaja (@lalbaugcharaja) How to reach Lalbaugcha Raja? What is the easiest way to travel? From Mumbai Suburban Railway: Depending on your starting point, choose from three major railway stations: Byculla Station (Central Railway line): 10-15 minutes walk to the pandal. Easy crowd movement if arriving early in the day. Currey Road Station (Central Railway line): Short walk to Lalbaug. Less crowded than Dadar during peak hours. Lower Parel Station (Western Railway line): 20-25 minutes walk or 5-10 minutes by auto. Slightly longer walk but scenic. Dadar Station (Western and Central Railway line): Major hub, but heavily crowded during the festival. Use only if other options are inaccessible. Ganesh Chaturthi Explainer: Why Do Devotees Whisper Wish In Ganpatis Or Rats Ear? By BEST Bus: Buses heading towards Parel, Byculla, or Lalbaug stop nearby. Bus routes vary due to traffic diversions during Ganpati. Check live routes using the Chalo App or Mumbai BEST website. By auto or taxi: Take a cab or rickshaw to Lalbaug Market or Lalbaugcha Raja. Be prepared to walk a bit due to traffic restrictions and barricades during peak hours. On foot: Expect to walk 500 meters to 2 km, depending on the crowd and barricading. Which are the best days and time to visit? First two days of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, as most are busy with the celebrations at home. Best time is early morning or late night hours. Lalbaugcha Raja: Cant travel? Heres what you can do For live telecast, click here For Instagram link to watch artis and photos, click here For live darshan, arti on YouTube, click here For Facebook page, click here top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For X (Twitter) handle, click here 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 speci... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:40 IST News cities mumbai-news Lalbaugcha Raja 2025: Mumbais Beloved Bappa Has Arrived, Things To Know Before Visiting Pandal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mumbai Weather: Roads Waterlogged As Heavy Rain Lashes City, Orange Alert Issued Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 12:14 IST Mumbai Rain: Rain has disrupted the lives of people in Mumbai. The waterlogged roads cause traffic congestion in many regions of the city. Heavy rain lashed Mumbai on Monday morning (Credits: ANI) Mumbai woke up to heavy rain on Monday, with several roads, including Sions Gandhi Market area and the Eastern Express Highway, experiencing waterlogging. Alerts have also been issued for today for several areas. South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai are under orange alert for consistent moderate to heavy rains, which could lead to local waterlogging and traffic disruptions. Sion, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Mulund, Kalyan, and other parts of the Central Line are witnessing steady moderate rain, and thus are in yellow alert. Recommended Stories Areas like Borivali, Andheri, Powai, Bandra, and the rest of the MMR region are expected to remain mostly dry, with only occasional passing showers likely. #MumbaiRains Alerts | 7 AM South Mumbai, Navi Mumbai : Consistent Moderate-heavy rains Sion, Chembur, Ghatkopar, Mulund,Kalyan, parts of Central line : Consistent Moderate rains Borivali, Andheri, Powai, Bandra & rest of MMR : Mostly dry except passing showers pic.twitter.com/u8R1k8g06T Mumbai Rains (@rushikesh_agre_) August 25, 2025 As of August 25, 2025, average rainfall recorded between 8:00 AM on August 24 and 7:00 AM on August 25 stood at 12.41 mm in the City (CT) region, 13.84 mm in the Eastern Suburbs (ES), and 18.04 mm in the Western Suburbs (WS). During the one-hour period from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM on August 25, several locations saw notable rainfall activity. #WATCH | Mumbai: Rain lashes several parts of the city, causing waterlogging(Visuals from Eastern Express Highway) pic.twitter.com/bdQD8A7q7X ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Mumbai Weather Update For The Next Three Days 2225 August: Mumbai will have mostly cloudy skies with moderate rain during this period. Daytime temperatures will be around 30C, and at night, it will cool down to about 2526C. 26 August: The IMD has issued a heavy rainfall alert for the city. Expect widespread showers throughout the day. 2728 August: Rain is likely to continue into midweek, though no official warning has been issued. Temperatures will be a bit cooler, staying between 28C during the day and 25C at night. IndiGo Travel Advisory top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In view of the rain, IndiGo issued a travel advisory and asked travellers to check the flight status before their scheduled journey. Continuous rainfall in #Mumbai is currently affecting air traffic, causing minor delays in flight operations. Our teams are working closely with air traffic control and will get you moving as soon as conditions allow. Before heading to the airport, please check your flight status on our website or app. Also, do allow some extra travel time, roads are likely to be slow-moving. Thank you for your understanding and patience," it said in a post on X. About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 08:52 IST News mumbai-news Mumbai Weather: Roads Waterlogged As Heavy Rain Lashes City, Orange Alert Issued Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Over 17,000 Cops To Guard Mumbai As City Gears Up For 10-Day Ganeshotsav Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 20:54 IST Mumbai Police will deploy over 17000 personnel for Ganeshotsav from August 27 to September 6, ensuring security at major immersion sites and enforcing special traffic arrangements. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google People carry an idol of Lord Ganesha as part of preparations ahead of the 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival, in Mumbai, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. (PTI) Mumbai Police on Monday announced extensive security and crowd-control measures for Ganeshotsav 2025, announcing that more than 17,000 personnel will be deployed across the city during the 10-day celebrations. The Ganeshotsav will be celebrated across Mumbai from August 27 to September 6, 2025. Recommended Stories According to an official, like every year, it is expected to see large gatherings of devotees visiting public Ganesh pandals decorated with vibrant themes, cultural displays, and social programmes. To ensure a safe and peaceful celebration, the Mumbai Police Commissioner, along with senior officers, has arranged for extensive security deployment across the city, Mid-Day reported. He said that as part of the arrangements, 36 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), 51 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), 2,637 police officers, and 14,430 police constables will be on duty during the entire festival period. Police said the security plan will also be reinforced by RPF platoons, SRPF, Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Units, Delta and Combat units, along with Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads and Home Guards across Mumbai. The personnel will be deployed at major immersion sites, including Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar, Juhu, Marve, Versova and Powai lakes, as well as along key procession routes likely to witness heavy traffic. A special security arrangement has also been planned for Ganesh idol immersion processions, with additional police deployment at beaches and seashores for those days," said an official. For the festival, the police had earlier also announced traffic restrictions and diversions across the city. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a traffic advisory issued on Saturday, Mumbai Police said that with Ganeshotsav 2025 celebrations scheduled from August 27 to September 6, special traffic arrangements have been put in place. Mumbai Police has urged all citizens to cooperate with authorities, especially at crowded locations, and to immediately report any unattended items or suspicious objects. First Published: August 25, 2025, 20:54 IST News mumbai-news Over 17,000 Cops To Guard Mumbai As City Gears Up For 10-Day Ganeshotsav Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tailor Strangles Woman To Death After Dispute Over Money, Dumps Drain Body In Delhis Dabri Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:23 IST The victim woman had reportedly been asking him to repay a sum of money he owed her, which led to a heated argument. Image used for representation A 35-year-old tailor has been arrested for allegedly strangling a woman and attempting to dump her body in a drain in Delhis Dabri area following a dispute over money, police said on Saturday. The incident came to light after a PCR call was received around 2:54 p.m. on August 23 at the Dabri Police Station, reporting the discovery of a body, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh. Recommended Stories After a preliminary investigation, it was confirmed that the body was of a missing woman, who was reported missing on August 21 by her mother. Investigators scanned CCTV footage and used technical surveillance to retrace the victims last movements. She was last seen on August 21 entering a building with the accused, identified as Saleem, a tailor from Mahaveer Enclave and a native of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh. Later, the accused was seen exiting the premises with what appeared to be a concealed body," said DCP Singh. Police said Saleem and the victim were known to each other and had been in regular contact. The woman had reportedly been asking him to repay a sum of money he owed her, which led to a heated argument. In a fit of rage, the accused strangled her and attempted to dispose of the body by transporting it on a motorcycle to a drain in Dabri. However, during the process, the body slipped and attracted public attention. Saleem fled the scene," Singh added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A case was filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Dabri Police Station, and teams were dispatched to Hardoi to locate the accused. Saleem was eventually arrested. He is currently under interrogation to determine whether others were involved in the crime. The body has been sent for post-mortem, and further investigation is ongoing. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 14:21 IST News cities Tailor Strangles Woman To Death After Dispute Over Money, Dumps Drain Body In Delhis Dabri Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ganesh Chaturthi School Holiday 2025: List Of States Where Schools Will Remain Closed On August 27 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:55 IST School Holidays For Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Many states have announced school holidays for Wednesday, August 27, 2025. School Holidays For August 2025: List Of States Where Schools Will Remain Closed On Ganesh Chaturthi. School Holidays For August 2025: Education departments in many states have announced Wednesday, August 27, 2025, as a school holiday to observe Ganesh Chaturthi, one of Indias most widely celebrated festivals. The closure will affect students in both public and private institutions. States that have confirmed the holiday include Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Authorities said the decision reflects the cultural and religious importance of the festival, which sees widespread community participation and celebrations across the country. Recommended Stories State-Wise Holiday Details Maharashtra: Known as the heartland of Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtra has declared a state-wide holiday. Families can welcome Lord Ganesha at home and visit popular public pandals. Gujarat: Schools across Gujarat will remain closed, with celebrations marked by prayers and community rituals. Telangana & Andhra Pradesh: Students in these southern states will get a day off to participate in traditional ceremonies with family. Madhya Pradesh: The state has also announced a holiday, highlighting the pan-Indian significance of the festival. ALSO READ: UGC Draft Curriculum To Introduce Kala Ganpana, Bharatiya Bijganit In UG Courses Education authorities caution that holiday policies may vary within states. Some private schools or institutions under different boards may not observe the holiday or could schedule make-up classes. Parents and students are urged to check official circulars or contact schools directly to confirm the schedule and avoid disruptions in academic planning. Significance Of Ganesh Chaturthi top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and god of wisdom and prosperity. The festival begins on the fourth day (Chaturthi) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada and is observed with prayers, rituals, and community gatherings. Devotees install clay idols of Ganesha in homes and public pandals, offering sweets, flowers, and prayers. The 10-day celebration culminates with the grand visarjan, where idols are immersed in rivers, lakes, or the sea, symbolizing the deitys return to his celestial abode and the cycle of creation and dissolution in nature. 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, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 14:53 IST News education-career Ganesh Chaturthi School Holiday 2025: List Of States Where Schools Will Remain Closed On August 27 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... ICSI CS June 2025 Results Out For Professional, Executive Exam, Here's Direct Link Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 15:05 IST ICSI CS Results: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has announced the CS Professional, Executive result for the June exam at icsi.edu. ICSI CS Results: Students can check the ICSI CS Executive, Professional June 2025 results at icsi.edu. ICSI CS Result 2025 Date And Time: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has announced the results of the Company Secretaries (CS) June 2025 examinations today, August 25. The exams were conducted between June 1 and June 10 in a single shift from 9 am to 12:15 pm. The CS Professional Programme (Syllabus 2017 & 2022) results and CS Executive Programme (Syllabus 2022) results are now available on the official website at icsi.edu. Recommended Stories Candidates can view their subject-wise marks break-up on the institutes portal. For the Executive Programme, the e-result-cum-marks statement will be made available online immediately. No hard copy will be issued. For the Professional Programme, ICSI will also send the hard copy of the marks statement to candidates registered addresses. If any candidate does not receive it within 30 days, they can write to exam@icsi.edu with their details. How To check ICSI CS June 2025 Result? Step 1: Visit the official ICSI website at icsi.edu. Step 2: Click on the CS Executive or CS Professional June 2025 result link. Step 3: Enter login credentials and submit. Step 4: Download and save the result for future use. Direct Link To Check ICSI CS Professional, Executive Exam Result 2025 ALSO READ: NEET UG Counselling 2025: Round 2 Begins August 29, MCC To Announce Schedule Soon top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What is the ICSI CS Exam? The Company Secretaries (CS) examination is a professional-level exam conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). It is held in three stages Foundation, Executive, and Professional. The exam is designed for candidates aspiring to become Company Secretaries, professionals responsible for ensuring legal, regulatory, and compliance matters within organisations. A certified Company Secretary plays a key role in corporate governance, advising boards of directors and ensuring adherence to corporate laws. The qualification opens career opportunities in companies, consultancy, and regulatory bodies, making it one of the most respected professional courses in India. 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, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:10 IST News education-career ICSI CS June 2025 Results Out For Professional, Executive Exam, Here's Direct Link Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... School Closed Today Due To Heavy Rains, Flood Alerts In Several Districts Across States Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 08:13 IST Schools Closed News: Heavy rainfall and flood alerts have forced school closures in several districts across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on August 25, 26, 2025. Schools closed in several districts amid heavy rains and flood warnings. School Holiday News: Heavy rainfall and flood-like conditions across parts of the country have forced district administrations in multiple states to announce temporary closure of schools. Citing weather department alerts and student safety, officials have ordered schools to remain shut in several districts across states. List Of States/Districts Where Schools Will Stay Closed Recommended Stories Rajasthan (Jaipur): In Jaipur, the district administration has declared a two-day closure for all government and private schools as well as Anganwadi centres on August 25 and 26, 2025, following a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The order applies to students from pre-primary to Class 12. However, teachers and staff have been instructed to report to schools. District Collector Dr. Jitendra Kumar Soni has directed strict compliance and warned that violations will invite action under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Uttar Pradesh (Banda): In Banda, continuous rainfall has led to the closure of all schools up to Class 8 on August 25, 2025. District authorities have instructed the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) to ensure compliance across council, recognised, and board schools. ALSO READ: From Village Schools To NASA: Pune Zilla Parishads Young Stars Inspired In Coffee With CEO Uttarakhand (Multiple Districts): top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Several districts in Uttarakhand, including Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, Dehradun, and Nainital, have announced school closures on August 25, 2025. The orders cover both government and private schools as well as Anganwadi centres, extending to students from Class 1 to 12. District officials said the decision was taken after IMD warnings of heavy rainfall, prioritising the safety of children. With red alerts and forecasts of more downpours, authorities have urged parents and students to remain cautious. Further decisions on reopening schools will depend on weather conditions in the coming days. 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, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 08:13 IST News education-career School Closed Today Due To Heavy Rains, Flood Alerts In Several Districts Across States Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... SSC Aspirants Protest At Delhis Ramlila Maidan, Many Detained, Say Time, Money Wasted Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:34 IST Students protesting at Delhis Ramlila Maidan demanded structural reforms in the SSC exam system, saying they want transparency and accountability, not temporary fixes. SSC aspirants protest at Delhis Ramlila Maidan, many detained by police. Tension gripped Delhis Ramlila Maidan on Sunday as thousands of students and teachers, under the banner of Chatra Maha Andolan, staged a massive protest against alleged irregularities in the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruitment examinations. The demonstration, which saw over 1,500 participants from across the country, turned chaotic in the evening when police intervened after the permitted protest time ended. Students alleged that the police used force to disperse them, accusing officials of carrying out a lathicharge". Videos circulating on social media platform X showed students running from the venue as police tried to clear the grounds. Recommended Stories According to Delhi Police, the gathering was peaceful until the permitted 5 pm deadline. Around 1,500 protesters gathered at Ramlila Maidan. Of these, about 100 refused to leave despite repeated requests. Over 40 were detained while the others dispersed. No misconduct was done by police," an officer said. Why Are Students Protesting Again? This is not the first time candidates have taken to the streets against the SSC. Between July and early August, similar demonstrations were held in Delhi and other parts of the country, demanding reforms in the recruitment process. The protest was sparked mainly by issues with the SSC Selection Post Phase 13 examination, conducted between July 24 and August 1. Students reported abrupt cancellations, frequent technical glitches, biometric failures, and widespread mismanagement at several centres. Talks between SSC officials, the DoPT minister, and student representatives had briefly calmed the situation. However, Fresh irregularities during the SSC Stenographer exam on August 6 and the postponement of the CGL examination reignited anger. At the centre of the anger is Eduquity Career Technologies, the newly appointed vendor for SSC exams. Aspirants and teachers have accused the agency of being ill-equipped, pointing to faulty exam centre allocation, repeated system crashes, and logistical challenges that hit rural candidates the hardest. Many candidates argued that years of preparation were being undermined by administrative lapses that put their careers at risk. Students say such repeated lapses highlight deeper problems in the system lack of infrastructure, unreliable private agencies conducting exams, delays in results, and little transparency. For many, the stakes are personal. We spend years preparing, but repeated exam cancellations and irregularities waste our time, money, and opportunities," said Ayush, an aspirant. ALSO READ: 7.6 Lakh Indians Studied Abroad In 2024, Govt Data Shows Slight Dip From 2023 Students Key Demands The protesting students and teachers have listed a set of clear demands to restore trust in the SSC recruitment system: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Blacklist and fine exam centres found guilty of mismanagement. Hold private agencies accountable and cancel contracts in case of negligence. Refund fees and reimburse travel costs or give another attempt to affected candidates. Release answer keys on time and allow objections before results. Publish a fixed exam calendar ensuring the recruitment cycle ends within 68 months. Provide additional attempts for UPSC candidates who lost chances during COVID-19, and extend OBC-like relaxations to EWS category students. Establish a Students Commission of India to resolve grievances in one place. Strict action against those submitting fake certificates. With frustration mounting, students are calling for nothing less than structural reforms in the SSC examination system. We are not asking for patchwork solutions; we are demanding lasting reforms. What students need is a fair, transparent, and accountable SSC examination system," said Sakshi, another aspirant. About the Author Archit Gupta Archit Gupta is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com and a seasoned education journalist specialising in reporting on education and employment. He has covered a variety of education-related stories, inclu... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 10:26 IST News education-career SSC Aspirants Protest At Delhis Ramlila Maidan, Many Detained, Say Time, Money Wasted Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... How Trumps Policies Are Reshaping US Colleges, What Indian Students Should Do? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 13:19 IST Universities are recalibrating codes of conduct. For Indian students, this may not affect immigration status, but it would shape campus climate and activities they could engage in Indian students should choose programmes with proven funding, build a two-country fallback to keep the margin for error low. (Image: Reuters) The return of a hard-edged America First" agenda in Washington has put US universities back in focus. From tighter controls on who gets a student visa to tougher scrutiny of federally funded research, the higher-education ecosystem is feeling fresh pressure. For Indian students, the largest international cohort in the US, the stakes are immediate: admissions choices, funding odds, internship pathways, and post-study work options all hinge on what changes in Washington actually stick. Recommended Stories Lets dive deep to understand the pressures, how universities are responding, and what Indian applicants and families should plan for in the 2025-26 cycle and beyond. Whats Changing On Campus? Federal research money under sharper scrutiny Universities depend heavily on the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Pentagon for research funding. The current policy environment stresses research security," disclosure of foreign ties, and limits on collaborations with entities tied to strategic rivals. That does not mean labs go dark, but it does mean more paperwork, slower grant flows, narrower partner lists, andcruciallyfewer fully funded RA lines in sensitive fields. Departments in AI, advanced semiconductors, quantum, aerospace, and biosecurity feel this first. Humanities and social sciences face a different squeeze: DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) budgets and certain outreach grants are political targets in several states; when those are trimmed, related grad assistantships and student services shrink too. Compliance overhead eats into faculty time New disclosure rules and export-control checks push PIs (principal investigators) to spend more hours on compliance. That translates into fewer paid research hours for students, especially international Research Assistants who rely on faculty grants. In tight labs, that can reduce the number of funded admits a department can responsibly take in any one cohort. Campus speech and protest rules harden Universities are recalibrating codes of conduct and event policies. For most Indian students, this does not directly affect immigration status, but it shapes campus climate and the kinds of activities students can safely engage in. A more regulated protest environment can also influence how comfortable international students feel participating in public discourse. What Is The Status Of Visas? F-1 student visas The baseline F-1 process remains intact: admission I-20 SEVIS fee consular interview. The near-term risks are consular backlogs (if staffing is tightened), more probing interviews on funding and ties to India, and stricter documentary checks for programmes in sensitive STEM fields. None of this is new; the difference is consistency and volumehow often consulates apply the toughest reading of the rulebook. OPT and STEM OPT Optional Practical Training (OPT) (12 months) and STEM OPT extensions (additional 24 months) have been critical bridges from study to work. Policymakers sceptical of foreign labour sometimes frame OPT as a backdoor work visa." If rules tightensay, narrower employer eligibility, more audits of training plans, or stricter unemployment-day countingthe internship-to-H-1B pipeline could narrow, especially in smaller firms that lack HR compliance muscle. Expect bigger employers to adapt faster than start-ups. H-1B and the long game Even without new laws, enforcement and adjudication standards can swing approval rates. More Requests for Evidence (RFEs), stricter interpretations of specialty occupation," or higher wage-level expectations can raise the bar. For Indian STEM graduates counting on the OPT H-1B green card runway, this is the pinch point. Masters students still have the masters cap advantage in the H-1B lottery, but odds and processing rigor matter. Security reviews Students and scholars working in AI, advanced computing, aviation, materials, or biosciences may face extra screening. The goal is to prevent leakage of dual-use technology. Practically, this can delay visas or push some departments to guideline-restrict international student involvement in certain sub-projects. What Funding Cuts Look Like On The Ground? Funding cuts" rarely arrive as a headline that says 50% less for students." Instead, they show up as: Fewer RA/TA offers in the first admit round; more self-funded" admits. One-year TA guarantees instead of two, pending availability of funds." Frozen new faculty hires, shrinking the number of labs able to onboard funded graduate students. Departmental travel and conference budgets trimmed, limiting student exposure and networking. Internal fellowships narrowed to citizenship-eligible pools (where source of funds requires it). Public universities are more sensitive to state politics; private universities move more slowly but must balance endowment payouts against market volatility and donor preferences. In both cases, the competition for fully funded PhD seats tightens first, then selective masters programmes may lean more heavily on tuition-dependent cohorts. How Universities Adjust To Admissions Yield protection & waitlists: Schools may protect yield by leaning on waitlists until they see spring visa patterns and funding confirmations. Programme mix: Expect growth in professional masters programmes with strong industry links (data, cyber-security, analytics, supply chain), where employability offsets funding constraints. Industry co-ops: More programmes will formalise co-op or embedded internship models to reassure students (and consular officers) about practical training. What It Means for Indian Students? For Undergraduates: Costs: Need-based aid for internationals remains limited outside the top privates. Any federal tightening will not directly cut your aid (you dont get US federal aid), but university budget caution can reduce institutional scholarships. Strategy: Apply to a spread of schools, flagship public, mid-tier privates, and a couple of financial-aid-friendly elites. Demonstrate ability to fund four years in your documents. For Masters Funding reality: Assume tuition-funded unless a programme explicitly advertises assistantships. Budget for year one fully; look for on-campus roles and merit scholarships for year two. OPT focus: Choose programmes with strong employer pipelines, robust career services, and STEM designation if relevant. For PhD / Research masters Lab-first approach: Dont just apply to a university; court the PI. Ask specific questions about grant timelines, RA availability, and project scope. A supportive PI with multi-year funding beats a generic admit every time. Plan B: Apply across countries (Canada, EU, Australia) for similar labs. Funding risk is idiosyncratic; diversify. Practical Checklist: Minimising Risk, Maximising Outcomes Document depth Show liquid funds, lawful sources, and realistic cost coverage. Tie your study to a credible India-focused career plan to strengthen visa narratives. Pick resilient programmes Prioritize departments with industry-embedded curricula, co-ops, or long-running employer relationships. For research, scan recent grant awards and lab publication cadence. Timeline discipline Book visa slots early, keep back-ups (multiple consulates if permissible), and maintain complete files (I-20, SEVIS, fee receipts, bank letters, affidavits, property ties). Know your employment rules CPT/OPT/ STEM OPT rules are technical. Missteps (unpaid unauthorized work, excess unemployment days) can derail status. Use the International Students Office; keep emails and approvals on file. Scholarship mix Leverage Indian optionseducation loans, state/central scholarships, and private foundations. Some Indian corporates co-fund STEM masters with return-service clauses. Stay inside compliance lines Avoid research areas that your PI flags as export-controlled unless your role is cleared. Dont freelance on projects that seem fine." When unsure, ask. Will US Universities Close Doors? UnlikelyBut Theyll Be Choosier American universities still want top global talent; Indian students bring strong maths, engineering, and Computer Science (CS) skills, and a proven record of academic success. But in a stricter policy climate, institutions optimize for lower risk: Clearer funding proof at admission. Preference for candidates with internship-ready profiles (projects, GitHub, published work). Extra care in fields where research security scrutiny is highest. Think of it as a thicker filter, not a shut gate. What Are The Three Scenarios To Watch? Status quo plus enforcement: Rules dont massively change, but compliance tightens. Expect more document checks, slightly stricter OPT audits, and a modest chill in sensitive STEM labs. Most Indian students adapt and thrive. Targeted policy shifts: Narrowing STEM OPT employer criteria, higher wage expectations for H-1B, or expanded disclosure rules for researchers. Impact: harder for small firms to hire; bigger firms gain relative advantage. Legislative gridlock: Congress remains divided; sweeping new immigration laws stall. Universities lean on private funding, philanthropy, and professional masters growth to cushion federal uncertainty. What Indian Families Should Do: A Checklist? You can still study, and succeed, in the US. The pathway is there, but the margin for error is smaller. Front-load due diligence. Choose programmes with proven funding or industry outcomes; verify before you commit deposits. Treat immigration compliance as part of your degree. It is not an afterthought; it is a core competency. Build a two-country fallback. Keep one high-quality non-US admit alive until your visa is stamped and you have landed. Trump-era interventions change the friction in the system, not the fundamental value of a US degree. For well-prepared Indian students, especially those in high-demand STEM and data-centric fields, the American campus remains a powerful launchpad. The winners will be the applicants who pair ambition with paperwork precision, smart programme selection, and a realistic, multi-path plan for study-to-work transition. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 11:26 IST News education-career How Trumps Policies Are Reshaping US Colleges, What Indian Students Should Do? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India Is A Steel Giant Yet It Doesnt Manufacture Nail Cutters, Heres Why Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 13:47 IST Despite its position as a top steel producer, India continues to rely almost entirely on Chinese imports for nail cutters Between October 2023 and September 2024, India imported 23,912 shipments of nail cutters from China, according to global trade analytics platform Volza. India is among the worlds largest economies and a major steel producer. Yet, a basic personal care item like the nail cutter is still predominantly imported, mostly from China. For a product that is small, low-cost, and widely used, this dependency stands out. So why arent nail cutters manufactured at scale in India? India Continues To Import Nail Cutters In Large Numbers Recommended Stories Between October 2023 and September 2024, India imported 23,912 shipments of nail cutters from China, according to global trade analytics platform Volza. This accounted for over 99 per cent of all nail cutter imports during the period. The remaining shipments came primarily from Hong Kong, with a minor share from South Korea. According to Volzas classification, the average import price of a nail cutter was approximately $0.41 per unit, inclusive of freight, duties, and packaging. At present, there is no large-scale Indian manufacturer or brand supplying nail cutters for the organised retail or e-commerce market. Local production exists only in small, unbranded pockets, with no measurable share in national-level distribution. Nail Cutters Require Specialised Steel, Not Just Basic Manufacturing Though simple in appearance, nail cutters are made from tempered stainless steel alloys designed to retain sharpness, resist corrosion, and withstand repeated mechanical pressure. Producing this type of metal requires precise alloy composition, controlled heat treatment, and high-precision tooling, processes typically associated with tool-grade metallurgy. While India is among the worlds top steel producers, the majority of domestic output is geared toward commodity-grade steel used in construction, infrastructure, and automotive manufacturing. By contrast, tool-grade stainless steel, suitable for grooming tools, surgical instruments, and precision blades, is manufactured in limited quantities and is not the focus of mainstream steel production in India. Sridhar Vembu On Why India Doesnt Make Nail Clippers In 2024, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu publicly flagged the nail cutter as an example of how India lacks capacity in certain basic manufacturing segments, not because of labour or scale, but because of the kind of steel required. He noted that even in small rural shops, most nail clippers are marked Made in China" or Made in Korea," and said that this isnt due to design complexity, but because Indian manufacturers do not produce the right type of alloy. You go to any rural shop in India, try to buy a nail clipper. Itll say Made in China or Made in Korea, right? Why? I went down this rabbit hole. I asked, why cant we make a nail clipper? It turns out, the metallurgy we dont actually invest in the metallurgy." Vembus central point was that Indias steel companies primarily produce structural steel, used in construction, and not the specialised alloys needed for grooming tools. Our steel companies only invest in the commodity steel, like the stuff that you build buildings with. But this is specialised alloy [needed for nail clipper] that has to hold the cutting edge." He also extended the argument to other tool-based products, like dental instruments, which require similarly fine steel. According to Vembu, the issue is not with the tools themselves, but with the absence of domestic production of precision-grade materials that go into making them. It turns out its not just nail clippers. Your dental instruments, that steel is also very special steel. We dont make those. So, you go to a dentist, all the instruments are imported. Because, you go back its not the instrument alone, its the metallurgy. We need to make alloys." Indian Production Exists, But Limited In Scale India does have some domestic brands and manufacturers producing nail cutters, though not at the scale or consistency of global competitors. Vega, a well-known Indian grooming brand, sells nail cutters in retail and online markets. However, many of its nail cutter models are imported from China and only branded under Vega, rather than being manufactured domestically. In addition, small-scale units in Meerut, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Rajkot, cities known for metalware and surgical tools, also manufacture nail cutters, usually unbranded. Their output is typically aimed at medical kits or bulk buyers, and not consumer-facing retail. Because of low volumes, inconsistent alloy quality, and minimal branding, these Indian-made nail cutters do not compete effectively with imports in organised retail or on e-commerce platforms, where Chinese and Korean products dominate. China, South Korea Dominate The Global Nail Cutter Market China is the worlds largest manufacturer and exporter of nail cutters, producing them in automated, vertically integrated factories with in-house steel processing, cutting dies, and final assembly. This gives Chinese suppliers a decisive advantage on both cost and volume. South Korea exports a smaller share, but is known for high-quality grooming tools, especially in the premium personal care segment. Its contribution to Indias imports is limited compared to China. With Chinese nail cutters landing in India at around $0.41 per unit, bulk imports remain far cheaper than domestic production, particularly in the absence of tool-grade alloy steel capacity and scaled manufacturing lines in India. Conclusion top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indias reliance on imported nail cutters, despite having the market, the manpower, and the demand, comes down to two core factors: the absence of specialised tool-grade steel, and the lack of large-scale integrated manufacturing in this product category. While small manufacturers exist, they cannot compete with the price, consistency, and quality of imports from China and South Korea. As long as alloy steel development and tooling infrastructure remain outside the purview of Indias industrial policy, basic items like nail cutters will continue to be shipped in from abroad. 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, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 13:47 IST News explainers India Is A Steel Giant Yet It Doesnt Manufacture Nail Cutters, Heres Why Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Successful IADWS Test Marks Indias Next Leap In Air Defence: Heres How The System Works Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:21 IST From tracking drones to intercepting cruise missiles, the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System is Indias first step toward the Sudarshan Chakra vision DRDO test fires Integrated Air Defence Weapon System from near Odisha on Saturday. Image Courtesy: @rajnathsingh/X When Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address this year, spoke of a new missile defence initiative called Sudarshan Chakra, it was positioned as a leap towards securing Indias skies and critical infrastructure. Barely ten days later, that vision has begun to take shape. On Saturday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of its Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. Recommended Stories Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement, writing on X: I congratulate DRDO, India Armed Forces and Industry for successful development of IADWS. This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats." The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted the maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha.IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air pic.twitter.com/TCfTJ4SfSS Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 24, 2025 What Is The IADWS? An Integrated Air Defence Weapon System is not a single missile or gun, but a layered network of weapons, radars, and command structures designed to neutralise threats from the air. Globally, the US has the Patriot and THAAD, Russia fields the S-400, and Israel operates the Iron Dome. Indias successful test now puts it on the path to fielding its own indigenous counterpart. Maiden flight Tests of Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) was successfully conducted on 23 Aug 2025 at around 1230 Hrs off the coast of Odisha.IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system comprising of all indigenous Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), pic.twitter.com/Jp3v1vEtJp DRDO (@DRDO_India) August 24, 2025 According to the Ministry of Defence, during the Odisha trials all components of the weapon system, including the missile systems, drone detection and destruction system, command-and-control, communication, and radars performed flawlessly, which was confirmed by range instruments deployed at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, to capture the flight data." The test involved three aerial targets: two high-speed unmanned aircraft and a multi-copter drone. Each was assigned to a different tier of the IADWS the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and a Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). How Does It Work? At the heart of the IADWS is the Centralised Command and Control Centre (C2C2). This integrates radar and electro-optical sensor feeds to create a real-time air picture. Based on velocity, altitude, and flight path, the C2C2 determines which weapon is best suited to engage an incoming threat and allocates it accordingly. Sources told The Print that by integrating kinetic interceptors and directed-energy systems under the C2C2, the IADWS ensures both conventional threats like high-speed aircraft and cruise missiles, and asymmetric threats such as swarming drones and loitering munitions, can be countered within a single system. QRSAM, VSHORADS, DEW: Indias Three-Tier Shield QRSAM Developed by DRDO, the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) forms the outer tier of the IADWS. Configured on high-mobility platforms, it is designed to shield Army armoured formations from aerial attacks. It can engage fast-moving aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and glide bombs at ranges of up to 30 km and altitudes of around 10 km. The system includes two types of radars, Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar and Active Array Multifunction Radar, and a launcher. Both radars provide 360-degree coverage with search on move and track on move capability. VSHORADS Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is a fourth-generation man-portable missile system which provides the middle layer of protection. It can neutralise targets within 6 km and at altitudes up to 4 km, including drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. According to Firstpost, a senior Defence Ministry official said the indigenously-developed system is technically superior to existing MANPADS in the Indian Armed Forces because it has a state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker." DEW Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), the innermost tier, is a high-power laser system developed by DRDOs Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS). Earlier this year, a demonstration of the DEW MK-II(A) successfully disabled drones and caused structural damage to UAVs. Unlike missiles, the DEW has virtually unlimited firing capacity, making it especially effective against swarms of drones or loitering munitions at close range. Why DRDOs Maiden Flight Test Marks A Strategic Leap For India The successful trial demonstrates how the three systems can collectively counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats within a 30-kilometre envelope, from high-speed aircraft to low-flying helicopters and drones. A senior DRDO scientist told The Indian Express that the maiden test at lower ranges paves the way for use of the system at higher ranges" and should be seen as a stepping stone towards Mission Sudarshan Chakra." A former head of a DRDO facility called it a strategic leap in Indias indigenous defence capability," stressing that the test showcased seamless coordination between missiles and directed-energy weapons. He said this strengthens multi-layered air defence, enhances readiness against varied threats, and reduces dependence on foreign systems. The IADWS, once operational, is expected to defend not only forward bases and radar stations but also critical infrastructure such as nuclear plants, power facilities and space installations. From IADWS To Mission Sudarshan Chakra top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The successful demonstration is only the first step. The governments plan is to integrate the IADWS with the Indian Air Forces Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) and the Armys Akashteer network. Together, these will create a nationwide, layered defence shield. Prime Minister Modi had underlined that Sudarshan Chakra would not only neutralise enemy attacks but also hit back with overwhelming force. By combining missiles, lasers, surveillance and command networks, India is moving closer to that vision. 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. Follo... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:18 IST News explainers Successful IADWS Test Marks Indias Next Leap In Air Defence: Heres How The System Works Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Why India, UK, France Have Suspended Postal Deliveries To The US And What It Means For You Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:00 IST The rollback of the US de minimis exemption has triggered global postal suspensions, with India and several European countries pausing parcel deliveries US Customs and Border Protection data, cited by AP, shows that in 2024 alone more than 1.36 billion parcels worth $64.6 billion entered the US. (Image: Reuters) From India Post to Royal Mail, some of the worlds biggest postal networks have begun pausing shipments to the United States. The sudden disruption is linked to US President Donald Trumps order ending a decades-old duty-free allowance for small parcels. The rule change, which takes effect on 29 August 2025, has triggered confusion among postal operators and businesses worldwide. Here is a detailed look at what has changed, why services are being suspended, and what it means for trade and consumers. Recommended Stories What Has Changed In US Import Rules? At the heart of the disruption is the scrapping of the de minimis exemption, a system that allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the US without customs duty. First introduced in the 1930s to cut paperwork, the exemption was raised to its current level of $800 during Barack Obamas presidency in 2016. The policy became critical for the boom in e-commerce, enabling American shoppers to order inexpensive items from abroad without paying extra at customs. US Customs and Border Protection data, cited by AP, shows that in 2024 alone, more than 1.36 billion parcels worth $64.6 billion entered the US under this rule. But Trumps executive order, signed on 30 July, abolishes the exemption for all countries. The Independent reported that the White House has described the rule as a catastrophic loophole" exploited by low-cost foreign retailers and even used to channel synthetic drugs into the country. China and Hong Kong were removed from the scheme in May; the latest order extends that removal to the rest of the world. What The New Tariffs Look Like From Friday, virtually every parcel will attract duties. As reported by The Washington Post, the charges depend on the tariff bracket of the exporting country: Countries with tariff rates of 15 per cent or lower will face an $80 surcharge per parcel. Those in the 1625 per cent range will see $160 added per parcel. Nations with tariffs above 25 per cent will face the steepest levy $200 per parcel. India, which has already been hit with Trumps 50 per cent tariff in July, falls into the highest band. That means even parcels worth just a few dollars could end up attracting duties several times their value. Only letters, books, documents and small gifts below $100 remain duty-free. Courier firms like DHL have already warned that gift" declarations will face closer scrutiny to prevent misuse. Indias Move: Postal Suspension From Today On 24 August, the Department of Posts announced that it would stop carrying most goods to the US from Monday, while still accepting letters, documents, and low-value gifts. The department explained it had no choice because US Customs and Border Protection had issued only limited guidance, leaving uncertainty over who would collect duties and how payments would be remitted. Financial Express reported that CBP released preliminary instructions only on 15 August, giving foreign postal agencies little time to prepare. For Indian exporters, especially small businesses and e-commerce sellers, the change is a heavy blow. Items that previously reached American customers without added costs will now either be held up at customs or face tariffs far higher than their value. Europe Caught In The Same Bind European operators have taken similar decisions. According to the AP, countries including Germany, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden halted shipments on 23 August. Austria and France have followed from today. The UKs Royal Mail will stop on Tuesday, giving itself two extra days so that parcels already in transit can clear before the duties begin. Italys Poste Italiane and the Nordic logistics firm PostNord plan to suspend services from Saturday. Frances La Poste said there was no time to reconfigure its IT systems to match the new requirements, while Belgiums bpost went further, warning that under the new rules, all import duties must be prepaid, pushing the cost directly onto senders or consumers. The European industry body PostEurop, representing over 50 postal services, has cautioned that if no clarity emerges from Washington before 29 August, suspensions could spread to nearly all its members. Why Postal Services Say They Have No Choice Across the board, operators point to the lack of clear instructions from Washington. The Independent quoted DHL Europes largest shipping provider as saying that from 23 August it would no longer be able to accept and transport parcels and postal items containing goods from business customers" to the US. The company added that key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to US Customs and Border Protection will be carried out." Frances La Poste echoed the complaint, saying the US had provided no time to update systems. In the Netherlands, PostNL told AP that customers should send parcels immediately if they wanted them to arrive before the new duties began. For public postal networks that handle massive parcel volumes, the risk is that shipments could be stranded at American customs without a proper duty mechanism. As a result, suspending deliveries until rules are clarified is seen as the only safe option. Will Private Couriers Still Deliver? Yes, but not without added costs. Companies like DHL Express and FedEx are still accepting shipments. The difference is that private couriers already have digital systems for customs declarations and duty payments. That makes compliance easier, though customers will still face the new tariffs. This could shift business from public postal services to private couriers, but at a significantly higher price point for senders. Broader Impact On Trade And Consumers For American buyers, the end of duty-free imports means higher prices for everyday items previously ordered cheaply from abroad. For sellers in India and Europe, especially small-scale exporters, the economics of shipping to the US may no longer work. The scale of disruption is significant. In 2024, billions of dollars worth of small parcels entered under de minimis. Now, with tariffs as high as $200 per item, businesses must either absorb the cost, pass it on to customers, or stop serving the US market altogether. The move also reflects the Trump administrations broader trade strategy. After imposing steep tariffs on steel, aluminium, and Indian goods, Washington is now extending the fight to cross-border e-commerce. Is This A Permanent Ban? Not necessarily. Postal operators have repeatedly said their suspensions are temporary. The hope is that once the US clarifies who collects duties, how payments are made, and how customs data must be transmitted, services can resume. Botond Szebeny, secretary-general of PostEurop, told Financial Express that nobody intends for this to become a permanent embargo. Everybody hopes that there will be a solution soon," he said. Until then, however, the worlds busiest postal routes into the United States are effectively stalled. Conclusion top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What began as a technical change to US customs rules has quickly snowballed into a major disruption of global postal services. India, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and others have all hit pause because Washington has ended an exemption that kept low-value parcels flowing freely. For now, only letters, books and small gifts under $100 will escape duties. Everything else risks either being delayed or hit with tariffs far greater than their worth. 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. Follo... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:59 IST News explainers Why India, UK, France Have Suspended Postal Deliveries To The US And What It Means For You Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Wiped Out In 1960s, A Flesh-Eating Fly Found Infecting Person In US: What Is Screwworm? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 11:43 IST Decades after the US declared it eradicated, a rare flesh-eating parasite has resurfaced in a person who returned from Central America, raising concerns among health officials Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows, are observed at the COPEG sterile fly production plant, which fights the spread of the cattle screwworm, in Pacora, Panama. REUTERS/File Photo) For the first time, a case of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite has been confirmed in a person in the United States, triggering fresh concerns among health authorities and the cattle industry. The infection, reported in Maryland, has been traced to a traveller who returned from Central America, where a broader outbreak has been spreading north since late 2023. The screwworm is not a worm but a species of fly whose larvae feed on the living flesh of animals, and in rare cases, humans, by burrowing into open wounds. Recommended Stories While officials stress that the public health risk remains low, the incident has reignited anxieties over the parasites economic impact, especially in cattle-rich states like Texas. So, what is the screwworm? Where did this infection originate? And why is it being called a billion-dollar threat? What Happened In The US According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the case was detected in a patient from Maryland who had recently travelled to El Salvador, a country currently experiencing a screwworm outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the infection on August 4 through telediagnosis, a remote method where specialists review images of the parasite, much like a virtual second opinion for lab specimens. However, confusion over the patients travel history has deepened. While HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon cited El Salvador, multiple Reuters sources from the beef industry said the traveller had returned from Guatemala. Nixon declined to clarify the discrepancy. Despite the contradiction, health officials agree on one key point: The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low," Nixon told Reuters. No animal infections have been confirmed in the US so far this year. In July, Mexico reported a new screwworm case in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, just 370 miles south of the US border, raising further concerns that the parasite is moving steadily closer. What Is A Screwworm? The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax), also known as NWS, is a parasitic fly endemic to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico. Unlike common maggots that consume dead tissue, screwworm larvae feed exclusively on living flesh. Female flies lay hundreds of eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Once hatched, the larvae burrow deeper into tissue using sharp, screw-like mouths. This behaviour gives the parasite its name. If left untreated, the infestation, known as myiasis, can become fatal. The damage caused by even a single female flys brood is immense: one fly can lay up to 3,000 eggs during its lifespan. What Are The Symptoms And Risk Factors? Screwworm infestations are rare in humans, but when they do occur, they are extremely painful and medically urgent. According to CDC advisories, symptoms can include: Skin wounds that worsen over time and do not heal A feeling of larvae moving inside a wound, nose, mouth, or eye Maggots visible in open sores Foul-smelling odour from the infected area Secondary bacterial infections, sometimes leading to high fever and chills People are more vulnerable if they: Have open wounds, even minor insect bites Sleep outdoors or live near livestock Have compromised immunity or existing skin conditions Travel to endemic regions in Latin America and the Caribbean The only treatment involves physically removing the larvae and thoroughly disinfecting the wound. If caught early, infestations are typically survivable. Why The Beef Industry Is On High Alert While human cases are rare, screwworms are a major threat to livestock. An unchecked outbreak can decimate cattle populations by feeding on wounds caused by branding, birthing, or minor injuries. Texas A&M University estimates that a full-blown screwworm resurgence in Texas could cost $1.8 billion, including livestock deaths, treatment, and labour. The stakes are high: the US imports over a million cattle from Mexico annually for beef processing. A growing screwworm presence in southern Mexico has already led to border closures, market disruptions, and price spikes. Traders and ranchers have expressed concern over the CDCs lack of transparency. Beth Thompson, South Dakotas state veterinarian, told Reuters she learned about the Maryland case not through official channels, but via industry sources. We found out via other routes and then had to go to CDC to tell us what was going on," she said. They werent forthcoming at all." Industry communications reviewed by Reuters also noted that the CDC was legally required to notify both Maryland health authorities and the state veterinarian once the case was confirmed. Is This The First Time Screwworm Has Been Found In The US? Not entirely. The US had previously eradicated screwworms by 1966, using a revolutionary strategy: the mass release of sterile male flies, which mate with wild females to produce infertile eggs. Since female screwworms only mate once, flooding the area with sterile males causes a rapid drop in the wild population over time. This programme, managed by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), successfully eliminated the parasite from US soil and even halted a small outbreak in the Florida Keys in 2017. But the threat has returned due to a new outbreak that began in Central America and southern Mexico in 2023. Since then, screwworm cases have been reported steadily farther north, prompting the USDA to take emergency measures. What Is The US Government Doing Now? The screwworm detection comes just a week after USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas to announce a new sterile fly facility near the Mexico border. The centre, to be built at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, will take two to three years to become operational. Currently, only one such plant existsin Panamaand it can produce 100 million sterile flies a week. But the USDA estimates that five times that number is needed weekly to push the parasite back to the Darien Gap, the dense rainforest between Panama and Colombia. Meanwhile, Mexico has begun constructing its own $51 million sterile fly facility in the countrys south to contain the outbreak. Why This Case Could Still Have A Big Impact Even though the Maryland case is being treated as isolated and imported, it has already rattled the livestock sector. Beef prices were already high due to record-low cattle inventory. Now, even a perception of infestation can trigger panic in the futures market. As one Beef Alliance executive reportedly wrote in internal emails (seen by Reuters), industry leaders feared a media leak could amplify volatility: We remain hopeful that the likelihood of a positive case being leaked is low, minimising market impact." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Bottom Line The detection of New World screwworm in a Maryland patient is not just a rare parasitic infection; its a warning shot for the US cattle industry and a test of its biosecurity systems. While the immediate health threat appears minimal, the economic and agricultural risks are significant, especially with fly populations inching closer to the US border. 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. Follo... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 11:41 IST News explainers Wiped Out In 1960s, A Flesh-Eating Fly Found Infecting Person In US: What Is Screwworm? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Due To Health Reasons': Amit Shah On Jagdeep Dhankhar's Sudden Exit As Vice President Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:34 IST Union Home Minister Amit Shah said former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned purely due to health reasons, rejecting any other speculation. File photos of Union Home Minister Amit Shah/Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as the Vice President due to health reasons, and that there was no other reason behind the same, as he dismissed the Oppositions claims that Dhankhar was under house arrest". Speaking exclusively to news agency ANI over Dhankhars resignation, the Home Minister also said the former Vice President did good work according to the Constitution". Recommended Stories Dhankhar Sahabs resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure," Amit Shah said. Responding to a question of Dhankhar being under house arrest", as claimed by certain Opposition leaders, Shah said the interpretation of truth and lies should not rely solely on Opposition statements and warned against making a fuss over the former VPs resignation. It seems like your interpretation of truth and lies is based on what the opposition has to say. We shouldnt make a fuss out of all this," the Union Home Minister said. Dhankhar ji was sitting on a constitutional post, and during his tenure, he did good work according to the Constitution," Shah said. He has resigned due to his personal health problem. One should not try to stretch it too much and find something," he added. Dhankhar resigned as the Vice President on July 21, citing health grounds. His sudden resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon session of Parliament, which concluded on August 21. An election to pick his successor is scheduled to take place on September 9. In the vice-presidential election, NDA pick CP Radhakrishnan, the Governor of Maharashtra, is pitted against opposition nominee B Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge. Dhankhars term as the Vice President was to end on August 10, 2027. On August 9, Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal had claimed that the whereabouts of Jagdeep Dhankhar have not been known since his resignation and demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah issue a statement on the matter. Multiple Opposition leaders have repeatedly raised questions over the resignation of Dhankhar, claiming that the former VP might have been forced to resign due to differences between leaders. On July 23, Congress chief and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had expressed scepticism over the resignation, suggesting that theres something not quite right with his decision. Addressing reporters, Kharge had said that the government should put forward the reasons behind Dhankhars resignation. The government should answer why he resigned. I can see dal mein kuch kaala hai. His health is fine. He used to defend the RSS and the BJP always. Who and what is behind his resignation should be known to the country," Kharge had said. ALSO READ | Govt Assigns Type VIII Bungalow In Lutyens Delhi To Ex-VP top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:47 IST News india 'Due To Health Reasons': Amit Shah On Jagdeep Dhankhar's Sudden Exit As Vice President Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ashoka University Professor Gets Relief As SC Bars Magistrate From Taking Cognizance Of FIR Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 13:28 IST Supreme Court halted district magistrate action on FIR against Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over his social media posts on Operation Sindoor. Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor at Ashoka University, had his bail extended by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. (Image: X) In a relief to Ashoka University Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, the Supreme Court on Monday stopped the district magistrate from taking cognizance of an FIR registered against him by the Haryana Police over his social media posts on Operation Sindoor. The apex courts directions came after the police informed the court that it had filed a closure report in one FIR but filed a chargesheet in another FIR. Recommended Stories After the polices submission of the closure report, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi quashed the FIR. The bench also barred the Magistrate from taking cognizance of another FIR registered against him. During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, said it was unfortunate" that the police invoked Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with offences attacking the sovereignty of the nation, over the social media comments, Live Law reported. In the July hearing, the top court pulled up Haryanas Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was investigating Mahmudabads social media posts, saying it was misdirecting" itself. The SC asked SIT why it was expanding the scope of the investigation against the professor. The apex court then asked the SIT to complete the probe within four weeks. Ten days after Operation Sindoor, 42-year-old Mahmudabad, who teaches political science at Ashoka University in Sonipat, was arrested on May 18 on a complaint filed by Yogesh Jatheri, the General Secretary of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Haryana. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The professor got the bail on May 21, but the apex court refused to stay the proceedings. As a condition of interim bail, the apex court asked Mahmudabad to refrain from writing anything in relation to the social media posts which were subject matter of the case or from expressing any opinion in relation to the terrorist attack on Indian soil or the counter-response given by India". The Supreme Court also directed the Haryana DGP to constitute a Special Investigation Team comprising senior IPS officers to examine and report on the Professors two online posts. 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 First Published: August 25, 2025, 13:12 IST News india Ashoka University Professor Gets Relief As SC Bars Magistrate From Taking Cognizance Of FIR Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengal Recruitment Scam: TMC MLA Jumps Wall To Escape During ED Raid, Arrested | Video Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:53 IST As soon as Saha learned of the ED raid, he attempted to flee by scaling the boundary wall of his house, said officials TMC Jiban Krishna Saha tried to escape during an ED raid | Image: News18 Dramatic scenes unfolded in West Bengals Murshidabad on Monday when a team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reached the residence of Trinamool MLA Jiban Krishna Saha to carry out raids in connection with the alleged schoolteachers recruitment scam. According to officials, as soon as Saha learned of the raid, he attempted to flee by scaling the boundary wall of his house. He was, however, chased down by officers and subsequently taken into custody. Recommended Stories The MLA was chased and caught by our officers in a nearby area. Now, our officers are interrogating him," an ED official said. TMC MLA tries to flee during Ed raid pic.twitter.com/FEEhoy1Xub Viral Info (@3Chandrayaan) August 25, 2025 The raids were launched following a tip-off about a financial transaction linked to the scam by an individual from Birbhum district. The individual from Birbhum district accompanied the ED team to Sahas house this morning," the officer said. The agency had earlier questioned Sahas wife in connection with the case. While the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the alleged criminal aspects of the scam, the ED is investigating possible money laundering links. Saha, who represents the Burwan constituency, had previously been arrested by the CBI in April 2023 in connection with the same scam but was granted bail a month later. He has been remanded to six days of Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in connection with the alleged recruitment scam, with the next hearing scheduled for August 30. His counsel Jakir Hossain questioned the grounds for his arrest, arguing that his client had already explained the source of 46 lakh found in his possession. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We gave a proper explanation for 46 lakh, we also have documentary proof. If you didnt like that explanation, they should have called us again," Hossain said, adding, When all kingpins have been arrested, what was the need of arresting him (Saha)? That was the main question we presented before the High Court." The latest action against him comes amid an intensified crackdown on irregularities in the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process, which has already seen multiple high-profile arrests. 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 (De... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 13:04 IST News india Bengal Recruitment Scam: TMC MLA Jumps Wall To Escape During ED Raid, Arrested | Video Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Crackdown On Illegal Migrants Triggers Spike In Crossovers To Bangladesh, Reveals Govt Data Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:03 IST Union government data accessed by CNN-News18 shows that exfiltration in the first half of this year stood at 3,536, almost thrice the number from 1,049 in 2024 Rapid Read + Follow us On Google As per BSF data till June 30, 2025, 35 BSF personnel were injured in attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers. (PTI) Amidst a pushback from state police across the country against alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants, there appears to be a beeline to cross over to Bangladesh from India. Union government data accessed by CNN-News18 shows that exfiltration in the first half of this year stood at 3,536, almost thrice the number from 1,049 in 2024. Recommended Stories In Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Assam, police have started a crackdown in unauthorised colonies and detained a number of people for being illegal immigrants. The case of 26-year-old Sunali Khatun, who claims to be a resident of Birbhum in West Bengal, has caught attention in this regard. Khatun is eight months pregnant. While she and her family were detained by Delhi Police from Rohini, her family in Bengal claims she was pushed into Bangladesh and arrested by police there since she claimed to be an Indian national. Incidents of detention have led to more illegal Bangladeshis crossing over on their own from India using the unfenced sections of the border. Some were handed over by BSF and accepted by BGB after scrutiny," a BSF official said. Infiltration a major concern Infiltration from Bangladesh continues to be a cause of concern. However, data suggests a slight fall from previous years. Till July 15, 2025, 1,372 infiltrators were apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF). In 2024, the number was 2,425. DG BSF Daljeet Singh Chawdhary is likely to take up the issue of Infiltration with his BGB counterpart. The 56th Director General Level Border Co-ordination Conference between BSF and BGB is being organised by BGB in Dhaka from August 25-28. During the course of conference, discussions will be held on prevention against attack/assault on BSF personnel and Indian civilians by Bangladesh based Miscreants/Nationals, how to prevent trans-border crimes, construction of single row fence, action against Indian Insurgent Groups (IIGs) in Bangladesh, issues related to border infrastructure, joint efforts for effective implementation of Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP), Confidence Building Measures (CBM)and other issues," a BSF spokesperson said. A Bangladeshi Police officer, Mohammad Arifuzzaman, was detained by BSF from Hakimpur, 24 Parganas, on Saturday. West Bengal police, which is questioning Arifuzzaman, believes he was fleeing persecution after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Concerns about attacks on BSF personnel The DG BSF will take up with DG BGB the recent cases of attacks on BSF personnel by cow smugglers. As per BSF data till June 30, 2025, 35 BSF personnel were injured in attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers. In 2024, the number stood at 69, in 2023 it was 74, in 2022 it was 47 and 64 in 2021. 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 gr... Read More Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: August 25, 2025, 15:36 IST News india Crackdown On Illegal Migrants Triggers Spike In Crossovers To Bangladesh, Reveals Govt Data Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Delhi CM's Attacker Reveals He Planned To Stab Rekha Gupta, Withdrew Due To Heavy Security Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 07:40 IST Rajesh Bhai Khimji admitted he planned to attack Delhi CM Rekha Gupta with a knife but abandoned it due to heavy security. He also revealed he visited the Supreme Court earlier. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta/Her attacker Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakriya (Photos: PTI) Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakriya, the person who attacked Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at her residence during a public grievance hearing on August 20, told the police that he planned to attack the Chief Minister with a knife. During interrogations, Rajesh Bhai Khimji said he intended to attack the Chief Minister with a knife, but seeing the tight security arrangements, he threw the knife away in the Civil Lines area. Recommended Stories He also told investigators that before going to the Chief Ministers official residence, he had gone to the Supreme Court as well, but had returned after seeing heavy security outside the court. Khimji was remanded to five days custody after he was produced before the duty magistrate at his residence on August 21, a day after the attack. Before being produced before the magistrate, Rajesh was taken to Aruna Asif Ali hospital for a medical checkup. Thereafter, he was referred to the LNJP Hospital by the Aruna Asif Ali Hospital. Rajesh Khimji, originally from Rajkot, Gujarat, was arrested by the Delhi police soon after he attacked Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public hearing at her civil lines official residence. A case was registered against Khimji at the Civil Lines Police Station by the Delhi Police. Hours after the attack on her, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said she was shocked after the incident. She also remarked that this attack was a cowardly attempt on her work for the welfare of the people of Delhi. On Sunday, the Delhi Chief Minister said that Lord Rams blessings and peoples affection keep her safe. Addressing people at the foundation-laying ceremony for two Ramlilas at Shalimar Bagh, Gupta said, The establishment of Ram Rajya signifies governance that is just, transparent and centred on the welfare of people." To achieve this, it becomes necessary to confront the destructive forces. Lord Ram has entrusted me with the responsibility of leading Delhi on the path of Ram Rajya." Expressing gratitude for the blessings of Lord Ram, she said his grace gives her strength and courage. Referring to the recent attack on her, she said the blessings of Lord Ram, together with the affection of the people, keep her safe and strong. Stating that every character in Ramlila conveys profound life lessons, Gupta said, Whenever we see characters such as Lord Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman, or Mata Kaikeyi on stage, we are reminded of our own duties and responsibilities." That is why, for centuries, thousands of Ramlilas have been organised across the country to guide us towards a better path in life." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Gupta also said that the blessings of Lord Ram and the support of Delhis citizens remain her greatest strength. ALSO READ | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Attack Case: Police Make Second Arrest 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. First Published: August 25, 2025, 07:32 IST News india Delhi CM's Attacker Reveals He Planned To Stab Rekha Gupta, Withdrew Due To Heavy Security Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Donald Trump Taps Loyalist Sergio Gor As US Ambassador To India: Is It A Message To PM Modi? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 08:13 IST By appointing Sergio Gor as Ambassador, Trump is sending a clear message: India matters. And America is not going to let this relationship drift Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Trump has described Gor as a 'great friend' and someone he can 'fully trust to deliver on my agenda'. File pic/Reuters For almost seven months, the United States did not have a full-time Ambassador in New Delhi. Eric Garcetti, who served from May 2023 to January 2025, left when Donald Trump assumed office. Since then, the position was vacant. In a relationship as strategically important as U.S.-India ties, this was more than just a bureaucratic delay. It created a diplomatic void. Key negotiations stalled. Misunderstandings grew. And Washingtons absence was noticed not just in New Delhi, but in Beijing and Moscow too. Recommended Stories India was moving ahead with its own priorities strengthening ties with Russia, deepening economic engagement with China, and asserting its independence on global issues. For the U.S., being absent at such a critical juncture was risky. And thats why Trumps decision to appoint a new Ambassador is so significant. He has nominated Sergio Gor, a long-time loyalist and confidant. Gor is not a career diplomat. He is a political operative, someone who has worked closely with Trump for years and is trusted to carry out his agenda to the letter. Beyond grateful to @realDonaldTrump for his incredible trust and confidence in nominating me to the be his next U.S. Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs! Nothing has made me prouder than to serve the American people through the GREAT work of Sergio Gor (@SergioGor) August 22, 2025 Gor will also be an India-anchored Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Affairs. Trump himself said, For the most populous region in the world, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my agenda." That line tells you everything. This is not about sending a polished diplomat to manage relations. This is about Trump planting someone he knows, someone who reports directly to him, in one of the most important capitals in the world. It is a signal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi: You matter to me, and Im putting one of my closest people on the job." It is also a signal to China and Russia: Dont think America is retreating from India." Though Gors additional role in being a Special Envoy to South and Central Asia Affairs a first such designation for the region could also mean hyphenating India and Pakistan as Trump has done consistently. The timing could not be more deliberate. Just days earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in New Delhi, holding extensive talks with Indian officials. The visit underlined how much India-China engagement has grown recently, despite tensions on the border. And later this week, PM Modi will participate in the SCO summit in China. For Washington, this is worrying. The balance of power in Asia could be shifting dramatically. By announcing Gors nomination right now, Trump is countering that narrative. Hes making sure the U.S. is not seen as a passive observer while India builds ties with Americas rivals. Now, why does having a full-time ambassador matter so much? Because an ambassador is the bridge between two governments. In Indias case, the role is even more critical to discreetly resolve differences like the tariffs, the oil purchases, and defence procurement. Also, to deliver sensitive messages quickly, without delay or distortion. Also, it is to maintain momentum in a relationship that can otherwise be derailed by miscommunication. As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it: India is one of the most important relationships for our nation." U.S. Under Secretary of Defence Elbridge Colby said: The U.S.-India relationship is tremendously important." That reflects Washingtons recognition that India is central to its Indo-Pacific strategy. By appointing Sergio Gor as Ambassador, Trump is sending a clear message: India matters. And America is not going to let this relationship drift. This week especially around August 28 when and if the oil tariffs kick in, and the SCO summit where India sits with China and Russia will be critical in determining whether this softer tone turns into real policy shifts. The world will be watching. Interesting thoughts from @ashajadeja325. In any case it is good we will finally have a US Ambassador in place. If the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia is also confirmed soon, we might have a somewhat more stable set of interlocutors! https://t.co/FPcrktjcsj Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 23, 2025 Is Trump genuinely re-setting ties with India, or is this just tactical signalling to counter China and Russia? Lets be clear. Appointing an ambassador doesnt magically fix everything. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The tariffs are still there. Indian businesses are still struggling with the impact of Trumps protectionist policies. The 25% oil duties are scheduled to begin on August 28, which could cause serious friction if Trump doesnt back down. Theres also the issue of defence cooperation. India has been diversifying buying equipment from Russia, France, and even developing indigenous systems. For Washington, thats both an opportunity and a challenge. While the tone may be softer, the negotiations ahead will be tough. Gor has his work cut out. 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 Minister... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 07:00 IST News india Donald Trump Taps Loyalist Sergio Gor As US Ambassador To India: Is It A Message To PM Modi? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two Shooters Linked To 'Bhau Gang' Arrested For Firing At Elvish Yadavs Gurugram Home Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 12:52 IST Two shooters, involved in the firing incident at YouTuber Elvish Yadavs house, have been arrested. Both are linked to the Himanshu Bhau gang. Police on the scene after firing at YouTuber Elvish Yadav's residence (L)/A file photo of Elvish Yadav (R) (Social Media) The Delhi Police on Monday arrested two shooters involved in the firing incident at YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT winner Elvish Yadavs house in Sector 57 of Gurugram on August 17. The arrested shooters were identified as Gaurav and Aditya, both linked to the notorious Himanshu Bhau gang, popularly known as Bhau gang. Recommended Stories The accused were arrested from the Shahabad Dairy area after a swift operation. Earlier, the police arrested a rider of a bike-taxi service, the second arrest in connection with the case. The accused, Jatin (24), was arrested from Faridabads Parvatiya colony and was involved in planning and providing the motorcycle used in executing the firing. During interrogation, Jatin revealed that he had been ferrying passengers on bikes for an app-based service in Gurugram for the last two months. According to police, he got involved in the matter on the advice of some of his companions and made his motorcycle available to carry out the crime. This came days after a shooter involved in the firing was arrested after a brief encounter near Faridpur. The accused was identified as Ishant Gandhi alias Ishu, a resident of Faridabad. Three bike-borne attackers sprayed over two dozen rounds outside Yadavs Gurugram residence. Yadav was not at home when the incident took place around 5.30 am. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bhau gang claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing Yadav of promoting a betting app, news agency PTI quoted the police as saying. ALSO READ | Days After House Firing Incident, Elvish Yadav Celebrates Mothers Birthday 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. First Published: August 25, 2025, 12:25 IST News india Two Shooters Linked To 'Bhau Gang' Arrested For Firing At Elvish Yadavs Gurugram Home Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'My Son Is Back': Shubhanshu Shuklas Mother Gets Emotional As Lucknow Welcomes Its Space Hero Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:03 IST During this mission, Shukla conducted over 60 scientific experiments and 20 outreach programs, contributing significantly to India's space endeavors. Shubhanshu Shukla returned home after 1.5 years (Credits: PTI) Shubhanshu Shukla returned to his hometown, Lucknow, on Monday for the first time after completing his historic space mission. He received a grand and heartwarming welcome at the airport, with flower petals showered on him and drums beating as crowds gathered to celebrate his arrival. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, along with several other officials, warmly received him upon his arrival. Videos shared online capture the enthusiastic crowd cheering and welcoming him as he landed in Lucknow. Recommended Stories VIDEO | Lucknow: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to travel to space and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has returned to his hometown following a landmark mission aboard Axiom Mission 4.Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak pic.twitter.com/H1brHdYBCa Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025 Reacting to her sons arrival, Shuklas mother expressed joy and said," My son is coming home after 1.5 years. I am very happy and excited to meet him after so long. We will welcome him warmly. The entire family is going to the airport to welcome him" VIDEO | School students welcome Shubhanshu Shukla, Indias second astronaut to travel to space, as he returns to his hometown, Lucknow, following the historic Axiom-4 mission.(Full video available on PTI Videos https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/NQVQ2sfuv6 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025 Speaking his brothers return, Shuklas sister said,"I am very happy and excited. We were waiting for this day for a long time. He is finally coming home to Lucknow This is the biggest achievement. All children and the whole of Lucknow will be there to welcome him home. Nothing can be merrier than this. People are showing him so much love, and he is motivating children" VIDEO | Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla meets his family upon returning to his hometown, Lucknow, after the historic Axiom-4 mission.(Full video available on PTI Videos https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/hXynIztRqn Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025 BJP Workers Shower Petals BJP workers lined both sides of the road, showering flower petals and waving national flags, their faces beaming with pride and joy as they celebrated Shubhanshu Shuklas triumphant homecoming. VIDEO | BJP workers shower flower petals on Shubhanshu Shuklas convoy near Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan, as they gather to welcome Indias second astronaut to travel to space, returning to his hometown, Lucknow, after the historic Axiom-4 mission.(Full video available on PTI pic.twitter.com/X1bVpRsQAJ Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force Group Captain and test pilot who became the first astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to visit the International Space Station (ISS). About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:21 IST News india 'My Son Is Back': Shubhanshu Shuklas Mother Gets Emotional As Lucknow Welcomes Its Space Hero Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Not Allowed In Family: Noida Dowry Accused Killed Wife Over Reels, Beauty Parlour, Says Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 07:28 IST Husband in Greater Noida dowry murder case was arrested on Saturday and was shot in leg when he attempted to escape custody. A report has revealed the trigger for wife's murder. Greater Noida murder case: Accused husband killed wife over Instagram reels, says report (ANI Image) The gruesome killing of a 28-year-old woman, Nikki, in Greater Noida, allegedly by her husband, Vipin Bhati, took place after an altercation over her posting reels on Instagram and her insistence on reopening a beauty parlour she ran earlier, the police said after the interrogation of the accused, according to a report. Vipin was arrested on Saturday for the crime he committed on August 21 at his residence, where he allegedly assaulted his wife and set her on fire to death. When he was being taken by the cops to recover flammable material that he used to set the woman ablaze, he attempted to flee from custody, prompting the police to shoot him in his leg during the encounter, the police said. Recommended Stories Nikkis mother-in-law, Daya Bhati, 55, was also arrested yesterday. What Did Accused Husband Tell Police? The police stated that on August 21, Nikki had demanded the reopening of the beauty parlour she had previously run, which triggered a fight with her husband. Investigation revealed that around 3.30 pm, Nikki told Vipin that she and her sister would reopen the parlour. When he refused, Nikki said that no one could stop them from reopening, which Bhati opposed," Kasna station house officer Dharmendra Shukla said, Hindustan Times reported. Vipin told her that in their family, posting reels on Instagram and running a parlour were not allowed. The issue turned ugly, and he started assaulting her," the outlet quoted Shukla as saying. Kanchan, Nikkis elder sister, was married to the same family and is a witness to the murder. She earlier described the horrific sequence of events on Thursday night. That same evening, they brutally assaulted my sister in front of me and the children. They then threw some liquid on her and set her ablaze in front of my eyes. I tried to save her, but I could not," she said earlier. The two sisters were reportedly active on Instagram and YouTube, as they ran a channel for the parlour with the name Makeover by Kannchan, HT reported. The Instagram account contains 54,500 followers, while Kanchans personal account has 22k followers. Nikkis account is private and has 1,147 followers. They actively posted content, including videos, and had garnered over 2.9 million views, the report said. Victim Familys Allegations Nikkis brother Rohit Gurjar said that their family had invested Rs 8 lakh in Nikkis beauty parlour nearly one-and-a-half years ago, as Vipin and his brother were unemployed. The family runs a small grocery shop from their home. My sisters were independently bearing their childrens expenses without asking for money from their husbands. The in-laws were also against their parlour business and damaged the entire parlour in February this year," the victims brother said. Nikki and Vipin got married in 2016, and the husband had been demanding Rs 36 lakh dowry for some time, despite all his previous dowry demands such as Scorpio, Bullet bike, gold fully met, the victims family said. Yesterday, the grieving father had demanded an encounter of the accused in the case. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all They are killers, they should be shot, their home razed. My daughter was bringing up her son by running a parlour. They tortured her. The whole family was involved in the conspiracy, and they killed my daughter. They shoot pickpockets in the leg, and they wont kill these murderers? This is a BJP government," he told NDTV hours before Vipin was shot in his leg. Nikkis minor son, in front of whom she was set ablaze, said, They poured something on mumma, slapped her, and then set her ablaze using a lighter." About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @Ma... Read More Location : Greater Noida, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 06:59 IST News india Not Allowed In Family: Noida Dowry Accused Killed Wife Over Reels, Beauty Parlour, Says Report Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nikki's Instagram Reels, Beauty Parlour Plan & Mercedes Video: Top Updates In Noida Dowry Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:24 IST Accused husband in the Greater Noida dowry murder case has signalled at Instagram reel and beauty parlour connection as a reason behind the crime. Greater Noida murder case: Family reveals dowry sought by husband (Photo: X) The Greater Noida dowry murder case has recorded a slew of developments in the last 24 hours, including the injury of the victims husband, Vipin Bhati, in an encounter while fleeing police custody, and the arrests of the remaining accused in the case. Nikki, the woman who was allegedly set ablaze by her husband over dowry demand on August 21, died the same day while being transferred from Noidas Fortis Hospital to Delhis Safdarjung Hospital. Recommended Stories Horrific videos of the assault on her and her being wrapped in flames surfaced on social media. Top Updates In Noida Dowry Murder Case On Saturday, her husband was arrested based on the victims sister, Kanchans complaint. On Sunday, the cops arrested the accused mother-in-law, Daya, 55. In the latest arrests made on Monday, the police nabbed the victims brother-in-law, Rohit Bhati, 28, and her father-in-law, Satya Veer, 55. They were evading arrest and had been on the run since the crime on August 21. With their arrests, all four individuals named in the FIR have been taken into custody. Kanchan who is married to Rohit, Vipins elder brother earlier shared disturbing videos on social media one showed Nikki being dragged by her hair, and another showed her in flames before collapsing. When Vipin was being taken to the crime spot for evidence recovery on Sunday, he attempted to flee custody, prompting the police to shoot him in his leg in the encounter. Shortly after his injury, he was admitted to the hospital, where he told news agency ANI that he had no remorse" for what he had done, claiming that Nikki took her own life" and that he did not kill her. However, he told the police during interrogation that he allegedly killed her after an altercation over Nikkis Instagram reels and her desire to reopen the beauty parlour, which he said was not allowed in his family" according to a report in Hindustan Times. After Nikkis death, an old video surfaced online in which she was seen in a Mercedes car. Nikkis sister kanchan is posting dumb videos of their Mercedes to cry on insta pic.twitter.com/iAfjgwBdRR KARNA (@S_Karna002) August 25, 2025 National Commission for Women (NCW) condemned Nikkis death and said such incidents after 75 years of independence are condemnable. The incident that occurred in Noida isnt just the death of a daughter but in fact an incident that has left the whole society in shock," the NCW said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The victims father demanded an encounter of the accused and urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to raze his residence. He said that his family gave everything that Vipin demanded during marriage, including a Scorpio, a Bullet bike, and gold, yet they killed her over a Rs 36 lakh dowry demand nine years after marriage. The duo had got married in 2016. Kanchan said that the crime took place in front of her and Nikkis minor son, who also spoke about the horror on the camera. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @Ma... Read More Location : Greater Noida, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 15:19 IST News india Nikki's Instagram Reels, Beauty Parlour Plan & Mercedes Video: Top Updates In Noida Dowry Case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... How Ajit Doval Exposed Pakistans Nuclear Secrets By Posing As A Beggar At A Barber Shop Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:13 IST Living undercover in Pakistan for six years, Ajit Doval risked his life to help Indian intelligence uncover the full scope of Pakistans nuclear ambitions Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Ajit Doval played a key role in Sikkim's merger with India in 1975. In early 1980, Indian intelligence agent Ajit Doval was assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan, a significant task following his successes with the Intelligence Bureau and the Sikkim mission. The stakes were high; a single error could cost him his life and jeopardise Indias security. D Devdutts book, Ajit Doval On a Mission, reveals that Pakistan was determined to acquire nuclear weapons by any means necessary. India had stunned the world with its first successful nuclear test in 1974, sparking Pakistans relentless pursuit of nuclear capabilities, supported by China and North Korea. India needed to uncover this secret, and Ajit Doval, dubbed the Super Cop, was entrusted with the mission. Recommended Stories Mission To Reach Pakistans Nuclear Fortress According to the book, Dovals objective was the Khan Research Centre in Kahuta village, near Islamabad, a simple village on the surface, but a heavily guarded hub for Pakistans nuclear programme. Doval understood the gravity of his mission; failure to obtain evidence from here would enable Pakistan to emerge as a nuclear power. As described in the book, the challenge was penetrating the centres tight security. Doval ingeniously disguised himself as a beggar. Doval Entered Barber Shop Disguised As Beggar According to the book, for several days, Doval roamed the streets of Kahuta disguised as a beggar. Passersby would toss him alms, unaware that his sharp eyes were tracking every movement. One day, his attention fell on a small barber shop, frequented daily by scientists of the Khan Research Centre. The book mentioned that Doval sat outside like any other beggar, but his true focus was on the strands of hair scattered across the floor inside. Pakistans Nuclear Secret In Strands Of Hair As described in the book, Doval quietly collected the hair and sent it to India. Tests revealed traces of radiation and uranium, confirming Pakistans secret nuclear program. With this single move, he exposed the blueprint of Pakistans nuclear ambitions. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Risked Death, Secured The Nation Living undercover in Pakistan for six years, Doval faced constant danger, but his efforts enabled Indian intelligence to fully grasp the extent of Pakistans nuclear aspirations, providing vital information to safeguard Indias security. First Published: August 25, 2025, 15:12 IST News india How Ajit Doval Exposed Pakistans Nuclear Secrets By Posing As A Beggar At A Barber Shop Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... How Ajit Doval Outwitted A Spy Queen And Brought Sikkim Into India Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 17:42 IST Sikkims fate shifted as Hope Cook, an American queen with alleged US ties, influenced politics until Ajit Doval empowered locals, leading to Sikkims merger with India in 1975 Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Ajit Doval played a key role in Sikkim's merger with India in 1975. History often records tales where conspiracy, love, and espionage meet in dramatic fashion. The story of Sikkim stands as one such saga. It is a tale in which a royal prince fell into the trap of beauty, a foreign spy queen nearly captured power, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval quietly altered the course of history. Author D Devdutt, in his book Ajit Doval: On a Mission, recounts how the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim, ruled by the Chogyal dynasty since 1642, became the setting for one of the most mysterious intelligence stories of Northeast India. Under British rule, Sikkim functioned as a subordinate princely state, but the monarchys existence remained intact. After Indias independence in 1947, the state became a protectorate, with India retaining control over its foreign policy and defence and the Chogyal family continuing to wield internal authority. Recommended Stories The delicate arrangement shifted in 1965 when Palden Thondup Namgyal ascended the throne after the death of his father, Sir Tashi Namgyal. Educated in India and considered broadly pro-India, he appeared to offer stability. Yet fate introduced an unexpected twist. Two years earlier, in 1963, the young crown prince had fallen in love with a striking American woman named Hope Cook. Charismatic, elegant, and widely rumoured to have links with US intelligence, she soon won his heart. Their romance culminated in marriage, making her the Queen of Sikkim. But marriage did not remain a matter of the heart. Hope Cook abandoned her American citizenship to take Sikkimese nationality, presenting herself as a devoted queen. In reality, she began to influence policy in ways that aligned with Washingtons interests. Behind the glitter of royal ceremonies, Americas hand grew more visible in Gangtoks politics. By the early 1970s, tensions escalated. During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the US opposed Indias moves, and even senior US leaders were reported to have used disparaging language for Indias prime minister. Inside Sikkim, American influence deepened. Local pro-India voices felt sidelined, while Hope Cook increasingly tilted toward anti-India positions. A rift widened between the people and their royal rulers. India could not ignore the growing danger. At that time, a young intelligence officer, Ajit Doval, already credited with defusing the Mizoram rebellion, was dispatched to Sikkim. Doval did not arrive with noise or headlines; instead, he worked in the shadows, reading the political pulse with precision. According to Devdutts account, Doval reached out to grassroots leaders and began strengthening the Sikkim Congress. That party soon emerged as the voice of ordinary citizens. Their slogan grew louder with every passing month, Merge Sikkim with India". In 1975, a historic referendum was held. A clear majority of Sikkims people voted in favour of becoming part of India. The government responded swiftly, passing the 35th Amendment to the Constitution, which formalised Sikkims entry as the 22nd state of the Union. Thus, a state that once appeared on the brink of falling under the sway of a spy queen" was secured as an integral part of India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For Hope Cook, it was the end of her Himalayan chapter. After the merger, her influence collapsed. She divorced Palden Thondup Namgyal and returned to the United States. President Gerald Ford restored her American citizenship, almost as if, in Devdutts words, the agent has been called back after completing a failed mission". The story carries a larger meaning. It underscores how beauty can indeed serve as a weapon in espionage, how a royal prince lost himself in love, and how strategy from Indias super spy" Ajit Doval reversed the tide. Location : Sikkim, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:57 IST News india How Ajit Doval Outwitted A Spy Queen And Brought Sikkim Into India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Hyderabad Horror: Man Kills Pregnant Wife, Dumps Chopped Head & Legs Into River; Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 08:00 IST Swathi, a 21-year-old pregnant woman from Kamareddyguda, was allegedly murdered and her body dismembered by her husband Mahender in Balaji Hills, Hyderabad. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Hyderabad man kills wife, dismembers her body (CNN-News18) Horror and outrage spread across Telangana after a man was caught dumping his wifes dismembered body in the suburbs of Hyderabad. According to Rachakonda Police, he had already discarded the head, arms, and legs in the Musi River when he was apprehended, while the torso remained inside his house. The victim was 21 years old and five months pregnant. The murder took place in Balaji Hills, a suburb of Hyderabads Medipalli. Recommended Stories The victim, identified as Swathi, and the accused, Mahender, are from Kamareddyguda in Vikarabad district. They got married on January 20, 2024, after falling in love and shifted to Balaji Hills. How Did The Crime Take Place? After marriage, they moved to Hyderabad and resided in a rented house at Boduppal. They lived happily for about one month; thereafter, frequent quarrels arose between them due to family disputes. In April 2024, the woman complained to the police in Vikarabad, accusing her husband of domestic violence, and a case was registered, news agency PTI reported. Subsequently, village elders held panchayats, and the matter was compromised. From June 2024 onwards, the duo started living in a rented house at Boduppal. The woman worked for three months at Ebex Call Centre, Punjagutta. However, due to suspicion over her movements, the accused stopped her from continuing her job. In March this year, the woman conceived and was five months pregnant, but even then, quarrels continued between them frequently. On August 22, she informed her husband that she would go to Vikarabad on August 27 for a medical check-up and thereafter stay at her parents house. The accused did not agree and a quarrel ensued. The deceased abused him, and on the same day, the accused decided to eliminate her," the police said. As per his plan, he bought a grip Axa blade at Boduppal, hid it inside the house and waited for the opportunity. On August 23, at around 4.30 pm, he allegedly killed her by throttling her. Thereafter, in order to conceal the evidence, he chopped the body into pieces, disposed of the head, hands, and legs by throwing them into the Musi River at Prathapsingaram, and retained the headless and legless trunk in his room," the police said. How Was Accused Husband Arrested? DCP (Malkajgiri Zone) P V Padmaja said that Mahender had called his sister and said his wife had gone missing. The sister got suspicious and informed a relative, who took him to a police station. There, he again tried to claim that his wife was missing, but during questioning, he confessed to killing his wife. Mahender was arrested and held in police custody for interrogation. According to officials, he had already discarded his wifes head, hands, and legs in the Musi River, though divers have so far failed to recover them. The torso was discovered hidden inside his house. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We have collected forensic evidence. Only the ladys torso was found. We will conduct a DNA test to identify the deceased," said the officer. We have registered a case under the BNS sections. Fast-track investigation and trial will ensue," she added. The womans father said that he and his son-in-law had fallen out and were no longer on speaking terms. My daughter would say they were doing fine, but he tortured her all the time. He should suffer the same way he made my daughter suffer," he said. First Published: August 24, 2025, 21:54 IST News india Hyderabad Horror: Man Kills Pregnant Wife, Dumps Chopped Head & Legs Into River; Arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... IAF Chief AP Singh Flies MiG-21 Jet In Rare Sortie Before Official Phase-Out | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 18:07 IST Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took a few sorties in the MiG-21 fighter jets, which will be officially phased out on September 26, marking the end of a six-decade association. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Air Chief Marshal Ap Singh taking a sortie in the MiG-21 fighter jet. (IAF) Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and pilots of the Indian Air Force took a few sorties in the last of the legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 fighter jets, marking an emotional moment ahead of the official retirement of the fighter jets next month. The Indian Air Forces MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been the heart of Indias combat aviation for more than six decades, made their final operational flights at the Nal Air Force Station in Bikaner on August 18 and 19, a month ahead of the formal retirement ceremony to be held in Chandigarh on September 26. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Nal Air Base, Bikaner, Rajasthan: Ahead of the official retirement of the MiG-21 fighter planes, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and pilots take a few sorties in the aircraft. pic.twitter.com/VHulY3ObHE ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew solo sorties of the ageing supersonic jet last weekend at an event marking the beginning of the end of a six-decade association with the MiG-21. The MiG-21 has been the workhorse of the IAF since its induction in the 1960s and we are still continuing with it. It is one of the most mass-produced supersonic fighter jets in history, with over 11,000 aircraft operated by more than 60 countries," he told reporters after his sortie. Its an amazing aircraft to fly. It will be missed by all who flew it." Its an amazing aircraft to fly, very agile and manoeuvrable, and it has been the workhorse of the IAF since the 1960s. But now it is time to move on to newer platforms like the Tejas and Rafale," he said, noting its ageing technology. The Indian Air Force said, Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No. 23 Sqn Panthers", the last squadron operating the legendary fighter. The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation. On 26 Sep 2025, the MiG-21 retires after six decades of glorious service in the IAF." Honouring the enduring legacy of MiG-21, the Chief of the Air Staff visited No. 23 Sqn Panthers", the last squadron operating the legendary fighter. The CAS flew a fighter sortie, and also in a formation led by Sqn Ldr Priya, symbolising both tradition and transformation. On 26 pic.twitter.com/gdeNk2ghbN Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 25, 2025 Legacy Of MiG-21 Inducted in 1963 as the countrys first supersonic fighter jet, the MiG-21 became a symbol of national pride, playing a decisive role in the fierce dogfights of the India-Pakistan war in 1965, to the high-stakes interception during the 2019 Balakot air strikes. IAF spokesperson Jaideep Singh said, MiG-21 has a history of shooting down all generations of aircraft. And the last one was the F-16, which was shot down. It had also shot down, in the 1971 war, the F-104s. The way the Indian Air Force has utilised the MiG-21 operationally, none of the air forces in the world have utilised this." However, the aircrafts ageing design and reliability issues have led to a disturbingly high crash rate, with over 400 accidents in 62 years of its service that has claimed the lives of over 200 pilots and 60 civilians. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After its first induction in the 1960s, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess. The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, will be given a farewell at a ceremony in Chandigarh airbase next month. The MiG-21 participated in all major military operations since its induction, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, the 1999 Kargil conflict, and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, and were instrumental in achieving air superiority during those conflicts. 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 int... Read More Location : Bikaner, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:01 IST News india IAF Chief AP Singh Flies MiG-21 Jet In Rare Sortie Before Official Phase-Out | Watch Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India's Week In Diplomacy And Why It Matters: From Trump's Tariffs To SCO Summit In China Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 19:37 IST This week, India is also engaging in strategic regional talks with the Fiji Prime Minister's visit and high-level border security discussions with Bangladesh underway From manoeuvring India-US ties in wake of the Trump administration's tariffs to the SCO summit in China, it is shaping up to be an important diplomatic week for India. (Image: PTI/File) It is shaping up to be an important diplomatic week for India from manoeuvring India-US ties as the 25 percent additional tariff kicks in to preparing for major summits in Asia like the big-bang SCO and Quad outreach to Japan. Apart from that, India is engaging in strategic regional talks with the Fiji Prime Ministers visit and high-level border security talks with Bangladesh underway. Hence, this week will be like walking a diplomatic tightrope when it comes to balancing global power dynamics, regional security, and economic interests. Recommended Stories Lets take a deep dive: US-INDIA TRADE TIES IN FOCUS This week will likely be overshadowed by the Trump administrations additional 25 percent tariff imposition on Indian goods from August 27 (Wednesday). This will raise duties to 50 percent. It comes as the US abruptly cancelled trade talks scheduled from August 25 to 29. The relations between New Delhi and Washington are on a downturn after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 percent, including a 25 percent additional duties, for Indias purchase of Russian crude oil. On August 23, in an indication that India is pursuing trade negotiations with the US, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said there are still lines that New Delhi needs to defend. New Delhi has maintained that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics. India turned to purchasing Russian oil sold at a discount after western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow and shunned its supplies over its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. We have some redlines in the negotiations, to be maintained and defended," Jaishankar said at an event in New Delhi, singling out the interests of the countrys farmers and small producers. It is our right to make decisions in our national interest," he said, describing Trumps policy announcements as unusual". We have not had a US president who conducts his foreign policy so publicly as the current one and (it) is a departure from the traditional way of conducting business with the world." In the US, too, India has continued to pursue discussions of fair, balanced and mutually beneficial trade ties" with US lawmakers. Indian ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra has met four in the last 24 hours and 23 since August 9, as revealed by his social media posts. The tariff imposed on Indian goods is among the highest imposed by the US. A 25 percent tariff announced earlier is already in effect. Trade talks collapsed earlier this year due to India not agreeing to open its vast agricultural and dairy sectors. Bilateral trade between the worlds largest and fifth largest economy is worth over $190 billion. TRUMP LOYALIST TO BE NEXT AMERICAN ENVOY TO INDIA Amid tariff tensions running high, a Trump loyalist was nominated as the next American envoy to India, a position that has been vacant for a while. Sergio Gor (38), the White House personnel director known to be in the Presidents inner circle, will also serve as the special envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. For the most populous region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my agenda and help us Make America Great Again," Trump said on social media. Gor played a major role in the political action committee (PAC) of Trumps campaign in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election and his influence increased manifold after he was tasked of vetting political appointees in the new administration. In January, the then US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, stepped down from the post, paving the way for the Trump administration to appoint its new envoy. PM MODIS JAPAN VISIT Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Japan on August 29 and 30 to attend the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit, strengthening economic, technology, and defence ties. This will be part of his four-day tour of both Japan and China, which ends on September 1, said the ministry of external affairs (MEA). The announcement of this visit came only days after Chinese foreign minister Wang Yis trip to India. The MEA said this will be Modis eighth visit to Japan as the prime minister. He will review the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries with his Japanese counterpart and dear friend Shigeru Ishiba. The two PMs will deliberate on cooperation in the areas of defence and security, trade and economy, technology and innovation, and people-to-people exchanges, as well as discuss issues of regional and global importance. The visit will reaffirm the longstanding special bond of friendship between the two countries," the MEA said. PM MODI IN CHINA AFTER 7 YEARS Modi is travelling to China after a gap of more than seven years on August 31 to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) amid signs of a thaw in the bilateral ties following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. The MEA said he will visit the Chinese city of Tianjin from August 31 to September 1, after his Japan trip that comes against the backdrop of a downturn in India-US ties due to Trumps tariff imposition. The PM is set to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the SCO summit. The formal announcement of the visit was made three days after New Delhi and Beijing unveiled a series of measures for a stable, cooperative and forward-looking" relationship that included jointly maintaining peace along the contested frontier, reopening border trade and resuming direct flight services at the earliest. Both the countries are making efforts to repair the bilateral ties that came under severe strain following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan valley in June 2020. Modi last visited China in June 2018 to attend the same event while Xi visited India in October 2019 for the second informal summit". FIJI AND BANGLADESH India is in the process of strengthening ties with the Global South. Fijis PM Sitiveni Rabuka is in India for his first official visit, signalling New Delhis continued engagement with the Indo-Pacific and Pacific Island countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Director general-level talks in Dhaka between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladeshs Border Guards (BGB) are underway. These talks are to address cross-border smuggling, illegal migration, and insurgency so as to enhance regional stability and strengthen bilateral cooperation in South Asia. (With agency inputs) About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing im... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:46 IST News india India's Week In Diplomacy And Why It Matters: From Trump's Tariffs To SCO Summit In China Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indus Waters Treaty In Abeyance, But India Alerts Pakistan On Potential Flood: Reports Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:37 IST The Indian High Commission in Islamabad communicated the potential flood in Tawi Ravi in Jammu to Pakistani authorities on August 24 Being a lower riparian state, Pakistan is heavily dependent for water on India-controlled riversparticularly the Jhelum and Chenab flowing through Jammu & Kashmir. (PTI/Representative image) India has alerted Pakistan about the potential flood in the Tawi River even as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains in abeyance, according to multiple Pakistani media reports. This is the first major contact between the two neighbours since the military conflict in May. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad communicated the possibility of a flood situation in the Tawi Ravi in Jammu to Pakistani authorities on August 24, Geo News reported. Indias goodwill gesture has prompted warnings by Pakistan. Recommended Stories India kept the six-decade-old Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance after Pakistan-backed terrorists carried out an attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam, leaving 26 people dead. In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said blood and water wont flow together," referencing the Indus Waters Treaty and the countrys firm stance against cross-border terrorism. What Is The India-Pakistan Indus Waters Treaty And Why Has It Been Suspended? The Prime Minister also criticised the Indus Waters Treaty as unjust and unreasonable," suggesting that India may reconsider its obligations under the agreement if Pakistan continues to support terrorism. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries. The pact sought to divide the water of the Indus River and its tributaries equitably between the two countries. Under the treaty, water from three eastern riversBeas, Ravi, and Sutlejwas allocated to India, and that from the three western riversChenab, Indus, and Jhelumto Pakistan. The treaty also permits both countries to use the others rivers for certain purposes, such as small hydroelectric projects that require little or no water storage. India has said that the agreement will remain in abeyance until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible steps to stop supporting terrorism. On the other hand, Islamabad said any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan" will be an act of war". 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 First Published: August 25, 2025, 13:35 IST News india Indus Waters Treaty In Abeyance, But India Alerts Pakistan On Potential Flood: Reports Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Onam Gift For Central Govt Employees In Kerala, Salaries To Be Disbursed Today Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:23 IST Pensions for retired officials will also be disbursed on Monday itself. The Onam festivities begin on August 26 till September 5 this year. Good news for central govt employees in Kerala. They will get salaries in advance for Onam. In an Onam gift for central government employees posted in Kerala, the Centre has ordered disbursal of their monthly salaries on August 25 itself. Pensions for retired officials will also be disbursed on Monday itself. The Onam festivities begin on August 26 till September 5 this year. In view of the ONAM festival, the Government has decided that the salary/wages/pension of all Central Government employees in the State of Kerala may be drawn and disbursed by the Central Government offices (including Defence, Posts & Telecommunications) on 25-08-2025 (Monday)," says an order by the Union Finance Ministry. The wages of the industrial employees of the Central Government serving in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed in advance as per the date given above, the order says. Recommended Stories The pension of all Central Government Pensioners in the State of Kerala may also be disbursed by Bank/PAOs as per the date given above, the order adds. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The salary/wages/pension so disbursed is to be treated as advance payments and will be subject to adjustment after the full months salary/wages/pension of each employee/pensioner is determined. The adjustment, if any, will be made without exception from the salary/wages/ pension of the month of August 2025," the order adds. The Finance Ministry has requested all concerned Ministries/Departments to bring these instructions to the notice of their offices located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately. The Reserve Bank of India has also been requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all paying branches of all Banks located in the State of Kerala for necessary action immediately. 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 Minister... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 17:23 IST News india Onam Gift For Central Govt Employees In Kerala, Salaries To Be Disbursed Today Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pahalgam, Double Standards On Terror Among Issues Discussed In PM Modi-Rabuka Meet Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:20 IST Fiji PM Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. PM Modi meets his Riji counterpart Rabuka (Photo: X/ MEA) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a bilateral meeting with his Fiji counterpart, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, at Hyderabad House in the national capital, and discussed Pahalgam terror attack and the need to combat terror financing, among other key issues. Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on his first visit to India as the Fiji PM on Sunday on a three-day trip, which will conclude on August 26. Recommended Stories The two leaders held comprehensive discussions on the full spectrum of bilateral matters and regional and global issues of mutual interest. Both Leaders expressed satisfaction at the growth of the relationship and reaffirmed their resolve to build a broad-based, inclusive, and forward-looking partnership in areas such as defence, health, agriculture, agro-processing, trade and investment, development of small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, culture, sports, education and skill development," the Prime Ministers Office said in a statement. The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Fiji PM also condemned the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Both Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both Leaders condemned in strongest terms the Pahalgam terrorist attack which took the lives of 26 innocent civilians; reiterated zero tolerance to terrorism and rejected double standards on terrorism," the PMO said. They also acknowledged the need to counter radicalization; combat financing of terrorism; prevent the exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and tackle terrorist recruitment and transnational organized crime through joint efforts and capacity building. Both sides agreed to work together at the UN and other multilateral fora to combat terrorism, the statement added. The visit is meant to strengthen India-Fiji relations in different areas, including strategic partnership and people-to-people connections. After arriving in New Delhi, Prime Minister Rabuka was welcomed by Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On Sunday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda met with Fijis PM Rabuka and held talks on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. He was joined at the meeting by Fijis Health and Medical Services Minister, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, along with other senior officials. In a post on X, he said, Met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, in New Delhi today as part of our Know BJP initiative. Our discussions focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, where I highlighted our partys ideology, organizational framework, and its role in driving Indias development journey. We also had a detailed discussion on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to deepening our partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations." 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, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 14:19 IST News india Pahalgam, Double Standards On Terror Among Issues Discussed In PM Modi-Rabuka Meet Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistani National, Living In Goa Since 2006, Granted Indian Citizenship Under CAA Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:00 IST Brenden Valentine Crasto, a Christian by faith, migrated to India nearly two decades ago and married Goa-based Merilyn Fernandes in 2014. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who personally congratulated Crasto on getting Indian citizenship. In a significant development under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019, Pakistani national Brenden Valentine Crasto, who has been residing in Anjuna, Goa since 2006, was formally granted Indian citizenship on Monday. The citizenship certificate was handed over to him at a ceremony held at Mantralaya, Porvorim, in the presence of senior state officials. Crasto, a Christian by faith, migrated to India nearly two decades ago and married Goa-based Merilyn Fernandes in 2014. Over the years, he has established his home and livelihood in the coastal state. His application was processed under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which streamline the process for individuals from Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities who entered India from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan before December 31, 2014, to acquire Indian citizenship. Recommended Stories Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who personally congratulated Crasto, lauded the implementation of the Act. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for ensuring the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is being implemented in its true spirit. This is the third case of citizenship granted under CAA in Goa. The Act has given hope and a rightful place in our nation to those who sought refuge here," he said. The ceremony was attended by the Chief Secretary of Goa and Secretary (Home) Chesta Yadav, IAS. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This marks yet another instance of the CAA being applied in Goa, a state that has seen a small but notable number of long-term residents from Pakistan and other neighbouring countries seeking legal status in India. Earlier this year, two Pakistani-origin Christians residing in Margao were also granted citizenship under the same provisions. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, passed by Parliament in December 2019, amends Indias Citizenship Act, 1955. It provides a pathway to Indian nationality for non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who faced religious persecution and entered India before the cut-off date. While the Act has sparked debates nationally, for individuals like Crasto, it represents the end of years of uncertainty and the beginning of a secure future in India. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : Panaji (Panjim, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 17:00 IST News india Pakistani National, Living In Goa Since 2006, Granted Indian Citizenship Under CAA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Himself Wanted Prime Minister's Post Under Bill To Sack Jailed Ministers: Amit Shah Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:46 IST During the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Amit Shah introduced a bill proposing that the PM, CMs, and Ministers be removed from office if they are jailed for over 30 days Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah | File Image Amid the opposition uproar over the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that it was the Prime Minister himself who had insisted on bringing the office of the PM under the aegis of this proposed law. During the recently concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament, Shah introduced a bill proposing that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers be removed from office if they are jailed for over 30 days for serious offences. Recommended Stories The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this Earlier, Indira Gandhi had brought 39th amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from judicial review by Indian courts) Narendra Modi ji has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign," said Amit Shah. In this country today, the number of NDA CMs is more. The PM is also from the NDA. So this bill does not raise questions only for the opposition. This raises questions for our CMs as well There is a provision for bail for 30 days," he added. During the introduction of the bill, the Lok Sabha witnessed protests with the Opposition terming the legislation as unconstitutional", alleging that it was a way for the ruling BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them in jail and destabilise State governments. Referring to the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, Shah asked whether it was fair" for individuals in such constitutional positions to govern from jail. The High Court and Supreme Court have the right to grant bail in any case. If bail is not granted, then you will have to leave the post. I want to ask the people of the country and the Opposition, can a Chief Minister, a Prime Minister or a minister run their government from the jail? Is it appropriate for the democracy of the country," Shah said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Home Minister also lashed out at the Opposition over their protest against the Bill, dismissing their description of it as a Black Bill." He asserted that both he and the BJP completely reject" the notion that the nation cannot be governed without the person" who has been jailed, questioning whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could effectively run the government from behind bars. First Published: August 25, 2025, 10:25 IST News india PM Modi Himself Wanted Prime Minister's Post Under Bill To Sack Jailed Ministers: Amit Shah Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Psephologist Sanjay Kumar Gets SC Relief Over Maharashtra Voter Data Error, FIRs Stayed Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 13:37 IST Supreme Court gave a relief to psephologist Sanjay Kumar whose mistaken poll analysis of the Maharashtra Assembly elections created a political storm. SC gives relief to psephologist Sanjay Kumar (PTI File Image) In a major relief for psephologist Sanjay Kumar, who was at the eye of a political storm over Maharashtra poll analysis figures, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings in the FIRs registered against him by the state police. The Maharashtra Police had filed FIRs against Kumar, also the Co-Director of Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), for a tweet laying out a mistaken analysis of the Maharashtra assembly elections of 2024, Live Law reported. Recommended Stories A bench led by Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, and Justice NV Anjaria halted the proceedings against him in an interim order, while also issuing notice on the writ petition filed by the psephologist, seeking the quashing of all FIRs against him. What Did The Supreme Court Say? Kumar landed in legal trouble recently after two FIRs were registered against him for allegedly spreading false information" and potential election-related violations in Maharashtra. One FIR was lodged in Nagpurs Ramtek, and the other in Nashiks Deolali. During the hearing at the top court, the counsel for the petitioner cited the impeccable integrity" of the psephologist over the years and said that he has already apologised for his mistake. 30 years of conscientious service to the nation and to the world. He is highly respected. It was a mistake. He apologized," the counsel said. You withdrew also", CJI Gavai pointed out. The counsel said, I deleted, I apologized publicly, after that, an FIR!" The top court issued a notice and granted a stay on the FIRs. However, the CJI said, Normally we would not have entertained this." What Was Sanjay Kumars Error? Kumar had claimed that the number of voters in the Nashik West and Hingna Assembly segments rose by 47 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively, between the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 and the Assembly elections in 2025. He also went on to claim that the number of voters declined sharply in Ramtek and Devlali seats by 38 per cent and 36 per cent, respectively. Kumar put out the data which seemed to back the narrative launched by Rahul Gandhi and his Opposition allies regarding vote chori (vote theft) in Maharashtra. However, on August 19, Kumar apologised for the error and deleted the posts. I sincerely apologize for the tweets posted regarding Maharashtra elections. Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our Data team. The tweet has since been removed. I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation," he tweeted. Political Storm The BJP took a sharp dig at Kumar over his apology, labelling him a protege of Yogendra Yadav". Incidentally, when was the last time this protege of Yogendra Yadav ever got anything right? In all his projections in the run-up to every single election, the BJP is supposedly losingand when the reverse happens, he turns up on TV justifying how the BJP won. Convenient," BJP leader Amit Malviya said on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Kumars charges against the Election Commission aligned with the Congress allegations of voter fraud and manipulation of electoral rolls amid the Special Intensive Revision exercise in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls. Rahul Gandhi has unleashed a series of attacks on the Election Commission, alleging that the poll body was working for the ruling BJP. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @Ma... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 13:08 IST News india Psephologist Sanjay Kumar Gets SC Relief Over Maharashtra Voter Data Error, FIRs Stayed Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Kerala Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil Suspended From Party After Sexual Misconduct Allegations Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:22 IST The Congress party suspended Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil after allegations of obscene conduct by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George. Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil (Photo: X) The Congress party on Monday suspended its Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been accused of obscene conduct by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George. Mamkootathil, who faces an internal party inquiry over the allegations, had earlier resigned from the post of state president of the Youth Congress. Recommended Stories On Sunday, the Congress in Kerala said an appropriate decision would be made on Rahul Mamkootathil after discussions among its senior leaders. This came as the party faced mounting pressure from within the party and opponents calling for the resignation of Rahul. Later the same day, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), carried out a protest march in Keralas Palakkad, demanding Mamkootathils resignation. News agency ANI quoted BJP Council Party leader from Kozhikode Corporation in Kerala, Navya Haridas, as saying that there have been several more allegations against Mamkootathil. The Mahila Morcha State President alleged that many women and even transgender persons have levelled sexual harassment complaints against the Palakkad MLA. There are many allegations against the current Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil. Its not a complaint from one woman, there are so many women complaining against him based on sexual harassment," Haridas told ANI. More shocking events are coming when that list includes transgender individuals as well. So, these are not baseless allegations against Rahul, all these allegations are coming with proof, with a chat history, with voice messages and everything." BJP leader V Muraleedharan also demanded Mamkootathils resignation over the allegations. He further alleged that the Congress party is trying to protect the MLA. Actress and model Rini Ann George accused the Congress MLA of sending her offensive messages on multiple occasions and inviting her to a hotel. George stated that when she threatened to inform his party, the leader challenged her to do so. She, however, did not disclose the leaders name or party. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all George claimed she had informed the party leadership about the incident, alleging that wives and daughters of several politicians had faced similar experiences with the leader. ALSO READ | Kerala MLA Faces Fresh Heat As Audio Clip Reveals Threat To Woman 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. First Published: August 25, 2025, 10:07 IST News india Kerala Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil Suspended From Party After Sexual Misconduct Allegations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'We Didn't Kill Based On Religion, But Deeds': Rajnath Singh Hails Op Sindoor Success Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 15:44 IST Rajnath Singh said Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, highlighting how terrorists had killed on the basis of religion in Pahalgam. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (Image: PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the success of Operation Sindoor in May, saying that the Indian Armed Forces gave a befitting reply to Pakistan by hitting targets with precision. Our soldiers did not kill terrorists based on their religion but on the basis of their deeds," Singh said while addressing a programme in Jodhpur. Our forces responded strongly in Operation Sindoor. The target that was decided was hit precisely." Recommended Stories The Defence Minister also said India believes in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" and does not discriminate on the grounds of caste or religion, but the terrorists killed people after identifying their religion during the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 as a military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians. Indian forces carried out targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh later confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) shot down six Pakistani aircraft during Operation Sindoor, including five fighter jets and a high-value surveillance platform, and also struck nine terror camps. He also shared before-after images of Pakistan airbases to show evidence of Indias strikes. In the Parliament, Rajnath Singh had asserted that India will not engage in dialogue with nations that foster terrorism, while criticising Pakistans support for terror groups. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Defence Minister had emphasised that dialogue is only possible with civilised and democratic nations, not those driven by religious fanaticism and hatred towards India. The language of terrorism is fear, blood, and hate, not dialogue," he said in Lok Sabha, adding that the voice of dialogue is suppressed under the firing of bullets." Meanwhile, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has rolled out new modules on Operation Sindoor, presenting it as a military success, a technological breakthrough, and a political message rolled into one." 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 int... Read More Location : Jodhpur, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 15:43 IST News india 'We Didn't Kill Based On Religion, But Deeds': Rajnath Singh Hails Op Sindoor Success Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... SC Pulls Up Samay Raina, Other Comedians For Disability Jokes: Apologise On Social Media Too Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 13:55 IST Supreme Court rapped comedians for "disability jokes" during their shows and mocking differently-abled people and asked them to apologise on their social media handles. SC raps comedians for "insensitive jokes" on differently-abled people (PTI photo) The Supreme Court on Monday rapped several comedians, including Samay Raina, for their insensitive jokes" mocking persons with disabilities in their stand-up shows and asked them to apologise on their social media accounts as well. The top courts remarks came while hearing a plea filed by SMA Cure Foundation, which accused comedians Samay Raina, Vipun Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar for insensitive jokes" for differently abled people. Recommended Stories Apology you tendered before the court, give the same before your social media too," a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi told the comedians. The plea was listed with the cases of Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchlani, who sought clubbing of FIRs against them at different places in connection with Samay Rainas Indias Got Latent controversy. During the course of the hearing, Justice Bagchi observed that the influencers are commercialising speech" and the community should not be utilised to hurt the sentiments of others. Humor is well taken and is a part of life. We laugh at ourselves. But when we start laughing at others and create a breach of sensibilityon a community plane, when humor is generated, it becomes problematic. And this is what so-called influencers of today should bear in mind. They are commercializing speech. The community at large should not be utilized to hurt the sentiments of certain sections. Its not only freedom of speech, its commercial speech," the judge said. The counsel for the comedians informed the court that they have tendered an unconditional apology. Next time tell us how much penalty we should impose on you," Justice Kant asked. We leave it to your lordships. It should go for the benefit of disabled groups," the counsel said. Today its about the disabled, next time it can be women, senior citizens, childrenwhere will this end?" Justice Kant said. Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing for the Foundation, said that the court has sent across a strong message. Good sense has prevailed (on the comedians), all have apologized. Your lordships have sent a strong message and it has gone home. They have apologized. My suggestion is let the comedians spread awareness about the issue. Let them use their influence to take this issue forward. That would be the best apology," she said. To this, counsel for comedians said that they would carry out activities". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Go apologize on your podcasts, etc. Then consider what Ms. Aparajita has suggested. Then tell us about cost/penalty you are willing to bear," the court told the comedians. The court order said that the counsel for the respondent undertakes that each one of them will post an apology on their YouTube channel, etc. About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 11:30 IST News india SC Pulls Up Samay Raina, Other Comedians For Disability Jokes: Apologise On Social Media Too Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... School Lecturer In Jodhpur Sets Self, Daughter On Fire; Suicide Note Points To Dowry Abuse Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:53 IST A woman set herself ablaze along with her three-year-old daughter alleging dowry harassment by husband, in-laws, and Ganpat Singh. FIR registered, probe ongoing. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Representative Image After a woman was set on fire by her in-laws and husband in Greater Noida over the dowry demand, a school lecturer in Rajasthans Jodhpur district set herself ablaze along with her three-year-old daughter on Friday. The child, Yashasvi, died on the spot, while her mother, Sanju Bishnoi, succumbed to her injuries during treatment on Saturday morning. Police said they recovered a purported suicide note in which she alleged harassment by her husband and in-laws over dowry. Recommended Stories Bishnoi came back from her school on Friday afternoon, sat on a chair and poured petrol on herself and her daughter before setting themselves on fire at their home in Sarnada village of Dangiyawas police station area, police said. Neither the husband nor her in-laws were present in the house while the woman and her daughter were engulfed in flames, NDTV reported. Neighbours alerted the police and family members after noticing smoke coming from the house. By the time help arrived, very little could be done to save them. After Bishnois death on Saturday, a dispute arose between her parents and her in-laws over her body. After the post-mortem, the bodies were handed over to the family, and the mother and daughter were cremated together. The womans parents, from Fitkasni village of Jodhpur district, have accused their son-in-law, Dilip Bishnoi, his mother and father of harassing their daughter and inciting her to die by suicide. An FIR has been registered against the husband and in-laws after her father, Omaram Bishnoi, lodged a complaint accusing his son-in-law of harassment and abetment to suicide. The police have collected evidence from the spot with the help of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team, and during their investigation, found a suicide note. Her mobile phone has also been seized. In her suicide note, the woman alleged that she was harassed by her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and sister-in-law, along with a man named Ganpat Singh, according to NDTV. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police are trying to find out about the man. According to sources, Ganpat Singh and the womans husband used to harass her together physically. This incident follows the case of Nikki, who was allegedly set on fire by her husband over a dowry demand on August 21 and died the same day while being shifted from Noidas Fortis Hospital to Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi. Location : Jodhpur, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:53 IST News india School Lecturer In Jodhpur Sets Self, Daughter On Fire; Suicide Note Points To Dowry Abuse Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Speed Up': Fadnavis Pulls Up Officials For Slow Execution Of Amrut 2.0 Projects, Say Sources Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 11:56 IST According to senior officials present at a meeting, Devendra Fadnavis set a strict deadline of March 31, 2026, for the completion of all pending Amrut 2.0 projects in Maharashtra. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (PTI File) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has come down heavily on the Urban Development Department for the sluggish pace of flagship projects under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (Amrut 2.0). Chairing a high-level review meeting at Sahyadri Guest House on Friday, Fadnavis expressed sharp displeasure at the lack of progress despite the Centre releasing nearly Rs 9,000 crore for the scheme. The Urban Development Department is currently overseen by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Notably, Shinde did not attend Fridays meeting, which added to speculation about growing strains within the states top leadership. However, senior officials clarified to reporters that the Chief Ministers criticism was directed at the bureaucracy for implementation delays, not at Shinde personally. According to senior officials present at the meeting, Fadnavis set a strict deadline of March 31, 2026, for the completion of all pending Amrut 2.0 projects. The pace of work is unacceptable. Citizens cannot wait indefinitely when funds are already available," Fadnavis is learned to have told officials. He ordered that every project be executed in mission mode" and directed officers to fast-track administrative approvals, land clearances, and coordination with municipal bodies. Launched by the Union Government in 2021, Amrut 2.0 is aimed at improving water supply, sanitation, green spaces, and urban lake revival in cities across India. Maharashtra was sanctioned more than Rs 9,000 crore under the scheme. Officials say only a fraction of projects have moved beyond the approval stage, triggering the Chief Ministers frustration. Recommended Stories While urban development dominated the discussion, the meeting dubbed a war room review by the CMO also covered other priority sectors. Health infrastructure was a key focus. Fadnavis directed the Health Department to speed up the establishment of Health and Wellness Centres under the National Health Mission. He also instructed officials to carry out a manpower assessment for doctors, nurses, and paramedics to meet future demand. Nursing colleges, the CM emphasised, should only receive recognition after thorough checks of their infrastructure. We cannot compromise on the quality of medical education or healthcare delivery," he told health officials, according to those present. A new policy to expedite staffing in newly built centres is also under consideration. Sources in Mantralaya say Fadnaviss intervention reflects his growing impatience with slow-moving files, particularly on schemes that carry both financial weight and political visibility. With the clock ticking toward March 2026, the CMs message to the bureaucracy was blunt: delays will not be tolerated." The Chief Minister is also believed to have conveyed to senior secretaries that Maharashtra must avoid the embarrassment of surrendering central funds due to non-utilisation. These projects can transform urban life better water supply, cleaner cities, restored lakes. The state cannot afford lethargy," one official quoted him as saying. Although Deputy CM Eknath Shinde heads the Urban Development Department, his absence from the crucial review meeting has drawn attention. While officials insist that the CMs ire was not aimed at his deputy, political circles in Mumbai are reading it as a sign of underlying friction within the Mahayuti government. Both leaders, however, have publicly maintained that governance remains their priority. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With clear deadlines now set, officials in the Urban Development Department will have to show tangible progress within months. The coming weeks will be critical to see whether Fadnavis push translates into speedier on-ground execution of Amrut 2.0 projects and related urban upgrades. We did try to reach out to Deputy CM Eknath Shinde regarding this issue but there was no reply as calls went unanswered. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 11:54 IST News india 'Speed Up': Fadnavis Pulls Up Officials For Slow Execution Of Amrut 2.0 Projects, Say Sources Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'They Are Like...': Child Kathavachak Abhinav Arora Reacts To Rambhadracharya-Premanand Maharaj Feud Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:24 IST The dispute over Premanand Maharaj deepens as Abhinav Arora urges peace among saints, following sharp remarks by Rambhadracharyaji Maharaj that sparked outrage in the community Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Abhinav Arora says he sees divine qualities in both Rambhadracharya and Premanand Maharaj. The controversy between saints over remarks on revered figure Premanand Maharaj continues to deepen, drawing sharp reactions from across the spiritual community. Now, 10-year-old Kathavachak (spiritual content creator) Abhinav Arora has entered the debate, appealing for peace and respect among the saints while also making remarks that have stirred fresh discussion. Speaking to News18, Abhinav Arora said he does not wish to take sides. I am too young to comment on any saint. Especially on such great saints but I believe that there should not be any dispute between saints. Whether it is Rambhadracharya ji Maharaj or Premanand Maharaj. Both are great saints. Both are walking pilgrimages," he said. Recommended Stories However, Abhinav also added a pointed observation, It is a sin to comment on any Mahasangh (grand federation). That is, you must have already known what he was hinting at." Abhinav Arora described his reverence for both saints, saying, I see Lord Rama in Rambhadracharya ji and Kishori ji (an alias for Goddess Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna) in Premanand Maharaj ji. I bow down to both the Maharajas. Saints are mellow. Personally, I never have any animosity towards saints. He did scold me but I enjoyed it. Just a few days ago, he said that you are like my grandson. He also fed me laddus." According to him, even rebukes from saints come with affection. When he scolded me, I did not feel bad, rather I felt good, such a great God-like saint scold me. There was a feeling of love and compassion in his scolding," he explained. He further suggested that the controversy itself might carry a deeper spiritual design. There may be some leela (divine play) behind this entire comment. I pray to all the people with folded hands that why condemn the saints. Why become a partner in this sin by doing so. Do not use words for any Mahasangh. If you comment on Premanand Maharaj and condemn him, then you will be left behind, he is the form of Kishori Ji himself. No matter who it is, do not do this." How The Dispute Began The storm was triggered by a viral video of Jagadguru Rambhadracharyaji Maharaj during a YouTube interview. When asked about the miracles associated with Premanand Maharaj, Rambhadracharyaji dismissed them sharply. Premanand Maharaj is neither a scholar nor is he miraculous. Premanand is a child-like saint," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He went further, challenging the saints knowledge, If he has the ability, then he should speak a single letter of Sanskrit in front of me or explain the meaning of a shloka." These comments sparked outrage across social media. Several users accused Rambhadracharyaji of arrogance, while others defended Premanand Maharaj as a deeply revered figure. The saint community too has expressed strong displeasure, calling for respectful conduct. First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:24 IST News india 'They Are Like...': Child Kathavachak Abhinav Arora Reacts To Rambhadracharya-Premanand Maharaj Feud Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Tripura Woman Tied, Hair Cut In Public Over Affair Suspicion; BJP Leaders Accused Of Instigating Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:05 IST A group of women allegedly tied the woman's hands and feet and chopped off her hair in public amid a mob attack in Tripura's Gomati district over extramarital allegations. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Representative image In a disturbing incident, a woman was tied and her hair was chopped off in full public view in the Udaipur area of Tripuras Gomati district after she was accused of having an extramarital affair, according to reports. A group of women allegedly tied Purnima Das hands and feet and chopped off her hair in public, while local residents kept recording the video instead of intervening. The incident was allegedly instigated by BJP booth president Nitai Dutta and local BJP leader Seema Begum, according to the Times of India. Recommended Stories According to witnesses, both leaders led the mob to the victims house and openly mocked Purnima Das while she was being tortured. The victims husband, Swapan Das, and his parents also did not oppose the mob attack. The villagers claimed that Purnimas humiliation was carried out to teach her a lesson" over a previous family dispute involving allegations of extramarital relations. The disturbing video surfaced on social media, drawing widespread outrage. According to the TOI report, civil society groups demanded immediate action against those responsible for the incident, describing the act as a medieval barbarity", but the police reportedly booked the relatives of the victim woman, while no action was taken against the mob. The victims husband was taken to the police station on Sunday. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In a separate incident, a woman was allegedly gang-raped by two of her neighbours in a moving car in Tripuras Gomati district. The two accused, identified as Mithun Debnath (24) and Bower Debbarma (24) of Maharani, have been arrested. The woman, accompanied by two of her neighbours, went to Tripureswari temple on Thursday evening. After visiting the temple, two boys took her to Udaipur railway station in a car. On the way, Mithun and Bower raped her in the moving vehicle", officer-in-charge of RK Pur women police station, Nibha Sinha, told news agency PTI. 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 int... Read More Location : Udaipur, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 17:05 IST News india Tripura Woman Tied, Hair Cut In Public Over Affair Suspicion; BJP Leaders Accused Of Instigating Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... German businessman John Rabe, together with some other foreigners, helped save over 200,000 Chinese lives during the Nanjing Massacre, one of the darkest chapters of WWII. His diaries became vital evidence of the atrocities committed by invading Japanese troops. Who was Rabe and why does his legacy still matter today? Watch documentary: "Echoes of History: The Good Man of Nanjing." 'We're Not Going To Spare Terrorists, World Saw How We Avenged Pahalgam': PM Modi In Gujarat Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 19:10 IST PM Modi said that India is being empowered by walking on the path shown by Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi (Photo: YouTube/NarendraModi) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned terrorists, saying they can hide anywhere, but will not be spared, while highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor. The Prime Minister said, We are not going to spare terrorists and their masters. They can hide anywhere. The world has seen how we avenged the Pahalgam attack." Recommended Stories Addressing an event in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said that India is being empowered by walking on the path shown by Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi. This land of Gujarat is the land of two Mohans. One is Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan, our Dwarkadish Shri Krishna and the other, Charkhadhari Mohan, Sabarmatis saint Pujya Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi). India is continuously becoming stronger by following the path shown by these two. Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan has taught us how to protect the country and society. He made the Sudarshan Chakra a shield of justice and security, which finds and punishes the enemy. Today, the country is experiencing the same feeling in Indias decisions. Not just the country, the world is experiencing it," he added. India carried out a strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor on May 7, two weeks after the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack. The Prime Minister also expressed condolences to families affected by the monsoon fury across the country. In this monsoon season, there are heavy rains in many areas of Gujarat. The way cloudbursts are happening one after the other in the country, it becomes difficult to control oneself when we see the devastation. I express my condolences to all the affected families. This fury of nature has become a challenge for the entire human race, the entire world, the entire country. The central government, along with all the state governments, is engaged in relief and rescue work," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After reaching Ahmedabad, the PM held a roadshow that drew a huge crowd. There is a great enthusiasm for Ganesh Utsav across the country. With the blessings of Ganpati Bappa, several development projects in Gujarat have been inaugurated today. I consider it my good fortune to have the opportunity to dedicate these projects to the people of the nation," PM Modi said. Location : Gandhinagar, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:51 IST News india 'We're Not Going To Spare Terrorists, World Saw How We Avenged Pahalgam': PM Modi In Gujarat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Where's That Morality?': Amit Shah Recalls Rahul Gandhi's Ordinance-Tearing Amid PM-CM Bill Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:09 IST Amit Shah recalled the 2013 episode when Rahul Gandhi tore down an ordinance cleared by the UPA, which gave convicted lawmakers a three-month reprieve to retain their seats Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Image: PTI) Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi while responding to the oppositions protest against the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, asking whether the opposition leader has shifted his morality after losing consecutive elections. Shah recalled the 2013 episode when Rahul Gandhi had torn an ordinance pushed by PM Manmohan Singh to shield Lalu Prasad Yadav, drawing a contrast with his present opposition to the bill that seeks disqualification of the PM, CMs, and Ministers jailed for over 30 days. Recommended Stories What was the justification of Rahul Gandhi for tearing the ordinance brought by Manmohan Singh to save Lalu Yadav? If there was morality that day, then is it not there today because you have lost three consecutive elections?" Shah told news agency ANI. The Home Minister accused the Congress of adopting double standards, asserting that the party was opposing the amendment not on principle but due to political setbacks. Referring to the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 which proposes disqualifying any tainted Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister Shah asked whether it was fair" for individuals in such constitutional positions to govern from jail. In this country today, the number of NDA CMs is more. The PM is also from the NDA. So this bill does not raise questions only for the opposition. This raises questions for our CMs as well There is a provision for bail for 30 days. If it is a fake type of case, then the countrys High Court and Supreme Court are not sitting with their eyes closed," Shah remarked. #WATCH | On oppositions allegations and criticism of 130th Amendment Bill, Union HM Amit Shah says, In this country today, the number of NDA CMs is more. The PM is also from the NDA. So this bill does not raise questions only for the opposition. This raises questions for our pic.twitter.com/k8nmT81crK ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 The High Court and Supreme Court have the right to grant bail in any case. If bail is not granted, then you will have to leave the post. I want to ask the people of the country and the Opposition, can a Chief Minister, a Prime Minister or a minister run their government from the jail? Is it appropriate for the democracy of the country," he added. Amit Shah On Bills Passage Shah expressed confidence that the Bill would be passed in Parliament, asserting that several opposition MPs would uphold the moral ground" when it comes to voting. I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain the moral ground," Shah said. By invoking the decade-old incident when Rahul Gandhi publicly opposed his UPA governments ordinance which sought to protect convicted lawmakers from immediate disqualification Shah attempted to corner the Congress on the issue of political ethics. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The ordinance in question had faced widespread criticism at the time, with Rahul Gandhi dramatically rejecting it at a press conference, calling it complete nonsense." His move was seen as a public rebuke to then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs cabinet. 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 (De... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:52 IST News india 'Where's That Morality?': Amit Shah Recalls Rahul Gandhi's Ordinance-Tearing Amid PM-CM Bill Row Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Why The Monsoon Ban On Fishing Opens A Secret Window For Crab Hunters Curated By : Local18 Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 15:26 IST Government rules prohibit large-scale fishing during Monsoon. But nature offers a loophole of sorts. During a short break in the rains, sea crabs crawl closer to the shore. A Celebration of Salt, Sea, and Tradition That Lives Only for a Few Days Each August Every August, the normally quiet beaches of Gokarna in Karnataka come alive with a peculiar sight. Dozens of people stand along the shore, their hands gripping nylon lines, their eyes scanning the restless waves. One by one, they cast their lines into the water, waiting patiently for the tug that signals success. This is no ordinary fishing expedition, it is Jaale Shikari, the age-old tradition of crab hunting that takes over Ramatirtha, Kudle, and other beaches along this stretch of Karnatakas coast. Recommended Stories Tradition in a Monsoon Window The monsoon brings a pause to conventional fishing activities. Government rules prohibit large-scale fishing during this season to allow marine life to replenish. But nature offers a loophole of sorts. In August, during a short break in the rains, sea crabs crawl closer to the shore. Locals, especially from the Halakki Vokkaliga community, seize the opportunity to carry forward a practice that is as cultural as it is practical. The crab hunt has been part of their lives for generations, blending sustenance with community bonding. The Craft of Crab Catching The technique is ingenious in its simplicity. A stone is tied to a long nylon thread to keep it steady against the pull of the sea. A small net is wrapped around a piece of fish, which serves as bait. Once cast into the water, the setup lies in wait until a crab latches onto the offering. The hunter then reels in the line, carefully untangles the crab from the net, and adds it to the growing collection. The process repeats until buckets begin to fill and the days haul is ready to be taken home. Food, Festivity, and Finance The crabs are destined for kitchens where they are transformed into delicacies that define coastal cuisine. Curries, fries, and soups prepared from fresh crabs are considered a seasonal treat, and their popularity has pushed demand sky-high. This year, crabs fetched between Rs 250 and Rs 300 per kilogram, a small but meaningful source of income for families. For youngsters, the hunt is also a recreational activity. Groups spend entire days at the shore, sharing snacks, swapping stories, and reveling in the joy of both competition and companionship. More Than a Catch The beaches themselves become meeting grounds during Jaale Shikari. Relatives who may not have met for months find themselves side by side with fishing lines, laughing at failed attempts or boasting about large catches. For many, the event is less about the money earned and more about the sense of belonging it creates. Children watch, learn, and sometimes try their own hands at the practice, ensuring that the tradition passes on to another generation. A Seasonal Celebration top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For visitors, the sight is nothing short of remarkable. Instead of the usual tourist activities of sunbathing and swimming, Gokarnas monsoon beaches showcase a community knit tightly by sea and sustenance. The air smells of salt and wet earth, the waves crash with rhythmic certainty, and scattered across the sand are clusters of people living a tradition that bridges past and present. Jaale Shikari is not just a way of catching crabs; it is a way of keeping alive a coastal culture that thrives even when the rains dictate otherwise. 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, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 15:25 IST News india Why The Monsoon Ban On Fishing Opens A Secret Window For Crab Hunters Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... No Matter How Much Pressure Comes: PM Modi's Message Ahead Of Trump Tariff Deadline Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 08:16 IST Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on India and an additional unspecified penalty over the sale and purchase of Russian oil. Without naming the US, the Prime Minister pointed towards the politics driven by economic self-interest in the world (Photo: YouTube/NarendraModi) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday gave a subtle message to US President Donald Trump as both countries negotiate a trade deal, saying his government will not allow any harm to come to small entrepreneurs, farmers, and cattle rearers. He affirmed that, irrespective of incoming pressure", India will bear it and keep increasing its strength. Recommended Stories Without naming the US that has imposed 50% tariffs on India, the Prime Minister pointed towards the politics driven by economic self-interest in the world. All of you are witnessing the kind of politics driven by economic self-interest that is happening in the world today. From this land of Ahmedabad, I would like to say to my small entrepreneurs, to the shopkeepers, to the farmers and cattle rearers. For Modi, your interest is paramount. My government will not allow any harm to come to small entrepreneurs, to farmers, or to cattle rearers. No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand," PM Modi said. #WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Today in the world, everyone is busy doing politics based on economic interests. From this land of Ahmedabad, I will tell my small entrepreneurs, my small shopkeeper brothers and sisters, my farmer brothers and pic.twitter.com/aYGcdyiEPs ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on India and an additional unspecified penalty on the sale and purchase of Russian oil. India has dubbed Trumps tariffs announcement as unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." In another event on August 7, the Prime Minister said he is ready to pay a heavy price", underscoring that India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. For us, the interest of our farmers is our top priority. India will never compromise on the interests of farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers. I know personally, I will have to pay a heavy price for it, but I am ready for it. Today, India is ready for the countrys farmers, fishermen and dairy farmers," he had said. India Calls Out Wests Double Standards On Russia While the US continues to criticise India over its Russia ties, two top Indian officials National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have recently visited Moscow to boost the bilateral relationship. PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin have held two telephonic conversations in a month. During a press briefing in Moscow, Jaishankar had said the US asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilise the world energy market. He also highlighted that the European Union is the biggest purchaser of Russian LNG. We are not the country that has the biggest trade surge with Russia after 2022; I think there are some countries to the South. We are a country where the Americans have said for the last few years that we should do everything to stabilise the world energy market, including buying oil from Russia. Incidentally, we also buy oil from the US, and that amount has increased," he had said. Jaishankar also informed that negotiations are still going on between Washington and New Delhi. Negotiations (India-US trade negotiations) are still going on. But the bottom line is we have some red lines. Negotiations are still going on in the sense that nobody said the negotiations are off. People do talk to each other. Its not like theres a kutti there Where we are concerned, the red lines are primarily the interests of our farmers and, to some extent, of our small producers," he said at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025. #WATCH | Delhi: At The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, Negotiations (India-US trade negotiations) are still going on. But the bottom line is we have some red lines. Negotiations are still going on in the sense that nobody said the negotiations pic.twitter.com/deCHoeDSrx ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Commenting on Trumps policies, Jaishankar recently said, Weve not had a US President whos conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one. That itself is a departure thats not limited to India President Trumps way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, is a very major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so." (with inputs from agencies) 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 First Published: August 25, 2025, 19:06 IST News india No Matter How Much Pressure Comes: PM Modi's Message Ahead Of Trump Tariff Deadline Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Alaya F Shows Why Yoga Is Her Superpower Through Advanced Arm Balances Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:52 IST Alaya F demonstrated superb flexibility and core strength as she performed three advanced yoga poses on just two blocks. Alaya F performed the Pendant Pose, Crow Pose, and Firefly Pose. For Bollywoods fitness enthusiasts, Alaya F has fast become the name to watch. Unlike many young stars who stick to one routine, the actress constantly experiments be it yoga, Pilates, or strength training. Her Instagram is a dynamic showcase of this discipline, often filled with high-intensity snippets that inspire fans to rethink their own fitness journeys. In her latest reel, Alaya pushed boundaries once again by performing a sequence of advanced arm-balancing yoga poses on just two blocks. Sharing her fitness video, Alaya F wrote, Three poses, two blocks, one focused Alaya." Recommended Stories The caption perfectly summed up her sequence, which highlighted not only her physical strength and flexibility but also her calm determination. Take a look at the video here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ALAYA F (@alayaf) Pendant Pose: Strength in Stillness Alaya began with a variation of the Pendant Pose (Lolasana). Seated cross-legged, she pressed her palms into the yoga blocks and lifted her entire body off the ground. The posture, deceptively simple in appearance, demanded immense core engagement and arm strength, along with steady shoulders. Crow Pose: Trusting Balance Next came the Crow Pose (Bakasana). Balancing her knees on her upper arms, Alaya leaned forward and lifted her feet gracefully, this time perched on yoga blocks for added difficulty. The pose not only strengthened her wrists and core but also showcased mental focus, since even a small slip could send her tumbling forward. Firefly Pose: A True Test of Control top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all She concluded with Firefly Pose (Tittibhasana), one of yogas most challenging balances. With her legs extended outward and her torso supported entirely by her arms, Alaya displayed exceptional flexibility and core strength. What set this fitness reel apart was the poise with which Alaya approached each posture. No signs of strain, only calm determination. For her followers, it was more than just a workout. It was a reminder that discipline and consistency can turn even the hardest poses into second nature. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 14:52 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness Alaya F Shows Why Yoga Is Her Superpower Through Advanced Arm Balances What's The Best Time And Method To Remove Pubic Hair? This Is What Dermatologists Say Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 08:51 IST Find out how often to remove pubic hair and learn the safest methods, with expert advice from dermatologists to avoid irritation and stay healthy. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Removing pubic hair weekly, or multiple times a week, can potentially lead to skin irritation, small cuts, or infections. (News18) In the modern age, hygiene and grooming routines are widely discussed. Individuals are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of personal hygiene. Many are attentive to body cleanliness and use a variety of products to maintain it. Ensuring cleanliness in the intimate area is particularly important for overall health. While pubic hair serves a protective function, helping to shield the body from bacteria and infections, excessive hair or a build-up of dirt can result in irritation and infections. Therefore, regular cleaning of the pubic area is essential. However, its equally important to be mindful of the correct methods of hair removal, as improper techniques can lead to complications. Recommended Stories How Often Should You Remove Pubic Hair? Dr Yugal Rajput, a dermatologist at GSVM Medical College in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, told News18 that the frequency of pubic hair grooming largely depends on personal preference. Some individuals opt to clean or trim their pubic hair weekly, while others may go several months without doing so. There is no strict rule or scientific guideline regarding how often it should be done. If pubic hair causes discomfort, it is acceptable to trim or remove it once a month. However, doing so weekly, or multiple times per week, can potentially lead to skin irritation, small cuts, or infections. It is advisable to determine a grooming schedule based on your own bodys needs and comfort. Methods Of Pubic Hair Removal According to Dr Rajput, the main options for removing pubic hair include waxing, shaving, and hair removal creams: Waxing: It removes hair from the root and delays regrowth, but it can be quite painful and may lead to complications in sensitive areas. It removes hair from the root and delays regrowth, but it can be quite painful and may lead to complications in sensitive areas. Shaving: It is considered safer and can easily be done at home, although care must be taken to avoid cuts. It is considered safer and can easily be done at home, although care must be taken to avoid cuts. Hair removal creams: These are a painless alternative, but since they contain chemicals, they may cause skin irritation. Always perform a patch test before using any cream in the intimate area. A Personal Decision top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Health professionals stress that the decision to remove pubic hair is entirely personal. Some people feel cleaner and more comfortable with hair removal, while others prefer to leave it natural. Medical experts confirm that removing pubic hair is not medically necessary. However, if it leads to irritation, unpleasant odours, or skin issues, hair removal might be beneficial. It is also important to note that if you suffer from any skin conditions or infections, you should consult a healthcare professional before attempting to remove pubic hair. First Published: August 25, 2025, 08:51 IST News lifestyle health-and-fitness What's The Best Time And Method To Remove Pubic Hair? This Is What Dermatologists Say Indian Ink | Sergio Gor To The Fore: Great Opportunity For Improving India-US Ties Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:14 IST India should be prepared as Sergio Gor's appointment is crucial to India's interests. As part of Donald Trump's trusted inner circle, he wields considerable influence in Washington US President Donald Trump has described ambassador-designate Sergio Gor as a "great friend" and someone he can "fully trust to deliver on my agenda". (Image: Reuters/File) The announcement by US President Donald J Trump of Sergio Gor as Americas ambassador to India is good news. Indeed, it could not have come at a better time because India-US ties, once supposed to shoot up sky-high, seem to be close to their all-time nadir. But are things so bad? I think not. If we change our perspective, choosing pragmatism over sentiment, the picture may become clearer. Let us focus on the opportunities rather than the problems in our relationship. Speaking of Ambassador-designate Gor, he is a young man, not yet forty. As the next occupant of Roosevelt House in Indias capital, he follows in the wake of popular, distinguished, and influential predecessors including, among others, Chester Bowles, who served twice, John Kenneth Galbraith, Daniel P Moynihan, and more recently, Richard R Verma, and Kenneth I Juster. But what is more, Gor also holds additional charge as Trumps Special Envoy on South and Central Asian Affairs. Recommended Stories No need for alarm bells. This does not mean an automatic re-hyphenation of India and Pakistan in US eyes. And, yes, let us accept that the US will continue to play a key role in the region. We need not jump the gun, with the knee-jerk or premature red flag waving of the tired old anti-American rhetoric of neo-colonialism" or interference." India, both as a state and civilization, not to mention the largest democracy and most populous nation on earth, as well as a significant military and economic power, is more than capable of standing on its own. The US knows this and is keen to conserve, even enhance, the Indo-American partnership, not downgrade or even end it, as alarmists have been screaming. Indeed, as far as the Indian political class is concerned, we might even go to the extent of calling President Trump the uniter in chief." Left, right, or centre, every political party or leader has made common cause when it comes to India standing firm against Americas perceived strong-arm tactics. This is quite ironic because Indias many politicians and parties rarely agree on anything. Having said this, it is rather rich for Gors Chinese counterpart Xu Feihong, calling the US out as bully" for using tariffs as a bargaining chip to demand exorbitant prices." Chinas crying wolf after over a decade of wolf-warrior foreign policy-fare sounds hollow at best, if not outright hypocritical. The world knows China to be a regional bully for decades, with border disputes with dozens of countries, many of which are still simmering. The one with India, one of its most serious, is still very far from being settled. I bring up China because it is the worlds second, aspiring to be the first, superpower. It has openly stated its intention of displacing the US as the global hegemon. India should clearly indicate that it has no intention of helping China displace the US. Sadly, for us, China enjoys a huge trade surplus with India, close to $100 billion per year. With the US, on the other hand, it is India which has a surplus of $40 billion. Let us also not forget too quickly that China openly supported Pakistan during our recent conflict with our belligerent neighbour, Pakistan. Therefore, if both the US and China, using Pakistan as a cats paw, collaborate, India would be the greater loser. The other key player in this complex geo-strategic chessboard is, of course, Russia. Trump will try to wean away Russia from its much too-close proximity with the fire-breathing dragon, which has supported its war in Ukraine. As indeed has India, albeit indirectly, by huge imports of cheap Russian crude. Clearly, Trump wishes to reorder and recalibrate the major power status quo. Gor will be expected to carry out his mandate, if necessary, by acting, in addition to talking tough when it comes to the subcontinent. India should be prepared. For, Gors appointment is crucial to Indias interests. As part of Trumps trusted inner circle, he wields considerable influence in Washington DC. This is Indias opportunity to mend fences with the US by receiving Ambassador Gor with the warmest welcome, according him the highest level of Indian cultural, in addition to political, strategic, and economic, hospitality. Gors appointment awaits confirmation by the US Senate, which is expected to take at least a couple of months. That should give the mandarins in the Indian government enough time to find the best way to assess, approach, and take advantage of his appointment. The timing of Gors announcement, interestingly, coincides with Indias hiring of the lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs, led by former Senator David Vitter. Vitter is seen as a friend of India. The cost of $75,000 per month for an initial three-month contract may be well-worth it. This is also, to my mind, a welcome acknowledgement that India might have somewhere or somehow been less than successful in conveying its point of view to Washington. Here, we need to learn from Pakistan, which outspends us many times when it comes to paying for influence in the U.S. capital. Naysayers who cavil over Gors lack of diplomatic expertise should remember that US ambassadorial appointments, unlike ours, are political rather than bureaucratic. If Gor enjoys Trumps confidence, which he clearly does, we must assume that whatever knowledge or experience deficit he may have in the region, he will try to make up for quickly by being a fast-track learner and impressive decision maker. India must, in turn, quickly calculate, calibrate, and convey all the advantages that accrue to the US from the Indo-American partnership, both past and present, in addition to making future projections and promises. The best deals are those in which we think first how we can benefit others before worrying too much about how they can benefit us. As to all the anti-Trump social media influencers and champions of Indias greatness, let me just say that certainly we have as much, even more, to learn from others as we may boast that we have to teach them. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all May I suggest, by way of preparation, that we begin by reading President Trumps 1987 bestseller, Trump: Art of the Deal? (The writer is an author, columnist, and former director of Indian Institute of Advanced Study. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views) First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:14 IST News opinion Indian Ink | Sergio Gor To The Fore: Great Opportunity For Improving India-US Ties Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | An Indian On The Moon In 2040: Declaring Viksit Bharat To The Universe Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:44 IST The announcement from the Moon in 2040 will be a prelude, a thunderous declaration that Bharat has arrived Indias space journey is not a post-independence miracle alone, it is the continuation of a civilisational quest. When Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh proclaimed that an Indian would announce Viksit Bharat 2047 from the surface of the Moon in 2040, he was not merely speaking as a technocrat. He was articulating the dream of a civilisation that has endured centuries of colonial humiliation and is now reclaiming its rightful place among the great powers of the world. The symbolism is unmistakable: Bharat, once reduced to poverty by colonial plunder, will stand tall on the Moon and tell the world that its civilisational rise is complete. For long, Indias scientific achievements were downplayed by the Nehruvian socialist model that saw space as a niche pursuit, disconnected from national pride. Today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the ideological backbone of the RSS vision of cultural nationalism, space exploration has become inseparable from the idea of Viksit Bharat. It is no coincidence that Modi declared August 23, the day Chandrayaan-3 made India the first to land near the Moons south pole, as National Space Day. Space is not just about science; it is about civilisational assertion. Recommended Stories From Aryabhatta To Viksit Bharat: A Hindu Civilisational Journey Indias space journey is not a post-independence miracle alone; it is the continuation of a civilisational quest. Our ancestors gave the world astronomy, mathematics, and cosmology. Aryabhatta calculated planetary motions, Bhaskaracharya anticipated the principles of gravity centuries before Newton, and the Vedas themselves spoke of multiple worlds and cosmic order. The RSS has long emphasised that Bharats rise in modern times is not an imitation of the West but a revival of its ancient strengths. That is why the theme Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities" resonates so deeply. The Indian astronaut planting the tricolour on the Moon in 2040 will not just represent ISROs success, it will symbolise 5,000 years of Sanatan civilisational continuity breaking free of colonial chains. Modi Era: Breaking The Shackles Of Dependency It was under Prime Minister Modi that Indias space programme moved from low-key achievements to a national mission of pride. From Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) to Chandrayaan-3, each success has been celebrated not just as scientific but as civilisational milestones. Modis insistence on integrating space applications into governance agriculture, disaster management, infrastructure was a departure from earlier regimes that treated space as symbolic rather than strategic. The 15-year roadmap unveiled by Dr Jitendra Singh, with over 100 satellites planned 70 per cent of them private sector-driven marks a new chapter. It reflects the BJPs belief in unleashing Indias entrepreneurial spirit, rather than trapping innovation in socialist bureaucracy. Hundreds of start-ups, many run by young innovators, are today developing propulsion systems, satellites, and interplanetary technologies. This is the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision at work: a confident nation shaping its own destiny. Why The Moon Matters: Symbolism of National Power The Left-liberal establishment often scoffs at symbolism. But as history shows, symbolism defines nations. When Neil Armstrong stepped on the Moon, it was not about science alone, it was Americas declaration of Cold War supremacy. When China put its taikonauts in orbit, it was about projecting power. For Bharat, announcing Viksit Bharat 2047 from the Moon will be more than symbolism. It will be an act of civilisational justice. It will show that a nation once labelled third world" by colonial powers is now capable of sending its sons and daughters to the Moon. It will inspire millions of young Indians to believe that their future is limitless. It will signal to the West that India will no longer play catch-up; it will lead. RSS Vision: Science Rooted In Nationalism Dr Hedgewar and Guruji Golwalkar, the visionaries of the RSS, always insisted that Bharats progress must be rooted in swabhiman (self-respect) and civilisational identity. Space exploration under the BJP regime has followed this principle: not a mimicry of Western powers, but a nationalist project. National Space Day, with its focus on student innovators and hackathons, represents the RSS ideal of nurturing young minds with pride in their heritage and confidence in modern science. The Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon with over 61,000 participants and the ISRO Robotics Challenge on Mars navigation are all manifestations of a nation preparing its youth not just to consume technology, but to create it. Roadmap To 2040: A Nation In Motion The milestones laid out are ambitious, yet achievable: 2025: Human-robot mission Vayumitra 2027: Human spaceflight under Gaganyaan 2028: Chandramitra lunar mission 2035: Bharat Antariksh Station Indias space station 2040: Indian astronaut on the Moon Each of these is not an isolated event but a stepping stone towards the grand civilisational announcement in 2040. Unlike the reckless Cold War race, Indias approach is methodical, sustainable, and deeply tied to national welfare disaster management, smart cities, water security, and agriculture. A Message To The Universe: Bharat Has Arrived When that Indian astronaut speaks from the Moon, it will echo far beyond Earth. It will proclaim to the world that Bharat, once chained under colonialism, has broken free and now shapes humanitys destiny. It will affirm that the civilisation that gave the world zero, Ayurveda, and the concept of infinity is now conquering infinity itself. And it will also send a message to every Indian child: that their civilisation is not destined for mediocrity, but for greatness. That message will be more powerful than any textbook or policy. Conclusion: Towards Viksit Bharat In 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence, the vision of Viksit Bharat will not be an abstract slogan; it will be a reality powered by science, technology, entrepreneurship, and above all, civilisational confidence. The announcement from the Moon in 2040 will be a prelude, a thunderous declaration that Bharat has arrived. The RSS-BJP vision of national resurgence is not just about economic growth but about restoring civilisational pride. From Aryabhatta to Chandrayaan, from colonial subjugation to lunar leadership, the story is clear: Bharat is rising not as a follower, but as a leader of humanity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the words of Dr Jitendra Singh, Indias achievements in space are not an end in themselves but a stepping stone to a larger vision." That vision is Viksit Bharat 2047. And when it is announced from the Moon, the universe will listen. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Prosenjit Nath The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author. First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:44 IST News opinion Opinion | An Indian On The Moon In 2040: Declaring Viksit Bharat To The Universe Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | How India Turned The Tariff Crisis Into A Geopolitical Advantage Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 12:26 IST As India balances ties with Russia, China, new Western partnerships, and the hope of a renewed US alliance, it stands stronger in a multipolar world. US President Trump and Russian President Putin with PM Modi | File Image: AP Indias firm and calibrated response to the US imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on its exports in August 2025 has been a masterclass in geopolitical strategy, transforming a potential economic setback into a platform for global influence. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, India has demonstrated restraint, resilience, and diplomatic finesse, refusing to yield to pressure while forging new partnerships and keeping channels open for reconciliation with the United States. This approach has not only cushioned India against economic fallout but also elevated its stature as a pivotal player in a multipolar world. A Measured but Firm Response to US Tariffs Recommended Stories When the US announced a 25 per cent baseline tariff, followed by an additional 25 per cent tied to Indias purchase of Russian oil, it aimed to guilt-trap India over its robust energy alliance with Russia. Rather than reacting impulsively, India chose a path of strategic restraint. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar deftly countered US claims that Indias oil purchases fuelled Russias war machine, pointing out that the US had previously encouraged such imports to stabilize global energy markets. This fact-based rebuttal exposed inconsistencies in US policy, particularly as China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, was exempt from similar sanctions. Indias economic resilience underpinned this composure. With $702 billion in foreign exchange reserves and a domestic demand-driven economy, India is well-equipped to absorb the projected 0.30.4 per cent GDP loss for FY2026, as estimated by Care Ratings. The exemption of Indias services sector, including pharmaceuticals, from tariffs further softened the blow. Instead of retaliating, India used the crisis to diversify its geopolitical and economic alignments, showcasing a maturity that few nations have displayed under such pressure. Reviving the Russia-India-China Axis The tariff crisis spurred India to breathe new life into the seemingly dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) axis within the Brics framework, reinforcing its strategic autonomy. This move was not about abandoning the West but about balancing partnerships to reduce dependence on any single power. Indias special strategic partnership with Russia has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy since the 1970s, and the tariff crisis only accelerated efforts to strengthen this bond. During EAM Jaishankars visit to Moscow on August 2122, 2025, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to expanding trade, particularly in hydrocarbons. Indias oil imports from Russia surged to 1.6 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025, up from 50,000 bpd in 2020, with plans for joint energy projects in the Russian Far East and Arctic shelf. Bilateral trade hit a record $68.7 billion by March 2025, with India pushing to narrow its $59 billion trade deficit through increased exports of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and textiles. Diplomatic engagements further solidified this partnership. Two telephonic conversations between PM Modi and President Vladimir Putin before and after his Alaska meet with US President Trump focused on deepening ties and addressing the Ukraine conflict, with Putin accepting an invitation to visit New Delhi later in 2025. National Security Advisor Ajit Dovals discussions in Moscow emphasised defence cooperation, critical for Indias military needs. These steps underscored Indias resolve to maintain robust ties with Russia, defying US tariff pressures while securing energy and defence interests. The crisis also catalysed a cautious reset in India-China relations, strained since the 2020 Galwan border clash. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit to New Delhi on August 1819, 2025, and PM Modis planned attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China on August 31, 2025 his first visit since 2018 marked a significant diplomatic breakthrough. Building on PM Modis meeting with President Xi Jinping at the 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, both nations agreed to resume direct flights, enhance river-sharing data, and relax visa restrictions, boosting trade and investment. Chinas decision to lift curbs on rare earth mineral exports addressed a crucial need for Indias technology and manufacturing sectors. Progress on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) dispute, with commitments to a fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable" resolution, further signalled a pragmatic approach. Within BRICS and SCO, discussions on de-dollarisation and RIC trilateral talks have gained momentum. This tactical engagement with China allows India to diversify trade while maintaining strategic rivalry, balancing economic gains with security imperatives. Strengthening Western Partnerships India has seized the tariff crisis to bolster ties with Western partners, offsetting potential losses from US markets and reinforcing its global economic position. India and the UK recently signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), set to boost bilateral trade by 25.5 billion and target $120 billion by 2030. The agreement, with phased tariff reductions on UK exports like whisky and medical equipment, protects sensitive Indian sectors like smartphones, diversifying Indias export markets and enhancing its resilience against US tariffs. This FTA positions the UK as a key partner in technology and investment, strengthening Indias economic leverage. Moreover, Indias strategic partnership with the EU, particularly France, has also gained traction. While specific details on Frances fresh commitments" remain broad, the 2008 India-EU summit in France highlighted trade and investment ties, with France playing a pivotal role in defence and energy cooperation. Ongoing EU-India FTA negotiations since 2007 suggest Frances continued support for deepening ties, particularly in technology and energy transition. These partnerships enhance Indias geopolitical standing, offering alternatives to US-centric trade. US Re-engagement and the Resilience of Bilateral Ties The US tariffs have strained a strategic partnership cultivated carefully since President Bill Clintons 2000 visit to India. Yet, Indias indispensable role as a counterweight to China and a Quad member ensures the US cannot afford a prolonged rift. The appointment of Sergio Gor, a trusted confidante of President Trump, as the new U.S. ambassador to India signals Washingtons intent to repair ties. Ongoing cooperation in technology, defence, and space such as the NASA-ISRO astronaut mission planned for 2025 and US investments by firms like Apple underscores the depth of this relationship. While the India-US trade negotiations may have come to a temporary halt, Indias clarity and focus on protecting sensitive sectors like agriculture, combined with its strategic autonomy, positions it to negotiate from strength. The tariff crisis, rather than derailing this partnership, has prompted both nations to reassess and potentially re-engage. It has provided both countries the space that often strengthens long-term bonds. Whenever that happens, it will now be on Indias terms. Indias Geopolitical Ascendancy Indias response to the tariff crisis has cemented its position as a global power. By deepening ties with Russia and China, securing the UK FTA, and leveraging Frances support, India has diversified its partnerships, reducing reliance on the US market. Its principled stand against tariff bullying, coupled with an open door for US re-engagement, reflects a mature, calibrated strategy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all PM Modis leadership marked by deft diplomacy with Putin, Xi, and Western leaders, alongside domestic initiatives like Make in India has turned a potential crisis into a showcase of Indias resilience and influence. As India balances robust ties with Russia, fresh engagement with China, new Western partnerships, and the hope of a renewed US alliance, it stands stronger in a multipolar world a testament to Modis strategic vision. The writer is a BJP National Spokesperson and author. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: August 25, 2025, 12:26 IST News opinion Opinion | How India Turned The Tariff Crisis Into A Geopolitical Advantage Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | How The father Of Indian Marxist History Writing Covered Up Their Alliance With Hitler Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:43 IST On August 23, 1939, Nazis and communists became allies, laying the plot that led to the Second World War. But communist historian Rajani Palme-Dutt had a different story to tell Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Rajani Palme-Dutt, the father of Indian Marxist historiography. (Getty Images) In November of 2011, Indian communist leader Sitaram Yechury travelled to Britain. There he would give a memorial lecture at the Perse school of Cambridge University, in honour of one its most notable alumni: the historian Rajani Palme-Dutt. That name may not be too well known outside academic circles. But in the words of historian Irfan Habib, the first major Marxist work on modern India" was RP Dutts 1940 book, India Today. These comments by Habib appear in his 2010 essay on the development of Marxist history in India. That article is still available today on the official website of the CPI(M). So, why is Indian Marxist historiography so bad? Perhaps because it was started by a British Indian communist who was covering for their alliance with Adolf Hitler. Born in England in 1896 to a Bengali father and a Swedish mother, and distantly related to future Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. So here is Rajani Palme-Dutt in November 1939, at the outbreak of World War II, telling what some might say is the lie of the century: Recommended Stories Poland was used as a decoy duck by Chamberlain to draw on the Nazi troops, with the expectation that their onward sweep might lead them into conflict with the Soviet Union. This plan was defeated by the swift action of the Soviet Union in occupying the eastern areas of Poland. The only help to the suffering Polish people, betrayed by their corrupt and tyrannous rulers, was given by the Soviet Union. The liberation of the people of western Ukraine and western white Russia will be welcomed by every democrat and socialist." To understand how big a distortion this is, we need some context. We all know that the Second World War began when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939. So, if Poland is the victim, how come Dutt is calling them tyrants? And how exactly are the Communists helping the Polish people by liberating what Dutt calls western Ukraine and western white Russia (western Belarus)? This is classic communist propaganda, and it is chilling. Actually, Hitler had signed a deal with the Soviet Union to divide up Poland. The Nazis invaded Poland from the west on September 1, 1939. Seventeen days later, the communists invaded from the east, and occupied eastern Poland. This culminated in a joint Nazi-communist victory parade at the city of Brest-Litovsk on September 22, 1939. The videos of that joint celebration are still available on YouTube. But Dutt cannot admit to this deal, because then he would have to accept that Nazis and communists were actually allies. As historian and loyal communist foot soldier, he has the official spin ready. In his world, the communists were actually fighting the Nazis, not allying with them. And according to him, eastern Poland is not a real place. It is actually the western part of the Soviet republics of Ukraine and Belarus. So, the communists had to invade and liberate" Eastern Poland, so that they could save it from Hitler! This is fake news at its finest. And it is about the start of the Second World War, arguably the biggest event of the 20th century. And it carries the scholarly stamp of approval by Rajani Palme-Dutt, the father of Indian Marxist historiography. Now ask yourself this question. This is how communist historians make up stuff from thin air. And this from 1939, for which the videos are still available. Now can you imagine what communist historians have done with 5,000 years of Indian civilisation? But it gets worse. Because historian RP Dutt was more than just your typical academic leftist. The father of Indian Marxist historiography was also an active politician. And a very successful one. When Hitler and Stalin signed the deal on Aug 23, 1939, many communists were unhappy about it. But not RP Dutt. And therefore, Stalin had to get rid of the general secretary of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). Instead, Stalin handpicked RP Dutt to become chief of the CPGB and cover up the communist alliance with Hitler. Are we not glad that our history was written by scholars" such as this? This is the legacy that the Indian left is trying to protect from a supposed assault by ideologically motivated historians who are said to be close to the BJP. And from the wider influence of WhatsApp University." Incidentally, Stalin also got rid of RP Dutt later on as head of the Communist Party of Great Britain. That was in 1941, when relations soured between Nazis and communists, and Hitler ended up invading the Soviet Union. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For what its worth, it would be interesting to make a note of the date: August 23. That fateful day in 1939 when Nazis and communists became allies, laying the plot that led to the Second World War. In a remarkable coincidence, it was exactly nine years later, on August 23, 1948 that the Soviet Ministry of higher education put out a decree banning the teaching of the bourgeois pseudo-science" of genetics across the communist empire. Thousands of scientists were put in labour camps for believing in evolution. Many were executed, some starved or worked to death. But that is a story for another day. Another story that is not as well-known as it should be. You know the reason: Marxist historians and their scientific temper." Abhishek Banerjee (@AbhishBanerj on X") is an author and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: August 25, 2025, 14:43 IST News opinion Opinion | How The father Of Indian Marxist History Writing Covered Up Their Alliance With Hitler Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 13:34 IST 1 / 8 Azim Premji: Founder Chairman of Wipro Limited, Azim Premji is the richest person in Bangalore. His net worth is estimated between $32.2 billion and $35.9 billion. (FIle Photo) + Follow us On Google 2 / 8 Narayana Murthy: With a net worth of $5 billion, the founder of Infosys is among the richest people in Bangalore. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 Irfan Razack: Chairman and MD of Prestige Estates Project Ltd, Irfan Razacks net worth is around $6 billion. (File Photo) 4 / 8 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw: Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd. & Biocon Biologics Ltd holds a net worth of $3.6 billion. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 Kris Gopalakrishnan: He is the Co-founder and former Vice Chairman of Infosys. His net worth is $4.5 billion. (File Photo) 6 / 8 Nikhil Kamath: With a net worth of $2.6 billion, Nikhil Kamath is among the richest people in Bangalore. He co-founded Zerodha, True Beacon and Gruhas. (File Photo) ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 Ranjan Pai: He is the chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG). His net worth is around $3 billion. (File Photo) Aggressive Face, Local Connect: Amit Satam Becomes Mumbai BJP Chief Ahead Of BMC Polls Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:45 IST A former BMC corporator, Satam brings with him a deep understanding of Mumbais municipal functioning and grassroots concerns Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis congratulates Amit Satam on being elected as Mumbai BJP chief. (Image: X/dev_fadnavis) In a significant organisational shake-up ahead of the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appointed MLA Amit Satam as the new president of its Mumbai unit. The announcement was made on Monday by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and state BJP president Ravindra Chavan, in the presence of senior leaders Ashish Shelar and Chandrashekhar Bawankule. Satam, who succeeds minister Ashish Shelar, is known for his aggressive political style and sharp articulation on civic and urban issues. A former BMC corporator, he brings with him a deep understanding of Mumbais municipal functioning and grassroots concerns. His appointment signals the BJPs intent to project a strong and combative leadership as it seeks to wrest control of Asias richest municipal corporation from the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT). Recommended Stories Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed confidence that Satams leadership would energise the partys cadre and give Mahayuti the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra a decisive edge in Mumbai. Amit Satam is not only experienced in organisation, but he has consistently raised Mumbai-centric issues and fought for solutions. Under his leadership, BJP and Mahayuti will secure victory in the upcoming BMC elections," Fadnavis said. Satam has carved out a reputation in the state assembly as a fiery speaker and an aggressive opposition voice against the erstwhile MVA government. Within Mumbai, he is equally recognised for raising concerns about civic amenities, infrastructure projects, and issues directly affecting citizens daily lives. His ability to blend organisational discipline with direct connect at the grassroots is viewed as a key factor behind his elevation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Party insiders note that the choice of Satam is a strategic one. With the BMC polls expected to be a fierce political battleground between the BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), the new city chiefs combative image and local connect are seen as valuable assets. The leadership change also indicates the BJPs seriousness in deploying its most effective faces ahead of a contest that will set the tone for larger political battles in Maharashtra. As the campaign gears up, all eyes will be on how Satam galvanises the Mumbai BJP unit and translates his aggressive style into electoral gains for the party. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:45 IST News politics Aggressive Face, Local Connect: Amit Satam Becomes Mumbai BJP Chief Ahead Of BMC Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Amit Shah May Visit Kolkata On September 22 To Inaugurate Op Sindoor-Themed Durga Puja Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 11:26 IST The home minister is also expected at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre Durga Puja in Salt Lake, which first started in 2020 Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Amit Shah was last in town during Durga Puja in 2023 when he inaugurated the Santosh Mitra Square Puja. (News18) After a gap of one year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to be back in West Bengals City of Joy this festive season to inaugurate a few Durga Pujas, tentatively six months from when the state goes to polls. If sources are to be believed, Shah will land in Kolkata on the very first day of the Durga Puja seasonSeptember 22when pandal inaugurations can officially start. While a final confirmation from the ministers office is expected just ahead of his Kolkata visit, the Bengal BJP leadership wants to use this visit to counter TMCs constant allegations against the party of being anti-Bengali. Recommended Stories At a time when the targeted narrative against the BJP in Bengal has been that we are against the state, which is absurd, Shah offering prayers to Maa Durga is bound to correct a lot of false narratives. We are hopeful about his visit on Prothoma (the first day after Mahalaya)," said a BJP state executive member, requesting anonymity. If the September 22 visit happens, Shah will inaugurate two Durga PujasSantosh Mitra Square in the Bowbazar area in Kolkata and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC) in Salt Lake. Santosh Mitra Square, a very popular Durga Puja committee, is run by Sajal Ghosh, who joined the BJP in 2021. The theme of the popular Durga Puja pandal this time is Operation Sindoor and it will showcase the military valour of Indias brave hearts. Shah was last in town during Durga Puja in 2023 when he inaugurated the Santosh Mitra Square Puja, which was themed around the Ayodhya Ram Mandir that year. This Durga Puja remains a crowd puller and created a stampede-like" situation last year when it came up with a theme of The Sphere," which was inspired by the Sphere of Las Vegas. The EZCC Durga Puja, meanwhile, first started in 2020 when the BJP realised that they did not have enough grip over a single Durga Puja committee in Kolkata to invite their central leadership and Sajal Ghosh was yet to join the party. Amid much fanfare, EZCCa cultural centre run by the Union governments ministry of culturebecame the host of an extravagant BJP-organised Durga Puja in 2020, which was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to customs, if started, a Puja has to be carried out three times. However, after the 2021 defeat of the BJP, the EZCC Durga Puja was just was ritualdevoid of any significant presence of the BJP leadership. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all But 2025 is Deja vu for Bengal BJP, which is reliving 2020 all over again. Recently, the khunti puja" (worship of the pole that marks the beginning of pandal construction) was marked by BJP leaders like state president Samik Bhattacharya, cultural cell chief Rudranil Ghosh, and former MP Rupa Ganguly. And if all goes well for the BJP, Shah will inaugurate the Puja on September 22, making it the most high-profile visit. The BJP knows that its reach is limited in Bengal during the festive season, given that chief minister Mamata Banerjee will be mass inaugurating pandals during the same time and will have the added advantage of being in the government. She has also granted Rs 1,10,000 to each Durga Puja pandal. Shah, hence, picked a popular pandal that illustrates Operation Sindoorsomething the Modi government is happy talking aboutand is set to use the opportunity to counter TMCs political charge against BJP of being anti-Bengal. About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 11:26 IST News politics Amit Shah May Visit Kolkata On September 22 To Inaugurate Op Sindoor-Themed Durga Puja Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... As Unreal As Hitler Celebrating Jews: BJP On Kerala's Invite To MK Stalin At Ayyappa Sangamam Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 12:58 IST Vasavan met Stalin in Chennai and invited him to Global Ayyappa Sangamam, which the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the Kerala government will host on September 20 at Pampa. BJP slams Kerala govt over Stalin invite to Ayyappa event (PTI Image) The BJP has slammed the Kerala government for extending an invitation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, slated to be held at Pampa in Pathanamthitta next month, and compared the step to Hitler celebrating Jews. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised the Pinarayi Vijayan government by pointing to two things the Left governments 2018 decision to let women of menstruating age enter the Sabarimala temple after a Supreme Court order, and Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalins statement against Sanatana Dharma. Recommended Stories In a post on X, Chandrasekhar said that after years of Pinarayi Vijayan disrespecting Sabarimala traditions, targeting devotees, and jailing many of them, and after M.K. Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi criticised Hindus and the Hindu faith, they are now trying to show devotion to Lord Ayyappa just before the elections. INDI alliance parties like Congress, CPI(M) and DMK going to a Sabarimala program is as unreal as Hitler celebrating jews, Rahul Gandhi speaking the truth, Osama bin laden becoming an apostle of peace, Hamas/jamaat Islami respecting people of other faiths, Cong/INDI alliance giving up dynasties and corruption," he wrote on his X handle. But people will not be fooled anymore. No one will forget what the INDI alliance said and did to Hindu believers," he added. His remarks came a day after Devaswom Minister V. N. Vasavan met Stalin in Chennai and invited him to the Global Ayyappa Sangamam, which the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and the Kerala government will host on September 20 at Pampa. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all At a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on August 21, Vasavan said that the governments of all neighbouring states, and states from where many Ayyappa pilgrims come, would be invited to the event. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate it. (With PTI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More Location : Kerala, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 12:58 IST News politics As Unreal As Hitler Celebrating Jews: BJP On Kerala's Invite To MK Stalin At Ayyappa Sangamam Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Assam Eviction Row: BJP Sees Congress Hangover As Ex-Planning Commission Member Backs Bangladeshis Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:28 IST Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, who held the post during Manmohan Singh's regime, criticised the Assam government for committing the most inhuman acts against minority communities Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Activist Syeda Saiyidain Hameed. (Screenshot) Activist Syeda Saiyidain Hameed, who was also a Planning Commission member during the Manmohan Singh government, has triggered a massive political row in Assam with her statement justifying the right" of Bangladeshis to live in India. The controversial stand has invited the ire of the BJP, which accused the Congress of rewarding those who justify illegal infiltration and demographic seizure". Hameed was part of a delegation of opposition leaders and policy makers, including Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Fayaz Shaheen, Prashant Bhushan, and Jawahar Sircar who visited Assam recently. The team also visited Goalpara and adjoining areas where the state government has conducted eviction drives against Bangladeshis. Recommended Stories Syeda Hameed, once picked by Congress for the Planning Commission, claimed Bangladeshis have a right to exist in India; no wonder she was also rewarded with a Padma Shri in 2007.This is Congress, rewarding those who justify illegal infiltration and demographic seizure. pic.twitter.com/JEKAqafIiz Ashok Singhal (@TheAshokSinghal) August 24, 2025 Speaking to the media after the visit, Hameed criticised the Assam government, alleging that it was committing the most inhuman acts" against minority communities during the eviction operations. What is wrong in being Bangladeshi? Bangladeshis are also human beings; the Earth is very big, even Bangladeshis can live here. They are not depriving anyone of their rights. However, they [government] are saying Bangladeshis are depriving others of their rights. This is extremely mischievous and very detrimental to humanity. They are also human beings, Allah has made this Earth for humans, not for Satan. If a human being is staying somewhere, why should he be thrown out so mercilessly?" she asked. Hameeds comment drew a sharp reaction from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who said the delegation had come to the state to manipulate facts. Misleading in the name of humanity. It's about our land and identity. Why the minority Buddhists, Christians, Hindus & Sikhs in Bangladesh and Pakistan are persecuted & tortured?Sayeda Hameed may be closest to Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi but shouldn't support illegal migrants. pic.twitter.com/zOs5lFwFvj Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 25, 2025 Taking to X, Sarma said: After Jamaat-e-Hinds outburst demanding my dismissal yesterday, a Delhi-based teamHarsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Fayaz Shaheen, Prashant Bhushan, and Jawahar Sircaris now camping in Assam. Their sole aim is to paint the lawful evictions as so-called humanitarian crisis". This is nothing but a planned attempt to weaken our fight against illegal encroachers. We are alert and firmno propaganda or pressure will stop us from protecting our land and culture." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is Syeda Hameed, former member of the Planning Commission during congress era. Just look at the audacity! If she feels so strongly about the rights" of illegal Bangladeshis in Assam, why doesnt she accommodate them in her own home? Perhaps her like-minded friends can also pic.twitter.com/7ZVdtx3uDc BJP Assam Pradesh (@BJP4Assam) August 24, 2025 The Asom Gana Parishad also condemned Hameeds statement, with general secretary Tolan Konwar saying the activist could not understand the situation in the state as she wasnt born there. She does not have the same respect for Assam. So, it is obvious that she cant understand the Bangladeshi issue in Assam. She is not even aware of the famous Assam Agitation. How dare she say that Assam cant survive without Bangladeshis?" Location : Assam, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:18 IST News politics Assam Eviction Row: BJP Sees Congress Hangover As Ex-Planning Commission Member Backs Bangladeshis Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'If Someone Is Falsely Implicated...': Kejriwal Hits Back At Amit Shah Amid PM-CM Bill Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:04 IST Kejriwal slammed Amit Shah over the three new bills, questioning the consequences if someone brought "criminals" into their political party or falsely accused a minister. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (PTI photos) Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal hit back at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the three new bills aimed at removing any prime minister, chief minister or minister who remains in jail for 30 consecutive days, asking what will happen to the person who is responsible for falsely implicating another minister. During the recently concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament, Shah introduced a bill proposing that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers be removed from office if they are jailed for over 30 days for serious offences. The Parliament witnessed protests as the Opposition termed the legislation unconstitutional". Recommended Stories Lashing out at Amit Shah for referencing Kejriwals continued hold at power despite being imprisoned, the AAP leader questioned what sentence should be given to a person who includes criminals" in political parties and makes them ministers or chief ministers. If a person includes criminals accused of serious crimes in their political party, clears all their cases, and makes them ministers, deputy chief ministers, or chief ministers should such a minister/prime minister also resign from their position? How many years of jail should such a person get?" he said on X. Kejriwal also asked about the punishment for a minister for framing false charges against another. If someone is falsely accused and sent to jail, and later they are acquitted, then how many years of jail should the minister who framed the false case get?" he said. Kejriwal also defended retaining the Chief Ministerial post despite being arrested after ignoring nine summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor scam. He was the first CM to be arrested in office. Under a political conspiracy, when the central government framed me in a false case and sent me to jail, I ran the government for 160 days from jail. In the past seven months, the BJP government in Delhi has brought the city to such a state that today, the people of Delhi are remembering the jail-time government. At least during that jail-time government, there were no power cuts, water was available, free medicines were given in hospitals and mohalla clinics, free tests were conducted, the city didnt get so badly affected by just one rainfall, and private schools were not allowed to act arbitrarily or indulge in hooliganism." 160 Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 25, 2025 Amit Shah On Kejriwal Earlier, while speaking to ANI, Amit Shah said it did not suit the democracy of India for any elected leader to continue in the post despite being imprisoned. I want to ask the entire nation and the Opposition Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy?" he said. In a reference towards Kejriwal, Shah said, Even today, they are trying that if they ever have to go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail." My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there," he added. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The three bills the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were introduced in Parliament last week. They propose that any prime minister, chief minister or minister who is arrested and held in custody for 30 days for an offence punishable by a minimum of five years in prison will automatically be removed from office on the 31st day. The President or the Governor, depending on jurisdiction, will have the authority to dismiss them. 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 int... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:04 IST News politics 'If Someone Is Falsely Implicated...': Kejriwal Hits Back At Amit Shah Amid PM-CM Bill Row Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Personal Commitments': Stalin Unable To Attend Ayyappa Event After 'Hitler Celebrating Jews' Row Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 23:13 IST Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin wrote to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan about his unavailability and said he will be sending two of his ministers on behalf of the state government The Kerala government invited Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin (L) for the Global Ayyappa Sangamam event next month. (Image: PTI/File) Two days after a political controversy was triggered over the Kerala governments invitation to him for the Global Ayyappa Sangam next month, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said he will be unable to attend the event due to personal commitments". Stalin wrote to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan about his unavailability for the event in Pathanamthitta district, which is aimed at elevating Sabarimala to a global pilgrimage centre. He told Vijayan that he will be sending two state cabinet ministers on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government for the event. Recommended Stories Devaswom minister VN Vasavan visited Stalin in Chennai and invited him to the event, which will be organised by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) in association with the Kerala government on September 20 at Pampa. Responding to the invitation, the BJP lambasted the Kerala government for inviting him to the Ayyappa event while comparing the move to Hitler celebrating Jews. It said it will resist the participation of both the CMs from Kerala and Tamil Nadu if they do not apologise to Hindus. WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY? A day after the invitation went out to Stalin, in a scathing attack, Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleged that both Vijayan and Stalin, along with Stalins son Udhayanidhi, had insulted Hindus, their faith and Sabarimala. Both of you (Stalin and Vijayan) have, over the years, harmed and insulted Sabarimala, Ayyappa bhakts (devotees) and Hindu faith. Pinarayi Vijayan has imprisoned many Ayyappa bhakts, filed cases against many more, inflicted police violence against Ayyappa bhakts and done everything to violate and insult sacred traditions of Sabarimala," Chandrasekhar said in a post on Facebook. Stalin and his dynast son have repeatedly insulted Hindus and referred to Hindu faith as a virus amongst other things." Calling the move to organise the Ayyappa event a drama" before elections and a part of the fool the people" strategy, Chandrasekhar said these insults were deeply etched" in the memory of every Hindu and will never be forgotten or forgiven". He said Vijayan, Stalin and Udhayanidhi can take part in the event if they apologise to Hindus and Sabarimala Ayyappa bhakts". He was referring to the Left Front governments 2018 decision to allow the entry of women of menstruating age into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala following a Supreme Court order, and to Udhayanidhis statement against Sanatana Dharma. A day before Stalin told Vijayan that he will not be present for the Ayyappa event, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan questioned his acceptance" of the invitation. About the Kerala CMs decision, she said it was the highest hypocrisy" to invite a man who has repeatedly insulted Hindu sentiments". Inviting Stalin, for the Ayyappa devotees conclave, is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin has accepted it. He has not accepted any invitation from the Hindu faith in Tamil Nadu, his own state They repeatedly insult the Hindu sentimentshis son said Sanatana Dharma is like a virus, it should be crushed like dengue Stalin has not gone to any temple; there are more than 35,000 temples in Tamil Nadu" Soundararajan said. She added: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan may be ignorant about Stalin, but how can he accept the invitation? Stalin is a Periyarist, and by inviting him, they are insulting the Ayyappa devotees. They think anything can be done for politics It is the highest hypocrisy. Stalin should apologise to the Hindu faith" WHAT IS THE GLOBAL AYYAPPA EVENT? The Kerala government has said it is organising the Global Ayyappa Sangamam exclusively for the deitys devotees and to promote Sabarimala as a global pilgrimage centre. Devaswom minister VN Vasavan said Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event, which will be held on the banks of Pampa river in Keralas Pathanamthitta district on September 20. It will be organised as per the rituals and traditions, with the participation of ministers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana, as well as Union ministers from Kerala, the opposition leader among others, he said. Vasavan said 3,000 delegates from different countries will take part in the first-ever Ayyappa devotee gathering at such a large scale. The event is being jointly organised by the state government and Travancore Devaswom Board and is part of the boards platinum jubilee celebrations, he said. WHAT ARE THE ARRANGEMENTS? Vasavan said this is an opportunity to listen to Ayyappas from all over the world. He said Sabarimala is on the path of development with a master plan worth Rs 1,300 crore. Work on the Sabarimala airport and railway is progressing with the intention to commission the former in 2028, he added. He said suggestions will be collected from Ayyappa devotees around the world. A meeting for this will be organised in a transparent manner and interests of the devotees will be protected, he added. Heres all you need to know about the preparations: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The main welcome team office will be opened under the district administration centred in Pathanamthitta district along with team offices in Pampa, Perunad and Seethathod. KSRTC facilities will be arranged to receive the delegates. Accommodation will be provided at various places in the district with parking facilities on the hilltop. Modern medical facilities will be ensured in hospitals, including in Pampa. The services of voluntary organisations will be used for the cleaning work. (With agency inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 22:59 IST News politics 'Personal Commitments': Stalin Unable To Attend Ayyappa Event After 'Hitler Celebrating Jews' Row Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Amit Shah Slams Opposition VP Pick Reddy Over Salwa Judum Ruling: Naxalism Lasted Due To Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 11:03 IST Amit Shah criticised former Supreme Court judge and INDIA bloc's VP nominee Sudershan Reddy over his Salwa Judum verdict. Amit Shah interview: Shah slams Sudershan Reddy for Salwa Judum ruling (PTI Image) Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched an attack on the INDIA blocs Vice Presidential candidate, Sudershan Reddy also a former Supreme Court judge over his 2011 Salwa Judum verdict, stating that it helped Naxalism last for over two decades in the country. Shah said that Reddys leftist ideology" must have been considered by the Opposition parties before nominating him as their VP candidate against NDAs pick CP Radhakrishnan, who carries an RSS background with him. Recommended Stories It is there on the Supreme Court records. He disbanded Salwa Judum. He ended the right to self-defence for Adivasis. This is the reason that Naxalism has sustained for two more decades. At that time, Naxalism was on the verge of dying. This is in the apex courts record; it is their judgment," the Home Minister said in an interview with news agency ANI. Schools that were destroyed due to Naxals, the CRPF and security forces were deployed there. They were ousted within the night with the help of the order. Security forces were attacked in many places. More than Sudershan Reddy, Rahul Gandhi must answer on this, as this is the reason he (Reddy) has been picked the left-wing ideology. Due to this judgment, the Naxals have been protected," he added. The Home Minister argued that Salwa Judum was formed by the Adivasis who wanted progress and facilities such as education, roads and healthcare. It was meant to protect them, which the Supreme Court disbanded," he said. Sudershan Reddys Response To Amit Shah Last Friday, Shah had hit out at Reddy over his Salwa Judum verdict and said that he is an individual who helped Naxalism". Sudershan Reddy is the person who helped Naxalism. He gave Salwa Judum judgment. If the Salwa Judum judgment had not been given, the Naxal terrorism would have ended by 2020. He is the person who was inspired by the ideology that gave Salwa Judam judgment," news agency PTI quoted Shah as saying. Responding to the Home Ministers charges, the former Supreme Court judge said that the judgment was delivered by the top court and not by him personally. Judgement on Salwa Judum was Supreme Courts, not mine. I do not wish to join issue with Home Minister," he told PTI, adding that the upcoming vice presidential election was not a contest between two individuals, but two different ideologies". What Is Salwa Judum Judgement Amit Shah Referred To? The Home Minister referred to the 2011 judgment of the top court, authored by Justice Sudershan Reddy, that declared the movement, backed by Raman Singh-led then BJP government in Chhattisgarh, to recruit and arm local tribal youths as Special Police Officers (SPOs) to fight Maoist insurgents as illegal and unconstitutional. The SPOs were popularly known as Koya Commandos or Salwa Judum, who were expanded with government and security force support, aiming to counter Maoist (Naxalite) influence in tribal areas where the police and security forces had limited reach. However, the Supreme Courts judgment directed the SPOs to be immediately disarmed. Amit Shah Reacts To Oppositions Charge On NDAs VP Pick CP Radhakrishnan The Opposition has claimed that the NDA nominated CP Radhakrishnan as its Vice Presidential candidate, keeping next years Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections in view. Shah refuted the claim and said that he has been chosen for his merit, as he has a vast experience as a former MP and Governor of various states. No, it is not like that It is natural for the Vice Presidential candidate to come from the South because the President was from the East, the Prime Minister was from the West, and the North. It should not be seen from this perspective. CP Radhakrishnan has had a very long political career. He has been a member of Parliament twice, the President of our party, Governor of Jharkhand, Telangana, Pondicherry, Maharashtra," Shah said. He also responded to the Oppositions linking of Radhakrishnans candidature to his RSS background and questioned if having a connection with the Sangh a minute point". top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Prime Minister has a connection with RSS. I also have a connection with RSS. Has the country chosen us because we are from RSS? Is having a connection with RSS a minus point? Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Advani ji, Modi ji are also connected with RSS," the Minister said. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @Ma... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 10:25 IST News politics Amit Shah Slams Opposition VP Pick Reddy Over Salwa Judum Ruling: Naxalism Lasted Due To Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Will Shivraj Singh Chouhan Be Next BJP President? 45-Minute Meet With RSS Chief Sparks Speculation Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 15:55 IST The meeting between Chouhan and Mohan Bhagwat was a one-to-one meeting, say sources, which took place at Sangh's Delhi Headquarters in Jhandewalan in Keshav Kunj on Sunday. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. (Image: PTI File) After a long spell of two years, on Sunday evening, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak or its chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday evening. The meeting went on for forty five minutes, say sources. It was a one-to-one meeting, add sources, which took place at Sanghs Delhi Headquarters in Jhandewalan in Keshav Kunj. Prior to this meeting with Bhagwat, Chouhan was at a public event at Bharat Mandapam where he shared the stage with his cabinet colleague Gajendra Shekhawat. His meeting with the RSS Chief was behind closed doors after which he left for Madhya Pradesh. On Monday, Chouhan was at IISER. Recommended Stories Ever since Sundays meeting with Bhagwat, Chouhans name has re-emerged as the front-runner for the post of BJPs National President. He has been among the longest-serving Chief Ministers in India, having governed Madhya Pradesh for over 16 years. His tenure gave the BJP a stable base in the Hindi heartland, comparable to Narendra Modi in Gujarat. Though an OBC leader, his ability to appeal across caste lines helped neutralise Congresss traditional advantage among certain communities. The Vice Presidential Election is scheduled to take place on September 9 and the BJP National Presidential Election is expected soon after that. Why Shivraj Singh Chouhan? Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been one of the most prominent faces of the BJP for over three decades, shaping the partys fortunes in Madhya Pradesh and contributing significantly to its national stature. Beginning his political journey as a member of the RSS and later the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Chouhan entered mainstream politics in the early 1990s and quickly rose through the ranks. His appointment as Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh in 2005 marked the start of a transformative era for the state under BJP rule. During his 16-year tenure, Chouhan focused on inclusive development, particularly in rural and agrarian sectors. His flagship Ladli Laxmi Yojana" earned national recognition for promoting girl child welfare, while schemes like Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana" aimed to stabilise farmers incomes. Infrastructure development, electricity reforms, and improved road connectivity under his leadership were credited with turning Madhya Pradesh from a BIMARU state into one of Indias fastest-growing economies. Politically, Chouhans ability to connect across caste and community lines helped the BJP maintain a stronghold in the Hindi heartland, winning three consecutive assembly elections. His mix of grassroots appeal, administrative acumen, and organisational skills continues to make him a vital asset for the party. Other Frontrunners Earlier reports have indicated that there could be a possibility of the next BJP president coming from the south of the Vindhyas. The name of Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, who was also the BJP president of Andhra Pradesh, had been doing the rounds. Incidentally, he comes from the state that produced Bangaru Laxman, who went ahead and became BJPs national President. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Another name that has been doing the rounds from the south also happens to be from Andhra Pradesh Daggubati Purandeshwari, currently the BJP chief in the NDA ruled state. Though she is a woman and has the legacy of NT Rama Rao, what may go against her is being a relative of TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu to avoid a conflict of interest. Vanathi Srinivasan, national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha and MLA from Coimbatore, is also being talked about. However, from the beginning of last year, the names of Dharmendra Pradhan, Vinod Tawde, and Bhupendra Yadav have also continuously figured in the probables for their organisational capability and teamwork mindset. About the Author Anindya Banerjee Anindya Banerjee, Associate Editor brings over fifteen years of journalistic courage to the forefront. With a keen focus on politics and policy, Anindya has garnered a wealth of experience, with deep ... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 15:55 IST News politics Will Shivraj Singh Chouhan Be Next BJP President? 45-Minute Meet With RSS Chief Sparks Speculation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... TikTok India Ban Ending Soon? Heres What The Company Said On Launch Rumours Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 13:22 IST TikTok India comeback: TikTok launch in India news gathered steam after many people were able to access the main website in the country. TikTok India launch rumours started after the website was working TikTok India comeback: TikTok ban in India has been going since 2020 but new developments recently have suggested that the company is ready to relaunch its short video app in the country. Many people were able to access the TikTok website after a long time, and we found the same work on our network as well. This brought understandable excitement and intrigue around TikTok and its possible relaunch in the country. But the company and the Indian government have reportedly quashed those thoughts and clarified their respective stance on the ongoing TikTok exile and what you can expect in the months to come. Recommended Stories TikTok India Relaunch? Not Yet TikTok India launch is widely expected and there is still interest around its availability but the company has denied such plans. We have not restored access to TikTok in India and continue to comply with the Government of Indias directive," the company spokesperson was quoted in a TechCrunch report. All the excitement around the TikTok India comeback started when people noticed the official website opening on their devices without using any VPN app or tool. However, the TikTok app on Play Store or App Store was still not available, which did cool down those rumours to some extent. The reappearance of TikTok website in India has been attributed to network-level misconfiguration, something that has happened before in 2022 when operators inadvertently unblocked the platform on their network. Government Denies News top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all And if that wasnt enough, the Indian government has been quoted in multiple reports, confirming that no such order has been passed to allow TikTok to run in the country. The Government of India has not issued any unblocking order for TikTok. Any such statement or news is false and misleading," a government source quoted in a PTI report said.. In addition to TikTok, many users noticed that another China-based app AliExpress was opening on their network, which is again, part of the banned app list in the country. The Ministry of Electronics and IT said the apps were engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order." These platforms were blocked amidst tensions between India and China in June 2020. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 25, 2025, 12:05 IST News tech TikTok India Ban Ending Soon? Heres What The Company Said On Launch Rumours Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Itna To Kar Sakte Hai: Foreigners In Gurugram Clean Roads, Drains; Netizens Question Civic Body Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 19:02 IST Foreigners were seen cleaning garbage from roads and clearing drains in Gurugram, earning widespread praise while also drawing criticism towards the municipal authorities. Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Foreigners seen cleaning the roads and drains in Gurugram. (ANI) As Gurugram came under intense scrutiny and criticism for its garbage-filled roads and poor infrastructure, a group of foreign nationals has taken the responsibility of cleaning the roads and drains of the Millennium City. A viral video showed foreigners cleaning garbage from roads and drains in the city, earning widespread praise while also drawing criticism towards the municipal authorities. Some locals were also seen joining the foreigners in removing garbage from the roads. Recommended Stories #WATCH | Haryana | Foreign nationals living in Gurugram, along with locals, organised a cleanliness drive to clean the roads and drains in Gurugram. (24. 08) pic.twitter.com/3zKvRz7uIs ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Explaining the rationale before this drive, Serbian influencer Lazar whose mission to clean one street a day till Indias Independence Day has gained widespread attention said India is an amazing country, but people dont care about the surrounding outside their homes. India is amazing. The only problem is that people also need to take care of things that are outside of their house. Indian people are among the cleanest on the planet But the moment its about things outside their house, they think its not their issue. We have to change that," he told news agency ANI. #WATCH | Gurugram, Haryana | On organising a cleanliness drive in Gurugram, Lazar, a foreign national from Serbia, said, Sabhi ko apne ghar ya dukan ke saamne 2 metre ki doori tak ko saaf rakhna chahiye bas. Itna toh kar sakte hai apne desh ke liye.He said, This idea came https://t.co/wvD40zvkoE pic.twitter.com/kkUbdKkXrB ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 He further said, Sabhi ko apne ghar ya dukan ke saamne 2 metre ki doori tak ko saaf rakhna chahiye bas. Itna toh kar sakte hai apne desh ke liye (Everyone should just keep the area up to 2 meters in front of their house or shop clean. Thats the least we can do for our country)." The Serbian national, who goes by the handle @4CleanIndia, recently launched a mission to clean one street every day, and his campaign has seen a lot of support from the Indian community. Using a shovel, the Serbian national can be seen vocalising to the locals to keep India clean. India ko saaf rakhna hai. Theek hai? Sabko bolna hai." Matilda, a foreign national from France, said that she was disappointed to witness the lack of cleanliness in Gurugram. India is amazing. I love this country. But it is very sad that sometimes there is a lot of garbage everywhere," she said. #WATCH | Gurugram, Haryana | Participating in a cleanliness drive in Gurugram, Matilda, a foreign national from France, said, India is amazing. I love this country. But it is very sad that sometimes there is a lot of garbage everywhere" (24.08) https://t.co/wvD40zvkoE pic.twitter.com/Q8Kg1eZjwz ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Around 40 volunteers took part in the event, joining local residents to remove debris and raise awareness about the importance of keeping shared spaces clean. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram acknowledged their efforts, with Joint Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya praising them as beacons of civic responsibility". The video showing foreigners caused people to wonder why many people lacked basic civic sense and continued to litter public spaces. Its a shame that a foreigner is teaching us basic civic behaviour," a user said. Indian mindset of not my responsibility" when leaving their Home is what has destroyed our cities. We need to adopt cleanliness outside just as much as we keep our Homes clean inside," another user said. It is such a shame that foreigners are cleaning the garbage accumulated in our country while the municipality here is sleeping and is not concerned about cleanliness at all," a third person wrote. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Earlier in July, the Haryana Government reaffirmed maintaining its commitment towards maintaining cleanliness and efficient drainage systems in Gurugram city, keeping citizens interests in mind, amid mounting criticism. (with ANI inputs) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int... Read More First Published: August 25, 2025, 19:00 IST News viral Itna To Kar Sakte Hai: Foreigners In Gurugram Clean Roads, Drains; Netizens Question Civic Body Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'He Comes Pretty Much Everywhere With Me': UK Teen Takes 'Therapy Sheep' To Get GCSE Results Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 12:33 IST The pair are now preparing for the Young Shepherd of the Year competition in November which Milly has qualified for. The teen described Kevin as her therapy sheep, sharing that he even attended prom with the four-year-old rare breed. (Image: X/@TheGriftReport) A 16-year-old girl from the United Kingdom has gone viral after she brought her pet sheep, who she says is her best friend", along to collect her GCSE results, according to a report in BBC. Milly Johnson, an award-winning sheep handler, arrived at Tarleton Academy near Preston in Lancashire last week with Kevin a North Ronaldsay sheep by her side. Recommended Stories Hes my best friend and he comes pretty much everywhere with me," Johnson told BBC. She described Kevin as her therapy sheep," sharing that he even attended prom with the four-year-old rare breed, wearing a matching halter to her dress. Along with good exam results including two grade 7s and two grade 6s Milly, on Wednesday, also received a phone call offering her a veterinary nurse apprenticeship at a local farm vets, the outlet reported. The pair are now preparing for the Young Shepherd of the Year competition in November which Milly has qualified for. The teenager regularly shows Kevin and this year won first place in the over-11s young handlers class at the Trawden Agricultural Show. Her family now plans to celebrate her success, although Kevin wont be joining them. Hes not old enough to drink beer yet," Milly joked. According to the British outlet, Scott Parker, headteacher at Tarleton Academy, praised Millys dedication both in and outside the classroom. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Her commitment to her interests and her ability to balance them alongside her studies speaks volumes about her character, work ethic and maturity," BBC quoted him as saying. She is a fantastic role model for her peers and Ive no doubt at all that she has a bright future ahead," the headteacher added. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : United Kingdom (UK) First Published: August 25, 2025, 12:29 IST News viral 'He Comes Pretty Much Everywhere With Me': UK Teen Takes 'Therapy Sheep' To Get GCSE Results Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Never Took Allergies Seriously': 22-Year-Old Dies From Sudden Anaphylactic Shock After CT Scan Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:44 IST Leticia Paul, 22, died at Alto Vale Regional Hospital after anaphylactic shock from a contrast agent during a CT scan, highlighting the deadly risks of severe allergies Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Experts say that contrast agents can trigger severe allergic reactions in rare cases. (Representative Image) What began as a routine medical test turned into a tragedy no one expected. A 22-year-old woman, identified as Leticia Paul, died after suffering a sudden and severe allergic reaction during a CT scan at Alto Vale Regional Hospital. Paul, who had a history of allergies to peanuts, shellfish, pollen and bee stings, had often brushed aside her sensitivities as minor health irritations. But this time, the reaction was far from ordinary. According to hospital officials, she was injected with a contrast agent, a dye commonly used to highlight internal organs and blood vessels during imaging tests. Within moments, her body went into anaphylactic shock, a rare but life-threatening condition. Recommended Stories Doctors immediately intubated her and shifted her to intensive care. Despite continuous efforts, she succumbed within 24 hours, leaving the medical team stunned. What Is Anaphylaxis? Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is considered one of the most dangerous forms of allergic reactions. Unlike common allergies that may cause a runny nose, sneezing or mild rashes, anaphylaxis can overwhelm the body within minutes. When exposed to triggers such as peanuts, shellfish, insect stings, certain medications, or even contrast dyes used in radiology, the immune system releases a surge of chemicals, particularly histamine. These chemicals dilate blood vessels and narrow the airways, causing sudden symptoms such as swelling of the lips and throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, nausea and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Doctors warn that in many cases, the throat feels as if it is closing, the patient may faint, and without immediate treatment, the condition can be fatal. How Contrast Agents Trigger Reactions Contrast dyes are iodine-based liquids injected into veins, consumed orally, or given as an enema depending on the type of imaging required. They help doctors spot blockages, tumors or internal bleeding by making body structures more visible in scans. Most patients experience only mild side effects such as a warm sensation in the body, a metallic taste in the mouth, or slight nausea. But in rare cases, they can trigger severe reactions like the one that claimed Pauls life. Hospitals usually keep emergency medicines ready whenever contrast agents are administered, precisely because of this risk. Treatment and Emergency Response The most effective first-line treatment for anaphylaxis is an immediate injection of epinephrine (adrenaline). This life-saving drug quickly opens the airways, stabilises blood pressure and buys doctors critical time. For this reason, people known to be at risk are often advised to carry an epinephrine auto-injector with them at all times. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Doctors emphasise that speed is everything. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can appear within seconds to minutes after exposure, turning a normal situation into a life-threatening emergency. Delay in treatment can cause irreversible collapse of vital functions. Leticia Pauls death is a stark reminder that allergies should never be taken lightly. What many dismiss as a nuisance can, under certain circumstances, escalate into a medical emergency. Health experts advise anyone with a known allergy to inform doctors before undergoing tests or treatments, always keep medication handy, and never ignore early signs of a reaction. Location : Brazil First Published: August 25, 2025, 17:44 IST News viral 'Never Took Allergies Seriously': 22-Year-Old Dies From Sudden Anaphylactic Shock After CT Scan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... S-400-Inspired Ganesha Idol In Hyderabad Showcases Indias Air Defence Might | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 19:10 IST Hyderabad's mandal unveils a Lord Ganesha idol inspired by the S-400 defence system, blending patriotism with devotion. Mumbais Lalbaugcha Raja first look captivates devotees. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Hyderabads Kachiguda Mandal Unveils S-400-Inspired Ganesha Idol. (Instagram) In a spirit of patriotism to honour the courage and resilience of Indias Armed Forces, a mandal in Hyderabads Kachiguda is celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi this year with a remarkable twist, a Lord Ganesha idol inspired by Indias pride, the S-400 defence system. The innovative concept has drawn widespread attention, blending spirituality with a tribute to the nations strength and resilience. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by INDIANS (@indians) The idol not only symbolises faith and devotion but also pays tribute to the nations strength, resilience, and unity. By blending spirituality with a theme that reflects national security, the pandal reminds people of the balance between belief and responsibility towards the country. The S-400 air defence system played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor, helping India neutralise aerial threats during the cross-border strikes. Its success has made the operation a source of national pride. With patriotism running high, Operation Sindoor is expected to emerge as a popular theme for pandals this festive season, not just during Ganesh Mahotsav but also in upcoming Durga Puja celebrations. Devotees are flocking to the pandal in large numbers, captivated by both the spiritual aura of the deity and the patriotic sentiment behind the design. The celebration has become a vibrant expression of devotion, strength, and Indias collective spirit. Meanwhile, the eagerly awaited first look of Mumbais iconic Lalbaugcha Raja was unveiled on Sunday ahead of the celebrations. Devotees were spellbound by the first glimpse of the bappa, dressed in magenta colour attire. Located in Putlabai Chawl, Lalbaugcha Raja or King of Lalbaug is the most visited Ganesh mandal in Mumbai. Every year, from ordinary citizens to celebrities, lakhs of Mumbaikars queue up at Lalbaug to catch a glimpse of the iconic idol. The Ganeshotsav, the festivity of Ganesh Chaturthi, ends after 10 days on Anant Chaturdashi, which is also known as Ganesh Visarjan day. The ten-day-long celebration of the holy festival Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on Wednesday. On the last day, Lord Ganesha idols will be carried out in grand processions and immersed in rivers, lakes, or the sea. Operation Sindoor top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In one of the biggest attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack. India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants. The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery. First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:59 IST News viral S-400-Inspired Ganesha Idol In Hyderabad Showcases Indias Air Defence Might | Watch Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... This Indian-Origin Doctor Didnt Believe In The Afterlife Until He 'Saw' It Himself Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 14:01 IST Once a sceptic, Dr Rajiv Partis near-death experience during surgery changed his beliefs, leading him from luxury to a spiritual life and a powerful awakening. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google After the mystical encounter, Dr Parti resigned from his post at Bakersfield, sold his mansion and vehicles, and devoted his life to spiritual pursuits. (News18) Even in death, some people claim to have extraordinary experiences so profound that they alter the course of their lives. These are known as near-death experiences (NDEs) or life after life encounters. While numerous scientific studies have explored the phenomenon, no conclusive evidence has been established, leading many in the medical community to remain sceptical. One such sceptic was Dr Rajiv Parti, a professional anaesthesiologist. Ironically, it was only after having his own near-death experience that his beliefs and his entire life were turned upside down. Recommended Stories When Did It Happen? At the time, Dr Parti was serving as the Chief Anaesthesiologist at Bakersfield Heart Hospital in California, USA. In 2008, aged 51, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer. During the procedure, his heart stopped, and he believes that is when he journeyed to the afterlife. What followed would change his worldview forever. An Out-of-Body Experience As his body lay on the operating table, Dr Parti claims he floated above and observed the emergency surgery taking place. Then, in what he described as a surreal shift, he found himself in New Delhi, India, watching his mother and sister. To him, this was proof that such spiritual encounters were not just real, but also common. A Glimpse Of Hell On his YouTube channel, Dr Parti described the terrifying next stage of his journey: I heard screams of pain and torment. I felt I was on a fast-moving track and arrived at the edge of a burning pit. My nose filled with smoke, and I could smell burning flesh. Thats when I realised I was at the gates of hell." A Message From The Divine According to Dr Parti, a voice then rebuked him for leading a materialistic life. As a practising Hindu, he sought divine forgiveness. Suddenly, two angels appeared and guided him through a tunnel-like passage to a beautiful realm filled with light. There, according to Dr Parti, a radiant figure emerged and said, I am Jesus, your saviour." Life After Near Death top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This mystical encounter changed everything for Dr Parti. After recovering, he shared his story with his medical team, but, much like how he once responded to patients with similar accounts, they dismissed him. However, the experience deeply moved him. He began to question why he had spent years chasing luxury big houses, expensive cars, and material wealth. In time, Dr Parti resigned from his post at Bakersfield, sold his mansion and vehicles, and devoted his life to spiritual pursuits. He later published a book titled Dying to Wake Up: A Doctors Voyage into the Afterlife and the Wisdom He Brought Back, chronicling his remarkable journey and transformation. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 14:01 IST News viral This Indian-Origin Doctor Didnt Believe In The Afterlife Until He 'Saw' It Himself Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trainers Sexually Stimulate Orca To Stop Him From Mating With His Mother At Marine Zoo Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 16:10 IST Marineland Antibes trainers sexually stimulate Keijo to prevent inbreeding with his mother, as orcas await relocation. File photo of an orca at Marineland Antibes (Image: AP) In a closed marine zoo in France, trainers of a male killer whale are sexually stimulating him once a month in order to prevent him from mating with his mother, according to a report in BBC. The marine zoo, Marineland Antibes, was closed in January but a new home for the orcas is yet to be found. Recommended Stories The French government and animal rights groups havent agreed yet on where to move Wikie, 24, and Keijo, 11, leaving the two whales stuck in their current situation, the report mentioned. For the time being, the pair is being cared for by their trainers at the facility in southern France. The park closed before a new French law starts in December, which will ban using whales in marine shows. Last week, activist group TideBreakers got the overhead footage that showed two trainers standing at the edge of a pool next to the killer whale as he lay upside down. While one trainer held on to a flipper, the other stimulated Keijo, who was seen writhing about in the water. In the footage, the female orca was seen in an adjacent pool facing towards where her son was being held. Keeping them in separate pools permanently is considered harmful to their wellbeing as orcas are sociable animals. The video was shot on August 12 and managers at Marineland told BBC News the action was required as Keijo is reaching adolescence and has increasingly strong sexual urges. In order to avoid inbreeding with his mother, but also to prevent them from fighting and injuring each other, Marineland decided to sexually stimulate Keijo [to relieve him of his] tensions," the outlet quoted the managers as saying. The managers added that although spectacular", sexually stimulation is natural and totally painless for the animals." The French ecology ministry, responsible for approving where the orcas will be moved, said Marineland told them that Keijo is stimulated once a month and that a veterinary expert has been involved in the process. While, Valerie Greene, a member of TideBreakers who worked at SeaWorld Orlando for a decade, said the stimulation of Keijo for sexual relief is unusual. As a former killer whale trainer, Ive never seen this behaviour performed for anything other than attempting semen collection for use in artificial insemination," the British outlet quoted her as saying. Female orcas in marine zoos can be artificially inseminated to have more calves, which are then used to attract visitors and perform in shows. This practice was common until about ten years ago when countries like France and the US passed laws banning many breeding methods. However, Japan has fewer restrictions on breeding, and activists think marine zoo managers there might want to buy orca semen, especially since their only male orca, Earth, died on August 3. Perverse New Low Just over a week after Japans only male orcas death, Marinelands trainers were seen stimulating Keijo. Keijo is inbred, so its even more concerning that his semen might be used for breeding of captive orcas," Greene further said. The report suggests that Keijos mother and father are half-siblings. However, managers at Marineland deny this was why Keijo was stimulated. They further said the sale of semen is not allowed and that any export would need authorisation from the French government. The French ecology ministry also said that the marine zoo have also told them there is no such intention of collecting and exporting Keijos semen for breeding purposes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Regardless of the reasoning, its sad that this is a priority when Keijo desperately needs to be rescued because his environment is unsafe," Greene added. The notion that trainers are providing sexual relief to an orca is a perverse new low in the captivity industrys morally bankrupt practices." About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : France First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:05 IST News viral Trainers Sexually Stimulate Orca To Stop Him From Mating With His Mother At Marine Zoo Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 64-Year-Old Teacher Used Soundproof Room To Sexually Abuse Students, Sentenced To 215 Years Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 18:34 IST Kim Kenneth Wilson, a California teacher, was sentenced to 215 years for decades of child abuse, exploitation, and possession of thousands of illicit images Rapid Read + Follow us On Google The investigators found thousands of illicit images at Wilson's residence. (Representative Image) California has been shaken by one of its most disturbing child exploitation cases in recent memory. A 64-year-old elementary school teacher, once considered a model educator, has been sentenced to 215 years in prison for decades of horrific abuse against his students. The man, identified as Kim Kenneth Wilson, had worked as a teacher for more than 23 years. To parents and students, he appeared to be a mild-mannered, hardworking educator. Many children even called him their favourite teacher". He also headed the schools AV Club, a role that gave him free access to the schools broadcast room. Recommended Stories That room, investigators revealed, was soundproof. Wilson turned it into a secret chamber where he lured children, some as young as six and seven. Once the door was shut, no sound escaped. Prosecutors told the court that Wilson not only abused the children but also sexually assaulted them, recorded the acts on video, and stored thousands of images for his own collection. The abuse was not limited to the school premises. Authorities said Wilson also held private gatherings at his home, where he continued to target minors. Over the years, he amassed a vast library of child pornography and exploitation material, undetected by both the school administration and law enforcement. The truth finally came to light in 2023 after an anonymous complaint led police to raid Wilsons residence. What they found shocked even seasoned investigators: thousands of photographs and videos documenting years of exploitation. The evidence confirmed the abuse of dozens of children, though prosecutors believe the real number of victims may be higher. The case moved to trial, where several children and their families came forward to testify despite the trauma. Many victims were so shocked that they could not say anything in the court," prosecutors noted. Even so, Wilson was convicted on 36 serious charges, including child sexual abuse and possession of exploitative material. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In announcing the sentence, the judge declared that Wilson would now spend the last day of his life behind prison bars". The ruling amounted to 215 years of imprisonment, effectively ensuring that Wilson will never walk free again. However, under US law, a legal loophole exists elderly inmates may apply for parole after serving 20 years. If Wilson takes advantage of that rule, he could theoretically be released at the age of 85. Location : California, USA First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:34 IST News world 64-Year-Old Teacher Used Soundproof Room To Sexually Abuse Students, Sentenced To 215 Years Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Aggressive Leverage': JD Vance Says Trump Put Tariffs On India To Force Russia On Ukraine War Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 07:23 IST Vance said that such a measure was part of Washington's plan to make it difficult for Russia to collect high revenues from its oil trade. US Vice President JD Vance. (File photo) US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday said Donald Trump imposed secondary tariffs on India as aggressive economic leverage" aimed at pressuring Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Vance told NBC News Meet the Press that such a measure was part of Washingtons plan to make it difficult for Russia to collect high revenues from its oil trade. Recommended Stories Trump has applied aggressive economic leverage, for example secondary tariffs on India, to try to make it harder for the Russians to get rich from their oil economy," Vance said. The Trump administration has repeatedly voiced opposition to Indias purchase of discounted Russian oil, yet it has notably avoided criticising China, the largest buyer of Moscows crude. India has consistently defended its purchase of Russian oil, stressing that the decisions are guided by national interest and market realities. During the interview, Welker asked, The question is, if the US is not imposing new sanctions, what is the pressure on Russia? How do you get them to a place of getting to the table with Zelenskyy and stopping to drop bombs?" In response, Vance said Trumps tariff move was a calculated effort to drive Moscow toward talks. He tried to make it clear that Russia can be reinvented into the world economy if they stop the killing. But they are going to continue to be isolated if they dont stop the killing," Vance explained. According to a PTI report citing NBC News, Vance voiced confidence in Americas ability to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, even as challenges emerged following President Trumps recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We believe weve already seen some significant concessions from both sides, just in the last few weeks," Vance said during the interview. After Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent including an additional 25 per cent duty on New Delhis Russian crude imports ties between India and the United States have grown increasingly strained. Washington argues that Indias continued purchase of Russian oil is helping fund Moscows war in Ukraine, a charge that New Delhi has strongly rejected. On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hit back at the United States and Europe over the newly imposed tariffs on Indian exports, stressing that India was not forcing anyone to purchase its refined oil or petroleum products. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Its funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business," Jaishankar remarked. Thats really curious. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, dont buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you dont like it, dont buy it," he added. 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 (De... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 07:11 IST News world 'Aggressive Leverage': JD Vance Says Trump Put Tariffs On India To Force Russia On Ukraine War Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bangladesh Raises 1971 Atrocities Issue Again During Pakistan FMs Visit, Demands Apology | Exclusive Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 10:27 IST Sources said Muhammad Yunus demand for an apology is seen as a response to the domestic political pressure within Bangladesh Rapid Read + Follow us On Google According to sources, Muhammad Yunus' demand for an apology is more about local political dynamics than any genuine diplomatic breakthrough. (AFP) Bangladesh has reignited its long-standing demand for an official apology from Pakistan for the atrocities committed during the 1971 war of independence. The demand was made during the visit of Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, marking the most senior visit from Pakistan to Dhaka since 2012. The Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement during the visit, stating that unresolved historical issues, including a formal apology for the genocide during the 1971 war, division of assets, and transfer of foreign aid meant for cyclone victims, should be resolved to pave the way for stable and forward-looking bilateral relations between the two nations. Recommended Stories However, Pakistans Foreign Office statement did not address the issue of a 1971 apology or compensation, leaving Bangladesh shocked. Sources in Dhaka told CNN-News18 that while the initial meetings between Dar and Bangladesh officials had been amicable, tensions emerged when the Pakistani Foreign Minister visited former prime minister Khaleda Zias residence. The visit set off a chain reaction, with Bangladeshs Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus publicly demanding an apology from Pakistan. Yunus demand is seen as a response to the domestic political pressure within Bangladesh, with opposition figures accusing him of using the issue to strengthen his own political standing. Dars meetings with Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and leaders from the Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party historically opposed to Bangladeshs 1971 independence from Pakistan, further added to the controversy. The Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) have also pressed Pakistan to address the unresolved 1971 issues to facilitate the improvement of bilateral ties. According to sources, Yunus demand for an apology is more about local political dynamics than any genuine diplomatic breakthrough. The unresolved 1971 issues have long been a thorn in Bangladesh-Pakistan relations, and this latest demand follows a similar request made earlier this year during the first foreign secretary-level talks in 15 years. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite ongoing efforts for reconciliation, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have remained frosty, especially since the trial of Pakistani military collaborators began in 2010 under the regime of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. This trial further soured relations as it reopened the wounds of 1971, when the Pakistani militarys actions led to widespread atrocities in what was then East Pakistan. As tensions simmer, Bangladeshs demand for an apology may continue to echo as both countries navigate their complex and fraught history. The question now remains whether Pakistan will address these long-standing grievances, or if the demands are largely a political tool for Bangladeshi leaders in the current domestic climate. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: August 25, 2025, 10:27 IST News world Bangladesh Raises 1971 Atrocities Issue Again During Pakistan FMs Visit, Demands Apology | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Whoever Attacks Us...': Netanyahu's Warning After Israel Retaliates To Yemen's Missile Strikes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 09:17 IST Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned of retaliation if Yemen responds to Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa. He said the strikes were meant to send a clear message to the Houthis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday of an attack in case Yemen retaliates to Israeli strikes on multiple targets in Sanaa. He also said the Sunday strikes were aimed at sending a clear message to the Houthis. Recommended Stories In a series of X posts, Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned that the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on strategic targets" in Yemen, including the Presidential Palace in the heart of Sanaa, the citys power station, and its fuel supply tanks. Today, the Air Force has once again attacked strategic targets in Yemen: the Presidential Palace in the heart of Sanaa, the citys power station and the fuel tanks which supply it," Netanyahu stated. He said the strikes were aimed at sending a clear message to the Houthis. The terrorist Houthi regime is learning, the hard way, that it will pay, and is already paying, a very heavy price for its acts of aggression against the State of Israel," he added. The Prime Minister congratulated the military leadership and pilots involved in the operation, noting that all our planes have returned to our territory." Reiterating Israels stance, Netanyahu mentioned, Whoever attacks us we attack them. Whoever is planning to attack us we attack them. I think that the entire region is getting to know the strength and the determination of the State of Israel." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:Today, the Air Force has once again attacked strategic targets in Yemen: the Presidential Palace in the heart of Sanaa, the citys power station and the fuel tanks which supply it. pic.twitter.com/f8tQmKrGiq Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 24, 2025 Israeli strikes hit the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Sunday in retaliation for Houthi missiles fired towards Israel, with a Houthi health official saying the attack killed six people and wounded 86, Reuters said. The strikes are the latest in over a year of direct attacks and counterstrikes between Israel and Houthi militants in Yemen, part of a spillover from the war in Gaza. The Israeli military said the targets included a military compound housing the presidential palace, two power plants and a fuel storage site. The strikes killed six people and injured 86 in a final toll, a Houthi Health Ministry spokesperson said on X. The strikes were conducted in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel and its civilians, including the launching of surface-to-surface missiles and UAVs toward Israeli territory in recent days," the Israeli military said in a statement. On Friday, the Houthis said they had fired a ballistic missile towards Israel in their latest attack, which they said was in support of Palestinians in Gaza. An Israeli Air Force official said on Sunday the missile most likely carried several sub-munitions intended to be detonated upon impact." Since Israels war in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group Hamas began in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have attacked vessels in the Red Sea in what they describe as acts of solidarity with the Palestinians. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. First Published: August 25, 2025, 09:10 IST News world 'Whoever Attacks Us...': Netanyahu's Warning After Israel Retaliates To Yemen's Missile Strikes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Five Journalists, Including AP Stringer, Among 20 Killed In Israeli Strike On Gaza Hospital Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 17:33 IST According to media watchdogs, at least 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began nearly two years ago Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Palestinians gather outside Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. (AFP photo) At least 20 people, including five journalists, were killed on Monday when an Israeli airstrike hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, according to Gazas civil defence agency. Among those killed was Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who had been freelancing for The Associated Press and other media outlets since the war began. The AP said it was shocked and saddened" to learn of her death. Recommended Stories Dagga was often based at Nasser Hospital, reporting on the worsening humanitarian crisis. Her recent work focused on doctors trying to save malnourished children. She had a 12-year-old son who was evacuated from Gaza earlier in the conflict. The Qatar-based network Al Jazeera confirmed the death of its cameraman and photojournalist Mohammad Salama in the strike. Reuters reported that its freelance cameraman Hussam al-Masri was killed, and another of its freelance photographers, Hatem Khaled, was wounded. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also identified two other victims: Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmad Abu Aziz. According to AFP, Abu Taha had worked with several Palestinian and international media organisations. Confirming the strike, the Israeli military said its forces had carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis." The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops," IDF stated. At Least 192 Journalists Killed In Gaza The ongoing war has become one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in modern times. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that at least 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began nearly two years ago. In comparison, 18 journalists have died in Ukraines war with Russia during the same period. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With Israel barring international journalists from freely entering Gaza, coverage of the war has heavily relied on local Palestinian reporters. Many are risking their lives to document the conflict, while also facing the same daily struggles as other civilians, including shortages of food, water, and medicine. (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, ... Read More Location : Palestine First Published: August 25, 2025, 16:10 IST News world Five Journalists, Including AP Stringer, Among 20 Killed In Israeli Strike On Gaza Hospital Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Harvard Reportedly Bows To Trump Pressure; Shuts Down DEI Offices, Removes Faculty Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 01:11 IST Despite the ongoing negotiations, the university has reportedly begun dismantling certain diversity-related structures. Harvard has also responded to demands related to its global academic partnerships (Image: Reuters) Harvard University remains at a critical juncture in its standoff with the Trump administration, as negotiations over federal funding continue. While numerous other US universities have reached settlements with the administration to restore funding, Harvard has yet to finalise an agreement, even as significant changes are already underway on campus. According to a report by The New York Times, Harvard has started to implement several demands from the Trump administration, notably including revisions to diversity programming and actions addressing antisemitism. However, not all demands have been accepted. Harvards interim president, Dr. Alan M. Garber, has rejected a number of proposals he deems intrusive and unconstitutional," including those involving decisions about university admissions and faculty hiring. Recommended Stories Despite the ongoing negotiations, the university has reportedly begun dismantling certain diversity-related structures. Among the Trump administrations conditions was the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, a nationwide conservative push that has generated both political and legal battles. In response, Harvard has already removed several program leaders and closed key diversity offices. One visible change came in April, when Harvard renamed its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. It is now called the Office for Community and Campus Life. Additionally, Harvard removed the websites of its Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, along with those of affiliated offices for LGBTQ+ and female students. The university said these entities were being consolidated into a new, single centre, though details remain limited. Another controversial development includes the removal of faculty members accused of promoting antisemitic views. As part of a broader call for institutional changes, the Trump administration targeted the Center for Middle Eastern Studies after complaints from Jewish alumni and others alleged that it hosted antisemitic programming. In response, Harvard dismissed two of the centers leaders, a move seen by some as a concession to federal pressure. Harvard has also responded to demands related to its global academic partnerships. Trump officials reportedly asked the university to sever ties with Birzeit University, a prominent Palestinian institution in the West Bank. Harvard has since suspended the partnership and announced new collaborations with academic institutions in Israel. Although the university has publicly stated that the changes aim to create a more welcoming environment that supports diverse viewpoints, internal pushback continues. Many on campus fear that the implementation of Trump-era policies could infringe on academic freedom and expression. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The term capitulation is getting thrown around a lot these days," said Harvard history professor Kirsten Weld, who leads the universitys chapter of the American Association of University Professors, a group that has taken legal action against the Trump administration. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 26, 2025, 01:11 IST News world Harvard Reportedly Bows To Trump Pressure; Shuts Down DEI Offices, Removes Faculty Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'I Used Trade': Trump Reiterates Ceasefire Claim On India-Pakistan Conflict Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 21:55 IST Donald Trump claimed he brokered a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May using trade, a claim denied by New Delhi. Trump claimed that he used trade to make Pakistan and India agree to the ceasefire. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that he brokered a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May after a brief conflict, a claim denied by New Delhi on several occasions. Trump claimed that he used trade to make Pakistan and India agree to the ceasefire. While Trump announced on May 10 on his Truth Social account, New Delhi has said that both nations had agreed to a ceasefire after the Director General of Military Operations-level talks. Recommended Stories We stopped 7 wars, the real number is 10. We stopped Iranfrom using a nuclear weapon. Every bomb hit its spot in Iran. The big one was India and Pakistan. India-Pakistan was next level, could have been a nuclear war. It took 24 hours to stop it. I used trade," the Republican said. India struck terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmirs Pahalgam . Pakistan retaliated after Indias Operation Sindoor, leading to a four-day conflict. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods starting August 27, and an unspecified penalty over the sale and purchase of Russian oil. While announcing the tariffs, Trump has accused India of fuelling the Russian war machine. We stopped a lot of fights, very, very big one was India and Pakistan. We stopped that over trade. We are dealing with India and Pakistan. We said that we are not going to be dealing with you at all if you are gonna fight. They were maybe at a nuclear stageStopping that was really important," Trump had earlier said. Several world leaders, including Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, have nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping" several wars. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump, who met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska recently, also said he will soon stop the Russia-Ukraine war, a key poll promise of his 2024 re-election. However, he dropped a hint that a bilateral meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might not happen. They dont like each other," said Trump when asked about the Putin-Zelenskyy meeting. After meeting Putin, the US President has met Zelenskyy and several other European leaders to end the war. 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 Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:29 IST News world 'I Used Trade': Trump Reiterates Ceasefire Claim On India-Pakistan Conflict Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Putin, Iran's Pezeshkian Speak On Phone, To Hold Bilateral Meeting On Sidelines Of SCO Summit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 18:38 IST Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian discussed the Alaska summit, bilateral issues, and agreed to strengthen ties and meet at the upcoming SCO summit in China. File photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (R). (Image: AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, during which they discussed the recently held Alaska summit, the Russian Embassy in Iran confirmed. In a post on X, the the Russian Embassy in Iran wrote, On August 25, President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which Putin informed about the main results of the Russian-American summit in Anchorage." Recommended Stories A number of key issues of the bilateral agenda were discussed," the embassy further wrote. Further, the two leaders also agreed to boost their bilateral ties and agreed to hold a bilateral meeting at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China. During telephone conversation on August 25 Vladimir Putin and Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed their intention to further enhance Russian-Iranian cooperation in various fields and agreed to meet at the upcoming #SCO summit in China," the Russian Embassy wrote in another post. The two leaders also discussed Irans nuclear program as European powers threaten to reimpose sanctions on Tehran over the moribund 2015 deal. Britain, France, and Germany have warned that they might bring back UN sanctions against Iran unless it agrees to limit its uranium enrichment and restore cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) inspectors, according to news agency AFP. Iranian state media said that the Islamic Republic will hold talks with the European trio in Geneva on Tuesday. The Iranian presidency said Pezeshkian had thanked Putin for supporting Tehrans right to enrichment" and said Iran was not seeking, and will never seek to build nuclear weapons", AFP report mentioned. The two nations have deepened their political, military, and economic ties during Russias war in Ukraine. Iran has regularly sought to coordinate its position with both Russia and China before key nuclear talks with the United States and Europe during the current stand-off. Iran suspended cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog following a 12-day deadly conflict with Israel earlier this year, with Tehran pointing to the IAEAs failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:05 IST News world Putin, Iran's Pezeshkian Speak On Phone, To Hold Bilateral Meeting On Sidelines Of SCO Summit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Passenger's Device Catches Fire On Board American Airlines Flight, Forcing Diversion Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 08:03 IST A passenger was jolted awake when a flight attendant leapt onto her exit row seat in a frantic rush to grab a fire extinguisher from the cabin. Emergency crews met American Airlines Flight 357 when it landed at Washington's Dulles International Airport (Representative image) An American Airlines flight, scheduled to land in Phoenix from Philadelphia in the United States, was diverted after smoke started coming out of a passengers device. The flight landed safely at Washingtons Dulles International Airport after the diversion. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 24, involving a flight carrying 160 passengers and six crew members. Recommended Stories According to passenger Adriana Novello, 22, she was jolted awake when a flight attendant leapt onto her exit row seat in a frantic rush to grab a fire extinguisher from the cabin. Then I started smelling smoke, and a lot of people on the plane were coughing. But I looked behind me, and what we could tell was that there was something on fire in the aisle," she told ABC News. Emergency crews met American Airlines Flight 357 when it landed at approximately 11:50 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA did not disclose the type of device involved in the fire. The device was quickly contained by crew members prior to landing," ABC News quoted American Airlines as saying. As cell phones and portable battery chargers have become increasingly common, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported in February a staggering 388 per cent rise in fires caused by such devices on flights over the past decade. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to the Fox News, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority confirmed that the unexpected diversion and landing of American Airlines Flight 357 did not affect flight operations at Dulles International Airport. We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team who are working to get our customers to their destination as quickly as possible," American Airlines said in the statement, as quoted by the outlet. About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 07:17 IST News world Passenger's Device Catches Fire On Board American Airlines Flight, Forcing Diversion Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Russia To Hire More Indians, Simplify Payment System For Travellers, Says Indian Envoy Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 20:01 IST Vinay Kumar said the Indo-Russian Working Group on Banking & Finance is actively discussing ways to make financial transactions easier for all categories of travellers Rapid Read + Follow us On Google Indian envoy to Moscow Vinay Kumar. (image via X/@IndEmbMoscow) Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, has said that Moscow is looking to hire more skilled Indian workers and is working closely with New Delhi to simplify the payment system for travellers, including students and tourists. The envoy made these remarks in a recent interview with Russian news agency TASS. Recommended Stories Speaking on efforts to streamline the payment process, Kumar said the Indo-Russian Working Group on Banking and Finance is actively discussing ways to make financial transactions easier for all categories of travellers. The Indo-Russian working group on Banking and Finance, comprising representatives from relevant ministries and the central boards of both nations, is actively engaged in discussions concerning technical aspects of messaging systems and payment mechanisms to make financial transactions easier for all categories of travelers," Kumar said. He also pointed out that several Russian banks, including VTB and Sberbank, are already operating in India and offering services to make cash and digital payments easier for Russian tourists visiting the country. In addition to financial cooperation, Russian companies in sectors such as machinery and electronics are expressing growing interest in hiring Indian workers, the Ambassador revealed. At a broader level, there is manpower requirement in Russia and India has a skilled manpower. So at present, within the Russian regulations, framework of Russian regulations, laws and quotas, the companies are hiring Indians," Kumar said. He noted that most of the Indians currently working in Russia are employed in the construction and textile sectors, but the demand is now rising in high-skill areas like machinery and electronics. As more Indians arrive in Russia for work, the envoy noted that the Indian mission is experiencing a rise in demand for consular services, including passport renewals and other administrative support. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When people come and leave, they need consular services to extend passports, childbirth, say for example, and loss of passport and those kinds, basically consular services," Kumar added. These developments come at a time when several Western countries including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom are tightening immigration policies, making Russia a potential alternative destination for skilled Indian workers. 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, ... Read More Location : Russia First Published: August 25, 2025, 20:01 IST News world Russia To Hire More Indians, Simplify Payment System For Travellers, Says Indian Envoy Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ryanair Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Manchester After Passenger Tries To Open Exit Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 03:13 IST After engineers inspected and repaired the emergency exit, the flight resumed its journey at 11:22 am local time on August 25. The flight, RK1266 is operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft registered G-RUKO (Pexels/Representative Image) A Ryanair flight traveling from Manchester to Agadir, Morocco, was forced to make an emergency landing less than an hour after takeoff when a female passenger allegedly attempted to open one of the aircrafts emergency exits. According to a report by Manchester Evening News, the womans behavior raised alarms among fellow passengers, who quickly intervened and alerted cabin crew. The flight, RK1266, operated by a Boeing 737-800 aircraft registered G-RUKO, had departed Manchester Airport at approximately 9:00 am local time on August 25. Recommended Stories Fellow passengers recalled that the woman was seated next to the emergency exit and tried to tamper with it. She was only able to get the plastic covering off and as a result was unsuccessful, as other passengers stopped her and made cabin crew aware of the situation at 9:30 am, who then made the captain aware," one passenger told the news outlet. As a result, the aircraft made a U-turn and landed back at Manchester Airport at 10:09 am, according to data from FlightRadar24. A video taken from onboard shows Greater Manchester Police officers boarding the aircraft and retrieving items from overhead compartments after the woman was removed from her seat. The planes captain was reportedly seen standing near the door to ensure safety during the incident. Ryanair confirmed the disruption in a statement to Metro, This flight from Manchester to Agadir diverted back to Manchester shortly after takeoff after a passenger became disruptive onboard." The airline further explained that their crew called ahead for police assistance. Authorities met the aircraft upon arrival, and the woman was taken off the flight. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ryanair emphasised its firm stance on passenger conduct, stating, Ryanair has a strict zero tolerance policy towards passenger misconduct and will continue to take decisive action to combat unruly passenger behaviour, ensuring that all passengers and crew travel in a safe and respectful environment, without unnecessary disruption." After engineers inspected and repaired the emergency exit, the flight resumed its journey at 11:22 am and landed in Agadir with less than a two-hour delay. Location : United Kingdom (UK) First Published: August 26, 2025, 03:13 IST News world Ryanair Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Manchester After Passenger Tries To Open Exit Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... They Call Me President Of Europe: Trump Quips As He Criminalises Burning Of US Flag | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 23:29 IST His comments come after a recent high-level meeting in Washington, where Trump hosted seven European leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy Rapid Read + Follow us On Google US President Donald Trump. (Reuters) US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that European leaders jokingly" refer to him as the President of Europe," while speaking to reporters at the White House shortly after signing a new executive order that makes burning the American flag a criminal offence. They jokingly call me the president of Europe," Trump said from the Oval Office. Which is an honour. I like Europe. And I like those people. Theyre good people. Theyre great leaders." Recommended Stories JUST IN: President Trump signs an executive order instructing the Department of Justice to prosecute people who burn the American flag.I think our nation now is the most respected nation anywhere in the world by far." They call me the president of Europe, which is an pic.twitter.com/RYLP33J8au Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 25, 2025 His comments come after a recent high-level meeting in Washington, where Trump hosted seven European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking about the meeting with the EU leaders, Trump said, Weve never had a case where seven plus really 28, essentially 35, 38 countries were represented here the other day 38 European and other countries were represented." The aim of the talks was to urge Trump to continue supporting Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. The meeting also came shortly after Trump held a private discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaskahis first face-to-face meeting with Putin since 2019. Trump signed an executive order that allows for criminal charges against individuals who burn the US flag. This comes despite a 1989 Supreme Court ruling that protects flag burning under the First Amendment as free speech. Trump called that court a very sad one." The new order recognises the courts decision but adds that people can still be prosecuted if the act is seen as inciting violence or public disorder. Speaking to the media, Trump said that anyone found guilty of burning the flag could face one year in prison, with no chance of early release. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The order also targets foreign nationals who engage in such acts, stating that they could lose visas, be denied permanent residency or citizenship, and possibly face deportation. (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, ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 23:29 IST News world They Call Me President Of Europe: Trump Quips As He Criminalises Burning Of US Flag | Watch Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Hints At Meeting With Kim Jong Un, Casts Doubt On Putin-Zelenskyy Talks Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 22:02 IST Trump stated that Putin was hesitant to meet with Zelenskyy, even as the US President engaged with both leaders in an effort to broker a peace agreement. Rapid Read + Follow us On Google US President Donald Trump. (Reuters) US President Donald Trump on Monday said Russian President Vladimir Putin was hesitant to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the former does not like him", while also talking about his plans to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Someday Ill see him," Trump told reporters when asked if he would meet Kim again, ahead of a visit to the White House by South Koreas new President Lee Jae Myung. We will meet at some point." Recommended Stories Notably, Donald Trump was the first US President to meet the North Korean leader and held a series of historic talks to improve relations between the two rivals. Trump also became the first US President to visit North Korea in 2019. However, despite several meetings, talks between North Korea and the US failed to yield any significant breakthrough, and Pyongyang resumed nuclear testing. No agreement for denuclearisation a key US demand was reached. Trump On Putin-Zelenskyy Talks Trump also cast doubt on talks between Putin and Zelenskyy amid US efforts to negotiating a last peace in Ukraine. During a press conference, when he was asked why Putin was reluctant to meet Zelenskyy, Trump said, Because he does not like him. He does not like him." The US President also confirmed that he had spoken to Putin since meeting Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House. Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation. And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace, and I get very angry about it," he said. This came a day after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Putin is willing to hold talks with Zelenskyy, but cast doubt on Zelenskyys legitimacy as Ukraines leader. When we come to a stage where you have to sign documents, wed need a clear understanding that the person whos signing is legitimate. According to the Ukrainian constitution, Zelenskyy is not," he told NBC News. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Lavrov underscored that Zelenskyy was the de facto head of the Ukrainian regime, but said that the issue of who is going to sign the deal on the Ukrainian side is a very serious [one]." Trump has pushed for a Russia-Ukraine summit before a trilateral meeting involving himself, Putin and Zelenskyy. However, Russia had ruled out any immediate meeting between the leaders of the two warring nations. 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 int... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 21:51 IST News world Trump Hints At Meeting With Kim Jong Un, Casts Doubt On Putin-Zelenskyy Talks Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Fighter Jets Intercepts Russian Spy Plane Near Alaska, Third Time In A Week Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 22:55 IST NORAD detected and tracked a Russian IL-20 COOT reconnaissance aircraft operating in the Alaskan ADIZ NORAD deployed an E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft, two F-16 fighter jets, and two KC-135 refuelling tankers to intercept. (File pic via X/@NORADCommand) The United States military on Sunday scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian spy plane flying near Alaska, marking the third time in a week that US forces have responded to a Russian aircraft detected in the Alaskan Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). The ADIZ is a stretch of international airspace just beyond the borders of US and Canadian sovereign territory. Although it is not owned by any country, all aircraft entering this zone must identify themselves to the US and Canada as a security measure. Recommended Stories According to a press release from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), it detected and tracked a Russian IL-20 COOT reconnaissance aircraft operating in the Alaskan ADIZ. NORAD detected and tracked one IL-20 COOT operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Aug. 24, 2025," the release stated. In response, NORAD deployed an E-3 airborne warning and control aircraft, two F-16 fighter jets, and two KC-135 refuelling tankers to intercept and visually confirm the identity of the Russian plane. The Russian military aircraft stayed within international airspace and did not cross into American or Canadian sovereign airspace. NORAD added that such Russian flights within the Alaskan ADIZ occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat". An ADIZ begins where sovereign airspace ends and is a defined stretch of international airspace that requires the ready identification of all aircraft in the interest of national security," it stated. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to CBS News, Russian military aircraft have been spotted in the Alaskan ADIZ multiple times this year, with previous sightings reported in April and July. The latest detection on Sunday was the third such incident within a single week. This pattern of activity is not new. In January, both the US and Canada scrambled jets to track Russian aircraft over the Arctic amid rising tensions in the region. And in September last year, NORAD released dramatic video footage showing a Russian jet flying within just a few feet of a NORAD aircraft off the Alaskan coast. 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, ... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 22:46 IST News world US Fighter Jets Intercepts Russian Spy Plane Near Alaska, Third Time In A Week Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Man Arrested For Hurling 2-Year-Old Baby From Balcony In Shocking Incident Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 25, 2025, 18:40 IST The toddler survived the fall and was quickly rushed to hospital. Doctors later confirmed that the child had not suffered any serious injuries Rapid Read Choose News18 on Google Following the incident, the two-year-old has been placed in protective custody. (Representational image via AP) A man in the US has been arrested after allegedly deliberately dropping a two-year-old toddler from a second-storey balcony. The incident took place on August 16 at around 11:30 a.m. in Snohomish, Washington. Recommended Stories According to local authorities, officers from the Snohomish Police Department responded to reports of a man who had intentionally thrown a young child from an upper-level apartment balcony, WFSB reported. Miraculously, the toddler survived the fall and was quickly rushed to hospital. Doctors later confirmed that the child had not suffered any serious injuries. The 38-year-old suspect was taken into custody at the scene and has since been charged with assault and reckless endangerment. Following the incident, the two-year-old has been placed in protective custody, and child protection services are now involved. It is not yet clear what relationship, if any, the accused shared with the child. Police have not yet disclosed the motive behind the act, but investigations are ongoing. In a similar case from March, a man in Wisconsin faced charges after prosecutors said he intentionally dropped a toddler from a second-storey balcony, KBTX News reported. The child, named Stormy, survived the fall with only bruises. Her mother, Shakira Walters, said the incident began with an argument that escalated out of control. According to a criminal complaint, 31-year-old Jaimann Eiland, Walters ex-husband, admitted to accidentally knocking the child over in the kitchen. That led to a heated confrontation, which allegedly turned physical. Eiland then dropped or threw the toddler from the balcony. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He has been charged with substantial battery and physical abuse of a child, and is currently being held on $15,000 bail. If convicted, the child abuse charge against him could carry a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. 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, ... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 25, 2025, 18:33 IST News world US Man Arrested For Hurling 2-Year-Old Baby From Balcony In Shocking Incident Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Aug 25, 2025 10:30 IST Israels political and military leadership has for two years allegedly misled their country and the world about the war in Gaza, which has overwhelmingly killed civilians, according to a report in The Guardian. Citing a classified military intelligence database and sources from the elite Unit 8200, the joint investigation claims that the focus on a war dashboard showing the number of militants killed became an objective in itself. This approach reportedly came with no clear plan for how Gaza could be governed post-conflict. The investigation found that as of May, the database listed 8,900 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters as killed or probably killed, a figure that suggests official claims were inflated. Zelenskyy Thanks Modi For I-Day Wishes, Highlights India's Role In Peace Efforts Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 26, 2025, 03:39 IST Prime Minister Modi, in his message, also reflected on his visit to Kyiv last August, noting the progress in bilateral relations since then. Zelenskyy thanked the Indian leader for his support and stressed the urgency of ending the Russia-Ukraine war (Image: Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his warm wishes on Ukraines Independence Day, observed on August 24. In a post shared on social media platform X, Zelenskyy acknowledged Indias support for peace and dialogue, especially in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Thank you, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for the warm greetings on Ukraines Independence Day. We appreciate Indias dedication to peace and dialogue," Zelenskyy wrote. He also shared the message sent by Prime Minister Modi to mark the occasion. India remains committed to extending all possible support for sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," Modis message read. Recommended Stories In his reply, Zelenskyy thanked the Indian leader for his support and stressed the urgency of ending the war. We count on Indias contribution. Every decision that strengthens diplomacy leads to better security not only in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," Zelenskyy stated. He added that the world is watching and hoping for a resolution that restores dignity and ensures lasting peace. Thank you, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for the warm greetings on Ukraines Independence Day. We appreciate Indias dedication to peace and dialogue. Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on Indias contribution. Every pic.twitter.com/FtwkXUhtEH Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 25, 2025 Prime Minister Modi, in his message, also reflected on his visit to Kyiv last August, noting the progress in bilateral relations since then. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen our mutually beneficial cooperation," he wrote. The exchange between the two leaders comes at a significant moment, as the Ukraine-India relationship evolves amid geopolitical tensions. Both Modi and Zelenskyy have exchanged words of assurance not only during Ukraines Independence Day but also on August 15, when Zelenskyy extended wishes on Indias national holiday. The Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its fourth year since the 2022 full-scale invasion, shows no clear path to resolution. While US President Donald Trump previously offered to mediate talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy, first individually, then through a proposed trilateral summit, the idea remains speculative. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Last week, during a meeting at the White House, some EU leaders hinted that a direct meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy could take place in the coming two weeks. However, no official confirmation has come from the Kremlin as of yet. Location : Ukraine First Published: August 26, 2025, 03:39 IST News world Zelenskyy Thanks Modi For I-Day Wishes, Highlights India's Role In Peace Efforts Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ashlee Simpson-Rossthen just Ashlee Simpsoninfamously became the first artist to walk out of a Saturday Night Live musical performance in 2004, when she was 20. Now 40, the singer is looking back on that incident, and says "the bullying was insane" afterward, People reports. For her second song on the show, she was supposed to perform "Autobiography." Instead, "Pieces of Me" started playing, with her voice singing the words before she'd actually brought the mic to her mouth to begin. Flustered, she ultimately left the stage as her band continued playing before the show cut to commercial; she later said she'd been forced to lip sync because she'd had an acid reflux flare-up. She went back on the show the following season, Deadline reports. On the podcast Pod Meets World starring Boy Meets World alums Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel, and Will Friedle, Simpson-Ross said she felt she had to justify herself: "Then my whole life, I had to tell people, 'Oh, but I perform every night.' My fans know. I had to know that in my heart." She noted "it's a different era" now, and in some ways, public reaction to celebrity mistakes has shifted"but also it hasn't in some ways," she said. "I think it's different now. For us, we had the magazines and this. Now everything's kinda more fleeting." Whereas mistakes like hers felt like they'd be on a person's "shoulders forever," she noted of the current era, "And I think now everything is, like, a little bit more fleeting and fast." | Trump to Christie: Maybe We'll Look Into Bridgegate Again President suggests reopening investigation into Christie scandal after former ally criticizes him Celebrities are often asked for selfies with fans, but fans of actor Seth Rogen usually have a different request. "People just want to smoke weed with me," Rogen announced on a recent episode of the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast. What's more, Rogen occasionally says yes. "If it seems like it'll really be special for the person, sometimes I will," the admitted stoner and co-founder of cannabis brand Houseplant said, per the Hollywood Reporter . "I've had moments where I'm like, 'This is a big moment for this person. [The] least I could do is take a couple hits with them.'" Rogen has claimed to "smoke weed all day, every single day, since I was 20 years old," all while managing to be "very productive," per the Independent. "To me it's a very therapeutic part of my day to day journey which I don't even question or think about any more, honestly," the star and executive producer of The Studio told the Guardian earlier this year. "For sure I process it differently than other people do," he continued, noting he'd shared joints with people who'd gone on to enter "a new dark period for three months" while he'd gone about his day as usual. In other words, fans should be careful what they wish for. Beijing (Gasgoo)-On August 20, SpeedBot Robotics, a Chinese technology company specializing in AI-enhanced machine vision technologies for industrial automation, announced it had raised more than 100 million yuan in a Series B+ financing round, led exclusively by a fund under V-Capital. The latest round follows the completion of the company's 300 million yuan Series B financing in 2022, injecting fresh momentum into its development. The capitals will be used primarily for the advancement of embodied industrial intelligence products and market expansion in the shipbuilding and lithium battery sectors. Photo credit: SpeedBot Robotics Founded in 2018, SpeedBot Robotics focuses on "AI + 3D vision", industrial intelligent software, and smart factory solutions. In industries such as heavy machinery, automotive, and new energy, the inspection of workpieces and finished products has traditionally relied on skilled workers, a process that is time-consuming, inefficient, and prone to accuracy issues. To address this widespread challenge, SpeedBot Robotics' R&D team made a series of breakthroughs in visual measurement technology, developing a portfolio of intelligent measurement products. In particular, the company has built a dual-driven solution matrix that integrates intelligent manufacturing and measurement, covering the entire automotive production chainincluding stamping, welding, painting, and final assembly. This enables automakers and component suppliers to pursue digital transformation from incremental improvements to full-scale upgrades. Thanks to these innovations, SpeedBot Robotics has grown from a small startup of just over a dozen employees into a leading player in AI machine vision and industrial intelligent software within six years, and is now preparing for entry into the capital markets. The company has completed several financing rounds in recent years, backed by investors including Turing Ventures, Yicun Capital, MSA Capital, CCIG, and Matrix Partners. With this support, SpeedBot Robotics has accelerated its overseas expansion, establishing subsidiaries in Germany, Singapore, Vietnam, and Canada. It has also increased investment in R&D, inaugurating a new Shanghai R&D center in August 2022 to deepen industrial collaboration and speed the commercialization of research. An Israeli strike on a hospital in southern Gaza killed four journalists on Monday, according to health officials. One of them was Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist, who had freelanced for the AP and other outlets since the Gaza war began. In all, 19 people were killed in the strike on Nasser Hospital, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Health Ministry's records department. Dagga, who has a 12-year-old son who was evacuated from Gaza earlier in the war, frequently based herself at Nasser, most recently reporting on the hospital's doctors struggling to save children from starvation. Al Jazeera confirmed that its journalist Mohammed Salam was also among those who were killed in the Nasser strike. Reuters reported that its contractor cameraman Hussam al-Masri was killed and its contractor photographer Hatem Khaled wounded. The Israeli prime minister's office and Israeli military declined to comment on the strike. The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Comparatively, 18 journalists have been killed so far in Russia's war in Ukraine, according to the CPJ. Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international media from covering the war. News organizations instead rely largely on Palestinian journalists in Gazaas well as residentsto show the world what is happening there. Israel often questions the affiliations and biases of Palestinian journalists but doesn't permit others in. Many of the journalists working in Gaza are facing the same struggles to find food, for themselves and their families, as the people they are covering. As a new school year begins, thousands of undocumented college students in Texas are facing soaring tuition bills under a fast-tracked deal between state leaders and the Trump administration to scrap their in-state tuition. Now, the same tactic may be used in other states, reports the Washington Post . In a lawsuit filed in June, the Justice Department argued that federal law prohibits states from offering tuition breaks to undocumented students if out-of-state US citizens don't receive the same deal. The case was resolved within hours, sparking accusations of backroom coordination between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and federal officials. Critics say the settlement bypassed both legislative and judicial processes and note that the legislature, despite Republican dominance, had failed to overturn the so-called Texas Dream Act earlier this year. Now, legal appeals are underway as students and advocacy groups seek to reverse the decision, but the immediate impact is confusion and mounting financial pressure as the fall semester begins. Students now face tuition hikes that could triple their costs overnight, with some reporting bills jumping from $5,000 to $21,000 per semester. While some managed to secure last-minute donor support, many others are reconsidering their academic plans. The abrupt shift has left colleges scrambling to determine which students are still eligible for in-state rates, particularly those covered by DACA, the federal program for young immigrants brought to the US as children. The Justice Department is now pursuing similar legal challenges in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Minnesota, aiming to block in-state tuition for undocumented students more broadly. Immigrant advocates argue the new approach could price thousands out of higher education and hurt state economies. Texas alone could lose over $460 million annually in economic activity. Former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev will not be repeating his feat this year after losing in the first round on Sunday to Benjamin Bonzi of France. And the loss will be a memorable one, thanks to a very public gaffe by a photographer that led to a court meltdown by the Russian player. The details: Photographer: The unidentified man apparently lost track of play and entered the court after Bonzi missed a serve on match point in the third set. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth ordered him off the court, then awarded Bonzi his first serve over again because of the delay, which the AP says is a standard call. The unidentified man apparently lost track of play and entered the court after Bonzi missed a serve on match point in the third set. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth ordered him off the court, then awarded Bonzi his first serve over again because of the delay, which the AP says is a standard call. Medvedev: He erupted at the decision to confrontand tauntthe ump. "Are you a man, why are you shaking?" he asked, per Reuters. "He wants to go home, guys, he doesn't like it here," Medvedev told the crowd, speaking into the microphones behind the ump's chair. "He gets paid by the match, not by the hour." As he left, he shouted, "What did Reilly Opelka say?" multiple times, a reference to that player calling Allensworth "the worst ump on tour." He egged on the crowd as it booed and refused to quiet down so Bonzi could serve again, which ended up prolonging the delay to six minutes. He erupted at the decision to confrontand tauntthe ump. "Are you a man, why are you shaking?" he asked, per Reuters. "He wants to go home, guys, he doesn't like it here," Medvedev told the crowd, speaking into the microphones behind the ump's chair. "He gets paid by the match, not by the hour." As he left, he shouted, "What did Reilly Opelka say?" multiple times, a reference to that player calling Allensworth "the worst ump on tour." He egged on the crowd as it booed and refused to quiet down so Bonzi could serve again, which ended up prolonging the delay to six minutes. Video: Watch it all unfold here. President Trump signed an executive order on Monday that aims to put flag burners behind bars. "If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail," Trump said, reports USA Today . "You will see flag burning stop immediately." Specifically, the order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to "vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the flag, and to pursue litigation to clarify the scope of First Amendment in this area," per Fox News . The Washington Post explains that a 1989 Supreme Court ruling decreed that burning the US flag is protected by the First Amendment. Trump is essentially asking Bondi to look for a case that might challenge that ruling and end up before a Supreme Court that is notably more conservative than the 1989 court. "We will do that without running afoul of the First Amendment," Bondi said. Trump's order takes specific aim at immigrants accused of flag burning by directing his administration to "deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, or naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek (their) removal from the United States," per the executive order. Trump had been especially irked earlier this year at seeing images of US flags being burned in Los Angeles during protests of immigration raids, per the Post. Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada pleaded guilty Monday to US drug trafficking charges, saying he was sorry for helping to flood the US with cocaine and other illicit substances. "I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico," he said through a Spanish-language interpreter. "I apologize for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions." Under the leadership of Zambada and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional player into the largest drug trafficking organization in the world, prosecutors say. In pleading guilty, Zambada acknowledged the extent of the Sinaloa operation, including underlings who built relationships with cocaine producers in Colombia, oversaw the importation of cocaine to Mexico by boat and plane, and the smuggling of the drug across the US-Mexico border, the AP reports. He acknowledged that people working for him paid bribes to Mexican police and military commanders "so they could operate freely," going all the way back to when the cartel was just starting out. Considered a good negotiator, Zambada was seen as the cartel's strategist and dealmaker, thought to be more involved in its day-to-day doings than the more flamboyant Guzman. Zambada entered his plea in a Brooklyn federal court, two weeks after prosecutors said they wouldn't seek the death penalty against him. Instead, he's expecting to be sentenced Jan. 13 to life in prison. The 77-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise. He was arrested in Texas last year. Zambada had pleaded not guilty last year to a range of drug trafficking and related charges, including gun and money laundering offenses. Zambada has said he was kidnapped in Mexico and taken against his will to the US. He had often been at odds with Guzman's sons, dubbed the Chapitos, a term that translates to "little Chapos." A federal judge has at least temporarily halted the government's latest attempt to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia . Monday's order from US District Judge Paula Xinis came hours after Homeland Security officials detained Abrego Garcia during a required check-in at the Immigration Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore and said they'd begun processing him for removal, reports the Washington Post . He will remain in the US until the judge has time to hold a hearing and assess the case. "This administration has hit us hard, but I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us," Abrego Garcia told a crowd of supporters before turning himself in, per the AP. "God will bring justice to all the injustice we are suffering," he added, speaking through a translator. Abrego Garcia's attorneys claim that the administration is pressuring him to plead guilty to what they say are bogus migrant smuggling charges. If he takes the plea, he goes to Spanish-speaking Costa Rica, they say. If not, he might get sent to Uganda in Africa. Prosecutors reject the claim as "misleading." Read more on the back-and-forth of Abrego Garcia's case, which began with an errant deportation to El Salvador. Elon Musk's xAI has sued Apple and OpenAI, claiming the tech giants are teaming up to stifle competition in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. The suit claims Apple gives OpenAI's ChatGPT a unique edge by allowing it to tap into millions of iPhone users' prompts and feedbackprivileges xAI says aren't extended to rival chatbots, the Wall Street Journal reports. Musk's company argues this arrangement gives OpenAI a data-driven advantage and pushes other AI apps lower in App Store rankings . According to the complaint, Apple and OpenAI are acting as "monopolists," locking out competitors like xAI's Grok chatbot and the X social media platform from the kind of exposure needed to scale up in the market. The lawsuit draws comparisons to the Justice Department's antitrust action against Google, in which exclusive deals for default search status on iPhones were found to suppress competition. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An OpenAI statement says: "This latest filing is consistent with Mr. Musk's ongoing pattern of harassment," per CNBC. The case highlights the strategic importance of distribution deals as AI-driven products begin to reshape the tech landscape. Musk's legal challenge appears partly aimed at forcing Apple to reconsider how it prioritizes AI apps, per the Journal, potentially opening the door for xAI to gain more visibility. The Verge posted the filing here. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Snow likely. High 7F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 80%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low -17F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Cloudy with periods of snow late. High 6F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. Low -17F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 22, 2025, BYD held a launch event in Malaysia for the New BYD SEAL sedan model while also announcing plans to build a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) factory, scheduled to begin operations in 2026. Photo credit: BYD On the same day, the company opened its 36th Wing Hin store, bringing the combined number of BYD and DENZA outlets in Malaysia to 43. The twin milestones mark not only a significant step in BYD's expansion in Malaysia but also a clear demonstration of its commitment to combining global reach with local integration. According to Liu Xueliang, General Manager of BYD Asia Pacific Auto Sales Division, Malaysia has long been one of the company's most important markets in Southeast Asia. The New SEAL model's launch, alongside the upcoming start of CKD plant construction, opens a new chapter for BYD in the country while reinforcing its long-term commitment to local development. Mr. Liu highlighted that BYD's pledge goes beyond delivering new models, extending into broader contributions to Malaysia's EV ecosystemfrom local assembly and talent cultivation to the promotion of electrified mobilityin partnership with local stakeholders to drive a greener, smarter transportation future. Jeffrey Gan, Managing Director of Sime Motors, Southeast Asia, noted that BYD has been the top-selling EV brand in Malaysia for three consecutive years, with the SEAL ranked as the country's best-selling electric sedan in 2024. He added that the introduction of the NEW SEAL will likely attract even wider consumer interest. At the same time, the establishment of the CKD plant ushers in a new era for BYD in Malaysia. Supported by a growing dealership networknow at 36 outlets and expanding furtherthe company aims to enhance after-sales service and provide Malaysian customers with more convenient access to EVs and ownership support. TDT | Manama Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com Bahrain is taking a decisive step toward digital independence by localising its artificial intelligence (AI) system for geospatial monitoring. The Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB) yesterday signed an agreement with international company Aetosky to launch the second phase of its project to detect changes and building violations through AI. SLRB President Basim bin Yacob Al Hamer said the new phase marks a shift from adoption to localisation, with the Bureau now preparing to operate and develop the system internally. He stressed that building local skills is central to ensuring sustainable, high-quality services that respond to public needs and advance Bahrains digital readiness. National goals Al Hamer added that the project aligns with the Government Programme 20232026, which prioritises improved government performance and digital transformation. By transferring AI capabilities in-house, the Bureau aims to boost efficiency, raise data accuracy, and strengthen coordination across government agencies. The system uses satellite imagery to monitor natural and urban changes across the Kingdom, giving decision-makers accurate reports that support service improvement. Proven efficiency Phase one of the system, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture, produced promising results with more than 60 percent improvement in monitoring efficiency. That success laid the foundation for expanding the platform to other government agencies in phase two. Al Hamer noted that this broader rollout will help consolidate spatial data, improve inter-agency collaboration, and bring advanced technology directly into government service delivery. Public-private cooperation Aetosky CEO Abhay Swarup Mittal welcomed the partnership as a model of public-private collaboration in digital transformation. He said the agreement focuses on knowledge transfer and national capability building, equipping the Bureau with a smart platform that can detect changes with high accuracy. He underlined that the project is designed to give the Bureau greater independence in managing and evolving the system, while supporting Bahrains long-term digital transformation goals. This agreement, the Bureau said, reaffirms its commitment to delivering government services that are efficient, accurate, and firmly rooted in national capabilities. Bangladeshs interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus, has called on the international community to help end the ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya minority in neighboring Myanmar. Speaking at an aid conference in Coxs Bazar on Monday, Yunus highlighted the immense burden Bangladesh carries, hosting 1.3 million Rohingya refugeesthe largest refugee population in the world. Most fled Myanmar following a military crackdown in 2017. Due to continued persecution, Rohingya continue to leave Myanmar, Yunus said. It is our moral responsibility to take the right side of history and stop the armed actors from carrying out their horrible plan to cleanse the Rohingya population. The conference aims to discuss ways to ensure the early, voluntary, and sustainable return of refugees to Myanmar, even as new arrivals continue to cross the border and limited aid worsens the crisis. Yunus stressed that Bangladesh cannot shoulder the responsibility alone. It is not only Bangladeshs duty but also the responsibility of the international community to share the burden of the Rohingya crisis, he said. He also highlighted the strain on Bangladesh, which is still recovering from the August 2024 uprising that overthrew the government of Sheikh Hasina. The impact on our economy, resources, environment, and society has been huge, Yunus said. Given our own challenges, we cannot mobilize more domestic resources. While Bangladesh is working tirelessly to support the refugees, Yunus emphasized that the root of the crisis lies in Myanmar. The Rohingya crisis started there, and the solution must come from there as well, he said. The aid talks in Coxs Bazar come ahead of a United Nations conference on the Rohingya crisis scheduled for September 30 in New York. After crossing paths at the event, Brar's CEO Kiran Mann and Trexo Robotics CEO Manmeet Maggu quickly discovered a shared vision: creating bold, lasting impact in their community. Not long after that meeting, Brar's pledged to donate two Trexo Plus robotic walking devices, one for Kids Physio Group Midtown and another for a clinic in British Columbia to be donated later this year. These donations ensure children with disabilities gain access to cutting-edge mobility technology close to home. Kiran Mann, CEO of Brar's. "At Brar's, our values center around family, celebration, and joy. Trexo's work beautifully aligns with this by bringing happiness and fun to families who need this equipment." On July 16, 2025, the first device was delivered to Kids Physio Group Midtown Toronto. Two children experienced walking in robotic legs for the first time. Although Mann was unable to attend the delivery due to a recent fire at Brar's facility, she insisted the event move forward, so the children could access the technology without delay. An official celebration with Mann, Maggu, and staff from both companies, is taking place at the Midtown clinic on August 26, 2025, where families and therapists will come together to celebrate the power of community-driven innovation. Data That Shows Real Impact Each Trexo Plus device uses a tablet to track steps taken and measures the child's initiation on each leg. While no personal information is shared, the data will provide compelling insights into the impact of the device. For many families in the Toronto area, the donation of this device means access to technology that was out of reach previously. Brar's pledge ensures more children will experience the life-changing potential of robotic mobility. "We believe every kiddo who wants to walk should have the opportunity to do so," said Manmeet Maggu, CEO of Trexo Robotics. "We are grateful for our partnership with Brar's and for this gift that demonstrates their commitment to making a measurable difference." Media is welcome to attend. Please contact Trexo Robotics media contact for details. A Partnership Rooted in Community and Heart Beyond this donation, Brar's Food Culture and Trexo Robotics have already joined forces on volunteer initiatives, including at Peel Children's Aid. This partnership goes beyond business, it represents a long-term, heartfelt commitment to community well-being. As Brar's and Trexo Robotics look ahead, both organizations envision continued collaboration, through volunteer initiatives, yet unimagined opportunities and the donation of the second Trexo Plus device. About Brar's Food Culture Brar's is a leading South Asian food brand in North America, known for bringing authentic Indian flavors to households through its wide range of dairy products, snacks, and desserts. Rooted in tradition and family values, Brar's continues to create products that celebrate culture, togetherness, and the joy of great food. About Trexo Robotics Trexo Robotics cutting-edge robotic walking devices are designed to help children with mobility challenges experience walking and physical activity. Founded with a mission to reimagine what's possible, Trexo devices are now used by families and clinics across North America. Media Contact: Trexo Robotics Jenn Horowitz Head of Marketing (844) 844-0607 [email protected] Brar's Food Culture Simran Mann Digital Marketing Coordinator [email protected] SOURCE Trexo Robotics Dover, DE, United States, August 25th, 2025, CyberNewsWire Attaxion announces the addition of the Agentless Traffic Monitoring capability to its exposure management platform. Agentless Traffic Monitoring is a new capability designed to give cybersecurity teams actionable visibility into network traffic flowing to and from their digital assets all without the need to deploy any agents or sensors on these assets. Attaxion uses real-time NetFlow data to provide its users with detailed context about inbound and outbound trafficincluding source and destination IP addresses and ports, protocol used, and timestamps of when the traffic was first and last seen. Relying on global NetFlow data instead of local sensors allows to preserve the agentless nature of the solution, making sure Attaxion remains easy to use and doesnt require deployment. Using the NetFlow data and a combination of threat intelligence sources, Attaxion can distinguish between benign and malicious traffic, offering SOC analysts and cybersecurity engineers a quick and easy way of understanding which of their IP addresses are communicating with known malicious IP addresses. Figure 1: Attaxions new Agentless Traffic Monitoring feature, identifying malicious traffic to and from the organizations IP addresses A diverse set of connected threat intelligence feeds allows Attaxion to highlight the exact type of attack and in some cases even the exact malware family that is generating the traffic. The new feature speeds up incident response, malware detection, and threat hunting, and makes vulnerability management much more effective, allowing network administrators and security engineers to focus on whats relevant right now. With the level of detail that Agentless Traffic Monitoring provides, security teams can immediately see which assets are interacting with known malicious infrastructure, said Max Beatty, Head of Growth & Strategy at Attaxion, This context is incredibly valuable when prioritizing risk. If an asset with a known vulnerability is communicating with a malicious IP, that should be your top priority. The Agentless Traffic Monitoring feature is built to help reduce alert fatigue and focus remediation efforts on high-risk areas within the attack surface. Key capabilities include: Real-time traffic visibility across all exposed assets. Automatic classification of malicious traffic and attack type. Integration with threat intelligence feeds to detect attack types and malware families. Asset-level context to support vulnerability prioritization. Figure 2: Attaxions Agentless Traffic Monitoring identifies recent command-and-control (C2) activity across malware families and timeframes Agentless Traffic Monitoring is now available for Attaxion customers as part of its growing suite of continuous monitoring tools. For more information, users can visit https://attaxion.com/capability/traffic-monitoring/. About Attaxion Attaxion helps organizations discover, monitor, and secure their internet-facing assets. The platform combines automated discovery, continuous assessment, and guided remediation to deliver 97% greater asset visibility and AI-driven vulnerability prioritization making robust cyber defense accessible to teams of every size. To support early evaluation and integration, Attaxion is available with a 30-day free trial and an asset finder preview tool. Contact PR Team Attaxion LLC [email protected] NASA proposes to pioneer a radically new approach to mitigating radiation-induced cell damage in astronauts by transplanting new undamaged mitochondria (critical radiation-sensitive cell organelles) isolated from each individual pre-exposure. Replacing mitochondria could fix radiation damage and it can fix aging damage. This would help against cardiovascular disease and Alzheimers. There are early voluntary trials of mitochondria replacement by Mitrix Bio and Biotech Explorers that have started this year. Researchers in the past decade have found that mitochondria dont just sit in cells, but in fact constantly transfer around the body. Everyday, hundreds of billions are transferred through the bloodstream, brain, heart, and other organs, in order to supplement cells in need. Many of these mobile mitochondria are encased in extracellular vesicles what we term Mitlets. Mitlets are a natural fountain of youth within the body, used to balance and preserve healthy cellular energetics; an extraordinary evolutionary adaptation to increase survival and longevity of species. Scaling Mitochondria harvesting and replacement and speeding regulatory approvals is work being done by the Healthspan Action Coalition. Nextbigfuture supports the Healthspan Action Coalition. Every cell contains hundreds of mitochondria. They are vital organelles tightly integrated into many core cellular processes, and responsible for producing adenosine triphosphate, a chemical energy store molecule used to power the cell. Mitochondria become dysfunctional with age. This is an important contribution to degenerative aging. Cells will readily take up whole mitochondria from the surrounding tissue environment and make use of them. Thus it is possible to introduce large numbers of mitochondria harvested from cell cultures into a tissue in order to largely replace the native mitochondria. Provided that age-related mechanisms of damage and dysfunction that degrade the effectiveness of mitochondrial populations act slowly, then introducing young, functional mitochondria into an old individual should produce a lasting benefit. John G Cramer, a 90-year-old emeritus professor of physics at the University of Washington, has announced he will undergo a novel therapy that uses bioreactor-grown mitochondria, a technology developed by biotech startup Mitrix Bio. Biotech Explorers, a startup based on research from Stanford and other major universities, is announcing the first-of-their-kind planned human trials of age reversal. These trials target a 130-year human lifespan, or an equivalent age reversal of 30 years, initially for astronauts and people with certain premature aging diseases. Early trials will use bioreactor-grown young mitochondria, transplanted into the body, to restore the decline in mitochondria a primary cause of age NASA will investigate this fundamental emerging concept in medicine in the space radiation context, study cell responses to relevant radiation levels, and design a preliminary system to extract, isolate, and shield mitochondria for therapeutic use during travel in deep space. Chronic exposure to deep space radiation remains among the least mitigated threats to long-term human habitation in space, and a large meta-analysis of flight and ground analog experiments has indicated mitochondrial dysfunction as a shared mechanism of spaceflight-induced changes in the body. Using in vitro human cell models, thet will demonstrate the ability of this targeted mitochondria replacement therapy to restore cellular function after both acute and chronic radiation exposure and assess the dosage and timing required for effective treatment. Using this data, we will create a preliminary system design for using this therapy in flight. This reduction in radiation risk will help safeguard human health in space enabling new classes of longer duration crewed missions such as sustained lunar campaigns, missions to Mars, and even direct human exploration of the outer solar system. Beyond NASA, this technology has the potential to help treat a multitude of age-related degenerative diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as many cardiovascular diseases and Alzheimers disease, improving health for humanity as a whole. Status of Approved Mitochondrial Replacement and Transplantation Therapies Mitochondrial replacement/transplantation therapies aim to restore cellular function by introducing healthy mitochondria into damaged cells. There are two primary categories: Germline Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT): Used in IVF to prevent inheritance of mitochondrial diseases from the mother. Techniques include pronuclear transfer (PNT) or maternal spindle transfer (MST), creating three-parent embryos. Somatic Mitochondrial Transplantation (MT): Therapeutic infusion of mitochondria (often autologous, from the patients own tissues) into affected cells for acquired conditions like ischemia, injury, or disease-related dysfunction. This aligns closely with the NASA proposal, as it targets post-damage repair in adults. Recent progress (20232025) shows advancement in both, with germline MRT achieving regulatory approvals and births, while somatic MT is in clinical trials demonstrating safety but not yet widespread approval. Below is a summary of key developments, focusing on human trials and approvals. Approved Treatments Germline MRT for Inherited Mitochondrial Diseases:Approved in the UK since 2015 (Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority) and Australia since 2022 for preventing severe mitochondrial disorders. Its restricted to licensed clinics for women carrying pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations. In the UK, a groundbreaking trial (Newcastle Fertility Centre) using PNT resulted in 8 healthy babies born by July 2025, spared from potentially deadly disease. A July 2025 NEJM study confirmed MRT compatibility with embryo viability, with no adverse effects detected. Not approved in the US due to FDA restrictions on introducing donor mitochondria (advisory from 2018), though research continues Safety supported by nonhuman primate studies (2020) showing normal development, fertility, and aging Other Recent Preclinical/Early Human Advances (20232025) Radiation and Tissue Injury: A 2025 review suggests MT reverses mitochondrial dysfunction in radiation-damaged tissues, amplifying NASAs work. Preclinical models show MT reduces oxidative stress from IR exposure. Vascular/Cardiac: July 2025 study on MT for vascular dysfunction; promising in cardiac IRI, with clinical trials limited but expanding. Kidney/Neuro: 2025 studies show MT reverses kidney damage and aids spinal cord injury recovery. Aging/Degenerative: Combined with exercise for muscle atrophy; potential for Alzheimers (preclinical). Osteoarthritis (OA): June 2025 study combining autologous MT with gene therapy (rAAV IGF-I) shows promise for human OA. Donor-Cell-Free Donation Cardiac Transplant (DCD): July 2025 review explores MT to improve outcomes in heart transplants. General Reviews: 2025 consensus on nomenclature; biotechnological advances in MT techniques. Trials emphasize autologous sources (e.g., muscle) for safety. Timeline to Broad Mitochondrial Replacement in Public Health Anti-aging is mostly not a recognized regulatory endpoint (agencies like FDA require disease-specific outcomes). Timelines depend on trial data, safety profiles, and regional priorities. Short-Term (2025-2027): Informal or early-phase trials underway. Mitrix Bios volunteer trial (starting August 2025) tests autologous MT in adults over 55 for safety and age-reversal, self-funded and not FDA-regulated as a formal trial. Minovias Phase 2 trial (ongoing as of August 2025) uses placenta-derived mitochondria for mitochondrial diseases, with elderly anti-aging trials planned for 2026 after biomarker development. Conferences like the Mitochondrial Transplantation Conference (April 2025) and Targeting Mitochondria Congress (October 2025) highlight progress, but no approvals expected soon. Medium-Term (2028-2032): Potential Phase 2/3 trials for anti-aging indications if early data shows efficacy (e.g., improved muscle function, cognition). Reviews suggest 5-7 years for standardized guidelines and broader clinical validation. Approvals could start in progressive regions like Japan or Australia; US/EU might lag due to ethical concerns over three-parent techniques and need for long-term safety data. Long-Term (2033+): Widespread approvals if trials confirm benefits for age-related diseases (e.g., Alzheimers, sarcopenia). Experts estimate 10+ years for routine use, requiring resolution of challenges like immune responses and delivery efficiency. System for Harvesting and Scaling Healthy Mitochondria A blood donation-like system for mitochondria would involve autologous (self-derived) or allogeneic (donor) harvesting, isolation, and banking for broad application. Current methods extract mitochondria from patient tissues (e.g., muscle biopsies or stem cells) or donors (e.g., placenta, which contains super mitochondria from young cells). Scaling requires bioreactors for culturing age-reset mitochondria, storage protocols (e.g., cryopreservation, though activity lasts 1-2 hours on ice), and networks similar to cord blood banks. Placenta banking (often discarded as waste) could enable donor systems, reducing ethical issues. Timeline for a Mitochondria Harvesting and Donation System Short-Term (2025-2027): Proof-of-concept in trials (e.g., Minovias placenta-derived MT, Mitrixs bioreactor-grown autologous MT). Medium-Term (2028-2032): Pilot banking networks if trials succeed; regulatory frameworks for donation/storage. Long-Term (2033+): Scaled systems like blood banks, potentially 10-15 years away, needing tech for long-term viability and global standards. Impact on Healthspan and Lifespan? About 10 Year Healthspan Extension Mitochondrial dysfunction drives aging via reduced ATP, increased ROS, and cellular damage; MT could reverse this, improving healthspan (years of healthy living) more than lifespan. Animal studies show enhanced grip strength, endurance, and bioenergy; human trials indicate better energy, physical function, and quality of life in disease models. Healthspan: Potential 10-20% improvement by alleviating sarcopenia, neurodegeneration, and metabolic issues. E.g., restored muscle ATP in sarcopenia models; cognitive gains in Alzheimers mice. Could delay onset of age-related diseases, enhancing vitality in elderly. Lifespan: Speculative 5-10 year extension if systemic; worm/fly/mouse models show increases via better mito function, but human data limited. One Mitrix participant speculated living past 122 healthily. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On August 25, 2025, Leapmotor announced that its global-oriented strategic model, the Leapmotor B10, has officially set sail for Europe. Built on the company's LEAP 3.5 architecture, the model is set to hit the European market at the 2025 IAA MOBILITY in Munich on September 8, with deliveries in Europe to start at the same time. Ahead of launch, the Leapmotor B10 has been undergoing a million-kilometer testing program across 200 cities in 18 countries, spanning Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. The trials are designed to push the vehicle through extreme and diverse driving conditions. Photo credit: Leapmotor Leapmotor has positioned the B10 as a global-oriented model built to meet international regulations. Its development followed a "global standards plus local optimization" strategy, ensuring compliance with the regulatory frameworks of 53 countries and regions while tailoring performance and features to specific markets. To ensure the B10's battery system can withstand a wide range of climates, Leapmotor has created a global weather database covering 195 major cities. The database includes geographic, meteorological, and road-condition data from every target market, enabling the company to optimize and validate the EV's performance under extreme climate conditions. The Leapmotor B10's chassis has been jointly fine-tuned by Leapmotor engineers and Stellantis specialists through a China-Europe collaboration. Using advanced driving simulators, the team calibrated the vehicle to match driving habits and preferences in different regions, aiming to deliver handling that feels locally tailored. With the B10's shipment to Europe, Leapmotor is signaling a new stage in its global ambitions. The SUV will gradually enter more than 20 markets this year, including the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and South America. Europe remains the company's strategic priority, where the model will be priced at 29,900 (around 250,000 yuan) and go on sale at the IAA MOBILITY in September. Leapmotor's overseas momentum has been building steadily. Between January and July this year, the company exported 24,980 vehicles, with July European orders surpassing 4,000 unitsa record high, according to data compiled by the China Passenger Car Association. The brand now operates in more than 30 countries and regions, supported by a network of over 1,500 sales and service outlets worldwide, including more than 550 across Europe. Credit: MotoGP A MotoGP camera operator narrowly avoided being hit by Pedro Acostas KTM motorcycle, which went flying into the air during a terrifying-looking crash at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Acosta lost control of his bike at Turn 8 during qualifying at the Balaton Park circuit on Saturday, sending it into a high-speed tumble where it flipped several times before hitting the wall, vaulting up over it, and clipping the trackside camera in a tower before tumbling into a fenced area nearby. A cameraperson in the tower, known as Joao, narrowly avoided being hit. MotoGP released several angles of the crash, showing the speed, intensity, and scariness of the incident. The video ends with Joao offering a thumbs-up to show that he was okay. Our cameraman, Joao, avoiding @37_pedroacostas bike impact is probably the most shocking video youll see today! Were so glad to see hes ok! #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/o9SslLPDhT MotoGP (@MotoGP) August 23, 2025 MotoGP confirmed that Joao was unharmed in the incident in a social media post that said, Our cameraman, Joao, avoiding [Pedro Acostas] bike impact is probably the most shocking video youll see today! Were so glad to see hes ok! Another clip showed Acosta meeting with Joao and checking to make sure he was okay. Joao confirmed that the bike didnt touch me, but did hit the camera. Sorry for the scare, Acosta told the camera operator. Just knowing youre okay is more than enough. Newlyweds Nancy Orellana-Splinter and Tom Splinter were killed in a crash Saturday morning in Cumberland County. (GoFundMe) A Cumberland County grand jury has indicted an Atlantic City man on charges he was intoxicated when his car struck another vehicle, killing a recently married couple. Levon A. Woods, 25, was driving east on Mays Landing Road in Maurice River Township around 4 a.m. on Feb. 22 when prosecutors said his car crossed into the oncoming lane and hit a westbound vehicle driven by 57-year-old Thomas Splinter. Splinter and passenger Nancy Orellana-Splinter, 29, both of Mays Landing, died at the scene. Woods blood alcohol concentration was measured at 0.095% four hours after the crash, Cumberland County Assistant Prosecutor Charles Wettstein said during an April court hearing. Based on that reading, his level would have been 0.155% around the time of the crash, Wettstein said. The legal limit is 0.08%. Earlier this month, a Cumberland County grand jury indicted Woods on two counts each of second-degree vehicular homicide, third-degree strict liability vehicular homicide and second-degree violation of a law intended to protect public health and safety. His public defender didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Woods showed signs of intoxication at the crash scene, including slurred speech, impaired motor functions and police noticed the odor of alcohol on his breath, Wettstein said. Woods told police he was drinking at a nightclub in Philadelphia prior to the crash and a friend drove him to Deerfield Township in Cumberland County, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed with the charges. Woods drove from Deerfield in his own vehicle and was heading for his residence in Atlantic City when the crash occurred, police said. He told police he didnt think he was too intoxicated to drive, though Woods acknowledged he sipped on a bottle of cognac at the club, according to the affidavit. He also told investigators he didnt recall the accident and may have fallen asleep, police said. Data recovered from his vehicle showed Woods was traveling at around 66 mph seconds before the crash, which occurred in a 50 mph zone, Wettstein said. Woods is free pending trial and is scheduled to return to court Sept. 19 for a post-indictment arraignment hearing. The Splinters married last September, according to a friend, who described the couple as always there for each other and their friends and family, no matter what. The father of Nancy Orellana-Splinters son has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Woods. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. A scene from "Let the Devil In," a true-crime docuseries that explores a 1988 New Jersey murder-suicide. Jeremy Gould | MGM+ The headlines arrived as satanic panic gripped 1980s America. Satanist teen Uses Scout Knife to Kill Mother, Self. Boy Kills Mother and Himself. "Suicides Blamed on Musics Satanic Spell." Jefferson Townships Thomas Tommy Sullivan Jr. was 14 when he killed his mother, Betty Ann Sullivan, by stabbing her with his Boy Scout knife in 1988. More than 37 years later, a true-crime docuseries will explore the New Jersey case. The show, called Let the Devil In, is hosted by writer, actor and director Eli Roth (Thanksgiving, Borderlands, Inglourious Basterds, Hostel, Knock Knock), also an executive producer. The four-part series, premiering on MGM+ Sunday (Aug. 31), is based on Branden Morgans podcast The Devil Within. Eli Roth, host and executive producer of "Let the Devil In," which is based on the podcast "The Devil Within." Jeremy Gould | MGM+ Morgan serves as an executive producer on the series from showrunner and director Danielle Franco. Tommy Sullivan Jr. and his mother had reportedly been arguing about his fixation on satanic ritual and folklore when he fatally attacked her, set the familys house on fire, then slit his throat in a neighbors yard, killing himself. Tommys father, Thomas Sullivan Sr., and brother, Brian Sullivan, then 10, escaped the fire after waking up to a smoke alarm, finding Betty Anns body in the basement. The first season of Morgans podcast, released in 2021, examines Tommy who was a a student at the Rev. George A. Brown Memorial School in Sparta along with his family and that deadly night at their Jefferson Township home in Morris County. Let the Devil In promises firsthand accounts and interviews related to the 1988 Jersey case, with sources including witnesses, friends, members of the community and law enforcement. See the trailer below. Let the Devil In premieres Sunday, Aug. 31, 9 p.m. ET/PT on MGM+. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The "Chinese Culinary Night: A Taste of Guangxi" event was held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, on Saturday night, showcasing traditional culinary culture and the friendship between China and Brunei. The event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Brunei and took place at Laksamana College of Business (LCB). Nearly 80 guests, including Bruneian cabinet ministers, government officials, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and well-known public figures, attended the event. Teams from Guilin Tourism University in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Brunei's LCB prepared their characteristic dishes, exchanging cooking techniques and food culture. During the traditional Chinese tea frying demonstration, the venue was filled with the aroma of tea. Bruneian guests participated in the process and tasted freshly fried Guangxi tea. "Culinary culture is a precious treasure of traditional Chinese culture," said Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Xiao Jianguo, noting that each dish not only carries the unique flavors of China's Guangxi, but also embodies the essence of Southeast Asian culinary culture. "Through every bite, we can taste the deep-rooted cultural connections between Guangxi, Brunei, and the entire ASEAN region, truly experiencing the profound charm of cultural exchange and mutual understanding," said the ambassador. S. Sivarajah, CEO and deputy principal of LCB, emphasized the significance of this event in promoting culinary and cultural exchange between the two nations, sharing cooking techniques, and enhancing the friendship between the peoples of China and Brunei. During World War II, when foreign invaders' bayonets ripped the tranquility in China's rural society, amid the flames and bloodshed, 400 million compatriots forged an indomitable national resilience. The great spirit of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is an invaluable spiritual legacy of the Chinese. For over 80 years, this spirit has transcended time and space, inspiring the nation to overcome challenges and strive to realize the "Chinese Dream" of national rejuvenation. President Xi Jinping emphasized, at a symposium commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in 2020, that during the epic course of the War of Resistance, the Chinese people forged a great spirit of resistance. They demonstrated to the world a deep sense of patriotism rooted in the belief that every citizen bears responsibility for the nation's survival, a noble national character that values dignity over life, a heroic resolve to fight to the end without fear of violence and an unyielding faith in ultimate victory despite countless hardships. This spirit is the wellspring of strength for the achievements in the new era. National identity forged in crucible of war The War of Resistance ended the disunity that plagued pre-war Chinese society, forming a powerful centripetal force that awakened national consciousness. This national awakening manifested an unprecedented surge of patriotism. The profound national identity and mobilization capacity born in this era laid a solid foundation of political and popular will for the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949 and subsequent modernization efforts an irreplaceable cornerstone for undertaking any new great cause. The war also significantly advanced political consolidation. Wartime exigencies demanded unparalleled efficiency in political mobilization. In the Communist-controlled base areas, the Communist Party of China (CPC) implemented a "three-thirds system" one-third of the positions in the CPC-led liberated areas were held by Party members, one-third by non-CPC left-leaning progressives, and one-third by representatives of the middle social classes, in this way uniting fragmented social forces. It mobilized the masses for guerrilla warfare to pin down enemy forces, launched production campaigns to sustain the war effort, and built a united front for national resistance. These wartime political practices created the "millet plus rifles" miracle, in which the underdog Chinese People's Liberation Army, armed with only basic supplies, defeated a powerful and better-equipped enemy. They also forged an efficient organizational system and cadre corps, the foundational elements of modern Chinese governance. Cultural reconstruction While war brings destruction, it also ignites extraordinary resilience and creativity. Amid the suffering and displacement, a wartime culture flourished, playing a vital role in mobilizing the public and uplifting morale. Songs, street theater, reportage literature, and publicity comics art forms loved by the people proliferated, encouraging the masses and promoting the organic fusion of modern nationalism and the spirit of the people. On a deeper level, war prompted self-reflection and cultural reevaluation. The spiritual core of Chinese culture displayed remarkable vitality and regenerative power amid foreign invasion. This cultural self-examination and creativity, underpinned by a national spirit that embraced death over dishonor, became the wellspring of cultural confidence. The cultural resilience forged in the fires of resistance has since nourished China's determination to preserve its national character while absorbing the best of global civilization offering spiritual and value-based sustenance for building a socialist cultural powerhouse in the new era. A commitment to peace After the Chinese nation triumphed over a formidable enemy through heroic resolve and unyielding belief in victory, the people, with unimaginable endurance and sacrifice, threw themselves into rebuilding their homeland. Their commitment to peace was profound not born of fear or forgetfulness, but from deep personal scars of war. The national consciousness deeply cherished the principles of "fighting to end war" and "the preciousness of peace." These values became part of China's collective psyche and found expression in the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence proposed after the founding of the PRC. These principles mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence remain the guiding principles in China's foreign policy. In the new era, China stands close to the center of the world stage. With its rising global responsibilities, it has proposed building a "community with a shared future for humanity." This is rooted in the Chinese people's wartime spiritual rebirth and understanding that isolationism is untenable, the law of the jungle brings universal harm, and nations share intertwined destinies. The vision for a world of lasting peace, common security, shared prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and ecological sustainability is a constructive response to the wounds of history. It is a choice to not forget or succumb to hatred but to rise to a higher dimension of collective responsibility for the future. The enduring spirit of resistance The great spirit of resistance patriotism in defense of the nation, integrity in the face of death, heroism against oppression, and unshakable faith in victory has become part of the bloodline of the Chinese nation and serves as a perpetual engine for overcoming all obstacles and achieving greatness in the new era. During the arduous years of reconstruction, the belief in ultimate victory fueled the rebuilding of a ruined homeland and laid an industrial foundation to rise from poverty. The success of programs like "Two Bombs, One Satellite," the project to develop the atom bomb, the intercontinental ballistic missile, and the artificial satellite in the 1960s and early 1970s to bolster the nation's scientific and defense capabilities, was a vivid testament to the spirit of self-reliance and perseverance. In the tide of reform and opening up in the 1970s, the heroism of the resistance era evolved into a bold spirit of innovation, ushering in an economic miracle. In the face of challenges such as the devastating earthquake in Wenchuan in southwest China in 2008 that killed over 80,000 people, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the spirit of sacrifice and collective responsibility once again manifested as nationwide unity. In the fight against poverty, at the frontiers of technological innovation, and in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the enduring spirit of resistance continues to shine. Xi called this spirit the great spirit of resisting aggression bred during the war is an invaluable source of inspiration, and will always motivate the Chinese people to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and strive to achieve national rejuvenation. Today, China stands at a new historical starting point, with the goal of building a modern socialist country and realizing national rejuvenation. The journey ahead will undoubtedly present new challenges, but the great spirit of resistance, with its timeless power, will provide the nation with enduring spiritual support. With this priceless legacy, the Chinese people will face the future with greater confidence, inclusiveness, and responsibility overcoming all obstacles, creating new achievements worthy of history and the people, and ultimately realizing the grand dream of national rejuvenation. The author is Li Zixin, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is deputy director of the Office of Intelligence and Science and Technology at the China Institute of International Studies. (SourceCGTN The Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks will be available on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Starbucks Summer may be ending soon, but pumpkin spice season is just beginning. For Starbucks fans scrounging the internet to find out when the pumpkin spice latte will return to the menu, youll be happy to know that Starbucks 2025 fall menu will drop Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. Here is what you need to know about when you can get the Pumpkin Spice Latte and other fall menu items. Related: Starbucks left this drink off the fall menu When will the Pumpkin Spice Latte return to the Starbucks menu? The Pumpkin Spice Latte will return to menus on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, according to Starbucks. This is later than the PSL return to Starbucks last year. In 2024, the Pumpkin Spice Latte was brought back on August 22, which was the earliest that Starbucks had ever debuted the drink for the fall menu. It looks like Starbucks is giving us a few extra days of summer before taking over with pumpkin-spiced everything. This is also the first time that Starbucks has announced the return. Typically, rumors begin to swirl in July of the PSLs return, and Starbucks previously didnt confirm it until closer to the official Pumpkin Spice Latte release date. What ingredients make up the Pumpkin Spice Latte? According to Starbucks Coffee at Home recipe, the fan-favorite consists of espresso, milk, Pumpkin Spice Syrup, and whipped cream, with pumpkin pie spice sprinkled on top. Starbucks also adds real pumpkin to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, in addition to other fall drinks. What items besides the Pumpkin Spice Latte will be on the Starbucks 2025 fall menu? The coffee chain said its bringing back three other returning favorites and introducing two new items. The following drinks are returning to the menu, according to Starbucks: Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte There is also one new drink being added to the menu, as well as one new food item. The new drink is the Pecan Oatmilk Cortado, and the new food item is the Italian Sausage Egg Bites. In addition to the food and beverage items coming to mainstream Starbucks locations, Starbucks Reserve locations will be rolling out these additional five menu items: Iced Tiramisu Latte Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini Cocktail Flights Coffee Hazelnut Brioche Smores Tart Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. A New Jersey man has been charged in a hit-and-run crash that killed a 35-year-old jogger in Gloucester County on Sunday, police said. Mckeon C. Mckeon-Fish, of Newfield, was jogging southbound on the 300 block of Madison Avenue in Newfield when he was struck from behind by a vehicle shortly after 8 a.m., according to Franklin Township police, which patrols the small borough. Mckeon-Fish was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Emmanual Anakwah, 36, of Newfield, briefly stopped at the scene before fleeing, police said. He then called the police at about 8:28 a.m. to report that he had been involved in a crash on Madison Avenue, police said. Anakwah was parked on the 300 block of Catawba Avenue in Newfield when he was found by police and taken into custody without incident, authorities said. Anakwah was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, police said. He was released pending a court appearance. The investigation by the Franklin Township Police Department and Gloucester County Prosecutors Office remains ongoing. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, police said. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com. Breast milk provides essential proteins, fats, and antibodies that support both the digestive and immune systems. Getty Images As August comes to a close, so does National Breastfeeding Awareness Month a time not only to celebrate the deep bond and health benefits that breastfeeding brings, but also to address the resilience of families navigating its many challenges. At Newarks University Hospital, Dr. Harpreet Kaur, a neonatal physician, and Mackieba Reyes, a lactation consultant who also works with midwives and doulas across the state, are helping to lead the charge in supporting breastfeeding families. Breastfeeding Awareness Month, which was established in 2011 to align with World Breastfeeding Week, gives them a platform to reinforce support systems, share resources, and ensure parents have the education and encouragement they need to make informed feeding choices, Kaur and Reyes said. They emphasize the many benefits of breastfeeding. For babies, it improves overall health, reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by encouraging frequent waking and movement, and supports stronger intellectual development. For mothers, breastfeeding can lower the risk of certain cancers, help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size, reduce postpartum bleeding, burn calories, and decrease the risk of diabetes and hypertension. It may also delay the return of menstruation. Breastfeeding trends Data reveals the trend in breastfeeding is a steady decline as the baby gets older. Nationally, about 85.7% of babies are ever breastfed, but that number drops to 62.1% at six months and 40.8% at one year, according to CDC data for infants born in 2022. Only 27.9% are exclusively breastfed through six months, falling short of federal health targets. In New Jersey, breastfeeding rates are slightly below the national average. The state reports that 55.4% of infants are breastfed at six months, and 33.8% at one year. Statewide data on exclusive breastfeeding by race is limited, but health officials report that White parents are more likely to exclusively breastfeed during birth hospitalization, while Black and Hispanic parents have the lowest rates. Recognizing these trends, New Jersey created its 20222027 Breastfeeding Strategic Plan, which prioritizes equitable support for all families. Breastmilk for premature babies Dr. Kaur, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), stresses that breast milk is especially critical for premature infants. Because premature babies are smaller and have underdeveloped immune systems and digestive tracts, they face a much higher risk of intestinal infections. Breast milk provides essential proteins, fats, and antibodies that support both the digestive and immune systems, she said. It helps babies tolerate feeds better and lowers the risk of infections. It also supports better neurodevelopmental outcomes, including higher IQ scores. Hospital stays are often shorter because breastfed premature babies experience fewer infections, which reduces both morbidity and mortality rates, she said. University Hospital health care workers gather for a team photo before a breastfeeding awareness event hosted by the hospital on Aug. 7, 2025. University Hospital Support for all lactating mothers Reyes, the lactation consultant shared her personal struggles with breastfeeding. I had my first kid at 17, so as a teenager breastfeeding was rough, she said. Then I realized most of the time, moms just need a little guidance. I went through the cracked nipples. I went through low milk production. My third child did not latch. So, I know most of the problems that our moms face and Im able to relate to what theyre going through. She emphasized that her support extends to all mothers whether theyve delivered a full-term baby or experienced a pregnancy loss. One of the most common challenges she said is milk production. We explain that the more often you breastfeed, the more milk your body will produce, she said. Many new mothers worry when their baby wants to feed every hour. But Reyes said that often the baby is only nursing for 5 to 10 minutes, not long enough for a full feeding. We encourage them to let the baby stay on one breast as long as needed, she said, then switch to the other at the next feeding. By the next day, moms usually see an increase in milkand they get really excited. Support continues for low-income families enrolled in the WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children), a federal assistance initiative that provides nutrition education, healthy food, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals for children up to age five. Helping mothers after pregnancy loss Reyes also works with women who have experienced pregnancy loss, helping them navigate the physical and emotional aspects of lactation. If a loss happens after 16 weeks, the body will likely begin producing milk, she explained. I give them a day or two to process emotionally, and then we talk about their options. Some women choose to suppress lactation, while others decide to donate their milk. We now have medications that can help suppress milk if thats what they choose, Reyes said. Or, if they want to donate, I help connect them to a milk bank. She outlined the donation process: Once the milk bank is contacted, they send a screening form, she said. The mother takes it to her doctor, who completes it. Then the milk bank ships a Styrofoam box with storage bags. The mom pumps, freezes the milk, packs it in the box, and ships it back. Reyes emphasized that donor milk banks maintain high safety and quality standards by thoroughly screening donors, pasteurizing the milk, and regularly testing it to remove harmful bacteria while preserving its nutritional and immune-boosting properties. Flexible breastfeeding options Recognizing that many low-income mothers return to work soon after childbirth, Reyes stressed how breastfeeding can be adapted to meet different lifestyles. Many insurance companies will cover a double electric breast pump, and frozen breast milk can be stored for six to twelve months, she said. Reyes and her team help new mothers order pumps before leaving the hospital. We give them information on how to order their pump, it usually arrives in five to seven days, she said. We also send them home with a manual pump and connect them with WIC for continued support. She also points out that breastfeeding technology has come a long way, noting that there are now wearable pumps that fit into a bra and operate hands-free. You just pump, pour the milk into a bottle, and store it, she said. Reyes says her role is about more than providing tools its about empowerment and access. We know whats available and help moms to select the resources that fit their needs, she said. Were here to teach and educate. Ande Richards may be reached at arichards@njadvancemedia.com. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. The NJ DEP is proposing changes to the states Fish Code that would affect fishing regulations from 2026 through 2030. Ed Murray | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is proposing changes to the states Fish Code that would affect fishing regulations from 2026 through 2030. The proposed changes include: Removal of the three-week preseason closure to fishing on all trout-stocked lakes and ponds. Addition of 23 new trout-stocked waters to the spring trout stocking program, and removal of two waters. Addition of one fish species to the potentially dangerous fish species list. Modify existing season, size, or creel limits for several fish species. Change waters managed as Lunker Bass Lakes and the warmwater Conservation Regulations. Modify Trophy Trout Lake regulations. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10. The hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the large conference room at the NJFW Central Regional Office, Assunpink Wildlife Management Area 1, Eldridge Road, Robbinsville. The DEP is accepting public comments on the proposed changes through Oct. 16. To send comments electronically, click here, or send hard copy to: Amanda Parker, Esq. ATTN: DEP Docket No. 07-25-07NJ Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Legal Affairs, P.O. Box 402401, East State Street, 7th Floor,Trenton, NJ 08625-0402. For more information, visit the NJDEP Fish & Wildlifes website. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. President Donald Trump, right, meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP President Donald Trump reiterated that he will follow through on one of his administrations recent reversals a move that has drawn criticism from MAGA world. While speaking at a trade summit on Monday, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants him to visit China, and extended the invitation to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He then went on to say that were going to allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in the United States. As you know, were taking a lot of money in from China because of the tariffs and different things, and its a very important relationship, Trump told reporters. Were going to get along good with China. Trumps comments echoed similar remarks from June, when he reversed course around two weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students particularly including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Rubio also promised to create a stricter review process for future applicants. WE WILL PROVIDE TO CHINA WHAT WAS AGREED TO, INCLUDING CHINESE STUDENTS USING OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME!), Trump previously wrote on his Truth Social platform. After renewing his commitment in the Oval Office, some in Trumps base expressed disappointment over his decision to continue with his pledge. Sigh," the End Wokeness account wrote on X. Laura Loomer, a staunch Trump loyalist, baselessly claimed that They arent really students though. They are Chinese Communist spies. Would be great to kick all of these Chinese spies out of the US, she continued. They arent really students though. They are Chinese Communist spies. Would be great to kick all of these Chinese spies out of the US. https://t.co/bKTAW8VmFS Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 25, 2025 Marina Medvin, a criminal defense attorney, said that I dont know a single Trump voter in favor of this. Not what I voted for," Michael Flynn Jr., the son of the presidents former adviser, posted. Bo French, the chair of a Texas county GOP, argued that Trump could have an ulterior motive. While my position is we shouldnt allow a single Chinese student in America, because they are all spies for the CCP, I also believe everything Trump says is part of the negotiation, French said. Everything. Harrison Smith, an Infowars host, also weighed in: Trump f------ sucks now. We voted for MASS DEPORTATIONS, NOT MASS IMPORTATIONS, another user wrote. Trump fucking sucks now. https://t.co/him9qa8xFe Harrison H. Smith (@HarrisonHSmith) August 25, 2025 Trump and Lee were expected to discuss details of a trade deal between the two countries, announced in July, with Seoul investing billions of dollars into the United States. The agreement imposes 15% tariffs on South Korean goods entering the country. Earlier on Monday, Trump alleged that a Purge or Revolution seems to be taking place in South Korea, and threatened to halt business with the country. But while meeting with Trump, Lee kept the tone cordial, praising Trumps new White House decor and saying it symbolizes the new future and prosperity of America. He also even hinted at the possibility of a Trump Tower in North Korea. Weve known each other and gotten along very well, Trump said at the summit. Its a great honor to be with you and congratulations on your election. That was a big one, and were with you 100%, he added, referencing to how Lee took office after Seouls former leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, was ousted after imposing martial law. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. There was before. And then, suddenly, there was after. Between the two came Katrina, whose official landfall roughly traced the Louisiana-Mississippi state line much as Hurricane Camille did 36 years earlier. Like Camille, Katrina caused significant but not devastating wind damage across New Orleans. We had weathered worse before, we told ourselves. That was before. This time, the water that filled city streets kept rising. And rising. Quickly, then faster and faster as the storm surge swamped defective floodwalls lining three of the citys four main drainage canals. Within hours, a rising tide of sewage and brine flooded 80% of the city. More than homes, the federal flood (local levees and floodwalls were designed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) displaced entire neighborhoods, tore apart the citys social and cultural fabric, and ripped away the illusion of complacency that for generations had masked our citys ugliest truths particularly the vast socio-economic disparities between Black and white New Orleanians. America watched in horror as several dozen looters raided local retailers; few if any saw the countless acts of courage and kindness as neighbors helped neighbors escape the rampaging floodwaters and strangers rescued strangers across the city a truer picture of New Orleans and its people. Fewer still saw the horrors endured by hundreds of senior citizens who slowly, excruciatingly died of dehydration in their sweltering homes, desperately waiting for someone to rescue them. Many werent found until weeks or even months later. That was just the beginning of after. It took nearly six weeks to drain the flooded areas. The stench of death and decay took longer to leave. Even now, two decades later, many who returned still point to high-water marks in their homes, businesses and churches. Collectively, our initial trauma gave way to frustration, then to anger. Our leaders had failed us at every level local, state and national and we werent about to stay quiet about it. Enraged and engaged was the headline atop one of my early Gambit columns about the groundswell of political unrest that rose as the floodwaters retreated. For decades, New Orleans politics reflected a top-down approach to leadership and governance. Citizens accepted as immutable a system that allowed local power brokers to decide who would seek and win municipal offices. Katrina turned that model on its head as New Orleanians in the spring of 2006 elected a city council dominated by neighborhood leaders and civic activists rather than marionettes of entrenched political organizations. Subsequent city councils continued to see this new breed of bottom-up leaders culminating in LaToya Cantrells election as mayor in 2017. Cantrell first gained notice after Katrina as the fiercely outspoken president of the Broadmoor Improvement Association, fighting to keep her low-lying neighborhood from being green dotted out of existence in the citys budding recovery plan. The wave of political change didnt stop there. New Orleanians combined the citys seven assessors offices and overwhelmingly supported changing the way area levee boards are organized and appointed. Meanwhile, Mayor Ray Nagin declared the recovery would be market driven Darwinian code for everyones on their own. (Nagin cut a few shady deals for himself on his way out of office, for which he drew a 10-year stint in the federal pokey.) The citys rich and middle-class residents an overwhelmingly white cohort fared well enough under Nagins market-driven recovery plan. Many of the citys other, mostly Black citizens still struggle to rebuild. Sadly, thats one aspect of the before era that hasnt changed. Amidst the upheaval, New Orleans culture bearers found inspiration, rekindling hope in a city too often defined by tragedy. Most Americans thought we had lost our minds when we postponed city elections yet celebrated Mardi Gras as scheduled, but we knew better. Mardi Gras 2006 was for us, the rest of the world be damned. Ditto for that years Jazz Fest, which featured some of the most memorable performances in the annals of local music. The state even got into the act. Then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco wisely heeded the advice of Superdome manager Doug Thornton, who convinced her that rebuilding the iconic stadium which had been the scene of so much suffering during Katrina would inspire and unite New Orleanians like nothing else. Then came Steve Gleasons blocked punt in the Saints first post-Katrina home opener as the Black and Gold trounced the hated Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 25, 2006. Three seasons later, they brought home the Lombardi Trophy. Many still weep for joy just thinking about that. Lord knows weve shed enough tears of sorrow since Aug. 29, 2005. Like the wars, famines, fires and epidemics that have plagued New Orleans over the past 307 years, Katrina will forever mark a pivotal moment in our citys history. For those of us who lived through its darkest days, the storm and its aftermath will always overshadow what came before, even if it swept away too much of what was beautiful and not enough of what was ugly. Ultimately, its up to us to write our history, cure our ills, right our wrongs, and most of all lean on and raise up one another. Because we are not so much resilient a word weve all come to despise because it falls so far short of what truly defines us as rooted in a city that, for all its flaws, remains the only place we love and celebrate like nowhere else. +13 Note Change: How the post-Katrina charter system reshaped music education in New Orleans New Orleans' move to a charter school system after Hurricane Katrina has reshaped music education in a city known worldwide for its music. A 17-year-old boy is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after the electric motorcycle he was riding crashed in the centre of Braunton on Saturday night. The teen was riding a black Sur-Ron electric bike when it crashed on Chaloners Road near the square just before 8.50pm on Saturday (August 23). No other vehicle was involved. It is believed there was a pillion passenger on the bike who fled the scene before police arrived. Police said a result of the collision, the 17-year-old male rider, who is from the Braunton area, was left with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital where he remains. The main road through the centre of Braunton was closed for several hours both ways while and examination of the scene was carried out by officers. Police are appealing for any witnesses who saw the collision or the events leading up to it, or who might have dashcam, to come forward. Please get in touch via the Devon and Cornwall Police website or by calling 101, quoting log number 941 23/08/2025. English bulldog owners are being invited to a Farewell To August charity walk on Sunday (August 31) to help more bullies find their forever homes. It has been organised by Olivia, a North Devon volunteer and fosterer for Geordie Bullies Springboard Rescue UK (GBSR) one of only three breed-specific rescue charities in the UK dedicated to helping English bulldogs. Olivia and her bulldog Louise will be hosting the walk on Braunton Burrows and hope as many local English bulldogs owners will go along as possible. They will meet at 10.45am at the Sandy Lane car park with the walk starting at 11. Above: Olivia, Harry and Louie. GBSR is dedicated solely to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming English Bulldogs through a trusted network of foster carers nationwide. The charity relies solely on donations. Above: Olivias bulldog Louie with Boris and Bruno, who are currently being fostered in Holsworthy and looking for their forever homes. Credit: GBSR Regional coordinator Wanda Kew first met Oliva and her bulldog, Louie, when Oliva travelled from Barnstaple to Weston-super-Mare after seeing a post on social media because she wanted Louie to meet other bulldogs. After learning more about the charity, Oliva and her partner Harry decided to become volunteers, opening their hearts and home to Vinnie, their first foster. In January she decided to start a monthly walk on Braunton Burrows, but sadly no one turned up for the first event and she was devastated, but persevered and kept promoting the events, sometimes walking alone with Louise. In July her efforts paid off and it was the most successful walk yet, with five dogs attending, including Boris and Bruno, who are currently in foster care in the South West. Olivia said: Back in 2022, Harry and I rescued our bulldog Louie. Thats when we first came across Geordie Bullies at the bulldog meet-up walks in Weston-super-Mare, where we met the lovely Wanda. Shes supported us so much along the way and we honestly couldnt have done it without her! After seeing the amazing work the charity does, we knew we wanted to help other bulldogs find their forever homes too. Our first foster was Vinnie a bouncy, cuddly, funny boy who completely stole our hearts. Vinnie now has the best family and a brother called Tank. Now were doing all we can to fundraise and spread the word so more bulldogs, just like Louie and Vinnie, can find their happy-ever-afters. All English bullies owners are welcome to join the walk and more information can be found on the South West (Braunton Burrows) Bulldog Walk for GBSR UK Facebook event page, link https://www.facebook.com/events/1037565578232272 East Japan Railway said it will cancel the tour of the luxurious Train Suite Shiki-Shima departing on August 30. The rooms were almost fully booked for this trip. But JR East could not secure enough crew members for this journey due to effects of a drinking scandal. Whistleblowing has led officials to discover that since at least 2022, six of Shiki-Shima's crew members were drinking alcohol like wine and champagne for passengers during their breaks. Crew members are allowed to taste them for quality control purposes, but those implicated in the misconduct apparently drank more than the permitted scope. As the six were removed from the 26-member crew team, JR East could not secure staff necessary for the Shiki-Shima tour that was scheduled to begin August 30. The railway company said it will provide refunds and offer alternative tours to affected customers. Projected to lose electoral votes in 2032 Projected to gain electoral votes in 2032 Ill. Texas Fla. N.Y. Calif. Utah Idaho R.I. How the Electoral College Could Tilt Further From Democrats The year is 2032. Studying the Electoral College map, a Democratic presidential candidate can no longer plan to sweep New Hampshire, Minnesota and the blue wall battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and win the White House. A victory in the swing state of Nevada would not help, either. That is the nightmare scenario many Democratic Party insiders see playing out if current U.S. population projections hold. After every decennial census, like the one coming up in 2030, congressional seats are reallocated among the states based on population shifts. Those seats in turn affect how big a prize each state is within the Electoral College or how a candidate actually wins the presidency. In the next decade, the Electoral College will tilt significantly away from Democrats. Deeply conservative Texas and Florida could gain a total of five congressional seats, and the red states of Utah and Idaho are each expected to add a seat. Texas 40 electoral votes in 2024 +3 in 2032 Florida 30 electoral votes in 2024 +2 in 2032 Utah 6 electoral votes in 2024 +1 in 2032 Idaho 4 electoral votes in 2024 +1 in 2032 Those gains will come at the expense of major Democratic states like New York and California, according to a New York Times analysis of population projections by Esri, a nonpartisan company whose mapping software and demographic data are widely used by businesses and governments across the world. New York 28 electoral votes in 2024 1 in 2032 California 54 electoral votes in 2024 3 in 2032 Swing states like Minnesota and Pennsylvania could lose a seat. Minnesota 10 electoral votes in 2024 1 in 2032 Pennsylvania 19 electoral votes in 2024 1 in 2032 Across all of the possible scenarios in the nine states that would be considered battlegrounds in the 2032 election, Democrats would see about a third of their current winning Electoral College combinations disappear if population projections hold. However, when looking only at the most feasible winning combinations based on voting behaviors in the 2024 election, the outlook is far worse. Of Democrats 25 most plausible paths to victory in 2024, only five would remain. Some groups have arrived at an even more challenging outlook for Democrats in 2032. For example, the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan organization, projected Republicans to have three more safe seats from Texas and Florida, and New York to lose one more seat than The Timess projection. Try different Electoral College scenarios Toggle states to see how various swing state combinations could have decided the 2024 election and could decide the 2032 race. Wis. Minn. N.H. Mich. Pa. Ga. Nev. N.C. Ariz. Reset Show a 2024 Democratic win that goes away in 2032 No winner yet in 2024 212 Dem. 219 Rep. No winner yet in 2032 205 Dem. 226 Rep. The New York Times The Democratic Party already faces acute challenges after its disastrous losses in 2024, including fundraising woes, an electorate that slid decidedly to the right, a vacuum of leadership and a sharp decline in voter registrations. The party is also battling President Trumps push for red states to redraw their congressional maps in the middle of the decade in order to secure Republicans an advantage in next years midterm elections. While this does not directly affect a future Electoral College, it adds urgency for Democrats to expand into new areas. The dire post-census projections put the party in a bind between two necessary tasks: investing to win in the short term, including in the midterms, and building a future in states that have not voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in decades. Still, the looming Electoral College shift presents such an existential threat to the party that many Democrats, including the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, are adamant that planning for the next decade must begin now. Theres no doubt about it, and its a lot of what I talked about when I ran for chair, Ken Martin, the D.N.C. leader, said in an interview. He added, We have to acknowledge that there's some of these states that are red that are going to need more resources to essentially help us win down the road. Red states are growing fast, and blue states arent keeping up Rapid growth in Southern and Western red states is driving the changes to the political map, according to The Timess analysis. Texas and Florida are each expected to gain millions of residents in the coming years, expanding each states population by nearly 13 percent, according to Esri. The fastest growing Democratic state, Colorado, will expand its population by less than 10 percent. New York and Illinois are both expected to shrink by 2030, and Californias population will essentially stay the same. Which states stand to gain or lose Electoral College votes Mid-decade population projections indicate that Republican states could gain seven electoral votes after 2030, and Democratic states could lose as many. Solid Democratic states State 2024 votes 2032 votes Change Calif. 54 51 3 Ill. 19 17 2 N.Y. 28 27 1 R.I. 4 3 1 Solid Republican states State 2024 votes 2032 votes Change Texas 40 43 +3 Fla. 30 32 +2 Idaho 4 5 +1 Utah 6 7 +1 Battleground states State 2024 votes 2032 votes Change Ariz. 11 12 +1 Ga. 16 17 +1 Minn. 10 9 1 Pa. 19 18 1 The New York Times These projections are not a guarantee of things to come, and could still change significantly. Natural disasters, economic upheaval and other factors could alter the countrys population patterns. Political realignment among demographic groups, such as Republicans gaining with Latino voters, could further scramble the landscape. But some of the population shifts that will influence the reallocation of congressional seats have already taken place. State populations have changed enough since 2020 that if the redistribution of congressional seats occurred this year, red states would gain five seats. Blue states would lose five. Should the projections hold, one hope for Democrats is to do what seems, at least after the 2024 election, impossible: pivot to the South. That would mean turning states like Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana all places Mr. Trump won by more than 20 percentage points into competitive battlegrounds, and quickly. Democrats point to underlying trends as signs of hope in some of those states, or at least as a foundation to build upon. Mississippi, they note, has the highest percentage of Black voting-age adults in the country. Alabama and Louisiana both just added a second majority Black congressional district, though the Louisiana district is currently being challenged before the Supreme Court. And Arkansas was the only red state to add Democrats to its Legislature during the last election. Additionally, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a group founded by the former Democratic attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr., noted in a memo last month that the population growth in the two largest counties in Texas, Harris and Dallas, was driven completely by communities of color. Those counties and their suburbs are expected to see the fastest growth by 2030. In Georgia, a newer battleground state that swung back toward Republicans and Mr. Trump in 2024, communities of color are the only ones that have grown since 2020, adding about 487,000 people to the states population. At the same time, the states non-Hispanic white population has dropped by about 20,000. Winning scenarios that might not work for Democrats in 2032 Dozens of combinations of swing states that would have resulted in a win for Democrats in 2024 could result in a loss or tie in 2032. Electoral vote margin Minn. N.H. Wis. Mich. Pa. Ga. Nev. N.C. Ariz. 2024 2032 D +1 R +8 D +2 R +6 D +4 R +3 D +7 R +2 D +3 R +6 D +8 Tie D +7 R +1 D +2 R +7 D +4 R +4 D +3 R +5 + Show all 66 scenarios The New York Times But 2024 showed Democrats that demographics no longer spell the partys destiny, as Latino voters drifted significantly toward Republicans and Black male voters moved slightly rightward. Hedging for the future To blunt its concerns about an increasingly tough Electoral College map, and potentially turn Southern states competitive, the Democratic Party needs money. Yet months into Mr. Martins tenure as chair, cash remains scarce after spending billions on the 2024 defeat, a record sum roughly equivalent to the gross domestic product of a small country. Top officials have discussed whether they might need to borrow money this year to keep paying the bills. The same donors who readily contributed to the 2024 effort are reluctant to sign more checks, especially as Democrats flail politically in response to the aggressive first months of the Trump administration. The Democratic state parties in the South, meanwhile, have seen little to no investment for decades, leaving no local donor base to draw from. Most do not have more than a single office with a skeletal staff. The Alabama Democratic Party, for example, has just five people on its payroll, according to its most recent campaign finance disclosure. A recent governors race in Mississippi offers a particularly striking example. In 2023, Democrats had their first real opportunity in 20 years to win a statewide race in Mississippi, when Brandon Presley, a popular local mayor and a cousin of Elvis Presley, challenged an unpopular incumbent, Gov. Tate Reeves. Mr. Presleys viability excited Democrats across the country, even as his stance against abortion kept most major national Democratic donors from significantly contributing. Bennie Thompson, the lone Democratic representative from Mississippi who has held elected office in the state for half a century, said he had expected a flood of questions from national Democrats eager for a major upset. I was never asked, not one call, Mr. Thompson said. He criticized the D.N.C. for parachuting in operatives and not hiring local experts to help build a coalition for Mr. Presley. He added that money was wasted on expensive television ads that came with fees lining the pockets of national consultants. With a month and a half left in the race, Mr. Martin, then the vice-chair of the D.N.C., attended a private event with Mr. Presley at a casino in Biloxi, Miss. The two spoke about the looming final sprint and how the D.N.C. could help. In Mr. Martins recollection, Mr. Presley had been blunt. Im on the cusp of being one of the first Democrats elected governor in the Deep South in a generation, yet theres no infrastructure on the ground to help me, Mr. Presley had said, according to Mr. Martin. I have to build it all myself. Six weeks later, Mr. Presley lost by three percentage points. As party chair, Mr. Martin has initiated a program to cut checks to state parties, prioritizing conservative states over safer Democratic territory. Each state party in a blue state gets $17,500 monthly, and those in red states get $22,500. From Mr. Martins perch, investing in the future is not a matter of resources but a shift in behavior. Democrats raised nearly $3 billion in the last presidential cycle, with much of that money coming in the final stretch. Mr. Martin pointed to those totals as evidence that money was available to Democrats, both now and in the future. Im not going to take a scarcity mind-set to this, Mr. Martin said in an interview. We can do both, right? We just have to. You have to be diligent about it, you have to be disciplined, and you have to make the case that its not an either/or proposition. There is debate, however, about whether spending money in some of these deep red states is the best way to counter the looming Electoral College threat. And even money cannot speed up time. Georgia took a decade of work before becoming competitive. In an ideal world, what it would look like is eight- to nine-figure investment over the course of a decade, said Charles V. Taylor Jr., the executive director of the Mississippi conference of the N.A.A.C.P., about what it would take to make Mississippi competitive. And it also is spent on the ground. An angry cafe patron in Los Palacios y Villafranca, Spain, was recently arrested for allegedly setting fire to the eatery because the staff told him they had run out of mayonnaise. Last Wednesday, the staff and customers of a cafe in the municipality of Los Palacios y Villafranca, Seville, got the fright of their lives when a man sprayed petrol on the bar and set it on fire. The man, whose identity has not been revealed, went to the restaurant with his son and ordered two sandwiches. Surveillance cameras show him getting up from his table and talking to one of the waiters. The 50-something patron reportedly asked for mayonnaise for his sandwich, but was told that they didnt have any. He then asked another waiter and was told the same thing, so he just stormed out of the cafe, walked to a nearby gas station, and came back with a bottle of petrol. Photo: K8/Unsplah According to local news outlets, the mayonnaise enthusiast once again asked the cafe staff if they had his favorite sauce, and when he got a negative answer, he just poured the 1.5-litre bottle of flammable fluid on the bar and set it on fire. The cafe was practically full at the time, and everyone ran out when they saw the flames, including the angry, mayonnaise-loving pyromaniac. Luckily, the staff used fire extinguishers to put out the fire, and only minimal material damage was reported. In the ensuing chaos, the arsonist accidentally set his own left hand on fire as he fled the scene. He was apprehended by police shortly after and is now awaiting sentencing. The cafe described the incident as something surreal and praised the satff for acting quickly and minimizing the damage. The blaze caused an estimated $9,500 in material damage, but luckily, no one except the angry patron was injured. Taking advantage of Germanys gender self-determination reforms, a male right-wing extremist officially changed his gender to female and will serve time in a womens prison. In July of 2023, Marla-Svenja Liebich was sentenced by the Halle District Court in Germanys Saxon-Anhalt state to a year and six months without parole for incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult. Interestingly, at that time, she was known as Sven Liebich and identified as a man. He appealed the original sentence and lost, but that was only the beginning of a very bizarre situation. At the end of 2024, Liebich, allegedly a member of a far-right extremist group called Blood and Honour, took advantage of Germanys new Self-Determination Act to legally change his name to Marla-Svenja Liebich and his gender to female. Photo: Matthew Ansley/Unsplash Whether the change is serious is doubtful. Liebich has been known for years for her right-wing extremist views and has also made queerphobic statements in the past, German newspaper Der Spiegel wrote, alleging that he had made the change of civil status in an abusive manner in order to provoke and embarrass the state. Back in January, when Liebichs gender change started making news headlines in Germany, many outlets reported that he was unlikely to be sent to a womens prison, because anyone who changes their gender solely for the purpose of provocation will likely continue to be treated as a man in prison, but Marla-Svenja Liebich even sued Der Spiegel for questioning her gender identity. The Chief Public Prosecutor in Halle recently went on record to say that Marla-Svenja Liebich would serve her prison sentence at the Chemnitz womens prison, and the convicted extremist confirmed it himself on X (Twitter), writing, I will begin my prison sentence as scheduled. On August 29, 2025, at 10 pm, I will arrive at the Chemnitz correctional facility with my suitcases. BREAKING NIUS: Neonazi Sven Liebich hat auf Grundlage des schrecklichen Selbstbestimmungsgesetzes sein Geschlecht andern lassen und will jetzt als Frau Svenja Liebich angesprochen werden. Nahezu alle Medien haben vor diesem Irrsinn gekuscht, weil sie entweder eingeschuchtert sind pic.twitter.com/u1v5jOAscV Julian Reichelt (@jreichelt) August 19, 2025 A decision on where exactly Liebich will be placed inside the womens prison has yet to be made, according to the public prosecutor, who added that the prison administration would decide whether the convict could pose a threat to security and order and should be moved to another facility. Euronews reports that Sven Liebich changed his gender and first name by making a simple declaration to the registry office in Schkeuditz in north-west Saxony, thanks to the Self-Determination Act. Sam Jacobs PRSA/NY has selected Sam Jacobs, editor-in-chief of Time, winner of its 2025 Daniel J. Edelman Award for Social Impact. The honor celebrates reporters whose work demonstrates a commitment to truth, public service and the free press. Jacobs is feted for guiding the magazine through transformation and expansion of global coverage. Through its various platforms, Time reaches a record-setting 120M people across the globe. Jacobs has championed new franchises such TIME100 AI, TIME100 Philanthropy, and the TIME Earth Awards, and bolstered the number of global events. Richard Edelman called Jacobs an exceptional journalist who has guided Times trusted journalism to its largest audience in history. My father would be proud that we are recognizing Sam for the social impact he has had in leading Time into its second century, he added. Prior to joining Time in 2013, Jacobs was national political correspondent at Reuters, associate editor at Newsweek, and staff reporter for The Daily Beast. Jacobs will receive his award at the Big Apple Awards on Sept 18, at Sony Hall in NYC. Al Roker, Bret Stephens, and George Stephanopoulos were past winners of the Edelman award. Anna Banks AARP hires Anna Banks as EVP and CMO. Banks comes to AARP from Sephora North America, where she was SVP, leading digital transformation and personalization initiatives and spearheading brand and performance marketing efforts. She has also served as CMO at Fair Trade USA and senior director, segment and seasonal marketing at Walmart Global eCommerce. Banks will lead AARPs marketing, brand and content organization, which encompasses brand strategy, integrated communications, membership lifecycle, experience design, customer care and editorial. Her track record of building high-impact teams and forging strategic partnerships will be instrumental as we continue to evolve, said AARP CEP Myechia Minter-Jordan. Michelle Chin Applebees Neighborhood Grill + Bar appoints Michelle Chin as CMO, effective Sept. 2. Chin joins the company from Starbucks, where she most recently served as VP for its Reserve & Roastery unit. She was previously a VP at Godiva Chocolatier. In her new position, Chin will lead Applebees full marketing strategy, including national advertising, digital and social media, menu innovation, and integrated campaigns. Applebees is also bringing on Jerrold Wong, who has held senior posts at Starwood, Four Seasons and Exclusive Resorts, as COO. Michelle and Jay bring world-class expertise and a deep passion for the Applebees brand, said John Peyton, president of Applebees and CEO of Dine Brands. Their leadership will elevate every aspect of the guest experience. Adam Bridgeford MediaOne, an Atlanta-based strategic marketing firm, names Adam Bridgeford VP of brand partnerships. Bridgeford was most recently VP of business development at Herrmann Global, a tourism insights and marketing agency. At MediaOne, he will work to identify and pursue opportunities to expand MediaOne's client portfolio, with a particular focus on the Midwest territory. "Adam's proven track record of driving significant growth and his deep expertise in forging strategic partnerships, especially within the tourism sector, perfectly align with our mission to help clients achieve meaningful impact through world-class marketing strategies," said MediaOne chief sales & marketing officer Jason Fulvi. AS many children in Offaly return to Early Years and School Age Care settings this week after the summer break, over 200 children remain on waiting lists for a place. Early Childhood Ireland warns that without significant investment in the Early Years workforce in Budget 2026, efforts to expand capacity will fall short. The latest figures from Pobal, the organisation which administers Early Years programmes, show that up to 222 children under the age of three are currently on creche waiting lists, highlighting the high demand for places in Offaly. The data reveals that there are 47 children under the age of 1 on waiting lists and only 4 places available; 77 children aged 1 to 2 on waiting lists and 4 places available; and 98 children aged 2 to 3 on waiting lists and 26 places available to them. Commenting on these figures, Director of Policy at Early Childhood Ireland, Frances Byrne, said, No child should miss out because of failures to invest properly in this vital workforce, yet thats exactly whats happening to hundreds of children in Offaly. Without significant investment in Budget 2026, and a renewed focus on staffing, challenges to recruit and retain educators will continue to block efforts to expand access for families. READ NEXT: Concern over maintenance and care of local roads in Offaly In its Budget 2026 Submission, Early Childhood Ireland has urged the government to name a date to bring pay and conditions for Early Years and School Age Care graduates in line with primary school teachers, who are educated and trained to the same level. This would begin to reverse the average staff turnover rate, which stands at 23% in Offaly. Waiting lists like these would never be accepted in primary education, yet they remain a daily reality for younger children. As a first step to increasing capacity, Early Childhood Ireland is calling on the Government to announce, on Budget Day, a date for bringing Early Years and School Age Care graduates within public sector pay and conditions, in line with teachers, Ms Byrne said. Currently, the government is mainly focused on reducing fees, and although we welcome proposals to increase subsidies for families, this will only create further demand for places. Providers in Offaly will not be able to expand their capacity in settings unless they can recruit and retain qualified staff on appropriate terms and conditions. Naming a date to bring graduates into pay parity with teachers is a crucial next step, she continued. Despite 76 per cent of adults backing guaranteed access to Early Years and School Age Care, according to Early Childhood Irelands 2025 Barometer, this is still far from reality for many Offaly children. Local parents are left with no choice but to place the names of their unborn children on waiting lists, hoping to secure a place by the time the child turns two or three. With up to 77 children between the ages of one and two already waiting, many families know there is little chance of finding a place before then. READ NEXT: Residents of two streets in Tullamore won't tolerate flooding for another winter Its incredibly tough for parents trying to find a place for their child. At the same time, we hear from many of our 58 members in Offaly about how they want to expand, theyre ready to grow, but they struggle to recruit and retain qualified educators. We cant expand access for children unless we improve pay and conditions for those who deliver that care and education. You cant separate the two, and we hope the government sees that. Ms Byrne concluded. FIRST-TIME buyers in Offaly face a sizeable affordability gap, with new analysis from Chill showing a single applicant would need to earn 66,038 to qualify under Central Bank mortgage rules. That compares with the countys median income of 40,000, leaving an income shortfall of 26,038. Chills study compared median first-time-buyer home prices in every county with median local incomes, applying Central Bank limits of 90% loan-to-value and a maximum loan of four times gross income. The findings show that no county in Ireland is fully affordable for a single buyer on the national median salary of 43,221. In Offaly, the median first-time-buyer home price now stands at 293,500, placing it among the less affordable counties outside the top five, but still highlighting the gap between local incomes and property prices. The affordability gap in Offaly: Median price for first-time-buyer home: 293,500 Median Offaly income: 40,000 Salary required under mortgage rules: 66,038 Income shortfall: 26,038 READ NEXT: Calls for Government action as over 200 Offaly children remain on Early Years waiting lists Ian OReilly, Head of Personal Lines Sales at Chill, said: Offalys figures highlight how affordability is a challenge across the country, not just in the most expensive counties. Buyers in Offaly still face a clear shortfall between local incomes and the mortgage requirements. To bridge that gap, many will look to combine salaries, apply for exemptions or consider homes priced below the countys median. Key national findings: No county affordable for a single buyer on the national median salary (43,221) Six counties now require salaries above 80,000 The top five least affordable counties are all in Leinster Connacht and Ulster dominate the most affordable list For the full county-by-county figures, methodology and our tips to get a larger mortgage, see the full report here: https://www.chill.ie/blog/incomes-required-to-afford-homes/ READ NEXT: Offaly columnist reflects on Camino de Santiago experience in Spain A man appeared in court in Portlaoise accused of assaulting his partner and her daughter at a property in Offaly. The man (35), who has an Offaly address, is accused of two counts of assault causing harm to a woman at an address in an Offaly town and a third assault on August 19, 2025. He is further accused of assault at the same location between August 13 and 14 and assault at a separate address in Offaly on July 23 and again on April 30. Gardai Sergeant Coss said the defendant made no reply to any of the charges. She objected to bail due to the seriousness of the allegations and her concerns that he mightnt return to court. She said the partner of the accused had made the complaint and had identified the man. The woman had alleged that the man had thrown a bike at her, punched her in the chest and pushed her down and headbutted her. The woman had told Sgt Coss that the man was very drunk and threatened to kill them all. She said the woman had accused the man of slapping her while she was sleeping and grabbing her by the neck and had threatened to kill her and her children. Sgt Coss said the woman alleged the defendant was mumbling and shouting that he was going to stab them all about 20 times. She said the woman also claimed the man had threatened to set fire to the house. She said there was an extremely high possibility of witnesses being put at risk if the man gets bail as he lives with the woman. He has threatened her several times that he would stab her and her children, said Sgt Coss. She said the three children who are aged 16 and under had witnessed the alleged assault on August 19. They are terrified, she said. Under questioning, Sgt Coss said the woman and children had been outside the property when gardai arrived on August 19. She said the woman was bleeding and had a large cut on her nose and bruising on her neck. The eldest daughter also had finger prints around her neck. There may be further more serious charges, she said. Sgt Coss said the accused was not the father of any of the children and he had met the woman a year previously. David Nugent BL said there were no charges in relation to any threats. He said the allegations of earlier assaults were only made after the incident on August 19. Sgt Coss said the DPP would have to give a direction in relation to any new charges. Mr Nugent asked if the defendant had caused any issue when gardai arrived. Sgt Coss said there was no issue. He opened the front door and he said come in. There was a smell of drink off him but he didnt appear to be very drunk, she said. She also said the man had made admissions in relation to the charges and she acknowledged that he doesnt speak English. Mr Nugent said the court could impose bail conditions which would alleviate concerns the alleged injured party has. He suggested the man stay out of the town where the woman lives. In her evidence, the woman who spoke through an interpreter, said it had been a very stressful time for her and her children and they were extremely scared of the man. If my client was ordered to stay away from her and her children would that make her feel safer, asked Mr Nugent. Yes I would feel safe. I dont want anything bad for him but I would like him to be far from me and my children, she said. Mr Nugent said his client could provide another address and would agree to abide by any conditions set down by the court. Judge Patricia Cronin said that while the evidence is strong the man is entitled to the presumption of innocence and she wasnt going to refuse bail. She said the concerns raised could be addressed by imposing strict bail conditions. The conditions included an exclusion covering a five kilometre radius around the town where the offence is alleged to have occurred. She also requested an independent surety of 1,500 and asked that the man provide a new address, a phone number, surrender his passport and that he sign on at a garda station daily. Judge Cronin remanded the man in custody with consent to bail and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on August 28. She granted legal aid and certified for a Romanian interpreter on the next date. Famed landmark boarding school, Cistercian College Roscrea, have announced the appointment of a new school Principal as the school will soon transition to co-education and welcome female students for the first time. Patron, Dom. Malachy Thompson, and the Board of Management, are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Catherine Smyth as the new Principal of Cistercian College. Ms. Smyth has been a member of the teaching staff at Cistercian College for the past 27 years. For over seven of those years she has served with distinction as Deputy Principal, and for the past two years she has provided steady and capable leadership as Acting Principal. Throughout her career, she has shown unwavering dedication to her students, her colleagues, and to the life of the school. Her authentic leadership, courage to lead change, pragmatism, humility, and determination to guide the College into the future make this a truly well-deserved appointment. The appointment follows a lengthy, competitive, and rigorous selection process undertaken by the Board of Management to ensure that the right candidate was chosen to lead the College at this important time, the College said in a statement. SEE NEXT: PICTURES: Roscrea visited by the precious Liam MacCarthy Cup "The calibre of candidates reflected the significance of the role, making Ms. Smyths appointment all the more deserved, and the panel was unanimous in its strong endorsement of her", they said. The process was chaired by Ms. Vivienne Dunne, an independent panel member, Chair of the Board of Management at Gonzaga College and former CEO of the Spiritan Education Office, who also works with the JMB on national procedures for the recruitment of school leaders, alongside Mr. Martin Mullen, Ms. Inez Heenan and the President Mr. Colm Maloney. As Principal, Ms. Smyth will work closely with the College President, Mr. Colm Maloney, the Senior Management Team, teachers, housemasters, and staff to guide Cistercian College into the next exciting stage of its history. She will lead the teaching and learning at the College into a new future, as the school begins its transition to co-education. READ NEXT: Sean Ross Abbey survivors will meet Bishop of Killaloe This is a significant and historic moment for our school community, and we are confident that under Ms. Smyths leadership, Cistercian College will continue to thrive and grow while remaining true to its ethos and values. "We warmly congratulate Ms. Smyth on her appointment and look forward to supporting her as she takes on this important role", CCR said. Celebrity chef Donal Skehan has been advised to familiarise himself with official guidance regarding influencer advertising in Ireland. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has confirmed the television personality was issued with a compliance notice last month, over his failure to properly label social media posts as a paid promotion. The notice was issued on July 28 following an inspection of Mr Skehan's official Instagram account. The inspection identified "a failure to use the appropriate labels to disclose the commercial nature of the content published". The breach of the guidelines relates to posts involving Wind Shore Goods, which sells a range of products including premium olive oils and kitchen pantry items - Mr Skehan is the founder of the company, which is based in Howth, County Dublin. "I am of the opinion that you, Donal Skehan, engaged in the prohibited act or practice outlined in the statement of alleged contravention above, by failing to disclose that products relating to Wind Shore Goods promoted on your Instagram account @donalskehan were promoted in a paid capacity, and without using appropriate disclosure labels such as Ad, #ad etc," states the compliance report, which was served by an authorised officer at the CCPC. READ NEXT: Electric Picnic 2025: Who's playing, when and where? Stage times revealed for EP weekend The compliance notice, which requires Mr Skehan to "remedy the contraventions" by making it clear that the promotions are paid for, specifically mentions three Instagram posts. One of the three is a post promoting a Wind Shore Goods pop-up and cooking demo while the other two were posted on the Wind Shore Goods account promoting collaborations with Donal Skehan. The compliance notice states that "in all future instances" the celebrity chef must make it clear "where a trader has paid for the promotion of a product or service" in one of his social media posts. Under consumer protection law, social media influencers must not mislead consumers through unfair practices such as hidden or mislabelled advertising. This means they must clearly label posts of a commercial nature, however, a social media post may still breach consumer protection law even if it is properly labelled - if the content is false or misleading. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has warned Mr Skehan that his social media channels "will be the subject of further inspection" to ensure adherence to the compliance directions. Scroll for ACTIONS AT BOTTOM. Also forward and ask friends and colleagues to act to stop the holocaust of the 21st century. "States must stop Israel's genocide. Urgently needed ACTIONS: 1. Full arms embargo. 2. Navies carrying aid to break the blockade. 3. Protective presence authorised under UNGA res. United For Peace entering by sea, Rafah (in Gaza) and Jordan (West Bank/east Jerusalem)." Francesca Albanese, UN Rapporteur Hundreds attended this panel. I was honored to be a speaker. Mobilizing a Military Intervention to Stop the Gaza Genocide: Public Workshop. Susan Abulhawa's speech is magnificent in its scope on the psychology of the 'bully' (Israel) and the psychology of 'impunity'. It inspired a friend to write this analytic piece The architecture of genocidal starvation. PNGO statement. A failure of Humanity (incl. UN ). To the World: Stop Normalising Our Extermination. Amid 23 months of genocide, the inspiration behind Gaza's Great March of Return demands the global public not to become numb to the mass killing of Palestinians. The Dutch Foreign Minister and 4 other ministers have resigned from the Government over refusal to impose sanctions on the Genocidal Israeli regime. By contrast, Biden's mouthpiece now out of office admits he was lying for Israel and kept genocide going. ACTION Send a one click email to all OIC Leaders to pressure them to take military action Other ways to act: Print and Post on the Fridge Useful activist websites: Stay Humane, act, and keep hope and Palestine alive [and come visit us in Palestine!] 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 Is German Chancellor Merz Against Peace in Ukraine? (Image by The White House) Details DMCA Do you know what German Chancellor Merz did? Amidst serious negotiations to end the bloody and destructive Ukraine war, this guy's putting up a veritable roadblock right in front of progress. Here's what it is: Merz was in Washington along with several other European leaders for a Ukraine meeting with President Trump. When it came Merz's turn to talk he expressed, "I can't imagine that the next meeting would take place without a ceasefire." Clearly no one in the world with a heart would like to see the fighting go on. So at first glance a ceasefire seems like a quick fix. But Merz's strongly spoken statement had strings. Pointedly, he wants to delay peace talks until a ceasefire takes hold. Ukraine Germany France Ukraine Russia Germany Ukraine There's one enormous obstacle to that. There's a strong reason why Russian President Putin would be very reluctant to accept Merz's condition. It's simple to understand:Earlier inhostilities bothandachieved Putin's agreement to a ceasefire while a negotiated peace agreement was underway. The efforts were called the Minsk Accords.Doesn't that sound like what Merz is proposing now? But it turned out in an unexpected way.After a period of ceasefire and negotiating, the German and French leaders publicly admitted they had tricked Putin into the ceasefire. They confessed their real objective was not peace. It was to buy time to better equipto fightYou may have heard the idiom, "once fooled, twice shy". It's a modern version of the Old English translation from Aesop's Fables that goes, "He that hath ben ones begyled by somme other ought to kepe hym wel fro[m] the same." That's a position that Putin might well take with regard to's current leader. Why should he be trusted, particularly when it comes to a ceasefire?Certainly Merz must know the background of this. He would be remiss not to understand that a ceasefire without a peace agreement might be as unattainable as the end of a rainbow. That's what leads me to suspect that Merz must be deliberately sabotaging the peace process, as would be any other European leader who joins him in his emphatic request.It is time to address the significant real obstacles that must be faced if a settlement of territory is to take place.For instance, Ukrainian President Zelensky claims that his constitution is a roadblock to such a settlement. But he is only partly right.It is true that the Ukrainian constitution does not allow him to divide territory. He also offered another roadblock in that even changing the constitution would not be a simple matter. It would even require an extensive public referendum he says.He is right on both points. But he is wrong to represent them as ultimate roadblocks or even something that would result in much delay. In the past,, in the view of its leaders, successfully negotiated a way to deal with problematic constitutional provisions that stood in its way.This happened when leaders found it cumbersome to remove the democratically elected Viktor Yanukovych from the presidency. Some reports claimed he was impeached. But the votes weren't there to do that according to the constitution. Other reports claimed that he removed himself by abandoning his office when he fled for his life amidst immediate threats. But the constitution wasn't followed there either. Nonetheless, they got rid of Yanukovych. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The summer of 1985 marked a turning point: freshly graduated from high school, I took a job as Head Counselor at the local Cub Scout Camp and skipped our family's vacation for the first time. As my parents prepared to leave, my Mom handed me her credit card with a strict warning: This is just for emergencies. Driving to camp the following morning, I heard the news on the radio about a once-in-a-lifetime concert. Bob Geldof, lead vocalist of the Boomtown Rats and the force behind the fundraising single, Do They Know It's Christmas?, was organizing a global event that would raise additional money towards helping victims of the ongoing famine in Africa. The highlight of the Global Jukebox would be two simultaneous shows in Philadelphia and London. Immediately after work, I gathered cash together and headed to the one Ticketmaster window serving our area to see if I could get tickets. No more were available, but the employee said that he heard some were still available through its competitor, Ticketron. However, these were only sold over the phone and required a credit card. When my Mother called that evening, I cut right to the point: Would getting tickets to Live Aid be considered an emergency? Not waiting for the answer, I let her know that I bought us four tickets. A few weeks later, the family was battling Friday night Jersey Shore traffic to get to Philadelphia. Early the next morning, we headed into John F. Kennedy Stadium, with video from London already playing on the giant video screens. Looking back, my memories of that day center around the music. Most festivals, like the Woodstock reboots that I also attended, are held in fields. Since they are general admission, there is a constant flow of people around you, allowing the crowd to become as much a part of the experience as what is happening on stage. Since it was held in a stadium and we sat in reserved seats, we remained with the same people all day. The schedule, with bands switching between performances in Philly and live video from the London stage, kept the music continuous, leaving little chance to meet the strangers around us. One of the most surprising aspects of the day was how captivating the performances in England were to the audience in Philadelphia. The presentations may have been on the Jumbotrons strategically set on the field, but the most accomplished showmen moved the crowd in a way that made it feel like they were playing right in front of you. U2's performance from the Wembley stage was particularly memorable. Though their careers were still young, their performance foreshadowed the greatness they would achieve. A highlight was a mulleted Bono leading a crowd 3,000 miles away in a chant of No more during Sunday Bloody Sunday. For years, Queen had been my favorite band, so I eagerly awaited their set. In a performance widely considered to be one of the most memorable in rock history, they energized the crowd at JFK from the stage across the pond despite their American career being at its nadir. Still, the audience was fully engaged, especially during Radio Ga Ga, where they mimicked the crowd from the music video by clapping along with their hands above their heads during the chorus. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The front of a silver Audi sedan is pictured here during a street takeover mission in April. The driver of the sedan, who was arrested, fled from officers and took them into Vancouver and back into Portland. Zaeem Shaikh/The Oregonian Portland police warned Saturday that theyd crack down on people who chose to participate in a Southeast Portland street takeover advertised on social media. For 10 hours on Saturday, officers fanned out to patrol, find street racers and warn people they could have their cars taken or be cited with a misdemeanor if they facilitated a street race. For a while, it seemed to work, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release Sunday. Officers found suspected street racers on Southeast Belmont Street around 5 p.m., Saturday, and after proactive patrols, police said, the participants drove away. In all, police pulled over 29 drivers, towed six cars, issued four citations and arrested two people one for driving impaired and the other for unauthorized use of a vehicle. Police ended the mission around midnight, the press release stated. Officers got pulled into another call related to a man firing gunshots in the residential Piedmont Neighborhood. And then the racing began. Within an hour of ending the takeover mission, police said, around 100 drivers congregated on North Fessenden Street in St. Johns. Every officer in the area responded to the Piedmont call, the news release said. By 2 a.m. the drivers were in the Lloyd District, doing donuts, speeding, running red lights and zig-zagging through lanes of traffic, police said. The only officer available, a sergeant, tried to convince the racers to leave, but it was clear that the effort was not effective and was actually making things worse, so he disengaged, Portland police wrote. Portland police got calls about at least two more street races throughout the morning, the press release stated. Callers reported drivers racing near Northeast Lombard Street and Northeast Columbia Boulevard, but most had left by the time officers arrived. Officers did arrest a driver around 4:15 a.m. Sunday when a caller reported someone doing donuts at the intersection of Northeast Killingsworth Street and 47th Avenue. The man was cited for racing and driving without insurance and on a suspended license, police say. They towed his car and recovered a stolen gun, according to the press release. Portland Police will continue efforts to prevent speed racing and take enforcement action when it occurs, the bureau said in the news release. Recent takeovers went largely unchecked by Portland police in June and April. The police have said they either did not have enough resources to stop them, or were tied up responding to other reports. Videos of the takeover events have appeared on social media, showing cars screeching across asphalt with tire smoke billowing in the air and onlookers cheering and trying to stay out of the way. The bureau has struggled for years to contain the events, which have previously turned deadly. The Portland Police Bureau documented 139 street-takeover events in the city last year. Reporters Tristin Hoffman and Fedor Zarkhin contributed to this story. Former Oregon safety Verone McKinley III, seen at Ohio State in 2021, has returned to the program's recruiting staff. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) AP AP EUGENE The General is returning to Oregon. Former Ducks All-American safety Verone McKinley III is returning to UO and joining the programs recruiting staff, a source confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive. McKinley, who was most recently with the Arizona Cardinals in 2024, is formally titled the director of personnel strategy. We really care about the guys that have given so much to this program and Verones a great example, Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. Was a great player here; went on to have an opportunity in the National Football League. I think he realized, Hey, I still want to be around football. When you can have guys that had great experiences at Oregon, that love this place like we love it, that want to be back here, Im excited to see what hes going to be able to do for us. A consensus All-American and Thorpe Award finalist in 2022, McKinley had 77 tackles, with six for loss, and a nation-leading six interceptions. He went undrafted and signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he had 16 tackles with one interception and one pass breakup in 10 games with two starts in 2022. He spent the 2023 season on the Dolphins practice squad and signed with the Cardinals in January 2024, then was released in Aug. 2024. In 38 career games at Oregon, McKinley had 167 tackles, 21 pass breakups, 11 interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. CBSSports first reported the move for McKinley, who is the latest former player to join Dan Lannings staff along with former offensive linemen Ryan Walk and Dallas Warmack. Oregon (0-0) vs. Montana State (0-0) When: Saturday, Aug. 30 Time: 1 p.m. PT Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene TV channel: Big Ten Network Stream: (free trial) or DirecTV (free trial) or Fubo (promotional offers). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location. Oregon football 2025 season schedule, scores -- James Crepea covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. The Trump Administration is conducting a review of the 21 national museums run by the Smithsonian Institution to ensure alignment with the Presidents directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions. I guess we should shut down The National Museum of African American History and Culture, The National Museum of the American Indian and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as surely there are some who find these histories divisive. But why stop there? Lets look at The National Mall. If President Donald Trump believes we should only celebrate American exceptionalism, why should we have a Vietnam Veterans Memorial honoring those who died in a war we lost? In a March executive order, Trump decried the influence of divisive, race-centered ideology on the Smithsonian. In that case, should the nation have the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial? Perhaps the president will move on to local monuments. For example, the Washington Park statue of Sacagawea, the Lemhi Shoshone guide who was the only female member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The 1905 statue was paid for by a committee of women who supported womens right to vote a divisive issue when only four states recognized that right. And it portrays her holding her young son, who was fathered by a French Canadian fur trapper and would not have been considered an American citizen at birth six decades before the 14th Amendment established birthright citizenship. Jack Kriz, Newberg To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. A sign is displayed outside the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, D.C. (File photo, Patrick Semansky, The Associated Press) AP The Internal Revenue Service on Thursday began asking Oregonians and taxpayers across the country to weigh in on a fight that has been brewing in Washington, D.C.: Whether the federal government should continue a Biden-era program that allows taxpayers to file their taxes for free but is at risk of elimination. Sources say President Donald Trump, who took office in January 2025, wants to do away with the IRS Direct File program, which launched on a pilot basis for the 2023 tax year and came to Oregon and other states nationwide in January 2025, as taxpayers filed returns for the 2024 tax year. In response to a requirement in Trumps one big, beautiful bill, the IRS is soliciting public input through a survey that will be reported to Congress by Oct. 2. The Free Online Tax Preparation Feedback Survey gives participants through Sept. 5 to answer a series of seemingly innocuous questions that appear odd because of their obvious answers: Would you like to use a free tax preparation program that would let you file your federal and state taxes for free? Would you like the program to be easy to use, keep your information secure and ensure that your return is prepared correctly? And, If you had the option of using an easy-to-use, free online tax preparation program that has all the features you need, how likely would you be to use that program to file your next federal income tax return? Survey participants also are asked whether they want the federal government or a private company to operate a free tax preparation and filing program. Republican members of Congress argue that the federal government is squandering taxpayer dollars on the current IRS Direct File system because other free programs exist. But the myriad choices make it more difficult for taxpayers to select a program that is right for their needs, and some programs have income or other restrictions on who can use them. Opponents also contend that private companies sometimes try to upsell taxpayers into forking over cash for more deluxe tax preparation programs. Elon Musk, who led the Department of Government Efficiency, was a big proponent of doing away with the IRS free filing system. Just days after Trump took office, Musk posted on X, the social media service he owns, that 18F, a segment of the government that created the IRS Direct File, had been deleted. The Oregon Department of Revenue is encouraging Oregonians to take part in the IRS survey, which it said could determine the future of what e-filing looks like. Oregon launched its own free tax filing system, Direct File Oregon, for the 2023 tax year. For the 2024 tax year, it streamlined the overall tax filing experience by linking with the IRS Direct File system, as that system got off the ground. In a news release Friday, Oregon Department of Revenue Director David Gerstenfeld stressed the importance of clearing obstacles from the path of taxpayers as they file. Its important for Oregon taxpayers to take this opportunity to provide their valuable feedback to the IRS on free tax filing options, Gerstenfeld said. Oregon counts on us to create a clear and easy experience for our customers and free tax filing options help us meet that mission. Federal officials say survey participants can take part anonymously. The survey can be accessed here. Reporter Aimee Green covers politics, personal finance and issues that matter to consumers. She can be reached at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. One of the city's other new overnight-only shelters opened in August at the old St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in downtown Portland. Lillian Mongeau Hughes Despite vehement opposition from neighbors, Portland will move ahead with plans to open an overnight-only homeless shelter in the Pearl District on Sept. 2. On its first night, the Pearl District shelter on 1435 Northwest Northrup Street will accommodate up to 40 guests, with plans to increase to 100 guests per night by October. Eventually, the shelter could offer as many as 200 beds. When it opens, the Salvation Army-operated shelter will be the fifth in a series of about 12 to 15 new overnight-only shelters promised by Portland Mayor Keith Wilson. It is the first to have generated intense neighborhood pushback. We are concerned about the proposed shelter with great reason, because many of us have been threatened in our own neighborhood by people on drugs who are living on the street, Pearl District resident Linda Berry wrote in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive in response to a July story announcing the planned shelter. We would like nothing more than to see the homeless housed, but sticking them in shelters overnight and sending them out on the streets during the day is not housing people. Hundreds of people with similar worries have attended at least three large neighborhood meetings this summer one online and two in person. In emails to The Oregonian/OregonLive and interviews with other local media outlets, residents have cited concerns about public safety, the shelter sites proximity to schools and the effectiveness of overnight-only shelter in general. Wilson and other city representatives, including city councilors and staff from the citys homeless services arm, attended one especially large neighborhood meeting in July, during which they were booed and scoffed at, according to coverage by OPB. Nevertheless, city officials have persisted in their quest driven by Wilsons campaign promise to open 1,500 new shelter beds by Dec. 1. Wilson has contended an overnight shelter bed can act as the first step out of homelessness for those in need of a safe and reliable place to sleep each night. The Pearl District shelter will bring the citys current total of new city-funded beds to 630 not quite halfway to the mayors target with three months to go. At this time, no additional planned shelter locations have been announced by the city. Overnight shelters typically offer about nine hours of service and include snacks, bathroom facilities and congregate sleeping accommodations. They do not provide the same level of services as 24-hour shelters where people can reserve a bed, store their items and essentially live temporarily. Several years ago, Multnomah County, which oversees the majority of shelter beds in the region, shifted to a 24-hour model on the argument that it was more successful at stabilizing people and connecting them with housing. Wilson has argued that shift left a gap in the system that he thinks will be filled with an increase in overnight-only shelters designed to serve anyone who needs a bed for a night. Were building a system where every door is a right door, restoring pathways to treatment, housing, and community livability for all of Portland, Wilson said in a statement about the new opening Monday. Portland overnight-only shelters Publicly run Church of the Nazarene Location: 9715 Southeast Powell Boulevard (at the junction of I-205 and Route 26) Capacity: 100 beds Clientele: Co-ed Operated by: Agape Village (city funding) Planned opening: OPEN as of August 2025 Operation Nightwatch at St. Stephens Location: 1432 Southwest 13th Avenue (between Columbia and Clay) Capacity: 80 beds Clientele: Co-ed Operated by: Agape Village (city funding) Planned opening: OPEN as of August 2025 Northrup Shelter Location: 1435 Northwest Northrup Street (between 14th and 15th) Capacity: 200 beds Clientele: Co-ed Operated by: Salvation Army (city funding) Planned opening: Sept. 2, 2025 Moore Street Location: 5325 North Williams Avenue (between Emerson and Killingsworth) Capacity: 100 beds Clientele: Co-ed Operated by: Salvation Army (city funding) Planned opening: OPEN as of January 2025 SAFES Location: 30 Southwest 2nd Avenue (between Ankeny and Burnside) Capacity: 100 beds Clientele: Women only Operated by: Salvation Army (city funding) Planned opening: OPEN as of January 2025 Privately run Bethanies Room Location: 1015 Northwest 17th Avenue (between Lovejoy and Marshall) Capacity: 75 beds Clientele: Women only Operated by: Blanchet House (private funding) Planned opening: Summer 2025 CityTeam Location: 219 Northwest 4th Avenue (between Everett and Davis) Capacity: 30 overnight beds; 80 longer term beds for people in recovery Clientele: Men only Operated by: CityTeam (private funding) Planned opening: Fall 2025 Lillian Mongeau Hughes covers homelessness and mental health for The Oregonian. Email her with tips or questions at lmhughes@oregonian.com. Or follow her on Bluesky @lmonghughes.bsky.social or X at @lrmongeau. The National Weather Service issued an updated extreme heat warning at 6:32 p.m. on Monday in effect until Tuesday at 9 p.m. for Eastern Columbia River Gorge of Oregon and Lower Columbia Basin of Oregon. "Dangerously hot conditions with temperatures up to 95 degrees to 100 degrees expected. This will pose a major risk of heat-related illness," explains the weather service. "Lingering cloud cover from thunderstorms in southern Oregon may result in lower than forecast afternoon temperatures or higher than forecast overnight low temperatures." "Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events. Extreme heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for much of the population, especially those who are heat sensitive and those without effective cooling or adequate hydration," describes the weather service. Beating the heat: Heat safety guidelines from the weather service Stay hydrated: Remember to drink plenty of fluids. Seek cool shelter: Opt for an air-conditioned room to stay comfortable. Avoid sun exposure: Stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Child and pet safety: Never leave young children and pets unattended in hot vehicles - car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Caution outdoors: Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. Select the ideal time: If possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening when the heat is less intense. Recognize heat-related issues: Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dress for comfort: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing to help your body stay cool. Additional recommendations for outdoor workers: For outdoor workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas. If someone is overwhelmed by the heat, swiftly relocate them to a cool, shaded location. In emergencies, call 911 for immediate assistance. These NWS heat safety recommendations are vital for your well-being during periods of high temperatures. Stay informed and take the necessary steps to protect yourself and others from the heat's potentially dangerous effects. Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service. Portland will see partly cloudy skies Monday and similar temperature to what was experienced Sunday with highs in the low-to-mid 90s. Margaret Haberman/Staff Portland warmed to 95 degrees Sunday (unofficially) and will see temperatures drop a couple of degrees Monday as the ridge of high pressure begins to weaken. The National Weather Service also notes that monsoonal moisture, moving up from California, will bring clouds and possibly showers or thunderstorms to the central and southern Oregon Cascades from Monday through about Wednesday. These clouds could help some parts of the Willamette Valley stay cooler if they shift westward into the valley regions. Portland isnt expecting any rain or thunderstorms Monday, but it will see partly sunny conditions and a high of about 93 degrees. Overnight temperatures still will not offer much relief from the heat. Portland saw lows in the upper 60s to low 70s early Monday and will see similar warm morning temps Tuesday. Portland will see another warm day Tuesday with mostly sunny skies and highs of about 92 degrees. Forecast models are watching a broad area of low pressure moving south from the Gulf of Alaska beginning later Wednesday. This system may break apart before reaching the coast, meaning it will likely only provide more cloud cover, increased humidity, and possibly light showers along the beaches. Portland will see a mostly cloudy day Wednesday with highs dropping back down near normal at about 87 degrees. The extended forecast has less certainty as another system is likely to move in by late Thursday or Friday and could bring some summer rain. High temps will likely fall into the low-to-mid 80s. The wildfire raging in central Oregon has destroyed four houses and about half a dozen other buildings, the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office said on social media late Sunday. The Flat fire, about 2 miles northeast of Sisters, has scorched about 22,000 acres and is now 5% contained, fire officials said. We are deeply saddened by the loss of homes and personal property and extend our sympathy to those affected, Deschutes County Sheriff Ty Rupert said in a statement. We are also encouraged that hundreds of homes have been protected thanks to aggressive firefighting efforts and the proactive work of property owners to reduce fuels around their homes. The cause of the wildfire, which started Thursday, is under investigation. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Friday to open up state resources for local agencies fighting the fire. Strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions drove the fire south and into the Wychus and Deschutes canyons, where access is difficult, according to a statement from fire officials over the weekend. But authorities said late Sunday that firefighters were able to build on progress made overnight in the northeastern and southeastern portions of the fire. An air-quality advisory is in effect for Deschutes, Jefferson and western Crook counties due to smoke from the fire. Over the weekend, Redmond, Bend and La Pine all saw official air-quality readings indicating unhealthy conditions for all populations. Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation orders are in effect in different areas around the fire. The Red Cross is manning an evacuation shelter at Highland Baptist Church at 3100 SW Highland Avenue in Redmond. The Jefferson County Fairgrounds is available for large animals, with support provided by the Pet Evacuation Team. Fire officials will update the community and answer questions at a community meeting Monday at 6 p.m. at Sisters High School. Go to The Oregonian/OregonLives interactive wildfire map to see the status of wildfires across the state. -- The Oregonian/OregonLive Sylvamo Provides Update on Riverdale Mill Supply Agreement for UFS Paper The Riverdale mill currently supplies Sylvamo with about 260,000 short tons of cutsize uncoated freesheet annually from the No. 16 machine through a supply agreement. The Riverdale mill currently supplies Sylvamo with about 260,000 short tons of cutsize uncoated freesheet annually from the No. 16 machine through a supply agreement. Aug. 25, 2025 - Sylvamo has provided an update on a supply agreement it has with International Paper (IP) after IP announced plans to convert the No. 16 paper machine at its Riverdale mill in Selma, Alabama, to produce containerboard by the third quarter of 2026. Currently, the machine produces uncoated freesheet (UFS). The Riverdale mill currently supplies Sylvamo with about 260,000 short tons of cutsize uncoated freesheet annually from the No. 16 machine through a supply agreement. In an Aug. 21 presentation, Sylvamo said, "The Riverdale supply agreement is not part of our long-term strategy and we have been planning for this conversion since our 2021 spinoff1. We will support our customers throughout this transition. "We anticipate losing Riverdale volume when International Paper takes down No. 16 paper machine to begin the conversion to produce containerboard, and we have various options to mitigate impacts to our customers and are assessing which options are economically viable and work best under the evolving economic and tariff conditions. "We plan to optimize our mix to minimize the earnings impact, which may include redirecting volume to the U.S. from our mills in Brazil and Europe. Based on our current assumptions for optimizing operations, mix and paper supply, the Adj. EBITDA impact in 2026 from the loss of Riverdale volume is estimated to be ~$30 million, at current margins," Sylvamo concluded. Sylvamo Corporation (NYSE: SLVM) is the world's paper company with mills in Europe, Latin America and North America. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Sylvamo employs more than 6,500 people. Net sales for 2024 were $3.8 billion. SOURCE: Sylvamo Corporation 1 Oct. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- International Paper Company on Oct. 1, 2021, completed its separation and spin-off of its global printing papers business, which is now operating as Sylvamo Corporation. Imagine yourself at work in a busy office. Colleagues chatter away. Your boss approaches your desk, as youre asking a question of Copilot: How do I win the Northwind account? They notice, turn, and give you a look. What is that look? Condescending? Approving? Collegial? And how do you feel when you receive it? Like youre part of the team or that you should know better? Its a scenario that could play out if Microsoft has its way. Because Microsofts Windows chief is trying to make voice chats with Copilot a thing again a decade after Microsoft Cortana and Windows 10 debuted. Are we finally comfortable in publicly chatting with an AI, or is this something that well collectively be embarrassed to do? A lot rides on your reaction. Microsoft recently released a video interview with Pavan Davuluri, head of the Windows + Devices team (covering Windows and Surface). Davuluris video outlined what Microsoft sees as the future of Windows, at least conceptually. As you might expect, Microsoft plans to lean heavily into AI and into the cloud. The more interesting discussion, however, is a cultural one. Microsoft has always believed in what it calls modalities: interacting with your computer via your keyboard and mouse, but also via touch, stylus, even by tracking your eyes and listening to your voice. Actively talking to your PC would be an enormous cultural shift. And dont think Davuluri was speaking in a vacuum, either: in a second Microsoft video describing Windows in 2030, corporate vice-president David Weston describes the replacement of mice and keyboards with voice input. Microsofts vision is voice and vision Copilot Vision. The AI assistant will see what youre looking at and help you plan, strategize, and perform tasks. Orally. Out loud. Even if youre wearing earbuds, others nearby could hear your interactions. The other thing I think is going to get more intuitive is multimodal interactions, Davuluri said. So youll be able to speak to your computer while, you know, writing, inking, interacting with another person. No one talks to AI at work. They just dont Ages ago, around the launch of Windows 10, I was invited down to Nuance Softwares office in Silicon Valley. Nuance makes Dragon Software, which at least then was the premier dictation application for Windows. The company was also expanding into cars, developing hands-free navigation solutions. I remember walking back and forth between the demo rooms in near silence. No one was using Dragons software. No one was talking with or dictating to their PCs. This was the one place that you would expect people to actively dogfooding their own software, showing anyone who came near how easy it was to use. Not a soul did. Ive been in many offices since and I dont think Ive ever heard anyone talking to Cortana, Copilot, ChatGPT, you name it. Microsofts Copilot Vision sees whats on your PC and helps out. Mark Hachman / Foundry And why should you? We live in a world dominated by people dunking on one another on social media, constantly judging others by their actions, inactions, language, and politics. Its easier to remain quiet than to loudly proclaim what youre working on or where you need help. And god forbid you call the chatbot by a name, or ask it to refer to you by a title or in a weird style. Even using AI is risky. On one hand, you might curry favor with management. They want employees to leverage AI tools to increase productivity. On the other hand, relying on AI might prevent you from moving up the ranks. So if not work, where? Microsofts Cortana was quickly transformed into a meme HI IM CORTANA AND IM HERE TO HELP!!! and the applications capabilities were somewhat limited. Finally, there was the performative aspect, and later the fact that Microsofts Halo team turned Cortana into a villain. All those, I think, helped contribute to Cortanas early demise. But theres one big thing thats changed since Cortana debuted: more people now work from home. Its far less embarrassing to have a conversation with an Ai chatbot in private, rather than in public. miss.cabul / Shutterstock.com At home, you have the freedom to talk to Copilot or ChatGPT nonstop. Theres no one there to care, or to judge. Most (good) remote jobs simply evaluate workers on their ability to perform and produce, leaving how they accomplish their goals up to the employee. This is the world in which Microsofts Windows future will thrive. Its ironic, then, that Microsoft reportedly is joining the return to office movement, requiring its employees to work at least three days a week in Redmond. Ive only been able to be escorted around Microsofts offices on a few occasions, so Im not sure how many work in cubes versus the luxury of a private office. I do wonder how many would be bold enough to orally chat with Copilot, risking disturbing their coworkers and tipping off their boss. And, of course, there are many, many big businesses without the full-throated support for AI that Microsoft espouses. It all leads to a rather startling conclusion, however. If Microsoft truly thinks that workers should be chatting with Copilot, maybe it should become a more vocal proponent of remote work. After all, if people are holding conversations with AI therapists and girlfriends, they certainly arent doing it where their boss could overhear. Why should Copilot be any different? Theres a common misconception about PCIe 5.0 SSDs that since theyre the latest-generation SSD storage and boast faster speed and bandwidth compared to PCIe 4.0 SSD, anyone who gets one is going to experience a big uptick in PC performance. Thats certainly not the case as weve shown by analyzing things like gaming performance. But there are a few exceptions to that rule. In fact, if any of the below statements are true for you, you may well have a justifiable reason for splurging out on a costly PCIe 5.0 SSD upgrade. Am I working with large datasets? Scientists and other professionals work with very large amounts of data often terabytes but sometimes even petabytes in size. PCIe 5.0 SSD doubles the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 SSD delivering theoretical speeds of 14,000MB/s for reads and 12,000MB/s for writes to disk. These faster transfer speeds can help prevent one of the biggest problems data scientists have to deal with nowadays that is, the bottlenecks that occur on their PCs loading and preprocessing data from storage. For data scientists, especially those working with datasets in Large Language Models (LLMs), tasks like running complex queries on a database, accessing files while training models, or saving large model checkpoints should be much snappier with a PCIe 5.0 SSD, therefore reducing the time workers are idle and likely therefore also boosting productivity. Am I a video editor, 3D animator, or designer working with very large files? If your job title is 3D animator, designer, or video editor and, again, youre working with large files, then a PCIe 5.0 SSD is likely to make your workflow much quicker. Thats especially the case if you work with 4K or even 8K video files, where the speed and bandwidth increases will likely translate to smoother timeline scrubbing and faster rendering. Do I want to future-proof my hardware for gaming? Right now, theres not much of an advantage gaming with a PCIe 5.0 SSD over a PCIe 4.0 SSD, but as hardware and software applications continue to evolve, its likely they will better take advantage of the speed and bandwidth benefits of PCIe 5.0 SSD for gaming. That looks to be the case with the emerging technology of DirectStorage that reduces load times and improves asset streaming in games, especially data-heavy open-world RPGs. DirectStorage allows games to load data directly from the SSD to the GPU, thereby bypassing the CPU. While the technology works on PCIe 4.0 SSDs, PCIe 5.0 SSDs are better suited to utilize the DirectStorage technology when it becomes more widespread. At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Beautiful high-refresh rate OLED display Good price for that OLED Solid performance per dollar Lots of ports Cons Doesnt pull far ahead of RTX 5070-powered laptops NPU is too slow for Copilot+ PC AI features 12 GB VRAM is low for GPU-heavy AI models Bad speakers Our Verdict The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI feels like it was meant to be a gaming laptop and the marketing department wanted to slap AI on it. Its a reasonable midrange gaming laptop with a stunning OLED display. If you want AI laptop features, though look elsewhere. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Price When Reviewed 2699 Euro Best Prices Today: The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is a 16-inch gaming laptop with solid hardware for a reasonable price. But if youre looking for a true AI laptop, this isnt it. The neural processing unit (NPU) is too slow to handle Microsofts Copilot+ PC AI features nor is it ready to run the most current AI tasks. Many buyers dont realize that modern AI laptops often fall short of Microsofts advertised standards. Like other gaming laptops rebranded as AI laptops, this machine would excel at GPU-based AI tasks, but no more than any other gaming laptop. With 12 GB of VRAM, the Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU here isnt ideal for local AI models. (For example, OpenAIs new gpt-oss-20B model is intended for GPUs with at least 16 GB of VRAM.) Moving beyond the AI branding, this is a fine laptop if we treat it as a gaming laptop and not an AI laptop. And this OLED display at less than $2,000 is extremely impressive. So, for the rest of this review, Ill just treat it like a gaming laptop. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Specs The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S is a 16-inch gaming laptop with a blazing-fast 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, a current-generation Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti GPU, 32 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB SSD. Thats the Best Buy-exclusive configuration we reviewed, and it retails for $1,899. The RAM and storage are end user-upgradable, too. All you have to do is remove the bottom cover. Model number: PHN16S-71-98RF PHN16S-71-98RF CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX Memory: 32 GB DDR5 6400 MHz RAM 32 GB DDR5 6400 MHz RAM Graphics/GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 12GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 12GB NPU: Intel AI Boost (up to 13 TOPS) Intel AI Boost (up to 13 TOPS) Display: 16-inch 25601600 OLED display with 240Hz refresh rate 16-inch 25601600 OLED display with 240Hz refresh rate Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD Webcam: 1080p webcam 1080p webcam Connectivity: 2x USB Type-C (1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps), 3x USB Type-A (2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1x HDMI 2.1 out, 1x Ethernet, 1x microSD card reader, 1x combo audio jack, 1x DC power in 2x USB Type-C (1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps), 3x USB Type-A (2x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1x HDMI 2.1 out, 1x Ethernet, 1x microSD card reader, 1x combo audio jack, 1x DC power in Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 Biometrics: IR camera for facial recognition IR camera for facial recognition Battery capacity: 76 Watt-hours 76 Watt-hours Dimensions: 14.06 x 10.9 x 1.01 inches 14.06 x 10.9 x 1.01 inches Weight: 4.8 pounds 4.8 pounds MSRP: $1,899 as tested If you want a 16-inch OLED with 240Hz refresh rate for under $2,000, you should seriously consider this machine. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Design and build quality IDG / Chris Hoffman The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI is a 16-inch gaming laptop that lands somewhere between the thinnest gaming laptops and the chunkiest ones. At just under five pounds, its still plenty portable for a gaming laptop. Its all black, aside from a reflective Predator logo on the lid and a silver logo on the keyboard tray. The good news is that theres no AI logo anywhere on this machine. While Acer doesnt specify the materials in its reviewers guide, the lid appears to be made of a black aluminum, with much of the rest of the machine made of a black plastic. It feels solid. The hinge also feels nice and smooth, and its easy to open with a single hand. While the keyboard lights up with multicolored LEDs if you want it, the rest of the machine in its Obsidian Black color scheme is restrained, and it could pass for more of a professional laptop than a gaming laptop. There are no light bars or other effects elsewhere on the laptop. That silver Predator logo below the keyboard marks it as a gaming laptop, however. Its a solid laptop. It feels sturdy, and the plastic finish doesnt feel cheap. At an inch thick, its a reasonable thickness for a gaming laptop. But it doesnt feel quite as luxurious to the touch as an all-metal laptop chassis. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Keyboard and trackpad IDG / Chris Hoffman The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI has a full-size keyboard complete with a number pad (theres plenty of room for it) and four zones of RGB LED backlighting. That customizable backlighting lets you set up colorful effects without the cost of including more expensive per-key RGB backlighting. With 1.5mm of key travel, this is a standard membrane-style chiclet keyboard on a gaming laptop of this size. Theres plenty of room for enough key travel to make the keyboard feel nice without any extra tricks. It feels fine not mushy but it doesnt feel as unusually snappy as when manufacturers go the extra mile to include a mechanical keyboard or one with extra actuation force. The trackpad is a good size, smooth, and responsive. The surface isnt as smooth as a glass touchpad, and theres perhaps a little more friction than on some other trackpad finishes Ive used recently plus the click-down action lands with a bit more of a thunk than a click but its fine. Its a standard touchpad, but nothing that stands out against its competitors. I game with a mouse, anyway, and Id be happy using this while I wasnt gaming. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Display and speakers IDG / Chris Hoffman The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI has a 16-inch 25601600 OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and up to 400 nits of brightness (peaking a bit higher in HDR mode.) It supports HDR and Nvidia G-Sync, too. The display looks great Im a sucker for a good OLED. Im excited to see an OLED with such a high refresh rate, too. For years, it felt like you had to pick between OLED or a high refresh rate on a gaming laptop. You can get displays that are brighter or even higher resolution on a gaming laptop, but this one looks good with the deep blacks youll find on an OLED. While this is very nice OLED, its not the best one Ive seen. While playing Doom: The Dark Ages, the blacks on this OLED display looked nice and deep, but these arent the vivid colors and high brightness I normally see on an OLED-powered laptop. In a lot of ways, it reminds me more of a good IPS display. Thats not a surprise due to that 400 nits brightness. The blacks are nice and deep, but the colors arent as vivid as I see on brighter OLEDs. As an OLED, its a little glossy and prone to reflections, and that can be an issue in a bright room, more brightness usually helps overpower these reflections. I test the speakers on every laptop I review by playing Steely Dans Aja and Daft Punks Get Lucky. The Helios Neo 16S AIs two stereo speakers delivered plenty of volume. They did a better job in Get Lucky than in Aja with its precise instrument separation. But the upper midrange was a little harsh, especially at higher volume settings something that really comes through in sounds like the singing in Get Luckys chorus. I found the upper midranges fatiguing after just a few minutes in Doom: The Dark Ages, too. I dont like the way the speakers sound, and I would really want to use headphones while gaming. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Webcam, microphone, biometrics The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI has a 1080p webcam that looks fine for a gaming laptop. In fact, Id say its on the better side for a gaming laptop, though the color and general image quality arent up there with business laptops optimized for video conferencing. Since Acer is pushing AI features for the webcam and microphone, its worth noting that the PurifiedView button in the PredatorSense apps Experience Zone just opens Windows Studio Effects webcam settings youll get these particular effects (automatic framing, eye contact, and background blur) on basically any laptop with this NPU. And youll get more on a Copilot+ PC that delivers extra features. The microphone setup was on the quiet side and not particularly high-quality. Thats normal for gaming laptops, but Acer markets this as a three-microphone setup for crystal-clear voice quality. Youll probably be using an external microphone, anyway. This machine has Acer Purified Voice features you can tweak in the PredatorSenses Experience Zone, and theyre an improvement over no effects. However, stronger microphone hardware would deliver a better voice input experience than these trendy AI effects do. You dont need an AI laptop for background noise removal, anyway. This machine has an IR camera for facial recognition with Windows Hello, so you can sign in with your face. As usual on modern laptops, it works well. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Connectivity IDG / Chris Hoffman The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI has a good collection of ports that are positioned well. But it also has one of the big problems I tend to see on laptops like these USB port confusion. On the left side, the machine offers an Ethernet jack, a USB Type-A port, a microSD card reader, and combo audio jack. On the right side, its got two more USB Type-A ports. On the back, youll find a DC power in jack, HDMI 2.1 out, and two USB Type-C ports (one is Thunderbolt 4 and one is USB 3.2). Thats a great location and means cables like power in and video out are coming out the back of your laptop and arent in the way of your mouse and other things on your desk. The annoyance is the usual USB port confusion. On the back, one of the USB Type-C ports is a Thunderbolt 4 port while the other operates at USB 3.2 speeds. Youll need to keep an eye on which is which if you have Thunderbolt 4 devices or youll find them operating at reduced speeds. This laptop features Killer Wi-Fi 6E hardware and Bluetooth 5.4 support, and it thankfully has that 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port for wired networking. Its disappointing that Acer skipped Wi-Fi 7 here. Its not a big deal, but Wi-Fi 7 support would make it more futureproof. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Performance I put the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI to the test in Doom: The Dark Ages, and it performed well as it should with this CPU and GPU! Under load, the fans arent unusually loud for a gaming laptop. They blow hot air out of both the back and sides. Id prefer if they only blew it out the back. The keyboard can also get a little toasty, especially in the middle. As always, we ran the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI through our standard benchmarks to see how it performs. IDG / Chris Hoffman First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance. This is an overall system benchmark, but the CPU is a huge factor here. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI delivered a solid score of 8,320 thanks to its speedy Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU. IDG / Chris Hoffman Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. Its a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isnt a factor. But, since its heavily multithreaded, CPUs with more cores have a huge advantage. With an average multithreaded Cinebench R20 score of 13,072, this laptop was a bit behind some competitors with the same CPU, possibly suggesting cooling may be a factor. IDG / Chris Hoffman We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark, but it runs over an extended period. This demands the laptops cooling kick in, and many laptops will throttle and slow down under load. The Helios Neo 16S completed the encode process in an average of 562 seconds. Thats over nine minutes. Again, we see it slipping behind similar laptops that presumably have better cooling systems and need less throttling under load. If I were approaching this as an AI laptop and saying you might be looking to do CPU inference, Id point out this is a real issue youd want a laptop with better cooling to run heavy CPU-crunching tasks for extended periods of time. (But, since weve left the idea of this being an AI workstation behind, its fine and likely wont have a huge effect on gaming performance.) IDG / Chris Hoffman Next, we run a graphical benchmark. First, we run 3Dmark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance. The Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti GPU here produced a Time Spy score of 13,528. A benchmark like this one is all about the GPU. Whats interesting here is the RTX 5070 Ti in this machine doesnt pull very far ahead of the RTX 5070 in the Alienware 16X Aurora. Its ahead, but only by a little bit. Comparing on-paper GPU speeds, it should be ahead by a lot! The cause is likely the TDP. In this machine, the RTX 5070 Ti is limited to 115 W max, so it cant take full advantage of the 5070 Tis theoretically higher performance in the ideal world. (The Alienware 16X Aurora also runs its 5070 at a 115 W TDP.) IDG / Chris Hoffman Then, we benchmark some games. We start with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, an older game, but a great way to compare performance across hardware. With an average FPS of 160 in our standard benchmark here, this machine is in line with other similar laptops and even ones with faster RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 GPUs. IDG / Chris Hoffman Finally, we benchmark a demanding game. We run the Extreme benchmark in Metro Exodus. With an average FPS of 56 in this benchmark, this comes in roughly where wed expect to see it behind RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 laptops. Again, this is only a hair faster than the RTX 5070 in the Alienware 16X Aurora. While the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S does have a faster GPU, the advantages are marginal at this TDP level. Overall, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI performed fine. But it doesnt take full advantage of its hardware. The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX doesnt deliver the kind of sustained performance it can on competing PCs (likely due to the cooling hardware), for example. More importantly, while the choice of a faster RTX 5070 Ti GPU looks like a big on-paper win that will deliver faster performance than an RTX 5070, the TDP here means that the GPU in this machine performs similarly to machines with RTX 5070 GPUs running at the high end of what they can manage. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Battery life The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI has a 76 Watt-hour battery, which is middle of the road for a gaming laptop. Still, it helps keep weight down and you arent going to game on battery power anyway. IDG / Chris Hoffman To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled until the laptop suspends itself. We set the screen to 250 nits of brightness for our battery benchmarks. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this. Also, since this laptop has an OLED screen that doesnt have to use extra power to display the black bars around the video, that gives it a bit of an edge against competing laptops with IPS displays on this test. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI lasted for an average of 371 minutes in our benchmark thats just over six hours. Youll get less in the real world, so this laptop wont make it through a workday (maybe not even have a workday) before you must plug it in. Thats standard for gaming laptops with power-hungry Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processors. Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI: Conclusion If you want a 16-inch OLED with 240Hz refresh rate for under $2,000, you should seriously consider this machine. Asuss ROG Zephyrus G16 is another 16-inch laptop with an RTX 5070 Ti, a slower Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU, and a 240Hz refresh rate, and Asuss online store has it at $2,799 as Im wrapping up this review. The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI tries a few other gimmicks. The AI branding isnt a reason to buy this PC over another gaming laptop. And the RTX 5070 Ti GPU a win on paper is held back and doesnt deliver the theoretical high-end performance it might. If you arent excited by this OLED at this price, I recommend you consider other options. This display at this price is this machines standout feature, not AI. If youre going to get an insanely large monitor for your PC, you might as well splurge on the best out there, right? Im talking about something like this 49-inch Samsung Odyssey OLED thats 44% off on Amazon, with its price slashed down to just $899.99. Thats an insane $700 savings on one of the biggest and baddest gaming monitors you can get right now. This 49-inch behemoth of a curved display is an absolute beast thatll take over your desk. With its gorgeous 51201440 resolution and ultrawide 32:9 aspect ratio, its essentially like having two 1440p monitors side by side except theres no distracting bezel down the center. The OLED panel will make everything you watch pop with vivid colors and deep contrast. And when youre gaming, youll have a fantastic experience since this monitor can reach 240Hz of refresh. (Of course, your GPU will need to be powerful enough to hit those numbers at this massive resolution, so keep that in mind.) This is a fantastic monitor, not just for immersive gaming but also for work, providing plenty of screen real estate so you can split your desktop space into as many areas as you need to get your tasks done. Its a fantastic display size for researching, writing, or procrastinating like a pro. Hurry up and grab this Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 for just $900 while this deals still active on Amazon! Snagging an ultrawide 49-inch monitor for this cheap is a dream come true. Or if it isnt exactly what youre looking for, see our roundup of the best monitors worth your money. Samsung's ultrawide 49-inch OLED monitor has never been cheaper Internal Trade and Labour Mobility Premiers are taking a collaborative approach to fostering a more open and prosperous economy by improving internal trade and labour mobility and expanding Canadian markets. Provinces and territories have taken collective and individual action by: introducing internal trade legislation; reviewing and removing Party-specific exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA); concluding negotiations to add a chapter on financial services to the CFTA; expanding opportunities for direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales; advancing mutual recognition; and, improving labour mobility. Premiers reiterated their commitment to unlock multilateral, economy-wide mutual recognition and labour mobility, while respecting Quebecs specificity. Premiers look forward to a comprehensive Mutual Recognition Agreement covering all goods, in alignment with the Committee on Internal Trade discussions, with implementation by December 2025. Premiers also noted the vital role of tailored, responsive provincial and territorial workforce and skills training programming that is supported through Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTAs) with the federal government. Additional LMTA funding is critically needed to support Canadian workers in need of employment assistance and retraining services, and to support the countrys response to the unjustified U.S. tariffs. In order to strengthen and expand market diversification, Premiers committed to their respective governments undertaking at least one trade mission to another province or territory in the coming year. These missions will strengthen pan-Canadian supply chains and foster more trade and investment across Canada. Immigration Immigration benefits Canada on many levels, positively shaping our communities and economy. Provinces and territories are best positioned to understand their local labour market needs and call on the federal government to support their respective priorities. Premiers emphasized their authority over immigration levels planning, and highlighted that the Provincial and Territorial Nominee Program (PTNP) is critically important for economic growth and meeting the regional labour market needs across the country. Premiers call on the federal government to reinstate PTNP allocations, which were reduced by 50 per cent, and increase their share of total economic immigration in the Immigration Levels Plan. They also urged the federal government to engage meaningfully with provinces and territories regarding international student policy and to ensure postgraduate work permit eligibility is based on local labour market needs. Premiers agreed to work together to use their authority under section 95 of the Constitution including to issue work permits. Since 1991, under the Canada-Quebec Accord relating to immigration and temporary admission of immigrants, Quebec fully assumes sole responsibility for establishing immigration levels, and for the selection, francization and integration of immigrants. Quebec will continue to make additional demands regarding immigration powers in a bilateral way to the federal government. Canada continues to receive a significant number of asylum claims. As people needing protection must be welcomed with dignity, Premiers support federal, provincial and territorial collaboration to address pressures in the asylum system, including welcoming responsibilities, and identifying the required federal supports and funding for important public services provided by provinces, territories, and communities. They also call on the federal government to accelerate the processing of asylum claims and to ensure that accepted asylum seekers can fully participate in society. Premiers acknowledge the intent of Bill C-2 to better manage Canadas asylum system but expect to be meaningfully engaged on any changes to asylum seekers policy. Additionally, Premiers discussed the impact of reduced federal funding for settlement services and language training and called on the federal government to do its part to support successful integration for all newcomers. Health Provinces and territories continue to take action to improve health outcomes for Canadians. This includes actively exploring avenues to improve access to medications and collaborative efforts to help enhance labour mobility for health professionals looking to work in and across the country. Provinces and territories will work with their respective regulators of health professions and will continue, when appropriate, to implement measures for the recognition of competencies in accordance with their own protection requirements in order to further facilitate labour mobility for health professionals. Premiers also emphasized the importance of enhancing the Canada Health Transfer (CHT) and its escalator. Public Safety Premiers discussed the federal governments commitment to bail reform and collaboration to address the issue of repeat and violent offending with legislative and law enforcement measures as well as efforts on a range of interconnected issues, including poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma, and mental health. Premiers called for the federal government to amend the Criminal Code in a continued effort to ensure meaningful bail reform and work with provinces and territories to measure the impact of these changes. Premiers also reaffirmed the need to review risk assessment for sentencing and post-incarceration release of repeat sex offenders and individuals charged with intimate partner violence and gender-based violence crimes. Premiers discussed the efforts all governments are making to address organized crime and border and port security, including targeting drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal migration, and the cross-border flow of firearms and illegal drugs, including fentanyl and its precursors, and the importance of continuing these efforts to protect Canadians. They call on the federal government to provide increased federal resources and personnel to border security to combat organized crime and enhance public safety. This must include increased federal resources and personnel dedicated to port security, sufficient to target any exploitable security gaps at seaports on Canadas coasts. Premiers recognized the need for further action to combat vehicle theft, and are committed to working with all partners to develop effective strategies to disrupt this, including through the work of provincial and territorial transportation ministers who are working?to bring improvements to the Interprovincial Records Exchange system by Spring 2026 to address VIN fraud. Premiers urge the federal government to provide a clear and immediate decision on the future of RCMP contract policing, along with greater transparency regarding the transformation of the RCMPs federal policing program. Prince Edward Islands Premier Lantz to Chair the Council of the Federation On August 1, 2025, Prince Edward Island (PEI) Premier Rob Lantz will assume the Chair of the Council of the Federation. PEI will host the next summer meeting of Canadas Premiers on July 21-23, 2026. 30 For more information: Grace Lee Director of Media Relations Office of the Premier of Ontario grace.lee5@ontario.ca Council of the Federation Secretariat Suite 630, 360 Albert Street Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7X7 Phone: 613 563-4066 Executive Director: Loretta O'Connor, MBA Loretta@canadaspremiers.ca. Council of the Federation Secretariat Suite 630, 360 Albert Street An apparent leak of the planned notebook CPU releases from AMD and Intel have revealed both companys plans through 2025 and beyond, showing off a complex AMD roadmap that extends in 2027 with the release of Gator Range and AMDs Zen 6 architecture. The roadmap was published on the website of Seleno, a Spanish electronics manufacturer, and downloadable from a button marked Roadmap from the manufacturers site. It has not yet been formally confirmed, so it must be considered to be a rumor for now. Toms Hardware noticed the post, whose original source appears to be the Twitter account, X86isdeadandback. PCWorld was able to download the roadmap from Seleno itself. Seleno appears to be a small Spanish electronics company specializing in wireless chargers and power banks. But the company also maintains a notebook business, and published a roadmap of its own products and the roadmaps from AMD and Intel, accessible via the Roadmap link. Neither roadmap is sourced to AMD or Intel, and appears to be Selenos interpretation of what each company has told them (or simple forecasting rather than an actual leak). The AMD roadmap, however, is far more detailed. In fact, Intels 2025 roadmap, according to Seleno, matches what Intel has already said publicly with one exception: in notebooks, 2025 will be the year of Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake. In 2026, Intel will launch versions of the Wildcat Lake processor, a name that Intel has let slip before, in both the mainstream 9-17W U segments as well as the higher-performance P segment, which carries with it a 28W TDP. A screenshot of the Intel Platform Roadmap, as published by Seleno.es to its website. Foundry AMDs notebook CPU roadmap is much more interesting. If the roadmap Seleno published is accurate, youll have the choice of seven separate CPU choices for 2025, ranging from the aging Mendocino Zen 2 parts for entry-level notebooks on up to the 16-core Ryzen X3D or Fire Range products, whose desktop counterparts have sparked a sharp increase in AMDs desktop market share. An AMD representative declined to comment on unannounced products, leaks, or speculation. AMDs roadmap shows the Fire Range parts persisting through 2027. AMDs Strix Halo (the Ryzen AI Max CPU found in the Framework Desktop and others) has no replacement at the current time, the Seleno roadmap indicates, persisting throughout 2025, 2026, and 2027. The big name on AMDs alleged roadmap for 2026 is Gorgon Point, which replaces three separate processors AMD ships in 2025: the 12-core Strix Point mainstream Ryzen AI 300 Zen 5 series; the Krackan Point {sic] 8-core offshoot, which boasts the same Copilot+-class NPU and Zen 5 architecture; and the Hawk Point chip, an 8-core Zen 4 processor. The roadmap describes Gorgon Point as a 12-core chip with a 55-TOPS NPU, manufactured on a 4nm process with the Zen 5 architecture. A screenshot of AMDs mobile CPU roadmap, as published by Seleno.es to its website. Foundry Also in 2026, the Seleno roadmap indicates that AMD is saying that the Hawk Point chip will slip in as a replacement for mainstream notebooks, maintaining its current characteristics as a Zen 4 processor on the 4nm process node, and using DDR5 and LP-DDR5 memory. Finally, Selenos AMD roadmap shows the migration from the Zen 5 architecture to Zen 6 taking place in 2027. Although its no secret that AMD is working on future architectures, AMD hasnt spoken publicly about Zen 6 yet. Its most likely opportunity to do that will be on Nov. 11, when it holds a special day for financial analysts. Its on those days that AMD typically presents future roadmaps and talks more publicly about its strategies and initiatives. In 2027, Gator Range will mark the debut of Zen 6 in what Seleno calls the ultimate compute category. Mainstream notebooks will follow suit, with Medusa Point a Zen 6 chip on a 3nm process node taking over from Gorgon Point. AMD also apparently plans what Seleno refers to as Medusa BB possibly a baby Medusa Point, as Toms Hardware suggests without any distinguishing characteristics. Seleno published the roadmaps to its Web site. Foundry Interestingly, in 2027 all of AMDs notebook processors will apparently meet Microsofts Copilot+ requirements, with the exception of one: the Mendocino chip, which will keep on puttering along from 2024 until presumably 2027 as beyond. Selenos roadmap contains details of the companys own notebook plans, as well as which processors the company will include. In a note, Seleno said that it is phasing out Intels 12th-gen Core i5-1235U, though the timing will depend on the stock on the open market. Seleno also notes that supplies of Intels N-series (Alder Lake-N, Twin Lake-N, and Jasper Lake) remain in short supply. Updated at 12:13 PM PT with additional detail. Derry Township police issued a warrant for a man they say stabbed two people early Sunday morning. Police say Edward Lee McDowell, 28, of York County, entered a residence in the 600 block of Old West Chocolate Avenue, where two people were asleep. McDowell entered the bedroom and began stabbing a 43-year-old man. A 29-year-old woman awoke and tried to jump in between the two and was stabbed in the hand. Police said McDowell told the woman he was going to kill the man. He then fled the residence before police arrived around 3:15 a.m. He was charged with burglary, aggravated assault and terroristic threats. Anyone with information about McDowells location should contact the Derry Township Police at 717-534-2202 or submit a tip online. Young Dolph performs onstage at night three of the STAPLES Center Concert, sponsored by Sprite, during the 2017 BET Experience at Staples Center on June 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. A Tennessee man accused of organizing the rappers murder has been cleared of charges. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET) Getty Images for BET A Tennessee man thats been accused of organizing the broad daylight killing of rapper Young Dolph at a Memphis bakery in November 2021 has been acquitted. A jury found Hernandez Govan, 45, not guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in connection with the killing of the 100 Shots rapper, born Adolph Thornton, Jr. Prosecutors didnt accuse Govan of pulling the trigger but argued he directed the gunman, who then carried out the crime, per Metro. The jury rejected that theory despite testimony from one of the admitted shooters, who said Govan hired him and arranged the killing. Also included in the prosecutions case was the testimony of Cornelius Smith, Jr., who admitted to being one of the two men who shot Dolph. Smith told jurors that Govan recruited him to do the hits, provided weapons, and tipped him off that Dolph would be in Memphis for his annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. However, Govans attorney, Manny Arora, brought Smiths credibility into question, describing him as an unreliable witness motivated to cooperate for a chance at a lighter sentence. Arora also brought into question the integrity concerning the police investigation and the strength of evidence stemming from cellphone communications between Govan, Smith and others. Not one of those messages directly incriminates my client, Arora countered, mentioning to jurors that the state failed to connect Govan to the crime beyond Smiths claim. Govan chose not to testify in his own defense. As previously reported, the Major rapper was fatally shot on November 17, 202, when two gunmen sprayed the outside of Makedas Homemade Cookies with bullets, a bakery he frequently visited. Moon Dancer Winery in Lower Windsor Township opened in 2003. It's now closed for the foreseeable future. A York County winery has been forced to close for the third time in the last 14 months, following a judges ruling on Aug. 21. Moon Dancer Winery, perched on a spot overlooking the Susquehanna River in Lower Windsor Township, closed the next day following an order by York County Judge Matthew Menges that the winery must obey previous court orders. Owner Jim Miller later said that the winery planned to file an emergency motion with the state Supreme Court to allow the business to reopen, posting on Facebook that the winery was not giving up. In the interim, the post continued, the winery will be closed immediately. We are also filing an emergency stay, which hopefully will allow us to open until we finally get our day in court. Please stay in touch during these difficult times. A shorter update can be found on the Moon Dancer website. The ruling came a little more than two months after the Pennsylvania Superior Court backed a York County court order shutting down the winery. At the time, Miller told PennLive that he would remain open and continue to fight. We are incredibly disappointed, but we are not giving up, he said in a statement. We are doing everything we possibly can to save Moon Dancer. This community has stood by us for more than 20 years, and were so grateful for their love and support. Were going to keep fighting and will continue to pursue all our legal options to keep our doors open. The winery, which opened in 2003, has been in a years-long dispute with a next-door neighbor over the operation of a commercial business on the property. The first complaint was issued in October 2018, but everything remained in the courts until June 2024, when the winery was ordered to close. A few weeks later, it reopened, only to close in July and reopen in early August. It had remained open for more than a year as the litigation continued. In the meantime, Miller said he has replanted around 2,400 vines this spring in what is a 10-acre vineyard, which was originally planted in 1998. A majority of the vines are vinifera, with Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay as two of the primary grapes that he said continue to grow well there. His Facebook post on Aug. 22 about the closing was featured above a photo of a few of those new vines. Armed members of the South Carolina National Guard talk with a man while positioned outside of Union Station in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) AP By JONATHAN J. COOPER and LEAH ASKARINAM, The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) Some National Guard units patrolling the nations capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary. A Defense Department official who was not authorized to speak publicly said some units on certain missions would be armed some with handguns and others with rifles. The spokesperson said that all units with firearms have been trained and are operating under strict rules for use of force. An Associated Press photographer on Sunday saw members of the South Carolina National Guard outside Union Station with holstered handguns. A statement from the joint task force that has taken over policing in the nations capital said units began carrying their service weapons on Sunday and that the militarys rules say force should be used only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm. It said the force is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of Washingtons residents. The development in Trumps extraordinary effort to override the law enforcement authority of state and local governments comes as he is considering expanding the deployments to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and New York. Earlier Sunday, the president threatened to expand his military deployments to more Democratic-led cities, responding to an offer by Marylands governor to join him in a tour of Baltimore by saying he might instead send in the troops. He earlier said he was considering deploying troops to Chicago and New York. Thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are now patrolling the districts streets, drawing sporadic protests from local residents. Trump made the threat to Baltimore in a spat with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat who has criticized Trumps unprecedented flex of federal power aimed at combating crime and homelessness in Washington. Moore last week invited Trump to visit his state to discuss public safety and walk the streets. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said Moore asked in a rather nasty and provocative tone, and then raised the specter of repeating the National Guard deployment he made in Los Angeles over the objections of Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom. People protest against President Donald Trump's use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the city during a rally along the U street corridor in northwest Washington, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP Wes Moores record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing, Trump wrote, as he cited a pejorative nickname he uses frequently for the California governor. But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime. Moore said he invited Trump to Maryland because he seems to enjoy living in this blissful ignorance about improving crime rates in Baltimore. After a spike during the pandemic that matched nationwide trends, Baltimores violent crime rate has fallen. The 200 homicides reported last year were down 24% from the prior year and 42% since 2021, according to city data. Between 2023 and 2024, overall violent crime was down nearly 8% and property crimes down 20%. The president is spending all of his time talking about me, Moore said on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday. Im spending my time talking about the people I serve. Trump is spouting off a bunch of lies about public safety in Maryland, Moore said in a fundraising email. In Washington, where Trump is surging National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers, a patchwork of protests popped up throughout the city over the weekend, while some normally bustling corners were noticeably quiet. In some of the most populated areas, residents walked by small groups of national guardsmen, often talking among themselves. Videos of arrests and detainments circulated on social media. Trump has said Chicago and New York are most likely his next targets, eliciting strong pushback from Democratic leaders in both states. The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks preparing for an operation in Chicago that would include National Guard troops and potentially active-duty forces. Asked about the Post report, the White House pointed to Trumps earlier comments discussing his desire to expand his use of military forces to target local crime. I think Chicago will be our next, Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday, adding, And then well help with New York. Trump has repeatedly described some of the nations largest cities run by Democrats, with Black mayors and majority-minority populations as dangerous and filthy. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is Black, as is Moore. The District of Columbia and New York also have Black mayors. The Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking during a religious event Sunday at Howard University in Washington, said the Guards presence in the nations capital was not about crime: This is about profiling us. Rev. Al Sharpton delivers a sermon at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Washington, to announce a national drive in support of District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, as President Donald Trump's administration continues it's use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the city. (AP Photo/John McDonnell) AP This is laced with bigotry and racism, he later elaborated to reporters. Not one white mayor has been designated. And I think this is a civil rights issue, a race issue, and an issue of D.C. statehood. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, said there is no emergency warranting the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families, Pritzker wrote on X. Well continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city doesnt need a military occupation and would sue to block one. He said there has been no communication from the White House about a possible military deployment. Were not going to surrender our humanity to this tyrant, Johnson said Sunday on MSNBC. I can tell you this, the city of Chicago has a long history of standing up against tyranny, resisting those who wish to undermine the interests of working people. Cooper reported from Phoenix. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The University of South Carolina has given the all-clear after issuing an alert Sunday about a possible active shooter near a library on the main Columbia campus, just days after false reports of active shooters at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga led to panic and temporary lockdowns as they kicked off their fall semesters. USC students were told to shelter in place Sunday while police investigated an unconfirmed report of an active shooter near a library. Officials later said there was no evidence of a shooter, and there were no reports of any shots being fired. University spokesman Jeff Stensland said in a statement that the original alert was sent out of an abundance of caution and that law enforcement was clearing the library building, going floor by floor again out of an abundance of caution, were going through the library to make sure. Stensland said there were two minor injuries related to the evacuation of the library building. The school sent an alert of a possible shooter shortly after 6:45 p.m., ordering students to evacuate the area near the Thomas Cooper Library, seek shelter and barricade themselves if necessary. It was followed by another alert saying there was no evidence of an active shooter at this time. Police are searching affected buildings. Please continue to shelter in place until there is an all clear. Approximately 38,000 students attend the school in the heart of the city thats home to nearly 145,000 people. The alerts and uncertainty about a shooter search came after the false reports of active shooters at Villanova University and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. In Pennsylvania, someone called 911, reporting a shooter in a Villanova law school building with at least one wounded victim. Students received texts from the schools alert system, but the schools president later said it was a hoax. Another false emergency report took place there on Sunday. In Tennessee, the university locked down its campus, telling students: Possible active shooter in the University Center or Library. Run. Hide. Fight. More info forthcoming. The lockdown was lifted after multiple law enforcement agencies responded. School officials said there was no evidence of any threat. Brandon Flood, 43, of Steelton, who was known for his work as secretary of the Pa. Board of Pardons from 2019 to 2021, died over the weekend, the states Lt. Governor announced Monday. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis did not reveal the cause of death in his social media post praising Flood as a champion for justice. His unexpected passing leaves a hole in the community of Harrisburg, Davis wrote. Flood was diagnosed with chronic heart failure in November 2021 and underwent a full heart transplant in December 2021. He had most recently been working in Philadelphia for the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, helping with workforce reintegration, according to his LinkedIn page. Brandons family and the community as a whole has lost a special guy, longtime friend and Harrisburg City Councilman Lamont Jones said. He definitely was a fighter, a conduit, a loyal friend, a good father and a good person overall. He would be in the rooms a lot of the community couldnt get into and got good outcomes for things needed in the community. He will be deeply missed. Flood was appointed by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman as secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons in April 2019 and served until his departure in December 2021. At the time, Flood cited philosophical differences with Fetterman. When Flood was appointed as secretary, criminal justice reform advocates lauded the appointment and said his personal story helped to spotlight a new state focus on redemption. Flood spent eight years in state prisons between 2000 and 2010 after separate arrests for drug dealing and carrying an unlicensed handgun, he told PennLive. Flood, a Harrisburg native, said he began selling marijuana in middle school, which turned into dealing crack cocaine. He was once shot three times during a robbery in Harrisburg. After his stint in prison, he turned to policy work, holding staff jobs in the state legislature and other positions in state government, including legislative assistant, senior research analyst and executive director of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. He received a state pardon for his convictions in 2019. I was saddened to learn of the passing of Brandon Flood. Over the last decade, we worked together on prison reform and expanding access to pardons, state Sen. Patty Kim, a Democrat who represents Dauphin County, said. He was a constant presence at community forums and campaigns, always committed to giving people a second chance. His legacy will be one of transformationfrom once serving time to leading efforts across the Commonwealth to help others clear their records. Brandon was passionate, inspirational, and will be missed in Harrisburg. Carlisle Mayor Sean Shultz, in a Facebook post, called Flood a tireless advocate for criminal justice reform. Brandons advocacy extended far beyond policy, Shultz said in the post. He was a friend to many of us in Carlisle a voice of encouragement, a partner in progress, and a believer in the dignity of every person. He facilitated our Town Hall on Racial Equity. He was always there for us when needed. Brandon uplifted communities and inspired change." Flood also served on the Dauphin County Prison advisory board from the summer of 2020 to December 2021. He attempted to secure the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2022 but ultimately lost the bid. From 2022 to 2024, Flood was the deputy director of CeaseFirePA, a gun violence prevention organization. Flood, a Republican, advocated for responsible gun laws. He was working as an associate director for workforce development at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site at the time of his death. He was also self-employed as a lobbyist, reentry consultant and criminal history record information act specialist. In 2022, he founded The Lazarus Firm, LLC, which provided low-cost administrative support for people with criminal records. Despite Floods struggles, Jones said he was a loyal friend. We lost a great one today, Jones said. Hes going to be deeply missed. Opinion Editor Joyce Davis contributed to this report. The first big battle in the race for Mayor of Harrisburg is over trash bills. Mayor Wanda Williams announced a $2 million forgiveness program targeting 541 residents with $1,000s in delinquent trash payments. But Treasurer Dan Miller, who is running to replace her in the Nov. 4 general election, says it rewards non-payment and punishes those property owners who are responsible. The first big battle in the race for mayor of Harrisburg is over trash bills. Mayor Wanda Williams announced a program earlier this month to forgive up to $2 million in delinquent trash bills accrued by 541 Harrisburg residents. The forgiveness is being offered by the city in the name of COVID relief, using grant funding earmarked for such. But Treasurer Dan Miller, who is challenging Williams bid for a second term in the Nov. 4 general election, called the program a half-baked idea that rewards people who dont pay their trash bills, while punishing those who do with higher trash rates. They know they dont have to pay; thats why we have these big (delinquent) balances, said Miller, adding he reviewed the full list of 541 property owners eligible to have their delinquent trash bill balances wiped clean if they enroll. This program rewards nonpayment while penalizing responsible homeowners, Miller said. In a written response, Williams, through a spokesperson, called the forgiveness program a benevolent act thats a far cry from Millers proposal to add a years worth of trash bills to each property owners city real estate tax bills, putting those who fall delinquent at risk for losing their homes to county tax sales. Trash bill forgiveness letters sent to eligible property owners state, Harrisburg is committed to working with residents who are facing financial challenges while also ensuring fairness to all who regularly meet their obligations. But Miller said just 36 of the 541 property owners had delinquent balances of $1,164 or less an amount that would have accrued during the three years of the COVID pandemic. The remaining 93 percent of property owners eligible for full forgiveness owe far more some many-thousands more, Miller said. The highest amount due to be forgiven under the program is $9,415, and many other amounts are in the $5,000-range and up, he said. Those delinquent balances go far beyond COVID, Miller stated. An outline of the program provided by Harrisburgs interim business manager and Williams chief of staff Samuel Sulkosky states eligibility was confined to residents who missed at least one trash payment between Jan. 2020 and Dec. 2023 but also made at least one payment during that same period. Mayor Wanda Williams celebrates her win on election night in Harrisburg. May,20 2025. Sean Simmers |ssimmers@pennlive.com Sulkosky further states Harrisburg tried to weed out city employees and elected officials, along with those who are non-resident landlords, organizations or corporations. But Miller said there are both city officials and out-of-town landlords on the forgiveness list. And in a detailed review of the first 68 property owners who returned their applications to enroll in the program, Miller said he found 12 errors or inconsistencies. Above all, Miller said the program has no low-income qualifications for eligibility -- even though the notification letters signed by Williams suggest its intended for residents experiencing financial challenges. There is no written policy, no financial accountability, and no verification process, said Miller, quipping that Elon Musk would be eligible to have his trash bills forgiven. Williams, through a spokesperson, provided written comments responding to Millers criticisms. The response states, in part: Anyone who creates a negative light around this benevolent act is not acting in the best interest of the Citys residents--period. Whatever Mr. Miller is saying does not negate the fact that the City is helping those in need to become current with their trash bill and be debt free in that area moving forward so that they may stay atop future bills. Williams statement added grant funding for the program was approved by City Council as a way of reducing the estimated total of $13 million in trash bill delinquencies. This should protect residents who pay their trash bills regularly from facing future rate increases, Williams said. This is a garbage bill forgiveness program where existing (delinquent) bills are paid by grant funding, NOT spread out among diligent Harrisburg City taxpaying residents, the statement read. But Miller pointed out Williams and the city just raised trash rates by about 10 percent in Jan. 2024 due to the large amount of unpaid bills. He predicted the citys delinquency problem will only get worse because the forgiveness program sends the wrong message. Were going to clear your balance, and youre going to run up another balance, Miller said. The people who are responsible are paying more, and the people who arent responsible arent paying at all. Harrisburgs current monthly trash rate is $35.57. Miller said his plan to end Harrisburg trash bill delinquency crisis is to add a full years trash bill about $427 to the citys annual real estate tax bill for each property. That means if any part of the city property tax bill, including the trash fees, werent paid within a year, they would be turned over to Dauphin County Tax Claims office for collection. Harrisburg mayor candidate Dan Miller greets voters at the Laurel Towers Apartments polling location. At right is Kimberly Pianka. Voters head to the polls in the primary election. May 20, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com According to the tax claim office, city, county and school real estate taxes become delinquent when they are not paid in the calendar year they are due. A public listing of the delinquencies is posted on the tax office website each February. The tax office then charges .0075 percent interest for each month the delinquent taxes go unpaid. This is on top of the 10 percent penalty thats assessed when taxes go unpaid during the calendar year. Properties are listed for county tax sale when any delinquent taxes go unpaid by June 30 of the second year they are delinquent. The tax sale is held in September of the second year of delinquency. Miller said he believed very few, if any, property owners would lose their homes over trash bills. He added he would offer trash fee reductions, up to and including full fee waivers, for property owners age 65 and up who meet low-income guidelines. But Williams written response took a shot at the plan, saying her forgiveness effort was a far cry from attaching garbage bills to peoples mortgages like Mr. Miller proposes. Clarification: All of Mayor Williams written comments were through a spokesperson; none are directly attributed to her. Note: This story has been updated. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Author: Gibbs Knotts, Coastal Carolina University and Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University Congressional redistricting the process of drawing electoral districts to account for population changes was conceived by the Founding Fathers as a once-per-decade redrawing of district lines following the decennial U.S. census. Today it has devolved into a near-constant feature of American politics often in response to litigation, and frequently with the intent of maintaining or gaining partisan advantage. Polls show widespread public disapproval of manipulating political boundaries to favor certain groups, a process known as gerrymandering. However, we currently see little hope of preventing a race to the bottom, where numerous states redraw their maps to benefit one party in response to other states drawing their maps to benefit another party. The most recent round of tit-for-tat gerrymandering began in Texas. After drawing their post-census congressional maps in 2021, Republicans in the Texas Legislature, at President Donald Trumps behest, are advancing a new set of maps designed to increase the number of Republican congressional seats in their state. The goal is to help Republicans retain control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections by converting five Democratic seats to ones that will likely result in a Republican victory. In response, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing to redraw his states map. Under Newsoms plan, Democrats could gain five House seats in California, offsetting Republican gains in Texas. The California Legislature approved the new maps on Aug. 21 and Gov. Newsom signed the bills that day. Next, the maps will be presented to California voters in a special election on Nov. 4, 2025 for approval. Newsom vows that he isnt trying to disband the independent redistricting process that California enacted in 2021. Rather, he proposes to shift to these partisan gerrymandered maps temporarily, then return to independent, nonpartisan redistricting in 2031. Democrats in Illinois and New York, and Republicans in Indiana, Missouri and South Carolina, have signaled that they may follow Texas and Californias leads. Based on our research on politics and elections, we dont expect that the wave will stop there. Rules for mapmakers Redistricting has always been an inherently political process. But the advent of widespread, easily accessible computer technology, increasingly predictable voting patterns and tight partisan margins in Congress have turbocharged the process. There are ways to tweak this gerrymandering run amok and perhaps block a bad map or two. But none of these approaches are likely to stop partisan actors entirely from drawing maps to benefit themselves and their parties. The most obvious strategy would be to create guardrails for the legislators and commissions who draw the maps. Such guidelines often specify the types of data that could be used to draw the maps for example, limiting partisan data. Anti-gerrymandering rules could also limit the number of political boundaries, such as city or county lines, that would be split by new districts. And they could prioritize compactness, rather than allowing bizarrely shaped districts that link far-flung communities. These proposals certainly wont do any harm, and might even move the process in a more positive direction, but they are unlikely to end gerrymandering. For example, North Carolina had an explicit limitation on using partisan data in its 2021 mapmaking process, as well as a requirement that lawmakers could only draw maps in the North Carolina State Legislative Building. It was later revealed that a legislator had used concept maps drawn by an aide outside of the normal mapmaking process. In a world where anyone with an internet connection can log onto free websites like Daves Redistricting to draw maps using partisan data, its hard to prevent states from incorporating nonofficial proposals into their maps. Courts and commissions A second way to police gerrymandering is to use the courts aggressively to combat unfair or discriminatory maps. Some courts, particularly at the state level, have reined in egregious gerrymanders like Pennsylvanias 2011 map, which was overturned in 2018. Protesters gather in the rotunda outside the House Chamber at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers debate a redrawn U.S. congressional map in Texas during a special, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) AP At the national level, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Rucho v. Common Cause in 2019 that partisan gerrymandering claims presented political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts and ultimately were better suited to state courts. There are still likely to be claims in federal courts about racial dilution and other Voting Rights Act violations in gerrymanders, but the door to the federal courthouse for partisanship claims appears to be closed for the time being. A third option is for states to hand map-drawing power to an independent body. Recent studies show that independent redistricting commissions produce maps that are more competitiveand fairer. For example, a nonpartisan scholarly review of the 2021-2022 congressional and state legislative maps found that commissions generally produce less biased and more competitive plans than when one party controls the process. Commissions are popular with the public. In a 2024 study with political scientists Seth McKee and Scott Huffmon, we found that both Democrats and Republicans in South Carolina preferred to assign redistricting to an independent commission rather than the state Legislature, which has been in Republican control since 2000. Studies using national polling data have also found evidence that redistricting commissions are popular, and that people who live in states that use commissions view the redistricting process more positively than residents of states where legislators draw congressional lines. I just signed the Election Rigging Response Act to put Proposition 50 up for a vote on November 4th. The people of California will have the power to push back against Texas and any other state that obeys @realDonaldTrump's demand to rig the next election. pic.twitter.com/Lkb0DyWkXK Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) August 21, 2025 A national solution or bust While redistricting commissions are popular and effective in states that have adopted them, current actions in California show that this strategy can fail if it is embraced by some states but not others. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution for tit-for-tat gerrymandering. Litigation can help at the margins, and independent redistricting can make a difference, but even the best intentions can fail under political pressure. The only wholesale solution is national reform. But even here, we are not optimistic. A proportional representation system, in which seats are divided by the portion of the vote that goes to each party, could solve the problem. However, removing single-member districts and successfully implementing proportional representation in the United States is about as likely as finding a hockey puck on Mars. A national ban on gerrymandering might be more politically palatable. Even here, though, the odds of success are fairly low. After all, the people who benefit from the current system would have to vote to change it, and the filibuster rule in the Senate requires not just majority but supermajority support. So, brace for whats about to come. As James Madison famously observed, forming factions groups of people united by a common interest that threatens the rights of others is sown in the nature of man. Gerrymandering helps factions acquire and retain power. If U.S. leaders arent willing to consider a national solution, it wont disappear anytime soon. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/tit-for-tat-gerrymandering-wars-wont-end-soon-what-happens-in-texas-and-california-doesnt-stay-there-262835. It is discouraging when European leaders had to do an intervention with Donald Trump in the Volodymyr Zelensky meeting over Ukraine, after he kowtowed to Vladimir Putin in Alaska. It is a sad state of affairs in the United States when Senate Republicans like Tom Cotton and Lindsey Graham continue to support Trumps nonsense. Pretty soon they will be all in favor of eliminating mail-in ballots, even though it was Putins recommendation. Putin probably got a real kick out of humiliating America in such an open manner. They refuse to see that Trump is in a highly dysfunctional relationship with Putin, in which Putin is the dominant partner. This was evident when Trump paused the meeting and made a 40-minute call to Putin, probably for more instructions. Trump cannot break free of Putins influence and Republicans are too cowardly or sycophantic to stand up to him. While Trump bizarrely claims that Putin wants to make a deal with Zelensky for him, Putin escalated his attacks on Ukraine. This is worse than Munich 1938, because Hitler was only threatening, not actually engaged in a war. When will corporate media acknowledge the woeful nature of a dysfunctional president? Hes the only president that continually engages in self-praise to the point of hyperbole, which ends in lies. He has little confidence given his defensiveness and his need to retaliate against critics, no matter how peripheral. He cannot stand disloyalty, perceived or otherwise as evidenced by Laura Loomers influence on him. He is aggressively stupid in pursuing bad policies such as tariffs. Most critically, he cannot deal with confrontation with strong men, probably starting with his father. He overcompensated by playing the bad boy of New York for years and getting away with it. His dysfunctional personality and Republican sycophancy will mean disaster for Ukraine and victory for Putin. George Magakis, Jr., Norristown, Pa. 5000 2025617 https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/doug-ford-delivers-rant-on-weak-kneed-judges-says-bail-system-is-broken/ 5000 479 500500 4 18 Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls for changes to the criminal code and bail reform in a heated rant after suspects in historic drug seizure have been released. Premier Doug Ford delivered an unprompted rant against weak-kneed judges and a broken bail system on Tuesday after learning that all but one suspect charged in connection with a nearly $50-million drug bust in Peel Region have already been released from custody. Peel Regional Police held a news conference last week to announce nine arrests in connection with what officials said was the largest single seizure of drugs in the forces history. During the news conference, police said that officers seized a total of 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine in connection with the investigation, much of it hidden in transport trucks. Police called the bust a seismic blow to transnational organized crime, however they later confirmed that eight of the suspects were already out on bail. During an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Ford said that he wanted time for a rant after answering reporter questions and then immediately began his criticism of the decisions to release so many of the suspects on bail. Ford also recounted an incident last week here he said that four masked thugs attempted to steal a vehicle from his Etobicoke driveway but were ultimately arrested after being chased down by police. They (police) do a massive bust, 500 kilos of cocaine that these drug dealers want to poison our kids and poison our people with. Guess what guys? These weak-kneed judges. The biggest bust in Peels history. Guess where they (the suspects) are? They are back out on the street again, Ford said. Can you believe that? They actually get released after the largest drug bust in Peel history. 500 kilos of cocaine that can ultimately kill people and judges slap them on the wrist. OK little Johnny you go out there and deal more drugs. Why dont you give them more drugs? It is crazy. The system is broken. Ford has been a frequent critic of Canadas bail system and in April even floated the idea of electing judges, similar to what is done in the United States. His comments then prompted Ontarios three chief justices to issue a rare joint statement in which they called judicial independence a cornerstone of our constitutional democracy. Ford calls situation 'disgusting On Tuesday, Ford did not offer a specific solution but promised that he will be all over Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government until there is meaningful bail reform. Ford also brought up another recent investigation that resulted in the arrest of 18 suspects in connection with a series of violent extortion incidents throughout Peel Region. Police have previously said that half of those suspects were on some form of release order at the time of their arrest. They need to change the criminal code, they need to change bail reform, I will be all over him (Carney) until this gets done, Ford said. Stop the dilly dallying around. The prime minister gave me his word he is going to change it. It has to be done. Ford has previously faced criticism from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association over some of his previous comments on the judiciary, which the group has called deeply alarming. On Tuesday, he said that he will continue pushing the issue until there is bail reform, calling the current situation disgusting. Ford then went on to discuss the filing of criminal charges against a Vaughan resident who allegedly shot a firearm while attempting to thwart a carjacking attempt last week. I got to find out this guys name and number and I am going to hold a fundraiser for lawyers fees for him. He should get a medal for standing up, Ford said. By Linda Stein, Delaware Valley Journal, West Chester, Pa. (TNS) Local lawmakers are lashing out at SEPTA after the transit agencys general manager warned that Eagles fans could face chaotic travel situations at the teams Sept. 4 home opener. SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer told a House Democratic Policy Committee on Aug. 20 that fans trying to reach or depart Lincoln Financial Field via SEPTA should brace for disruptions. The following day, state Sens. Frank Farry (RBucks), Tracy Pennycuick (RMontgomery), and Joe Picozzi (RPhiladelphia) criticized what they called a self-inflicted operational crisis and blasted Sauer for failing to answer their Aug. 15 funding proposal letter. This is a SEPTAcreated crisis both financially and operationally, based on choices and mismanagement, Farry said in a statement. We remain willing to work with SEPTA to find solutions. Unfortunately, SEPTA has shown no willingness to work with us and only seems to be interested in providing information to the House Democrats. The trio, who have many constituents who ride SEPTA, have earnestly been trying to hammer out a deal to fund the transit agency. The battle centers on mass-transit funding, a key unresolved issue in the state budget, which remains unpaid despite the June 30 deadline. The House is controlled by Democrats, the Senate by Republicans, and no compromise has been reached. Gov. Josh Shapiros February plan included $51.4 million for SEPTA, paid for in part by legalizing recreational marijuana and taxing skill games. Neither proposal passed. Senate Republicans instead advanced an amended version of House Bill 257, offering SEPTA approximately $168 million in operating aid for 2025 26the same figure as the governorspaired with safety and accountability provisions. The funding would come from the Public Transportation Trust Fund, not tax hikes or cuts to capital projects. The plan also calls for $162 million in 2025 26 and $257 million in 2026 27 to support operations, while retaining $1.3 billion committed to capital projects. SEPTAs finances have drawn growing scrutiny amid a sharp decline in ridership. In January 2025, average daily ridership was 705,848 unlinked passenger tripsjust 72 percent of January 2019 levelsand service runs at about 88 percent of preCOVID levels. As of March 2025, SEPTAs system-wide ridership hovered around 75 percent of pre-pandemic levels; weekday bus ridership stood at 80 percent, metro at 67 percent, and regional rail at 72 percent. Those gaps have fueled debates over whether SEPTA is managing its resources effectively as fare-paying riders remain noticeably lower than before the pandemic. In their Aug. 21 letter, the senators reiterated their funding pitch and criticized SEPTAs priorities, accusing the agency of continuing to buy advertising at sporting events while warning fans to expect unreliable service. Again, showing their poor decision-making by choosing to invest into advertising rather than provide service to the commuters, the senators wrote. Fans, understandably, are left bracing for trouble when the Eagles take the field this fall. SEPTA did not respond to requests for comment. 2025 Delaware Valley Journal, West Chester, Pa.. Visit delawarevalleyjournal.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Attorney Alina Habba speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Johnstown, Pa. Habba is currently accusing a federal judge of collusion. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP On Sunday, Alina Habba Trumps former personal lawyer claimed the federal judges who rejected the current administrations efforts to keep her in place as New Jerseys top attorney were colluding against her, and keeping her from returning to the post. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann said that Habba is not lawfully holding the office of United States Attorney because the Senate has not confirmed her position, and the time limit during which she can serve as interim U.S. attorney without such confirmation expired on July 1. Therefore, Habba could not continue overseeing prosecutions as the states acting U.S. attorney, per Rolling Stone. For those unaware, Brann is the chief judge of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He was in private practice in Bradford County until President Obama nominated him for the bench. He took the oath in 2013 and became chief judge in 2021. Late last month, due to Habbas term ending, the New Jersey District court judges exercised their power under the law and named Habbas second-in-command to serve as her replacement. But Attorney General Pam Bondi then fired Habbas replacement and renamed Habba as acting U.S. attorney. Habba is now criticizing the judges, including Brann, saying they dont have the authority to choose a U.S. attorney, though the U.S. code states: If an appointment expires under subsection (c)(2), the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. What they dont understand is Article III [of the Constitution]. Judges do not pick the U.S. attorney for the state. The president, Pam Bondi - thats who picks it, Habba said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures." They had a collusion, a plan. Im aware of it, and the DOJ is aware of it, and soon enough itll come out. However, Habba is seemingly overlooking Article II of the Constitution, which states that the president can nominate officers of the U.S. by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate. Though the president has the right to nominate prosecutors, they must be confirmed by the Senate, per the Constitution. Habbas nomination is currently still in the Senate Judiciary Committee because two New Jersey senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, are exercising their power to block a nominee in their home state by not submitting a procedural blue slip. Since Republican Judiciary Chair Sen. Chuck Grassley has refused to push Habbas nomination forward and GOP Sen. Thom Tillis has said he would block Habbas nomination, Habba has expressed her frustration with Grassley and Tillis on Fox. I would say to Senator Tillis and Senator Grassley, you are becoming part of the issue, she said. You are becoming part of the antithesis of what we fought for four years. Habba is a 2010 graduate of what is now known as Widener Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg. In the past several years, she represented Trump in two high profile civil cases the suit related to Trumps alleged sexual assault on the writer E. Jean Carroll and the suit by New York attorney general, Letitia James losing both. At an Etobicoke safety meeting last month, Cst. Marco Ricciardi advised residents to leave their key fobs in a faraday pouch in a convenient place for thieves as a way to lessen the risk of violent confrontations. To prevent the possibility of being attacked in your home, leave your fobs at the front door because they are breaking into your home to steal your car; they dont want anything else. A lot of them that theyre arresting have guns on them and they are not toy guns, he ominously added. They are real guns. Theyre loaded. That advice sparked an angry reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter. This is bizarre, wrote one X user. Toronto Police advising the public to leave your fobs near the door. They suggest this because invaders are primarily entering homes to steal your cars. Why not hang your keys outside the door? Or better yet, just leave them in the car. This is failed state-level insanity, another added. Hey guys do you mind making it easier for people to steal your cars so that they wont break into your house instead? Thanks. Toronto Police were trending on X on Thursday, with thousands of tweets on the topic, most of them expressing anger. Statistics show car thefts in the GTA spiked by nearly 25 per cent in 2023 over the previous year. Even more distressing, Toronto Police say home invasions and break-and-enters for auto theft rose 400 per cent in 2023. In a release Wednesday, Toronto Police offered more advice to worried citizens. An officer at a recent community meeting suggested that people leave the keys to their vehicle in a faraday bag by the front door, the release states. While well meaning, there are also other ways to prevent auto theft motivated home invasions Police are concerned about an escalation in violence, where all sorts of weapons and firearms are being used to steal vehicles, and that includes during home invasions. Toronto Police suggest the following: Park vehicles in garage, if possible Ensure your driveway is well lit and keep exterior lights on all night Security cameras are an asset If possible, install a home security system activate alarm on STAY when home and AWAY when out Consider having a motion detection alarm connected to your cell phone Put security film on glass windows and doors Have multipoint door locks on your doors Keep backyard gates locked and ground windows secured Do not post on social media when you will be away on holiday Report suspicious vehicles/persons in the neighbourhood to police York Regional Police have gone as far as handing out door stops to some residents in high-risk areas to prevent front doors from being kicked in by key-seeking crooks. CityNews spoke to one Unionville woman who says her family received one of the devices (pictured below). So its gotten to the point where they are just handing these things out to residents, that to me shows that its very high risk, said Ally Galinski. Galinski said police also delivered a pamphlet with tips to prevent vehicle thefts, including investing in alarm systems, security cameras, and motion sensor lights and avoiding posting vacation plans on social media. While she said she appreciates the advice, shes hoping police can take a more proactive approach to the issue. Im glad they are taking initiative but in terms of what Id like to see done at least in a high-risk area, maybe more patrols? Peel Regional Police provided an update on X on Thursday, outlining their efforts to combat the growing problem and providing advice to citizens. Unlike Toronto Police, Peel police advise keeping fobs away from doorways and entrances. 'Lucky Fisherman' Reels in Huge Score at EPT Barcelona PokerStars Open David Salituro Live Reporter Copy link Alexis Nicolai, his lucky fishermans hat firmly planted on his head, made a promise before coming to play the PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona PS Open Main Event. "My son is laughing at me every time I wear this. Because he said, 'you look like a fisherman, dad'. So I say, this time Im going to have the hat, and the trophy, and win everything," Nicolai said. His prediction came true, as Nicolai emerged from a field of 5,036 entries to take home the EPT Shard trophy and the 772,000 top prize, by far the largest score of his career. EPT Barcelona PS Open Final Table Results Place Player Country Earnings 1 Alexis Nicolai France 772,000 2 Mengshi Tian Hong Kong 482,290 3 Ben Zech Germany 344,560 4 Chin Wei Lim Malaysia 265,200 5 Daniele Cuomo Italy 203,910 6 Jakub Sterba Czechia 156,830 7 Kazuhiko Yotsushika Japan 120,610 8 David Taieb France 92,770 Alexis Nicolai "In the dream," Nicolai, the third straight Frenchman to win this event after Lucien Cohen and Sylvain Berthelot, said through a translator after catching a lucky straight on the river to deny Hong Kongs Mengshi Tian. "I just dont realize. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe in the car tonight. Tomorrow at 7:30, Im going to work. A job is a job, says my father." My son is laughing at me every time I wear this. "You look like a fisherman, dad" Nicolai, who runs a taxi ambulance company, more than doubled his career earnings with this title. His previous best score was for $64,000. He began the final table as the short stack, got dangerously short heads-up against Tian, but finally opened up with a constant barrage of all-in shoves that allowed him to battle back and snatch away the trophy. At the start, I was really short, and I was in a bad situation. Finally, I found a double up really quickly. We just wait for the short stack to bust, and he finally bust. Then, I have to admit, I opened some crazy hands so it was easier, he said. I had a bad start to heads-up, lost some hands Then I changed my mind. I was going to talk to him more, and thats what I did. My friend, all in. I shoved so many times, I made him crazy." Alexis Nicolai Final Day Action Day 4 began with 13 players hoping to secure a place at the final table. Yakiv Syzghanov (13th), [Removed:526] (12th), Efrim Erdinc (11th), and Adis Zukanovic (10th) were the first bust-outs of the day and fell short of the final nine. At the start of the final table, Kazuhiko Yotsushika was where he began the day, at the top of the leaderboard with a massive chip advantage, nearly double Tian in second place. Nicolai, meanwhile, was the short stack with just 7,450,000. Nicolai won a race with ace-queen against Jakub Sterbas jacks to earn an early double up. Bernardo Neves then got his last 6,000,000 in as it was his turn to race with ace-queen against Tians jacks, but this time the pair held to send the WSOP bracelet winner to the rail in ninth place. Tian surpassed Yotsushika for the chip lead with that pot, and Yotsushika lost some more when he missed a straight draw against Chin Wei Lims pair of aces as the Malaysian high roller doubled up to more than 20,000,000. Yotsushika didnt stay down for long, though, calling David Taiebs all-in shove for 6,600,000 with pocket fours. Taieb had ace-jack, but couldnt connect with the board and was eliminated in eighth. Yotsushika then took two big hits, first paying off Tians flush on the river, then calling a 3,000,000 bet from Ben Zech with a pair of kings, only for Zech to show a pair of kings with a jack-kicker to win the pot. Left with just 15,000,000, Yotsushika got his last chips in shortly after with pocket sixes, but Nicolai picked up jacks to bust the former chip leader in seventh. Kazuhiko Yotsushika Tian continued his climb when he shoved the small blind and Sterba called for 8,000,000. Sterba flopped a straight against Tians pocket tens, but the turn gave Tian quads and the knockout as he hit 50,000,000. Tian began pulling away from the field, holding nearly half the chips in play five-handed. Daniele Cuomo then moved all in for 8,000,000 with ace-nine, but Nicolai woke up with kings in the big blind and Cuomo busted in fifth. Zech flopped quads to double off Tian before Lim called off his last 18,000,000 against Nicolai. Lim was racing with ace-queen against tens, but Nicolai spiked top set on the flop to take a big lead as Lim was sent to the rail in fourth place. Zech fell in third after losing his last 8,650,000 with a dominated ace-six against Nicolais ace-seven. Tian led 84,400,000 to 66,625,000 at the start of heads-up, and didnt wait long to open a big advantage. He first raised to 19,000,000 on the turn, then shoved the river as Nicolai surrendered, then showed down the nut straight to leave Nicolai with just 22,000,000. Mengshi Tian vs. Alexis Nicolai Nicolai playfully kept shoving, the words, My friend, all in, ringing throughout Casino Barcelona as he worked his way back up to 40,000,000. Tian finally took a stand with ace-ten against Nicolais ace-three. Tian was a favorite to close out the tournament, but Nicolai found a three on the flop to double up and take the lead. Nicolai continued moving all in before Tian called for his last 50,000,000 with pocket sevens. Nicolai, though, showed down pocket nines. Tian spiked a set on the flop as both rails shouted for cards. The turn gave Nicolai outs to a straight, and he caught a jack on the river to complete his straight and send the French rail into a frenzy. While posing for his winners photo, the Shard trophy planted on the table in front of him, Nicolai made sure to do one thing: he took off his hat and placed it on the trophy. Hes taking it home, just as he predicted. PokerNews coverage of the PS Open. Stay tuned for That concludescoverage of the PS Open. Stay tuned for more coverage throughout EPT Barcelona Alexis Nicolai & friends Share this article Up-and-Coming Poker Player Wins Two Titles at RGPS San Diego Poker Classic Nick Becker Live Reporter Copy link Just a few days ago, Sebastian Acevedo took down the $300 Black Chip Bounty Trophy Event at the San Diego Poker Classic. Today, he followed up that victory with a career-best score of $33,216 in the $600 Main Event after agreeing to a three-way ICM chop with James Kozono and David Fernandez Sanchez. The two-day event attracted 375 entries, with only 43 players returning to Jamul Resort Casino in sunny Southern California for the final day of action. Acevedo captured the lions share of the $195,000 prize pool, along with his second SDPC wave trophy of the series - not bad for someone who just started playing tournaments a little over a year ago. When asked how he was feeling following his big win, Acevedo mentioned, "Honestly, feel great. I came into the run itself, thinking I was gonna win a trophy, at least one. I felt pretty confident. Never would have expected to not only win one, win two, and especially the main event. Couldn't be happier, honestly." 2025 RGPS San Diego Poker Classic $600 Main Event Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize (USD) 1 Sebastian Acevedo United States $33,216* 2 James Kozono United States $28,865* 3 David Fernandez Sanchez United States $26,431* 4 Patrick Wamsley United States $12,071 5 Silas Tooley United States $9,302 6 Tolga Gesli United States $7,703 7 Romeo Ebidag United States $6,455 8 Michael Kaplitz United States $5,285 9 Bradley Miller United States $4,115 * Denotes three-way deal San Diego Poker Classic Final Table Tournament Newcomer on Unbelievable Run Acevedo continued to explain how grateful he was for such a remarkable string of success here at the San Diego Poker Classic over the past week or so. "So, the first opening weekend, I took down the Black Chip Bounty. I got first in that, and the next day I got second in the tag team event as well. And now first in the main event, so it's been a surreal run and honestly, I don't know if I can ever replicate it." "I started tournaments about a year ago." He went on to talk about how he recently made the switch from cash games to tournaments - a decision that has proven to be quite fruitful. "Yeah, so I started tournaments about a year ago. Before that, I had played about a year and a half of live cash games relatively consistently. For a tournament, this is my biggest score. It's my first five-figure score, and this is probably my tenth tournament ever." SDPC Wave Trophy Leading Life with God First Acevedo was asked about the rosary beads he was seen holding up in his winner's photos and whether or not they held any special meaning to him. "Yeah, the utmost meaning. I put this before poker, work, and everything. I'm Catholic and I was born and raised Catholic, and that's been the most important thing in my life. God has always led me the right way and if I try to lead my life with God first, I know that only good things happen." "If I try to lead my life with God first, I know that only good things happen." "Religion in my eyes should be a priority for everybody in one aspect or the other - having some kind of respect for where you come from is number one. And so the rosary in particular is important because I'm a big fan of the Virgin Mary - Catholics are in general. And I'm originally from Mexico, so huge Catholic based faith over there. I try to keep it close and that's my number one thing in life - I lead my life with God." Acevedo's Rosary Beads When asked about his winnings and his future poker plans, Acevedo replied "I mean, plans for the money, nothing crazy, obviously just keep it, invest it, you know, savvy financial advice. And then I got a couple of free buy-ins. There's an MSPT coming up in Sycuan, and I plan on playing that. I don't plan on firing a ton of bullets, but here and there, and that's about it." PokerNews for future events all around the globe. That wraps up coverage of the $600 Main Event here at the San Diego Poker Classic. Be sure to followfor future events all around the globe. Share this article The 100,000 EPT Super High Roller being held inside the beautiful Casino Barcelona reaches its climax today, as six players return to battle for one of the most prestigious titles of the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona series. From a field of 47 entries, the prize pool swelled to 4,559,940, with all remaining players now guaranteed 319,200 while the winner will walk away with 1,573,140 and the trophy. Norways Espen Jorstad leads the way after bagging 4,785,000 at the close of Day 2 and has more than double his closest rival. The United States' David Coleman occupies the second spot with 2,365,000 to work with after bursting the money bubble to halt play yesterday. Germanys Leon Sturm rounds out the top three with 1,430,000. Final Table Seat Draw Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Jesse Lonis United States 1,130,000 28 2 Leon Sturm Germany 1,430,000 36 3 David Coleman United States 2,365,000 59 4 Punnat Punsri Thailand 760,000 19 5 Aleksejs Ponakovs Latvia 1,280,000 32 6 Espen Jorstad Norway 4,785,000 120 The bottom half of the final table is led by Latvias Aleksejs Ponakovs with 1,280,000, followed closely by Jesse Lonis on 1,130,000. Thailands Punnat Punsri, who entered Day 2 as the chip leader, returns with 760,000 as the short stack and the only player under seven figures, leaving him with plenty of work to do if he is to mount a serious challenge for the title. Aleksejs Ponakovs Cards go back in the air at 12:30 p.m. local time in the Pau Casals Room, with 18 hands left in Level 17 at 20,000/40,000 with a 40,000 big blind ante. After which, every level will be 24 hands in length and the plan is to play all the way down until a champion is crowned. Payouts Place Prize 1 1,573,140 2 1,026,000 3 706,800 4 524,400 5 410,400 6 319,200 Stay tuned to PokerNews as the 100,000 EPT Super High Roller plays down to a champion today inside Casino Barcelona. A police officer walks toward the center of the University of South Carolina campus while a university chef and food service workers sit on the corner of Sumter and Greene Street watching officers congregate on Aug. 24, 2025. An active shooter was reported on campus around 6:36 p.m. Host city Tianjin gears up for SCO summit Xinhua) 08:39, August 25, 2025 An aerial drone photo shows a pedestrian overpass adorned with a banner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 in Xiqing District, north China's Tianjin, Aug. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) TIANJIN, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tianjin Municipality, a major port city in north China, is putting the finishing touches on its preparations to host the largest-ever Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, with leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations set to attend the event. "Tianjin is a city that makes you feel welcomed and inspired at the same time -- it's the people and their warmth that have left the deepest impression on me," said Muhammad Sarfraz, a Pakistani doctoral student at Tianjin University. In making preparations for the summit, the city has undergone extensive upgrades. The Haihe River, which winds through Tianjin, now glows with enhanced night views thanks to a lighting project covering 217 buildings, 14 bridges and 8.2 km of waterfront. These upgraded night views along the river are attracting an increasing number of tourists -- more than ever before. Over 70 night cruises operate daily, with services running until late at night. Tickets are in high demand, said Fan Fukun, manager of Tianjin Jinlv Haihe Cruises Co., Ltd. Nazanin Dehghanbordbar from Iran praised the city's blend of tradition and modernity. "Tianjin is a perfect bridge between the ancient and the modern. Here, I can sense the city's growth and feel connected to the great souls and people." The municipal government has also focused on improving urban infrastructure -- including smoothing roads, maintaining bridges, expanding green spaces and strengthening public services. According to Hu Xuechun, director of the Tianjin Municipality Commission of Urban Management, these efforts have infused the city with "a stronger sense of vibrant local life, cultural depth and international appeal." A team of nearly 1,000 youth volunteers from local universities have been trained in diplomatic etiquette, emergency response and language services -- thereby helping to support the SCO Summit. Wang Yutong, a translation volunteer from Tianjin Foreign Studies University, said: "The world will not only see our modern skyline and economic vitality but also our rich history and our warm hospitality." Community volunteers, including retirees, students and Party members, have also joined neighborhood "SCO service teams" to help create a friendly atmosphere. "We are making the most of this important opportunity to host the summit in Tianjin, steadily advancing our preparations and service support, and ensuring everything is in place for this major international event," said Yu Pengzhou, a Tianjin official involved in preparations. Sheradil Baktygulov, director of the Institute of World Policy of Kyrgyzstan, is full of anticipation for the summit. "The SCO Tianjin Summit will take place at a difficult time of global turbulence, but it will become a guiding bright star -- showing the right path to safe and stable development." (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) From August 23rd to 24th, the National Finals of the Humanoid Robot Special Competition at the China Robot & Artificial Intelligence Contest were held in Hefei. As China's first full-scale humanoid robot competition, this pinnacle showdown brought together over 100 universities, more than 200 teams, and 320+ robots. It was not only an arena for technological competition but also operated on the core principle of "promoting learning through competition, fostering research through competition, and driving industry development through competition." This injected all-chain innovative vitality into Hefei's humanoid robot industry. To promote learning through competition, it targeted cultivating talent urgently needed by the industry. Currently, while the humanoid robot industry is experiencing rapid growth, there remains a gap between what universities produce and actual enterprise demands; many students possess theoretical knowledge but lack practical experience. This competition addressed this issue by linking contest problems directly to real-world scenarios, guiding students away from the mindset of conducting research solely within laboratories towards solving practical problems. "Through this competition, I gained a more comprehensive and in-depth understanding of both the hardware and software of robots," said Li Jiongye, a contestant from Tsinghua University. He added that only after attempting real tasks did he realize how significant the gap is between simulation models and actual machine operation. Previously focused solely on parameters, he now understands that technology must be applicable in practice to be truly useful. To better align students with industrial realities, the International Center for Advanced Technology Application and promotion (Hefei) established an intelligent robotics scenario training platform before the contest. Working with the organizing committee, they provided professional guidance and organized "One Day at an Enterprise" visits for participating teamstaking them to companies. This allowed students to gain firsthand insight into corporate technical needs, production processes, and talent standards, gradually developing into versatile professionals suited to industry demands. Many core technologies for humanoid robots often face the dilemma of being effective in laboratories but useless in real-world applications. This competition served as a practical "touchstone," driving technology from theory into practice. At the event site, five innovative challenge categories covered three sizes of bipedal robotsKuavo (large), Roban (medium), and Aelos (small). Cutting-edge technologies like embodied intelligence and OpenHarmony were integrated into specific tasks. Whether it was dynamic obstacle avoidance across gravel paths simulating factory floors, or NFC identification and smart delivery within home settings, participating teams tested their technical stability and adaptability in authentic scenarios. Concurrently held main and breakout forums became intellectual fueling stations for tackling technical hurdles, bringing together academicians, industry leaders, and experts to jointly accelerate solutions for critical bottleneck issues facing the humanoid robot field. Hefei's ability to host this high-profile event stems directly from its robust industrial foundation. Currently, over 170 companies across the robotics value chain have clustered here. This provides fertile ground for translating competition outcomes into real-world applications. "The competition isn't the finish line; it marks the starting point for technology commercialization," explained Sun Dandan, Director of the Robotics Division at the International Center for Advanced Technology Application and promotion (Hefei). Post-event, top-performing teamsespecially those with strong technical capabilities and high potential for deploymentwill receive sustained follow-up. They will be connected with angel investors, seed funding sources, and incubation platforms to expedite their market entry, accelerating the leap from the "competition floor" to the "marketplace." From precisely cultivating talent to driving technology commercialization, and fostering an integrated industrial ecosystem, Hefei is leveraging competitions to spark innovation and identify top talent. Simultaneously, by building upon robust public service platforms, opening up application scenarios, and providing strong policy support, the city is establishing a complete closed-loop ecosystemone that spans from "technological breakthroughs" to "product launches" and onwards to "industrial clustering." Source: Anhui Daily A TikTok video claimed refugees receive $82,000 in tax-free benefits per year from the federal government, while the average Canadian receives only $63,000. This claim is misleading. The cost breakdown includes temporary accommodation that refugees receive upon arrival in Canada, but the scenario in which this would reach $82,000 is unlikely. While refugees receive income support through the federal Resettlement Assistance Plan, such assistance is temporary and does not amount to $82,000 annually. THE CLAIM "You know you can get up to $82,000 Canadian dollars from Canadian government for doing nothing?" asks a TikTok user in a June video with more than 130,000 plays. According to the video, refugees in Canada receive $224 per day from the federal government, including $140 for accommodation and $84 for food. The video makes the comparison between the supposed $82,000 refugees receive annually and what it claims is the average Canadian income of $63,000 to highlight the disparity between a refugee versus Canadian citizen's annual income. The claim made its way to other social media, including the X platform, formerly Twitter, and Facebook. RATING: Misleading Refugees in Canada receive assistance through the federal Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) administered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, the monetary support they receive during their temporary accommodations after arriving in Canada doesn't go directly into their bank accounts and in most cases would not reflect $82,000 annually. According to a March 2024 response from the immigration minister's office to MP Lianne Rood, refugee claimants in IRCC-operated hotels are provided with accommodations and meals once relocated, regardless of how they entered Canada. The average cost per room was $140 per night per room and $84 per day per claimant, based on January 2024 rates. Added together, the cost amounts to $224. However, the $140 applies to hotel rooms, not individuals. Rooms may house several refugees at once a family, for example lowering the cost per person. The IRCC has set the standard length of stay for temporary accommodations at one to three weeks. However, a 2023 internal dashboard showed "the national average stay in temporary housing was 60 days," and "54 per cent of surveyed refugees reported staying for longer than one month," according to an IRCC report released in August 2024. That means most refugees aren't staying in temporary accommodations long enough to get $82,000 worth of food and housing. So what do refugees actually receive? An April fact check from The Canadian Press investigating similar misleading claims about refugee support amounts consulted RAP rates for Ontario in September 2024 to find the monthly benefit amount an individual or family of refugees could receive. There are two components to the RAP. The first provides short-term funding to service provider organizations, which deliver the temporary accommodations mentioned above, and cover other immediate needs after refugees arrive in Canada. Once refugees secure permanent housing, they're eligible for direct financial support including one-time payments and monthly income support for up to one year, or two years in "exceptional circumstances," or until a refugee can support themselves. The minimum monthly payment for a single adult in Ontario going by those rates would be around $1,094 per month, while a family of six could receive around $1,700 monthly. Exact rates vary by province and families and people with disabilities or maternity needs could receive more. The monthly payment includes money for basic needs, shelter, communication and transportation as well as a housing supplement, which maxes out at $200. Those monthly benefits typically go directly to the refugee's bank account as a direct deposit, but the average refugee wouldn't receive anywhere near $82,000 per year. While RAP assistance isn't taxable, refugees must pay taxes if they earn an income and, as data from Statistics Canada shows, they are in fact the most likely immigration group among "newly landed immigrants" to file their taxes upon arriving in Canada, at around 95 per cent. The average Canadian income as of 2023 was $59,400, according to Statistics Canada. In the 2022 tax year, the income of asylum claimants who arrived in Canada between 2011 and 2021 varied from $19,600 to $34,400, according to Statistics Canada. SOURCES Claim posted to TikTok June 20, 2025 (archived) and to X June 21, 2025 (archived) and Facebook May 8, 2025 (archived) Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Service Provider Handbook. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada via Government of Canada website. Accessed July 2, 2025 (archived) Reply from immigration minister's office to MP from X May 7, 2024 (archived) Evaluation of the Refugee Resettlement Program. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. August 2024 (archived) Marissa Birnie. Posts mislead on refugee support amounts. The Canadian Press website. April 24, 2025 (archived) Ontario Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) Rates September 01, 2024. Refugee Sponsorship Training Program website. Accessed July 2, 2025 (archived) Tahsin Mehdi et al. Tax-filing rates of newly landed immigrants in Canada: Trends and insights. Statistics Canada website. Nov. 22, 2023 (archived) Income of individuals by age group, sex and income source, Canada, provinces and selected census metropolitan areas. Statistics Canada website. May 1, 2025 (archived) Income of asylum claimants by claim year and tax year, for Canada and provinces, 2022 constant dollars. Statistics Canada website. Dec. 9, 2024 (archived) ABOUT CANADIAN PRESS FACT CHECKS I was so scared just thinking about what if that guy had come into the house? What if the door had been unlocked? Pathak, an Oakville, Ont., resident, told Global News. Now I hear every day someones home is broken into and gets hurt. While overall robberies in Ontario are finally on a slight downward trend for the first time in years, violent break-ins and home invasions with weapons are rising and with them, the call for more security is too. Police forces across Toronto, Peel, Durham and Halton are reporting a spike in residential break-ins involving weapons, often carried out by young offenders. Police officials, security experts, and residents say the increased availability of illegal firearms, a lack of deterrence in the justice system and highly organized criminal groups are all fueling the crisis. According to Toronto police data, the number of residential robberies was up 49.7 per cent in 2024 when compared with the year prior the highest jump in recent years. When combined, there were more than 900 armed robberies in both years almost double the numbers seen in 2022 and prior. 'No consequences' Ron Chhinzer, a former Toronto and Peel police officer and expert in public safety, told Global News violent break-ins, often armed and increasingly organized, are becoming more common. Theres really no consequence to a lot of these criminals, Chhinzer said. They can break into a home one day, be out on bail, and then be doing the exact same crime that night. He said the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many of the root causes. Lockdowns, economic stress, and mental health and addiction crises led to a sharp rise in drug demand, which was met by street gangs, many tied to organized crime. During his time as an officer, he noticed how violent organized crime networks started to shift from auto theft to home invasions. The hardened guys who used to deal drugs started seeing their buddies stealing cars and making big money, Chhinzer said. And they said, Forget this, Ill do what you do. Ive already got a gun. But instead of learning the tech to steal cars, they just said, Why bother? Ill kick in a front door, hold everyone at gunpoint, steal the watches, the cash, and the keys.' In Halton, break and enters rose to 1,061 in 2024 from 655 in 2020. A spokesperson from the Toronto police hold-up squad, a team recently made to deal with armed robberies, confirmed that while car theft-linked invasions have declined slightly this year, total home invasions are up 105 per cent year-to-date. Weve seen these kinds of cycles before, from a rise in bank robberies to spikes in carjackings and home invasions, they said. Offenders often shift focus to what they see as an easier target. 'A brutal awakening' Mario Zelaya, the founder and investor of Dura Film, a growing home fortification company, says the demand for protective window film is being driven by fear and real violence. Zelaya said he launched the business eight months ago after noticing just how many people were being harmed in their own homes. This business shouldnt even exist, but here we are. Ive installed film for people who have been hurt and have had to go to the hospital, he said. Ive heard of 65- to 70-year-olds being woken up from their sleep and pistol-whipped, demanded to give their valuables over. They sometimes have to get stitches or have a fractured orbital bone. I cant even imagine how brutal of an awakening that would be. 1:01 Video shows moment Ontario homeowner scared off four armed home invaders Dura Film applies a thick, laminated film on the inside of windows, designed to keep them intact even after blunt force. The goal isnt to prevent break-ins entirely, but to slow them down long enough for help to arrive. Police officers have literally said to just buy them four minutes, Zelaya said. If we can delay robbers, that might save a life. Police in Halton recently released a stat showing 48 per cent of break-ins occur through back patio doors, typically large glass panels that are easy to shatter. The surge in violent crimes has also been reflected in security patrols in many neighbourhoods. Oakville, Etobicoke, York Region there is private security everywhere now, Chhinzer said. This is where were headed. People hiring private patrols. Gated communities. Reinforced doors. Middle-class safety is being eroded. 'They want 18 and under' A major driver in the surge is how organized criminal groups are intentionally recruiting younger offenders, according to Chhinzer. Organized crime networks want 18 and under, he said. If you look at some of the data, a lot of these offenders are 15 to 16 years old because they sit under the Youth Criminal Justice Act minimal repercussions. The former officer also linked the issue to high youth unemployment and a shrinking legal job market. Why work a minimum wage job if someone can make $50,000 in one night? he said. The economic opportunity on the black market is massive and theres no real cost to getting caught. 2:12 Project Ghost: Nearly 200 charges laid, and 13 members of violent criminal network arrested Peel police announced Tuesday morning that they had completed a recent takedown of a large criminal network that was exploiting youth and targeting residents. Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said the targeting of youth into gangs has played a big role in the violent crime uptick across the region. These networks prey on at-risk youth, pulling them into violent criminal activity, he said. Mississauga Coun. Alvin Tedjo added that this was an unusually violent, organized criminal network that terrorized families and drafted vulnerable youth into its activities. 'I was so scared' Pathak still thinks about what couldve happened the night her home was broken into. Looking out the front window, she saw their garage wide open, and a young man inside, using the flashlight from his phone to search for valuables. When she tapped on the glass, the man startled and fled with two other men. We didnt realize there is another car and two people inside the car, and they were holding up an object that looked like a weapon, she said. I can only imagine if they got in. Pathak later discovered the man had accessed the garage using a remote he found inside her vehicle. She called 911 immediately but no arrests were made. 3:10 Ontario couple terrified after violent break- in at their home As home invasions spike, Zelaya warns that the violence is leaving behind long-term consequences for residents. Some of these people are permanently traumatized, he said. They dont feel safe in their own home. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 14:30:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 942 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SASKATOON, SK / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Abasca Resources Inc. ("Abasca" or the "Company") (TSXV:ABA) is pleased to release assay results from KLS-25-072, drilled into the Thor Graphite Zone during the winter 2025 drill program at its Loki Flake Graphite Deposit (Loki Deposit) at its 100%-owned Key Lake South (KLS) Project (Figure 1, Figure 2). The drillhole successfully intersected three zones of graphite mineralization while testing up-dip mineralization in KLS-24-046 drilled in the summer of 2024 (Figure 3). Two of the three mineralization zones having high grades, the primary zone with a total length of 40 m and average grade of 8.57 % Cg was intersected at 145 m and a second 32 m zoneat 6.43 % Cg was intersected at 347 m. The location and orientation of the drillhole is listed in Table 1 and its assay results are shown in Table 2.The Company also announces that it has started its summer in-fill drill program at the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit. The approximately 5,000 m program will focus on the main section of the deposit, drilled in the summer of 2024, at a spacing that can support an indicated resource estimate.Brian McEwan, Vice-President of Exploration commented: "The results from KLS-25-072 are very exciting! The presence of three zones in one hole that was drilled into a relatively unexplored conductor gives us a lot of hope for continued exploration at the Thor Zone. With continued work at the Loki Deposit, we are eager to follow-up on these exciting results in future programs." Collected samples were sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, an independent laboratory accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for preparation and ICP-MS multi-element analysis, boron by fusion as well as graphite content (% Cg) and total sulphur by LECO. Samples were collected in accordance with industry-standard quality assurance / quality control practices and included the insertion of blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats into the sample stream at regular intervals. Samples were also collected for in-field and lab density measurements at regular intervals and through the mineralized zones.For more information on the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit and an overview of the Key Lake South Project, please visit the Company's website at https://www.abasca.ca Figure 1: Map of the Key Lake South Project area showing the location of the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit and other exploration target areas.Figure 2: Map of the area around the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit area showing the 2016, 2024, and 2025 drilling. Drillholes KLS-25-072 intersected the Thor Zone northeast of the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit.Figure 3: Cross-section A, looking northwest, of the Thor Graphite Zone showing graphite mineralization in KLS-25-072 (this release), approximately 350 m up-dip of KLS-24-046.Table 1: Locations and orientations of drillholes included in this release. Coordinates are in UTM NAD 83 Zone 13N and all lengths are measured in metres.Drillhole IDEastingNorthingElevationAzimuthInclinationTotal LengthKLS-25-072446137633116353635-60429Table 2: Drillholes and their composited graphite intersections. All lengths are as measured downhole and do not represent true thickness. Composite intervals are calculated using a 3.0 % Cg cut-off and may include a maximum of 2.0 m internal dilution.Drillhole IDFromToLengthCg %S %KLS-25-072145.00153.008.007.361.32156.00188.0032.009.781.59Including162.00170.008.0012.95171.00179.008.0015.45221.00222.001.003.100.43225.00242.0017.003.230.75245.00254.009.003.030.57267.00294.0027.003.790.56328.00329.001.003.661.49338.00340.002.003.760.27347.00379.0032.006.431.17Qualified PersonThe technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Brian McEwan, P.Geo, a Qualified Person as set out in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. McEwan is the Vice-President of Exploration at Abasca.About Abasca Resources Inc.Abasca is a mineral exploration company that is primarily engaged in the acquisition and evaluation of mineral exploration properties. The Company owns the Key Lake South Project (KLS), a 23,977-hectare exploration project located in the Athabasca Basin Region in northern Saskatchewan, approximately 15 km south of the former Key Lake mine and current Key Lake mill. The project possesses geological similarities and along strike of past Key Lake Mine with prospective conductors of over 50 km for potential uranium mineralization. KLS is also host to the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit comprising a total inferred resource of 11.31 Mt at 7.65 % Cg. Please refer to the technical report dated May 29, 2025 (with an effective date of April 10, 2025) titled: "Technical Report on the Key Lake South Project with Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Loki Flake Graphite Deposit, Saskatchewan, Canada" for further information about the resource estimate.On behalf of Abasca Resources Inc.Dawn Zhou, M.Sc, CPAPresident, CEO and DirectorFor more information visit the Company's website at https://www.abasca.ca or contact:Abasca Resources Inc.Email: info@ abasca.ca Telephone: +1 (306) 933 4261Neither the TSX Venture Exchange Inc. nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange Inc.) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release may contain certain forward-looking information and statements ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not based on historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "believes", "anticipates", "plans", "intends", "will", "should", "expects", "continue", "estimate", "forecasts" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs with respect to future events and is based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the mineral resource estimate for the Loki Deposit, and the Thor Zone. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Abasca undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations, or statements made by third-parties in respect of PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 15:30:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 726 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 RENO, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Brookmount Gold (sic. Brookmount Explorations Inc.) (OTC:BMXI), The Board of Directors of Brookmount Gold, a gold exploration and production company, today confirmed that, through the due diligence process, it has terminated the previously announced Memorandum of Understanding to acquire the shares of Principal Solar, Inc (OTC ID: "PSWW"). Instead of acquiring a public vehicle to effect the spin off and recapitalization of its North American properties, The Company is now incorporating a new subsidiary in Nevada which will acquire the properties through an issue of new shares to its existing shareholders, effectively constituting the share based "special dividend" referenced in previous announcements. Through this structure, Brookmount and its shareholders will retain 100% of the equity of its North American properties through the spin off process and increase flexibility for a subsequent listing of those assets on a recognized exchange.In announcing this decision, Brookmount CEO Nils Ollquist commented: "The Board took the decision to restructure the spin off in this way after considering feedback from our stakeholders on the cost and risk factors of an independent vehicle acquisition, in addition to the desire to maximise the retained equity interest of our shareholders in the restructured vehicle. Our Board continues to believe that bifurcating the equity interest of the Indonesian and North American operations will significantly increase the overall value of the Group, particularly given our strategy to seek listing of the North American subsidiary shares following closing of the spin off process. By utilizing this structure, we can ensure that existing shareholders of Brookmount can profit through direct ownership in both entities." About Brookmount GoldFounded in 2018, Brookmount Gold is a high-growth gold-producing company quoted on OTC Markets in the United States (OTC: BMXI). With producing gold mines in Southeast Asia and exploration and development properties in North America, the Company is also focused on acquiring and developing additional high-quality gold and rare earth mineral assets with JORC/NI 43-101 verified resources.Safe Harbor Statements:Except for the historical information contained herein, certain of the matters discussed in this communication constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "predict," "project," "future," "potential," "intend," "seek to," "plan," "assume," "believe," "target," "forecast," "goal," "objective," "continue" or the negative of such terms or other variations thereof and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify forward- looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding benefits of the proposed license, expected synergies, anticipated future financial and operating performance and results, including estimates of growth. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this communication. For example, the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the pending transaction, including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the pending transaction that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to abandon the transaction, the ability to successfully integrate the businesses, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the negotiations, the risk that the parties may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all, risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction, the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of Brookmount's common stock. All such factors are difficult to predict and are beyond our control. We disclaim and do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this report, except as required by applicable law or regulations.Investor Relations Contact:info@ chesapeakegp.com Tel # 410 8253930Website: https://www.brookmountgold.com Corporate Contact: corporate@ brookmountgold.com Social Links: Brookmount Gold X (Formerly Twitter); https://x.com/brookmountgoldSOURCE: Brookmount Explorations, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 18:12:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 396 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Connex Credit Union ("Connex") 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 Connex.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 3, 2025, Connex became aware of a security incident affecting its internal network. Upon detection, Connex launched an immediate investigation with assistance from third-party cybersecurity experts.The investigation revealed that an unauthorized third party accessed or downloaded files between June 2 and June 3, 2025. Connex reviewed the impacted files to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals.The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, account numbers, and government-issued IDs.Connex filed a notice of the breach with the California Attorney General on August 7, 2025, and began mailing notification letters to affected individuals on August 6, 2025. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive 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 Connex Credit Union, you are likely to be 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, LLP 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. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.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: 2025-08-25 15:00:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 999 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 /Earthwise Minerals Corp. (CSE:WISE)(FSE:966) ("Earthwise" or the "Company") has completed the first part of its two-phase 2025 field program at the Iron Range Gold Project ("the Project") in southeastern British Columbia. The program, led by TerraLogic Exploration Inc., included the collection of 538 soil samples over 13.5 line-km and 15 rock samples, along with structural mapping and prospecting across key target zones. Analytical results are pending and will be released once received, compiled, and interpreted.Earthwise holds the exclusive option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Iron Range Gold Project, which is 100% owned by Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL) ("EPL" or "Eagle Plains"), with part of the property subject to an underlying 1.0% Net Smelter Royalty.The 2025 field program advanced geochemical and mapping work across multiple targets at Iron Range:Sampling: A total of 538 soil samples were collected along 13.5 line-km, together with 15 rock samples.Soil Coverage: Tight-spaced grids were completed within known geochemical anomalies and extended into new areas, including fault splays and gold-in-till anomalies identified by Eagle Plains.Mapping & Prospecting: Geological mapping and prospecting were carried out at the Pyromorphite Zone and DIP Zone, with additional sampling at Golden Cap and Star West.Next Steps: All samples have been submitted for analysis, with results to be disclosed once received, compiled, and interpreted.EXPLORATION ZONES - 2025 Pyromorphite Zone (BC MinFile 082FSE141): Mineralization was first discovered in 2009 when logging road construction exposed sheared and brecciated sediments hosting cm-scale quartz veins bearing pyromorphite (lead) mineralization. No significant work has been carried out at the zone since its initial discovery by the previous tenure holder. Historic rock (grab) samples include SK10-207, which reported 27.0 g/t Au, 173.0 g/t Ag, and 13.4% Pb, and MK10-170, which reported 54.7 g/t Au, 42.2 g/t Ag, and 2.8% Pb (BC Assessment Report 31659).Golden Cap (BC MinFile 082FSE014): Tight-spaced soil sampling in 2025 was designed to test cross-fault intersections along the main Iron Range Fault Zone. Historical soil sampling by Eagle Plains at this area returned values up to 230 ppb Au.DIP Zone (Dakota - BC MinFile 082FSE023; Idaho - BC MinFile 082FSE024; Pacific - BC MinFile 082FSE025): Soil sampling in 2025 was conducted over an area with a historical multi-element soil geochemical anomaly that had not previously been analyzed for gold.Star West (BC MinFile 082FSE089): Soil sampling in 2025 was conducted over an area with a historical multi-element soil geochemical anomaly that had not previously been analyzed for gold.HISTORIC DRILLING & PROJECT OVERVIEWDrilling at Iron Range in 2010 resulted in the discovery of the Talon Zone, where drill-hole IR10-010 intersected 2 intervals of strong and continuous mineralization including 14.0m grading 5.1g/t gold, 1.86% lead, 2.1% Zinc, 75.3g/t silver and 7.1m grading 8.13g/t gold, 2.84% lead, 3.07% zinc, 86.6g/t silver (Eagle Plains news release December 21st, 2010). Previous drilling 10km north of the Talon Zone in 2008 by Eagle Plains intersected gold mineralization in drill-hole IR08006 which assayed 7.0m grading 51.52g/t (1.50 oz/ton) gold (Eagle Plains news release dated April 20th, 2009).All of the exploration data collected by Eagle Plains since 2001, as well as all of the available historic data, has been integrated into a GIS database, which is used to prioritize areas for ground follow up. Drill targeting at the Talon Zone discovery in 2010 was based on the presence of an extensive multi-element soil geochemical anomaly associated with a structural splay from the regional Iron Range Fault System. Drill hole locations and depths were successfully refined using Induced Polarization (IP) geophysics.The 21,437ha Iron Range Project is considered by management of both Eagle Plains and Earthwise to hold excellent potential for the presence of structurally controlled gold-silver mineralization, iron-oxide copper-gold ("IOCG") and Sullivan-style lead-zinc-silver sedimentary-exhalative ("sedex") mineralization. The property is owned 100% by Eagle Plains, with a portion of the property subject to an underlying 1.0% Net Smelter Royalty held by a third party.IRON RANGE GOLD PROJECT SUMMARYThe Iron Range Project, located near Creston, B.C., is owned 100% by Eagle Plains Resources Ltd., subject to a 1% NSR on a portion of the claim group. A well-developed transportation and power corridor crosses the southern part of the property, including a high-pressure gas pipeline and a high-voltage hydro-electric line, both following the CPR mainline and Highway 3. The rail line provides efficient access to Teck's smelter in Trail, B.C. The project is fully permitted under a Multi-Year Area Based (MYAB) permit issued by the B.C. Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals. The permit allows for geophysical surveys, mechanical trenching, access trail construction, and diamond drilling. The property covers an area of approximately 10 km x 32 km, overlying the regional Iron Range Fault System (IRFS). Prior to Eagle Plains' acquisition in 2001, the ground had seen little systematic exploration aside from iron resources documented since the late 1800s. Since 2001, Eagle Plains and its partners have completed:21,593 m of diamond drilling in 87 holes2,482 line-km of airborne and surface geophysical surveys10,053 soil geochemical samples495 rock samples6,955 drill core samplesRock grab samples are selective samples by nature and as such are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted across the property. Some of the above results were taken directly from MINFILE descriptions and assessment reports (ARIS) filed with the BC government. 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 properties. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties.Qualified PersonCharles C. Downie, P.Geo., a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and an officer and director of Eagle Plains, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.About Earthwise MineralsEarthwise Minerals Corp. (CSE: WISE; FSE: 966) is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on advancing the Ir PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 01:40:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 579 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 OAKLAND PARK, FL / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2025 /EndoUVTech, a medical device innovator pioneering UV laser technology for treating blood clots in the brain, today announced a strategic partnership with CeramOptec, a global leader in specialty optical fibers for medical applications.The collaboration marks another milestone in EndoUVTech's breakthrough treatment for stroke. The company's proprietary system uses a UV laser, delivered via a custom fiber optic cable and balloon catheter combination, to safely dissolve residual blood clots in the brain that remain after a mechanical thrombectomy."This partnership with CeramOptec has been critical to our commercialization path," said Chip Van Vurst, CEO of EndoUVTech. "Their ability to produce our highly specialized fiber at scale - one capable of delivering precise UV energy to cerebral vessels - is vital to bringing our technology to market." CeramOptec's advanced manufacturing capabilities play a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and performance of the UV system. The custom fiber, thinner than an human hair, enables EndoUVTech's device to trigger a natural photo chemical reaction that reaches otherwise inaccessible distal clots, achieving more complete revascularization and reducing the risk of long-term disability in stroke survivors."Our team is proud to support EndoUVTech in with this potentially life-saving technology," said Julien Demange, Head of Medical Applications at CeramOptec. "This partnership exemplifies how our high-performance optical fibers can help redefine what's possible in neurovascular care." Unlike existing treatments that focus on large vessel occlusions, EndoUVTech's add on solution addresses a persistent clinical gap - residual clots that can cause secondary strokes, complications, or prevent full recovery. The system is used in conjunction with current methods and offers controlled arterial dilation while reducing vessel trauma that is common during current procedures, further enhancing patient outcomes.EndoUVTech is on track to submit its lead device to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Q4 2025 - a major step toward addressing unmet needs in both vascular and neurovascular stroke care.About Endo UV Tech, Inc.EndoUVtech is a medical device company headquartered in Oakland Park, Florida, dedicated to developing advanced technologies that improve outcomes for patients suffering from ischemic stroke (blood clots in the brain) and other cardiovascular conditions. Founded by a team of medical industry experts and scientists, the company focuses on UV-based devices that aim to reduce side effects and enhance recovery for stroke patients.The company's flagship product, the "EndoSmartUV" Laser system, is designed to minimize tissue damage, improve clot removal during endovascular procedures, and dissolve downstream platelet clots that cause stroke side effects.For more information, visit: www.endouvtech.com Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding potential product performance, anticipated regulatory approvals, and future market opportunities for EndoUVtech and its manufacturing partner. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the timing and success of regulatory submissions and approvals, market acceptance of new products, manufacturing readiness, competition, intellectual property protection, and other factors. Endo UV Tech, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements because of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.Media Contact:Lisa Goddard, Media RelationsPhone: (514) 817-5884Email: lisa@ EndoUVtech.com Investor Inquiries:Vincent Iantomasi, Investor RelationsPhone: (514) 947-4966Email: vincent@ EndoUVtech.com SOURCE: EndoUVtech PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 19:00:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 348 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / General Atomics announced today that it has acquired the business of MLD Technologies, LLC (MLD), a leader in the development and production of high-performance optical coatings and components primarily for aerospace and defense applications. Headquartered in Mountain View, California with primary engineering and manufacturing operations in Eugene, Oregon, MLD's business will be integrated into the General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems group (GA-EMS).Founded in 1997, MLD specializes in the design, development and manufacture of ion-beam-sputtered (IBS), low optical-loss, laser-damage resistant thin-films for the UV-visible-IR spectral region. MLD's product applications include lasers, laser devices, non-linear crystals, medical instruments and other photonic devices. MLD is highly qualified in large IBS optics, atomic layer deposition and ultrafast laser optics."Acquiring the MLD business enables us to streamline innovation and production of a key component in our laser weapon systems," said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. "This strategic acquisition also positions us to enhance the performance and durability of our high-power lasers, enabling us to deliver world-class directed energy weapon systems to our customers." As a trusted supplier, MLD has delivered superior optical coatings to GA-EMS for laser applications over the past six years. "We look forward to supporting the growing demand for laser weapon systems as part of GA-EMS," said Len Mott, President of MLD. "Our expertise in optical coatings and components for high-energy laser systems will reinforce operational readiness and our ability to meet mission-critical customer requirements." About General Atomics Electromagnetic SystemsGeneral Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) develops innovative technologies to create breakthrough solutions supporting operational environments from undersea to space. From electromagnetic, power generation and energy storage systems and space systems and satellites, to hypersonic, missile defense, and laser weapon systems, GA-EMS offers an expanding portfolio of capabilities for defense, government, and national security customers. GA-EMS also provides commercial products and services targeting hazardous waste remediation, oil and gas, and nuclear energy industries.For further information, visit www.ga.com/ems Contact InformationGeneral Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Media RelationsMedia Relationsems-mediarelations@ ga.com 858-253-3111SOURCE: General Atomics PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 22:10:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1075 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / George Sanders, President of Goldcliff Resource Corporation ("Goldcliff" or the "Company") (TSXV:GCN)(OTC PINK:GCFFF) is pleased to announce a proposed non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $825,000 (the "Private Placement").The Private Placement will consist of the issuance of: (i) up to 5,000,000 units (each, a "NFT Unit"), at a price of $0.045 per NFT Unit (the "NFT Unit Offering"), with each NFT Unit comprising one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one half of one non-transferrable Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"); and (ii) up to 10,000,000 flow-through shares ("FT Shares"), at a price of $0.06 per FT Share (the "FT Share Offering"), with each FT Share comprising one Common Share which qualifies as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire an additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.08 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the Closing Date.Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-105"), the securities sold under the Private Placement will be offered in all Provinces of Canada except QuAbec pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106 (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption"). Subject to the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the securities issuable from the sale of Units to Canadian resident subscribers will not be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws. There is an offering document (the "Offering Document") related to this Private Placement that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and at www.goldcliff.com . Prospective investors should read this Offering Document before making an investment decision.Proceeds from the NFT Unit Offering will be applied to property payments on Aurora West and Kettle Valley projects, and to general working capital.Proceeds from the FT Share Offering will be applied to drilling at Kettle Valley, sample collection for metallurgical test work and geochemical sampling at Panorama Ridge, and additional geochemical and geophysical surveys at the Ainsworth silver project, as Canadian exploration expenses that will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and which will be incurred on or before December 31, 2026 and renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025 to the initial purchasers of FT Shares. All three projects are located in British Columbia.The Private Placement is anticipated to close on or about October 6, 2025 ("Closing Date"), or such other date(s) as the Company may determine. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. Goldcliff advises that insiders of the Company may participate in the Private Placement, which subscriptions will be completed pursuant to available related party exemptions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions and will be subject to the TSXV hold period.At Closing, the Company may pay a cash finder's fee equal to 7% of gross proceeds introduced by eligible finders. Also, the Company may grant to eligible finders, finder's warrants equal to 7% of the number of NFT Units and/or FT Shares introduced by the finder on the same terms and conditions as the Warrants comprising the NFT Units.This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in the United States or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.For further information, please contact George W. Sanders, President, at 250-764-8879, toll free at 1-866-769-4802 or email at info@ directroyalty.com GOLDCLIFF RESOURCE CORPORATIONPer:"George W. Sanders"George W. Sanders, PresidentNeither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this news release.Forward-Looking Information: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the anticipated closing of the Private Placement, the anticipated size of the Private Placement, the receipt of all regulatory approvals in respect of the Private Placement, including approval of the TSXV, the participation of insiders, the expected use of proceeds from the Private Placement, certain expenses qualifying as flow through mining expenditures, and the expected timing for incurrence and renouncement of expenses. Although Goldcliff believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future perfor PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 14:15:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 583 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Black Book Research survey reveals compliance gaps, weak technology readiness, and mounting patient care risks as Medicare telehealth flexibilities approach expirationWASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / A looming deadline threatens to disrupt telehealth access for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. On September 30, 2025, key Medicare telehealth flexibilities that drove virtual care expansion during the COVID-19 era will expire unless Congress acts to extend them.A flash survey conducted by Black Book Research of 431 qualified telehealth provider users finds that most healthcare organizations are underprepared for the sudden rollback. The study results, statistically valid at the 95% confidence level (A5.4%), highlight major risks to provider compliance, reimbursement, and patient access.What Expires on September 30, 2025During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, Medicare temporarily eliminated long-standing restrictions on telehealth, enabling providers to serve millions of patients safely at home. Extensions under the Consolidated Appropriations Act allowed these flexibilities to remain in place through September 2025.Without further Congressional action:Patients may lose home access: Medicare telehealth coverage could again be limited to clinical facilities, blocking homebound patients.Audio-only visits will end: Older adults and rural patients without broadband or smartphones could lose their only means of accessing care remotely.Practitioner eligibility will shrink: Non-physician providers such as occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists will lose billing ability for telehealth visits.Geographic restrictions return: Coverage may again be limited to rural or designated shortage areas only.This would mark a return to pre-2020 rules and risk undoing five years of progress in digital health equity.Survey Results: A System UnpreparedCompliance Readiness:71% of providers say their organizations are only "somewhat prepared" or "not prepared." 84% report IT and compliance teams lack a concrete response plan.Only 8% of staff have received adequate internal communication or training on upcoming changes.Technology Gaps:Just 29% say their EHR or telehealth platforms are fully integrated with APIs required for compliance reporting.59% remain uncertain whether their platforms meet HIPAA/HITECH encryption and authentication standards.Operational Risks:Nearly 62% of clinicians anticipate scheduling and care disruptions if waivers are not extended.47% expect patient engagement losses, especially among audio-only users.Staff confusion and lack of training rank highest among risks to care continuity.Privacy & Security Weaknesses:Fewer than one in three organizations have fully audited telehealth vendors against CMS requirements.41% express low confidence in handling overlapping federal and state telehealth mandates.What Providers Fear MostAccess:65% fear vulnerable populations will lose telehealth access entirely.Financial Risk: 89% worry about billing errors and reimbursement losses as rules change abruptly.Vendor Dependence:83% are prioritizing vendor tools with strong audit trails, interoperability, and consent management features to mitigate compliance risk.Industry Perspective"Providers have scaled telehealth rapidly since 2020 in response to demand and regulatory flexibility," said Doug Brown, Founder of Black Book Research. "Yet most remain unprepared for the re-imposition of pre-pandemic restrictions. Without Congressional or CMS guidance before September 30, healthcare organizations face serious risks: service disruption, compliance failures, and a reversal of progress on equitable access to care." Black Book Market Research LLC is a globally recognized source for independent healthcare technology insights. Since 2011, Black Book has gathered feedback from more than 3.3 million healthcare IT users. Known for vendor-agnostic rankings and a rigorous 18-point KPI evaluation system, Black Book provides actionable intelligence to providers, payers, and technology leaders. Unlike commercially sponsored studies, Black Book conducts independent "flash surveys" to capture real-time sentiment on urgent healthcare issues.For more information, contactresearch@ blackbookmarketresearch.comor Contact InformationPress Office research@ blackbookmarketresearch.com 8008637590SOURCE: Black Book Research PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 01:00:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2025 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have untilAugust 25, 2025to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Hims & Hers Health, Inc. ("Hims" or the "Company") (NYSE:HIMS), if they purchased the Company's securities between April 29, 2025 and June 23, 2025, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Hims and would like to discuss your legal rights and how the 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-hims/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to the Court byAugust 25, 2025 .About the LawsuitsHims & Hers and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On June 23, 2025, Novo Nordisk announced that it was terminating its partnership with Hims, disclosing that the Company had "failed to adhere to the law which prohibits mass sales of compounded drugs under the false guise of 'personalization' and are disseminating deceptive marketing that put patient safety at risk," and that "the asemaglutide' active pharmaceutical ingredients that are in the knock-off drugs sold by telehealth entities and compounding pharmacies" may contain "unsafe and illicit foreign ingredients." On this news, the price of Hims' shares fell $22.24, or 34.6%, to close at $41.98 per share on June 23, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.The first-filed case is Sookdeo v. Hims & Hers Health, Inc., No. 25-cv-05315. A subsequent case, Yaghsizian v. Hims & Hers Health, Inc., No. 25-cv-05321, expanded the class period.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, New Jersey, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 23:30:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 855 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FREMONT, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / The technology landscape continues to evolve, but few individuals stand out as true visionaries who bridge innovation with practical application. Omkar Bhalekar, a Senior Network Engineer at Tesla, is one such leader. With an unrelenting focus on transforming industrial networking and driving sustainable practices, Bhalekar has emerged as a thought leader of global renown. Beyond his contributions to Tesla, his roles as a keynote speaker, editorial board member, and peer reviewer bear testimony to his dedication to sharing knowledge and empowering the next generation of innovators.Bridging Industry and Academia Through Keynote AddressesOmkar Bhalekaris no stranger to the international stage, where he delivers keynote addresses that captivate audiences ranging from industry experts to budding technologists. Having spoken at numerous esteemed conferences, his ability to break down complex concepts, such as industrial IoT (IIoT) and green networking technologies, sets him apart. His talks are not just informational; they are transformational, providing attendees with actionable insights they can implement within their own organizations.What makes Bhalekar's keynotes particularly compelling is his focus on weaving practical examples from his work experience into larger technological narratives. Whether discussing predictive maintenance in robotics or advances in AI-driven industrial automation to accelerate sustianability, his expertise inspires others to see opportunities for innovation in their own fields.Thought Leadership as an Editorial and Peer ReviewerWhile Bhalekar's voice resonates powerfully on the keynote stage, his influence extends deeply into academic and scientific communities. Serving on the editorial board of the Scientific Academic Research Council (SARC), he not only shapes discourse but also elevates the standards for rigorous, impactful research.What further distinguishes him is his role as a peer reviewer for leading IEEE journals and conferences. His meticulous reviews of high-impact journals, such as those focused on the Internet of Things, Journal on Selected Areas in Communications and human-machine systems, reflect his technical prowess and commitment to academic integrity. By critiquing and refining submissions, he ensures that only groundbreaking and well-substantiated research makes its way into the hands of other professionals and students. This work not only reinforces the quality of scientific inquiry but also builds stronger synergies between academic exploration and industry application.Mentorship in Innovation Through HackathonsBeyond his editorial and speaking engagements,Omkar Bhalekardedicates himself to creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators. His role as a judge in prominent hackathons, including Technovation Girls, PIXEL USM in Malaysia, United V Hacks and Code Crunch Challenges at Florida International university, is a testament to his commitment to fostering creative problem-solving in technology. By evaluating projects that lie at the intersection of innovation and impact, Bhalekar champions ideas that not only advance technology but also address global challenges.For him, hackathons are not merely competitions; they are platforms for mentorship. Participants gain invaluable advice on how to refine their ideas, build scalable solutions, and consider the practical implications of their projects. This blend of constructive criticism and encouragement comes naturally to Bhalekar, who believes that today's young developers and engineers hold the key to tomorrow's breakthroughs.Empowering Conversations Through BloggingBhalekar's enthusiasm for knowledge-sharing isn't confined to events or academic journals. A prolific writer, he regularly publishes blog posts on influential platforms like IEEE ComSoc, Hackernoon, DZone, and the RSAC Conference. Through these articles, he distills complex ideas into digestible content, all while sparking meaningful discussions among professionals and enthusiasts alike.His blogs take readers on a deep-dive into industrial networking advancements, sustainability-focused technologies, and strategies to align manufacturing goals with environmentally responsible practices. By merging his professional experience with visionary perspectives, Bhalekar ensures that his writing serves as both a resource and an inspiration.Driving Change Through Thought LeadershipAt the heart ofOmkar Bhalekar 's multifaceted career is a profound commitment to driving change. Whether through his work at Tesla, his thought-provoking keynotes, or his collaborations with academic institutions, he exemplifies what it means to pioneer meaningful progress in the modern technological world.His contributions go beyond his own achievements, extending to inspire an ecosystem of learners, researchers, and professionals. By embedding elements such as sustainability, efficiency, and innovation into all aspects of his work, he sets a gold standard for those who seek to bridge technical expertise with positive global impact.The TakeawayOmkar Bhalekar 's approach to technology, education, and innovation serves as a blueprint for how professionals can make their mark. His willingness to share his expertise across multiple platforms and engage with varied audiences ensures that his influence is both broad and impactful.For organizations and aspiring professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of industrial networking or sustainable manufacturing, Bhalekar's insights are invaluable. Whether through a keynote address, a research paper, or a mentorship session, one thing becomes clear: Omkar Bhalekar is not just shaping technology; he's shaping the future.Interested in hearing from or collaborating with Omkar Bhalekar? Don't miss out on engaging with a true thought leader who's helping drive global innovation. Learn more about his work and connect to explore how his expertise can inspire your next big project.To learn more visit: https://www.omkarbhalekar.com/ CONTACT:Omkar Bhalekar bhalekaromkar23@ gmail.com SOURCE: Omkar Bhalekar PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 17:54:05 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 303 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Roblox Corporation ("Roblox Corporation") (NYSE:RBLX) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.The State of Louisiana filed a lawsuit against Roblox on August 14, 2025, alleging that the Company fails to protect children from predators on its gaming platform. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, "Due to Roblox's lack of safety protocols, it endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana. Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety. Every parent should be aware of the clear and present danger poised to their children by Roblox so they can prevent the unthinkable from ever happening in their own home." Following this news, Roblox's stock price fell over 6% on August 15, 2025. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.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)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 13:02:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 332 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Irving Resources Inc. (CSE:IRV)(OTCQX:IRVRF) ("Irving" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mackenzie Clugston, former Ambassador of Canada to Japan, has joined the board as an independent director. Since April 2019, Mr. Clugston has provided strategic counsel to Irving as an advisor.Mr. Clugston joined the Canadian Foreign Service in 1982 and went on to serve three times at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, including as Minister and Head of Chancery. Mr. Clugston was also Canadian Consul General in Osaka, Japan, from 2000 to 2003. From 2009 to 2012, Mr. Clugston held the position of Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia, with concurrent accreditation to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and to East Timor. Mr. Clugston was the Ambassador of Canada to Japan from 2012 to 2016. He retired from the Canadian Foreign Service in May 2016 after a distinguished 34-year career. Subsequently, Mr. Clugston served as an independent director on multiple boards of major Japanese corporations and as a professor at Kwansei Gakuin University."We are honoured to have Mr. Clugston as our newest director," commented Akiko Levinson, President, CEO, and Director of Irving Resources Inc. "Mr. Clugston's experience in building international relationships in Japan will prove to be a valuable help to Irving as the Company advances its Omu gold-silver silica flux project towards production alongside JX Advanced Metals and continues to explore its Yamagano gold joint venture with Newmont Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation." About Irving:Irving is a junior exploration company with a focus on gold in Japan. Irving resulted from completion of a plan of arrangement involving Irving, Gold Canyon Resources Inc. and First Mining Finance Corp. Additional information can be found on the Company's website: www.IRVresources.com Akiko Levinson,President, CEO & DirectorFor further information, please contact: Tel: (604) 682-3234 Toll free: 1 (888) 242-3234 Fax: (604) 971-0209 info@ IRVresources.com THE CSE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS RELEASESOURCE: Irving Resources Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 18:22:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 361 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / PDI Health recently discovered 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 PDI Health.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On May 14, 2025, PDI Health discovered a security breach involving its internal systems. An unauthorized party accessed and extracted sensitive data, compromising patient records. The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, billing information, electronic medical records (EMRs), test results, and medical history.The ransomware group Everest claimed responsibility for the attack on the dark web. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive 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 PDI Health, you are likely to be 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, LLP 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. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.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: 2025-08-25 18:00:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 455 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 As more Australians take steps to grow their digital capabilities, Liberty supports their ambitions with flexible personal loans that make upskilling more accessible.MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Workers are embracing the opportunity to upskill, with a large number of businesses adopting emerging technologies including AI, advanced data analytics and cybersecurity.ACS Australia's Digital Pulse 2025 report showed a growing number of workers recognize they lack at least one digital skill needed for their current job. Employers are increasingly seeking candidates with digital fluency. For individuals, digital upskilling could boost employability, unlock new career paths, and increase earning potential over time.According to Communications Manager, Bernadine Pantarotto, non-bank lender Liberty remains ready to help Australians take charge of their learning journey."Supporting education is just one way people could use a personal loan to help seize opportunities," explained Ms Pantarotto.Whether it's through vocational training, industry certifications or short courses, personal loans are designed to give people the freedom to invest in themselves."At Liberty, we understand that everyone's journey is different, so we look at the bigger picture to help you access the funds you need," said Ms Pantarotto.With fast approvals and flexible repayment options, Liberty makes it easier to access the training and education needed to stay competitive in a changing workforce.Liberty's free-thinking personal loans also offer tailored rates based on several factors such as credit score and financial history."Liberty's inclusive lending criteria mean that support is available for those with more complex needs," explained Ms Pantarotto.Their streamlined online application system makes it simple for individuals to take the next step toward their goals."Our speedy online process means borrowers can get a personalized rate in minutes. In some cases, same-day funding upon approval may also be available," said Ms Pantarotto.As digital transformation continues to reshape the workforce, Liberty remains committed to helping Australians invest in their future.The non-bank lender also offers home, business and motor loans to help borrowers accelerate their goals with confidence.About Liberty As one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. For nearly 30 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 900,000 customers helped across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial.Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 872 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial.CONTACT Laura OrchardMedia CoordinatorP: +61 3 8635 8888E: mediaenquiries@ liberty.com.au SOURCE: Liberty PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 17:10:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 760 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NetBrands Corp just launched its newly designed website reflecting its business shift in Web 3.0 and giving an informative overview of its business direction.ISLAND PARK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / NetBrands Corp., Delaware corporation (OTCID:NBND) (the "Company") A recent adopter into a digital transformation of blockchain is thrilled to reveal the launch of its brand-new crypto mining forward website. This milestone marks a significant step in the company's ongoing evolution as it expands into cryptocurrency mining and digital asset management.The new website designed with shareholders in mind to be informative offering a seamless and intuitive experience. It features comprehensive resources on cryptocurrency mining, transparent project updates and exclusive insights into NetBrands Corp's strategic roadmap for blockchain innovation. The platform also includes secure real-time market intelligence and opportunities for direct engagement with NetBrands Corp leadership team.NetBrands Corp., Key features of the new website include secure access, enhanced security protocols for investor communications, social media live updates, ongoing project news, milestones, and partnership announcements."Our vision is to empower shareholders with information, tools, transparency and expertise in the digital asset space," stated Paul Adler, President & CEO of NetBrands Corp.For more information on NetBrands Corp (NBND) please visit new domain name with more information to be added soon:About NetBrands CorpHeadquartered in Island Park, NY, NetBrands Corp (OTCID: NBND) operates through diversified subsidiaries with a keen M&A focus on acquiring e-commerce assets and private businesses, particularly within the digital and Web 3.0 verticals. The company is strategically expanding its reach, with a strong emphasis on the rapidly growing Web 3.0 segment.Safe Harbor StatementCertain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements and are prospective in nature. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and projections about future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control and are therefore subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "should", "will", "could", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "anticipate", "expect", "believe" or "continue", or the negative thereof or similar variations. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, information concerning the ability of the Company to successfully achieve business objectives, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: the ability of the Company to develop the Company's brand and meet its growth objectives, the ability of the Company to complete acquisitions that are accretive to the Company's revenue, the ability of the Company to obtain and/or maintain licenses to operate in the jurisdictions in which it operates or in which it expects or plans to operate. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. 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. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.Contact:NetBrands CorpPaul Adler, Chairman, President & CEO800-550-5996 paul@ gdmginc.com SOURCE: NetBrands Corp. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 23:15:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 946 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FREMONT, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / For nearly a decade,Omkar Bhalekarhas stood at the intersection of innovation and leadership, championing advancements in telecommunications and industrial networking. Born in the bustling city of Mumbai and now working as a Senior Network Engineer at Tesla, he has cultivated a diverse career that seamlessly blends technical expertise with a commitment to community building. One of the most illuminating aspects of his professional life lies in his active and influential involvement with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).Through his tenure as a Senior IEEE Member and numerous impactful contributions, Bhalekar has demonstrated not just an aptitude for cutting-edge technology but a deep focus on creating meaningful connections between academia, industry, and real-world application.A Legacy of Expertise and Learning in IEEEIEEE has long been a central pillar in Bhalekar's professional growth. Since becoming a member, he has carved out a place for himself among the organization's most respected contributors. Serving on committees such as the IEEE Control Systems Society and the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTTS) Wireless Communication Committee, his influence spans multiple domains. Yet his contributions go beyond committee work.Through peer-reviewing a range of high-impact IEEE journals, including titles like IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, Internet of Things Journal, IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, and IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, Bhalekar has set rigorous standards for academic and technological research. His editorial expertise ensures these publications remain key resources for the global engineering community. Bhalekar has also served as an IEEE panel reviewer for Senior Member elevations, ensuring deserving professionals are recognized for transformative contributions in engineering.Additionally, his keynote speeches at international conferences and presentations of research papers further establish him as a thought leader unafraid to challenge the boundaries of networking technology. Whether as a peer reviewer or a speaker, his engagements consistently reflect IEEE's mission to advance technology for humanity.A Commitment to Innovation and Industrial NetworkingAt Tesla,Omkar Bhalekaris not just an engineer; he is a trailblazer in the design and deployment of large-scale, secure networks that enable the production of electric vehicles, cell manufacturing and robotics. His work integrates cutting-edge technologies like industrial IoT (IIoT), SCADA systems, and robotics into Tesla's advanced factory ecosystems. With recognition from Cornell's Project Leadership, he has delivered several high-impact, critically acclaimed projects, with a deep understanding of every nuance of project execution. By designing scalable, self-healing network infrastructures, he contributes directly to the automobile giant's ability to push the boundaries of sustainable manufacturing.What makes Bhalekar's expertise especially compelling is how it bridges the theoretical and the practical realms. His professional focus often lies on integrating advanced networking frameworks, such as predictive AI and intent-based networking, into real-world industrial operations. Most notably, these achievements align with Tesla's overarching commitment to environmental sustainability, illustrating how technology can support greener, more efficient practices.His comprehensive understanding of the telecommunications space isn't confined to Tesla's campuses alone. Bhalekar's knowledge extends into his community-facing roles within IEEE and his advocacy for smarter and more intuitive network designs at industry conferences worldwide.Driving Sustainability Through Science and LeadershipBhalekar's vision for the future of industrial networking is expansive yet rooted in practical sustainability. This philosophy is reflected not just in his career milestones, but in his published research and collaborative endeavors with IEEE.One of his most notable contributions to his field is his focus on the need for energy-efficient AI models and green networking technologies. With significant global attention on reducing carbon footprints, his work demonstrates how advancements in networking can align with urgent environmental imperatives. Often, he emphasizes the dual role of networking technologies, not only as enablers of industrial efficiency, but as tools with the power to reduce the ecological impact of business operations.Bhalekar regularly highlights real-world scenarios to illustrate this point. Whether it's through predictive maintenance of manufacturing hardware or the revolutionary prospects of automated supply chains, his perspective reflects a deep belief that technology and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand.Bridging the Gap Between Academia and IndustryWhile Bhalekar's focus on innovation might suggest a purely industrial perspective, his commitment to academia reveals a more holistic approach. Over the years, he has worked closely with academic researchers to refine engineering theories and practices. From mentoring up-and-coming engineers to presenting groundbreaking ideas at IEEE forums, his contributions have helped solidify lasting collaborations between industry and higher education.Academically derived, high-impact journals remain an arena of intense focus for Bhalekar. By shaping research through peer review and contributing directly as an author, he ensures that industry requirements influence theoretical explorations.One of his passions is connecting young students to opportunities that can shape the future of global networking. His efforts within IEEE make it easier for the next generation of engineers to gain expertise not just in technology, but in the ethics and larger societal responsibilities that surround it. As a Climate Base Fellow,Omkar Bhalekaraims to drive forward high-impact climate and sustainability initiatives and foster collaboration across different disciplines.Beyond TechnologyIt's tempting to reduce Omkar Bhalekar's accomplishments to his extraordinary engineering feats or his growing list of IEEE honors. But his holistic approach to leadership extends beyond the workplace and the research lab. His passion for travel and history adds layers to his personality. A visitor to both the picturesque glaciers of Switzerland and the iconic streets of Paris, Bhalekar finds inspiration in the stories places have to tell. This curiosity about historical and cultural narratives complements his technological work, encouraging a balanced view of how progress fits into the broader tapestry of society.On a profoundly human level, he is also a staunc PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 17:01:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 337 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of purchasers of Roblox Corporation ("Roblox" or "the Company") (NYSE:RBLX). Investors who purchased Roblox securities are encouraged to obtain additional information and assist the investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/RBLX Investigation DetailsOn August 14, 2025, the State of Louisiana filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging that the Company fails to protect children from predators on its gaming platform. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said, "Due to Roblox's lack of safety protocols, it endangers the safety of the children of Louisiana. Roblox is overrun with harmful content and child predators because it prioritizes user growth, revenue, and profits over child safety. Every parent should be aware of the clear and present danger poised to their children by Roblox so they can prevent the unthinkable from ever happening in their own home." Following this news, Roblox's stock price dropped more than 6.3% on August 15, 2025.What's Next?If you are aware of any facts relating to this investigation or purchased Roblox securities, you can assist this investigation by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/RBLX . You can also contact Peretz Bronstein or his client relations manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC: 332-239-2660There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 00:28:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 627 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 24, 2025 / WHY: New York, N.Y., August 24, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) between May 7, 2025 and July 28, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important September 30, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Novo Nordisk securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168or 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 September 30, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW:We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, 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 Novo Nordisk's growth potential. Notably, Novo Nordisk's asserted potential to capitalize on the compounded market greatly understated the potential impact of the personalization exception to the compounded GLP-1 exclusion and overstated the likelihood that such patients would switch to Novo Nordisk's branded alternatives. Further, defendants greatly overstated the potential GLP-1 market or otherwise, Novo's capability to penetrate said markets to achieve continued growth. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Novo Nordisk class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=34168 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 investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 13:01:25 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 411 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Sable Offshore Corp. ("Sable" or "the Company") (NYSE:SOC) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Sable securities: (1) pursuant and/or traceable to Sable's May 21, 2025 secondary public offering (the "SPO"); or (ii) between May 19, 2025, and June 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/SOC Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) they represented that Sable Offshore Corp. had restarted oil production off the coast of California when it had not; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about Sable's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/SOC . or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Sable you have until September 26, 2025, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 09:01:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 994 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Star Copper Corp. (CSE:STCU)(OTCQX:STCUF)(FWB:SOP) ("Star Copper" or the "Company"), a critical minerals exploration and development company, is pleased to report that preparation activities are underway for its planned 2025 Phase 2 Drill Program. The first hole in the phase 2 series is designated as Hole G (S-056) and during drill pad construction the crew uncovered what appears to be the top of a large supergene enrichment zone with some exceptional malachite mineralization (see Figures 1 and 2).Figure 1 - Drill pad G malachite mineralization at surface. Star Copper 2025Figure 2 - Drill pad G excavated mineralization at surface. Star Copper 2025Once Phase 2 drilling commences, Hole G (S-056) is located to the south of the Star Fault zone, a roughly planar structure marked by broken, clay-rich gouge, and will be drilled to 500m to test targets that Hole D was unable to fully intersect. The hole is collared ~130m south of Hole D (S-053B) and ~100 m west of Hole F (S-055) (UTM 339,691E / 6,458,142N, elevation 1,050 m; azimuth 000A, dip -75A; planned depth 500m) and is positioned to further evaluate the southwest extension of magnetic and induced polarity anomalies (see Figure 3).Figure 3 - Cross section (as of Aug 16, 2025) showing location of planned Hole G (S-056) indicated 100m West of Hole F (S-055). Star Copper 2025.Geologically, Hole G is designed to pierce near-surface supergene copper mineralization where copper occurs as malachite and azurite along oxidized fractures, before stepping down into the hypogene domain where copper is hosted as chalcopyrite (cpy). The hole is set to cross a corridor of mineralized quartz monzodiorite (QMD) identified in Hole F (S-055), where recent drilling documented cpy as fine disseminations and within sheeted quartz-pyrite-chalcopyrite-K-feldspar veinlets, later quartz-calcite-chlorite-pyrite-cpy veins, and pyrite-cpy stringers. At depth (>300 m), Hole G aims to evaluate a hypogene Cu A Au zone intersected in historical hole S-040, tying intrusive phases, potassic (potassium-feldspar) alteration, and structural corridors together across the south side of the Star Fault zone.Company CEO Darryl Jones notes, "By re-testing the target that Hole D could not fully evaluate and by stepping west from Hole F, our upcoming Hole G is positioned to confirm and extend the copper footprint of Star Main to the southwest, clarify grade-control architecture in the footwall of the Star Fault zone, and strengthen links between oxidation profiles, potassic alteration, and hypogene sulphide mineralization. As the first hole of Phase 2, it marks the transition from Phase 1's mapping of structure and alteration to targeted drilling that advances continuity and scale across Star Main." Copper Creek Project Area Access Established with Mapping and Sampling UnderwayCopper Creek offers a whole new area that has confirmed copper mineralization from historic drilling which could extend the Star deposit and unlock huge value. Plans are being formulated to drill copper creek with the extension of the ongoing exploration program.Copper Creek's favorable geological setting, structural complexity, and proximity to current exploration activities has earned it a place as a high-priority target for the Company. Copper Creek may represent the southeastern extent of a broader mineralized trend that could extend northwest toward the Main Zone, offering significant upside for resource expansion.Crews have recently established ground access to the Copper Creek Zone, located 2.5km southeast of Star Main (see Figure 4)Figure 4 - Copper Creek project area relative to Star Project. Star Copper 2025Recent field work has validated historical exploration records and established a reliable geospatial foundation for exploration. Mapping and sampling of the roughly 2km x 1.5km Cu+/-Au in soil anomaly is underway and insights from this program will inform potential drilling in the later stages of Phase 2 drilling at the Star Property. See Company news release of July 22, 2025 for additional information.Qualified Person Jeremy Hanson, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined under NI 43-101, is an independent contractor of the Company and has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.On Behalf of the Board of Directors~Darryl Jones~Darryl JonesCEO, President & DirectorStar Copper Corp.About Star Copper Corp. (CSE: STCU) (OTCQX: STCUF) (FWB: SOP / WKN A416ME)Star Copper Corp. is an exploration and development company focused on developing high-potential copper projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. The Company aims to advance its British Columbian flagship Star Project where significant exploration work including historical drilling has confirmed open mineralization at depth and in all directions. Star Copper's strategic plans include geological mapping and geophysical surveys to refine existing targets,diamond drilling programs to test high-priority zones, environmental baseline studies and permitting groundwork alongside data analysis and resource modeling to support a future resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The Company further plans to advance its Indata Project with follow-up drilling to expand on previous high-grade copper and gold intercepts, trenching and surface sampling to delineate mineralized zones, and infrastructure improvements for site accessibility and operations. With a commitment to sustainable development and value creation, Star Copper aims to position itself to support surging industrial demand to meet growing global electrification needs.For more information visit: www.starcopper.com and to sign up for free news alerts please go to https://starcopper.com/news/news-alerts/ , or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn. More information in respect of the project, including historical drilling, is available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and/or in the Company's February 26, 2025 technical report.Investor RelationsStar Copper Corp. Email: info@ starcopper.com Web: https://starcopper.com/ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding e PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 20:15:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 347 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / FINTECH.TV today announced the launch of Riding Bulls and Taming Bears, a new market analysis and investor strategy series hosted by renowned wealth strategist and media commentator David Stryzewski. The series kicks off with exclusive interviews featuring Steve Forbes and Peter Schiff, delivering unmatched insights from influential voices shaping the financial world.Broadcast live from FINTECH.TV's studio on the iconic floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Riding Bulls and Taming Bears provides real-time market insights, sector deep dives, and actionable strategies for navigating bull and bear markets. Drawing on decades of experience advising clients and interpreting trends-plus regular appearances on FINTECH.TV , FOX Business, and Bloomberg-Stryzewski breaks down complex economic shifts for investors of all levels."Markets are living, breathing organisms-they run, they stumble, they rally, and they retreat. My mission with Riding Bulls and Taming Bears is to equip viewers with the tools and perspective to thrive in any market climate," said David Stryzewski, Host of Riding Bulls and Taming Bears."David's expertise in translating market complexity into clear, actionable strategies is precisely what today's investors crave," added Vince Molinari, Founder & CEO of FINTECH.TV . "Combining that with powerhouse guests like Steve Forbes and Peter Schiff makes this a must-watch for serious investors globally." Riding Bulls and Taming Bears will air across FINTECH.TV's global distribution network, including the NYSE, Abu Dhabi Global Market, and partner platforms.Visit FINTECH.TV for schedule details and on-demand access.About FINTECH.TV FINTECH.TV is a global media platform delivering breaking news, market analysis, and exclusive interviews across finance, blockchain, and technology. Broadcasting from its marquee studio on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange-with additional coveragefrom Abu Dhabi Global Market and other leading financial hubs-FINTECH.TV reaches audiences worldwide through broadcast, digital, and partner platforms. The platform features in-depth conversations with industry leaders, investors, policymakers, andinnovators shaping the future of global markets.Media Contact:Troy McGuire Co-Founder, Head of Programming & News at FINTECH.TV Monica@ NewtoTheStreet.com SOURCE: New To The Street PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-25 17:01:53 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 365 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Zadarma's HubSpot integration, now officially certified, enhances the CRM with one-click calling, call recordings, and detailed call statistics - helping businesses streamline communication and improve customer management.LONDON, GB / ACCESS Newswire / August 25, 2025 / Today, Zadarma announced that it has built an integration for the HubSpot platform and has joined HubSpot's App Partner Program as an app partner with a certified integration.HubSpot , a leading customer platform for scaling companies, works hand-in-hand with App Partners to help grow their business through extending the product value of their apps, and distributing quality apps through the HubSpot App Marketplace. Zadarma HubSpot Zadarma HubSpot marketplace certificationThe integration links Zadarma VoIP telephony with HubSpot, enabling easy customer management through a cloud-based business phone system. Features such as one-click calling, access to call recordings via the customer card, and integrated call statistics bring traditional communication into the modern technology era."We're always looking to partner with companies and tools that make it even easier for our customers to achieve their growth goals," said Angela O'Dowd, VP of the Solutions Partner Program at HubSpot. "Zadarma's offering does just that, and we're excited to have them as part of the App Partner Program." HubSpot's App Partner Program is an ecosystem of valuable third-party integrations. Certified integrations demonstrate an investment in product quality and customer experience."At Zadarma, we are proud to join the HubSpot App Partner Program. Our goal has always been to provide an affordable, unified communication platform for our customers, and this integration gives them a more efficient and easy way to manage calls and communicate with clients," said Dmytro Tokar, Chief Marketing Officer at Zadarma.Learn more about the integration here https://zadarma.com/en/support/instructions/hubspot/ About Zadarma:Zadarma is a global provider of cloud-based VoIP and unified communication solutions. The company helps businesses optimize calls, manage contacts, and improve customer interactions. Founded in 2006, Zadarma offers services for clients worldwide through six main data centers across Europe, North America, and Asia, supported by numerous smaller platforms. The company provides reliable and affordable telephony solutions. For more information, visit www.zadarma.com Contact InformationIryna KadiievskaMarketing specialistik@ zadarma.com +447458038657SOURCE: IP Telecom Bulgaria Ltd The management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said it is intensifying efforts to revive Nigerias eastern ports, as part of the federal governments drive to expand economic diversification through the blue economy. Speaking during a panel at a breakfast meeting organised by the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping (NCS) in collaboration with Lekki Port held in Lagos, Managing Director of the NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, lamented that the decades of ports infrastructural neglect has left it trailing smaller countries such as Togo, Cote dIvoire and Ghana, whose seaports have become preferred destinations for shippers, larger vessels and transshipment traffic in West and Central Africa. He said that due to the infrastructure deficit, Nigerias ports currently handle about two million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) yearly, far below those of smaller regional competitors, despite its advantage in trade and population. Our competitors in Lome, Cotonou, Abidjan and Tema are only enjoying an advantage because we have not fixed our ports. By every global indicator, Nigeria is the largest economy and the most populous country in Africa, yet today, Abidjan and Lome handle higher volumes than Lagos. This is the gap we must urgently close, Mr Dantsoho stated. As part of efforts to improve efficiency at Nigerian Ports, the NPA management says it has consistently championed infrastructure upgrades and stakeholder partnerships, focusing on repositioning Onne and Port Harcourt ports while reviving Calabar, Warri, and other South-South facilities to attract ship traffic and investments. The agency explained that the effort to revive eastern ports operations will not only relieve heavy loads on Lagos ports but also maximize the potential of the underused eastern ports, which are closer to key markets and resources. The renewed push aligns with the Nigeria First policy, which prioritises infrastructure modernisation, operational efficiency, and indigenous participation in the maritime sector. The Eastern ports are being repositioned as a competitive gateway, for shorter turnaround times, closer access to the South-East and North-Central industrial clusters, lower transportation costs, and the ability to move agricultural and mineral products more efficiently. Eastern ports To deepen the countrys participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr Dantsoho and the NPA management have embarked on series of Eastern-ports-focused tours, which it said had resulted in investors developing interest in Rivers, Calabar, and Burutu Ports. Also, this includes the wholly Nigerian-owned MV Ocean Dragon at Onnes West African Container Terminal (WACT) on 31 July. With a 349 TEU capacity, the MV Ocean Dragon aims to ply routes across West, Central, and Southern Africa, while exemplifying the Nigeria First policy. The new tariffs introduced on 1 March by NPA were also part of the port authoritys push to actualise its 25-year master plan, which prioritises automation, cybersecurity, and sustainability, and includes a proposed Green Craft Acquisition Fund for IMO-compliant vessels. To link Eastern Nigeria to international routes and enhance transshipment under the AfCFTA, Global shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd recently launched a weekly service at Onne port, Eleme, Rivers State. It was done in partnership with relevant agencies of government, like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), for 24-hour operations, with the aim of reducing cargo release times and curbing diversions to neighbouring ports. The NPA says indicators reflect significant gains as service boat Gross Registered Tonnage rose 129.3 percent to 4.58 million tons in 2024, with larger vessels now berthing at Eastern facilities. While anticipating growth, NPA projected revenue is expected to hit N1.28 trillion in 2025, up from N894.86 billion last year, with the Eastern ports contributing substantially to the increase. The agency recorded a commitment of $350 million loan by Afrexim Bank to facilitate shipbuilding and expansion of the yard, by the Founder of Starz Marine and Engineering Limited in Rivers State, Greg Ogbeifun. The move is expected to aid the expansion of Starzs shipyard from 500 tons to 10,000 tons lifting capacity, 120-meter-long circle lift, for the purpose of achieving quality ship repair and building, which Nigerians have had cause to travel for. READ ALSO: Oborevwori urges federal govt to revive four seaports in Delta Port terminal operations The agency says that infrastructure modernisation remains central to the Eastern ports development, as ongoing dredging, terminal expansion projects, new tugboats, and the deployment of electronic call-up systems have reduced vessel turnaround times to an average of 5.16 days. With these efforts, the agency projects that manufacturers in Aba, traders in Onitsha, and industrial hubs in Nnewi will maximise the benefit from cost-saving access to nearby ports, while the Eastern corridor positions Nigeria for greater participation in regional and global trade. Mr Dantsoho added that the government is fully committed to supporting reforms, which are expected to restore investor confidence and reverse decades of vessel and cargo diversion from Nigerian ports. Preaching on Sunday, House on the Rock Senior Pastor Paul Adefarasin has argued that Nigerias celebrated nationalist leaders cannot be regarded as its true founding fathers. Instead, he said the country was stitched together in Whitehall boardrooms and shaped by Lord Lugard for Britains financial gain. He added that a nation built on such shaky foundations cannot thrive without confronting its colonial legacy and flawed constitution. Challenging the legacy of Nigerias celebrated nationalist leaders, Adefarasin dismissed figures such as Obafemi Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Nnamdi Azikiwe as the countrys true founding fathers. There was a colonial conquest coming from the Maghreb, the Sahel, and it was interrupted by another colonial conquest of the British. And the British are not, let me say it another way, Awolowo, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Azikiwe, they are not the founding fathers of Nigeria in my opinion. The founding fathers of Nigeria are some men from Whitehall and a fellow called Tob Goldman, his girlfriend, who named the country, and also Lugard. This nation was created for the business of the British purse so they wouldnt have to bear the bill for the less prosperous and wealthy part of the country, he stated This past June, the clergy man was accused of allegedly owning and pointing a gun at the popular tiktok creator known for creating content of expensive Lagos cars. Britains agenda Mr Adefarasins remarks also sparked controversy across social media after categorically stating that Nigeria was not divinely created but rather a creation by the British colonial designs for economic gain. In the same sermon, the clergyman challenged the idea that Nigerias existence was ordained by God, claiming historical and colonial interests dictated its formation. He cited The Martyrdom of Man and referred to agreements involving Queen Elizabeth I and the Ottoman Empire, suggesting Africas territories were divided for foreign advantage. Nigeria, I do not believe it was created by God. I dont believe it. I believe that Elizabeth the 1st got into a deal with the Ottoman Empire, and they had a deal concerning the Sudan, and those who care to buy the book, buy the book. Its written by a fellow called, the name of the book is The Martyrdom of Man, he said. As far as Africa was concerned, two empires got together and decided that this land would go to the sons of Ishmael. It is self-evident, but lets not go there. This is not a political forum. This is a church and the church has responsibilities to get right what man got wrong. Shes the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Thats important. Adefarasin said Furthermore, he questioned the legitimacy of Nigerias constitution, noting that it was imposed by soldiers rather than we the people. Quoting Psalm 11:3, he likened the nations situation to a building constructed on a weak foundation. I have no problem with people of any faith being in charge, but they must adhere to the constitution of we the people. And when a constitution proposed to be of we the people and it is not, its some soldiers who wrote it, you have to question why we obey that constitution, he stated. He continued, Nigeria cannot be a solid nation that is properly grounded, going towards her destiny. We started to go, but the Bible says, Psalm 11, verse 3, if the foundation is corrupted, if it is destroyed, what can the righteous do? To build a sustainable building, you have to build a solid foundation. You do a soil test, you do your engineering statistics, you determine what will carry this building and make it last for a long time. He went on to take a swipe at the government, criticising systemic corruption. He used poorly executed road projects as an example of flawed national planning. He suggested some roads are intentionally substandard to secure repeat contracts, reflecting a lack of fairness and accountability. He said: Theres a difference between any road and the road that they build that takes you to the Lagos airport. Thats a proper road. Why they build roads and resurface them wrongly, I dont know. Somebody suggested to me that its that kind of road because they want the same contract next year. That means that somebody sitting down somewhere making decisions has no sense of equity and justice. Do you understand? I hope you get me. Despite their growing appeal as a sustainable solution to period poverty, reusable menstrual pads may remain inaccessible to many Nigerian girls due to cost, hygiene barriers, and cultural stigma, a menstrual health advocate has warned. The Programme Manager at the Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), Ufuoma Eguriase, has cautioned that while reusable pads offer a long-term cost-saving advantage, their affordability, accessibility and hygiene requirements make them an unrealistic solution for many girls living in underserved communities. Ms Eguriase noted that period poverty remains a deep equity issue in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting the poor and marginalised, especially in rural areas with limited access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Period poverty refers to an equity problem that is rooted in gender injustice. It mainly affects those in marginalised communities, those without access to affordable pads, water, or even soap, she said. Equity gaps and dangerous alternatives According to Ms Eguriase, the disparity in access to menstrual products between rich and poor households has left many young girls with no option but to resort to unsafe alternatives. In our reports, we have seen girls in parts of Bauchi using cow dung to absorb their menstrual blood. They dont go to school during their period. In some FCT communities, girls are being misled into early pregnancies just to stop menstruation because of myths that say pregnancy is a way to end it, she explained. She added that some girls start menstruating as early as nine years old while still in primary school, without receiving any form of menstrual education or access to hygienic menstrual materials. Girls miss five to seven days of school every month simply because they are menstruating. Thats how wide the gap is, she said. Solution with limitations Reusable pads are often proposed as a sustainable alternative to disposable sanitary products, as a single pack can last up to 18 cycles if properly maintained. However, Ms Eguriase said this solution doesnt take into account the financial reality of the most affected population. One of the cheapest reusable pad packs costs about 7,000 naira. For girls in underserved communities, many of whom come from homes where 7,500 naira is a monthly income, this is still out of reach, she said. So, while reusable pads may be a long-term cost-saving solution, they are not yet affordable or practical for the poorest girls. She added that most reusable pads are produced by private businesses or foreign-aided organisations with limited reach and without government subsidies or public investment, the equity gap will persist. Hygiene and privacy barriers Ms Eguriase also noted that beyond cost, hygiene is another challenge. She said that reusable pads require consistent access to clean, running water, soap, and private washing spaces resources often unavailable in rural and low-income areas. In places without functional WASH facilities, washing and drying reusable pads can be difficult. They need to be soaked in hot water, washed thoroughly, and dried properly to avoid bacteria build-up. If not handled hygienically, they can lead to infections, rashes, and vaginal issues, she said. She added that adolescent girls often lack the time or privacy to maintain reusable pads properly. Imagine a teenage girl who hawks after school, comes home to do chores, and still has to wash two or three used pads every day. The time and water needed for that are not always available. Cultural taboos Cultural and religious myths also play a role in shaping perceptions around menstruation and the use of reusable products. She explained that in many communities, menstruating girls are seen as unclean or carrying wisp a term used to describe spiritual or bodily impurity. So, when you reuse a pad that has touched menstrual blood, some believe you are reusing impurity or inviting suffering. These taboos extend the stigma and discourage the use of reusable products. Ms Eguriase further explained that some of these beliefs are rooted in religious doctrines or longstanding myths, making menstrual education and cultural awareness critical. Theres no aversion to the reusable pad itself. The resistance stems from myths around menstruation. If we want to shift attitudes toward reusable products, we must first tackle the myths surrounding periods, she said. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed Umar Damagum as the substantive national chairperson of the party. The confirmation was made during the partys 102nd NEC meeting held on Monday at its national secretariat in Abuja. The NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the PDP, comprising state governors, serving and former presidents, former vice-presidents, the chairperson and secretary of the board of trustees (BoT), principal officers of the national assembly, all state chairpersons, members of the NWC, former governors, and founding members, among others. After the confirmation, the PDPs National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, administered the oath of office to Mr Damagum. In a communique issued after the meeting, the PDP NEC said Mr Damagums confirmation is in recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership in stabilising the party. In recognition of the efforts of the National Working Committee (NWC) under the leadership of Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum in stabilising the party. The NEC hereby ratifies and confirms the appointment of Amb. Iliya Umar Damagum as the substantive national chairman of the party with effect from today, Monday, 25th August, 2025 until the national convention holding at Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, on 15th to 16th November, 2025, the communique said. Mr Damagum had been serving in an acting capacity since March 2023, following the suspension of Iyorchia Ayu as the national chairperson over internal party crises. READ ALSO: PDP zones 2027 presidential ticket to South His appointment as acting chairperson was later affirmed by a court ruling that upheld Mr Ayus removal. Before assuming the role, Mr Damagum was the PDP National Deputy Chairperson (North). He took over in line with the partys constitution, which stipulates that in the event of resignation or death of the national chairperson, the deputy national chairperson from the section of the country where the former chairperson comes from steps in. Mr Ayu is from Benue State, while Mr Damagum hails from Yobe State. Both states are in the North. Damagums remarks In his acceptance speech, Mr Damagum expressed appreciation to members of the NEC for confirming his appointment. This gesture is not just for me, but for all of us, because I owe it to those who have been part of this journey. I want to remind us that we came in at a very difficult time, but to the glory of the Lord, we are still united as one party. This is what has made this gesture possible. My appreciation goes to all NEC members, all PDP members here and at home, he added. The Nigerian government on Monday signed a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the Federative Republic of Brazil, paving the way for direct flights between both countries. This is contained in a statement by Tunde Moshood, special adviser on media and careommunications to Nigerias Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in Abuja on Monday. The agreement was signed in Brazil by Nigerias Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and Brazils Minister of Transport, Mr Silvio Costa Filho. The event was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria and President Luiz da Silva of Brazil. According to the statement, the BASA establishes a framework for direct air connectivity between Nigeria and Brazil, unlocking new opportunities for trade, tourism, investment, and people-to-people exchange. The agreement is also expected to promote stronger economic integration, enhance cultural relations, and deepen diplomatic cooperation between the two countries. This agreement is a strategic milestone that underscores President Tinubus administrations commitment to expanding Nigerias global partnerships and creating an enabling environment for commerce and mobility, the statement said. Mr Tinubu began a two-day state visit to Brazil on Monday, during which the BASA was signed. He was warmly received in Brasilia by President da Silva, marking a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties between the largest economies in Africa and South America. In his remarks, the Brazil president lauded the agreement and expressed Brazils readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in aviation, agriculture, infrastructure development, and other key areas. During the visit, Mr Tinubu is also scheduled to meet with the President of the Brazilian Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court. The working visit will feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, highlighting both nations commitment to mutual growth and prosperity. Mr Tinubu was accompanied by senior cabinet members, including the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu. Others in the delegation include Festus Keyamo, minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development; Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security; as well as other top government officials. (NAN) The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has confirmed new appointments as part of efforts to reform its secretariat and align operations with international best practices. In a statement on Sunday, the new Director of Media and Strategic Communications, Yunusa Abdullahi, said the move would strengthen capacity in human capital, security, economy, and communication. Mr Abdullahi explained that the appointments followed a comprehensive review by Deloitte, engaged to re-engineer NGF processes and reinforce its mandate as a subnational policy hub. He stressed that the changes were not merely administrative, but marked a deliberate shift towards a more agile and results-driven institution. According to him, the new leadership team is led by Abdulateef Shittu, who now serves as the Director-General. Other appointments include Edmund Nnaji, a legal practitioner with vast corporate law experience, as executive director, finance and administration. Dauda Yinusa, a professor and former commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development, was named Executive Director, Policy, Strategy and Research. Ahmad Abdulwahab was appointed executive director, Programmes and Partnerships, bringing his deep expertise in health systems reform and programme management. Also appointed was Chijioke Chuku as general counsel and Head of Energy, a seasoned lawyer with over 20 years of policy and legal experience. Hauwa Haliru-Hassan was elevated to director, Gender Affairs, and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum (NGSF). Ibrahim Ahmad Katsina was appointed senior security adviser, with three decades of experience in security and conflict resolution. Mr Abdullahi himself assumes the role of director of Media and Strategic Communications. He emphasised that the appointments reflect NGFs commitment to building a multidisciplinary leadership team capable of tackling Nigerias governance challenges, from economic transformation and security to human capital development. (NAN) The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States, following recent massacre of worshippers. The party made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, following the killing of several citizens in the two states. Mr Abdullahi said the ADC was deeply concerned about the recent massacre in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, where worshippers were shot dead in a mosque during dawn prayers, while others were killed in their homes across villages. In view of the foregoing, ADC therefore calls for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara States until the government is able to stem the tide of bloodshed in those places and restore some order, he said. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to embark on total re-evaluation of Nigerias national security architecture to adequately protect the lives and property of Nigerians. The recent call by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) for citizens to acquire self-defence skills is perhaps the most honest indicator yet that there is a need to rethink the entire internal defence system, he said. Mr Abdullahi decried what he described as the insensitivity of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the plight of citizens, saying the two dominant parties were only concerned about power and politics. He faulted the decision of PDP governors to hold a political meeting in Zamfara State just days after the tragic killing of residents in the state, describing the action as grossly insensitive. (NAN) South African opposition figure, Julius Malema, has extolled Nigerias contributions towards ensuring South Africas freedom from apartheid. Mr Malema, the founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), also condemned xenophobia in South Africa, calling it a betrayal of African unity. Mr Malema spoke at the opening of the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Enugu State, on Sunday evening. He said Nigeria was one of the countries that stood firmly by South Africa, during the countrys darkest hour. I must reiterate once again that it is a deep honour to stand before you today in Enugu State in Nigeria, a country that holds a special place in the hearts of all South Africans. We understand history, feel solidarity and appreciate the sacrifice made by others in the course of our history. Nigeria is not just another African country to us, he said. He recalled that when South Africa was shackled by apartheid and their people were murdered, imprisoned, and denied basic humanity, Nigeria rose as a giant for justice, placing his country squarely at the centre of its corridors. According to him, Nigeria set up the Southern African Relief Fund and mobilised its citizens to contribute to the liberation struggle. Even as it faced its own challenges at home, these initiatives raised millions of dollars to support the liberation of South Africa as people paid directly from their salaries to contribute to the liberation struggle. Nigerian students sacrificed a portion of their income, through the Mandela Tax, which supported an educational training programme for Black South Africans. A successive Nigerian government never stopped in their material and moral support for South Africas liberation. In fact, the Nigerian government boycotted the 1976 Olympic Games and the 1979 Convention of the Multiculturalists, Mr Malema said. He added that Nigerian students did not only contribute through Mandela Tax, but also, through protests in opposition to apartheid. We can neither forget all those who stood by us during difficult times, nor can we forget that when Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, one of his earliest international visits was Lagos and Abuja to personally thank the Nigerian people. These gestures are the foundation of a bond sealed in blood and sacrifice. However, this history must not remain in the past. This bond between South Africa and Nigeria must be carried forward into the present, not just in political sentiment but in concrete economic collaboration as both our nations stand as giants of the continent, he stressed. South Africa-Nigeria collaboration Mr Malema urged collaboration between both countries, to tap into areas where one has advantage over the other. He identified, mining, advanced infrastructure, financial system, entrepreneurial spirit, oil and gas resources and cultural dynamics, as areas that both countries could work together. Together, we hold the keys to Africas industrialisation and economic independence when we consider what lies beneath our soils. Nigeria is blessed with abundant oil, natural gas, and a growing agricultural sector. South Africa holds some of the richest deposits of platinum, gold, manganese, and coal in the world. Combined, we possess the minerals that power modern technology, the energy resources that fuel global industry and the human capital to build a self-sufficient continent, he said. Mr Malema, however, expressed regrets that with all their potential, abundance of natural resources, both nations remain strapped in neo-colonial arrangements where our raw materials are extracted cheaply. These raw materials are exported to Europe, America, and Asia only to be sold back to us at crazy prices as finished goods, he said. According to him, both countries can build factories and process their resources on African soil. Imagine a joint programme where South African mining expertise is combined with Nigerian oil wealth, to create African-owned energy and resources. Imagine agricultural cooperation where Nigerian fertile lands provide food security for the continent, supported by South African machinery, logistics, and technology. Imagine a collaborative investment in renewable energy, where South African solar potential and Nigeria gas reserves are harnessed to build an integrated African power grid, he said. Mr Malema noted that South African companies such as MTN, SPAR, Multichoice and others had made significant progress in Nigeria through creation of jobs and services. He also said that the Nigerian businesses and investors, and cultural industries had equally expanded to South Africa. Specifically, he said Nigerian music, films and writings influence South African culture. Mr Malema, however, lamented that the cooperation has been uneven and, at times, marked by suspicion and the painful experience of xenophobia. He specifically denounced South Africas hostility and discrimination against Nigerians and citizens of other African countries, manifesting in violence, killings, looting, and attacks on their businesses. According to him, xenophobia is a betrayal of African unity and a sickness born of poverty. (NAN) President Bola Tinubu arrived in Brasilia early Monday for a two-day state visit aimed at deepening Nigeria-Brazil relations. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the presidential aircraft, Nigerian Air Force One (NAF-001), nicknamed Eagle One, touched down at Brasilia International Airport around 12:30 a.m. local time, 4. 30 a.m. (Nigerian time) Mr Tinubu was received by Carlos Duarte, Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, Carlos Jose Moreno Garcete, Ambassador of Brazil to Nigeria and top Nigerian government officials including Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. The president then proceeded directly to his hotel where he will be based during the visit. At his hotel, he was received by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State. Others present were Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole. Among others who were present were Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji. NAN reports that the Nigerian leader is scheduled to meet with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other senior Brazilian officials on Monday at the Palacio da Alvorada. President Tinubus agenda will focus on boosting cooperation in aviation, agribusiness, livestock, security, trade, and cultural exchange with Latin Americas largest economy. Key discussions will also explore partnerships in agriculture, energy transition, regional security and areas of mutual strategic interest. A major highlight will be the signing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil. Breakout sessions and sideline meetings involving Nigerian ministries will complement the high-level talks. (NAN) South African opposition activist, Julius Malema, has urged African nations to unite against external forces seeking to divide them and subject them to exploitation. Mr Malema made the call on Sunday at the opening of the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held at the International Conference Centre, Enugu, Enugu State. He warned that Africa must never allow imperialist forces to divide the continent, stressing the need to resist those determined to exploit its land and resources. We want the land of Africa returned to Africans. We want African minerals restored to the continent because they belong to our people, he declared. Mr Malema, founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), also stressed the need to build industries in Africa to process its natural resources locally. According to him, Africa possesses the capacity to industrialise and must stop the continuous extraction of its resources by imperialist forces bent on maintaining dominance. He demanded a borderless continent. We want one Africa with one president, one currency, one military command and one parliament, he said. He argued that a unified African currency would be stronger than the American dollar, adding: We are not subjects of foreign policies. Mr Malema urged Africans to present themselves as one people, equal to world powers such as China, Russia, and America, and not as a fragmented continent. We are not a dark continent. How can we be dark when diamonds shine among us? We are a shining nation, he said. He regretted that Africa had endured imperialist exploitation for too long, insisting that Pan-African solidarity was the only sustainable path forward. Our salvation will not come from Washington, London, Brussels, or Beijing. It lies in Africa itself, the activist stated. Mr Malema called for stronger NigeriaSouth Africa cooperation to transform the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from a mere document into a reality improving citizens lives. Together, we can demand fair trade, protect industries, and invest in education, technology, and innovation. Africa is not a begging power but a continent of giants, he said. He further emphasised that Africans must reject xenophobia, love one another, and build unity to teach the world how to respect the continent. We cannot mistreat one another and expect outsiders to treat us better. The unity of Africa is paramount, Mr Malema added. (NAN) South African opposition leader Julius Malema has said Africa must collaborate to industrialise and grow the continents economy rather than depending on foreign loans. Mr Malema, president of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a major opposition political party in South Africa, spoke on Sunday evening during his opening remarks at the Nigeria Bar Associations Annual General Conference in Enugu. The EFF president said Nigeria and South Africa have the potential to lead the quest for the continents industrialisation and economic growth, explaining that collaborative investments in the power sector, for instance, can solve the continents electricity supply woes. Combined, we possess the minerals that power modern technology, the energy resources that fuel global industry, and the human capital to build a self-sufficient continent. The path forward is clear: Nigeria and South Africa must industrialise together, build factories together, and process our resources on African soil, he said. Our salvation in our hands The politician argued that the salvation of Africa can only be done by Africans and not foreigners, insisting that Africans must work together for the progress of the continent. We must reject the illusion that our salvation will come from Washington, London, Brussels, or Beijing. Our salvation lies here in Lagos and Johannesburg, in Abuja and Pretoria, in the hands of Africans who refuse to be divided, he said. Foreign loans are debt traps Mr Malema warned African governments against taking unchecked foreign loans which he described as a debt trap that could mortgage the continents future. The debt trap of Africa to our foreign colonisers must be stopped, and that begins by regulating these loans that our leaders commit future generations to, because they will not be there when the colonisers come to collect, he said. The EFF leader said his party has introduced the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill in South Africa to checkmate loans from these institutions. The Public Finance Management Amendment Bill will in South Africa deal with a problem facing the whole continent, and that is the unregulated borrowing of money by our governments from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. This bill, which we have introduced as the EFF, will require that the National Treasury in South Africa first seek approval from Parliament to source foreign loans and establish transparency regarding such loans and their conditionalities, he said. ALSO READ: Malema urges African unity against external domination The EFF leader also praised Nigerias historic contribution to South Africas independence and victory over apartheid rule, describing Nigeria as a giant of justice in Africa. Malemas politics at a glance The EFF leader has been known for his outspoken views and controversial chants, including the decades-old anti-apartheid song Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer. The song has been a contention, with some parties representing white South Africans attempting to ban it. He vowed to continue using controversial chants despite criticism from US President Donald Trump. In May, during a White House meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mr Trump showed a video featuring Mr Malemas chants to support his claims of white genocide in South Africa. The US president demanded from his South-African counterpart why Mr Malema had not been arrested for the controversial chants. However, Mr Malema responded that he, will never be intimidated by Donald Trump. He denied genocide in South Africa and maintained that the US would not be allowed to dictate to South Africa. Mr Malema, a former leader of the youth wing of the African National Congress South Africas ruling party since the end of apartheid in 1994 was expelled from the party in 2012 and formed the EFF in 2013. He is a feisty critic of the South African government led by President Ramaphosa. The politician is also an advocate of the controversial expropriation of White South Africans land, a key component of EFFs economic freedom manifesto touted as measure to correcting land ownership imbalance skewed in favour of the While during the apartheid rule in the country. Mr Malema has also called for the unification of African countries to match the economic strengths of the US and the European Union. The police in Anambra State, South-east, say they have begun an investigation into the alleged chaining of a man for five years by his father in their compound in the state. The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday. How it happened Last week, a video clip surfaced on social media showing some angry youths from Igbo-Ukwu interrogating an old man over the whereabouts of his son, simply identified as Chigbo, popularly known as Agudo. Igbo-Ukwu is a community in the Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. The youths said in the clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES that the father and the family had claimed that Chigbo travelled to Europe in search of greener pastures. Where is Chigbo, our brother? If hes dead, tell us. If hes chained, lets see him in chains. If you used him for sacrifice, inform us too, one of the youths told the old man in Igbo language. The person in question, I gave birth to him. If hes dead, its my business, the man responded in Igbo language. No. no, the youths protested. In another clip, the youths searched the compound and found the victim in chains inside a batcher. The youths broke the chain and freed the victim who was looking haggard and unkempt. Police speak In the Sunday statement, Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has deployed police operatives to investigate the incident. He said the police commissioner praised the youths for the proactive role they played in uncovering the incident, which he described as a clear example of community partnership in policing. Preliminary inquiries are ongoing to establish the facts, safeguard the victims well-being, and the Command assures that where culpability is established, those responsible will be held accountable in accordance with the law, the police spokesperson said. Mr Ikenga said the victim has now been rescued and is currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital. Further development shall be communicated, he assured. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reportedly told a close aide that he will run for president in the 2027 general election. He reportedly said his aim is to rescue Nigerians from poverty. Tunde Olusunle, a spokesperson for Atiku during the 2023 presidential election, told journalists that Atiku declared his ambition to him. I will run in 2027. Nigeria needs to be decisively rescued from the intensive care unit it has been consigned. The degeneration in our country, the level of poverty and pain, the anguish, is unacceptable, Mr Olusunle quoted Atiku as saying. Mr Olusunle spoke in an interview with ThisDay newspaper on Sunday. The accompanying deceit, the loss of values, the mega-scale, unimpeded thievery and the absolute lack of accountability must disturb every concerned patriot. I will be offering myself to lead the reclamation and reconstruction of our traumatised homeland, Mr Olusunle further quoted the former vice president as saying. The announcement comes against the backdrop of doubts about whether the former vice president, a key promoter of the ADC opposition coalition, would throw his hat in the ring again. Some of his allies had previously claimed that Atiku might be taking a step back from the election. Recently, Ola Olateju, a professor who represented Atiku at an ADC event in Lagos to receive defectors into the coalition, hinted that the former vice president was no longer interested in contesting. This had generated speculations that Atiku might play a backseat role in brokering unity within the opposition rather than actively pursuing the presidency. The former vice president lost the 2023 presidential election to President Bola Tinubu. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Atikus presidential interest is expected to complicate ongoing negotiations within the ADC, which is struggling to balance regional power demands and the ambitions of its leading members. While the former vice president, from Adamawa State, is positioning himself to be the coalitions candidate, former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, both of whom have declared their interest in contesting, are pushing for the presidential ticket to be zoned to the South. READ ALSO: Police speak on man allegedly confined for five years by his father Mr Obi, who contested under the Labour Party in 2023, has promised to deliver competent, capable, and compassionate leadership if given the mandate. He has also indicated a willingness to serve only a four-year tenure as part of a rotational arrangement that would return power to the north thereafter. Mr Amaechi, who lost the 2022 APC presidential primary to President Bola Tinubu, has also revived his ambition and is banking on the coalition to provide a platform for his comeback. Atiku, however, is expected to resist any zoning arrangement that sidelines him, particularly given his presidential ambition that dates back to 1993. His determination to run again may likely ignite a crisis within the coalition over both zoning and succession agreements. The head of the Palestinian community in Nigeria, Ramzy Abu Ibrahim, was arrested in Abuja on Friday by operatives who identified themselves as members of an anti-terrorism squad, according to his relatives. A family member told SaharaReporters that Mr Abu Ibrahim was taken from his residence in the Federal Capital Territory and that the family has not been informed of his location or the reason for his detention. An official at the Palestinian Embassy in Abuja told the platform that the mission is aware of the development and is still seeking details. Yes, we heard about it and we are still trying to process the information, the official was quoted as saying. Mr Abu Ibrahim has lived in Nigeria for decades and has been publicly identified in Nigerian media and by public figures as the leader of the Palestinian community in Nigeria, as seen here and here. His relatives suggested his detention might be linked to his recent public advocacy over attacks on journalists and civilians in Gaza, PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify that claim. This newspaper has reported the Israeli war and Gaza and its toll on civilians, including journalists. Many experts say Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted for crimes committed in Gaza. On Monday, international outlets reported that Israeli airstrikes hit Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, killing at least 1520 people, including several journalists. Those reported killed include Hussam al-Masri (a Reuters contractor), Mariam (Maryam) Dagga (an AP freelancer), and Mohammed Salama (Al Jazeera), while Reuters photographer Hatem Khaled was wounded. Authorities said they were investigating. As of press time, Nigerian security agencies had not issued a public statement on Mr Abu Ibrahims arrest or whereabouts. PREMIUM TIMES sent an inquiry to police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, requesting further details about the incident. He has not yet responded. Zakari Mijinyawa, the spokesperson for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), could not be reached. When contacted, his line was busy, and an SMS sent to him had not been responded to. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has declared its support for all the recent decisions taken by the partys organs and committees, including those arising from the recent Zamfara and Lagos meetings, to stabilise the party. The resolution was taken at an emergency meeting of the caucus in Abuja on Monday. Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Caucus Leader, Fred Agbedi (Bayelsa), said lawmakers of the 10th House are fully aligned with moves by the PDP leadership to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general election. As representatives, we ensure that we support the position of the party, to create more stability, peace, and strengthen this party to ensure that we take victory in the presidential and other elections by 2027, Mr Agbedi said. He dismissed claims of unresolved internal disputes, stressing that the caucus had unanimously adopted the partys decisions and was committed to working in synergy with the leadership. There are no lingering crises. We have no issue with lingering crises. What we have told you is that the caucus adopts all the decisions of the committees and organs of the party, and we are ready to work with them, he added. Mr Agbedi further noted that the lawmakers are determined to contribute to ongoing reconciliation efforts and to ensure the party emerges stronger. The PDP has about 100 members in the 360-member lower chamber. PDPs Struggles and Road to 2027 The PDP has been enmeshed in internal wrangling, factional disputes, and declining electoral fortunes in the recent past. Divisions among governors, conflicting interests at the national leadership level, and a loss of dominance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) have raised concerns about its ability to mount a strong challenge to the ruling party in 2027. Earlier in June, former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, warned that unless drastic measures are taken to resolve the internal crises, the PDP risks becoming a political carcass. Party organs have therefore intensified efforts to forge unity and restore internal cohesion, with Mondays caucus resolution seen as a step towards consolidating that drive. The fallout from the 2023 elections, where the PDP failed to reclaim the presidency and lost ground in several key states, deepened cracks within the party. Disagreements over zoning arrangements and the role of the G-5 governors further weakened its national structure, leaving it vulnerable to defections and rival alliances. However, the PDP, which was in power at the federal level between 1999 and 2015, has been making efforts to resolve the crises plaguing it. Apart from the ongoing meeting of its national executive committee, the party has also fixed its elective national convention for November in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, who chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Convention Zoning Committee, announced on Monday that the committee has been directed by the party leadership to recommend zoning of the presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election. Mr Diri disclosed this in his opening remarks at a meeting of the committee in Abuja, held just before the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for later in the day. He said the decision to zone the presidency was concluded at an earlier meeting of the PDP Governors Forum in Gusau, Zamfara State, on Saturday, where representatives of the Board of Trustees (BOT), former governors, ministers, and other organs of the party were in attendance. At the meeting in Gusau, in Zamfara States, the party was also represented, the BOT was also represented, and other organs of the party were represented, former governors, former ministers were represented, and one of the decisions that was arrived on in that meeting is that we should not only zone the party offices, but as a national zoning committee, that we should equally zone the presidency. So that arose from that meeting, Mr Diri explained. On 14 August, the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, inaugurated the 44-member zoning committee to recommend how the partys national offices will be distributed across Nigerias six geopolitical zones ahead of its next elective national convention. Zoning controversies in PDP In the recent past, zoning of the presidential ticket has been a contentious issue within the PDP. Traditionally, the NEC sets up committees to recommend how national offices and the presidential ticket should be shared among Nigerias six geopolitical zones. However, the partys failure to reach consensus in the past has often generated internal crises. For instance, a 37-member zoning committee led by former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, was divided in the buildup to the 2023 elections. Southern leaders insisted the ticket should be reserved for the South in the spirit of fairness, while northern leaders argued it should remain in the North because of the regions perceived lack of benefit from the 2019 election outcome. The disagreement forced the PDP to throw the contest open, a decision that paved the way for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, from Adamawa State in the North-east, to emerge as the partys flagbearer. That decision deepened the crisis within the opposition party at the time, which forced some members of the party and five governors led by former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to oppose Atikus emergence and work against him during the election. Mr Wike, now the FCT minister, was an aspirant but lost to the former vice president in the primary election. Atiku, who was also the partys presidential candidate in the 2019 election, has since resigned from the party under which he became the countrys vice president in 1999. NEC to take the final decision Although the Diri-led zoning committee has been mandated to make recommendations, the NEC remains the final authority to approve or reject its proposals. During the committees meeting, the Bayelsa governor expressed confidence that the party leadership would embrace the committees work. After we gave our reports, what we have done in our last meeting, they were happy with our reports, but now also directed that we should go ahead, that even by the section of the constitution of our party that they quoted in our appointment letters, it is clear that we need to do the zoning of both the party offices and the presidency. So today, we are also going to look at that, and the same today, as we are all aware, we have, the NEC meeting, National Executive Committee meeting at 2 p.m., and that is why we convened this meeting earlier than the NEC meeting, so that we will take far-reaching decisions and finish our job, and our assignment, and report back to NEC of what we have done, he added. United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has charged African defence chiefs to take full ownership of the continents security. Mrs Mohammed, who gave the charge at the opening of the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Forum in Abuja on Monday, warned that violent extremism, cyber warfare and climate change are reshaping Africas stability She described the summit as the birth of a new era in African security cooperation, noting that it was a rare opportunity to connect the boots on the ground with the policies that shape the continents collective future. Africa today is the epicentre of global terrorism deaths. Attacks in West Africas coastal states have surged by 250 per cent in just two years. By the end of last year, 14,000 schools were closed in the Sahel due to conflict. We risk losing an entire generation, she warned. The Deputy UN chief, who is a former Nigerian Minister of Environment, also highlighted new and emerging threats. Cyberspace today is a battlespace. Once it was the radio that carried messages of hate and incited genocide; today, it is social media, amplifying division at terrifying speed, she said. On artificial intelligence, Mrs Mohammed cautioned that while AI could help predict food insecurity and detect landmines, it also raises profound risks for human rights, dignity and the rule of law. According to her, Algorithms are already being used to make life-or-death decisions, a responsibility that must remain human. She equally underscored the role of climate change in fuelling insecurity. The shrinking waters of Lake Chad alone have displaced over three million people. The evidence is overwhelming, and the consequences are undeniable, she added. Mrs Mohammed urged African leaders to act collectively, stressing that security could not be pursued in isolation as it was inseparable from development, human rights, and climate resilience. Above all, Africa will not be a bystander. Africa will take ownership of its security, harness technology for peace, and protect its people. Nearly 1.5 billion Africans are counting on us to rise to this moment, she said. In his remarks, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, Lansana Kouyate, urged African leaders to pursue collective security, stressing that peace remained the foundation of sustainable development on the continent. Mr Kouyate said the gathering of defence chiefs from all 54 African countries signalled a historic step in confronting terrorism and insecurity. For the first time, the Chiefs of Defence of the whole continent are together. This shows how important the subject is. Without peace, there is no development, he said. The former prime minister noted that Africa was too often perceived as a single country rather than a continent of diverse nations, a legacy of both history and colonisation. He said he would further present ideas on innovative financing for security through public-private partnerships during the forums sessions. (NAN) Five Palestinian journalists were killed by Israeli air strikes in the Southern Gaza Strip on Monday. The Gaza health ministry disclosed that the journalists died after an attack on Southern Gazas main hospital, which resulted in the death of no less than 20 people. The slain journalists were affiliated with international outlets, including the Associated Press, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Middle East Eye. One of them, identified as Mohammad Salama, was an Al Jazeera journalist, and another, Hussam Al-Masri, worked with Reuters. This comes two weeks after five Al Jazeera journalists, including Anas al-Sharif, who was a prominent voice for the news channel, were killed in an attack near al-Shifa Hospital in the City. The journalist had been targeted in an air raid at the hospitals main gate alongside his colleagues. PREMIUM TIMES reported that, shortly after the attack, Israeli forces claimed responsibility for the attack, describing Mr al-Sharif as a member of Hamas terrorist organisation who posed as a journalist for Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera denied the Israeli claim and international human rights organisations condemned the killing. Commenting on the latest attack, the Israeli military, in a statement, confirmed that it had carried out a strike in the area, adding that it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. Meanwhile, the Gaza Ministry of Health said the hospital was hit with a double tap strike, implying that it was struck twice. According to Gazas civil defence, at least one emergency responder was killed in the attack. So far, Israel has killed at least 62,744 people and wounded 158,259 in its war on Gaza. Aside from the military strikes on Gaza, hunger and malnutrition are further aggravating the death toll in the strip. Within the past 24 hours, about 11 people have died of starvation, including two children, as Israels restrictions on aid push Gaza deeper into famine. According to the Gaza health ministry, malnutrition has so far claimed the lives of 300 people, including 117 children. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 55-year-old suspected drug kingpin, Mohammed Abubakar, alias Bello Karama, and five members of his syndicate at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano. The arrest followed the detention of three innocent Nigerian pilgrims in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after illicit drug consignments were secretly tagged to their names. NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja. Mr Babafemi was accompanied to the briefing by the agencys Director of Assets and Financial Investigation, Abdul Ibrahim, and the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo. Mr Babafemi explained that the case came to light after the families of the three detained pilgrims petitioned the NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, over the wrongful detention of their relatives. The detainees Maryam Abdullahi, Abdullahi Aminu, and Abdulhamid Saddiq- had travelled on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET940 from Kano to Jeddah, via Addis Ababa, on 6 August. Investigations revealed that six additional bags, not belonging to the pilgrims, were checked in against their names. Three of the bags were later found to contain illicit drugs. According to Mr Babafemi, Mrs Abdullahi had only checked in one bag weighing 9kg, which did not arrive with her in Jeddah. The luggage was eventually delivered on 16 August, a day before her scheduled return on 17 August, when she was detained. The same pattern applied to the two other pilgrims. NDLEAs swift investigation revealed that the bags intercepted in Saudi Arabia were checked in against the complainants names by members of a criminal syndicate operating at MAKIA, without their knowledge, the spokesperson said. He added that the bags were traced to the syndicate leader, who had checked them into Ethiopian Airlines on 6 August while he himself travelled to Jeddah aboard Egypt Air with three other bags. Mr Babafemi further disclosed that the operation involved staff of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company, who illegally tagged the bags. He confirmed that the six suspects are now in NDLEA custody, with four of them already charged in court and awaiting arraignment. Mr Babafemi said the syndicate leader admitted to bringing in seven bags and that one suspect confessed to checking in two of the bags for a fee of N100,000, while another admitted to checking in two additional bags for the same amount. He added that receipts of N200,000 in transfers from the leader to the suspects were also recovered. On international efforts, Mr Babafemi said the NDLEA is engaging with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control (GDNC) in Saudi Arabia to secure justice for the detained pilgrims. He noted that the NDLEA Chairperson is scheduled to attend an international drug conference where GDNC officials will be present and may personally travel to Saudi Arabia to pursue the release of the detainees. Mr Babafemi assured Nigerians that the agency would not allow its citizens to suffer unjustly for crimes they did not commit. He stressed that while NDLEA remains committed to tackling drug trafficking and substance abuse, innocent persons must not be punished. The spokesperson commended the minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Aviation Security (AVSEC), and the State Security Service (SSS) for their collaboration and interim measures introduced at MAKIA to prevent a recurrence. God is now calling the Nigerian church back to her proper place. Wake up, church. Thank God for our numerical size, gigantic structures, massive estates, global networks, and numerous foreign bank accounts. But if we dont leverage these capabilities to fulfil the mandate of heaven in walking in love, showing compassion and sympathy to serving pastors, members, and our communities, we would have established a global definition of failure. God does not reward numbers before faithfulness. Come over to Macedonia and help us. (Acts 16:9) When they contacted me that a young engineering student was dying in the hospital, my first question was, Is your pastor aware? Then, Have you reached out to the church you have been serving in very faithfully? The answer broke me down, Yes sir, we reached out but were not even allowed to see Papa. The sycophants around the servant of God blocked the access of the poor widow to seeing the highly revered servant of God. I rallied round to raise funds for the boy. A few days after I sent the first batch of funds, the brilliant boy died. I broke down. I refused to collect the money back from the mother. She asked for one million naira, but I sent three hundred thousand naira to her, contributed by three of us. My plan was to give her an advance of what the doctors asked for in order to admit him, pending when we raised the balance of the funds. I didnt know the woman. She had never sent a kobo to me before. I had never received a tithe from her. She spent all her life paying her tithe and offerings to this church in Nigeria. But she was betrayed by a church that was too big for the cries of a poor widow. If I start to mention cases here, I would write a whole book that catalogues the woes of many people whose hopes of support were dashed in their times of pains by the churches they served all their lives. Recently, a lady yelled out to the public the following words, my father served very faithfully as a pastor for this church for more than thirty years. He gave his all, sold his house to support our founder. He basically abandoned us and my mum, scarcely having time for us at home in order to serve the church. But after he lost his business and his health failed, the church abandoned him. Are those lines familiar? Virtually most of the people I know who made enormous sacrifices in serving at various levels in some of our churches were betrayed very callously by the church in their times of crises and pain. In fact, many of the children of these people have vowed never to be part of anything called church again. We have now become too big to see the tears of the weak and too fat to hear the cries of the weak. Numerical and financial might have blinded us. A few weeks ago, I received a distress call from a close follower who narrated a sad development in a very famous church to me. According to him, many of the serving pastors in this church have resorted to looting, stealing, and engaging in every available form of corruption in order to make money to fend for their families, having being abandoned by the founder to their own destinies. In his words, a lot of our pastors are rogues. Yet, this church brandishes its size and prominence in the land, fending off criticisms and constructive commentaries from concerned public on the apparent misalignment between its dominant values and those of Christ. To me, the desire for continued numerical and financial growth has blinded our eyes and consciences to the main task of the church to raise disciples; to shine the light of Christ in a dark world; to walk in love towards one another; and to reveal the kingdom of God and its values to a failing world. In these areas, we have failed woefully. I have practically lost count of the number of people, serving pastors, regular members, and ministers from various ministries who have cried for help and fallen on my shoulders in their times of painful need. There was no help or succour of any kind from the places they had served so meritoriously and sacrificially, other than for those places to continue brandishing their size and massive wealth. Some of these people have actually lost their faith or are on the brink of bidding the church bye-bye, given the sad reality of life that has now set in for them they have wasted their time for years serving in that ministry. Sadly, these churches care less. In this respect, the church has been consumed by its attraction to size. The church is now too big for the cries of the weak. And he cried out, saying, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me' (Luke 18:38). Verse 40 says, And Jesus stood still. That was the son of God, halting His busy itenary to attend to a poor beggar. He stood still for the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-5). He stood still for the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:30). The list is endless. We cant be busier than the one who carried the whole worlds matter on His head. Dr David Jeremiah once said, if the value of a thing should be measured by its eternal impact, then investing in the lives of those who will live forever should be number one on our list. I love big things: big houses, big cars, big churches, big businesses, and big hearts. There is nothing essentially and functionally wrong with having or chasing big things, as long as the place of God in our hearts is not dethroned by what we are chasing; what we are chasing is being acquired in righteous ways and would be used for righteous things. But there is something very worrisome and troublesome about the church in my generation. Our size is killing us softly. We are too big for eternal impact. When we were smaller, we were more relevant and impactful. Now that we are big, our size has swallowed up every iota and strain of compassion, moral consciousness, love, empathy, and sympathy dominant virtues that define Bible-based Christian faith. To me, the desire for continued numerical and financial growth has blinded our eyes and consciences to the main task of the church to raise disciples; to shine the light of Christ in a dark world; to walk in love towards one another; and to reveal the kingdom of God and its values to a failing world. In these areas, we have failed woefully. For the past forty years plus of my glorious membership of the church, I have never seen a more sedated generation of believers like ours. Its more like an opium is working overtime on the church, blinding her leadership to the cries of the weakest links among us. May it not be said of this generation that we failed because we became too big too big to feel the hurt and pain of the weak and downtrodden in our churches and across our nations. It is better to be small for something than to be big for nothing. Dont forget, I love big things. A giant in the faith, a father in Nigeria who has remained one of the loudest voices of revival in the church, recently lamented out of frustration, the future of the Nigerian church is in the past. Whether he is right or wrong is not the focus of this discourse. But the very thread of reason that underpins this statement is firmly and deeply rooted in the current dashboard of our practices in the church. We have replaced passion for eternal impact with passion for numerical and financial growth. We have exchanged love and compassion for souls both the souls that are within our churches and those that are still waiting to be reached with love and compassion for numerical and financial growth. For the past forty years plus of my glorious membership of the church, I have never seen a more sedated generation of believers like ours. Its more like an opium is working overtime on the church, blinding her leadership to the cries of the weakest links among us. May it not be said of this generation that we failed because we became too big too big to feel the hurt and pain of the weak and downtrodden in our churches and across our nations. May our size not kill us eventually. God is now calling the Nigerian church back to her proper place. Wake up, church. Thank God for our numerical size, gigantic structures, massive estates, global networks, and numerous foreign bank accounts. But if we dont leverage these capabilities to fulfil the mandate of heaven in walking in love, showing compassion and sympathy to serving pastors, members, and our communities, we would have established a global definition of failure. God does not reward numbers before faithfulness. Its the other way round, faithfulness first before numbers. Each ones work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each ones work, of what sort it is. (1 Corinthians 3:13). Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen Ministries in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through [email protected] The blue economy is central to the future of the Niger Delta region. It will strengthen our economy, lessen the burden of youth unemployment, improve food security, and support efforts to adapt to climate change. We need to tell our own story; otherwise, no one else will. We will no longer allow vested interests to hijack the narrative and twist it in furtherance of their interests and objectives. The enormous potentials that exist should be presented alongside clear pathways to overcoming existing challenges. Last weekend, I visited Ayakoro community in Bayelsa State to attend the birthday thanksgiving service in honour of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku. The experience was unique and brought me exciting memories. As we drove along, I momentarily feel asleep as a result of the cool weather. Apparently my driver missed his way, again, because he refused to wake me up. As I opened my eyes, I saw a sign that indicated that we were in Oloibiri that notable community where the oil that fuels our national economy was first discovered in commercial quantity many years ago. The picture clicked instantly. Thereafter, we saw a construction site that the villagers said is an oil museum project undertaken by the Federal Government. The residents later directed us towards another nearby community known as Otueke, where former President Goodluck Jonathan comes from. We then advanced further to a community called Onuebum, before crossing over by boat to Ayakoro. Despite the Huge Potentials Few Conversations Are Happening I was intrigued by the network of creeks, rivers and rivulets as we travelled along, although many of them appeared heavily polluted. The short boat ride provided an opportunity for me to reflect on the potentials of the blue economy in Bayelsa State, in particular, and the Niger Delta region as a whole. As I spent time thinking about the experience, I wondered why very few conversations are happening on this issue in Nigeria, yet far reaching innovations are being shaped from the oceans elsewhere in the world. The blue economy is the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, job creation and the improvement of livelihoods, while protecting the marine and coastal ecosystems. It encompasses a range of activities such as fisheries, tourism, offshore energy production, shipping, marine biotechnology, among others. In the Niger Delta, the picture we have about our rivers and oceans is one of disasters, flooding, boat mishaps, kidnapping, piracy, and oil theft, as though the negatives are all that our blue economy sector can offer. Yet, there are many jobs to be created and quantum revenue generated from beneath the surface of our creeks and waterways, from Nembe to Sapele, Andoni to Ibeno, and beyond. Regional agencies, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), as well as states and other subnational entities, play a crucial role in coordination and effectiveness. The projected target of generating $1.5 trillion for the national economy in ten years is a helpful guide. The Niger Delta region is best positioned to lead the way. However, a clear roadmap on how this will happen should be articulated as a matter of urgency. Strong Policies Must Connect With Regional Priorities Despite government efforts and intentions, many Nigerians, including those in the Niger Delta, remain unaware of the potential of the blue economy. Many aspiring professionals are yet to view the ocean as a viable career path. Policy makers still prefer to operate in traditional silos that hamper their productivity and minimise their impact, while disconnected from coastal communities. The national policy on the marine and blue economy, recently presented by the government, has been applauded as an initial positive step. However, the government alone cannot do this. Private sector players, development partners, and civil society must come together to bring solutions and adapt examples of best practices. Regional agencies, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), as well as states and other subnational entities, play a crucial role in coordination and effectiveness. The projected target of generating $1.5 trillion for the national economy in ten years is a helpful guide. The Niger Delta region is best positioned to lead the way. However, a clear roadmap on how this will happen should be articulated as a matter of urgency. We Need To Tell Our Story By Ourselves The blue economy is central to the future of the Niger Delta region. It will strengthen our economy, lessen the burden of youth unemployment, improve food security, and support efforts to adapt to climate change. We need to tell our own story; otherwise, no one else will. We will no longer allow vested interests to hijack the narrative and twist it in furtherance of their interests and objectives. The enormous potentials that exist should be presented alongside clear pathways to overcoming existing challenges. The narrative should be presented in a comprehensive yet straightforward language that is accessible to diverse audiences. Researchers must now urgently demystify complex marine knowledge into easy-to-comprehend information. Residents in coastal communities, especially women and youth, should be encouraged to share the stories of their experiences. That story should not be about risks alone but also a pragmatic approach towards developing resilience and preserving their livelihoods. It is our responsibility to amplify these coastal voices to ensure that they are heard in decision-making spaces, from boardrooms to parliaments. Thinking beyond oil should not be a slogan anymore. It should be translated into a realistic initiative pregnant with possibilities. We have an opportunity to change the course of our national history by leveraging the blue economy promises in the Niger Delta to re-launch our country to a path of sustainable prosperity. We Have Another Opportunity To Do Things Differently Strong voices in the region must take control of the conversation with clarity, urgency and purpose. Otherwise, we may lose the chance to uplift our communities again. Our approach in the Niger Delta should now be deliberately different and optimistic. Islands of progress should be encouraged and celebrated in the sea of past disappointments. The last time was during the oil boom, when we pointed fingers elsewhere to external actors far from ourselves. We accused multinational oil companies and the parasitic elite. We have another opportunity now, and we cannot afford to lose it. This time it will be inexplicable. Revamping More Ports Will Unlock Nigerias Blue Economy To make the Niger Delta the expected hub of the national blue economy efforts, decisive actions must be taken by relevant stakeholders. Multiple informed sources have confirmed that Nigerias over-reliance on the port in Lagos has continued to hinder the countrys maritime potential. Investments in port infrastructure would significantly enhance national development and improve the countrys maritime logistics framework. Revamping more ports in the country will unlock the countrys blue economy. Securing our waterways has become urgent to attract investment in marine transport. Our territorial waters have continued to serve as a haven for unregulated fishing by foreign invaders. Thinking beyond oil should not be a slogan anymore. It should be translated into a realistic initiative pregnant with possibilities. We have an opportunity to change the course of our national history by leveraging the blue economy promises in the Niger Delta to re-launch our country to a path of sustainable prosperity. Uche Igwe is a blue economy enthusiast and co-convener Niger Delta Blue Economy Investment Summit. He can be reached on [email protected] Reason and logic prevailed at last, penultimate week, when the federal government admitted the fact of the systemic dysfunction and proliferation of tertiary institutions in the country. As a result, it imposed a seven-year moratorium on the establishment of new universities, polytechnics and colleges of education at the federal level, so that the inadequacies in existing ones can be fixed. This crucial policy decision was taken at a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu. The underpinnings of this resolve were damning: the apparent lack of rigour in planning and evaluating the tertiary institutions landscape to determine the number Nigeria really needs. And, how sustainable they are. Details of the policy shift, as unfolded by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, revealed that 34 universities never had a single student applicant to them in last years Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). Also, a total of 199 universities had fewer than 100 applicants through JAMB. Similarly, polytechnics and colleges of education had a shortage of applicants, to the extent that 64 colleges of education had zero applicants. One university in the north, the minister added, ironically has 1,200 members of staff, as against its enrolment of less than 800 students. As it is obvious, the jaded argument of the lack of access to university education has officially been laid to rest in the country. Duplications of institutions and waste of resources are sticking points, as is capacity under-utilisation in some, while others are operating above their carrying capacities. The moratorium will allow the government to refocus resources on improving existing institutions by upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff and expanding their carrying capacity, Mr Alausa said. Nigeria has 72 universities, 42 polytechnics and 28 colleges of education that belong to the federal government. The states have 67 universities, while the privately-owned ones are 147. Yet, the approval of nine new private universities on the very day the moratorium was imposed on federal institutions was inconsistent with the policy intent. There are 339 universities in the country, out of which 159 are privately-owned, according to ASUU President Christopher Piwuna. A national interest education policy of this nature, in our view, carries little or no weight without an outline of the detailed measures to be taken and timelines for reversing the rot. The situation calls for emergency action. Underfunding is critical to the decline of Nigerian universities. And, this has placed ASUU in the trenches for decades, resulting in the total loss of academic calendars, or distortions, and the award of degrees that have lost their values both at home and abroad. Just last Thursday, ASUU announced its preparedness to resume its suspended strike over the federal governments failure to honour agreements it reached with it, such as that of 2009 on the revitalisation of the system and payment of staff allowances. This involved the anticipated injection of 1.3 trillion into the system in tranches of 200 billion for the first year and 220 billion annually over the next five years. This was only done in 2013. Unfortunately, the governments foot-dragging on its implementation of the agreement and the unwarranted establishment of newer tertiary institutions have complicated the inadequacies of university education in the country. This is evident in the lack of basic facilities like water, electricity, sufficient lecture halls, students halls of residence, outdated libraries, ill-equipped laboratories, low research funding, and manpower shortages. University lecturers are so poorly paid that senior professors receive about 500,000 per month, while a senator allegedly collects a monthly emolument of 21 million. It is an unjust reward system that should be revised. Academics are so indigent that many cannot subscribe to foreign journals in their respective disciplines. They deserve to be well paid, otherwise our ivory towers will keep losing their essence as centres of excellence for teaching, learning, research and innovation. Nigerians periodically weigh in with advisories, including the media. For instance, PREMIUM TIMES, in two scathing editorials on 10 and 31 March, had counselled against the 50 66 per cent dissipation of TETFunds resources, as entrenched in the Tax Reform Bill, from 2025. It was programmed to receive zero funding in 2030 and thereafter. To us, this is at odds with the progress of tertiary education in Nigeria. Funding from it has been the only lifeline to universities and allied institutions on infrastructural renewal since its existence. In the first quarter of this year, the government created nine new universities, when existing ones were in dire need of funds and facilities. The Minister of Education also decried the political pressure on the president to set up new universities and made the shocking revelation that over 200 bills for new ones were in the National Assembly. The drivel of turning universities into constituency projects which lawmakers attract should stop. Sadly, President Tinubu had before now imbibed the recklessness of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari in setting up universities. Some principal officers of the National Assembly now have universities in their villages, which triggered our fiery editorial of 31 March entitled, Tinubu, stop this gratuitous proliferation of universities. Therein, we had pointed out that: We recommend to Tinubu the minutes of the 2013 FEC meeting of 1 November on the reports of the needs of Universities. The Council found out that students cannot get accommodation; where they get, they are packed like sardines in a tiny room and there is no light and water in their hostels, classrooms and laboratories. If there is a desire to reinvent or re-imagine the system now, it has to be meticulously done to achieve the desired result. The 1.3 trillion, which ought to have been injected into the universities between 2013 and 2017, based on the 2009 ASUU/FG pact, is about 10 times in value now, given the devaluation of the naira. We need a funding Marshal Plan towards the revitalisation of the system. The moratorium on the creation of federal tertiary institutions that equally affected private polytechnics and colleges of education should have been extended to privately-owned universities too. All of them draw from the same academic manpower pool, which should justify their inclusion. Proliferation has thinned the human resources in the first and second generations of universities, such that they regularly lose the accreditation of their courses. The 2012 Needs Assessment of Universities had identified 34,000 PhD gaps, which is a basic qualification for teaching at this level. What the gap in 2025 might be, with the massive increase in universities, is better imagined. There are four federal universities in many states, including Imo, which is indicative of the rule of thumb at play, rather than planning. At a time when the quality of our degrees is suspect, the federal government announced the plan for more degree mills, with polytechnics and colleges of education being turned into degree-awarding institutions. This irrational policy should stop. If the universities are structurally deficient in their academic programmes, the situation in these lower tertiary layers would even be worse. Since 2018, the information in the public space, as revealed by JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede, is that some 600,000 existing spaces in the countrys 150 universities take care of the concern of Nigerians about access. However, the authorities never listened. Data and national interest took flight. A total of 1.6 million candidates sat the 2018 UTME, out of which only 700,000 had the minimum O-level credits in five subjects, including English language and Mathematics, which is the requirement for admission. And not all made the cut-off marks of their respective universities for admission. This has been a yearly trend. The National Universities Commission (NUC) should be more rigorous in giving its approval for the establishment of new private universities. Those without applicants and others operating below capacity purportedly met all the criteria for their existence when approved. And, with what is now known of these institutions and the racketeering in the accreditation of courses, whereby academics are hired from other universities for the exercise, these raise integrity questions about the Commissions regulatory oversight. Nigeria cant reinvent the wheel in ivory tower education. As global entities, there are universal values or standards, whether in teacher-to-students ratio, criteria for professorial appointments, vice-chancellorships or membership/leadership of their governing councils, that cannot fall below those subscribed to in other parts of the world, from Europe to America and even Asia. Failing on these metrics has been exposing the Nigerian system to corruption of sorts. In 2017, for instance, a panel set up to review the promotion of professors in a federal university in the South-east, recommended that 27 out of 31 promoted should be demoted. In 2018, seven other professors were demoted in another federal university in the South-south. But our universities could rediscover their groove, if academics and administrators in the ilk of Kenneth Dike, JF Ade Ajayi and Adamu Baike could be discovered, and appointed to lead these institutions, according to the foremost of standards. Importantly, the chairpersons of their governing councils should, more so, not be products of political patronage and aliens to the academic environment. It would take round pegs in round holes to do all it takes to restore the Nigerian academy to its requisite glory. The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two suspects linked to high-profile kidnappings in the state. In a statement forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the police spokesperson in the state, Timfon John, said the suspects were arrested around 1 a.m. on Friday. Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the suspects as Victor Tom and Nelson Samuel from Esit Eket and Ibeno local government areas of the state, respectively. Mr Tom, who is popularly known by his two aliases Igbo Man and Mami, was identified by an earlier arrested suspect as the mastermind behind the failed kidnapping attempt. He has confessed to being part of the gang that recently kidnapped two top businessmen in Eket. He has been linked to several other kidnapping incidents within the Eket area, Ms John said. The second suspect, Mr Samuel, the police said, is a boat operator who conveys the criminals and their victims to their creek. Crime rate in the state appears to be on the rise, despite breakthroughs recorded by the police. The police had, in a statement on Sunday, said its operatives raided several suspected illicit drug black spots in the state capital, Uyo, on 18 August, with many arrests made. Ms John said the operation led to the arrest of four suspects: Gideon Edet, Paul Effiong, Mfon Ikpe, and Gideon Etim. A large quantity of suspected illicit drugs and substances suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered, the police said. Operatives of the command on Saturday arrested a notorious vandal, identified as Godstime James, 23, from Midim in Abak Local Government Area of the state. The suspect, the police said, was wanted in connection with the vandalisation of school structures and private homes, and had earlier fled his community. Vandal, kidnapping suspects dominate arrests Suspected vandals have continued to dominate the list of arrests made by the police in the state, followed by suspected kidnappers and car thieves. READ ALSO: Police speak on man allegedly confined for five years by his father The police in the state last month arrested a suspected cultist and vandal, and recovered a human skull from him, this newspaper reported Two weeks earlier, this newspaper reported that the police arrested suspected vandals and thieves in the state. Two months ago, suspected vandals were arrested with several items, including copper and aluminium electricity cables. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, in January, expressed concern about the spate of vandalism of public facilities in the state, particularly electricity transformers. Mr Eno, who expressed displeasure over the menace in a meeting with the commissioner of police, said that besides the huge costs the government bears in replacing them, it also hinders rural development, a major focal point of his administration after agriculture. The Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the suspension of Valentine Asuen, its 2023 senatorial candidate for Edo South, over alleged anti-party activities. In a statement in Benin on Monday, Peter Uwadie-Igbinigi, the spokesperson of the party in the state, said the decision was taken in line with the partys constitution and disciplinary framework. According to him, Mr Asuen has been suspended from the party in accordance with the provisions of the APC Constitution 2022, as amended, as he has been found culpable of actions deemed capable of inciting division within the party. This disciplinary action became necessary following his conduct, which runs contrary to the spirit of unity, loyalty, and collective progress enshrined in our constitution. Mr Uwadiae-Igbinigie explained that the actions of the former senatorial candidate contravened Articles 21:2 (ii) & (v), and 21:5 (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) & (h) of the APC constitution (2022), adding that the offences were punishable by suspension or expulsion. These actions have been deemed to amount to inciting division within the party, thereby undermining the cohesion and discipline expected of every member. No act capable of destabilising the party or inciting disaffection amongst members will be condoned, he stressed. Reacting to insinuations of lopsidedness in the appointment of political office holders, the spokesperson dismissed the claims as untrue. According to him, the appointments made so far by Governor Monday Okpebholo are evenly spread across the state. Let it be clearly stated that all appointments made thus far by the governor have been evenly distributed across the state without any undue influence from the partys Secretary, Mr Lawrence Okah. The spokesperson urged party members to remain united and focused on the partys vision, warning that indiscipline or disloyalty would be met with firm sanctions. READ ALSO: PDP mandates committee to recommend 2027 zoning of presidential ticket in report The APC remains committed to internal democracy, discipline and protection of its integrity. We call on all members to remain steadfast, united, and committed to delivering good governance and democratic dividends to the people, he said. Mr Asuen, a prominent politician and an entrepreneur, contested the 2023 Edo South Senatorial election under the APC banner but lost to the candidate of the Labour Party, Neda Imasuen, who has since defected to the APC. He is the chairperson of the Edo Forestry Commission. There are speculations that Mr Asuens suspension is connected to some wrangling within the Edo APC and the politics of the 2027 general elections. PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately get Mr Asuens comment for the story. (NAN) Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has called on the federal government to revive the Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu seaports to unlock the states economic potential as Nigerias maritime hub. The governor made the call when the Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by its Chairperson, Adedayo Adeyeye, visited him at Government House, Asaba, on Monday. Mr Oborevwori assured of his administrations commitment to collaborate with the federal government to effectively revive the four seaports in the state to unlock the full economic potential. He insisted that the revitalisation of the ports would create jobs, attract investment, and boost national revenue. The governor said, Delta State is strategically blessed with four seaports. If these ports are revived, they will create massive employment, stimulate trade, and strengthen the economy of the Delta and Nigeria. It is often more impactful to modernise existing ports than to build new ones. He lauded the NPA for its modernisation efforts but appealed for urgent dredging of the Warri Channel and the rehabilitation of Warri and Koko port facilities, stressing that such interventions needed to be treated as national priorities. The governor disclosed that Delta was working closely with the federal government to tackle infrastructural challenges. According to him, these collaborations were already yielding results. The federal government has awarded the Summit JunctionBridge head section of the Benin-Asaba Highway to Heartland Construction Company, while the state government has awarded a section of the SapeleWarri Road project to CCECC at a cost of N35 billion. This is a clear demonstration of the positive relationship between the state and the centre. Mr Oborevwori assured potential investors of improved security in the state, noting that oil installations were no longer under frequent attacks and that the environment was now peaceful for business. He said the state had enacted a law against the collection of illegal levies and harassment of companies to protect investments. He, however, urged companies operating in the state to honour their Memoranda of Understanding with host communities by engaging local people, which strategy, he said, was key to sustaining harmony. The governor also highlighted ongoing projects, adding that Julius Berger had returned to the state for the first time in years, handling major flyover projects at PTI Junction, Enerhen Junction, and DSC Roundabout, among others. Delta State is open for business, ready for partnership, and determined to consolidate its position as Nigerias leading maritime and economic hub, Mr Oborevwori said. NPA ready to work with the Delta govt Earlier, Mr Adeyeye pledged the boards readiness to work with the Delta State Government to revive the ports in the state and enhance their contribution to Nigerias maritime economy. He said Delta seaports Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu were strategic gateways that, if fully optimised, would boost trade, create jobs, and drive economic growth. Mr Adeyeye noted that the NPA board, inaugurated in June by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, embarked on a nationwide tour of ports to assess challenges firsthand before implementing solutions. He commended the Delta State Government for supporting security around the ports, stressing that safety remained crucial to sustaining operations. He also highlighted issues of underutilisation, collapsed quays, shallow channels, and the need for a deep seaport to attract global shipping traffic. Delta ports currently contribute about 10.7 per cent of national trade volumes, which is impressive, but there is room for improvement. With stronger collaboration, we can restore the vibrancy of these ports and strengthen Nigerias maritime trade, Mr Adeyeye said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the delegation acknowledged the state governments role in fostering cordial relations with host communities and implementing corporate social responsibility initiatives to sustain peace. Another vigilante operative and four residents were killed on Friday when gunmen attacked Ajanaumuna village in Ezinachi Community, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigerias South-east. The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the attack, which occurred at about 10:30 p.m., was carried out by suspected members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network. The attack occurred exactly two days after a vigilante leader and another vigilante member were killed by suspected herders who attacked Amakohia-Ubi, a community in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state. How the latest attack occurred Mr Okoye said a member of a local youth vigilante team in the community, Emeka Ezeagwula, was shot dead alongside four other residents in the area. The police spokesperson identified the four other slain victims as Emeka Ezeagwula, Chidi Chileke and Ejike Nwankwo all males, and Chikodi Ezeagwula, the only female. The assailants further set ablaze the residence of the youth security leader and destroyed five motorcycles, Mr Okoye said. He said the police were deployed to the scene of the incident upon receipt of the distress report about the attack and even evacuated the victims to Okigwe General Hospital. Their remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary, while one survivor is currently receiving medical treatment, he said. Mr Okoye said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has condemned the deadly attack and vowed that the hoodlums would be prosecuted. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased victims, wished the injured survivor a speedy recovery, and prayed that God grant the affected families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. The commissioner urged residents of Imo State to remain calm, assuring that security had been reinforced in Okigwe and its environs. The police chief enjoined the residents to support police operatives with credible and timely information that can aid ongoing investigations. Increased attacks Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons. Okigwe is among the local government areas which have witnessed increased attacks in the state. The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities. Hundreds of people have been killed or abducted, and several others injured in some of such attacks in the region. The Nigerian government has repeatedly accused IPOB of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the separatist group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks. IPOB is a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria. The Ogun State Government has promised to complete the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Papalanto section of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Road. In an X post on Saturday, Governor Dapo Abiodun stated that work was progressing steadily on the remaining sections of the road, including Papalanto, Ifo, and Sango, promising to complete it to high standards. Our administration remains resolute in its commitment to providing quality infrastructure that enhances economic growth, facilitates ease of movement, and improves the daily lives of our people. As we continue with this project, we assure our citizens that we will not relent until the entire stretch of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Road is completed to world-class standard, he stated. Governor Abiodun said the development marks a significant milestone in the states efforts to improve its infrastructure and facilitate economic growth. He said with the completion of this section, motorists can now enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey between Abeokuta and Papalanto. Major concern The Lagos-Sango-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway has been a major concern for motorists and commuters due to its deplorable condition. The efderal road, which spans across Lagos and Ogun states, had suffered neglect for over 17 years, causing untold hardship to users and loss of life due to accidents. However, relief came when the Ogun State governor, in collaboration with his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, secured approval from the federal government to take over the construction of the 70-kilometere-long highway. This project, though a federal road, was formally handed over to us after several years of failed interventions, and we took it upon ourselves to ensure it is fixed once and for all, Governor Abiodun said. According to the governor, the completion of the Abeokuta-Papalanto section is expected to boost economic activities, reduce travel time, and improve the overall quality of life for residents. A 27-year-old woman, Aisha Maikudi Ibrahim, died on Saturday after her car reportedly somersaulted and fell into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge. Family sources told PREMIUM TIMES that Ms Ibrahim, who lived in Gbagada, was returning from an event in Ikoyi where she worked as a vendor when the crash occurred. She called her mother around 1 a.m. to say she would be home in 20 minutes, her aunt, Hadiza Oyewumi, said in a telephone interview on Sunday. By 2 a.m., her phone was unreachable. By 4 a.m., her mother became worried, and by 6 a.m., her elder sister and mother set out to look for her. Ms Oyewumi explained that on their way to the Island, the family saw emergency officials and bystanders gathered near the bridge. When we stopped, we were told there had been an accident. The cars bumper was visible, and when they checked the plate number, it matched hers, Ms Oyewumi said. The family believes the vehicle may have somersaulted at high speed, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. What they found more painful, however, was the rescue response. Officials from LASTMA and the marine police kept saying they were making calls, but no one went into the lagoon, Ms Oyewumi recounted. It was her father who eventually negotiated with local divers. They demanded N400,000 before diving in. Only after the payment did they retrieve her body. Her body was recovered between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday nearly half a day after the accident and buried immediately according to Islamic rites. In a separate statement on Sunday, Ms Oyewumi described her late niece as a promising entrepreneur with high aspirations. Still, she lamented what she called the commercialisation of human lives in the failed rescue effort. The circumstances of the crash remain unclear, but what is more painful is the response that followed, the statement read. LASTMA and marine police were at the scene, but there was no meaningful rescue. It fell to local fishermen, who demanded money before acting. In their grief, the family paid not to bargain, but to recover her body for a proper burial. ALSO READ: Lagos Lagoon Chronicles to hold in April She urged the Lagos State Government to properly equip emergency responders and formally integrate trained divers into rescue operations. Can a structure be created so that, in moments like this, money is not placed above humanity? she asked. The Centre of Excellence must not commercialise human lives. Preparedness and compassion can make all the difference. LASTMA reacts When contacted on Sunday evening, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Taofeek Adebayo, said he was unaware of the incident but promised to investigate. However, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that Ms Ibrahims body was recovered lifeless from the lagoon during a rescue operation. She explained that the body was subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police and the victims family. It was a single accident involving a Toyota Camry with registration number LSR 384 BE, which plunged into the lagoon with the driver as the lone occupant, Ms Adeseye said. Similar incident Saturdays crash was not the first time passengers have plunged into the Lagos Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge. In April 2024, an 18-seater bus swerved off the bridge at the Adeniyi Adele axis, inward Lagos Island, and hit the railings, according to Ibrahim Farinloye, Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The impact flung two passengers a man and a woman into the lagoon, while several others sustained injuries. Mr Farinloye said marine police launched a search for the missing victims, while the injured were evacuated to a nearby hospital. A 36-year-old man, Animashaun Khalid, has been handed over to the Lagos State Police Command after he was arrested for allegedly impersonating an Army Major by the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Ikeja In a statement on Monday, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Mr Khalid was arrested by soldiers at the Arena Market in Oshodi while in possession of a forged Nigerian Army identity card bearing his name and the rank of Major. The suspect was apprehended at the Arena Market, Oshodi, with a forged Nigerian Army identity card bearing his name and the rank of Major by soldiers and was immediately handed over to the Lagos State Police Command in a seamless operation, underscoring strong inter-agency collaboration, Mr Hundeyin said. He added that the case had been assigned to Special Squad I of the command for thorough investigation. The investigation aims at tracing the source of the forgery, identifying accomplices, and determining whether the suspect used the fake identity to commit other offences. The swift arrest and prompt handover underscore the importance of synergy among security agencies in tackling crime, he said. Mr Hundeyin further urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, assuring that security agencies would continue to work together to enhance safety in Lagos State. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP, the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age, has named Anna E. Banks as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, signaling a bold step forward in brand transformation, digital innovation, and member engagement. Banks is a seasoned marketing executive with three decades of experience driving growth for global consumer brands. She joins AARP from Sephora North America, where she served as Senior Vice President. At Sephora, Banks led digital transformation and personalization initiatives and spearheaded brand and performance marketing efforts that generated over $1.5B in annual revenue. Her appointment underscores AARP's commitment to reshaping the narrative around aging and amplifying its role as the leading voice for more than 120 million Americans aged 50+. In her new role, Banks will lead AARP's Marketing, Brand and Content (MBC) organization, which encompasses brand strategy, integrated communications, membership lifecycle, experience design, customer care and editorial. She will helm the organization's flagship publicationsAARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletinthe most-read print titles in the country. "Anna's ability to fuse purpose with performance makes her the ideal choice to elevate AARP's marketing efforts and elevate the brand at a time when the voice of Americans over 50 has never been more vital," said AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan. "Driven by a commitment to consumer engagement, her track record of building high-impact teams and forging strategic partnerships will be instrumental as we continue to evolve." Banks brings an extraordinary blend of corporate savvy and mission-driven passion to the role. "I'm excited to join AARP and its powerful legacy of advocacy and storytelling," said Banks. "This is a unique opportunity to build on the organization's digital transformation momentum by embracing emerging technologies to deliver value and deepen engagement with members." Prior to her tenure at Sephora, Banks served as Chief Marketing Officer for Fair Trade USA, where she led brand transformation across consumer, donor, and advocacy audiences. She has held senior marketing roles at Walmart Global eCommerce as well as digital strategy and innovation leadership roles at McCann Worldgroup. Banks' commitment to mission-driven work extends beyond her professional roles. She has served on the boards of the Museum of the African Diaspora and Katherine Delmar Burke School, and is an investor and mentor with Pipeline Angels, a network of women investors focused on supporting social entrepreneurs. She holds a bachelor's degree from Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and an MBA from Harvard Business School. About AARP AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates on social media. SOURCE AARP TAIPEI, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantech, a global leader in industrial edge computing, is proud to announce the launch of the Advantech MIC-742-AT Robotics Development Kit accelerated by NVIDIA Jetson Thor modules with NVIDIA Holoscan platform support. Designed for next-generation robotics and physical AI applications, the platform combines NVIDIA Jetson Thor's ultra-high AI compute power with built-in support for the NVIDIA Holoscan platform enabling robots to sense, understand, and act with real-time reasoning and ultra low latency sensor processing at the edge. Advantech MIC-742-AT Robotics Development Kit Next-Level AI Compute for Robotics Accelerated by the NVIDIA Jetson Thor module, the Advantech MIC-742-AT delivers up to 2,070 FP4 TFLOPS AI performance with 128GB high-bandwidth LPDDR5X memory. Designed for industrial-grade reliability, it offers a total system power consumption of just 150W, wide operating temperature support from -10C to 60C, and a compact form factor for space-constrained deployments. The platform also features 8-channel GMSL 2.0 support, enabling high-speed, low-latency sensor connectivity for advanced perception systems. These capabilities make it ideal for humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), surgical robotics, and other high-performance edge AI applications. Future-Ready Sensor Fusion and Integration Aligning with the industry trend toward sensor standardization and Ethernet packet-based transmission, Advantech is adopting NVIDIA Holoscan platform with NVIDIA GPUDirect RDMA , allowing sensor data to stream directly into GPU memorybypassing CPU bottlenecks and reducing latencyto accelerate AI inference and real-time decision-making. For developers requiring real-time multimodal sensor synchronization, Advantech offers optional MIC-FG-HSBA1 powered by Holoscan Sensor Bridge and EKI-2712X-SPE switch accessories. These enable low-latency, high bandwidth, and sub-millisecond alignment of data from multiple sensorssuch as stereo cameras, Lidar, radar, ultrasound, and IMUsensuring AI models operate on precisely timed, multimodal data for more reliable perception and decision-making in robotics. Availability The Advantech MIC-742-AT Jetson Thor Robotics Development Kit will officially launch in September 2025. For full specifications, please visit the product page at Advantech website. Advantech Holoscan Sensor Bridge (MIC-FG-HSBA1) and Holoscan Switch (EKI-2712X-SPE) accessories will be offered as add-on modules for advanced robotics applications. About Advantech: Advantech's corporate vision is to enable an intelligent planet. The company is a global leader in the fields of IoT intelligent systems and embedded platforms. To embrace the trends of IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence, Advantech promotes IoT hardware and software solutions with the Edge Intelligence WISE-PaaS core to assist business partners and clients in connecting their industrial chains. Advantech is also working with business partners to co-create business ecosystems that accelerate the goal of industrial intelligence. ( www.advantech.com ) SOURCE Advantech Co., Ltd. MIAMI, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aesthetic Partners ("AP"), the nation's fastest-growing powerhouse of elite medical aesthetics and plastic surgery brands, today announced a landmark expansion of its clinical leadership team. In line with the company's "clinician-first" philosophy, AP has elevated three of its distinguished medical leaders to new, national roles, creating a pioneering support structure for its portfolio of practices and future partners. The promotions include: John Wakelin , M.D. FACS, elevated to Chief Medical Officer Jason Pozner , M.D., elevated to Chief Innovation Officer Jeff Birchall ., M.D., elevated to Director of Scientific Education and Provider Development This strategic investment in clinical infrastructure sends a clear and powerful message to the market: Aesthetic Partners is building the industry's premier destination for top-tier talent, offering a partnership model that champions clinical autonomy, excellence, and growth. "We are not in the business of simply acquiring practices; we are in the business of empowering the brilliant clinicians who built them," said Courtney Ellenbogen, CEO of AP. "Today's announcement is an important piece of that commitment. We are investing in a fantastic clinical team to lead, mentor, innovate, and provide the robust support system that allows medical professionals to focus on what they do best: delivering extraordinary patient outcomes." The new leadership structure is designed to provide comprehensive, 360-degree clinical support across the entire organization: As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Wakelin will now oversee clinical governance, safety protocols, and ethical standards for all brands under the AP umbrella. A celebrated, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Wakelin's leadership ensures that patient safety and world-class quality remain the unshakable foundation of the full organization. will now oversee clinical governance, safety protocols, and ethical standards for all brands under the AP umbrella. A celebrated, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Wakelin's leadership ensures that patient safety and world-class quality remain the unshakable foundation of the full organization. As Chief Innovation Officer, Dr. Pozner will continue to keep the AP Platform on the cutting edge of the aesthetics and plastic surgery landscape. Dr. Pozner will lead the charge in identifying, vetting, and integrating next-generation technologies and groundbreaking treatments, ensuring that partner practices remain the definitive leaders in their respective markets. will continue to keep the AP Platform on the cutting edge of the aesthetics and plastic surgery landscape. Dr. Pozner will lead the charge in identifying, vetting, and integrating next-generation technologies and groundbreaking treatments, ensuring that partner practices remain the definitive leaders in their respective markets. As Director of Scientific Education and Provider Development, Dr. Birchall will advance the industry's most advanced peer-to-peer education and development program under AP Academy. This initiative will ensure that every provider across the AP network has access to continuous training on the latest techniques, technologies, and treatment modalities, fostering a culture of perpetual learning and mastery. This formidable new clinical leadership team provides distinct advantages for practice owners exploring M&A opportunities. It demonstrates a deep understanding that the heart of any premier practice is its clinical talent while providing first access to technologies and new innovations. By creating clear pathways for professional growth, technological advancement, and national influence, AP offers a partnership that is not an exit strategy, but an unparalleled opportunity for a clinician's legacy and team to flourish on a national stage. "AP is building a true clinical powerhouse," added Dr. Pozner. "This team provides the scaffolding for our next wave of growth and serves as a magnet for the best of the best in this industry. If you are an ambitious practice owner who values clinical excellence above all, we have built this for you." About Aesthetic Partners Aesthetic Partners is a leading medical aesthetics and plastic surgery platform dedicated to building a collaborative network of top-tier practices. With a focus on preserving the unique brand identities of its partners, AP provides unparalleled support, resources, and access to the prestigious AP Academy to foster clinical excellence and accelerated growth. For more information about Aesthetic Partners, visit www.aestheticpartners.com or contact Stephanie Swingle ( [email protected] ). SOURCE Aesthetic Partners Portfolio surpasses $4.2B in annualized revenue as Aspen Dental and ClearChoice strengthen clinical innovation and access in H1 2025 CHICAGO, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aspen Group (TAG), one of the largest and fastest-growing consumer healthcare portfolios in the U.S., reports $4.2 billion in annualized net revenue, an 8% year-over-year increase, for the first half of 2025. With strong operating leverage, portfolio-wide margin improvement, and continued same-store sales growth, TAG enters the second half of the year with significant momentum across all five brands. Built to bring better care to more people, TAG supports over 5,300 clinicians across 1,429 locations in 48 states that serve more than 35,000 patients a day through its diversified portfolio of brands: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio, and Lovet Pet Health Care. "Here at The Aspen Group, we're powering the next generation of healthcare," said Bob Fontana, chairman and CEO of The Aspen Group. "We're reshaping how care gets delivered by combining clinical leadership, breakthrough technology, and scale to reach more patients in more places. This is how we'll keep pushing healthcare forward: by giving clinicians the tools to lead and patients the access they deserve." Aspen Dental expands footprint and strengthens clinical leadership Aspen Dental added 11 new offices in the first half of 2025, expanding access to comprehensive oral health services in underserved communities. The brand also deepened its investment in clinical leadership, naming longtime practice owner Dr. Mithila Sharma to a national leadership role focused on provider development, and welcoming orthodontist Dr. Mindy J. Stream to lead support for Motto clear aligner protocols. The Aspen Group University (TAG University) continued delivering comprehensive continuing education across the organization in the first half of 2025. The learning hub, celebrating its second anniversary this year, serves clinicians across the organization with coursework in practice management, patient care protocols, and dental technologies, supported by quarterly leadership workshops and mentorship programs. "Our programs directly impact patient outcomes by ensuring the doctors in the TAG network have the latest skills and business acumen," said Katie Stangel, vice president of learning and development at The Aspen Group. "When we invest in provider growth, it strengthens the entire network." ClearChoice launches national Smiles Built For Life campaign with Lifetime Warranty ClearChoice launched its national Smiles Built for Life brand campaign, a comprehensive marketing initiative that addresses patient anxieties around dental implant treatment. The campaign is activated across broad and highly targeted channels, including TV, digital, multiple social platforms and more to reach patients at key decision-making moments. The platform emphasizes "Same Day, Done Right" permanent solutions backed by prosthodontist expertise and "No Compromises" customer treatment with transparent pricing, supported by ClearChoice's new Lifetime Warranty on full-arch zirconia restorations. "As pioneers in fixed-full arch treatment, our mission at ClearChoice has always been to provide patients with solutions they can count on for the long term," said Rahma Samow, CEO of ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers. "For 20 years, ClearChoice doctors have delivered life-changing care with a focus on quality and durability. Introducing a Lifetime Warranty for zirconia restorations builds on that legacy of strength, reliability, peace of mind, and our unwavering commitment to stand behind the care we deliver every day." ClearChoice also expanded its product offering with the launch of Endura Elite, its most advanced full-arch dental restoration featuring premium zirconia with multi-layered shading. Additionally, the brand added three new centers in the first half of 2025, including its first Hawaii location. Strategic partnerships advance innovation and care In the first half of 2025, TAG's dental brands engaged in several partnerships aimed at improving patient outcomes and treatment experiences. The company announced a new partnership between Aspen Dental and ClearChoice with the National Foundation of Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED), launching Smile Bridge by The Aspen Group to connect patients with ectodermal dysplasia dental care at no cost. Aspen Dental also strengthened its product offerings through multiple collaborations. The brand partnered with Ivoclar to introduce the Signature Elite Denture, designed to improve comfort, fit and aesthetics for denture patients. Haleon became Aspen Dental's recommended provider of at-home denture care products to help patients maintain long-term hygiene and comfort with their prosthetics. Additional partnerships expanded treatment options, including a collaboration with GLO Science that introduced new in-office and take-home teeth whitening programs available nationwide. Aspen Dental also joined forces with Swiss oral health innovator vVARDIS to provide advanced preventative care products that help reduce tooth decay and strengthen enamel. In early 2025, ClearChoice completed the rollout of SprintRay 3D dental printers across the network, enabling faster turnaround times for various implant and prosthetic services, enhanced patient outcomes and satisfaction, and potential cost savings through in-house production. The network also introduced NeoConvert, a game-changing treatment technique to convert removable dentures into fixed solutions. Designed for simplicity in every step and immediacy of delivery, NeoConvert gives patients a rapid transition to fixed teeth. ClearChoice was first to test and evaluate this innovation in 2023. Further, Straumann Group Enterprise Solutions partnered with ClearChoice to evaluate the efficacy of its EXACT Body Scan digital workflow technology that enhances planning accuracy and patient experience for full-arch treatment. Wrapping up the alpha phase of the pilot in early 2025 and then extending the work into more centers, the ClearChoiceStraumann partnership supported clinical excellence by enhancing collaboration that focuses on the patient experience and progresses dentistry to a new level. It also uncovered opportunities to drive efficiencies and elevate patient care within the DSO model. ABOUT TAG THE ASPEN GROUP The Aspen Group (TAG) was built on the simple idea of bringing better healthcare to more people. TAG supports independent healthcare practices operating more than 1,400 locations in 46 states through five consumer healthcare brands: Aspen Dental, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center, WellNow Urgent Care, Chapter Aesthetic Studio and Lovet Pet Health Care (formerly AZPetVet). Combined, the companies serve more than 35,000 patients a day and more than nine million patients each year. For more information, visit teamtag.com, and follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE TAG - The Aspen Group DOVER, Del., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Attaxion announces the addition of the Agentless Traffic Monitoring capability to its exposure management platform. Agentless Traffic Monitoring is a new capability designed to give cybersecurity teams actionable visibility into network traffic flowing to and from their digital assets all without the need to deploy any agents or sensors on these assets. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2757092/Attaxion_1.jpg Attaxion Figure 1 Figure 2 Attaxion uses real-time NetFlow data to provide its users with detailed context about inbound and outbound trafficincluding source and destination IP addresses and ports, protocol used, and timestamps of when the traffic was first and last seen. Relying on global NetFlow data instead of local sensors allows to preserve the agentless nature of the solution, making sure Attaxion remains easy to use and doesn't require deployment. Using the NetFlow data and a combination of threat intelligence sources, Attaxion can distinguish between benign and malicious traffic, offering SOC analysts and cybersecurity engineers a quick and easy way of understanding which of their IP addresses are communicating with known malicious IP addresses. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2757093/Attaxion_2.jpg Figure 1: Attaxion's new Agentless Traffic Monitoring feature, identifying malicious traffic to and from the organization's IP addresses A diverse set of connected threat intelligence feeds allows Attaxion to highlight the exact type of attack and in some cases even the exact malware family that is generating the traffic. The new feature speeds up incident response, malware detection, and threat hunting, and makes vulnerability management much more effective, allowing network administrators and security engineers to focus on what's relevant right now. "With the level of detail that Agentless Traffic Monitoring provides, security teams can immediately see which assets are interacting with known malicious infrastructure," said Max Beatty, Head of Growth & Strategy at Attaxion, "This context is incredibly valuable when prioritizing risk. If an asset with a known vulnerability is communicating with a malicious IP, that should be your top priority." The Agentless Traffic Monitoring feature is built to help reduce alert fatigue and focus remediation efforts on high-risk areas within the attack surface. Key capabilities include: Real-time traffic visibility across all exposed assets. Automatic classification of malicious traffic and attack type. Integration with threat intelligence feeds to detect attack types and malware families. Asset-level context to support vulnerability prioritization. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2757094/Attaxion_3.jpg Figure 2: Attaxion's Agentless Traffic Monitoring identifies recent command-and-control (C2) activity across malware families and timeframes Agentless Traffic Monitoring is now available for Attaxion customers as part of its growing suite of continuous monitoring tools. For more information, users can visit https://attaxion.com/capability/traffic-monitoring/ . About Attaxion Attaxion helps organizations discover, monitor, and secure their internet-facing assets. The platform combines automated discovery, continuous assessment, and guided remediation to deliver 97% greater asset visibility and AI-driven vulnerability prioritization making robust cyber defense accessible to teams of every size. To support early evaluation and integration, Attaxion is available with a 30-day free trial and an asset finder preview tool. Contact PR Team Attaxion LLC [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2757091/Attaxion_Logo.jpg SOURCE Attaxion KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla., Aug. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA]-built X 37B Orbital Test Vehicle launched yesterday on its eighth mission, lifting off at 11:50 p.m. ET aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The vehicle is healthy on orbit and proceeding with standard checkout. The X-37B launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla. on August 21 at 11:50 p.m. ET aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, commencing its 8th mission (Photo courtesy of SpaceX) Less than six months after completing its seventh mission with a landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., on March 7, 2025, the spaceplane is back in space. This mission includes a Boeing integrated service module to increase payload capacity for experimentation activities on orbit. "Our role is to make sure the spaceplane is the most reliable testbed it can be," said Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeing Space Mission Systems. "None of this happens without teamwork. Launch is the starting line for this mission, but the work that follows the quiet, methodical work on orbit, analysis and eventual return is where progress is earned." The X-37B is hosting several technology demonstrations from government partners on this mission, include laser communications and a quantum inertial sensor designed to support navigation when GPS is unavailable. On its previous mission, the vehicle executed a first of its kind aerobraking maneuver to change orbits while conserving propellant. "Having a returnable space platform allows us to learn faster," said Col. Brian Chatman, installation commander for Space Launch Delta 45. "The data we gather from the X-37B speeds decisions, hardens our architectures, and helps Guardians stay connected and on course even in contested environments. This is how we move from promising ideas to fieldable capability at pace." The X-37B is a governmentindustry partnership led by the U.S. Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, with the U.S. Space Force overseeing operations. Boeing teams primarily based in Seal Beach, Calif., and Kennedy Space Center, Fla., design, build, integrate and operate the reusable spaceplane. Since first flight in 2010, the orbital test vehicle has completed seven missions and accumulated more than 4,200 days in space, returning after each flight for inspection and augmentation. A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. Contact Zeyad Maasarani Boeing Communications +1-562-400-5533 [email protected] Boeing Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE Boeing Brennan will increase capital allocations in the Nashville industrial market ROSEMONT, Ill., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brennan Investment Group, a private real estate investment firm that acquires, develops, and operates industrial facilities throughout the United States, is pleased to announce the promotion of Andrew Mazey to Senior Vice President. This promotion reflects both Mr. Mazey's investment volume and investment performance since joining the firm in 2023. Mr. Mazey has acquired or developed four projects with an aggregate value exceeding $150 Million. Andrew Mazey, promoted to Senior Vice President In his new role as Senior Vice President, Mr. Mazey will continue to lead the acquisition efforts in Nashville, while also leading the property management, asset management and monetization of those investments. His focus will remain on value-add investments, ground-up development projects, industrial outdoor storage, single tenant net lease, and other opportunistic strategies for the firm. "Andrew has exhibited a rare skill in sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities in the highly competitive Nashville market," said Rob Gage, Managing Principal of the Carolinas-Nashville Region. "Not only has Andrew performed at a high level, but he has made lasting contributions to build our firm's brand and build very strong relationships within the industrial real estate community in Nashville. I am pleased that he will continue to lead our efforts in Nashville". "Andrew has proven himself as a skilled dealmaker and a true team player," said Kevin Brennan, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Principal of Brennan Investment Group. "We look forward to watching him continue to thrive in this expanded leadership role. Andrew's promotion underscores Brennan Investment Group's commitment to recognizing and rewarding talent that drives results and upholds the firm's core values." About Brennan Investment Group Brennan Investment Group, a Chicago-based private real estate investment firm, acquires, develops, and operates industrial properties in select major metropolitan markets throughout the United States. Since 2010, Brennan Investment Group has acquired or developed $6.5 billion in industrial real estate in 30 states. The company's current portfolio spans 29 states and encompasses approximately 57 million square feet. Brennan Investment Group co-invests with private and institutional capital to achieve outstanding risk-adjusted returns. The company has 18 regional offices throughout the United States, and the firm's management team is among the most accomplished in its industry, having invested in over 5,000 properties covering more than 60 cities throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information on Brennan Investment Group, go to brennanllc.com. CONTACT: Ursula Walendzewicz, [email protected], 8476308722 SOURCE Brennan Investment Group Building on over a decade of Oracle innovation, the Oracle Dual Boiler is designed to bring professional-quality coffee to the home barista, no matter the experience or skill level. Thanks to the machine's dual auto and manual modes, users can craft exceptional coffee effortlessly. In auto mode, coffee preparation is simplified into three easy steps - grind, brew, and milk - ensuring a consistent and high-quality result. For those who prefer hands-on control, swiping up activates manual mode, unlocking greater customization of pre-infusion, blooming, brewing, and milk texturing. This intuitive flexibility ensures that every household member can craft cafe-quality coffee to suit their taste. Featuring a stunning 5.7-inch high-definition touchscreen, Breville's largest to date, the Oracle Dual Boiler offers an immersive and intuitive experience, with vibrant animations and enhanced barista guidance for real-time feedback. Designed to evolve with its users, the Oracle Dual Boiler is Breville's most connected espresso machine yet, featuring Wi-Fi capabilities for seamless software updates and future feature enhancements. Through the new Breville+ coffee app, users can remotely power on and reheat the machine, ensuring it's ready to brew whenever you are. The Oracle Dual Boiler offers 15 preset beverages - the largest number of recipes in a Breville coffee machine to date - including espresso, flat white, latte, cappuccino, piccolo, and mocha. It brings a wide variety of cafe-style drinks to the kitchen at the touch of a button. For iced coffee lovers, there are dedicated settings for iced lattes, shakeratos, and even an espresso martini. Powered by a triple heating system, including a PID-controlled extraction boiler and a dedicated steam boiler, the Oracle Dual Boiler allows users to extract espresso and texture milk simultaneously - a feature found in commercial machines. The heated group head ensures temperature stability, delivering cafe-quality flavor extraction with every shot. A first for Breville, the Oracle Dual Boiler features an all-new Auto Dial-In system, where the machine will monitor each extraction and make grind size adjustments automatically, helping improve the next espresso shot. This feature helps solve a common pain point for users - finding the correct grind size - by taking the guesswork out of the process. The Baratza European precision burrs provide 45 grind settings, ensuring consistency and customization at every stage. For milk texturing, the advanced Auto MilQ steam wand creates silky microfoam with increased steam power and refined alternative milk settings for oat, almond, soy, and dairy - allowing users to craft barista-quality lattes, cappuccinos, and more at the touch of a button. The Oracle Dual Boiler also features thoughtful touches such as an updated lighting system, a stainless-steel heated cup tray, and a seamless glide wheel for effortless movement. The descaling process has also been streamlined, with motorized valves automating the process for easy maintenance. Con Psarologos, portfolio general manager coffee, at Breville says: "Breville revolutionized home espresso with the original Oracle in 2014, and with the launch of the Oracle Dual Boiler, we're excited to take that next step in espresso innovation. Combining the best elements of our past models with new features, the Oracle Dual Boiler is our most advanced machine yet - offering home baristas the perfect blend of precision, control, and convenience." Available in a sleek and modern design, the Oracle Dual Boiler comes in three sophisticated colourways - brushed stainless steel, sea salt, and black truffle, to complement any kitchen aesthetic. Product Specs of the Oracle Dual Boiler: Triple Heating System Quad Core Processor Auto Puck System Auto Dial-In System Auto MilQ Steam Wand Baratza European Precision Burrs with 45 grind settings 5.7-inch HD Touchscreen Heated Group Head Brew Customization Stainless Steel Heated Cup Tray Alternative Milk Settings: Soy, Almond & Oat Wi-Fi Connectivity Remote Power on setting, via the Breville+ coffee app Electronic Grind Adjust Professional 58mm Stainless Steel Portafilter 15 Preset Drinks including Espresso, Flat White, Latte, Cappuccino, Iced Latte, and more Dedicated Hot Water Spout Matching Knock Box 10 PID Temperature Control 2.3L Water Tank The Oracle Dual Boiler retails for $2,999.95 and is available through www.breville.com and participating retail partners. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Imagery linked here . For further information and interview opportunities, please contact: [email protected] About Breville Over the past 90 years, Breville has grown to become an iconic global brand, delivering innovative kitchen appliances including award-winning home coffee machines, to over 70 countries around the globe. The company goes to market as the Sage brand in Europe, and as the Breville brand in the rest of the world. Breville enhances people's lives through the delivery of brilliant innovation and thoughtful design based on deep consumer insights, empowering people to do things more impressively or easily than they'd thought possible in their own homes and ultimately, allowing them to Master Every Moment. Website: www.breville.com SOURCE Breville USA DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global building information modeling market will grow to USD 15.42 billion by 2030 from USD 9.03 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 11.3% from 2025 to 2030 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The building information modeling (BIM) market is being driven by several key factors that are reshaping the global construction and infrastructure landscape. A major driver is the growing demand for efficient project planning, cost control, and risk mitigation, which BIM enables through real-time visualization and data integration across project lifecycles. The increasing push for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings is also accelerating BIM adoption, as it facilitates energy modeling, material optimization, and performance simulation. Government mandates and policy support in various countries, such as mandatory BIM usage for public infrastructure projects, are significantly boosting market penetration. Moreover, the rising popularity of modular construction and prefabrication techniques aligns well with BIM's digital workflows. Technological advancements, including integration with IoT, digital twins, cloud platforms, and AI, are further expanding BIM's capabilities, driving demand across industries like commercial, residential, transportation, and industrial construction. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=95037387 Browse in-depth TOC on "Building Information Modeling Market" 235 Tables 71 Figures 270 Pages Building Information Modeling Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2025 $ 9.03 billion Estimated Value by 2030 $ 15.42 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% Market Size Available for 20212030 Forecast Period 20252030 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Offering, Deployment Type, Project Lifecycle, End User, Vertical, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Delayed digital integration within the construction ecosystem Key Market Opportunities Digital skill development programs supporting workforce readiness Key Market Drivers Need for real-time collaboration, improved efficiency, and project visualization across stakeholders By software type, the design & modeling software segment is projected to lead the market in 2025. The design & modeling software segment is expected to lead the BIM market in 2025 due to its central role in the early stages of construction planning and architectural development. This software enables stakeholders to create accurate 3D models, simulate building performance, and identify potential design conflicts before physical execution, significantly reducing rework and costs. Its wide applicability across architectural design, structural engineering, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) modeling makes it indispensable in both large-scale infrastructure and residential projects. Additionally, the growing demand for visually rich and data-intelligent models, especially in urban development and green building initiatives, is driving the adoption of design & modeling tools. The increasing integration of this software with emerging technologies like digital twins, cloud platforms, and AI-based generative design further strengthens its market leadership. The consulting & advisory services segment is expected to record the highest CAGR during 20252030. The consulting & advisory services segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR in the BIM market due to the growing need for expert guidance in implementing and scaling BIM strategies across complex construction ecosystems. As governments mandate BIM adoption and construction firms aim to align with international standards, demand is rising for specialized consultants who can navigate regulatory compliance, workflow integration, and digital transformation. These services are especially vital for small- and mid-sized firms lacking in-house BIM expertise. Moreover, consultants play a key role in developing customized BIM execution plans, training programs, and return-on-investment strategies, which are critical as projects become more data-intensive and multidisciplinary. The shift toward smart cities, sustainable design, and lifecycle asset management further boosts the importance of advisory services, positioning them as a high-growth area within the BIM services landscape. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=95037387 North America is expected to hold the largest share of the building information modeling industry in 2025. North America is expected to lead the BIM market in 2025, driven by the region's early adoption of digital construction practices and stringent government mandates promoting the use of BIM in public infrastructure projects. Countries such as the US and Canada have made significant investments in smart city development, infrastructure modernization, and sustainability, which are accelerating BIM deployment across commercial, residential, and public sector projects. The presence of key BIM technology providers such as Autodesk (US), Trimble (US), and Bentley Systems (US) further strengthens the ecosystem, offering cutting-edge solutions and fostering innovation. Additionally, the region's mature AEC industry, high awareness of lifecycle cost management, and increasing focus on energy-efficient construction contribute to widespread BIM integration across building and infrastructure projects. Key Players Key companies operating in the building information modeling companies include Autodesk Inc. (US), Nemetschek Group (Germany), Bentley Systems, Incorporated (US), Procore Technologies, Inc. (US), Trimble Inc. (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Schneider Electric (France), Hexagon AB (Sweden), Asite (UK), and Archidata Inc. (Canada), among others. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=95037387 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting See More Latest Semiconductor Reports: HVAC System Market by Cooling (Unitary AC, VRF, Chiller, Cooling Tower, Cooler), Heating (Heat Pump, Boiler, Unitary Heater, Furnace), Ventilation (AHU, Air Filter, Humidifier, Purifier), Technology (Smart, Sustainable), Service - Global Forecast to 2030 Real-time Location Systems (RTLS) Market by Offering (RTLS Tags/Badges, Readers/Trackers/Access Points), Technology (RFID, Wi-Fi, UWB, BLE, Infrared, Ultrasound, GPS, Zigbee), Application (Inventory Tracking, Personnel Tracking) - Global Forecast to 2030 About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. 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Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/building-information-modeling-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/building-information-modeling.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bohemia Interactive Simulations (BISim), a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, Inc. (LON: BA), has been awarded a five-year enterprise license contract to deliver the Digital Virtual Trainer (DVT) for the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND), with three additional option years of maintenance support. The DVT program will provide immersive, flexible, and highly scalable synthetic training to support mission readiness across the Canadian Army. Bohemia Interactive Simulations has been awarded a five-year enterprise license contract to deliver the Digital Virtual Trainer (DVT) for the Canadian Department of National Defence. Built around BISim's ecosystem of simulation products, the DVT solution empowers Canadian Army personnel to plan, rehearse, execute, and review complex missions in immersive virtual environments across the globe through realistic first-person training experiences and large-scale collective training exercises. "We're proud to support the Canadian Army's vision for modern, flexible training with a proven, battle-tested virtual platform," said Pete Morrison, chief product officer at BISim. "Whether rehearsing for rural maneuvers or complex urban operations, the Canadian Army can train with confidence on highly authentic virtual terrains." At the heart of the DVT solution is Virtual Battlespace 4 (VBS4), paired with the Blue IG image generator to deliver immersive visual realism and seamless integration with legacy systems. The DVT solution is designed for interoperability and ease of use with advanced tools for exercise control, after-action review (AAR), and more. To maximize flexibility and give the Canadian Army the ability to replicate a global range of training scenarios with remarkable fidelity, DVT also includes TerraTools Platinum. BISim's advanced terrain generation software enables the rapid creation of geo-specific, mission-tailored environments using real-world Geographic Information System data. The DVT contract award follows a competitive evaluation process and reflects BISim's strong track record of delivering mission-critical simulation solutions to allied defense forces worldwide. For more information, please contact: Amy Nwamkpa, BAE Systems Mobile: 703-268-9621 [email protected] www.baesystems.com/en-us @BAESystemsInc SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CleaDeep, a leading kitchen appliance manufacturer, has announced the launch of Arspura, a new brand dedicated to advancing kitchen air quality, with its official debut set for IFA 2025 in Berlin. The company will host a major unveiling on the IFA Next Dream Stage on September 4, where it will showcase its core technology, IQV (Inclined Quad-Vortex), and the latest P Series products. "Our entry into the European market is inspired by the rising demand for healthier kitchen environments," said Arspura CEO Dr. Ray Ren. "Open-plan kitchens are now the norm in Europe, yet solutions that effectively reduce cooking fumes while remaining quiet and stylish are still scarce. With Europe's strict environmental standards and consumers' growing focus on kitchen air quality, we see a natural fit between these needs and Arspura's core technologies." Kitchen air pollution is gaining attention in Europe. Fine particles generated during frying, sauteing, or even making something as simple as an omelette can exceed WHO safety guidelines, posing risks comparable to exposure along a busy city street. Findings from NTNU research also suggest professional chefs are especially vulnerable to respiratory problems from long-term exposure. A 2023 CLASP report that conducted air-quality monitoring in over 250 European homes. That study revealed that regardless of whether gas or electric stoves were used, PM2.5 levels in kitchens routinely exceeded the WHO's recommended daily average of 15 g/m, with cooking itself, rather than fuel combustion, identified as the primary source. Traditional kitchen ventilation systems, the report noted, offer limited effectiveness in reducing PM2.5 concentrations. Their protective value is further weakened by inconsistent usage habits, such as households turning on range hoods only when smoke or odours become noticeable. To highlight this often-overlooked public health issuethe invisible but harmful particles released during everyday cookingArspura's event on September 4 will feature insights from Dr. Heinz Fuchsig, a leading Austrian expert in occupational health and environmental medicine. With nearly three decades of experience in health management, Dr. Fuchsig is recognized for his research into the impact of indoor pollutants, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5), on human health. Following the launch event, attendees will have the opportunity to experience Arspura's technology firsthand in a dedicated Lab Room, where live demonstrations will illustrate how the brand's solutions transform the cooking environment. The company will also showcase its portfolio throughout IFA 2025 at Booth H26a-619, giving visitors an extended chance to interact with the new products. About CleaDeep CleaDeep is a hard-tech company dedicated to transforming kitchen ventilation through cutting-edge fluid dynamics and industrial-grade engineering. As the first company to introduce vortex airflow technology to home kitchens, CleaDeep has set new benchmarks in suction power, air quality, and energy efficiency. Patented innovations, such as the IQV (Inclined Quad-Vortex) and Wind Engine systems, enable ultra-fast fume capture, filter-free operation, and quiet performance. For more information about the company and its newly-launched brand Arspura, please visit https://us.cleadeep.com/ and https://arspura.com. SOURCE CleaDeep NEWTOWN, Pa., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Edelson Lechtzin LLP, based in suburban Philadelphia, is investigating data privacy claims regarding an incident at Farmers Insurance Exchange and Farmers Group, Inc. ("Farmers"). Farmers learned of a data breach on or about May 30, 2025. If you would like to discuss this case with a lawyer, go HERE. About Farmers Insurance Group Farmers Insurance Group delivers protection for autos, homes, and small businesses, reaching millions of policyholders nationwide. Its operations are supported by an extensive agent and employee network. The Farmers brand is tied to three policyholder-owned exchanges, with day-to-day management provided by Farmers Group, Inc., part of Zurich Insurance Group. What happened? On or about May 30, 2025, Farmers was alerted by a third-party vendor to suspicious activity involving potential unauthorized access to a customer database. An investigation confirmed that on May 29, 2025, an unauthorized actor gained entry to the vendor's system and obtained certain information. The compromised data may have included names, addresses, dates of birth, driver's license numbers, and/or the last four digits of Social Security numbers. The incident is estimated to have impacted more than 1 million individuals. How can I protect my personal data? If you receive a data breach notification concerning Farmers, you should take steps to protect yourself against identity theft and fraud by regularly reviewing your account statements and monitoring your credit reports for any 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 Farmers 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 NEWBURYPORT, Mass., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Guy Navarra Scholarship for Future Doctors officially opens applications for undergraduate students across the United States who are pursuing a career in medicine. This initiative, founded by Dr. Guy Navarra, highlights his dedication to supporting the education of students preparing to shape the future of healthcare. The scholarship is designed to recognize students who demonstrate not only academic dedication but also a sincere commitment to advancing the medical field. Applicants are asked to submit an original essay of 500800 words in response to the following prompt: "What inspires your journey into medicine, and how do you envision making a meaningful impact on the healthcare system of tomorrow?" The essays will be reviewed on originality, clarity, depth of insight, and alignment with the values embodied by Dr. Guy Navarra. The scholarship winner will be announced on May 15, 2026, following the application deadline of April 15, 2026. Eligibility and Requirements To be considered for the Dr. Guy Navarra Scholarship for Future Doctors, applicants must: Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at an accredited college or university in the United States . . Intend to pursue a career in medicine through tracks such as pre-med, biology, health sciences, or related fields. Submit a well-written essay in response to the designated prompt. Demonstrate a genuine interest in healthcare through academic work, extracurricular activities, or career goals. A Commitment to the Next Generation of Physicians Dr. Guy Navarra, a board-certified physician with more than 25 years of experience in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Obesity Medicine, has spent his career advancing patient care and mentoring future healthcare leaders. His decision to create this scholarship reflects a belief that the strength of tomorrow's healthcare system relies on students who bring both compassion and innovation to their training. Throughout his career, Dr. Guy Navarra has held leadership roles as a hospital chief, clinical researcher, and co-founder of a national medical weight-loss network. His educational background spans prestigious institutions including Madrid, Yale, and Harvard, blending international and American medical perspectives. Today, through this scholarship, he continues his work of fostering growth in the medical profession by supporting students who demonstrate passion, drive, and a vision for healthcare improvement. Announcement and Purpose The Dr. Guy Navarra Scholarship for Future Doctors is not restricted to any single state or region and is open nationwide. By offering this opportunity, Dr. Guy Navarra hopes to encourage students to reflect on their personal motivations while also envisioning the role they might play in shaping a more effective healthcare system. The scholarship is a way to invest in future doctors who will not only treat patients but also strengthen the foundations of medicine itself. How to Apply Eligible undergraduate students are invited to submit their applications through the official scholarship website at https://drguynavarrascholarship.com/. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, essay guidelines, and deadlines before submitting their materials. SOURCE Dr. Guy Navarra Scholarship The Averly Richmond Hill offers retail pads with direct frontage along Ford Avenue in Rapidly Growing Richmond Hill, GA ATLANTA, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI Group (ECI) on August 20th, 2025 celebrated the groundbreaking of The Averly Richmond Hill, a $60 million, 291-unit, mixed-use development with retail acreage along Ford Avenue in Richmond Hill, GA. ECI Construction is the general contractor, with construction financing provided by Synovus and CIBC, and will deliver pad ready retail sites in Q1 2026 for tenants. ECI has been active in the Savannah Metro since 2015, having constructed one project and purchased another. Ashley Smith and Tyler Mouchet of Colliers | Savannah have been selected to market the 3.5+ acres of retail pad sites, which are available for ground lease. Behind the commercial acreage, ECI is constructing 291 residential units, composed of 243 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment residences along with 48 three-bedroom, two-car garage townhome residences. For retail pad site information, please visit here. For community information, please visit here. "We are very excited to move forward on this mixed-use development," said ECI Vice President of Development, Stephen Stover. "We feel strongly that continued job growth across the Savannah MSA, particularly in the industrial and logistics sectors, as well as population growth in the affluent Richmond Hill submarket, offer an exciting opportunity for retailers to locate on our site." "Richmond Hill is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing submarkets in the Savannah region, and The Averly Richmond Hill presents a rare opportunity for retailers to secure high-visibility frontage along Ford Avenue," said Tyler Mouchet, Associate Vice President at Colliers | Savannah. "With strong population growth, proximity to major employers, and exceptional access to I-95, this project is ideally positioned to attract a diverse mix of tenants to serve the surrounding community." The Averly Richmond Hill will feature: 8,400 square foot clubhouse with clubroom, state-of-the-art fitness center, co-working, and automated package facilities Dog park Expansive pool Two amenity courtyards One, two, and three-bedroom floor plans feature open-concept design, with full-size washers and dryers as well as: 243 apartment-style units 48 three-story townhouses with two car garages Vinyl plank hardwood-style flooring Quartz countertops with undermount sinks Designer cabinets and light fixtures Large kitchen islands Large walk-in closets Tiled kitchen backsplashes and bathroom surrounds Stainless steel appliances Private porch or balcony in every unit Ceiling fans in bedrooms and living area The Averly Richmond Hill is located less than one mile from I-95 in the center of Richmond Hill's growing retail and commercial district, with direct access to primary highways and area job centers. Major local employers include Hyundai, Gulfstream, Georgia Ports, and Fort Stewart. The community's younger residents can attend Richmond Hill's highly rated school district. About ECI Group For more than 50 years, ECI Group has been one of the most highly regarded, privately owned real estate organizations in the United States. The firm is fully integrated, with development, construction, investment, and property management groups that have garnered national recognition for innovation and performance in the multifamily industry. With a portfolio of more than 7,500 units located throughout the Southeast and Texas, ECI is strategically positioned to continue to be a leader in the multifamily industry. For more information, visit www.ecigroups.com. Media Contact: Karen Widmayer KW Communications, LLC karenwidmayerpr@gmail.com 301.661.1448 SOURCE ECI Group LOS ANGELES, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- EmpathyTech, created by Empathetic Intelligence, launches to address chronic care disparities among Black Americans. The culturally intelligent AI platform combines wearables, real-time nudges, and community storytelling to foster trust, improve outcomes, and deliver care in familiar, accessible spaces like barbershops, churches, and living rooms. According to the team, Black Americans living with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension have faced a healthcare system that doesn't fully see or understand them. EmpathyTech, the first product from mission-driven startup Empathetic Intelligence, is stepping forward to change that. Fresh out of stealth mode, EmpathyTech is opening early access enrollment for its culturally intelligent health technology. Built to rebuild trust and deliver better outcomes, the platform blends wearable feedback, real-time nudges, and community-based storytelling to help people make healthier choiceson their terms, in ways that feel familiar and personal. The idea came from a deeply personal place. Founder Khensu-Ra Love El watched his brother battle diabetes and preventable complications, and saw firsthand how traditional care often fails to connect. EmpathyTech starts with Black men and families facing high-severity conditions, then brings care closer to where life actually happensbarbershops, churches, clinics, and even living rooms. The goal is to close the care gap by making preventive and restorative care more relatable, human, and practical. Over time, the company plans to expand its reach to other underserved communities, but its mission remains clear: design AI that cares like a neighbor, not a number. About EmpathyTech EmpathyTech, created by Empathetic Intelligence, is a health technology company on a mission to prevent and restore health through culturally intelligent systems. By combining AI, human-centered design, and deep cultural insight, EmpathyTech adapts to the lived experiences of the people it serves. The company begins with Black Americans facing chronic disease and will scale nationwide to bring care into communities where it's needed most. Contact Khensu-Ra Love El Empathetic Intelligence, LLC [email protected] 7738420075 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2757355/EmpathyTech_Launch.jpg SOURCE EmpathyTech General Nakasone is widely recognized as a leading authority on information operations and cybersecurity. Nakasone is the longest-serving commander of the U.S. Cyber Command and concurrently led the NSA, where he directed signals intelligence operations and cybersecurity initiatives. His operational experience spans assignments in the United States, the Republic of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. General Nakasone currently serves on the boards of OpenAI , Neuberger Berman Mutual Funds, WitnessAI and leads Vanderbilt University's Institute of National Security . "Today's adversaries have been weaponizing information and targeting viral narratives to influence the will, perception, and behavior of U.S. citizens as effectively as they have been weaponizing malware.The United States has been reactive in its response to these influence campaigns due to the complexity of information and the limitations of reasoning and outdated software tools until now. Accrete's Knowledge Engine platform enables AI Agents to detect, deter, and counter hostile influence campaigns at superhuman speed and scale. Accrete's Knowledge Engines give the United States a decision advantage in gray zone cognitive warfare. I'm excited to help accelerate these critical capabilities and out-pace malign actors in this new era of information warfare," said General Nakasone. In his new role, General Nakasone will advise Accrete on product development, go-to- market strategy, and information security with an emphasis on trust, safety, and ethics. "Bad actors are working hard to exploit reasoning vulnerabilities by leveraging AI to spread viral disinformation and weaken institutions. Accrete's Knowledge Engines ground LLMs in the first principles of an organization's experience, standards, values, and ethics to capture and scale reasoning capacity and that is the key to overcoming information complexity and winning in gray zone cognitive warfare. General Nakasone understands better than anyone the uniqueness of the challenges faced by the U.S. Defense and Intelligence Community. Under General Nakasone's guidance, we will fortify national security and emerge victorious," said Prashant Bhuyan , Founder, CEO and Chairman of Accrete, Inc. Accrete's Knowledge Engines are already enabling customers including the U.S. Department of Defense, and Fortune 100 corporations to proactively combat information and economic warfare. Accrete's AI agents have been employed to detect, deter, and counter influence campaigns waged by foreign adversaries; identify foreign influence risk within the supply chain; and prevent the exploitation of IT vulnerabilities. Key members of Accrete's team, which is comprised of Intelligence and Military veterans, commented on the Nakasone appointment here: https://www.accrete.ai/blog/strategic-board-advisor About General Paul M. Nakasone, U.S. Army (Retired) General Paul M. Nakasone, a retired U.S. Army four-star general, serves as the Founding Director of Vanderbilt University's Institute of National Security. From 2018 to 2024, General Nakasone led U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency, overseeing national cyber defense and global signals intelligence operations. A career military leader with more than three decades of experience, he has commanded at all levels, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and has held key intelligence and joint staff roles. A recognized authority on cyber operations and national security, General Nakasone continues to advance dialogue and research on emerging global security challenges, inspiring innovation and leadership in this critical field. About Accrete Accrete is a dual-use AI company founded in 2017 to create agents for decision automation to power autonomous enterprises with zero knowledge loss. Deployed within the Department of Defense and Fortune 500 enterprises, Accretes Expert AI Agents give customers the decision edge in mission-critical environments. Accrete, Inc. is headquartered in Lower Manhattan with offices in Alexandria, Virginia and Wellesley, Massachusetts. Media Contact Marc Johnson , VP of Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Accrete BEIJING, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern cities - crucial carriers of modernization and beautiful homes for the people's happy life In July this year, the Central Urban Work Conference clearly set forth the goal of building modern, people-centered cities. Centered around the objective of building modern, people-centered cities that are innovative, livable, beautiful, resilient, culturally vibrant, and smart, the conference proposed "one optimization and six constructions": to strive to optimize the modern urban system; to build vibrant cities powered by innovation; to develop comfortable, convenient and livable cities; to build green, low-carbon and beautiful cities; to enhance urban safety and resilience; to build culturally-vibrant cities characterized by high ethical and moral standards; and to build smart cities for greater efficiency and convenience. Ideas guide practice China's urbanization has increased from 53.1 percent in 2012 to 67 percent in 2024. The total operating mileage of urban rail transit is nearly 11,000 km; water and gas supply coverage and sewage treatment rates are all close to 100 percent. More than 68 million units of various kinds of affordable and shantytown-renovation housing have been started or built, benefitting 170 million people. Behind the figures, the original aspiration of placing the people above all else pulses with vitality. At the 2015 Central Urban Work Conference, General Secretary Xi Jinping creatively proposed blazing a path of urban development with Chinese characteristics. At this year's Conference, he emphasized forging "a new path will be blazed for urban modernization with Chinese characteristics." These two phrases clearly define the direction of China's urban development and are vivid embodiments of the "two combinations" in urban work. Regardless of how far industrialization and urbanization advance, rural areas will never disappear. The nation's modernization must organically integrate rural revitalization with urban development. With over 5,000 years of civilization, cities have been major carriers in China. While we must draw from useful foreign experience in urban construction, we cannot discard outstanding traditional Chinese culture. Strategy evolving with the times Compared with ten years ago, urban work now faces new opportunities in both the times and momentum. What are "times"? As we conclude the 14th Five-Year Plan and plan the 15th Five-Year Plan, in just ten years, we will have basically achieved socialist modernization. What is "momentum"? International experience shows that when urbanization reaches about 70 percent, it typically enters a phase of slow development, characterized by limited urban population growth, greater differentiation between cities, aging housing and infrastructure, and increased stability risks. As times and momentum shift, so too must our work requirements and tasks. In Chongqing's Xiejiawan Street, Jiulongpo district, a once-notorious old and dilapidated community is now transformed in both appearance and function. A community canteen meets residents' needs for downstairs dining; repair shops and tailoring services are centralized; and charming boutique shops brimming with everyday vitality have sprouted, enhancing residents' sense of gain and happiness. For the people, by the people, and for the people's benefitthis is the original aspiration of building modern, people-centered cities. Only by responding to the people's expectations for high-quality life and reserving the best resources for them can urban development attain both height and warmth. Cities are naturally centers of economic development, and developing the economy is self-evident. But if we recklessly expand in a grandeur at all costs fashion, layer upon layer of farmland, vegetable plots and green space will be swallowed by concrete, spawning incurable "big-city diseases." To offload non-capital functions, Beijing has closed more than 3,000 general manufacturing enterprises and reduced urban and rural construction land by 150 km over the past ten years, shifting from "big and all-encompassing" to "high-precision, cutting-edge". Tianjin revitalized its "old base" by converting old factories into smart manufacturing parks and cultural-creative incubation bases. In Chengdu, pocket parks now number over 600, turning street corners green and vibrant. Activating existing stock while expanding potential is vital: tailoring strategies city by city enhances urban high-quality development. The "one respect and five coordinations" and the "one optimization and six constructions" are united in the goal of building modern, people-centered cities. What will modern people-centered cities look like, and how should they be built? The Central Urban Work Conference has provided a clear roadmapfrom "five transformations and five improvements" to "one optimization and six constructions," offering both "vision" and "execution." The key is effective implementation, which demands enhanced capacity from cadres at all levels to fulfill diverse assigned tasks. Though the grand goal of modern, people-centered cities is consistent, it must never produce "monotonous cities." Urban development must emphasize individual characteristics and leverage each city's strengths. Building modern, people-centered cities aligns with the broader endeavor of building a modern socialist country in all respects. From now until 2035 - another ten years, we need a sense that time won't wait, enduring perseverance, and the resilience to pursue what we've committed to. We must translate historical perspective and strategic thinking into concrete action. SOURCE Global Times Reports Sustained Growth in Revenue CYBEX Achieves Record Revenue and Profit Maintains Robust Performance Amid Macro Challenges Demonstrates Strong Brand Position and Operational Resilience HONG KONG, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlights: Amidst turbulence and uncertainties, the Group managed to maintain revenue growth of 2.7% to approximately HK$4,300.9 million and continued to generate solid operating cash flow; to approximately and continued to generate solid operating cash flow; CYBEX recorded robust revenue growth of 13.6% to approximately HK$2,452.4 million , celebrating its 20 th anniversary with another record first-half revenue and profit; recorded robust revenue growth of 13.6% to approximately , celebrating its 20 anniversary with another record first-half revenue and profit; Evenflo continued to strategically invest in product development and digitalization, which resulted in strong growth in stroller segment and D2C channel; gb made progress in its brand transformation with optimized channel, which greatly uplifted gross margin; The Group's strong one-dragon vertically integrated platform continued to support its development and minimize risks in any single territory , enabling the Group to navigate market fluctuations in an agile and flexible manner and continue to gain market share ; , enabling the Group to navigate market fluctuations in an agile and flexible manner and continue to ; The Group deepened its practices in ESG and was included in S&P Global "Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2025", and honored with the "2025 Forbes China ESG Benchmarks in Industry Development ". Goodbaby International Holdings Limited ("Goodbaby International" or the "Company", HKEX stock code: 1086, together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), a leading global parenting products company, has announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2025 (the "Period"). During the Period, the Group's revenue increased by 2.7% (a 2.8% increase on a constant currency basis) to approximately HK$4,300.9 million. Reported gross profit was approximately HK$2,134.8 million, reported operating profit was approximately HK$202.0 million, and reported net profit was approximately HK$105.5 million. Meanwhile, the Group also further leveraged its full value chain advantages and integrated them with sustainability through deepened practices in environment, social and corporate governance. During the Period, the Group was included in S&P Global "Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2025" as the only Chinese company in the Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics Industry, and also honored with the "2025 Forbes China ESG Benchmarks in Industry Development ", becoming the only company in the industry to have received the honor. CYBEX set s new record for first - half revenue and profit ; brand profitability and resilience continue to improve Despite facing challenges such as negative consumer sentiment, weak European economy, declining birthrates and worsening geopolitical conflicts, CYBEX achieved positive performance across all categories, channels, and markets thanks to its strong brand resilience and market influence, celebrating the brand's 20th anniversary. Backed by strong market demand for its products, CYBEX recorded revenue growth of 13.6% to approximately HK$2,452.4 million (1H 2024: HK$2,158.2 million), continuing to grow its market share globally. The brand also continued to improve its profitability. In addition, CYBEX made solid progress in the strategic North American market, forging ahead with strong momentum despite tariffs and corresponding price increases. CYBEX's outstanding performance was the result of its strong and continuously enhanced brand position, innovative and improved product portfolio, supported by strong operational infrastructure and supply chain and further expansion and fortification of global omni-channel distribution network with industry leading self-owned wholesale, e-commerce and own offline flagship store infrastructure. During the Period, CYBEX's new flagship store located in central Paris continued to enhance its leadership in "Strategic Key Cities" and reinforce its global leading position as the premium "technical-lifestyle" brand. Evenflo launches record number of new products and achieves robust growth in its stroller segment and D2C channel In the first half of the year, Evenflo recorded revenue of approximately HK$1,075.3 million. It launched the highest number of new products in the brand's history, which resulted in robust growth in the stroller segment; in addition, it recorded strong momentum in the D2C channel due to its successful digital strategy. However, factors such as higher input cost caused by US's new tariff policies, increased cost in car seat products to comply with new regulatory standards, increase in corresponding costs for new products display in retailers' stores, heavier promotions and marketing expenses incurred for old product models challenged the brand's profitability during the period. Evenflo will focus on recovering sales growth and profitability in the second half of the year, optimize costs, adjust its pricing strategy, and continue to strategically invest in brand, products, digital strategy and talents to further consolidate its business foundation. gb achieves solid uplift in gross margin and significantly narrows operating loss through further optimization of product portfolio and channel mix Under the leadership of its new management team, the gb brand significantly narrowed its operating loss to approximately HK$394.8 million during the Period. The gb brand streamlined its online and offline wholesale channels in the brand's shift from B2B model to D2C model. In addition, it effectively eliminated price chaos across channels and stabilized prices by optimizing the channel mix to strengthen self-control on channels, resulting in a solid uplift in gross margin. The gb brand also recorded positive growth in self-owned offline retail channels and continued adjustments in its online retail channels. For example, there was strong growth in Douyin livestreaming channel, and some of its key durable SKUs ranked at the top in respective categories. gb will focus on product development and upgrades, refined operations in self-owned retail channels in both online and offline, and continued price control, along with continuous brand transformation. During the Period, the Blue Chip and other business recorded a decline in revenue to approximately HK$378.4 million. The Group's relationship with its Blue Chip customers remained healthy and stable. The Group will continue to receive customer orders and has successfully developed new customers. It continues to deliver services that meet the demands of both existing and new customers. Outlook Looking ahead, geopolitical conflicts and tariff uncertainties will remain key challenges for the Group to address. Nevertheless, the Group will continue to focus on the vertically integrated one-dragon, brand-driven development strategy through sustained strategic investments to consolidate its global competitiveness, expand and deepen its brand building, omni-channel distribution network and infrastructure, and global footprint. It will also optimize and consolidate its global supply chain strategies to ensure faster response to market, providing consumers with high-quality products and services, and a world-class omni-channel experience. Mr. Tongyou LIU, Executive Director and Group CEO of Goodbaby International said, "Despite the continued macroeconomic weakness, with consumer sentiment and market confidence generally declining, the Group maintained positive revenue growth thanks to our global competitiveness, which is attributable to our one-dragon vertically integrated platform of own diversified brands, globally balanced omni-channel distribution platforms, own manufacturing and operational services, which enabled us to minimize risks in any single territory and react flexibly. We are also delighted that CYBEX achieved another record first half revenue and profit as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. In the second half of the year, the Group's focus will continue to be on the strategic brands of CYBEX, Evenflo and gb and the development of Blue Chip business. We will adhere to our brand-driven strategy supported by world-class technology, manufacturing, supply chain excellence and agility, innovation, mother market operations, digital and cost optimization. We will continue to inject momentum into the Group's business, and strive to realize our vision of becoming an outstanding enterprise with global and future-ready competitiveness and achieving sustained profitable growth." About Goodbaby International Holdings Limited Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd. (stock code: 1086) is a world-leading parenting products company. The Group serves millions of families around the world through design, research and development, manufacture, marketing and sales of children's car safety seats, strollers, apparel and home textile products, feeding, nursing and personal care products, cribs, bicycles and tricycles and other children's products. For more information, please visit Goodbaby's corporate website: www.gbinternational.com.hk. SOURCE Goodbaby International Holdings Limited BHUBANESWAR, India, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), has unveiled the BharatNetra Initiative, anchored by the launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar. This marks a historic first for Odisha, a financial technology capability initiative of unprecedented scale and global integration. The I-GFTCH positions Odisha as a rising nerve centre in India's evolving innovation ecosystem, aligning seamlessly with the nation's development priorities and its ambition to be a leader in fostering entrepreneurship, industry ready skills, generating employment, inclusive finance, and next-generation innovation. Building Blocks of Odisha's FinTech Future The BharatNetra Initiative will be executed through a globally integrated four-pillar strategy designed to build world-class fintech capabilities and global connectivity: From Odisha to the World: Training the Next Generation of Digital Finance Leaders Global Learning As part of the I-GFTCH initiative, Odisha is partnering with NUS-AIDF and GFTN to launch the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), a five-month hybrid programme combining coursework, in-person sessions in Bhubaneswar, projects, and internships. The programme will train 7,000 students over five years in technology, regulation, and business, building a future-ready workforce for FinTech and InsurTech. Supported by the Skill Development Institute, with a view to national accreditation, it has already drawn more than 2,000 applicants from over 50 colleges for the inaugural 375-seat cohort starting September. Odisha Joins Global Black Swan Network to Unlock Jobs, Investment, and Innovation Global Mindshare Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India in early 2026, joining a global network of frontier technology forums across Asia, Europe and Africa. Convened by GFTN, BSS India will be Odisha's flagship global business event, connecting talent and startups to international job pipelines, venture capital, and digital economy networks. The Summit will unite business leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for financial inclusion, digital transformation, innovation, and technology-led growth, as well as a destination for strategic investments in technology-led industries. Innovation Hub to Scale Odisha's FinTech and InsurTech Entrepreneurs Global Innovation Odisha will establish a Centre of Excellence as part of its Integrated Innovation Hub, serving as a launchpad for high-potential FinTech and InsurTech startups. Backed by GFTN's global network, the Innovation Acceleration: Incubation, Venture & Market Competitiveness programme will provide incubation, mentorship, venture development, and market access to help founders achieve scale and global competitiveness. By equipping entrepreneurs with tools, networks, and capital, the Hub will foster a thriving ecosystem positioning Odisha as a rising player in the global digital finance landscape. Global Capability Hub to Power FinTech Collaboration Financial Technology Global Capability Hub Odisha will host a nearshore hub serving national and global financial institutions, powered by the skilled talent pipeline from the Global Learning pillar. Backed by GFTN's global network of industry leaders, regulators, investors, and innovators, the Hub will connect Odisha to the world's top fintech ecosystems, offering a collaboration space for startups, corporates, and innovators to co-create market-ready solutions, accelerate product development, and forge cross-border partnerships cementing Odisha's position as a rising destination for innovation-led financial growth. Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha: "The launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub is a transformative initiative that will shape the future of finance in Odisha. It will help strengthen India's global leadership in the digital economy. This hub is the outcome of a landmark partnership between the Government of Odisha and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore. It was forged during the historic visit of the Hon'ble President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year. It reflects our commitment to bring the best of the world to Odisha, and to take Odisha to the world. Our goal is to rank among the top five Indian states in per capita income. And, as we contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader." Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon'ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India: "BharatNetra is a nation-building mission. By skilling and educating our youth and creating a globally connected FinTech and InsurTech hub here in Odisha, we are laying the foundation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Vision Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative will ensure that Odisha students, from our villages to our cities, can not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen India's leadership in financial inclusion and innovation. For India's youth, employability is no longer just about degrees, it is about readiness to thrive in fast-changing industries. BharatNetra bridges this gap by embedding real-world industry needs into our students learning journey. These efforts align with our mission to make Odisha USD 500 billion economy by 2036 and to build India into USD 300 trillion economy by 2047." Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, GFTN: "Bharatnetra is a shining example of how a strategic vision between two countries can translate into transformative action. It is yet another step forward in advancing Singapore-India bilateral ties. By connecting Odisha's talent with world-class training by National University of Singapore-Asian Institute of Digital Finance, opening access for talent to global markets, building a robust startup ecosystem, the Government of Odisha and GFTN are building the state as a vital gateway in the global digital finance landscape." Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD and CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance; Chairman, General Insurance Council: For India's youth, employability today is not defined by degrees alone. It is about the ability to adapt and succeed in fast evolving industries. BharatNetra is playing a pivotal role in bridging this gap by embedding real world industry requirements into the learning journey. At Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, we are proud to partner in this effort to nurture a new generation of fintech and InsurTech professionals who will help shape the future of our industry and the nation. About GFTN The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered organisation that leverages technology and innovation to create more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial systems through global collaboration. GFTN hosts a worldwide network of forums (including its flagship event, the Singapore FinTech Festival); advises governments and companies on policies and the development of digital ecosystems and innovation within the financial sector; offers digital infrastructure solutions; and plans to invest in financial technology startups through its upcoming venture fund, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability. GFTN is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024. SOURCE GFTN LAS VEGAS, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Happy Paws, a rising name in health supplements for dogs, appeared for the first time at SUPERZOO, the nation's largest pet product showcase. Founded in Southern California in 2024, Happy Paws is one of the fastest-growing dog supplement companies in the industry. Now, for the first time, this rising brand has appeared at the nation's largest trade show for pet products, SUPERZOO. That's what [Happy Paws] provide: a healthier, more natural solution to dog supplements. Post this Held from August 1215, 2025 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, SUPERZOO hosted over 18,000 pet professionals from across the U.S. and around the world, together with over 1,100 exhibitors, making it North America's largest pet product marketplace. Over the course of this four-day convention, the Happy Paws booth hosted hundreds of veterinarians, groomers, and other pet professionals, as well as enthusiastic dog owners. It was a chance to introduce many, for the first time, to Happy Paws' wide selection of certified organic, all-natural dog supplements. "The reactions we've gotten have been so supportive," said Jameson Rodgers, Happy Paws Co-Founder. "Vets and pet owners want supplements without all the fillers and GMOs you often find on store shelves. That's what our treats provide: a healthier, more natural solution to dog supplements." In addition to familiar products, such as multivitamins and hip and joint supplements, Happy Paws also offers more specialized formulas, which was a welcome sight for many SUPERZOO attendees. "Our selection is a little wider than most brands offer: currently 13 different supplements and counting," said Rodgers. "This allows us to delve into products that address very specific issues, such as high acidic urine levels that can burn out lawns, coprophagia, and anal gland issues that cause scooting. As pet owners ourselves, we understand that dogs have a lot of different needs. We want to be able to help as many dogs as we can to live happier, healthier lives." About Happy Paws Happy Paws is a California-based company dedicated to providing dog owners with high-quality health supplements for their pets. Their wide selection of organic dog supplements includes veterinarian-approved formulas for calming, immunity, hip and joint health, cognitive support, and much more. Launched in 2024 with the belief that every dog owner should be able to give their pet high-quality health supplements, Happy Paws offers pet products with simple, clean ingredients: no artificial colors or flavors, no GMOs, and no fillers. Happy Paws now offers products for purchase on Amazon, Chewy, and at HappyPaws.com . For more information, please contact [email protected]. SOURCE Happy Paws SHANGHAI, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Henlius (2696.HK) announced its 2025 interim results. In the first half of 2025, Henlius' revenue reached about RMB2.8195 billion, representing an increase of 2.7% YoY. The gross profit of RMB2.1992 billion, up by 10.5% YoY, with a net profit reached RMB390.1 million. Operating cash flow reached RMB770.9 million, with an increase of 206.8% YoY, maintaining a steady positive inflow. Overseas products profits surged over 200%. Cash inflows from BD agreements exceeded RMB 1 billion, surging 280% YoY. As the overseas sales volume of commercialized products continues to rise, the company expects significant growth in overseas revenue and profits for the full year of 2025, with strong momentum likely to continue into 2026. The company remains committed to reinforcing its strategic focus on innovation and globalisation, actively advancing its end-to-end ecosystem to drive sustainable R&D growth with robust growth momentum. During the reporting period, the company invested RMB995.4 million in R&D, with an increase of 21.3% YoY in expensed R&D expenditures, prioritizing preclinical development of differentiated innovative molecules and construction of core innovation platforms. Up to date, Henlius has 6 products launched in China, 4 approved for marketing in overseas markets, benefiting over 850,000 patients and reaching about 60 markets in Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania. Meanwhile, the company is expanding its innovation pipeline in disease areas like oncology and autoimmune, advancing a differentiated portfolio of potential best-in-class (BIC) and first-in-class (FIC) candidates. Dr. Jason Zhu, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Henlius, said "2025 is a pivotal year for Henlius. It is the year we shift into Globalisation 2.0 and step up the pace of innovation. We're strengthening our end-to-end ecosystem and driving overseas revenue growth with global value at scale. Meanwhile, our core innovative products have achieved significant milestones, with the next-generation of high-potential molecules underway. Looking ahead, Henlius will adhere to patient-centricity and accelerate the delivery of superior innovative treatment solutions." Globalisation 2.0: actively advancing the end-to-end ecosystem In the first half of 2025, Henlius' global growth engine was in full swing, with global product revenue exceeding RMB2.5568 billion, representing an increase of 3.1% YoY. Several products are accelerating their expansion into international markets, further improving patient access to essential therapies. The company's core innovative product serplulimab (trade name: HANSIZHUANG in China, Hetronifly in Europe), the world's first anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) approved for first-line treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), has recorded a global sales revenue of RMB597.7million during the reporting period. The overseas market expansion of serplulimab has been accelerated in the first half of 2025. It has received approvals in the Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Kingdom and India for first-line treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Additionally, it has been approved in Indonesia and Thailand for the treatment of squamous non-small cell lung cancer (sqNSCLC). To date, serplulimab has been successfully approved in nearly 40 countries and regions, covering nearly half of the world's population. A head-to-head bridging trial of serplulimab versus first-line standard of care atezolizumab for ES-SCLC in the U.S will also complete patient enrolment soon. The company plans to submit the Biologics License Application (BLA) to the FDA in the first half of 2026. Henlius' core breast cancer product HANQUYOU (trastuzumab, trade name: HERCESSI in the U.S., Zercepac in Europe), the "China-developed" mAb biosimilar approved in China, the EU, and the U.S., has recorded a global sales revenue of RMB1.4442 billion in the first half of 2025. During the reporting period, HANQUYOU (trastuzumab) was newly approved in countries including Mexico, bringing its cumulative approvals to over 50 countries and regions worldwide. In the HER2-positive breast cancer segment, Henlius has sequentially combined HANQUYOU (trastuzumab) with HANNAIJIA (neratinib) for extended adjuvant therapy to reduce recurrence risk in early-stage patients. Meanwhile, Henlius' independently developed pertuzumab biosimilar, HLX11, has been accepted for marketing applications by regulatory agencies in China, the U.S., and Europe, and is anticipated to receive approval in th U.S. during the second half of 2025. Focusing on the breast cancer field, Henlius continues to build a comprehensive innovative product portfolio candidates including Henlius' HLX78 (lasofoxifene), an investigational novel endocrine therapy, the company's novel epitope anti-HER2 mAb HLX22, the next-gen innovative HER2 ADC HLX87, the KAT6A/B inhibitor HLX97 with BIC potential, and the LIV-1 ADC HLX41 are accelerating their research progress. In more disease fields, HLX04-O, a recombinant anti-VEGF humanised mAb injection jointly developed by the company and Essex, for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) has been accepted for the New Drug Application (NDA) in China in August 2025. This is the company's first ophthalmic product submitted for marketing approval. The marketing applications for the denosumab biosimilar HLX14, intended for the treatment of osteoporosis and other indications, have been accepted in the U.S., EU, and Canada, with expected approvals in the second half of 2025. In the first half of the 2025, Henlius accelerated the expansion of its core products into major global markets through strategic collaboration, further enhancing the company's international influence and commercial capabilities. The company has entered into agreement with Abbott, granting it exclusive or semi-exclusive licenses for the development and commercialization of four self-developed biosimilars and one innovative biologic in 69 emerging markets including Asia and Latin America. The company has granted Dr. Reddy's exclusive rights to HLX15, an anti-CD38 mAb, covering a total of 43 countries and regions across the U.S. and Europe. Besides, the company has also entered into an exclusive commercialization and semi-exclusive development collaboration with Lotus for the anti-PD-1 antibody serplulimab in multiple indications in South Korea. Additionally, the company has signed a licensing agreement with Sandoz, granting exclusive commercialization rights for HLX13, an CTLA-4 inhibitor, in the U.S., EU, Japan, Canada, and Australia. In the first half of 2025, leveraging the advanced technologies and extensive resources, the company continued to reinforce its integrated biopharmaceutical platform including R&D, clinical trials, manufacturing, quality management, regulatory affairs, and commercialization. Up to date, the company has submitted over 800 drug registrations, and received more than 600 approvals, covering multiple countries and regions including China, the U.S., the EU, Canada, Indonesia and Japan. It has also conducted MRCTs in the U.S., the EU, Southeast Asia, Japan and other countries and regions, accelerating the globalisation process of its products. During the reporting period, Henlius continues to optimize its production operations and quality management system. The Songjiang Site has once again received the EU GMP Certificate, issued by the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products in Belgium, in July 2025. The completion of the Phase 1 of Songjiang Site II in August 2025 has further enhanced the company's production capabilities. Up to now, the company has delivered over 1,150 batches of commercial GMP production, ensuring stable supply to countries and regions including China, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. The company has successfully passed nearly 100 on-site inspections and audits conducted by global regulatory authorities and business partners, and has obtained GMP certifications from China, the EU, the U.S. and multiple PIC/S member countries, including Indonesia and Brazil. Innovation breaks through the growth ceiling In the first half of 2025, the company continued to advance its innovation-driven strategy, accelerating breakthroughs in cutting-edge technology platforms and driving robust growth in its innovative pipeline. Core products such as HLX43, HLX22, and serplulimab have each achieved significant global milestones. HLX43 is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor ADC candidate targeting PD-L1 with BIC potential. The results of the phase 1 clinical trial of HLX43 have been first released at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, demonstrating manageable safety profile and encouraging efficacy in various solid tumors especially in patients with NSCLC and thymic squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). It shows encouraging efficacy in squamous and non-squamous NSCLC patients (sqNSCLC and nsqNSCLC), patients with or without EGFR mutation, patients with or without brain/liver metastasis, and PD-L1 positive or negative NSCLC patients, indicating its biomarker-independent antitumor potential. Previously, HLX43 has already been approved to conduct phase 2 MRCT in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in China, the U.S., Japan and Australia, with first patients successfully dosed in both China and the U.S. Simultaneously, as the world's first PD-L1 ADC indicated for thymic carcinoma (TC), HLX43 has received clinical trial approvals for the indication in the U.S. and other regions. A MRCT is planned to be initiated, aiming to fill the therapeutic gap in ADC treatment for this aggressive cancer type. In addition, the company is also accelerating the phase 2 clinical development of HLX43 in various solid tumors, including cervical cancer (CC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC). Both monotherapy and combination therapies of HLX43 with other products are ongoing simultaneously to further exploit the synergistic effects of ADC-mediated cytotoxicity and immunotherapy-induced immune activation. A phase 3 head-to-head clinical trial of Henlius' novel enpitope anti-HER2 mAb HLX22 in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy comparing to current first-line standard of care therapy (trastuzumab + chemotherapy pembrolizumab) is steadily progressing. The first patient dosing has been completed in China, the U.S., Japan, Australia, and Korea, regardless of PD-L1 expression, with the aim of overcoming current limitations in first-line treatment of HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer. Meanwhile, HLX22 has received Orphan Drug Designations from both the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission (EC) in the first half the year for the treatment of gastric cancer, suggesting its significant therapeutic potential. Moreover, the updated data with over two years of follow-up from the phase 2 clinical study (HLX22-GC-201) evaluating HLX22 in combination with trastuzumab and chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer were presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. The study data demonstrated that the efficacy benefit of HLX22 in HER2-positive gastric cancer remained stable with extended follow-up, outperforming previous data and providing solid data foundation for the subsequent phase 3 study. Focusing on lung and gastrointestinal cancer, Henlius is continuously advancing the global clinical development of its self-developed innovative anti-PD-1 mAb serplulimab. In the field of lung cancers, the U.S. and Japanese bridging trial of serplulimab for SCLC, and a phase 3 MRCT of serplulimab combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for limited-stage SCLC (LS-SCLC) are currently underway in parallel to establish a solid foundation for future overseas regulatory registration, among which the phase 3 MRCT in LS-SCLC has completed the subject enrollment. In the field of gastrointestinal cancers, a phase 3 clinical trial of serplulimab plus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy for gastric cancer, as well as the phase 3 MRCT (ASTRUM-015) of serplulimab in combination with bevacizumab and chemotherapy in first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have also completed subject enrollment. During the reporting period, a total of over 20 pivotal studies, investigator-initiated trials (IITs), and real-world studies (RWS) on serplulimab in the fields of lung cancer and gastrointestinal cancer were presented at major international academic conferences such as ASCO GI, ELCC, IGCC, ASCO, and WCLC, and were published in scientific journals including Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy and Cancer Communications. Among them, the end-of-study analysis of the phase 3 clinical trial (ASTRUM-005) of serplulimab as the first line treatment for ES-SCLC has been first released at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, featuring a four-year OS data of 21.9% and thus validating its long-term survival benefit. While fully leveraging the value of its flagship molecules, the company is actively addressing unmet clinical needs and building an early-stage pipeline of high-potential candidates, creating strong momentum for sustainable, high-quality growth over the medium to long term. During the period, the company continued building and optimizing its competitive R&D platforms, including its ADC platform Hanjugator with independent intellectual property, T cell Engager (TCE) platforms, the one-stop drug discovery platform HAI Club, and the independently developed computing platform HAI PBD to enhance R&D capabilities. Meanwhile, building on its core antibody expertise, the company is making ongoing breakthroughs across target coverage and molecular diversity, accelerating multiple candidates toward clinical development, including the potential FIC human sialidase enzyme therapeutic HLX79, HLX701, the novel anti-CD47 SIRP-Fc fusion protein with good safety profile, anti-PD-L1/VEGF bispecific antibody (BsAb) HLX37, potential BIC KAT6A/B small molecule inhibitor HLX97, TCE platform-derived DLL3xCD3xCD28 TCE HLX3901 and STEAP1xCD3xCD28 TCE HLX3902, Hanjugator-based EGFRxcMET ADC HLX48, and potential FIC B7H3-sialidase enzyme HLX316. Looking ahead, Henlius will remain committed to its patient-centric mission, accelerate global expansion, drive the efficient implementation of innovation outcomes, and continuously enhance its global product supply as well as quality systems, aiming to bring more high-quality, affordable innovative treatment options to patients worldwide. About Henlius Henlius (2696.HK) is a global biopharmaceutical company with the vision to offer high-quality, affordable and innovative biologic medicines for patients worldwide with a focus on oncology, autoimmune diseases and ophthalmic diseases. Up to date, 6 products have been launched in China, 4 have been approved for marketing in overseas markets, and 6 marketing applications have been accepted for review in China, the U.S. and the EU, respectively. Since its inception in 2010, Henlius has built an integrated biopharmaceutical platform with core capabilities of high-efficiency and innovation embedded throughout the whole product life cycle including R&D, manufacturing and commercialization. It has established global innovation centre and Shanghai-based commercial manufacturing facilities certificated by China, the EU and U.S. GMP. Henlius has pro-actively built a diversified and high-quality product pipeline covering about 50 molecules and has continued to explore immuno-oncology combination therapies with proprietary HANSIZHUANG (anti-PD-1 mAb) as the backbone. To date, the company's launched products include HANLIKANG (rituximab), the first China-developed biosimilar, HANQUYOU (trastuzumab, trade name: HERCESSI in the U.S., Zercepac in Europe), a China-developed mAb biosimilar approved in China, Europe and U.S., HANDAYUAN (adalimumab), HANBEITAI (bevacizumab), HANSIZHUANG (serplulimab, trade name: Hetronifly in Europe), the world's first anti-PD-1 mAb for the first-line treatment of SCLC, and HANNAIJIA (neratinib). What's more, Henlius has conducted over 30 clinical studies for 19 products, expanding its presence in major markets as well as emerging markets. SOURCE Henlius As market leaders and long-standing partners of European institutions and governments, IDEMIA Public Security and Sopra Steria led the design and implementation of the new shared Biometric Matching System for eu-LISA. COURBEVOIE, France, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEMIA Public Security, the leading provider of secure and trusted biometric-based solutions and Sopra Steria, a leading European-based consulting, digital services, and software development company, have successfully completed the go-live of eu-LISA's new shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS). This achievement marks an important milestone in the roll-out of the Interoperability Roadmap by the EU Agency responsible for the management of large-scale IT systems in the Justice and Home Affairs domain. IDEMIA Public Security and Sopra Steria led the design and implementation of the new sBMS, the EU's central biometric matching system that stores and compares biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images. The sBMS, together with the other interoperable large-scale IT systems of eu-LISA, aims to fight irregular immigration and trans-border crime, enhancing the efficiency and security of Schengen Area border and migration management. For example, when third-country nationals come into Europe for the first time, they will be registered and searched against systems defined in the applicable EU legislation; national authorities will then be able to check whether these nationals are the persons they claim to be through biometric operations against sBMS. The system was launched together with eu-LISA's Visa Information System (VIS), a large-scale IT system that supports the implementation of the EU's common visa policy; VIS also facilitates checks at external borders and will be connected with other EU information systems in the future, such as the upcoming European Entry/Exit System (EES). The forthcoming EES will include biometric verifications and identifications of travelers based on their facial images and fingerprints. At the end of the implementation of the interoperability architecture, sBMS will be one of the largest biometric systems in the world. With IDEMIA Public Security's best-in-class biometric technology and highly-ranked algorithms across all modalities, combined with Sopra Steria's competencies as a European leader in digital transformation and Homeland Security, the pair was selected by eu-LISA to build the sBMS for border protection of the Schengen Area in 2020. As a market leader in the travel and transport industry, focusing on accurate and efficient technology solutions that deliver the highest level of performance and enhance border control operations and identity verification in high-risk environments, IDEMIA was equipped to contribute to one of the largest scale biometric databases, ensuring accuracy and fast response times. "We are excited to partner with eu-LISA and advance our mission of enabling secure, seamless, and personalized digital passenger journeys for travelers across the world," shared Tim Ferris, SVP, Travel & Transport, IDEMIA Public Security. "With our work to design and implement the sBMS, Europe will manage one of the largest biometric systems in the world. This is another example of how IDEMIA's technology can make the world a safer place more than ever before, and we're proud to play a critical role in this journey." "Sopra Steria is honored to be a longstanding and trusted partner of the EU Agency, contributing to the successful implementation of critical large-scale IT systems. The accomplished go-live of the shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS) represents a significant milestone in the realization of the EU's Interoperability Architecture, reinforcing our joint commitment to enhancing security and operational efficiency across Europe," said Michel Lorgere, Deputy CEO, Sopra Steria Belgium. As long-standing partners of European institutions and governments, IDEMIA Public Security and Sopra Steria have supported the European Union for more than 20 years in the management of mission-critical IT systems to enhance security within the Schengen area. IDEMIA Public Security delivers innovative, secure and trustworthy biometric travel solutions that streamline travel and border operations, optimize processes, enhance decision making, and enable seamless, personalized, digital passenger journeys. Sopra Steria is actively shaping Europe in the domain of Justice and Home Affairs with profound expertise in Central EU systems, national interfaces and national systems. As a true end-to-end player spanning a comprehensive range of services to drive impactful change through innovative solutions Sopra Steria partners with more than 50 government departments and 60 public bodies across Europe. About IDEMIA Group IDEMIA Group is a global technology leader with more than 12,500 employees worldwide. Its two market-leading divisions deliver mission-critical solutions that simplify and secure interactions in the physical and digital realms: IDEMIA Secure Transactions (IST) is the leading technology provider making it safer and easier to pay and connect. With unmatched expertise in cryptography and credential issuance, IST is trusted by over 2000 financial institutions, mobile operators, automotive manufacturers, and IoT providers worldwide. Every day, IST secures billions of essential transactions, ensuring the highest levels of data protection and convenience. IDEMIA Public Security is a trusted provider of government-grade and convenient biometric-based solutions for 600 government, state and federal agencies. With decades of experience in biometric technologies, IPS enables safer, frictionless and fairer ways to secure travel, access and citizen protection. For more information, please visit www.idemia.com. Media contact: Genevieve de Vera IDEMIA Public Security (978) 808-7047 [email protected] About Sopra Steria Sopra Steria, a major Tech player in Europe with 50,000 employees in nearly 30 countries, is recognised for its consulting, digital services and solutions. It helps its clients drive their digital transformation and obtain tangible and sustainable benefits. The Group provides end-to-end solutions to make large companies and organisations more competitive by combining in-depth knowledge of a wide range of business sectors and innovative technologies with a collaborative approach. Sopra Steria places people at the heart of everything it does and is committed to putting digital to work for its clients in order to build a positive future for all. In 2024, the Group generated revenues of 5.8 billion. The world is how we shape it Sopra Steria (SOP) is listed on Euronext Paris (Compartment A) ISIN: FR0000050809 For more information, visit us at www.soprasteria.com Press contacts Sopra Steria Marleen Rechsteiner [email protected] +31 (0) 644654824 SOURCE IDEMIA News / National by Staff reporter At least 1 260 teachers are reportedly leaving the profession each month in Zimbabwe, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (Artuz) has warned, citing burnout and poor working conditions as major drivers.In a communiquA released after an online general meeting held on August 17, 2025, Artuz said that sustained recruitment freezes, low morale, and high workloads were forcing teachers out of the public service. Composite classes, which result in high teacher-to-learner ratios, were highlighted as a key contributor to teacher fatigue.The union said transfers are being handled corruptly and that members are being denied their right to vacation leave. Salaries remain low, it added, and employers are ignoring calls for better working conditions. Artuz also criticised the collapse of the Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam), linking it to rising school dropout rates, increased child marriages, drug abuse, and child labour. The union highlighted other grievances, including reduced sick leave, the punitive retirement age of 70, inadequate housing, poor access to clean water and essential services, and alleged mismanagement of the Government Employees Mutual Savings (GEMS) loan scheme.Artuz reiterated demands for a minimum monthly salary of US$1 260, restoration of vacation leave, reversal of reduced sick leave, and a lower retirement age of 55. It also called for broader reforms, including devolved democratic socialism, local economic development initiatives, and increased funding for local authority wards. The union blamed corruption, unregulated mining, and neoliberal economic policies for the collapse of social services and rising unemployment.The union further criticised the government's handling of its complaint to the International Labour Organisation and rejected State-appointed conciliators. Despite what it describes as State persecution, Artuz reported steady membership growth and pledged to continue engaging international organisations to defend workers' rights and rebuild Zimbabwe's education system.Responding to Artuz's claims, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education dismissed several allegations, including the figure of 1 260 teachers resigning each month, calling it "gross and irresponsible" and not supported by official data. Ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said that, on the contrary, thousands of teachers aspire to join the public service each month. He also disputed claims regarding school connectivity, stating that 52.49 percent of secondary schools and 39.99 percent of primary schools have internet access.Ndoro confirmed that the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme continues without interruption and emphasised that pregnant girls are legally protected to remain in or return to formal education. He added that the ministry remains committed to providing quality, equitable, and inclusive education for all Zimbabweans, with ongoing efforts to implement the Heritage-Based Education curriculum, improve infrastructure, and support teachers within available national resources. HAMPTON ROADS, Va., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kalfus & Nachman is proud to announce that the firm has been voted "Best Personal Injury Law Firm in Norfolk" in Virginia Media's 2025 "Best Of" Contest. This prestigious accolade signifies the firm's unwavering commitment to client-focused legal representation in the region and active community engagement. A Victory for the Community, by the Community After weeks of enthusiastic voting by clients, supporters, and community members across Hampton Roads, Kalfus & Nachman emerged as the clear favorite in the highly contested "Best Personal Injury Law Firm" category. The win highlights the firm's remarkable 45-year legacy in the field. "We are deeply honored and humbled by this win, and are grateful to everyone who voted and who continues to inspire us to serve with excellence," said attorney Paul R. Hernandez. What This Award Means Winning the "Best Of Norfolk 2025" title signifies more than just popularity-it underscores Kalfus & Nachman's reputation for: Compassionate client advocacy Successful case outcomes Integrity and professionalism Deep-rooted community involvement This recognition backs our mission to provide exceptional legal service to those in need and motivates us to continue raising the bar in personal injury law. Celebrating 45 Years of Excellence For over four decades, Kalfus & Nachman has been a pillar of the Hampton Roads legal community, handling cases ranging from auto accidents and medical malpractice to wrongful death and workers' compensation. The firm's commitment to obtaining justice for clients has earned it not only this award but also the lasting respect of peers and residents alike. Kalfus & Nachman Law Firm extends heartfelt thanks to every client who shared their story and entrusted the firm with their case, to the community partners and volunteers who helped spread the word, and to the dedicated team and staff whose hard work made this achievement possible. While we take pride in this milestone, our eyes are set on the future - continuing to serve, support, and strengthen the Hampton Roads community through legal excellence and outreach initiatives. For more information on Kalfus & Nachman's services, visit www.kalfusnachman.com or get in touch with us at 855-880-8163. Media Contact: Mary Murray Email us here Kalfus & Nachman PC +1 855-880-8163 Visit us on social media: Facebook | Instagram | X | LinkedIn SOURCE Kalfus & Nachman PC WICHITA, Kan., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) $750,000 in funding through the competitive Rural Residency Planning and Development Program. This prestigious federal award will support KHSU and its Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM) in establishing a new residency program to train family medicine physicians expanding health care access and strengthening the physician workforce in underserved Kansas communities. "We have a serious deficit of primary care physicians in this country and especially rural Kansas," said Kimberly Long, Ph.D., acting president of KHSU. "By creating this new residency program, we aren't just training a new generation of family medicine physicians. We're establishing a long-term pipeline of dedicated practitioners. This grant allows us to make a lasting, generational impact on health care access for the communities that need it most." According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas is ranked 40th in the nation for its number of active physicians per capita, with 69 out of 105 counties primarily in rural areas identified as health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in primary care. Nationally, a shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians is projected within 12 years, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Data from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) states that nearly 70% of the nation's Health Professional Shortage Areas for primary care are in rural communities. "Rural settings often require a broader scope of practice including minor procedures, emergency care, outpatient surgery, and obstetrics offering a more generalist and dynamic experience," said Lori McMann, director of graduate medical education and continuing medical education at KHSU. "This rural training will also expose residents to the lifestyle, culture and clinical environment of rural medicine, helping trainees develop confidence and comfort in practicing outside urban centers." The HRSA award enables KHSU to build the infrastructure required for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approval and to launch a new rural family medicine residency program. The new program will send residents to collaborating partners in the region that haven't hosted residents before. To help prepare these partner sites, the federal funds will be used to develop an infrastructure such as building conference rooms and offices as well as covering the costs for faculty development and purchasing equipment such as laptops and Point of Care Ultrasound to support the program. Once the program is approved, KansasCOM will admit cohorts of four residents annually, with an effort to attract residents who demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing a career in rural primary care practice. Through the program's didactic and clinical curriculum, faculty members and residents will partner with local organizations to address social determinants of health, such as providing resources for transportation, nutrition, and mental health to enhance overall well-being. "By rotating in a rural training program such as this, medical students will gain education and experience that address the unique needs of rural medicine to determine if rural practice is right for them," said McMann. "On average, 50-57% of physicians who train in rural areas will stay to practice in a rural area. This new program has the potential to make a significant impact on the disparity of care in underserved areas and is a real win for rural America." About Kansas Health Science University Kansas Health Science University (KHSU) is committed to developing strong, innovative education programs in emerging areas of health care. In 2022, KHSU welcomed the first class of students to the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (KansasCOM), the first college of osteopathic medicine in the state. The college provides a comprehensive education that combines the core tenets of osteopathic medicine with curriculum focused on innovative technologies and community-based care. KHSU is part of The Community Solution Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges and universities working together to advance student success and community impact. Learn more. SOURCE Kansas Health Science University DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Laparoscopic Instruments Market , valued at US$10.23 billion in 2024, stood at US$11.07 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 8.7% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$16.78 billion by the end of the period. Several key factors drive the growth of the market for laparoscopic instruments. One major driver is the increasing demand for minimally invasive surgery, which offers benefits such as smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times. Additionally, the rising global incidence of diseases like colorectal cancer, obesity, and gallstonesconditions that often require laparoscopic proceduresfurther fuels this demand. Advancements in imaging technologies, energy equipment, and robotic support have also enhanced the accuracy and outcomes of laparoscopic surgeries, contributing to their growing adoption. Furthermore, increased healthcare spending, improved surgical facilities in developing countries, and heightened awareness among patients and healthcare professionals significantly influence the market. Government initiatives aimed at promoting advanced surgical techniques and favorable reimbursement policies in developed countries further support the growth of the laparoscopic instruments market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=130019497 Browse in-depth TOC on "Laparoscopic Instruments Market" 300 - Tables 50 - Figures 330 - Pages By product, due to its wide range of procedures, including cholecystectomies, appendectomies, hernia repairs, and bowel resections- which are increasingly performed with minimally invasive techniques- general surgery dominates the market for laparoscopic instruments. Laparoscopic methods are becoming more popular because they offer benefits like smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery laparoscopic techniques are becoming more and more popular in general surgery. Additionally, the global rise in gallbladder diseases, abdominal infections, and gastrointestinal disorders has led to an increase in general surgical procedures. The market's growth is further supported by technological advancements in laparoscopic instruments, a larger pool of trained surgeons, and favorable reimbursement policies. By applications, the market for laparoscopic instruments is primarily led by laparoscopes because of their crucial role in enabling visualization during minimally invasive procedures. The demand for high-quality, high-resolution laparoscopes has surged as laparoscopic procedures have become more common across various specialties, including general surgery, urology, and gynecology. Technological advancements have further accelerated adoption by greatly improving surgical accuracy and outcomes, with innovations such as flexible and 3D laparoscopes, HD and 4K imaging systems, and integrated camera technologies. The dominant market position of laparoscopes is also driven by the increasing number of surgeries resulting from the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses, along with ongoing cycles of updating and replacing imaging equipment in hospitals and surgical centers. By geography, the laparoscopic instruments market is segmented into five major regions, namely, North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East & Africa. Due in large part to its highly developed healthcare system, widespread use of minimally invasive procedures, and strong presence of top medical device manufacturers, North America leads the global market for laparoscopic instruments. A well-established regulatory framework, favorable reimbursement policies, and a large pool of highly skilled surgeons trained in laparoscopy are key advantages for the region. Additionally, the need for laparoscopic procedures is fueled by the high prevalence of chronic illnesses such as obesity, colorectal cancer, and gallbladder diseases in the United States and Canada drives the demand for laparoscopic procedures. The region's market position is further strengthened by continuous technological innovations and early adoption of advanced surgical tools. Rising healthcare costs, an aging population, and increasing patient awareness of the benefits of laparoscopic procedures also contribute to North America's dominance in the worldwide market for laparoscopic instruments. Request Sample Pages : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=130019497 The key players in the global laparoscopic instruments market are Olympus Corporation (Japan), Karl Storz SE & Co. KG (Germany), Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (US), Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (Japan), Medtronic (Ireland), Stryker Corporation (US), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany), Becton, Dickinson and Company (US), Smith & Nephew PLC (UK), and Hoya Corporation (Japan). Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. [Ethicon] (US): Johnson & Johnson, through its subsidiary Ethicon, is a leading producer of laparoscopic instruments and has built a strong presence in the minimally invasive surgery market. The company's core strengths lie in its broad product range, which includes advanced energy devices, access and visualization tools, and innovative surgical instruments designed for laparoscopic procedures. Johnson & Johnson invests heavily in research and development, continually funding cutting-edge technologies such as robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery and smart energy systems to enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes. The company operates a global manufacturing and distribution network, enabling it to serve both developed and emerging markets effectively. Strategic collaborations with healthcare institutions, surgeon training programs, and ongoing clinical research further solidify its leadership in the field. Johnson & Johnson's dedication to innovation, quality, and patient-focused solutions continues to drive its growth and influence in the laparoscopic instruments market. Medtronic (Ireland) Medtronic is a leading player in the laparoscopic instruments market and is recognized for its innovation-focused approach and strong global presence. The company's core strengths include advanced surgical solutions such as energy-based devices, access instruments, and laparoscopic stapling systems that improve precision and efficiency in minimally invasive procedures. Medtronic heavily invests in research and development, concentrating on integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI-powered surgical platforms and digital visualization tools to enhance clinical outcomes. It has also pursued strategic acquisitions and partnerships to broaden its product range and technological capabilities. With a significant presence in both developed and emerging markets, Medtronic prioritizes surgeon training, education programs, and clinical support to promote the adoption of laparoscopic techniques. Its dedication to innovation, patient safety, and worldwide accessibility positions Medtronic as a key leader in the evolving field of laparoscopic instruments. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Minimally Invasive Surgical Instruments Market Soft Tissue Repair Market Medical Robots Market Healthcare Simulation Market Endoscopy Equipment Market Get access to the latest updates on Laparoscopic Instruments Companies and Laparoscopic Instruments Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter , LinkedIn and Facebook . Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Press Club is gravely concerned by reports that five journalists were killed today in Gaza when Israeli airstrikes struck Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. According to health officials and press organizations, those killed included: Mariam Abu Dagga, 33, a freelance journalist who worked with The Associated Press and The Independent (Arabic). She is survived by her 12-year-old son. (Arabic). She is survived by her 12-year-old son. Mohammad Salam , a journalist for Al Jazeera. , a journalist for Al Jazeera. Hussam al-Masri , a contract photographer for Reuters. , a contract photographer for Reuters. Moaz Abu Taha , a journalist working with NBC News. , a journalist working with NBC News. Ahmed Abu Aziz , a freelance journalist. Earlier this month, Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif and several of his colleagues were killed when a tent used by journalists outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City was struck in a targeted Israeli attack. Their deaths, together with today's killings, underscore that this has become one of the deadliest conflicts for journalists in modern history, with more than 200 journalists killed since the war began. "The killing of journalists in Gaza is not just a tragedy for their families and colleagues; it is an attack on the public's right to know," said National Press Club President Mike Balsamo. "Journalists are witnesses on the front lines of conflict often the only way the public understands what is happening in this war. They must never be treated as targets. International law requires their protection, and those who violate that obligation must be held accountable." The National Press Club calls for an independent investigation into these deaths and reiterates its unwavering commitment to defending the safety, independence, and unhindered access of journalists worldwide. Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 2,500 members, the Club, through its Press Freedom Center, is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide. Contact: Bill McCarren, Director of the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club, 202-662-7534 or [email protected] SOURCE National Press Club "From Records to Research" empowers patients, caregivers to take control of their health DANBURY, Conn., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the leading national nonprofit serving more than 30 million Americans with rare diseases, today launched a free online data literacy course designed to boost data literacy among patients and caregivers. Tailored for those affected by rare diseases, the course empowers patients and caregivers to make informed decisions, advocate effectively, better communicate with health care providers, and engage more meaningfully in research. This self-paced, mobile-friendly course, entitled "From Records to Research: Making Sense of Health Data for Rare Diseases," was created in partnership with Critical Path Institute (C-Path) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is now available on NORD RareEDU, NORD's online learning platform. Building data literacy will help rare disease patient advocates champion urgently needed funding, shape policy, and ensure research addresses the real needs of their communities all critical to driving scientific innovation. "Patients and caregivers in the rare disease community are constantly navigating overwhelming amounts of medical information while managing complex, often misunderstood conditions," said Rebecca Aune, NORD Director of Education Programs. "With NORD's new data literacy course, patients and their families will be able to make smart decisions regarding participation in research, clinical trials, and the management of their health data, leading to better care and advocacy." "From Records to Research" is divided into four modules that give patients and caregivers the tools to better understand and engage with health data: Understanding Clinical Data: An in-depth look at how medical information is collected, the role of electronic health records, key medical terms, and data privacy protections. An in-depth look at how medical information is collected, the role of electronic health records, key medical terms, and data privacy protections. Medical Devices and Health Data: Explores how data is shared, the types of medical devices that collect it, and how this information supports diagnosis and treatment. Explores how data is shared, the types of medical devices that collect it, and how this information supports diagnosis and treatment. Research and Health Data: Provides insight into how study design, how scientists collect and analyze data, and what patients should consider before joining a study, including the importance of informed consent. Provides insight into how study design, how scientists collect and analyze data, and what patients should consider before joining a study, including the importance of informed consent. How Data Becomes Knowledge to Improve Health: Discusses how medical research plays a key role in shaping the care patients receive, the treatments they trust, and the decisions they make about their health. Participants in the course, which will also be translated into Spanish, will receive a certificate upon completion. As an innovator in education and a leader in advancing research and outcomes, NORD deeply values partnerships that make programs like this possible. Through our collaboration with C-Path and the FDA, and with funding provided by the Rare Disease Cures Accelerator-Data and Analytics Platform (RDCA-DAP), an integrated database and analytics hub designed to accelerate drug development, we are advancing the creation of novel solutions that can bring treatments to rare disease patients faster. Learn more about the "From Records to Research" course: https://learn.rarediseases.org/courses/from-records-to-research-making-sense-of-health-data-for-rare-diseases/ About the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Founded in 1983, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is the leading independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and lives of over 30 million Americans living with rare diseases. In partnership with more than 350 disease-specific member patient organizations, NORD drives progress in rare disease research, care, and policy. Learn more at rarediseases.org. SOURCE National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) 9 Years of Going FartherBecause You Never Stopped. NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NORTIV 8, the American outdoor and work footwear brand trusted by millions, is marking its 9th anniversary with the release of an ambitious new lineup that redefines comfort, durability, accessibility, and performance across hiking, trail running, work safety, and tactical footwear. At the center is the Armadillo 3, the upgraded evolution of its most iconic hiking boot, joined by new Wide Toe Box hikers and tactical boots and a next-generation Nano Composite Toe work line. NORTIV 8 marks its 9th anniversary with the debut of the all-new Armadillo 3, an upgraded evolution of its iconic hiking boot, alongside a comprehensive expansion into wide toe box hikers, tactical boots, and next-generation nano composite work gear, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, durability, and performance for adventurers and professionals alike. To mark its ninth anniversary, NORTIV 8 is rolling out a limited-time celebration for adventurers and professionals alike: a 72-hour flash event from August 2931 with up to 50% off select styles, followed by sitewide savings of 20% from September 115. Don't miss this chance to step into the latest innovations and all-time favoritesonce the clock runs out, the deals are gone. New Styles: Innovation Meets Performance Building on nearly a decade of design expertise, NORTIV 8's new collection pushes boundaries in comfort, durability, and versatility. Each style is engineered to meet the demands of trails, job sites, and urban environments, combining advanced materials, thoughtful construction, and high-performance technology. Classic Hiking Style Armadillo 3 Hiking Boots - Trail Conqueror At the forefront of the new collection is the Armadillo 3, a complete upgrade to one of NORTIV 8's most iconic hikers. Powered by SGS-certified Waterproof-Pro technology, it withstands more than 15,000 dynamic test cycles without seepage, crushing the static standards of its predecessor. A newly engineered outsole with four traction zones locks onto mud, rock, and scree with unwavering grip, while a retooled EVA midsole cuts 18% of the weight and delivers 13% more rebound for faster, easier climbs. Durability surges ahead too, with a 30% stronger outsole and superior traction across wet and dry terrain. Reinforced with a TPU skeletal frame, armored toe cap, and secure ankle wrap, the Armadillo 3 isn't just built for the trailit's built to conquer it. Wide Toe Box Collection Whitney Wide Toe Box Trail Runner For runners who crave freedom and comfort, the Whitney delivers a natural fit with its roomy wide toe boxallowing toes to spread for stability and forward propulsion whether on city pavement or rugged trails. A breathable Jacquard mesh upper keeps air flowing and sweat under control, while the cushioned arch-support insole and lightweight EVA midsole absorb shock mile after mile, making it an especially supportive choice for heavier runners. Beneath it all, a grippy rubber outsole with 4mm lugs ensures dependable traction and sheds mud with ease. With its streamlined silhouette and Rocky Mountaininspired colorways, the Whitney is a trail shoe that looks as good as it performs, built for those who move between workouts, trail runs, and daily commutes. Katahdin Wide Toe Box Waterproof Hiking Boot Designed for explorers who value both comfort and capability, the Katahdin hiking boot combines a wide toe box for natural toe splay with a 5mm low-drop design that promotes balance and reduces strain on the forefoot. A built-in waterproof membranetested to withstand the toughest conditionskeeps feet dry and ready for unpredictable trails. Durable craftsmanship is at the heart of the boot, blending premium leather, rugged nylon, and TPU support to stand up to long-distance treks. A thick EVA midsole delivers responsive cushioning with every step, while the lugged rubber outsole grips confidently on rocky paths and slippery slopes. Whether navigating mountain switchbacks or weekend trailheads, the Katahdin is built to keep pace with adventure. Pikes Wide Toe Box Tactical Boot Blending tactical toughness with everyday wearability, the Pikes boot gives working professionals and outdoor enthusiasts the edge they need. Its wide toe box promotes natural alignment and comfort for long hours on foot, while the 5mm low-drop design encourages a more balanced, natural stride. A side zipper with hook-and-loop strap makes on-and-off effortless yet secure, ensuring the boot stays snug during demanding movement. Built from premium leather and wear-resistant nylon mesh, the Pikes offers durability without excess weight, enhanced by a shock-absorbing EVA midsole for responsive comfort. The rugged rubber outsole grips across varied terrain while resisting mud buildupmaking it a reliable choice for security staff, couriers, factory workers, and anyone who needs a boot tough enough for the job yet comfortable enough for all-day wear. Work Boots & Industrial Protection VaporGuard-nano Nano Composite Toe Work Boot The VaporGuard-nano redefines what a work boot can do, blending lightweight agility with uncompromising protection. Featuring a Nano Composite Toe, it delivers ASTM-certified impact and electrical hazard resistance while shaving pounds off the traditional steel-toe design. A built-in waterproof membrane keeps feet dry in puddles, shallow streams, or muddy job sites, while the responsive EVA midsole and arch-support insole reduce fatigue, even during long hours on concrete floors. Engineered for warehouse staff, couriers, and trade professionals, the VaporGuard-nano ensures every step is cushioned, supported, and ready for actionmaking demanding days feel a little easier. Metrostrike-nano Heavy-Duty Nano Composite Toe For those facing the toughest jobs, the Metrostrike-nano combines rugged durability with all-day comfort. Its reinforced TPU upper stands up to abrasions and harsh environments, while a lugged, slip-resistant outsole grips oil, water, and debris to keep every step secure. A convenient side zipper offers quick access without compromising a snug fit, and the Nano Composite Toe shields toes from impact and compression while staying unaffected by extreme temperatures. Lightweight yet resilient, the Metrostrike-nano is purpose-built for construction workers, electricians, and heavy-duty professionals who demand protection, performance, and agility in every move. Honoring the Classics: The Core Collection Beyond the new releases, NORTIV 8 continues to build on a foundation of bestsellers that have won loyal fans across hiking, work, and tactical categories: Armadillo The Original Trail Icon : Built for all-terrain reliability, Armadillo features cushioned EVA midsoles and non-slip rubber outsoles that provide comfort and traction across varied landscapes. Lightweight yet durable, these hiking boots are ideal for weekend treks, long-distance hikes, or everyday outdoor adventures. Built for all-terrain reliability, Armadillo features cushioned EVA midsoles and non-slip rubber outsoles that provide comfort and traction across varied landscapes. Lightweight yet durable, these hiking boots are ideal for weekend treks, long-distance hikes, or everyday outdoor adventures. Paladin Waterproof Hiking with Stability : Designed for explorers who demand protection, Paladin combines a reinforced heel, protective toe, premium suede leather, and rugged MDT outsole to offer excellent grip on slippery or uneven trails, keeping feet secure and dry throughout every adventure. Designed for explorers who demand protection, Paladin combines a reinforced heel, protective toe, premium suede leather, and rugged MDT outsole to offer excellent grip on slippery or uneven trails, keeping feet secure and dry throughout every adventure. Seeker Trail-Ready Style for Women: Blending functionality with a feminine silhouette, Seeker features lightweight cushioning, breathable mesh, and supportive midsoles, ensuring comfort and stability during extended hikes while maintaining a stylish, trail-ready look. Blending functionality with a feminine silhouette, Seeker features lightweight cushioning, breathable mesh, and supportive midsoles, ensuring comfort and stability during extended hikes while maintaining a stylish, trail-ready look. DriftShield Versatile Lightweight Outdoor Boot: Crafted from leather, faux suede, and Oxford fabric, DriftShield offers durable waterproof protection and a supportive fit, perfect for weekend hikes, travel, or long days of outdoor work. Crafted from leather, faux suede, and Oxford fabric, DriftShield offers durable waterproof protection and a supportive fit, perfect for weekend hikes, travel, or long days of outdoor work. HydroTrek High-Top Wet-Condition Hiker: Built for challenging wet environments, HydroTrek offers four-hour static waterproofing, a gusseted tongue to keep out debris, and stable support for navigating streams, rivers, and slippery terrain. Built for challenging wet environments, HydroTrek offers four-hour static waterproofing, a gusseted tongue to keep out debris, and stable support for navigating streams, rivers, and slippery terrain. Fern Rugged and Reliable Outdoor Boot: Combining Oxford-and-PU construction with four-hour waterproof testing and debris protection, Fern provides stability and practicality for both outdoor work and adventurous trails. Combining Oxford-and-PU construction with four-hour waterproof testing and debris protection, Fern provides stability and practicality for both outdoor work and adventurous trails. Paladin-steel Industrial-Grade Steel-Toe Protection: A robust steel-toe variant of Paladin, offering ASTM-rated safety, reinforced support, and waterproof performance, ideal for construction sites, warehouses, and heavy-duty workplaces. A robust steel-toe variant of Paladin, offering ASTM-rated safety, reinforced support, and waterproof performance, ideal for construction sites, warehouses, and heavy-duty workplaces. Terrascope Lightweight Military Boot for Long Shifts : Designed for professionals on patrol or demanding job sites, Terrascope features a responsive ETPU outsole, inside zipper for convenience, and long-lasting comfort and traction. Designed for professionals on patrol or demanding job sites, Terrascope features a responsive ETPU outsole, inside zipper for convenience, and long-lasting comfort and traction. Recon Tactical Impact-Resistant Boot: Crafted from genuine leather and durable textiles, Recon offers a cushioned MD midsole, impact-resistant build, and all-day support for tactical operations and rugged outdoor activities. Crafted from genuine leather and durable textiles, Recon offers a cushioned MD midsole, impact-resistant build, and all-day support for tactical operations and rugged outdoor activities. Defender Waterproof Military Boot with Shock Absorption: Combining reinforced rubber toe, EVA-rubber midsole, and slip-resistant outsole, Defender provides stability, protection, and comfort across rugged or slippery terrain. Combining reinforced rubber toe, EVA-rubber midsole, and slip-resistant outsole, Defender provides stability, protection, and comfort across rugged or slippery terrain. Metrostrike Reliable Industrial and Tactical Boot: With responsive EVA cushioning, breathable mesh lining, and Oxford construction, Metrostrike ensures all-day comfort and support for industrial and tactical environments. With responsive EVA cushioning, breathable mesh lining, and Oxford construction, Metrostrike ensures all-day comfort and support for industrial and tactical environments. Trooper Abrasion-Resistant Tactical Boot: Engineered for tough conditions, Trooper features dual-sole shock absorption, slip-resistant performance, and durable leather construction for demanding outdoor and tactical use. Step Into the Next Chapter with NORTIV 8 As NORTIV 8 celebrates nine years of innovation, the brand continues to empower adventurers, professionals, and everyday explorers to move farther with confidence, comfort, and style. From the trail-ready precision of Armadillo 3 to the rugged reliability of work and tactical boots, every design reflects a commitment to performance, protection, enduring quality, and accessibility. Whether navigating city streets, challenging trails, or demanding job sites, NORTIV 8 delivers footwear that elevates every step. Discover the perfect boot or shoe this anniversary and take advantage of limited-time savings to join those who never stopped going further. Explore the Full Lineup Discover NORTIV 8's latest innovations and timeless classics at its Amazon store and official website. Take advantage of the anniversary flash sale on NORTIV 8's official website from August 2931, with up to 50% off select styles, followed by 20% sitewide savings through September 1531. Step farther. Work harder. Explore longer. With NORTIV 8, every step counts. About NORTIV 8 NORTIV 8 is a leading footwear brand delivering high-performance athletic, outdoor, and work shoes designed for real-world adventure. Combining rugged durability, innovative technology, and modern design, each style offers exceptional value and accessibility for adventurers, professionals, and everyday explorers. Built to perform on trails, job sites, and city streets, NORTIV 8 empowers every step with comfort, resilience, and confidence. SOURCE NORTIV 8 NEWARK, Del., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Only 7 days left to secure your Early Bird registration at the OpenSSL Conference 2025, October 7 9 in Prague. Join lawyers, regulators, developers, and entrepreneurs discussing security and privacy for everyone, everywhere. Meet the people behind the OpenSSL Library , Bouncy Castle , and cryptlib projects. projects. Meet compliance leaders, policymakers, and certification experts . and . Find your next partner, mentor, contributor, or co-founder . or . Engage directly with project maintainers : challenge decisions, ask questions, and shape the future. : challenge decisions, ask questions, and shape the future. Join conversations where technical, commercial, and ethical perspectives collide. where technical, commercial, and ethical perspectives collide. Prepare for the future : from regulatory obligations to post-quantum cryptography. : from regulatory obligations to post-quantum cryptography. Learn from presentations that address past, present, and future security challenges. that address past, present, and future security challenges. Network with fellow participants. Do not miss your chance Early Bird pricing ends in 7 days. REGISTER NOW Contact & Stay Informed Contact the OpenSSL Conference team at [email protected]. Contact: OpenSSL Corporation ***@openssl.org Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13095324 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE OpenSSL Corporation Exit at $1.5bn valuation marks BGF's largest ever return and highlights the importance of patient capital in scaling UK medtech innovation LONDON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BGF, the UK and Ireland's most active growth capital investor, today announces the successful exit of OrganOx, the Oxford-based medtech company whose pioneering liver perfusion technology has transformed outcomes for transplant patients worldwide. The deal represents one of the largest exits of a UK medtech company, at $1.5bn (the total transaction value is approximately $1.5bn). It also marks BGF's largest-ever return, generating 175m of proceeds. The deal has driven a 10x money multiple (MM) exit on BGF's initial investment and an overall IRR in the region of 69 percent. BGF first invested in OrganOx in 2019 and has provided seven rounds of investment, including a 20m commitment earlier this year. BGF participated in each of the funding rounds following its initial investment and is the company's largest shareholder. Other early backers of the company included Longwall Ventures and Oxford Investment Consultants. In the later stages of development, OrganOx was fortunate to attract capital from Lauxera Capital Partners (US/Fr), HealthQuest (US) and others joining in support. Founded out of the University of Oxford, OrganOx developed the world's first fully automated device for liver preservation, metra, which enables donor livers to be maintained in a functioning state outside the human body for up to 24 hours. The technology, used in more than 6,000 liver transplants to date, has significantly increased the number of viable organs available for transplant and improved patient outcomes. With BGF's support, OrganOx has scaled into a world-leading medtech company. The business will continue to operate from Oxford as a standalone division within global healthcare company Terumo Corporation, following the completion of the transaction. Tim Rea, co-head of early stage investing at BGF and a member of the OrganOx board since 2019, said: "OrganOx has transformed liver transplantation and built a world-class position in medtech. In a sector where institutional capital is constrained, this exit highlights the importance and potential of patient growth capital, and a willingness to back innovation before it is de-risked something many investors find difficult to do in this still nascent market." "BGF was built to deploy capital into underserved parts of the investment market. In early stage medtech, we have gone further by deliberately backing companies with significant hardware and manufacturing complexity. Our capital and commercial expertise made us ideally placed to take on this challenge and OrganOx is a powerful example of why that strategy matters." Oern R. Stuge MD, MBA, and Executive Chairman of OrganOx said: "Today's announced transaction is expected to expand the adoption of our transplantation technology platform by leveraging Terumo's global infrastructure to benefit more patients around the globe. "Thank you to BGF who have shown conviction and support as an investor and board member since their first investment. Their capital and leadership have enabled the value creation inherent in today's announced $1.5bn transaction." Andy Gregory, CEO of BGF, said: "At a ten-figure valuation, we are incredibly proud to have played a key role in one of the UK's largest medtech exits. It reflects a remarkable achievement by the OrganOx team, and we are especially proud that this success is tied directly to a positive impact in patient outcomes. "By combining early and growth-stage investing across multiple sectors, BGF has created the right blend to deliver strong, sustainable and repeatable returns. Our ambition now is for more capital to flow into the UK's most promising companies whether through co-investments with international, specialist investors, or domestic sources." Alongside OrganOx, BGF has backed several high-potential UK medtech companies including Cyted, which uses AI-enabled diagnostics for early cancer detection; TidalSense, which develops innovative respiratory monitoring technology; and Entia, a home blood testing platform supporting cancer care. The deal follows BGF's recent exit from Panthera Biopartners, a leading clinical trials site management organisation. During BGF's investment period, Panthera's revenue more than doubled and the business expanded its national footprint and therapeutic coverage. BGF is one of the largest and most experienced growth capital investors in the UK and Ireland, backing entrepreneurs and innovators, typically providing initial investments of between 3m and 30m in high potential businesses. BGF recently pledged 500m to early-stage deep tech and life sciences businesses as part of its wider 3bn UK-wide strategy to support high-potential companies over the next five years. Notes to editors The leadership team at OrganOx includes Craig Marshall, CEO, who transitioned to the role of CEO in 2017 and has lead the company's efforts since then; Stephen Deitsch, Chief Financial Officer, who was central to building out the platform that has enabled the company to scale, and critical to the success of the company's $160m fundraise round in February 2025 and the delivery of this exit; Rupa Basu, Global Chief Commercial Officer, who joined the company in 2022 has been central to the company's successful launch and scale-up in the US market. OrganOx's academic founder and Chief Technology Officer, Constantin Coussios, who founded the business with Peter Friend, Chief Medical Officer, has been closely involved in many aspects of developing the business, building the product and supporting team expansion. Craig Marshall, CEO, OrganOx said: "Once BGF had a Board seat in 2019, occupied by Tim Rea, I knew that if we succeeded in maintaining our focus and momentum as a business and a team, that OrganOx would not run out of funds in the future. BGF's conviction remained with us throughout, and they not only participated in every round of funding after their first investment but initiated and shaped a number of these funding rounds." Stephen Deitsch, CFO, OrganOx said: "It's been an honour working alongside the BGF team, whose operational and financial contributions from 2019 through 2025 have enabled OrganOx's global market leadership, culminating in today's announced $1.5bn deal with record returns for BGF." Rupa Basu, Global CCO, OrganOx said: "Thanks to the support of BGF we rapidly expanded our global footprint, positively impacting both patients and healthcare providers while honouring the generosity of over 6,000 donors." About BGF BGF was set up in 2011 and has invested 4.5bn in over 600 companies, making it the most active investor in the UK and Ireland. Its shareholders are Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest. In early stage, BGF specialises in investing in deep tech and life sciences. It has a dedicated team that backs between five and 10 companies a year. BGF is a minority, non-controlling equity partner with a patient outlook on investments, based on shared long-term goals with the management teams it backs. BGF invests in growing businesses through its network of 15 offices. See: www.bgf.co.uk About OrganOx OrganOx is a commercial stage organ technology company, spun out of the University of Oxford in 2008, dedicated to developing technologies to improve outcomes for patients with acute or chronic organ failure. The OrganOx metra is a normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) platform approved in the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Australia. It has been utilized in over 6,000 liver transplants to date to keep donor livers in a metabolically active state outside the body so that functional assessment of the organ can be performed prior to transplant, leading to an increased number of organs available for transplant. Learn more at www.organox.com. About Terumo Terumo is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to "Contributing to Society through Healthcare" for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 30,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large. Media contact: Peter Hewer/Jemima Black Greenbrook [email protected] Award-winning small group tour operator offers value on land tours and small-ship ocean cruises, with special advantages for solo travelers BOSTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.), the leader in small group travel for Americans 50+, is offering its Labor Day Savings sale, offering travelers the chance to save up to $6,800 per person on any 2025 or 2026 O.A.T. departure. The limited-time offer applies to both land tours and award-winning small-ship ocean cruises, giving travelers more options to explore the world while maximizing their value. As the industry leader in solo travel, O.A.T. also continues to expand its award-winning solo experience with FREE Single Supplements on all land tours and dedicated cabins on small-ship journeys. More than 50% of O.A.T. travelers each year go solo, underscoring the company's long-standing commitment to making travel more accessible for independent adventurers. "O.A.T. is proud to be recognized as an award-winning brand that delivers authentic, meaningful travel experiences by both land and sea," said Brian FitzGerald, CEO of Grand Circle Corporation. "This Labor Day, we're excited to help even more Americans bring their travel dreams to lifewhether that's sailing into hidden harbors aboard our privately owned small ships or discovering local traditions on a guided land tour." With Labor Day Savings, travelers can reserve O.A.T.'s most popular itineraries, including: Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand , Laos , Cambodia & Vietnam (20 days) From $5,095 including airfare. Discover the wonders of Southeast Asia on this immersive journey through four countries, where you'll explore ancient temples, bustling markets, and the Mekong River. Highlights include Angkor Wat, a traditional rice barge cruise, and authentic cultural connections with local communities. Learn More From including airfare. Discover the wonders of on this immersive journey through four countries, where you'll explore ancient temples, bustling markets, and the Mekong River. Highlights include Angkor Wat, a traditional rice barge cruise, and authentic cultural connections with local communities. Learn More Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian Coast & Greece (17 days) From $8,395 including airfare. Sail aboard the privately owned 50-passenger M/V Arethusa or M/V Athena for 11 nights, exploring small ports and historic coastal towns. From Dubrovnik's medieval walls to the islands of the Cyclades, travelers enjoy a rare perspective on the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Learn More From including airfare. Sail aboard the privately owned 50-passenger M/V or M/V for 11 nights, exploring small ports and historic coastal towns. From Dubrovnik's medieval walls to the islands of the Cyclades, travelers enjoy a rare perspective on the Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Learn More Morocco Sahara Odyssey (16 days) From $5,095 including airfare. Journey from Casablanca to Marrakesh and beyond, where the vibrant culture of Morocco meets the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert. Travelers will experience camel rides over the dunes, visits to local Berber villages, and the colorful souks of Fez. Learn More From including airfare. Journey from to Marrakesh and beyond, where the vibrant culture of meets the awe-inspiring Sahara Desert. Travelers will experience camel rides over the dunes, visits to local Berber villages, and the colorful souks of Fez. Learn More Ultimate Africa : Botswana , Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari (17 days) From $6,595 including airfare. Experience Africa's greatest wildlife regions on safari drives through Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, and more. Along the way, travelers will stay in remote lodges and camps, witness Victoria Falls , and encounter elephants, lions, and other iconic species in their natural habitats. Learn More For full details, visit O.A.T. Labor Day Savings. Sale ends September 2, 2025. Call 1-800-955-1925 to reserve. SOURCE Overseas Adventure Travel Chart-Topping Artists, Curated Latin Culture, and a Full Road to OYE Fest Countdown ATLANTA, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The wait is almost over. On Saturday, October 4th, 2025, downtown Atlanta will once again transform into the heartbeat of Latin music and culture when OYE Fest roars back with its biggest lineup yet. THE ARTISTS TAKING OVER ATLANTA This year's festival will feature some of the most influential and electrifying voices in Latin music: Alexis y Fido The legendary reggaeton duo celebrating over 20 years of Latin urban dominance. The legendary reggaeton duo celebrating over 20 years of Latin urban dominance. Alvaro Diaz The Puerto Rican sensation blending hip-hop and reggaeton into chart-topping innovation. The Puerto Rican sensation blending hip-hop and reggaeton into chart-topping innovation. Snow Tha Product The fearless Mexican-American rapper and activist known for unapologetic lyrics and activism. The fearless Mexican-American rapper and activist known for unapologetic lyrics and activism. Macario Martinez TikTok viral ballad star turned international phenomenon. TikTok viral ballad star turned international phenomenon. PabloPablo A boundary-breaking artist fusing global genres into an unforgettable sonic experience. More than 15 additional performers including Atlanta's own local and regional Latinx talent will also join the lineup, bringing nonstop energy, beats, and dance to the Southeast. VIP EXPERIENCES ELEVATE THE FESTIVAL OYE Fest goes beyond music with premium VIP perks designed to take your experience to the next level: VIP Entry & Exclusive Bar Access Air-Conditioned Restrooms Prime VIP Viewing of the Main Stage Complimentary Altos Samples & Gifts Games, Seating, and Photo Booths Tickets start at $60, with VIP upgrades available now. Pre-sale tickets are almost sold out, and newsletter discount codes are still valid but not for long. THE ROAD TO OYE FEST In the weeks leading up to October 4th, OYE Fest will build momentum with a series of can't-miss pre-events: August 28 Karaoke Gigante : Atlanta sings together in the ultimate Latin karaoke showdown. : sings together in the ultimate Latin karaoke showdown. August 30 Rancho Perreo: A dance-heavy takeover to bring the perreo vibes before the big stage. Don't miss your chance to be part of every moment from the Road to OYE Fest to the festival finale on October 4th. EVENT DETAILS Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025 Venue: 550 Mitchell Street Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30314 550 Mitchell Street Southwest, 30314 Gates Open: 1:00 PM | Music Starts: 1:00 PM | Age: All Ages Kids Under 10 Free All Ages Kids Under 10 Free Tickets: Starting at $60 | [Link to Purchase] ABOUT OYE FEST OYE Fest is the Southeast's premier Latin music and arts festival uniting global icons and emerging voices while celebrating Latinx artistry, food, and community. Founded by Latinx organizers, OYE Fest champions immigrant rights, cultural pride, and representation through a platform where music meets activism. MEDIA CONTACT [email protected] Artist Interviews | Founder Interviews | Partnership Opportunities Available SOURCE OYE Fest Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 News / National by Staff reporter One of Zimbabwe's leading construction firms, Bitumen World (BW), has announced job cuts due to delayed payments from government projects, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges in the country's construction sector.The company cited persistent delays in settling arrears for road rehabilitation, dam construction, and other infrastructure projects, forcing it to realign operations amid cash flow pressures. Market analysts suggest the government's slow payments, particularly in the local ZWG currency, are part of broader efforts to curb parallel market activity.BW CEO Andre Zietsman described the decision as "very tough" but necessary to ensure the company's long-term viability. "While the decision to restructure was not made lightly, it is essential for ensuring our ability to continue contributing meaningfully to infrastructure development in Zimbabwe and beyond," he said.Zietsman acknowledged the human cost of the layoffs, noting that they affect employees who have worked tirelessly to build the company's reputation. The firm pledged to handle the process "with respect, transparency, and dignity," offering severance packages and transition assistance to those impacted.The decision underscores the delicate balance between government fiscal policy and the operational realities of contractors vital to Zimbabwe's infrastructure development. In collaboration with River Partners, this transformative effort will help conserve water, restore habitat, and strengthen ecosystems and communities through long-term investment in climate resilience TAMPA, Fla. and STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - As part of its ongoing commitment to responsible water stewardship, Primo Brands Corporation (NYSE: PRMB), a leading branded beverage company in North America with a focus on healthy hydration and owner of the Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water Brand, is joining forces with River Partners, a California conservation nonprofit driving large-scale river and floodplain restoration, to support an ambitious, multi-site project helping to revitalize key portions of the Sacramento and Feather rivers. Before and after: An example of the transformative riverway restoration that Primo Brands and River Partners have joined forces to implement at 10 different sites along the Sacramento and Feather rivers in Northern California to generate lasting water, community, and ecosystem benefits. Credit: River Partners (CNW Group/Primo Brands Corporation) The initiative delivers increased water resilience while advancing other beneficial outcomes including supporting wildlife habitat that seeks to improve biodiversity, climate resilience, flood safety, and renewed access to culturally significant natural resources for Tribal communities. As part of the collaboration, Primo Brands is providing significant financial investment for a nearly 1,000-acre portfolio of multi-benefit floodplain sites River Partners plans to restore over the next three years. This restoration is expected to generate nearly 50,000 acre-feet, or more than 16 billion gallons of volumetric water benefits (VWBs), annually. That's roughly the amount of water 500,000 Californians use in a year. The initiative is a notable private-public conservation partnership and exemplifies the next generation of corporate water stewardship. "At Primo Brands, our mission is to Hydrate a Healthy America. We do this through responsibly managing water resources and helping the communities where we live and operate," said Charles Fogg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Primo Brands. "Collaborating with River Partners allows us to advance our water replenishment goal of helping to restore 100% of water used or displaced by our operations in high-priority watersheds facing shared water challenges." Delivering Measurable Impact The project spans 10 key sites across the Sacramento River and Feather River watersheds, areas that are essential to a healthy water supply for California agriculture and other water-dependent industries, biodiversity, and vibrant communities. Collectively, the sites will: Provide nearly 50,000 acre-feet of volumetric water benefits (VWBs) per year. Restore nearly 1,000 acres of floodplain and side channel habitat along both the Sacramento River, California's largest river, and Feather River, which supplies water to approximately 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland throughout the state. largest river, and Feather River, which supplies water to approximately 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland throughout the state. Improve groundwater recharge by reconnecting rivers to restored floodplains. Reconnect miles of degraded river corridors critical to expanding important rearing and spawning habitat for endangered salmon. "The Sacramento and Feather rivers are the lifeblood of California's water system and do so much for the state, like supporting vibrant communities, wildlife found nowhere else on Earth, and our world-class economy," said River Partners President Julie Rentner. "And, the state's rivers are in need of serious investment. Beyond real water outcomes, our partnership will deliver critical improvements for species on the brink, flood protection for vulnerable communities, access to restored lands for Tribes, and increased public health through access to the outdoors." A Model for Scalable, Nature-Based Solutions Primo Brands' investment in river restoration in the Sacramento Valley through River Partners highlights its commitment to water stewardship. With one of the largest on-the-ground river-restoration footprints of any nonprofit or firm in the western U.S., River Partners will apply its unique experience and expertise in maximizing multi-benefit restoration returns on this pioneering project. Together, Primo Brands and River Partners are demonstrating the power of nature-based solutions to deliver meaningful, measurable impact on California's most urgent water issues, setting a powerful precedent for scalable, replicable approaches to safeguarding California's critical water supplies. About Primo Brands Primo Brands is a leading North American branded beverage company focused on healthy hydration, delivering responsibly sourced diversified offerings across products, formats, channels, price points, and consumer occasions, distributed in every U.S. state and Canada. Primo Brands has a comprehensive portfolio of highly recognizable and conveniently packaged branded water and beverages that reach consumers whenever, wherever, and however they hydrate through distribution across retail outlets, away from home such as hotels and hospitals, and food service accounts, as well as direct delivery to homes and businesses. These brands include established "billion-dollar brands" Poland Spring and Pure Life, premium brands like Saratoga and The Mountain Valley, regional leaders such as Arrowhead, Deer Park, Ice Mountain, Ozarka, and Zephyrhills, purified water brands including Primo Water and Sparkletts, and flavored and enhanced water brands like Splash Refresher and AC+ION. Primo Brands also has an industry-leading line-up of innovative water dispensers, which create consumer connectivity through recurring water purchases. Primo Brands operates a vertically integrated coast-to-coast network that distributes its brands to more than 200,000 retail outlets, and also directly reaches consumers through its Direct Delivery, Exchange and Refill offerings. Through Direct Delivery, Primo Brands delivers responsibly sourced hydration solutions direct to home and business customers. Through its Exchange business, consumers can visit approximately 26,500 retail locations and purchase a pre-filled, multi-use bottle of water that can be exchanged after use for a discount on the next purchase. Through its Refill business, consumers have the option to refill empty multi-use bottles at approximately 23,500 self-service refill stations. Primo Brands also offers water filtration units for home and business customers across North America. Primo Brands is a leader in reusable beverage packaging, helping to reduce waste through its multi-serve bottles and innovative brand packaging portfolio, which includes recycled plastic, aluminum, and glass. Primo Brands has a portfolio of more than 80 springs and actively manages water resources to help assure a steady supply of quality, safe drinking water today and in the future. Primo Brands also helps conserve over 28,000 acres of land across the U.S. and Canada. Primo Brands is proud to partner with the International Bottled Water Association ("IBWA") in North America, which supports strict adherence to safety, quality, sanitation, and regulatory standards for the benefit of consumer protection. Primo Brands is committed to supporting the communities it serves, investing in local and national programs and delivering hydration solutions following natural disasters and other local community challenges. Primo Brands employs more than 11,000 associates with dual headquarters in Tampa, Florida, and Stamford, Connecticut. Learn more: www.primobrands.com/sustainability About River Partners River Partners brings life back to California's rivers. Founded in 1998, the leading nonprofit harnesses the power of restored riverways to create a thriving future for the state's environment and communities. Blending modern farming practices, cutting-edge science, and diverse alliances, River Partners reforests and reconnects entire river landscapes, critical wildlife corridors, and vast ecological regions at a bold pace and scale. The organization's statewide efforts result in lasting, tangible wins for wildlife, flood safety, climate resiliency, water conservation, healthy communities, and local economies. River Partners has the largest on-the-ground restoration footprint of any nonprofit or firm in the western U.S., having led hundreds of large-scale projects across nearly 20,000 acres throughout California. Learn more: www.riverpartners.org SOURCE Primo Brands Corporation SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach that led to unauthorized access of the sensitive information of 138,386 patients of Aspire Rural Health System (Aspire Health), a Michigan-based health system consisting of over 70 providers. Aspire Health includes Deckerville Community Hospital, Hills & Dales Healthcare, Marlette Regional Hospital & The Heartlands Senior Living. DATA BREACH ALERT: Aspire Rural Health System. If you are a patient, you may be entitled to money damages. Post this On July 18, 2025, Aspire Health discovered that an unauthorized third party accessed and acquired files from its systems from November 4, 2024, to January 6, 2025. Although the breach began in November 2024, Aspire Health did not begin notifying affected individuals until on or around August 20, 2025, which may have violated state and federal laws. The following information may have been compromised in the breach: first and last names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, financial account numbers and routing numbers, medical treatment and diagnosis information, prescription information, individual health insurance information, payment card numbers and access PIN numbers, payment card expiration dates, lab results, provider information, driver's license numbers, password and usernames, biometric identifiers, patient identification numbers, medical record numbers, and passport number. If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Aspire Health's cybersecurity practices. If you received notification of this data breach or are a patient of Aspire Health and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/aspirehealth. About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide. Contact Sonum Dixit Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [email protected] Tel: 415-299-8207 SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is investigating a data breach that led to unauthorized access of the sensitive information of 1,071,172 customers of Farmers Insurance Exchange, Farmers Group, Inc., and their subsidiaries and affiliates (Farmers Insurance). Farmers Insurance is a California-based insurance company. On May 30, 2025, Farmers Insurance discovered that an unauthorized third party accessed and acquired files from its systems on May 29, 2025. Although the breach occurred in May 2025, Farmers Insurance did not begin notifying affected individuals until on or around August 22, 2025, which may have violated state and federal laws. Farmers Insurance has not publicly disclosed what information was accessed. If your personal information was impacted by this incident, you may be at risk of identity theft and other serious violations of your privacy. As a result, you may be entitled to money damages and an injunction requiring changes to Farmers Insurance's cybersecurity practices. If you received notification of this data breach or are a customer of Farmers Insurance and wish to obtain additional information about your legal rights, please contact us today or visit our website at https://www.classactionlawyers.com/farmersinsurance. About Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe represents shareholders, employees, and consumers in class actions against corporate defendants, as well as shareholders in derivative actions against their officers and directors. The firm is based in San Francisco, and with the help of co-counsel, litigates cases nationwide. Contact Sonum Dixit Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP [email protected] Tel: 415-299-8207 SOURCE Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP Now is the time to modernize deposit insurance through the Hagerty/Alsobrooks Amendment Co-authored by: Cadence Bank, Hancock Whitney, Renasant, Trustmark Chairman and CEO of Cadence Bank, Dan Rollins President and CEO of Hancock Whitney Corporation, John M. Hairston President and CEO of Renasant, Kevin D. Chapman President and CEO of Trustmark, Duane A. Dewey TUPELO, Miss., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mississippi's banks are pillars of strength in their communities, and now we have the opportunity to make them even stronger. When most people think about "banking insurance," they picture their personal checking or savings account. The FDIC promise of up to $250,000 in protection for individual checking accounts is widely known and well-trusted. But what many don't realize is that countless small businesses, nonprofits and community organizations depend on a different kind of accountnon-interest-bearing transaction accountsto run payroll, pay vendors and keep their operations moving and businesses open. Right now, the money in those accounts isn't always fully protected. That means the funds a restaurant uses to pay its cooks and servers, or the reserves a nonprofit keeps for community programs, could be at risk if their bank fails. The Hagerty/Alsobrooks Amendment, which is currently being considered by Congress, would rectify this gap by extending deposit insurance to cover those everyday business accounts. It's a simple change with powerful impact: peace of mind for the people who create jobs and serve our communities. In addition, our current deposit insurance frameworkdesigned for a pre-digital erais inadvertently driving deposits out of local and regional banks, and into the hands of a few "too-big-to-fail" giants. The result is more concentration, decreased competition, less local service and greater systemic risk. America's banking system faces a structural problem that can no longer be ignored. The Hagerty/Alsobrooks Amendment offers a pragmatic, bipartisan remedy that both helps Main Street businesses and protects Main Street's banks. By extending FDIC insurance coverage to non-interest-bearing business transaction accounts, up to $20 million at banks under $250 billion in assets, the amendment protects the very accounts that fund payrolls and keep America's Main Street businesses running. It is narrowly tailored, funded entirely by banks through risk-based premiums and costs taxpayers nothing. The benefits are clear: Narrowing the competitive gap. Mega banks already enjoy an implicit guarantee, due solely to their size, that draws deposits their way. The proposed amendment moves all banks in Mississippi and across the country closer to parity with the largest banks, allowing them to compete on service and relationships, not just perceived size and safety. Mega banks already enjoy an implicit guarantee, due solely to their size, that draws deposits their way. The proposed amendment moves all banks in and across the country closer to parity with the largest banks, allowing them to compete on service and relationships, not just perceived size and safety. Protecting jobs and paychecks. Payroll and operating accounts will no longer be exposed, ensuring workers and small businesses aren't left vulnerable in moments of stress. By protecting only non-interest-bearing transaction accountsused for payroll and day-to-day expensesthe amendment discourages the potential of risky behavior by banks and depositors. Payroll and operating accounts will no longer be exposed, ensuring workers and small businesses aren't left vulnerable in moments of stress. By protecting only non-interest-bearing transaction accountsused for payroll and day-to-day expensesthe amendment discourages the potential of risky behavior by banks and depositors. Restoring customer choice. Businesses shouldn't have to choose a bank solely based on size to feel secure. This reform allows them to choose the institution that knows their customers and how to best serve their community. Businesses shouldn't have to choose a bank solely based on size to feel secure. This reform allows them to choose the institution that knows their customers and how to best serve their community. Strengthening local lending. Mid-size banks put roughly three-quarters of deposits back into loans for families and small businessesfar more than the largest banks. Keeping these deposits local and in Mississippi fuels growth across every congressional district and strengthens local economies. Mid-size banks put roughly three-quarters of deposits back into loans for families and small businessesfar more than the largest banks. Keeping these deposits local and in fuels growth across every congressional district and strengthens local economies. Reducing systemic risk. By stabilizing deposits at a wide range of institutions, the country avoids funneling even more of the nation's financial resources into a handful of mega banksmaking the system safer for everyone. This isn't about bailing out banks. It's about protecting the people who keep our economy alive. Business owners shouldn't have to lie awake at night wondering if the money they set aside for paychecks is safe. Workers shouldn't have to worry that their Friday deposit will bounce because of a bank failure no one saw coming. The Hagerty/Alsobrooks Amendment makes sure that doesn't happen. Congress has a rare and real chance to take proactive action, not be reactive in the middle of a crisis. The last time deposit insurance coverage was expanded meaningfully was more than 15 years ago. Since then, banking has gone digital, deposit withdrawal runs on banks can happen in minutes, and the systemic vulnerabilities are well known. The Hagerty/Alsobrooks Amendment is a measured, bipartisan response whose time has come. It's not about Wall Streetit's about Main Street. It's about ensuring that the local banks fueling job creation, small business growth and community resilience can continue to compete, lend, and thrive. As mid-size banks, we, Cadence Bank, Hancock Whitney, Renasant, and Trustmark, urge Congress to seize this moment, protect our economy and further strengthen America's financial foundation by passing The Hagerty/Alsobrooks Amendment. SOURCE Cadence Bank; Hancock Whitney; Renasant; Trustmark ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Roadrunner Venture Studios , a leading venture studio for deep tech innovation, today announced its selection by the New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) to lead a $25 million initiative to accelerate quantum innovation and commercialization in the state. The Roadrunner-led Coalition will bring together premier quantum researchers, funders, and innovators to create a quantum campus in Downtown Albuquerque's Innovation District. This campus will include a multi-node quantum network, dilution refrigerators, a quantum testbed, quantum packaging and demonstration facilities, and a rapid prototyping facility. This infrastructure will create conductive circumstances and valuable resources for the next generation of quantum companies. Roadrunner has pledged to match this build with a new quantum branch of its venture studio. At the center of this effort will be a flagship Founder-in-Residence program designed to identify and recruit the best entrepreneurial talent in the country to launch quantum companies in New Mexico. In parallel, Roadrunner will bring the most promising quantum startups from around the U.S. to establish operations in New Mexico and work closely with the studio a process already underway with pioneering startups like Qunnect, QuEra, and Maybell. To support these efforts, Roadrunner will stand up a dedicated capital network explicitly for investing in New Mexico-based quantum startups that engage with the studio. "New Mexico has long lived in the public imagination. It's a place that has led America in the most important times with the most critical innovations a fulcrum for national endeavor," said Adam Hammer, Co-Founder and CEO of Roadrunner Venture Studios. "In this pivotal moment of technological change, we are stepping forward to help lead the coming quantum revolution. To win in something as high-stakes as quantum, we need to find exceptional people, forge breakthrough companies, and fuel the second wave of great American quantum companies for global scale." Roadrunner's coalition comprises nearly a dozen official partners, including Elevate Quantum, national laboratories (Sandia, Los Alamos), pioneering quantum startups (QuEra, Maybell, Qunnect, and Resonance), academic centers (University of New Mexico), and top-tier venture capital firms (DCVC, Playground Global, Quantonation). The effort will make Albuquerque a national launchpad for quantum startupsdeepening the state's growing emergence as a hub for advanced technology commercialization. "Quantum technology will reshape the future, and New Mexico is ready to lead that transformation," said Nora Sackett, Director of the Technology and Innovation Office at EDD. "By creating an environment where the top scientific minds have the tools and collaboration they need, New Mexico is backing the bold quantum startups and partnerships that will fuel breakthroughs." A request for proposal (RFP) was published by the EDD on May 27, 2025. The EDD designed the RFP "for the procurement of operational support for a quantum venture studio ... and for a physical space or facility accessible to multiple entities that enables and accelerates the maturation and commercialization of quantum technologies" in New Mexico. The bid and negotiation process was competitive and included a comprehensive application. Finalists engaged in multiple interviews and a site visit by a state-appointed evaluation committee. Roadrunner and its coalition intend to announce new initiatives and the details of the quantum campus and studio in the coming months. "Quantum technology represents a once-in-a-generation chance to bring a touch of the Jetsons age into our time," said Zach Yerushalmi, CEO of Elevate Quantum. "While New Mexico has pioneered world-class research for decades, this venture-studio and infrastructure strategy positions the state to unlock broad economic opportunity for all New Mexicans. Elevate Quantum is excited to partner with Roadrunner and a broad coalition of stakeholders from the national labs, industry, and academic communities to realize what many are coming to call 'the quantum state.'" "With a $25 million investment from the State Economic Development Department and the leadership of Roadrunner Venture Studios, we're at the forefront of the next wave of critical technology right here in Albuquerque," said Tim Keller, Mayor of Albuquerque. "By uniting our labs, universities, venture capital, investors, and innovators, Albuquerque can be the global leader in quantum computing and all the companies, good jobs, and long-term economic growth that come with it." The global market for quantum technologies is expected to reach nearly $200 billion by 2040, according to a 2024 McKinsey report, with the steepest growth experienced in defense, telecommunications, and enterprise computing. What once seemed theoretical is now a race to build quantum science as critical infrastructure that will underpin the next era of computing and communications. To remain competitive, the U.S. must move from leadership in science to leadership in execution. New Mexico's initiative provides a blueprint that links world-class research to real-world company formation and commercial infrastructure. About Roadrunner Venture Studios Roadrunner Venture Studios is the nation's first venture studio purpose-built for hard science commercialization. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Roadrunner identifies breakthrough research with national importance and transforms it into scalable, venture-backable companies. With deep ties to the national labs, leading research institutions, and top-tier venture capital firms, Roadrunner specializes in spinning out companies in advanced energy, robotics, precision manufacturing, and now quantum. The studio combines founder development, operational mentorship, and early-stage capital to accelerate company creation at the frontiers of American innovation. For more information, visit www.roadrunnerventurestudios.com. Media Contact: [email protected] New Mexico EDD <> Roadrunner Quantum Initiative Public Press Kit SOURCE Roadrunner Venture Studios SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brace yourselves for the strangest and most exciting event of the year as The Oddities and Curiosities Expo , the ultimate celebration of all things peculiar and extraordinary, returns to Mountain America Expo Center in Salt Lake City, UT on September 20th and 21st. Tickets start at $10 and can be purchased at https://oddities.com The Oddities and Curiosities Expo is a one-of-a-kind traveling showcase that brings together hundreds of oddity vendors and artists from across the country, creating a playground for the strange and unusual. Here, the weird, wonderful, and downright bizarre unite in a fascinating display of the extraordinary, providing a platform for vendors and artists to connect with a community of like-minded individuals. The event will travel coast to coast, visiting 40 cities in the United States and Canada in 2025. Attendees can browse and shop for rare and unique items, including taxidermy, preserved animal specimens, dark artistry, original horror and Halloween-inspired artwork, antiques, metaphysical accoutrements, handcrafted oddities, skulls, bones, and funeral collectibles. Beyond shopping, the expo offers an immersive experience with photo opportunities, tarot readings, sideshow performances, and various concessions to keep attendees entertained throughout the day. Founded in Oklahoma by Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio, The Oddities and Curiosities Expo has hosted hundreds of events across North America, recognizing a growing demand for this unique large-scale gathering. "We created this expo to give odd small businesses and artists a space where they can thrive," said Michelle. "Our goal is to build a community where people feel safe to be themselves, surrounded by like-minded folks who appreciate the weird and wonderful." With its strong DIY ethos and a commitment to excellence, the expo continues to grow year after year. "Our success comes from working with the best exhibitors in the world and curating every event to deliver exactly what our attendees want to see," Michelle added. "We're always looking for ways to evolve and make the experience even better for both our exhibitors and our guests." As the original, curated event of its kind, the Oddities and Curiosities Expo remains the leading destination for the wonderfully weird. Guests of The Oddities and Curiosities Expo can also purchase tickets to a day-long taxidermy class where they can learn to make their own full-sized taxidermy mount, which will vary by city, or insect pinning classes. In all classes, hosted by The Sleeping Sirens, students will work with sustainably sourced specimens to learn the basics of taxidermy and entomology and will be provided with a variety of tools and materials. It is important to note: All animals in the taxidermy class and other parts of the show like preserved specimens are sourced ethically and died of natural causes. EVENT INFO The Oddities and Curiosities Expo will take place Saturday, September 20th from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, September 21st from 10am to 4pm at Mountain America Expo Center at 9575 State St, Sandy, UT 84070. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. The event is all ages - however, parents are advised to use their best judgment about if their children should attend. Tickets can be purchased at https://oddities.com The Jackalope Taxidermy Class will be held on Saturday, September 20th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM for $225. The Beetles and Spiders Beginner Entomology Class sessions will be held on Sunday, September 21st, from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM for $150. All classes will be hosted by Heather Clark of Sleeping Sirens Art & Oddities with built in breaks for lunch and exploring the expo. Materials and tools are provided, and tickets include admission to the expo. For additional information, follow The Oddities and Curiosities Expo on Facebook , Instagram and TikTok . Contact Dayna Castillo [email protected] SOURCE Oddities & Curiosities Expo The exclusive merch drop kicks off at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) the most connected airport in the country just in time for the late-August travel surge. On Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28, travelers passing through Terminal 2 can snag the limited-edition King's Hawaiian Softwear Sets, as well as an irresistibly soft travel pillow and eye mask. But there's a fun twist to get their hands on the merch at no additional cost, participants must be willing to swap the clothes they're wearing right on the spot. Private changing booths will be provided, and all traded clothing will be donated to a local Chicago charity. Whether or not they're bold enough to give up their current outfit, all travelers are welcome to stop by to enjoy samples of King's Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls and Soft Pretzel Bites, while supplies last, so they can taste the irresistible softness of King's Hawaiian firsthand. "Softness is core to who we are as a brand, and our new logo now reflects the fluffy, oven-baked qualities our products are known for while embracing the warmth, good times and Aloha Spirit that has always defined King's Hawaiian," said Raouf Moussa, Chief Marketing Officer at King's Hawaiian. "At King's Hawaiian, we're taking the idea of softness to new heights and that's not just because we're sending travelers into the skies with our soft new merch and samples of King's Hawaiian Rolls and Pretzel Bites." Can't come check out the Softwear merch line at the airport? No problem. King's Hawaiian Softwear Sets and travel accessories are available for purchase online, just in time for your next getaway or cozy day in! For more information about King's Hawaiian products or to purchase the limited-edition Softwear merch, visit www.kingshawaiian.com . About KING'S HAWAIIAN Founded 75 years ago in Hilo, Hawaii, by Robert R. Taira, KING'S HAWAIIAN is a family-owned business that has been dedicated to providing Hawaii-inspired foods made with original recipes and Aloha Spirit for three generations. KING'S HAWAIIAN makes the #1 branded roll in the United States, along with other irresistible products that inspire joyous food experiences people can't resist being a part of, including slider buns, hamburger buns, soft pretzel bites and more. The soft and fluffy texture and perfect touch of sweetness of KING'S HAWAIIAN bread add even more fun and excitement to occasions big and small, including everyday meals and snacking, bringing loved ones together. For more information, visit the company's website at www.KingsHawaiian.com, or find KING'S HAWAIIAN on Facebook , Instagram , TikTok and X . SOURCE King's Hawaiian Development of the industry's highest-density QLC product completed, commercial launch scheduled for the first half of next year following completion of customer validation Expansion of independent operation units ("planes") enables simultaneous large capacity and high performance, optimized for ultra-high-capacity eSSDs for AI servers Company to broaden cost-competitive, high-capacity product lineup in response to rapidly growing AI demand and high-performance requirements SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or 'the company', www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has completed development of its 321-layer 2Tb QLC[1] NAND flash product and has begun mass production. This achievement marks the world's first implementation of more than 300 layers using QLC technology, setting a new benchmark in NAND density. The company plans to release the product in the first half of next year following completion of global customer validation. To maximize the cost competitiveness of its new product, SK hynix developed a 2Tb device with double the capacity of existing solutions. To address potential performance degradation in large-capacity NAND, the company increased the number of planes[2], independent operation units within a chip, from 4 to 6. This enables greater parallel processing and significantly enhances simultaneous read performance. As a result, the 321-layer QLC NAND delivers both higher capacity and improved performance compared to previous QLC products. Data transfer speed has doubled, write performance has improved by up to 56%, and read performance has improved by 18%. In addition, write power efficiency has increased by more than 23%, strengthening competitiveness in AI data centers where low power consumption is critical. The company plans to apply its 321-layer NAND first to PC SSDs, before expanding to enterprise SSDs (eSSD) for data centers and UFS for smartphones. Leveraging its proprietary 32DP[3] technology, which enables the simultaneous stacking of 32 NAND dies in a single package, SK hynix aims to enter the ultra-high-capacity eSSD market for AI servers by achieving twice the integration density. "With the start of mass production, we have significantly strengthened our high-capacity product portfolio and secured cost competitiveness," said Jeong Woopyo, Head of NAND Development. "We will make a major leap forward as a full-stack AI memory provider, in line with the explosive growth in AI demand and high-performance requirements in the data center market." About SK hynix Inc. SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM") and flash memory chips ("NAND flash") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com. [1] NAND flash is categorized as single-level cell (SLC), multi-level cell (MLC), triple-level cell (TLC), QLC, and penta-level cell (PLC) depending on how many data bits can be stored in one cell. As the amount of information storage increases, more data can be stored in the same volume. [2] A plane refers to a cell and its peripheral circuitry that can operate independently within a single chip. By increasing the number of planes from 4 to 6, the simultaneous read performance of the chipa key factor in data processingis significantly improved. [3] 32DP (32 Die Package): A method of simultaneously packaging 32 dies in one package to increase chip capacity. SOURCE SK hynix Inc. ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- South University (SU) is pleased to announce that its Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Master of Arts program at the West Palm Beach campus has been granted Accredited Status by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP has granted South University's CMHC program the longest possible accreditation term eight years through October 31, 2033 after a thorough review based on its 2016 Standards. The CACREP Board of Directors convened from July 17 to July 19 and based its decision on the program's self-study, site review team report, and institutional response. The Board determined that the South University, West Palm Beach CMHC program is in substantial compliance with CACREP standards, affirming the quality of counselor education provided on campus. Dr. Bridget Glass, Program Director and Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at SU, West Palm Beach, said, "Our program's delivery formatsblending in-person, virtual, and asynchronous learningallow us to meet diverse student needs while maintaining the highest academic and professional standards." The CHMC curriculum, while flexible, includes required in-person components across clinical, practicum, and/or externship experiences designed to prepare graduates for professional practice and licensure and provide a path for graduates to satisfy national certification and state licensure requirements to work in the counseling field. Requirements vary by state, and South University cannot guarantee passage of licensure examinations, certification, employment, or salary outcomes. For additional details, students should consult the State Professional Licensure Determination and National Certification/Licensure section of the South University catalog. "This accreditation affirms the strength of our program and its alignment with national standards," said Dr. Jessica Masoner, Dean of the South University College of Arts and Sciences. "We are committed to supporting our students' development as they prepare for impactful careers in counseling and to advancing the university's mission of delivering quality education in behavioral health disciplines." South University educates more than 10,000 students across 11 campuses in the Southeastern United States and through online programs. Its academic offerings span healthcare, behavioral sciences, business, and technology, with a focus on preparing graduates for meaningful careers in their chosen fields. About South University Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Not all programs are available to residents of all U.S. states. Administrative office: South University, 709 Mall Boulevard, Savannah, GA 31406-4805 2025 South University. All rights reserved. South University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees. South University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of South University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on www.sacscoc.org Media Contact: Juliette Haas [email protected] SOURCE South University Telit Cinterion's final validation with NVIDIA Jetson Thor series delivers ultra-low latency and high-speed connectivity essential for real-time AI reasoning workloads in mobile and industrial robotics. Newest platform for autonomous machines and humanoid robotics builds on Telit Cinterion's leadership in enabling 5G for the NVIDIA Jetson ecosystem, including validated support for Jetson AGX Orin and Xavier platforms. IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Telit Cinterion, an end-to-end IoT solutions enabler, announces that its portfolio of 5G modules including RedCap modules like the FE920C04 is concluding validation testing with the newly launched NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform . This integration will extend Telit Cinterion's support for the NVIDIA Jetson ecosystem, enabling high-performance connectivity for next-generation autonomous machines and mobile AI systems. For information on obtaining and using Telit Cinterion 5G cellular modules and data cards for use with the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform go to: https://www.telit.com/telit-nvidia-jetson-platform/ . Jetson Thor is NVIDIA's highest performing edge AI platform to date, designed to support complex robotics applications including humanoid robots, autonomous delivery systems, and intelligent industrial automation. Telit Cinterion's 5G modules are engineered to provide the ultra-reliable, low-latency connectivity required for these systems to operate safely and efficiently in dynamic environments. "5G is a foundational capability for humanoid and mobile AI robotic devices," said Manish Watwani, President of IoT Products at Telit Cinterion. "With Jetson Thor, NVIDIA is unlocking new levels of compute for autonomous systems and Telit Cinterion is proud to deliver the connectivity that makes cloud integration possible." Telit Cinterion's 5G portfolio includes modules designed for bandwidth-intensive applications, offering global coverage, LTE fallback, and advanced features like GNSS support, VoNR, and embedded processing. These modules are purpose-built for industrial gateways, robotics, healthcare, and security systems making them ideal for the intelligent edge. About Telit Cinterion Telit Cinterion is a global end-to-end IoT enabler that provides complete solutions to reduce time to market and costs. It delivers custom-designed, ready-for-market connected devices and maintains the industry's broadest portfolio of enterprise-grade wireless communication and positioning modules, cellular MVNO connectivity plans and management services, edge-cloud software and data orchestration, as well as IoT and industrial IoT platforms. As the largest Western provider that pioneers IoT innovation, Telit Cinterion continues to deliver award-winning, highly secure IoT solutions, modules, and services to the industry's leading brands. For more information, follow us on YouTube , X , LinkedIn, Facebook, visit Telit.com or subscribe to receive our marketing communications. Copyright 2025 Telit IoT Solutions Holding Ltd. and/or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. Telit Cinterion, Telit, OneEdge, Cinterion, and all associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Telit Communications S.p.A, Telit Communications LTD, Telit IoT Solutions Holding Ltd. and/or their affiliated companies in the United States and/or other countries. Other names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Media Contacts Leslie Hart Telit Cinterion +1 919-415-1510 [email protected] Casey Bush GRC for Telit Cinterion +1 949-608-0276 [email protected] SOURCE Telit Cinterion News / National by Staff reporter A Harare magistrate has acquitted human rights activists Robson Chere, Namatai Kwekweza, and Samuel Gwenzi of disorderly conduct, bringing to an end a year-long trial that drew criticism from rights groups.The three were tried alongside Vusumuzi Moyo, Phillies Pikitayi, Delphine Gutsa, Simbarashe Blackson, Emmanuel Sitima, and Last Chinodya, all of whom were also cleared of the charges.The activists were controversially removed from a plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport last year by 12 unidentified men while preparing to fly to Victoria Falls. They alleged they were interrogated and tortured, with Chere sustaining life-threatening injuries from a severe beating.Prosecutors had accused the group of participating in an illegal protest outside Harare Magistrates Court on June 27, 2024, in solidarity with over 70 Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) activists appearing in court that day.The magistrate ruled that the state failed to prove its case, leading to the acquittal of all nine defendants. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Snoopy fans, rejoice! The viral Red Cross x PEANUTS limited-edition T-shirts are back with a twist and this time, they're part of a special celebration. In honor of the 75th anniversary of PEANUTS, the American Red Cross is partnering with the beloved brand to bring exclusive thank-you gifts to lifesaving blood donors nationwide. Donors wont know which iconic design theyll get until they open the bag. Between Aug. 29- Sept. 21, those who come to give blood with the Red Cross will receive an exclusive Red Cross x PEANUTS mystery bag with one of four special T-shirt designs, while they last. Donors won't know which iconic design they'll get until they open the bag. Be a friend schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. "These shirts became a sensation the first time around, and with PEANUTS marking 75 years of heart and humor, it's the perfect moment to bring them back," said Darren Irby, executive director of national brand partnerships for the American Red Cross. "We hope this celebration inspires even more people to give the gift of life." 75 years of smiles deserves a celebration that saves lives Since 1950, PEANUTS has united fans across generations with messages of kindness, laughter, and community values that align perfectly with the Red Cross mission. This anniversary collaboration blends nostalgia with purpose, reminding donors that a little care goes a long way especially when it comes to saving lives through blood donation. This isn't the first time the Red Cross and PEANUTS have teamed up. In April 2023, the launch of the first co-branded shirt, featuring the message "Be Cool. Donate Blood," helped to mobilize a new generation of blood donors. During just the first week of that campaign, the Red Cross welcomed 14,000 first-time donors and saw a 40% increase in donation appointments, with 75% of donors under the age of 34. Act Fast Patients Need You A strong blood supply is key to preparedness for disasters and medical emergencies. As we head into September, historically the most active month for hurricanes it's critical that more individuals make an appointment to give blood or platelets to ensure lifesaving care isn't delayed. Even when hospitals are fully stocked with blood products, sudden events can cause a rapid drop in the availability of lifesaving transfusions. Those with O positive and B negative blood types are especially vital as the Red Cross works to meet on-going patient and hospital needs. Schedule an appointment to give today. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). How to donate blood Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media. About Peanuts: The characters of Peanuts and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide, which is 41% owned by WildBrain Ltd., 39% owned by Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., and 20% owned by the family of Charles M. Schulz, who first introduced the world to Peanuts in 1950, when the comic strip debuted in seven newspapers. Since then, Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang have made an indelible mark on popular culture. In addition to enjoying beloved Peanuts shows and specials on Apple TV+, fans of all ages celebrate the Peanuts brand worldwide through thousands of consumer products, as well as amusement park attractions, cultural events, social media, and comic strips available in all formats, from traditional to digital. In 2018, Peanuts partnered with NASA on a multi-year Space Act Agreement designed to inspire a passion for space exploration and STEM among the next generation of students. SOURCE American Red Cross City becomes Washington's first to implement OpenGov Tax & Revenue Collection, taking a major step toward long-term fiscal stability and full ERP transformation SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Tukwila is the first in Washington to adopt OpenGov Tax & Revenue Collection, powered by OpenGov , the leader in AI and ERP solutions for local and state governments. With OpenGov, the City expects to reclaim more than 150 hours per budget cycle. Beyond the staff time savings, the shift will provide real-time transparency, empower staff, and reduce the risk tied to succession planning. The City's decision reflects infrastructure demands to support its 21,000 and counting residents. More than 150,000 people travel through Tukwila daily, placing additional strain on services and facilities. City leaders implemented a Business & Occupation tax to address this growing gap. Tukwila turned to OpenGov to provide a cloud-based Tax & Revenue Collection software purpose-built for local government. The solution is automated, auditable, and scalableeliminating manual paper filings, disconnected spreadsheets, and fragile workflows. In addition to launching this first-of-its-kind, square-footage-based Business & Occupation tax system, the City will implement OpenGov Budgeting & Performance, including Capital, Workforce, and Performance modules, plus a digital interactive Budget Book. Both solutions will integrate with Tukwila's existing CentralSquare Financials platform and go live in early 2026. "At OpenGov, we invest in our platform to meet the real-world challenges of government agencies. Tax & Revenue Collection is one of our emerging product lines and Tukwila is taking forward-thinking steps that will benefit its community for years to come," said Eric DiProspero, chief revenue officer at OpenGov. "This critical capability will strengthen how cities serve their residents and manage essential revenue streams. Their leadership is defining what modernization looks like in Washington State." "We needed more than just new softwarewe needed a partner to help us build for the future," said Aaron BeMiller, finance director for the City of Tukwila. "OpenGov understood our challenges from day one. Now, we have a solution that will not only help to stabilize revenue, but also strengthen our team and increase transparency with our residents." Tukwila joins more than 2,000 state and local governments that rely on the OpenGov Public Service Platform to operate more efficiently, adapt to change, and deliver more to the communities they serve. Learn more about OpenGov Tax & Revenue Collection . About OpenGov OpenGov is the leader in AI and ERP solutions for local and state governments in the U.S. More than 2,000 cities, counties, state agencies, school districts, and special districts rely on the OpenGov Public Service Platform to operate efficiently, adapt to change, and strengthen the public trust. Category-leading products include enterprise asset management, procurement and contract management, accounting and budgeting, billing and revenue management, permitting and licensing, and transparency and open data. These solutions come together in the OpenGov ERP, allowing public sector organizations to focus on priorities and deliver maximum ROI with every dollar and decision in sync. Learn more at OpenGov.com . SOURCE OpenGov, Inc. They had already lived in five different places and in five different neighborhoods since evacuating a month earlier. There was the pullout sofa in a friend's garage in Woodland Hills and a blur of short-term rentals in Valley Village, Alhambra, Pasadena and Fairfax. Both retired, they were running short on cash. They hadn't received any insurance money on their underinsured home in Altadena that was destroyed by the Eaton fire. After so many moves and so much uncertainty, they felt "totally overwhelmed," Sullivan said. Their Los Feliz rental house came with just a bed and kitchen table. Besides that, the place went unfurnished for three months. "I was in a mental state where I was just in shock," Sullivan recalled. "I didn't want to buy anything and I just couldn't believe everything was really gone. I was just kind of shut down. So it took time to realize all of that's gone and we need some things." In May, she stopped by the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center where fire survivors could receive services and apply for disaster aid. That's when she saw the table of volunteers and staff members from Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) who were set up in the back room. CORE was on the front lines of fire relief efforts, rapidly delivering cash assistance to several thousand L.A. wildfire survivor households. So far, the nonprofit organization has provided just over $3 million in direct assistance. CORE received a grant from the California Community Foundation's Wildfire Recovery Fund , which has awarded over $30 million to more than 200 nonprofit organizations in L.A. County. More than a dozen other CCF wildfire fund grantees have provided direct relief to fire survivors. After a quick vetting process, Sullivan received a prepaid ATM card on the spot, and immediately cashed it at the nearest Vallarta Supermarket, which didn't deduct any fees, she said. As soon as she got home, she went on Facebook Marketplace and found used dining chairs and some lamps. Those items filled a void in their house and provided a spark that led them to seek donated furniture to fill out the rest of their house. "CORE helped our family get back on our feet," she said. "We were really in a tight spot we didn't have a lot of funds coming in and they were there right at the right time." In the initial relief phase, CORE gave an average of $760 per person in direct cash to meet the urgent needs of fire survivors, totaling $2.4 million. The effort demonstrates how philanthropic support can deliver fast, dignified aid and sustain recovery as families work to rebuild, said Tracy Reines, CORE's disaster response lead for the L.A. wildfires. "Being able to give folks some element of autonomy in a way that works for them is really important," Reines said. The nonprofit founded after the 2010 Haiti earthquake by Sean Penn and Ann Lee is a global humanitarian organization that has provided relief to vulnerable people, including those affected by conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan and also hurricane-impacted areas in North Carolina. Cash assistance has long been a key part of the organization's relief work. CORE's experience from prior relief efforts meant that its leaders were prepared to provide relief almost immediately, Reines said. Also key is having grants provided by philanthropic groups like CCF that enabled it to quickly identify the greatest needs during the crisis, she said. "To have flexible resources so that we can do a cash program right out of the gate is a game changer for everyone involved," Reines said. Now in the second phase, CORE's cash assistance program is focused on supporting some of the most vulnerable families dozens of households from West Altadena impacted by the fire who are struggling to pay for housing. Those families will receive an average of $7,500 over three months, totaling $637,000. "It will certainly not get people over the incredible challenges they face, but it's something that we're really proud of," Reines said. Altadena fire survivor Alphonso Browne, 66, met the CORE team at the Pasadena Convention Center shelter where he was staying after the Eaton fire destroyed the home where he lived and raised his children for more than three decades. CORE was running a phone charging station at the convention center and Browne met a few team members and felt comfortable joking around with them. He said he quickly felt a connection. "It just felt like a bond made in heaven," Browne said. He later received cash assistance from CORE and used it to purchase groceries and gas. The cash was a one-time thing, but the team has continued to help Browne and his wife, Celestine, navigate a host of other challenges. "The emotional support and the moral support they've given me is priceless," Browne said. "They have been there for me." It's not just a hug or a handshake. His caseworker Simone has helped him apply and secure rental assistance from FEMA and the team is currently assisting him with legal issues surrounding his insurance claim. They also make sure he doesn't miss out on any benefits available for fire survivors. In addition to cash assistance and case management, CORE's volunteers have distributed 40,000 hygiene kits and N95 masks and continue to give meals, clothes, diapers and other household items to fire survivors. CORE has also remediated 150 housing units across L.A. County that were damaged by smoke and ash from the fires. As smoke filled the sky in early January, Julia Winter, 77, hurried on foot to find her two grandchildren who had just been evacuated from Calvary Christian School in the Pacific Palisades. After locating them, she walked down Sunset Boulevard alongside teachers to L.A. Fire Station 23 where her son-in-law was waiting for them. He whisked them away in his pickup truck. "It was so scary for us because we never thought a fire would come down that far," Winter said. She evacuated with her daughter's family to Westlake Village for two weeks and later moved in with the family in Topanga and stayed in a guest room for months. Her grandkids lovingly called it the "G-Suite" after her nickname "G." "I just walked down for breakfast and playtime with my grandkids I bonded with them so much," Winter said. "I'm one of the lucky stories." But Winter's condominium in the Casa Gateway affordable housing complex for seniors and families in the Palisades did sustain moderate smoke and ash damage from the fire. The complex was also hit by debris and mud flows a month after the fire. Many senior residents were displaced for months because they were unable to cover insurance gaps to get the condos safe for their return, according to a spokesperson for CORE. CORE utilized crews with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network as a subcontractor and so far they have completed 36 remediations there. Winter's condo was scrubbed this summer by a cleanup crew and said it saved her thousands of dollars, she said. "I did not pay a cent. I was just totally stunned and grateful," said Winter, who was able to return to her condo this summer. Each week, Sullivan, 63, drives back to Altadena where her Spanish-style home once stood. She waters the plumeria, succulents and other plants that survived the blaze. Standing underneath a fire- scarred olive tree, she vowed to rebuild her home and return to the community she called home for more than two decades. "We loved *loved * - living here," she said. "We loved the mountains. It was such a treat to drive up and say we are going home and see those mountains. We are coming back and we are going to rebuild." Media Contact: Gilien Silsby, Director of Media, California Community Foundation Founded in 1915, the California Community Foundation (CCF) enables partnerships and investments, and champions advocacy for reforms that multiply impact for communities. Since 2000, the foundation has given more than $ 4.5 billion in grants. CCF's Wildfire Recovery Fund has raised over $100 million from more than 47,000 donors. The support provided critical, immediate relief to granteeensuring that families had access to shelter, food, medical care, and other vital services in the aftermath of destruction. SOURCE California Community Foundation CHEYENNE, Wyo., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zenith Volts Corp. (ZVC), a leader in innovative energy infrastructure, announces that the Chaves County Commission has granted county approval for a state-of-the-art 300-acre data center project located 20 miles south of Roswell, New Mexico. Designed to support 1.25 gigawatts (GW) or more of power capacity with expandable land resources, this facility will deliver cutting-edge, reliable infrastructure for AI, cloud computing, and high-performance workloads, with a target to be fully operational by November 2027. The approved 8,500-acre site will integrate advanced power solutions, including on-site solar, natural gas generators for dependable backup, modular solar-thermal hybrid systems for 24/7 thermal storage, a 250-acre battery energy storage system, and geothermal cooling for optimal efficiency. The project's expandable design ensures scalability to meet the growing demands of technology innovators, addressing national power shortages with off-grid, government-aligned energy solutions. Project Highlights Rapid Deployment : Fully operational by November 2027 , leveraging county approval and modular systems for swift construction. : Fully operational by , leveraging county approval and modular systems for swift construction. Scalable Infrastructure : 300-acre data center supporting over 600 server racks or computing modules, with 1.25 GW or more capacity and expandable land for future growth. : 300-acre data center supporting over 600 server racks or computing modules, with 1.25 GW or more capacity and expandable land for future growth. Hybrid Power Solutions : On-site solar, solar-thermal hybrids, natural gas generators, and battery storage ensure reliable, grid-independent power. : On-site solar, solar-thermal hybrids, natural gas generators, and battery storage ensure reliable, grid-independent power. Geothermal Cooling : Advanced systems reduce energy use, optimizing performance for high-density computing. : Advanced systems reduce energy use, optimizing performance for high-density computing. Economic Impact: Creates 140 full-time, high-tech jobs, positioning Chaves County as a technology and energy hub. ZVC is now engaging with technology companies, cloud service providers, and AI innovators to join as anchor partners, shaping the facility's design to meet next-generation computing needs. The project aligns with federal priorities for data center growth and reliable energy, offering a resilient solution to power constraints. About Zenith Volts Corp. Zenith Volts Corp. (ZVC), headquartered in Cheyenne, WY, specializes in innovative energy solutions, including utility-scale solar, hybrid power systems, and eco-efficient data center design. Committed to powering the future, ZVC partners with communities and industries to deliver sustainable, high-performance infrastructure. For more information, visit www.zenithvolts.com. Media Contact Zenith Volts Corp. 1621 Central Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82001 Phone: +1 (307) 212-6860 Email: [email protected] Companies interested in partnering to shape this scalable, high-capacity data center can contact ZVC at [email protected] or visit www.zenithvolts.com to schedule a consultation. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2757126/Zenith_Volts_Corp_Logo.jpg SOURCE Zenith Volts Corp. News / National by Staff reporter FOUNDERS High School deputy headmaster, Nkosana Mlibazi (47), has been fined US$200 after being convicted in a botched bus hire transaction that embarrassed him before colleagues and dragged him to court.Mlibazi, who initially faced two charges, had one withdrawn before plea. He admitted to unlawfully hiring out a school vehicle without the knowledge or consent of its owners.Appearing before Bulawayo magistrate Richard Ramaboea, Mlibazi was warned that failure to pay the fine by 29 August would see him serving a two-month jail term. He was represented by lawyer Prince Butshe of Butshe and Associates.The court heard that on 10 August, Mlibazi arranged for a Roman Catholic Church group to hire the school bus for US$55. Instead of declaring the transaction, he allegedly pocketed part of the money. Evidence showed he later paid US$400 to Flock Ford Motors for spray-painting the bus but diverted US$150 for his personal use. He also negotiated to have his private car spray-painted at a discounted rate under the school's contract with the same company.Headmistress Dorothea Moyo testified that the school had been financially prejudiced."I pray that he will be warned and cautioned so that he will reform," she told the court.In mitigation, Butshe argued that Mlibazi was a first-time offender, married with four children a some of them minors a and had already been ostracised by colleagues and traumatised by the scandal."He is a professional, respected in society, and not a danger to the community. He deserves a fine, not imprisonment," said Butshe.The magistrate concurred, noting Mlibazi's guilty plea, remorse, and family responsibilities before handing down the fine. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here News / National by Staff reporter The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has successfully migrated 99 percent of its customers in Bulawayo's historic suburbs from outdated metering systems to modern prepaid meters, a move expected to boost revenue collection and improve service delivery.The project, which began in 2020, targeted some of the city's oldest suburbs, including Mzilikazi, Makokoba, Nguboyenja, Mpopoma, Entumbane, Njube, Iminyela, Mabutweni, Lobengula, Emakhandeni, Magwegwe, Pumula, Luveve and Tshabalala. These areas were previously dominated by unmetered connections, load limiters and fixed meters, which made accurate billing and debt recovery difficult.In a statement, Zesa Stakeholder Relations described the initiative as a "significant victory" for both the utility and residents, noting that the rollout had faced hurdles, including a material shortage that stalled progress soon after the project's launch. The programme was revived in 2024, leading to the clearance of nearly all outstanding connections by mid-2025."The new prepaid system ensures that payment is made before electricity is consumed, drastically improving cash flow and allowing for more accurate financial forecasting," the statement said. ZETDC added that the prepaid model also enables the recovery of legacy customer debt, as outstanding amounts are automatically deducted from each token purchase.For residents, the transition brings greater convenience and control over power usage. Consumers can now monitor their electricity consumption in real-time and budget accordingly, eliminating frustrations caused by estimated billing.Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA) chairman, Mr Winos Dube, welcomed the development, saying the prepaid system was fairer to households who had long felt disadvantaged under the old framework."We are very happy because we were already facing a challenge of people with load limiters feeling short-changed. Regardless of load-shedding, they were still required to pay for the same amount for a service which was not there. We are sure now people will be paying for a service that they are actually getting," he said.With ZETDC now positioned to strengthen its financial base and residents benefiting from more transparent billing, the Bulawayo prepaid meter rollout is being hailed as a model for similar projects across the country. News / National by Staff reporter Outspoken war veteran Max Mkandla has urged President Emmerson Mnangagwa to dissolve his entire Cabinet and replace it with individuals who remain true to the aims and objectives of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.In a hard-hitting interview, Mkandla said Mnangagwa should bring retired army officers into government to remind him of the sacrifices made during the liberation war. He further proposed that Zanu-PF itself be dissolved and replaced with an advisory committee made up of war veteran representatives from all provinces."This will help President Mnangagwa to get the correct information on the ground. We are requesting that President Mnangagwa should dissolve the entire Cabinet because there is no one who is clean. If there is one, he will be re-appointed," Mkandla said.He accused government of neglecting war veterans while allowing others to flaunt wealth across the country. Mkandla said veterans who were vetted and approved for benefits had yet to receive their promised US$50 000 payouts."Names of those who qualify have been submitted to the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, but the Ministry of Finance is silent. Why should we be given loans, to do what, when big companies are crumbling? They want us to import second-hand clothes a where are we going to get the market? They should give us our money and we will decide what we will do with it with our families," he said.Mkandla warned that war veterans were dying "like poisoned rats" due to poverty and neglect, accusing the government of betraying the very people who fought for independence.Meanwhile, another liberation stalwart, Retired Colonel Hamphrey Makuyana, also weighed in, describing the welfare of war veterans as a "national responsibility.""When the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe took up arms to fight colonial oppression, they did not do so for personal glory," Makuyana said in a statement. "They fought for the dignity, freedom and sovereignty of the motherland. Today, Zimbabwe stands tall as an independent republic not by chance, but because of the sacrifices of thousands of brave men and women. Yet decades after independence, many veterans continue to languish in poverty, neglect and ill health, a situation that dishonours the legacy of our liberation."Makuyana said it was unacceptable that war veterans were being reduced to vendors and beggars, adding that providing for them was not an act of charity but a constitutional obligation."A dignified life for liberation war veterans is a moral debt the nation must pay, not only with pensions and land, but with honour, dignity and integration into national life," he said.Both Mkandla and Makuyana stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to restore dignity to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Zimbabwe's independence. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's diamond cutting and polishing sub-sector is set for a major boost following a landmark partnership with Indian diamond processing giant, Harry Krishna Exports.The cooperation agreement, announced by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) chief executive Dr Douglas Zimbango, will see at least 50 Zimbabweans undergo specialised training with the Indian company. The initiative aims to enhance local skills, promote value addition, and increase the country's footprint in the international diamond market.Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, attending the Africa Conclave on India-Africa Partnership organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, met with Harry Krishna Exports chairman and highlighted Zimbabwe's ambition to develop a robust diamond value addition sector."We believe that we should not only mine diamonds in Zimbabwe, but also transform them, thereby creating jobs, industries, and opportunities for our people," said VP Chiwenga. "We see immense potential for partnership in training, joint ventures, technology transfer, certification, traceability, and ethical sourcing."Dr Zimbango described the training programme as a "golden opportunity" for Zimbabwe. "We have observed that India is ahead technologically in diamond cutting and polishing, particularly using water technology instead of laser-based methods, which can damage diamonds. This collaboration will give our citizens first-class skills and open pathways for direct market access."A Zimbabwean team will be sent to India within the next three months to receive training and subsequently transfer the knowledge locally. The partnership is expected to involve a tripartite arrangement, including ZCDC as the producer, Aurex as the local cutting agent, and Harry Krishna Exports as the technical advisor.The initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa's drive to promote value addition across all production sectors, positioning Zimbabwe as a hub for beneficiation and sustainable economic growth. News / National by Staff reporter Windmill (Private) Limited has issued a stern warning to the public over fraudulent land sales involving its property, Lot FA Kinvara, measuring 65.2436 hectares, which is being illegally marketed as "Tsikwi Phase 1 (Westgate Extension)."The company has identified individuals, including Aspire Mutingwende and Taremedzwa Kapungu, operating through Redrev (Pvt) Ltd and other fronts, who are purporting to sell residential stands on the property without any legal authority. Windmill emphasized that these "land barons" have no right to advertise, allocate, or sell the land.On 7 August 2025, the High Court of Zimbabwe issued Case No. HCH3919/25, ordering Taremedzwa Kapungu and all persons acting on their behalf, including Aspire Mutingwende, to vacate the property immediately. The Sheriff of Zimbabwe has been authorized to enforce the eviction if necessary.Windmill cautioned the public against engaging with these individuals or their agents, warning that any agreements, payments, or stand allocations are null and void, exposing buyers to financial loss and potential legal disputes.The company is working closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Sheriff, and other authorities to enforce the court order and protect the public from fraudulent schemes.For verification of ownership or to report suspicious activities, members of the public are urged to contact: windmill@windmill.co.zw. Canadas exclusion from last weeks White House meeting of NATO members and the Ukrainian president was likely behind the prime ministers surprise visit to Kyiv this week. Thats according to defence policy expert and Macdonald-Laurier Institute senior fellow Joe Varner, who said Canadas diminishing profile in global affairs is likely why Prime Minister Mark Carney chose to visit Ukraine on Monday. The government was struck by the fact they werent invited to Washington, said Varner, who previously served as policy director for former defence minister Peter MacKay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that, in part, drives the prime ministers trip to Ukraine. Monday was Carneys first official visit to Ukraine, kicking off a nearly week-long European trip where defence weighed heavily. We can certainly contribute to the Ukrainian need, Varner told the Toronto Sun. Theyre looking for almost $1 billion per month from NATO allies to support their war effort, so its good that Canada stepped up and provided aid to Ukraine. Canada was conspicuously absent at last weeks meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump which included NATO chief Mark Rutte, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada is not viewed as a reliable ally by a lot of our NATO friends, and certainly not by the United States, said Varner. In terms of the global firepower index, Canada ranks 28th were a G7 country, its ridiculous. RECOMMENDED VIDEO During his Monday speech in the Ukrainian capital, Carney unveiled details of a $2-billion defence package for the war-torn country as it deals with the now 3 1/2-year-old invasion by Russian forces. More than $1 billion of that aid is earmarked for purchasing military hardware from the U.S. for use by Ukrainian troops with the balance going toward other equipment, including drones and electronic warfare, and joint investments between the two nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This spending was also likely prompted by Canadas decision in June to finally meet NATOs 2% defence spending benchmark, reversing Justin Trudeau-era policies of underspending on Canadas defence. Carney also suggested Canadian troops could be sent to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, but Varner said thats easier said than done. Its easy to say that we can contribute troops and I suspect that if theres a peace agreement Canada would be there, but with the state of the Canadian Forces, its stretching the limit, he said. (Canada) lacks people, lacks basic combat equipment that most western NATO armies have and we would be taking people from somewhere else in the system where theyre needed to do that as things stand now, wed probably have to pull people out of Latvia. bpassifiume@postmedia.com X: @bryanpassifiume Japanese agriculture fintech Degas Limited has announced a US$100 million investment over the next four years to help establish Ghana as Africas first AI-powered agricultural hub, expanding a model that, it says, has already financed more than 86,000 smallholder farmers across 122,000 acres nationwide. Doga Makiura, CEO and founder of Degas Limited, said, at a meeting with President John Dramani Mahama on the sidelines of the recent Ghana Presidential Investment Forum: Our $100 million commitment will scale AI-driven satellite monitoring and precision agriculture techniques so farmers can boost yields, reduce risk, and access fairly priced finance. He added: Weve already seen incomes double with a 95% repayment rate from the farmers. Degas platform combines AI-driven satellite monitoring and agriculture techniques. The results, according to Makiura, are drawing strong interest from Japanese investors who consider Ghanas integrated approach the gold standard' for agricultural investment in Africa. He also suggested that President Mahamas focus on value-chain integration aligns closely with Japans search for credible, scalable partnerships. Mahama explained: This investment reinforces our commitment to integrated agricultural value chains that connect farmers to markets, finance, storage, and processing. By leveraging AI and precision technologies, we will improve productivity, enhance food security, and create dignified jobs for youth across rural communities. The new funding will support the expansion of Degas farmer financing, satellite-enabled crop monitoring, and precision agronomy services, while deepening partnerships across input supply, logistics and offtake to strengthen local value chains. Founded in 2019, Degas says it is dedicated to raising the productivity and income of 600 million smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa by leveraging its proprietary technology platform. It provides farmers with high-quality farming inputs and offers specialised training, equipping farmers with tools and knowledge to maximise productivity. Farmers make repayments by delivering a portion of their agricultural outputs and realise additional incomes through the sales of remaining crops. To date, Degas says it has collected millions of data points across the full value chain by using its proprietary mobile app. It use the data and machine learning techniques to compute farmer credit scores and make data-driven decisions to optimise operations. Its field staff use its proprietary app to enrol farmers, distribute inputs, record farm locations, monitor farming activities, and harvest and recover crops. Each bag collected from farmers filled with crops has a QR code containing all the relevant information, enabling Degas to offer end-to-end traceability across the value chain. As the calendar ticks toward September 30 and the end of fiscal 2025, at which time U.S. legislators will determine FY 2026 appropriations for public institutions, 21 states attorneys general have asked the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island to enter a summary judgment in State of Rhode Island v. Trump. They seek a permanent injunction to keep the Institute of Museum and Library Services, along with the Minority Business Development Agency and Federal Conciliation and Remediation Service, fully staffed and operational. Rhode Island v. Trump is one of two cases to address the fate of IMLS, whose annual Grants to States are foundational for state public library systems and whose competitive grants ensure library research and professional development nationwide. On June 6, a federal court for the District of Columbia denied a preliminary injunction to pause the demolition of the agency in a case brought by the American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. The 21 attorneys general filed their complaint on April 4, in response to a March 14 White House executive order that severely curtailed the statutory functions of IMLS, MBDA, FCRS, and four more federal agencies. On May 13, Rhode Island district court judge John J. McConnell Jr. found the defendants actions unconstitutional and ordered a preliminary injunction. The court instructed the defendants to halt the dismantling of the three agencies, bring employees and contractors back to the offices, and resume funding grants. Now, the Court should enter judgment in the Plaintiff States favor, vacate the Closure Decisions, and permanently enjoin defendants from implementing the Reduction EO and the Closure Decisions, the plaintiffs wrote on August 22. They added that they request oral argument on this motion. A 301-page list of undisputed facts accompanied their motion for summary judgment. This blow-by-blow account details the EOs implementation and supplies examples of the EOs damage to each states public libraries. Although funding for IMLS only constitutes 0.0046% of the federal budget, IMLS provides critical resources, the attorneys wrote, noting that in FY 2024, the agency distributed $180,000,000 to libraries through Grants to States program, $31,050,000 to competitive library grants, and $55,450,000 to U.S. museums. Hours before the EO was issued, for instance, IMLS acting director Cyndee Landrum learned she had been demoted to deputy director. Office of Museum Services deputy director Laura Huerta Migus, who was later involuntarily terminated along with other non-union IMLS employees, told IMLS staff that the agency might be stripped down to the studs, an apt metaphor for the outcome. On March 19, U.S. deputy secretary of labor Keith Sonderling arrived at IMLS offices with a security detail, to be sworn in as IMLS acting director. One of the security officials remarked that Sonderling would not stay at the agency long [that day], and that IMLS staff would not stay at the agency long, either, the list of facts reported. The numerical reckoning describes how just 12 of the agencys approximately 77 regular staff remained in the office, while most of the employees who processed or administered grant programs waited on paid administrative leave, dreading a reduction in force (RIF). Though Judge McConnells ruling ultimately averted the RIF for union-protected staffers, IMLS lost the ability to process new grants or service existing grants, the document explains, and the Office of Research and Evaluation sat dormant, meaning that the biannual Public Library Survey likely will cease to be issued. As the office foundered from March through the preliminary injunctions relief in May, the effects fanned out across the 21 plaintiff states library systems, resulting in furloughsnotably in Maineand suspended programming. With grants declared canceled or left unprocessed, people decided not to proceed with research, lost their jobs, or chose not to make orders or hires. Arizona State Library eliminated its Summer Library Institute, which provides professional development for rural library staff. In Delaware, a loss of Grants to States would undermine statewide literacy services for all ages, according to testimony from Annie Norman, librarian and division director for the Delaware Department of State and former IMLS board member. (The IMLS board of directors was fired by the administration April 3.) Meanwhile, In Michigan, circulation of materials is immediately impaired by grant delays and uncertainty, according to state librarian Randy Riley. And the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners noted that the loss of Grants to States would make it unable to offer a summer reading program or circulate e-books and audiobooks to its 375 libraries. Research across the U.S., such as the University of MarylandCollege Parks Hatchlings Project: Community-Library Partnerships to Reduce Childhood Literacy Inequities, depends on federal dollars for facilitators and participants. The American Library Association and other library supporters are sounding the alarm for IMLS and federal funding, urging the public to contact their representatives and advocate for libraries. Wilson Combat's Skunkworks Future Shooter It makes sense that a watchmaker would get into 1911s. Pistols that were designed in a time when machine-hours were expensive but man-hours were cheap. When precision fit meant you needed a person. This is where Bill Wilson found himself back in 1977, a jeweler and pistol competitor who wanted a better pistol than he could buy. This was the original impetus and birth of Wilson Combat. In the nearly half century since, much has changed, and yet much is still the same. Though we now live in a time of luxury, where machines are capable of far greater than ever before while also being more affordable than ever, were still finding the touch of a human brings something to the table that an android still cant quite grasp. Bill is now enjoying retirement and now Cam Ankele has the reins. Wilson Combat still makes 1911s but boy howdy this one sure looks different. The namesake of this semi-skunkworks, Division 77, is homage to when Bill first started cutting metal himself. And its the Project 1 because its the first thing theyre putting out. STANDOUT FEATURES Wilson Combat doesnt follow the standard 2011 formula. Theres no bulky two-piece frame and magazines that are unnecessarily too large, instead opting their EDX X9 2.0 as a base for slim all around. Its still a smooth 1911 action, just not copying the other kids homework. There is no grip safety but it does have an ambi thumb safety. The barrel and slide are ported, and on the range this setup actually works very well even with cheap ammo this technology has come a long way. Its not as if a 33-ounce 9mm pistol had all that much recoil to begin with, but this gun has a lot of show in it so let it show. Wilson Combat has a lot of tools and charts to show theres a 42% recoil reduction compared to a standard offering but the real truth is in your hands on the range; its impressive indeed. One of the biggest changes from Wilsons other offerings is the optic setup. Previously you had to get custom work from Wilson if you wanted to do this (we covered this whole process back in CONCEALMENT #40). Although Wilson Combat went through the trouble of developing their own interchangeable plates before, the True Zero Optic System, they didnt use it here. Instead, with the Division 77 Project 1 they cut a universal-ish footprint directly into the slide and included removeable pillars to fit RMR, RMSc, and DPP optics. Cirion Technologies, a leading provider of infrastructure and digital technology in Latin America, has announced the expansion of its data centre in Buenos Aires, known as BUE1, which, it says, is the most connected in the region. The company says its expansion of the BUE1 data centre will allow it to add more than 2MW of capacity and approximately 160 additional racks. With this greater capacity, it will be able to accommodate more customers and provide the necessary energy for their intensive workloads, including those of AI. In addition to Buenos Aires, Cirion has recently completed the expansion of its data centre complexes in Sao Paulo (SAO1), Rio de Janeiro (RIO1) and Quito (QUI2). With 25 years of experience in seven Latin American countries, Cirion says it operates 12 main carrier-neutral data centres, with three under construction. There are also ten edge data centres. A new data centre LIM2 (in Lima) began operations in April 2025. SAN2 in Santiago (SAN2) is expected to launch later this year. The company has begun the planning and pre-construction of a new data centre of more than 60MW in Rio de Janeiro (RIO2). All are designed to meet the growing demand for cloud services in the region. Gabriel Del Campo, Vice President of Data Centres at Cirion Technologies, explains: "The new facilities under construction incorporate state-of-the-art technologies and are prepared to support AI-intensive loads, each with energy capacities greater than 20MW and with expansion potential. explained. "In addition, he says, they operate with renewable energy. 'We will be able to anticipate the full picture of the impact after August, which is also the time when demand for a year begins to peak ahead of the December holidays and Valentine's Day.' IMAGE: Estimates of job losses range from 50,000 to 300,000. Craftsmen work on diamonds at a diamond processing unit in Surat, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters On Raksha Bandhan day in 1938, the Tapi river played havoc in Surat, tossing around boats and sending 84 people into the watery grave. Since then, the Surtis (residents of Surat) observe the festival one day after its calendar date, in remembrance of the tragedy. This year, it is an onslaught of another kind in the famed diamond city, an onslaught of heavy tariffs, clouding most festivities. The United States' reciprocal tariffs, coupled with penalties, threaten the livelihood of artisans. Surat is the world's hub for diamond finishing, and over 90 in 100 diamonds globally are polished. The job is done by nearly 800,000 artisans, employed in about 5,000 diamond-cutting and polishing units. In April, the Trump administration imposed sweeping reciprocal tariffs on India, levying a 26 per cent duty, which took effect this month, on the export of gems and jewellery. Adding to the blow, the US piled on another slab of tariff, driving the effective rate on gems and jewellery to 55 per cent starting August 27. On the other hand, diamond-polishing and cutting companies typically earn a single-digit profit margin, 4 to 8 per cent, say industry observers. Not surprisingly then, within days, demand for diamonds plunged by up to 40 per cent, with merchant partners struggling to secure orders from a shrinking US customer base. Crisis in motion IMAGE: US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs at the White House, April 2, 2025. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters It is a gloomy, monsoon afternoon on a Monday. The diamond unit floor, usually humming with Bollywood tunes and the whirr of polishing wheels, has fallen into an uneasy hush, where most artisans are slipping into quick naps. Kirtibhai Vaghadiya, 30, is packing a small consignment of polished diamonds with shapes such as hearts and emeralds. Vaghadiya, who leads a floor of 30 artisans, is not heading out to deliver the order but to hunt for new clients. He faces a stark choice: Finding enough buyers to bridge the demand gap or submitting to the crisis; cut jobs and send his artisans back to their hometowns. "Production has come down to 70 carat a day from 100 carat a day six months ago. I will need three more partners instead of the current one client to fill the demand gap," he said. Vaghadiya said if the grim situation continued, his business would be set back by at least six months, burning cash in the process. Estimates of job losses range from 50,000 to 300,000. "We will be able to anticipate the full picture of the impact after August, which is also the time when demand for a year begins to peak ahead of December holidays and Valentine's Day," remarked Rajat Wani, regional director (Surat), Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). Partners in the US, Wani added, would have to check if their retail customers would be able to absorb higher prices of diamonds. IMAGE: A trader shows a diamond bracelet at a diamond processing unit in Surat. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters Shrinking base In 2024-2025, exports of gems and diamonds from India to the global markets amounted to $28.67 billion, an 11.21 per cent decrease from $32.29 billion in FY24. The US market shrank around 6 per cent to $9.24 billion in FY25 from $9.82 billion in FY24. Other markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Hongkong too declined 3 per cent and 32.24 per cent, respectively. "Buyers in the US will now sharply negotiate to bring down the base price of diamonds so that it remains affordable after factoring in the cost of tariffs. This will squeeze our margins, investment in design, the expansion of units, among other things," said Kirtilal Shah, a diamond merchant. Shah calls the latest US tariffs the worst impact on the industry after the 2008 global financial crisis and the pandemic. IMAGE: Surat Diamond Bourse, a diamond trade centre located in the Diamond Research and Mercantile City, also known as DREAM City, in Surat. Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters However, stakeholders are pinning their hopes on the rise of lab-grown diamonds to keep the industry's wheels turning, as natural ones become even more expensive. "There was a slump in business during the pandemic. In 2008 too, there was a sharp recession. Then, lab-grown diamonds were not popular. Today, they can give some support to existing businesses with demand in India growing gradually," said Jayantibhai N Savaliya, regional chairman (Gujarat region), GJEPC. Natural diamonds cost many times more than their lab-grown counterparts, making a tariff on a high-value natural stone far steeper in absolute terms than the same rate applied to a lower-value one. Merchants may continue to explore newer international markets such as the Gulf region, Europe, and Australia. Unit operators added that routing diamonds through low-tariff regions like Dubai might also not be feasible due to added costs and the fear of an additional ad valorem on the item. That said, the industry still says India will continue to be the preferred hub for diamond polishing because of its skill base and manpower. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Trump has played throughout his career as a deal-maker who could deliver where others could not, and Ukraine represents the ultimate test of that image, notes Manish Dabhade. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a joint presser after their meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Screen grab/White House/YouTube After more than three years of relentless fighting in Ukraine, President Donald Trump has taken the boldest step yet to move the conflict toward peace. Two landmark summits this August, the first in Alaska with Vladimir Putin on August 15, followed by a White House meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top European leaders on August 18, have injected long-absent momentum into diplomatic efforts. What distinguishes Trump's initiative is not just the choreography but the strategic shift: he has put diplomacy, not just force, at the center of US policy. For the first time since 2022, all key players are talking seriously about what peace might look like. That alone marks real progress in a war long defined by stalemate. The Alaska summit was historic simply for happening. No Western leader had sat across from Putin since the invasion, and Trump used the encounter to press Moscow on what it would accept for a settlement. Putin, true to form, demanded sweeping concessions, including Ukrainian territorial concessions. That kind of rhetoric was immediately dismissed by Zelenskyy, but Trump's turnaround from calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitating a direct peace settlement changed the conversation. He simply asserted that a ceasefire on its own was not enough and only a complete settlement was required. And with that, he moved US diplomacy out of crisis management and into conflict resolution. A few days later, Trump welcomed Zelenskyy and other British, French, German, Italian leaders and NATO and EU chiefs to Washington. The meeting was historic not only by scale but by significance: once again, America placed itself at the vanguard of a coalition by using its convening powers to bring allies together around peace as much as war aims. The conciliatory tone Zelenskyy assumed at this meeting, calling it 'a major step forward' came after he himself had publicly clashed with Trump earlier this year. That shift of mood is a reflection on this fact that diplomacy, turbulent though it remains, now actually has a chance. Trump's motives are not difficult to guess. He has played throughout his career as a deal-maker who could deliver where others could not, and Ukraine represents the ultimate test of that image. He campaigned to end the war quickly; as president he aims to deliver on it. But his drive is not just vanity. Lasting peace would ease pressure on US resources, preclude a possible clash between NATO and Russia, and enable Washington to turn its attention to other priorities such as China and the Middle East. It chimes too with a war-fatigued American public sceptical of signing open-ended checks on behalf of Ukraine with no way out. What are called Trump's 'America First' reflexes here converge with strategic sense: Peace at home and abroad would save lives while protecting US interests. Taking the initiative now represents a seizing of opportunity at a 'ripe' moment when all sides are tired and drained. IMAGE: Trump greets Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, August 15, 2025. Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Trump's diplomacy already has tangible benefits to show for it. He has re-established high-level talks with Moscow as well as Kyiv, unthinkable just a few months ago. He has brought European leaders right into the fold, ensuring any peace framework enjoys transatlantic legitimacy. He has pressured Putin, even begrudgingly, to accept that post-conflict security for Ukraine needs to be ensured -- an opportunity for serious discussion about international enforcement measures. He has even raised US intentions to underpin peace by air or by intelligence assistance, signaling to Kyiv that Washington is not going to leave it high and dry. Perhaps just as significantly, he has put urgency into play by setting deadlines and pairing diplomacy with threats of harsher sanctions. These actions have altered the pace of war from attritional stagnation to diplomatic potential. The timing is certainly right. The cost of this war is enormous: More than a million killed or wounded, cities laid waste, millions displaced. It is Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II, and the dangers of escalation -- into NATO territory or even nuclear brinksmanship -- are increasing. For Russia and Ukraine alike, war has become a 'hurting stalemate' where each side is unable to win complete victory at an tolerable cost. That is the classic situation under which negotiations are possible. Europe desires stability, China and India prefer cessation of hostilities for economic grounds, and even Moscow elites recognise the perils of perpetual quagmire. Trump's timing is thus not coincidental; he determined that this is the time at which diplomacy can prevail. However, challenges on hand are significant. Filling out the space between Ukraine's refusal to surrender territory and Russia's refusal to give back its advances will require ingenuity and willpower. The question of sequencing, whether to insist on a ceasefire first or plunge into comprehensive peace negotiations with war raging on, is a contentious one with European leaders insisting on an immediate ceasefire and Trump opting to negotiate for a all-encompassing arrangement. IMAGE: Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet at the White House, August 18, 2025. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters Guarantees of security to Ukraine are another sticking point: Kyiv insists on 'ironclad' guarantees, whereas Russia dismisses any NATO footprint. Finding an arrangement that convinces Ukraine without offending Moscow will put diplomatic skills to the test. Allied cohesion too needs to be maintained. Eastern Europe is afraid of premature surrender to Russia, whereas Western Europe is afraid of war dragging on too long. Until now, Trump's inclusive tactics have managed to keep everyone on track, but as negotiations deepen fault lines may arise. Lastly, Trump needs to navigate domestic opinion. Critics are already accusing him of giving Putin a platform, whereas his supporters are applauding his daring to try diplomacy. He needs to convince that engagement is not appeasement but a strategic move to end war on equal terms. To all these challenges, Trump's peace offensive cannot be overestimated. For the first time in history, diplomacy is front and centre of US Ukraine policy. After years of escalating arms packages and war reports, negotiation and settlement are at centre stage. That is a much-needed correction. A just peace would save hundreds of thousands of lives, respect Ukrainian sovereignty, stabilize Europe, and reveal America's unique role as defender and peacemaker. So far, Trump declined to force Kyiv into unacceptable concessions and kept Ukrainian self-determination as his compass guidepost. And concurrently, he accepted an inexorable reality: Only foes speak at war's end. IMAGE: Ukrainian soldiers use an RPG-7 grenade launcher during training in Kharkiv, Ukraine August 23, 2025. Photograph: Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters Spinning the conversations into gear, Putin to Alaska, Zelenskyy and coalition to Washington, and perhaps both commanders together at a future trilateral meeting, Trump set into place conditions for what once was unthinkable. The next several weeks will show whether this offensive generates more than atmospherics. Even a framework accord or first principles for peace would be a historic breakthrough. Failure remains possible, even likely. But what matters is that diplomacy has been given a serious chance. That is a profound shift, and one which well deserves cautious applause. Trump re-established US leadership both as an arsenal of democracy but as a peace architect. History may well mark August 2025 as the moment at which the trajectory of the Ukraine war shifted from escalation to the negotiating table. If so, Trump's gamble will be one of the most historically significant acts of American diplomacy on a generation's watch. Manish Dabhade is aAssociate Professor of Diplomacy in the School of International Studies, JNU, and Founder of The Indian Futures, an independent think-tank. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff 'The EC should not have let the initiative go into the hands of the political leadership. By allowing this to happen, they have opened a Pandora's box.' IMAGE: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav (partly seen) at the start of the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Sasaram, Bihar, August 17, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Former Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat admits that in recent years the Election Commission of India's prestige has taken a hit but this can be corrected if the ECI goes back to its earlier practise of ensuring immediate investigation into each and every allegation of electoral malpractice. Rawat believes the ECI should not have hurried into holding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Bihar's electoral rolls. "I cannot understand why exclusion and inclusion are being conducted as separate exercises. In the past, they went together," Mr Rawat tells Rediff Senior Contributor Rashme Sehgal. The Special Intensive Revision of Bihar's electoral rolls has turned out to be a highly contentious exercise. The last SIR was conducted in Bihar in 2003. Elections were held in 2005 and so there was ample time for the public to appeal and seek redressal if the need arose. The SIR is a very thorough exercise in which the EC has to conduct visits from house to house and include or delete people's names as and where required. An SIR is conducted every 10, 15 years otherwise only a summary revision is done. The timing of the SIR is an issue as Bihar is scheduled to go to the polls for assembly elections in the next four months. Usually, an exercise such as SIR would take at least eight to eight months to complete. This means that the time between the schedule publication of the final electoral rolls and the assembly elections is very little, barely two months, which leaves little time for the aggrieved to go in for an appeal. While it is mandatory for the EC to conduct a summary revision, this could have been done without this hue and cry and everyone would have been happy. But don't you think the monsoon is hardly the time to conduct such an elaborate exercise? Summer and monsoon is the time when people are in their homes. Large scale migration takes place after the kharif crop is harvested which would be around October-November. Then there are those who have already migrated to big towns but want to keep their enrolment at home. The EC has informed them stating that they can use their phone to upload their enumeration form online as also the documents that they want to submit. IMAGE: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi addresses a press conference on Bihar's Special Intensive Revision at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, August 17, 2025. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo Nevertheless, the outcome of this elaborate exercise has resulted in the exclusion of 65 lakh voters without the EC giving any details about why their names have been excluded. Since the time was short, the EC thought it prudent that all those who find their name in the 2003 electoral roles need not submit any proof. They will be deemed citizens and they can submit their enumeration forms along with the reference to the 2003 rolls and that will be good enough. These people comprise around 65% of the voters in Bihar which means about 5 crores. But as a necessary corollary, the remaining 2.97 crores are required to prove their citizenship and this being a very huge number, the Election Commission also relaxed the norms on this. On July 6, they issued an advertisement in Bihar that even those who do not find their name in the 2003 electoral rolls can submit their forms without any document which can be submitted later but before August 30. This whole issue of 65 lakh names being deleted is that numbers do not matter. The EC does not have enough evidence. Deletion is based on non-submission of enumeration forms but these can be submitted later. There are several issues around this. There are those who have permanently shifted out of the state. Then there are livelihood issues that require them to be away from home and there is nobody to tell them there is a deadline to meet. Then there can be people who are working in fields who can also be left out. They are resource poor. If they turn up in polling booths at the time of voting and find their names are missing, that can create other problems. Bihar is a very sensitive state. There are around 45,000 polling booths located in hyper sensitive areas and another 35,000 which are located in not so critical areas where they may just one policeman manning that booth. If 100 people land up them who do not have the proper documents, it can create a major problem for the presiding officer at that booth. There has been this whole controversy around the Aadhar card. The Aadhar card is proof of identity but not of citizenship. But the issue of deleting names of photo ID card holders issued by the EC is a very tricky. If the name of a voter is to be deleted, the EC has to go through the due process which means issuing a notice to that individual and then giving him a reasonable opportunity to present his point of view. In an SIR, the BLO (block level officer) is expected to visit every home but many BLOs have been caught on camera by many TV channels showing that they did not have time to visit and thereby have ended up denying enrolment to individuals. IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav and Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram during the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Aurangabad, Bihar, August 18, 2025. Photograph: @INCIndia X/ANI Photo But there has not been a single inclusion of a new voter in this elaborate exercise. That is very surprising. The Election Commission always used to proactively enrol people without much ado about citizenship. Even in this SIR, Form 6 is being submitted with the declaration being enough. It seems to be a dichotomy that new registration is based on Form 6, whereas all those who are already there on the electoral roll have to submit proof. Since the proof was not available easily and time was running out so the Election Commission themselves relaxed it and said that submit the enumeration form and proof can be given later and have extended the time to August 30. There is news that there will be at least one lakh inclusion though the number may go up. That number will be announced later and all these names will be included. I cannot understand why exclusion and inclusion are being conducted as separate exercises. In the past, they went together. IMAGE: Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen and other INDIA bloc MPs protest SIR outside Parliament, August 20, 2025. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo The other very surprising aspect of this entire exercise is that it is being undertaken to purge voter rolls and to weed out illegal immigrants but the name of not even one such immigrant has been disclosed so far. Yes, that is very surprising. The premise on which this entire exercise was ordered and 2.6 crore voters were subjected to this rigorous house-to-house exercise was to reveal number of illegal immigrants. But there is nothing to corroborate these claims. So was this then a false premise? The law provides for easy identification of illegal immigrants and there was no need to go in for an SIR and subject people to this kind of exercise this close to the election. I don't think this is good. The other contentious issue is that CCTV footage cannot be made public as it will affect the privacy of women voters. Ours is a secret ballot. We have kept a 45-day window so that if there is a complaint, it can be attended to. CCTVs were installed to create documentary evidence to dispel grievances of political parties distributing freebies and expecting that those who have received them come to the polling booth to cast their vote. But NOTA has been kept as an option to ensure that in case, the voter does not want to cast his vote in favour of any political party, he can press the NOTA button. IMAGE: Special Intensive Revision being conducted in Saran, July 11, 2025. Photograph: @CEOBihar X/ANI Photo There is also the dichotomy that while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been asked by the EC to submit an apology and also an affidavit because of the allegations he has levied on voter fraud, no such affidavit has been asked from BJP leader Anurag Thakur who has also levied similar allegations. The EC should not have let the initiative go into the hands of the political leadership. By allowing this to happen, they have opened a Pandora's box. Earlier, the EC had a convention that if any allegation of malpractice was made, it was looked into and the findings were put in the public domain. This would put the issue to rest. I cannot say why they have changed their stand and their allowed this whole issue to simmer. The EC should have taken the initiative and ordered an on the spot enquiries wherever allegations of malpractice were made. They have no right to ask anyone to apologise or file an affidavit. The ECI's credibility has taken a major hit in recent years. I do hope that the EC will finally ensure all contentious issues will be put to rest. This will be an important step for them to regain their confidence. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Whish Money, a Lebanese fintech company, has collaborated with payments giant Mastercard to enable inbound and outbound remittance flows for consumers in Lebanon. With the collaboration, the partners say, Whish Money users in Lebanon will be able to start sending money cost-effectively through the Whish Money mobile application to more than 50 countries in near real time. Depending on the receive market, senders can choose how beneficiaries receive the funds into their bank accounts or their mobile wallets or by cash. Lebanese senders now also have the option of using their cards to fund their Whish Money wallet, in addition to using cash. This is said to be Mastercards first collaboration with a mobile wallet in Lebanon to facilitate remittances. According to estimates by the World Bank, Lebanon was the third country in the MENA region in terms of the absolute size of remittance inflows in 2022 with an estimate of US$6.4 billion, only trailing Egypt (US$28.3 billion) and Morocco (US$11.2 billion). Mastercard Move, Mastercards portfolio of money movement solutions, enables people and organisations to move money quickly and safely, both domestically and internationally. The portfolios reach spans 200 markets and over 150 currencies, with access to more than 95% of the worlds banked population. The partnership brings benefits to both partners in the agreeement, as well as consumers, as Onur Kursun, Executive Vice President, Commercial and New Payment Flows, EEMEA, Mastercard, explains. Our collaboration will give Whish Money the reach, transparency and speed needed to scale its cross-border business and address consumer demand for sending and receiving funds internationally, he says. He continues: Meanwhile, it will enable us to expand our payment network and introduce market firsts for inbound and outbound money transfers in Lebanon. 'China reduced its exports of urea to India gradually.' 'In 2020-2021 we imported 28 lakh tonnes of urea which reduced to 16 lakh tonnes in 2022-2023 and that has now reduced to 1 lakh tonnes in 2024-2025.' Kindly note that this image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters As India's agricultural heartland faces mounting pressure from a deepening urea crisis, farmers across states like Uttar Pradesh are taking to the streets in protest. A significant drop in urea availability, a steep decline in imports -- particularly from China -- and the government's push toward nano-urea are creating widespread concern among cultivators during the crucial Kharif season. In an interview with Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff, Pushpendra Singh, president, Kisan Shakti Sangh, shares his views on why farmers are agitating in Ayodhya, how poor planning has led to this fertiliser shortfall, and what the implications are for food security and the rural economy. Why are farmers protesting in Ayodhya? The reason is the stock of urea which is used as fertiliser by farmers to cultivate their land is very less this year in our country this year, compared to last year. The stock of urea, for example, in April 2024 was 80 lakh tonnes and this year it was 56 lakh tonnes in April. On August 1, 2024, the urea stock was 86 lakh tonnes and this year it is 37 lakh tonnes on August 1, 2025. What is the reason for this? One of the reasons is the import of urea from China has drastically reduced. In 2021-2022, we imported 28 lakh tonnes of urea which has reduced to 1 lakh tonnes in 2024-2025. Our domestic urea plants, in Kakinada and other places, faced some problems in production and that too led to the production of less urea. Thirdly, urea price rose from $380 to $530 in the international market. Timely action was not taken by the government and that led to mismanagement on the urea front. Can you explain to a layperson residing in the city why urea is important for farmers? When the sowing season starts farmers (mostly) need two chemicals -- Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea. Right now the kharif crop sowing season is going on. In kharif crops, the main crop is paddy, that is rice. DAP is needed initially to sow paddy in the months of June and July. Later, in August, the rice crop needs urea for better yield. And this year the rains have been very good which has increased the sowing land area compared to last year. Till last year the sowing area was 363 lakh hectares for rice and that has increased to 400 lakh hectares this year because of good rainfall. The same applies to maize whose land capacity has increased to 93 lakh hectares from 83 lakh hectares last year. This has resulted in a surge of demand for urea as farmers want more urea for their crops at this moment. And due to the shortage of urea there is a lathi-charge going on in many places in Uttar Pradesh due to uncontrollable crowds at urea distribution centres. Black marketers too have stepped in as urea, which costs Rs 270 for a 45 kg bag, is now selling for anywhere between Rs 350 and Rs 500. DAP, which was selling at Rs 1,350 for a 50 kg bag, is now selling at Rs 1,800 to Rs 2000. In October, potato crop, sarson (mustard) and wheat will be sown and a few rich farmers are now in advance storing urea for these crops as they fear a shortage of urea in the future. If China is not selling more urea why not go to other countries, like Saudi Arabia or Morocco? This was poor planning by the government as they failed to take timely action despite knowing very well that China was not giving you the required urea for your needs. Why is China reducing its urea import to India? China reduced its exports of urea to India gradually. In 2020-2021 we imported 28 lakh tonnes of urea which reduced to 16 lakh tonnes in 2022-2023 and that has now reduced to 1 lakh tonnes in 2024-2025. Can we then say China is killing Indian farming by reducing its export of urea? This was one among many reasons, but then we as a nation should have got an alternative source to procure more urea. Charan Das Mahant, the Opposition leader in the Chhattisgarh assembly, said the government was intentionally reducing the quantity of urea and di-ammonium phosphate because it does not want farmers to grow paddy which is in excess. Is it true? This too is one of the reasons as the government does not want to buy paddy from farmers. The government gives MSP (Minimum Support Price) to paddy and they do not want to pay for it because they have excess of paddy. Is it a design to discourage farmers from not producing paddy and grow some other crop? Yes. Already we have a surplus in paddy. We are also the largest exporters of paddy. It also takes a lot of water to produce paddy. Therefore, the government wants less people in the business of paddy. Do you feel we will see a food crisis because of the non-availability of urea? No, we will not see a food crisis. Farmers use cow dung or other such things (as fertiliser) to replace urea in times of crisis. What should the government have done? The government has all the data and we have a fertilisers ministry too. They are expected to know the production level of urea in the country or for that matter what the international price of urea is. This is every day's work. This was not done by them and they did not import urea on time. The government could not have raised the price of urea to Rs 500 per bag as this would have created chaos in the country, therefore they got another strategy by creating shortage and non-availability. What can the government do if the international price of urea has gone up? These things happen as the price fluctuates in the international market. But it is the job of the government to know what needs to be done and buy urea from international markets by ordering in advance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated that farmer income will double by 2022 and here in 2025 we are seeing farmers struggling to get urea. What is the thinking in the government? They are an anti-farmer government. The BJP works for the business class, traders and moneylenders and it is their government. Moneylenders have only one criteria and that is to make farmers slog and make them go mad by creating a shortage of urea. This is what the government is doing and it is their policy. And now they want to promote nano-urea. What is nano-urea? They want to do away with urea and want to promote liquid urea of 1 litre. The government is claiming that this nano-urea in one bottle is as effective as one bag of 45 kg of urea. The government was selling 10 bags of urea and with that they were giving five bottles of nano-urea to farmers. It is produced in India only and does not require a subsidy as the cost of production is less. Is it good? No concrete study has come to my knowledge so far. It is possible that the government wants to shift the strategy of farming. But there is no trust among farmers for nano-urea. It is easy to transport bottles to your farms rather than transporting 45 kg bags of urea. You just mix nano-urea in your tube well and spread it in your farm. The Centre has withdrawn the Z category Central Reserve Police Force security provided to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, days after she was accorded the cover following an attack on her, official sources said on Monday. IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta addresses the gathering at the Vastrika-2025 program and the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Gandhi Nagar Market at Ashok Bazaar, Gandhi Nagar, in New Delhi on August 23, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Her security has been entrusted to Delhi Police again, they said. Gupta, 51, was attacked by a man on August 20 morning during a 'Jan Sunwai' programme at her camp office in the Civil Lines area, with her office terming the assault a part of a "well-planned conspiracy to kill her". A day later, the CRPF VIP security wing was asked by the Union home ministry to extend its cover to her as part of Z category protection protocol of the Centre. The CRPF cover has been withdrawn and Delhi Police is now providing security to the Delhi CM, sources told PTI. The orders for extending the CRPF cover were to be issued formally by the Centre but there was a change of plan and finally the orders for withdrawal were issued, they said. Delhi Police has arrested two persons till now as part of the investigation into the attack on the CM. This includes prime accused Sakriya Rajeshbhai Khimji (41), an auto-rickshaw driver and resident of Rajkot in Gujarat. Congress leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, facing multiple sexual misconduct allegations, was suspended from the primary membership of the party on Monday, KPCC President Sunny Joseph said. Photograph: Courtesy, @rmamkootathil via ANI News The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief, however, rejected the political opponents' demand for Mamkootathil's resignation as MLA. Joseph also said the legislator has set a "model" by quitting his party position as Youth Congress state president without waiting for a formal complaint or a case being lodged. During the brief press conference convened at his house in Iritty in Kannur, the veteran leader didn't specify the duration of the suspension period. Joseph said the Congress viewed the allegations against Rahul Mamkootathil as serious. The Congress leadership in Kerala made a series of consultations with various leaders, including Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, former KPCC chiefs and AICC working committee members from the state in this regard, and took a "unanimous" decision in the matter, he said. "The party has not received any complaint in this regard so far. There has also been no legal complaint. No case has been registered anywhere," Joseph added. So, there is no justification or logic in the demand raised by political opponents for the resignation of Mamkootathil as MLA, he said. "They have no moral right to raise such a demand. There is no such precedence in Kerala politics," the KPCC chief further said and maintained that the Congress values the dignity and safety of women to the core. After announcing the decision, Sunny Joseph hurriedly concluded the press conference. He refused to answer any questions raised by reporters, including whether there is any party probe against the allegations, including of cyberbullying against party MLA Uma Thomas allegedly carried out by Congress activists supporting Mamkootathil. Rahul Mamkootathil recently quit as Youth Congress state president after Malayalam actress Rini Ann George accused "a young leader" of a well-known political party of misbehaviour and subsequent protests by BJP and DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI-M. Subsequently, several women and a transgender person accused him of similar charges. He was elected as MLA in November last year in a by-election held for the Palakkad seat, following the election of party leader and then sitting MLA Shafi Parambil as Lok Sabha MP from Vatakara in the general election. A quarrel within the head family of the politically significant Matua community has erupted into open feud between Union minister Shantanu Thakur and his elder brother, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Subrata Thakur, leaving West Bengal's political circles abuzz with the fallout ahead of the assembly polls. IMAGE: Union Minister Shantanu Thakur and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar interact with each other during an event in New Delhi. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo The confrontation has left the state BJP leadership squirming in discomfort, unsure how to handle the rift within a community it banks on electorally, while the Trinamool Congress is gleefully eyeing the discord as an opportunity to needle its saffron rivals. What began on Sunday as a row over the Union minister's loyalists organising a camp at the Natmandir in Thakurnagar, the nerve-centre of the Matua community, has escalated into a full-blown battle of accusations. Subrata, the Gaighata legislator, objected to the event on the grounds that the venue was traditionally reserved for cultural and religious programmes. The fight saw both camps trading charges -- Shantanu's supporters accusing the MLA of threatening devotees, while Subrata countered, claiming that his brother was attempting to monopolise control over community institutions. Shantanu accused his elder sibling of harbouring ministerial ambitions and even plotting a defection to the TMC. Subrata, in turn, alleged that the Union minister was cornering powers within the Thakur family and usurping community spaces. The divisions within the family are now stark. Subrata has the backing of their mother Chhabirani Thakur, aunt and TMC MP Mamatabala Thakur, and cousin Madhuparna Thakur, a Trinamool Congress legislator. Shantanu, however, has found support in his father Manjulkrishna Thakur, the head servitor of the All India Matua Mahasangha and a former TMC minister, who released a video message from Delhi condemning Subrata's behaviour and reaffirming faith in his younger son. The confrontation has left the state BJP leadership uneasy, and the leadership kept silence. "This is the last thing we need before elections," admitted a senior BJP functionary. "Subrata is an MLA, Shantanu is a Union minister, both are indispensable to us. The party cannot be seen taking sides in a family matter. We hope the brothers resolve it themselves," a senior BJP leader in the Bongaon organisational district told PTI. Both state president Shamik Bhattacharya and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari have reportedly advised cadres to remain mum. The TMC is reveling in the rift, with a party insider quipping, "The BJP is imploding from within." Political observers say the spat is an echo of a long history of internecine rivalries in the Thakurbari, where factional feuds have punctuated the Matua politics for decades. Earlier splits were witnessed between Shantanu-Subrata's father Manjulkrishna and late Kapil Krishna Thakur, as well as between their aunt Mamatabala and the brothers themselves. On Sunday, Subrata had publicly accused his brother of manipulating the distribution of caste certificates and 'Matua cards' issued in the name of the Mahasangha, charging that genuine Namasudra beneficiaries were being deprived of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) benefits. "Shantanu is exploiting religious sentiments for political dividends. He has usurped the Harichand-Guruchand temple and is acting like a dictator," Subrata had alleged. Shantanu, the BJP MP from Bongaon, dismissed the charges as 'political jealousy', asserting that the community remains firmly behind him. The Matuas, a backward-caste Hindu sect founded by Harichand Thakur in the 19th century, form a significant vote bank in North 24 Parganas and adjoining Nadia. Guruchand Thakur was his son. Many members of the community, who migrated from erstwhile East Pakistan during Partition and the 1971 Liberation War, have applied for Indian citizenship under the CAA. Their political allegiance has swung between the BJP and the TMC, making the community a decisive factor in at least six Lok Sabha constituencies and dozens of Assembly segments. For the BJP, winning back the Matua community, whose votes were instrumental in its 2019 Lok Sabha sweep in parts of North 24 Parganas and Nadia, is critical. It has managed to retain the Matua bastion in 2021 assembly polls and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. With the 2026 Assembly polls drawing nearer, political analysts say the BJP cannot afford a rupture within the Thakur family that could alienate sections of the Matua electorate. Commercial and prohibited speeches are not covered under fundamental rights, the Supreme Court on Monday said as it asked five social media influencers, including India's Got Latent host Samay Raina, to display their unconditional apology in their podcasts or shows for ridiculing persons with disabilities and rare genetic disorders. IMAGE: Comedian Samay Raina appears before the Supreme Court in the matter related to the mocking of persons with disabilities, in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI video Grab A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the degree of repentance should be higher than the degree of offending and made it clear that the court would consider imposing a penalty on the influencers for offending disabled persons by social media influencers, at a later stage. "It is like purging contempt," Justice Kant said while asking the influencers to apprise the court on how much penalty they were willing to pay, which in turn can be utilised in the treatment of people suffering from rare genetic disorders like spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The five influencers are accused of making fun of the disabled and those suffering from SMA and visual impairment. Except Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai, four influencers including Raina were present in the courtroom. Justice Bagchi said the influencers should be more cautious while creating humour related to different communities, especially when it pertains to "apartheid in the society". "Much of this media block is used like feeding your own ego. It feeds on yourself and when you become too big and have so many followers. It's not only freedom of speech here. It is purely commerce. In fact, there are various kinds of speeches and in the Amish Devgan case this court has classified various kinds of speeches like commercial speech and prohibited speech. This overlap of commercial and prohibited speeches is where you have no fundamental rights (sic)," Justice Bagchi said. The bench allowed the intervention of the ministry of information and broadcasting and asked Attorney General R Venkataramani to come up with guidelines to regulate the contents on social media while taking into account the views of all stakeholders. Venkataramani said the government was in process of formulating the guidelines but ruled out any "gag order". Justice Kant agreed and said that was the reason behind the suggesting in the last hearing that draft guidelines will be shared in public domain for the views of all stakeholders. "There should be some accountability. Today it is disabled people but tomorrow it can be women, children and senior citizens," Justice Kant added. Justice Bagchi weighed in, "Humour is definitely well taken as humour is a part of life. We laugh at ourselves but when you start laughing at others then we should have a sense of sensibility. It's not only disability but we are a country of varied communities." He further told Venkataramani that the proposed guidelines should sensitise the people and fix responsibility for their faults. Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, appearing for NGO Cure SMA Foundation of India, which has sought action against the influencers for their utterances against the disabled, said a better sense prevailed among the influencers, who tendered an unconditional apology. She said the issue was not of the influencers alone and the Information Technology Rules and the Cinematograph Act mandate that persons with disabilities cannot be targeted. While Justice Kant said there should be penal action under the rules which should be proportionate to the harm caused to the dignity of people, Singh suggested influencers to spread awareness on the rare genetic disorder and disabilities through their shows. The bench told the attorney general that the proposed guidelines for social media regulations should not be a knee-jerk reaction to one incident but based on broad based parameters incorporating views of all stakeholders. The top court also pulled up Raina for the affidavit enclosing his apology and said he initially tried to defend himself and tried to look innocent. The bench, however, exempted the influencers from making personal appearances in court subject to the undertaking of displaying their apologies for ridiculing the disabled and persons with genetic disorders. Besides Raina, the apex court previously issued notices to four other influencers Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar alias Sonali Aditya Desai and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar. The court called the influencers' conduct "damaging and demoralising" and called for "serious remedial and punitive action" to stop any recurrence of such incidents. On July 15, the top court asked the five social media influencers, including Raina, to appear before the court in a case seeking action against them for ridiculing persons suffering from disabilities. Earlier, Raina was booked by Maharashtra and Assam police over derogatory comments on his YouTube show India's Got Latent along with podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia. On February 18, the top court granted interim protection from arrest to Allahbadia while calling his comments "vulgar" and saying he had a "dirty mind" which put society to shame. Aside from Allahbadia and Raina, others named in the case in Assam are comics Ashish Chanchlani, Jaspreet Singh and Apoorva Makhija. The Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System and the Crew Module and Service Module are all in final stages of testing and integration. IMAGE: Axiom-4 Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla before flying to the International Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, June 24, 2025. Photograph: Steve Nesius/Reuters Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful completion of Axiom Mission 4, along with his and the Gaganyaan crew's space-flight training in Russia, has validated India's crew-screening and selection process for its planned first human spaceflight mission, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Medical) Air Vice Marshal Anupam Agarwal revealed on Sunday, a day after the country celebrated the second National Space Day. "There are numerous medical and physical parameters that must be considered when selecting the crew for a manned space flight," said Air Vice Marshal Agarwal, explaining that since Gaganyaan marked the Indian Space Research Organisation's maiden attempt, there was no pre-existing data or benchmarks to rely on. "When the Gaganyaan programme was approved in December 2018 to undertake human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit and establish the foundation for technologies required for an Indian human space-exploration programme, we had very little time to develop the procedure for crew selection and screening entirely from scratch," the air vice marshal explained. "The Institute of Aerospace Medicine rendered yeoman service in this effort, as no country was willing to share the required information in this domain," he added. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted this picture of his meeting with Indian astronauts-designate for the Gaganyaan mission. Photograph: ANI Photo Highlighting that the four selected Gaganyatris -- Group Captains Shukla, Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap -- were also evaluated by the Russians before their training there, and that Group Captain Shukla underwent additional screening in the United States as part of the Axiom Mission 4, Air Vice-Marshal Agarwal explained that these multiple rounds of evaluation validated the selection procedure and processes independently established by India. As part of the four-person Axiom-4 mission, Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian ever to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian to travel to space. After successfully completing his 18-day mission aboard the ISS, he returned to earth on July 15. Axiom-4, a commercial mission operated by the Houston-based private firm Axiom Space, was a collaboration between the US space agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa), Isro, the European Space Agency, and Elon Musk's SpaceX. On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated Group Captains Shukla, Nair, Krishnan and Pratap at an event in the national capital. Speaking on the occasion, Singh praised the four Gaganyatris, describing them as 'gems of the country' and pioneers embodying the nation's aspirations. IMAGE: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla during medical emergency training in the USA. Photograph: Kind courtesy isro.gov.in Highlighting the expanding presence of India in space, Singh added: "We do not see space only as a field of research, but as the future of tomorrow's economy, security, energy, and humanity. "We are steadily advancing beyond the earth's surface into new frontiers of space. "We have already marked our presence from the moon to Mars, and today, the nation stands fully prepared for missions like Gaganyaan." Commending Group Captain Shukla for his successful space mission, Singh emphasised the officer's determination and courage, adding these qualities reflected the spirit of India. "Completing two-and-a-half year's training in just two-and-a-half months, he showcased his personal dedication and the perseverance of the Indian people. "His extraordinary feat is not just a technological achievement, but a message of faith and dedication. "It is not just India's pride, it is proof of the progress of entire humanity," the defence minister said. Calling Group Captain Shukla a symbol of "civil-military fusion", the defence minister added: "Though he wears the uniform of the Indian Air Force, his journey into space was not merely on behalf of the armed forces or India alone, but as a representative of all humanity. "His contribution to the civil sector, through this historic mission, will forever be recorded in history." IMAGE: Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair during ISS emergency scenario training in the USA. Photograph: Kind courtesy isro.gov.in The Gaganyaan programme has recently entered its final phase, with the first human spaceflight now scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The test mission schedule remains on track and will culminate in India's maiden human spaceflight, launching Indian Gaganyatris (astronauts) into orbit aboard an Indian rocket from Indian soil. As of May, the Human-rated LVM3 vehicle, the Crew Escape System, and the Crew Module and Service Module were all in final stages of testing and integration. Four IAF pilots, selected as Gaganyatri-designates, have completed training in Russia and are now undergoing further mission-specific training in India. Their health, psychological fitness, and simulation-based operational readiness continue to be assessed at India's dedicated astronaut training facility. The Gaganyaan Programme has a financial outlay of about Rs 20,193 crore (Rs 201.93 billion). Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also outlined India's long-term ambitions in space, which include establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and sending the first Indian to the moon by 2040. 'If You Are Not A Team Player, You Are Not Fit For Spaceflight' Undergoing survival tests in a simulated environment, learning photography to document space experiences and a team kayaking off the Mexican coast to foster camaraderie -- these were some of the activities that the crew of Axiom-4 had engaged in before setting off on the mission, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla said. During an event hosted by the Indian Air Force on Sunday, Group Captain Shukla, who goes by the callsign 'Shux', shared his experiences and challenges he faced while being part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station and the training he underwent prior to it. After several postponements, the Dragon spacecraft carrying him and other three astronauts was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in the US on June 25. "It was so powerful, it literally shakes every bone in your body. "You are going from 0 km/hr to 28,500 km/hr in 8.5 minutes, and that speaks about the magnitude of it," Shukla recalled the intensity of the lift-off experience. During the event, he also shared some anecdotes from his 20-day space sojourn as part of the mission that was preceded by several months of hard training. "When you go to an ISS, you are essentially living in a new house. "And, it has its own rules, its own set of terms and conditions, like how you would eat, how you would sleep. "How would you go to a bathroom, actually that is the most challenging task, to go to a washroom in space," Shukla said, drawing mirth from the audience. The astronaut, who will turn 40 this October 10, was commissioned into the IAF in 2006 and went on to become a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying time on advanced fighter aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Dornier-228. His profile in the Axiom-4 mission was of a mission pilot, alongside commander Peggy Whitson of the US and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. "As a mission pilot you are supposed to interact with the displays, with the capsule itself. "So, your training is slightly difficult as compared to the mission specialist," he said. Recalling the training experience, including at NASA's Johnson Space CenteR in Houston, Shukla said the challenge in space is that help is not readily available, so one has to learn each and everything on ground. And, for the past one year, this experience has been "nothing short of wonderful", he said. "You have to be trained as a medical professional for (administering) first aid, you have to be trained as an engineer for maintenance, as a scientist for performing experiments, and at the same time you have to learn photography and videography, and also how to speak on camera, because everything you do, has to be done by you. "There is nobody there who is going to come and assist you," the Indian astronaut said. Shukla conducted seven India-led microgravity experiments across diverse domains of life sciences, agriculture, space biotechnology, and cognitive research. "I think we had some 20-odd classes about photography and videography, because, when you go up there you would like to bring back memories and snapshots to be shared with people later. Hopefully, I have done a good job," he said. During his address, Shukla also shared a few videos of his training regimen, and a small clip of the visuals of India as seen from space that he tried to capture on camera. "And, India does look really beautiful. "I'm not just saying it because all of us are Indians and we are sitting here, but I think that if you speak to any astronaut who is there on the station... "The unique positioning and the shape, especially during night, if you pass over India, from the Indian Ocean, south to north, I think it is probably one of the most beautiful sights that you can ever see in your life," he said. Shukla recalling the celestial experience said, from the orbit, the crew saw sunrise and sunset, 16 times a day, and "you never get bored of it". Emphasising the diversity of the team, with each belonging to a different country and culture, he said, besides survival tests in a simulated environment for crew members, an exercise was also undertaken to foster camaraderie and team spirit among them. So, a team kayaking was done off a beautiful coast in Mexico, and "I really enjoyed it," he said. "You have to be a team player. If you are not a team player, you are not fit for spaceflight. "Because, it doesn't work," Shukla underlined. He emphasised that as in an IAF training, the majority of time in space training is what "would you do if something goes wrong". Shukla grew up as a "shy and reserved" person, hearing stories of the 1984 spaceflight of Rakesh Sharma in his childhood days. And, life, like his recent space sojourn in a spacecraft orbit, has indeed come full circle for him, as he signed autographs for school students and obliged the fellow air warriors queuing up to get clicked with him. Asked how this transformation feels, he told PTI, "Oh, it feels wonderful to see the excitement among students for space and India's space programme." Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff A special court in Goa on Monday acquitted State Transport and Panchayati Raj Minister Mauvin Godinho in a 1998 power rebate case, bringing an end to a 27-year-long legal battle. IMAGE: Mauvin Godinho inaugurates the Chaturthi Bazaar in Chicalim, Goa, August 25, 2025. Photograph: Courtesy, Mauvin Godinho/X Special Judge Irshad Agha delivered the verdict in an open court, clearing Godinho, who was a part of the then Congress government led by Pratapsingh Rane, of all charges related to the alleged scam. The court also acquitted co-accused and former power department chief electrical engineer T Nagarajan. A detailed order is awaited. Godinho, who was present in the court, was facing charges in a case following a complaint by the then leader of opposition and senior BJP leader late Manohar Parikar, who accused him of causing a loss of Rs 4.52 crore to the state exchequer by granting a 25 per cent rebate on electricity bills to industrial units while serving as the power minister. Parrikar had alleged in his complaint that the rebate, issued through a notification on June 27, 1998, was granted without proper consultation of the state cabinet. Godinho told reporters outside the courtroom that he was "really happy that justice has finally been delivered" and went on to describe the lengthy legal process not as "prosecution" but as "political persecution" from the very beginning. Godinho is a seven-time MLA who joined the BJP in 2016. The chargesheet stated that a 25 per cent rebate on electricity tariffs was issued to industrial units through the 1998 notification, allowing concessions from the moment electricity supply commenced. The crime branch arrested Godinho in May 2001 along with the former chief electrical engineer of the power department, T Nagarajan. He was later granted bail. In 2006, the special court framed charges against Godinho under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The Bombay high court's Goa bench dismissed Godinho's appeal against the chargesheet in 2007, noting that there was prima facie material to continue the trial. In 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the HC's order and dismissed Godinho's plea. In January 2022, the high court directed the trial court to expedite the proceedings and complete the recording of evidence by January 15 that year. Godinho and the co-accused moved the special court in May 2022 to halt the proceedings, arguing that a re-investigation sans proper procedure was unlawful. The court denied the application. In July 2022, a special judge dismissed the discharge applications, ordering the trial to proceed. The special court, in May 2023, granted Godinho permanent exemption from personal appearance, subject to availability when required. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Anurag Thakur has told students at a school event in Himachal Pradesh that Lord Hanuman might have been the first space traveller and urged students to value the country's millennia-old traditions, knowledge and culture. IMAGE: BJP MP Anurag Thakur. Photograph: ANI Photo The former Union Minister made these remarks while addressing a National Space Day event at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Pekhubela in Una district. In the video clip of his interaction with the students, shared on X, Thakur can be seen asking the students, "Antriksh main yatra karne wala pehla kaun tha? (Who was the first one to travel into space?)" Some students reply, "Neil Armstrong." To this, the five-time Hamirpur MP replied, "Mujhe toh lagta hai Hanuman ji the (I think it was Lord Hanuman)." Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961, became the first person to travel into space. Aboard Vostok 1 spacecraft, he reached an altitude of 301 km and orbited Earth for nearly 90 minutes before landing back on the same day. The video clip drew mixed reactions on social media. However, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi condemned the statement, calling it 'deeply troubling'. 'A member of parliament and former union minister asking school children who first set foot on the moon, and insisting that it was not Neil Armstrong but Hanuman, is deeply troubling,' she wrote on X. She continued, 'Science is not mythology. To mislead young minds in classrooms is an insult to knowledge, reason, and the spirit of scientific temper enshrined in our Constitution.' 'India's future lies in nurturing curiosity, not confusing fact with fable,' she added. 'If the parliamentary committee's report does not find substantiated charges, the process ends.' Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted a three-member committee to investigate allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma in the 'cash-at-home' controversy, after admitting a motion signed by 146 MPs calling for his removal. The panel comprises Supreme Court Justice Aravind Kumar; Madras high court Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava; Senior Advocate B V Acharya of the Karnataka high court. Birla said the committee would deliver its report 'as early as possible', and that the removal motion would remain pending until then. What prompted the need for a new panel? The move follows a Supreme Court in-house inquiry -- set up by the then Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna -- which found Justice Varma guilty. The case centres on the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from premises linked to the then Delhi high court judge. Justice Varma came under scrutiny after the discovery on March 14 of burnt cash in an outhouse of his official residence in the national capital. He was subsequently transferred to the Allahabad high court, and an internal inquiry was initiated. That in-house process, however, was limited to fact-finding and carried no binding effect on Parliament, according to experts. They pointed out that a fresh parliamentary committee became a Constitutional requirement once the impeachment motion was admitted. "Under the Judges (Inquiry) Act 1968, the only Constitutionally valid route to remove a sitting judge is via Parliament, and not an internal judicial process," said Alay Razvi, managing partner at Accord Juris. "The Supreme Court's in-house inquiry, while administratively valid, cannot itself remove a judge. Once MPs moved a valid impeachment motion, the Speaker was required by law to set up a three-member committee." What will the parliamentary panel examine? The Lok Sabha committee will now conduct a full-fledged inquiry: Framing definite charges, examining witnesses and documents, and giving Justice Varma the chance to mount his defence. "Its findings are statutory and decisive," said Tushar Agarwal, founder of C.L.A.P. Juris. "The in-house panel is advisory, while the Lok Sabha committee's report forms the legal basis for any impeachment proceedings." If the panel upholds the charges, both Houses of Parliament will need to pass the removal motion with a two-thirds majority before Justice Varma can be formally removed. If it finds the charges unsubstantiated, the process lapses regardless of the Supreme Court's earlier recommendation. Impeachments are rare in India Judicial impeachments in India are exceptionally rare. Since Independence, only a handful of judges have faced such proceedings. In 1993, Justice V Ramaswami of the Supreme Court became the first judge to face an impeachment motion, but it failed in the Lok Sabha after then ruling Congress abstained. In 2011, the Rajya Sabha voted overwhelmingly in favour of removing Justic Soumitra Sen of the Calcutta high court, but he resigned before the motion could reach the Lok Sabha. Proceedings were also initiated against P D Dinakaran of the Sikkim high court and C V Nagarjuna Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh high court, but both stalled before completion. No judge in India, so far, has ever been successfully and formally removed by Parliament. What happens next? With the committee in place, the process will depend on the timeline of its inquiry. If its report establishes 'proved misbehaviour or incapacity' as required under Articles 124(4), 217 and 218 of the Constitution, the motion for removal will move to Parliament for a vote. Only after it is passed by both Houses with the prescribed special majority can the President issue an order formally removing Justice Varma. Until then, the impeachment motion remains in abeyance. "If the parliamentary committee's report does not find substantiated charges, the process ends, regardless of the in-house panel's views," Razvi said. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry. India's Sky Shield IMAGE: DRDO successfully conducts the maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System off the Odisha coast. Photograph: @rajnathsingh X/ANI Photo Hostel Turns Poolside IMAGE: A resident at the flooded IIIM Hostel in Jammu after heavy rains. Photograph: ANI Photo Fireball Erupts Over Sanaa IMAGE: A fire ball rises from the site of an Israeli air strike in Sanaa, Yemen. Photograph: Stringer/Reuters Riding the Ox IMAGE: Farmer Peter Ginter rides ox Manni during a traditional ox race in the southern Bavarian village of Haunshofen, Germany. Photograph: Angelika Warmuth/Reuters Jets Paint Beijing Sky IMAGE: J-10 fighter jets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force's Bayi aerobatic team release coloured smoke during a flypast rehearsal ahead of the military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2 in Beijing. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Skies Alive Over Forbidden City IMAGE: Military helicopters fly over the rooftops of the Forbidden City in Beijing during a flypast rehearsal. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Corgis Dash in Vilnius IMAGE: Corgi dogs run during the Corgi Race in Vilnius, Lithuania. Photograph: Ints Kalnins/Reuters Trump, Hands off Brazil IMAGE: Brazilians protest with banners 'Trump keep your hands off Brazil!' against US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on Brazilian products at the Christ The Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro. Photograph: Tita Barros/Reuters Ranil Faces Justice IMAGE: Sri Lanka's former president Ranil Wickremesinghe is escorted by prison and police officials as he leaves the magistrate's court in Colombo. Photograph: Lahiru Harshana/Reuters Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff They asked for a quote, then vanished. Four smart strategies to re-engage cold leads and stop ghosting from killing your sales. Whats happening: Australian small businesses are losing significant revenue to lead ghosting when potential customers express initial interest, request quotes, then disappear without explanation, leaving business owners frustrated and revenue pipelines vulnerable after investing time and advertising spend to generate those enquiries. Why this matters: As CRM adoption accelerates among small businesses and marketing automation becomes more accessible, the gap between customer interest and action represents a critical conversion point where the right systems can mean the difference between lost opportunities and sustained growth. The enquiry lands in your inbox. Theyve asked for a quote. Your services seem perfect for their needs. But then silence. For small business owners across Australia, this scenario plays out daily. Potential customers express genuine interest, engage with initial communications, then vanish without trace taking with them the time, energy and advertising investment already committed to earning their attention. Ghosting is certainly a business risk, says Elise Balsillie, Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand, a business automation platform. You have already invested time, energy and ad spend to earn that lead. Letting it go cold is a missed opportunity. Speed still sells The modern customer expects immediacy, and response time often determines whether a business stays in contention. Research consistently shows that leads contacted within the first hour are seven times more likely to convert than those contacted even an hour later. Smart businesses are using automation to bridge this expectation gap. A plumbing business, for example, might set up automatic replies for after-hours enquiries, confirming message receipt and providing a scheduled call-back window. The customer feels acknowledged, not ignored, and the business stays top of mind, Balsillie explains. Your first message sets the tone. Automate your responses, acknowledging urgency and showing clear next steps. The key is following through on automated promises. An immediate acknowledgement buys time, but only if its backed by genuine human follow-up within the promised timeframe. Value before the ask Generic follow-ups rarely generate traction, particularly when they offer nothing beyond reminders. For service-based businesses like landscapers, simply asking Are you still interested? can appear pushy rather than helpful. Successful lead management systems focus on providing value before requesting decisions. Instead of chasing responses, businesses might follow up with seasonal maintenance checklists, street appeal improvement tips, or cost breakdowns for common design upgrades. Rather than prompting for a decision, send something that helps make the decision easier, Balsillie suggests. Think educational content, project timelines or relevant examples from previous jobs. Make the follow-up about them, not you. This approach reframes interactions from sales-driven to service-led, positioning the business as a helpful advisor rather than persistent vendor. Reading digital breadcrumbs Every click, page view and return visit provides insight into customer intent. For photography businesses, noticing that potential clients repeatedly visit pricing pages without booking suggests specific concerns worth addressing. Modern businesses are using this behaviour data as re-engagement triggers. When customers revisit service pages multiple times, it might prompt friendly messages offering package selection help or answers to common questions. Make sure you use a CRM, Balsillie advises. It will provide you with valuable data so you can monitor behaviour patterns. If a lead re-engages with your content, thats your moment. Reaching out when interest peaks, not weeks later, can make all the difference. This approach transforms passive website activity into active sales intelligence, allowing businesses to intervene at optimal moments rather than following arbitrary follow-up schedules. Personalised automation Leads are less likely to ghost businesses when they feel genuinely recognised. For service businesses like hair salons, this might involve personalised reminders including client names, last appointment dates, or styling tips based on previous preferences. When automation is thoughtful rather than transactional, it builds connection and that leads to loyalty, Balsillie notes. Clients are more likely to return, respond and rebook when it feels like you have remembered them, not just their booking time. The challenge lies in making automated communications feel authentic. Tools that allow customisation with personal details help businesses scale personal touch without sacrificing efficiency. The businesses that thrive arent necessarily those that chase hardest, but those that connect smartest. Marketing automation serves as the bridge between good intentions and timely actions, helping small businesses stay visible and relevant without burning out. Smart marketing automation bridges this gap by ensuring no lead goes cold without a follow-up, no enquiry sits unanswered and every customer hears from you at the right time with the right message, Balsillie explains. For Australian small businesses competing in increasingly crowded markets, the ability to nurture leads systematically while maintaining personal connection could determine long-term sustainability. The key lies in viewing automation not as replacement for human interaction, but as the foundation that makes meaningful human connection scalable. Elise Balsillie is Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand, a business automation platform serving small and medium enterprises. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A social media influencer's video about communal harmony, showing him purchasing an idol of Lord Ganesh from a Muslim seller, has triggered a row, prompting the content creator to delete it and apologise for 'unintentionally' hurting feelings. Image used only for representation. Photograph: ANI Photo The reel-creator, Atharva Sudame, makes humorous videos. He had recently posted a reel that shows him entering a Ganapati idol shop in Pune. While discussing an idol, the shopkeeper's young son addresses him as 'abbu', revealing that the seller is Muslim. The shopkeeper, appearing uncomfortable and assuming the buyer might refuse to purchase the idol after learning about his faith, tells Sudame that he could buy it from another shop. To this, Sudame responds by asking what difference it would make if he purchased the same idol from him. He further tells the shopkeeper that while making the idol, he must have had good intentions, thereby conveying a message of social harmony. The reel, however, triggered widespread criticism online, with several users accusing Sudame of 'pushing a secular agenda'. 'This moron Instagram influencer #atharvasudame had posted this video about #Ganeshotsav trying to push the agenda of sickularism. Deleted within a few hours. Wonder why?' wrote a user identifying as Kashmiri Hindu on a microblogging site. Another user commented, 'When the same selective secularism is shown during Ganesh Utsav, your fake progressivism and false secularism will surely be crushed.' Another netizen said Sudame has portrayed Pune in the wrong way. Amid trolling, Sudame removed the video from his social media handles. 'I have deleted the video. A lot of people expressed their displeasure. My intention was never to hurt anyone's sentiments. I have made several videos based on Hindu festivals and culture. I had no other motive behind this video. Still, if someone felt hurt, I have deleted it and I apologise,' Sudame said. Meanwhile, Sudame received support for his video from Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar leader Rohit Pawar. 'Sudame is a creative artist, and there was nothing objectionable in the clip. In fact, he has given a message of Hindu-Muslim unity, which is in line with Hindu dharma and culture. But some 'manuwadi' elements trolled him and forced him to delete the video. 'The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers should clarify what was wrong with the video or take action against those who targeted him,' Pawar said. As police investigate the brutal killing of Nikki Bhati, allegedly set ablaze by her husband and in-laws in Greater Noida over dowry demands, neighbours have claimed that the Bhati family was also locked in disputes over Nikki and her sister Kanchan's social media activity. IMAGE: All three accused in Nikki's murder, her father-in-law, mother-in-law and brother-in-law being taken to a 14-day judicial custody, in Noida on Monday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab Residents of Sirsa village alleged that both sisters, married into the same family, ran a beauty parlour from their home and were active on Instagram, posting makeover reels that their husbands Vipin and Rohit Bhati objected to. "They both used to make reels related to the makeover and share it on social media. But both Rohit and Vipin did not like it and used to object," a neighbour said. Rishab, another local resident, recounted a March 11 quarrel between the sisters and their husbands over this issue. "After that both the sisters went to their home. But after the decision of the panchayat both the sisters came back to their in-laws' house on March 18," he said. "In the panchayat, it was decided that both the sisters would not make reels in future. It remained for some days, but again they began making reels and that was responsible for the tension in between them," another neighbour added. Locals also claimed Vipin assisted his father in running a grocery shop, while Rohit pursued business interests, and that the family owned agricultural land. However, Nikki's family rejected these claims, alleging she was killed solely over dowry harassment. Her father Bhikari Singh said, "The dowry was the main reason behind Nikki's murder." He dismissed suggestions that her social media presence or beauty parlour activities caused friction. Neighbours in Roopbas village, where Nikki's parental home is located, also supported this version, accusing Vipin and his relatives of dowry harassment. Nikki's younger brother Atul demanded strict punishment for the accused. "There should be strict punishment given to them so that it can give a message to others. Making reels or running a beauty parlour was not a matter of dispute because she used to run it from the third floor of the house. If they had not done anything, why did they run after she was taken to hospital by neighbours?" Atul asked. Echoing him, another brother alleged Vipin showed 'no regret' even after being shot in the leg by police during an attempted escape. "His expressions were shocking," he said. Nikki was allegedly beaten and set on fire by her husband and in-laws on Thursday night. Disturbing videos of the assault, recorded by Kanchan, showed Nikki being dragged by her hair and later walking down the stairs in flames before collapsing. She succumbed to her injuries while being taken to a hospital in Delhi. The police said Nikki faced years of torture and escalating dowry demands since her 2016 marriage. Her family alleged that they had given a Scorpio SUV, motorcycle, and gold jewellery to her in-laws, but demands later grew to Rs 36 lakh in cash and a luxury car. In a major breakthrough, all four accused named in the FIR have been arrested. Vipin Bhati was arrested on Saturday. He was shot in the leg during an alleged escape attempt on Sunday and later in the day his mother, Daya, was nabbed near GIMS Hospital. Vipin's father Satveer Bhati and brother Rohit were arrested on Monday. Sudhir Kumar, Additional DCP, Greater Noida, said, "All the named accused in the FIR registered at Kasna Police Station have been arrested by Greater Noida Police in the murder case of a woman who was burnt by her husband and in-laws. Investigation is on and facts are being collected." A case has been registered under sections 103(1) (murder), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 61(2) (attempting to commit offences punishable with life imprisonment or others) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The shocking case has triggered widespread outrage, including condemnation from the National Commission for Women (NCW) and online calls for justice to the victim and her family. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to his hometown Lucknow on Monday to a rousing reception after becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. IMAGE: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath meets Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, his wife and son in Lucknow. Photograph: @CMOfficeUP/X Although he arrived in India from the US on August 17, he is visiting the Uttar Pradesh capital now after participating in multiple outreach events, including a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 18. Family members, including his parents Shambhu and Asha Shukla, wife Kamna, and son Kiash, were present at the airport to greet him. They were joined by cheering crowds waving the tricolour and chanting "Vande Mataram". Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, a troupe played drums and trumpets, while students from Shukla's alma mater, City Montessori School (CMS), came dressed in vibrant costumes representing space missions and celestial objects. IMAGE: UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak welcomes Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, on his arrival at his hometown. Photographs: @brajeshpathakup/X CMS manager Geeta Gandhi Kingdon was among those personally welcoming the school's celebrated alumnus. From the airport, Shukla embarked on a roadshow in an open-top vehicle, standing alongside his family as supporters lined the streets despite light drizzle. Young children lined up along the road near the airport holding umbrellas to greet Shukla, who has now become an inspiration for many. Wearing a brown Air Force jacket with insignia and the Indian flag proudly displayed on his sleeve and an ISRO emblem on the other sleeve, Shukla waved and smiled at onlookers who showered him with applause. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who joined the celebrations, praised Shukla for bringing glory to the state and the nation. "We are elated at his achievements. Our government has supported him throughout, and multiple events are lined up to felicitate this Lucknow lad, who is now a celebrated astronaut," Pathak said. "Later today, the chief minister will honour him. Shubhanshu told us how beautiful India looked from space and spoke eloquently about its splendour from orbit," he added. En route to the roadshow, schoolchildren, families, and officials thronged sidewalks, holding flags and banners hailing India's newest space hero. Digital screens installed at various locations in the city also played clips of Shukla and his space mission. Shukla, fondly nicknamed "Shux," made history with his landmark AXIOM 4 mission to the ISS, cementing India's growing presence in space exploration. The surge in radicalisation has even startled some ex-separatist groups as they are concerned that another religious extremism wave, forced from the other side of the Line of Control, will destabilise the Valley's centuries-old Sufi tradition. Kindly note this image has only been posted for representational reasons. Photograph: Umar Ganie for Rediff Security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are intensifying their surveillance on several educational institutions, particularly private schools, due to growing concerns over the alleged radicalisation of young minds, especially among female students, officials said here. The concerns also extend to the alleged widespread use of narcotics, a problem flagged as being particularly rampant in some private schools. Officials familiar with the developments spoke about disturbing information coming from some private schools forcing authorities to quietly warn them against the spread of radical ideologies among youngsters. The initiative is part of a larger effort to fight back against the transmission of extremist narratives at the ground level. Apart from security authorities, the surge in radicalisation has even startled some ex-separatist groups as they are concerned that another religious extremism wave, forced from the other side of the Line of Control, will destabilise the Valley's centuries-old Sufi tradition. There is a palpable concern that radicalisation is still taking place in certain institutions and 'unofficial' madrassas. The sources indicate a sudden surge in pan-Islamist thought among youth, including girls, in the Valley as intelligence reports suggest that fanatical clerics are indoctrinating them with a rigid interpretation of Islam that rejects traditional Kashmiri practices, such as visiting and paying obeisance at the shrines of Sufi saints. These customs are being condemned as violations of Islamic teachings, a trend that has been worrying the ex-separatists who did not wish to be named. The abuse of social media by terrorists has aggravated the issue, creating new challenges to the security of the state. The educational system of the Valley has been irrevocably harmed, repeatedly proving incapable of presenting students with a future vision and thus resorting to a strict interpretation of Islam as a refuge, officials said. Three decades of terrorism and geopolitical turbulence have immensely impacted the psychology of the youth in Kashmir, the weakness of which is also usually manifested when incidents of stone-pelting are analysed, they said. Besides the instability, there is an increase in the uncontrolled expansion of unregulated madrassas compared to conventional educational institutions, and terror groups are taking advantage and spreading propaganda to emphasise the perceived benefit by using religion as a tool, the officials said. Some people nurturing the pro-Pakistan sentiment are also utilising fake images to target 'victimhood', depicting crimes against innocents to incite fury and revenge. No less worrying is the drug abuse menace that has been observed to be a serious issue in some of these schools. Security authorities believe that a comprehensive solution must be found to combat the double menace of ideological indoctrination and drug addiction in order to shield the youth and ensure the region's long-term stability. The Srinagar district police has declared a comprehensive offensive against drug abuse and trafficking, and the last three-month campaign has led to the arrest of 97 people and the registration of 73 cases. Following intensified police crackdowns that have made heroin more difficult to obtain, addicted youth in Srinagar are increasingly turning to medical opioids as a substitute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted he can't compromise on interests of farmers, cattle-rearers, small-scale industries, cautioning 'pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it', remarks coming two days before the 50 per cent United States tariffs on Indian goods kick in. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the gathering during his roadshow in Ahmedabad on Friday. Photograph: Narendra Modi Photo Gallery /ANI Photo Addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad after launching multiple projects, he hit out at the Congress, saying the party, which ruled India for 60 to 65 years, made the nation dependent on other countries in order to indulge in 'import scams'. India is empowered by walking on the path of Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan Lord Shrikrishna, who symbolised strength and protection, and Charkhadhari Mohan Mahatma Gandhi, the independence movement hero who pushed for swadeshi with his spinning wheel, the PM maintained. Referring to Operation Sindoor, India's military response to the Pahalgam massacre, and in an oblique reference to Pakistan, he declared India no longer spares terrorists and their masters. "Operation Sindoor embodied the bravery of our soldiers and determination of Sudarshana Chakradhari Mohan's India. Today, we do not spare terrorists and their masters, no matter where they are hiding," the PM told the gathering. "For Modi, interests of farmers, cattle rearers and small scale industries are paramount. Pressure on us may increase, but we will bear it all," the PM affirmed as the August 27 deadline for 50 per cent US tariffs on Indian imports nears. He pushed for the widespread use of swadeshi goods. "All of us should follow the mantra of buying only 'made in India' goods. Businessmen should keep a big board outside their establishments, saying they sell only 'swadeshi' goods," he stated. "I think I am fortunate to get the love and blessings of lakhs of people," said Modi, who in the evening held a roadshow in Ahmedabad. "I think that Bennington will be a great location for Her Closet," said the store's administrator Kendy Skidmore. "And, I'm hoping that we get A popular durian livestream seller in Singapore has been criticized after videos emerged showing staff packaging the fruit with poor hygiene. The clips, posted on the TikTok account @sgexposed7, showed a staff member wiping his nose with a gloved hand while continuing to handle durians. Another video showed him speaking directly over exposed durian flesh without a spit mask, with the caption sarcastically saying: "Hes right about selling the best durian due to his [added ingredient] of saliva," Must Share News reported. The TikTok accounts administrator told the outlet that the footage was recorded during a July 8 livestream of the durian shop. He said he was shocked by "the complete disregard for basic food hygiene," noting that a staff member continued working despite cutting himself, only reluctantly putting on a glove after a viewers comment. He described the behavior as "careless" and "almost defiant." Musang King durian. Photo from Instagram In response, Eric Xie, owner of HengBros Singapore, which ran the livestream, acknowledged receiving viewer complaints. He stressed that the business holds a valid Singapore Food Agency licence and said that durians sold to customers are inspected, sealed, and prepared by trained staff, not the individuals featured in the livestreams. "Durians packed are not for personal consumption, they are to be put on our shelves and sealed, then sold," Xie said. "Our streamers just want to show the quality and eat the durians themselves during streams." Addressing the clip where a staff member used a gloved hand to wipe his nose, Xie claimed the individual was handling the durian with a knife rather than his hands. He added that a police report has been filed against the @sgexposed account. This years peak "king of fruits" season has seen a surge of online vendors flocking to online platforms like Shopee, Carousell, and TikTok, Channel News Asia reported. Singaporean actor Ben Yeo, who launched his SG Mao Shan Wang brand in 2021, told Mothership that he has partnered with local retailer Lexus Durian King to sell Musang King and other premium varieties through TikTok livestreams. Raay Lim, another livestream seller, told The Straits Times that a 500g box of mao shan wang, a premium durian variety, sells for about SGD50 (US$39), and he estimates six-figure sales on TikTok Shop during the June harvest season. Network operator Chorus has reported a lift in revenue for the year ended 30 June 2025 despite a difficult time for the economy and the retirement of legacy services. Revenue lifted from $1,010M to $1,014M despite a reduction of copper-related revenue of $39M. That decline was more than offset by growth in fibre connections and average revenue per user. At the same time, simplification and tight cost management held operating expenditure at $309M, down $1 million from 2024. EBITDA of $705M was up 1% on the $700M recorded in 2024. Net earnings were $4M compared to a loss of $9M in 2024. Fibre connections grew by 31,000 and made up 92 per cent of Chorus fixed lines, with fibre uptake at 72.1 per cent of addresses passed. Data demand grew 10% to 8,741 petabytes while average monthly usage for fibre connections grew 7.7% to 671GB. CEO Mark Aue said Chorus was making progress in its shift to becoming a simpler all-fibre digital infrastructure company, a strategy to be executed across three planned horizons. This year, we laid the groundwork for that change embedding a clear strategy, with the clarity and specificity of what future success looks like: a simplified all fibre business with 80% uptake by 2030, he said. Chorus operating model was refined and investments made in new operational capabilities. Southern Cross Travel Insurances Alexandra Smart has been named CIO of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand CIO Awards. Smart, Southern Cross Travel Insurances (SCTI) chief technology officer, was honoured with the title at the gala awards event at Aucklands Viaduct Events Centre. The awards were held as part of the New Zealand CIO Summit, produced by IDC and Brightstar. The judging panel praised Smart for her leadership in a comprehensive transformation of SCTIs core systems. They described her as an inspiring leader whose vision and execution have driven measurable growth. Alexandra has also set the company on course for an ambitious five-year strategy, with technology at the heart of its success, said the CIO Awards judging panel. The prestigious event also recognised exceptional leadership, transformative projects, and impactful contributions across New Zealands technology sector. The other finalists for the CIO of the Year 2025 were Hamish Archer, chief digital officer, WEL Networks; Stephen Kurzeja, chief information officer at 2degrees; and Sean ODonoghue, chief information officer, BestStart Educare. The Department of Conservation (DOC) has chosen One NZ as its new mobile services provider, saying its satellite-powered mobile service would give DOC staff increased coverage in the field. Spark appears to have been the incumbent supplier, being listed alongside NTT, Cyber CX and Datacom among the departments most critical suppliers during its 2025/2026 annual review before Parliament. A case study on Sparks website also describes how it delivered a secure remote access solution dubbed Workspace One to the department. Under the new agreement, One NZ and DOC will pilot and scale a range of emerging technologies, including satellite and IoT technology pilots to enhance DOC staff safety, data collection and decision-making in conservation zones. New services would be underpinned by the One NZ satellite network delivered in partnership with Starlink, alongside both 4G/5G and Wi-Fi calling. Satellite-connected field tools would also be used to enable remote teams to collect data, track species, and stay connected from anywhere while sensor systems could be used to trigger alerts and reduce the need for costly, time-consuming trips into the field. Were at an exciting intersection, where technology can make a tangible difference to New Zealands natural heritage, One NZ CEO Jason Paris said. By improving how DOC rangers and staff communicate, were helping protect the people, places, and species that make Aotearoa so special. Becoming a conservation partner with DOC demonstrated One NZs commitment to creating a better New Zealand for future generations, he said. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has claimed a recent opposition conference in Brussels was tied to the Iran-Israel war and part of a US-backed plan to replace the Islamic republic. Speaking on August 24, he alleged that the participants even discussed appointing a monarch. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, who was a speaker at the June 14 conference, rejected Khameneis assertions but suggested that he was right to be worried about the future of the Islamic republic. What was discussed at the conference was that the political establishment is incapable and must be toppled by people, and for that there is no way but unity among the opposition, Ebadi told RFE/RLs Radio Farda. Iranian opposition factions have long struggled to unite due to deep ideological differences and competing visions for Irans future. But Ebadi, a lawyer and human rights activist, insisted that there has been a lot of progress on the unity front, which she argued is what worries the supreme leader. This is why Khamenei has rushed out of his bunker to portray himself as the man in charge who can do whatever he wants, but nobodys buying it, the Nobel peace prize winner said on August 25. Khamenei, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, was criticized after he vanished from public view once Israel launched air strikes against Iran on June 13. His disappearance was fueled by credible reports Israel had targeted him for assassination. The New York Times reported he outlined succession plans in case of his death. Shortly after Khameneis speech, Iranian state TV broadcasted a report claiming that the gathering took place secretly in Brussels -- but the event was livestreamed and later uploaded to YouTube. Ebadi said organizers spent two months planning the event and that the date -- it was held a day after the start of the 12-day war -- was coincidental. She also shrugged off the allegation that it was a secret meeting, charging that Khamenei was either tricked into believing that it was a clandestine gathering or is intentionally portraying it as such to fool the population. Need For Unity Circling back to the topic of unity among the Iranian opposition, Ebadi said no group can individually challenge and topple the clerical establishment. Irans opposition faces chronic disunity because its main factions -- ranging from monarchists and secular republicans to leftists, and representatives of various ethnic groups -- deeply disagree on Irans future political system, struggle with mutual suspicion and past rivalries, and often prioritize their own agendas and leadership claims over cooperation. Attempts at alliance-building are frequently undermined by lack of trust, reluctance to compromise, and concerns about foreign influence, leading to fractured activism and limited impact on mobilizing broad-based resistance to the current regime. They have to stop fighting and join forces instead, Ebadi said. She asserted that the Islamic republic, which has been in existence since 1979, is at its weakest and suffering from domestic crises, economic pressures, and regional setbacks. The system has no future other than collapse, said Ebadi. And matters could go from bad to worse for Iran amid the imminent return of UN sanctions. European powers have warned that they will trigger the so-called snapback mechanism of the moribund 2015 Iran nuclear deal by the end of August to reinstate UN sanctions unless Tehran reaches an agreement with Washington over its nuclear program. Iranian diplomats will meet their counterparts from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom on August 26 in a last-ditch attempt to prevent the triggering of the snapback process. In his speech, Khamenei again rejected direct talks with the United States despite growing calls in Iran to negotiate with the Trump administration, charging that the White House merely wanted to ensure that Tehran takes orders from Washington. When a swarm of 39 Russian drones attacked a compressor station in southern Ukraine this month, it was a sign of how Russia has shifted the focus of its attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure. The attack came less than two weeks after Ukraine signed a deal to buy natural gas from Azerbaijan for the first time. The target was critical for importing the fuel from southern Europe along the Trans-Balkan corridor and into the country. It was the latest in a series of attacks on Ukraines natural gas infrastructure this year, a sharp departure from the first three years of the war when Moscow focused on crippling the countrys electric power grid. Ukraine Scrambles For Gas The shift has forced Kyiv to scramble for imports, including from Azerbaijan and -- indirectly -- the United States, pressuring its finances. State-owned Naftogaz, the countrys largest gas producer and supplier, said its infrastructure has been struck more than 100 times in nine separate air assaults in 2025. Those attacks account for nearly half of all attacks on the company since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. In February, when daily average temperatures in Ukraine were below the freezing point, Russia temporarily knocked out almost half of Ukraines gas production, forcing Kyiv to import 0.8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas. Ukraine is now racing to fill underground storage to 13.2 bcm ahead of the winter heating season. About one-third must come from imports. Oleksandr Kharchenko, managing director of the Energy Industry Research Center, a Kyiv-based consulting company, told RFE/RL that the domestic gas situation was difficult but under control. The challenge is not securing supply but financing it. Ukraines National Bank estimated in April the country may need to spend as much as $2.9 billion on gas imports in 2025. Russia's Gas Attack Pivot The natural gas infrastructure wasn't really the target the first several years, but now everything is game, said Olga Khakova, an energy analyst at the Atlantic Council in Washington. It is an effort to destabilize energy security, not just in Ukraine, but in Europe overall. It is to create chaos within the energy industry. Moscows increased attacks on Ukrainian natural gas infrastructure have come since Russias contract to ship the fuel to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines -- long a contentious issue even during peaceful times -- ended on January 1. Volodymyr Omelchenko, director of energy programs at the Razumkov Center, a think tank, told RFE/RL that the strikes are designed to undermine Ukraine ahead of winter. The Russian General Staff clearly understands that the greatest threat for Ukraine this winter is a shortage of natural gas, because Ukrainian gas storage facilities currently lack sufficient volumes, Omelchenko said. Kyiv-based political analyst Oleh Saakian said the strikes are also part of a broader Russian strategy to gain leverage as peace talks progress. They are attempting to create a favorable informational, propagandistic, and ideological backdrop for negotiations, he told RFE/RL. This is nothing but pressure on the civilian population and psychological pressure on the Ukrainian authorities. American LNG 'A No-Brainer' That Russian strategy has increased the urgency for Kyiv to import and diversify suppliers. Aside from Azerbaijan, Kyiv has also signaled interest in buying US LNG, a politically sensitive move as President Donald Trump has made LNG exports a signature issue and has pressed Ukraine to reimburse the United States for military aid. Andrew Favorov, a US-based businessman who has long worked in Ukraines gas industry, said signing long-term LNG contracts with US suppliers seems like a no brainer for Kyiv, given the potential diplomatic benefits. He suggested Ukraine could seek financing from the Development Finance Corporation, Washingtons investment arm, to secure cheap credit. In a statement to RFE/RL, Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk said Ukraine is in talks with US firms but gave no details on volumes or contract length. She noted that the Odesa compressor station attacked in August is part of the infrastructure needed to import US LNG from ports in Southern Europe. The United States is already the worlds largest exporter of natural gas with most of the fuel shipped abroad in the form of LNG. US LNG exports are expected to surge by the end of the decade as new facilities come on line. Deals In The Making DTEK, Ukraines largest privately owned energy company, said earlier this year it was in talks with US LNG companies on long-term contracts. DTEK imported US LNG for the first time in December. Naftogaz has contracted so far this year to buy 0.44 bcm of US LNG from Polish energy firm Orlen. Hinson Peters, strategic communications manager for the Center for LNG, a US trade group, confirmed there is commercial interest from Ukrainian buyers for long-term contracts. In the meantime, Europeans are stepping up to help Ukraine finance the purchase of fuel for the upcoming winter. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development earlier this month announced a $580-million loan to Naftogaz for natural gas purchases. Norway, the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe, pledged an additional 100 million dollars to Naftogaz for the same purpose. How much more funding Ukraine will need this year to cover its domestic gas needs will depend on whether Russia continues to target its gas production, storage, and transportation assets with drones and missiles. Malaysia Airlines planes are seen parked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, Oct. 6, 2020. Photo by Reuters Malaysia would close its airspace around Kuala Lumpur International Airport every morning for six days starting from Tuesday (Aug. 26) in preparation for the country's 68th national celebration. The affected airspace will be closed daily from 8 a.m. to noon over a six-day period to allow the Royal Malaysian Air Force to conduct rehearsals for an aerial flypast at Malaysia's National Day parade on Aug. 31, Malay Mail reported. Malaysia Airlines said it would adjust its flight schedules in response to the temporary closure, New Straits Times reported. Passengers departing from the airport are advised to arrive at least four hours before their rescheduled departure time to allow sufficient time for check-in and mandatory document checks at various touchpoints, the airline noted. The carrier also reminded travelers to ensure they have all necessary travel documents and to verify entry and exit requirements through official channels before traveling. Ukraine is seeking more weapons from the West amid concerns that, even after the two recent summits in the United States, Russia is not interested in peace, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told RFE/RL's Current Time. Speaking on August 25, Mykhaylo Podolyak said Kyiv has been in active consultations with US and European officials about increasing the supply of various tools for conducting counterwar operations. We understand how much Russia is spending right now, and what they will do next -- what resources they're using along the front or deeper into Ukrainian territory, Podolyak, a key figure in Zelenskyys administration since 2020, added. Accordingly, consultations and negotiations are under way to increase the inflow of certain types of weapons into Ukraine.... Longrange missiles, longrange drones -- this is one of todays priority directions, which truly allows us to effectively influence the course of this war," he said. At a briefing in Kyiv following talks with visiting Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store on August 25, Zelenskyy said Ukraine hopes to secure at least $1 billion a month from supportive countries to buy US weapons. Russia has pressed ahead with its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which it launched in February 2022, following US President Donald Trumps meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 and with Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House three days later. Russian attacks on Ukraines Sumy region killed one civilian and wounded nine others overnight, and dozens of battles were fought along the front lines in the previous 24 hours, many of them near the ruined Donetsk region city of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian officials said on August 25. Moscow has also thrown cold water on the prospects for peace. Trump, who has been seeking to broker an end to the war since he took office in January, used the meetings and particularly the summit with Putin, the first by a US president in more than four years to press for a face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, who have not met in person since 2019. Zelenskyy has agreed to a meeting with Putin and unsuccessfully sought one during lower-level peace talks in Istanbul in May. Speaking at celebrations on August 24 marking 34 years since Ukraine declared independence for the Soviet Union in 1991, Zelenskyy said a meeting with Putin would be "the most effective way forward." Zelenskyy again confirmed that Ukraine is ready for "negotiations in the format of leaders in order to resolve key issues" and stressed that "there should be the same readiness in Moscow," his office said in a statement after Zelenskyy met Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, on August 25.. Kellogg and Zelenskyy also "talked about how to influence Russia to force it to engage in real negotiations and end the war," the statement said. "In particular, they talked about sanctions and tariff pressure, the possibility of applying which should remain on the agenda." Russia has balked on a meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy, signaling that it is not ready and may not be any time soon. "Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda would be ready for a summit. And this agenda is not ready at all," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told NBC News in an interview broadcast over the weekend. A meeting between the two presidents would certainly be possible if Russia had the desire to genuinely engage in a realistic conversation about ending the war, or at least about possible scenarios for stopping the war, Podolyak told Current Time. But as far as I understand, and as is quite obvious, Russia is not interested in ending hostilities -- especially not in stopping the shelling of civilian infrastructure and the civilian population." Russias current war policy is based on three core elements, Podolyak said. First, buying time -- and for that, they deliberately mislead the United States with this supposed willingness to negotiate. Second, under no circumstances do they accept the idea of a cease-fire any comprehensive cease-fire plan, including those discussed around Trump, and even by Trump himself. And third, avoiding the introduction of further sanctions. So, to put it bluntly, Russia will imitate any attempts to negotiate at the presidential level, at the level of Putin -- but in reality, it has no interest in that," he said. In his remarks to NBC, Lavrov also claimed that comments from Europeans following the Alaska summit and at the gathering in Washington on August 18 indicated that "they don't want peace," and raised objections to plans that Ukraine's Western backers are trying to hammer out for security guarantees for Kyiv in the event of a peace deal. He said the permanent UN Security Council members -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security. Kyiv and other allies have so far rejected the idea of Moscow being among the security guarantors for a peace deal, and Zelenskyy has rejected the prospect of Beijing playing a role. The US State Department said on August 25 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with his European counterparts and discussed diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Rubio spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallass, a spokesman for the State Department said in a statement. The funeral of a much loved Roscommon priest will take place later this week in the United States. Fr Seamus Glynn, originally from Lisacul, Roscommon, passed away peacefully on July 14th, 2025. He is described as a devoted priest whose lifes work left an indelible mark on his parish and wider community. He is survived by his sisters, his nieces and nephews as well as the parish community he so faithfully served for decades. His death was announced on RIP.ie where a moving tribute to his life's many achievements was detailed. Fr Seamus was born in Lisacul on August 18, 1933, to Seamus and Mary Jo Glynn. He was the fifth of seven children. After completing his secondary school education in St. Nathys College, Ballaghadereen, County Roscommon, he joined the seminary at St. Peters College, Wexford where he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on June 8, 1958. Following his initial assignment, he was appointed by Bishop William R. Johnson as pastor to establish the new parish, San Antonio de Padua Church, in the newly formed Diocese of Orange in California. There he became a guiding force in the life of the parish. Recognizing the spiritual, educational, and social needs of his growing congregation, he set about transforming a vacant piece of land into a vibrant hub of faith and community life. For over 40 years he worked tirelessly with remarkable dedication and leadership to see the construction of a parish church, a rectory, a community hall, and school. Each a testament to his unwavering belief in the importance of faith, education, and community. He brought together parishioners, local leaders, and interest groups, fostering a deep spirit of collaboration and inclusivity. Through thoughtful dialogue and shared purpose, what began as a modest vision soon became a flourishing parish community, a center of growth and support for over 4000 families today. Fr. Seamus never forgot his Irish roots. He and his brother, Fr. Tom Glynn, a fellow priest in Los Angeles, travelled regularly to Ireland to reconnect with his sisters, Sr. Nuala and Sr. Cora, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, his brother Fr. Michael, his sister Maureen, his brother-in-law Ignatius, nieces, nephews and cousins. His family looked forward to these visits as did he. The reconnection with family and friends was a source of inspiration and energy for the work that he embraced and enjoyed in the US. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, leadership and service to others. He was a visionary, a builder not just in the physical sense, but a builder of communities. His lifes work touched countless lives. He walked alongside his parishioners through every season of change and through his legacy will continue to guide and inspire. Fr. Seamus was known for his gentle manner, his sense of humour, a deep empathy and unwavering faith. He was a true server of all his people. He was a trusted confidant, a tireless advocate for the vulnerable and a true servant of God. He was a light to many. His presence brought comfort and strength, we are grateful for the many wonderful memories that he gave us. He will be profoundly missed. Funeral arrangements will be held 6 pmFriday August 29th and 10:30 am Saturday August 30th at San Antonio de Padua del Canon, Anaheim Hills with interment to follow at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Orange. Condolences can be left here on RIP.ie, where links to view the funeral mass can also found. County Roscommon is Irelands most affordable county for first-time buyers, according to new research from Chill. First-time buyers in Roscommon face the smallest affordability gap in the country, with new analysis from the insurer showing a single applicant would need to earn 50,625 to qualify under Central Bank mortgage rules. Thats only slightly above the countys median income of 40,034, leaving an income shortfall of 10,591 the lowest in Ireland. Chills study compared median first-time-buyer home prices in every county with median local incomes, applying Central Bank limits of 90% loan-to-value and a maximum loan of four times gross income. The findings show that no county in Ireland is fully affordable for a single buyer on the national median salary of 43,221, but Roscommon comes closest. In Roscommon, the median first-time-buyer home price now stands at 225,000, making it the most accessible point on the property ladder. While Dublin and Wicklow require near or above 100,000 salaries to purchase a first-time-buyer home, Roscommon leads the list of more affordable counties, followed by Longford and Donegal. Ian OReilly, Head of Personal Lines Sales at Chill, said: Roscommon stands out as the most affordable county in Ireland for those looking to get on the property ladder. But even here, the gap between what people earn and whats needed under mortgage rules still exists. This shows just how tough it has become nationally for first-time buyers. Councillors have given the greenlight for the conversion of a 325-year-old historic building in Roscommon Town into a multi-use community facility. The council is seeking funding of 7 million from the THRIVE fund the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme - to develop the project at the Edenville House site. If the application is successful, it is hoped that the works could be completed and the building handed over in the coming years, possibly by early 2028, and that the facility will be run by a community group. The building dates to circa 1700 and is now derelict. At a special meeting of councillors of the Roscommon Municipal District on Monday, it was agreed that the local authority proceed with the proposal at Edenville House. Giving a presentation on the proposal, Senior Engineer Rachel Lowe of the councils regeneration team outlined that the works would include the demolition of non-historic structures on the site, refurbishment and conservation works to the existing former military barrack building, as well as the stabilisation, refurbishment and conservation works to the existing boundary wall. During the meeting, councillors were told that there were no objections to the development, although some concerns were raised about noise during construction as well as potential overlooking. Local organisations, the Western Alzheimers Committee, the Cor Comain Choir, Roscommon Town Team, and Roscommon Tidy Towns, all voiced their support for the proposal. Following the consultation period, it was recommended that the height of the vertical circulation column be reduced and that the pitched roof be removed. The meeting also heard that the judging of funding applications would take place in mid-September. If successful, the project will proceed to the detail design phase followed by tendering. Council Director of Services Mark Keaveney cautioned that there was no guarantee that the council would be successful in its application for funding. MD Cathaoirleach Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice welcomed the development, saying it would be great for the local community. His party colleague Marty McDermott also welcomed the development, saying that the development of the historic building could do the same for the county town what Strokestown House had done for Strokestown. The other councillors also voiced their support, with Cllr Ruth Conboy saying the demand is already there within the community. The Part 8 planning application was proposed by Cllr Larry Brennan and seconded by Cllr McDermott. During the meeting, former councillor Orla Leyden was praised for her work on the project. Amit Shah: Not Allowing A Bill To Be Presented Is Not Democratic, Modi Included PM Post In New Bill Jail will be made CM House, PM House, and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the Jail. Home Minister Speaks on the Proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill Latest News: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday lashed out at the opposition for protesting against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, stating even the Prime Minister has included himself in the ambit of the proposed bill. Home Minister made several remarks during an interview with journalist Smita Prakash of the News Agency ANI, while discussing in-depth the recently introduced controversial bill, which the home minister had introduced in the lower house during the monsoon session of the parliament. Advertisement The bill seeks to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and Minister if jailed for more than 30 days for serious offences that lead to a jail term of over five years. The bill saw a massive outrage and protest from the opposition, who alleged that the bill paves the way for the ruling BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them behind bars, and destabilize state governments. Speaking to the journalist, he asked the entire nation and the opposition whether a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader can run the country from jail. Does that suit the dignity of our democracy? Home Minister asked. Advertisement Home Minister Amit Shah said that even to this date, the opposition is attempting to form the government from Jail, if they ever have to go to jail. Jail will be made CM House, PM House, and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the Jail. Home Minister Shah said that the BJP and he completely reject the idea that the country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. Advertisement My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. This will not affect anyone's majority in the Parliament or the Assembly. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this?" he questioned. Home Minister said that under the proposed bill, if a minister does not get bail within the first thirty days after the detention for serious offences, the minister must leave their position. However, if refused, the minister will be removed by the law. "I want to tell the entire country about the 130th Amendment. In this amendment, we have made a provision that if the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader from the central or state government faces serious allegations and gets arrested, and if they do not get bail within 30 days, then they must leave their position. If they don't resign, they will be removed from their post by law. This is what we have included in the 130th Amendment," He explained. Advertisement Further Home Minister said that the Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in the law, drawing a comparison with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who Amit Shah said had brought the 39th Amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from Judicial review by Indian Courts). He said, Narendra Modi has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to Jail, he will have to resign. He said that when protests are allowed, when an elected government brings a constitutional amendment in the Parliament, however, he asked how it is appropriate in a democracy that the bill is not allowed to be even presented in parliament. Are both Houses meant for discussion or just noise and disruption? Home Minister Questioned. Referring to his statement in the parliament when the bill was presented, he said, I have already said that this amendment will be sent to a joint committee of both houses. Everyone can share their opinion there, and during voting, you can express you views. Since this is a constitutional amendment, it requires a two-thirds majority. He added that stopping the presentation of a bill in the parliament altogether is not democratic. (For more news apart from 'Amit Shah: Not Allowing A Bill To Be Presented Is Not Democratic, Modi Included PM Post In New Bill,' stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) The United States strongly condemns the violence perpetrated against civilians in the Suwayda governorate of Syria that started in July. Ambassador Dorothy Shea, Acting U.S. Representative to the United Nations called on all parties to adhere to the ceasefire arrangement. Suwayda is an area in southern Syria, primarily inhabited by the Druze community, with smaller Christian and Bedouin populations. Clashes between local Druze and Bedouin communities escalated into significant violence in mid-July at which point Syrian government troops entered the fray. At least 800 people have been killed according to press reports. Ambassador Shea reiterated the need for Syrian authorities to hold perpetrators of mass killings accountable. We welcome the Syrian governments actions to conduct comprehensive investigations and hold accountable all perpetrators of the recent violence, as well as its steps to increase the flow of aid, restore public services, and return displaced persons to their homes. We also welcome the Syrian governments pledge to fully cooperate with the UN to investigate crimes and to coordinate with the relevant UN agencies to support the flow of vital humanitarian aid. A united, representative Syria requires a consistent, transparent, and credible justice system, stressed Ambassador Shea. It is now on the Syrian government to take steps to arrest, detain, and pursue measures against those individuals who committed crimes and who are actively contributing to Syrias instability. The United States does not seek to dictate the shape of Syrias government or constitution. But following the recent violence, two things should be clear, said Ambassador Shea: First, there is absolutely no place for sectarian violence. The Syrian government must act decisively and consistently to protect everyone no matter their ethnicity or religion. There must be zero tolerance and swift justice for any member of Syrias military that abuses the trust placed in them. Second, every Syrian deserves to have a voice in how their country is governed. The Syrian people fought for more than 13 years not just to rid themselves of Bashar al-Assad, but also for the right to decide their own fate. The only way Syria will stabilize is if all Syrians have a stake in the countrys future and if they collectively share power, said Ambassador Shea. That is why we are urging the Syrian government and leaders across the country to engage in meaningful dialogue about their shared future. Punjab Becomes First State to Deploy Anti-Drone System on Border Under CM Mann's War Against Drugs Historic Step in Anti-Drug Drive: CM Mann and Arvind Kejriwal Launch Baaj Akh Anti-Drone Units Along Punjab Border Punjab Becomes First State to Deploy Anti-Drone System on Border Under CM Manns War Against Drugs; Chandigarh: In a landmark move to protect Punjabs youth and curb cross-border drug smuggling, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with AAP National Convener Arvind Kejriwal, flagged off the Baaj Akh Anti-Drone System (ADS), making Punjab the first state in India to deploy such advanced technology at the international border. Advertisement The initiative marks a new chapter in CM Manns War Against Drugs (Yudh Nasheyan Virudh), aimed at intercepting drones used to smuggle heroin, weapons, and ammunition from across the Pakistan border. Punjab shares a 553-km stretch with Pakistanone of the most vulnerable zones for narcotics trafficking. A total of nine ADS units are being installed at high drone-activity points, with a51.4 crore allocated to the project. The system is equipped with automated alerts, precision tracking, and neutralization capabilities, enabling Punjab Police to act as a Second Line of Defense alongside the BSF. In 2024 alone, security forces seized 283 smuggling drones; in 2025 so far, 137 drones have already been intercepted. The CM emphasized that this technology, combined with strict enforcement and a zero-tolerance policy, will deliver a decisive blow to drug cartels. Advertisement The campaign also extends to education: a special anti-drug syllabus has been introduced in 3,658 government schools, covering 8 lakh students from classes 9 to 12. This will be complemented by awareness drives involving scientists and experts. CM Mann asserted that past political complicity allowed the drug menace to grow unchecked, but his governments tough, technology-driven crackdown has put high-profile offenders behind bars and is setting a new standard for anti-drug enforcement in India. (For more news apart from Punjab Becomes First State to Deploy Anti-Drone System on Border Under CM Manns War Against Drugs, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) The Battle of Stalingrad Survivor testimonies recorded in the Center for Oral History. History Show Steliu Lambru, 25.08.2025, 14:00 In the history of great armed conflicts, there is typically one epic battle, either owing to the very large number of losses, the fact that it turned the tide of the war or simply because a military or political leader was killed, a city was destroyed and so on. In World War I, the Battle of Verdun was called the mother of all battles due to the bloodshed it caused. In World War II, one of the great battles both in terms of people who got killed and the effects on the entire war was the Battle of Stalingrad from August 1942 to February 1943. A lot has been written about the Battle of Stalingrad in many different ways, artifacts have been unearthed, numerous documentaries have been made, and pretty much everything that could be said has been said. The Romanian army participated in the battle as an ally of the German, Italian, Hungarian and Croatian armies and lost between 110,000 and 200,000 soldiers, dead, wounded or taken prisoner. Romanian memories of Stalingrad were recorded in the sound archive of the Center for Oral History of the Romanian Radio Broadcasting Corporation. One of them was that of lawyer Vladimir Boanta who, in 1995, remembered how he left Stalingrad the day before the start of the Soviet offensive. The front seemed to have stabilized. Let me tell you something: with the opening of the front in the West, the Germans had withdrawn many of their troops. And we realized this because we saw less and less German troops. But, other than that, the activity of the German aviation had diminished greatly. On the other hand, the actions of the Soviet aviation had intensified. Some very fast planes had appeared, which I later learned were called Yak because Yakovlev was the engineer who manufactured them. Well, those Yaks were a surprise for me, I could say an unpleasant one, because they were very fast. Until then, when their planes passed, I would say There goes another motorcycle!, because they made a noise like a motorcycle and were slow. The war was fought in extremely harsh conditions for all combatants. Axis soldiers, however, were particularly struggling, as their numbers were decreasing, they were far from home and supplies were getting harder and harder to come by. Vladimir Boanta. Crossing the endless stretches of land and sustaining constant losses that could not be compensated by bringing in new troops, we had reached a very thin line. Apart from the only unit that was actually in Stalingrad, we were 12 kilometers southwest of Stalingrad. And we were standing 15 to 30 meters apart in some round holes in that miserable, sandy land near Stalingrad, with a weapon in our hand that was freezing, you couldnt handle it anymore because the grease inside had frozen. And the people were obviously very weak, the food was awful, they had no warm clothes. But life follows its unpredictable course, even in difficult times. And everyday events and peoples behavior become just as important as the acts of heroism on the battlefield. Vladimir Boanta. Things had stabilized in such a way that, at a certain point, we received a transmission from the German army that made us laugh. Because it said: Tourist visits to Stalingrad are prohibited! The reality was that there were certain shops and bookstores there with office supplies that were no longer operating. The bookstores had been abandoned because of the bombings. But our people, who needed to get one thing or another, went to see if there was something left in the shops they could scavenge. This was the kind of visit the transmission referred to, which had nothing to do with the tourist meaning of the word. The Soviet offensive was the beginning of the end, Vladimir Boanta explained. The Battle of Stalingrad started as follows: one morning, when the forecast was for thick fog, meaning you couldnt see anything 3 meters in front of you, the Soviet tanks started rolling towards our positions. They were followed by soldiers who were drunk and all fired up, mounted on cars, equipped only with automatic weapons, for the most part, only with machine guns that, as far as is known, had 72 rounds in each drum. They advanced without being seen. We could barely hear them coming, no one saw anything. And they went over the holes and trenches where our Romanian soldiers were dug in. Imagine, what could they do, fire their rifles? No! So they passed this first line of fire. They reached the artillery position, whose guns were trampled by tanks and destroyed, after which they advanced to the line of military commands. The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the landmark battles of World War II. People and ideas clashed, leaving behind much for posterity to reflect on. (VP) August 25, 2025 UPDATE (1) A roundup of local and world news August 25, 2025 UPDATE (1) Newsroom, 25.08.2025, 18:39 RULING COALITION The Social Democratic Party, part of the ruling coalition in Romania, has decided to return to the coalition table. The partys interim president, Sorin Grindeanu, said that he was coming to discuss exclusively the outstanding issues in the development of the second package of measures designed to curb the budget deficit. Grindeanu reiterated that PSD believes that changes are necessary in the fiscal and administrative reform provisions. In turn, representatives of the Save Romania Union (USR) announced that they will bring to the coalition meeting proposals to modify this package of fiscal and budgetary measures, which also provide for the abolition or merger of certain institutions. The leader of the USR group in the Senate, Stefan Palarie, expressed satisfaction with the return to the full coalition formula and announced that, most likely, there will be meetings both this week and the next. The Social Democrats refused to take part in the coalition meetings after their USR colleagues opposed the organization of a state funeral and the establishment of national mourning for former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, the founder of PSD, who died early this month. DIPLOMACY The Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy started on Monday in Bucharest. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event will provide the opportunity to reiterate a common vision, key in the current period of global risks. The head of Romanian diplomacy, Oana Toiu, said in her opening address that the status of EU and NATO member state, and the Strategic Partnership with the United States remain the foundations of Romanias foreign policy. She drew attention to the fact that Russia remains the main security challenge in the region, regardless of how peace talks with Ukraine unfold and that Romanian diplomacy is at the forefront of this mission. Through our joint efforts, we support the strengthening of the allied posture on the Eastern Flank and build a solid approach to the security of the Black Sea. We must develop the defense component with our partners the United States, European allies, as well as our other partners. The message is simple and direct. You can rely on Romania, Minister Toiu pointed out. The event in Bucharest, which is taking place under the title A Decade of Changes, the Impact of Romanian Diplomacy, is attended by the heads of diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania abroad, as well as by senior Romanian officials. The special guests of this years edition are the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who will address the participants via videolink, as well as the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosaw Sikorski. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi, is also attending the event in Bucharest. On the second day of the meeting, the heads of Romanian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad will be received by the countrys president, Nicusor Dan. (VP) August 25, 2025 UPDATE (2) A roundup of local and world news August 25, 2025 UPDATE (2) Newsroom, 25.08.2025, 20:00 DIPLOMACY The Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy started on Monday in Bucharest. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event will provide the opportunity to reiterate a common vision, key in the current period of global risks. The head of Romanian diplomacy, Oana Toiu, said in her opening address that the status of EU and NATO member state, and the Strategic Partnership with the United States remain the foundations of Romanias foreign policy. She drew attention to the fact that Russia remains the main security challenge in the region, regardless of how peace talks with Ukraine unfold and that Romanian diplomacy is at the forefront of this mission. Through our joint efforts, we support the strengthening of the allied posture on the Eastern Flank and build a solid approach to the security of the Black Sea. We must develop the defense component with our partners the United States, European allies, as well as our other partners. The message is simple and direct. You can rely on Romania, Minister Toiu pointed out. The event in Bucharest, which is taking place under the title A Decade of Changes, the Impact of Romanian Diplomacy, is attended by the heads of diplomatic missions and consular offices of Romania abroad, as well as by senior Romanian officials. The special guests of this years edition are the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, who will address the participants via videolink, as well as the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Radosaw Sikorski. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Moldova, Mihai Popsoi, is also attending the event in Bucharest. On the second day of the meeting, the heads of Romanian diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad will be received by the countrys president, Nicusor Dan. MEETING The Romanian Defense Minister, Ionut Mosteanu, met on Monday in Kyiv with the Prime Minister of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Minister of Defense. Talks focused on topics regarding the development of economic cooperation in the military field and Romanias participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Minister Mosteanu pointed out that Romania is closely following developments regarding security guarantees for Ukraine and will actively participate in all allied and European decisions on this matter. The Ukrainian Defense Minister, Denys Shmyhal, expressed his gratitude for the support offered by Romania and thanked the Romanian Government and people for the strong partnership and support provided to Ukraine. Ionut Mosteanu also attended the events marking the Independence Day of Ukraine and the meeting titled Defense Cooperation Forum. Future Warfare, jointly with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other NATO defense ministers. RULING COALITION Leaders of the parties in the ruling coalition met in a meeting on Monday to discuss the second fiscal package designed to curb the budget deficit and the calendar for assuming the governments responsibility for these reforms. After an absence of almost 3 weeks, the Social-Democrats returned to the coalition table. They withdrew after their colleagues from the Save Romania Union (USR) opposed the organization of a state funeral and the establishment of national mourning for former Romanian President Ion Iliescu, the founder of PSD, who died early this month. During this period, the interim president of PSD, Sorin Grindeanu, nevertheless consulted with the Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, and the head of government said that at least in terms of government, the coalition functioned and a series of decisions were adopted. On the other hand, Bolojan specified that part of the proposals made by colleagues from PSD, related to taxation, are found in this second fiscal package. PSD, PNL, USR, UDMR and the representatives of national minorities are discussing better regulation regarding the outsourcing of profits of multinational companies, increasing the taxation of stock market gains, increasing the share capital of LLCs, introducing new rules for the taxation of rental income and a tax of 25 lei for parcels ordered from outside the EU. PROTEST Trade unionists in Romanias education system on Monday staged a new protest in front of the headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Research in Bucharest, criticizing the new measures endorsed by the government for reducing the budget deficit. They are dissatisfied with the increased number of working hours, the rising number of students in classes and the funding of the countrys education system. Trade unions in education started a series of protest activities in late July and announced they would carry on their protests by picketing the Ministry of Education and the Government. They have also planned a protest march on September 8, when the new school year is set to start. (VP) Romania supports Moldova and Ukraine Romania reiterates its support for its ex-Soviet neighbours, Moldova and Ukraine Ilie Bolojan si Bogdan Matei, 25.08.2025, 14:00 Romania supports in every way the Republic of Moldovas path to EU accession, Romanias PM Ilie Bolojan said during a working visit to Chisinau on Saturday. After a meeting with the head of the pro-Western government in Chisinau, Dorin Recean, the Romanian PM mentioned that, in recent years, Moldova had to face unprecedented pressures, but managed to preserve its sovereignty and independence, and became an example of courage as it withstood Russias energy blackmail, propaganda and hybrid aggression. According to Radio Romania correspondents in Chisinau, the two prime ministers analysed the bilateral economic cooperation, major infrastructure projects, such as power lines and bridges over the River Prut border, and ways to facilitate border crossings. Dorin Recean thanked Romania for helping Moldova secure its energy independence. He explained that at present 50% of Moldovas electricity needs are covered by Romanian supplies at favourable prices. Moreover, Recean added, Romania is today one of the main markets for Moldovan products, such as electrical conductors, wines and furniture. Moldova and Romania support each other and are building a secure and thriving European future, president Maia Sandu said in turn, after a meeting with PM Bolojan. Everything we achieve together, from energy and infrastructure to investments and jobs, means more stability, more opportunities, and, for the Republic of Moldova, concrete steps towards EU membership, the Moldovan official said. For the Republic of Moldova, parliamentary elections are coming up on September 28. They are decisive not only from a political, but also from a geopolitical point of view. After a government term with mixed results, the popularity of the current administration has declined considerably. And the emerging alternative, represented by political blocs that are openly pro-Moscow, could undo years of efforts towards the countrys EU membership. On Sunday, president Nicusor Dan sent a message in which he also reiterated Romanias support for what he called Ukraines legitimate effort to defend itself from the Russian invaders. On the 34th anniversary of Ukraines declaration of independence from the Soviet Union and three and a half years since Russias full-scale invasion, president Dan announced that Romania will also support the reconstruction and European integration efforts of its neighbouring state. He praised the Ukrainians determination to defend their country as a powerful example of the fight for freedom and democracy against an autocratic enemy. On this special day, I wish our Ukrainian friends renewed strength and unwavering hope for a better future, the Romanian head of state concluded. (AMP) Ramon Alderete, security lead for Rio Rancho Public Schools, screens a student after passing through a metal detector before class starts at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho Aug. 21. Kathy Bolkovac, right, an official with the New Mexico Public Education Department, was invited to the school that day to witness a drill. Kevin Opsahl David Jaramillo, a campus security officer, watches over Carroll Elementary School in Bernalillo Aug. 11, the first day of school for Bernalillo Public Schools. The district announced it is deploying enhanced security guards at schools which do not have school resource officers. Kevin Opsahl RIO RANCHO/BERNALILLO Rio Rancho and Bernalillo public schools have introduced their own sweeping new security measures, from armed officers to clear backpacks, but not all of them have come without challenges, officials say. The initiatives, which are not joint ventures, were announced just prior to the start of the new school year. Rio Rancho began instruction Aug. 7, while Bernalillo followed Aug. 11. Heres a look at details regarding the security measures: RRPS metal detectorsEagle Ridge Middle School and Lincoln Middle School are both experiencing challenges with using or implementing the Evolv Technology security system. Sal Maniaci, the districts executive director of safety and security, acknowledged a parent organizations social media post that said zippered binders tend to trigger the system and may result in unnecessary bag searches or conceal prohibited items. As a result, the school is beginning the process of phasing out the use of large zippered binders by the 2026-27 school year, the post stated. While Eagle Ridge leadership declined to comment, Maniaci responded to the social media post in an interview by saying students were advised to place the binders in their lockers. Some students, however, were inventive by taking the binder part out and using the zipper bag to carry their belongings, he said. There are so many different ways to take care of that problem, Maniaci said. Evolv is operational at three of the districts four middle schools, the exception being Lincoln Middle School due to the aging schools inability to handle the technology, he said. A power source is expected to be installed in the next several weeks. Its not just a matter of popping a hole in a wall, like at a house, Maniaci said. We didnt get to build these schools with Evolv in mind. He is not concerned about the schools safety because of a layered approach to security by implementing cameras and police officers. Ad Evolv, however, has concerned the Federal Trades Commission, which in November 2024 sued the company for alleged false claims about its product, Evolv Express specifically, that it would detect dangerous items and not harmless ones. A federal judge ruled that Evolv must engage in compliance monitoring with the commission and give customers the right to cancel their contracts with the company. RRPS said at the time that it was aware of the court order but would keep using Evolv. Maniaci expressed confidence in the system. We have to be realistic when it comes to school security, Maniaci said. There is nothing out there that is 100%. He is not aware of any RRPS school that has failed to detect a dangerous weapon using Evolv. It found one knife at Cleveland High School this year, according to Maniaci. He added that he prides his department on being willing to evolve no pun intended to make the best choice and the best design for our students. BPS enhanced security guards In response to ongoing national and local safety concerns, the district began using enhanced security guards armed individuals with a previous law enforcement or security background, according to both a letter to families from and in an interview with Superintendent Matt Montano. The guards will ensure safety in and around schools, prevent unauthorized access from visitors and respond to safety concerns, Montano wrote in his letter. They will work at all of the districts schools, except Bernalillo High School and Spartan Learning Academy, which already have school resource officers police officers on contract with the district to protect schools and serve a variety of other functions, he wrote in an email. But unlike SROs who have the power to arrest individuals the guards will be utilized only in response to imminent threats, Montano wrote in the email. In an interview, Montano likened the guards to a form of insurance for the district. You hope you never have to actually use them, but it gives you a little bit more peace of mind about the preventive measures youre taking, he said, adding that he hopes the program gives some sense of relief to our principals. In the interview, Montano said he began thinking about additional security measures when he was appointed superintendent in 2021, once he learned that four of his schools on Native American land or in nonincorporated towns could not provide its own security resources. A BPS security summit in 2022 formally jumpstarted the process of the district ramping up an armed security guard program. BPS clear backpacksClear backpacks will be mandatory for BPS students in grades 4-12, regardless of their discipline history, wrote Thomas Maes Jr., the districts director of safety and security, in a letter to families. Clear backpacks help school staff see whats inside without needing to single anyone out for a bag search, Maes wrote. This simple, non-invasive protocol helps prevent students from accidentally or intentionally bringing unsafe items like vapes, alcohol, or other prohibited materials onto campus. He added that the backpacks will help stop potential risks, including an active shooter situation, before they happen as opposed to school and security officials reacting. However, clear backpacks are not a complete solution to protecting schools, Maes wrote, and are just one part of a layered approach to security. RIO RANCHO Nurses from University of New Mexico Hospital and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center are demanding higher wages following their claims that university and hospital officials received wage increases and bonuses for themselves. The United Health Professionals of New Mexico, which represents SRMC, and District 1199NM, which represents UNM Hospital, went before the UNM Board of Regents Aug. 19 after saying they received information about the wage increases from public information requests. Somehow, management found the money for raises (and) bonuses, union member and registered nurse Adrienne Enghouse told board members. But when it comes to the very people at the bedside, the ones keeping patients alive, keeping families informed, keeping New Mexicans safe, suddenly there is no money. Enghouse added, Raises for managers dont improve patient care; safe staffing does. Their comments come during a protracted dispute over collective bargaining between the two unions and UNM. In June, a judge ruled that the SRMC violated workers labor rights by refusing to bargain over layoffs in 2023. Enghouse said that the case is part of a pattern of what she and other health care workers see as a mistreatment of the union by UNM. She said the record requests came following bargaining discussions earlier this year with hospital and university officials, who allegedly told the health care workers they had no money in the budget for wage increases, Enghouse said following the regents meeting. The workers, she said, were skeptical given what they had heard about spending. UNM Hospital spokesperson Chris Ramirez disputed many of the unions claims in an email. Ramirez said it was false that UNM Hospital managers received wage increases and bonuses while nurses had been told there was no money available for them. Ramirez clarified that all UNM Hospital staff and managers were provided wage increases during fiscal year 2025 and had done so in the last five prior years. However, no wage increases or bonuses were budgeted for the following fiscal year for either management or staff since the hospitals profit margin was negative $32 million as of May 31, Ramirez wrote. Additionally, the month before, UNMH deleted 52 leadership positions, including Jamie Silva-Steele, the SRMCs president. The only exception for bonuses, Ramirez wrote, was UNM Hospital CEO Kate Becker, who received a pay increase scheduled for FY26 that was included in the contract she signed in June 2024. Ramirez wrote that UNMH reinvests all profit margins into its people, equipment, and spaces. Ad UNMH has demonstrated this commitment year after year during more financially stable times, Ramirez wrote. But this year, health care across the country has taken several financial hits with changes to federal reimbursements, rising costs of supplies and pharmaceuticals, and, in UNMHs case, a growing patient population. Ramirez concluded, We continue to work towards financial improvement and look forward to continued dialogue with NM1199 at the negotiation table. In an interview following the regents meeting, Yolanda Ulmer, CEO of District 1199NM, criticized Beckers pay increase. Wouldnt it make more sense for ... the employees to get a raise? Ulmer said. Theyre the ones keeping (UNM hospital) running. They havent had a raise, and they deserve it. Ulmer denied Ramirezs statement that no wage increases or bonuses were budgeted for for either management or staff during FY2026. While United Health Professionals plans to present a memorandum of understanding calling for wage increases for its health care workers, 1199NM presented its own plans Aug. 28, leaders with both unions said. Enghouse said the union plans to escalate our concerns to create public awareness, but she declined to elaborate further. Ulmer said she was not confident her union would get higher wages, but we continue to fight for the people, we continue to fight for whats right for the employees. We will fight this to the end, Ulmer said. We are not going away. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP) is nearing a deal worth approximately $18 billion to acquire Dutch coffee company JDE Peet's NV, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter. If finalized, the transaction would result in the combined company splitting its beverage and coffee divisionseffectively reversing the 2018 merger between Dr Pepper and Keurig, the Journal said. Amsterdam-based JDE Peet's, with a market capitalization of around $15 billion, owns brands including Peet's Coffee, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and Maxwell House. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Indian ambassador to Russia has made it clear that the government will continue to buy oil from wherever it will benefit the country. Ambassador Vinay Kumar's comments come at a crucial time of India facing 50 percent U.S. import tariffs, including a 25 percent penalty for India's continued dependence on Russian oil and weapons. "First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India and India's cooperation with Russia as of several other countries has helped to bring about stability in the global oil market," he said in an interview with TASS. "So the US decision is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. Now government will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country. And the trade takes place on commercial basis. So if the basis of commercial transaction trade imports are right, Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So that's what the current situation is," the Indian diplomat told the Russian state-owned news agency. "Our trade is based on market factors and done with the overall objects of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," Vinay Kumar said, noting that there are other countries including the U.S. itself and in Europe trading with Russia. Russia is the main source of India's crude oil import, which reportedly amounted to 35-40 percent last year. Washington says Russia is using the ol revenue to fund the war in Ukraine, and alleges that India's purchase of Russian oil is tantamount to helping them. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Twenty-four medical professionals from Ethiopia are taking part in a 21-day medical imaging technology training program in China, where they are visiting top-tier and district-level hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu province and exchanging insights on imaging practices from both developed and developing regions. The participants who are among Ethiopia's top hospital leaders, clinical doctors and imaging technicians said they were impressed by the cutting-edge radiology technologies and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical settings in China. Some expressed optimism that adopting such technologies in Ethiopia could significantly enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities, particularly in the acute management of conditions such as stroke. The program, which began on Aug 15, is hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and organized by the International Health Exchange and Cooperation Center of the National Health Commission. It aims to foster collaboration between hospitals in the two countries. Chinese clinical experts contributed by presenting the latest advancements in CT, PET-CT, and MRI technologies. Shi Zhang, a radiologist from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University in Shanghai, tailored his lectures to Ethiopia's challenges, where stroke treatment rates remain relatively low. His sessions focused on rapid identification of stroke using imaging modalities to prevent treatment delays. He also emphasized optimizing existing equipment with AI algorithms to produce high-end diagnostic results with standard machines. "It's kind of like taking a photo and then enhancing it with editing tools to produce sharper definition and clearer details," Shi said. "I believe such attempts will have practical value for improving medical services in hospitals at the grassroots and in remote regions." In Shanghai, part of the program was held at Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co, which specializes in medical imaging, radiotherapy equipment and life science instruments. "In big Chinese cities, AI has already been fully integrated throughout the entire medical imaging process from patient positioning through diagnosis and follow-up," said Li Chenwei, vice-president of clinical application and clinical marketing for the international business department at Shanghai United Imaging Healthcare Co. "While Ethiopia is at the nascent stage of adopting such technologies, the potential benefits, particularly in standardizing diagnostic procedures, were of great interest to the Ethiopian healthcare professionals," Li said. "Given Ethiopia's large population and the lengthy training period for doctors, AI could play a crucial role in helping establish standardized examination processes there." Training participant Tsion Befekadu Beyecha, a medical radiology technologist at Washington Medical Center in Addis Ababa, said medical modalities in her country have not yet integrated AI. "The advanced integration of AI in medical imaging here is new to me. Witnessing and experiencing such integration is exciting," she said. She added that radiologists are in short supply in Ethiopia. "In case of emergency, for example, a hemorrhagic stroke, the diagnosis for the patient requires a rapid result. I saw here that AI modality can detect any hemorrhage, which definitely adds value to patient care," she said. Another participant, Yeraeifirae Sileshi, CEO of Waji Healthcare in Holeta, said most participants in the training program were on their first visit to China and were encouraged by the advancements they witnessed. "The country is actually way more advanced in the healthcare sector than what we had expected," said Sileshi, who is also a general physician. "I look forward to visiting more public hospitals in China during the program to see their workflow and operations. Together with the advanced machines and technologies that function both accurately and swiftly, it makes it possible to manage the large population of local patients well." As part of the effort to build a China-Africa community of health, the National Health Commission launched the China-Africa Hospital Alliance in Beijing on Aug 15.The event drew healthcare administrators, clinical experts, industry representatives, think tanks, and international organizations from both China and Africa, as well as representatives from African embassies and consulates in China.The Ethiopian medical professionals in the training program also attended the launch. The Trump administration has ordered construction to stop on Revolution Wind, a nearly completed offshore wind farm being developed off Rhode Island, citing national security concerns. The directive, issued by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management acting director Matthew Giacona in a letter to Danish developer rsted, immediately froze work on the multi-billion-dollar project, which is also backed by Global Infrastructure Partners. The decision marks the administration's latest move against renewable energy development. Earlier this year, President Trump imposed a moratorium on new offshore wind projects, while the IRS issued tax guidance that made it harder for renewable developers to qualify for incentives. The Commerce Department is also investigating whether imported turbine components pose security risks. Revolution Wind, slated to begin delivering power to Rhode Island and Connecticut in 2026, is already about 80 percent complete. Industry groups warned that a pause could have sweeping consequences for jobs, supply chains, and investor confidence. "The U.S. has only one fully operational offshore wind project today that is far from sufficient to meet rising demand," said Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association. rsted said it is weighing legal action to resolve the matter "expeditiously." Advocates argue the stop-work order undermines long-term energy planning, drives up electricity costs, and jeopardizes investments in shipyards, ports, and union jobs tied to the project. Investor jitters were immediate; rsted's shares plunged nearly 17 percent on Monday, hitting a record low. Analysts warned that repeated halts including a similar disruption to New York's Empire Wind project earlier this year risk making the U.S. an unreliable market for renewable investment. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Mahindra Scorpio/N Tops Mid-Size SUV Sales in July 2025, Secures 47.47% Market Share Following our earlier coverage of sub-4m SUVs (3.84m) and compact SUVs (4.24.4m), attention now turns to the mid-size SUV category (4.4m4.7m). This segment continues to show strong momentum, with demand rising steadily in recent months. Several upcoming launches are also expected to add further excitement. Mahindra Dominates Mid-Size SUV Sales In July 2025, total sales of mid-size SUVs stood at 28,960 units, a 7.70% YoY increase from 26,890 units sold in July 2024. Month-on-month (MoM), sales grew by 11.11% over 26,065 units sold in June 2025. Mahindra maintained a commanding presence, with its SUVs occupying the top three spots Scorpio/N, XUV700, and XEV 9e. Scorpio/N led the charge with 13,747 units sold, a 12.34% YoY growth over 12,237 units in July 2024. MoM sales were also up 7.90% from 12,740 units in June 2025, giving Scorpio/N nearly half the segments market share at 47.47%. The XUV700 followed with 7,054 units, though sales declined 9.20% YoY from 7,767 units. However, it gained ground MoM, rising 13.81% from 6,198 units in June. The all-electric XEV 9e contributed 2,462 units, despite recording a 12.32% MoM decline. Collectively, these three Mahindra models commanded around 80% of the segment. Tata Harrier, Safari and Hyundai Alcazar Gain Momentum Tata Harrier, including the newly launched EV, posted 2,216 units, growing 11.30% YoY and a strong 76.01% MoM from 1,259 units in June. The Harrier EV has been particularly well received, with waiting periods stretching up to 30 weeks for certain variants. Hyundai Alcazar also delivered robust growth, aided by its recent facelift earlier this year. With 1,419 units sold, sales surged 142.56% YoY from just 585 units last July, while MoM sales were up 20.87% over June 2025. Tata Safari, on the other hand, faced challenges. Sales dropped 41.11% YoY to 1,242 units from 2,109 units, though MoM performance improved by 34.71% over 922 units in June. Sub-1,000 Unit Mid-Size SUVs In the lower-volume space, MG Hector managed 576 units but saw demand collapse by 67.47% YoY and 23.52% MoM. Jeep Compass fell to 129 units, a 39.44% YoY decline, while maintaining flat MoM performance. Hyundai Tucson registered 84 units, down from 129 units in July 2024, but up 15% from June 2025. Volkswagen Tiguan recorded 28 units a steep 63.64% YoY fall, though MoM sales improved significantly from just 5 units in June. Citroen C5 Aircross, however, reported zero sales in July 2025, continuing its downward trajectory. Royal Enfield sales soar on a YoY basis with Bullet and 650 Twins driving strong demand Royal Enfield, a leading player in the mid-size motorcycle segment, reported solid sales numbers for July 2025. The company recorded total sales of 76,254 units, up 24.58% from 61,208 units sold in July 2024. On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, however, sales dipped slightly by 0.91% compared to 76,957 units sold in June 2025. The brand continues to dominate the 350cc category while steadily expanding its 450cc lineup. Recently, RE launched the Guerrilla 450 Shadow Ash, and under its Flying Flea sub-brand, unveiled two concept EVs the FF C6 cruiser and FF S6 scrambler. In addition, the highly anticipated Himalayan 750 is expected to enter production soon, ahead of a late-2025 or early-2026 launch. Royal Enfield Sales Performance July 2025 YoY vs MoM The Classic 350 led the charts with 26,516 units sold, a 24.06% YoY growth over 21,373 units in July 2024. Despite its strong showing, sales fell 9.10% MoM from 29,172 units in June 2025. The Classic continues to be REs backbone, commanding a 34.77% share of the companys portfolio. The Hunter 350 ranked second with 18,373 units sold. It posted a robust 30.39% YoY growth compared to 14,091 units a year earlier and also gained 12.99% MoM over 16,261 units in June. Royal Enfield recently refreshed the Hunter range by adding a new Graphite Grey colour, bringing the palette to three shades. The Bullet 350 emerged as the brands fastest-growing model, clocking 15,847 units in July 2025. This translated to an impressive 59.28% YoY jump from 9,949 units in July 2024. MoM sales, however, declined by 7.28% compared to 17,092 units in June 2025. Meteor 350 and 650 Twins Record Gains The Meteor 350 continued its steady climb with 8,600 units sold, up 8.85% YoY and 14.44% MoM. The 650 Twins also enjoyed remarkable demand, registering 3,349 units in July 2025. This was a 57.08% YoY rise over 2,132 units in July 2024, with MoM sales improving 13.99% from 2,938 units in June 2025. On the downside, the Himalayan continued to struggle. Sales fell 43.81% YoY to 1,556 units from 2,769 units in July 2024, while MoM sales dropped 23.58% from 2,036 units in June. The Super Meteor 650 showed moderate gains at 1,091 units, marking a 1.87% YoY and 7.81% MoM rise. In contrast, newer models like the Guerrilla (688 units) and Shotgun (234 units) reported sharp YoY declines, with MoM sales also slipping into negative territory. HAIKOU, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- South China's island province of Hainan upgraded its emergency response to the highest level on Sunday morning with Typhoon Kajiki approaching. As of 8 a.m., the typhoon -- packing winds of up to 38 meters per second, was located about 210 km southeast of the province's resort city of Sanya. It is strengthening and moving toward the southern coast of Hainan, and is forecast to make landfall or pass near the coast on Sunday afternoon or evening. Authorities have evacuated a total of 20,728 people from potentially hazardous areas. All 30,769 local fishing boats have returned to port or are sheltering safely -- with over 21,000 crew members moved to the shore. Hainan has prepared more than 770,000 items of emergency supplies for vulnerable areas. Over 2,800 rescue personnel are on standby and are equipped with vehicles and equipment. The city of Sanya has implemented a series of measures, halting classes, work, business operations, public transport and shipping, while also closing scenic areas. Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from low-lying areas, temporary structures and coastal waves, and to be alert for geological hazards. On Sunday, China's National Meteorological Center also issued an orange alert for Typhoon Kajiki, warning of gusts in areas near the typhoon center -- and heavy to torrential rainfall in parts of Hainan, Guangdong and Guangxi, all located in south China. China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response, and a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Editor: Xiong Jian A man walks past the main entrance of Austrian Post's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/He Canling) "This is one of the first tangible consequences of Trump's tariff measures, poorly negotiated by the EU (European Union), with direct repercussions on consumers and enterprises," said Luigi Daniele of the Italian consumer association Consumerismo No Profit. FRANKFURT, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Multiple postal operators across Europe are suspending most package shipments to the United States, citing uncertainty, confusion and rising costs linked to forthcoming U.S. customs regulations on low-value imports. DHL Group, Germany's largest postal and logistics company, announced Friday it will temporarily stop accepting commercial goods and certain private parcels to the United States through postal channels. The decision follows an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month, which sets to abolish the longstanding "de minimis" rule that allowed duty-free imports of low-value goods worth up to 800 U.S. dollars. Under the new framework, effective Aug. 29, all imported items will be subject to customs clearance and tariffs. DHL noted, however, that the measure will not affect gifts under 100 dollars exchanged between individuals, if clearly marked as such, nor the mailing of letters and documents, though these may face stricter controls. Shipments sent via DHL Express will remain available but must undergo standard tariff-based clearance. This photo taken on March 6, 2024 shows the logo of DHL Group at the DHL headquarters in Bonn, Germany. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) DHL also said the suspension was unavoidable, as key details of the new customs procedures remain unclear. Without guarantees of smooth clearance, the company cannot process shipments reliably. The uncertainty has rippled across Europe. By Saturday, postal operators in more than a dozen countries, including France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, had announced either suspensions or severe restrictions on parcels bound for the United States. France's La Poste said it would halt parcel services for goods starting Aug. 25, except for express shipping, documents, and small gifts. Other operators, including Royal Mail, Poste Italiane and Post of Slovenia, set earlier cut-off dates to ensure parcels clear U.S. borders before the new rules take effect. PostEurop, the association of European postal operators, warned that unless workable solutions are found quickly, members may be "constrained to temporarily restrict or suspend" shipments to the United States. A common theme in operators' statements was frustration at the lack of clarity and preparation time. La Poste said U.S. Customs had offered "no time...to re-organize and update computer systems" to handle the changes. The United States has not yet clarified key procedures, particularly regarding the collection of customs fees, required data submissions, and cooperation with U.S. customs authorities, Czech Post said. People enjoy summer leisure at a cafe in Paris, France, July 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) Concerns also remain over parcels already in transit on Aug. 29, which may suddenly require full duty processing on arrival, creating further uncertainty for both operators and customers. The suspension is already rippling through online retail and logistics networks. Many small businesses and independent sellers in Europe rely on affordable national postal services to ship to U.S. customers. "This is one of the first tangible consequences of Trump's tariff measures, poorly negotiated by the EU (European Union), with direct repercussions on consumers and enterprises," said Luigi Daniele of the Italian consumer association Consumerismo No Profit. Furthermore, logistics experts warned the new U.S. customs regulations could bring broader disruptions. "Eliminating the 800-U.S.-dollar exemption reroutes more than 1.3 billion parcels a year from a fast-track postal channel into full customs entry queues," said Stephen Dyke, a consultant at global supply chain firm FourKites. Ports, air hubs and brokers may face serious backlogs as low-value e-commerce shipments now require formal clearance, Dyke noted. Editor: GSY Photo: https://www.facebook.com/minenergoUkraine Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that Canada join important energy projects, which the countries' energy ministers will discuss. "We discussed energy cooperation. This is very important for us. Energy is the foundation of resilience. Today, I proposed that Canada join important energy projects," Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday. He noted that Ukraine has the necessary infrastructure as well as storage capacity. In addition, Ukraine's storage facilities could also be used to supply Canadian gas. "This is very important not only for stability in Ukraine but for all of Europe. We discussed with Mark the possibility of quickly implementing such a program. I believe our energy ministers will hold a separate meeting to discuss all of this," the president said. South Korean corporation POSCO International plans to resume full operation of its grain terminal in Mykolaiv region, the press service of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture reported following the meeting of Minister Oleksiy Sobolev with business representatives during a working trip to Odesa. The ministry specified that the parties discussed the prospects for developing infrastructure for storing grain and vegetable products (storage facilities and cold storage). "The Ukrainian side emphasized the need to develop mechanisms to protect businesses in wartime and reduce the cost of marine insurance. At the same time, the government is working on a support program to restore trade routes in Mykolaiv region," the report emphasizes. The Korean delegation noted the cooperation of the Ukrainian government with the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). Through the EDCF program and KEXIM Bank, Korean companies have the opportunity to join the transformational reconstruction of Ukraine. In particular, POSCO, which has experience in implementing infrastructure projects abroad. Among the company's priorities is the construction of a thermal power plant in Odesa using RDF fuel (Refuse-derived fuel - fuel produced from waste). Consultations have already been held with the city administration on environmental and energy efficiency issues. The project to build a thermal power plant in Odesa was previously included in the list of priorities. "The project in Odesa is very important for our ministry, because it combines an investment component and an environmental component. The initiative is aimed at protecting the environment and introducing modern technologies to reduce emissions. In the future, such a practice can be extended to other regions of Ukraine. The Recovery Agency is submitting this project to the unified project portfolio of the state, its expert assessment and further approval by the Strategic Investment Council are expected," Sobolev noted. Demand for package investors in residential real estate began to recover in Ukraine in 2025, developers are practicing an individual approach to such clients, the press service of City One Development reported. "In the business segment in 2025, for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we are observing the return of package investors - this is one of the key features of the current year. If in 2022-2024 the market was mainly focused on the end buyer, today there is a demand for portfolio investments in residential real estate again," the company said in response to a request from Interfax-Ukraine. The developer noted that an individual approach to such investors allows taking into account the goals and volume of investments, and adapting the conditions for each client. A similar opinion was expressed by KAN Development. "The terms of cooperation with package investors depend on the specific object, the volume of investments and the needs of the client. Currently, we do not offer standardized package solutions, but we are ready to adapt the terms of long-term deferral or develop personalized financial mechanisms," the developer's press service explained. Anatoliy Kovryzhenko, Deputy Commercial Director of Intergal-Bud, confirmed the growth in demand from package investors and the application of an individual approach to the terms of cooperation with them. "We have active loyalty programs for wholesale investors. Now this category of buyers is gradually returning to the market, and we individually adapt the conditions to their needs. This may include discounts when purchasing several objects at once, individual payment schedules, the ability to combine different types of real estate (residential, commercial, auxiliary premises) within one package," the expert noted. In turn, Alliance Novobud offers separate conditions for investing in premium housing, the company's CMO Iryna Mikhaliova reported. "We have a very interesting, but limited offer for investors in the premium Montreal House project. As part of this offer, we guarantee investors 10% per annum in foreign currency and the repurchase of square meters by the developer," she said. "The return of investors is a positive signal for the market. It indicates growing confidence in primary housing as a stable asset, as well as the fact that developers who have maintained their reputation and construction pace are once again becoming partners for long-term investments," City One Development summarized. Tuesday will see the release of results from Bunzl , whose diversified distribution model often gives clues about broader supply chain trends, as well as Ashtead and Prudential , while macro calendar highlights will be the Office for National Statistics' travel trends and tourism update, which could prove useful for long-term sectoral analysis, especially for firms like IHG , TUI or SSP . Barclays' Simon Atkinson said: "According to the Office of National Statistics, air passenger arrivals to the UK fell from 6.8m in February 2020 to 112,300 in April 2020. That's a fall of 98.3% in a few short weeks. 2020 would go on to be the worst year on record for global tourism, with international arrivals dropping by 74%, and, according to data from the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, a loss of $1.3trn in expected revenues, which is more than 11 times the loss recorded during the 2009 global economic crisis. "But the industry rebounded. There have been many changes to our lives after COVID-19 that will never be reversed, but our love of travel prevailed. Demand from 2020, 2021 and 2022 was simply pent-up, and 2023 and 2024 both proved to be record years for the industry. All of this leads to 2025, where we find an industry planning for a prosperous future." In the US, July durable goods orders, June's housing price index, August consumer confidence figures, and the Richmond Federal Reserve's August manufacturing index were all on deck for Tuesday, while corporate earnings were slim, with traders looking ahead to AI darling Nvidia's quarterly earnings update on Wednesday. Plus500's Muhammad Alamer said: "Analysts expect Nvidia to achieve Q2 revenue of $45.9bn representing a 53% increase from the previous year, along with $1.00 per share earnings that represent a 47% rise from last year. The market interest in forward guidance remains high because analysts predict Q3 revenue to reach approximately $52bn. "Blackwell architecture drives Nvidia's main growth trajectory. The Blackwell Ultra GB300 GPU performs AI inference operations at 50 times faster speeds than the H100, and analysts project Blackwell revenue for Q2 2026 to reach $20.4bn. The demand from hyperscalers offers many opportunities for companies and investors across the value chain." Tuesday, 26 August INTERIMS Bunzl, Prudential, Ashtead Technology QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE Assura, Castings, Celebrus QUARTERLY EX-DIVIDEND DATE Segro, National Grid, Phoenix Group FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE Oxford Instruments, Elixirr International, Invesco Bond Income Plus, M Winkworth UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Office for National Statistics' Travel Trends: 2024 at 0930 BST INTERNATIONAL EARNINGS Williams-Sonoma, Urban Outfitters, Geberit, ASR, Mowi INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS Reserve Bank of Australia August meeting minutes at 0230 BST US July durable goods orders at 1330 BST S&P/Case-Shiller June home price index at 1400 BST Conference Board August consumer confidence figures at 1500 BST Richmond Federal Reserve August manufacturing index at 1500 BST A member of parliament, leader of the European Solidarity party, the fifth President of Ukraine (2014-2019) Petro Poroshenko met with Keith Kellogg, Special Representative of the President of the United States for Ukraine, who is currently in Kyiv. I am glad to meet with Keith Kellogg, US Special Representative for Ukraine. No one wants peace more than we do in Ukraine. However, not under any conditions. Your mission is very difficult, but also extremely important. At stake are peace, security and stability not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe and the world," Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook page. During the conversation, the parties discussed ways to achieve peace, security guarantees and the role of the international community in deterring Russian aggression. The meeting took place against the backdrop of intensified diplomatic contacts between Ukraine and the United States, particularly in the context of new initiatives to end the war and strengthen defence cooperation. India hires Mercury Public Affairs, a US lobbying firm with Trump connections, ahead of 50% export tariffs. The firm will handle lobbying, media, and digital strategy, supported by a team including Indian-American Senator Kevin Thomas. Tariff hike includes extra duties on Russian crude oil, which India defends as a strategic energy decision. In a strategic move ahead of the US imposing steep tariffs, the Indian Embassy in Washington DC has hired a second lobbying firm to handle federal lobbying, media relations, social media strategy, digital audits, and advertising. The development comes just days before the US doubles tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent. According to a report by the Times of India, the Embassy signed a three-month contract with Mercury Public Affairs, paying $75,000 per month, starting August 15. Mercury Public Affairs will represent Indias interests in the US, leveraging its strong political connections. The team representing India includes Mercury partners David Vitter, a former Republican Senator from Louisiana, and Bryan Lanza, who was communications director for the 2020 Trump transition team. Supporting them is a four-member team that includes Kevin Thomas, the first Indian-American elected to the New York State Senate. Trumps Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who was a registered lobbyist at the firm until November 2024. Lanza has previously served as Deputy Communications Director for the Trump-Pence 2016 Presidential Campaign and also worked as a consultant for J.D. Vances Senate campaign. Mercury also maintains links withSusie Wiles, who was a registered lobbyist at the firm until November 2024. Lanza has previously served as Deputy Communications Director for the Trump-Pence 2016 Presidential Campaign and also worked as a consultant for J.D. Vances Senate campaign. Mercury Public Affairs has previously represented Chinese companies that were under scrutiny by the US government. In 2018, it lobbied for Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., which faced US concerns over its surveillance projects in Xinjiang, and has also represented the sanctioned Chinese telecom company ZTE Corp. It is common for foreign governments to hire multiple lobbying firms, sometimes as many as six, as different firms handle different roles. Indias latest move follows criticism that New Delhi was lagging behind Pakistan, which hired a firm led by former Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller to strengthen its US influence. Earlier this year, India hired Jason Millers SHW Partners LLC, another firm with Trump connections, on a year-long contract costing $1.8 million at $150,000 per month. Also Read: Trump Taps Sergio Gor as US Ambassador to India The timing of the hiring is linked to President Trumps decision to increase tariffs on Indian goods, including an additional 25 per cent duty on Indias purchase of Russian crude oil, effective August 27. India has defended its Russian oil imports, stating that its energy procurement decisions are based on national interest and market conditions, as many Western countries avoided Russian oil following sanctions after Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. With the new lobbying support, India aims to better navigate the US policy landscape and reduce the impact of the tariff hike on its exports. Wynonna Judd and coach Reba McEntire on "The Voice" on NBC on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023. Judd is facing some disturbing claims from her daughter. Greg Gayne/NBC Grace Kelley, the daughter of country music legend Wynonna Judd, was in the headlines plenty last year, and none of it was good. She was arrested three times, and things were not rough for her. But now the 29-year-old is speaking out about her issues, and what she has to say is disturbing to say the least, and it doesnt shine a good light on the country music legend. Kelley told The Daily Progress that her stepfather, D.R. Roach, sexually abused her when she was 10 years old, and that Wynonna failed to protect her. Judd divorced Roach in September 2007, according to Taste of Country, after he was arrested on charges of sexually battery of a minor, but Kelley claims the truth had already come out during family counseling. I dont want to talk bad about my mom, but well just say shes a good performer, Kelley said. She was never a mother. According to Taste of Country, Roach eventually pleaded guilty to criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery and is still listed on Tennessees sex offender registry. The good news coming from Kelley is that she said she is sober now, has embraced religion, and is living in Virginia where she is rebuilding her life. Judd meanwhile is raising Kelleys 3-year-old daughter. Taste of Country noted that Judd told Oprah in 2010 that she went into mama bear mode when the accusations against her ex-husband emerged. Kelleys third arrest of 2024 came back on Oct. 27 in Albemarle County, Virginia. PEOPLE Magazine reported that Kelley was facing seven charges, including three counts of felony grand larceny for that incident. The site said she was also charged with driving without a license, destruction of property with intent, failure to use headlights and setting in motion a vehicle with intent to commit a crime. Kelley was accused of stealing a Charlottesville area churchs van. A GoFundMe launched by the church to help pay for a new van said that the vehicle was stolen from in front of our pastors homes by Grace Pauline Kelley. Kent Hart, the churchs pastor, reportedly chased Kelley down when she was pulling out of his driveway in the van. Kelley also had some disturbing run-ins with the law earlier in 2024. She was arrested in Georgia in August and charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving with a suspended/revoked license and not using motorcycle equipment properly, per PEOPLE. She was also reportedly arrested in Alabama in April and she was accused of exposing her breasts and lower body along a busy highway there. On Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, a group of Florida Highway Patrol and Orlando Police Department vehicles gathered to watch demonstrators paint back the rainbow crosswalk next to Pulse that was removed last week by the state. Advocates and supporters of the rainbow crosswalk said it was an intimidation tactic. (Natalia Jaramillo/Orlando Sentinel/TNS) TNS By Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel A Florida Department of Transportation crew early Sunday painted the Pulse crosswalk back to black and white for a second time as supporters continued to try to restore the rainbow-colored crossing. Now, police agencies are monitoring the site. Spectrum News 13, the Orlando Sentinels news partner, reported that the DOT repainted the crosswalk on Esther Street at South Orange Avenue after colored paint was used on the crossing on Saturday. Previously, supporters had been using chalk to draw back the rainbow colors, but rain washed that away. A squad of Florida Highway Patrol and Orlando Police Department officers surveilled the dozen people who were using chalk on the rainbow crosswalk on Sunday. Advocates said it was an intimidation tactic. Last week saw hundreds gather to repaint the rainbow crosswalk in chalk after state transportation officials removed it in the middle of the night without warning. The crosswalk was part of the states most significant sites for the LGBTQ community after the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49. Despite pointed rhetoric about political rainbow crosswalks from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Gov. Ron DeSantis, as well as a state ban on rainbow lights on bridges earlier this year, the Florida Department of Transportation said it was purely procedural. Demonstrators began around 9 a.m. Sunday, through sprinkles of rain that washed away the chalk, to color the crosswalk and cover the sidewalk in drawings and phrases like FHP go away. By Sunday afternoon roughly four FHP trooper vehicles and three OPD cars were parked at the Dunkin Donuts next to the crosswalk. OPD told the group they could not impede traffic or they would risk arrest. Despite the threat, the group continued to use chalk on the crosswalk while FHP and OPD vehicles drove in and out keeping watch. Its silly, said State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who was at the crosswalk in support. The amount of money and time being spent by the state on a crosswalk when theres so many better uses for it to fix potholes for example. Eskamani said she wasnt intimidated and argued the state was making it political. She has received dozens of boxes of chalk in the mail from around the world in support and people on vacation from other states have stopped by to help, she said. Youre creating controversy over a sidewalk, Eskamani said. No one cared about it before you made it a deal. For 34-year-old Robby Dodd this was personal. Dodd lost many friends during the 2016 shooting at Pulse. On Sunday he was at the site around 9 a.m. with a $25 box of 160 rainbow colored chalk from Amazon. He said FHP and OPDs presence is ridiculous. It feels weird because there could be anything else they could be doing right now other than watching us color, Dodd said. I mean its chalk, itll wash away and we understand that too but meanwhile taxpayer dollars are putting state troopers and OPD out here. Dodd said he will keep coming back to repaint the crosswalk for the memory of his friends. This was kind of our second home in a way, Dodd said Theres no reason to take that crosswalk away, it was part of the memorial, other than political reasons. Orlando isnt the only target in the state. On Friday the state ordered Fort Lauderdale to remove the section of a street near the beach painted in the colors of the LGBTQ+ progress pride flag, a location near what is widely known as the unofficial LGBTQ+ section of Fort Lauderdale beach. Eskamani said the community will fight back and she hopes local leaders and local businesses will too. I want to see our local governments fight back, Eskamani said. I think that theres plenty of opportunities to challenge some of these actions coming out of the state in court. Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, 42, and her husband Marcel Rosa, 38. Jimenez Rosa was detained at Boston Logan by federal agents on Aug. 11 and held for 10 days. (Marcel Rosa) Marcel Rosa watched helplessly as federal agents led his wife, Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, away at Boston Logan International Airport on Aug. 11. Their three young daughters clung to him in tears, fear and confusion. What should have been the end of a joyful vacation to Mexico for the Canton family, with over 30 relatives, had turned into a nightmare. Jimenez Rosa, a legal permanent resident and mother of four U.S. citizens, was detained over what her lawyer believes was a decades-old, personal-use marijuana charge an offense that was pardoned by Gov. Maura Healey in 2024 and is no longer a crime in Massachusetts. I was just like, Girls, we might never see your mother again in this country, Marcel Rosa, 38, said on Friday. I looked over to the officer and said, Am I telling the truth? And he said, Yeah, that could be possible. I told my kids right in front of the officer that shes being arrested, and the girls just started crying, hugging her, he said. I know most parents would not have told that to their kids, but there was no way I was going to allow those officers to think theyre just going to rip my wife away from my family, thinking its going to be business as usual. Neither U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement nor the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts, federal agencies involved in Jimenez Rosas detainment, would respond to inquiries from MassLive, several inquiries from the familys lawyer, Todd Pomerleau, and Boston 25. Federal authorities never directly said why Jimenez Rosa was detained. An email to her lawyer from the U.S. Attorneys Office hinted at the reason shortly before her release on Aug. 20. During the 10 days after Jimenez Rosa was detained, the family would be thrust into a bureaucratic maze as the 42-year-old mother was shuttled between detention facilities including one for men only from Massachusetts to Maine. She was denied proper health care for her diabetes, asthma and other serious health issues, which led to two hospitalizations, her lawyer said. All the while, her husband a former Department of Homeland Security employee who grew up in Boston struggled to locate her and secure her release through court intervention. Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, 42, who was detained at Boston Logan by federal agents on Aug. 11 and held for 10 days. (Marcel Rosa) Jemmys detention was brutal and capricious and never should have happened, said state Sen. Paul Feeney, D-Bristol/Norfolk, who was on hand in Burlington when Jimenez Rosa was reunited with her family Wednesday. [She was] needlessly, unjustly and cruelly taken from her family and deprived of basic rights in the most un-American way possible, he said. Jimenez Rosas time in custody ended with her alone, wet and begging for help at The Cheesecake Factory in the Burlington Mall, after ICE agents released her into the rainy street outside the detention facility Wednesday night. She was 30 miles from home, with no phone and a broken spirit. The family fears that their nightmare will never truly end. I know shes not, I know shes not okay ... I dont think shell ever be the same, to be honest. I really dont, Marcel Rosa said. In the Boston Logan backrooms Jimenez Rosa, her husband and their three girls all under 10 landed in Boston from Mexico at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11, and like all international travelers, went through customs. But when they handed their passports and Jimenez Rosas Green Card with her permanent resident status, which wasnt set to expire until 2035, the agent told her to go to a room downstairs at the airport for additional questions. This is when federal agents made a vague reference to her arrest on marijuana possession charges from when she was in college, 22 years ago, Pomerleau and Marcel Rosa said but never stated the specific charges. There was an officer sitting at the opposite end of the room where I was seated, and he said to my wife, Tell me about your arrest, Marcel Rosa recalled. She was confused, like, What arrest? I dont know what youre talking about. Five seconds later, in my head, I was like, Hes probably talking about the arrest over two-plus decades ago, he said. But the agent never directly told them or their lawyer the charges they were referring to while she was detained. The agent simply told the couple he was doing an investigation into Jimenez Rosa, Marcel Rosa said. In 2003, when Jimenez Rosa was a 20-year-old college student, she was arrested for possession of a small amount of marijuana, Pomerleau said, to which she pleaded guilty at the time and fully served probation for. It was the only criminal charge one thats no longer a crime under Massachusetts law that Jimenez Rosa has faced in her life since coming to the United States at 9 years old, Pomerleau said. Her records were sealed over a decade ago, Pomerleau added, and he noted that based on police reports, there was never any amount of marijuana listed blaming Jimenez Rosas defense attorney for allowing her to plead guilty 22 years ago to something that apparently wasnt even a provable crime. Her records were sealed for 12 years. They [federal officers] would have had no access to these records unless somebody illegally handed them over ... They never once asked for records from me about the case, and I had to guess that it might have been a marijuana charge because I was left in the dark for a week, Pomerleau said. The CBP agent then took Jimenez Rosa into another room for more questions before the family said their tearful goodbyes. Marcel Rosa told the agents about his wifes diagnosed serious health concerns when she was taken into custody, including her diabetes, asthma, depression, anxiety and several other conditions, and asked how she would be medically taken care of. An agent told him, If you have her medicine, you can leave it here with her, Marcel Rosa recalled. I told them I dont have all of her medicine with her wed just got back from vacation and at that point, they pretty much just stopped answering questions." Within two hours of her detainment, Jimenez Rosa was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital for a medical emergency related to her health conditions. She was able to tell her husband where she was because a nurse let her borrow their phone, and neither had any idea shed be transferred back to Boston Logan at 2 a.m. or that it would be the last time theyd speak for days. Held at the airport Marcel Rosa barely slept and didnt put his phone down for the next 10 days. He quickly got in contact with Pomerleau, who put about a dozen staff members on Jimenez Rosas case and filed a habeas corpus petition for her release on Aug. 12. A judge ordered that she not leave Massachusetts while the case was pending. Marcel Rosa said he called CBP every day of his wifes detainment and on Aug. 13, he spoke with the supervisor who was present when she was taken into custody. That supervisor started off the conversation by telling me he could neither confirm nor deny whether she was there, or if she was transferred into another facility, Rosa recalled. When Rosa asked why, the agent cited privacy laws. I said, Thats my wife. Theres nothing private. Im the person thats going to sign everything in her behalf, and do everything, Rosa said. Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, 42, and her husband Marcel Rosa, 38. Jimenez Rosa was detained at Boston Logan by federal agents on Aug. 11 and held for 10 days. (Marcel Rosa) When Rosa asked about his wifes medical care, the agent cited HIPAA laws as a barrier to knowing her health issues. Taken aback, Rosa pointed out that doctors can share medical information with law enforcement when a patient is in custody, which is specifically outlined in HIPAA. He said a very disgusting joke after that, Rosa recalled. He said, Well notify next of kin if she dies. And at that moment, I knew that I was no longer dealing with humans. I knew I was dealing with someone that is sick in the head, and this was the person who made the decision to incarcerate her, Rosa said. Three of Pomerleaus lawyers on staff went to the airport on Aug. 14, demanding Jimenez Rosas immediate release. CBP claimed she was still in inspection and had no right to counsel, Pomerleau said. The agents refused to let the lawyers see her and forced them to turn off video recording of their interaction. Pomerleau and his team also began to plan to overturn her marijuana conviction which Pomerleau had only guessed at being the reason behind his clients detainment, he said, since federal agents refused to communicate with him on the case. Detained in Maine Around Aug. 15, Jimenez Rosa was transferred from Boston Logan to an ICE facility in Burlington, Massachusetts, where she had her first shower in nearly five days after flying in from Mexico, being detained and getting treatment at the hospital. According to her husband, the shower was at an all-male facility. Pomerleau said there are no facilities in Massachusetts that house female detainees. Afterward, on Aug. 15, Jimenez Rosa was brought to the Cumberland County Jail in Maine, where she was finally able to call her husband and lawyer, traumatized, Pomerleau said. That was when Jimenez Rosa first realized she even had a lawyer, he added. She said rats were running in the walls all night long during her detainment, Marcel Rosa said. There was a water leak in her ceiling and she got little sleep because of the continuous clanging of metal gates as people were brought through the facility. On Monday, Pomerleau was able to get a judge to vacate Jimenez Rosas past marijuana conviction in a Roxbury courtroom, and he filed a motion for her release on Wednesday. Thank God I guessed right, he said. After the motion was filed ... they cowered, and the ICE lawyer said something to the effect by email, Theyre going to let her out now, because clearly the marijuana charge isnt around anymore. Its like, well, thank you for letting us know in writing that was the basis for her detention, which we still have never seen, Pomerleau said. Pomerleau and her family would later discover she had been hospitalized a second time while in custody, her blood pressure at 198. Jimenez Rosa was handcuffed to the bed and this time, told she couldnt make any calls. Alone at the Cheesecake Factory Even at the end of her detainment, it was not easy to find Jimenez Rosa. Around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, after her conviction had been vacated, Pomerleau called Cumberland County Jail and was told Jimenez Rosa had left 15 minutes earlier, but they wouldnt say where she went. After failing to reach ICE, he called the jail again, where staff eventually said two men had picked her up and they assumed she was en route to the ICE facility in Burlington, Massachusetts, to be released. It was raining when Marcel Rosa picked up their three children before leaving with Pomerleau to find their wife and mother. Then, the phone rang. It was Jimenez Rosa. She was at the Burlington ICE facility before any of us were there. She said, Theyre going to kick me out, or theyre going to keep me in the jail cell till you guys get here, because theyre closing soon, Pomerleau said. When they finally got to the facility at 1000 District Ave., Jimenez Rosa was nowhere to be found. Then, she called because a stranger at The Cheesecake Factory, in the Burlington Mall, lent her their phone because she was so distraught, Pomerleau said. Without a way to contact her family, the mother had made her way to the mall about a half mile away seeking help. She couldnt even stand up when Pomerleaus lawyers finally got to her in the restaurant, and her spirit was destroyed, her husband and Pomerleau said. She was completely disheveled ... She reminded me of asylum seekers who have been absolutely victimized. She was constantly breaking down in tears. She was trembling. All she did was just hold on to her kids and hold on to her husband, and she just sat there and cried for 45 straight minutes. She couldnt even function, Pomerleau said. Back in Canton Since she returned home in Canton, Jimenez Rosa has been crying throughout the day and shes not herself, Marcel Rosa said Friday. The family is making appointments with a psychiatrist and for a full hospital workup, he said. A GoFundMe has also been established to offset the legal expenses the ordeal has cost the family. Its raised over $14,000 as of Friday, with a $16,000 goal. Jemmy Jimenez Rosa, 42, who was detained at Boston Logan by federal agents on Aug. 11 and held for 10 days. (Marcel Rosa) Marcel Rosa warns other families of the same fate. If anyone is on a Green Card, you need to talk to an attorney before you travel ... but based off my experience, I dont think you should be traveling. Youre better off taking that loss than getting arrested and being in the same situation that my wife went through, Marcel Rosa said. Locking up a legally present Massachusetts mom, who has been here legally since she was 9 years old, and taking her away from her husband and young kids, one of whom was celebrating a birthday, does not make our community safer, state Sen. Feeney said in a statement to MassLive. It only serves to instill fear and undermine the rule of law, which seems to be the goal of the president as he regularly forsakes commonsense and common decency to score political points, Feeney said. And while Pomerleau said the federal habeas corpus case he filed seems to be in limbo, given the lack of response from the government, were not stopping till we get justice for Jemmy, he said. Despite his clients release, Pomerleau said he will continue the fight. It is a big deal when law enforcement violates the law under the guise of enforcing it ... but I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States as an attorney. The rule of law needs to be respected, he said. If it can happen to a non-citizen, Green Card holder whos been following nearly every rule her whole life, paying taxes, it can happen to you. It can happen to anybody, and we are taking a stand, Pomerleau said. Comedian Reggie Carroll died at the age of 52 after being shot in Mississippi. A stand-up comedian known for touring nationwide has been shot and killed. Reggie Carroll died in Southhaven, Miss. after suffering gunshot wounds Wednesday, police confirmed in a statement. He was 52. Authorities responded to reports of a shooting in the area of Burton Lane. Upon arrival, officers found Carroll had suffered gunshot wounds and attempted to provide life-saving techniques but the comedian ultimately succumbed to his injuries. A motive for the shooting has yet to be revealed although a suspect has been taken into custody and an investigation is being conducted, according to a statement from the Southhaven Police Department. One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll, the statement read. Our thoughts out with the family of Mr. Carroll. Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding. Carroll, a Baltimore, Md. native, had a following of more than 160,000 on Instagram and toured the country alongside acts like MoNique. The Oscar-winning comedy queen and fellow Maryland native referred to Carroll as her brother in comedy. This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if youll get a chance to see them again, and the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together, MoNique said in a since-expired Instagram Story. Thats what it was, an amazing time, being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing. More entertainment news: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips. By Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Two men impersonating police officers were shot and killed while exchanging gunfire with homeowners, Texas police say. The fake cops showed up to the door of a home on Houstons southeast side at about 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, the police department told KTRK. They were in body armor and had badges around their necks, but were wearing ski masks to cover their faces and they said they were serving a warrant, police told the station. The homeowners could see the men through a doorbell camera, police said, and didnt trust them, KPRC reported. Its just two people, and theyre masked up, and no police cars, no lights or anything like that. So, they immediately became suspicious, police told the outlet. The homeowners wouldnt let them in, police say, and the men started shooting through the door, KHOU reported. The homeowners fired back, killing them both, according to police. Nobody else was hurt, police told the station. Investigators havent publicly identified the men, but said they are believed to be in their 20s, the station reported. The panelists for the Aug. 27, 2025 Advance/SILive.com Conversation with Community Giants are: (l-r): Kristine Delgado, Jeffrey Farkas, M.D. and Allan Perel, M.D. Courtesy RUMC STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee of the Advance/SILive.com will host its ninth panel discussion, titled Conversation with Community Giants: Bridging Critical Stroke Care Disparities, with medical experts from Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC). The event, scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., which will be streamed via the Advance/SILive.com Facebook platform, will bring together leading medical experts to discuss the importance of equitable stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery support for all Staten Island residents. Featured panelists are: Kristine Delgado , Director of Rehabilitation and a seasoned speech-language pathologist Dr. Jeffrey Farkas , Director of Thrombectomy and a nationally recognized interventional neuroradiologist Dr. Allan Perel, Director of Neurology at RUMC Stroke continues to disproportionately affect historically underserved communitiesparticularly Black and Latino populations, according to the American Heart Association. The Community Giants panel will emphasize that every Staten Islander, regardless of background, deserves timely, high-quality care, available at Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC), the designated stroke center by the New York State Department of Health. RUMC is also the designated Advanced Primary Stroke Center by the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, and The Joint Commission. Caroline Harrison, CEO of Advance Local and publisher of the Staten Island Advance; Brian Laline, Staten Island Advance executive editor; Gail Lubin, senior content director; Gerardine Mobley, Advance Local VP of DEI; and newsroom staff are scheduled to attend the conference in person. The panel discussion will take place at Advance/SILive.com headquarters in Bloomfield and will be co-moderated by social media reporter Shane DiMaio and columnist Dr. Gracelyn Santos. The hour-long event is not just a discussion its a call to action for inclusive storytelling, equitable resource allocation, and transformative change. Together, they will explore how applying DEI principles to stroke carethrough culturally competent practices, targeted community outreach, and inclusive program developmentcan help close persistent gaps in access and outcomes. The Advance/SILive.com DEI Committee hopes the conversation will inspire meaningful change by encouraging stronger representation, deeper community engagement, and collaborative efforts to address the needs of underrepresented groups. The event follows on the success of the DEI committees past discussions:Conversation with Community Giants: Celebrating Black History(March 2024); Womens Heart Health,(May 2024); Celebrating Pride(July 2024); Celebrating Women in Leadership(Sept. 2024); Building Strong Foundations and Inclusive Boards,(Oct. 2024); Women, Work and Wealth (Jan. 2025); Celebrating Diverse Abilities (March 26); and Breaking the Silence of Staten Island Food Insecurity (June 2025). ABOUT THE PANELISTS Kristine Delgado Kristine Delgado brings nearly two decades of clinical and leadership experience in healthcare. She was appointed Administrative Director of Rehabilitation in 2019 and now serves as the Assistant Vice President of Network Operations & Business Development. Kristine has been instrumental in developing high-impact, patient-centered programs, including Pediatric Rehabilitation, NICU Graduate, Head and Neck Oncology, and Neuro Rehabilitation services. She also collaborated with medical teams to implement RUMCs first use of in-line speaking valves for ventilator-dependent patients and established the hospitals Newborn Hearing Screening Program. She helped launch the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program, the only one of its kind on Staten Islands North Shore. Delgado holds both a Masters and Bachelors in Speech Pathology from St. Johns University. In her current role, she focuses on driving strategic growth, expanding access to care, and enhancing service coordination across the health network. Dr. Jeffrey Farkas Dr. Jeffrey Farkas is a highly experienced interventional neuroradiologist with over 30 years in the field. A graduate of SUNY Downstate, he completed his radiology residency at Albert Einstein/Montefiore and advanced training in neuroradiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Farkas pioneered New Jerseys first academic interventional neuroradiology program, introducing catheter-based treatments for ischemic stroke and carotid disease. Exterior photos of Richmond University Medical Center, including the new Emergency Department. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel) In 2004, Dr. Farkas established neurointerventional services at Maimonides and Lutheran Medical Centers, transforming Lutheran into one of New Yorks first comprehensive stroke centers. Recognizing the potential of mechanical thrombectomy, Dr. Farkas founded Interventional Neuro Associates in 2011, expanding access to advanced stroke care across regions. He has become a leader in stroke and aneurysm treatments, partnering with hospitals to create specialized stroke centers. An active researcher, international lecturer, and mentor, Dr. Farkas also advises medical device manufacturers. His patient-centered approach focuses on minimally invasive procedures to reduce recovery times. Dr. Allan Perel Dr. Allan B. Perel is a neurologist with over 24 years of clinical experience, currently serving as the Director of the Department of Neurology at Richmond University Medical Center on Staten Island. He is also the medical director of both the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center and the American Parkinsons Disease Information and Referral Center for Brooklyn and Staten Island. Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton. (Courtesy RUMC) Courtesy RUMC Dr. Perel completed his neurology training at the Columbia Presbyterian Neurological Institute and has since been at the forefront of neurological care in the region. He is the founder and president of Alpha Neurology, P.C., a private neurology group, where he leads a team of five neurologists. An active figure in the field, Dr. Perel is the immediate past president of the New York State Neurological Society and has held several leadership positions in various professional organizations. His clinical expertise and leadership in multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease have earned him recognition as a leading physician in neurology. Dr. Perel is committed to advancing neurological care and improving patient outcomes through innovative treatment strategies and collaborative efforts in both clinical and academic settings. Alvo Lo Castro, a world-renowned chef who once served Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, is reportedly blessing New Yorkers with his new Italian restaurant in downtown Manhattan. The 52-year-old chef has been more than a bit busy since opening his first full-service restaurant a month ago. His menu features personal touches, including his mothers meatball recipe and signature fettuccine dishes. The name is a very big deal for my guests. Casasalvo, this is my house, and every day I live here 18 hours a day, Lo Castro told PIX11. During his time at the Vatican, Lo Castro prepared daily meals for about two dozen people, including the pontiffs, each with their own specific preferences. At the same time, Lo Castro has also whipped up meals for world leaders including Muammar Gaddafi and the Saudi royal family and celebrities the likes of Tom Cruise and Robert De Niro. Regardless of whether youre a world leader or an Oscar winner, though, anyone who pulls up a seat at his table is treated like royalty, he told the New York Post. Every man I cook for is a king, and every woman I cook for is a queen, he said. In addition to Casasalvo, Lo Castro manages three Manhattan espresso bars, often beginning his day around 5 a.m. whipping around the city on his Vespa. His Upper West Side location alone serves 1,500 customers daily, he calculated. New York is the capital of the world, he said. It makes me want to work every day seriously for my guests, company and city. Roy Dust (left) president of the NY Crossbow Coalition, shows Marley Petrone (right), of Syracuse, how to shoot a crossbow at the annual Women in Nature event. Steve Featherstone | sfeatherstone@syracuse.com Crossbow hunters, mark your calendars for Sept. 4, 2025. Senate bill S6360, which would permit the use of crossbows for taking big game in any area longbows and compound bows are allowed, was delivered to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday, Aug. 22. The clock is now ticking. Hochul has ten days (not including Sundays) to sign or veto the bill. If she doesnt act by Sept. 4, the bill automatically becomes law. And if that happens, hunters will be able to use crossbows during the traditional big game bow season, which opens Sept. 27 in the Northern Zone, and Oct. 1 in the Southern Zone. Roy Dust, president of the New York Crossbow Coalition, said hes confident Hochul will sign the bill into law, citing the unanimous support it received in the Assemblys Environmental Conservation Committee. That was traditionally our problem child, he said, referring to past failed attempts to pass a crossbow bill. Dust has been overwhelmed with questions from hunters since the bill passed the Assembly on June 17, chief among them: when will Hochul sign the bill? I can see why its happening right now, prior to the archery season opening, Dust said. It makes political sense. Unfortunately, I learned too much about politics through all this. Hunters hoping to hunt with crossbows this fall should act now to get their Bow Hunter Education Certificate and Archery Privilege. NY State hunting licenses went on sale earlier this month. Heres a summary of the crossbow bill from NYCC: Allows crossbows to be used anywhere longbows are permitted Requires archery privilege to hunt with a crossbow Crossbow usage will be taught in a bow hunter safety course Removes maximum draw weight and width restrictions Adds 500 feet discharge setback for Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com. Christopher Jones is among less than 1% of all Boy Scouts to achieve all merit badges that were available upon joining the organization. Photo courtesy of Christopher Jones' family An 18-year-old Boy Scout from Middlesex County, N.J., has never encountered a merit badge he didnt want. Christopher A. Jones Jr. of Monroe recently completed a six-year quest to secure all 139 merit badges offered by the Boy Scouts of America, according to his family. It takes 21 merit badges, earned by completing a set of tasks in a subject area, to become an Eagle Scout, the highest attainable rank in scouting. Jones did that nearly seven times over. He went on a five-day camping trip in Utah, learned how to play the bugle, built four benches for a local park and volunteered at food shelters, among other accomplishments. His pursuit of merit badges took him to Yellowstone and Yosemite national parks. Backpacking really opened my eyes to a whole new world of adventures, Jones told NJ Advance Media. He is a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 3 of Middlesex District. Jones falls within perhaps the most elite category of Boy Scouts. Less than 1% percent attain all merit badges that were available to them upon signing up for the organization, said Scott Armstrong, director of Scouting America. The total number of merit badges has fluctuated over the decades, with some subjects being phased out or added. This Eagle Scout with my 27 merit badges is humbled, Armstrong said when informed of Jones accomplishment. Jones joined the Boy Scouts in the 6th grade and persisted through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, which began the following year. His family members, including his father, Chris Jones, were cheering him on all the way. He had a vision to get all merit badges. He finished it, his father said. Christopher Jones secured his 139th and final badge as a high school senior just a few weeks before his 18th birthday in June, which was the deadline. Jones graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Edison. He said that the backpacking merit badge, which involved several multi-day trips, was the most challenging. Others, such as scuba diving, introduced him to skills that he said he will continue to use outside of scouting. Theres just so many different merit badges, he said. He said the scholarship merit badge was the easiest, as it focused primarily on writing an essay and getting a supportive letter from his schools principal. Finding the time to complete all 139 required attention to organizing. I made a plan for each one, he said. Jones said he still found time for other activities, including working as a lifeguard at the Old Bridge Family YMCA. He will be attending Fordham University as a pre-med student this fall. Over the past 24 hours, one person has died and nine others have been injured in Russian attacks in the Sumy region, Sumy Regional Military Administration head Oleh Hryhorov has said on Telegram. According to him, "At night, a person was killed and two others were injured as a result of a drone attack on a civilian car in the Novoslobodsk community. They are being provided with assistance and evacuated to a safe place." Also, according to Hryhorov, Russian drones attacked the residential sector of the Sumy community, damaging dozens of private and apartment buildings, as well as other civilian infrastructure. "Seven more victims are residents of the Sumy community: five from the Pishchansky district and two residents of the regional center. Most received assistance on the spot, three are in the hospital. Their condition is not serious, doctors are conducting an examination and providing the necessary assistance," the message states. A high pressure system bringing clean air, sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s will create what AccuWeather describes as ideal conditions for all outdoor holiday activities across the city. This sunrise photo was taken on Friday Aug. 22, 2025. Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New Yorkers planning Labor Day weekend activities can expect comfortable temperatures and low humidity, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities following a summer of intense heat, according to AccuWeather. The weekend forecast shows a dramatic improvement after some potential rainfall on Friday. Theres a possibility of a few showers on Friday, potentially extending into Friday night, explained Tom Kines, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. This is associated with a cold front moving east, followed by a large area of high pressure from Canada. This high-pressure system is expected to transform the citys weather for the three-day weekend. High pressure is usually associated with some very nice weather. And thatll be the case at least for most of the holiday weekend, Kines indicated. The air mass from Canada is expected to be clear of haze or smoke, as many of the fires there have been extinguished, significantly improving air quality compared to early summer. Saturday and Sunday are expected to feature abundant sunshine with temperatures slightly below seasonal averages. Saturday and Sunday should be quite a bit of sunshine. Both days afternoon temperatures, mid to upper 70s, a little cooler than what it should be at that time of year, but nothing dramatic, according to Kines. Typically, early September temperatures in New York City hover around the lower 80s, he noted. Following Friday showers, New Yorkers can expect sunshine, temperatures in the mid-70s and low humidity through Monday, with warmer conditions possible for the holiday itself. AccuWeather The combination of moderate temperatures and low humidity is anticipated to create great weather for outdoor activities. Kines described the forecast as ideal, citing temperatures in the 70s and low humidity. The positive weather outlook extends to Monday as well, with Kines predicting that the high-pressure system will remain in place. If current predictions hold, that area of high pressure, which will give us great weather on Saturday and Sunday, will hold up into Monday, he stated. There should still be a fair amount of sunshine on Monday, perhaps a little bit warmer. Temperatures ought to get up into the lower 80s. While there is potential for moisture to move in from the south later next week, forecasters believe this precipitation will likely hold off until Tuesday or Wednesday, after the Labor Day weekend comes to an end. Kines emphasized the quality of the upcoming conditions, rating the weekend fairly high on a scale of one to 10. On a scale of one to 10, you got to figure its going to be an eight or a nine this weekend coming up, Kines said. The days ought to be comfortable. The nights will be good for sleeping. It looks like ideal weather coming up for any outdoor activities. The favorable weather is particularly welcome news for residents of Staten Island, known for its parks and outdoor spaces. The forecast represents a welcomed change from earlier summer conditions. All that heat and humidity that we dealt with earlier in the summer, we wont have to deal with that anytime soon and especially over the upcoming weekend, Kines assured. If youre one of those going to the beaches, you might want a little bit warmer than that. The ABCs defence correspondent Andrew Greene has resigned, ending a 10-week stand-off between him and the public broadcaster after allegations he had accepted a paid work trip to Germany and failed to disclose it. Greene reported for the ABCs The World Today about German shipyards and manufacturer ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems earlier this year, before Media Watch revealed the journalist had travelled as a guest of the company, at the time telling his bosses he was on annual leave. His story did not say he was a paid guest of the German company. Andrew Greene has resigned from his role as defence correspondent for the ABC. Credit: ABC After spending more than two months on leave while the ABC investigated the allegations and deliberated over its decision, he resigned on Monday. At the time of his trip, ThyssenKrupp Marine was competing against the Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to win a major contract to build the next fleet of Australian warships. New York: A posthumous and unsparing memoir by one of Jeffrey Epsteins most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, will be published on October 21, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf announced on Sunday (Monday AEST). Giuffre, who died by suicide in April aged 41, had been working on Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice with American author-journalist Amy Wallace. She had completed the manuscript for the 400-page book, according to the publisher. Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre), pictured here in 2001 with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, died in April. Her memoir is slated for an October release. Credit: The publishers statement includes an email from Giuffre to Wallace a few weeks before her death, saying that it was her heartfelt wish the memoir be released regardless of her circumstances. The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders, the email reads. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outJust open First look: Hatted North Melbourne restaurant opens a casual bar for pop-in visits Manzes second venue is right across the street, and its built for spontaneity. Expect a snacky menu including the signature taro fritters plus rotisserie chicken sandwiches for weekday lunches. Tomas Telegramma August 26, 2025 Save 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 September 2025 hit list. See all stories . When Manze opened in North Melbourne in 2021, it was billed as a Mauritian wine bar, probably the citys first. But in the four years since as the cooking sharpened, the menu swelled and its Good Food chefs hat stayed put Manze settled into being more of a restaurant. On Thursday, the team will open a sibling venue thats the kind of neighbourhood bar Manze might have become, had it not found so much success for its idiosyncratic food. In the building directly across Errol Street from Manze, its fittingly named Boire (pronounced bwah), which is drink in Mauritian Creole. Manze is eat. Boire is the latest addition to a happening pocket of North Melbourne. Daisie Bindoff Boires identity is similarly Mauritian, but its more approachable and affordable than Manze. We know people want to go out ... we know North Melbournes getting busier, says co-owner Osman Faruqi. But we also know the economics of hospitality. Advertisement Manze is set menu only for bookings, meaning it can fall into the special occasion category, and the small space is often too busy to attract or accommodate walk-ins. Thats where Boire comes in: a 24-seat, no-bookings bar built for spontaneous snacking and sipping, whether pre- or post-Manze, or for locals wanting to swan in and out. A large communal table is the focal point of the room. The slender, high-ceilinged room once a cooking school is bright and airy, with a five-metre-long Victorian ash table at its centre for communal dining. Manze regulars will recognise certain design details, from the emerald tiles to cork accents. Related Article Feels like a country town: The inner-city enclave luring Melbournes best bakers and bar owners Except for one Manze must-have the taro fritter with the hot sauce du jour there will be very little menu crossover between the two venues, to keep the experiences exclusive. Advertisement Chef and co-owner Nagesh Seethiah, whose Mauritian heritage is at the heart of both venues, has written a tight, seasonally charged menu thats enough for a light dinner. To start, there are wild Mount Zero olives pickled with turmeric, garlic and chilli, just like Seethiahs mum and grandma used to make with the harvest from their olive grove. Olives pickled with turmeric, garlic and chilli. Eddie Jim Hes reprising some past Manze hits, including a funky and fresh bluefin tuna merveille (wafer-like cracker) with a house-fermented melon and chilli sauce. From Meredith Dairy, best known for its cheeses and yoghurts, Seethiah is sourcing retired dairy goat, a product seldom seen on menus. The ribs will be braised with smoked chilli powder and served with a sour, spicy persimmon chutney for dipping. Advertisement A charcoal grill will make weekday sandwiches egg or chicken more interesting. Eddie Jim It wouldnt be a Manze-adjacent venue without charcoal, says Seethiah, and hes harnessing it for lunchtime-only rotisserie-chicken sandwiches that are really big in Mauritius. An egg-salad alternative stars pickled beetroot and green-chilli mayo. Related Article Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 Review Mauritian restaurant Manze knows exactly who it is and what its trying to do More room to move means a more fleshed-out cocktail program, led by venue manager Sophie Carles. Banana and cacao Old Fashioneds are made using rhum arrange rum infused with fruits and spices, common in Mauritius and other rum-producing countries. Much of the restaurants wine collection has been pulled out of storage to line the walls at Boire. And theres slightly less mark-up on some expensive, hard-to-find bottles including natural wines from Burgundy and the Jura to encourage punters to actually drink them. Advertisement Lunch Wed-Fri (from September); dinner Tue-Sat (Thu-Sat only this week) 8 Errol Street, North Melbourne, instagram.com/boire_melbourne/ Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Advertisement Review Eating outHurstville This enormous steamed seafood platter is one of Sydneys most incredible dishes Taste of Shundes centrepiece of whole Murray cod or coral trout spread with green peppercorns and chilli, and surrounded by rows of pipis and prawns is an epic life-long memory. David Matthews August 26, 2025 Save 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 1 / 12 The slips of fish are silklike and rows of pipis and prawns add colour and texture to the steamed seafood platter. Jennifer Soo 2 / 12 Taste of Shunde owner Sam Luo. Jennifer Soo 3 / 12 Goose rainbow salad. Jennifer Soo 4 / 12 Barbecue wagyu beef with Shunde signature sauce. Jennifer Soo 5 / 12 Preparing a steamed seafood platter. Jennifer Soo 6 / 12 Stir-fried milk. Jennifer Soo 7 / 12 Taste of Shundes showcases traditional dishes from owner Sam Luos home town. Jennifer Soo 8 / 12 Preparing stir-fried milk. Jennifer Soo 9 / 12 Seafood is a speciality. Jennifer Soo 10 / 12 Taste of Shunde in Hurstville. Jennifer Soo 11 / 12 Taste of Shunde offers guests a colourful welcome. Jennifer Soo 12 / 12 In the kitchen of Taste of Shude. Jennifer Soo Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 How we score Cantonese$$$$ Hurstville has one of Sydneys largest Chinese communities, but in reality, that description falls a little short. Shoot down Forest Road and the food tells a bigger story. Cumin-spiced lamb from Shanxi. Sticky fried rice from Hong Kong. Steamed Cantonese zongzi. Sticky Taiwanese snacks. Pick just one aspect, like poultry, and the scope is wider than almost anywhere in the city. The streets barbecue shops are strung with lacquered roasted ducks, soy chickens, pear-shaped pei pa ducks or fragrant Nanjing salted duck set to be thwacked into pieces. Then theres the goose at Taste of Shunde, cleaved and shipped out on a scallop-edged porcelain platter. The crinkled skin is burnished gold with a fatty sheen, the sauce coaxed out of the cooking juices is rich, spiced and guttural. If it was a goose-off, the birds at nearby yum cha institution Golden Sands would win out for their supple flesh, the lingering sweetness in the meat. But at Taste of Shunde, the goose is just the beginning. Advertisement Taste of Shunde owner Sam Luo. Jennifer Soo Under harsh recessed lights and over intricately patterned carpet, waiters ferry out colourful bowls of precision-cut yam, asparagus and black fungus stir-fried to an elusive point between crunch and tenderness. Plates embellished with songbirds and blossoms are topped with green chillies stuffed with minced freshwater dace, fried until crisp and giving and sweet. Exponents of Chinese cooking make it a mission to expand the knowledge of the cuisine outside and inside the eight great traditions or regional styles. Peel apart Cantonese, for one, and there are entire subcategories influenced by seasonal growing patterns, a fork in the river. This is the zone where Shunde cooking lives. A district of Foshan nestled in the heart of the Pearl River Delta, Shunde has a food culture bound tightly to its agricultural traditions, as well as the classic Canto principle of enhancing each ingredients natural qualities so much so that its often called the cradle of Cantonese cuisine. Fish, rice, buffalo milk, chicken, goose and flowers are staples, with the strength of its cuisine and skill of its chefs contributing to UNESCO designating Shunde as a City of Gastronomy in 2014. Goose rainbow salad. Jennifer Soo Advertisement But many people know Shunde, if they know it at all, as Bruce Lees ancestral home. Sam Luo, Taste of Shundes owner, kung fu master and chairman of the Bruce Lee World Dragon Fans Club Australia, knows plenty about Bruce Lee (theres a photo of Luo posing in front of the bronze statue of the martial artist in Kogarah) but since opening Taste of Shunde in Kogarah, then moving it to Hurstville in 2021, Luo has also become an expert in extolling the culinary virtues of his hometown. Goose and stuffed chillies abound, but given Shundes fish obsession, the seafood is the first place to look. Order the fish cakes, and behind their muted colouring, they pack gentle bounce and impressive lightness. Theres crab, lobster and Shunde-style coral trout sashimi to chase with a claypot of the braised head and bones, but if youre not ordering an enormous steamed bamboo platter of fish and seafood, then youre absolutely missing one of Sydneys most incredible dishes. A whole Murray cod or coral trout is the centrepiece, the fillets sliced and intricately arranged along each side, one half spread with green peppercorns, the other chilli, the remaining flesh coated in black bean and olive and reassembled down the centre. The slips of fish are silk-like, rows of pipis and prawns bring more colour and texture, while underneath lurk sheets of chencun noodles to drag up through the juices. Skip the platter and Taste of Shunde is a good time; order it and its an epic lifelong memory. Barbecue wagyu beef with Shunde signature sauce. Jennifer Soo Less flashy, but still special is the wine-marinated chicken steamed to tenderness in a bamboo stalk, or stir-fried milk, coaxed slowly into a pure-white, quivering mountain over flames and topped with roe. Iced bitter melon spread with fried taro and peanuts is a refreshing counterpoint. Advertisement Oranges and biscuits are complimentary, but the double-skin milk is a specialty worth giving a whirl, as is the yum cha. Taste of Shunde isnt static, either. Theres another in Eastwood, and here the downstairs dining room, which was looking tired, has been flipped into a grocer. Upstairs has more polish and atmosphere as a result, even if theres a childrens playground in one corner. But maybe thats part of the appeal. This is a restaurant for homesick locals, families, or anyone who loves Shunde cooking or thinks they might. Sydneys recent restaurant news cycle has been dominated by flash inner-city Chinese restaurants, mostly riffing on well-known Cantonese classics: Is Chinese back? Taste of Shunde, and Hurstville, is here to remind them that Sydney offers so much more. As Bruce Lee might say, empty your cup so that it may be filled. The low-down Atmosphere: Bright lights, big tables and lazy Susans loaded with platters Go-to dishes: Steamed Murray cod bamboo platter (from $218); fried milk ($29.80); pan-fried green chillies stuffed with dace mince ($42.80) Drinks: Tea, Crown Lagers and Tsingtaos, a dozen so-so local wines, premium baijiu and generous BYO Cost: About $200 for two, excluding drinks Related Article Everyone knows thats where you get your barbecue meats: The Good Food guide to Hurstville Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The Pimpama-based resort already offers a robust list of clubrooms, wellbeing and creative spaces, but the new Country Club offers residents even more opportunities to thrive. Each day, homeowners can choose to unwind in the buildings private cinema, enjoy a friendly round of tenpin bowling or lawn bowls, retreat to the sprawling library or visit the arts studio. Then theres the grand ballroom with its residents bar, dining hall and theatre stage, the fully equipped gymnasium, the cafe with alfresco seating, a lively games room and so much more. Every detail, from the vaulted brickwork arches to the landscaped terraces, has been designed to deliver the kind of experience you would expect from a five-star hotel, not a residential community, Poole says. Nothing of this magnitude has ever been created for over-50s living in Australia. Unwind with uninterrupted views from the infinity-edge pool. With the best views in the Country Club, the stunning infinity-edge pool and expansive rooftop terrace command uninterrupted panoramas across to Surfers Paradise and the surrounding Gold Coast hinterland. Just steps away, the circular Sky Lounge, encased in floor-to-ceiling glass, offers its own indoor lounge spaces which is a highlight in itself. Its a place for residents to celebrate milestones, enjoy sunsets and feel part of something elevated, both literally and figuratively, Poole explains. The Sky Lounge symbolises the spirit of GemLife Gold Coast: freedom, sophistication and joy. Designed for connection While GemLifes high-end finishes and state-of-the-art facilities make for unparalleled comfort, its the developers commitment to community that truly sets it apart. We believe the best years of life are meant to be shared, celebrated and fully lived, Coulter says. Social connection helps create a true sense of belonging, and its at the heart of every GemLife community. According to Poole, the new Country Club was designed with this sense of connection in mind. Its an engaging space at every scale from the intimate lounges for quiet conversation to the expansive rooftop terrace for community gatherings, he says. The building is not only about facilities, but about orchestrating social encounters. A new benchmark While GemLife Gold Coast is the property developers flagship resort, the new Country Club is the jewel in the crown and both represent the growing sentiment among over-50s to live life without limits. The GemLife Gold Coast Country Club sets a new benchmark, not just for over-50s living, but for lifestyle development in general, says Coulter. It shows that community, wellness and quality design can go hand in hand. As more people seek out meaningful lifestyle choices later in life, this kind of offering helps shift perceptions and positions the Gold Coast as a place where living well isnt defined by age its defined by attitude. Indeed, with around 135,000 Australians now taking advantage of the increased financial flexibility offered by land lease communities, its more important than ever for developers to provide a premium, holistic lifestyle offering. The Gold Coast has always been synonymous with leisure, but GemLife Gold Coast takes that idea and reframes it for a new generation of over-50s, Poole says. The Country Club signals a shift proving that lifestyle communities can be aspirational, architectural and enriching. GemLife Gold Coast Stage Three, located close to the resorts newly opened Country Club, is selling now with a selection of two-bedroom plus multipurpose room homes starting from $880,000. To find out more, visit www.gemlife.com.au. German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit and said that Russian President Vladimir Putin should understand that Germany's support for Ukraine is not weakening, Reuters has reports. "Putin should have no illusions that Germany's support for Ukraine can falter," Klingbeil said. "On the contrary: we remain Ukraine's second-largest supporter in the world and the largest in Europe. Ukraine can continue to count on Germany," he added. Klingbeil called on Putin to show interest in the peace process in Europe's bloodiest war in 80 years, which began in February 2022. He noted that Ukraine should participate in the negotiations, and a lasting peace requires a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees. "To this end, we are coordinating closely at the international level," the minister said. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has lauded the Albanese government and authorities for prompt action in expelling the Iranian ambassador, and for designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Speaking to the ABCs Afternoon Briefing, Turnbull said some people had criticised the government for not doing enough to counter antisemitism. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen This is an example of them doing exactly what they should do, he said. Weve got to be very clear about this these antisemitic attacks were talking about here the attack on the delicatessen [in Sydney] and synagogue in Melbourne this was not the work of Australians. There may have been some Australians being paid to do it, criminals no doubt, but it is vital that we do not import these conflicts from the Middle East into Australia. On Australias acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood, Turnbull said there were very good arguments for not recognising Palestine as a state, regardless of what you think about the cause for Palestinians. They clearly do deserve a state of their own, and they do deserve to be protected from the violence that theyre suffering from at the moment, he said. The problem with Palestine is that it isnt in control of its borders, its effectively occupied territory, so you can make a lawyers argument and very good one for not recognising it as a state. Countries that have [recognised it] are doing so as a sign of solidarity for the Palestinian people, and a sign of saying to them, and to the world: We believe that you are entitled to have a state of your own. We believe in a two-state solution. Police cant just stop someone on the street and ask them where they got a certain packet of cigarettes or a vape, Faraj told the Herald. If people choose to stay silent, police will have no way of proving anything. They could have simply brought it in from overseas. NSW Health said it was rare to use children in illicit tobacco stings. El Smokeys tobacconist store in Kingsgrove. Credit: Sam Mooy In very specific, highly controlled compliance and enforcement operations, our enforcement officers can co-ordinate enforcement activities involving attempted purchases by people under the age of 18. These enforcement operations are rare and the identity of the volunteers highly confidential. While pharmacies can legally sell prescription vapes in NSW, they are otherwise illegal. The mere existence of a legal avenue means authorities cannot form reasonable suspicion to search or confiscate vapes on the street, senior police sources say. Prominent vascular surgeon Dr John Crozier is calling for a crackdown on illegal tobacco and vapes. Credit: Janie Barrett This month, the Herald revealed every tobacconist in the inner west suburb of Dulwich Hill was selling illegal vapes, while police warned the citys gangland was pivoting from drugs to illegal smokes undoing 20 years of public health progress. Thats no surprise to prominent vascular surgeon Dr John Crozier, who says a high proportion of hospital beds are occupied by those suffering for the profits of the smoking industry. Its obscene multinational criminal cartels are just laughing, Crozier told the Herald. Loading We see the devastation on the front line of the health services every day. Crozier says hospitals are seeing a huge spike in the number of young people struggling to breathe with a new, severe form of pneumonia known as VALI (Vape Associated Lung Injury). I find it abhorrent to see how we have destroyed the tapestry for our youth in such a small space of time, Crozier said. The difficulties of prosecuting tobacconists are borne out in data, which shows state and federal agencies are convicting just a few people each year in stark contrast to the flood of illicit products on the street. Illicit tobacco prosecution numbers have not been released by the state government since the end of 2023, when they were averaging about eight a year. NSW Health did not respond to the Heralds request for numbers of prosecutions from 2025. NSW Healths numbers, though small, dwarf the combined might of the federal governments illicit tobacco taskforce. The taskforce, which draws together the Australian Tax Office and crime-fighting entities of the Commonwealth under the leadership of the Australian Border Force, managed just four convictions in 2024-25. Some years the taskforce managed just one conviction. On Thursday, NSW Health announced a 48-person strong Centre for Regulation and Enforcement to work with other agencies to try to arrest the failure of tobacco enforcement. Illegal vapes purchased in Dulwich Hill this month. Credit: Perry Duffin NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the new strike force would centralise personnel and resources, although it was not clear how the taskforce would overcome the problems of legal searches, small penalties and expensive destruction of seized vapes. Multiple police sources have told the Herald that the private contractor disposing of vapes on behalf of the NSW government charges the taxpayer $4500 per kilogram to destroy e-cigarettes. The high price is because vapes contain batteries and cannot be dumped in landfill due to a fire risk. Dr Crozier said most of the vapes are manufactured in China also the origin of most illegal cigarettes in Australia. Loading NSW Health refused to comment on the cost per kilogram of disposing vapes, but said it confiscated more than 200,000 vapes, 1.4 million illicit cigarettes and 2.8 tonnes of other illegal tobacco products last financial year at a cost of more than $433,000. NSW Health uses approved private companies to dispose of seized tobacco and vaping goods, a spokeswoman for the department said. The states small number of agents work business hours against all-night offenders, who are backed up by international criminal enterprises. Enforcement, prosecutions, border control authorities are all failing. The scale of this is industrial. There are billions going offshore from illicit tobacco, Crozier said. We are structured to fail our agencies have one hand tied behind their back. He is calling for a US-style Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) law which would allow the government to hold people accountable for their minor roles in major criminal enterprises. We cant do this bottom-up it has to be a decapitation strike on the multinational criminal cartels, he said. Youre supporting a very shady underbelly in what is increasingly occupying the Australian landscape. It seems (C8 for days now) that there are two types of school students: those who have Globites and those wishing, nay, yearning, for one. In reply to Ron Wheeler of Wagga Wagga and his wooden case, Annemarie Turner of Dapto would like to say, Looxury! We had paper cases and we walked 20 miles to school, through snow, with ... No, hang on, that was Monty Pythons Yorkshiremen, what Annemarie would like to say is, Luxury! When our family of seven arrived in Australia, my parents bought us compressed cardboard school cases. You spent every school day praying it wouldnt rain as the cardboard school cases would permanently warp and let off a wet paper smell. How we coveted a Globite. Rob Hosking of Paddington adds, I had the cheaper inferior Fordite case. Bad move: the Globites were indestructible. As is shown by the experiences of Bob Perry of Clovelly, who reports, In the late 1950s we had our school sport in Centennial Park. During nesting season for the magpies we would put our Globite cases on our heads to save being dive-bombed by the birds. Those classmates foolish enough to try to brave it out often had a trip to nearby Eastern Suburbs hospital (now the site of Moriah College) to get stitched up from a direct hit. Then, remembering home sewing (C8 recently), Judy Bower of Burraneer says, Even more recently than my own childhood, I have sat at my machine long into the night, creating pyjamas for my grandchildren from the good sides of flannelette sheets. Admirably thrifty, Judy. A Sydney socialite who smashed into multiple parked cars before horrified diners tried to pull her from her Range Rover in front of the Heralds cameras has been disqualified from driving and fined after losing a bid to have her case thrown out on mental health grounds. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell was doing laps around Bellevue Hill with shredded tyres when she smashed into a parked Tesla and grazed other cars in late March. Vanessa Jacobs Fennell, 54, outside Waverley Local Court this month. Credit: Edwina Pickles The Herald came across the wreck as Jacobs Fennell was being pulled from behind the wheel of the badly damaged black SUV by shocked members of the public. She had been drinking at a lunch in the wealthy enclave of Double Bay with friends hours earlier. Saam Taghavi is saving up to buy a car. He doesnt really want one, but hes preparing for what is likely to happen later this year: his e-bike will no longer be welcomed on Sydneys trains. The Parramatta resident used to work as a food delivery driver, where he would take the train towards the city, e-bike in tow, to pick up more jobs. Now that hes found part-time work in Five Dock, Taghavi uses his e-bike to get from a nearby train station to his job. But if the NSW governments proposed temporary ban on e-bikes on trains goes ahead, he plans to give up on public transport and just drive. Saam Taghavi at Parramatta station with his e-bike, which he soon may not being able to take on the train. Credit: Wolter Peeters If I were to catch the bus, it would be another 40, 45 minutes, he said. [The cycle routes which are] 20 minutes, 30 minutes, would take me like, an hour, and hour and a half. Taghavi is among the estimated thousands of commuters who bring e-bikes onto Sydneys rail network every day. Among the largest users are food delivery drivers, who fear they will be out of work if the ban goes ahead. An outback Queensland dinosaur museum is celebrating the discovery of a 7.1-metre, almost complete ichthysaur about 100 kilometres south of McKinlay. Cassandra Prince found the fossil on Toolebuc Station in 2023 and it was painstakingly excavated last year. The ichthyosaur was a marine dinosaur that thrived during the Mesozoic era, between about 250 million and 66 million years ago. Cassandra Prince with the ichthyosaur fossil on Toolebuc Station. Credit: Australian Age of Dinosaurs The specimen has been donated to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum in Winton, where it will be displayed from mid-2026. This find is amazing for science and for everyone who loves dinosaurs and marine reptiles, museum founder David Elliott said. Cassandra and her familys dedication made this possible, and we cant wait to share this piece of Australias ancient oceans with visitors for years to come. A jury is deliberating the case of an alleged Perth-based fraudster who claims he was scammed by overseas operators and hedged clients investments against high-end real estate and luxury cars. Private investor Chris Marco is on trial in Western Australias Supreme Court, facing 44 charges after allegedly defrauding clients of about $36.4 million. Chris Marco outside the Supreme Court of Western Australia. Credit: Jesinta Burton His former executive assistant, Linda Marissen, has been charged with 30 offences for her alleged role in the crimes. Marissen has already been found not guilty on 13 of the charges by Supreme Court Justice Natalie Whitby. Both have pleaded not guilty to all remaining charges. A Ming Dynasty relic discovered by two men from Shark Bay on Australias Mid West coast has made its second major TV appearance in their search for its origins and the process has thrown up two fresh shipwreck mysteries. Retired WA Museum fellow and corrosion expert Dr Ian McLeod tested the bronze infant Buddha and said it had lain there at least 100 years before its 2018 discovery by filmmakers Leon Deschamps and Shayne Thomson on a metal-detecting trip. In 2023, Antiques Roadshows Asian art expert was awestruck by the icon, identifying it as a rare Ming relic that would have belonged to somebody of some standing. The team, with Deschamps and Thompson (second and third from left) plan their run. Disney+ series Shipwreck Hunters has now stepped in to search for the tiny but hefty statues origin. Propelled by the success of season one, including the discovery of a 111-year-old Finnish shipwreck, in season two premiering Wednesday, the hunters investigate how something potentially made for a Chinese emperor ended up in WA. Its like something out of the movies, the Hunters say as Deschamps and Thompson show off the Buddha, which they now own under relevant legislation. The West Coast Eagles are bidding farewell to another player, with 30-year-old wingman Jayden Hunt hanging up his boots. Hunt has played 172 AFL games 58 with the Eagles and 114 with the Melbourne Demons after being picked up in the 2013 draft. He left Melbourne to fly west at the end of 2022 and made an immediate impact, an Eagles statement said, with an average of 18.7 disposals. West Coasts Jayden Hunt is hanging up his boots. Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images Hunt said hed enjoyed his three years at West Coast. The staff, coaches and my teammates welcomed me in straight away and made it really enjoyable, he said. While its been tough on the field, Ive enjoyed the challenges and Im excited to see what the future holds for this promising young group. Im sure they will rise up the ladder soon. Id also like to thank Melbourne for drafting me out of school. I was there for nine years, and they shaped me as a person and as a footballer. I would also like to thank my friends and family for all their support over the journey and Im looking forward to what comes next. West Coast general manager of football Gavin Bell said 172 AFL games was an outstanding achievement. Jayden played an important role for us, both on and off the field, with his professionalism and leadership setting a great example for our younger players - especially those coming through in the wing and half-back positions, Bell said. Hunts retirement comes at the end of a horror season for West Coast in which they had just one solitary win. It also comes after the retirement of premiership greats Dom Sheed and Jeremy McGovern, the latter of whom was forced to hang up his boots by the AFL concussion panel. The Coalition risks being left behind on climate change as more Australians make up their minds to support a significant increase to the countrys emissions-reduction target and the Climate Change Authority prepares to recommend a much more ambitious 2035 goal. The latest Resolve Political Monitor survey showed 44 per cent of voters supported the goal of reducing the nations carbon emissions by between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035 a significant increase on the current target of a 43 per cent reduction by 2030. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Australia is on track to meet the 2030 benchmark, with the Quarterly Update of Australias National Greenhouse Gas Inventory released on Monday showing cuts of 28 per cent so far. But the 2035 target will be far more problematic, especially as elements within the Coalition seem intent on making climate change a policy battleground again in the next election. Sometimes, the Coalition has appeared a willing tool of special interest groups on climate change. Scott Morrison brandished a lump of coal in Parliament and Peter Dutton proposed nuclear power stations now the Coalition seems curiously resistant to learn from their mistakes. Photo: https://mova-ombudsman.gov.ua/ Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language Olena Ivanovska has said she is confident that neither the negotiating team nor President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will give in to the language issue in peace talks with the Russian Federation. "This is not the first time that Russia is trying to strike at our 'spiritual tablets' - language, faith, cultural identity. This is their usual tool of influence, not news. The attempt to impose Russian as a second state language is not about the rights of citizens, it is an attempt to split Ukrainian society, introduce internal destabilization, undermine the very essence of Ukrainian statehood. For the Kremlin, this has always been more than a question of linguistics - it is a way to keep under control, it is a colonial legacy that we have rejected and are not going to return," Ivanovska said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, answering the question of how crucial and unshakable in her opinion the issue of language is if we are talking about a real peace agreement in the war. She emphasized that Article 10 of the Constitution of Ukraine, which establishes Ukrainian as the only state language, is inviolable and cannot be a subject of bargaining. "I am sure that neither the negotiating group nor the guarantor of the Constitution - the president - will put language on the scales in the negotiations. Because both language and faith are the soul of the nation. And the soul is not traded. Especially with those who came to destroy it," she added. Ivanovska emphasized that language is a red line that cannot be crossed under any circumstances, and both the state and society must stand firm on this. "If we today agree to bilingualism under pressure or as a "compromise" - it will be a rollback to the old colonial model, where Ukrainian will once again become marginal, "home", and the language of the empire will dominate the public space. We have already been through this: when the Ukrainian language was called "uncompetitive," "primitive," when it was ousted from education, the army, culture, and other state institutions. If we retreat - it will be the beginning of the end of our struggle for dignity," the language ombudswoman stated. As previously reported, the media reported that the Russian Federation is demanding that the Armed Forces of Ukraine completely withdraw from the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that it has failed to capture, and is also demanding the official status of the Russian language and permission for the unrestricted activity of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine as its conditions for concluding a peace treaty, discussed during Vladimir Putin's meeting with US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska. Three-quarters of Melbournes councils are on track to fall short of their housing targets by hundreds of thousands of homes, but the councils say the targets are unrealistic and that the construction sector is not keeping up. One year after the Allan government set individual quotas for councils, new census data analysed by The Age estimates that 24 of 31 local government areas are failing to meet their 2051 targets. Melbourne is on course to fall 500,000 short of the 2051 target of 1.7 million homes a trend that could worsen Victorias housing crisis and prompt the state government to intervene against struggling councils. But councils contacted by The Age say they approve the vast majority of building applications, that the construction sector is ultimately responsible for building more homes and that the governments goals are unrealistic. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth told the sheepish man to get off the court, please before granting Bonzi a fresh first serve, as is commonplace when there is such an interruption. American star Taylor Fritz was as staggered as everyone else as he watched the match on TV, but backed Allensworths decision to award Bonzi another first serve. The photographer caused quite the disruption.. He should get a first but the call ends up backfiring and hurting [Bonzi] because of the pause, [and] having to sit on a match point for 10 min and then the crowd getting super into it against you, Fritz posted on X. Unless Bonzi hits a huge first serve and gets a free point off the pause, then the whole thing is actually really bad for him. The crowd loudly jeered Allensworths decision, and a hot-headed Medvedev bolted angrily towards the chair umpire, while gesturing to fans to continue to voice their displeasure. Are you a man? Are you a man? the world No.13 asked Allensworth. He wants to go home, guys. He doesnt like to be here. He gets paid by the match not the hour, Medvedev then sarcastically said into an on-court camera, before turning back to re-engage with Allensworth. Daniil Medvedev was full of appreciation for the fans as they got vocal in the third set. Credit: AP But Medvedev was not done with the camera, asking rhetorically: What did Reilly Opelka say? At that point, he was in full theatrical mode and shouted the same question, this time for the crowds benefit, as he gave up his argument and decided his best hope was to rev up the crowd again. The Opelka comment was a reference to the American player who dubbed Allensworth the worst ump on tour after copping a point penalty for swearing at an unruly fan during a match at the Dallas Open in February. Meanwhile, the cameras honed in on the courtside photographer, whose facial expressions appeared to illustrate him belatedly realising the error of his ways. Benjamin Bonzi was able to recover to win the match. Credit: Getty Images The drama continues But the fun was just getting started. As fans laughed and lapped up the unexpected drama in the stands, Medvedev went full court jester and began mouthing boo over and over again. There was a six-minute delay between points before Bonzi finally served again, but he subsequently lost the next three points to concede serve, leaving the third set locked at five-all. Then, after he battled his way to a tie-break and went 2-0 ahead, the Frenchman collapsed once more to drop the set. Those events triggered more theatrics from Medvedev, who earlier in the match also mocked Bonzis fist pump celebrations. The crowd was emphatically pro-Medvedev by this stage, and he started enthusiastically showing his appreciation to them, complete with more heart gestures. Bonzis dramatic downfall went into overdrive as he dropped the next set without winning a game while becoming accustomed to constant noise as he served to send the contest to a deciding fifth set. Twice Medvedev went up a break in the final set, but Bonzi bounced back each time. Allensworth got involved again in what proved the last game, issuing the Russian a time violation as he repeatedly wrung his right hand before serving. There was no coming back on this occasion as Bonzi broke Medvedev again to win the most memorable match of his career, albeit only a first-round match at a major. Loading After a genial interaction at the net, Medvedev went to his chair and demolished his Tecnifibre racquet with a series of blows, and he remained on court as Bonzi conducted his post-match interview. I never experienced something like that, Bonzi said. We wait maybe five minutes before the match point, then it was so difficult to play, so noisy, and all the time during the points and between the points, and it was a very wild atmosphere. I tried to stay calm, to stay in the match but it was not easy. At the end, I gave all I had and I have the win today. Advertisement InspirationNew South Wales The underrated coastal escape on Sydneys doorstep Kerry van der Jagt August 26, 2025 5:00am Save 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 If the hearth is the heart of a home, the wood-fired oven at Earth Walker & Cos cafe-restaurant is the flame that brings a community together. Custom-built from original Bulli firebricks, the oven now anchors the kitchen in the 100-year-old Coledale Co-op building. Earth Walker cafe has been serving seasonal, nourishing fare from this landmark location for the past decade but a recent transformation, led by interior designer Eliza Woodward, now sees it open for intimate Friday night Fire Feasts. Paired with designer cocktails, farm to flame never looked so luxe. Like a Game of Thrones set: Sumptuous decor at Earth Walker. Stepping inside is like unlocking the doors to a royal Tudor banquet. In place of roasted swan theres slow-cooked saltbush lamb shoulder with ash Dutch creme potatoes and fire-cooked leeks. Theres a custom-forged chandelier in the dining room and a soaring, grandfather clock-inspired bar that has been constructed from second-hand wardrobes. Its a little Game of Thrones, a little Shakespearean drama, and a whole lot of upcycled fun. Pull out your vintage velvet, youve been waiting for this. Advertisement Weve always believed in doing things with heart, says owner and founder Ciara Kulmar. From sourcing local produce to choosing suppliers who align with our values, Earth Walker is our love letter to this town and its people. Who needs the Amalfi Coast? Sea Cliff Bridge. An hour and 20 minutes drive south of Sydney, Coledale is the understated centrepiece of the string of villages tucked between the Illawarra escarpment and the ocean. Dubbed the Coal Coast by surfers (in a nod to its mining heritage), the region is riding a new wave of cafes and restaurants, but its the authentic, barefoot vibe that hits you first. I live here, and am always bemused by my Sydneysider friends who make the trek to the Far South Coast for a break when this coastal retreat is on their doorstep. Leave the M1 near Helensburgh for the Grand Pacific Drive and cross the 665-metre Sea Cliff Bridge like the Amalfi Coast, but with bends that float across the sea passing Clifton, Scarborough and Wombarra to Coledale. Advertisement Here, daily life is centred on the beach. Choose between Coledale Beach with its surf club and ocean-front camping reserve, or the dog-friendly Sharkys Beach. The ocean pool is an insider favourite. Understated? Not so much. Earth Walker Cafe. Community is everything. When Coledale RSL Club faced closure in 2022, the locals mobilised an 80-strong army of volunteers to save their watering hole. With overtones of Blow up the Pokies by The Whitlams, the RSL sold off half of its pokies to fund the clubs revival (they are still trying to sell the final six, but no-one wants them). Today, the RSL is a thriving hub, and yes, its still powered by volunteers theyll be the ones in the black shirts serving beers. There are no malls, but there is a boutique wine store which wouldnt look out of place in Newtown, a charming pottery studio, and The Salon Collab, offering beauty treatments. The escarpment also calls. On the Wodi Wodi track, named after the original custodians who lived along the Illawarra coast, falcons glide overhead as the canopy changes from dry bushland to rainforest. Advertisement Time your visit for cultural events such as the Thirroul Seaside and Arts Festival, the Illawarra Festival of Architecture and Design, the South Coast Readers & Writers festival, or the Dark Scarp winter solstice festival. For live music, venture a little further south to Thirroul for Anitas Theatre, a grand dame of a building hosting live bands, comedy and film festivals. But for me, its Franks Wild Years with its record bar, 70s-style lounge and line-up of established and emerging musicians that best captures the nostalgia of a classic Aussie surf town. Coledale Beach is a playground for young and old. Mornings will see you back at Earth Walker for coffee, an Earth Bowl or a home-baked treat. There will be children colouring in as adults sip lattes, as well as surfers, still tousled and fresh from the water, all drawn here like hands to a warm fire. Earth Walker was always about more than just great coffee or food its about connection, says Kulmar. We wanted to create a space where locals and travellers alike could slow down, feel welcome, and enjoy the beauty of Coledale in a conscious, nourishing way. Advertisement Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now. Traveller Guides Among the 20 people killed in the Nasser Hospital strike were five journalists, as well as medical staff, rescue workers and patients, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the war. Mariam Abu Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who had freelanced for Associated Press and other news outlets since the start of the war, was killed, along with a contractor for Reuters, cameraman Hussam al-Masri. Freelance journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who had been working with Associated Press and other outlets, posing for a portrait last year. Credit: AP Al-Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, freelance reporter Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz, who wrote for the Britain-based outlet Middle East Eye, were also among the dead. Photographer Hatem Khaled, another Reuters contractor, was wounded, health officials said. Netanyahus office said the strike was a tragic mishap and that the military was investigating. Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians, his office said in a statement. The United Nations secretary-general, along with Britain, France, Canada and others, condemned the attack, which Australian Environment Minister Murray Watt said appears to be a clear breach of international law. In this family handout photo, a person shows the blood-stained camera that Mariam Abu Dagga was carrying when she was killed in the strike. Credit: AP We utterly condemn this action, and its yet another outrage in a war thats gone on too long and cost too many innocent lives, Watt said. Its very clear that targeting or hitting hospitals, health workers and civilians is a breach of international law. Asked about Netanyahus claim that the strike was a tragic mishap, Watt said: This is not the first time weve seen Netanyahu apologise or accept what he calls innocent mistakes or mishaps. Every time something like this happens, it costs peoples lives. Its not acceptable. What well do is continue to work with the rest of the international community to demand a ceasefire, to demand hostages be released, and to demand peace in the Middle East, and that requires some change from Mr Netanyahu. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy said he was horrified by the hospital strike, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as intolerable. Hospital hit Israeli media reported that troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. Reporters from different outlets had regularly set up live TV shots at that location. Abu Daggas father Riyad, centre, and other relatives and friends pray over her body during her funeral in Gaza on Monday. Credit: AP The first strike hit an upper floor housing operating rooms and doctors residences, killing at least two people, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the records department at the Gaza Health Ministry. Minutes later, as journalists and rescue workers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase to the scene, a second missile hit in the same spot, killing another 18. Around 80 people were wounded, including many in the hospitals courtyard, al-Waheidi said. Reuters, which demanded an explanation in a joint letter with AP to Israeli authorities, said it was devastated to learn of the death of al-Masri and injuries to Khaled. Injured Palestinian photojournalist Hatem Omar is helped after the attack. Credit: AFP AP said it was shocked and saddened by the death of Abu Dagga, who frequently based herself at Nasser, most recently reporting on the hospitals doctors struggling to save children from starvation. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, it said. The military confirmed its troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital, adding it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. Loading A British doctor who was working on the floor that was hit just after 10am, Gaza time, said the second strike hit before people could start evacuating from the first. They described just absolute scenes of chaos, disbelief and fear. People wounded from the strikes either directly caught in the blast or hit by debris entered the ward, leaving trails of blood. Stretchers rushed past visitors searching for loved ones. The chaos hit as the hospital was already overwhelmed, with patients with IV drips lying on the floors in the corridors in stifling heat, they said. The journalists deaths come two weeks after one of Al-Jazeeras most recognisable faces reporting from Gaza, Anas al-Sharif, was killed alongside four colleagues in a strike on a tent near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israel accused Sharif of being a Hamas cell leader posing as a journalist, a claim rejected by rights advocates, Al-Jazeera and organisations representing journalists. The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international media from covering the war in person. News organisations instead rely largely on Palestinian journalists in Gaza as well as residents to show the world what is happening there. Stretchers rushed past visitors searching for loved ones. Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, called on Israel to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. I raised my hand. The nun called on me. She was telling my grade-school class at Nativity seven-year-olds in green uniforms about the pitiless epoch of slavery. I thought I had an important counterintuitive point to make even though it would be another decade before I knew what counterintuitive meant. Donald Trump recently said the Smithsonian the worlds largest museum, education and research complex, which is based in Washington is out of control. Credit: Bloomberg One thing, I piped up, is that we got all these really great people in our country. Although Washington has always been very segregated, my family lived in an integrated neighbourhood and my two best friends were Black sisters named Deborah and Peaches. I was about to tell the nun about them when she crooked her finger and beckoned me to the front of the room. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- With the kick-off of the new school year, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) would like to share some information related to healthy eating and healthy lifestyles for school-aged children. Healthy meals are essential for students to perform their best in school. A well-balanced breakfast and school snacks throughout the day provide the necessary nutrientslike complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fatsthat support brain function, energy levels, and concentration. Studies consistently show that children who eat nutritious meals are better able to focus in class, retain information, and maintain consistent energy throughout the day. Skipping meals or consuming high-sugar, low-nutrient foods can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty concentrating, all of which impact learning outcomes. Back-to-school season is a perfect opportunity to reinforce healthy eating habits. By introducing a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into daily meals, parents and caregivers help children develop positive relationships with food that extend into adulthood. Packing lunches or guiding kids in making balanced choices empowers them to understand the value of nutrition and take ownership of their health. Here are some tips for children and adolescents: provide healthy breakfast before each school day; dont leave home without breakfast; serve healthy school snacks to children (whole-grain, vegetables, fruits); promote and encourage the intake of fruits and vegetables. Introduce the children to local fruits e.g., soursop, guava, passion fruit, mango, etc. Restrict intake of energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods (e.g., packaged snacks); restrict intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks; ensure an opportunity for family meals; provide information and skills to make healthy food choices. Beyond academics, healthy meals play a key role in emotional well-being and physical development. Proper nutrition helps regulate mood, supports the immune system, and promotes growth during critical developmental years. In contrast, poor nutrition has been linked to increased absenteeism, behavioral issues, and chronic health conditions like obesity and diabetes. Ensuring that every child has access to wholesome, balanced meals is a vital step toward creating a supportive, equitable, and healthy learning environment for all students. CPS encourages parents and guardians to pack healthy snacks for their children, promote water as the drink of choice and encourage regular physical activity throughout the new school year. CPS calls on everyone to continue to work together to build a healthier and enriched community by making positive health choices, because healthy choices lead to healthy children and healthy smiles! For more information, contact CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222 or 542-3003 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. PHILIPSBURG:--- Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW), Member of Parliament Lyndon Lewis, strongly condemns the recent robberies taking place across Sint Maarten. He expressed deep concern about the growing fear and anxiety that these crimes are instilling in residents, business owners, and visitors alike. This is also a threat to the island's economy, MP Lewis stated. The people of Sint Maarten deserve to feel safe. This increase in robberies is affecting families, businesses, and the very fabric of our society. It cannot be ignored, MP Lewis stated. He is urging the Minister of Justice, Ms. Nathalie Tackling, to take the matter seriously and present a clear plan of action to Parliament by extension to the people of St. Maarten. MP Lewis emphasized that crime prevention and public safety must be treated as a top priority. He is calling on the Government of Sint Maarten, and in particular the Minister of Justice, to take decisive and urgent action to restore public trust and safety. Among his suggestions, MP Lewis recommends stronger police visibility, the implementation of community policing programs, better use of surveillance technology, a rapid-response unit to address violent crimes, and youth engagement initiatives aimed at reducing criminal activity. Law enforcement is my field of expertise. I call on the government to act swiftly and decisively. Public safety must be a top priority, and I will continue to advocate for stronger measures until our people feel secure again, MP Lewis concluded. PHILIPSBURG:--- Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis is pleased to announce that he has commenced holding meetings with members of the community and will continue to uphold his open-door policy to ensure accessibility and transparency with the general public. Meetings are held at his office, located in the Parliament Building, Wilhelminastraat 1, Philipsburg. MP Lewis encourages individuals to reach out, whether it be for personal concerns, suggestions, or advice. My goal is to remain connected to the people of Sint Maarten and to ensure that every citizen feels heard. This open door policy is an opportunity for direct dialogue and meaningful engagement with my people, MP Lewis stated. Persons interested can request an appointment via the following emails: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. CC: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. MP Lewis looks forward to engaging with the public and working together to address all concerns and continue working together for a better St. Maarten. The parliamentary institution is honorable, and its an honor to serve you, MP Lewis concluded. AMSTERDAM:--- The aviation internship program Cari-Aire was officially relaunched last week. This took place at the Office of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten in The Hague. This internship program aims to strengthen the aviation sector on all six islands. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) and the Caribbean aviation authorities, implemented in collaboration with the WeConnect Foundation. Four interns will begin a five-month internship in September with the aviation authorities of Sint Maarten, at the healthcare institution Fundashon Mariadal (in collaboration with Bonaire Airport), and at Saba Airport. Relaunch The first cohort of the Cari-Aire program has now graduated. Antillean Ghyslaine Sambo, for example, successfully completed her internship with the aviation authorities of Curacao. She looks back with satisfaction and believes she learned a great deal from her practical experience: I did a trial internship, so I was deployed in a versatile way. I especially enjoyed the fieldwork and found it educational! Aruba native Charles Huntington interned with the Aruban aviation authorities. It was so successful for both parties that he was offered a full-time position. This summer, he completed his Aviation studies at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences and was able to start immediately. From Aruba, he explained his enthusiasm: Arriving in the middle of Carnival season was wonderful, of course. But my internship wasn't a vacation; I read and learned a lot about the local context of Aruba, which is truly different from the international context. New interns Two of the four interns are studying Aviation at the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (AUAS). Twenty-three-year-old Timo Jansen will be working at Fundashon Mariadal in Bonaire to help develop a drone corridor for pharmaceuticals. That involves a lot of regulations, and I'm looking forward to conducting a thorough risk analysis. Lucas Bol, a third-year student, is starting at the Sint Maarten Aviation Authority. "In short, I'm going to help improve the flight operations manual." The islands are still uncharted territory for both students, and they are eager to get started. The third new intern is Aquilla Pemberton, who will also be applying her knowledge and skills to the aviation authorities on her native island of Sint Maarten. She studies Law at The Hague University of Applied Sciences and is looking forward to further exploring aviation from a legal perspective. Her fellow student, Lissa Laguerre, will begin her internship at Saba Airport in September. "I was born in Curacao and am very excited to get to know Saba and contribute to it." Strengthening the Aviation Sector All efforts are focused on expanding specialist knowledge within the aviation sector. This is achieved, among other things, by promoting substantive expertise, such as training lawyers, technicians, and operational specialists. This is necessary because the aviation sector also faces challenges such as finding qualified personnel and an increasingly aging population. Maurits Paauwe, involved with Cari-Aire on behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, expressed the importance of the internship program as follows: As interns, you contribute to real challenges faced by various employers. This directly contributes to strengthening aviation in the Caribbean, a key goal for us at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Commitment On behalf of WeConnect, Cari-Aire program manager Pam Evertsz expressed her satisfaction. The success of this internship program hinges on the willingness of our partners and stakeholders to adapt quickly; I am proud that we have achieved this again. She offered encouragement to the interns: You will enter an international work environment where you will learn to collaborate with other people and other cultures. The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten and the staff of the Cabinet of Aruba were present at the launch. Everyone wished the interns the best of luck. There was much appreciation for this wonderful collaboration within the Kingdom and the hope that the Cari-Aire aviation internship program will bring even more students to the islands in the future. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/ As of 8:00 a.m. on Monday, the defense forces neutralized 76 enemy UAVs out of 104 that attacked Ukraine last night, and 28 strike UAVs were recorded hitting 15 locations, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported. "According to preliminary data, as of 08:00, air defense shot down/suppressed 76 enemy Shahed-type UAVs and simulator drones of various types in the north and east of the country," the report says. In total, on the night of August 25 (from 7:00 p.m. on August 24), the enemy fired 104 Shahed-type strike UAVs and simulator drones of various types launched from Russia. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Press Release from Business Wire: WeFi Technology Group (AFP) Aug 24, 2025 SINGAPORE, Aug 24, 2025 (BSW) - As technology investments surge across markets, channel finance is entering a pivotal phase-one that offers significant opportunity but also demanding evolution. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250821175503/en/ Kyung "KC" Choi, Vice President of Origination for the Asia-Pacific/Japan (APJ) regions at the WeFi Technology Group The global IT industry continues to be one of the most dynamic and resilient engines of economic growth. Yet, increasing deal complexity, fragmented processes, and legacy credit structures are prompting the need for more adaptive finance solutions solving for gaps between technology channel partners and how they access capital. Investments in artificial intelligence, a market projected to reach US$1.81 trillion by 2030 (Grand View Research), highlight these gaps, says Kyung "KC" Choi. "The influx of large-scale GPU server deals supporting the deployment of AI infrastructure represents high-value transactions that demand more agile, scalable and tailored finance solutions. Traditional funding architecture struggles to accommodate the size, speed, and complexity of these deployments, globally and at scale." Choi, the new Vice President of Origination for the Asia-Pacific/Japan (APJ) regions at the WeFi Technology Group, is very familiar with complex channel deals. His background includes building channel finance business at GE Capital and Wells Fargo, covering both structured and traditional finance with a strong emphasis on channel and vendor financing models that enable growth, scalability, liquidity, and strategic alignment across regions. He has worked closely with OEMs, distributors, and reseller partners to design and implement tailored financial programmes that unlock value, whether it is a working capital solution, a risk mitigation strategy, or a growth play. He has also led regional go-to-market initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region, aligning finance offerings with commercial strategy and market dynamics. In his new role, Choi focuses on the prospects and pitfalls of tailoring finance solutions for increasingly diverse and global markets. It requires a deep understanding of local commercial practices and regulatory environments, including the tax landscape, risk appetite, and partner/borrower maturity. "For instance, in some countries, relationships, legacy practices, and procurement cycles play a big role, while in some high-growth countries, access to working capital and agility is critical for fast-growing partners." To navigate and control such elements, it's crucial that channel finance systems transform themselves with technology. While financial services have been dealing with the drawbacks of rigid legacy systems, limited adaptability, and manual processes, it has become critical to deliver scalable, intelligent finance solutions that respond to specific market needs. "Technology helps us unlock value by enabling the agility and flexibility needed to navigate the nuances of different markets. Each market has its own commercial norms, regulatory constraints, and risk profiles, making a universal approach obsolete. Today's advanced platforms let us tailor financing structures and operational processes, streamline decision-making, and scale solutions in a way that aligns with local market conditions while supporting global consistency," says Choi. This vision determines how he transforms channel finance systems from the front, leading WeFi's Origination office for technology manufacturers, resellers, systems providers and integrators, and financiers across markets in Japan, Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South East Asia, and China. Digital technologies are swelling into a new wave of change. As markets grow more adept in harnessing data, automation, and artificial intelligence, they often necessitate larger, more flexible, and complex finance deals. It's here where Choi sees the most important and lasting combination between human skills and digital capabilities. "The transformation of channel deals is about redefining how partners, distributors and vendors access and leverage capital as an enabler of growth, globally." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250821175503/en/ Contact For media queries please contact Victoria Lindsay: [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Press Release from Business Wire: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 DOHA, Aug 25, 2025 (BSW) - Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) will be hosting a landmark conference in Doha on AI Ethics: The Convergence of Technology and Diverse Moral Traditions from September 28-29, 2025. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250825570906/en/ Hamad Bin Khalifa University to Host Conference on AI Ethics (Infographic: AETOSWire) This milestone event is set to be an important convergence point for leading academics, policy makers, tech industry experts, ethicists, and others, to explore how AI is transforming societies and how globally diverse value systems should frame its responsible development and deployment. Socially-disruptive technologies are increasingly affecting our daily lives and, with technological innovation outpacing regulatory frameworks worldwide, meaningful international action is needed to ethically shape rules and guidelines to protect cultural and human norms. The conference will highlight the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure ethical AI development and standards across six thematic areas: healthcare; urban design; security; education; finance; and the future of the workplace. The conference seeks to advance cohesive international standards that mitigate the risk of institutional exposure to possible liabilities and protect individuals and communities that may be adversely affected by these extremely rapid developments. The imperative to consider collective responsibility and foster cross-disciplinary partnerships has never been more apparent. The conference offers a frame to conscientiously and collaboratively shape solutions guided by the diverse values and needs of our global society. VENUE: Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC), Doha, Qatar. MISSION: To critically examine the ethical implications of AI and promote a cross-cultural, multidisciplinary dialogue that ensures AI advances aligned with global moral frameworks. FEATURED SPEAKERS:Ibtihal Aboussad, formerly Microsoft; Amr Awadallah, Vectara; Daniel Gonzalez-Bootello, Smart City Cluster; Mark Coeckelbergh, University of Vienna; Yali Cong, Peking University; Munther Dahleh, MIT; Corey Gray, Smart Cities Council; David Gunkel, Northern Illinois University; Jeroen van den Hoven, Delft Design for Values Institute; Nancy Jecker, University of Washington; David Leslie, The Alan Turing Institute; Yuan Luo, Northwestern University; Beth McGinty, Weill Cornell Medical College. Media Access: Credentialed journalists will have access to keynote sessions, expert panels, and select one-on-one interview opportunities with featured speakers. A list of speakers and detailed agenda can be foundhere. Disclaimer :Guest participation in the conference is evolving and may therefore be subject to updates. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250825570906/en/ Contact For media inquiries or to request accreditation, please contact: Ms. Taiba Saoud Al-Rodaini [email protected] Tel: +974 44540934 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. National Guard troops begin carrying weapons in US capital Washington, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 The National Guard began carrying weapons Sunday in the US capital Washington, where President Donald Trump has deployed more than 2,200 troops as part of a crackdown on crime, the military said. "Starting the late evening of August 24, 2025, JTF-DC service members began carrying their service-issued weapon," the Joint Task Force-DC -- to which the National Guard troops are assigned -- said in a statement. They are only authorized to use force "as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm," the statement said. A US defense official had said on Friday that troops deployed in Washington would "soon" be carrying weapons, which were previously available if needed but kept in the armory. The National Guard troops come from overwhelmingly Democratic Washington as well as the Republican-led states of West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Republican politicians -- led by Trump -- have claimed that the US capital is overrun by crime, plagued by homelessness and financially mismanaged. Data from Washington police, however, showed significant drops in violent crime between 2023 and 2024, though that was coming off a post-pandemic surge. But Trump has accused Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser of "giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures," threatening "bad things" including a total federal takeover of the city if she does not stop doing so. In addition to the deployment of the National Guard, federal law enforcement personnel -- including Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- have also recently surged their presence on Washington's streets, drawing protests from residents. Russia, Iran discuss nuclear programme ahead of European talks Moscow, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 The Iranian and Russian presidents discussed Tehran's nuclear programme on Monday as European powers threaten to reimpose sanctions on Tehran over the moribund 2015 deal. Britain, France and Germany have threatened to trigger a "snapback mechanism" to reintroduce UN sanctions that were lifted under the agreement unless Iran agrees to curb its uranium enrichment and restore cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) inspectors. Iran will hold talks with the European trio in Geneva on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported. Russia's Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian, the Kremlin said Monday, in which the pair "touched on the situation around Iran's nuclear programme". It did not elaborate on what the pair discussed. The Iranian presidency said Pezeshkian had thanked Putin for supporting Tehran's "right to enrichment" and said Iran was "not seeking, and will never seek to build nuclear weapons". The two countries have bolstered political, military and economic ties during Russia's military offensive on Ukraine. Iran has regularly sought to coordinate its position with both Russia and China before key nuclear talks with the United States and Europe during the current stand-off. Russia's Kommersant business paper reported Monday that Moscow opposed the idea of "snapback" sanctions. "The threats by Britain, Germany and France to activate the mechanism for reintroducing previously suspended UN sanctions against Iran are a serious destabilising factor," the paper cited the foreign ministry as telling it in a statement. Russia is a party to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, which provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. Tehran disputes the legality of invoking the treaty's snapback clause, accusing the Europeans of not honouring their own commitments under the accord. Iran suspended cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog following a 12-day war with Israel earlier this year, with Tehran pointing to the IAEA's failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/alexanderstubb/photos_by Finnish President Alexander Stubb has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands for Ukraine are typical Russian negotiating tactics and cannot be implemented from a practical point of view. "This is typical Russian negotiating tactics. You say one thing at the beginning, and then you start to back down. This happens all the time," Stubb said on Fox News' One Nation program. According to him, the conditions put forward by the Kremlin - including Ukraine's refusal to join NATO, the transfer of all of Donbas, including areas that are not yet occupied, and a ban on the deployment of Western troops on Ukrainian territory - are unacceptable. Stubb drew an analogy with the US territories: "If you take what Putin is asking from Ukraine and compare it to the United States, it's a bit like the US giving up Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, even Maryland and creating some kind of superhighway that can attack New York. So it's practically impossible." The Finnish president stressed that a key result of the recent talks with US President Donald Trump was the start of work on the details of future security guarantees for Ukraine. "The main security provider for Ukraine is Ukraine itself. It has one of the most modern and largest armies in the world. Second, Europe will support this. And third, the US is coordinating or providing some assistance, support and backing. () Russia will not be the one to tell Europe or the United States what they can and cannot do with security guarantees," he stressed. Stubb also noted that the Russian side only responds to force. "The only thing President Putin understands is power, and the only person he listens to is Trump, and the only person he fears is Trump," he said. The Finnish president drew a parallel between the current situation in Ukraine and Finland's experience with the Soviet Union in the 20th century. "The foundation of statehood has three pillars. The first is independence, the second is sovereignty, and the third is territorial integrity or land. () After the Winter War, the Continuation War, and the peace treaty with Stalin in 1944, we retained our independence, unlike our Baltic friends who became part of the Soviet Union. But we lost our sovereignty () And then we lost 10% of our land. And I believe that it is very important that Ukraine not only retains its independence, but also, especially, its sovereignty, and then, finally, also retains its land," Stubb said. Iraq seeks to deport hundreds of detained women and children Baghdad, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 Iraq wants to return hundreds of foreign women and their children detained in the country, though two foreign diplomats told AFP on Monday the process would be a lengthy one. The initiative would exclude women condemned to death, but encompass those affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group as well as those found guilty of common crimes, an Iraqi security official told AFP. The largest number of prisoners comes from Turkey, Azerbaijan and Russia, he said. There are also two French women, including Djamila Boutoutaou, who was jailed for 20 years in 2018 for her links to IS. The Iraqi authorities created a committee "charged with establishing a plan for the repatriation of foreign and Arab detainees, as well as their children", Iraqi justice ministry spokesman Ahmed Laibi said on Saturday, according to state media. "We have hundreds of women and children in our penitentiary establishments," he said, adding that the committee was headed by the justice minister. Deporting the women and children would also reduce prison overcrowding, Laibi said. Prisons in Iraq are currently at 150 percent capacity, the ministry said in July. Around 625 foreigners and 60 of their children are held in prisons in Iraq, a judicial source said, most of them linked to IS. There are also thousands of Iraqis jailed for links to the group, often following hasty trials according to NGOs. The jihadists were routed in 2017 in Iraq, having overrun much of the north and west of the country three years before. The justice ministry brought together several foreign diplomats on Thursday to discuss the matter. "I'm not sure this can happen very quickly," one European diplomat told AFP, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. Repatriations "will only be possible in the case of bilateral agreements between two countries", they said. An Arab diplomat said "such procedures cannot be completed quickly". "To accelerate the process with countries that don't have (bilateral) agreements, Iraqi authorities have proposed using memorandums of understanding," the diplomat said. He added that this would allow the executive power to act without waiting for parliamentary ratification. Trump suggests many Americans 'like a dictator' Washington, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested many Americans would like a dictator as he signed orders to tighten his federal clampdown on the capital Washington and to prosecute flag-burners. During a rambling 80-minute event in the Oval Office, Trump lambasted critics and the media as he complained that he was not getting credit for his National Guard-backed crackdown on crime and immigration. "They say 'we don't need him. Freedom, freedom. He's a dictator. He's a dictator.' A lot of people are saying: 'Maybe we like a dictator,'" Trump told reporters. "I don't like a dictator. I'm not a dictator. I'm a man with great common sense and a smart person." Trump -- who attempted to overturn the results of his 2020 election defeat by Joe Biden at the end of his first term -- said before winning a second term in November that he would be a "dictator on day one." Republican Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington earlier this month to counter what he alleged was an out-of-control crime problem, also taking federal control of the city's police department. - 'Sick' - Trump said he was considering whether to send in the military to the cities of Chicago and Baltimore as he targets a series of Democratic strongholds. He sent the National Guard to Los Angeles -- against the mayor's and governor's wishes -- in June. The president was particularly disparaging of Illinois governor and vocal opponent JB Pritzker, who has strongly rejected any move to send in troops to Chicago. "You send them, and instead of being praised, they're saying, 'you're trying to take over the Republic,'" said Trump. "These people are sick." Trump further tightened his clampdown on Monday by signing an executive order to investigate and prosecute people who burn the US flag -- despite a 1989 ruling by the US Supreme Court saying that the act is protected by freedom of speech laws. "If you burn a flag you get one year in jail -- no early exits, no nothing," Trump said. Trump announced new measures tightening his grip on security in Washington, ordering Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to set up a specialized unit within Washington's National Guard for public order, and ending cashless bail. He also said that he would soon be changing the name of Hegseth's department to the Department of War, its name from 1789 to 1947. "Defense is too defensive," Trump told reporters. - 'Violent fish' - Democrats have repeatedly accused Trump of pushing presidential power way past its constitutional limits, most recently by deploying the National Guard in the US capital. Billionaire Trump has also clamped down on everything from the federal bureaucracy and "woke" politics to his political opponents. But the 79-year-old rejected all the criticisms in his angry and wide-ranging diatribe in the Oval Office, speaking for more than 45 minutes before taking reporters' questions. Trump rejected opponents who have called him racist by proclaiming "I love Black People" -- before describing a Salvadoran man who is set to be deported to Uganda in an immigration row as an "animal." He went on a long detour about what he called a lack of gratitude from Pritzker about measures to tackle an invasive fish species in the Great Lakes. "We have a very, pretty violent fish that comes from China. China carp, Chinese carp. You see them jumping out -- they jump into boats and they jump all over the place," Trump said. Trump also called his Democratic predecessor Biden a "moron" and dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin's brutal 2022 invasion of Ukraine as being the result of "big personality conflicts." The US president later repeatedly expressed his admiration for another strongman leader -- North Korea's Kim Jong Un -- during a meeting with South Korea's president in the Oval Office. "I'd like to have a meeting. I get along great with him," Trump said of Kim, whom he met three times in his first term. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue It will be heavy at times in the west, but at the moment were not expecting too many impacts, and it may for farmers or anyone who needs the rain be welcome, he added. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre has arrived in Kyiv, the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak reported. "Together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga, we met with the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre," Yermak said on Telegram on Tuesday. "It is important for us to feel the support of true allies. Norway is always by our people's side, significantly helps the defense industry, and we appreciate this reliable solidarity," he said. Tesla Gigafactory Texas, seen here in 2024, is the subject of a disagreement between the automaker and Travis appraisal district that could lead to a lawsuit. Jay Janner / American-Statesman Tesla could be facing a lawsuit over its Gigafactory Texas headquarters after the company succeeded in having $1.2 billion knocked off its appraised value. In response, the Travis Central Appraisal District board of directors has authorized the chief appraiser to file suit if its necessary to maintain a valid appraisal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The authorization, which is a step toward more investigation, comes as Travis County is also facing questions related to its property tax rebate agreement with Tesla Inc. The appraisal district boards moves stem from the July appraisal of the Tesla factory and headquarters at more than $4.6 billion for the 2025 tax year. The company protested that value and an appraisal review board a body thats independent from the appraisal district gave the property a value of $3.4 billion. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source After the boards authorization last week, Chief Appraiser Leana Mann said such moves are necessary to protect Travis County taxpayers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The core foundation of the property tax system is that every property owner pays their fair share of the tax burden, she said in a statement. When a decision by the Appraisal Review Board undermines that premise, the District has an obligation to all Travis County property owners to fight for fairness and equity in the system. The appraisal district is responsible under state law for determining property values for tax purposes. Property owners have a right to protest the appraised value and Tesla took that route. After filing a protest, property owners meet with an appraiser to discuss the valuation and factors that may have impacted it. If the protest isnt resolved or the appraisal district and property owner cannot reach an agreement, the matter goes to an independent appraisal review board made up of volunteers who are not employees of the appraisal district to determine a property value. The lawsuit authorization is the next step in the process. The district now will further investigate the propertys market value and, if there is enough discrepancy from the independent review boards value, the appraisal district could pursue the case in court. The board of directors is sending a letter to the appraisal district this week to start a 60-day clock to file suit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Such suits are rare. Last year, the appraisal districts board voted to authorize 23 lawsuits but only one was filed. Tesla has been rapidly expanding its sprawling factory and headquarters east of Austin, a reality thats been reflected in its appraised value. For the 2024 tax year, it was appraised at more than $3.3 billion. In 2023, it was appraised at $1.69 billion. The plant officially opened in April 2022. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. The appraisal disagreement comes as Travis County is planning to increase property taxes to pay for flood recovery and other priorities and many residents want the county end its multimillion-dollar tax break for Tesla, which is led by billionaire Elon Musk. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The county is reviewing its 2020 tax break deal with Tesla, which granted a 20-year package of rebates that would total to roughly $14 million over the first decade. The deal scales upward, refunding up to 80% of county property taxes if Teslas investment exceeds $2 billion. In exchange, the company is required to employ at least 3,800 full-time workers, half of whom are Travis County residents, with a minimum wage of $15 per hour with benefits and make annual community investments. Marley Malenfant is a 10-year multimedia journalist whos worked in print, digital, and broadcast. His prior work includes working in West Texas as a TV reporter for KTXS. During his time there, he covered education, sports, features, and breaking News. Hes skilled in front of the camera as well as behind it. He was a freelance writer, published in D Magazine, Dallas Morning News, SB Nation, Dallas Observer, and was a personality for The Coach Brothers sports radio show. Outside of journalism, he was an educator in the Dallas area. He was a 2012 Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference grant recipient. In 2021, he was part of the NABJ student multimedia project. He graduated with a paralegal degree from El Centro in 2023. Currently, hes a trending news reporter for the Austin American-Statesman, covering breaking News, sports, music, and legal trends. Several Central Texas animal rescue groups are working to find homes for 67 neglected dogs discovered in "brutal conditions" on a rural property north of Killeen, rescuers say. The dogs were found alongside skeletons of other animals in Coryell County, according to Kelley Rice, founder of the Austin-based nonprofit New Hope Animal Rescue. Ducks, pigs and horses were also on the property and in need of help. Texas Humane Heroes, a Leander shelter that has taken in 19 of the dogs, said the animals were living in a "hoarding situation" and were relinquished by their owners through a court order. The rescue efforts began late last week. The horses have already been removed from the property, but 33 of the dogs remain on-site awaiting aid. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Coryell County does not have an animal control facility, but the countys livestock deputy is working on the case, according to the sheriffs department. The Killeen city animal shelter is helping coordinate the rescue, and rescuers looking to assist can contact Kristen Blizard at kblizard@killeentexas.gov. Foster2Forever in Georgetown has also taken in three puppies. Each organization is seeking households to adopt or foster the animals. Most of the dogs are friendly but under-socialized, Rice said. Texas Humane Heroes has raised more than $11,000 to help care for them. The relocated the statue of university founder William Marsh Rice is seen during a rededication ceremony of the Academic Quad on the campus of Rice University, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Houston. The institution recently ranked the No. 10 college in America by Niche. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer The best college in Texas also ranks among the top 10 in America, a recent analysis shows. Niche, previously called College Prowler, is a ranking and review site intended to help students of all ages find schools that best suit them. For the "2026 Best Colleges in America," nearly half a million student reviews were collected on more than 1,000 higher education institutions across the nation. In addition to gathering numerical data like student population, acceptance rate and annual net cost, Niche "grades" schools on 15 measures important to students from student life and safety to party scenes and campus food. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Did your school rank among the best in Texas? Here's what Niche found. People are also reading: This Texas university has the happiest students in the US and it's not in Austin Top 10 Texas colleges: 2026 report cards Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Overall grade: A+ Academics: A+ Value: A+ Diversity: A+ Campus: A Athletics: B+ Party scene: A Professors: A+ Location: A+ Dorms: A Campus food: A Student life: A+ Safety: B- Overall grade: A+ Academics: A+ Value: A Diversity: A Campus: A Athletics: A+ Party scene: A+ Professors: A Location: A+ Dorms: B- Campus food: A Student life: A+ Safety: C+ Advertisement Article continues below this ad Overall grade: A+ Academics: A Value: A- Diversity: A- Campus: A- Athletics: A Party scene: A Professors: A+ Location: B+ Dorms: B Campus food: A Student life: A+ Safety: B- Overall grade: A+ Academics: A+ Value: A- Diversity: A Campus: B Athletics: B+ Party scene: B Professors: A+ Location: A- Dorms: B Campus food: C- Student life: B+ Safety: B- Advertisement Article continues below this ad Overall grade: A Academics: A Value: B Diversity: A- Campus: A+ Athletics: A Party scene: A Professors: A- Location: A- Dorms: A+ Campus food: B Student life: A+ Safety: B Overall grade: A Academics: A Value: B- Diversity: A- Campus: A+ Athletics: A- Party scene: A+ Professors: A+ Location: A+ Dorms: A- Campus food: B+ Student life: A+ Safety: B Advertisement Article continues below this ad Overall grade: A Academics: A Value: B+ Diversity: A- Campus: A Athletics: A Party scene: A+ Professors: A+ Location: B Dorms: B Campus food: A Student life: A+ Safety: C Overall grade: A- Academics: A- Value: A- Diversity: A Campus: B Athletics: A- Party scene: A Professors: A+ Location: B- Dorms: B Campus food: A Student life: A- Safety: C- Advertisement Article continues below this ad Overall grade: A- Academics: B+ Value: A- Diversity: A- Campus: A- Athletics: B+ Party scene: B Professors: A Location: B+ Dorms: B+ Campus food: A Student life: A- Safety: B- Overall grade: A- Academics: A Value: C+ Diversity: A- Campus: A- Athletics: A+ Party scene: B Professors: A- Location: C Dorms: B+ Campus food: B+ Student life: A Safety: C+ Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rice University ranks among 2026 top 10 US colleges Texans may not be surprised to learn that the prestigious Rice University was recognized among Ivy League institutions. The private research university has an undergraduate student body of just 4,574, the result of the competitive environment that accepts just 8% of applicants. Here is Niche's list of the top 10 colleges in America: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Surrounded by local superintendents and other school leaders Monday, Travis County Judge Andy Brown talks about proposed agreements with school districts to fund after-school care using dollars raised by a tax rate increase passed by voters last year. Keri Heath/American-Statesman The first contracts funded through a tax rate increase approved by voters in November and aimed at improving access to child care could be approved Tuesday by Travis County commissioners. Three school districts Austin, Del Valle and Manor will use $4.85 million each year to fund 2,000 child care seats during and after the school day. Commissioners also are expected to approve a letter of intent to nonprofit Workforce Solutions Capital Area that $24.4 million will go toward contracts with child care providers next year. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Voters in November overwhelmingly approved the 2.5-cent tax rate increase per $100 valuation at a time when child care costs have risen and available options for working parents have declined. The tax is expected to raise about $75.5 million this year. The locally raised tax dollars are also coming into play at a time when many school districts have begun questioning the long-term stability of the federal dollars that fund the after-school care many families rely on. This initial round of contracts was meant for entities that already had after-school or child care programs up and running and which could be expanded upon, said Travis County Judge Andy Brown. That way, he said, the taxpayer-raised dollars could start opening new seats for children quickly. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source These dollars will unlock hundreds of additional child care scholarships and reduce monthslong waitlists for Travis County families, Brown said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This funding will help fill a gap for working parents and for students who want activities after school hours, Manor Superintendent Robert Sormani said. Unfortunately, in the current environment, we are not budgeted or funded to be able to provide someone who can oversee a program after school, Sormani said. The Austin school district will receive $3.7 million over two years to expand prekindergarten and child care for 3-year-olds through a program called Apple Blossom. The program will serve an additional 300 students, Superintendent Matias Segura said. For the Del Valle school district, the Travis County funding will both increase access for pre-K for 4-year-old students in an already existing after-school program. The $2.6 million that the district will receive over two years will add 200 seats, Superintendent Matthew Gutierrez said. Federal dollars fund that programming for school-age children, but the school district covers the cost of 4-year-old pre-K students who participate in the program now. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Manor school district plans to use the $3.4 million it will receive over two years to expand the after-school programming at nine campuses and to secondary schools. About 1,500 students will be served in Manor, Sormani said. Statewide average costs for infant care could cost a family almost $9,900 for a year or almost $9,500 for a year of full-time toddler care, according to a study from the Texas Workforce Commission. The study also found that the Austin area has the most expensive child care costs in the state. Travis County funding thats locally raised will also come after a summer where federal funding for after-school programming came under pause for about a month, causing some local districts, like Austin, to reconsider the funding source for such programs. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its really, really important that we partner and have sustaining partnerships, which is what this is, Segura said. These disruptions that weve experienced from the federal government have been very, very difficult. Hannah Brubaker, of Austin, poses with Hook Em on the first day of classes at the University of Texas on Monday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman As fresh orange marigolds line the mall before the University of Texas Tower, and balloons and banners wave to buzzing crowds, the thrill and hope of a new chapter is in the air. It's the first day of school for thousands of UT students, 9,200 or so who are just beginning their journey. On a bright Monday morning, the newest Longhorns filtered in among more than 53,000 total students on the 40 Acres, continuing their educational journey with a new chancellor, president and provost, and a new affordability promise from regents. Advertisement Article continues below this ad University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Yumna Zaidi, of Arlington, greets Hook Em on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Austin Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Students gather in the Bill and Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Austin Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas students Chloe Johnson, left to right, Aniya Porter, Layton Fields, Kennedi Mumphrey, Muna Barreh, Psalm Lawrence and Cydni Burnett pose for a photo on the first day of classes at UT in Austin, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas students Parsa Koupaei, left to right, Bella Roth, Ali Gharib and Anand Bapu work in pods at the Engineering Education and Research Center on the first day of classes at the University of Texas at Austin Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Tiffany Guajardo grabs belongings to for her daugter Briana Guajardo's dorm in the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman University of Texas students walk through campus on the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman A cart full of belongings, topped with a Texas Longhorns pillow, are left outside Briana Guajardo's dorm in the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Briana Guajardo puts a sheet on her mattress in her dorm at the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Guajardo is a freshman education student from near Houston. She said she applied to all of the major colleges in Texas, but immediately chose UT once accepted. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Briana Guajardo rolls belongings into an elevator at the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Tehzeeb Grewal welcomes students to the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Students and families wait for elevators at the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Tiffany Guajardo, left, and her daughter Briana Guajardo, right, take belongings through the Brazos garage to Briana's dorm on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman The Class of 2029 was selected from 90,562 applicants: the largest-ever pool of prospective students the UT has fielded after three consecutive years of record demand. For many, it's a dream come true. Alondra Esparza, a first-year student from a small town outside of Houston, said she feels tremendous joy coming to campus, even as she fights first-day nerves. Esparza chose to come to UT for the diversity and culture, as well as the city life Austin has to offer. When she got in, she thought "'take your risk and chances and see what you can do.'" "Honestly I feel amazing," Esparza said, beaming. "It just felt like it was a sign from God. This is where I'm supposed to be." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The university, ranked 30th in the nation by U.S. News & World Reports, launched a bachelor of public affairs in the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, a major in civic honors at the School of Civic Leadership, and a minor in semiconductor science and engineering effective this fall that many eager freshman are taking advantage of, including Esparza, who is a public affairs major seeking to be a lawyer. The excitement on campus is palpable, and a stark contrast from the often gloomy atmosphere higher education can have today. Students walk through the Engineering Education and Research Center on the first day of classes at the University of Texas. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman After a year of research cuts from the federal government, the end of in-state tuition for students without legal presence and a whiplash for international students who had their visas removed and then reinstated, UT leadership also remains undaunted. In a letter after his appointment to campus on Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wednesday, President Jim Davis, former UT administrative leader and deputy Texas attorney general, stated his honor to boldly lead the university. "In this season of change, the future of UT Austin is bright. We are ready to thrive in every aspect of our mission: in the education of our students, in groundbreaking research, and in world-class medical education and care," he said. "We know this is the greatest university on Earth, and yet we firmly believe even greater is ahead of us." Students who spoke to the American-Statesman said the community, academics and research opportunities make the 40 Acres the place to be, and feel excited for another year regardless of the national conversation. "I love it here. It's my favorite place to be," said Mallory Ladner, a junior in finance. "This tight close-knit community makes it a place that I want to come back to." Advertisement Article continues below this ad Being a Longhorn, Ladner said, means being part of a "winning culture." Andrea Colchado, a freshman interested in the oil and gas industry, said that stepping into the Longhorn identity means embracing the UT motto "What starts here changes the world." It's thinking about "how you can make the world a better place, how you can change it just one thing at a time," Colchado added. Darren Ely, a sophomore studying radio, film and television, spent his first semester studying abroad in South Korea. Now, he's looking forward to his Korean language class. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I'm mostly just excited" for the year, Ely said. "Austin's just a great city to be living in, and that's honestly my favorite part of being here." 'Attain new levels of excellence' Tiffany Guajardo, left, and Leo Guajardo, center, bring belongings to their daugter, Briana Guajardo's dorm in the Jester West Hall on Mooov-In day at The University of Texas at Austin on Friday, August. 22, 2025. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Noah Keany, a sophomore studying government and rhetoric and writing, said UT feels like home. Having completed his state-required courses his first year, he's looking forward to taking classes in his field this year. He's particularly excited to create his own research project with the top research university's resources. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "All my classes are stuff that I really enjoy and I'm passionate about," Keany said. He said it is "really nice to feel like I'm honing in on my study and becoming the person I want to be, and navigating myself towards that career field." Josh Kern, a sophomore studying petroleum engineering, said he's also looking to taking more classes in his field, and expects a challenging but great year. "I'm definitely here wanting to work hard and put my best foot forward so that I can continue keep the ball rolling and be able to succeed this year," Kern said. Keany and Kern aren't alone in having more freedom over their course load. New this year, students don't have to take UT-specific required courses on top of state requirements after top leadership nixed the flags program, which mandated students take courses to fulfill requirements in ethics, quantitative reasoning and cultural diversity, as conservative legislators aimed to limit what requirements a university could mandate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Provost William Inboden, who oversees the university's academic portfolio since he officially took the position Aug. 1, said in a news release he'll work this year to "attain new levels of academic excellence and serve as a national model for restoring public trust in higher education." UT is not the only Austin institution to greet students Monday. Austin Community College is welcoming a class 10% larger than its student body last fall, and St. Edward's University on the hilltop on South Congress Avenue, Concordia University Texas just north of the city, and Austin's historically Black university Huston-Tillotson University also started Monday. Dominique Armstrong, a junior in communications at UT, is commuting this year after living on campus. Her favorite part of being a Longhorn is the traditions, including the Gone to Texas event and school songs, and the school pride that spans beyond the campus grounds. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A Leander school bus rolls over on Nameless Road during an Aug. 13, 2025 crash. Leander ISD No criminal charges will be filed against the driver of a Leander school bus that rolled over with 46 students on it, an official said Monday. "Troopers consulted with local prosecutors, who determined criminal charges were not warranted," Billy Ray III, a Department of Public Safety spokesman, said in an email. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The driver of the bus, Tim Gall, showed no signs of impairment but did receive tickets for two traffic violations, Ray said. The violations were failure to drive in a single lane and rider (Gall) not secured by a safety belt, Ray said. Gall has been placed on paid administrative leave, according to school district officials. A state trooper works at the scene of a school bus crash on Nameless Road in Leander, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Law enforcement officials were alerted about the crash at 3:15 p.m. Aug. 13 in the 22500 block of Nameless Road in western Travis County. "Video provided by Leander ISD showed the bus traveling westbound, crossing the double yellow line multiple times before leaving the right side of the roadway and overturning," Ray said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The students on the bus were from Bagdad Elementary School and Danielson Middle School. Sixteen students and Gall were taken to hospitals for injuries, officials said. Some of the injuries were initially reported as life-threatening but medical evaluations later downgraded them, said Ray. Although the bus had seatbelts, Ray said, investigators found limited use of them among the students. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Troopers also inspected the bus after the crash and found the tread depth of the tires was below 6/32 of an inch, he said. "While the tire condition is noted, investigators could not confirm it contributed to the crash," Ray said. El Capitan Prominence, the southernmost point of the Guadalupe Mountains and the eighth highest peak in Texas, is seen from Williams Ranch Road. Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty It takes hours of hiking to climb the highest mountain in Texas. Step by step, switchback by switchback, you finally reach the summit of Guadalupe Peak. You are rewarded with an unmatched view of the Chihuahuan desert and wide-open skies that fill you with wonder at the vastness of Texas and beauty of our rugged vistas. Many of those treasured landscapes, including Guadalupe Mountains National Park, are part of our National Park System. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Experiences like summiting Guadalupe Peak are available to us thanks to the previous generations that donated land, worked to create parks and supported funding for these special places. The National Park Service celebrating its 109th year of service this week and dedicated park rangers across the country make it possible for us to enjoy these spaces. These rangers welcome millions of people each year, ensure the safety of visitors, and protect the plants, animals and stories that make these parks so remarkable. Texas is home to 18 national park sites. These parks belong to all of us, providing boundless recreational opportunities for Texans and tourists alike, generating millions of dollars of investments in local communities. From the desert landscapes of Big Bend to the woodlands of Big Thicket, you can experience natural wonders found only in the Lone Star State. And you can discover priceless history at places like San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and the Blackwell School National Historic Site. Recent policy directives from the Trump administration are endangering these cherished parks. The administration instituted a hiring freeze and forced thousands of national park staff to abandon their critical work protecting our most treasured places. With limited staff, our park rangers are working hard to ensure visitors have a safe and memorable time at our parks. Visitors walk through Santa Elena Canyon at Big Bend National Park. Melissa Aguilar/Contributed But the impacts of these short-sighted staff buyouts and layoffs are already being felt. Big Bend has barely half the workers it needs, and many other parks are without key staff such as maintenance workers and guides. Without the professionals needed to perform essential work like restoring habitats, maintaining facilities and preserving history, the parks we know and love will inevitably deteriorate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Just a few months ago, the Trump administration proposed a budget that could result in more than a 75% reduction to the National Park System. If this drastic proposal were to become reality, hundreds of national parks would have to close their doors and stop accepting visitors. Members of the House of Representatives have also proposed deep budget cuts. Thankfully, there is hope on the horizon. The Senate Appropriations Committee has advanced a budget proposal that would fund our national parks and the rangers who work so hard to provide visitors with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Its not everything that national parks need, but it's a critical step in the right direction. I ask you to speak up for our parks. If you ever stood on top of a beautiful mountain and marveled at what you saw, your voice is needed today. If you ever took your family to Big Bend, Yellowstone or any of the many inspirational national park sites across the country, we need you to take a stand for our national parks. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Join the National Parks Conservation Association in calling on members of Congress to stand up for parks and support the U.S. Senate budget proposal. Here in Austin, Ill be reaching out to Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Rep. Lloyd Doggett. (You can look up your member of Congress at house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative.) I hope youll join me in defending our national parks. They need all the help that they can get to ensure that opportunities like climbing to the highest peak in Texas and learning about the history of America are available for generations to come to enjoy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sen. Ted Cruz speaks during a ceremony Sunday celebrating the inaugural, direct flight from the San Anttonio International Airpoirt to Washington D.C.'s Reagan National. Robin Jerstad Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Feb. 23, 2024. Jose Luis Magana/AP U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are jumping in with dueling endorsements in the heated primary for Paxtons successor. Cruz endorsed U.S. Rep. Chip Roy on Saturday, and Paxton threw his support on Monday behind Aaron Reitz, who briefly served in the Department of Justice this year under the Trump administration. Both had previously said they would not endorse in the Republican primary for attorney general. Several other Republicans are vying for the role, including state Sens. Mayes Middleton and Joan Huffman. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Roy previously served as Cruzs chief of staff and before that was a top aide to Paxton. But his relationship with Paxton, who is now running for U.S. Senate, has since soured. Roy was one of the first to call for Paxtons resignation over legal and ethical issues that became the basis for his impeachment by the GOP-led House in 2023; Paxton was acquitted by the GOP-controlled Senate that year. As my very first chief of staff, Chip has been a close friend and ally of mine for over 12 years, Cruz wrote on social media. We have been in more fights together than I can count, and I know Chip will always, always, always fight for conservative values. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Cruz, who previously served as the Texas solicitor general, called Roy a battle-tested warrior whose two decades of service to the state make him best equipped to hold the role of attorney general and protect Texans rights. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Paxton had previously vowed not to back any of the GOP candidates, making comments to conservative Dallas radio host Mark Davis prior to Roy jumping into the race that it would be akin to choosing a favorite child. But on Monday, he said Reitz was in the fight with him against the Biden Administration, Big Tech and Pharma companies, election fraud and more. It is extremely important to me that Texas has someone who will continue those fights, Paxton wrote on X Photo: https://mova-ombudsman.gov.ua/ Olena Ivanovska, Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, believes that the issue of the Ukrainian language in the army should not be forced and turned into a political confrontation. "Yes, this is indeed a sensitive issue. But, you know, it seems to me that it is not as complicated as they often try to present it. We ourselves complicate it - with emotions, loud headlines, unproductive contrasts. And in fact, the answer is much simpler if we look at reality with respect and gratitude. Not a single soldier who is defending the country today has said that he is defending the 'right to speak Russian.' They are fighting for Ukraine, for freedom, for the lives of their brothers, for the future of their children. It's just that many of them come from a Russian-speaking environment, and this is a reality that cannot be crossed out," Ivanovska said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency, answering the question of whether it is worth addressing the issue of part of the military using the Russian language in the army before the end of the war. At the same time, she emphasized that, in accordance with language legislation, commanders and management are obliged to use the state language in official communication, and also drew attention to the fact that in many units this has already become the norm - not as a formality, but as part of the army culture. "I am convinced that anyone who has gone through the war, who has seen the face of the enemy and the losses among their own people, understands perfectly well that the Russian language is not "neutral". But this understanding must mature naturally, from within. We cannot and do not have the right to impose this at a time when these people are giving the most for the country. Therefore, my position is not to force it. Not to do it through political confrontation. Instead, to create conditions so that the transition to Ukrainian is easy and relaxed," the commissioner added. Ivanovska stated that after the victory, the conversation on this topic will be continued, but no longer with pressure, but with gratitude and trust. When asked whether she was considering the possibility of introducing the position of a "military representative" in the Secretariat of the Language Ombudsman, the Commissioner noted that this is an interesting and potentially productive idea. "Especially in the context of the future, when we will move from war to the restoration and reintegration of society. The military have enormous authority, they are moral leaders, and therefore - carriers of influence, including linguistic. Their voice is important in this conversation. But at the same time, we must be honest: today there is no clear mechanism for how such a position can function directly in the army or at the front. But if such an initiative - in some form - becomes real, supported at the state level, the Ministry of Defense, and finds support in the military community itself - we are certainly ready to cooperate," she added. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation calling for a special election on a redrawn congressional map on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. Godofredo A. Vasquez/AP The claim: California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom is pushing to counter Texas Republicans congressional redistricting efforts by temporarily abandoning the Golden States nonpartisan congressional district-drawing process in favor of maps that would increase Democratic representation. Although Newsoms actions have drawn both pushback and support, the governor told left-leaning political podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen that Democrats stand by nonpartisan redistricting processes. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Were also announcing as a consequence of this effort, a commitment to national independent redistricting," Newsom said during Cohens Aug. 17 podcast episode. "Thats on the ballot as well. We believe its the right thing to do. In fact, the Democratic Party believes its the right thing to do. Democrats have voted for national independent redistricting. Republicans have not." PolitiFact ruling: Mostly true.States dictate their own processes for drawing electoral districts, which often falls to state legislatures. In some states, independent commissions perform the job an effort to make the political map drawing process less partisan. Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards told us Newsom referred to H.R. 1, a 2021 congressional measure also known as the "For the People Act" that sought to require that all states establish independent redistricting commissions. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source It passed the House with all Democrats but one supporting it, and all Republicans voting against it, with two absences. It did not advance in the Senate. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But that single bill does not tell the full story of Republicans voting history on independent redistricting. Discussion The 884-page For the People Act would have required that each state have a nonpartisan state agency to appoint two Republicans, two Democrats and two from neither party to a commission that would decide how congressional district lines are drawn. It would have banned drawing a map with "the intent or the effect of unduly favoring or disfavoring any political party," a practice commonly known as gerrymandering. The bill included many other proposals addressing voter access, election integrity and security, campaign finance and ethics. It also would have required: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Additional disclosures of campaign-related fundraising and spending. Adopting voting by paper ballots, early and no-excuse mail voting. Expanding voter registration options, such as online, same-day and automatic voter registration. Newsom specified a congressional vote on national redistricting, but we found at least four states where Republicans joined Democratic state lawmakers in efforts to establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions. Independent commissions control redistricting in California and seven other states Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, New York and Washington, according to the website All About Redistricting, managed by University of Colorado law professor Doug Spencer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Three states Hawaii, New Jersey and Virginia assign redistricting to commissions that include elected officials or their appointees. Redistricting in the majority of the rest of the states is controlled by state legislatures. Some states have commissions that serve in advisory or backup roles. Eight of the states with congressional redistricting commissions established them through ballot measures initiated by state legislature votes, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and Ballotpedia. Colorado (2018), Hawaii (1992), Idaho (1994), Montana (1984), New York (2015), New Jersey (1966), Virginia (2020), Washington (1983) did so through legislative referral. The three others created them through citizens initiatives. "At the state level, Democrats have been vocal proponents of independent commissions while Republicans have generally opposed them," David Niven, University of Cincinnati American politics professor, said. In Arizona, for example, Republicans opposed Proposition 106 in 2000, which established the states independent redistricting commission. They said the power to draw districts will be given to "unelected, unaccountable lawyers." Advertisement Article continues below this ad But we found exceptions. Independent commissions in Idaho and New York were created with bipartisan support. In 2018, Niven said, Democratic and Republican legislators in Colorado sponsored the measure to get the question on the ballot. And PolitiFact previously fact-checked Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker when he said Illinois Republicans "didnt do anything" to establish an independent commission. We rated that Mostly False after finding that Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly filed two proposals in 2021 for creating an independent redistricting commission. Ukraine and Lithuania will jointly produce defense products to strengthen the security of both countries, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has said. "Together, we are focusing on launching joint production, in particular, on the creation of long-range drones," he wrote in a Telegram channel on Monday. Shmyhal reported that he signed a corresponding letter of intent on joint production of defense products in Lithuania and Ukraine together with Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Dovile Sakalie in Kyiv. "We discussed specific prospects for industrial cooperation that open up thanks to the Letter of Intent. The document creates new opportunities for launching joint ventures, developing Ukrainian companies in Lithuania, and exchanging technologies," the minister noted. He thanked his Lithuanian colleague for the visit and productive interaction. "It is important that Lithuania will continue to allocate 0.25% of its GDP to military assistance to Ukraine until 2027. This is a strong signal of long-term support for our soldiers. We focused on attracting additional funding for the purchase of weapons and the development of Ukrainian industry," Shmyhal said. NABU employees ask court to consider complaint against arrest of colleague Employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) have signed a collective appeal to the Kyiv Court of Appeal with a request to ensure a public consideration of the complaint against the arrest of NABU employee Ruslan Maghamedrasulov. "On August 25, 2025 at 12:30, the Kyiv Court of Appeal will consider a complaint against the detention of NABU employee Ruslan Maghamedrasulov," the NABU said in a message on its Telegram channel on Monday. The message notes that the Bureau's employees have signed a collective appeal to the court with a call to ensure a public consideration of the case. "It is important that society can hear the essence of the accusation and see the evidence on which the suspicion is based," the NABU emphasizes. A scan of the appeal to the court with signatures is posted on the Bureau's Telegram channel. The Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office announced on July 21 that they had exposed Ruslan Maghamedrasulov, one of the heads of the interregional departments of NABU detectives, as doing business in the Russian Federation. Maghamedrasulov was charged with suspicion under Article 111-2 (aiding an aggressor state) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. He is suspected of doing business in the Russian Federation (he acted as an intermediary in the sale of his father's batches of technical hemp to the Republic of Dagestan). The father of the Bureau employee, a citizen of the Russian Federation, Sentyabr Maghamedrasulov, was also suspected and placed under preventive detention. On July 22, the Verkhovna Rada supported in the second reading and with a total of 263 votes, draft law No. 12414, which limited the independence of the NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP). Western politicians have declared threats to European integration, and protests have begun in Ukraine against the restrictions on the independence of the NABU and the SAPO. On July 31, the Verkhovna Rada restored the independence of the NABU and the SAPO. On the same day, the president signed bill No. 13533 on strengthening the effectiveness of these bodies. The heads of anti-corruption bodies asked the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to provide evidence to substantiate their suspicions. On August 7, SBU investigators provided the head of the NABU with separate information and separate materials confirming the validity of the suspicions announced against two NABU employees. The heads of anti-corruption bodies also admitted intentions to replace the heads of the NABU and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) as another stage of influencing the work of anti-corruption institutions. Bugetul.ro Acoperitii care au nasit-o pe Anca Alexandrescu: Trebuia sa fie Brangelina de Romania. Analistul Cozmin Gusa, dezvaluiri din intimitatea vedetei Realitatea Plus Click.ro A plecat din Kenya in cautarea unui trai mai bun in Romania, insa salariul l-a dezamagit. Iata in ce tara vrea acum sa se mute acum Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun has denied media reports that China is willing to participate in a possible international peacekeeping force in Ukraine, the Chinese Communist Party-controlled newspaper Global Times reported. "Asked to comment or confirm reports by the German newspaper Die Welt that diplomatic representatives from some EU countries claimed that China has expressed its willingness to participate in a possible 'international peacekeeping force' in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that the relevant reports are not true, and China's position on the Ukrainian crisis is consistent and clear," the newspaper said on X. Earlier, Die Welt, citing sources in the EU, wrote about China's readiness to participate in the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. "China has signaled its readiness to participate in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine," EU diplomats told Die Welt on Sunday, citing sources in Chinese government circles. However, they stressed that the government in Beijing would only do so "if the peacekeeping force is deployed on the basis of a UN mandate," the newspaper said. Air National Guard airmen fire 9mm rounds from an M18 handgun at paper targets, during training at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn., on March 1, 2025. (U.S. Air National Guard photo) Air Force Global Strike Command is returning the M18 pistol to duty after pausing use of the firearm for more than a month following the shooting death of a security forces airman, service officials announced Monday. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, who leads Global Strike Command, signed off on the return to duty for most of the commands Sig Sauer-made sidearms after a weekslong inspection of all its 7,970 M18s, the command said in a statement. The general determined the vast majority of the guns were safe to return to duty. It is paramount that our airmen trust their weapon systems, Bussiere said in a prepared statement. This thorough inspection ensures the M18s in our inventory are in optimal working order, providing our [security forces] defenders with safe, reliable and effective systems to accomplish their mission. Bussiere ordered the pause in use of the M18s after 21-year-old Airman Brayden Lovan, a security forces specialist at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., was fatally shot by another airman on July 20. Investigators were initially concerned an M18 had discharged without its trigger being pulled a rare occurrence known as an uncommanded discharge. Such discharges had been reported previously by Sig Sauer-made pistols similar to the M18, which is a compact version of the New Hampshire-based firearm makers P320 model. Sig has faced more than a dozen lawsuits in recent years from law enforcement officers and civilians who have claimed their P320s have fired without a trigger pull, in some cases causing injuries. Sig Sauer has long argued that none of its weapons are capable of firing on their own, but the company said it would support the military investigations into the M18s safety. Sig has supplied the military with M18s and their full-size version M17s since winning a contract in 2017 to replace the decades-old M9 pistol built by Beretta. Air Force investigators appear to have ruled out an uncommanded discharge in Lovans death. On Aug. 8, the service announced an airman had been arrested in the case and charged with making false statements, obstructing justice and involuntary manslaughter. The Air Force has yet to name the airman accused in Lovans death because of the ongoing investigation, a service spokesman said Monday. Officials also said a thorough review of M18 discharges across Global Strike Command showed none had occurred without a trigger pull. The inspection of Global Strike Commands M18s, which later expanded to all of the Air Forces about 125,000 M18 pistols, did find issues with some of its sidearms, service officials said. Inspections found problems with 191 of the commands M18s, most of which were problems with component wear, according to the Air Force. Most of the issues were related to wear on the M18s safety levers, on their striker assemblies and on their sears. Strike assemblies are the spring-loaded mechanisms that impact a cartridges primer to fire the weapon, and sears hold back the striker until the trigger is pulled. Weapons exhibiting these discrepancies were immediately tagged and are undergoing necessary repairs, the service said. The command is adding enhanced inspection procedures for its M18 inventory, which will include new inspection criteria of those parts of the M18 found to wear the fastest, said Lt. Col. George Hern, Air Force Global Strike Commands security forces commander. By incorporating these added measures, we assess that any issues found with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear will be identified during semiannual and annual inspections, he said. As we execute M18 inspections in the future, we will be taking a particular interest in these components to ensure these methods address the issues we found and make adjustments as needed. The command is also enlisting the top officers and enlisted leaders in its security forces squadrons to brief airmen on the findings of the M18 inspections, introduce them to the new enhanced inspections and reinforce basic weapons safety including muzzle discipline, according to the Air Force. When we see a potential issue, we have a responsibility to our airmen and the American public to evaluate, find any discrepancies and act on them, Bussiere said. Yama Sakura, an annual command post exercise involving U.S., Japanese and Australian troops, kicked off at Camp Itami, Japan, Aug. 25, 2025. (U.S. Army) Elements of a U.S. Army task force that recently deployed a hypersonic missile system to Australia are participating in a command post exercise in Japan this week, according to a U.S. Army Japan spokesman. Members of the Hawaii-based 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force are in Japan for the seven-day Yama Sakura exercise, which kicked off Monday, Manuel Torres-Cortes said by text message Monday. The Army announced last month that the task force had sent the hypersonic missile system to Australias Northern Territory for the biennial Talisman Sabre exercise, marking the weapons first overseas appearance. The service didnt provide information about the task forces elements in Japan. In Australia, U.S. soldiers briefed allied troops about the Dark Eagle system. Hypersonic weapons travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. The Army gave no indication that the weapon, with an estimated range of 1,700 miles, was fired in Australia. Also participating in Yama Sakura are soldiers from U.S. Army Japan, Hawaiis 25th Infantry Division, Washington States I Corps, and troops from Japan and Australia, Torres-Cortes said. The exercise involves 2,500 Japanese, 700 American and 120 Australian troops. A command post exercise gauges participants ability to manage and respond to a simulated crisis. It typically involves commanders, command staff and communications between participating headquarters. U.S. soldiers brief allied troops about the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system in Australias Northern Territory, July 9, 2025. (Perla Alfaro/U.S. Army) Yama Sakura opened at Camp Itami, headquarters of Japans Middle Army in Hyogo prefecture. The annual training is also taking place at Camp Senzou in Hyogo and Camp Asaka in Tokyo, Torres-Cortes said. The global community is facing a crisis due to significant changes to the international order, Lt. Gen. Makoto Endo, commander of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces Middle Army, told troops gathered to launch the drills. It is critical for us to work together to improve coordination between our three nations. A video of Endos remarks, along with those by 25th ID commander Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees and 1st Australian Division deputy commander Brig. Gen. Shane Gabriel was provided by Torres-Cortes after the opening ceremony. The international community is entering a new era of competition with serious challenges to the rules-based order, Bartholomees said. These challenges are being felt acutely in the Indo-Pacific, he said. The importance of the Japan-U.S. alliance and trilateral cooperation between Japan, the U.S. and Australia cant be understated. The generals didnt specify those challenges, but U.S. commanders have identified China as a threat to regional security. Beijing is rapidly expanding its military capabilities and has vowed to take control of Taiwan by force, if necessary. China also claims Japan-administered islands in the East China Sea. Meanwhile, North Korea has deployed troops to assist Russia in Ukraine and continues to advance its nuclear and missile technology. This years exercise marks the third time that Australia has joined Yama Sakura, Gabriel said. The training is focused on enhancing command and control, targeting and fires, and communication, he said. Yama Sakura complements the Orient Shield field exercise involving U.S. and Japanese forces in Japan, Sept. 16-24, Torres-Cortes said. Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki, far left, joins a U.S.-Japan patrol of Gate 2 Street in Okinawa city, Okinawa, April 18, 2025. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes) Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki has accused U.S. military police of failing to coordinate with Okinawa authorities before taking nine Marines into custody on an Okinawa city street during a joint patrol this month. However, spokesmen for U.S. Forces Japan and the citys Base Policy Division say no such coordination is required. Tamaki on Friday said that he will consult with the city, prefectural police and Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the future form of these joint patrols, according to video of his regular press conference that day. We are confirming with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. military what the basis for the recent arrests were under the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement, he said. We intend to respond appropriately based on that. During a patrol in the early hours of Aug. 16, three Marines in the citys nightlife district were arrested, fingerprinted and entered into the provost marshals database for alleged violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Marine Corps Installations Pacific spokeswoman 1st Lt. Kelsey Enlow said by phone last week. Another six were detained by military police after they refused to provide identification, became aggressive or tried to flee, she said. USFJs spokesman, Air Force Col. John Severns, acknowledged Tamakis statements but said U.S. military police are not required to contact Japanese police before arresting individuals with SOFA status off base. The agreement establishes the rights, privileges and responsibilities of U.S. service members, civilian Defense Department employees and their families in Japan. It also governs their relationship in matters of criminal jurisdiction. According to the Agreed Views on Criminal Jurisdiction a SOFA clarification agreed upon by the U.S. and Japan such arrests are a function of the United States Forces law enforcement. The question thats been raised is do we have the ability to arrest military members when they are off base, and the answer is yes, we do, Severns said by phone Monday. The United States has jurisdiction over individuals who commit offenses that are punishable only under U.S. military or civilian law, according to SOFA. Offenses committed against another SOFA member, U.S. security or property, or offenses committed during the performance of official duties fall under U.S. jurisdiction. In all other cases, local authorities have jurisdiction. For any off-base incidents, U.S. military police defer first to Japanese authorities before taking action, Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford, commander of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, told reporters during an Aug. 18 roundtable at Camp Foster. Many times, for the low-level stuff, theyll cede jurisdiction and tell us to take care of it because we can handle it instead of them, he said. The beauty of the joint patrol [is that] with our law enforcement and their law enforcement, its a mutual discussion on the best way to handle the situation. U.S. military police carry out enforcement efforts during joint patrols and are not required to give prior notification to the city, a spokesman for Okinawa citys Base Policy Division said by phone Monday. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. During joint patrols, U.S. law enforcement in principle will take custody of any service member who commits an offense, Hitoshi Asato, former director of the Okinawa Prefectural Polices Criminal Affairs Division, said during a special committee meeting of the prefectural assembly in July 2024. The nine Marines were released later that morning to their commands, which will determine possible charges, Enlow said. They were among at least 25 service members who were stopped that night for violating liberty rules, which were modified by USFJ in September to prohibit troops from being in a drinking establishment or consuming alcohol publicly after 1 a.m. Photo: Unsplash Polish President Karol has vetoed a law that would have provided social benefits and free medical care for unemployed Ukrainian citizens, the Polish publication Interia Wydarzenia has reported. "President Karol Nawrocki has vetoed a bill on assistance to Ukrainians. "I firmly believe that the 800+ assistance should be available only to those Ukrainians who make an effort to work in Poland. The same applies to healthcare," the publication quotes Nawrocki as saying. "I believe that we must achieve some form of social justice here. Poles in their own country should be put at least on an equal footing with our guests from Ukraine. This is fundamental for me, so I did not sign the law on assistance to citizens of Ukraine in this form," Nawrocki added. He proposed his version of the bill, which would include "new solutions for granting citizenship." "I believe that the process of granting citizenship should be extended from three to 10 years, and such a proposal will be included in this bill," he announced. Another point proposed by Nawrocki concerns the strengthening of penalties for illegal border crossing. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Bruce Jones talks about the importance of setting goals during a TEDx event at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Aug. 23, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Master Sgt. Bruce Jones took the stage over the weekend at the Surfside club on the Marine Corps Camp Kinser to relate how a severe motorcycle accident upended his life. Speaking at a TEDx event, sponsored Saturday by the University of Maryland Global Campus, Jones was one of 11 people to talk over 3 hours on Saturday. Four years ago, he collided with a taxi that turned into his path on an Okinawa street. The doctors told me I had 14 months for rehabilitation, Jones said during his presentation. [At] the end of that 14 months I would be medically separated from the United States armed forces. Faced with a possible end to his Marine Corps career, and loss of mobility due to his injuries, Jones was determined to get back on his feet, rejoin his family and resume his career. He said he refused to let the June 2020 accident define him, so he set goals along each phase of his recovery. Volunteers and presenters pose during a University of Maryland Global Campus-sponsored TEDx event at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Aug. 23, 2025. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Jones was back on Okinawa after five months, and one year after the accident, he was walking the 80-mile length of the island, according to an April 2022 news release from Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Today, Jones is a human resources supervisor with the Marine aviation logistics squadron on Okinawa. He also posts inspirational messages on his TikTok account, TopJonesInspires. Set goals for yourself; Im infatuated with goals, he told Stars and Stripes at the event. I never want it to be a catchphrase. I want people to be genuine of the goals they set, whether theyre personal or professional and actually hold themselves to that. University of Maryland business professor Greg Evans and one of his students, Air Force spouse Mark Witten, organized the TEDx event, selecting the speakers from 54 applicants, Witten said by phone Thursday. Speakers included three active-duty service members, University of Maryland professors, Department of Defense Education Activity principals on Okinawa and local military community leaders, he said. What started as a quick quip in a conversation between a student and a teacher in a classroom, in nine months became a full-fledged event, Witten said. Department of Defense Education Activity principal Will Penner speaks during the TEDx event at Camp Kinser, Okinawa, Aug. 23, 2025. The talks were sponsored by University of Maryland Global Campus. (Ryan M. Breeden/Stars and Stripes) Approximately 60 people attended the event, which concluded with a three-hour networking reception. Marine Cpl. Joshua Carr and Lance Cpl. Peter Penajasso, both stationed at Camp Kinser, said they found a lot to unpack in the TED Talks. There were several amazing and inspiring stories with various backgrounds, and it was convenient to have it right on base, Penajasso said at the event. Theres something to learn from everyone, and the TEDx enables growth as well as an opportunity to network, Carr added. Saturdays TEDx event was the second on Okinawa and the first open to the public, Witten said. The first took place in 2013. The event was livestreamed and a video is available on the universitys global campus Okinawa Facebook page. This is another event situation to make life as normal as possible, but also to help people improve and become better while serving in their time overseas to hopefully make them, as humans, a little better, Witten said. Stars and Stripes reporter Brian McElhiney contributed to this report. Archaeologists record the starboard side of the remaining structure of PC-1084. (Nathan Richards, East Carolina University Program in Maritime Studies) (Tribune News Service) One of the last known subchasers built to defend the U.S. in World War II has spent the past 80 years sitting in North Carolinas Cape Fear River, and historians arent exactly sure why its still there. Like so many bits of WWII weaponry, the USS Patrol Craft-1084 was sold off after the war, putting it in the hands of an entrepreneur with big ideas for its future, historians say. Clearly, intentions changed, creating something of a mystery. The PC-1084 is now state property and East Carolina University has decided its time for an archaeological biography to solve the many mysteries surrounding how a warship traveled more than 100 miles inland just to die a slow death in river mud. How did it end up here? The ugly truth about PC-1084 is that it went from trying to sink German subs to being sold for an estimated cost of $5 a ton. Ive seen ships become bridges, swimming pools, grain silos, wharves and jetties. In the literature, we also know they became warehouses, jails, houses, taverns, banks and brothels after being run ashore. Sometimes floating, sometimes not, according to Nathan Richards, a professor in the Program in Maritime Studies at East Carolina Universitys Department of History. People in the past were very creative with reuse. They did not live in todays throwaway consumer culture. In the case of PC-1084, the intention was to use it as a floating dock near the Grove Street bridge in Fayetteville, records indicate. Unsubstantiated reports say businessman Richard Minges a Pepsi Cola bottler in the Fayetteville area purchased the vessel in 1947 for around $2,250, which is about $32,000 in 2025, Richards said. Its believed the subchaser was towed to Fayetteville, which explains why there is no record of Minges ever registering the PC-1084 as a vessel, Richards said. The same sources (uncorroborated) then say it was sold to Oscar Breece and his brother to be used at the site that became known as Breeces landing (the current site). Breece owned the nearby dance hall, Richards said. Breece used PC-1084 to tie up his pleasure yacht Florida. Yet, researchers have yet to find evidence of Breece owning a pleasure yacht named the Florida, Richards said. The lack of hard facts is what prompted ECU graduate student Harley Drange to take on the investigation as a thesis project. It could take him a year or longer to sort fact from folklore, Richards said. Not-so-glorious past PC-1084 was among 973 patrol boats built to chase submarines during WWII, some of which were sent to allied navies, according to Naval Marine Archive. At least 40 were reported as lost in action, but this does not include all the boats that were damaged and abandoned, scuttled or otherwise destroyed, the archive reports. Almost all the rest were turned over to either the U.S. Maritime Commission (now MARAD) or the Department of States Foreign Liquidation Commission (FLC) for disposal and little is known of what happened to them. The PC-1084 was commissioned in August 1943, according to Uboat.net, and little of its wartime activities is known. Its suspected the boat spent much of the war on escort duty for convoys and submarines, records show. It is an important wartime artifact. ... I would say very few of these vessels likely exist anymore, Richards said. So much American WW2 heritage is threatened because these craft were built as fast as possible with the intent of them being disposable in a sense (with) no real intended purpose for most craft once the war was over. Flimsy steel did the job of beating the Axis powers, but in the present day (this) means these cultural resources are much more fragile than youd expect. A ship fading fast Parts of the PC-1084 have gone missing, and its suspected the boat was illegally salvaged for scrap metal. It remains unclear when the ship was officially abandoned. Unlike a shipwreck, which has a fate that is often pin-pointed to a specific hour or minute of a day, these sort of craft often fade away. A ship like this could have been in a sort of mothballed state tied up with the intention of future use but the future use just never eventuated and it sank, Richards said. A general statute in North Carolina notes all shipwrecks and underwater archaeological artifacts that have been unclaimed for more than 10 years count as implied abandonment. I think it is rapidly deteriorating. While we were there, we saw a flooding event that moved a tree that had fallen on the ship. A bulkhead collapsed, some decking subsided, and some steel plating on the starboard side folded back like it was a can of food, Richards said. It will likely continue to collapse, with perhaps parts of the hull sliding into the Cape Fear River. 2025 Raleigh News & Observer. Visit newsobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. China plans a series of events with the theme of 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (SW1994/Pixabay) License Source TOKYO The Japanese government is appealing to countries in Asia and Europe to skip ceremonies in China next month commemorating the end of World War II, local media reported Sunday. Japan conveyed to other nations through its embassies abroad that Chinas commemorative events have anti-Japanese overtones, and that the participation of leaders should be carefully considered, said the Kyodo News report, without providing additional information about its anonymous sources. Japans Ministry of Foreign Affairs is aware of the report but will not comment on discussions with other countries that involve diplomatic matters, an official with the ministrys First China and Mongolia Division said by phone Monday. Some Japanese government officials must speak to the media without providing their names. Chinas ceremonies and military parades are slated for Sept. 3. It plans a series of events with the theme of 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the commemoration and military parade in Tianjin after appearing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit hosted by China on Sunday and Monday, according to Kyodo. Japan and other major western countries did not take part in Chinas 2015 parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the wars end, the report said. North Korean troops build a road near the Demilitarized Zone in this undated photo provided by the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff on June 18, 2024. (South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff) North Korean troops who crossed into South Korea at the Demilitarized Zone last week did not heed broadcasted messages to halt, prompting South Korean soldiers to fire warning shots, according to a U.N. Command investigation. A group of North Korean soldiers crossed the central area of the Military Demarcation Line, the actual border between the two Koreas, around 3 p.m. Aug. 19, according to a text message to news reporters from South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff on Saturday. The group consisted of about 30 North Korean troops, and their crossing spurred the South Korean military to broadcast several warnings from loudspeakers, according to an unattributed statement emailed Monday by U.N. Command. The North Korean troops, who were working on construction and maintenance in the area, did not respond to the broadcast, the command said. [South Korean] forces then fired warning shots in a designated warning shot area to compel the [North Korean] soldiers to return to the north side of the [Military Demarcation Line], the command said. The North Koreans returned to their side of the border after the shots were fired, Joint Chiefs spokesman Nam Ki-soo said during a news conference Monday. North Korean state-media on Saturday reported that its soldiers were building barriers near the southern border line when the South Korean forces fired over 10 warning shots from a 12.7 mm machine gun. The K6 South Koreas variant of the U.S. militarys M2 Browning heavy machine gun fires 12.7 mm rounds and is widely used by the South Korean army. This is a very serious prelude that would inevitably drive the situation in the southern border area to the uncontrollable phase, Vice Chief of the North Korean army Lt. Gen. Ko Jong Chol said in a statement published Saturday by the Korean Central News Agency. Ko described the incident as a serious provocation but did not specify whether North Korean troops had strayed beyond their border. No details on potential injuries were reported by Ko. North Korea on June 25 and July 18 informed the U.S. military of its intent to carry out construction and maintenance in the area to prevent misunderstanding and accidental conflict, Ko added. U.N. Command confirmed that the North Korean army had delivered prior notification about their intended construction activities and encouraged the North to maintain communications, according to its statement Monday. [U.N. Command] recognizes the value of prior notifications and dialogue in mitigating the risk of misinterpretation and accidental incidents, its statement said. We remain ready to engage [North Korean army] counterparts on this and other potential issue areas related to our standing agreements. The multinational organization provides security on South Koreas side of the DMZ and investigates potential violations of the armistice that paused hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War. South Korean forces have occasionally fired warning shots after North Korean troops were alleged to have crossed the 160-mile-long border. Warning shots were fired when groups of 10 to 30 North Korean troops crossed the border in at least three separate incidents in June 2024, the Joint Chiefs said at the time. A Russian Ilyushin IL-20M surveillance plane flies near Japan on Feb. 12, 2025. (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) For the third time in less than a week, a Russian intelligence-gathering plane was intercepted Sunday in the expansive Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, according to a NORAD news release that day. NORAD scrambled two fighters, an early warning and control aircraft and two aerial refuelers to intercept the Ilyushin IL-20 Coot, the release said. NORAD responded to two other Coot electronic signals gatherers in the Alaskan zone, the first on Wednesday and a second on Thursday. In both cases, the command sent two F-16 Fighting Falcons, an E-3 Sentry and one KC-135 refueler. On Sunday, the Russian plane flew inside the identification zone for approximately 55 minutes about 50 miles west of Point Hope, Alaska, according to email Monday from Canadian Armed Forces Capt. Rebecca Garand, a NORAD spokeswoman. Point Hope, a town of about 700 people, occupies a spit that juts into the Chukchi Sea in northwestern Alaska. In all three cases, NORAD said Russian intrusions into the zone occur regularly and typically do not present a threat to U.S. or Canadian security. None of the Russian flights entered U.S. or Canadian airspace, according to NORAD. Three incursions in a week represents an increase in Russian flights into the region but the number of flights varies, Garand said. Since Russia resumed Long-Range Aviation activities in 2007, the number of incursions fluctuates annually, but we have seen as many as 15 in one year to as low as zero, she said. An air defense identification zone, or ADIZ, extends into international airspace 12 miles from the coastline, where sovereign airspace ends. The Alaskan zone covers a vast area that includes the Aleutian Islands and large portions of the Arctic Ocean, the Bering Sea and the northern Pacific. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre, who arrived on a visit to Kyiv, has announced the continuation of military support for Ukraine in 2026. "I announced that the support for Ukraine in 2025 will be continued in 2026. This means in monetary terms $8.5 billion in 2026, which I will propose to the parliament. In the past, the parliament has unanimously supported our Nansen Support Program. And I am confident that we will be able to maintain this high level of support," he said at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday. The Nansen Support Program for Ukraine is a Norwegian civilian and military support program worth NOK 75 billion for the period 20232027. The distribution between civilian and military support is determined annually in accordance with Ukraine's needs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a meeting of the Ukrainian and American teams at the end of this week to discuss the possibility of future peace talks between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. "And today there will be a meeting with Kellogg to continue this topic, to develop preparations for the possibility of a future meeting with the Russian side. At the end of the week there will be a meeting of the Ukrainian team and the American team. Accordingly, those people you mentioned, or part of those people," Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Kyiv on Monday. The president also noted that "there will be a lot of work during the week." According to him, yesterday there were contacts between the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other partners. Also, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha joined the online meeting of the heads of foreign ministries of the Group of Seven (G7) on Ukraine's Independence Day. In addition, Zelenskyy reported that "today we have a conversation between our military leadership and partners." There will also be a meeting of national security advisers on Wednesday. "And it seems to me that we will have a basic plan for security guarantees. I think that the details still need time. We still need to work. And after that, I would like to understand from the American side whether the Russians are ready for the meeting and in what configuration. Are the Russians ready for the configuration that was proposed by America and supported by Ukraine in the presence of European leaders - a bilateral and then a trilateral meeting," the president emphasized. Laura Velasco Granada Monday, 25 August 2025, 15:26 Share Cristina Orantes lives surrounded by pistols, rifles, shotguns and ammunition and she couldn't be happier. She turned her passion into a job at the age of 20, motivated by her father, who instilled in her a love of guns. They worked together for years and she ended up inheriting the family business, which today enjoys great success. The Orantes' gun shop has regular customers as well as the thousands of people who follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Her father was a Guardia Civil officer but his career was cut very short following a work-based accident when he was just 33. He decided to study to become a gunsmith and went on to set up the business in Las Gabias, Granada province. "I was going to study architecture, but what I liked was guns, so I went to school in Eibar", Cristina explains. She did the practical training and learned how to repair and adjust weapons, change the handguard and look for errors in the operating mechanism, among other aspects of the job. She shared the business with her father until he retired and handed it over to her. For the last fifteen years, she has been in charge. Sale and repair The shop is open from 8am until 10pm and customers can buy guns, have theirs repaired or get help with bureaucracy. A large part of their work consists of helping to obtain licences, renew them and carry out other related procedures. "Recently a Belgian man came who had just retired and moved to Durcal. He brought his guns with him, so we have done the paperwork for him. There are also those who are retiring and have always dreamed of owning one, so we explain to them about the exam," explains Cristina. Apart from these issues, her work focuses on sales and, above all, repairs. For the last few months, Leo, her husband, has been helping her with the physical and online sales so that she can focus on other tasks. Cristina also has an army of followers on social media where she started "in the most absurd way possible". Cristina explains: "Two years ago, in August, all my friends were on holiday and I was counting ammunition at four in the afternoon. I jokingly recorded a video of me saying: look what I'm doing while you're all in the pool. I accidentally uploaded it to the gun shop's profile instead of my own and a few hours later it had thousands of views." A few days later, she was handling hunting licences when she realised that she had a lot of work to do; most clients had left it "for the last minute, typical of the Spanish" and she would have to hurry to make the deadline. She recorded a second video explaining this anecdote and it went viral again. "My followers recommended that I upload more, to see if it was a coincidence or if it was really interesting," she adds. Today Cristina has more than 65,000 followers on Facebook and 10,000 on Instagram. The most popular thing, without a doubt, is the content recorded in the workshop: "They love to see how I disassemble guns, for example. I show them how a gun shop is run, a business perspective they may not have seen," she says. Her videos have even led to a visitor from New York, who comes to the shop every time he visits Spain, among many others. Cristina receives thousands of comments every day. Some call her "empowered" for being in a profession traditionally dominated by men - in fact, she doesn't know any other female gunsmiths in Spain. From time to time she comes up against sexist comments, especially in person. "Some people ask me where the boss is or say that he is going to disassemble the gun, not me. Fortunately, they are few and far between. I think I've had more obstacles because I'm young than because I'm a woman, because they think you don't have the knowledge you should have because of your age," she admits. Inspections Because of the nature of her business, she is often in communication with the Guardia Civil. On the one hand, 'Intervencion de armas' carries out numerous inspections, a practice that Cristina applauds. "I appreciate that it is controlled so that there are no problems," she admits. On occasion she has been asked questions related to an investigation, such as about the type of product a customer bought or a technical query. "We get along well with each other, we are a team," she adds. On the darker side of the profession are those who seek to engage in illegal activities, such as buying goods without a licence, which is totally unfeasible. "There are those who say that another gun shop has sold them ammunition at exorbitant prices without asking for the papers. They offer you 200 euros for something worth 20 to see if you fall for it, but there is no need to make things complicated. It's not worth risking everything for 200 euros, even though many people find it tempting," Cristina says. In addition to selling and repairing firearms, Cristina Orantes is passionate about shooting, "a very beautiful sport" that she highly recommends. "It helps you to concentrate, to breathe and to escape from everyday problems. There is a very good atmosphere in the competitions and we are happy for each other's successes," says the Granada native, who recalls that the shooting range in Las Gabias is "one of the best in Europe". "For me guns are everything, from a hobby to an inheritance from my father, who had no land, but left us a lot of guns," says Cristina. She will continue with her shop, she hopes, until she retires. What she likes most is providing solutions to clients like when "someone comes to me with a serious problem, such as blindness in one eye, and you have to find an alternative so that they can aim with the other eye. Or someone who has just retired and their dream has always been to get their firearms licence. You help them to prepare for the exam and get it. Finding these solutions satisfies me," confesses Cristina, Spain's most famous gunsmith, who will continue to raise awareness of the sector from her shop in Las Gabias. The key players from Spain, UK and Gibraltar, Albares, Sefcovic, Lammy and Picardo, join hands after reaching this agreement at the headquarters of the European Commission on 11 June 2025. Miguel Angel Alfonso Madrid Monday, 25 August 2025, 17:19 Share Barely two months after the United Kingdom and the European Union (under the guidance of Spain) signed the landmark agreement on Gibraltar's new status after Brexit, on both sides of the border (locally known as La Verja), local residents and the more than 50,000 people who cross the border daily are still awaiting a definitive resolution to the dispute that has been dragging on since the implementation of the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. This dispute affects the daily lives of those living in towns in Cadiz such as La Linea de la Concepcion, Algeciras and the British colony itself, as well as diplomatic relations between London and Madrid. The UK's withdrawal from the EU following the 2016 Brexit referendum was devastating for the 'llanitos' (the popular nickname for the inhabitants of Gibraltar), who had voted overwhelmingly to remain (96%). A period of arduous negotiations then began, with families and workers on tenterhooks over their future, as also happened in other places such as Northern Ireland and Scotland, which saw the benefits of being part of the EU stripped from them overnight. That is why the pact, which continues to cause some misgivings among the mayors of the municipalities in the affected area as it has yet to be finalised, came as a relief. The document, hammered out over five years of negotiations and several failed rounds of talks between governments of different political persuasions, (since 2020 alone, have there been four UK prime ministers in the UK and just one PM for Spain, Pedro Sanchez), includes the free movement of people and goods, as is the case among the other EU countries. It also includes the deployment of Spanish border staff on the Rock to control the entry of passengers to the Schengen zone, shared use of the airport, commitments to a level playing field in terms of state aid, taxation, employment and the fight against money laundering. 13 years with a closed border from 1969 to 1982 was a major blow to the local economy on both sides of the fence. The diplomatic achievement, which Spain's Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albares, applauded as "the demolition of the last wall in Western Europe" and which parts of the British press criticised as a "surrender" of the Rock to Spain, was overshadowed on 12 June by the revelation in the first paragraphs of the UCO report linking former PSOE number 3 Santos Cerdan to the 'Koldo plot' (bribery and corruption allegations). This development put a damper on the celebrations in Moncloa and sent shockwaves through the heart of central government. Now Albares confirms that the agreement will be ready for autumn, pending the meeting between Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez and British PM Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on 3 September. The meeting will focus on finalising an agreement that both agree is "a great opportunity". The Treaty of Utrecht That said, harmony has never been the norm in relations between Madrid and London regarding Gibraltar. Part of the Crown of Castile since the second half of the 15th century, Gibraltar was occupied in 1704 by an Anglo-Dutch fleet in support of the pretender Charles of Habsburg during the War of the Spanish Succession, after which it was ceded to the British Crown under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. Since then, the political future of the colony has been the subject of controversy even within Spanish borders. As an example of this, in March 1917, General Miguel Primo de Rivera, then military governor of Cadiz, proposed in his inaugural address to the Hispano-American Academy that Gibraltar be exchanged for Ceuta, a controversial idea that cost him his expulsion from the institution barely a month later. During the Franco regime, the Gibraltar issue was a central theme in Spanish foreign policy, with Franco demanding the return of the territory and inciting nationalist fervour by mentioning the Rock in such speeches. This policy reached its peak with the closure of the border separating Spain from Gibraltar in 1969, a measure that had serious economic consequences for both sides. Nine years after Brexit Spain's Foreign Minister confirms the final agreement on the Rock's new status will be ready in the autumn After the dictator's death, it was not until 14 December 1982, with Felipe Gonzalez as Spain's Prime Minister, that the pedestrian blockade was lifted. Even then the situation would not return to normal until the signing of the Cordoba Agreement on 18 September 2006 between Gibraltar, the United Kingdom and Spain. The Spanish government, led by Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, agreed to relax border controls, facilitating the passage of citizens and transportation between the two territories. The British government, for its part, would increase pensions for Spanish workers who had lost their jobs in Gibraltar between 1969 and 1982. Brexit took the residents of this area back to the hardship of those years and made finding a solution crucial. Spain, for its part, still refuses to renounce its sovereignty over the Rock. Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Monday, 25 August 2025, 11:36 Share The abundant rainfall in Malaga province last autumn, winter and spring has put an end to almost five years of drought and has benefited all crops. However, for the province's vineyards it has also led to the appearance of the dreaded mildew fungus. As predicted in June, this year's grape harvest in Malaga will decline considerably as a result of the mildew. Initially, a drop in production of around 40 per cent was predicted, although it is currently expected to be closer to 30 per cent. This year's grape harvest, which began at the end of July ago with the earliest varieties of white grapes, is proving to be one of the most complex in recent times, marked by a dual scenario: on the one hand, climatic conditions that have favoured the development of the vines and the good quality of the grapes; on the other hand, the strong incidence of mildew in some areas, with mixed consequences across the province. From September 2024 to date, rainfall has increased by 28 per cent compared to the historical average, with particular intensity in October 2024 and March and April this year. Added to this is a general increase in temperatures, which between April and August have exceeded the usual average by more than two degrees Celsius. In terms of plant health, the mildew has had a significant impact on the main wine-growing areas of Andalucia. In Malaga province some areas have been affected more than others: in Manilva, the western area of the Axarquia and the Montes de Malaga, losses of up to 80 per cent of the harvest have been reported by some vineyards. Production In the Antequera area the incidence is mixed, with some vineyards unaffected and others suffering losses of up to 50 per cent, according to a statement from the Regulatory Council of the Designation of Origin (CRDO) Malaga, Sierras de Malaga and Pasas de Malaga. In contrast, in the eastern Axarquia area and the Serrania de Ronda, the presence of the fungus has been minimal. This uneven impact is due to the diversity of the environment, varieties and cultivation systems, the physical isolation of the production areas and the particular sensitivity of the predominant varieties in Malaga (Muscat of Alexandria and Pedro Ximenez), which are concentrated in the most affected areas. The harvest has been under way almost simultaneously in the Axarquia since 30 July and in the northern part of the province since 4 August, slightly later than in the two previous years. It is currently progressing as usual from east to west "with completion expected in the Serrania de Ronda during the first half of October, provided that weather conditions remain stable," according to the CRDO. Despite the impact of the mildew, forecasts indicate that total production for winemaking will be around two million kilograms, which would represent a decrease of around 30 per cent compared to 2024. In the case of the raisin sector with Designation of Origin, which is more dependent on the western Axarquia, the situation is even more delicate: a loss of between 40 and 50 per cent of the harvest is estimated, with a final production of around 600 tonnes of fresh grapes. Overall, this year's 2025 harvest in Malaga "is shaping up to be smaller in quantity, but with fruit quality rated as good or very good, which will allow the province's wines and raisins to maintain their excellence despite the difficulties," according to the CRDO. The merchant vessel that spotted the drifting diver off the coast of Caleta de Velez on Friday. A 23-year-old Moroccan diver was rescued 24 miles off the coast of Caleta de Velez in Malaga province on the eastern Costa del Sol on Friday, 22 August. He was rescued by merchant ship off Costa del Sol after two days adrift in the Mediterranean Sea. He was spotted by a merchant cargo ship, the crew of which alerted Spain's Salvamento Maritimo maritime rescue service. The man was still recovering in a hospital in Motril on Saturday, waiting to be discharged and returned to Morocco. The young man told the National Police that he had gone diving with some friends near Ceuta - the autonomous Spanish city bordering Morocco on the North African coast - on Wednesday afternoon, but the strong currents had swept him away. Although he surfaced, the diver lost sight of his friends and the intensity of the tide left him adrift. According to the initial reports, he had been adrift for about six days, but he said that it had only been two. Signs of hypothermia The crew of a merchant ship sailing towards Portugal saw him on Friday morning. The young man was found floating in the sea and, although he was dressed in neoprene, he was showing signs of hypothermia. He was transferred to the Motril emergency heliport - the closest point for his rapid evacuation, given its proximity to the Santa Ana hospital. The Local Police, National Police, the emergency health service and the fire brigade were mobilised. The diver showed signs of dehydration and was semi-conscious. He barely speaks Spanish. He was immediately attended to by the medical services and taken to hospital. Chus Heredia Monday, 25 August 2025, 15:49 Share It will be a long and complex road. Any major public work involves an endless stream of paperwork, even more so for a new reservoir because it always generates divided opinions. Malaga awaits progress on the Gibralmedina reservoir, which will regulate a key river in the province, the Guadiaro. Such a reservoir will serve as a more than considerable strengthening of the water supplies available to the Costa del Sol. The Junta de Andalucia, promoter of this major construction project, has now submitted the technical report to central government. Formal submission As to the formal submission of the paperwork, regional government sources assure SUR that delivery was acknowledged as received by the directorate-general for water with the Ministry of Ecological Transition. "We await and demand the start of its processing," they added. The cost does not bode well for a straightforward agreement: the projected investment amounts to some 780 million euros. The future reservoir would be located between the provinces of Malaga and Cadiz. The Junta's agriculture department finished overseeing the scoping of the projects and technical report in spring and presented them to local mayors and other interested parties before transferring the completed document to the Spanish government to negotiate all the financing and start the formal process of approval. River basin: location, location The aim is to regulate the Guadiaro river that, while it does flow into the Campo de Gibraltar basin in Cadiz province, most of this river actually courses through Malaga province and so the flood zone for the future dam would also be within Malaga's borders. The most important factor for the Costa del Sol province is that water will flow from the future reservoir back into Malaga. Double project In reality, there are two projects. The first is creating the dam itself at an estimated cost of 400 million euros. The second involves installing the supply pipelines running from Cadiz province to the Costa del Sol, budgeted at around 200 million euros. The technical report on both has exceeded 437,000 euros, 19.20% more than the initial amount to cover drafting the work. Background In 2020, the regional government's department of agriculture awarded the contract to draft the project for the new reservoir, which will be located on the Gibralmedina stream, a tributary of the Guadiaro. It would join the Guadarranque dams, on the river of the same name, and the Charco Redondo dam, which uses the outflow from the Palmones river. It was primarily intended to supply urban and industrial water requirements of a population of 500,000 inhabitants in the Campo de Gibraltar and for land irrigation for agricultural purposes. Typsa-Inproes-Gibralmedina, the joint venture of companies that drafted the project, initially considered the option of using raw water (up to 15 million cubic metres per year) to be treated by Acosol (the western Costa del Sol's public water company). However, the chosen alternative consists of connecting the Gibralmedina dams with the Guadarranque. The water will be treated instead by Arcgisa (the public water company of Campo de Gibraltar) at the Arenillas DWTP (drinking water treatment plant) in Cadiz. From there it will be transported to the reservoir in San Enrique de Guadiaro, then from that reservoir to Acosol's western branch. This proposal would create a proper drinking-water mains supply between Cadiz and Malaga, with key elements such as the pending extension of the Verde water treatment plant in Marbella and the now-in-service pumping stations in Rojas (Churriana) and La Rosaleda. This would enable a continuous connection between the Campo de Gibraltar and the Axarquia area. All these projects are being undertaken by the Junta. Expansion of La Concepcion reservoir The Gibralmedina project replaces the previously proposed project to expand La Concepcion reservoir, located between Marbella and Istan, which was included in Spain's national hydrological plan. Its 57 million cubic metres of capacity are exceeded in times of heavy rainfall such as those recorded during last autumn's and winter's storm surges and floods. In fact, it could have been filled twice with all the rain it collected. So, once again, the reservoir had to be syphoned off for safety reasons. That preliminary project was completed in 2016 and envisaged increasing the reservoir capacity to 100.5 million cubic metres. There were two options: build another dam in front of the current one or to raise the height of the existing one. Europa Press Malaga Monday, 25 August 2025, 15:35 Share Deputy secretary for studies and programmes of the Partido Popular political party in Malaga Maria Rosa Morales has denounced the "continuous delays and breakdowns" that the provincial short-distance Cercanias train service is suffering. She accuses the PSOE-led central government of ignoring the need for investments in the province. Her complaints are backed up by the metropolitan mobility observatory report, which states that Malaga province's Cercanias is "the slowest in Spain". According to the report, Malaga province's local Cercanias trains run at an average speed of 42.3km/h, "far below" other local networks in Spain, such as Madrid (50km/h), Valencia (57.6km/h) or Barcelona (47.9km/h). "An abysmal difference if we compare it with rail networks with a lower number of passengers, as is the case of the Basque Country's C1, which, with an average of 7.2 million passengers per year, reaches an average speed of 50km/h," Morales said. "The two suburban lines of Malaga have more than 17 million passengers annually - it is one of the most profitable lines in Spain, but we keep suffering train delays due to the inaction of the Spanish government." Morales also denounced the lack of regular trains during rush hours - the average time between two trains is half an hour or 20 minutes in the case of the Malaga-Fuengirola line. "In Madrid, Cercanias trains run every eight minutes, in Barcelona every 12 minutes and in Biscay every 17 minutes," Morales said, adding that the Ministry of Transport, led by Oscar Puente, continues ignoring Malaga province. According to Morales, the number of passengers using the Cercanias line in Malaga province keeps growing at the same time as the number of breakdowns, cancellations and delays. She criticises the central government for offering "zero investment to improve this fundamental service for the tourist and economic sector". Morales echoed the words of other politicians in Malaga province, who have previously highlighted "the inequality" with other regions such as Catalonia, where "the central government prioritises investments worth millions". Morales said that the PP in Malaga is going to raise the issue to the national debate "once again" and demand an explanation from PM Pedro Sanchez. She added that Malaga residents will keep defending their right to "a modern and efficient" train network. Marina Ortiz Madrid Monday, 25 August 2025, 14:19 Share We are entering the last week of August and for many people the holidays are over, meaning for them that summer is coming to an end, despite the fact that this season ends on 22 September. However, the heat seems to continue to be the protagonist in much of Spain, although the coming days are expected to bring somewhat cooler temperatures than expected for this time of the year. On Sunday, 24 August, the state meteorological agency (Aemet) warned of the arrival of a 'Dana' depression at high-levels of the atmosphere in Spain, which has already made itself felt especially in the north-east of the Spanish mainland, with heavy rain and storms. Rain and thunderstorms in these areas According to the weather agency, this trend is set to continue this Monday, as there are yellow warnings for rain and storms active until nine o'clock at night, with "locally heavy showers and/or storms in the Pyrenees, without ruling them out in other parts of the eastern third", due to the 'Dana' that entered the Spanish mainland over the weekend. Looking ahead to Tuesday, " in northern Galicia and the Cantabrian areas, moving from west to east, there will be abundant cloudiness with precipitation. There will also be a cloudiness in the mountains of the far north and eastern half of the Iberian Peninsula, as well as in the Balearic Islands, with the possibility of scattered showers or thunderstorms, more likely in the far north. It cannot be ruled out that storms may affect other inland areas of the Spanish mainland and the eastern Mediterranean area", Aemet indicated in its weather forecast. Rain will continue on Wednesday 27 August in areas of Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country, where it may be in the form of showers and accompanied by heavy thunderstorms, most likely in the Pyrenees. Cooler temperatures, but heat continues After Aemet confirmed that the last heatwave we experienced in Spain was the most intense since records have been kept, with an anomaly of 4.6C, many are still focusing on whether the mercury will rise or fall in the coming days. As the agency indicates from the blog that previews the weather forecast for the period from 25 August to 14 September, "the last week of August will have, in general, lower temperatures than normal for the time of year in most of the Spanish mainland, except in the Cantabrian and Mediterranean areas and both archipelagos". Es probable que la ultima semana de agosto sea mas fria de lo habitual para la epoca en la mayor parte de la Peninsula. Las lluvias serian mas abundantes de lo normal en zonas del tercio norte y Baleares. Prediccion para las proximas tres semanas https://t.co/PaeoC3rmzz AEMET (@AEMET_Esp) August 22, 2025 Therefore, this Monday we will find minimum temperatures of 15C in Avila and Leon, 14 degrees in Teruel and Lugo on Tuesday and, as the lowest temperatures on Wednesday, it is expected that Leon will reach 12C and Lugo 13 degrees. Pilar Martinez Malaga Monday, 25 August 2025, 19:08 Share These are some of the busiest days at airports across Spain. It is also a time when there is an increased likelihood of unforeseen circumstances before, during or after flights, such as delays, airlines overbooking or surprises when travelling as a family with small children. Considering this increased risk of disruptions, it is a good idea to learn the lesson and know exactly how to act and what rights protect passengers under this type of circumstance. The AirHelp platform - a travel technology company that works to improve the experience of air passengers during a flight disruption - says that in the first half of the year alone, around 5,415,000 people took a flight from Malaga Airport. Of these, 75.5% arrived at their destination on time and 24.5% experienced delays or cancellations, with delays ranging from 15 minutes to three hours. The same company estimates that around 57,500 passengers are entitled to financial compensation for having suffered cancellations or delays of more than three hours, which is part of the requirements established by European regulations. However, at a time when travel is becoming more budget-conscious, there is an increasing demand for connecting flights as they are often a more economical option. The problem is that the chances of missing a connection also increase. For this reason, it is important to know when you are entitled to compensation in order to travel with peace of mind and face the challenges, such as the risk of missing a connection due to delays, baggage handling or simply not knowing your rights. According to AirCashBack, there is an essential difference between buying a trip as a single booking or purchasing tickets separately, as the airline's liability changes completely. The most critical point for a journey with a stopover is the way in which the tickets are purchased. If all legs are booked together in a single reservation, the airline is responsible for the entire journey. This means that if a delay on the first flight causes the second flight to be missed, the airline is obliged to provide an alternative flight free of charge and to provide assistance with food, drink and accommodation if necessary. Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 stipulates that if a passenger arrives at their final destination with a delay of three hours or more, they are entitled to financial compensation of up to 600 euros. However, if tickets are purchased separately, each flight is a separate contract and the second leg airline has no obligation if the passenger does not show up on time. Another key aspect is baggage. In a single booking, the checked bag is usually tagged until the final destination, so the passenger does not have to pick it up at the stopover. The only exceptions are usually countries such as the US or Canada, which require a customs check. If tickets are separate, luggage must be collected and checked in again, for which a minimum of three to four hours between flights is recommended. Compensations for overbooking One of the aspects of travelling that most shocks passengers is when they get to the gate and the airline workers tell them that the flight has been 'overbooked' and they cannot get on the plane, despite having bought a ticket. This is one of the most frustrating situations for air passengers. Airlines use this practice to sell more tickets than seats available in order to maximise the occupancy of their flights and reduce losses due to empty seats, usually caused by last-minute cancellations or no-show passengers. Although legal, this practice can cause significant problems for passengers, especially when the estimates fail and more people than expected show up for boarding. If denied boarding is against a passenger's will, they can claim financial compensation and assistance, as set out in the European regulation EC 261, with compensation of up to 600 euros depending on the distance of the flight. Rosa Garcia - legal advisor at AirHelp - warns that European regulations protect air passengers who are affected by an involuntarily denied boarding. In such cases, airlines are obliged to pay financial compensation of 250 euros for flights up to 1,500 kilometres; 400 euros for flights within the EU over 1,500 kilometres and for other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres; and 600 euros for flights over 3,500 kilometres. Garcia said that in case the company offers an alternative transport with a similar arrival time, the compensation can be reduced to 50%. In addition, the airline is obliged to provide care and assistance: food and drink according to the waiting time, accommodation if necessary, transport between airport and hotel and two free telephone or email communications. It must also offer either a refund of the ticket price within a maximum of seven days or rebooking on the first available flight, or on a later date convenient for the passenger. However, where the passenger voluntarily agrees to give up their seat in exchange for benefits, the financial compensation provided for in EC 261 does not apply and the conditions are negotiated directly with the airline. Travelling as a family When travelling with children, parents should know that any child under the age of 12 must be seated next to an accompanying adult, which, unlike choosing a seat for anybody over the age of 12, is free of charge. Airhelp insists that "airlines cannot charge for this right or separate a child for not having paid for seat selection". In addition, if you are travelling with babies, you should know that you have the right to bring a stroller and a car seat at no extra cost and to carry milk or baby food in the cabin, even in quantities of more than 100 millilitres. "It is now very common for airlines to offer priority boarding and special assistance at airports for families with small children. On the other hand, it is essential for each child to carry their own passport or national identity card. If they are travelling with only one parent, it is recommended to carry a signed letter of consent," the company says. As for lost or delayed baggage, AirHelp reminds families that they can request reimbursement for essential products such as clothes, nappies or baby milk. In these cases, compensation can be up to 1,300 euros according to the Montreal convention and it is essential to file a formal claim within the established deadlines - seven days for damage and 21 days for delay. Europa Press Alicante Monday, 25 August 2025, 12:12 | Updated 14:53h. Share A surgeon from Alicante has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of his 94-year-old father as a result of sepsis on Tuesday, 19 August. According to sources, the doctor had performed a home surgery to amputate several of his father's toes. The National Police have released little information about the case so far. What is known is that the deceased's son has been arrested. The circumstances are still under investigation. According to news outlets Levante and Informacion, the elderly man was suffering from circulatory problems and had begun to develop gangrene. He had reportedly returned to the nursing home where he lived after having spent a few days with his son. The nursing home staff discovered that he had a bandage on his foot and that several of his toes were missing. The man was admitted to Hospital de Sant Joan d'Alacant when his condition deteriorated. He was later transferred to the Doctor Balmis hospital in Alicante, where he died of sepsis. Maria Eugenia Alonso Madrid Monday, 25 August 2025, 12:58 Share Ryanair announced that it was cutting 640,000 seats in Spain for this summer back in January, cancelling all its flights at several regional airports and reducing traffic at others. According to the Partido Popular party, this decision has a negative impact on the tourism sector, weakens competitiveness and deepens territorial inequalities. That is why Alberto Nunez Feijoo's party urges Spain's central PSOE-led government to implement a national air connectivity strategy for regional airports that guarantees accessibility for all regions, with special attention to those with fewer transport alternatives. In the text presented in the Senate, the PP denounces that the government and Spain's airport operator (Aena) have "completely" abandoned regional airports. An abandonment that, together with the reduction of air connections, limits the arrival of visitors, directly affecting hotels, restaurants, shops and other local services, "especially in regions that depend heavily on tourism for their economic livelihood". To encourage traffic at regional airports, the PP calls for the establishment of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives and reductions in airport charges at all national airports, following the example of countries such as Italy, Sweden, Cyprus and Turkey, to attract and retain airline operations. The conservative party defends the need to "implement proactive policies that provide a real incentive for airlines to maintain and expand their operations at regional airports, ensuring territorial cohesion and balanced economic development". The PP also urges the government to "evaluate and adjust fiscal and regulatory policies to ensure that tax rates and charges are internationally competitive" and avoid the flight of airlines to other destinations. "It is imperative that the government takes urgent measures to ensure equitable connectivity across the country, preventing certain regions from being isolated and neglected," the text stresses. The promotion of domestic tourism and the improvement of accessibility for people with disabilities in tourist destinations are other requests included in the PP motion. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre reaffirmed Norway's unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, calling it a matter of security and stability for Europe and the world, and noted the importance of Norway's military assistance to Ukraine. "Now, as we gather here, brave Ukrainian soldiers are fighting for the entire Ukrainian community, as well as for Europe and global values... And now, dear friends, specialized workers at a factory in my country, Norway, are producing defense materials and new equipment that will help your army. And now there is a coalition of the willing, partner countries in Europe and the United States, who are constantly working on how best to support Ukraine in its defense, how to pave the way for a just and lasting peace," Stere said during a National Prayer Breakfast with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Monday. He called it a great honor to speak at the prayer breakfast and noted that all world religions call on their believers and followers to show solidarity. "Holy books glorify the sanctity of human life and therefore call on us to show compassion, devotion and faith. Dear friends, what we see in Ukraine is aggression and war, it is contempt for life. We must do everything in our power to stop this war, knowing that one person, the leader of Russia, could end it now, in an instant. We must make every effort to work for the good of peace with our hands, minds, resources and prayers," said the head of the Norwegian government. Zelenskyy, in turn, thanked Stre and Norway for their support. "Thank you to everyone who is with our people... It is very important to feel that there is such great support, that in this battle - and this is a real battle, of good and evil - we have help, military, important help. But not only that there is not only military help, that there is help for our people, and above all, spiritual. And there are allies in values, allies in the struggle that Ukraine is waging," the president said. "This fight for life is the most important thing that we have. And when we see your deeds, when we hear your words of support, when we hear your prayers for us, for our people, for our children, for Ukraine. In general, we know that we are not alone. And we are on the bright side of history," Zelenskuy added. Raquel Merino Malaga Monday, 25 August 2025, 17:41 Share The Spanish fashion giant Zara has been ordered to pay almost 100,000 euros to a former employee whose dismissal by the fashion brand for allegedly stealing several pieces of clothing was ruled unfair by two courts. The sentence was initially served by the 41st social court of Madrid, after which is was upheld by the High Court of Justice of Madrid. Both found that the dismissal had been unfair, because the former employee's locker had been opened while she was on sick leave, without her consent. The plaintiff had been working for the Inditex group, which Zara is part of, since 1999 and had a gross monthly salary of approximately 3,900 euros as operations manager in the ladies' section. The staff lockers were changed at the end of 2023. According to the judgement, the plaintiff's locker was opened by the shop's management body and a workers' representative, but without any independent witnesses present. Inside, they found five items from the shop, with their labels. The value of these items amounted to just over 205 euros. The company asked the employee for proof of purchase and, when she did not provide one, she was given a disciplinary dismissal. According to the company, all items of clothing found inside her locker corresponded to stock shortages, while a pair of shoes had no recorded sale. The former employee filed a complaint for unfair dismissal and for violation of fundamental rights, mainly the right to privacy, arguing that at no time had she been asked for permission to have her locker opened. In addition, her defence alleged the opening had been done in an irregular manner. Verdict: unfair dismissal The 41st Social Court of Madrid ruled that the dismissal had been unfair and obliged the company to choose between reinstatement of the worker or compensation of 90,742.72 euros. In addition, it added a payment of 7,501 for moral damages, considering that her right to privacy had been violated, since the search had been carried out without prior notice and without her being present. Zara appealed, but the Madrid High Court of Justice upheld the initial judgment, dismissed the appeal and ordered the company to pay court costs. There was a time when getting a new cellphone felt like signing a mortgage -- except with worse terms. Youd walk into a carrier store, pick out a shiny new phone, and theyd practically hand it over for free -- as long as you promised to stick around for two years and not ask too many questions. These days, you have options. Big ones. And the best-kept secret in mobile phones? Unlocked phones. If youve never heard of an unlocked phone -- or you assumed it was code for hot merchandise -- youre not alone. But dont worry. Im here to demystify it and maybe save you some serious cash in the process. So what is an unlocked phone? An unlocked phone is a phone that isnt tied to a specific cell phone carrier. You can insert a SIM card from nearly any carrier (as long as the network is compatible), and itll just ... work. No begging for unlock codes. No waiting until your contract obligation ends. No paying off the phone in full before switching. Just freedom. Sweet, mobile freedom. Why buy one? Lets start with the big reason: flexibility. Youre free to shop around for a cheaper phone plan. And these days, with companies like Mint Mobile, Visible and Consumer Cellular offering serious bang for your buck, that freedom matters. YOU CAN ALSO: -- Travel internationally and easily pop in a local SIM card to avoid outrageous roaming fees. -- Sell your phone down the road with less hassle (unlocked phones hold their resale value better). -- Avoid bloatware -- those annoying apps that come preinstalled on carrier phones and wont uninstall no matter how many times you shake your fist at the sky. WHERE TO BUY AN UNLOCKED PHONE Plenty of retailers sell unlocked phones, but youll want to shop smart. Direct from the manufacturer: Apple, Samsung, Google and Motorola all sell fully unlocked models directly on their websites. Trusted retailers: Best Buy, Walmart and Amazon (look for factory unlocked in the listing) all offer good selections. Just doublecheck that its not carrier unlocked, which might still be partially restricted. Certified preowned: Want to save even more? Look at Swappa, Back Market or Gazelle. These sites specialize in refurbished and tested phones -- many for hundreds less than buying new. HOW TO GET IT WORKING Getting started with an unlocked phone is easier than it sounds. Pick your carrier: If you already have a provider you like, great. If not, this is a golden chance to explore budget-friendly options. Insert the SIM card: If your phone doesnt use physical SIMs (many new ones use eSIM), your carrier will walk you through activation. Power it on. Most phones will recognize the network automatically. If not, a quick call or online chat with the carrier can sort it out. Tweak APN settings (rarely needed, but easy if your data doesnt start flowing right away). Done and done. Youre officially contract-free and cruising. WATCH OUT FOR ... Like anything else, there are a few caveats. Avoid shady sellers: Craigslist deals might be tempting, but blacklisted or stolen phones wont work, no matter how cheap. Check compatibility: Not all phones work on all networks. Look up your carriers BYOD tool to make sure your new phone supports the right frequency bands. Warranty limitations: Some third-party sellers dont offer the same protections, so read the fine print before you hit buy. FINAL WORD? Buying an unlocked phone is a simple, smart way to take back control from the big wireless carriers. Its like finally getting your phone out on parole. You get to choose your plan, your phone and your terms. No contracts. No bloatware. And no paying for 10GB of data when all you do is text your kids and scroll recipes. If youre in the market for a new phone -- or just fed up with your current plan -- consider going unlocked. It might feel like a small change, but trust me, your future self (and your phone bill) will thank you. For even more info plus resource links, Id love to meet up with you at EverydayCheapskate.com/unlockedphone. Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at Ask Mary. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book Debt-Proof Living. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM President Donald Trump is threatening to deploy National Guard troops to more U.S. cities. In recent days, Trump has mentioned the possibility of sending troops to Baltimore, Chicago and New York City. Trump sent National Guard members to Los Angeles earlier in the summer and recently deployed troops in Washington. He has said the Washington deployment is meant to fight crime. The Los Angeles deployment came amid protests aimed at Trumps immigration policies. Critics have said the moves are overreaches done for political purposes, according to NBC News. Critics have also noted that crime rates in Washington are down, even as Trump has argued the situation is out of control. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says theres been no communication from the White House, but multiple reports say the Trump administration has been planning for National Guard troops in Chicago for weeks, according to ABC7 in Chicago. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said, according to ABC7. Trump has far more authority when it comes to Washington than other U.S. cities, since the capital is ultimately federal territory. When presidents call up national guard troops elsewhere without a governors permission, the guard is limited to protecting federal buildings and personnel, according to ABC7. Robert G. Hollar passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025, at the age of 93. Born in Detroit on January 24, 1932, Bob was the son of Arthur and Marie (Major) Hollar. Bob attended Michigan State University where he majored in economics and finance. He participated in R.O.T.C. training and met the love of his life, Carol Johnson. Graduating in 1954, he married Carol one year later and they moved to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Throughout college and the military Bob and Carol created enduring friendships which lasted through the years. After completing his military service, the couple moved to Grosse Pointe where Bob began a career as an accountant which propelled him into a successful profession as a stockbroker in Boulder, Colorado. Years later he acquired the affectionate name Bob Schwab. Also known as Bobby George, as Carol would call him through the years. He transitioned into public service with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1972. He proudly served the FBI until his retirement in 1992. Bob and Carol enjoyed many years together traveling around the world, often in the company of good friends. They landed in Northern Michigan where they had the good fortune to make many more life-long friends. He is survived by his wife, Carol of 70 years; his daughter, Leigh (Boyt) Hollar-Johnson; son, John (Suzanne) Hollar; grandchildren, William (Rebecca) Hollar and Samantha (Niels Aerts) Hollar; and great-granddaughter, Mavis Hollar. He was dearly loved by many friends and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Arthur and sister-in-law, Dorothy. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed diplomatic prospects and work with partners on security guarantees with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. "Norway is one of the participants in the coalition of the willing, and Ukraine hopes that Norway will really practically participate in measures that should really guarantee long-term security for our people, our state and everyone in Europe," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Monday following the meeting. He called Norway one of the leaders in supporting Ukraine. "A lot has already been done, and today's meeting can also bring good results," Zelenskyy said, adding that he discussed a wide range of topics with Stre. A newly discovered Android spyware campaign is targeting Russian business executives, disguised as an antivirus app allegedly linked to the countrys intelligence services, according to Russian cybersecurity firm Doctor Web. The malware, tracked as Android.Backdoor.916.origin, has been active since January 2025 and has evolved through multiple versions. Its biggest threat lies in the fact that it hides behind the mask of an official-looking security app, supposedly from Russian authorities, luring Russian business executives and employees into targeted attacks. Researchers say the backdoor is capable of secretly recording video through the camera, logging keystrokes, tracking locations, stealing files, and even pulling data from popular apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, as well as browsers such as Gmail, Chrome, and Yandex. Disguised As Official Security Tools The malicious app is being distributed through direct messages in chat apps, with victims receiving a download link in messenger apps, leading to a fake antivirus called GuardCB. This fake antivirus features an icon resembling the emblem of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation to add credibility. Other variants use names such as SECURITY_FSB or simply FSB suggesting a connection to Russias Federal Security Service. The interface is available only in Russian, underscoring the highly targeted nature of the campaign. At the same time, its interface provides only one language Russian. That is, the malicious program is entirely focused on Russian users, wrote Doctor Web researchers in a blog post. This is confirmed by other detected modifications with file names such as SECURITY_FSB, FSB and others, which cybercriminals are trying to pass off as security programs allegedly related to Russian law enforcement agencies. How It Works The fake antivirus imitates genuine security software tools to avoid removal by running simulated scans. Roughly 30% of the time, it displays false positives, randomly ranging between 1 and 3 non-existent threats. Once installed, the app requests extensive permissions, including access to the microphone, camera, SMS, contacts, media files, call history, geolocation, and even Androids Accessibility Service. It then simulates fake antivirus scans, randomly reporting one to three threats to convince users it is legitimate. However, in the background, it quietly connects to a command-and-control (C2) server, enabling attackers to: Stream live audio from the microphone Broadcast video or the device screen in real time Steal contacts, SMS, call logs, and stored photos Intercept typed passwords and private chats Execute remote commands Doctor Web notes that the malware is highly targeted, designed specifically for Russian users, and not intended for mass infections. Its infrastructure allows the malware to rotate across 15 different hosting providers, a sign that its creators designed it for persistence and resistance to disruption. Precautions For now, Android users are urged to download apps only from trusted sources such as the Google Play Store, paying attention to permissions requested by apps, and also to be suspicious of any app claiming to be a government security tool. Meanwhile, Doctor Web says its own antivirus software detects and removes all known versions of the spyware. The report shared by the company also includes the indicators (IoCs) of compromise related to Android.Backdoor.916.origin, which has been published on GitHub repository. Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official The military received drones through DOT-Chain Defence in record time: from the application to delivery to the front, five days passed, the press service of the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) has said. "Thanks to the DOT-Chain Defence IT system, the military received a batch of FPV drones 5 days from the moment of their order. This is a record figure that proves the effectiveness of the new supply system," the DPA website said in a statement on Monday. "The battlefield changes every day - today drones with one frequency are needed, tomorrow with another. Therefore, it is critically important that the equipment remains relevant when it reaches the front. DOT-Chain Defence gives units the opportunity to independently choose the drones they need and receive them in the shortest possible time. This ensures that on the front line they have exactly the tool that corresponds to the situation here and now," DPA Director Arsen Zhumadilov said. It is reported that currently the average delivery time of drones through the IT system is constantly decreasing and is already 10 days - this is more than five times faster than under the standard procurement procedure. DOT-Chain Defence breaks the old logic of provision and puts those who fight on the front line at the center of the process. The DOT-Chain Defence IT system was developed by the State Logistics Operator and is used by the Defense Procurement Agency for operational and targeted provision of weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It also works as a marketplace: the military independently choose the types and number of drones they need at the expense of DPA. . Currently, the IT system is operating in pilot mode. 12 brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are fighting in the Kherson, Zaporizhia, Donetsk and Kharkiv directions, are involved in its testing in real combat conditions. After the testing is completed, DOT-Chain Defence will be scaled to other units of the Armed Forces and will expand the list of assets available for order - electronic warfare/electronic warfare systems, nuclear weapons and other types of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as downloads for them. This project was implemented by the Defense Procurement Agency together with the State Logistics Operator, the Office of Effective Regulation BRDO with the support of the German Ministry of Defense. China coal power surges even as renewables hit record high Beijing, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 China saw a surge in new coal power in the first half of the year even as the country added record levels of clean energy capacity, according to a report published Monday. Coal has been a pivotal energy source in China for decades but explosive growth in wind and solar installations in recent years has raised hopes that the country can wean itself off the dirty fossil fuel. Coal accounts for around half of China's power generation, down from three-quarters in 2016. Yet the country brought 21 gigawatts (GW) of coal power online in the first six months of this year, the highest first-half total since 2016, the report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) and Global Energy Monitor (GEM) said. China also began or restarted construction on coal projects totalling 46 GW -- equivalent to the total coal power in South Korea -- and launched another 75 GW-worth of proposed new and revived coal power projects. The growth threatens China's goal to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and risks solidifying coal's role in its power sector, the report said. The world's second-largest economy is the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases that drive climate change, but it is also a renewable energy powerhouse. "Coal power development in China... shows no sign of easing, leaving emissions on a high plateau and stranding coal in the system for years to come," said Christine Shearer, research analyst at GEM and co-author of the report. More coal could come online soon because a "huge pipeline of already permitted (coal) projects remains" from a spike in new permits in 2022 and 2023 when China's electricity grid struggled to adapt to renewables growth, according to Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at CREA. "Since then, better grid operation and storage have addressed those issues, while the coal power projects approved at the time are still under construction," he said. - 'Powerful interests' - The latest coal boom comes despite China's rapidly expanding renewable power generation now covering the country's electricity demand growth. China installed 212 GW of solar capacity in the first half of the year, a new record and more than the total solar power installed in the United States as of the end of 2024. It is on track to install enough clean power -- from solar, wind, nuclear, and hydro -- in 2025 to meet the entire electricity demand of Germany and Britain combined. Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged in 2021 to "strictly control" coal power projects and coal consumption growth before "phasing it down" between 2026 and 2030. Yet only 1 GW of coal power was retired in the first half of 2025, the report said, leaving the country well short of its target to retire 30 GW between 2020 and the end of this year. "Powerful coal interests" continue to push for projects, said Qi Qin, lead author of the report and China analyst at CREA. "Even though coal's share of capacity is declining, long-term contracts and broad capacity payments keep many plants running at high output." This risks new coal projects "crowding out the space renewables need to grow", she said. China is likely to announce new emissions and energy goals in the coming months when it releases details of its 15th Five-Year Plan for 2026 to 2030. Xi said in April that the country would announce its 2035 greenhouse gas reduction commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), before COP30 in November. Press Release from Business Wire: Pure Lithium (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 CHICAGO, Aug 25, 2025 (BSW) - Pure Lithium, a disruptive vertically integrated lithium metal battery technology company, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Green Chemistry Challenge Award in the Chemical and Process Design for Circularity category for its Brine to Battery? technology. "We are honored to be acknowledged by the American Chemical Society, the nation's premier organization of chemistry professionals, for our technology which reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions across the battery supply chain," Pure Lithium Founder and Chief Executive Officer Emilie Bodoin said. "We have demonstrated that our technology is capable of eliminating some of the most energy intensive steps in anode manufacturing." Pure Lithium's vertically integrated Brine to Battery? technology seamlessly integrates lithium metal extraction and battery anode production, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact associated with shipping materials across several continents. The company's lithium metal batteries eliminate graphite, which is a main component of a lithium-ion battery. Instead, Pure Lithium extracts lithium metal from lithium brine which is abundant in North America to create a lithium metal anode that completely replaces today's graphite anode. Pure Lithium's lithium metal batteries are a step change in energy storage, with double the energy density of today's lithium-ion batteries, and the company has achieved unprecedented cycle life in small pouch cells, upwards of 5,000 cycles. Now the company is shifting from pure research and development to the prototyping phase at its new facilities in Chicago. "The Green Chemistry Challenge Awards highlight how innovation in chemistry is driving solutions for a healthier, more sustainable world," said American Chemical Society CEO Albert G. Horvath. "Congratulations to this year's winners, whose work reflects the creativity and commitment of both academia and industry. Their achievements show how green chemistry continues to push the boundaries of science while making a lasting impact on society and the environment." This award follows several other recent successes for Pure Lithium and its technology. Pure Lithium won the R&D Achievement Award and Emilie Bodoin was recognized as an Innovator in Energy at the 2025 Reuters Global Energy Transition Awards. Emilie Bodoin was also recognized as the Trailblazing Woman of the Year at the Fastmarkets Voltas Awards. Established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1996, the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards recognize chemical technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture, and use. Winning technologies have been responsible for reducing the use or generation of nearly one billion pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving over 20 billion gallons of water, and eliminating nearly eight billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents released to the air. About Pure Lithium Pure Lithium is a disruptive lithium metal battery technology company led by inventor and lithium expert, CEO Emilie Bodoin. The Company's novel Brine to Battery? technology combines metal extraction and anode production, unlocking unconventional sources of lithium. The resulting pure lithium metal anode is the core component of our lithium metal battery, a step change improvement over today's lithium-ion technology in cell performance, cost, and safety. The battery is free of graphite, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. For more information, visit www.purelithium.io or email [email protected]. About The Green Chemistry Challenge Awards The Green Chemistry Challenge Awards promote the environmental and economic benefits of developing and using novel green chemistry. Since the inception of the awards 30 years ago, the American Chemical Society, one of the world's largest scientific societies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have worked together to establish and promote the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards and have presented awards to 144 technologies that decrease hazardous chemicals and resources, reduce costs and protect public health. Building on this strong foundation, the American Chemical Society continues to support and celebrate outstanding achievements in green chemistry through these prestigious awards. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250825476246/en/ Contact Ross Larsen, Head of Editorial, 33 Communications [email protected] 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. Record drought in Europe, Mediterranean in early August: monitor Paris, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 More than half of Europe and the Mediterranean basin was affected by drought in the first ten days of August, according to an AFP analysis on Monday of European Drought Observatory (EDO) data. The 51.3 percent figure is the highest level registered for the period of August 1-10 since data collection began in 2012. Around half of the area has been affected by drought since mid-April 2025, a situation worse than the severe drought of the summer of 2022. The Drought Observatory Indicator determined by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service uses satellite imagery to measure precipitation or rainfall, soil moisture and the state of vegetation. Findings are then categorised into one of three levels of drought: watch, warning and alert -- the last level signalling that vegetation is developing abnormally. In early August, 7.8 percent of Europe and the Mediterranean basin was on alert, the highest level, while 38.7 percent was on a warning level and 4.9 percent on watch. The Caucasus and north Balkans regions were most affected by the drought, with Georgia and Armenia affected on 97 percent of their territory, followed by Bulgaria and Kosovo. Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Hungary and Montenegro all saw three quarters of their surface area put on warning or alert. This area of Europe in July and August experienced heatwaves which led to numerous wildfires, which left one dead in Montenegro, and one in Albania. Spain, Portugal and Italy, also battered by strong wildfires this month, are currently only affected at a local level. In Britain, however, 69.5 percent and France 63 percent of their territory are affected, according to the EDO. Central Europe saw the only improvement, with soil humidity and the state of vegetation returning to normal in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, which had been heavily affected over previous months. According to an AFP count, based on estimates collected by the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS), fires have already ravaged more than one million hectares (2.5 million acres) in the European Union in 2025, a record amount. FEMA employees bash Trump admin on Hurricane Katrina anniversary Washington, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 Over 180 current and former employees of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) expressed outrage on Monday at Trump administration policies, in an open letter marking the twentieth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Signers of the "Katrina Declaration" said that budget cuts, personnel decisions and other reforms enacted under President Donald Trump could recreate conditions that led to the widely criticized response to the 2005 hurricane. Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has stated that he wants to abolish FEMA and let states "take care of their own problems." He accuses the agency of inefficiency and claims without evidence that it has pervasive political bias against Republican-led states. Hurricane Katrina slammed into the US Gulf Coast in late August 2005, causing catastrophic flooding in the Louisiana metropolis of New Orleans. Over 1,000 died in the disaster, which also caused over $100 billion in damages. The federal government response to the catastrophe was fiercely criticized for confusing communications and delays in providing aid to people displaced by floods. The following year, Congress adopted a law -- the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, or PKEMRA -- to improve natural disaster response. "Two decades later, FEMA is enacting processes and leadership structures that echo the conditions PKEMRA was designed to prevent," the letter alleges. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's restrictions on spending "reduces FEMA's authorities and capabilities to swiftly deliver our mission," the letter says. Noem has required a personal review of any FEMA contracts, grants and mission assignments over $100,000. "Consequences of this manual review became tragically clear during the July 2025 floods in Kerrville, Texas, when mission assignments were delayed up to 72 hours," the letter says. One-third of FEMA's full-time staff have left the agency this year, the letter says, largely due to budget cuts ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency formerly led by billionaire Elon Musk. The letter-writers ask Congress to make FEMA a Cabinet-level independent agency and to protect it from "politically motivated firings," among other measures. They say they hope the letter would "come in time to prevent not only another national catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, but the effective dissolution of FEMA itself and the abandonment of the American people such an event would represent." Dozens of Peru ports shut over deadly waves Lima, Aug 25 (AFP) Aug 25, 2025 Dozens of Peruvian ports were closed to trade and fishing on Monday due to strong swells along the country's Pacific coast caused by a deadly anticyclone. Authorities decided to close 88 of the country's 122 ports on Sunday after the death of a sailor who was washed away by pounding waves while on patrol with the Navy in Puerto Pimentel, 780 kilometers north of the capital Lima. "The marine fell off the boat and his lifeless body was found approximately one kilometer" offshore, the navy said, blaming "waves of strong intensity." The ports are expected to remain closed until midweek when the South Pacific Anticyclone -- intense trade winds that originate off the coasts of Peru and northern Chile -- is forecast to pass. The anticyclone is the latest weather phenomenon to affect business in South American ports in the last year. Raging seas grounded vessels for days in several Chilean, Peruvian and Ecuadoran ports during storms in late 2024 and early 2025. Climatologists linked those surges to an increase in ocean temperatures and levels caused by climate change. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre noted the importance of strengthening sanctions pressure on Russia from Europe and the United States, as well as the creation of a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. "Norway supports a sustainable peace agreement, which means that it is important to strengthen pressure on Russia through strong sanctions - not only from Europe, but also from the United States. And responsibility means that we need to work on creating a special tribunal for the crime of aggression, which can change the world," he said at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday. Separately, Stre stressed the importance of returning the Ukrainian children abducted by Russia to Ukraine. "Norway, along with Canada, is also cooperating with Qatar and other countries to facilitate the return of children. And let me say that there must also be an element of responsibility in this matter," he noted. To date, the career of Tom Hiddleston has been defined, largely, by two roles: the one he got, and the one he didnt. The first of these Loki, the machiavellian god of mischief in Marvels Thor was the part that made his name, hoisting him to stardom in the early 2010s. Prim, well-spoken and angularly handsome, Hiddleston quickly became one of the de facto frontrunners to take over from Daniel Craig as the next James Bond. The part never materialised, and Hiddleston himself seemed to de-materialise: taking what he described as a moment of consideration, the London-born thespian retreated from Hollywood almost entirely. It has, in fact, been eight years since you could last walk into a cinema and watch Hiddleston play anyone other than Loki (if you dont count 2018s middling Aardman animation Early Man, to which Hiddleston lent his voice). Not since the pulpy monster movie Kong: Skull Island (2017) has Hiddleston fronted a film, though he did return as Loki in two Avengers movies and the post-credits scene of 2023s dismal Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. In the interim, hes been on stage most recently in a production of Much Ado About Nothing at Drury Lane this year and on TV, narrating nature documentaries and appearing in Loki on Disney+. Hiddlestons starring role in the new Stephen King adaptation The Life of Chuck, meekly tipped as an awards season hopeful, is therefore something of a comeback. But where he goes from here isnt necessarily clear. The Life of Chuck lives in the sentimental half of Kings oeuvre more in the vein of The Green Mile or Stand By Me than of his best-known horror classics, such as The Shining or It. Hiddleston plays Charles Chuck Krantz, an accountant defined by his love of dancing, whose death might just herald the end of the universe. Warmer reviews have hailed the film as life-affirming; others, including that of The Independents Clarisse Loughrey, have dismissed it as treacly hogwash. Its funny, in a way, that The Life of Chuck arrives as speculation over the next Bond begins to ramp up, following Amazons takeover of the franchise earlier this year. Like several of the actors widely touted for the role most notably his Thor co-star Idris Elba Hiddleston, now 44, has simply aged out of candidacy. Whether hed have been the right fit for 007 is unclear. He certainly fits the profile he has about him that erudite, old-money musk thats always clung to Ian Flemings creation. (Hiddleston was boarding-school educated, and is the great-grandson of a navy vice-admiral.) The 2016 BBC One spy thriller The Night Manager was, for many, proof enough that Hiddleston was the perfect Bond-in-waiting. Though the window to apply for a licence to kill has now seemingly passed, Hiddleston can probably take a quantum of solace in the fact that he would, in truth, have been a roundly unexciting pick for Bond. Its not that he cant do a character like Bond its that we already know he can. The debonair but emotionally distant spy would have brought out Hiddlestons least interesting qualities on screen. Were all too familiar with his obsidian brittleness; what about something altogether more human? Hiddleston may well have asked himself the same question hence his involvement in The Life of Chuck, a film that, for better or worse, is positively swimming in sentiment. In a sense, the role of Bond represents something bigger the sort of conventional movie-star career that Hiddleston once flirted with. His first film roles were resoundingly un-Hollywood: acclaimed British indies Unrelated and Archipelago, directed by future The Souvenir filmmaker Joanna Hogg. The first Thor, directed by Kenneth Branagh and released in 2011, was a big, effects-heavy blockbuster. Loki, though, positioned as the films villain, was more of a showcase for Hiddlestons shrewd character work than the launch of any replicable star persona. After Thor, Hiddleston gravitated towards mid-budget projects by renowned filmmakers: Steven Spielberg (War Horse), Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris), Jim Jarmusch (Only Lovers Left Alive), Guillermo del Toro (Crimson Peak) and Ben Wheatley (High-Rise) among them. A starring role in the Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light was mooted for the Oscars until it came out, to a muted reception. It was around this time, in 2016, that Hiddleston embarked on a short-lived but aggressively reported-on romance with Taylor Swift. The partnership dubbed Hiddleswift on social media and in the press was exactly the sort of high-profile courtship that you might expect from an actor destined for the mainstream. Dancing man: Hiddleston in The Life of Chuck ( Neon ) Then came Kong: Skull Island, to date Hiddlestons sole attempt to establish himself as the leading man in an action film. (Brie Larson, another Marvel star, was his co-lead.) The film, which resituated the famous oversized ape within the context of the Vietnam war, was a commercial success, but received mixed reviews. Rather than being the start of a new chapter, it turned out, instead, to be the end of one: Hiddleston stepped back from film work soon afterwards. Except, of course, for more Marvel films. Sometimes, when actors keep returning to long-running franchises, there is a smack of desperation about it. Hiddlestons continued willingness to reprise the role of Loki despite the character being killed off on two separate occasions has never truly felt like this. Rather, it speaks to something more commendable: a recognition that, sometimes, you do have to dance with the one who brung you. Loki made Hiddlestons name, and, when you watch him speak about the role in interviews, its clear that he takes the part utterly seriously. Its a good job, too, because theres more where that came from: Hiddleston is one of dozens of actors lined up for the forthcoming Marvel sequel Avengers: Doomsday. Next year, hell also star in Tenzing, in which hell play Everest-scaler Edmund Hillary. Its hard to predict just where his career will go from there; what sort of actor hell try to become. He may be slowly closing the door on popcorn movie stardom but behind the next door lies something far more worthwhile. The Life of Chuck is in cinemas now Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Daniel Dae Kim has called out what he referred to as overcorrection on nationality-specific casting for Asian characters. The Lost star said in a new interview that there is more effort on the actor being cast in the role of an Asian character belonging to the specific nationality, instead of writing a better character. Right now, theres a focus on nationality-specific casting when it comes to Asian Americans that I feel is an overcorrection, Kim said in an interview with American Masters PBS. Very often, when were cast, if the role calls for a Korean American, they will not see a Japanese American or Chinese American or any other Asian nationality. He continued, saying that there is no reason for an actor to be of the specific nationality because there is no cultural or language-based requirement for the character. There are very often times when the role itself has not been thought through, he said. It doesnt require any kind of specificity in the story as its being told, or in the specifics of the character, because very often, its not even being written by an Asian person. So they dont know the difference in what theyre asking for, and yet casting is being very specific. Kim recognised the need for nationality-based casting and when it is important, especially when there is an authentic language requirement in the role, or its based on someone whos a real person that has cultural significance to that particular country. Anytime theres a role that focuses, to me, on the American experience of being Asian thats something that no matter [if] youre Korean, Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, thats something we all share in common as Asian Americans, he said. And we all know what it feels like to be othered. Thats a common experience. So to me, the nationality isnt as important. Daniel Dae Kim, Louis Landau, Reina Hardesty, Piper Perabo and Kim Tae-hee at the 'Butterfly' New York premiere; Daniel Dae Kim has called out what he referred to as overcorrection on nationality-specific casting for Asian characters. ( Getty ) Kim went on to acknowledge that the casting process evolved this way to try and weed out the belief that all Asian cultures were the same, but said casting directors needed to think about how to ensure opportunities were offered to more actors. Originally, it was like, Well, we can't just consider them all as one. That's true, but we need to be a little bit more sophisticated now about how we can open opportunities to actors. Comparing the differences between the scrutiny Asian actors get as opposed to African American actors, Kim said: Asian American actors are often specified by nationality when other ethnicities are not. When African American actors are hired, very rarely are they asked, where is their country of ancestry? Whether you're Botswanan or from the Ivory Coast, it's not pertinent. Especially if you're playing an American. He also called out how country of origin plays no part when non-American actors get cast to play American icons like superheroes. How many of our superheroes who are playing American are from other countries like Australia and England? And yet we don't ever ask whether that's important, relevant, and it doesn't limit them from taking those roles. To his point, British actors Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland, Henry Cavill, Christian Bale, and Robert Pattinson have all played incredibly popular American superheroes like Spider-Man, Batman, and Superman. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kneecap have announced that they have been forced to cancel all 15 of their scheduled US shows, which were due to take place in October. The decision was taken due to the tours close proximity with the Irish hip-hop trios next court hearing in London on 26 September. The group, who said they are the subjects of a witch hunt by the British government, promised to embark on an even bigger tour once we win our court case, which we will. Kneecaps sold-out Canadian shows in Vancouver and Toronto will go ahead as planned. In a statement, they added that they would be sharing something very special for their US fans next week. It's top secret for now but all will be revealed next week stay tuned, they said. And remember The revolution will be no re-run, brothers/ The revolution will be live. On Instagram, fans encouraged Kneecap to keep fighting the good fight, with some adding that they would be donating their refunded ticket costs to humanitarian organisations in support of Palestine. Member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, appeared in court last Wednesday after being charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig last November. He denies the offence, with the band calling the accusations a carnival of distraction from the war in Gaza. open image in gallery Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap ( Joshua Mulholland ) The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns all attacks on civilians, always. During the hearing, his defence team argued the case should be thrown out, citing a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought. The case has been adjourned until 26 September, when the judge will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case. open image in gallery Kneecaps Liam Og O hAnnaidh speaks to supporters as he leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London, on 20 August ( PA Wire ) Pro-Palestine supporters have fiercely criticised the decision by British authorities to bring a charge against O hAnnaidh, instead of focusing on the Israeli governments actions against the Palestinian people. Last week, the worlds leading authority on food crises declared that Gazas largest city is officially suffering from a manmade famine that has already affected more than half a million Palestinians. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system said 514,000 people close to a quarter of all Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end of next month. Israel, which has repeatedly downplayed the situation inside Gaza, dismissed the report as false and biased; the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said it was an outright lie. However, United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said there was irrefutable testimony and described the declaration as a moment of collective shame for the world. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rapper Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges after a near-naked altercation with police in Los Angeles. The rapper was initially hospitalized over a suspected drug overdose and jailed on suspicion of charging at police on a Los Angeles street, according to cops. Now, he has been charged with four felonies, including three counts of battery against a police officer and one count of resisting an executive officer, according to court documents viewed by The Independent. Lil Nas X faced a judge Monday in Los Angeles and had bail set at $75,000. He must also attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings, as police believe he was on drugs at the time of his arrest. If convicted, the rapper could face years behind bars. Lil Nas X has been charged with four felonies after police altercation ( AP ) Police say they were responding to a report of a naked man walking on Ventura Boulevard in the Studio City neighborhood early Thursday morning when Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, allegedly charged at them. The 26-year-old rapper was then taken into police custody, but officers first took him to a hospital as they suspected he was suffering from a drug overdose, Los Angeles police spokesman Officer Charles Miller said. The Independent has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department as well as Lil Nas Xs representatives for comment on his arrest and current condition. Video obtained by TMZ showed Lil Nas X wearing only white underwear and cowboy boots as he sang and walked down the usually busy boulevard before his arrest. Hey, dont be late to the party tonight? he can be heard telling the person recording him. TMZ also obtained video of the rapper acting erratically outside a Hollywood hotel. He was fully clothed in that instance, and was seen entering the hotel and sitting down, fanning himself. Lil Nas X, who is from Atlanta, is best known for his huge hit from 2018, Old Town Road, which merged country and hip-hop. It spent a record 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Known for his genre-bending, innovating sounds and style, his first full studio album, 2021's Montero, went to No. 2 on the Billboard album chart and was nominated for a Grammy for album of the year. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Emily Beecham has joked that her King & Conqueror co-star James Norton was suffocated by her wig during the sex scenes they shot for the BBCs new historical drama. The actor stars as Edith the Fair opposite Nortons Harold Godwinson in the medieval period drama, a fictionalised retelling of the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England. In an interview with Tatler magazine last week, Beecham, 41, said that filming intimate scenes with Norton, 40, was easy thanks to their decade-long friendship. However, there were other complications. Norton apparently found shooting the show painful at times, as he broke his collarbone falling from a horse during the shoot in Iceland. On top of this, Beechams auburn wig was humungous and often got in the way: Especially lying in a bed with Harold or being on top of Harold and looking down at him, she said. Hed get suffocated by this massive wig up his nostrils. Thats tricky. Or you roll onto the bed and accidentally tug the wig off. open image in gallery Emily Beecham and James Norton in King & Conqueror ( BBC/CBS Studios ) In a two-star review of the series, The Independents critic Nick Hilton warned that viewers might struggle due to the show being almost unwatchably dark. This has been an issue with so many BBC period dramas (Great Expectations, Jamaica Inn, The Luminaries etc) that it must also be interpreted as a conscious aesthetic choice, he wrote. This was an era, after all, before electric light, so candlelit parleys have a certain logic. But when Stanley Kubrick used natural light to shoot Barry Lyndon, he accompanied it with a letter to projectionists. An infinite amount of care was given to the look of Barry Lyndon, Kubrick wrote. The careful handling of the film will make this effort worthwhile. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. But TV viewers are not aided by a projectionist to monitor the lamberts and adjust the aspect ratio. They watch on TVs, laptops, mobile phones and much of King & Conqueror will dissolve for them into blackness. open image in gallery Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as William of Normandy in King & Conqueror ( BBC/CBS Studios ) Reviewing the casts performances, he described Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldaus William the Conqueror as rather bland vessels, bobbing along on the tide of internal politics their wives [Beecham and Clemence Poesy as Matilda] are equally staid. Other critics were similarly unimpressed, with The Telegraph branding it more Monty Python than Game of Thrones and The Guardian noting that it hangs a little too heavy to achieve its goal of being a ripping yarn. King & Conqueror is available to watch on BBC iPlayer now. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice If youve been a schoolchild in Britain over the past half-century, youd be forgiven for believing our nations history exists only in four key moments: the Second World War, the industrial revolution, Henry VIII, and the Battle of Hastings. Of these canonical events, the clash between Saxon and Norman forces in 1066, which brought the High Medieval Period to our sceptred isle, is perhaps most ripe for small screen translation, which it achieves this week, through BBC Ones (overripe) King & Conqueror. After years of civil war, three rival English nations Wessex, Mercia and Northumbria come together to anoint a single king: Edward the Confessor (Eddie Marsan). But Edwards ascension rapidly alienates the Wessex clan, led by the Earl of Wessex, Godwin (Geoff Bell), and his earnest second son Harold (James Norton). In exile across the Channel, Harold bonds with a Norman noble, William (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), who has dynastic struggles of his own. Despite their burgeoning friendship and the sense of destiny driving both men to their thrones we know that they will end up, in 1066, head-to-head on the battlefield at Hastings. One king, one conqueror. Harold fears the worst, his father confides. Thats a good quality for a leader, but not while were at peace. But peace, in late-Saxon Britain, proves fleeting. King & Conqueror is a story of two self-serious men attempting to drive their kingdoms towards something resembling modernity. Both Norton and Coster-Waldau embrace this sober fate. Their kings, Harold and William, are rather bland vessels, bobbing along on the tide of internal politics. Their wives Edith (Emily Beecham) and Matilda (Clemence Poesy) are equally staid. The history of this period is filled with large, unknowable gaps as is the characterisation. How time escapes us, the French king Henry (Jean-Marc Barr) opines, but its not just time that proves elusive. The figures that emerge most distinct from these mists are brow-beaten Edward and his venomous mother, Lady Emma (Juliet Stevenson). This can be an issue with historical drama. There is an often-misplaced belief that world building, the meticulous illumination of a society and its culture, is the preserve of fantasy. Yet Anglo-Saxon Britain, before the Norman conquest, is a slippery backdrop; its players largely unknown save for fleeting appearances in a famous tapestry. King & Conqueror, however, spells out its domestic context only in a quick title card and then proceeds to present a vision of medieval Europe that largely involves members of the barony having tense conversations on roads between towns we rarely see. It makes the world feel small and, equally importantly, the show feel cheap. This is not Wolf Hall set 500 years later in the palaces of Tudor London but a land of tents and huts, where actors smear mud on their faces as though it distracts from their 21st-century dentistry. All of this is subsumed by a bigger problem: the show is almost unwatchably dark. The two issues are not unrelated. High contrast and a colour grade that crushes every black, like pepper in a mill, can cover shortcomings in the production design or VFX budget. But this has been an issue with so many BBC period dramas (Great Expectations, Jamaica Inn, The Luminaries etc) that it must also be interpreted as a conscious aesthetic choice. This was an era, after all, before electric light, so candlelit parleys have a certain logic. But when Stanley Kubrick used natural light to shoot Barry Lyndon, he accompanied it with a letter to projectionists. An infinite amount of care was given to the look of Barry Lyndon, Kubrick wrote. The careful handling of the film will make this effort worthwhile. But TV viewers are not aided by a projectionist to monitor the lamberts and adjust the aspect ratio. They watch on TVs, laptops, mobile phones and much of King & Conqueror will dissolve for them into blackness. The real question is why shoot for this verisimilitude in a show that takes such liberties with even the scant historical recollections of contemporary encomia? Power is like a fire, Earl Godwin warns his son. It will warm and protect you but if it burns unchecked it will destroy everything. The treacheries, the violence, the intrigues, and the dialogue are all more George RR Martin than William of Poitiers. In its commitment to ahistorical detail, King & Conqueror becomes a frustrating watch that is, if you can make out anything at all. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Brushing your teeth well can be the difference between a perfect checkup at the dentist and a painful cavity. But, knowing just how to do it may not be something were taught growing up. Everybody brushes their teeth, but you probably learned how from your parents, and in the end nobody really learns it right, Dagmar Else Slot, a Dutch dental hygienist, recently told NBC News. In almost 100 percent of cases, there is room for improvement. The right way to brush your teeth is careful, considerate, and takes at least two minutes or maybe even longer. So, what do the experts advise? Heres what to know. open image in gallery Do you brush your teeth the right way? Dentists say there is always room for improvement ( AFP via Getty Images ) How to brush The manner in which you brush should be deliberate. Make circles on your teeth in a gentle sweeping motion. Brushing too hard can potentially hurt your gums. Be sure to divide your time tackling the upper and lower teeth, spending at least 30 seconds on each section. Hit every side of each tooth. How you hold your brush is also important. "The bristles should be aimed toward the gums where they meet the teeth, a junction where plaque and calculus collect. You don't want the bristles to be perpendicular to your teeth, at a 90-degree angle, but angled, at a 45-degree angle," Dr. Tien Jiang, a prosthodontist at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, explained in a statement. Do this twice a day and floss before or after each time to ensure everything unwanted gets out of your mouth! The toothbrush and toothpaste open image in gallery Many dentists recommend soft bristle brushes. Hard bristle toothbrushes may damage your teeth ( AFP via Getty Images ) You may not need as much toothpaste on your brush as you think. Just a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is enough. Also ensure you have a good toothbrush that you like and will use regularly for a few months before replacing it. That includes one with bristles that are based on your gum health. Some toothbrushes are softer and others have hard bristles, although hard bristle toothbrushes may also remove part of your tooth structure, Dr. Sasha Ross told the Cleveland Clinic. For people with arthritis, an electric or battery-operated brush might be easier to use. "It's not the toothbrush that matters, it's the technique," Jiang said. "You might have a brush that does all the work for you. But if you don't have an excellent brushing technique, you'll miss plaque, even with an electric toothbrush." Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Riz Ahmed has officially confirmed that hes a dad. Ahmed mentioned that he and his wife, Fatima Farheen Mirza, have a young child whose age and gender he did not disclose during a conversation with Club Cine, posted on Substack Friday. While speaking about some of his biggest movie roles, including one in the upcoming thriller Relay, Ahmed was asked what role hes proudest of. Being a father. Because its not about me, he said. Ahmed and Mirza met in 2018, when the actor was preparing for his role in Sound of Metal, in a cafe in Brooklyn, New York. open image in gallery Riz Ahmed has confirmed he and his wife Fatima Farheen Mirza have a young child ( Getty ) I was writing a script. I was actually working on the thing that I'm editing now, he told CBS Mornings. She sat down opposite and started emptying her whole bag out because she'd lost her charger. You know, I just spotted an opening. 'Can I help you? He also acknowledged how his relationship has ultimately shaped his career. You know, at this point, anything that I do as an artist is facilitated by the support of my wife. So, it's definitely kind of made me realize the extent to which the people closest to you are actually the co-authors of your work, he added. The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in 2020. However, they have chosen to keep their child out of the spotlight. Still, Ahmed has spoken about the scary experiences hes had since welcoming a child. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Friday, he recalled a time when his family was robbed, resulting in his childs sentimental items being stolen. open image in gallery Ahmed and Mirza met in 2018 in a cafe in Brooklyn, New York. ( Getty ) All our belongings and prized possessions were robbed on a truck that was moving from California to New York, he said. We just had a baby, and so all of our photos and memory cards and really precious items were robbed. He also noted that the robbery happened right before he started filming Relay, where he plays Ash, who protects whistleblowers from corrupt companies through an anonymous call center. Ultimately, Ahmeds real-life difficulties after the robbery shaped his performance in the movie. Sometimes, I would have the assistant director read out the email or the list of things stolen, or the latest text message from the person that was investigating, he said. So that experience gave me a way into this character that was very visceral and honest. And Im just going to be real with you, thats partly why this film means so much to me, Ahmed added. We, as a family, were living through a similar version of loss and loss of control that my character was dealing with. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The desperate search for 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro took an unexpected turn Sunday, when the babys father, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, was seen alongside San Bernardino County sheriffs deputies combing through the rural fields of Moreno Valley, California. Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 23, were both arrested Friday on suspicion of murdering their son, but his body has still not been found. It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing, the sheriffs department said in a news release Friday afternoon. Emmanuel was first reported missing on August 14 after his mother Rebecca claimed that while she was changing his diaper outside a store in Yucaipa, she was physically assaulted by an unknown male and rendered unconscious, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said. She said that when she woke up, Emmanuel was gone. open image in gallery Emmanuel was first reported missing on August 14 after his mother Rebecca claimed she was attacked while she was changing his diaper outside a store ( San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department ) I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, Hola, and I dont remember anything since, Rebecca tearfully told KTLA the day after the alleged attack. I woke up here on the floor, and I didnt see Emmanuel. But that account quickly unraveled. Investigators launched a massive search, deploying scent-tracking dogs in Yucaipa and interviewing multiple individuals in the case, including both parents. During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview, the sheriffs office said. open image in gallery On Friday, Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested at their Cabazon home on suspicion of murder ( San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department ) Jake Haros lawyer, Vincent Hughes, told the Los Angeles Times that the mothers inconsistencies stemmed from being overwhelmed by her sons disappearance. She declined a lie detector test when authorities requested one. Detectives said they were unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel. In the days that followed, they carried out extensive searches in Yucaipa and Cabazon, served several search warrants at the Haro home, and reviewed a large amount of surveillance video from surrounding areas. Social workers also removed a 2-year-old child from the couples home. On Friday, Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested at their Cabazon home and booked on suspicion of murder. open image in gallery Rebecca Haro, who claimed she was attacked, stopped speaking to police when confronted about the inconsistencies of her story ( San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department ) The investigation has also been shadowed by revelations about Jake Haros criminal history. Court records show he was convicted of willful child cruelty in 2023 following a case in which his infant daughter with a previous spouse suffered multiple severe injuries, including a skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, and broken ribs. Both Jake and his then-wife, Vanessa Avina, pleaded guilty. In that case, Jake was sentenced to 180 days in a sheriffs work-release program and ordered into a child abuser treatment program. As of Monday, the search continues for baby Emmanuel. His parents have been charged with murder and are being held at Riverside County jail without bail. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Democratic lawmakers and the families of Jeffrey Epsteins victims are outraged over the Trump administrations latest distraction after the Department of Justice released transcripts and audio recordings from its interview with Ghislaine Maxwell. During a wide-ranging two-day interview with a top DOJ official last month, Maxwell was asked about Virginia Giuffre, an outspoken victim of Epsteins sexual abuse and grooming by Maxwell, who died by suicide in April. Those meetings, Giuffres family says, gave the 63-year-old convicted sex trafficker a platform to rewrite history. The content of these transcripts is in direct contradiction with felon Ghislaine Maxwells conviction for child sex trafficking, the family said in a statement. This travesty of justice entirely invalidates the experiences of the many brave survivors who put their safety, security, and lives on the line to ensure her conviction, including our sister. Congressional Democrats also criticized Maxwells interview with deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, a former defense attorney for Donald Trump, with one lawmaker branding the release of the transcript an attempt to distract from a White House cover-up. open image in gallery Virginia Giuffres family slammed Maxwell after she claimed in her DOJ interview that Giuffres allegations about having sex with Prince Andrew which he has denied dont hold water ( PA Media ) California Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, accused Maxwell of desperately seeking a pardon and said she cannot be trusted. California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff told NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday that she wants a pardon. She says exactly what her lawyers tell her is going to be necessary to get a pardon. No one should be surprised here, he said. The president has not ruled out pardoning Maxwell. Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison after she was convicted in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse minors with Jeffrey Epstein, spoke with Blanche and other top DOJ officials last month. The DOJ released hundreds of pages of transcripts and hours of audio recordings from the interview on Friday. Those documents were made public the same day the DOJ released an initial batch of the so-called Epstein files to the House Oversight Committee. The Republican-led committee issued a subpoena on August 5 demanding all communications and documents related to the criminal cases of Epstein and Maxwell. The DOJ handed over just a fraction of them. The department shared 33,000 pages, 97 percent of which are already public, Garcia said. DOJ's limited disclosure raises more questions than answers and makes clear that the White House is not interested in justice for the victims or the truth, he said. California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna told MSNBC Saturday that the tens of thousands of documents that the Justice Department released account for less than 1 percent of all of the Epstein files. Theyre stonewalling and not releasing things, he said. Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Summer Lee similarly said the DOJ is pretending to respond to the subpoena. This partial release is insulting to the survivors who have waited far too long for accountability, she said. open image in gallery The DOJ only provided a limited disclosure of the Epstein files in response to a House committees subpoena while the family of an Epstein victim slammed Ghislaine Maxwells remarks in the newly released transcripts of her DOJ interview ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York ) Trump has insisted that the public and press should move on from questions about the case, fueling ongoing conspiracy theories of a government-wide cover up to protect powerful public figures who exploited and abused young girls. That scrutiny escalated after federal law enforcement officials refused to release additional case information last month, citing no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials despite demands for a full accounting of Epsteins death and alleged ties to a wider child trafficking conspiracy implicating powerful figures. This week, a third federal judge rebuffed Trump administration efforts to unseal grand jury documents in the Epstein case, noting that the content of grand jury transcripts pales in comparison to the Epstein investigative information and materials already in the hands of the DOJ. District Judge Richard Berman, who presided over Epsteins case before his death, agreed with another judge who last week called the governments request a diversion tactic to distract from public pressure against the Trumps administration to release the files. In her interview, Maxwell claimed she absolutely never saw Trump behaving inappropriately with anyone in Epstein's circle. Maxwell told officials she met Trump in the 1990s and took the opportunity to praise him. Trump was always very cordial and very kind to me, she said, hailing his extraordinary achievement in becoming the president now. She also addressed Giuffres allegations that she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew when she was 17. Prince Andrew has denied the claims and paid Giuffre an out-of-court settlement in 2022. Her story doesnt hold water, Maxwell said of the claims. I believe that this whole thing was manufactured. In court filings, several Epstein survivors have voiced support for releasing more information around the high-profile cases and criticized the Trump administrations handling of the matter. The Justice Department appeared to defend the document release, stating it was more than was ever requested by the committee when Democrats held a majority. This DOJ will continue to work closely with Congress in pursuit of transparency while adhering to protections afforded to victims of heinous crimes, the agency said in a statement to The Washington Post. The Independent has request additional comment from the agency. Germany will provide Ukraine with EUR 9 billion annually in the coming years, said the country's Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor of the German government Lars Klingbeil. "As Finance Minister, I emphasized, and this was also agreed by the Federal Government, that we are committed to supporting Ukraine in the coming years, spending EUR 9 billion annually," he said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday. In addition, Klingbeil discussed with Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko the continuation and options for supporting Ukraine. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice When a Florida teenager vanished from her Florida home in the summer of 2023, her name was added to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Childrens database. For two years, 16-year-old Gracie Elizabeth Landas disappearance was a mystery. Now, she has resurfaced hundreds of miles away from her Tampa home as a murder suspect. Landa, now 18, was arrested in Durham, North Carolina, Monday, and charged with the killing of 23-year-old Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez. Authorities say Piedrasanta-Perez had just completed a DoorDash delivery with his girlfriend when he was gunned down inside his Honda Accord near Whippoorwill Park on May 30. open image in gallery Gracie Landa, now 18, was arrested in Durham, North Carolina, on Monday, and charged with the killing of 23-year-old Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez ( Durham County Jail ) According to an arrest warrant obtained by The News & Observer, Piedrasanta-Perez was sitting in the car with two friends when two or three people approached and opened fire. More than 40 shell casings, including from a 9mm and a .223 rifle, were recovered at the scene. His autopsy states that he died from a gunshot wound to the head. The victims were reportedly at the park because a friend had arranged a fight with another girl in a dispute over a romantic relationship. Security footage captured two people emerging from the woods and firing into the vehicle before fleeing. Authorities have not revealed whether Landa was inside the car or one of the shooters, nor have they detailed her alleged role in the attack. Two women with Piedrasanta-Perez were also injured. In one 911 call obtained by The News & Observer, a victim said she had been shot at least 10 times. The victims mother, Amalia Perez, told FOX8 her son had just finished a delivery when the gunfire erupted. open image in gallery Christopher Piedrasanta-Perez had just completed a DoorDash delivery with his girlfriend when he was gunned down inside his car on May 30 ( GoFundMe ) He was not out there looking for trouble. I really dont know why this happened. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, she said. Perez described her son as a hardworking young man who graduated from Southern High School, worked at a FedEx warehouse, and picked up DoorDash orders on the side. Since everything happened, theres not been a day where I dont go see his grave. Were always there. Its just been so hard, we havent stopped going to see him, she told CBS 17. On a GoFundMe page set up by family members, Piedrasanta-Perez was remembered as respectful, funny, caring, loving, hardworking. The tribute described him as the first of 10 grandchildren and a light in our lives. open image in gallery Landa was reported missing from her Tampa, Florida, home in June 2023 ( NAMEC ) His presence brought light and comfort to the family, had a sense of humor like no other, and now his absence has left a hole in our hearts, the page reads. Perez said her son was my first baby, adding, He was just a fun brother, friend, grandson, and son to be around. Always with that big smile. Authorities confirmed that other suspects remain at large, but additional details have not been released. Perez said she has faith that police will bring them to justice. Landa is now being held in the Durham County jail without bond. She is scheduled to return to court on September 11. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice More than 2.5 million people have signed a petition urging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to show leniency towards Harjinder Singh, the truck driver accused of causing a crash that killed three people last week. The petition, posted on Change.org, calls for both DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to reexamine the case against Singh, arguing he did not have any criminal intent or history. The 28-year-old Indian native, who the U.S. Marshals Service says entered the country illegally in 2018, was charged with three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, and he was denied bond on all charges. Singh faces up to 45 years in prison. Officials said he was operating a commercial semi-truck with a trailer on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce, about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, on August 12 when he allegedly attempted a U-turn in an unauthorized area. A minivan in the neighboring lane was unable to avoid the trucks trailer and slammed into it, killing a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 54-year-old man from Miami, and a 30-year-old driver from Florida City. open image in gallery More than 2.5 million people have signed a petition in support of Harjinder Singh, the truck driver involved in the August 12 crash ( St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office ) Days after Singh was arrested in California last Monday, Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins personally escorted him back to the state on Thursday. Since then, more than 2.65 million people have signed the petition asking DeSantis to commute any possible sentence. This was a tragic accident not a deliberate act. While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident, wrote Manisha Kaushal, who started the petition under the name Collective Punjabi youth. By granting clemency, you would reaffirm the value of proportional justice, the power of community advocacy, and the potential for rehabilitation. Signatories on Change.org also argued that the incident was a terrible mistake, evidenced by Singhs clean record and full cooperation with authorities. open image in gallery The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office shared a photograph from the aftermath of the August 12 crash ( St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office ) It was an accident. [He] made a terrible mistake, not a deliberate choice to harm anyone. He was working hard to support his family, like so many of us, and one wrong decision changed everything, one person from Sydney, Australia, commented. A 45-year prison sentence is not justice. 45 yrs of imprisonment? another person from Canada wrote. Is it fair for a young boy who left his home country to have a bright future, support family??? NO. Singhs family in Indias Punjab region has also spoken out since news of his arrest, calling for him to receive a more lenient sentence. His age is 28 years, and if he gets 45 years of jail, then you can imagine what will be the condition of his family, relative Dilbagh Singh told the Times of India, from the village of Rataul near the Indian-Pakistan border. open image in gallery Harjinder Singh is escorted onto an airplane by Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and law enforcement on Thursday in Stockton, California ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Meanwhile, a counter-petition set up by a self-styled heritage American truck driver calling for the deportation of Singhs supporters, proposing a commutation, garnered almost 20,000 signatures on Monday. The Department of Homeland Security said Singh obtained a commercial drivers license in California, one of 19 states, along with the District of Columbia, that issue licenses regardless of immigration status, according to the National Immigration Law Center. Supporters of the legislation say that it lets people work, visit doctors, and travel safely. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said issuing a commercial license to someone in the U.S. illegally is asinine. California Governor Gavin Newsoms press office responded to McLaughlin on X, arguing that Singh obtained a work permit during President Donald Trumps first term, which the DHS spokesperson disputed. In the aftermath of the crash, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. will pause issuing work visas to some foreign truck drivers. He warned on X on Thursday that they are endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Florida woman has been arrested for killing her husband by pouring sulfuric acid on his body, according to the cops. Chuanying He, 50, has been charged with first-degree murder and aggravated battery, causing serious bodily injury, after she called the police, telling them she used sulfuric acid to harm her husband, the Tampa Bay Times reported, citing an arrest affidavit. The woman was arrested last Thursday after police responded to a home in New Port Richey to find the man, Robert Heyden, 65, suffering from extensive chemical burns. Officers said they could hear the man screaming for help when they arrived, per local CBS affiliate WTSP. open image in gallery Chuanying He, a 50-year-old from Florida, has been arrested for killing her husband by pouring sulfuric acid on his body, according to the cops ( Pasco County Corrections ) Police say an officer arrived at the home and found He trapped her husband inside a bedroom using a wooden bar and a wire attached to the doorknob. Heyden told the cops before he died that his wife tried to kill him, according to the arrest affidavit. The couple married in August 2024, but Heyden had filed for divorce in March, the Tampa Bay Times reported, citing local records. Heyden had sought a court order to give him exclusive use and possession of the home, and a hearing in their divorce proceedings was scheduled for the day after the incident. Heyden spent days in the hospital before dying from his injuries Sunday morning, WTSP reported. According to the arrest affidavit, He admitted she intentionally poured the acid on her husband. The evidence showed a clear motive and evidence of planning the event as obtaining the chemical, pouring it on (Heyden) while he was lying down in bed and then fleeing the room to barricade the door all show premeditation for the crime, the documents said. Police had documented other domestic incidents at the home. Detective David Crowell with the New Port Richey Police Department said, It does look like we have been out there numerous times for verbal domestic, per local NBC affiliate WFLA. It does not appear that any arrest was made. However, it does appear to be domestic issues at that residence, Crowell added. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The son of The Walking Dead star Norman Reedus and former Victorias Secret model Helena Christensen was arrested in New York City over the weekend after allegedly assaulting a woman, according to police. Mingus Lucien Reedus, 25, pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday following the alleged incident. He faces charges of third-degree assault, assault recklessly causing injury, criminal obstruction of breathing, second-degree harassment and aggravated harassment. Officers responded to an apartment on West 16th Street in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood around 8:40 a.m., where they found a 33-year-old woman with minor injuries to her neck and leg, the New York Police Department confirmed to The Independent. The woman was transported to Bellevue Hospital and Reedus was taken into custody, police said. Reedus, who is listed as a resident of the upscale Chelsea apartment, according to public records, allegedly punched the woman to wake her before choking her and slamming her to the ground, sources told The New York Post. open image in gallery Mingus Reedus (right) pictured with his Walking Dead star father Norman Reedus in 2022, was arrested in Manhattan on August 23 for assault, police said ( Getty Images ) He then called 911 to report that a woman at the residence was taking pills and threatening suicide, The Post reported. As Reedus was being escorted out of the courthouse in handcuffs, reporters questioned him about the incident. Why did you call the police? one reporter shouted. I didnt, Reedus replied. When asked to tell us what really happened, he chuckled before answering, no. He also told The Post the incident was a misunderstanding before officers shut the car door. A woman who identified herself as Reedus girlfriend claimed the arrest stemmed from a big misunderstanding. It was not immediately clear if the girlfriend was the same woman who accused Reedus of assault. Mingus Reedus attorney, Priya Chaudhry told NBC News that despite what the prosecutor said in court which is not evidence they chose to charge Mingus with misdemeanors or less. This speaks volumes, and much louder than the prosecutors unsupported in-court comments, Chaudhry said. This is not the first time Reedus has faced allegations of violence. In 2022, he accepted a plea deal after being accused of punching a woman during the San Gennaro Festival in Little Italy the previous September. He ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, receiving a conditional discharge that required counseling sessions and a year without further trouble. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in Mississippi have confirmed that beloved comedian Reggie Carroll was killed in a shooting that took place last Wednesday. He was 52 years old. The incident occurred in the community of Southaven, on the outskirts of Memphis. Local police have confirmed that a suspect is in custody. In a press release, authorities referred to the shooting as an isolated incident. Carroll was rushed to Regional One Hospital in Memphis, where he succumbed to his injuries, a police spokesperson said. The suspects identity has not been made public. open image in gallery Comedian and Oscar winner MoNique was among those who paid tribute to Carroll online ( Getty Images ) In a tribute, comedian MoNique referred to the Baltimore stand-up as her brother in comedy, reports Deadline. This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if youll get a chance to see them again, and the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together... thats what it was, an amazing time, being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing, the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram. Meanwhile, Baltimore club Mobtown Comedy wrote in a social media post, Rest in power @comedianreggiecarroll, thank you for being one of the OGs who supported us early on. The Mobtown family and the Baltimore comedy community are very saddened by this loss of one of our citys great talents. Sending our prayers to Reggies family. open image in gallery Comedian Reggie Carroll was shot dead in Mississippi last week ( Instagram/Reggie Carroll ) His brother, Jonathan Carroll, confirmed his brothers passing in a post on Facebook. To all who have expressed condolences on the passing of Reggie Carroll, your love has been well received thank you!!! he wrote in part. According to his IMDb page, Carroll appeared in the stand-up showcase series Showtime at the Apollo, as well as in an episode of the Moesha spinoff The Parkers opposite MoNique. In 2023, he produced and performed in the comedy special Knockout Kings of Comedy. Earlier this year, Carroll toured with renowned comedian Katt Williams on his Heaven on Tour. Williams has yet to comment publicly on the shooting. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A late-night knock at the door turned deadly in Houston, Texas on Friday after gunfire broke out between a homeowner and two men in ski masks claiming to be cops. Both men were killed in the shooting that happened around 11 p.m. in the southeast of the city, according to the Houston Police Department. Police said the men told the homeowner they were serving a warrant. They were wearing bullet-proof vests, had badges around their necks and were wearing ski masks. Lt. Amber Khan told KHOU that the homeowner became suspicious, because, you know, they have a ring camera too, and the suspects were saying they had a warrant. But it was just two people and theyre masked up and no police cars, no lights or anything like that, she added. open image in gallery Police said the men told the homeowner they were serving a warrant before they began shooting through the door ( Google Maps ) The masked suspects then shot a barrage of bullets through the door, prompting the homeowner to return fire. Lt. Khan said the two men were pronounced dead at the scene, despite officers' CPR attempts. The homeowner was not injured. His wife and child were also inside the home during the incident, but police say they were rattled. Thankfully, no one else is hurt, she said. The suspects have not been publicly identified by police. Right now, we dont have ages on the suspects, Lt. Khan said at the press conference. They look to be younger, maybe at the most in their 30s. Detective Kyle Stringer urged residents to know the signs of legitimate police presence. He explained that real police officers do not wear ski masks. Obviously, a police car with some sort of lights and sirens and a bullhorn where well be announcing ourselves, he added to the list of things to look out for when verifying who is a police officer. Russia's statements that they are ready not to seize Ukraine further are not concessions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil. "As for concessions to Russia, I don't know about that. I don't think that the things that were said by the Russian side, that they are ready not to seize Ukraine further, are concessions. I don't think that concessions are the fact that they are offering us to leave the territories that Russia does not control," Zelenskyy said, answering a question from an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent. At the same time, he noted that even a dialogue about this is outside international law. In addition, the president added that the timing of the meeting of the leaders depends solely on the Russian side, as well as on the United States. "Because it was the United States of America that proposed, let me remind you, a ceasefire on March 7. We supported it," Zelenskyy explained. Earlier, it was reported that US Vice President J.D. Vance said that the Russians, in his opinion, have shown a willingness to be flexible regarding some of their demands. "I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3 1/2 years of this conflict. They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war," he told NBC News' Meet the Press. This practice rocketed during the pandemic, and in 2022, 60 per cent of employees said they thought they were being monitored at work, according to a survey by the TUC union. The proportion of employers tracking workers is expected to rise to 70 per cent by 2025, the management consultancy Gartner found. Bosses have used surveillance software to check on staff with keystroke logging, screen monitoring, time tracking and chat monitoring. These programs, some of which take screenshots of workers computers, can crack the tactics used by employees, such as running hours-long PowerPoint presentations. Some software offers the ability to log into an employees device remotely. Credit: Michele Mossop Some businesses use software that can take photos of employees via their laptop every few minutes and use their webcam to monitor them. Others offer productivity scores on workers, depending on their activity levels. Those mouse jigglers can also be outwitted by software because the cursor activity doesnt look normal. Algorithms can also see when a mouse is active over the same web page for hours at a time. Teramind, a software firm that can identify repetitive cursor movements, found that out of one million employees sampled, 7 per cent appeared to be faking activity at work. This year, one American bank fired more than a dozen of its workers for pretending to work. Loading Some software also offers the ability to log into an employees device remotely or track an employees tone and mood, and judge how useful their conversations are. One such program, Aware, can sync with popular workplace chat tools, such as Slack, to check the conversations of specific employees. It also claims to use artificial intelligence to track employee sentiment and monitor for certain behaviours. Starbucks, AstraZeneca and Nestle all use software to monitor chats, which can also identify bullying, harassment and apparent discrimination. Elsewhere, one major consultancy company checks the IP address of remote workers to check they are not working from the beach. Employers that want staff back in the office are also using programs to monitor attendance. PwC, which has asked employees to go back three days a week, said it will track where its staff work to enforce the rules. Outfoxing bosses Some staff are already taking matters into their own hands and their tactics are getting more hi-tech. A finance sector worker told The Telegraph that they, having some systems literacy, were able to bypass surveillance software by finding out which processes it tracked and looking for holes. If the software only surveils processes called chrome.exe, opera.exe, firefox.exe you make a copy, rename it excel.exe or something and youre good to go, they said. Others have been able to bypass the top-end software, which might surveil keywords and take screenshots, by creating a virtual machine on the work computer which is untrackable. Labours promise to strengthen employment rights could affect this kind of surveillance software, by ensuring that bosses negotiate with staff and unions over its usage. Already, a patchwork of legislation, from GDPR to Employment Rights Act provisions, place limits on what bosses can do when it comes to digital surveillance. Does this software actually work? Amit Raj, founder of the Links Guys, who runs a fully remote company and uses tracking software, says even the most intricate tracking software wouldnt be able to account for some remote staffs get-out-of-work ploys. There will always be some people who dont work. While Im not worried about employees watching YouTube for a few minutes, you cant really track someone if theyre watching something on a second device and not working. This hasnt stopped Raj from looking into how to ensure staff stay on track. The software he uses to surveil staff, apart from senior hires, includes activity tracking, screenshots, time tracking, and the ability to check breaks. He describes how this softwares screenshot application has caught someone who just kept a work program open all day without doing much. But this requires an investigation with HR to confirm if that worker was actually doing anything, and he questions how useful some of the tracking software is. It cant tell you if theyre actually on a computer, he says. Advertisement Exclusive Eating outRestaurant news Bentley team to close two-hatted French restaurant Monopole From wine bar to upmarket bistro, this elegant French spot bids farewell after 13 years of dining. But its operators are already embarking on another project, with a new venue set to open in spring. Scott Bolles August 25, 2025 Save 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 One of Sydneys most prized restaurants, the two chefs hatted Monopole, is set to close its doors on Saturday, September 6. A particularly tough winter trade has been gruelling for many Sydney restaurants, but co-owner Brent Savage, whose Bentley Restaurant Group includes Monopole in its stable, blamed the closure on the end of a lease at the restaurant, which overlooks Australia Square. Monopoles French makeover, with linen tablecloths and flickering candles. Dion Georgopoulos Savage said this years CBD restaurant trade felt more optimistic than last year, but confirmed rumours swirling for months that the Monopole site had been sounding out new operators. He is unsure of its future direction, however. We looked at all our options, Savage said. Advertisement After eight years in its original Potts Point location, Monopole moved to the CBD in late 2020, later shifting from a wine bar focus to a French-leaning venue last year. We got a good review, I feel quite proud of what weve achieved, Savage said. But the closure isnt the only news for the group, which is one of the most expansive and successful restaurant operations in Sydney. It will double down on its CBD restaurant openings King Clarence and Eleven Barrack with another new venue Watermans to open at Barangaroo in spring. From left: Nick Hildebrandt, Darryl Martin and Brent Savage will open Watermans in Barangaroo. Darryl Martin, the former owner-chef at Barzaari in Marrickville, will lead the Watermans kitchen. Were massive fans of Darryl from his Barzaari days, Savage said. Pointing to Martins labne with salted cucumber as a dish that will make its way onto the Watermans opening menu, Savage said other dishes theyve been working on include warm hummus with green zhoug; pickled watermelon and raw tuna salad with sumac; whole roasted John Dory with chermoula; and pomegranate-glazed slow-cooked lamb shoulder with pickled radishes and black lime. Advertisement Savage stressed the restaurant start-up wont be a carbon copy of Barzaari. Itll be Darryls repertoire with a little of our finesse, Savage said. The 120-seat restaurant will slide into the recently completed One Sydney Harbour development at Barangaroo, a precinct where the Bentley crew has plenty of experience, having operated the now-closed Cirrus Dining nearby until 2024. Monopoles duck breast, with crisp skin and rosy meat, and an orange-scented glaze. Dion Georgopoulos The restaurant group isnt ruling out a return for Monopole. If its the right site, never say never, Savage said. In a joint statement, he and business partner Nick Hildebrandt said that the team were proud of their achievements at Monopole, both in the original Potts Point location and CBD. Advertisement An enormous amount of talent has graced both the kitchen and the floor, the statement said. Monopole was a ground-breaking wine bar when we opened it and has always pushed the envelope, holding two hats for 10 years and winning multiple awards for its wine list. Related Article Good Food hat Good Food hat 16.5 / 20 Review This two-hatted wine bar has had a French makeover but does it have that je ne sais quoi? Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up A hero bystander armed with a mop and a fluorescent yellow wet floor sign bravely attempted to fend off an alleged robber armed with a knife in a Surry Hills convenience store on Sunday evening. The customer attempted to wave away the masked man inside the Aruma Grocer on Devonshire Street just after 8pm. The accused thief later died after jumping from a fifth-floor balcony when police attended his nearby unit block. CCTV from inside the store shows the alleged robber wearing a bright red hoodie and carrying a cross-body bag, his face obscured by a purple balaclava. In a minute-long exchange, the customer wearing a pink hoodie and grey sweatpants waves the mops head towards the bandit, who allegedly took the stores cash register with less than $200 inside. At yesterdays March for Palestine in Brisbane, Max Chandler-Mather made his first high-profile speech since losing the electorate of Griffith, using the platform to take a swipe at the party that ousted him. Labor and the Liberal Party are relying on the fact that you will lose hope, the fired up Former Greens MP told thousands of pro-Palestine marchers. They will do everything they can to demobilise this movement for peace. We cannot let them win. Max Chandler-Mather. Credit: William Davis I have some simple actions for everyone here to take as you go home after this incredible movement and rally for peace Never vote for Labor or the Liberal Party again ... Never give money or support to the Labor Party again. Multiple Labor representatives were in the crowd at Queens Gardens, including Brisbane City Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy and deputy Lucy Collier. Several unions also had delegations in attendance. Chandler-Mather didnt reveal if he planned to run for federal parliament again, but said he aimed to help build a new political movement for peace and transform the country. The 33-year-old lost the seat of Griffith in Brisbanes south to Labor representative Renee Coffey at the May 3 poll. Read more about yesterdays march here. Viatrovych on Nawrocki's initiative: I see similarities with Putin's vision, who calls destruction of everything Ukrainian denazification Photo: https://www.facebook.com/volodymyr.viatrovych Former head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance, member of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Viatrovych (the European Solidarity faction) criticized the initiative of Polish President Karol Nawrocki to equate the "Bandera symbol" with Nazi and communist symbols. "Bandera's ideology is three key theses: 1. You will gain a Ukrainian state, or you will die fighting for it. 2. Freedom for the people! Freedom for the individual! 3. Reliance on one's own strength. Nawrocki sees similarities with Nazism in this. And I see similarities in his vision with Putin's vision, who calls the destruction of everything Ukrainian denazification," Viatrovych wrote on Facebook. Earlier, Polish media reported that Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced a legislative initiative on Monday that would equate the "Bandera symbol" with Nazi and communist symbols in the Polish Criminal Code. An alleged vandal accused of repeatedly defacing a Melbourne synagogue, at least twice while wearing a mask from the horror movie Scream, has been charged. The 37-year-old man, from South Yarra, is accused of targeting the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation in Toorak Road, South Yarra, with graffiti six times between March and August. Police have previously said he wore different face coverings on different occasions, including a bandana and the Scream mask. On June 21 and 22, which coincided with the armed conflict between Israel and Iran, the man allegedly sprayed Iran is Da Bomb and Free Palestine on the buildings heritage-listed facade. Salary criteria CEO salaries are even higher than most of us had thought. If we use the following rational criteria based on the human condition and human needs, we might arrive at a very different result. Take pay scales based on a workers risk of death or injury at work; sacrifices made to obtain entry qualifications; physical demands of the work; workplace amenity; job security; responsibility for others; social sacrifices made through shift work; physical and mental effort required in a typical days work; and of course the most important criteria, the value of a persons toils to society and the impact this work has on the environment. The free market is the most powerful, but irrational and obscenely unfair, determinant on our reward system. After assessing a persons true worth using rational criteria, it is difficult to argue for rewards greater than twice a nurses or teachers salary. Howard Tankey, Box Hill North Targets can be met I am one of the many Australians who support the government setting a 2035 greenhouse gas reduction target of at least 75 per cent below 2005 levels (Voters back steeper climate targets as Coalition readies for fresh brawl on net zero, 25/8). Such a target is achievable given the predictions and modelling by the Federal Department of Climate Change (2024), a CSIRO study and The Climate Council (2024), which show that, with technology already available and a concerted effort, Australia could reach a 75 per cent reduction this decade. But much further effort is required to avoid a catastrophic 2 degree increase in global temperatures. With the implementation of more well-designed policies and the further encouragement of emerging technologies, the government and business could demonstrate what can be achieved for the benefit of the Australian economy and the worlds climate. Households and communities, such as my own, can only do so much. We need strong leadership from those in positions of power to secure a safe climate for us all. Jenny Henty, Canterbury No reason to wait Australia broadly supports net zero by 2050, as evidenced by the results of the last election. We sensibly also want realistic emissions targets in the meantime. Weve seen climate deniers morph into net zero sceptics. They grudgingly agreement that climate change is real, but say that net zero is too difficult in the timeframe. This change comes from scientists advice about global warming, plus the public can see the worsening climate in the news, including record drought and marine damage in Australia and record fires from Los Angeles to Europe. The next task for scientists is to convince the climate action sceptics that the damage of the worsening climate crisis is greater than the cost of net zero. Most rigorous, peer-reviewed analyses conclude that the costs of an orderly transition to net zero are lower than the costs of failing to act. Organisations confirming this include the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Stern Review, the World Bank and Boston Consulting. What peer-reviewed evidence recommends dropping net zero and strong interim emission targets? John Hughes, Mentone Leaders not followers As a Yarra resident who was proud of my councils strong commitment to climate action, I am very disappointed in its refusal to include acknowledgement of the climate crisis in the Council Plan (Fiscal restraint or culture wars? Councils winding back climate action, 23/8). Yarra was a leader in the recognition of the climate emergency in 2017, when current mayor Stephen Jolly supported that recommendation. Action on creating a safe Yarra in the face of climate change is crucial, but preparing a four year plan without referring to the issue makes that unlikely. Kerry Echberg, Princes Hill Quality of work In the AI debate, a very important element is missing (Apologies for any confusion: Why chatbots hallucinate, 24/8). Correctly, there is debate about job security, but there is very little comment on the impact on work itself. Computerised work systems, as demonstrated over the last 50 years, can be designed to exclude human skills and initiative, or to enhance them. Most managements prefer to have these skills and initiatives designed out, so there is more management control. However, global research shows that when the systems are designed to enhance employee skills and agency, they are more efficient, less wasteful, and provide for more skilled and challenging jobs. A lot of global research and practical examples are emerging of designing AI this way, and should be more central in our debate. Max Ogden, Fitzroy North Schools under pressure Minister Mark Butlers announcement of Thriving Kids to meet the increased level of need for services and support for young children with disability, particularly autism, has attracted significant attention. (Medical bills could surge in unclear NDIS shake-up, 23/8.) How it will work is still to be established. Serious consideration is being given to Thriving Kids being delivered through early childhood education and schools. We need to know how this will impact on education. Whether it will be delivered inside or outside of teaching hours is a very important question. Our education system is already stressed due to teacher shortages, resourcing constraints, a crowded curriculum and competing demands to meet the diverse needs of all students. Numerous state and federal inquiries, and indeed royal commissions, have highlighted the need for reform in education for students with disability. Currently, kids with disability cannot be guaranteed a quality and inclusive education. We need to ensure that any new system of services and supports does not further compromise access to education for kids with disability. There is indeed much uncertainty around this recent announcement. One thing is much more certain though: adequate services and supports as well as a quality and accessible education will greatly enable kids to thrive. Stephanie Gotlib, All Means All The Australian Alliance for Inclusive Education, Collingwood Building regulation Its ironic given Ross Gittins observations about over-regulation (One thing could bring a lasting boost to productivity, but theres a risk, 25/8) that the cost of delays in building approvals was supposed to be resolved when the Kennett government privatised the building inspection process, (once the sole responsibility of local government). It was at least clear before then who was responsible for any delay, malfunction or monumental stuff-up. Since privatisation, not only did we soon have heritage-listed churches given approval for demolition by some private building surveyor in Geelong, we belatedly discovered el cheapo flammable cladding and all sorts of illegal substitutes for specified materials listed on the building permit. Prior to privatisation, the system wasnt perfect or free of corruption but it was easier to weed out the dodgy operators. Three decades on, the whole system of design and construct is akin to tangling with a tiger by the tail. Local government is far from perfect but it is time to make it clear who is responsible and to streamline the planning and building approval process and, at the same time, make it far more accountable and open to regular scrutiny by a competent agency and regular random audits. Bernadette George, Mildura Lack of focus Is there no end to the lack of strategic focus of Victorian governments? With the increased housing development in the west and inappropriate infrastructure, congested peak hours last for three to four hours morning and night. We now learn rail transport may be disrupted (Rail closure could flood citys west with trucks, 24/8). A liveable city is almost achievable if you live in the right suburbs, but too bad for those of you in the western and northern suburbs youre on your own. Denise Stevens, St Kilda Taxi woes Its time for a clean-up of the dodgy cab practices at Flinders Street station where Ive been refused a lift as I have a half-price taxi card. The other unacceptable practice is demanding a set price for the trip. My friend went in by Uber for $28 but when getting a return cab at Flinders Street the driver told her it would be $50. Sitting in the back she had no idea he wasnt using the meter. Most taxi drivers are decent but not all. Megan Peniston-Bird, Kew AND ANOTHER THING Credit: Matt Golding The right move Constant discussion of a meeting between Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese is nonsensical. Our PM is right to stay as far from the Oval Office as possible for as long as he can. Genuflecting to a peacock who changes his mind every few minutes is pointless. Juliet Flesch, Kew Unlike George Brandis, I think Albanese being in Trumps doghouse is a badge of honour and a sign of strength. Long may he stay there. Mike Smith, Sandringham So Albanese is diplomatically clueless according to George Brandis. Do his successful visits to China, Indonesia et al account for clueless? No, clued up would be my term. Maurie Johns, Mount Eliza If Australia wants an ambassador prepared to humiliate himself and our country before Trump we should apparently send George Brandis. Malcolm McDonald, Burwood Furthermore After reading Why chatbots hallucinate (The Age, 24/8) I suggest a moratorium on so-called artificial intelligence until we have developed sufficient actual human intelligence to deal with it. Keith Fletcher, Glenlyon Loading Barnaby Joyce and his backers can rail against net zero and claim it will cost a bomb, but if we dont decarbonise our power grid it will cost us the world. John Mosig, Kew There is a self-serving argument that a chief executive on a huge salary is deserving, (peanuts and monkeys), but belies the reality that even a meagre salary of say, $1 million, will Im sure deliver a clever and motivated operator. Peter Baddeley, Portland Justice Christopher Beale will consider all the material put before him at Erin Pattersons plea hearing, including both oral and written submissions. During a sentencing, a judge will summarise the case, the prosecution and defence arguments about the length of the jail term, and the victim impact statements before announcing a decision. Sentencing remarks can range from 30 minutes to hours, depending on the level of detail a judge wishes to include and the complexities of the case they are dealing with. Erin Patterson will receive a head sentence, the longest time she can be jailed for, and possibly a non-parole period, which is the length of time she must serve before she can apply to be released. We will be back with live coverage for the sentencing at 9.30am on September 8. For a full recap of the plea hearing head to this story. An urgent overhaul of Australias broken environment laws will be fast-tracked into parliament this year as Labor scrambles to greenlight projects to meet targets on home building and emissions reduction. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants new Environment Minister Murray Watt to deliver a revamped version of the controversy-plagued Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act before December six months earlier than originally planned. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Environment Minister Murray Watt. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Former environment minister Tanya Plibersek hit a wall of opposition last year from big miners and the West Australian Labor government when negotiating the terms of the act and creation of a new environment protection authority. Albanese controversially took Pliberseks work on an Environmental Protection Agency off the agenda in November last year following intense pressure from WA just as the Greens believed they had a deal with Plibersek to pass the legislation. Museums Victoria will axe one in eight of its workers, push up entry prices and shelve an upgrade of its failing tech infrastructure, to cut costs across its entire operation. The cuts were detailed in a confidential all-staff announcement sent to workers this month and seen by The Age, along with a recording of a tense town hall-style meeting hosted by chief executive Lynley Crosswell. Museums Victoria chief executive Lynley Crosswell pictured in 2021. Credit: Penny Stephens In the memo, Crosswell confirmed the cuts would reduce our staffing levels by approximately 55 full-time equivalent roles as the organisation tried to hit savings targets. Crosswell said the cuts would come on top of other reductions in the number of visitor officers announced earlier this year. Australias web safety watchdog has accused local live-streaming service Kick of failing to uphold its own guidelines on harmful content, after a violent marathon stream resulted in a mans death being broadcast to viewers, and it raised the possibility of invoking enforcement powers that can extend to fines of $49.5 million. Kick, co-founded by crypto casino billionaire Edward Craven, is the second-largest live-streaming platform in the world. It has grown in popularity and become known for its gambling, violent and sexually suggestive content as its more established rival, Amazon-owned Twitch, has put a tighter leash on those topics. Edward Craven (left) and Bijan Tehrani, co-founders of Stake.com and Kick. Credit: Eamon Gallagher Content creators on Kick are offered 95 per cent share of the revenue (made through advertising and viewer donations), and top creators are paid to live-stream more often. This month, a 46-year-old Frenchman Raphael Graven died during a live-stream, after appearing to be struck, choked, shocked, suffocated and shot with a paintball gun. He had been performing humiliating chores and stunts for more than a week. Hanoi/Beijing: Vietnam has shut down airports, closed schools and begun mass evacuations as it prepares for the most powerful storm so far this year. Typhoon Kajiki, with gusts of up to 166km/h at sea, was about 110 kilometres off the northern part of Vietnams central coast at 1pm and was due to make landfall on Monday afternoon, the countrys weather agency said. A satellite image shows Kajiki passing Chinas southern coastline. Credit: JMA This is an extremely dangerous fast-moving storm, the government said, warning that Kajiki, which can mean spearfish or swordfish in Japanese, would bring heavy rains, flooding and landslides. It was likely to strengthen, with wind speeds as high as 180km/h predicted, Chinas weather forecaster said. 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 Jerusalem: It was 11pm in Jerusalem, and one of the citys most insular ultra-Orthodox communities was in a furore. Hundreds of men in black suits and black hats of the Edah Haredit sect grew agitated as a top rabbi, shouting in Yiddish from a balcony, denounced the Israeli government for drafting the ultra-Orthodox. They had been exempt from military service to focus on religious study since the founding of Israel, but now they were needed for the war in the Gaza Strip. An ultra-Orthodox protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem earlier this month. Credit: AP A large fire blazed in the street, set by ultra-Orthodox protesters who had ignited a dumpster. Police officers on horseback tried to keep order as water cannons on trucks sprayed skunk water, a vile-smelling liquid, to disperse the crowd. Outside the nearby Mir Yeshiva, one of the largest and most prestigious religious schools in the country, Haim Bamberger, 23, said he was studying the Torah, as, he said, God wanted. It was Bambergers way of defending Israel, rather than through military service. When we do what He wants, He protects us, he said. The Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed nearly 1200 people and led to the taking of roughly 250 hostages, Bamberger said, was partly because many people in this country are not doing what God wants. Bamberger said he had been drafted but was ignoring his notice and risking jail. He grew more animated as he spoke. In this country Im considered a criminal, he said, because I want to study Torah. Advertisement Days later, Israeli military police began arresting ultra-Orthodox draft dodgers. Only a few have been detained so far, according to multiple Israeli news reports, but on August 14, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox protested and clashed with police outside a prison where the Ynet Hebrew news site reported that seven were held. For now, at a time of rage among the ultra-Orthodox and building tension between the military and the government over Gaza, the military is holding off on mass arrests. A political crisis Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, both men and women. The exemption for the ultra-Orthodox, known in Hebrew as Haredim, has long been resented by the rest of the Jewish population. But the nearly two-year war in Gaza has turned an irritant into a political crisis that is deepening divisions in Israeli society and imperilling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus fragile coalition. Last month, two ultra-Orthodox parties crucial to Netanyahus majority in parliament withdrew from the government after it did not pass legislation exempting the ultra-Orthodox from the draft. Their move could lead to the collapse of the prime ministers coalition and early elections, although Netanyahu has survived far worse political threats. Advertisement The war has pushed everything to an extreme, Nechumi Yaffe, a professor of public policy at Tel Aviv University, who is ultra-Orthodox, said. She said that secular Israelis are asking , Why should our children die and your children are just sitting drinking coffee and learning? Yaffe said she had polling that showed 25 per cent of Haredi men would enlist if they were not ostracised by their communities for doing so, as many are, and another 25 per cent would enlist with some encouragement. She said attitudes were softening within less extreme ultra-Orthodox sects, although many rabbis are resisting change. The rabbis are feeling like theyre losing control, she said. Police disperse ultra-Orthodox Jews blocking a road during a protest against army recruitment in Jerusalem this month. Credit: AP The policy dates to Israels beginnings in 1948, when David Ben-Gurion, the nations founding prime minister, granted the exemption to the 400 yeshiva students in the country at the time. Ben-Gurion envisioned their Torah study, which they believed would safeguard Israel from its enemies, as part of a revitalisation of Jewish religious scholarship lost in the Holocaust. But as the ultra-Orthodox population grew, the policy was extended, sparking backlash and legal challenges over many years. It did not help that the most extreme ultra-Orthodox sects were anti-Zionists who do not recognise the state of Israel because, they say, it was founded by secular Jews and not for a divine purpose. In June 2024, the Israeli Supreme Court finally ruled in a landmark decision that, without a formal law, there was no legal basis for the exemption, and ordered the military to begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men. Advertisement The military says it urgently needs 12,000 new recruits for a force exhausted by the war in Gaza. More than 450 Israeli soldiers have died in the enclave; suicides are on the rise; and fewer Israeli reservists, the bulk of the fighters, are reporting for duty. Many have spent more than 400 days in service since the war began. Others are questioning the governments goals in a campaign that has killed more than 60,000 people in Gaza, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel Defence Forces tanks near the Gaza Strips northern borders on August 18. Credit: Getty Images A group of experts that monitors food security declared on Friday that Gaza City and the surrounding territory are suffering from famine, a situation that has drawn global condemnation. The Israeli security agency that oversees aid deliveries in the enclave rejected the finding. Netanyahu, at odds with top generals, is now moving forward with plans to take over Gaza City. The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that 60,000 new reservists would be called to duty and that 20,000 would have their orders extended, bringing the total number of reservists to serve across all fronts in Israel to roughly 120,000, according to a senior military official who requested anonymity under military ground rules. The military says that 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men aged18 to 24 are eligible for service and that almost all were sent draft notices in the past year. So far, only 2940 have enlisted, although there is time for others to sign up before a series of deadlines. Most of the 2940 will not be ready to go to war now, but will be able to do so after the Israeli militarys six months of training. Advertisement Their number is still far off the militarys target of 4800 ultra-Orthodox enlistees for the year, and even further from the armys needs, Brigadier General Shay Tayeb, who is in charge of military personnel, told a committee in parliament August 12. The future promises more strains. The number of ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel has exploded to about 1 million today roughly 13 per cent of the population from 40,000 in 1948. About 22 per cent of six-year-olds were Haredi in 2024. By 2035, their numbers are projected to reach 30 per cent. Any exemption for them is seen as unsustainable. This is the maths talking, Inbar Harush Gity, the Defence Ministrys former head of recruitment of the ultra-Orthodox into the Israeli military, said. The ultra-Orthodox are unmoved. It may be that the circumstances have changed and the times have changed, Motti Babchik, the powerful political adviser to one of the ultra-Orthodox parties that left the government, said in an interview. But the basic agreement between the Haredis and the state of Israel remains the same. Advertisement Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal and his Danish counterpart Troels Lund Poulsen, as well as representatives of the country's parliament, discussed deepening cooperation in the defense-industrial sector, Shmyhal announced a major project to produce Ukrainian weapons in Denmark as part of the Build with Ukraine initiative. "Ukraine is strengthening industrial cooperation with Denmark. In the near future, we will launch a major project as part of the president's Build with Ukraine initiative. This will allow us to scale up the production of Ukrainian weapons in Denmark and more effectively provide our soldiers with everything they need," Shmyhal wrote on Telegram on Sunday following the meeting. Shmyhal noted that this is the next stage of cooperation, which began with the Danish model of support, which allowed partners to invest in the production of Ukrainian weapons for the needs of the Defense Forces. "We discussed the situation on the front and key priorities separately: strengthening air defense to counter Russian terror; developing long-range weapons to force Russia to peace," he added. "We expect that the Build with Ukraine initiative will be an important contribution to achieving these goals. I sincerely thank Mr. Poulsen for this visit on Independence Day. I thank Denmark, its government and people for the comprehensive support that strengthens the defense capabilities of Ukraine and Europe," the Defense Minister emphasized. From finances to business ownership, survey highlights opportunity to close critical information gap and help unlock greater newcomer financial confidence. As Canada looks to encourage greater economic growth amid shifting economic and geopolitical forces, new research from TD reveals that many newcomers polled feel there is an information gap preventing them from achieving their financial goals and building a successful life in Canada. TD conducted surveys among both newcomers to Canada and the Canadian general population to uncover financial needs, barriers and opportunities. According to the survey, 55% of newcomers polled say it was/is difficult managing their finances since arriving in Canada. A key barrier is understanding Canadas financial system, which the survey revealed is a common challenge for all demographics, regardless of their age, income, country of origin or general financial literacy level. 38% of newcomers reported little to no understanding of the banking system in Canada and how to manage their money compared to 25% of the general Canadian population. 51% of newcomers reported little to no understanding about investing money in Canada compared to 35% of the general Canadian population. 41% of newcomers reported little to no understanding of the state of the Canadian economy compared to 26% of the general Canadian population. Building a life in a new country can be both exciting and overwhelming. Newcomers face the pressure of adapting to a new way of life in Canada, while quickly getting on the right foot financially from understanding banking products and services, to budgeting for living costs and future goals, while maintaining financial ties to family living abroad." Janice Farrell Jones, SVP, Everyday Banking, Savings & Investing at TD. This important research highlights the critical need to provide enhanced financial education, tools and resources, so newcomers can feel confident at all stages of their journey and make informed decisions to achieve their financial goals and succeed in Canada. Newcomers and general Canadian population polled fear making a financial mistake While newcomers polled reported lower confidence in understanding the Canadian financial landscape and economy, both newcomers and the general Canadian public alike feel anxious and overwhelmed about their finances. This underscores the additional barriers that newcomers may face while navigating a new financial system in a new country. 76% of newcomers and 68% of the general Canadian population fear making a financial mistake. 35% of newcomers and 31% of the general Canadian public feel embarrassed or judged when they seek financial support or advice. 56% of newcomers and 44% of the general Canadian public say they do not feel they have enough money to live comfortably in Canada. When it comes to their top financial goals and priorities, newcomers polled are primarily concerned about financial stability and planning for the future: Feeling prepared for uncertain financial and economic situations (40%) Investing money effectively (37%) Saving for retirement (36%) Being debt free (32%) In addition, 50% of newcomers polled said they are interested in starting a business in Canada. Despite this entrepreneurial ambition, 62% say they are not well informed about the financial products available to support business owners. Financial confidence is a key part of the journey for those who are looking to build their lives in Canada., Farrell Jones adds. When newcomers feel financially secure, save and grow their wealth, and put their entrepreneurial energy to work, it makes the country more resilient, competitive and prosperous for all Canadians. Canadian banks can play a critical role in creating an inclusive financial future for newcomers Farrell Jones also says: Immigration will continue to be a vital economic driver for Canada. TD is committed to leveraging our experience and resources across the bank to help support newcomers, build welcoming communities, and contribute to the broader effort to help advance Canadas growth and resilience. However, we recognize that we cannot do this alone. We believe that there is an opportunity for the financial industry and corporate Canada at large to help set up new and established newcomers for success. As Canada determines its path to economic prosperity, now is the time to strive towards creating an inclusive financial future for everyone who calls Canada home. TD is dedicated to supporting newcomers at all stages of their financial lives and in their Canadian journey, with product offerings to help drive financial knowledge and confidence. This includes multi-language support in TD branches, by phone and ATMs, and online; strategic relationships with CanadaVisa, HDFC Bank, and MPOWER Financing; and funding to support organizations including Prosper Canadas Benefits Wayfinder online tool to search for government benefits, ABC Life Literacys Money Matters free introductory financial literacy program and Futurpreneurs Newcomer Entrepreneurship Program. Through the financial access pillar of TD Pathways to Economic Inclusion, TDs social framework announced in 2022, TD seeks to improve access to banking through financial education and advice, as well as enhance or develop products, services and processes to remove barriers and help build financial health and resilience for customers, communities and colleagues. About the TD Survey Edelman Data & Intelligence conducted an online quantitative survey on behalf of TD among 1,021 newcomers to Canada who arrived within the past 10 years. The survey, available in both English and French, was conducted between January 31 and February 10, 2025, with respondents who were members of the Angus Reid Forum panel. The sample included 510 individuals who arrived in the past 05 years and 511 who arrived in the past 610 years. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Additionally, Edelman Data & Intelligence conducted a separate online quantitative survey on behalf of TD among a nationally representative sample of 1,507 Canadians. This survey, also available in both English and French, was conducted between March 31 and April 2, 2025, with respondents who were members of the Angus Reid Forum panel. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The Angus Reid Forum is Canadas most well-known and trusted online public opinion community, made up of engaged residents from across the country who regularly participate in surveys on topics that matter to Canadians. SOURCE TD Bank Group 10 villages from each tehsil in State will be made smart and intelligent Devendra Fadnavis, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Shyamkumar Barve, and other dignitaries during inauguration of Satnavari as Indias first smart and intelligent village, on Sunday. Staff Reporter : CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates Indias first smart and intelligent village Ten villages in each tehsil of each district in the State will soon be made smart and intelligent, announced Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, while speaking at the inauguration of Satnavari village in Nagpur district as Indias first Smart and Intelligent Village. The Chief Minister announced an ambitious programme to replicate this model, targeting 10 villages in every taluka of the State, with an initial phase set to transform approximately 3,500 villages. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, State Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister of the district; Shyamkumar Barve, MP; Charansingh Thakur, MLA; Vaishali Chaudhari, Sarpanch of Satnavari village; Dr Vipin Itankar, District Collector; and Vinayak Mahamuni, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, were present for the programme among others. The pioneering project in Satanvari is a collaborative effort between the State Government, Nagpurs district administration, and the Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VOICE), a consortium of 24 domestic technology companies. This initiative showcases the effective use of modern technology to deliver crucial services in agriculture, health, and education, creating a blueprint for a prosperous, self-reliant village. This is a revolutionary step towards empowering our villages, stated Chief Minister Fadnavis. He highlighted that the project builds upon the foundations of national schemes like BharatNet and the States own MahaNet, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for a digitally connected India. Through this initiative, Satnavari residents will now have access to 18 advanced services. Farmers can leverage drones for precise pesticide and fertiliser spraying, and use sensors for soil testing, helping to reduce production costs and increase yields. In healthcare, telemedicine facilities will provide villagers with remote access to medical expertise. Devendra Fadnavis expressed his expectation that Satnavari would become a national role model for rural development within a year. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, in his address, praised the Chief Minister for bringing this ambitious project to Maharashtra, noting it as a proud moment for the district. The inauguration ceremony also saw the virtual e-foundation laying for 40 new Anganwadis and the online launch of solar panels at a primary health sub-centre. 25 Pune Zilla Parishad school students set to visit NASA PUNE : SHUBHRA Renuse beamed with pride as the teenager from a tiny village in Pune district enthusiastically spoke about her upcoming US trip in October. The 13-year-old is among the 25 students from rural schools in the district who have been selected to visit the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I am keen to know more about NASAs recent ISS (International Space Station) mission involving Sunita Williams and her team, as well as its future space expeditions, said the Class 7 student from Pabe in Bhor tehsil, about 40 km from Pune. The NASA visit for Shubhra and other students is part of an initiative by the Zilla Parishad, in collaboration with the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), to broaden their horizons, said an official. A Zilla Parishad is the highest tier in the Panchayati Raj System in rural India, functioning as the district-level local self-Government body responsible for developmental schemes and social justice. Gajanan Patil, chief executive officer of Pune Zilla Parishad, told PTI that they aim to provide wide exposure to the students through the tour. Out of 15,000 students, around 235 were shortlisted through written and oral interviews, and finally 75 were selected. Of them, 25 will visit NASA, while the remaining 50 will tour ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) facilities in India, Patil said. Another 160 students will be exposed to other institutions like planetariums, IUCAA, GMRT (Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope), and Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament, within India, he said. Patil said students from Zilla Parishad schools are academically bright but often lack exposure compared to their counterparts in private schools. We want to increase their interest in space and science and nurture a scientific temperament, he said. The 25 students are expected to embark on their journey to America in October, and the process of obtaining passports and visas is underway. Pune Zilla Parishad will fund the entire project, which will cost about Rs 3.5 crore, Patil said. R Srianand, director of IUCAA, said they helped identify the students through a stringent assessment process involving two written tests and one personal interview. The questions were based on science, space, and astronomy from their syllabus. Based on the evaluation, the top 25 will visit NASA, while the remaining 50 will go to ISRO facilities, he said. Although the students come from humble, rural backgrounds, they are bright and intelligent, Srianand said. We want the visit to NASA and ISRO facilities to be an enriching experience. Though NASA is a big attraction, we hope these bright minds will contribute to research here in India as they advance in their academic journey, he added. IUCAA will continue to track the academic progress of the students beyond the visits, he said. Our role is not just to facilitate the trips. We want to ensure their talent is nurtured. Based on this years experience, we plan to prepare a booklet of questions for next year, and the evaluation process will be even more professional, Srianand added. The Zilla Parishad has signed a three-year MoU with IUCAA for this initiative. Shubhra said she is thrilled to have made it to the list of top 25 students. I am very excited to go to NASA. I have already started chalking out the questions I want to ask the scientists and researchers. I want to understand how NASA works and how a space scientist thinks, she said. CBI raids TMC MLA Roys house in RG Kar corruption case KOLKATA : CENTRAL Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers on Saturday raided the house of Trinamool Congress MLA Sudipto Roy in connection with the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital corruption case. It is learnt that two officers of the central intelligence agency went to Sudipto Roys house in the Sinthee area on the northern outskirts of Kolkata in the afternoon. However, the Trinamool MLA was not at home the moment CBI officers went to his home. It may be noted that the TMC MLA was the chairman of the RG Kar Patient Welfare Association. After the rape and murder of a female doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last year, Sudipto was replaced by TMC leader Shantanu Sen. Meanwhile, Sudipto Roy has been under the CBIs scanner for a long time. A section of doctors had claimed that the female doctors death was an institutional murder. They even raised allegations about corruption at the Government hospital. It was at that time that the TMC MLA came under the CBI radar. In September last year, officers of the CBIs Crime Suppression Wing searched his house in Sinthee. At that time, the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Shuvendu Adhikari, had alleged that Sudipto had taken the equipment of RG Kar Hospital to his nursing home, which is located adjacent to his house. In this context, the TMC MLA said that he had built the nursing home in 1984. He had built it bit by bit during the erstwhile Left Front regime. On August 9 last year, the body of a post-graduate trainee was recovered from the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The incident had sent shockwaves across the country and beyond, resulting in widespread sustained protest movements by doctors, the common men, and even women members of households. While the sole convict in the case and civic volunteer Sanjay Roy had already been sentenced to life imprisonment by a trial court, even after a year, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had been unable to complete its investigation on the larger conspiracy behind the crime. Ukraine and Sweden agree on joint production of defense products on territory of both countries - Shmyhal Ukraine and Sweden have agreed on joint production of defense products on the territory of both countries, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal reported. This is stated in the letter of intent between the defense ministries of the countries, which Shmyhal signed together with Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson during his visit to Ukraine on August 23. "During the meeting with his Swedish counterpart, he thanked the people and leadership of his country for their unwavering support for Ukraine in all areas during the repulsion of Russian aggression. In particular, for joining the PURL initiative and allocating $486 million together with Norway and Denmark," he wrote on Telegram on Sunday. According to him, representatives of Ukrainian intelligence informed their colleagues about the current situation on the battlefield and our key needs. "A separate topic is cooperation in the field of military aviation, in particular, pilot training and work on joint projects between Swedish and Ukrainian companies. I thanked the Swedish government, in particular, for the transfer of ACS 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft," Shmyhal added. "Among the nearest prospects of our cooperation are work on innovations, the development of joint production. We also discussed the intensification of our cooperation in the field of space technologies," Shmyhal reported. ED raids illegal call centre operatives who duped Americans of Rs 130 crore NEW DELHI : THE Enforcement Directorate on Saturday said it has conducted searches against some persons based in the National Capital Region (NCR), who allegedly duped US nationals through an illegal call centre to the tune of about Rs 130 crore. The accused persons live in luxury houses allegedly purchased using illegally earned money through a cyber scam. They also acquired numerous assets valued at more than Rs 100 crore from the proceeds of crime, the federal probe agency said in a statement. The ED raided the premises linked to the accused in Delhi and Gurugram on August 20, the statement said. The money laundering case stems from a CBI FIR that said the accused, in a criminal conspiracy with each other, operated illegal call centres in Delhi and adjoining areas with the intent of targeting mainly US nationals and subjecting them to a tech fraud between November 2022 and April 2024. The accused Arjun Gulati, Divyansh Goel and Abhinav Kalra ran an illegal call centre in Noida and Gurugram to target US citizens in the guise of providing them technical support, the ED said in the statement. The accused gained unauthorised access to the victims bank accounts and transferred funds to multiple foreign shores before routing them to their Indian accounts through a web of transactions involving more than 200 accounts, the agency said. The accused cheated the victims to the tune of USD 15 million between November 2022 and April 2024, it claimed. Thirty bank accounts of the accused have been frozen while eight luxury cars and some costly watches have been seized during the searches, the ED said. INDIA bloc constituents in Bihar working unitedly ARARIA (Bihar) : CONGRESS leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday asserted that all the INDIA bloc constituents in Bihar were working unitedly for the upcoming Assembly polls and that the results will be fruitful. Addressing a press conference in Araria, with RJDs Tejashwi Yadav and leaders of other constituents of the INDIA bloc by his side, Gandhi said that the Opposition alliance will soon come out with a common manifesto for the polls, due later this year. The INDIA bloc will soon come out with a common manifesto for the Bihar Assembly polls. All constituents of the Opposition alliance are working unitedly... We are both ideologically and politically aligned, mutually respecting each other. The results would be fruitful, Gandhi said. I call it a good partnership among all constituents of the INDIA bloc, he said. Launching a scathing attack on the NDA Government at the Centre, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha alleged that the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the eastern State was an institutionalised attempt by the Election Commission to steal votes to help the BJP. We will not allow the EC to steal votes in Bihar. The poll panel is working for the benefit of the BJP. The SIR is an institutionalised attempt by the EC to steal votes in the upcoming Assembly polls in the State to help the saffron party, he added. The EC has been completely exposed as working for the BJP, Gandhi said. When I exposed the EC over the irregularities committed in preparing voter lists in Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka and how forged voters were added to the rolls, the EC demanded an affidavit from me over the issue. But when Anurag Thakur of the ruling dispensation said the same thing in a press conference, the Commission did not ask for any affidavit from him. This shows that EC is not neutral, Gandhi said. The partial behaviour of the EC needs to change, he added. The Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar has been a great success, and people joined it in large numbers... We have received the support of crores of people of the State, who joined us on their own. It has established the fact that the EC is stealing peoples votes in Bihar, the Congress leader said. One can imagine the impact of our yatra that even small kids are now raising the slogan of vote chor, gaddi chhor (vote thief, vacate seat of power), Gandhi said. He, however, evaded a direct reply to a question as to why the Mahagathbandhan was not declaring Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial candidate of the INDIA bloc for the upcoming polls. We are cooperating with one another, and we have to check vote chori (vote theft), he said. Several other leaders of the INDIA bloc, including CPI (ML) Liberations Dipankar Bhattacharya, VIPs Mukesh Sahni, besides Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, were also present at the joint press conference. J&K authorities probe radicalisation of young minds in Kashmir schools By Sumir Kaul SRINAGAR SECURITY agencies in Jammu and Kashmir are intensifying their surveillance on several educational institutions, particularly private schools, due to growing concerns over the alleged radicalisation of young minds, especially among female students, officials said here. The concerns also extend to the alleged widespread use of narcotics, a problem flagged as being particularly rampant in some private schools. Officials familiar with the developments spoke about disturbing information coming from some private schools forcing authorities to quietly warn them against the spread of radical ideologies among youngsters. The initiative is part of a larger effort to fight back against the transmission of extremist narratives at the ground level. Apart from security authorities, the surge in radicalisation has even startled some ex-separatist groups as they are concerned that another religious extremism wave, forced from the other side of the Line of Control (LoC), will destabilise the valleys centuries-old Sufi tradition. There is a palpable concern that radicalisation is still taking place in certain institutions and unofficial madrassas. The sources indicate a sudden surge in pan-Islamist thought among youths, including girls, in the valley as intelligence reports suggest that fanatical clerics are indoctrinating them with a rigid interpretation of Islam that rejects traditional Kashmiri practices, such as visiting and paying obeisance at the shrines of Sufi saints and Rishis. These customs are being condemned as violations of Islamic teachings, a trend that has been worrying the ex-separatists who did not wish to be named. The abuse of social media by terrorists has aggravated the issue, creating new challenges to the security of the State. The educational system of the Valley has been irrevocably harmed, repeatedly proving incapable of presenting students with a future vision and thus resorting to a strict interpretation of Islam as a refuge, officials said. Three decades of terrorism and geopolitical turbulence have immensely impacted the psychology of the youths in Kashmir, the weakness of which is also usually manifested when incidents of stone-pelting are analysed, they said Besides the instability, there is an increase in the uncontrolled expansion of unregulated madrassas compared to conventional educational institutions, and terror groups are taking advantage and spreading propaganda to emphasise the perceived benefit by using religion as a tool, the officials said. Some people nurturing the pro-Pakistan sentiment are also utilising fake images to target victimhood, depicting crimes against innocents to incite fury and revenge. Parallel but no less worrying is the drug abuse menace that has been observed to be a serious issue in some of these schools. Security authorities believe that a comprehensive solution must be found to combat the double menace of ideological indoctrination and drug addiction in order to shield the youths and ensure the regions long-term stability. The Srinagar district police has declared a comprehensive offensive against drug abuse and trafficking, and the last three-month campaign has led to the arrest of 97 people and the registration of 73 cases. Following intensified police crackdowns that have made heroin more difficult to obtain, addicted youth in Srinagar are increasingly turning to medical opioids as a substitute. Key milestone achieved in Gaganyaan Mission NEW DELHI : THE Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully conducted its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01), marking a key milestone in the preparation for Indias ambitious Gaganyaan Mission. An ISRO official said that the end-to-end demonstration was conducted near Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate Indias capability to send humans into space and safely return them to Earth. Planned as the countrys first human spaceflight programme, it will also involve precursor unmanned missions to test systems critical for crew safety. The parachute-based deceleration mechanism is a key component to ensure the safe recovery of the crew module during re-entry and landing. According to ISRO, the successful trial was a collaborative effort involving multiple defence and research organisations, including the Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard. In a post on X, ISRO wrote, ISRO successfully accomplishes first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for end-to-end demonstration of parachute-based deceleration system for Gaganyaan missions. This test is a joint effort of ISRO, Indian Air Force, DRDO, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. Earlier, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said that development and ground testing of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3) of Indias first human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan have already been completed. Orbital Module: The Propulsion systems for Crew Module and Service Module have been developed and tested. ECLSS engineering model realised. Crew Escape System (CES): 5 types of motors developed and static tested. Infrastructure established: Orbital Module Preparation Facility, Gaganyaan Control Centre, Gaganyaan Control facility, Crew training facility, Second Launch pad modifications, Singh said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. Precursor Missions: A Test Vehicle developed for validating CES and flight tested in TV-D1. Activities are in progress for TV-D2 and IADT-01. Flight Operations and Communication Network: Ground network configuration finalised. IDRSS-1 feeder stations and terrestrial links established. Crew Recovery Operations: Recovery assets finalised. Recovery Plan worked out. First Uncrewed Mission (G1): C32-G stage and CES motors realised. HS200 Motors and CES Fore end up to Crew Module Jettisoning Motor stacked. Crew Module and Service module structure realised. Crew Module Phase-1 checks completed, he added. The human spaceflight programme is aimed at fulfilling aspirations of an established spacefaring nation. The technological and manufacturing capabilities towards the goal of Viksit Bharat will hinge on a transformative shift in the national research and technology development landscape. He said that after proving the basic capabilities for human space activities under the Gaganyaan Programme, the next logical step is to initiate the development activities for a human habitat or a space station in low Earth orbit to enable longer human space missions. In this regard, the long-term vision of the Indian Human Space Programme includes the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035 and the Indian Moon Landing by 2040. Highlighting the development of Indias own space station, Singh said that plans for establishing five modules of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035, towards which approval for the development of the 1st module of BAS has been obtained. As per the vision envisaged by the Government of India to land an Indian on the moon by 2040, the mission aspects, configuration of the launch vehicle and orbital module systems have been taken up. Training modules, including incremental training for the ongoing Gaganyaan programme and the proposed landing of an Indian on the Moon, are in line with the requirements of mission timelines, the MoS added. Maiden flight tests of new air defence system successful NEW DELHI : INDIA has successfully conducted the maiden flight tests of an integrated air defence weapon system (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha, demonstrating its growing military capabilities in the face of an evolving regional security scenario. The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system consisting of indigenous quick reaction surface-to-air missiles (QRSAM), very short range air defence system (VSHORADS) missiles and a high power laser based directed-energy weapons (DEW) system, according to the Defence Ministry. The indigenous air defence system was flight-tested 1230 hours off the coast of Odisha on Saturday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the developer of the platform, and the Armed Forces on the flight tests. The flight tests of the new air defence system came three-and-half months after Operation Sindoor. I congratulate the DRDO, Indian Armed Forces and the industry for successful development of IADWS, Singh said on social media. This unique flight test has established the multi-layered air-defence capability of our country and is going to strengthen area defence for important facilities against enemy aerial threats, he said. Under the IADWS, an integrated operation of all the weapon systems will be controlled by a centralised command and control centre. The command and control centre has been developed by the DRDO, which is the nodal laboratory for the air defence programme The VSHORADS and DEW are developed by Research Centre Imarat and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences respectively. During the flight-tests, three different targets, including two high-speed fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle targets and a multi-copter drone were simultaneously engaged and destroyed completely by the QRSAM, VSHORADS and high energy laser weapon system at different ranges and altitudes, the Ministry said in a statement. It said all the weapon system components, including the missile systems and drone detection and destruction system, command and control mechanism along with communication and radars, performed flawlessly. The performance of the system was confirmed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The test was witnessed by senior scientists from the DRDO and representatives from the Armed Forces. Over 22,000 visitors flock to Cgarh Pavilion at World Expo, Osaka Visitors visit Chhattisgarh Pavilion in World Expo-2025 at Osaka in Japan. Staff Reporter RAIPUR The opening day of the Chhattisgarh Pavilion at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan witnessed an overwhelming response, drawing more than 22,000 visitors who experienced States unique blend of heritage, industry, and tourism. The Pavilion, officially unveiled today within the Bharat Pavilion, marks Chhattisgarhs week-long participation from August 24 to 30, 2025, on the invitation of the Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), Government of India. Designed as an immersive experience, the Pavilion weaves together Chhattisgarhs cultural richness, industrial strength, and tourism potential, offering global audiences a panoramic view of the states growth story.The Pavilion places special emphasis on the states thriving tourism landscape, known for its biodiversity, scenic beauty, and cultural legacy. It showcases Nava Raipur, Indias first Greenfield Smart City, designed as an investor-ready hub for exponential industrial and economic growth. Visitors are also introduced to the majestic Chitrakoot Falls, celebrated as the widest waterfall in India and often hailed as the Niagara of India. Equally captivating is Sirpur, counted among the largest Buddhist sites in the country and dating back to the 8th century CE, which reflects the states deep spiritual and cultural heritage. Drawing a cultural parallel with Japan, the Pavilion underscores how Chhattisgarh draws inspiration from the teachings of Buddha, reflecting shared values of peace, inclusivity, and sustainability. The Pavilion highlights Chhattisgarhs strategic central location, offering unmatched logistical advantages through its multimodal transport network. It further showcases the states growth across manufacturing, textiles, IT/ITeS, electronics, and Gramodyog, presenting investment-ready opportunities for global partners. Artisanship remains a central theme of the Pavilion with exhibits such as Dhokra Art a 4,000-year-old GI-tagged bell metal casting craft of Bastar, admired for its raw and rustic beauty. Kosa Silk the Pavilions central attraction, symbolises Chhattisgarhs cultural identity. Renowned for its natural shine, durability, and elegance, Kosa is woven from the Antheraea mylitta silkworm found in the forests of the state. A striking Kosa Art installation embodies the states ethos as harmonious balance of spirituality, nature, and development. With its spectacular opening and footfall, Chhattisgarh Pavilion has set the tone for a week-long showcase that celebrates cultural diversity while positioning the state as a rising hub for sustainable industrial progress and global investment opportunities. Rs 70,000 cr sub deal gets GREEN GO NEW DELHI : AFTER being stuck for over six months, the Centre has given clearance to the Defence Ministry and Mazagaon Dockyards Limited to begin negotiations for the deal to buy six submarines to be built in India with German support under Project 75 India. The Defence Ministry had selected state-owned MDL for building six submarines with Air Independent Propulsion systems with German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems as its partner in January. Defence officials said, The Centre has now given clearance to the Defence Ministry and the MDL to begin negotiations for the project, and the process is expected to start by the end of this month. The Centre took the decision after a very high-level meeting, including top defence and national security functionaries, who discussed the roadmap and future of the countrys submarine fleet, they said. The Defence Ministry and the Indian Navy are expecting to conclude contract negotiations in the next six months and get final approval for it. Through the contract, the Defence Ministry aims to develop indigenous capability for designing and manufacturing conventional submarines within the country. The Government is also exploring ways to accelerate the submarine building process. The Indian Navy is looking to buy six advanced submarines with the ability to stay underwater for three weeks under Project 75 India, and the German AIP would allow it to do so. The Indian industry is also working on building two nuclear attack submarines, where private sector giant Larsen and Toubro would play a big role, along with the Submarine Building Centre. Against the backdrop of the rapid modernisation of the Chinese Navy, the Indian Government has cleared numerous submarine projects, including both nuclear and conventional ones. However, India must rapidly develop the desired capabilities to counter both China and Pakistan in its area of interest. The Indian Navy is likely to phase out around 10 of its submarines in the next decade and would require their replacements in the same timeframe. Tragedy strikes Chitrakoot Our Correspondent : Chitrakoot Woman, 2 daughters die after consuming poisonous substance; son critical The woman took the extreme step after her husband scolded her for eating gutkha In a heart-wrenching and shocking incident in Itwan Dudaila village, a woman consumed a poisonous substance and also fed the same substance to her three children after her husband refused to let her eat gutkha. The mother and her two daughters died during treatment while the condition of her son is critical. This heart-wrenching incident took place on Saturday late evening in Itwan Dudaila village of Chitrakoot UP, connected to the main road between Satna- Majhgawan- Chitrakoot. As per information, Jyoti Yadav fed poison to her three children and then consumed poison herself allegedly because her husband did not allow her to eat gutkha. Enraged over his denial, the woman took the extreme step. All four were first brought to the nearest health centre at Majhgawan, Satna district in critical condition. Here one of the daughters died. Due to the critical condition of the mother and the remaining two children, they were immediately referred to Satna District Hospital after primary treatment. On the way, the mother and the second daughter also died. Her son has been admitted to Satna District Hospital in critical condition. The deceased have been identified as Jyoti Yadav (32), daughter Bulbul (1) and Chandrama (6). The condition of son Deepchandra (3) is critical. The husband Babbu Yadav informed police that his wife was addicted to gutkha. He often scolded her for this bad habit. On the day of the incident, he told her that now that the children are growing up, it will have a bad effect on them. So he asked her to leave gutkha. He also threatened her to not provide any money to buy gutkha. After the scolding, the husband went to work. However, he never thought that the wife would take his scolding on her heart and take such an extreme step. When he returned home in the evening, he found his wife and three children in an unconscious state. He along with other family members immediately took them to the nearest health center Majhgawan and then to Satna District Hospital. SP Chitrakoot Arun Kumar Singh immediately reached the spot along with police team. Ukraine, together with Canada, is developing programs to support veterans, including initiatives in the field of mental health and mobile prosthetic complexes, and has also agreed to develop veteran spaces in the regions, said Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. "We discussed issues of supporting veterans. Ukraine, together with Canada, is developing mental health programs and working on mobile prosthetic systems. We agreed with Canadian partners to develop veteran spaces in the regions," the message reads. In addition, the parties discussed the sanctions pressure on Russia, which has already cost the aggressor more than $160 billion. According to Svyrydenko, this is not enough, since Russia continues to produce missiles and drones. "We called for increased pressure: coordination between partners makes them truly effective. Thus, Ukraine synchronized Canada's sanctions, and in the near future we are preparing for Canada to synchronize our sanctions. We emphasized the need for new sanctions decisions that also apply to companies indirectly working with Russia," the Prime Minister noted on the Telegram channel. Photo: Unsplash Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digitalization of Poland Krzysztof Gawkowski criticized President Karol Nawrocki for vetoing an amendment to the law on assistance to citizens, as it will lead to the disconnection of Starlink and cloud data storage services provided by Poland to Ukraine. "This marks the end of the Starlink internet that Poland provides to war-torn Ukraine. It also means the end of support for storing Ukrainian government data in a safe place," Gawkowski wrote on the X social network on Monday. According to him, the Polish president should stop blindly attacking the government in the name of political struggle. "You are harming people who are fighting for their independence, and at the same time helping Russia," Gawkowski stressed. Ukraine received another batch of 5,000 Starlink terminals from Poland in April 2025. In total, 29,500 Starlinks were sent from Poland. Poland's Ministry of Digital Affairs announced in March that the country had allocated almost PLN 323 million ($88.7 million at the current exchange rate) for Starlink terminals and their subscription for Ukraine in the period from 2022 to 2024. In 2025, the subscription cost is expected to exceed PLN 77 million. According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, it has provided the supply of about 50,000 Starlink terminals since the beginning of the war thanks to the support of international partners. In addition to Poland, their work is also paid for by Germany. In addition, Starlink terminals are imported and used in Ukraine by other users who pay for them independently. The total number of Starlink terminals in Ukraine is estimated at approximately 100,000. Earlier it was reported that Polish President Nawrocki vetoed the law that provided for social benefits and free medical care for unemployed citizens of Ukraine. Nawrocki proposed his version of the bill, which, in particular, will contain "new solutions for granting citizenship." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said a fundamental reassessment of the welfare system is needed because the current welfare state model is no longer financially sustainable, The Telegraph reports. The welfare state as we have it today can no longer be financed with what we can economically afford, Merz said at the party conference at the federal state level on Saturday. According to the publication, spending on social welfare has exploded and exceeded an all-time high 47 billion in 2024, what is more, it is set to increase further this year as Germanys population ages and unemployment rises. At the same time, Germany's public debt amounts to 62.5% of GDP - one of the lowest figures in the eurozone. The German chancellor added that he was not satisfied with what his government had achieved during its time so far, saying: Lets show together that changes and reforms are possible. Mr Merzs views on the welfare state are likely to provoke discontent among his Social Democratic Party (SDP) coalition partners, whom he relies on for a thin majority in the Bundestag, the message reads. He called on both the SDP and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) to commit to making tough decisions and to forming a joint anti-migration and business-friendly coalition path. Both parties have called for Germany to increase its ability to detain migrants pending deportation and to expand a list of safe countries that migrants could be returned to. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said that Ukraine will need security guarantees that will be as close as possible to the level of NATO membership, DW reports. "We cannot demand that Ukraine seriously consider territorial concessions unless it receives at least real security guarantees from as many states as possible, that at least the rest will be safe," he said on Sunday, August 24, during the German government's Open Day. According to Wadephul, such guarantees could become the basis for convincing Russian President Vladimir Putin and at the same time would not pose any threat to Russia. "Then this could become the basis for us in Europe to finally have peace again," the minister noted. The head of the German Foreign Ministry emphasized that he expects a wide range of states ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees for the post-war period. "It is important that the United States join this process. About 30 states, including Japan, have expressed their readiness to support Ukraine," the publication quoted him as saying. At the same time, Wadephul stressed that "violation of the security guarantee would be an attack on Ukraine." The minister also stressed that the peace treaty with the Russian Federation should not become a "dictatorial peace" to the detriment of Ukraine. He called on the Russian president to stop aggression and sit down at the negotiating table. "Otherwise, he should take into account our decisive resistance on the side of Ukraine," the head of the German Foreign Ministry said. Photo: https://www.facebook.com The activities of the Prosecutor General's Office indicate the active position of the state in protecting business and confirm that violations of investors' rights will not go unnoticed, believes the American businessman of Ukrainian origin, president of IBE Trade Corp, candidate of economic sciences Alexander Rovt. In a release provided to Interfax-Ukraine on Monday by the AVER LEX bar association, Rovt cites as an example of the activities of the Prosecutor General's Office that provided the basis for such conclusions the report of suspicion in the case of a group of unscrupulous individuals seizing natural gas from an international company, "which he knows well," for EUR4.95 million. According to Rovt, this company has been fighting for the restoration of its rights for more than four years within the framework of criminal proceedings initiated in 2021, but, despite the evidence of the crime collected by the investigation and the company's defense, the suspects were not served with charges and the investigation did not progress further. However, as he emphasized, the company's appeal to Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko gave impetus to this case, and on August 21, the former businessman was officially notified of the suspicion of organizing a fraudulent gas scheme. Rovt also noted that the investigation conducted a detailed analysis of financial flows, checked the bank accounts of related companies and studied the contracts concluded by the suspect. According to him, experts were involved to audit gas transactions and assess the losses incurred, which allowed us to confirm the facts of fraud and illegal alienation of assets. "For the first time in many years, we see that the state really cares and defends the rights of foreign business. This demonstrates that unscrupulous businessmen will not go unpunished, and the Ukrainian investment protection system is able to act effectively," Rovt emphasized, adding that in the conditions of post-war reconstruction, Ukraine especially needs foreign investments, and guarantees of their protection are a key factor for attracting capital. He expressed hope that the case will be transferred to court in the near future, and emphasized that "it is possible and worthwhile to cooperate with Ukraine." A few days ago, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on its Facebook that it had uncovered a scheme to seize almost EUR5 million from a Hungarian company and reported suspicion to a former businessman under Part 3 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in organizing a scheme to steal natural gas from this Hungarian supplier. According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the company's investor is a well-known American businessman, a philanthropist of Ukrainian origin. As reported there, the scheme itself, which began in 2018, consisted of creating or purchasing companies with a good reputation, appointing fictitious directors, concluding contracts with a large gas supplier, accumulating debts, selling gas to end consumers and misappropriating proceeds and bankrupting the companies. In particular, a foreign partnership was involved in the bankruptcy of one of the companies for an artificial debt of EUR11 million. To avoid liability, the organizer of the scheme hid money in the authorized capital of companies controlled by his daughters and wife, the Prosecutor General's Office claims. UB: University of The Bahamas North welcomed nearly 200 new students to its newly repurposed Downtown Freeport campus, housed in the former Kipling Building Complex. The student government association kicked off the semester with a pep rally to celebrate academic beginnings on Tuesday, August 19. UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS NORTH Industry leaders say The Bahamas must strengthen its tourism workforce to stay competitive. You voted: The UK has announced the extension of the leading training program for the Armed Forces of Ukraine Interflex at least until the end of 2026, timed to coincide with the celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day, the Ministry of Defence of Great Britain reported. The Interflex program involves training Ukrainian military personnel on British soil and with the participation of 13 other countries. Since its inception, more than 50,000 Ukrainian military personnel have completed training, which initially focused on basic combat skills, but now includes leadership courses, training of platoon and squad commanders, as well as training of instructors. Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: "The UK is united for Ukraine. We will continue to step up our support alongside allies, so that Ukraine can defend today and deter tomorrow. In the face of ongoing Russian attacks, we must put Ukraines Armed Forces in the strongest possible position." According to the British Ministry of Defence, new leadership courses showed that 83% of trainees felt more capable of making the troops under their command more survivable, and 93% more lethal. "Recent open-source reporting indicates that support from the UK and other nations has helped Ukraine achieve remarkable results on the battlefield, with more than 4,000 Russian battle tanks having been reported destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, compared with around 1,250 in Ukraines case. This year, the UK will spend GBP 4.5 billion in support of Ukraine, including the supply of more than 5,000 air defense missiles and an increase in the number of drones from 10,000 in 2024 to 100,000 in 2025," the report states. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an action plan to implement the security cooperation agreement between Ukraine and Canada, the press service of the head of state reports. The document outlines key areas of bilateral cooperation in the security sphere, including military training, building defense capabilities, sharing intelligence, cybersecurity, as well as combating terrorism and hybrid threats. "Ukraine and Canada concluded an Agreement on Security Cooperation on February 24 last year. At that time, Canada was the first country outside Europe to certify its security commitments to Ukraine. Thus, the states launched a strategic security partnership in various areas," the website of the head of the Ukrainian state states. During the signing of the Action Plan, the Ministers of Defense of Ukraine and Canada Denys Shmyhal and David McGinty signed a Letter of Intent on joint production of defense products. As the press service reported, the document provides for Canada's financing of joint production of Ukrainian defense products, which will allow not only to help Ukraine, but also to improve products manufactured in the two countries. In addition, Ukraine and Canada concluded an Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. It provides for the exchange of information on customs legislation, the development of training programs and advanced training, as well as partnership in the field of organizing customs control and combating violations. Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy/ Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko and US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg discussed a system of security guarantees for Ukraine, in particular military and economic stability, as well as the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilians and abducted children. "Today, we talked with the US Special Envoy about security guarantees for Ukraine. They must be real - based on the UN Charter and with respect for our sovereignty. It's not just about the military component, but also about political stability and economic capacity," Svyrydenko emphasized in a post about the meeting on the Telegram channel on Sunday. In her assessment, the real guarantee of security is "a strong Ukrainian army and a strong economy. We must preserve the potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and develop our own industry." She also emphasized another important priority - "the return of people: all prisoners of war, civilians and abducted children must return home." "We separately discussed the issues of critical minerals and industrial assets that Russia is trying to exploit in the temporarily occupied territories. It is unacceptable that their extraction or trade be legalized," she added. "The American side sees prospects for our cooperation - investments, partnership in reconstruction and new technologies. Special emphasis - on drones that change the course of war. Grateful to General Kellogg for your clear support for Ukraine," the prime minister noted. Photo: Pixabay President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed diplomacy, as well as defense cooperation in Kyiv. "We discussed our defense cooperation today. NATO countries are now joining a new program called PURL. This is a collective tool that allows us to increase assistance to Ukraine through weapons purchases in the United States of America. The program already includes a decision for one and a half billion dollars. European countries have taken their steps. I am grateful for Canadas readiness to join the program," Zelenskyy said during a press conference on Sunday. In addition, the leaders discussed diplomacy, as well as their contacts with partners. Ukraine also expects that Canada will take an active part in the implementation of security guarantees. "It is important that everything becomes as practical as possible and we believe that Canada should be represented at the same level as our closest partners in Europe - these security guarantees are involved in the peacekeeping process. We are counting on the presence of Canadian forces in Ukraine. This is important for us," the president added. In addition, Canada will add $500 million within the framework of PURL. Ukraine also counts on Canada's participation in reconstruction, and not only in the restoration of facilities, but also in rehabilitation after injuries, the leaders discussed such programs for veterans. Zelenskyy separately noted Canada's participation in the global coalition to return home Ukrainian children who were abducted by the Russians. Photo: https://t.me/Denys_Smyhal Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has held a meeting with the US President's Special Envoy General Keith Kellogg in Kyiv, during which they discussed, in particular, defense priorities, cooperation in the defense-industrial complex, and the creation of reliable security guarantees. Shmyhal also handed Kellogg documents for the signing of an agreement between the presidents of Ukraine and the US concerning the production and sale of drones (Drone deal). "I had the honor of meeting in Kyiv with the Special Representative of the US President, General Keith Kellogg. I thanked him for the visit during these important days for Ukraine and for the extremely strong support of the United States, which helps save lives and bring a just peace closer. Ukraine highly appreciates the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. It has opened up new opportunities for NATO countries to quickly provide our Defense Forces with critically needed samples of American weapons and technologies," Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday afternoon. As Shmyhal noted, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Andriy Hnatov, and the head of the Main Intelligence Agency (GUR), Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, provided the American delegation with a detailed analysis of the enemys plans and the situation at the front. "Together with our partners, we must increase pressure on the aggressor to force it to a fair, lasting and sustainable peace. I informed the delegation about our defense priorities. The key is to increase the production of ammunition and drones to stop the enemy's advance. Joint projects in this area allow us to more effectively provide Ukrainian soldiers with weapons," Shmyhal noted. The parties also separately discussed the creation of reliable security guarantees that will make new aggression against Ukraine impossible in the future. Work on such guarantees is being carried out in close cooperation with partners. "We also discussed preparations for the signing of an agreement between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States concerning the production and sale of drones (Drone deal). During the meeting, the relevant documents were handed over to the American side. Thank you to General Kellogg and the United States of America for your leadership, solidarity and support for Ukraine on the path to peace," Shmyhal concluded. Photo: Pixabay Canada will deliver over $1 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine in September, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. During a speech in Kyiv, Mark Carney said that at the G7 summit in June, Canada had pledged an additional $2 billion in military assistance. He announced that over $1 billion of that amount would be directed to strengthening their arsenal of weapons through the supply of drones, ammunition, and armored vehicles, which would arrive the following month. Vijay Devarakonda's Kingdom will be hitting the streaming space nearly a month after its theatrical release. The big-scale Gowtam Tinnanuri directorial, touted as an action-packed mass entertainer, was released in theatres on July 31. The film will be available to stream on Netflix on August 27, the platform announced. In Hindi, the film will stream under the title Samrajya. Despite its action-thriller narrative and carefully coordinated fight scenes, the film was met with a mixed to poor reception upon release. However, netizens took notice of Malayalam actor Venkitesh's strikiningly villainous turn. Audiences who went into the theatres with high expectations exited disappointed. While many lauded Deverakondas performance, others noted that the plot felt forced and that Anirudh Ravichanders musical composition fell flat. In the kingdom of gold, blood and fire a new king rises from the ashes pic.twitter.com/MWHBYavB0q Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) August 25, 2025 Kingdom also faced stringent competition from the Hindi release Saiyaara, an unexpected hit, which is still dominating theatres. However, the film reportedly ranks as Deverakondas second-best film in terms of monetary collection. The film's big-screen release was postponed twice, with the original plan to release on May 30. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the makers couldn't make it, and later announced a July 4 date, but they couldn't make it either. The makers had mentioned the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor as reasons for not releasing the film then. What's Kingdom about? Devarakonda plays Surya Suri, a man who leads a covert operation against a dangerous syndicate helmed by his older brother Siva. Suri races against time to thwart and expose an incoming national security threat while battling inner demons. The film also stars Satyadev, Bhagyashri Borse, and Ayyappa P. Sharma. For many women, this is a familiar scenarioyou start your day with freshly applied lipstick, which disappears after a few hours. More often than not, you would have eaten some bits of it. Well, now social media posts claim that this is not just a fashion faux pas; it could also be harming your health. In a viral Instagram post, Dr Manan Vora, an orthopedic surgeon with 539K followers, warned about the hidden dangers in lipsticks. The video claims that certain chemicals in lipsticks can disrupt hormones and affect womens health. "Your lipstick might be doing more than adding color it could be quietly messing with your hormones," reads the caption of the video, which has close to 2 lakh views. According to Dr. Vora, some lipsticksespecially those that are cheap or unregulatedmay contain harmful substances, such as BPA (from plastic packaging) and preservatives like methylparaben or propylparaben. "These chemicals can mimic estrogen (sic.), disrupt your hormonal balance, and even cause issues like delayed periods, acne, and excess facial hair over time," according to the caption. He advises consumers to check labels carefully before purchasing and opt for products marked BPA-free or Paraben-free. Trusted certifications to look for in India include Ecocert, Cosmos Organic/Natural, USDA Organic, and PETA India Cruelty-Free. The reel has gone viral, amassing over 5,000 likes,14,500 shares and close to 2 lakh views. So, are lipsticks harmful? According to a study published in Heliyon, researchers tested 12 lipsticks sold in Ghana and found dangerously high levels of heavy metals such as chromium, manganese, nickel, copper, cadmium, and lead. Several samples exceeded international safety limits, with copper levels reaching 14,053.33 mg/kg and lead concentrations surpassing the U.S. FDAs 10 mg/kg limit. The study warned that such contamination poses risks of neurotoxicity, kidney damage, and systemic toxicity in regular users. A separate 2024 study examined parabens (such as methylparaben and propylparaben) commonly used in lipsticks as preservatives. The researchers concluded that parabens can act as endocrine disruptors, mimicking estrogen, but emphasised that the amounts typically found in regulated cosmetic products are well within international safety standards. A Canadian study on 382 girls and teens found that higher urinary paraben levels were linked to significantly lower concentrations of key reproductive hormones (estradiol, LH, and FSH), suggesting that paraben exposure may disrupt endocrine balance and potentially affect sexual development. Research also suggests that excessive exposure to parabens may be linked to breast cancer and fertility issues. Also, this 2016 study indicated that paraben exposure at non-excessive levels is associated with menstrual cycle length or its variability among general female subjects. These results suggest the possibility that paraben exposure is one of the environmental causes of human reproductive problems. Dr Anjana Bhan, Endocrinologist at Max Hospital, Saket, highlighted the widespread presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in everyday products: "Many personal care productsshampoos, face washes, creams, lipstickscontain parabens, phthalates, and other chemicals like BPA, often used as preservatives or in plastic packaging. While a single use may not affect the body, chronic daily exposure can disrupt gene expression, steroid synthesis, and hormone balance." She further explained that some chemicals mimic estrogen, block male hormones, or interfere with steroid pathways, potentially contributing to obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and reproductive problems such as PCOS. Dr Bhan emphasised the environmental reach of these chemicals: "Animal studies have shown these substances accumulate under the skin, in urine, faeces, and even cardiac blood vessels. EDCs are present in plastics, baby bottles, soda can linings, and even in water systems. A study in Indonesia found poultry exposed to contaminated water had eggs containing these chemicals. This demonstrates how pervasive they are." "Even products labeled 'BPA-free' may contain BPS or BPF, which are equally harmful. Organic and naturally made products are safer alternatives," she warned. Dr Bhan noted that India does not have strict bans or monitoring for such products, unlike in the West, where the Environmental Protection Agency regulates untested cosmetics. She warned that this "dark side of beauty" can have significant health impacts. Regarding the viral claim that lipsticks can cause delayed periods, acne, and facial hair, Dr Bhan confirmed that it is true, explaining that studies show EDCs can affect reproductive function and may also contribute to cancer, respiratory issues, neurological diseases, and a range of reproductive problems, including infertility and PCOS. This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS. A sit-in protest at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday marks six years since the imprisonment of the leader of Awami Itehad Party (AIP) and Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh, better known as 'Engineer Rashid'. The demonstration has once again pushed the maverick politician from northern Kashmir into the spotlight. His life storyfrom an engineer in government service to an elected Member of Parliament now sitting in jailis one of sharp turns, dramatic successes and controversy. Early life and career Born in 1967 in Langate, Kupwara district, Rashid trained as an engineer and joined the Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) in the early 1990s. Political journey Rashid stepped into politics in 2008 when he contested the Assembly elections from Langate as an independent candidate. Against the odds, he won, defeating established leaders from both the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His ability to relate to common people and his straightforward speaking style were two important reasons behind his win. Despite his claims that it was a struggle for rights enshrined in the Constitution, his politics frequently veered toward soft separatism. He maintained his seat in 2014, solidifying his standing as a stand-alone political voice in Kashmir. That same year, he founded his own partythe Awami Itehad Party (AIP)claiming it would represent the unheard voices of the Valley. Politics and controversies Rashid soon built a reputation as a maverick politician. He made bold statements, used street politics, and refused to filter his words. This made him popular with some, but also highly controversial. One of his most talked-about incidents came in 2015 when he hosted a beef party at the MLA hostel in Srinagar to oppose the ban on beef. The move caused a storm, leading to his assault inside the Assembly by BJP legislators. He often attacked mainstream parties, accusing them of betraying the people of Kashmir. His critics, however, saw him as a showman who thrived on creating drama to stay in the headlines. Arrest and jailing In August 2019, just before Article 370 was revoked, Rashid was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a money laundering case linked to alleged terror funding. The NIA said it had evidence, but Rashids supporters argued that he was targeted because of his outspoken politics. Since then, he has remained in jail, with his bail pleas repeatedly rejected. For his supporters, his detention became symbolic of what they called an attack on democracy because an elected representative was not allowed to carry out his duties. Comeback in the 2024 elections Despite being in prison, Rashid contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Baramulla. His campaign, run by his two young sons (supporters and activists), Abrar Rashid and Asrar Rashid, caught fire across northern Kashmir. He faced two of the regions biggest names: Omar Abdullah of the National Conference and Sajad Lone of the Peoples Conference. Rashid defeated both, winning the Baramulla seat from behind bars. His victory shocked Abdullah and Lone. Analysts saw his victory as a rejection of dynastic politics in Kashmir. However, the dominant view was that Rashid had won due to sympathy for being in jail. Legal relief to allow Parliament attendance After his victory, Rashids lawyers pushed for his release so he could attend parliamentary sessions. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court granted him temporary relief, allowing him to take part in the monsoon session under heavy security. His supporters called it a partial win, saying that the peoples mandate cannot be locked inside a prison". A divisive figure who is impossible to ignore Six years after his arrest, Rashid continues to divide opinion, viewed among supporters as a fearless leader, and by critics as reckless and provocative. The protest at Jantar Mantarwhere people held placards reading 'Prison walls cannot silence peoples mandate'showed that his political influence remains alive. Whether Rashid emerges to play an active role in Parliament or continues to battle legal cases, he has already made his mark as one of the most unconventional figures in Jammu and Kashmirs political history. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday asserted that former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post due to health issues and dismissed rumours that he was under house arrest. Shahs reaction came even as the speculation surrounding Dhankhars sudden exit from the top constitutional post refused to die down, with the opposition alleging that he was silenced by the Narendra Modi government. Dhankar Sahab's resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure, the home minister said in an interview to ANI news agency. #WATCH | On the resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union HM Amit Shah says, "Dhankhar Sahab's resignation letter is self-explanatory. He has resigned citing his health, and he has thanked ministers, the Prime Minister and all the members from his heart for his pic.twitter.com/J95T1V7sa9 ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Asked about the allegations made by certain opposition members that Dhankhar had been placed under house arrest, Shah said the interpretation of truth and lies should not rely solely on the oppositions statements. "It seems like your interpretation of truth and lies is based on what the opposition has to say. We shouldn't make a fuss out of all this. Dhankar held a constitutional post and discharged his duties as per the constitution. He resigned due to personal health reasons. One should not deliberate much on the issue," he said. In a surprise move, Dhankhar announced his resignation on July 21, the first day of the monsoon session of parliament, citing health reasons. His sudden exit sparked speculation that he was forced to resign due to differences with the ruling party. An election to pick his successor is scheduled to take place on September 9. In the vice-presidential election, NDA nominee C.P. Radhakrishnan, the governor of Maharashtra, is pitted against opposition nominee B. Sudershan Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge. All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal's wife Dr Asha is facing a cyber-attack from Congress trolls after she posted on Facebook about the Rahul Mamkoottathil controversy. Malayalam media reports stated that Dr Asha was forced to delete her post from Facebook following a horrific cyber-attack and intense pressure. ALSO READ | Kerala Youth Congress chief Rahul Mamkootathil asks woman on phone won't people call the child a bastard Coming down heavily on the Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mamkoottathil, Dr Asha had written on Facebook that women were terrified of the Congress leader. She reportedly added that she was saddened by the developments, and the intensity of the situation was such that she could not remain silent. However, Congress trolls, who consider Rahul a hero, were merciless towards the wife of the senior party leader. Malayalam media reports said that they filled the comment section of the post with abusive content and personal attacks. Venugopal himself was not spared, with many fake accounts alleging that the Alappuzha MP was involved in the solar scam that involved controversial figure Saritha S. Nair. ALSO READ | Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil asks pregnant woman: 'How many seconds do you think it will take me to kill you' Rahul Mamkoottathil is accused of impregnating a woman and then forcing her to abort the pregnancy. Recorded phone conversations revealed the former Youth Congress chief threatening to kill the woman if she did not do as he asked. The AICC received as many as nine emails complaining against the MLA, while a transgender person also came forward alleging that Rahul told her he wanted to rape her outside Kerala. Writer Honey Bhaskaran and actress Rini Ann also went public with allegations against Rahul, who was forced to step down as the state unit chief of the Youth Congress. While the Congress party has suspended him, he has not been asked to resign from the State Assembly. The Congress in Kerala has suspended disgraced Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil for six months but stopped short of demanding his resignationdespite mounting pressure from political rivals and senior leaders, including several women within the party. Mamkootathil had earlier stepped down as president of the Youth Congress in Kerala after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behaviour. Audio clips suggesting that the young MLA forced a woman to undergo an abortion after impregnating her also surfaced. The gravity of these allegations has now led to his suspension. Announcing the decision, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said that although no formal case has been registered against Mamkootathil, the party views the matter seriously. We have taken a unanimous decision to suspend Rahul Mamkootathil from party membership. As a result, he is no longer entitled to continue as a member of the Congress Legislature Party, he said. Congress suspends Rahul Mamkootathil from the party over leaked audio Kerala Congress leaders are demanding the resignation of MLA Rahul Mamkootathil. Leaked audio clips allegedly show him discussing a womans pregnancy and pressuring her to have an abortion. The first clip pic.twitter.com/fU3i6zrbaW THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) August 25, 2025 The decision has raised a key question: why did Congress refrain from demanding his resignation from the MLA post? The Congress leadership has seemingly convinced many within the party who had demanded Rahul Mamkoottathils resignation, arguing that with just nine months left for the assembly polls, a vacant seat in Palakkad could trigger a by-election that might benefit the BJP. The recent death of Peerumade MLA Vazhoor Soman has already left one seat vacant, and if Palakkad too goes for a by-poll, Peerumade would also face one simultaneously. Congress fears it may struggle to defend Palakkad in the current climate, while capturing an LDF-held seat would be equally difficult. Adding to this concern, BJP has long considered Palakkad an A-class constituency. The party had emerged runner-up in the by-election through which Mamkoottathil won the seat after Shafi Parambil resigned to contest in Vadakara. If the BJP manages to wrest Palakkad in a by-poll, it would not only allow the CPI(M) to blame Congress for helping the saffron party reopen its account in the Assembly, but also strengthen the BJPs chances of retaining the seat in next years state elections. The leadership is also believed to have factored in the heavy monetary burden of contesting two by-elections, which it sees as futile exercises. Moreover, the party fears that a by-poll scenario would divert attention from the fast-approaching local body elections. Nevertheless, there is also a section that believes the leadership avoided demanding Mamkoottathils resignation to neither completely alienate him nor antagonise the influential Shafi Parambil. Shafi, the only prominent leader to publicly echo Mamkoottathils defensethat he had done nothing illegal and faced no official complaint or casehas long been his key backer. As KPCC working president, Shafi played a pivotal role in elevating Rahul first as Youth Congress state president and later as the partys MLA candidate from Palakkad. Known for his strong hold over the Youth Congress and KSU and considered one of the partys most charismatic leaders in the state, Shafi also faced backlash for allegedly shielding Rahul. 'No complaints received' KPCC president Sunny Joseph, while announcing Rahul Mamkoottathils suspension today, insisted that the leadership had not received a single complaint against the Palakkad MLA. This stands in contrast to actress Rini Ann Georges statement that she had lodged complaints with senior KPCC members about the inappropriate behaviour of a young political leader. There are also rumours of other complaints. Still, the KPCC chief maintained he had not received any written or oral complaint against Mamkoottathil from any woman to date. Opposition leader V. D. Satheesan also sidestepped questions on whether complaints had reached the leadership, but argued that Congress had taken the biggest possible decision that a political movement can make after examining the issue. He added, It is a courageous decision that no political party in Kerala has ever taken. The media should acknowledge and appreciate that while reporting. The KPCC has since worked hard to frame the suspension as the boldest step taken in Kerala politicssomething they claim neither the CPI(M) nor the BJP would dare attempt. To counter LDF criticism, Congress has been pointing to the CPI(M)s decision not to ask Kollam MLA M. Mukesh to step down despite a rape case against him. However, political observers such as Adv. A. Jayashankar believe the move could backfire. He argues that the leadership should have immediately sought Mamkoottathils resignation. Otherwise, what is the use? Resigning after six monthswhats the point? There is a timing to resignation. That is very important, he said. Jayashankar drew parallels with the Ice Cream Parlour row in 2004, when then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy failed to secure the immediate resignation of IUML leader and Industries Minister P.K. Kunjalikutty. Even though Kunjalikutty was later acquitted after key witness Regina retracted her statement, the controversy had already damaged the moral foundation of the Chandy government and hurt the UDF in the subsequent election, he said. What is happening now is similar, Jayashankar warned. The CPI(M) has already been demoralised and is facing strong anti-incumbency. But these developments are shifting focus from anti-government sentiment to anti-opposition sentiment. The political observer also pointed out that the controversy could have a significant impact on women voters across the statea key demographic the UDF needs to win back power. Jaishankar also pointed out several strategic missteps by the Congress leadership in handling the controversy. He noted that the leadership itself allowed space for the idea that Rahul should resign from his MLA post. On August 23, as pressure mounted, opposition leader V.D. Satheesan announced that the party would seriously examine the complaint against Rahul Mamkoottathil and take uncompromising action. He added, As the first step, he resigned from the Youth Congress presidents post within 24 hours, even though no formal complaint had been received. As per procedure, the party will investigate the matter. However, when questioned today, both the KPCC president and the opposition leader avoided speaking about any party-level investigation. Satheesans earlier remarksinterpreted by many as a signal that the leadership might eventually demand Rahuls resignationfuelled demands from several leaders, particularly senior women leaders, that Rahul step down as MLA. Since then, these women leaders have been targeted on social media, often by accounts openly claiming to support Rahul. Many observers believe that, after letting the debate on resignation play out so publicly, the six-month suspension now announced is too weak to shift public perception in the partys favourdespite the leaderships attempts to present it as a bold and decisive step. What is delaying the construction of the Lulu Mall in Thrissur district, Kerala? Lulu Group Chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali said on Sunday that the delay was due to the intervention of a political party. The mall was expected to become operational in Kerala's cultural capital two and a half years ago, but the project was derailed after a political worker moved court with what Yusuff Ali termed an unnecessary case. The Thrissur Lulu Mall was expected to provide jobs to 3,000 people, Yusuff Ali said, before adding that construction would resume once the obstacles were removed. Reports stated that the case was filed against Lulu only after the land had been acquired and construction work had begun. Meanwhile, the man who filed the case against the construction of the mall came forward, identifying himself as a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI), the second-largest constituent of Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The man, identified as T.N. Mukundan, told the Malayalam press that the legal battle was a personal decision and that his party was not involved. He said he decided to approach the court after learning that paddy fields were being converted for the construction, according to Asianet News. The agrarian Kerala has passed laws to protect paddy fields and wetlands from being destroyed or converted for other purposes. Mukundan decided to come forward after Yusuff Ali revealed the reason for the delay. A local committee member of the CPI, Mukundan identified himself as the man mentioned by the billionaire. A plot of about one acre adjoining the Hyatt Regency in Puzhakkal had been identified by the Lulu Group for the mall. This land formed part of the paddy fields in Pannikkara Kini. Mukundan said he approached the court when the owners began removing mud and clay from the land with the geologists permission, Asianet reported. Following his complaint, the geologists permit was cancelled. Thrissur LuLu Mall gets environment clearance pic.twitter.com/UiIoXF54qB Great Kerala (@GreatKerala1) December 26, 2024 When Lulu started building a wall and digging a pond, Mukundan complained to the village officer and the agriculture officer. A stop memo was then issued. Later, a statutory fee of 8.8 crore was paid to the government by the company for the land conversion. The complaint regarding the conversion was placed before the district collector, and when the collector called a hearing, the Lulu Group challenged it in the High Court. Mukundan also joined the case. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswan reportedly clarified that the party was not backing the Kisan Sabha leader in this legal battle. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) will continue its program of assistance to Ukrainian households in preparing for winter. Throughout 20242025, the Ukrainian Red Cross, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, implemented a large-scale programme to support Ukrainian households in restoring their livelihoods and preparing for winter Winterization 20242025 In 2025, the organisation plans to support over 3,000 additional households across various regions of Ukraine, URCS said on Facebook Monday. In total, over 1,300 households received support across four regions of Ukraine: Zaporizhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Kherson. Beneficiaries included internally displaced persons, large families, single parents, people with disabilities, elderly people, demobilised individuals, and other vulnerable groups. Out of 1,300 households, 730 received productive cash grants of UAH 55,901 each to help develop or restore small-scale farming. These funds supported the expansion of greenhouses, orchards, beekeeping operations, mechanised tools, and livestock farming. Some 325 households received targeted support of UA 18,634 each to insulate livestock shelters, ensuring that both livestock and poultry were properly protected during the winter months. Some 120 households received veterinary support, including grants of approximately UAH 5,000 for animal care, along with consultations and services from veterinary professionals, such as check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments. Some 130 households received insulation and lighting kits to prepare their greenhouses for winter. This allowed families to extend their growing season and earn additional income. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Harshavardhan Sapkal today launched a sharp attack, saying CM Devendra Fadnavis is so consumed with hatred for Rahul Gandhi that, just as the Mughals always imagined Maratha generals Dhanaji-Santaji before them, Fadnavis and the BJP see only Rahul Gandhi day and night. Out of this fear, they keep criticising him daily. The real liars sit in Delhi, while Maharashtra has a Thief Minister, Sapkal said. A review meeting of five districts in Marathwada was held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Present at the meeting were Pradesh President Harshavardhan Sapkal, senior leader and Congress Working Committee member Balasaheb Thorat, former minister Madhukar Chavan, MLA Amit Deshmukh, MLA Dr Vishwajeet Kadam, AICC Secretary Kunal Choudhary, MP Kalyan Kale, Sevadal State President Vilas Autade, MLC Rajesh Rathod, District Congress President Kiran Patil Dongavkar, City President Yusuf Shaikh, among others. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Sapkal said, The Supreme Court directed that local self-government elections must be held within four months, but no election programme has been announced yet, nor has the reservation been declared. However, the Congress Party has already started preparations for these elections. The decision on alliances has not been taken at the state level; instead, local units have been authorised to hold discussions with partner parties and decide. , . . pic.twitter.com/wInw1p2psL Harshwardhan Sapkal (@INCHarshsapkal) August 25, 2025 The review covered five districts of Marathwada, focusing on organisational building and the upcoming elections. Sapkal said, The Congress is a party of ordinary workers, and in Marathwada, it continues to enjoy strong public support. From the MassajogBeed padyatra, the Samvidhan Bachao Yatra in Parbhani, the Harmony Satyagraha in Parli, to the farmers tractor rally in Nanded, Congress has shown that the energy and enthusiasm of its workers remain alive. While some leaders have left, the grassroots workers remain firmly with Congress. Senior leader Balasaheb Thorat added, Rahul Gandhi has exposed the BJPs election fraud with the help of the Election Commission, presenting proof. Democracy in India is under threat, and it must be saved. Rahul Gandhi is fighting for this cause, with all opposition parties standing by him. Even within the state government, internal disputes are ongoing. Schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and Shravan Bal Yojana are not reaching people. This misgovernance of both the Centre and the State must be conveyed to the public. The people must know how democracy and the Constitution are being endangered. Let those who have left the party gowe need fresh growth, new energy. Keep working, and the Congress days will return. Former minister and MLA Amit Deshmukh said, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has raised the slogan across the countryVote Chor, Gaddi Chhod! To support this, the Congress in Maharashtra has resolved to take to the streets. We have also decided to expose the failures of the Mahayuti government during the local body elections. This oppressive government must be taught a lesson. The promises made to Marathwada have not been fulfilled, and the regions backwardness is increasing. Both at the state and national levels, democracy is being strangledthis government must be dealt with in time. We will not rest until the Congress tricolour flies high across Maharashtra. Answering a question on Maratha reservation, Sapkal said, The Congress Party firmly believes the Maratha community must get a reservation. In fact, the Congress-led coalition government in Maharashtra had given reservations earlier. We demand a caste-wise census. In Congress-ruled Telangana and Karnataka, such censuses have been carried out. We also believe the 50% cap on reservations must be removed. Commenting on liquor shop licences, Sapkal said, Excise Minister Ajit Pawars son has links with the liquor business, while the excise department itself is under Ajit Pawar. This is an open conflict of interest and a misuse of ministerial power. Therefore, Ajit Pawar should resign. Even as preparations are underway for the world-famous Mysuru Dasara 2025 celebrations, a political war erupted over the secular character of the festival, with the BJP asserting that it is a religious event. Mysuru Dasara 2025, 'Naada Habba' or the state festival of Karnataka, will be celebrated from September 22 to October 2 this year. The festival will feature an elephant march or Gajapayana, extended palace illumination, cultural programmes and the traditional Vijayadashami procession known as Jamboo Savari. This year's festivities will also feature an air show by the Indian Air Force. The controversy The row began when Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq, who hails from Hassan in Karnataka, will inaugurate this year's Mysuru Dasara celebrations. "The inauguration of the world famous Dasara this year will be done by International Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq. Her story collection Hridaya Deepa' (Heart Lamp) got her the prize. A woman from Karnataka getting the International Booker Prize is a happy occasion," Siddaramaiah said. Mushtaq won the International Booker Prize along with Deepa Bhasthi, who translated the title from Kannada to English. The BJP was quick to criticise the move, saying she is not the right person to inaugurate Mysuru Dasara as it is a religious festival. BJP MLC C.T. Ravi said it is inappropriate for a person whose faith is uncertain to preside over a religious ceremony, while BJP MP Tejasvi Surya demanded that the writer should declare her faith in goddess Chamundeshwari. Karnataka LoP R. Ashoka claimed that Dasara is a festival of Hindus and sought to know why those who oppose Hindus worship Chamundeshwari. He accused the CM of having a "Tipu mentality." Koppal, Karnataka: On Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate Mysore Dasara festival 2025, BJP MLA and Karnataka LoP R. Ashoka says, "Dussehra is a festival of Hindus. In Islam, idol worship is forbidden. If Banu Mushtaq does this, her religion will be opposed...Why should pic.twitter.com/PprU1fhief ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 BJP state OBC Morcha president R. Raghu Kautilya claimed that Mushtaq and translator Deepa Basti equally deserve honours at the Dasara festival and alleged that inviting only Mushtaq is showing the Congress government's partiality. VIDEO | Mysuru, Karnataka: On Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this years Dasara festivities, BJP State OBC Morcha President R. Raghu Kautilya says, "Both Author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Basti equally deserve honours at Dasara festival. Calling only pic.twitter.com/M7OJeiQNYk Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 25, 2025 Meanwhile, one of her old speeches where she said minorities are hesitant to embrace Kannada because it is "celebrated" as Kannada Bhuvaneshwari has gone viral. Congress claims Dasara is secular A host of Congress leaders came out to defend the government's move to invite the writer for the inauguration, saying Mysuru Dasara is a state festival. Minister H.K. Patil claimed that Dasara is for all as it is a state festival. Calling it a "good decision" by the government, he said it is unfortunate that some people are playing politics over the issue. Home Minister G. Parameshwara reiterated that Mysuru Dasara is a state festival, a community festival of the people in the state. He claimed that there is no reason to mix religious considerations or question participation based on religious background. He cited the instance of poet K.S. Nissar Ahmed inaugurating the event and the active participation of Mysore Diwan Ismail during the festivities. Mysuru | On the BJP questioning Booker winner Banu Mishtaq to inaugurate Mysore Dasara festival, Karnataka Minister G Parameshwara says, "It is not right to oppose this. This is not a religious issue. Dasara is a national festival." pic.twitter.com/YzZnOZcCdX ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2025 Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain noted that Mushtaq is a literary figure and a very progressive writer from the state. "If she is being invited for inaugurating any event, nobody should have a problem. I think if somebody is commenting on her, it is purely keeping in mind her religious background." The Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a plea which sought a media gag order on the issue of murder accused Malayali nurse Nimisha Priya, who is currently on death row in Yemen. "I am not responsible if something happens to Nimisha Priya", said evangelist Dr K.A. Paul, who had filed the plea due to what he called "unverified public statements" that the media had made on the case, as per a Live Law post on X. "I am not responsible if something happens to #NimishaPriya", said evangelist Dr. KA Paul to #SupremeCourt today after his petition seeking a media gag order qua the Keralite nurse's case was not entertained Apparently, Paul has been in touch with the victim's family and wanted pic.twitter.com/A1146Gr7Ab Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) August 25, 2025 It added that Dr Paul had been in touch with Nimisha Priya's family and wanted an order against media reports. ALSO READ | Nimisha Priya donation scam: MEA calls social media posts seeking funds 'fake', flags evangelist KA Paul's account A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta refused to allow Paul's petition, in view of a statement by the Union that it would address the media reports issue. "What do you want? Do you want nobody should come out and say anything to media? Attorney general has said that government of India will ensure nobody briefs media. What else you want?" the bench asked, as per an Economic Times report. Attorney General R. Venkataramani has earlier said that the Nimisha Priya case was a "very sensitive matter", and that he would ensure no media briefings took place till it concluded. Just a month earlier, the evangelist and Global Peace Initiative founder had claimed that Nimisha Priya's sentence, imposed five years ago, had been cancelled after days and nights of extensive efforts by both Yemeni and Indian leaders. However, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) later clarified that Nimisha Priya's death sentence had only been postponed to an unspecified later date, and not cancelled. Nimisha Priya, who was convicted of murdering Yemeni national Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017, for which she was sentenced to death in 2020. She was scheduled to be executed on July 16, but this was postponed, reportedly due to negotiations by the Indian government. However, in a letter posted to Yemen's Attorney General Judge Abdul Salam Al-Houthi on Sunday, Talal's brother Abdul Fattah Mahdi urged the bench to immediately execute Nimisha. "We categorically reject all attempts at reconciliation," said the letter, noting that new execution date has not been announced more than a month after the postponement. Pakistan is bracing for Indias speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the first since the four-day Operation Sindhoor in May. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event to be held on September 26, according to the provisional list of speakers issued by the United Nations. Pakistans representatives will also be attending the event, and the delegation will be led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This will also be the first time Sharif will come face-to-face with Modi, after the flare-up in May, post the Pahalgam incident. Modi will also speak at the high-level general debate running from September 23 to 29. While Modi will speak in the early session, Sharif will be speaking later, according to Dawn. The arrangement could give Pakistan the strategic advantage of speaking after India, giving it a direct platform to respond to New Delhis narrative, the report added. The report, quoting unnamed observers, said the appearances of PM Shehbaz and Modi will underline the gulf in perspectives. Though India is yet to make any comments about its participation or agenda, Pakistani observers expect India would stress sovereignty and security. This, according to them, will give Islamabad the opportunity to respond directly, emphasising Kashmir and regional peace as core issues. The world has seen how quickly South Asia can slide toward conflict. Without a just settlement of Kashmir, the UNs own promise of peace, development, and human rights cannot be fulfilled in our region, Dawn quoted a diplomat, but made no mention of the internal terrorist hub in the country. Pakistan has been expressing interest in holding talks with India for the past several days on not just Kashmir but on all issues. This also comes as India on Monday warned Pakistan of a potential flood situation in Jammus Tawi river, a first since the conflict. Popular Bengali actor Joy Banerjee, 62, died today at a private hospital in Kolkata. According to hospital sources who spoke to local media, the actor who turned politician had been ill for some time. He had been admitted to the hospital due to respiratory problems. Who was Joy Banerjee? Born on May 23, 1963, Joy made it into popular Bengali films like Nagmati, Chopra, Hirak Jayanti, Milan Tithi, and Bidrohi. He made his acting debut in the 1982 film Nimalur Banabas. It is with profound sorrow that I learned of the passing of the esteemed actor and BJP leader, Shri Joy Banerjee. His remarkable contributions to Bengali cinema and public life will forever be etched in our memories. May his soul find eternal peace. Om Shanti. #Bengal2017 pic.twitter.com/InlX934RnC Pamela Goswami (@pamelagoswami9) August 25, 2025 Alongside his acting, he later joined politics and was once the member of the BJP state committee. He had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Birbhum in West Bengal. He also contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Uluberia. He was also once married to Ananya Banerjee. He had gotten married for a second time to Ankita and lived with her and her mother. In his later years, however, Joy was not active in politics, probably due to physical illness In 2021, he officially announced that he would no longer represent the BJP. Joy was paired with actress Chumki Chaudhury in the film Abhagini, which became popular among film lovers. He has also worked with directors Sukhena Das and Anjan Chowdhury. According to actor Chiranjit Chakraborty, Joy had asked him for money in recent years, possibly for treatment Both politicians and film lovers are mourning his death. The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the proceedings in the FIRs filed by Maharashtra Police against Prof. Sanjay Kumar, a psephologist and co-director of Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), over a social media post carrying erroneous data of Maharashtra Assembly elections. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice NV Anjaria passed the interim order on a petition filed by Kumar seeking the quashing of the FIRs. Kumar, in a post on X, had alleged a dip in voter numbers in two assembly segments in Maharashtra polls compared to the 2024 general elections, which were held nearly six months apart. He later deleted it and in another post, apologised for posting "erroneous data" on the microblogging platform. I sincerely apologize for the tweets posted regarding Maharashtra elections. Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our Data team. The tweet has since been removed. I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation. Sanjay Kumar (@sanjaycsds) August 19, 2025 On Wednesday, Nagpur district police registered an FIR against the psephologist on charges of making "false statement in connection with an election". He was booked under sections 175 (False statement in connection with an election), 353 (1) B (Statements conducting to public mischief), 212 (providing false information to a public servant), and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. Kumars counsel, Advocate Sumeer Sodhi, argued that a tweet giving wrong information cannot form the basis of an FIR for offences such as forgery. "This (is a) person with impeccable integrity. Thirty years of service to the nation and to the world. He's highly respected. It was a mistake. He apologised. He deleted and apologised publicly," the counsel said. Kumars social media post and his apology had sparked a political storm with the BJP accusing the Congress of targeting the Election Commission in collusion with a Delhi-based think tank. The party also accused the CSDS of contributing to the opposition parties' "narrative setting". #WATCH | On Congress claiming discrepancies in Maharashtra voters' data, BJP leader Gaurav Bhatia says, " For 40 hours, lies were floated to weaken our democracy and raise baseless questions on the Election Commission. Who will take responsibility for this? Will Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/11OxTK62Vm ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2025 Kumar's post on August 17 claimed a significant decrease in voter numbers in two assembly seats in Maharashtra compared to the 2024 general elections. Two days later, he removed the tweet and issued an apology for sharing erroneous data. "I sincerely apologise for the tweets posted regarding the Maharashtra elections. Error occurred while comparing data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS. The data in row was misread by our Data team, he said. "I had no intention of dispersing any form of misinformation, he added. Food security experts authorised by the United Nations announced last week that Gaza City and the surrounding area are officially suffering from famine. The decision was made by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a group of international organisations that the UN uses to assess global hunger crises. This is the first time famine has been confirmed in the Middle East, highlighting the collapse of food security in Gaza. The IPC issued its confirmation on August 22. It warned that famine is already under way in Gaza City, and could spread further south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of September unless there is an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid. Famine Review Committee Alert The Famine Review Committee (FRC) has determined that #Famine is currently occurring in Gaza Governorate. Furthermore, the FRC projects Famine thresholds to be crossed in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks. As this pic.twitter.com/5sic423qge The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (@theIPCinfo) August 22, 2025 More than five lakh people in Gaza, around a quarter of the population, are now facing catastrophic hunger. By late September the number experiencing the most severe levels of food insecurity is expected to rise beyond 6.4 lakh. The IPC noted that the deterioration in Gaza has been faster than in any other crisis it has monitored, describing an unprecedented pace of decline between July and mid-August. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the famine as a man-made disaster, a moral indictment and a failure of humanity itself, calling it the deliberate collapse of systems essential for survival. How famine is defined A famine is not declared lightly. The IPC applies three strict criteria before making such a judgement. At least one-fifth of households must be facing extreme food deprivation, meaning they are starving. Acute malnutrition must affect at least 30 per cent of children aged between six months and five years, or 15 per cent measured by the circumference of the upper arm. Finally, there must be evidence of a death rate of two people per 10,000 per day, or four children under five per 10,000 per day, due to hunger or its interaction with disease. Collecting such data in Gaza has been extremely difficult because of Israels restrictions on access. Still, surveys carried out between July and mid-August confirmed that thresholds for starvation and malnutrition had been crossed. Mortality figures were less precise, but the IPC concluded that deaths from hunger and disease had most likely reached the required level. The Famine Review Committee, an independent panel of experts, endorsed these findings. What is Famine? The IPC defines Famine as a situation in which at least one in five households has an extreme lack of food and face starvation and destitution, resulting in extremely critical levels of acute malnutrition and death. Famine is classified when an area has: pic.twitter.com/20MeFTdgL6 The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (@theIPCinfo) August 22, 2025 Israel has attacked the IPCs methodology, claiming the agency manipulated its own rules by accepting the 15 per cent figure measured through the mid-upper arm circumference rather than the more complex weight-for-height standard. The IPC explained that the arm measurement was used because it is more practical in conflict zones. Analysts such as Alex de Waal have long noted that famine deaths rarely come from hunger alone but from a deadly combination of malnutrition, disease and deprivation. Human responsibility The causes of this famine are overwhelmingly linked to human action. Aid agencies and UN officials had warned for months that Israels blockade, coupled with its military campaign, was driving Gaza towards starvation. Guterres stated that as the occupying power, Israel has clear obligations under international law to ensure food and medicine reach civilians. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher accused some Israeli leaders of openly using hunger as a weapon of war. Human rights commissioner Volker Turk declared that using starvation as a method of warfare is a war crime, and that the resulting deaths may also constitute wilful killing. Food shortages have been deepened by the destruction of infrastructure, including bakeries and farms. Nine in ten residents are displaced and almost all of Gazas cropland is damaged or inaccessible. Local food production has virtually collapsed. Denials and division The declaration has produced starkly different reactions. Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed it as an outright lie and modern blood libel. His office said Israel has no policy of starvation and insisted that authorities have gone to unprecedented lengths to facilitate aid. Israels Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, an agency responsible for allowing aid into Gaza, rejected the IPCs findings. The report is based on partial and unreliable sources, many of them affiliated with Hamas, and blatantly ignores the facts and the extensive humanitarian efforts led by the State of Israel and its international partners, said Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, the head of the agency. Israel pointed to the work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a body supported by Washington and Tel Aviv, as evidence of its commitment. The United States initially echoed Israels scepticism. Although President Donald Trump had admitted starvation was taking place earlier in the conflict, his administration now cast doubt on the IPCs findings. The State Department described the report as a matter of semantics and suggested Hamas was pushing a false narrative of mass starvation. US officials also questioned whether the IPC had recently altered its definitions. This alignment with Israels position reflects Washingtons reluctance to exert real pressure on its ally. In contrast, there has been a wave of condemnation from the United Nations, European leaders, aid organisations and regional powers. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said repeated warnings had been ignored and urged immediate political action. Britains Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the famine a moral outrage and a man-made catastrophe, placing responsibility on Israel for blocking sufficient aid. Amnesty International described it as a scathing indictment of the international communitys failure to restrain Israel and accused the country of pursuing a deliberate campaign of starvation. The Red Cross, Oxfam, Islamic Relief, CAIR and Mercy Corps all issued statements underlining the preventable nature of the disaster. Oxfam reported that millions of dollars worth of its aid had been blocked by Israel. #Famine in Gaza City can be stopped. Reverse the ongoing catastrophe - flood #Gaza with a massive scale up of aid through the United Nations including UNRWA. UNRWAs warehouses alone in Jordan and Egypt are full. There is enough food, medicines and hygiene supplies ready to pic.twitter.com/owm40GXuac UNRWA (@UNRWA) August 23, 2025 Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned what they called Israels policy of starvation and demanded urgent international intervention. Turkeys First Lady, Emine Erdogan, made a personal appeal to her American counterpart Melania Trump, describing Gaza as a childrens cemetery. Human cost The suffering within Gaza is most visible among its youngest citizens. Malnutrition among children has risen at a catastrophic rate. More than 12,000 children were acutely malnourished by July, six times as many as at the start of the year. By June 2026 over 1.3 lakh children under five are expected to be threatened by malnutrition. Gazas health ministry has recorded 281 deaths from hunger, including 114 children. Families describe children wasting away in hospitals without proper food, while health workers report men so thin they appear to be teenagers. Contaminated water is spreading disease, which is more likely to prove fatal for those already weakened by lack of food. The looming Israeli military operation in Gaza City threatens to make matters worse. Aid groups warn that hundreds of thousands could be displaced again. Many of the frailest, including sick and malnourished children, elderly people and those with disabilities, may be unable to flee. The IPC projects that by the end of September one in three Gazans could be facing catastrophic hunger. The declaration of famine in Gaza City is a grim milestone in an avoidable tragedy. It reflects not only the destruction of basic systems of survival but also the deep political divisions among international actors. August 24, 2025, marked a historic moment for India's space ambitions as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted its first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for the Gaganyaan program at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This milestone achievement brings India one step closer to joining the elite club of nations capable of sending humans to space and bringing them back safely. The Integrated Air Drop Test ISROs successful Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) marks a pivotal step in validating the parachute-based deceleration system essential for astronaut recovery and overall mission safety. This achievement strengthens Indias path toward independent human spaceflight and will be very significant for the Gaganyaan mission. This achievement is crucial for astronaut safety, ensuring smooth ocean landing after re-entry, while reducing risks associated with shock, impact, and instability. It also reflects a collaborative approach with contributions from the Indian Air Force, Navy, DRDO, and Coast Guard, showcasing Indias integrated effort in human spaceflight. ISRO successfully accomplishes first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01) for end to end demonstration of parachute based deceleration system for Gaganyaan missions. This test is a joint effort of ISRO, Indian Air Force, DRDO,Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard pic.twitter.com/FGaAa1Ql6o ISRO (@isro) August 24, 2025 The test involved dropping a simulated crew module weighing about 5 tonnes from an Indian Air Force helicopter at an altitude of 3.1 to 4 km over the Bay of Bengal. The module descended using a sequence of drogue, pilot, and main parachutes, culminating in a gentle splashdown within minutes. The end-to-end deployment was demonstrated successfully, confirming the systems capability to stabilise and decelerate the crew module during re-entry and landing, explained Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India. The success of the air drop test brings multiple benefits. It greatly boosts operational confidence in the Gaganyaan mission, validates indigenous parachute technologies, and positions India to become the fourth nation with independent crewed spaceflight capability. This milestone not only enhances Indias global standing but also opens doors for future collaborations and technological innovations. Recently, ISRO has successfully conducted an Integrated Air Drop Test under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission About Gaganyaan Mission #UPSC #GaganyaanMission #ISRO pic.twitter.com/QgDGFXo2I4 PMF IAS (@pmfias) August 25, 2025 Before any human can venture into the cosmos, every single component of the mission must be tested to perfection. The parachute system, which is literally a matter of life and death for returning astronauts, underwent its most crucial test on August 24, 2025. The test was designed to validate the critical parachute-based deceleration system that will be responsible for bringing the Crew Module safely back to Earth during the actual Gaganyaan mission. Think of it as the ultimate safety net that ensures astronauts don't crash-land but gently touch down on the sea surface. The importance of this system cannot be overstated; it's what stands between a successful mission and a potential disaster, remarked space analyst Girish Linganna. The complexity of the test itself demonstrates ISRO's meticulous approach to human safety. A simulated Crew Module weighing approximately 4.8 tonnes was suspended from an Indian Air Force Chinook heavy-lift helicopter and released from an altitude of 3 kilometres above the ground. This wasn't just about dropping something from a helicopter; it was about recreating the exact conditions that a returning spacecraft would face during one of the most critical phases of its journey. The parachute system The parachute system employed in the test was identical to what will be used in actual Gaganyaan missions. It comprised four different types of parachutes, each serving a specific purpose in the carefully choreographed descent sequence. The system included two Apex Cover Separation (ACS) parachutes with 2.5-meter diameters, two Drogue parachutes measuring 5.8 meters across, three Pilot parachutes of 3.4-meter diameter, and three massive main parachutes with 25-meter diameters, a total of ten parachutes working in perfect harmony. #ISRO successfully conducts the first Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-01), showcasing the parachute-based deceleration system for #Gaganyaan. A proud joint effort of ISRO, IAF, DRDO, Indian Navy & Coast Guard. pic.twitter.com/Ogn4FAT0nd Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 25, 2025 Each type of parachute has a distinct role in ensuring safe descent. The Apex Cover Separation parachutes are the first to deploy and are responsible for pulling away the protective cover from the top of the Crew Module, clearing the path for subsequent parachutes. The Drogue parachutes act as the primary braking system, dramatically slowing down the high-speed descent from space. The Pilot parachutes serve as extractors; they pull out and deploy the much larger main parachutes. Finally, the Main parachutes, being the largest in the system, provide the final and most crucial deceleration, bringing the spacecraft to a gentle landing speed. Deployment The deployment sequence began with the firing of the ACS Mortar a small explosive device that acts like a controlled cannon to forcefully eject and deploy the Apex Cover Separation parachutes, initiating the separation of the apex cover from the descending module. This was followed by the deployment of Drogue parachutes, which provided the first stage of deceleration. After completing their job, these parachutes were released, making way for the Pilot parachutes, which then extracted and deployed the three large main parachutes with diameters of 25 meters each. The precision required for this sequence is extraordinary. Each parachute must deploy at exactly the right moment, at the right speed, and in the right sequence. Any failure in timing could result in catastrophic consequences. The successful test demonstrated that the system could reduce the terminal velocity of the Crew Module to about 8 meters per second slow enough for a safe splashdown in the sea. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the test simulated a launch pad abort scenario one of the most challenging situations that could occur during a space mission. This means that even if something goes wrong during launch, astronauts would still have a reliable escape route back to safety. Collaboration The test wasn't conducted in isolation. Extensive computer modeling was carried out to understand the complex dynamics of the helicopter-suspended module system. Multiple trial runs were conducted with dummy hardware to validate every aspect of the mission profile and standard operating procedures. The Test Authorisation Board cleared the test only after ensuring that every possible scenario had been considered and prepared for. Integrated Air Drop Test will happen within the next 20 days - VSSC Director Shri.A.Rajarajan The crew module will be carried to an altitude of 4km and then will be dropped. This test is a key milestone in the Gaganyaan Campaign pic.twitter.com/D2cx6Nv1U9 Lokesh KR (@Lokeshkr73) August 7, 2025 The collaborative nature of this achievement highlights the strength of India's defense and space ecosystem. Apart from ISRO's various centers, the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard all contributed their expertise to make this test successful. This inter-agency cooperation demonstrates India's unified approach to achieving its space goals. The onboard avionics systems performed flawlessly during the test, continuously measuring various parameters and transmitting data to ground stations while also storing information onboard using a Solid State Data Recorder. After splashdown, the simulated Crew Module was successfully recovered by INS Anvesha and brought back to Chennai port, completing the entire test cycle from deployment to recovery, added Linganna. This successful test represents more than just a technical achievement; it's a testament to India's growing capabilities in cutting-edge aerospace technology. The Gaganyaan program, when completed, will make India only the fourth country in the world to independently send humans to space, joining the ranks of Russia, the United States, and China. More tests However, experts point out that this is just the beginning. ISRO has plans for similar tests under different deployment conditions in the coming days. Each test will add another layer of confidence to the system's reliability and bring the actual human spaceflight mission closer to reality. Behind this achievement lie significant innovations, including the development of indigenous parachute and deceleration systems, advanced module design with real-time monitoring and recovery simulations, and strong participation from Indian industrydriving both innovation and employment within the country. However, challenges remain. Designing safe launch and recovery systems that meet global standards is technically complex. Building reliable life-support systems and training astronauts with limited simulation facilities in India requires innovation and international collaboration. Developing regenerative systems for water, air, and waste management adds further engineering hurdles, shared by human spaceflight programs worldwide, remarked Kesan. This is about the lotus flower that grows in muddy waters but still blooms beautifully. It reflects how people go through difficult times but use their inner strength to overcome them and keep going, explains a young intern who is showing me around at the newly opened City of Dreams at Cinnamon Life in Colombo. She is pointing to a stunning artwork by Hashan Cooray, and it strikes me almost immediately that this is also a representation of how the countrys denizens are looking ahead after some turbulent issues in the past. I am in Colombo and start my day with a personal favourite a walk at Galle Face. The elevated pedestal-like path where the Indian Ocean is seen in all its majesty dashing against the black rocks makes for the best morning walk. As I trace my steps back, I stop at the 172-year-old Christ Church, which was founded in 1853. A pristine white structure, the stained glass murals here are amazing. I strike up a conversation with a local who looks after the place, who tells me that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also visited this place. City of Dreams at Cinnamon Life On this walk, I notice several old buildings whose architecture is a mix of colonial and art deco as well as shiny new glass facades and cannot help but appreciate how the city has embraced the old and the new. And much like this, this is how the city has a harmonious mix of religions, as seen by its stunning monuments. The Gangaramaya temple, which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Colombo, and Seema Malaka, a floating temple designed by architect Geoffrey Bawa, have great zen vibes. There is the Hindu temple Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam, the oldest in the city, and the stunning Red Mosque (Al Jamiul Alfar Masjid) located in Pettah. St Lucias Cathedral, the oldest parish church in Sri Lanka with stunning Renaissance architecture, is another place to see. The city has a vibrant mix of places that make it interesting for people of all kinds of interests. Like the Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, which is now an upmarket retail space with eclectic dining options, local eateries, casual cafes, tea lounges and stores like Barefoot, as well as the famed restaurant Ministry of Crab. The terracotta-lined roofs here date to the Dutch period and have been renovated to become this upscale shopping market. This is also a great place to spend some time admiring the architecture and enjoying the local vibe of the city. Sivasubramaniam Kajendran art work at City of Dreams, Colombo And if architecture is on your mind, I suggest you book a slot for a guided tour at Number 11, the home of architect Geoffrey Bawa. This is an excellent guided tour that will give you an insight into the genius he was as well as how he manifested his fascination for black and white in his home and its decor. After a busy day of exploring the city, I return to the newly launched City of Dreams at Cinnamon Life in the heart of the city. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, this stunning property is also an architectural delight. James Balmond, Creative Director of Balmond Studio, explains that the design has been inspired by everything from ancient Sinhalese culture, Amman grid frameworks, fractal geometry and prime numbers. The expansive space is home to a casino, a large retail space, the 113-key ultra-luxury Nuwa hotel under Melcos flagship brand and the 687-key luxury hotel Cinnamon Life. A curated collection of signature dining experiences will ensure there is never a dull moment here. And browsing through the 1000-plus artworks here feels like you entered a 5-star art gallery. Colombo is changing, and the feel-good vibe of the charming city is unmissable. And if you are wondering where to go for your next holiday, this is where you must book your flight to. Rao is a freelance writer and photographer based in Bengaluru. Norway will allocate about $685 million for air defense for Ukraine, together with Germany the countries will pay for two Patriot air defense systems, the Norwegian government reported. "Norway is contributing approximately seven billion kroner for air defense. The air defense systems will be delivered from Germany to Ukraine Norway and Germany are funding two Patriot systems including missiles. In addition, Norway is contributing to the procurement of air defense radars from the German manufacturer Hensoldt and air defense systems from Kongsberg," the report notes. "Together with Germany, we are now ensuring that Ukraine receives powerful air defense systems. Germany and Norway are working very closely together to support Ukraine in its fight to defend the country and protect the civilian population against Russian air attacks, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. The Norwegian government recalled that earlier a meeting between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre took place. The parties agreed that the countries would cooperate to transfer two Patriot systems to Ukraine. The systems are currently in Germany and will be transferred to Ukraine as soon as possible. The US confirmed that it would replace the donated systems, and Norway pledged to provide financial assistance for their restoration. It is also reported that Germany has financed a contract to supply Ukraine with TRML-4D radar stations from Hensoldt and Typhon-2 air defense systems from Kongsberg. It was previously reported that a number of European countries are demanding written guarantees from the US for the rapid supply of new Patriot batteries to replace those that will be transferred to Ukraine under the arms purchase agreement. Currently, Ukraine has six such systems, provided by the US, Germany, Romania and the Netherlands. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is counting on 10 additional Patriot batteries. The roll-out of charging points for electric cars has slammed into reverse. Industry figures show that 10,519 public chargers were installed in the UK in the first seven months of the year or just under 50 a day. This is below the 54 a day built last year and will fuel fears that the electric vehicle (EV) revolution targeted by ministers in a push to Net Zero has stalled. As part of Labour's green agenda a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due in 2030. But critics said not enough has been done to bolster the charging network, fuelling 'range anxiety' as motorists worry where they can top up their batteries. Quentin Willson, the former Top Gear presenter and founder of the EV campaign group Fair Charge, said: 'The Government needs to do more to reassure combustion car drivers that they will be able to charge their EVs if they switch to electric. Shocking: The roll-out of charging points for electric cars has slammed into reverse 'Labour had plenty of time in opposition to craft a long-term EV strategy, but since coming into office they've wasted over a year creating hollow headlines but little meaningful EV policy. 'The front bench don't drive, own or charge EVs, but expect drivers to switch. If they'd showed leadership by example, perhaps we'd have the charging infrastructure Britain needs.' Britain needs to build around 130 chargers a day to reach a target of having 300,000 public charging points by 2030. The shortage has been highlighted as a reason why demand for electric cars has dwindled. Drivers have also been put off by the high price of EVs, which are typically more expensive than petrol and diesel alternatives. The Government this summer announced plans to give motorists up to 3,750 to switch to EVs in a desperate bid to boost demand to meet net zero targets. Conservative transport spokesman Richard Holden has accused the Government of 'hammering drivers with tax hikes' and leaving 'Britain parked on the hard shoulder of the global economy'. He added: 'Labour's net zero car plan is running on empty. Families were told electric cars would be affordable and practical, but with rising costs and nowhere to charge them, that's clearly nonsense.' Some 19,834 public charging points were installed across Britain in 2024, according to industry website Zapmap up 19pc on the 16,602 in 2023. But in the first seven months of this year, only 10,519 have been built, or 49.6 a day. There are now 84,218 public charging points across the country. A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: 'We're investing over 4bn to accelerate the switch to EVs. 'With a further 63m confirmed in July for charging infrastructure and nearly 20,000 public chargers added to the network last year, there's never been a better time to switch.' U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg reported on a meeting with the Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Rustem Umerov. Great meeting of our teams with head of Ukrainian Presidents Office Andriy Yermak and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov on their Independence Day. Always candid and informative, Kellogg wrote on the social network X on Monday, illustrating the message with a joint photo. In the message, he named Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The special envoy did not talk about the topics discussed at the meeting. As reported, Kellogg arrived in Ukraine to celebrate Independence Day and took part in the festivities on Sophia Square in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday. That same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded him the Order of Merit, 1st class. On Monday, Trump's special envoy took part in the National Prayer Breakfast with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. US President Donald Trump announced his intention to support European countries in providing security guarantees to Ukraine and expressed his belief that the United States would not have any major problems from this. "Number one, Europe is going to give them [Ukraine] significant security guarantees, and they should because they're right there. But we'll be involved from the standpoint of backup. We're going to help them. And I think if we get a deal, and I think we will, but if we get a deal, I don't believe you're going to have much of a problem. But we'll back it up because I want to stop seeing people being killed," Trump said at a press conference on Monday. During the next 68th combined POW exchange, Ukraine returned military personnel, representatives of almost all defense forces, and eight civilians, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported. "In accordance with the agreements in Istanbul, Ukrainian military personnel were returned home, while eight Ukrainian civilians were released as part of the next 68th exchange," the Coordinating Headquarters said in a telegram message. Among the released soldiers are representatives of almost all defense forces: airborne assault, air, naval, as well as soldiers of the Territorial Defense, National Guard and State Border Guard Service. All released defense personnel belong to the ranks of privates and sergeants. Almost all of them spent more than three years in captivity. The servicemen who returned today defended the city of Mariupol, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Sumy directions, and guarded the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Those who fell into the hands of the enemy in the temporarily occupied territories and in Crimea will also see their relatives. The Coordination Headquarters continues its work to search, document, and return everyone who is in Russian captivity. College students, particularly new students accepting CAO offers after last week's Leaving Cert results, are being warned about rental property scams in operation in Ireland. In light of Friday's Leaving Certificate results and this week's third-level CAO offers, An Garda Siochana is advising that accommodation fraud typically peaks at this time of year, as returning and first-time students secure college housing. So far in the first six months of 2025, reports of accommodation fraud are up by 22%, with approximately 160 cases recorded by An Garda Siochana. Reported losses total 385,000, compared with 617,000 for the full year of 2024. "Gardai are advising people to be wary of rental scams, particularly at this time of year when students are returning to college. Rental fraud occurs when a victim pays money to rent accommodation (typically in the form of a deposit) and subsequently discovers that the transaction was fraudulent," a statement read. They also issued examples of rental fraud include: The fraudster claims to be out of the country and cannot show the renter the property unless they pay a deposit. The victim pays the deposit and is at the loss of the deposit. The fraudster is living in the property and shows a number of people the property, gets a deposit from several people and then disappears with the money. The transaction appears normal until the renter finds that the property doesnt exist, is already occupied or the keys do not work and the landlord has disappeared. READ NEXT: How to avoid latest Electric Picnic ticket scams amid Garda investigation Reservation fraud occurs when a person pays for a hotel/guesthouse room and subsequently discovers that the transaction was fraudulent. For example, the property doesnt exist or staff at the property have no record of the booking. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) advises that there are a number of red flags/warning signs: If the rent seems too good to be true then it probably is there is no such thing as cheap accommodation especially in urban areas. It's only advertised through social media or the person letting the location will only communicate via Messenger or WhatsApp. You should push for direct answers and if responses are vague disengage immediately. Where your knowledge of it came from an unsolicited contact / social media feed / pop-up advert or where the contact appears to be based in other jurisdictions. There is a sense of urgency like "a one-time offer. The listing contains grammar or spelling mistakes and/or there are very limited details or pictures of the property. The landlord is unable to meet up to show you the property in person. When communication is only through text / WhatsApp or other social media platforms. When the property is offered with no questions asked and payment demanded immediately before signing the lease. When you are asked to pay cash, cryptocurrency or money via a non-bank transfer (such as wire transfer). Where the bank account you are asked to send the money to is in a different country. Advice for people who are looking for accommodation: Do your own research on the advertisement and the property. Only use recognised letting agencies or deal with people who are bona fide and trusted ie, the college or student unions. Be wary of cloned websites: ensure the site is real check the URL, look for the trust seals; check the privacy policy, refunds policy section, contact sections, even for spelling errors; check the websites policy on refunds. Know your consumer rights. They are protected if a legitimate site is used. If you have decided to take up the offer only use trusted money transfer systems - An Garda Siochana would recommend using a credit card. Never agree to rent a property without first having the opportunity to view it. Ensure that the keys work and you have proper contact details for the landlord/agent. Ideally the property would be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). This can be checked on their website. Fully research the area to find out what the average asking prices are and compare to the advertisement/offer. Ideally, meet with the landlord for a tour of the accommodation. If this is not possible for some reason (this reason should be on your part, the landlord has no excuse), ask as many verifiable questions as possible such as: What bus routes are nearby? What local facilities are there (supermarkets etc)? Ask for the exact address and verify the existence of the property. Check Google maps to see that the property is the same as that advertised. Reverse image search any posted images to see if they appear elsewhere on the internet. The RTB rent index provides students with important benchmark information and is an authoritative guide as to the actual rents being charged by landlords adjacent to all universities and other third level colleges. Advice on Payment Methods: Do not hand over cash or make a Revolut payment or send money to an account or pay by cryptocurrency - pay in a way that is traceable and/or refundable. Insist upon a proper receipt and a tenancy agreement (get someone to look at it if you are unfamiliar with tenancy agreements). Dont enter into off-site communications for a lower cash price. Never give personal, financial or security information to persons who are unknown to you. Never transfer money direct, pay cash, iTunes vouchers or pay into cryptocurrency wallets. Be wary if a website is asking you to send money to a random PayPal address or asking you to wire it by Western Union or pay in iTunes gift cards or ask you to pay for long-term rental accommodation via a short-term letting website or only deals in cryptocurrency. Most of the time, those methods are done to avoid scrutiny and ensure that a transaction can not be reversed. Always report it to Gardai and your bank and ask your bank to do a recall as soon as possible. Sadly, the dream of the so-called "Downtown Renaissance" in Kansas City proper seems to be dying with every homicide near and embattled development inside the loop. Here's a roundup of reports from today regarding a deadly mass shooting . . . One of several this year in KCMO . . . Check-it: Homicide 13th and Grand This morning, just after 4:00 AM, officers were dispatched to the area of 11th and Grand on a reported shooting. As officers arrived they were directed to a surface parking lot at 13th and Grand. There they located an adult male victim suffering from gunshot wounds. KCFD Medics responded and pronounced the victim deceased on scene. Officers located four additional victims all suffering from gunshot wounds. One adult male had critical injuries, a second adult male had serious injuries, a juvenile male had critical injuries, and an adult female had non life threatening injuries. Just after 6:40 AM hospital personnel declared an additional adult male victim deceased. This is being investigated as a homicide. Preliminary information revealed there was an altercation between multiple individuals that led to shots being fired and the victims being struck. Detectives and crime scene personnel are on scene canvassing for witnesses, evidence, and surveillance footage. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. ############ Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Two killed, three others hurt in downtown Kansas City shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two men were killed and three other people were hurt, including a juvenile, in a shooting where the victims were found at a downtown Kansas City parking lot at 13th and Gra... KCPD investigating shooting near 13th & Grand that killed 2 men, injured 3 others The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department is investigating a shooting in the area of 13th Street and Grand Boulevard in downtown Kansas City. 1 dead, 4 others injured after shooting near Kansas City's Power & Light District This happened Sunday around 3:30 a.m. near 12th and Grand. Developing . . . Vladimir Putin does not want to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy because he does not like the latter, US President Donald Trump believes. Asked by reporters at a news conference on Monday why he thought Putin was so reluctant to meet with Zelenskyy, Trump said: Because he doesnt like hi. He doesnt like him. The US President also said that he discussed the limitation of nuclear weapons with Putin. Missiles, nuclear weapons were talking about different things. We are talking about limiting nuclear weapons, we will get China into that. We have the most, Russia has the second most, and China has third. They are a way behind, but they will catch us in five years, Trump believes. He also noted that he has "very good relationships with Kim Jong-Un." A lot of people would say: oh, thats terrible. No, its good. Well, we will meet at some point. I am looking forward to seeing him. "I know him better than almost anyone, other than his sister. His sister knows him pretty well," the US president said. We start this week with pop diva, fashionista & Insta hottie Addy as we take another peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Rulers Triumph Over Cowtown Chiefs appear on red-carpet for 'The Kingdom' premiere The Kansas City Chiefs made a red carpet appearance for the premiere of their ESPN docuseries "The Kingdom" on Sunday evening. Funnel Cake Feast Awaits Let's go to the state fair! We're taking a tour of America's favorite summer tradition State fairs are a big draw this time of year for millions of visitors. Whether it's getting a chance to pet a newborn calf, take a ride in a giant plastic ball or eat any number of fried foods, going to the fair is always an experience. Newspaper Feeds Words Salad Kansas City's community actions lead transformative change Residents advocate for safer neighborhoods while farmers market opens soon. Law enforcement's collaborative effort results in human trafficking arrests. Community Talks Solutions 'Show a different way': Kansas City group uses conflict resolution to reduce crime Community leaders and residents gathered Saturday at Swope Park for a youth violence conflict-resolution seminar to promote community-driven solutions and steering young people away from violence. Local Fame For Good Cause 'KC Superstar' officially crowned, celebrity guest makes appearance This year's 'KC Superstar' was officially crowned tonight ... with a special celebrity host. Diva Shares New Looks Addison Rae sizzles sans shirt in her dangerously low-rise Lucky Brand jeans Addison Rae posed in her dangerously low-slung true blues - sans shirt - for Lucky Brand's latest shoot. Latest MAGA Legal Fight Trump tells Grassley to tell Democrats 'go to HELL' over blocked judicial nominees in Senate President Trump pressures Sen. Chuck Grassley to abandon century-old blue slip custom that allows senators to block judicial nominees from their states. Veep Outplays MSM It Didn't Take Long For JD Vance To Dismantle Kristen Welker's Gotcha Question On Gerrymandering J.D. Vance told Kristen Welker during an interview that aired Sunday that redistricting in Texas was in response to Democrats' actions over the last 20 years. Second City 'Resistance' Starts Chicago mayor calls Trump's National Guard plan 'most flagrant violation of our Constitution' Mayor Brandon Johnson pushed back against Trump's National Guard plans for Chicago, citing 30% drop in homicides and concerns about eroding police-community trust. Beltway Crackdown Seems Chill Photos: Scenes from D.C. as National Guard patrols start carrying weapons About 2,000 troops from D.C. and some Republican-led states have been deployed for President Trump's crackdown. Epstein Legacy Endures Virginia Giuffre memoir to be published months after death She had finished working on the "intimate" and "heartbreaking" book before she took her own life in April, her publisher says. Worst Spokesperson EVER Soon To Earn EPIC Flyer Miles Activists to rally with Kilmar Abrego Garcia as Trump administration warns it may deport him to Uganda | CNN Politics Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was unlawfully deported to El Salvador earlier this year, will gather with members of his family, immigration activists, community leaders and elected officials at a rally in Baltimore on Monday morning as the Trump administration warns it could send him to Uganda as soon as this week. News Hit In Holy Land At least eight killed in Israeli strike on Gaza hospital, health ministry says Several journalists are reported to be among the dead in the attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. Tragic Trade In Europe Russia and Ukraine stage new prisoner exchange after UAE mediation Russia and Ukraine exchanged 146 prisoners of war from each side on Sunday after mediation by the United Arab Emirates, the Russian defence ministry and the Ukrainian president said. American Way?!? Ex-Superman Dean Cain ICE obstacle course video sparks mockery, some praise The video was met with mixed reactions on social media. Vice Index Seyz So . . . Sex Workers Already Predicted There's A Recession Coming - Here's How They Know The past has shown that nontraditional measures like brothels, beer and lipstick can tell us a lot about the economy's health. Home Team Clings To Life Royals win wild game in Detroit 10-8 to avoid sweep A blown lead, a comeback and a win! EPIC Trip For JoCo Institution Shawnee shop celebrates half a century with "Donut-con" Mr. D's celebrated half a century of dishing out the good stuff today with their third "Donut-con" out in Shawnee. Suburban Inferno Aftermath Overland Park fire damages home near 154th, Robinson: OPFD A fire damaged a two-story home Sunday afternoon in Overland Park near 154th Street and Robinson Avenue, the Overland Park Fire Department says. Hipster Return Trip Lovingly Documented Ten Years of Hembree: Local Legends Come Home Hembree was given a warm welcome home for their 10th anniversary show at Liberty Hall on 816 Day, with a Cowboy Indian Bear reunion and opening set from Lauren Lovelle & the Midnight Spliffs. Grigs Gives Us Sneak Peek For Week Ahead . . . Monday morning rain chances Feeling like Fall all week long John Summit - light years (feat. Inez) is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Dreams Travel and Tours proudly sponsored the 43rd Annual India Day Parade in NYC, celebrating cultural pride, unity, and the vibrant Indian diaspora. (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - August 23rd, 2025 - The streets of Madison Avenue came alive with vibrant colors, cultural pride, and a sense of unity as thousands gathered for the 43rd Annual India Day Parade in New York City. This years grand celebration was proudly sponsored by Dreams Travel and Tours, a trusted name in global travel solutions for over two decades. The India Day Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Indian heritage outside India, brought together community leaders, cultural performers, and families from all walks of life. The event featured traditional music, dance, floats showcasing Indias diversity, and the waving of the tricolor, symbolizing pride and solidarity. As a company deeply rooted in connecting people across the globe, we are honored to sponsor such a historic and meaningful event, said a spokesperson for Dreams Travel and Tours. This parade celebrates not only Indias independence but also the unity and cultural richness of the Indian diaspora in America. We are proud to stand alongside our community in marking this important day. With a strong presence in both corporate and leisure travel, Dreams Travel and Tours has built a reputation for excellence, reliability, and personalized service. The companys support for cultural events like the India Day Parade reflects its commitment to giving back to the community and strengthening bonds through shared celebrations. The event concluded with an outpouring of pride and joy, reinforcing the spirit of One Community, Many Cultures, One Nation. ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order simplifying visa procedures for foreigners and stateless persons traveling to the Republic of Azerbaijan for the 2025 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Trend reports. Under the presidential order, from August 25 to September 30, foreign citizens and stateless persons visiting Azerbaijan for the event can obtain a visa upon arrival at international airports in the country. To receive a visa on arrival, travelers must present one of the following documents: proof of permanent accreditation by Formula One Management Limited or the International Automobile Federation, proof of accreditation with Baku City Circuit Operations Company, or a ticket for the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Baku (or a document confirming the purchase of a ticket). The order emphasizes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Formula One Management Limited, the International Automobile Federation, and the relevant authorities in foreign countries should be informed about the simplified visa procedures. It also mandates that information about the simplified visa process and the availability of electronic visas through ASAN Visa be made available on the websites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as Azerbaijans embassies and consulates abroad. The State Migration Service is tasked with informing airlines operating flights to Azerbaijan about the visa procedures for travelers attending the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. On August 25, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Stephen Doughty, the UK Minister of State for Europe, North America, and Overseas Territories, Trend reports. Stephen Doughty congratulated the head of state on the historic results achieved in Washington regarding the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and the advancement of the peace agenda, expressing his countrys readiness to support this process. He also highlighted the significance of the outcomes achieved in Washington concerning regional transport connectivity. Stephen Doughty extended congratulations for the successful hosting of COP29 in Azerbaijan last year and the achievements attained. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the congratulations and stated that Azerbaijan will continue its efforts to advance the peace agenda and the normalization process with Armenia. The head of state recalled the visit of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Azerbaijan during COP29 and the meeting held with him. During the conversation, they exchanged views on the prospects for developing Azerbaijan-UK relations and expressed satisfaction with the current state of political relations. They noted that there are broad prospects for cooperation in economic, trade, information and communication technologies, education, and other fields. The discussion also touched on energy cooperation, highlighting the successful partnership between Azerbaijan and bp, which has been ongoing for over 30 years in both conventional and renewable energy sectors. The parties expressed confidence that this mutually beneficial cooperation with bp will continue in the coming decades. At the end of the meeting, Stephen Doughty presented a keepsake to the head of state. On September 1, 2025, Trend News Agency celebrates an important milestone - its 30th anniversary. Over three decades, Trend has grown from a small editorial office into one of the regions leading and most respected multilingual agencies, covering key events in the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Caspian region. Thanks to the professionalism and dedication of its team, the agency has earned recognition from politicians, diplomats, and business leaders around the world. Looking ahead, Trend aims to expand further into European and Asian media markets. Platforms have already been established in Turkiye and across Europe, providing a foundation for the agency to compete with media outlets in these regions. U.S. scholar Peter Tase, an expert in European geopolitics and transatlantic security, as well as a researcher of international relations and Eurasian geopolitics, shared his impressions of working with the agency and of Trends work. He emphasized that Trend is highly regarded not only in Azerbaijan but also among experts across the entire Eurasian region. "Trend News Agency is a rare asset for the entire community of international affairs intellectuals and news agencies in Eurasia," he said. "This highly respected organization has become an irreplaceable window of communication for Azerbaijan with the world". According to Tase, over the past three decades, Trend has made a significant contribution to bringing the truth to light about the crimes against humanity committed by the Armenian armed forces against the civilian population of Azerbaijan. "This was carried out with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and devotion to the cause," he said. The expert paid particular attention to the agencys role during the Second Karabakh War. "The Second Karabakh War in 2020 has been an outstanding achievement of the people of Azerbaijan, being led by the great leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, and these efforts are masterfully shared with the global community through the lenses of Trend News Agency, which has become a respected and indispensable platform for Azerbaijans communication with the rest of the world," Tase emphasized. He also highlighted the strategic importance of Trends work in covering the preparation and conduct of the COP29 climate conference in Baku. "The media coverage of COP 29 in Baku has been spectacular as we carefully analyze the consequential contribution that Trend News Agency has provided in this regard. The development of the liberated territories of Karabakh is one of the governments priorities, and Trend plays a key role in promoting these regions and attracting foreign investment, while strengthening Azerbaijans impartial reputation on the international stage," Tase added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. During ongoing court proceedings at the Baku Military Court on August 25, victim Sabir Guliyev stated that the civilian population was not provided with a humanitarian corridor during the occupation of Shusha, Trend reports. Noting that he is a resident of Goytala village of Shusha, Guliyev said that the city was occupied by Armenian armed forces in early May 1992, and thus he became an IDP. "My cousins Tahir and Rafael Guliyev were killed. Tahir Guliyev's body has not yet been found," he added. "During the occupation of Shusha, the Armenian side did not provide a humanitarian corridor for the civilian population. When we passed through Lachin, we were exposed to artillery strike from the Gorus side. An old woman was killed there," said the victim, adding that when he visited his father's grave following the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from occupation, he saw that his fathers grave was destroyed and several gravestones were torn down. "They deprived us of our property, our farms, our wealth. They destroyed our villages so that the residents couldn't even find their homes. They left our lands in such a terrible state of disrepair," he noted. Court proceedings are ongoing against Armenian nationals accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws and customs of war. The charges also include financing terrorism, violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious offenses. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Members of Azerbaijans inter-parliamentary working group on relations with Romania met with a delegation led by Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tagarlas, Chair of the Culture and Media Permanent Committee of the Romanian Senate and a member of the inter-parliamentary friendship group with Azerbaijan, during their visit to the country on August 25, Trend reports via the Press and Public Relations Department of the National Assembly. Azay Guliyev, head of Azerbaijans working group on inter-parliamentary relations with Romania, welcomed the guests and highlighted the significance of their visit to Azerbaijans liberated territories, including the hike to the "Heydar Aliyev" peak. He emphasized the positive impact of inter-parliamentary cooperation on bilateral relations and discussed the importance of international connections and parliamentary diplomacy. Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tagarlas shared impressions from the delegations visit to the Karabakh economic region, highlighting the hike to the Heydar Aliyev peak as a profound tribute to the memory of the Great Leader. He praised the restoration and reconstruction efforts in the region under President Ilham Aliyevs leadership and emphasized the potential for deepened cooperation and strengthened inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries. Members of Azerbaijans working group, including Kamal Jafarov, Aydin Mirzazadeh, and Samir Valiyev, along with Florin Andrejkuts, head of the Maramures County Bar Association in Romania, underlined that bilateral relations have developed successfully through high-level political dialogue. They stressed the importance of continuing mutually beneficial cooperation at both bilateral and international parliamentary platforms. The meeting also included discussions on other topics of shared interest. Azerbaijans ambassador to Romania, Gudsi Osmanov, and other officials attended the session. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov met with the United Kingdoms Minister of State for Europe, North America, and the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty in Baku on August 25, 2025, Trend reports via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting covered a wide range of cooperation areas between Azerbaijan and the UK, including political and economic relations, energy security, connectivity, climate change and environment, humanitarian efforts, and education. Regional and international security issues of mutual interest were also discussed. Azerbaijans role as a dependable partner in major energy projects was emphasized at the meeting, with the positive momentum in traditional energy cooperation expected to extend into the development of alternative energy sources. The collaboration between SOCAR and bp on renewable energy was highlighted as particularly commendable. Azerbaijans role as chair of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP29) was recognized, with the active participation and contributions of the UKs Prime Minister and delegation appreciated. In the field of education, joint initiatives, the establishment of new partnerships between higher education institutions, and the importance of state programs were emphasized, along with the need to continue efforts in this area. Minister Bayramov also briefed his counterpart on post-conflict realities in the region and the progress of the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization and peace process. He highlighted the historic Washington meeting on August 8, 2025, where the text of the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was initialed, and a joint appeal regarding the closure of the OSCE Minsk Process and related structures was sent, considered a significant achievement in the peace process. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest. On the same day, political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and the UK, led by Deputy Minister Fariz Rzayev for Azerbaijan and Minister Stephen Doughty for the UK. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva, sent a congratulatory letter to the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, Trend reports. ''Dear Mehriban Arifovna, It gives me great joy to sincerely congratulate you on your birthday and to extend my warmest wishes. I never cease to admire you as a bright and multifaceted personality a public and state figure, a loving wife, and a mother. With your pure and selfless heart and your good deeds, you have rightfully won the love of the entire Azerbaijani people, as well as great respect in Uzbekistan and in many other countries around the world. On this wonderful day, I wholeheartedly wish you good health, family happiness, inner harmony, and inexhaustible strength and energy for the realization of all your noble endeavors. May your life always be filled with joy, care, and the support of your loved ones!,'' the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev shared a post on his social media accounts regarding the gift from the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump. Trend presents the post: I would like to express gratitude to President Donald Trump for the historical photographs he personally signed and the kind words he wrote on them. I highly appreciate President Donald Trump's steadfast support for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as for the peace agenda in the South Caucasus and worldwide, and I would like to once again express my profound gratitude to him for this. Donald J. Trump Canada will synchronize Ukrainian sanctions against the Russian Federation in the near future, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Ukraine has synchronized Canadas sanctions. Yesterday, the relevant decision came into force. In the near future, we are preparing for Canada to synchronize our Ukrainian sanctions. Our first packages will be incorporated in the jurisdiction of Canada," Zelenskyy said during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Sunday. The President expressed his gratitude that the pressure on the Russian Federation is being brought to such a truly tangible level. In addition, work is underway to ensure that Russian assets work to protect against Russian aggression. As reported, on August 23, Zelenskyy signed two decrees on sanctions against the Russian aggressor and its sponsors. "We continue our sanctions work. I signed two decrees today. The first is the synchronization of partner sanctions in Ukraine, in particular Canadian sanctions. This is 100% synchronization of this year's Canadian sanctions against 139 individuals and legal entities working for the Russian war," Zelensky wrote in the Telegram channel. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. A public court hearing continued on August 25 regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The trial, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that each accused person was provided with a translator in their preferred language and defense lawyers. The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the states accusations. Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the judicial panel, the prosecutors defending the states accusations, the translators, and others to the victims participating in the trial for the first time, and explained their rights and obligations as stipulated by law. The hearing continued with the testimonies of the victims. In his testimony, Victim Sahib Asgarov was forced to leave Kalbajar in 1993 as a result of attacks by Armenian armed forces. He noted that some of his relatives were killed and wounded as a result of the attacks on the city. Responding to questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of the Department of Public Prosecution Defense of the Prosecutor General's Office, Asgarov said that when the residents of Kalbajar left the city, they was not provided with a humanitarian corridor. The victim also emphasized that he witnessed the Tunnel tragedy in Kalbajar. In his testimony, he also stated that there were mercenaries there, attracted by the enemy from abroad. "They destroyed our cemeteries and took our cultural, historical and religious monuments," added S. Asgarov. Responding to the question of the state prosecutor Tarana Mamedova, victim Sabir Guliyev noted that he is a resident of Goytala village of Shusha. Guliyev said that the city was occupied by Armenian armed forces in early May 1992, and thus he became an IDP. "My cousins Tahir and Rafael Guliyev were killed. Tahir Guliyev's body has not yet been found," he added. "During the occupation of Shusha, the Armenian side did not provide a humanitarian corridor for the civilian population. When we passed through Lachin, we were exposed to artillery strike from the Gorus side. An old woman was killed there," said the victim, adding that when he visited his father's grave following the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from occupation, he saw that his fathers grave was destroyed and several gravestones were torn down. "They deprived us of our property, our farms, our wealth. They destroyed our villages so that the residents couldn't even find their homes. They left our lands in such a terrible state of disrepair," he noted. Answering a question from Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General Vusal Aliyev, victim Almaz Aghayeva said that she and her family lived in a house on the 5th Parallel Street in the city of Khankendi. In September 1988, unable to withstand the pressure, they moved to Shusha: I worked at the Karabakh Silk Factory. Armenians were brought and driven to Khankendi, and Azerbaijanis were beaten. Unable to withstand such pressure, we, experiencing great suffering and pain, reached Shusha through the forest, passing on trails. In 1992, we were forcibly displaced from Shusha. My neighbor Zohra Guliyeva was killed there. My father was also wounded. We lived in the basement. They attacked us with artillery fire. In her testimony, Victim Sevda Hasanova stated that she was forcibly displaced from the Fuzuli district due to the Armenian armed forces attacks in August 1993. Responding to a question from public prosecutor Fuad Musayev, Sevda Hasanova stated: They engaged in indiscriminate attacks against both the civilian population and the military. They opened fire on our neighbors yard with a Grad rocket, and the girls body was torn to pieces. I witnessed the destruction of graves in cemeteries when I returned to our lands after they were liberated from occupation, the victim then added. In response to a question from Tugay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, victim Araz Jabrayilov said that on September 19, 2023, they were ambushed in a forest near Khankendi and were injured as a result of gunfire. In his testimony, victim Nadir Mammadov said that he was forcibly displaced from Zangilan and was injured as a result of attacks by the Armenian armed forces in late October 1993: The civilian population was not given any humanitarian corridor to leave the region, residents were being fired upon. We survived by crossing the Araz River. He showed a picture of their house destroyed by the Armenian armed forces and said that they were only able to live in the house they built in 1991 for two years: We demand compensation for the damage done to our houses, mosques, and cemeteries. Our graves in the cemeteries were also destroyed. Responding to questions from state prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, victim Nariman Alasgarov stated in his testimony that he was forcibly displaced from Zangilan due to the Armenian armed forces attacks. He noted that during the occupation of Zangilan, a man named Bahman, who worked as a postman, was killed by artillery fire in his yard. Within a short period of time, several villages were occupied, and the population was forced to flee barefoot. They killed Uncle Valis family, tied Uncle Ismayil to a tank with his mentally ill son, and dragged him to death. The population was not given a humanitarian corridor. They burned down the villages as soon as they occupied them. Alasgarov added that when he returned to Zangilan after the liberation from occupation, he saw that not a single stone was left in the villages and that the cemeteries had also been destroyed. The victims also answered questions from the accused, including the defendants' attorneys, and representatives of the victims. The trial will continue on August 28. Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others. The following individuals - 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 being 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 additional articles. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. A public court hearing continued on August 25 regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, who are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure and retention of power, and numerous other crimes as a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The trial, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Agayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that each accused person was provided with a translator in their preferred language and defense lawyers. The hearing was attended by the accused, their defense attorneys, some of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as prosecutors defending the states accusations. Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced the judicial panel, the prosecutors defending the states accusations, the translators, and others to the victims participating in the trial for the first time, and explained their rights and obligations as stipulated by law. The hearing continued with the testimonies of the victims. The trial will continue on August 28. Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others. The following individuals - 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 being 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 additional articles. Photo: Press service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The Zangezur Corridor is a kind of reconciliation project between Turkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during his speech after the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, Trend reports. According to him, as a result of the implementation of the Zangezur Corridor project, economic cooperation between Turkiye, Azerbaijan and Armenia will enter a new stage. Erdogan noted that the 224-kilometer railway line, the foundation of which was laid on August 22, is a source of pride for Turkiye. The capacity of this corridor will be 5.5 million passengers and 15 million tons of cargo per year. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Special Representative of Russian President on International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy has sent a congratulatory letter to First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva on the occasion of her birthday, Trend reports. "Esteemed and dear Mehriban Aliyeva. I sincerely congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday, which you celebrate at the peak of feminine beauty and political maturity. Your tireless efforts to advance Azerbaijan's progress and strengthen its international authority has earned you deep respect, both in your country and beyond. You have made tremendous efforts to restore the current peace and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. As a distinguished stateswoman, you are also the caring guardian of a family hearth that warms your loved ones, which is worthy of the highest recognition. I avail myself of this opportunity to ask you to convey my greetings to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Heydarovich and all members of your family on this significant occasion. I wish you long and happy years," the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The Media Development Agency hosted a delegation from the Senate of Romania led by Cristian-Augustin Niculescu-Tagarlas, chair of the Culture and Media Committee and member of the Romania-Azerbaijan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, with the participation of Azerbaijans Ambassador to Romania, Gudsi Osmanov, on August 25, Trend reports. The Agency stated the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between Azerbaijan and Romania across various sectors, particularly in the media. The Agency's Executive Director, Ahmad Ismayilov, emphasized the importance of expanding media partnerships, discussed the implementation of the Law on Media, initiatives to enhance media literacy, and highlighted the importance of critical analysis by media consumers. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Latvias Defense Minister Andris Spruds met with his Turkish counterpart, Yashar Guler, in Ankara this week, along with representatives of Turkiyes defense industry, to discuss cooperation in defense technologies and Turkiyes involvement in the Drone Coalition, Trend reports. Minister Spruds emphasized the importance of deepening collaboration with Turkiye, noting that the countries expertise and resources complement each other. He highlighted Turkiyes recent participation in the international Drone Coalition as a step that not only supports collective security but also offers opportunities to strengthen Latvias own defense industry. Our goal is to enhance joint capabilities and foster innovations that will increase both NATOs and regional security in the future, Spruds said. In the course of the visit, the Latvian and Turkish defense ministers explored opportunities for cooperation in the drone industry, including production, research, and practical applications. The sides underscored that drones and other unmanned systems are playing an increasingly vital role on modern battlefields, making close cooperation essential for technological excellence and operational advantage. A key topic was also Turkiyes participation in the development of the Competence Center for Autonomous Systems in Latvia. The center, set to become a significant NATO platform, will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and practical experience among partners. Turkish involvement is expected to strengthen the centers capacity and accelerate innovation in unmanned systems. Minister Spruds also met with representatives of Turkiyes defense industry, including the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), and leading companies such as Aselsan and Roketsan. He was introduced to their operations and technological solutions, and reviewed the capabilities of unmanned aerial systems currently in service with the Turkish Armed Forces. The visit also included meetings with officials from the MKE munitions factory and ASFAT, where Spruds was briefed on development projects and future directions. Latvia and Turkiye already maintain defense cooperation in the field of military education and training. Representatives of Latvias Ministry of Defense and National Armed Forces have participated in NATO Partnership for Peace courses in Ankara, as well as other military and civilian training programs in Turkiye. Turkiye announced its intention to join the Drone Coalition earlier this year during the International Drone Summit. Its membership was officially confirmed on July 2 in Riga at the Drone Coalitions leadership committee meeting. The coalition now includes 20 member states, among them Latvia, the UK, Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Turkiye, Germany, and Sweden. Earlier, Minister Spruds announced that the Competence Center for Autonomous Systems will be established and launched in Latvia this fall. The center will focus on air, land, and sea drones, as well as counter-drone solutions. Its main tasks will include ensuring uninterrupted supplies of autonomous systems to the Latvian Armed Forces during crises, supporting domestic drone production and innovation, and providing training and testing facilities for unmanned technologies. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Bulgarian Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov met with the Ambassador of Japan to Bulgaria, H.E. Hisashi Michigami, to discuss opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation, with a strong focus on strategic partnership in the energy sector, Trend reports. Bulgaria and Japan are building on a solid foundation in their relations, particularly in the field of energy. Our work so far has demonstrated the potential for expanding cooperation, and I am confident that together we can implement large-scale initiatives of mutual interest, Minister Stankov said. During the meeting, the minister informed Ambassador Michigami about his upcoming visit to Osaka, where Bulgarian energy companies will participate in the World Expo 2025. Bulgarias participation will highlight key energy projects aimed at strengthening the countrys role as a regional balancer and guarantor of supply security. Among the initiatives to be presented are the construction of four new pumped-storage hydroelectric plants, projects for energy storage, the development of new nuclear capacities at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant, and other projects of long-term strategic significance. The World Expo 2025 in Osaka is considered a key platform for international cooperation and an opportunity to establish partnerships across various sectors. The meeting also highlighted the historic cooperation between Bulgaria and Japan through Toshiba more than three decades ago, when construction began on the largest pumped-storage hydroelectric plant in the Balkans the Chaira facility. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Azerbaijan imported 187 million cubic meters of natural gas from Turkmenistan, with a total cost of $28 million, from January through June 2025. Data obtained by Trend from the State Statistics Committee indicates that this signifies a decrement of 116 million cubic meters, equating to a 38.3 percent contraction in volumetric metrics, alongside a financial depreciation of $17.4 million, reflecting a 38.2 percent decline in valuation relative to the corresponding timeframe of the previous fiscal year. It is noteworthy that Azerbaijan engaged in the procurement of 208.2 million cubic meters of natural gas from international markets during the initial half of the fiscal year, with a valuation of $32 million. In juxtaposition to the corresponding timeframe in 2024, this delineates a contraction of 94.8 million cubic meters, equating to a 31.3 percent reduction in volumetric metrics, alongside a depreciation of $13.5 million, representing a 29.6 percent decline in monetary valuation. Azerbaijan-Georgia trade flourishes thanks to expanding non-oil sector Azerbaijans trade with Georgia rose sharply in the first seven months of the year, reaching nearly $465 million, driven by strong growth in both exports and imports. Non-oil exports to Georgia accounted for almost $184 million, making the country a key market for Azerbaijans non-oil sector. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Uzbekistan is gradually becoming one of the key centers of interaction between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. In recent years, the country has been actively developing transport and economic ties with neighboring states, creating a platform for long-term cooperation in industry, logistics, and the humanitarian sphere. Against this backdrop, on August 22, 2025, a high-level meeting took place in the Awaza National Tourist Zone (Turkmenistan) between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the National Leader of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. During the meeting, a package of documents was signed aimed at deepening cooperation in the transport, economic, and humanitarian spheres. The key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of a Joint Statement by Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which institutionalizes the trilateral format of interaction. As Uzbek expert and political analyst Ravshan Nazarov told Trend, the package of agreements institutionalizes the Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan format, moving it from one-off contacts to a sustainable platform with concrete directions. This strengthens the linkage of the South Caucasus and Central Asia through the Caspian, reduces transit risks, and increases the negotiating weight of the three states in Middle Corridor projects. The economic bloc of signed documents covers aviation, shipbuilding, exchange cooperation, and transport-logistics initiatives, creating concrete mechanisms for the growth of the regional economy. In aviation, the overall potential is increasing direct and connecting flights for AsiaEurope transit passenger flows, MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), staff training, joint leasing, and spare parts pooling. This reduces costs and increases the overall reliability of the network, Ravshan Nazarov emphasized. The economic effect of these measures is estimated as a doubling of transit passenger flow through Uzbekistan within the next five years. The creation of joint aviation services will allow operating costs to be reduced by 1520 percent, making transportation more competitive on the international market. In shipbuilding, cooperation is planned for fleet modernization on the Caspian, expanding ferry capacity, and increasing cargo flows through the Turkmenbashi and Baku hubs. Nazarov noted that cooperation focused on the Caspian ferries, Ro-Ro vessels, tugboats, barges, fleet modernization, and expanded ferry capacity is the key to growing cargo flows. For the economies of all three countries, this brings localized expertise, job creation, and import substitution. Special attention is also given to transport and logistics cooperation, including the Middle Corridor, dry ports, and multimodal transport. Joint projects are expected to increase cargo transportation to 30,000 tons per month within the first two years of implementation. The connectivity of the UzbekistanTurkmenistanAzerbaijan corridor is increasing, with access to the Black Sea and Europe: coordination of ports, ferries, and dry ports, the creation of a Joint Working Group and a Roadmap on infrastructure. Seamless supply chains are being built: unified IT solutions, constant data exchange, harmonization of phytosanitary and quarantine rules, and digital labeling, as well as the development of wholesale distribution centers, Nazarov noted. The implementation of these initiatives will lead to increased containerization and multimodal transport, a 2025 percent acceleration of goods transit, and a 1015 percent reduction in logistics costs for all corridor participants. These agreements open opportunities for Uzbekistan to increase exports and the transit of goods through the Middle Corridor, localize production and service expertise in aviation and shipbuilding, enhance the countrys investment attractiveness, create additional jobs, and support small and medium-sized businesses through the integration of transport and logistics infrastructure. The August 22 meeting demonstrates Uzbekistans steady course toward deepening cooperation with neighboring states and establishing a stable trilateral format of interaction. The signed documents create concrete mechanisms for economic, transport, and humanitarian integration. Uzbekistans initiatives, together with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, are transforming the Middle Corridor and related routes into a reliable and competitive pathway for trade between Asia and Europe, creating conditions for the regions long-term sustainable development. US President Donald Trump has assessed the war between Russia and Ukraine as a personal conflict and nevertheless declared his intention to stop it. Trump said at a news conference on Monday that Russia and Ukraine turned out to be some big personality conflict, but he promised to stop it eventually. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. Azerbaijan reports progress on Horadiz-Aghband railway project The Horadiz-Aghband railway project in Azerbaijan has seen major progress, with most of the design phase and over two-thirds of construction completed. The line will include multiple stations, dozens of bridges and crossings, and hundreds of engineering structures, significantly boosting infrastructure in the liberated territories. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Japan donates grant to support nuclear test victims in Kazakhstan Photo: Artificial Intelligence Japan has pledged a $7.4 million grant to support victims of nuclear testing in Semey, Kazakhstan. The agreement was signed by the foreign ministers of both countries during the Japanese ministers official visit to Astana. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 25. Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with Japans Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Astana to discuss a strategic partnership across trade, investment, transport, Trend reports. In the course of the meeting, the parties discussed the current state and prospects for the development of the Kazakh-Japanese expanded strategic partnership in trade and economic, investment, transit-transport, and cultural-humanitarian spheres, as well as cooperation within international organizations. Welcoming the Japanese Foreign Minister, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that his visit to Astana would give new momentum to strengthening bilateral relations. Japan is our reliable and close partner in Asia. We attach great importance to deepening comprehensive cooperation with Tokyo. Please convey my warm regards to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. We look forward to and are preparing for his official visit to Kazakhstan. It can be confidently said that our relations are developing dynamically, said the President. In turn, Takeshi Iwaya expressed his gratitude to the President of Kazakhstan for the warm welcome. We will definitely convey your kind wishes to the Prime Minister. Kazakhstan and Japan are strategic partners interested in strengthening the international order. I believe that my visit will pave the way for further development of bilateral relations, noted the Japanese Foreign Minister. During the conversation, there was an exchange of views on current issues on the international and regional agenda. Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takeshi Iwaya, arrived on his first official visit to Astana. As part of the visit, negotiations are planned with the Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu. Japan is among the top ten largest investors in Kazakhstan. More than $9 billion in direct investments have been attracted to the country. Last year, the mutual trade turnover between the countries approached $2 billion. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 25. Turkmenistan and the Peoples Republic of China signed a Cooperation Agreement to enhance collaboration in economic and scientific-technical fields, Trend reports via the country's MFA. The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. The agreement was signed by Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Chinas Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ji Shumin. This agreement is designed to promote the exchange of experience and facilitate the practical implementation of innovative solutions in key sectors of the economy. Under the agreement, the two countries aim to intensify technical and economic cooperation, contributing to the further development of mutually beneficial relations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. The official visit of Japans Foreign Minister, Takeshi Iwaya, to Astana, his first trip to Kazakhstan in this capacity, confirmed the high level of relations between the two countries. Negotiations with Kazakhstans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, as well as a meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, marked a new phase in strengthening the enhanced strategic partnership. Economic cooperation remains a key area of bilateral relations. Since gaining independence, Kazakhstan has attracted over $9 billion in direct Japanese investments. Currently, around 60 Japanese companies operate in the country, including Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Marubeni, and Mitsui. Meanwhile, trade turnover between the countries shows fluctuations. By the end of 2024, it amounted to nearly $2 billion; however, from January to May 2025, it decreased by 18.6 percent compared to the same period last year, falling to $635.2 million. The decline is mainly due to reduced exports of ferroalloys, tantalum, and aluminum. Nevertheless, both sides are aiming to expand trade. One of the negotiation topics was concluding long-term contracts for the supply of non-ferrous metals to Japan, including gallium and manganese sulfate. Kazakhstan possesses rich reserves of rare earth elements needed for the green transformation - of the 32 types of raw materials used by Japan, 22 are mined in Kazakhstan. In this area, Tau-Ken Samruk and the Japanese corporation JOGMEC have expressed readiness to implement joint projects. Meanwhile, significant attention was paid to energy issues. Kazakhstan, the worlds largest uranium producer, is a key partner for Japan, which seeks to diversify its energy balance. Cooperation also covers the production and export of nuclear fuel, the development of nuclear medicine, and renewable energy. In the field of transport and logistics, Japan supported the project to digitize customs procedures at the port of Aktau, which will contribute to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, better known as the Middle Corridor. This route provides a shorter and safer path for cargo and opens new opportunities for Japanese businesses in Eurasia. An important step will also be the launch in 2026 of a direct flight from Almaty - Tokyo, which will simplify business and cultural ties. In the course of the visit, an intergovernmental document was signed granting Japans non-reimbursable grant of $7.4 million to assist victims of nuclear testing in Semey. The funds will be used to purchase modern medical equipment. Additionally, the Japanese side allocated $2 million for the development of flood protection systems in Kazakhstan. Moreover, Takeshi Iwayas visit logically followed his meeting with Murat Nurtleu in Tokyo in March 2025, where the parties signed an Action Plan between foreign ministries for 2025 - 2026. This document established a clear roadmap for further cooperation. Kazakhstan and Japan also actively cooperate in international formats, notably within the Central Asia + Japan dialogue, which serves as a platform for discussing regional security, economic development, and humanitarian cooperation. The Japanese ministers visit to Astana, along with his tour of Central Asia overall, highlights the growing importance of the region for Tokyo. Japan regards Kazakhstan as one of its key economic partners and an important participant in ensuring regional stability. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 25. Andijan region governor Shukhratbek Abdurakhmanov and local officials met with representatives of Chinas Shandong Huada Group to discuss establishing a railway and auto logistics route in Uzbekistan, Trend reports via the regional government. The sides reached an agreement to organize a railway and auto logistics route in the Kurgan-Tepa and Khojaabad districts, with a total investment of $500 million. Following the talks, Chinese investors and Uzbek officials visited designated land plots for the project and reviewed them on site. According to regional authorities, the cooperation is expected to boost transport and logistics capacity, generate new jobs, and drive local economic growth. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre near a high-rise building in Sviatoshynsky district of Kyiv that was destroyed by a Russian missile and told him about the progress of the rescue operation. "Today in Kyiv, near a multi-story building destroyed by a Russian missile, I met with the Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stre. The attention of millions was riveted to the rescue operation, which lasted more than 30 hours. Today, our partners saw the scale of the tragedy with their own eyes and honored the memory of the 29 people who died, including children. I told the Prime Minister about the progress of the operation: the search for victims, the difficult stages of unblocking from under heavy rubble, dismantling emergency structures. This was a titanic work of rescuers, which earned deep respect from the Norwegian delegation," he wrote on Telegram. Klymenko thanked Norway for its ongoing support. "About 200 units of equipment have already been transferred to the State Emergency Service alone: from firefighting equipment to boats and launches. This assistance saves Ukrainian lives every day," he summed up. As reported, as a result of the strike carried out by the Russians on the night of July 31, five children were killed in Kyiv, the youngest child was two years old, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In total 31 people died in Kyiv that night. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Vagif Sadigov, held a meeting with the head of Kazakhstan's diplomatic mission in Brussels, the EU, and NATO, Roman Vassilenko, and discussed issues related to the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, the Kazakh diplomat wrote on X, Trend reports. As reported by Trend on Monday, this was noted in Roman Vasilenko's post on social media. Vassilenko noted that during the meeting, the diplomats discussed a wide range of topics, from history to the prospects for the development of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the situation in the South Caucasus, as well as issues of trade and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. In the course of the meeting, the Kazakh diplomat expressed his gratitude to his Azerbaijani colleague for the warm welcome and meaningful conversation. Pakistani business leaders explore opportunities in Kazakhstans growing market Photo: Kazakh Invest Deputy Chairman of Kazakh Invest, Madiyar Sultanbek, met with a delegation from Peshawar, Pakistan, to discuss enhancing trade, investment, and cooperation in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and education. Both sides emphasized joint ventures and prioritized industries, with Kazakhstan expressing strong interest in expanding partnerships and supporting investors. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Azerbaijan has hit the ground running, delivering a whopping 83.3 billion cubic meters of gas through the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) to Turkiye and Europe thus far, Trend reports citing SOCAR Turkiye. Per the disclosures from SOCAR Turkiye, an affiliate of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), approximately 34 billion cubic meters have been allocated to Turkiye, while the residual 49 billion cubic meters have been directed towards European markets. TANAP, a pivotal conduit within the Southern Gas Corridor framework, facilitates the transference of Azerbaijani hydrocarbons from Baku to the Italian market, thereby augmenting regional energy security and fostering diversification strategies. Initiation of commercial gas deliveries to Turkiye through the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) commenced on June 30, 2018. Azerbaijan reveals year-to-date oil delivery figures to Indonesia Azerbaijans oil exports to Indonesia have dropped sharply in both value and volume compared to last year, despite overall trade growth. The countrys total foreign trade reached nearly $29 billion, with a positive trade balance of around $2 billion, though significantly lower than the previous year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. As part of reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijans liberated territories, Aztelekom LLC is delivering high-speed internet to residential areas and businesses using GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) technology, the company told Trend. Aztelekom also offers bundled packages, including internet + telephony, internet + television (two-in-one), and internet + telephony + television (three-in-one). The company noted that expanding telecommunication services not only improves residents daily lives but also supports the implementation of socio-economic development projects in the region. As of July 31, 2025, more than 5,000 subscribers in these areas were already using the companys services. Depending on their needs, customers can also access telephony and IP television provided by Aztelekom. According to the First State Program on the Great Return to the Liberated Territories of the Republic of Azerbaijan, approved by a decree of President Ilham Aliyev, developing the telecommunications sector in the liberated territories is among the key priorities. Azerbaijan sees strong influx of foreign visitors in 1Q2025 Azerbaijan has released data on the number of foreigners and stateless persons who visited the country in the first half of this year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, August 25. Kyrgyzstan is ready to share its experience in digitalizing government administration and public services with Tajikistan, First Deputy Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Daniyar Amangeldiev, said during a meeting with a Tajik delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister Hokim Kholikzoda, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz government. He noted that these initiatives aim to enhance the efficiency of government bodies and state enterprises. In turn, Kholikzoda highlighted Kyrgyzstans achievements in implementing major reforms, particularly in tax administration, customs, and digitalization, emphasizing that studying this experience has practical value for Tajikistan. Amangeldiev also expressed Kyrgyzstans interest in boosting bilateral trade, targeting an increase to $500 million. Energy cooperation was also discussed, with the sides reaffirming their commitment to the CASA-1000 project and exploring further collaboration in the sector Meanwhile, during the visit, the Tajik delegation will tour sites in Bishkek and the Issyk-Kul region to observe the practical outcomes of the reforms and digital transformations. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, August 25. Political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA. The Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Akhmet Gurbanov, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Additional Secretary for West Asia and Afghanistan Syed Ali Asad Gillani. The parties discussed the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation across political, diplomatic, trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. Both sides emphasized the importance of regular dialogue at the highest political level as a key driver of interstate relations. Discussions also highlighted the development of inter-parliamentary ties, cooperation within international and regional frameworks, and the work of the Joint Turkmen-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. The diplomats expressed interest in holding the next meeting soon and encouraged direct contacts between private sector representatives to expand trade and economic cooperation. The consultations further covered improvements to the legal framework for cooperation, promotion of joint projects in energy and transport, and the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as upcoming events for 2025, were also discussed. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Iran's imports from Azerbaijan fell by 48.3 percent in value and 45.8 percent in volume during the four months of the current Iranian year (from March 21 through July 22, 2025) compared to the same period of the previous Iranian year (from March 20 through July 21, 2024). The data obtained by Trend from the country's Customs Administration shows that Iran's imports from Azerbaijan over four months amounted to 1,790 tons worth $3.3 million. Statistics show that during the same period last year, Iran imported 3,300 tons of products from Azerbaijan worth $6.43 million. Moreover, the information shows that Iran imported various equipment, pressed soybeans, various types of profiles, and other products from Azerbaijan. Furthermore, statistics show that Iran's trade turnover with Azerbaijan for the four months amounted to 276,000 tons worth $182 million. Trade turnover decreased by 25 percent in value and 7.5 percent in weight compared to the same period last year. According to statistics from the Iranian Customs Administration, Iran imported 12.2 million tons of products worth $17.6 billion during the four months of this year. Imports of goods decreased by 14.2 percent in value and 3.23 percent in weight compared to the same period last year. Iran mainly focuses on importing essential goods that the country needs and imposes certain restrictions on imports of products manufactured domestically. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation that focused on regional security, including the situation in the South Caucasus, Trend reports via the Kremlin. The two leaders also discussed developments around the Iranian nuclear program, as well as energy and transport cooperation. During the talks, Putin informed Pezeshkian about the outcomes of the recent Russian-American meeting in Anchorage. The Iranian president voiced support for ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at peacefully resolving the Ukrainian crisis. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding Russian-Iranian cooperation in multiple areas and agreed to meet in person at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in China. Photo: https://t.me/Denys_Smyhal/ Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmygal held a meeting with Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of Germany Lars Klingbeil, during which, in particular, he discussed Ukraine's needs in financing production and purchase of weapons. "An important meeting with Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance of Germany Lars Klingbeil. We discussed Ukraine's needs in financing production and purchase of weapons. We separately raised the issue of strengthening Ukraine's air defense. In this context, we highly appreciate Germany's intention to transfer two Patriot systems. We expect that they will soon be protecting the skies over Ukrainian cities," he wrote on Telegram on Monday. The meeting also discussed the development of joint ventures, in particular, in production of drones. They are also working on the implementation of bilateral projects with the German company Rheinmetall. Shmyhal thanked Germany for its unwavering support for Ukraine. "We are grateful to Germany for its unwavering support for Ukraine and look forward to further productive cooperation for the security of all of Europe," the minister emphasized. Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy/ On Monday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko held a meeting with a Romanian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, during which, in particular, they discussed security issues, European integration and the restoration of Ukraine. "A meaningful meeting with the Romanian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu. We discussed key areas: defense and security - we highly appreciate Romania's assistance, in particular, we are considering joint production of drones and weapons; reconstruction - Romanian partners are interested in projects in transport, energy, border infrastructure, as well as in financing SMEs; experience of EU funds - we agreed to cooperate more actively in attracting European funding; border - modernization of existing and opening of new checkpoints together with Moldova," Svyrydenko said in a note about the meeting on Telegram. As the Prime Minister noted, the parties attached special weight to the issue of Ukraine's European integration. "We are technically ready to open the first three negotiating clusters and count on Romania's support so that Ukraine and Moldova move along this path together," Svyrydenko noted. Indias Increasing Diplomatic Challenges The growing Chinese and Pakistani influence in Bangladesh has put an additional burden on the Indian defence forces, which are now stretched across the entire border, LoC and LAC Tuesday August 26, 2025 1:20 AM , Asad Mirza [Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh in Dhaka on Monday August 24, 2025.] The last week was full of hope and consternation both, for the Indian diplomatic community. On the one hand the Chinese Foreign Minister met the Prime Minister Modi in Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs described the talks as fruitful. But what rattled the Indian diplomats more, was the visit of Pakistan's Commerce Minister and Foreign Minister to Dhaka and the Chinese Foreign Minister travelling to Islamabad to meet his Pakistani counterpart, in addition to other military visits. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the steady progress made in improving the bilateral relationship, after his meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. On its part, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the two countries have entered a steady development track and they trust and support each other. Wang also met with Foreign Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as well as National Security Adviser Ajit Doval to discuss the countries disputed border. Indias Ministry of External Affairs said Wangs meeting with Doval discussed de-escalation, delimitation and boundary affairs. However, what was more important for the Indian diplomats was the increasing bonhomie between Islamabad and Dhaka after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Haseena, who was ousted after a deadly civil unrest. The Indian defence and security establishment, watches the increasing closeness between the two countries with serious concern. Added to this is are widespread apprehensions found in the Indian defence circles, related to the cornering of the country, as China, Pakistan and Bangladesh forge closer ties. New Delhis concerns are particularly related to the Siliguri corridor, known as Indias chicken neck. The growing Chinese and Pakistani influence in Bangladesh has also put an additional burden on the Indian defence forces, which are now stretched across the entire border, LoC and LAC. Reportedly, Pakistan's top spy officials have made frequent visits to Bangladesh in a bid to contain Indias growing influence in the region. During Pakistan's Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khans visit to Dhaka last week, the Bangladesh government expressed its keenness to reduce the trade gap with Pakistan through a series of measures, including the formation of a trade and investment commission, withdrawal of anti-dumping duties on hydrogen peroxide exports, and reinstatement of duty-free export quotas for tea. "We had a very intensive discussion. We are working on reactivating the Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission (JEC), which has been inactive for more than a decade- and-a-half, and also forming a new trade and investment commission to enhance bilateral trade and investment cooperation," Bangladeshs Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin said. Bangladesh also sought Pakistan's support to develop the country's leather and sugar industries, he said. Bashir said Bangladesh once enjoyed a duty-free quota of 10 million kg of tea exports to Pakistan and requested the reinstatement of that during the meeting. About food trade, he said, "We import food from many countries. Wheat is our main import from Pakistan. If we get competitive prices, we will welcome more imports." Responding to a question on whether Bangladesh is leaning towards Pakistan, the adviser said, "We are leaning towards everyone - Pakistan, the United States, and even India, from where we are importing onions. Bangladesh's interest comes first. Meanwhile, Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar also travelled to Dhaka over the last weekend, marking the first such high-level trip in 13 years. Dars two-day official visit, was described by Pakistans Foreign Ministry as an important step in strengthening bilateral ties, which also included meetings with leaders of several political parties, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, with the latter having historically opposed Bangladeshs independence in 1971, making the engagement especially noteworthy. According to The Daily Star, both countries plan to revive their Joint Economic Commission, with a meeting expected in September or October, the first in nearly 20 years. Pakistans Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is scheduled to visit Dhaka for this purpose. A visa-free pact was formalised following delegation-level talks between Dar and Bangladeshs Foreign Affairs Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hussain. Other agreements aim to bolster cooperation in trade, diplomatic training, education, media, strategic studies, and cultural exchange. At a joint press conference, Dar stated that Pakistan seeks "a new era of partnership with Bangladesh" and called on the government, political parties, and youth to unite in strengthening bilateral relations. Adding further to this spate of visits other noteworthy visits between Bangladesh, Pakistan and China, Bangladeshs Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz Zaman, travelled to China for an official visit where he met senior civilian and military leaders. His trip underscores Dhakas growing defence ties with Beijing, which has long been a strategic partner for Bangladesh in military training and procurement. Meanwhile in Islamabad, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Pakistans Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters (GHQ). The discussions apparently centred on South Asias fragile security environment, with a special emphasis on Afghanistan, India, and the Gulf area. The discussions, according to reports, centred on deepening economic and security partnerships, with emphasis on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and regional stability. Amidst all this plethora of visits, comes the news that Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will soon travel to China. His visit will mark the launch of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC-II,which has been delayed for years. Pakistan now presents it as a grand plan for jobs, industry, and growth. At its core, it deepens Chinas grip on Pakistans economy. For India, the CPEC-II is more than an economic project. It runs through Gilgit-Baltistan and part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India claims these territories. By expanding activity there, China and Pakistan reinforce Pakistans control. This challenges Indias sovereignty. Gwadar adds to the concern. The port is not only commercial. India fears it may host Chinese naval assets. With the CPEC-II, port expansion makes that risk sharper. Industrial hubs add another layer. Chinas projects often blur civilian and military use. SEZs may double as logistics and surveillance sites against India. The launch also comes at a delicate time. India and China are talking after years of border standoff. Still, Beijing tightens its embrace of Islamabad. This signals a double move. In all this, India sees a deeper string of pearls taking shape. From Hambantota in Sri Lanka to Kyaukpyu in Myanmar, Chinese-backed ports now ring Indias maritime zone. For Pakistan, the gamble is already high. Its debt to China from CPEC-I already weighs heavily on its economy. The CPEC-II will add more. Past promises also loom large. The CPEC-I was hailed as a game-changer. Instead, Pakistan ended up with rising debt, energy shortages and delayed projects. Many now fear that the CPEC-II may repeat that cycle. Taken together, these parallel diplomatic, military, and economic engagements point to a recalibration of regional ties, with both Beijing and Islamabad seeking closer coordination with Dhaka while also reinforcing their bilateral partnership. These developments will put the Indian diplomats under pressure to pursue a course of action, which counters these three countries and as India has never indulged in such hypocritical or playing one country against another to ensure its interest, it may seem a little tough. (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.) Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Israel intensifies attacks to push its 'Gaza City Occupy Plan' Israel has escalated its attacks on Gaza City, with residents describing a 'night from hell' as Israeli forces push deeper into the area as part of a stated plan to occupy it Monday August 25, 2025 11:05 AM , Quds News Network Gaza: Israel has escalated its attacks on Gaza City, with residents describing a night from hell as Israeli forces push deeper into the area as part of a stated plan to occupy it and forcibly displace about one million people. Local sources and residents described last night as a night from hell, marked by relentless Israeli bombardment, including quadcopter fire, tank shelling, Apache helicopter strikes and fire, and the detonation of booby-trapped robots in the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, Sabra, Jabalia, and Jabalia al-Nazla. Gaza City Occupy Plan Last week, Hamas agreed to a proposal by Qatari and Egyptian mediators for a 60-day ceasefire, which according to Qatar would see the release of half of the remaining captives in Gaza. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apparently rejected this, saying he had instructed negotiations to begin only for the release of all remaining captives and an end to the war in Gaza on terms acceptable to Israel. Once the temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that would include the return of the remaining captives. However, mediators have been waiting for days for an official Israeli response to their latest ceasefire proposal. Israels security cabinet two weeks ago approved plans to seize Gaza City, despite international condemnation from the United Nations and states. The plan reportedly involves forcing around one million residents southwards before surrounding the city and launching incursions into residential areas, followed by an expansion into refugee camps in central Gaza. On Thursday, Netanyahu said he will give final approval for the seizure of Gaza City despite talks for negotiations. Speaking to soldiers near Gaza, Netanyahu said he was still set on approving plans for seizing Gaza City, the densely populated centre at the heart of the Palestinian enclave, forcibly displacing close to 1 million people and carrying out the systematic demolitions of Palestinian homes. The wide-scale operation in Gaza City could start within days after Netanyahu grants final approval. Israeli forces have already stepped up attacks there, and thousands of Palestinians have left their homes as Israeli tanks edged closer to Gaza City over the last 12 days. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) estimated that 90 percent of Gazas residents have been displaced, warning that shelters are deteriorating and any further displacement will worsen the catastrophic situation. The Palestinian Ministry of Interior denounced Israels push to seize Gaza City as a death sentence for the more than one million people living there. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has reportedly ordered military chief Eyal Zamir to besiege Gaza City, saying anyone who doesnt flee can die of hunger or surrender. We ordered you [to carry out] a quick operation. In my opinion, you can besiege them. Whoever doesnt evacuate, dont let them, Smotrich said, according to Channel 12 news. No water, no electricity, they can die of hunger or surrender. This is what we want and your capable [of doing it]. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also warned last week that soon, the gates of hell will open and Gaza City will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Soon, the gates of hell will open if Hamas does not agree to Israels conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament, Katz said. If they do not agree, Gaza [City], the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoon, he added, referring to two cities in the Gaza Strip reduced to ruins during previous Israeli operations. Smotrich Cruel Warning Israels far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has reportedly ordered military chief Eyal Zamir to besiege Gaza City, saying anyone who doesnt flee can die of hunger or surrender. This comes as Israeli forces push deeper into the city as part of a stated plan to occupy the area and forcibly displace around one million people. We ordered you [to carry out] a quick operation. In my opinion, you can besiege them. Whoever doesnt evacuate, dont let them, Smotrich said, according to Channel 12 news. No water, no electricity, they can die of hunger or surrender. This is what we want and your capable [of doing it]. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also warned last week that soon, the gates of hell will open and Gaza City will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun. Soon, the gates of hell will open if Hamas does not agree to Israels conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament, Katz said. If they do not agree, Gaza [City], the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoon, he added, referring to two cities in the Gaza Strip reduced to ruins during previous Israeli operations. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Presidential Special Representative General Keith Kellogg. "We discussed how we can influence the Russians, force them to real negotiations and end the war. Sanctions, duties - everything should remain on the agenda. We are ready to talk in the leaders' format. This is the format needed to solve key issues. Now we need the same readiness in Moscow," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel following the meeting. The President thanked the United States and President Donald Trump for their determination to achieve real peace. "It is very important to implement all the results - political, defense, economic, achieved during our meeting with European leaders in Washington," the president noted. At the same time, he added that the summit in Washington was a demonstration of real unity between Europe and America. "Ukraine, as always, unites the world. We appreciate the US' readiness to be part of the security architecture for Ukraine, and our teams are actively working on it," Zelenskyy said. According to him, it is expected that key security principles will be defined in the near future. "Military cooperation is important for Ukraine and the United States, and there are two strong opportunities - an arms purchase agreement and a drone agreement, which could significantly strengthen our arsenals. We are maintaining the pace of work within the PURL framework. This is an important tool for purchasing American equipment using partners' funds, and we are now actively working to attract additional countries," the president added. In addition, he and Kellogg discussed the humanitarian track and the return of all abducted children. Ukraine hopes that America, the President and the First Lady of the United States will continue to make personal efforts to return all children abducted by Russia. Shanghai Cooperation Organization builds bridges for a shared future: SCO official 16:16, August 25, 2025 By Wu Chaolan, Xu Zheng ( People's Daily Online "The SCO provides a unique platform where people can talk about all kinds of issuesboth the good and the difficult," said Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan in an interview with People's Daily Online. In this conversation, Khan spoke highly of the SCO's role in fostering mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation among its members. He also underscored China's strategic role in connecting ASEAN, Eurasia, South Asia, and the Middle East, paving the way toward a shared future and common destiny for the people of the region. (Intern Geng Yujie contributed to this story.) (Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Du Mingming) Jessie Williamson, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology, takes a pollen sample from a northern giant hummingbird (Patagona peruviana) during research in Peru. Williamson recently received a four-year, $1.066 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study how two species of giant hummingbirds respond to extreme environments in the high-elevation Andes Mountains of Peru and Bolivia. (Kyana Montoya Photo) Jessie Williamson wants to understand how mountain hummingbirds, specifically two species, respond to extreme environments in the high-elevation Andes Mountains of Peru and Bolivia. To further that agenda, Williamson, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology, received a four-year research grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), in the amount of $1.066 million, for her project titled Genomic and eco-physiological mechanisms of hypoxia resistance in mountain hummingbirds. The grant, awarded from NSFs Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, begins Dec. 15 and continues through Nov. 30, 2029. Williamson will serve as the grants sole principal investigator and lead a research team that will study the high-elevation resident northern giant hummingbird (Patagona peruviana) and the elevational migrant southern giant hummingbird (P. gigas), of which some populations shift seasonally from sea level to over 13,400 feet in elevation -- much higher than Medicine Bow Peak. High elevations impose extreme physiological stress on these hummingbirds due to cold temperatures and oxygen scarcity, which is known as hypoxia. High elevations push organisms to their physiological limits. Yet, mountains are biodiversity hotspots worldwide, Williamson says. I study how birds cope with challenging high-elevation environments and how species adaptations contribute to shaping patterns of biodiversity. Williamson and her team will conduct experiments in the field in Peru to understand how individual hummingbirds respond to shifts in temperature and oxygen pressure, and will collect data on blood physiology, gene expression and behavior. Her team also will sequence hundreds of whole genomes from giant hummingbirds to understand how they are adapted to specific environmental conditions. An exciting component of this grant is that we will then synthesize these integrative and complementary datasets to generate spatial forecasts of adaptive capacity across the Andes, Williamson says. Ultimately, these predictive maps will tell us whether, and how, some populations are more resilient than others to current and future environmental change. This grant work will build on nearly a decade of research already conducted by Williamson and her research team that involved using a combination of whole genome sequencing, migration tracking with miniaturized backpack devices, and analyses of blood physiology and morphology. The northern and southern giant hummingbird species are the largest hummingbirds in the world, about 10 times larger than the tiny broad-tailed hummingbirds that zoom around backyards in Wyoming, Williamson says. The grant will support two new UW graduate students -- Margaret Hemp, a first-year Ph.D. student from Jamestown, R.I.; and Collin Porter, a first-year Ph.D. student from Williamsport, Pa. The grant also includes funding to support UW undergraduate students during the school year and summer, as well as funding to support a postdoctoral researcher. Additionally, the NSF grant will support educational outreach. The research will provide hands-on molecular lab, bioinformatics and field training for early-career scientists. It will involve close partnerships with collaborators at the Centro de Ornitologia y Biodiversidad in Peru and the Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado in Bolivia. Our team of students and researchers from UW, Peru and Bolivia will offer skill-building workshops and teach biodiversity-focused educational units, Williamson explains. This grant also will enable us to grow museum collections and build natural history infrastructure in the U.S. and South America. This grant provides a critical foundation from which to start my lab here at UW, Williamson continues. It will allow me to pursue ambitious questions at the intersection of ecology, evolution and physiology; build a collaborative team; train the next generation of scientists; and contribute to natural history museums and education in meaningful ways. I am very grateful to NSF for supporting our research, and I could not be more excited to get started. Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. The Venezuelan stylist, one of the 252 men deported by the United States to a third nation for the first time, is trying to rebuild his life after four months of detention On Monday, August 18, Andry Hernandez Romero completed one month of freedom after being detained for four months at the Terrorist Confinement Center (Cecot) in El Salvador. U.S. immigration authorities handcuffed him and deported him in mid-March under the Alien Enemies Act, accusing him of being a member of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang. His case immediately gained visibility thanks to the efforts of his family and friends, who constantly shared evidence (such as his 12 years dedicated to professional makeup and his artistic activities) that distanced him from any illicit activity. His deportation and that of more than 200 of his compatriots with no criminal records also highlighted how the Trump administration was capable of stripping hundreds of foreigners of their rights in order to further its anti-immigrant crusade. Our lives have changed completely, in every way. Our bodies are free today, but our minds are still there. We still dont understand many things, we still dont remember many things, Hernandez Romero said in a video call with EL PAIS. The 32-year-olds return to the town of Capacho, in the Venezuelan Andes, became an event among his neighbors, friends, and family, who welcomed him with boiled Tachira stew and cake. I was shocked to see his fingernails. They were like a homeless persons. Hes a man who takes great care of his personal image... It hurt me to see him so emaciated, says his best friend, Reina Cardenas, who founded the Committee in Defense of Tachira Residents Deported and Sent to El Salvador, along with other relatives of detainees. Andry Hernandez shows his tattoos, in Lobatera, Venezuela, on August 22, 2025. Yoels Rodriguez The journey that took him to the United States, crossing the Darien jungle and the whole of Central America into Mexico, ended in fruitlessness. I never set foot on a street in that country, says Hernandez Romero. On August 24, 2024, he showed up for a scheduled interview using the CBP One application at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego, California. He passed a preliminary evaluation, and officials determined he had a well-founded fear of being persecuted if he returned home. However, during a physical examination, an agent saw his tattoos and decided to transfer him to the Otay Mesa Detention Center in the same city. Ive had my tattoos for eight years, two crowns on my wrists with the words dad and mom, in honor of my parents and the Three Kings Day celebration in my town, which I have participated in for 26 years. I never thought they would mistake me for a gang member, he explains. On the points system the Department of Homeland Security uses to classify criminals based on their appearance, he received a five and an orange jumpsuit. He spent nearly seven months in pretrial detention, facing deportation. His attorneys, Lindsay Toczylowski and Paulina Reyes of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, learned of his case and quickly took on his defense, winning his asylum case in court (which he claimed based on persecution for his sexual orientation and political beliefs and which was denied by a California judge in late May). However, in March of this year, just before a court hearing that would determine his situation, Hernandez Romero was transferred to Nuevo Laredo, Texas, and deported to El Salvador. His reception at President Nayib Bukeles maximum-security prison was marked by humiliation: his hair was shaved against his will. If it was horrible for everyone else that they did it, imagine what it meant for a stylist like me to see myself kneeling down and completely bald, he laments. Im not a gang member. Im gay. Im a stylist, were the words he uttered at the time; a statement that would bring harsh consequences during his time in prison. Andry Hernandez Romero poses for EL PAIS, in Lobatera, Venezuela, on August 22, 2025. Yoels Rodriguez 252 strangers entered, 252 brothers left Hernandez Romero shared a cell with 19 other inmates at the Cecot. In an environment dominated by heterosexual men, where machismo and discrimination are part of the group dynamic, the young makeup artist drew a line that allowed him to survive behind bars. Im one of those people who thinks theres a space for everything. One to be serious, one to be gay, one to joke around. From the moment I set foot in El Salvador, I told the others: You respect me and I respect you. My ID says male, so I behave like a man. Although sometimes I threw in a joke to make us laugh and lighten the load of what we were going through [...] The truth is that 252 of us went in as strangers and 252 of us came out as brothers, he says. The camaraderie and respect among the detainees grew even stronger after Hernandez Romero experienced the most devastating incident since his deportation. I was sexually abused at the Cecot. It happened a month and a half after my arrival. It has been very difficult to relive this whole event, but as the mental health specialists treating me tell me, you have to relive it to heal and forget, he confesses. He wasnt the only homosexual in the group, but he was the only one who openly expressed it. It was rumored that there were four other gay people, but they kept it to themselves, he adds. The guards, who remain masked at all times during their duties, made him their target. Marry me, Ill give you the papers so you can become a Salvadoran woman, Im going to get you pregnant, faggots are accepted here, Take birth control pills so you dont get pregnant, were just some of the lewd comments he received from the moment he entered the prison. His fellow inmates began to notice the situation and protect him accordingly, but none could prevent what happened next. The United States government talks about the crimes foreigners commit against its citizens, but remains silent when they are the ones committing or allowing crimes against others, protests the Venezuelan, who is the main plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against the Trump administration over the use of racial profiling in the deportations of immigrants, led by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. Noems visit to the Cecot at the end of March, after the Venezuelans arrival, gave Hernandez Romero the opportunity to speak out against the harassment and mistreatment he was being subjected to. I was in cell nine and couldnt see her because she only made it to cell five. She couldnt continue because we started shouting, Freedom, freedom! and signaling for international help, he recalls. Andry Hernandez applies makeup to Gabriela Mora, the girlfriend of his fellow prisoner Carlos Uzcategui, hours before their civil wedding in Lobatera, August 22, 2025. Yoels Rodriguez Hernandez Romero returned to Venezuela and has no plans to emigrate a second time. Being with his family is his top priority these days, although he hopes to reunite with his partner, a U.S. citizen living in Pennsylvania, with whom he was in constant communication during his detention in California. We still talk daily. Hes a psychologist and has supported me throughout this process, but we dont know when or where well see each other again, he says. His return home also meant starting almost from scratch. He arrived without clothes, without a cell phone, and without much of the work material he had. He gave it away before leaving. His friend Reina Cardenas, who had been one of the recipients of the gift, kept some of the makeup and returned it to him so he could resume his craft. I plan to open my own beauty salon, although I dont know when that will happen because opening a business in my country is still an uphill battle. But what I want most is to clear my name. Im not a terrorist. Im a man who has worked in radio, television, advertising, and theater. I have nothing to do with gangs or crimes of any kind, he says. Communication with their fellow prisoners at the Cecot hasnt diminished with their return to their homeland. The 11 released Cecot prisoners who live in Tachira State and the surrounding area started a WhatsApp group to support each other during the difficult readjustment process theyve endured. Sometimes we laugh about the things that happened to us to keep from feeling bad, but there are times when loneliness takes over and its hard to remember, he notes. They also plan to take a trip with their families in the coming months. Gabriela Mora and Carlos Uzcategui during their civil wedding ceremony, with Andry Hernandez acting as witness, August 22, 2025. Yoels Rodriguez For now, last Friday, August 22, in the town of Lobatera, the first reunion took place. Hernandez Romero attended the wedding of his fellow former inmate Carlos Uzcategui and Gabriela Mora. The wedding was a promise fulfilled between the couple after months marked by distance and the fight for the freedom of those deported to El Salvador. I worked hard with Andrys family and those of other countrymen for his release, and just as they created very strong bonds, so did the families. Its an honor for me to have him do my hair and makeup on my wedding day, Mora told EL PAIS the night before the ceremony. At his side, Uzcategui recalls a story. The night before we were released, I couldnt sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night, and Andry, who was in the cell across from me, said: Dont worry, were leaving tomorrow. And I didnt believe him. So many things had happened that I had lost faith. This wedding is proof that hell is over, but a part of us remains inside. Thats the battle were facing, he says. Both are trying to turn the hardest page of their lives. Carlos Uzcategui, Andry Hernandez, and Gabriela Mora pose for EL PAIS in Lobatera, August 22, 2025. Yoels Rodriguez Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sexual assault and robbery occurred in Rome suburbs. A 60-year-old Italian woman was raped and robbed of her phone in a park in the eastern outskirts of Rome while out walking her dog early on Sunday morning. An investigation is under way into the incident which reportedly happened shortly after 06.00 in Tor Tre Teste Park in the Alessandrino district. The woman, who lives near the scene of the attack, was taken to the Casilino hospital. Carabinieri police are studying security footage from the area in a bid to track down the woman's attacker, described by Italian media as "black" and possibly foreign, who fled after stealing her phone. One line of enquiry being followed is that the suspect was one of many homeless people who frequent the park, with investigators reportedly seeking to locate him by tracking the route of the phone stolen from the victim. Photo credit: Massimo Todaro / Shutterstock.com. Gordon Deegan Plans by a John Magnier Coolmore Stud-backed firm to erect a solar farm on a 549-acre site at Killough in south Tipperary have been stalled. This follows An Coimisiun Pleanala (ACP) confirming two third-party appeals have been lodged against the decision by Tipperary Co Council to grant planning permission to the solar farm to Marmoris Limited, trading as Killough Solar. ACP confirmed on Monday that the appeals have been lodged by the Moycarkey Community Association and Thomas Dwyer and Others. The firm lodged the planning application with Tipperary County Council after Coolmore Stud paid out a reported 6.5 million for Killough Castle and accompanying estate of 527 acres in the early part of last year. The documentation states that Killough Solar will create 80 to 100 jobs during the anticipated 18-month construction phase for the solar farm 6.5 km south of Thurles. In the planning application, Marmoris has been granted a 10 year planning permission for 745,168 sq metres of solar panels in the town lands of Killough, Clohoge and Graigue, Co Tipperary. The Council received 34 submissions with the vast bulk opposed to the plan and ACP may confirm further appeals in the coming days as it processes any additional appeals that may be lodged before the deadline for appeals at close of business on Monday. In granting planning permission, the Council concluded that the proposed development does not have an adverse impact upon the character of the area or the amenities of adjoining properties in the vicinity of the site. The planning authority granted planning permission after its planners report stated that the proposed layout includes a number of buffer areas including around Killough Castle, around recorded monuments, at the banks of the Lisnanagoue Stream and to provide for biodiversity areas. The Council also concluded that the impact of the proposed development on landscape and visual amenity is not significant. The planning authority found that notwithstanding the change of the landscape resulting from the new use, the solar panels are low profile, the site is not exposed or elevated, the residual impact once the proposed landscape mitigation boundary planting has become established is low. In one objection against the solar farm, Margaret Byrne stated that she has "several serious concerns" regarding the proposed development. Ms Byrne of Moycarkey Village, Thurles stated that the proposed development will have a significant negative impact on the local environment. Thomas ODwyer of Graigue, Thurles, told the council Coolmore, the Magnier family and associated companies like Marmoris Limited, as of 2024, control almost 11,000 acres of agricultural land in Co. Tipperary. He said: We can acknowledge their willingness to help Ireland offset its CO2 emissions and develop green energy solutions to power our homes, schools and businesses. He added: However why was this recently purchased Killough Castle farm selected over and above the other almost 11,000 acres of land in their ownership, particularly when this site is lacking the infrastructure to connect to the power grid to make it operationally viable? Alice Coman of Moycarkey Village, Thurles told the Council that the application creates a conflict for farm output. The Golden Vale is traditionally used for food output. This should get priority and brown field sites with good road and waste infrastructures should be considered as an alternative. Planning consultants for the scheme, Fehily Timoney told the Council that the project is led by Coolmore Stud and is designed to complement Coolmores environmental and sustainability initiatives while benefiting the local community and contributing to Irelands renewable energy targets. Ireland's leading home care provider Dovida Caregivers are launching recruitment drive in Waterford next month. The organisation helps people live as independently as possible within their own communities. Dovida are seeking to hire 20 new caregivers to help the growing number of people in need of their services. In the first week of September, Dovida will be recruiting across Waterford at the following: Monday, September 1, 10am - 2pm: Open day and interviews at Dovida Waterford, Unit 3 Cleaboy Business Park, Waterford; Thursday, September 5, 10am - 2pm: Recruitment stand at Dungarvan Shopping Centre, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford; Friday, September 5, 10am - 2pm: Recruitment stand at City Square Shopping Centre, Waterford City. Caregiving General Manager of Dovida Waterford Steven Tubbritt said: "National Hiring Week is a great way for us to get out and about in the community to connect with people looking to start a rewarding career in home care. "It provides us with an excellent platform to highlight what makes us an employer of choice in the sector and gives potential recruits the chance to meet local Caregivers and support team members to explore whether a career in care is right for them." Dovida offers both full and part-time positions as well as flexible hours in the mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends, allowing Caregivers to fit their work into their lives and balance it with other commitments. The company also provides comprehensive training and support, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development. "People who need support from Dovida want to maintain autonomy over their life, to experience belonging, pursue happiness and find purpose. Our Caregivers are key to ensuring that as many people as possible can do just that, Steven concluded. The Treasury, the Attorney Generals Office, intelligence agencies, tactical analysis and investigation teams, command positions in complex regions... Omar Garcia Harfuchs influence in the government apparatus grows month by month, under the absolute approval of President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has utmost confidence in the work of one of her top aides. The posting a few weeks ago of his colleague Omar Reyes to the Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) of the Ministry of Finance sheds light on the journey of the official, who just over a year ago abandoned the race for mayor of Mexico City under pressure from the hardliners within Morena, the ruling party. Much has changed in recent months. Coordinator of the Security Cabinet and Secretary of State for Security, Harfuch is reaping the rewards of that sacrifice. Eyes that once viewed him with suspicion now look the other way; voices that stifled murmurs of displeasure are now silent, forced by his evolution and growth. A stranger to the traditional left, to the grassroots movements in which his cabinet colleagues grew up, no one now has a problem with Harfuch, least of all the opposition, generally disoriented, and even more so in the face of a figure who usually generates consensus. Reyess arrival at the UIF expands the capabilities of Harfuch and his team. Reyes was one of the specialists who came with Harfuch to Mexico City in 2019, during the first months of Sheinbaums administration as head of government for the capital. He first worked in the local Prosecutors Office, and then Harfuch, by then head of the citys police force, appointed him to the Undersecretariat of the Penitentiary System. He is part of the generation that trained in 2000 and 2001, in courses organized by the former Attorney Generals Office (PGR) for career officials, explains a former colleague, who prefers to remain anonymous. They joined the Attorney Generals Office and then made the leap to the Federal Police. The current director of the National Intelligence Center, Francisco Almazan Barocio, is also part of that generation. He joined the capitals security forces at the same time as Harfuch and was later appointed to the federal Security Cabinet after Sheinbaums victory in the 2024 presidential elections. Reyes and Almazan make an ideal duo in the eyes of their erstwhile boss. The former now has the power to crack down on organized crime finances, supported by the newly created Specialized General Directorate of Criminal Operations. The latter manages Mexicos powerful espionage apparatus. Harfuchs sledgehammer has more perks. A few months ago, the senior official appointed another of his close collaborators to a key area of the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Organized Crime within the Attorney Generals Office (FGR). This is Cesar Oliveros, who has been in charge of the department investigating fuel theft, known in Mexico as huachicol, and vehicle theft for a few months. During Harfuchs years in Mexico City, Oliveros served as General Coordinator of High-Impact Crime Investigations for the local Attorney Generals Office. The list goes on. One of the capitals police commanders during Harfuchs tenure, Israel Benitez, is now in charge of Pemex Logistics, the department responsible for the oil companys security. In Guanajuato, one of the states with the highest homicide rates in the country, Governor Libia Denisse Garcia, of the opposition National Action Party, appointed Mauro Gonzalez to head the police force. Gonzalez also trained in courses organized by the PGR at the beginning of the century, like Almazan and Reyes. Like them, Gonzalez served in the PGR before joining the Federal Police, where he met Harfuch. For Carlos Perez Ricart, a Center for Economic Research and Teaching (CIDE) academic and security policy expert, Harfuchs evolution is evident. His position has been strengthened by pressure from the United States, he notes. The Secretary of Securitys good relationship with his American counterparts is no secret, a reason, according to the expert, for the colonization process he is undertaking in the federal government. It was going to happen anyway, but U.S. pressure has accelerated it. The case of the UIF exemplifies this, he argues. The latter surprises me. Under Lopez Obrador, the workload was more distributed; there were no super-powerful secretaries, only Adan Augusto Lopez at the end, he adds. The future of Sheinbaums administration rests in Harfuchs hands. Addressing the countrys insecurity and the growing power of the cartels in much of the country has become a priority. The apparent success of the security strategy, with a drop in homicides in the first months of her term, paves the way for the high-ranking official, who constantly boasts of drug and huachicol seizures. His control over the security apparatus is complete, thanks also to the laws Morena has passed in Congress. The only things beyond his remit are the territorial deployment of the Armed Forces and the customs agency. But everything else goes through Harfuch. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Waterford City and County Council, have launched an initiative titled, 'Clean Air Together Waterford', which is a citizen science project to measure air quality in Waterford.a Four hundred people, businesses and community groups across Waterford City and environs are needed to sign up to the project, which was launched on Monday, August 25, to help measure levels of the air pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide. Kicking off in October, the local authority said project will help it better understand air quality in Waterford city, and what needs to be done to improve it. The Citizen Scientists will use small measurement tubes to assess levels of Nitrogen Dioxide, a major traffic-related pollutant known to be harmful to our health and the environment. 'Together with all of the other data collected, these measurements will give a detailed snapshot of air pollution from traffic in the city,' said the local authority in a online statement. Speaking ahead of the launch, EPA Director, Dr Micheal Lehane said: The EPA is delighted to be bringing the Clean Air Together project to Waterford City. The project is a great opportunity for the people of Waterford city to become Citizen Scientists and play an active part in developing a better picture of and learning more about air pollution in their own city." Dr Lehane said data from the project will also provide important air quality data to the EPA and the Council. Taking part in the project is free and open to all residents, businesses or community groups in Waterford City and its environs," said Dr Lehane. "Taking part could not be simpler - you dont need to be an expert, and the project is open to everyone." Pictured at the launch of the 'Clean Air Together Waterford' project Once registered and selected, you will be sent a test kit with a measurement tube and easy instructions on how to get started. Participants will install their measurement tube on Thursday, October 2, and leave it in place for four weeks as it captures levels of Nitrogen Dioxide. Participants collect the tube on Thursday, October 30, and post it back to the EPA, free of charge. The tube will be analysed and a map of all results showing Nitrogen Dioxide levels measured across the city will be published early in 2026. When the project is completed, the EPA will publish a map showing the results at www.cleanairtogether.ie,aallowing people to compare their results to those in other parts of the city. Celebrating the projects launch, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Seamus Ryan said: I very much welcome this campaign to Waterford City and its environs and would encourage the people of Waterford to get involved. We can all play our role in helping to alleviate air pollution in our city." The importance of clean, breathable, quality air can never be underestimated," said Cllr Ryan. "Its benefits are manifold and have wide-ranging implications on our health, our well-being, our communities and our environment. The data gathered from the Clean Air Together campaign will not only help the EPA and Waterford City and County Council better understand nitrogen dioxide pollution in Waterford City, but more importantly it will help influence policies and put measures in place to reduce these levels. Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council added: This initiative aligns very well with Waterford City and County Councils ambition for the city to attain carbon neutrality by 2040. The reduction of major emissions and the development of meaningful sustainability must be done through innovation and in equal measure, collaboration and behavioural change." That is why the engagement of the public in this Clean Air Together project is paramount for the Council and the EPA to identify what steps can be taken to reduce nitrogen dioxide in our communities and to help to make Waterford the home to Irelands cleanest air," said Mr McKeown. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, September 17. For more information or two register go to www.cleanairtogether.ie Tramore declared clean while Dungarvan slips according to new IBAL survey. The annual survey of coasts and inland waterways conducted by An Taisce on behalf of the Irish Businesses Against Litter group showed that Tramore was clean to European norms. While Dungarvan was moderately littered. The An Taisce report for Tramore said: Tramore Beach, promenade and immediate hinterland were freshly presented and very good with regards to litter - fitting for a Blue Flag beach. The area is exceptionally well served by litter bins - this appears to be sending a clear message and is having the desired effect. The bins were well maintained, not full / overflowing, and dedicated pizza bins were provided. The 'Beach Borrow Box - Please Leave or Borrow a Toy' needs better management - discarded towel, a pair of flip-flops, alcohol bottles and cigarette butts were amongst the items found within the Beach Borrow Box. Apart from the items left at Borrow Box, the overall impression created at Tramore Beach was a very positive one. In Dungarvan, the report was also mostly positive, but there were areas in need of improvement. A lovely waterside environment, including the beautiful Walton Park with water feature, 'olde style' streetlamps, abundance of planting and seating areas - all of which were in very good order. However, some of the wooden seating had been defaced by the scratching of names onto the slats of wood. The street art on the utility boxes at the harbour were eye-catching and well maintained. Items other than plastic bottles had been deposited in the dedicated 'Plastic Bottle Recycle feature' (in the shape of a bottle). There were no traces of litter in the harbour, just land-based items - primarily cigarette butts, with lower levels of food-related items including lollipop sticks, coffee cups, fast-food wrappers and sweet papers. The tops of alcohol bottles had become lodged within the grass, said the report. Both Tramore and Dungarvan Tidy Towns host weekly beach clean-ups, while Tramore EcoGroup tidies up on Wednesdays. More information is available on the groups social media pages. NATIONALLY The survey was of 33 beaches, harbours, rivers, and their immediate environs monitored by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL in June and July. Of those, 17 were deemed clean, a 50% rise on the previous survey, while the number of areas branded littered fell from 11 to just 3. No area was placed in the lowest category, heavily littered. IBALs Conor Horgan says this is by far the most favourable result they have seen in eight years of coastal surveys. The trojan and ever-expanding work of clean coasts groups and other volunteers is instrumental in this, as is the investment by councils in facilities around our beaches. Legislative measures, such as the tethering of caps to plastic bottles and the Deposit Return Scheme, are contributing factors. It appears also that local authorities have upped their game in responding to busy periods at our beaches, said Mr Horgan. Cigarette butts, sweet papers, and fast food wrappers were the most commonly found litter items. The first coastal survey conducted since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme showed a 30% drop in the prevalence of plastic bottles and cans. Vapes were less prevalent than in previous studies, But there was no fall in coffee cup litter, which was found in 42% of the sites surveyed. The coffee cup levy seems to have died with the last Government, but these findings show that the case for it has not died. Coffee cups have become a permanent addition to the suite of litter items regularly found on our beaches. Its not just their visual impact - many contain plastic, which threatens sea life and, in turn, our very survival. Coffee cup-free coastal areas, along the lines of the Killarney model, would be very welcome. In 2022, Killarney became the first town in Ireland to phase out single-use coffee cups, said Mr Horgan. Next months Big Beach Clean Up is an annual call to action organised by An Taisces Clean Coasts, which is expected to attract over 600 groups and 15,000 volunteers nationwide to our beaches over a single weekend, September 19-21. Senior management from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) held what the organisation described as 'a positive meeting' with angler representatives on Friday with regard to a major fish kill incident in the River Blackwater, which runs through counties Waterford, Cork and Kerry. The meeting took place in Cork and was attended by Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, senior advisors, IFI Acting CEO Suzanne Campion, the EPA, and local IFI staff. The event was organised with angling and local stakeholders to provide an update on investigations relating to the recent fish mortalities. Preliminary results from the Marine Institute on fish sample analysis, and EPA on water quality analysis, were shared. A key finding from the Marine Institute was that no evidence of bacterial infection or systemic disease was noted in test samples. It's expected that virology results will be available towards the end of August. According to the IFI, testing to date also indicated the lesions observed are likely to be associated with an environmental irritant. Results to date from the EPA do not raise concern, and more water quality results will be available in due course. In an online statement a spokesperson for IFI said the organisation will continue to coordinate with relevant authorities including the Marine Institute, EPA, Cork County Council, and Uisce Eireann to investigate these significant fish mortalities. IFI Acting CEO Suzanne Campion Meanwhile, Suzanne Campion thanked local anglers and the public for the information they provided to assist local IFI staff in the agencys investigations to date. IFI has, and will continue to, share any information relating to this incident with the public into the future. IFI was pleased to meet with anglers in the area to discuss this issue, and I am delighted that Minister Dooley was able to attend," said Ms Campion. She said her organisation welcomed the "constructive engagement and collaboration with angler groups". We share their deep concerns over the very large number of fish mortalities on the Blackwater," she said. With regard to the meeting she said assurances were given to those in attendance of IFIs commitment to progressing its investigations, and of its work with other statutory agencies on the matter. Prior to the meeting Ms Campion said IFIs primary function was to protect and manage freshwater fish and their habitats. "The large fish kill on the River Blackwater is very distressing for anglers and others who enjoy the river," she said. "It is also distressing for IFI staff who have devoted many years caring for fish in the catchment." Ms Campion said the IFI's staff will continue to actively monitor the river to assess the scale of the incident. While some local angling clubs who use the river estimated the scale of the kill could be in excess of 40,000 fish the IFI's official estimate is that between 8,000 and 10,000 fish have died in the River Blackwater in the last two weeks. Ms Campion said that estimating the number of mortalities in a fish kill is always difficult as many dead fish will be taken by predators, caught under banks out of sight, sink to the bottom of pools or be washed downstream. It's also possible that the same fish may be reported by different observers. Ms Campion said the Marine Institute advice provided to IFI is that there is no precedent for dead fish to be removed from the river and deceased fish should be left where they are found. The EPA, which has been liaising with IFIs lead Senior Fisheries Environmental Officer throughout the investigation, inspected water treatment plants and licenced commercial discharges in the affected area and the EPAs preliminary results did not report anything of concern. It was a proud moment for sixth year students in Presentation Secondary School in Waterford City, who after six years of hard work and educational upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, finally received the excellent results they all worked so hard to achieve. On results day last Friday, many of the students visited the school to celebrate with members of staff and discuss their hopes for the future. For two students in particular the day held special meaning, as they learnt they had received the highest grades in the school in their respective programmes. 6th year student Hannah Cummins pictured with Guidance Counsellor and Year Head Declan Murphy and Principal, Sally Ronayne. Hannah Cummins achieved the highest grades in the Leaving Certificate, and Jodie Foley achieved the highest grade in the Leaving Certificate Applied. 6th year student Jodie Foley, pictured with classmate Allie Ryan. Speaking on behalf of the staff in the school, Principal Sally Ronayne commented, "We are extremely proud of all the sixth year students who received their results today, and we wish them the very best in their future studies." A local student achieved a perfect score of 625 points in this year's Leaving Certificate examination. Luke O'Brien Peterson, a boarding student from Waterford who attends Rockwell College in Co. Tipperary, secured seven H1s in his exam. Meanwhile, Kevin Kelly, a day student at Rockwell, achieved 625 points with six H1s. Overall, Rockwell students performed strongly, with 10% of the year group achieving 600 points or higher and 50% attaining 500 points or more. Congratulating the students, principal Audrey OByrne commented: Both I and all the staff of Rockwell College are incredibly proud of the Class of 2025 today, not only for their achievements in the Leaving Certificate, but for their dedication to and support for each other. We wish them every success in this next stage of their learning and their lives. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel OConnell, the Great Liberator. He was born on August 6th 1775 at Carhan House, near Cahirciveen, County Kerry. A program of events to mark the 250th anniversary of OConnells birth was launched by Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport. A State-led commemoration was held in Derrynane House, OConnells ancestral home on 6th August last (the day of his birth). The keynote address was given by Taoiseach Micheal Martin. It is indeed fitting that OConnell should be commemorated as his legacy is immense. Both Church and State today have much to learn from the Great Liberator. I dont have a background in history as a subject so I feel inadequate to the task of highlighting the powerful impact of OConnell on Irish history; however, I feel almost duty-bound to reflect on his outstanding contribution as a humanitarian and champion of human rights. My reflections are guided by Fergus OFerralls biography of Daniel OConnell. One of OConnells greatest achievements was in forcing the British government to concede Catholic Emancipation in Britain and Ireland in 1829. He campaigned for decades so that Catholics would have civil and political equality with Protestants. This included the right to sit in parliament without prejudice to Catholic beliefs and the opening of state and judicial offices to Catholics on an equal basis with Protestants. OConnell highlighted the fact that Catholics were excluded from over 30,000 offices in parliament, in law, in the army and in the navy. He campaigned for an end to the parliamentary oath (which all MPs were obliged to take) but which described the Catholic religion as superstitious and idolatrous. Such flagrant sectarianism and discrimination seem incomprehensible to the 21st century mindset steeped as it is in democratic principles. However, they were rooted in the prevailing ideology which was enshrined in the Protestant Constitution of the day. The Constitution provided for the establishment of the Church of England, which Parliament felt was necessary to guard the public conscience. Most Protestant politicians found it difficult to conceive of a State which did not profess a single well-defined religious conscience. The Constitution was thought to depend underpins the organisation of Church and State. So how could Catholics be accommodated within the framework of the Protestant Constitution? The demands of the Church of Rome seemed to be intrinsically irreconcilable with the very essence of Christianity. It was widely felt that Catholicism was destructive of civil liberty and tolerance. Moreover, it was felt that Catholics owed their allegiance to the Pope. OConnell challenged this doctrine. He pursued Emancipation because he believed religious liberty was a right for all people. He was convinced that it was possible to combine the fullest religious liberty with the utmost fidelity to the faith and doctrine of the Catholic Church. OConnell vehemently opposed the idea of a theocratic state. He wanted complete separation of Church and State. His aim was to reconstruct a self-governing Irish nation which would include Catholics, Protestants, dissenters and others living in harmony with full religious liberty for all. He sought to build a liberal Irish State. He would guarantee to all denominations perfect religious freedom and freedom of conscience. All citizens would enjoy universal suffrage, a free vote would be guaranteed. If only the Church remained faithful to OConnells vision! It took until the Second Vatican Council in 1965 before the Church espoused the right to freedom of religion for all, and accepted the principle of the separation of Church and State. We could have avoided the abuse of power and control exercised by the Church in 20th-century Ireland. Perhaps Church and State might reference OConnell for guidance as both institutions attempt to forge a new relationship. OConnell was very positive in his views on the role of the Church. He believed that the Church was to be on the side of the poor, the mitigator of poverty, the comforter of the distressed, the opponent of aristocratic selfishness, the true guardian of the gospel values. OConnell himself was an exemplary Catholic Christian, dedicating his life to defending the rights of the oppressed. The gospel value of the unique dignity of every person, created in the image and likeness of God was what motivated him to seek liberty for all: - declaring I am a friend of perfect liberty to every man of every colour, caste, and creed .. He believed himself to be the equal of any man and he tried to instil in Catholics of his day that they were not inferior to the Protestant ruling class. In his own words, he wanted to take the subdued demeanour and almost crouching walk out of his Catholic followers. He helped them believe in their true qualities and to be proud of their great Irish heritage. He also played a significant role in humanitarian movements in Europe and America, supporting the abolition of slavery and opposing the persecution of Jews. His political movement was based upon popular support and the mobilisation of the mass of the people. As Professor Maurice Bric put it: For OConnell, political causes were best pursued by bringing people power to bear on public policy. He abhorred militarism and violence, believing that rights can be secured in a perfectly peaceful and legal course, but cannot be attained by forcible means. If only Sinn Fein/IRA had heeded OConnells message at the outset of The Troubles! High Court Reporter The Show Jumping Association of Ireland has been restrained in the High Court from voting on Tuesday on a resolution proposing to remove its chairman, Des McFadden, and three other directors from the board. Mr Justice Garrett Simons told barrister Martin Canny, counsel for McFadden, Neal Doherty, Derek Reid and Aldyth Roulston, he would with great reluctance grant an injunction on the eve of the meeting at which a vote was to be taken. Mr Canny, who appeared with Marcus Hanahoe of M.E. Hanahoe Solicitors, told Judge Simons that a disciplinary process that might lead to the termination of his clients directorships had been commenced by the Association and most likely supported by eight named directors. The eight directors involved were identified as Marguerite Ryan, Ballinbarna, The Rower, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny; Taylor Vard, Hillside Stud, Ballyedmonduff, Stepaside, Co Dublin; Melvyn Kennedy, The racecourse, Danesfort, Co Kilkenny; Tony Hurley, Forest Lodge, Cullen, Mallow, Co Cork; Tomas Ryan, Mill Road, Thurles, Co Tipperary; Aideen Kirby, Coosane, Birdhill, Limerick, Co Limerick; Tommy Gibbons, Mayfield, Rooskey, Claremorris, Co Mayo, and Kenneth Feeney, Cluan Na Cathrach, Caheroyan, Athenry, Co Galway. The resolution to have been voted on had called for a decision on whether McFadden, Doherty, Reid and Roulston should be removed from the board and its standing committees on the basis that they had failed to properly inform the board on the content and extent of litigation involving the Associations Ulster Region against a former treasurer there. Mr Canny told Judge Simons that a letter had been sent by Mr Hanahoe to the Association last week, but had not been responded to, and a legal team had been working over the weekend on Mr McFadden and his colleagues' behalf to bring injunctive proceedings before the High Court. Mr McFadden, of Kilens Road, Mountfield, Omagh, Co Tyrone, said in written evidence that if not restrained, the Associations dismissal of him and his three colleagues would cause catastrophic and irreparable and irremediable damage to their good names and reputations. He stated such dismissals as planned could undermine court proceedings in Northern Ireland against former Ulster Region Treasurer Allison Mercer, who, he claimed, had failed to account for certain monies following queries that had been raised by the Associations auditors. To avoid unnecessary use of the words purported and supposedthe court will note that we are challenging whether the meeting was properly called (for tomorrow) or whether the proposed resolution is properly before the board of directors for a vote, Mr McFadden said. McFadden said companies under his management had turnover of between 10 and 20 million pounds a year and employed about 100 employees with offices in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. He said Neal, a quantity surveyor, was chairman of the Ulster Region finance committee. Reid, a member of the Ulster Region Committee, had not always been popular with equestrian centres and those gaining financially from the sport, but had stood by his principles. Ms Roulston was heavily involved in show jumping and had served as chef dequipe for the Irish pony team in the past. All feared being deeply damaged if the vote to dismiss them went ahead. Judge Simons said he would bring the matter back before him in the fastest possible time and put the proceedings in for consideration on Wednesday. On Saturday, September 21, Waterford will host two Memory Walks in honour of World Alzheimers Day. The Waterford events will be held at SETU Arena in Waterford City, and Dungarvan, bringing together families, friends and communities to walk in solidarity with the 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland and to honour those who are sadly no longer with us. People in Waterford City and Dungarvan are encouraged to join in on the walks, which are sponsored by Aviva. Local Champion, Marie Smyth will lead the Waterford City Alzheimers Memory Walk, starting at 11am from the SETU Arena. The community will be invited to gather and walk a 2km scenic route by the River Suir with a longer option also available. Marie said: "I cant wait to breathe in that fresh river air, swap laughter and stories, and feel our communitys warmth. Well walk for those living with dementia, honour loved ones weve lost and raise vital funds for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. In Dungarvan, National Community Engagement Manager for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Cathryn OLeary will lead the Memory Walk and is calling for the community to get involved. She said: "Lets make this years Dungarvan Memory Walk the biggest and best yet by coming together to mark World Alzheimers Day and walking to support those living with dementia and their families and carers and remember those who are sadly no longer with us." To learn more and to register, go to memorywalk.ie. An evening with Michael Harding, September 18, Theatre Royal Michael Hardings father had a profound effect on his life. In 2023 Michael walked the Camino de Santiago and wrote a volume of memoir titled, 'I Loved Him from the Day He Died'. Join Michael as he brings to life the Camino Walk and the father who shaped his life. Following a sold-out tour to regional venues in the spring of 2025, Michael has added a small number of dates to his tour, including this visit to Theatre Royal. Tickets available at theatreroyal.ie Griefs Current Shape by Ciara OConnor, September 6 to November 8, Garter Lane Arts Centre 'Griefs Current Shape', is a new thread-based exhibition by Ciara OConnor which explores the various stages of grief, and a personal attempt to lean into it all. Ciara OConnor is a Kerry-based visual artist who works primarily with textiles and free-motion embroidery. Her work is figurative and deals with themes of identity, feminism, trauma and recovery. She is interested in pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques to tell contemporary stories. Since returning to her practice in 2019, she has been selected for 15 group shows, including Following Threads in Crawford Art Gallery, and RUA and RSA Annuals. She had her first solo show in Garter Lane Arts Centre, in 2022, and has featured in FAIRE, Image Magazine, The Irish Examiner, The Kerryman, and VAN Jan/Feb 2024. Her second solo show opens on September 6 in Garter Lane Arts Centre. The free exhibition is available at the Main Gallery at Garter Lane The Delines Live, September 25, Bank Lane The much-loved Americana soul band, The Delines, return to Waterford for a highly anticipated performance. This marks their third visit to the city, following two sold-out shows at the Imagine Arts Festival (2019) and Subterranean Sounds (2022). Hailing from Portland, Oregon, The Delines were born out of cult alt-country band Richmond Fontaine. The group is led by the acclaimed novelist and songwriter Willy Vlautin, and fronted by the velvet-smooth vocals of Amy Boone, backed by an exceptional band: Sean Oldham (drums), Cory Gray (keys/trumpet), and Freddie Trujillo (bass). Their just-released fourth album, 'The Lucky and the Doom', continues their tradition of cinematic, character-driven songwriting and lush, soulful arrangements. Tickets at banklane.ie Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has lauded the Albanese government and authorities for prompt action in expelling the Iranian ambassador, and for designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation. Speaking to the ABCs Afternoon Briefing, Turnbull said some people had criticised the government for not doing enough to counter antisemitism. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. Alex Ellinghausen This is an example of them doing exactly what they should do, he said. Weve got to be very clear about this these antisemitic attacks were talking about here the attack on the delicatessen [in Sydney] and synagogue in Melbourne this was not the work of Australians. There may have been some Australians being paid to do it, criminals no doubt, but it is vital that we do not import these conflicts from the Middle East into Australia. On Australias acknowledgment of Palestinian statehood, Turnbull said there were very good arguments for not recognising Palestine as a state, regardless of what you think about the cause for Palestinians. They clearly do deserve a state of their own, and they do deserve to be protected from the violence that theyre suffering from at the moment, he said. The problem with Palestine is that it isnt in control of its borders, its effectively occupied territory, so you can make a lawyers argument and very good one for not recognising it as a state. Countries that have [recognised it] are doing so as a sign of solidarity for the Palestinian people, and a sign of saying to them, and to the world: We believe that you are entitled to have a state of your own. We believe in a two-state solution. The Gustavo Petro administration attributes the attack that left six dead in Cali to the leader of the FARC dissidents of the Central General Staff, which it now considers a terrorist organization Colombias third-largest city is under siege by Ivan Mordisco, a veteran warlord, presumed dead on more than one occasion, who refuses to lay down his arms. Nestor Gregorio Vera Fernandez, his real name, heads the structures grouped within the self-styled Central General Staff (EMC), the largest dissident group of the defunct FARC guerrilla organization, which this week launched a cylinder bomb attack on an air base in Cali, leaving six people dead and more than 70 wounded. Mordisco is a traqueto (drug trafficker) dressed as a revolutionary, as President Gustavo Petro has defined him. What happened in Cali shows us the shift of Ivan Mordiscos dissidents toward purely terrorist actions, the president said after last Thursdays attacks, which he considered crimes against humanity. The EMC, the Second Marquetalia, and the Gulf Clan, all FARC offshoots and heirs to paramilitarism, will be considered terrorist organizations, prosecuted anywhere in the world, Petro emphasized. These are three of the armed groups with which Petros government opened talks as part of its total peace policy. The Central General Staff, specifically, sat down to negotiate on October 8, 2023, after months of rapprochement. It even agreed to a bilateral ceasefire, but the group, which had been a fragile federation of fronts, eventually fragmented in April 2024 when more than half of its men walked out, urged by Mordisco himself the minority faction of Calarca Cordoba is still involved in talks. By then, the process had entered its umpteenth crisis, following a series of actions by dissidents that included attacks against military targets and Indigenous communities, such as the murder of leader Carmelina Yule in the department of Cauca, neighboring Cali. The offensive against the EMC in Cauca is total, Petro proclaimed at the time. Danilo Rueda, former High Commissioner for Peace, speaks at the dialogue table with the Central General Staff, in Tibu, October 8, 2023. Ferley Ospina The integration of dissident groups into the total peace fold was, from the outset, one of the greatest challenges of the Petro administrations flagship policy, which is now blurred. In the plural, since several organizations at different times withdrew from the Havana talks that led to the peace agreement at the end of 2016. The label dissident groups deserves its plural, as it is an amalgamation of organizations that are difficult to classify. The Mordisco factions and Ivan Marquezs decimated Second Marquetalia consolidated their position as the most notorious, acting as a kind of umbrella organization. Both were designated as terrorist organizations by the United States when it removed the FARC from that blacklist, disarmed and transformed into a political party. Both also engaged in a war to the death in some regions, in which several of their leaders fell in confusing clashes most often across the border with Venezuela. Gentil Duarte seemed to emerge as the winner, and the most visible face of the dissidents, to the point that people were talking about Los Gentilianos. But he was assassinated in May 2022. Mordisco has since garnered power and managed to survive for nearly a decade as one of the most-wanted dissidents, despite having been presumed dead at the end of the presidential term of Ivan Duque (2018-2022), Petros predecessor. He reappeared two months later in a video to express his willingness to engage in dialogue with the new government. And later, wearing glasses and a military uniform, in the plains of Yari, now as head of the then-newly named Central General Staff. A few weeks ago, rumors, never confirmed, circulated again that he had been killed. And this very Saturday, he addressed a public letter to Petro, after authorities captured his brother, accused of serving the dissidents. I dont believe in Colombian justice, but I trust in revolutionary justice, wrote Mordisco. Ivan Mordisco, during a meeting of the Central General Staff, in the plains of Yari. STRINGER (Reuters) He is recognized as dogmatic and radical, always in disagreement with a political solution or negotiation, said a report on the origins of the dissidents by the Ideas for Peace Foundation (FIP), which attributed to him a process of criminal degradation. He was distinguished by an openly hostile attitude toward agreements and those who promoted them. He was also characterized by his opposition to illicit crop substitution programs, in addition to marked violence and distrust toward the civilian population, particularly Indigenous communities. Recognizing the EMC as an armed group with political status was a risky step, one that the Petro administration was willing to take when it proposed negotiating simultaneously with all armed groups. It is the worst strategic error committed in Colombia in the last 25 years and the greatest damage done to the peace process, Sergio Jaramillo, the Peace Commissioner who sealed the agreement with the FARC, warned in a statement before the Constitutional Court. These groups are, among others, most responsible for the murders of signatories and the forced recruitment of minors. Buildings damaged by the attack near the Marco Fidel Suarez Military Aviation School in Cali last week. Santiago Mesa Even after losing half of its members in the split, the Mordisco dissidents operate throughout much of the south of the country. They do so both in the so-called Amazon deforestation arc and in three troubled southwestern departments: Cauca, Narino, and Valle del Cauca. There, Cali holds great symbolic weight as the de facto capital of the entire Pacific region and the third most-populous city in Colombia. For the EMC, launching actions against the state there is a show of force. There are other locations in the Valle del Cauca, such as Buenaventura, the main port on the Pacific, two and a half hours away by road, with strategic value due to its access to the sea. Ultimately, the municipalities of southern Valle del Cauca and northern Cauca respond to the same dynamic of the armed conflict. They are strategic corridors fought over by armed groups because they are crucial for illegal economies. Cauca has been one of the historical centers of the armed conflict. Since the FARC-EP laid down their arms, the EMC dissidents have reconfigured and consolidated their territory without the state being able to prevent it, noted an analysis by Kyle Johnson, a researcher at the Conflict Responses Foundation (CORE), in response to another wave of attacks prior to last weeks. No security policy neither the Santos administrations Victoria Plan nor the Orus plan, nor the Duque administrations strategy, nor the Petro administrations proposals has contained their expansion. Although there are differences on paper, in practice they have not translated into results. In addition to the muscle provided by their illicit economies, they have achieved a certain internal cohesion that allows them to coordinate attacks, move members between fronts, and operate in different scenarios. Last weeks bombing, part of a pattern of attacks on military and police facilities in Cali, also serves as a warning about the level of EMCs penetration in Colombias major cities, not just in rural areas, warns Elizabeth Dickinson of the International Crisis Group. Its part of a strategy of terror to respond to the security forces offensive in other regions, such as the Micay Canyon, she adds, and thus increase the cost to the government of combating them. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Advertisement NationalWACrime This was published 3 months ago Inside the world of the occult podcaster charged with his fiancees murder Hannah Murphy August 25, 2025 2:51pm Save 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 An alarming number of Australian women have been killed in recent years. Find out more about their lives. Some of the cases are still before the courts. See all stories . A Perth podcaster charged with murder was a bit eccentric, according to his co-host, who was still audibly coming to terms with his friends arrest in an episode released at the weekend. However, the Waking World co-host, known to listeners only as Dale, said Tobias Nuttall certainly wasnt a monster he was just a normal dude. Tobias Nuttall, 32, has been charged with murder. Facebook The pair had worked together on Waking World for about two years before Nuttall was arrested and charged for the murder of his fiance in Perth last week. Police were called to a home on Reid Street in the inner north-eastern suburb of Bassendean on Wednesday following reports a woman had been stabbed. Advertisement She later died at Royal Perth Hospital and Nuttall was arrested and charged with her murder. Friends described the woman to this masthead as an animal lover and avid reader, who delved into psychology and philosophy and was head over heels in love with Nuttall. The woman had also appeared on Nuttall and Dales show, where she discussed growing up in New Zealand before moving to WA, and her experience working in the sex industry. However, of Nuttall, Dale told listeners in the episode posted on Sunday that hes not a conspiracy podcaster. Hes a guy thats got loads of information about lots of different topics, of which, some are conspiracies but its history, religion, geopolitics, conspiracies, secret societies, loads of stuff. Advertisement The podcast describes itself as two inquisitive minds on a quest for truth, they pull back the curtains of the mundane to reveal a world bubbling with mysteries, hidden agendas, and esoteric knowledge. Tobias Nuttall in a recent Waking World episode that was filmed and uploaded to YouTube. YouTube/WakingWorld Episodes covered the John F Kennedy assassination, MK Ultra, Zionism and what the pair called the worlds biggest scam COVID-19. A recent episode also discussed how the pair had managed to book moon landing conspiracy theorist Bart Sibrel as a guest, who has previously appeared on podcaster Joe Rogans program. Sibrel, who claims the moon landing was ultimately staged with the help of the CIA, infamously lured Buzz Aldrin to a hotel to interview him about faking the moon landing, before calling the astronaut a coward, a liar and a thief. Advertisement Meditation and an apparition Nuttall, who is from the north-eastern Perth suburb of Brigadoon, graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor of philosophy in 2019. He told podcast listeners back in 2023 he had become interested in the occult when he was 13 years old, despite being raised in a non-religious household, spending three days of his school holidays in sustained meditation. I remember practicing, I guess, what you would call a seance for the first time, he said, and detailed how he had meditated on a pentagram surrounded by the nature of his hillside suburb. Ive been there three days, and then I had a what youd call a manifestation take place, he said. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Courts Perth podcaster charged with murder is son of controversial GP It was a very bizarre combination of the wind picking up around me, trees shaking. And I remember very vividly a very shadowy apparition flitting right in front of me, as vividly as you are now. And you get that sense of chill and this tremendous sense of fear. Nuttall said he returned home to speak to his father Perth doctor Alastair Nuttall, who has himself made headlines in WA about what happened. One part of his life was as a doctor, [he was a] very rational, very intelligent guy. But theres also this other part [of him] which is very open to discussions about this, and again, it perhaps informed my view of this subject, because my like parental figure, was so amenable to it, Nuttall told the podcasts listeners. Advertisement Nuttall said he developed an interest in the metaphysical due to the experience, and delved deeper into science and mysticism where he found a like-minded community in Perth. I would go to bookstores or markets and chat with someone who was already a theosophical library, he said. Youd meet someone and you end up in these discussions but also you end up in a sense of shared exploration. Its like, hang on a minute. Youre into this too? What have been your results? Nuttall told listeners he enjoyed the works of famous occultist and Satanist Aleister Crowley, and spoke at length about the Loch Ness lake in Scotland, Led Zeppelin, demons, and the pyramids. Advertisement Nuttall would also frequently host a segment called Is it News? where he critiqued modern media coverage in Australia, with the summary: Its as bland as piss.... but its still interesting to see what the plebs are reading. Nuttall will appear back before court on September 17. He is yet to enter a plea to the charge. with Rebecca Peppiatt Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Exclusive PoliticsFederalResolve Political Monitor This was published 3 months ago Australians have their say on new climate targets as Coalition prepares for another brawl on net zero James Massola and Paul Sakkal August 25, 2025 3:00am Save 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 612 View all comments Australians have expressed support for a significant increase to the countrys emissions-reduction target as the Climate Change Authority prepares to recommend a much more ambitious 2035 goal. The latest Resolve Political Monitor survey showed 44 per cent of voters supported the goal of reducing the nations carbon emissions by between 65 and 75 per cent by 2035 a significant increase on the current target of a 43 per cent reduction by 2030. Targets are based on 2005 emissions levels. Climate Change Authority chairman Matt Kean (left) and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. Alex Ellinghausen Of the 1800 people surveyed exclusively for this masthead, 18 per cent opposed the more ambitious target, and 38 per cent were unsure or undecided. Support from Labor and Greens voters was recorded at 59 and 64 per cent respectively. The findings among Coalition voters mirrored deep division between the Liberals and Nationals on climate policy, with 32 per cent of Coalition voters backing the notional target, 29 per cent opposing it and the highest proportion, 39 per cent, unsure or undecided. Advertisement Climate change advocates support the more ambitious target, while some business groups oppose it. The Climate Change Authority, chaired by former NSW Liberal treasurer and climate change minister Matt Kean, is in the first half of September expected to recommend a 2035 emissions target to Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen in the 65 to 75 per cent range. A dispute within the Coalition over climate policy, which resulted in a temporary split between the Liberals and Nationals earlier this year, will be on display when parliament resumes this week. Labor has taken the rare decision to allow parliament to debate a private members bill put forward by former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce that would force Australia to abandon its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. The government will allow debate on the bill this week and every week until there are no more MPs who want to speak to it. Governments usually block private members bills from being debated, but the Albanese government sees political advantage in allowing debate. Advertisement Joyce, who is now a backbench MP, dismissed suggestions that debate on his bill to dump net zero would help Labor by highlighting the divisions within the Coalition, and said he wanted greater scrutiny of climate policies. I believe this [net zero] is doing massive damage and hurting poor people. I am very happy for our parliament at least to give some transparency to what I believe is a massive swindle, he said. Australia committed in 2015 to the Paris climate change agreement, which binds countries to net zero emissions by 2050 and interim reduction targets every five years, under former Liberal prime minister Tony Abbott. In 2018 Abbott then urged Australia to quit the Paris deal, but his successors Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison did not do so. Brawling over the Coalitions policy on climate change has continued since that time. Advertisement A swag of current Nationals MPs, including Senator Matt Canavan and former leaders Joyce and Michael McCormack, are now leading a push for the Coalition to dump its commitment to the Paris deal. Many Liberals support more ambitious climate action and fear further alienating major-city voters who deserted the Liberal Party in droves at the past two elections if support for the Paris deal is dropped. Over the weekend, the Queensland Liberal National Party voted to dump support for net zero, following a similar move by the WA Liberals, but the vote is not binding on the federal party. The Resolve poll showed 48 per cent of marginal-seat voters and 45 per cent of uncommitted voters supported a 65 to 75 per cent emissions target. Advertisement The findings on the 2035 targets are contained in the latest Resolve Political Monitor, conducted from August 11 to 17 and have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 per cent. Earlier this month, in a major speech to the Australasian Emissions Reduction Summit, Bowen foreshadowed a busy period ahead in his climate portfolio that included receiving and considering the Climate Change Authority advice on our 2035 target, and releasing that target alongside six sector decarbonisation plans and a new National Net Zero Plan. Related Article Opinion Climate policy Coalition of the unwilling: Climate wars will soon eclipse reunification relief Peter Hartcher Political and international editor That target will be ambitious and achievable, he said. Australias current target is a 43 per cent reduction in net emissions by 2030, set against the 2005 emissions level. Most experts believe that while Australia will fall short of reaching its 2030 target, a more ambitious 2035 target of 65 to 75 per cent will still be set by the Albanese government. A more ambitious target is likely to increase pressure on the government over stubbornly high electricity prices which have not come down substantially, despite a significant increase in cheap renewables. Advertisement The Resolve poll also asked voters about the best approach to take to Australias current 2030 targets. A total of 28 per cent of voters supported keeping the current target of cutting net emissions by 43 per cent by 2030, while 17 per cent supported a more ambitious target and 12 per cent backed rejecting or reducing the 2030 target and concentrating on net zero by 2050. Another 17 per cent rejected all current emissions targets, while 26 per cent of voters said they were unsure. Compared with June 2024, when these questions were last put to voters, overall support for the governments emissions-reduction targets had fallen by a couple of percentage points in most categories, though within the polls margin of error in most cases. On Monday, the Greens will use Senate rules to demand Labor release a tightly held climate change report. The government has sat on the Climate Risk Assessment for months amid fears that its findings are so confronting that its release needs to be managed sensitively. Advertisement The Greens Senate order to produce documents expires at 9.30am on Monday, and the government is not expected to release the cabinet-level material. Greens leader Larissa Waters said Australians had a right to know officials concerns about climate change risks before Labor started a debate about climate targets. Related Article Exclusive Liberal Party Right-wing group targets weakling Liberals, as Hastie pushes Ley to dump net zero We are extremely concerned about Labors decision to hide this assessment for over nine months. It is set to be a damning report which reportedly shows how continued coal and gas approvals are setting our country on a path to climate ruin with homes within five kilometres of the coast set to be regularly flooded, major drought risks for much of the country, and all coral reefs dead, she said. The government will soon launch its 2035 targets, which will show whether Labor intends to put the climate ahead of coal and gas profits, or whether their donations from fossil fuel corporations have slowed down progress yet again. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement Graphic content WorldMiddle EastIsraeli-Palestinian conflict This was published 3 months ago Not happy about it: Trump hits out at Netanyahu over Gaza hospital strike Matthew Knott Updated August 26, 2025 7:48am ,first published August 25, 2025 4:27pm Save 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 Warning: Graphic content An Israeli strike on southern Gazas main hospital that has killed at least 20 people has been condemned by the Albanese government as a likely breach of international law, with a senior minister rebuffing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus claim it was a tragic accident. US President Donald Trump, usually a reliable Netanyahu ally, again appeared to be losing patience with the 22-month war, declaring he was unhappy about the strike and predicting the conflict would end within weeks. Loading Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the hospital strike. At the same time, we have to end that nightmare. Advertisement Trump said he believed the war was coming to a head, its coming to an end. I think that we will have, I think the next two to three weeks, youre going to have a pretty good, conclusive, conclusive ending, he said. Rescue workers rushing to the scene of the initial attack were among those killed and injured in the second strike. Anadolu via Getty Images Right now, theyre talking about Gaza City. Theyre always about something. Its going to get settled. And Im saying, you better get it settled soon. You have to get it settled soon. Trump demanded a deal to end the war and return the remaining Israeli hostages in July, saying he expected an agreement between Israel and Hamas within the next week. But the war has continued, with Netanyahu rejecting a partial deal with Hamas and ordering the Israeli military to prepare to invade Gaza City. Advertisement Among the 20 people killed in the Nasser Hospital strike were five journalists, as well as medical staff, rescue workers and patients, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the war. Mariam Abu Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who had freelanced for Associated Press and other news outlets since the start of the war, was killed, along with a contractor for Reuters, cameraman Hussam al-Masri. Freelance journalist Mariam Abu Dagga, who had been working with Associated Press and other outlets, posing for a portrait last year. AP Al-Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, freelance reporter Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz, who wrote for the Britain-based outlet Middle East Eye, were also among the dead. Photographer Hatem Khaled, another Reuters contractor, was wounded, health officials said. Netanyahus office said the strike was a tragic mishap and that the military was investigating. Advertisement Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians, his office said in a statement. The United Nations secretary-general, along with Britain, France, Canada and others, condemned the attack, which Australian Environment Minister Murray Watt said appears to be a clear breach of international law. In this family handout photo, a person shows the blood-stained camera that Mariam Abu Dagga was carrying when she was killed in the strike. AP We utterly condemn this action, and its yet another outrage in a war thats gone on too long and cost too many innocent lives, Watt said. Its very clear that targeting or hitting hospitals, health workers and civilians is a breach of international law. Asked about Netanyahus claim that the strike was a tragic mishap, Watt said: This is not the first time weve seen Netanyahu apologise or accept what he calls innocent mistakes or mishaps. Advertisement Every time something like this happens, it costs peoples lives. Its not acceptable. What well do is continue to work with the rest of the international community to demand a ceasefire, to demand hostages be released, and to demand peace in the Middle East, and that requires some change from Mr Netanyahu. UK Foreign Minister David Lammy said he was horrified by the hospital strike, while French President Emmanuel Macron described it as intolerable. Hospital hit Israeli media reported that troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. Reporters from different outlets had regularly set up live TV shots at that location. Abu Daggas father Riyad, centre, and other relatives and friends pray over her body during her funeral in Gaza on Monday. AP Advertisement The first strike hit an upper floor housing operating rooms and doctors residences, killing at least two people, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the records department at the Gaza Health Ministry. Minutes later, as journalists and rescue workers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase to the scene, a second missile hit in the same spot, killing another 18. Around 80 people were wounded, including many in the hospitals courtyard, al-Waheidi said. Reuters, which demanded an explanation in a joint letter with AP to Israeli authorities, said it was devastated to learn of the death of al-Masri and injuries to Khaled. Injured Palestinian photojournalist Hatem Omar is helped after the attack. AFP AP said it was shocked and saddened by the death of Abu Dagga, who frequently based herself at Nasser, most recently reporting on the hospitals doctors struggling to save children from starvation. Advertisement We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, it said. The military confirmed its troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital, adding it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. Related Article Israeli-Palestinian conflict Israel kills Al Jazeera journalist and four colleagues in airstrike near Gaza hospital A British doctor who was working on the floor that was hit just after 10am, Gaza time, said the second strike hit before people could start evacuating from the first. They described just absolute scenes of chaos, disbelief and fear. People wounded from the strikes either directly caught in the blast or hit by debris entered the ward, leaving trails of blood. Stretchers rushed past visitors searching for loved ones. The chaos hit as the hospital was already overwhelmed, with patients with IV drips lying on the floors in the corridors in stifling heat, they said. Advertisement The journalists deaths come two weeks after one of Al-Jazeeras most recognisable faces reporting from Gaza, Anas al-Sharif, was killed alongside four colleagues in a strike on a tent near Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israel accused Sharif of being a Hamas cell leader posing as a journalist, a claim rejected by rights advocates, Al-Jazeera and organisations representing journalists. The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the bloodiest conflicts for media workers, with at least 192 journalists killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Aside from rare guided tours, Israel has barred international media from covering the war in person. News organisations instead rely largely on Palestinian journalists in Gaza as well as residents to show the world what is happening there. Stretchers rushed past visitors searching for loved ones. Anadolu via Getty Images The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, called on Israel to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. Advertisement The health ministry said on Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians had been killed in the war. with Reuters, AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter. Advertisement WorldNorth AmericaTrump's White House This was published 3 months ago Trump ran on a promise of revenge. Hes making good on it Nicholas Riccardi August 25, 2025 3:40am Save 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 101 View all comments Washington: US President Donald Trump ran on a promise to use the powers of the government for revenge against those he believed wronged him. He now appears to be fulfilling that campaign pledge while threatening to expand his powers well beyond Washington. On Saturday AEST, the FBI searched the home of John Bolton, Trumps first-term national security adviser-turned-critic, who in an interview last week called the administration the retribution presidency. Donald Trump in the Oval Office during his first term with then national security adviser John Bolton watching on. AP Trumps team has opened investigations into Democrat Letitia James, the New York attorney-general who sued Trumps company over alleged fraud for falsifying records, and Democratic senator Adam Schiff, who, as a congressman, led Trumps first impeachment. The Republican administration has charged Democratic congresswoman LaMonica McIver over her actions at an immigration protest in Newark, New Jersey, after arresting Mayor Ras Baraka, also a Democrat. Under investigation, too, is former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York mayor. Advertisement Trump has directed prosecutors to investigate two other members of his first administration: Miles Taylor, who wrote a book warning of what he said were Trumps authoritarian tendencies, and Chris Krebs, who earned the presidents wrath for assuring voters that the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden, was secure. The actions look like the payback Trump said he would pursue after being hit with four sets of criminal charges during his four years out of office. Those included an indictment for his effort to overturn the 2020 election. That indictment was gutted by the US Supreme Court, which said presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for official acts while in office. Related Article US politics Ex-Trump national security adviser John Boltons home, office raided by FBI Joe Biden weaponised his administration to target political opponents most famously President Trump, Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said on Saturday. Trump, she said, is restoring law and order. In addition to making good on his promises of retribution, Trump has deployed the military into American cities to fight crime or help with immigration arrests. He has sent thousands of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officers to patrol the streets in the nations capital, after activating the Guard and Marines in Los Angeles this year. Advertisement Taken together, the actions have alarmed Democrats and others who fear Trump is wielding the authority of his office to intimidate his political opponents and consolidate power in a way that is unprecedented in American history. You combine the threat of prosecution with armed troops in the streets, said Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College. The picture is pretty clear for anyone whos read a history book what kind of administration were dealing with. Past election investigations are a Trump focus Trump began his second term by pardoning more than 1500 people who were convicted of crimes during the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. His Justice Department, meanwhile, has fired some federal prosecutors who had pursued those cases. Attorney-General Pam Bondi ordered a grand jury to look into the origins of the investigation of his 2016 campaigns ties with Russia, and Trump has called on her department to investigate former Democratic president Barack Obama. Loading Advertisement The governments watchdog agency has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the special prosecutor who investigated Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and the classified documents stashed at his Florida estate. Those cases were among several that dogged Trump in the years between his presidential terms, including a New York fraud case and charges for election interference in Georgia brought by the Democratic prosecutor in Fulton County. All those investigations led him to claim that Democrats had weaponised the government against him. Related Article Donald Trump Excessive: Trump rejoices as $700m New York fraud fine tossed out It is amazing to me the number of people the Trump administration has gone after, all of whom are identified by the fact that they investigated or criticised Trump in one way or another, said Stephen Saltzburg, a former Justice Department official who is a George Washington University law professor. On Friday, Trump used governmental powers in other ways to further his goals. He announced that Chicago could be the next city subject to military deployments. Advertisement And after his housing director alleged that one of the governors of the independent Federal Reserve had committed mortgage fraud, Trump demanded she resign or be fired. He took to his social platform on Saturday to highlight the claims, as he tries to wrest control of the central bank. No charges have been filed, and it is not clear whether Bondi will investigate Trump sees himself as the chief law enforcement officer Vice President JD Vance denied in a television interview that Bolton, the former national security adviser, was being targeted because of his criticism of Trump. If theres no crime here, were not going to prosecute it, Vance told NBCs Meet the Press on Friday. Advertisement Trump said he told his staff not to inform him about the Bolton search ahead of time, but he stressed he had authority over all prosecutions. I could know about it. I could be the one starting it, the president said. Im actually the chief law enforcement officer. Bolton occupies a special place in the ranks of Trump critics. The long-time GOP foreign policy hawk wrote a book published in 2020, after Trump had fired him the year before. The first Trump administration sued to block the books release and opened a grand jury investigation. Both efforts were halted by the Biden administration. The actions look like the payback Trump said he would pursue. AP Bolton landed on a list of 60 former officials drawn up by now-FBI director Kash Patel that he portrayed as a tally of the Executive Branch Deep State. Critics warned it was an enemies list. When Trump returned to office in January, his administration revoked the security detail that had been assigned to Bolton, who faced Iranian assassination threats. Advertisement The FBI is now investigating Bolton for potentially mishandling classified information, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly. In contrast, Trump condemned the FBIs search of his own Mar-a-Lago resort in 2022. Retribution is wide-ranging, from judges to the military Trump has also targeted institutions that have defied him. The president issued orders barring several law firms that were involved in litigation against him or his allies, or had hired his opponents, from doing business with the federal government. Trump cut deals with several other firms to do free legal work rather than face penalties. He has targeted universities for funding cuts if they do not follow his administrations directives. His administration filed a judicial misconduct complaint against a judge who ruled that Trump officials probably committed criminal contempt by ignoring his directive to turn around planes carrying people being sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Advertisement A Chinese company, calling itself the organ factory of the future, has humanized a pig through genetic engineering to enable a transplant performed on a brain-dead man A 39-year-old man in a Chinese hospital, who was declared brain-dead, has become the first person in the world to receive a lung transplant from an animal of another species. The organ, from a genetically modified pig designed to prevent rejection, functioned for nine days until the patients family requested the experiment be ended. Scientists at Guangzhou Medical University claim that the procedure demonstrates the feasibility of this treatment, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. The Chinese company Clonorgan Biotechnology was responsible for humanizing the pig lung to allow its acceptance by the human body. The companys stated goal is to become the organ factory of the future. The first efforts to carry out animal-to-human transplants known as xenotransplantation were marked by setbacks. The first attempt occurred in 1906 when French surgeon Mathieu Jaboulay implanted a pig kidney into the elbow of a 48-year-old woman, without success. In 1909, German surgeon Ernst Unger transplanted a monkey kidney into the thigh of a 21-year-old patient, who died on the second day. After several desperate trials, research was abandoned for decades. The advent of the revolutionary CRISPR technique in 2012 a sort of molecular scissors that allow easy DNA editing ushered in a new era. In January 2022, American David Bennett became the first human to live with a pig heart beating in his chest, but he died two months later from an unexpected stowaway: a porcine cytomegalovirus. Clonorgan Biotechnology used CRISPR to genetically modify a Bama Xiang pig, a breed native to a mountainous region in southern China. The company inserted three human genes and silenced three pig genes to prevent organ rejection. The donor pig, a 70-kilogram male, was raised in total isolation under strict biosecurity conditions to prevent contact with pathogens. The results of the operation, performed on May 15, 2024, were published Monday in the specialized journal Nature Medicine. The researchers behind the experiment acknowledge its limitations. The man in Guangzhou had been experiencing a severe cerebral hemorrhage for 16 days but still retained his right lung, which may have influenced the functionality of his new left lung from the pig donor. One of the lead investigators, surgeon Xin Xu, explains the challenges: Our goal is to create a rigorous scientific path toward safe and long-lasting lung xenotransplantation, but today we are not clinically prepared, he tells EL PAIS. We are planning further experiments in brain-dead people. Many key issues remain to be addressed, such as testing double-lung transplantation, evaluating pig organs with more specific genetic editing, and refining immunosuppressive regimens [the combinations of drugs given to a patient to prevent their own immune system from attacking the transplanted organ]. Among the studys signatories are Dengke Pan, founder of Clonorgan Biotechnology, and surgeon Jianxing He, a leading figure in lung transplantation in China. David Bennetts transplant in 2022, using a genetically modified pig heart from the U.S. company Revivicor, ushered in a period of hope. Bennett himself joked when offered a pig organ: Will I go oink, oink? he asked his surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The second recipient of a pig heart, Lawrence Faucette from the U.S., died six weeks later due to organ rejection. Also in the United States, Rick Slayman, the first living patient with a genetically modified pig kidney transplant, died two months after the procedure, in May 2024, but his doctors attributed his death to a heart problem. Two months earlier, surgeons at a military hospital in Xian, China, transplanted a transgenic pig liver into a 50-year-old brain-dead patient the liver also came from Clonorgan Biotechnology, based in Chengdu. The lung is the most recent organ added to this list because it is one of the hardest to transplant, as it is constantly exposed to air and pathogens. In January 1997, Indian surgeon Dhani Ram Baruah claimed to have implanted a pig heart and two lungs into a 32-year-old man, Purna Saikia, who died a week later. The surgeon was arrested and charged with homicide, and there is skepticism about the actual transplant. The journal of the United States Society of Thoracic Surgeons does not include that alleged lung transplant in its history of xenotransplantation. Thus, the 39-year-old man in the Guangzhou hospital would be the first person to have an animal lung in his chest, albeit in a brain-dead state. Spanish surgeon Pablo Ramirez, from Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital in Murcia, has requested authorization to conduct a trial in which his team would transplant pig livers, genetically modified at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, into three patients with acute liver failure, for a few days until human donor livers became available. Ramirez praised the new study from the Chinese team. The scientific significance of this publication is that it demonstrates, for the first time in the history of medicine, that a polytransgenic pig lung, with human genes, can function adequately for at least nine days in a person, he says. Ramirez highlights that the pig organ did not trigger hyperacute rejection the most severe form of human immune response to an organ from another species in the Guangzhou patient. However, the brain-dead patient did experience a different type of antibody-mediated rejection on the third day, which the Chinese doctors controlled with immunosuppressive drugs. For Ramirez, the impeccable design of the Chinese experiment has illuminated the mechanisms of rejection and will allow new strategies for genetic modifications in donor pigs. On its website, Clonorgan Biotechnology emphasizes its goal: To become the global leader in the medical-use pig donor industry. In Spain alone, roughly 800 people are on the waiting list for a lung transplant. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A Louisville Metro councilwoman will host a community meeting this week to elicit feedback on the new setup for Bourbon & Beyond and Louder Than Life at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Dejaune Anderson appears in court in April 2024 for the murder of her 5-year-old son, Cairo Jordan. (WDRB photo) GPT Jesus is one example of a recent series of chatbots that draw on the New Testament and respond in different languages. The Church views the tool with suspicion, but also as an opportunity Having Jesus within reach. Literally. On your cell phone or computer. Every day, at any time. Thats what Paul Powers, a 43-year-old Dubliner, was thinking about before the idea came to him: What if I created an artificially intelligent version of Jesus? he says. He wanted to ask a priest questions about God at any time. And not just about religion, but also to talk, consult, and share his feelings. To feel supported. The answer to his question was: GPT Jesus. GPT Jesus is a chat within ChatGPT that offers everything from recommendations of specific Bible passages to a prayer or advice on coping with loneliness or the loss of a loved one. It has an answer for everything, just like any other intelligent chat. The difference is that this one acts as if it were Jesus himself providing the responses. Hello, Jesus. Peace be with you, my son. I am glad you speak to me with simplicity. How is your heart today? the chat replies. Powers decided to create GPT Jesus in a moment of solitude. In September of last year, he moved to the University of York, England, to begin a PhD in safe artificial intelligence, leaving his wife and two young daughters in Norfolk, four hours away. I had a lot of time to reflect and think. My mind wandered to religion, faith, Jesus, and God, he says over a video call. He was already familiar with these technologies and knew he could create his own GPT chat anyone can do it. He began feeding it with all the knowledge of Jesus, based on the New and Old Testaments and agnostic texts where Jesus was mentioned. But the most important thing, without a doubt, was the personality: I gave him the criteria so that when he responded, he would always do so as if he were Jesus and offer prayer and support. He would use the same phrasing, the same tone, the same personality he could capture from the New Testament, he says. GPT Jesus responds in the first person, offering spiritual guidance, emotional support, theological insights, and personalized prayers, with kindness and humility, always emphasizing love and forgiveness, explains its creator. GPT Jesus never gets upset; its programmed so that responses are never rude or contemptuous, always reflecting the perfect humanity of Jesus, adds Powell. As such, when GPT Jesus is asked about a controversial topic for the Catholic Church, it responds according to its programming. For example, when asked what it thinks about abortion, part of its answer is: My son, your question touches on a very deep and sensitive subject, because life, pain, hope, and the freedom of the human heart are intertwined within it. Powers confesses that he has no idea what the bot will say, since he hasnt fed it specific information, but rather the religious texts that ChatGPT already had in its database. GPT Jesus isnt unique. There are several chatbots some within GPT and others on their own platforms that impersonate not only Jesus but also Buddha, and in different languages. Buddah GPT, for example, answers questions even personal ones in a more theoretical way and without speaking in the first person. Richard Benjamins, co-founder and CEO of OdiseIA, a Spanish organization working for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence, explains that in recent years, companion AI has emerged. It involves people conversing with a system that is capable of maintaining a coherent conversation, a dialogue, and the result is very good, which is why it has created this new phenomenon, he says. Its a machine that doesnt judge, you can express your opinion without receiving criticism, only responses, he adds. People ask for advice, like what I can give my mother-in-law, but its really a mix of companionship and information, Benjamins explains. This can also carry certain risks: Some people use ChatGPT or other AI companions as therapy, but it can be dangerous because theres no professional behind it. The companys niche Companies with these types of products have been around for about three years, but theyve really taken off in the last year. This system applies to any segment and you can represent any figure; you can even create your own replica or that of a deceased loved one. For Santiago Collado, director of the Science, Reason, and Faith group and dean of the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Navarra, religion can really benefit from artificial intelligence. Because these tools are accessible to people and help explain and organize religious texts: Its like making them easier to access, he says. However, when the chat personifies Jesus himself, the perspective changes: Thats when it starts to cross a line, Collado maintains. I think its downright negative, because its playing with a lie. Hes not a person, and Jesus Christ is a person. Powers was born and raised Catholic, and one thing he questioned about GPT Jesus was the aspect of loneliness. One of the most important things about religious gatherings is the human connection, he notes, but technology is increasingly segregating us as individuals." And these kinds of products could make things worse. However, at the same time, he thought it could be a way out: a person who feels lonely, who cant go to church when they want, and for whom the Bible is somewhat accessible, would now have this personality they can talk to, who presents himself as Christ. The Vatican has spoken out about AI in recent years through official documents and conferences. One of the latest, Antiqua et Nova (from the Latin for old and new), published in January, mentions that AI lacks creative, spiritual, and moral dimensions. Furthermore, it rejects the idea that people are reduced to information processed by algorithms and are identified solely as a data set. It also opposes automated responses or decisions based on the behavioral histories that users generate when interacting with chatbots. However, it also recognizes the potential of this technology. Benjamins, who has served on an advisory committee for the Vatican (which has been in operation since 2019), highlights that Pope Francis was deeply involved in these technologies, always from an ethical perspective. He sought input from outside and produced nearly 20 publications on the topic, he notes. GPT Jesus is not the first nor will it be the last artificial intelligence product to reach religion. At the end of last year, a hologram of Jesus was placed in a confessional at St. Peters Chapel in Lucerne, Switzerland, to converse with the faithful. It was fed theological texts in more than 100 languages, allowing it to converse with more than a thousand people from all over the world for two months. At the end of the research, two-thirds of the visitors reported having had a positive spiritual experience, according to the news agency Efe at the time. Collado explains that artificial intelligence is welcomed in the Church for many administrative tasks and jobs. He even confesses that it could create a near-perfect homily for a priest to read, although it would be generic and predictable. He argues that technology can never do a persons work: People demand truth, and a truth that has to do with very profound issues, with the intimacy of what it means to be a person. These computer systems work with truth, but with mathematical logic. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Leesville, LA (71446) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. Slight chance of a rain shower. High around 75F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Areas of dense fog. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Weather Alert Bulletin: ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM SATURDAY TO 1 PM EST SUNDAY... * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches. * WHERE...Portions of central and northern Delaware, northeast Maryland, central, northern, northwest, and southern New Jersey, and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From 7 PM Saturday to 1 PM EST Sunday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury. && Info: Type: Winter Weather Advisory start_time_local: 2025-12-13T19:00:00-05:00 end_time_local: 2025-12-14T13:00:00-05:00 county_name: state: PA headline: Winter Weather Advisory from SAT 7:00 PM EST until SUN 1:00 PM EST county_fips: category: Met url: urgency: Expected severity: Moderate certainty: Likely geographicname: Upper Bucks County state_name: Pennsylvania The community found refuge from white persecution deep in the Everglades swamps centuries ago. Together with environmental groups, they succeeded in forcing the closure of the immigration detention center built on their ancestral lands When tourists wearing Alligator Alcatraz T-shirts walked into the Miccosukee Indian Village crafts shop in Florida last week, Troy Sanders, a 35-year-old member of the tribe who works as a museum guide, felt anger. You have people on the side of the road selling shirts that says, Alligator Alcatraz. And they come into the store thinking theres nothing wrong. Saying, Hi, being nice. They have a huge detachment from what it all means to us. The Everglades [the vast swamp ecosystem west of Miami] is meant for our tribes, it protects life, it shields it. Its not meant to detain life, Sanders says. The Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center, already notorious for the terrible conditions in which detainees are held, was erected in just eight days at the end of June, just over 12 miles from the Miccosukee people along the Tamiami Trail, the only road connecting Miami, on the east coast, with Tampa, on the west, crossing right through the heart of the Everglades. So in mid-July, the Miccosukee joined a lawsuit filed by environmental groups against national and local governments alleging that the center would cause irreparable damage to the fragile wetland ecosystem that is their home. They have lived there for hundreds of years and have a connection with that wet, unforgiving land that transcends idiosyncrasy; it is a primal, vital, and sacred attachment. The federal court in which the lawsuit was filed finally ordered authorities to dismantle the site within 60 days. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis assured last Friday that he will defend the continued existence of the detention center despite a judges order to close it. We got news last night that we had a judge try to upset the apple cart with respect to our deportation and detainee processing center down in South Florida, he said at a press conference, calling the magistrate an activist judge that is trying to do policy from the bench. Whatever legal future is pending for Alligator Alcatraz, the Miccosukee are proudly celebrating another instance in their long history of defending their land. A bus carrying detainees arriving at the migrant detention center, August 21. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI It goes back, naturally, to the origins of the country they are now part of. Before and after the independence of the 13 original colonies, which would eventually expand and become the 50 stars on the U.S. flag, it is estimated that hundreds of thousands of Native Americans died as a result of the consolidation of the American nation. The survivors were displaced to reservations and forced to assimilate into another culture. For much of the 19th century, Floridas Indigenous people fought to avoid relocation. All Native people southeast of the Mississippi had to be deported and removed from their homes to Indian Territory, which was Oklahoma. This included the Miccosukee and Seminoles. Abiaka, a very old Miccosukee chief, knew we werent going to win this war against the Americans. He took 100 of his people, Miccosukee and Seminoles, and disappeared into the Everglades, Sanders says. The swamps were their salvation. It was very difficult for the U.S. army to work logistically in the Everglades, moving their men, artillery, and supplies. Thats why were still here, because otherwise, we would have been taken to Fort Brooke, which today is called Tampa, put on a boat, taken over the Gulf to New Orleans, and made to catch up with the rest of the Native Americans on the so-called Trail of Tears, where they were herded like cattle to Oklahoma, Sanders explains. Miccosukee Reservation, in the Everglades, Florida. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Before having to settle in the Everglades permanently, the Miccosukee were already very familiar with the inhospitable wetlands, as they had been their hunting grounds for millennia. In the most intricate stretch of the river grass that stretches out of sight to the flat horizon, each family or clan settled on a tree island, where the ground was high enough to live. There they set up the chickee cooking hut, a kind of open-sided, palm-thatched hut where they kept a perpetual fire. Every family here, every clan, can more or less trace their lineage back hundreds of years to a tree island, Sanders notes. Today, although they dont live there, the tree islands remain the site of traditional ceremonies and are attended by each family. A map of the tree islands is part of the evidence presented in court against Alligator Alcatraz. Witnesses warned that the detention center directly threatens 80% of the tribes homes, two schools, and the tribal government building, according to court documents. They also indicated that wastewater could contaminate wetlands and affect the regions water supply, as well as placing endangered species like the Florida panther at risk. They also argued that noise, traffic, and lights disturb wildlife and cut off access to traditional hunting and gathering sites. The ruling by federal judge Kathleen Williams sided with them and emphasized that any habitat damage constitutes direct harm to the tribe, whose identity is linked to the Everglades. This place isnt just a showcase, its for living, Sanders passionately emphasizes. Its not for putting human beings on display. In his opinion, the immigration jail was a publicity stunt with political overtones. They put people in cages, in tents, and then they put up a sign on the highway with this clever, funny, stupid name. Then people come, taking photos like its Disneyland, he says, anger once again creeping into his words. But the Miccosukee dont oppose the detention center just because its a showcase of cruelty. For decades, the tribe has been at the center of several legal disputes that have set precedents for how U.S. courts interpret tribal sovereignty, environmental law, and the taxation of Native Americans. In 1982, for example, the tribe sued the state of Florida for illegal land grabs, resulting in the Florida Indian Land Claims Settlement Act, a law that extinguished land claims in exchange for thousands of acres held in trust. In 2004, they challenged Miamis pumping of sewage into the Everglades, a case that highlighted the Miccosukees role in defending the ecosystem and influenced the national debate on water transfers. Water has been the focus of many of their conservation efforts. The fragile ecosystem has been altered since the last century by urbanization and agriculture, particularly by the diversion of water from its natural course from Lake Okeechobee, north of the peninsula, to Florida Bay, a process that can take months or years. The entrance to the Miccosukee Reservation. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI A tourist airboat at the Miccosukee Reservation. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI A caiman in the reserve. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI View of construction work on Highway 41. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI In the Everglades, theres a rainy season and a dry season, Sanders explains, showing photographs. In the photos here, you can see the Everglades in the dry season. People pulling their canoes through the Everglades. People in oxcarts in the Everglades. That was the dry season. We havent had that cycle since the 1980s. Thats what happens when the wrong people are in charge of the canal systems, the levee systems, because they insist the Everglades must be flooded year-round. When you do that in an already fragile ecosystem, of course everythings going to be not right. The Miccosukee follow strict environmental standards when building infrastructure, and the process of constructing a new home, school, or health clinic often takes years. When Alligator Alcatraz was built in a matter of days, something was clearly wrong. They said they werent adding anything, that it wouldnt bring anything harmful or destructive to the Everglades. We knew better than anyone that we couldnt believe that, says the museum guide. About 600 people live on the Miccosukee Reservation, spread across 13 smaller towns, all near the Tamiami Highway. Amber Sanders, 23, an ambassadorship fellow for the tribe, shares how theyve sought more recognition for their conservation efforts, even though most of the Everglades remains largely privately owned. Its a mission that runs in her veins, she says. This is where I grew up this is the Miccosukee Reservation but I also grew up in my moms tribal village, and I go back and forth to my dads tribal village. Amber Sanders, ambassador for the Miccosukee Reservation, on August 21. Eva Marie UZCATEGUI Its a little world of its own. The reserves main school follows public curricula, but also offers Native American cultural classes. Next to the school is the austere city hall, the police station, a two- or three-story medical center, and a nursing home. Next door is a newly opened skateboard ramp where two young people practice under the relentless Florida sun. If it looks isolated out here, says young Sanders, pointing to the horizon, its because it is. And the Micosukee are dedicated to keeping it that way. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The lawyers of the detainee who became a symbol of Trumps deportation policy after being mistakenly deported to his country last March fear he could be sent to Uganda or Costa Rica Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran immigrant whose mistaken deportation from the United States to his country of origin made him a symbol of Donald Trumps hardline deportation policy, was detained again this Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when he appeared for an immigration court hearing in Baltimore, Maryland, regarding his case. His lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, reported that Abrego, 30, could be expelled again this time to Costa Rica or Uganda. Abrego had filed a request that he not be sent to any country before a full trial in which he can defend himself, and also before determining whether the host nation is willing to accept him. Abrego had a court order that prohibited him from being deportated to El Salvador, where he could face reprisals, but where the U.S. government nonetheless expelled him last March. The immigrant was part of a group of about 300 people, mostly Venezuelans, accused of belonging to the Tren de Aragua and other violent gangs. They were expelled under the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to the 18th century designed for wartime use. In many of the 300 cases, the deportations were carried out without evidence, or with scant justification. A Justice Department attorney later admitted that an error had been made in Abregos deportation order, and a judge instructed the government to bring him back to the United States. The Trump administration took months to comply with that judicial decision, arguing that it could not demand the Salvadoran government return one of its citizens and insisting that Abrego was a dangerous criminal: the Justice Department first accused him of belonging to a criminal gang, then of being an abuser, and finally of transporting undocumented immigrants within the United States. Since Abregos return in June after nearly three months in CECOT, the notorious Salvadoran prison for gang members the immigrant had been held in a Tennessee prison on a human smuggling charge, which he denies. Abrego was released on Friday, in compliance with a court order. Now, ICE has detained him again after he appeared for his appointment. His lawyer said that his client has been threatened with deportation to Uganda a country that has agreed to accept irregular migrants from third countries expelled by the United States if he does not plead guilty to the human smuggling charge. If he pleads guilty, he would be deported to Costa Rica, which has agreed to receive him as a refugee. Theyre holding Costa Rica as a carrot, and using Uganda as a stick, Sandoval-Moshenberg said at a press conference outside the ICE facility where his client is being held. Theyre weaponizing the immigration system in a way thats completely unconstitutional. According to the lawyer, Kilmar Abrego is willing to accept deportation to Costa Rica, where he would have refugee status and would not face the risk of being sent to El Salvador. But he does not want to be forced into pleading guilty. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Generational activisms: Women and social justice in South Africa When: Wednesday, 27 August 2025 - Wednesday, 27 August 2025 Where: 13th floor, Es'kia Mphahlele Building, above WAM Start time: 14:00 Enquiries: ditebogo.kalauba@wits.ac.za Generational activisms: Women and social justice in South Africa. The role of women in South Africas struggle against apartheid has been well documented and much praised. In the years since then, female leaders, workers, intellectuals, artists and practitioners have remained essential drivers in the fight for social justice, although their roles and ideas have not always been acknowledged in public consciousness. In this Womens Month edition of WiCDS Wednesday, we are joined by a panel of female activists to reflect on the intersectional complexities, challenges and joys of womens activism. Thato Mphuthi, Enabled Enlightenment: Thato is a disability justice advocate, writer, and founder of Enabled Enlightenment NPC, an organisation working to dismantle barriers, challenge stigma, and advance inclusion for persons with disabilities. Her work spans policy advocacy, psychosocial support, inclusive education, and community-driven initiatives that empower disabled people to claim their rights and dignity. As a new mother, she also writes candidly about parenting, disabled joy, and the intersections of gender, care, and accessibility through her blog My Crutches and I. Thatos activism embodies in her organisations bold slogan, disabling norms, by transforming personal experiences into collective action for equity. Wendy Isaack, MADRE Global Womens Rights: An Expert Member of the Gender Persecution Observatory, Wendy is an international human rights lawyer with more than 20 years professional experience in policy and legal advocacy interventions in Southern and West Africa, Palestine, the African human rights system and United Nations HQ. With expertise in developing multi-pronged advocacy strategies for the advancement of human rights in domestic, regional and international fora, Wendy has investigated and reported on womens human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity issues in several African states, including South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Malawi and Tunisia. An admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, she holds two masters degrees - in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government and in International Law, from the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. Bridget Munnik, Mashup Community Development: Bridget is more commonly known as Auntie Bree, the Mother Theresa of Westbury. She is a community developer, counselor, paralegal, assessor, moderator, facilitator and trainer, and the manager for the Mashup Community Development youth centre in Westbury. As well as extensive community networking, she appears regularly on Kofifi FM, SAfm, Rainbow FM, UJ FM, Eldos FM and radio stations in Cape Town. She has been interviewed by both Carte Blanche and Kyknet about crimes in the community. She is also Circuit President in the Women's Association at the Methodist Church. As an actor, Bridget is involved in frequent radio and stage productions about gender-based violence (GBV), substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and bullying. Her motto for young people is skill yourself dont kill yourself, and for women, speak out against GBV. Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven, Wits: Physician, educator, scholar and social justice advocate, Laurel is full Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Wits. As the former clinical head of Family Medicine for Southern Gauteng, she oversaw a service-training platform providing comprehensive primary health care to over nine million people. Baldwin-Ragaven researches and writes extensively on dual loyalty of health care workers, medical participation in torture, health sector complicity with apartheid state violence, gender-based violence, feminism and bioethics, migrant health, and training and education in health and human rights. Her undergraduate degree in American Studies is from Smith College, USA; and, she completed medical training at McGill University, Canada. What international climate change ruling means for Africa The International Court of Justice says governments are legally obliged to achieve deep, rapid and sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The International Court of Justice, the worlds highest court, handed down an advisory opinion on 23 July 2025 stating that climate change imperils all forms of life. This followed a case brought by Vanuatu, a tiny South Pacific island nation threatened by rising sea levels, supported by 131 other countries the biggest case the court had ever heard. The opinion sets out what all governments need to do to limit greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further global warming. Climate law specialist Zunaida Moosa Wadiwala explains how the advisory opinion sets a powerful precedent for global climate accountability. What did the International Court of Justice find? The courts advisory opinion confirmed that states have binding obligations under international law to protect the climate from human-caused climate change. Judge Dire Tladi, also the first ever South African judge at the International Court of Justice, described this as one of the most consequential matters ever brought before the court. He emphasised that climate change is an existential crisis that potentially threatens the future of humanity. Unanimously, the court issued the opinion that States have binding legal obligations to prevent further global warming. These obligations are grounded in climate treaties, international human rights law and customary international law. They are also grounded in global agreements to protect specific parts of the environment (like the Ozone Convention, Biodiversity Convention, Desertification Convention, and the United Nations law of the sea). The advisory opinion said governments must take appropriate measures to prevent environmental harm. This means that states are obliged to implement programmes to adapt their countries to climate change. They also need to show that they are reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The court also stated that breaching these obligations is an internationally wrongful act. As such, the government responsible will have to stop the harmful conduct. Theyll also need to guarantee that theyll never repeat the wrongful act and make full reparation to whoever was affected. The advisory opinion is poised to reshape international climate litigation and domestic policy. Is this a victory for African nations who provided evidence? Yes. Kenya, Ghana, Madagascar, South Africa, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Burkina Faso, and Egypt made submissions about climate change damage. The Court accepted their arguments that developing countries have contributed minimally to greenhouse gas emissions globally, yet suffer the effects of climate change more than developed nations. The advisory opinion also highlighted that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is necessary if people are to enjoy their rights to access to water, food and housing. These were key issues raised by African States. The court also specifically responded to the arguments of African nations by affirming that developed countries must support developing States to adapt to climate change. Developed States are obliged to provide financial support, make new adaptation technologies available and assist vulnerable nations to build capacity to cope with global warming. The Court endorsed a rights-based approach, particularly the rights to life, health and a clean, sustainable environment and said climate change obligations are erga omnes (a responsibility for all States). This also vindicates African nations longstanding calls for climate justice, legal clarity and recognition of the unequal burden they bear. Will it help African countries sue for reparations for climate damage they didnt cause? Yes. African countries now have tools to pursue reparations for climate-related harm. They will need to establish causation between the wrongful act of one or more states and damage suffered. In other words, they will need to prove that the damage was factually and legally caused by a certain country or countries. One challenge in enforcing this is that the International Court of Justice does not issue binding judgements in advisory opinions. So, to claim reparations, African states would need to initiate contentious proceedings in the court against high-emitting countries. The consent of the countries concerned, indicating their acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice is required. Given the global and cumulative nature of emissions, causation and damages are complex. It could be difficult to prove that specific damages, such as floods, mudslides, drought and heatwaves, are caused by one or more specific countries. Another option for affected countries is domestic or transnational climate litigation. This means that countries affected by climate-caused disasters could sue fossil fuel companies in foreign courts. The International Court of Justice advisory opinion is strong backing for arguments based on the law of delict (tort). This is where a wrongful act causes damage for which the person harmed can claim compensation. The opinion also backs arguments that greenhouse gas emissions amount legally to nuisance (interference with the use and enjoyments of anothers property) and or unjust enrichment (when one person unfairly benefits at the expense of another). What does this mean for African countries still exploring for and using fossil fuels? The advisory opinion is very specific on how fossil fuels like gas, oil and coal must be approached. It says that if a State continues fossil fuel extraction, and fails to take appropriate climate action, it may be violating international law. Continuing to produce and consume fuels, giving out licences to mining companies to explore for fossil fuels and subsidising the fossil fuel industry may also violate international law. Within the context of State responsibility, this has serious legal implications for the 48 African countries who are still involved in these fossil fuel activities. The advisory opinion has placed these countries at a crossroads. They cannot advocate for climate justice abroad whilst expanding fossil fuels at home. A State could also be held responsible for not passing regulations to limit emissions caused by private companies under its jurisdiction. This is a step forward. For example, in South African climate cases that have already been ruled on, they mainly relied on procedural, constitutional or climate risk-based legal strategies. In other words, they argued that communities had not been consulted properly before a coal mine licence was granted, or that the mine would interfere with the human right to water. But now, fossil fuel activities themselves are restricted. In South Africa, this is aligned with the Climate Change Act. This new law, passed in 2024, phases down and phases out human caused greenhouse gas emissions. It sets out how South Africa should transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. Zunaida Moosa Wadiwala, PhD candidate in international climate law and litigation and Sessional Lecturer- University of the Witwatersrand, University of the Witwatersrand This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The following letter was submitted to the WSWS in response to the August 11 explosion which occurred at the Clairton Coke Works facility near Pittsburgh. Two steel workers, 39-year-old Timothy Quinn and 52-year-old Steven Menefee, were killed and 10 injured. To send your own statements, fill out the form below. They will be published anonymously unless requested otherwise. Workers leaving the Clairton Coke Works at shift change. To the workers and families at the Clairton Coke Works: I am a former steelworker from Baltimore. I am writing to offer my condolences to the families of Brothers Quinn and Menefee as well as hope for full recoveries for the workers injured in the Clairton Works disaster. I worked at the Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point facility in Baltimore over 20 years ago before they went bankrupt. I left when they declared bankruptcy, which was the writing was on the wall. I was a fourth-generation steelworker, and Im sure many of you come from mill families. Bethlehem paid over $600 million to buy Lukens plate mills near Philadelphia in the late 90s, they also spent $300 million to build a modern cold roll mill at Sparrows Point around this same time. The building of the cold sheet mill could be justified, however the purchase of Lukens was foolish. Sparrows Point had a money-making plate mill already in operation. The purchase of Lukens was only to eliminate a competitor and capture their customer base. The company became mired in debt and eventually folded when steel prices collapsed. Bush administration tariffs did not save Bethlehem Steel. I mention this history only because of its similarities with US Steel. US Steel spent a large sum buying the Big River electric arc furnace facility in Arkansas. They were following the blueprint of Nucor, electric arc furnaces in lower wage non-unionized southern states. Of course these debts taken on by US Steel to fund this purchase cannot harm profits, capitalism would not allow it. Cost cutting at the expense of safety, wages, and benefits will pay this billhence the lack of investment in the Mon Valley facilities. The explosion at Clairton was a payment in workers blood. Enter Nippon Steel, a large multinational corporation with facilities throughout the world. These companies purchase their competitors and run their facilities into the ground, squeezing every drop of profit from them, and when they can no longer be band-aided together, sell them off for scrap. Their attitude is: damn the workers and communities supported by the mills! The merger between US Steel and Nippon steel was opposed by the United Steelworkers officials, who claim that workers can protect their jobs by keeping steel American-made. But one company is not better than another, this is a feature of the capitalist system. Workers and their communities are commodities no different than the coke, lime, and ore pellets fed into the furnaces. The profits extracted from our labor is all that matters to the capitalist. This identical situation exists across all industries, across all countries, all owned by the same big banks and multinational corporations. The USW officials will not fight the capitalists. Just as they have spent decades giving up one concession after the other to US Steel in the name of competitiveness, they will offer concessionary deals to Nippon while telling workers these deals are necessary to keep the mills open. Workers struggle cannot be limited to the trade union officials or the confines of one country. Just as the capitalists operate across industries and borders, so must American steelworkers unite with workers of other industries and workers across the world. We make the profits, we demand our share of the profits. It is time for us to build towards a general strike. Workers must build socialist consciousness and understand that our politics are socialism, the reorganization of society for the benefit of workers, not the parasitic oligarchs. With worker solidarity, W Immigration enforcement agents guard outside the Delaney Hall Detention Facility during a protest over federal immigration enforcement raids on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. [AP Photo/Olga Fedorova] Immigration authorities raided a warehouse last Wednesday in Edison, New Jersey, arresting 29 undocumented workers and injuring three. Both Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) participated in the raid. At 10 a.m., about 20 masked and armed agents stormed Smart Logistics, a CBP-bonded facility that serves Amazon, UPS, and FedEx, while others blocked the exits. Workers described chaos as people scrambled to escape. ICE deployed drones inside the cavernous building to hunt those who fled into the rafters. Witnesses said one worker was slammed to the floor and cuffed, another left bleeding, and a third was injured after falling from a stairwell. Family members, alerted by activists, gathered outside in anguish as ICE interrogated every employee. Those with documentation were forced to wear yellow wristbands before being released from a holding area inside the warehouse. Amanda Dominguez of the worker advocacy group New Labor, who witnessed the Edison raid, said: It was extremely violent yesterday. I just really want to highlight how violent this was and that this isnt just an attack on an immigrant community but on working-class people. Smart Logistics CBP-bonded status provided the legal cover. Such facilities allow CBP to enter at any time for inspection, which ICE exploits to stage raids without judicial warrants. New Jersey and New York City host about 80 of these bonded warehouses, all of them potential targets for similar operations. In July, ICE raided another bonded facility in Edison, Alba Wines and Spirits, arresting roughly 20 workers. The Edison raid is part of a systematic state policy aimed at overriding constitutional protections and establishing a presidential dictatorship. ICE and CBPs lawless behavior is central to Trumps strategy of placing the state above the law, instilling fear, normalizing extrajudicial power, and eroding democratic rights. This drive was codified in March 2025 in Trumps order Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens, which baldly asserted that Federal supremacy with respect to immigration, national security, and foreign policy is axiomatic. The Democrats are acting as Trumps accomplices. Governor Phil Murphy, a billionaire lame duck leaving office next year, declared after a July raid that his administration cooperates with [federal authorities] all the time. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill has remained silent on the Edison raids. Last year she had criticized Trumps use of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for detention operationsnot out of concern for immigrant workers, but because it was a blatant misuse of one of New Jerseys most critical military assets. Representative Frank Pallone, whose district includes Edison, said Trump was just trying to make a political point. Senators Cory Booker and Andy Kim issued a joint statement calling the raids performative theatrics and a shameful attemptto distract from corruption. Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, has stooped to childish name-calling. These statements, presenting a coup detat as mere theater, serve to minimize the danger of police-state conditions in preparation for dictatorship. The complicity runs down to the local level. Edisons mayor, Sam Joshi, admitted that federal agencies had informed the towns police beforehand, explaining the lack of police presence on Wednesday by citing New Jerseys sanctuary status. Yet on Thursday in Trenton, local police went further, setting up a cordon for ICE agents trying to detain workers in a house raid. When an activist demanded to see a warrant, she was arrested by the Democratic mayors police force. Trentons mayor, Reed Gusciora, twisted himself into knots claiming that blocking streets for ICE was community safety and not collaboration. ICE disappeared the Edison detainees into its network of jails without informing families where their loved ones were being taken. The immigrant advocacy group Cosecha-NJ reported that some were transported to ICEs Newark facility on Frelinghuysen Avenue, while others may be held at the Elizabeth Detention Center or Delaney Hall, where detainees rioted in June over abuse and lack of food. ICE has declined to disclose where the 29 workers will be arraigned. Workers and activists told reporters that those detained in Edison were from Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Peru. Edison, a city of nearly 110,000, is almost half immigrant, with the majority from Asia. The raids have ripped through a community whose survival depends on low-wage immigrant labor while Amazon and logistics giants profit from Smart Logistics role as a supply-chain hub. The Edison raid is a warning: Trumps coup requires police-state conditions not just for immigrants but for the entire working class. Already, Trump has deployed troops into Washington D.C. and is threatening to send troops into Chicago and other major cities, especially jurisdictions with so-called sanctuary laws. He claims these deployments are to fight crime, but the arrests so far have almost exclusively targeted immigrant workers. On Thursday, the State Department confirmed that it will subject all 55 million US visa holders to continuous immigration vettinga euphemism for permanent, mass surveillance. The Democratic Party and the corporate media downplay this danger, insisting Trumps actions are distractions or political theater. In reality, they are mechanisms of dictatorship. The Democrats real fear is not Trump, but the social explosion that would be triggered if workers fully grasped the significance of his actions. That explosion is already developing. The Edison raid provoked immediate outrage. In Trenton, neighbors confronted ICE agents directly, despite police repression. The anger and courage of workers and youth must be armed with a clear political perspective. It is not enough to oppose Trump as an individual or to rely on the Democrats who collaborate in these raids. Trumps dictatorship drive is bound up with the needs of American capitalism to suppress opposition at home and prosecute imperialist war abroad. With 2,000 U.S. Marines already deployed in gunboats off the coast of Venezuela, the connection between repression of immigrants and preparations for war is plain. The Socialist Equality Party insists that the defense of immigrant workers, the fight against dictatorship, and the struggle against imperialist war are one and the same. They require the independent mobilization of the working class, armed with a socialist and internationalist program. New Caledonias main pro-independence organisation, the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), has formally confirmed its block rejection of the French-led Bougival project. Under the agreement, the colonys pro- and anti-independence parties committed to a so-called historic deal regarding the future political status of the Pacific territory, designed to pave the way for a state within the French Constitution. The talks, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, were aimed at creating a framework to replace the 1998 power sharing Noumea Accord. The 13-page Bougival document, officially entitled Agreement Project of the Future of New Caledonia, was signed by French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls and all 18 delegates, including five representing the FLNKS, on July 12 after 10 days of negotiations on the outskirts of Paris. President Emmanuel Macron, centre, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, left, and Minister for Overseas Territories Manuel Valls attend a meeting with New Caledonia's elected officials and state representatives at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, July 12, 2025. [AP Photo/Tom Nicholson] The negotiations involved France and New Caledonias pro-France bloc as well as the pro-independence Kanak representatives. A major point of contention was the electoral law changes aimed at further marginalizing the indigenous Kanak population that sparked last years civil unrest. The FLNKS announced its unanimous rejection of the document at an extraordinary Congress held on August 9 in Mont-Dore, near Noumea. The FLNKS statement endorsed the total and unambiguous rejection of the agreement because it is incompatible with the right to self-determination and bears a logic of recolonisation on the part of France. FLNKS negotiators who put their signatures on the document, including chief negotiator and Union Caledonienne Chairman Emmanuel Tjibaou, were stood down and their mandate declared null and void. Tjibaou, the son of FLNKS founder Jean-Marie Tjibaou, was elected last year, amid a surge of pro-independence votes, as one of the colonys two representatives in the French National Assembly. FLNKS president Christian Tein, addressing the Congress via telephone from France where he is awaiting trial, called on the FLNKS to clearly and unequivocally reject the agreement. He declared it demonstrated the administrating powers [France] contempt towards our struggle for recognition as the colonised people. Tein called on the FLNKS to remain open to dialogue, but to focus only on ways to obtain full sovereignty in direct bilateral talks with the French state, and no longer with the opposing local political parties who want New Caledonia to remain a part of France. Following the FLNKS announcement, Valls flew to New Caledonia attempting to salvage the agreement, which now faces collapse. It was his fourth trip to Noumea since taking office in late 2024, in his efforts to reach a negotiated settlement following last years uprising by indigenous Kanaks against French colonial rule. The seven-month rebellion was marked by widespread rioting with 14 people killed, mostly by French gendarmes, and damage estimated at 2.2 billion. Fuelled by social inequality, unemployment and economic desperation, it brought alienated youth into conflict, not only with colonial oppression, but with the territorys political establishment, including the official Kanak pro-independence parties. Macron made clear that Republican order would be imposed in the most brutal fashion. Over 7,000 military and police personnel were dispatched to put down the insurrection and leading Kanak independence activists, including Tein, were sent to prisons in France. Macron pressured the pro-independence parties to bring the rioters to heel. The FLNKS embraced talks with French authorities while striving to keep a lid on the rebellion that had erupted from below. Last December Daniel Goa, retiring leader of the FLNKS-affiliated Union Caledonienne (UC), admitted that there was a perception that calls for de-escalation were not heeded and the insurrection had gotten out of control. Frances ruling elite was not going to relinquish its grip on its strategically important colonial possession. Under the Bougival deal, calls at the heart of the uprising for full and sovereign political independence were betrayed. The agreement did not grant Frances 172-years-old colony independence, either immediately or in the future. Besides the creation of a state of New Caledonia, the agreement proposed a dual New Caledonia-French citizenship and the transfer of certain powers such as foreign affairs from France to New Caledonia. The document also envisioned a limited range of political reforms, more powers for the three provinces in New Caledonia and enlarging the controversial list of eligible citizens allowed to vote at the local provincial elections, which prompted the initial protests in 2024. France was to retain control of policing, courts, currency and defence, but with new structures to enlist a wider layer of the New Caledonian political establishment in an extended partnership. The territorys administration was required to conduct diplomatic relations in accordance with the international commitments and the interests of France, and uphold Pariss strategic interests, which includes Frances military base and its commitment to the US-led buildup to war against China. Macron declared the Bougival agreement was a bet on trust that it would lead to a peaceful relationship with France, with the signatories all pledging to sell and explain the document to their respective constituents. Many have been offered police protection following denunciations, including thinly veiled death threats, spread through social networks. According to RNZ, the parties that have unreservedly pledged their support to the agreement are: the pro-France Les Loyalistes, Rassemblement-LR, the Wallisian-based Eveil oceanien and Caledonie ensemble, along with the pro-independence Union Nationale pour lIndependance (UNI), which includes the moderate Parti de Liberation Kanak (Palika) and Union Progressiste en Melanesie (UPM), both of which split from the FLNKS last December. Union Caledonienne, the major component of the FLNKS and oldest pro-independence grouping, held a series of meetings before the FLNKS Congress. All rejected the Bougival document. The UC leaders told a media conference the agreement was only a lure of sovereignty that guaranteed neither real sovereignty nor political balance. As far as were concerned, Bougival, its over, vice-president Mickael Forrest said. The FLNKS boycotted a meeting last week with Valls intended to translate the agreement into legal and constitutional terms. Instead, the FLNKS is demanding a Kanaky Agreement to be concluded before September 24 and a fully effective sovereignty process to be in place before the French presidential elections in 2027. It also wants the provincial elections, initially scheduled for no later than November 30, to be maintained instead of being postponed again to mid-2026, as under the Bougival prescriptions. What has not, and will not, be discussed, let alone agreed upon, are any substantive measures to seriously address the desperate social crisis facing the colonys working class and youth, marked by inequality, poverty and alienation. The entire local political establishment supported moves to smother the uprising. The FLNKS, despite proclaiming socialism in its title, is not socialist but a petty-bourgeois nationalist organisation seeking further privileges for a narrow indigenous elite. It was instrumental in establishing the Noumea Accord which ended civil war conditions of the 1980s in return for political and business influence. The French state, assisted by local authorities, continues to persecute those who were involved in the unrest. More than a year after the death of a French gendarme, three people have recently been charged with the shooting at Saint Louis in May 2024. Of 14 people killed during last years clashes only two were gendarmes, the second one shot by accident by another police officer. Saint Louis was blockaded and became the site of months of conflict, as gendarmes fought to clear the road to the outlying town of Mont Dore. Armed clashes continued between the GIGN elite military intervention unit and Kanak activists in the area and elsewhere. None of the French military or gendarmes have been charged over the Kanak deaths. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talks during the press conference in Kiev, Ukraine, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. [AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky] Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers introduced a bill to Ukraines parliament that would sharply increase the criminal liability of individuals caught illegally crossing the border, as thousands of Ukrainian men a month attempt to flee forced conscription. The bills introduction is a tacit admission that the war effort is far from popular among those who are forcedoften through physical coercionto fight and die in it. As Ukraines Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement, Today, unfortunately, we are seeing mass attempts to evade mobilization due to illegal travel abroad. As practice shows, administrative fines do not deter violators. Our responsibility is to ensure the security of the state and support its defense capability in the most difficult times. Under the proposed measures, individuals who are subject to military service and caught illegally leaving the country could be sentenced to a term of three to five years in prison and fines. Under current law, illegal border crossers are subject only to administrative penalties and fines, a price many are willing to pay given that their alternative is dying at the front. The authors of the proposed new measures admit in the bills explanatory notes that illegal border crossings have surged since the beginning of the NATO-backed proxy war against Russia. According to government data, from 2022 to 2025 Ukraines border guards detained 43,000 mobilizable men aged 1860 attempting to cross the border outside of official checkpoints. This is undoubtedly an undercount of the true number of Ukrainian men fleeing the war. Tens of thousands more successfully fled the country illegally and simply were not caught. As demonstrated by numbers from neighboring Romania, border guards there detained over 5,000 Ukrainians in just the first seven months of 2025 and over 26,000 since the beginning of the war in 2022. In addition to increasing criminal liability for the individuals themselves caught crossing the border, the proposed bill also cracks down on organizers of illegal crossings. This measure is clearly meant to target Ukraines border guards and other government officials that are involved in widespread bribery schemes to get draft dodgers or refuseniks out of the country. Earlier this year in May, Ukrainian authorities announced they had arrested a gang, which included two border guards, for charging Ukrainian men fleeing the country bribes of up to $15,000 and then classifying them as disabled to allow for their exit. In a country where the average monthly salary is approximately $500 per month, such schemes mean that the war has a vastly disproportionate effect on the countrys working class and poor, particularly in rural areas. Reportedly, many rural villages throughout Ukraine have been totally cleared of military age men. Here, forced mobilization by press gangs is easier to carry out and less likely to be recorded and end up on social media. Videos of such forced street kidnappings are now regular part of Ukrainian social media. The bill has already been criticized within Ukraine due to its obvious hypocrisy and double-standards. As Ukrainian parliamentary Oleksiy Homcharenko pointed out to news outlet Strana, the brother of newly appointed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko fled to London to study and did not return to the country despite being subject to mobilization. There are countless other privileged Ukrainians who have fled illegally without any repercussions at all from the state and who have been able to make successful careers abroad during the war. Political scientist Yuriy Romanenko told Strana that the bill on criminal liability for escaping from Ukraine indicates the formation in Ukraine of a dictatorial regime. In his opinion, with such decisions, the Zelensky government is creating a revolutionary situation in wartime with its own hands. The proposed crackdown on draft dodgers is an indictment of the authoritarian Zelensky regime and the entire proxy war waged by Western imperialism under the fraudulent banner of defending democracy in Ukraine and over the bodies of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. Despite previous internal polling showing largely positive support for the war, the hundreds of thousands of military age men fleeing the country either legally or illegally testifies to a very different sentiment among the countrys working class. While mass protests have yet to erupt over the war, it is clear that huge numbers of Ukrainians want no part of it. A Gallup poll in early July found that 69 percent of Ukrainians favor a negotiated end to the war as soon as possible. Only 24 percent support continuing to fight until victory, by far the lowest figure since the beginning of the war. The bills introduction takes place just as Russia has steadily advanced in the Donbass region, exposing Ukraines porous front lines which are short of soldiers as Ukrainian men continue to flee the country to avoid mobilization. These advances, which have come at a tremendous cost to both Ukrainian and Russian lives, are part of the efforts of the Russian oligarchy to bolster its negotiating position in the ongoing talks with Donald Trump about a settlement of the conflict. According to the United Kingdoms Defense Ministry, Russia has been advancing faster each month since March of this year and likely captured between 500 and 550 square kilometers in July alone. In addition to advancing into the Dnipropetrovsk province in June for the first time since the war began, Russian forces have continued their encirclement of the logistics hub of Pokrovsk. The city was previously home to over 60,000 people but only 1,000 now remain as a result of the war. While the Ukrainian government closely guards the true number of casualties in the war, experts such as Ukrainian-Canadian political science professor Ivan Katchanovski estimates that between 160,000200,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed with about 640,000800,000 injured. Whatever the exact number, it is clear that the number of dead soldiers in a country with a pre-war population of under 40 million represents a demographic proportion of death not seen in Europe since World War II. At his first in-person townhall meeting on August 19 in the First Congressional District in St. Louis, Missouri, Democratic Representative Wesley Bell was confronted by protesters, many of them Jewish, who criticized his support for the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Bells rambling rebuttal in defense of Israels actions was met with an unending chorus of boos and shouts of Shame! He went on to slander the protesters as allies of Hamas, accusing them of standing with an organization that want to commit genocide. This big lie accusation is being used by ruling classes worldwide to justify the ripping up of democratic rights and violent state repression as social opposition to war and capitalist austerity continue to mount. Saul Glist, who was in attendance, told St. Louis NPR, While [Bell] claims to represent us, while he claims to be fighting antisemitism, while he claims to speak for the Jewish community, the Jewish community here is angry. The Jewish community here is firm in its stance against genocide, and I think this was the first time that, you know, that really got to be said clearly to him. Bells private security team and police from at least two different jurisdictions, including Pagedale and St. Louis Metro police, moved to shut down the event by shoving several young women and men, grabbing them by the throat, tossing one into a wall by her hair, and throwing them to the ground amid a flurry of verbal threats. St. Louis Metro police issued a statement attempting to distance itself from the event, saying none of its officers were involved. The Democratic Party is rapidly moving further to the right in its collaboration with the Trump administrations accelerating efforts to establish a police-state dictatorship in the US. Rep. Bells rise to leadership in the Missouri Democratic Party in a relatively short period of time is emblematic of this shift. Bell was elected the St. Louis County prosecuting attorney in 2019, running on supposedly progressive policies. St. Louis County includes the suburb of Ferguson, where Michael Brown, an African American teenager, was murdered by police in 2014, touching off widespread protests and leading to then-Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat, to send in the state police and then the National Guard. The legacy of Bells tenure as prosecutor has been the doubling of the county jail population from 2022-2024, due to an increase of more than 140 percent for lower-level felony charges. The local Fox affiliate reports that some detainees are remaining in jail for long periods of time due to large cash bonds that must be paid in full, thus lengthening jail time for the poor prior to any court date. In spring 2023 Bell announced a Senate run against fascist Republican Josh Hawley but in October that year he abandoned it, announcing he would instead challenge Democratic Representative Cori Bush, the incumbent in the First District, which includes the city of St. Louis and the northern part of neighboring St. Louis County. Bell and Bush are both African American, both nominally liberal, but Bush, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, voiced opposition to the genocide in Gaza. Rep. Wesley Bell, D-Mo., stands on the steps of the Capitol as newly-elected House members gather for a freshman class photo, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] Bell was supported by right-wing donors in this effort, including Republican politicians and those who mainly back Republicans. His biggest single donor was the Zionist lobby AIPAC, which gave him more than $12.8 million, a staggering sum for a single congressional campaign, nearly five times the average total expenditure for winning House candidates nationwide. The brutality with which political opposition is suppressed exists in inverse proportion to the legitimacy of both Democratic and Republican parties in the eyes of a growing majority of US residents. While Democratic officials have shared videos of constituents confronting Republicans at town halls, they have been mostly silent on instances of anti-genocide protesters being removed from Democratic officials rallies and events. One instance of this was Bernie Sanders attempt to shut down anti-genocide protesters at an Idaho rally. At a discussion following the town hall debacle, Bell commented, I think the only disappointing part is that there are a lot of issues that are plaguing us in St. Louisgun violence, public safety, health care, and not as much time was spent on addressing those concerns. The reality is that the genocide in Palestine is an outgrowth of the same crisis starving the social infrastructure he claims he wanted to address, namely the crisis of capitalism. The Democratic Party is a capitalist party of Wall Street and war, impervious to any sort of pressure to abandon imperialism and organically incapable of progressively addressing any of the major issues confronting workers and youth in this country. For this a socialist party and program is needed. KATHMANDU, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Telecommunication equipment, readymade garments, machinery and parts, textiles and electrical goods emerged as the top five products Nepal imported from China in the 2024-25 fiscal year which ended in mid-July, the central bank said on Sunday. Nepal's total imports from China stood at 341.1 billion Nepali rupees during this period and the top five items accounted for nearly 37 percent of the imports, the Nepal Rastra Bank said in a report. Telecommunication equipment topped the chart with a total value of 30.73 billion rupees, and the imported smartphones alone were valued at 24.91 billion rupees. Nepal imported from China readymade garments worth 28.08 billion rupees, machinery and parts worth 23.90 billion rupees, textiles worth 21.97 billion rupees and electrical goods worth 21.34 billion rupees, the bank noted. China has long remained the second-largest trading partner of Nepal after India. (1 Nepali rupee equals 0.007125 U.S. dollar) German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, right, talks to soldiers during a visit to Bundeswehr tank battalion 203 at the Field Marshal Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf, Germany, Wednesday, February 1, 2023. [AP Photo/Martin Meissner] For several weeks now, the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) have been paying visits to mayors and district administrators to prepare the various municipalities for the growing possibility of war on German soil. This emerges from investigations by nonprofit investigative journalism newsroom CORRECTIV. According to this inquiry, numerous towns and districts have in recent weeks been visited by high-ranking Bundeswehr officers to hold classified talks aimed at preparing the municipalities for the expansion of their war capability. The talks between the Bundeswehr and local authorities focused on identifying critical infrastructuresuch as key junctions, bridges or emergency wellsand presenting homeland security concepts to intercept saboteurs or prevent attacks. The restoration of civil defence facilities and bunkers was also discussed. The planning is to be completed by autumn of this year so that implementation of the security measures can begin in spring 2026. In many municipalities, secret political committees are already meeting to coordinate the planned emergency measures. The Bundeswehr itself confirmed that it had long been holding numerous talks, particularly with representatives of the federal states. These are part of Operation Plan Germany (OPLAN DEU), whose aim, according to the Bundeswehr, is to prepare German infrastructure as effectively as possible for the event of war on German territory or in Eastern Europe. The plan was drawn up in response to the Ukraine war and is intended to secure NATOs eastern flank. In reality, it is about active preparation for war against the nuclear power Russia. OPLAN DEU is a classified document of around 1,000 pages, developed in 2023 by the Bundeswehrs Territorial Command. It sets out how the military and civil authorities are to cooperate in the event of war. In effect, it is an operational war plan, describing how military and civilian elements must be coordinated and which infrastructure is required to establish and maintain war capability. Although the operations plan is secret, a presentation that the Bundeswehr delivered in February to the Bavarian County Association provides some insights. It describes the current situation as a hybrid phase between peace and war. In the event of war, Germany would be both a force provider, transit and host nation as well as a logistical hub for allied NATO forces. Accordingly, the task of the municipalities is to contribute to the mobilisation of allied forces. They must make provisions for the immediate deploying of marching unitsthat is, ensure that roads and bridges are passable for tanks and that troops can be supplied both medically and logistically. The presentation also notes routes and assembly points for internally displaced persons as well as the evacuation of injured and killed soldiers. Another Bundeswehr booklet describes the ability, in the event of a deterioration in the security situation, to deploy very rapidly large contingents of NATO troops to the alliances eastern flank as a central pillar of conventional deterrence. Germanys essential task consisted in acting as a hub to ensure at national level the mobilisation and supply of allied and its own armed forces. NATO planning assumes the continuous logistical and medical supply of several hundred thousand soldiers. In addition to municipalities, business and infrastructure are also to be comprehensively oriented towards war logistics. The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), which organises public transport and freight companies, recently sent a survey to its members. It asked: 1. whether you already have practical experience with military transport today; 2. whether you plan to participate in military transport in the future. On this basis, the VDV aims to further develop its position on military mobility in a targeted manner. National rail operator Deutsche Bahn is already playing a central role in the preparations for war, transporting tanks and heavy weapons towards Ukraine. The business sector is also to be more strongly integrated into war preparations. For example, the Bavarian Association for Security in Industry (BVSW) reports that companies are to be prepared to release militarily fit employees for wartime service. Firms must also prepare to provide essential products for defence without interruption. The Bundeswehr is authorised to requisition stockpiles, machinery, vehicles, goods and products if it deems this necessary. Even land may be expropriated, for example for the construction of fortifications. In February, the Bundeswehrs Federal Office for Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services (BAIUDBw) commissioned the arms corporation Rheinmetall to the tune of 260 million to set up and operate rest and assembly areas along potential march routes. This is the first contract awarded under OPLAN DEU to an industrial partner. Deutsche Telekom has also stated that it is in close exchange with the authorities and has already rehearsed joint scenarios. The scale of this development must not be underestimated: Germany is comprehensively preparing for war with Russia. Roads, bridges, railways, production sites and entire municipalities are to be subordinated to war preparations. Germany is to be put in a position to relocate and supply hundreds of thousands of soldiers to the eastern front at very short notice. The parallels to the massive rearmament before the Second World War are unmistakable, when virtually every aspect of public life was likewise subordinated to militarism. As then, this is not about defence. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is indeed reactionary, but the war was provoked and prepared by Germany and other NATO powers, which supported the 2014 coup in Kiev, rearmed the Ukrainian regime and expanded NATO to Russias borders. Germany is once again pursuing the geopolitical aims it did in two world wars: to assume the leading role in Europe, exploit Ukraine and weaken and ultimately subjugate Russia. As then, the megalomaniacal plans of German imperialism require the establishment of a dictatorship at home and the complete militarisation of society. Tellingly, in its OPLAN presentation, the Bundeswehr names the mindset of the population as one of the greatest challenges, since the vast majority of people support neither the war course nor the massive rearmament program. To stop the ruling classs war plans, however, this opposition must be consciously organised: what is required is the building of a socialist anti-war movement in the working class. Armed members of the South Carolina National Guard are positioned outside of Union Station in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. [AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.] The US Department of Defense has been planning a military deployment into Chicago for weeks, the Washington Post reported Saturday, one day after Trump reiterated his threat to follow up his occupation of Washington D.C. with troop movements into other US cities. The Post reported that the Pentagon plan was a model that could later be used in other major cities, officials familiar with the matter said. The article continued: The planning, which has not been previously disclosed, involves several options, including mobilizing at least a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September to what is the third most populous city in the United States. On Friday, Trump blasted Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as grossly incompetent and the city as a mess. He declared, Well straighten that one out probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough. He added threats to New York City and San Francisco, and on Saturday he singled out Baltimore as another target for imminent military occupation. All these threats are illegal and unconstitutional, as Trump has presented no justification for federalizing National Guard units in Illinois, New York or Maryland, as he did in California in June. The occupation of Washington D.C. is a special case, legally, since the District of Columbia is federal territory and the D.C. National Guard is at all times under direct federal control. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a billionaire Democrat, issued a statement declaring: After using Los Angeles and Washington D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities... Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety effortsall to create a justification to further abuse his power. Chicago Mayor Johnson, a Democrat and former lobbyist for the Chicago Teachers Union, said, We have grave concerns about the impact of any unlawful deployment of National Guard troops to the City of Chicago. The problem with the presidents approach is that it is uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound. It is hard to imagine more tepid language to describe a military occupation. Both Pritzker and Johnson said they had received no contact from the federal government about the dispatch of troops and they had made no such request. Pritzker declared that there is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Thursday that she had given Pritzker and Johnson until August 19last Tuesdayto revoke city and state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration actions (so-called sanctuary city and sanctuary state laws). She told Fox Business that the message to Illinois and other states with similar laws was you better comply or youre next. According to the Post, The officials familiar with the matter said that a military intervention in Chicago has long been in planning, probably in conjunction with expanded operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to search for undocumented migrants. That has been the initial focus of the police-military occupation of Washington D.C. Of the 719 arrests since August 11, when Trump ordered troops into the city, more than 300 have been for immigration violations. The actual criminal arrests have been fewer than the DC Metropolitan police alone carry out in a typical two-week period. The main function of the National Guard troops has been to serve as a show of force around federal buildings, like the White House and the Capitol, and at tourist sites, including the National Mall, the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. That may change this week, as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued orders Friday for the troops to begin carrying weaponsusually M-4 semi-automatic rifles or M-4A1 carbines that are fully automatic. Under the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act, Trumps takeover of the Washington Metropolitan police is limited to 30 days, unless Congress passes legislation to extend his authority, which would require Democratic Party acquiescence in the Senate. But the deployment of National Guard troops from D.C. and six Republican-run states, as well as armed federal police from a half-dozen agencies, would continue. If Trump federalizes the Illinois National Guard on the pretext that violence in Chicago constitutes an insurrection against state authority, both the governor and the mayor will limit their response to lawsuits, which will take months to proceed through the courts. In the meantime, they will do nothingthe same policy carried out by Governor Gavin Newsom in California, where a federal court case is underway. Alternatively, Trump could invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 and send in regular troops, an action that would immediately escalate the attack on democratic rights, bringing the United States to the brink of open police-military dictatorship. Trump has mentioned other cities as targets for military occupation after Chicago, including New York, San Francisco, Oakland and Baltimore. He claimed Friday that his occupation of Washington was a huge success in suppressing crime, claiming there were no murders in the District last week: Thats the first time in anybodys memory that you havent had a murder in a week. Actually, there were four weeks this year before the military occupation without any homicides, and the rates of most violent crimes have fallen significantly from 2024 to 2025, contrary to the lies being spewed out by the White House. CNN reported that while arrests for violent crime actually fell since August 11, arrests for immigration violations have risen tenfold during the same period. Meanwhile, Fox News revealed that 1,700 National Guard troops were being prepared to deploy to 19 states this fall to back up Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and detention of migrants. The military planning provides for activation of relatively small numbers of soldiers from 19 states, all but one with Republican governors: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. Two other Republican-run states, Mississippi and West Virginia, have deployed National Guard troops to Washington but are not involved in the immigration deployments. Map of the United States showing the 21 states, in red, that have pledged to supply National Guard troops for use either in anti-immigrant operations, mainly in Texas, or in Washington D.C., or both as of August 24, 2025. [Photo: GisGeography.com] The bulk of the National Guard troops will be deployed in Texas, where the Trump administration has just opened the largest concentration camp for immigrants in US history, at Fort Bliss, just outside El Paso and near the US-Mexico border. The troops will remain under the command of their home state governors regardless of where they are deployed. The White House denied that any of these troops would participate in the occupation of US cities threatened by Trump. Despite the verbal protests from top Illinois Democrats, the national leadership of the Democratic Party has not lifted a finger to oppose Trumps drive toward authoritarian rule. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, appearing on CNN on Sunday, said that Trump had manufactured a crisis and was playing games with the lives of Americans, but did not even hint that the US president was engaged in a step-by-step seizure of power. He declared, We should continue to support local law enforcement. Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago, congressman and White House chief of staff in the Obama administration, noted to CNN that Trump, during his two terms in office, had never ordered the deployment of US troops overseas, but only into American cities. A would-be candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, Emanuel demonstrated the real concern of this party of Wall Street and the military-intelligence apparatus: that Trump has neglected the global interests of American imperialism, particularly the war in Ukraine against Russia. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during his "Fighting Oligarchy" event at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho, Monday, April 14, 2025. [AP Photo/Kyle Green] Over the past few days Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has taken his Fighting Oligarchy campaign tour through several Midwest states, including Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. The events have drawn a few thousand people, significantly less than earlier in the year but nevertheless reflective of popular opposition within layers of the population. In contrast to the union bureaucrats and Democratic Party politicians that have dominated the speaking platforms, those attending Sanders events are looking for a strategy and program to fight against Trump, the financial oligarchy, dictatorship and war. They do not find what theyre looking for. In 2016, Sanders self-identification as a socialist and promises of a revolution created an aura of radicalism that excited audiences. But nearly a decade has passed, and the bloom is off the badly wilted rose. The oligarchs are richer and more powerful than ever. Without proposing anything, the denunciations of the oligarchy have acquired a ritualistic character. Sanders has been reduced to imitating himself, repeating the old and overused applause lines. The purpose of the Fighting Oligarchy tour is not to put an end to the billionaire class, in the words of Sanders, but to chloroform the population to the advanced stage of the crisis and corral mass opposition to the Trump administration, inequality and capitalism back into the Democratic Party. The Mission Impossible of saving the Democratic Party that Sanders has chosen to accept takes place under conditions in which support for the Democrats is collapsing. Last week the New York Times reported that registrations for Democrats between 2020 and 2024 were down in all 30 states that track party registration. This stampede away from the Democratic Party is occurring in battleground states, the bluest states and the reddest states, too, per the Times. This is not because of a surge in support for the Republicans. Rather, large sections of workers and young people hate the Democratic Party, a party of Wall Street, for its support for genocide, its right-wing policies and its spinelessness and collaboration in the face of Trump. Sanderswho concluded his political revolution in 2016 and 2020 by backing Clinton and Bidenhas evolved into an absolutely dependable, even essential prop of the Democratic Party. Everything he says and, more importantly, doesnt say is crafted to conform to the needs and interests of the Democrats. Notably absent from his speeches over the past week has been any reference to the most immediate political danger confronting the American working class: Trumps systematic drive to dictatorship. Under conditions in which Trump is deploying thousands of armed soldiers to the streets of D.C., with threats to invade virtually every other major city in the United States, Sanders said absolutely nothing about the military occupations. In advance of his remarks in Chicago, Trump explicitly threatened to send the National Guard into the city next. Yet Sanders made no mention of this unprecedented development nor warned workers and young people in the city of the implications. This is in line with the general silence of the Democratic Party as a whole, which is terrified of encouraging popular resistance from below. Sanders repeated his well-worn lines about inequality in the United States, along with pro forma calls for Medicare 4 All and a living wage. He paints a picture of a society dominated by unprecedented inequality and oligarchic power in the hands of figures like Musk, Bezos and others. This is all cynical and dishonest demagogy, as he does not propose any significant measure or action to oppose the power of this oligarchy, which controls both political parties. His tub-thumping resolves itself into the thin gruel of voting for Democrats and calls for campaign finance reform. As for foreign policy, Sanders also toes the line of the Democratic Party. In contrast to earlier events, Sanders team forbade any flags or handmade signs. This was done to prevent putting Sanders in the awkward position of throwing out anti-genocide protesters as he did at a rally in Idaho earlier this year. In his comments on the genocide in Gaza, Sanders solely blamed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the ongoing mass murder campaign, completely absolving the primary role of the US government, including Biden as well as Trump, in funding and arming the genocide while providing Israel political cover. Sanders did not refer to the mass murder and ethnic cleansing campaign in Palestine as a genocide but called on tough guy Trump to take on Netanyahu. More significant are Sanders statements supporting the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and criticizing Trump from the standpoint of what matters most to the Democratsissues of foreign policy. Sanders is highly conscious of his political role, as are the organizations that have backed his campaigns and continue to promote him as a tribune of the peoplethe Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and others, which represent privileged sections of the upper-middle class. And as Sanders appeal wears thin, there are others who are being promoted to fulfill the same function. The same day Sanders held his rally in Chicago, New York City mayoral candidate and DSA member Zohran Mamdani held his own event, a scavenger hunt, in New York City. Mamdani, who won the Democratic Party primary by capitalizing on the broad popular opposition to the Democratic Party establishment, inequality and the genocide in Gaza, has quickly moved to accommodate himself to the big business interests that run the city. No wonder Trump feels empowered to rule as king. With opposition like this, why wouldnt he? The fact is Trump could not be carrying out any of his actions or even have returned to the White House without the Democratic Party. Following Trumps failed coup, it was Biden (hailed by Sanders as the most progressive president since FDR) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who repeatedly called for a strong Republican Party, who refused to prosecute the fascist criminal. The Democratic Party, terrified of opposition from below, seeks to chloroform the population about the real state of American democracy. The Democrats fear that exposing the true character of Trumps coup and the social conditions that underlie it would encourage mass opposition that they cannot control. The role of Sanders, Mamdani and the DSA is not to lead a political revolution but to act as a fireman, snuffing out, alongside the trade union bureaucracies, the flames of class struggle and mass discontent before they can grow into an independent mass movement of the working class aimed not at reforming capitalism, but overturning it. The Socialist Equality Party says what Sanders cannot and will not say: The fight against Trump is inseparable from the fight against the oligarchy, and the fight against the oligarchy is a fight against the capitalist system. There is no resolution to the unprecedented crisis confronting the working class in the United States and internationally except through mass social struggle, the aim of which must be the conquest of political power and the socialist reorganization of economic life. This struggle must be waged in opposition to the Republicans, the Democrats, and all the political representatives of the ruling classincluding Sanders himself. Somoud Wahdan looks at the camera while she and her child wait for trucks of humanitarian aid to arrive in Gaza City, July 25, 2025. [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] Gazas Health Ministry said Sunday that 289 people, including 115 children, have died of malnutrition and starvation since the start of the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza. The announcement comes after the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) hunger monitor officially pronounced a famine in Gaza on Friday. This famine is entirely man-made, and it can be halted and reversed, the report warned. The time for debate and hesitation has passed; starvation is present and rapidly spreading. According to UN figures, nearly 12,000 children under the age of five were found to have acute malnutrition in Julya figure that has only continued to surge. Munir al-Bursh, the director of Gazas Health Ministry, said that in the past 24 hours alone, eight Palestinians, including one child, had died of starvation or malnutrition. We are in a race against time to address famine, as the humanitarian response must be massive. In a statement over the weekend, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called the Gaza famine man-made, saying it was the result of systematic obstruction, indifference, and delay. In a statement over the weekend, Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), pointedly compared the Gaza genocide to the Holocaust, declaring Never Again has deliberately become again. This will haunt us. Denial is the most obscene expression of dehumanization. The ongoing mass starvation comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expands its campaign to capture Gaza City, which aims to place the enclave under total Israeli military control in preparation for transferring the population of Gaza to concentration camps in the countrys south and its eventual expulsion to other countries. Last week, Israel called up 60,000 new reservists for the campaign. On Friday, Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to press on with the offensive in Gaza in the face of protests in multiple major cities around the world. He said, The prime minister and I, in accordance with what we were authorized by the cabinet, approved the IDFs plans in Gaza and also praised them. He added, Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamass murderers and rapists in Gazauntil they agree to Israels conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament. But just a day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the planned onslaught on Gaza City would take place regardless of any ceasefire agreement with Hamas, making it clear that all talk of a ceasefire by the US and international media has been a fraudulent cover for the genocidal plans of the Israeli government. Were gonna do that anyway. There was never a question that were not going to leave Hamas there, Netanyahu told Sky News. I think President Trump put it best, he says Hamas has to disappear from Gaza, he added. In other words, Israel plans to open the gates of hell regardless of anything its nominal military opponentHamasdoes, including laying down arms. These statements make clear that the Israeli war in Gaza is, and has always been, an effort to annex and ethnically cleanse Gaza, using the actions of Hamas as a pretext. Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of bombings in Gaza City on Saturday and Sunday, leveling buildings and homes and killing vast numbers of people. Forty-two people were killed in Gaza on Sunday, according to Gazas civil defense organization. The organization reported that more than 1,000 buildings had been destroyed in Gaza City since August 6, with hundreds of bodies trapped under the rubble. Approximately half of Gazas remaining population currently lives in Gaza City, and the assault will entail a vast relocation of the population to the countrys south, with no food, housing or medical care to support them. According to the UN, Israel already occupies 90 percent of Gazas territory. A 52-year-old grocer, Karim Hamdan, told the Financial Times, We dont have the money to be displaced Were not going to be able to move. How will I arrange things? How am I going to be able to walk? Nearly 90 percent of Gazas territory has been subsumed into Israeli militarized zones or is subject to forced displacement orders, according to the UN. Much of the rest of the enclaves 2.1 million population is already concentrated into Mawasi, a crowded coastal strip in the south and the only remaining place for Palestinians fleeing Gaza City to shelter. Israel has begun construction of a series of massive concentration camps in the citys south, where the population of Gaza City will be forced to go by bombs and guns. Many hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people would be forced to go into those already densely populated areas and scavenge and fight for dwindling resources, Chris McIntosh, a spokesperson for the Oxfam charity, told the Financial Times. In a speech in Jerusalem over the weekend, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said that Israel was engaged in a conquest of the land, and that plans to expand settlements in the West Bank approved by the Israeli government last weekend practically erases the two-state delusion and consolidates the Jewish peoples hold on the heart of the land of Israel. The Israeli genocide has officially killed at least 62,000 peoplethe vast majority of them civiliansand the real death toll at this point likely exceeds 100,000 people. The vast majority of Gazas homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals has been destroyed, and nearly its entire population has been internally displaced multiple times. Police in riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus, Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City [AP Photo/Mary Altaffer] Students across the United States return to campuses this fall under extraordinary conditions that have no precedent in American history. The Trump regime is implementing an escalating coup detat, openly moving to establish a fascist dictatorship in the United States. The military occupation of Washington is part of an unfolding presidential coup that continues and deepens the January 6, 2021 insurrection, but this time executed with the full apparatus of the capitalist state. National Guard troops from six Republican states now patrol the nations capital, with Trump declaring the occupation could continue indefinitely. Nearly 9,000 armed personneltroops, federal agents and policenow control Americas seat of government. Trumps border czar Tom Homan has declared: President Trump doesnt have a limitation on his authority. When Ukrainian President Zelensky mentioned postponing elections during wartime, Trump responded ominously: So, let me just say, three and a half years from now... if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections. The ruthless methods utilized by US imperialism abroad are being prepared for use against the American and international working class. The United Nations has officially declared famine in Gaza City; the first time the organization has declared famine outside of Africa. This is the culmination of policies meant to deliberately exterminate the Palestinian people through mass starvation, with 83 percent of the death toll consisting of civilians. The same ruling class orchestrating the Gaza genocide with the most advanced military technology in history is now preparing to suppress American workers with similar brutality. Extreme social inequality under American capitalism has become incompatible with democratic forms of rule. The United States is once again a house divided, with todays division between a tiny stratum of billionaires and the vast majority facing constant economic insecurity. The ruling class sees no peaceful way out of its deepening crisis and has turned to authoritarian rule as its means of survival. Universities are no longer sanctuaries of free expression but have become direct targets of the Trump administrations campaign to establish dictatorship. International students opposing the genocide in Gaza have been abducted by federal agents, thrown into unmarked vans and held incommunicado. University funding faces unprecedented cuts designed to force institutional capitulation. The regimes attacks extend beyond campus politics to target the very foundations of higher education: scientific research is being defunded and redirected to serve military purposes, humanities programs face elimination, and cultural institutions are undergoing systematic purges. The ruling class has not forgotten the campus upheavals of the 1960s at Columbia, Berkeley, Michigan and other centers of student radicalization. They remember Kent State in 1970, when four students were murdered by National Guard troops amidst protest against the Vietnam War. What we witness today reflects their determination to prevent any resurgence of mass student opposition through preemptive repression, including through expulsions, the threat of destroyed careers, and even federal prosecution. Students entering university campuses this fall represent a generation that has never known capitalist prosperity. Their teenage years have been characterized by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has killed and disabled tens of millions globally. They lived through the January 6 coup attempt, witnessed the outbreak of the US-NATO war against Russia, and watched the genocide in Gaza live-streamed in real time. Recent reports show that 40 percent of college-educated Gen Z workers have given up finding employment in their field, while Gen Z underemployment reaches 41.2 percent. Unemployment for those with masters degrees nearly doubled from 3 to 5.8 percent in just one year. The Trump administrations dictatorial policies are tied to preparations for global conflict. Trumps meetings with Putin and the implementation of trade war tariff policies are preludes to a direct conflict with China. Notwithstanding tactical disagreements between different sections of the ruling class over the continuation of the US-NATO war against Russia, they remain united behind the use of war on a world scale to prop up American imperialism. Just this week, Trump has launched a violent escalation against Venezuela, dispatching guided missile destroyers, an attack submarine and 6,000 military personnel to the Caribbean, exploding the myth that he is somehow a peace president. The United States seeks to reorganize the world through war, but with over $30 trillion in debt, it confronts the threat of state bankruptcy. The move to dictatorship and war shows not the strength of American capitalism, but the extent of its deep crisis. The Democratic Party is not opposed to Trumps escalating authoritarianism. For seven months, the Democrats have stood by as Trump carries out systematic attacks on the working class, dismissing the military occupation of Washington as mere political theater. Bernie Sanders has openly endorsed Trumps border policies, declaring agreement on making sure our borders are stronger. His Fighting Oligarchy tour is intended to let off steam and once again redirect opposition among workers and youth back behind the Democratic Party. Trumps assault on democratic rights represents the deepening and extension of policies initiated under the Biden administration. Bidens violent suppression of student protests and encampments in spring 2024carried out through coordinated police raids, mass arrests and university-sanctioned expulsionsestablished the template for systematic repression that Trump now implements on a vastly expanded scale. From Columbia to UCLA and dozens of other campuses, the Biden administration orchestrated a nationwide crackdown that shattered any illusions about Democratic Party support for free speech or student rights. The trade union bureaucracies have remained criminally silent amid this bipartisan war on free speech and the right to protest, offering collaboration rather than resistance. The UAW and other unions have abandoned both immigrant workers and university student workers under their supposed protection. Meanwhile, the identity-based movements that dominated campus politics in recent years have revealed their complete irrelevancy. The #MeToo response to American fascism is nonexistent. Black Lives Matter offers no perspective against Trumps dictatorship. Opposition among students, youth and the working class is steadily growing. Millions protested against the Gaza genocide last year, and the No Kings demonstrations in June drew over 10 million Americans to the streets, the largest protests in US history. Opposition to Trumps attacks exists throughout the population, but these movements have failed to stop the regimes advance because they rely on the false perspective that the ruling class can be pressured into policy changes. The ruling class views its policies not as choices but as life-or-death struggles to defend its interests against the existential threat posed by the working class. Only the working class possesses the objective social power to halt dictatorship, genocide and world war. The working class can transform society, reorganizing it on the basis of human need rather than private profit. What confronts America today parallels the crisis Lincoln faced in 1861: Just as preserving democratic principles then required destroying slaverys economic base, defending democracy today necessitates ending capitalism and establishing workers power and socialism. There is simply no precedent for what is now unfolding in America. The International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), are the only forces advancing the fight for democratic rights under conditions of the collapse of American democracy. The time for halfway measures and liberal appeals has passed. The perspective of protest must be replaced with the perspective of class struggle. The reformist organizations that seek to divert students and workers opposition into the safe channels of the Democratic Party serve only to prop up the very system they claim to oppose. The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and campaigns like that of Zohran Mamdani represent nothing more than the left wing of the Democratic Party, peddling the dangerous illusion that capitalism can be reformed through electoral politics. Their program of mild reforms offers no answer to dictatorship, genocide or world warindeed, it serves to legitimize the system responsible for these horrors. What is required is not reform but revolution. The working class is the decisive revolutionary force in society, with the power to put an end to war, genocide and dictatorship. Students must actively fight to connect their struggles with those of the working class, understanding that their future depends entirely on the success of the socialist revolution. The death agony of American capitalism creates revolutionary possibilities alongside the threat of fascism. The outcome depends on building a mass socialist movement in the working class, in the US and internationally. Turn to the working class and take up the revolutionary perspective that alone can guarantee a future for humanity! Build IYSSE clubs on every campus! Study the works of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Trotsky! Join the IYSSE today! TOKYO, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung chose Japan over the United States as the destination for his first overseas trip since taking office except for attending international conferences, a move seen as a break with tradition and a signal of Seoul's intent to recalibrate ties with its neighbor before talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Once a strong critic of Japan on historical issues, Lee is shifting his stance as head of state, seeking cooperation with Tokyo in areas such as hydrogen energy and artificial intelligence, while also coordinating positions to counter U.S. pressure on tariffs and defense burden-sharing. Despite the warmer rhetoric, analysts warned that deep-rooted historical disputes would remain a long-term obstacle to stable bilateral ties. SHIFT IN STANCE After talks between Lee and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the two governments issued a joint statement, the first time in 17 years that the two countries had released such a document following a leaders' summit. South Korea's national security chief Wi Sung-lac said the small-group discussions extended beyond the scheduled duration, reflecting the wide range of issues both sides consider urgent. Lee, who once harshly criticized Japan over historical issues and labeled his predecessor's outreach to Tokyo as "humiliating diplomacy," has softened his tone since taking office in June. In a recent interview with Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun, he said Seoul and Tokyo must not be bound by history and should instead expand mutually beneficial cooperation. He even acknowledged the controversial 2015 agreement on the "comfort women" issue which he had once strongly opposed. Analysts noted that as a progressive politician, Lee previously emphasized Japan's wartime responsibility to differentiate himself from conservatives. COUNTERING U.S. PRESSURE Traditionally, new South Korean presidents make Washington their first overseas stop. Lee is the first to visit Japan first since the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries. U.S. media noted that both Seoul and Tokyo face pressure from Washington, and that Lee's visit to Tokyo helps him coordinate positions before his meeting with Trump. Toru Yoshida, a professor at Doshisha University in Japan, said that if South Korea and Japan coordinate their positions in advance, it could put some pressure on the United States. Should the two countries reach a consensus on economic and security issues, South Korea could gain greater leverage in its negotiations with Washington. Choi Eun-mi, a research fellow at South Korea's Asan Institute for Policy Studies, noted that Ishiba has already held talks with Trump, and hearing Ishiba's views in advance would help Lee prepare for his own meeting with the U.S. president. For Japan, hosting Lee's first overseas trip was a diplomatic boost. Ishiba called the visit "encouraging," with analysts noting that a series of successful diplomatic events could strengthen his standing amid pressure inside the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following election setbacks. HISTORICAL ISSUES REMAIN Despite the warmer tone, analysts warn that historical issues remain an enduring source of friction between South Korea and Japan. Lee himself acknowledged in interviews that history is the most difficult issue in bilateral ties. Zhu Jianrong, a professor at Toyo Gakuen University, said Lee cannot align completely with conservative forces on history, noting he will have to maintain his "progressive base." Other experts pointed out that Japan's conservative right has long sought to downplay wartime responsibility. With Japan's political climate shifting further to the right, prospects for genuine reconciliation between the two neighbors remain uncertain. The recent rise of the far-right Sanseito in Japan's July upper house elections underscored the trend, with the party espousing strong revisionist views on history. Keio University professor emeritus Hiroshi Onishi said Japan's xenophobic sentiment is growing, raising doubts about whether Tokyo will address South Korea's demands on wartime labor and "comfort women." Zhu added that the ruling LDP, wary of losing right-wing voters to Sanseito, may send stronger nationalist signals, potentially reversing progress in historical recognition and reigniting disputes with Seoul. Over recent months, Vogue Greece has fallen off our radar rather rapidly. The last cover to truly take our fancy was that of the January issue, with Anthi Fakidari. Not even covers with Isabelle Huppert, Joanna Paliospirou, Daphne Patakia, or Marina Satti have managed to impress over recent months. Next up on the cover of Vogue Greece is Nora Attal, who graces the double July/August 2025 edition. The British-Moroccan beauty (who burst onto the fashion scene circa 2014) is celebrated across a duo of covers, via the lens the photographer Hordur Ingason. Nora ventured to the island of Chios for the occasion, captured amongst the Greek islands idyllic landscape scenery. Styled by Nicholas Georgiou, the current face of Tory Burch is dressed in looks from Gucci and Roland Mouret. Nora Attal for Vogue Greece July/August 2025 IMAGE | VOGUE.GR Read below the reactions of theFashionSpots forum members: The first cover with Nora wearing the red dress is perfection, declared MModa upon first look. First cover is everything! Very Greek summer! admired BalkaniStaCouture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I agree!, responded niknak. I actually love the second cover too. Its giving Donyale Luna circa 1967! Vogue28 commented: So nice to see Vogue Greece finally getting back on full form, after such a slew of lackluster covers. I do love how they celebrated Greece and the surrounding islands during the summer months. The two covers capture the mood of the country perfectly. I love the colors of the first cover! IMAGE | VOGUE.GR See more of Nora Attal from the Vogue Greece July/August 2025 cover shoot and join the conversation, here. The post Nora Attal Poses Under the Summer Sunshine on the July/August 2025 Covers of Vogue Greece appeared first on theFashionSpot. Travel fanatics generally try to visit as many different parts of the world as they can in their time here. But some destinations are so magical that even the most restless explorers cant help but return again and again. Whether its the delicious food, breathtaking landscapes, welcoming locals or all of the above, many features can draw repeat visitors over the years. With that in mind, we asked travel influencers to share the places theyve returned to multiple times. Related: Your Favorite Frequent Flyer Will Appreciate These Travel Gifts Keep scrolling for nine destinations to inspire your next vacation. South Africa Michal Krakowiak via Getty Images South Africa Oman-based travel influencer Nicole Brewer has returned to South Africa multiple times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im drawn to the people and the beautiful scenery in Cape Town, like Table Mountain, wine-tasting in Stellenbosch, the stunning beaches and just the laid-back climate of the country, she said. Brazil Christian Adams via Getty Images Brazil Ive been to Brazil 10 times, said New York City-based travel influencer Toosha Z. Brazil has warmth and beauty, and every visit feels like a new adventure. Although she usually stays in Rio de Janeiro, the travel influencer has also explored the Northeast and other parts of the country. She praised the energy, joy, and color of Brazil. I crave authentic acai bowls, fresh coconut water on the beach, and the breathtaking coastline, Z said. Beyond the coast, Brazil offers vibrant cities, lush rainforests and untouched nature, along with tropical fruits you cant find anywhere else. Crete Nick Brundle Photography via Getty Images Crete A destination we keep coming back to is Crete in Greece, said Alexandra Kryaneva of the Germany-based travel duo Alex and Flo. We love it because it has so much to offer rich history, amazing food and warm hospitality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She and her family are also fans of the island's beautiful beaches. Whats even better is that in summer theyre not as crowded as many other places, which makes it extra relaxing, Kryaneva said. Banff Onfokus via Getty Images Banff Banff is a travel destination Ive returned to multiple times, and I have no doubt that Ill be back again in the future, said Los Angeles-based travel photographer Tiffany Nguyen. Its one of those places that really feels like it has everything a photographer could dream of. She believes everyone should visit the Canadian destination at least once in their lifetime to experience the out of this world landscapes with endless new, beautiful spots to discover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the things I love most about Banff is that you can visit during any season and the scenes around you will be some of the most gorgeous natural sights in the world, Nguyen said. Theres such a wide variety of things to see, photograph and experience here. Theres no shortage of natural beauty to leave you feeling inspired here. Gran Canaria Andrea Comi via Getty Images Gran Canaria Another destination we keep returning to is Gran Canaria, Kryaneva said. She and her family usually visit the Spanish Canary Island around winter for the great climate and breathtaking views. While the south is more touristy, we love the north especially the area around Agaete for its beautiful nature, hiking trails, secluded black-sand beaches, local vibes, relaxed atmosphere and friendly people, Kryaneva added. The capital, Las Palmas, is also a wonderful place to stay during the winter: beach on one side, vibrant city life on the other and plenty of great food options. Ghana John Elk via Getty Images Ghana As a travel creator and group trip host focused on connecting the African and Caribbean diasporas, Ghana holds a special place in my heart and work, said Shakespeare Agency founder Lisa-Gaye Shakespeare, who has been five times and counting. The energy, culture and warmth of the people make it feel like a home away from home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Jamaican, she feels a connection with Ghanas culture through the music, food, language, spirit and sense of resilience. The country means so much to her that she ordered a custom wedding dress there for her upcoming nuptials. Every time Im in Ghana, it feels like Im simultaneously discovering something new and reconnecting with something ancient, Shakespeare said. I see pieces of home there. I feel our shared history, but also our shared joy. That emotional resonance is what keeps drawing me back. Italy Suttipong Sutiratanachai via Getty Images Italy Italy just has everything, said Catarina Mello, a travel creator based in Los Angeles. One trip youre soaking up the sun on a beach in the south, the next youre in the mountains up north or wandering through vineyards and rolling countryside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also touted the incredible architecture, history, wine and of course, food. Every time I go, I think Ive seen the best of it, and then I discover a new little town or have a meal that completely changes me, Mello said. No matter how many times I visit, Im already planning the next trip before Ive even left. Mexico jmorse2000 via Getty Images Mexico As an itinerary warrior, I think Mexico has so much to offer! said Sojourner White, a travel creator based in Milwaukee. You can get beaches in the Riviera Maya, big cities and outdoor adventures like Copper Canyon. She enjoys learning the history of the different parts of the country shes visited, including Valladolid, Tulum, Cancun. Oaxaca, Guadalajara, Tequila, Creel, Los Mochis and Mexico City. And of course, the food is another big draw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I loved doing a cooking class and learning about their Indigenous practices as artisans in Oaxaca, visiting the markets and museums and riding in a hot air balloon in Mexico City and even taking the Jose Cuervo Express Tequila Train from Guadalajara to Tequila, White said. The fact I can do all of those things in one country, plus continue to improve my Spanish skills as I go, is ideal for me as a solo traveler who loves learning about other cultures. Switzerland rusm via Getty Images Switzerland Mumbai-based travel creator Kritika Goel said Switzerland is the country shes visited the most, having gone eight times in the last four years. Switzerland feels like stepping into a postcard every time I visit, she explained. Each season brings a different version of Switzerland, and somehow theres always more to discover. For me, its that rare mix of natural beauty, ease of travel and a sense of peace that keeps calling me back. Related... Read the original on HuffPost "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." We love spending a good buck on high-quality products whenever we can, but when it comes to our grooming routine, we don't shy away from a good drugstore shampoo. These days, there are so many affordable shampoos on the market that do just as much as brand name options. "Years ago, there was a clear dividedrugstore products were known for being basic, while prestige offered advanced, nutrient-rich formulas. But that has changed dramatically," says Kimberlee Blakley, the senior director of product development at The Mane Choice. "The innovation happening in drugstore hair care makes it easier than ever to build a consistent routine with formulas that support your hair's health. Because drugstore products are so widely available, there is no barrier to entry, and everyone can have amazing hair." 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This option from the Mane Choice not only cleanses your scalp and strands from build-up, but helps detangle, strengthen, and grow your hair, too. $18.18 at amazon.com Tea Tree Special Shampoo Sometimes, you just want your scalp to feel clean. This shampoo feels tingly when you apply it, which apart from being satisfying, actually serves a dual purpose. Tea tree, peppermint, and lavender collide to help stimulate the scalp, which can result in increased hair growth overtime. Once you wash it off, your scalp and hair will feel super clean. This is a great product to use either everyday, or to swap in for a detox wash if you opt for hydrating shampoos the rest of the week. $20.00 at amazon.com EverPure Moisture Sulfate Free Shampoo For folks that wash their hair every day, you want an option that's gentle while still effective. "I love L'Oreal Paris Ever Pure Sulfate Free Moisture Shampoo because its gentle, color safe, and keeps hair soft without stripping," says Korab. Even if you don't dye your hair, opting for a gentle shampoo means you won't be stripping healthy oils from your hair that are needed to have shiny, happy strands. This shampoo also uses rosemary leaf extract to encourage hair growth, hydrate, and nourish your hair. It smells great, too. $14.97 at amazon.com 2-in-1 Daily Shampoo + Conditioner For the ultra low-maintenance fella, if you insist on using a 2-in-1 shampoo, let it be this one. We always encourage folks to put in that extra effort and buy your shampoos and conditioners separately, but if that's too much to ask, Every Man Jack's 2-in-1 uses vitamin B5 and wheat protein to strengthen, cleanse, and hydrate. If you're a stickler about scents, this product has six different fragrance options to choose from. Advertisement Advertisement $18.99 at amazon.com A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo If dandruff is making your hair become thinner, you're not alone. And while plenty of drugstore shampoos tackle flakiness effectively with ingredients like zinc, if that's not cutting it, this medicated shampoo might do the trick. It uses Ketoconazole to kill the fungus that causes dandruff, and by extension, creates a healthy environment for increased hair growth. Use it twice a week until the issue is under control, and alternate with hydrating or scalp-soothing shampoos in the meantime. $15.88 at amazon.com FAQs What is the difference between drugstore shampoos and luxury options? The eternal questionwhat are you really paying for? "Years ago, there was a clear dividedrugstore products were known for being basic, while prestige offered advanced, nutrient-rich formulas. But that has changed dramatically," says Kimberlee Blakley, the senior director of product development at The Mane Choice "Drugstore brands are now embracing innovation, leveraging naturally derived and on-trend ingredients, including ingredients like nutrientdense oils and amino acids." Advertisement Advertisement While prices can sometimes indicate something about the formulas themselveshairstylist and colorist Jennifer Korab, who owns the Renaissance Salon & Spa in New Jersey, notes that the quality of higher-end shampoos can typically be gentler or contain fewer "filler" ingredients than drugstore optionsmore often than not, the differences are miniscule. Pricier shampoos are often a bigger reflection of marketing budgets and pretty designs, rather than a sign that the product itself is of lower quality. What are the best ingredients to look for in shampoos? Depending on your hair type and what you're looking for, you should keep your eyes peeled for different ingredients. For dry or frizzy hair, look for hydrating oils or smoothing ingredients. For flakey scalps, zinc is a popular go-to. "I love shampoos with gentle cleansers balanced by nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, biotin, and amino acids. They refresh the scalp without stripping, while supporting strength and softness," notes Blakley. Korab says, "I also love shampoos with aloe vera or tea tree oil for soothing the scalp and removing buildup without over drying." Are sulfates bad for your hair? A few years ago, the world rebelled against sulfates, and now some brands proudly display being sulfate-free. But are sulfates really the enemy? The answer depends largely on your hair type. Sulfates are essentially cleansing agents, and are great at reducing oil and build-up on your scalp. While they're not inherently damaging, overusing them can lead to frizz or stripping your hair of the natural oils that help keep your scalp healthy and hydrated. Some hair types, like curls and coils, are particularly susceptible to frizz and dryness as a result of sulfate use, so it may be best to alternate with gentler shampoos. If you're concerned about sulfates, there are plenty of other cleansing options. "I like to look for gentle surfactants such as sodium cocoyl isethionate or sodium lauroyl methylisethionate," says Korab. Hearst Owned You Might Also Like Delta Air Lines is adding a new direct flight to Europe but the company isn't the one making the final decision on which route it will add. Instead, the airline is asking its most loyal customers. Next summer, Delta is planning to add nonstop service to a southern European island where no United States airline currently flies. However, it is leaving the decision as to which one to its SkyMiles members, as Delta is allowing its loyal members to choose between two island destinations. Whichever route Delta adds, it will be a notable route for those looking to vacation in the Mediterranean next summer. But it's up to the customers to decide. Delta Explains the Move Generally, a lot of thought, planning and logistics goes into adding a new route. While that has undboutedly been the case once again with Delta narrowing the decision to three destinations, the company values the voice of its community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SkyMiles Members and Delta people are at the center of everything Delta does. The Route Race is a celebration of their influence, giving our community a voice in where they want to fly next and inviting them to help shape Deltas global network, said Paul Baldoni, Senior Vice President of Network Planning, in a news release. The destinations where Delta flies are more than just dots on a map theyre gateways to culture, connection and possibility, and this is a chance for our Members and employees to bring one of them closer. At the end of the day, its the customers who will be flying the route, so it would make sense that the customers make the decision. The Three Choices Delta is giving is allowing its SkyMiles members to vote between three potential destinations: Sardinia, Malta, and Ibiza. The airline also provided a brief explanation of each island destination to help its customers make the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are Delta's descriptions of each Mediterranean island: Sardinia, Italy: For customers who love a slower pace but still want adventure, Sardinia is the ultimate mix. Days here can start with a hike along rugged cliffs, move to a hidden swim, and end with fresh pasta and local wine in a seaside village. Its a place where natural beauty, history, and food all share the spotlight. Malta: Perfect for customers who want their trip to feel like a story, Malta blends centuries of history with sunny Mediterranean charm. One day you might wander ancient fortresses or UNESCO-listed streets, the next youre on a boat headed for turquoise bays. Its a destination for those who want culture, scenery, and relaxation all in one place. Ibiza, Spain: For customers who love a destination that comes alive after dark, Ibiza is a global capital of nightlife with world-famous DJs, beach parties, and sunset-to-sunrise energy. But the island also knows how to slow things down with hidden coves, laid-back beach bars, and day trips to nearby Formentera for a quieter balance. Its perfect for those who want their trip to be equal parts relaxation and revelry. Each destination is beautiful and unique in its own way, so there is no wrong decision. How it Works The voting will begin on Aug. 25 and will run until Aug. 29. SkyMiles Members can log onto the app and cast their vote for the destination of their choice by navigating to the "Explore" and "Trip" pages within the app. From there, Delta member will login with their SkyMiles login information and cast their vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the voting will close after Aug. 29, the final results of the vote will be announced about 30 days after voting closes. We'll have to see which destination comes out on top. This story was originally reported by Men's Journal on Aug 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Tony's Chocolonely didn't just stumble into global fame. Its bold, paper wrappers and oversized, cartoony logo are instantly recognizable on any store shelf, enticing customers to take a bite through the company's meticulous approach to its design. And beyond the packaging, the Dutch brand boasts a subtle, often-overlooked detail within the chocolate itself. No, it's not just that it's delicious (and not even remotely overrated). If you've ever had one of the company's signature chocolates, you've probably noticed that the pieces aren't like other candy bars. Instead of straight, even pieces that are perfectly snappable for easy sharing, Tony's Chocolonely features a jigsaw puzzle of uneven pieces, from minuscule to gargantuan. This isn't by accident, and it's not just a quirky arrangement. Instead, these uneven pieces take on a greater meaning, representing the massive profit inequalities in the global chocolate industry. You see, a trio of journalists first created the company in 2005. Two years prior, these founders hosted a television expose, showing off the dark side of some of our planet's mega chocolate companies. They found that these corporate giants routinely purchase cocoa from farms and plantations that utilize slaves and unethical child labor, and sought to change the industry altogether. So, since its founding, Tony's prides itself on being Fairtrade, ensuring that cocoa farmers and producers are paid a fair share. In addition, they work with cocoa co-ops and strive to meet strict environmental sustainability standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 16 Popular Candy Bars, Ranked Worst To Best A Secret Chocolate Atlas Tony's Chocolonely chocolate bar - Zoe Cappello/Shutterstock For the geographically inclined, the pieces found near the bottom-left of a Tony's Chocolonely bar might look a little familiar. While they still represent the inequalities of the global chocolate industry, they're also an artistic representation of the Gulf of Guinea. One long, skinny piece represents the coastline itself, and above that, you'll find six West African nations. In order from right to left, you'll find the western portion of Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire (also known as the Ivory Coast). If you have a keen eye, you might notice that these six countries are represented by just five pieces of chocolate. That's because, in order to make enough space for a whole hazelnut in some of its flavors, the company has consolidated the two smallest countries (Togo and Benin) into one piece. But why have a map of West Africa hidden inside every chocolate bar? Well, the funny thing about the cocoa found in every European chocolate bar out there (including Tony's Chocolonely) is that they're not European at all! While countries like Germany might produce the most chocolate, the cocoa beans themselves are grown throughout the world, mainly in the global South and near the equator. West African nations in particular grow roughly 70% of the world's cocoa beans. It's a staggering figure, especially when considering the amount of chocolate bars consumed each and every day around the world. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Zurich is a beautiful city, declares Swiss-born fashion and nightlife trailblazer Susanne Bartsch, who knows a thing or two about beauty. I just love the culture how theyre living life, the whole culture of hanging out. I feel like they really stop and smell the roses. Now through December 7, Zurich is celebrating Bartschs iconic career of unforgettable outfits and spectacular New York City events with the exhibition Transformation!, on glorious display at the Museum fur Gestaltung (Museum of Design). The exhibition, Bartschs first in her native Switzerland, takes the visitor on a dazzling nocturnal journey through getting ready, queuing up, clubbing, and winding down with a cavalcade of phenomenal lewks along the way, of course. Susanne Bartsch alongside a mannequin wearing one of her famous nightclub costumes Bartsch at the Museum fur Gestaltung's 'Transformation!' exhibition, which highlights the nightlife icon's illustrious career. Niklaus Stauss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My idea was that it would be more than Susanne Bartsch, says the style icon. I wanted to do the whole Bartschland club experience, and the space lends itself perfectly to this. I love that its a basement. Embark on your own Bartsch-esque transformation through Zurich by gearing up at Fidelio in the Altstadt (Old Town), where twin boutiques for men and women both offer fantastic selections of stylish global brands like Acne Studios and Thom Krom. If moneys no object, head a few blocks over to the ultra-posh Bahnhofstrasse to find luxury fashion shops like Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. If secondhand is more your speed, Maroni Vintage in the Werd neighborhood promotes sustainable fashion with a great curated selection of gently used designer pieces. An aerial view of the downtown shopping area in Zurich Switzerland called Bahnhofstrasse Bahnhofstrasse, the main downtown shopping area of Zurich, Switzerland. Schweiz Tourismus/Daniel Loosli Accessorize at Freitag Tower, home to the flagship store for the hip Swiss Freitag brand of sustainable bags, made from durable former truck tarps. The towers striking structure consists of 19 disused freight containers stacked atop each other and now offering excellent views of the surrounding Kreis 5, a former industrial area thats now one of Zurichs trendiest districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get ready for the evenings escapades at the super cool and comfy 25hours Hotel Zurich Langstrasse, with vibes and decor inspired by the hotels neighboring red light district. Within easy walking distance of Zurichs main train station, the hotel also claims to be the first in the world where you can pay for your stay with art or other collectibles (details on its site). Cinchona Bar on the ground floor often hosts fun drag brunches. A beautifully lit street in the Niederdorf neighborhood. Zurich Tourismus Start your night out in the Niederdorf neighborhood at Kweer, a relaxed and diverse LGBTQ+ coffeehouse by day and bar come evening. Kweer opened in 2022 on the former site of Barfusser, Zurichs oldest gay bar and one of the earliest in Europe, dating back to the 1950s. If its the weekend, head across the street to Heaven, Zurichs main gay club, offering a lively mix of pop, drag, and disco. On Wednesdays, make your way back to Kreis 5 for the riverside Heldenbar, which serves up an edgier, more inclusive, and always upbeat vibe. Locals and tourists traverse the streets of Langstrasse, Zurich's nightlife hotspot. Zurich Tourismus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre feeling adventurous, on Thursday to Saturday nights you can join the queue with some of the coolest Zurchers for entry to Klaus on Langstrasse, the citys main nightlife strip. But dont do so without an invitation, since at least in theory Klaus is a private club for friends and friends of friends. Bartsch held the transformative after-party for her shows opening there, so its definitely worth asking around and trying to tag along with a Klaus member as their plus-one. For Bartsch, few things can electrify our power to resist the worlds darkness like club culture. The dance floor to me is a big place to fight back, she says. Community right now is very important. Stick together, create things where we unite, be together, have each others energy, have each others backs. This travel article is part of Out's Sept-Oct issue, which hits newsstands August 26. Support queer media and subscribe or download the issue through Apple News, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader starting August 14. cover of out traveler's fall print edition OutTraveler FALL 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared on Out: Explore Zurich with Swiss style icon Susanne Bartsch RELATED The Republic of Angola is a country located in southwestern Africa. Although its official language is Portuguese, a significant portion of the population is from the Bantu people, an ethnolinguistic grouping of 400+ distinct native African ethnic groups. Due to the eclectic demographic, the modern appearance of Angolan cuisine consists of a combination of indigenous African ingredients and cooking techniques, Portuguese influences and ingredients from other colonies. However, the same demographic mix has led to a loss of Angolan culinary practices. To combat this, chef Helt Araujo created OVINA YETU, a project intended to reveal and promote Angolan cuisine as a fundamental element of Angolan cultural and environmental heritage. Becoming the Solution to a Problem At age ten, Chef Araujo wanted to write a book about Angolan cuisine. He describes himself as an Angolan at heart and soul, who is originally from Benguela. His curiosity about food led to experimentation at a young age, eventually finding a permanent passion in the kitchen. There was an awakening of the senses consolidated over the years, he says. One of my great memories is being fed by my mother at the kitchen counter. Another is living with my father and celebrating when it was my day to cook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While researching for the book as an adult, Araujo ran into challenges. I encountered many difficulties in obtaining information, he says. Whether written or oral, it was disconnected from reality. I realized Id have to set aside the intention of writing a book and instead create a project to address this documentation process scientifically. Angolan Cuisine Explained After attending the School of Hospitality and Tourism in Lisbon, Portugal, Araujo rectified the lack of Angolan gastronomy by establishing the CHA group, which offers private aviation catering and operates two restaurants. Later this year, he is launching OVINA YETU, a groundbreaking project that aims to fill the gaps in information and knowledge about Angolan gastronomy and products. Pictured: Chef Helt Araujo putting the final touches on a dish | Photo credit: Facestudio The name means Our Product, Our Thing in Umbunduone of many Bantu languagesand reflects a philosophy of life toward a path of research, documentation, systematization and writing. Its the dissemination of Angolan gastronomy history and products that contribute to a more sustainable production process, shares the Luanda resident. In traditional Angolan cuisine, cereals such as massambala and maize, legumes such as beans, tubers such as yam, and vegetables such as okra and bitter leaf dominate. The basis of Angolan cuisine consists of yam, cassava, maize, or rice, boiled or used in flour, pasta, or bread, combined with vegetable stews or sauces, Chef Araujo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With sesame or palm oil or complex and subtle spice blends, okra is highly appreciated for its viscous and thick texture. Game meat, dried meat and fish are also prominent, especially in coastal regions and along major rivers and lakes. Inland, its smoked and dried fish. Simplicity is the main characteristic of Angolan cuisine, with fresh ingredients and contrasting flavors. Angolan cuisine does not feature refined or complicated sauces; less creates more, which characterizes the visual image of the dish itself. RELATED: A Mothers Dream Inspires Soul Food Restaurant by Felicia in Lisbon Reshaping Angolan Culinary History Outside influences reshaped Angolan gastronomy. Chef Araujo says modern Angolan cuisine is Portuguese-based due to colonization and various adaptations of dishes from Portuguese-speaking countries and Europe. The result is that the cultural mixture, national cuisine has become diverse, offering flavors and textures that appeal to almost every palate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why OVINA YETU wants to educate native Angolans on their roots and aims to distribute knowledge about unknown native products. This topic inspires us because we see it as an identity and cultural response, a rescue of the basic Angolan culture, agriculture and its communities. By demonstrating the potential to contribute to the scarce literature on the rich Angolan gastronomy, we want to influence food education from a place of deeper cultural knowledge of our history. Connect with Chef Helt Araujo on Instagram (@chefheltaraujo) to follow his food journey, catering projects and restaurants. Learn more about OVINA YETU and the work being done to reshape Angolan cuisine and celebrate its roots on the website. DAMASCUS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces have established military positions in a strategic village southwest of Damascus, about 20 km from the Syrian capital, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday. According to the Britain-based war monitor, the posts were set up on August 21 in Rakhlah, a village in the Mount Hermon area which overlooks three key roads linking Damascus with Lebanon's Baalbek and Beirut. The observatory said the move gives Israel a "significant strategic advantage," placing its forces within artillery range of vital highways, including the Beirut-Masnaa and Beirut-Zahle routes, which are considered essential supply lines for Hezbollah. It added that the deployment appears to be part of Israel's wider strategy to encircle the Lebanese group and cut its potential supply routes. There has been no official comment from Syria's interim authorities on the reported deployment. Israel has carried out repeated airstrikes in southern Syria, targeting military sites and what it says are Hezbollah and Iranian-linked assets. The reported fixed presence on the ground near Damascus would mark a major escalation in the tension between the two countries. Most international climbers are expected to arrive at Manaslu during the second week of September. In the meantime, Nepal's mountaineering industry has come up with a new system to fix the ropes as quickly as possible. A strong Sherpa team directly hired by the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOAN) is on the way to Manaslu. They intend to fix the ropes and prepare the entire route by September 20. "We have formed a seven-member rope-fixing team composed of some of the best climbing guides, who will be responsible for opening the route, Dawa Sherpa Lama, EOAN Treasurer, told the Everest Chronicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tashi Sherpa will lead the team, which also includes Tshering Bhote, Lakpa Sherpa, Tashi Gyalzen Sherpa, Hira Bhote, Pasang Sherpa, and Karma Sarki Sherpa. They left for Base Camp today. Optimized business The new system will allow climbers to come and go from late September until late November since fall climbing permits are valid until November 30. The biggest outfitters are also offering Dhaulagiri climbs, so fast work on Manaslu may allow them to optimize their human resources (mainly climbing Sherpas) and offer their clients combined climbs of Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, and even Ama Dablam. The huge Manaslu Base Camp last year. Photo: Seven Summit Treks The time of long expeditions in which the climbers slowly progressed on the mountain through several rotations, while the rope fixers edged upwards, is over. Clients on supplementary oxygen can consider a summit push with only one or two rotations, or none if they have climbed another high peak (above 7,000m) before. A logistic step forward In recent years, the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal (EOAN) has overseen the rope fixing on Nepal's most popular peaks: Everest, Manaslu, and Ama Dablam. Until now, they assigned the task to a single outfitter. Last year, for instance, Mingma G's Imagine Nepal team did the rope fixing on Manaslu. Other teams paid them for their work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time, the team works directly with the EOAN, like the Icefall Doctors do every spring on Everest, when they forge a route through the Khumbu Icefall. A member of the rope-fixing team on Manaslu. Photo: Imagine Nepal Dawa Sherpa is directing the operation from Kathmandu, but Mingma David Sherpa is in Base Camp directly overseeing the rope fixing. Mingma David is a member of the EOAN, and since yesterday, the new First Vice President of the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA). He is also the co-owner of Elite Exped with Nirmal Purja and Mingma Tenzi Sherpa. Sherpas win NMA elections For context, the NMA is the equivalent of a national alpine club. It has a significant influence on mountain politics and in the relations between the state and mountain tourism. Its new president, Phurba Gyaltsen Sherpa (Phur Gelje Sherpa), is also Managing Director of Himalayan Edge Adventure and Heli Everest, and a strong representative of the Sherpa community. His competition for the post was Kul Bahadur Gurung, the former NMA General Secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Everest Chronicle, Phurba Gyaltsen's win over the previous team at the head of the institution is "a triumph of local tourism entrepreneurship over institutional professionalism." Mingma David Sherpa's VP role (he aligned himself with Kul Gurung) is the only key position the rival team managed to keep. 1 person airlifted after crash involving motorcycle in far East El Paso EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) One person was airlifted after a crash involving a motorcycle on Sunday, Aug. 24, in far East El Paso, according to the El Paso Fire Department. The call came in shortly after 5 p.m. at the intersection of Zaragoza and Rich Beem. One person was taken to a local hospital via El Paso Fires FSTAR helicopter. Photo courtesy of TxDOT. Zaragoza was closed in both directions for about an hour before reopening at about 6:15 p.m., according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story and will be updating you once we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. With cash-strapped councils turning to hotel taxes and higher parking fees to balance the books, one tourism town has hit upon an idea to earn revenue from unsuspecting visitors: charge a hefty price to use the loo. Many councils charge 20p or 40p, sometimes even 50p, but in Eastbourne it now costs a princely 1 to spend a penny in the three public toilet blocks along the four-mile seafront. Victoria-era facilities that were previously free to use have had gates installed at a cost of 136,000 that only open after youve had 1 deducted from your bank account, via a card or mobile banking. There is no option to pay with cash. This is a disappointing policy which undermines tourism in Eastbourne, says Jonathan Owen, the general manager of Eastbournes Hydro Hotel. We need to create reasons to visit our marvellous seaside town, not offer negativity to visitors. Neighbouring Brighton does not charge for its seafront public toilets, nor does Hastings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maintaining the towns 12 public toilets was costing Eastbourne Borough Council 300,000 a year, a spokesperson said, plus a further 100,000 responding to damage, misuse and anti-social behaviour. As there is no legal requirement for a council to make public toilets available, many have been closing nationwide as a way of saving local council funds. John Boisvert, 74: Weve been coming here for years but now it seems the council are being real money-grabbers Eastbourne council wanted to shut all the toilets on the seafront apart from the ones near the bandstand, says Gaynor Sedgwick, the chair of Friends of Eastbourne Seafront. But this is a tourist town. We cant have visitors caught short with nowhere to go to the loo. We fought the council on the toilet closures. We ran a media campaign and surveyed visitors, says Sedgwick. More than 80 per cent of respondents said they would be prepared to pay, and their preferred amount was 20p. However, some said that theyre used to paying 1 when abroad. The council took this information and decided they would charge a pound. We would prefer the council to be operating free toilets but we would rather have toilets you need to pay for than none at all. Visitors to the East Sussex town, which sells itself as the sunniest in England, are unimpressed. Weve been coming here for years but now it seems the council are being real money-grabbers. said John Boisvert, 74, who was visiting Eastbourne for the day with his wife Tracy. Im not paying 1 Ill go in the bushes instead. It isnt only older people complaining about the charge. Ben Barden, 25, visiting with friends from London, said: For 1 Id expect someone to spray some aftershave and polish my shoes. Theyre not even nice toilets they smell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the eastern end of the seafront, near where boats launch from the beach, the public loos were closed by the council for nine months last year. It resulted in a drop in takings for a nearby refreshment shack, Nascafe. The owner, Nas Chikh, took matters into her own hands, and she now maintains half of the former council block herself, providing two unisex toilets during her cafes opening hours. Nas Chikh provides two unisex toilets during her cafes opening hours and one local man donated a toilet seat when he saw that one was broken Chikh estimates that maintaining the loo will cost her 15,000 a year and says she spends 250 a month just on toilet paper. But keeping the loo open has become a community endeavour. One local man donated a toilet seat when he saw that one was broken, she laughs. This was a forerunner to Eastbournes Community Toilet Scheme, which launched in January. Businesses are now encouraged to offer the use of their toilets to the public for free, though donations are welcomed without the need to make a purchase. But the sustainability of this is in doubt. We had about 500 people coming in yesterday just to use the toilets, said a member of staff at The Glasshouse restaurant, the only other community loo provider on the seafront. Having lots of people come in to use the toilets is unpleasant for other customers, says Gaynor Sedgwick, and it costs the businesses a lot to maintain them. Few would begrudge councils charging a nominal amount to use the loo. Indeed, penny-in-the-door public toilets were introduced in London back in 1851. But its easy to see why 1 is considered excessive, especially by visitors who are already contributing to the towns economy. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Hours after Portland police wound down a mission designed to intercept street racers, a much larger contingent gathered in a different part of the city and created traffic havoc in the early hours of Sunday. Portland police knew the racers were going to be out and about. We were seeing social media posts that were telling people to come out and, you know, pretty much take over the streets again, PPB Capt. Chris Burley told KOIN 6 News. We even saw posts of folks telling folks be ready to go to jail, its alright because the air conditioning is up and running in the jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 1 a.m., PPB said in a release, about 100 cars arrived in a well-populated neighborhood near 6800 North Fessenden. Those street racers stayed there until shortly before 2 a.m., when they moved over to the Lloyd District. Wanted criminal arrested in Vancouver SWAT mission Some were doing donuts, speeding, running red lights, and zig-zagging through lanes of traffic, authorities said. Only one police sergeant was able to respond, as officials said other officers were tied up on a tactical incident with a man firing a gun. Unfortunately, at that time, there were no officers available in the city, Burley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northeast Portland residents near Lombard Street, MLK Boulevard and Columbia Boulevard kept calling police about the street racers. Police said North Precinct officers were busy with emergency calls and by the time enough police responded, most of the street racers had sped away. About 100 cars were involved in a street racing takeover in the Lloyd District, August 24, 2025 (Courtesy to KOIN) One lone driver was spotted at 4:17 a.m. doing donuts in the intersection at NE Killingsworth and 47th, officials said. That driver was stopped and his car was towed. A stolen gun was also seized and the driver was cited for speed racing, driving with a suspended license and driving without insurance. All of this happened after PPB wrapped up a 10-hour mission around midnight. Street racers were spotted around 5 p.m. near SE Belmont and 3rd, police said, but they drove off before any racing happened. Over the next few hours, police said they made 29 traffic stops, towed six cars, arrested two people and issued four citations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing of what we say today is going to solve, resolve the fear, frustration that people called 911 last night and were expecting a response from the police, Burley said. But moreso we wanted to be transparent. Over the last few years, Portland police have utilized more stringent penalties during street racing enforcement. Despite the increased penalties and more active enforcement, street racing takeovers remain an issue in the city. About 100 cars were involved in a street racing takeover in the Lloyd District, August 24, 2025 (Courtesy to KOIN) I keep on using this phrase, but its the cat-and-mouse game, PPB Capt. Chris Burley told KOIN 6 News. The mouse is constantly changing what theyre doing. And the cat the police we need to be changing, modifying what were doing for the enforcement piece to ensure that the roads and the users of the roadways in Portland are safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit last week revived a Second Amendment challenge to the federal law that bars illegal drug users from owning guns. In a ruling published on Wednesday, a three-judge panel unanimously concluded that the federal government had failed to show that policy, as applied to state-authorized medical marijuana users in Florida, is "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation"the constitutional test that the U.S. Supreme Court established in the 2022 case New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. "When viewed in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs, the allegations in the operative complaint do not lead to the inference that the plaintiffs are comparatively similar to either felons or dangerous individualsthe two historical analogues the Federal Government offers in its attempt to meet its burden," writes Judge Elizabeth Branch, a Donald Trump appointee, in an opinion joined by Judges Robert Luck and Gerald Tjoflat, who were appointed by Trump and Gerald Ford, respectively. "We therefore vacate the district court's order and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion." The case, Cooper v. Attorney General, began as a lawsuit that Nikki Fried, then Florida's commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, filed in April 2022. Fried, a Democrat whose responsibilities included overseeing the issuance of concealed carry permits as well as the state's medical marijuana program, was troubled by the implications of 18 USC 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for an "unlawful user" of "any controlled substance" to receive or possess a firearm. She argued that Floridians should not have to choose between exercising the constitutional right to armed self-defense and using cannabis for symptom relief in compliance with state law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That position made sense to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a conservative Republican who is not otherwise known for his enlightened views on drug policy. "The governor stands for protecting Floridians' constitutional rightsincluding 2nd Amendment rights," his office said in response to Fried's lawsuit. "Floridians should not be deprived of a constitutional right for using a medication lawfully." DeSantis reiterated that point in January 2024, when he was vying with Trump for the Republican presidential nomination. During a campaign stop in New Hampshire, DeSantis was asked about Section 922(g)(3)'s impact on cannabis consumers in states that have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use. "I don't think that's constitutional, to be honest with you," he replied. "If you're using a legal product, I don't see how that can nullify a constitutional right." At that point, Allen Winsor, a Trump-appointed judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, had already dismissed Fried's lawsuit. Winsor concluded that Section 922(g)(3) met the Bruen test even as applied to state-authorized medical marijuana users. Fried, who appealed that decision to the 11th Circuit, was removed as a plaintiff after she left office at the beginning of 2023. The remaining plaintiffs include two registered Florida patients who want to buy guns for self-protection: Vera Cooper, a septuagenarian business owner who uses marijuana to treat chronic knee pain and insomnia, and Nicole Hansell, a veteran of the Afghanistan war who uses marijuana to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. The third plaintiff is Neill Franklin, a retired police officer who owns a gun and would like to participate in Florida's medical marijuana program but not at the cost of surrendering his Second Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the district court, the government argued that medical marijuana patients are not part of "the people" whose "right to keep and bear arms" is guaranteed by the Second Amendment because they are not "law-abiding, responsible citizens." Although Winsor did not address that claim, the 11th Circuit explicitly rejected it. "While there is a history and tradition in this Nation of disarming convicted felons," neither Cooper nor Hansell has "ever been convicted of any crime, let alone a felony," Branch writes. "Nor are there any allegations that they are engaging in felonious conduct." In fact, Congress has implicitly condoned the conduct that disqualifies Cooper and Hansell from gun ownership under Section 922(g)(3). Every year since 2015, Branch notes, Congress has approved a spending rider that bars the Justice Department from interfering with state medical marijuana programs. And according to their lawsuit, Cooper and Hansell "act in reliance upon" that rider and "only engage in activity" that "they know will not expose them to punishment or liability under state or federal law." At most, Branch notes, the plaintiffs' medical marijuana use makes them guilty of a federal misdemeanor. "The parties do not cite, and we are not aware of, any authority for the proposition that misdemeanants are not among the people who enjoy the right to bear arms as protected by the Second Amendment," she writes. "We decline to hold so now." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11th Circuit also rejected the claim that Cooper and Hansell are excluded from the Second Amendment because they are not "responsible." That argument, Branch says, is precluded by the Supreme Court's June 2024 ruling in United States v. Rahimi, which upheld a prosecution for violating the federal ban on gun possession by people subject to domestic violence restraining orders. "We reject the Government's contention that Rahimi may be disarmed simply because he is not 'responsible,'" Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. "'Responsible' is a vague term. It is unclear what such a rule would entail. Nor does such a line derive from our case law." Since "the Second Amendment's plain text covers Cooper and Hansell," Branch says, the question is whether disarming them based on their medical marijuana use satisfies the Bruen test. Winsor thought it did. Even assuming that patients like Cooper and Hansell are covered by the Second Amendment, he said, their cannabis consumption makes them analogous to criminals and other "dangerous" individuals, such as "alcoholics and the mentally ill," who historically have been disarmed to protect public safety. The 11th Circuit disagreed. The government "has not pointed to any historical tradition of disarming those engaged in misdemeanant conduct," Branch notes. Furthermore, "felon dispossession laws require an individual to be convicted of a felony before they lose their Second Amendment right." By contrast, Cooper and Hansell "have never faced a judicial determination of guilt for any crime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the laws cited by the government require a felony conviction, they are "starkly different" from the policy challenged in this case, Branch writes. Cooper and Hansell, she says, "are not relevantly similar to felons who have historically been disarmed." Branch acknowledges that the United States "has a long history and tradition of disarming individuals it fairly deems as dangerous, including the mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics, and the intoxicated." But based on the record at this point, she says, "Cooper and Hansell cannot fairly be labeled as dangerous people solely due to their medicinal marijuana use." The government averred that medical marijuana patients who own guns "endanger public safety in multiple ways." They "may mishandle firearmsor use firearms to commit crimesbecause of 'drug-induced changes in physiological functions, cognitive ability, and mood,'" the Justice Department said. They "may 'commit crime in order to obtain money to buy drugs'and thus pose a danger of using firearms to facilitate such crime." And "violent crime may occur as part of the drug business or culture." The government, in other words, implicitly portrayed Cooper, Hansell, and Franklin as potential public menaces because they might be inclined to handle guns while stoned, commit crimes to support their drug habits, or (for some reason) buy marijuana from violent drug dealers instead of state-licensed dispensaries. But as Branch notes, the record is devoid of any evidence to back up those concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Federal Government's argument that medical marijuana users pose a risk of committing violent crimes to obtain marijuana finds no support in the FAC [first amended complaint]," Branch writes. "Nothing in the FAC indicates that Cooper and Hansell are engaged in any drug market aside from the Florida medical marijuana market, which is highly regulated and requires dispensaries to comply with State law as enforced by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Nor is there any indication in the FAC that Cooper and Hansell 'pose a credible threat' to the public safety of others based solely on their use of medical marijuana." In short, "the factual allegations, construed in the light most favorable to Cooper and Hansell, do not lead to an inference that they, because they are medical marijuana users, can fairly be labeled as dangerous," Branch writes. "Because both of the Federal Government's historical analogues fail at the motion to dismiss stage, we conclude it has failed to meet its burden of establishing that the challenged laws and regulations as applied to medical marijuana users are consistent with this Nation's history and tradition of firearm regulation. Thus, the Appellants have plausibly alleged that the challenged statutes and regulations violate the Second Amendment as applied to them." That conclusion, Branch notes, is consistent with decisions by other federal appeals courts. In the 2024 case United States v. Connelly, for example, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit held that the government could not constitutionally prosecute a Texas woman for violating Section 922(g)(3) based solely in her "habitual or occasional drug use." This year in United States v. Cooper, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit ruled that defendants charged under that statute should have an opportunity to rebut the presumption that their drug use makes them dangerous. And last month in United States v. Harris, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit ruled that Section 922(g)(3) "constitutionally restricts the gun rights of drug users only as long as they present a special danger of misusing firearms." While federal courts generally have rejected facial challenges to Section 922(g)(3), the 11th Circuit's ruling and the decisions that Branch cites show that several have been open to claims that the law is unconstitutional as applied to individuals who do not plausibly pose a threat to public safety. Judging from the weakness of the arguments that the government has been able to muster in the Florida case, that category includes people who use marijuana for medical purposes in compliance with state law. The post The 11th Circuit Revives a Constitutional Challenge to the Federal Law That Disarms Medical Marijuana Patients appeared first on Reason.com. EAST PENNSBORO TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Fourteen men have been arrested after a human trafficking operation in Cumberland County. The Cumberland County District Attorneys Office says the men were arrested as part of Operation Impact Demand XII on August 14. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest The men arrested allegedly sought female escorts to engage in sexual activity for money at an East Pennsboro Township hotel, and will each be charged with prostitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each of the men arrested had ages ranging from 24 to 55, and all lived in the region. Silver Spring Township Police and East Pennsboro Township Police assisted the District Attorneys office with these arrests. The District Attorneys Office says a total of 113 individuals have been arrested since these human trafficking operations began in June 2022. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. A 14-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after she was hit by a vehicle in Ohio on Saturday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] First responders were dispatched to Swans Road in Licking County on reports of a person who was struck by a vehicle, our news partners WBNS-10 TV reported. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madison Township Fire Chief Nick Garver said the victim was flown to Nationwide Childrens Hospital. Details on her condition were not immediately available. No vehicle was at the scene, WBNS-10 TV reported. Additional details about the crash were not immediately available. The crash remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEVADA, Mo. Cottey College gives its newest class of students a traditional welcome. Its definitely a lot of freedom so far, and Im really enjoying it, said Syan Saldana, Cottey College New Student. Welcome weekend concluded with a tradition that dates back to the 1930s, at Cottey College. The college hosted its 142nd Opening Convocation Ceremony at the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts Auditorium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a larger incoming class than last years batch, bringing in students from 17 different states and six countries, including Syan Saldana from El Paso, Texas. I like being able to meet so many different people at orientation and everyone being so welcoming, especially being so far from home, said Saldana. Its a big decision when you choose somewhere to go to college. And so we want to mark that as a special moment in their lives and get to celebrate that with their friends and family here, said Randon Coffey, Cottey College Communications and Strategic Initiatives Vice President. Families, faculty and current students attended the ceremony, welcoming the next new class of students for the next four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students heard speeches from faculty and from Cottey College alumnae, who once sat in the same seats as them. All of the students participate in the ceremony. Its just a welcome to party. They also participate in the signing of the Cottey Book, said Coffey. After the remarks, they also learned about the history of the college and its sisterhood, as well as the honor code. Each person who signed the book received a daisy afterward. Its just an opportunity for them to to feel at home and comfortable, make new friendships. And we feel that here at Katy that if youre connected to the people that youre learning with, its going to be the best possible academic experience for you, said Coffey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just seems like a sisterhood, and its exciting to just like see glimpses of it and theyll be a part of it and seeing how like the seniors are and like theyre so close, thats something to look forward to, said Saldana. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. A 17-year-old boy drowned during high surf conditions in New Hampshire after lifeguards had left the beach for the day, according to local officials. The teenager was swimming with relatives at Hampton Beach on Sunday when, around 6:45 p.m., "he was pulled away from shore by a strong ocean current," the New Hampshire State Police said. His dad went into the water to try to save him, but the dad "also became distressed," police said. WMUR - PHOTO: A 17-year-old boy drowned at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire on Aug. 24, 2025. Lifeguards had gone off duty at 5:30 p.m., but when the report came in for the drowning at 6:44 p.m., lifeguards responded, with the first rescuer entering the water at 6:48 p.m., New Hampshire State Beach Patrol Chief Patrick Murphy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lifeguards took the teenager and his dad to shore and tried to save the boy's life, but he was later pronounced dead at a hospital, police said. The teen's dad was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police said. MORE: Pediatrician shares water safety mistakes to avoid amid rise in drownings Hampton Fire/Rescue Chief Michael McMahon told ABC News that the "strong ocean current" described by police was not a rip current, but was from high surf conditions from Hurricane Erin. A high surf advisory was in effect in Hampton Beach on Sunday, with the National Weather Service warning of large, breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We'd been having very high surf conditions all week as remnants from Hurricane Erin," McMahon said. MORE: What to know about rip currents Red flag warnings were in effect at the beach this weekend, which "meant shallow wading only," McMahon said, adding it's not clear how far from shore the teenager was swimming. McMahon said beachgoers should make sure to swim when lifeguards are on duty and to always "be cautious in the ocean." "It was low tide at that time [of the drowning]," he said. "Thats a relatively calm period, but it doesnt take a lot for somebody to get in trouble." ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway and Kenton Gewecke contributed to this report. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles resonated with harmonious voices and stirring melodies on Friday night as some 300 Chinese and American artists came together for the Yellow River Cantata Concert, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Composed in 1939 by Xian Xinghai during China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Yellow River Cantata became a spiritual anthem that inspired millions. Its performance in Los Angeles carried not only artistic merit but also deep commemorative significance, honoring the shared sacrifices of the Chinese and American people in the global fight against fascism eight decades ago. That spirit was reflected in the remarks of both Chinese and U.S. representatives. Huang Hongjiang, deputy consul general of China in Los Angeles, said the cantata symbolized "the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people," which inspired "hundreds of millions of Chinese people to fight bravely at a critical juncture for the nation's survival" and became a rallying cry for national strength during the bloody war. He added that 80 years ago, amid the flames of World War II, the Chinese and American peoples "shared bitter hatred for the enemy and fought side by side to defend peace and justice." "History teaches us that only through unity and cooperation can we overcome common challenges; only through mutual respect can we avoid the tragedy of conflict," Huang said. U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu also highlighted the bonds between the two countries, saying, "20,000 Chinese Americans served our country despite discrimination," and "it is only together that we can move toward a more united and peaceful future." From lyrical solos to full ensemble pieces, the concert offered a rich blend of orchestral and choral works. Applause broke out throughout the evening, reaching a climax when the combined chorus and orchestra performed Roar! Yellow River, prompting the audience to rise in a standing ovation. "I'm enjoying it. The atmosphere is cheerful, and the diverse mix of people makes it a lively experience. Overall, it's very well done," said 72-year-old Robijn Bruinsma, a retired professor who attended the concert with his Chinese wife. Molly Nealson, a retired attorney, said, "I was deeply impressed by the evening's performance. The music is beautiful and well arranged." Her husband, Ken Nealson, a retired professor from the University of Southern California, said that he especially enjoyed the Children's Chorus: Song of Selling Newspaper, calling it "perfectly done." Beyond its artistry, many in the audience believed the concert could help build stronger connections between China and the United States. "It's beautiful to celebrate the end of World War II through music," said Jim Mericle, senior pastor of St. Mark's United Methodist Church. "It is something both Americans and Chinese can be thankful for, a moment where we come together and stand against aggression." A suspected gang member has been indicted for his alleged involvement in two 2024 shootings, according to the attorney generals office. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Monday, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced the indictment of Jeremy Marshall, 18, for his alleged involvement in two shootings at Albany State University during Homecoming festivities on October 19, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shootings, which occurred five minutes apart on the ASU campus, are believed to be linked to a rivalry between the Blockos gang, of which Marshall is allegedly a member, and the Purps gang, officials said. The first shooting injured several people, including three females aged 16, 17, and 20, while the second shooting resulted in the death of DeMarion Tashawn Daniels, 19, of Newnan, and injured a 13-year-old girl. This should have been a weekend of celebration for the Albany State community, said Attorney General Chris Carr. Instead, one teenager lost his life, several others were injured, and hundreds of innocent people were put in harms way. GBI Director Chris Hosey stated, The violence that occurred during this homecoming event was senseless and tragic. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the ASU Police Department, and the Attorney Generals Gang Prosecution Unit. The unit, established in 2022, has secured convictions for nearly 20 gang members in Dougherty County, including members of the Purps gang. Marshall faces multiple charges, including one count of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, eight counts of aggravated assault, and 12 counts of violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act. He is also charged with five counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and one count of criminal damage to property in the first degree. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Editors note: This file has been updated to reflect the affiliations of the journalists killed in the Israeli strike. An Israeli airstrike on Nasser hospital in Southern Gaza killed at least 19 people, including five journalists, on Monday, according to multiple reports. The victims were on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the largest hospital in southern Gaza, and were killed after two consecutive strikes on the same spot on the building, multiple outlets reported, citing Gaza health officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five journalists were among those killed: Mariam Dagga, a freelance journalist for The Associated Press; cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor; Mohammed Salam, a journalist for Al Jazeera; photographer Hatem Khaled, another contractor for Reuters; and Moaz Abu Taha. The Associated Press expressed its shock and grief for Dagga as well as the other journalists and victims. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, the AP said in a statement. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the Gaza Health Ministrys records department, told the Associated Press that 19 people were killed in the strike on the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani confirmed the strikes, noting the military regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists. The Chief of the General Staff instructed to conduct an initial inquiry as soon as possible, he wrote in a post on the social platform X. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops. At least 231 journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the International Federation of Journalists. The Hill has reached out to the Israeli military for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 10:43 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. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post with more information as it becomes available. SAINT GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) A 19-year-old man is in the hospital after being shot in St. George Sunday. Units responded to the area of 1100 North Bluff after receiving a 911 call around 2:10 p.m. reporting that a 19-year-old male had been shot, according to the St. George Police Department. The victim was treated on scene and transported to the hospital by Gold Cross Ambulance. He is receiving further treatment at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect has been identified and taken into police custody. St. George Police have no reason to believe there is any further threat to the public. The case remains active and ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. The U.S. has confirmed the first case of a flesh-eating parasite in a human, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Monday. New World screwworm (NWS) is a species of parasitic flies that feed on live tissue. The name refers to the way in which maggots screw themselves into the tissue of animals with their sharp mouth hooks, causing extensive damage and often leading to death. Dinar Bud/Getty Images - PHOTO: The New World screw-worm fly The patient returned from travel to El Salvador, an HHS spokesperson told ABC News in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The risk to the public in the U.S. is very low, they added. The patient -- a Maryland resident -- has since recovered from the infection and there was no evidence of further spread, the state's health department said in a statement. Countries in Central America and Mexico have been dealing with an outbreak of the parasite among livestock. MORE: US bans livestock imports from Mexico due to spread of flesh-eating pest Panama saw infections among livestock rise from an average of 25 cases annually to over 6,500 in 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says. Since then, the parasite has been detected in seven other Central American countries, breaking a previously established barrier that contained the pest to South America for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Screwworm has not been detected in animals within the U.S., the USDA noted. It was largely eradicated for decades in the U.S. through a technique in which male screwworm flies are sterilized and then released into the environment to mate with females until the population dies out. But given the spread in neighboring countries, "[NWS] is not only a threat to our ranching community -- but it is a threat to our food supply and our national security, the USDA said in a press release where they outlined initiatives to prevent the parasite from crossing into the U.S. Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images - PHOTO: Cattle are detained in the pens of the Chihuahua Regional Livestock Union in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on November 27, 2024. Those initiatives include building a sterile fly production facility in Texas and hiring mounted patrol officers to track wildlife crossing as well as detector dogs to track imports along ports of entry. In May, the USDA banned imports of live cattle, horse and bison from Mexico and has since slowly re-opened trade. Earlier this month, the FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations caused by screwworm. People who travel to outbreak areas, spend time among livestock animals, sleep outdoors, and have an open wound are at greater risk of becoming infested with screwworm, the CDC noted. HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) The Connecticut Congressional Delegation announced on Monday that the states two busiest airports will receive a total of more than $7 million in federal funding from the United States Department of Transportation. Historic Connecticut restaurant receives $50k grant for renovations According to a release from the office of Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D), Bradley International Airport in Hartford County will receive three grants totaling more than $3.9 million and Tweed-New Haven Airport in East Haven will receive two grants totaling more than $3.1 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: I have a duty to defend this community: East Haven mayor condemns HVN expansion The funding will go towards rebuilding the Terminal Apron pavement and extending Taxiway T at Bradley International Airport. It will additionally fund Phase 1 for the design of Runway 2 at Tweed-New Haven Airport. This $7 million boost in federal support will make our two major airports safer, more reliable, and comfortable for all flyers, said the delegation in the release. Air passengers deserve better facilities vital to upgrade the flying experience. Connecticut welcomes and depends on visitors from all over the world, and residents who travel widely, to drive our economy. Well continue to fight for critically necessary federal investment in our airports. Tweed-New Haven Airport is waiting for approval from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for the preliminary design of a new terminal. The expansion, which is planned to be built over an existing floodplain, drew criticism from East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora (D), who said the project would cause serious environmental damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. A pair of shootings at two gas stations within the same Los Angeles County community, including one that left a 13-year-old boy dead, has residents on edge. The two shootings, which authorities believe are unrelated, took place at separate gas stations in Pico Rivera this past Thursday and Saturday. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, the victim of Thursdays shooting, only identified as an adult male, was shot by an unknown assailant at a Shell gas station located at the corner of Washington and Passons boulevards just before 9 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers had blocked off the gas station with crime scene tape and appeared to be centering their investigation on a Chevy Corvette parked next to a gas pump, video from the Citizen App shows. Further details surrounding this shooting remain limited. It is believed the suspect fled the area on foot. The scene of a shooting at a Pico Rivera gas station that took place on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Citizen App) Just two days later, gunfire erupted at another gas station in the same area this one a 76 located at the corner of Rosemead and Whittier boulevards, about two miles from Thursdays incident. The victim of this shooting, which took place around 11:45 p.m., was listed by authorities as a 13-year-old boy who had accompanied his mother to her night shift at the gas station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The L.A. County Medical Examiners Office identified him on Monday morning as Saith Toledo Mendez, a resident of Costa Mesa. A woman who knows Saiths mother stopped by the scene on Sunday and told KTLA that she is homeless and brings her son to work frequently. Shes homeless and she was living in a shelter in Long Beach and she would bring her son because she didnt want to leave him there, Christine Kreimann said. When she was working with customers, he would come and pick up around the gas station for her. Dispensary on Sunset Strip targeted by burglars for sixth or seventh time, manager says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, in the wake of the recent violence, people who live in the area say they are worried for their safety. Over here, [Im] kind of skeptical, said Ricardo Almendariz. The scene of a shooting that left a 13-year-old boy dead at a Pico Rivera gas station on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. (OC HAWK) When it comes to the motive behind the shootings, Almendariz says its hard to piece together. Its kind of like [a case of] mistaken identity or it could have beensomebody just trying to find some way or somehow feel they have something to prove or something, he said. Kreimann, meanwhile, seems to be more angry than skeptical. Thats pretty chicken st, to take a little boys life like that, she said. He didnt even get a chance to start his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects in both shootings remain on the run as of Monday morning. No further details on either incident were available. Anyone with information pertaining to the two shootings is asked to contact the L.A. County Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau: 323-890-5500. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Two men from Fort Thompson are headed to federal prison after assaulting a man on the Crow Creek Reservation. Rapid City man arrested for drug charges Last week, 21-year-old Lawrence Taylor was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. Taylor was indicted by a federal grand jury in June 2024 for a crime committed in April 2024. In April 2024 on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation, Lawrence and 18-year-old Trevin Witt entered the home of the victim and held a resident at gunpoint, demanding to know where the victim was. When the victim came up the stairs from the basement, he was shot by Witt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim survived. Witt was sentenced to 11 years in prison with three years of supervised release in March 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 KELOLAND.com. SAN FRANCISCO, CA As we head into the new week, we've rounded up the stories you may have missed Saturday and Sunday to prepare you for Monday. But before we jump into Northern California's top stories, residents should expect calm conditions to persist throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service. Additionally, temperatures will slowly cool through the weekend. "Today begins a gradual cooling trend that will persist through the work week," NWS San Francisco forecasters wrote Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other news, two people were killed and as many as 60 residents were displaced by a "suspicious" apartment complex fire; a person from rescued after a 50-foot fall from a cliff; a man was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor at a gym; a search was suspended for a missing swimmer; and a small plane made an emergency landing in a state park. Plus, after years of working to restore students' attendance rates in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that California is on track to cut chronic absenteeism by half in the next five years. To help districts meet that goal, the state Department of Education has issued a California Attendance Guide. Here are some of the stories you may have missed: 2nd Body Recovered From 'Suspicious' San Rafael Apartment Complex Fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As many as 60 residents were displaced by the fire, which police deemed suspicious. Bay Area Man Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Minor At San Francisco Gym Jian Feng Li, 52, was found guilty of felony forcible digital penetration, forcible sodomy and sexual battery, among other charges. Bay Area Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Exploitation Of Minor Michael Rubino, 37, used his iPhone to record a video of himself engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a 17-year-old, prosecutors said. Family Demands Accountability From Housing Nonprofit After Man Dies Following Eviction George Encarnacion was pushing a shopping cart carrying his personal belongings mid-block across the street when he was hit, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parks Fire Held To 118 Acres, With Forward Progress Halted The Parks Fire blackened more than 100 acres in just two hours, but crews made steady progress against the blaze with the help of air drops. Person Rescued After 50-Foot Fall From San Francisco Cliff The victim was taken to a trauma center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Pickett Fire Now 11% Contained With 5,863 Acres Impacted: Officials On Saturday, more than 1,200 personnel were battling the blaze in California's Napa Valley, according to officials. Pickett Fire Reaches 6,500 Acres With Evacuation Orders In Place Containment Sunday remained at 11 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plane Makes Emergency Landing In Wilder Ranch State Park The plane lost power during a training flight over Scotts Valley, according to Cal Fire. Search Suspended For Missing Swimmer At San Francisco's Aquatic Park Rescue crews searched in the water and along the shore for about an hour. 4 CA Amusement Parks Among 20 Best In U.S. In New Ranking Of 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve the "best of the best" milestone, according to TripAdvisor. CA Bill Sparks Controversy Over Parental Rights, Child Safety The bill was created to ensure children are cared for by an adult in the event their parents are detained or deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Joins Effort To Cut Chronic Absenteeism In Half By 2030: EdSource Tony Thurmond announced that California is on track to cut chronic absenteeism by half in the next five years. 'Cold Civil War': 5 Things To Know About CAs Redistricting Special Election California Democrats are pursuing a partisan midterms redistricting plan in response to Texas Republicans. Here's how and what's at stake. If Texas Gerrymanders, Should CA Do The Same? Readers Weigh In Here's what readers said about Newsom's plan for a power grab by redrawing its maps as a retaliatory move against Texas doing the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Menendez Brothers Denied Parole: 5 Things To Know Prison infractions and gang ties did not sit well with parole board commissioners, and neither did the slaying of Kitty Menendez. Newsom's National Profile Soars With Latest Trump Fight, But There Are Risks In the national redistricting battle, Newsom is benefiting from a torrent of national media exposure. 2 Killed, 60 Displaced In Apartment Fire | Person Falls Off Cliff | Emergency Landing: NorCal In Brief originally appeared on the San Francisco Patch NEED TO KNOW Two women in their 80s nearly died after becoming stuck in a hot tub on Aug. 20 The seniors went in for a relaxing dip, but found they were unable to exit the hot tub due to pre-existing issues Both women were staying with a group of fellow seniors in a remote cabin in Kentucky when the incident occurred A relaxing girls trip for a group of senior citizens took a near-deadly turn when two of the women got stuck in a hot tub. Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team (WCSART) of Wolfe County, Ky., received a 911 call on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 8:40 p.m. local time regarding the two senior women, according to a statement from the agency shared on Facebook on Thursday, Aug. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of women in their 80s were staying at a remote cabin in Wolfe County. The group decided to take a relaxing dip in the cabin's hot tub that nearly turned tragic, the statement began. The WCSART said things turned sideways when the group attempted to exit the hot tub, and two of the women were unable to get out due to pre-existing issues. Both women became overheated and developed hyperthermia, which is the opposite of hypothermia, and means that the body is unable to cool itself. The women became unresponsive, at which point a member of the group got in the hot tub to keep their heads above water while a fourth member of the group dialed 911 for help, the statement continued. Getty Hot tub water (stock image) Hot tub water (stock image) The caretaker of the cabin was able to get both women out of the tub before emergency services arrived. When WCSART responders got to the scene, they found one of the women completely unresponsive and in critical condition, while the other woman was partially responsive. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A team member who was also an EMT moved the more critical patient to a shower where ice and cold water were applied to her body, per the WCSART. The less critical patient, meanwhile, was treated with ice and cold compresses and was ultimately moved outside and treated with cold water from a hose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both women ultimately began to recover and were transferred to a local hospital for further treatment. Kevin Osbourn, a spokesperson for the WCSART, told PEOPLE that the two women were released from the hospital the following day on Aug. 21, and he was told they are both doing well. This story could have ended much differently without the quick thinking of all those involved, he added. In their initial Facebook post, the WCSART said they were sharing the recent incident as a cautionary and educational moment. The nonprofit noted that hot tub soaks should not exceed 15 to 30 minutes, and reminded users to always make sure they can get out of the tub before entering. Read the original article on People Aug. 24In 2020 Tommy Gutierrez, a young man living on the streets, was gunned down outside a McDonald's on Coors. The 21-year-old had been reportedly defending a friend being harassed by a group of teens when one opened fire. Within weeks, 15-year-old Alijah Archuleta was identified as a possible suspect the casing from the bullet that killed Gutierrez matched a shooting Archuleta allegedly committed 10 days later. But the case went cold, and Archuleta grew up. At 18, he was charged in a domestic dispute and two shootings before being shot by police during a confrontation on the West Side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Archuleta went through the court system eventually being released to await sentencing in a separate case detectives renewed focus on the Gutierrez homicide. And on Friday, a judge ordered the now 20-year-old to stay in custody on an open count of murder. The evidence against Archuleta, according to court records, had not gotten much stronger and rested largely on the bullet casing match. Gutierrez's friend who saw the shooting couldn't pick Archuleta out of a lineup last October, telling police, "it was so long ago." The 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office would not identify Archuleta on Friday because he committed the crime as a juvenile. But a judge signed a warrant for Archuleta's arrest in March after Albuquerque police detectives filed a criminal complaint and affidavit seeking his arrest. Archuleta is behind bars at the Metropolitan Detention Center, but the homicide case was transferred to Children's Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Archuleta's family could not be reached Saturday. A shooting gone cold On Oct. 10, 2020, officers responded to a shooting at the McDonald's on Coors, just south of Iliff, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Gutierrez was found near the drive-thru with a gunshot wound to the chest. He died at the scene. Police said witnesses told them they heard gunfire and saw four people inside a red sedan speed away from the area. On Oct. 26, detectives learned the casing matched a shooting 10 days later, where Archuleta was caught on surveillance footage as the suspect. Detectives found Snapchat messages from Archuleta bragging about the Oct. 26 shooting but not mentioning the Gutierrez homicide, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further investigation related to Archuleta is documented until June 2022, when police interviewed him at home. Police said he told them he "didn't know anything" about the homicide and had bought the gun from someone else. Detectives searched Archuleta's iCloud account and found news articles about Gutierrez's killing, the complaint states. No further investigation is documented until April 2024 when detectives again tried to speak with Archuleta, but he refused. Police said they accessed recorded jail calls between Archuleta and his mother in which he says he "wasn't there" during the homicide and "I'm just going to forget about it, forget I know anything." Detectives interviewed a man in jail who told them he was there at the McDonald's and Archuleta was with the group that shot Gutierrez. Another man police spoke with said he was told by a witness that Archuleta was the shooter, according to the complaint. Detectives listened to additional recorded jail calls where Archuleta again tells his mother he wasn't involved in the homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said in October 2024, a detective on the case found the woman Gutierrez was with when he was killed, writing "I had been looking for her since 2020." The woman told police they were panhandling when four "youngsters" in a maroon car harassed her for being homeless. She told police Gutierrez was "very protective" of her and began arguing with the group, who pulled out guns and the driver fired a shot into the air, according to the complaint. The woman said she and Gutierrez started to walk away and she heard the group arguing, "why didn't you just shoot him?" Police said the woman told them she heard a voice say "you know what? (expletive) it" followed by a gun cocking and a single shot. She told police Gutierrez stumbled and fell to the ground, asking her "what happened." The woman told police "It went through his heart ... there was a lot of blood, I just tried to make it as peaceful as I could for him," according to the complaint. The woman said it had been a long time but she could "possibly" identify the shooter. Police said she picked the wrong photo out of a lineup, the one right beside Archuleta's. PYONGYANG, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pyongyang on Monday slammed South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's Saturday visit to Japan, calling him a "scout" for the military cooperation among Washington, Tokyo and Seoul. Lee's trip to Japan and his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday in Tokyo marked a departure from the diplomatic practice of his predecessors, who made their first foreign visits to the United States after taking office as president of the Republic of Korea (ROK), said the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in a commentary on Monday. Lee's visit aims to show Washington "his firm attitude of giving high priority to the ROK-Japan relations" and toughening the bilateral ties as "an axle of the U.S.-Japan-ROK triangular military alliance," which will lead to further escalation of the regional security crisis, said the article. The commentary noted that "the structure and function of the aggressive U.S.-Japan-ROK triangular military alliance will be further enhanced through the strengthening of cooperation between the ROK and Japan, and this will have a grave effect on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia." Stressing the risk brought by the South Korea-Japan summit, the article said the agenda of the Lee-Ishiba meeting showed the two countries' "intention to actively participate in carrying out the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy." "It heralds the more catastrophic security environment to be created in the near future," it said. "The DPRK will never remain a passive onlooker to the worrying situation being created by the U.S. and its followers seeking hegemony," warned the commentary. More than 200 birds were recovered from what law enforcement described as a cockfighting operation in Virginia Beach, officials said Monday. Authorities said the cockfighting ring was operating at the 600 block of Princess Anne Road, near Back Bay. Virginia Beach police said in a news release that officers were dispatched to the area on Aug. 22 for reports of unaccompanied aggressive dogs loose in the area. Surveillance at the site revealed a large number of birds. In total, 213 birds were released to the VBPD Animal Services Bureau. Thirty-six were roosters, and two of the birds were found injured and were euthanized. Each bird will undergo a mycoplasma test to determine their health, police said. Evidence from the scene is being evaluated by the Commonwealths Attorneys Office for a review to determine if any charges will be brought. Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A Sioux Falls man is in the Minnehaha County Jail facing child pornography charges. Authorities issued a warrant for 29-year-old Gabriel Herrell earlier this month. 3 guns, jewelry stolen from SF house They caught up with him in Oklahoma and he made his first court appearance in Minnehaha County Monday morning. He pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of possessing child porn. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 South Carolina Supreme Court is seen in Columbia, S.C. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. (Photo by Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA For the first time in more than 20 years, a sitting South Carolina Supreme Court justice faces a challenge for keeping his seat. Incumbent Justice John Few will go up against three other candidates as he seeks re-election to another 10-year term on the states highest court: former state House Speaker Jay Lucas, Administrative Law Court Chief Judge Ralph King Tripp Anderson and S.C. Court of Appeals Judge Blake Hewitt, according to a release from the states judicial screening panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Filings for judicial openings in the state closed at noon Monday. I am excited about the opportunity I have to get out there and talk with representatives and senators about my 25 years as a judge and justice, Few said in a statement originally reported by The State. He declined to say more to the SC Daily Gazette, and none of the other candidates responded to emails. Fews term expires July 31, 2026. Under South Carolina law, the 62-year-old justice is eligible to work for another decade, before he reaches the mandatory retirement age for judges in the state. And if tradition holds, hed be next in line to take over the chief justice seat, which historically has gone to the courts longest-serving justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few, who lives in the Upstate town of Mountain Rest, was sworn in on the court in 2016, a year before Justice George James Jr., who is 65 years old. His election filled the vacancy left when then-Chief Justice Jean Toal retired from full-time work. Challengers Before joining the Supreme Court, Few was chief judge of the state Court of Appeals and a district court judge, giving him a total of 25 years on the bench. Lucas, a Republican who works as an attorney in Hartsville, spent 24 years in the state House and nearly eight years as speaker before leaving his post in 2022. He then went on to head government relations for the states largest hospital system, Prisma Health. At age 68, Lucas would be eligible to serve on the high court for 3 years. (Judges must retire from full-time work by Dec. 31 after turning 72.) Former state House Speaker Jay Lucas is seen during session in Columbia, S.C. on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. At left is Reading Clerk Bubba Cromer. (Photo by Travis Bell/STATEHOUSE CAROLINA/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Hewitt, age 45, and Anderson, age 65, have run unsuccessfully for a Supreme Court seat in the past. Last year, both sought the seat won by Justice Letitia Verdin, whose election ended the states distinction of having an all-male high court and made her the third female justice in state history. Anderson has made several prior attempts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A review of Judicial Merit Selection Committee records going back to 2003 show no other instance of an incumbent justice facing opposition. Its unknown why Few drew a slate of challengers. Still, he was among the justices, in a 3-2 split, that tossed out South Carolinas 2021 law that banned abortions once an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. That law briefly took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in summer 2022. In their January 2023 ruling, each of the five justices wrote separate opinions in the case. The ruling drew immediate blowback from GOP leaders, who accused justices of overstepping their authority. When Statehouse Republicans sought a re-do on the law, they tailored the rewrite specifically to address concerns Few raised in his opinion, ultimately picking up his vote when the new version of the law referred to as a six-week ban came back before an all-male court in 2023. That ruling was 4-1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few, in his original opinion, cited conflicting language in the law on womens right to an informed choice. He also indicated he might have upheld a ban despite a complete invasion of a pregnant womans right to privacy if state law had specifically declared that life begins at conception. To flip Fews vote, Republicans deleted all references to informed choice and inserted a finding that the State of South Carolina has a compelling interest from the outset of a womans pregnancy in protecting the health of the woman and the life of the unborn child. In 2023, again writing a separate opinion, Few said the rewritten law fixed his issues. The most important change, he wrote, was the promotion of active family planning by requiring all insurance companies to cover contraceptives. He also noted that post-sex emergency contraceptives such as Plan B remain legal. Other elections Besides the Supreme Court race, there also are crowded slates of candidates for a Circuit Court seat covering South Carolinas Charlotte-area suburbs and an opening on the state court that hears challenges of actions by state agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those seeking a seat on the Administrative Law Court are former state House member and lieutenant governor candidate Mandy Powers Norrell. The Lancaster Democrat was in the House for eight years before losing to one-term Republican Rep. Sandy McGarry in 2020. She unsuccessfully ran on a joint ticket with the Democratic gubernatorial nominee James Smith in 2018. Seven other candidates seeking the Administrative Law Court seat include lawyers from the state agencies that govern professional licensing, tax collections, consumer protections, and Medicaid, as well as a law clerk for the Administrative Law Court, an environmental lawyer and a Richland County magistrate judge. In the judicial circuit covering York and Union counties, a public defender has returned to seek the seat legislators rejected her for earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislators turned down Melissa Inzerillo, of Rock Hill, for the 16th Circuit judicial seat despite her being the only candidate. State Sen. Wes Climer, R-Rock Hill, led the campaign against her, suggesting she might be too lenient when it comes to criminal sentencing. The six other candidates now seeking the seat include a pair of assistant solicitors, two other public defenders, a lawyer for the city of Rock Hill and a lawyer for the South Carolina National Guard who also previously was a Rock Hill city lawyer. The only other competitive elections are for three new Family Court judgeships one in Lexington, one in Beaufort and one in Berkeley County. Chief Justice John Kittredge requested the slots to speed up cases going through the states courts that hear adoption, child custody, juvenile delinquency and domestic abuse cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public hearings for the candidates are scheduled to begin Nov. 17. The election by the Legislature is tentatively set for March 4. This will mark the first election since a law tweaking how legislators pick judges went into effect July 1. Among the changes are an increase in the number of candidates forwarded to the General Assembly for an election. Instead of limiting the pool to three, the screening panel can send up to six for a vote. Only two contests have more than six candidates. Gov. Kevin Stitt greets supporters during the State of the State Address on Feb. 3, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) With some of the harebrained ideas that get tossed around every year, theres understandably a joke bandied about in political circles that Oklahomans are safer when their legislators are not in session. And, Id say that joke has generally rung true until now. Suddenly weve found ourselves smack dab in the middle of an episode of Republicans Gone Wild, and I find myself missing the checks and balances provided by the third branch of government the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Oklahomas episode doesnt feature scantily clad women (though weve sadly had allegations of that too this interim), it does highlight what appears to be a very disturbing trend of executive branch leaders demonstrating a propensity for scheming behind the scenes to circumvent the will of 149 elected leaders. Theyve astutely and disappointingly capitalized on the power vacuum that began in May at the close of the four-month legislative session. Thus far, weve seen state Superintendent Ryan Walters insisting on an unfunded mandate that districts should provide free or reduced-price lunches without legislative input or funding. And he has singlehandedly announced plans to eliminate statewide standardized testing despite state and federal law requiring those assessments. Then we have Gov. Kevin Stitt who supported a decision by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to stop patrolling some of our busiest highways and interstates in urban areas, affecting law enforcement coverage for at least a third of the state. The Republican has also issued an executive order to end the states recommendation of fluoride in public water supplies and gotten permission from the feds to change the items that lower income people can purchase with food stamps. And if that wasnt enough, weve found out Attorney General Gentner Drummond has apparently plotted with the Trump administration to overhaul a state law that gives immigrants without permanent legal status in the U.S. access to in-state tuition and financial aid benefits to Oklahoma colleges and universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant decide if Stitt, Walters and Drummond statewide elected officials are just completely incompetent and unable to plan, or if theyre signaling to Oklahomans that they dont respect the decisions local voters made in selecting the state representatives and senators who represent their communities interests. These are the people in state government who are closest to the voter. Ill be the first in line to buy an oceanfront condo in the middle of the Sahara Desert if you can convince me these men didnt already have these stunts planned and werent biding their time to launch these missiles on the unsuspecting public and suddenly powerless legislators. I struggle to accept the seemingly autocratic style of government weve been forced to endure in the past few months, because this is not how good government should work. Our system of government has three branches executive, legislative and judicial for a reason. These branches are supposed to serve as a check and balance to make sure that policy priorities are being properly vetted. I know the 2026 election season is already upon us. Drummond is running for governor and Walters is believed to be eying the same post. Stitt cannot run again due to term limits. But theres no excuse for this behavior. Oklahomans deserve better than publicity stunts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I suspect Drummond, as our states top attorney, knew that we had a law on the books that is written in such a way that it allowed immigrants who may not be citizens to receive financial aid like other students who graduated from Oklahoma high schools. But instead of working with lawmakers during the 2025 legislative session to address it, he enthusiastically announced he supported the Trump administrations decision to sue us. We dont need a legal representative who positions us for failure. Walters, meanwhile, had an opportunity to set his priorities heading into the 2025 session. He didnt publicly advocate for free lunches and the elimination of standardized testing until after the final gavel fell. He, of all people, should have understood that both policies require legislative input and funding. He either doesnt understand how the process works or he apparently thinks the public isnt smart and he can score political points at the Legislatures expense. And then weve got Stitt. Hes allowing an unelected bureaucrat to singlehandedly overhaul decades of Oklahoma Highway Patrol protocols without legislative input. I find it difficult to believe that the Highway Patrol didnt know during the session that they planned to stop patrolling some of the busiest interstates and were planning to force local governments to pick up the slack. But if they didnt know that, then I question Stitts appointment decision. Stitt could have easily told his agency head to hold off on the patrol shifts until February when lawmakers are back in session. He didnt do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oklahomans deserve leadership from the officials weve elected to serve in our executive branch. It boggles the mind that none of these men are demonstrating any iota of that by refusing to work with lawmakers to advance key policy overhauls. But by sitting at home twiddling their thumbs, legislators on both sides of the aisle are signaling that theyre willing to be doormats. If they were really bothered by this rise in autocratic decision making, they could come back into special session and swat down these public ploys. That would send a clear message that this is not acceptable. Because theres no way that few people at the highest echelons of state government know whats best for Oklahomans living in all corners of this state. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Auroras can be seen from space station in 'wild' timelapse from NASA Crew-11 astronaut Auroras on Earth are a stunning sight to behold and a rare one at that from Florida and most of the continental U.S. Lucky enough to have witnessed a phenomenon that in the Northern Hemisphere is known as the northern lights? Well, now imagine what that would look like from about 250 miles above. Read the full story here. X-37B mission: What to know about secret Space Force space plane launch this week A secret space plane from the U.S. Space Force is set to fly on its eighth mission one aimed at demonstrating critical space technology for deep space exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just under six months post-landing, the Boeing-built X-37B Space Force space plane is slated to fly again no earlier than 11:40 p.m. Thursday, August 21, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Read the full story here. Launch recap: SpaceX rocket launches secret Space Force X-37B space plane in Florida Launch recap: Live updates from USSF-36 mission, which launched at 11:50 p.m. Aug. 21 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A. Read the full story here. NASA moon reactor directive, X-37B mission and Cargo Dragon launch | Space Beat NASA's received marching orders to develop and build a nuclear reactor on the moon by the mid-2030s. The reason? The United States is now in a renewed space race with Russia and China to build a power source on the moon and claim our stake on the lunar surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just one of the topics discussed on this week's episode of Space Beat. Today, host Rob Landers and space team reporter Brooke Edwards talk about: the new NASA directive; the U.S. Space Force's X-37B and its mission to check GPS signal strength near the moon; an update on Artemis II and plans for the program moving forward; and how the International Space Station will get boost from an upcoming SpaceX Cargo Dragon mission. Watch the video here. SpaceX rocket launches mysterious X-37B space plane from Kennedy Space Center in Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the X-37B Space Force space plane back into orbit late on Thursday, Aug. 21 marking the mysterious uncrewed vehicle's eighth mission. The mission, known as USSF-36, launched at 11:50 p.m. from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Pad 39A, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story here. 'A different breed': SpaceX's sprawling Starbase still rising from South Texas sand flats BOCA CHICA, Texas Mirages shimmered across the sand flats amid the 95-degree South Texas sun approaching SpaceX's sprawling Starbase, where a huge Starship rocket and two Super Heavy boosters loomed on the horizon like a setting from a "Dune" movie. Vehicles jounce eastward toward Starbase along sparsely populated Boca Chica Boulevard, the lone two-lane road leading from "civilization" near Brownsville to SpaceX's isolated Starship operations nearly a half-hour away. Years of heavy construction-truck traffic headed to SpaceX's futuristic facilities battered this asphalt into long stretches of shock-absorber-pounding patched potholes. Read the full story here. SpaceX rocket launch recap: CRS-33 NASA resupply mission from Cape Canaveral early Sunday Launch recap: Scroll down to read live updates from the CRS-33 mission, which launched at 2:45 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 24 from Launch Complex 40 in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story here. CRS-33: SpaceX launches 50th Dragon to ISS on resupply mission for NASA from Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched into the clear night sky on Sunday, Aug. 24, hoisting a Dragon spacecraft full of supplies to the International Space Station. Known as CRS-33, the mission took off at 2:45 a.m. from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Read the full story here. For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter. Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 321 Launch: Space news you may have missed over the past week (Aug. 25) HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A scholarship that rewards the heart thats what 4 Good Community is intending with the launch of its brand-new Give 4 Good $50,000 Scholarship, which is open to students in grades 1 through 12 across the Tri-State. Officials say one student will walk away with a $50,000 scholarship. Officials say this is how it works: Weekly pickups Each week, students pick up an item at one of the Kids 4 Good Centers. These are located in either Henderson, Evansville, Owensboro or Madisonville. Make a difference Students gift their weekly item to someone in need. Track the impact Each student receives a Give 4 Good Log Book to record weekly acts of generosity from the start of the school year through the last week of school. Share the story At years end, participants submit a personal reflection on how giving changed their lives and the lives of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 50th Frog Follies wrap up in Vanderburgh County Officials say this is how people can register in person this week at Kids 4 Good Center locations: Wednesday through Friday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 4 Good Community says it is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to teaching children the power of generosity through programs like Kids 4 Good, Hope 4 Good and Give 4 Good. The organization says it is committed to building stronger communities by empowering the next generation of givers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). WASHINGTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Four illegal immigrants were arrested early Monday morning following a traffic stop. The Washington County Sheriffs Office dispatch said they received a call from the Florida Highway Patrol, requesting assistance on I-10 near the 126-mile marker. The Florida Highway Patrol reported they had conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with multiple occupants. According to a news release, all occupants in the vehicle were found to be illegal immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temporary road closure announced for South Pier Park Drive One subject with a current ICE detainer and a violent criminal history had fled on foot, officials wrote. Washington County Sheriffs Office deputies, investigators, and drone team, along with Jackson County Sheriffs Office K-9 tracking team and air support, arrested the individual around the 123-mile marker. This individual and three other occupants in the vehicle were transported to the Washington County Jail. At this time, the case has been turned back over to the Florida Highway Patrol. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Israeli airstrikes on a hospital in Gaza on Monday reportedly killed 15-20 people including at least four journalists, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Among the dead is freelance visual journalist Mariam Dagga, who covered the war for The Associated Press and The Independent Arabic. Additionally, Al Jazeera reported that journalist Mohammed Salam was killed, while Reuters reported that contract cameraman Hussam al-Masri was killed and contract photographer Hatem Khaled was wounded. More from TheWrap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journalists Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz were also reportedly killed, per Gazas Government Media Office. The attack took place at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on the Gaza Strip. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, The AP said in a statement, adding that they were shocked and saddened to learn of Daggas death. The blood of our martyred journalists in Gaza has not yet dried before the Israeli occupation forces committed another crime against Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, together with three other photojournalists, Al Jazeera added. The Israeli military, meanwhile, told The AP it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are doing everything they can to silence independent voices that are trying to report on Gaza, Reporters Without Borders director general Thibaut Bruttin countered. The update comes a month after The Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters and Agence France-Presse issued a joint statement about the treatment of journalists in Gaza. We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, they shared. For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering. The latest attack also comes just weeks after another five journalists were killed in an Israeli airstrike outside of Gaza City. In response, 17 senators wrote an open letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding the U.S. pressure Israel over journalist deaths, and allow international journalists into the Gaza Strip. The United States must make it clear to Israel that banning and censoring media organizations and targeting or threatening members of the press is unacceptable and must stop, they wrote, in part. The absence of U.S. government support for accountability efforts serves to undermines U.S. moral leadership and credibility in the region and around the world. The post 4 Journalists From AP, Reuters and Al Jazeera Killed in Israeli Airstrike on Gaza Hospital appeared first on TheWrap. NEED TO KNOW Miguel Dominguez, 4, was fatally struck by a car on Aug. 18 while at a crosswalk with his mom in east Phoenix The driver remained at the scene and police are investigating the incident A pre-school that Miguel once attended held a charity car wash on Aug. 23 An Arizona community is remembering a 4-year-old boy who was killed last week after he was struck by a car while crossing the street with his mother. The tragic incident occurred during the early evening of Monday, Aug. 18, at a crosswalk near 36th Street and McDowell Road in east Phoenix, according to reports from AzFamily, NBC affiliate KPNX and ABC affiliate KNXV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phoenix police officers arrived at the scene and found the unconscious and injured boy, who was identified in media reports as Miguel Dominguez. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries, authorities said. Miguel was reportedly walking slightly ahead of his mom in a crosswalk when he was struck, according to police. The mother was also hit but did not sustain major injuries in the incident. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and impairment is not suspected. The crash is currently under investigation. Teachers at the Magical Star Pre-School, which Miguel attended for two years, remembered their former pupil as someone who was always first to raise his hand and loved singing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was just the brightest light. He used to be one of the shiest kids that I knew, and this last year, he actually came out of his shell so much," Jessica Layton told KPNX. Magical Star Pre-School Director Eileen Buckley also spoke to the same outlet about Miguels death. Kids keep asking, 'Where is he?' " she said. I havent even told them. I dont know how. Would they understand? Its just so sad. Nobody should lose a child. Im going to miss everything about him." On Saturday, Aug. 23, the pre-school held a charity car wash in its parking lot to raise money for Miguels family, an event that drew community members. He was just a happy kid, just a joy to be around, Thomas Frontz, Magical Stars owner said, per AzFamily. I drove these students all the time. I was a bus driver three days a week, and its just a tragedy, I dont think we can do enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tamir Fears, who helped with the car wash, said his children, who were Miguels classmates, have had a difficult time processing what happened. "They were classmates and they still ask about him every morning. It's been a very tough week," Fears told KNXV. 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. PEOPLE contacted the Phoenix Police Department on Monday, Aug. 25, for additional information. Read the original article on People Isaac Jones still remembers the walk-in closet of his Austin home doubling as a darkroom. It was back when he and fellow West Sider Brad Cummings were just launching what would become their lifes work: their very own hyperlocalized, Austin-centered community newspaper. Jones closet is where theyd develop photos for the two-man venture. Then theyd sprawl out on the living room floor of Cummings apartment a few minutes down the road and using scissors and glue cut and paste their neighborhood paper together by hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same scrappy, community-driven pursuit has persisted for 40 years. It may not for much longer. The publication, today known as the Voice Newspapers, faces an uncertain future after Cummings who was its acting editor died in an apartment fire in Austin, which also killed three others, nearly two months ago. In his absence, Jones, likewise still at the top of the Voice masthead as publisher and photography director, has been confronted with how to carry the publication forward. It has not only lost its linchpin, but is also tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Jones, who now lives in Virginia but sat down for an interview with the Tribune about 3 miles west of the Voice Newspapers office at 5236 W. North Ave., said he hopes to eventually pass the venture onto successors in the community who will provide the same entrenched coverage he and Cummings brought to the West Side for decades. To do so, though, Jones first needs to ensure the publication is fiscally sound, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he cant, hell have to say goodbye to more than his friend. Glue of a community Jones, 67, met Cummings in the 1980s. It was the Voice that brought them together. Born on the South Side but a longtime West Sider by the time he crossed paths with Cummings, Jones was working as a photographer when he caught wind that someone was launching a community newspaper for the neighborhood and needed a partner who was good with the lens. That someone was Cummings. The publication officially started nearly four decades ago to the day, launching on Labor Day weekend of 1985, according to a 1998 Chicago Reader article. At first, it was just known as The Austin Voice. Twenty years later, a sister publication, The Garfield-Lawndale Voice, also started to circulate. Together, they became known as the Voice Newspapers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The publication was one of 8,891 local newspapers circulating across the United States in 2005, according to the Medill Local News Initiative at Northwestern University. As of last year, that number was down to 5,595, a decrease of 37%. The business model for local news has collapsed, said Tim Franklin, founding director of the Medill Local News Initiative. Amid technological changes, people have turned to digital platforms, social media and online searches to get their news and information, which diverts readers away from traditional news sources, he said. Advertising is also pivoting away from newspapers to those same digital platforms. On average, the U.S. is losing about two and a half newspapers a week, Franklin said. But those publications, in many ways, are the glue of a community, he said. The Voice Newspapers covered local events, profiled notable West Siders, ran columns from area clergy and produced front-page features with a spread of photos about the latest in the neighborhood. In June, the Voice wrote about an affordable housing development breaking ground in West Humboldt Park. The week before, the paper featured a set of East Garfield Park triplets headed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on full-ride scholarships in the fall. Three outstanding young men just graduated after stellar academic careers at Providence-St. Mel High School, 119 South Central Park Avenue, the Voice wrote in its May 28 issue. What makes them different from other 17-year-olds walking across a stage and picking up diplomas is that these three are triplets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its early years, the paper took on street gangs, drugs and crime. The Tribune wrote about The Austin Voice in 1991 after the newspaper took on a notorious street gang that had a stranglehold on the community for years, according to Tribune archives. The headline read, Little newspaper a really big voice. From the get-go, Jones was more than just a photographer. Between him and Cummings, theyd go out and cover everything, Jones said, from landing stories and laying out pages to canvassing the neighborhood for advertising and hand-delivering issues by the truckload. It was hard, even tedious at times, but fun, Jones said. Through the long hours spent together on the job, Cummings became more than a business partner to Jones. He was his brother, Jones said, and the Voice Newspapers was their legacy. What that legacy would look like without them at the helm was something Jones had been grappling with for much longer than just the past couple of months. Jones recalled raising the question of their succession to Cummings years ago as he prepared to leave the city and move to Virginia to be closer to family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, Jones recalled, Brad kept saying, No, Im not going anywhere. Im going to live forever. The fire erupted across the street from the Voice Newspapers office in the early hours of June 26, quickly engulfing an apartment building in the 5200 block of West North Avenue. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to extinguish the blaze and eight ladders to rescue people from the building. Four didnt get out: Gina Henry, 32, her 5-year-old son and her sister, Destiny Henry, 28, and Cummings, 76, according to the Cook County medical examiners office and several published reports. Gina, Destiny and Cummings deaths were ruled as homicides, caused by inhalational injuries and carbon monoxide toxicity, per the medical examiners office. On July 11, a Humboldt Park man was charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder and aggravated arson in connection to the fatal blaze. Lontray Clark, 23, is accused of intentionally starting the fire. On Aug. 18, Clark pleaded not guilty to all 107 charges against him, Cook County court records show. Meanwhile, for more than a month, Jones has been fundraising to save the Voice. Keep the VOICE alive Prior to Cummings death, the overdue payments had been mounting. Declining advertisement dollars, the Voice Newspapers primary source of income, made it so we couldnt pay the bills, Jones said. But after the fire, the problem came to a head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it stands today, the Voice Newspapers owes some $65,000 in printing, rent and utility payments, according to Jones. Days before Cummings died, the Voice met with the Medill Local News Initiative, where they discussed the challenges the publication was facing and started brainstorming ideas and steps it could take to transform for todays media landscape, Franklin said. The initiative runs a Local News Accelerator program that works with news organizations throughout Chicago to help them grow and become sustainable, according to Franklin. But then, we had this tragedy, he said. Medill has since been giving the Voice space but is still very open to continuing that conversation, Franklin said. After hopping on the first flight to Chicago once he heard what had happened and spending days in the wake of the fire trying to reach and notify Cummings next of kin, Jones launched a GoFundMe page to try and help clamp down on the papers debt. Keep the VOICE Alive, the GoFundMe page reads. In memory of Brad. 40 Years and Beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised just under $1,800. Jones is trying to get the Voice on a clean slate, not for him, but for the papers next newsroom, he said. If he can get the debt down, Jones would start the interview process for a new publisher and editor whod want to step in and continue the publication, he said. Ideally, the positions would be filled by individuals from the community, (who) know the community and are sincere, like Brad and I were, he said. Jones main goal is seeing the paper carry on, he said. Hes in good company. Across the road from the site of the fatal blaze, a stack of old copies of The Austin Voice sat on So Much Styles 5233 W. North Ave. windowsill Thursday afternoon. Inside the barbershop, owner Anthony Heard gave a customer a midday haircut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A longtime resident of Austin who has known about The Austin Voice since he was 10 years old, Heard, 57, said the paper is a value to our community because it had a hands-on pulse on the neighborhood, adding he wishes it would come back. Every week since the fire, a group of people have stopped by Shine King at 338 N. Central Ave., looking for a copy of the Voice, according to its owner, Vernon Cole. I can tell you, Cole said, the community is missing it. So is he. The Voice and Shine King, an old-school shoeshine shop founded by Coles father in 1964, have worked together forever, Cole said. That relationship, especially for a small business like his, he said, has been instrumental as customers cycled through his store Thursday, either sitting down for a $6 shine or leaving their shoes behind for an off-the-feet buff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trying to advertise in the larger mediums is very expensive, Cole said. But the Voice met him where he was at. Noting that the past few years havent been the easiest, Cole said Cummings was accommodating when he struggled to make ends meet. He recalled once needing a new advertisement in the paper and Cummings offering to do so without payment up front. He was more excited about wanting to run that ad than he was about me paying him, Cole said, his eyes shining with tears. Its been hard for Cole to get used to Cummings being gone. It just seemed like somebody was trying to reach for me and then all of a sudden, Cole faltered, shaking his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dathan Threatt, whos spent most of his life living in Austin, said the Voice has always been able to see whats (happening) in this neighborhood. Threatt, 48, remembered when he was younger, hed run into Cummings walking around just asking what was going on, he said. He wants to see that again, with new reporters taking up the torch. Threatt pointed to himself as a testament to the need for a community newspaper. Earlier this spring, Threatt and his 25-year-old son opened their own resource center at 5247 W. North Ave., where they sell clothes, electronics, toys, accessories and other items at marked-down prices. A lot of people dont know about us and getting in the paper would have helped them promote the center, Threat said. Its needed, he said. Its needed back. Brian Nadig, publisher of Nadig Newspapers, which has covered the Far Northwest Side of the city since 1940, says its really important to have local media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We might cover, each week, 20 (or) 24 different crimes in the neighborhood, Nadig said. Where else are they going to get that information? You know, (say) the local school is closing. Why is it closing? I think thats sort of the gap. Whos going to be the trusted local source for news? Community members and elected officials gathered at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church in West Garfield Park on Friday to mourn Cummings. Some 75 people filled the pews. Programs for the service were fashioned to look like newspapers. Celebrating the life of Bradley Brad Cummings: Though the pen is still, the impact of this writing will continue to inspire, the program read. Its difficult now for Jones to return to the Voice Newspapers office. Inside is everything Cummings left behind, while outside is an everyday reminder hes gone. One day, Jones hopes to have closure, he said. Hes not sure he ever will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, hes determined to do everything and anything in his power to ensure what he and Cummings built together continues, he said, even as he wrestles with the understanding that he can only do so much. Im resigned to the fact that if I cant generate an income, (Voice Newspapers is) going to have to fold, he said. Forty years in existence is going to cease. tkenny@chicagotribune.com NEW YORK, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. health authorities have confirmed a human case of flesh-eating screw-worm parasite in the country, local media reported Sunday. The case was identified in a person in the state of Maryland, who had traveled to the United States from El Salvador, the report quoted government officials as saying. Also known as New World Screwworm, NWS, or Cochliomyia hominivorax, the parasite eats cattle and other warm-blooded animals alive, and can be devastating to many species. It primarily affects livestock but can also infest birds and people. A confirmed screwworm case would likely rattle the U.S. beef and cattle futures market, local media said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, screwworms have been traveling north through Mexico from Central America since 2023. The NWS is endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and countries in South America. NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) A 42-year-old man was shot and killed over the weekend in New Britain, police said. The man was identified as Jayson Bruno-Matos, of Bristol, according to authorities. Authorities responded to the shooting around 2 a.m. on Saturday on the 100 block of Arch Street. Officers at the scene said they found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to an area hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to police. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said there is no reason to believe anyone else is in danger, and the incident appears to be related to a disturbance that occurred. Authorities ask anyone with information to contact Captain Matthew Butkiewicz of the New Britain Police Department Detective Division at 860-826-3120. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CLEVELAND (WJW) A crash during the Monday morning commute caused slowdowns on I-480. According to ODOT, all lanes were blocked on I-480 WB at Warrensville Road around 8 a.m. Bodies found after Amish womans concerning statements: Sheriff FOX 8s Patty Harken learned there was a crash involving three cars, with one reportedly flipped. Two people were taken to the hospital, according to Harken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The road reopened just after 9 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Have you purchased a ticket for tonights lottery drawing? If one lucky person selects all six numbers, theyll win the 10th largest jackpot in Powerball history. Heres what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day. 1 Crime crackdown In the first week after the White House effectively seized control of Washington, DCs police force and deployed thousands of federal agents and troops in the district, the city saw a moderate drop in reported crime and a huge spike in immigration arrests. Now, President Donald Trump is vowing to conduct similar crackdowns in cities located in blue states against the will of Democratic leaders. GOP governors from six states have also announced that theyre sending troops to the nations capital to assist in the crackdown, although 10 other cities in those states had higher rates of violent crime or homicide than DC last year. In a statement, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the president is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families. 2 Immigration The Trump administration suffered a legal and political setback late last week when a judge ruled the federal government could not deny funding to Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and 30 other cities and counties because of policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration efforts. US District Judge William Orrick extended a preliminary injunction blocking the administration from cutting off or conditioning the use of federal funds for so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. Orrick also blocked the federal government from imposing immigration-related conditions on two grant programs. The cities and counties that sued said billions of dollars were at risk. 3 Typhoon Kajiki Schools, businesses and airports in Vietnam have closed today due to Typhoon Kajiki. According to the countrys national weather forecast agency, the powerful storm has sustained winds of 103 mph, the equivalent of a Category 2 Atlantic hurricane. With the typhoon bringing the threat of heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, destructive winds and storm surge, more than 40,000 people have been evacuated from low-lying communities, the state-run VN Express reported. This is an extremely dangerous fast-moving storm, the government said in a statement on Sunday night, according to Reuters. Kajiki is the fifth typhoon to hit Vietnam this year, and the most powerful one. 4 Wildfires As residents in the western US deal with a dangerous heat wave, parts of California and Oregon are once again on fire. Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate on Sunday in Northern Californias wine country and in central Oregon as crews battled the flames. According to Cal Fire, the Pickett Fire has charred about 10 square miles of Napa County. Despite the efforts of more than 1,230 firefighters and 10 helicopters, the blaze is just 11% contained. In Oregon, the Flat Fire which is burning in Deschutes and Jefferson counties has grown to 29 square miles. Although firefighters were able to cut containment lines and managed to suppress some of the flames, their efforts were challenged by difficult terrain, low humidity and triple-digit temperatures, officials said. 5 Mississippi The Mississippi health department has declared a public health emergency over rising infant mortality rates. There were 9.7 deaths for every 1,000 births in Mississippi last year, the state health department reported, which was the highest rate in more than a decade. Although data from the CDC showed that the national infant mortality rate rose for the first time in 20 years in 2022, Mississippi had the highest infant mortality of all 50 states more than 60% higher than the national average. Since 2014, more than 3,500 babies in the state have died before the age of 1. The Mississippi Department of Healths declaration of a public health emergency in response to infant mortality is a painful reminder of the maternal and infant health crisis facing our nation, Cindy Rahman, March of Dimes president and CEO, said in a statement. These losses should be a wake-up call to the nation, she added. This just in Israeli strikes hit hospital in southern Gaza More than a dozen Palestinians were killed, according to the Nasser Medical Complex, including journalists from multiple news outlets. Many more people were injured in the attacks. Breakfast browse SpaceX scrubs Starship launch attempt Since its debut in January, the megarocket has twice exploded over populated islands east of Florida. Kilauea puts on extraordinary show It was the Hawaiian volcanos 31st eruption since December, and the photos are striking. New dinosaur species discovered According to paleontologists, the creature had a distinctive sail-like structure running down its back. British music fest apologizes to Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers claim they were muted during their set for waving a flag, a move that angered the audience. Kirsten Dunst: Everyone messes up my name Nope, its not KER-sten. Big number 100,000+ Thats how many applications the Department of Homeland Security says it has received from patriotic Americans who want to join ICE. Quotable Biery ruled last week that several Texas school districts do not need to comply with a state law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all classrooms. Weather Check your local forecast to see what you can expect. And finally Deep-sea creatures find livestream fame This viral scientific mission even included a plump starfish resembling a beloved cartoon character. Todays edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNNs Andrew Torgan. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Every day a blue and gold Yantar train pulls out of Moscow on a 1,285-kilometer journey to Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave of half a million people on the Baltic Sea wedged between Lithuania and Poland. On Friday, March 19, 2027, though, the electricity in a wide swath of eastern Lithuania goes out, and the train grinds to a stop an hour short of the border. Initially, the passengers think nothing of the stop and the outage, but as hours pass, puzzlement grows. By evening, conductors pass through the cars, explaining that there was no word on when power would be restored and that since passengers dont have visas to enter Europes combined visa zone, they cant be allowed off the train. Cell phones are still working, and worried and hungry Russian passengers begin to post distressed tweets and videos to TikTok; one claims an 82-year-old grandmother is suffering a medical emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around midnight, the governor of Kaliningrad announces that he is dispatching a contingent of border police into Lithuania to provide food and supplies. The convoy of marked police vehicles barrels through a lightly guarded border crossing and down the A7 highway; U.S. intelligence later assesses that most of the Russian force was made up of special forces veterans, toughened on the front lines of the Ukraine war, but wearing border police uniforms. Lithuanian police and a few army units give chase to the Russian convoy, which arrives trainside and begins to unload food and water. In Vilnius, an emergency operations center suspects that the electrical outage stems from a cyberattack originating in Russia. Duty officers awaken the prime minister and defense minister. Phone calls fly between Vilnius and Kaliningrad and, later, Moscow. Russian authorities insist they are just protecting their own citizens and helping preserve Lithuanian sovereignty by ensuring Russian passengers dont disembark. By Saturday morning, the train is surrounded by concentric circles of Russian forces and Lithuanian military and police. Around noon, six shots ring out. Three Russian police fall, two dead, one injured, and one Lithuanian police officer is wounded. Lithuanian spotters claim the shots originated from the train, but the situation escalates regardless. Less than an hour later, the Kremlin announces it is sending troops into Lithuania to secure and evacuate the train and 20 minutes after that, an armored column crosses the border from Kaliningrad a column so large and heavily armed that no observer could believe it had been gathered in just a few hours. In Moscow, Vladimir Putin releases a statement explaining that he is only sending a rescue operation; this is not, he promises, an invasion. The Lithuanian defense minister places a panicked telephone call to NATO headquarters in Brussels as the prime minister places an equally panicked call to President Donald Trump in Mar-a-Lago. In each call, the message is brief: Help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The above scenario is fictional for now but it or something like it feels all too possible. Ask those whose job it is to worry about conflict where war might break out in the next five years, and the Baltics the trio of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania that broke away from the Soviet Union after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and a region which Putin would love to reclaim are on nearly every experts list. But its not the only one. This year has already seen two of the worlds most-watched potential conflicts erupt into reality with missiles flying over the India-Pakistan border in May and then in June, Israel going to war with Iran over its nuclear weapons program. While the India-Pakistan skirmish quickly came to an end, the strategic outcomes of Israels immediate tactical success in Iran remain very much an open question. This summer marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and while that kind of giant conflagration may seem remote, the reality is that on most days, the world lies closer to major regional or even global conflict than it might appear. The rise of new disruptive technologies and asymmetric advantages, like autonomous weapons and drones, will likely make the years ahead more unstable in ways that havent been considered. Analysis of recent U.S. intelligence testimony and reports, as well as interviews with a half-dozen geopolitical experts make clear that in addition to the Middle East, there are five high-profile, high-risk conflicts that conceivably could unfold in the next five years, all of which could have profound and serious consequences for the U.S. militarily, economically or geopolitically. These are high-tension areas where a military incursion, akin to Russias 2021 invasion of Ukraine, spiraling escalation, or even just a bad 24-hour period of misunderstandings, mistakes, military accidents or miscalculations could lead to major showdown, loss of life and global ruptures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement War is unpredictable and usually harder to win than one imagines at the start a lesson the U.S. relearned the hard way in its two-decade-long conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq but that has rarely been a deterrent. To the contrary, war has been one of the few constant and unstoppable human activities since the earliest of recorded histories, despite it often proving ruinous for both aggressors and defenders. Here's a brief guide to the hottest of the worlds hot spots, the places where the illogical logic of war is most likely to take hold next. Aggrieved Nuclear Neighbors India-Pakistan The Background: For four days in early May, it looked like the world might face one of its most feared nuclear scenarios a serious conflict between India and Pakistan, two countries with nuclear arsenals that are not, shall we say, controlled and secured as thoroughly as experts would prefer. Tensions escalated following a late April terrorist attack in the disputed Indian-administered region of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in several days of non-nuclear missile exchanges that targeted military bases on both sides of the border. Before a ceasefire (that may or may not have had a boost from Trump), it was the most serious conflict between the countries in decades. Arguments over the countries border regions date back to the original British partition in 1947, which created a Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan out of the UKs former colony. Skirmishes have arisen ever since including wars in 1965 and 1971, the latter which resulted in a new Line of Control between Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir. More recently, the countries fought in the 1999, but have generally kept the peace since 2003, even as low-level border fighting has killed dozens. India continues to complain with reason that Pakistan supports terrorist activities on Indian soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stakes: India and Pakistan probably lie closer to an exchange of nuclear weapons than any two countries on the planet. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists estimates that Pakistan possesses around 170 nuclear weapons. India, similarly, is estimated to have about 180 weapons. Any nuclear exchange in South Asia would obviously have huge global environmental and economic consequences, even beyond the immediate loss of life, between devastated cities and fallout-laden winds spreading across the broader region. Even if other major powers like the U.S. and China escaped being drawn into the war itself, nuclear winter effects in the atmosphere would dramatically affect food production in neighboring China and even further beyond; one 2019 Rutgers study calculated that resulting famines would affect millions or even billions. Why Its Likely: The May conflict underscored that once conflict begins there arent many escalatory options for either side before you get into real danger zones. Once you start really damaging the other sides military bases, you start degrading their command-and-control networks, and their ability to calibrate a response is going to decline, says Christopher Clary, a nonresident fellow with the Henry Stimson Center and a former Pentagon South Asian country director. Intelligence leaders worry about India and Pakistan specifically because the conflict is on a short and hard-to-understand fuse. You can see the potential for it to go from zero to 60 despite the fact that neither side may want to go to war, because the domestic politics on both sides push them to escalate, each playing off the other, says Avril Haines, who served as former President Joe Bidens director of national intelligence. One particularly worrisome facet is that Pakistani military doctrine is believed to have a low threshold of use of nuclear force against India and domestic political pressures mixed with the relative immaturity of both countries arsenals and doctrines could mean that any nuclear exchange spirals into a rush to use dozens or scores of weapons as quickly as possible, resulting in hundreds of nuclear attacks during just a few days of war Why Its Unlikely: Simply put, and to state the obvious, a large-scale war between India and Pakistan would be bad for both countries. The biggest driver of peace between India and Pakistan is the fact that both have other urgent priorities for India that is a very serious strategic competition with China, as well as a developmental agenda to try to propel India into middle-income status, Clary says. As for Pakistan, he notes that it faces insurgencies in the region of Balochistan as well as Pashtun areas along the border with Afghanistan. Those are of a very serious nature that really should occupy an enormous amount of attention, Clary says. The Most-Feared Invasion China-Taiwan The Background: Ask almost anyone about the highest-consequence conflicts of the years ahead and theyll point to the Taiwan Strait, where Chinas Xi Jinping has his eyes set on conquering Taiwan. Leave aside that the island has never actually been controlled in its history by the same government as mainland China. Xi also recognizes what Putin saw about Ukraine the population of the island is moving away from him and any interest in uniting with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stakes: Just as the Baltics might very well be the flashpoint that tests NATO, Taiwan is seen as a litmus test of who will lead the global order of the 21st century: the United States or China? While there are no formal defense treaties in place, the U.S. has long said it would back Taiwan but many doubt whether Trump is as fully committed to that promise as past administrations. Moreover, wargames by Washington think tanks have raised troubling questions about whether the U.S. would or could really fight China over Taiwan U.S. weapon stockpiles are unlikely to last long into a multi-month conflict with China, and wargamers calculate that huge U.S. death tolls might result, outpacing those of Vietnam and Korea combined in a matter of months. If China took Taiwan either without international opposition or despite it the aggression would instantly rewrite the geopolitics and alliances of the Pacific, as countries across Southeast Asia and the Pacific rim that have long allied themselves first with the United States reconsider which superpower might better serve their long-term economic and security interests. A Taiwan takeover could even spur nuclear proliferation in nervous countries like South Korea and Japan who might doubt whether when push-comes-to-shove the U.S. would be there when needed in the future. What Makes War Likely: Xi is believed to have set a 2027 deadline for his armed forces to be ready for an invasion of Taiwan. The country is undergoing a massive build-up of potential amphibious forces and appears to be holding more regular exercises. They practice [Taiwan scenarios] all the time, because this is the most important thing their military might ever get called upon to do, says Jon Finer, a former deputy national security adviser in the Biden administration. Whats more, Xi has fashioned himself as a transformational figure in Chinese history and as the 2020s pass and he eyes his legacy and the end of his time in office, Taiwan is one of the major unfinished pieces of business left. Hes strengthened control of Tibet and taken full control of Hong Kong, yet Taiwan sits there drifting further away. As the domestic political situation in Taiwan develops, Xi may feel a window closing to act and do just that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Makes War Unlikely: Its not clear that Xi has much faith in his military, which is not only riddled with corruption but also inexperienced. There have been multiple purges and plenty of signs that Xi isnt totally in control of the politically powerful institutions of the army and the navy. A cross-strait invasion of Taiwan would be one of most ambitious and hardest military operations ever undertaken in world history and China would be doing it with a military that despite lots of training and advanced technology has precious little real-world experience. China last fought a war in 1979, a brief conflict with Vietnam, and has effectively no active-duty officers or personnel who have actual combat experience. Xi is surely also drawing some caution from Russias troublesome invasion of Ukraine which, on paper, was a far easier and manageable challenge by a military with far more recent combat experience than China possesses. There are also plenty short of invasion options Xi could try to implement and that China appears to be regularly practicing for including gray zone actions like a blockade or trying to enforce customs duties on goods leaving or entering Taiwan. The end effect over time might very well end up the same as an outright takeover but would be a much harder fight for U.S. politicians to consider entering. Would America really risk the lives of an entire carrier battle group or two to break a customs quarantine of Taiwan? Testing NATO Russia and the Baltics The Background: The three Baltic countries are tiny in size and population, which makes them a tempting target for Russia seeking to reassert itself. Putins goal in any Baltic incursion would be two-fold both to regain territory he believes historically should be part of Russia, but also to test NATO and Europe by targeting some of its smallest and most isolated members. Gabrielius Landsbergis, who until last December was Lithuanias minister of foreign affairs, says he worries about a scenario like the rescue force dispatched to the stalled Kaliningrad train. Theres sometimes a misunderstanding as to what the conflict could look like, he says. He explained that Russia may be trying to desensitize its neighbors by staging small but mysterious attacks, like an incendiary device on a plane, or an arson attempt in a shopping mall. This is what the war looks like its not hundreds or thousands of Russian troops pouring in, but something much more mundane. In these hybrid scenarios Putin would try not to trigger Article Four or Five as long as possible, until basically he would get his goals. The Stakes: An attack on any of the three Baltic countries all of whom joined NATO as part of its 2014 expansion would pose an immediate test to the U.S. commitment to the longstanding treaty alliance. It would be Russia testing the Article Five commitments to those NATO allies, says Evelyn Farkas, executive director of the McCain Institute and a former Pentagon official. It is a question and conundrum that haunted Cold War presidents would America really risk a nuclear attack on, say, Chicago or Seattle, to defend West Berlin back then or, in modern times, Riga, Vilnius, or Tallinn? Donald Trumps on-again-off-again support for Europe and NATO makes the question all the more pointed and, potentially, more enticing for Putin. And even if the U.S. were to back away from initially supporting a Baltic incursion, what if other NATO countries rush in and Russia retaliates with direct attacks on, say, Poland, Germany or the United Kingdom, allies that the U.S. might be more willing to defend? Why Its Likely: Putin has been clear for years about his desire to reconstitute the Soviet Union and the imperial Russian empire by reclaiming countries including Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the Baltics. Moreover, he also wants badly to overthrow the Western liberal order, which in his worldview, is responsible for diminishing Russia. Nothing would unravel the Western order faster than demonstrating that its security alliances are an empty promise by letting one or all of the Baltic states be re-occupied by Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Its Unlikely: Much of the arc of any Russian attack on the Baltics hinges on the arc of the war in Ukraine, which continues to chew up Russian military might faster than anyone imagined. Ukraine has recently estimated that Russia has suffered a million casualties dead, wounded and missing in the three-year-old war. Since January 2024, Russia has traded vast quantities of equipment for mere meters of ground, a CSIS report concluded this spring. In congressional testimony in April, the head of U.S. European Command, Gen. Christopher Cavoli, said the U.S. believes Russia has lost an estimated 3,000 tanks, 9,000 armored vehicles, 13,000 artillery systems and over 400 air defense systems just in the past year. The Tensest Border India-China Background: Like its border dispute with Pakistan, Indias long-running border tensions with China trace back to British colonial times Britain and Tibet settled on a border with India in 1914 that China has never accepted. In 1962, Chinese troops tried to occupy what was considered Indian territory, leading to a month-long conflict that left a couple thousand dead. At the conclusion, China redrew the border and named it the Line of Actual Control. Further fighting in 1967 killed several hundred troops on both sides and another clash was narrowly averted in the 1980s, when China misread an Indian military exercise as a possible attack. Since then, the militaries of both countries have become some of the largest and most advanced in the world. The 2,500-mile border with India is indicative of a larger geopolitical reality for China: It exists in one of the most unfriendly geographies of any country in the world; it has land borders with 14 neighbors, more than any other country, and disputed maritime borders with another seven. In their book, Chinas Search for Security, political scientists Andrew J. Nathan and Andrew Scobell pointed out that those neighbors include four of the worlds eight other nuclear powers and that China has gone to war with five of its neighbors since World War II. The Stakes: On the one hand, the stakes of a conflict couldnt seem less worth fighting over some of the remotest and least habitable mountain valleys and passes in the world, an area known as the roof of the world, situated in some of the least populated corners of two of the most populated countries in the world. And yet, like many conflicts, its not about where the war might start its about where the war might lead. Geopolitical experts worry about the reputational risk both countries would quickly feel as any fighting erupted China might see fighting India as necessary to chill other regional adversaries or as a way to embarrass the U.S. with a key Indo-Pacific ally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any potential conflict faces a serious asymmetry: India has far more population centers within range of Chinese munitions than China does on its side. But so far, Indias tensions with China have been a boon to the United States helping India to align itself more closely regionally with the U.S. and also moving it away from its traditional reliance on Russian arms purchases as Russia and China grow closer together. Why War Is Likely: Simply put, the region is ripe for misunderstandings and escalation and today, the tension is still so deep-seated and explosive that both Chinese and Indian troops are prohibited from carrying guns along the border; in 2020, skirmishes between the armies high in the Himalayas in the remote Galwan Valley, not far from the site of the 1962 fighting, were fought in brutal hand-to-hand combat, with fists, rocks, fence posts and even clubs wrapped in barbed wire. At least 20 Indian troops were killed, some of whom died falling down the mountainside, and perhaps as many as 40 Chinese troops. Another factor that could make war more likely is that the two countries lack any of the normal guardrails, treaties and routine channels of conversation that can help de-escalate a crisis as the Moscow-Washington hotline prevented miscalculations during the Cold War. China has routinely and expressly eschewed setting up such channels with the U.S., India and other countries, seeing such guardrails as an effort to constrain Chinas rise unfairly. Why War Is Unlikely: As high as tension might be on the ground, it seems unlikely that the leadership of either India or China would want a war over such remote territory and there would likely be quick and serious international pressure for de-escalation. Moreover, both countries face enormous economic pressure at home India needs to keep its growth steady, and China is already entering the final years of a working-age population boom. A major fight with the other one-billion person-plus country in Asia it is hard to imagine that is compatible with keeping the economy afloat, Clary says. Recent moves seem to show China is actually trying to strengthen relations with a wary India. Never-Ending War The Korean Peninsula The Background: Almost three generations after it began, the Korean War has never officially ended, and both the highly developed western economy of the South and the barely agricultural-age North feel it. The 155-mile-long demilitarized zone between North and South Korea has existed so long some six decades that its grown into one of the wildest forests in the world, packed with thousands of diverse wildlife species. Along its edges, about 2.5 miles apart, the outer perimeter of the DMZ is one of the most heavily fortified and defended places on earth, with artillery and land mines at the ready, and all of Seoul in easy missile range of the North. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stakes: Sky high. There is no regime in the world where the U.S. and the West know less about its happenings, power dynamics or plans than the so-called Hermit Kingdom of North Korea. Its an enormously difficult intelligence target and one that consistently surprises the West. The U.S. still has 30,000 troops on the peninsula to help secure South Korea, all of whom are in the crosshairs of the opening hours of any major war. Why War is Likely: North Korea is a slowly failing country, racked by famine and crippled from within by the governments brutality, and Kim Jong Uns leadership has done nothing to turn around its future. His ace card is his nuclear weapons, which have protected him from the fate of dictators like Saddam Hussein and Muammar Qaddafi. If Kim senses an opening and weakness or rightly or wrongly feels an existential threat to his rule from the West, anything is possible. The Korean peninsula is also a region that might see very serious second-order consequences if any of the other conflicts on this list actually unfold. If, for instance, China moves against Taiwan or the U.S. balks at defending the Baltics, it could cause countries to doubt the security commitments of the United States against North Korea or China and intelligence experts fear that South Korea or even Japan might attempt to go nuclear in response. Recent public opinion polls in South Korea show 70 percent of the country supports developing its own nuclear arsenal numbers and political pressure that would surely rise if there were doubts about whether the U.S. would back the country in a fight. Why War is Unlikely: While North Korea has developed nuclear weapons and the pieces of a delivery system, its not entirely clear how confident North Korea should be in its ability to successfully launch and land a nuke. According to recent assessments, the Korean peninsula is as stable as it has been in years and with Trump in the White House, who famously hosted him twice for summits, Kim may feel as secure as he has in a while. I don't think that Kim Jong Un needs it right now. I don't think he needs a conflict, says Farkas, the former Pentagon official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, geopolitics is uncertain and history rarely unfolds in predictable ways, so there are always wildcards and, as former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld would say, unknown unknowns when confronting the world as it is and not as we would like it to be. And what has many nervous in Washington and in friendly capitals beyond is that the country that used to be the largest force of stability on the planet the United States now feels like the worlds biggest wildcard. While the U.S. might not seem at imminent risk of being drawn into a major conflict, few in foreign capitals know how to navigate the realm of the possible when it comes to the current state of U.S. interests. What should allies and adversaries make of the sometimes bizarre and unpredictable bellicose rhetoric of the Trump administration and what it could portend for U.S. tensions in the years ahead? Just how serious and actionable is the interest in the Oval Office for making Canada the 51st state or taking Greenland away from Denmark, two countries that have actually been among our staunchest allies in the 21st century thus far? Then theres the fact that for the first time this year, the nations intelligence leaders elevated foreign illicit drug cartels to the top spot on the list of threats to the United States citing the pipeline of fentanyl and other drugs that continue to kill more than 50,000 Americans a year. The Trump administration seems serious at least some days about expanding military actions in Mexico, covert or overt, with or without that governments cooperation. And then theres the always-present backdrop of Great Power rivalry. The U.S. and China are coming into closer tension in more realms than ever. Simply look up at the night sky where hundreds of satellites circle the Earth, some of them now apparently armed or at least capable of causing damage to other objects in orbit. The creation of the U.S. Space Force has so far been treated more as a punchline than a serious domain for conflict, but conversations with almost any Democratic or Republican national security leader-in-the-know quickly turn to the worry of the cascading impacts of any conflict in the skies far over our heads. In the end, perhaps our biggest risk isnt one of the conflicts geopolitical strategists have long studied in wargames and white papers. Instead, it could be something that isnt yet on anyones radar, announced in a late-night or early-morning tweet or Truth Social post, that upends the world order. If you steer clear of sugar, you should double-check the label before popping open a can of 7Up Zero Sugar Tropical soda. Over 20,000 cans of the soft drink brand were recently recalled due to a labeling error. According to 7Up's manufacturer, Buffalo Rock Company, Inc., the cans contain full-sugar soda. The manufacturer initiated the recall on July 31, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made an official announcement on August 20. According to the FDA, this is a Class II recall. That means the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences." For many people, an accidental can of full-sugar soda is a non-issue. But for some, like those with diabetes, sugary soda could trigger serious problems. If you're a 7Up fan in Georgia, Alabama or Florida, check your cans especially if you avoid sugar for health reasons. You can find out if you bought a defective batch by checking the soda's UPC. Individual cans are numbered 078000037975; cartons are numbered 078000037982. The recall affects lot numbers XXXXBR062156 and XXXXBR062256 with an expiration date of March 23, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Biggest Kirkland Signature Flops In Costco History What Should You Do If You Bought The Recalled Soda? A store display of various beverages - bluestork/Shutterstock The FDA didn't provide instructions for customers who bought the recalled soda, but you should follow standard recall procedure: Discard the soda or return it to the store where you bought it. Stores typically provide refunds for recalled food, though in some cases, the store may direct you to the manufacturer. Sure, hat makes sense for people who can't consume sugar for health reasons, but what if you bought the sugar-free soda on a whim? It's not like it was recalled because someone found a bird foot in it, as was the case with Ne-Mo's individually wrapped cakes in 2019. So can you still drink it? Well, that depends. Mislabeling is a common reason for recalls, but the guidelines for mislabeled food are a little murkier than, say, recalls caused by radioactive shrimp or salmonella. If there's anyone who does avoid sugar for health reasons in your household, don't keep it around. However, the soda should otherwise be safe to drink. If you do decide to keep it, it's a good idea to label the soda to keep a guest from grabbing it by mistake. And never donate food that has been recalled for any reason. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more food and drink goodness, join The Takeout's newsletter. Get taste tests, food & drink news, deals from your favorite chains, recipes, cooking tips, and more! Read the original article on The Takeout. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expanded the agenda for the states second special legislative session, adding measures to ban same-day voter registration and restructure law enforcement funding. The announcement published in an August 25 press release from Abbotts office comes as lawmakers continue tackling priorities from the original session agenda. Abbotts additions include legislation to prohibit same day voter registration in Texas and provisions authorizing contracts with sheriffs and constables for the provision of law enforcement services. The governor also seeks legislation addressing the appropriation or transfer of funds to or from a law enforcement agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expansion signals Abbotts continued focus on election security and public safety measures. Same-day voter registration, currently allowed in 22 states, permits eligible citizens to register and vote on Election Day. The law enforcement funding measures would provide new mechanisms for contracting police services between jurisdictions. Such arrangements could allow smaller communities to share resources with larger departments. Abbott did not specify when lawmakers must address these new items. The special session continues with no announced end date. An attorney for Kilmar Abrego Garcia said the Maryland man who was wrongly deported but returned to the U.S. has been detained after arriving at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility Monday morning in anticipation of new deportation proceedings. Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, was taken into custody by ICE officials, according to Abrego Garcias attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg. The authorities now want to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, a country with which he has no connection. There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the U.S. Marshal Service and basically on house arrest. The only reason that theyve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him, Sandoval-Moshenberg told a crowd of supporters who gathered outside the facility on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandoval-Moshenberg said an ICE officer did not answer questions about the reason for Abrego Garcias detainment. The ICE officer declined to say to which detention center Abrego Garcia would be taken, the attorney said. Abrego Garcia, who was instructed to report Monday morning to the ICE field office in Baltimore, earlier declined a plea offer that would have allowed him to live freely in Costa Rica after serving prison time in exchange for a guilty plea for federal human smuggling charges. The Department of Homeland Security is seeking now to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, one of the latest countries with a deal with the Trump administration to accept deportees. Abrego Garcias lawyers on Monday filed a sealed habeas petition challenging his detention and impending deportation. The Hill reached out to his lawyers regarding the legal action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge previously ordered the Trump administration to provide Abrego Garcia with 72-hours of notice before deporting him to a third country, which it did Friday. That clock, which excluded the weekend, is expected to run out Wednesday afternoon. Abrego Garcia addressed the crowd of supporters before entering the facility for his check in, telling them through a translator, I want you to remember this: Remember that I am free, and I was able to be reunited with my family. This was a miracle. Thank you to God and thank you to the community power. And this is why I want to thank each and every one of you, who marched, lift your voices, never stopped praying and continue to fight in my name, he continued. Abrego Garcia choked up when recalling being in Salvadoran custody and remembering moments with his children, going to the park and playing on the trampoline, saying, Those moments will continue to give me hope to continue in this fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To all the families who have been separated or to all the families who have been threatened with family separation, this administration has hit us hard. But I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us. God will bring justice to all the injustice that we are suffering. Regardless of what happens here today, in my ICE checking, promise me this: Promise me that you will continue to pray, continue to fight, resist and love, not just for me, but for everybody: continue to demand freedom, he said. Abrego Garcia was released from a Tennessee jail Friday and returned home to his family in Maryland. The release marked the first time Abrego Garcia was outside government custody since March, when he was deported due to an administrative error and sent to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia was brought back to the U.S. to face human trafficking charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop, during which he was pulled over in Tennessee for speeding and was seen transporting men without luggage. Abrego Garcia has denied wrongdoing and his legal team has sought to dismiss the case, arguing the charges were the result of a vindictive and selective prosecution. The case has become a flashpoint in the Trump administrations deportation efforts. Abrego Garcia initially entered the country illegally but was protected from deportation by a 2019 ruling from an immigration judge that prohibited his return to his native El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia is married to a U.S. citizen, and together they have a child who is a U.S. citizen. Updated at 10:30 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. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported but later returned to the U.S., filed a legal action Monday challenging the Trump administrations efforts to deport him again this time to Uganda, a country to which he has no known ties. Abrego Garcia filed a habeas petition in federal court in Maryland, seeking to block his immediate deportation after he was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody Monday morning when he reported for a check-in at ICEs Baltimore field office. In the sealed petition, Abrego Garcias lawyers argue that while the government did provide notice to his counsel Friday that it intends to deport him to Uganda, it did not notify Abrego Garcia himself, as a judge previously ordered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And now, the Government has, without forewarning, taken Petitioner into ICE detention based on the notice of removal to Uganda, without providing him an opportunity to be heard on his expressed fears of persecution and torture in that country, reads the petition, which was obtained by The Hill sister network DC News Now. Abrego Garcias detention and the bid to deport him comes just three days after he was freed from custody in a criminal case filed against him in federal court in Tennessee. In a statement to The Hill, Abrego Garcias lawyer called the governments decision to detain him again both unnecessary and cruel. After months of incarceration, he deserves the opportunity to remain safely at home with his family while his claims are fairly considered, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Instead, ICE is once again rushing to deport him, potentially to countries where his safety cannot be assured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For this reason, our team has filed a new lawsuit demanding that the government refrain from deporting him anywhere unless and until a court has heard his claim for protection, he added. Justice requires no less. The judge assigned to the lawsuit is U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, an appointee of former President Obama who has overseen Abrego Garcias other civil lawsuit in federal court in Maryland. Last month, she ordered the Trump administration to provide both Abrego Garcia and his lawyers with 72 hours notice before deporting him to a third country. The Trump administration notified Abrego Garcias lawyers Friday, starting the clock. However, Abrego Garcias lawyers said in court filings over the weekend that the government only raised its intention to send him to Uganda after Abrego Garcia rejected a plea deal that would have allowed him to become a lawful citizen of Costa Rica after serving any prison time for pleading guilty to the two human smuggling charges he faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They claimed in a motion to dismiss the case for selective and vindictive prosecution that the government attempted to coerce Abrego Garcia into taking a guilty plea by putting the two options side by side. Abrego Garcias lawyers asked Xinis to block the Trump administration from removing him to Uganda without first letting him make arguments about why he reasonably fears being sent there and without first attempting to remove him to Costa Rica. They also asked her to find that his detention violates due process and order his release, in addition to blocking the administration from detaining him more than 200 miles from the Greenbelt, Md., courthouse. Abrego Garcia was first deported in March to El Salvador, a move that ran afoul of a 2019 court order preventing him from being sent there over fears his safety would be at risk. The Trump administration facilitated his return to the U.S. in June after initially resisting court orders to do so. He was then hit with the federal criminal charges in Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed Monday that ICE detained Abrego Garcia and is processing him for another deportation. The Department of Homeland Security said he will be processed for removal to Uganda. President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer, Noem said. Abrego Garcia has denied having ties to the gang MS-13. Courts have also found there is insufficient evidence to tie Abrego Garcia to the gang and have determined he is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sun Meijun, head of the General Administration of Customs, speaks at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on China Customs' achievements in safeguarding borders and promoting high-quality development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has made steady progress in trade facilitation and international customs cooperation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), a customs official said on Monday. Trade facilitation is crucial in advancing high-standard opening-up, improving the business environment, and safeguarding the multilateral trading system, Sun Meijun, head of the General Administration of Customs (GAC), told a press conference. During the past years, the GAC has led annual initiatives to improve cross-border trade efficiency, introducing 108 reform measures aimed at creating a more convenient, secure and predictable business environment, which has been widely welcomed by enterprises. Simplified clearance procedures and optimized supervision models have ensured faster cross-border logistics and smoother economic and trade exchanges, while institutional innovations have supported the growth of new forms of foreign trade, Sun said. Data showed that China has added or expanded 40 ports of entry since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), bringing the total to 311 nationwide, and 271 types of agricultural and food products from 81 countries and regions have been newly approved for import. These efforts have underpinned steady growth in foreign trade. In 2024, China's total goods trade reached 43.8 trillion yuan (6.16 trillion U.S. dollars), maintaining its position as the world's largest trading nation for the eighth consecutive year. China has ranked among the top three trading partners for 157 countries and regions worldwide, Sun said. In 2024, China's trade with Belt and Road Initiative participating countries reached 22 trillion yuan, comprising over 50 percent of its total imports and exports. The nation's trade with emerging markets, including ASEAN, Latin America, Africa and Central Asia, has expanded at an annual pace of more than 10 percent since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to Sun. EXPANDING COOPERATION Facing a complicated international economic and trade situation, China has opened its door wider to the rest of the world, and has taken multiple measures to enhance international customs cooperation, said Zhang Baofeng, an official with GAC, at the press conference. China has newly built 85 customs cooperation mechanisms with Belt and Road Initiative participating countries since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), bringing the total number to 138, Zhang said. Customs inspection and quarantine platforms with African nations and Central and Eastern European countries have been established, which helped facilitate the entry of quality products such as African citrus fruits, coffee beans and wild aquatic products, as well as honey, wine and cosmetics goods from Central and Eastern European countries into the Chinese market, according to Zhang. In addition, China has organized 204 sessions of foreign aid training, benefiting nearly 7,000 participants from 120 countries and regions, and promoting exchanges in customs regulations, technology and standards. Looking forward, China will continue to deeply engage in the reform of global customs governance, Zhang said. STRENGTHENING IPR PROTECTION China's customs authorities have scaled up efforts to protect intellectual property rights (IPRs) and have maintained a high-pressure stance against IPR infringement during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), said Wang Jun, deputy head of the GAC, at the press conference. Customs authorities have adopted a series of targeted operations to crack down on IPR infringement, resulting in the seizure of nearly 400 million pieces of suspected infringing goods during the period, according to Wang. Wang noted that a total of 1.83 million pieces of suspected infringing Labubu products have been intercepted since the beginning of this year, safeguarding a fair and healthy international trade market environment. China has also deepened collaboration with customs authorities from a number of other countries in a concerted effort to bolster the global crackdown on IPR infringement, he added. Media professionals work at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on China Customs' achievements in safeguarding borders and promoting high-quality development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) A press conference on China Customs' achievements in safeguarding borders and promoting high-quality development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) is held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) The State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference on China Customs' achievements in safeguarding borders and promoting high-quality development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) Media professionals work at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on China Customs' achievements in safeguarding borders and promoting high-quality development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) A journalist asks questions at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on China Customs' achievements in safeguarding borders and promoting high-quality development in the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua) ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) Ace Speedway in Alamance County is ending its legal battle against the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services that sprang up from COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. Ace Speedway, located in Elon, rose to national news in 2020 after the governor ordered the racetrack to shut down for refusing to conform to COVID-19 precautions in the early days of the pandemic. A judge issued a temporary restraining order to enforce the closure. More NASCAR races coming to Bowman Gray Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants, Ace Speedway Ltd, After Events LLC and Ace Speedway owners Jason and Robert Turner, accused the state of violating the Constitution and pressed for the court to rule against the NCDHHS, even once the restraining order ended with the relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions. After the state attempted to have the case dismissed, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled in August of 2024 that the lawsuit could continue with the defendants counterclaims against the state. The Turners and After Events filed on July 18, 2025, to voluntarily dismiss their counterclaims against the NCDHHS with prejudice. A voluntary dismissal with prejudice means that the dismissal will be the final action in the case, and that charges in the same case cannot be refiled down the road. A month later, Ace Speedway Racing Ltd and the NCDHHS came to a mediated agreement and settled the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the document from the North Carolina Supreme Court, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency and issued an executive order affecting outdoor venues such as stadiums, concert arenas, and racetracks. The executive order permitted these venues to stay open but limited attendance to only twenty-five people, regardless of the venues size. Robert Turner, who operated a racetrack in Alamance County known as Ace Speedway, spoke out against these restrictions and told the public that his racetrack would remain open for all attendees. This led to the series of events at issue in this lawsuit. In 2020, the owners appeared in court, calling the COVID-19 restrictions a deathwish for the business. Exploring NASCARs roots in Winston-Salem Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turners alleged that Cooper or the NCDHHS pressured local law enforcement or county officials to force them to shut down Ace Speedway. The claims also allege that Governor Cooper took these actions not because there was an actual health hazard at the racetrack, but to punish Turner for speaking out, and that health officials did not take similar actions against other large outdoor venues whose owners did not openly criticize the Governor, the court said. The court notes, however, that these claims against Cooper and the NCDHHS remain unproven. A judge ruled in favor of the state, which Ace Speedway owners appealed. The Court of Appeals cleared the way for a lawsuit against the secretary of the NCDHHS, at the time Mandy Cohen, on behalf of Ace Speedway to go forward in August 2022. Kody Kinsley replaced Cohen, who is now director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as NCDHHS secretary and plaintiff in this case, and, later, in 2025, Devdutta Sangvai replaced Kinsley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. Police looking into reports of an active shooter at the University of Arkansas have been unable to confirm "any active threats on campus at this time," according to an updated statement from the school posted on Monday, Aug. 25. "Avoid, deny, defend protocols have been lifted at this time while police continue to patrol campus, but please be vigilant," the statement reads, adding that classes are cancelled for the remainder of the day. This comes a few hours after students received a report through the RazALERT Emergency Notification system to stay away from the schools Mullins Library, due to an active shooter, according to the North West Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avoid. Deny. Defend," the RazALERT Emergency Notification read. University of Arkansas/X Police set up a perimeter around the area and some students were evacuated, per the Gazette, though Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Stephen Mauk said at the time there was no evidence of a shooting and they were continuing to track leads and look for evidence. According to an updated police statement this afternoon, multiple agencies responded to the initial call that came in around 12:30 p.m. local time. "Since the original call, multiple calls at multiple locations around the university have come in. As of now, there are no confirmed gunshots, no confirmed injuries, no known suspects, and no arrests have been made," the statement, which was posted just before 4 p.m. local time, reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are following up on every call and investigating every lead. Safety of all students, faculty, and our community is our top priority," it says. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Read the original article on People PHILIPSBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) Hundreds of protestors converged in Philipsburg for a peaceful demonstration to advocate for the closure of the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Decatur Township, just outside of Philipsburg. For the safety of those inside the facility, the protest was not held there, and protestors were informed not to gather on the facilitys grounds. The protest began at 2 p.m. at the Cold Stream Dam in Philipsburg. People were bused in from other parts of the state, such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Megan Guidi, the Founder of Pittsburgh Women for Democracy, organized the protest. She said, The goal of this campaign, ultimately, is to get the Clearfield County Commissioners to shut down the Moshannon Valley detention center by ending their contract with ICE. And so were going to keep going until the time of the contract renewal and afterwards, if we have to. Guidi said the processing center affects everyone in the state, not just those from larger cities. She also said the processing center is the largest immigration detention facility in the Northeast U.S. According to its website, the facilitys capacity now sits at 1,876. Were really happy to see that people are here to stand up for their neighbors and to say they want to see this detention center closed, Guidi said. There were several speakers at the event, including activist leaders, representatives, and non-profit groups. People who have family members inside the facility or know someone whos also impacted also spoke. WTAJ spoke with Rose De La Luz, who said she has family inside the Moshannon Valley Processing Center. De La Luz said her family member has been detained since May 1 because of a traffic stop where he was the passenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had no idea about his whereabouts. Its really scary not being able to know that you cant locate them right away. He did not do anything wrong. He does not have a criminal record. His U-Visa is pending. He also has an asylum case. So theres no criminal record, De La Luz said. Activists who spoke said the food inside the facility lacks protein, and essentials such as underwear need to be purchased by the family. However, families argue that the breadwinners of their household are the ones being held. Its 2025. Its like were going back in history. You know, its infuriating. Something has to be done. We have to speak up, De La Luz said. Jaime Martinez, a community defense organizer for Casa San Jose, said hes the son of immigrants, and his father came to the United States with a scholarship to educate himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Statue of Liberty and all of the American mythos is what makes us proud to be American. Tells us that if youre here and you come and you are willing to work hard and put your head down and care about the people around you, youre going to be able to make it and do great things. So we need the residents of Philipsburg to take ownership over this and realize that this isnt something that we want in our backyard. Its not something that we want in our Commonwealth, and that we can imagine a different kind of country where were not unjustly punishing people for seeking that same American dream that my family came for, Martinez said. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Guidi said this event is just one of many, and people will continue to advocate for the closure of the detention facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. (NewsNation) Actor Gary Sinise, the Forrest Gump co-star and veterans advocate, has only recently begun talking about losing his musician son to a rare form of cancer last year but has some positives to share following the tragedy. Mac Sinise was only 33 when he died of chordoma in January 2024. The younger Sinise had been diagnosed with the rare type of bone cancer in 2018, the same year Gary Sinises wife, Moira, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. The dual medical crises necessitated the actors exit from Hollywood, he said. It was just a full-time job to manage the medical needs that they were both going through, Gary Sinise told NewsNation Prime on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gary Sinise to receive honorary AARP Purpose Prize Award Gary Sinises son finished record before his death While his wife went into remission, he said Mac is among the roughly 30% of chordoma patients who dont make it. In early 2023, Mac Sinise decided he wanted to finish a composition that he had begun in college. He died weeks after recording the material, which Gary Sinise says has gained traction on iTunes in addition to being performed publicly. I just saw Mac persevere through all of this in the most humble, graceful, inspirational way, the father said. Telling his story, talking about him and sharing the music with people is a wonderful gift that I have. While we never got the medical miracle that we were looking for, there were many other miracles that we did receive. The 70-year-old Sinise starred in the CBS police procedural CSI: NY from 2004 to 2013 but is probably best remembered for playing Lt. Dan Taylor in 1994s Forrest Gump, for which he was Oscar-nominated. That role is also the namesake of his philanthropic cover band, which performs on behalf of U.S. service members and veterans through his Gary Sinise Foundation. Grieve, yes, but power forward, Gary Sinise says Sinise said his experience losing his son has taught him life shouldnt stop at the loss of a loved one something he witnessed working with bereaved military families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going through grief is part of the human experience, and we have to be thankful for the time that we have with the loved ones that we have and just persevere in their honor, he said. Move on and forge ahead in their honor and memory. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Related video: Key Issues Shaping the Race for Mayor of New York City (WPIX) New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) are going after mayoral front-runner and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani over his bench-pressing efforts at a Mens Day event in Brooklyn. The video shows Mamdani doing two bench presses with a spotter assisting him Saturday. Right-wing accounts dinged him over the lack of reps and the assistance, and Mamdanis rivals in the general election also knocked him over his effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams, who chose not to run in the Democratic primary and is instead pursuing an independent campaign for reelection, posted a video of himself bench pressing next to the video of Mamdani, showing the embattled incumbent completing more reps. 64 vs. 33. A lifetime of hard work vs. a silver spoon. The results speak for themselves. The weight of the job is too heavy for Mamscrawny, Adams wrote on social media, referring to Mamdani. The only thing he can lift is your taxes. Cuomo, also running an independent campaign after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani in a shock upset, also took the opportunity to criticize Mamdani, saying its easy to talk but hard to carry the burden. This guy cant bench his own body weight, let alone carry the weight of leading the most important city in the world, he wrote on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani, a democratic socialist, has pledged during the campaign to enact a wide expansion of social services if elected as mayor, including free buses and a freeze on rent increases in rent-stabilized apartments. His call to raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for it has faced criticism from his more moderate rivals. Polls show Mamdani in position to win the general election in the heavily Democratic-leaning city; surveys indicate he has less than majority support, but opposition to him has been fractured among the other candidates Adams, Cuomo, Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Advocates have attempted to restore a rainbow crosswalk painted outside of Pulse nightclub, the site of the most deadly attacks against LGBTQ+ people in U.S. history, after it was removed at the behest of the Trump administration. In the days after the multi-colored crosswalk resembling the LGBTQ+ Pride flag on Orlandos Orange Avenue was paved over early Thursday, dozens have gathered at the site using bright chalk to recreate the rainbow. The crosswalk was part of a larger memorial to the 49 people who were killed at the nightclub, as it hosted its popular Latin Night in June 2016. At the time, the ISIS-inspired attack marked the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 911 and the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Highway troopers were positioned next to the mural on Sunday at South Orange Avenue and West Esther Street. Law enforcement at the scene more than doubled on Sunday with three Orlando Police Department vehicles, a further three Orlando police patrol vehicles, two Florida Highway Patrol vehicles and one unmarked vehicle, according to Click Orlando. A demonstrator uses blue chalk to color the street during a protest at a crosswalk that was repainted by the Florida Department of Transportation (AP) Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani wrote on X Sunday that their role was to threaten people with arrest who CHALK the road back to rainbow. Protestors have expressed outrage at the enhanced law enforcement presence and troopers demands to stay away from the Pulse crosswalk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My friends died here. Thats it. This is their memorial. This is theirs, Robby Dodd told the outlet. Jill Hakemian, a resident in neighboring Winter Park, said that authorities had been enforcing made-up rules. The police came over several times and made-up rules, she said. There were a couple of times when I asked questions and then they back down in the maybe two hours weve been here, theyve changed what the rule is at least four times. The Pulse crosswalk was painted black and white almost two months after Trumps Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy instructed states to eliminate distractions on public roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taxpayers expect their dollars to fund safe streets, not rainbow crosswalks, he wrote on X on July 1. Political banners have no place on public roads. A combination photo shows the rainbow crosswalk near the former Pulse nightclub that was removed overnight on Thursday (AP) Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he was devastated to learn overnight that the iconic landmark had been painted over, denouncing the callous and cruel political act. Eskamani said the crosswalk was was never a political statement, before adding: But what is political, what is authoritative, and what is disrespectful to the 49 lives murdered and our entire community, is sneaking into the city in the middle of the night to literally erase a rainbow crosswalk that was originally established with [Floridas] approval! State Senator Carlos Smith, who is gay, accused local officials of having ripped the rainbow colors off of this city sidewalk, adding that there will be a rainbow mural nearby that is even bigger, queerer, and more colorful than they ever imagined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Governor Ron DeSantis fired back on X Thursday that he would not allow state roads to be commandeered for political purposes. DeSantis administration has approved naming roads after Donald Trump and the late right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh. Governor Ron DeSantis defended the move, claiming roads could not be commandeered for political purposes (AP) Responding to the governor on Friday, Brandon Wolf, a survivor of the shooting at Pulse, wrote on X that a memorial to my dead brothers isn't political. The Florida Department of Transportation approved the crosswalk during former GOP Governor Rick Scotts administration, two years before DeSantis was elected. Its removal marks the latest action by DeSantis that appears at odds with Floridas LGBTQ+ communities, including measures attempting to limit classroom discussion around sexual orientation and gender identity and banning gender-affirming care for minors. As part of the 2025 Florida state budget, however, DeSantis included almost $395,000 toward building a permanent memorial to those killed at the nightclub. The story has been updated following a press conference and other developments in the case. Supporters of Cincinnati's embattled imam pleaded with Gov. Mike DeWine to intervene in the case, declaring the imam's "life was in your hands." But hours later, the sheriff of the jail in which the imam was being held declared that even if the governor ordered the imam released, he would defy such an order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the center of the case is Ayman Soliman, a former Cincinnati Children's hospital chaplain now in the Butler County Jail near Cincinnati, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement has held him since July 9. In a press release posted to Facebook, under the headline Sheriff will defy governors orders, Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones made his position clear. I am an elected sheriff by the people of Butler County, chosen to serve six terms, the release said, relating Jones' remarks on Bill Cunningham's WLW-AM radio show. It is my sworn duty to protect this community and to uphold the law including federal immigration law. Jones added: I do not pick and choose which laws to enforce. I do not fear the governor. I would fear compromising the safety of the citizens I serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butler County holds immigration detainees under a contract with ICE. Soliman's 'life is in your hands,' supporters tell DeWine Jones comments followed a morning press conference in Columbus, which ended with advocates hand-delivering a letter to DeWine asking him to release Soliman and restore his asylum protection. "Gov. DeWine, Ayman's life is in your hands," Victoria Hickox, co-founder of Cincinnati's Young United Souls for Revolutionary Action, said at the press conference. It is not clear what power, if any, DeWine has in a federal immigration case. Soliman's supporters urged him to "use the authority of your office" to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, signed by more than 1,000 faith leaders and other supporters, said Soliman faces certain imprisonment, torture or worse if deported, making his case a critical test of the United States' commitment to human life." Asked for a response, DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney said the governor's office had "not issued any statements on this." But a member of DeWine's staff met Soliman supporters in the lobby of the Vern Riffe State Office Tower, site of the governor's office, and said he would deliver the letter to the governor. Federal court order prevents deportation Soliman supporters delivered the letter the day before he is due back in Cleveland Immigration Court for another virtual hearing in his case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also reported that that hed won a separate court order last week that will prevent his deportation through early October. Soliman received a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, ordering that he not be removed from that court's jurisdiction until the immigration process is complete, Soliman attorney Robert Ratliff told The Enquirer. District Court Judge Jeffery P. Hopkins set a hearing related to the injunction for Oct. 7 to consider Soliman's request for release, Ratliff said. The injunction holds him in place 'til the immigration process finishes," Ratliff, a Cleveland immigration lawyer, said via email. Supporters want governor to visit Soliman in jail Soliman came to the United States from Egypt in 2014, after he faced persecution in his native country for assisting journalists in their coverage of the Arab Spring. He won asylum under immigration laws in 2018, then scrutiny for his support with an Egyptian nonprofit with debunked ties to terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government revoked his asylum in June, with ICE arresting and detaining him at the Butler County Jail in July. During his years in Cincinnati, he has served as the first Muslim chaplain at Cincinnati Children's and a volunteer imam and board member at the Clifton Mosque. In asking DeWine for help, his supporters cited the governor's defense of Haitian immigrants in Springfield and decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic that "prioritized human life." "Time and again," they wrote, "you have demonstrated a willingness to do what is right." At the morning press conference, the governor was asked if he would meet Soliman in jail and call on Vice President JD Vance to help end ICE's case against him. "Will you be a moral voice against the great peril that awaits him?" asked Jessie Heizer, a community organizer with Undivided, a Cincinnati nonprofit that works on racial justice issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sr. Gemma Doll, a nun with the Dominican Sisters of Peace, called on DeWine, a fellow Catholic, to "stand up for this human's life." Soliman's detention, she said, "is morally wrong and you know it." Advocates live-streamed their statehouse press conference from the Instagram page of Adam Allen, who lost his position as a Cincinnati Children's chaplain for supporting Soliman. Former Cincinnati Children's chaplains Lizzy Diop and Adam Allen visit Ayman Soliman in the Butler County Jail on July 27. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio sheriff says he will defy governor if he orders imam's release SALEM, Va. (WFXR)- Attorney General Jason Miyares said an investigation by his Office of Civil Rights determined that female athletes at Roanoke College were discriminated against based on sex. It stems from events that began in August 2023, when members of the womens swim team found out a biological male was joining the team. The transgender athlete was previously a member of the colleges mens swim team. Members of the womens swim team went public with their objections in October 2023. My feelings, our teams feelings and comfort were blatantly ignored and only one athlete was prioritized, said then team captain Kate Pearson, during the October 5, 2023 press conference. I felt unheard and unseen. Our comfort was undervalued and discarded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miyares found reasonable cause that Roanoke College violated the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) and Title IX of the Education Amendments. Women deserve an equal opportunity to participate in competitive sports, said Attorney General Jason Miyares. That opportunity is protected by state and federal law. The Roanoke women swimmers endured harassment, discrimination, and retaliation just for standing up for their right to compete. My Office will keep working to ensure equal opportunities for female athletes in sex-separated collegiate sports. PREVIOUS STORY: RECAP: Donald Trump speaks to thousands in Salem Miyares made the announcement during a press conference held in Salem on Monday, August 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roanoke College categorically denies Miyares allegations. In a written response to the AGs report, it stated the transgender student never competed on the womens team. Read the full statement below: Response to Attorney Generals Report SALEM, VA, Aug. 25, 2025 Roanoke College is aware that the Virginia Attorney Generals Office has released a report alleging the college violated the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) and Title IX in its response to a transgender students request to join the womens swim team. The college categorically denies the unsubstantiated allegation that its trustees, faculty, staff, coaches, or administration violated the human rights of any students or retaliated against them in any way. More than two years ago, in 2023, a student on the mens swim team went through a gender transition and requested to swim on the womens team. This was a first for Roanoke College, and the college did not have an institutional policy that addressed those circumstances. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), of which Roanoke is a member, at that time would have allowed the student to compete. But under the guidelines of USA Swimming, the national governing body for competitive swimming, the athlete was not allowed to compete. In the face of contradictory guidance, the college acted swiftly but deliberatively to study the matter and, within six weeks, had adopted a policy more stringent than the NCAA position, which rendered the student ineligible to compete. The transgender student never competed on the womens team. As the report says: As a factual matter, the Office does not find sufficient evidence that the women were denied the opportunity to compete in this case or that the College itself subjected the women to a hostile environment based on sex. The report does allege that our faculty retaliated against members of the womens swim team by rejecting their applications to May Term courses. That accusation is patently false; our faculty acted in good faith and followed our usual process regarding student selection for May Term courses. As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the college follows a common calling that is rooted in our Lutheran intellectual tradition, yet open to a variety of insights from people with a wide variety of backgrounds. In accordance with that calling, we strive to hear all perspectives and seek balanced solutions. This situation was no different. We understand that the issue of transgender participation in college sports is a highly charged topic. Understandably, Americans have strong opinions about the issue, and our response to this situation has earned the college both praise and derision. On behalf of everyone in our community, we celebrate the individuals right to form opinions and champion the right to free speech. From the beginning, we have been committed to full transparency and to fulfilling our almost 200-year Lutheran history of serving students. We expect the Attorney General to be similarly motivated and thus anticipate that any ongoing process will correct errors of fact and law reflected in the report. The college has cooperated fully with the Attorney Generals Office and will continue to do so. We will also continue to stay in conversation within our community as we seek to find a path forward that supports and honors each and every member of our community. Republican incumbent Jason Miyares is seeking reelection on November 4 against democratic challenger Jerrauld Jones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Attorney General James Uthmeier speaks during a news conference in Live Oak on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy of attorney general's X account) The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is not just looking for agricultural bugs at its inspection points on highways, but also drugs and thugs, the departments commissioner said Monday. During a news conference Monday, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson focused on the recent immigration-related hot topic, non-domiciled commercial drivers, or nonresidents of the state their drivers license was issued in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you cant read street signs, how are you going to drive large commercial vehicles, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers in a safe manner? Uthmeier said. Last week, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins flew to California to extradite Harjinder Singh, an immigrant with a California commercial drivers license being charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after attempting a U-Turn in a semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike. A minivan crashed into his vehicle, killing three people. Drivers licenses from sanctuary states are no good here, Uthmeier said. Monday, the attorney general sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, asking the federal government to decertify Californias and Washingtons CDL [commerial drivers license] programs if the audit confirms a pattern or practice of deliberately, recklessly, or negligently issuing CDLs in violation of federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrative and financial consequences attending to decertification would incentivize offending states to quickly bring themselves into compliance, making all American roadways safer, Uthmeier wrote. Following the news of Singhs arrest, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pause in work visas for some truck drivers. The news conference was staged in Live Oak at an agricultural interdiction point on Interstate 10. Our goal is to continue to ramp up our encounters here at the interdiction stations and make sure were getting these guys off the road, Simpson said, adding that all sworn state agricultural law enforcement officers are deputized by the federal government to enforce immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Florida Highway Patrol and federal officials focused on Panhandle immigration enforcement, announcing nearly 200 people apprehended over three days. Theres no telling how many illegal aliens are in this country driving large commercial vehicles and putting American families in a safety risk every single day, Uthmeier said. Simpson said the state will enforce President Donald Trumps executive order, signed earlier this year, in which the president said, Proficiency in English should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers, among other expectations of truck drivers under federal law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX VIENTIANE, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Health is partnering with development partners to improve access to rehabilitation services and strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers in Laos. The initiative aims to improve access to rehabilitation medical services and strengthen the capacity of healthcare personnel in Laos, with a particular focus on the rehabilitation medicine center in northern Laos' Oudomxay province. The project will provide free, high-quality services to people with disabilities, invalids, and the elderly across the northern provinces, according to a report from the ministry's Center of Information and Education for Health on Monday. The project also aims to enhance the skills and expertise of rehabilitation medical personnel, upgrade infrastructure at both the central rehabilitation medicine center and its provincial branches to meet safety standards, and equip facilities with modern medical and production equipment. AI has fueled panic about entry-level jobs but Handshake's CEO says young workers could come out ahead. Graduates are "AI native" and better positioned to succeed, said Garrett Lord. Leveraging AI is like "having your Iron Man suit on," Lord said. The rise of AI has fueled panic about the end of entry-level jobs. But one founder says young workers may actually have the upper hand. Garrett Lord, the CEO of job search and AI training platform Handshake, said on an episode of "Lenny's Podcast" published Sunday that today's graduates are uniquely positioned to succeed because they're "AI native." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing how to leverage AI is like "having your Iron Man suit on," Lord said. While headlines warn that AI will wipe out junior roles, Lord said employers on Handshake's platform from Fortune 500 companies to federal agencies are telling him the opposite. "A lot of people are kind of hyperbolic at saying that all young people won't have jobs," Lord said. "That's not what we're hearing from our employers," he added. Instead, young workers who grew up with AI tools can now take on the work of entire teams. In fields like social media marketing, for example, one employee can shoot videos, design assets, post across multiple platforms, and run analytics on their own, Lord said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They don't need a data science degree to be able to do that," he added. Lord also said that "hundreds of millions of jobs will evolve" and workers will have to reskill, but AI is ultimately an accelerant. "I'm really a believer that this is just like enabling human beings to be even more productive and create more impact," he said. Lord did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Gen Z: lucky or unlucky? Other tech leaders have also suggested that Gen Z graduates may be in the right place at the right time. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently said on Cleo Abram's "Huge Conversations" YouTube show that AI will undoubtedly eliminate jobs but that younger workers are better positioned to adapt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If I were 22 right now and graduating college, I would feel like the luckiest kid in all of history," Altman said, adding that he's more worried about how older employees will adapt to AI changing the workplace than college graduates. Reid Hoffman, the venture capitalist who cofounded LinkedIn, said 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 in June. Still, not every tech CEO is optimistic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a May interview that AI could wipe out up to half of entry-level, white-collar jobs in the next 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." Read the original article on Business Insider AUSTIN (KXAN) As students return to class and are assigned some of their first homework of the semester, many will face a temptation that wasnt even an option just a few years ago. Should they use artificial intelligence to help them complete their assignments? While AI can serve as a powerful resource, taking its output and passing it off as your own work is considered cheating and plagiarism in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While these outputs can be nearly indistinguishable from what a person would write, AI detection companies like Copyleaks have developed software that searches for hundreds of clues to determine who or what wrote what youre reading. While the company wouldnt say which districts and universities it works with, it quantified the number as hundreds. KXAN talked with Copyleaks CEO Alon Yamin about how educational institutions are partnering with his company to detect cheating. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity. Tom Miller: Can you explain what Copyleaks is and how this technology works? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alon Yamin: Were focused on AI content authentication. The idea is to understand everything about text. Where it was generated from, whats the distribution, how original is it, and if it was created by AI or by a human. We developed AI models that can analyze text. Were looking at hundreds of factors. You can look at the average length of a sentence. You can look at specific phrases that are being used. You can look at punctuation. What our models can see, which for us as humans is invisible, is that AI writes in a very different way compared to humans. Tom: How big of a problem is AI use when it comes to completing assignments in schools and universities? Alon: AI is a huge issue in the education space, and its also a huge opportunity. On the negative side, weve all heard how easy it is for students to just to go to ChatGPT or any other large language model out there and ask to do the job for them. There is no learning process, there is no research, and no effort involved in the tasks. On the flip side, there are amazing positives and benefits of working with AI in the education space. You can personalize learning, you can use it for research, and you can discover and analyze materials in ways that you couldnt have done before. Tom: How accurate is your technology, and what happens if it flags something but is wrong? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alon: The technology is very accurate. Were talking about more than 99.8% accuracy in detecting content being AI versus human. Were also not just stopping at telling you whether or not the content is created by AI, but also providing the exact signals within the text that let our models know that this content is created by AI. Tom: What are some signs that something is written by AI and not a student or a working professional? Alon: Unfortunately, there is no one single sign. Having said that, some of the things were looking at are the average length of a sentence, specific phrases that are being used, and how often it uses punctuation in the text. AI writes in a very systematic way that our models are able to identify. For us as humans, its something that is pretty much invisible. Its very hard to be able to differentiate. Tom: For parents worried about this and want to know how they can help their kid and how AI works, what would you tell them? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alon: I think first and foremost, talk about it with your kids. AI is not something scary. On the contrary, its something that your kids need to be aware of and need to learn how to work with. It shouldnt be a forbidden subject or a complete no in a learning environment. I think parents can teach it to their children, about how important it is to use AI, how to do it in a safe way, and teach them about specific tools. Make sure that you focus on the fact that AI is there to help in learning, but not replace the learning experience. Tom: For the universities and the school districts using your technology, what are you seeing with how that changes in terms of student performance? Alon: What were seeing is that a few weeks after the tool starts getting used, the levels of AI drop significantly. It doesnt mean that AI is not getting used anymore, but it means that it is getting used more as a learning tool than a cheating tool. So youll see that maybe 4% of the assignment was including AI, versus 50% or sometimes even 100% of the assignment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. The Pima County Sheriff's Department used artificial intelligence to assist in the identification of a man whose remains were discovered in late 2024. The remains were identified as Ronald Woolf, 55, Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a Facebook post. After the discovery of Woolf's body, officers created a sketch of him, which was later used to generate an AI image resembling the drawing, Detective Pedro Carranco with the Pima County Sheriff's Department homicide unit said at a media briefing. Ronald Woolf, 55, has been identified as the man previously known as John Doe, as seen in this Aug. 22 Pima County Sheriff's Department Facebook page. Hours after the AI-generated image was shared, the department received a call from someone who believed they recognized the person portrayed, Sheriff Chris Nanos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woolf's remains were found unclothed and partially decomposed near the San Joaquin trailhead in Tucson in December 2024. Woolf's death was being investigated as a possible homicide, the Sheriff's Office said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Human remains found in Tucson identified using artificial intelligence The Air Force command that operates and protects nuclear weapons has returned the M18 pistol to service with its Security Forces and other personnel, a month after one of the guns killed an airman at a Wyoming nuclear base. Out of close to 8,000 pistols inspected by the command, just under 200 were found to have some amount of wear on key firing mechanisms, though none were found to be responsible for any misfires. The M18 and a slightly larger variant known as the M17 are the standard handguns issued across the Department of Defense. Air Force Global Strike Command has completed a comprehensive inspection of its 7,970 M18 Modular Handgun Systems, the Air Force said in a statement. The Sig Sauer-made handgun had been suspended from service across the command on July 21 after Airman Brayden Lovan, 21, a security forces airman, died from an M18 gunshot at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lovans death was originally reported as a mishap in which the M18 may have fired on its own. Air Force Global Strike Command pulled the pistols from service soon after, with other Air Force commands following suit, though the Air Force did not pull the weapon service-wide, nor did the Army, Navy or Marine Corps. But another airman has since been arrested in Lovans death on charges of making a false official statement, obstruction of justice, and involuntary manslaughter. A review of weapon discharges in [Air Force Global Strike Command] showed that none were attributed to weapons malfunction, the command said in the statement announcing the return of the pistols to service. Top Stories This Week News Pentagon fires heads of Navy Reserve, Naval Special Warfare Command By Nicholas Slayton News King of Malaysia cancels purchase of UH-60 Black Hawks, calling them flying coffins By Matt White News Demoted general sues Utah National Guard, governor over firing By Jeff Schogol Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Global Strike Command is the only branch of the Air Force that oversees nuclear weapons and, as such, maintains extraordinarily high levels of armed security in facilities that store and operate them. Bases that house nuclear weapons have large, specially trained security teams standing watch over the weapons at all times. The command also fields the National Airborne Operations Center security team, which flies aboard the E-4B Nightwatch, widely known as the Doomsday plane. All of those personnel are armed while on duty, which would generally include carrying the M18 or the M17, a slightly larger but mechanically identical pistol. It is paramount that our airmen trust their weapon systems, said Gen. Thomas Bussiere, the commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. This thorough inspection ensures the M18s in our inventory are in optimal working order, providing our Defenders with safe, reliable, and effective systems to accomplish their mission. According to the Air Force news release, the inspection identified 191 weapons with discrepancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The primary discrepancy was related to component wear, the command said. The most frequent issues centered on problems with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear. Weapons exhibiting these discrepancies were immediately tagged and are undergoing necessary repairs. The inspection also collected data on M18 usage to compare to actual issues. Below is Al Jazeera Media Networks statement on Israels killing of its cameraman, Mohammad Salama, and other journalists in Gaza. The blood of our martyred journalists in Gaza has not yet dried before the Israeli occupation forces committed another crime against Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama, together with four other photojournalists. Today, occupation forces killed our colleague, Mohammad Salama; Hussam al-Masri, a photojournalist working for Reuters; photographer Mariam Abu Daqqa, who worked for the Associated Press and Independent Arabia, and Moaz Abu Taha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This atrocity occurred during an attack on the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 civilians, including patients and members of the press, without distinction between those under medical care and those holding cameras to document the crimes. With this latest crime, which claimed the life of Mohammad Salama, the number of Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in Gaza has reached 10, within a total that now exceeds 240 journalists killed in the Strip since October 2023. This war has resulted in unprecedented numbers in the targeting of journalists being targeted, making it the deadliest conflict for media professionals in modern history. Al Jazeera Media Network condemns, in the strongest possible terms, this horrific crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, who have directly targeted and assassinated journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth. (Al Jazeera) The ongoing campaign by the Israeli occupation against journalists has violated all international norms and laws, amounting to war crimes under the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions, both of which strictly prohibit the deliberate targeting of civilians and journalists in conflict zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeera asserts that Israels prevailing sense of impunity, along with its determination to silence journalists to conceal its continuing crimes in Gaza, including genocide and the famine devastating the Strip, demonstrates a clear intent to bury the truth. Despite relentless targeting, Al Jazeera remains resolute in providing live coverage of the Israeli genocide in Gaza for the past 23 months, with occupation authorities barring international media outlets from entering to report on the war. These systematic crimes against journalists demand a robust response from the international community and all relevant governments. Urgent and effective measures are required to protect journalists, civilians, and the fundamental right to information. Those holding positions of global leadership have a moral and legal responsibility to end the deliberate killing of journalists, safeguard basic human rights, now facing alarming regression and deterioration, and to uphold press freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amidst these bleak and painful circumstances, some solace can be found in the widespread denunciation and condemnation expressed by journalists, international institutions, and world leaders, who resolutely rejected the killing of colleague Anas al-Sharif and his colleagues on August 10, 2025. Al Jazeera Media Network calls for exerting international pressure and immediate action to prevent the silencing of Gazas voice through the systematic targeting and killing of its journalists in full view of the world. Five journalists, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama, are among 21 people killed in an Israeli attack on Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, according to the enclaves Ministry of Health. The ministry said on Monday that the victims were killed on the fourth floor of the hospital in a double-tap strike one missile hitting first, then another moments later as rescue crews arrived. Those killed also included Hussam al-Masri, who worked as a photojournalist for the Reuters news agency; Mariam Abu Daqqa, who worked as a journalist with several media outlets, including The Independent Arabic and The Associated Press news agency; and journalist Moaz Abu Taha, according to Gazas Government Media Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fifth journalist Ahmed Abu Aziz, who worked for the Quds Feed Network and other media outlets, including Middle East Eye, succumbed to his wounds, according to the Media Office statement. Israeli forces killed Palestinian correspondent Hassan Douhan, a journalist and academic who worked as a correspondent for Al-Hayat al-Jadida publication, in a separate incident in Khan Younis later Monday, bringing the death toll of journalists to six. The journalist colleagues were martyred when the Israeli occupation committed a horrific crime by bombing a group of journalists who were on a press coverage mission at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis Governorate and many martyrs fell victim to this crime, the Media Office said in a statement. We hold the Israeli occupation, the American administration, and the countries participating in the genocide crime such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France fully responsible for committing these heinous brutal crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported that their live video feed from the hospital, which was operated by cameraman al-Masri, suddenly shut down at the moment of the initial strike. Bury the truth Al Jazeera condemned the attack as a clear intent to bury the truth. The blood of our martyred journalists in Gaza has not yet dried before the Israeli occupation forces committed another crime against Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, together with three other photojournalists, the network said in a statement. Despite relentless targeting, Al Jazeera remains resolute in providing live coverage of the Israeli genocide in Gaza for the past 23 months, with occupation authorities barring international media outlets from entering to report on the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salama was planning a wedding with fellow Palestinian journalist, Hala Asfour, hoping to celebrate their nuptials after a ceasefire. Abu Daqqa, meanwhile, leaves behind a 12-year-old son, who was evacuated from Gaza earlier in the war, according to AP editor Abby Sewell. She was a true hero, like all of our Palestinian colleagues in Gaza, Sewell said in a post on X. (Al Jazeera) The journalists killings come barely two weeks after renowned Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif was killed along with four of his media colleagues in front of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Israel claimed it targeted Anas, who had become the voice of Gaza for his extensive reporting from the enclave home to more than two million people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack raises the death toll of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 to at least 273, according to an Al Jazeera tally. In addition to the four journalists killed, Hatem Khaled, a photojournalist working for Reuters, was also among those wounded, the agency confirmed. Khaled has extensively documented the war in Gaza for Reuters. Israel issued a statement saying it waged a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital, without explaining the purpose or target of the attack. The short statement, posted on the armys social media channels, claims the military does not target journalists as such. Later Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he deeply regrets the tragic mishap at Nasser Hospital. In a statement from his office posted on X, Netanyahu said Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, the statement added. Israels investigations into the actions of its own forces rarely ever lead to criminal charges or any form of accountability. More journalists killed in Gaza than in any other major conflict Al Jazeeras Hind Khoudary said Israel has constantly targeted Palestinian journalists throughout the conflict. How many times are we going to continue reporting on the killing of our colleagues or the killing of other journalists working with Al Jazeera and other news outlets? Khoudary asked. Im one of the Palestinian journalists reporting from hospitals. We are in a two-year war where we have been deprived of electricity and internet, so Palestinian journalists are using these services at hospitals to continue reporting, Khoudary said, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palestinian journalists are also making hospitals their base to follow stories of wounded Palestinians, those facing malnutrition, and all those killed, she added. Mohamed Elmasry, media studies professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, says Israel has learned it can pretty much do whatever it wants with no repercussions during the course of the Gaza war. If theres anything that Israel has learned over the last 23 months, its that it can pretty much do whatever it wants and get away with it, he told Al Jazeera, referencing attacks targeting and killing paramedics, aid workers and journalists. All theyve [Israels army] have had to do is come out with a statement either denying it, deflecting it or blaming Hamas, Elmasry said. Well see what they say about this [latest attack on Nasser Hospital]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rights groups have roundly condemned Israels targeting of journalists in Gaza, where reporters face more danger than anywhere else in the world. No conflict in modern history has seen a higher number of journalists killed than Israels genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Amnesty International has said. Multiple hospitals have been struck or raided across the Strip since the war began, with Israel claiming fighters are operating from inside the medical facilities without providing evidence. Israeli claims have never been backed by evidence. Israel has been accused of widespread abuse during its 22 months of brutal war on Gaza, killing more than 62,000 people, more than half of them women and children. Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have been issued arrest warrants for war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Colombias President Gustavo Petro attends the G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Mauro Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images) This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, non-partisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for their newsletter here. VESTAVIA HILLS On Friday evening, a group of protesters gathered at a busy intersection in Liberty Park near the corporate campus of Drummond Company Inc., an Alabama-based coal producer. Their message was clear, painted and printed on signs bearing the green, red and black of the Palestinian flag: Drummond Fuels Genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Izor, one of the protesters, said that he and others present wanted to call attention to coal shipments to Israel from Drummonds Colombian subsidiary, Drummond Ltd., that may violate Colombian law. An August 2024 decree by Colombias government ordered the halt of coal shipments to Israel in the wake of the ongoing Israeli occupation of Gaza. Months before, in May 2024, Colombian President Gustavo Petro had formally announced the end of diplomatic ties with Israel, which he has said is committing genocide through its actions in Gaza. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Despite the presidential decree, some shipments of coal continued to leave Colombia bound for Israel, according to local reports and the Colombian government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the protest in Vestavia Hills, Izor said that its important for Alabamians to know if a company that calls their state home may be complicit in fueling war. As members of the community, we feel some responsibility to make sure that companies based in our state arent endorsing, supporting, funding or fueling human rights abuses abroad, Izor told Inside Climate News. We have a responsibility, particularly in a place that is the heart of the civil rights movement, to call it out and to be part of the movement in opposition to that. In a statement posted to its website, Drummond Ltd. said that its shipments comply with Colombian law. Coal exports to Israel have been done in conformity with the authorization that the National Government gave, the July 17 statement said. Drummond presented the required documentation to a committee comprised of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism; the National Mining Agency, and the National Tax and Customs Directorate (DIAN), as required in Article 3 of Decree 1047 of 2024 issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a speech posted online by Colombian state-owned news network Radio Nacional de Colombia on July 21, Petro singled out Drummond and Glencore, a Switzerland-based coal producer, for potentially violating the presidential decree, according to a translation of the speech provided by the outlet. We are witnessing a genocide. Today there is a genocide that no one can support, Petro said, according to the translation. And that is why we will not export coal to Israel; the exporting companies Drummond and Glencore, under investigation, cannot bring in more coal to make bombs in Israel. Days later, on July 24, Petro posted on social media alleging that another coal shipment had left for Israel. The Colombian Navy would be ordered to blockade further exports, according to Petro. Not a single ton of coal should leave Colombia for Israel, Petro wrote. We are not complicit in genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petro has also asked the government to begin a sanctions process to penalize Drummond and Glencore, another coal producer, according to reports. As of 2024, Israel imported more than 50 percent of its coal from Colombia, according to numbers from the American Journal for Transportation cited by the Associated Press. In 2022, Drummond wrote in a press release that it was the top exporter of Colombian coal for the sixth year in a row. Israel was the fifth-largest recipient of the companys Colombian exports at just under 9 percent. Protesters hold signs criticizing Drummond on Aug. 15 in Vestavia Hills Liberty Park near the Alabama coal companys corporate campus. (Lee Hedgepeth/Inside Climate News) Izor, a member of Birmingham Democratic Socialists of America, said that while some passersby in Liberty Parka community developed in partnership with Drummond Companywerent necessarily happy to see the protesters, they received a largely positive response. Weve had people bring us cookies. Weve had people hollering Free Palestine out their windows, he said. And we dont always have to be in places that make us comfortable anyway. Ending the genocide is whats important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Izor said that even if Drummonds Colombian subsidiary was complying with the letter of the lawthrough a loophole, for examplehe would still hope the company would cease its exports for moral reasons. They shouldnt be shipping coal to the state of Israel in the first place, given Israels persistent human rights record, he said. Drummond should at least feel some minor amount of responsibility not to power this illegal occupation. Izor said that the exportation and burning of coal on its own is detrimental to human health, even outside of the Israel-Gaza context. In a sense, there is no good coal company, he said. There is no good fossil fuel company. But here, in this case, we feel a specific obligation to stand up for Palestine. Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama State Health Officer, speaks at the Alabama Department of Public Health board meeting in the RSA Regions Tower in Montgomery, Alabama, on Aug. 21, 2025. ADPH is under fire from the Trump administration for violating its DEI executive orders, but Harris does not know what is in violation. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) The Trump administration expressed concerns last week on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in Alabama, including some at the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). ADPHs leader said Friday the White House has not told him what programs are in violation of President Donald Trumps executive orders on DEI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be honest, we were not expecting that story either. Weve not heard from the White House, and did not know that anybody was bringing that story, Dr. Scott Harris, Alabamas State Health Officer, said in an interview. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Harris said the department will be reviewing all of its programs to ensure they are in line with the administrations expectations. Were going to review everything we do here to make sure that were compliant with all the current executive orders and expectations, he said. According to al.com, the White Houses concerns lie mostly in the Office of Minority Affairs within the Governors Office. The Office of Minority Affairs was created by the Legislature in 2016 to advise the governor of issues impacting minorities in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, told al.com that during a recent meeting between Alabama state lawmakers and White House officials, officials raised concerns about what was described as undisclosed language in ADPH documents. The Office of Minority Affairs referred comments to Gov. Kay Iveys office on Friday afternoon. Iveys communication director Gina Maiola said in a statement Friday afternoon that the administration is working with the White House to ensure compliance. While the Alabama Department of Public Health is not part of the Ivey Administration, we have already sought information on the office in question and are prepared to address it, Maiola wrote. Maiola did not answer questions about the Office of Minority Affairs. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, said in an interview Wednesday after speaking to the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA) that he did not know of any specific violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were addressing more of it on a federal level, and Ive heard that President Trump is holding money back from people that are not complying to his objective I hope that doesnt happen to us in the state where we lose money because were not complying, Tuberville said. I dont know whether its in business or whether its in state government, or whether its in universities, but they all have to comply. The Trump administration also reprimanded some colleges and universities for noncompliance with DEI in March. The dear colleague letter included that the University of Alabama at Birmingham was guilty of race-based segregation. There have been no updates on the investigation through the Office for Civil Rights. PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) An Alabama man was sentenced in Mississippi to more than 27 years in prison for enticement of a minor. According to court documents, Angel Chavez-Heras, 35, solicited sexually explicit pictures and videos through various online applications from a minor victim, aged 14, located in the Northern District of Mississippi. Father of five killed in hit-and-run while helping stranger, family says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On at least two occasions, prosecutors said Chavez-Heras traveled more than two hours to sexually assault the minor. When agents searched Chavez-Herass electronic devices, they discovered he had engaged in this behavior with a number of other minor victims. Charges in other jurisdictions will be pursued separately. Chavez-Heras was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender after his release from prison, as well as pay restitution to the minor victim. The Department of Homeland Security and the Pontotoc Police Department investigated the case. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Chinese FM meets special envoy of ROK president Xinhua) 08:49, August 25, 2025 BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday met with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung in Beijing. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that after the inauguration of the new ROK government, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with President Lee Jae-myung, during which they reached important consensus on promoting the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations in the next step. Wang noted that China maintains stability and continuity in its policy towards the ROK, urging both sides to adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, firmly uphold the direction of friendship, expand common interests, foster greater goodwill, properly handle sensitive issues, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations in the right track. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with all peace-loving countries and people to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice. Wang called on both sides to safeguard the international free trade system together, jointly oppose trade protectionism, practice the concept of multilateralism, enhance communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations and others, and effectively respond to regional and even global challenges. Park Byeong-seug asked Wang to forward the letter from President Lee Jae-myung to President Xi. He said that the new ROK government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to work together with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance high-level exchanges, expand practical cooperation for the future, increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, youth and other fields, and bring the strategic cooperative partnership between the ROK and China back on track. The ROK always respected the one-China principle and is willing to develop relations with China and other major countries in parallel to jointly maintain regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, he added. (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) Traders sell products at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) in Ongwediva, Namibia, Aug. 24, 2025. Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.(Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) ONGWEDIVA, Namibia, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Speaking at the official opening on Sunday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the trade fair has evolved into a national flagship and investment platform that integrates policy, entrepreneurship, business, and government services. "Today, this platform serves not only as an exhibition ground but also as a hub for enterprise development, policy dialogue, and investment opportunities," she said. The 24th edition of the OATF, held under the theme "Innovate, Connect, Prosper," features a diverse array of offerings from the government, policy, agriculture, business, energy, creativity, and art sectors, with 450 exhibitors participating this year. For the first time, it also includes representation from the aviation and digital innovation sectors. Among the total exhibitors, 26 are from other countries, including Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Indonesia, and Botswana. The president emphasized that the trade fair is part of ongoing efforts for business and trade reforms, supporting the government's aspirations outlined in the sixth National Development Plan, particularly on youth employment, local value addition, and digital transformation. This year, about 70 percent of the exhibitors at the OATF are women, and 60 percent are youth. These, according to Nandi-Ndaitwah, are not just numbers but evidence of progress in shaping an inclusive future. In the meantime, according to the president, the trade fair, now a hub for economic development, also sets the stage for enhanced intra-African trade as the continent aims to increase trade. The OATF, first launched in 2000, runs from Aug. 22 to 30, and is poised to play a crucial role in Namibia's continued push toward economic reform and sustainable growth. Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah speaks during the opening ceremony of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) in Ongwediva, Namibia, Aug. 24, 2025. Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.(Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) People attend the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) in Ongwediva, Namibia, Aug. 24, 2025. Namibia's biggest trade fair, the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), has demonstrated a trajectory of sustained economic transformation and a boost to trade for the southern African nation, said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.(Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua) TALLAPOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL) The Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Friday, Aug. 22. According to ALEA, at 3:05 p.m. officers with the Tallassee Police Department responded to a domestic violence call in the 2900 block of Notasulga Road. Officers say that during the incident the suspect, later identified as 38-year-old Adam Davis, fired a weapon causing officers to shoot him. Davis was transported by helicopter to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital for treatment. Once released from the hospital, the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office will transport Davis to the Muscogee County Jail for extradition back to Alabama. Davis is facing a felony charge for possession of a firearm and has pending charges for domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No officers were injured during the course of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. ELK POINT, S.D. (KCAU) In late June, Alfredo Castellanos-Rosales was found guilty of murdering Jordan Beardshear in April of 2023. Castellanos-Rosales was charged with first-degree murder for stabbing Beardshear to death in Dakota Dunes. The pair had a child together, and he was apprehended in Mexico after she died. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial wrapped up on June 25, after the jury deliberated for around two hours. That day, Castellanos-Rosales was found guilty of first-degree murder. On Monday, August 25, 2025, Castellanos-Rosales was sentenced to life in prison. At the sentencing hearing, a few of Beardshears friends and family members spoke with KCAU 9, sharing their thoughts on everything that has happened since she was murdered. Thats the biggest thing. It doesnt change anything; it doesnt bring her back or doesnt solve the issue. But its I just dont have to see him anymore, said Jordan Beardshears father, Shane Chrstiansen. I dont even want to think about him or anything to do with him anymore. Hes taken too much of my time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Happy, but still very sad because that even though all of this, hes guilty and being sent away, shes still not with us. So its still hard, said one of Beardshears friends, Latasia Zinn. We get to lay that part to rest knowing that hes going to be in there for life. He cant fool everybody, and thats what weve seen. And thats what were hoping that the evidence would show, which it did, which everything presented in the way that it needed to be to get the jury to see the true colors of Alfredo, said another one of Beardshears friends, Shaylee Wanderscheid. Castellanos-Rosales wife, Reyna Castellanos, who had been charged accessory to a felony and making a false report, was sentenced to three to four years in jail with credit for 350 days served. Click here to see previous coverage on this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. COLUMBUS Promising to restore trust, integrity, and transparency in elections and to fight so every voter feels confident their vote matters, Allison Russo announced on Aug. 21 that she is a candidate for Ohio Secretary of State. Im running for Secretary of State to restore your power in your government, said State Rep. Allison Russo. The Secretary of States job isn't just pushing paper. Its making sure your voice is heard, that every vote is counted and that our elections are fair, accessible and secure. The people of Ohio deserve a direct voice in our future. I feel that were at a point in time, much like I felt when I ran for office the first time, where we need people stepping up and doing the work. I will be ready to make an impact on day one because Ive had a front row seat to the antics and tricks by Republicans who have put their thumbs on the scale and worked against the will of the people. My primary focus as Secretary of State will be making sure that people have access to their right to vote and ensuring that ballot language is honest, transparent, and it respects the intent of voters, regardless of how I feel about an issue that has been brought before us by Ohioans," Russo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im running for Secretary of State to make sure the people of Ohio, not the powerful, decide what comes next, Russo said. Representative Russo has served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives protecting one person one vote, advocating for reproductive rights and fighting for labor protections. During her time in the House of Representatives, Russo served as House Minority Leader for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, a position she stepped down from earlier this year, and before that served as Ranking Member on the House Health Committee. Russo lives in Upper Arlington with her husband, their three children and their dog. Officials in Texas scrambled to control the number of measles cases spreading throughout the western part of the state, largely without help from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, earlier this year, according to a new report. Just days after the first measles case was reported in Texas, the Trump administration took office and ordered the Department of Health and Human Services to halt all public communications, according to an email obtained by KFF Health News. Soon after, the administration began conducting mass layoffs, sending various agencies, including the CDC, into chaos and confusion, several CDC officials told KFF Health News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officials in West Texas began reaching out to the CDC for guidance on how to handle the measles outbreak earlier this year, they were apparently met with simple responses or complete silence from a stressed agency. Katherine Wells, the director of public health in Lubbock, Texas, emailed her public health colleagues saying, My staff feels like we are out here all alone. Officials in Texas scrambled to control a measles outbreak in West Texas earlier this year, without much help from the CDC (AFP via Getty Images) The Independent has asked the CDC for comment. Even after the administrations halt on communications ended, CDC scientists said there was a lot of confusion and non-answers over what communications were allowed. Social media communications that were once handled by CDC workers directly suddenly had to be reviewed by HHS, employees told NPR. Two CDC communications employees said, at the time, that fewer than half of their posts were approved for social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC never held press briefings on the measles situation and issued short press releases. As a result, local officials had to rely on advice from doctors and researchers outside of the government. The CDC had gone dark, Terri Burke, the executive director of Immunization Partnership, a Texas nonprofit, told KFF Health News. We had anticipated a measles outbreak, but we didnt expect the federal government to be in collapse when it hit. It wasnt until late February, when a six-year-old child died of measles, that a CDC scientist reached out to Wells for the first time and released its first press release on the measles outbreak. In that release, the CDC said vaccine was the most effective way to defend against measles but also endorsed vitamin A administration as a supportive care method. The US almost lost its status of having eliminated the illness in 2019, and that could happen in 2025 if the virus spreads nonstop for 12 months (Getty) Health experts were concerned that the CDC and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocating for vitamin A could exacerbate the problem of parents delaying vaccine intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several children were treated for vitamin A toxicity in April. A CDC scientist told KFF Health News that the department pressed for them to insert the vitamin A line into their communications. Another unnamed CDC official said they were trying to provide scientific-backed information to the public while aligning itself with HHS. With cases growing throughout the spring, officials in Texas asked the government for federal funding, staffing, and more resources to help fight the outbreak. In March, the CDC sent epidemiologists to Texas to assist for several weeks. In April, a senior CDC scientists brought the states resource issue to attention at a vaccine advisory panel meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, the federal government provided funds to Texas. Its not that the CDC was delinquent, Georges Benjamin, the director of the American Public Health Association, told KFF Health News. Its that they had their hands tied behind their backs. Last week, health officials said that the measles outbreak in West Texas had ended. But thousands of people, including children, were likely infected with the potentially deadly disease and its likely the country will see more outbreaks, experts say. A seizure victim who collapsed on a street was offered a remote consultation instead of an ambulance. Gregor Logan, 23, dislocated both shoulders and hit his head when he fell in Aberdeen. A passer-by called 999 but instead of dispatching a vehicle, staff at the Scottish Ambulance Services control centre wanted to undertake a further assessment by telephone or video a decision that his father Martin described as appalling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he and his father were driven by Police Scotland officers to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where Gregor underwent 10 hours of emergency surgery. The Scottish Conservatives described the incident as deeply distressing and said it should have never reached the point where Scotlands already overwhelmed police force were stepping in the place of paramedics. Formal complaint Martin Logan, an Edinburgh consultant orthopaedic surgeon, made a formal complaint to the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS). The service has since told him that, based on the information provided during the call, there were no immediately life-threatening symptoms, with no mention of any injuries sustained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His son, it added, was postictal (the period immediately following a seizure) and had no history of seizures or any underlying conditions. In its response to his complaint, the SAS said it was disappointed that Mr Logan Srs experience had not met his expectations, and noted that its explanation may not alleviate the frustrations that you may have. Mr Logan Sr said he decided to speak about his experience after receiving the fob off response from the ambulance service. He said he also spoke with the call handler during the incident, but said they were getting nowhere and characterised the responses as someone just reading off a menu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: Gregor hit his head off the wall behind him, and the extent of the shoulder injuries became more clear as he regained consciousness. Talking to a clinician would have been of absolutely no use to him at that stage he needed to be in an ambulance going to A&E. Deeply distressing Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary, said: This deeply distressing case lays bare the human cost of the SNPs chronic and disgraceful mismanagement of the ambulance service. This patient was in clear need of urgent medical care, but he and his father were left to feel abandoned when they were desperate for help. It should never have reached the point where our overwhelmed police officers had to step in where paramedics should have. An SAS spokesman said: We can confirm we received a call on July 2, which was triaged for further assessment by one of our trained clinicians. We have responded directly to the complaint, providing an explanation on how the call was handled based on the information provided at the time of the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All our calls are assessed to ensure the most seriously ill patients are given the highest priority and we have systems in place to support patients to access the most appropriate care based on their needs. Neil Gray, Scotlands Health Secretary, said: I am concerned to hear about the incident, and I hope Gregor is now recovering well. We have set clear standards that we expect our health system to meet, and I am sorry that Gregors experience has been negative. It would not be appropriate for the Scottish Government to comment further on or intervene directly in matters relating to a patients treatment and care. Any specific concerns about patient care should be addressed by the appropriate health board. 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. Throughout history, wars have been shaped not only by the bravery of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines, but also by the machines that carried them into battle. From tanks that rolled through shattered cities to ships that commanded oceans to aircraft that ruled the skies, America has fielded vehicles that changed the course of conflicts. These were symbols of resilience, innovation, and engineering excellence, divided into land, naval, and aerial legends that tell the story of how America fought, adapted, and ultimately prevailed across generations of war. Steel, Sea, and Sky: Americas Engines of War Image Credit: U.S. Navy/PH3 Alta I. Cutler - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. When deciding which American military vehicles to feature, we focused on one guiding question: Which machines truly shaped the battlefield? Not every tank, ship, or aircraft that rolled off the production line could make the cut. Instead, we highlighted those that became turning points in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our criteria centered on impact, legacy, and symbolism. Did a vehicle change the way wars were fought? Did it boost morale or strike fear into the enemy? Did it become a cultural icon remembered long after the fighting stopped? These qualities separated the iconic from the merely powerful. We also aimed for balance. Wars are fought on land, sea, and in the air, so the list is divided into three sections: Land, Naval, and Aerial. This ensures equal recognition for the tanks that smashed through defenses, the ships that secured oceans, and the aircraft that ruled the skies, each playing a vital role in Americas path to victory. Finally, we considered different eras of conflict. From the industrial might of World War II to the technological races of the Cold War and the versatile, adaptive vehicles of today, each era contributed machines that defined Americas military journey. Every vehicle on this list tells part of that story, how innovation, resilience, and sheer power helped shape history. Land Vehicles Forging Paths and Breaking Lines Image Credit: Sir kiss - Own work, Public Domain/Wiki Commons. From muddy fields in Europe to deserts in the Middle East, Americas land vehicles have been the steel backbone of its armies. They carried soldiers into the unknown, shielded them in the thick of battle, and turned the tide with their presence alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These machines werent just tools of war; they were companions, legends, and lifelines that defined how ground wars were fought. M4 Sherman Tank Image Credit: Jebulon - Own work, CC0/Wiki Commons. Production: 49,234 units (1942-1945) Weight: 33.4 tons Engine: Continental R975 radial, 400 hp The Sherman wasnt designed to be the heaviest or most intimidating tank of World War II. While German engineers built massive machines that looked fearsome on paper but often proved unreliable in the field, the U.S. took a different pathfavoring a design that could be built quickly, maintained easily, and deployed in overwhelming numbers. What made the Sherman legendary wasnt brute force alone but its balance of firepower, mobility, and dependability. Crews trusted it to start up, keep moving, and get them through the fight. And when a Sherman was lost, reinforcements were never far behind, with new tanks and trained crews ready to roll into battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sherman's real genius was in its simplicity and adaptability. Need a flamethrower tank? Sherman. Mobile artillery? Sherman. Amphibious assault vehicle? You guessed it Sherman. It was like the Swiss Army knife of tanks, if Swiss Army knives weighed 30-plus tons and could level buildings. It has been reported that crews often referred to the Sherman as the Ronson, borrowing the lighter companys slogan lights first time, every time to joke grimly about its reputation for catching fire when hit. The National WWII Museum even notes the nickname, though tank historians have since shown that the Ronson label was more myth than widespread truth. What it illustrates is something bigger: soldiers often had a love-hate relationship with their machines. The Sherman could feel vulnerable in combat, yet it was also far more reliable than many of its German counterpartscrews trusted it to get them to the battlefield and back. Over time, those mixed experiences turned into lasting memories, sometimes recalled harshly, sometimes with rose-colored fondness, but always as part of the story of survival. Jeep (Willys MB) Image Credit: William's photo/Shutterstock. Production: 363,000+ units (1941-1945) Weight: 2,453 lbs Engine: Willys Go-Devil L-head, 60 hp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the M4 Sherman represented American firepower, the Jeep embodied its adaptability. This compact, 60-horsepower vehicle became an iconic presence in the U.S. military, valued for its reliability and versatility across diverse terrains and missions. Developed under a demanding design brief that called for a lightweight, all-terrain vehicle capable of transporting personnel and equipment, the Jeep was the result of collaboration among Bantam, Willys, and Ford. Willys ultimately secured the production contract, delivering a design that many consider a precursor to the modern sport utility vehicle. With a top speed of 65 mph and exceptional maneuverability, the Jeep could traverse bomb craters, ford shallow streams, and often carry loads beyond its rated capacity. It served in multiple rolesincluding ambulance, reconnaissance vehicle, mobile communications hub, and personnel transportmaking it indispensable across theaters of war. Following World War II, the Jeeps influence extended into civilian life, inspiring a new category of off-road vehicles. Its legacy endures in todays SUVs, which owe much to the Jeeps pioneering design and battlefield performance. M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer Image Credit: Benzene - CC BY 2.5/Wiki Commons. Production: 2,507 units (1943-1944) Weight: 17.7 tons Top Speed: 55 mph Gun: 76mm M1 A1/A2 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The M18 Hellcat was designed with a unique philosophy: prioritize speed and maneuverability over heavy armor. While other nations focused on increasingly fortified tanks, American engineers developed a lightweight tank destroyer equipped with a 76mm gun and capable of reaching speeds up to 55 mphmaking it the fastest armored vehicle of its time. This velocity allowed the Hellcat to execute hit-and-run tactics, engaging enemy armor and retreating before counterattacks could be launched. Its thin armor offered limited protection, but crews relied on its agility to avoid direct confrontation. Operators appreciated the Hellcats responsive handling, which felt more like driving a performance vehicle than a traditional tank. In the European theater, Hellcat crews became known for bold maneuvers and unconventional tactics, often pushing the limits of standard engagement protocols. Their success underscored the strategic value of mobility and precision in armored warfare. Humvee (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle) Image Credit: Class James Turner - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 280,000+ units (1984-present) Weight: 5,200-8,500 lbs Engine: 6.2L Detroit Diesel V8, 150 hp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Introduced in the 1980s, the Humvee replaced the Jeep as the U.S. militarys primary light utility vehicle, offering increased size, durability, and operational capability. Designed for Cold War-era scenarios involving conventional military threats, the Humvee excelled at transporting troops and equipment across varied terrain. Its wide stance, high ground clearance, and modular design enabled dozens of specialized configurations. During operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the nature of combat shifted. The Humvee, originally unarmored, was exposed to improvised explosive devices and other asymmetric threats. This led to the rapid development of up-armored variants, which provided enhanced protection but introduced new challenges related to mobility and weight. The Humvees transformation reflects the evolving demands of modern warfare. Although newer vehicles like the MRAP have taken on high-risk roles, the Humvee remains a versatile platform, continuing to serve in training environments and humanitarian missions around the world. M1 Abrams Tank Image Credit: Shutterstock. Production: 10,000+ units (1980-present) Weight: 62 tons Engine: Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine, 1,500 hp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developed as the United States premier main battle tank, the M1 Abrams reflects a bold engineering approach focused on speed, firepower, and survivability. Weighing approximately 62 tons and powered by a gas turbine engine, the Abrams offers exceptional acceleration and mobility for a vehicle of its class. The choice of a turbine engine was initially controversial due to its high fuel consumptionoften less than one mile per gallonbut it delivers smooth operation and impressive power. This enables the Abrams to accelerate from 0 to 20 mph in under seven seconds, a rare capability among armored vehicles. Equipped with advanced thermal imaging systems and a 120mm smoothbore gun, the Abrams can engage targets with remarkable accuracy, even in low-visibility conditions. During the Gulf War, Abrams tanks successfully engaged Iraqi T-72s at ranges beyond the enemys visual and targeting capabilities, underscoring the technological edge of U.S. armored forces. The M1 Abrams remains a cornerstone of American ground combat strategy, continually upgraded to meet the demands of modern warfare. M113 Armored Personnel Carrier Image Credit: OR-8 Florian Fergen - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 80,000+ units (1960-present) Weight: 12.3 tons Engine: Detroit Diesel 6V53T, 275 hp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The M113 is the minivan of armored vehicles: not particularly glamorous, but incredibly practical and reliable. For over six decades, this aluminum box on tracks has been ferrying troops safely across battlefields from Vietnam to Afghanistan. What the M113 lacks in physical appeal, it makes up for in versatility. It's been configured as a command vehicle, mortar carrier, ambulance, recovery vehicle, and about fifty other variants. It's like the Swiss Army knife of the armored corps, if Swiss Army knives could carry a squad of infantry. The M113's aluminum armor keeps small arms fire and shell fragments out while remaining light enough to be air-transportable. It's amphibious (with preparation), reliable, and simple enough that field maintenance doesn't require a computer science degree. Soldiers have nicknamed it everything from "battle taxi" to "aluminum coffin," depending on their mood and recent experiences. But after sixty-plus years of service, it's clear that sometimes the most enduring designs are the ones that work, day after day, without drama or fanfare. Stryker Combat Vehicle Image Credit: Sgt. Ian Schell, Dvids Hub.net/ Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 4,900+ units (2002-present) Weight: 16.5-22.5 tons Engine: Caterpillar C7 diesel, 350 hp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stryker was born from the Army's realization that they needed something faster than a tank but more protected than a Humvee. The result is an eight-wheeled vehicle that looks like it drove straight out of a science fiction movie and into modern warfare. Unlike tracked vehicles that chew up roads and make more noise than a heavy metal concert, the Stryker's wheels allow it to move quickly and quietly on improved surfaces. It can reach highway speeds while maintaining the kind of protection that keeps occupants safe from most battlefield threats. The Stryker's modular design allows for rapid role changes. Need infantry transport? Check. Mobile gun system? Check. Nuclear, biological, chemical reconnaissance? Also check. It's like having a whole motor pool in one versatile platform. Critics initially questioned whether wheels could handle serious combat conditions. Still, deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan proved that properly designed wheeled vehicles could be just as effective as tracked ones in many situations, with significant advantages in speed and maintenance. M109 Paladin Image Credit: Spc. Gregory Gieske - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 4,000+ units (1963-present) Weight: 27.5 tons Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V71T, 405 hp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The M109 Paladin is a self-propelled artillery system designed to provide mobile fire support for fast-moving armored formations. Equipped with a 155mm howitzer, the Paladin has served in the U.S. military for over five decades, adapting to the evolving demands of modern warfare. Unlike traditional towed artillery, which requires setup time and is vulnerable to enemy counterfire, the Paladin can fire and relocate quicklyenhancing survivability and tactical flexibility. This fire-and-maneuver capability allows it to deliver sustained support while minimizing exposure. Modern variants of the Paladin feature GPS-guided munitions capable of striking targets with high precision at ranges exceeding 20 miles. These advancements enable crews to deliver accurate and powerful fire support in both offensive and defensive operations. Artillery units rely on the Paladin for its versatility, mobility, and reliability. Whether disrupting enemy formations or supporting ground troops, the Paladin remains a vital component of the U.S. Armys artillery arsenal. Naval Vehicles Commanding the Seas Image Credit: Official U.S. Navy Photograph - U.S. National Archives, Online Public Access/Wiki Commons. The oceans have always been Americas front line of defense and projection of power. From wooden warships to nuclear giants, U.S. naval vessels have shaped not just battles, but entire eras of warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They sailed as fortresses, innovators, and symbols of national strength, proving time and again that whoever rules the seas shapes the future. USS Yorktown (CV-5) Image Credit: U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1937 Displacement: 25,500 tons Aircraft: 90+ Fate: Sunk at the Battle of Midway, 1942 The USS Yorktown (CV-5) demonstrated extraordinary resilience during World War II, particularly in the critical months of 1942. After sustaining significant damage at the Battle of Coral Sea, Yorktown underwent expedited repairs, completed in just three days, and returned to action for the pivotal Battle of Midway. Her damage control teams executed rapid and effective repairs under intense pressure, enabling the carrier to rejoin the fleet far sooner than expected. Japanese reconnaissance had reported Yorktown as sunk, making her appearance at Midway both unexpected and strategically impactful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite operating with lingering damage, Yorktowns air groups played a decisive role in the destruction of the Japanese carrier fleet at Midway, helping to shift the momentum of the Pacific War in favor of the Allies. Her eventual loss was a sacrifice that underscored the courage and determination of her crew. The legacy of the USS Yorktown endures as a testament to American naval engineering and the resolve of those who served aboard her during one of historys most consequential naval battles. USS Enterprise (CV-6) Image Credit: U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1938 Displacement: 25,500 tons Aircraft: 90+ Battle Stars: 20 (most decorated U.S. ship of WWII) The USS Enterprise (CV-6), affectionately known as The Big E, was one of the most decorated and active aircraft carriers of World War II. From the earliest days of the Pacific campaign, Enterprise played a central role in nearly every major naval engagement, earning 20 battle stars, more than any other U.S. ship. Japanese forces nicknamed her The Grey Ghost due to her uncanny ability to reappear in battle despite sustaining significant damage. She survived bomb hits, kamikaze strikes, and near-constant combat, remaining operational through circumstances that would have sidelined most vessels. Her air groups produced some of the wars most accomplished naval aviators, and her consistent presence in key operations made her a symbol of American resolve. The morale boost she provided to Allied forces was matched only by the apprehension she inspired in enemy ranks. By the end of the war, Enterprise had not only helped secure victory in the Pacific but also set the standard for carrier operations that would shape naval aviation for decades. Her legacy stands as a testament to the power of skilled crews, resilient engineering, and strategic excellence. USS Tang (SS-306) Image Credit: U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1943 Displacement: 1,526 tons submerged Top Speed: 20.25 knots surfaced, 8.75 knots submerged Torpedo Tubes: 10 (6 forward, 4 aft) Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Richard OKane, the USS Tang (SS-306) became the most successful American submarine of World War II in terms of ships sunk per patrol. OKanes leadership was marked by an aggressive and unconventional approach to undersea combat, often engaging enemy convoys at close range rather than from a distance. Unlike many submarines that favored long-range torpedo attacks followed by evasive maneuvers, Tang frequently penetrated enemy formations to deliver point-blank strikes. Her crew mastered the art of night surface attacks, leveraging the submarines speed and low profile to achieve maximum effectiveness. These tactics were studied and adopted by other submarine commanders, influencing the evolution of American undersea warfare. Tragically, Tang was lost in 1944 when one of her own torpedoes malfunctioned and circled back, striking the submarine. Despite this fate, her legacy was firmly established. Under OKanes command, Tang exemplified the power of bold strategy, technical skill, and relentless execution in naval combat. USS Missouri (BB-63) Image Credit: JO1 JOE GAWLOWICZ - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1944 Displacement: 57,540 tons Main Guns: Nine 16-inch/50 caliber Armor: 12.1 inches maximum belt thickness The USS Missouri (BB-63) was the last battleship commissioned by the United States and played a pivotal role in history by hosting the Japanese surrender ceremony that formally ended World War II. Her presence in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, symbolized the might of the Allied forces and the conclusion of one of the most devastating conflicts in human history. Equipped with nine 16-inch guns, Missouri could launch 2,700-pound shells over 20 miles with remarkable precision. These projectiles, capable of penetrating heavy armor, gave the ship formidable offensive capabilities and made her a dominant force in naval engagements. In the 1980s, Missouri was modernized with Tomahawk cruise missiles and advanced electronics, proving that traditional platforms could be adapted for modern strategic needs. Her renewed service underscored the enduring value of battleships in projecting power across vast distances. The surrender ceremony aboard Missouri was more than symbolic; instead, it was a deliberate choice that reflected the ships commanding presence and the respect it commanded. As a vessel capable of delivering overwhelming force, Missouri stood as a powerful reminder of the cost of war and the strength required to end it. USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Image Credit: Unknown author - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1975 Displacement: 104,600 tons Aircraft: 85+ Power: Two A4W nuclear reactors The USS Nimitz (CVN-68), lead ship of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, exemplifies the scale and sophistication of modern naval engineering. Measuring over 1,000 feet in length, a bit less then height of the Empire State Building, Nimitz functions as a mobile airbase, capable of deploying a full complement of aircraft anywhere in the world. Powered by two nuclear reactors, Nimitz can operate for over two decades without refueling. These reactors generate enough energy to power a city of 100,000 people, much of which is used to launch 40-ton aircraft at rapid intervals. While the ships propulsion is self-sustaining, maintaining the crews operational readiness requires continuous logistical support. Beyond its combat capabilities, the Nimitz-class represents a monumental industrial achievement. Constructing one of these carriers involves thousands of skilled workers and billions of dollars, showcasing the scale of American manufacturing and technological prowess. In the modern era, naval dominance is defined not by the size of a ships guns but by its ability to project air power globally. The USS Nimitz redefined this paradigm, proving that mobility, endurance, and integrated strike capability are the cornerstones of contemporary maritime strategy. USS Forrestal (CV-59) Image Credit: U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1955 Displacement: 78,000 tons Aircraft: 85+ Innovation: First supercarrier with angled flight deck Commissioned in 1955, the USS Forrestal (CV-59) was the United States first supercarrier and a transformative force in naval aviation. Designed from the keel up to accommodate jet aircraft, Forrestal introduced innovations that redefined carrier operations. Her angled flight deck allowed for simultaneous aircraft launch and recoverya feature now standard across modern carriers but revolutionary at the time. Unlike earlier carriers that were retrofitted for jet operations, Forrestal was purpose-built to support the speed, weight, and fuel demands of jet-powered aircraft. Her design marked a strategic shift in naval aviation and set the blueprint for future carrier development. In 1967, Forrestal suffered a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of 134 sailors and injured 161 others. The incident prompted a comprehensive review of safety procedures and equipment, leading to significant improvements in damage control protocols across the fleet. These reforms have since saved countless lives and enhanced operational safety aboard U.S. Navy vessels. Despite the tragedy, Forrestal returned to service and continued to play a vital role in American naval strategy. Her legacy endures as the ship that established the supercarrier as the centerpiece of modern maritime powera role these formidable vessels continue to hold today. USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) Image Credit: U.S. Navy - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1991 Displacement: 9,700 tons Armament: 96 VLS cells, 5-inch gun, Phalanx CIWS Speed: 30+ knots The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and her sister ships represent a transformative leap in destroyer design, evolving from the single-role vessels of World War II into highly capable, multi-mission combatants. Equipped with the Aegis Combat System and Vertical Launch System (VLS), Burke-class destroyers can simultaneously engage threats across air, surface, and subsurface domains. The Aegis system integrates advanced radar and fire control technologies, enabling the ship to track and engage over 100 targets at once. This capability allows for coordinated defense using a variety of missile types, including surface-to-air, surface-to-surface, and anti-submarine weapons. The VLS architecture provides mission-specific flexibility. Burke-class destroyers can be outfitted with Standard missiles for air defense, Tomahawk cruise missiles for land attack, and ASROC weapons for anti-submarine operations. This modularity ensures that each ship can be tailored to meet strategic needs across a wide range of scenarios. Commissioned in the early 1990s, the Arleigh Burke class has remained a cornerstone of U.S. naval operations thanks to regular upgrades and a design that supports evolving technologies. Their continued relevance underscores the value of adaptable platforms in modern warfaresystems built not just for a single mission, but for decades of strategic utility. USS Nautilus (SSN-571) Image Credit: John Kristoffersen - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Commissioned: 1954 Displacement: 4,092 tons submerged Speed: 23 knots submerged Endurance: Limited only by crew and supplies The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) redefined submarine warfare and transformed the role of undersea vessels. Before her commissioning in 1954, submarines were primarily surface ships with limited submerged endurance. Nautilus introduced a new paradigm: a true submarine capable of sustained underwater operations. Powered by nuclear propulsion, Nautilus could remain submerged for months, constrained only by food supplies and crew endurance. Her ability to travel at high speeds beneath the surface made her difficult to detect and counter using conventional anti-submarine tactics. In 1958, Nautilus completed a historic submerged transit beneath the North Pole. This mission demonstrated the strategic reach of nuclear submarines and proved that operations in previously inaccessible regions, such as the Arctic Ocean, were now possible. Nautilus showed that nuclear power was not simply a matter of scale or firepower; it expanded the boundaries of naval capability. Her innovations laid the foundation for a new generation of submarines designed for endurance, stealth, and global reachvessels that continue to shape maritime strategy today. Aerial Vehicles Dominating the Skies Image Credit: Benjamin Bloker - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Above the battlefield, American aircraft wrote a different kind of history. They delivered firepower, protection, and intelligence from the clouds, changing wars with every mission. From prop-driven icons to stealthy phantoms, these flying legends proved that the sky itself could be a weapon, and whoever held it held victory. B-17 Flying Fortress Image Credit: Balon Greyjoy - Own work, CC0/Wiki Commons. Production: 12,731 units Crew: 10 Bomb Load: 17,600 lbs maximum Defensive Armament: 13 .50 cal machine guns The B-17 Flying Fortress earned its name through its robust design and extensive defensive armament. Equipped with up to 13 .50-caliber machine guns, the aircraft was engineered to deter enemy fighters from any approach angle. When flying in formation, B-17s created a defensive network that posed significant risks to attacking aircraft. The aircrafts reputation for durability was well-earned. Numerous accounts describe B-17s returning from missions with engines disabled, control surfaces damaged, and fuselages riddled with holesyet still able to land safely. Boeings design prioritized survivability, incorporating redundant systems and a rugged airframe that protected crews under extreme conditions. While other bombers offered greater speed or payload capacity, the B-17 was built to endure. This design philosophy proved critical during the daylight bombing campaigns over Europe, where exposure to enemy fire was constant. Thousands of aircrew's lives were preserved thanks to the aircrafts resilience. Beyond its physical capabilities, the B-17 had a psychological impact. The sight of hundreds of Flying Fortresses in formation underscored the scale of American industrial power and the reach of its strategic bombing campaign. These missions demonstrated that even distant or heavily defended targets were within reach. P-51 Mustang P-51 Mustang fighter plane - Image Credit: Balon Greyjoy - Own work, CC0/Wiki Commons. Production: 15,386 units Top Speed: 437 mph Range: 1,650 miles Armament: 6 .50 cal machine guns During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces faced a critical challenge: how to protect long-range bomber missions deep into enemy territory. Early escort fighters lacked the range to accompany bombers all the way to their targets and back, leaving formations vulnerable to German interceptors during the most dangerous phases of their missions. The introduction of the North American P-51 Mustang marked a turning point. Equipped with a Packard-built Rolls-Royce Merlin engine and a laminar-flow wing design, the Mustang offered an unprecedented combination of speed, agility, and range. It could escort bombers from England to Berlin and back, dramatically reducing losses and increasing the effectiveness of Allied strategic bombing campaigns. Armed with six .50-caliber machine guns, the Mustang delivered formidable firepower against both air and ground targets. As the war progressed, Mustang pilots shifted from defensive escort roles to offensive fighter sweeps, targeting German aircraft and infrastructure with increasing aggression. Perhaps most significantly, the Mustang helped secure Allied air superiority over Europe. German fighters, once confident in their ability to intercept bombers, found themselves outmatched by an escort that could fight on equal terms and remain in the air longer. The P-51 Mustang didnt just protect bombers it reshaped the air war and contributed decisively to the Allied victory. The F-86 Sabre: Defining Jet Combat in the Korean War Image Credit: U.S. Air Force - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 9,860 units Top Speed: 687 mph Service Ceiling: 49,600 ft Armament: 6 .50 cal machine guns The North American F-86 Sabre marked a pivotal moment in aviation history, emerging as the United States' response to the Soviet MiG-15 during the Korean War. These aircraft faced off in the first large-scale jet-versus-jet air battles, setting the stage for modern aerial combat. With its swept-wing design and powerful General Electric J47 turbojet engine, the Sabre delivered performance that rivaled or exceeded its Soviet counterpart across most flight regimes. However, the Sabres true edge lay in the skill and training of its pilots. American airmen employed superior tactics and discipline, resulting in a favorable kill ratio throughout the conflict. Pilots praised the Sabre for its stable handling and predictable behavior in high-speed engagements. These characteristics made it an ideal platform for dogfighting, where precision and control were essential for survival. Beyond its wartime success, the F-86 helped establish U.S. dominance in jet fighter development during the early Cold War. Its legacy demonstrated that advanced aircraft, when paired with rigorous pilot training, could overcome numerical disadvantagesa principle that would shape air combat strategy for decades to come. B-52 Stratofortress Image Credit: U.S. Air Force 412TW by Todd Schannuth - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 744 units Crew: 5 Bomb Load: 70,000 lbs Service: 1955-present (planned through 2050) The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has served the United States Air Force for more than seven decades, making it one of the longest-operating military aircraft in history. Its longevity is so remarkable that multiple generations of pilots, grandfather, father, and son, have flown the same aircraft. Originally developed during the Cold War to penetrate Soviet airspace at high altitude, the B-52 has continuously evolved to meet changing military needs. Powered by eight Pratt & Whitney J57 turbojet engines, the aircraft offers intercontinental range and a massive payload capacity. It can carry a wide array of munitions, including conventional bombs, nuclear weapons, and cruise missiles, depending on mission requirements. The B-52s enduring relevance stems from its robust airframe and ongoing modernization. While todays B-52s feature advanced electronics and weapons systems, the core structure remains essentially unchanged, allowing integration of new technologies without requiring a complete redesign. During the Vietnam War, B-52s played a central role in strategic bombing campaigns, showcasing the psychological and tactical impact of sustained aerial bombardment. In more recent conflicts, the aircraft has been adapted to deploy precision-guided munitions, transforming it from an area bomber into a versatile strike platform capable of engaging multiple individual targets in a single mission. The B-52 continues to serve as a symbol of American airpower, demonstrating how sound engineering and strategic adaptability can extend the life of a military platform far beyond its original expectations. F-16 Fighting Falcon Image Credit: Andy Dunaway - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 4,600+ units Top Speed: 1,500 mph G-Force Limit: 9 Gs Armament: 20mm cannon plus external stores The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon began as a bold experiment in fighter design. In the 1960s and 1970s, a group of U.S. Air Force officers and civilian analysts, known as the Fighter Mafia, challenged the dominant military doctrine of the time. They advocated for lightweight, highly maneuverable fighters optimized for close-range dogfighting, rather than the large, complex jets favored by defense planners. Their ideas, rooted in John Boyds Energy-Maneuverability theory, led to the Lightweight Fighter Program and the creation of the original YF-16 prototype: a stripped-down, day-only air superiority fighter with minimal electronics and no radar. The aircrafts fly-by-wire flight control system allowed for aerodynamic instability, giving it unmatched agility and responsiveness. However, the F-16s eventual success came from its transformation into a versatile multirole platforman evolution that diverged sharply from the Fighter Mafias original vision. To meet operational demands, the aircraft was equipped with heavier systems, including an all-weather radar, expanded avionics, and ground-attack capabilities. These upgrades increased the aircrafts cost and weight, sparking controversy among purists who believed such changes compromised its dogfighting edge. Despite this tension, the F-16 proved remarkably adaptable. With over 4,600 units built and exported to dozens of countries, it has served in roles ranging from air-to-air combat to precision ground strikes and reconnaissance. Continuous upgrades, such as the Block 70/72 variant featuring advanced radar, electronic warfare suites, and modern weapons systems, have kept the F-16 relevant in 21st-century warfare. The F-16s story is one of innovation, compromise, and enduring utility. While the Fighter Mafias ideas shaped its DNA, the aircrafts true legacy lies in its ability to evolve beyond those ideals and meet the complex demands of modern air combat. SR-71 Blackbird Image Credit: NASA - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 32 units Top Speed: 2,193 mph (Mach 3.3) Service Ceiling: 85,000+ ft Range: 2,900 miles The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird remains one of the most iconic aircraft in aviation history. Developed during the Cold War by Lockheeds Skunk Works division, it was designed to perform high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance missions deep into hostile territory. With a top speed exceeding Mach 3 and operational altitudes above 85,000 feet, the SR-71 operated in a flight regime where the line between aviation and spaceflight began to blur. At cruising speed, the aircrafts titanium skin would heat to over 600F due to air friction, causing the airframe to expand mid-flight. Its fuel tanks were intentionally designed to leak on the ground and seal only once the aircraft reached supersonic speeds, a necessary adaptation for operating at extreme temperatures and pressures. The Blackbirds reconnaissance capabilities were unmatched during its service. Flying too fast and too high to be intercepted, it could capture detailed imagery over vast areas, providing critical intelligence throughout the Cold War. Despite hundreds of surface-to-air missiles being launched at it, no SR-71 was ever shot down. Perhaps most remarkably, the SR-71 was conceived using 1950s-era tools, slide rules and drafting tables, rather than modern computers. Its success was a testament to the ingenuity of its designers, led by Clarence Kelly Johnson, and the ambition of the programs that funded it. Even decades after its retirement, the SR-71 remains the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft ever built. F-117 Nighthawk Image Credit: Derrick C. Goode - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 64 units First Flight: 1981 Speed: 617 mph Stealth: Radar cross-section of a small bird The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was unlike any aircraft before it. With its angular, faceted surfaces and unconventional silhouette, it looked more like a science fiction spacecraft than a jet fighter. This radical design wasnt about aestheticsit was engineered to deflect radar waves, making the aircraft nearly invisible to detection systems. The trade-off was aerodynamic instability, requiring constant computer-assisted corrections to stay airborne. Introduced in the 1980s and deployed prominently during the Gulf War, the Nighthawk demonstrated the power of stealth technology. F-117s were tasked with striking the most heavily defended targets in Baghdad, flying through dense anti-aircraft defenses with minimal risk of interception. Their success had a psychological impact as well, signaling a new era in precision warfare. Despite its groundbreaking stealth, the F-117 had limitations. It was subsonic, carried a modest payload, and demanded extensive maintenance between missions. Yet for high-value targets in hostile environments, these compromises were acceptable. The ability to strike without warning changed strategic planning across global air forces. Retired in 2008, the F-117 marked the end of the first generation of operational stealth aircraft. Its legacy lives on in every stealth platform that followedfrom the B-2 Spirit to the F-22 Raptor. More than just a technological milestone, the Nighthawk proved that radar invisibility wasnt just possible, it was a game-changer. F-14 Tomcat Image Credit: Lee O. Tucker - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. Production: 712 units Top Speed: 1,544 mph Range: 2,000+ miles Armament: Phoenix, Sparrow, Sidewinder missiles plus 20mm cannon The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was engineered to be the ultimate fleet defender. Developed in response to Cold War threats, it was designed to intercept Soviet bombers before they could launch long-range anti-ship missiles at U.S. carrier battle groups. With its powerful twin engines and variable-geometry wings, the Tomcat delivered exceptional performance across a wide range of flight conditions, from low-speed loitering to high-speed interception. At the heart of its capabilities was the AWG-9 radar system, which could track up to 24 targets simultaneously and engage six with AIM-54 Phoenix missiles at ranges exceeding 100 miles. This gave carrier groups a protective bubble far beyond visual range, reshaping naval air defense strategy. The aircrafts variable-sweep wings allowed it to adapt its aerodynamics in flight, swinging forward for low-speed maneuverability and sweeping back for supersonic dashes. However, this innovation came with trade-offs: added weight, mechanical complexity, and high maintenance demands earned it the nickname maintenance queen among Navy crews. Despite these challenges, the F-14 became a symbol of American airpower and pop culture. Its starring role in films like Top Gun cemented its status as one of the most recognizable military aircraft ever built. More than just a fighter, the Tomcat represented a blend of cutting-edge technology and cinematic flair that captured the public imagination. The Legacy of Americas Battlefield Icons Image Credit: Ted Banks - Public Domain/Wiki Commons. These 24 vehicles represent more than just military hardware: they embody American industrial capability, innovative thinking, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. From the mass-produced reliability of the Sherman tank to the technological marvel of the SR-71 Blackbird, each machine tells a story of how America approached the challenges of its time. What unites these diverse vehicles is their impact on military history and popular culture. They didn't just win battles; they shaped how wars were fought and how Americans thought about military power. Many became cultural icons that transcended their original purpose, inspiring movies, model kits, and the dreams of generations of enthusiasts. The evolution from World War II's emphasis on mass production to today's focus on technological superiority reflects broader changes in American society and military doctrine. But throughout these changes, certain constants remain: the importance of reliability, the value of adaptability, and the understanding that superior equipment in the hands of well-trained operators can overcome seemingly impossible odds. As we look toward the future of military technology, these legendary machines remind us that the most successful weapons systems aren't just technically superior: they're the ones that capture the imagination and earn the trust of the people who use them. In war, as in automotive enthusiasm, the best machines are the ones that inspire confidence, perform when it matters, and leave lasting legacies that influence everything that comes after. In an attempt to put a positive spin on U.S.-led efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Vice President JD Vance on Aug. 24 claimed Moscow had made "significant concessions" during the now months-long and largely stalled peace process. Vance's comments to NBC News' "Meet the Press" come after Moscow's continued refusal to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal, as well as more recently, a refusal to hold a bilateral meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite this, Vance framed his country's negotiations with Russia in a positive light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3.5 years of this conflict," Vance said. "They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war." Here are some of the alleged concessions made by Russia, and why they're nothing of the sort. Vance: "They've recognized that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv that was, of course, a major demand at the beginning." Vance himself highlights the issue with the claim that this is a recent Russian concession Moscow had to abandon any hope of installing a puppet regime in Kyiv more than three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin didn't attempt to hide one of the main aims of what he dubbed a "special military operation," saying in a speech to launch the invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, that Ukrainian citizens should rise up against the government of President Zelensky which he described as "neo-Nazis" and an "anti-national junta that is robbing Ukraine and mocking its very people." The Kremlin appears to have genuinely believed this would happen in a matter of days and that Moscow's forces would swiftly take Kyiv, topple Zelensky and install a puppet regime that would do its bidding. The evidence for this? Russian state media channels had pre-written victory articles ready to go, one of which was accidentally published and then swiftly deleted just four days after the launch of the full-scale invasion. After more than a month fighting, Russia was forced to abandon any hopes of capturing Kyiv, and on March 29, 2022, announced it would be retreating from Kyiv Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And with that, the Kremlin lost all hope of installing a puppet regime in Kyiv two-and-a-half years before Trump was even elected to office, never mind pushing for peace talks. Vance: "What they have conceded is the recognition that Ukraine will have territorial integrity after the war." In a similar vein to the last point, Russia was forced to concede this point just weeks into the full-scale invasion when Ukrainian forces prevented it from taking over the entire country. While Russia made significant gains in multiple regions of Ukraine in the first months of the full-scale war, since November 2022, Russian forces have only captured 5,842 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, accounting for about 0.97% of the country's landmass, according to DeepState. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, together with territories occupied by Russia since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine in 2014, about 20% of Ukrainian land is currently under occupation. This has come at a huge cost to Russia more than 1 million battlefield casualties and experts warning of a wrecked economy and possible food shortages. Moderator Kristen Welker Interviews Vice President JD Vance (Shannon Finney/NBC via Getty Images) Vance: "They've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine." Acknowledging security guarantees for Ukraine costs Russia nothing. Actually agreeing to them is another matter entirely. After Zelensky's Aug. 18 appearance at the White House, there has been a flurry of international activity and European leaders are sketching out what form they will take. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the ongoing uncertainty of what they might look like, how much U.S.-backing they will receive, and if they would in theory be effective, this is actually the easy bit. The difficult bit is going to be getting Russia to agree to them. The Kremlin has given no signs that it is actually willing to give up its maximalist territorial demands in Ukraine, and it's highly unlikely to sign anything which would prevent it taking more Ukrainian territory in the future. And sending European troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees would amount to "foreign military intervention," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Aug. 21, making explicit that the Kremlin would not agree to any plan which included them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So yes, while Vance may be correct in saying Russia has made some acknowledgements, in the real world, this means next to nothing. "President Trump has done more to apply pressure and to apply economic leverage to the Russians... than (U.S. President) Joe Biden." This is objectively not true and Trump has done next to nothing to apply concrete pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine. Almost every single sanction imposed by the U.S. Treasury Department on Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine occurred during Biden's presidency. The only thing close during Trump's term was the re-designation of the Russian-linked cryptocurrency exchange Garantex Europe OU earlier this month. Read also: Ukraine has upgraded its Neptune missile heres what we know Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Anderson County Sheriffs Office reported a search is underway after a boat was discovered abandoned in an Upstate lake. At approximately 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a call at Sadlers Creek State Park regarding a boat circling in the water at Lake Hartwell. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, they are searching for a missing boater. SCDNR said investigators are working to secure cell phone data to provide details on their search, including a possible time and location the victim may have gone overboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Divers are also using sonar technology in the search, according to SCDNR. Details remain limited at this time. 7NEWS will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ROANOKE Va. (WFXR)- Angels of Assisi is working to find homes for an interesting bunch of animals, dozens of guinea pigs. The shelters director of adoptions, Ethan Claridge, said they were contacted by Botetourt Animal Control last week, concerning a resident who needed to surrender many animals, 57 guinea pigs and nine birds. Claridge said the shelter is going through a ten-pound bag of pellets per day. The guinea pigs were lucky because we have not moved our cats over from our other building yet, so, they were able to take that space, said Claridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cracker Barrel releases statement following backlash over rebranded logo For more information about Angels of Assisis Adoption Center and Community Pet Clinic, visit their website at https://www.angelsofassisi.org/. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Carmen Coleman has a morning routine most working moms can relate to. So it, it can be chaotic, Coleman told WREG. Especially with twins! Coleman and her husband are parents to twins Campbell and Nicholas. The sister and brother are 8th graders. Coleman explained, But having them ride the bus makes it a lot easier. We are able to utilize time right down to the minute. Helping to make the start of the day smoother, Coleman said, is a bus tracking app the familys school district, Arlington, just started using this school year called BusZone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, this new app is a lot better. Its a huge improvement over what we had before, Coleman told WREG. According to the apps website and school district bus information, parents download the app, sign up through their school district, add their bus and student, then create an alert zone. Coleman explained how it works. I can establish my own parameters for how broadly I want that zone to capture. It will alert me when the bus enters the home zone. WREG visited the Colemans on an early August morning. Campbell and Nicholas walked out to the bus stop and waited for their bus to arrive. At the same time, NewsChannel 3 watched in real time as the bus got closer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coleman walked us through the process, and we followed along on her app at the same time. So, I can see the bus is here; it will soon approach, she said, pointing to the map on the BusZone app. In a matter of minutes, we watched as the bus arrived, and at the same time, Colemans app sent a notification that read, Your bus has entered the zone home. WREG asked, Buses run late, theyre a little off schedule, hows this changed that? Coleman responded, So, its definitely helped just to keep me calm, on days where I may have to get out of the house quickly. As we continue our conversation with Coleman, shes notified that the kids have arrived at school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allowing technology to help track her twins daily ride on the school bus provides Coleman a bit of comfort regarding her concerns about safety. Well, I just think in all thats happening in, in our, in our city, just around us, it really puts my mind at ease to be able to know that theyre on the bus safely. I can see where the bus is at all times in real time, and then know when they have arrived to school and departed from school, added Coleman. Catherine VanWoerdens son is a 5th grader in the Collierville School District. Like the other suburban districts contracted with Durham, its also using BusZone. So it has been helpful when it works, VanWoerden told WREG. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like most technology rollouts, though, theres been some trouble. The app works for me, but not his dad, and were a blended family, so if its not working for his dad, his dads having to rely on me to let him know when the bus has dropped him off. Its not that big of a deal, but for parents that are working and not at home, it is a big deal, said VanWoerden, who works from home and has a toddler. WREG has seen similar complaints on social media about parents with multiple children at different schools, saying they have problems with the bus tracking app. Just recently, VanWoerden said they encountered a problem with the app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One day, we had it where it wasnt following our bus. It was showing a different bus on the route, even though in the settings, it had our bus on there. So he was dropped off and I had no idea that he had been dropped off, said VanWoerden. VanWoerden says being able to rely on the app is especially important for younger children like her son, who goes to school without an electronic device. She explained, We dont use AirTags, and he does not have a way to contact us. He does not have a cell phone. He does not have a smartwatch. Despite some of the problems, overall, VanWoerden says its been a good tool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It definitely helps my peace of mind knowing where he is, VanWoerden said. Memphis Shelby County Schools uses the Edulog Parent PortalWheres My Bus app, and it has similar features. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China has called on the United States to stop its attempts to disrupt China-Latin America cooperation by sowing discord, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday. Guo's remarks came after a U.S. military official claimed that China is infiltrating and plundering resources in the Western Hemisphere. "Such U.S. allegations represent nothing but a worn-out narrative divorced from reality, which once again expose the ingrained Cold War mentality and confrontational mindset of certain individuals within the United States," Guo told a regular press briefing. China has always adhered to the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation in conducting practical cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries across various fields, the spokesperson added. China-Latin America cooperation aligns with the respective needs and serves the common interests of both sides, and has vigorously promoted local economic and social development, earning genuine welcome from countries and peoples in the region, Guo noted. "Over the years, the United States has spared no effort in interfering with and controlling Latin America and the Caribbean. Its hegemonic and bullying actions are all too evident," Guo said. "Latin America and the Caribbean are no one's backyard," Guo stressed, while adding that China-Latin America cooperation is not targeted at any third party and should not be disrupted by any third party. Countries in the region have the right to independently choose their development paths and partners, he emphasized. "The United States should cease its attempts to sow discord and create troubles out of nothing, and instead focus on contributing more to the development of Latin American and Caribbean countries," Guo said. TALLAHASSEE Siding with medical marijuana patients in a Florida case, an appeals court last week found that federal restrictions barring pot patients from buying and using guns appear to run afoul of the Second Amendment. The federal government failed to meet its burden to establish that disarming medical marijuana users is consistent with this nations history and tradition of firearm regulation, the decision by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel said. Then-Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and medical marijuana patients filed the lawsuit in 2022 challenging the prohibitions. While marijuana is illegal under federal law, Florida voters in 2016 passed a constitutional amendment to allow patients to use marijuana for medical conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit said the federal prohibitions forbid Floridians from possessing or purchasing a firearm on the sole basis that they are state-law-abiding medical marijuana patients. But U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor dismissed the case in November 2022, spurring the plaintiffs to go to the Atlanta-based appeals court. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who was elected in 2022 to succeed Fried, dropped out of the case, but it has continued with the patients as plaintiffs. In citing the nations history and tradition of firearm regulation, the panel used a standard that courts focus on when determining whether gun restrictions can withstand constitutional scrutiny. The analysis has evolved following a series of seminal U.S. Supreme Court decisions about gun regulations, including a 2024 ruling in a case known as United States v. Rahimi. The panel heard arguments in the pot patients case in October 2023 but put it on hold pending the outcome of the Rahimi case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for then-President Joe Bidens administration argued that the gun restrictions are warranted because they apply to people who would endanger themselves or others because of their drug use. Rahimi itself recognized that (s)ince the founding, our nations firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms, a Justice Department brief said. The limited restriction at issue here, which applies only to individuals engaged in the regular and ongoing use of illegal drugs, fits comfortably within that tradition and the principles underpinning it. But last weeks 26-page decision, authored by Judge Elizabeth Branch, said the allegations must be construed in the light most favorable to the plaintiffs and do not lead to an inference that they, because they are medical marijuana users, can fairly be labeled as dangerous and thus are disarmed wrongly. The ruling, joined by Judges Gerald Tjoflat and Robert Luck, reversed Winsors dismissal of the case and sent it back to the judge for further consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fried, who is chairperson of the Florida Democratic Party, lauded the appeals court decision. This is a huge win for freedom. No medical cannabis patient should have to choose between their rights to their medicine or their right to bear arms, Fried said in a text message. In court documents, lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that there was no historical tradition of disarming people who have not committed serious or violent crimes and who have not shown themselves to be a threat to the safety of others. The panel appeared to agree. Branch wrote that plaintiffs Vera Cooper and Nicole Hansell cannot fairly be labeled as dangerous people solely due to their medicinal marijuana use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper and Hansell disclosed they were medical marijuana users when filling out a federal form that requires people seeking to purchase guns to identify if they are an unlawful user of or addicted to marijuana or any other controlled substance. Gun stores refused to sell them firearms after they answered yes, according to court documents. Another plaintiff, Neill Franklin, is a retired law enforcement officer who owns a gun and wants to become a medical marijuana patient. The panel rejected the federal governments argument that the restrictions are in keeping with the nations history of disarming people deemed dangerous, such as people who are mentally ill or drug addicts. Viewing these allegations in the light most favorable to Cooper and Hansell, it appears they use rational thought in making their decision to use marijuana and would stop their marijuana use if they were placed at risk of criminal prosecution. Accordingly, Coopers and Hansells mental state is a far cry from that of addicts and alcoholics whose actions are controlled by their need to use alcohol or drugs, the ruling said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Russell, an attorney with the Jones Walker firm who represents the plaintiffs, called the decision an enormous step in the right direction toward normalization of Floridas medical marijuana program. Purchasing doctor-recommended medical marijuana, through Floridas constitutionally implemented system, should not deprive anyone of their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, Russell said in a text message. By Dara Kam, News Service of Florida LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) South Louisiana Community College is one of just two Louisiana colleges selected to lead the Scaling Apprenticeship project. South Louisiana Community College has earned a spot in an elite national cohort, joining only ten colleges in the country chosen by the Association of Community College Trustees to spearhead its new apprenticeship program. The initiative equips colleges to become registered apprenticeship sponsors. Through training, technical assistance, and a $15,000 seed investment, the five year project is set to build the infrastructure to sustain apprenticeships that meet local workforce needs and expand career opportunities for students, said Dr. Vincent June, South Louisiana Community College Chancellor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This recognition highlights SoLAccs role as both a state and national leader in connecting education to the workforce, said June. By leveraging apprenticeships, we can give students real-world, career-building experience while strengthening the talent pipeline for Louisianas employers. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest As part of the project, two apprenticeship pathways are proposed, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Sterile Processing Technician. Apprenticeships allow students to be employed and trained on the job while completing related technical instruction at the college. The project is designed to help community colleges establish the systems to scale such programs, and the college hopes it creates sustainability and expansion into new fields. Latest post Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. I have reported in the past on the role of the Equality Act in generating endless court cases with taxpayers picking up the cost. Last week, a particular case caught my attention. NHS midwife Fatimah Mohamied praised the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. She is now using the Equality Act to sue the Chelsea and Westminster hospital for referring her to Prevent. The details of the case are not the subject of this article. Instead, I want to highlight the absurdities which taxpayers are forced to fund in the name of Diversity, Equality (or Equity) and Inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I noticed that the midwife who is defending her right, in her own words, to critique a colonial political ideology that has upheld an illegal occupation for decades as part of her Palestinian advocacy and criticism of Zionism was employed as a cultural safety lead midwife. A cultural safety lead is a specialist role, the primary purpose of which is to improve inclusivity within [the hospitals] maternity services for service users and [its] workforce. The job description listed for the hospital in question provides that the post holder will take responsibility, in partnership with the senior management team, in improving the cultural safety of maternity services within their unit and across the North West London sector. This will include support for all protected characteristics, including, but not restricted to areas of race, sex, sexuality, gender identity and disability. The question is, how could an individual who went on to openly praise the October 7 massacre the largest single massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust according to the All Party UK-Israel Parliamentary Group qualify for a taxpayer-funded specialist role designed to improve inclusivity within our maternity services? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case very neatly illustrates how there is in fact nothing inclusive about DEI policies and the results they produce. Steven Pinker, the celebrated Professor of Psychology at Harvard University, perfectly captured this: I have nothing against diversity, equity, and inclusion. But as Voltaire said about the Holy Roman Empire: it was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion imposes an Intellectual monoculture, favours certain groups over others and it has a long list of offences that mean you can be excluded. In other words, War Is Peace. Freedom Is Slavery. Ignorance Is Strength: we truly are living in a dystopian novel. 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. An American Orthodox archbishop has apologized after he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Putin and President Donald Trump met last week at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson in Anchorage, Alaska, to discuss an end to Russias three-year-long war in Ukraine. After their summit, Putin met with Archbishop Alexei, the bishop of Alaska for the Orthodox Church in America. The pair greeted each other warmly and exchanged gifts of holy icons, the Associated Press reported. Their seemingly friendly exchange prompted criticism from other church leaders who said Alexei should have rebuked Putin and called for peace in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Alexei has apologized for the meeting. Last week, I greeted President Vladimir Putin during the summit in Anchorage in a peaceful spirit of hospitality after three days of diocesan wide prayer for peace, he wrote on Friday. Since then, I have heard from many who viewed that moment as a missed opportunity for a rebuke or demand for peace amid ongoing conflict and suffering. Again, I repeat, to all who experienced my actions as a cause of sorrow or confusion, I sincerely ask your forgiveness. Archbishop Alexei meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. Alexei has since apologized for the meeting. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images) I accept full responsibility for the confusion and pain my actions caused, he added. Our Church continually calls the faithful to prayer, to concrete works of mercy, and to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation for all who suffer. Two top leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel, called the meeting a betrayal of the Gospel of Christ and scandalous to the faithful, in an August 18 statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a moment when the Russian regime is responsible for the invasion of the independent and peaceful nation of Ukraine and for the death of hundreds of thousands, for the disappearance of countless innocents, for the tearing of families apart, and for the deliberate destruction of Ukraine, the pair wrote. To extend warm words of welcome and admiration to this leader is nothing less than an endorsement of his actions. According to the New York Times, more than 500,000 deaths and injuries have been confirmed since the February 2022 invasion. Most of the casualties, 300,000, have been Russian military fighters. More than 500,000 deaths and injuries have been reported since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. (REUTERS) Before he apologized last week, Alexei issued a statement to Alaska priests defending the visit and explaining why he gifted holy icons to the Russian leader, the AP reported. When I expressed gratitude in that public moment, it was not praise for present politics, but a remembrance of the missionaries of earlier generations who brought us the Orthodox faith at great cost, Alexei said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I must be clear: the veneration we give to holy icons is directed not to the one who gives them, but to the saint or feast they represent, he added. Even if the greatest sinner were beside me, the honor passes not to him but to heaven itself. Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America also issued a statement alongside Alexei on Friday, clarifying that he was not aware that the archbishop had scheduled a meeting with Putin. The encounter to which His Eminence Archbishop Alexei refers in his statement of apology was undertaken on his own initiative and was not authorized by the Holy Synod, he wrote. The canonical tradition insists that a bishop do nothing without the knowledge of the metropolitan; this meeting was arranged without my knowledge. University of Florida wildlife researchers are building a better tegu trap, hoping a torrent of artificial intelligence technology will help mitigate the spread of an invasive reptile swarming the Sunshine State. The Argentine black and white tegus distinctive pattern, a repetition of speckled bands that stretch from its snout to the tip of its tail, was plugged into AI software trained to recognize it as unique from other critters. If the AI identifies an animal that wanders into the specially equipped trap as a tegu, it triggers the trap door to close and notifies a researcher via text message that the indiscriminate eater of Floridas flora and fauna has been nabbed. If a raccoon or possum wanders into the trap, the door stays open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the AI mistakenly closes the trap on a non-tegu, which it did once in a test phase on a similarly marked box turtle, researchers can open the door remotely to let the animal out. That kind of remote monitoring coupled with the AI multiplies the number of traps that can be set because they dont need to be manually checked every day a time-consuming process, especially in some of the harder to reach areas of the state. It has huge potential for helping to reduce resources in terms of time and money in managing tegus, said Melissa Miller, lead investigator on the trap project and a wildlife ecologist with UF's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Fort Lauderdale. With this, you can put out a lot of traps with minimal effort, and to really have an impact, we have to have a sustained trapping effort with a lot of traps for multiple years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: UF researchers deploy robotic rabbits across South Florida to fight Burmese python explosion Tegus, which were added to Floridas prohibited species list in 2021, can grow to 4 feet long and have been popular household pets for some reptile fans because they can be housetrained and are considered unusually smart. Tegus that were acquired before 2021 were allowed to stay with their owners after being registered. In the wild, tegus are harmful to native Florida habitat, eating everything from bananas to baby gopher tortoises. A key concern is their appetite for eggs, whether it be sea turtle, crocodile, alligator or bird. The AI traps are baited with chicken eggs. Also, because tegus are cold-tolerant and will burrow to stay alive during the chilliest winter days, they are believed to be spreading north and multiplying. Eradication efforts of a wild population of tegus are underway in at least two counties in southeast Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Black-and-white Argentine tegus are one of the newer invasive critters in Florida, having been released via the pet trade shortly after 2000. In Florida, there were just five black and white tegus reported statewide in 2005, according to the University of Georgias EddMaps invasive species tracking system. By 2015 that was up to 840, and last year 1,230 were spotted, caught or found dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are known breeding populations in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade and Charlotte counties. About 50 tegus have been reported in Palm Beach County. UF wildlife professor Frank Mazzotti, who leads the schools Croc Docs research team, said he was shocked in 2019 when Palm Beach County residents were asked to help identify Nile monitor lizards in their communities and half of the photos that were sent in were of tegus. "For all these invasive species, we really don't have monitoring programs in place to look at the spread and increase in numbers," Mazzotti said. "It's like we're fighting in the dark." Python challenge: Why state recommends not eating Florida pythons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A more recent discovery has been a growing number of tegus in St. Lucie County, which is where Miller and her colleagues tested the AI traps over a six-month period in 2023. UF worked with the company Wild Vision Systems on the traps. The company won a 2022 Theodore Roosevelt Genius Prize from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its smart-trapping system. Argentine black and white tegu in a trap. The traps, which are solar-powered, have a box that sits on top of them that contains the AI software and a camera. Miller said she would like eventually to make the traps generally available to wildlife managers and homeowners. To my knowledge, we are the only folks in South Florida that have an operational, fully automated, smart trap on the landscape, Miller said. Miller is working to get more money to pay for additional research and to modify the traps to catch other large invasive lizard species. She said the traps, even if modified, probably wouldn't work with the loathsome Burmese python because it is more of an ambush predator. Large pythons would also be hard to snag in a trap, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she can see the traps being successful with iguanas and Nile monitors, which are established and breeding in Palm Beach County. Many Nile monitor sightings are along the C-51 canal. University of Florida researchers are testing traps equipped with artificial intelligence that can identify when an invasive Argentine Black and White Tegu is caught in it. The trap door closes once the AI recognizes the animal as a Tegu. Nile monitors, which are semiaquatic, were also added to the state's prohibited species list in 2021. The average adult grows to 5 feet in length, according to FWC. Since 2010, about 300 Nile monitors have been recorded by EddMaps in Palm Beach County. There have been 2,000 EddMaps reports of iguanas in Palm Beach County, but they are so ubiquitous most people likely dont take the time to officially record or report them. There has been an explosion of iguanas and everywhere they are, they are just increasing. Its going crazy, Mazzotti said. Within Palm Beach County, they are occupying more areas, and these semi-cold winters, if anything, just result in more cold-tolerant iguanas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism: Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: University of Florida building AI powered trap to nab Argentine tegus U.S. Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona meets with business leaders at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics' "Politics and Eggs" event in Goffstown on Friday. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) During a visit to New Hampshire Friday, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego said New Hampshire definitely has to be in the mix to be the first primary election in the 2028 U.S. presidential cycle despite telling the state to move on a few years back. In 2021, as Democrats debated whether to move the beginning of the presidential primary election season to South Carolina, the Arizona Democrat posted to social media: Love my friends in Iowa and New Hampshire but time to move on. South Carolina and Nevada should start the primaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, his view seems to have changed. I wont tell the DNC what to do, he told reporters before a town hall in Nashua. I will say that, the Democrats, as you notice, were hemorrhaging independent voters. Were going to have to figure out how to win independent voters. This is a state that will probably be one of those really pivotal states where Democrats figure that out. But it definitely has to be, in my opinion, definitely has to be in the mix, especially considering how politics has changed. Asked about his previous statements, Gallego said: Certainly, that was a response to what was happening on the ground back in the day. During his visit, Gallego who also visited Iowa the same month and Pennsylvania in May stoked rumors he was considering a 2028 presidential run. Friday, he also visited union workers alongside New Hampshire U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, answered questions from voters at a Nashua townhall with U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander, and participated in the New Hampshire Institute of Politics Politics and Eggs event, a common stop for New Hampshire primary candidates. However, the Arizona Democrat denied the speculation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know where my future goes, he said at the Institute of Politics. I dont see it happening. Largely because I have three kids and a new one. He said his trip was meant to simply support Democrats like Pappas and Goodlander. (The Center Square) Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is taking action against a Tucson mobile park after it allegedly failed to inform residents about its electrical system problems. Last week, Mayes filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against the Redwood Mobile Home Parks owners, Redwood ThunderBird MHPS LLC and BoaVida Communities LLC. The attorney general alleged the mobile park owners knowingly did not inform their residents of the facilitys electrical system problems before tenants signed their leases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes said not telling residents about this problem is an egregious example of consumer fraud. The attorney general alleged the mobile park owners actions violate the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act, the Arizona Mobile Home Parks Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and health-related codes from Tucson and Pima County. In the lawsuit, Mayes called the mobile parks electrical system highly dangerous, over-capacity and prone to failures and outages, which put the parks tenants' health and safety at risk. Mayes wrote that the mobile park has been having electrical issues for years. She said this summer, its electrical system has been shutting down regularly, sometimes multiple times a day, for up to hours at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issues the mobile park has been having with its electrical system prevent residents from using their air conditioner units to keep them cool in the summer, the lawsuit stated. Mayes noted mobile homes heat up faster than standard homes because they are usually made of metal. When these temperatures rise in mobile homes, Mayes added that it is more difficult for them to cool down. When the outages are frequent and regular, as is the case here, the home becomes exponentially more difficult to cool to safe levels, posing an imminent threat of serious injury, hospitalization, or death, Mayes explained. Between 2023 and 2024, Maricopa County experienced 277 heat-related deaths occurring in uncooled indoor environments, according to the countys Department of Health. Numerous deaths came from mobile homes interiors that were not cooled properly. Last month, Arizona tried to get the mobile park to fix its electrical system, The Center Square reported. Mayes sent these LLCs a cease-and-desist letter, but they never fixed it, the lawsuit stated. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (center right) stands with representatives of Benton County and Arkansas Economic Development Commission Executive Director Clint O'Neal (far left) on Aug. 21, 2025. Benton County received a $1 million grant for a water line extension. (Photo courtesy of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission) The Arkansas Economic Development Commission awarded more than $11.9 million in grants to local communities for facilities, emergency response equipment and wastewater projects at the Capitol in Little Rock Thursday. According to a news release from the commission, 65 grants across three programs the General Assistance Community Development Block Grant, Rural Services Block Grant and Rural Community Grant were awarded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding for both the general assistance block grants and rural services awards came from $17.48 million in community development grant money for small cities allocated to Arkansas by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The grants help ensure Arkansans can live in safe, vibrant communities, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during a presentation in the governors conference room. Not only will this funding go towards critical infrastructure projects throughout the Natural State, but it will also fund community parks, walking trails, youth centers, and more projects that will improve residents quality of life and ensure our towns and cities are great places to call home, Sanders said. Of the 65 grants, 20 will go toward projects like a wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation in Norfolk and storm siren replacements in Paragould. Other projects include renovations to a disabled adults learning center in Franklin County, were also given funding from the community development money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest grant $1 million went to Benton County for a water line extension. The smallest, $3,500, will go toward a fire station remodel in Altus. Funding for emergency response needs, such as special rescue team equipment in Huntsville and jaws of life equipment for the Cherry Valley Fire Department, comes from 29 rural community grants and 16 rural services block grants, according to the AEDC press release. The rural services grants also fund telecommunications equipment, pumper trucks and utility vehicles in some areas. The grants were awarded through the commissions Division of Rural Services and Grants Division. In Arkansas, strong communities are the foundation of our success, said AEDC Executive Director Clint ONeal. Search the chart below to see a breakdown of the grant amounts, the recipients and how the funds will be used. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., have started carrying weapons. President Donald Trump has deployed thousands of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard troops to the streets of D.C. Hes threatened to deploy federal law enforcement and National Guard to Baltimore, Chicago and New York. Two weeks ago, President Trump took over policing in D.C. He surged federal law enforcement and sent the National Guard he says to clean up crime and homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time on Sunday. National Guard soldiers carried weapons while patrolling the nations capital. Associated Press photos from Sunday show members of the South Carolina National Guard armed outside Union Station. Theres just no substitute for having law enforcement visible, said Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.). The new task force in charge says force would be used only as a last resort Not just getting the bad guys off the streets. But the deterrent effect, it has as well, said Schmitt. President Trump says he may surge federal troops in other Democrat-run cities across the country including Baltimore, Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wes Moore is the states governor. Its unconstitutional. Its a direct violation of the 10th Amendment, said Moore. The president has also threatened to use federal law enforcement against those who criticize him on TV. President Trump says the Justice Department should reopen a criminal investigation into the closure of the George Washington bridge in 2013 while Chris Christie was New Jersey governor, known as the Bridgegate scandal. It follows the FBI raid of the home of former Trump national security advisor and frequent critic John Bolton. This is clearly retribution, said Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vice President JD Vance says the administration will only prosecute John Bolton if theres evidence he committed a crime. Two federal magistrate judges would likely have to sign off on the FBI search warrants we dont know what evidence the Department of Justice wouldve submitted to get them to sign off. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Armies should train for the battlefields they fight on. But the U.S. Armys training sites dont replicate the terrain that the Army is most likely to fight on, such as the Baltic states, Korea and Taiwan, warns a U.S. Army officer. For example, the Armys largest training site the National Training Center is located in the Mojave Desert. But the Army will likely fight the nations primary adversaries in the forests and bogs of the Baltic, the mountains and farms of Korea or the beaches and rice paddies of western Taiwan, wrote Maj. Robert Rose in an essay for the Association of the United States Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rose fears that troops trained in the wrong terrain will end up using the wrong tactics. Desert, jungle, mountain and steppe offer very different conditions of concealment, mobility and fortification. Without training in appropriate environments, we risk developing counterproductive techniques, wrote Rose, who is chief research officer at the Modern War Institute at West Point. For example, units training in the open desert at NTC assume that their command posts must frequently displace to avoid being targeted. But in Ukraine, where vegetation offers more concealment and Russian drones are omnipresent, Ukrainian command posts prefer not to break cover. When youre moving, youre much easier to see, Rose told Defense News. You also have to break down your command post, which really disrupts your command control. So there is this potentially very damaging lesson that theyre learning out there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roses essay listed a variety of questions that can only be answered by training in an appropriate environment. What is the mobility of our current vehicles in the rice paddies of Taiwan or the bogs of the Baltic? Will vehicles be canalized to roads? How should infantry conduct antiarmor ambushes? How should units conduct effective engagement area development? What will be the range of engagements? How many mines should units carry? What methods should artillery employ for survivability? Will they have to regularly displace or can they dig in? Based on the water table, can they dig in? Ironically, some Army training sites were created precisely to mimic the terrain of potential battlefields. For example, the NTC is a successor to the Desert Training Center of World War II, which the Army created at the insistence of Gen. George S. Patton, who wanted his troops trained for desert conditions before they shipped out to the North African campaign. Although the Army adapted units to the terrain in which they would fight during World War II, today, the Army standardizes organizations and treats them as interchangeable parts, wrote Rose. The Pacific-focused Joint Pacific Multinational Training Center, established in 2022, is a step in the right direction, but it tends to train either on jungle archipelagos or in the Arctic, neither of which resemble the terrain of Taiwan or Korea. Rose argues Army units should train on the terrain they will fight in, such as the Baltic states. Here, U.S. Army paratroopers and French soldiers conduct joint training in Pabrade, Lithuania, on May 21. (Sgt. Jose Lora/U.S. Army) Rose believes that ideally, Army units would train on the actual terrain they would fight in, such as the Baltic states (and Taiwan, though he admits that would be more difficult politically). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our allies already own the land we would fight on, he said. Your units can build the techniques and standard operating procedures that are optimized for that fight, instead of trying to figure it out in the crucial early moments of a conflict. Rose also worries that the Army isnt training for large-scale combat operations, or LSCO. The 1941 Louisiana Maneuvers, which involved 472,000 soldiers, proved crucial in preparing a small but rapidly expanding Army for big-unit operations (as well as weeding out incompetents from the pre-war officer corps). LSCO seemed almost an anachronism for the small-unit warfare waged in Afghanistan and Iraq. But a conflict with China, Russia or North Korea is more likely to involve entire brigades, divisions and corps. Todays exercises never approach this scale, Rose wrote. Most units only reach brigade-level training when they deploy to Combat Training Centers. Once a year, at the National Training Center, the Army has begun conducting division-level training, but it does not include the vital participation of subordinate maneuver brigades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, the Army relies for LSCO on simulations that lead the Army toward centralized processes that are ideal for winning computer games but not wars, wrote Rose. One reason for the lack of large-scale training is a lack of sufficient training space. Army Field Manual 3-0 Operations recommends divisions fight on frontages of up to 28 miles wide, and 53 miles for a corps. Yet despite the U.S. being a continent-sized nation, environmental, economic and political concerns over use of public land make it difficult to find training grounds that are both large enough and have the appropriate terrain, such as forests. In 1986, the Army had access to 14.5 million acres of land for training. By the early 1990s, when Camp Shelby, Mississippi, tried to use national forest lands, an Environmental Impact Statement generated more than 2,000 comments from more than 300 groups and individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since there is no single agency responsible for federal and state land management, the Army has to navigate bureaucratic processes to obtain permission from multiple agencies managing the land and their constituencies, Rose noted. Rose suggests the Army take advantage of the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, where federal, state, local and nongovernmental agencies coordinate sustainable land use around military installations. He also recommends using former bases such as Californias Fort Ord, which features coastline, farmland, hills and even abandoned facilities to use for urban warfare. It could serve as an ideal site on the continental United States to prepare units for defending Taiwan. We cannot be overconfident and think that we can train in one environment and easily dominate our opponents in a completely different context, Rose concluded. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Sunday that Russia has made "significant concessions" in talks aimed at ending its war with Ukraine. In an interview with NBC News, Vance rejected the notion that Moscow was stringing President Donald Trump along, saying the Russians have been "flexible" on some of their demands. "I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict," Vance said. "They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war." "Of course, they haven't been completely there yet, or the war would be over. But we're engaging in this diplomatic process in good faith," he added. "We're going to keep on doing what we have to do to bring this thing to a close," Vance said. "I don't think it's going to happen overnight." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not being planned. Intense diplomatic efforts have been underway in recent weeks to end the conflict in Ukraine. Following the Trump-Putin meeting in the U.S. state of Alaska, Trump held talks with Zelensky and European leaders on Monday. Seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro remains missing and presumed dead after his father was seen searching with authorities, and his mother was maintaining her innocence from behind bars on Sunday. Both parents are suspects in the babys disappearance. Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, were arrested at their Cabazon home Friday morning on suspicion of murder with malice following a weeklong investigation filled with twists and turns. Baby Emmanuel has been missing since Aug. 14, when Rebecca Haro told authorities he was kidnapped from a parking lot of a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods during an assault that left her unconscious and with a black eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the days following the alleged kidnapping, investigators indicated that they noticed inconsistencies in her account of the events and said the couple was being uncooperative. Officials have also said that the Haros 2-year-old had been removed from their custody and that Jake Haro had a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty. On Sunday, Jake Haro, wearing a bright-colored jail jumpsuit, was seen in Moreno Valley assisting San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department detectives as they searched a remote stretch of the 60 Freeway near Gilman Springs Road for the childs remains, but nothing was found. The Haros, Jake, 32, and Rebecca, 41, residents of Cabazon were arrested Aug. 15 in connection with the disappearance and alleged death of Emmanuel Haro, their 7-month-old child. (SBCSD) Emmanuel Haro, a missing 7-month-old baby from Yucaipa, is seen in an image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. Emmanuel Haro was last seen on the 34000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard in Yucaipa before he went missing in a suspected kidnapping on Aug. 14, 2025. (KTLA) Jake Haro, father of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, seen helping investigators search for the boys remains in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) A candlelight vigil was held by community members for Emmanuel Haro outside his Cabazon home on Aug. 22, 2025. (KTLA) Loved ones formed a search party outisde the Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa to locate 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro on Aug. 15, 2025. (KTLA) Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of their 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro. Authorities surrdounded their Cabazon home on Aug. 22, 2025. (San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department) Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of their 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro. Authorities surrdounded their Cabazon home on Aug. 22, 2025. (San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department) Jake and Rebecca Haro at press availability where they pleaded for the sons safe return. (KTLA) It was unclear what led investigators to search the location for Emmanuels body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Emmanuels mother is standing by her story. Despite being accused of murder in the case, she told a group of reporters on Sunday that she isnt giving up on her baby and that she wishes she were out searching for him. Rebecca Haro also shook her head when asked about rumors that she went to the Big 5 days before the reported kidnapping and told employees that her car had been burglarized and asked whether the business had surveillance cameras, the Press-Enterprise reported. Investigators have not commented on the claims. A vigil for baby Emmanuel was held in Cabazon after the shocking arrests on Friday. Im hurt by it. You know, because I wanted to believe that that baby is alive, said one woman at the vigil. Jake and Rebecca Haro are expected to make their first appearance in court on Tuesday. They are being held without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) A man was arrested in Mahomet over the weekend after prosecutors said he set fire to his own home in a suburb of Chicago, endangering his neighbors in the process, and then led State Police on a chase along I-74. In a news release on Facebook, the DuPage County States Attorneys Office said Eric Neuman, 52, is facing charges of aggravated arson, arson and criminal damage to property. The charges stem from a house fire and explosion in Carol Stream early Saturday morning. Urbana officer exposed to unknown substance, loses consciousness during investigation; 2 arrested Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carol Stream Police said in a news release of their own that officers responded around 4:30 a.m. to a report of a residential structure fire. Once they arrived, officers found the home heavily involved in fire. During the incident, two adjacent homes sustained moderate heat and fire damage, police said. The residence where the fire originated was unoccupied, and no injuries have been reported. DuPage County prosecutors said it was later determined that the home that burned belonged to Neuman and his soon-to-be ex-wife, who had recently moved out. An investigation into the fire determined it was intentionally set. It is alleged that Neuman placed approximately six containers of gas throughout the house, totaling approximately 40 gallons, and two propane tanks in a rental car in the attached garage, prosecutors said. It is alleged that Neuman spilled gas in the garage, lit a flare and threw it in the garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neuman fled the home in another vehicle, prosecutors said. Later in the day, at 10:35 a.m., Neuman was located in the Bloomington/Morton area and he allegedly led State Troopers on a chase eastbound on I-74. The chase ended in Mahomet. One dead, two arrested after weekend shooting in Champaign Prosecutors added that further investigation revealed threatening texts he sent to his wife earlier this month, in which he stated his intent to burn their house. Ill remove gas lines from the oven and dryer, after flooding the house with 15 gallons of gasoline. Ill also remove any flow restriction devices on said as lines, Neuman was quoted as saying. Ill turn the fireplace gas valve on full-tilt and then exit the house. It takes an oxygen to natural gas ratio of 5 15% to cause an explosion. When I finally ignite the trail of gasoline that leads to the back yard, Im pretty sure Ill have Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors concluded by stating that when Neuman finally did set the house on fire, he did so knowing his neighbors, including children, were home at the time and that his actions would put them in danger. Intentionally setting fire to a residence in the early morning hours while the community is asleep, as alleged in this case, not only endangers the lives of countless residents, but also the lives of our first responders answering the call, said DuPage County States Attorney Bob Berlin. This type of extremely dangerous behavior will not be tolerated in DuPage County and will be met with the full force of the law. We are all very thankful that no innocent members of the community were injured, or worse, as a result of Mr. Neumans alleged actions. Berlin thanked several agencies and people for their involvement in the case, including the Illinois State Police for taking Neuman into custody. Neuman was transported from Champaign County back to DuPage County during the weekend. Berlin filed a petition to keep Neuman detained ahead of his trial, and a judge granted that petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. An artist forced to flee to the UK from Thailand after his exhibition on authoritarian regimes was censored has said he does not feel safe at all. Sai, who is Burmese, said that pieces in his Bangkok show by Tibetan, Uyghur and Hong Kong artists were removed and names of the artists obscured following an alleged pressure campaign by Beijing. Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity opened on 24 July at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), with the aim of exposing the repression tactics used by authoritarian governments. However, just three days later, Chinese embassy staff are claimed to have visited the BACC, accompanied by Bangkok city officials, and demanded that the exhibition be shut down. Artists names are seen blacked out at the exhibition titled Constellation of Complicity: Visualising the Global Machinery of Authoritarian Solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand, this month (Reuters) Sai has now opened up about the ordeal after he and his co-curator wife fled, fearing arrest or deportation to Myanmar, where he believed he would be punished by the military-run junta for his activism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My wife was really trembling, Sai, who did not want to share his full name for safety reasons, told The Independent. We tried to buy the earliest flight possible, [thinking]: We dont know what this is, or the magnitude, but well try to get out of the country for now and solve this while were outside. The couple left on a plane bound for the UK, taking off just before midnight on 26 July. On the way to our hosts [in the UK], we get phone messages that three diplomats from the Chinese embassy along with Bangkok metropolitan administration officials had shown up at the BACC, Sai said. The Chinese diplomats were demanding that the exhibition be shut down. BACC had a discussion with them. After the discussion, I was informed that the Chinese embassy demanded to remove the names of artists from Tibet, Hong Kong and the Uyghur region. The Chinese diplomats said the relationship between China and Thailand would be affected if BACC didnt comply. The show in one of Thailands top galleries has sparked international concern after some artworks by Tibetan, Uyghur and Hong Kong artists were removed or the names of the artists were obscured (Reuters) Works by Hong Kong artists Clara Cheung and Gum Cheng Yee Man, Tibetan artist Tenzin Mingyur Paldron, and Uyghur artist Mukaddas Mijit had been flagged as problematic, Sai explained. The artist was told that Chinese diplomats returned on multiple occasions, allegedly making more demands, including the removal of elements critical of Beijings policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement issued following the censorship, the Chinese foreign ministry neither confirmed nor denied that its embassy was behind the alterations. However they claimed the exhibition distorted Chinese policies and undermined Chinas core interests and political dignity. The fact that the relevant country took timely measures precisely shows that the promotion of the fallacies of Tibetan independence, East Turkestan Islamic Movement and Hong Kong independence has no market internationally and is unpopular, a spokesperson said. Sai described the incident as an unprecedented act of transnational repression, which highlighted the concerning magnitude of Chinas reach. The exhibition aims to expose the collaborative repression tactics of authoritarian governments (Reuters) We do not feel safe at all, he told The Independent. An exhibition that exposes the network of authoritarian regimes is itself being attacked by a network of authoritarian regimes, just after 48 hours of opening, which is very ironic and self-explanatory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the most controversial, most well-known exhibition all over the world not because we intended, but because of the censorship of the Chinese Communist Party [CCP]. Sai and his wife have lived in Thailand since 2023, finding sanctuary in the country like thousands of other Burmese people, following the military coup in Myanmar in 2021. But now he said they do not see a future when they can return to Thailand, and fear even leaving the UK, claiming there is more than one regime after us. Im very sad to not be able to go back to Thailand, which is like a second home for me, he said. Thailand has long been a refuge for dissidents. This is a chilling signal to all exiled artists and activists in the region. The show remains open at the BACC, but in its censored form, with an expected end date in October (Reuters) But Sai vowed to continue fighting and is establishing a network against global oppression combining all the Davids against the Goliaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Visitor numbers to the exhibition have reportedly surged due to online discussion about the controversy, turning the censorship into unintended publicity. Human rights groups have condemned the move. This intimidation reflects a coordinated effort to suppress artistic expression globally, Roberto Gonzalez from the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) said. For the Chinese Communist Party to go so far beyond its own borders to censor creative voices shows how much they fear the ability of artists to reveal the truths they seek to conceal. And Campaign for Uyghurs called the incident yet another example of Beijing exporting censorship abroad, silencing art and activism that expose its human rights abuses. The Independent has approached the Chinese government, the Thai government and police, and the BACC for comment. MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) A man accused of attempted murder after shooting multiple victims at a Machesney Park bar in February 2023 has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. Jimmie Rogers, 33, entered a plea of guilty to Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, avoiding the more serious charge of Attempted Murder. Additional charges, including aggravated battery and felon in possession of a firearm, were dismissed as part of a plea deal. He is set to be sentenced on October 7th, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies responded to Onyx Bar & Grill, 1001 W. Lane Rd., around 1 a.m. on February 26, 2023, for reports of a shooting with multiple victims, according to the Winnebago County Sheriffs Department. Authorities said Rogers came into the bar and had an altercation with the victim, and was removed from the premises by security. He later returned with a handgun, went over to the victim, and fired several shots. Four people were shot and taken to the hospital. A fifth person was injured during the dispute, police said. According to the criminal complaint, an 18-year-old man was the intended victim. He survived after being shot twice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another man, Derek Graham, then 21, was arrested in March 2023 in connection with the shooting. He was found guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm in July 2023 and sentenced to 16 years in prison. At the time of his arrest, Graham was already wanted on a warrant for armed robbery by the Illinois Department of Corrections. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City man has been charged in Jackson County for shooting into a car, injuring two adults and narrowly missing a 2-year-old. According to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office, Lonny Waits is facing three counts of armed criminal action, two counts of first-degree assault and one count of unlawful use of a weapon shooting at/from a motor vehicle resulting in death or injury. A mugshot photo of Lonny Waits, a man accused of shooting into a car and injuring two adults while two children were inside, in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. It was terrible: KC resident describes deadly downtown shooting, 911 call Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say that on the night of Saturday, Aug. 16, just before 11:30 p.m., officers with the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to a shooting. KCPD was told that a group of suspects had been illegally driving ATVs and dirt bikes near downtown Kansas City and had shot at a car. Previous reporting states that the street racers followed the car from East 18th Street and Grand Boulevard to the area of East 27th Street and Indiana Avenue. When officers arrived, court documents say they found a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was shot in the back, and the woman was shot in the butt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims told investigators they were driving in their car when a group of about 10 dirt bikers and ATV drivers surrounded them. The suspects then began firing into their car, court records say. According to the man and woman, two children were inside the car at the time of the shooting a 14-year-old and a 2-year-old. Court records say that multiple shell casings were recovered from the scene, and that the victims car had been riddled with bullets. Investigators found a shattered rear windshield and three bullet holes in the rear trunk lid, as well as bullet holes in the rear drivers seat and the front drivers seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More notably, a bullet hole was found about one foot away from the 2-year-old childs car seat, investigators reported. The victims told police they had just finished delivering for DoorDash when a group of street racers surrounded them and began kicking at their car. According to court records, the man and woman did not know why they were being followed. After being followed for some time, the victims said they heard five gunshots, leading the man to cover his 2-year-old nephews body. That is when he felt a pain in his lower back and realized he had been shot. The man was taken to the hospital, where medical staff said he suffered damage to his lungs and spleen, court records say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man described the suspect as a mixed, light-skinned male who was about 20 years old. He said he was wearing a white and black T-shirt and was driving a blue, older model Kawasaki ATV with old fenders. The other victim, the woman who was driving the car, told police she saw multiple ATVs and dirt bikers driving all over the roadway that night. She said she had been stopped at a red light when two of dirt bike drivers hit her car. One hit her drivers side mirror with his fist, the other hit her car with his dirt bike. She then told investigators she tried to drive away, but they began following her. Eventually, someone shot at her car five times. However, the woman told police she could not see who was shooting. She later pulled into a gas station and called 911. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were able to find the suspect by using surveillance footage from city cameras. Court records say the suspect could be seen driving an ATV before approaching the victims car on the passenger side. It was then noted that muzzle flashes could be seen coming from the suspects hand, which investigators say matches the shell casings found at the scene. Additionally, investigators say the surveillance footage shows the suspect wearing the same and/or similar clothes described by one of the victims. KCPD was later able to narrow down its search for a suspect after receiving an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source gave police the name of a possible suspect and said the riders were part of a criminal organization known to frequently participate in illegal car shows and street racing throughout Kansas City. Court records say police looked into the alleged suspect and found Lonny Waits on Facebook a self-proclaimed member of the criminal group. Following further investigations and another anonymous tip, KCPD was able to trace Waits back to a licence plate and a 1997 Chevrolet Blazer. They then pulled him over for a traffic violation and found him with a handgun in plain view. The gun was loaded with live rounds, court records say, and Waits was placed under arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a witness, Waits was a member of the criminal organization. It was also confirmed he was a member of the criminal group and was with the ATV and dirt bike riders at the time of the shooting. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas responds to deadly Downtown KC shooting The witness also told investigators they feared Waits could easily post bond if he were arrested and flee the state because the criminal organization was loaded with money and could bail him out. It was also noted in court records that the witness told police Waits frequently fled from the police and was capable of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to KCPD, Waits is not a convicted felon; however, he was previously convicted of misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child in March 2023. Court records say, Due to the aformentioned information, Waits is believed to be a danger to the community and should be considered a flight risk. At this time, Waits is being held in a Jackson County jail on a $200,000 bond. His bond review hearing is scheduled for Sept. 2. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) The company that manages Illinois license plate readers shared information with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), despite a state law that bars the practice. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Monday that an audit conducted by his office found that Flock Safety, which operates the largest license plate reader system in the country, allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to access Illinois license plate camera data. Giannoulias said he then ordered the company to shut off the governments access to Illinois cameras. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This sharing of license plate data of motorists who drive on Illinois roads is a clear violation of the state law. This law, passed two years ago, aimed to strengthen how data is shared and prevent this exact thing from happening, Giannoulias said. I take my responsibility as Secretary of State seriously. Its why we spearheaded this legislation, which now gives us the tools needed to hold Flock accountable for its actions. Giannoulias said the audit of 12 local law enforcement agencies showed that Flock did not have restrictions in place for data sharing and was running a pilot program with CBP. His office has called upon Illinois local law enforcement to ensure their policies for license plate data do not violate the Trust Act, which prevents police in Illinois from collaborating with federal authorities. In June, Illinois shut access to its cameras to out-of-state police agencies after a police department in Texas used the system to find a woman who came to Illinois for an abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Police began installing the cameras in 2022 in an effort to crack down on shootings along Chicago expressways. The cameras capture images of vehicle license plates, which authorities say can help them track suspects in criminal investigations. Police departments using the network regularly request data from other law enforcement agencies to investigate crimes. The City of Rockford has installed its own network of license plate cameras, consisting of 100 cameras positioned throughout the city. The Winnebago County Sheriffs Office announced the purchase of 44 new license plate scanners in May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austins Pease Park celebrated the major milestone of 150 years on Monday morning. On this day 150 years ago, former Texas Governor Elisha Pease and his wife Lucadia donated the initial 23 acres of what would become Austins first public park, according to the Pease Park Conservancy. At Mondays event, City Council Member Marc Duchen presented a city proclamation. In addition to the celebration, Pease Park Conservancy said this milestone jumpstarted an eight-month research project into the people who were enslaved by Gov. Pease before emancipation and the land donation. This project was supported by a city Heritage Preservation Grant and done in partnership with Black Austin Tours and Art Is Cool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research has found that more than 37 unique individuals were directly enslaved or leased as enslaved labor by Governor Pease, the Pease Park Conservancy website said. Austinites will be able to learn about this history of slavery during the Pease Park History Tours, which will be offered twice a month starting this fall, according to the conservancy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -The lone surviving guest of a lunch where three others died after being served food laced with deadly mushrooms told an Australian court on Monday the actions of host and convicted murderer Erin Patterson had left him feeling "half alive". Patterson was found guilty last month of luring her mother-in-law Gail Patterson, father-in-law Donald Patterson and Gail's sister, Heather Wilkinson, to lunch at her home and poisoning them with individual portions of Beef Wellington that contained toxic death cap mushrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury also found the 50-year-old guilty of the attempted murder of Ian Wilkinson, Heather's husband, who survived the 2023 meal at Erin Patterson's home in Leongatha, a town of about 6,000 people some 135 km (84 miles) southeast of Melbourne. The seriousness of her offences meant Patterson's sentence could only be life imprisonment, her own barrister said on Monday during a pre-sentencing hearing. Earlier, Ian Wilkinson told a court in Melbourne that the death of his wife had left him bereft. "It's a truly horrible thought to live with that somebody could decide to take her life. I only feel half alive without her," he said, breaking down in tears as he delivered his victim impact statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilkinson, a pastor in a local church, spent months in hospital recovering from the poisoning, and said on Monday he had only narrowly survived. He called on Patterson, who said the poisonings were accidental and continues to maintain her innocence, to confess to her crimes. "I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness for those harms done to me with full confession and repentance. I bear her no ill will," he said. "I am no longer Erin Patterson's victim and she has become the victim of my kindness." 'GRIM REALITY' The court received a total of 28 victim impact statements, of which seven were read publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erin Patterson's estranged husband Simon Patterson - who was invited to the lunch but declined - spoke of the devastating impact on the couple's two children. "The grim reality is they live in an irreparably broken home with only a solo parent, when almost everyone else knows their mother murdered their grandparents," he said in a statement that was read out on his behalf. The extraordinary media interest in the case, which gripped Australia for much of the 10-week trial, had been traumatic for the family, he added. The current hearing will form part of presiding judge Justice Christopher Beale's sentencing decision, which is due to be heard on September 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is very grave offending and we make no argument that the (longest possible) sentence should be anything other than life imprisonment," Patterson's barrister Colin Mandy said on Monday. However, Mandy urged Beale to impose a non-parole period, meaning she would have the possibility of eventual release. He said Patterson's "notorious" reputation would make prison more onerous for her than the average offender, and that with a non-parole period of 30 years she would be 80 before she could even be considered for release. The court earlier heard evidence from Jennifer Hosking, assistant commissioner of Corrections Victoria that runs the prison where she is being held. She said Patterson was currently being kept in isolation for her own safety, and was permitted contact with only one other prisoner, who is in jail for terrorism offences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecution argues that Patterson should never be released. Patterson has 28 days from the day of her sentencing to appeal, but has not yet indicated whether she will do so. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry) By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia will seek to ratify a landmark security and economic treaty with its tiny neighbour Nauru by next month, Australian officials said on Monday, amid concern a A$1 billion (US$648.85 million) Chinese investment proposal could breach its provisions. Nauru, with a population of 12,000, announced an investment deal with the little-known China Rural Revitalization and Development Corp earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leaders of Nauru and Australia announced a treaty in December in which Australia pledged A$100 million in budget support and A$40 million for security, and gained a veto over Chinese involvement in critical areas including Nauru's security, banking, and telecommunications. The treaty has been ratified by Nauru, but not Australia, because its parliament was dissolved for months for a national election. "It's important that we move forward and ratify as quickly as possible," Mark Tattersall, an official with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, told an Australian parliament committee examining the treaty on Monday. An earlier press release from Nauru's government said the Chinese company would develop the renewable energy, phosphate industry, fisheries, water, agriculture, transportation and health sectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australian diplomats had asked China and Nauru about the deal because of concern it could trigger provisions in Australia's security treaty, Tattersall said. Nauru replied saying the Chinese investment had not yet been considered by Nauru's cabinet, he said. "We have heard the details of the arrangement - it does appear as though actual implementation of any further investment in Nauru is potentially some time off," he added. Australia has said it wants to announce the ratification of the Nauru treaty at a meeting of Pacific Island leaders next month, which China will not attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australian concern about Beijing's ambitions in the Pacific Islands grew after the Solomon Islands signed a security deal with China in 2022, and China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific last year. China has said its presence in the Pacific is focused on building infrastructure to improve people's lives. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- In the suburbs of Beijing, groups of milu deer grazed leisurely in meadows on the banks of the Yongding River, their fawns playfully splashing in the water nearby. This serene picture once seemed almost unbelievable, considering that these creatures had been declared extinct in China. "Forty years ago, 22 milu deer were returned to China from the United Kingdom, marking the comeback for the species. Its population has since grown to over 14,000, through artificial breeding and reintroduction into the wild," said Bai Jiade, director of the Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center. Milu deer, also known as Pere David's deer, are endemic to China, where they bear the nickname "sibuxiang," or "like none of the four" due to their unique features -- a horse's face, a donkey's tail, cow-like hooves and a stag's antlers. In the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the milu deer were a rare sight, confined to the royal hunting park of Nanhaizi in Beijing. However, at the end of the 19th century, flooding from the Yongding River breached the park's walls, allowing the deer to escape and ultimately become prey for starving locals. In 1900, the remaining milu deer in the park were killed and taken by the Eight-Nation Alliance -- troops from Britain, the United States, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Italy and Austro-Hungary -- resulting in their extinction in China. Fortunately, following continuous appeals and arduous efforts, China reintroduced milu deer from the United Kingdom. A total of 77 milu deer were brought back to Nanhaizi and to Yancheng City in east China's Jiangsu Province, starting in August 1985 in three batches. "We aim to sustain the milu deer's population, ensure their healthy reproduction, preserve genetic diversity, and rebuild a wild population," said Bai. Since the return of the milu deer, scientists have achieved breakthroughs in disease control, breeding and genetics. A genetic resource bank for milu deer has been established to preserve genetic diversity, and measures have been implemented to prevent inbreeding, thereby reducing the incidence of animal diseases. Additionally, milu deer have been relocated to various places to establish new herds, paving the way for their reintroduction to the wild. Bai said that the significance of milu deer conservation extends far beyond the continuation of a single species. By grazing plants like reeds in wetland ecosystems, milu deer effectively prevent dominant species from overbreeding, thus preserving the habitat for other plants. Meanwhile, their dung can also nourish aquatic life. "Milu deer are like 'engineers' of the wetland ecosystem. They naturally regulate the ecological balance through their life activities," said Bai. He added that the milu deer's population expansion also exerts pressure on the habitat, and scientists are conducting research to find the optimal balance between the species and wetlands. "I brought my child to meet the milu deer close, and he was absolutely thrilled. We learn their important role in the ecosystem," said a Beijing resident surnamed Li during an activity on Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of the milu deer's comeback to China in Nanhaizi. China has established 95 milu deer reserves across 26 provincial-level regions, and has established the National Conservation and Research Center for Milu. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, former executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, hailed China's protection work on milu deer as a reference model for the protection of other endangered species worldwide. Bai said that his team is consistently working to minimize genetic risks and improve the environmental carrying capacity of milu deer habitats. "Milu deer conservation remains a long-term commitment," he added. Tourists were fined for secretly building a holiday shack in part of a Great Barrier Reef national park. According to reporting by 7News, eighteen individuals were fined after they secretly built a cabin in Australia's Curtis Island National Park. The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation received reports and surveillance of the illegal building and launched a compliance investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their investigation found a relatively high-tech construction, filled with bunk beds, solar panels, rainwater tanks, a veranda, a barbecue, and cooking facilities. Not only that, the individuals associated with the shack were taking part in other prohibited activities, like hunting with firearms and using unauthorized vehicles in the park. To build this construction, the intruders had to cut down trees to make space, and their use of illegal four-wheel drives damaged fragile ecosystems. The Curtis Island National Park is filled with rare birds, as well as turtle nesting grounds, endangered species, and delicate dunes. The disruptive actions of the shack builders put the natural beauty spot and all of its many inhabitants at risk. Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, all fires and structures are completely banned from Curtis Island National Park, according to 7News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) tracked down and fined the rogue builders and people who visited the shack. It fined 18 people a total of $7,606, which will hopefully act as a deterrent to others and help protect the area. Though the rules and regulations at National Parks may seem quite strict on the surface, they are in place so that we can all visit these spots of natural beauty without damaging them. It's so easy for ecosystems to be harmed by invasive species of plants and insects that can accidentally be carried in on people's shoes or clothes, which is why it's important to check you're not bringing in any mud, seeds, or pests from elsewhere. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When these areas are already at such high risk, the last thing they need is selfish acts of destruction from people who want to turn a National Park into their holiday home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DESI commented, per 7News, "Curtis Island is a national park, not a private playground." The organization added, "Queensland's national parks are for everyone to enjoy, not for a select few to exploit for personal gain." 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The mystery of the disappearance of Travis Decker continues as authorities narrow their search to an area near Leavenworth, Wash. The FBIs Seattle field office and the Chelan County Sheriffs Office hosted a joint press briefing Monday afternoon after a months-long search for the man wanted in the murder and kidnapping of his three daughters in late May. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Breaking News Alerts The bodies of Deckers three daughters were found in early June near his truck outside of the Rock Island Campground after he was supposed to return the girls to their mothers home in Wenatchee. Decker was nowhere to be found, and his disappearance sparked a manhunt throughout Washington. However, the Chelan County Sheriffs Office scaled back their efforts in late July due to a decline in new investigative leads. In late June, authorities acknowledged Decker may have also died while evading law enforcement. They have also advised that he may have changed his appearance in the ensuing weeks to avoid detection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting Monday, Aug. 25, search teams have begun searching the rugged terrain near the Rock Island Campground with leadership from the FBI Seattle Field Office as well as help from the U.S. Forest Service. The areas being searched are extremely challenging with steep hillsides, dense brush, minimal cell service, and unpredictable conditions, officials said Monday. This undated photo provided by the Wenatchee Police Department shows Travis Caleb Decker who the police are asking the public for help in locating the Washington state father who is wanted for murder after his three young daughters were reported missing and then found dead. (Wenatchee Police Department via AP) Police are searching for Travis Decker after the bodies of his three daughters were found in Washington (Wenatchee Police Department) The hunt for Travis Decker, accused of killing his three daughters in Washington, has continued into its fifth day, prompting authorities to release new photos and surveillance video of the wanted man. (Chelan County Sheriffs Office) The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of $20,000 for any information leading to Deckers arrest. Officials are encouraging anyone who sees Decker to call 911 immediately and to not approach him, as he is considered armed and dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case has shaken the foundation of our country, Chelan officials said in a statement. The lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were taken in a senseless and unimaginable act of violence. Our hearts remain with their loved ones, and we are unwavering in our commitment to seeking justice on their behalf. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this 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 KOIN.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An automotive parts store is looking to open an additional location in the Miami Valley. AutoZone is wanting to open a 6,816 square-foot location at 3198 Dayton-Xenia Road in Beavercreek, according to public records. Tire Choice Auto Service Center formerly operated at the location. The proposed retail location would include 31 parking spaces. Photo/Beavercreek City Commission The Beavercreek Planning Commission discussed the proposed location at its meeting on Aug. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the city commission meeting agenda for Aug. 25, the planning commission recommends the city commission approves the Administrative Site Plan Review with conditions and requirements. The Beavercreek location isnt the only location the company is seeking to open in Greene County. WDTN.com previously reported AutoZone is expected to open in Sugarcreek Township. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Back-to-School 2025: What you need to know for Monday Hundreds of thousands of kids are headed back to school across the state Monday morning. Here are the local counties sending students back to the classroom today: Alexander County Anson County Burke County Caldwell County Catawba County Hickory Public Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Newton-Conover Schools Richmond County Union County Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are preparing as 141,000 students return to the hallways this morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students in Charlotte will be met with some changes this school year, including a new safety protocol for emergencies and the PowerSchool replacement Infinite Campus. READ MORE >> CMS unveils new safety protocol ahead of first day of school CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill gave an update early this morning ahead of the first day of school. Hill said there are three things parents should know ahead of the school year: Parents should download Infinite Campus. Each student should already be enrolled in the PowerSchool replacement. All parents have to do is download and sign up to gain access to their students grades, messages from school leaders, and documents from the school. Parents should also download the Here Comes the Bus app to track your childs school bus on the way to and from school. Hill also talked about a new state law regarding cell phone use in schools. She says cell phones have to be turned completely off and put away during instruction. Each school will send out a plan for enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for live traffic updates on your back-to-school route >>> In Union County, some students will return to classes in a brand new school, as East Elementary got a brand new building. The school district is also welcoming a record 5,000 staff members back to work. READ MORE >> New schools, staff in place for first day back in UCPS Union County schools are also taking steps to address $300,000 in lunch debt across the county. The county says they plan to revise its meal charge policy by implementing stricter guidelines at schools. READ MORE >> Union County schools take step to address $300K lunch debt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9 Meteorologist Keith Monday says first day of school weather looks perfect with dry and clear conditions. Expect temperatures in the mid 80s with lower humidity. VIDEO: BACK-TO-SCHOOL: Organizing your morning routine EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) One Eau Claire-based nonprofit spent the weekend giving families a hand up with the coming school year. Power of Perception hosted its annual Back to School Bash. They treated students and their families to dinner, school supplies, and even hair services. Dennis Beale, the founder and CEO of Power of Perception, says he understands what its like to start the school year short on whats needed, and this is his way of giving back to make sure each kid is set up for success. Originally, for me, being from Chicago, I grew up low-income, first-generation. So, I learned a lot throughout my journey. Learning about not having much growing up. One of my biggest things, when I got older, I wanted to put those resources and give it back to our community. Back to School Bash has helped hundreds of families over the years and is made possible by community and business donations. You can learn more about the bash and donate to the cause by heading to the Power of Perception website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) As students head back to school, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) K-9s are too. The DPS K-9 School is back in session, and 13 new K-9 partners completed their first day of classes last week. Texas DPS said that the K-9s are excited to learn and train hard so they are prepared for their graduation in November. The K-9 teams will complete a nine-week training program with six weeks of training solely for the K-9, establishing DPS as one of the longest training programs in the nation. Meet the new furry protector at Central Heights ISD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Training is conducted by highly experienced DPS K-9 trainers who bring years of expertise in canine behavior and tactical operations. These trainers are dedicated to shaping both handlers and their K-9 partners into cohesive, effective teams capable of excelling in high-pressure situations, officials said. Their rigorous training is designed to meet the utmost standard of operational readiness and public safety excellence. In the spirit of classes starting, Texas DPS shared some of their favorite first day of school pictures: K-9 Stark This year, they are excited to: Meet the Colonel Favorite subject: Tracking Favorite food: Treats Favorite color: Red K-9 Stark, courtesy of Texas DPS K-9 Storm This year, they are excited to: Protect and serve Favorite subject: Detection Favorite food: Cheese Favorite color: Blue K-9 Storm, courtesy of Texas DPS K-9 Ronin This year, they are excited to: Graduate Favorite subject: Detection Favorite food: Treats Favorite color: Red K-9 Ronin, courtesy of Texas DPS K-9 Ares This year, they are excited to: Get my badge Favorite subject: Detection Favorite food: Turkey Favorite color: Red K-9 Ares, courtesy of Texas DPS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K-9 Bella This year, they are excited to: Serve Texans Favorite subject: Detection Favorite food: Peanut Butter Favorite color: Red K-9 Bella, courtesy of Texas DPS You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Even nonwine drinkers are familiar with the scenes of elevated wine tasting: the decanting of a tannic red, the swirling of the glass by the stem, the pinky-up nosing of bouquets and aromas, and ultimately the discerning and deliberate sipping. But many more of us are regular coffee drinkers than regular wine drinkers (around 66 percent versus an optimistic 40 percent), yet the rituals of coffee connoisseurship are far less known. At the pinnacle of coffee sensory evaluation is the cupping session. An affair replete with a professional accoutrement of scales, grinders, kettles, and timers, it involves experts brewing identical cups from different coffee beans and slurping (yes, loudly slurping) the brown brews off a spoon. Notes of star fruit on this washed Colombian. The taste of raisin from that dry-processed Kenyan. But how do these coffee sommeliers actually judge, in quantifiable terms, the fine arabicas of the world? Welluntil recentlythat was the Q. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Literally, its called the Q. (No relation to Star Treks mischievous superbeingthat we know of ) Since 2004, the Coffee Quality Institute has licensed coffee specialists across the world to properly taste and describe coffee under the Quality Evaluation program. After taking a course, participants must pass a rigorous exam involving 20 different sensory, technical, and industry tests to become licensed Q graders. In addition to mastering book knowledge of the coffee supply chain, aspirational coffee experts must perfect the process of cupping by consistently brewing coffee from different beans while maintaining consistency of grind size, water temperature, water quantity, and brewing method. Grind the beans, then sniff. Brew the coffee, then slurp. Take notes along the way. The whole ordeal can cost around $2,000 (and keeping your license requires another class to calibrate your taste buds every three years), but its a key resume piece in the world of specialty coffee. Coffee buyers at the worlds largest trading and roasting firms are usually licensed Q graders. Even the nonspecialty, commodity coffee you guzzle on a daily basis was likely sourced from a farmer in Brazil or Vietnam by a trained specialist who assessed the beans based on the standards espoused by the Q. There are 10,000 Q graders in the world that are currently licensed, and there are also another couple of thousand that have been licensed at some point, explains Marty Pollack, a Q instructor and co-founder of Torch Coffee. But the impact of the Q on the understanding of how to communicate, assess, and describe quality of coffee has impacted the industry hugely. Ive never been to a coffee-producing country, or a large roastery, or a large trading house, where there wasnt either a cohort of Q graders or a cohort of people who had been trained by Q graders. The certification is undeniably the backbone of global coffee standards. But that backbone just broke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the past several months, the world of Q graders has been in a shock comparable to your brain after that third cold brew of the day. The CQI, which certified Q graders, has abruptly entered into an agreement brokered behind closed doors to license the entire Q program to another organization, effectively pulling the rug out from under those who have invested their time and money into the professional certification. In late April, during the annual Specialty Coffee Expo in Houston, the host of the event, the Specialty Coffee Associationwhich hosts all of the coffee industrys largest conventionsunexpectedly announced it would be taking over the Q. Across the world of specialty coffee, Q graders have been left with a soon-to-be-obsolete certification, a lot of unanswered questions, and an undeniably bitter taste in their mouths. Q graders are the link between coffee farmers and everyday coffee consumers. More often than not, they are the ones who choose which green coffee beans to buy. They are the ones who work for exporters in Brazil and Colombia and Ethiopia and Guatemala. They are the ones who sell to the roasters and coffee shops we buy from. If their form of evaluation is discredited, a change in the taste of our morning joe wont be far behind. The SCA is taking over the Q, yes, but in name only. When the SCA begins managing the Q on Oct. 1 of this year, the underlying logic of standardized sensory evaluation that makes up the program will cease to exist. Why? Because the association launched a competing sensory evaluation program called the Coffee Value Assessment in 2022. It will operate the Q brand but do so with the completely different CVA standardsones that lose sight of utility for the coffee trading industry in the pursuit of science and so-called objectivity. We might think of whats going down like this: The SCA spent a pretty sum to breed a young racehorse (lets call him Cupping Monopoly) from the same pedigree as the worlds fastest horse (lets call him Q-Biscuit). And just as the young buck was about to race the veteran Q-Biscuit for the first time, the SCA purchased Q-Biscuit, then took him behind the barn and shot him. Place your bets! Cupping Monopoly, it turns out, wins the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the stunning agreement, Pollack minces no words, likening the SCA to the Mafia: They found out the No. 1 opposition to CVA global domination. Its Q graders. Now Q graders either train with the SCAon a system that erases the specialty coffee community they have long been a part ofor dont train at all. Thomas Ameloot, another Q instructor, was on his way to the airport, destined for the April SCA Expo in Houston, when he first heard the news of the agreement. Oh, that was really fun. And thats sarcasm, he told me wryly. I canceled the trip. I mean, I was totally shocked! Flabbergasted! Confounded! He had personally trained over 200 Q graders, some of whom would be in attendance. But Ameloot, alongside around 70 other Q instructors across the world, had no explanation for his former students as to what had occurred to the Q program they taught for a living. Instructors were not consulted. They were blindsided. Trust has since disintegrated, and many have voiced concerns for their livelihood in community meetings with the CQI since the announcement. I saw my incomemy gross incomecut down by 90 percent from this change, he continues. Fortunately, I had already been approved as an instructor for the CVA for Cuppers course. And fortunately for me, this transition created a huge demand for that class. Ameloot would no longer teach the Q, so he turned to the second main certification within the specialty coffee industry, the CVA. Without any other options for Q instructors or graders, the SCA has effectively cornered the market on global coffee standards and education by acquiring the competition. Turns out the monopoly man enjoys his espresso too! The strange thing about this coffee drama, though, is that this was not a hostile corporate takeover. Both the SCA and the CQI are registered nonprofits, and they have a shared history. The CQI actually emerged as an independent organization from meetings held at the Specialty Coffee Association of America in 1996. And the Q itself was based on an industry standard sensory evaluation form that the SCAA published in 2004. (The SCAA later merged with its European counterpart in 2016 to form todays SCA.) How two tax-exempt industry organizations made such an impactful deal without any level of industry consultation remains puzzling. Many in the Q community have accused both parties of acting like corporations, although one of the two has a more capitalistic reputation, according to whispers in the coffee shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its really worth noting that the SCA and CQI are not equal. Where the Q is supported by only 70 instructors, the SCA has built an army of over 2,000 independent trainers. Where the SCA had over $19 million in revenue in 2023, the CQI grossed only $2.6 million the same year. Where the CQI charges a student fee of $420 per Q Arabica class around the world, the SCA will be able to charge according to purchasing-power parity in the country of training. The CEO of the SCA took home $729,575 in 2023 to the $150,000 of the CQIs interim CEO. Resources, no doubt, played a major role in the deal. Michael Sheridan, the CQI CEO, describes his organizations financial outlook going into 2025: The abrupt closure of USAID made itself felt in immeasurable ways, most tragically in ending life-saving assistance for acutely vulnerable people around the world, but also in the plans of countless organizations like CQI that depend on public funding: USAID is the largest donor in CQI history, and its closure was a blow to our plans to rebuild a robust project portfolio. For reference, though, income from the Q made up four times more revenue for CQI in 2023 than contributions and grants. Regarding the lack of consultation with the Q grading community? CQI board members have confessed in recent community forums, We did the best we could. Sheridan explains: Unfortunately, the negotiation calendar was so compressed that we were not able to engage with members of the CQI community in the ways they deserved. They quickly and quietly made a deal in the first weeks of April. The SCA, which acknowledged receipt of my questions for this article, did not provide a comment on any of them. The financial terms of the licensing deal that have since emerged$250,000 annually for the Q for 10 years and a grant of 5 percent of SCA global education revenue per year (in an interview, Sheridan estimated this to be around $500,000 annually) paid into a fund for international development workleave one trying to understand if there was any benefit to the CQI.* Its 2023 annual report listed Education and Training Revenues, presumably the portion of Q classes that instructors pay back to the CQI as royalties, at $1,717,515, a number that correlates with the Other revenue reported on its Form 990 tax filing. If the CQI was interested in continuing its mission to improve the quality of coffee and the lives of the people who produce it, it seems counterintuitive to short itself close to $1 million in additional annual revenue by off-loading the Q onto the SCA. Many accusations have been made by hotheaded coffee lovers as to how such a deal could have gone down; none are worth repeating here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impending threat of the CVA as a competitor, Sheridan has argued, threatened to distract the CQI from its core producer-centric mission, eventually eating away at revenue earned from the Q. But why have so little confidence in the Q? For how small the CQI is compared with the SCA, the Q has had an outsized role in the world of specialty coffeeone that the SCA seems itching to assume. The core issue at stake here, beyond the lack of transparency, is that the two organizations have competing views on how to standardize the evaluation of coffee. And this, ultimately, is what consumers should care about, because this drama in the geeky world of specialty coffee affects how coffee is sourced. If Miranda Priestly were our barista, she would explain that our lumpy blue sweater drip coffee is a Cerulean Vietnamese robusta; that Vietnamese robusta was once considered cheap and low quality; that, thanks to the specialty coffee movement and those who assess coffee within it, bitter and bold robustas have been valorized; and hence Vietnam today produces high-quality robustas to sell to discerning consumers like us. Now the standards that professionals use to buy and sell coffee will change. The CQI cares about farmers (at the core of its mission), and the Q (even at its lofty price point) has empowered many to speak the same language as buyers to get fair prices for their crops. The SCA, it seems, will control the language but leave farmers to the CQI. Could consumers even taste a shift in standards in their cups? For the SCA, sensory science is king. Its CVA program is developed on the latest in chemistry and biology, aiming to eliminate the subjectivity or bias of the taster. Meanwhile, for the CQI, consensus is key. The Q was built by creating a common language that the global coffee trade willingly adopted to allow producers, traders, and consumers to lubricate exchange and discuss value intelligently. Q graders need to be calibrated every three years to ensure they are on the same page, speaking the same language, and evaluating coffees as a community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mokhtar Alkhanshali, the founder of Port of Mokha and a licensed Q grader, describes the calibration approach: Its kind of similar to when you play telephone. When you tell someone something, and then it keeps going, and by the time it gets to the 10th person, its a completely different story, he says. So this idea of going back to a central place is really important. This centralization allows us to have a uniform idea about what coffee is. Whats scary is that, if you dont have a constant centralization like recalibration, and youre not coming back to taste with other cuppers, and everyones in their own silos, then people can start to veer off their ideas of what, say, an acidity score is. The SCA simply does not believe in calibration, which the organization refers to as alignment. In the eyes of the SCA, it results in inter-subjectivity, or the compromising ability to learn to recognize flavors that are desirable to others. In its June 2024 outline of the CVA model, the SCA writes, There can be no calibration in cupping, as there is no objective standard regarding the impression of quality. But if we are setting standards for tasting coffee, why would we pursue objectivity over quality? I want to drink good coffee, not objective coffee. Sadly, judging by the lack of community engagement the CQI pursued during its agreement with the SCA, it no longer believes in sharing a common understanding of whats good either. The fight between two regimes of coffee quality assessment, though, raises the broader question: Who gets to decide what good coffee is? In June, a group of disgruntled and disenfranchised Q instructors and Q graders held a Qonvocation. Coffee professionals across various countries discussed the future of coffee education and quality evaluation in the wake of the Q. Sour on the precepts of the CVAeven skeptical of its claims of improved objectivitythese coffee pros now look to develop a new way of evaluating coffee. Whether a Guild of Coffee Cuppers emerges, regional organizations unite at a global scale, or a Court of Master Coffee Sommeliers is born remains to be seen. But one is left with little doubt that the SCA will not enjoy its nascent monopoly for long. We all take our coffee differently, but Q graders take theirs with a little less bullshit than most. Their dogged pursuit of quality coffee has already driven them to slurp the stuff out of spoons; I have no doubt theyll get past this fork in the road. UPDATE: The Ballard Bridge has reopened after an approximate closure of 90 minutes. KIRO 7 News reached out to SDOT to confirm the cause of the mechanical issue PREVIOUS: The Seattle Department of Transportation says the Ballard Bridge is closed to vehicles because of mechanical problems, with no estimate for when it will reopen. Drivers are being asked to use alternate routes. The bridge, which connects Ballard to Interbay and serves as a key link between north Seattle and downtown, shut down Sunday afternoon after crews discovered the issue. Traffic Blockage: Ballard Bridge is malfunctioning and unable to close, causing backups on both directions, no eta for fix at this time, SDOT handling. Please avoid the area. Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) August 25, 2025 SDOT has not said what caused the malfunction but confirmed that engineers are assessing the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transportation officials are warning drivers to expect delays in the area. Alternate crossings include the Fremont Bridge, the Aurora Bridge (Highway 99), and the Magnolia Bridge. No timeline has been provided for repairs or reopening. Updates will be posted by SDOT as crews continue working to fix the mechanical issue. KABUL, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities are intensifying efforts to thwart foreign mafia networks attempting to smuggle the nation's historical artifacts, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Atiqullah Azizi was quoted by local media outlet TOLOnews on Monday. Azizi stated that specialized security units stationed at border crossings and airports are successfully intercepting illicit activities. "Every day, dozens of cultural artifacts are prevented from being smuggled," he said, highlighting the involvement of "mafia circles supported from abroad" in these schemes. The deputy minister also addressed ongoing challenges in preserving Afghanistan's rich cultural heritage, noting that some organizations and institutions that previously supported preservation initiatives have suspended their activities due to political reasons, leaving several projects incomplete. Afghanistan, home to centuries-old cultural treasures, has long faced threats from looting, illicit trade, and destruction due to decades of conflict. Bangladeshs interim leader Muhammad Yunus has warned that his country can no longer provide additional support for the 1.5 million Rohingya refugees it shelters, calling on the international community to work on a roadmap for the voluntary return of the persecuted minority back to their homeland in Myanmar. Speaking in Coxs Bazar on Monday at a two-day conference marking eight years since the mass expulsion of the mostly Muslim minority from Myanmars Rakhine state, the Nobel peace laureate unveiled a seven-point plan aimed at securing the refugees safe and voluntary return. Their right to return to their own home and homeland has to be secured, he said, urging all parties to develop a practical roadmap for their safe and dignified, voluntary and sustainable return The time is for action right now. Yunus also appealed to donors to reverse declining funding, stressing that increased support was essential to sustain life-saving aid programmes. Rohingya refugees take part in the Genocide Remembrance Day rally to mark the anniversary of their mass exodus from Myanmar, in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh [Piyas Biswas/AFP] His proposals call for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar, the creation of dialogue platforms to ease tensions between ethnic groups, and stronger involvement from ASEAN and regional powers to restore stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yunus urged governments worldwide to stand firm against Myanmars heinous crime of ethnic cleansing and to reconsider their relations with the countrys military regime. He also called for renewed momentum in accountability efforts at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC), insisting that justice was central to ending the genocide and ensuring the Rohingyas safe return. Nearly 800,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in August 2017 following a brutal military crackdown that the United Nations has described as genocide. Thousands more have arrived since. The impact on our economy, resources, environment, ecosystem, society, and governance has been huge. I thank our host community and the people of Bangladesh for their wholehearted support and enormous sacrifices, Yunus said. Repatriation remains dangerous Al Jazeeras Tony Cheng, reporting from Coxs Bazar, said thousands of Rohingya marched to demand justice and repatriation as they observed the Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People here weve been talking to, theyve been out demonstrating around the camps today. Theyre calling for two things. One is for justice for the genocide in 2017, eight years ago to this day. Secondly, about repatriating them. They absolutely want to go home. This is at the top of everyones list of demands here, he said. Cheng added that ongoing fighting across the border made any repatriation effort difficult. Its still a very unstable situation inside Myanmar. So what Bangladesh or the rest of the international communities can do to get them home at this stage is very hard to see. On Monday, more than rights groups in a joint statement called on the international community to pursue accountability for genocide and other atrocities committed against Rohingya people in Myanmar. Eight years on from the start of the Myanmar militarys genocidal attacks against Rohingya, not a single person has been held criminally responsible. This is a deep stain on the worlds conscience, said Patrick Phongsathorn, Senior Advocate at Fortify Rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not too late to address this injustice. The UN Security Council should immediately refer the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court, and all UN Member States should explore every possible avenue to pursue justice for the Rohingya. The Coxs Bazar conference comes before a UN conference in New York on September 30, but prospects for a safe and swift return remain slim. Bangladesh has registered more than 150,000 new arrivals since early 2024, even as fighting in Rakhine worsens and global funding dries up following United States President Donald Trumps freeze on humanitarian aid. The World Food Programme, which relied on US contributions for almost half its 2024 budget, warned this month that 57 percent of families in central Rakhine cannot meet basic food needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the camps, food shortage is a daily struggle. Refugees live on a monthly ration card worth about $12. In 2022, the ICJ, the highest court of the UN, advanced a separate case against Myanmar, brought by The Gambia, that investigates responsibility for the genocide against the Rohingya. The prosecutor of the ICC in 2024 requested an international arrest warrant for Myanmars military ruler, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, for the persecution of the Rohingya. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office has arrested a man in connection with an incident that led to the death of a three-month-old boy on May 16. Jamarcus Harper, 33, of Baton Rouge, has been charged with first-degree murder. Deputies responded to Our Lady of the Lake Childrens Hospital around 9 p.m. following a report that a child was suffering from a fractured skull and bleeding from the brain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a report, medical staff at the scene said that the injuries were sustained from a non-accidental fall. Before arriving at the hospital, deputies were called to the 8400 block of E Cypress Point Court for an unresponsive juvenile around 8 p.m. that same night. EBRSO deputies, the St. George Fire Department, and emergency responders were able to revive the victims heartbeat. The infant was then taken to the hospital. Two days later, on May 18, the three-month-old boy died from his injuries. According to an affidavit, Harper put the victim down for a nap around 11:30 a.m. on May 16. He then left the room at 11:40 a.m., and when he came back five minutes later, he says he found the victim, who appeared to be uninjured, on the floor. The affidavit says that Harper fed the 3-month-old around 7 p.m. and an hour later, he noticed the victim making jerking motions as spit bubbles came from his mouth. Harper also told authorities the baby did not appear to be breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harper then called the victims mother, who was working out of town, about the victim and his condition. An arrest report reveals the Baton Rouge man could not get the childs mom on the phone, so he called 911 and then went to a neighbors house for help. Emergency responders later arrived and took over. The victims mother said Harper was the only person to watch him while she was at work. She also says that the victim was in good health, uninjured, and was meeting all the milestones for his age. After further talks with the victims mother, deputies discovered that she had spoken with Harper earlier in the day, around noon, and was told the victim had fallen out of the bed. She immediately called to check and didnt see any bruising, as the victim seemed normal. Deputies say she called at 4:30 p.m. and again later at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to check on the victim. Later that evening, the mother of the victim stated that she received a FaceTime call from Harper and that he advised her to get back home because the victim was not doing good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies also learned that the victim had been in the care of the mother and Harper since birth. In concluding the investigation, the East Baton Rouge Coroners Office confirmed that the victim died from non-accidental blunt force trauma to the left side of his head, causing the brain to bleed and swell. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. PARKER, Fla. (WMBB) Stephanie Grady Cole joined Chris Marchand in the studio to announce the 5th year Caregiver Appreciation Day in honor of her mother, Mrs. Mildred Grady. Caregiver Appreciation Day is a free event to celebrate the amazing caregivers in Panama City and beyond. This day is all about offering love, support, and thanks to those who care for others. The event will take place on Thursday, October 2, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Parker Community Building, 1001 W. Park St., Parker, FL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Host Ms. Cole encourages caregivers to take some time for themselves, so they can better help others. Family caregivers, professional caregivers, nurse or home health aides, hospice workers, veteran caregivers, a friend or neighbor supporting a loved one full-time, are encouraged to come. The event will have vendors, resources, a catered meal, and giveaways. The first 30 caregivers who sign up will receive a swag bag. The theme is western attire; however, its optional. To register, scan the QR code. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW BEDFORD When Hurricane Katrina struck in August 2005, New Orleans was transformed into a disaster zone. Streets were flooded, buildings were gutted, and essential services were plunged into darkness. For Nelson Hockert-Lotz, a Dominos Pizza franchisee, when he heard the call to help he immediately jumped on a plane to serve pizza. One of the great things about Dominos is its can-do culture, Hockert-Lotz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having watched the company grow from 300 locations to a global force, he said hes embraced that spirit. When his own store in New Bedford had survived a devastating hurricane, after experiencing days without electricity, he knew the conditions in New Orleans were unbearable for its people and workers. Nelson Hockert-Lotz, a Domino's franchise owner from New Bedford, helped hand out free pizza to the community post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005. City life simply stops: no refrigeration, no open restaurants, nothing works, he said. So when RPM Pizza, the legendary local Dominos franchise led by my late friend Richard Mueller, put out a call for help, I was on a plane to Louisiana within two days. Meet the 'meatball queen': This restaurant's meatballs were voted best in New Bedford Feeding a city in need with free pizza: 'A kind of hope' Arriving in Metairie, Louisiana, Hockert-Lotz said he entered a surreal landscape. The teams hotel had no sheets, no towels and no functional laundry service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was like camping out, he said. Nelson Hockert-Lotz, a Domino's franchise owner from New Bedford, helped hand out free pizza to the community post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Dominos stores had already run on generators leading to sporadic light, no air conditioning and precious little comfort against the stifling Louisiana heat. Demand for hot meals was overwhelming. Streets were lined with red dumpsters overflowing with debris, streetlights and traffic signals werent working, and much of the citys population had been evacuated. But first responders, engineers and returning locals were everywhere, hungry, exhausted and grateful for any sign of normalcy. Hockert-Lotz said the team set up a mobile Dominos operation right in the French Quarter, powered by generators and propane. There, they handed out thousands of pizzas for free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One guy came down whod defied evacuation, Hockert-Lotz said. He hadnt had anything but canned food and bottled water since the storm. He asked how much the pizza was, and when we said it was free until we were back on our feet, he was so grateful. For him and so many others, just having hot food again was a kind of hope. Nelson Hockert-Lotz, a Domino's franchise owner from New Bedford, helped hand out free pizza to the community post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 'Feeding people made a difference for them' Working side by side with other Dominos employees and New Orleans locals, Hockert-Lotz said it underscored just how fragile and interconnected modern life is. Everything we depend on, from food to safety, relies on a vast, unseen supply chain. When it all goes down, you realize how tenuous normalcy really is, he said. And how important it is to help, even in small ways, to bring it back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By day, Hockert-Lotz said he and his team delivered hot pizza in crisis conditions. By night, they returned to their hotel with no food other than MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) or vending machine snacks. But even eating cold MREs, you remember: opening that store and feeding people made a difference for them, just like it did for us, he said. Soul Calling: New Bedford woman hosts transformative healing retreats in Dartmouth Nelson Hockert-Lotz, a Domino's franchise owner from New Bedford, helped hand out free pizza to the community post-Hurricane Katrina in 2005. What pizza means for a community In the aftermath, Hockert-Lotz said he saw pizza become more than just comfort food. It was a symbol of community. Pizza is still one of Americas great shared foods. In a world of your burger and my burger, its our pizza... and we saw it in every hand as thousands of slices were taken back to share with others, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was something people could come together around. As someone who has always loved New Orleans for its people, music and history, Hockert-Lotz said he saw a reflection of his own hometown in the battered but resilient city. Its a city of working people striving for renaissance, a proud place struggling against the odds. Helping bring back pizza was a small thing, but its what I could offer, he added. Looking back, Hockert-Lotz said he feels gratitude for everyday conveniences and for the privilege of helping others in their time of need. You leave an experience like that humbled by how quickly everything can change, he said. And by how meaningful it is to be able to give, even if its just pizza, when it matters most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Find out more about him at sethchitwood.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today. This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Nelson Hockert-Lotz, Domino's Pizza owner, helped after Katrina BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) Before the Beloit Sky Carp took to the field vs the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, they honored five local kids. Each with different medical conditions, getting the day to band together and continue their fight. How they came up with the idea? Community Relations Coordinator Barry Badertscher says it came off of a whim. A couple of months ago I went on social media and I said is there anybody out there that knows of a deserving person for a first pitch? Be it either youve done great things in the community or maybe youre facing an illiness whatever that may be.' The whim became the Courageous Warriors Day, honoring those five kids and giving them just a time to not think about what they are battling as well as showing them they are not alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It makes me feel good that more than one person is going through this, and it is not just me says Andrew DeLong from Janesville, Wi who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and was one of the kids that threw out the first pitch. Along with Andrew was Charley Gauf from Milton, Wi who is battling Bone Cancer, Sophia Gilbert from Roscoe, Il, who is fighting stage 3 Kidney Cancer, Nathan Phillips from Edgerton, Wi who suffered a stroke in his spinal cord that left him unable to walk, and Wesley Ulrich from Waukesha, Wi who suffered a brain bleed and stroke. Andrews mom Mysty Trapp says To know that theres that support and they get that thirty seconds away from everything, or gets to enjoy life a little bit as a kid is phenomenal. Even though the day was for the kids, it was also for their parents. Showing them that people truly want to help. With Mysty saying, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To hear them cheering him on just gives us a little bit of hope. And its [an] emotional toll on mom just to see that theres people that actually care With Barry Badertscher also saying, I feel like just motivated that I want to do everything I can to help them as much as possible. And if thats just good energy and let it be good energy. But Im going to continue to try to do what were doing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald (left) presents to Executive Councilors Joseph Kenney and John Stephen on July 24, 2025, regarding the judicial branch's plans for reform following a murder-suicide in Berlin. (Photo by Ethan DeWitt/New Hampshire Bulletin) It took just days after the July 6 apparent murder-suicide for the outrage and calls for investigations to begin. Marisol Fuentes-Huaracha was killed outside a restaurant in Berlin by her estranged husband, Michael Gleason Jr., police say. Gleason took his own life shortly afterward. And soon after, lawmakers, largely Republican, criticized the courts decision to release Gleason on bail earlier this year despite his facing kidnapping and felonious sexual assault charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They directed that criticism in particular to the states short-lived magistrate system which was created in January and will end in September after efforts by Gov. Kelly Ayotte and one magistrate specifically, Stephanie Johnson, who was part of the decision to release Gleason on bail. But for those advocating for victims of domestic violence, this summers tragedy is not new. Four years ago, the state legal system was rocked by a similar tragedy, when a man shot a woman and then himself after a New Hampshire court had vacated a protective order filed by the woman against the man. That case inspired a comprehensive review of court domestic violence policies. But today, as attention again falls on the courts, critics say not enough changes have been made since that tragedy and review. The fact that there were so many indicators that told us that something like this could happen we believe there are solutions that should build on those indicators, said Lyn Schollett, executive director of the New Hampshire Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the judicial branch say the courts have made strides toward improving the experience of court for victims and training judges on how to approach domestic violence cases. Our court staff are deeply dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence, said Jessica Humphrey, the domestic violence program manager for the judicial branch. We are committed to handling these cases with the urgency, sensitivity, and care they deserve, ensuring that every individual feels heard, protected, and respected throughout the legal process. Ongoing calls for reform Advocates say the 2021 case like the 2025 case could have been avoided. Weeks before Richard Lorman shot Lindsay Smith, a New Hampshire Circuit Court judge, Polly Hall, denied Smiths request for an extended restraining order against Lorman. Smith pointed to written threats by Lorman to Smith that he would make her pay and would turn her world upside down. But Hall ruled that those threats did not rise to the level of danger that would justify a full protective order. Smith survived the shooting; Lorman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An internal judicial branch review in 2021 found that Hall had applied the law correctly. But the incident sparked backlash and prompted the formation of a 20-member task force of judges, attorneys, and community members. The mission: to review court procedures in domestic violence cases, assess current state laws, improve publication of judicial decisions around protective orders, boost access to attorneys to alleged victims and make applications for protective orders easier to file, and strengthen communication between actors. In March 2022, that task force issued a series of recommendations. It called for additional state funding for trainings on domestic violence, the publicization of decisions in domestic violence orders, assistance to victims attempting to get protective orders, an increase in staffing levels and legal help at crisis centers, and a review of the states existing anti-domestic violence laws. Schollett argues this years Berlin tragedy indicates not enough has been done. The murder of Fuentes-Huaracha was foreseeable and preventable, she said. Last month, the judicial branch announced it was conducting an internal branch review of the decisions to release Gleason. It is not currently planning to conduct a comprehensive review similar to what was done in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The red flags in the lead-up to Fuentes-Huarachas murder included the seriousness of the aggravated felonious sexual assault charge and the fact that a second woman had filed a stalking restraining order against him days before the murder, Schollett said. Many of those conditions correlate with murders in domestic violence cases, she said. This is a pattern, Schollett said. We know what the pattern is. We need to intervene and stop the pattern. Chief among the necessary reforms is an improvement in communication, Schollett argued. Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts should have shared some of the information at issue, Schollett said. She also argued the protocols being used by courts are outdated. Even before facing a concrete domestic violence case, those actors should be working together to prepare how to approach pieces of the process, Schollett said, from the initial arrest to the bail hearings to the potential trial itself. Knowing the risks of escalation is part of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the big picture information issue is understanding the underlying crime, the progression of domestic violence and increasing lethality, Schollett said. The judicial branch includes protocols that seek to lay out some of the red flags judges should be aware of when setting bail. Those protocols include a list of the factors that should be considered, such as threats of suicide, acute depression, history of violating protective orders, possessing deadly weapons in violation of an order, death threats, stalking, and cruelty to pets, as well as others that include escalation of physical or other forms of abuse, the victims attempt to flee, and the batterers access to the victim/family. Planning is one piece of the response; information sharing is another. In the Berlin case, Fuentes-Huaracha had sought a domestic violence protective order, a civil proceeding. Gleasons hearing releasing him on bail was a criminal proceeding. Those processes should be better aligned, Schollett argues. Schollett and the coalition say they want data transparency to hold judges accountable, too. Without having judge-specific data on how many bail requests are granted or denied in domestic violence cases, they cant find patterns where certain judges may be less versed in the factors relevant to domestic violence, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the thought process behind judges decisions to grant or deny protective orders can be obscure; usually, judges do not issue written explanations at the first instance. A short written opinion is issued only if there is an appeal, and appeals are typically brought by the defendants, not victims, Schollett notes. That means the body of written opinions on protective orders consists primarily of cases in which alleged perpetrators believe they have a cause to appeal, Schollett said, meaning the jurisprudence may be skewed in favor of defendants. One change favored by victims advocates could require legislation. Schollett and the coalition have long argued that judges should interpret the definition of abuse more broadly than they currently do. Currently, abuse is defined in statute as an ongoing pattern of behavior which reasonably causes or has caused the petitioner to fear for his or her safety or well-being. Victims groups say fear for safety should include more than just physical safety, but should extend also to emotional trauma, coercive control, and other types of manipulation, such as using a victims pregnancy against her. But the judicial branch has countered that courts cannot make those broader interpretations without either a state Supreme Court ruling endorsing it or a legislative change making that intent clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our advocates do a wonderful job of supporting our victims, and the definition of abuse in our advocate world, in our domestic violence world, is very different than how our statute reads, said Humphrey in an interview. Judicial branch efforts For their part, leaders in the judicial branch say they have taken the task force recommendations seriously and have made a number of changes. The court system has updated the domestic violence protocols it issues to judges to guide them on how to make decisions in those cases, noted Judge Kimberly Chabot, a circuit court judge who serves on the judicial branchs Committee on Domestic Violence, in an interview. Courts now offer victims more user-friendly features, such as online options to fill out forms for protective order applications as well as informational videos for how to do so, she said. Chabot pointed to a pilot program in the Salem Circuit Court, in which victims are afforded portable barriers to be able to fill out applications privately at a courthouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And courts are attempting to create more collaborations between courts, crisis centers, victim advocates, law enforcement, and attorneys to address how to handle victims, Chabot added. For instance, new coordination between police departments allows a victim to go to a police department that is not in their jurisdiction and get assistance from the department that is in their jurisdiction. And court representatives in Manchester have regular meetings with crisis centers in the city to solicit ideas and feedback, she added, though she said it is harder to coordinate in counties that are less centralized. Its wonderful to be able to have a person to establish a point of contact for the crisis centers, to be able to meet them, understand what they do, understand what the courts do, build those relationships so we adequately and effectively understand the responsibilities of each and where the limitations are, she said. Chabot noted that the judicial system has also instituted domestic violence-focused training sessions during staff development days for judges and other staff. Last November, for instance, featured a national expert on stalking to inform judges how to handle those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Schollett argued those trainings are insufficient and that more should be held. There are judges who when they dont see a bruise, think its not abuse, she said. Court officials say they are limited in the amount of information they can share between courts and between civil and criminal courts. And they say they do not have the capacity to publish the records of how many protective orders are issued by individual judges. Our case management system doesnt allow for that extra (information), said Humphrey. Its not that were trying to keep it from the public. We dont have that ability to be able to differentiate orders by judge through our case management system. Doing so would require an expensive overhaul of the digital filing system, which Humphrey argued is not necessarily the best use of funds. I would rather see us dedicate money to transitioning to electronic records if we were going to put that much money into the system to use what we have and just expand upon it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above all, Chabot argued that the courts can only do so much. The court is really the middle man, she said. We are one piece to the puzzle. Increased political pressure In the weeks after the July murder, much of the political fire was aimed at the magistrate system. But two Republican members of the Executive Council have also asked bigger questions of the court reminiscent of those after 2021. At a public meeting in July, Councilors Joseph Kenney and John Stephen convened top state leaders to ask about reforms, including Attorney General John Formella, Department of Safety Commissioner Robert Quinn, and New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald. Councilors inquired into the level of coordination between civil and criminal courts and law enforcement, asking how the multiple applications for protective orders against Gleason had not factored into his bail hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know what failed here, why at this juncture, in our time, in this state, with how efficient and innovative technology is, that we have gaps and we cant communicate quickly in real time, Stephen said. Quinn pointed to the rollout of the J-One program, which is intended to allow better electronic information sharing about criminal records and incidents between police departments, and said he is hoping to get all New Hampshire police departments involved. MacDonald said the court was looking into that program, and others. Were here with full awareness of the gravity of the situation, he said. Were here in the spirit of: If we can improve, we want to improve. Forbes Magazine released its annual Best Employers by State list and one business soared above the rest in Georgia. The business magazine ranked Delta Air Lines as the Best Employer in Georgia. The Atlanta-based airline also made the top 5 for Massachusetts, Michigan, New York and Utah. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Forbes worked with Statista, a market research firm, to finalize the list. They reached out to over 160,000 employees who work for companies with at least 500 employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The respondents were asked how likely they would recommend their employer on a scale of zero to 10. The employees also were asked about their previous employers within the past two years and if they would recommend them as well. Here are the top 25 employers in Georgia according to Forbes. Delta Air Lines Apple Lockheed Martin Salesforce General Motors Google RTX Southwest Airlines Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Comcast Insight Global Nike Publix Marriott International IBM Oracle Georgia-Pacific Microsoft DHL Allstate Johnson & Johnson Forsyth County School District JPMorganChase Emory Healthcare PepsiCo Other notable Georgia-based companies that made the top 50 include the Cobb County School District, Synovus, Augusta University, The Home Depot, Cox Enterprises, Coca-Cola, Grady Health System, Jim Ellis, Aflac, UPS, and Georgia Tech. You can click here to see the full list or filter by your employers name. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Students lined up, ready to burst through the doors of the George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology before the first bell of the new school year Monday morning. Some carried canvases and portfolio bags; others toted instrument cases. Once the doors opened, the high schoolers rushed to their classes while three of their classmates played live music in the lobby. Just before the mad dash, friends screamed as they reunited after a summer spent apart, buses and cars filled their respective loops. Teachers and school district officials, including Superintendent Myriam Rogers, greeted each other by saying, Happy new year! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday marked the first day back in school for students in multiple Maryland districts, including Baltimore County and Baltimore City. Harford County and Carroll County schools are starting after Labor Day. Carver was the first of seven county-spanning stops on the superintendents first day of school schedule. There, she wished students good morning as they got off the bus, some for the first time. We get two new years, January 1 and today, said Jane Lichter, chair of the school board. Our principals and staff have been planning for this day since last school year. Thats the unique part of education is every year you get to put away what happened last year if you need to, and you get to start fresh, Lichter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think everybodys prepared. We are super excited. This is the best time of the year for educators, Rogers said. Rogers first classes of the day were in acting, dance and sculpture as Principal Erin OToole-Trivas led her, district and government officials through the hallways adorned with student artwork. This new school year comes with some changes in policy at Baltimore County Public Schools. One is the implementation of an off and away cell phone policy at all levels, with some leniency for middle and high schoolers. The system continues to work with us on a cell phone policy for making sure that we can really make use of technology, but also ensure that our students are learning, said OToole-Trivas, who is beginning her third year as principal of Carver. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students there can use their phones between classes and during lunch, but are expected to put them away during class, OToole-Trivas said. At a subsequent stop at Catonsville Middle School, a mix of broadcast crew students, National Junior Honor Society members and student ambassadors met Rogers at the schools entrance. Brittany Jakubowski named Teacher of the Year last year joined Rogers and State Superintendent of Schools Carey Wright to walk the student-filled halls. Have a great year. Know that were here to support you in everything that you do, Wright said in a message to Baltimore County students. Vincent Farm Elementary School, the districts largest, with a projected 832 students, is part of the cursive handwriting pilot program taking place this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a fifth grade classroom, Principal Jamie Basignani noted that even though fifth grade isnt part of the pilot, their teacher was still going to teach it. Each students desk had a name tag written in cursive. The student council of Perry Hall Middle School received the superintendent at her last stop. In a sixth-grade English language arts class where students were tasked to name three things that made them happy, teacher Kari Goodrich asked the superintendent to give one thing that did the same for her. Students, Rogers said. Have a news tip? Contact Racquel Bazos at rbazos@baltsun.com, 443-813-0770 or on X as @rzbworks. On Monday, President Donald Trump took questions from reporters, where he ramped up his threats to send the National Guard to cities including Chicago and Baltimore after having done so in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Over the weekend, he threatened to cut off funding for the rebuilding of the Key Bridge if Marylands Democratic Gov. Wes Moore did not allow the National Guard into Charm City. Trump said that African-American ladies ... beautiful ladies encouraged him to send the guard into Chicago. Unsurprisingly, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker pushed back, saying Illinois has at this time received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do not come to Chicago, Pritzker warned Trump. But while Trumps targeting of blue cities crosses the line from bullying Democratic officials to being authoritarian, despite his insistence he is not a dictator, the president might learn that this will only embolden governors and prime them to be his successors in the White House. Trump is setting his sights on blue-state governors. It might improve their political fortunes. (REUTERS) As Inside Washington has written in the past month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom saw his fortunes change largely after Trump targeted Los Angeles by sending in the National Guard without his consent and Marines into the state. Newsom responded by suing Trump. When Trump pressured Republican-led Texas to redraw its congressional map, Newsom went to his states legislature to pass a ballot initiative to allow for a redraw of Californias map in kind as a one-time break from the states bipartisan redistricting committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results are now in showing that Newsoms gambits have paid off in the eyes of Democratic voters. Last week, the University of California Berkleys Institute for Governmental Studies released a poll showing that 51 percent of Californians approve of his performance and 43 percent disapprove. By comparison, in late April, he was at a dead even with 46 percent of Californians approving and disapproving of him. Newsom has never been a particularly strong electoral performer. In fact, in 2022, when he sought re-election, he underperformed Joe Bidens 2020 performance. That essentially killed any chance of Newsom running in 2024. But now, its fairly clear Democrats in his home state responded well to his fighting. Among Democratic voters as a whole, the Republican pollster Echelon Insights found that his favorability ticked up by three points and he now trails only Kamala Harris when asked who should be the partys nominee. Another example comes in New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Like Newsom, she underperformed Biden in 2022 after she assumed the governors office when Andrew Cuomo resigned. During last years Democratic National Convention, Nancy Pelosi essentially blamed Hochuls underperformance in New York in 2022 for Democrats losing the House of Representatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her polling was not that great either. In January, a Siena College poll showd 39 percent of New Yorkers had a favorable opinion of her and 47 percent had an unfavorable opinion. In New York City, 42 percent of residents had a favorable opinion of her and 41 percent had an unfavorable opinion. Since then, she has repeatedly clashed with the Trump administration. When Trump attempted to kill congestion pricing in New York City, she has responded in court. When masked federal officers put New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in handcuffs, Hochul showed up to ensure his safety. New Yorkers seemed to positively respond. In a recent Siena College poll, 42 percent of New Yorkers have a favorable opinion of her and 50 percent of residents of New York City do. Shes also made fighting Trump a staple of her re-election campaign. On Monday, she dropped a campaign ad depicting her clashes with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of that likely means that Democratic governors probably wish that Trump would pick on them too. On Monday, Trump said that Moore told him sir, youre the greatest president of my lifetime. Moore had a simple response on X. He tweeted: lol. Keep telling yourself that, Mr. President. A woman takes selfies in front of a poster of "Dead To Rights" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian premiere of "Dead To Rights," a Chinese historical film about the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, was held Sunday in Kuala Lumpur, resonating strongly with the audience. Based on verified photographic evidence of Japanese wartime atrocities, the film tells the story of a group of Chinese civilians who seek refuge in a photography studio during the brutal occupation of the Chinese city of Nanjing by Japanese aggressors. The premiere was attended by officials, cultural figures, media representatives and movie fans from both China and Malaysia. When the screening ended, the theater fell into silence, filled with a heavy sense of solemnity. Malaysian audience member Danny Mah said that the film is both a record of history and a reminder of the importance of safeguarding peace. "It vividly depicts the suffering and indomitable struggle of the Chinese people at the time. I hope the spirit of 'cherishing peace' can be passed down through generations," Danny added. Another viewer, David Foong, who traveled from Johor to watch the film, noted that the movie pays tribute to the resilience of the Chinese people while urging people to value today's hard-won peace. Chiah Choon Kang, executive director of Mega Films Distribution Sdn. Bhd., the film's distributor in Malaysia, said he hopes the film will spread the message of "cherishing peace." People view a poster of "Dead To Rights" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office warns citizens of a new warrant scam taking place. The TGSO reported that someone is pretending to be a member of the Sheriffs Office and is calling people, stating that they need to pay to resolve their outstanding warrants. Fatal crash in Texas: Driver overcorrects, leaves roadway The Sheriffs Office will not ever call and solicit any payment over the phone to take care of warrants, the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TGSO advises not to engage with the scammers and feel free to tell them to call the Sheriffs Office if they have any questions. Tom Green County jail logs: Aug. 24, 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. By Greg Torode HONG KONG (Reuters) -As China stages its largest-ever military parade through Beijing next week, it will be highlighting not just advancements in arms hardware, but also the vital technology required to protect, control and command the weapons it would use in any future conflict. Among the more eye-catching aircraft, hypersonic missiles and undersea drones, will be equipment such as battlefield sensors on tanks, advanced early warning and targeting radars and air defence lasers - all part of an effort that some analysts describe as transparency designed to intimidate and deter potential rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But beyond the unprecedented scale and choreographed display of military might, question marks remain about how effectively China's armed forces - untested since a bloody border conflict with Vietnam in 1979 - could knit it all together in a future conflict. Singapore-based security scholar Drew Thompson said while the People's Liberation Army may unveil advanced weapons and systems to protect and command them, China's key potential adversaries may not be deterred by the "bling" of a parade. "It is performative but it doesn't speak to capability, and we still don't know how effectively China could tie it all together and operate in a conflict scenario," said Thompson, a senior fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). The parade comes amid protracted military tensions across East Asia as China increases deployments around Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea and the U.S. and its allies prepare potentially to respond to a regional conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China claims Taiwan as its territory and has never renounced the use of force to seize it. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te and his government strongly object to China's sovereignty claims, saying it is up to the island's people to decide their future. While the military leaderships of the U.S. and its allies like Japan as well as Taiwan may not be deterred, others might be intimidated, Thompson said. To that end, China might be signalling to India, Russia and smaller regional nations as well as "American libertarian isolationists". "As you're watching the parade, it is easy to get distracted....it is not about the bling, but the effect the bling has on the view of the observer - that is China is too big to fight and U.S. interests aren't worth the risk or the consequences of a fight with China." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. VICTORY DAY PARADE Regional military attaches and security analysts have already been scrutinising on-line footage of the rehearsals of what Beijing has called a "Victory Day" parade, marking the end of World War Two after Japan's formal surrender. The war is also often described by Chinese officials and in state media as the "War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression" and the "World Anti-Fascist War". "(The weapons and equipment) will fully demonstrate our military's robust ability to adapt to technological advancements, evolving warfare patterns, and win future wars," parade deputy director Wu Zeke told a press conference last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Beijing is to win those wars, it will have to fully integrate a network of military satellites and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities, now considered second only to the United States, and use them to effectively dominate its near seas. To that end, an early warning plane capable of operating from China's aircraft carriers, the KJ-600, has been displayed - a vital piece in finishing the complex jigsaw of carrier operations. China's jet fighters will also be closely watched, particularly following Pakistan's use of Chinese-built J-10C fighters against Indian aircraft during clashes in May. Pakistan has claimed that it shot down six Indian aircraft during the clashes, including a French-made Rafale fighter. India has acknowledged some losses but denied losing six aircraft and, earlier this month, said it had shot down six Pakistani planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A suite of new YJ-17, YJ-19 and YJ-20 cruise missiles will also be shown. They could be deployed from bombers and ships, some with hypersonic warheads - potentially complicating operations by U.S. and allied ships across East Asia. And a new medium-sized tank, the ZTZ-201, has appeared in rehearsals bristling with what analysts believe are advanced sensors and battle management systems. An entirely new weapon on show is also vexing analysts with its sudden appearance - a torpedo-shaped sea drone too large to be fired from ordinary submarines. Ben Lewis, founder of open source data platform PLATracker, said its emergence suggested China had been closely tracking the U.S.'s own underwater drone programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it is unclear how close it is to operational, "if they can produce a lot of these kinds of weapons cheaply, things could get very ugly, very fast in a Taiwan scenario," Lewis said. Collin Koh, a senior fellow at the RSIS' Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies in Singapore, said while the sea drone effort had been underway for some time, he was surprised that it had reached the point where the PLA was ready to show it off. "(It) seems to be imply that the system is either already in service or soon to do so," he said. (Reporting By Greg Torode in Hong Kong; additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) By David Brunnstrom WASHINGTON (Reuters) -An adviser to the Biden administration on the AUKUS project to provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines warned on Monday against its cancellation amid a Pentagon review, but highlighted a wide range of problems that need to be resolved for it to succeed. In a joint paper authored with a former State Department official, Abraham Denmark recognized the need for "a thorough review of AUKUS by the Trump administration." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he added: "Should AUKUS fail or be scrapped, the United States would become less capable in the Indo-Pacific ... its international credibility would be dramatically undercut, deterrence would be undermined, and propaganda from Beijing and Moscow declaring the unreliability of American commitments would gain significant credibility." The paper, written for Washington's Center for the Strategic and International Studies think tank, listed well-known problems that need to be addressed, including lagging U.S. submarine production rates and the question of whether Australia would use submarines supplied by the U.S. in an Indo-Pacific conflict while depleting U.S. resources in acquiring them. The report also highlighted the high costs of AUKUS - it is estimated it will cost Australia $240 billion (A$368 billion) over more than 30 years - a shortage of skilled labor for submarine production in all three countries, and other practical issues such as a lack of progress in ensuring "AUKUS visas" to facilitate movement for people involved in the project. It also pointed at a vague focus of the so-called Pillar Two of AUKUS aimed at collaboration in high-tech weaponry and said this needs to be narrowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report, which Denmark co-authored with Charles Edel, a former State Department official now also at CSIS, said despite the issues, "shoring up AUKUS" was a "strategic imperative." It said AUKUS would "boost the United States' defense industrial base, strengthen its closest allies, send a powerful deterrent message to Beijing, and help stabilize the (Indo-Pacific) region." Details of the AUKUS plan to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the early 2030s were unveiled in 2023 under former President Joe Biden, part of efforts to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. The Pentagon has said a review it announced in June of the three-way collaboration between Australia, Britain and the United States to ensure it aligns with President Donald Trump's "America First agenda" will be completed in the autumn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The review has been led by Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon's under secretary of defense for policy, who has previously expressed concern the U.S. would lose submarines to Australia at a critical time for deterrence against China. Last month, the Republican and Democratic heads of a U.S. congressional committee for strategic competition with China stressed their strong support for AUKUS. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Chris Reese) Former DOGE staffer Edward Big Balls Coristine has served up fresh content to his growing MAGA fanbase, signaling that hes back in action after being assaulted in Washington, D.C., earlier this month. The 19-year-old, now employed at the Social Security Administration, posted a video of himself benching what appears to be 225 pounds on X Sunday, captioned simply recovery. Coristine powers through the first two reps, but on the third his hips shoot off the bench in a classic form break, before he finally grinds the bar back into the rack. Katie Miller, the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, gushed over the clip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats more than @RepSwalwel & @ZohranKMamdani, she wrote, shading California Democrat Eric Swalwell and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Big Balls > Democrats, Miller, a former top aide at DOGE, added. Coristine has become a MAGA martyr since he was allegedly assaulted by a boy and a girl, both 15, during a carjacking on Aug. 3. Details of Coristines injuries remain unclear, but a source told the New York Post that he sustained a broken nose, a concussion, and a black eye. President Trump shared a photo of Edward Big Balls Coristine, bloodied and beaten, on his Truth Social account. / Donald Trump Truth Social Images from the incident showing Coristine bloodied and beaten apparently spurred President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard and take control of the Washington, D.C., police force in the name of a crime crackdown, even though violent crime in the city hit a 30-year low last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has also said it would consider giving Coristine a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some on the right have gone so far as to pitch Coristine, who was raised in Larchmont, New York, as a potential challenger to Mamdani in New York Citys mayoral race. Coristines bench-press video was met with a flood of X users cheering him on. Future President one user commented, while another advised, Nice work!! Keep your backside on bench- arching will hurt your back long term. On Thursday, a judge ordered the two 15-year-olds charged in connection with Coristines assault out of detention at D.C.s Youth Services Center and back to their caretakers. Three months after Business Insider detailed plans to lay off around one-fifth of its staff as it increasingly relies on artificial intelligence, the Axel Springer-owned publication has had to delete articles that appear to have been generated by an "AI freelancer." According to UK-based journalism trade outlet Press Gazette, two other publications, technology magazine Wired and freedom of speech watchdog Index on Censorship, have also had to scrub items penned under the name Margaux Blanchard. The articles were removed after allegations of glaring fabrications, such as made-up names for towns and businesses, which editors failed to detect prior to publishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alert was sounded by Dispatch, another UK-based publication, which challenged Blanchard over a proposed article concerning a non-existent mining town in Colorado before passing the information on to Press Gazette. Wired ran an article by Blanchard about real couples getting "married" online through platforms such as Minecraft and Roblox. "If anyone should be able to catch an AI scammer, its Wired unfortunately one got through," the technology publication said in August in an apology piece on "how Wired got rolled by an AI freelancer." Business Insider published two items by Blanchard in April, around one month before it said it would be laying off 21% of its staff as it goes about "fully embracing AI." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One item was headlined "Remote work has been the best thing for me as a parent but the worst as a person," while the other was titled "I had my first kid at 45. Im financially stable and have years of life experience to guide me." Business Insider has since replaced the articles with a short notice that "this essay has been removed because it didn't meet Business Insider's standards." The news comes as a setback to efforts in many newsrooms to cut costs and become more productive using AI. Two studies from March and August suggest around half of the world's journalists are now relying on AI. UPDATE: Autumn feel to continue into Labor Day weekend as rip current risk starts to ease A cold front will sweep across New Jersey on Monday morning, bringing significantly cooler and drier air to the state. Residents can expect clearing skies, dropping humidity, and comfortable temperatures throughout the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The morning will start muggy with isolated showers, but conditions will rapidly improve by afternoon. Dangerous rip currents remain a concern at the Jersey Shore through Monday evening. Temperatures will reach the low to mid-80s with west to northwest winds around 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Humidity will drop dramatically, creating pleasant late summer conditions. Overnight temperatures will cool to the mid-50s to low 60s, with some higher elevation areas potentially dropping closer to 50 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of the week will feature seasonably cool temperatures, with highs mainly in the 70s to around 80 degrees and mostly clear skies. Overall, a pleasant stretch of late September weather is expected around the middle of the week, the National Weather Service said. Tuesday and Wednesday will remain dry and comfortable, with high pressure controlling the regions weather. A slight chance of showers is possible Friday as another cold front approaches, but the weekend is expected to remain dry with continued cool temperatures. The Labor Day weekend outlook suggests continued mild conditions, with temperatures remaining seasonably cool and no significant precipitation expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outdoor activities should be comfortable with mostly sunny skies and light winds. Current weather radar Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by NJ Advance Media staff. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Big Y was recently named among Americas most trustworthy companies by Newsweek. The grocery chain is one of the largest independently owned in New England with 75 supermarket locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut. They also have 17 gas stations and operate specialty stores such as Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Big Y named among Americas most trustworthy companies, Newsweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the intersection of Chicopee and Meadow Streets, there was a store called Y Cash Market, where the roadways form a Y shape. In 1936, brothers Paul and Gerry DAmour bought the market for $2,500 and, in a few years, expanded its size. The brothers opened a second story in 1947 at the large former bowling alley in the Aldenville section. MAP: Chicopee Street & Meadow Street By 1952, they opened their third location in Chicopee, nearly twice the size of most grocery stores, and due to its size, named it Big Y Supermarket. Not long after, the brothers closed their two smaller locations to establish supermarkets in other communities. In 1960, they opened the largest supermarket in western Mass. located in Northampton, where they sold beer and wine. Since the beginning, the supermarkets offered personalized service, fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms, and a variety of products, becoming the legacy of Big Y. By the 1980s, the DAmours had 22 stores and expanded into Connecticut. The distribution center was formed on Taplet Street in Springfield, which moved into its new, bigger headquarters on Roosevelt Ave in the 1990s. The company now operates 94 locations under its third generation of DAmours, which include supermarkets, Big Y Express gas stations, and Table & Vine. They employ over 10,000 people and have built trust by staying family-owned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big Y was recognized in Newsweeks list of Americas Most Trustworthy Companies for the third year in a row for consistent dedication to ethical business practices, employee satisfaction, and customer loyalty. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Birmingham Police Department is seeking assistance in gathering information related to a shooting on New Years Day. Officers arrived to the 400 block of Roebuck Drive around 9 p.m. on reports of a person shot. Upon arrival, officers found Derek Burpo lying unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound. Preliminary investigation revealed that Burpo, who was working as a Dominos Pizza delivery driver, was shot and killed during a robbery. Anyone with information is asked to call BPD at 205-254-1764. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. In towns and cities across the United States, Black-owned pharmacies are doing a lot more than filling prescriptions. These businesses fill a need in their communities. Black-owned pharmacies are keeping a sense of identity alive in Black neighborhoods that big chains often ignore and creating places where people feel culturally supported. However, its getting tougher for these Black-owned pharmacies to thrive. Giant corporations are making it hard for them to compete. Supporting these community-based businesses is crucial, not solely for businesss sake but for the wellbeing and strength of the neighborhoods they serve. When we back these pharmacies were doing a lot more than keeping a business afloat. Were investing in the health, wellness, and economy of the community on a whole. BLACK ENTERPRISE is shining a light on eight Black-owned pharmacies. GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness Missouri In St. Louis, Missouri, a city where its tough to find a pharmacy in some areas, GreaterHealth Pharmacy & Wellness is trying to change that. Founded by CEO Marcus Howard in 2023, a local startup is about breaking down barriers to healthcare for people whove been underserved. GreaterHealth has a commitment to community counseling, a service that is sorely needed in the city of St. Louis. The team behind this Black-owned pharmacy is locally-rooted and deeply invested in the community. GreaterHealth is making a difference in the lives of its neighbors. GreaterHealth is on a mission to fill those gaps in pharmacy deserts and make healthcare more inclusive for everyone. HOPE Pharmacy Virginia Dr. Shantelle Brown brought much-needed care to Richmond, Virginia, when she opened HOPE Pharmacy back in 2019. What sets HOPE Pharmacy apart from the chains is its commitment to the community. The business offers vaccines, education, and a level of service that cant be denied. HOPE Pharmacy provides care thats tailored to the people who live in the community, making them a valuable asset to the neighborhood. Premier Pharmacy & Wellness Center North Carolina Premier Pharmacy & Wellness Center is a North Carolina-based clinic founded by Dr. Martez Prince. The business is one part independent pharmacy and one part wellness clinic under one roof. Since opening its doors in 2015, Premier Pharmacy & Wellness Center has served its community. The business is addressing health issues by ensuring its customers have access to the care they need. Its an approach that sets them apart. Del-Kar Pharmacy Illinois Del-Kar Pharmacy has been a constant in Chicagos North Lawndale neighborhood since 1960. Its a family-owned business that has been passed down throughout generations. Over the years, it has become a trusted name in the community. Despite the challenges of pharmacy deserts, Del-Kar Pharmacy has successfully maintained its operations, ensuring that people in the area can access the necessary medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Othello Station Pharmacy Washington Othello Station Pharmacy in Seattles Othello neighborhood opened its doors in 2020. Its owned by a trio of guys: Dr. Ahmed Ali, Dr. Abdirahman Tache, and Abdikadir Athur. The pharmacy offers services in multiple languages. It is also independent, which means they can provide services that really cater to their customers needs, meeting them where theyre at. Lees Family Pharmacy Georgia Lees Family Pharmacy has been a staple of Atlantas Southside for over 30 years. Dr. Stedman Lee and Dr. Sylvester Lee are behind this pharmacy. Theyve built a reputation for giving their customers personalized care, which is often rare these days. What sets Lees Family Pharmacy apart from other pharmacies is how much they genuinely care about the neighborhood. In addition to filling traditional prescriptions, Lees Pharmacy also retails naturopathic and home remedy alternatives. The Black-owned pharmacy recently relocated to a new location in South Fulton. Theyre not a pharmacy, theyre a part of the community. Economy Drug Store Florida The Economy Drug Store in Floridas Frenchtown neighborhood is thriving. Founded back in 1951 by Howard Roberts, its still going strong as a Black-owned pharmacy. Thats over 70 years of serving the community. The Economy Drug Store is right in the heart of Frenchtown, meeting customers where they are. The pharmacy takes the time to talk to customers in person. Its clear theyre committed to being accessible to the community. Altev Community Pharmacy Ohio In Cincinnatis Avondale neighborhood, a new pharmacy opened its doors in 2023. Altev Community Pharmacy is a game-changer for its community. The area had been without a Black-owned pharmacy for years, but thats all changed now. Dr. Emmanuel Manny Ayanjoke is on a mission to make a difference. He wants to make sure people in the neighborhood have access to healthcare services like COVID testing and vaccines. The community has been waiting for a pharmacy like Altev for too long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED CONTENT: Jobs in Demand: Pharmacy Professionals Talk Career Advancement Our interview basically begins with an Alaskan proverb. They say the veil between myth and reality is very thin up north, James Dommek Jr. tells me as we talk about Blood & Myth, an upcoming Hulu documentary about a series of crimes in an Inupiaq village in northern Alaska. Dommek serves as the executive producer and narrator of the film, which airs on Hulu in September. The documentary, set in Alaskas most remote regions and blending true crime and Native folklore, is adapted from the 2019 Audible original Midnight Son; it is directed by Kahlil Hudson. Related: 7 Revelations On The Idaho Student Murders And 1 Question Investigators Still Can't Answer Blood & Myth tries to untangle how Teddy Kyle Smith, an Inupiaq man who was well-known in his community, experienced a supposed encounter with the supernatural and ended up going on a violent rampage. When a series of shocking violent crimes shatter a remote native village in Northern Alaska, James Dommek Jr. embarks on an investigation into its a frightening paranormal connection. Disney Smith is a former Marine who volunteered with elders, taught children traditional Inupiaq skills and found work as an actor. His part in the 2011 coming-of-age drama On The Ice became a point of pride among his people, who saw the film as an authentic representation of their culture after decades of stereotypical portrayals by outsiders. After the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, it seemed like Smith was opening doors for the Inupiaq to have their own voice. Advertisement Advertisement It seemed like he had so much going for him, Dommek says in the documentary. How can someone just go off the rails like that? So Dommek was stunned when, in September 2012, he heard Smith had shot two men during a weekslong manhunt that began when he fled the scene of his mother Dolly Smiths death. Smith is currently serving 99 years in prison for attempted murder. His mothers death was ruled undetermined. Related: Hulus Washington Black Is More Than Just A Globe-Trotting Historical Adventure When Smith was arrested 40 miles away from his home in Kiana, Alaska, why he lost control was far from the biggest mystery. There was more than one mystery after Teddy Kyle Smith went on the run following the death of his mother in 2012. Disney Dommek became fixated on the incident. With a close relationship to the Inupiaq community in Kiana, Dommek began collecting exclusive information. His once-improvisational investigation reached a turning point when he was tipped off about tapes from Smiths first interrogation. Advertisement Advertisement In the recordings, Dommek heard Smith make a blood-chilling claim: He had been in the company of Inukuns malevolent, sometimes magical little people only spoken about in myths and whispers in Inupiaq culture. Accounts of Inukuns were nothing new to Dommek, who was warned about the creatures while growing up in nearby Kotzebue, Alaska. Though it was taboo to talk about them, the nomadic wildlings were said to loom in the darkness, menacing communities and sometimes even taking control of those who strayed too far from home. At that point, Dommek realized that telling this story was a matter of fate and not chance. I had all these pieces in my hand and Im like, what do I do? he told HuffPost. And it became clear that if I dont tell this story, Im going to regret it the rest of my life. Related: This New Film Confronts A Haunting History That We Rarely Talk About Dommek who is the great-grandson of Inupiaq master storyteller Paul Monroe also saw the project as a way to care for his culture and its history. Advertisement Advertisement If it wasnt going to be me, I knew that there were other people, outsiders, who were trying to tell this story, he said. While poring over court documents and speaking with people who knew Smith, a more complicated version of the respected community man began to emerge. People who knew him recalled memories of heavy drinking and erratic behavior. Some saw him struggle to reconcile his success outside of the Inupiaq world with a life that held true to their traditions. You have to give up a part of yourself to function in this new world, Dommek says in the film. Straddling that line between his roots and Westerners society struck something deep within Dommek, who admits to feeling that same disconnect as lived hundreds of miles from home, partying and playing music in Alaskas largest metropolis, Anchorage. Advertisement Advertisement I felt like I was slowly erasing my own self, he said. I felt like I was losing who I was. Related: In Honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, Here Are 7 Must-Reads By Native Authors As his yearslong investigation brought him back home, Dommek realized he would never complete his project unless he changed paths. You gotta do it right, to honor the story, to the people, to the land, he said of his decision to stop drinking. To my great-grandfathers legacy. Though Dommek was hesitant about discussing his own demons in the film, he knew that that choice between cultures was a fork in the road all young Native men and women were forced to confront. He knew it was a choice that also haunted Smith. As Dommek gets deeper into his investigation, he learns how Smith told authorities about his encounter with Inukuns, malevolent, sometimes magical, little people spoken about in Inupiaq myths. Disney Its just a part of our existence, he said. And what you choose to do has effects, it has ripples. Advertisement Advertisement So as Smith continued to swear he was swayed by the Inukuns dark influence during his tear through the Arctic, Dommek had a revelation: perhaps the little peoples purpose was not to cause chaos but to remind Smith he was at a crossroads. I think he misunderstood them, Dommek says in the film. I think that he thought they were trying to hurt him but maybe they were trying to save him. Though the existence of Inukuns may never be proven, their presence in Inupiaq culture and storytelling makes them real nonetheless. By blending folklore, fact and Indigenous experience, Blood & Myth reveals how our roots shape reality and why it is essential for communities to steer their own stories. These stories are meant to keep us alive, from going too far off, from getting lost, Dommek said. Advertisement Advertisement Blood & Myth debuts Sept. 4 on Hulu. Related... Read the original on HuffPost BEIJING, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- The city of Beijing aims to significantly enhance research into and high-tech public display of its cultural relics by 2035, according to a newly released city plan. The Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau said it will prioritize applying cutting-edge tech like artificial intelligence, big data and virtual reality (VR) within museums and heritage sites. Key initiatives include creating a comprehensive digital database of all immovable relics -- using data from ongoing and past national surveys. New materials and techniques for preserving ancient wooden structures will be developed. Museum exhibits will see major upgrades. The plan calls for using VR, augmented reality and high-resolution displays to make visits more interactive and engaging for the public. Tech like the Internet of Things and AI will also strengthen artifact security and storage management. To support these goals, Beijing will encourage universities to offer interdisciplinary programs focused on cultural heritage technology. Improved incentives for converting research into practical applications are also part of this plan. Crews have recovered the body of a man believed to be the suspected drowning victim from this weekend's Purple People Bridge incident, according to Boone County Water Rescue. According to a news release from the agency, the man's body was recovered from the Ohio River near the Cincinnati riverfront at 10:40 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24. Multiple agencies were dispatched to the pedestrian bridge on the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky just before 11 a.m. Saturday. People told first responders that a man had jumped from the bridge, according to a release from the Cincinnati Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cincinnati and Covington vessels were launched to search for the man. After about 40 minutes, the search was turned over to Boone County Water Rescue and Hamilton County Underwater Dive and Recovery Team. Authorities have not released the man's name or age. His body was taken to the Campbell County Coroner's Office after recovery. Enquirer reporter Aaron Valdez contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Body of man connected to Purple People Bridge incident recovered MAGA media is showing signs of waking up. Aside from the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein saga, at least one major issue is now causing the right-wing coalition of President Donald Trumps supporters in the media to finally suggest that his critics might be on to something. As tends to be the case with conservatives, it took the issue landing, literally, on the front steps of their own colleague for it even to be acknowledged as a potential problem. On Friday, the FBI executed an unannounced search warrant on the home of former Trump National Security Advisor John Bolton. Agents arrived at Boltons home in Bethesda, Md., at approximately 7:00 a.m. and were seen carrying boxes out of the home, but no specific reason has yet been given for the search. NO ONE is above the law @FBI agents on mission, FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X as the raid commenced. Vice President J.D. Vance shared Patels post, as did Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino, who added, Public corruption will not be tolerated. An FBI investigation into Trumps outspoken third national security adviser during his first term was initially launched in 2020 and reportedly centered on Boltons possible mishandling of classified information related to the upcoming publication of his memoir The Room Where It Happened. The probe was eventually shelved in June 2021 under the Biden administration before it was suddenly revived this year. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended Fridays raid as an act of prudent justice but provided no further details of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats at the root of this? Is this about classified documents? NBC News Kristen Welker asked Vance on Sundays edition of Meet the Press. Were in the very early stages of an ongoing investigation into John Bolton. I will say were going to let that investigation proceed, Vance said, implying he is somehow part of the team investigating Bolton. Were going to be careful about that. Were going to be deliberate about that. But Trump insisted he did not know about the raid I try and stay out of that stuff while suggesting that Bolton could be a very unpatriotic guy. Were going to find out. In his Oval Office comments on Friday, the president proceeded to blur the line between an independent Justice Department and his role as president. Im actually the chief law enforcement officer, believe it or not. You know, I dont like to go around saying that, but I am. Thats the position. (In fact, this designation belongs to the attorney general.) Trump, it should be noted, allegedly withheld classified materials after leaving the White House in 2021 and famously stored them in unsecured locations at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Along with the federal criminal charges in two cases stemming from his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, his indictment on state charges in Georgia and his felony conviction in New York on 34 charges of falsifying business records, Trump has complained that he has been the target of unjust weaponization of the legal system, or what his supporters have dubbed lawfare. Of course, those were all different prosecutions in different jurisdictions, and there continues to be no evidence that any of it was coordinated or directed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Bolton have long clashed. After returning to office in January, the president revoked the former United Nations ambassadors security clearance and pulled his security detail, despite credible threats from Iran against the prominent neocon over his hawkish foreign policy positions. Still, Bolton has pressed on with his criticisms of his former boss. Trumps mind is full of mush and he says whatever comes into it, he said on CNN last week. He recently told ABC News Jonathan Karl that I think hes already come after me and several others in withdrawing the protection that we had from the Iranians for the attack on Qasem Soleimani. So I think, and I said in the new foreword to the paperback edition of my book, I think it is a retribution presidency. While the usual suspects rushed to Trumps defense after news of the Bolton raid broke Friday, MAGA is far from holding a united front after a former fellow traveler has come under target. Right-wing influencer and Pizzagate progenitor Jack Posobeic told his MAGA audience that analysts described the raid as a strike against entrenched establishment figures resisting U.S.-Russia peace initiatives, highlighting Boltons alignment with interventionist policies and proxy conflicts. Bolton, for his part, said on CNN last week that Trump had achieved very little by meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Alaska and that Putin clearly won. For years in Washington there have been a lot of questions about John Boltons associations and the way hes used his position to benefit himself, co-host Katie Pavlich claimed on Fridays edition of The Five. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Bolton is learning the hard way, Fox star Laura Ingraham said, after cheering on lawfare against President Trump. Want more sharp takes on politics? Sign up for our free newsletter, Standing Room Only, written by Amanda Marcotte, now also a weekly show on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Network hosts and guests have long insisted that the Obama and Biden administrations politicized the Department of Justice. Fox News host and comedian Greg Gutfeld said that is why he isnt worried about the perception of government weaponization under Trump. Some say its retribution. I say, who cares? You know, dont lecture me on timing of lawfare. Dont lecture me on politically-motivated investigations. You guys invented this stuff. In response to former NBC News anchor Chuck Todds admonishment that the two wrongs make a right mindset is killing democracy, Gutfeld argued on X that the only way to prevent you and your friends from targeting the rest of us with bullshit is to guarantee a cost for that behavior. That looks like revenge to you, only because you dont like it. But the raid, perhaps for the first time amid the escalating political retribution that has come to define Trumps second term, has caused a clear divide between right-wing commentators and subject-matter experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Trump apologist lawyer Jonathan Turley said on Fox News that there is a great concern about whether this is retaliation against a political opponent. Calling it a very sad development, the networks expert legal analyst Andrew McCarthy, a National Review contributor and former assistant U.S. attorney, suggested the raid was retaliatory lawfare: I must say, I think that we saw with President Trump, I was hoping that his administration wouldnt practice the things that were practiced on him. But a big part of lawfare is to harass people with investigations. So, even if there are never any charges, theres going to be theres already been a search warrant, theres obviously a criminal investigation thats underway, there will probably be a grand jury component of it, and even if there is no charges, this will be a very big deal for Bolton personally in the coming months and maybe even years. CNNs top MAGA mouthpiece Scott Jennings, speaking on his previous experience as the target of a federal investigation that looked into his time working for top George W. Bush adviser Karl Rove, explained the probe could turn Boltons life upside down. Also on CNN, former Trump campaign senior adviser David Urban acknowledged that the FBI raid has a really bad look to it and the timing looks political. The conservative Washington Examiner, where Bolton is a contributing columnist, published a list of unanswered questions about the raid. The Trump administration has shown a rampant interest in aggressively pursuing its political opponents since Trump reentered office, Tom Rogan, the outlets foreign policy editor, wrote. The fear, or should-be-fear, is that Trump is weaponizing the DOJ against his political enemies. The Wall Street Journal slammed the raid as vindictive, calling it out as part of a broader vendetta that Trump telegraphed for years. President Trump promised voters during his campaign for a second term that he had bigger things on his mind than retribution against opponents. But it is increasingly clear that vengeance is a large part, maybe the largest part, of how he will define success in his second term, the editorial board wrote in a scathing op-ed over the weekend. This is the kind of gratuitous viciousness that has increasingly defined Mr. Trumps return to office. The real offender here is a President who seems to think he can use the powers of his office to run vendettas. We said this was one of the risks of a second Trump term, and its turning out to be worse than we imagined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pattern of retribution by the Trump administration, in just the last week alone, is staggering. Early last week, after Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J. whom the administration has charged with assaulting federal agents during the chaotic arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility on May 9 filed a court filing for the bodycam footage from that day, we learned Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had personally ordered Barakas arrest. The New York Times reported last week that Ed Martin, Trumps weaponization czar who was recently selected by the DOJ to investigate New York Attorney General Letitia James, recently sent a letter to her lawyer requesting her resignation as an act of good faith to best serve the good of the state and nation. Simultaneously, Trump called for the resignation of Lisa D. Cook, the first Black woman to serve as a governor of the Federal Reserve, after Federal Housing Finance Agency director Bill Pulte posted on X last week that he had sent a criminal referral letter to the Justice Department accusing Cook of committing mortgage fraud. And in another apparent act of Russiagate revenge, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced on X last week that, at Trumps direction, the agency is revoking the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence officials, several of whom were involved in investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Last month, the DOJ launched investigations of former FBI director James Comey and former CIA director John Brennan, alleging they had made false statements to Congress about the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a clear pattern, and it should be covered by the media as such. As Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., pointed out on Meet the Press Sunday, the Bolton raid is part of the administrations intimidation campaign and it looks like MAGA might be finally starting to catch on. The post With Bolton raid, MAGA media confronts Trumps war of retribution appeared first on Salon.com. BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) Boardman Police and the Youngstown Bomb Squad responded to a call about a potential live grenade found in a local home around noon on Sunday. The homeowner, who recently purchased the house on Leighton Avenue in Youngstown, hired a company to clean out the property. While cleaning out the home, the workers found a box with several grenades left by the previous owner, according to the owner. While four of the five grenades appeared to be inactive, one of them was suspected to be live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the Youngstown Bomb Squad could not determine if the grenade was live on-site and took it with them for further testing. The Canfield Police K-9 unit was called to do a final sweep of the home, where nothing else was found. Reports state the previous owner of the home was a collector of military items and also had reloaded amunition. Laurel Stone 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. NEW YORK New York City Police Department officials will meet with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday afternoon as Mayor Eric Adams administration is making the case to President Donald Trump that the nations largest city does not want or need federal troops on its streets. The meeting which Adams is not planning to attend comes at a particularly tense time, with the White House escalating tensions with Democraticled jurisdictions. Trump signed an executive order Monday morning threatening to revoke federal funding for states like New York that have laws limiting when judges can seek cash bail for people accused of crimes. The New York Post first reported on the order. While the order doesnt name New York, its clear the state and the city are in Trumps sights. A White House press release Monday touted Trumps aggressive crackdown to end the failed experiment known as cashless bail and cited four news stories about people released without bail in New York City and later accused of committing other crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spokespeople for the NYPD and City Hall confirmed plans for the meeting, which is expected to be held at police headquarters in Lower Manhattan. The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment. Bondi also plans to appear in Brooklyn federal court to mark the guilty plea of Mexican drug trafficker Ismael El Mayo Zambada. While in the city, her team requested the NYPD meeting. Bondi has not yet met NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who has earned acclaim for her leadership of the department across the political spectrum since Adams appointed her in November. Tisch and other NYPD leaders discussed how crime in New York is at near-record lows and the department has it under control, an NYPD spokesperson said about the meeting Monday afternoon, after this story was initially published. They also discussed the implementation of teams of officers focused on quality of life and how the department uses aerial drones, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has sent National Guard troops into Los Angeles and Washington. Adams, who has cultivated a friendly relationship with Trump for a Democrat, has made clear he doesnt want federal intervention. Our crime rate has dropped. Our subways are the safest they have been, except for the first two years during Covid-19 when no one was on them, Adams said on "TMZ Live" last week. We got this. We know how to keep this city safe. I knew it when I was a police officer. What we had to do, we did it then, and we're doing it again. But Adams was hesitant to criticize the executive order, even if it might cost the city federal funding. Ive always made it clear that our revolving door system of violent offenders must be addressed, Adams said at an unrelated campaign rally Monday, when asked to respond to Trumps order. Well read this executive order, and Ill be able to tell you more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic-led state Legislature and then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo passed laws in 2019 intended to keep more people out of jail while they awaited trial. The legislature rolled back the measures in subsequent years in response to political pushback from those who blamed them for a heightened crime rate, including Adams. Trumps reckless threat to withhold federal funds would only undercut law enforcement and make our communities less safe, Gov. Kathy Hochuls spokesperson Jen Goodman said in a statement. The fact is Governor Hochul changed New Yorks bail laws so violent offenders are held accountable, and as a result rearrests are down. New York now has one of the lowest violent crime rates in six decades. This article has been updated to include a readout of the meeting and comment from Hochuls office. Library books. (Getty Images) Its Banned Books Week in Florida! OK, the observance is in October, but its always Banned Books Week in Florida. Every day seems to bring another hissy fit from a state goon or concerned parent hell-bent on returning us to the glory days of censorship. Hillsborough County School Superintendent Van Ayres has been attacked by parents and shouted at by state government for failing to remove materials chest-thumping Attorney General James Uthmeier claims are pornographic from school libraries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayres already had two books Call Me By Your Name, a gay romance with some sex scenes, and Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts), which has no sex scenes taken off the shelves. That was not enough for Uthmeier and some of the school boards more hysterical members. So, in an abundance of caution, Ayres had 600 more removed from schools for a review, estimated to cost $350,000. It was not enough: During a June school board meeting, one member called many surviving books nasty and disgusting, and another, obviously in need of smelling salts, said, I, as a 56-year-old woman, mother of five and a physician, cant look at these pages. She wants heads to roll: Have you considered firing all your media specialists and starting from scratch with women and men who can read, or have a single shred of decency? These people that you trust to review these materials are abusing the children of your county. Theyre child abusers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of those child-abusing materials: The Diary of Anne Frank, What Girls Are Made Of, The Bluest Eye, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Slaughterhouse Five, and The Handmaids Tale. Women and men who can and do read will know the authors of those books include a Booker Prize winner, a National Book Award winner, winner of a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a Nobel Prize laureate. Obviously, a bunch of perverts and losers. Overbroad and unconstitutional The good news is that some at that ambush of a meeting objected to the objections. One parent said it was not the states responsibility to decide what books her kid should have access to, it was hers: Dont tell me that its inappropriate if I think its appropriate for my child to read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chair of the school board also took exception to the abuse heaped on school librarians (annoyingly now called media specialists) who are, in fact, experts in age-appropriate materials. The even better news is that a federal judge has struck down the worst parts of Gov. Ron DeSantis pet book-banning law as overbroad and unconstitutional. A gaggle of big publishers including Simon and Schuster, Hachette, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, plus a bunch of well-known authors and hacked-off parents, sued over the states vague decree that if a text describes sexual conduct its pornographic. U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza, probably trying hard not to roll his eyes, pointed out the state cant seem to define what they mean by sexual conduct: Consensual intercourse? A kiss? A rape? A seductive conversation? A hand sliding down (or up) to touch certain body parts which may or may not be named? Joyous marital congress? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states arguments boiled down to: If a parent or random Moms for Liberty busybody think something is obscene and therefore an assault on the Moral Fiber of Our Youth, it is, even if they cant quite get specific about what that means. They know obscenity when they see it, by golly. Books in public school libraries should promote government speech, i.e., the views espoused by the DeSantis regime. Views such as, say, gays are not good; trans people are worse; sex outside of marriage is terrible; authority should not be questioned; climate change should not be studied. Legal fees According the state, When the government speaks, it can freely select the views that it wants to express, including choosing not to speak and speaking through the removal of speech that the government disapproves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to DeSantis lawyers, school books are not subject to the First Amendment. You thought free speech was protected in the Free State of Florida? In 2023, PEN America file a lawsuit against the Escambia County School District for removing or restricting access to books some people found objectionable. Escambia keeps losing in court, but that hasnt stopped them from continuing to spend taxpayer money: at least $440,000. So far. To make an obvious point, think about the field trips and school supplies that cash could have funded. Whats all this book banning really about, anyway? Authoritarianism for authoritarianisms sake? Thats probably part of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bullies love to bully. Does it spring from deeply held religious notions of purity which hold that any exposure to what some people see as immoral words or images will pollute the minds of innocent children? Yall might remember the embarrassing kerfluffle at a Tallahassee charter school over showing students one of the great achievements of Western art. The teacher leading a unit on the Renaissance had the temerity to display a picture of Michelangelos statue of David. Some parents freaked out: You could see Davids junk! As if half the planet does not sport similar junk. Consider And Tango Makes Three, the famous true story of two male penguins raising a chick at New Yorks Central Park Zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That book has been snatched off library shelves all over Florida because, well, maybe because it could encourage tolerance toward flightless birds? Fear factor The banners seem to think stories with a gay hero or a trans character will turn kids gay or trans. These people do not assume stories with gun violence will turn kids into mass shooters. But books telling the truth about Native American genocide and slavery will make kids question the essential virtue of America. Biographies of Malcolm X or Martin Luther King or novels by Ralph Ellison or Alice Walker will make white kids feel guilty. Its true the Left has been known to criticize certain books The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and To Kill a Mockingbird, for racist language, or Lolita for its depiction of pedophilia but rarely demand they be deep-sixed altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, nobody can take away the Rights title as the undisputed heavyweight champs of the book banning world. Heres the real reason for MAGA animosity to books: Fear. They are scared of an America where white is not the default ethnicity, Christianity is not the dominant religion, heterosexuality is only one kind of normal, and history is a complicated tangle of high ideals and low crimes. They cannot bear the thought their children will grow up in the 21st Century when all they cherished as solid and eternal can be questioned, even discarded. So, they fight for control. Until March of this year, a website called BookLooks, founded by a member of Moms for Liberty, touted a ratings system for books it deemed unsuitable for decent eyeballs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BookLooks has shut down, saying that after much prayer and reflection it has become apparent that His work for us here is complete and that He has other callings for us. However, the ratings system is still all over the Web, with 0 (no sex, no swearing, no nudity, no booze or drugs), to 4 denoting a text with depictions of sexual organs in a state of arousal plus oral sex of every kind. Level 5, Aberrant Content, means stuff so filthy (sadomasochistic abuse, assault, and beastiality (sic) itd burn the retinas of a saint. Book of Books Take a look at the Moms Book of Books, a document that is at once alarming, absurd, and not a little prurient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It quotes carefully curated and utterly out of context scenes of sex and sexual assault from Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye or Yaa Gyaasis Homegoing. (Newsflash: in a novel about slavery, youre pretty much going to encounter sexual assault.) They react with horror at novels about kids coming to terms with being gay, such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower. They declare books dangerous for supposedly promoting alternative gender ideologies. The Book of Books also lavishly shares sex act image after sex act image from graphic novels including The Handmaids Tale and Maia Kobabes Gender Queer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That stuff is, admittedly, pretty raw, even hard to look at. However, you cant help wondering why they couldnt have done with just two or three explicit pictures and whether the compilers were getting a naughty thrill out of the whole thing. We expect the Moms and their ilk to freak out over sex of any flavor, but even more of their ire has been directed at references to race, which they label controversial social commentary or just hate. They dont mean hate as in scenes of racist violence or oppression of people of color. They mean people of color daring to expose or criticize or otherwise express strong disapproval of racism. Nasty white folks Adding to the many transgressions of The Bluest Eye, they point to this sentence: Nasty white folks is about the nastiest things they is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Angie Thomas The Hate U Give the Moms clutch their pearls at: A sixteen-year-old black boy is dead because a white cop killed him. What else could it be? Sherman Alexies The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian raises alarm for this: Our white dentist believed that Indians only felt half as much pain as white people did, so he only gave us half the Novocain. This nonsense would be hilarious if it werent driving public education policy in Florida. Those who want to ban or suppress books are closing the barn door after the horse has bolted and is now in the next town, sitting in a bar drinking a Mai Tai. Theyre also exposing themselves as the frightened creatures they are. The bans will continue: Escambia County has removed another 400-plus books from its libraries without reviewing a single one. The lawsuits will continue. And the 21st century will continue, despite the state of Florida trying its best to drag us back to the 19th. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A Boston Fire Department lieutenant is facing more than 40 criminal charges after prosecutors say he refused to turn over numerous guns he had hidden in his Milton home after being served with a restraining order taken out by his wife, according to published reports and court records. Joshua Thompson faces a litany of gun charges filed in Quincy District Court, including improper storage of a large capacity firearm and possession of a large capacity firearm. He is also charged with a single count of trafficking 36 grams or more of methamphetamine. During a search of Thompsons home, Milton Police found five assault-style rifles, five handguns, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, body armor, methamphetamine pills and tourniquets, The Boston Globe reported. Thompson has at least three more handguns listed in his name that were not found, the newspaper reported, citing a police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These firearms were strategically placed inside of the home, different vantage points, Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Mark Assad said during Thompsons arraignment Friday, according to The Boston Herald. When they would find a firearm, they would likely find a ballistic vest as well as a tourniquet in that area. Mr. Thompson appears to be preparing himself for some type of conflict, Assad said. Judge Francis Kenneally ordered Thompson held without bail until Dec. 19, determining he was too dangerous to be released on bail. Kenneally was called to Quincy from a different courthouse in the state because all the judges who typically serve there knew Thompson or his wifes families and had a conflict, the Globe reported. Thompsons father, Peter, is a prominent Braintree businessman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a hearing Friday, Peter Thompson said his son wasnt dangerous and needed to undergo treatment for mental health and addiction, the Globe reported. Josh Thompsons lawyer, Peter Pasciucco, said he had no history of violence. Hes the antithesis of a dangerous person, he said, according to the Herald. Hes a dedicated first responder. At no time in Mr. Thompsons life has he ever been alleged to have used a firearm improperly, discharged a firearm improperly, or threatened another individual with a firearm, the attorney is quoted as saying by the Herald. Thompsons wife took out a restraining order against him, which prompted the police activity. She accused him of blowing a leaf blower in her face and forcing her to flush her wedding ring down the toilet, according to the Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Thompson is escalating, Assad said, according to the newspaper. His pattern of behavior is becoming more unhinged and more dangerous as he goes the defendants behavior is becoming more erratic and more paranoid as the time continues. Thompsons case will next be heard at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 23. More News Read the original article on MassLive. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Bakersfield Police Department announced a community meeting in September to present its revised Use of Force Policy to the public. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Larry E. Reider Education Center, located at 2000 K Street, room 101, according to BPD. Attendees can learn about the newly revised policy through a presentation by the police department and discuss it during break-out sessions at the meeting, according to officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Use-of-force incidents slightly decreased last year as personnel complaints continue to increase: BPD We spent more than a year thoughtfully reviewing our Use of Force related policies in collaboration with community members ensuring they reflect not only national best practices, but also the values and priorities of the Bakersfield community, said Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Terry. In July, BPD revealed the number of use-of-force incidents by Bakersfield police officers decreased by 2% in 2024 compared to the previous year. All members of the public are welcome to attend. No registration is required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To view the revised Use of Force Policy, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. By Ricardo Brito, Luciana Magalhaes and Manuela Andreoni BRASILIA (Reuters) -As Brazil's Supreme Court prepares for closing arguments next week in the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot, the former army captain and his political coalition show signs of unraveling. Allies who have visited the far-right firebrand now under house arrest in a gated Brasilia community tell Reuters they saw Bolsonaro battling bouts of sadness, hiccup attacks and a fixation on the judge he blames for his troubles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The steadfast ally of U.S. President Donald Trump was hit with fresh turmoil this week when federal police released a cache of private messages portraying him as a hesitant leader, second-guessing himself and struggling to contain the infighting among his close allies. "Open your mouth!" evangelical preacher Silas Malafaia wrote to him, as he urged the former president to make political use of hefty tariffs Trump has imposed on Brazilian goods. "Leaders give direction to the people, people are led by others when leaders fall silent." The messages were released as part of an investigation into the former president and his son, lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is leading a campaign in Washington urging the Trump administration to intervene on behalf of his father. Last month, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods in an attempt to stop what he called a "witch hunt" against the former president. Trump also imposed sanctions on Alexandre de Moraes, the judge overseeing the case in which Bolsonaro is accused of plotting to overturn his defeat in the 2022 elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. pressure has done nothing to derail Bolsonaro's trial and appears to have even given his rival, leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a lift in the polls and a common foreign foe for his fragile governing coalition. As the Supreme Court trial of Bolsonaro wraps up, his conversations show a leader unsure of how to steer his own fate, let alone unite his fractured base ahead of next year's presidential elections. When Malafaia pushed Bolsonaro to record a video and translate it into English to catch Trump's attention, the former president complained he was too sick to respond. "I have a hiccup crisis," he wrote. "If it calms down here, I'll do it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recorded the video days later. In a statement, a lawyer for Malafaia said that his private messages were taken out of context and that they do not show any irregularity. Bolsonaro did not reply to a request for comment. 'THE PRESIDENT IS ANGUISHED' Bolsonaro has spent three weeks confined to his home in an upscale condominium in Brasilia, since Moraes ruled he had failed to comply with restraining orders meant to stop any interference with the trial. Bolsonaro has called those orders, including the seizure of his cellphone and imposition of an ankle monitor, acts of "cowardice" from Moraes, whom he describes as a "dictator." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I feel supreme humiliation," Bolsonaro told Reuters in an interview on the day the ankle monitor was attached. "I am 70 years old, I was president of the republic for four years." As his house arrest has dragged on, the former president's mood has soured despite the steady stream of visits from allies. "We notice the president is anguished. He is not that smiling Bolsonaro we know," said lawmaker Domingos Savio, who was at the former president's home last week. "The main aspect of this anguish is the feeling of injustice." Bolsonaro's thoughts return regularly to Moraes, whose name he repeats "all the time," lawmaker Luciano Zucco told Reuters as he stepped out of the former president's home last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evidence found by federal police on Bolsonaro's cellphone suggests he may not have complied fully with restraining orders issued by Moraes blocking him from using social media. He had shared messages in support of Trump's policies on Brazil over 6,000 times, the police found. A draft letter on his phone suggested he had considered fleeing to Argentina. "I find myself in a situation of political persecution in Brazil, fearing for my life," said the document addressed to Argentine President Javier Milei. It was last edited in 2024, police said. In a statement last week, Bolsonaro's lawyers said the former president had "never failed to comply with any previously imposed restraining orders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement INFIGHTING As Bolsonaro's challenges have grown, so has infighting among his allies, who are still unsure of who will represent the former president on the ballot next year, when he is banned from running. One camp, including Bolsonaro's family, has refused to consider a 2026 race without his name on the ballot. But others are pushing him to endorse an alternative such as Sao Paulo governor Tarcisio de Freitas, a former member of his cabinet whom Eduardo Bolsonaro has repeatedly attacked. The younger Bolsonaro warned his father in text messages that the governor's potential candidacy could undermine Trump's willingness to help the ex-president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Here in the U.S., we had to sidestep the idea planted by his allies that Tarcisio = Bolsonaro," the lawmaker wrote to his father. That would be "a clear message that the U.S. didn't need to get involved in this fight." When the former president played down a spat between the governor and his son, whom he called "not so mature," Eduardo Bolsonaro lashed out in vulgar chat messages, released this week by police, calling his father "ungrateful." Freitas and Eduardo Bolsonaro did not immediately reply to a request for comment. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito in Brasilia, Luciana Magalhaes and Manuela Andreoni in Sao Paulo; Writing by Manuela Andreoni; Editing by Brad Haynes and Rosalba O'Brien) HAIKOU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Bed-and-breakfasts are common on China's tropical resort island of Hainan. But one B&B floating on the sea is anything but ordinary. Just offshore from Xincun Town in Lingshui Li Autonomous County, visitors board ferry boats with captain Li Yingyi, who shuttles them to a floating village where wooden houses rest on the waves. Li, who began steering boats at the age of nine, now makes as many as 200 trips a day in peak season, carrying tourists eager to experience life on the water. He is one of the Tanka people, or boat dwellers, whose ancestors lived for centuries on sampans and made their living fishing in coastal waters. Many of the offshore homes now sit on floating rafts once used for aquaculture, where the Tanka community lived for generations. To build such a raft, thick, water-resistant planks are lashed together into a grid and fixed to foam buoys, secured with iron wire or thick nylon rope to form a stable base on the water. More than two decades ago, local fishermen began turning those rafts into restaurants and, more recently, into homestays. "We've taken idle rafts, reinforced them, and turned them into homestays that showcase the way of life of the Tanka people," said Feng Bing, manager of one floating B&B opened four years ago. "All 24 rooms are fully booked throughout the summer. You'd have to wait until late August to find a vacant room," Feng said, adding that reservations during peak season must be made two weeks in advance. Guests can forage for crabs and starfish at low tide, ride in glass-bottom boats to watch tropical fish, or try their hand at squid fishing. Since opening, Feng said, the homestay has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors. The venture has also created jobs. About 20 employees, most of them young Tanka people, earn between 3,000 and 5,000 yuan (between about 419 and 699 U.S. dollars) a month each person, with salaries rising to 6,000 yuan in peak season, according to Feng. Inside the homestay, a small, modest exhibition hall displays artifacts of the Tanka people's life, such as woodworking tools, shell spoons, ship logbooks, handmade wedding fans, and embroidered curtains. All of these items were collected by the local fish raft association. "These are all old stuff from the Tanka people, they are not valuable items, but we put them here to tell more about our history," said Feng. For visitors seeking a deeper dive into its history, the Hainan Tanka Museum, just 3 kilometers away from the homestay, provides a brand new option. Opened as the first of its kind in China in September 2023, the 20,000-square-meter museum houses about 360 exhibits, from maritime relics to traditional crafts. VR technology, LED screens, and digital sand tables offer an immersive look into the Tanka heritage. For Cai Yongchan, 24, a museum guide and Tanka descendant, the work holds special personal significance, as she returned home to work at the museum after graduating from university. "As a child, I only knew my grandparents lived by fishing. I didn't understand the details of their life at sea," Cai said. "Now, the more I learn about the Tanka history, the deeper my cultural identity grows." She said her goal is to connect young people with their roots. "As the Tanka people settled on land and integrated into onshore life, younger generations came to know less about their heritage," Cai said. "We want to bridge that gap and ensure our culture is more widely understood." She remembered the words of 80-year-old Huang Jimin, a longtime advocate for the Tanka culture: "I never hoped the Tanka culture could be fully inherited. I only hoped people would remember the Tanka people were once here." "That is his wish," Cai said, "and it has also become mine." Enditem (Lai Lishan, Wang Kexuan, Huang Qianya, Sun Yihan, Su Ling, Li Xinnan, Liu Chaoran, Yin Jiajun and Tian Mengyao also contributed to the story.) SAO PAULO (AP) Brazil's government said on Monday it will buy several domestic products hit by the 50% higher U.S. tariffs, such as acai, coconut water, mangoes and Brazilian nuts and that it will pay an adequate" price for them. Coffee and beef did not make the cut, though they are also affected by the measures imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has linked the tariffs on Brazil with the trial of his personal and political ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro. The development is the latest chapter in the tariff conflict between the Trump administration and Brazil. Most of the domestic products that the Brazilian government intends to buy, which also include honey and fish, will be used in state schools or in stock building nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brazil's Agrarian Development Minister Paulo Teixeira told reporters in Brasilia, the country's capital, that products like coffee and beef that didnt make the governments list are of interest to other markets and will presumably have other buyers. Teixeira, a close ally of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, added that Brazil's government can't pay the price paid by exporters, which are set in dollars, but will find an adequate one for all of these items. There's other markets interested in Brazilian coffee," he said. "It is the same thing with beef, there's other markets willing to buy it for it cheap and of the highest quality. The U.S. measures against Brazil have damaged one of the Western hemispheres most important and long-standing relationships. The Trump administration has also sanctioned the main judge of Brazil's top court as he prepares to sentence Bolsonaro in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has embraced a narrative pushed by Bolsonaro allies in the United States, that the former Brazilian presidents prosecution for attempting to overturn his 2022 election loss is part of what he called a witch hunt. Brazils government estimates that 35.9% of the countrys goods shipped to the American market have been affected. That is about 4% of Brazils total exports. Brazil's Lula has repeatedly said he wouldnt call Trump to talk about trade for he says the American leader has no interest in negotiating. Earlier this month, Brazil also unveiled a plan to support local companies affected by Trumps tariffs. Dubbed Sovereign Brazil, the plan provides for a credit lifeline of 30 billion reais ($5.5 billion), among other measures. ___ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america The American Trucking Association (ATA) is facing allegations of age and racial discrimination from three employees it fired in 2024. The three plaintiffs who are alleging age discriminationLorrie Grant, Daniel Ronan, and Joseph Terrywere all connected to ATAs Transport Topics magazine and related media offerings. Grant is also charging ATA with racial discrimination in the suit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ax fell on all three employees on March 22, 2024. According to the lawsuit filed Thursday, employees at Transport Topics were awaiting word that day on a new publisher and strategy for the media property. And while there were changes made, no new publisher was named and the three workers were let go prior to the meeting to announce a new management structure. On the day of the firings, Grant was 60 and had worked for ATA for 12 years. She was managing editor of Transport Topics. Ronan was 64 and had been at ATA for six years. His role was senior reporter and managing producer of multimedia. He was also a public voice for Transport Topics, with regular hosting of Transport Topics shows it produced in conjunction with SiriusXMs Road Dog Trucking among other ATA media products. Terry was 52 and like Grant had been with ATA for a dozen years. He was a senior designer with ATA with a high amount of work for Transport Topics and related media properties. Process began in 2023 The lawsuit spells out a history that began with the departure in October 2023 of Sue Hensley, who had been publisher of Transport Topics as well as senior vice president of communications & public affairs at ATA. (The suit later alleges that Hensley was terminated at the age of 52). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ATAs CFO Megan Massito was named interim publisher, according to the lawsuit. A search for a permanent publisher commenced with the ATA hiring Robert Lake to lead the search. He is described in the lawsuit as a talent acquisition consultant with Randall Reilly Talent, Inc. Randall Reilly publishes several magazines and other media products in competition with Transport Topics (and full disclosure, FreightWaves also). The lawsuit says the three employees who have brought suit against ATA were interviewed by Massito and Lake in December 2023. The issue of productivity was raised, according to the lawsuit, and one question was why didnt Ronan have more bylines. Grant pushed back against the allegation that Ronan was less productive, pointing out non-bylined work in other media offerings under the Transport Topics umbrella. But, the suit charges, age, not productivity, was at the heart of the push by Massito and Lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, neither Ms. Massito nor Mr. Lake had any idea what the older employees work actually contributed to ATA but they knew, of course, that Ms. Grant was 60, Mr. Ronan was 64 and Mr. Terry was 52 and that all three employees had no plans of retirement, the suit says. The two executives instead, the suit adds, determined that the best course of action was to fire all three. The suit charges that a script was written to deliver to the broader staff after the firings, which skewed younger than the dismissed employees. The tape was rolling One aspect of the meeting not known at the time by the presenters was that an employee on the call recorded it. That was the meeting where a new permanent publisher was to be announced. The three dismissed employees had previously been invited to individual meetings where they were given their walking papers, told they were the victims of budget cuts. (A 65-year-old employee, Peggy Smith, also was dismissed on March 22, 2023. She is not a plaintiff in the lawsuit). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, Massito was recorded on the Microsoft Teams meeting as saying that ATA was hiring and promoting younger talent for whom the ATA was providing a succession plan forward.' Additionally, she stated that the ATAs goal was to become more agile, strong and viableall obvious stereotypes of young people that excluded the four employees fired an hour prior, the suit says. A new publisher was not announced. Instead, Massito would remain as publisher and continue to be ATAs CFO. The lawsuit does not hold back in critiquing other parts of the ATA organization. The Transport Topics sales team (which did not experience layoffs), the suit said, had a long history of underperformance. ATA CEO Chris Spear, just before the layoffs, received a massive discretionary bonus: of almost $5 million, proving that the claim of cutting costs was mere pretext for firing the plaintiffs. The replacement for Grant, Joe Antoshak, is significantly less qualified than Grant for his role as editor of multiplatform, according to the suit. Other older employees identified The suit also lists eight other ATA employees dismissed in recent years, all but one of whom were let go by ATA in their sixties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three dismissed employees had an average of 60.25 years at the time of their dismissal, the suit says. The staff members who survived the purge had an average age of 49.6 years, it adds. Grants racial discrimination count in the lawsuit lists five other employees of color whom ATA had dismissed previously, though the lawsuit does not identify when they lost their jobs. At the time of her termination, Ms. Grant was the only Black woman on the Transport Topics senior leadership team, which is now devoid of racial diversity, the lawsuit says. The elimination of Ms. Grants job role was mere pretext for her termination given that all of her duties are still being completed by white employees, including a new hire. The suit says Grant and Ronan have not been able to find full time employment since their dismissals. Both have suffered serious and significant financial harm, the suit says. Terry has found other employment, the suit says, though it took many months. His new employer was not identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for ATA declined comment, citing ongoing litigation. The suit is asking damages in excess of $75,000, with no upper limit suggested. More articles by John Kingston NFI driver misclassification case in New Jersey could reach individual payouts of $50k New Jersey truckers awaitwith dreadpossible changes in states independent contractor law C.H. Robinson gets an upgrade at S&P Global, reduced headcount a key reason The post BREAKING: American Trucking Associations hit with allegations of employment and race discrimination appeared first on FreightWaves. The California Assembly Transportation Committee voted to advance Assembly Bill 435, which would require all children under age 10 and shorter kids under 13 to sit on a booster seat. Teens up to 16 years old would also be banned from the front seat altogether unless they meet the height requirements. Currently, children at least 8 years old or 4 feet, 9 inches tall do not have to use a booster. Illustration: Peter Bagge A Canadian man was sentenced to life in prison in Dubai for possession of cannabis and CBD products. Kevin O'Rourke was traveling to South Africa through Dubai International Airport when he was stopped and searched. Authorities found 118 grams of cannabis and CBD, which O'Rourke's wife says he uses to treat the chronic pain from Addison's disease, a rare and life-threatening condition. His life sentence was overturned in February, and he was allowed to return home after eight months in detention. Over 61 years, David O'Connor had driver's licenses in four states, including a commercial license for work as a truck driver. But when he went to get a REAL ID, Tennessee Driver Services Center officials not only refused to issue one but also revoked his driver's license, citing a state law prohibiting licenses for noncitizens. O'Connor, a Navy veteran, has been a citizen since birth, but he was born in Canada, where his parents temporarily lived at the time. When Tennessee officials saw his birth certificate, they assumed he was Canadian and refused to believe otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian aviation officials blocked a British Airways flight from leaving Milan for London after a surprise inspection found some seat cushions were too wide and thick. Cushions on exit rows are supposed to be smaller to create more room in case of an evacuation. To fix the problem, the air crew called out serial numbers for the correct seats and had passengers check their cushions to see if any matched those numbers. They were able to locate enough cushions to swap out for the exit rows, and the flight departed after a delay of an hour. From October through December 2024, South Fulton, Georgia, Mayor Khalid Kamau made $26,000 in unauthorized purchases on his city-issued credit card. That spending included more than $5,000 in plane tickets, including a 20-day trip to Ghana. Kamau defended the trip, saying it was part of his economic development plan for the city. Illustration: Peter Bagge Illustration: Peter Bagge A federal judge awarded $1.5 million to a family whose children were wrongly detained at the border in March 2019. The family lives in Mexico, but the children, who are U.S. citizens, attend school in the United States. When the children attempted to cross the border as they regularly do, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents detained them and interrogated onea then-9-year-old girlbecause they believed the picture on her passport was not of her. The judge ruled that CBP violated its own policy both by having a single agent interrogate her and by not recording it. In all, agents held the girl for 34 hours and only let the children go when their mother began giving interviews to the media. Lino Monteleone of Montreal received a $186 Canadian ($133 U.S.) parking ticket after a bus stop sign was installed overnight in front of his house, replacing a legal spot where his daughter's car was parked. On April 1, 2025, Monteleone's doorbell camera showed city workers setting up the sign just before 8 a.m. A parking agent issued a ticket just minutes later at 8:05 a.m. Montreal's public transport agency said the sign was added due to nearby construction and that it doesn't notify residents about new bus stops because there are 10,000 in the city. The post Brickbats: August/September 2025 appeared first on Reason.com. Nigel Farage is not the first politician to call for a British bill of rights. That failed ambition will always be associated with the name of Dominic Raab. The former justice secretary extolled its advantages in a book he wrote shortly before his election to parliament in 2010. He finally published his 44-page Bill of Rights Bill in June 2022, only to see it withdrawn 12 months later by the government in which he had until recently served as deputy prime minister. Raabs ill-fated bill, which was never debated in parliament, would have repealed and replaced the Human Rights Act 1998. Crucially, though, the United Kingdom would have remained a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. Under Raabs bill, the UK judges would themselves have decided how to interpret the convention rather than being required to take into account decisions of the human rights court in Strasbourg. By contrast, the Reform UK leader is said to be proposing that the UK should withdraw from the human rights convention, which is administered by the Council of Europe. The UK has been a member since the European body was founded 75 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because every state that joins the Council of Europe must agree to be bound by the human rights convention, its assumed that any country that denounces the convention would be required to leave the 46-nation body. Russia was expelled in 2023 after it invaded Ukraine and Belarus will not be allowed in while it retains the death penalty. It is, of course, possible to withdraw from the convention. Six months notice is required and states must comply until they leave. But since the whole point of the Human Rights Act was to allow people to enforce their human rights without applying to the Strasbourg court, the question Farage will now be asked is why the UK would need a British bill of rights once the road to Strasbourg has been blocked. The Human Rights Act has been in force for not quite 25 years. Didnt we manage perfectly well without it? The clue, it seems, is in the name. This will be a British bill of rights. Its provisions, we are told, will apply only to British citizens and lawful UK residents: no passport or ID card, no rights. This would be a remarkable change. Most rights and duties apply to everyone, regardless of nationality or residence. Visitors to Britain can speak freely. Tourists are not exempt from the criminal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farage is reported as saying that his legislation which wont even mention human rights would include the freedom to do everything, unless theres a law that says you cant. That is, of course, how the common law works at present. So if his bill is to have any purpose beyond confirming the rights to which people are already entitled, its effect will be to remove rights currently enjoyed by those who are neither citizens nor residents. Far from being a bill of rights, it would be a ragbag of restrictions. And how would these restrictions be applied by the courts? Judges will loyally interpret acts of parliament, which is what Farages bill would become. But if a prime minister tries to undermine fundamental principles such as the rule of law, the judiciary may act as a check. We saw that in 2019 when the Supreme Court prevented Boris Johnson from unlawfully proroguing parliament. And we heard something similar in 2005 from Lord Steyn, one of the UKs most senior judges at the time, who thought there might be constitutional fundamentals which even a sovereign parliament acting at the behest of a complaisant House of Commons cannot abolish. The human rights convention has been a convenient target for politicians seeking to restrict migration. But, as Farage accepts, it is not the only international agreement that makes it difficult for Britain to send back migrants. He wants to do something about those too. The United Nations refugee convention of 1951, extended in 1967, gives important rights to people who have a well-founded fear of persecution in their own countries. In particular, refugees must not be sent back to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1988, Britain ratified the United Nations convention against torture. States parties to the treaty must not expel, return or extradite anyone to a country where there are substantial grounds to believe the returned person would be in danger of being tortured. There are respectable arguments for saying that treaties such as these need to be revisited. European countries in general, and the UK in particular, cannot absorb the number of migrants who want to come. Nor should they. So the UK should use its influence in the UN and other international bodies to share the burden with other states. But adopting a policy of isolationism will make that objective very much harder to achieve. If 45 other Council of Europe members can put up with the human rights convention, how much respect will they show to the one country whose planned legislation dares not even speak its name? 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. Bryan Kohberger carried out several erratic internet searches after police announced they had identified a suspect's car in the Idaho murders. The unusual activity, uncovered during his murder trial, was confirmed by a forensic team that analyzed Kohberger's phone data. Digital forensic investigator Jared Barnhart, who reviewed the data, said Bryan Kohberger believed police were closing in on him once the vehicle was tied to the case. Police Identifying The Suspect's Car Was 'A Huge Stress Point' For Bryan Kohberger ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA On December 30, 2022, Kohberger was arrested in connection with the murders of four Idaho students, Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a day earlier, the convicted murderer had made a series of unusual online searches, which a digital expert now claims were prompted by police revealing that they had identified a vehicle potentially used in the murders, per the New York Post. "I think the vehicle was a huge stress point for him," said Jared Barnhart of Cellebrite, a digital forensic company that works with law enforcement. According to Barnhart, Kohberger quickly downloaded a PDF list of Hyundai Elantras from Washington State University, where he was studying at the time of the murders. The former PhD student also appeared interested in changing the appearance of his car as he spent some time searching for an auto detailing shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, his phone data indicated that he was even shopping online for a different car altogether. The Convicted Murderer Was Paranoid About Being Caught ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Speaking further about Kohberger's behavior, Barnhart suggested that the convicted murderer believed police were onto him, which explained his erratic online searches. "If you weren't the bad guy, you wouldn't care, but he was scrambling, and he thought the police were on him," said the digital forensic expert. "And they were. They were at that point." As part of his erratic searches, Kohberger also visited the Moscow Police Department website and checked the latest press release on the case, seemingly to gauge how close police were to catching the suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His paranoia about being caught was further reflected in his searches for terms such as "wiretap" and "psychopaths paranoid." "Literally the pressure of, 'Oh, look, they're really talking about my car,' causedwithin 15 minutes of behavior, him trying to clean it and get rid of it," Banhart added about Kohberger's behavior. "Just not normal." DNA Evidence At The Crime Scene Led To Bryan Kohberger's Arrest Ada County Sheriff's Office/MEGA Unfortunately for Kohberger, his worst fears came true, as just a day after making the searches, he was arrested at his parents' home. Interestingly, it wasn't Kohberger's vehicle that sealed his arrest but the Ka-Bar knife sheath found at the crime scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheath contained DNA evidence from the suspected killer and was determined to have originally held the yet-to-be-found weapon used in the fatal murders of the Idaho students. Through advanced forensic technology, police were able to link the DNA to Kohberger. The Idaho Killer Would Have Been Caught Even Without The DNA Discovery MEGA The sheath became a key piece of evidence in the case, which ultimately ended with the former PhD student agreeing to a plea deal of four consecutive life sentences for the killings. Despite the importance of the DNA discovery, detectives later noted that even without the sheath, Kohberger likely would have been caught. Their alternate plan, had the sheath not been recovered at the crime scene, was to track him down using leads tied to his vehicle. IDOC Plans To Limit Access To Bryan Kohberger's Records ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Following Kohberger's sentencing, he was moved to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, one of the prison facilities managed by the Idaho Department of Corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within a few weeks of his stay, Kohberger filed several complaints, including some that detailed rape threats from inmates in his block. These complaints have since gone viral, leading to multiple requests for Kohberger's public records by the media and the public. While IDOC has since guaranteed that Kohberger is safe within its facility, the agency recently declared its intention to intensely scrutinize requests for records of Kohberger and other inmates. "The Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) recently made available public records associated with complaints filed by Bryan Kohberger in response to public records requests submitted by members of the news media and the public," a rep told the New York Post. The rep continued, "IDOC seeks to clarify that additional scrutiny will be applied to future requests for public records concerning any individual in IDOC custody." Officials on Monday announced the arrest of a burglary crew believed to be responsible for nearly 100 break-ins across Los Angeles. A partnership between several regional law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police and Sheriffs departments, helped make the Aug. 20 arrests while serving search warrants at eight residences in Los Angeles, the LAPD stated in a news release. The suspects, known as the Rich Rollin Burglary Crew, were linked to at least 92 residential burglaries dating back to 2022, with the majority of incidents occurring between 2024 and 2025, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said during a morning news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The major break in the case came in February when three suspects were arrested following a burglary pursuit, McDonnell said. Officers recognized the van from previous break-ins and used information gathered from the arrest to identify other suspects. In April 2025, detectives served a search warrant at a Los Angeles residence, recovering rifles, handguns, ammunition, body armor, large-capacity magazines, jewelry, watches, stolen credit cards, fake IDs, and multiple license platesevidence directly tying the crew to organized burglary activity, the LAPD said in its news release. Ten suspects now in custody in connection with the burglary ring are all repeat offenders and confirmed gang members, police said. Devon Collier, 37, Tyrone Tisby, 47, Frank Tisby, 38, Jeremy Shepard, 38, Jermaine Kimbrough, 22, Michael Lewis, 20 and Marquell Lewis, 26, are all in custody from the Aug. 20 operation. They were booked on multiple charges, including burglary and possession of controlled substances while armed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forty-year-old Eric Cannon surrendered in response to an active warrant on Aug. 22, and two suspects, Anthony Leslie, 36, and Shawn Quinney, 36, were both already in custody on unrelated charges. Leslie and Quinney are both facing attempted murder charges. These arrests send a clear message: If you prey on our neighborhoods, we will find you and hold you accountable, McDonnell said. McDonnell noted that the crew is not connected to the recent Encino break-ins that have raised safety concerns among residents. While this crew may not be connected to Encino, weve made progress with other recent arrests and continue to dedicate significant resources to identifying and apprehending those responsible, McDonnell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas DeLuca were killed by an intruder during a break-in at their Encino home. American Idol Executive Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas DeLuca were killed in their Encino home by an intruder (Facebook/Robin Kaye) A man and woman were found in this Encino home with gunshot wounds to the head on July 14, 2025. Reports indicate the couple were American Idol executive Robin Kaye and her husband, Thomas Deluca. (KTLA) Police respond to a burglary call in Hollywood on July 23, 2025. (RMG News) A mother and her two children hid from suspects during a home invasion in Encino early Thursday morning. (RMG News) A mother and her two children hid from suspects during a home invasion in Encino early Thursday morning. (RMG News) Police investigate a home-invasion robbery in Encino on Aug. 28, 2023. (RMG News) Police investigate a home-invasion robbery in Encino on Aug. 28, 2023. (RMG News) Authorities investigate a home invasion in the Santa Clara Valley on May 30, 2019. (Credit: RMG News) Police investigate a home-invasion robbery in Simi Valley on Jan. 10, 2018. (Credit: RMG News) Police investigate a home invasion in Sun Valley on Oct. 20, 2017. (Credit: KTLA) Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department responded to the 2400 block of Pocatello Avenue in Rowland Heights on a call of a home invasion around 9 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025. (KNN) A three-man burglary crew seen on surveillance video breaking into an Encino property on July 21, 2025. (IG: edwinarroyaveofficial) Video posted to the Citizen app shows the moment police responded to a break-in in Encino on July 24, 2025. A three-man burglary crew seen on surveillance video breaking into an Encino property on July 21, 2025. (IG: edwinarroyaveofficial) A three-man burglary crew seen on surveillance video breaking into an Encino property on July 21, 2025. (IG: edwinarroyaveofficial) Officers were conducting a welfare check at the home when they found Kaye and DeLuca with gunshot wounds. A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in that case, but the break-ins continued, prompting a new, more aggressive strategy from law enforcement. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met recently with Valley homeowners to detail the LAPDs new approach to confronting the uptick in crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Bus drivers are threatening nationwide walkouts after disputes over pay and working conditions. Unite has said it would fight tooth and nail for improvements to the sector, and claimed that bus drivers were more likely to suffer mental and physical ill health than other professions as a result of stress. The profession is the latest to potentially join 7,500 members of Unite, one of Britains largest trade unions, in taking industrial action across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strikes have already been announced involving 2,000 members of the bus company London United, 550 First Bus workers in Bristol, 450 drivers represented by Cardiff Bus and 70 Go South West workers in Swindon. Further walk-outs could affect areas including Birkenhead, Chorley, Manchester, Newcastle, Preston and Stoke. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: Bus employers everywhere need to get the message loud and clear: driver pay simply does not reflect the stresses and strains of the job. Fatigue, a lack of toilets, abuse and even assaults are a daily occurrence. Unite will fight tooth and nail for bus workers until wages and conditions improve across the sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union has also said that strikes in Cardiff and Newcastle, involving 600 bus workers, would go ahead if companies rejected the deals offered on the ballot. It is campaigning for bus drivers to have more rest breaks, improved toilet facilities and better shift patterns to reduce fatigue. Unite claimed that bus drivers were more likely to suffer physical and mental ill health than other professions, and previously reported that abuse against staff was increasing. It comes as Britain faces an autumn of discontent with strikes set to disrupt crucial services across the country. The RMT union has announced there will be a week of strikes on the capitals Tube network at the start of September, just as schools return and passenger numbers are expected to rise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The walkouts will take place for a week starting from Sept 5, and will include signallers, engineers and service control personnel. The strikes look set to be followed by months of walkouts across the public sector, including by healthcare workers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEED TO KNOW A school bus monitor in New Orleans ended up in the hospital after an altercation with a student and her mother on a bus Tamika Jackson went to the emergency room after the incident with multiple injuries, including bite marks and scratches They bit her in her face, on her lips, on her thumbs," Tamika's husband alleged of the incident A fight on a school bus in New Orleans landed a monitor in the hospital. An altercation between a bus monitor, a student and the students mother allegedly happened on an Orleans Parish school bus on Thursday, Aug. 21, according to WVUE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bus monitor, identified as Tamika Jackson, went to the emergency room after the incident with multiple injuries, including bite marks and scratches, the outlet reported. The student involved in the alleged incident attends McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School, a local charter school governed by InspireNOLA Charter Schools. Tamikas husband, Johnny Jackson, detailed her injuries to WVUE, claiming, "They pulled her hair out. They bit her in her face, on her lips, on her thumbs, [and] scratched [her] face. She has a large gash running across her face." PEOPLE reached out to McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School and the New Orleans Police Department for more information on Sunday, Aug. 24, but did not receive an immediate response. Google Maps McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School in New Orleans McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School in New Orleans In a statement to PEOPLE, InspireNOLA said it is "actively investigating" the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement InspireNOLA Charter Schools is aware of an unfortunate incident that took place Thursday afternoon on a school bus transporting students," the statement said. "We are actively investigating the matter in collaboration with the school bus company and local authorities. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain a top priority. According to Tamika's husband, the altercation occurred because his wife told the student she couldnt sit in the last two rows of the bus. The student then called her mother, who boarded the bus during a stop later in the route. Tamika suspected that the students "may be doing some lewd acts toward the back of the bus," which is why she told the student she couldnt sit in her desired seat, Johnny explained to WVUE. When detailing the fight, the husband said the student's mother "just reaches out and hits [Tamika] in the face, and then the assault occurs, so now the daughter joins the fray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video of the incident obtained by WVUE shows the bus monitor being hit and tackled by the student and the parent on a nearly-empty bus. Another adult appeared to be on the bus, although they kept their distance from the fight. As the altercation continued, the bus monitor could be seen being hit repeatedly in the head by a woman. WVUE obtained photos of Tamika after the incident, one of which shows her with cuts on her lip and face. A second photo shows a bald spot on her head, seemingly from where her hair was pulled. "Whats happening with our youth? How disrespectful our youth have become, and rebellious," Johnny said of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnny told WVUE that the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) issued his wife a municipal court summons in relation to the incident. He claimed the officers who responded to the altercation, as well as the police captain, told him that "until they get video footage, they have to treat this as a routine fight, which is insane knowing that my wife is at work." The police department, which did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment, said there are no reports in their system related to the incident, per WVUE. Read the original article on People (SOUTHERN COLORADO) FOX21 News is teaming up with the Colorado Business Forum and Digest to bring you the latest and most relevant business news impacting life in Southern Colorado. Dirk Hobbs, Founder and Executive Publisher with the Colorado Media Group, joined FOX21 News to discuss the impacts of the popular and delicious Pueblo Chiles both in and outside of local business markets as a cultural and economic symbol of Southern Colorado. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. ISLAMABAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Five terrorists and a passerby were killed and eight policemen injured in a joint operation by police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the CTD said in a statement. The intelligence-based operation was launched in Upper Dir District of the province on Sunday, and the heavy exchange of fire continued until the wee hours of Monday morning, the statement said. The injured policemen were shifted to a nearby hospital, and their condition is stable, the statement added. Police said the slain terrorists were linked to an earlier attack on police, which killed three policemen and injured six others. Authorities recovered four bodies of the militants, while clearance operations were still underway in the area. A notice from the Butte-Silver Bow government warning residents not to drink the water after an Aug. 13 cross contamination of mine water. (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan) Earlier this month, mining company Montana Resources discovered that a fire hydrant hooked up to the City of Buttes water supply was cross-contaminating the municipal water with mine water, which has high levels of calcium and sulfates, which can cause laxative effects in humans. Calcium can lead to scale and build-up in water lines and appliances. Now, a group of Butte residents have filed a class-action lawsuit against the mining company in Butte-Silver Bow District Court, asking for damage claims, as well as a punitive judgment against Montana Resources. Montana Resources is owned by Dennis Washington and is part of the Washington Companies. Washington is often listed as the most wealthy person in Montana, with an estimated $7.8 billion in assets, according to Forbes magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montana Resources operates the open-pit Continental Mine, near the Continental Divide. Since its opening in 1985, the mine has produced more than 2.5 billion pounds of copper and more than 300 million pounds of molybdenum. It has approximately 32 years of production remaining, according to its website. On Aug. 13, the mining company reported the cross-contamination. It discovered a cross-connection between the processed water they use for milling and mining and the municipal water supply. The cross-connection was the result of an over pressurization event, which allowed contaminants to be flushed from the defendants mine into the potable water system of Butte-Silver Bow, court documents said. At 4 p.m., Aug. 13, the Butte-Silver Bow authorities, along with the Department of Environmental Quality, issued a warning to Butte residents not to consume tap water. According to court documents, this contaminants could contain total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria and other chemicals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The potential class-action lawsuit is not only concerned about the health affects and costs, including providing bottled water, but also the damage done to residences through the scale and chemicals that can build up in water lines or interfere with appliances. The plaintiffs and class members were damaged because Montana Resources actions and inactions resulted in the likely contamination of the Butte-silver Bow municipal water supply, and distribution of water that was not, and still is not, assuredly safe in quality for domestic consumption, the lawsuit said. Montana Resources was contacted by the Daily Montanan on Friday. By publication on Monday, the company had not responded. Plaintiffs and class members have also expended time and money to respond to the water contaminated by Montana Resources not being assuredly safe, including incurring out-of-pocket costs for bottled water, among other things, the court documents said. If ordinary care was used, contaminated water would not have been discharged into plaintiffs and class members water, posing a risk of harm to their health. It will be up to District Court Judge Frank Joseph to determine whether the lawsuit meets the standards for a class-action suit. The plaintiffs are being represented by attorney Raph Graybill. (FOX40.COM) California Attorney General Rob Bonta met with local law enforcement, business leaders, utilities, and state and local officials to continue the conversation on combating copper wire theft. Video above: Yuba County officials report increase in copper wire theft Bonta said California has seen an increase in copper wire thefts throughout the state, which have left neighborhoods in the dark, resulting in telecommunication and utility outages. This results in impacted business and agricultural operations, threatening public safety. Thieves who seek to profit from stolen copper wire arent just committing a crime; too often they are damaging critical infrastructure and endangering our communities, said Bonta. While the value of copper remains high, we can expect copper wire will continue to be a target of theft and vandalism, which is why we are bringing together Northern California leaders today to discuss collaborative solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people commit copper theft and vandalism, it causes disruptions to the 911 emergency system and to law enforcement operations, power outages, backups and safety hazards on public transit, freeways, bridges and airports, Bonta stated. Sky River Casino launches new Chief Inferno slot game From law enforcement to state and local government, the telecommunications industry to the business community, and more: we all have a role to play in preventing copper theft, safeguarding our infrastructure, and protecting Californians. DOJ stands ready to support local law enforcement and work together to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes, Bonta said. Between June and December 2024, the telecom industry alone reported over 6,000 incidents of copper theft and infrastructure vandalism nationwide, according to Bonta. People steal encased copper cables and cut them into short lengths before they burn them to remove the sheathing to reveal the raw copper inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over one-third of those thefts happen in California, Bonta said. The California Department of Justice stated that copper is then sold to scrap metal dealers, some of whom, over time, are willing to accept the valuable commodity purposely without knowing its origin. From public safety to health care, energy, transportation, financial systems, IT, education, and more, life today can hardly function without the infrastructure behind communications systems, officials said in a press release. The California DOJ said if you notice any suspicious activity to let the local law enforcement know as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. The two largest U.S. states have launched a congressional mid-decade redistricting war, and several other states are joining the fray ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, which Democrats hope will mark the end of Republicans control of the federal government. Both Republicans and Democrats have in the past utilized redistrictingor the redrawing of congressional district borders following the population census every 10 yearsfor political gain. But in July, amid pressure from President Donald Trump, a rare mid-decade redistricting effort emerged in Texas, in an apparent attempt to maintain Republicans razor-thin majority in Congress. Read More: The Dangers of Americas Gerrymandering ProblemAnd How to Fix It Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite attempts by Texas Democratic lawmakers to stall the redistricting plan pushed by state Republicans, the Texan legislature passed a bill that could result in up to five seats changing from blue to red. Gov. Greg Abbott said he would sign it into law swiftly. Texas redistricting is only one piece in the Presidents vision that he unveiled on Truth Social on Aug. 20: to create a Republican congressional supermajority. Trump said that Florida, Indiana, and others are looking to do the same, and that if they succeed as well as end the practice of mail-in voting, Republicans could pick up 100 more seats, and the CROOKED game of politics is over. In addition to five seats in Texas, redistricting in other states may yield up to seven more flipped seats in Congress for Republicans. Democrats have, in response, launched their own redistricting campaigns. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California has led an Election Rigging Response campaign that seeks to redistrict the Golden State and neutralize the efforts in Texas by flipping five districts from red to blue. And California isnt alone; other blue states, such as Illinois, Maryland, and New York, have also expressed a desire to fight back against Republican redistricting with their own redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D, N.Y.) told CNNs State of the Union Sunday that there was a plan to respond as appropriately in New York and in other parts of the country as the circumstances dictate. Right now, this has happened in TexasCalifornia has responded, Jeffries said. Lets see what comes next. But it would be an uphill battle for Democrats to fight Republican-led redistricting. Many Democratic strongholds, such as California, give the power to redraw maps to independent commissions instead of the state legislature to try to eliminate politically biased gerrymandering. Today, the gerrymandering efforts by both parties are also not universally welcomed. Rep. Mike Lawler (R, N.Y.) suggested to CBS News that such mid-decade map redrawing should be banned, even when the President approves of it. I think gerrymandering is fundamentally wrong, Lawler said. It is at the heart of why Congress has been broken for so many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawler said he plans to introduce a bill to Congress to end gerrymandering, as well as a slew of other congressional reforms. But he knows his legislation is unlikely to pass. Theres going to be strong headwinds from both parties, Lawler said, because frankly, I dont think both parties are interested in reforming the way Congress functions." Here are the following states after California and Texas to watch for redistricting battles. Democrats Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois told late-night host Stephen Colbert earlier this month that a similar effort to what Californias Newsom spearheaded is possible in his state. Pritzker even echoed Newsoms threats to Trump: Weve got to fight fire with fire. Illinois redrew its congressional maps back in 2021 and currently has a congressional delegation that is 14-3 Democratic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are doubts, however, whether Pritzker could successfully lead a redistricting effort. Republican Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie told local news outlet WBEZ Chicago that she doesnt think Pritzker has enough political clout to railroad a redistricting plan. A spokesperson for Democratic Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch also told WBEZ that redistricting is currently not on the state legislatures agenda, saying they have no[t] had any new conversations about new congressional maps in the House. A new redistricting effort would also find it challenging to yield more Democratic seats. Two of the three Republican districts in Illinois voted for Trump by more than 40 percentage points in the November election, per the St. Louis Public Radio. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore reiterated to CBS on Sunday that all options are on the table when it comes to fighting Republican gerrymandering efforts. I want to make sure that we have fair lines and fair seats, where we dont have situations where politicians are choosing voters, but that voters actually have a chance to choose their elected officials, he said. We need to be able to have fair maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only one of Marylands eight U.S. congressional seats is held by a RepublicanRep. Andy Harris who was elected to represent the states first district. But Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon introduced a bill that would force Maryland to redraw its lines if another state proposed a new map mid-decade. An 8-0 Democratic map in the state, however, could face legal challenges. In 2022, a state court struck down a Democratic congressional map drawn in 2021 that would have had the same effect, ruling that it was an illegal partisan gerrymander and ordering the state legislature to redraw the lines for the 2022 election. The limitation of the undue extension of power by any branch of government must be exercised to ensure that the will of the people is heard, no matter under which political placard those governing reside, the ruling said. New York If Republicans are willing to rewrite these rules to give themselves an advantage, then theyre leaving us no choice; we must do the same, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Aug. 4, as she stood with Texas state lawmakers who fled the state to delay Republican redistricting plans. Hochul said she wants to abolish her states Independent Redistricting Commission, which was established in 2014 and is tasked with drawing districts for the U.S. House as well as the state legislature. Hochul said she would return the power to redraw to Democrats in the state legislature, adding that this would be necessary because the playing field has changed dramatically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York currently has a U.S. congressional delegation of 19-7 in favor of Democrats. Any redistricting in New York would require a constitutional amendment. Though New Yorks constitution has assigned the commission to redraw maps, the commission itself faced a deadlock in 2022, and a court-appointed special master had to intervene and draw the congressional and state Senate maps for New York. Those maps were set to remain in place until at least 2031. State senator Michael Gianaris introduced a resolution hoping to amend the New York Constitution to allow for earlier redistricting, though such an effort can only be put to voters as early as 2027. Republicans Florida Floridas current map already gives Republicans a clear advantage, with a 20-8 congressional delegation. But Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a news conference in Melbourne, Fla., on Aug. 11 that the state is open to mid-decade redistricting after the President pushed for a new mid-decade census that would remove undocumented migrants from the total population figures that determine congressional apportionment. DeSantis said the latest census and subsequent redistricting could deliver Florida at least three new seats: We have 28 now, we might have 29, 30, 31, maybe. Who knows? So obviously you would have to redraw the lines then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis added that even if they dont do a new census, even if they dont revise the current census, I do think that it is appropriate to redistrict because some of the districts are malapportioned due to the states explosive population growth. Theres also a clearer opportunity for Florida to start redistricting, after the states Supreme Courtpacked with DeSantis appointeeslast month upheld a map DeSantis pushed in 2022 that eliminated a majority-Black district and instead divided the area among three Republican-held districts. Republican State House Speaker Daniel Perez announced a new congressional redistricting committee after the ruling was issued. It is important to acknowledge that while this may be an opportunity, it is not an expected one, and we do not have the capacity to engage in the full redistricting process experienced during the 2020-2022 term. Thus, we will focus our inquiry on the Congressional map, which was the subject of the recent Florida Supreme Court case, and any relevant legal questions, Perez wrote in a memo. Indiana The Trump Administration exerted pressure on Indiana to turn its 7-2 Republican-majority congressional delegation into a 9-0 one, with Vice President J.D. Vance flying to the state to convey the Presidents prerogative to state leaders and lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But GOP lawmakers reportedly remain divided on whether to proceed with the redistricting. Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who still exerts some influence in the states conservative circles, told CNN that while redistricting could be appropriate in some places, he doesnt see Indiana as one of those places. I think we have pretty fairly drawn lines now, and I dont see any good reason that they should be tampered with out of cycle. The New York Times reported that at least 10 Republican state legislators have shown some defiance against Trumps push. If we do that now, the rulebook gets tossed out the window, state representative Jim Lucas said. State senator Jim Tomes reportedly said of the current maps: In my opinion, its pretty doggone good and they should leave it alone. Other Indiana Republicans, however, have come out in support of the redistricting push. U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz posted on social media that she fully supports mid-cycle redistricting. State senator Gary Byrne told local paper Southern News and Tribune that he believes redistricting is a constitutional way for statehouses to control whats going on in D.C. and that he would personally support a new congressional map that would allow Republicans to gain a seat or two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Braun told Indianas Capital Chronicle that he has not decided yet on whether hell call a special session to redraw Indianas map, but he said that he and fellow GOP state lawmakers are considering it seriously. Missouri On Aug. 21, Trump posted on Truth Social: The Great State of Missouri is now IN. Im not surprised. It is a great State with fabulous people. I won it, all 3 times, in a landslide. Were going to win the Midterms in Missouri again, bigger and better than ever before! Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, however, has not committed to any redistricting plans. Kehoes spokesperson Gabby Picard said in a statement that Kehoe continues to have conversations with House and Senate leadership to assess options for a special session that would allow the General Assembly to provide congressional districts that best represent Missourians. Missouri currently has eight U.S. congressional seats, six of which are Republican-held. The current congressional map was approved in 2022, and the Missouri Independent reports that Democrats will fight any efforts to redraw the map. Ohio Ohio, which has a congressional delegation of 10-5 leaning Republican, is the only state actually due for a redistricting before 2026. Redistricting laws in the state say that any map that the General Assembly draws that fails to get the support of at least half of the members of both parties will lead to the activation of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. If the commission also fails to get bipartisan agreement on the map, or if the legislature passes a map via a simple majority, that map will only be enforced for four years instead of 10. In 2021, the General Assembly passed a congressional map without adequate Democratic support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The General Assembly now needs to approvewith at least 60% of the legislature, per the Ohio Constitutiona redistricting plan by the end of September this year. Republicans have a clear advantagewith a supermajority in the state legislature, a majority of the seats in the Ohio Redistricting Commission, and almost all of the seats in the Ohio State Supreme Courtand could flip two to three seats. Contact us at letters@time.com. PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) Cambodian lawmakers on Monday approved a bill giving the government power to revoke the citizenship of anyone found guilty of conspiring with foreign nations to harm the national interest. The amendment to the Nationality Law, which was approved by all 120 members of the National Assembly who were present, is viewed by critics as a way to suppress internal dissent and control political opponents of Prime Minister Hun Manet and the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party. Ahead of the vote on Sunday, 50 Cambodian non-governmental organizations issued a statement saying they were deeply worried by the bill's vaguely written contents allowing the the government to strip Cambodians of their citizenship. They claim it will have a disastrously chilling effect on the freedom of speech of all Cambodian citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this new amendment to the Nationality Law, all Cambodians risk losing our identities over our activism. If we are stripped of citizenship, we will lose the foundation for every right we have in our home country, the statement said. Before becoming law, the bill must be approved by Cambodias Senate and head of state, King Norodom Sihamoni, which are normally pro forma actions. Although Cambodia is formally an electoral democracy, Hun Manets Cambodian Peoples Party holds 120 of the 125 seats in the National Assembly and controls all the levers of government. The passage of the legislation comes during a period of heightened nationalism among Cambodians following a border dispute with neighboring Thailand that broke into a five-day armed conflict in late July ending only when a shaky ceasefire was reached. Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Sokha told the lawmakers that the update to the law is vital to boost the patriotic feelings of Cambodians while their country is facing what he characterized as an invasion by neighboring Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He suggested a small group of Cambodians were commenting and acting in a manner harmful to the countrys interests and national security. Appealing to nationalist sentiment, he said people who directly or indirectly harm the interests of the nation and its people "should no longer be qualified as Cambodian citizens. The law would apply to lifelong Cambodian citizens, people with dual citizenship in Cambodia and another nation and people from other countries who have been granted Cambodian citizenship. Some prominent government critics and opposition politicians are known to have dual citizenship. Hun Manet and his father Hun Sen, who stepped down as prime minister in 2023 after 38 years in power, have been proactive in throttling opposition, often through lawsuits in the courts, which are widely seen as being under the ruling party's influence. The country's main opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was dissolved by a court order in 2017 after Hun Sen's government accused it of seeking to topple it with the aid of foreign powers. The party's then-leader, Kem Sokha, was arrested and later convicted of treason after specifically being accused of conspiring with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many countries have laws allowing citizenship to be revoked, but often on narrowly defined grounds. Speaking to villagers and government officials in July in northern Kampong Thom province, Hun Manet claimed that among nearly 200 United Nations member states, 150 countries have laws allowing citizenship revocation, including the United States. Please dont be concerned if you are a patriot and do not oppose the interest of country. But if you have conspired with foreign powers to destroy Cambodia then, yes, it is true you should be worried, and in such case you are not a Cambodian. Hun Manet said. No true patriot would ever plot with foreign powers to destroy their nation. ___ Grant Peck contributed from Bangkok, Thailand. OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada condemned an Israeli strike on a Gaza hospital on Monday that killed at least 20 people, including five journalists, and said Israel had an obligation to protect civilians in the combat zone. "Canada is horrified by the Israeli military strike at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed five journalists and many civilians, including rescuers and health officials. Such attacks are unacceptable," the foreign ministry said in a statement. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Chris Reese) Aug. 24 (UPI) -- On the day celebrating Ukraine's independence, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada made a surprise visit to Ukraine where Ottawa and Kyiv entered several agreements centered on defending the besieged European nation from Russia. Carney made the official visit to Ukraine at President Volodymyr Zelensky's invitation, reaffirming their strong and enduring partnership, a joint communique read. The visit occurred on the 34th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine's independence. Canada was the first Western country that recognized its independence and sovereignty in 1991. During a joint press conference in Kyiv with Zelensky, the Canadian leader said when Ottawa made that decision to recognize an independent Ukraine more than three decades ago, it was choosing between clinging to the past in the name of stability and "to recognize Ukrainian independence in the name of freedom, fairness and democracy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd underscore the world faces a similar choice today," he said. "At this hinge moment in history, Ukraine is, once again, at the frontline of the struggle for democracy and freedom," he continued. "This is a critical moment where allies must step up and lead, and Canada is answering that call. Canada is, has and always will be a steadfast ally in Ukraine's relentless pursuit of freedom." He reiterated the widely held belief of Western leaders that an investment in Ukraine's defense is an investment in their own, reaffirming Canada's commitment to Ukraine. A very meaningful meeting with Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. I am grateful that this visit is taking place today, on such an important day for Ukrainians - Independence Day. This is highly symbolic, as Canada was among the first to recognize the restoration of Ukraine's... pic.twitter.com/BY6oA9IZkH Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 24, 2025 Four documents were signed between the two governments on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney and Zelensky signed a security cooperation action plan, which covers implementing mechanisms for cooperating in military training, defense capabilities development, intelligence sharing and more. It specifically sets out steps for the implementation of an agreement signed between the two in February. A letter of joint defense production intent was signed by the countries' defense chiefs to co-produce defense materials in both Canada and Ukraine. A mutual administrative assistance in customs matters agreement was also signed, along with the joint communique, which states Ottawa and Kyiv agree to initiate annual foreign affairs and defense ministries consultations among other actions. A statement from Canada's prime minister's office states that among funding allocated Sunday includes more than $600 million to buy armored vehicles medical supplies and other "critical equipment" for Ukraine; $500 million to buy military equipment sourced from the United States through NATO, about $160 million for drone, counter-drone and electronic warfare capabilities; $120 million to support Canada's work in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and $72 million to source ammunition and explosives through a Czech initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney also announced $22.4 million for humanitarian assistance and investments in Ukraine's democracy. The amount equals the roughly $1.4 billion in aid that Canada pledge for Ukraine in February. The visit occurs as the United States under President Donald Trump is pushing to secure a halt in the fighting in the nearly 3 1/2-year war if not a full peace agreement. Zelensky has been seeking to confirm security guarantees from allies, and said during a press conference that followed a meeting between the two leaders that it is important to Ukraine that Canada participate at the same level as European countries, seeking assurances that Carney will deploy troops on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are counting on the presence of Canadian forces in Ukraine," Zelensky said. "This is important for us." Carney said that the frontlines will be a "robust" Ukrainian military, and that they are working with ally nations through "the modalities of those security guarantees, on land, in the air and the sea, and I would not exclude the presence of troops." Ukraine officially declared independence from the former Soviet Union on Aug. 24, 1991. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Ukraine on Sunday and left the door open to the possibility of sending ground troops to support Ukrainian defenses against Russia. Carney joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a news conference on Sunday, marking the 34th anniversary of Ukrainian independence. He reiterated Canadas unwavering support for the country and announced the allocation of $2 billion in military assistance originally announced at the Group of Seven summit in June. We are working through, with our allies and coalition of the willing and with Ukraine, the modalities of those security guarantees, on land, in the air and the sea, and I would not exclude the presence of troops, Carney said at a news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A local outlet reported that Carney did not make clear whether he would consider troops in a training capacity or as part of a peacekeeping force. In Canadas judgment, it is not realistic that the only security guarantee could be the strength of the Ukrainian armed forces, in the medium term. So that needs to be buttressed. It needs to be reinforced, Carney added at the news conference. Carney announced $2 billion in Canadian dollars or $1.5 billion in U.S. dollars in military assistance to Ukraine, including $680 million or $500 million in U.S. dollars for munitions and military equipment for Ukraine sourced from America as part of NATOs Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. Ukraine is on the frontline in the struggle for freedom and sovereignty. After three years at war, Ukrainians urgently need more military equipment. Canada is answering that call, providing $2 billion for drones, armoured vehicles, and other critical resources, Carney said in a post on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaders from Canada and Ukraine also signed a joint defense production agreement on Sunday, which is aimed at deepening bilateral defence-industrial cooperation, expanding and creating new production capacities in Ukraine and Canada, and enhancing resilience and continuity in the supply of defence products, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said in a post on X. Todays arrangements will not only simplify the establishment of Ukrainian companies in Canada and facilitate technology exchange, but also help provide #AFU with modern weapons & military equipment in the long term, Shmyhal continued. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Canadas readiness to join the PURL program and for signing the important documents and clear agreements. A very meaningful meeting with Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. I am grateful that this visit is taking place today, on such an important day for Ukrainians Independence Day. This is highly symbolic, as Canada was among the first to recognize the restoration of Ukraines independence to recognize our sovereign state, the Ukrainian leader wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Zheng Xincong addresses the opening ceremony of the Exhibition Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Macao, south China, Aug. 25, 2025. The exhibition opened on Monday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), with around 280 government officials and representatives from various sectors of society attending. The exhibition, themed "For National Liberation and World Peace," will run until Sept. 24 at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in the Macao SAR. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) MACAO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Exhibition Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened on Monday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), with around 280 government officials and representatives from various sectors of society attending. The exhibition, themed "For National Liberation and World Peace," will run until Sept. 24 at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in the Macao SAR. In his address, Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Sam Hou Fai noted that "one country, two systems" in Macao has entered a new stage of development. He said the 80th anniversary commemoration provides an opportunity to promote the national spirit with patriotism at its core. A series of activities will be held to engage Macao residents, especially the younger generation, in recalling the nation's hardships and glory, honoring the sacrifices of predecessors, and transforming historical memory into a source of strength, he added. Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao SAR Zheng Xincong looked back at the war of resistance, expressed the hope that sectors of Macao society carry forward the great spirit of resistance, make better use of the advantages of "one country, two systems," and safeguard national security and Macao's stability. Zheng also encouraged Macao's youth to uphold patriotic ideals, shoulder the responsibility of national rejuvenation, and become builders and successors of "one country, two systems" for a stronger motherland and a better Macao. Through a wealth of historical photographs and video materials, the exhibition highlights the arduous 14-year resistance of the Chinese people from 1931 to 1945, conveying the message of "remembering history, honoring martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating the future." Two local students (1st L and 2nd L) visit the Exhibition Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Macao, south China, Aug. 25, 2025. The exhibition opened on Monday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), with around 280 government officials and representatives from various sectors of society attending. The exhibition, themed "For National Liberation and World Peace," will run until Sept. 24 at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in the Macao SAR. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Guests attend the opening ceremony of the Exhibition Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Macao, south China, Aug. 25, 2025. The exhibition opened on Monday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), with around 280 government officials and representatives from various sectors of society attending. The exhibition, themed "For National Liberation and World Peace," will run until Sept. 24 at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in the Macao SAR. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) The opening ceremony of the Exhibition Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War is held in Macao, south China, on Aug. 25, 2025. The exhibition opened on Monday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), with around 280 government officials and representatives from various sectors of society attending. The exhibition, themed "For National Liberation and World Peace," will run until Sept. 24 at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in the Macao SAR. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Sam Hou Fai addresses the opening ceremony of the Exhibition Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War in Macao, south China, Aug. 25, 2025. The exhibition opened on Monday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), with around 280 government officials and representatives from various sectors of society attending. The exhibition, themed "For National Liberation and World Peace," will run until Sept. 24 at the China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform Complex in the Macao SAR. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) For more than four decades, Ismael El Mayo Zambada ruled from the shadows. While other top Mexican drug traffickers were killed or extradited to the United States, Zambada remained comfortably ensconced atop his empire, exporting cocaine, meth, heroin and fentanyl around the globe from his stronghold in the state of Sinaloa. Long after the downfall of his Sinaloa cartel partner, Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, Zambada continued to operate with impunity, always a step ahead of the law until eventually it caught up to him too. Now the question is whether hell take others down with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before a federal judge in a Brooklyn courtroom on Monday, Zambada, 75, pleaded guilty to an array of charges for leading a continuing criminal enterprise from the late 1980s until his arrest last year. He admitted to money laundering, racketeering and smuggling massive quantities of drugs. In a courtroom packed with journalists and U.S. law enforcement officials who spent years hunting him, Zambada appeared dressed in blue-and-orange jail scrubs, with silver hair slicked back and a neatly trimmed beard. Asked by U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan whether he understood the implication of his guilty plea which carries a mandatory life sentence with no chance for parole Zambada addressed the court, reading prepared remarks in Spanish. He said that he quit school after the sixth grade and got his start selling marijuana at age 19 in Sinaloa. He graduated to cocaine, trafficking an estimated 1.5 million kilos over the years, "most of which went to the U.S." The organization I led promoted corruption in my home country by paying police, military commanders and politicians that would allow us to operate freely. Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described himself as the creator of the Sinaloa cartel, which involved a network of Colombian cocaine traffickers, logistics coordinators, wholesale distributors across the U.S., and "a large number of armed men in charge of security" in Mexico. He admitted ordering gunmen to kill rivals and acknowledged that "many innocent people also died." But Zambada's remark that hung in the air in the courtroom had to do with the Mexican officials he paid off over the decades. "The organization I led promoted corruption in my home country by paying police, military commanders and politicians that would allow us to operate freely," he said. "It goes back to the very beginning when I was a young man starting out, and it continued for all those years." Zambadas stunning downfall began last July when he arrived on a private jet at a small airport near El Paso. In the immediate aftermath, rumors swirled that Zambada may have orchestrated his surrender in order to undergo medical treatment or reunite with his brother and several sons who are believed to be living under witness protection after pleading guilty and cooperating with U.S. authorities to resolve their own criminal cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambada, however, has vehemently denied that his arrival in the U.S. was prearranged. A few weeks after he was taken into custody, he alleged he was set up and kidnapped by one of El Chapos sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, a leader of the cartel faction known as Los Chapitos. Zambada claimed in a letter released by his lawyer that he was lured to what he thought would be a meeting between Sinaloas governor and another prominent politician, only to be ambushed, zip-tied, forced onto the plane by Guzman Lopez and delivered to U.S. authorities. Guzman Lopez, 39, is facing his own federal case in Chicago, where he has pleaded not guilty to drug and conspiracy charges. His younger brother, Ovidio Guzman, recently pleaded guilty to similar charges, with court filings revealing that he has agreed to cooperate with U.S. investigators. Zambada's lawyer, Frank Perez, denied Monday that his client is cooperating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The agreement that he reached with the U.S. authorities is a matter of public record," Perez said in a statement, adding, "I can state categorically that there is no deal under which he is cooperating with the United States Government or any other government." But despite the denial, Zambada's familys history, combined with the fact that he has agreed to plead guilty rather than take his case to trial, is fueling speculation that he could be prepared to spill secrets about high-level corruption. Paul Craine, the top official in Mexico for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration from 2012 to 2017, said of Zambada: He knows more than anybody. Craine, who retired from the DEA and now runs a private security firm, said its unlikely that federal prosecutors would ever agree to a deal that gives the kingpin anything less than life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambada was already spared the death penalty, but the government could dangle other benefits, he said, such as relocating family members to the United States for their safety or allowing him to serve his time somewhere cushier than the Colorado "supermax" prison where El Chapo and others deemed extreme security risks are held in near total isolation. Read more: U.S. declines to pursue death penalty against trio of accused Mexican cartel kingpins Zambada, Craine said, has knowledge about 40 years of the top leadership of the military and the government [in Mexico] that he was directly paying and had co-opted. He's the godfather, Craine said. Hes the consistency across everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambadas case is playing out during a delicate moment in U.S.-Mexico relations, with President Trump using tariffs as a cudgel to force action against the Sinaloa cartel and others responsible for shipping fentanyl and other drugs north across the Rio Grande. Trump designated Zambadas group and others as terrorist organizations earlier this year, and has floated the possibility of the U.S. military taking action on the Mexican side of the border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to appease Trump by handing over dozens of reputed high-ranking cartel figures for prosecution by U.S. authorities, but Craine said those offerings may not be enough. There's more value now in being able to target a high-level corrupt criminal political figure than there is in the biggest drug trafficker in Mexico, he said. Other former federal law enforcement officials echoed that assessment. Adam Braverman, a former U.S. attorney in San Diego who oversaw the indictments of Zambada and several of his sons, called Mondays guilty plea a monumental day for the Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braverman, who now works in private practice, said if Zambada were to cooperate, merely giving up other cartel figures would not be enough to make it worth the bargain. When you're at the top of the chain, there's nobody else to cooperate against, he said. You're talking about generals, governors potentially presidents of Mexico. Speaking at a news conference Monday after Zambada's hearing, U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi called Zambada "one of the most prolific and powerful drug traffickers in this world." "El Mayo operated with impunity at the highest levels of the Mexican drug trafficking world, by paying bribes to government officials, by bribing law enforcement officers," she said. "He controlled corrupt officials and officers who protected his workers and his drug shipments that traveled from Mexico into our country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Terry Cole, the head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, spoke after Bondi and hammered home the significance of Zambada's admission of guilt. "This is just not another plea," Cole said. "It's a collapse of a myth that leaders of cartels are beyond the reach of American justice." Cole then hinted that another shoe might be dropping in the near future. He referenced "a large cash seizure" associated with Zambada that would be announced soon. "Our work with the Mexican government is not done," he said, adding: "There are proceedings happening as we speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Past court proceedings have offered tantalizing glimpses of the type of dirt Zambada could dish on Mexicos most prominent politicians. During the trial of El Chapo, court filings revealed that Zambadas brother, Jesus El Rey Zambada, alleged to U.S. authorities he had bribed an individual associated with the failed presidential campaign of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in 2006. Lopez Obrador took office in 2018 after winning that years election. A similar allegation which Lopez Obrador has vehemently denied, citing a lack of evidence surfaced again in 2023 when Zambadas brother was called to testify against a former top Mexican security official who was convicted of secretly working on behalf of the Sinaloa cartel. Asked on cross-examination about a $7-million payment that he allegedly gave to an attorney in Mexico, El Rey replied: I do remember paying him some money, that according to him was for the campaign. Testimony about the alleged 2006 payment to Lopez Obrador's campaign was limited by judicial orders in both trials, and neither case offered a smoking gun to prove Zambada had paid off the former president, who is from the same ruling Morena political party as Sheinbaum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the events surrounding Mayos alleged kidnapping by El Chapos son have only added to speculation that the ex-president who coined the slogan hugs not bullets to tout his hands-off approach to combating organized crime and his party may have something to hide. Zambada claimed in his letter last year that he was invited to a meeting near Sinaloas capital, Culiacan, where he expected to help mediate a dispute between the citys former mayor, Hector Melesio Cuen, and his political rival, Sinaloas current governor, Ruben Rocha Moya. Melesio Cuen turned up shot to death on the day of Zambadas arrest. Rocha Moya, a Morena party member, has denied any knowledge of the kidnapping plot, pointing to flight records that show he took a family trip to Los Angeles as the events were playing out. Mexican federal authorities have cited several suspicious irregularities in the investigation into Melesio Cuens killing by Sinaloan state authorities, including the abrupt cremation of his body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The secretive life and stunning downfall of Sinaloa cartel boss 'El Mayo' Zambada With tensions already running high, Guillermo Valdes Castellanos, a former head of the national intelligence agency that is Mexicos equivalent of the CIA, said Zambadas plea means some of Mexicos political elites must now be sweating bullets. [The Americans] are going to concentrate on receiving information about all of the politicians who protected [El Mayo], who helped him from the army, the police, etc., he said. The fact that he may have more solid information to accuse the Mexican politicians and authorities involved is what's making people very nervous here. Zambada, for his part, acknowledged the damage he created by creating and leading the Sinaloa cartel in his remarks Monday. In addition to the life sentence his guilty plea will bring, he was ordered by the judge to forfeit $15 billion in illicit cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambada said he was sorry for "the human toll" of the violence he caused. "I take responsibility for all of it," he said. "I apologize to everyone affected by my actions." Since Zambada's arrest last year, fighting between a cartel faction led by one of his sons, known as Mayito Flaco, and Los Chapitos has turned Sinaloa into one of Mexico's most violent states. After the hearing concluded in Brooklyn, his lawyer issued a plea for peace. "My client is also mindful of the impact of this case on his home state of Sinaloa," Perez said. "He calls upon the people of Sinaloa to remain calm, to exercise restraint, and to avoid violence. Nothing is gained by bloodshed; it only deepens wounds and prolongs suffering. He urges his community to look instead toward peace and stability for the future of the state." 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. Ex-Mexican cartel leader Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia on Monday pleaded guilty to federal charges related to his role as a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, including drug trafficking, gun offenses and money laundering. Zambada pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise, the Justice Department said. He had originally pleaded not guilty, but last week federal prosecutors wrote in a court filing that he intended to change his plea. The Associated Press reported that in brief remarks in a court hearing Monday, Zambada apologized for his actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico," he said through a Spanish-language interpreter, the AP reported. "I apologize for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions." In indictments against Zambada in both New York and Texas, federal prosecutors alleged that Zambada and other Sinaloa cartel leaders were responsible for massive quantities of heroin, cocaine and fentanyl and other illegal drugs being distributed into the U.S. He is expected to be sentenced to prison on Jan. 13, the AP reported. "El Mayo will spend the rest of his life behind bars. He will die in a US federal prison where he belongs," Attorney General Pam Bondi said Monday. "His guilty plea brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of elimination of the drug cartels and the transnational criminal organizations throughout this world that are flooding our country with drugs, human traffickers and homicides. Under President Trump's leadership, the Department of Justice is on the front lines of this fight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambada, 77, ran the Sinaloa cartel alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, known as "El Chapo," until both men were arrested. Zambada was arrested in July of 2024 at an airfield in El Paso, Texas. In addition to drug smuggling charges, Zambada is alleged to have employed thousands of people in Central and South America, plus Mexico and the United States, to ensure the Sinaloa drug product made it to America. Prosecutors also alleged that Zambada also employed hit men to kidnap or kill anyone who threatened the cartel's operations, which brought billions of dollars into the cartel. Prior to his plea agreement, Zambada faced a mandatory minimum of life in prison if convicted. Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. CASH REWARD: Police seek suspect in south Abilene truck theft ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Abilene police are searching for a suspect accused of breaking into a truck at a south Abilene restaurant. The Abilene Crime Stoppers are looking for a suspect accused of breaking into a truck at Oscars Restaurant, located at 5125 Buffalo Gap Road, on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video surveillance shows a person walking up to a truck, stepping inside, and searching through the vehicle at about 6:25 that day. If you have any information, please call (325) 676-8477 or submit a tip through the P3 app 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. A Catholic priest who worked in Orlando churches for more than a decade faces sexual abuse accusations from sheriffs investigators and a lawsuit that accuses him of grooming and then abusing a child for years. Father George Zina, who now works as a pastor at a church in Roanoke, VA, denies any wrongdoing, according to the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn, which oversees his church. But the Orange County Sheriffs Office said this week that it investigated the accusations against Zina and heard very compelling testimony from an alleged victim. In February, the sheriffs office decided Zina should be charged with two counts of sexual battery and sent that recommendation to the Orange-Osceola State Attorneys Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state attorneys office said Thursday the case is under review. Zina worked at Holy Family Catholic Church and St. Jude Maronite Catholic Church, both in Orange County, from around 1997 through 2009. The allegations come amid an intensified focus in Central Florida on the decades-long, worldwide priest abuse scandal, with the latest attention sparked by the 2024 slaying of another Orlando priest, Father Robert Hoeffner, by a young man he may have abused. The lawsuit filed last month against the Diocese of Orlando and Zinas current employer is one of three filed against the diocese this summer by a Florida law firm that specializes in sexual abuse cases. The Herman Law firm has sued Catholic churches in Florida and New York previously and on its website details information about the churchs sexual abuse scandals and posts a Florida predator priest index. The other two lawsuits involve Hoeffner, who had spent 25 years in Orlando parishes, including a stint as a teacher at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, before taking a post in Brevard County. He retired in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuits claim that the Diocese and parishes had multiple opportunities to intervene and protect children but failed to do so. That inaction caused irreparable harm, said Jenny Rossman, Herman Laws lead trial attorney in a statement about the three lawsuits. The three alleged victims all anonymous in the new lawsuits are suing the diocese for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. They are collectively seeking compensation of no less than $60 million. The abuse documented in the lawsuits occurred between the 1980s and the early 2000s, the lawsuits contend. The sheriffs office would not confirm whether the Zina accuser in its investigation is the same alleged victim from the new lawsuit, nor would it offer any details about its investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lawsuit centers on an unnamed individual who met Zina at Holy Family when he was about nine years old. At the time his family attended that church and developed a bond with Zina because they all spoke Italian, the lawsuit says. Zina later became a priest at St. Jude Maronite, where the boys family started attending church. When the plaintiff became an altar server, Zina began grooming him, calling him my best boy, and would lure him away from other priests and parishioners to abuse him. He sexually abused the boy in confession rooms, rectories, a recreation hall, a bathroom, the church secretarys office and his car, the lawsuit says. At one point, Zina also told him God chooses one altar server to be with the priest in a same-sex relationship and that the two of them would eventually live together. Zina was put on leave from around 2009 to 2010 and then transferred to a Catholic church in Massachusetts, according to the lawsuit. It does not mention why he was placed on leave. Zina is now the pastor at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church in Roanoke. The eparchy, an organization similar to a diocese which oversees that church, said in an emailed statement that Zina and church officials had cooperated with the police investigation. Because the eparchy has never received a complaint from an alleged victim, and no criminal charges have been filed, it has decided to take no action against him now, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent legal actions against the Orlando diocese involving Hoeffner date back to May, when the Herman Law Firm first sued the diocese on behalf of New York resident Shawn Teuber, who alleged Hoeffner sexually abused him while he was a student at St. Joseph Catholic School in Palm Bay. That lawsuit claims the diocese was warned of Hoeffners inappropriate behavior with young boys but took no action a charge the diocese has denied. The diocese has moved to have that lawsuit dismissed, but now faces two others from two other men who say they were abused by Hoeffner when they were children, along with the Zina suit. Spokeswoman Jennifer Drow said the diocese is evaluating the new allegations against Hoeffner, but said church leadership did not know of any accusations of abuse made against Hoeffner when he was an active priest or even after his retirement. Drow said Zina was not employed by the diocese, though it was named in the lawsuit, and was unaware of any claims of wrongful conduct against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diocese posts on its website a list of priests and other personnel who had been removed after a credible allegation of sexual abuse. The list includes 20 names. Hoeffners two new accusers came forward after hearing about Teubers lawsuit. The Palm Bay Police Department says Hoeffner and one of his sisters, Sally, were shot and killed in January 2024 at their home by Brandon Kapas. Police fatally shot Kapas after confronting him at the home of his grandfather, whom he had also killed. Teuber said Kapas was a childhood friend and classmate of his at St. Joseph. Rossman said Tuesday she thinks its more likely than not Kapas was abused by Hoeffner, a view shared by one of Kapas relatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the new Hoeffner lawsuits alleges Hoeffner met one of the victims, then around 14, when he ran a program for boys to earn community service hours at St. Isaac Jogues Church in east Orlando. Hoeffner plied the plaintiff with gifts, such as clothes and shoes, eventually paying a down payment on his first car and opening his first bank account for him. Hoeffner would abuse the plaintiff during so-called therapy sessions in his office, the lawsuit said. The plaintiff began spending time at Hoeffners home, where the abuse continued. Two other adolescent boys lived with Hoeffner, who would frequently walk naked around the house and demanded the boys walk around naked too, the suit claimed. The plaintiff lived with Hoeffner for his senior year of high school when he was 17. It was common knowledge at St. Isaac Jogues that Hoeffner lived with boys, the lawsuit contends, and Sister Lucy Vazquez, who served in multiple leadership roles at the diocese before her retirement last year, told Hoeffner on multiple occasions that she and the diocese didnt like that children were living with him. Hoeffner told her he would quit the diocese if he was prohibited from living with them, the lawsuit says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoeffner met the second plaintiff when the teenager was about 14, at St. Isaac Jogues after the boys mother had him attend to become an altar server. Hoeffner would massage the boys neck and shoulders while saying prayers to him and and later sexually abused him during so-called prayer sessions, that lawsuit claims. On one occasion, the boys mother saw Hoeffner kiss the plaintiff on the lips and yelled at Hoeffner in front of others to never touch her son again, it says. With the start of a new school year, The Texas Tribune welcomes a fresh cohort of student fellows eager to make their mark in the news industry. Our fellowships offer a unique opportunity for students to gain practical experience while serving the public. For many, their motivation is deeply personal: They are driven to support democratic processes by ensuring Texas communities receive factual, trustworthy information they need to make informed decisions. I value creativity, truth and human connection, said Amani Ahmad, an Austin-based marketing and communications fellow. The Texas Tribune represents everything I believe in journalism that informs the masses and holds power accountable. I want to ensure stories reach the people who need them most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In a world where misinformation spreads rapidly, the truth must be amplified, said Ahmad, a University of Texas advertising and sociology double major. The Tribune offers paid fellowships for college students whose efforts make impactful contributions across the organization. These students support our signature events, including the Texas Tribune Festival, and provide in-depth coverage of key issues, such as the legislative session, elections, education, and the environment. The program provides students and recent graduates with real-world experience in a robust news agency, said Brandon Formby, managing editor for news and state affairs. Yet the Tribune benefits greatly from the stellar work, fresh energy and varied perspectives of the fellows." Photography fellow and UT senior Manoo Sirivelu has roots in South India and said he values the visual storytelling of culture and politics. "I long to respectfully represent the vastly diverse populations and environments that have shaped me," he said. "I've now found my roots in the state of Texas and continue to explore the stories of my family and their immigrant journeys in the diverse North Texas suburbs I now call home." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristen Su, a senior computer science major at the University of Michigan, will focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning during her fellowship. She said she plans to use her software engineering training to help newsrooms because building technology that will positively impact readers and carefully considering the context in which it will be used is what motivates me. Our fellowships are valuable learning experiences, providing part-time work during the spring and fall semesters and full-time positions over the summer break. We offer a diverse range of roles, including: AI & Machine Learning Data Visuals Engagement Events Marketing & Communications Photography Product Development Production Design Reporting (in Texas and Washington, D.C.) Learn more about the Tribune's fellowship program and explore the impressive work of our current fellows here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tribune's fellowship program is possible thanks to the generous support of our donors. We extend our sincere gratitude to organizations like the Dallas Press Club Foundation and Sid W. Richardson Foundation and individuals, including Martin Taylor and Cheryl and Jim George, whose contributions have established named fellowships and significantly expanded opportunities for aspiring journalists. College Station-based reporting fellow Nicholas Gutteridge said he is keen to write stories about the impacts of the policies passed in the Texas Capitol. It's one thing to write about the Texas legislature's new priority and another entirely to dive into how that affects families in Brownsville, Fort Worth or Austin, he said. Understanding the power I have to change the world positively is what keeps me going. Meet the Tribunes fall fellows: Amani Ahmad is a marketing and communications fellow based in Austin. She is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, studying advertising and sociology. Amani serves as an art director in Texas Creative, a world-renowned creative advertising portfolio program based in the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations, and as a researcher with the Computational Media Lab, where she works to uncover algorithmic bias. She has also worked as a brand consultant and communications intern for various organizations. In her free time, she enjoys creating visual art. Sofia Alvarado is an Austin-based events fellow. She is a junior at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in journalism and minoring in entrepreneurship and fashion and consumer science. She was born in Venezuela and is a native Spanish speaker. She loves her new puppy, Suki, and is looking forward to positively contributing to the Tribunes mission. Lindsey Byman will be an Austin-based reporting fellow. She is a senior at Northwestern University, where she is double-majoring in journalism and political science and minoring in anthropology. She is the features editor of North by Northwestern, a student magazine, and she has reported for ProPublica and Washingtonian magazine. Her work has also appeared in Inside Climate News, UPI and Evanston RoundTable, and she has produced award-winning feature coverage for her hometown paper, The Local News. Hailing from Topsfield, Massachusetts, Lindsey enjoys running, live music and ice cream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marijke Friedman is a Washington, D.C.-based reporting fellow covering the Texas congressional delegation and political developments that affect Texans. Marijke, a senior journalism and politics double major at the University of Maryland, is the news editor of The Diamondback, the campus newspaper. She has also worked for the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, Capital News Service, the USA Today Network's Design Center and Montgomery Community Media. She grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Nicholas Gutteridge is a reporting fellow based in College Station. Hes a senior studying political science at Texas A&M University and was editor-in-chief of The Battalion, the student newspaper. Prior to that, he interned at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Air Force Office of Public Affairs, worked on the Mays Business School's marketing and communications team, and reported for KAMU, the public radio station in Brazos County. Nicholas won the 2024 reporter of the year award from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and has earned multiple accolades for investigative reporting. He grew up in Los Fresnos in South Texas. Olla Mokhtar is a Denton-based audience engagement fellow and a sophomore at the University of North Texas, studying journalism and biomedical engineering. A Sudanese American who grew up in Arlington, she speaks Arabic fluently. Olla previously was an editor for Tarrant County Colleges student-led newspaper, The Collegian. She has had internships at the Fort Worth Report as a reporter covering the DFW community and at the Associated Press as an investigative intern in Washington, D.C., with the Ida B. Wells Society. Her most recent internship was with KERA public media in Dallas. Manoo Sirivelu is an Austin-based photography fellow. He is a multimedia artist, designer and photojournalist and a senior pursuing a degree in Plan II Honors at the University of Texas at Austin. He previously served as a multimedia intern for KUT News and as the photo editor for UTs student newspaper, The Daily Texan. His work explores themes of home, identity and community, bridging his Indian upbringing with broader global perspectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristen Su is an AI/machine learning fellow. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, she is a senior at the University of Michigan, majoring in computer science and minoring in user experience design. She works for the student newspaper, The Michigan Daily, and previously interned in the university's IT services department. She hopes to apply her skills for social good. In her free time, she enjoys running and watching singing competitions on TV. She speaks English and Mandarin. More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 1315! This years lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of CNN NewsNight; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. US Ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, criticized Macron's stance on Palestine, linking it to growing antisemitism in France. The French government swiftly protested his remarks. US Ambassador Mike Huckabee is no longer the only American envoy Israelis appreciate for his defense of the Jewish state. As of Monday, add Americas ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, to that list. On Sunday, Kushner published a letter in The Wall Street Journal addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron in which he blasted what he described as Frances ineffectiveness in tackling the antisemitism running rampant on its streets. He linked Macrons recent announcement that he intends to recognize a Palestinian state to an alarming uptick in antisemitic incidents across France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the 81st anniversary of the Allied Liberation of Paris, which ended the deportation of Jews from French soil, I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it, Kushner wrote, adding that both he and President Donald Trump have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France, he wrote. In todays world, anti-Zionism is antisemitism plain and simple. The French were not pleased. On Monday, in a rare public rebuke, the French Foreign Ministry summoned Kushner to protest his remarks. Charles Kushner, July 20, 2022. (credit: REUTERS/BRENDAN MCDERMID) A statement from the ministry said: France firmly refutes these latest allegations, calling the ambassadors comments unacceptable. The ministry stressed that under the 1961 Vienna Convention, ambassadors are not permitted to interfere in a countrys internal affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How cute. As if Frances ambassadors dont regularly interfere in Israels internal affairs. Consider this: In 2017, then-ambassador Helene Le Gal strongly condemned a bill passed by the Knesset retroactively legalizing 4,000 homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in Area C. She declared the land was in the West Bank and therefore outside the Knessets purview. Or this: In 2020, Ambassador Eric Danon said in an interview that there are violations of international law of different degrees of severity, and an annexation of the Jordan Valley and settlements would be considered a serious one. Is that not interference in Israels internal affairs? And you dont even have to go that far back. Just last week, Ambassador Frederic Journes said Israels conduct of the war in Gaza was fueling antisemitism by giving real antisemites an opening an example of a serving ambassador openly attributing broader consequences to Israels internal military policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same interview, Journes warned Israel against closing the French Consulate in Jerusalem. That step was reportedly being considered as a response to Macrons Palestinian state recognition initiative. A pattern emerges: The golden rule Dont do to others what you would find hateful yourself does not seem to apply to the French. Or, more precisely, they dont believe it should apply to them. Kushner, in his position for barely over a month, thinks differently. He had no qualms about taking France so quick to judge Israel to task for its own shortcomings. It didnt take him long to make his mark, aggravating the French enough that they summoned him, employing a diplomatic tool of displeasure Paris had not used against a US envoy since 2015, when ambassador Jane Hartley was called in over an NSA spying scandal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, France went even further, recalling its ambassador from Washington for consultations for five days after the AUKUS defense pact scuttled a multibillion-dollar French submarine deal in favor of a US-British-Australian arrangement. Apparently, the French dont mind when their ox is doing the goring, but they cant take it when their own ox is the one being gored. Tellingly, Kushners letter echoed much of what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote to Macron just a week earlier. Netanyahu has been friendly with Kushner, Jareds father, for years, and according to a 2017 New York Times report, even displaced Jared from his bedroom to the basement when he stayed a night at the Kushners home in New Jersey many years ago. Netanyahu wrote to Macron, expressing his concern with the alarming rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of decisive action by your government to confront it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Kushner, Netanyahu also wrote that the call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on the antisemitic fire and emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets. Both Netanyahu and Kushner contrasted Macrons position with the steps Trump has taken to combat antisemitism in America. French govt. denies claim that Palestinian recognition causes increased antisemitsm The Elysee Palace responded sharply, saying the claim that Frances decision to recognize a Palestinian state as early as September is the cause of the rise in antisemitic violence in France is incorrect, outrageous, and will not go unanswered. Unanswered, here, is a keyword. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French reserve the right to answer everyone, but when their own actions provoke a reaction when their own actions trigger an answer they react with outsized indignation. The Kushner incident is not a standalone diplomatic flare-up; it is one more irritant in an already strained US-France relationship. Trade disputes, Macrons push for European strategic autonomy, disagreements over climate policy, UN peacekeeping in Lebanon, and differing approaches toward Ukraine have all strained ties that remain strong at their core but increasingly testy in practice. This episode will not derail relations anchored in shared history and interests. But it does show how thin-skinned Paris can be when the same scrutiny it so freely directs abroad is turned back on itself. The French response to Kushners criticism illustrates that the most effective rebuke may be to reflect a countrys own language of moral critique back at it. There was something refreshing in Kushners candor, and for Israel something reassuring in knowing it has an ally in Paris willing to link anti-Israel gestures with the antisemitism playing out on French streets. That makes Kushner not just another American envoy abroad, but an unexpected voice in Paris willing to say what Jerusalem has long believed. CHICOPEE The entrance to the more than 150-year-old City Hall building in Chicopee has been restored to its Front Street location, and three offices have moved inside, officials say. This is a part of the second phase of renovations to the building, which will increase document storage, replace the outdated chairlift with an elevator, painting and new carpeting. The cost of the second phase is estimated to be about $6 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the reopening of the Front Street entrance, both the City Clerks and Registrar of Voters offices have returned to their original locations; and the Facilities Department has moved to the former office of the City Council, on the first floor, near the entrance. The renovations were implemented to comply with building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act, while also preserving the historical integrity of the structure, which dates back to 1871, said a statement from the mayors office. The alleyway entrance to the building, which has been open to the public as the renovations have been underway, now will be closed. Door monitors will be at the main entrance to assist people on where to go. There are also drive-thru style drop-off boxes for the clerks and collectors office in the Front Street parking lot to facilitate ease of access, the statement said. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, presides over the opening meeting of the 13th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. The Standing Committee of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee opened its 13th session Monday to discuss the drafting of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was invited to attend the meeting and deliver a report. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee opened its 13th session Monday to discuss the drafting of the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presided over the meeting. Noting that the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030) will be a crucial phase for the country to consolidate the foundation and make all-out efforts for basically realizing socialist modernization, Wang called on CPPCC National Committee members to contribute their ideas and efforts to the scientific formulation of the plan. Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, was invited to attend the meeting and deliver a report. He said that since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China's economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and comprehensive national strength have reached new heights. Ding underlined the necessity to conduct analysis and research, and engage in broad consultation to pool wisdom, so as to draft a 15th Five-Year Plan of high quality. It is essential that the plan sets reasonable goals and tasks, plan for the implementation of major strategic initiatives and ensure decisive progress for basically realizing socialist modernization, he added. A woman scratches a measles rash. The Alabama Department of Public Health Monday reported that a child in north Alabama had tested positive for measles, the first confirmed case of the disease in the state since 2002. (Getty Images) An Alabama child contracted measles while traveling outside the United States, the Alabama Department of Public Health said Monday. ADPH said in a statement a child younger than 5 years old living in north Alabama was not vaccinated against the viral respiratory disease. The child did not attend a day care or school and their siblings were vaccinated in accordance with official guidelines on the vaccine. ADPH was not able to find out why the infected child had not been vaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symptoms of the disease can take seven to 14 days to present after infection, and can be particularly dangerous for infants and young children. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It is the first confirmed case of measles in Alabama since 2002. Measles is a highly contagious disease, and ADPH officials have for years expressed alarm at the states dropping Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination rates. In 2023-24, the rate among kindergartners was 93.8%, below the 95% rate the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers necessary to achieve herd immunity. Dr. Karen Landers, ADPHs chief medical officer, said in the statement that unvaccinated people, if exposed, have a 90% chance of becoming infected, and infected people can spread the disease several days before becoming symptomatic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Measles follows a pattern in which the child first develops fever, cough, runny nose, and watery/red eyes, then a rash develops. Persons can start spreading the virus up to four days before symptoms appear, and those with weak immune systems can spread the measles virus longer, Landers said. The case comes a week after Texas, where a measles outbreak originated earlier this year, announced the outbreak was over. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said at the ADPH monthly meeting that there had not been any cases in Alabama, but there were two cases where the patient had passed through Alabama. We think that the largest outbreak in the country is over, although theres still several jurisdictions still have active outbreaks, because its been less than 42 days, Harris said Thursday. ADPH in March investigated possible measles exposure in the state after an unvaccinated child who traveled through Alabama tested positive for measles, but did not report any cases. A Lee County child who showed measles-like symptoms earlier this year tested negative for the disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 1,375 confirmed cases of measles this year as of Aug. 19. In 2024, there were 285 cases. This story was updated at 2:53 p.m. to update a timeline on the infected childs siblings vaccination status. China has debuted yet another new warship built to launch amphibious landings in military exercises held this month. Chinas naval branch, the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy, announced it launched its fourth Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship, CNS Hubei, during training exercises staged in the South China Sea. The Type 075 was built to conduct amphibious landings. It can deploy troops from helicopters while offloading landing craft, tanks and armored vehicles from its interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Pacific has been the scene of skyrocketing tensions in recent months as China seeks to expand its maritime dominance to the alarm of South Pacific nations. US briefly deploys warships after Chinese military ships collision On the heels of the new warships launch, China has deployed about 11 Coast Guard vessels to the Second Thomas Shoal in further aggressive maneuvers seemingly aimed at the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Chinese vessels were seen practicing the employment of water cannons and were accompanied by military aircraft, according to Philippine military observers. The launch of the warship in the South China Sea, along with the deployment of more vessels near the contested shoal, is part of an increasing pattern. China has been alarming Pacific nations with aggressive actions that have ramped up in the region for months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last September, China was roundly condemned by Pacific island nations for test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile over the area for the first time in decades. In February, commercial flights over Australia were diverted on short notice when China abruptly announced it intended to conduct live-fire drills from vessels sailing in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. This was very disconcerting for the planes that were flying, but they were able to divert, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Recently, China has targeted Philippine vessels with water cannons to chase them away from uninhabited shoals in the South Pacific. One such aggressive chase resulted in two Chinese vessels crashing into each other earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Chinese military vessels collide in South China Sea The sharp increase in Chinese military presence in the South Pacific prompted Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to declare last month that a Chinese military base in the Pacific Islands would be unwelcome. Fears about a new military base follow the April opening of Ream Naval Base in Cambodia, funded by China, and over which Chinese officials co-presided. The base was renovated for expanding the presence of warships in the South Pacific, although Cambodia has claimed the bolstered naval base is for friendly purposes. The U.S. Department of Defense has made defense of allies in the Indo-Pacific a top strategic priority. This year marked the first time that Exercise Talisman Sabre, an annual joint military exercise between the U.S. and Australia, took place outside of Australia. The exercise saw unprecedented teamwork between forces from the U.S., Republic of Korea, France, Germany, U.K., Australia and Papua New Guinea, the U.S. Navy said, and was the largest of its kind to date. BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese customs screened 600 million people at international ports for infectious diseases over the past five years, officials said on Monday, while pledging to refine containment protocols that became a hallmark of Beijing's zero-COVID policy. Customs officials detected more than 180,000 cases of infectious disease at China's borders during that time, Zhao Zenglian, deputy director general of the customs agency, told a news conference on border management. Australia and Britain both warn travellers of possible medical checks upon arrival in China, even as Beijing seeks to revive inbound tourism and attract foreign investment to give its struggling economy a boost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Over 600 million inbound travellers and 300 million inbound vehicles and vessels were screened, and 5.25 million disease vectors were intercepted, effectively preventing the entry of over 30 types of vector-borne diseases," Zhao said. He did not specify which diseases officials were screening for but since the pandemic China has warned of the risks posed by imported cases of mosquito-borne virus chikungunya and Mpox, a viral infection marked by flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. "Quarantine defences at ports of entry have become more robust... Health and disease control departments have coordinated to build a 'closed-loop' management system: from overseas, to the border, and then to the home," Zhao said. China's strict zero-COVID measures, in place from early 2020 to December 2022, effectively sealed the world's No. 2 economy off from international travel. The few who did enter were swabbed at the border, quarantined in designated facilities, and then transported home for further isolation - inside a 'closed loop.' (Reporting by Joe Cash and Xiuhao Chen; Editing by Saad Sayeed) Beijing urged Seoul to move bilateral relations forward on "the right track" when China's top diplomat Wang Yi met South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's special envoys on Sunday. "The relationship between [China and South Korea] is at a critical juncture for improvement and development," the Chinese foreign minister told the visiting delegation led by former South Korean National Assembly speaker Park Byeong-seug. The meeting on Sunday coincided with the 33rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two neighbours. It is the latest sign of efforts to reset relations with the newly installed leadership in Seoul under Lee after years of frostiness in the shadow of his predecessor Yoon Suk-yeol's geopolitical tilt towards Washington and Tokyo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Wang noted that Beijing's policy towards South Korea maintained stability and continuity, according to a readout of the talks issued by the Chinese foreign ministry on Monday. "Both sides should ... firmly uphold the direction of friendship, expand common interests, improve sentiment between the two people, properly handle sensitive issues, and promote the steady and sustained progress of bilateral relations on the right track," Wang told the South Korean envoys. Park echoed the view, saying Seoul was ready to bring the strategic cooperative partnership between the two nations "back on track" by enhancing high-level exchanges, practical cooperation and people-to-people ties, according to the Chinese release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When conveying Lee's personal letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the meeting, Park said the South Korean leader once again invited Xi to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in late October, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Sunday. The Apec event, which will take place in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, has been widely expected as a potential stage for a long-awaited summit between Xi and his United States counterpart, Donald Trump. Park told Wang that Seoul was willing to develop relations with China and other major powers "in parallel" to jointly maintain regional peace and stability, the Chinese statement showed. After vowing to mend ties with Beijing last month, Lee has also stepped up his "pragmatic diplomacy" campaign, taking efforts to thread a needle between the country's relations with its largest trading partner and its traditional allies, the US and Japan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the same day his special envoys travelled to Beijing, Lee was wrapping up his trip to Tokyo, the newly installed South Korean leader's first overseas visit since assuming the presidency more than two months ago. Lee became the first South Korean president since 1965 - the year the country formally established diplomatic relations with Japan - to not make the US his first overseas visit after assuming office. After his talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Saturday, the two countries issued a joint statement of summit outcomes for the first time in 17 years, stating that "it is paramount to promote unwavering cooperation between Korea, Japan and the US, amid the rapidly changing international situation". The two Pacific treaty allies of Washington also agreed to cooperate for the China-Japan-South Korea summit to be held in Japan this year, although they did not specify a date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following shuttle diplomacy with Japan, Lee arrived in the US on Sunday for a three-day visit. He is scheduled to meet Trump on Monday after their two countries reached a bilateral trade deal in July. When visiting the US last month, South Korean foreign minister Cho Hyun said Seoul "has become rather alert to China's rise and its challenges. But ... we want to maintain a good relationship". In late July, thousands of protesters gathered outside the Chinese embassy in Seoul, denouncing what they saw as the growing influence of China's Communist Party in South Korea, leading to "solemn representations" from Beijing. Lee denounced the anti-China demonstrations across multiple places as crossing the boundary of free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, diplomatic ties between Beijing and Seoul have begun to thaw since Lee, widely viewed as a China dove, took office in early June. "Since the new South Korean government took office, China-South Korea relations have achieved a good start," the Chinese ambassador to Seoul, Dai Bing, tweeted on Sunday. South Korea announced this month that it would offer visa-free entry to tourist groups from China from September 29 until June next year. Lee spoke with Xi in a call in June, and Lee was reportedly invited to attend China's military parade in Tiananmen Square marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II on September 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wang also mentioned the military parade during the meeting with Lee's envoys, calling on South Korea to "jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice". "China and South Korea should also work together to uphold the international system of free trade [and] jointly oppose trade protectionism," he said. Lee has reportedly decided not to attend the Chinese military parade next week but will send a delegation of lawmakers led by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Beijing has renewed its call for a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue as Tehran faces fresh economic sanctions from the United States. In a call with deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi on Sunday, Chinese foreign vice-minister Ma Zhaoxu said China hoped that all parties concerned would "remain committed to resolving the issue through political and diplomatic means and actively create conditions for an early resumption of dialogue and negotiations". "China will continue to uphold an objective and fair position, actively promote peace and dialogue and play a constructive role in this regard," Ma said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The statement quoted Gharibabadi as saying that Iran was willing to continue strengthening communication and coordination with China. Beijing has consistently supported a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue and sought to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, a deal aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. The US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 under the first Donald Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, Beijing has called for multilateral dialogue to maintain the nuclear deal's framework or seek a "mutually acceptable solution". Key signatories to the 2015 plan included China, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and the European Union. Last week, Iran and European countries agreed to resume discussions meant to revive full negotiations to limit Tehran's nuclear enrichment programme. France, Britain, and Germany warned that they might trigger the UN's "snapback" mechanism to reimpose economic sanctions if Iran failed to rejoin the negotiations. A new round of discussions is expected on Tuesday. On Thursday, the US Treasury Department announced new Iran-related sanctions on 13 entities and eight vessels involved in transporting Iranian oil in violation of sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the State Department sanctioned two China-based terminal operators accused of handling Iranian oil shipments on tankers sanctioned by Washington. The US has carried out multiple rounds of sanctions against Iran since Trump returned to the White House in 2025. A number of the affected companies are linked to China, which is believed to be the world's largest buyer of Iranian oil. Trump has vowed to continue his "maximum pressure" campaign, similar to his approach during his first term when he sought to sanction Iran over its nuclear agenda. Since pulling out of the nuclear deal, the US has reinstated many sanctions on Iran, including measures targeting its oil exports and finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran has long denied that it wants to develop nuclear weapons, but since 2018 the country has scaled back compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency and stepped up its uranium enrichment. This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky a message to mark the country's independence day on Sunday - the first public congratulations sent by Beijing since the Russian invasion of February 2022. Xi's message, which Zelensky posted on social media, said: "Over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Ukraine relations have developed steadily, and cooperation in various fields has yielded remarkable results. "I stand ready to work with you to guide our bilateral relations towards steady and long-term development and bring greater benefits to the peoples of both countries." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. China's increasing closeness with Russia since the invasion has raised suspicions in Ukraine about its stance on the war, but Beijing insists it is neutral in the conflict. In response to Xi's message, Zelensky said he appreciated the congratulations, adding that both sides were interested in "developing long-term bilateral dialogue with mutual respect and for the sake of peace, stability, and prosperity". China has not published the latest message. Xi and Zelensky last exchanged congratulatory messages in January 2022, a month before Russia invaded, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1991 after the country declared independence following a referendum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xi and Zelensky spoke on the phone in April 2023, in their only known conversation during the war, when Xi said "mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the political basis of China-Ukrainian relations". On Monday, the foreign ministry denied a report in the German newspaper Die Welt, which quoted European Union diplomats as saying Beijing was ready to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. "The relevant report is not true. China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. Security guarantees for Ukraine are likely to be central to any possible peace deal following recent visits by Zelensky and Russian leader Vladimir Putin to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the US network NBC that all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, including China, along with several other states, should be the guarantors of Ukraine's security. Putin also mentioned China as a possible guarantor during his meeting with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, in Alaska last week. But the following day, Zelensky ruled out a role for China, saying: "First, China did not help us stop this war from the beginning. Secondly, China helped Russia by opening the drone market." In response, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China had maintained an "objective and impartial position", which was "open and visible to all". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All parties concerned should work to find a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, guided by a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. China is willing to play a constructive role in this effort," Mao said on Friday. Ukraine's consulate in Shanghai marked independence day by positing a fundraising appeal to buy equipment to "evacuate wounded personnel, resupply troops with essential goods and clear mines and traps". "Small donations made through the UNITED24 platform are also a part of our shared victory, a hope for the safe return of our soldiers, and a contribution to Ukraine's peaceful future," the embassy wrote on Chinese social media. The campaign has already raised around US$1.8 billion worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. CHIPPEWA FALLS A new development is on the fast track to gain approval in Chippewa County. The Chippewa County Board will meet in a special session on Tuesday, with a closed session planned to discuss a purchase agreement to sell county-owned land to Project Rabbit. The county owns the Lake Wissota Business Park, north of Highway I, which is located within Chippewa Falls city limits. Charlie Walker, Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation executive director, couldnt go into details about what the company is or how many potential workers would be hired, but he was enthusiastic about the potential. Walker said the board was made aware of the proposal a month ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a really good project, and were really excited, Walker said. If all things stay on track, it could be a major announcement within the next two weeks. Im positive on it. We think it will be positive for our community. Andrew Albarado, Chippewa County administrator, expressed similar enthusiasm. He likewise declined to say how many employees could work for the company. Im excited for it, Albarado said Friday. Its going to be a great employer and it will be a benefit to the community. Albarado explained that the land is considered part of the business park, but due to some circumstances, the board has to directly approve the [land] sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county board could make an announcement after Tuesdays meeting. Walker isnt sure if they will do so, or wait for other aspects of the deal to be finalized. Well see what happens with the county board, and then well let the company give us direction, he said. Walker noted that there are only 45 available acres in the Lake Wissota Business Park, which is one of the reasons the county board has discussed in recent years about identifying a location for a new business park. The countys Economic Development Committee also is going into closed session on Tuesday to review a developers agreement with Mason Companies. However, Walker clarified that the Mason Companies project is completely unrelated to Project Rabbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday in room 302 of the Chippewa County Courthouse, 711 N. Bridge St. However, the closed session is the only item on the agenda. The 200-acre Lake Wissota Business Park was set up by the County Board in March 2000. The county then borrowed $1 million from the State Trust Fund to develop the park and paid off that debt in 2005. The City of Chippewa Falls built a number of roads through the industrial area. Businesses located there include Chippewa River Industries, General Beer Northwest distributing company, the Mills Fleet Farm distribution center, Star Blends animal feed processing plant, Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries, Mason Cos., and VES, which designs ventilation systems for barns and agricultural buildings. LAST WEEKS RIGHT-WING FREAKOUT over the Cracker Barrel logo redesignapparently amounting to white-guy erasurehad more than its share of sublimely ridiculous moments. But none, perhaps, were more emblematic of the current anti-woke crusade than the call to action from author, activist, and Manhattan Institute fellow Chris Rufo. The over-the-top grandiosity (The Barrel must be broken!), the Carthago delenda est militancy, the explicit threat of coercion, the exact mirroring of woke zealotry seeking to purge any hint of racism or other bigotry: Its rare to pack so much culture-war toxicity into one short post over something that matters so little. Of course, what also makes it noteworthy is that Rufo isnt just some random social-media blowhard. In recent months, he has emerged as the unofficial ideologue of the Trumpian assault on the liberal cultural establishment. Get 30 day free trial BACK WHEN RUFO WAS FIGHTING his anti-woke battles under the Joe Biden presidency, his criticsmyself among themwarned that his goal of smashing cultural progressivism, which he explicitly hitched to Donald Trumps bandwagon, called for thinly veiled authoritarian strategies. Writing in Compact in July 2024, Rufo praised Viktor Orbans government in Hungary for its willingness to use its muscle to disrupt the socialist lefts soft-power hegemony and create an enduring conservative counter-hegemony via far-reaching reforms in schools, universities, nonprofits, media, and government. (These reforms included having media organizations taken over either by the government or by Orban-friendly tycoons.) While Rufo was frank about his view that the Orbanist model offered a lesson to American conservatives, he also acknowledged that Hungarys policies cannot be exported in toto and do not transpose neatly onto Americas more complex and dynamic society. Nonetheless, I wondered at the time just what ideas he had for the second Trump presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, wonder no more. Rufo hasnt simply cheered the administrations push to strong-arm major universities into submission: He has a more radical plan of action. Last month, under the auspices of the Manhattan Institute, the think tank where he is a senior fellow, he unveiled a manifesto billed as the Manhattan Statement on Higher Education, signed by some fifty mostly right-wing and Trump-friendly academics, intellectuals and pundits (among them Jordan Peterson, Victor Davis Hanson, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Yoram Hazony, and Ben Shapiro). This document urges the coyly unnamed President of the United States to carry out a de facto takeover of American universitiesspecifically, to draft a new contract with the universities, which should be written into every grant, payment, loan, eligibility, and accreditation, and punishable by revocation of all public benefit. Many principles articulated in this contract sound superficially noble: truth over ideology, rigorous standards of academic conduct, race-neutral and merit-based admissions and hiring, freedom of speech and debate, strict measures against violent or intimidating protests, etc. But, as legal scholar Walter Olson has noted (both in the Unpopulist and on a Bulwark podcast), empowering this administration in particular to enforce these vague clauses is a broad invitation to authoritarian diktat. Does freedom of speech and debate extend to critics of Israel and supporters of Palestinian rights, especially if they are not U.S. citizens? (Ask Rumeysa Ozturk, the Tufts Ph.D. student detained for forty-five days over an op-ed.) Could a researcher whose findings irked Trump be canceled for failing to meet rigorous standards? (Ask the newly unemployed Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner.) Olson, himself a longtime critic of the abuses of academic leftism, believes that the Manhattan Statement cynically invokes liberal values in order to throw them under the Trumpian bus, sacrificing one of the most hallowed Western liberal traditions: academic independence. With its call for authoritarian muscle-flexing, the Manhattan Statement has drawn criticism from other supporters of academic reform who share some of its ideas, such as the Heterodox Academy. Rufos response to such critiques is standard: He says his centrist and liberal critics are weenies who cant get anything done and lash out at those of us who have scored real-world wins. Tellingly, Rufo also makes it clear that hes not really down with the whole viewpoint diversity thing: Viewpoint diversity would entail adding witch doctors to a medical school? Whatever you say, Chris. (Also: Before you go mocking witch doctors, you should check out the top medical official appointed by the president you cheerlead for, or the surgeon general appointed by the Florida governor who has you on his team.) Its no less absurd to suggest that viewpoint diversity is somehow at odds with truth-seeking and commitment to civil discourse or equality. (The Heterodox Academy reform agenda includes knowledge-seeking, open inquiry, and disagreement and debate as core academic skills.) Its almost as if Rufos beef with viewpoint diversity as a goal of academic reform was actually about something else. Something, perhaps, like the kind of conservative agenda he praises the Orban regime for promoting in its coercive reform of cultural institutionsintended, according to his 2024 piece, to strengthen . . . family life, Christian faith, and historical memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Join now BESIDES HIS POSITION as the Trump administrations court intellectual, Rufo also doubles as a leader of right-wing social media mobs practicing exactly the kind of cancel culture he and his allies have so energetically denounced on the left. Before the Cracker Barrel drama, there was the controversy over New Yorker writer Doreen St. Felix, who offended the right with a fairly anodyne essay analyzing the cultural politics of the American Eagle Sydney Sweeney has great jeans ad with its play on genes/jeans and its references to Sweeneys blue eyes and blond hair. While St. Felixs detractors claimed that she referred to Sweeney as an Aryan princess, what she actually wroteas even the screenshot shared by Rufo showedwas that Sweeney had a legion of adoring fans the most extreme of whom want to recruit her as an Aryan princess. The entire point of St. Felixs piece was that the controversy was meaningless: Some negative voices on the left followed by a splash of right-wing outrage. In Rufos hands, though, the outrage turned against St. Felix when her unearthed old tweetsfrom 2014 and 2015, when the Great Awokening was first taking off and St. Felix was 2223 years oldled to accusations that she was a militant anti-white racist.1 To be clear: many of those posts are pretty ugly stuff. (St. Felix has now deleted her X account, but screenshots of the offending tweets have been collected in various places.) Some were general comments about whiteness, which can at least be explained as referring to white supremacist cultural norms; others, however, not only explicitly bashed white people but repeatedly disparaged discussions of the Holocaust as allowing whites to step out of their whiteness and slip on fake oppression. Share Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bad? Of course. But given that these are a college-age womans posts from ten or eleven years ago, airing them smacks of the sort of offense archeology that the anti-woke have decried as one of the worst attributes of left-wing cancel cultureespecially when the airing is accompanied by a mob calling for the offenders head. Some cancel culture critics, including blogger and podcaster Meghan Daum, spoke up to object. Not Rufo, though; he showed up brandishing his pitchfork. Yet it turns out that Rufo doesnt have a problem with all race hatred. Remember when it was revealed that a member of Elon Musks DOGE team, Marko Elezpreviously a SpaceX employeehad posted a string of inflammatory tweets like Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool, You could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity and Normalize Indian hate? Those comments were made in the summer and fall of 2024three to seven months, not ten to eleven years, before they were uncovered. Elez resigned after the Wall Street Journal reported the postsbut quickly found support in the MAGA camp. Vice President JD Vance stepped in to defend him on the very same day. Tech entrepreneur Balaji Srinivasan explained that giving a single inch to a journo was unacceptable and that the entire practice of digging through peoples old posts to find some negative remark should be deprecated. And guess who else weighed in! During the Doreen St. Felix controversy, writer Sam Adler-Bell posted the screenshots of Rufos defense of Elez, noting that Cancel culture for thee and not for me is @realchrisrufos entire worldview and sole contribution to the practice of conservative politics. One might also add that Rufo has not (so far as I know) said a word about other people with a record of very recent weapons-grade race hatred in the social media holding fairly prominent posts in the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But heres the thing: Calling out Rufo on such hypocrisy has no effect. It bounces right off him. Hes quite open about wanting to help his friends and hurt his enemies. Principles are for the weak and ineffective. Get 30 day free trial RUFO IS ALSO, BY THE WAY, increasingly masks-off about his authoritarian sympathies. Leaving aside Argentinas libertarian president Javier Milei, who shares the Trumpian predilection for norm-breaking but is also in many ways the opposite of MAGA populism, two of the three leaders Rufo admiringly cites are corrupt authoritarians. The Orban regimes anti-migrant stance has included a crackdown on nonprofit groups that aid refugees or support immigration. The shocking human rights abuses on which Bukeles anti-crime drive is founded have recently been in the spotlight because of the lawless deportations of Venezuelan migrants from the United States to El Salvadors notorious CECOT megaprison. Bukele has also recently scrapped presidential term limits, with a view to becoming president for life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other day, Rufo was a guest on Bill Mahers Real Time on HBO. When Maher voiced concern that the militarization of policing in Washington, D.C. could be intended to pave the way for an authoritarian coup, Rufo was dismissive, asserting that Trump had no motive other than the stated one: to bring crime in the city under control. As for Trumps open flirting with a third-term run in 2028? Just trolling, said Rufo: I wouldnt worry about it. But given Rufos increasingly candid strongman worship, I dont think its too paranoid to ask at this point whether he would see an actual authoritarian coup as something to worry aboutor something to cheer. Leave a comment 1 Correction (August 25, 2025, 6:50 p.m. EDT): As originally published, the second instance of St. Felix in this sentence mistakenly read Sweeney, due to an error that arose during editing. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Christoval ISDs Board of Trustees will soon meet to discuss and potentially take action on the implementation of a designated period for prayer and reading religious texts as outlined in Texas Senate Bill 11, according to a meeting agenda. The Christoval ISD board meeting agenda and minutes website states that the districts Board of Trustees will gather at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Christoval ISD Administration Office for a regular meeting. An item listed on the meetings agenda calls for Discussion and possible action regarding approval of a resolution in support of Texas Senate Bill 11 (89th Legislature) regarding permitting a designated period during the school day for voluntary prayer and the reading of the Bible or other religious texts in school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Senate Bill 11 amends the Education Code to authorize the board of trustees of a public school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school that is not operated by or affiliated with a religious organization to adopt, by record vote on a resolution, a policy requiring every campus of the district or charter school to provide students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text on each school day, according to an enrolled bill summary listed on capitol.texas.gov. SAISD to consider adopting 2025-2026 budget, lower tax rate The bill also requires policies implemented at public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to condition participation in the period on the submission of a signed consent form that includes, among other components, an express waiver of the right to bring a claim arising out of the adoption of the policy, as per the bill summary. The bill was read for the first time to the 89th Texas Legislature on Feb. 11. It was passed by the Texas Senate on March 18, passed by the Texas House of Representatives on May 23 and signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on June 20, according to capitol.texas.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Religious freedom is a bedrock principle upon which America was founded, recognizing our rights come directly from God, not the government, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said following the bills passage in the Texas Senate. I prioritized SB 11 to make sure religious freedom is not infringed upon in Texas, ensuring our students and educators have the right to pray on school grounds. I thank Sen. Middleton for carrying this bill and for senators on both sides of the aisle for their support on this critical legislation. Texas Senate Bill 11 is set to go into effect on Sept. 1. Afterward, public school district boards of trustees and open-enrollment charter school governing bodies will have six months to take a record vote on whether to adopt a resolution for the policy needed to instate a designated period for prayer and reading religious texts, as stated in the bill. To read Texas Senate Bill 11, see the file below: SB00011FDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. World Food Program head Cindy McCain is in Israel this week on her first trip to the country since the start of the Israel-Hamas war nearly two years ago, three sources in the U.S. and Israel confirmed to Jewish Insider. McCains trip comes amid a scaled-up effort to deliver aid to Gaza, following widespread reports of malnutrition, food shortages and distribution challenges. She will meet on Monday with families of some of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza, and is expected to travel to the enclave on Tuesday. On Wednesday, McCain is expected to meet with Israeli and U.S. officials, including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. She may also meet with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who is in Lebanon this week and expected to travel on to Israel after leaving Beirut. SYDNEY, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two people have been killed in a head-on collision between a car and semi-trailer west of Sydney. Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said that emergency services were called to a collision between two vehicles in the small town of Canowindra, 240 km west of Sydney, around 2:20 p.m. on Sunday. Officers arrived and found that a truck towing two semi-trailers and a sedan had collided head-on. The two occupants of the sedan, a 67-year-old male driver and a 63-year-old female passenger, died at the scene. The 30-year-old driver of the truck, which rolled onto its side following the collision, sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing. NSW Police said that a crime scene was established and that an investigation into the incident had commenced. It takes the number of road deaths in the state so far in 2025 to 240 compared to 197 at the same time in 2024, according to government agency Transport for NSW. Leaders in the City of Orlando say theyre still considering all options after the Florida Department of Transportation repainted a rainbow crosswalk near the Pulse memorial. The city previously issued a statement calling FDOTs action callous, an attempt to erase the memory of the victims of the Pulse tragedy, and a political act. Legal experts say its possible that strong condemnation may be the citys only real response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A letter from FDOT says at least 18 locations in Orlando need to be fixed to comply with state laws for road markings. Those locations include: S. Rosalind Ave at E. Jackson St (Crosswalk) Church St at S. Rosalind Ave (Crosswalk) Magnolia Ave at E. Concord St (Crosswalk) Orange Ave at Concord St (Crosswalk) N. Orange Ave at E. Central Blvd (Paver intersection) S. Orange Ave at E. Pine St (Paver intersection) S. Orange Ave at Church St (Paver intersection) Summerlin Ave at Washington St (Crosswalk) Amelia St at N. Hughey Ave (Crosswalk) Amelia St at Ronald Blocker Ave (Crosswalk) Amelia St at Chatham Ave (Crosswalk) Amelia St at Putnam Ave (Crosswalk) Livingston St at N. Hughey Ave (Crosswalk) Central Blvd at N. Eola Dr (Crosswalk) W. Kaley Ave at S. Division Ave (Crosswalk) Corrine Dr at East End Ave (Crosswalk) Laureate Blvd at Benavente Ave (Bike Symbol) Laureate Blvd at Kellog Ave (Bike Symbol) According to the letter, the City could request a hearing if they disagree, but legal analyst Bill Sheaffer notes FDOT has already stated the hearing wouldnt be to request an exception to state rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really think that the city has been checkmated on this, said Sheaffer. According to FDOT, the city could request both a formal and informal administrative hearing. A formal hearing would be to dispute facts stated in FDOTs notice and would mean the city could call witnesses and admit documents into evidence, while an informal hearing would give the city a chance to present an argument and written statement for consideration by FDOT. As for a lawsuit, Sheaffer told Channel 9 the citys case would be weak since state law clearly gives FDOT the authority to regulate roadways. Theres no administrative judge thats going to say, okay, the department doesnt have authority, Im going to rule that they cant withhold funds, that they cannot enforce it. Its not going to happen, said Sheaffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to FDOTs memo, the city has until September 4th to remove the 18 noncompliant markings before FDOT paints them over and then sends the bill to the city. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) The City of Decatur will be applying for a federal grant to improve infrastructure in downtown Decatur. The city will apply for the grant through the U.S. Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration (EDA). City leaders said that the grant was brought to their attention by the North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments. The next step is for the city council to review and consider approving the process. If the process is approved, the city will submit its application for the grant in the weeks ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City leaders told News 19 that the potential grant could help fund the construction of a second parking structure downtown and the relocation of utilities needed for the expansion of the Cook Museum of Natural History. This is about more than building a parking deck; its about shaping the future of downtown Decatur, said Mayor Tab Bowling. The Cook Museums expansion will draw visitors from across the region, and by investing in the infrastructure to support it, were creating new opportunities for economic growth, tourism, and a vibrant downtown experience for years to come. The City of Decatur also added that: The infrastructure project is estimated to cost between $14 million and $17 million. The grant could reduce Decatur taxpayers costs by as much as 80% if it gets approved. Morgan County and the City of Decatur are eligible for this federal funding program. The City of Decatur is submitting its application this month. The U.S. Department of Commerce will announce grant awards later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grant is designed to assist local governments with infrastructure needs in areas impacted by natural disasters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TYLER, Texas (KETK) The City of Tyler said that crews will start demolishing the unused South Glenwood Ground Storage Tank on Tuesday, bringing an end to the decades-old unused structure. New Chipotle location coming to west Tyler The water tank on South Glenwood Boulevard was first constructed more than 50 years ago in the 1940s and was used to store water from Well 2. The well is being decommissioned this year as Tyler Water Utilities (TWU) phases out wells in favor of surface water sources, according to the City of Tyler. Photo of the South Glenwood Ground Storage Tank, courtesy of the City of Tyler. TWU is working with Hunter Demolition and Wrecking Corporation on a $276,684 contract to remove the unused tank and its related structures, including a nearby wall, a brick building, water lines and the surrounding fence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demolition of the South Glenwood Storage Tank not only removes a long-out-of-service structure but will improve the areas visibility for drivers, the City of Tyler said. Work on demolishing the tank and surrounding structures is expected to be complete by October 2025. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CLEVELAND (WJW) In celebration of the humble chicken wing, Cleveland Wing Week is flying back into action starting Monday. Labor Day Weekend 2025: The Northeast Ohio events you need to know about For those who cant get enough of the saucy snacks, the event runs through Sunday, Aug. 31 and offers the chance to get six wings (or more) for just $7 at participating establishments all over the Land. The cost doesnt include drinks or appetizers or tipping your servers/bartenders well, so plan accordingly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take a look at the list of participating Northeast Ohio restaurants and bars, according to the website, but note this is subject to change at any time: Agave & Rye Betts Brewdog Cleveland Crowleys Dawg House Flight Sociall Front St. Social Great Lakes Brewing Co Gunselmans Tavern Hi 5 Immigrant Son Brewery Mad House Bar & Grille Noras Public House Old School Pizza & Wings Proof Revolution Pizza Sauced Taproom and Kitchen Saucy Brew Works SOL Suds Maguires Bar and Grill Swinging Door Lounge Teamz Terrestrial Brewing The Brothers Lounge The Wild Goose Tony Ks West End Tavern Participants are encouraged to track their wing-eating progress through the helpful use of an app. Eaters who go to four or more Cleveland Wing Week stops are eligible to win up to $250 in gift cards. Northeast Ohio 2025 County Fair Guide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Find out how to best prepare your stomach for Cleveland Wing Week right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A search for a Russian climber stranded on Kyrgystan's highest mountain has been suspended indefinitely due to severe weather conditions after another climber died trying to rescue her, the Central Asian country's authorities said on Saturday. Natalia Nagovitsyna whose husband died on a different mountain four years ago broke her leg while climbing the 24,406-foot Victory Peak while she was at an altitude of around 23,000 feet, and has been stranded in the mountains for nearly two weeks. By comparison, Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, is 29,032 feet. An Italian climber, Luca Sinigaglia, died on Aug. 15 trying to save her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian rescuers went to the scene to try to recover his body using a helicopter, according to the Italian foreign ministry. The operation launched to rescue Nagovitsyna, who turned 48 on Aug. 20 according to Russian media, has so far been unsuccessful. A rescue helicopter crashed in the mountains and a group of climbers had to stop their ascent when their leader becoming seriously ill, according to Kyrgyz authorities. On Saturday, "weather conditions deteriorated sharply, so all rescue operations have been suspended," the spokesman for the Kyrgyz emergency situations ministry, Adil Chargynov, told Russian news agency Ria Novosti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A drone that flew over Nagovitsyna's location confirmed she was alive as of Tuesday, The London Times reported, but there was no sign of life when the drone flew over the same area on Thursday. Temperatures are currently hovering around -22 Fahrenheit at night at the summit of Victory Peak, accompanied by gusts of wind and snowstorms, according to a source at the ministry quoted by Russian news agency TASS. According to Chargynov, "all climbers, all experts share the view that she is unfortunately no longer alive." "We know where she is. But it's impossible to get there," Dmitry Grekov, head of the Victory Peak base camp, told TASS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to him, "no one has ever been evacuated" from such an altitude of the mountain. "It's impossible to do it manually, only by helicopter, and we don't have such helicopters in Kyrgyzstan." Victory Peak, also called Jengish Chokusu, is the highest mountain in the Tian Shan mountain range and is located on the ChinaKyrgyzstan border. An aerial view taken from a commercial plane shows Tian Shan Range in Kyrgyzstan on April 29, 2021. / Credit: Emin Sansar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Natalia Nagovitsyna's husband Sergei died of a stroke in 2021 while climbing Khan Tengri (23,028 feet), the highest peak in Kazakhstan, also in Central Asia, Russian media reported. The Daily Mail reported Nagovitsyna made headlines at the time for refusing to leave her husband on the mountain after his stroke. Earlier this month, a Chinese climber died after she was hit by falling rocks on K2, the world's second-highest peak. In July, German mountaineer and Olympic gold medalist, Laura Dahlmeier, died while attempting to climb another peak in the region. Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" PLATTSBURGH Clinton Community College welcomed new students to an orientation on campus Thursday and for the first time in nearly 60 years, it was not at the Bluff. Instead, students were invited to the colleges new campus location at 46 Beekman St. in the city of Plattsburgh, the former site of SUNY Plattsburghs Redcay Hall now known as the George Moore Building. MIRACLE What were looking at is a miracle, Acting President of CCC Ken Knelly said Thursday, as student after student flocked into the renovated lobby around him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A month ago we started the move, so to see all of this now and know what was here its a miracle, he said. In January 2024, Clinton Community College announced it would be moving the institution from its location on the Bluff on Lake Champlain to SUNY Plattsburghs campus located in the city of Plattsburgh by the fall of 2025. At the time, some doubted the college would be able to move that quickly. Theres not really a template for this. Its not like this happens every day moving your college to a different location quickly, Knelly said. So skepticism was justified. RELOCATION The relocation plan was financially motivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Clintons student enrollment continued to decline over the past decade, so did the amount of tuition the college was receiving. It had also become too expensive for the college to maintain its county-owned campus buildings on the Bluff. Thats a beautiful location Its also a very expensive location. That building is a very old building that was built in 1911 as a hotel, and so its expensive to maintain, Knelly said. Coming over here, were able to cut those costs. Before the move, Clinton was also in severe danger of losing its accreditation from Middle States Commission on Higher Education its accrediting agency which would have all but guaranteed it would have to close if it did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in November 2024, Middle States reaffirmed Clintons accreditation through 2029-2030 after the college showed improvement in student enrollment and its finances and had a continued plan to keep improving moving forward. That laid the groundwork for the future of things, Knelly said. Asked where enrollment was at now, Knelly said theyre looking at about 500 full-time and part-time students who will be taking classes at this campus or adjacent to the nursing or EMT campus. Thats a 10-12% increase from last year if it holds, he said. If that trend continues, there could be opportunities to expand the college. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think what wed have to do is look at some other locations, maybe on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus, Knelly said. I hope thats a problem we have. RENOVATIONS In anticipation of Clintons arrival, the State University Construction Fund began renovations on the Moore building in January. It had been renovated with new flooring, new paint, new moldings and accents of Clintons iconic orange and blue colors throughout it. Moving everything over to the new location somewhat began in June but really ramped up a month ago, Knelly said. Thankfulness and gratitude are really the themes of the move, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its not a made up theme, because every division of this college, every employee, has been a part of that, working hard, doing extra, trying to make it all work. GREAT BENEFIT Gina Lindsey, a humanities professor at Clinton since 2000, got emotional Thursday when talking to the media about the move. Its very hard to leave a place where youve spent most of your life and career and its such a beautiful place, Lindsey said. Im not gonna say its not sad and wistful, but we are very excited about our new location and what we can accomplish here. and I do think theres great benefit, not only to us being closer together as the community college, but also being right in the middle of Plattsburgh State as well to help our students make the transition to a four-year. Weve always had a great partnership, and I think that will just only enhance it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FALL SEMESTER The start of the fall semester is Monday. The majority of classes for students will be in the Moore Building, but being on the same campus as SUNY Plattsburgh naturally means there will be some sharing between the two institutions for some amenities and programs. For example, Clintons nursing classes will be in the medical arts building adjacent to CVPH at 206 Cornelia St. and the art programs will operate out of the basement in SUNY Plattsburghs Hawkins Hall where Knelly said there is studio space. Additionally, Clinton students will use the science labs in SUNY Plattsburghs Beaumont Hall and have access to Feinberg Library. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knelly said Clinton donated about 14,000 books to SUNY Plattsburghs Feinberg Library. The books have not been moved there yet, he said, but 9,000 of them are new and the rest were better condition editions of books they already had. The cottage where SUNY Plattsburghs Canadian Studies program operated out of is also now home to Clintons faculty offices. GOOD AREA TO BE Second-year criminal justice student Danika Clowney is looking forward to being so close to downtown Plattsburgh this semester. Sadly, we lost the view (with the move). That was really nice, Clowney said. But I like being at Plattsburgh around here, because now we have a lot more people to socialize with, and more areas to wander, which is nice, and downtown is, like, right around the corner with a lot of nice coffee places, bookstores. I feel like its a good area just to be at and wander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First-year math-science student James Cone, whose parents worked at the previous campus for many years and he visited quite a bit of, said he likes the new campus, located right across the street from Hawkins Hall, more. I think you can socialize way more, which I believe is a huge importance in college, Cone said. Aug. 24The largest community college in New Mexico is getting ready to open its new state-of-the-art trade school after five years of planning and two years of construction as it celebrates its 60th anniversary as an institution. In conjunction with its anniversary festivities scheduled for Wednesday, Central New Mexico Community College will cut the ribbon on its newest addition to campus. The new building will serve students looking to enter specialty trade careers such as welding, carpentry, plumbing and construction. The Journal was granted an exclusive tour of the five new buildings, whose construction was primarily completed before the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the beginning of the semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Beautiful craftsmanship, and you can see it everywhere," CNM Project Manager Maia Mullen said, walking around the 60,000-square-foot facility on Friday. The five buildings feature high ceilings and a plethora of natural light via floor-to-ceiling windows and, in some cases, garage doors. Also, all the buildings' exposed HVAC systems are painted blue, fire systems are painted orange and electrical work is painted yellow, to highlight them so students can observe firsthand the systems they are training on in action. "As students move through the space, they understand that to turn on the light on here, you can actually follow the yellow conduit all the way through down the hallway, back to the panel," Mullen said. "The building is a living system." The trade school will feature a courtyard between a "north bar," which houses administration, plumbing, construction and electrical labs, and a "south end," where the welding and carpentry labs are located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mullen, the welding lab is the largest in the country's southwestern region. There are 64 different welding stations for students to learn at. The new facilities cost just under $59 million in total, with $45 million going to construction. The skilled trades complex is anticipated to serve over 1,000 students this fall and is slated to be open and functioning by September, when classes begin. The investment comes when demand for trade labor is high and more people are considering pursuing a skilled labor career instead of a four-year degree. Plans for the latest addition came just before the pandemic, and the school broke ground during the summer of 2023. The project cost around $670 a square foot well over the projected initial amount due to skyrocketing materials costs following the pandemic and an increased demand for skilled labor jobs, similar to the ones the school hopes to become a premier training ground for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While trades are growing in popularity, CNM's roots began in workforce training when it opened as the Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) in 1965. "TVI started with 150 some students, a couple of programs in trades and very hardworking, clear, relevant education and training," CNM President Tracy Hartzler said in an interview earlier this month. "We haven't veered from that, and that's rare, that we are that consistent and that we've done it in a culture of caring." Aug. 25The largest community college in New Mexico is getting ready to open its new state-of-the-art trade school after five years of planning and two years of construction as it celebrates its 60th anniversary as an institution. In conjunction with its anniversary festivities scheduled for Wednesday, Central New Mexico Community College will cut the ribbon on its newest addition to campus. The new building will serve students looking to enter specialty trade careers such as welding, carpentry, plumbing and construction. The Journal was granted an exclusive tour of the five new buildings, whose construction was primarily completed before the ribbon-cutting ceremony and the beginning of the semester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Beautiful craftsmanship, and you can see it everywhere," CNM Project Manager Maia Mullen said, walking around the 60,000-square-foot facility on Friday. The five buildings feature high ceilings and a plethora of natural light via floor-to-ceiling windows and, in some cases, garage doors. Also, all the buildings' exposed HVAC systems are painted blue, fire systems are painted orange and electrical work is painted yellow, to highlight them so students can observe firsthand the systems they are training on in action. "As students move through the space, they understand that to turn on the light on here, you can actually follow the yellow conduit all the way through down the hallway, back to the panel," Mullen said. "The building is a living system." The trade school will feature a courtyard between a "north bar," which houses administration, plumbing, construction and electrical labs, and a "south end," where the welding and carpentry labs are located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mullen, the welding lab is the largest in the country's southwestern region. There are 64 different welding stations for students to learn. The new facilities cost just under $59 million, with $45 million going to construction. The skilled trades complex is anticipated to serve over 1,000 students this fall, and is slated to be open and functioning by September, when classes begin. The investment comes when demand for trade labor is high and more people are considering pursuing a skilled labor career instead of a four-year degree. Plans for the latest addition came just before the pandemic, and the school broke ground during the summer of 2023. The project cost around $670 a square foot well over the projected initial amount due to skyrocketing materials costs following the pandemic and an increased demand for skilled labor jobs, similar to the ones the school hopes to become a premier training ground for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While trades are growing in popularity, CNM's roots began in workforce training when it opened as the Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) in 1965. "TVI started with 150 some students, a couple of programs in trades and very hardworking, clear, relevant education and training," CNM President Tracy Hartzler said in an interview earlier this month. "We haven't veered from that, and that's rare, that we are that consistent and that we've done it in a culture of caring." U.S. and Canadian crews worked together Sunday to carry out two separate emergency medical evacuations from the cruise ship Ruby Princess, about 145 nautical miles west of Cape Flattery, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Ruby Princess contacted Coast Guard watchstanders early Sunday to report that two passengers needed immediate medical care. One was a 52-year-old woman who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest and was placed on life support. The other was a 99-year-old man who had a complete esophageal obstruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dual operation required resources from both nations. The Royal Canadian Air Force launched a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft from 19 Wing Comox in British Columbia. At the same time, the U.S. Coast Guard sent an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles. The Kingfisher aircraft helped provide aerial coordination throughout the rescue. The MH-65 crew hoisted the 99-year-old man from the Ruby Princess and flew him to Neah Bay, Washington, where he was transferred to a Life Flight Network aircraft for further transport. Meanwhile, the Cormorant helicopter crew successfully lifted the 52-year-old woman from the ship and flew her directly to Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, B.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cmdr. Kelly Higgins, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles, said the effort highlighted the importance of binational coordination. This case demonstrates how our specialized expertise and dedicated training allows us to rapidly respond to these types of time-sensitive medical evacuations at sea, Higgins said. The expert coordination between the Canadian Coast Guard, the Life Flight Network, the Royal Canadian Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard ensured this patient received the care they needed. The U.S. Coast Guard said the operation underscored the strong working partnership between Canadian and American rescue agencies, which often respond to emergencies in shared waters. Visitors view paintings at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. An art exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened to public here on Monday. The exhibition, which will run until Sept. 18, brings together over 300 artworks including Chinese paintings, oil paintings, woodblock prints and sculptures. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) Visitors view artworks at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. An art exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened to public here on Monday. The exhibition, which will run until Sept. 18, brings together over 300 artworks including Chinese paintings, oil paintings, woodblock prints and sculptures. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) A visitor views a painting at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. An art exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened to public here on Monday. The exhibition, which will run until Sept. 18, brings together over 300 artworks including Chinese paintings, oil paintings, woodblock prints and sculptures. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) A visitor passes by a painting created by Xu Beihong, a famous Chinese painter, at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. An art exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened to public here on Monday. The exhibition, which will run until Sept. 18, brings together over 300 artworks including Chinese paintings, oil paintings, woodblock prints and sculptures. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) Visitors view a painting created by Qi Baishi, a famous Chinese painter, at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. An art exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened to public here on Monday. The exhibition, which will run until Sept. 18, brings together over 300 artworks including Chinese paintings, oil paintings, woodblock prints and sculptures. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) Visitors view artworks at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. An art exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened to public here on Monday. The exhibition, which will run until Sept. 18, brings together over 300 artworks including Chinese paintings, oil paintings, woodblock prints and sculptures. (Xinhua/Lu Peng) Hamas terrorists carry grenade launchers at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, February 7, 2025. (photo credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed/File Photo) "The shocking footage illustrates how the terrorist organization Hamas oppresses the population, abuses civilians, and uses unrestrained violence against people." The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on Monday publicized a series of videos of what it said were Hamas operatives abusing, assaulting, and shooting at Gaza residents. COGAT published the videos as Israel and Hamas compete over the global narrative on Gaza. The terrorist organization is trying to emphasize food-insecurity issues, convincing the UN to label them as famine. Jerusalem is trying to remind the world that many Gazans view themselves as prisoners under the authoritarian rule of Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling Hamas the embodiment of evil and unrestrained cruelty to preserve its bloody rule, the videos released by COGAT mostly show extensive beatings of tied-up men lying on the ground, some with their eyes blindfolded, crying out in pain from being struck with hard objects or from being kicked. The grainy videos also show some gunshots aimed at the people being taped. COGAT reveals video showing Hamas terrorist brutality beating Gazan, August 25, 2025. (credit: COGAT) COGAT Commander Maj.-Gen. Ghassan Alian, addressing the international community on COGATs English X/Twitter page, wrote: Hamas embodies the essence of evil. The shocking footage illustrates how the terrorist organization Hamas oppresses the population, abuses civilians, and uses unrestrained violence against people in order to maintain its bloody rule and consolidate its power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas once again proves that it does not represent the residents of Gaza it rules over them with force, fear, and cruelty. Hamas's brutality against Gazan civilians Hamas does not deny that it beats and kills Gazans, creating many of these kinds of videos and disseminating them to spread fear among the population especially fear of cooperating with Israel and any authority that is not Hamas. Over the years, Hamas has frequently beaten and killed Gazans affiliated with the Palestinian Authoritys Fatah movement, Hamass rival, which governs the West Bank and governed Gaza until Hamas carried out a coup in 2007. Hamas usually tries to portray those being beaten or killed as collaborators or traitors with Israel in an effort to avoid drawing attention to its own focus on simply maintaining power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas is defined by most Western countries as a terrorist group, especially after the October 7 massacre. The sympathy of Western countries with Gazans food-insecurity issues, which are partly caused by Hamas, has shifted far greater attention lately to criticizing Israels policies regarding managing the flow of humanitarian aid and trying to cut Hamass control of food aid. Cole County Circuit Court Judge Brian Stumpe issues an influential ruling in a lawsuit challenging a $51 million appropriation to the MOScholars program Monday (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The Missouri State Treasurers Office can continue to subsidize private-school scholarships from a $51 million allotment of state revenue while a lawsuit challenging the funds constitutionality makes its way through the system, Cole County Circuit Court Judge Brian Stumpe ruled Monday morning. Stumpe rejected arguments by the Missouri branch of the National Education Association that the flow of funds should be stopped in order to prevent unauthorized spending of state funds that cant be clawed back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he didnt outright deny the teachers unions case, also turning down the states motion to dismiss Monday. Still, Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is in his final days in office before stepping into a federal position as co-deputy director of the FBI, labeled the ruling a victory. Parents, not unions, not bureaucrats, know whats best for their kids, he said in a press release. This case is about freedom and opportunity, and todays ruling is a huge step toward securing both. At the center of the case is the MOScholars program, which until the infusion of general revenue landed last month funded private-school scholarships through a tax credit program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit challenges the shift from a program dependent on donations which taxpayers are able to receive back as a tax credit equal to 100% of their contribution to a state-sponsored voucher program. Both sides met in circuit court last Thursday for the first in-person hearing of what will likely be a months-long legal battle. MNEAs attorney Loretta Haggard argued that the appropriation lacks authority from state statute. You cant just turn on a hose of $51 million in general revenue and force it through the tax credit framework, she said. There are gaps in that framework. But the attorney generals office and intervenors from Indiana-based advocacy group EdChoice argued the legislatures authority in the budget process was sufficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just because (the budget bill) funds a program set up by other statutes does not make a new appropriation unlawfulnew funding is a common, necessary, and entirely unsurprising feature of general-revenue bills, Baileys office wrote in a filing submitted Aug. 15. The digital case record does not include Stumpes reasoning for the two denials Monday. MNEA President Rebeka McIntosh shared her concerns about the unhampered flow of tax dollars to private schools in a statement. Politicians think theyve won, but Missouri NEAs 45,000 educators know better. Well prove in court what rural Missouri already knows: when you kill the school, you kill the town, she said. These vouchers violate our constitution and hurt our kids. The case does not yet have a trial date. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Aurora, operated by private prison firm GEO Group, is pictured on Jan. 30, 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) Reports of recent water and air conditioning outages at an immigration detention center in Aurora were among the concerns highlighted by Colorados four Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives in a letter to the Trump administration on Friday. The letter followed a visit earlier this month to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Aurora by U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette of Denver, Joe Neguse of Lafayette, Jason Crow of Centennial and Brittany Pettersen of Lakewood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crow and Neguse are among a dozen House Democrats who have sued the Department of Homeland Security over a new ICE policy requiring lawmakers to obtain prior approval to conduct facility oversight visits. But despite providing advance notice of their Aug. 11 visit, the four Colorado Democrats said that ICE personnel accompanying them were unable to provide much of the information they asked for. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX They failed to answer many of our questions and repeatedly encouraged us to instead email ICEs Office of Congressional Relations, they wrote in their letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons. The inevitable delays caused by routing our questions through OCR, rather than the ICE employee leading the oversight visit, prevent meaningful oversight from taking place in a timely manner. The letter includes four pages of questions about the Aurora facility, which is operated by private prison company The GEO Group. The facility has a total capacity of 1,532 detainees and has long been the target of criticism from activists over allegations of inhumane conditions and dehumanizing treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the concerns highlighted by the Aug. 22 letter are reports of an air conditioning system within the detention center not functioning for period of time in July. Detainees in one of the facilitys housing pods were reportedly relocated as a result. The letter also mentions reports on several occasions of water outages in the facility, including in July and August of this year. Other issues raised include recent prohibitions on orientation programs previously conducted by legal aid groups, as well as increased signage and repeated visits from ICE staff pressuring detainees to self-deport. The lawmakers also want more detailed demographic information about detainees in the facility, including their countries of origin, the number of detainees entering and leaving the facility on a weekly basis, and the percentage of detainees who have not been convicted of a violent crime. Caroline Dias Goncalves, a 19-year-old Utah nursing student without a criminal record, was detained in the Aurora facility for 15 days earlier this year before being released on bond. She called her stay a nightmare and described having to eat soggy bread and being treated better than others who didnt speak English. Internal ICE planning documents obtained by The Washington Post indicate that up to three new immigration detention centers could be operational in Colorado by the end of the year. The lawmakers letter to DHS says that an ICE staffer told them that one of those potential facilities, in the town of Hudson, is under contract with ICE. The lawmakers asked DHS to provide answers to their questions by Sept. 5. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE (The Center Square) The Colorado legislature has passed a bill that funds Medicaid reimbursements for Planned Parenthood and others who provide reproductive health care services, including abortions. The Colorado House voted 43-19 Sunday in favor of Senate Bill 25B-2, following the Senates approval Friday. The bill now goes to Democratic Gov. Jared Polis for his signature. The Democratic majorities in the two houses support the bill. Republicans oppose it because of its approximately $4.4 million cost for the current fiscal year, a number cited by the nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 25B-2 directs the state Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to use money from the state's General Fund to provide Medicaid reimbursements to entities that are denied money from the federal government. The bill is a response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut federal funding of Medicaid reimbursements for reproductive health care providers such as Planned Parenthood. Th Colorado legislation was essential to protecting Coloradans right to care, said Jack Teter, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains vice president of government affairs, in a statement. Colorado Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Commerce City Democrat, speaks in front of Democratic state lawmakers to kick off the special legislative session on Aug. 21, 2025. (Photo by Delilah Brumer/Colorado Newsline) The first handful of bills from the special legislative session have landed on Gov. Jared Polis desk after winning final approval from lawmakers over the weekend and on Monday morning. The Legislature began its special session last Thursday to pass revenue-raising policies to help fill an approximately $750 million gap in the states budget. That hole follows the passage of the federal tax cut and spending law in July, which hit Colorados project tax revenue for the current fiscal year and years to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats plan to rebalance the budget includes the policies passed this session to raise more tax revenue, a dip into the states reserve funds and a spending cut plan that the governor is scheduled to present to lawmakers later this week. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Republicans railed against the Democrat-backed bills that they see as detrimental to the states business community and in violation of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which mandates voter approval for tax increases. They want the state to cut expenses rather than find ways to raise more money. Why are we here talking about raising taxes on businesses, mortgaging future revenue, instead of talking about addressing the real issue? I dont know, Sen. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican, said on the Senate floor Monday morning. We are continuing to punish the businesses in this state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five bills focused on raising revenue would raise about $250 million in the current fiscal year by eliminating tax breaks at the state level and letting companies pre-pay taxes at a discount. Four of them were passed by the Senate on mostly party-line votes on Sunday evening and Monday morning. House Bill 25B-1005 would repeal a provision in state law that allows retailers to keep 4% of their sales tax collections, sometimes referred to as a vendor fee, as a way for the businesses to cover the cost of collecting the taxes. The bills fiscal note estimates it would raise $28 million in revenue for the state in the current fiscal year, and $57 million the next year. Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat, said the tax incentive is outdated, and cutting it is necessary amid the state budget hole. Kipp also pointed to how tax code changes in the federal Republican domestic policy law primarily benefit businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobody wants to give up something theyve already had, and nobody wants to be for asking people to do that, said Sen. Cathy Kipp, a Fort Collins Democrat. Its just that this is where we find ourselves today. But we do not genuinely pay people to pay their taxes. We do not generally pay people to comply with the law. Sen. Lynda Zamora Wilson, an El Paso County Republican, spoke against the bill during its final debate on Monday morning, and so did several of her Republican colleagues. We should be incentivizing businesses, this is the time, Zamora Wilson said. Weve got to make cuts. Ill say it again and again. Five Democratic senators sided with Republicans in voting against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate then passed House Bill 25B-1003. This would repeal a tax incentive for insurance companies that have at least 2.5% of their domestic employees in Colorado. The bill would raise $44 million for the state in the current fiscal year and $91 million the following year. Finally, senators signed off on House Bill 25B-1001. This would permanently extend a requirement that high-income taxpayers who own sole proprietorships, S corporations or partnerships add back their qualified business income federal tax deductions when calculating their Colorado taxable income. It will only impact single filers who make at least $500,000 and joint filers who make at least $1 million, so business owners who earn less than that still will benefit from the deduction at the federal and state levels. Congress made the federal deduction, which can be up to 20% of that pass-through income for business owners, permanent with its recent law. Colorado decoupled from the federal deduction for high earners in 2020. The bills fiscal note estimates it would raise about $46 million in the current fiscal year and about $95 million in the next one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the Senate passed House Bill 25B-1002. This bill would expand the list of countries that the state considers to be tax havens, which limits the deductions that corporations can claim on taxable income in those jurisdictions. The bill would bring in an estimated $36 million in state tax revenue for the current fiscal year, according to its fiscal note. The bills Democrat sponsors have argued that the bill closes corporate tax loopholes during a time when the state budget is hurting. But Senate Republicans were wary that the bill could hurt businesses. The Colorado Legislature sent four other bills to Gov. Polis desk over the weekend. The Senate signed off on amendments made in the House to a bill to redirect a small amount of money from the states wolf reintroduction program to the health insurance affordability fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 25B-3 would change a referred ballot measure in November to ask voters if the state can use extra money collected for universal school meals to also cover costs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Senate Bill 25B-2 would allow the state to pay for Medicaid services from organizations that provide reproductive health care, namely Planned Parenthood, that the federal government has withheld Medicaid money from. The bills fiscal notes estimates it would cost Colorado a maximum of $4.4 million during the current fiscal year, which began on July 1. Senate Bill 25B-1 would set a process for the governor to notify and consult with the Joint Budget Committee on mid-year spending cuts needed to overcome a revenue shortfall, like the ones he is poised to do soon after this special session. The governor would be able to suspend and cut state funding, and therefore need to meet with the JBC, if the reserve needs to be tapped by up to 3% of the General Fund budget, or if that reserve is projected to dip below $1 billion. No bill signings had been scheduled as of Monday afternoon. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Aerial view of the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. (Photo courtesy Dylan Taylor/University of Florida) The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously approved Donald Landry, a Columbia University medical researcher and professor, as its interim president Monday. During a special meeting in Gainesville, Landry committed to uphold state laws relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to condemn antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to come to the University of Florida was very simple. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. A preeminent university in what one could argue is the preeminent state in this nation at this moment in time, Landry said. Until 2023, Landry was chair of Columbias Department of Medicine. This is the culmination of my career of four decades at Columbia and my years with the American Academy of Sciences and Letters, Landry said. Landry is president of the American Academy of Sciences and Letters. The organization focuses on truth-seeking and science, arts, and learned professions by awarding scholars for intellectual freedom, distinction, and scholarly integrity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry continued to serve as a professor at Columbia, and said that during his time there hes been watching in awe at the way the University of Florida has handled this difficult moment. The chance to come here and to live the mission that weve been lauding and rewarding through our prizes at the academy is another great opportunity, Landry said. A neutral institution, Landry said, is conservative. Not espousing conservative values, certainly not indoctrinating in conservatism. It would be neutral. It wouldnt choose sides. There wouldnt be constant pronouncements that divide the faculty into those who are aligned and those who are not, dividing the students among those who are aligned, those who are not, Landry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry hold a Presidential Citizens Medal, awarded by former President George W. Bush in 2008. Landry, who has a doctorate in organic chemistry from Harvard University and a medical degree from Columbia, is director of the Columbia Center for Human Longevity and a professor at New York Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Inclusion The search for an official president at UF took an unprecedented turn earlier this year. UF trustees in May unanimously approved former University of Michigan President Santa Ono to be the next leader of the institution. However, final approval by the Board of Governors of the State University System proved a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a long interview in which governors grilled Ono about his past support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, among other topics, they rejected him in June, sending UF trustees back to the beginning. The topic surfaced during Landys interview with trustees Monday. When DEI first emerged, it was a bit vague what it actually meant, and you could define the words to be many things. By the time it crystalized, it was clear it had gone too far, and I think we can all be thankful that government has intervened and returned us to a rational meritocracy, Landry said. The Florida Legislature has passed laws prohibiting spending state funds on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would absolutely uphold the position of the university, complying with the laws of the state, Landry said. Kent Fuchs, president of the flagship university from 2015-2023, agreed to serve as interim president on Aug. 1, 2024, after former President Ben Sasse unexpectedly left the post last summer. A year elapsed, and Fuchs agreed to extend his one-year agreement for another month, until Sept. 1. Landry will start next week and final approval for his interim presidency is expected to be taken up by the Board of Governors in two weeks. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Multiple institutions and community leaders have planned to come together on Saturday, Aug. 30 for the Health, Hope and Healing Wellness Fair. The Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine, local churches, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department and the Pillars Initiative will be working together for the event. Officials say the Health, Hope and Healing Wellness Fair is in honor of National Faith HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the event, local churches, non-profits and advocacy groups will provide onsite spiritual, physical and mental health resources and services. The services and resources include prayer, health screenings, at-home rapid HIV test kits and more. Black people living in Georgias rural areas are more susceptible to communicable diseases than those in urban areas due to a lack of access to preventative education and adequate health care, stated Maisha Standifer, PhD, Director of Population Health at SHLI. At SHLI, we collaborate with churches and other groups to meet people where they are. Our community partnerships empower them with vital information and resources, allowing them to thrive. SHLI is co-hosting the wellness fair as part of its Georgia Thrives campaign. The organization launched the campaign in 2023 in response to the increasing number of Georgias Black residents contracting HIV, especially Black women and Black people living in rural areas such as Columbus. The Health Equity Tracker reports that HIV prevalence among Black residents aged 13 and older living in Muscogee County, where Columbus is the county seat, is over 70%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Shirley Winston Recreation Center at 5025 Steam Mill Road, Columbus, Georgia, 31907. The wellness fair is free and 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 WRBL. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) The Columbus Police Department is asking for the publics assistance in a search for a woman who went missing more than seven years ago. CPD says Erin Collier was last seen in Columbus, as SVU investigators are still seeking answers on her disappearance. The police department encourages anyone who has additional information on Colliers whereabouts, to contact Sgt. Christy Edenfield at 706-225-4344 or cedenfield@columbusga.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPD says a reward is available for information leading to Colliers whereabouts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATED, with additional details: Baltimore-based comic Reginald Reggie Carroll died after a shooting in Mississippi, according to Southaven Police, CBS reported. He was 52. Per law enforcement, officers responded to the Burton Lane area on August 20 regarding a shooting, where they found a victim with gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts conducted at Memphis hospital Regional One Health, Carroll died from his injuries. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Southaven Police Department said one man is in custody and has been charged with Carrolls killing. Information released after the killing indicates Carroll was touring with Katt Williams at the time, and police have since arrested and charged 38-year-old Tranell Marquise Williams, who was working as a security guard on the tour, in the shooting death, according to Fox 13 Memphis. It was revealed the shooting took place in a building that houses a clothing and merchandise company owned by Katt Williams. Early reports of the shooting, which took place Wednesday, indicated it was an isolated incident, though there is an ongoing investigation. Club Mobtown Comedy paid tribute to the Maryland resident after his death, posting on social media: Rest in power @comedianreggiecarroll, thank you for being one of the OGs who supported us early on. The Mobtown family and the Baltimore comedy community are very saddened by this loss of one of our citys great talents. Sending our prayers to Reggies family Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll toured his standup at comedy clubs across the country, with the likes of MoNique, who called him her brother in comedy. This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if youll get a chance to see them again, and the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together, the Oscar-winning actress said on her Instagram Story, chuckling, thats what it was, an amazing time, being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing. Per his IMDb page, Carroll appeared in a 2000 episode of famed live variety series Showtime at the Apollo, filmed at Harlems Apollo Theater. He also appeared in an episode of Moesha spinoff The Parkers on UPN, opposite MoNique and Countess Vaughn. Carroll produced and appeared in 2023 standup special Knockout Kings of Comedy and starred in the 2022 TV movie Rent & Go. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A police car is parked at a destroyed gasoline station after it was struck by Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 25, 2025. The death toll rose to six from Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, with 86 others wounded, the Houthi-run health ministry said Monday. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) SANAA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to six from Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, with 86 others wounded, the Houthi-run health ministry said Monday. Seven children and three women are among the injured, and 21 are in critical condition, said the ministry in a statement. Houthis officials told Xinhua Sunday night that the toll could increase, as several of the wounded remain in critical condition. The strikes, carried out Sunday afternoon, targeted fuel and power stations, the presidential palace complex and other civilian facilities, according to the Houthis. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a statement that an air attack was carried out in Yemen. The military said the sites included the presidential palace, the Asar and Hizaz power plants and a fuel storage facility, which it said were being used for military activity. Israeli state-owned Kan TV reported that 14 warplanes took part in the attack, dropping about 40 bombs in the area. In a statement issued Sunday evening, the Houthi group accused Israel of "brutal aggression" against civilian facilities and held both Israel and the United States responsible for what it described as a "heinous crime." The Houthis vowed to strike back in retaliation. The strikes came two days after the Houthis fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at Tel Aviv, damaging houses with shrapnel but causing no deaths. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, including Sanaa and Hodeidah port, have launched repeated attacks on Israel since November 2023, in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes on Houthi-held areas. People inspect a destroyed gasoline station after it was struck by Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 25, 2025. The death toll rose to six from Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, with 86 others wounded, the Houthi-run health ministry said Monday. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) A destroyed oil tankers is seen after it was struck by Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 25, 2025. The death toll rose to six from Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, with 86 others wounded, the Houthi-run health ministry said Monday. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) People inspect a destroyed gasoline station after it was struck by Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, in Sanaa, Yemen, Aug. 25, 2025. The death toll rose to six from Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sanaa, with 86 others wounded, the Houthi-run health ministry said Monday. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua) (The Center Square) Seven weeks after flash floods ripped through Hunt and Ingram in Kerr County, recovery and rebuilding efforts are ongoing. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott returned to the area Saturday as he has repeatedly done since July 4. This time, it was to hand out checks directly to survivors through money raised by Country Music legend George Strait and Vaqueros del Mar partner Tom Cusick. Nearly one month ago, they raised $7 million through a Strait To The Heart concert with one caveat that the money be given directly to those impacted. Two weeks ago, Abbott and Cusick handed out $25,000 checks to several dozen survivors. On Saturday, the second round of checks was distributed to those who lost their homes or suffered other losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to make sure that when you leave here today that you feel that every need you have is being met, Abbott told roughly 75 people at an invite-only event in Ingram. This is the worst flood in the history of Texas as it concerns the loss of life. We're still working to address those concerns as well as continuing to search for two remaining people who are still lost, he said. The July 4 flash flood disaster claimed at least 137 lives in several counties. Kerr County suffered the most losses of 108. Two remain missing. We know the magnitude of the devastation that has occurred to this community, Abbott said. Part of it is physical devastation because of damages to your homes or vehicle or property or loss of loved ones or injured loved ones. We know that those are challenges that don't go away just because it's a new week or a new month. There are challenges, mental and emotional, maybe physical, that exist for a long time. I say all this because in addition to helping you rebuild your homes, we want to help you rebuild your lives. Know that there are resources available for you as we help you personally, individually. We want to make sure that you know you have support here. You don't have to go looking for it. You don't have to go paying for it and it is available for you constantly as you go through the process of rebuilding your lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott and Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said they wanted everyone there to tell them exactly what their needs were and how they could help them. After survivors met Vaqueros del Mar representatives who handed them checks, they waited to meet the governor. As they waited, several remarked that they didnt realize the governor wanted to hear from them. He is listening to us, several said, The Center Square exclusively observed from behind-the-scenes. Abbott shook their hands, held their hands, looked them directly in the eye, and listened to their every word. He hugged many. He asked them questions. He listened as they described through tears everything they lost. One woman, shaking and sobbing, described how she survived by opening her car doors. As the water rushed in, she lost her dog. Abbott, who has three dogs, empathized. She was distraught and he comforted her. Another described climbing up to his attic to survive; another said she would be dead if she had been home. She lost everything. Others showed the governor pictures of devastation on their phones. Still visibly shaken, they spoke with tears streaming down their faces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One by one, they came. Many held manila folders stuffed with examples of bureaucracy. One woman explained the difficulty Home Association members were having with FEMA. Exasperated, she handed a folder to Kidd, saying, Tell Kristi Noem!, referring to the Department of Homeland Security secretary who oversees FEMA. Kidd said he would. For roughly two hours, Abbott greeted everyone, Kidd next to him scrawling notes on a notepad, connecting survivors with a TDEM liaison to ensure they had what they needed. Toward the end, an elderly man told the governor, You waited to talk with me. You did exactly what you said you were going to do. Just outside the school auditorium where the meeting was held, large black debris removal trucks lined the Guadalupe River. Familiar to those in hurricane prone Houston or Galveston, residents in Ingram and Hunt now regularly see and hear them crunching bark. Instead of the sounds of screams of terror in the early hours of July 4, seven weeks later, silence hovers over uprooted trees strewn along a now shallow rivers edge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As they live with new sounds and new memories, survivors said they were comforted by a governor who was there when cameras were long gone. He really cares, many said of the governor as they left. Those who werent at the event but learned of it later, told The Center Square, His actions, when no one else sees, speaks volumes about his character. What he did shows that he really cares. GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE A deep love for a long-time village firefighter who became chief was shown Saturday afternoon, with a massive turnout for a fundraiser to help the family of Chris Craft, who died earlier this summer. Village officials and fire department members said Craft was a man who went above and beyond to help those in his community. Former GOTL Fire Chief Tim Mills, who hired Craft as his assistant, said there was no one as selfless as Craft. I cant say enough about my relationship with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it is a great loss for the community. GOTL Mayor Dwyane Bennett echoed those sentiments. [Craft] is just one of those guys who was irreplaceable, he said. It is a great loss for us. Mills said Craft was always helping community members that needed assistance during times of trial. He would bring food to those in need, find a generator for senior citizens without power in addition to his day to day job as a protector of the community. Craft also served as a lieutenant in the Geneva Fire Department and was an emergency medical technician for Northwest Ambulance District during his career, said Michelle Collier, who helped organize the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just wanted to give back to his family, she said. Chris has done so much for this community, she said. Collier said Craft helped people on and off the clock. She said he did not become fire chief for the prestige, but because he loved the job. Collier said the fundraiser was designed to help Crafts wife, children and grandchildren. She said families also sacrifice when their loved ones are in emergency services and spend time away from home. His familys resilience and sacrifices were a vital part of his service and legacy, a poster for the event said. Their love, dedication, and support sustained his career and reflect the true meaning of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundraiser was scheduled to last three hours, and early on, Collier said 6,000 raffle tickets had been sold. The event was called The Last Alarm: Basket Tribute, and 100% of proceeds from the fundraiser are to go to the family, organizers said. MUNCIE, IN The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County recently awarded $215,264 in community grants. Community grants provide nonprofit organizations serving Muncie and Delaware County with the opportunity to apply for funding to support their work. Grants are awarded to "address the broad needs of Muncie and Delaware County," according to a news release. Workers unbox nutritional supplements to provide local cancer patients. The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Little Red Door Cancer Agency to support the cost of nutritional supplements for low-income, underserved and unserved cancer patients in Delaware County. Community grants are announced quarterly. The Community Foundation's board of directors approved 18 community grants totaling $215,264 during the third quarter of 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Red Cross received $5,000 to support disaster survivors. The Arc of Indiana received $10,000 for marketing and outreach. BY5 Early Childhood Initiative Inc. received $14,457 for operations support. Classroom Connections of ECI received $1,500 for emergency HVAC repairs. College Mentors for Kids Inc. received $13,000 for a mentor program that pairscurrent students from Ball State University with elementary school students. Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Planning Commission received $5,000 for theDelaware County Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan. Guardian Advocates Inc. received $5,000 to support volunteer recruitment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana University Health Foundation received $10,000 to build an outdoor pediatric rehab playground. This is the first of a three-year commitment totaling $30,000. Indiana Youth Institute received $7,500 to provide learning opportunities for youth-serving professionals. Little Red Door Cancer Agency received $10,000 to support the cost of nutritionalsupplements for cancer patients in Delaware County. Masterworks Chorale Inc. received $5,000 for operations support. Minnetrista received $9,850 for the Threads of Home exhibition. Muncie Community Schools received $24,117 for a pilot program to serve elementary school families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Muncie Delaware County Area Senior Citizens received $40,000 to supportoperations. Muncie Mission received $26,840 to staff its free medical clinic. Muncie OUTReach received $2,500 for security at Muncie Pride. Selma Lions Club received $500 for security at Bluebird Days. Whitely Community Council received $25,000 for operations support. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Foundation awards $215,000 in community grants When Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell and the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee first announced the foundations Belonging Fund, both parties made it clear: These donations wouldn't go toward supporting immigration legal services. The fund launched the day after the start of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in early May that already had resulted in the arrests of an unknown number of undocumented immigrants. The Belonging Fund was a quick response, which Community Foundation CEO Hal Cato said was intended to help families affected by the raids with addressing child care and transportation costs, housing assistance and food insecurity. Thats changing soon. Recently, Axios Nashville reported the donation page for the fund was updated to reflect that actually, funds will be directed to nonprofit organizations and service providers offering immigration-related legal services moving forward, as well as specialized medical and mental health care tailored to immigrant communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it turns out, this was always the plan. Thats according to Kelly Walberg, the foundations vice president of marketing and communications, who told The Tennessean on Aug. 21 that distributions from the fund are paused at the moment as it prepares for its next stage. Legal assistance has, historically, been something that weve always included in our emergency grant-making, Walberg said. This isnt different than what we have done historically, and the due diligence piece isnt different, either we are just ensuring that we are keeping up with our rigorous processes we like to keep in place for our funds. What the fund will look like from here Walberg said the Belonging Fund had already been in the works well before the ICE operation began in Nashville. Conversations within the foundation revolved around what a fund providing basic human needs for the immigrant and refugee community might look like. Then ICE began making arrests. It was at that point, Walberg said, the foundation knew it needed to quickly turn it on and begin collecting donations, much in the same way it responded to the fatal shooting at Antioch High School earlier this year and to past natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pieces werent in place to distribute donations for legal aid, though. There was a need for more consultation with legal counsel, and to come up with a process for nonprofits to apply for grants initially, the foundation partnered solely with Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, Conexion Americas and the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition to distribute emergency funds to families. According to an FAQ document Walberg shared with The Tennessean, the fund was designed to be flexible in order to adjust to the dynamic nature of the challenges facing immigrants and so that the fund can be responsive to the communitys needs. We just wanted to make sure that we were getting financial dollars out at that moment, Walberg said. And at the time, we were not prepared to provide dollars for legal aid. Since then we have paused the fund, because we knew we were out of that immediate response phase. We wanted to take a look at the original intent for what the fund was going to do, and really dig in and provide that long-term vision for it. Walberg said outreach has begun to several donors who made gifts to the fund and will continue to take place as the foundation moves through the steps of that long-term vision. She said the response so far has been positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To date, the Belonging Fund has collected about $531,000 in donations and distributed $98,000 of that to Conexion Americas. For the moment, distribution remains paused until a steering committee is established to help inform the foundations decisions. We just want to make sure the process is tight, Walberg said. Belonging Fund isnt about politics The Belonging Fund was swept up in national criticism from Trump administration officials and Republican lawmakers alike, largely centered around the mayors response to the Nashville ICE operation. It began on a more local scale, though. First, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles hosted a Memorial Day news conference at the Tennessee State Capitol calling for an investigation into the mayor. One of Ogles guests supporting that event District 28 Metro Nashville Council member David Benton asked for a state or federal audit of the Belonging Fund, as he wanted to clarify whether any funds are inadvertently supporting and violating the federal law against harboring undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same day, Tom Homan, the White Houses border czar, appeared on Fox News to criticize OConnell and the Belonging Fund. By the end of the week, two Congressional committees had initiated an investigation into the mayor. The letter announcing it condemned OConnells role in announcing the charitable fund, which his office has repeatedly clarified isnt run by the mayors office and doesnt utilize taxpayer funds. Walberg said nothing has happened with that investigation, at least as far as the Community Foundation goes. The heightened federal scrutiny hasnt put the nonprofit off from its plans, either. Supporting our neighbors, including our immigrant and refugee population, isnt about politics, Walberg said. Its really about what the Community Foundations mission is, and its to help to provide basic needs and support to our neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walberg said legal counsel has advised the nonprofit that its abiding by the law, and it's interested in maintaining a high level of transparency anyway. Walberg said its also typical for Nashville mayors to spread the word about Community Foundation fundraising efforts. Even so, heightened polarization and politicization around the issue of immigration did help determine how the foundation would distribute the Belonging Fund initially. Walberg said the nonprofit decided to wait until the immediate response phase had died down before directing the funds toward legal services. We want this to last for a very long time, and we dont want it to just be available when families are being torn apart from each other, or arent able to put food on the table or send their child to day care where they then cant get to work, Walberg said. Austin Hornbostel is the Metro reporter for The Tennessean. Have a question about local government you want an answer to? Reach him at ahornbostel@tennessean.com. Get Davidson County news delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Belonging Fund to shift to providing legal services for immigrants A screen at the Minnehaha County Courthouse that normally displays the daily court calendar sits blank on Aug. 20, 2025, the second day of disruptions to South Dakota's state network. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) The loss of state governments online and communications services for nearly two business days last week started with the failure of a data center core switch in Pierre, according to the office that maintains the network. The problem with the switch at the states Capitol caused a power outage and chain reaction across the state data center, which is the term used by the Bureau of Information and Telecommunications to describe the hardware across South Dakota connected to its communications network. The disruption began on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the outage, people were unable to get birth or death records, marriage licenses, vehicle registrations, drivers licenses or license plates. The state court system declared a judicial emergency because electronic court records were inaccessible. Law enforcement was unable to run license plates for driver information during traffic stops for a portion of the outage. Lisa Rahja, spokeswoman for the bureau, told South Dakota Searchlight in an email that the replacement switch was shipped to Pierre overnight Tuesday and installed Wednesday. A data center core switch, Rahja said Monday, is the high-capacity network backbone for all servers and systems located within the data center that connects the rest of the network and routes data traffic. Outage coincides with first meeting of infrastructure work group Wednesday, the second day of the outage, marked the first meeting of the Governors Resilience and Infrastructure Task Force, a group led by Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen thats tasked with studying the states physical and digital infrastructure with an eye to upgrades and improvements. The groups meetings are not open to the public due to the sensitive and secure nature of the work, according to the Governors Office. The office also says the task force is a working group, and therefore not obligated to conduct its business in public under a subsection of the states open records law. Venhuizen, in an email to South Dakota Searchlight, said Thursday that the outage did not hamstring the groups first meeting, but it was a timely reminder of the many ways that critical infrastructure and systems can be disrupted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his weekly column on Friday, Gov. Larry Rhoden emphasized that the service disruption was the result of a power outage, not any kind of nefarious activity, but said the situation shows why the group is needed. They exist as a strategic advisory body to assess risks and vulnerabilities and support long-term planning and investment in critical infrastructure, Rhoden wrote. Rhodens column also said that Bureau of Information and Telecommunications Commissioner Mark Wixon missed the first task force meeting to oversee the response. At one point, the governor wrote, there were concerns that the replacement part had missed its truck and was stuck in Sioux Falls, but thankfully, that ended up not being the case. Lawmakers react, plan to question bureau The outage and its impact will be part of discussions during the next Government Operations and Audit Committee meeting, Rapid City Republican Sen. Taffy Howard confirmed on Saturday. The committees task is to oversee the operations of state government for the legislative branch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bureau was already set to appear during the Sept. 24 meeting, said Howard, who is chairwoman of the committee, and will now be expected to explain the outage. Rep. Marty Overweg, R-New Holland, is vice chairman of the committee. Everybody needs to know what happened, because we dont, Overweg said last week. Ive heard a lot of different things. He noted that the Bureau of Finance and Management is in the midst of a multi-year, $70 million upgrade of the states money management, procurement, employee expense and risk management software system. The project, which began in June of 2024 under the name BISON, was endorsed as a replacement for a software system so old it could no longer be serviced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outage is concerning, Overweg said, at a time when we just spent millions of dollars on this whole new program. Rep. Erik Muckey, D-Sioux Falls, is a member of the budget committee. He said last week hes concerned about the outage, and that he hopes it shows the importance of investing in infrastructure upfront. The notion that a component failure could have such a widespread impact, Muckey said, should have lawmakers asking why there wasnt a backup plan. Im concerned that we might not have an adequate plan for redundancy, Muckey said. This should not happen. If we expect to operate effectively, we should not be down for two days. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A pelican is receiving necessary care after it was found injured Saturday in Georgetown County. Georgetown County Fire and EMS stated that a concerned citizen, unsure of what to do, brought the injured pelican to one of their fire stations for help. The crew contacted the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Avian Conservation Center in Awendaw. While waiting for transport, the pelican got a safe, calm place to rest right here in the fire station bay, the agency said in a Facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SCDNR personnel arrived and took the bird, who fire and EMS named Palmetto Pete the Pelican, to Charleston County for medical attention and rehabilitation. A description of the birds injuries was not given. Photo courtesy Georgetown County Fire and EMS Photo courtesy Georgetown County Fire and EMS Photo courtesy Georgetown County Fire and EMS Were glad to have been able to help this coastal neighbor get the care it needs. Big thanks to SCDNR and the Avian Conservation Center for the incredible work they do every day, said Georgetown County Fire and EMS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. WASHINGTON Republican leaders in Congress are launching an investigation into whether top police officials in Washington, D.C., engaged in a cover-up of crime statistics to make it seem as if illegal activity in the capital city was decreasing over the last three years. The House Oversight Committee announced on Monday it would open an inquiry into the Metropolitan Police Department and whether it deliberately manipulated data to show lower crime rates. As part of the inquiry, the panel is requesting access to all documents and materials detailing the decision-making behind the departments crime reporting process. New: @GOPoversight is launching investigation into whether DC police has deliberately manipulated its crime data to make it seem like crime has gone down in the city Comes as Trump takes more action this morning to crack down on crime rates and federalize local law enforcement Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) August 25, 2025 MPD has a duty under federal and local law to accurately report crime to the public, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a statement. However, in May, MPD placed Third District Commander Michael Pulliam on administrative leave following allegations that he altered crime reports. Unfortunately, this practice does not appear to be isolated, nor is it a recent development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comer pointed to a recent settlement that showed senior MPD officials engaged in falsifying crime statistics to show artificially lower rates. The committee chairman said a separate whistleblower had also disclosed information to lawmakers that MPD supervisors intentionally published the data by ignoring the judgment of patrol officers who actually interviewed witnesses and collected evidence by recommending reduced charges. A whistleblower with direct knowledge of internal MPD operations and crime data discussions also informed the Committee that crime statistics were allegedly manipulated on a widespread basis and at the direction of senior MPD officials, Comer said. According to the whistleblower, while MPD took action against a single District Commander, the issue potentially affects all seven patrol districts, as MPD leadership allegedly instructed Commanders to routinely downgrade charges to artificially lower District crime statistics. Members of the South Carolina National Guard patrol the platform of the Washington Metro Gallery Place station in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. | Rod Lamkey As part of the inquiry, the committee will seek transcribed interviews with all seven of the citys district commanders in September and October. The commanders must also hand over all crime reports, communications between MPD leaders and city officials regarding efforts to reclassify or amend crime reports, and a full and unredacted copy of the settlement report alleging manipulated data. The Deseret News contacted MPD for comment. As part of investigation into DC crime data, Oversight Committee will call in all seven MPD district commanders to appear for transcribed interviews: https://t.co/mBfxjTCWmv pic.twitter.com/Ebhsp8f5rF Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) August 25, 2025 The investigation comes as President Donald Trump escalates his efforts to federalize the D.C. police department, issuing two executive orders on Monday to end certain local law enforcement policies and to respond to some local crimes with federal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly accused the city of falsifying its data to make it appear as if crime is going down, prompting the Department of Justice to open its own investigation into the city last week. Trump announced on Aug. 11 he would send at least 800 National Guard soldiers to the nations capital to crack down on what he described as out of control crime, particularly attacks committed by teenagers. As of Sunday, many of those soldiers are now being armed, according to the military. The Trump administration has touted its work in the capital city so far, which it says has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests and no reported homicides in nearly two weeks. D.C. was one of the most violent cities in the world, but for President Trump coming in and bringing in our federal partners weve got a unified force of people and law enforcement who were going into the crime-ridden areas and making a difference, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told Fox News on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, only 31% of D.C. residents say crime is extremely or very serious, according to a recent Washington Post poll. Another 41% said it was moderately serious. More than a quarter (28%) said they found crime to be not too or not at all serious, the poll shows. WARNING: Some viewers may find this video disturbing. Discretion is advised. Above: Bodycam footage of the officer-involved shooting from May 16, 2024 in Bridgeport BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) A Bridgeport officer was justified in shooting a man who ran at police with knives in 2024, according to a report from the Office of Inspector General. On May 16, 2024, around 6 a.m., officer Israel Colon responded to a man, identified as 49-year-old Dale Stephenson, acting erratically on Birdseye Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Office of Inspector General releases bodycam footage of Bridgeport police shooting man armed with knives Police said Stephenson was holding two large knives above his head before charging at officers. Colon fired three gunshots at Stephenson, seriously injuring him. Stephenson was struck by two bullets in his left forearm and left leg, according to the report. He was transported to St. Vincents hospital for treatment and was charged with first-degree criminal attempt to commit assault. Further investigation of the area revealed two swords, according to the report. The Office of Inspector General said Colon did not have time to use de-escalation techniques and his use of force to defend himself was justified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the totality of the circumstances, I therefore conclude that the use of deadly physical force by Officer Israel Colon was justified under Connecticut law, The Office of Inspector General said. Accordingly, my office will take no further action on this matter. Bridgeport Police Chief Porter released the following statement regarding the report: I am pleased, support, and agree with the Inspector Generals findings. Thank you to the Inspector Generals office for their thoroughness and professionalism shown towards the Department and Police Officers. While I am pleased that this clears my officer, this was ultimately a tragic event; one which the officer was faced with imminent threat of deadly force and had to make a split second decision. This is a clear situation where the officers professionalism and training were followed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Construction on the first permanent, accessible trails at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument has begun. The trails are expected to be unveiled to the public in 2027, and once complete, visitors will be able to explore the southern portion of the park. The 3.3 miles of the new Tufa Trail will feature bilingual wayside exhibits, tactile models and wayfinding maps. The new trailheads are set to act as a gateway between North Las Vegas and the natural Mojave Desert landscape. The trail area will conserve natural washes and waterways that provide habitat for sensitive plants and wildlife, including the Las Vegas bear poppy, a rare yellow-flowered poppy native plant, Las Vegas buckwheat, and Mojave Desert tortoise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This important milestone removes accessibility and language barriers for outdoor recreation while also enhancing the visitor experience, Amanda Rowland, Tule Springs Fossil Beds Superintendent, said. The project will help the National Park Service conserve sensitive resources, and the trails will direct visitors to a well-marked, accessible trail with engaging exhibits that promote stewardship and prevent sensitive resources from becoming trampled or disturbed. Those visiting the trails will also have a chance to see the only Ice Age braided rivers in North America. The stream formations, which are currently protected by the National Park Service, were once plentiful across the Las Vegas valley but have been mostly lost to urban development, according to NPS. The following areas in North Las Vegas will be closed during construction: South of Grand Teton Drive, between Tule Springs Parkway and North 5th Street North of Grand Teton Drive, east of the Aliante Loop Trail The closure will not impact existing trailheads such as the Durango and Aliante Loops, according to NPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Design and construction of the trail is funded entirely in-kind by home builder D.R. Horton as part of a 2018 land exchange agreement between the National Park Service and the City of North Las Vegas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As the Democratic Party searches for direction in the post-2024 landscape, its leaders seem bent on alienating their own base over Gaza. This is not a matter of nuance or tactical positioning; its a profound moral and political miscalculation. That failure is on vivid display in the decision by House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (Redlands) to help lead a delegation of mostly freshman Democratic representatives recently to Israel. The trip included meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption in Israel and is the subject of arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity. Polling makes the disconnect impossible to ignore. In July, Gallup found that just 8% of Democrats approve of Israels military campaign in Gaza, with disapproval overwhelming. Pew Research Center reported in April that 69% of Democrats now hold an unfavorable view of Israel a striking shift from just a few years ago. And Data for Progress has consistently found supermajority Democratic support for a permanent ceasefire; in May 2024, 83% of Democrats backed a permanent ceasefire, and in a June 12, 2024, poll a majority of Democrats said they believed Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aguilars role makes this especially galling. He isnt a backbencher; hes a high-ranking member of the Democratic Party leadership. That gives him a particular responsibility to model principled conduct for newer members. Instead, hes showing them the wrong lesson: that obedience to the donor class matters more than representing constituents. The point is underscored by his fundraising: OpenSecrets reports Aguilar received about $678,000 from donors categorized as Pro-Israel in the 202324 cycle. The mechanics of that influence are no mystery. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee and allied pro-Israel PACs reward loyalty with torrents of campaign cash and punish dissent with lavishly funded primary challenges. Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush both outspoken critics of Israels conduct in Gaza have been textbook examples: Bowman was unseated after record outside spending flooded his race, and Bush faced a barrage of super-PAC money that ultimately toppled her. The incentive structure is clear: Toe the line and your coffers swell; cross it and a financial juggernaut rolls over you. There is a political price for complying with this pressure, however. The Institute for Middle East Understanding's Policy Project , using YouGov, found that among voters who backed Joe Biden in 2020 but chose someone else in 2024 ending Israels violence in Gaza was the top issue for 29% nationally ahead of the economy and 20% in battleground states. Those results point to a straightforward conclusion: Ignoring Democratic voters on Gaza depresses enthusiasm and peels away enough support to matter in close races. Gaza is politically damaging not only because of the issue itself though the moral stakes could hardly be higher but also because it has become a measure of where leaders loyalties lie. Voters read it as a test of whether their representatives will stand with the people who elected them or with wealthy donors and foreign lobbies. Fail that test and many will assume you might betray them on other critical issues in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic leaderships unwillingness to adapt is not just bad politics; its a betrayal of basic democratic principles. Rank-and-file Democrats overwhelmingly want an end to the carnage, an end to unconditional military aid to Israel, and policies rooted in human rights and international law. Yet too many leaders seem more concerned with keeping favor in donor circles than with honoring the publics will. If Democrats hope to retain their coalition, they need to realign policy with their voters values: call for a permanent ceasefire; condition U.S. military assistance on compliance with international law; and replace photo-op delegations with diplomacy that centers on justice and accountability. Until then, every AIPAC-sponsored trip led by a party leader will read like a declaration of priorities and a reminder of the price the party will continue to pay at the ballot box. George Bisharat is a professor emeritus at UC Law San Francisco and a longtime commentator on U.S. policy toward the Middle East. 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. An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 23, 2025 shows yachts returning to a dock in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan) HAIKOU, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Typhoon Kajiki, the 13th typhoon of the year, brushed past the coast of south China's island province of Hainan on Sunday night, affecting over 100,000 people, according to a provincial press conference held on Monday. The typhoon passed through the offshore areas from the resort city of Sanya to Ledong Li Autonomous County, and headed toward the central and northern coastal regions of Vietnam, according to the press conference on Kajiki response. Preliminary figures show that about 102,500 people in Hainan have been affected, and no casualties had been reported as of 9 a.m. Monday. The typhoon inflicted damage on roads, water supply systems, power and communication facilities in cities and counties including Sanya, Ledong, Lingshui and Wanning, as well as fallen trees and flooding in some areas. More than 10,000 personnel from the military, armed police and firefighting teams have been dispatched and over 770,000 pieces of emergency supplies were allocated to support flood control, disaster relief and road clearance in severely-affected areas. Public transportation across the province is gradually resuming operations. Sanya Phoenix International Airport has resumed normal operations, while the three major ports in the provincial capital Haikou are expected to reopen on Monday. Controversial amendments threaten to derail Jacksonville city budget negotiations Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan spoke out against last-minute additions to the city budget on Monday, arguing they are distractions meant to divide the city. Action News Jax told you Friday when the finance committee added in language into the budget to prohibit city funds from being spent on diversity, equity and inclusion, immigrants without legal status in the country and abortion. Councilmember Rory Diamond (R-District 13) pushed for all three amendments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were saying no, Donna, there will be no money for DEI. No, Donna, there will be no money for abortions. No, Donna, there will be no money for illegal immigration, said Diamond during a Monday press conference. The language was added into the proposed budget months after Mayor Donna Deegan vetoed legislation that would have prevented the city from contracting with organizations that offer services to immigrants without legal status. A vote by the council to override that veto failed. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] All of these things were put in simply to basically throw a grenade in the middle of the process, said Deegan on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mayor argued the policy items have no business in the city budget and only aim to sow division. It is a distraction from what were actually dealing with here, like so much of what were talking about right now, said Deegan. But its not clear whether the mayor could use her line-item veto authority to remove those spending restrictions individually, or whether shed have to veto the entire budget to push back. It doesnt make any sense to me that you could put something into the budget that is not a spending issue, first of all. But if you can, then why couldnt you also veto that provision? said Deegan. Were waiting on hearing from the General Counsel on that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Line-item vetoes only take a simple majority vote of council to override, which wouldnt likely be a difficult hurdle for the Republican supermajority to overcome. But if the mayor vetoes the full budget, its unclear whether a two-thirds majority would be needed. Council President Kevin Carrico (R-District 4), who supported the spending restriction amendments, said the council is still seeking answers to those questions. Obviously, the mayor is not going to want to support those items. Its going to be counterproductive to her political lens, which is different than my political lens and a lot of the members on council. So, well see, said Carrico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing is certain, failure to approve a budget before the start of the next fiscal year would not lead to any type of local government shutdown. If theres no new spending plan in place by October 1st, city funding will simply continue at its current levels until a new budget is passed. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Bryan Kohberger, the 30-year-old former criminology student convicted of murdering four University of Idaho students in a brutal 4 a.m. home invasion, is now asking prison officials for a transfer after reporting multiple threats from his fellow inmates. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, in July 2025, Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, receiving four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional ten years. According to documents from the Moscow Police Department (MPD) in Idaho, Kohberger submitted a handwritten request to the Idaho Department of Correction asking to be moved from J Block, a high-security unit housing some of the states most violent and high-profile prisoners, to a quieter section known as B Block. Kohberger claims that he is experiencing ongoing verbal harassment, describing almost nonstop threats from other inmates, some of them sexual in nature. The murderer first raised concerns just two days after arriving in J Block and followed up within the week with corrections officers, reporting instances where inmates allegedly threatened sexual assault and other forms of physical intimidation. In his request, he referenced the prison term administrative segregation, a pretty big sign that he may wish to be housed separately from all other inmates for his own protection. Prison officials have not yet publicly indicated whether they will honor his request. Some could speculate that Kohbergers social difficulties and atypical behavior, referenced often during his trial, may have made him an immediate target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents from the MPD suggest he exhibits limited social awareness, and during his time in confinement, he has had several confrontations with other prisoners. One incident involved him snapping at an inmate during a jailhouse video chat with his mother, while another inmate reportedly described him as a weirdo. Kohbergers high-profile conviction has kept him under intense scrutiny both inside and outside prison walls. Before his arrest, digital forensic experts found evidence of some heavy paranoia and frantic searches on his phone, particularly after learning that a white Hyundai Elantra had been identified as the suspects vehicle in the murders. In the hours before his capture, Kohberger searched for terms like wiretap and psychopaths paranoid, checked police press releases, and even looked for another car to replace his own, per Fox News. DX contacted the Idaho Maximum Security Institution for a comment regarding Kohberger, but did not receive a response. Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Ashely Kramlich is tracking a cold front moving into the area late Sunday night. Kramlich said the dry air behind it will stick around all week, bringing in a false fall. That means morning lows will drop to the 50s and 60s this week. Highs will be in the low to mid 80s. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV Weather App for alerts wherever you go] [INTERACTIVE: StormTracker 2HD Radar] Heres what to know heading into Sunday night and Monday morning: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Few showers this evening Cold front moves in later tonight bringing in dry air for the week Cool, fall-like week ahead Next chance of rain comes in late week [UPLOAD PHOTOS: Share your weather photos with us here] These changes to SNAP could make thousands of Nevada kids ineligible for free school lunches that they rely on during the school year, warned Nevada Democratic U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. (Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current) An estimated 131,000 Nevadans could lose food and nutrition benefits under the recently-passed One Big Beautiful Bill, leaving struggling food banks to cover the growing need. President Trumps tax and spending bill made significant changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including shifting more of the cost burden to states while also changing eligibility requirements for beneficiaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those changes have left the state with a projected $19 million budget shortfall for the program next year. The state is already $244,000 short this year after the bill required states to pay for immediate access to a federal income verification system that was previously free to use. Instead of giving more resources to the states so they can shoulder that burden, it actually takes resources away from states. While states figure out how to close that gap, organizations like Three Square are left with really too much uncertainty, and that is the problem, said Nevada Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto during an event at Three Square of Southern Nevada Friday. The food bank has experienced an 8% year-over-year increase in food assistance requests, with a more substantial rise observed in the past month. Beth Martino, president and CEO of Three Square, said while the food bank is working to meet that demand it can not replace the assistance SNAP provides families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SNAP is the most effective hunger relief program that we have in Nevada and around the country. The work that Three Square does to put food on peoples table is incredibly important, but for every meal that three square distributes, SNAP provides nine, Martino said. Every month SNAP provides food assistance to around 505,000 Nevadans 15.5% of the total population. Nevada has one of the highest participation rates in the nation, but those who need the benefits may soon be pushed out. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill, the federal government is also expanding work requirements to qualify for SNAP assistance. Able-bodied adults ages 18-64 (previously 18-54) must now work or participate in job training for 80 hours each month. Several groups that were previously exempt from those work requirements are no longer exempt, including parents with children 14 and older, veterans, those who have aged out of foster care, people experiencing homelessness, and those living in areas with limited job openings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This law makes devastating cuts to food assistance across the country, and right here in Nevada, Cortez Masto said, noting that nationwide it could lead to 40 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, and 1.2 million veterans across our country losing access to food. Cortez Masto emphasized that fewer children in Nevada will be automatically eligible for free school meals as families lose SNAP and Medicaid benefits under the Republican tax and spending bill. These changes to SNAP could make thousands of Nevada kids ineligible for free school lunches that they rely on during the school year, she said. The Just One Project in Nevada works with state officials and nonprofits to help people maintain their SNAP benefits through case management. Brooke Neubauer, CEO of The Just One Project, said they served more than 300,000 clients in 2024 and expect to serve more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The enrollment is going to become more challenging and the reenrollment process is going to be more challenging with the new requirements, Neubauer said. We are ready to create programs to help support these people. Another major impact of the law is a change in how much states would need to pay to maintain the program depending on error rates. The federal government previously covered all of a states SNAP benefits. But the new law requires states with an error rate the percentage of benefits that are over or underpaid at or above 6 percent to cover between 5% and 15% of total benefit costs starting in 2028. Nevadas error rate currently sits at around 7%. If that error rate continued into 2028, Nevada would be penalized by having to pay 5% of benefit costs, which would be equivalent to $55 million annually, according to past data. Its just unfair, and its cruel. At a time when food insecurity in our state is on the rise, groceries are increasingly unaffordable, and its harder and harder to make ends meet, what we should be focusing on is how to ensure that our hard work for families and their kids have everything they need, and we shouldnt be taking things away from them now, Cortez Masto said. AUSTINBURG TOWNSHIP Tradition was a big part of Austinburg Country Days this weekend, with a wide variety of fun opportunities for area residents and their children. More than 40 units participated in a parade that stretched out over a portion of Route 45. People lined both side of the street to get a good view of the parade, and easy access to candy for the children. Another part of the big weekend was honoring founders of the township. Albert and Vilma Irons rode in a car and later were introduced to those attending the festival for their long-time commitment to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albert Irons, 91, said he was born in a house close to the Country Days site, and lives about a block away now. Vilma said they have been married for 70 years and lived in Mentor for 45 years before returning to be closer to friends and family. Vilma Irons said it was nice that festival organizers got a big crowd after all their hard work putting the event together. Olivia Bailey was announced as the 2025 Country Maiden, to represent the festival. She said she was excited when she found out she won the contest. K.T. Reihner roller skated the length of the parade route with her dog, Junebug, with her on a leash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I skate all the time with [the dog], she said. Marcy Hejduk said the festival got off to a good start Friday evening, with 90% of the vendors coming to the first evening and a good crowd to hear the band. The parade included the Geneva High School band, a variety of floats, twirling groups, royalty from other festivals. A wide variety of food concessions were on-site to meet the needs of the people, and a to-go chicken dinner was sold by a local church. Childrens rides were also a hit Friday and Saturday, as well as games to get children into the flow of the festival. A wide variety of vendors participated in the festival, including Tim Anderson, who was showing the results of his love of quilting that started four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parade winners include Exuberance Twirlers, the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge float, Jacks Tiki Bar, a truck representing the Ed Williams family and a tractor owned by Fred Hilldom. The GHS Band played the National Anthem while most of the participants covered their hearts to honor the country as members of the Northeast Ohio Sons of the American Revolutions hoisted the flag. GREENBELT, Md. (DC News Now) Kilmar Abrego Garcia is at the center of a new lawsuit against the Trump administration, wherein his legal team questions the legality of his potential deportation to Uganda, citing fears of persecution. After returning home to his wife and children in Maryland late last week, he was detained at ICEs Baltimore Field Office on Monday, Aug. 25. While ICE is holding Kilmar Abrego Garcia and keeping his lawyers in the dark as to what is next for him, Administration officials continue to spread lies about the facts in his case. Instead of spewing unproven allegations in the press and social media, the Trump Administration needs to put up or shut up in court and allow Mr. Abrego Garcia the opportunity to defend himself. That is the right to due process that he and everyone else living in America is afforded by our Constitution, and we will keep fighting to ensure that right is honored. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) INITIAL COVERAGE: Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador due to administrative error, court filings say Max Marcilla/DC News Now On Monday, his lawyers filed another lawsuit against the Trump administration, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)s Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, ICE Baltimore Field Office Director Nikita Baker and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court documents, they again questioned the legality of Abrego Garcias detention. This comes after the latest development in his months-long case, where the government told Abrego Garcias team that it intended to deport him to Uganda. In an email from ICE to Abrego Garcias attorneys, the government said it intended to remove him to Uganda in just over 72 hours which would be around 4 p.m. on Aug. 27, this Wednesday. In response, Abrego Garcia stated his fear of persecution and torture in Uganda. I fea[r] that this country will [re-deport] me to El Salvador, where I also fear persecution and where I have been tortured in the past, he wrote in court documents filed on Aug. 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Government ordered to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia; can return to Maryland And now, the Government has, without forewarning, taken [Abrego Garcia] into ICE detention based on the notice of removal to Uganda, without providing him an opportunity to be heard on his expressed fears of prosecution and torture in that country, court documents read. In summarizing the facts of his case so far, Abrego Garcias team said his related cases have been extensively litigated five times: In immigration court in Baltimore; The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (twice); The Supreme Court; And the federal district court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcias lawyers stated they believe the government detained Abrego Garcia in order to punish him for filing these suits and challenging his initial deportation to El Salvador. His lawyers also argued Abrego Garcias removal to Uganda is especially concerning, considering Costa Rica offered him resettlement and he designated it as his preferred country of removal. In a letter obtained by DC News Now, the Government of Costa Rica wrote to the Embassy of the United States about its willingness to accept the transfer from the United States to Costa Rica of Mr. Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia upon the conclusion of any criminal sentence he may serve in the United States of America. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Abrego Garcia released from prison, headed to family Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said they intend to provide him with refugee status or residency upon his transfer. They also noted that they would not remove him to any other country including El Salvador, his home country without Abrego Garcias consent. His lawyers claim the governments intention to remove him to Uganda is yet another punishment and a process that officials know will trigger more lengthy legal proceedings. They called for the Maryland court to do the following: Order the government to justify the basis of Abrego Garcias detention in fact and in law; Keep the government from detaining Abrego Garcia more than 200 miles from the Maryland courthouse; Keep the government from removing Abrego Garcia to Uganda without first concluding his reasonable fear and appeals proceedings; Keep the government from removing Abrego Garcia to Uganda without first trying to remove him to Costa Rica; Find that the governments detention violates his due process rights; Issue a writ of habeas corpus and order Abrego Garcia be released from physical custody; Grant any other relief at law and in equity as justice may require. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. CHIPPEWA FALLS A Chippewa Falls man accused of repeatedly stabbing his friend in the neck with a broken beer bottle in May 2023 will return to court today, as Judge Steve Gibbs weighs a motion to throw out his interview with police. Abraham Sanchez-Galicia, 29, 219 W. Grand Ave., is charged in Chippewa County Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, mayhem, and first-degree reckless injury. Gibbs previously set a five-day trial to begin on Oct. 6. Last year, defense attorneys Kirby Harless and Ryan Kohler filed a motion to suppress, saying police began interviewing Sanchez-Galicia before he was properly given his Miranda rights reading in a manner that could be understood by Sanchez-Galicia. The defense attorneys are asking that the interview be suppressed, meaning it would not be allowed as evidence in a trial. A Spanish interpreter has been used in all court hearings in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chippewa Falls police officer Ryan Boie testified at a hearing in April about interviewing Sanchez-Galicia at the police station shortly after the assault, explaining that Sanchez-Galicia would speak and Eau Claire police officer Rogelio Gonzales, who speaks both English and Spanish, would interpret. At the time, the Chippewa Falls Police Department did not have any Spanish-speaking officers. Both the defense attorney and the district attorneys office have filed recent briefs with the court, stating their positions on if the interview with police should be allowed to be introduced as evidence to a jury. During the interrogation, when Officer Gonzales was giving the Miranda Warning, his language was often muddled and unclear, defense attorney Harless wrote in a filing with the court this month. Mr. Sanchez-Galacia is simply nodding along during this. At no point did law enforcement check to see if the nod was an actual affirmative understanding or the type that presents as just an effort to communicate. Harless concluded his brief by writing, The translation by Officer Gonzales was not clear and there were insufficient indications that Mr. Sanchez-Galicia understood his rights and that he would be giving them up by talking. Officer Gonzales lack of training and experience as a translator resulted in confusing language that lacked grammatical clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that April hearing, Assistant District Attorney Sheila Yohnk played a video of the police interview in court, which showed Sanchez-Galicia was read his Miranda Rights in Spanish, and he nodded his head that he understood them, then signed a form that stated he was given the reading. Gonzales then testified and said he speaks both languages fluently because he grew up learning both at home. Gonzales said he has administered Miranda Rights readings five to 10 times in his career, and has served as an interpreter numerous times. Sanchez-Galicia remains in custody on a $250,000 cash bond because he is deemed a flight risk. According to the criminal complaint, the Chippewa County dispatch center received a call at 1:05 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, but nothing was heard on the call. The dispatch center called the number back but did not get a response. A second call from that number came to the dispatch center at 1:08, but the voice was an unintelligible man; the call came from the lobby of the police department. Dispatchers accessed the police department camera system and informed officers that a male subject was in the front lobby, covered in blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several officers responded to the lobby and spoke to the man, who was identified as Sanchez-Galicia. He was not wearing shoes, socks or a shirt. Officers observed the front side of Abrahams body was covered in partially dried blood from the bottom of his torso to the top of his neck, the complaint states. Abraham had blood on his face and a large bloody handprint right below his right arm. Due to the amount of blood observed, officers were concerned Abraham was seriously injured. However, upon inspection, the only injuries observed were lacerations on Abrahams hands, fingers, and knees. Due to a language barrier, officers had difficulty communicating with Sanchez-Galicia, but they believed he was indicating that there was an injured person at a nearby residence in the city. When officers arrived, they saw multiple broken glass shards on the cement outside the front door. They found a male victim, lying face down in a pool of blood, in the living room. The victim was not moving or speaking. Blood spatter was observed on all four walls in the room, the complaint states. He was taken to a nearby hospital with several lacerations on his face, neck and hands. The doctor advised the laceration to the neck would require emergency surgery due to potential injury to a large vein in [the victims] neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the aid of an interpreter, Sanchez-Galicia told officers his friend had attacked him and he had defended himself. Abraham took a preliminary breath test, which showed a .099 blood-alcohol level. Sanchez-Galicia explained that his friend was eating Sanchez-Galicias food, and he told his friend he needed permission first. The victim said he was going to eat it anyway and insulted him. He claimed his friend came at him and they fought. Abraham stated while they were struggling on the ground, beer bottles were falling around them and [the victim] was attempting to reach for a beer bottle. Abraham admitted he used his left hand to hold [the victim] down by the neck, grabbed a broken beer bottle, and repeatedly struck [the victim] in the neck. Abraham informed officers he did not stop hitting [the victim] until [the victim] stopped moving. Sanchez-Galicia initially claimed he immediately went to the police department for help, but when officers confronted him that the blood on his body had already dried, he admitted he first called a family member. He added that he had consumed 12 bottles of beer before the incident. The victim needed a blood transfusion at the hospital because of significant blood loss. He had emergency surgery due to injuries to his neck and a second surgery the following day. The victim told officers he was fearful for his life during the incident and believed Sanchez-Galicia was going to kill him. Schererville man charged with rape A Schererville man faces a rape case after allegedly assaulting a woman, then apologizing in text messages. Jendryk Andrews, 25, was charged Friday with two counts of rape, one count of criminal confinement, strangulation, domestic battery and one misdemeanor. He is being held without bond until Sept. 9, when it will be reset to $100,000, or $10,000 cash surety. The woman told police that she went to Andrews apartment Aug. 21 to get some things. He physically picked her up from the bathroom, then sexually assaulted her on his bed, before choking her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats disgusting what you just made me do to you, he said, according to court documents. He punched a wall. So now you fear me? Ive buried friends before, he said. Andrews confirmed several parts of the victims story to police, saying he lost (himself) for a moment and something turned dark. Im utterlydevastated I even thought that was a good idea, he wrote in one text to the woman. I am sorry though, Im stillcrying dude. Police: Smoke shop owner assaulted employee A Cedar Lake smoke shop owner is facing a criminal charge for allegedly assaulting a 24-year-old employee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habeeb Habeeb, 58, owner of Cedar Lake Tobacco, Vape and Cig, 13140 Wicker Ave., was charged with one count of criminal confinement. Two counts of sexual battery were dismissed Monday, records show. A bail hearing is scheduled Sept. 3 before Judge Aleksandra Dimitrijevic. The victim told police that Habeeb got mad about stocking a new vape, grabbed her by the hair, dragged her into his office and slammed her face on his desk, according to a press release. He pulled down her pants and spanked her buttocks, then took pictures of her injuries, charges allege. Calumet City man arrested in hit-and-run A Calumet City man has been arrested in a Hammond hit-and-run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daquan Howard, 25, was charged July 10 with aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, criminal recklessness, leaving the scene of an accident with moderate for serious bodily injury, and misdemeanor domestic battery. He posted a $6,000 bond Monday. A woman told police that Howard, her ex-boyfriend, showed up in a red Mazda as she and her new boyfriend were walking near State Line Avenue and Webb Street. Howard hit her three times in the back of the head after they argued, she said. When the couple tried to walk away, Howard hit them with his car, then took off, an affidavit alleges. Anyone with information can contact Hammond Police at 219-853-6490. The courts would probably block Nigel Farages attempts at mass deportation using British common law, even if he unpicked Britain from international human rights laws, former attorney general Dominic Grieve has warned. The shot across the bows for Reform UKs extreme proposals comes as Mr Farage prepares to lay out details on his plan on Tuesday morning. Mr Grieve, who recently led the UK Governance Project, a commission which set out recommendations to restore confidence in decision-makers, has issued a scathing critique of Reforms plans to crack down on the small boats and illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as polling by YouGov has revealed that the public is losing confidence in Sir Keir Starmer to tackle the migration crisis, with 71 per cent saying he is handling it badly amid record numbers of small boats crossing the Channel, despite a new returns deal with France. Dominic Grieve said Reforms deportation plan could be blocked by the courts (PA Archive) With disturbances in protests outside migrant hotels over the weekend, Labour has revealed details of trying to water down the impact of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) and fast-track cases in a bid to get on top of the problem. Mr Farage, whose party is leading in the polls, hopes to capitalise on the problems with his mass deportation plan. He will set out plans for five deportation flights a day, dealing with 24,000 asylum seekers detained in holding centres at RAF bases. The Reform leader will also claim that return deals will be done with all countries to which those asylum seekers would need to be deported, including Iran, Afghanistan and Eritrea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But speaking to The Independent, Mr Grieve has detailed both domestic and international obstacles that would emerge, even after forcing through massive legislative reforms that could leave Britain as an international pariah. Most notably, he pointed out that getting rid of international agreements the UK has signed up to would not necessarily mean that the courts would allow Mr Farage, if he became prime minister, to simply deport irregular migrants or foreign criminals. This policy would require leaving the Refugee Convention, change your national domestic laws, which reflect the operation of the Refugee Convention, pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and give the government through primary legislation essentially full powers to remove aliens who are regarded as being undesirable from the United Kingdom, he noted. But on what the courts might still do, he added: You still cant rule out that a court might in the case of somebody where it was quite clear they were going to be deported, in circumstances where their lives would be seriously at risk in their home country intervene to stop deportation under customary law or even the common law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On top of this, Mr Grieve envisages massive political upheaval caused by those protesting against the draconian policies of what would be Britains most right-wing government. Nigel Farage is set to give details of his plans on Tuesday (PA Wire) He said: A section of the population will think the government is behaving terribly and failing to honour our obligations to genuine refugees. They will mount campaigns of various sorts against it. So it would be against the background of a pretty noisy, political narrative. But the single biggest problem, he warned, was that countries were unlikely to willingly take back illegal migrants and criminals. International problems on returns Large numbers of these people destroy their own documentation, and therefore identifying precisely where they come from is not always easy, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the government would have to apply political leverage on those foreign states, including, I suppose, threatening them if they didnt cooperate, but I think that would be necessary in order to achieve it, because in many cases there are... if you dont have bilateral agreements, youre going to have considerable difficulty. In terms of people who hold dual UK nationality with another country committing criminal offences, he also foresaw serious difficulties. There are very large numbers of people in this country, particularly from Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have dual nationality, even though they may be third-generation people living in Britain. If they havent got a passport, and the country concerned says, Im not going to give them a passport, then youre not going to be able to put them on a plane. But the impact of Britain removing itself from international law will have other consequences, Mr Grieve noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top of these would be the collapse of the post-Brexit deal with the EU, which includes a provision that the UK must remain in the ECHR. Small boats have come in record numbers (Getty) He said: I certainly think that if the UK unpicks itself from international law without the support of other like-minded states, you are going to get zero cooperation from those other countries. Youve got a whole host of political problems, because whilst on paper, you may say, Oh, it doesnt matter, we can get rid of the European Convention on Human Rights, the consequence is that the Trade and Cooperation Agreement [TAC] with the EU comes to an end. You are going to have to grapple with the consequences of that, in terms of the impact on trade, travel, sharing data, security and a whole host of other issues. A number of other concerns are being raised by critics of the plan, including the fate of the 31,000 women and girls who claim asylum each year but could be returned to countries like Iran and Afghanistan, where they would face human rights abuses because of their gender. Added to that, it would take 18 months to build the detention centres required, leaving question marks over where the migrants who arrive in that period would be housed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there are worries about costs. In April, former Reform MP Rupert Lowe and the Centre for Migration Control claimed the plans would cost 47.5bn, but Reform is now suggesting that figure would be 10bn. The criticisms have been dismissed by Reform, with Mr Farage still set to lay out details of how it will work and the legal advice he has received. A Reform UK spokesperson said: Politicians have completely failed to stop illegal migration for years. Those like Dominic Grieve never even tried in the first place. Only Reform has the courage to do what must be done and deal with this problem head on. The only way to stop people coming into Britain illegally is to detain them and deport them. On Tuesday, we will outline a bold plan to do just that. CHICAGO A man is in critical condition after he was shot by an ex-boyfriend of a woman on the South Side Monday morning, according to police. Officers responded after 3:20 a.m. to the 6200 block of South Michigan on the report of a shooting. CPD believes a 34-year-old man and a woman were inside of an apartment when an ex-boyfriend of the woman kicked in the door. The man was shot twice, in the abdomen and in the foot, and the suspect fled the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave a tip at cpdtip.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday met with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung in Beijing. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that after the inauguration of the new ROK government, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call with President Lee Jae-myung, during which they reached important consensus on promoting the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations in the next step. Wang noted that China maintains stability and continuity in its policy towards the ROK, urging both sides to adhere to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations, firmly uphold the direction of friendship, expand common interests, foster greater goodwill, properly handle sensitive issues, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations in the right track. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Korean Peninsula, Wang said, adding that China is willing to work with all peace-loving countries and people to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory of World War II and international fairness and justice. Wang called on both sides to safeguard the international free trade system together, jointly oppose trade protectionism, practice the concept of multilateralism, enhance communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations and others, and effectively respond to regional and even global challenges. Park Byeong-seug asked Wang to forward the letter from President Lee Jae-myung to President Xi. He said that the new ROK government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to work together with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance high-level exchanges, expand practical cooperation for the future, increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, youth and other fields, and bring the strategic cooperative partnership between the ROK and China back on track. The ROK always respected the one-China principle and is willing to develop relations with China and other major countries in parallel to jointly maintain regional peace, stability, development and prosperity, he added. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Park Byeong-seug, special envoy of President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae-myung, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Removes repetition of 'per hour' in first paragraph) ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkeys transport minister was slapped with a speeding ticket after posting a video of himself driving 225 km per hour (140 mph) on a highway nearly twice the legal limit prompting ridicule on social media and a public apology. The clip, set to folk music and excerpts of a speech by President Tayyip Erdogan praising the government's infrastructure, showed Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu's speedometer soaring and his car zipping past others in the fast lane on the AnkaraNigde motorway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic police later issued a fine of 9,267 lira ($280) for breaking the speed limit around 50 km (30 miles) outside the capital Ankara. Facing backlash, Uraloglu shared an image of the ticket on social media platform X, writing: Apologies to our nation. Turkeys maximum speed limit on highways is 140 kmh (87 mph). Last year, 6,351 people died in nearly 1.5 million road accidents, official data show. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Alex Richardson) Los Angeles city officials on Monday announced the arrest of several alleged South L.A. gang members who are accused of burglarizing nearly 100 homes and businesses, largely on the citys Westside. Those arrested are believed to be part of a group that called itself the "Rich Rollin Burglary Crew," that focused on seizing high-end jewelry, purses and guns, said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Expensive watches and luxury wallets and suitcases were also targeted, he said. The alleged gang members were from Rollin 30s and 55 Neighborhood, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crimes date to 2022, but none of the burglaries are believed to be related to the recent crime wave in Encino, according to McDonnell. At least eight individuals tied to the Rich Rollin' crew have been arrested and charged, said Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman, who said the stolen goods were sold for cash. "These are not crimes of need, these are crimes of greed," Hochman said. Most of the burglaries occurred in West L.A. and neighborhoods near Los Angeles International Airport, according to the LAPD. A break in the case came in February when three suspects in a van were arrested following a vehicle pursuit, McDonnell said. Los Angeles police recognized the vehicle from two burglaries that occurred the day before, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, a search warrant was served on a home, where police found weapons, purses, stolen credit cards, licenses plates and more, according to McDonnell. Mayor Karen Bass called the operation a "major win" for the city and praised the "extraordinary work of our LAPD and our regional partners." Last week, McDonnell alluded to a forthcoming major announcement about crime during his appearance before the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Assn. At that meeting, McDonnell fielded questions from residents fearful about a spate of home invasions in the West Valley. In response, he said there are two main groups targeting homes in the Encino area: crews from South America whose members come on a 90-day visa and South L.A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some South L.A. crews may target homes based on what residents display on social media, he warned. "You're showing off Rolexes, fancy bags, fancy cars, this kind of stuff. You make yourself a target," he said at the meeting. The burglary crews may also follow people from upscale restaurants to see what kind of car they own. Burglars may also put tiny cameras outside a home in a flower bed to monitor residents' movements, he said. Through August, homicides were down in the city about 9% compared with the same time a year ago. The LAPD recently switched to a different reporting system, making it difficult to compare crime rates for other categories. 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. July rainfall around Cranbrook, British Columbia, has given city water supplies a much-needed boost, which is good news for both residents and the broader ecosystem. The Cranbrook Daily Townsman reported that, thanks to rain, the Phillips Reservoir climbed by around 1.9 inches in a matter of weeks. As of July 22, the reservoir was about 8.5 inches below its full-pool level and officials said it was holding steady. Although water use in 2025 has ticked up slightly from last year largely due to the return of a hydrant flushing program not run in 2024 it remains more than 95 million gallons lower than in 2023. That's about enough to fill 151 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact that people are using less water indicates growing community awareness, as well as operational improvements. These efforts together support a more resilient local water supply, which is vital not only for daily life, but also for maintaining healthy rivers, forests, and habitats downstream. At a time when many communities are facing extreme weather like droughts and heatwaves, this conservation is reassuring. We've seen similar efforts help restore Lake Powell and protect other water systems in the western U.S. By wasting less water, people at home can help secure a safer future for us all. By the end of July, Cranbrook was still on Stage 1 watering restrictions, which separates water usage into groups by home addresses. No watering was allowed on Wednesdays, either. Luckily, Stage 2 restrictions, which were in effect during this time in 2024, hadn't been needed to that point. That just shows how strong water management and community cooperation are making a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City staff will continue to monitor water levels closely, and with each drop saved, Cranbrook gets closer to a cleaner, safer future for its residents and local ecosystems. 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. With his hometown stunned by the sudden death of the first selectman, state Sen. Tony Hwang is now petitioning for a special election for the towns top post. Hwang, a Republican, announced that he is seeking to gather about 2,200 signatures for the election in Fairfield, a once-Republican stronghold where Democrats now dominate most of the town offices. Hwang needs the signatures of 5% of the registered voters in town to force the special election. Residents were stunned by the death of Bill Gerber, a Democrat who died unexpectedly in mid-July at age 60 after complications from brain surgery. Gerber was a popular figure who had defeated incumbent Brenda Kupchick, a former state legislator for eight years who later was elected first selectman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon temporarily stepping down from the top post due to health issues, Gerber chose fellow Democrat Christine Vitale, who has been serving on the three-member board, to become the acting first selectman. The sudden passing of Fairfields first selectman has left our town with a profound sense of loss and an urgent responsibility: choosing a leader who can guide, heal, and unite our community, Hwang said. He added, This is our moment to come together, heal divisions, and move forward with integrity, efficiency, and compassion. I am ready to lead Fairfield into its next chapter, with energy, experience, and an unwavering belief in service above self. First elected in 2008, Hwang served in the state House of Representatives. He then won election to the Senate in 2014 and has served ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Known at the state Capitol for bipartisan outreach, Hwang has sometimes voted with Democrats on issues, although he has sided with Republicans on numerous party-line votes in the chamber. Even though Fairfield has been trending more Democratic in recent years, Hwang has continued to win elections. In his most recent race, he defeated Democrat Rob Blanchard, who is currently the chief spokesman for Gov. Ned Lamont. Some Democrats thought that Blanchard would win in 2024 as Presidential candidate Kamala Harris carried more votes in Connecticut, particularly in lower Fairfield County, than Republican Donald Trump. But Hwang emerged victorious. Im the Republican with nine lives, Hwang told The Courant. They keep on coming after me. Since the board of selectmen could not agree on filling the seat, the town is taking the next step under the town charter and state law that allows elected Fairfield leaders to fill the position. A meeting will be held Monday night, and Vitale, who has served as the interim leader since late June, could be chosen. The petition process would then come after that selection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the interim, I remain committed to providing stability, bringing people together, and leading a professional and competent town government in service to our community, Vitale said. Fairfield in spotlight Aside from politics, Hwang has been spending time closely watching the Fairfield team that was playing in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The teams unlikely run to the top has brought back memories for Hwang. My dad brought me to Williamsport because Taiwan was always in the finals, he said, referring to his former countrys long dominance that stretched for three decades from the 1960s to the 1990s. Now, years later, he is watching the hometown team that has captured fans far beyond the small town of Fairfield. It is an incredible journey, and this team is special, Hwang said. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com With the post-pandemic office market continuing to look anemic, a developer is proposing to convert a vacant four-story building in the Griffin Office Center into nearly 90 apartments. The 43-year-old building at 1 Waterside Crossing would become the latest in a series of Windsor office buildings to be planned for a new use because of the persistent scarcity of office tenants most notably the larger insurance companies. Brady Sullivan Properties of Manchester, N.H. proposed to remodel about 89,000 square feet of former office space into apartments: one- and two-bedroom units along with a couple of studios. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company is asking the town for zoning amendments that would permit the project. If those are approved next month, Brady Sullivan would then need to apply for a zoning permit for its site plan. Conceptual plans filed with the town earlier this month show 87 apartments: 38 one-bedroom units, 47 two-bedroom models, and two studios. Detailed floor plans havent been submitted, but preliminary outlines show two-bedrooms ranging from 863 to 973 square feet, and one bedrooms going from 573 to 664 square feet. The two studios would be on the first floor; one would be 356 square feet, the other 401. The plan is to extensively reconstruct the interior but not change the facade, according to documents Brady Sullivan filed with the town planning and zoning commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We plan to keep the site consistent with its current layout and will not be proposing any exterior alterations, the company wrote. Thats significant because 1 Waterside Crossing isnt a stand-alone building, but instead is one of five very similarly styled commercial buildings that make up the Griffin Office Center. All are white with dark glass windows with a streamlined appearance that was cutting edge for office plazas in the late 70s and 80s. At its peak, the Griffin Office Center offered about 376,000 square feet of space as well as an open-air performance center, a restaurant and a network of walking trails around two manmade ponds, according to a CBRE sales document from that time. Situated within a beautifully landscaped suburban office campus setting, Griffin Office Center is a five-building, institutional-quality portfolio of office properties, CBRE wrote. The portfolio consists of two four-story Class A office buildings located at 1 and 2 Waterside Crossing and three two-story office buildings located at 4, 6 and 8 Griffin Road North. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The peaceful corporate campus environment and amenities offered at Griffin Office Center have historically made it one of the most successful suburban office parks in central Connecticut. Great American Insurance and Kaman Industrial Technologies were among the companies that maintained offices at 1 Waterside Crossing. The building has been vacant for nearly seven years, according to Brady Sullivan. Brady Sullivan has not yet publicly disclosed the range of rents it is planning, and hasnt presented a list of resident amenities. The company also hasnt indicated a construction or opening timeline. Barely four months ago, a different developer presented preliminary plans to create housing by renovating the office buildings at 1 Targeting Centre and 10 Targeting Centre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alford Associates proposed converting the pair of early 1980s office buildings into apartments and adding two new four-story buildings on the property, making as much as 250,000 square feet of residential space available. Commissioners approved zoning code revisions to make that possible, but havent yet received a detailed building plan for the next stage of review. Caleigh Paquette, 26, a physician assistant for Brown University Health primary care offices in East Greenwich, is one of 153 recent college graduates named Wavemaker fellows this year. She is among 76 working in health care in the cohort. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Caleigh Paquette prides herself on planning ahead. The 26-year-old physician assistant laid the groundwork for her career as a teenager, starting clinical work hours at 18 in preparation for graduate school. She barreled through seven years of higher education with no breaks, landing a job with Brown University Healths primary care offices in East Greenwich even before graduating from her masters program in May 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The one element not entirely pre-planned: $180,000 in student loan debt. When I got out of school, there were so many programs for repayment, forgiveness, Paquette said. No one teaches you about them, or what they mean, or what to choose. It was overwhelming. Especially now that federal loan forgiveness is under threat amid new borrowing caps and other changes by President Donald Trumps administration. Paquette remains optimistic that the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will remain, allowing her to wipe away whatever debt she owes after 10 years. But if the program changes or ends, she knows she could be saddled with six-figure, high-interest loans. But she wont have to shoulder all the debt on her own. Paquette will receive $24,000 in refundable tax credits over the next four years toward her student loans as a recipient of the states Wavemaker Fellowship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2015 program was started by former Gov. Gina Raimondo to reduce the brain drain in science, technology, engineering and math. It offers recent college graduates $1,000 to $6,000 a year depending on education levels for up to four years to stay and work in the state. The program has since expanded to include health care workers and teachers. Paquette was one of 153 recent college graduates, 76 of whom work in health care, named to the latest round of Wavemaker fellows in June. The ninth Wavemaker cohort was awarded a combined $2.5 million over four years. Rhode Island Commerce, which administers the program, opened a new round of applications on Aug. 18, with an extra $500,000 earmark designated for primary care workers. The first-time carveout, approved by the Rhode Island General Assembly in 2024, seeks to ease the states primary care workforce shortage. The price of persuasion State officials lauded the half million-dollar earmark, which can help 20 to 40 doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants pay off debt. But will $24,000 in loan forgiveness be enough to persuade a medical school graduate with staggering debt to work in Rhode Island, when they could make more money elsewhere? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not according to Dr. Michael Fine, former state health director who now serves as board president for the nationwide nonprofit, Primary Care for All Americans. Anything is good, Fine said of loan forgiveness programs. But I think that it takes $50,000 to $75,000 a year to move the needle for a medical school graduate to stay here. Massachusetts, for example, offers up to $50,000 a year for two years to help health care professionals who work in the state repay their student loans. The $100,000 maximum a health care worker can receive to pay off student loans in Massachusetts is more than four times the $24,000 maximum Rhode Island offers on top of higher base pay across state lines for the same job. Even if someone opts to stay in Rhode Island for the four years of student loan tax credits, theres still no guarantee they will remain after that, especially with higher reimbursement rates enticing them across state lines, Fine said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Pam Lauria, a Barrington Democrat and nurse practitioner who sponsored the 2024 legislation to designate tax credits for primary care workers, shared some of Fines concerns. Theres no one magic bullet thats going to keep someone here, Lauria said. The Rhode Island General Assembly in its fiscal 2026 budget also added money to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care providers, while the state health insurance commissioner has directed commercial insurers to boost their repayment rates starting in January. Lauria and Fine are part of a 21-member legislative study panel tasked with exploring how a new, state medical school could help improve the workforce shortage and at what cost. A draft report published in June suggested an eyepopping $225 million cost over 10 years to open a public medical school at the University of Rhode Island. A final report with more detailed analysis on how to set up a state medical school is expected to be completed and unveiled within the next few weeks, Lauria said. Scholarships vs. loan forgiveness Lauria also sponsored legislation this year proposing a scholarship program for primary care students to pay for medical or graduate school, with a $1 million carveout for the year. The bill, and its House companion, failed to advance out of committee amid questions over implementation details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fine thinks scholarships are more effective than post-graduation loan forgiveness in helping create a workforce with community roots. Scholarships get us people long-term, Fine said. Its a way for us to support kids or students who come from our communities, who might be first-generation students or not have the wherewithal to think of themselves as going to medical school. Anything is good. But I think that it takes $50,000 to $75,000 a year to move the needle for a medical school graduate to stay here. Dr. Michael Fine, former state health director, on the amount of state student loan support needed to attract and retain primary care workers The Wavemaker program does not require recipients to live in Rhode Island, although they must work for a Rhode Island company to receive the refundable tax credits. A majority of recipients live in Rhode Island 86% of those who received tax credits from 2019 to 2021, according to an 2023 analysis by the Rhode Island Office of Revenue Analysis. The revenue analysis report, which has not been updated, concluded the tax incentive program generally paid for itself by generating more revenue and boosting employment, even if not all of the program recipients needed tax credits to stay and work in Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also offered recommendations to improve data collection and reporting, as well as making it more equitable by potentially broadening the program to an automatic benefit rather than a competitive award. The report acknowledged this suggestion comes with a high cost to the state and would require more analysis. Lawmakers have steadily increased funding for the Wavemaker program as its scope has widened. Health care workers, including those working in primary care were added in fiscal 2023, while teachers were able to qualify the following year. The extra $500,000 that the fiscal 2025 budget tacked on specifically for primary care workers adds up to a total of $4.1 million. The fiscal 2026 budget included an additional $2.6 million for the program, with no eligibility changes. Administrative delays Turning policy into practice has been slow. No new fellows were named in 2024 because Commerce needed time to develop regulations governing expanded eligibility for teachers, said Matt Touchette, a Commerce spokesperson. The 2025 cohort marks the first time educators were able to receive awards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The money set aside for primary care workers by lawmakers for fiscal 2025 has yet to be distributed because more time was needed to develop distribution and reporting regulations, Touchette said. While Wavemaker was available to health care workers starting in 2023, there was still no specific designation or tracking for primary care awardees. The newly opened application round, which closes Oct. 13, relies on fiscal 2025 funding, including the $500,000 authorized for primary care workers. Commerce expects to announce awards this winter, Touchette said. Touchette declined to comment on expected application numbers. Recent data suggests the program has seen a resurgence in popularity after the end of federal pandemic loan forgiveness and forbearance programs. Just over six in 10 applicants were accepted in the most recent round of funding, with 43% more applications than in 2022. Paquette said she was ecstatic to receive an award, comforted by the financial boost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we were doing rotations, I was a little disappointed at how much I loved internal medicine and family medicine, Paquette said. Thats not where the money is. You spend all this money on school, all this time, the hardest three years of my life, and your passion takes you to something that makes the least amount of money. Her starting salary is $120,000. The Wavemaker award covers two-thirds of her $9,000 annual loan payments for the next four years. I am going to be in really good shape starting out, she said. This story has been updated to correct information, including that the number of additional fellows named this winter is unknown. Information regarding the fiscal year funding source of the upcoming round of tax credits and the pause in new awards has also been clarified. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A new venue for negotiations, outside of Qatar and Egypt, is reportedly to be up for debate, with a European capital or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presented among the potential options. The current hostage, ceasefire deal on the table is "no longer relevant," as any future negotiations must include the release of all hostages and a ceasefire on "terms that Israel is ready for," N12 quoted senior Israeli officials as saying on Sunday. There is no connection between the upcoming military operation in Gaza, the officials said, according to the report. The hostage deal talks will not stop the operation, but the operation will accelerate the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said during a visit to the Israel Navy on Sunday that in meeting the IDF's goals in its latest Gaza operation, including gravely hurting Hamas and distancing potential threats from Israel's borders, it has created optimal conditions to ensure the release of the hostages. In light of this, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced its intention to continue its protests until Tuesday, which it deemed a National Day of Struggle in an attempt to push the government toward a deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to convene the security cabinet on Monday to discuss the upcoming Gaza offensive and possible resumption of hostage talks. IDF chief Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Defense Minister Israel Katz seen during a military briefing, in Tel Aviv, Israel, June 30, 2025 (credit: MAAYAN TOAF/GPO) A new location for hostage deal negotiations outside of Qatar, Egypt A new venue for negotiations, outside of Qatar and Egypt, is also reportedly to be up for debate, with a European capital or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presented among the potential options. It is unknown if the Israeli delegation will continue in its current makeup, but it is possible that Mossad chief David Barnea could join the group, N12 noted. (The Center Square) - Consumers have grown accustomed to a hyper-individualized shopping landscape in which personalized advertisements and custom coupons steer them toward purchases algorithms predict they will enjoy. What they may not realize, however, is that the use of personal data has led to the advent of surveillance pricing, a strategy in which retailers vary the price of a product based on the customer buying it. Rep. Danilo Burgos, D-Philadelphia, has introduced a bill that would ban the practice in Pennsylvania, both for brick and mortar and online retailers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our economy and our ability to budget for our household depends on predictability, and we see a disturbing trend where predictability and transparency are in jeopardy if surveillance pricing remains unchecked, wrote Burgos in support of the bill. The memo warns that companies accessing data online could use your shopping history or information as sensitive as the amount of money remaining in your bank account to determine the price of an item. In January of this year, the Federal Trade Commission issued a report saying that surveillance pricing can incorporate data gathered from phones and other personal devices like precise GPS location, open shopping carts, and browsing history. Initial staff findings show that retailers frequently use peoples personal information to set targeted, tailored prices for goods and servicesfrom a person's location and demographics, down to their mouse movements on a webpage, said former FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current FTC Commissioner, Andrew N. Ferguson, however, wrote a dissenting opinion about the report. He claimed that the release of information was prematurely issued by outgoing Democratic leadership and required further investigation. As the research summaries make clear, there is much more work to do, particularly with respect to identifying more definitive impacts to prices or market participantsthe motivating principle underlying the study, wrote Ferguson. The Commission should allow staff to do its work and issue a final, fact-based report, rather than rush to meet a nakedly political deadline to present something, anything, to the public. Businesses arent waiting for legislation to catch up to technology. Some of the nations biggest retail chains, including Wal-Mart, Kohls, and grocery giant Kroger, already employ digital displays which allow for dynamic pricing, meaning costs can change in real time depending on a number of different factors. Most retailers insist that this dynamic pricing is not an indicator that they will move to surge pricing, a different tactic which involves increasing the price of an item in times of higher demand. While this is a common economic maxim, new technology allows it to be put into practice faster than ever before. Combined with increasingly prevalent facial recognition software, many fear that custom pricing will lead to price gouging and other unfair practices, with individuals paying different prices from their neighbors for the same item at the same time. A persons internet data can be paired with physical characteristics to create a customer profile without their consent. Russian "cyber partisans" hacked a Russian TV provider on Aug. 24, broadcasting footage that revealed the countrys real battlefield and internal situation, a source in Ukraines military intelligence (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 25. The video showing Russias fuel crisis, water shortages in occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian strikes on oil refineries and Russia's military losses, was aired simultaneously on 116 television channels on Ukraine's Independence Day, according to the source. "Three and a half years into the war, and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin has not fully captured a single Ukrainian region. Ukraine remains independent," the video says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source claimed that the "local cyber partisans" also blocked access for the provider's administrators, making it more difficult for them to interrupt the unauthorized broadcast. At least 50,000 viewers in Moscow and other Russian regions were reportedly shown over three hours of footage. The broadcast also appeared on apps via the Apple Store, Google Play, Smart TVs, and other cable networks. The Kyiv Independent could not verify these reports. Ukrainian hackers have also been attacking Russian online platforms on a regular basis since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, cyber specialists from HUR reportedly carried out a large-scale cyberattack against the network infrastructure of Russian energy giant Gazprom, causing significant disruptions. Read also: Ukraine strikes long-range with own weapons without coordinating with US, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Mariann Stenvig Andersen, niece of Bernhard Sindberg and chairperson of the Sindberg Foundation, shows an album from Bernhard Sindberg during an interview with Xinhua in Aarhus, Denmark, on July 16, 2025.(Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang) By Xinhua writer Zhang Yuliang COPENHAGEN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- In the quiet Danish city of Aarhus, a phone call from China this July reopened a chapter of history that has been cherished across continents for more than eight decades. On the line was Huang Xinghua, whose mother Ai Yiying had survived the Nanjing Massacre thanks to the protection of a young Dane, Bernhard Arp Sindberg. During the winter of 1937-1938, Sindberg risked his life to shelter thousands of civilians inside a cement factory on the outskirts of Nanjing, China. "My mother always said that without the Jiangnan Cement Plant and Mr. Sindberg, our family wouldn't have survived. We will always remember his life-saving kindness," Huang told Mariann Stenvig Andersen, Sindberg's niece and chairperson of the Sindberg Foundation. COURAGE IN DARK TIMES Sindberg, born in Aarhus in 1911, arrived in Nanjing in December 1937. Working as a watchman at the Jiangnan Cement Plant, built by Danish company F.L. Smidth, he suddenly found himself in the middle of one of history's darkest atrocities. Together with the German factory manager Karl Gunther, he opened the factory gates to terrified civilians fleeing Japanese soldiers. For more than three months, the plant became a sanctuary for nearly 20,000 civilians. Sindberg, a young man of 26, stood guard at the gates, waving the Danish flag to deter intruders. His niece recalls her uncle as "not tall, about 1.73 meters, but very strong," a former soldier with curly blond hair and a Nordic toughness that somehow made Japanese troops hesitate. "I still don't understand why they didn't kill him," Andersen said. "Maybe, as he said himself, he was just lucky." Journalist Peter Harmsen, author of Bernhard Sindberg: The Schindler of Nanjing, describes how Sindberg would confront soldiers at the gate, sometimes carrying only a double-barreled shotgun and the Danish flag. "It seemed almost magical," Harmsen writes, "as if the flag itself forced the soldiers to step back, like demons confronted with a powerful spell." Sindberg also bore witness. A gifted photographer, he captured haunting images of the massacre's aftermath. "It is a huge loss that he never wrote detailed memoirs," Harmsen told Xinhua. "He had both the eye of a photographer and the words of a journalist." A LASTING LEGACY Sindberg left Nanjing in March 1938, later settling in California, where he died in 1983. Yet in China, his legacy endured. In 1938, the Shanghai municipal government awarded him a medal, and a year later, grateful civilians presented him with a silk banner embroidered with the words 'acting bravely for a just cause.' That banner, once gifted by Sindberg to his niece, is now preserved at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. Andersen said donating it was her way of honoring both her uncle and the Chinese people. "Since the Chinese commemorate my uncle so sincerely every year, I felt I should do something too," she said. In Aarhus, Sindberg's hometown, a statue stands tall in Marselisborg Memorial Park, a gift from Nanjing and unveiled in 2019 by then-Queen Margrethe II. REMEMBERED AS A FRIEND This August, an exhibition titled "My Friend: Bernhard Arp Sindberg" opened at the China Cultural Center in Copenhagen, curated by students from Nanjing University. "His courage, wisdom, and kindness deeply inspire our students," said Chen Min, director of the university's German Department. "To them, he is not only a friend but also a role model." Sindberg's half-brother Ole attended the opening. "Bernhard never knew during his lifetime that his actions in Nanjing would be remembered like this. If he could see this today, I believe he would be proud," he said. For decades, Sindberg was little known in Denmark, despite being revered in China. Harmsen's book has helped revive his memory at home. "Sindberg was an average person in most ways," Harmsen noted. "But he managed to rise to the occasion and act ethically and heroically at a decisive moment in history. His story has universal appeal because it shows that one individual can make a difference, even in the face of overwhelming circumstances." This photo taken on July 17, 2025 shows a statue of Bernhard Sindberg in Marselisborg Memorial Park in Aarhus, Denmark.(Xinhua/Zhang Yuliang) WASHINGTON At a ribbon-cutting on an addition to an elementary school in the affluent Glover Park neighborhood last Monday, Mayor Muriel Bowser was all smiles. She watched students perform a scene from the musical Oz, then spent several minutes talking about the benefits of investing in schools and getting students excited to get back in the classroom. But minutes after taking photos with school leaders and local officials, she walked into the buildings gymnasium, where she was swept into a tornado of her own, facing questions from reporters about a much tougher topic: the impacts of President Donald Trumps attempt to take over the city. All 14 questions Bowser fielded were about Trumps executive order, including: Theres been video of ICE arrests spreading across social media Whats your reaction when youre seeing these videos in the city? Can you tell us how you feel about the additional National Guard troops coming from other states... Do you feel this has usurped your authority even more? How are you reflecting on this moment? It seems like your potential concerns about this administration are starting to be realized? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Bowsers attempt to project normalcy ahead of the first day for public schools Monday, the start of the school year will be anything but business as usual. Federal agents have set up checkpoints at various intersections across the city. Theyve conducted immigration enforcement actions, with food delivery drivers slammed to the ground and arrested by masked agents from the Department of Homeland Security in broad daylight. National Guard soldiers in Army fatigues have taken up posts outside of Nationals games and at metro stops. The White House says there are more than 2,000 agents, officers and soldiers involved in the operation, and more than 900 arrests have been made. While the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement told NBC News last week that agents wouldnt be at D.C. schools on the first day, they might come onto campuses in the future. As mayor, Bowser is the highest ranking official in D.C. government. But ever since Trump issued an executive order declaring an emergency to restore law and order in the nations capital, her limited power has become more evident, reflecting the citys lack of autonomy since it is not a state. She wants the agents from Homeland Security Investigations to stop covering their faces to avoid identification during enforcement operations. She doesnt think the National Guard presence is necessary, and wants them out. But all she can do is ask. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So shes focused on the things she can control. Monday is my favorite day of the year, Bowser told a room full of educators at Phelps Ace High School in Northeast Washington on Wednesday. There are more than 52,000 students in D.C.s 117 public schools. Even with the city on edge, Bowser told the educators to avoid the elephant in the room when the bell rings on Monday. I want everyone to know whose job politics is in this room, Bowser said. Whose job is it? Its mine. Its mine. Its mine. Im the only one. Its not yours. Alright? She told teachers to trust that Im going to do the right thing for all of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats not reassuring to parents, who are grappling with how to do the right thing for their kids. Alicia Swenson has four children in D.C. schools, and she and her husband were planning to let their sixth and seventh grade children commute to school on the Metro by themselves. Now, though, Swenson said she and her husband will to escort their kids to their school in Northwest D.C. because the National Guard is making their younger daughter uncomfortable. The last time she saw a large law enforcement presence in D.C. was during the 2020 racial justice protests, Swenson said. This time, though, is harder to explain to her children. Back then, I think we said, Theres peaceful protesting, and that is peoples right. Its a good thing to do to stand up when you see something wrong, Swenson said during a Friday interview. But this? I have no idea what to say to her. Its very hard for us to explain whats going on right now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a back-to-school event in the West End neighborhood on Friday, parent Melissa Neil said that while the National Guard surge can be understandable, it was also a little concerning. Neil is a citizen but immigrated from the Dominican Republic, and she noted that even if someone is a citizen, you still look as an immigrant. You never really know what are the standards, Neil said. Even if you have your documentation, they can still identify you as you are not. So it is concerning that youre with your kids, and they can pull you out. Mayor Muriel Bowser tried to project a sense of normalcy ahead of the start of the school year. (Tom Williams / Getty Images) Nearly every day, a video goes viral of immigration enforcement actions on the streets of Washington, after the Department of Justice directed Bowser to order the citys police department to assist in immigration enforcement operations and to comply with database inquiries and requests for information from any federal law enforcement entity. At the same back-to-school event, Louis Limes said he has mixed emotions about sending his daughters back to school amid the surge of National Guard and federal agents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theyre out here for the safety of our children, cool, but from the last couple of days, weve seen that they went over their boundaries as far as protecting and serving the streets, harassing, physically abusing citizens, Limes said. Itzetht Testa was shopping with her children in Columbia Heights on Thursday, and she said that although she served 25 years in the Air Force, she disagreed with the National Guard in the citys streets. She voted for Trump but disapproves of his first few months so much that she says she will never vote for a Republican again. Now, she said her seventh grade son felt threatened seeing the National Guard. If theyre using it for immigration purpose, I dont care for that, she said of the National Guard near schools. It should not be used for that. I will always vote independent from now on, Testa added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While DC residents have yelled, taunted, and protested against the federal agents and National Guard in their neighborhoods over the past 14 days, when students get to the front doors of their schools on Monday, Bowser said Wednesday at the Phelps pep rally that parents, neighbors, and friends will be there clapping them in, to show the city is cheering them on. Were all going to be standing shoulder to shoulder with them, Bowser said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Dallas families, educators, and local leaders are being called to the table as the Dallas Education Collective (DEC) kicks off its fall convenings. The Dallas Education Collective (DEC) will host the first of three community convenings tomorrow, Tuesday, August 26, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Moorland YMCA at Oak Cliff. This timely gathering comes on the heels of new Texas Education Agency (TEA) Student Achievement Scores released two weeks ago and profiled in The Dallas Express, which underscores that while Dallas ISDs Overall Accountability Rating improved to a B, Student Achievement Scores remain in the C range for a second consecutive year 76 in 2025 and 73 in 2024, scores too low to influence the districts overall rating. Achievement Gaps Remain According to TEA data, only 49% of all students in Dallas ISD met grade-level expectations in Reading/Language Arts and 43% in Math for 2025. Although growth rates reached 70% in Reading and 69% in Math, helping School Progress, proficiency levels remain stagnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data also reveals troubling disparities: while some groups perform notably higher, othersoften in neighborhoods grappling with systemic disadvantagescontinue to lag behind in both Reading and Math. Graduation rates, too, vary widely across student groups. A Community Response Nakia Douglas, Executive Director of DEC, frames the convenings as response forumsnot just data discussions. These convenings are about more than numbers theyre about coming together as a community to ensure every child in Dallas has the opportunity to thrive. The data reminds us theres work to be done, but it also gives us a roadmap for action. We want parents, educators, and neighbors at the table because real solutions will come when we build them together. The event will include an overview of the TEA data, breakout discussions, and opportunities for participants to voice concerns and ideas directly with DEC staff. Build, Learn, Act Together Tomorrows convening is the first of three, with the others scheduled for: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday, September 9 Pleasant Oaks Recreation Center, 5:307:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 Park South Family YMCA, 5:307:00 p.m. Douglas emphasizes the importance of collective action: Student Achievement Scores reflect true masterynot just progressraising the stakes for strategic, inclusive interventions. With the TEAs data now public, the Dallas Education Collective invites everyone interested in strengthening student success to attend, learn, and help craft community-driven solutions for the future. Former Dane County Judge James Troupis appears in court on Dec. 12. He faces felony forgery charges for his role in developing the 2020 false elector scheme to overturn the election results for Donald Trump. (Screenshot | WisEye) A Dane County judge ruled last week that the criminal cases will be allowed to continue against two former attorneys and a campaign staff member of President Donald Trump for orchestrating the scheme to have Wisconsin Republicans cast false Electoral College votes for Trump in 2020. John D. Hyland denied the motion to dismiss in an Aug. 22 order. Last year, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed criminal charges against Kenneth Cheseboro, Jim Troupis and Mike Roman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cheseboro, a Wisconsin native, was one of the main planners of the false elector scheme. The scheme led to Electoral College votes being cast for Trump in seven states and began the series of events that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Troupis, a former Dane County judge, worked as an attorney for the Trump campaign. Roman allegedly delivered the false paperwork from Wisconsin Republicans to the staff member of a Pennsylvania congressman in order to get them to Vice President Mike Pence on Jan. 6. The three men each face 11 criminal charges related to felony forgery. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Troupis does not show that the First Amendment protects the right to commit forgery, does not show that the government violated his right to due process by entrapping him into that forgery, and does not show prosecutors must exercise discretion to charge an accused of his preferred offense, Hyland wrote in his order denying the motion to dismiss. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus crashed into a light rail station early Monday morning, sending five people to the hospital. A DART bus jumped the curb and hit a tree at the White Rock light rail station in northeast Dallas around 5:45 a.m. on August 25, Chief Communications Officer Jeamy Molina told The Dallas Express. The driver and four passengers were injured and went to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital for treatment. Video of the incident shows the DART bus up the side of a hill, having crashed into a tree on the light rail platform. DART bus crash at White Rock Station this morning in Dallas pic.twitter.com/dAlYZMhMUs Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) August 25, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DART Police and Dallas Fire Rescue responded immediately, Molina said. This is an ongoing investigation. The bus was number 41028, operating on Route 20, according to Molina. DART issued a rider alert for the Blue Line train at 7:55 a.m., warning of delays. The latest crash comes amid growing safety concerns on DART. A DART train caught fire in late July, sending six to the hospital, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. The same day, a suspect stabbed and killed a man in Richardson then fled on a DART train, and police found him 12 miles away. City Councilwoman Cara Mendelsohn recently told The Dallas Express the agency has been withholding vital crime statistics. Suburban mayors also said DART has been bringing crime and homelessness to their cities. In 2023, a DART bus plowed headfirst into The Dallas Express office near Farmers Branch, as the outlet reported at the time. The crash caused multiple injuries and serious damage to the building. DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Nearly $9,000 worth of items were stolen out of packages at the UPS Middletown Hub by an employee, police say. Lower Swatara Township Police said in a criminal complaint that 28-year-old Dandre Sibblies, of Lemoyne, allegedly admitted to stealing merchandise, which included jewelry and Ray-Ban sunglasses, when confronted by UPS Security. In a statement sent to abc27 News, a spokesperson for UPS says they have a zero-tolerance for theft, and the employee was fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At UPS, we have zero tolerance for theft and take action when it occurs, the statement reads. We are aware of the situation and this employee was terminated. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement in their investigation and refer any additional questions to them. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Morning Weather Forecast UPS Security alerted police Aug. 13 about several thefts at the UPS hub, located at 2110 North Union Street in Middletown. Police said they got a report that showed Sibblies allegedly admitted to the thefts when confronted by security. Sibblies allegedly stole the below-listed items, according to the charging documents: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Dimondrensu 4-carat diamond earring $2,733 A Gemological Science International 14-karat white gold diamond ring $2,754.98 A Galaxy ring $399.99 A Louis Vuitton bracelet $285.00 A Matt & Nat wallet $60 275 Pokemon cards $50 Ray-Ban Meta glasses $379.99 Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses $231 Pair of sapphire lever-back earrings $220 A sapphire necklace $220 A Tiffany Infinity Bracelet $270 A Tiffany Paloma Picasso Necklace $1,250 Police said it was determined that the combined worth of the stolen merchandise is $8,853.96. First US human case of flesh-eating parasite confirmed in Maryland The criminal complaint shows Sibblies was also recorded on surveillance video cutting open boxes that were being placed on a truck trailer to be shipped. Sibblies allegedly took the items out of the boxes and pocketed them. That video was also shown to the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sibblies faces felony charges of theft of mail and theft by unlawful taking After being arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Paul Zozos, Sibblies was released on unsecured bail set at $10,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17. The UPS Middletown Hub opened in 2023, and it is the fourth-largest facility for the company in the United States. Because of the location, the Middletown Hub serves as a focal point for transporting packages to cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and 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 ABC27. Aug. 25On Friday, the U.S. federal government agreed to a 10% stake in Intel, a stake said to be worth $8.9 billion, in one of the largest government steps of its kind in American history. In 2009, Dayton's congressman, U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, took moves to block exactly this kind of intervention. Turner, a Republican, then introduced a constitutional amendment in the House an amendment that drew more than 100 co-sponsors early on that would prohibit the United States government from owning any stock in corporations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A growing number of Americans are concerned about the future of capitalism in this country," Turner said in a statement at the time. "The current economic recession has opened the door to government intervention in private enterprise on a scale that many have never seen." Turner at the time was concerned about Obama administration moves in what was called the "Troubled Asset Relief Program," an effort to guide disposition of automotive plants and assets, including at one point, the former General Motors SUV assembly plant in Moraine. Today, that plant produces automotive glass under Fuyao Glass America, a China-based global manufacturer of auto safety glass. But in 2009, Turner objected to the federal government staking a claim in GM, which was struggling to emerge from the Great Recession and a stint under bankruptcy protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said Turner back then: "A majority of Americans oppose the government take-over of the auto manufacturers and want the government out as soon as possible. Just as troubling as the government's rapid control over private industry, is its failure to present an exit strategy." "Congressman Turner's position has not changed," a spokeswoman for Turner said when asked about his current stance on government intervention of private companies. But a few Republican office-holders, and some conservative figures, have expressed unease with the Intel investment. "State-sponsored capitalism?" Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Troy, said on X. "America will not outperform China by being more like China." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Terrible idea" Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said in a post on X . "If socialism is government owning the means of production, wouldn't the government owning part of Intel be a step toward socialism?" Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also panned the move. The Trump administration has allied itself with Intel without a vote taken by members of Congress. Attempts to amend the Constitution are always an uphill battle. Constitutional amendments are ratified only after two-thirds of the House and Senate approve them. Then three-fourths of the states must affirm the amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move was made after the U.S. government took a recent stake in MP Materials and has an oversight role over certain decisions made by the new owner of U.S. Steel. Trump said the Intel agreement sprang from talks with the company's chief executive, Lip-Bu Tan. Trump said the government paid nothing for the shares. "This is a great deal for America and, also, a great deal for INTEL," he said on his Truth Social account. "This deal delivers for the American people, strengthens U.S. chipmaking, and makes clear that America is leading the way in the tech industry," the U.S. Department of Commerce said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only earlier this month, Trump was calling on Intel's CEO to resign. Intel, in its own statement, said the U.S. government's $8.9 billion investment in Intel common stock will be funded by a remaining $5.7 billion in grants previously awarded, but not yet paid, to Intel under the CHIPS and Science Act, as well as $3.2 billion awarded to the company as part of the Secure Enclave program. "As the only semiconductor company that does leading-edge logic R&D and manufacturing in the U.S., Intel is deeply committed to ensuring the world's most advanced technologies are American made," Tan said in the release. Leaders in Ohio have been disappointed with Intel dramatically slowing construction of chip fabrication plants near Columbus in Licking County. "While the pace of construction in Ohio may not be as fast, Intel has affirmed its commitment to Ohio as the new leadership of the company makes adjustments to its long-term strategy," Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement to the Columbus Dispatch in July. The battle between top Republicans and Washington, D.C., could see another wrinkle next month, when Congress returns to a race against the clock to prevent a government shutdown by the end of September. Local leaders said the last shutdown showdown left the District with a roughly $1 billion budget hole after Congress overrode its local spending plans. And the looming Sept. 30 funding deadline comes as tensions between Republicans and Democrats over the District have hit a fever pitch amid President Trumps crackdown in the capital. D.C. Council member Christina Henderson said Friday that local leaders remain in discussions with spending cardinals on Capitol Hill to prevent history from repeating itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are continuing our conversations with our appropriators and the four corners in Congress, because we know that sometimes the politics of the White House are very different from the politics of appropriators in terms of actually doing appropriations, Henderson said. D.C. was granted whats known as home rule in the 1970s, but its budget is still approved by Congress. Congress in March passed a GOP-crafted stopgap to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year, or late September, at mostly fiscal 2024 levels. But unlike previous stopgap funding bills, the measure passed in March notably left out language allowing D.C. to spend its local budget which consists mostly of funds from local tax dollars, fees and fines at already approved 2025 levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, D.C. officials said the District was forced to spend at its fiscal 2024 levels like federal agencies under the stopgap despite running at its updated budget levels for roughly half a year. At the time, top GOP appropriators said the long-standing provision was left out in error, despite some Democratic suspicions. But while the Senate quickly and unanimously approved a bill to remedy the issue, the House has yet to move on it almost six months later after hard-line conservatives pushed leadership to delay the measure while pressing for new requirements for the District to spend their local dollars. Since then, House Republicans have led multiple efforts D.C. advocates have criticized as anti-home rule, including advancing legislation aimed at blocking non-U.S. citizens from voting in local D.C. elections. Some Republicans in Congress have even floated repealing home rule. The next funding battle looms as Trump is directing a major federal crime crackdown in D.C. He has federalized the local police department, deployed more than 1,000 National Guard troops to the nations capital and instructed federal agents from the FBI; Drug Enforcement Agency; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and immigration enforcement to help patrol the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans are cheering his efforts and agitating for them to continue even though data shared by city leaders shows crime had already been decreasing in recent years. Trump has challenged those figures, however, and has accused the city of producing fake crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. He also warned D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Friday to immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen. That includes what Trump described on Truth Social as a a complete and total federal takeover of the city. Trump signaled interest in wading further into the citys operations, telling reporters on Friday that he plans to ask Congress to greenlight $2 billion for improvements in the District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to have this place beautified within a period of 12 months, he said. Richard Stern, director of the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, said he expects the growing clash between Trump and D.C. to take another turn. Looking back on Marchs shutdown fight, Stern said Friday that Congress accidental cut to the D.C. budget generated an accidental test case. I think what came out of it is Democrats walked away from it saying, OK, were in a less strong position on this in public than we thought we were, and Republicans walked away from it saying, Were in a stronger position publicly than we thought we were, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A YouGov survey released earlier this month found that almost half of Americans strongly or somewhat disapproved of D.C.s police being put under federal control and National Guard troops being deployed in the city. But a closer look found a sharp divide by party identification. Less than 10 percent of respondents identifying as Democrats approved of the move, compared with 26 percent of those who identified as independents. Meanwhile, 74 percent of Republican-identifying respondents approved the recent actions by the administration. Everything since then has gone in congressional Republicans favor about, whats going on with D.C. and peoples thoughts about it, all the way up to Trump deploying the National Guard, and that being popular enough, if not very popular among elected Republicans, let alone, the conservative base, Stern said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of all that, I think thats why this is on the table is a strong thing to Republicans in a push for. Despite what the District called a $1.13 billion cut to its previously approved budget authority, Bowsers office said in May that it was able to prevent layoffs, furloughs and facility closures, while protecting dollars for public safety and public education ecosystem. However, it has cited a number of measures it took as a result of the reduction, including a hiring freeze that cut back on $63 million in personnel costs, and it made $175 million of non-personnel services reductions and shifted more than $200 million in spending and costs for workforce investment and housing production from fiscal 2025 to fiscal 2026 and 2027. You dont want to have the same situation happen again, Henderson said Friday, whereas, you know, youre beating the city over the head talking about youre not doing enough on public safety, and then youre literally saying we cant spend our money on the thing that you told us to fix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats nonsensical, but crazier things have happened, she added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A woman was hospitalized on Monday morning after D.C. firefighters rescued her from a burning house in Southwest. In a post on X, the DC Fire and EMS Department (DCFD) said that just minutes before 6 a.m., crews were dispatched to a box alarm in the 4000 block of 1st Street. DC Fire and EMS mourns the loss of probationary firefighter after off-duty death A home in Southwest D.C. was damaged after a fire broke out on Aug. 25. (X/dcfireems) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an update less than 10 minutes later, the fire department added that crews were on the scene of a working fire. Firefighters had also rescued one woman from the burning home, and a bulk of the fire had been knocked down. The woman had mobility issues, and EMS took her to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to DCFD. Crews contained the fire toward the back of the first floor. On Monday morning, investigators were on the scene to determine what caused the fire to ignite. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A 36-year-old man could face decades in prison after he pleaded guilty to a shooting that left a man dead and another hurt in Southeast D.C. nearly four years ago. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia, Walter Jenkins, of D.C., pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. The charges stemmed from the deadly shooting that took place around 4:47 p.m. in the 2000 Block of Alabama Avenue SE. on Nov. 14, 2021. There, officers located two people in the back of a vehicle on Bruce Place, who both had been shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First human case of screwworm, flesh-eating parasite, in Maryland, report says One of the men, David Williams, was barely conscious and had been shot multiple times, according to facts submitted at the plea hearing. He was taken to the hospital, where staff tried to save him, but he died. The second victim, a man, was shot in his lower legs. About three months later, in February of 2022, Jenkins was arrested in connection with the double shooting and has been in custody since. According to the attorneys office, Jenkins faces a sentence range of between 18 and 33 years under D.C.s Voluntary Sentencing Guidelines. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Despite more than 2,000 National Guard troops authorized by President Donald Trump's crackdown on crime, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said students in the nation's capital will not be aided by their presence as children return to school this week. "We don't need federal agencies to help get kids to school," Bowser told ABC News. "We will take care of getting our kids to school." The school year begins as Bowser and the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) tout proficiency rates in English language arts/literacy (ELA) and math are the highest since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ELA proficiency rate is the highest on record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of thousands of students are returning to the classroom across major metropolitan school districts this week. MORE: National Guard in DC to carry M17 pistols, conduct law enforcement duties, task force says Some 100,000 students return to D.C. schools on Monday amid the Trump administration's surge of law enforcement into Washington. Student safety is always a top issue for education leaders during back-to-school season. However, the presence of troops in Washington is raising new questions as a military-style vehicle was involved in an accident last week and troops will be gathering throughout the city at Metro rail stations, which is how many students get to school. Rod Lamkey/AP - PHOTO: Pamela Smith,Muriel Bowser Bowser said D.C.'s existing transportation strategies include using the district's safe passage program with local law enforcement lining the streets. If families feel unsafe, the district offers a safe connect program, which connects students with a ride to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowser believes using the Guard as law enforcement is unnecessary and said the crime rate had decreased "precipitously" before Trump's surge. "I think calling men and women from their homes and their jobs and their families -- they have to be used on, you know, on mission-specific items that benefit the nation," Bowser said, adding, "I don't think we have an armed militia in the nation's capital." But Washington's Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith acknowledged that the federal agents spread throughout the city have made improvements to safety. "Hearing from the officers on the street, some of them have found it to be very helpful, some people in the community have found it to be very helpful," Smith said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump sets sights on Chicago to make it 'safer,' seeks $2B to 'beautify' DC In Philadelphia, where nearly 200,000 students are returning to schools this week, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington argued crime and shootings have also decreased there. He noted that the nation's eighth-largest school district is investing in "safety zones" by contracting with the Philadelphia Police Department to provide additional patrols in areas that have an uptick in violence. "We've invested more resources and safe paths programs where we contract with community organizations to oversee children as they traverse, as they make their way to school, to ensure their safety," Watlington told ABC News. In addition, Philadelphia is hiring more school safety officers for the school district staff, Watlington said. Watlington said he is fostering a welcoming environment in the City of Brotherly Love, which he said is creating a culture where young people feel connected, seen, and heard. "We have to build relationships," Watlington said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're focusing on that heavily in the school district, because when kids who feel connected, their social and emotional mental health and wellness are attended to, and they have relationships with each other and with adults, when they see something, they're more likely to say something and so those are a number of things that we're doing in our strategic plan to provide for the safety and well being of our young people and our staffs," he said. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: A member of the National Guard patrols inside the Foggy Bottom Metrorail Station in Washington, August 21, 2025. But Watlington and Philadelphia parents and families do have anxiety about significant cuts to its public transit system, SEPTA. "We just can't go and get more yellow school buses and put them on the street in Philadelphia," Watlington said. "We rely on public transit, and it is unfortunate, and it's no fault of our children that they'll have some impacts to their transportation." Still, Bowser and education officials in both D.C. and Philadelphia agree safety is the top priority for their respective cities. At Bowser's back-to-school pep rally earlier this month, she stressed a community response is needed to ensure a successful first day back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowser urged D.C. residents to clap, cheer, and celebrate the city's students all week. "Our children deserve and will get a joyful start to their school year," Bowser said, adding, "All the adults in our buildings, all of the people in our government are focused on making sure that that happens." "We want them to have a great school year, and we're all going to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with them." CANBERRA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that his government will continue to be a "strong advocate" on the global stage for a two-state solution in the Middle East. Speaking on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio on Monday morning, Albanese said that Australia would continue to use its voice in international forums to strongly advocate for a two-state solution whereby Palestine and Israel can live "side-by-side in peace and security." "We have consistently advocated both directly to the Israeli government, but also through our vote in international forums, for aid to be allowed into Gaza, consistently advocated for a ceasefire and for the hostages to be released and Hamas to be disarmed," he said. The prime minister announced earlier in August that Australia will, in September, join Canada, France and Britain in formally recognizing Palestinian statehood at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Asked on Monday if he had raised Palestinian recognition with the governments of neighboring countries in the Pacific, including New Zealand, Albanese said that they would make their own decisions as sovereign states. "Australia will make our decisions without concern for anything other than our national interest and for doing the right thing," he said. Tens of thousands of Australians on Sunday took part in more than 40 pro-Palestine protests in cities and towns across the country, calling for an end to Australia's arms trade with Israel and to the famine in Gaza. A case of potentially deadly flesh-eating screwworm parasite has been detected in a person in the US for the first time in years, the US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Sunday. The new world screwworm (NWS) infestation was reportedly detected in the patient in Maryland after he returned from El Salvador. "This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the US," HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infestation occurs as the fly maggots "burrow into the flesh and cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal" that can, "in rare cases", also include people, the US Department of Agriculture warned in May. The Maryland patient was reportedly diagnosed via a review of submitted larval images. Screwworm (John Kucharski/USDA) There are currently no FDA-approved drugs for NWS in the US. Although eradicated from North America decades ago, worm infestation of cattle has surged in South America in recent years, with trends of it moving northwards. Detections of the parasite surged dramatically in Panama in 2023, with subsequent cases reported in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New World screwworm is an aggressive parasite. Larvae dont wait for dead flesh, they create it, said Brianna Schur, deputy administrator for USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspections Veterinary Services. Typically found in South America and the Caribbean, the CDC noted that people in the US are at higher risk for NWS if they travel in these areas, are around livestock in rural areas where the flies are, and if they have an open wound. Wounds as small as a tick bite may attract a female fly to feed and lay her eggs. One female can lay 200 to 300 eggs at a time and may lay up to 3,000 eggs during her 10- to 30-day lifespan, according to the CDC. Infestations are very painful. If you have an NWS infestation, you may see maggots around or in an open wound. They could also be in your nose, eyes, or mouth, the US health agency warned. HUNTERS: BE ALERT! New World screwworm (NWS) has not been found in the U.S., but early detection is key. Learn what to watch for & how to report it: https://t.co/SDLkvEF3Vf #WildlifeHealth #USDA #APHIS #NWS pic.twitter.com/HVvukcTyHZ USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (@USDA_APHIS) August 12, 2025 Skin wounds or sores can worsen over time with a foul-smelling odour stemming from the infestation site, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US suspended imports of livestock, including cattle, horses, and bison, across the southern border with Mexico earlier this year due to the northward spread of the parasite. It is not only a threat to our ranching community, but it is a threat to our food supply and our national security, the USDA warned. Part of the US plan to counter the flys spread is to build the countrys first sterile fly production facility in Texas. The $8.5m sterile fly dispersal facility under construction would take larvae produced in Panama or Mexico, grow them to produce hatched sterile male flies. The sterile male flies would be released into the wild to mate with NWS fly females, which reproduce only once. The death toll from the latest Israeli airstrikes on Yemen has risen to 10, authorities said on Monday. The Houthi-run Health Ministry reported that 92 people were also injured in the attacks on Sunday. Authorities had previously reported four deaths and nearly 70 people injured in the strikes. The Israeli Air Force said on Sunday evening that it had again attacked targets in Yemen, striking a military facility near the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a. Other targets included two power stations and a fuel depot that supplied the Houthi militia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the Gaza war almost two years ago, the Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel with missiles and drones in support of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, another Iran-funded militant group. Israel has responded by attacking targets in Yemen. People inspect damaged fuel trucks at a gas station after it was hit by Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa. The Israeli Air Force said on Sunday evening that it had again attacked targets in Yemen, striking a military facility near the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a. Other targets included two power stations and a fuel depot that supplied the Houthi militia. Osamah Yahya/dpa People inspect damaged fuel trucks at a gas station after it was hit by Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa. The Israeli Air Force said on Sunday evening that it had again attacked targets in Yemen, striking a military facility near the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a. Other targets included two power stations and a fuel depot that supplied the Houthi militia. Osamah Yahya/dpa A Yemeni child walks past damaged fuel trucks at a gas station after it was hit by Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa. The Israeli Air Force said on Sunday evening that it had again attacked targets in Yemen, striking a military facility near the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a. Other targets included two power stations and a fuel depot that supplied the Houthi militia. Osamah Yahya/dpa Yemeni children inspect damaged fuel trucks at a gas station after it was hit by Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa. The Israeli Air Force said on Sunday evening that it had again attacked targets in Yemen, striking a military facility near the presidential palace in the capital Sana'a. Other targets included two power stations and a fuel depot that supplied the Houthi militia. Osamah Yahya/dpa Advertisement Advertisement whats at stake President Donald Trump is militarizing law enforcement in the nations capital, sending National Guard troops to police DC in a bid to tamp down what his administration says is out-of-control crime. Trump has more authority over the citys National Guard than he does over troops assigned to states, but he has also signaled plans to potentially replicate the militarization strategy in other urban areas (despite questions about the legality of his approach). Separately, the Trump administration has contended with a lawsuit over its use of National Guard troops in Los Angeles to respond to immigration protests. The developments have set off a broader debate about whether the National Guard can or should play a meaningful role in reducing crime in cities. whos making the case Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, a member of the House Judiciary Committee and a former Army pilot, said Trump is taking the right approach: Washington, DC, is supposed to be the symbol of American strength, yet lately it has become a symbol of lawlessness. Just blocks from the Capitol, a woman in my own apartment complex was robbed of her computer, phone, and iPad. Not long before, Congressman Henry Cuellar was held at gunpoint across the street. These incidents didnt happen in some far-off, crime-ridden city they happened minutes from the halls of Congress. That is the reality of life in our nations capital: it is not safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trumps decision to step in and take control of DC law enforcement is not an overreach. It is leadership. When Democrat governors like Tim Walz had no problem deploying the National Guard to shut down businesses, churches, and schools during Covid, they called it public safety. But when it comes to addressing actual public safety, the kind threatened by violent crime, repeat offenders, and brazen lawlessness, they suddenly claim it goes too far. That hypocrisy exposes their priorities: control over citizens, but not protection for them. The vast majority of Americans understand that without order, there can be no freedom. Citizens deserve to walk their streets without fear of being assaulted or robbed. If local leaders refuse to uphold that most basic responsibility, then governors must be willing to act. Deploying the National Guard where necessary is not a violation of liberty; it is the defense of it. Patrick Eddington, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute who served in the National Guard and Reserves, argued that National Guard troops have no business policing DCs streets because they know little about civilian criminal law: The peacetime mission of the National Guard in any state or territory is being available to help with actual emergencies that affect a state usually of the natural disaster variety. The California NG has often played a role in helping contain the wildfires that have so plagued that state for years now. Those are totally appropriate missions for state NGs to perform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I was a young enlisted soldier in the Missouri NG in 1983, my transportation unit was called up to provide anti-looting and commercial business security in the wake of a tornado that had swept through part of my hometown of Springfield. Our unit leadership was so concerned that there not be a shooting incident involving any member of our unit that we deployed without bolts in our M-16s (i.e. the rifles couldnt fire). We could still have used the weapons as de facto clubs, I guess, but the main point of our deployment was providing physical security for an area of the city that had just been hit by a major tornado. We had no lawful arrest or detention authority; that was the job of the Springfield PD. Putting young NG personnel on DCs streets none of whom likely know the first thing about civilian criminal law in a politically volatile environment is inviting a Kent State-like tragedy. What Trump is doing now has nothing to do with crime control since the DC murder and crime rate is the lowest its been in literally decades. These out-of-state NG call ups from red states in particular are simply designed to intimidate elected Democrats in major metropolitan areas under the guise of fighting crime and alleged immigration enforcement. Trumps use of Title 32 authority to do this is a clear misuse of the statute, designed to get around the Posse Comitatus Act, so he can use military personnel under the control of Trump loyalist governors for these political repression ops. Notable DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) A dog escaped unscathed and one person was injured after two separate gun violence incidents in Decatur over the weekend. The Decatur Police Department is investigating after a gunshot victim showed up to St. Marys Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning. Battery with metal pipe leaves one hospitalized in Decatur The 22-year-old male was shot once in the upper right thigh; his wound is non-life threating, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department said the male would not tell them how it happened, where it happened, or who he was with. After checking the hospitals security camera footage, however, police noticed the vehicle that dropped him off had been reported stolen. Police located the vehicle, but it was unoccupied. Several hours later, police responded to a home in Decatur for a shots fired call. It happened around 11 a.m., near the area of E. Main and S. Water Streets. When police arrived, they spoke with a woman at the scene. She told them she had let her dog outside, tethered on a leash. She went back inside, but soon heard yelling. The woman looked outside, saw a teenager pointing a gun at her dog, and fire three shots. Hot air balloon pilot rescued after crashing into power lines in Decatur Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, the suspect ran off. Police said the dog was not hurt. They are still working to confirm if the dog got loose before or after the gunshots. Anyone with more information about either incident should contact the Decatur Police Department at 217-424-2711. To submit tips anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers on their website, by calling 217-423-8477 or texting DPD33 to 274637. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Defense counsel plans to file paperwork illustrating why Fernando Jara, accused of threatening his wife, Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez, is a suitable candidate for mental health diversion. If granted entry to a diversion program, Jara would be able to get his case dismissed if he successfully completed all terms and followed court orders. Defense attorney Steven Meister said Friday hell file the paperwork ahead of Jaras next hearing on Oct. 31, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jara remains in custody on $100,000 bail. On July 12, Perez told officers, Jara walked through their home on Alta Vista Drive threatening to execute people and bash her head, according to court documents. She said he also threatened one of the children. Perez told officers Jara was off his medication and she feared for her life and the lives of their children. She said he has bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and his condition has grown worse over the years. Jara was arrested after police engaged in hours of failed negotiation attempts that ended with a Taser and physical force being used to restrain him, according to the documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes charged with felony criminal threats and misdemeanor counts of child abuse and resisting arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. This story was produced by Spotlight Delaware as part of a partnership with Delaware Online/The News Journal. For more about Spotlight Delaware, visit www.spotlightdelaware.org. Two years ago, a nonprofit run by a prominent Wilmington businessman received $475,000 from the state of Delaware to help it build and launch an addiction resource center within an old charter school building on the citys north side. Delaware State Auditor Lydia York published a report on Aug. 21 stating that the nonprofit the Congo Legacy Center did not properly spend or did not sufficiently document spending for nearly half of its grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OPIOID CRISIS: Delaware will receive portion of $335M settlement with opioid manufacturer Mylan Inc. Grant expenditures were not consistent and/or in compliance with Phase 1B of the signed Grant Agreement, [known as the Opioid Abatement and Remediation Grant], the report stated. A report by Delaware State Auditor Lydia York says that the Congo Legacy Center nonprofit did not properly spend or did not sufficiently document spending for nearly half of a $475,000 grant from the state of Delaware. The auditor published the report as part of a batch of audits that examined the use of grants from the embattled Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission. Those awards are derived from $250 million that the Delaware Attorney Generals Office has secured from multiple legal settlements struck with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Why should Delaware care?Delaware and other states have won $55 billion to date in ongoing legal battles with opioid manufacturers and distributors and subsequently directed that money to programs designed to abate the overdose crisis across the United States. But in Delaware a state with a particularly serve drug epidemic the use of those dollars had some officials calling for a pause in funding. Separate from the audit report, Spotlight Delaware also learned that the Congo Legacy Center directed $220,000 of the grant money to a construction company called Max Con, which is owned by the nonprofits founder, Ernest Sammy Congo Sr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congo who is the father of Wilmington City Council President Ernest Trippi Congo II also paid another $40,000 of the grant money to his own funeral home company. OTHER INVESTIGATIONS: What did the Delaware auditor find in the probe of 4 opioid grant recipients? In an interview, Congo said the payment to his funeral home was a reimbursement for renovation work at the school building that the company had previously funded. He also claimed that he hired his own construction company to build the addiction service center in order to to save Delaware money. You couldnt get that kind of work done for that kind of money elsewhere, he said, while also stating that Max Con only charged the Congo Legacy Center for the cost of its labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a spokesman for Yorks office said the audit concluded that proper documentation did not exist showing details of Congo Sr.s payments for the construction on the West 28th Street building that once housed the Delaware College Preparatory Academy. What we dont have is a contract with the funeral home. We dont have a contract with Max Con. We dont have an MOU between those organizations, the spokesman, Sam Barry, said. We dont have supporting documentation to show what that expenditure was used for, he added. Asked about the claim, Congo said records of his payments do exist in the form of the checks that the Congo Legacy Center used to pay for the renovation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All (the auditor) had to do was call for the checkbook and it will indicate every penny that was spent, he said. Money well spent? As part of the audit, Barry also said that the auditor found that a $73,000 portion of the state grant did not pay for a program coordinator at the Congo Legacy Center, as was contractually required. According to the grant contract, the addiction resource centers offerings would include tutoring, music lessons, chess clubs, peer group counseling, primary care doctor visits and a food pantry. And a coordinator would be hired to manage it all. There was funding allocated for a program coordinator. That money was not spent for a program coordinator, Barry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Congo said his organization could not have rightfully paid for a program coordinator because the buildings renovation has been ongoing. He said the $73,000 was instead spent on construction. He said it was money well spent. So we should have hired a program coordinator and not finished the floors and the windows? he asked, rhetorically. Congo also said that the $450,000 awarded to his nonprofit was not large enough to fully renovate the school building that had been damaged over several years that it sat vacant. He said he initially expected to receive several rounds of cash disbursements from the state over multiple years in order to pay for the resource center initiative, called the Congo Tarir Project. He also argued that the initiative would bring resources to an area that had been systematically neglected for generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ill do whatever it takes to help people and if this story will help people, well, Ill love it, he said. But I dont want it to hinder anybody. Last summer, the states opioid commission awarded the Congo Legacy Center an additional $80,000. But Brad Owens, director of the states opioid commission, said in an email that the grant had been frozen, pending the audit findings, which he called concerning. He also said the opioid commission will now review all options to address this matter. A year ago, the Congo Legacy Center was again facing scrutiny after the city of Wilmington sought to foreclose on two of its properties. At the time, the organizations tax-exempt status had lapsed, resulting in Congo owing more than $300,000 in back property taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, on the day of the foreclosure, Congo saved his properties by paying a portion of those taxes. He also set up a payment plan and demonstrated that he had reinstated his tax-exempt nonprofit status. Ultimately, his organization was on the hook to pay the city more than $236,000 over two years. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Congo Legacy Centers payments to family company under scrutiny California Gov. Gavin Newsom has taken his trolling of President Donald Trump to a new level. The Democratic governor launched on Sunday the PATRIOT merchandise store a website that sells apparel mimicking Trumps Make America Great Again (MAGA) merch. Items for sale include a red trucker hat reading Newsom was right about everything, mocking a red hat that said Trump was right about everything that the president wore on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another piece of merch is a mug reading Newsom 2026 implying support for Newsom to run for a third term, which is prohibited under California law. The mug appears to mock hats that read Trump 2028 that are sold on The Trump Store. Under the U.S. Constitution, Trump is not allowed to seek a third term as president. One of the items listed as sold out on the website is a $100 Bible signed by Newsom. This appears to mock Trump, who last year sold God Bless the USA Bibles for $60. In a post on X on Sunday night, Newsom revealed how much had been sold so far. WOW! WE HAVE NOW SOLD OVER $100K OF THE BEST PRODUCTS EVER MADE!! IF YOU HATE THE PATRIOT SHOP, YOU HATE AMERICA! THANK YOU! Newsom wrote on X, mimicking Trumps Truth Social posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a subsequent post, Newsom mocked Trumps MAGA slogan, hinting that his merch shop will have a flag reading Make America Gavin Again. SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! Newsom wrote on X. Throughout August, Newsoms press office has posted messages on X that mimic Trumps posts on Truth Social writing in all capital letters and bestowing denigrating nicknames onto Republican and right-wing figures. DANA DING DONG PERINO (NEVER HEARD OF HER UNTIL TODAY!) IS MELTING DOWN BECAUSE OF ME, GAVIN C. NEWSOM! FOX HATES THAT I AM AMERICAS MOST FAVORITE GOVERNOR (RATINGS KING) SAVING AMERICA WHILE TRUMP CANT EVEN CONQUER THE BIG STAIRS ON AIR FORCE ONE ANYMORE!!! TRUMP HAS LOST HIS STEP AND FOX IS LOSING IT BECAUSE WHEN I TYPE, AMERICA NOW WINS!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. GCN," one post reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent poll released by Echelon Insights this month shows Newsom as the second-most popular choice for the 2028 presidential nominee among Democratic voters, only behind Kamala Harris. More on Politics Read the original article on MassLive. Immigration attorney Anne Parelkar, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks at the Aug. 5, 2025, Lenexa City Council meeting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA An immigration attorney from Overland Park traveled across the state in March to a town hall in western Kansas to confront U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, and now, she is running for his seat. Anne Parelkar is one of three Democrats challenging Marshall, a Republican who said he will run for reelection in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did tell him that day, I said, Im going to take your job, Parelkar said. Parelkar said she is tired of watching Kansas elected offices being used for self-enrichment. The 2026 election cycle will be her first time running for an elected position. She wants to give voters another option, she said. I think that the rule of law is under attack right now, Parelkar said in an interview for the Kansas Reflector podcast. Im worried about our constitution not being followed. I renew my oath to the Constitution every year when I renew my law licenses, so thats a big deal to me. Parelkars opponents in the 2026 Democratic primary would include Christy Davis of Cottonwood Falls and Michael Soetaert of Wellington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parelkar is licensed to practice law in Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri. She was raised Presbyterian in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and still practices. She graduated from Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas, in 2005 and graduated in 2011 from law school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She has lived in Kansas for more than a decade. Parelkar is married to a first-generation immigrant, and they have two children. Americans first Kansas voters have not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1932, and Republicans have held both Senate seats since 1939. While running as a Democrat, Parelkar isnt fully on board with party labels. When political parties come up, she said, tensions arise, emotions get high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is taking a people-first, America-first approach to her campaign and said she rejects the custom of loyalty to party. However, she also said she doesnt think the Republicans are the answer to our problems at all. I do think its time for something else, something new, and I think I bring that to the table, she said. As an immigration attorney, Parelkar is attuned to the impacts of immigration locally and across the country. We have a very big problem with immigration in our country right now, in the sense that theres a lot of confusion over it, theres a lot of anger over it and theres a lot of good people being impacted by it, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration reform is necessary, she said, but that reform must be a solution, not another problem. Immigration for Parelkar has historically been a professional and personal issue. As its becoming political for her, she said she believes in the rule of law. She said she wants violent criminals off the street but that the current approach is not the right one. She said she does not want people who have been established in the United States with jobs and children who are citizens to be punished for their immigration status. I dont want children taken away from their mothers, she said. She believes she can bridge the gaps between differing party ideologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are Americans first. We are one nation, indivisible, and weve gotta start acting like it, she said. Fixing the broken things One of Parelkars biggest concerns leading up to her campaign is how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act or the big ugly bill, as she called it is going to impact Kansans. In particular, she worries about access to health care in rural areas of the state and how farmers will fare. Parelkar has bound copies of the act, which President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. It is dense reading material, she said. If I have to put in so much effort to understand this, how can I possibly expect that people who have dedicated their lives to anything other than the law are going to make it through this and understand it? she said. Thats not going to happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way she sees it, voters have two options: re-elect the ones responsible for cuts to health care, or elect new officials who might be able to fix it. Parelkar is opposed to eliminating funding for public schools. She said she is concerned about curricula, including mingling church and state and the prevalence of screens in schools. Families ought to have the right to choose what kind of education their kids receive, she said, but I do not want anyone indoctrinating my kids. In addition to the U.S. Senate election, Kansans in 2026 will also be voting on a state constitutional amendment that attempts to change the way Kansas Supreme Court justices are appointed to the bench. Currently, the process is merit-based, through which three nominees are selected by a group of people, more than half of whom are attorneys, and the governor appoints a justice to the bench. Justices must go up for retention votes after their appointments. Republicans are proposing a popular vote system. Candidates would campaign much like other elected offices and voters will select the candidates they deem most appropriate. Parelkar said she believes the current system is the best way to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Ive heard people say, Well, its hard to find out if theyre Republican or Democrat. Good, Parelkar said. I dont want to know if theyre Republican or Democrat. She added: There should be no Republican or Democrat influence over our judiciary. We see the circus that is our campaign system today that is throwing mud at each other, tearing each other down. Parelkar said she never dreamed she would run for public office. People have asked why she didnt run for local office. And my simple answer to that is I have no interest in holding office for a long time, she said. I have an interest in going and fixing the things that are broken, and finding ways to help people while Im there. TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday reaffirmed Iran's opposition to nuclear weapons during a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a statement by the Iranian Presidency. Pezeshkian pledged to personally oversee the accelerated construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, a key link in the International North-South Transport Corridor connecting the Persian Gulf with Russia and Central Asia, along with other bilateral projects. Pezeshkian also underscored the role of multilateral platforms such as the Eurasian Economic Union, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS in enhancing cooperation among member states to counter unilateralism. For his part, Putin briefed Pezeshkian on the main points and outcomes of his recent talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska, saying the discussions produced positive results that could contribute to resolving the conflict in Ukraine. He described Moscow-Tehran ties as constructive and steadily advancing, citing an 11 percent rise in bilateral trade in the first half of the year. Putin also noted progress on joint projects, including the Rasht-Astara railway and cooperation at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, with the transfer of new fuel for the facility already underway. Putin reiterated Russia's firm support for Iran's right to uranium enrichment, calling it a vital element of bilateral cooperation. Democrats are staring down a gerrymandering Armageddon, and dont have a lot of good answers. But if they think this current moment is frightening, just wait until the coming reapportionment apocalypse. Their current gerrymandering problem threatens their hopes of taking back control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterms. Reapportionment could be much worse than that, potentially an existential threat that pushes them into a minority for another decade. How leading Democrats address these two significant challenges will determine whether they can pry back control of Congress, state legislatures and even the White House. But as Republican gerrymanders threaten to metastasize uncontrollably across the national map, Democrats dont seem to fully understand the math or the depth of their difficulties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any day now, Texas will enact a new congressional map that nets as many as five additional GOP seats. This brazen mid-decade power grab will enhance the Republicans slender, three-seat majority in the U.S. House and it wont stop there. Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Florida will go next, grabbing the GOP perhaps another six seats. Should Republicans decide to play serious hardball, they could remap North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas and New Hampshire too. Democrats have more limited options. In California, voters will be asked this fall to suspend the states independent redistricting commission and allow the legislature to enact a new map that adds five blue seats in retaliation for the Texas gerrymander. If voters approve and thats not guaranteed the two maps would cancel each other out. But whats step two? The trouble for Democrats is they have nowhere else to target if Republicans keep on escalating. Blue-state governors are talking tough and insisting they are at war, but that rhetoric is no match for reality. Democrats simply control too few states, and theyve pretty much maxed out the maps in the states where they hold trifecta power. New Yorks state constitution would prevent creating new congressional maps before the 2028 election. Illinois likely cannot carve out an additional Democratic seat in a map that already hands them 14 of 17 districts. State courts in Maryland have already blocked one Democratic map that would have eliminated the states lone red seat, creating an 8-0 wipeout. Oregons governor will not propose a new 6-0 map that would erase one GOP-friendly district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So the arithmetic is stark, and its not on the Democrats side. Thats before the U.S. Supreme Court hears the Callais case in October and potentially overturns the last remnants of the Voting Rights Act, leading to the likely erasure of majority-minority seats currently held by Black Democrats in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. So Democrats cannot realistically gerrymander their way out of their gerrymandering problem. If youre wondering whether this blatant exercise of partisan political power is constitutional, the Supreme Court has already said yes, ruling that partisan gerrymandering is purely a political matter and not its problem. State courts, in many or most cases, are controlled by whichever party holds power. In other words, Democrats are going to have to win elections. To win a congressional majority next year, they might need to run the board in a diminishing number of genuine swing districts across the nation perhaps 16 or so. Politics and persuasion on a shrinking map, and in difficult electoral environments like Iowa and Arizona is the only option. Thats a big problem, given that no prominent Democrats seem to be acknowledging that openly, or indeed saying anything other than theyre ready to fight fire with fire. But bigger trouble for Democrats lies ahead: The map is about to shrink even further. This is another reason why gerrymandering blue states is such a short-term plan someday soon, there will be fewer of them. When the next congressional reapportionment happens after the 2030 census, red states stand to make huge gains. Florida and Texas, according to early estimates, could add an additional four seats each, perhaps five in Texas. The Brennan Center suggests that Idaho, Utah, Arizona and North Carolina would each gain a seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More important still, those red-state gains have to come from somewhere, and thats largely from current blue states. California could lose four seats and New York might lose two, while Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois and Wisconsin could each lose one. Thats a significant swing, and most of those would effectively be blue seats heading south. Illinois has already packed Republican voterss into three overwhelming red seats. Its hard to imagine they could draw a 14-2 map in 2031. The Oregon, Rhode Island and Minnesota seats might also come at Democrats expense. If New York and California successfully gerrymander Republicans into oblivion before all this happens, it will be far more difficult to erase any remaining red seats. Its certainly possible that GOP mapmakers in Texas and Florida cant draw all eight or nine of those new districts as Republican seats. But they have proven highly adept at turning population gains even those driven almost entirely by communities of color to their advantage, consolidating most new seats for themselves while packing and cracking likely Democratic voters as much as possible. If the Supreme Court further eliminates the Voting Rights Act protections around racial gerrymanders, this task would become easier still. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Democrats need a long-term plan to counter both the GOP gerrymanders happening right now and the coming, and potentially catastrophic, reapportionment. Short-term gerrymanders in blue states might put a Band-Aid on the immediate problem, but could come back to bite them once reapportionment arrives. The simple reality, as unsatisfying as this may be to nearly all factions of the party, is that they have to figure out how to win elections on maps designed by their opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres literally no other choice. If a dozen blue state House seats migrate southward, so too will a dozen Electoral College votes, giving Texas, Florida and Idaho more clout in presidential elections and taking it away from New York, California, Oregon and Rhode Island. Democrats will need to find a new route to 270 electors by 2032, and that will necessitate flipping at least one state currently understood as red. The U.S. Senate presents the same challenge. There are 25 states that voted for Donald Trump all three times: They have 50 Republican senators. If Democrats want to retake the chamber, they will need to win all the other Senate seats which wont be easy plus win one back from the other side. Thats harder still. Democrats are in a hole, and the retaliatory gerrymander of California only gets them a couple of rungs up the ladder. They need a plan that gets them all the way out. Instead of fighting fire with fire, and declaring wars that they cant actually wage for another three years in the 2028 presidential campaign, that is theyd be wise to devise such a plan. It has to start with persuading voters in states where the Democratic brand has become toxic to consider them afresh. And it had better start now. The post Democrats cant win the gerrymander war appeared first on Salon.com. The shadow primary for president in 2028 is suddenly igniting a more immediate campaign: the fight among states to hold the first nominating contest. South Carolina hosted more than a half-dozen potential candidates this summer. Another half-dozen dropped into New Hampshire, including Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego on Friday. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Rep. Ro Khanna of California both popped into Nevada this month. Michigan and Iowa are getting in on the action, too. All of that activity is putting pressure on the Democratic National Committee to move quickly to set the presidential primary calendar because candidates need the rules of the road, said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), who was elected to the DNCs powerful Rules and Bylaws Committee, charged with setting the presidential primary calendar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Candidates are going to be strategic, and the calendar is a big factor for them, Dingell said. People need to know, weve already got people campaigning. Boosters for some early states are planning to meet with DNC members and other fellow early state representatives on the sidelines of the national partys summer meeting in Minneapolis this week, according to three people involved in the discussions. And even though the primary calendar isnt actually on the committees agenda, they said it would clearly dominate informal conversations. As one member put it, the behind-the-scenes lobbying blitz is going to explode once everyone is in one place for the DNC meeting. One DNC member, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly, said DNC Chair Ken Martin told them he wanted the primary calendar to be sorted out quickly, potentially as soon as the end of 2025 or early 2026, and has urged rules members to expect related meetings throughout this fall. A lot of these [early state] folks will be having conversations over drinks at the hotel bar with various [DNC] members during the next few days, said Trav Robertson, the former South Carolina Democratic Party chair. Itll be very, very interesting to see this thing get started again. Who is aggressive, who is more subtle, [and] do alliances form? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman said the organization is committed to running a fair, rigorous, and transparent process for the 2028 presidential nominating calendar. All states will have an opportunity to participate. The DNC also reiterated the party process for setting the 2028 primary calendar hasnt formally begun, and discussions will start later this year. None of which is blunting states scramble to privately lobby for their cause. Democrats in potential early states are rolling out the red carpet to entice 2028 candidates to show up so the states can stay relevant, too, a national Democratic consultant said, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. The Democratic early-state window blew open in 2022, when then-President Joe Biden elevated South Carolina to first place, added Michigan and eliminated Iowa, after its disastrous 2020 caucuses. New Hampshire, pointing to its state law that it must hold the first-in-the-nation primary, jumped ahead of South Carolina in 2024 by running its own unsanctioned primary. The resulting free-for-all leaves an open race to either stay or rise up in the early state order for 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolinas many summer visits included multiday swings from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Khanna. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has keynoted speeches in Michigan and South Carolina. Pritzker, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Gallego dropped into New Hampshire with Khanna and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin set to follow. Nevada hosted Pritzker and Khanna this month. Even Iowa saw some action, drawing town halls from Gallego and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. I wont tell the DNC what to do, Gallego said Friday in New Hampshire, demurring when asked about his preferred primary state order. But Gallego said politics, unfortunately, has changed since he called in 2021 for the DNC to ditch Iowa and New Hampshire for more diverse states like South Carolina and Nevada. New Hampshire will probably be one of those really pivotal states for Democrats to try to win back independent voters and definitely has to be in the mix of early states, he said. Its not yet clear how the DNCs rules committee might approach revamping the calendar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, the DNC auditioned dozens of states for the early window, including presentations from elected officials and public lobbying efforts. Committee members said they wanted to prioritize regional, geographic and racial diversity, as well as battleground states with less costly media markets priorities that members said they expect to carry over into future debates. When we have a president in White House, it limits the partys ability to think through, on its own, whats best for its electoral strategy, whats best for the party, and right now, its the time to experiment, to question, to put all the cards on the table and see what makes sense, said one rules committee member, granted anonymity to discuss a sensitive process. I suspect the outreach [from early states] is going to amp up quite a bit now. Its also a bigger committee that will weigh in on the calendar, as Martin expanded the group to include 16 new, elected seats, selected by other DNC members rather than the chair. Half or two-thirds have never been to an RBC meeting, said a second rules committee member. Its time to make friends, so there will be lots of conversations [around the DNC meeting]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many of the challenges the DNC faced in 2022 are expected to resurface, especially surrounding New Hampshire. Even if state Democrats were on board with changing state law requiring its primary to be held before any other similar contest, the Republicans who run the capitol are not. That standoff exploded into a bitter intraparty feud in 2024 that led Biden to bypass the states primary though he ultimately won on a write-in campaign. Prominent Democrats are pointing to the parade of potential 2028 candidates who looked past their near-blacklisting to attend their convention breakfasts last summer, and who continue to headline party dinners and campaign for congressional candidates in the state, to bolster their argument for restoring New Hampshires first-in-the-nation primary status. Gallego continued that march of candidates when he appeared at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics Politics & Eggs speaker series a requisite stop for would-be presidential contenders of both parties. He also dined privately with some of the states Democratic power players; held meet and greets with Manchester, Portsmouth and Nashua Democrats; handed out doughnuts to union shipyard workers and headlined a fundraiser for Democratic state lawmakers going through the motions of a potential candidate even as he publicly downplayed a bid. Slotkin, a freshman senator from Michigan seen as a rising star in the party, is keynoting a Manchester Democrats fundraiser on Oct. 15, according to an invitation obtained by POLITICO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top Democrats, including longtime strategist Jim Demers and a trio of DNC members, are courting others through a town hall series Khanna will kick off this weekend. Democrats and Republicans alike are personally appealing to would-be 2028 contenders to keep New Hampshire first: Chris Ager, the former state GOP chair who recently launched a nonprofit to promote the primary, waited out Gallegos photo line at Politics & Eggs to encourage the senator to support New Hampshires first-in-the-nation status. Gallego was noncommittal, Ager told POLITICO. I have had, and will continue to have conversations with RBC members about the formal nominating process for our presidential candidates, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley said in a statement. We expect these conversations will happen throughout this week and continue on as the RBC decides on a process that gives each state an equal playing field. Beyond New Hampshire, Nevada is, once again, mounting its push to be the first nominating state. The states backers point to its racially and ethnically diverse electorate and relatively small size, a pair of important priorities for the DNC. Its also a union-heavy state that represents many working class voters that Democrats struggled to win over in 2024. Trump won the state last year, the first time a Republican had done so in two decades. Making Nevada first is a strategic decision for national Democrats, given the partys need to invest in winning back working class and Latino voters. We are also the only state that fits the DNCs criteria of diverse, small, accessible and a battleground state, said Molly Forgey, an adviser to the Nevada Democratic Party. Were going to ramp up our conversations with members about Nevada next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Carolina, which jumped to the front of the line in 2024, is looking to hold on to its position. Backers argue that its significant Black population, a core part of the Democratic Party, as well as its small size fits the DNCs priorities. We are proceeding as first in the nation, said Christale Spain, the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party. Well start meeting and discussing the calendar, but candidates are used to coming here, as the first-in-the-South state for the last two decades, [and] we will be vigorous in our approach to maintaining [it]. Iowa, long the first-in-the-nation caucus state, is looking for a way back into the process, too. Last week, the Iowa Democratic Party launched a survey of its voters, asking whether it should defy the DNC and host an unsanctioned caucus. Rita Hart, the Iowa Democratic Party chair, underlined Gallegos comments on his recent Iowa trip, when he acknowledg[ed] that Iowa has to be part of our governing coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That starts now with our conversations with the DNC about the shortcomings of the Biden calendar and with our fellow Iowa Democrats who are ready to lead the party and the country out of the hole that Republicans have dug for us, Hart added. Adam Wren contributed to this report. Dept. of Education launches investigation into Mass. school district over graphic student survey The U.S. Department of Educations Student Privacy Policy Office launched an investigation into Burlington Public Schools on Monday, alleging they violated parents rights when they gave students a survey that asked questions about sensitive topics. The topics included drug and alcohol use, sexual encounters, and gender identity. The questionnaire was given during the 2025 school year as part of a Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the questions included in the survey were as follows, according to documents obtained by Boston 25 News: Which of the following terms best describes your current gender identity? What sex were you assigned at birth, on your original birth certificate? Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation? What is your race and/or ethnicity? Has anyone done sexual things to you or forced you to do sexual things that you did not want to? Has someone you were dating or going out with ever done sexual things to you or forced you to do sexual things that you did not want to? Has someone you were dating or going out with physically hurt you? How old were you when you had your first drink of alcohol (more than a few sips)? During the past month, did you ride in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol? During the past month, what flavors were your tobacco products? During the past month, how did you get your tobacco products? Have you ever had sexual contact with another person? Have you ever had sexual intercourse? Have you ever sent or received sexual messages or nude or semi-nude pictures or videos electronically? The Department of Education alleges they received several complaints from parents that even though they opted their children out of the survey, the questionnaire was still administered by district officials. The allegations that Burlington violated parents rights by administering a survey against parents wishes and particularly one that is graphic, and downright inappropriate in nature is unconscionable, said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The Department will investigate this matter thoroughly and continue to resolutely defend parents rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burlington Public Schools Superintendent Eric Conti says the district will cooperate fully with the investigation, though they have already taken steps as early as last year to address the survey controversy. Last winter, the District terminated its contract with the company that drafted the survey, he said. The School Committee also unanimously voted that no new student surveys will be administered until a new policy is written and approved by the School Committee. That process is already ongoing, with the assistance of legal counsel. Conti says parents were notified prior to April break 2025 about information on their website about the survey and the changes the district would be implementing moving forward. The School District also previously emailed all families acknowledging that errors and mistakes did occur and that the School District recognized the critical importance of having clear communication with families, especially regarding parents and students rights to opt-out of such surveys, Conti said. This is not a new issue, and the District has gone to great lengths to be transparent and forthcoming about the problems, unintentional as they were, with the 2025 YRBS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complaint filed by parents can be seen below: Burlington Survey Screenshots and Letter Redacted by Boston 25 Desk Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW When I was born in Guben on the German-Polish border in the 1980s, the town was a bustling, polluted hub of the East German chemical industry. Smog thickened the air, and extensive brown coal mining was turning the surrounding countryside into a barren moonscape. When I recently returned to Guben, I found a clean and beautifully restored town, but also one that was less than half its former size and one where around 40 per cent of the people voted for the Right-wing populist AfD. Demographic anxiety pervaded every aspect of life a strangely underexplored factor in the growing disaffection with mainstream politics. The fear that culture, traditions and institutions erode due to shrinking populations is often belittled by city-dwelling liberals. However, regional depopulation is a real phenomenon, and its scale is enormous across the areas that once lay east of the Iron Curtain. The Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev has long tried to spell this out to Western observers, identifying a largely unspoken preoccupation with demographic collapse as a key factor behind the rise of populism. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Latvia lost 27 per cent of its population, Lithuania 22.5 per cent, Bulgaria 21 per cent and the former East Germany nearly a quarter of its people. Guben The vast majority of the emigrants were young, and they took their education, labour and future families with them when they moved West in search of a better future. In the case of East Germany, young women were overrepresented among the leavers. Im a classic example of this. I finished school and university, and then I left, never to return. During a recent school reunion, I discovered that most of my classmates had followed a similar path, even though many long to return home when their financial circumstances allow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The impact of losing a generation became apparent when I visited Guben recently. When I was born there in 1985, it had 35,000 inhabitants. Now only 16,000 people live there. Local politicians told me they hope they have now halted the demographic decline. The mayor of the nearby village of Schenkendobern proudly showed me a recently renovated primary school, but it currently has just 23 children studying in Year 1. Gubens town librarian told me that the primary school she attended had long shut down. The demographic decline defines Gubens townscape. There is an elaborate Stalin-era cinema, featuring symmetrical columns that frame the entrance with murals and stucco decorating the interior. Today, it is empty and derelict, only occasionally used for events. Guben lacks both the population and the funds to maintain a venue built for a town twice its size. The same is true for housing, once built on a grand scale for the workers of the chemical industry. After 1990, many of the flats stood empty and fell into disrepair. Shops boarded up. Eventually, the town decided to demolish buildings an unavoidable step, but the result is a tumbleweed atmosphere of desolation Social networks have broken down. Older people dont see their grandchildren grow up. When someone retires, there is often nobody to take over an institution or a tradition, I was told by Sebastian Wehland, a pub landlord about my age, who recently returned after living in the former West Germany for years with his young family. His grandparents had run the village pub for decades, but eventually retired. Sebastian is a railway engineer and cant open the pub every day. But he is desperately trying to keep it alive as a village institution. If it closes down, too, there wont be a pub anywhere for miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dearth of young people also makes it difficult for businesses to flourish, creating a vicious circle of limited opportunities. A local dairy farmer, the regions largest employer, with a state-of-the-art business that produces milk as well as energy from cow manure, told me he is struggling to find and retain staff. He has now lowered his expectations, offering well-paid apprenticeships to young people with zero experience, but even so, there just arent enough people. Politicians tell me the obvious answer is immigration, and that they cant understand why a region with a need for young people would vote for the anti-immigration AfD in such high numbers. In Guben, this is a particularly pertinent question, since the town straddles the German-Polish border with the Neisse River separating German Guben from Polish Gubin since 1945. That border a bridge at the end of the high street is now subject to police controls since the new German government has adopted a stricter stance on immigration. I asked a local AfD politician and born Gubener about this, and he told me what many locals had been saying too: people dont have an issue with Polish workers. Their wages and expectations are now so high that they dont adversely effect prospects on the German side. In fact, there is barely a business in the region that doesnt employ them. However, people are worried about the uncontrolled immigration of recent years. Nearby Cottbus is cited as an example. The city has 100,000 inhabitants. In 2009, just 2,600 people had no German passport. By 2023, this number had risen to 11,500, with many newcomers requiring state-funded support. Overwhelmed, the Cottbus mayor declared in 2022: We cant do this any more. While most locals dont appear to have a problem with targeted labour migration, most dont regard mass immigration as a solution to the demographic crisis. On the contrary, they worry that it accelerates the erosion of their culture and language and that this feeling isnt being taken seriously by mainstream politicians and the media. People often say that populism feeds on fear, but that fear is too often dismissed. Such derision opens opportunities for the AfD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are often mystified by why beautifully restored areas in eastern Germany, Poland, Hungary and much of central and eastern Europe, which have comparatively low immigration rates, have turned to populism. A big piece of the puzzle is depopulation. If politicians want to win back such regions, they need to start discussing demography in a way that goes beyond insisting on immigration as the only solution. If they dont, they leave populist actors with a political monopoly on existential fears. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Deputies arrested a Napoleonville man after reports of a suspicious person seen walking around with a gun in hand. The Assumption Parish Sheriffs Office said Michael Peter Butler, 45, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and disturbing the peace. When deputies responded near Jefferson and St. Joseph streets Friday evening, they noted that Butler appeared to be intoxicated. Michael Peter Butler (Assumption Parish Sheriffs Office) Butler was allegedly concealing a large-caliber firearm from deputies. Investigators learned that he could not have a gun because of a prior conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center and remains in jail on a $75,000 bond. Baton Rouge police respond to multiple shootings Sunday, several injured Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) A man died after allegedly firing at deputies and then being shot by return fire in Washington County, Virginia early on Monday. According to a news release from the Washington County, Virginia Sheriffs Office (WCSO), deputies responded to a home in the Evergreen Hills subdivision of Bristol, Virginia due to an alarm call. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Breaking News Deputies were called around 12:52 a.m. and arrived to find an armed man inside of the home, the WCSO reports. The subject fired at deputies, and deputies returned fire, fatally striking the individual, the WCSO stated. The owners of the home were not present when the officer-involved shooting took place, and no deputies were injured. The sheriffs office stated there was no ongoing threat to the community. The WCSO stated the Virginia State Police and the Washington County Commonwealths Attorneys Office are assisting in the investigation into the shooting, and more information will be released when it is available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. The big story: Another failed school board candidate has found a way to the post she sought, with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Late Friday, the governor announced his appointment of Karen Rose to the Sarasota County school board. Rose, who had served one term on the nonpartisan board previously, lost her 2024 reelection bid despite her endorsement by DeSantis in a county where Republicans outnumber Democrats nearly two to one. DeSantis had named Rose, an educator, to the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota board of trustees in June. He places her on the Sarasota school board after another member resigned to become the school districts police chief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a familiar pattern. Since the 2024 election, DeSantis also named failed candidates he backed for the Broward and Hillsborough school boards to the State Board of Education, and one candidate for Flagler County school board to the position he lost in the election. A Sarasota County public education advocacy group is voicing its displeasure with the latest move. Lisa Schurr, cofounder of Support Our Schools, is raising questions about what Rose offered to do in exchange for the seat. Schurr noted that after Rose lost, she did not attend board meetings or workshops in person for the remainder of her term. The governor must have a reason for wanting back in office a conservative politician that heavily Republican Sarasota rejected, she said. Local rule is dying drop by drop, Schurr said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times. DeSantis seems to think he knows more than the voters. Fascism replaces local rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roses appointment takes effect today. Hot topics University development: The University of South Florida could begin construction of a planned residential-retail development along Fletcher Avenue as early as the spring. Social media: The Alachua County teachers union advised members to use caution on social media amid rising state scrutiny of their district, WCJB reports. School closures: The Broward County school district is trying to decide what to do with 34 under-used schools, the Sun-Sentinel reports. President searches: A group of Florida Memorial University trustees is disputing the appointment of the schools new president, the Miami Herald reports. The University of West Florida named a search committee to lead its search for a permanent president, News Service of Florida reports. Former senator and education commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. is the schools interim leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employee discipline: The Manatee County school board decided to keep a longtime district program specialist despite recommendations by a state agency and the former superintendent to fire him, the Bradenton Herald reports. Campus security: Leon County schools continue to grapple with security, as two teens were arrested with weapons at school on Friday, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. The State Attorney for Volusia and Flagler counties warned students and families about the consequences of making false threats against schools, the Daytona Beach News-Journal reports. St. Lucie County schools will begin using metal detectors for random searches, TC Palm reports. Bus cameras: Florida drivers ticketed for illegally passing stopped school buses now have an appeals process to pursue, WFTS reports. Budget cuts: Sarasota County schools avoided teacher layoffs amid efforts to reduce spending, the Herald-Tribune reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the police blotter ... A Hernando County man was arrested after being accused of boarding a school bus on its route and threatening the driver, WTVT reports. A Polk County man was arrested on allegations of climbing a fence onto an elementary school campus and checking classroom doors, WTVT reports. From the court docket ... A Marion County parent is suing the school district on accusations that her child was inappropriately touched by another child in a prekindergarten class, WCJB reports. Dont miss a story. Heres a link to Fridays roundup. Before you go ... Ever wondered about yodeling? Editors note: This story was originally published on Aug. 25, 2024. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On Aug. 25, 1928, an expedition led by Adm. Richard E. Byrd set sail from Hoboken, New Jersey, on its journey to Antarctica. Byrd made the first airplane flight over the North Pole in 1926 and the first over the South Pole on Nov. 29, 1929, though some of his claims of the North Pole mission have been disputed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His first expedition to southern polar regions arrived at Antarctica in December 1928 and his expeditions continued through 1955. The Winchester, Virginia, native was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor the following year. Byrd is best known for his achievements in Antarctica. In 1928, he established Little America as a scientific base on the ice and flew over the South Pole, and led five major expeditions. One of Byrds missions, Operation Highjump (1946-47), the largest-ever expedition to Antarctica, which included 4,000 men, 23 aircraft and 13 ships. Many Utahns and Westerners recognize Little America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little America, Wyoming, was named after Little America, Antarctica, the barren outpost constructed on the Ross Ice Shelf by Byrd on his first trip to the South Pole, in 1928. The popular outpost continues as a gas station/diner/RV park/hotel in western Wyoming. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about Byrd, his forays into Antarctica, and the mysteries it still holds: Scientists just revealed details about an antarctic fossil that would have been the biggest bird ever New stamp features honeybee About Utah: Penguin has tie to Byrds travels Explorer Vaughan dies at age 100 Antarctica: A frigid place where scientific research is hot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fascinating facts about Antarctica USU researcher gears up for all-female Antarctica expedition Antarctic shipwreck found after 107 years underwater Antarctica: Mystery continent holds key to mankinds future Scientists used a robot to observe Antarcticas doomsday glacier and its in trouble Record high temperature recorded in Antarctica Despite controversy around the Epstein files, potential Ghislaine Maxwell pardon, and the Israel-Hamas war, President Donald Trumps approval rating is unchanged in New Hampshire. A new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found that a majority of Granite Staters (54%) disapprove of Trumps handling of his job as president, and 45% approve. The net approval rating of -9, according to the poll, is statistically unchanged from June. Approval of Trumps handling of the economy (44%) is also largely unchanged from June, while approval of his handling of foreign affairs is slightly up. Trump: Epstein took Mar-a-Lago spa staff The poll, released Aug. 22, was based on the results of 1,320 surveys completed online from Aug. 14 18, 2025. It has a margin of error of +/-2.7%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: NH Gov. Kelly Ayotte's approval rating has declined, reveals new UNH poll. See the numbers What do NH residents think of the Epstein case? Trumps approval rating has held steady even as a majority of New Hampshire residents (76%) believe the Trump administration is concealing information related to the Epstein case and that Trump was involved in crimes related to the Epstein case (55%). Thats compared to the 58% of New Hampshire residents who thought that the Biden administration concealed information about Epstein and 73% who think that Bill Clinton was involved in crimes related to Epstein. All said, 87% of Granite Staters, including wide majorities of each party, think that the government should release all documents related to the Epstein case. And 83%, again including majorities of each party, oppose the Trump administration potentially pardoning Maxwell, who was convicted of offenses in connection with Epstein. 2016 Russian Election Interference Recently, the Trump administration ramped up accusations that former President Barack Obama manipulated the investigation on whether Russian interfered in the 2016 election, a move seen as a diversion from the Epstein files controversy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obamas office has called it a weak attempt at distraction, and the poll found that 51% of New Hampshire residents dont believe the accusations. This is heavily divided by party, though: 94% of Democrats believe Obama did not manipulate the investigation while 87% of Republicans think he did. A plurality (49%), including 89% of Democrats, believe that Russia did interfere in the 2016 election to help Trump, which is what a bipartisan report from the Senate Intelligence Committee concluded. In contrast, 83% of Republicans believe Russia didnt interfere. Israel-Hamas war 55% of New Hampshire residents disapprove of Trumps handling of foreign affairs and 43% approve, giving him a net approval of -12. Thats up from June, when it was -17. Opinions on the Israel-Hamas war are largely divided by party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A plurality (48%) support blocking US military sales to Israel, including a majority of Democrats. 60% of Republicans oppose blocking the sales. This split is also seen over which group is responsible for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza: overall, slightly more New Hampshire residents think Hamas is responsible, a number that includes 85% of Republicans. But 87% of Democrats believe that Israel bears a lot of responsibility, and 38% believe the U.S. does. Should members of Congress be allowed to trade stocks? There is one thing that everyone can agree on in New Hampshire: 95% overall, 97% of Democrats and 93% of Republicans support banning stock trading by members of Congress. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: What is Trumps approval rating in NH amid Epstein files controversy? Officials with Hillsborough Countys environmental agency received a complaint last year about land in East Tampa. When they arrived at the property, they found an acre of lush wetlands had been set on fire and filled with gravel to make a parking lot. The owners, who had bought the land earlier that year, had plowed through the center of the wetland, clear-cutting hundreds of trees. They did so illegally and without a permit, according to county regulators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wetlands, which provide marshy habitat for birds, fish and other native species, are considered environmentally sensitiveand act as a natural barrier against flooding. To destroy or harm them requires a permitting process which can take months to ensure construction minimizes environmental damage. So when county regulators found the East Adamo Drive wetland had been destroyed, they ordered the owners to restore the land and move their business to a portion of the property where less environmental harm would be done. The landowners, facing thousands of dollars in fines, enlisted unlikely allies: local environmentalists. Soon, the countys environmental regulators received emails questioning their decision about the wetland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were astonishedat who sent them. Never in my 20 years of doing this, said Michael Lynch, director of the agencys wetlands division. Ive never seen an advocacy group come and try to defend a violator. I knew they dont have the full picture. They have to fix what they ruined The property on East Adamo Drive sits a block north of where the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway winds along the Tampa Bypass Canal that empties into McKay Bay. A strip club, a solar company and industrial buildings lie to the east. To the west is a sprawling 20-acre wetland where wading birds roam between cattails and cypress trees. Deborah and Vincent Wilson bought the 3 acres of East Tampa land for $620,000 in April 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than two weeks had passed before they moved their trucking business, DV Container Services Inc., and broke ground. In less than a month, the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County received a complaint about construction atop a 2-acre wetland. Agency staff showed up three days later and found hundreds of trees had been cut and the land filled with gravel all without permits. They told the Wilsons they would need to restore the wetland. When officials returnedabout three weeks later, they discovered the owners had removed some of the gravel fill but had continued to clear and fill elsewhere on the lot. They had also brought in their equipment, including trucks and shipping containers. Environmental regulators returned to the site again over the next two months, finding the wetland in a worse state with each visit, said Janet Lorton, the agencys director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We kept going out there in June and July, and they just were doing what they wanted to do with impunity, she said. These people destroyed a wetland, and they were told to stop, and they didnt do it. And now they have to fix what they ruined. The Wilsons continued to shirk deadlines, Lorton said. It wasnt until November that they signed an agreement to restore the wetland. Deborah Wilson blames the environmental agency for disrupting their business. Weve been here for 15 months running on generators. I havent been able to get no power, no water or anything, she said. Were not looking to upset anybody. We just really want to try to get our business going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County officials ordered DV Container Servicesto remove all equipment and gravel, plant 365 native cypress trees and 3,000 swamp ferns and comply with inspections to ensure the replanting takes hold. Officials also fined the company $4,800. Agency officials didnt hear from the Wilsons for the rest of the year and considered the matter settled. But in March, the agency received a permit application. The couple askedto continue operating on their lot, as long as they built or restored another wetland to offset the environmental damage already done. Theyd also brought on a zoning consultant with a long career pressuring City Hall on behalf of Tampa business owners and developers. The move would soon lead to more friction between regulators and the owners. A rallying cry Todd Pressman was dismayed to find regulators would not budge on what he thought to be a bizarre ruling against his clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Wilsons were ordered to restore the wetland, they would haveto move their operations to the south if they wanted to build on the land at all. The problem: Such a move would destroyathird of an acre of wetlands and remove two dozen large trees, Pressman said. In his 25 years as a consultant, Pressman had never challenged the environmental commissions rulings. Hillsboroughs Environmental Protection Commissiongets it right 99.8% of the time. This is just a pure difference of opinion, he said. I just couldnt sit still with it. He pleaded with Lynch, the agencys wetlands director, via emails and phone calls. He called a meeting with County Commissioner Gwen Myers, who represents the East Tampa district, and agency leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then Pressman reached out to local environmental groups. Carroll Ann Bennett, treasurer of the Tampa Tree Advocacy Group, didnt know what to make of that first text message from Pressman. The group, which successfully stopped developers from chopping two mature trees in South Tampa and aided residents of Tampas Riverbend neighborhood in a fight to save wetlands there, picks its battles carefully, she said. It was Aug. 18, a Monday, when Pressman asked Bennetts group to speak againstthe regulatorydecision at a commission meeting Thursday. In an email to members, she relayed Pressmans concerns and urged the group to look into the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restoration of wetlands can take many, many years and it doesnt always work, Bennett wrote. The(Environmental Protection Commission) is just making the situation much worse by destroying more wetland and trees. But Bennett was unsure there would be enough time to unravel all the necessary details. The next day, she told a Tampa Bay Times reporter that her group would likely sit this one out. Frankly, it is too complicated for us to figure out in so short a time, Bennett said. Trees? Or money? Lynchs wetlands department receives more than 400 violation complaints each year. But the complaints about the East Adamo Drive property stood out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmentalists had been leaving messages at his office asking why the agency had OKd more destruction on the property. It was the first time hed seen advocates courted by a developer so clearly in the wrong, he said. Lynch called Bennett and other advocates the next dayand explained the agencys decision would undo damage already inflicted on the wetland and lessen future destruction. They thanked me for clearing up the misinformation, because Mr. Pressman did not represent that, he said. Lynch said Pressman and his clients were trying to create an outcry when they contacted environmentalists. If they succeeded in convincing Lynchs office to let them keep their operations in the middle of the wetland, it would save their business time and money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats what this is about, Lynch said. If this was about saving trees, you wouldnt have done the impact in the first place. When asked whether money was the root of the issue, Pressman said it was one factor among many. Owners back down Lynch received an email early Wednesday from the property owners. Please proceed with the permitting. I appreciate all you have been doing for our company, it read. The previous evening, environmental groups had decided not to back the owners. They should have to restore what they harmed, and they should not be allowed to harm anything else, said Bennett. Lorton is confident the site can be restored. Before the Wilsons purchased the property, it had been overgrown and home to invasive plants like Brazilian peppertrees. The native plantings required by the agency could transform the site into a healthier wetland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant bring back the wetland. They destroyed it, Lorton said. But in the long run, it will be better for the environment. The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian National Assembly on Monday ratified the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Some 119 out of 120 lawmakers in attendance, including Prime Minister Hun Manet, voted in favor of the agreement, said a National Assembly's press release. Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth said the agreement aimed at conserving marine biological diversity for present and future generations. He said the approval reflected Cambodia's commitment to advancing environmental sustainability, addressing climate change, and promoting the green economy in line with its long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. "Cambodia's endorsement of the agreement will further strengthen the country's international cooperation, enhance its global standing, and mobilize resources to support national development and environmental protection," he said. In May 2025, the government authorized the Ministry of Environment to sign the agreement on Cambodia's behalf during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) held in Nice, France. NEED TO KNOW A man died after a sand dune suddenly collapsed on him as he was digging in it Kane Watson, 28, was visiting the beach with his four children when the dune collapsed, burying him headfirst for 15 minutes, as his kids watched on "Family was always at the very center of who he was," a family friend wrote online of Kane, who was expecting a new baby A man died after a sand dune suddenly collapsed on him as he was digging in it. Kane Watson, 28, was visiting Muriwai Beach, located about 25 miles outside Auckland, with his 18-month-old daughter and three stepsons on Saturday, Aug. 23, when the tragedy occurred, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and the New Zealand Herald. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlets reported that Watson was playing with the children when the dune collapsed on top of him at around 5 p.m. local time, trapping him and leaving him calling out for help. The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust told RNZ that Watson was buried headfirst and was trapped for about 15 minutes. His children began calling out for help and alerted several witnesses. Rescue teams eventually transported Watson to Auckland City Hospital, where he died on Sunday, Aug. 24. Police told RNZ that an investigation will be carried out on behalf of the coroner. Getty Muriwai Beach in New Zealand. Muriwai Beach in New Zealand. In a Givealittle fundraiser started by a family friend, Watson was remembered as a "much-loved son, brother, partner and, above all, a devoted father" who had a new baby on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "His greatest joy was being with his children not only his own, but also the kids he cared for and loved as if they were his own. Family was always at the very center of who he was," family friend Kristalle Tayler wrote alongside the fundraiser, which has garnered thousands of dollars in donations for Watson's funeral costs. "Most heartbreakingly, his youngest child, due early next year, will never get to meet him, but will grow up hearing stories of the incredible man who loved them before they were born," Taylor continued. "The suddenness of this accident has left Kane's family shattered." Speaking with RNZ, University of Auckland lecturer Colin Whittaker said he hopes the public can learn more about the dangers of sand dunes following the incident. "If you've got a big dune above you and a lot of that collapses, you've potentially got something that weighs as much as an elephant collapsing on top of you," he told the outlet. "That's obviously very damaging, but also pretty hard to dig yourself out of, especially if you're struggling for air." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Whittaker, sand dunes can become unstable and collapse in seconds for a variety of reasons, including being cut by waves, vehicles driving over them, or people walking on them or digging into them. "As soon as you start trying to dig someone out, as you dig a hole, the sand fills it back in. It's incredibly challenging to do," he added. Getty A stock image of an ambulance in New Zealand. A stock image of an ambulance in New Zealand. As for Watson's family, they have told local outlets that they are "shattered" and still picking up the pieces following his death. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watsons sister Shaquille told local outlet Stuff that he was "her best friend, her favorite person." He was just an amazing dad," Tayler added. "I guess that's where it's just the most heartbreaking thing. All he ever wanted was to have his own family, and it really does feel like the minute he got there, it was ripped away from him. Read the original article on People Critics called out President Donald Trump on Sunday after he launched new attacks on the media in posts on Truth Social, saying ABC and NBC should lose their license or pay up BIG. Trump first claimed inaccurately that hes enjoying the highest approval ratings of his presidency, but suggested the media wont report on it. Except what is written and broadcast in the Fake News, I now have the highest poll numbers Ive ever had, some in the 60s and even 70s, he wrote. Related: 'They Are Next': Trump Sends Chilling Warning To Jimmy Kimmel, Other Hosts None of the polls tracked by RealClearPolling show Trump with anything close to those numbers. In fact, hes 7.8 percentage points underwater on average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, he fired off two messages aimed at ABC and NBC specifically: Donald Trump on Truth Social Donald Trump Donald Trump on Truth Social Donald Trump Trumps threats against the media have at times come with huge price tags. ABC last year paid $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump, while Paramount this summer spent $16 million to settle a lawsuit Trump filed against CBS that most legal observers believed was without merit. He also frequently attacks specific news personalities and even late-night hosts. Last month, Trump celebrated the news that Stephen Colberts Late Show would be canceled, and warned that the other shows would soon follow suit. Related: Trump Apparently Has A New Bruise And Karoline Leavitt Has An Explanation During his first term, Trump reportedly tried to have Disney, the owners of ABC, censor Jimmy Kimmel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics called him out over his latest threats against free speech: This is what dictators sound like pic.twitter.com/yjv16Yx7RJ PatriotTakes (@patriottakes) August 25, 2025 This doesnt feel very free speech-y pic.twitter.com/RjgNWaiSHZ The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) August 25, 2025 This is what an insane person sounds like. Does this guy do anything but golf and watch TV? https://t.co/rBCHS9ajPQ D Villella (@dvillella) August 25, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1st amendment is really hurting his feelings tonight. Double_Anarchy (@Double_Anarchy3) August 25, 2025 Sounds like the old man wants even more money from the media companies! Ann MacKenzie, U.S. Democrat in the Maritimes (@annofbigbeach) August 25, 2025 He hates the truth. He really really hates the truth. MissPeeps (@mizzpeeps1) August 25, 2025 Hes getting worse.. it hasnt even been a year. https://t.co/i4JOYyUjh9 MAGACultEscapee (@HaleyGirlWaGun) August 25, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what blackmail sounds like. Margaret Gilroy (@GilroyMargaret) August 25, 2025 Have noted this before, but Trump is bizarrely suspended in time when it comes to the broadcast networks and his perception of their influence/clout. Its still 1985 and Fox hasnt even premiered yet in his mind. https://t.co/SE1iSmfM5M Brian Lowry (@blowryontv) August 25, 2025 Cant wait to watch him talk about how biased these networks are on Fox and Newsmax https://t.co/RkwPQCsAOw Justin Kanew (@Kanew) August 25, 2025 Related... Read the original on HuffPost When a bear crashed a party at a restaurant in Lake Tahoe, it sent all the guests into a frenzy. What happened? ABC7 News shared on its Instagram (@abc7newsbayarea) that a "very big bear" had shown up at the Sunnyside Restaurant and Lodge in Tahoe City, California, in late July. The sighting prompted guests to move to the restaurant's top floor while the bear strolled along the shoreline before heading back into the woods. "Eye-opening to the large crowd but no people or bears were hurt," the news station added, giving a shoutout to Victor Parra (@victorparra_official_) for the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the situation was concerning for the guests, many commenters seemed to side with the bear, given the restaurant's location between the water and forest in an area known for bears. "It's not crazy. You guys are in his literal home," one person said. "No. People showed up to his living room. Team bear," someone else commented. Why is the bear sighting at Lake Tahoe concerning? More bears are being spotted near homes, restaurants, and other places humans occupy, likely because the smells of food and opportunities for easy meals attract them. While Lake Tahoe is considered bear country, with around "84 bears per 100 square kilometers in the Lake Tahoe Basin" per Patch, seeing bears in human territory is always unsettling. Unfortunately, encounters between bears and humans in the area are quite common because of the overlap between bear habitat and civilization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New Yorker, people reported nearly 700 run-ins with bears each year between 2017 and 2020, and that number increased to over 1,400 from 2021 to 2022. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In areas where bear and human worlds collide, especially if those areas have a high density of bears, it puts both species in danger. If bears attack people, whether because of food-seeking behaviors, to protect their young, or out of aggression, they're usually euthanized. Luckily, the North American Bear Center explained that black bears are typically not aggressive, and attacks are rare. But still, looking at the bigger picture, it's possible that the increase in bear sightings in populated areas could be at least partially attributed to the warming planet, increasing pressure on resources, and habitat destruction. As humans continue to encroach on bears' territory, it leaves the animals with fewer food sources and less land to inhabit, sometimes forcing them to seek resources closer to people. What's being done to reduce bear encounters? Improved management practices in North America and parts of Asia have allowed bear populations to flourish, proving that conservation efforts like building wildlife crossings over highways and combating bear poaching pay off. Providing ample space for bears to roam is key to preventing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting greater biodiversity, which supports all forms of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you visit Lake Tahoe, make sure to practice "bear awareness." This includes properly securing food and garbage by using bear-resistant containers, avoiding feeding bears, being aware of your surroundings, and carrying bear spray. You can report any bear encounters to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 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: This article has been updated to include a statement from Woody Allen first published by The Guardian. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on Aug. 25 condemned American director Woody Allen's participation in the Moscow International Film Week, calling it "a disgrace" amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. "This is a disgrace and an insult to the memory of the Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals during Russia's aggression against Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement, adding that "culture should never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a tool of propaganda." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "By taking part in a festival that brings together (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's supporters and mouthpieces, Allen is deliberately turning a blind eye to the atrocities that Russia has been committing in Ukraine every day for 11 years," it added. Allen has rejected accusations that his attendance at a film festival in Moscow amounted to whitewashing Russias actions in Ukraine, following criticism from Ukraines Foreign Ministry. In a statement to the Guardian, Allen said: "When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling. But, whatever politicians have done, I dont feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help." Russian media reported that on Aug. 24, Allen appeared via videoconference at a film festival in Moscow, where he shared his thoughts on the future of cinema in the age of artificial intelligence and praised Russian filmmaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen, 89, is best known for films like Annie Hall and Manhattan, and has long been a prominent figure in American independent cinema. His participation in the festival comes as Russia continues its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in 2022, which has included attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian casualties. Read also: Analysis: Why JD Vance is very wrong about Russian concessions in Ukraine peace talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is boosting its presence in Iowa ahead of the state Senate special election between Catelin Drey (D) and Republican Christopher Prosch, deploying thousands of volunteers in the Hawkeye State. The DNC will roll out a distributed organizing team of more than 30,000 volunteers for its get out to vote initiative and host text- and phone-banks together with the Iowa Democratic Party. Drey, who is the founder of Moms for Iowa, and Prosch, who owns a media consulting firm, are vying for the District 1 Senate seat that became available after the death of State Sen. Rocky De Witt (R) in late June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district encompasses a part of Woodbury County and Sioux City. If Drey wins Tuesday, the Democrats in the state would break up the GOPs supermajority in the upper chamber; the GOP has 33 seats in the state Senate, and Democrats have 16. The DNC will back Drey with voter contact via canvassing, digital engagement and calls. The Hill has reached out to Proschs campaign and the Republican National Committee for comment. Prosch is campaigning on support for President Trumps immigration agenda, small government, eliminating the the state income tax, and creating jobs. Ive been pretty strong on economics. Obviously, Sioux City and the Siouxland area have been really stymied by Sioux Falls and Omaha. They just had better job opportunities, Prosch told Iowa Public Radio last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need a tax overhaul. Also, we have an energy crisis that needs to be dealt with. The county board is trying to address that over the next five to 10 years, he added. And also, we have property rights issues with the CO2 pipeline. Dreys priorities are providing accessible childcare, expanding equitable access to healthcare, and funding public education. Drey told Iowa Public Radio she is focused on how we can make life better and more affordable for those folks in Senate District 1. Our cancer rates are rising, and our schools are underfunded. Instead of focusing on those issues, we see a ton of distraction and an unwillingness from the current administration and leaders to address the issues that are actually affecting Iowans, the community advocate added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNC Chair Ken Martin said the committee has virtually ignored races up and down the ballot that have profound consequences on our future for too long. Rebuilding the Democratic Party starts from the ground up, and weve seen amazing victories in Iowa so far this year, Martin said in a statement. Were all hands on deck to break the Iowa Republican supermajority and invest our resources in supporting candidates on the ground everywhere. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. It looks like the Democratic Party is finally ready to fight fire with fire. During a Monday meeting in Minnesota, Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin told his colleagues its time to stop following the rules to a T while Republicans play fast and loose with democracy. Related: Greg Abbott Has A New Warning For Democrats Who Fled Texas Amid Redistricting Battle Talking about the gerrymandering battle thats currently building up between red and blue states, a report from The Hill quoted him as saying, Im sick and tired of this Democratic Party bringing a pencil to a knife fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot be the only party that plays by the rules anymore. Weve got to stand up and fight. Rallying the party to take action, Martin said, I call on all of us to fight for a country thats being attacked from the inside, a country being attacked by an insidious force And are you ready to fight? I know Texas is always ready for that, right? Right, Texas? he said, prompting cheers. Is California ready for that fight? Related: Gavin Newsom Launches Ballot Initiative To Offset Texas Gerrymander Earlier this month, Texas Democrats tried to put the brakes on a brazen off-cycle redistricting plan that could allow Republicans to net five more seats in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They stalled the move by fleeing the state and leaving their legislature without enough bodies to hold a vote. But after a two-week standoff and threats of arrest, Democrats relented, returned home and the new map was approved over the weekend. In his address, Martin warned Democrats that Trump and his allies were only getting started. Texas Republicans may have passed those great maps, but we know Trump isnt stopping there, he said. Hes given gerrymandering orders to more red states. Hes going after mail-in ballots. Related: Gavin Newsoms Hilariously Brutal Birthday Post To Stephen Miller Is Truly A Gift It looks like Democratic leaders are already gearing up to go tit-for-tat with Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the legislative tussle in Texas, California Gov. Gavin Newsomgreenlit a special election to approve a redistricting plan which would pad California with five more blue seats negating the GOP gains in the Lone Star State. On Sunday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he was considering similar remapping moves, telling CBS News he was keeping all options are on the table when it came to leveling the electoral playing field. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Docs: Container ship captain arrested for BUI, claimed alcohol odor was from mouthwash New details have been released about the container ship captain arrested by Coast Guard officials for BUI after arriving at a Seattle port on August 20. Court documents show 48-year-old Oleh Danylin of Ukraine was the captain of the MSC Jubilee IX when it arrived at ship Terminal 5. He was charged on Monday for operation of a vessel while under the influence, which is a gross misdemeanor, according to the King County Prosecuting Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Puget Sound pilot on the Jubilee reported smelling alcohol on Danylin and alerted Coast Guard officials, who boarded the ship after docking. In a report from a Coast Guard Special Agent, officials conducted a breathalyzer test and Danylin allegedly blew a .241 blood alcohol content level. He allegedly told investigators he hadnt consumed any alcohol in the past two months and the odor was most likely from mouthwash he used ten minutes before coming into port, according to court documents. Officials say they also conducted a field sobriety test and Danylin reportedly performed so poorly that they stopped the test midway through. Danylin is being held in the King County Jail and is scheduled to a pre-trial hearing on August 27. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. If you look past the rust, an ancient Roman speculum is instantly recognizable as an instrument a gynecologist might put inside you today. There are two curved metal bills, a screw to hold them apart, and the ghostly echo across the eons of a patient grunting in pain as the doctor employs it. For centuries, the speculums job has been simple and essential: Hold apart the walls of the vagina so a clinician can see inside it, all the way up to the cervix. Most women encounter it every few years for a Pap smear, which screens for cervical cancer, or during an IUD insertion, fertility treatment, or pelvic exam in the case of abnormal bleeding or discharge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also famously uncomfortable. If the speculum is metal, its cold. If its plastic, theres a disconcerting ratcheting sound as it opens, as if the doctor were operating a piece of industrial equipment. There may be pain when the tip is inserted, or when the components expand, ranging from a slight twinge of pressure to searing agony that halts the exam. Medical professionals are under no illusion that the speculum is a comforting device. It is considered pretty archaic to many patients, said Monica Rosen, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan. Patients with severe anxiety and discomfort are relatively rare, but at baseline, no one is jumping up and down and saying, Choose me for a speculum exam today! Even so, there have been few productive efforts to pioneer a better way. Though specula have been around since ancient times, the modern version has roots in the work of an enslaver and doctor named James Marion Sims, who in 1845 used a double-ended bent spoon to look inside the vaginas of his patients. His first trials with the device were on enslaved women, on whom he operated without anesthesia. In the next few decades, other doctors modified the instrument with a two-bladed duckbill and a screw to hold it opena design that almost exactly mirrors the specula used today. Why has one of the most widely used tools in gynecological care barely changed in two millennia? Because it has to do with womens health, and womens health doesnt get enough money or attention, said Carrie Sopata, a gynecologist and professor at the University of Virginia. In the past, patient comfort during pelvic exams was an afterthought, if it was thought about at all. The only thing that mattered was the doctors ability to do the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But over the past decade, Sopata said, weve started to think more about pain and to pay more attention to what patients tell usand try to believe them. In the widespread dissatisfaction with a common device, some have seen an opening for lucrative innovation. The Yona, a prototype that hasnt made it into production, features metal covered in silicone, which preserves a comfortable temperature and can be sterilized in an autoclave. The Lilium, developed by researchers at a Dutch university who recently concluded a crowdfunding campaign to support further testing, features three leaves that spread open like a flower when a patient deploys a tampon-like applicator. The Nella, the only one of these that is currently available for purchase, boasts a narrower duckbill and a one-handed locking mechanism for clinicians. The creators of new-edition specula speak of their products not just as gentler alternatives but as critical tools for public health. Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable with regular screenings every few years, but about 1 in 4 women is not up to date. Studies have shown that people who believe that Pap smears are painful are less likely to schedule regular screenings, contributing to thousands of preventable cervical cancer cases and deaths in the U.S. each year. Fahti Khosrowshahi, the founder and CEO of the company that produces the Nella, began thinking about creating a new speculum after undergoing three years of fertility treatments and countless speculum exams. As a management consultant for biopharmaceutical companies, she said, I could see how much money was thrown into different areas of health, and some of them really for mediocre improvements. She couldnt believe that such a foundational product in womens health had evaded the drive for advancement that attended other medical devices and procedures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khosrowshahi resigned from her job and, in 2017, turned her attention fully to creating a new speculum. She led a year of research and development, mostly self-funded, with a consumer product design firm and team of OB-GYNs and nurse midwives. Together, they went through dozens of rounds of prototyping, trying to make a functional speculum that would fit most patients and avoid pinching when it closed. The most uncomfortable part for many patients is the insertion, Khosrowshahi said, since the most sensitive nerves are around the vaginal opening, so she was intent on making it as narrow as possible. I wanted it to be no larger than a regular-sized tampon, she said. That was my No. 1 criteria. She also hoped to make it quiet. The clicking and clanking of a plastic or metal speculum can cause anxiety that triggers muscle tension, creating even more discomfort and negating the benefits of a narrower device. An unpleasant sound was the death knell for one prototype that Khosrowshahi really hoped would work: a slim catheter with a balloon that expanded inside the vagina. As an instrument that provided a clear view of the cervix, it worked perfectly, but the sound of an inflating balloon was too unnerving to abide. After testing prototypes on cadavers and sheep, which according to Khosrowshahi possess a vagina very similar to women, researchers landed on the design that would become the Nella. They launched a study with human patients, a majority of whom said they preferred the Nella to a standard speculum. The company now makes a few different versions for various life stages and body types, available in reusable or single-use varieties. One of Khosrowshahis favorite aspects of the reusable Nella is the polymer from which its constructed. Its very slicktheres no lubrication that needs to be used on it. So it just glides inside the body, she said. Khosrowshahi wouldnt share exact sales figures, but she said the number of specula Nella has sold since entering the market in 2022 is in the millions, mostly to health care providers. But Nella is also taking cues from the pharma industry, where Khosrowshahi once worked as a consultant, and marketing directly to the patients themselves. In television ads and social media spots, the company has told women to ask their doctors for the Nella or buy one for themselves online. Nella has also partnered with celebrities, including Mindy Kaling and Maria Shriver, to hawk the device at a fraction of their usual ad rates. Its not immediately clear how strong the pull of fame will be for a medical device most women encounter once every three to five years. Halle Berry, now a menopause influencer and entrepreneur, appeared in a Nella promotional video with Khosrowshahi that currently has 199 likes on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $125 Nella specula available for patient purchase are single-use and come with a collection of itemsfuzzy socks, a stress ball, a lavender-scented rollerballthat are supposed to imbue the pelvic exam with self-care vibes, though I cannot imagine pulling them out on an exam table. For that matter, it would require a new level of self-advocacy for a patient, and admirable flexibility on the part of a clinician, to accommodate a device brought from home. Though patients have taken on plenty of tasks at home that once happened only under clinical supervision, from nasal-swab COVID tests to telemedicine exams for skin lesions, there is little precedent for providing ones own medical equipment for a routine exam in a doctors office. Though none of the gynecologists I spoke to had ever had a patient bring their own speculum to an appointment, they all said theyd be open to trying out whatever the patient offered. But Rosen, of the University of Michigan, doesnt think every provider would be so accommodating of an instrument coming in from outside their practice. I think theres an infection risk, and then you are to blame if someone comes down with an infection, she said. I dont even know, to be honest with you, if the university would allow us to use something that someone else brought. (Nella says its specula are sanitary and individually packaged, same as the ones used in any clinical setting.) From one angle, the advent of boutique specula paid for out of pocket seems like yet another effort to privatize the health care experience and upsell well-to-do women on a new device to replace the one that, when used for routine cervical cancer screenings, insurers are required by law to fully cover at no cost to the patient. According to the doctors I interviewed, for every pelvic exam patient who experiences severe anxiety stemming from personal trauma or excruciating pain due to a vulvovaginal or skin condition, there are a dozen or more of us who dont exactly thrill to the experience but dont find it all that bad. Will we be convinced that we, too, need to optimize our Pap smear experience with a personal comfort kit to the tune of $125? Traditional specula already come in different sizes for different bodies. And for all their supposed innovations, the nouveaux specula cant get around the fact that theres only one good way to open the vagina: Stick a couple of things into it, then pull them apart. All of them exert some outward pressure. All of them have to pass through the opening and into the vaginal canal, said Julie Chor, a gynecologist and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UChicago Medicine. Im really curious to see how much of a difference it makes in practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though each contemporary iteration of the speculum boasts features that purportedly make it more pleasant to use than its predecessors, much remains the same. Both the Lilium and the Nella, for instance, have added to the two-bladed duckbilled design a third (and, in Nellas case, a fourth) blade to better distribute the pressure of expansion in the vagina and keep the side walls from obstructing the clinicians view. You know what else had three or four expanding blades? Specula from the first century, unearthed at Pompeii. But there is one new development that could stand to upend the speculum industry. Last year, following in the footsteps of countries like Australia, Denmark, and Sweden, the Food and Drug Administration approved self-collection kits for patients to swab their own vaginas in a doctors office to test for HPV, which causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer. Research suggests that this method is equally effective as a Pap smearin which cervical cells are examined under a microscope for signs of irregularityat detecting the first signs of what could lead to cancer. And because a clinician never has to use a speculum or see the cervix at all, many patients will find it a much preferable alternative to the traditional method. Providers have already been doing Pap smears without specula, called blind Paps, using a similar method to the at-home swab: just stick a brush into the vagina and move it around the cervix. Its standard practice for Rosen in her work at a clinic for patients with disabilities. They come back just as adequate as if you used a speculum, she said. So you dont necessarily need to put someone through the trauma of a speculum if they wouldnt be able to handle it. A self-swab option, whether in a doctors office or at home, could work for anyone with a low risk profile and no history of abnormal Pap smears, Rosen said. Otherwise, youd really want to get a good look, a good sample. With a speculum exam, providers can make sure theyre swabbing all the right places, including any areas that look abnormal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a few months ago, the FDA went one step further and approved an at-home device to take a sample at home for an HPV test. When a patient purchases a Teal Wand, they first schedule a telemedicine call with a provider who walks them through the screening process. Then, they insert a device that looks like a giant tampon into their vagina, push up and rotate the spongy swab hiding inside the applicator, resheathe the swab, and remove the wand. They mail the swab to a lab and, if they test positive for HPV, receive instructions for potential follow-up testing and care. With in-network insurance, the device is $99; without, its $249. Like the Nella, out-of-pocket costs for the Teal Wand can be paid for with a tax-advantaged health savings account. A spokesperson for the company said that the price is still offsetting the amount you have to spend to get to and from the doctor, take off work, child care, so its still helpful. She said Teal is currently working to get insurance companies to cover the full cost. I think it will play a significant role in cervical cancer screening, Sopata, of the University of Virginia, said of the advent of swab tests. It definitely opens the door for people who find pelvic exams uncomfortable, who are fearful of going to see a doctor. In an ideal world, anyone would be able to access the most convenient, comfortable option for this lifesaving screening. For now, patients will have to pay for the privilege. JERUSALEM, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military acknowledged targeting Nasser Hospital in Gaza on Monday and expressed regret that the strike resulted in civilian casualties. "Earlier today, IDF (Israel Defense Forces) troops carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis," southern Gaza, the Israeli military said in a statement, without elaborating on the reason for the attack. "The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such," it said, adding that military chief Eyal Zamir had instructed an initial inquiry into the case. Gaza health officials said the strike killed at least 15 people, including four journalists. Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes targeted the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital with at least one missile, followed by a second attack when medical crews arrived to retrieve the dead and wounded. Remember during the heatwave of summer when you wished for cooler temperatures? Well get your fall jacket out, temperatures are about to start dropping in Delaware. Here's a look at this week's forecast which is calling for cooler weather. Will it get colder this week in Delaware? According to AccuWeather.com, temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees lower than historical averages as the jet stream drops down. Here's a look at the forecast for the First State: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Castle County: After highs reach 81 on Aug. 25, cooler temperatures will come into the area. Lows at night this week will struggle to get over 60 degrees. The forecast this week is calling for sunny to partly sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s. Kent County: Sunny skies will be the rule for the week, but temperatures will not top 80 degrees. Overnight lows will run in the upper 50s to low 60s. Sussex County: Sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s to low 80s are forecasted for the county. Overnight lows will run in the upper 50s to low 60s. Want more from Delaware Online? Google rolls out preferred sources feature. How to add Delaware Online When does fall begin? Fall starts with the autumnal equinox when the Earth's sun is directly in line with the equator, resulting in equal hours of daylight and darkness. The equinox occurs at 2:19 p.m. on Sept. 22. What does NOAA predict for Delaware's fall 2025 weather forecast? According to NOAA's three-month outlook, Delawareans can expect a slightly warmer-than-average fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More specifically, the probability of above-average temperatures is 40% to 50%. This is in line with almost all of the rest of the country. The U.S. is expected, in general, to see warmer-than-normal weather. The First State may also see above-average precipitation, though this probability is slightly less, coming in at a 33% to 40% probability. How does the NOAA forecast compare with the Old Farmer's Almanac forecast for Delaware? The Old Farmer's Almanac also predicts warmer-than-average temperatures for Delaware, but differs when it comes to rainfall. The Atlantic corridor, which includes Delaware, is expected to see warm weather early in September, followed by "some thunderstorms, then scattered showers and cooling late in the month." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement October is estimated to be "cooler overall with scattered showers, brief warmth mid-month, and heavy rain followed by a cool finish." Still, the majority of the U.S. including the Atlantic corridor is expected to see below-average rainfall, per the Old Farmer's Almanac. When is peak fall foliage in Delaware? According to Explore Fall, leaves in Delaware will remain green until about Sept. 30, when changes will start being seen in northwestern New Castle County. The low color will spread throughout the state by Oct. 10. Peak color will start in the state around Hockessin on or around Oct. 29 and begin spreading in a southeasterly direction. By Nov. 1, New Castle County will be at peak color. The remainder of the First State will hit peak color around Nov. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FALL ALLERGIES: How to prepare and avoid problems Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Millville areas will be the last to reach peak color, around Nov. 12. Peak color conditions will last approximately a week to 10 days. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When does fall start? Delaware weather forecast cool temperatures Brida, Maze, Fjallraven and many of the other dogs present are professionals, with experience in sniffing out mould, explosives, bedbugs, truffles, money or birds killed by wind turbines. They are now being trained to track down the carcasses of wild boars, as Germany battles with an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) that is deadly for its pigs and therefore its pork industry. ASF is a severe, highly infectious and incurable viral infection that only affects kept pigs and wild boars and is almost always fatal to the infected pigs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harmless to humans, the disease has been spreading in Europe since 2014, with Eastern European countries mostly affected, says the German Agriculture Ministry. The first case of ASF was detected in Germany in September 2020 and since then, thousands more have been reported across the country, affecting wild boars and domestic pig herds. It is a contagious viral infection that usually leads to death within a week. It was first detected in a dead wild boar in Brandenburg, then spread to other regions including Saxony, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Wurttemberg. There is no cure and the disease can be transmitted directly from pig to pig or indirectly through contaminated objects such as clothing, shoes and feed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The state must be able to act in the event of a new outbreak," says Hartmut Frohnweiler from the state forestry department in Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate, where farming is vital to the state economy. "There is no vaccine in sight yet," he says - meaning it is essential to contain new outbreaks to protect domestic pigs. Dead wild boar must be found as rapidly as possible as they remain infectious for months and are often eaten by other wild boar, so Frohnweiler is involved in training dogs to sniff out carcasses as soon as possible to stop the spread of the disease. The sniffer dogs are one part of a wider campaign to find carcasses that also involves using thermal imaging drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are even considering using ravens fitted with a sensor and special AI as a possible source of support from the air, says Frohnweiler. For now, the search is on for suitable dogs, with the goal being to recruit 200 teams of dog handlers and dogs for cadaver detection. That would mean 20 to 30 dogs would always be on standby, ready for action in an emergency, says Frohnweiler. But more dogs are needed as so far, there are only 97 teams, and Rhineland-Palatinate is heavily dependent on help from other federal states. Dogs must first pass a test The Environment Ministry, the State Forestry Department, the State Hunting Association, the Maltese Relief Service and the Hunting Dog Association are working together on ways to train dogs to help prevent ASF from spreading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the forest near Gemunden in the Hunsruck region, Frohnweiler's team is testing the suitability of 17 dogs, putting them through their paces at four different stations. A veterinarian, dog handlers and some of the 27 mentors from the new network for cadaver dogs are also present. First, the animals need to pass an aptitude test before they can get down to the actual training. Thorsten Blanke is taking part in the aptitude test with his Belgian shepherd Brida and two colleagues with dogs. It is a world away from the dogs' day jobs at Frankfurt Airport, where they work sniffing for explosives in air freight and airmail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But trade is changing and that affects the employment market for dogs. "If [US President Donald] Trump continues with the tariffs, we may run out of work," says Blanke, who works for a company specializing in explosive detection dogs. Meanwhile sniffer dog handler and dog trainer Susanne Kautz from the neighbouring state of North Rhine-Westphalia is hoping to train her youngest dog, Fjallraven, an Australian Kelpie, as a cadaver detection dog. And Nina Kassel from Neuwied, south-east of Bonn, has seven rescue and sniffer dogs. Her Lagotto Romagnolo, Maze, is going to be trained to alert her to dead wild boars. Applications are open to other dogs too, not only those with previous experience in the field. "Any dog in Rhineland-Palatinate can be registered as a cadaver detection dog," according to the Environment Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, although plenty of people sign up, Frohnweiler says many withdraw later on. Meanwhile, he adds, "we have to rule out dogs that are not suitable." A major challenge in training the dogs is to teach them not to touch a carcass, meaning not to sniff or lick it, the state ministry notes. The state also only uses dogs that do not show aggression towards wild boars, in order to prevent the spread of viruses or the dispersal of infected wild boar by the dog teams. "This requires a great deal of personal commitment and time on the part of the dog handlers to train the dogs to this level and to maintain it. The dog teams are therefore carefully selected," the ministry says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luckily, those that came to Gemunden for the aptitude test performed well, and their owners are mostly experienced dog handlers. The test involves the use of a specially developed "wild boar pendulum." The dogs manage to sniff it out, show interest, bark, but keep their distance and do not attack exactly as required. At one point in the test, the dogs are confronted with a box that contains wild boar remains. The animals are visibly interested but are cautious and do not scratch the box. Once they are admitted to the programme, the training takes at least four months, says Frohnweiler. The animals take part in sessions at least once a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They can also work on their skills at home, using wild boar scent samples. Having started the course, the dogs are likely to undergo their first tests in August or September. Even after that, the dogs' suitability for service must be repeatedly checked and trained. "The dogs need a certain drive to go into the thorns and search through the undergrowth," says Frohnweiler. Unlike other federal states, Rhineland-Palatinate has a lot of wilder areas where brambles grow and also many steep slopes. Professional or voluntary dog handlers "The dog has to learn through a ritual that this is what it's all about," says Frohnweiler. That might mean giving it a special collar or signalling the activity is starting when the dog handler puts on a certain pair of shoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dog also needs to associate the task with a joyful event. "You have to find out what motivates the dog best," he says. One dog might be given a treat, while another might enjoy being played with. During their missions, the dogs must also get used to having a GPS device attached to their bodies that records the route they take while they search for carcasses, Frohnweiler says. This is a requirement under EU regulations. Dog handlers who want to get involved may join the programme with their trained dogs on a commercial or voluntary basis - either way, they are given GPS devices and clothing. Commercial dog handlers receive 650 ($735), while volunteers get 340. "But some prefer to do it on a voluntary basis and Rhineland-Palatinate thrives on volunteers," says Frohnweiler. A sign warns travellers in the Gro-Gerau area near Frankfurt that African Swine Fever is present. People must remain on designated paths and keep their dogs on a leash. In this area all 1,800 domestic pigs had to be killed due to the disease. Andreas Arnold/dpa Dogs are being deployed in an effort to combat the deadly African Swine Fever in Germany. They need to undergo extensive training to sniff out infected wild boar. ---/Kreis Olpe/dpa The Environmental Protection Agency's Solar For All program aimed to provide solar panels on the homes of Virginians with low- to moderate-incomes. (Roger Chesley/Virginia Mercury) Last spring, Virginia won big. After a rigorous and highly competitive application process, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in April that our state would receive $156 million through its Solar for All program. That investment, led by Virginia Energy and backed by detailed oversight plans, was designed to help thousands of low-income families and disadvantaged communities across the Commonwealth lower their energy bills, breathe cleaner air, and enjoy the economic benefits of local, homegrown solar power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as we are developing Virginias implementation program, the EPA is pulling the plug. Terminating Virginias Solar for All program would be a costly mistake and Virginia families and small businesses would be the ones left paying the hefty price. Lets be clear: Solar for All is a historic investment in energy affordability and economic development for vulnerable communities that need it most. These funds are earmarked exclusively for low-income, rural, and other disadvantaged communities places where high utility bills already strain household budgets. The programs design assures that every participating household saves at least 20% on their electricity costs, which translates to yearly savings. Thats money that could go toward groceries, rent, medicine or childcare. Ending the program would rip the potential for savings away from the families who need them most. The timing could not be worse. Electricity rates in Virginia rose more than 3% from May 2024 to May 2025, and theres no relief in sight. Surging demand from data centers and record-breaking heat waves are putting enormous pressure on our electric grid. Every month, more Virginians are opening utility bills that feel like a punch to the gut, and volatile natural gas prices make electricity bills unpredictable. Solar for All offers a powerful countermeasure, putting control back into the hands of consumers by generating power right where its used and reducing the strain on the grid. The Trump administration has said it is committed to lowering energy costs for all Americans. If thats true, there is no justification for eliminating funding for a program that does exactly that especially one that is already well underway in our state and so many others. Virginia Energy has invested time, expertise, and resources into developing a program that meets strict federal oversight requirements. Partnerships have been formed. Early groundwork has been laid to ensure that every taxpayer dollar produces tangible benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a blow to every Virginian who believes that public investments should produce real, measurable returns for the people who paid into them. Without Solar for All, low-income households and communities will remain locked into a cycle of rising utility bills, vulnerable to every market fluctuation and weather event that drives prices higher. Small businesses in rural and disadvantaged communities will have fewer tools to lower operating costs, making it harder for them to survive and thrive. The stakes are too high to let this happen quietly, and energy affordability shouldnt be a partisan issue. Virginias leaders should be united in opposition to this move. Whether you live in a rural or urban area the Shenandoah Valley, the Tidewater region, Southwest Virginia, Northern Virginia or Richmond you deserve access to reliable, affordable power. Pulling the plug on Solar for All would shortchange Virginias families and communities, waste taxpayer dollars, and set back our states progress toward energy independence. The EPA should reconsider this misguided plan, and our elected officials must use every tool at their disposal to make sure these dollars stay where they belong: helping Virginians power their homes and businesses at a price they can afford. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HONOLULU (KHON2) A new program aims to guard Hawaii families against predatory solar companies while also building a stronger path toward energy independence for the state. Josh Stanbro, chief administrator of Kalahiki at Hawaiian Council, said the effort is about protecting homes, lowering costs and making sure energy is generated and consumed in the islands. Hawaiian Council sets its sights on energy independence Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that in order to be energy sovereign and energy secure in the islands, we need to produce our energy here, consume our energy here, Stanbro said. And that in order to do that, were going to have to have solar panels on every single rooftop. The cost of clean energy Stanbro explained that families who need the most help with utility bills have often been unable to afford solar. This is why Kalahiki was created, to close that gap. Kalahiki is really an effort by Hawaiian Council to make sure that we can gain energy sovereignty in our homes, gain climate resilience in our homes, Stanbro said. And try to really build wealth and protect economic equity over time, through energy work and climate resilience work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort comes at a time when federal aid is shrinking. Earlier this year, $62.5 million in solar funding for low-income families was pulled back. Stanbro said Hawaiian Council decided to fill that gap by partnering with local providers. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Fighting predatory practices While some neighborhoods are denied service, others face a different threat: misleading offers from out of state solar companies. Theres some really predatory stuff going on where solar companies from the continent are sending people over and knocking on doors, and theyre really selling oversize systems, escalating lease agreements that lock people in for a long period of time, Stanbro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At first, the payments may seem low, he said, but they rise year after year. Pretty soon you realize youre paying more than you started. For families juggling two or three jobs, sorting through contracts can be overwhelming. Stanbro said Hawaiian Council is stepping in to make the process easier. Building trust in the community The Council has experience helping families through crisis, from COVID-19 relief to recovery after the Lahaina fire. That model will be used again. Families will only need to submit their documents once, and trusted local solar providers will handle the rest. Well let you know what you qualify for, get you into the best benefits, and then partner you up with homegrown, trusted providers, Stanbro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kalahiki will also connect families with battery backup and protections for fire, wind and hurricane risks so homes remain secure long term. Looking ahead Pilot projects are already underway to test vendors and systems. Once proven, the program will expand to families across the islands. You can click here to learn more about the Hawaiian Council and here to find out about Kalahiki. Stanbro encouraged residents to reach out directly. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 So, if youre out there right now looking at solar, get three bids. This will allow you to compare and get the best deal. And always reach out to the Hawaiian Council; this is what they want to help you with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. THE PERIL OF YES MEN IS NOT that they flatter leadersits that they betray them. That peril was on display recently when Lt. Gen. Jeff Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was removed, presumably for failing to immediately echo President Trumps obliteration comment about U.S. strikes on Iran in June. At about the same time, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced that he would take early retirementalmost unheard of for a service chiefand its hard not to suspect he was invited to retire after remarking that Americas singular focus on China risks leaving the nation vulnerable elsewhere. Their firing and forced resignation send a dangerous message: disagreement is not tolerated. Ive learned in my military career that disagreement, when voiced respectfully and appropriately, is not disrespect. In fact, it is a deeper form of respect, because it demonstrates that an adviser or senior officer cares enough to speak candidly about the mission, about truth, and about the lives of his or her military personnel. I tried to instill in my own commands that true disrespect is silence in the face of tough decisions, while respectful, honest, open disagreement is a mark of loyalty and devotion to the cause. History teaches the same lesson. Abraham Lincoln famously built a team of rivals, filling his cabinet with men who had opposed him, because he knew hearing only affirmation would dull his judgment. Franklin Roosevelt flew all the way to Honolulu to meet with his two top commanders there, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Adm. Chester Nimitz, so they could debate and decide the best course for the war. Todays militaries use red teams for the same purpose: Structured dissent forces planners to think like an enemy and test their assumptions against the commanders best laid plans, probing for weaknesses to help the team accomplish its mission. Really great leaders have always known they need contrarians close at hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get coverage of politics, policy, and culture you wont find anywhere else by becoming a Bulwark+ member. See why more than 100,000 people already have. The opposite approachsurrounding oneself with flatterershas often led to true strategic disaster. Hitlers coterie of sycophants echoed his delusions until his armies collapsed on the Eastern Front. Lyndon Johnsons Vietnam war councils marginalized skeptics and allowed escalation without asking or answering the hard strategic questions. George W. Bushs march into Iraq was marked by intelligence filtered to fit predetermined conclusions, even though there were plenty of opposing views trying to prevent disaster. Most recently, Vladimir Putin forced his top national security officials to publicly endorse his invasion of Ukraine, even though some harbored clear doubts about the soundness of the plan. Each case shows the cost of suppressing dissent. I saw those dangers up close during the run-up to the Iraq War. Two men that I deeply admire, Gen. Eric Shinseki, then the Army chief of staff, and Lt. Gen. Greg Newbold, the Joint Staffs director of operations, both raised alarms behind closed doors to their civilian leaders that the force size planned for the invasion of Iraq was insufficient for the troop-to-task requirements that would follow combat operations. During congressional testimony, Shinseki was put on the spot when he was asked his thoughts on the force deployment, and with courage he predicted that several hundred thousand soldiers would be needed to secure postwar Iraqmuch higher than the Pentagons official estimates. He was ridiculed and ignored, and even marginalized by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Newbold, from inside the Pentagon, continued to voice his dissent even as the machinery of war rolled forward. Both proved correct shortly after U.S. forces entered Baghdad, and the vacuum of security and civil affairs support soon consumed the country. From my own perch as a one-star general on the Joint Staff, I reached similar conclusions. The math simply didnt add up. The force package we were preparing could defeat the Iraqi military quickly, but it could not provide stability for a country of 25 million people riven by domestic divisions and facing political and economic collapse. Those who voiced those concerns clashed with Secretary Rumsfelds conviction that a smaller, modernized force could achieve more with less. In the end, the war itself proved who was right. But the opportunity to listen to the voices of military contrarian advice had been squandered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get 30 day free trial What I learned from that experience is that dissent is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity. It is not disloyalty; it is the highest form of allegiance. Strategic leaders must cultivate a culture in which disagreement is possible without fear of reprisal. Because the surest way to endanger a mission, a military, or a nation is to demand silence when candor is needed most. That is why the firings of Kruse and Allvin should alarm us. Whatever one thinks of their judgment, their removal is a signal to every other officer: Fall in line with the prevailing narrative or risk your career. That is how echo chambers form, how groupthink metastasizes, and how the nation stumbles into folly. The measure of strong leadership is not how many people say yes without conviction, but whether a leader creates the space for people to say no with courage. Disagreement forces us to test ideas, to sharpen arguments, and to see risks that optimism or ego might otherwise obscure. When leaders protect dissent, they gain clarity. When they punish it, they guarantee blindness. Great leaders understand this. But perhaps no one understands it better than the soldiers who have lived through the consequences of plans made in echo chambers. Share Donald Trump threatened to investigate Chris Christie after the former New Jersey governor criticized him on ABCs This Week earlier on Sunday. Trump wrote on Truth Social, I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged News Show, This Week With George Slopadopolus, on ABC Fake News (By the way, what the hell happened to Jonathan Karls hair? He looks absolutely terrible! Its amazing what bad ratings, on a failed television show that was forced to pay me $16,000,000, can do to ones appearance!). Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says? Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DJT More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps comments came two days after the FBI raided the home of John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser who, like Christie, has criticized the president in media appearances. Like Bolton, Christie is a former supporter of Trumps. On This Week, Christie expressed skepticism of Ghislaine Maxwell, convicted of sex trafficking and conspiring with Jeffrey Epstein, in questioning by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The transcript of the Maxwell interview was released on Friday, in which she said of Trump, As far as Im concerned, President Trump was always very cordial and very kind to me. And I just want to say that I find I admire his extraordinary achievement in becoming the president now. And I like him. And Ive always liked him. Maxwell also said that she did not hear from Epstein that Trump did anything inappropriate. Christie said, Why should we believe a damn thing Ghislaine Maxwell has to say about anyone? Now, that doesnt make Donald Trump guilty of anything. In fact, in my own experience I dont think Donald Trump had anything to do with with Jeffrey Epstein that was untoward or illegal. But were going to believe Ghislaine Maxwell? Give me a break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bolton raid reportedly had to do with his handling of classified information. While Christie said that the fact that two judges signed off on a search warrant suggested that theres real evidence that they believe something is there, he thinks its kind of funny to hear the president talk the way he does about Bolton and classified information, yet when he had the classified information, the same rules didnt apply. Christie said Trump was following through on his campaign promises to seek retribution. He told you he was going to do this, that he was going to have a Justice Department that acted as his personal legal representation, and that is what theyre doing, Christie said. Christies political career was on the rise until the so-called Bridgegate scandal, in which Fort Lee, NJ toll lanes were closed during morning rush hour, a move that was suspected of being an act of political revenge because the citys mayor had not endorsed Christies reelection bid. He was not indicted, but some of his aides were. Bridget Anne Kelly, Christies deputy chief of staff, was convicted, but that was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. At the time Kellys conviction was overturned, in 2020, Trump congratulated Christie and wrote on Twitter that it was a complete and total exoneration (with a 9-0 vote by the U.S. Supreme Court) on the Obama DOJ Scam referred to as Bridgegate. The Democrats are getting caught doing very evil things, and Republicans should take note. This was grave misconduct by the Obama Justice Department! Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President Donald Trump sees an epidemic of flag burning and says it needs attention. All over the country theyre burning flags, Trump said Monday in the Oval Office, declaring it an important issue. He signed an executive order directing his Justice Department to investigate incidents of flag burning where laws are broken. There are a few problems with his claim, the first of which is that its not at all clear theyre burning flags all over the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are incidents of flag burning at protests, surely, such as when pro-Palestinian protesters burned an American flag alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress last year. That burning drew bipartisan opposition. Then-Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the act and said the flag should never be desecrated in that way. Sad Supreme Court protected flag burning as speech But beyond the question of whether flags are indeed being burned all over the country is the fact that the Supreme Court, back in 1989, declared flag burning to be a protected form of speech under the First Amendment. Trump acknowledged that decision by a sad Supreme Court, and his executive order is seemingly written to address the Supreme Courts flag burning decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration will try to prosecute other crimes, like violent crimes, hate crimes and crimes against property and the peace, as a way to deter flag burning, according to a White House fact sheet. Trump spoke to that Supreme Court decision when he said the simple act of burning the flag is an incitement. Trump: A landmark decision The Supreme Court of 1989 felt differently when it considered the case of Gregory Lee Johnson, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade who broke Texas state law when, outside the 1984 Republican National Convention, he doused a flag in kerosene and lit it on fire. Most states 48, according to a New York Times report at the time then had laws to outlaw flag burning. So the court, when it decided the case, created a new right of expression for most Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government cannot assume that every expression of a provocative idea will incite a riot, but must look to the actual circumstances surrounding the expression, Justice William Brennan wrote for the majority. Flag burning does not, on its own, constitute fighting words, the court held. Trump wants to prosecute anyone whose flag burning does incite violence, according to his order. At the very least, this may be an invitation to get the Supreme Court to take another look. A case that tore the court apart The decision cut across ideological lines, according to CNNs chief Supreme Court analyst Joan Biskupic. Brennan, who wrote the decision, was a liberal, but the five-justice majority included the frequent swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy and the strident conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email, Biskupic explained how the case split the justices: Congress immediately responded with a new law Congress, displeased, passed a law that spoke to the 1989 decision, and tried to outlaw flag burning despite the Supreme Courts decision. The Court, in 1990, quickly responded to Congress in a different case and reaffirmed that flag burning is protected speech. The main kind of speech that tyrants would seek to suppress Years later, in 2012, Scalia spoke at length about flag burning during an interview with Piers Morgan on CNN. Scalia: Scalia later added that flag burning was not a form of insurrection. Thats just saying we dislike the government. Its not urging people to take up arms against the government. Thats something quite different, he said. The courts two decisions did not put the issue to rest In 2006, at the height of the unpopular US war in Iraq, the Senate came within one vote of proposing a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was Republicans leader at the time, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who cast the deciding vote to defeat the proposal, which required a two-thirds majority, usually 67 of 100 votes, under the Constitution. The answer to flag burning, McConnell argued in a 2006 op-ed in Kentucky, was more freedom, not less. Now, however, Republicans in the Senate are led by Sen. John Thune, the South Dakotan who has called for passage of a constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning. Trump has long spoken against flag burning. After the 2016 election, he suggested that people who burn the American flag should forfeit their citizenship. Americans have long opposed flag burning, but While the Supreme Court has protected Americans right to burn the flag in protest, most Americans oppose flag burning. In a 2021 poll from the Knight Foundation and Ipsos, only 31% of Americans agreed that people should be allowed to burn the American flag. More recently, two-thirds of Americans said in a YouGov/CBS poll published in July that flag burning should be against the law. Back when the Supreme Court ruled that flag burning was protected speech, it was an unpopular decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than two-thirds of Americans supported a constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning, according to polling at the time, although only a minority saw that issue as a very important one. Over time, the countrys appetite for a constitutional amendment on flag burning waned. By 1998, a poll from ABC News and the Washington Post found a near-even split over whether to amend the Constitution to make flag burning illegal (51% supported that amendment, 48% said leave the Constitution as is), and in 2006, a Gallup/USA Today poll found 54% saying the Constitution should not be amended to specifically prohibit flag burning or desecration. Alito and flags Its not clear how the current Supreme Court might view flag burning should the issue come to their attention as a result of Trumps executive order. At least one current Supreme Court justice has firsthand experience with manipulating the American flag to make a political point. Justice Samuel Alitos wife flew the flag upside down at their Virginia home in January of 2021, days before President Joe Biden was set to take office. Alito said he had nothing to do with the gesture, but that it was his wife, a lover of flags, who flew the flag upside-down in the midst of a spat with their neighbor. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) The next chief of the Johnson City Police Department (JCPD) has been named. On Monday, the City of Johnson City announced Eric Dougherty will serve as the next police chief. Dougherty will fill the role after the city revealed in early August that Chief Billy Church will retire in November. Cathy Ball speaks on JCPD Chief Churchs retirement Dougherty was hired by the JCPD in 1993. His most recent position within the department has been serving as operations major for the past two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the city, Dougherty has served in a number of roles, including special operations supervisor, SWAT commander and sergeant of the K-9 unit and special investigations squad. Johnson City City Manager Cathy Ball said in a statement that Dougherty is well-suited for the role. Maj. Doughertys dedication to a humble nature, strong work ethic, and thoughtful approach to policing will build on the progress already in motion within the JCPD, Ball said. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for a calm and consistent commitment to public safety and the well-being of both residents and officers. Dougherty is also a veteran of the United States Army and Army Reserves and attended East Tennessee State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored to be chosen as the next chief of the JCPD, Dougherty said in a statement. The department has accomplished a great deal under Chief Billy Churchs leadership, and I will focus on continuing that momentum, working with the amazing officers at the JCPD to have a positive impact on our community every day. According to the city, Dougherty will work with Church during the transition. Church will officially retire on Nov. 3. It will be a privilege to step into this role and to serve the people of Johnson City, Dougherty said. I am humbled to be entrusted with this responsibility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. A man who already is facing state charges in connection with the July 26 Downtown brawl has been indicted on unrelated federal drug charges, officials announced. Jermaine Mathews, 39, is accused of conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Mathews also is charged with using a home in Walnut Hills to traffic drugs. Jermaine Mathews, at right, walks into a Hamilton County Common Pleas courtroom for an arraignment on Aug. 14. He was arrested Aug. 25 by federal agents and members of a Hamilton County drug task force, officials said. His attorney, Brandon Fox, declined to comment, saying he hadn't yet seen the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mathews was named by Cincinnati police as being one of two people who "coordinated" a fight on Fourth Street on July 26, which then escalated into a brawl. A detective said at a court hearing that Montianez Merriweather walked up to Mathews, whispered something to him, before Merriweather then struck someone in the face. Both Mathews and Merriweather, according to the detective, chased the man until he was on the pavement and began punching and kicking him. The detective said Mathews can be seen on video kicking the man in the face and chest before moving on to attack someone else. Fox has previously said that Mathews doesn't even know Merriweather. Fox said Mathews was standing on a street corner in front of his business vehicle when a fight broke out on the sidewalk. Mathews tried to break up the fight, Fox said, and when he returned, a man was kicking the vehicle. When Mathews went to confront the man, the man slapped him in the face, Fox said. That man, 45-year-old Alex Tchervinski, was charged more than three weeks after the brawl with disorderly conduct, a low-level misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mathews, Merriweather and four others are charged with aggravated riot and felonious assault. The seventh suspect in the brawl is only charged with felonious assault. Mathews had posted bond in the brawl case and was out of jail when he was arrested on the federal drug charges. Three other Cincinnati men have been charged in the federal case. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Downtown Cincinnati brawl suspect now facing federal drug charges JUNCTION CITY (KSNT) Police in Junction City recently dished out a large ticket after catching a local driver going almost triple the posted speed. The Junction City Police Department (JCPD) said in a social media statement on Monday, Aug. 22 that it issued a ticket to a driver for violating the posted speed limit. The driver was allegedly caught traveling at 93 mph in a 35 mph zone, resulting in a $650 ticket for the violation. Speed limit increased on rural Kansas highway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cadin Sanner, a spokesman for the JCPD, told 27 News police issued the ticket at 1:20 a.m. on July 27 in the 700 block of Grant Avenue. The driver was inside a Dodge Charger. The JCPD said speeding can lead to crashes and traffic fatalities. Drivers who are traveling at increased speeds will have less time to react to changing road conditions and lead to more damaging crashes that could result in death. The risk doesnt just rise, it escalates dramatically. Take this as a reminder to slow down and drive safely. Every mile per hour matters. JCPD social media statement excerpt 23-year-old killed in Wabaunsee County I-70 crash For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. YAN'AN, Shaanxi Province, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Even though Yan'an, located in northwest China's Loess Plateau, remains a relatively small city, it stands as an expansive museum for the living legacy of the Second World War, with sites that once were war-time military camps, command centers, army colleges, and schools to educate captured Japanese soldiers. After the Long March (1934-1936), Yan'an served as the base of the Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership in around 10 years from 1937 to 1947. Its typical landscape of cave homes, dug out of barren earth, became the headquarters from which the CPC led the resistance against Japanese aggression. American journalist Edgar Snow arrived in Yan'an in 1936 and left with a wealth of interview materials and photos, which later served as the basis for Red Star Over China, a book that introduced this "mysterious" stronghold to the world. Snow wrote of unmatched determination to fight the Japanese and described "a rocklike solidarity" among the people of the region led by the CPC. "As the war went on, Yan'an gradually became the command center, and the CPC-led troops and militias held down more than 60 percent of Japanese forces that invaded China," said Liu Fanchao, a researcher at Shaanxi Yan'an Cadre Academy. As the war of resistance progressed, CPC-led bases spanned nearly one million sq km and were home to 100 million people, about one forth of the whole nation's population back then, she said. A PEOPLE'S WAR Despite its austere simplicity, Mao Zedong's cave dwelling in Yangjialing in Yan'an is a frequently-visited tourist destination. Here, amid the stark surroundings of the Loess Plateau, Mao articulated his famous dictum to visiting American journalist Anna Louise Strong that "All reactionaries are paper tigers." "This statement underscored Mao's belief in the ultimate triumph of popular resistance over adversaries," said Liu Ting, a staff member of the Yangjialing site. Immediately after the Sept. 18 incident in 1931, which was the beginning of Japan's 14-year invasion of China, the CPC made a declaration to oppose Japanese invasion. In 1935, the CPC advocated a united front against Japanese aggression. "The CPC actively promoted and upheld the united front, rallied forces of the entire nation," said Cao Rong, a CPC history researcher at Shaanxi Yan'an Cadre Academy. With Yan'an as the guiding core, the Eighth Route Army, the New Fourth Army, and other anti-Japanese armed forces led by the CPC carried out guerrilla warfare in the vast rural areas. In 1941, 14-year-old Zhang Xin joined the Eighth Route Army. "The Japanese occupied many cities, so we went to the countryside to establish base areas. The countryside was so vast," he recalled. Veteran Liu Yichou, now 100 years old, still bears scars on his head, back and hands. "In every battle, one either got injured or killed in action," he recalled. "We had a company of around 150 men. We would have been lucky if 40 could make it back. Back then, all I wanted was to drive the Japanese invaders out of my country." The Japanese troops soon realized the strength of their opponents. In the battle of Taihang Mountains, they attempted to annihilate the Eighth Route Army who led the attacks, and only found that they had to change the commanders. Japanese officer Norihide Abe, who was called an expert in mountain warfare, was called in. As soon as he arrived, he was killed, becoming the highest-ranking Japanese officer to fall to the Eighth Route Army. One of the biggest difficulties the Japanese invaders encountered was that the villages were organized by the Eighth Route Army. Villagers pretended to obey the Japanese army, but secretly provided intelligence and transported supplies to the Eighth Route Army, and even took up weapons to fight alongside them. In all base areas, the Party mobilized villagers to form defense teams. The number of militia members reached approximately 2.6 million and the Japanese invaders could not tell who was a civilian and who was a soldier. Hisaichi Terauchi, then commander of Japan's North China Area Army, lamented the losses to the Eighth Route Army and militia, acknowledging that they had become more unified with vigorous operations. The so-called "security areas," he said, were only limited to areas within a few kilometers on both sides of major transportation routes. Issei Hironaka, a historian at Japan's Aichi Gakuin University, noted that the Eighth Route Army firmly held down the Japanese troops on the North China battlefield, drained their strength, and prevented a swift end of the war. If the Eighth Route Army had been suppressed, the war would not have dragged on for so long and the outcome would have been very different, he said. "If the Japanese attack the West Indian Ocean, all our positions in the Middle East will be lost," then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once warned. "Only China can help us to prevent that from happening." The cost, however, was immense. To eliminate the CPC-led forces, the Japanese army launched brutal "mopping-up operations." During one such operation in May 1942, poison gas killed 1,000 military personnel and civilians in Dingxian County, Hebei Province, in north China. "Starting from October 1938, the Japanese invaders gradually shifted their main forces to combat the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, but it did not prevent the armed forces of the Party from expanding," said Li Zongyuan, curator of the Museum of the CPC. By end of the war, the people's army had grown to about 1.32 million and had eliminated more than 1.71 million Japanese and puppet troops, Li added. "The Japanese army was trapped in a people's war in China and could not allocate more troops to the Pacific theater," said Liu Fanchao. "The CPC's perseverance in the war also inspired the people across the country and deterred those who wanted to surrender." BEACON OF HOPE The Phoenix Mountain, or Fenghuangshan in Chinese, in Yan'an, is also home to several earthen caves. Here in 1938, Mao Zedong wrote what would become a blueprint for winning the war. The essay titled "On Protracted War" mapped the war in three stages, namely, strategic defense, strategic stalemate and strategic counteroffensive. "Chairman Mao's vision took him well beyond the caves to be acutely aware of the situation. He believed that people, not just armies, would win," Liu Fanchao said. The Yan'an period was a crucial stage in the development of Mao Zedong Thought, an ideology that served as the theoretical banner for guiding the war to victory and even constructing a New China, making Yan'an a "beacon" of China's future. As a political center, Yan'an drew thousands of writers, artists, scientists and hopeful youths who trekked through enemy lines. Institutions in the city trained thousands of talent seasoned in guerrilla warfare. "The gates of Yan'an stand open all day," wrote poet He Qifang in 1938. "Young people arrive, luggage on their backs, hope in their eyes." Writing about that period, British historian Rana Mitter noted that the powerful status of Yan'an as a beacon of radical resistance attracted large numbers of migrants, some 100,000 between 1937 and 1940. U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had talks with Snow and came to understand the situation in Yan'an. His administration later sent a U.S. Army Observation Group, or the Dixie Mission to Yan'an in 1944. The Dixie Mission staff's "cave hotels" remain in today's Yan'an Middle School, showing visitors the China-U.S. cooperation of the time in fields of communications, transportation, intelligence, guerrilla warfare, weather observation, demolition, and weapon development. The U.S. reports gave positive comments on what happened in Yan'an, and highlighted its democratic political practices. In 1942, a rectification movement against subjectivism, sectarianism and stereotyped Party writing was launched across the whole Party. "Advancing the building of the Party as a major undertaking during the war provided the political guarantee for it to serve as the pillar in the war of resistance," said Lu Xiaona, a lecturer at the School of History and Culture, Shanxi University. "The CPC, which championed perseverance and hope throughout the war, showed the world that a nation united could defeat any invader," she added. A driver is dead after their car crashed into an Ohio home on Sunday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Officers responded to reports of a car crashing into a Union County home at the 600 block of North Main Street, according to our news partner WBNS TV in Columbus. Medics pronounced the driver dead at the scene. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only one vehicle was involved in the crash, and no injuries were reported in the home, according to Marysville Police. Officers closed North Main Street between Holly Drive and Elwood Drive in Marysville, but it has since reopened, WBNS said. Police have not yet identified the driver. The crash remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Livery drivers with the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers rallied outside Gov. Hochuls midtown office on Monday, calling for an end to the citys testing of driverless taxi cars by tech giant Waymo. Taxi and livery drivers risk their lives every day to transport New Yorkers safely, NYSFTD President Steven Rivera said in a statement. Robots cannot replace human instinct, compassion or accountability. Mondays rally, in which about a dozen drivers showed up outside Hochuls office, comes days after Mayor Adams announcement on Friday that the city had approved an application by the Google subsidiary, allowing it to test eight driverless cars in downtown Brooklyn and in Manhattan south of 110th St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cars will still be required to have humans in the driver seat, and Waymo will have to file a report with the city each time the human driver has to take over for the robotaxi. City and state law forbids the eight cars from acting as taxis during the test period, and Waymo has not applied for plates with the citys Taxi and Limousine Commission. Nevertheless, Fernando Mateo, a spokesman for the Federation of Taxi Drivers, said the test was a grave threat to his members livelihood. Cancer starts with a dot and then it spreads, Mateo told The News Monday. This is a cancer to us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three organizations representing Gothams taxi, livery and ride-share drivers have now called on the city to end testing and protect the jobs of human drivers. Last week, Brendan Sexton, head of the Independent Drivers Guild, accused Adams of turning Gothamites into lab rats for Silicon Valley investors who are seeking to destroy the livelihoods of the 100,000 New Yorkers. Bhairavi Desai, head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, questioned whether there was any real consumer demand. If you dont want to be around people, theres plenty of other places to live around the country, Desai told the Daily News Friday. Does New York really need a driverless car to feel advanced? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about the rally, Sean Butler, a spokesman for Hochul, emphasized that the state was ensuring the safety of any driverless technology testing. State law establishes clear procedures for permitting of autonomous vehicle testing, with the highest safety standards applied, he said in a statement. New York State will continue to work with New York City officials to ensure the safety of any testing program. Waymo began lobbying in June for New York to allow fully autonomous robotaxis on city streets, a move that is currently prohibited by state law. In July, the company began running its vehicles identifiable by their spinning, roof-mounted sensor system along city streets, but always with a human in full control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, less than two months later, the citys Transportation Department approved Waymos plans to let computers begin to take the wheel albeit with a human ready to jump in if need be. A law that would allow autonomous vehicle operation in the state is currently before the Transportation Committee of the state Senate, but is spinning its wheels in the Assembly. With Barry Williams DENVER (KDVR) A drone was used to find a man who allegedly committed a robbery and evaded police, according to a post on X from the Loveland Police Department. Loveland police saw a motorcycle speeding with no rear light or license plate. Car hits tree after 2-vehicle crash in Aurora The officers attempted a traffic stop, but the driver accelerated to almost 100 miles per hour before the pursuing officers called off the chase due to its circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional units were given the description of the motorcycle, and they searched the area. After an extensive search, the motorcycle was seen again, and the driver sped away before crashing and beginning to run away on foot, the department said. Partnering agencies joined the search, and a drone was eventually able to spot the suspect, who was hiding in a grassy area. The man was taken into custody. An investigation discovered that not only had the man evaded police, but he had allegedly committed a robbery and was also in possession of drugs, police said. He was transported to the Larimer County Jail and faces multiple criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man experiencing a mental health crisis was taken into custody after officials said he fired a gun into a home, then attempted to break in through a neighbors window, leading to a police pursuit in North Portland late Saturday night. Around 11:30 p.m., there were reports of a man firing gunshots inside a home near 6100 North Moore Street. When police arrived at the scene, they requested backup from a drone pilot and a K9. Portland teen arrested after fire at own home, faces attempted murder Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As officers were gathering information and establishing a perimeter, a family member alerted them, saying the man identified as 40-year-old Ryan Latin had walked out of the house with the gun in hand. He was screaming, breaking glass, and banging on things with a shovel or another object, police said. Multiple neighbors then called 911 to share where Latin went and what he was doing. The drone pilot was able to get a view from above and police said they found Latin had climbed a neighbors roof and tried to break in through a window. Driver facing DUII after truck crash into Southeast Portland storage facility Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers evacuated the homeowner and others in the area were notified by mobile alert to shelter in place. Police said Latin then climbed and hid under some trash cans, while PPB tactical teams were called in to assist. An officer with the Enhanced Crisis Intervention Team (ECIT) attempted to persuade Latin to surrender. After extensive efforts, he came out unarmed with his hands up and was taken into custody. No injuries were reported. However, police said they found evidence of gunfire inside the home, and the handgun with live ammunition was found in a neighbors yard. After being taken to a hospital by ambulance on a mental health-related police hold, Latin was criminally cited for unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree attempted burglary, criminal trespassing and criminal mischief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. DES MOINES, Iowa A 19-year-olds vehicular homicide sentence was revoked after he was caught driving under the influence a second time. Back in October 2024, now 19-year-old Lonnie Ray Hayes pled guilty to vehicular homicide by operating while intoxicated for a 2023 crash that killed 35-year-old Des Moines resident Roberto Eduardo Rodriguez-Peterson. According to the Polk County Attorneys Office, Hayes admitted to being high on marijuana and driving over 70 mph on East 14th Street when he collided with Rodriguez-Petersons car. False reports of active shooter at Iowa State University, police confirm Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Judge David Nelmark suspended Hayes sentence and ordered him to serve four years of probation and complete mental health, and substance use screenings. Nelmark stated he suspended Hayes sentence partly due to his age, as he was 17 years old when the crash occurred. In March 2025 Hayes was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated second offense and two counts of eluding. The attorneys office said Hayes pled guilty to all the charges in June. On Monday, District Judge David Porter revoked Hayes probation and sentenced him to up to 32 years in prison. Twenty-five years are for the vehicular homicide by operating while intoxicated charge. Hayes was also sentenced to concurrent five-year sentences for the eluding charges plus two years for the second OWI charge. Metro news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. LAS VEGAS Mother Nature has not been a friend to this years Burning Man festivalgoers so far. From this weekends ferocious dust storms to high heat and humidity to the possibility of rain and flooding in the coming days, it has been an eventful start to the annual event in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Strong dust storms and 50 mph wind gusts ripped through Black Rock City on Saturday, wreaking havoc on campsites and causing major travel delays in the area. The National Weather Service issued a dust storm advisory Saturday evening, saying a wall of blowing dust was tracking northward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four minor injuries were reported as a result of the wind and dust, a Burning Man spokesperson confirmed to NBC News. The storms snarled traffic as high winds and low visibility forced officials to close the gates into Black Rock City. For attendees who were already inside, the blowing dust whipped across the desert playa, overturning many campsites and scattering belongings. If you are in Black Rock City, batten down the hatches, take care of your camp, and do not drive, the official Burning Man account that tracks traffic conditions into and out of Black Rock City warned Saturday on X. 50 mile an hour sustained wind for over an hour with higher gusts. The desert is always trying to kill you, an attendee wrote on Facebook, adding that it was definitely the scariest experience at Burning Man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An estimated 70,000 people are expected to travel to Black Rock City for the festival, which runs through Sept. 1. On Sunday, the festivals first day, temperatures neared 100 degrees Fahrenheit, together with humidity levels at around 57%, for parts of northern Nevada. The National Weather Service issued another dust advisory that evening, forecasting 50 mph winds and less than 1 mile of visibility for parts of central Nevada. Rain and possible thunderstorms again temporarily shuttered the gates into Black Rock City and halted vehicle traffic. Travel time for cars currently on Gate Road is 7 hours once Gate opens, festival officials wrote Sunday night on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleanup efforts are underway, but the wild weather is far from over. Rain and possible thunderstorms Monday and over the next few days could make for dicey conditions in Black Rock Desert. The dusty lake bed is susceptible to flooding, and excessive rain can turn the playa into a muddy expanse. In 2023, two days of downpours stranded thousands of Burning Man attendees in thick mud in the desert. Festivalgoers were told to shelter in place, and the Pershing County Sheriffs Office reported one death. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Duval and Glynn Counties see increase in mosquito-borne West Nile virus Health officials across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia are urging residents to take precautions after mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus. In Duval County, the Florida Department of Health reported an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity after several sentinel chickens tested positive for West Nile virus. The department is working with Jacksonville Mosquito Control to coordinate surveillance and prevention efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Glynn County, Georgia, Vector Disease Control International (VDCI), the countys mosquito control contractor, notified officials of positive mosquito pool test results at five locations in the Brunswick area, including Blythe Island Regional Park, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, the GP Paper Mill, and New Castle Street. In response, Glynn County has significantly ramped up mosquito control efforts, including: Inspecting and treating breeding sites to target larvae. Deploying traps to monitor the mosquito population and evaluate the effectiveness of control measures. Truck-mounted and aerial spraying to reduce adult mosquito numbers. Aerial spraying is scheduled for Monday evening, weather permitting. [DOWNLOAD:Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Dr. Pete Obenauer, a local insect expert, said seeing West Nile virus during the summer months is normal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do see West Nile this time of year Its typical. Especially August usually tends to be a peak, he said. He emphasized that there are no human cases reported in Glynn County at this time only mosquito samples testing positive. [SIGN UP:Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] We dont have human cases. We have pools of mosquitoes that are positive, so its always important to clarify theres a difference, Obenauer said. Residents are encouraged to protect themselves by wearing long sleeves and using repellent containing DEET (about 30 percent) or picaridin. Officials also remind the community to clear standing water to reduce mosquito breeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glynn County Public Works and VDCI will continue monitoring mosquito populations and share any additional findings with the public. Click hereto download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps,click hereto download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV andclick hereto stream Action News Jax live. EAU CLAIRE Sitting on Water Street, a plot of land in front of the American Legion Post 53 building houses a statue, bench, signage and a large mural. After working on securing every one of those pieces for over a year, the American Legion now hopes community members can rest and relax in it. During a dedication of the space on Saturday, Brad Venaas, post adjutant for the American Legion Post 53 in Eau Claire, said the outdoor space first started with the idea of purchasing that statue. Titled Stand for the Flag, American Legion members worked to gather $50,000 in order to purchase the artwork and permanently keep it after it was placed there for the Eau Claire statue tour years ago. The piece depicts a Vietnam War veteran with a leg injury giving a salute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a person who served his country honorably, and sustained a life-changing injury losing part of his leg, Venaas said. And he still stands and honors that flag when it comes by. Whether we serve or not, were part of this great nation. And that was the idea that if he can do it, we can too. After that campaign was completed, there was another question of what more could be done. Is there something we can do other than just having a statue sit in front of our building? Can we create something that has a little more meaning? The statue supports our mission of be the one be that one that steps in to help that struggling veteran, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another highlight of the space is a mural depicting a color guard marching in a parade, which was painted by local artist Jo Ellen Burke. The mural was the big piece to kind of give it that backdrop that kind of ties it all together. And so, we were very fortunate to be able to get an artist that understood what we were looking for and was able to put that mural up on the wall. Venaas recalled interacting with a veteran in that space who was in Eau Claire and sat down in the outdoor space. He interacted with the Marine, and said that the space allows for the opportunity to connect with people. In our case, obviously veterans are important to us, Venaas said. Thats why were here. But anyone in the community can come and use this space and be here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After dedicating the space, Venaas said his hope is that anyone from the community walking down Water Street can use it. I think the American Legion wants to show that it wants to be part of the community, he said. Its not only a it'space for veterans, it is for the community. On Water Street, people are walking, events are happening So we want the community to come here. The full transcripts of Ghislaine Maxwells interview with Donald Trumps deputy attorney have been published. Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for recruiting underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein, was interviewed by Todd Blanche in July. Releasing the full transcripts to the public appears to be an attempt to put an end to weeks worth of damaging stories which have dogged Donald Trumps administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US president has faced fierce criticism from his base for refusing to publish documents held by the government on Epstein, the paedophile financier who died in 2019. On Friday, the Department of Justice released hundreds of pages of transcripts and audio recordings of the interview in what Blanche called the interest of transparency. Except for the names of victims, every word is included. Nothing removed. Nothing hidden, Mr Blanche said. Below, The Telegraph takes a closer look at the eight key takeaways from the transcripts. Trump the perfect gentleman Mr Trump has faced immense political pressure over his former friendship with Epstein, whom he fell out with over a property deal in Palm Beach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics and supporters of the US president alike have called for him to release the so-called Epstein files all of the files the government holds on the late paedophile. Credit: U.S Department of Justice Asked about her knowledge of Mr Trump and Epsteins relationship, Maxwell said she has no incriminating evidence against Donald Trump. She said: I actually never saw the president in any type of massage setting. I never witnessed the president in any inappropriate setting in any way. The president was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects. Prince Andrew and Epstein In the recordings, Maxwell contradicted Prince Andrews claim that she introduced him to the paedophile Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First of all, lets just state, I did not introduce him to Prince Andrew. I did not introduce him to Prince Andrew or to Sarah Ferguson. That is a flat untruth. Ill start with that. Credit: U.S. Department of Justice The Duke was accused of sexually abusing one of Epsteins first accusers, Virginia Giuffre, on three separate occasions in 2001, when she was 17. She had sued him for unspecified damages. The case was settled by the Prince, who has always denied any wrongdoing. Giuffre died this year by suicide. During a Newsnight interview to address the accusations in 2019, Prince Andrew said the British socialite was the one who acquainted him with Epstein. Maxwell, right, with Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre. She denied introducing the duke to Epstein - PA Duchess of York put the moves on Epstein Maxwell claimed the Duchess of York, who she described as her frenemy, pursued Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: I thought that Sarah was trying to put the moves on Jeffrey, if Im being honest, and I thought the whole thing was annoying and I was pissed off. Credit: U.S. Department of Justice She said she believed the duchess liked Mr Epstein. When asked why she thought so, Maxwell responded: My female intuition. Read more: Duchess of York tried to put the moves on Epstein Epstein never loved me Maxwell told Todd Blanche her ex-boyfriend did not ever love her and that she wasnt his type. There was some indications that [Epstein] would actively tell other people to lie to me or conceal things from me, and that he never loved me and I wasnt his type, Maxwell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pair had a romantic relationship but after breaking up continued to work together until his arrest in 2019. The nature of the couples relationship was brought under the spotlight during Maxwells trial. Intimate pictures of the pair together, including the now-infamous photos of Maxwell giving Epstein a foot massage, were presented by attorneys for the US government. Several witnesses testified that they thought the pair were a couple, while others believed they had just a business relationship. Financiers death was no suicide Maxwell stated that she does not believe Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019. The nature of Epsteins death is a contentious point for many Trump supporters, who believe he was murdered in order to suppress in order to cover up a so-called client list of high-profile figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not believe he died by suicide, no, she said. Maxwell believes Epstein may have been killed - GETTY IMAGES She said she did not know who was behind his death but that it was not a difficult thing to arrange. In prison, where I am, they will kill you or they will pay somebody can pay a prisoner to kill you for $25 worth of commissary. Thats about the going rate for a hit with a lock today. No client list Maxwell also denied that Epstein maintained a client list or black book. There is no list, she told Todd Blanche during the first day of their interviews. The FBI and justice department last month released a memo drawing the same conclusion last month. Credit: U.S Department of Justice I dont remember Trump birthday message Maxwell did not recall Donald Trump allegedly sending a lewd letter featuring a drawing of a nude woman for Epsteins 50th birthday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Mr Trump had submitted a note for an album Maxwell was assembling for her then-boyfriends birthday, in which he told Epstein they had certain things in common. The note allegedly concluded: May every day be another wonderful secret. I do not remember, Maxwell answered, when asked whether Mr Trump had sent a message for Epsteins 50th birthday. She added that she had not found a birthday letter from the president among her possessions in New York. However, she confirmed she had put together a book of birthday messages for Epstein, and that the financier had told her: I love that idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump has fiercely denied writing or sending the letter and has launched legal proceedings against the newspaper and its proprietor, Rupert Murdoch. Name-drops, but no smoking guns In addition to Mr Trump and Prince Andrew, a number of high-profile individuals came up during Maxwells interview but she did not incriminate any of them. Naomi Campbell: [Campbell] may have gone - well, she certainly - well, I believe she visited him in Palm Beach, and I believe she may have gone to the island and she may have gone to see his house in New York. Robert F Kennedy: Bobby knew Mr Epstein, Maxwell said. We went on a trip together. Was - we went to - dinosaur bone hunting in the Dakotas. Elon Musk: Asked whether Mr Musk knew Epstein, Maxwell said: I believe they did. She pointed to emails seen in trial documents as the only reason she believed that they knew each other, rather than her memory. George Soros: I dont think he (Soros) knew him (Epstein). Richard Branson: I think I remember that I went to Richard Bransons island with Mr Epstein, and maybe he went another time, but I dont - I wouldnt characterise Richard Branson and him as friends, but he did go and I think I went with him. 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. At the Gala, Netanyahu decried recent claims of genocide and starvation in Gaza, warning of the resurgence of centuries-old blood libel and antisemitism. The battle for narrative is the eighth front in Israels ongoing war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerces Gala for US journalists on Sunday. Seven fronts against Iran and its proxies, the eighth front, the battle for truth. And Newsmax, you have let the truth circle the globe against the lies, Netanyahu said. Theres only one way to beat the lies, and thats with the truth. Thank you for standing up with Israel. Thank you for standing up for the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu decried recent claims of genocide and starvation in Gaza, warning of the resurgence of centuries-old blood libel and antisemitism. Then, we had no defense. Now we have a country. Now we have an army. And now we fight back against our tormentors. Thats why I salute Newsmax and others who stand together, stand up for the truth, are not cowed, can speak their mind, can show the facts, can stand up for our common humanity and for our common future, he said. The delegation included prominent US journalists such as Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, and several White House correspondents and media influencers. The delegation included prominent US journalists such as Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax, and several White House correspondents and media influencers. (credit: THE ORTHODOX JEWISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE) Additionally, the prime minister held a private meeting with the missions leadership, thanking Duvi Honig, the founder and CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, for leading the delegation. Journalists met with MK Boaz Bismuth and FM Gideon Sa'ar During the Gala, several key Israeli officials spoke and thanked the journalists for their role in combating misinformation, including keynote speaker MK Boaz Bismuth, a former journalist and the newly appointed chairman of the Knessets Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. This event was his first official address since assuming the role. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also spoke at the Gala, where he discussed Israels mission to build a network of ambassadors so Israels story is told with clarity and truth. DAMASCUS, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Syria's foreign affairs authorities on Monday condemned what they described as Israeli military incursions in the southern region, including the countryside of the capital Damascus, calling them a "dangerous escalation" and a blatant violation of the country's sovereignty. In a statement carried by state news agency SANA, the foreign affairs authorities said Israeli forces made a ground incursion into Beit Jinn in the countryside of Damascus and took control over the Tal Bat al-Wardeh area in the countryside of Quneitra province. The statement warned that such actions "represent a direct threat to peace and regional security," accusing Israel of pursuing a "hostile approach" in defiance of international law and the sovereignty of Syria. "Syria affirms that the continuation of these violations undermines stability in the region," the statement said, calling on the United Nations (UN) and the UN Security Council to intervene immediately to deter Israel from further actions. Earlier in the day, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli forces established military positions in a strategic village southwest of Damascus, about 20 km from the Syrian capital. According to the Britain-based war monitor, the posts were set up on August 21 in Rakhlah, a village in the Mount Hermon area that overlooks three key roads linking Damascus with Lebanon's Baalbek and Beirut. These ground deployments follow months of repeated Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria targeting military headquarters, Sweida and Daraa provinces, and sites linked to weapons and military infrastructure. A former Mexican cartel kingpin apologised for flooding the US with cocaine and other substances as he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking. I recognise the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico, Ismael El Mayo Zambada told a Brooklyn federal court on Monday through an interpreter. I apologise for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions. Under the leadership of Zambada and Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional player into the largest drug trafficking organisation in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They argue the cartel built relationships with cocaine producers in Colombia, oversaw the importation of cocaine to Mexico by boat and plane and the smuggling of the drug across the US-Mexico border. Ismael El Mayo Zambada ran the Sinaloa cartel with Joaquin El Chapo Guzman (pictured) Zambada acknowledged that people working for him paid bribes to Mexican police and military commanders so they could operate freely, going back to when the cartel was just starting out. Zambada entered his plea two weeks after prosecutors said they would not seek the death penalty against him. Hes expecting to be sentenced on Jan 13 to life in prison. The 77-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise. He was arrested in Texas last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambada had pleaded not guilty last year to a range of drug trafficking and related charges, including gun and money laundering offences. Prosecutors say Zambada presided over a violent, highly militarised cartel with a private security force armed with powerful weapons and a cadre of sicarios, or hitmen, that carried out assassinations, kidnappings and torture. Guzman was sentenced to life behind bars following his conviction in the same federal court in Brooklyn in 2019. His two sons, who ran a cartel faction, also face federal charges. The Sinaloa cartel is Mexicos oldest criminal group, with various incarnations dating to the 1970s. Joaquin El Chapo Guzman - Henry Romero Considered a good negotiator, Zambada was seen as the cartels strategist and dealmaker, thought to be more involved in its day-to-day doings than the more flamboyant Guzman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, prosecutors have said Zambada also was enmeshed in the groups violence, at one point ordering the murder of his own nephew. The US pursued Zambada for more than two decades, but he was never arrested in any country until he was taken into custody in Texas last year. He had arrived in a private plane with one of Guzmans sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Chicago; his brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, pleaded guilty last month. Zambada has said he was kidnapped in Mexico and taken against his will to the USHe had often been at odds with Guzmans sons, dubbed the Chapitos, a term that translates to little Chapos. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Operas 2025-2026 season will feature Puccinis La Boheme as its featured production. La Boheme captures the raw beauty of youth, love and loss in artistic Paris, El Paso Opera said in a news release. Puccinis lush score paints a portrait of passion that flickers brightly before fading into silence. El Paso Opera will give five performances of La Boheme spanning Jan. 30 to Feb. 7 in 2026. Performances will be held at the St. Rogers Depot, 420 N. Campbell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will also be the first season where Cherry Duke serves as the organizations artistic director. El Paso Opera names new artistic director Tickets go on sale on Sept. 15. You can learn more and purchase tickets by clicking here. The El Paso Opera will also present Bohemios as a traveling show to different venues across El Paso. This is based on the same source material as La Boheme. It will be sung in Spanish with dialogue in English. This tour will be offered for free as a part of El Paso Operas dedication to community service, it said. Tickets will be available, also starting Sept. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, the El Paso Opera will have a special fund-raising event called Encores and Overtures Gala: A Night in Monte Carlo. It will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 5 at The Elmont Special Event Center, 240 W. Castellano, Suite B. For tickets and more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An 18-year-old man was recently arrested after a possible road rage incident led to a shooting on Thursday, Aug. 14, in Northwest El Paso, according to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD). Elijah Gabriel Marquez Duran, 18 Elijah Gabriel Marquez Duran, 18, from Las Cruces, was arrested on Aug. 20 and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon under a $100,000 bond. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. On Aug. 14, officers responded to a shooting near the intersection of Enchanted Springs and Bluff Creek, a new subdivision in the area near The Hospitals of Providence at Transmountain campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As KTSM 9 News previously reported, the victim, later identified as 41-year-old Daniel Torres, was airlifted via FireStar to a hospital. His injuries appeared not to be life-threatening, according to El Paso Fire. Witnesses say road rage incident led up to Northwest El Paso shooting Additionally, witnesses had told KTSM 9 News at the scene that a possible road rage incident led up to the shooting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Emails Source New Mexico obtained show how a planned trip to the states largest immigrant detention center turned into a partisan showdown. In the photos: Top left: Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte); bottom left: Sen. Joe Cervantes (D-Las Cruces); right: A pair of visitors walks down a hallway in the Otero County Processing Center in Chaparral in 2021. (Lawmakers photos courtesy NM Legislature; jail photo by Santa Ochoa for Source NM) When the New Mexico Courts and Criminal Justice Committee convened Monday morning on the campus of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, they did so half an hour late and without any Republican members in the room. Thats because the GOP legislators were 45 miles away touring the Otero County Processing Center, which holds more than 850 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emails between New Mexico lawmakers and staff on the Courts and Criminal Justice Committee obtained by Source New Mexico shed new light on how the partisan split came to be, and how what was supposed to be a bi-partisan opportunity to examine the states largest immigrant detention facility turned into something more like political theater. The visits backdrop includes the possibility that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham may consider legislation to ban immigration detention facilities in the state during a special session a possibility her chief counsel raised in July. CCJ Chair Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), however, told fellow committee members even prior to learning of that possibility, hed been in touch with Otero County officials about a visit to the facility in Chaparral. Then, on Aug. 14, he told colleagues on the committee that while hed been assured for months that the CCJ committee would be able to visit the facility, over the last 24 hours hed learned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not returned phone calls or otherwise been cooperative for us to schedule such [a] tour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cervantes added that he had also learned that committee members might be required to undergo background checks in order to visit. Anticipating, he wrote, that some members might reasonably object to background checks, and not wanting to limit participation, he said he and Committee Co-Chair Rep. Christine Chandler (D-Los Alamos) had canceled the tour. Cervantes and Otero County attorneys office officials did not respond to Sources requests for comment. With the trip canceled, Cervantes scheduled other hearings for the CCJ committee meeting scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Las Cruces. A few days later, on Aug. 18, all committee and staff members received an email from Sen. Crystal Brantley (R-Elephant Butte), subject-lined CCJ Member Tour of Otero Detention Facility Aug. 25. Brantley wrote that she had worked out a last-minute visit to the facility during a gathering with federal officials and local sheriffs held the prior weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brantleys meeting coincided with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems visit to the state. Brantley posted a photograph of herself with Noem and touted the state lawmakers receiving firsthand access to ICE facilities. She and Rep. Andrea Reeb (R-Clovis) also touted the invite in another post on social media Aug. 20, this time inviting Lujan Grisham to come on the tour with them, saying her presence would provide invaluable context for discussions about policy. The next day, Senate Republicans joined in, posting a poll on X that asked:, Will @GovMLG join lawmakers on the ICE Detention Facility Tour before attempting to shut them down? (Thirty-seven people voted, most of them saying no.) The governors office on Thursday told Source that her busy schedule prevented her from visiting and that she had still not decided whether ICE detention legislation will be on the special session agenda, the date for which has also not yet been set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the new prospect of a tour this one organized by Brantley sparked a flurry of responses from lawmakers on the CCJ committee, particularly Democrats who criticized Brantley for failing to coordinate with Cervantes to make it a sanctioned, scheduled visit with both parties. Brantley told Source in an interview the tour came about after she asked federal officials during their trip to Ruidoso why the committee hadnt received permission to visit the detention facility. She says officials told her they had no request on record to visit the facility. An ICE spokesperson said Friday afternoon she was looking into inquiries from Source about whether the agency had a record of the CCJs effort to visit the facility. Cervantes was working directly, he claims, with the county of Otero, to facilitate this tour, Brantley said, but it seems that the local [ICE] office out of El Paso did not have that on their radar. All she did, Brantley noted, was try to leverage her contacts and the meetings with federal officials to make the tour happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What resulted was a pretty quick turnaround for the visit, she said, and she opted to schedule the tour at 8 a.m. on Monday to minimize disruptions to the committee meeting. She also told Source she emailed Cervantes and his staff member on Aug. 17 to try to put the visit back on the committees agenda. Brantley agreed to forward that email to Source, but had not provided it by publication, nor responded to further inquiries about it. Brantleys Aug. 18 email to committee members, sent in the morning, urged them to respond by 5 p.m that day with required information for their background checks. That request had mixed results, with members such as Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) noting that she had missed the deadline after not having access to her email all day and was disappointed that it is presented as a done deal on the first day of a scheduled CCJ meeting. Rep. Marianna Anaya (D- Albuquerque) highlighted Brantleys ability, as a Republican, to leverage federal contacts and arrange a visit as an example important to the conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oversight is clearly lacking if Otero County itself cannot arrange a visit, the Chair of CCJ Senator Cervantes request was not accommodated and Senator Brantley (although I believe well intended) was allowed to schedule, she wrote. This seems backward. Out of respect for the Chair, Ill be skipping the tour and attending our regularly scheduled meeting. Other Democrats chimed in to say they didnt feel the tour was necessary, after all: I have been inside the Core Civic detention center in Torrance County. I have seen (and smelled) enough, Rep. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D-Albuquerque) wrote, an apparent reference to sewage backups at the Torrance County center operated by a private company with an ICE detention contract. For his part, Cervantes noted that Brantleys tour did not constitute a sanctioned CCJ activity and therefore wouldnt be on the agenda or eligible for per diem for those who attended. He also said that, instead of the planned Tuesday tour, committee members would hear from Otero County commissioners about implications of the legislation that would prohibit local governments from associating with ICE detention facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate Sen. Brantleys efforts but for reasons I am sure everyone understands, as Chair I am responsible for the agenda, he wrote. In the interview with Source, Brantley defended her efforts to get lawmakers access to a facility so that lawmakers can meet some of roughly 500 New Mexicans who could lose well-paying jobs if the legislation goes into effect. Thats important, she said, to look these New Mexicans in the eye if we intend to take their jobs from them. She told Source she did not know whether the tour would include visits with detainees. According to the latest figures, the facility now houses an average daily population of more than 860 ICE detainees, up from around 800 late last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the controversy, Brantley said she expects the tour to mostly include Republicans, though she estimated that three Democrats RSVPd Monday for the tour by the 5 p.m. deadline. That predominantly Republicans will go on the tour is unfortunate, Brantley said, because were all expected to vote on the issue. If we are to arrive in Santa Fe well all have to take a position. Well all have to know the background and the details and of what were doing. Originally appeared on E! Online Police are pressing forward in their search for Emmanuel Haro. Days after the missing 7-month-old's parents Rebecca Haro and Jake Haro were arrested on a murder charge in connection with his disappearance, Jake was assisting with the search alongside authorities in a remote field in Moreno Valley, California. On Aug. 24, the infant's father, donning an orange prison jumpsuit, was seen in news footage with deputies in the area, approximately 20 miles from where Rebecca claimed that Emmanuelwho is presumed deadwas taken from her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This afternoon, a search for Emmanuel Haro was conducted along the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway, near Gilman Springs Road, in Moreno Valley," the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department, which has been leading the investigation, shared on Instagram. "Investigators were assisted by cadaver dogs. Jake Haro was at the location with detectives." Although officials confirmed that Emmanuel was not located following the search, the department reasserted their dedication to the case, concluding, "The investigation to find Emmanuel continues." More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days earlier, Jake and Rebeccathe only two suspects at the momentwere arrested and booked without bond. "During the investigation thus far, numerous interviews have been conducted, search warrants have been served, digital and electronic evidence has been collected and closely analyzed," the SBSD shared in an Aug. 22 press release. "Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur. It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing." KTLA The couple's arrest came just over one week after the latter claimed that Emmanuel was kidnapped from the parking lot of a sporting goods store. "I took him out of the car seat and laid him on the chair," she told NBC Los Angeles on Aug. 17. "I had his diapers here, and someone said, 'Hola.' I couldn't turn, and I don't remember nothing. I got up from the floor and didn't see my child. Someone took him from me." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, authorities noticed some holes in Rebecca's statements during their investigation. San Bernardino County Sheriff "Investigators interviewed multiple individuals, including Emmanuel's parents Jake and Rebecca Haro," the department shared in an Aug. 16 press release. "During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview." Ultimately, investigators noted that they were "unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel." For more information on other disappearances, keep reading. JonBenet Ramsey The 6-year-old pageant star was brutally murdered at her Colorado home on Christmas 1996. Her parents, brother and more have all been suspects, but to this day no one really knows who killed JonBenet. Nicole Brown Simpson & Ron Goldman O.J. Simpson, who died in April 2024 after a battle with cancer, was found guilty in a civil trial of both 1994 murders, but in the criminal trial, the jury acquitted him. Technically, in the eyes of the law, the famous NFL player didn't do it, so their murderer remains unknown (and perhaps at large). Tupac Shakur Depending on whom you ask, someone might say Tupac is still alive. But the "Changes" rapper was murdered in 1996, and the investigation is still unsolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notorious B.I.G. About a year and a half after Tupac, Biggie Smalls was shot four times in a drive-by shooting. His killer still remains unknown. Caylee Anthony Casey Anthony, Caylee's mother, went through a highly publicized trial only to be found not guilty of her daughter's murder. As a result, it's still unknown who murdered this little girl. Elizabeth Short a.k.a. The Black Dahlia Short, who was murdered in 1947, and the mystery surrounding her death became an instant media sensation. She received "The Black Dahlia" moniker posthumously, but to this day, her killer remains unknown. Andrew Borden & Abby Borden This couple was brutally murdered with an axe in 1892, but it was their daughter, Lizzie Borden, who was tried and acquitted for the crime. The deaths of Andrew Borden and Abby Borden were never solved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jack the Ripper In 1888, an unknown serial killer hit the streets of London. More than 100 years later, the identity of Jack the Ripper remains unknown. The Chicago Tylenol Murders These murders were a series of poisoning deaths resulting from drug tampering in Chicago in 1982. The victims, who included children, had all taken Tylenol-branded acetaminophen capsules that had been laced with potassium cyanide. A total of seven people died in the original poisonings, with several more deaths in subsequent copycat crimes. The person responsible is still unknown. The Zodiac Killer He was a serial killer who acted in Northern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but his identity still remains unknown. The killer originated the name "Zodiac" in a series of taunting letters sent to the local Bay Area press. These letters included four cryptograms (or ciphers). Of the four cryptograms sent, only one has been definitively solved. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Aug. 25---- Determining that he would not be able to reach the runway at the for an emergency landing, the flight instructor piloting the jet that crashed a month ago south of Granite Falls told his fellow occupant three times to eject before he did so himself, according to a preliminary report recently filed by the National Transportation Safety Board. The occupant, David Colin Dacus, 46, of San Francisco, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred shortly before 5:30 p.m. July 21 along Minnesota Highway 23. He was found restrained in the rear ejection seat of the wreckage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dacus had a private pilot's certificate, but was on the flight as a pilot-in-training to be certified for the jet he was interested in purchasing. Flight instructor Mark Ryan Ruff, 43, of Dallas, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries caused by the ejection and parachute landing, according to the report. Ruff, who has certifications to fly large commercial aircraft, including the Boeing 777 Airbus, also has certification for the 50-year-old, Czech-built Aero Vodochody L-39 high-performance military jet they were flying. Just over 10 minutes had elapsed between the time the instructor notified air traffic controllers of engine failure and the crash. The jet was 821 feet short of the runway when its tail clipped a power line and crashed into an earthen berm between the highway and a BNSF Railway line. The engine failure occurred as the two were flying on the third leg of a trip from Gillette, Wyoming, to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, for the Experimental Aircraft Association event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, the jet departed the in eastern South Dakota and climbed to 21,800 feet. Engine power was set at 103% during the continuous climb, yielding 280 knots true airspeed, which equates to 322.4 miles per hour. The two were wearing helmet oxygen masks and reported smelling an odor followed by smoke intrusion into the cockpit. Four to five seconds later, "the aircraft shook briefly in conjunction with an audible metal-to-metal grinding noise." The pilot tried three times to restart the engine, but without success. He turned his attention to locating an airport for a forced landing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, the wreckage subsequently recovered at the crash site showed thermal damage to first- and second-stage rotor blades and nozzle vanes of the low-pressure turbine. Metal debris was collected in the exhaust case aft of the low-pressure turbine, axially in line with the case struts. After deciding to make an emergency landing, the pilot began the jet's descent. He initially intended to land at the Marshall Airport, but his ground speed decreased significantly when flying toward the airport and he decided to aim for the Granite Falls Airport instead, according to the report. He could see the yellow chevrons on the runway at the Granite Falls Airport but determined he could not reach it and told his passenger to prepare to eject. He then told him to eject, and when he did not hear the ejection, he repeated the instruction. He used the occupant's first name when issuing the instructions to eject for the third time, then ejected himself. He was nearing the bottom of the ejection envelope and heading toward the power line at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The entire fuselage separated from the wing on impact, and jet fuel poured out at the crash site. The airplane's nose and cockpit sustained heavy impact, crushing deformation. The firing mechanism for the ejection seat holding the crash victim was unused, according to the report. Once the victim was removed, a bomb squad conducted a controlled detonation of the plastic explosive. A company that manufactures electrical connectors and other parts for aerospace, defense and other industries will soon be closing its Taunton facility, a year after it was acquired by another business. AirBorn, a Texas-based company, will shutter its 355 Constitution Drive facility over the course of 2026 and lay off all 86 employees there, according to a Massachusetts Workers Adjustment Retraining Notice filed with the state on Aug. 20. AirBorn was acquired by global engineering firm Molex at the end of 2024. According to the company website, AirBorn was founded in 1958 and has seven U.S. locations as well as one Canadian and one U.K. facility. In November, the company announced that it was being acquired by Molex and would expand Molexs aerospace and defense business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By uniting AirBorns unique expertise in the aerospace and defense market with Molexs global scale, capabilities and financial stability, we will be well positioned to pursue exciting profitable growth opportunities together, AirBorn President and CEO Michael Cole said at the time. The sale was completed in December. Molex, which has engineered and manufactured electrical connectors and other components since its founding in the 1930s, also provides products for the automotive, medical, industrial and other industries. It has more than 50,000 employees at 85 plants in 20 countries, according to the company. In a letter to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor notifying the state of the layoffs, an AirBorn executive wrote that some employees may remain employed for up to 60 days after the Taunton facility closes to assist with tasks related to the closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Airborn said most of the work done in Taunton is contract manufacturing that is no longer viable for the business and will be ending, and the rest of the work done at the site will move to other locations. Employees will receive severance and employee assistance, including access to help finding new positions. This decision is not a reflection of our dedicated employees at the site. AirBorn operates in changing markets that require the business to align its resources with customer demand, they said. We are grateful for our employees continued dedication, hard work and commitment to AirBorn and our customers. The latest from MassLive Read the original article on MassLive. One of Jeffrey Epsteins most prominent accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, wrote a memoir before she died that is slated to be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf announced. The 400-page book, Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, is scheduled for release on Oct. 21. Giuffre offers an unsparing account of her time with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwellfrom Epsteins Palm Beach mansion to his Upper East Side townhouse to his private jets and island, from meeting politicians and CEOs at a sprawling New Mexico ranch to spending a now-infamous evening with Prince Andrew in London, the publisher said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giuffre shares intimate, disturbing, and heartbreaking new details about her time with Epstein, Maxwell, and their many well-known friends, including Prince Andrew, about whom she speaks publicly for the first time since their out-of-court settlement in 2022, it added. Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Andrew in 2021, after alleging that he sexually abused her when she was a teenager. Giuffre said Epstein introduced her to Andrew in London in 2001 and said Epsteins longtime partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, forced her to have sex with Andrew. Andrew has denied meeting Giuffre, saying it didnt happen. They reached a settlement in principle in early 2022. Giuffre collaborated over the course of four years with author and journalist Amy Wallace to write the memoir before the Epstein accuser died by suicide on April 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late March, Giuffre was struck by a school bus and said she was given four days to live after going into renal failure. Days after the crash, Giuffre wrote an email expressing her heartfelt wish that this work be published, regardless of my circumstances at the time, according to the publishing house, which included the email in its statement. The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders. It is imperative that the truth is understood and that the issues surrounding this topic are addressed, both for the sake of justice and awareness, Giuffre wrote in the email. In the event of my passing, I would like to ensure that NOBODYS GIRL is still released. I believe it has the potential to impact many lives and foster necessary discussions about these grave injustices, said Giuffre, who came out publicly with her accusation in 2015 and became an advocate for sex trafficking survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said Epstein and Maxwell hired her as a masseuse following their introduction at President Trumps Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in the early 2000s when she was a teenager. Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison for soliciting prostitution in 2009 and died in jail awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is serving a sentence after her conviction on sex trafficking 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 The Hill. A former Erie Coke employee has a felony environmental charge dismissed in federal court. David Stablein pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Clean Air Act in 2023, but earlier this summer, the U.S. Attorneys Office requested the charge be dismissed. Local, state officials tour former Erie Coke site Now, that request has been granted by federal judge Susan Paradise Baxter. According to court documents filed online, the case against Stablein cant be refiled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge agreed with the U.S. Attorney, finding the motion to dismiss is, appropriately within the publics interest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KIEV, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Ukrainian and U.S. teams will meet this week to explore the possibility of peace negotiations between Kiev and Moscow. Speaking at a press conference here alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelensky said he will discuss the matter with U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg later in the day. "It seems to me that we will have a basic plan for security guarantees. I think that the details still require time. More work needs to be done. After that, I would like to understand from the American side whether the Russians are ready (for a meeting)," Zelensky said. Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he had begun arranging a meeting between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) East Tennessee State Universitys Quillen College of Medicine announced a class size increase for 2026. According to a news release from ETSU, at the start of 2026, Quillen will increase its class size from 78 medical students to 100. This increase is aimed at helping the more rural demand of East Tennesseans. Being able to expand our incoming class sizes will not only allow us to graduate more physicians, it supports our mission to serve the underserved, including here in Appalachia, Dr. Bill Block, dean of the Quillen College of Medicine and ETSUs vice president for Clinical Affairs, said in the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This increase comes as the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) projects the U.S could face a nationwide shortage of more than 80,000 physicians by 2036. Quillen was ranked second in 2025 by the U.S. News & World Report for the most graduates practicing in underserved communities and was designated a tier 1 school, which placed it among the top 16 in the nation for primary care. According to ETSU, Quillen received more than 4,000 applications reported in the 2025 2026 cycle and still remains the smallest medical class of the nation, having a 2:1 faculty-to-student ratio. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sa'ar said that the terrorist organization praised decisions to recognize a Palestinian state and other actions taken by European officials against Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar asserted that Europe must decide whether to ally itself with Israel or Hamas in a social media post on Sunday, arguing that its latest condemnations of Israel have been met with praise by the Palestinian terror group. Hamas praises outgoing Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, the initiator of sanctions against Israel in the European Union, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as it praised Macron and his partners for recognizing a 'Palestinian state' a move Hamas classified as 'the fruits of October 7.' Europe must choose: Israel or Hamas. Every action against Israel directly serves the jihadist axis in the Middle East. Saars comments come as Veldkamp resigned from his position on Friday as Dutch foreign minister, as his efforts to issue new sanctions against the Israeli leadership were blocked. Newly appointed Israeli minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar attends a replacing ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on November 10, 2024. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) After failing to garner support for his plans on Friday, he announced, "I'm going home now and I'm going to write my resignation letter," according to De Telegraaf. I felt resistance in the cabinet against more measures as a result of what is happening in Gaza City and the occupied West Bank at the moment, he later said in a statement following his resignation. Saars strong message at the last UNSC This is not the first time that Saar has confronted officials from other countries. Earlier this month, he said that Hamas and its propaganda machine had turned the world upside down at a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A huge part of the international media is both ignoring the truth and buying its lies, he said. In his speech, Sa'ar emphasized that the UNSC and the global community must finally condemn Hamas and hold the terrorist group accountable for its crimes. Danielle Greyman-Kennard contributed to this report. Former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh offered some advice on Monday to those criticizing President Donald Trump. Walsh criticized Trumps flurry of posts to his Truth Social platform on Sunday, where the president demanded that ABC News and NBC News lose their licenses due to their coverage of him, threatened an investigation against former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and suggested that Maryland lose its federal funding over comments made by its Democratic governor. Walsh warned that Trumps rhetoric should not be normalized in a post on social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one level, its comical. Donald Trump is the biggest crybaby in human history. But at another level, its dangerous. He continues to use the powers of his office to intimidate, harass, threaten, defund, and try to destroy the livelihoods of individuals and companies. Do not normalize this, Walsh wrote on X. At one level, its comical. Donald Trump is the biggest crybaby in human history. But at another level, its dangerous. He continues to use the powers of his office to intimidate, harass, threaten, defund, and try to destroy the livelihoods of individuals and companies. Do not https://t.co/PaYCUc2nfC Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) August 25, 2025 Walsh has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years. He recently joined the Democratic Party despite serving as a Republican member of Congress. Walsh challenged Trump for the GOP presidential nomination in 2020, but failed to gather momentum before announcing his decision to leave the Republican Party that year. He has been an independent voter for the past five years, but said in a June blog post that the stakes are simply too high to NOT become a Democrat. Walsh had been criticizing the president for ranting about the negative media coverage of him on his Truth Social platform, including when Trump called ABC and NBC a threat to democracy in his scathing post on Truth Social on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC, Trump wrote. He also lashed out at Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) for suggesting that Trump pay a visit to his state. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I walk the streets of Maryland with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk, Trump wrote. And finally, Trump suggested that Christie be investigated over the over the Bridgegate scandal after the New Jersey Republican was critical of him on ABCs This Week on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother? Trump wrote. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. Trump has made it a priority to target those critical of his administration in his second term. Trumps team has opened investigations of Democrat Letitia James, the New York attorney general who sued Trumps company over alleged fraud for falsifying records, and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who as a congressman led Trumps first impeachment. The Republican administration has charged Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., over her actions at an immigration protest in Newark, New Jersey, after arresting Mayor Ras Baraka, also a Democrat. Under investigation, too, is former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York City mayor. Trump has directed prosecutors to investigate two other members of his first administration: Miles Taylor, who wrote a book warning of what he said were Trumps authoritarian tendencies, and Chris Krebs, who earned the presidents wrath for assuring voters that the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden, was secure. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A former Social Security Administration employee in Massachusetts has been sentenced to federal prison for using his job to try and recruit a disabled mother seeking government benefits across state lines for paid sex, federal officials said. Dae Sung Kim, 36, of Auburn, was sentenced to six months in prison and five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement on Friday. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret Guzman handed down his sentence. Kim pleaded guilty in February to one count of attempting to induce a person to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public servants are entrusted to assist people, not exploit them. This was a brazen abuse of power by a federal employee who used his position and access to sensitive information to prey on a vulnerable woman who had just lost her job, Foley said. This kind of predatory behavior has no place in public service, or anywhere else, Foley said. This case represents yet another example of my offices commitment to reduce the demand for commercial exploitation. Mr. Kim attempted to purchase access to the victims body and used her vulnerability and his privilege to do so. Social Security Administration Acting Inspector General Michelle Anderson called Kims actions echoed Foleys comments. This was a shocking abuse of power by someone entrusted to serve the public, Anderson said. The defendant, while employed as an SSA claims specialist, attempted to exploit a vulnerable, disabled mother seeking to apply for reinstatement of disability benefits after losing her job. This predatory behavior is intolerable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in October and subsequently charged in December. In March 2024, Kim met with a woman at the Gardner Social Security Administration field office who was seeking Social Security benefits after losing her job, prosecutors said. After redirecting the woman to another Social Security Administration field office near her home in another state, Kim called her from his personal cell phone using the phone number he obtained from his agencys computer system, prosecutors said. On the call, Kim said he understood the beneficiary was in a difficult situation and that maybe they could work something out that would benefit them both, the U.S. Attorney said in her statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, in text messages and also during a subsequent call monitored by law enforcement, Kim said that he was proposing to pay the beneficiary for sex and attempted to negotiate a price, prosecutors said. Kim continued soliciting the woman over a period of several months through text messages with undercover law enforcement impersonating the beneficiary, including several requests for nude photographs that were declined, prosecutors said. Eventually, Kim suggested that the woman travel to Massachusetts to meet him in a hotel parking lot in Fitchburg, offering to pay her $100 to have sex in a car in the parking lot, prosecutors said. Kim traveled to the hotel parking lot to meet the woman in October. There, law enforcement officers arrested him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 By Sarita Chaganti Singh and Krishna N. Das PARONG, India (Reuters) -India fears a planned Chinese mega-dam in Tibet will reduce water flows on a major river by up to 85% during the dry season, according to four sources familiar with the matter and a government analysis seen by Reuters, prompting Delhi to fast-track plans for its own dam to mitigate the effects. The Indian government has been considering projects since the early 2000s to control the flow of water from Tibet's Angsi Glacier, which sustains more than 100 million people downstream in China, India and Bangladesh. But the plans have been hindered by fierce and occasionally violent resistance from residents of the border state of Arunachal Pradesh, who fear their villages will be submerged and way of life destroyed by any dam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then in December, China announced that it would build the world's largest hydropower dam in a border county just before the Yarlung Zangbo river crosses into India. That triggered fears in New Delhi that its longtime strategic rival - which has some territorial claims in Arunachal Pradesh - could weaponize its control of the river, which originates in the Angsi Glacier and is known as the Siang and Brahmaputra in India. India's largest hydropower company in May moved survey materials under armed police protection near a prospective site of the Upper Siang Multipurpose Storage Dam, which would be the country's biggest dam, if completed. Senior Indian officials have also been holding meetings about accelerating construction this year, including one organized in July by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, according to two of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive government matters. Delhi's concerns were described in the undated Indian government analysis of the Chinese dam's impact, the specifics of which Reuters corroborated with four sources and is reporting for the first time. Beijing hasn't released detailed plans about the dam's construction, but the analysis drew on past work conducted by Indian government-affiliated institutions like the Central Water Commission and accounted for the expected size of the Chinese project, which broke ground in July and will cost nearly $170 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delhi estimates the Chinese dam will allow Beijing to divert as much as 40 billion cubic meters of water, or just over a third of what is received annually at a key border point, according to the sources and the document. The impact would be especially acute in the non-monsoon months, when temperatures rise and lands become barren across swathes of India. The Upper Siang project would alleviate that with its projected 14 BCM of storage capacity, allowing India to release water during the dry season. That could mean the major regional city of Guwahati, which is dependent on water-intensive industry and farming, would see a reduction in supply of 11%, according to the sources and the document, as opposed to 25% if the Indian dam isn't built. The project could also mitigate any move by Beijing to release devastating torrents of water downstream, the sources said. If the dam is at its minimum drawdown level - where water is stored at less than 50% of its height - it would be able to fully absorb any excess water released from a breach in Chinese infrastructure, according to the document and the sources. India is considering a proposal to keep 30% of its dam empty at any time in order to account for unexpected surges, two of the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said in response to Reuters' questions that the hydropower projects "have undergone rigorous scientific research on safety and environmental protection, and will not adversely impact the water resources, ecology, or geology of downstream countries." "China has always maintained a responsible attitude toward the development and utilization of transboundary rivers, and has maintained long-term communication and cooperation with downstream countries such as India and Bangladesh," the spokesperson added. Modi's office and the Indian ministries responsible for water and external affairs did not respond to Reuters' questions. State-owned hydropower major NHPC also did not return a request for comment. India's foreign ministry has said that top diplomat S. Jaishankar raised concerns about the dam during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Aug. 18. A Jaishankar deputy also told lawmakers in August that the government was implementing measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of citizens in downstream areas, including building the dam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India has itself been accused by Pakistan, a Chinese ally that it briefly clashed with in May, of weaponizing water. Delhi this year suspended its participation in a 1960 water-sharing treaty with Islamabad and is considering diverting flows from another crucial river away from its downstream neighbour. An international tribunal has ruled that India must adhere to the agreement but Delhi says the panel lacks jurisdiction. DEVELOPMENT OR DESTRUCTION? When NHPC workers moved surveying materials near the village of Parong in May, angry locals damaged their machinery, destroyed a nearby bridge and looted the tents of police sent to guard the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of them are members of Arunachal's Adi community, who live off paddy, orange and sweet lime farms in the mist-shrouded hills and valleys nourished by the Siang. The villagers have set up makeshift watch posts on regional roads to deny access to NHPC workers. That has forced security personnel to trek miles, often under cover of night, to reach a prospective site of the dam. At least 16 Adi villages are likely to be lost to the storage area of the dam, directly affecting an estimated 10,000 people, according to two of the sources. Community leaders say more than 100,000 people will be impacted overall. "The cardamom, paddy, jackfruit and pear we grow on this land help educate our children and support our family," said Odoni Palo Pabin, an Adi grocer and mother of two. "We will fight the dam to death." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dam has the support of Arunachal's chief minister, who is a member of Modi's party and has called the Chinese project an existential threat. The project will "ensure water security and provide flood moderation to counter any potential water surges," the state government said in a statement, adding that it decided in June to engage in detailed compensation discussions with families that could be affected by the dam. Lawmaker Alo Libang, an Adi who represents an area that would be submerged by the Indian project, said he believed locals could be convinced to move if they received generous compensation. NHPC has plans to spend more than $3 million on education and emergency infrastructure to incentivize the villagers to move elsewhere, three of the sources said, citing instructions from Modi's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one sign of progress, three villages in the area recently agreed to let NHPC officials carry out dam-related work, according to the Arunachal government and dozens of locals. India has a history of activist movements against large dams, which have sometimes slowed these projects by years or forced them to scale down. Even if the Upper Siang dam gets the go-ahead, it could take a decade to build after breaking ground, according to four of the sources. That means the project would likely be completed after China's project, which Beijing expects to start generating power by the early-to-mid 2030s. The delay means an Indian project would be vulnerable during construction if Beijing suddenly releases water during the monsoon season, triggering a surge that could wash away temporary dams, two of the sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International experts and Adi activists have also warned that building large dams in seismically active Tibet and Arunachal could heighten risks for downstream communities. The Chinese "dam is being built in a zone of high seismicity and in a zone that experiences extreme weather events," said Sayanangshu Modak, an expert on the India-China water relationship at the University of Arizona. "These kinds of extreme weather events trigger landslides, mudslides, glacial lake outburst flooding," he said. "So that raises concerns about dam safety... it's a very legitimate concern and India should engage with China." (Reporting by Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi and Krishna N. Das in Arunachal Pradesh; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing and David Stanway in Singapore; Graphics by Jitesh Chowdhury; Editing by Katerina Ang) As the Trump administration continues to transform U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement into a seemingly omnipresent occupying force in American cities, the agency is seeking to add another 1,000 customized SUVs wrapped in ICE specific artwork, according to a draft RFP obtained by The Independent. The contractor shall provide full upfit and graphic application and continually ship 100 vehicles to the government every sixty (60) calendar days after the receipt of the award, states the request for proposals. At a minimum the multiple IDIQ contractors shall provide up to one thousand (1,000) vehicle upfits and graphic applications. At that rate, it will take 20 months to fulfill the order. Interested vendors must submit capability statements by Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The solicitation is for the modifications only; the vehicles a combination of Ford Police Interceptor Utility SUVs, Dodge Durango Pursuit SUVs and Chevy Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicle SUVs, model year 2025 or later will be purchased separately and shipped from the dealership to the vendors selected to adapt them for ICE. Although the RFP does not specify a budget, 1,000 brand-new SUVs modified for law enforcement use, with, among other things, lights, sirens, PA systems, window tints, and lockable weapons vaults, as well as add-ons such as tactical seat covers, plus full graphics packages, could cost taxpayers some $100 million, using past acquisitions as a guide. The graphics packages ordered by ICE are inspired by Donald Trump's private 757, and feature the president's name on the rear windows. ICE will now take delivery of 1,000 new SUVs, according to government procurement data (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) The government will provide the winning bidders with ICE specific artwork that will be used for the design, production, sizing, measurement, and application of vehicle wraps on all ICE owned vehicles, according to the RFP. It says the feds will also transport the vehicles from the dealerships to the contractors facilities to be altered. An ICE spokesperson did not respond on Monday to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE recently laid out roughly $1 million for a group of customized SUVs, pickups, and a pair of Ford Mustangs to help lure new recruits. The trucks cost more than $500,000, and wrapping them ran nearly $230,000. The two Mustangs set taxpayers back more than $120,000, according to government solicitation documents. The immigration enforcement agency subsequently issued a tender for 25 tricked-out Chevy Tahoes, at a cost of $2.4 million. The recently-purchased vehicles all feature a graphic treatment that mimics the look of Donald Trumps private 757. They feature the words President Donald J. Trump printed in gold on the rear windows, and have the phrase Defend the homeland emblazoned on the sides. Craig Holman of Public Citizen, a nonprofit Washington, D.C., government watchdog, sees the latest expenditure as highly imprudent, especially at a time when the White House and GOP-led Congress have decimated public health programs, eliminated free meals for needy kids, and practically zeroed out budgets supporting lifesaving scientific research, all in the name of fiscal responsibility. Taxpayers buying another 1,000 new ramped-up SUVs for ICE is not only an extravagant waste of taxpayer dollars, it is a dangerous expenditure that heightens the risk to civil liberties, Holman told The Independent. ICE is evolving into a special paramilitary organization to enforce the laws as President Trump sees fit. The scope of this organization has grown far beyond its original mandate of border enforcement and is now even operating in the nation's capital arresting any persons of interest and hauling them off to who-knows-where. These so-called enforcement actions are all being done by unknown agents, undercover and with little oversight by the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walter Olsen, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute's Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, believes the flashy treatment ICE is giving the vehicles is largely performative, and in all likelihood, counterproductive. The look of most police cars tries to strike a balance between being recognizable as such for safety reasons without being intimidating or coming across as an occupation force, Olsen told The Independent. The ICE design screams Look at us we're big, we're mean, and we're here whether you like it or not. That's a message that it sends both to local residents and also to local elected officials. Olsen pointed out that ICE has attacked local elected officials for warning constituents that agents would be carrying out immigration enforcement operations in their communities, and advising them on their rights in case of an encounter. This, according to Border Czar Tom Homan and various Republican lawmakers, purportedly puts ICE personnel in danger, and undermines their work. So why wrap cars in conspicuous plumage that might be visible from blocks away and is likely to get neighborhoods talking? Olsen continued. ICE is planning to spend a lot of taxpayer money here to send some sort of message, at the expense of what you'd think would be good policing practice. Relentless enforcement actions by ICE have turned public sentiment against the agency, which is about to drop $100 million on 1,000 new SUVs. (Getty Images) Professor Linda Bilmes, the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard Universitys John F. Kennedy School of Government, told The Independent that the money could have been used in many other, more impactful, ways. The U.S. government has run a deficit every year since 2001, and since Trump took office for the first time, the accumulated national debt has ballooned by $9 trillion, to about $29 trillion, according to Bilmes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So its not simply the outlay of $100 million, but the fact that we are borrowing this money from future generations, Bilmes said. Is this the best and most responsible use of taxpayer funds? Has it been allocated through a careful process of trade-offs, even within the law enforcement area? For example, $100 million could pay for 1,000 additional police officers for one year, or 250 for four years. Or it could pay to equip some 60,000 police officers with body cameras, or to reduce the huge backlog of crime cases waiting for DNA analysis but lacking funds, or many other needs. There is no evidence that buying 1000 more SUVs for ICE is the best use of taxpayer funds, even within the law enforcement agencies. The first ICE SUVs to be wrapped in the Trump-centric design were featured in a video posted by the Department of Homeland Security, ICEs parent agency, which showed the vehicles cruising through Washington, D.C., set to music by rapper DaBaby. ICE is in the midst of a massive hiring spree, for which Republicans in Congress have set aside $30 billion, with the hope of adding 14,000 new immigration agents to support Trumps mass deportation agenda. In all, Trumps so-called big, beautiful domestic policy bill earmarks more than $170 billion for immigration enforcement over the next decade. The law enforcement agency is now one of the most well-resourced police forces in the world, exceeding most foreign military budgets. To expand the pool of available recruits, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem lowered the minimum age for new ICE agents to 18 and eliminated the maximum age, targeting Gen Z and early-career professionals, as well as former law enforcement officers, military veterans and people from the legal field, according to a request for information. ICE is also offering $50,000 signing bonuses and student loan forgiveness for recruits. In recent months, morale among ICE agents has reportedly dropped to all-time lows. After years of hard work involving multiple agencies, a California river welcomed back a fish not seen in almost a century. As KRCR detailed, adult winter-run Chinook salmon have returned to the McCloud River in northern California. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported a sighting on July 15 of a female guarding a nest with several males competing to spawn. It was the culmination of a project that began in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State and federal agencies partnered with Indigenous groups to reintroduce the endangered salmon to their ancestral waters. Thanks to the expert input of the Winnemem Wintu Chief Caleen Sisk, an appropriate incubation site was selected for its ideal temperature. UC Davis' Center for Watershed Sciences noted that by using a nature-based incubator, the reared salmon stood a better chance of making it to adulthood than salmon spawned in hatchery trays. The salmon that hatched swam downstream, and some juveniles were caught and moved to the Sacramento River to continue their migration to the Pacific. The salmon's population decline has resulted from habitat destruction and rising ocean temperatures. They require freshwater to breed, and their eggs are vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature and salt levels. The salmon's mass die-off after breeding provides food and nutrients for the river's plants and wildlife. Returning them to their historic range benefits the ecosystem as well as the salmon themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story is an excellent example of the critical work that is done at the local level. By harnessing tribal expertise, the project reached a crucial milestone. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's social media post announcing the good news attracted hundreds of comments. One pointed out the vital contribution of the Winnemem Wintu tribe, saying, "This has been a lifelong project of love, faith, resiliency, and hard work with long hours and many battles." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "First time in 100 years? That is so awesome!" said another. One optimistic comment expressed hope for more positive news: "Environmental victories are still possible and happening! Never lose hope and never give up. A better world is possible." 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. Against the backdrop of a "dangerously hot" July and August, experts in East Texas warned of an insidious heat-related risk lurking in a seemingly benign item, KLTV reports. What's happening? AccuWeather indicated portions of East Texas were under a Heat Advisory lasting from Aug. 14 until Aug. 20. On Tuesday, temperatures approached three digits, with heat index values anticipated to climb as high as 110 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A form of extreme weather, Ready.gov defined extreme heat as "a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days." Meteorologists and public health experts advise certain measures when a Heat Advisory is in effect: avoiding unnecessary exertion and the sun, staying in an air-conditioned environment, and drinking "plenty of fluids" to prevent heat-related illness. Unfortunately, while hydration is critically important when temperatures skyrocket, experts warned East Texans of a related and perhaps lesser-known danger. Bryan Tuten, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Texas at Tyler, spoke to KLTV to warn East Texas residents about water bottles and microplastic ingestion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuten likened the polymer plastic from which water bottles are manufactured to strands of spaghetti, in the way the latter forms a difficult-to-separate clump when cold. Hot pasta is easier to separate, he explained, and plastic breaks down in much the same fashion. At around 75 degrees, plastic water bottles don't break down all that much. However, people often transport and store water bottles in their cars, where ambient temperatures can soar. "The crucial temperature that that starts to happen in is around 140 to 170F, which is very normal to get to inside of a hot car in the summertime. It's at that point that it starts to become more likely that you're going to pull particles or chemicals into your water," Tuten said. Why is that concerning? Microplastics are particles of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters in size and while their effects have yet to be fully quantified, a growing body of evidence links them to a number of adverse health impacts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their small size allows microplastics to penetrate virtually every part of the human body, as well as soil, the ocean, rivers, and remote areas like Antarctica. Ongoing research identified potential reproductive impacts, vascular damage, and cancer linked to exposure to microplastics. Dr. Wei-Chin Ho, an assistant professor of biology at UT Tyler, cautioned East Texans about a higher risk of microbial contamination in extreme heat. While his warning concerned bacteria, it aligned well with what Tuten discussed. "Just because you can not see [it] does not mean it is not there," Ho said. What can be done about it? Staying aware of environmental risks like microplastics is important as scientific understanding of the issue evolves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's difficult to avoid plastic entirely, but using less plastic particularly for personal water bottles and tumblers is a great way to reduce direct exposure to microplastics. 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. WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng recently said that as the world's most important agricultural producers and consumers, China and the United States each have their own strengths in agriculture and can complement each other well. "China and the U.S. together produce nearly 40 percent of global food and consume one-fourth of the total. China has comparative advantage in labor-intensive agricultural products, while the U.S. specializes in land-intensive agricultural commodities through mechanized, large-scale production," Xie made the remarks at a U.S.-China soybean industry partner breakfast reception in Washington D.C. This event was co-hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Foodstuffs, Native Produce and Animal By-Products, with participation from industry associations, agricultural enterprises, and scholars of both countries. "Agricultural exchanges and cooperation have not only offered more choices for consumers in both our countries, but also put more money in the pockets of American farmers," Xie said. "They have provided impetus for agricultural transformation and upgrading in China and the U.S., and opened up a new path for securing global food security," Xie continued. The Chinese ambassador argued that agriculture should not be politicized, and "farmers should not pay the cost of trade war." "Restricting Chinese citizens and businesses from buying farmland is purely a move of political manipulation on the pretext of national security. It is completely unfounded, and is aimed to hijack China-U.S. agricultural cooperation for a few individuals' own agenda," Xie said. "China is ready to work with the U.S. side to implement the important common understandings of the two leaders, make good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism, build consensus, clear up misunderstandings and strengthen cooperation, so as to jointly share the dividends of development and return to the right track of win-win cooperation," Xie said. Industry associations and enterprises in both countries serve as a bridge and shoulder a special mission, and need to continue playing a constructive role, Xie said. "I hope more friends will join in, and let's together be 'farmers' who work hard to grow a steady, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship," he said. "We need to keep the 'pests' away from bilateral agricultural cooperation, say a loud no to any attempt to politicize trade and economic issues in the name of national security," Xie said. "We also need to sow more 'seeds,' work closely on trade, industry, business and research, and strive to achieve more results in restoring dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in the agricultural area," Xie added. British conservationists are observing signs of hope for a rare bat species, according to the Times. Greater mouse-eared bats had been locally extinct, or extirpated, in the U.K. since the 1980s due to habitat degradation and pesticides wiping out their food supply. Recent observations in Sussex have shown that a small handful have managed to survive, however, and are displaying signs of a potential recovery. "It does indicate some tiny residual population that could have clung on, just a few individuals, and there could be something here," said conservationist Daniel Whitby, per the Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The real sign of hope is that one of the survivors is a breeding female, which may be able to keep the species going in the region. Meanwhile, signs of the grey long-eared bat were recently found in Kent, which would be the first time it has visited in over 40 years. A breeding colony here would be a welcome sight, given the recent destruction of a colony in neighboring Sussex. The grey long-eared bat is also seeing some recovery further west in Devon. Bats play an important ecosystem role in insect control. Researchers in Thailand had just recently realized how important one species was in preventing pests from destroying crops, for example. Bats also act as pollinators, which is vital for the reproduction of important plant species. Greater research and habitat protection can ensure these vulnerable species continue to provide value to humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts to do so are ongoing in the U.K., including the building of housing. While greater mouse-eared bat populations in England are still in a state of recovery, it is doing well across Europe. The grey long-eared bat, however, maintains a near-threatened status. Available data shows that five out of 11 bat species in the U.K. have increased their populations since 1999, and six have remained stable. Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know 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. BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) A Pearl Street building was evacuated after authorities received report of explosive devices Sunday afternoon, August 24. Burlington officers responded to this report at 3:32 p.m. Through investigation, it was determined that said devices were associated with 40-year-old Justin Perkins, who was arrested last week for bringing a pipe bomb to a Colchester job-site. Perkins is currently being held without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple agencies, including the Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team and State Police Bomb Squad were deployed to help with this situation. After the building was evacuated, authorities were able to neutralize and remove all explosives. (Courtesy: Burlington FD via FB) (Courtesy: Burlington FD via FB) The building was eventually declared safe, and residents were allowed to return at roughly 11:00 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 ABC22 & FOX44. Incarcerated people exercise in the maximum security yard of the Lansing Correctional Facility in April 2023 in Lansing, Kansas. This year, several states have taken steps to install air conditioning and expand cooling measures to address sweltering heat inside prisons, but many across the country remain years away from significant upgrades. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) Summer heat is bearing down on U.S. prisons, where temperatures in uncooled cells can climb well into the triple digits. Facing growing pressure from advocacy groups, lawsuits and climate projections that show hotter days ahead, some state prison systems are moving to install air conditioning and expand cooling measures though many facilities remain years away from significant upgrades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in other states, such efforts have stalled or failed. That may lead to more lawsuits in the future, experts say, even as judges may raise the bar for such cases. An emphasis on being tough on crime and prioritizing other public safety measures may have contributed to less attention on prison conditions in some states. In others, slowing revenue growth and pressure to rein in corrections spending could be making new investments a harder sell. At least two states this year, Virginia and Texas, considered legislation addressing excessive heat in prisons but neither measure became law. The Texas bill would have required the state Department of Criminal Justice to purchase and install climate control systems in all of its facilities by the end of 2032. About two-thirds of the states correctional facilities have only partial or no air conditioning. The measure passed the House but did not advance in the Senate before the legislature adjourned in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In Virginia, lawmakers approved a bill that would have required the state corrections department to install heat and air conditioning in its prisons and to ensure cell temperatures not exceed 80 degrees. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed it, citing the cost of installation and operational burdens. Youngkin also wrote that existing state corrections data does not substantiate the claims of extreme temperatures or health risks. But in Delaware, the fiscal year 2026 capital budget approved last month includes $2 million in funding to install air conditioning at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. These changes mark the latest actions in a long-running debate over how correctional systems respond to rising summer temperatures an issue that affects both incarcerated people and staff. Some of the policy debates and facility updates this year follow years of advocacy and litigation over the health, safety and operational challenges posed by heat in correctional settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem of excessive heat in prisons has persisted for decades and has unfolded alongside other challenges, including chronic understaffing and overcrowding. In some cases, these problems have led to extended facility lockdowns, even during the summer months. There are people working in prisons and they have the right to work in climates that are comfortable, said Nancy La Vigne, a criminal justice researcher and dean of the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University. When theyre not, theres retention issues, and its hard to replace staff. And when you dont replace staff, then you have challenges in maintaining the safety and security of the facility. In New York, for example, correctional officers staged a three-week strike earlier this year and many didnt return to work. Some facilities now are operating with 30%-60% fewer guards than needed, resulting in some incarcerated people getting only an hour or two outside of their cells each day. A 2023 study published in the peer-reviewed PLOS One journal found that mortality in state and private prisons rose during periods of extreme heat, with deaths increasing 3.5% on extreme heat days and up to 7.4% during three-day heat waves. Between 2001 and 2019, nearly 13,000 people died in prison during the summer months, almost half of them in the South, though the study did not determine how many of those deaths were directly attributable to heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate change is fueling longer, more intense periods of extreme heat. Exposure to extreme heat can worsen conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma, and has also been linked to worsening mental health and higher suicide rates among incarcerated people. Average temperatures are rising, and youre going to have more and more states around the country where incarcerated people are held in conditions that are not livable because theyre too hot, said Sharon Dolovich, a law professor and director of the Prison Law and Policy Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Some upgrades At least 44 states lack universal air conditioning within their prison facilities, even in regions known for sweltering summer temperatures, according to a 2022 USA Today analysis. A recent Reuters investigation also found that nearly half of state prisons across 29 states have partial or no air conditioning in housing units. But some states are investing millions to update their prison facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In North Carolina, corrections officials are working toward their goal of installing air conditioning in all 54 state prisons by 2026. To date, 33 facilities are fully air-conditioned, 17 are partially air-conditioned, and four have no air conditioning, according to its dashboard. In California, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which operates 31 adult prisons, has spent $246 million in the past five years on cooling improvements at five prisons, according to a department spokesperson. Lawmakers this year also approved funding for the Air Cooling Pilot Program at three facilities, with $17.6 million allocated for fiscal years 2025-26 and $20 million for fiscal years 2026-27. It will evaluate the effectiveness of two alternatives prior to a statewide plan to address high indoor temperatures across the California prison system. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, as of Aug. 1, is building 12,827 cool beds, or prison cells in air-conditioned units, and is in the process of procuring an additional 7,162, according to its dashboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas is one of the states most closely associated with heat-related deaths in prison. A 2022 study estimated that, on average, 14 deaths per year in Texas prisons are associated with heat. And a Texas Tribune analysis found that at least 41 incarcerated people died during a record-breaking heat wave in 2023. In March, a federal judge ruled the extreme heat in Texas prisons is plainly unconstitutional, but declined to order immediate air conditioning, saying the work could not be completed within the court orders 90-day window and temporary systems might delay a permanent fix. More miserable Sweltering summer heat can turn prisons into pressure cookers. People inside already may have health conditions, limited access to cooling, or take medications that make it harder for their bodies to handle the heat. And research suggests that high temperatures can heighten irritability and aggression, sometimes fueling more conflicts between incarcerated people or with staff. It makes you more miserable. If you to the point of even thinking about suicide, thats just going to add to it, said Ronald McKeithen, who spent 37 years incarcerated in Alabama prisons and is now the director of second chances at the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. McKeithen recalls feeling on edge due to tension among other incarcerated people on hot days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Oshkosh Correctional Institution in Wisconsin, Devin Skrzypchak said the heat worsens his bladder condition, and he often cant get the incontinence briefs he needs. The heat forces him to drink more water, and on days when ice isnt available, hes left drenched in sweat. At times, its a living hell. It can be very excruciating, Skrzypchak wrote in a message to Stateline through the facilitys messaging platform. At times, its a living hell. It can be very excruciating. Devin Skrzypchak, incarceraed at Oshkosh Correctional Institution DAngelo Lee Komanekin who has spent about 25 years in and out of different Wisconsin corrections facilities said prison architecture plays a major role in why temperatures inside climb so high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The planet is getting hotter and hotter, said Komanekin, who relies on a small plastic fan to stay cool. Komanekin also is incarcerated at the Oshkosh Correctional Institution. Theyre doing nothing about the architecture. Some institutions windows open, some dont, but most of the doors have steel doors with trap doors. Older prison designs that rely heavily on steel and concrete building materials often trap heat, making it difficult to keep temperatures down in the summer. Aging facilities also are less likely to be equipped for the installation of central air conditioning. Some state prison systems, including Alabamas and Wisconsins, are adding air-conditioning or air-tempering systems to new prison construction and major renovation projects. Future legal battles Legal experts say the issue of excessive heat in prisons is likely to become more pressing as climate change drives longer and hotter summers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Extreme heat in correctional facilities has already been the subject of litigation in dozens of states, with plaintiffs arguing that high temperatures constitute cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. Court rulings in these cases have varied, but some experts say even more lawsuits are likely if facilities do not adapt. The conditions are going to worsen. [Incarcerated people are] going to be looking for every possible avenue for assistance they can, Dolovich, the UCLA law professor, told Stateline. One of the latest cases comes from Missouri, where the nonprofit law firm MacArthur Justice Center filed a class-action lawsuit in May on behalf of six incarcerated people at Algoa Correctional Center. The lawsuit alleges that the conditions violate their constitutional rights under the Eighth Amendment. It seeks to require the Missouri Department of Corrections to work with experts to develop a heat mitigation plan that keeps housing unit temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees. If the department cannot meet that standard, the plaintiffs are asking for the release of three of the incarcerated people who have less than a year remaining on their sentences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawsuits such as the Missouri case often focus on claims that extreme heat worsens existing medical problems. To proceed, they must meet two legal requirements: proving the heat poses a serious health or safety risk, and showing prison officials knew about the danger but failed to address it, according to Dolovich, whose work has focused on the Eighth Amendment and prison conditions. Courts may also raise the bar for proving such claims if judges echo decisions in cases with similar Eight Amendment arguments related to the death penalty and homelessness, Dolovich said. Judges have shifted, she said, toward a superadding terror, pain and disgrace standard under the Eighth Amendment a higher threshold requiring proof that conditions were created with the intent to cause unnecessary suffering. Dolovich added that some recent court decisions have provided only narrow remedies, such as ordering ice and fans instead of installing air conditioning. Prison officials have a moral and a constitutional responsibility to respond to changing conditions. In this case, it means air conditioning. Anything less than that, to me, is indefensible. she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This report was originally published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its 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. NEED TO KNOW A rare albino dolphin has been spotted swimming off the coast of Virginia The aquatic mammal was recorded on video by a boat tour company The sighting comes a few years after one named Casper was seen in California waters A rare albino dolphin has been located off the coast of Virginia. The unique species was spotted in the water by passengers on a tour boat traveling around Chincoteague Island, as seen in a video shared by Snug Harbor Marina on Facebook on Aug. 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the clip filmed by tour guide Captain John Shields, a white bottle nose dolphin is seen swimming up to the surface with its fin poking in and out of the water repeatedly as tourists watch on in amazement from their boat. Captain John from Snug Harbor Boat Tours goes on a grand expedition around Chincoteague Island to find the rare albino dolphins! the company captioned the video. Captain John Shields The albino dolphin The albino dolphin Captain John said it was the most amazing sight in the past 50 years!!! Snug Harbor Boat Tours wrote of the remarkable discovery in the comment section. The company confirmed that the albino dolphin appeared to be full-grown, adding that there have only been a few sightings in the past hundred years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shields, who has been navigating the waterways around Chincoteague Island for over 50 years, told PEOPLE seeing the dolphin was "one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen." Captain John Shields The albino dolphin The albino dolphin In a statement to PEOPLE, the tour company said, "On most of his tours tourists will spot the wild Chincoteague ponies or maybe a few of the many native birds or maybe even stingrays but albino dolphins is one for the history books." There are only a handful of albino dolphins reportedly found worldwide. Albinism in dolphins is caused by a genetic mutation affecting the production of melanin, which creates a lack of pigmentation. These dolphins are typically seen with white skin and pink eyes and are sensitive to sunlight, according to Columbia University. Captain John Shields An albino dolphin spotted off the coast of Virginia An albino dolphin spotted off the coast of Virginia Conservation efforts are underway to protect albino dolphins and their habitats, including the establishment of marine protected areas and research programs focused on their behavior and ecology, the university reports. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In June 2023, an albino dolphin nicknamed Casper was spotted in Monterey Bay, Calif. The rare white aquatic mammal was first spotted in 2014, and is a Risso's dolphin, which is a species commonly found just south of the state's Bay area. Possibly the same albino dolphin was spotted in the same area again in September 2018, ABC7 News reported. Read the original article on People U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, commonly referred to as the services Air Boss, is still eagerly awaiting a new F/A-XX next-generation carrier-based fighter despite the uncertainty now swirling around that program. Cheever already sees a key boost in capability for the Navys carrier air wings on the horizon in the form of the MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone, which could leverage its very long range to perform other missions in the future, as TWZ has previously explored in detail. Cheever, whose formal title is commander of Naval Air Forces, talked to TWZs Jamie Hunter about F/A-XX and MQ-25 on the sidelines of the Tailhook Associations annual symposium last Friday. A Boeing rendering of a notional next-generation carrier-based fighter. Boeing F/A-XX is ready for down-select, to which of the vendors you would go with, and were just excited, Cheever said. For Naval Aviation, fourth, fifth, and sixth-generation on an aircraft carrier is a phenomenal capability and absolutely needed for air superiority, which allows [for] sea control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navy was reportedly close to announcing the winner of the F/A-XX competition in March, hot on the heels of the U.S. Air Force choosing Boeings F-47 as the sixth-generation fighter component of its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) effort. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are understood to be the remaining contenders for F/A-XX. Northrop Grumman says the design seen in the rendering here reflects its F/A-XX proposal. A version of this image without the text is seen at the top of this story. Northrop Grumman However, in June, the Pentagon announced as part of the rollout of its Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal that it was moving to complete initial development work related to F/A-XX, but then froze the program indefinitely. The stated reason for this decision was to avoid competition for resources that could hurt the USAFs F-47. There has been pushback about the concerns surrounding if Americas aviation industry can support two sixth-generation fighter programs simultaneously, including from Boeing. A rendering of the F-47 that the US Air Force has released. USAF They [the Navy] havent made a decision yet. So thats what the down-select is. Were waiting for the decision, and Im not the decision maker. Im just eagerly awaiting, Cheever told TWZ last week. Cheevers comments add to the murkiness that currently surrounds F/A-XX. In recent months, other senior Navy officials have voiced support publicly for continuing with the next-generation carrier-based fighter program. Members of Congress have also been making moves to keep F/A-XX moving ahead as planned in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nothing in the Joint Force projects combat power from the sea as a Carrier Strike Group, which at the heart has a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (CVN). To maintain this striking power, the CVN must have an air wing that is comprised of the most advanced strike fighters, Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, the Navys top officer, wrote in response to a question about F/A-XX ahead of his confirmation hearing in July. Therefore, the ability to maintain air superiority against peer competitors will be put at risk if the Navy is unable to field a 6th Generation strike fighter on a relevant timeline. Without a replacement for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler, the Navy will be forced to retrofit 4th generation aircraft and increase procurement of 5th generation aircraft to attempt to compete with the new 6th generation aircraft that the threat is already flying. The Navy has a validated requirement for carrier-based 6th generation aircraft, and it is critical that we field that capability as quickly as possible to give our warfighters the capabilities they need to win against a myriad of emerging threats, he added. The Navy has now long presented F/A-XX as critical to ensuring its carrier air wings can continue to project power in the face of ever-growing threats, especially in any future high-end fight, such as one against China in the Pacific. The aforementioned MQ-25 Stingray also remains a top priority in this regard. Boeing and the US Navy have been using the flying demonstrator drone seen here, known as the T1, to support the development of the MQ-25. USN To me, it [MQ-25] is the key that unlocks manned-unmanned teaming on the aircraft carrier. So once we get MQ-25 flying, and its supposed to fly in 2025, that is the big thing, Cheever told TWZ at Tailhook. Now, I unlock all of the manned-unmanned teaming that can happen on the aircraft carrier in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you think about it, I have all these strike fighters that are configured as tankers, and I can free them all up to be strike fighters again, instead of tankers, Cheever added. And that is just an exponential increase in our strike and fighting capability and capacity. What the Air Boss is referring to here is the current use of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets with buddy refueling stores to provide organic tanker capacity to the Navys carrier air wings. The Navy has estimated in the past that 20 to 30 percent of carrier-based Super Hornet sorties are taken up by aerial refueling. In addition to eliminating the need for Super Hornets to perform this function, the MQ-25 also offers additional benefits in terms of its own range and on-station time, which will significantly extend the air wings operational reach. A head-on view of a Super Hornet in the so-called four wet tanker configuration with four drop tanks under its wings, as well as a buddy refueling store on its centerline station. USN As noted, the goal now is for the MQ-25 to fly for the first time this year, a key milestone for a program that has suffered delays and cost growth. The current hope is to reach initial operational capability (IOC) with the Stingray sometime in Fiscal Year 2027, around three years later than originally expected. On top of being tankers, the baseline MQ-25s are set to be delivered with a secondary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. The Stingrays baked-in capabilities, especially its range, open doors to the drones, or future variants or derivatives thereof, taking on a host of other missions, including kinetic strike and airborne early warning, as TWZ has laid out in-depth in this past feature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its got a lot of potential, the vice admiral told TWZ last week. [Its got] huge range. Absolutely, Cheever said when asked specifically about the MQ-25 taking on additional roles in the future, though he did not elaborate. A view of Boeings T1 MQ-25 demonstrator in flight. Boeing In terms of MQ-25 as a springboard to adding more uncrewed capabilities in the Navy carrier air wings, the future of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, and that kind of thing, is TBD [to be decided], still to come. That works still to be done, and theres a lot of folks in that space, Cheever added. By the Navys own admission, it is following the lead of the Air Force, and the U.S. Marine Corps to a lesser extent, when it comes to plans for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) loyal wingman type drones, and is looking to leverage the work those services are doing now. The Navy has previously outlined one vision for future CCAs that are low-cost enough to be consumable, and expended as one-way attack munitions or targets for use in training or test evaluation activities at the end of relatively short service lives. The service has also expressed a strong interest in the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, originally developed by Boeings subsidiary in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). You can read more about the current state of the Navys CCA plans in TWZs earlier reporting from this years Tailhook symposium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, Cheevers comments at Tailhook underscore that the Navy is still pressing to proceed with F/A-XX as a critical part of its larger plans to modernize its carrier air wings. Contact the author: joe@twz.com Abortion rights signs seen during a Democratic Election Night Party in Richmond in 2023. (Photo by the Virginia Mercury) Gov. Glenn Youngkin has ordered state police to investigate explosive allegations from a conservative blog that Fairfax County Public Schools officials helped multiple underage girls obtain abortions in 2021 a probe whose findings may not surface before Election Day but could still sway voters in the court of public opinion. Virginia law requires minors to obtain either parental consent or a successful court petition to undergo the procedure. Such records are also exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mercury asked the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court whether any petitions were filed at all in 2021 and how many have been filed in subsequent years, which they did not provide. Still, the possibility that a public school broke state law and bypassed parents consent rights is quickly becoming a political talking point for Republican candidates this year. Gift that keeps on giving Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running for governor, speaks to a crowd at an American Legion office in Chesterfield County on Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) Against the backdrop of an ongoing effort to enshrine reproductive rights into Virginias constitution, Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears has seized on the allegations. At a recent campaign event in Chesterfield County, she welcomed the storys circulation in the news cycle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know if you also saw whats happening in Northern Virginia its just a gift that keeps on giving, Earle-Sears said as the crowd laughed. It cheered after she added: Parents. Still. Matter. Political analyst Bob Holsworth said the controversy echoes of Youngkins successful 2021 campaign, when allegations of a sexual assault in a Loudoun County school bathroom sparked national furor over transgender students use of restrooms. Investigations and legal proceedings extended well beyond the campaign, but by then Parents for Youngkin signs and parents matter chants had become staples of his rallies. Youngkin went on to win the governorship, and Republicans flipped the House of Delegates for a term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, the target audience is not voters in Fairfax and Loudoun, Holsworth said of the Democratic strongholds, but Republicans elsewhere in the commonwealth. The allegations first surfaced in WC Dispatch, an Ohio-based conservative blog run by independent investigative journalist Walter Curt Jr. His father, Walter Curt Sr., is a Youngkin appointee to the Virginia State Council of Higher Education and has donated thousands of dollars to both Youngkin and Earle-Sears. Curt Jr. told Virginia Scope that his familiar ties dont affect his reporting. Holsworth suggested that GOP campaigns are aiming to get these issues aired on Fox News so they can deliver a message across Virginia in a way that Democrats cant. Thats because the claim itself whether ultimately proven or false is already enough to stoke concerns among some voters about public schools encroaching on parental rights. Defending parental oversight in K-12 education been a consistent Republican theme in Virginia politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the allegation proves true, Earle-Sears has vowed accountability. Your underage daughter cant get an aspirin without your permission, she wrote on X on Aug. 19. Yet a Virginia school may have taken a young girl for an abortion, in secret, using your tax dollars. If true, its monstrous, and there will be consequences. The legal wait-and-see Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, hold a Parents Matter discussion at a Henrico County elementary school. (Graham Moomaw/Virginia Mercury) Pending the outcome of the state police investigation, any responsibility to prosecute would fall to Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano, who has declined to comment. Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, noted that the timeline for an investigation is uncertain. While the number of people involved doesnt appear large he said, the allegation dates back four years a factor that could complicate evidence gathering and examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tobias added that Republicans could make a lot of political hay of it heading into the elections, especially since Fairfaxs commonwealths attorney has been a frequent target of Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. Miyares, who is up for reelection this year, has long pushed for changes in state law that would allow the state to intervene in local prosecutions and has repeatedly attacked Descano as being too lenient. A potential prosecution arising from the Fairfax abortion allegation could even spill into the next gubernatorial term. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger is also watching closely. Her campaign said in an email to The Mercury that she will be monitoring the status of the Virginia State Polices investigation and will support appropriate action to uphold Virginia law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaign also highlighted Spanbergers perspective as a mother of three young girls who attend public school, adding: She believes that decisions about a childs health and safety should always be made between them and their parents. Fairfax vs. everyone else Beyond the localitys prosecutor, Fairfax County Public Schools has become a lightning rod for criticism from parents as well as state and federal leaders. Among the most polarizing decisions: overhauling admissions at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology to promote greater diversity, and resisting statewide transgender policies that would have required schools to out transgender students or restrict pronoun use. The division is also arranging a security detail for Superintendent Michelle Reid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the abortion allegations surfaced, Reid wrote to the school community that the conduct described would be unacceptable in the district. I want to stress that at no time would the situation as described in these allegations be acceptable in Fairfax County Public Schools, Reid said. The school district has also stated that it will fully cooperate with the investigation but cannot comment further while it is ongoing. Reproductive laws in campaigns Reproductive-rights supporters watch as lawmakers debate a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion access on Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury) Beyond Earle-Sears bid for governor and the lieutenant governor and attorney general races, all 100 House of Delegates seats are up for election this year. Looming over those contests is an ongoing effort to enshrine reproductive rights including abortion into the states constitution. The measure must pass the legislature again next year before appearing on a statewide ballot for voter approval or rejection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While every Republican in the General Assembly voted against the proposal this year, they first attempted to add language reflecting existing state law on minors access to abortion. Democrats rejected that effort, pointing out that a U.S. Supreme Court case also affirms parental consent under the 14th Amendment. Even so, the possibility that someone may have broken the law in Fairfax is alarming, said Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, who is carrying the Senate version of the reproductive rights amendment. We should all be deeply concerned anytime anyone says they have been forced, misled or coerced into life-changing decisions about their reproductive health, she said. While Boysko did not specifically address the amendment in her comments, she added that she is confident the investigation will shed light on the facts of the case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The first look at what we could expect as fall arrives is here as the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) has released a new 3-month outlook for both temperatures and precipitation. And despite the taste of fall were currently experiencing to wrap up the month of August, and meteorological summer, temperatures look to potentially take a warmer turn again soon. Taking a look at the September, 30-Day outlook, the CPC indicates a roughly 33% chance of warmer than normal temperatures through the first month of meteorological fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of precipitation, the CPC precipitation outlook shows equal chances of wetter or drier than normal conditions. Likewise, the CPC 3-Month outlook currently indicates around a 40% probability of above average/warmer than normal temperatures for the three months of meteorological fall from September through November. The precipitation outlook once again is a toss up between wetter and drier than normal conditions. This outlook comes at the same time in which forecasters say theres a 56% probability of remaining ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation)-neutral through October, during which the Plains and Upper Midwest tend to favor above average temperatures (as indicated by the CPC outlook) and no definitive trends one way or another with regards to precipitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ENSO-neutral conditions are forecast to linger through October before a weak La Nina becomes favored through late fall and into the early portions of winter. This is when we could see a higher likelihood of cooler than normal temperatures with possibly equal chances of wetter or drier than normal conditions. However, well have to wait a few months of the winter outlook for more details on how La Nina could affect our winter. For the latest weather any time in Siouxland, visit the KCAU 9 weather page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The Cohen family held a press conference at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Hostages' Families Forum in Tel Aviv when the first images were revealed. The family of hostage Nimrod Cohen released new footage of his abduction on Monday evening The footage, recently found by the IDF, shows Cohen's abduction by Hamas into the Gaza Strip. The Cohen family held a press conference at 6 p.m. on Monday at the Hostages' Families Forum in Tel Aviv when the first images were revealed. Footage of Nimrod Cohen being taken hostage by Hamas. (credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT) "What you're seeing is every mother's worst nightmare in Israel. My helpless child was taken and brutally dragged into hell, and as a mother, there's nothing I can do, only watch in complete helplessness as I hear the heartbreaking screams of my beloved son," Vicki Cohen, Nimrod's mother, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Israeli government, the prime minister, and the cabinet ministers: walk in my shoes, a mother who hasn't breathed for 689 nights and days. You have no right to prevent my child from coming home. You must ensure that the deal becomes a comprehensive one." Nimrod Cohen's family held a press conference at Hostage Square, August 25, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV) Nimrod was held by Hamas in a cage Several returned hostages testified that for a period of several months, Cohen was held in a small cage meant for animals. Because he is an IDF soldier, he endured extremely harsh interrogations and torture by the terrorists, who relocate whenever they hear the sounds of approaching Israeli forces. The returning hostages also reported that Cohen is suffering from a skin disease and a rash all over his body, and is believed to be suffering from an ear infection, likely due to an infection that developed in the tunnels. Nimrod Cohen was abducted from a burning tank - stormed by terrorists - became one of the symbols of the October 7 massacre. His tank commander, Omer Neutra, the loader, Oz Daniel, and the driver, Shaked Dahan, were murdered by Hamas. This is a developing story. BAGHDAD, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. forces have sped up withdrawal from Ayn al-Asad base and Victoria military base in Iraq, local media reported Sunday. Some U.S. troops are being redeployed to Erbil, the capital city of the Kurdistan region in Iraq, and to a neighboring Arab country, Kurdistan24 reported. The withdrawal order was issued by the U.S. Embassy, with the process being carried out in phases, said the report, citing senior officials of the Iraqi government. The move appeared to accelerate the previously agreed timeline for the drawdown of the U.S.-led international coalition mission. On Aug. 17, Hussein Allawi, the security advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, told the Iraqi News Agency that the mission of the U.S.-led international coalition in Baghdad and at the Ayn al-Asad base will end in September. Last September, Iraq and the United States reached an agreement outlining the coalition's gradual withdrawal from Iraqi territory. The United States has approximately 2,500 troops in Iraq as part of the coalition formed in 2014 to combat the Islamic State as it rampaged through the country. NEED TO KNOW A husband and wife who died in a car crash while taking their oldest son to college are being described as "fantastic" parents by family members Maria Galindo Nunney died in the Aug. 15 crash, and her husband Donald Nunney, who was driving, died of a heart attack within minutes of arriving at a hospital They are survived by their 19-year-old son Leo, 18-year-old Diego, 15-year-old Lucia and 9-year-old Leo Maria Galindo Nunney and Donald Nunney, who died in a car crash while dropping their oldest son off at college, are being remembered by loved ones. The couple was in the car with their youngest children, son Leo, 9, and daughter Lucia, 15, on Friday, Aug. 15, when it "ran off the right side of the roadway," a spokesperson for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their car "traveled down an embankment and collided with a large tree." Maria, 50, died in the crash. Donald was airlifted to a nearby hospital but died there. Leo and Lucia sustained serious injuries but are recovering. Courtesy of the Nunney Family From left: Donald Nunney, Noah Nunney and Maria Galindo Nunney From left: Donald Nunney, Noah Nunney and Maria Galindo Nunney They had dropped their 19-year-old son Noah off at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill the day prior and were driving from their hotel to visit him when the crash occurred. Speaking to PEOPLE, Noah revealed that his father had a heart attack while driving. He died within minutes of being airlifted to a hospital. A week after the tragedy, Donald and Maria's family members opened up in an interview with ABC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald's sister Meredith Nunney McCarthy described the pair as "fantastic parents," saying that her brother "was a loving, doting father." "He loved Maria more than anything in the world, and he was just there for everybody," she said, adding, "I couldn't ask for a better brother." Maria's brother Sandro Galindo recalled his sister's "big laugh" and bright personality, saying that she "pretty much lit up every room she was in." "She loved to laugh and joke around and didn't always take life super seriously. She had four kids, so she knew there were troubles and problems, and she always took them in stride," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The husband and wife were teachers in Cleveland, Ohio, and were beloved to many. 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. Courtesy of the Nunney Family Donald Nunney, Diego Nunney, Leo Nunney, Lucia Nunney, Noah Nunney and Maria Galindo Nunney, from left Donald Nunney, Diego Nunney, Leo Nunney, Lucia Nunney, Noah Nunney and Maria Galindo Nunney, from left All the friends I grew up with were texting me afterwards saying it felt like their parent had died," Noah told PEOPLE. Reflecting on the crash, Noah said that he was afraid his entire family had perished when he arrived at the scene. They wouldn't let me out of the car, and the way that they sat me down and the look on the officer's face was truly horrifying," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rising sophomore was shaken by the loss of his parents but has shifted focus to do "whatever I can do to make sure that the kids are okay." Leo broke his arms and legs in the crash and was put on a ventilator, but has since improved. Lucia was left with bruising on her brain. She has also gotten better, though Noah told PEOPLE that she wasn't yet well enough to learn about Maria and Donald's death. Courtesy of the Nunney Family The Nunney family The Nunney family Noah is taking a semester off school, but he vowed that he'd return and graduate to make his parents proud. He, Lucia, Leo and their 18-year-old brother Diego will all be in good hands. "They have a really good support system with ... both sides of the family, so we're doing the best we can to be there for them," McCarthy told ABC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A GoFundMe for the family that was organized after the deadly crash has already raised nearly $350,000 to support the children in their time of need. "Maria and Donald were more than amazing and loving parents. They were also a devoted son and daughter, siblings, caring teachers and friends. They gave so much of themselves to their students and their community," fundraiser organizers Georgina and Sandro Galindo wrote in the description. Their tribute continued: "Maria and Donald leave behind a legacy of community, family, and love, all rooted in the devotion they had for their children and their family. That legacy will live on through Noah, Diego, Lucia, and Leo, who carry forward the very best parts of who their parents were." Read the original article on People Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant, is accused of causing a fatal accident on last weeks Florida Turnpike, which led to three deaths. Singh is presently detained without bond at the Saint Lucie County Jail, charged with vehicular homicide and manslaughter. State officials have responded to the incident by addressing practices related to commercial driver licensing. Attorney General Uthmeier stated that law enforcement will set up checkpoints to verify English proficiency of CDL drivers entering Florida following the accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier pointed out that Singh did not pass an English proficiency test but still received a commercial drivers license (CDL) in Washington and California. If you cant read street signs, how are you going to drive large commercial vehicles, 18 wheelers, tractor trailers in a safe manner, Uthmeier stated. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A man accused, along with his wife, of killing his 7-month-old boy, Emmanuel Haro who has been missing for more than a week and is presumed dead, assisted investigators Sunday in Moreno Valley during a search for the childs remains. Authorities in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties launched an extensive manhunt on Aug. 14 after Rebecca, and Jake Haro said their little boy was kidnapped from a parking lot of a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods store after a stranger reportedly knocked Rebecca unconscious, leaving her with a black eye. In the days following the alleged kidnapping, new revelations emerged, including that the couple was being uncooperative with investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, that video of Rebecca with a black eye on Aug. 3 may exist, that officials removed the couples 2-year-old from their custody and that Jake Haro has a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also said that Jake violated his probation in that case by being a felon in possession of a firearm. In yet another unsettling detail that emerged during the investigation, the 7-month-olds uncle on his mothers side is serving 50 years to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend in their Palm Springs apartment and staging it as a suicide. Emmanuel Haro, a missing 7-month-old baby from Yucaipa, is seen in an image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. Jake Haro, father of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, seen helping investigators search for the boys remains in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) The Haros, Jake, 32, and Rebecca, 41, residents of Cabazon were arrested Aug. 15 in connection with the disappearance and alleged death of Emmanuel Haro, their 7-month-old child. (SBCSD) Search and rescue teams, with the help Jake Haro, father of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, presumed dead, seen search for the boys remains off the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) Search and rescue teams, with the help Jake Haro, father of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, presumed dead, seen search for the boys remains off the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) Search and rescue teams, with the help Jake Haro, father of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, presumed dead, seen search for the boys remains off the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) Search and rescue teams, with the help Jake Haro, father of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, presumed dead, seen search for the boys remains off the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) Search and rescue teams, with the help Jake Haro, father of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, presumed dead, seen search for the boys remains off the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley Aug. 24, 2025. (RMG News) Authorities remove evidence as they investigate Jake and Rebeccas Cabazon home following the couples arrest for murder on Aug. 22, 2025. (KTLA) Authorities search through debris as they investigate Jake and Rebeccas Cabazon home following the couples arrest for murder on Aug. 22, 2025. (KTLA) Authorities seen investigating Jake and Rebeccas Cabazon home following the couples arrest for murder on Aug. 22, 2025. (San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department) Jake Haro was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of his 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro. Authorities surrdounded his Cabazon home on Aug. 22, 2025. (San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department) Rebecca Haro was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the disappearance of her 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro. Authorities surrdounded her Cabazon home on Aug. 22, 2025. (San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department) Less than four days after the alleged kidnapping, investigators turned their attention to the parents, using cadaver dogs during a search of the familys Cabazon home and seizing Jakes vehicle, along with cellphones and other electronics to preserve and process any potential evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rebecca, 41, and Jake, 32 were arrested Friday morning on suspicion of murder after a widely publicized search for their son. Escorted by deputies on Aug. 24, the 32-year-old was seen in a prison jumpsuit assisting crews in the search for his sons remains near the westbound 60 Freeway and Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley. Officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department told KTLA that cadaver dogs were also deployed during the operation. Footage of the search and recovery mission showed dozens of people parked on the side of the 60 Freeway and fanning out into the dry brush along the hillsides and paths in the area as they looked for evidence of baby Emmanuels remains. Sheriffs officials confirmed to KTLA that as the afternoons search wrapped up, the 7-month-olds remains had not been located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. (KTLA) A man accused, along with his wife, of killing his 7-month-old boy, Emmanuel Haro, who has been missing for more than a week and is presumed dead, assisted investigators Sunday in Moreno Valley during a search for the childs remains. Authorities in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties launched an extensive manhunt on Aug. 14 after Rebecca and Jake Haro said their little boy had been kidnapped from a parking lot of a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods store after a stranger reportedly knocked Rebecca Haro unconscious, leaving her with a black eye. Emmanuel Haro, a missing 7-month-old baby from Yucaipa, is seen in an image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. Law enforcement is seen after arresting Rebecca and Jake Haro, the parents of a missing 7-month-old baby, on suspicion of his murder. (SBSD/KTLA) In the days following the alleged kidnapping, new revelations emerged, including that the couple was being uncooperative with investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, that video of Rebecca Haro with a black eye on Aug. 3 may exist, that officials removed the couples 2-year-old from their custody and that Jake Haro has a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities also said that Jake Haro violated his probation in that case by being a felon in possession of a firearm. In yet another unsettling detail that emerged during the investigation, the 7-month-olds uncle on his mothers side is serving 50 years to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend in their Palm Springs apartment and staging it as a suicide. Less than four days after the alleged kidnapping, investigators turned their attention to the parents, using cadaver dogs during a search of the familys Cabazon home and seizing Jake Haros vehicle, along with cellphones and other electronics to preserve and process any potential evidence. Rebecca Haro, 41, and Jake Haro, 32, were arrested Friday morning on suspicion of murder after a widely publicized search for their son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escorted by deputies on Aug. 24, Jake Haro was seen in a prison jumpsuit assisting crews in the search for his sons remains near the westbound 60 Freeway and Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley. Officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department told Nexstars KTLA that cadaver dogs were also deployed during the operation. Footage of the search and recovery mission showed dozens of people parked on the side of the 60 Freeway and fanning out into the dry brush along the hillsides and paths in the area as they looked for evidence of baby Emmanuels remains. Sheriffs officials confirmed to KTLA that as the afternoons search wrapped up, the 7-month-olds remains had not been located. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) A father was critically injured during a fire at a home in Spring Hill early Monday morning. Firefighters were called to a home on Charles Lane just after 4 a.m. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts (Courtesy: Spring Hill Fire Department) (Courtesy: Spring Hill Fire Department) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) The fire was extending into the house, described Spring Hill Fire Chief Graig Temple. There was probably zero visibility, extreme heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Spring Hill Fire Department, the fire began outside the home on a back deck and quickly spread inside. I basically just saw fire, like it was just a big fire on the whole house, really, neighbor Madison Elizabeth Eisler recounted. New software helps increase Spring Hill Fire Departments efficiency Chief Temple told News 2 he believes it was the smoke alarms, not the flames, that alerted the family in time. We did hear smoke alarms when crews initially arrived on scene, he explained. Very miraculous that he was able to conduct that rescue prior to our arrival, Temple added. Firefighters said a man inside the home was able to get his son and daughter to safety. He was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries from heat exposure and thermal burns. A woman and the children were reportedly taken for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SFHD later determined that the family of four all suffered smoke inhalation, and two of them suffered burns. He definitely exhibited signs of heat exposure, thermal burns, as well as he was covered in soot, Temple said. When we went outside, the husband was crouched over his dog and it looked like he was wearing like a black shirt, but he was shirtless, it was like soot from the fire, Eisler told News 2. I think it just speaks of his character. I mean he went into a dangerous situation and didnt wait for fire firefighters. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com In the midst of health concerns and the loss of a family home, neighbors are caring for the familys dogs and rallying behind them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got clothes for both parents and kids, toys, blankets, [and] dog food, Eisler explained. Theyve got two dogs we are taking care of. We are praying for them, and weve got the community, the street all in and weve got things getting collected, and if they need anything, we are here, she concluded. Once firefighters were in the home, the ceiling began to collapse on them, so they moved outside to continue their attack on the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation. No additional information was immediately released. If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe to support the family, follow this link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. This is a developing story. The Dallas Express will post updates accordingly. The University of Arkansas issued an emergency alert at 12:43 p.m. CST on August 25, after reports of an active shooter at Mullins Library. The RazALERT system warned students and staff at 12:28 p.m. to avoid the area and follow Avoid. Deny. Defend. protocols. The alert halted campus operations and forced widespread evacuations. Students and faculty scrambled to secure safe locations across university grounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official RazALERT message read: RazALERT Emergency Notification: Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported. Avoid. Deny. Defend. The university distributed the warning by text, email, and social media postings. RazALERT Emergency Notification: Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported. Avoid. Deny. Defend. University of Arkansas (@UArkansas) August 25, 2025 Students documented the moment with photos and videos shared on social media, showing police presence on the central campus while others sheltered in classrooms. Law enforcement agencies, including university police and local officers, converged on Mullins Library to address the reported threat. Police also coordinated real-time guidance for students and faculty during the lockdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university reiterated its emergency plan, which directs students and staff to evacuate when possible and barricade rooms if escape is unsafe. Campus officials continued sending updates through RazALERT as news outlets provided live coverage of the situation. The university posted another RazALERT on X at 1:44 p.m. that read, RazALERT: Police are responding to multiple reports around campus. Continue to Avoid. Deny. Defend. The update urged students and staff to maintain safety protocols while police continued to respond. RazALERT: Police are responding to multiple reports around campus. Continue to Avoid. Deny. Defend. University of Arkansas (@UArkansas) August 25, 2025 According to live coverage from 5News on YouTube, Fayetteville police later confirmed there was not an active shooter situation, even though three calls had been made to law enforcement. University of Arkansas police announced they will open an investigation into the origin of those calls. University authorities stated that the incident remains under investigation. Further updates will be released as information becomes available. We will not stop: Sheriff pledges commitment as search for Decker resumes in rugged terrain The Chelan County Sheriffs Office said Monday that federal, state, and local agencies are beginning a large-scale search near Rock Island Campground outside Leavenworth for Travis Decker, who remains wanted in the killings of his three children. Sheriff Mike Morrison issued a statement thanking the public and law enforcement partners for their support, saying the case has shaken the foundation of our county. He said the lives of Paityn, Evelyn, and Olivia Decker were taken in a senseless and unimaginable act of violence, and reaffirmed that investigators are committed to finding the suspect and pursuing justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new search, coordinated by the FBIs Seattle office, runs Monday, Aug. 25 through Tuesday, Aug. 26. Nearly 100 federal personnel are involved, including special agents, analysts, SWAT members, evidence response teams, medical staff, electronics technicians, and experts from the FBIs Critical Incident Response Group and Laboratory Division. A mobile command post has also been deployed. Morrison said the search area includes rugged U.S. Forest Service land with steep slopes, thick brush, poor cell service, and unpredictable conditions. Over the past three months, investigative teams have pursued every lead and searched vast, remote areas in the hope of locating Travis Decker or any evidence that might bring us closer to answers, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agencies assisting include the U.S. Marshals Service, Seattle Police Department, Yakima Police Department, Spokane County Sheriffs Office, Washington State Patrol, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Forest Service Wenatchee River District, and Central Washington Universitys Anthropology Department. Morrison acknowledged that the search requires temporary closures of roads, trails, and campgrounds during peak summer recreation season, and asked the public for patience: Your cooperation allows the involved teams to operate safely and efficiently. Authorities said no evidence has yet confirmed whether Decker is alive or dead. While this latest operation may or may not yield new findings, our promise is that we will not stop until we have exhausted every possible avenue to find him and to bring closure to this case, Morrison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to Deckers arrest. Officials said he should be considered armed and dangerous, urging anyone who sees him not to approach but instead call 911. Tips can also be reported by contacting a local U.S. Marshals office, calling the Marshals Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submitting information at www.usmarshals.gov/tips. Morrison closed his message to residents by recognizing the toll the case has taken: You have shown grace, patience, and strength through unimaginable tragedy. Please know that your sheriffs office and every agency involved has been and remains committed to doing everything in our power to find the person responsible and to deliver justice for Paityn, Evelyn and Olivia. Aug. 25 (UPI) -- More than 1,000 "voice service providers" were effectively kicked off the U.S. phone network in America's ongoing fight with the illegal robocall industry. The Federal Communications Commission said Monday that its enforcement bureau removed more than 1,200 non-compliant robocall providers off its "Robocall Mitigation Database" for violating FCC rules on proper certifications. "Robocalls are an all-too-common frustration -- and threat -- to American households," stated FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phone service providers are legally required to certify proper implementation of critical robocall-combatting tools in order to protect American consumers. The FCC in April took steps to block robocalls from bypassing caller ID authentication tools in older non-Internet Protocol network technology. The communications commission added its "final warning" arrived earlier this month in the form of an initial removal of 185 providers from the Robocall Mitigation Database. "Failure to meet these obligations may result in removal from the database and blocking of the provider's traffic," the commission wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FCC officials said the hundreds to more than a thousand providers failed to maintain accurate certifications for the FCC's database and shirked responsibility on robocall mitigation as part of their role. "Removed providers will only be permitted to refile in the database with express approval from the FCC's Enforcement and Wireline Competition Bureaus," federal officials wrote. According to Carr, the FCC is doing "everything in its power" to fight back against malicious and illegal calls and "will continue to do so." "Providers that fail to do their duty when it comes to stopping these calls have no place in our networks," he said Monday in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a 1991 law banning robocalls from cell phones and expanded restrictions to prohibit robocallers from collecting government-backed debts. Monday's official removal of the some 1,200 service providers stems from the FCC's order in December to more than 2,400 providers to "cure their deficient filings" or provide reason why a database removal was not warranted. Meanwhile, "Operation Robocall Roundup" was launched in its wake by a bipartisan group of 51 state and territorial attorneys general which issued warnings to 37 companies that demanded action on curtailing illegal robocalls from state networks. It wasn't until last year in February when the FCC ruled that robocalls using artificial intelligence were illegal. The agency's ruling came after the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office found a Texas-based organization used AI to impersonate then-U.S. President Joe Biden's voice in calls that urged Democrats not to vote in the state's Jan. 23. primary election. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Over the past several months significant federal budget cuts have been felt by South Dakota organizations. This year South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Feeding South Dakota and the South Dakota Humanities Council all lost significant support from the federal government. Two of the organizations even lost 100% of its federal dollars theyd received in the past. On April 2 the South Dakota Humanities Council found out via email from the National Endowment for Humanities the $950,000 it received would no longer be available. That amount that made up 74% of the councils overall budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Significant cut to us, one that we didnt expect and literally went to our spam email. So its been a big change South Dakota Humanities Council executive director, Christina Oey said. Oey says since receiving the news, its been had to make serious adjustments to operations like cancelling grant programs that funded speakers in rural communities, as well as reducing staff. One program Oey said was crucial to keep was the Young Readers program which gives a book to every third grader in the state. Its just a program that we are fortunate that our donors, our supporters and our communities realize the value in it, especially with declining literacy rates in our state, Oey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July Feeding South Dakota CEO, Lori Dykstra, appealed in front of the Legislatures Appropriations Committee and asked the state for $3 million to help cover the 1.5 million pounds of food it lost through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It happened very quickly, we had to pivot and so weve talked to the state. Were asking our donors to step up as well and they have been amazing. However, we know that this is a gap that we just cant cover right now, Dykstra said. Whether the state decides to grant funds or not, Dykstra is hoping congress will support its services in the next farm bill. Theres opportunity for us to increase USDA dollars to purchase food from farmers that would support food banks, Dykstra said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization has already cut $1.7 million meals from its 2026 budget, scaling back programs like the mobile food distribution and wellness pantry. Dykstra says its a difficult time as food insecurity rates rise in the state. Weve had almost a 13% increase. So in order to continue to fill that gap, we needed to purchase more food to stay ahead of it, Dykstra said. On Thursday SDPB announced its preparing to cut 25% of its staff by the end of October and cancelling some local programs on TV, radio and education outreach because 100% of its federal support was taken back. Theres just no way to suffer a $2.3 million budget loss to have 20 plus percent of your current years budget taken away from you, without people understanding that thats going to cut to the bone, Overgaard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the cut, Friends of SDPB has launched the Bison Campaign to help cover the gap. One thing all three organizations have in common is the impact they have in rural areas. It is so unfortunate because these are communities that often dont get amazing scholars or, nonprofits that put on these great programs and were losing that now, Oey said. A small town in South Dakota may get our food truck one hour a month. Thats not equitable access in our state, Dykstra said. The very people who need public media and public broadcasting services the most are the ones who are going to be at most risk of losing it because they simply dont have enough people to afford all the things a larger city does, Overgaard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All three organizations are hoping theyll have federal support restored in the future. In addition to monetary donations, organizations say volunteering or education about its services are also a need. Currently the Federation of State Humanities Councils, which includes SDHC, is in a lawsuit with the National Endowment for Humanities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Maine abortion advocates demonstrated at the State House in Augusta in March 2025 to urge lawmakers to pass more funding for family planning services. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) Siding with the Trump administration, a federal judge is allowing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to halt Medicaid payments to reproductive health care providers in Maine. Maine Family Planning, which operates 18 clinics across the state, had asked the court for a temporary injunction to block a provision in congressional Republicans massive tax cut and spending law from taking effect, arguing in court on August 14 that it would cause the agency and its clients irreparable harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Judge Lance Walker of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, an appointee of President Donald Trump, issued the decision denying Maine Family Plannings request, despite the organization facing potential layoffs, losses of up to $1.9 million and disruption of care for about 8,000 patients. Maine Family Planning did not demonstrate the irreparable harm it claimed to face, Walker wrote in his decision. He also acknowledged that after the U.S. Supreme Court decision that eliminated the constitutional right to an abortion, Maine Family Planning and other providers knew about the increased risk of losing federal funding for continuing to provide abortions and that the provider still stood firm in its mission. Over the years, political winds have shifted and [Maine Family Planning] can only be understood as voluntarily standing its ground despite the dramatically increased likelihood of defunding after Dobbs, he said. Fair enough, but while its adherents may celebrate the firmness of its convictions, those convictions are not equal to the task of enjoining congressional will in this arena. Medicaid funding cant be used for abortions, but Maine Family Planning and other reproductive health care providers have argued that they are being targeted for continuing to offer abortions alongside may other health care services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law has already forced Maines largest reproductive health care provider to stop accepting new primary care patients enrolled in MaineCare, the states Medicaid program. Now, they may have no choice but to close clinics, cut services, or severely limit the number of patients served, according to a statement by Maine Family Planning in reaction to Walkers decision. These disruptions will destabilize the entire state health infrastructure, impacting patients who rely on Medicaid as well as those who dont, the organization warned. This ruling is a devastating setback for Mainers who depend on us for basic primary care, said George Hill, president and CEO of Maine Family Planning. The loss of Medicaid funds which nearly half our patients rely on threatens our ability to provide life-saving services to communities across the state. Mainers health should never be jeopardized by political decisions, and we will continue to fight for them. In a similar case Planned Parenthood filed against the Trump administration, a federal judge granted the organization a temporary injunction. That means Maine Family Planning will the the only reproductive health care provider in Maine impacted by the law. Without Maine Family Planning clinics, thousands of rural patients would have nowhere else to access cancer screenings, STI testing, contraception and annual checkups, argued Meetra Mehdizadeh, senior attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, the national organization representing the Maine plaintiff. Mehdizadeh noted that about 70% of Maine Family Plannings 8,000 patients rely exclusively on the provider for health care needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maine Family Planning said it has been unable to access Medicaid funding since July 4, when Trump signed the One Big, Beautiful Bill into law. Walkers decision comes weeks after U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Massachusetts granted an emergency injunction for Planned Parenthood and its national affiliates after an initial injunction blocked only certain clinics receiving Medicaid funds under the new law. Maine Family Planning filed the lawsuit in late July against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. Maine Family Planning has not yet said whether it plans to appeal Walkers decision. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, hosts the 10th meeting of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation with Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji on Monday called on China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation to fully leverage cooperation mechanisms and platforms, and continuously enhance exchanges and cooperation. Zhao, chairman of China's NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks while hosting the 10th meeting of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation with Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, in Beijing. Zhao said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has consistently maintained a healthy, stable, and high-level development momentum. It has been proven that China-Russia cooperation features complementary strengths and immense potential, representing a strategic choice made by both sides based on their respective development and revitalization goals, Zhao added. Noting this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation, Zhao said China's NPC is willing to work with the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, taking the important consensus reached by the two heads of state as the fundamental guideline, to fully leverage cooperation mechanisms and platforms, continuously enhance exchanges and cooperation, and contribute to the in-depth development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. He called on both sides to maintain the positive momentum of close exchanges, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, solidarity and coordination. Efforts should be made to expand the content and forms of mechanism exchanges to meet the development needs of China-Russia relations in the new era, Zhao said. He added that the legislative bodies of the two countries should engage in mutual learning of governance experience, legislation and supervision to support the development and revitalization of their respective countries. Zhao also urged for close communication and coordination between the two sides within multilateral mechanisms, to resolutely defend the outcomes of the victory of WWII, promote a correct historical perspective on WWII, safeguard the UN-centered international system, practice true multilateralism, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Volodin said the Russian State Duma is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with China's NPC. Focused on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, it aims to leverage the mechanism and platform of the Russia-China committee for parliamentary cooperation, making contributions to promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, optimizing the business environment, deepening cultural exchanges, jointly upholding a correct historical perspective on WWII, and safeguarding multilateralism. Zhao Leji, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, hosts the 10th meeting of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation with Vyacheslav Volodin, chairman of the Russian State Duma, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 25, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing) Religious colleges that require students to sign a statement of faith will no longer be excluded from a program in Minnesota that allows high school students to earn free college credit, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel said in her ruling that the Faith Statement Ban is unconstitutional and violates religious freedom. Brasel noted in her ruling that the state law targets religious conduct because it excludes institutions that require applicants to attest to their faith but it doesnt target schools that ask applicants to make non-religious attestations, like an honor code. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Postsecondary Enrollment Options program has existed in Minnesota for 40 years and allows high school students to earn free credits at public or private colleges of their choice. The ruling is seen as a win by the two Christian colleges, Crown College and the University of Northwestern, that require students to sign a pledge of faith. The ban on the religious institutions was put in place in 2023, when Democrats took control of the state legislature. Advocates for the law say the faith statements exclude students who dont align with the schools beliefs, including LGBTQ students. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty represented several families affected by the law and sued the state of Minnesota over the issue. The families argued the rule violated their religious freedom under the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota tried to cut off educational opportunities to thousands of high schoolers simply for their faith, Becket senior counsel Diana Thomson said in a statement. Thats not just unlawful its shameful." Thomson celebrated the ruling, calling it a win for families who refused to be strong-armed into abandoning their beliefs and said it was a sharp warning to politicians that target them. The state agreed that the ban would not be enforced while the case played out in court. The Deseret News has reached out to the Minnesota Department of Education for comment. Utah taxpayers will shoulder a higher share of administrative costs associated with food stamps under the so-called big, beautiful bill, but rough estimates suggest the state can avoid having to chip in to cover benefits directly. Thats according to initial estimates prepared by state agencies and presented to lawmakers this week, as they prepare for upcoming changes to Medicaid and food stamps, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The specifics are still up in the air, and presenters cautioned that things could change in either direction as the federal government clarifies how the law will be enacted. If youve ever been to chemistry, everything has three states. Theres solid, gas and liquid, Russell Frandsen, with the Legislative Fiscal Analysts Office, told the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee. These are gas estimates. Thats how solid they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, the numbers provide state lawmakers with a first look at what the changes to federal programs could look like. Heres how some of the changes to social programs will be felt in Utah: A roughly $13 million price tag Food stamp benefits are funded by the federal government, but states are tasked with administering the benefits; the two have shared administrative costs 50-50. That will change in fiscal year 2027, when states will be required to cover 75% of food stamps administration, while the feds will chip in 25%. In Utah, that will amount to an increased cost of about $13 million, give or take a few $100,000, according to financial analyst Josh Pittman. Administrative costs are variable, Pittman told the Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday, meaning the costs will fluctuate on economic conditions, number of applicants and other economic variables. So, $13 million is sort of assuming that we have a great year like last year, he said. It could be more; it could be less. So, the number is I believe the technical term is squishy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting in fiscal year 2028, the federal government will no longer fund 100% of food stamp benefits. Instead, states with high administrative error rates will be expected to contribute up to 15% of the total cost. States with error rates below 6% wont have to pay anything, however. Utahs error rate for 2024 was 5.74%, primarily due to overpayments. If the state can stay under the threshold of 6% by the time that provision takes effect, Utah will only have to shoulder the roughly $13 million administrative increase. An error rate between 6% and 7.99% would cost the state an additional $20 million, while an error rate of 10% or more would cost $60 million. There is some room for improvement, but (Im) just really happy to be in the position that we are, said Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan. Medicaid changes States and the federal government contribute to Medicaid health insurance benefits, and Utah could save close to $33 million over the next several years. However, tens of thousands of low-income Utahns could also lose benefits thanks to Medicaid changes in the spending bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes are related to Medicaid eligibility and administration. Heres how some of the key provisions will impact Utah, according to a state fiscal analysis: ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) The federal government over the weekend asked a judge in Miami to put on hold her ruling ordering the winding down of an immigration detention center built by the state of Florida in the Everglades wilderness and nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, pending an appeal of her decision. Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security said in their request for a stay that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' order last week, if carried out, would disrupt the federal government's ability to enforce immigration laws. They asked the judge to rule on their request by Monday evening. The request came as a third lawsuit challenging practices at the facility was filed Friday by civil rights groups who claimed the state of Florida had no authority to run an immigration detention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement supporting the request for a stay, Garrett Ripa, field office director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement's enforcement and removal operations in Miami, said that the Everglades facility's 2,000 beds were badly needed since detention facilities in Florida were overcrowded. Its removal would compromise the governments ability to enforce immigration laws, safeguard public safety, protect national security, and maintain border security, Ripa said. The environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, whose lawsuit led to the judge's ruling, opposed the request. They disputed in a court filing Monday that the Everglades facility was needed, especially as Florida plans to open a second immigration detention facility in north Florida which Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has dubbed, Deportation Depot. During a tour of the Everglades facility last week, U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost was told that only a fraction of the detention centers capacity was in use, between 300 to 350 detainees, the Democratic congressman from Orlando said in a declaration on behalf of the environmental groups. Defendants arguments for a stay are hyperbolic, disingenuous, inconsistent, untimely, unsupported by any competent evidence, and contrary to the facts, the environmental groups' filing said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said in her order that she expected the population of the facility to decline within 60 days through the transferring of the detainees to other facilities, and once that happened, fencing, lighting and generators should be removed. She wrote the state and federal defendants cant bring anyone other than those who are already being detained at the facility onto the property. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe had argued that further construction and operations should be stopped until federal and state officials complied with federal environmental laws. Their lawsuit claimed the facility threatened environmentally sensitive wetlands that are home to protected plants and animals and would reverse billions of dollars spent over decades on environmental restoration. The detention center was quickly built two months ago at a lightly used, single-runway training airport in the middle of the Everglades. State officials signed more than $245 million in contracts for building and operating the facility, which officially opened July 1. President Donald Trump toured the facility last month and suggested it could be a model for future lockups nationwide as his administration races to expand the infrastructure needed to increase deportations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second lawsuit also was filed by civil rights groups last month against the state and federal governments over practices at the Everglades facility, claiming detainees were denied access to the legal system. Another federal judge in Miami last week dismissed parts of the lawsuit which had been filed in Florida's southern district and then moved the remaining counts against the state of Florida to the neighboring middle district. Civil rights groups last Friday filed a third lawsuit over practices at the facility in federal court in Fort Myers, asking for a restraining order and a temporary injunction that would bar Florida agencies and their contractors from holding detainees at Alligator Alcatraz. They described severe problems at the facility which were previously unheard-of in the immigration system. Detainees were being held for weeks without any charges, they had disappeared from ICE's online detainee locator and no one at the facility was making initial custody or bond determinations, the civil rights groups said. Lawyers often cannot find their clients, and families cannot locate their loved ones inside ICEs vast detention system, the civil rights attorneys said. Detainees have been prevented from accessing attorneys in numerous ways. Detainees without counsel have been cut off from the normal channels of obtaining a lawyer." Immigration is a federal issue, and Florida agencies and the private contracts hired by the state have no authority to operate the facility, the civil rights groups argued in asking that their lawsuit be certified as a class action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The civil rights attorneys described harsh conditions at the facility, including flooding, mosquitoes, lack of water and exposure to the elements as punishment. At least 100 people already have been deported from the facility, including several who were pressured to sign voluntary removal forms without being able to consult with attorneys, they said. ___ Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social ORLANDO The federal government over the weekend asked a judge in Miami to put on hold her ruling ordering the winding down of an immigration detention center built by the state of Florida in the Everglades wilderness and nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, pending an appeal of her decision. Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security said in their request for a stay that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams order last week, if carried out, would disrupt the federal governments ability to enforce immigration laws. They asked the judge to rule on their request by Monday evening. The request came as a third lawsuit challenging practices at the facility was filed Friday by civil rights groups who claimed the state of Florida had no authority to run an immigration detention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement supporting the request for a stay, Garrett Ripa, field office director for Immigration and Customs Enforcements enforcement and removal operations in Miami, said that the Everglades facilitys 2,000 beds were badly needed since detention facilities in Florida were overcrowded. Its removal would compromise the governments ability to enforce immigration laws, safeguard public safety, protect national security, and maintain border security, Ripa said. The environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, whose lawsuit led to the judges ruling, opposed the request. The judge said in her order that she expected the population of the facility to decline within 60 days through the transferring of the detainees to other facilities and, once that happened, fencing, lighting and generators should be removed. She wrote that the state and federal defendants cant bring anyone other than those who are already being detained at the facility onto the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe had argued that further construction and operations should be stopped was also until federal and state officials complied with federal environmental laws. Their lawsuit claimed the facility threatened environmentally sensitive wetlands that are home to protected plants and animals and would reverse billions of dollars spent over decades on environmental restoration. The detention center was quickly built two months ago at a lightly used, single-runway training airport in the middle of the Everglades. State officials signed more than $245 million in contracts for building and operating the facility, which officially opened July 1. President Donald Trump toured the facility last month and suggested it could be a model for future lockups nationwide as his administration races to expand the infrastructure needed to increase deportations. A second lawsuit was also filed by civil rights groups last month against the state and federal governments over practices at the Everglades facility, claiming detainees were denied access to the legal system. Another federal judge in Miami last week dismissed parts of the lawsuit, which had been filed in Floridas southern district, and then moved the remaining counts against the state of Florida to the neighboring middle district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil rights groups last Friday filed a third lawsuit over practices at the facility in federal court in Fort Myers, asking for a restraining order and a temporary injunction that would bar Florida agencies and their contractors from holding detainees at Alligator Alcatraz. They described severe problems at the facility that were previously unheard-of in the immigration system. Detainees were being held for weeks without any charges, they had disappeared from ICEs online detainee locator, and no one at the facility was making initial custody or bond determinations, the civil rights groups said. Lawyers often cannot find their clients, and families cannot locate their loved ones inside ICEs vast detention system, the civil rights attorneys said. Detainees have been prevented from accessing attorneys in numerous ways. Detainees without counsel have been cut off from the normal channels of obtaining a lawyer. Immigration is a federal issue, and Florida agencies and the private contractors hired by the state have no authority to operate the facility, the civil rights groups argued in asking that their lawsuit be certified as a class action. The civil rights attorneys described harsh conditions at the facility, including flooding, mosquitoes, lack of water and exposure to the elements as punishment. At least 100 people have already been deported from the facility, including several who were pressured to sign voluntary removal forms without being able to consult with attorneys, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis administration is preparing to open a second immigration detention facility dubbed Deportation Depot at a state prison in north Florida. By MIKE SCHNEIDER, Associated Press. Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social Ohio college students and protesters rally at the Statehouse on March 19, 2025, against Senate Bill 1, a higher education overhaul that bans diversity efforts and faculty strikes, and sets rules around classroom discussion, among other things. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.) Ohio college students are navigating the ramifications of the states new higher education law that bans diversity efforts, prohibits faculty strikes, and regulates classroom discussion. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 1 into law on March 28 after it quickly passed the House and Senate earlier this year. Ohio S.B. 1 went into effect nearly two months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement S.B. 1 creates post-tenure reviews, puts diversity scholarships at risk, sets rules around classroom discussion, and creates a retrenchment provision that blocks unions from negotiating on tenure, among other things. The law affects Ohios public universities and community colleges. Diversity centers across Ohios public universities have closed because of the new higher education law. I feel like its almost a grieving process where I know for a fact that the Pride Center is gone, said Ohio University senior Audrey Ansel. I know that that office space is empty I helped empty it out but it still just feels strange, and its not something I had ever imagined would happen. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio University sunsetted the Division of Diversity and Inclusion which included the Pride Center, the Womens Center and the Multicultural Center. Ansel lost her job at the Pride Center when it closed and has been unable to find a different job on campus. It is just frustrating having done all of that work and (having) put so much of myself into the Pride Center for three years, Ansel said. I will always be proud of that, but its hard when that physical representation of that work is gone. The Pride Center was a big reason Ansel chose to go to OU. I dont regret going to school here, and Ill never regret going to school here. But it feels like a betrayal, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OUs Pride Center served not only the campus community, but also the city of Athens. This (was) a hub for queer people in southern Ohio, Ansel said. I think that was something that was unique about the Pride Center, was that it wasnt just exclusive to students, and I always appreciated that. Community members are going to suffer without that resource. Kent State Universitys LBGTQ+ Living-Learning Community was one of the main reasons Chloe Ripoli chose to go to Kent State, but it now no longer exists because of the new law. As someone who got to experience the LLC the last year that it was in place, knowing that no one else would have that experience was really heartbreaking to me, said Ripoli, a 19-year-old sophomore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ripoli was planning on going to the LGBTQ+ Center more this year, but is unable to do so since the new law closed the center. I no longer have access to that safe space, Ripoli said. Nica Delgado, a graduate student at Kent State, said she previously found solace at the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center during her undergraduate years at Kent State. It gave me a community that I could lean on, she said. It also provided a space that I knew on campus was for me. The center closed after S.B. 1 took effect this summer. It makes me fearful for the safety of students to not have that space that is for them, Delgado said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of Youngstown State Universitys chapter of the Ohio Education Association tried unsuccessfully to get a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot to stop S.B. 1., but fell about 53,000 signatures short. Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE More than 180 employees at the Federal Emergency Management Administration sent Congress a letter Monday, warning that President Donald Trumps efforts to phase out the agency could make way for another Hurricane Katrina-level environmental disaster. The letter argued that the Trump administrations mismanagement of FEMA had undone critical emergency rules, gutted essential federal programs, and saddled the agency with insufficient and inexperienced leadership. Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration, the letter stated. More than 150 FEMA employees signed the letter anonymously, while only 36 signed their names. The agency has already lost one-third of its workforce since Trump entered office, who either quit or were fired. FEMAs former acting head Cameron Hamilton was fired in May after defending the agency Trump claimed he would like to phase out. The employees wrote that they wanted better protections from politically motivated firings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the unfortunate reality is that our agency is on such a dangerous trajectory and drastic action is needed, said one FEMA employee behind the letter, who spoke to The Washington Post under the condition of anonymity. Congress passed laws after Katrina to protect Americans and FEMA from inadequate leadership, inaction, and unpreparedness, but I dont think Congress realizes how many of those laws have been broken, been violated. Signed into law in 2006, the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act granted FEMA with more power and responsibilitybut in its efforts to dissolve the agency, the Trump administration has undone much of this legislation. The letter advocated that FEMA be removed from the purview of the Department of Homeland Security, and made into an independent Cabinet-level agency. Trump has previously said that he would like DHS to take full control of disaster responses. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem however, was widely criticized for her pitifully delayed response to the deadly flooding in Texas earlier this summer. Noem severely botched FEMAs Texas response by reportedly failing to renew contracts with companies staffing FEMA call centers, and instituting a policy that required her to personally sign off on all DHS expenditures exceeding $100,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noems review of contracts is superfluous, given that FEMA is already required to develop pre-scripted mission assignments the letter stated. Noem has been charged with running the agency alongside David Richardson, who has no experience at all in emergency management, and didnt even know that the United States had a hurricane season. The Trump administrations response to the deadly flooding in Texas proved the inefficiencies, ineffectiveness, and dangers of the processes and decisions put forth by the current administration, the letter stated. Noem, in denial of her own disastrous work, claimed that the federal response in Texas was a model for whats to come. The group of FEMA employees also wrote that the administrations decision to scrap federal programs related to climate change were particularly dangerous. This administrations decision to ignore and disregard the facts pertaining to climate science in disasters shows a blatant disregard for the safety and security of our Nations people and all American communities regardless of their geographic, economic or ethnic diversity, they said. WASHINGTON Dozens of employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency warned Congress on Monday that the Trump administration has betrayed the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. In an unusual petition to lawmakers, more than 181 FEMA employees, including 35 who publicly signed their names, said the administration has failed to install serious leadership at the agency and improperly held up funding. Since January 2025, FEMA has been under the leadership of individuals lacking legal qualifications, Senate approval, and the demonstrated background required of a FEMA Administrator, the FEMA employees wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration. Related: President Of What??? Trump Mocked Over 'Totally Delusional' Title He Just Gave Himself Twenty years ago, in August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall, flooding New Orleans and resulting in as many as 1,836 deaths, with inexperience and poor planning at FEMA blamed for much of the chaos in the storms aftermath. Reforms Congress enacted the following year included a requirement that the FEMA administrator have demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security and at least five years of executive experience. The current acting head of FEMA, David Richardson, doesnt have a background in emergency management. He was tapped to lead the agency after his predecessor was fired for saying during a hearing that he didnt think it was in the best interests of the country to eliminate the agency. President Donald Trump had previously said FEMA should be eliminated and its responsibilities given to state governments, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel a little bit like Bubba from Forrest Gump, Richardson joked during an internal meeting soon after his appointment in May, according to The Wall Street Journal. Weve got hurricanes, weve got fires, weve got mudslides, weve got flash floods, weve got tornadoes, weve got droughts, weve got heat waves and now weve got volcanoes to worry about. In this Sept. 1, 2005, file photo, residents wait on a rooftop to be rescued from the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool, File A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, suggested the agencys employees were actually part of the problem. It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Change is always hard. It is especially for those invested in the status quo. But our obligation is to survivors, not to protecting broken systems. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) hailed the FEMA employees for speaking out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brave FEMA employees are sounding the alarm, and the leadership of FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the White House need to be all in on fixing the problem, Welch said in a statement. Related: Karoline Leavitts Truly Unbelievable New Claim About Trump Backfires Immediately Like other federal agencies, FEMA fired staff at the direction of Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency. And DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has reportedly insisted that she personally sign off on agency grants, a policy that may have hampered the federal response to a flooding disaster in Texas last month that killed more than 100 people. (Richardson called the federal response outstanding in testimony on Capitol Hill.) Welch said DHS is on track to repeat the failures of Katrina: Because of DOGE and Secretary Noems mismanagement, FEMA will be even more strained and under-prepared. Related... Read the original on HuffPost (Corrects first paragraph to say "nearly three dozen current and former staff" instead of "nearly three dozen staff") By Tim Reid WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Nearly three dozen current and former staff at the U.S. agency that responds to natural disasters warned Congress in a letter on Monday that the inexperience of the Trump administration's top appointees could lead to a catastrophe on the level of Hurricane Katrina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter from the Federal Emergency Management Agency workers was a rare airing of internal dissent at FEMA. It said the agency's current leaders, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting FEMA director David Richardson, lacked the qualifications to manage natural disasters and were eroding its ability to respond to hurricanes and other emergencies. Noem's requirement that she review all contracts and grants over $100,000 "reduces FEMA's authorities and capabilities to swiftly deliver our mission," the letter states. It asks Congress to make FEMA an independent cabinet-level agency free from interference from DHS and to protect FEMA employees from politically motivated firings "to prevent not only another national catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, but the effective dissolution of FEMA itself." Daniel Llargues, the acting FEMA press secretary, said FEMA is "committed to ensuring FEMA delivers for the American people." He said FEMA has been bogged down by red tape and inefficiencies and the Trump administration "has made accountability and reform a priority." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the criticisms of Noem. Roughly 2,000 FEMA employees, or a third of its workforce, have left the agency this year through firings, buyouts or early retirements. The Trump administration also plans to cut about $1 billion in grant funding, affecting its emergency management programs. The protest letter was sent days before the 20th anniversary of Katrina, which caused catastrophic flooding in New Orleans and devastating destruction along the Gulf Coast in August 2005, claiming the lives of more than 1,800 people. It was also delivered two months into the U.S. hurricane season and at a time when President Donald Trump has said he wants to drastically cut the size and mandate of FEMA, leaving much more of the burden of responding to natural disasters to individual states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katrina was one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, in part because of a breakdown of leadership and response at the city, state and federal level. Congress passed the Post-Katrina Emergency Reform Act in 2006 to give FEMA more responsibility and to put in place safeguards to mitigate against another failed response. The letter warns that the Trump administration is undoing those reforms and sending FEMA back to pre-Katrina levels by cutting funding, reducing disaster recovery and training programs, and by hampering its ability to act quickly because of stringent new oversight policies. The letter urges the Republican-controlled Congress to defend FEMA from cuts in funding and staff, and that it be led by an administrator with the qualifications and experience to manage disaster response. Richardson, the current acting administrator, is a former U.S. Marine and DHS official without any previous experience in emergency management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richardson left many FEMA staff baffled when he said in June that he was not aware that the U.S. has a hurricane season, which begins in June and lasts through November. (Reporting by Tim Reid; Editing by Ross Colvin, Paul Simao, Andrea Ricci and David Gregorio) On the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees on Monday warned Congress that the Trump administration's changes and leadership at the agency could harm the United States if disaster strikes. "Since January 2025, FEMA has been under the leadership of individuals lacking legal qualifications, Senate approval, and the demonstrated background required of a FEMA Administrator," around 180 employees wrote to Congress on Monday. FEMA is an agency of the Department of Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chris Graythen/Getty Images - PHOTO: Water comes up to the roof of homes after Hurricane Katrina came through the area with high winds and water on August 29, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. "Decisions made by FEMA's Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator (SOPDA) David Richardson, Former SOPDA Cameron Hamilton, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem erode the capacity of FEMA and our State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners, hinder the swift execution of our mission, and dismiss experienced staff whose institutional knowledge and relationships are vital to ensure effective emergency management," they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: FEMA 'not ready' for hurricane season, internal review finds The agency went through a force reduction and Noem placed a tighter grip on grants given out by the agency. Win Mcnamee/Getty Images - PHOTO: Residents of an apartment complex have placed a sign outside their homes September 4, 2005 in Biloxi, Mississippi. In the months after Katrina, which killed almost 1,300 and resulted in billions of dollars worth of damage to New Orleans in August 2005, Congress passed the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 with an effort to better streamline emergency management at the federal level. FEMA employees wrote that the "agency's current trajectory reflects a clear departure from the intent" of that legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Robin Roberts to revisit New Orleans, Mississippi 20 years after Hurricane Katrina Current and former employees outlined six different issues with the Trump administration -- ranging from opposing a "qualified" administrator to opposing cuts to the agency. The Trump administration has said in the past they are looking to streamline the agency and the cuts are necessary. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images - PHOTO: David Richardson, acting FEMA administrator, testifies during the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee In a statement sent to ABC News, a DHS spokesperson cited its responses to recent flooding in New Mexico and Texas as examples of its reforms' effectiveness. "For too long, FEMA was bogged down by red tape, inefficiency, and outdated processes that failed to get disaster dollars into survivors hands. The Trump Administration has made accountability and reform a priority so that taxpayer dollars actually reach the people and communities they are meant to help," they said. "It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform. Change is always hard. It is especially for those invested in the status quo. But our obligation is to survivors, not to protecting broken systems," the spokesperson added. Employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warned Monday that the nations top disaster relief agency is acting to reverse critical progress its made in the two decades since Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, with potentially dangerous consequences. More than 180 people signed an open letter to Congress to oppose what they alleged was a reduction in FEMAs capability to perform its missions, including the elimination of life-saving risk management and preparedness programs, the depletion of FEMAs workforce, and the censorship of climate science and environmental protection to the detriment of the American people. They said they hoped their letter came in time to prevent another national catastrophe similar to Katrina, as well as the dissolution of FEMA itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest hurricanes ever to hit the U.S., took the lives of nearly 1,400 people after levees failed around New Orleans in 2005. Federal response to the disaster has been criticized in the years since, including the actions of FEMA's leadership at the time. Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration, the employees, 146 of whom signed anonymously, said. Hurricane Katrina was one of the deadliest and costliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Now, employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency warn progress its made since the storm is being reversed under the Trump administration (JAMES NIELSEN/AFP via Getty Images) A third of FEMAs full-time staff have left the agency, the signees noted, resulting in the loss of irreplaceable institutional knowledge and long-built relationships. They also pointed to the sudden termination of a pre-disaster mitigation program, and said they opposed the ongoing failure to appoint a qualified FEMA administrator with the 2025 hurricane season well underway. The letter called on Congress to establish FEMA as an independent agency in the executive branch, defend the agency from further interference from the Department of Homeland Security, protect employees from politically motivated firings, and to demand transparency regarding internal employment policies and future agency reductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decisions made by FEMAs Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator (SOPDA) David Richardson, Former SOPDA Cameron Hamilton, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem erode the capacity of FEMA and our State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) partners, hinder the swift execution of our mission, and dismiss experienced staff whose institutional knowledge and relationships are vital to ensure effective emergency management, the employees said. In matching statements, FEMA Acting Press Secretary Daniel Llargues and a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security both told The Independent that the department was committed to ensuring FEMA delivers for the American people. For too long, FEMA was bogged down by red tape, inefficiency, and outdated processes that failed to get disaster dollars into survivors hands, they said, pointing to billions of dollars that had been delivered by Homeland Security in individual and public assistance. "It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform, Llargues and the spokesperson said. "...Americans deserve better than the slow, inadequate disaster responses of the past. Thanks to Secretary Noems leadership, FEMA is turning the page and becoming the accountable, deployable disaster force the American people deserve." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically, FEMA has helped communities to rebuild following disasters, providing immediate assistance to individuals and coordinating with state and local officials. It has also provided grants to help mitigate hazards. Both Noem and President Donald Trump have floated the idea of remaking or dismantling FEMA. Noem is a co-chair of a council to recommend changes at the agency. Trump has said that changes hed want to see would leave FEMAs share of disaster response to the states. Effective response and recovery from disasters relies on strong local and state leadership. While Federal assistance was always intended to supplement state actions, not replace those actions, FEMAs outsized role created a bloated bureaucracy that disincentivized state investment in their own resilience, Abigail Jackson, a spokeswoman for the White House, said in an emailed statement, adding that the president was committed to right-sizing the government while empowering state and local governments. The presidents FEMA Review Council, comprised of top experts in their field, will recommend to the president how FEMA may be reformed in ways that best serve the national interest, including how America responds to and recovers from disasters such that the Federal role remains supplemental and appropriate to the scale of disaster, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What all of this would actually mean remains to be seen, but dismantling or changing the agencys responsibilities would require action from Congress. That includes amending the 1988 Stafford Act, which outlines FEMAs responsibilities and the cost share between the federal government and the states. Climate change is making hurricanes more frequent, rapid, and intense. Hurricane Helene was made six to 500 times more likely due to record-warm Atlantic ocean temperatures fueled by climate change (Getty Images) The administrations proposals have been blasted by climate experts, politicians, and hurricane survivors. Giving less federal support could put an unsustainable financial burden on states, Sara McTarnaghan, principal research associate at the Urban Institute, told The Associated Press. Very few of them would have had enough funds set aside to anticipate the federal government stepping back from its historic role in disaster recovery for major events, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conversation about FEMAs future comes as the number of billion-dollar natural disasters has significantly increased. There were just three of those events a year in the 1980s and there have been 19 annually during the last decade, according to non-profit Climate Central. Katrina was one of the costliest hurricanes ever to strike the U.S., but that was 20 years ago. Since then, human-caused climate change has resulted in supercharged storms, making the record ocean temperatures along Hurricane Helene's Atlantic path six to 500 times more likely, Climate Central said. We cant carry the load alone nor should we be expected to, three Hurricane Helene survivors said in a joint statement shared by the Sierra Club. To lay the burden solely at the feet of survivors and states is shortsighted and ignores the need for a responsive, functional, and caring federal system that prioritizes those of us who have lost so much. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin following last week's White House meetings with Ukrainian and European leaders. Trump told reporters that the call with Putin took place after his Aug. 18 meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders in Washington. He noted that security guarantees for Ukraine have not yet been finalized, suggesting Europe would take the lead while the United States would provide "backup." "We have not even discussed the specifics of it," Trump said. "Europe is going to give them significant security guarantees, and they should, because they are right there, but we will be involved from the standpoint of backup to help them." Trump also revealed that during his Aug. 15 meeting with Putin in the U.S. state of Alaska, the two leaders discussed reducing their countries' nuclear arsenals once the Ukraine crisis ends. Current and former FEMA officials are warning Congress that the Trump administration's policies have undermined the nation's ability to respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. The message, in a public letter addressed to Congress and the White House's FEMA review council, comes ahead of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The 181 signatories said that under President Donald Trump, FEMA has abandoned the reforms designed to correct the agency's mistakes in responding to the 2005 hurricane. "We the undersigned current and former FEMA workers have come together to sound the alarm to our administrators, the US Congress, and the American people so that we can continue to lawfully uphold our individual oaths of office and serve our country as our mission dictates," they wrote in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter said FEMA lacks qualified leadership, jeopardizing the nation's ability to prepare for and respond to events. They also laid out several systemic concerns, some of which they said violated the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The federal government's handling of that 2005 storm, the costliest in U.S. history, sparked a national conversation about FEMA's role. It also shined a light on the nation's preparedness for disasters that are becoming increasingly severe due to warming from climate change, which is fueling more destructive storms through hotter ocean temperatures, higher seas and heavier rainfall. The letter said DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's pattern of reviewing all contracts over $100,000 has slowed responsiveness, causing delays in deploying urban search and rescue teams in the wake of July 4 flooding that killed 138 people in central Texas. They said that process runs afoul of PKEMRA, which said the secretary cannot "substantially or significantly reduce the authorities, responsibilities, or functions of the Agency or the capability of the Agency to perform those missions, authorities, responsibilities." Noem has fought those criticisms, claiming people are "playing politics" with her department and FEMA's performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA spokesperson Daniel Llargues said the Trump administration was making changes to reduce bureaucracy and deliver federal assistance to survivors and affected communities more quickly. He said FEMA under Trump has distributed $6.6 billion to individual households and $17.1 billion to local governments for disaster recovery. "It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform," Llargues said in a statement. "Change is always hard. It is especially for those invested in the status quo. But our obligation is to survivors, not to protecting broken systems." More broadly, the current and former staffers in the letter called attention to downsizing at the agency, noting that one-third of FEMA staffers have departed, eroding the agency's capacity to respond to events. They also pressed FEMA to restore access to climate science data and information that helps communities prepare and plan for disasters. They also criticized FEMA's efforts to reduce spending programs intended to avert costly disaster damage, and they challenged the administration's moves to curb approvals of hazard mitigation grants that award spending to areas after federally declared disaster. They also objected to FEMA's decision to cancel new grants from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which provided funding to fortify infrastructure against extreme weather. Several states have sued FEMA to restore those funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If allowed to continue our State, Local, Tribal & Territorial (SLTT) partners will have future increased response and recovery costs, and increased loss of life," the letter said. "These actions undermine FEMAs legal authority and responsibility." The letter urged Congress to make FEMA a Cabinet-level agency, protect FEMA from DHS "interference" and to encourage budget and spending transparency. The move follows on a similar dissent letter sent by EPA staffers who said the agency's leadership "undermines EPA's mission." EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin responded by putting 144 signatories to that missive on leave. A group of current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees warned Monday that the Trump administration is weakening the disaster response agencys capacity and preventing it from carrying out its mission. In a letter, the 181 current and former staffers particularly pointed to an administration policy requiring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to conduct a personal review and approval of all contracts, grants and mission assignments over $100,000. They said this reduces FEMAs authorities and capabilities to swiftly deliver our mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consequences of this manual review became tragically clear during the July 2025 floods in Kerrville, Texas, when mission assignments were delayed up to 72 hours; FEMAs Urban Search and Rescue Branch Chief resigned, citing these delays as cause, the staffers wrote. They also lamented there is no congressionally approved administrator helming the agency and said its current leader is not qualified for the position. The letter comes as the Trump administration has floated the idea of eliminating the agency altogether, and has generally sought to diminish its role while placing more responsibility on states. The staffers said such policies are making things worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuts to these programs prioritize the appearance of cost reduction and empowerment of SLTT [State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial] partners but will result in an opposite outcome, they wrote. When we cannot work directly with our SLTT partners in providing training and technical assistance, we lose critical opportunities to maintain trust, strengthen systems, improve preparedness, and serve the American communities we swore an oath to protect at the moments of their most dire need, they added. Acting FEMA Press Secretary Daniel Llargues defended the Trump administrations moves. The Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, is committed to ensuring FEMA delivers for the American people. For too long, FEMA was bogged down by red tape, inefficiency, and outdated processes that failed to get disaster dollars into survivors hands. The Trump Administration has made accountability and reform a priority so that taxpayer dollars actually reach the people and communities they are meant to help, the spokesperson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not surprising that some of the same bureaucrats who presided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform. Change is always hard. It is especially for those invested in the status quo. But our obligation is to survivors, not to protecting broken systems, the statement continued, pointing to reforms including Rapid, upfront funding was provided in New Mexico following recent flooding a shift away from slow, reimbursable models that left families waiting for years in the past. In a letter called the Katrina Declaration, named after the 2005 hurricane that killed hundreds of people, the current and former FEMA staffers said the agency is losing progress made in the aftermath of the storm. Hurricane Katrina was not just a natural disaster, but a man-made one: the inexperience of senior leaders and the profound failure by the federal government to deliver timely, unified, and effective aid to those in need left survivors to fend for themselves for days, they wrote. The staffers noted that such failures resulted in the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (PKEMRA), but warned that current policies could take the nation backwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two decades later, FEMA is enacting processes and leadership structures that echo the conditions PKEMRA was designed to prevent, they wrote. The letter was published online but was addressed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Review Council, which the Trump administration set up to explore ways to reform the agency. It also was sent to various congressional committees. The FEMA staffers, which included 143 current and 38 former employees, had additional concerns that they outlined, including cuts to risk reduction programs, climate science and the agencys workforce. They called on Congress to make FEMA a cabinet-level independent agency, defend the agency from further interference from DHS, including illegal impoundments of appropriated funding, and protect employees from politically motivated firings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administrations cuts to the disaster agency have come under particular scrutiny in light of the deadly floods in Texas. The administration has, in recent weeks, walked back its calls to ax the agency outright , but has doubled down on its assertions that it hopes to dole out less money through the agency and give states more responsibility. Staffers at other agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency , NASA , the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation have published similar letters. Updated at 5:57 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. More than 180 current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency employees most signing anonymously sent a sharply worded letter to Congress on Monday, warning that the Trump administrations sweeping overhaul is gutting the disaster relief agencys authority and capabilities, undoing two decades of progress since the failures of Hurricane Katrina. Titled Katrina Declaration, the letter accuses President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees FEMA, of eroding the agencys response capabilities and appointing unqualified leadership. The group calls for FEMA to be shielded from political interference and for its workforce to be protected from politically motivated firings. The warning comes as the nation marks 20 years since Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, killing nearly 1,400 people, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA.) The botched FEMA effort exposed fatal flaws in the federal emergency response system failures that led Congress to pass sweeping reforms, including the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act, which strengthened FEMAs independence and set higher standards for its leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the letter argues, those reforms are being unraveled, as the Trump administration moves to either abolish or drastically shrink FEMAs role. Our shared commitment to our country, our oaths of office, and our mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters compel us to warn Congress and the American people of the cascading effects of decisions made by the current administration, the letter states. In May, Noem installed David Richardson a former Marine combat veteran with no prior experience managing natural disasters to lead FEMA and filled the agencys front office with similarly inexperienced aides. Noem has also imposed strict new spending controls, requiring her personal approval for any contract or grant over $100,000. The policy proved problematic as FEMA teams tried to rapidly respond to the deadly Texas floods in July. Without Noems prompt sign-off, FEMA couldnt pre-position search and rescue teams or fulfill requests for aerial imagery. Thousands of desperate calls from survivors went unanswered after a contract for call center staff lapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the letter, roughly a third of FEMAs full-time staff has left this year, including many of the veteran leaders who helped rebuild the agency after Katrina. At the same time, DHS, as part of the cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency effort, has slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in national preparedness funding that serves as the lifeblood of emergency management infrastructure for local communities nationwide. In June, Trump said he plans to phase out FEMA after hurricane season. We want to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it down to the state level, he said. The Monday letter urges Congress to make FEMA a Cabinet-level, independent agency insulated from political meddling and empowered to respond swiftly when disaster strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authors warn, we hope (these changes) come in time to prevent not only another national catastrophe like Hurricane Katrina, but the effective dissolution of FEMA itself and the abandonment of the American people. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Black African women are almost entirely absent from senior editorial positions in South African newsrooms, new research found. Bongekile Macupe, deputy politics editor at the digital news outlet News24, spoke to 10 Black African women journalists with newsroom experience ranging from a year to more than three decades as part of a fellowship at Oxford Universitys Reuters Institute. Their stories varied, but the patterns were clear, she wrote. One explanation that emerged in multiple interviews is the enduring boys club in South African media a space dominated by white men during apartheid was later filled by Black men. The absence of black African women in senior editorial roles is not just about representation, Macupe wrote. It shapes coverage, perspectives, and the future of the industry. My definition of Judaism, ever since I was a child, has been that it is the same as Zionism, Tamimi said, according to a translation by the MEMRI Institute. There is no difference between them." Palestinians are fighting Jews, not Zionism, Palestinian political activist and terrorist supporter Ahed Tamimi declared on an Arabic podcast earlier this month. In March 2018, Tamimi was convicted on four counts of assaulting an IDF officer and soldier, incitement, and interference with IDF forces. She was sentenced to eight months in prison and eight months of probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tamimi was arrested again in November 2023 on suspicion of inciting violence when she was a teenager, but was released nearly a month later as part of the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at the time in exchange for Israeli hostages. The mother of Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi, who was arrested by Israeli troops, reacts in her room in Nabi Saleh village in the West Bank November 6, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/ISMAEL KHADER) My definition of Judaism, ever since I was a child, has been that it is the same as Zionism, Tamimi said. There is no difference between them. Jews 'can join me in the struggle against Zionism' If a Jew does not want their religion defined that way, they can join me in the struggle against Zionism. Tamimi highlighted her belief that Judaism is an occupation and that is how the religion should always be presented to Palestinian children. We are fighting Jews, not Zionism, she went on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are superior to the entire world, Tamimi said heatedly, because we are the only ones in the world fighting injustice, at the expense of our lives, and the expense of our humanity. She also addressed the matter of aid distribution in the Gaza Strip, calling Western countries handling of the matter patronizing. Aid will be given to Gazans regardless of anything else, she continued. I have reached a point where I wish for a World War III, Tamimi said. Let them drop nuclear bombs, let them destroy the whole world so it wont be just the Palestinians. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A high-rise fire at the Bud Clark Commons in Northwest Portland left one person hospitalized Sunday afternoon, authorities said. Just after 3:30 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue crews responded to reports of a blown out window and flames showing from the apartment complex in the 600 block of Northwest Irving Street. Drone helps PPB find armed man after North Portland break-in Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First arriving crews found a window opened with smoke showing. Officials said sprinklers had also likely been activated. They then called in reiforcements due to the heat, height of the building and the amount of residents inside. Searching the complex, firefighters found one resident injured and they were taken to a hospital by ambulance. The fire was successfully extinguished and under control within 20 minutes. No further information, including the cause of the fire, has been released 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 KOIN.com. BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) A 60-year-old contract firefighter from Oregon died after suffering a cardiac emergency while battling a wildfire in southwestern Montana. Ruben Gonzales Romero collapsed while conducting suppression work on the ground and received medical aid within three minutes, said Kira Powell, a spokesperson for the Bivens Creek fire burning in the Tobacco Root Mountains. However, resuscitation attempts failed, and the Keizer, Oregon, man died Sunday afternoon. Gonzales Romero had more than 20 years experience as a firefighter, mainly doing chain-saw work, according to his company TJ Forestry Contracting LLC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Greg Gianforte referred to him as a fallen hero in a statement offering condolences. Gonzales Romero was among more than 700 firefighters working on the lightning-caused fire in the Tobacco Root Mountains about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of Virginia City, Montana. The Bivens Creek fire has burned about 3 1/2 square miles (9 square kilometers) since Aug. 13 in a remote area with thick timber and numerous dead trees. BOONES MILL, Va. (WFXR) Franklin County is rallying around one of its volunteer firefighters, 17-year-old John Poland, who is recovering from open heart surgery. Poland began serving with the Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department about a year ago, quickly becoming a valued member of the team. Really with John, hes outgoing, wide open, doesnt sit still, said Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief and Treasurer Carey Altice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Poland recovers from a successful but major surgery he had a little over a week ago, unexpected complications and setbacks have kept him stuck in the hospital. [Saturday] night, physical therapy came in, got John up, said Altice. He wasnt able to stay up long and could not walk. John, of course, was disappointed. It was another setback. On Saturday, he was taken off the ventilator with oxygen levels stabilizing according to an update provided by Polands mother. His extended recovery and unexpected medical expenses have placed a strain on his familys finances. They are coming under a financial burden, said Altice. I explained to his mom, they need to be able to be there for John and not have to worry about finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why Altice and the local community are chipping in to help out. The Boones Mill department opened a collection for the family on Friday that brought in nearly $2,000 in its first 48 hours. Altice, the departments treasurer, also obtained approval from the station to donate $4,000 from the departments fund to provide additional assistance. I know you hear all the time firefighters take care of firefighters, said Altice. Here at Boones Mill, we take care of the firefighter and the firefighters family. The Boones Mill Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page is providing updates on Polands recovery and information on how to make a donation to the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. YAOUNDE, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 63 people have died following a cholera outbreak in eastern Chad, the country's health ministry said in a statement on Monday. A total of 938 suspected cases have been recorded, 52 samples analyzed, and 39 cases confirmed in Ouaddai Province, where the outbreak has been ongoing since July, according to the statement. Early Monday, Public Health Minister Abdelmadjid Abderahim met with health authorities in Abeche, the capital of Ouaddai Province, to discuss strategies to prevent the disease from spreading. The government has ramped up efforts to curb the spread of the disease, including scaling up water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, Abderahim said during the meeting. Authorities also called for vigilance and strict adherence to hygiene measures to slow the spread of the disease. Last month, at least four people died following a cholera outbreak in the Dougui refugee camp in Ouaddai Province. The camp hosts approximately 20,000 Sudanese refugees. In June, the World Health Organization warned that cholera cases in Sudan were likely to rise and could spread to neighboring countries, including Chad, which hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees from Sudan in crowded conditions. The first human case of the flesh-eating parasite "New World screwworm "has been detected in the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services said early Monday. The case, involving a person who had recently traveled to El Salvador, was confirmed to be screwworm by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Health Department on Aug. 4. The Maryland Health Department said in a statement Monday that the resident has recovered "from the infection, and the investigation confirmed there is no indication of transmission to any other individuals or animals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States," HHS spokesperson Emily G. Hilliard said in a statement. Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows in Panama on June 11. (Enea Lebrun / Reuters) "The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low," he said. The parasite the larva of the New World screwworm fly can devastate cattle herds and is rife in parts of Central America and Mexico. It can destroy wildlife and even kill household pets. There were serious outbreaks in the 1980s and the 1990s in Central America, and it was eradicated at great expense, only to return in the last two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins traveled to Texas to announce a five-part plan to combat the screwworm on Aug. 15 It includes plans to breed billions of sterile flies and dump them from the air over southern Texas and Mexico in the hope of stopping the parasite's spread. The sterilized male flies mate with females, but the eggs don't hatch. Eventually, the population reduces and dies out. The technique worked in the 1960s when the United States suffered its last screwworm outbreak. And the federal government may face calls to accelerate its work: When it was first announced in June, the sterilization plan wasn't due to be operational for "two to three years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, commenting on the federal government scheme, said the state agriculture industry, with its 2 million jobs, was worth $867 billion. "All of this is at risk because of the New World screwworm," he said. A report from the Agriculture Department last year estimated an outbreak of screwworm could cost Texas at least $1.8 billion in livestock deaths, labor costs and medication. The little parasitic flies also known as Cochliomyia hominivorax have an effect that's vast and devastating but in isolation quite disgusting. The females can lay eggs in any warm-blooded animal, which then hatch, unleashing hundreds of screwworm larvae, so-called because of their sharp mouths and their burrowing being compared to the motion of a screw. Human infections can be fatal but are rare, and most cases can be treated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Agriculture Department has said screwworms have been making their way north into Mexico from other parts of Central America. The fly is endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and some South American nations, it said. Mexico reported a case in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, last month, 370 miles from the Texas border, prompting Health and Human Services to immediately shut down cross-border cattle trade, following similar stops in November and May. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com NEED TO KNOW The first case of New World screwworm affecting a human has been detected in the United States The infestation was found in a person who had recently traveled to El Salvador and is being examined by the Maryland Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to Reuters While the New World screwworm poses a larger threat to livestock, they have been known to infest humans; with the infection described as being "very painful" by the CDC The first case in years of the "horrific" flesh-eating New World screwworm affecting a human has been detected in the United States, according to authorities. On Monday, Aug. 25, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed to Reuters that a person in Maryland was infected by the painful parasite and recently returned from Central America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department spokesman Andrew G. Nixon told the outlet that the case had been detected in a person who had recently traveled to El Salvador and was being investigated by the Maryland Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to Reuters, the case was confirmed by the CDC as New World screwworm on Aug. 4, Nixon said. "The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low," he said in a statement shared with Reuters. His statement, also shared with Axios, read: "This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though painful, the parasitic infection can normally be treated and is not fatal. However, it does pose a serious risk if left untreated. The parasites were "largely eradicated" in America in the 1960s, according to the Food and Drug Administration, but outbreaks elsewhere in the world heightened the chance of infections again being seen in the U.S. USDA Agricultural Research Service via AP New World screwworm larvae New World screwworm larvae The New World screwworm, a type of fly, has been moving north from Latin America in recent years. To reproduce, the female fly lays its eggs on "warm-bodied animals," per Reuters. The outlet reported that the flies "rarely" affect humans, adding that their larvae are more typically found in livestock such as cattle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, told NPR that the [fly] larva does exactly what the name would suggest. It screws or bores into the flesh of our cattle and, in essence, eats the animal from the inside out. It is a horrific parasite. Getty The New World screwworm fly The New World screwworm fly The CDC has described the infestation as "very painful" and noted that maggots the fly larvae can be seen or felt around infection sites. The flies typically lay their eggs near exposed wounds. However, they can also affect a person's nose, eyes and mouth. Medical professionals are needed to "remove the larvae," which is accomplished "sometimes through surgery," according to the CDC. Reuters previously reported that a person in Maryland had been affected by the parasite after traveling to Guatemala. It is unclear if this is the same person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced plans to counteract New World screwworms, particularly given the risk they pose to the cattle industry. CDC New World screwworm larvae New World screwworm larvae Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In an Aug. 15 news release, the agency said that the U.S. would invest in the creation of sterile male screwworms, which can be released in the wild and blunt the rate of reproduction. According to NPR, female screwworms only mate once in their lifespan so this measure will help reduce the population and the threat it poses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The technique was successfully utilized by the U.S. in the '60s. It is now one part of a "five-pronged plan" announced by officials in June. PEOPLE has contacted the Maryland Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for additional comment but did immediately receive a response. Read the original article on People The first case of a New World screwworm infestation in a human was confirmed in the U.S., according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Travel-associated New World screwworm was detected in a patient who returned to the U.S. from El Salvador, and was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Aug. 4, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said in a statement to CBS News on Monday. The CDC investigated the case in coordination with Maryland's health department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States," Nixon said, adding that the risk to U.S. public health is currently "very low." What is New World screwworm myiasis? New World screwworm myiasis is a parasitic infestation of fly larvae, or maggots, caused by New World screwworm (NWS) parasitic flies, which feed on live tissue, the CDC says. "When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal," the USDA says. "NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says NWS flies lay eggs in "open wounds or orifices of live tissue such as nostrils, eyes or mouth" an infestation and painful condition, known as New World screwworm myiasis. "These eggs hatch into dangerous parasitic larvae, and the maggots burrow or screw into flesh with sharp mouth hooks," the parks department says. "Wounds can become larger, and an infestation can often cause serious, deadly damage or death to the infected animal." An adult New World screwworm fly (left) and a New World screwworm larvae (right). / Credit: Denise Bonilla/USDA Agricultural Research Service via AP It is usually found in South America and the Caribbean. Those at higher risk of suffering from the condition include people living in rural areas in places where NWS is endemic, and where livestock are raised, as well as people with open sores or wounds, and vulnerable populations, the CDC says. There is no medication to treat it, according to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last year, Texas officials posted an advisory for outdoor enthusiasts in South Texas after New World screwworm was found in a cow in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said New World screwworm had been making its way further north through the Americas. "As a protective measure, animal health officials ask those along the southern Texas border to monitor wildlife, livestock and pets for clinical signs of NWS and immediately report potential cases," the department said at the time. In June, the U.S. government released a policy initiative aimed at stopping the spread of New World screwworms in live cattle and other animal imports, including a plan to build an insect dispersal facility in Texas. Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement Democrats voting on key resolutions at summer meeting For the first time ever documented, a pig lung was transplanted into a human, scientists in China announced on Monday in a study published in Nature Medicine . The transfer, which took place in May, 2024 in Guangzhou, was short-livedthe patient was brain-dead and the immune response was only monitored for nine days. Scientists told National Geographic they stopped the experiment once our main scientific goals were achievedassessing the patient for uncontrolled infection and organ rejectionand also at the familys request. The study marks another critical milestone for xenotransplanation, or the practice of exchanging organs between species, and comes on the heels of recent transplants of pig kidneys and hearts into human patients. The 39-year-old patient didnt immediately and intensely reject the lung, which was from a gene-edited pig, the study authors noted, though the person did exhibit an immune response and some organ damage. The scientists added that substantial challenges remain before lung xenotransplantation can be safely performed in a medical setting, including how to best manage that immune response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Inside the secret lab where pig organs are being grown for humans) A pig heart at the University of Minnesota continues to beat hours after being infused with a synthetic version of bear-bile acid. This pig heart was not involved in this study. Photograph By Fritz HoffMann, Nat Geo Image Collection [W]e must remain cautious: current evidence does not support clinical use in living patients, Jianxing He, lead author on the paper, told National Geographic. More studies including longer trials on brain-dead patientsmust be done to reduce injury to the lung before any clinical consideration. Outside experts say that the study, while not especially surprising in its results, is a crucial step for pig-to-human transplants. If we establish safety and efficacy this could be a paradigm shift long-term, says Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery at Northwestern Medicine. Each year, surgeons perform thousands of lung transplants in the U.S. but wait times can be dire. But demand is growing, and depending on priority, recipients might wait months or years for a limited number of healthy and compatible human lungs. And receiving an organ from a human donor is like buying a used car, Bharat says, noting that you dont know what youre getting because donor health and the condition of the organ can vary widely. A steady stream of healthy animal organs could, at least hypothetically, standardize the quality of transplants, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The ability to reverse damage to your lungs is tantalizingly close) Human blood filters through pig lungs in a lab at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. These pig lungs were not involved in this recent study. Photograph By Greg Girard, Nat Geo Image Collection A monitor shows fluoroscopic images of a pig brain on the left and a pig heart and chest cavity on the right from 2022. Photograph By MAX AGUILERA-HELLWEG, Nat Geo Image Collection Hospitals and biotech firms across the country are already running clinical trials transplanting other organs from genetically modified pigs into humans, including hearts, livers and kidneys. Scientists transplanted the first modified pig kidney into a living human patient last year, but that patient, Rick Slayman, died two months later. Another patient, Towana Looney, rejected a pig kidney after about four months. David Bennett, the first person to receive a gene-edited pig heart, died two months later ; Lawrence Faucette, who received the second gene-edited pig heart transplant, lived for six weeks after the surgery. Scientists also transplanted a gene-edited pig liver into a brain-dead human in China last year, which appeared to function in the body for 10 days. More than 100,000 people in the United States are currently waiting for organ donations , a few thousand of which are for lungs. Experts estimate that only about a fifth of donor lungs are actually viable for recipients. Lung transplant is the worst in terms of five-year survival, and has pretty poor outcomes in general, says Brendan Keating, an associate professor in the surgery department at NYU Langone. NYU Langone conducted two pig kidney transplants into living humans last year and has performed 6 pig kidney transplants into brain dead patients since 2021. But experts say lungs can be far more complicated to transplant than other organs, because they exchange gas with the environment, which exposes them to pollutants, while also performing the crucial function of filtering blood. Their size also makes them more vulnerable to rejection compared to other organs, Bharat says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a positive study, its shown its possible to do it, Keating says. But theres still a fair amount of biology to be figured out before lungs can be transplanted from pigs into patients widely, he added, noting that there need to be more trials examining transplant response in brain-dead recipients whose families or guardians have consented, a standard step in xenostransplantation research. (Grow new organs? Or get them from animals?) Thin slices of pig organ tissue is fixed in paraffin wax and mounted in glass slides. These organ tissues were not used in the recent study. Photograph By Max Aguilera-Helllweg, Nat geo Image Collection The studys authors also acknowledged several outside factors may have influenced the results: The pig had been genetically modified to reduce the risk of rejection, and the recipient was given a host of antibodies to suppress immune response. The recipient also already had another lung, which could have influenced immune response and the donor lungs function. The observation period in the Guangzhou study also wasnt long enough to determine whether the body might reject the organ later, Bharat says. A short-term success, even if you have a lung that survives a day or two, does not necessarily translate into shorter or long-term success, he said. Nevertheless, the transfer will likely further scientific understanding of pig lung xenotransplantation, Bharat added, which has mostly been tested on non-human primates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the potential benefits to human recipients, raising animals in labs purely for their organs, and experimenting on brain-dead patients who cant vocalize consent, present complicated bioethical concerns, says Insoo Hyun, an affiliate at the Harvard Medical School Center for Bioethics. Its a call that the institution makes, and the ethical reviewers have to make, he said. And even if its proven to be safe and viable for humans, xenotransplantation could eventually lead to a two-tiered system in which some patients get animal organs while others get human ones. And if it turns out there are differences in quality between the types of organs, he noted, if [there is a] second-best option, who gets the second-best one? The U.S. has detected its first human case of the flesh-eating parasite New World screwworm related to the ongoing outbreak in Central America, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention worked with the Maryland Department of Health to confirm the case Aug. 4 through telediagnosis, the HHS told The Hill. The parasite was found in a person who had returned from travel to El Salvador, which is currently experiencing an outbreak of the parasite. Currently, the risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon wrote in an email to The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters reported last week that beef industry sources were told the CDC found a case of the parasite in a person in Maryland who had returned from traveling to Guatemala. The HHS did not give a reason for the discrepancy. The Maryland resident has recovered from the infection, a spokesperson for the states Department of Health told The Hill. State health officials confirmed the infection did not spread to any other people or animals, they said, adding that the risk to Marylands public and animal health remains very low. New World screwworms are a type of parasitic fly that lay eggs in warm-blooded animals such as cattle, horses and sometimes household pets, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Sometimes, the bug can infest people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into open wounds in their host animal to feed, which can cause infection and even death. The parasite is typically found in South America and the Caribbean, according to the CDC. But recent cases of the fly infecting cattle in Mexico have prompted the Trump administration to take action. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced in May that the agency would suspend cattle, horse and bison imports from Mexico after the fly was detected in animals in Oaxaca and Veracruz. Since then, the Trump administration has ramped up efforts to protect U.S. livestock and combat the potential spread of the parasite into the United States, including a plan to breed millions of sterile flies and spread them across southern Texas and Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA estimates the parasite could cause $1.8 billion in economic damages to the Texas economy alone. Updated: 3:38 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The U.S. Navy held an assumption of command ceremony Saturday to usher in new leadership for the services legal branch, according to the Navy. Navy Secretary John Phelan welcomed Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David J. Bligh as the next Judge Advocate General, or JAG, at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington. He is a proven warfighter, a seasoned leader, warrior and patriot of the highest order, Phelan said, according to the release. With his selection, a Marine once again takes the helm of the JAG Corps, only the second time in its history and the first since Col. Remey was appointed as the inaugural Judge Advocate General in 1878. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With his assumption of office, Bligh who most recently served as staff judge advocate to the commandant of the Marine Corps becomes the senior uniformed legal advisor to Phelan and the chief of naval operations. Bligh will replace Rear Adm. Lia Reynolds, who served as the acting JAG of the Navy after Vice Adm. Christopher French unexpectedly asked to retire from the position in December 2024 after only three months. Senate confirms new top Navy leader, vice chief for Space Force The Trump administration, which nominated Bligh on June 24, already had plans to replace French regardless of his request, according to the Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted the JAGS for the Army and Air Force in February amid claims that they werent well suited to provide recommendations when lawful orders were given. Bligh will lead approximately 2,500 officers, enlisted personnel, civilians and Reserve members assigned to the Office of the JAG, the Office of Special Trial Counsel and Naval Legal Service Command, among other commands. During the ceremony, Bligh cast himself and other JAGs as more than attorneys who wear a uniform. We are officers and enlisted men and women in the naval service, who serve with and for our fellow warriors, Bligh said, according to the Navy release. That reality requires us to carry ourselves not just as legal experts, but as warfighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bligh was commissioned through the Platoon Leaders Course program in 1988 and afterward served as a platoon commander and company commander at the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, according to his service biography. He attended the Naval Justice School and served as a civil law officer, trial counsel and officer-in-charge of legal assistance at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He went on to become the director of the Joint Law Center at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, during which he deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom with Task Force Tarawa. Bligh also served as the assistant JAG of the Navy for military law. IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for parts of Imperial County, including sections of Interstate 8, as severe thunderstorms move through the region. Drivers are urged to use caution when driving along I-8 Sunday evening. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning and Severe Thunderstorm Warning for parts of southwestern Imperial County, California, until 7:15 p.m. Sunday. NWS says the warning includes portions of I-8. Chances of t-storms linger in parts of the county as highs begin to cool A Severe Thunderstorm Warning and Flash Flood Warning have been issued for parts of southwestern Imperial County (PHOTO: National Weather Service) The Flash Flood Warning impacts just under 500 residents, according to NWS. The weather service advises anyone in the area to move to higher ground and avoid walking through or driving through flood waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego County welcomes first rain in months from monsoon The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for parts of Imperial County, California, until 7:15 p.m. Sunday (PHOTO: National Weather Service) Flood advisory issued for parts of San Diego and Riverside counties This comes as the National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for parts of San Diego and Riverside counties through Sunday afternoon due to heavy rainfall from thunderstorms sweeping across some areas of the region. Full forecast at fox5sandiego.com/weather. Check back for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed the first human case of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite in the United States. Early Monday morning, HHS said the case originated from an individual who recently travelled to El Salvador. The case was confirmed to be screwworm by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on August 4, HHS spokesman Andrew G. Nixon told Reuters. The news of the human infection comes just days after the U.S. announced it was investing hundreds of millions of dollars to construct a factory in southern Texas that will be used to breed sterile flies to combat the parasite. As reported in The Dallas Express at the time, Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to produce and release the sterile male New World screwworm flies into the wild within a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parasite, which is the larvae of the New World screwworm fly, has the potential to devastate the U.S. cattle industry. The screwworm has already proliferated in parts of Central America, prompting the United States to shut the border to cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico. While the parasite can be deadly for cattle and even infect pets, Nixon says the risk to public health in the U.S. currently remains very low, per NBC News. Earlier in August, the HHS issued a declaration that enables the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Emergency Use Authorization (EUAs) for animal drugs to help combat infestations caused by the screwworm. Today we are taking decisive action to safeguard the nations food supply from this emerging threat, said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in an August 19 release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This authorization equips FDA to act quickly, limit the spread of New World Screwworm, and protect Americas livestock. According to Gov. Greg Abbott, the parasite, which has been moving further north toward the U.S. border, threatens the states $867 billion agricultural industry and its two million jobs. One estimate from the USDA in 2024 said an outbreak could cost Texas at least $1.8 billion. A flesh-eating New World screwworm fly parasite has been detected in a human for the first time in the U.S., according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The individual was diagnosed after returning to the U.S. from a trip to El Salvador. An earlier report suggested the individual had traveled to Guatemala, but that information has since been updated. Workers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health confirmed the parasite on August 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States," HHS spokesperson Emily Hilliard said in a statement. Hilliard said that the "risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low." The parasite is the larvae of the New World screwworm, which is a flesh-eating bacterium that can cause serious health problems for cattle. The screwworm has not affected any cattle in the U.S. this year, but has been feeding on cattle in Central America and Mexico. A new world screwworm fly. The flys larvae is a parasite that can devastate cattle and can infest humans (U.S. Department of Agriculture) An expansive and expensive push to eliminate the parasite occurred in the 1980s and 1990s in Central America, but it has reemerged over the last two years, according to NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On August 15, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins traveled to Texas to announce that a five-part plan was being put in place to prevent future screwworm fly infestations. The plan involves breeding billions of sterile screwworm flies and dumping them into affected areas in the hopes that it will drive down the numbers of the next generation of screwworm flies. The sterilized male flies mate with females, but the female's eggs won't hatch. Authorities hope to eradicate the flies. The same method was successfully used in the 1960s to reduce the screwworm fly population in the U.S. At the time of its announcement, the sterilization program was intended to begin in "two or three years," but the growing screwworm fly population may convince U.S. officials to fast-track the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Governor Greg Abbott warned that the state's $867 billion agriculture industry which employs 2 million people is "at risk because of the new world screwworm." Last year, the USDA estimated that an outbreak of the parasite in Texas could cost the state at least $1.8 billion. Rollins announced in May that the USDA would suspend its imports of cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico after the parasites were detected in animals from the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. LUSAKA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The 75th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa opened on Monday in Lusaka, with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema calling on African nations to harmonize public health regulations to improve health outcomes across the continent. Running from Aug. 25 to 27 under the theme "Building a Healthier Africa Together," the meeting has brought together health leaders and policymakers to discuss strategies for strengthening health systems in Africa. Hichilema said disjointed and delayed regulatory frameworks are exposing African populations to preventable health challenges. "I think it is key to harmonize. After all, we are talking about the African free trade area, and around that are issues to do with regulation, standardization, harmonization, and efficiencies," he said. He stressed the urgent need for African countries to build resilient public health institutions capable of effectively responding to disease outbreaks, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed the continent's limited capacity in this regard. Calling for unity, innovation, and self-reliance, Hichilema highlighted the role of health diplomacy, regional manufacturing of health commodities, and harmonized regulations in advancing long-term health security and development across Africa. The Zambian president also underscored the importance of health as a critical enabler of regional trade and industrialization, reaffirming the critical role of the health sector in human development and calling for increased investment to empower populations. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Zambia for its efforts in strengthening health systems and advancing public health. He commended the Zambian government for prioritizing health at a time when many African countries are struggling with issues such as high mortality rates. Director-General of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jean Kaseya also addressed the meeting, urging African nations to unite and boost funding to tackle emerging public health challenges. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The National Weather Service issued a Flood Advisory for parts of San Diego and Riverside counties on Sunday due to heavy rainfall from thunderstorms sweeping across some areas of the region. The advisory will remain in place until 4:12 p.m. According to the NWS, Doppler radar detected intense rainfall beginning around 2:13 p.m., with up to 0.75 inches of rain already fallen in some areas. An additional 0.5 to 1 inch of rain is expected, potentially triggering minor flooding, especially in low-lying areas and places with poor drainage. San Diego County welcomes first rain in months from monsoon Areas most affected The advisory covers several rural and mountainous regions, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Southeastern Anza Highway 79 between Warner Springs and Oak Grove Warner Springs Highway 79 between Santa Ysabel and Warner Springs Cahuilla Indian Reservation Los Coyotes Indian Reservation Hazards and precautions Officials warn that some low-water crossings may become impassable, and drivers are urged to take precautions. Turn around, dont drown, the NWS reminded residents. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Motorists traveling through hilly or rural areas should be especially cautious, as these regions often contain dozens of low water crossings that can quickly flood during heavy downpours. Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts and advisories through the NWS at weather.gov/safety/flood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Floridas attorney general says social media companies have no business speaking for kids in a lawsuit challenging the states new restrictions on minors online access. In an Aug. 21 motion to dismiss, Attorney General James Uthmeier argued that the federal law allowing constitutional challenges doesnt apply because the trade groups havent personally suffered a deprivation of federal rights. Uthmeier focused on trade associations like NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association, which represent social media platforms like Meta, Google, Youtube and Snapchat. He said that suing the state on behalf of its members and customers doesn't fall under the law's power to hold state governments accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The state thus grants only 'the party injured' the right to bring 'an action,'" Uthmeier wrote. "It does not give trade associations a derivative action to assert the rights of others who have been deprived of their rights." The trade associations first filed the lawsuit in October, months after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 3 into law. It was supposed to take effect Jan. 1, but the state attorney general's office agreed not to enforce it until U.S. District Judge Mark Walker ruled on whether he'd order to block its enforcement. Nearly three months ago, Walker temporarily blocked part of the challenged law, which would have prohibited anyone under 16 from using some social media platforms, excluding 14- and 15-year-olds who obtain their parent's permission. Uthmeier's motion to dismiss also argues against the trade associations' claims that the law is "unconstitutionally vague," saying that the Florida Legislature isn't obligated to answer "every hypothetical they can dream up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judicial order: Federal court in Florida halts DeSantis-backed youth social media ban, cites free speech Earlier in August, Uthmeier filed suit against domestic and foreign companies that own porn sites, saying they were violating another provision of state law requiring age verification to view adult content. This lawsuit targets XVideos, the second most popular porn website, and other companies that Uthmeier alleged were "endangering minors." The age verification portion of the law was contested in the Northern District of Florida by the Free Speech Coalition, saying it violated the First Amendment and the U.S. Constitution's Commerce Clause, but it dropped the suit after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a similar Texas age verification law early July. First Amendment case dropped: Lawsuit challenging age verification for adult websites dropped in Florida Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isn't the only lawsuit where the same two trade associations are challenging a Florida law. The groups are awaiting a ruling for a 2021 law lauded by DeSantis at the time, in reaction to social media platforms "shadowbanning" or suspending accounts of political candidates. Shadowbanning is when a social media user's content is hidden or less visible without their knowledge. If a Floridian was able to prove an unjustified ban, the law enabled them to sue the social media platform. 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: Florida AG: Tech groups lack standing in HB 3 challenge Days after an immigrant from California was extradited to Florida for allegedly killing three in a trucking accident here, Florida will begin to target truck-driving immigrants at interstate inspection stations throughout the state. At an inspection station off the eastbound lanes on Interstate 10 in Live Oak, Florida officials said they would begin to intercept undocumented immigrants with driver's licenses from other states at these sites. They're also asking the federal government to revoke commercial driver's license (CDL) programs for undocumented immigrants. But while some states do allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver's license, no state has a program that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain a CDL. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to continue to interdict as many people as possible," Attorney General James Uthmeier said at the Aug. 25 news conference. Florida will begin to target truck-driving immigrants at interstate inspection stations throughout the state. As previously reported, Harjinder Singh, a California resident and undocumented immigrant, made what law enforcement said was an illegal U-turn on the turnpike near Fort Pierce on Aug. 12 that resulted in the deaths of three people. Singh originally came from India and entered the U.S. illegally through the Mexico border in 2018, according the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. He was approved and reapproved for a federally-issued work permit, however, with his most recent approval in April of this year. It's possible to obtain what is called a "non-domiciled CDL" if a person has a federally-authorized work permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump's administration now are feuding over whether the state or the federal government is responsible for approving Singh's work permit. Harjinder Singh, right, listens to an interpreter translate the proceedings of his arraignment in Department 8C of the San Joaquin County courthouse in downtown Stockton on Aug. 19, 2025 on charges of killing 3 people while attempted an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce, Florida. As previously reported, Singh, 28, tried to do a U-turn using an official use only cut-through from the northbound outside lane as he was driving a semi-trailer. A 2015 Chrysler minivan traveling north on the inside lane slammed into the truck, killing a 54-year-old man from Miami, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 30-year-old man from Florida City. There are 23 agriculture inspection stations across the state, with another on the way, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said. In the past year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' law enforcement has arrested or turned over almost 150 undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ag Law is not just looking for agricultural bugs ... we're also looking for drugs and thugs," he said. All agriculture law enforcement in Florida were certified to work with federal immigration enforcement in early July, Simpson said. A Change.org petition that asks Gov. Ron DeSantis for "fair sentencing," for Singh currently has more than 2.7 million signatures. Ana Goni-Lessan, state watchdog reporter for the USA TODAY Network Florida, can be reached at agonilessan@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida ag law to ramp up immigration arrests on interstates If youve been watching the headlines lately, you know immigration is once again front and center not just in politics, but now on the asphalt. According to reports first published by the New York Post and echoed across Fox News and other major outlets, Florida has officially turned all 27 of its commercial truck weigh stations into immigration checkpoints, with ICE agents now stationed alongside Florida Highway Patrol and DOT enforcement. The goal? To catch undocumented immigrants operating commercial vehicles and remove drivers who either lack legal presence in the U.S. or obtained their CDLs through fraudulent means. For many Americans including a surprising number of truck drivers themselves this is long overdue. In online forums, driver lounges, and social media threads, youll find plenty of voices cheering Floridas move. They see it as a strong, clear stand: follow the law, or dont drive a truck in this country. And frankly, theres a lot of merit to that logic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when youre running a small fleet or operating as an owner-operator, its also your job to read beyond the headline. Because whether you agree with the policy or not, what matters next is how it affects your time, your risk, your workforce, and your bottom line. A New Role for Weigh Stations Traditionally, weigh stations exist to enforce safety. Axle weights, air brakes, HOS logs, permits, inspections thats the job. But now, in Florida, theyre also tasked with immigration enforcement. ICE agents are actively reviewing driver credentials, questioning individuals based on license status, and collaborating with state law enforcement to identify potential violations of federal immigration law. Governor DeSantis has framed the move as a matter of state-level protection. Florida will not sit idly by while the federal government ignores the border crisis, he said. And for many citizens especially those whove watched the rise of non-domiciled CDLs, suspected identity fraud in CDL schools, and tragic accidents linked to drivers with questionable documentation this hits home. WINNING! The entire state of Florida will now be using truck weigh stations as immigration checkpoints! This is HUGE and will protect Americans from foreingers who can't read or understand English! This is LONG OVERDUE and EVERY state should do it!pic.twitter.com/U0v8J317d1 Gunther Eagleman (@GuntherEagleman) August 25, 2025 Support Inside the Industry Plenty of truck drivers are publicly backing the move. Their reasons are not always political many are safety-driven. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you cant read a sign, you shouldnt be hauling 80,000 pounds down the road, said one driver in a Reddit thread that drew over 1,000 upvotes. Ive seen guys at truck stops who dont even know how to use the DEF pump. If you got your CDL through a loophole, that puts all of us at risk. Theres a real concern, especially among experienced drivers, that fraudulent CDL mills, language barriers, and lack of proper training are becoming a systemic threat. And thats not something to ignore. Theyve got a point. Weve seen high-profile crashes like the recent ones in Florida and Texas where investigators discovered licensing fraud, poor communication skills, and forged documents. Thats not about nationality. Its about competence and safety. The Problem Is Execution, Not Intent Heres where things get more complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if you support the goal of Floridas policy, the execution still raises red flags for carriers and drivers who are doing everything by the book. Lets play this out: Your driver is a lawful permanent resident with a valid CDL. He speaks English well enough to do his job, but under pressure and with a thick accent he stumbles through questions at the weigh station. ICE flags his documents for verification. Hes held for two hours. Your load is now late. Your reefer temp is rising. Your customer is calling. Thats not theoretical. Thats the kind of on-the-ground situations small carriers are bracing for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if were honest, bad actors will still try to find ways to dodge enforcement. Theyll reroute. Theyll run nights. Theyll ghost the weigh stations. Its the compliant fleets who may wind up shouldering the delays. The Real Question: Who Gets Burdened? Every time we add a layer of enforcement at the roadside, we shift the weight downstream. Large fleets can absorb that. Theyve got driver managers, legal departments, insurance liaisons, and spare trucks to plug the gap. But the guy with two trucks and three drivers? He doesnt have a legal retainer. He doesnt have extra staff to dispute a detention delay caused by ICE. And if one driver feels profiled or unjustly detained, he might quit and good drivers are already hard to find. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be honest: compliance checks likely hit the small carriers hardest. And What About Shippers? Another issue that hasnt been talked about enough is how shippers and brokers will respond. Will they begin avoiding Florida altogether to maintain on-time service guarantees? Will they penalize late loads if a driver is held for secondary immigration screening? None of those answers are clear yet. But if youve run loads long enough, you know how quickly accountability skips over the regulatory cause and lands squarely on your lap. The Bigger Picture: The Slippery Slope Floridas decision sets a new precedent. And precedents matter. Today, its immigration screening in Florida. Tomorrow, it could be: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citizenship checks in Texas Language fluency assessments in Georgia Criminal background reviews at every port of entry. The more we expand the purpose of weigh stations beyond safety and compliance, the more subjective enforcement becomes. We are already seeing some states enforce And again if youre clean, youve got nothing to hide. Will more states follow suit with the support of ICE and its new funding? Closing Thought: Respecting the Rule of Law, Without Losing the Road Heres the bottom line. You can support the rule of law and still be worried about how consistently its enforced. You can want safer roads and still ask for clear boundaries. You can be proud of your immigration status, your compliance record, your English skills and still feel frustrated when an officer with a badge pulls your driver aside for reasons that feel murky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridas weigh station shift is not the end of the world. But its not a neutral move either. It adds a new wrinkle in the day of an owner operator or small fleet owner who travels that area from time to time. And for the small carriers who keep this country running not just through Florida, but across every freight lane in America that pressure has real consequences. The challenge now isnt whether you support it or oppose it. The challenge is how we protect drivers, protect the motoring public, and protect the balance between enforcement and fairness. Because once that balance breaks, trust breaks with it. And once trust is gone the load stops moving. The post Florida Turns Weigh Stations Into Immigration Checkpoints Necessary Protection or Risky Precedent for Small Carriers? appeared first on FreightWaves. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has modified its temporary waiver, allowing commercial drivers and motor carriers to use paper medical examiner certificates for up to 60 days after issuance, extending the previous 15-day allowance as state licensing agencies continue transitioning to electronic medical certification systems. FMCSA announced the waiver modification Aug. 21, extending the grace period for interstate commercial drivers license holders, commercial learners permit holders and motor carriers to rely on paper copies of medical examiners certificates as proof of medical certification for up to 60 days after the certificate was issued. The agency initially issued a 15-day waiver on July 14. The 60-day waiver remains in effect until Oct. 12, 2025, providing additional relief as the trucking industry adapts to the National Registry II electronic transmission requirements that took effect June 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The waiver modification addresses ongoing implementation challenges with the Medical Examiners Certification Integration rule, which requires certified medical examiners to submit examination results to FMCSAs National Registry electronically and for state driver licensing agencies to receive and post that information to driver records automatically. According to FMCSA, only 38 states and the District of Columbia have implemented NRII as of August 21, meaning that twelve states have not yet implemented NRII and are continuing to rely on paper medical certificates. The non-compliant states include Alaska, California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Vermont and Wyoming. The agency determined the extension was necessary to prevent hardship on drivers and carriers experiencing processing delays beyond their control during the transition period. Since the initial waiver grant on July 14, 2025, FMCSA has become aware that some drivers with a current, valid MEC may face delays beyond 15 days to update their CDLIS driver MVR, the agency stated. Key Requirements for Drivers and Fleets Under the extended waiver, commercial drivers must carry a paper copy of their current, valid Medical Examiners Certificate issued by a certified medical examiner within the prior 60 days. The waiver only applies if the driver holds a valid paper certificate issued by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry and the motor carrier maintains a copy in the drivers qualification file. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Motor carriers can maintain copies of drivers medical certificates in qualification files for up to 60 days from the certification date before being required to obtain updated motor vehicle records showing electronic medical certification status. After the 60-day period, carriers must verify that electronic exam results have been updated on drivers motor vehicle records to avoid compliance issues during DOT audits or inspections. The waiver does not apply to drivers operating without a current, valid medical certificate or to motor carriers that lack proper documentation within the 60-day window. Drivers who do not have a copy of their current, valid medical certificate that was issued within 60 days prior cannot operate under the waiver provision. Compliance Recommendations for Industry FMCSA continues recommending that certified medical examiners issue paper Medical Examiners Certificates Form MCSA-5876 to drivers in addition to submitting examination results electronically through the National Registry system, particularly for drivers licensed in non-compliant states. Motor carriers should verify that certified medical examiners issue drivers paper certificates and remain valid within the 60-day window. Fleet managers should monitor motor vehicle record updates after the 60 days and educate staff on the waivers conditions and the importance of carrying valid paper certificates, especially in non-NRII-compliant states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers should request paper certificates from medical examiners, present copies to their motor carriers and continue carrying certificates while operating. They should also work with carriers to ensure exam information is associated with their driving records via state licensing agencies within 60 days after examination and verify accurate information during DOT physicals to prevent transmission errors. Electronic System Requirements The National Registry II rule requires medical examiners to upload driver examination results to the National Registry by midnight of the next calendar day following examinations. The results are then electronically transmitted from the National Registry to State Driver Licensing Agencies for posting to driver motor vehicle records. Once fully implemented, the electronic system will eliminate the need for CDL and CLP holders to carry paper medical certificates, as their medical certification status will be available through state motor vehicle records accessible to law enforcement and inspectors. For states that have not yet implemented the electronic system, drivers must continue submitting paper medical certificates to state licensing agencies using traditional methods until their state becomes compliant with NRII requirements. Industry Impact and Timeline The electronic medical certification system is designed to reduce fraud, improve data accuracy and provide real-time access to driver medical qualification information for roadside inspections and law enforcement. The system eliminates the previous fragmented process where drivers were responsible for physically submitting certificates to state agencies and manual record updates were prone to human error and paperwork bottlenecks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the digitalized system will make life easier for lawful truck drivers and harder for bad actors who want to commit fraud when announcing the rules implementation in June. FMCSA Chief Counsel Jesse Elison noted the waiver modification ensures a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety that would be obtained in the absence of the waiver. Motor carriers operating in compliant states will no longer need to verify that medical examiners are listed on the National Registry or maintain paper copies of medical certificates in driver qualification files once the transition is complete. Instead, they must verify driver medical certification status through state motor vehicle records, making regular MVR monitoring critical for compliance. The Medical Examiners Certification Integration rule was initially published in 2015 with multiple compliance delays. The rule does not change the medical certification process for non-CDL drivers, who will continue receiving and carrying paper medical certificates. The waiver provides critical breathing room for the industry as the remaining 12 non-compliant states work to implement necessary information technology systems and procedures. FMCSA has not announced penalties for states that miss compliance deadlines but continues working with state agencies to complete the transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drivers and motor carriers can find additional resources and guidance on NRII requirements through FMCSAs NRII Learning Center. The agency maintains an updated list of states that have not yet implemented electronic medical certification systems on the learning center website. The post FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Certificate Waiver As States Continue Transition appeared first on FreightWaves. Nearly a week after Hamas accepted the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal from Qatari and Egyptian mediators, Israel has yet to respond - even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims he is immediately starting negotiations to release all the hostages and end the war. The silence reflects a fundamental shift in Israels approach that has befuddled mediators and families of the remaining hostages, who have accused Netanyahu of abandoning and sacrificing their loved ones. After 18 months of agreeing only to partial, phased ceasefire deals, Netanyahu is now demanding a comprehensive agreement that would secure the release of all hostages and end the war entirely on Israels terms. The policy reversal comes as the prime minister simultaneously accelerates plans for a massive military assault on Gaza City, pursuing a dual strategy of negotiating while waging war to defeat Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Netanyahu declared that he had instructed his team to immediately start negotiations for the return of all the hostages and end the war in Gaza. But he did so without once mentioning the proposal currently on the table which calls for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of half of the hostages. The latest proposal is similar to the 60-day ceasefire Netanyahu agreed to last month, only with terms more favorable to Israel after Hamas showed flexibility on the number of prisoners to be released and the size of the security perimeter. At the same time, Netanyahu made a point of continuing to advance plans for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) massive assault and takeover of Gaza City. Israel attributes Hamas concessions to the threat of its imminent Gaza City offensive, and Israeli officials say they believe the renewed threat of heavy military pressure will make Hamas more flexible to accept Israels conditions to end the war. Israel has long claimed that military pressure will force Hamas to the table, but the terror group, while depleted, has defied defeat despite nearly two years of fighting. Demonstrators block a road during a protest demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for the Israeli government to reverse its decision to take over Gaza City and other areas in the Gaza Strip, near Jerusalem, Israel, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025. - Ohad Zwigenberg/AP Netanyahu has not explained what caused this dramatic shift from a partial to a comprehensive negotiation framework, and his mixed messaging has left many in Israel and abroad confused: for a year and a half the government refused to discuss ending the war and only agreed to negotiate phased and partial ceasefire agreements. Now hes opting only for a comprehensive deal and has been reluctant to respond to the mediators latest proposal that was accepted by Hamas, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basem Naim, a senior member of Hamas political bureau, said in a statement, The movement has presented everything necessary to reach a ceasefire agreement and is still ready to do so with all national responsibility and an open mind. Naim said that Netanyahu has a green light from the Trump administration to continue what he called a dirty game. Trumps belief that Hamas want to die According to senior Israeli sources, the answer in Netanyahus new negotiations strategy lies not in Jerusalem but in Washington. In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump has expressed explicit public support for Israels renewed assault in Gaza, adopting the Israeli rhetoric aiming to destroy Hamas, instead of pushing for a temporary ceasefire. We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be, President Trump wrote on his Truth Social media platform last week. According to one senior Israeli source, after Hamas raised obstacles during the last round of negotiations in Qatar in July, Trump lost patience and trust with the partial process and doesnt believe Hamas actually wants a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This echoes remarks his envoy Steve Witkoff made after the latest round of talks collapsed, slamming Hamas as uncoordinated and not acting in good faith and saying the US would explore alternative options to secure hostage release and stabilize Gaza. It was too bad. Hamas didnt really want to make a deal. I think they want to die, Trump told reporters outside the White House at the time. Shortly after the comments, Netanyahus office shifted to an all or nothing approach, demanding a comprehensive deal. In the latest Israeli security cabinet meeting, during which Netanyahus government approved the decision to expand and deepen the operation in Gaza City, five conditions were set to end the war: disarmament of Hamas, the release of all the hostages, demilitarization of Gaza while maintaining Israeli security control, and the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. But Hamas has drawn a red line at any notion of disarming. Israeli analysts say Netanyahus double-messaging pursuing war and peace is a political tactic to buy time. It prolongs the war and his own rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu is fully aware that Hamas will never accept his conditions for ending the war and that is precisely his point, Chaim Levinson, a senior diplomatic commentator for Israels Haaretz newspaper, told CNN. Netanyahus demand for territorial control over large swaths of Gaza is likely to derail any potential agreement. Men walk between piles of rubble in Saftawi neighbourhood, west of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on August 24, 2025, amid the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas militant group. - Bashar Taleb/AFP/Getty Images Netanyahu has demanded full Israeli security control over Gaza in any post-war scenario, a scenario in which Israel would retain the right to carry out strikes in Gaza. Under such conditions, no one will invest in Gaza, since the territory would remain trapped in a state of ongoing conflict, Levinson said. While repeated polling has shown that the vast majority of the Israeli public would support any deal that would bring back the hostages - Netanyahus far-right coalition partners, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, adamantly oppose any ceasefire or end to the war, and have warned more than once that it could lead to the collapse of his government. Because of that overt threat, all of the hostage deals so far were designed as phased and gradual, according to an Israeli source with knowledge of the negotiations. The partial approach enabled Netanyahu to promise his coalition partners that Israel will resume the war eventually. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahus far-right allies have pressed the Israeli leader to expand the war and ramp up the bombardment of the devastated enclave until Hamas surrenders. Former State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the Biden administration believed Netanyahu was throwing up roadblocks to a ceasefire deal. There were times that we very much wanted to go public and make clear that we thought the prime minister was being completely intransigent and making it tougher to get a deal, he told Israels Channel 13. But the administration kept the disagreements private, Miller said, because former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar pulled back from negotiations when he saw a split between the US and Israel. The prime ministers latest maneuvering and perceived double messaging has escalated tensions between his government and the families of the remaining hostages in Gaza. The families, who have been ramping up public pressure since the cabinet approved the Gaza City offensive, accused the government of sacrificing the hostages by delaying or dismissing the partial agreement on the table. After launching some of the largest anti-war protests Israel has seen since the beginning of the conflict nearly two years ago, the hostage families are scheduling another protest for Tuesday night, trying to keep the pressure on a government they feel is deaf to their cries of pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Einav Zangauker, the mother of Matan, who is held hostage in Gaza, blamed Netanyahu for torpedoing the negotiations. You are setting unattainable conditions to end the war, preparing the army to conquer Gaza, you will lead soldiers into death traps, she said at a demonstration on Friday night outside the prime ministers residence. You will sentence Matan to death, you will cause the deceased hostages to disappear forever! In an attempt to brush off public criticism, Netanyahus office briefed Israeli reporters over the weekend that he will be sending a negotiation team as soon as a location is set for the talks. But without a site selected for the next attempt at ceasefire negotiations and with the US team tied up with Ukraine and Russia Netanyahu can pursue his dual strategy: making statements about ending the war while taking military action that escalates it. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) This years Peoria Irish Fest was not just about Irish food, music and culture; it was also about helping local families put meals on the table. Festival organizers partnered with the St. Vincent de Paul Conference to host a food drive, giving free admission to anyone who brought canned goods. The effort brought in an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 cans, which will be distributed through the groups food pantry. Glen Forck, president of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference, said the donations will go a long way toward feeding families across central Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of cans were collecting, it does a couple of things. One thing, we get food from other pantries. We dont get a lot of assortments. So today we get a wide assortment of food, which is great and will carry us for about four months of delivery. So its really important to us, Forck said. The pantry regularly provides bags of food to people in need, including seniors, disabled residents and grandparents raising grandchildren. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Donald Trumps second term in office has been marked by a series of unprecedented and highly controversial law enforcement decisions everything from mass pardons to an immigration crackdown that has pushed, if not blown right through, the most basic constitutional constraints. Recent public polling suggests that a growing number of Americans are rattled by what they have seen and are increasingly concerned about the future of the countrys law enforcement apparatus and legal system. The news on Friday that the FBI raided the home of John Bolton, a former Trump official turned critic, is not likely to help matters. Now those concerns are going global. Senior officials in some of Americas closest European allies are quietly fretting about the law enforcement priorities of the Trump administration and even the conduct of the Justice Department, according to four European diplomats who are stationed in Washington and who were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive trans-Atlantic diplomatic and law enforcement matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their concerns run the gamut from the administrations approach to specific issues including immigration, free speech and international drug trafficking to broader and more structural questions about the integrity of the U.S. legal system and the potential erosion of the rule of law. The atmosphere has gotten so bad that some of the diplomats I spoke to now worry the Trump administration has complicated, and could eventually undermine, their countries ability to cooperatively work with the Justice Department on critical diplomatic and law enforcement initiatives. Our formal position is that we dont care who the [U.S.] president is, one of them told me, but the Trump administrations actions on various legal fronts have prompted serious concerns about whats happening here and how it may impact the international legal community. It is a sentiment that is both shared and discussed broadly within the European diplomatic corps, they said. The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These diplomats concerns about international law enforcement cooperation are not abstract either, for our allies or for us. U.S. disengagement from key enforcement partnerships, another said, has weakened global coordination in combating corruption, money laundering and cyber threats. The mood among the European diplomatic set, to the extent that it can be summed up based on these conversations, appears to be one of heightened vigilance and of low-level but persistent anxiety about where things are headed in the U.S. legal system in Trumps second term and beyond. We still dont know how far theyll go, one of them told me. The United States ability to cooperate with its trans-Atlantic allies plays an important and underrated role in promoting some of the countrys most critical law enforcement objectives. Under normal circumstances, that cooperation occurs on a daily basis. There are the high-profile matters like when we want someone who has been apprehended in Europe to be extradited to face criminal charges in the U.S. But there are also more mundane, but similarly important, points of collaboration like when the Justice Department requests European banking or travel records as part of a money laundering or financial fraud investigation. (I made my fair share of these requests myself when I was a federal prosecutor.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One diplomat stressed that their country maintains positive relations with the U.S. and that cooperation with their American counterparts remains vital to their domestic security. But they also explained that the Trump administration had forced them to more closely scrutinize and perhaps even enforce provisions in the treaties that govern their cooperation with the United States on law enforcement matters. For instance, they have always had conditions that govern the extradition of prisoners from their country to the U.S. the defendant cannot be subject to the death penalty or held in particularly poor conditions but they are looking at them more strictly now for American compliance. There is worry among real legal minds about potential conflicts on these issues down the line, the diplomat said, but they stressed that as of now, we have no reason to fundamentally change our cooperation with U.S. law enforcement. Another diplomat put things more bluntly, accusing the Trump DOJ of disregarding foundational legal commitments, including protections for asylum seekers and due process in deportations. That, in turn, has undermined the credibility of U.S. leadership and signaled that domestic politics could override international obligations. Some of Europes diplomats worry in particular about the administrations hardline approach to immigration enforcement, even as they recognize that Europe has struggled to manage its own migration issues. One of the diplomats I spoke with told me that they were taken aback by the administrations wide-ranging efforts to deport legal immigrants and revoke visas on vague and unsubstantiated claims like support for terrorism moves that they also view as sharp and disturbing incursions on free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another diplomat was particularly rattled by the administrations invocation of the Alien Enemies Act to send people to El Salvador and its use of third-party deportations, in which foreigners are sent to countries where they have no ties. According to this person, efforts like these would be illegal under European laws and international treaties, but they also signal a heavy-handed and callous approach to international migration problems. In some cases, the Trump administrations aggressive maneuvers may be undercutting its own objectives. Case in point: On Trumps first day back in office, he signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations under U.S. law. There are a host of practical problems with this maneuver, including how it would apply to individuals or companies who have been inadvertently swept up in the cartels operations and whether they could then be criminally charged with providing material support to those organizations for instance, if a business engages in a financial transaction with a company that, unbeknownst to them, has ties to a cartel. But theres other potential collateral damage: The Trump administrations decision could ultimately prevent the extradition of defendants to the United States who have been apprehended by European countries. That is because the foreign terrorist organization designation could expose some defendants to the death penalty, and certain European countries will not extradite defendants to countries where they are eligible for the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the four diplomats cited this issue specifically when describing some of the issues now on their radar. One of them described it as an example of a very practical thing that they are confronting with Trump back in office and added that a recent news report that Trump had directed the use of the U.S. military against foreign cartels had created even more confusion about the relevant legal issues. The apparent disconnect between U.S. law enforcement prerogatives and international legal commitments in that context is emblematic of broader concerns that several of the diplomats expressed to me about the Trump DOJ. Since Trumps return to office, their embassies have at times struggled to reach their designated law enforcement liaisons at the DOJ people who they ordinarily work with to coordinate and facilitate information-sharing on law enforcement matters and to manage extraditions. There are also broader and more serious concerns about whether the Justice Department is being irreversibly politicized under Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. Two of the diplomats I spoke with zeroed in on this issue without prompting. One of them described the strident and aggressive tone in public remarks from Bondi and Patel on law enforcement matters like violent crime and illegal immigration as both counterproductive and unprofessional. They worry that the standards for decorum among the nations top law enforcement officials have fallen, and that senior administration officials like Bondi and Patel as well as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem have politicized law enforcement in a way that may seriously compromise the integrity of the U.S. criminal justice system and make allied law enforcement agencies reluctant to lend support to Trump administration investigations or prosecutions they see as primarily political. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The leaders behave differently from their predecessors and see their roles differently, another diplomat told me. They worried about whether there will be a trickle-down effect in the way they see their jobs and the way they operate that would eventually reach deeper into the career levels of the DOJ and FBI, which are supposed to be strictly nonpartisan. At the same time, the diplomats recognize the practical limits of their influence on these issues given the vital role that the U.S. still retains in providing support to Europe. We depend on the U.S. for our security, one of them noted, which leaves us with little room to maneuver. By definition, diplomats focus on advancing their own countries interests on the global stage, but three of the four officials I spoke with also expressed broader concerns about the future of the rule of law in the United States under Trump. They are not concerned about potential spillover effects in their own legal systems; as one of them noted, the two-party American political system makes the country particularly vulnerable to large political swings. But they are watching and worrying about the future of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the diplomats pointed in particular to the ways in which the private sector and civil society have acceded to Trumps extortionate demands, and they questioned whether the decision to align with the Trump administration out of fear or pragmatism could ultimately entrench a form of politics in the U.S. that is typically associated with corrupt foreign regimes. Another diplomat pointed to politicized judicial appointments, selective law enforcement and shifting prosecutorial standards in recent months that they believe have fed a growing perception both in the U.S. and abroad that the law is being applied unevenly. The implications are not simply theoretical nor are they limited to the U.S. In the transatlantic context, one of them told me, shared principles of justice underpin coordination on everything from extradition and financial crime to cybersecurity and climate policy. They worry about a return to the cowboy era, when might made right and institutional guardrails were weak, which could in turn create an international environment where polarization deepens and democratic norms erode. Restoring trust in the rule of law at home and abroad is not just in the U.S. national interest, they continued. It is vital to global stability. The sole survivor of an Australian mothers poison plot has told the triple murderer he forgives her, a court heard. Erin Patterson, 50, laced a poisoned beef Wellington laced with powdered death cap mushrooms before serving it to her estranged in-laws, Gail and Don Patterson. The mother-of-two also served the meal to Heather and Ian Wilkinson, the aunt and uncle of her husband, Simon Patterson. Mr Wilkinson, a local pastor, was the sole survivor after receiving an organ transplant and spending seven weeks in hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faced Patterson on Monday for the first time since she was found guilty of his attempted murder and the murders of his wife and the parents of her estranged husband in a trial that gripped Australia. Ian Wilkinson said he has been unable to sleep since his wife of 44 years, Heather, died after eating death cap mushrooms Mr Wilkinson wept as he spoke of the loss of his wife, saying he only feels half alive without her during a sentencing hearing for Patterson at the supreme court of Victoria in Melbourne. I only feel half alive without her, Mr Wilkinson said. Its one of the distressing shortcomings of our society that so much attention is showered on those who do evil and so little on those who do good, he added. I make an offer of forgiveness to Erin, Mr Wilkinson said. In regards to the murder of Heather, Gail and Don, I am compelled to seek justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, I encourage Erin to receive my offer of forgiveness for those harms done to me. Heavy burden of grief Mr Wilkinson said he had been unable to sleep as he continued to carry a heavy burden of grief over [the] untimely death of his wife of 44 years. Its a truly horrible thought to live with, that somebody could choose to take her life, he said. The 10-week trial at the court in Morwell has been dubbed Australias trial of the century and gripped the nation. Mr Wilkinson, a Baptist pastor at the Patterson familys church in Korumburra in south-east Victoria, said on Monday he prayed Patterson would use her time in jail wisely to become a better person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of Pattersons solitary life behind bars inside Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a womens prison in Melbourne, emerged on Monday as her defence team sought to convince the judge to impose a lenient non-parole period. For her own safety, Patterson had limited interaction with other inmates and was mostly confined to a small cell with a private exercise courtyard, the court heard. Luxuries she was granted included a selection of wool so she could continue her craft hobby in prison, a computer and a hair straightener. Very grave Colin Mandy, Pattersons barrister, conceded that the offending was very grave but noted that the likelihood of Patterson being held in isolation for the rest of her prison term should be considered in sentencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a factor relevant to sentence, he said. Patterson will be sentenced on Sept 8 and faces a potential life sentence for each of the murders and 25 years for attempted murder. The defence submitted that Patterson claimed she had been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome and that her husband believed she suffered from anxiety, high-functioning autism and possible ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]. Patterson wept as the court heard victim impact statements - ANITA LESTER The judge said the evidence of Aspergers doesnt have a lot of credibility. Prosecutor Jane Warren dismissed the claims of mental health conditions as hearsay evidence. She said Justice Beale, who is presiding over the case, should show Patterson no mercy. She likened the case to one in 2017 when Michael Cardamone was sentenced in Victoria to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of a neighbour whom he burnt alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a crime that is so cruel and so horrific that, in our submission, the offender is not deserving of this courts mercy, Ms Warren said. Rat bait and other poisons Noticeably thinner and with greying hair, Patterson, 50, wept as the court heard victim impact statements, including from her husband. Mr Patterson previously told police he feared his estranged wife had also tried to poison him after their marriage broke down and they rowed over child support payments. Patterson was initially charged with trying to murder her husband, with police preparing to allege in court that she hid rat bait and other poisons in his food. Police dropped those charges at the start of her murder trial after a magistrate questioned the strength of the evidence. Patterson is being held in a restricted area of a womens prison in Melbourne - JASON EDWARDS In his submission to the court on Monday, an exceptionally sad Mr Patterson said the two children he shares with Patterson faced a grim reality after learning their mother killed their grandparents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have also been robbed of hope for the kind of relationship with their mother that every child naturally yearns for, he said, in a statement read aloud by another relative. Like all of us, they face the daunting challenge of trying to comprehend what she [Patterson] has done. The children lived in an irreparably broken home with only a solo parent since their mother was taken into custody in August 2023, their grief compounded by being thrust into the spotlight of one of the most high-profile murder cases in Australian history. The fact these foreseeable hurdles were actively put in front of them by their own mother is an impact we will wrestle with for the rest of our lives, Mr Patterson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His 100-year-old grandmother, Martha Patterson, said she was broken-hearted by the murders of her son Don and daughter-in-law Gail. The whole family is broken, Mrs Patterson said. The hearing continues. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent U.S. House bid in Nebraskas 3rd Congressional District. (Courtesy of Mark Cohen) LINCOLN Lemoyne resident Mark Cohen has launched an exploratory committee to consider an independent bid for Nebraskas 3rd Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith in the 2026 midterms. The states 3rd Congressional District includes central and western Nebraska and much of the states northeastern and southeastern edges. Its one of the nations most conservative congressional districts by political party registration advantage and voting record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith, who was first elected to Congress in 2006, already faces a Republican primary challenger, former U.S. Border Patrol agent David Huebner. Democrat Becky Stille is also running for the Democratic nomination. I love my country, and Im fed up with a two-party system that forces voters to choose between extremists, Cohen said in a statement. The former Air Force Judge Advocate and karate instructor, said he was a Democrat until three years ago but left because he got tired of people in big cities trying to set policy for rural areas on issues like firearms and said, Some Democratic leaders have largely abandoned moderates, because extremists and interest groups dominate the agenda and the funding. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohens campaign website states that he supports responsible gun rights, legalizing and regulating marijuana, and preserving the earths habitability. He also wants to require paper ballots in every election, as electronic voting machines scare him, and says he believes in regulated capitalism. He also says todays Republicans are not conservatives. They call themselves fiscal conservatives, but they cut taxes for the rich and balloon the deficit for our children They say they believe in limited government yet want to regulate almost everything at the federal level now that theyre in power. Smith campaign spokesman Chris Peterson said Smiths conservative record reflects the priorities of the 3rd District. Congressman Adrian Smith is a proven and trusted conservative fighting for Nebraskans alongside President Trump to secure the border and stop illegal immigration, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohens possible bid comes as former Omaha labor leader Dan Osborn is running his second U.S. Senate bid as a nonpartisan candidate this time against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts. Populism, the political approach of appealing to ordinary people by saying their concerns have been ignored by the financial and political elites, is a driving force in modern politics. Cohen said the states 3rd District voters know not all Democrats are socialists and not all Republicans are fascists. They yearn for a plain-speaking populist a Harry Truman, Cohen said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE DES MOINES, Iowa Des Moines Public Schools shared that former Superintendent Gary Wegenke died at 87 earlier this week. Wegenke served as superintendent to DMPS from 1988 through 1998 and was a finalist for National Superintendent of the Year in 1994 during his tenure. Des Moines schools and libraries partner to expand student access During his time he helped reduce the Des Moines districts dropout rates from 10.5% to less than 4%, prioritized early childhood education, and helped increase the number of students placed in advanced classes. Wegenke also increased the number of computers in classrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After leaving DMPS, Wegenke went to Western Michigan University, serving as dean of the College of Education and Human Development until retirement in 2010. According to his obituary, Wegenke passed away on August 20. A memorial for Wegenke is being held on Sept. 2 in East Lansing, Michigan. In leiu of flowers, donations can be made to Canines for Chnage or The Peoples Church. Metro News: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Screenshot of former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell taken August 25, 2025. With the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this week, current and former employees of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are warning that budget cuts to the agency could soon become a major problem with several months left in the Atlantic hurricane season. One of the biggest things that Ill be watching is whether or not FEMAs going to be able to preposition resources ahead of a storms impact like they have had in the past, said Deanne Criswell, who served as FEMA administrator during the Biden administration in a Zoom call on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What weve heard is that [they] want to turn the responsibility for managing disaster to the state and locals, but they already had the responsibility. FEMA can only come in and support if the state asks them to, but they have the ability to be proactive and get resources ready and anticipate what they think a state may ask for. Warning to Congress Earlier on Monday, more than 180 current and former FEMA employees issued a letter to Congress warning that the Trump administration has set back much of the progress in disaster response and recovery since Katrina smashed New Orleans in 2005. The group listed six statements of opposition to what is going on with FEMA, such as the requirement by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that she personally must review and approve all contracts, grants, and mission assignments over $100,000. That means every single decision that goes into the response and recovery would require additional approval, and thats what we saw as a failure during Hurricane Katrina. And I would fear that thats really going to have an impact on the ability for some of these really large-scale events to slow down FEMAs ability to support the people who have been impacted, said Criswell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In their letter, the group opposed the failure to appoint a qualified FEMA administrator, as required by law. Lack of experience Cameron Hamilton, former acting head of FEMA, was fired in May after he told lawmakers the day before that he didnt think it was in the publics interest to dismantle the federal agency. He was replaced led by David Richardson, who has no experience managing natural disasters. Criswell noted that was also the case when Katrina hit in 2005, when Michael D. Brown served as FEMA director under President George W. Bush. Brown had been a lawyer active in GOP politics in Oklahoma who had supervised police and fire departments as an assistant city manager in an Oklahoma City suburb before being appointed to lead FEMA in 2003. And she said shes concerned that there have been several regional administrators who have stepped down in recent months. If youre a good leader, youre going to rely on the knowledge and skills and abilities of your staff, yet weve seen much of the leadership across FEMA also leave, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Zoom call was organized by the group Sabotaging our Safety, and included Jacksonville Democratic Rep. Angie Nixon and two other Democrats running for office next year: former Miami-Dade County state Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, who is running for attorney general, and Colonel Darren McAuley, running for Congress in Floridas 15th District. We need to be very clear that FEMA cuts will have a direct impact on the health, well-being, and medical care of our neighbors and our communities, McAuley said. FEMA helps us prepare us for a storm, but it also helps us to mitigate the response after a storm. President Donald Trump said in June that he intended to phase FEMA out after this years hurricane season. In April, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had said that the state could handle emergencies without federal funds but said he didnt believe the president would do so without the federal government giving grants to the states. FEMA approved more than $1 billion in individual assistance last year to Floridians following the destruction from Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE President Donald Trump's first secretary of Labor will answer questions from House investigators next month about his involvement in the Jeffrey Epstein case. House Oversight Chair James Comer said Monday that Alex Acosta, who led the Labor Department from 2017 to 2019, has agreed to sit for a transcribed interview with the panel on Sept. 19. As U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Acosta signed off on a 2008 deal that allowed Epstein to plead guilty to a single state charge, ending a long-running FBI investigation without federal charges. The deal is now widely seen as being unduly favorable to Epstein, who was later charged with federal sex trafficking charges and subsequently died by suicide in Justice Department custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acosta defended the 2008 deal after the federal charges were filed in 2019, while he was serving in the first Trump administration. The prior deal, he said, forced Epstein to register as a sex offender and put the public on notice of his behavior. Comer separately said Monday that his panel is probing the federal government's possible mishandling of the Epstein case and has issued a subpoena to the Epstein estate "for documents and communications in its possession, custody, or control in unredacted form." Republican leaders have been scrambling to head off growing demands from rank-and-file House members for the Trump administration to release more information about the Epstein case. So far, lawmakers have gotten their hands on scant new information about the case. Congress reconvenes next week, with Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) planning to quickly push forward with an effort to force a vote on a bill that would compel the Justice Department to release its entire Epstein-related trove of documents. By Luc Cohen and Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) -Former Mexican drug kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada admitted in a U.S. courtroom on Monday to ordering murders and shipping millions of kilograms of cocaine during his decades-long leadership of the violent Sinaloa cartel. Zambada, 75, faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment after pleading guilty in federal court in Brooklyn to charges that he engaged in a racketeering conspiracy and ran a continuing criminal enterprise that prosecutors said was responsible for flooding the U.S. with cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those charges stemmed from his decades-long role leading the Sinaloa cartel alongside imprisoned drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison in Colorado. "They brutally murdered multiple people and flooded our country with drugs," Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters. "Their reign of terror is over. He will never walk free again." Zambada agreed to plead guilty after the Justice Department this month said it would not seek the death penalty for Zambada or Rafael Caro Quintero, another septuagenarian alleged Mexican drug lord facing U.S. charges. Zambada wore a blue prison-issued T-shirt over an orange long-sleeved shirt and walked with a slight limp as he entered U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan's courtroom, which was packed with members of the Drug Enforcement Administration and other U.S. law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sporting gray hair and a full beard, he smiled at his defense lawyers before entering his guilty plea. Speaking softly through a Spanish interpreter, Zambada recounted a life of crime that he said began when he planted a marijuana plant in 1969 at the age of 19. He said the Sinaloa cartel under his leadership shipped more than 1.5 million kilograms (3.3 million pounds) of cocaine, raking in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Zambada said the cartel bribed Mexican politicians and police to protect its drugs, and said he ordered armed men under his command to murder rivals. "Many innocent people also died," Zambada said, reading from a prepared statement in Spanish at a quick pace. "I apologize to everyone who has suffered or has been affected by my actions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIFE IMPRISONMENT Zambada was arrested in July 2024 alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of Guzman's sons, after the plane in which they were traveling landed at a small airstrip in New Mexico. Zambada's lawyer has said Guzman Lopez kidnapped Zambada, which the Guzman family lawyer has denied. Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to U.S. drug trafficking charges. U.S. prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty for him if convicted. Mexico this month sent more than two dozen suspected cartel members to the U.S., as President Donald Trump has ratcheted up pressure on Mexico to dismantle the country's powerful drug organizations. Mexico has said it received assurances from the Justice Department that it would not seek the death penalty for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Zambada's lawyer Frank Perez said his client was not cooperating with U.S. authorities. Cogan set Zambada's sentencing for January 13, 2026. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York and Nate Raymond in BostonEditing by Noeleen Walder, Rod Nickel, Matthew Lewis and David Gregorio) HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) A former state pardons secretary and Harrisburg community leader has passed away. The Harrisburg organization Bro2Go announced last night that the community is mourning the loss of Brandon J. Flood, who they called a true giant in our community and the organizations first president. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Alerts After serving five years in prison at SCI Chester, Flood vowed never to return to the facility and instead devoted his life to advocating for reentry, justice, and uplifting the local community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flood became a research associate and an executive director of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives before working as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons from April 2019 to December 2021 under Governor Tom Wolf. Nearly ten years after his incarceration, Flood returned to SCI Chester, helping justice-involved individuals successfully reintegrate into the workforce. He also worked for CeaseFirePA, SEIU, and the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Rep. Scott Perry released a statement on Facebook offering his condolences: Shocked to learn of the passing far too soon of a solid, good man I truly respected, who made an indelible mark in this life. God bless, #BrandonFlood; see you on the High Ground, my friend. Carlisle Mayor Sean Shultz released a statement saying, Brandons life was a testament to the power of redemption and purpose. After receiving a pardon for past convictions, he dedicated himself to transforming the very system that held him back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis provided a statement of his own, saying, Pennsylvania lost a champion for justice with the passing of former Pardons Secretary Brandon Flood. A strong community advocate and father, his life was a testament to the power of redemption. His unexpected passing leaves a hole in the Harrisburg community. We are keeping his family, friends, and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Barbara Melvin, who resigned last week as president and CEO of the S.C. State Ports Authority, will receive a severance package worth nearly $1 million. (Photo courtesy of the S.C. State Ports Authority) The S.C. State Ports Authority will pay nearly $1 million in a severance package for Barbara Melvin, the maritime agencys former president and CEO who abruptly resigned last week. The bulk of that will be $822,780 in pre-tax salary continuation payments to Melvin through the end of this year and a $100,000 contribution to her state retirement account, according to the agreement obtained by the SC Gazette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The authority which owns and operates the Port of Charleston, the states top economic driver will also hire Melvin as a consultant on an as-needed basis to help with the transition to new leadership through the end of this year. She will be paid $350 per hour for that work. Melvins payout does not come from state taxes. The authoritys employees are paid through revenue generated by the port, not the state budget. Melvin, who held the authoritys top job for a little more than three years, resigned unexpectedly on Aug. 21, two days after the agencys board of directors held an unscheduled closed-door session following their regular meeting. There was no public mention of Melvins job during that meeting. Melvin, in her resignation letter, did not give a reason for her departure. The authority, in a news release, said she plans to pursue other opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am grateful for the opportunity to have served South Carolina and the Ports Authority over these many years, Melvin said in a written statement included with the news release. However, for personal and professional reasons, I want to pursue other opportunities. Phil Padgett, the authoritys chief financial officer and vice president of administration, has been named interim president and CEO. Melvins severance package includes several other perks. For example, she will be allowed to keep her company iPad, laptop and cellphone after authority-related information has been wiped from them. She also will receive the balance of any accrued leave she hasnt used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melvin had been with the authority for 27 years, holding various jobs including head of government relations and chief operating officer at the agency that employs about 740 people. She succeeded former CEO Jim Newsome in July 2022 after Newsome retired. Melvins tenure as top boss was met with several challenges. Last year, the authority lost a court battle in which the International Longshoremans Association the dockworkers union won the right to operate cranes at Charlestons port. The case, which made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, overturned a decades-old practice in which non-union authority employees operated cranes while union workers moved cargo on the ports terminals. That legal challenge shut down the authoritys new Leatherman Terminal, a $1 billion investment in North Charleston, for nearly two years while the case made its way through the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melvin also announced an unpopular redevelopment plan for the authoritys roughly 70-acre Union Pier property in downtown Charleston. The plan, which included a dense mix of retail and residential uses along Charleston Harbor, was abandoned after criticism from local environmental and preservation groups. A community-based planning process followed, but it was also abandoned when the authority agreed to sell the property to Charleston billionaire Ben Navarro. That sale has not yet closed. Most recently, a taxpayer-funded rail project the authority says it needs to stay competitive with other ports fell behind schedule while its budget ballooned. The rail yard, where trains will load and unload cargo containers near the Leatherman Terminal, was supposed to open in July but now wont fully open until March 2027. State legislators, who agreed to set aside $550 million for the project, said they had been given little information about its progress. The projects cost estimate has now climbed to $690 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melvin also had several successes, overseeing operations that generate $87 billion in annual economic benefit statewide. She oversaw the completion of a harbor deepening project that gives the Port of Charleston the deepest waterway along the East Coast, allowing the worlds biggest and heaviest container ships to visit the port at any time regardless of tides. And she helped orchestrate the authoritys purchase of a former WestRock paper mill adjacent to the North Charleston Terminal allowing for expansions that will eventually double the ports cargo capacity. She has been instrumental in moving the ports authority in a positive direction as CEO these last three years and advancing several critical infrastructure projects, including overseeing the reopening of the Leatherman Terminal, Bill Stern, the authoritys board chairman, said in a written statement. We wish her the best as she embarks upon new challenges and opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about Melvins departure, Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters hes had some concerns about what was happening at the port for some time. He generally criticized a slowness of processes and specifically cited the lost court battle with the dockworkers union. Its a big operation. It employs a lot of people, and it also has an enormous impact on our state, he said Tuesday. So, its got to be at the top of its game all the time. He noted hes appointed four new members to the ports authoritys nine-member governing board in the last year. You always need new blood and new points of view new skills, new understandings, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His appointees were aware of his concerns, McMaster said, though he told reporters he didnt know if that had anything to do with her leaving. He questioned the severance package. Thats a lot of money, McMaster said. Jessica Holdman contributed to this report. Editors note: This article was updated Tuesday, Aug. 26, with a response from Gov. Henry McMaster. Rhodes is the oldest scholarship program in the world. Established at Oxford University in 1903, next years edition will mark a decade since the program arrived in Israel. The $300,000 Rhodes Scholarship program announced this week that former Israeli Supreme Court president Esther Hayut will join the selection committee in Israel, helping select the next two recipients of the award. Hayut stated, I believe Israeli scholars need to be at the international table where ideas, values, and futures are shaped. The Rhodes Scholarship represents a tradition of intellectual courage and serious engagement. At a time when public discourse is often polarised and divisive, it is more important than ever to champion depth, nuance, and integrity. I am proud to support young Israelis who embody those qualities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhodes is the oldest scholarship program in the world. Established at Oxford University in 1903, next years edition will mark a decade since the program arrived in Israel. Since it arrived in 2016, 18 Israeli students, known as Rhodes Scholars, have received the comprehensive package that includes full tuition for 23 years of postgraduate study, a living stipend, housing, airfare, and more. Doron Weber, National Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships for Israel. (credit: Rhodes Scholarship) How to apply to the Rhodes Scholarship? According to the organization, the deadline for applications is October 15, 2025. In order to apply, students must be up to 27 years old, have an Israeli passport, have resided in Israel for at least five of the past 10 years, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.7 (93). Israel Rhodes Selection Committee member and former deputy governor of the Bank of Israel, Dr. Nadine Baudot-Trajtenberg, received the Scholarship some 30 years ago, as a resident of Canada, before immigrating to Israel, shared the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doron Weber, national secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships for Israel, said: The Rhodes Scholarship represents academic excellence in a wide range of fields, but it also honours exceptional leadership, character, and public service. Its a platform for nurturing original thinkers and bold, principled leaders. "During difficult times when divisions run deep, and certain problems may seem intractable, it is imperative that Israeli voices of every stripe remain part of the global conversation, bringing their experience, empathy, and sense of purpose to the challenges facing our world. Other notable Rhodes Israel alumni include Nadav Lidor, co-founder of the fintech infrastructure company Weav, which Brex acquired for $50 million, and Lian Ryan-Hume, the first Arab-Israeli Rhodes Scholar, who now leads Trust & Safety Policy for TikTok in the Middle East. Previous winners alma maters include Tel Aviv University, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Hebrew University, Reichmann University, and the University of Haifa. Fort Lauderdale has called an emergency meeting after being ordered by the state to remove a rainbow-colored pride display from a side street near the beach. The state order, which comes with a Sept. 4 deadline, prompted Mayor Dean Trantalis to set the meeting for 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the citys official response and give residents in one of the states most LGBTQ-friendly towns a chance to speak. There seems to be an irrational vengeance on the part of the state to erase images that reflect the LGBTQ community, Trantalis said Monday. They will attempt different approaches. Right now their approach is to invoke an obscure statute regarding traffic enforcement. But this isnt really a pedestrian issue. This is a culture war. Lets call it what it is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a matter of days, state officials have already twice painted over a rainbow-colored crosswalk in Orlando honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub, where a mass shooting left 49 dead and 53 wounded in 2016. In response, vandals in Fort Lauderdale painted rainbow crosswalks outside two of Florida Department of Transportation offices in Broward County, according to a report from WSVN-Ch. 7. One crosswalk had this message: Pulse you will not erase us. Another had the word Pulse with a heart next to it. Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation could not be reached for comment Monday. Gov. Ron DeSantis defended the statewide order last week, posting a message on X saying, We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Fort Lauderdale, the rainbow crosswalk targeted by the state is on Sebastian Street near the unofficial LGBTQ section of Fort Lauderdale beach. The state on Thursday ordered the city to remove three other painted street designs that have nothing to do with the LGBTQ community. Those are located at Breakers Avenue and Riomar Street; Breakers Avenue and Terramar Street; and East Las Olas Boulevard and Almond Avenue. If the designs are not gone by Sept. 4, they will be removed by the state and all costs associated with the removal will be billed to Fort Lauderdale, the letter warned. Should Fort Lauderdale not comply, the Department of Transportation will seek to withhold state funds, the letter said. Things are getting darker every day in the Sunshine State, said Commissioner Steve Glassman, whose district is home to all four locations now in the states crosshairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glassman added: This is a very sad period in our history. Its like we all jumped in a time machine and went back 50 years. The state coming after these issues is making everyone shake their heads. Its sad. Its troubling. Local drag activist Eric Swanson, also known as Miss Bouvee, leads a peaceful protest at the Rainbow Bridge railings in Wilton Manors on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Kevin OConnell of Lauderhill joins a protest at the Rainbow Crosswalk along Sebastian Street and A1A in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Hector Cintron of Fort Lauderdale takes part in a peaceful protest at the Rainbow Bridge railings in Wilton Manors on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) People protest the removal of Pride crosswalks and other LGBTQ+ displays near the Rainbow Bridge railings in Wilton Manors on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) People protest the removal of Pride crosswalks and other LGBTQ+ displays near the Rainbow Bridge railings in Wilton Manors on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Protesters gather at the Rainbow Bridge railings in Wilton Manors on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Local drag activist Eric Swanson, also known as Miss Bouvee, leads a peaceful protest at the Rainbow Crosswalk along Sebastian Street and A1A in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 8People protest the removal of Pride crosswalks and other LGBTQ+ displays near the Rainbow Bridge railings in Wilton Manors on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Expand Glassman said he plans to ask the city attorney how Fort Lauderdale might fare if the commission chooses to battle the state order in court. Because if you just roll over now, its never going to end, Glassman said. Next its going to be: Take down that public art in your park. Its cruel. And I dont see the state becoming less cruel as time goes on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some cities, including Boynton Beach and West Palm Beach, have quickly complied with the state order. Others have been defiant or slow to respond. Among them: Delray Beach, Key West, Miami Beach and Orlando. Its too soon to say whether Fort Lauderdale will fight the order. But even if the imagery is removed from the street, it wont be erased from sight altogether, Trantalis said. It doesnt mean the rainbow imagery will go away, he said. Well just find another place to put it. Its irrational cultural combat thats steering this. And were not looking to fight. Were not looking to engage the state in a fight over culture wars. No one wins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, LGBTQ activists and their allies planned to take to the streets from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale and beyond to protest. One protest was planned Monday afternoon on Sebastian Street in Fort Lauderdale, while another was planned in nearby Wilton Manors. Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) Four people were hurt after a shooting inside a Hagerstown bar on Sunday, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office. Deputies say crews responded to shots fired at 2:15 a.m. at The Chop Bar on 11205 John F. Kennedy Drive. There, four people were found suffering from gunshot wounds, with three sustaining non-life-threatening injuries and one person in serious condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mother, boyfriend charged in death of 3-month-old baby in Spotsylvania County Anyone with information is asked to call Detective A. Koontz at (240) 313-2186 or via email at akoontz@washco-md.net. Tips may be submitted anonymously. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. by Hayati Nupus JAKARTA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- For Putri Adityowati, mornings at Bogor Train Station in Indonesia's West Java province always bring a racing heartbeat, as she joins hundreds of other passengers jostling to squeeze into a commuter train bound for Jakarta. If she is lucky, the civil servant secures a seat, opens her laptop, and uses the hour-long ride to clear backlogs, coordinate online with colleagues, or simply catch up on sleep. If not, she must stand pressed tightly among fellow commuters until the train reaches its destination. "When I first relocated from Jakarta to Bogor with my family, I was shocked by the long and exhausting commute. But I'm not alone; millions of other workers experience the same thing," Putri told Xinhua recently. Like her, many Jakarta employees choose to live in satellite cities such as Bogor and Bekasi in West Java, or Tangerang and Rangkasbitung in Banten Province. Sky-high housing prices and steep rents in Jakarta push families to buy homes in the suburbs, even if it means daily journeys that take a toll physically and mentally. Even when affordable homes exist within Jakarta, they are often tiny units, unsuitable for families and commonly located in cramped alleys with poor sunlight and ventilation. As a result, millions of suburban workers commute to Jakarta each day, relying on public transport systems such as the mass rapid transit (MRT), light rail transit (LRT), commuter trains, and TransJakarta buses. Fares start from as low as 3,000 rupiah (around 0.18 U.S. dollars), making them cheap and efficient, though passengers must often endure crowded conditions. The alternative, driving private vehicles, means battling endless traffic jams, paying higher costs, and arriving at work with more fatigue. For Putri, Bogor offers a more livable environment for raising her children, with its cooler climate, greener surroundings, and better air quality compared to Jakarta's crowded neighborhoods. When she cannot find a seat, she passes the time listening to podcasts or reading novels, once even finishing an entire book in one trip. Yet the commute can be punishing: on one occasion, she fainted in the packed train and later woke up in the care of station staff. Other commuters share similar struggles. Journalist Gusty da Costa and his wife chose to buy a home in Bekasi with a mortgage, even though the decision requires him to spend nearly two hours reaching his office in Jakarta's Sudirman Central Business District. "If we lived in Jakarta, we could only afford to rent, not to own a house. And rent is very expensive," he said. His routine involves an online motorcycle taxi ride to East Bekasi Station, followed by 45 minutes on the LRT to Dukuh Atas Station, then another short ride by motorcycle taxi or bus. Still, Gusty said things have improved since the LRT began operating in 2023. "Before, I had to take intercity buses, which cost more and got stuck in traffic jams for hours," he explained. On the LRT, he now spends time scrolling through social media, catching up on breaking news, or arranging interviews with sources. For Kecik Eko Ernasari, the daily journey is even more daunting: a 130-kilometer commute by train from her home in Maja, Banten Province, to Bogor via Jakarta. Each round trip takes up to eight hours. Years ago, when her office was still in Jakarta, the journey required only about 90 minutes. Today, even though her office has relocated to Bogor, she remains in Maja since she only needs to report to work twice a week. On her long train rides, Kecik has seen it all: the shoving of passengers trying to squeeze into carriages, or a woman talking loudly to herself, leaving fellow riders bewildered. "Challenging as it is, the commuter line is still safer than the buses at terminals, where anyone can get on or off without checks. And above all, the fares are very affordable," she said. Four journalists working for international press outlets including the Associated Press, Reuters, and Al Jazeera, were killed on Monday by an Israeli strike on the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. The dead press professionals, who were all Palestinian, have been identified as Hussam al-Masri, a cameraman working for Reuters; Mohammed Salama, a photojournalist with Al Jazeera; and Mariam Abu Daqqa, a freelance journalist working with several media outlets including the Associated Press. The fourth one has not yet been identified. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deaths were announced by the Gaza Health Ministry in a statement and confirmed by multiple media outlets including the A.P., Reuters, Al Jazeera and the BBC. Gaza health officials said that there had been two strikes. The first targeted the fourth floor of the Nasser hospital, followed by a second strike in the same location as first responders rushed to recover the injured and dead. The journalists had arrived after the first strike close behind to witness and report what had happened. We are devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor, Hussam al-Masri, and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in strikes on the Nasser hospital in Gaza today, Reuters said in a statement. We send our deepest condolences and thoughts to Hussams family and loved ones. We are urgently seeking more information and have asked authorities in Gaza and Israel to help us get urgent medical assistance for Hatem. We will give an update when we have more information, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is among the deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began, the Foreign Press Association that represents journalists working for international news organizations reporting from Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said in a statement. We demand an immediate explanation from the Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli Prime Ministers Office. We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists, it added. According to the the International Federation of Journalists at least at least 212 Palestinian journalists and media workers have been killed to date in the Israel-Hamas war. An Israeli Defence Forces statement said the chief of the general staff has been instructed to conduct an initial investigation, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such, it said in a statement. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops, it added. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In a series of furious late-night posts on his social media platform, Donald Trump raged that both ABC and NBC should lose their Licenses because of their supposed unfair coverage of him, adding that they should pay up BIG for broadcasting on American airwaves. The latest anti-media tantrum from the president, who recently extracted a $16 million settlement from CBS over a meritless lawsuit just weeks before his administration approved a mega-merger involving the networks parent company, appears to have been sparked by comments made by ABC News commentator Chris Christie a former Trump ally turned critic. Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC, Trump blared on Truth Social in a Sunday night post. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a subsequent online rant, the president called ABC and NBC FAKE NEWS while wondering why the absolute worst and most biased networks in the world werent paying Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES before calling for his FCC to strip the broadcast licensing rights from their stations. They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! Trump fumed. Crooked journalism should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!! Donald Trump took to his social media site late on Sunday to rage that both ABC and NBC should be stripped of their broadcast licenses. (AP) Hours before calling for retribution against the two broadcast networks, Trump groused online about an ABC News segment featuring Christie and threatened to re-launch an investigation of the former New Jersey governor over the 2013 Bridgegate scandal. The president also decided to take a jab at ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl over his hair. I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged News Show, This Week With George Slopadopolus, on ABC Fake News (By the way, what the hell happened to Jonathan Karls hair? He looks absolutely terrible! Its amazing what bad ratings, on a failed television show that was forced to pay me $16,000,000, can do to ones appearance!), Trump wrote in the unhinged post, referencing the payoff ABCs parent company Disney gave him to settle a lawsuit over a George Stephanoupolous interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says? Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her, the president added. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Thank you for your attention to this matter. In the end, Christie wasnt charged with any crimes over the bridge closure which had been seen as political revenge over a New Jersey mayor not endorsing Christie and denied any knowledge of the incident. Two of his top aides were convicted of fraud and conspiracy, but the Supreme Court ended up overturning those convictions in 2020. During an appearance on Sundays broadcast of This Week, Christie took issue with Trumps FBI raiding the home of the president's former national security adviser John Bolton, who like Christie has become an outspoken critic of Trump in recent years. I think its kind of funny to hear the president talk the way he does about Bolton and classified information, yet, when he had classified information, the same rules didnt apply, Christie said during the telecast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump sees himself as the person who gets to decide everything. And he doesnt care about any separation, he added. In fact, he absolutely rejects the idea that there should be separation between criminal investigations and the politically elected leader of the United States. This is much different than its ever been run before. Christie also noted that this should not come as much of a surprise to the public, as you were told this would be what Trump would do if he became president again. He told you he was going to do this, that he was going to have a Justice Department that acted as his personal legal representation. And that is what theyre doing, Christie noted. Trumps anger at ABC seems to have been reignited by a segment in which Chris Christie called him out over the John Bolton raid. (EPA) Meanwhile, this is also far from the first time that Trump has threatened to use the Federal Communications Commission which is led by his handpicked chief Brendan Carr to enact punishment on media companies for not giving him obsequious coverage. Before CBS News paid Trump to settle his lawsuit over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which is now being investigated for potentially violating anti-bribery laws, Carr opened a review of complaints that the network had engaged in news distortion. The president also threatened CBS with substantial punishment this past spring over a separate 60 Minutes broadcast, warning that the network would pay a big price for the newsmagazines segments on the Ukraine war and the presidents annexation threats against Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr has also taken swings at both ABC and NBC in recent months. This past March, for instance, Carr told Fox News that ABC could lose its broadcast licenses over an investigation into Disneys diversity hiring practices. If the evidence does in fact play out and shows that they were engaged in race- and gender-based discrimination, thats a very serious issue at the FCC, that could fundamentally go to their character qualifications to even hold a license, Carr said at the time. Weeks later, Carr accused Comcast of news distortion because its cable news network MSNBC refused to call wrongly deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia a violent MS-13 gang member. Once again, Carr suggested that the NBC parent may have violated its broadcasting licenses over the way its networks had covered the Abrego Garcia case. While Trump and his FCC chair have repeatedly dangled threats of license revocations, investigations and lawsuits over the heads of mainstream news networks unless they soften their coverage of the administration, one broadcaster has been spared conservative cable giant Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immediately after Trump took office, Carr reinstated a bevy of new bias complaints against ABC, NBC and CBS that had been dismissed by then-FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel in January ahead of her resignation. One complaint that he did not revive, however, was against Fox-owned WTXF-TV in Philadelphia. That complaint, which the Media and Democracy Project filed, alleged that the claims laid out in the Dominion Voting System defamation case which Fox News settled for a whopping $787.5 million showed that owners Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch didnt have the character to hold broadcast licenses. Besides receiving almost universally glowing coverage from Fox News, Trump has used the right-wing network as something of a staffing agency hiring roughly two dozen former Fox employees for roles within his administration. Still, the president has expressed his disdain with the MAGA channel from time to time, whether it is over on-air pundits and correspondents not displaying unwavering loyalty to him or the networks biased polling firm reporting approval numbers that Trump doesnt like. Additionally, the president is currently suing Rupert Murdoch his on-again/off-again friend for $10 billion after the Wall Street Journal, which is owned by Murdochs News Corp., reported on an alleged bawdy birthday letter that Trump sent deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied writing the card, calling it a fake thing. A Fox News pundit went on an unhinged rant likening the history of slavery in America to plane crashes Sunday while defending President Donald Trumps attacks on the Smithsonian Institution. The president raged this week that the museum complex dwells on how horrible our Country is, how bad slavery was, instead of celebrating brightness. Speaking on his show Media Buzz on Sunday, host Howard Kurtz said Trump had to know that using that phrase about slavery would spark an enormous backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think hes right, Fox News contributor Clay Travis responded. We have the HOTTEST Country in the World, and we want people to talk about it, including in our Museums, the president wrote on Truth Social last week. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The conservative radio host argued that Trump wants the nations museums to reflect the countrys soaring aspirations and goals, as opposed to the things that America has done wrong, before launching into a bizarre comparison. Look, I took my son to the Smithsonian, I think the Air and Space Museum. They do a fabulous job of putting on the history of air and space. I didnt see a single report inside the Air and Space Museum about plane crashes and the thousands of people who have died in them, Travis said. That doesnt mean that they dont exist. That doesnt mean that they arent a substantial part of history of space and exploration and plane travel. A statue of Colorado pioneer and former slave Clara Brown is on display next to a preserved slave cabin at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Setting aside the absurd attempt to equate plane crash victims to Americas centuries-spanning history of forcibly enslaving millions of Black people, the Smithsonian does in fact feature exhibits and reports on aviation disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travis said the Air and Space Museum is an aspirational story that made him feel incredibly excited about the future and suggested, I think thats what President Trump wants the story of other Smithsonians [museums] to be like. But turning the history of chattel slavery, as well as the decades of systemic oppression, segregation, and violence under Jim Crow into an aspirational story remains a tall order. Still, Trump is barreling ahead in his quest to purge woke from the capital, with the White House on Thursday releasing a bullet list of Smithsonian exhibits and educational programs that offend MAGA sensitivities. Among the gripes: the National Museum of African American History and Culture covering white privilege and the American History Museums exhibit on Benjamin Franklin directing visitors to learn more about the enslaved people of the founding fathers household. France has summoned the U.S. ambassador to Paris after the diplomat, Charles Kushner, wrote a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism. France's foreign ministry issued a statement Sunday announcing it had summoned Kushner to appear Monday at Quai d'Orsay, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and that his allegations "are unacceptable." "France firmly rejects these allegations," the statement obtained by CBS News said. "The rise in antisemitic acts in France since October 7, 2023, is a reality we deeply regret and against which the French authorities are fully mobilized, as such acts are intolerable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The French ministry also said Kushner's allegations "run counter to international law," citing the "obligation not to interfere in the internal affairs of states" in the 1961 Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations. "They also fall short of the quality of the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States and of the trust that must prevail between allies," the statement said. The White House and U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. The summoning of the ambassador is a formal and public notice of displeasure. Kushner, a real-estate developer, is the father of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The contents of the letter were not released. The dustup follows Macron's rejection this past week of accusations from Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that France's intention to recognize a Palestinian state is fueling antisemitism. France is home to the largest Jewish population in Western Europe, with an estimated 500,000 Jews. That's approximately 1% of the national population. The diplomatic discord comes as French-U.S. relations have faced tensions this year amid Trump's trade war. Under a decree signed by Mr. Trump last month, international goods that were previously exempt from U.S. tariffs those valued under $800 will be subject to import duties from Aug. 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France will join several postal services around Europe on Monday in suspending the shipment of many packages to the U.S. amid a lack of clarity over new import duties. The two allies are also split over the future of U.N. peacekeepers in Lebanon. France in particular has objected to the U.S. push to wind down the peacekeeping operation known as UNIFIL, with a vote on the issue set for the end of the month by the U.N. Security Council. France and the U.S. have also been divided on support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, but the split has eased with Mr. Trump expressing support for security guarantees and a warm meeting with Macron and other European leaders at the White House last week. Mr. Trump at the end of his first term as president pardoned Charles Kushner, who pleaded guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His son Jared is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka. Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Aug. 24 (UPI) -- France summoned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner on Sunday after he published an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron accusing the government of failing to effectively take action on anti-Semitism. The French Foreign Ministry issued a statement to CNN saying Kushner would be expected at the ministry's Paris headquarters Monday. In the letter, published Sunday in The Wall Street Journal and dated Monday, Kushner wrote to Macron that he was concerned about "the dramatic rise of anti-Semitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it." Kushner, the father-in-law of President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, has served as the ambassador of France for less than seven weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, "pro-Hamas extremists and radical activists have waged a campaign of intimidation and violence across Europe," Kushner wrote. The French Foreign Ministry denied the allegations and called Kushner's comments "unacceptable." French President Emmanuel Macron, pictured here in February at the White House, said his government plans to formally recognize Palestine as an independent state. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI "The rise in anti-Semitic acts in France since the 7 October, 2023, is a reality that we deplore and against which French authorities are totally mobilized, because these actions are intolerable," the ministry said, referencing the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that sparked the Israel-Hamas war. Kushner took issue with France's plans to recognize an independent Palestinian state in September, saying that doing so gives "legitimacy to Hamas and its allies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures towards recognition of a Palestinian state emboldened extremists, fuel violence and endanger Jewish life in France," Kushner wrote. "In today's world, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism -- plain and simple." Macron announced in July that he plans to make a formal statement recognizing Palestine at U.N. headquarters in New York City. He said it was part of France's "historical commitment to a just and durable peace in the Middle East." "The urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population," Macron said in a post on X. Several other Western nations have come out in favor of a Palestinian state, including Canada, Spain, Norway and Ireland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was against France's plans in July. "This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th," he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Macron of leading a "crusade against the Jewish state." France has summoned the US ambassador to Paris after he accused Emmanuel Macron of failing to fight anti-Semitism. Charles Kushner, whose son is married to Donald Trumps daughter Ivanka, published an open letter in The Wall Street Journal criticising the French president. In the letter, Mr Kushner, who is Jewish, said he was writing out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of anti-Semitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frances foreign ministry said that it firmly refused Mr Kushners unacceptable comments, adding that it had summoned him to appear in Paris on Monday. Mr Macrons foreign ministry has summoned Mr Kushner to Paris, calling his comments unacceptable - Philippe Magoni/AP Mr Kushner reportedly did not appear for the summons, instead sending his deputy to represent him, an anonymous French diplomatic official told the Associated Press. The official said the embassy reaffirmed its position during the meeting that the letter was unacceptable in both form and substance, interfered in Frances internal affairs and ignored the governments actions to combat antisemitism. As well as describing a climate of fear amongst French Jews, Mr Kushner, who took up his position in July, alleged without providing proof that nearly half of French young people lacked knowledge about the Holocaust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 71-year-old also called on Mr Macron to tone down his criticism of Israel, echoing the words of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, who last week accused France of fuelling anti-Semitism over its decision to recognise the state of Palestine. Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In todays world, anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism plain and simple, he wrote. The diplomatic dispute threatens to further torpedo French-US relations, which have been tested this year by Mr Trumps trade war and his position on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. France was quick to hit back at the US ambassador, delivering its own public dressing down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The foreign ministrys statement said that Mr Kushners remarks were not commensurate with the quality of the transatlantic link between France and the United States and the trust that must result from it, between allies. On Monday, Washington threw its weight behind its ambassador, insisting it stood by Mr Kushners comments. We stand by his comments, said Tommy Pigott, a state department spokesperson. Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role. Convicted felon According to the 1961 Vienna Convention, which governs diplomatic relations, envoys, ambassadors and diplomatic agents have a duty not to interfere in the internal affairs of the state. Before positively describing Mr Trumps leadership in fighting anti-Semitism, Mr Kushner continued: President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. I know how he feels about anti-Semitism, as do all Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kushners daughter-in-law Ivanka converted to Judaism before their wedding in 2009 and she and Jared, her husband, are raising their three children in the Jewish tradition. The elder Kushner is a convicted felon who served two years in a federal prison in 2005 after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including tax evasion and witness tampering. In 2020, Mr Trump pardoned him during the final month of his first presidency. A few years later in 2023, the real estate developer donated $1m (740,000) to Trumps Make America Great Again Inc. super PAC, a political fundraising campaign. Mr Trump pardoned Mr Kushner, whose son Jared is married to Ivanka Trump, the US presidents daughter - Brendan Smialowski/AFP Mr Trump and Mr Macron, who has been French president since his US counterparts first term, have had a tumultuous relationship over the years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, as he launched a lawsuit against Candace Owens, a Maga activist who has espoused the unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that the French presidents wife is a man, Mr Macron criticised Mr Trumps decision to ban some journalists from the Oval Office. It is not freedom of speech to want to prevent the truth from being restored. Those who talk about this supposed freedom of speech are the people who ban journalists from the Oval Office. I dont accept that, Mr Macron said. Meanwhile, Mr Trump criticised his French counterpart as Mr Macron announced Pariss intention to recognise Palestine, telling reporters: What he says doesnt matter. Hes a very good guy. I like him, but that statement doesnt carry weight. Last week, France also summoned Italys ambassador to Paris after he publicly rebuked Mr Macron over the deployment of peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italian soldiers in Ukraine? Absolutely not. If Emmanuel Macron wants it, let him go himself. Put on a helmet, take a rifle, and go to Ukraine yourself, Matteo Salvini, Italys deputy prime minister, said during a speech in Milan last week. Frances foreign affairs office called Mr Salvinis remarks unacceptable. 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. Frances Foreign Ministry summoned the US ambassador to the country, Charles Kushner, on Sunday after he authored a letter accusing the French government of a lack of sufficient action in confronting antisemitism. France strongly rejected the unacceptable allegations in Kushners letter, which the ministry said fall short of the quality of the transatlantic relationship between the US and France. On Monday, a French diplomatic source told CNN that the US Charge daffaires was summoned to the ministrys headquarters in Paris in Kushners absence, as he was not in Paris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source said that the Charge daffaires was told Kushners letter was not acceptable either in form or substance, and it drew a conclusion that did not correspond to the reality of the resolute mobilization of France in the fight against the scourge of anti-Semitism. The US diplomat was also told that the letter constituted an interference in the internal affairs of France, according to the source. The rise in antisemitic acts in France since October 7, 2023, is a reality that we deplore and to which the French authorities are fully committed, given the intolerability of these acts, the French Foreign Ministry said in its earlier statement. According to a copy of the letter shared with CNN by the US Embassy, Kushner said that he wrote out of deep concern for the situation in France. Antisemitism has long scarred French life, but it has exploded since Hamass barbaric assault on October 7, 2023, Kushner, who is Ivanka Trumps father-in-law, wrote. Since then, pro-Hamas extremists and radical activists have waged a campaign of intimidation and violence across Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter, dated for Monday, August 25, was issued to French President Emmanuel Macron. Kushner, who was confirmed to his post in May, urged Macron to enforce hate crime laws without exception and to take more efforts to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized, he said. Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France, Kushner wrote in response to France and several other Western nations announcing plans to recognize a state of Palestine in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also advised the French president to abandon steps that give legitimacy to Hamas and its allies, while pointing to US President Donald Trumps measures in the US. President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. I know how he feels about antisemitism, as do all Americans, he said in the letter, referring to several Trump administration moves, including enforcing civil rights protections for Jewish students on university campuses, and overseeing the deportation of Hamas sympathizers. Asked whether the Trump administration stood by Kushners comments, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told CNN on Sunday, Yes, we stand by his comments. Ambassador Kushner is our US government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role. CNN has reached out to the White House for comment. Recognizing Palestinian statehood Last week, Israel launched a series of diplomatic attacks against several of its Western allies as they prepare to recognize a Palestinian state in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This included a strongly worded letter from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Macron, accusing France of making a decision that rewards Hamas terror. Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this antisemitic fire, Netanyahu wrote in a letter obtained by CNN. France says the move is intended to revive the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and bring peace to the region, but Israel and the US have slammed the initiative, calling it a reward for Hamas terror that will only set back efforts for peace. Macron has said that Frances plans to recognize a Palestinian state align with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Australia and France are two of the latest Western nations to announce plans to recognize a state of Palestine. Canada and Portugal have also announced similar intentions. Next month, they will join more than 140 other countries that already recognize Palestinian statehood. The United Kingdom has conditionally said it will recognize a Palestinian state if Israel does not meet criteria that includes agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. CNNs Betsy Klein and Lauren Kent contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com COLOMBO, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's exports rose to nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars in the first seven months of 2025, up 7.79 percent from the corresponding period in 2024, the Export Development Board (EDB) said Monday. According to the EDB, merchandise exports totaled around 7.8 billion dollars, reflecting a 7.22 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024, while services exports brought in about 2.19 billion dollars. In July, combined exports of goods and services were valued at 1.64 billion dollars, reflecting a 12.68 percent year-on-year increase. The EDB said the strong performance underscores resilience in both merchandise and services sectors and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will meet its 2025 export target. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou is to call a vote of confidence as lawmakers grapple over his austerity budget. Bayrou said on Monday that he has agreed with President Emmanuel Macron to hold the vote on September 8. With France facing a serious budgetary shortfall, the centre-right government's plans for 2026 include savings of 43.8 billion ($51.1 billion). Left-wing parties in the National Assembly have already announced a vote of no confidence in Bayrou's government, while calls for a general strike on September 10 over the budget have been mounting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bayrou has been leading a minority government since December, following Macron's surprise decision to call snap parliamentary elections last year. The prime minister last survived a vote of no confidence in July after the far-right National Rally party of Marine Le Pen refused to back the Socialist-led motion. It is unclear how the party will vote on the latest measure. France's public debt has risen to 114% of gross domestic product (GDP), leaving the country with one of the highest debt-to-GDP ratios in the eurozone. Neither rain nor snow or at least not a power failure could stop these poll workers from their appointed rounds in 2024 at a central Omaha polling place. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) Heres an idea: If you believe our elections are rigged and that we should do something extreme and inane such as abolish mail-in ballots and voting machines step over to your local county election office and sign up to work. See for yourself. Put some experience where that conspiratorial narrative is. Youll learn plenty about our election process, not the least of which is that rigging, perverting or stealing a single vote requires an inordinate amount of planning, subterfuge and sophistication few voters have. The math on such malfeasance in person or by mail is undeniable, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voter fraud incidents remain infinitestably small. You will also discern that rigging, perverting or stealing a general election in the United States via mail-in ballots or voting machines is virtually impossible even if conspiracists insist mules are involved, foreign countries are feverishly rewriting lines of voting machine code and non-citizens are casting ballots from prison camps in our backyard. No. If you want to rig, pervert or steal an election, your best bet is drawing nonsensical maps or employing a racial calculus to gerrymander your state into illegible knots, ligatures bent on choking off the way we choose our leaders and essentially conduct our democracy: With the power of the vote. For details see Texas and the ensuing redistricting arms race response in California. The same thinking has been applied in Nebraska during debates to end our way of determining Electoral College votes, shorthand for eliminating the blue dot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between gigs as an op-ed writer, I worked at the Hall County Election Office during an election season, not because I doubted the fidelity of our process but rather to be part of a civic duty from the other side. I stuffed envelopes, keyed in voter data, helped sign up new registrants and, on election night, was part of a well-oiled machine, I sorted, counted, and tallied the results. I worked with the professionals who ran the office and the citizens like me who came aboard in the run up to and on the night of the main event. Signing up to work elections would also make you part of the solution to a growing problem: The lack of election workers. Nationwide the turnover rate for election workers has hovered around a third since 2020. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen says the state will need about 9,000 workers to run polling sites and keep county election offices efficient and effective. He told the Nebraska Examiner that he would like to add young people to a workforce often populated by retired people. Of course, one reason poll workers are leaving and election offices are becoming short staffed started in 2020, when some workers were harassed and threatened by those who chose to believe the election for the White House was stolen. The Justice Department had to create the Election Threats Task Force in 2021 to deal with the boors and bad actors who get their jollies menacing others based on lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conspiracy theory hyperbole aside, as is true with individual votes, the evidence that the countrys elections are free, fair and safe is overwhelming. Yet, here we are, facing calls to do away with mail-in ballots and join the current gerrymandering mess in Texas in attempts to diminish the power of voting through disenfranchisement or redistricting. The president without evidence and in direct opposition to the Constitution is promising to lead a movement, using an executive order to rid our remarkably secure and efficient elections of mail-in ballots and voting machines. Of course, a president has no such authority. The Constitutions Election Clause gives election responsibility solely to the states and assigns to Congress the duty of federal oversight. Nevertheless, we are hearing the drumbeat to remove a process that began in earnest during the Civil War when it became known as casting an absentee ballot. The idea of giving military men and women the chance to vote while deployed has been a staple of our elections since World War I. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight states California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Vermont have exclusively mail-in voting. In Nebraska, 11 rural counties have all-mail voting, and, on average, voter turnout in those counties increased 16% from 2016 to 2020 when the switch was made. Mail-in ballots also reduce the need for poll workers at voting precincts. Doing away with mail-in ballots and voting machines solves no problem because none exists. If, however, those changes came to pass, we would have some serious ones on our hands. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FORT SCOTT, Kan. Freeman Health System said Friday it has met significant milestones on its way to opening a hospital in Fort Scott. The six-bed emergency department and 10-bed acute care hospital is on track to open at the end of 2025. Freeman officials said they learned Aug. 18 that the hospital at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. passed the critical life safety physical plant survey, which was conducted July 23. The survey is a comprehensive assessment of the medical facility to ensure it meets standards and regulations related to fire and life safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the first of three surveys the hospital must complete, Anita Walden, chief administrative officer for Freeman Fort Scott Hospital, said in a statement. The passing of that first survey now triggers the second required survey, which is the state licensure survey, she said. That is a formal evaluation conducted to ensure a health care facility complies with state laws and regulations regarding the provision of care, patient safety and overall operations. Officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have received notification that the hospital has passed the life safety survey and are now ready for the licensure survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are currently awaiting notification from KDHE of when they will be onsite to perform the survey, Walden said. Our hope is this survey will take place in the next few weeks. The hospital also must pass a credentialing survey conducted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Weve been hearing from multiple community leaders, businesses and residents about their eagerness to see us open, and I can promise you we are working diligently to make that happen, Walden said in the statement. We just appreciate the communitys support and their patience as we near opening day. Mark Brown, a Freeman doctor and Kansas native, has been named medical director over Freeman Fort Scott Hospitals emergency department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I myself grew up in rural Kansas and know how important access to quality health care and especially emergency services can be, he said. I spent over 20 years of my career in medicine, working as a paramedic in rural Kansas. I have seen firsthand how rural hospitals and rural emergency departments can make a positive impact on patient outcomes. Before becoming a physician, he served the Kansas community as a flight paramedic, often transporting critical patients, according to Renee Denton, Freemans chief executive officer of rural hospitals. Brown will also serve as medical staff president. Fort Scott has been without a hospital since 2018 and a dedicated emergency room since late 2023. PARIS (Reuters) -French police have detained a man on suspicion of murder after the discovery of four men's bodies in the River Seine on the outskirts of Paris, the local prosecutor's office said on Monday. The four bodies were found on August 13 in an area that is known for gay sexual encounters in Choisy-Le-Roi, which lies in the southeastern suburbs of the French capital, the Creteil prosecutor's office said. It said the suspect was homeless and had often been seen in the area where the bodies were discovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of the victims were also homeless and were Algerian and Tunisian nationals. Another was a 21-year-old Algerian who lived nearby and the fourth was a 48-year-old French man. The suspect's lawyer Antoine Ory said that for legal reasons he could not name his client, who was arrested last week and brought before a judge on suspicion of the murders on Sunday. The public prosecutor has asked for the man to be charged and placed in protective custody, according to the prosecutor's office. (Reporting by Makini Brice and Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Helen Popper) Police arrested a Frisco woman who allegedly scammed $25,000 from an elderly couple. Jessica Bahu, 22, allegedly scammed $25,000 from an 80-year-old man and his 77-year-old wife, according to a statement from the Garland Police Department. She had reportedly identified herself as the FBI. Jessica Bahu of Frisco has been arrested for Exploitation of the Elderly, a third-degree felony. Image by Garland Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They knew something wasnt right, but they kept just believing the lie, said Matt Pesta, Garland Police community relations officer, to The Dallas Express. Everything unraveled. Garland police are working with the FBI to continue the investigation, and they dont think she worked alone, according to Pesta. Shes not really being very cooperative right now. Were having to wait for more digital evidence to come back, he said. But anybody we can file charges on, were going to. The Scam The elderly couple reportedly answered a call from someone posing as their bank and the FBI, according to CBS News. Then, over several hours, the caller manipulated them into withdrawing more than $25,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims were told to go to a remote parking lot and give the money to Bahu, who pretended to be an FBI agent. After she got the money, what if she pulled out a weapon and said, Give me your car keys too? Pesta said. The fact that she was posing as an FBI agent really ramped it up. Garland police responded to Chase Bank near 3200 Broadway Blvd. on August 6, where the man and his wife reported they were tricked into withdrawing the cash from their account. We went to Chase Bank with them, and they were like, No, this is a scam, Pesta said. The Investigation Garland Detective John Capers who also built a Lego replica of the departments headquarters was assigned to the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wouldnt sleep. I mean, he was just calling anybody he could to get help, Pesta said. He ended up getting some good leads in the case and was able to figure out different things leading him to her. Ultimately, Capers gathered enough to file an arrest warrant for Bahu. A judge issued the warrant on August 20, according to Pesta. Soon after, investigators learned Bahu was on a flight back to Dallas Love Field so they contacted the Dallas Police Department. He said a bunch of officers went to meet her. They welcomed her home, Pesta said. If you want to talk about a gratifying feeling as a police officer, to be able to put handcuffs on somebody whos done this to our elderly folks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police booked Bahu into the Garland Detention Center on August 20. She faces a charge for exploitation of the elderly, a third-degree felony. Her bond was reportedly set at $100,000, but she bonded out of jail. Garland police are working with the FBI to continue investigating this case, according to Pesta. He said the FBI is considering additional charges against Bahu for impersonation. He was unsure about her citizenship status. Taking Advantage Every now and again, well see a report like this where $25,000-plus has been stolen, Pesta said. It drops your stomach, because a lot of these people live check to check. Scammers have developed a pattern of impersonating law enforcement in Dallas, as The Dallas Express previously reported. After one woman reported harassment to the city, a supposed sergeant followed up, but he was no police officer at all he was a scammer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pesta said the most vulnerable people are children, and the second-most vulnerable people are the elderly. What these scammers typically do is they scare them. They make them feel ashamed and bashful I wouldnt tell your family about this, you dont want them thinking youre a troublemaker, he said. Whatever their tactics are, theyre all about the same. This type of crime often goes unreported, since victims dont know until it is already too late. So Pesta said it is difficult to gauge whether this crime is becoming more common. Its really hard to tell scams come in different forms, he said. Garland police urged members of the public to report suspicious calls immediately. Before taking action, residents should reach out to the relevant organization directly or contact local police. First lady Melania Trumps social media team has posted a video that appears to artistically slow down her arrival with the president at Thursdays Congressional Ball. The video shows Donald Trump, 79, and Melania, 55, arm in arm, carefully descending a staircase in the grand foyer of the White House to the tune of Hail to the Chief. But the FLOTUS-approved video appears to be slightly slowed down from other footage of the Trumps coming down the stairs on the night at a marginally faster pace. Aug. 25The public is invited to attend a fundraising meal from 4:30-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Austin First United Methodist Church to benefit the upcoming Austin Community Warming Center. A free will offering will be taken for remodeling an offsite location which will accommodate a warming shelter for area residents who are unhoused. The Austin Community Warming Center will be a collaborative effort between multiple individuals and organizations in Mower County. Lack of shelter is a known problem in Mower County. In 2024, 98 people were considered homeless according to local statistics. Homeless is defined as anyone lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residency. The total includes both adults and children and this number reflects only the people who have come forward for help. The public is encouraged to come to the dinner and financially support the creation of a warming center this fall and be part of the reason why someone is warm this winter. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Funeral arrangements have been announced for Frank Caprio. Caprio, who served as a judge for the Providence Municipal Court for almost 40 years, died last week. He was 88. A public remembrance and visitation for Caprio will be held Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Hall A, in Providence. Parking will be provided in the North Garage for those who attend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His funeral mass with Archbishop of Boston Richard Henning will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. Burial will be private. 12 News will air Caprios funeral live on the free WPRI 12+ TV app, WPRI 12, and WPRI.com. Id like to thank you on behalf of my family because your love is really helping us through this difficult time, his son said in a video on Facebook. Judge Frank Caprio, known for Caught in Providence, dies at 88 Caprio grew up on Federal Hill in Providence and is the second of three sons. He graduated from Central High School and earned a bachelors degree from Providence College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was elected judge in 1985 and became famous for his television series Caught in Providence, which was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021. Caprio announced his retirement from the Providence Municipal Court in January 2023 after nearly 40 years on the bench. Following his retirement, Providence renamed its municipal courtroom after Caprio in October 2023. Shortly after his 87th birthday, he announced he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December 2023. He completed his last radiation treatment the following May. To honor Caprio, flags will be flown at half-staff at all state agencies and buildings until the day of internment. Gov. Dan McKee also asked Rhode Islanders to lower their flags out of respect as well. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. LJUBLJANA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Palestine expects a number of countries to recognize it as a state in September, Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said Monday during her first official visit to Slovenia. "We expect that more countries will recognize Palestine in September. Some have already announced their decision, while others are still considering, but we believe they will take this step," Shahin told a joint press conference with Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon. She said the total number of countries recognizing Palestine could rise to around 160 by the end of September, up from the current 149, calling recognition "a key step" toward advancing the two-state solution. Several countries, including France, Malta, Canada and the United Kingdom, have indicated that they could extend recognition next month to increase pressure on Israel to end the conflict in Gaza. Fajon reaffirmed Slovenia's support, noting that Ljubljana recognized Palestine in June 2024 and, as a current member of the United Nations Security Council, will continue to encourage others to follow suit. "Recognition is the only guarantee for peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians side by side," Fajon said. She described the situation in Gaza as "a new stage of hell," warning that starvation used as a method of warfare constitutes a serious violation of international law. During the visit, the two ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen bilateral relations, underscoring Slovenia's continued support for Palestine. Shahin is also scheduled to meet Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, President Natasa Pirc Musar, and Parliamentary Speaker Urska Klakocar Zupancic during her four-day stay. An Israeli attack in southern Gaza has killed 19 people, including five journalists, leading to global condemnation of the mounting toll of media workers killed in the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his regret on Monday over what he called the "tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital." Among those killed in the hospital in Khan Younis were five journalists working for outlets such as Reuters, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hamas-controlled health authority in the territory said 20 people died. The attacks have provoked outrage worldwide, with the German Foreign Office writing on X: "We are shocked by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers and other civilians in an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza." The Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) called on the Israeli military to "once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists." "This has gone on far too long," the organization said. "Too many journalists in Gaza have been killed by Israel without justification." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims of Monday's attack bring the total number of journalists killed in the devastated coastal territory since the start of the war to almost 200, most of them Palestinians, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The Palestinian Journalists' Union spoke of a "continuing Israeli campaign against journalists aimed at silencing Palestinian accounts." Earlier in August, four Al Jazeera employees were killed in Gaza City, with Israel's military confirming the death of correspondent Anas al-Sharif. Details emerge of bloody incident The hospital in Khan Younis said the victims were hit while on the fourth floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the FPA, the strikes "hit the exterior staircase of the hospital where journalists frequently stationed themselves with their cameras" and "came with no warning." The FPA named the media workers killed as Hossam al-Masri, Mariam Abu-Daqqz, Mohammed Salama, Moaz Abu Taha and Ahmed Abu Aziz. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that emergency workers were also among the dead. Eyewitnesses said that after paramedics and civil defence workers rushed to the scene, a second attack followed. Video footage of the bloody incident circulated on social media, with broadcaster al-Ghad publishing a video showing a group of people being hit, reportedly during the second attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the Israeli military said troops had carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and that an inquiry into the incident has been ordered. "The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops," it said. Netanyahu said that "military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation" and insisted that "Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians." He emphasized that Israel's war is "with Hamas terrorists." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home," Netanyahu said. Report: Israeli military chief urges Netanyahu to accept hostage deal The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage to Gaza. Despite efforts to reach a new ceasefire, the war shows no sign of abating. The Israel leadership has approved operational plans to launch a new campaign to seize Gaza City, despite warnings at home and abroad that the offensive would endanger the lives of the remaining hostages and the population of some 1 million living in the major metropolis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir on Sunday again warned against the offensive, calling on Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire proposal to free the remaining hostages, in comments reported by Israeli media. "There is a deal on the table, it is the improved Witkoff deal, we must accept it," Israeli television Channel 13 quoted Zamir as telling commanders during a visit to a naval base in Haifa. The military chief was referring to a proposal previously negotiated by US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, which provides for a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 living hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. "The army has created the conditions for a hostage deal, now it is in the hands of Netanyahu," Zamir continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reiterated his concern that the planned seizure of Gaza City would endanger the lives of the 20 remaining hostages believed to still be alive, some of whom are thought to be held in the major metropolis. In its official statement of the visit, the IDF only cited Zamir as saying that the army had created the conditions for the release of hostages through military pressure. Hamas said last week it had agreed to a new ceasefire proposal, which is reportedly an adapted version of the Witkoff proposal. A judge sentenced the final Georgia prison inmate in a fraud scheme that targeted registered sex offenders across the country. Marquis Conner pleaded guilty to the case that was prosecuted in Ohio and received a four-year sentence. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Ohio prosecutors said Conner and other inmates operated a scheme from inside their Georgia prisons. It involved the inmates using illegal phones to pose as law enforcement and extort money from sex offenders by threatening them with arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When crimes are committed in Muskingum County the guilty should expect to be punished even when the victims are unpopular. Justice applies equally to everyone in our county, Prosecutor Ron Welch said. Zanesville Police uncovered the fraud operation after it received reports from two men in Ohio who had been targeted by the scheme. A nationwide investigation traced the fraudulent activities back to the Georgia prison system. The investigation revealed that the group used the sex offender registry to identify their targets. They then coerced the victims into transferring money through accomplices outside the prison, according to prosecutors. Investigators also discovered music videos published online that also appeared to show the conspirators making rap videos in prison while in possession of drugs and other contraband. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emmitt Wells, Johnathan Ford and others were involved in the scheme. Wells was sentenced to three years in Ohio prison to be served after his release from Georgia, while Ford received a similar sentence. Julissa Casanas, who was involved in processing payments for the crew, received a sentence of community control after pleading guilty to money laundering. Chason Stein died from an illness before his sentencing. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) just ratcheted up his campaign to get under President Donald Trumps skin. Fresh on the heels of swiping the presidents writing style and creating dupes of his self-aggrandizing AI portraits, Newsom took aim at the iconography at the heart of the Make America Great Again movement. On Sunday, the feisty Democrat debuted a slate of very MAGA-looking merchandise on his website, where he christened the collection The Patriot Shop. Related: 'Get Noted, Donald': Dem Governor Hits Trump With Blistering Real-Time Fact Check The offerings included a cherry red hat with Newsom was right about everything! emblazoned across the front, a tank top that declared Trump Is Not Hot, and a T-shirt bearing an image of the governor being blessed by Trump disciples Kid Rock, Tucker Carlson, and the late Hulk Hogan. SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! https://t.co/b1GeTGzLuypic.twitter.com/cjGW5L5MXT Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 24, 2025 Newsom appeared to mock the infamous Trump-branded Bibles by listing his own autographed copies of the good book, which were marked at $100 a pop but labeled as sold out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor even poached the presidents signature slogan, posting a flag with the words Make America Gavin Again on X. Utilizing Trumpian all-caps, Newsoms account said, SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! Earlier this month, the governor told MeidasTouch he was on a mission to put a mirror to Trump and his over-the-top rhetoric. Related: Poli Sci Experts Predict How Gavin Newsom's Brutal Mockery Of Trump And MAGA Will Resonate It wasnt long before the president took the bait. Lashing out at Newsom while talking to reporters from the Oval Office last week, Trump said, The governor is incompetent. I know Gavin very well. Hes an incompetent guy with a good line of bullshit, and he doesnt get the job done. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Gavin Newsom has started selling Maga-style red hats as he ramps up his imitation of Donald Trump. The California governor launched a patriot shop where supporters can buy a range of wares similar to those the US president has been selling for years. Mr Newsom wrote on social media on Sunday: THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!! MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. PLEASE ENJOY, AMERICA! https://t.co/H9wbcXdNhb pic.twitter.com/dWlKGq23eq Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 24, 2025 The range of items include $100 (74) Bibles signed by Americas favourite governor which are already listed as sold out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears to be an attack on Mr Trump, who began selling God Bless the USA Bible for $59.99 (44) last year, with financial disclosure forms revealing he had made $300,000 (222,000) from sales by August 2024. Other products include a red cap which says Newsom was right about everything! in block capitals for $32 (24), similar to a cap Mr Trump has worn a number of times. There is also a white vest with Trump is not hot written in red text, a reference to Mr Trumps Truth Social post saying Taylor Swift was no longer hot. Also on sale is a T-shirt with an AI image showing Kid Rock, Tucker Carlson and an angelic Hulk Hogan praying over Mr Newsom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Newsom, who is widely expected to launch a bid for president in 2028, has been mimicking his political rival on social media in recent weeks. Amid a battle over gerrymandering, the California Democrat began sharing lengthy posts on X in all-capitals akin to the messages Mr Trump is known for sharing. The tactic won attention from everyone from Mr Trumps allies to Fox News broadcasters and news outlets. Mr Newsoms team ramped up the posts to include AI-generated images including one which showed the US governor with bulging muscles holding the stars and stripes. Wow! We have now sold over $100k of the best products ever made!! Mr Newsom wrote on X on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: If you hate the patriot shop, you hate America! Thank you! Earlier, the Democrat shared an image of a blue flag with the text Make America Gavin Again. He wrote: Soon Maga will have a whole new meaning! Coming soon for your next boat parade! You are very welcome, patriots! 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. Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a new merch store called The Patriot Shop on his website Sunday, and made it clear how much he was trolling President Trump while doing so. Newsom took to X to launch an all caps message in the style of the president, and noted, MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. The shop features a red MAGA-style cap that reads Newsom was right about everything! as well as a tank top reading, Trump is not hot and a Newsom 2026 cap. More from TheWrap SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! https://t.co/b1GeTGzLuy pic.twitter.com/cjGW5L5MXT Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 24, 2025 SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! Newsom also wrote on X. The relationship between Trump and Newsom can often be described as contentious at best. In July Newsom balked at Trumps ICE deportations in California. It didnt need the National Guard to be called in, he told podcaster and former U.S. Navy SEAL Shawn Ryan during and appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, Newsom has taken to mocking Trump via social media in his signature style, posting in all-capped X tirades just as the president is known to do on Truth Social. I hope its a wakeup call. The President of the United States Im sort of following his example, he said during a press conference and rally earlier this month for his Nov. 4 special election on redistricting the state. And if youve got issues with what Im putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns about what hes putting out as president. To the extent its gotten some attention, Im pleased, Newsom continued. But I think the deeper question is: How have we allowed the normalization of his tweets, Truth Social posts over the course of the last many years to go without similar scrutiny and notice? The post Gavin Newsom Trolls Trump With Patriot Shop: Greatest Merchandise Ever Made appeared first on TheWrap. California Governor Gavin Newsom is now selling merchandise a la Donald Trump including $100 Bibles that are already sold out in his latest move to troll the president. After days of imitating the presidents signature all-caps social media posting style, Newsom capped off a week of trolling Trump with the opening of what hes calling the Patriot Shop. THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!! the Democratic governor announced Sunday in a social media post. MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. PLEASE ENJOY, AMERICA! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a direct jab at the president, the website lists a Holy Bible signed by Americas Favorite Governor! for $100. The presidents hefty "God Bless the USA" Bibles went for $60 a pop and included the chorus to Lee Greenwood's song by the same name as well as the text of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Newsom launches 'The Patriot Shop,' which mockingly offers MAGA-red hats and $100 Holy Bibles (The Patriot Shop) Within the last several weeks, the California governor has been mocking Trumps idiomatic all-caps posting style, from his childish nicknames down to his classic sign-off swapping DJT for GCN. Im just following [Trumps] example, Newsom told reporters last week when asked about his posting strategy. If you have issues with what Im putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns with what hes putting out as president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trumps allies criticized the governor for carrying Bibles on the website, he wrote: They still really dont get it. Honestly incredible. The Patriot Shop also offers a Trump is not hot tank top, MAGA red-colored caps emblazoned with Newsom was right about everything! and The Chosen One T-shirt that features Newsom surrounded by far-right personalities Tucker Carlson, Kid Rock, and Hulk Hogan. Trump in 2019 declared himself the chosen one. Three hours after the merchandise shop launched, Newsom boasted in an X post about its sales: WOW! $50,000 IN PURCHASES ALREADY!! THANK YOU PATRIOTS!!! The store is administered by Bright Blue Ink, a Texas printshop working on behalf of Campaign For Democracy Committee, according to the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The store serves as Newsoms latest salvo in his ongoing feud with the president, whose campaign and affiliated entities have monetized his political agenda and even his mugshot to make millions of dollars with Trump-themed sneakers, cryptocurrency, Christmas gift wrap, guitars, perfume, phones, and his line of MAGA hats. Newsom has used Trump-like language on social media to draw attention to the presidents language (Getty Images) The attacks have extended offline, too. Newsom signed legislation this week calling for new congressional maps in California that could amount to five additional Democratic seats in Congress to offset a Trump-led effort to redistrict in Texas for five additional Republican seats. Newsoms press office wrote Thursday of the redistricting plan: THESE ARE PERFECT, BEAUTIFUL MAPS. BETTER THAN COLUMBUS, BETTER THAN GOOGLE MAPS, BETTER THAN APPLE MAPS (SORRY TIM, NO GOLD BAR FOR ME, BUT I STILL LOVE YOU!). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THE GOLDEN ERA BEGINS IN THE GOLDEN STATE, ALL BECAUSE OF ME, THE PEOPLES GOVERNOR, THE CARTOGRAPHER-IN-CHIEF, WHO WILL NOW LET THE PEOPLE VOTE!!! THANK YOU, USA!!! Newsoms proposal came weeks after Trump suggested in July that Texas Republicans redraw the states congressional maps so that his party wins more seats in the 2026 midterm elections. The president reiterated this idea, telling CNBCs Squawk Box earlier this month that he was entitled to additional seats in Texas: I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats. Separately, the Trump administration sued Californias department of education in July over its policy to allow transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. This week, the Trump administration terminated the California State Personal Responsibility Education Program, a federal grant aiming to educate young people on both abstinence and contraception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Californias refusal to comply with federal law and remove egregious gender ideology from federally funded sex-ed materials is unacceptable, Andrew Gradison, the acting assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families, said in a statement. The California governors recent trolling appears to have spurred a rising tide of support among voters in his home state, Harry Enten, CNNs chief data analyst, said. He was referring to a recent poll that found that 75 percent of registered Democratic voters said they are excited about the prospect of Newsom running for president in 2028. The worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is set to take center stage at the upcoming 82nd edition of the Venice Film Festival. Hundreds of local political and grassroot groups announced on Monday that they would be joining a march protesting Israels treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, on the main Santa Maria Elisabetta avenue on August 30. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when the eyes of the world will be on Venice and the Film Festival, we have a duty to make the voices of all those who are outraged and rebelling heard: let us therefore turn the spotlight of the Festival on Palestine, the bodies said in a statement. The genocide is there for all to see. The Israeli army in Gaza is massacring the Palestinian civilian population, targeting hospitals, refugee camps, food and water distribution points, schools, universities, churches and mosques, it continued. The denial of humanitarian aid, water and food is a strategy of genocide, carried out with the complicity of the U.S. and European governments, including the Italian one, which continues to support Israel economically, politically and diplomatically, continuing to supply weapons and maintaining trade agreements. The Venice Film Festival kicks off on August 27, six weeks shy of the second anniversary of the Hamas terror attacks on Southern Israel on October 7 2023, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in the taking of 251 hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 61,000 people living in the Gaza Strip have died in Israels subsequent military campaign aimed at wiping out Hamas and recovering the hostages. United Nations-backed global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), announced last week that 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip are officially facing a man-made famine, with at least 132,000 children under five-years-old expected to suffer from acute malnutrition. Israel has said accusations of genocide are baseless because the country is not acting with intent. Leading Israel-based human rights groups BTselem and Physicians for Human Rights have countered this, saying last month that Israel was carrying out a clear, intentional attack on civilians in order to destroy a group. Mondays announcement follows an open letter over the weekend signed by hundreds of Italian cinema professionals gathered under the banner of the Venice4Palestine (V4P). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They called on the Venice Film Festival; its parent body, the Biennale, and the independent parallel sections of Giornate degli Autori (previously known as Venice Days) and the International Critics Week, to be more courageous and clear in condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing across Palestine carried out by the Israeli government and army. The statement also decried the deaths of close to 250 Palestinian media workers since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign as well as attacks on journalists in the West Bank. Mondays statement by the Veneto grassroot bodies coincided with the killing of another four journalists in Gaza earlier in the day. The Biennale and the Venice Film Festival responded to the letter in a written statement saying that throughout their histories they had always been places of open discussion and sensitivity with regard to all the most pressing issues facing society and the world. The festival pointed to its selection for the main competition this year of Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hanias The Voice of Hind Rajab, about the killing of a six-year-old girl as her family fled Gaza City in January, 2024, as well as Of Dogs and Men by Israeli director Dani Rosenberg, capturing the aftermath of October 7, 2023, for the Orizzonti sidebar in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a follow-up statement, V4P said it warmly welcomed messages of solidarity from Giornate degli Autori and Critics Week, but was disheartened by the response from the Biennale and Venice Film Festival saying it failed to address the substance of their letter. Signatures to our open letter have already surpassed 1,500 in just a few days: film clubs, festivals, professional associations, unions, cultural organizations, as well as directors, actors, screenwriters, and all the workers across the various sectors of cinema, art, culture, education, and information. A substantial and transversal part of our industry. If it took only a few hours to bring together so many, it means that Italian cinema has finally chosen to stand with the Palestinian people attacked and massacred for decades and no longer recognizes a place for half-words and false neutrality, V4P said in its follow-up statement. Yet the official communication from the Biennale still chooses not to mention Palestine and the ongoing genocide, nor the State of Israel that is perpetrating it. If the Biennale truly wishes to be a place of open and sensitive dialogue, then that space must first and foremost be a space of truth. The group added it appreciated the selection of films such as The Voice of Hind Rajab for Competition but questioned the presence of stars Gerard Butler and Gal Gadot calling for invites to be withdrawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The actors appear in Julian Schnabels In The Hand of Dante, alongside Oscar Isaac, Al Pacino, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Jason Momoa, Louis Cancelmi and Franco Nero, which world premieres in Venice this year. A representative for Gadot told Deadline, however, that the actor was never able nor was ever confirmed to attend the Venice Film Festival. Israeli star Gadot has spoken out against Hamas and in support of the Israeli hostages but has also called for a diplomatic solution to the Gaza-Israel conflict and expressed an anti-war stance. Long criticized by pro-Palestinian groups, she was also attacked by Israeli right-wing media in July for her call for an end to the war in Gaza during an honorary award acceptance speech at the Jerusalem Film Festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butler has drawn attention in the past for his attendance of a gala for the Friends of the IDF Western Region Gala in Los Angeles in 2018, which raised $60 million for Israeli Army programs, but has not commented publicly on the events in Israel and Gaza in the wake of October 7. In The Hand Of Dante, a thriller revolving around the origins of a manuscript believed to be Dantes The Divine Comedy written in the poets own hand, world premieres in Venice on September 3, the same day as The Voice of Hind Rajab. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. THOMSON, Ga. (WJBF) The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced a person has been arrested in connection to the shooting that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old last week. On Aug. 22, 20-year-old Santana Mance of Thomson was arrested at residence and charged with one count of Murder, one count of Aggravated Assault, and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime. Mance was booked into the McDuffie County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GBI stated that DCorby Benning, the deceased, was shot just before 11 p.m. on Edgar Circle near Gordon and Main Street in Thomson on Aug. 17. Benning was taken to Piedmont McDuffie Hospital where he died from his injuries. According to the GBI, additional arrests are pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OTTAWA, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced in the Ukrainian capital Kiev new military assistance for Ukraine, according to a news release issued by the Prime Minister's Office. The funding of 2 billion Canadian dollars (1.45 billion U.S. dollars) was committed at the June G7 Summit held in Canada's Kananaskis. About 835 million Canadian dollars (603 million dollars) of the total are planned to procure a range of critical equipment for Ukraine, including armored vehicles, medical equipment, spare parts, small arms, ammunition, and explosives, as well as additional drone capabilities and other urgently needed equipment and supplies for Ukraine, the release said. About 680 million Canadian dollars (491 million dollars) are for the purchase of military equipment sourced from the United States to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and provide other urgently needed military assistance, the release said. About 220 million Canadian dollars (159 million dollars) will be used to purchase drone, counter-drone, and electronic warfare capabilities, including investments in joint ventures between Ukrainian and Canadian industry, it said. Jamie McNeil holds a picture of sister Jennifer Bullard, who sought medical aid in dying care. Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder For Jennifer Bullard, the decision to seek a physician-assisted death was not an act of wanting to die but of taking control over how and when she died, said Bullards sister, Jamie McNeil. Speaking to the Georgia House Public and Community Health Committee Monday, McNeil, shared how her sisters ALS diagnosis progressively paralyzed her muscles, leading to excruciating and brutal suffering and that despite Bullards courage and her familys round-the-clock care, could not be fully alleviated by conventional medical care. Bullard, McNeil said, was terrified of locked-in syndrome, a state of total paralysis while the mind remains conscious and alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unable to communicate, unable to speak, unable to move at all to me, that is the very definition of torture, and my sister didnt deserve to be tortured, McNeil said. Jennifer adamantly did not want to die, but she even more adamantly did not want to go through the locked-in syndrome. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rep. Sharon Cooper. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder McNeil said that the medical aid in dying (MAID) option gave her sister a sense of dignity and peace, allowing her to coordinate a beautiful passing that included a final, intimate farewell with family and friends. After receiving the medication, McNeil said she held her sister, who peacefully passed away within minutes. The most harm that you could have done Jennifer would be to have made her live out this disease in that torture, McNeil said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bullard underwent the procedure in California, where it is legal, unlike in Georgia. Committee chair Rep. Sharon Cooper, a Marietta Republican, said the purpose for the committee hearing was to learn about MAID. There has not been a bill filed in previous sessions, and its unclear if legislation related to MAID will be considered yet in the next session. Dr. Adrienne Mims, a geriatrician and vice chair of the Georgia Council on Aging, described MAID as a medical choice for a terminally ill, mentally capable adult to obtain and self-administer a prescription to die peacefully. She clarified it is distinct from suicide, which she noted is a separate public health issue. Mims presented data from Oregon, where MAID has been legal since 1997, showing that thousands of prescriptions have been written and a majority were used. It is a choice. Sometimes people feel its empowering to be able to have that as an option, Mims said. Rep. Scott Hilton. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Palliative care is focused on improving a patients quality of life at any stage of a serious illness, while hospice is for those with a prognosis of six months or less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anthony Davis, a social worker in palliative care, said that a patients request for MAID could stem from a lack of resources rather than a true desire to die. He said that as a social worker, he is in favor of autonomy in end-of-life care, but he said that there must be resources in place, such as proper mental health counseling, before MAID is an option. Once you assess further, you find its not death that theyre wanting, its the lack of resources, Davis said. Its the fact that they dont have the things needed, whether it be transportation, whether it be food, whether it be caregiver support, sometimes its that they dont even have support from their family. Rep. Scott Hilton, a Republican from Peachtree Corners, expressed moral discomfort about family members ability to push such an option and fear of a perverse incentive where insurance companies might promote MAID as a cheaper alternative to costly long-term care. Rep. Dexter Sharper. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder How do we prohibit financial incentives from coming into play here, either from the family who is maybe seeking benefit from that person passing, or, for example, insurance companies who may begin to push this as a cheaper option as opposed to prolonging life? he asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Dexter Sharper, a Valdosta Democrat who has worked as a paramedic for more than two decades, said that hed much rather this be an option than hearing that a family member died by suicide because they had no other option. I remember all the suicides that Ive been to as a paramedic over the last 30 years. Every last one of them, I dont suffer with anything from it, thank God, but I remember where I was and where they did it to themselves. So those are things that you guys just have to keep in mind, there are going to be other issues that happen, Sharper said. Germany's ruling coalition faces formidable challenges in pushing through reforms in the coming months, the head of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's office warned on Monday. "Overall, the Federal Government has already made enormous progress in the first 111 days," Thorsten Frei, chief of staff to the German chancellor, told the RTL broadcaster's morning programme. "But of course you also have to realize that the challenges are enormous. In terms of foreign policy as well as economic and social policy in our country," Frei said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the day, Merz is due to meet with the leaders of his conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), to discuss the so-called "autumn of reforms." Together with its junior partner, the centre-left Social Democrats (SDP), the conservative alliance forms the coalition that took office in May. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul a member of the CDU called on the coalition partners to show more cohesion as they begin their reform work after the summer break. "We must work together in a focused manner. We must do our job. That is what we were elected to do. And we must be prepared to play as a team," Wadephul told reporters in Zagreb during a meeting with his Croatian counterpart Gordan Grlic Radman. Wadephul also planned to take part in the consultations with Merz later in the day. Reem Alabali Radovan has previously called for Germany to suspend the sales of weapons that could be used in Gaza to Israel, and condemned Hamas terrorism, demanding the release of all hostages. Germanys development and foreign aid minister, Reem Alabali Radovan, will depart on Monday for a three-day visit to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, according to a ministry spokesperson. The minister is thus continuing her commitment to the future of Gaza and the stabilization of the entire region. This requires a joint approach by the international community and important regional powers such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the spokesperson said at a press conference in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alabali Radovan has made previous statements showing concern over hunger across the world, including in the Gaza Strip. She also called for Germany to suspend the sales of weapons that could be used in Gaza to Israel in an August 8 post on her ministrys official Instagram page, adding that Israel must allow unrestricted humanitarian aid deliveries via the United Nations into the enclave. In the post, she affirmed that Hamas must release all hostages and end terror against Israel, and that there must be no place for the terror organization in any future for the enclave. Hamas must release all hostages, end terror, has no future in Gaza, minister affirms In the same post, she called on the German government to provide immediate aid to the people of Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire, while denouncing any plans to annex parts of the enclave or forcibly relocate any part of the populace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also stated that Germany will play a role in the "crucial" reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. Alabali Radovan is the youngest minister in the German Cabinet, born in Moscow to an Iraqi-Kurdish family in 1990, who later fled to Germany due to political persecution, a biography shared by a German embassy stated. In July, she stated that she wished Germany had signed on to the joint statement by the EU Crisis Management Commissioner and 28 Western countries, including Britain and France, that called on Israel to immediately end the war. BERLIN (Reuters) -Russian President Vladimir Putin should be aware that Germany's support for Ukraine is not waning, German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Monday upon arriving in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on an unannounced visit. "Putin should have no illusions that Germany's support for Ukraine could crumble," said Klingbeil, leader of the Social Democratic Party that is the junior partner in Chancellor Friedrich Merz' conservative-led coalition government. "On the contrary: We remain Ukraine's second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe," said Klingbeil. "Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klingbeil urged Putin to demonstrate an interest in a peace process in Europe's deadliest war in 80 years that broke out in February 2022. U.S. President Donald Trump has pressed for a quick end to the war, but Kyiv and its allies are concerned he could seek to force an agreement on Russia's terms. Klingbeil said Ukraine needed to be involved in the talks and there needed to be a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees for a lasting peace. "To this end, we are coordinating closely internationally," he said. Among options presented this week for security for Ukraine after a possible peace deal, both French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported troop deployments as part of a coalition of the willing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merz has also signalled openness to Germany's participation but would face a backlash both from within and outside his political spectrum on the matter. According to Klingbeil's ministry, the German government has supported Ukraine with 50.5 billion euros ($59.18 billion) since the war started. ($1 = 0.8534 euros) (Reporting by Christian Kraemer, Writing by Vera Eckert; Editing by Sandra Maler) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul spoke out on Monday against the Israeli government's planned military offensive into the city of Gaza, where large numbers of civilians are currently sheltering. "Our credibility as a global European actor depends on consistency in defending international law, opposing terror and protecting civilian lives," Wadephul told the Croatian Ambassadors' Conference in Zagreb. "In our view, the decision by the Israeli Cabinet to take over Gaza City and intensify ground operations does not promote either of those goals," the minister said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to estimates, around 1 million people are crowded into the coastal city, which Israel plans to evacuate before the offensive. Some families already fled to Khan Younis or Rafah in the south, where they report overcrowded camps without adequate supplies. Many remain in the city, considering no place to be safe in the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian militant group Hamas is thought to also still be holding hostages in the city, although it remains unclear how much of its underground tunnel system still exists. Israel claims to have destroyed large parts of the network through bombings. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to make an inaugural visit to Croatia on Monday, seeking to discuss the war in Ukraine, European security, defence and trade with the newest of the European Union's 27 member states and a fellow NATO member. Wadephul, who has been in office since Germany's new conservative-led government was sworn in in May, is planning to hold talks with his counterpart Gordan Grlic Radman as well as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb. He also plans to address a gathering of ambassadors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political talks are set to focus on joint support for Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion, as well as EU security and defence policy and trade, according to the German Foreign Office. A spokesman described Croatia as an important partner within the EU, highlighting the value of the country's experience as the latest addition to the bloc when it comes to the accession of further Balkan countries. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are all looking to join the EU but are at different stages of the accession process. While Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania have entered official negotiations, Bosnia-Herzegovina holds the status of candidate country, while Kosovo is considered a potential candidate for accession. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is set to make an inaugural visit to Croatia on Monday, seeking to discuss the war in Ukraine, European security, defence and trade with the newest of the European Union's 27 member states and a fellow NATO member. Wadephul, who has been in office since Germany's new conservative-led government was sworn in in May, is planning to hold talks with his counterpart Gordan Grlic Radman as well as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb. He also plans to address a gathering of ambassadors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political talks are set to focus on joint support for Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion, as well as EU security and defence policy and trade, according to the German Foreign Office. Wadephul sees Croatia as an important partner within the EU, highlighting the value of the country's experience as the latest addition to the bloc when it comes to the accession of further Balkan countries. "Croatia is well aware of the opportunities and challenges. I therefore hope that Croatia will play an active role in the accession process for the Western Balkan states," he said before departing for Zagreb. Croatia joined the EU in mid-2013. Wadephul said the country could serve as a role model and bridge builder for the accession candidates in its neighbourhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are all looking to join the EU but are at different stages of the accession process. While Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania have entered official negotiations, Bosnia-Herzegovina holds the status of candidate country, while Kosovo is considered a potential candidate for accession. In a world in turmoil, Europe's strength lies in its cohesion and clear perspectives, Wadephul said, stressing that candidate countries must be offered clear paths to membership based on the rule of law, fundamental rights and reform. "Where this perspective is lacking, autocratic powers try to gain influence through disinformation, corruption and violence, turning people against our European project and creating new dependencies," he warned. The Foreign Office in Berlin on Monday condemned the Israeli attack on a hospital in the Gaza Strip that killed five media workers and more than a dozen other people. "We are shocked by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers and other civilians in an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza," the office wrote on X, adding that the attack must be investigated. The work of journalists is indispensable in order to depict the devastating reality of the war in Gaza, the statement stressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have repeatedly called on the Israeli government to grant access to media professionals and offer protection to journalists working in Gaza," it said. According to the hospital, 19 people were killed in the attack on the hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, including five reporters working for outlets including Reuters, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil arrived in Kyiv on 25 August on an unannounced visit. Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters Details: Upon arrival, he stated that Russian ruler Vladimir Putin must understand that Germanys support for Ukraine will not weaken. "Putin should have no illusions that Germany's support for Ukraine could crumble," said Klingbeil, leader of the Social Democratic Party, which is the junior partner in Chancellor Friedrich Merzs coalition government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On the contrary: We remain Ukraine's second-largest supporter worldwide and the largest in Europe," said Klingbeil. "Ukraine can continue to rely on Germany." He also stressed that Ukraine must be included in peace negotiations and that a lasting peace requires a ceasefire and reliable security guarantees. "To this end, we are coordinating closely internationally," he said. Background: Klingbeil did not support the call by Minister-President of Bavaria Markus Soder of the Christian Social Union party to strip all Ukrainian refugees of social benefits. He also justified Germanys significant increase in military spending, stating that it was necessary to counter the threat posed by the Russian leader. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius stated on Monday 25 August that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is still not interested in peace, even after intensive diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Source: European Pravda with reference to n-tv Details: Cornelius called the intensification of the political process regarding Russias full-scale war against Ukraine "a major step forward", which he said was the most significant since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite all the shifts in the positions of individual actors, it is becoming increasingly clear that Russia, as the aggressor, is still not really ready for a political settlement," he added. Commenting on US President Donald Trumps position on Russia, the German government spokesman expressed hope that "everyone will draw conclusions regarding the consequences". "Only a ceasefire will ultimately underline Russias seriousness in seeking peace," he said. Background: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently stated that diplomatic efforts to end Russias war in Ukraine are still facing significant difficulties. Most German citizens believe that their chancellor cannot substantially influence the US president on issues related to the war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Summer camp children walking up the stairs into the Stars and Stripes building (Al Green) Stars and Stripes Europe had the pleasure of hosting Baumholders Wetzel SAC summer camp. Three groups of Kindergarten through fifth graders visited Stripes Headquarters on Kleber Kaserne to learn about our newspaper and magazines by participating in a variety of fun activities. For their first activity, they learned all about writing articles and designing magazines from our Publishing, Media and Design team: the people behind our childrens magazine, Dandelions. The children had the opportunity to decorate their own Dandelions cover. They used their creativity and showed off their special interests which gave our team some great ideas for future magazines! Group of children designing emojis, sitting at a table (Kristen Thoennes) After learning about the travel and lifestyle side of Stars and Stripes, the children met Lara K., one of our journalists. She demonstrated one of the roles of journalists through a Fact versus Opinion activity. She read phrases to the children, and they had to say if it was a fact or an opinion. The kids did really well! We bet there are some budding journalists in our community! Next, they were guided to a fun activity which was the highlight for all the kids! We set up a mini bowling and the kids took turns rolling the ball knock down the pins. After all the fun, Rene from our IT department showed different computer parts and explained how they work together to make computers function. Student throwing a bowling down the hallway (Kristen Thoennes) Kids bowling in the hallway (Kristen Thoennes) Finally, our Engagement department taught the children a classic activity using old newspapers. We crafted newspaper hats! We also created paper airplanes and had a little contest to see who could launch theirs the farthest. Newspaper hat placed on a table with a Stars and Stripes sticker on the front. (Jennifer K.) Group of five students and two chaperones standing in front of interior Stars and Stripes sign (Jennifer K.) Students and Stripes worker coloring at the table (Jennifer K.) We had a blast hosting these young minds and showing off all that Stripes does for the military community here in Europe! BERLIN (Reuters) -German federal prosecutors said on Monday that they have charged a U.S. citizen they accuse of offering to pass sensitive U.S. military information to Chinese intelligence. The man, identified as Martin D. under German privacy law, is accused of contacting Chinese state bodies in summer 2024 while working for a U.S. military contractor on a U.S. base in Germany, the prosecutors said in a statement. He has been in pre-trial detention since his arrect in November. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle, Editing by Miranda Murray) BERLIN (Reuters) -Berlin will take part in providing security guarantees for Ukraine alongside European partners but the talks are at an early stage and must be shaped by Kyiv, German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Monday in Ukraine's capital. "What's important is that, in the end, there are security guarantees that ensure Ukraine is no longer attacked and that Putin no longer dares to attack Ukraine," said Klingbeil in his first visit to Ukraine. Klingbeil, who also serves as Germany's finance minister, said in order to achieve that goal the Ukrainian army needed to be strengthened and arms production inside Ukraine needed to be ramped up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klingbeil said Germany would "assume responsibility" in providing security guarantees, but that decisions must not be taken "over the heads of Ukrainians" and any negotiation process must start with a ceasefire. U.S. President Donald Trump has pressed for a quick end to the war, but Kyiv and its allies are concerned he could seek to force an agreement on Russia's terms. "The ball is now in Vladimir Putin's court," Klingbeil said. "I believe that we still have a very long way to go, because I cannot yet see Vladimir Putin changing his mind, suddenly relenting, suddenly wanting to hold real, serious, sustainable peace talks." (Reporting by Christian Kraemer and Maria Martinez, Editing by Friederike Heine) Germany has pledged to provide Ukraine with 9 billion annually over the next few years. Source: Lars Klingbeil, German Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Finance, at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by European Pravda, citing Ukrainian news agency Interfax-Ukraine Details: Prior to that, Klingbeil and Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko discussed options for continued support for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Klingbeil: "As finance minister, I made clear and this was agreed by the federal government that we will provide Ukraine with 9 billion in annual support over the coming years." More details: Upon arriving in Kyiv on the morning of 25 August, Klingbeil said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin must understand that Germany's support for Ukraine will not waver. Background: Earlier, Klingbeil disagreed with Markus Soder, Bavarian Prime Minister from the Christian Social Union, who called for Ukrainian refugees to be stripped of access to social benefits. The vice-chancellor also justified a significant increase in German military spending, saying it was necessary to counter the threat from the Russian leader. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil underscored Berlin's willingness to participate in possible security guarantees for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kiev on Monday. But Kiev's allies must also prepare for the case that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unwilling to end the conflict, Klingbeil said in a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is important to have a "really strong Ukrainian army that is also capable of defence," stressed Klingbeil, who is also finance minister and the leader of the Social Democrats, the junior party in Germany's governing coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And the second thing is that armaments production is also being ramped up here in Ukraine as well, thereby putting Ukraine in a position to defend itself and deter [aggressors]," he said. Following a summit at the White House between US President Donald Trump, Zelensky and European leaders last week, Kiev's European partners have been working on security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war with Russia. They are seen as key for Ukraine, which has been defending itself for three and a half years. However, the extent of the assistance European leaders are willing to provide is still unclear, and Klingbeil was non-committal over the issue of whether Germany could provide military forces to secure a potential peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In the three and a half years that this war has been going on, we have always shown that we are not ducking away, but stand by the side of the Ukrainians. And that will also apply to security guarantees," said Klingbeil. There are various options for guarantees and the talks are in the early stages, he said. Zelensky made it clear that a military presence was "important" to prevent Russia from attacking again after an eventual peace agreement. In addition to representatives of the Ukrainian government, Klingbeil also met lawmakers and civil society leaders in Kiev. After arriving in the capital early on Monday, he said he was "coordinating closely with the chancellor [Friedrich Merz] on how Germany can best support Ukraine in a potential peace process" and emphasized the need for "reliable security guarantees that ensure lasting peace for Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are consulting closely with international partners. Germany will fulfil its responsibilities," he said. Klingbeil visited the central St Michael's Square as funeral processions took place for soldiers killed in the war. He joined in commemorations along with his Ukrainian counterpart Serhiy Marchenko. Since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022, Berlin has provided some 50.5 billion ($59 billion) in support for Kiev, according to figures from the German Finance Ministry. Around half has been spent on Ukrainian refugees in Germany, with 17 billion in military supplies, 6.7 billion on civilian support and 1.9 billion on budgetary aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to German financial plans, bilateral military support is to be maintained at a high level of more than 8 billion per year until 2027. As the war continues, Ukraine's annual financial requirements are growing further. Finance Minister Marchenko recently estimated that 38.5 billion in foreign aid is needed to finance the Ukrainian budget in 2026. This year, a supplementary budget of the equivalent of around 8 billion has already had to be drawn up due to the rising costs. Compared to the pre-war year 2021, the Ukrainian government budget has tripled. More than 40% of the budget is set to be covered by loans and aid payments from abroad. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has arrived in Kiev on Monday for talks with the Ukrainian government. "I am coordinating closely with the chancellor [Friedrich Merz] on how Germany can best support Ukraine in a potential peace process," Klingbeil said upon his arrival in Kiev on Monday morning. "It is about Ukrainian, but also European security," he added. Klingbeil emphasized the need for "reliable security guarantees that ensure lasting peace for Ukraine." "We are consulting closely with international partners. Germany will fulfil its responsibilities," he said. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has arrived in Kiev on Monday for talks with the Ukrainian government. "I am coordinating closely with the chancellor [Friedrich Merz] on how Germany can best support Ukraine in a potential peace process," Klingbeil said upon his arrival in Kiev on Monday morning. "It is about Ukrainian, but also European security," he added. Klingbeil emphasized the need for "reliable security guarantees that ensure lasting peace for Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are consulting closely with international partners. Germany will fulfil its responsibilities," he said. During his visit, Klingbeil is planning to meet representatives of the Ukrainian government, parliament and civil society. Following a summit at the White House between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders last week, Kiev's European allies have been working on security guarantees for Ukraine after the end of the war with Russia. They are seen as key for Ukraine, which has been defending itself for three and a half years. Germany's The Left party is actively supporting a large-scale rally for Gaza planned for September 27 in Berlin, party chair Janis Ehling said on Monday. Ehling told journalists in the German capital that the executive committee had decided over the weekend that the party will mobilize for the event. "We call on our members to take part in the rally in front of the Reichstag on September 27," Ehling said, referring to the building that houses Germany's lower house of parliament, or Bundestag, in Berlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demonstration is being organized by Amnesty International and aid organization Medico International, among others, under the slogan "All Eyes on Gaza - Stop the Genocide." Berlin rap group KIZ is one of several musical acts set to perform at the event. Ehling called for more pressure on Israel from the international community and a suspension of the European Union's Association Agreement with Israel, which provides for close political and economic cooperation. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Tennessee residents planning to earn masters degrees in behavioral health could get some tuition help from the state. Through the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship, the state is offering up to $30,000 in tuition, with a maximum of $15,000 per academic year, to help students seeking higher education in the field. The scholarship was established to address the Volunteer States growing demand for behavioral health professionals. TN teacher vacancies down as non-traditional paths help fill gaps Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve heard so many stories from scholarship recipients who have told us this support has enabled them to pursue their dream careers, Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Marie Williams, said. Our community behavioral health providers tell us the graduates from this scholarship program are already having an impact on their workforce challenges. More than $4.4 million has been appropriated for the scholarship program by the Tennessee General Assembly for the new fiscal year. Additionally, the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council is contributing $2 million to the fund. The Opioid Abatement Council is beyond excited to support this scholarship program, Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council Chair, Dr. Steve Loyd, said. Our work is focused on addressing the generational impacts of the opioid crisis on our state, and what better way to do that than to support the education of the next generation of professionals in the behavioral health field. To qualify, applicants must be Tennessee residents seeking masters degrees in psychology, social work, psychiatric nursing, counseling or other similar behavioral health professions. They also have to either be enrolled, or be in the process of enrolling, into an accredited higher education student somewhere in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson County teen publishes book after move from overseas Recipients commit to working at a state-funded, grant-contracted treatment agency that helps serve Tennesseans with the greatest needs and the least ability to pay. The Tennessee Association of Alcohol Drug and other Addiction Services works with the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations to help administer the scholarship and ensure graduates meet their commitment to public service. To see a full list of eligible agencies contracted with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, or agencies that receive grant funding through the Tennessee Opioid Abatement Council, follow this link. If youre interested in applying, you can follow this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. In 2018, the Gig Harbor City Council proclaimed its commitment to making Gig Harbor a welcoming city. Seven years later, the city wants to know whether its doing enough to keep that commitment. The city asked residents in the Gig Harbor area whether they felt the city is doing enough to welcome people of all cultures and backgrounds in a survey launched at the end of February. The results, presented to the Gig Harbor City Council at a study session Aug. 14, suggest that many are happy with the citys embrace of local cultural and community events, but that clear divisions exist on the citys approach to diversity, equity and inclusion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the responses dont reflect a scientifically valid sample, the 342 responses still provide valuable data for the city, the presentation noted. The results come a little over a year after the formation of the Mayors Ad Hoc Committee on Community Diversity and Engagement, tasked with fostering an inclusive environment in the community amid reports of alleged prejudice and bullying in local schools in recent months. Gig Harbor Mayor Mary Barber said in an interview with The News Tribune that survey results suggest the city is doing a pretty good job creating a welcoming environment, until you start looking at people who might be different than us, people in different ethnic groups, people of different religions, that kind of thing. And thats where we see the need for growth. The volunteer committee designed and conducted the survey and analyzed the results, Barber said. No city funds were spent on the survey. The aim of the survey was to collect data to guide the committees future work, since there really was no data for this committee on community diversity and engagement to look at, retired psychology professor and committee member Claudia Lampman told the council Aug. 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ... the survey was just sort of a starting point to see where things are going well in our community and where there might be some areas for improvement, Lampman said. The survey launched Feb. 28 and remained open for one month, the Aug. 14 presentation said. The city posted about the survey in its Gig-a-Byte newsletter and on the citys Facebook page, and Mayor Barber said committee members were also encouraged to distribute the survey. Surveys like this typically overrepresent people who care a lot about the issue the survey is asking about, usually in both directions, Lampman said. Among the surveys findings were: Two-thirds or more of the respondents said they somewhat or strongly agree that the community of Gig Harbor is doing enough to create a welcoming city through local government actions, community organizations, nonprofit organizations and local businesses, while nearly a third said they somewhat or strongly disagreed. A clear majority said they agreed the community is doing enough to welcome people through events, with 45% of respondents saying they strongly agree with this statement. Responses tended to show more negativity for questions about the citys treatment of specific communities: 42% to 57% of respondents somewhat or strongly disagreed that the community is doing enough to welcome people of all cultures and heritages, all faiths and religions, the LGBTQIA2S+ community and BIPOC or ethnic minorities. 23% of respondents strongly disagreed that the community is doing enough to welcome the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and 31% reported the same for BIPOC or ethnic minorities. Visitors stroll through the 2023 Summer Art Festival on Judson Street in downtown Gig Harbor. The survey also included an open-ended question: What can the city do to make Gig Harbor a more welcoming and friendly place for all residents and visitors? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 59 responses were related to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) or promoting tolerance and inclusion, while 40 responses advocated for shifting focus away from DEI initiatives. 47 responses identified a need to provide more inclusive, multicultural and ethnic events and to better publicize events. 36 responses suggested improving city safety, beautification, infrastructure, parking, and traffic. Other themes across responses included supporting public declarations against racism and intolerance, diversifying the city council and addressing bullying in schools, as well as the sentiment that Gig Harbor is already welcoming and opposition to the Pride flag. Lampman highlighted the divide in responses. I would say the open-ended comments particularly reflect the deep divide that our nation is experiencing when it comes to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, and I think really fell very strongly in both camps, Lampman told the council. There was no somewhats in the comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to time constraints at the council meeting Aug. 14, the city council will discuss the results further at its Oct. 16 study session, Barber wrote in an email Friday. The city council welcomes public comment at its study sessions, she said. I am really looking forward to hearing councils discussion on it, and too, knowing what they believe we should do, she said. One possibility she sees is hosting more events to bring specific communities more into the mainstream. Barber highlighted several events that have already occurred in the city: an annual Chuseok Korean festival via the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Gig Harbor Pride in the Park and the lighting of a menorah at Skansie Brothers Park. The community also celebrated Croatia Day in May with performances and booths to commemorate the citys ties to Croatia. She emphasized that she doesnt want to get too far ahead of council, and that any plans would also need to take into account the existing workload of city staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barbers view is that the community is doing a pretty good job already, but that she wants to see more acts of kindness out in the community. I just think we need to do a better job with people we dont know, she said. We need to expand our circles a little bit more. Wisconsin will elect a new governor next year, and chances are good its someone most voters today know almost nothing about. This is part of what makes 2026 a very unusual election year. Wisconsin will have a big statewide campaign without an incumbent, which is rare enough. Lubar Logo Even rarer, it could have a big statewide campaign without a big political name of any kind in either party. Put another way, we could see the lowest-profile field of candidates for any marquee election in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To put this race into context, I looked back over the 16 contests for governor and U.S. Senate in Wisconsin since 2000. Of those, 14 had an incumbent on the ballot. Only two the 2012 race for Senate and the 2010 race for governor were open seat races. And in one of those two, the 2012 Senate race, the GOP nominee was arguably the single biggest name in modern Wisconsin politics, former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who had won four races for governor in the previous decades and started the 2012 campaign with 80% name ID. By contrast, the 2026 race for governor will not only have no incumbent, thanks to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers decision not to seek a third term, but may not have anyone at all with high statewide name ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is certainly time for more candidates to emerge. As things stand now, though, only two Republicans have officially entered the race for governor, and both started out as political unknowns, broadly speaking: businessman Bill Berrien and Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann. Republican congressman Tom Tiffany, who represents northern Wisconsin, may also get in, and would start out with a much higher profile than Berrien or Schoemann did. But his name ID is low outside his district. The last time the Marquette Law School polled on him two years ago only 25% of registered voters in the state knew enough about him to have an opinion. On the Democratic side, the list of definite or expected candidates includes Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and state Sen. Kelda Roys. None are well-known statewide (by that I mean none would approach 50% name ID in the state). Rodriguez is the only Democrat who has officially entered the race. Atty. Gen. Josh Kaul may run, and he has run and won statewide. But the office of attorney general has a much lower political profile than that of governor or U.S. senator. And I doubt 50% of Wisconsin voters know enough about Kaul to have an opinion about him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Who's running for Wisconsin governor? These candidates have launched campaigns If former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes gets in, he could bring the highest name ID of any Democrat into the race, since he was the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee three years ago, a contest he narrowly lost. He is probably the only one of all these names who would start the campaign with more than 50% name ID. There have been plenty of statewide primaries before that lacked a big name. But the only other contest for governor or senator since 2000 that lacked someone in either party with high statewide name ID was the 2010 race for governor. Even that race featured a higher-profile tier of politicians than we may end up with in 2026. It had two candidates who were big names in the states most populous region: Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor and former congressman Tom Barrett. And it included a former GOP congressman, Mark Neumann, who had almost won a U.S. Senate race 12 years earlier. The implications of a 2026 Wisconsin field with no big names The relative unfamiliarity of the 2026 field has several implications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, it creates a lot of unpredictability. The vast majority of big statewide races in Wisconsin the past 30 years have been, to some degree, referendums on an incumbent officeholder. The popularity of that incumbent heavily shaped those contests and helped determine how competitive they would be. That wont be the case this time. It also means that these relatively low name-ID candidates will have some latitude to define themselves for voters who dont know much about them. This applies to both the primary contest and the general election, but more to the former than the latter. More: Democrat Sarah Godlewski launches run for lieutenant governor, kicking off a wide open race In the general election, most voters will simply judge the candidates based on their party label. But these candidates will have a little more freedom in their primaries to position themselves within their own party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Republican side, how Trumpy are they going to be? (My guess would be very). On the Democratic side, where will they stand amid the debates that national Democrats are having over how moderate or progressive the party should be, which issues the party should be emphasizing, and how to oppose President Donald Trump more effectively. This works in the other direction, too. When you are a candidate with low name ID, your opponents also have a lot of freedom to define you, to your detriment. How have candidates who started out with low name ID performed historically in Wisconsin for these major offices of governor and senator? Hardly any have gotten elected. But that has a lot to do with the fact that when they prevailed in a primary, they almost always ended up facing an incumbent in the fall. And incumbents usually win. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only real political nobody to win an election in Wisconsin for governor or senator since 2000 is Republican Ron Johnson, who defeated incumbent Democrat Russ Feingold for U.S. Senate in 2010. Aside from waging an effective campaign, Johnson benefited from having no real opposition in his primary, being able to heavily self-fund, and running in the best election cycle for Republicans in decades. Before that, the last political nobody (meaning they started out with very low statewide name ID) to win such a big race was Feingold in 1992, who was a mere state legislator when he won a longshot victory in a hotly contested Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate and defeated GOP incumbent Bob Kasten in a good Democratic year. History shows that in statewide primaries, the candidate who starts with higher name ID doesnt always win. But having a large edge in name recognition can be a real advantage. And its often very challenging for low-profile candidates to boost their name ID in a primary. Polling over the last 13 years by Marquette Law School pollster Charles Franklin suggests that its very difficult for a candidate to substantially increase his or her name ID in a statewide primary until very late in the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to try is by spending a lot of money. The only way for most low-profile politicians to do that is by self-funding, as Berrien, a wealthy businessman, is doing right now. But thats not always a guarantee. Another way in todays Republican world would be to win Trumps endorsement (on the Democratic side, there is no endorsement by a group or individual that has equal power). The good news for the many low-profile politicians who could end up running for governor next year is that there may be no true political heavyweights on the horizon. Instead, there are politicians who start out with very modest statewide name ID, like Tiffany or Kaul if they get in. And there are candidates who start out with almost no name ID statewide, either because theyve never run for office before or hold an office (lieutenant governor, state legislator, county executive) that doesnt come with much statewide visibility. But somebody must win. As consequential as the 2026 election for governor will be, this could be the most open-ended race for high office that Wisconsin has seen in decades. Craig Gilbert provides Wisconsin political analysis as a fellow with Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education. Prior to the fellowship, Gilbert reported on politics for 35 years at the Journal Sentinel, the last 25 in its Washington Bureau. His column continues that independent reporting tradition and goes through the established Journal Sentinel editing process. Follow him on Twitter: @Wisvoter. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Two ways Wisconsin's 2026 governor's race is shaping up as unusual Wealth activist and TikTok influencer Lea Landaverde talks about financial stability in uncertain times, and her top priority is having an emergency fund. She offers advice on how you can do this, even in times of financial uncertainty and even if you grew up in an environment of scarcity. Check Out: Heres How To Build an Emergency Fund Without Blowing Your Budget Read Next: 6 Big Shakeups Coming to Social Security in 2025 What Does Financial Stability Mean? Financial stability and security start with having three to six months worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account, according to Landaverde. She acknowledges that building an emergency fund in a recession can be challenging, but difficult economic times make it more important than ever. If you dont have a high-yield savings account, you are sleeping on interest, baby, said Landaverde. And shes right its important to keep your emergency fund liquid so you can get at it when you need to, but that doesnt mean you need to keep it in a piggy bank. Putting it in a high-yield savings account means you can earn some money while youre not using it, which is a win-win. Here are Landaverdes three ways to save three months of expenses in a recession even if you grew up broke. Discover More: Heres How Much Cash You Need Stashed To Survive a Recession in the Midwest Be Mindful With Your Spending Landaverde cautions her followers to be mindful with their spending and cut costs where they can. Now is not the time to be splurging on crazy things, she said. While you want to spend mindfully all the time, its particularly important during economically uncertain times. Every dollar you dont spend on something frivolous is a dollar you can put toward that emergency fund. And thats how it grows one dollar at a time. Have Multiple Sources of Income There are two ways to improve your financial situation: earn more or spend less. If you do both of them at the same time, youll reach your goal that much faster. Landaverde understands this and encourages her followers to have more than one source of income. Im sorry, but this economy does not allow us to live off one job. We have to have multiple sources of income, Landaverde said. Youve got to get creative, whether its DoorDash, Instacart, youre selling food, you have a skill set that allows you to create goodies, you sell stickers it doesnt matter. Create a side hustle or another source of income. Another advantage to having multiple income streams during times of economic uncertainty is that if one income source goes away, you still have the others. If you lose your full-time job, your side hustle can still keep the lights on. If you have to pull back on your part-time gig, your full-time job will pay the bills. The more streams of income you have, the better protected you will be. NEED TO KNOW Tiffani Scholten, 12, suffered from Rett syndrome, a rare degenerative disorder that made eating difficult for her, authorities said Tiffani was found dead in her Queensland home in 2022 Tiffani's mother is accused of murdering her, along with the mom's ex-partner An Australian mother and her former partner are accused of murdering her 12-year-old disabled daughter who was found unresponsive and extremely emaciated inside their home in 2022, authorities say. Carrissa Kaye Scholten, 36, and Aaron Paul Richardson, 38, were each charged last year with one count of murder in connection to the death of her daughter, Tiffani Scholten, at their home in Coomera, Queensland, in 2022, authorities said, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities allege that the care Scholten, a mother of four, and Richardson gave Tiffani, who died of malnutrition, was insufficient and directly related to her death, news.com.au reports. During a bail hearing in Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday, Aug. 25, prosecutors told the court that Scholten did not send Tiffani to school for an entire term in 2022, news.com.au reports. Tiffani couldn't go to school for the first week of 2022 because of COVID restrictions, the outlet reported, but never returned to school after that: she was "too sick," Scholten's attorney said. Prosecutors alleged that Scholten never informed the school Tiffani wasnt returning, ABC reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court heard that Tiffani spent three hours a day inside a crib in a cupboard in one of the rooms of the home, ABC reports. Tiffani, her lawyer said, was more comfortable without too much external light. While the prosecution's case is "strong in many respects," her attorney said it was "not necessarily a strong case for murder," ABC reports. "There seems to be several witnesses saying up to the date of death, the mother was trying to feed the child," he said. Tiffani suffered from Rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and degenerative disorder that affects the way the brain develops, according to the Mayo Clinic, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the symptoms can vary, it often causes a progressive loss of motor skills and language, as well as seizures. Related: Parents Dismissed by Doctors After Noticing Newborn Daughter's Weakness. At 3, She's Diagnosed with Rare Disorder (Exclusive) The disorder made eating difficult for Tiffani, who had been fed through a stomach tube when she was younger, according to MSN. Scholten told police that Tiffani went "through stages" where she would not eat or would vomit, then go back to eating regularly, per ABC. 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. Rett syndrome, for which there is no cure, mainly affects girls, according to the Mayo Clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paramedics were called to respond to a 12-year-old child who wasn't breathing on April 18, 2022, per news.com.au. First responders discovered an "extremely emaciated child that unfortunately had passed away," Gold Coast police inspector Paul Fletcher said at a 2024 press conference. Related: Richard Engel Says They're in a 'Race Against the Clock' to Find a Cure for Son's Rett Syndrome An investigation was launched that allegedly showed that the care for this child was insufficient and directly related to her death, Inspector Fletcher said. Scholten and Richardson have not yet entered pleas, per ABC. Read the original article on People A child swept into a storm drain during a water main break in Florida has been hospitalized in critical condition, deputies said. A 911 call came in at 6:14 p.m. on Sunday reporting that a girl was sucked down a storm drain on Bahia Vista Street, according to the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office. Deputies told WWSB and WFLA the child was playing nearby when the incident happened. Heavy rain brought flooding to the area, and the flooding combined with the 12-inch water main break created a current that pulled the child into the storm drain, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies arrived on scene within five minutes, and the child was found in a wooded retention area about 100 yards away, across the street from Sarasota Christian School, according to the sheriffs office. She was still hospitalized in critical condition as of Monday, deputies said. Photos shared by the Sarasota County Government on Facebook showed an excavator filling in a large hole that spanned roughly one and a half lanes of the road. Sarasota County Public Utilities contractors worked through the night to fill in the portion of Bahia Vista Street damaged by a water main break on Sunday, Aug. 24, officials said. The investigation into the childs accident is ongoing. Credit: X A three-year-old girl apparently walked into a hospital with a fruit knife lodged in the side of her head. A video appeared to show the child entering Dongchuan Peoples Hospital, in south-west China, with a six-inch blade stuck part-way into her skull just above her right ear. The clips, taken by an onlooker, went viral on Chinese social media, prompting a heated debate about the role of the mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The childs mother, whose surname is Hu, was changing bedsheets when she swung a sheet and sent a fruit-knife flying into her daughters head, according to the South China Morning Post. However, a member of hospital staff reportedly claimed that the mother had admitted to picking up the knife to scare her daughter, who was having a tantrum, before accidentally stabbing her with it. A still from the video shows the girl walking into the hospital with her mother - X The knife became lodged in the childs skull, with the handle exposed. Her mother reportedly attempted to remove the knife herself but failed before deciding to take her daughter to the hospital for treatment. The girls condition is said to be stable after a neurosurgeon told local media that staff had performed a craniotomy to safely remove the blade. Staff from the Dongchuan District Health and Family Planning Bureau confirmed to media outlets that the girl had undergone surgery before being kept under observation. The six-inch blade was safely removed by doctors - X A doctor told Chinese Business View that the girl was able to survive because of the softness of her skull. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the girls mother had recklessly pulled the knife out, the risk would have been enormous. The correct action was to seek immediate professional medical help, the doctor said. Police are said to have ruled the incident an accident and confirmed that there was no criminal intent involved. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEED TO KNOW Caroline Darian stood by her mother, Gisele Pelicot, when her father was tried in France's scandalous mass rape trial Her father, Dominique Pelicot, convicted of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her over the course of ten years Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison and collectively, the other 50 men who were convicted of assaulting Gisele were sentenced to 400 years in prison For months, Caroline Darian stood by her mother, Gisele Pelicot, as her father was tried and ultimately convicted of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her over the course of a decade. Now Darian, 46, who lives in Paris, and her mother, 72, who became a feminist icon for her courage in coming forward about her ordeal and facing her accusers, are no longer speaking, Darian said in an interview with The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mother isnt an icon, she told The Telegraph. Not to me. Darian says she is upset that her mother doesnt believe her claims that she, too, was drugged and raped by her father, Dominique Pelicot, even as she supported her mother in court for years, she told the outlet. "And that, I can never forgive her for, never," she told The Telegraph. CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Gisele P. (C), escorted by her sons Florian P. (L) and David (2ndL) and her daughter Caroline Darian (3rdL), re-enters the courthouse during the trial of her husband accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 5, 2024 Gisele P. (C), escorted by her sons Florian P. (L) and David (2ndL) and her daughter Caroline Darian (3rdL), re-enters the courthouse during the trial of her husband accused of drugging her for nearly ten years and inviting strangers to rape her at their home in Mazan, a small town in the south of France, in Avignon, on September 5, 2024 In 2024, Dominique, 71, was convicted of aggravated rape and other charges after admitting in court to drugging Gisele with sleeping pills from 2011 to 2020 and allowing dozens of men to sexually assault her. Dominique was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifty other men were convicted of aggravated rape and other crimes in connection with the shocking case. ZZIIGG/SIPA/Shutterstock Courtroom Sketch of Dominique Pelicot Courtroom Sketch of Dominique Pelicot The men ranged in age from 26 to 74 and received sentences of three to 13 years, for a total of more than 400 years, NBC News reports. Dominique's cache of 20,000 explicit photos and videos were discovered in the fall of 2020 when police seized his phone camera and computer after he was accused of filming up the skirts of three women in supermarkets. When authorities found videos and pictures he took of Gisele being sexually assaulted, to their shock they also discovered photos Dominique had taken of Darian while she slept, including naked photos and photos of her in underwear she didn't own. 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. Dominique was convicted on charges of taking the photos without his daughters permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darian told The Telegraph that her relationship with her mother disintegrated during the trial, when her mother scolded her for making a spectacle of yourself when Darian yelled You will die alone like a dog in jail! when her father was sentenced. In 2022, Darian wrote a book about the case, And I Stopped Calling You Papa. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Read the original article on People Since the outset of President Donald Trumps mass deportation campaign, Carolina Reyes, the director of the Arco Iris Bilingual Childrens Center in Maryland, had to start having conversations with parents about whom she should contact in case they disappear in an ICE raid. I had to say, You need to have a plan. I know its difficult, but you need to have a plan, Reyes told Salon. I know its difficult, but you need to have a plan. And then they were like, No, I dont want to talk about it. I was like, I understand, but you have to because, unfortunately, you dont know if you go to work and something happens, whos going to take care of your child? What is going to happen? What do I have to do? According to Reyes, this is only one of many difficult conversations she has had since the beginning of the Republican mass deportation campaign earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a meeting with my teachers where we need to prepare if ICE comes. As a school, we are not allowing anybody to come into our school. We close the door and we lock down a little bit, if thats the case. We are not going to release anybody, not to, particularly ICE or anything like that. We call parents too. We talk about it, and if we see ICE or any situation where we feel uncomfortable, parents will be notified, Reyes said. From 2011 until the beginning of Trumps second term, child care facilities had been off limits for ICE raids. Trump ended the protection afforded to child care facilities and other sensitive locations in January, telling immigration officers to balance a variety of interests when conducting operations in or around such locations. While its not clear whether ICE has conducted any raids on early childhood education centers yet, the rule change earlier this year and the administrations readiness to detain children and families have left providers across the country in a state of anxiety with organizations advising that providers prepare for potential raids. The potential for direct raids on facilities isnt the only issue impacting parents and children since the beginning of the GOP mass deportation campaign. For many of the families Reyes has worked with, parents are afraid to go to work because theyre worried that they, or one of their family members, might be targeted by ICE. At the same time, Reyes said, ICE had targeted those seeking food assistance at places like local churches, which left families of mixed immigration status with nowhere to turn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here in Maryland, ICE was going to those places too, to arrest people, so we started our own food program a little bit here, asking our own families to donate food so that families didnt have to go to those places, Reyes said. And the fear in the community goes beyond just noncitizen residents. I did have some families who were concerned and worried, even though they had legal status in the United States, you know. But theyre immigrants, so we look like immigrants and Latinos, and some of them were concerned about that too, Reyes said. Reyes experience is only a keyhole view into the dramatic effect that Trump and the GOPs policies are having on the child care industry and the families that rely on it in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The child care and early childhood education industry is among those most impacted by Trumps immigration policies. According to the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at Berkeley, around 500,000 workers in the industry are immigrants, accounting for about 21% of the industrys workforce nationwide. The percentage of child care workers born outside the United States varies widely by state as well. In Florida, for example, 38% of early childhood educators were born outside the United States, while in a state like Vermont, the number is closer to just 3%. Beyond statistics, there are some communities in which immigrants maintain a critical role in terms of child care. The 19th detailed in a report this year the detention of Orozco Forero, a worker who cared for children with Autism and was the only provider who would take some children in her community. One child care provider located near Columbus, Ohio, who wished to be identified only as Ann, told Salon that since Trumps mass deportation campaign began, theyve been having a hard time finding new workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have two who, in the middle of the hiring process, disappeared, or they no-showed. And then I found out from other trusted sources who know them that they are involved in immigration proceedings, Ann said. Even today, theres one woman who was supposed to start with us I dont know the correct immigration or political term shes got clearance to be in the US. Shes originally from Mexico. Her fathers here, but they were able to get her immigration status made legit, if I can say it that way. But shes disappeared for two weeks, and then I found out today that shes had to travel to Cleveland for a court proceeding. I said to the other person who knows her, I just asked her, is she okay? Ann said that the new problems havent been limited to hiring workers either. She told Salon that immigrant families have recently had problems getting financial benefits through Ohios Publicly Funded Child Care program for their children, who are American citizens. Now whats happening is I have immigrant families who have immigrant children, and U.S.-born children, we are having a hard time getting the families care and benefits for their entire family, including the U.S.-born child, and thats when I start losing all hope in this, Ann said. In the past, Ann said, she would be able to appeal the decision made by the county government to the state government with a high success rate. Now, however, she says families are increasingly being denied at the state level, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Arabella Bloom, a researcher at the center, the mass deportation campaign, which impacts parents, children and the people who staff child care centers, is hitting a system that was struggling to begin with. I think something important to note about childcare is that the system that we currently have right now its kind of generous to call it a system, Bloom said. Its very patchwork. Programs are happening in public schools, but programs are also happening in peoples homes. And so theres not like a cohesive early childhood system. Its a lot of programs kind of operating on their own. You know, many early childhood programs are for-profit, but theyre barely making ends meet. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Bloom said that, even for those workers who are not immigrants, there is a real fear about interacting with immigration, especially among Hispanic workers and other people of color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pressure from Trumps mass deportation campaign comes in addition to more direct attacks on immigrants access to early childhood education from his administration and the Republicans in Congress. The Trump administration announced in July, for example, that it would be making undocumented immigrants, who are already largely ineligible for federal benefits, ineligible for Head Start and that administrators for Head Start would be checking for eligibility based on immigration status. This decision undermines the fundamental commitment that the country has made to children and disregards decades of evidence that Head Start is essential to our collective future, Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association, told the Associated Press at the time. Bloom explained that some changes in the recent GOP budget also stood to have an outsized impact on the workers in the early childhood education industry, especially cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know that roughly 43% of early educators rely on public benefits to make ends meet because pay is so low, so its kind of just a like a perfect storm of at the same time that immigration efforts are ramping up, and thats obviously going to be very impactful for the one in five early educators who are immigrants, Bloom said. The GOP attacks on public benefits and immigration policy threaten the supply of care thats already hard to find, Rachel Wilensky, a senior analyst on child care and early education at the Center for Law and Social Policy, told Salon. Wilensky cited a CLASP study from 2018, which found that immigration actions like those being carried out by the Trump administration this year, and those that were conducted in the first administration, left a lasting impact on the physical, social and emotional development of young children. Good nutrition, regular health care, a stable and healthy living environment, and nurturing care are necessities for children to grow and learn and ultimately do well in school, in their jobs, and throughout their lives, Wilensky said. When children dont have their basic needs metor when they experience hardship and distressit undercuts their growth and development and can have enduring effects. Immigrants have been central throughout our nations history, and their experiences matter for our future. The success of the United States is tied to the health and well-being of immigrants, as well as their success in school and later careers. The post Whos going to take care of your child?: Parents reel from Trump ICE crackdown appeared first on Salon.com. President Trumps campaign to redraw House maps in GOP states around the country will make it tougher for Democrats to win back control of the chamber in next years midterms, but it wont knock them out of contention altogether, according to leading election handicappers. While Trump and his Republican allies are battling to pad their slim House majority through partisan redistricting a rare, mid-decade project that launched in Texas but could expand to other GOP states a number of other factors leave Democrats well positioned to seize the chamber, the election experts say. Not only is California vowing to revamp its own map to counter the GOP advantage in Texas, but the national mood currently favors the more energized Democrats; Republicans are defending a razor-thin House advantage that leaves them little room for slipups; and historic trends predict significant midterm losses for the party of the sitting president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats won 235 seats in 2018 on a map that was a little bit more skewed towards Republicans than the one that is in place currently, David Wasserman, the senior elections analyst for the Cook Political Report, said in a phone interview. And were looking at a political environment thats similar to 2018, based on the enthusiasm gap between the parties and the offyear election results so far. That enthusiasm gap, by Wassermans tally, is a whopping 15 percent over the course of this years special elections, which include a long string of Democratic wins in races for state, local and judicial offices across the country. The figure represents the percentage difference between the Democrats vote totals in those contests relative to the number of votes won by former Vice President Kamala Harris last November in the same regions (63 percent), and the Republicans vote totals relative to those secured by Trump (48 percent), Wasserman said. If you replicate that across the country, then Democrats would still be able to win the House even after Republicans redraw these districts, he said. Now, I dont think the turnout differential in the midterms is going to be as dramatic as the one weve seen in specials, he cautioned. But Ill put it this way: If Democrats were on track to win 235 seats on the current map, they might only be on track to win 225 seats after Republicans redraw these districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He attributed much of the discrepancy to the simple fact Trump has not been on the ballot of those special elections. That explains a lot of the turnout differential, Wasserman said, because Republicans are having such a difficult time turning out voters who are loyal to Trump but not the Republican Party. Kyle Kondik, the managing editor of Sabatos Crystal Ball, an independent election handicapper based at the University of Virginia, offered a similar assessment, saying a favorable political environment has the power to overcome redistricting efforts if it holds. If the environment is good for Dems next year, youd probably expect the bulk of the Toss-ups and even some of the Leans GOP seats to move their way, Kondik said in an email. So they could potentially win the House even if all the redistricting is pro-Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and the GOP are familiar with those trends it was during Trumps first term that the Democrats 2018 House takeover occurred and the president wants to make it as tough as possible for Democrats to do it again, not least because it would empower Democrats to launch countless investigations into the administration and, perhaps, impeach Trump for a third time. Indeed, the Texas redistricting push, which is designed to help keep the Speakers gavel firmly in Republican hands, came at the request of the president. Gov. Greg Abbott (R), a Trump loyalist, quickly jumped on board, and the new map was approved by Texas state Republicans last week after dramatic Democratic efforts to block the votes met their inevitable end. The new Texas lines are expected to flip as many as five Democratic seats to the GOP, and other Republican-led states including Ohio and Florida may follow suit. Democrats have responded in kind with their own redistricting effort in California, where Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is pressing ahead with new maps that would likely flip five GOP seats into the Democratic column. But the move is not a slam dunk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike in Texas, California law requires public approval of the changes before they can take effect. And a recent poll revealed fewer than half of state voters support Newsoms effort. Democrats are also hindered by another dynamic surrounding the redistricting fight: They simply dont have as many options as the Republicans do. Illinois Democrats, for instance, are eyeing new maps, but with only three Republicans in the entire delegation, their pickup opportunities are slim. Maryland, another Democratic-led state weighing a redistricting effort, has only one Republican in the House. And Democrats in New York, where Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) is vowing to redraw the maps, are restrained by state laws that would prevent the changes from taking hold in time to influence next years midterms. Wasserman noted that, as a simple math problem, the Republican efforts to devise safe new GOP districts will make it more difficult for Democrats to pick up the three seats they need to gain control of the House in 2027. But the combination of outside factors including the fact Trump wont be on the ticket to help Republicans in the midterms still puts Democrats in striking distance of the Speakers gavel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Texas and Florida and Ohio redraw their maps, and California does not lets say that Newsom is unsuccessful in convincing voters to revisit it then that really makes it harder for Democrats. [But] it doesnt completely throw away the key, Wasserman said. If California does change its map, along with Texas, Ohio and Florida, then Republicans would likely see a net gain of five or six seats, Wasserman said, and Democrats would still be in a strong position. If California voters reject the effort, then the Republican gains will be closer to 10 seats, he added, and that could make the House closer to a toss-up. Kondik agreed California is a crucial piece of the broader battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the current House map, Sabatos analysis has 209 seats favoring Democrats to some degree, 207 seats favoring Republicans, and 19 toss-ups, indicating the most contested races in the country. Taking into account only the changes in Texas, those numbers shift, giving Republicans the advantage in 211 districts and Democrats the edge in 206, with 18 races in the toss-up category. When the new maps in Texas and California are considered together, the winds change once again, with 211 seats favoring Democrats, 206 leaning the GOPs way, and 18 toss-ups. You can see how important CA can be to the math, Kondik wrote in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans appear to agree. Although theyre supporting the efforts of GOP states to redraw their maps ahead of the midterms, theyre attacking Newsom and Democrats for attempting an illegal power-grab one theyre vowing to challenge in court. The maps werent drawn in public view, they were cooked up behind closed doors in Washington, and the sudden adjustments made this week expose the truth: this was never about another state, it was about cementing Democrat power, Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the head of the House Republicans campaign arm, said in a statement. Democrats have dismissed those criticisms as mere projection, arguing its Trump and the Republicans seeking to rig elections they couldnt otherwise win on the merits of their policy agenda, which is deeply unpopular. They say they had no plans to redraw their maps mid-decade a concept they generally oppose but were given no choice when Trump and GOP states launched their redistricting efforts. When extreme MAGA Republicans go low, we will hit back, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said in a statement. Hard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Gov. Kathy Hochul met with school leaders, parents and students from around Western New York on Monday to discuss plans to implement cell phone restrictions this school year. The roundtable took place at Niagara Falls High School and included representatives from Niagara Falls and Lackawanna school districts, who both already have restrictions in place. The Distraction-Free Schools law was signed by Hochul in May and calls for bell-to-bell restrictions for kindergarteners through 12th graders statewide, meaning students cannot use smartphones and internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds for the whole school day, including lunch and study hall classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the law, schools are able to create their own methods of storing cell phones during the day. The state is providing $13.5 million to schools that need help buying storage for the phones. Schools are still required to give parents a method of contacting their children during the day, when needed. Teachers, parents and students must also be consulted in creating the policy, Hochul said. The law allows cell phones that dont have internet access and has exemptions for students who need cell phones for academic purposes, translation, to manage medical conditions and more. Our kids succeed when theyre learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling and thats why New York schools are ready for bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions this fall, Governor Hochul said in a release. My team will continue working with school districts across the state as they implement distraction-free learning and deliver the best results for students, parents and teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lackawanna City School District Superintendent Nadia Nashir said in a release that the restrictions give students a healthy disconnection from social media. She went on to say that parents and students can reach each other through email or calling the main office. Lackawannas phone ban was announced last summer and requires students to lock their phones in pouches throughout the school day. Some students spoke out against the ban. Phone-free school policies can be found for every school in the state here. Latest Local 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 News 4 Buffalo. LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) Gov. Kay Ivey announced grant funding will go towards a park in Lauderdale County. The Lauderdale County Commission will use a $369,425 grant to provide upgrades at Brush Creek Park, an 89-acre recreational area on the Tennessee River near the Waterloo community. The grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund will be used to improve the parks recreational vehicle campground and other upgrades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These improvements will further enhance the outdoors experience of campers and other visitors to Brush Creek Park, Gov. Ivey said. I am thankful that the Lauderdale County Commission recognizes the need for and importance of public parks in our state, and I am pleased to announce this grant. Funds will be used to provide electrical hookups for the 18 RV pads in the western part of the park while also making additional electrical upgrades. Additionally, the county is planning to add new playground equipment. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a program of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The LWCF program is administered in Alabama by the Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A well-maintained park is an attraction that can bring in tourists and create community pride, ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. ADECA joins Gov. Ivey in commending local leaders for their commitment to improving this recreational area. Danny Pettus, Chairman of the Lauderdale County Commission, was notified that the grant was approved by Gov. Kay Ivey. Lauderdale County will also match $369,425 for the project, that is required for the grant. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed four key bills on energy affordability in a ceremony in Hillsboro Monday afternoon. In a press conference immediately after signing the bills, the governor was asked about Oregons sanctuary laws and the upcoming special legislative session to try and get hundreds of millions of dollars for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Among the bills are HB 3546, also known as the POWER Act, in which companies with facilities such as data centers or cryptocurrency operations will be held responsible for their utility bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second, HB 3179 or the FAIR Energy Act, approves limits on proposed utility rate hikes in the state. HB 3792, meanwhile, will double the funding for the Oregon Energy Assistance Program, from $20 million to $40 million a year. This would provide lower income residents with a means to pay their electric bills without concern of the power being shut off. The final bill, SB 688, would allow the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) to implement performance-based regulation for utility companies. This means the companies would either be rewarded or penalized in issues aligning with public interest. Too many Oregonians are struggling with high energy bills, Kotek said in a statement. These four bills will help lower costs, make utilities more accountable, and ensure that households not big energy users come first. Every Oregonian deserves reliable, affordable energy, and this legislation moves us closer to that goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ceremonial signing took place at the construction site of the Dolores Apartments, an affordable housing development designed to serve families and communities of color. The event will also feature speeches from the governor, state legislators, Kid Governor Rosie Lanenga and others. The governor is also expected to take questions from the press. Kotek v Bondi over sanctuary laws Kotek reiterated the Trump administration will not push Oregon to get rid of sanctuary protection for immigrants. The governor believes Oregon has the legal right to keep its sanctuary laws in place. On August 14, US Attorney General Pam Bondi demanded Oregon and other sanctuary cities and states comply with federal immigration enforcement efforts, and gave them until Aug. 19 to respond with their agreement or possibly face criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kotek and Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson both responded on that date. In Koteks letter, the governor insisted the State of Oregon and its public officials have never engaged in conduct that thwarted immigration enforcement on a federal level even as a sanctuary state. No Oregon public official or law enforcement officer is engaged in any activity to obstruct federal immigration efforts, Kotek said in the letter to Bondi. Oregons enacted laws are consistent with the Tenth Amendment and anticommandeering rule. The state does not take on the additional expense or burden to perform federal immigration enforcement as it is the job of the federal government. In a separate issue, federal authorities gave Marion County an August 18 deadline to turn over the records, including information about the individuals criminal charges, home address, phone number, name of employer or school, drivers license number and country of birth, court documents claim. Marion County filed a federal lawsuit on August 19 seeking clarification on whether the county can turn over parole records of four alleged undocumented immigrants under Oregons sanctuary law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregon was the first state to pass a sanctuary law in 1987. Voters refused to repeal it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Mary Woulf was 22, a single mother and a college dropout. She went to a temp agency for a receptionist job. She did well on the test, so the agency sent her to its best client, a national mortgage lender. I was only supposed to be there for three months, she said. She stayed for 13 years. Early on, one of Woulfs colleagues sat her down. They knew I was just a single mom and trying to work hard, she said. The mentor told her about the companys 401(k) program. They said, One day you might have a million dollars. And I said, A million dollars? And it seemed impossible. Woulf opened a retirement savings account in 1990. Thirty-five years later, she has a million dollars. Before her retirement in 2021, Woulf joined the growing ranks of 401(k) millionaires, Americans who attain a seven-figure balance in a workplace retirement plan, an Individual Retirement Account, or some combination of the two. Roughly 2% of retirement savers have million-dollar balances, according to Fidelity, which reported 512,000 401(k) millionaires as of early 2025. The figure covers only Fidelity account holders. Saving $1million in a 401(k) sounds easy. It isnt. Based on the stories of six 401(k) millionaires profiled below, saving $1 million for retirement sounds easy. If everyone opened a 401(k) account at age 22, set aside 10% of their pre-tax income and saved continuously until retirement, we might be a nation of 401(k) millionaires. But life is seldom so simple. Lots of us dont start saving for retirement until midlife, when retirement is breathing down our necks. Millions of Americans step out of the workforce to raise children and put retirement savings on hold. Others change jobs and lose track of their retirement accounts. Financial crises compel many people to raid their retirement plans. And many retirement savers dont save enough. USA TODAY compiled this report from interviews and correspondence with dozens of retirement savers contacted through the Reddit community r/retirement. When Woulf opened her retirement savings account, she was saving only 3% of her pre-tax salary, because her employer matched that amount dollar for dollar, and it was all the salary she could spare. She was earning $8 an hour. I was living paycheck to paycheck, but I did it, because I thought I was investing in my future and my sons future, she said. I had to forego things like cable TV. I would take my son camping instead of taking trips. Mary Woulf is a 401(k) millionaire. She's been saving since age 22. As time passed, Woulf stopped noticing the deductions from her paychecks. She earned a series of promotions: first to customer service representative, then to credit risk analyst. As her salary rose, Woulf increased her contributions. Over the years, Woulf changed employers. At age 50, she raised her retirement contribution to the maximum allowed by law. By the time Woulf retired, she was a 401(k) millionaire. She is 58 now and living in Simi Valley, California. Woulf had married at age 42, and her husband was also a good saver. Her financial adviser said she had plenty of money and could afford to stop working. Were living off the interest and not even cutting into the principal at this point, she said. Heres how much to save in a 401(k) Retirement planners generally recommend two savings goals with 401(k) plans. At a minimum, they say, you should try to save as much as your employer is willing to match. In a typical model, the employer matches half of every dollar a worker contributes, up to a maximum of 6% of the workers pay. If you contribute 6%, the match boosts it to 9%. If the employer matches that salary dollar for dollar, 6% becomes 12%. Ideally, retirement savers should aim to save at least 10% of their pre-tax salary. With a generous employer match, 10% can easily become 15%. That figure, 15%, is the ultimate 401(k) savings goal. When Joy El-Amin went to work for the Apple computer company in the 1980s, at age 22, she opened a 401(k). She had heard the goal was to save 15% of your salary, so she did. But El-Amin had misread the retirement savings rule. The 15% goal includes the matching funds your employer offers. She thought you had to invest 15% of your own salary. That misapprehension served her well. After Apples employer match, El-Amin was setting aside 21% of her pre-tax salary. She didnt realize she was exceeding the savings goal until three years ago. Today, at age 60, the Atlanta resident has $1.45 million in retirement savings from more than three decades of work. The total is all the more impressive considering El-Amin took eight years off to raise her children. Even then, she made regular contributions to an IRA from a part-time real estate business. As a younger member of the baby boom, born in the mid-60s, El-Amin said she knew she was part of the big 401(k) experiment: Can people save for their own retirement? As workplace pensions faded in the 1980s and 1990s, retirement savings pivoted to 401(k) and IRAs, and employees were expected to create their own post-employment financial cushions. Its all on you, she said. Theres no one coming to save you. The ultimate retirement goal: Max out your 401(k) The ultimate goal in retirement savings, for those who can afford it, is to push your contributions to the legal limit. The maximum allowable contribution to a 401(k) account is $23,500 in 2025 for most employees. If youre willing to part with that much salary, you can save a lot of money in a very short time. But if you spend two or three decades continuously saving for retirement, even with smaller contributions, your odds of becoming a 401(k) millionaire improve dramatically. The reason is the stock market, which has delivered average annual returns over 10% in the past several decades. In an example provided by Investopedia, $100 invested in 1957 would be worth $82,000 in 2025. As a young engineer in Silicon Valley, Richard Eckman saw an ad for Fidelity Investments. It showed a woman biting into a big slice of pizza. In 35 years, the ad said, this pizza will be worth $14,800. He decided, then and there, to get serious about his 401(k). Eckman, from Rockford, Illinois, had finished college in 1984. He was a mechanical engineer, and the only jobs were on the West Coast. He drove to Mountain View, California, with $200 borrowed from his dad, and he took a job working on semiconductors. His starting salary was $34,000, which was good for the time. He opened a 401(k). When he saw the pizza ad, he raised his contribution rate to 15% of his income. The employer matched the first 3%. I think I inherited this idea from my father that saving money was just another bill that had to be paid, but you were paying yourself, he said. And sometimes there would not be food in the fridge, because I was so obsessed with saving, but I never backed off. An ad about pizza inspired Richard Eckman to get serious about retirement savings. He's now a 401(k) millionaire. Eckman changed employers over the years and progressed into sales engineering, a job that combines technical knowledge and sales skills. But he never missed a year of retirement saving. Two pieces of dumb luck, he said, helped push him into the ranks of 401(k) millionaires. The first came in 2008: He was changing brokers, so he moved all of his retirement savings into cash. Before he had reinvested it, the market crashed. He reinvested when the stock market was down 40% from its peak, effectively avoiding the Great Recession. The second episode wasnt just luck. In 2013, Eckman was standing in line at Costco, fuming about how long it was. So, I went home and I bought 100 shares of Costco, he said. The next month, the lines were longer, and I bought 100 more shares. Costco became Eckmans first 10x stock multiplying tenfold in value. And Eckman avoided some of the financial calamities that befall many other retirement savers, like spending a long time out of the job market or plundering his account to cover an emergency. There was no devastating divorce, he said. There were no disasters. No medical problems. No relatives in dire straits. So, I guess some of the good luck is there. Eckman retired a month before his 59th birthday, after training his replacement. Now 62 and living in San Jose, hes building a modest second home in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada and making wine, 800 bottles a year for friends and family. I realized I can make more money, and it wouldnt matter, he said. But I cant make more time. Not all 401(k) millionaires have six-figure salaries Mary Woulf, Joy El-Amin and Richard Eckman all became 401(k) millionaires without doctor or lawyer salaries. Elisa Brown, 49, of Amarillo, Texas, became a 401(k) millionaire without ever earning six figures. Brown started her career in 2000 as a flight attendant with Southwest Airlines, a naive 24-year-old that basically just wanted to fly for free, she said. An old college friend asked if the airline offered a 401(k). Yes, she replied, but not until she had worked there for a year. OK, he told her: When you become eligible, open an account and contribute as much of your salary as the company would match. Southwest Airlines offered a dollar-for-dollar match on 401(k) contributions up to 7.3% of Browns salary. After a year, she opened an account. She thinks she started at 8% of her pre-tax pay. Later on, she raised her contributions to 10%. Out of sight, out of mind, she said. I never saw it. It just continued to grow. Twenty-five years later, the balance has flown past $1 million. Browns starting salary at Southwest was less than $20,000. She has never earned more than $100,000. She became a 401(k) millionaire because of three things: Her employers generous match, which amplified the value of her contributions; stock market index funds, which track the performance of the market as a whole; and a quarter-century of continuous contributions. And this: Brown never touched her retirement account. Doing nothing is doing something, she said. Brown eventually married the old college friend. Today, he is also a 401(k) millionaire. Together, theyre worth twice that much. We dont keep up with the Joneses, Brown said, summarizing their approach to money. She says she grew up poor, and she knows how to economize. Our net worth is over $2 million, and I went to the thrift store today. To make $1m in a 401(k), it helps to stay put If you want to become a 401(k) millionaire, it helps to spend your whole career at the same company, as Brown did. More than $1.7 trillion sits in lost or forgotten 401(k) accounts, often because a worker left a job and forgot to take the savings with them. It also helps if your company offers a retirement savings program in the first place. Nearly half of private-sector employees work for companies that do not offer retirement savings, according to AARP. Bruce Scott of Covina, California, was fortunate enough to spend his entire career at a large company with a solid 401(k) plan. When Scott went to work for Pacific Bell in 1991, the employee union told him about the companys workplace retirement plan. Scott opened a 401(k) account, but he didnt feel he could spare even 5% of his paycheck, which the phone company would have matched. Scott was earning $37,000 a year. I was married, had two small children, he said. At that point in my life, I had just gotten out of the Army, was looking to establish myself. Bruce Scott (with wife Lisa) built a seven-figure retirement balance at Pacific Bell. Instead, Scott made himself a promise: Every time he got a pay raise, hed divert some of it to his 401(k). The pay raises came, and each time, Scott boosted his contribution rate by 1% or 2%. Eventually, he was contributing 16% of his salary. With the company match, his total savings rate was 22%. Thirty-one years later, when Scott retired from Pacific Bell, his 401(k) was worth $550,000. He cashed out his pension, which was worth another $545,000, and voila he was a 401(k) millionaire. He credits his union, which staged regular expert presentations on retirement saving for Pac Bell employees. The earlier you start planning, the more education you get, the less scary it is, and the more control youre gonna feel over the decision when it comes, he said of his retirement. Starting early is the biggest thing. Think of a 401(k) as money for your future self One reason why so few Americans become 401(k) millionaires is the temptation to raid a retirement account for an emergency, or for an everyday expense. The share of Vanguard retirement savers who make hardship withdrawals has nearly tripled in four years, from 1.7% in 2020 to 4.8% in 2024, the company reports. If you want to avoid that urge, retirement planners say, it helps to think of the money as belonging to someone else: Not you, but the future you. Jackie Borja of Los Angeles opened an IRA when she was 22. The inspiration came from her mom, who told her she should be putting money away. Borjas mother was a billing clerk, her father an industrial tools salesman. They kept cars for 20 years and never, ever bought a new TV. They opened savings accounts for their children. Jackie would marvel as her savings grew every year from birthday money. At 26, Borja got a job as a high school counselor, which gave her access to a 403(b), the public-employee version of a 401(k). Now, she had two retirement accounts. She maxed them out, contributing as much as she was allowed. The amount started growing over time, Borja said. But my mindset was that it was not my money. By maxing out her contributions to two retirement accounts, Borja was able to amass $1 million in retirement savings in about 20 years, all on a high school counselors salary. You need to start early, she said. Borja retired last year, at 55. Now 56, she has retirement money to burn. She will draw a school system pension at 62. Shell also get full Social Security, when the time comes, thanks to a recent law change. At some point, she may even start thinking of the money as hers. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These 6 Americans are 401(k) millionaires. Here are their secrets. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Gov. Jeff Landry named new leaders for two Louisiana agencies, the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (DENR). Louisiana is at a turning point, and these leaders will help us build a stronger future for our state. I have full confidence in this team to deliver for the people of Louisiana. From strengthening our infrastructure to securing our energy future, this leadership will help us grow our economy, create jobs, and protect our way of life, Landry said. He named Julia Fisher-Cormier as deputy secretary and Eric Dauphine as assistant secretary of project delivery at DOTD. Dauphine was named as deputy secretary in June to aid Secretary Glenn Ledet in creating the framework for the new Office of Project Delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new office aims to streamline projects, while the Office of Transformation, led by Fisher-Cormier, will oversee efficiency. Both Julia and Erics skill sets are a perfect fit for these roles, and I am ready to work with both of them to transform DOTD and transportation delivery across our great state, Ledet said. Executive director of new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction named Legislation was passed during the regular session to restructure DENR. According to Landrys office, Deputy Secretary Dustin Davidson will move into the role of secretary, and Chief Resilience Officer Stephen Swiber will serve as deputy secretary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dustin has been invaluable in his service as deputy to the department, always ready to step in and move us forward. He will be an outstanding leader, and Stephen will bring the intellectual curiosity and professionalism needed to continue refining the work weve built together for Louisiana, Secretary Tyler Gray said. Changes will become effective Sept. 2. Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said in a Sunday interview that he is actively looking into redistricting options in his state, as the partisan effort expands across the country. When I say all options are on the table, all options are on the table, Moore said in an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation. Asked if hes actively looking at redistricting now, Moore told moderator Margaret Brennan, Yes, and I think we have to because I think whats happened is this is what people hate about politics in the first place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore blamed President Trump and his insistence that Texas Republicans move forward with rewriting their congressional lines in order to give the GOP five more pickup opportunities in the next election cycle. He compared that push to Trumps notorious call to Georgia election officials after losing the 2020 presidential race, asking them to find 11,780 votes to overturn the presidents loss in the state. The fact that the president of the United States very similar to what he did in Georgia, where he called up a series of voter registrants and said, I need you to find me more votes were watching the same thing now, where hes calling up legislatures around the country and saying, I need you to find me more congressional districts, Moore said. With Texas poised to approve its newly redrawn maps, Republicans are plowing forward with plans for redistricting in several other states, including Florida, Indiana and Missouri, signaling a new phase of the fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have undertaken a similar endeavor in California, as the partisan effort expands throughout the country. Moore, an up-and-coming star in the Democratic Party, said his commitment is to making sure we have fair lines and fair seats, where we dont have situations where politicians are choosing voters, but that voters actually have a chance to choose their elected officials. We need to be able to have fair maps, he continued. And we also need to make sure that, if the president of the United States is putting his finger on the scale to try to manipulate elections because he knows that his policies cannot win in a ballot box, then it behooves each and every one of us to be able to keep all options on the table to ensure that the voters voices can actually be heard. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission recently announced nearly $12 million in funding for various projects throughout the state. The governors office said in a news release on Thursday that 65 grants, totaling $11.9 million, were awarded from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and State Rural Community Grant programs. The following Arkansas cities, counties and communities were awarded grants (Northwest Arkansas and River Valley awardees are bolded): General Assistance Block Grants Norfork, Baxter County, $459,900.00, wastewater treatment rehabilitation Benton County, $1,000,000.00, water line extension Whelen Springs, Clark County, $499,650.00, water storage tank rehabilitation Piggott, Clay County, $499,950.00, water system improvements Columbia County, $499,730.00, Lake Columbia spillway rehabilitation Black Oak, Craighead County, $500,000.00, new wastewater collection system McGehee, Desha County, $499,995.00, lift station improvements Salem, Fulton County, $500,000.00, wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation Franklin County, $496,675.00, disabled adults learning center building renovations Paragould, Greene County, $337,580.00, storm siren replacement Nashville, Howard County, $500,000.00, wastewater treatment facility improvements Oxford, Izard County, $500,000.00, wastewater treatment facility upgrades Cabot, Lonoke County, $499,908.00, developmentally disabled building expansion Keiser, Mississippi County, $499,989.00, drainage projects Wrightsville, Pulaski County, $499,902.00, street and drainage repaving and repair OKean, Randolph County, $450,000.00, storm shelter construction Mansfield, Sebastian County, $492,111.00, sidewalk and crosswalk construction Cave City, Sharp County, $500,000.00, sewer main improvements Farmington, Washington County, $396,392.00, senior center renovations Garner, White County, $500,000.00, safe room Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas law restricts vape sales, advertising starting Sept. 1 Rural Services Block Grant City of Montrose, Ashley County, $91,988.95, radios and turnout gear Benton County, $66,750.00, roof renovation Town of Egypt, Craighead County, $100,000.00, new HVAC system and generator Town of Viola, Fulton County, $100,000.00, new brush truck Town of Pratsville, Grant County, $31,946.00, side by side unit and trailer for rescue operations Town of Pineville, Izard County, $100,000.00, pumper truck, utility vehicle, and associated equipment Lafayette County, $100,000.00, fire equipment Town of Ravenden, Lawrence County, $97,000.00, new pumper truck City of Huntsville, Madison County, $88,853.00, equipment for special rescue team Town of St. Paul, Madison County, $100,000.00, fire department substation construction Town of Etowah, Mississippi County, $100,000.00, new pumper truck City of Bearden, Ouachita County, $100,000.00, new fire station construction City of DeValls Bluff, Prairie County, $100,000.00, fire equipment Scott County, $50,001.00, telecommunications equipment and pumper truck City of Marshall, Searcy County, $87,989.00, addition to fire department building City of Ash Flat, Sharp County, $100,000.00, new pumper truck What were these Arkansas buildings before they turned into Spirit Halloween stores? Rural Community Grants Cotter-Gassville RFPD, Baxter County, $14,413.82, new tires and fire equipment Valley Springs FD, Boone County, $15,000.00, turnout gear Pansy FD, Cleveland County, $4,024.00, new fire hoses Brookland FPD, Craighead County, $15,000.00, fire protection equipment City of Bono, Craighead County, $15,000.00, heat and air unit replacement Dyer Fire Department, Crawford County, $9,844.56, pumper truck equipment replacement Cherry Valley FD, Cross County, $15,000.000, jaws of life equipment Altus Rural FPD, Franklin County, $3,500.00, remodeling for fire station Watalula VFD, Franklin County, $4,375.00, new radios Sturkie VFD, Fulton County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs and face masks Grapevine FD, Grant County, $15,000.00, new skid unit UTV City of Washington, Hempstead County, 15,000.00, new tractor Cerro Gordo FD, Little River County, $15,000.00, replace fire vehicle Peel VFD, Marion County, $15,000.00, replacement pumper truck City of Mount Ida, Montgomery County, $15,000.00, Veterans Memorial flag display foundation infrastructure Perryville VFD, Perry County, $13,699.44, new turnout gear City of Antoine, Pike County, $9,000.00, community center electrical system Murfreesboro FD, Pike County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs City of Grannis, Polk County, $12,870.99, new storm siren City of DeValls Bluff, Prairie County, $15,000.00, new storm siren Marshall FD, Searcy County, $11,006.25, jaws of life equipment Town of Gilbert, Searcy County, $14,309.75, remodeling for fire station/community center Milltown-Washburn, Sebastian County, $14,599.00, pumper truck equipment White Bluff-Rye Hill, Sebastian County, $14,607.51, fire truck equipment Horatio FD, Sevier County, $5,002.45, radios and AED machines Hardy VFD, Sharp County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs and face mask Lincoln FD, Washington County, $15,000.00, equipment and turnout gear West Fork FD, Washington County, $15,000.00, equipment replacement Albion Volunteer FD, White County, $15,000.00, new SCBAs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Norfork to McGehee to Horatio, Arkansans across the state deserve to live in safe, vibrant communities, and thats why these grants are so important, Governor Sanders said in the release. Not only will this funding go towards critical infrastructure projects throughout the Natural State, but it will also fund community parks, walking trails, youth centers, and more projects that will improve residents quality of life and ensure our towns and cities are great places to call home. For more information on the grants, visit the governors 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 KNWA FOX24. Following a monthslong freeze of federal funding, the U.S. Department of Transportation is reopening applications for electric vehicle charging stations. On Aug. 11, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that the department would not only take applications for the $5 billion National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program but also streamline them. This after months of hotly contested legal challenges regarding the halting of the program. NEVI was part of bipartisan legislation to build a reliable and affordable nationwide EV charging network. This program was geared to distribute funds to states seeking to promote the widespread adoption of EVs and reduce transportation-related pollution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Duffy, the program was paused because of its inefficiency and "red tape" that prevented charging stations from being built. "If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, let's cut the waste and do it right," Duffy said. "... Our revised NEVI guidance slashes red tape and makes it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure. While I don't agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress' will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently." A number of legal challenges quickly followed the Trump administration's freeze. Several states and environmental groups filed lawsuits arguing that it was unlawful and violated the separation of powers. The key claim was that the administration overstepped its authority by refusing to spend funds allocated by Congress. As Canary Media noted, the Sierra Club was just one of seven nonprofit groups that joined the ongoing legal battle. Katherine Garcia, director of its Clean Transportation for All campaign, argued that the administration tried to "stall" the momentum that EVs have gathered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While the Trump administration has moved away from anti-EV rhetoric in this guidance in response to federal litigation filed by over a dozen states, Sierra Club, and other nonprofit organizations, it is still illegally withholding billions Congress dedicated to EV charging," Garcia said. "We will continue to work towards the recovery of nationwide NEVI funding." Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know 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. A $350 million hybrid renewable energy power plant is scheduled to be constructed in Barbados. It will be the largest, most advanced facility in the area, as BioEnergy Times reported. "This project will use solar energy along with hydrogen and battery storage so the power supply is steady day and night," Aidan Rogers, a strategic adviser for the project, said. The facility will operate as an independent clean energy producer and will sell the electricity it produces to the Barbados Light and Power Co. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers explained that the hydrogen is made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is released into the air, furthering the plant's benefits, and the hydrogen is stored and used in fuel cells to make electricity. The batteries will provide backup to ensure a stable power supply whatever the conditions. The solar panel section of the project will be the country's largest solar installation. Clean energy is power produced from natural sources that does not produce pollution that contributes to the warming of the planet. It is more sustainable than traditional energy sources such as gas, coal, and oil since it is renewable and does not deplete resources. Major facilities such as the Barbados project can have a tremendous impact on the planet by reducing the amount of polluting energy used and helping diversify the energy supply. While big projects such as this are exciting and provide hope for a brighter future, we can also make similar smaller changes at home. Installing solar panels or signing up for community solar is a great way to help the environment and save money, bringing your household energy costs down to or near $0. EnergySage provides a free service that makes comparing quotes from vetted local solar installers easy and accessible, saving you up to $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Installing solar makes using other money-saving electric appliances, such as a heat pump, cheaper. Mitsubishi can help you find the right affordable heat pump for your home. Whether we're making small changes at home or supporting large initiatives, every such effort moves us toward a cleaner future. The news from Barbados is an exciting step for the environment, and we can hope that it will inspire similar projects across the globe. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Last week, Governor Hochul announced that over $4 million had been awarded to Monroe County for Youth Employment Programs to support the states fight against gun violence. Studies show that at-risk youth are less likely to engage in violence if they have a job. With this in mind, Hochul announced her plan to combat gun violence among youth. By allocating $40 million to youth employment programs across the state, she hopes New York teens will be too busy building their future careers to fall into a life of crime. It could lead to a career. It could lead to a whole new life, Executive Director for the Center for Youth Elaine Spaull said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local youth employment programs offer teens and young adults employment opportunities in the summer, but continuing these programs year-round can get quite expensive. But now, with the announcement of more funding available, the Center for Youth and RochesterWorks are excited for the potential increase in career development for teens and decrease in juvenile violence. This is an opportunity, I think, for us to really put a spotlight on what it means for some young people to have economic opportunities, Spaull said. (The Center) will do our best. We will be stewards of any kind of opportunities that come our way. And we will support young people across this county. One of the things that steers our young people towards crime is they just dont see any other avenue, Executive Director of RochesterWorks, Dave Seeley, said. If we can, at an early age, provide them with these enrichment opportunities, then theres an opportunity to earn a living, to gain work experience, but also earn a paycheck, earn valuable life skills, see a path for them that isnt one of, you know, taking to the streets, but one thats contributing to the economy and making money. Its so valuable for us. In New York, from September 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,000 youth participated in the Youth Employment Program. Teens not only stayed out of trouble, but also contributed to their communities by working in school districts, libraries, camps, child care programs, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its one of the best medicines for poverty (and) for crime is to provide economic opportunity, and I think were seeing that, too, Seeley said. Weve seen gun violence decrease over the past few years. And its not lost, I mean. Its just that weve started to really increase more in our youth employment programming. So I hope its had an impact. And I think the governor is right on point. The 2025-2026 Youth Employment Program will operate from September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. To be eligible for the program, youth must be between the ages of 14 and 20 and have a household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Its cliche to say that the best way to stop a bullet is a job. Thats true, Seeley 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 RochesterFirst. Opposition MKs Yair Lapid and Avigdor Liberman slammed the move, which allocates NIS 10m., as an irresponsible use of public funds, especially during a war. The government will allocate NIS 10 million to finance infrastructure and transportation arrangements for the annual haredi (ultra-Orthodox) pilgrimage to Uman in Ukraine via Moldova, the Finance Ministry announced on Monday. A team of experts was also formed to negotiate costs and housing arrangements with Moldova, which requested payment because of the significant number of haredim who travel through its territory to Uman during Rosh Hashanah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Breslov hassidic leader Rabbi Shalom Arush met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Shas chairperson MK Arye Deri, during which a request was raised to formulate an agreed-upon plan with the IDF, allowing ultra-Orthodox men of conscription age to fly to Uman without suffering legal repercussions. According to a Shas statement, In this context, and due to the absence of a conscription law, Deri drew attention to the potential issue concerning about 10,000 young men defined as conscription dodgers who usually travel to Uman, which could lead to serious problems at the airport. He suggested considering a regulated framework to differentiate between traveling for prayer and traveling for leisure. Deri will continue to work on behalf of all Breslov hassidim to ensure they can maintain their custom and pray in Uman on Rosh Hashanah, the statement added. Likud Mk Eliyahu Revivo and project manager Avi Kakun at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry. (credit: Courtesy) Lapid: Why should our tax money fund flights to Uman? MK Yair Lapid, the opposition leader and chair of Yesh Atid, criticized the governments decision to allow draft dodgers to fly to Moldova using public funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why should our tax money fund flights to Uman? Since when does the government fund flights abroad for private citizens? And why on earth is Deri demanding a plan that would allow draft dodgers to fly? The only place they need to fly to is jail, he posted on X/Twitter. Avigdor Liberman, the head of Yisrael Beytenu, also opposed the decision: A government that, during wartime, sanctifies and encourages draft evasion has no right to exist. The Cooperstown Farmers Market, a program of Otsego 2000, was awarded $49,339 in the latest round of the New York State Farmers Market Resiliency Grant Program. This grant will enable us to invest in the continued success of the Cooperstown Farmers Market, said Ellen Pope, executive director of Otsego 2000, which founded the farmers market in 1991. We will be able to raise both overall visitation and the use of SNAP and other food access initiatives at the farmers market. Its a great opportunity to spruce up the 34-year old market and make it even more inviting for our wonderful customers for years to come, said Alex Webster, Otsego 2000s farmers market manager. He said facility and design upgrades include farm-themed murals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are an important third space in the community, where people can relax and connect, Pope said. All of our vendors are within 50 miles of Cooperstown, and grow, raise, create and make all the food and goods they offer. The market plays a key role in the local economy while providing people with healthy local food. She said the grant will be implemented by the Otsego 2000 team which, in addition to her and Webster, includes Jennifer Armstrong, finance and operations manager; and Peg Odell, program and communications manager. The market "links local farmers, makers and artisans with people looking for fresh local food and locally made goods," a news release from the organization stated. The markets indoor space enables it to operate year-round, with 51 Saturday markets, 13 summer Tuesday markets, and a holiday evening market in December. The Cooperstown Farmers Market is open year-round 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, and also noon to 4 p.m. on summer Tuesdays through Sept. 30, according to the release. The market has a roster of 45 farmers, artisans, makers, bakers, chefs, and growers, according to the release. The Cooperstown Farmers Market is one of 25 across New York State to receive funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball said, This program ensures our markets reach more consumers in new, innovative ways, build greater bonds between farmers and their customers, and get more local New York foods onto tables across the state, especially in our underserved communities through critical services like SNAP. I congratulate all the awardees of this program and look forward to seeing all the great work they will do with this funding in the years to come. For more information, see www.cooperstownfarmersmarket.org. Aug. 24Four Grant County deputies were fired after a video surfaced of one of the deputies throwing a small rabbit into a patrol vehicle. In the video, deputy Alejandro Gomez smiled at the camera while holding the rabbit. Moments later, Gomez threw the rabbit into the vehicle. A small thud could be heard in the recording while a Grant County Sheriff's Office sergeant and corporal laughed hysterically. Gomez was placed on paid leave while New Mexico State Police investigated, and he was charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer for allegedly threatening deputies with a weapon and one count of extreme cruelty to animals, which is a fourth-degree felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 22, Grant County Sheriff Raul Villanueva confirmed that all four men involved in the incident were fired from the department, including the deputy who reported the incident and attempted to prevent Gomez from holding the rabbit. Villanueva would not confirm if the men's termination was related to the rabbit video going viral and said he would not be able to release further information. The video got tens of thousands of views on social media, sparking outrage. On Aug. 16, 2024, two deputies, a sergeant and a corporal were working an overnight shift near Hachita when they came across a baby rabbit while driving along a dirt road, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed in Silver City Magistrate Court on Feb. 14. The four stopped their vehicle in the middle of the road, and one deputy walked toward the rabbit to get it off the roadway. When the rabbit did not leave, the deputy picked it up in an attempt to move it. The sergeant pulled out his cellphone to record a one-minute video of the group's interaction with the rabbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gomez asked to hold the bunny, but the deputy refused to hand it over, believing Gomez would kill it and said he "told him no because he felt that Deputy Gomez would hurt the animal," according to the affidavit. Gomez begged several times to hold the rabbit before he pointed a Taser at the deputy and said, "Give it to me right now." The deputy told New Mexico State Police he was fearful that if he set the rabbit down, "Deputy Gomez would be able to pick it up and hurt it." The deputy begged Gomez not to throw the rabbit before asking him to "swear on his kids" that he wouldn't. Gomez scooped up the rabbit in one hand, turned to the camera and smiled before throwing the rabbit into a patrol vehicle. "Deputy Gomez threw the animal with such force that it fatally wounded the animal," according to the affidavit. "A huge thud was heard as it struck the side of the patrol vehicle." Another deputy told State Police he shot the animal so "it would not suffer," the affidavit states. President Donald Trump is escalating his war against a long-time Senate precedent that allows home-state senators to effectively block district court and U.S. attorney nominees they oppose. Over the past 24 hours, Trump has gone from calling out Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley for upholding the so-called blue slip practice to announcing plans to launch a long-shot lawsuit arguing that its unconstitutional. We're going to be filing a lawsuit on blue slipping, Trump told reporters Monday. You know, blue slips make it impossible for me as president to appoint a judge or U.S. Attorney because they have a gentlemen's agreement. It's nothing memorialized, it's a gentlemen's agreement that's about 100 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, an executive branch lawsuit against Congress for its own internal procedures for handling presidential nominations seems like a legal nonstarter. Courts have long been wary of intervening in political disputes between the other branches of government, instead allowing them to use their own formidable checks and balances to reach accommodations or negotiate agreements. The blue slip isnt a formal Senate rule, or in the Constitution, but is instead a precedent upheld by tradition and the party in power. Trumps threat, however, marks an escalation of a pressure campaign he has been waging without success against Grassley over blue slips for more than a month. Tensions were newly inflamed late last week , when a U.S. district judge ruled that Alina Habba, an acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey, had been serving in the role without legal authority since July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump had tried to keep Habba in charge of the office after her interim appointment expired. That effort included withdrawing her Senate nomination , which was already stalled because of opposition by New Jersey Democratic Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim. On Sunday evening, Trump posted on Truth Social that Grassley should scrap the blue slip practice, which the president called an old and outdated custom. Trump continued: The only candidates that I can get confirmed for these most important positions are, believe it or not, Democrats! Chuck Grassley should allow strong Republican candidates to ascend to these very vital and powerful roles, and tell the Democrats, as they often tell us, to go to HELL! Republicans got rid of this same precedent for appeals court nominees during Trumps first term, but they have so far rebuffed Trumps calls for them to do the same for district court and U.S. attorney nominations. Many GOP senators believe that if they bend to Trumps demand now, it would only come back to bite them later, when they find themselves back in the minority and unable to stop nominees from a Democratic administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grassley spent the first half of Monday morning defending his position. In one social media post , he said that, as chair of the Judiciary Committee, I set Pres Trump noms up for SUCCESS NOT FAILURE. A U.S. Atty/district judge nominee without a blue slip does not [have] the votes to get confirmed on the Senate floor & they dont [have] the votes to get out of [committee], he added. In a subsequent X post Monday , Grassley said the administration had withdrawn Habbas nomination and that the committee never received any of the paperwork needed for the Senate to vet her nomination. In another post , he justified his decision to maintain the precedent by pointing out how Republicans used blue slips during the Biden administration to keep "30 LIBERALS OFF BENCH THAT PRES TRUMP CAN NOW FILL W[ITH] CONSERVATIVES." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grassley on Monday was also fending off not just criticism from Trump but from Habba herself, who took on Grassley and Sen Thom Tillis by name in a TV interview on Sunday morning. This tradition that Senator Grassley is upholding effectively prevents anybody in a blue state from going through into Senate to then be voted on, Habba said on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. I would say to Senator Tillis and Senator Grassley, you are becoming part of the issue, she added. You are becoming part of the antithesis of what we fought for four years. Tillis, a North Carolina Republican and a member of the Judiciary Committee, said recently that he would continue to honor the blue slip for district court and U.S. attorney nominations even if the precedent was rescinded. That means he would oppose all relevant nominees who lacked support from their home state senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement on X Monday , Tillis defended Grassley, calling him a principled conservative who wants to keep radical liberals off the bench. Getting rid of the blue slip is a terrible, short-sighted ploy that paves the path for Democrats to ram through extremist liberal judges in red states over the long-term, said Tillis. Its why radical liberal groups have been pushing to get rid of the blue slip for years Republicans shouldnt fall for it. Kyle Cheney contributed to this report. By Marie Mannes, Alessandro Parodi and Gilles Guillaume STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Silicon Valley startup Lyten will need to convince carmakers it can succeed where bankrupt Swedish EV battery maker Northvolt failed - creating a European champion to reduce the region's reliance on China. Lyten, which develops lithium-sulfur batteries, unexpectedly announced on August 7 it was buying Northvolt's assets, offering a lifeline to future European battery production for electric vehicles. But customers and investors burned by the Northvolt experience remain wary of committing without seeing a proven product that can be delivered at scale, interviews with over a dozen battery industry experts, analysts and car company sources revealed. As well as taking on Northvolt's production of lithium-ion batteries, Lyten plans to develop its own lithium-sulfur batteries for EVs, but will need substantial funds and lacks the Swedish company's erstwhile $50 billion order book. Lithium-sulfur cells are one of several next-gen battery chemistries, promising a lighter, lower-cost alternative and lower dependence on critical minerals from China, but are still in their infancy. Lyten currently produces lithium-sulfur cells at a pilot plant in Silicon Valley. Jeep-owner Stellantis has - with a 2% stake - been in partnership with Lyten since 2023 to explore applications of Lyten's lithium-sulfur technology, including for battery cells, lightweight composites and on-board sensors. A Stellantis spokesperson said any supply deals would depend on technical validation, industrial scale-up, local production capacity and commercial terms. Northvolt, despite attracting backers including Goldman Sachs, collapsed with $8 billion in debt in March after losing orders and key investor support, and missing production targets. Carmakers scaling down their electrification plans have also hit EV battery demand. Northvolt's flagship factory in Skelleftea, Sweden, however, was starting to turn around in the weeks before closure, ramping up production to 30,000 lithium-ion cells a week. Lyten CEO Dan Cook told Reuters that he hopes Northvolt's previous customers - which included Volkswagen brands - will return if the company proves itself by delivering consistently to a single, undetermined, customer at low volumes with good quality. Former Northvolt-backer Scania said it was too early to discuss ordering cells from Lyten. Volvo Cars, which had partnered with Northvolt via its nascent battery unit Novo Energy before cutting ties, declined to comment on whether it would place orders. From left, Republican state Reps. David Steffen and Ben Franklin and Democratic state Sen. Jamie Wall plans for closing Green Bay Correctional Institution at an Allouez Village Board meeting Tuesday, Aug. 19. (Photo by Andrew Kennard/Wisconsin Examiner) 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. Now that the Wisconsin budget has called for closing the aging Green Bay Correctional Institution, lawmakers, the governors office and the Department of Corrections are having to grapple with how to carry it out. For the first time in ever, we finally have agreements in the Legislature and with the executive branch on how to move forward, said state Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard) after an Allouez village board meeting last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are unresolved details that will need time to work out, Steffen said, but were moving in the right direction. Steffen, state Rep. Ben Franklin (R-De Pere) and state Sen. Jamie Wall (D-Green Bay) spoke to the village board Aug. 19 about plans to close the prison, located in the village adjacent to the city of Green Bay. Gov Tony Evers and DOC Secretary Jared Hoy were invited to the meeting but were unable to come, Allouez Village Board President Jim Rafter said. The 2025-27 Wisconsin budget includes money for preliminary plans to revamp Wisconsins prison system and close the Green Bay prison. But what Evers originally proposed and what the document looked like when it reached his desk were far apart. Pushing for a deadline Evers originally called for $325 million for a series of projects that would enable the state to close the Green Bay prison in 2029 and transform Waupun Correctional Institution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What the Legislature passed largely written by the GOP majority on the powerful Joint Finance Committee includes $15 million for prison system construction planning related to the corrections departments realignment, including closing the Green Bay prison. Supporters of closing the Green Bay Correctional Institution posted signs outside the Allouez Village Board meeting Tuesday, Aug. 19, calling for the prison to be closed. (Photo by Andrew Kennard/Wisconsin Examiner) When he signed the budget July 3, Evers vetoed the 2029 closing deadline, arguing in his veto message that the Legislature had rejected his own plan for closing the prison, which also aimed for closure in 2029. The Legislature, he wrote, provided virtually no real, meaningful or concrete plan in place of his. Republican lawmakers criticized Evers veto. In a statement the day that the budget was signed, Steffen said that only in government would four and a half years be too short of a deadline to finalize the closure of a crumbling building. Republican lawmakers want to restore the deadline. Franklin said at last weeks meeting that he will introduce a bill in the fall to set a closing deadline and wants it to be Dec. 31, 2029. The bill should specify that the deadline could only be extended with approval from the Legislature, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wall gave less weight to the impact of setting a deadline. He pointed to Lincoln Hills, which houses male juvenile offenders. The facility has remained open for years after the original deadline to close it, Wall said, because the Legislature did not take the steps needed to meet that target date. He also expressed concern that people might leave because of a deadline that may or may not become real, exacerbating ongoing staffing problems in the system. While the shortage of correctional officers improved after pay increased, vacancies have started rising again. The DOC and prisons across the country have experienced staffing troubles, which can lead to more restrictive conditions for incarcerated people. Vacancy rates published by the DOC for correctional officers and sergeant positions in adult prisons climbed to 35% in August 2023. The vacancy rate declined to about 11% in fall 2024, but it has since increased to 17%. At Green Bay and Waupun, its over 25%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically speaking, from the time that I started there to the time that I left if 10 new people would start at one point, usually half would quit, former Green Bay corrections officer Jeff Hoffman told the Examiner last year. Because they didnt want to work in that environment. Differences over prison system planning Franklin said his proposed deadline bill will more specifically state how the $15 million will be spent. Wall said the DOC is already developing a plan for spending the money, which will go through the state building commission. The plan is to direct the money to planning for the kind of facility changes that Evers proposed originally, he said. Franklin said Republicans will have to be flexible in adopting some of Evers proposals to restructure juvenile centers and medium and maximum security adult prisons. He said he doesnt think everything will be adopted as Evers originally proposed, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin said he also wants to set milestone dates, for actions such as transfers of incarcerated people, which would provide a barometer of where were at ahead of the closing deadline. He said he also wants quarterly progress reports to the Joint Finance Committee. Steffen said the committee and the Legislature should have the opportunity to see and understand plans and ask questions more than once and have time to deal thoughtfully with the situation instead of in a pressure cooker budget environment. Wall cautioned against moving too slowly, however. DOC has some projects that could go up for approval early in 2026, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And time is not necessarily on our side here when it comes to the state budget, Wall said, noting that if the economy softens, that could affect the state budget. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, the state could be facing a more difficult budget in 2027 than it has seen in recent years, with recently approved spending and tax cuts using up most of the surplus. Speaking to reporters after the Allouez meeting, Steffen said that we are generally in agreement on what to do with the buildings, the expansions at the other facilities and the closure at Green Bay. But he said there will be incarcerated people who need somewhere to go. Republicans and Democrats differ on whether to expand the earned release program releasing some people before their sentence is completed or find the space within the system to move them, Steffen said. He raised the possibility of having local jails take in prisoners, a tactic the Department of Corrections has used to reduce overcrowding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Funding remains uncertain, Steffen added. Aging prison system A 2020 draft report on the Department of Corrections website includes information about problems created by the infrastructure inside the aging prisons in Green Bay and Waupun. There are a lot of issues with running facilities that are that old, Hoy said in April about the Green Bay facility. We shouldnt be running prisons in that manner in 2025 We want to do more with our population than what those facilities can afford us to do. Prison reform advocates hold vigils outside the prison. Wisconsin Department of Corrections data shows that on average, prisoners at GBCI spend an average of 48.5 days in disciplinary separation, where an incarcerated person may be sent for committing a violation the most of any prison listed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While lawmakers push to close the Green Bay prison, its unclear what will become of Waupun, the states oldest prison, which has attracted scrutiny for a string of prisoner deaths, a lockdown and living conditions. The governors proposal in February aimed to close the prison temporarily and convert it to a medium-security institution and vocational village emphasizing job training and readiness at an estimated cost of $245.3 million. The provision did not pass the Legislature. While Allouezs Rafter wants to close the Green Bay prison, Waupun mayor Rohn Bishop has called for keeping Waupun Correctional Institution open. Bishop has pointed to the economic impact on Waupun and to the citys history and heritage. In a column in December, he said the city donated the land to bring the prison there, generations of people in Waupun have worked at the prison and local churches have had outreach to incarcerated people. Green Bay Correctional Institution. (Photo by Andrew Kennard/Wisconsin Examiner) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX AUSTIN (KXAN) U.S. Rep. Greg Casar announced his campaign for reelection in a video on social media Monday. This comes a few days after the Texas Senate gave final approval to legislation to redraw the states congressional map, which could give Republicans five new congressional seats. The controversial congressional map, if adopted, would pit Casar and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, two Democratic incumbents, against one another in an Austin-area district. But last week, Doggett said he would end his reelection campaign if the new congressional map is approved by the courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the courts give Trump a victory in his scheme to maintain control of a compliant House, I will not seek reelection in the reconfigured CD37, even though it contains over 2/3rd of my current constituents, said Doggett in a statement Thursday. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett says he will not seek reelection if new congressional map is approved Casars campaign said the potentially new District 37, where the congressman would run, includes Casars home, 250,000 of his current constituents, and his former city council district. Congressman Greg Casar holds a press conference after announcing his campaign for reelection on Aug. 25, 2025 (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb) Trump and Abbott just rammed through maps designed to kick people like me out of office. They dont want me in Congress because they dont want us to be heard. But were not going anywhere, Casar wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Casars campaign plans to hold a press conference Monday at the Texas AFL-CIO headquarters. Dylan McKim contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Tennessee's Department of Transportation is hopeful that new federal guidance will allow the department to move forward with electric vehicle charger contracts that have been on hold for six months since President Donald Trump froze a federal grant program. (Stock photo by Master via Getty Images) A Tennessee department head is hopeful that new guidance for a federal program supporting the growth of electric vehicle charging networks may ultimately allow the state to proceed with $21 million in contracts that have been frozen since February. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) allocated $88 million to Tennessee over five years to fund EV charger installation along major interstates and Hwy. 64, which runs from Memphis to Pelham roughly along Tennessees southern border. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) awarded $21 million of the funding to 10 applicants in January 2024 to install 30 new charging locations, each with ports to charge several vehicles, but the contracts were not executed before the federal programs pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those contracts would complement the states own EV charging infrastructure grant program, part of an overall push to support EV adoption. Tennessees EV manufacturing industry has grown over the last several years often supported by state incentives to bring hundreds of jobs to rural communities giving the state an economic interest in the vehicles success. Fords new BlueOval City facility in rural West Tennessee recently delayed mass production of its full-size electric truck until 2028 as the company refocuses on the production of cheaper, smaller models in Kentucky. The $5 billion NEVI program has officially been on ice since February 2025, when the U.S. Federal Highway Administration officially suspended funding to comply with President Donald Trumps executive order to pause federal grants supporting electric vehicles and clean energy. Multiple states have challenged the Trump administrations ability to freeze the funds in federal court. Tennessee is not among them. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy recently released interim guidance for the program intending to streamline applications, provide states with more flexibility, and slash red tape, according to the federal transportation department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States can reapply for funding under the new requirements over the next 30 days. Tennessee Department of Transportation Director Beth Emmons said the department is reviewing the new guidance and updated requirements and hopes to have a path forward with this program by the time the guidelines become official. The programs deployment has been slow. Less than 400 charging ports funded under NEVI are complete and open for use, according to a dashboard maintained by EV States Clearinghouse. The federal government allocated $3.3 billion to states for fiscal years 2022 through 2025. Of the 38 states that have issued awards under previously approved plans (which must now be resubmitted), 16 states have at least one operational station. States have awarded a total $544 million. The revised guidance went into effect on Aug. 13, and the Federal Highway Administration is accepting comments on the rule changes through Aug. 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Congress is requiring the federal government to support charging stations, lets cut the waste and do it right, Duffy said in a statement released Aug. 11. The Biden-Buttigieg Administration failed to deliver EV chargers despite their promises While I dont agree with subsidizing green energy, we will respect Congress will and make sure this program uses federal resources efficiently. Changes include scrapping language regarding serving rural, underserved, and disadvantaged communities, equitable distribution, and opportunities for minority- and women-owned small businesses. The guidance also removes requirements for states to address consumer protections, emergency evacuation plans, environmental siting, resilience and terrain considerations. Charging industry coalition welcomes changes, nonprofit says new requirements are another stall tactic Charge Ahead Partnership, a coalition supporting a nationwide EV charging network, welcomed the new guidance. Slow uptake by states in NEVIs first three years was due to requirements within the original guidance that slowed down deployment, according to a coalition statement released Aug. 13. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ultimate goal of the NEVI program is to expand the nations EV charging infrastructure, and these updated guidelines will make that outcome more likely, Charge Ahead Partnership Executive Director Jay Smith said. A streamlined NEVI program will make it easier for the mom-and-pop gas station on the corner, along with national retail chains, to offer EV charging. The coalition is particularly optimistic about guidance encouraging states to prioritize applicants who will serve as the site host and charging provider, a move they say will cut down on time that would otherwise be spent searching for a site, and allow for simpler accountability. The Sierra Club, one of several nonprofit groups that have joined legal challenges against the funding freeze, contends that the new guidance is unnecessary and serves only to further delay EV charging buildout as states reapply for funds. Its ironic that this guidance was sold as cutting red tape, yet all it has accomplished is more than half a year of needless delay, Sierra Club Clean Transportation for All Director Katherine Garcia stated in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Trump administration has moved away from anti-EV rhetoric in this guidance in response to federal litigation filed by over a dozen states, Sierra Club, and other nonprofit organizations, it is still illegally withholding billions Congress dedicated to EV charging. Separate state program continues charger rollout In the meantime, Tennessees separately funded Fast Charge TN program has supported EV charger installation in a 400-mile loop connecting Nashville, Knoxville, Cookeville and Chattanooga. The state program is powered by money from the Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust, electricity revenues from TVA and cost share from grant recipients. It aims to position an EV charger every 50 miles along Tennessee interstates and highways. Under Fast Charge TNs first round, 35 charging sites are operational and 18 more are under development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which oversees the Fast Charge TN program, announced on Friday that it will extend its application period for the second round of funding through Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. This round will prioritize charging locations in areas that the department anticipates will not be served by the NEVI program. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GULFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Members of the Guilford and Madison fire departments are sharing their memories of one of their own, after a firefighter died in a multi-vehicle crash Friday night. Michael Terrio, 32, was driving a Suzuki motorcycle one i-95 South when he collided with another vehicle. Working with the Guilford Fire Department since 2022, his colleagues describe him as quick thinking and dedicated to the fire service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighter killed in Friday evening crash on I-95 South in Guilford Fire Chief Mike Stove says his first impression of Terrio was that he fit the bill for what every firefighter should strive for. He came in, very professional, goal oriented, task oriented, Stove said, He worked very hard, 110 percent all the time. Guilford Firefighter Michael Terrio who died in a motorcycle crash on Friday. According to Stove, Terrio served with the Kingston Fire Department in Rhode Island for a time, before joining the department in Guilford. Terrio continuously strived to learn on the job, taking trainings to further stretch his knowledge to be qualified to use different apparatus around the fire station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In between taking overtime shifts in Guilford, Terrio also lent his time volunteering with the Madison Hose Company #1. Fire Chief Robert Kyttle tells News 8 Terrio quickly moved ranks from junior to senior fire member in Madison, and often mentored others in the department who were just starting out their firefighting careers. Both departments responded to Friday nights crash that claimed Terrios life. Learning in real time Terrio was involved in the incident, both chiefs tell News 8 the loss cuts a bit deeper. Its even more challenging, or even harder, its harder when its one of your own, Stove 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 WTNH.com. ST. LOUIS It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Megan Shackelford, in for Michael Kelley, discussed the following topics: President Donald Trump has Missouri on his mind, as he comes calling for Missouris Attorney General and then declares that Missouri will redraw its Congressional districts. The feds are coming to fight crime in St. Louis; not the military, like in Washington, D.C. The Hancock and Kelley conversation hits the road as a St. Louis area Republican congressman embarks on a Big, Beautiful Bill tour. Our Quote of the Week is from the damning report on St. Louis Citys May 16 tornado failures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. Hanover man charged with taking upskirt photos of underage girls, women at Derby Street in Hingham A Hanover man has been arrested, accused of taking upskirt photos of women and underage girls at two different stores at Hinghams Derby Street Shoppes. On August 18, police were called to the Whole Foods at the shopping center after store workers reported that a man had been escorted out for taking upskirt photos of women. Police were able to identify two adult victims and the suspect as Aeden P. Ford, 44, of Push Cart Lane in Hanover. During the investigation, police found the man had also allegedly taken upskirt photos of underage girls inside the Kohls at Derby Street on August 14 and 17. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives obtained three arrest warrants and took Ford into custody with assistance from Hanover police at his home on Monday morning. Ford is charged with photographing sexual or intimate parts of a child, photographing sexual or intimate parts of a child, photographing of unsuspecting nude person, photographing an unsuspecting nude person and assault of an adult victim. Ford was arraigned in Hingham District Court on Monday. 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 Oleksandr Klymenko, Head of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO), and Semen Kryvonos, Director of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), are holding meetings with European officials in Brussels this week. Source: a European Pravda source in the European Commission Details: "European Commissioner Marta Kos will meet Oleksandr Klymenko and Semen Kryvonos on Tuesday 26 August," the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further details of the upcoming meetings were provided. It should be noted that Kos is responsible for EU enlargement. Background: On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, which made NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general. Afterwards, the European Union delivered a warning to Kyiv via diplomatic channels, stating that if the Ukrainian parliament fails to fully revoke the provisions of law No. 12414, financial support will be suspended. On 31 July, the Verkhovna Rada adopted President Volodymyr Zelenskyys draft law No. 13533, which aimed to restore NABU and SAPO's independence. The president soon signed the law. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Patients have their blood pressure checked and other vitals taken at a intake triage at a Remote Area Medical (RAM) mobile dental and medical clinic on October 07, 2023 in Grundy, Virginia. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) A combination of Trump administration policies will make health care coverage more expensive for people who purchase plans from health insurance marketplaces and rural residents will be hit the hardest, according to a new analysis. Researchers from the Century Foundation say Trump administration policies especially its refusal to ask Congress to extend Biden-era tax credits that are set to expire at the end of this year will boost out-of-pocket premiums by 93% in the 32 states that allow the federal government to operate their Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces. New rules and tariffs will have a smaller impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural county residents in those states will see an increase of 107%, while residents of urban counties will pay 89% more, according to the analysis by the Century Foundation, a left-leaning research nonprofit. Insurers participating in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces are proposing a median premium increase of 18% for 2026 the biggest jump since 2018 and 11 points more than the growth from 2024 to this year. That bump would come on top of the increase resulting from the expiration of the tax credits and the other policy changes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE About 2.8 million people who are enrolled in marketplace plans in the 32 states live in rural counties, including 776,000 adults between the ages of 55 to 64 and more than 223,000 children, according to the Century Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural residents tend to be older. They may be more likely to have chronic illness at the same time, said Jeanne Lambrew, director of health care reform at the foundation. It costs more, both because they have somewhat greater needs and less access to health care. The researchers calculated that average annual premiums for rural residents will increase by $760 28% more than the expected average increase for urban residents. States where rural enrollees are expected to see the highest cost increases are Wyoming ($1,943), Alaska ($1,835), and Illinois ($1,700). Many of the states with a large number of rural residents have chosen not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, meaning many people who earn between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level, between $15,650 and $21,597 for an individual, get their coverage from an insurance marketplace, Lambrew said. Of the seven states where 10% or more of rural residents are enrolled in marketplace plans (Alabama, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming), only two Nebraska and North Carolina have expanded Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials in Pennsylvania recently advised residents who use the marketplace that they should closely examine the plans that are available. This year, even more than previous years, Pennsylvanians should consider shopping around to find the best plans to meet their individual needs, at a price that makes sense for their current financial situation, Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys said in a statement released at the beginning of this month. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lambrew said the increases will force many people to forgo insurance altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its harmful for those individuals in terms of their own health and life expectancy. Its harmful for our providers, because theyre now dealing with people who are sicker and in the wrong settings, and its kind of expensive for our society, Lambrew said. We know health insurance matters, so having these large potential increases on uninsured Americans is distressing. Shalina Chatlani covers health care and environmental justice for Stateline. WASHINGTON, D.C. (Associated Press) Pricey prescriptions and nagging medical costs are swamping some insurers and employers, which means patients may start paying more next year. Health insurance will grow more expensive in many parts of the market in 2026 and some coverage may shrink. That could leave patients exposed to more costs for doctor visits and prescription coverage changes. Price changes could be seen in individual coverage marketplaces, where insurers also are predicting the end of some government support that helps people buy coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in a period of uncertainty in every health insurance market right now, which is something we havent seen in a very long time, said Larry Levitt, an executive vice president at the nonprofit KFF, which studies health care. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. Dozens of cases of a potentially debilitating vector-borne disease have been identified in the United Kingdom this year, the BBC reports, almost twice as many as last year. What's happening? On the surface, this uptick in cases of chikungunya virus might not appear to be concerning in scale. In all, 73 people in the U.K. contracted chikungunya, up from 27 in the same span of time in 2024 a 170% increase in cases. Chikungunya is a vector-borne illness, infecting humans through mosquito bites. Although it's rarely fatal, chikungunya's symptoms are not unlike dengue fever and Zika, including joint swelling, rashes, and fatigue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outbreaks tend to emerge in tropical or subtropical regions, and chikungunya cannot spread from person to person. In the U.K., the cases diagnosed in 2025 were all associated with trips abroad. U.K. Health Security Agency public health consultant Dr. Philip Veal told the BBC that the surge was concerning. "Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the U.K.," Veal observed. Why are public health experts so worried? On August 19, the New York Times reported that nearly a quarter of a million cases of the chikungunya virus were recorded in 2025, the vast majority in Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, 8,000 cases occurred in China, where the disease had not previously been observed and the World Health Organization expressed concern about an outbreak similar to one that occurred two decades ago. That outbreak wound up "contributing to a surge of new disabilities" due to lingering effects of the disease, per WHO chikungunya expert Dr. Diana Rojas Alvarez. "You have people who were working, with no disabilities, and from one day to the next, they cannot even type on a phone, they can't hold a pen," said Alvarez, who added that the illness had adverse impacts on quality of life and economies at large. The Times emphasized two ways rapidly shifting climate patterns are exacerbating the spread, one of which was a concordant increase in extreme weather incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A warmer, wetter world provides more suitable habitat. And extreme weather events can cause more breeding in floods or displace people, who cluster in areas with poor water and sanitation supply," the paper explained. What's being done about it? On August 18, Rep. Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey introduced a bipartisan bill, the Battling Infections Transmitted by Ticks and Exposure (BITE) Act. It's one of three pieces of pending legislation focused on tick-borne disease, and would "create the world's first national response system for Lyme disease and other vector-borne illnesses." Speaking to the BBC, Dr. Veal reminded readers that small acts of prevention "can greatly reduce the risk." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He recommended treated mosquito nets for sleeping, covering exposed skin outdoors, and using insecticides as effective, simple precautions. 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. Being an early adopter of strong investment principles takes on a whole new meaning when you look at Warren Buffetts history. At age 11, he bought his first stock, and then purchased his first lot of real estate at 15. Today, the prophetical investor, CEO of the company Berkshire Hathaway and Oracle of Omaha has an estimated net worth of about $145 billion. Trending Now: Most Experts Say Buy Index Funds. Charles Payne Says Do This Instead For You: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 So, if he gives you some investment strategies to try, you should probably take notes. Buffett has generously shared his expertise over the years, offering his advice in interviews and letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Here are his top four intuitive tips Buffett has historically given out for everyday investors who want to choose the right investments. Invest in Good Businesses In his 2022 letter to shareholders, Buffett wrote: We own publicly traded stocks based on our expectations about their long-term business performance, not because we view them as vehicles for adroit purchases and sales. Charlie [Munger] and I are not stock-pickers; we are business-pickers. Buffett isnt the kind of go-go-go investor Hollywood likes to profile. He doesnt buy low, sell high and buy low again before lunch. Instead, he researches companies operations, news and balance sheets, and he invests in those he believes will do well in the long term. As Buffetts business partner for nearly 50 years, Munger was instrumental in helping Buffett identify good deals. Learn More: Barbara Corcoran: This Is the Only Investment Ill Never Sell Look for Value During the 2008 economic recession, Buffett reminded his shareholders of the importance of value. Although the value of his investments had dropped along with the market, he didnt worry. He even used his purchasing power to buy more of certain stocks. Whether were talking about socks or stocks, I like buying quality merchandise when it is marked down, Buffett said. Of course, Buffett knows that not every low-priced stock is a good value. He quotes his mentor, Ben Graham, who said, Price is what you pay; value is what you get. Finding those valuable purchases requires research and a commitment to finding good companies, not just cheap stocks. Buy Within Your Circle of Competence One of Buffetts hard-and-fast rules is only investing in businesses he understands. He tracks a company over time to see how its doing and whether he believes it will continue to grow. Buffett understands a great deal about many kinds of businesses, but he believes his approach works even for those without 60-plus years of investment experience. As long as you invest in businesses you understand, he says, youre on the right track. MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) It has been quite a year for the Heart of the Valley YMCA. It filed for bankruptcy, sold a beloved summer camp and just in the last few weeks brought on a new CEO. The Heart of the Valley YMCA welcomed new President & CEO Rob Gray on Aug. 11. Local group hosts Ukrainian Independence Day celebration He spoke exclusively to News 19 about his goals for the present and future. The good news is, aside from that bankruptcy and our reorganization, we are very healthy today, Gray told News 19. We are stable, and we have a plan going forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray is joining the Heart of the Valley YMCA with 40 years of YMCA experience. Hes coming to North Alabama from a Y organization in Maine, where he led a post-COVID recovery effort. He told News 19 that he is prepared to lead the Heart of the Valley YMCA into its next chapter. We will be introducing some new things and initiatives, Gray said. We will analyze our current structure of our team, making sure that our staff capacity is built to serve this community the way that needs to be served. In August of 2024, the Heart of the Valley YMCA filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. It cited financial issues tied to large mortgage payments owed on the Hogan Family YMCA in Madison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After selling Camp Cha-La-Kee in Guntersville earlier this year, the YMCA says its in a better place. Gray also told News 19 that membership numbers are starting to come back up after the pandemic. Im proud to report this Y [Hogan Family] has climbed back to 7,200 households, and we have a net improvement of about 500 households year over year, Gray said. Tangled String Music and Arts Festival back and bigger with a new home The Heart of the Valley YMCA is also gearing up to open a new Downtown YMCA location in the Times Building. Its set to open early this fall. Well be transitioning over the next 8 to 10 weeks to that space, so were incredibly excited about that, Gray said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Downtown YMCA will be just a few blocks away from its current spot in the Huntsville Utilities building. Gray also told News 19 that the YMCA is planning more community outreach events in the coming weeks. He said the Hogan Family YMCA is planning a First Responders Community Day on Sept. 28 for both members and non-members. More details on that event are expected to be released soon. Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Gray told News 19 that hes excited to get to work. My role right now really is about listening, learning, and supporting my team, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. LONDON (AP) A helicopter crashed on Monday during a flight lesson on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England, killing three people and leaving one person seriously injured, authorities said. The Robinson R44 II helicopter had a pilot and three passengers onboard when it crashed just before 9:30 a.m. The operator, Northumbria Helicopters, said its aircraft was involved in a crash during a flight lesson. The seriously injured survivor was airlifted to the trauma center at University Hospital Southampton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eyewitness Leigh Goldsmith was driving when she saw the helicopter spiral down into a hedge, she told the Isle of Wight County Press. The U.K.'s Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it is sending a team of inspectors to the scene. The cause of the crash was not immediately known. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Henderson police are searching for a missing, endangered elderly woman last seen Sunday morning. Leonor Martel, 93, was last seen just before 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 24 in the area of Duarte Drive and Manzanita Street near Warm Springs Road and Valley Verde Drive, according to Henderson police. Martel was last seen wearing a red, white, and blue sweater with black pants and brown shoes. She is described as 52, 100 lbs., with blond hair and black eyes. Leonor Martel (HPD) She is considered endangered due to her age combined with weather conditions, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information on Martels whereabouts is urged to contact Henderson police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. (Stock photo by Greenleaf123/Getty Images) Henry County officials, accused of waging a campaign of wild west justice against a family, are seeking dismissal of a lawsuit alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution. The family of Curtis and Lori Wagler are suing Sheriff Rich McNamee, Henry County Deputy Carlos Lopez, and the county in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. They allege Lopezs conduct was so clearly abusive and in violation of the law that he earned his way to being the sole member of the countys Brady-Giglio list a reference to the list of law enforcement officers known by prosecutors to have been untruthful in the course of their police work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, filed in federal court, says the Waglers own a family lumber business called Outdoor Tradition. On April 21, 2023, Lopez and seven other police officers are alleged to have arrived at the Wagler home to execute a search warrant allowing them to seize financial records related to Outdoor Tradition. The couple and their 20-year-old son, Owen Wagler, were arrested on 10 felony counts each, the lawsuit claims, and Curtis Wagler allegedly was subjected to two body-cavity searches. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Waglers were released later that day and returned home to find their belongings were all over the floor, with closets ripped out and their house ransacked by police, the lawsuit claims. It also alleges that Lopez then commenced a smear campaign against the Waglers and contacted the couples customers claiming they were being scammed and defrauded. In early November 2023, the criminal case against the Waglers was dismissed by Henry County Attorney Darin Stater, the lawsuit states. According to the lawsuit, Stater said in a letter tied to his decision to dismiss the case that my office was left scrambling to determine the legitimacy of 30 felony charges without a single report or any type of notification that Deputy Lopez intended to take any of these actions After I informed Deputy Lopez that I didnt approve the theft charges, a press release was distributed by the Henry County Sheriffs Office stating that the Waglers had been arrested and charged with ongoing criminal conduct and falsely stating that they had each been charged with nine felony thefts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutors letter allegedly goes on to say that it turns out that my decision to dismiss the charges was the right thing to do. Not only did Deputy Lopezs report fail to include evidence in support of criminal charges, but there is information showing that at least one of Deputy Lopezs sworn affidavits contains a false statement. To date, my office has not been presented with any evidence to support any criminal charge on any of the Waglers. In December 2023, Stater placed Lopez on the countys Brady-Giglio list, citing the April 21 incident. Since then, the lawsuit claims, the sheriffs office has publicly claimed the Waglers are being actively investigated and has continued to imply they are engaged in criminal activity. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for unlawful arrest, illegal search, assault, battery and malicious prosecution. Court records indicate the search warrant application filled out by Lopez was tied to a criminal investigation into the Waglers that stemmed from the complaints by individuals and companies who alleged theyd each paid the Waglers $3,000 to $54,000 for wood products that were never delivered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Curtis and Lori Waglers 2021 bankruptcy case, one bank that acted as a lender to the couple alleged the Waglers had reorganized a failed business, Wagler Manufacturing, as the newly formed Outdoor Tradition, which the bank said was owned largely by the couples children, two of whom were minors. The bank characterized that reorganization as an attempted end-run around bankruptcy laws, made in an alleged effort to shield assets with the intent to defraud the Waglers creditors. The Waglers subsequently agreed to consider themselves 100% owners of Outdoor Traditions for purposes of the bankruptcy case, which remains open. In a 2024 bankruptcy filing, the couple listed $133,000 in assets and $3.5 million in debts and liabilities. In court filings, the county says that over the course of at least seven months, the sheriffs department investigated the theft and fraud allegations made by customers of Outdoor Traditions. The warrant to search of the Wagler home and business and to seize books, records, receipts, notes, ledgers, and other papers was approved by a judge and an assistant county attorney, lawyers for the county state, adding that the Waglers have failed to show any evidence their Fourth Amendment rights were violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After seven months of investigation, on April 18, 2023, Deputy Lopez sought approval of the search warrant at issue, the county says in its motion to dismiss the case. Finding the information Deputy Lopez included in the warrant justified probable cause, Magistrate Timothy Liechty also signed the warrant in approval. The county also claims that with regard to the claims of malicious prosecution and assault, the family has not backed up those claims with any factual evidence of malice or assault. The county acknowledges that while the family claims Curtis Wagler was subjected to cavity searches and that another family member was handcuffed, there is no allegation of harmful or offensive contact with Lori Wagler. A trial in the matter is currently scheduled for April 12, 2027. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man who the government says was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador, will meet with immigration officials Monday under the looming threat of a second deportation, this time to Uganda. Abrego's case a flashpoint in the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration is now at a major crossroads. He was released from federal custody on parole Friday and had a tearful reunion with his family after nearly half a year apart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Trump administration has doubled down on its resolve to deport him, alleging he is a member of the violent gang MS-13 a claim his attorneys have repeatedly denied. Abrego had been deported in March in what the White House called an administrative error, and after a tedious legal saga, he was returned to the United States in June. But he was immediately detained again, this time on human smuggling charges in Tennessee. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. Minutes after his release, immigration authorities notified Abrego that they intend to deport him to Uganda. Separately, the Trump administration offered him a plea deal that would ensure his eventual deportation to Costa Rica. On Friday night, the government informed Abrego that he has until "first thing" Monday morning to accept a plea in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica, "or else that offer will be off the table forever," Abrego's attorneys wrote in a filing as part of their efforts to get the charges in Tennessee dropped over what they consider to be a "vindictive" and "selective" prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are how Monday's appointment may play out: Mondays ICE check-in Abrego will have a check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Baltimore on Monday as part of the conditions of his release from federal custody on parole. Typically, such an ICE check-in is a brief meeting with an officer from ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations to review case status, provide updates and confirm where a person is living. Usually, a person is released until the next scheduled check-in. But Abrego's attorneys told NBC News they expect he will be taken into ICE custody during the check-in, given the Trump administration's notice of its intention to deport him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A judge ruled in July that the government had to provide 72 hours notice, excluding weekends, if it intends to deport Abrego to a third country, which the Justice Department provided Friday afternoon. Abregos lawyers have said he illegally immigrated to the United States when he was 16 to join his brother in Maryland to escape gang violence in El Salvador. His deportation to El Salvador violated a 2019 court order that protected him from being deported to his home country because of concerns that hed be persecuted by violent gangs. But that order doesnt prevent his deportation to any other country. What may happen from here? Several paths could unfold from here: Abrego could take the plea deal and eventually be deported to Costa Rica or he could refuse to and be deported to Uganda, or his lawyers could fight Uganda as a deportation option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Abrego doesnt change his plea in the Tennessee federal case, he could be deported to Uganda as soon as Wednesday. However, Abrego couldnt face the criminal charges of human smuggling brought against him by Justice Department in that case if he is removed from the country. His trial is set for January in Nashville. Last week, Uganda agreed to a deal with the United States to take deported migrants, as long as they dont have criminal records and arent unaccompanied minors. Ugandas Foreign Affairs Ministry said Uganda prefers that migrants sent there be of African nationalities. Abregos attorneys could also try to prevent his deportation to Uganda altogether and try to convince an immigration judge within 72 hours that he is likely to experience persecution or torture there. An immigration judge would have to agree to prevent his deportation to Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Abregos attorneys, accused the government of punishing Abrego for exercising his constitutional rights. It is preposterous that they would send him to Africa, to a country where he doesnt even speak the language, a country with documented human rights violations, when there are so many other options. This family has suffered enough, Sandoval-Moshenberg said outside Abregos brother's home. He said they intend to fight tooth and nail against deportation to Uganda, South Sudan, Libya and any other completely ridiculous country that they can come up with. What if Abrego takes a plea deal? Alternatively, Abrego could take a plea deal the Trump administration offered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That deal would require him to plead guilty to both counts of the criminal indictment against him in Tennessee, serve time and then be deported. Should Abrego plead guilty or be convicted by a jury, the charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. Under either scenario, U.S. District Judge Wesley Crenshaw in Nashville would determine how much time he would serve. If he is eventually deported to Costa Rica, Abrego would be welcomed as a refugee and live as a free man, the Costa Rican government said in a letter one of Abrego's attorneys submitted to the court as part of the filing in the Tennessee case. In the filing, attorney Sean Hecker said the Justice Department, Homeland Security and ICE were using their collective powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or rendition to Uganda, where his safety and liberty would be under threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandoval-Moshenberg called the Costa Rica plea deal offer pretty reasonable Saturday, saying: Costa Rica makes sense. Its a Spanish-speaking country. Its proximate to the United States. His family can visit him there easily. Abrego's case has sparked heated debate and intense scrutiny over the Trump administration's immigration policies, including the race to deport people at times without due process aggressive ICE raids and sordid detainment facility conditions. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Hernandez Govan the man accused of facilitating a murder-for-hire plot that led to the fatal shooting of Memphis rap star Young Dolph has been acquitted of all charges. On Thursday (Aug. 21), following just three hours of deliberation, a jury found Govan not guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and attempted first-degree murder. The trial began Aug. 18 and focused heavily on whether Govan played a central role in the planning of Young Dolphs killing in November 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense attorneys, led by Manny Arora, strongly pushed back against the prosecutions narrative, criticizing what they called investigative gaps by the Memphis Police Department. A key element in Govans defense was the absence of questioning around individuals allegedly connected to the case, including Big Jook, whose name surfaced multiple times throughout the investigation. Arora also highlighted the states lack of direct proof against Govan and their failure to pursue key leads, particularly talk of Big Jook, brother to Young Dolphs rival, Yo Gotti, had put bounties on Dolph and several other Paper Route Empire artists. Meanwhile, Justin Johnson who prosecutors argued pulled the trigger was found guilty on all counts, including conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, first-degree murder, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge by Judge Jennifer Johnson Mitchell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Govan walks free, questions continue to swirl around the larger network of individuals allegedly tied to Dolphs killing. Cornelius Smith, who alleged that Govan was the link between himself and Johnson, still has not had a formal trial date or plea deal finalized after being charged with murder for participating in the fatal ambush alongside Johnson. Young Dolph, born Adolph Thornton Jr., was a beloved figure in Memphis and beyond, and his killing shocked the Hip-Hop world. Govans acquittal serves as the latest development in a case thats played out publicly and online. Watch Hernandez Govans first interview since being acquitted for the murder of Young Dolph below. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem has rejected growing pressure to disarm the group, warning that Lebanons sovereignty could only be achieved by ending Israeli aggression. Speaking on Monday from Beirut, Qassem said the Lebanese government must first ensure Israel complies with a November 2024 ceasefire agreement before talks on a national defence strategy can take place. The resistance will remain as a strong barrier preventing Israel from achieving its goals, and Israel will not be able to remain in Lebanon or achieve its expansionist project through Lebanon, the Hezbollah chief said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He dismissed Lebanese government and foreign proposals to integrate Hezbollahs arsenal into a national defence strategy, insisting that Israel must first withdraw from Lebanese territory, release prisoners, and halt attacks. If you truly want sovereignty, then stop the aggression. We will not abandon the weapons that honour us, nor the weapons that protect us from our enemy, Qassem said. If this government continues in its current form, it cannot be trusted to safeguard Lebanons sovereignty, he added. Last month, the Lebanese Council of Ministers approved a resolution tasking the army with formulating a plan to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decree was in accordance with a United States initiative that includes vague promises that Israel would end its occupation of parts of south Lebanon and daily attacks on the country if Hezbollahs weapons are removed. Hezbollah has said it will treat the decision as if it doesnt exist. Qassems comments came as Israel said it would consider scaling back its military presence in southern Lebanon if Beiruts armed forces moved to seize Hezbollahs weapons. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office announced Monday that Israel was ready to support Lebanons cabinet decision tasking the army with a disarmament plan by year-end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the Lebanese Armed Forces take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction by the Israeli military, the Israeli prime ministers office said. The Israeli announcement came a day after Netanyahu met with US envoy Tom Barrack, who has been heavily involved in a plan that would disarm Hezbollah and withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon. Step-by-step Barrack called on Israel to honour commitments under a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Theres always a step-by-step approach but I think the Lebanese government has done their part. Theyve taken the first step. Now what we need is Israel to comply, Barrack said during meetings with Lebanese officials in Beirut last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanons official National News Agency on Monday reported US deputy envoy Morgan Ortagus had arrived in Beirut before planned meetings with officials. Israel still occupies five positions in southern Lebanon, despite a US-brokered ceasefire last November. It was to withdraw its forces within two months, and Lebanons armed forces were to take control of the countrys south, territory that has long been a stronghold for Hezbollah. Israeli forces have continued to carry out air attacks across Lebanon in near-daily violations of the November truce, causing deaths and injuries among civilians, including Syrian refugees, and destruction of properties and infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the latest Israeli aggression, one person was killed in a drone attack in southern Lebanon. Lebanons Ministry of Public Health said the drone hit a pick-up truck on the Ain al-Mazrab-Tebnine road in the Bint Jbeil district. Later on Monday, the Israeli military claimed in a statement it had killed a Hezbollah member and would continue to operate to remove threats posed to the citizens of Israel. Hezbollah, the only faction that kept its weapons after Lebanons 1975-1990 civil war, emerged badly weakened from last years war with Israel, with the assassination of senior leaders, including former chief Hassan Nasrallah, thousands of its fighters and Lebanese civilians killed, and tens of thousands of the Shia and other communities displaced from their destroyed homes. The latest developments come as the United Nations Security Council prepares to vote Monday on extending the mandate of UNIFIL, the international peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, until August 2026. CLEVELAND (WJW) The National Weather Service has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for Lake Erie shorelines from Northeast Ohio to New York. In Ohio, the advisory covers Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, and Ashtabula Lakeshore counties. Baby found dead in Cleveland driveway According to NWS, strong wind and wave activity are creating hazardous currents along the lakeshore, particularly near structures such as piers and break walls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay out of the water, the Weather Service warned. Bodies found after Amish womans concerning statements: Sheriff In addition, a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday evening. FOX 8 Meteorologists warn Lake Erie will be rather choppy with waves 2 to 4 feet or higher. Plus, the weather conditions will be favorable for the development of waterspouts. Last week, multiple died in Lake Erie. The Ohio alerts remain in effect through Monday evening. Its not exactly great beach weather, which may help keep people out of the water. Click here for the latest from FOX 8 Weather. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. NEED TO KNOW Steffen Skjottelvik departed from Fort Severn in Ontario on July 25 and was scheduled to arrive in York Factory in Manitoba on Aug. 15, but he never made it Police told PEOPLE on Aug. 21 that Skjottelvik's backpack was found on the shore of the Hayes River On Aug. 24, authorities found and recovered his body The body of a Norwegian wilderness hiker who went missing in a remote part of Canada earlier this month has been recovered. Authorities and community rescuers were conducting a ground search on the west side of the Hayes River in Manitoba for Steffen Skjottelvik, 29, on Sunday, Aug. 24, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A helicopter pilot then told the search parties that he may have spotted the missing hikers body near the site where Skjottelviks jacket was found days earlier. Gillam RCMP and Parks Canada officers, along with the community searchers from Fort Severn, attended to the provided location on foot and confirmed that the body recovered on shore was that of the missing 29-year-old Norwegian hiker, the RCMPs statement read. An autopsy was scheduled for the morning of Monday, Aug. 25. A police spokesperson told the Canadian Broadcasting Company, that the area where he was hiking is so treacherous that "people have said there are only a few people that can do it on this planet." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fact that he made it that far is just a testament to his skills," added Sgt. Paul Manaigre. Skjottelvik departed Fort Severn in Ontario on July 25 on foot with his dogs and was scheduled to arrive in York Factory in Manitoba on Aug. 15. Contact was made with him on Aug 13 when he arrived at Nanuk camp where he stated he had lost one of his dogs along the journey, police said at the time. On Aug 14, he made contact with York Factory stating his expected time of arrival there would be on the 15th. He believed he was about 20 kms [kilometers] away from York Factory. After Skjottelvik, who was described by authorities as an experienced wilderness trekker, failed to show up at York Factory on Aug. 15, police were notified of his disappearance that evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a brief search, officials said that one of his dogs had been able to make it to York Factory, while the other dog was lost during the trek. Authorities said that Skjottelvik may have tried to cross the Hayes River as he neared York Factory." The river, which is nearly two kilometers wide, has "an extremely fast current," according to authorities, who said it "would not be possible" to cross the river "in its current conditions, due to heavy rain." The RCMP spokesperson told PEOPLE on Thursday afternoon that Skjottelviks backpack was found on the shore of the Hayes River, but there was no sign of him. 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. After Skjottelviks body was discovered, his family issued a statement, saying they were grieving, but also felt "a sense of relief that the search has now come to an end." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The process of bringing Steffen home to Holmsbu can now begin," they added, according to the CBC. "We wish to express our deepest gratitude to everyone both in Norway and in Canada for the love, support, and engagement shown throughout this difficult time." Christian Dyresen, a spokesperson for Skjottelviks family, also told the outlet that while the hiker was "living his dream" of exploring northern Manitobas uninhabited terrain, he also knew the dangers involved in such an undertaking. "He's been aware of the risks and family have been talking to him about risks," Dyresen said. "And they've also talked with Steffen about possible outcomes of this trip, bearing in mind all the significant risk that is in the area." A GoFundMe established to raise money for the search and rescue efforts has raised over $10,000 as of Monday, Aug. 25. Read the original article on People CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A hiker in Charles County was flown to the hospital after they fell 25 feet from a tree at a park over the weekend. It all happened on the evening of Aug. 23, when the Maryland State Police (MSP) Aviation Command was dispatched to a wooded, marshy area in Port Tobacco to rescue a park visitor. According to officials, the visitor had fallen 25 feet from a tree and landed in a steep embankment. American Airlines flight makes emergency landing at Dulles after passengers device catches fire: officials Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several first responders, including members of the Charles County Fire and Rescue, La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, and paramedics, had gone into the embankment and began helping the victim. MSPs aviation command maneuvered into position about 115 feet above the embankment and the patient. They then lowered a rescue device and a technician to the patient and pulled them up. The hiker was taken to a regional trauma center for further treatment. The rescue also highlights the capabilities of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Ten AW-139 helicopters based out of seven sections across the state provide medevac, search and rescue, aerial law enforcement, and homeland security services and are prepared to assist in even the most challenging missions, wrote MSP in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. BitMine Immersion Technologies has cemented its place as the worlds largest Ethereum corporate treasury after announcing another massive purchase of Ether. The Delaware-based firm disclosed late Sunday that its total crypto and cash holdings have swelled to $8.82 billion, following a $2.2 billion accumulation in just the past week. The milestone reflects the companys aggressive accumulation strategy launched in late June, which has rapidly transformed BitMine into a central player in the Ethereum ecosystem. BitMine Expands ETH Treasury, Ranks Second in Global Crypto Reserves According to the announcement, the company added more than 190,500 ETH in a single week, building on an already aggressive buying campaign launched in late June. As of August 24, BitMine holds 1,713,899 ETH valued at $4,808 each, alongside 192 Bitcoin and $562 million in unencumbered cash. The company now leads all corporate Ethereum treasuries by a wide margin and ranks second among global crypto treasuries overall, trailing only Michael Saylors Strategy Inc., which controls 629,376 BTC worth $71 billion. Chairman Thomas Tom Lee of Fundstrat said the pace of acquisitions reflects the companys ambition to secure roughly 5% of Ethereums total supply, around six million ETH, a goal that would require about $22 billion at current prices. In the past week alone, BitMine raised capital from institutional investors at unprecedented speed, Lee said. We remain convinced Ethereum represents one of the biggest macro trades of the next decade. As Wall Street and artificial intelligence move on-chain, Ethereum will be the foundation for transforming todays financial system. The companys rapid expansion has coincided with regulatory shifts that Lee likened to historic financial turning points. He cited the recently enacted GENIUS Act and the SECs Project Crypto initiative as catalysts comparable to the U.S. abandoning the gold standard in 1971, a moment that reshaped Wall Street for generations. BitMines aggressive Ethereum strategy has also made its stock one of the most actively traded names in the U.S. market. According to Fundstrat, BitMine shares averaged $2.8 billion in daily trading volume over the past week, placing it 20th among all U.S.-listed equities. That level of activity puts the company ahead of banking giant JPMorgan and cybersecurity heavyweight Palo Alto Networks, underscoring investor appetite for exposure to its Ethereum-heavy balance sheet. Fueling its ambitious strategy, BitMine has been rapidly expanding its equity offering program. On August 12, the company filed with the SEC to boost its at-the-market stock sale capacity to $24.5 billion, up from an initial $2 billion authorization in July. A person hiking on a remote trail was baffled when they found something they did not expect: a piece of paper compelling them to accept salvation through Jesus Christ. They posted a photo of the pamphlet on Reddit, writing, "What is this? I keep finding them along hiking trails in Australia." Photo Credit: Reddit One commenter joked, "It's trail toilet paper." Another said simply: "It's litter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellow commenters echoed the sentiment. One wrote, "Someone decided that proselytizing justified littering (it doesn't)." "That's evangelical Christian material from a North American organization," another clarified, referencing the Ohio mailing address, making it all the stranger they ended up strewn about Australian hiking trails. "Whether it's all right to leave pieces of paper on hiking trails is another question; where I live, cleaning it up would be considered more helpful." And while it's unclear whether or not the paper was purposefully left on the trail, the fact that the OP found several of them while hiking seemed to suggest that it may have been. Given that, many commenters wondered at the questionable approach. "People who like hiking trails are famous for their love of litter, after all, so I can see why someone would think this is an amazing way to gain converts," one person said sarcastically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proselytizers are not the only people who leave litter where it's least wanted. Hikers have documented instances of campsites strewn with trash, dog poop bags left on trails, beer cans clogging up waterways, and much more. Even in public parks, people have been witnessed leaving thousands of pieces of confetti after a baby shower or releasing birthday party balloons when the celebration is over. Not only does leaving behind garbage diminish the enjoyment of beautiful natural places, but it also damages the ecosystem, particularly when materials like plastic are left to disintegrate into the surrounding environment. As they break down, they release chemicals into the soil and water that can harm the animals that live there. Many animals are also drawn to the bright colors of garbage and end up accidentally ingesting it, which causes them to starve with stomachs stuffed full of plastic. And when it comes to faith, it's much easier to believe in the best of humanity when you see people choosing to keep areas clean not trashy. 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. Hillary Clinton lamented Monday that some of what she predicted for President Donald Trumps second term one year ago is already coming true. The former secretary of state and 2016 Democratic presidential nominee posted on X a side-by-side comparison of her prediction that Trump would militarize diverse cities in the name of law and order with screen-grabs of recent headlines from NBC News and The Washington Post about the president sending the national guard to Washington, D.C. and planning to do the same in Chicago. More from TheWrap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the left, my warning from September 2024 about what Trump 2.0 would look like. On the right, recent headlines, Clinton wrote. I wish Id been wrong. But because Trump is following a classic authoritarian playbook, its up to state and local governments to push back on this tyranny while its still possible. On the left, my warning from September 2024 about what Trump 2.0 would look like. On the right, recent headlines. I wish I'd been wrong. But because Trump is following a classic authoritarian playbook, its up to state and local governments to push back on this tyranny while pic.twitter.com/ZfW3M2demR Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 25, 2025 Welcome to Trumps America. If you live in a major city, the first thing youll probably notice are the soldiers patroling the streets outside your window, Clinton wrote in September last year. Are we at war? Have we been invaded by a foreign adversary? The answer is no. Heres what you missed while you were sleeping: On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trumps first day back in office, he ordered the U.S. military to enforce law and order in cities with large minority populations like Chicago, New York and D.C. that he called crime dens.' On the right of the X post, one NBC News headline from Monday morning read, National Guard troops in D.C. begin carrying firearms, and one from the Post on Sunday read, Pentagon plans military deployment in Chicago as Trump eyes crackdown. In the lead-up to Trumps second win for the White House last November, Clinton was not the only prominent politician sounding the alarm on his embrace of a classic authoritarian playbook. Vice President Kamala Harris, then the last-minute Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden dropped out in July, also feared the possibility of Trump sending the military after U.S. citizens in their own streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He considers any American who doesnt support him or bend to his will to be an enemy to our country, Harris said in an October campaign speech. And further, he says that as commander in chief, he would use our military to go after them. Honestly, let that sink in. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to Trumps threats to send the national guard into his city on Sunday. The governor, the Cook County board president and I are in complete alignment: Chicago is not calling for a military occupation of our city, Johnson said in a statement. We are currently evaluating all of our legal options to protect the people of Chicago from unconstitutional federal overreach No matter what happens, the City of Chicago will not waver. We are Chicago. We will not bend or cower, and we will never break. The post Hillary Clinton Laments I Wish Id Been Wrong About Trump as He Plans to Send Troops to Chicago appeared first on TheWrap. The recent death of former biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier during a mountaineering expedition has reignited debate over whether and under what conditions bodies can be recovered from remote, high-altitude mountains. Key factors are, of course, the weather and the accessibility of the accident site. While Mount Everest, with its life-threatening conditions, has become the final resting place for many climbers, bodies are generally recovered in the Alps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dahlmeier, an experienced mountaineer, was killed by falling rocks in late July during an expedition on the 6,096-metre Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range in Pakistan. Her management says that she had stipulated that in the event of such a death, her body should remain on the mountain if rescuers would be put in life-threatening danger during the recovery. Whether a later recovery will take place remains unclear. In the region around Laila Peak, at least two other climbers have died this year, according to a government spokesman. Mount Everest fatalities Every season, adventurers make their way towards the summit of Mount Everest, located on the Nepalese-Chinese border region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact number of people who have died attempting to conquer the world's highest mountain, standing at 8,849 metres, is uncertain. The organization Himalayan Database estimates around 340 deaths between 1921 and 2024. On the second-highest mountain, K2, which is 8,611 metres tall and located in the border region between Pakistan and China, there have been approximately 90 deaths since the 1930s, according to the local tourism authority. It is estimated that about half of the deceased on Everest remain on the mountain either because they have not been found or because their recovery is simply impossible. In recent years, melting ice and snow have made some bodies visible again, with some remaining for years or even decades, sometimes in plain sight along the routes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few have become landmarks and have been given names such as "Green Boots," for the body of an unidentified climber wearing neon green boots. According to reports, he and the remains of other victims have since been moved slightly off the climbing route. A risky undertaking - recoveries in the 'death zone' Recovering bodies from the highest altitudes, where the air becomes extremely thin the so-called "death zone" is risky for rescuers. Transporting bodies to lower regions is challenging, according to Sherpa sources. This is especially true for bodies that have been on the mountain for a long time, as they are frozen and therefore heavier. Four to five porters are needed to carry one body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2024, The Himalayan Times newspaper reported on a clean-up operation on several eight-thousander peaks in the Himalayas. During this operation, not only were 11 tons of rubbish brought down to the valley, but also five bodies. Such initiatives are also undertaken by authorities or individual climbers. High costs of body recovery Extreme conditions are not the only barrier to recovery - costs can be staggering. Transporting a body from Mount Everest can cost up to $100,000, says Mingma Sherpa, head of the expedition organizer Seven Summit Treks. If the deceased is near the summit, the cost is even higher. Conversely, costs are lower the further down the remains are located. In most cases, families bear the financial burden, according to mountain guide and travel organizer sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bodies are often left on the mountain due to high costs or because climbers have requested it. When a mountain guide dies, however, expedition companies or Sherpa teams often take the lead in organizing recovery efforts. Death in the Bavarian Alps The situation is different in the Bavarian Alps, where the highest mountain the Zugspitze is comparatively low at 2,962 metres. Here, every mountain fatality must be recovered, says a spokeswoman for the police headquarters of Upper Bavaria-South in Rosenheim. Burial laws and regulations provide the legal framework that police must enforce. Leaving deceased hikers or climbers on the mountain is not permitted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police did not have figures on fatalities in the Alps, but in principle, every mountaineer who dies in an accident in the Alps must be recovered immediately, a police spokeswoman explains. If recovery is not immediately possible - for example, due to the danger of falling rocks, unstable ice or avalanche risk - it is postponed until conditions improve, typically within the following days. Search for missing persons In cases of missing persons, searches continue until the person is found. Even under difficult conditions, all search options are exhausted. If the person is not found during this phase, searches are resumed at intervals. This process is no different from search procedures for people who are missing but not on a mountain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokeswoman says, "As long as there is a chance of finding the person alive, an intensive search is carried out with the mountain rescue service. Of course, the weather also plays a significant role." Nepalese Army peronnel bring four corpses off of Mt Everest, the world's tallest mountain, at 8,849 metres. Olympic and world biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier, who died in a climbing accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan at the end of July, did not want her body removed if the effort would endanger rescue workers. Skanda Gautam/ZUMA Wire/dpa NOANK, Conn. (WTNH) A Connecticut eatery has been awarded a $50,000 grant aiming to help preserve historic restaurants, according to a press release. West Hartford restaurant to close later this summer, will reopen under new ownership The award, which is given by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express, comes as part of their Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which gives $50,000 prizes to 50 eateries across the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harings Noank in Noank, Connecticut was on the list this year. The grants help restaurants upgrade and grow their businesses by making exterior public-facing improvements, like murals, awnings, lighting, signage upgrades and more, according to the press release. Up to $10,000 of the grant may also be used for unrestricted uses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A Reddit user made an alarming post in r/SeattleWA, sparking a critical conversation concerning environmental destruction and legal action. The poster told a story about how their cousin and a logging company trespassed on their 4.7-acre property and stole 1.5 acres of trees. Photo Credit: Reddit Photo Credit: Reddit "Any local tree or timber folks able to help put a number on damages for a demand & insurance letter?" the original poster asked, explaining that their disability also contributed to them being in "a really tight spot." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commenters were outraged on behalf of the OP, and many advised the poster to file a police report and consult with an attorney on the matter. "I am so sorry this happened to you," one person wrote. "Western red cedar?" another asked. "Worth a lot. Look how big the trunks were. You need professionals to come deal with this, figure out how old the trees were as well." If the trees were old-growth, as some people suggested, there may be a hefty fine for cutting them down, depending on the local laws. Unfortunately, this type of behavior is so common that there's a whole subreddit decided to r/treelaw, where people discuss legal matters related to trees but don't give official legal advice). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Idaho resident turned to that Reddit community for advice after bulldozers carelessly crossed their property lines and destroyed trees. In another tree-related subreddit, one user discussed how the illegal chopping of trees on their property caused mental distress. Trees are also critical for absorbing carbon dioxide and converting it to oxygen, and they support all sorts of wildlife and essential pollinators. In urban areas, they can help make things feel cooler by preventing a heat island effect. In short, their protection provides many benefits and helps keep our planet's ecosystem in balance. "How dare they," one Redditor said on the original post. "Follow up on this, do not let this happen. They took your forest to make money." "This is timber trespass, and WA has very strict laws about it. Hire a solid consulting arborist or consulting forester to assess and value the tree loss, hire an attorney and go after them. File a police report. Document everything," another added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trees are not cheap," a third affirmed. "Seriously, you should get an attorney." 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. Upset by what it sees as invasive development, a group of Cheshire residents is trying to scuttle plans for the town to sell 58 acres of undeveloped state-owned land to a company planning a massive cold storage warehouse. So many opponents crowded into town hall at a two-hour long public hearing earlier this month that the town council extended the session into September. The opposition is also waging an online petition campaign thats already brought 1,360 signatures. Cheshire is approaching a significant decision that will shape the future of our town. The municipality is currently considering the sale of publicly owned land to a private developer for a large-scale project directly adjacent to the Birch Drive neighborhood, the petition on change.org states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This proposed development is substantial, with plans that include industrial, residential, and transportation elements. If approved, it will bring major and lasting changes to an area currently characterized by its quiet, residential nature. Developer 3 Squared LLC is considering a 119,000-square-foot cold storage facility, several smaller light industrial buildings, a restaurant and apartments on about half of the property. The rest of the tract would remain undeveloped. The proposed deal is unusual because Cheshire doesnt own the woodlands property, but instead is essentially marketing it on behalf of the state. Connecticut several years ago authorized Cheshire to find a buyer for the land before mid-2027; the town would get future tax revenue, jobs or any other benefits from the development, but the state would receive all money from the sale itself. The land along I-691 is close to the Southington border, and some residents say its an important symbol of Chshires rural history. Advocates for the sale say the full project would bring in a steady stream of new tax revenue of roughly $1.2 million a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Town Planner Michael Glidden emphasized that even if the sale goes through, the local wetlands board and zoning commision would still be able to stop the development. This does not tie their hands. Their regulatory obligations are very specific, they can say no to this project, Glidden said. In addition, the state transportation department would review traffic projections before approving it, he said. Glidden said Cheshires long-term development plans going back as far as 1954 identified this tract along I-691 as suitable for industrial development. Meriden attorney Dennis Ceneviva, representing 3 Squared, said the council that the project design would provide tree buffers between the new buildings and residential neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cold storage center is located so as to be nestled away from the traveling viewshed along Route 10 and acre saway from the residential properties along the eastern side of the site, Ceneviva said. Isaak Schweky, a principal in 3 Squared, said the development would help employment. How do we bring jobs back to the state of Connecticut? Everybody wants tech, tech is gone unfortunately. Whats here is food manufacturing, food distributors, he said. Theres a very big demand for 1 million square feet of refrigerated warehouse in the Northeast. This is going to be a building that will be here to stay and continue generating tax revenues for Cheshire. But a series of residents spoke against the plan, each time drawing thunderous applause from the audience. Dave Wilkinson of Victoria Drive said he previously lived in a housing development built near a food distribution center in Wallingford. Despite a buffer of 2 acres of trees between the plant and nearby homes, residents were awakened every night by truck back-up beeps, compressor motors and refrigeration units. He warned the Cheshire plan would risk bringing air pollution from diesel truck engines, noise pollution and lower property values. The council will resume the hearing Sept. 9. DES MOINES, Iowa On this weeks episode of Homewi$e Amanda Krenz and mortgage expert Tyler Osby discuss how your income impacts home buying. How long you have had your job, what you can pay in monthly payments, and what happens if you lose that job are all considered factors for lenders. Past Episodes: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A man from Honeoye is facing drug and vehicle charges after hitting mailboxes in the Town of Lima. The Livingston County Sheriffs Office responded to Rochester Road on Saturday afternoon and found that several mailboxes in the area were damaged. Reports indicated the vehicle was driving south on Rochester Road. Deputies said they found the vehicle driven by 44-year-old Shannon Masterson, who allegedly gave a false identity. Furthermore, it was alleged that Masterson was trying to hide property inside the car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Masterson was taken into custody, deputies said they found he was in possession of cocaine and buprenorphine. They also said he was driving on a suspended license. Masterson has been charged with tampering with physical evidence, criminal impersonation (2nd), criminal possession of a controlled substance (7th), aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (3rd), and other traffic and vehicle violations. He was remanded to the custody of the Livingston County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. A House Committee has issued a subpoena seeking all entries from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins 2003 birthday book. The Trump administration unleashed a firestorm in early July when it effectively said the controversy surrounding the wealthy financier was settled, despite people on both sides of the political aisle feeling like their questions went unanswered. Amid the fierce backlash the administration was getting, including from President Donald Trumps own base, The Wall Street Journal released a report in mid-July, claiming Epsteins close associate Ghislaine Maxwell made the financier a leather-bound book for his 50th birthday, which included letters from dozens of his other associates, including Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WSJ called Trumps alleged letter bawdy with a drawing of a naked woman and the words, Happy Birthday and may every day be another wonderful secret. Trump, who socialized with Epstein decades ago, denied authoring any such letter, calling the WSJs reporting fake. He even went as far as to sue the publication for defamation. A House Committee has issued a subpoena seeking all entries from the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins 2003 birthday book (Getty Images) In the latest effort from lawmakers to gather information on Epstein and his associates, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform issued a subpoena to Epsteins estate for all entries contained within the reported leather-bound book, according to a new WSJ report. Congress members have also asked for other files the estate possesses, including Epsteins will and any potential client list. The Independent has reached out to a co-executor of Epsteins estate for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the memo that heated up the Epstein files drama last month, the Justice Department and FBI said there was never any suspected Epstein client list of powerful people who may have participated in his crimes. They also confirmed Epstein died by suicide after his 2019 death in a New York jail cell spurred conspiracies about the financier. The memo also stated no further disclosure [of information regarding Epstein] would be appropriate or warranted. Epsteins close associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, made him a leather-bound book for his 50th birthday, according to a report (AP) Last month, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell, and according to transcripts and audio recordings released last Friday, she said there was no client list. While Maxwell said she made a 50th birthday book for Epstein, she said she didnt remember who contributed to it. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, wrote in a letter to Epsteins estate lawyers, per the WSJ, It is our understanding that the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein is in custody and control of documents that may further the Committees investigation and legislative goals. Comers committee subpoenaed the Justice Department in early August for government records related to Epsteins investigation. The House Oversight Committee has deepened its probe into the federal governments investigation of the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, issuing a subpoena to his estate for an array of documents. The GOP-led committee issued the subpoena to Epsteins estate Monday, demanding a slew of documents that include the so-called birthday book a reported collection of letters gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday that included a note bearing President Donald Trumps name. Trump has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on it, for defamation. Recent reporting indicates the estate of Mr. Epstein has access to documents relevant to the Committees investigation, including the alleged birthday book prepared for Mr. Epstein by Ms. Maxwell, GOP Chairman James Comer wrote in a letter to Epsteins estate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The committee is also seeking Epsteins will, all non-disclosure agreements executed by him, his financial documents and any document or record that could be reasonably construed to be a potential list of clients involved in sex, sex acts, or sex trafficking facilitated by Epstein. In a statement, Comer signaled that people involved in Epsteins estate are willing to comply with the subpoena. He set a deadline of September 8 for the estate to hand over the documents. It is our understanding that the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein is in custody and control of documents that may further the Committees investigation and legislative goals. Further, it is our understanding the Estate is ready and willing to provide these documents to the Committee pursuant to a subpoena, Comer said. The Epstein Estate received a subpoena this afternoon from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; we are reviewing it. As the Co-Executors have always said, they will comply with all lawful process in this matter, and that includes the Committees subpoena, said Daniel Weiner of the law firm Hughes Hubbard and Reed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kentucky Republican also announced that the committee would sit down with Alexander Acosta, who served as secretary of the Department of Labor during Trumps first term, for a transcribed interview. During his time as US attorney in Florida, Acosta oversaw a 2008 plea deal with Epstein. Acosta, who served as the US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, will appear voluntarily for an interview on September 19, the committee said. Acosta had been widely criticized during Trumps first term for that plea agreement. In 2019, then-Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called for Acostas resignation after accusing him of having cut Epstein a sweetheart deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The escalation of the House committees Epstein investigation comes after the Department of Justice handed over thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents to the panel last Friday. But Democrats on that panel have said only about 3 percent have new information, including flight logs from the Customs and Border Protection agency on the location of Epsteins former plane. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, said in a statement, After weeks of pressure from Oversight Democrats, Chairman Comer has finally issued a subpoena for Jeffrey Epsteins infamous birthday book, which contains critical information about Epsteins social networkand has agreed to hear testimony from Alex Acosta. These are important steps forward to get long-overdue answers about sex trafficker Jeffrey Epsteins crimes. It doesnt matter who you are: If you were involved with Jeffrey Epstein and you hurt people, you need to be held accountable. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Borderlands is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of United States-Mexico cross-border trucking and trade. This week: Tariffs drive job losses at Mexicos border factories; Echo Global Logistics joins U.S. Customs trade security program; and Mexico sets record with $34B in foreign investment over two years. Tariffs drive job losses at Mexicos border factories Mexicos maquiladora industry is facing mounting pressure from U.S. tariffs, with factories shedding tens of thousands of jobs in June. The Manufacturing, Maquiladora, and Export Services Industry (IMMEX) program reported a 2.4% year-over-year decline in employment, with 76,800 jobs lost in June. Total employment across IMMEX factories dropped to 3.2 million workers. The manufacturing sector saw a 2.9% reduction in personnel, while subcontracted workers fell sharply down 22.7% compared to June 2024. The monthly statistics overview was produced by Mexicos National Institute of Statistics and Geography. For decades, maquiladorasfactories run by foreign companies in Mexico that primarily export goods back to their home countrieshave been a major driver of Mexicos industrial output and employment. About 6,530 maquiladoras, most concentrated along the U.S.-Mexico border, employ over 3 million people making products such as medical devices, consumer goods, electronics, aerospace parts and automotive components. Industry analysts say the latest downturn is linked to new U.S. trade measures, including tariffs imposed June 13 and a 25% tariff on automotive goods introduced earlier this year. Its a worrying situation because no improvements are seen in the short term, Marcelo Vazquez, state delegate for Chihuahua in the National Association of Importers and Exporters of the Mexican Republic, told El Diario. On the one hand, the tariff war continues and is affecting the maquiladoras. On the other hand, minimum wage increases are still being projected, and thats what has affected us here on the northern border. Despite the decline in employment, wages for IMMEX workers rose. The average monthly salary increased 5.1% year-over-year in June to $1,174.13. Echo Global Logistics joins U.S. Customs trade security program Echo Global Logistics Inc. has been certified as a partner in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) program, the company announced Wednesday. The voluntary program, administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, requires participants to implement security measures and ensure their business partners follow similar protocols. In exchange, certified companies receive benefits such as fewer cargo inspections, training opportunities and enhanced information sharing with federal officials. (The Center Square) In response to allegations that Washington, D.C.s Metropolitan Police Department manipulated its crime data, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is launching an investigation. Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., says the committee is launching the investigation following disturbing allegations after a whistleblower came forward suggesting leadership within MPD deliberately manipulated crime data. In a letter to MPD Chief of Police Pamela Smith, Comer noted that the department "recently entered into a settlement over allegations that senior officials falsified D.C. crime statistics to reported crime rates. In response, the committee requests documents and transcribed interviews with district commanders within the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating disturbing allegations that DC crime data is inaccurate and intentionally manipulated, potentially at the direction of Metropolitan Police Department leadership. MPD has a duty under federal and local law to accurately report crime to the public. However, in May, MPD placed Third District Commander Michael Pulliam on administrative leave following allegations that he altered crime reports, Comer wrote. The chairman claims that the whistleblower, who informed the committee, has direct knowledge of internal operations and crime data discussions within the department. According to the whistleblower, while MPD took action against a single District Commander, the issue potentially affects all seven patrol districts, as MPD leadership allegedly instructed Commanders to routinely downgrade charges to artificially lower District crime statistics, according to the committee. The whistleblower stated this manipulation is accomplished by supervisorswith only a cursory understanding of the facts and circumstances of the crimeignoring the judgement of patrol officers who actually interviewed witnesses and collected evidence by recommending reduced charges. President Donald Trump and his administration have received backlash from district leadership, Democrats, and the media for declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 11, resulting in the president deploying the National Guard and stepping up patrols by several federal law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics of the president standby the data in question that violent crime in the district has dropped 35% between 2023 and 2024, according to MPD, while reporting that property crimes were down 11% between 2023 and 2024. The same data showed a 15% reduction in crime between 2023 and 2024. During Trumps Liberation Day announcement, the president pointed to several examples of violence, including former Trump administration official Mike Gill, who was shot and killed in D.C. as part of a carjacking spree in 2024. In addition, the White House released a fact sheet showing the districts 2024 murder rate per 100,000 in comparison to other nations capitals. America led the pack, nearly double second-place Bogota, Columbia, followed by Mexico City, Mexico and Islamabad, Pakistan. Since Aug. 11, the D.C. Police Union has calculated major decreases in crimes since Liberation Day, including 83% drops in carjackings, 46% decreases in robberies, 22% drops in violent crime, 21% decreases in car theft, and 6% drops in property crime. The group adds that there has been an 8% reduction in crime overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the presidents Liberation Day announcement, Democratic D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser clapped back, reiterating MPDs crime data. She defended the district, saying she believes the presidents view of D.C. is shaped by his COVID-era experience during his first term. On Monday, prior to the president signing executive orders moving to end cashless bail in the district, he noted it had been 11 days without a homicide. Washington The Republican leader of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has issued a subpoena to the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein seeking documents and other material as part of its ongoing examination of the government's investigation into Epstein. The subpoena issued by Rep. James Comer of Kentucky demands the co-executors of Epstein's estate turn over to the House committee more than a dozen categories of documents and communications, including material from 1990 through August 2019 that references all presidents and vice presidents, videos taken from Epstein's properties and listings in his contact and address books. Lawmakers are also seeking entries contained within a leather-bound book put together by Epstein's longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, for his 50th birthday, the 2008 non-prosecution agreement reached with the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Southern District of Florida and Epstein's will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wall Street Journal reported last month that President Trump had allegedly signed a "bawdy" letter to Epstein in the early 2000s to mark his 50th birthday that said, in part, "may every day be another wonderful secret." The Journal reported that the leather-bound book was compiled by Maxwell and included submissions from dozens of associates, including billionaire Leslie Wexner attorney Alan Dershowitz and Mr. Trump. The president called the letter reported by the Journal "fake" and filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper, its parent company and media mogul Rupert Murdoch over the story, seeking at least $20 billion in damages. In a letter to the co-executors of Epstein's estate, Comer wrote that "it is our understanding that the estate is ready and willing to provide these documents to the Committee pursuant to a subpoena." He set a Sept. 8 deadline for the documents to be turned over to House investigators. "Recent reporting indicates the estate of Mr. Epstein has access to documents relevant to the Committee's investigation, including the alleged 'birthday book' prepared for Mr. Epstein by Ms. Maxwell," he wrote. "The attached subpoena is meant to bolster the amount of information available to the Committee so that it may conduct its work. It is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government's enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to issuing the subpoena, Comer announced that Alex Acosta, who was serving as the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Florida when Epstein was investigated, will voluntarily answer questions from the committee on Sept. 19. Acosta was the top federal prosecutor in South Florida when federal authorities investigated Epstein in the 2000s and entered into a non-prosecution agreement that allowed him to avoid federal prosecution and plead guilty to state prostitution charges. Acosta went on to serve as secretary of labor during Mr. Trump's first term, but resigned in 2019 amid questions about his handling of the Epstein case. As part of its investigation into the federal probe into Epstein, the House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for depositions earlier this month to former attorneys general and FBI directors across four presidential administrations, as well as to former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Comer said the committee would accept formal written declarations from three former attorneys general, Alberto Gonzales, Eric Holder and Jeff Sessions. Acosta was not among the officials from whom the Oversight Committee initially sought testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel also issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi for documents related to the Justice Department's investigation into Epstein and Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her role in helping him recruit, groom and abuse underage girls. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence, but has appealed her conviction to the Supreme Court. The Justice Department sent the first tranche of files related to Epstein to Congress last week, and the Oversight Committee plans to make the records public, though victims' identification and child sexual abuse material will be redacted, a spokesperson said. The renewed focus on Epstein's case and the government's handling of it was sparked by a Justice Department memo issued in July that said there was no "client list" or evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent figures. The Trump administration said it would not disclose any additional information about Epstein, which led to a backlash from some of the president's allies. In response, the Justice Department asked federal judges in New York to unseal grand jury transcripts from Epstein and Maxwell's cases. U.S. District Judge Richard Berman denied last week the request to make the material from Epstein's proceedings public, finding that the government is the "logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein File." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the administration released transcripts of Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's two-day interview with Maxwell that was conducted in Tallahassee last month. Epstein was indicted on federal sex trafficking charges in 2019 but died by suicide at a Manhattan correctional facility while awaiting trial. Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. The New World screwworm has for the first time in years infested a human in the U.S. and federal officials are working to prevent the parasitic creature from getting into the food supply. The U.S. battled an infestation of the screwworm decades ago and earlier this year closed the southern border to livestock imports over fear U.S. livestock could be infested, as Deseret News earlier reported. Under an emergency use authorization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing use of animal drugs to treat or prevent infestations, noting the authorization applies only to drugs for animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per the notice, Although eradicated from North America and Central America decades ago, NWS has progressed north since 2022 and is now approaching the U.S. border with Mexico. This parasite poses an emerging threat to livestock and food security, with potential impacts on both national security and animal health. Today we are taking decisive action to safeguard the nations food supply from this emerging threat, said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the press release from the FDA. This authorization equips FDA to act quickly, limit the spread of New World screwworm, and protect Americas livestock. What is New World screwworm? New World screwworms often called simply NWS are the larvae of the New World screwworm fly, which may deposit its eggs in the wound of a warm-blooded animal. The eggs hatch and the maggots use their sharp mouth hooks to twist their way deeper into the wound, enlarging it hence the name. They literally operate like a screw in wood as they eat their way into the flesh. The damage to the animal can be severe and even lethal. Untreated, the animal dies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has noted that they can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, birds (less common) and in rare cases, humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are endemic in South America and the Caribbean. The CDC notes that besides open wounds, the eggs may be deposited in body cavities with mucus membranes such as nasal passages. Theres no treatment aside from prevention and quick removal. Reuters reported that the person that was infested is the first case of someone from the U.S. being infested after travel and said the case is connected to an ongoing Central American outbreak. Theres some question as to whether the individual, who is a Maryland resident, had traveled to El Salvador or Guatemala, per the article. Battling parasitic flies U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently traveled to Texas to announce plans to spend up to $750 million to build a facility to produce sterile flies, which is a proven method to battle the parasitic fly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan signals increasing worries about the risk of screwworm, a parasitic fly that eats livestock and wildlife alive, to infest U.S. cattle after the pest moved north in Mexico toward the U.S. border, Reuters separately reported. It could truly crush the cattle industry, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said at the news conference with Rollins. Texas is the largest cattle-producing state and an outbreak could cost its economy as much as $1.8 billion should an infestation take hold. It would also likely raise the price of beef. The U.S. border with Mexico was closed to livestock imports in November. But officials admitted at the time that the screwworm could still cross the border through natural wildlife movement. As Deseret News reported, In February, the two countries agreed to a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol" to protect the trade and contain the fly larvae spread." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IFL Science reported that Moore Airbase in Texas will become a fly factory a facility that its claimed will produce up to 300 million sterile flies every week. Its set to work alongside similar facilities in Panama and Mexico, with the latter receiving $21 million in funding from the USDA for renovations that will see it produce an extra 60 to 100 million sterile flies. Sterile flies were used in the 1960s during a previous infestation. The sterile flies mate with wild female flies, which dont produce offspring. Over time, the New World screwworm fly population was eliminated. Health effects of screwworm infestation Screwworm flies look like common houseflies, but have orange eyes and metallic green or blue bodies and three dark stripes on their back. Animals that have been infested may become irritable, smell like decaying flesh, have head shaking and have visible maggots in wounds. According to Reuters in April, the first human case of screwworm in Mexico was successfully treated with antibiotics after the larvae were removed. SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities have identified the human remains discovered in a Springfield creek in early July. On July 4, a decomposed human leg was found in Sulphur Fork Creek near North Main Street. The remains were handed over to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for further DNA analysis. PREVIOUS: Human leg found in Springfield creek On Aug. 13, a preliminary forensic DNA examination by the TBI identified the remains as 68-year-old Joseph Frank Benton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benton was the father of a man believed to have been dating Jennifer Wix, who disappeared along with her 2-year-old daughter Adrianna on March 25, 2004. Jennifers boyfriend at the time, Joey Benton, allegedly told police that he dropped them off at a gas station in Cross Plains and watched them leave in a white car. Investigators have called Benton a person of interest. Search continues for missing mother and daughter 21 years since disappearance The Wix family released a statement on Bentons death, which reads: Our family is aware that the human leg found in Springfield in July has been identified as Joseph Frank Benton, one of the three people to last see Jennifer and Adrianna alive in March of 2004. We offer our prayers to the investigators as they find out the cause and who is responsible for his death. We pray that this may lead them closer to solving the murder of Jennifer and Adrianna. Springfield officials said the investigation is now being led by the Robertson County Sheriffs Office and the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office. The District Attorneys Office said the circumstances of Bentons death remain under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Mashaal praised the "resistance" of youth on university campuses, and rejected Hamas disarmament as tantamount to "taking away our souls," in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday. A slight majority, 51%, of Americans between the ages of 18-21 are not only involved in the Palestinian cause, but are active in Hamas "resistance," leader of the terror group Khaled Mashaal said in an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday. CAIRO (AP) Libyas coast guard fired upon a vessel belonging to a humanitarian group as it searched for a migrant boat in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, the nonprofit said on Monday. The attack, which took place the day before, appeared to be one of the most violent involving a European rescue ship and the Libyan coast guard, which receives training, equipment and funding from the European Union. SOS Mediterranee said the confrontation took place about 40 nautical miles north of the Libyan coast, and released details and images of the incident. No casualties were reported, although the group said the vessel sustained significant damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nonprofit charters the Norwegian-flagged Ocean Viking in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. A spokesperson for the Libyan coast guard didnt respond to a request for comment. The patrol boat used by the Libyan coast guard was a 2023 gift from Italy to Libya as part of the European Unions support for border management program, SOS Mediterranee said. Before it was attacked, the Ocean Viking had rescued 87 people from two migrant boats, including many from war-torn Sudan. While searching for a third migrant boat in distress, the Ocean Viking was approached by a Libyan patrol vessel in international waters, Angelo Selim, the search and rescue coordinator on board told The Associated Press. When they were very close, he said, they started shooting for 15 to 20 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the beginning, I didnt understand the noise of the shots but when the first windows exploded on my head, we all got on the floor, Selim recalled. He added that some of the shots appeared to come from automatic weapons. Selim said he instructed the migrants and non-essential crew members to lock themselves inside the safety room while he and the captain remained on the bridge. Eventually, he said, the shooting stopped but the threats continued. Selim recalled the Libyan coast guard warning the Ocean Viking in Arabic over the radio: If you dont leave the area we will come and kill you all. In video and photos of the incident released by SOS Mediterranee, two men can be seen pointing weapons at the boat and several rounds of gunshots are heard. Broken windows and damaged equipment are also seen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident was not only an outrageous and unacceptable act, SOS Mediterranee said in a statement. This is far from isolated: the Libyan Coast Guard has a long history of reckless behavior that endangers people at sea, flagrantly violates human rights and shows total disregard for international maritime law." SOS Mediterranee said it issued a mayday after it was fired upon and sought protection from an Italian navy ship nearby, but didnt receive any answer. Frontex, the European Unions border protection agency that often spots boats in distress and shares coordinates with the competent maritime authorities, called the incident deeply concerning and urged the proper authorities to investigate the events swiftly and thoroughly. Frontex remains fully committed to saving lives at sea and acts in line with international maritime law at all times. No rescuer should ever be put in danger while carrying out life-saving work, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ocean Viking was on its way to Italy on Monday with 87 migrants it had rescued before the attack. The group had no news of the migrants at sea they were searching for when they came under fire. A spokesperson for the Italian ministry of interior declined to comment on the incident while the Italian coast guard did not respond to a request for comment. We demand a full investigation into the events of yesterday afternoon and that those responsible for these lifethreatening attacks be brought to justice," said Soazic Dupuy, director of operations at SOS Mediterranee. ___ Brito reported from Barcelona, Spain. Associated Press journalist Paolo Santalucia in Rome contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration The 82nd Venice Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday and both Italian and international filmmakers have called on the festival to condemn what they describe in an open letter as genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. The appeal, under the banner of Venice4Palestine, was sent to the Venice Film Festival's umbrella organisation the Biennale di Venezia, as well as the festival's Venice Days and International Critics Week sections. The group urges the festival to avoid becoming a sad and empty showcase. To be better, the group asks the festival to take a clear and unambiguous stand, to provide a place of dialogue, active participation, and resistance, as it has been in the past and highlight Palestinian narratives to better address ethnic cleansing, apartheid, illegal occupation of Palestinian territories, colonialism and all the other crimes against humanity committed by Israel for decades, not just since October 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signatories include Italian actor Toni Servillo, Italian actress and director siblings Alba and Alice Rohrwacher, French directors Celine Sciamma and Audrey Diwan (who won the Golden Lion for Happening in 2021), British filmmaker Ken Loach (who won the Honorary Golden Lion in 1994) and British actor Charles Dance, as well as Palestinian directorial duo Arab Nasser and Tarzan Nasser - who won best director in Cannes Un Certain Regard this year for their film Once Upon A Time In Gaza. Audrey Diwan with the Golden Lion in 2021 - AP Photo In the letter, they write: As the spotlight turns on the Venice Film Festival, were in danger of going through yet another major event that remains indifferent to this human, civil, and political tragedy. The show must go on, we are told, as were urged to look away - as if the film world had nothing to do with the real world.' We must interrupt the flow of indifference and open a path to awareness, they add, stating that there is no cinema without humanity. The letter concludes: Let us ensure that this Mostra has meaningful values and does not turn into a sad and shallow vanity fair once more. Lets do it all together with courage, with integrity. Free Palestine! Ken Loach - AP Photo The Biennale was quick with their response, saying they and the Venice Film Festival have always been, throughout their history, places of open discussion and sensitivity to all the most pressing issues facing society and the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They cite as evidence the works that are being presented, citing the case of the film The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, which is in competition this year and centres on the killing of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl in a car that had been attacked by Israeli forces in Gaza in 2024. In its statement, the Biennale further noted that last years Venice line-up featured Israeli director Dani Rosenbergs film Of Dogs and Men shot in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack. The Biennale is, as always, open to dialogue, the statement concluded. Both statements from Venice4Palestine and the Biennale come as the global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, announced last week that people in the Gaza Strip are officially facing a man-made famine in the territory despite what the Israeli government has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statements also come prior to the upcoming United Nations meeting in September, with many nations including Britain, France and Canada saying that they are preparing to officially recognize a state of Palestine. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival runs from 27 August to 6 September. Hundreds of firefighters responded to a major blaze in the Port of Hamburg on Monday, with three people reported injured as emergency services warned that the extent of the damage was still largely unclear. The fire in the Veddel neighbourhood in the northern German city originated from a vehicle that was parked in a warehouse, a spokesman for the fire brigade said. A black cloud rose into the skies above Hamburg and the sounds of small explosions reverberated as police deployed water cannon to battle the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several pressurized gas containers believed to have have contained nitrous oxide are assumed to have exploded during the fire, causing debris to fly out of the building. Around 25 people were evacuated from the area along with the three injured people, spokesman Lorenz Hartmann said. "We were able to lead dozens of people out of the areas and rescue them," he added. It was unclear late into the evening how long the emergency operation would last. According to the police, the nearby A1 motorway between Norderelbe and Moorfleet was completely closed due to debris, with tailbacks of up to 12 kilometres reported. The Port of Hamburg is the leading foreign trade hub of Germany, according to its website. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to "stop making threats against Hungary" after Zelenskyy alluded to the fact that strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia are directly linked to Hungarys stance on Ukraines EU accession. Source: Szijjarto on Facebook Details: Szijjarto claimed that Zelenskyy had used Ukraine's Independence Day "to make blatant threats against Hungary". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He accused Ukraine of "serious attacks" on Hungary's energy security and said that "attacks on energy security should be interpreted as attacks on sovereignty". Quote: "A war in which we have no involvement is not a legitimate explanation for violating our sovereignty. We call on Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop his threats against Hungary and to stop jeopardising our energy security." Previously: On 24 August, Zelenskyy alluded to the fact that strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia are directly linked to Hungarys stance on Ukraines EU accession. "We have always supported friendship between Ukraine and Hungary. And now the existence of Druzhba [which means 'friendship' in Ukrainian ed.] depends on Hungarys position," he said. Background: On 21 August, Zelenskyy said he had asked US President Donald Trump to try to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban not to block Ukraines path to EU membership. On 22 August, Hungary was notified that the Druzhba pipeline on the Russia-Belarus border had "come under attack for the third time in a short period". Orban decided to write a letter to Trump in connection with Ukraine's attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline, and Trump apparently replied that he was angry about this. Separately, the Hungarian and Slovak foreign ministers complained to the European Commission about the strikes. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (NewsNation) After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, many trapped residents sought shelter in the Superdome, home of the NFLs Saints. But conditions quickly deteriorated, and some residents would die inside the stadium. See On Air Live: The Hurricane Katrina Tapes, NewsNations special report on the natural disaster that happened 20 years ago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three days after Kilmar Abrego Garcia was freed from pre-trial detention, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained him once again at a Monday immigration check-in. Shortly after his detention on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced on X that the Salvadoran immigrant will be processed for removal to Uganda, and repeated disputed, still-unproven accusations of ties to MS-13. Abrego Garcias lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said that the Maryland resident had been told to report to an ICE office on Monday for a routine check-in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he was leaving the jail in Tennessee on Friday, he was given a notice requiring him to check in at 8 a.m. this morning. The notice stated the reason was interview. Clearly that was false, Sandoval-Mosheberg said. There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the U.S. Marshall Service and basically on house arrest. The only reason that theyve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. To punish him for exercising his constitutional rights. Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March, as the Trump administration scrambled to push allegations of MS-13 membership. After enduring harrowing conditions in a notorious prison, he was returned to the U.S. where he has been slapped with human smuggling charges and detained, with the Trump administration vowing that hell never go free. But after a judge ordered Abrego Garcias release on bond, this weekend he experienced freedom and was reunited with his family in Maryland for the first time in more than 160 days. His release Friday came with bad news, however: Immigration officials informed his lawyers that, after Abrego Garcia had rejected a deal to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea and jail time, they now plan to deport him to Uganda. (Deportation to faraway and unfamiliar countries has become a grotesque hallmark of Trumps deportation regime.) Mondays news indicates that the administration is following through on this threat. This story has been updated. A 2021 report from NPR and the Marshall Project found that at least 49 states and Washington, D.C., had been collecting Social Security benefit money intended for foster youth and using it for their care. Under federal law, those Social Security benefits are considered the childrens property, but it is legal for states to be a financial representative for children. (Getty Images) Many foster children across the U.S. with a disability or whose parents died should have been entitled to Social Security benefits, but they never saw those funds Idaho was no different, until recently. Between July 2021, and May 2025, there were 326 foster children in Idaho who would have received federal Social Security payments either because of a death of a parent or disability, but the state used nearly $2.3 million of those benefits to offset the cost of their care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That may begin to change for those with survivors benefits starting next year after a recent directive issued by Idaho Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams. Children in foster care deserve the ability to have the same opportunities and privileges afforded to every other child in our state, including receiving funds that they are federally entitled to for their own benefit, not the states, Adams wrote in a May 21 directors bulletin. National foster care advocate noticed Idaho policy amid HHS nomination Adams recently caught the attention of one national foster youth advocate amid his nomination hearing for a federal post at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and by association, this new policy that he quietly enacted. Amy Harfeld is the national policy director at the Childrens Advocacy Institute. (Courtesy of Amy Harfeld) Amy Harfeld, national policy director at the Childrens Advocacy Institute, has been campaigning for years in states across the nation to change what had been a widespread practice of the state accepting Social Security survivors and disability benefits on behalf of the child to use for their care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harfeld, an attorney, has engaged in multiple lawsuits and testified in around 25 states to try and get this policy changed. Most states have not done this by themselves, she said, and so that really does distinguish (Adams) here, and its exciting that it distinguishes the state at this moment where he is going to have such a big stage and authority and capacity to make changes like this. Adams nomination by President Donald Trump narrowly advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee July 31, and if nominated, he will oversee the nations Administration for Children and Families. A 2021 report from NPR and the Marshall Project found that at least 49 states and Washington, D.C., had been collecting this money intended for foster youth and using it for their care. Under federal law, those Social Security benefits are considered the childrens property, but it is legal for states to be a financial representative for children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harfeld said that over the past four years, 32 states have taken action to change this policy. Its just a colossal failure of accountability and transparency within both agencies and and also between federal and state agencies. Harfeld said. Were just really grateful that this has been exposed now. Harfeld said that the language in federal regulations and guidelines regarding survivors benefits for foster youth leaves just enough gray area that states can collect the benefits without outright violating any laws. She said the Administration for Children and Families which Adams would oversee if his nomination is confirmed could mitigate this by updating its guidance language that clearly states how the money should not be used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Idaho Health and Welfare will conserve funds for youth transitioning out of foster care Adams directed the agency to change this practice for youth with survivors benefits by July 1, 2026. The new policy will be to only use the funds for unmet needs, and to conserve the remaining benefits for the childs future needs. Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams joins state officials and business leaders to announce the Idaho State Park Foster Family Passport at Lucky Peak State Park, as foster parents and families stand behind him. (Kyle Pfannenstiel/Idaho Capital Sun) The new policy only addresses survivors benefits and not disability benefits. Health and Welfare spokesperson AJ McWhorter said in an email to the Idaho Capital Sun the agency is taking a phased approach to this issue. If the child is over the age of 12, using the money to meet their needs must be done in consultation with that child. When serving as a foster childs financial representative, agency staff would be directed to explore opportunities to deposit their money in a special needs trust, a fund for those with disabilities, or other types of trusts or savings accounts that would not limit the childs access to public benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department shall not use the childs funds to offset state funds by simply covering items that are otherwise covered for other children in foster care who do not have Social Security Survivors benefits, the bulletin said. The money would be released to the Social Security Administration to return to the child once they left custody. McWhorter said the agency opted to change the policy because, IDHW recognizes the importance of empowering foster youth to succeed. We always look for ways to strengthen youth and support independence for youth exiting the foster care system. Safeguarding these funds increases their financial stability for when they exit foster care, McWhorter said, which is essential to addressing basic needs. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Raccoon River from the Bill Riley Trail in Des Moines on Dec. 28, 2024. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Monday the state agriculture department has initiated a pilot project that will pay farmers to implement buffer strips along streams that feed the municipal water supplies of Des Moines and Cedar Rapids. The buffer strips must be between 30 to 100 feet wide and on land that is currently in row-crop production. According to a press release on the announcement, the buffer strips are intended to prevent nutrients from entering the waterways upstream of the cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said it has initially allocated $3 million from the Iowa Water Quality Initiative for the pilot. Farmers, depending on the type of buffer strip, can garner up to $3,500 per acre enrolled. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX If every participant elected for streamside buffers that would not be harvested for forage, the initial allocation for the pilot could fund projects on 850 acres. Naig said the project will help to accelerate the adoption of streamside buffers in fields and watersheds that will benefit downstream water users. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These buffers, sometimes referred to as riparian buffers, are long strips of land that are planted with vegetation or trees along a waterway. The natural vegetation helps to absorb soil and nutrients that could otherwise run off of a field and into a waterway. Naig said IDALS has invested more than $65.8 million in the Cedar Rapids and Des Moines watersheds since 2003. We recognize theres still a tremendous amount of work to do, especially in these watersheds because they provide source water for the states largest metropolitan areas, Naig said in the release. The Streamside Buffer Initiative is yet another example of my commitment to empowering farmers and landowners to adopt the conservation practices that are right for their fields in a way that has meaningful impact on soil health and water quality. The new program comes shortly after Polk County released a study on its source waters, the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers, that pointed to agriculture as the primary polluter. Linn County officials have announced plans for a similar water quality study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency revoked a previous decision that labeled sections of the Des Moines, Raccoon and Cedar rivers, among several other rivers, as impaired waters due to high concentrations of nitrates. Des Moines Water Works publicly opposed this decision, saying it did not align with the operational and financial challenges the utility has encountered in providing safe drinking water to the metro area. While similar federal programs exist, the press release from IDALS said the Streamside Buffer Initiative is designed to be more flexible to encourage even more farmers and landowners to participate. Farmers, and landowners, with row crops on at least one side of a stream in Dubuque County, or the North Raccoon, Boone, Middle Cedar and Turkey watersheds are eligible for the program. All buffers must be maintained for at least 10 years. A map showing the watershed areas eligible for the Streamside Buffer Initiative from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. (Map courtesy of IDALS) Producers who harvest their buffers for hay or forage, will receive one-time payments of $250 per acre to establish the buffer and $1,500 per acre for foregone income. Farmers who do not harvest their buffers can receive a one-time establishment payment of $500 per acre and $3,000 per acre for foregone income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participating landowners are also encouraged to implement complimentary conservation practices like bioreactors and saturated buffers, which also help to keep nutrients out of waterways. Landowners interested in the Streamside Buffer Initiative can reach out to their local U.S. Department of Agriculture service center for enrollment information. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Over the years, Hezbollah had "placed a significant number of Shi'ite officers" into prominent leadership positions, effectively taking over control of Lebanon's military intelligence. The Iran-backed Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah has infiltrated the Lebanese Armys Intelligence Directorate, according to Tal Beeri, head of research at the Alma Center for the Study of Security Challenges in the North. The IDF cannot treat the Lebanese Army as an independent entity, he said in an analysis published Sunday. Over the years, Hezbollah had placed a significant number of Shiite officers into prominent leadership positions, effectively taking over control of Lebanons military intelligence, Beeri said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For years, Hezbollah has operated numerous Shiite officers within it for its own benefit and has concentrated efforts to consolidate its influence because of the Intelligence Directorates central role in the Lebanese Army and its significant impact on the armys operational activity, he said. Continued cooperation with Hezbollah from within the army compels Israel to take defensive measures. The army commander, with the backing of the president and the Lebanese government, must immediately dismiss and discharge any officer or soldier, in any unit of the Lebanese Army, who is connected to and cooperates with Hezbollah, Beeri said. Reassignment to another position is not sufficient. Suheil Gharb, the Lebanese Armys head of Military Intelligence in southern Lebanon, had been involved in obstructing the investigation into the death of an Irish UNIFIL officer, the IDF reported last Friday. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam attend a cabinet meeting to discuss efforts to bring all weapons in the country under the control of the state, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon August 5, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/EMILIE MADI) Gharb assisted Hezbollah in concealing details of the incident and in tampering with evidence, it said. In addition, Gharb helped in attempts to prevent the prosecution of the operatives. Gharb, a Shiite, is well known as a collaborator with Hezbollah and maintains close contact with Wafiq Safa, head of coordination and liaison in Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On January 27, Gharb reportedly had transferred information from the joint operations room of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee to Hezbollah. Among other things, he passed on prior information about the intentions of the Lebanese Army to conduct raids and patrols that could harm Hezbollahs activities and assets, Beeri said. Gharb was appointed by President Joseph Aoun [while serving as army commander] as the armys representative on the monitoring committee. Due to Hezbollahs significant influence within the Lebanese Army, most of the current, ongoing disarmament activity taking place south of the Litani River is happening in coordination with the terrorist group, he said. This coordination is reflected in the providing of prior information, coordinating arrival to certain areas, and with high probability even returning confiscated weapons to Hezbollah [the revolving door method]. Other figures connected to Hezbollah It was also recently revealed that Brig.-Gen. Maher Raad, head of the Military Intelligence office in Shiyyah who was later transferred to another position within the intelligence directorate had overseen smuggling operations in the country alongside senior Hezbollah figures, notably Safa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, another Shiite officer from the Intelligence Directorate, Yahya Husseini, who served in southern Lebanon and worked for Hezbollah, was exposed. Husseini was a lieutenant-colonel and served as an intelligence officer in the Hasbaya sector in southern Lebanon, Beeri said. Husseini, who was promoted in 2017, was linked to the August 2010 Lebanese Army shooting incident against the IDF in the Adisa area, during which IDF soldiers were killed and wounded. According to various reports, Husseini under the guidance of Hezbollah persuaded Lebanese soldiers to open fire. At the end of 2017, Lebanese Ambassador to the UN Nawaf Salam, who is now Lebanons prime minister, denied that Husseini had cooperated with Hezbollah. IDF public defender remains steadfast in assertion that State Comptroller's Office should stay within its jurisdiction and not be allowed to carry out investigation. The IDF Public Defender issued an urgent update to the High Court of Justice on Monday, warning that State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman is advancing his officers probes into the failures surrounding the October 7 massacre attack into areas that are out of his jurisdiction and must remain reserved for a State Commission of Inquiry. The update comes on the heels of a petition that was filed in June by the public defender against the State Comptrollers Office, along with a request for an interim order, which asks the court to preserve the status quo or regulate the conduct of one of the parties until the case can be decided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the office announced that it reached out to secure meetings with the most senior figures in the state, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, former IDF chiefs of staff Herzi Halevi and Aviv Kohavi, and other military officials from the rank of brigadier-general and above. All this, to secure a better grasp on the extent and breadth of the failures on the state and governance level pertaining to October 7. Some of the specific aspects Englman seeks answers to are the security outlook that created the opportunity for the attack to even take place, the protection of the Gaza border, and the state of the treatment of Palestinian prisoners since October 7, among over 35 other topics. Burned out vehicles on Kibbutz Nahal Oz in the aftermath of Hamas's October 7 massacre; illustrative. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) These topics are all at the heart of the petition filed by the IDF public defender, which it claimed are sensitive topics that can only be probed by a State COI. If these testimonies are gathered by Englman, the consistency and reliability of the testimonies gathered by a State COI would be at risk. The public defender also views the comptrollers moves as a breach of the rights of military servants and a threat to the integrity of any future COI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Comptrollers Office decried the urgency of the update, as it said these claims have been made before and have one goal in mind: To obstruct the methods of criticism and investigation regarding October 7. It also sharply criticized what it accused the public defender of as an attack against a fixed guard of the democratic rule of law. The Office added that Englman set his sights on the goal of properly investigating the failures that led to the massacre from day one and is manifesting that goal now. It noted what it has said before, that when a State COI is ordered, the office will work with it to delineate coverage differences. Earlier this month, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara put her weight behind a State COI as the most appropriate and sound legal framework through which to probe October 7. She said that it should be done sooner rather than later, as the more time passes, the harder it will become to put out a report that is thorough, detailed, and as accurate as it could be. In less than two months from now, it will have been two years since the massacre attack All of this comes in the continued absence and lack of regulation for a State COI, which many bereaved families and those victimized on October 7, coalesced under the October Council, called on the government to establish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A State COI is a public committee established by the Knesset, usually through its Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee, after it has already garnered broad support from the government. Its chief purpose is to restore public faith in leadership. The High Court president makes the appointments and is considered the highest authority on issues demanding such a probe; once the government establishes the committee, it cannot have any further involvement with it so as to guarantee its independence and integrity. The other route to opening a State COI is through the direction of the state comptroller, who can order it opened by the Knesset State Control Committee. This method has been used less; since the law permitting the creation of a State COI was passed in 1968, the government has initiated 16, while four came from the state comptroller. The commission, once formed, would call witnesses to testify and would have the authority to summon any information that may aid in the investigation, even if it is classified. State COI findings carry heavy political weight Once a State COI publicizes its findings, the government must discuss its suggestions in a thorough manner, though it is not obligated to adhere to them. And, despite the built-in tension of having an external group of people probe the government, no government yet has ignored its suggestions, even if they were not all adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government has said that the time is not yet ripe to conduct a full investigation and also that it would want to secure the full trust of the public in the type of commission. This conflict chiefly surrounds Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and a widespread distrust of him by certain factions of the population. In this vacuum, which has spread to the entire judiciary and is at the heart of the legislative push for judicial reforms, Englman has quietly investigated issues relating to the massacre and the states handling of affairs, including interviewing military officers. The October Council said the state comptrollers probes undercut what a State COI is supposed to do and will prevent anyone from reaching the truth about what happened It will allow the government to escape unscathed, a government that refuses to answer for its failures. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on Sunday condemned President Trumps reported plans to deploy troops in Chicago, saying theres no justification for the move in Democratic cities. President Trumps illegal attempt to militarize Chicago will do nothing but spark chaos and create spectacle, Krishnamoorthi said in a statement Sunday. There is no emergency in Illinois that warrants federalizing our National Guard or deploying active-duty troops into our communitiesjust as there was no justification in Washington or Los Angeles, the Illinois Democrat continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2,200 National Guard troops have deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of the joint task force that has taken over policing in the nations capital. Trump similarly deployed National Guard members to Los Angeles last month amid a surge in demonstrations against Trumps immigration enforcement efforts. Trump said Friday that Chicago would likely be the next target of his efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness and illegal immigration. I think Chicago will be next, Trump told reporters at the White House. And then well help with New York. The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon for weeks has been planning a military deployment to Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The planning could involve several options, the Post reported, including sending a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September to patrol the citys streets. Donald Trumps flagrant abuses of power must end, Krishnamoorthi said. Our brave servicemen and women are not pawns in his political games. Krishnamoorthi said he introduced legislation to block any president from deploying the military into states without a governor first requesting the intervention. If the president is serious about making Chicago safer, were ready to work with his Administrationbut not on half-baked stunts that trample the Constitution and spread chaos. I stand with Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson in rejecting this reckless overreach and defending the rule of law, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) said he was talking to Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and other local officials about preparing for any potential unconstitutional military deployments to Chicago. The Governor, the Cook County Board President, and I are in complete alignment: Chicago is not calling for a military occupation of our city, Johnson said in a statement. We are currently evaluating all of our legal options to protect the people of Chicago from unconstitutional federal overreach. No matter what happens, the City of Chicago will not waver. We are Chicago. We will not bend or cower, and we will never break, he added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (The Center Square) Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed new laws expanding abortion access on public college campuses while vowing to make Illinois a safe haven for out-of-state women seeking to terminate a pregnancy. House Bill 3709 requires campus pharmacies to offer contraception and abortion pills, while House Bill 3637 strengthens Illinois shield law protecting providers from out-of-state prosecution. Pritzker compared the fight over abortion rights to the film, The Avengers: End Game. At the end of that movie, all the women of the Avengers come together for the final battle. Thats how I feel about the women here today, and the women in the General Assembly, who have led this fight, said Pritzker. Our job right now is to protect Illinois and its residents from the onslaught coming from Washington and neighboring states, and to provide a safe haven for women across the country seeking to have their rights protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One notable aspect of the event was the emphasis on student activists and their role in shaping the legislation. University of Illinois student Emma Darbro described how HB 3709 began. We wrote student policy as students and for students, so to be able to contribute to the passage of state laws, our last act of love for our peers, has really been so rewarding, Darbro said, adding it all started as a referendum written on a college apartment floor by two girls with a Google Doc and a dream. HB 3709 sponsor, state Sen. Celina Villanueva, D-Chicago, is a U. of I. alumna. She said she saw the legislation as part of a continuing tradition of campus activism. It was here on the quad that I developed my voice and learned what it means to be not just an activist, but an organizer, said Villanueva. If I knew then what I know now about where my path would lead, I wouldnt have believed it. But Im glad to see Im still hanging with my friends, working on causes we truly believe in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Reagan Deering, R-Decatur, criticized the legislation for promoting abortion rather than supporting services for women during and after pregnancy. These bills work to promote and celebrate abortion rather than work to build up the services and support to help empower women through their pregnancy and even postpartum, said Deering. The Democrats need to worry less about Trump-proofing and more about serving those we were elected to represent. HB 3637 is designed to protect Illinois abortion providers from potential prosecution in other states where abortion is restricted or banned. State Sen. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, was one of the bills sponsors. Illinois will remain a beacon of hope for individuals across the Midwest, where they can access reproductive health, their privacy is protected, and our providers are supported instead of being criminalized, Villa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deering called the two abortion-related bills reckless and said it reflects the priorities of Illinois Democrats. They dont care about the lives of mothers, they just care about pushing their radical policies, said Deering. Im personally concerned that Illinois is disregarding FDA guidance on prescription drugs, and now women will have to access chemical abortion pills without proper medical oversight. Illinois leaders on Monday pushed back firmly against President Donald Trumps threat to bring military troops to fight crime in Chicago, arguing the plan was both unnecessary and an authoritarian attempt to punish the presidents rivals and silence his critics. Do not come to Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker said during a press conference near the base of a Trump-branded tower in downtown Chicago. Pritzker, a Democrat, said no one from the Trump administration had been in touch with state or local leaders or law enforcement about the threatened Chicago deployment. He accused the president of carrying out an authoritarian shock campaign to circumvent our democracy, militarize our cities, and end elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are being targeted because of what and whom we represent, added Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Rather than sending the National Guard to stop crime, which has sharply declined this year following a massive pandemic-era spike, Johnson argued the president wanted to wield the states National Guard against a large, diverse, Democrat-run city with a substantial immigrant population. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned Trumps threat to use the military in Chicago to fight crime represented an authoritarian creep in America and told the president local officials do not want his intervention (AP) The alarm from Illinois leaders comes after Trump said last week Chicago was likely the next city where the administration will send scores of National Guard troops, following highly controversial deployments in Washington this month and Los Angeles earlier this summer. We're going to make our cities very, very safe, Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent, and we'll straighten that one out, probably next that'll be our next one after this, and it won't even be tough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president added that he might be willing to involve the regular military in his crime-fighting operations there, a development that would likely violate the Posse Comitatus Act, barring the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement. The Pentagon is reportedly planning to deploy military personnel into Chicago as soon as September. The president equivocated on Monday when asked about when a Chicago operation might take place. The president has suggested Chicago will be the next city to host large-scale National Guard crime crackdown following its controversial deployment this month in the capital (AP) "They need help, Trump told reporters on Monday. We may wait. We may or may not, we may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do. Pentagon officials have reportedly spent weeks planning the potential operation, a model that could be used to occupy other American cities with thousands of National Guard troops, The Washington Post reported on Saturday, citing officials familiar with the plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During their press conference, Illinois officials said the presidents threats matched neither the reality of crime levels on the ground in Chicago, nor the best ways protect public safety. Compared to last year, murders were down 32 percent, shootings were down 37 percent, and robberies were down 34 percent, Pritzker said. As with Washington, D.C., crime has been sharply declining in Chicago over the last 12 months (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Officials also hammered the White House for failing to coordinate with any state or local law enforcement and for in April canceling nearly $1 billion in Justice Department grants to states and locations that went to funding services including assistance to crime victims and abuse survivors. The Trump administration has withheld the funding from so-called sanctuary states that dont mandate local law enforcement to assist federal immigration agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, a coalition of 20 states and Washington, D.C., including Illinois, sued the administration over the move. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said on Monday during the press conference the state wouldnt hesitate to sue the administration again if it crossed any legal lines using troops. Outside of the anti-crime crackdown, the Trump administration is reportedly coordinating with 19 mostly Republican-led states to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops to assist with federal immigration operations across the country. Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) is one of the best cheap strong buy stocks to buy now. On August 22, Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) announced that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MEG Energy Corp. in a cash and stock transaction worth $7.9 billion, which is inclusive of assumed debt. Cenovus Energy Inc. (CVE): Among Billionaire Israel Englanders Stock Picks with Huge Upside Potential A fleet of oil tankers at sea, representing the global reach of a crude oil supplier. Management stated that the terms of the agreement dictate that Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) would acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of MEG for $27.25 per share, which will be paid 75% in cash and 25% in Cenovus common shares. Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) further revealed that each shareholder of MEG Energy Corp. would be given the option to elect to receive, for each MEG common share (i) $27.25 in cash; or (ii) 1.325 Cenovus common shares, subject to pro-ration based on a maximum amount of $5.2 billion in cash and a maximum of 84.3 million Cenovus common shares. Based in Canada, Cenovus Energy Inc. (NYSE:CVE) is an integrated energy company that provides gas and oil. Its operations are divided into the Upstream, Downstream, and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Upstream segment includes oil sands, conventional, and offshore operations, while the Downstream segment manages the US and Canadian refining. While we acknowledge the potential of CVE 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is set to speak Monday in response to reports the Trump administration is considering sending the National Guard to Chicago. The safety of the people of Illinois is always my top priority. There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active duty military within our own borders, Pritzker said in a statement on Saturday. On Friday, President Donald Trump said Chicago would be a likely next target of his administrations efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Washington, D.C., approximately 2,000 troops were deployed on the street. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, in the first week the White House had control of the citys police force, property crimes dropped 19% compared to the week before, and violent crime dropped by 17%. The Washington Post reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks preparing for an operation in Chicago that would include National Guard troops and potentially active-duty forces. I think Chicago will be our next, Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding, And then well help with New York. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Trumps approach uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound, arguing it has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families, Pritzker added. We will continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect the people of Illinois. Earlier, on Friday, Pritzker said, We dont play those games in Illinois. Our commitment to law and order is delivering real results. Crime rates are improving. Homicides are down by more than 30% in Chicago in the last year alone. However, according to Security.org, Chicago has a crime rate 1.89 times the national average. In 2024, the national total crime rate was 2,119 incidents per 100,000 residents. In Chicago, that number was 4,012 per 100,000 residents. After using Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. as his testing ground for authoritarian overreach, Trump is now openly flirting with the idea of taking over other states and cities. Trumps goal is to incite fear in our communities and destabilize existing public safety efforts all to create a justification to further abuse his power. He is playing a game and creating a spectacle for the press to play along with, Pritzker added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senates No. 2 Democrat, called Trumps Washington, D.C. strategy political theater. He said Chicago is a beautiful, vibrant city with people from all walks of life and suggested pursuing proven bipartisan solutions toward further crime reduction. These unprecedented threats from President Trump are nothing more than a power grab to distract from his disastrous policies, Durbin said in a statement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul will speak Monday in response to plans by President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago. Both AG Kwame Raoul and Gov. JB Pritzker have already expressed they are clearly against such a deployment. "The State of Illinois at this time has received no requests or outreach from the federal government asking if we need assistance, and we have made no requests for federal intervention," Pritzker posted to X Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the [Illinois National Guard], deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active-duty military within our own borders," he continued. "To be clear: We have made no such request for the type of federal intervention we have seen in Los Angeles or Washington D.C.," Raoul said in a press release Friday. "There is no emergency in the state of Illinois." Earlier on Friday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he plans to crack down on crime both there and in New York City. "We're going to make our cities very, very safe," Trump said. "Chicago's a mess. You have an incompetent mayor [Brandon Johnson]. Grossly incompetent and we'll straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this. And it won't even be tough." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What the President is proposing would be the most flagrant violation of our Constitution in the 21st Century," Johnson said Sunday on X. "The City of Chicago does not need a military occupation. The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon will mobilize a few thousand National Guard troops by September and has also discussed the possible use of active-duty troops. "We won't speculate on further operations," said a Pentagon spokesperson in a statement. "The Department is a planning organization and is continuously, working with other agency partners on plans to protect federal assets and personnel." "Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain he's causing families," Pritzker further posted online. "We'll continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans." Human trafficking enforcement Illinois State Police arrested five individuals during a human trafficking demand suppression operation in the Forsyth area of Macon County last Thursday and Friday. Four Illinois residents and one from Iowa were charged with crimes which included traveling to meet a child, solicitation and grooming. If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733. For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org. You can also email ISP.CrimeTips@illinois.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health care fraud section announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros has announced the creation of a new section within the offices criminal division dedicated to the prosecution of health care fraud. The new section will target false and fraudulent claims by transnational criminal organizations, upcoding and unbundling schemes, scams against Medicare and Medicaid, and more. Boutros said health care fraud is among the Department of Justices top fraud enforcement priorities. Hardest working states Illinois ranks 42nd in a report ranking the Hardest Working States in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WalletHub compared the 50 states across 10 key metrics, including average workweek hours, share of workers with multiple jobs and annual volunteer hours. North Dakota ranked first. Michigan finished last. MARION, Ill. An Illinois family has been reunited with a deceased World War II veterans military honors that had been missing for several years. In a special ceremony last week at VFW Post 1301 in Marion, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs turned over a lost Purple Heart and other medals to relatives of the late Stephen J. Grabowski. Grabowski, a Chicagoan and son of Polish immigrants, fought in the European theater during the war. Army Private Grabowski was a rifleman in Company B, 473rd Infantry. On April 15, 1945, Grabowski, 27 at the time, participated in Operation Grapeshot, the Allies final attack in the Italian Campaign. A German grenade hit the bunker Grabowski was in, burying him under debris and paralyzing him from the waist down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany capitulated less than a month later; Japan surrendered in August. Grabowski returned home and lived at Hones VA Hospital. He died of kidney failure in 1974. He was 56. After Grabowskis death, his military honors were stored in a safe deposit box owned his oldest nephew. The contents of the safe deposit box went untouched for many years and were turned over to the Illinois State Treasurers Office in 2010 as unclaimed property. Part of the state treasurers job is to safeguard unclaimed propertybank accounts, unpaid life insurance benefits, and uncashed rebate checksuntil it can be returned to its rightful owners, no matter how long it takes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News According to the state treasurer, military medals are difficult to return because neither the Armed Forces nor the federal government maintains a comprehensive list of honorees. And in most cases, the conflict in which a medal like a Purple Heart is awarded is unclear. Grabowskis nephew, who lives in a nursing home in Chicago and is in poor health, was unable to retake possession of the medals. Eventually, the treasurers office found Grabowskis grandniece, Crystal Cantrell, who lives near Marion, and arranged to return the honors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 21, Treasurer Frerichs turned over Grabowskis Purple Heart; Bronze Star; European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign medals; Good Conduct medal; American Campaign medal; and World War II Victory medal. Private Grabowski sacrificed a great deal to stop an evil dictator and ensure a free world, Frerichs said. It is never too late to honor the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -India has shared a warning on possible cross-border flooding with neighbour Pakistan, Pakistani officials and a source in New Delhi said on Monday, as the arch enemies grapple with deadly floods and relentless monsoon rains. The information-sharing has come as a surprise because New Delhi put a decades-old treaty with Islamabad on water access in "abeyance" in April after linking a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir to Pakistan. Islamabad denied any involvement. The tensions escalated in May to the worst military clash between the nuclear-armed rivals in decades. India's high commission in Islamabad shared the warning on Sunday with Pakistan's foreign ministry on "humanitarian grounds" and not under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, the Indian source said, following heavy rains in the Jammu and Kashmir region bordering Pakistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source, citing government rules, declined to be named. India's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Pakistan's foreign ministry said the warning was issued through diplomatic channels "rather than through the Indus Waters Commission as required under the Indus Waters Treaty". This month floods in India's northern territory of Jammu and Kashmir have killed at least 60 people and nearly 400 more in northwest Pakistan. In total, the floods have killed 799 people in Pakistan since the monsoon started in late June, Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said, warning of more heavy rain until September 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mazhar Hussain, a disaster management official in the Pakistani province of Punjab, said the information shared by India included a warning about a possible surge in the Tawi river, which becomes the Sutlej when it crosses into Pakistan. "It has not indicated the scale of water but has warned about high flooding in the river," Hussain said. "Moreover, heavy rains across the border have filled the Indian dams, which would force India to release water. Heavy rains in Pakistan and the water released by India would cause high floods in Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab in Punjab." WATER SUPPLY Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the 1960 treaty, three rivers that flow westwards from India were awarded to Pakistan and three eastern-flowing rivers were granted to India. Pakistan fears India could choke its main water supply, putting at risk most of its agriculture and hydro-power. In its statement on Monday, Pakistan's foreign ministry reiterated its call on India to comply with all provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty. "Indias unilateral declaration to hold the Treaty in abeyance constitutes a serious violation of international law and could have significant negative consequences for peace and stability in South Asia." (Reporting by Krishna N. Das in New Delhi, Asif Shahzad in Islamabad and Mubasher Bukhari in LahoreEditing by YP Rajesh and Gareth Jones) ISLAMABAD (AP) India has alerted Pakistan about possible cross-border flooding after heavy monsoon rains in the South Asian region, Pakistans Foreign Ministry said on Monday, in what marks the first public official contact between the two nuclear-armed rivals in months. The ministry said New Delhi conveyed the information through diplomatic channels instead of the Indus Waters Commission, the permanent mechanism created under the 1960 World Bank-brokered Indus Waters Treaty. An Indian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the warning was shared on humanitarian grounds and not under the treaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate comment from New Delhi. The communication marked the first known diplomatic-level contact since May, when India carried out missile strikes inside Pakistan in response to the April killing of 26 tourists in Kashmir. Pakistan launched its own strikes in response, raising fears of a wider conflict before U.S. President Donald Trump said he had brokered a cease-fire, which has held. The flood alert to Pakistan from India comes as monsoon rains batter the region. Floods triggered by rains have killed nearly 800 people in Pakistan since June 26. Dozens of people have been killed in flooding in Indian-administered Kashmir, which is a split between the two sides and claimed by both in its entirety. The Indus Water Treaty, which was suspended by India following the April attack, governs the sharing of the Indus River system, with India controlling the eastern rivers of the Ravi, Sutlej and Beas, while Pakistan oversees the western rivers of the Jhelum, Chenab, and Indus, which flow through the disputed Kashmir region. ___ Associated Press writer Rajesh Roy contributed to this story from New Delhi. JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Indonesia and the United States began annual joint military exercises on Monday together with forces from a dozen other countries, as the U.S. pushes its allies to take threats from China more seriously. Hosted by the Indonesian National Armed Forces, this year's Super Garuda Shield focused on strengthening regional ties in an increasingly unstable global landscape, said Gen. Tandyo Budi Revita, the military's Deputy Commander. It serves as a joint exercise where we stand together to respond every challenge quickly and precisely. he said in his speech at kick-off ceremony along with Admiral Samuel Paparo, the Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exercise has been held annually in Jakarta by U.S. and Indonesian soldiers since 2009. The list of participants expanded since 2022 to include Australia, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Brazil and South Korea, bringing the total number of troops taking part in the drill to 6,500. Paparo said the expanded participants symbolizes a commitment to partnership and to the sovereignty of each country through mutual respect. It represents deterring anyone that would hope to change the facts on the ground using violence with the collective determination of all participants to uphold the principles of sovereignty, Paparo said. Jakarta has expressed concern about what it sees as Chinese encroachment on its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, while maintaining generally positive ties with Beijing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Asian countries also sent observers to the 11-day combat exercise in Jakarta and on Sumatra island. They will end on Sept. 4 with a combined live-fire drill. The expanded drills have sparked concern from China, which accused the U.S. of trying to build an Asian NATO to limit Chinas growing military and diplomatic influence in the region. During a recent speech in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned that seeking U.S. military support while relying on Chinese economic support carries risk. Hegseth said Washington has been strengthening an arc of military alliances in the Indo-Pacific to reassure allies alarmed by Beijings increasing military and economic pressure from China and provocative actions in the disputed South China Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite increased activities by Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing boats in the area have unnerved Jakarta, Indonesia has sought to avoid confrontation and continued economic initiatives with China. Jakartas decision to sidestep the issue is consistent with its longstanding policy of keeping friction with Beijing behind closed doors, especially given the scale of Chinese trade and investment in the Indonesian economy, said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat and Yeta Purnama, researchers at the Center of Economic and Law Studies or CELIOS. "This dual-track diplomacy might seem inconsistent. But for Jakarta, it is strategic. Indonesia is embracing defense diversification, not alignment," said Rakhmat of CELIOS. The country has remained committed to Super Garuda Shield and continued purchasing U.S. and French arms and developing interoperability with Western militaries, he added. In a region defined by rising tensions and great power rivalry, Indonesias refusal to choose sides, at least in defense, might be its strongest asset," Rakhmat said. SUMENEP, Indonesia (AP) Hundreds of children in Indonesia lined up for free measles shots Monday as authorities rolled out a vaccination campaign in response to an outbreak that has caused 17 deaths. More than 2,000 children were infected in East Java province over the past eight months, according to officials who said 16 of the 17 deaths occurred in Sumenep district. Sixteen patients were not immunized and one did not complete the vaccines, according to data from Sumenep District Health Agency. Indonesia has reported previous outbreaks of the highly infectious disease, mostly driven by gaps in vaccination coverage in the worlds largest Muslim-majority nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major outbreak occurred in the easternmost province of Papua in 2018, causing dozens of deaths. That year, the Indonesian Ulema Council reported the measles and rubella vaccine used for mass immunization programs contained pork. Use of the vaccine produced by the Serum Institute of India was permitted until a halal vaccine without pork could be found. Just 72% of Indonesia's 22 million children under 5 received the measles vaccine last year, and in some provinces, vaccination rates were below 50%, according to data from Statistics Indonesia. Indonesian authorities have called on residents and community and religious leaders to support immunization efforts. The mass vaccination in Sumenep is targeting 78,000 children from 9 months to 6 years old. Otherwise, this disease, measles, will spread further among our children. It will be even more fatal in the future, said Imam Hasyim, deputy chief of Sumenep district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Globally, the World Health Organization says 84% of children received the first dose of measles vaccine last year, and 76% had received two doses. But experts say measles vaccine rates need to reach 95% to prevent outbreaks. WHO noted that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year. ___ Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP) is among the 13 Best Magnesium Stocks to Invest in Now. Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP) reported $214.6 million in fiscal Q3 2025, up from $202.9 million in the same period last year. Compass Minerals Announces Fiscal 2025 Third-Quarter Results A close up of an essential mineral being extracted from a large rock wall. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 25% to $41.0 million, while net loss improved to $17.0 million from $43.6 million the previous year. CEO Edward C. Dowling Jr. noted higher volumes of plant nutrition and lower salt costs. Operating profits climbed 9% to $28.1 million, while salt revenue surged by 3% to $166.0 million. Revenue for Plant Nutrition increased by 15% to $44.8 million, while operating income was $5.2 million as opposed to a loss the previous year. The final amount of liquidity following asset sales and refinances was $388.7 million. FY2025 adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $185 and $201 million. Compass Minerals International, Inc. (NYSE:CMP) is one of North Americas largest salt producers. Its Goderich rock salt mine in Ontario has unique geology, and with access to a deep-water port, it can provide deicing salt to consumers at a lower cost than competitors. Furthermore, the business owns one of just three naturally occurring brine sources that yield SOP, a specialist fertilizer. These plants in Utahs Great Salt Lake can generate SOP at a cheaper cost than producers of standard potash. It is among the Best Magnesium Stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of CMP 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: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None. JAKARTA (Reuters) -Police fired tear gas and used a water cannon to push back hundreds of demonstrators trying to break into Indonesia's parliament building on Monday to protest against what they called excessive pay and perks for legislators, witnesses said. Some protesters, clad in dark clothing, threw rocks and set off fireworks at riot police in the capital Jakarta. At least one motorcycle was set ablaze by protesters, but officials did not provide details of damage, any casualties or arrests. Protesters marched through the streets around the parliament building, calling for a salary cut for parliamentarians, according to a press release by Gejayan Memanggil, one of the groups organising the protest formed by students in the Yogyakarta province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This month, local media reported parliamentarians were paid upwards of 100 million rupiah ($6,150) a month, including a substantial housing allowance. While Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy, that remuneration is far above the average income in the archipelago of 3.1 million rupiah. Demonstrators also protested against what they termed "corrupt elites" within the government and policies that benefit conglomerates and the military, the press release said, in an apparent reference to the growing role of the military in civilian life under President Prabowo Subianto, a former general. Some were seen on television footage carrying a flag from the Japanese manga series "One Piece", which has become a symbol of protest against government policies in the country. Jakarta police spokesperson Ade Ary Syam Indradi told reporters 1,250 police personnel were deployed to maintain security around the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parliament's speaker and deputy speakers of parliament, as well as a spokesperson for Prabowo, did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. Parliament speaker Puan Maharani told local media she would accommodate all aspirations from the public. ($1 = 16,250.0000 rupiah) (Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman and Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Gibran Peshimam and Alex Richardson) JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) Riot police shot multiple rounds of tear gas at thousands of stone-throwing students who attempted to reach Parliament in Indonesia 's capital to protest the lavish allowances of parliament members. The demonstrators are enraged by recent reports that 580 members of the House of Representatives had been receiving a housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) per month since September 2024. They view the allowances as unjust due to the economic hardship faced by most citizens. Police fired tear gas as the protesters tried to approach Parliament. Protesters fought back, hurling rocks and bottles at riot police and setting fires under a flyover near the heavily guarded Parliament compound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities blocked streets leading to the Parliament building, including several toll roads, causing severe traffic jams in the city. More than 1,200 security personnel were deployed to secure the compound. There were no immediate reports of injuries from Monday's clash. The demonstrators are demanding the abolition of what they view as lavish allowances, which come on top of lawmakers' salaries. The housing benefit alone amounts to about 20 times the monthly minimum wage in poor areas. House Speaker Puan Maharani told reporters on Saturday that the amount had been thoroughly considered and adjusted to current prices in Jakarta. Corruption is endemic in Indonesia and activists say police and members of Parliament are perceived as being widely corrupt in the country of more than 280 million people. An industrial outdoor-storage site just south of state Route 512 in Pierce County sold this month to a Pennsylvania-based firm that specializes in such acquisitions. An LLC affiliated with Alterra IOS, part of Philadelphia-based Alterra Property Group, purchased the 18-acre industrial outdoor storage parcels, with the main property at 1124 112th Street E. in the Tacoma-Parkland area, which has served as home to Rhine Demolition. The seller was an LLC affiliated with Rhine Property Holdings of Tacoma. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each property in the portfolio offers end users superior connectivity to the greater Seattle area, allowing us to meet sustained demand in a target market, said Parker Pearson, senior vice president of acquisitions at Alterra IOS. This aerial outlines the property assemblage south of state Route 512 recently acquired by Alterra IOS. Kidder Mathews brokers Mike Newton, Matt Murray, Dane Dahline and Travis Stanaway represented Alterra IOS in the off-market transaction. The property features IOS land integrated with existing shop buildings, offering rare flexibility in configuration ... highly sought after by IOS users across the Puget Sound, Kidder Mathews said in a release announcing the sale. It was great to work with Alterra on a very complex transaction. They were able to solve many unforeseen impediments and land one of the most significant IOS deals in Pierce County, said Mike Newton, Kidder Mathews executive vice president, in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to its website, Alterra IOS has more than 300 properties across more than 37 states, including the former Schwans building in Mukilteo. Story has been corrected to reflect updated sales information. An earlier version listed an incorrect transaction amount. Teara Coates, 21, touches her four-day-old baby, Tayden Coates, in the incubator in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University Mississippi Medical College on Sept. 30, 2012. Credit - Lynsey AddarioGetty Images Health officials in Mississippi have declared a public emergency over the states rising infant mortality rate, which is the highest its been in a decade. Data from 2024 show that for every 1,000 infant births in the state, there were 9.7 deaths within the first year of lifeup from 8.9 in 2023. Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted and a future cut short, said state health officer Dr. Dan Edney in a statement declaring the public health emergency, which allows the state to mobilize resources more quickly than it otherwise would have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state data, 3,527 babies have died in Mississippi before age 1 since 2014. The state saw a particularly high increase in neonatal deaths, which occur during the first month of life, and a very high overall infant mortality rate for Black families: 15.2 per 1,000 live births, compared to 5.8 per 1,000 live births in white families. Poor outcomes for both mothers and babies are not new for Mississippi, which received an F on a 2024 March of Dimes report card that ranked maternal and infant health by state. Mississippi had the highest infant mortality rates in the country in 2024, according to the report card, and the highest rates of preterm births, when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. (Being born preterm is associated with an increased risk for many short-term and long-term health conditions.) Some of the contributing factors to these bad outcomes include poor physical health of mothers and subpar access to care for both moms and babies. Mississippi has historically ranked low when it comes to these birth outcomes, says Dr. Michael Warren, chief medical and health officer for the March of Dimes, in an interview with TIME. But theyre not alone. Between 2023 and 2024, infant mortality rates worsened in 24 states, including Arkansas and Louisiana, Warren says. This is reflective of a large trend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These states had already been struggling with maternal and infant heath, but outside factors are likely worsening these outcomes. Many rural counties have lost ob-gyns or hospital maternity services in recent years, so women have to travel further for prenatal and maternity care. More than half of counties in Mississippi and one-third of counties in the U.S. are considered maternity-care deserts, which means they have no hospitals providing obstetric care, no ob-gyns, and no certified nurse midwives. Read More: Why Maternity Care is Underpaid In Mississippi and in the South, ob-gyns are leaving because of low Medicaid and private insurance compensation rates that make it difficult to keep a practice open. Practices that remain open are often short-staffed, and providers sometimes burn out after being on a 24/7 call schedule. As a result, women having emergencies during childbirth may not be able to get to a doctor in time. Mississippi and many other states in the South have also not expanded Medicaid, meaning women may be going into pregnancy less healthy than they would if they had more access to health care. If women do not have health insurance, they may not be visiting a doctor regularly to control chronic conditions like obesity or diabetes. One of the big factors leading to more infant deaths, Warren says, is that many are born premature, and much of prematurity is driven by a moms health before she even becomes pregnant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taking care of those chronic diseases before pregnancy matters, Warren says, so that when a person chooses to become pregnant, they're in an optimal state of health, and they're going to have the best chance of a good outcome for them and the baby. In the public-health emergency announcement, Mississippi says that it is planning to cut down on the number of ob-gyn deserts by increasing prenatal care opportunities in certain counties. It also plans to expand a community health worker program to connect moms and babies to care near their homes. Mississippi has the knowledge, the resources and the resilience to change this story, said Edney, the state health officer, in a statement. It will take all of uspolicymakers, healthcare providers, communities and familiesworking together to give every child the chance to live, thrive and celebrate their first birthday. Contact us at letters@time.com. A federal appeals court ruled that a New Jersey inmate cannot sue prison officials over medical care that allegedly led to the amputation of his toe. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals said Rolando Muniz, an inmate at FCI Fairton, could not pursue a constitutional claim because he had access to the prison systems grievance process, even if it didnt fully resolve his complaint. Muniz, who has diabetes, alleged that prison staff ignored his worsening condition in 2019, resulting in a serious infection and the eventual loss of his toe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claimed that medical staff discontinued his medication based on a single blood test and falsely recorded his requests for treatment as refusals. Muniz sued under a Bivens theory, which allows individuals to seek damages from federal officials for constitutional violations. In an opinion issued last week, Chief Judge Anthony J. Scirica, wrote recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have significantly narrowed the circumstances under which such claims can proceed. The Bivens doctrine, established in a 1971 Supreme Court case, allowed a man to sue federal agents for violating his Fourth Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the high court has permitted Bivens actions in only three specific contexts an unlawful home search, gender discrimination by a federal employer, and denial of medical care in prison. Scirica said that the Supreme Court has repeatedly cautioned lower courts against expanding the doctrine. Scirica said that because the prison system had a formal process for inmates to file complaints, the courts didnt need to step in and create a new way for Muniz to sue. The court also upheld the dismissal of Munizs separate claim under the Rehabilitation Act, noting that sovereign immunity barred his lawsuit because he sought only monetary damages, not injunctive relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government defendants were represented in the case by John T. Stinson, Jr. of the Office of the United States Attorney. Muniz was represented by D. Dangaran and Samuel Weiss of the legal non-profit, Rights Behind Bars. Neither immediately returned requests for comment. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. (INSIDE CALIFORNIA POLITICS) Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced his support for Californias redistricting ballot measure on this weeks edition of Inside California Politics. The candidate for California governor also elaborated on his plan to enact a single-payer healthcare system if elected in 2026. Becerra sat down with host Nikki Laurenzo one day after state lawmakers approved new congressional maps in an effort to add five Democratic seats to the U.S. House. Governor Gavin Newsom claims its a transparent response President Donald Trumps request to Texas lawmakers to add five new GOP House seats to the Lone Star State. Unlike in Texas, California voters will need to approve the new maps in a special election because an independent commission currently draws them. Constitutional law professor Jessica Levinson joined the show to discuss the viable legal challenges facing the redistricting ballot measure. Levinson also weighed in on why trigger language was dropped from the measure right before the final vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. The French Riviera has long been the go-to destination for those desperate to soak up some summer sun. But its once balmy coastal weather is increasingly prey to a series of punishing heatwaves and forest fires linked to climate change not to mention swarms of pesky mosquitoes. Now, a picturesque medieval town in Brittany that most French people have never heard of has shot to the top of a national ranking of best places to live as a result of the countrys changing climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fougeress sudden claim to climate fame comes as rising temperatures are shifting mentalities regarding where to holiday or indeed buy a house in France and other European countries. Traditionally cool and wet regions such as Brittany and Normandy are turning into increasingly attractive alternatives to beat the heat. Against that backdrop, Le Parisien newspaper this week released a national ranking of the best and worst towns in France with a population of over 20,000 in which to live in the coming decades. Compiled from data by national forecaster Meteo France, the list is based on criteria that include average temperature in 2050 and 2100, number of very hot days, number of tropical nights, as well as the risk of flooding and forest fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps unsurprisingly, a string of towns and cities in southern France are bottom of the list, with the south-western fishing port of Sete ranked last. Others near the bottom are Marseille and Avignon. The top end, meanwhile, is filled with towns in Normandy and Brittany, and the Hauts-de-France. Fougeres is located half an hour from Rennes and 40 minutes from Mont Saint-Michel - Victor Raison To the delight of its town hall, in pole position is Fougeres, population 20,600. Half an hour from Rennes and 40 minutes from Mont Saint-Michel, the town gained considerable wealth via the textile and crystal glass industry and was long Frances shoemaking capital. But the only evidence of this is now in the towns museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With no train connection, and some way from the coast, Fougeres doesnt attract anything near the summer crowds you get in resorts like Saint-Malo, where some locals rail against over-tourism. But gazing down at its pretty cobbled streets from atop Saint Leonards church, its easy to see why Fougeres (French for fern) has such impeccable climate credentials. Trees, greenery, and waterways are everywhere you look, with valleys and surrounding forests bringing fresh air and water to the town. As well as its medieval walled fortress Europes largest the town relied on its humid, marshy surroundings as a natural protection against the marauding English during the Hundred Years War. Now, Mother Nature is providing a different line of defence against the common enemy of global warming, according to Diana Lefeuvre, the towns deputy mayor in charge of green transition. The medieval town is home to 20,600 residents - Victor Raison Its strengths lie in the fact that it is quite high up, it is protected by a beach forest that keeps it cool and provides drinking water, notably via drains built 200 years ago. It is hilly and has three waterways running through it. In fact, the city and castle were built around the river, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve also planted a lot of trees. There are 7,000, one for every three inhabitants, and these green lungs are one of our most important assets. It is also well-positioned in terms of the Atlantic coast, far enough to avoid flood risks but near enough to gain from cooler, more temperate sea air. The town has an abundance of trees and other greenery - Mahaux Photography Its better to be fairly close to the coast but not right on it, especially if the coastline is low-lying and sandy, said Olivier Cantat, climatologist at the University of Caen Normandy. Towns located further inland should fare better. Size is also important. Bigger cities trap the heat and risk becoming urban heat islands, he added. With no train connection, and situated some way from the coast, Fougeres does not attract huge crowds in the summer - Victor Raison Situated about 25 miles inland, Fougeres may escape with fewer than five days of very high temperatures (at least 35C) and only about ten tropical nights (when temperatures fail to fall below 20C) by 2100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, more than 100 nights a year could be tropical on the Mediterranean coast and in the Provence hinterland by 2100, twice as many as in recent decades. Average maximum temperatures in summer are likely to exceed 30C by the end of the century. On some days, the thermometer will climb to around 50C. Saint-Sulpice is the oldest parish church in Fougeres - Lumir Pecold Lucy Arnold, 50, a British bilingual PA, said she had no regrets moving from Saffron Walden, Essex, to Fougeres seven years ago with her husband and two daughters. They came to be closer to her parents, who have a house nearby, but also to enjoy the French life in a smallish, rural town away from urban pressure on our children in the UK from social media, that sort of thing. And we felt that by doing so, we did gain a couple of years more childhood, if you like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Climate-wise, the downside is we get a lot of rain and certainly in the winter it can be quite wet and miserable, Ms Arnold said, but added that her family had shelved plans to buy a property further south due to fears of hotter weather. She said that the climate fame of Fougeres was already causing a stir in the town. A friend contacted me yesterday and said: You must be very happy. I said: Yes, but the thing is we might get flooded by British people now. She said: Yes, but at least maybe our house prices will increase. Lucy Arnold and her family moved from Essex to Fougeres seven years ago - Victor Raison As for tourists, inside the fortress, Mireille and Guy David, two retired teachers who live in the French Pyrenees near the Spanish border, said they had driven up through France in their camper car and had stopped in Fougeres on their way to Ireland via ferry. Summer is frankly becoming hellish in France. We prefer northern Europe, said Mrs David. Driving up, everything looked scorched and dry. We passed through the Landes in western France, which was hit by a massive forest fire a couple of years ago. Then suddenly, we reached Nantes and the greenery returned. It was such a relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I find this climate change personally really scary. Things are moving much faster than we were told. It feels like were heading for a disaster scenario. On a family holiday from Norfolk, Jack Brooks and his wife and daughter, Vicky and Rose, knew about Fougeres because his father bought a property in the area 20 years ago. With an easy link from Saint-Malo or Cherbourg for Britons, the town boasts attractive brasseries and cafes beyond its centrepiece castle. If you look at the weather today in Norfolk, its roughly the same weather but the foods 10 times better, he said. I wouldnt consider going down the South of France in summer because it would be too far to drive with children and be too hot for us. Im already getting a bit sweaty today. Frankly, this is my limit. The Brooks family finds the weather in Fougeres more manageable than that in the south of France - Victor Raison Matthieu David, a French-British PhD student at Caen Normandy University, has spent three summers studying tourist habits on northern French beaches on the nearby Norman Cotentin peninsula. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He found that just under half came for what he called the strategic quest for coolness. These people have a probabilistic approach to heat waves. That is, theyre not going to come because a heatwave is forecast but because theres a chance that they can avoid one at home when they come on holiday in the summer. A quarter beat a tactical retreat as a knee-jerk reaction to a heatwave forecast, and decided to go somewhere cool. He said that in both cases, the idea of climate refugees is starting to emerge. When you dig deeper, you realise they dont have the same motivations as traditional tourists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While officials in Fougeres were clearly pleased for the town to be singled out, Ms Lefeuvre warned the region couldnt handle a major influx. Diana Lefeuvre, the towns deputy mayor in charge of green transition, described climate change as a lottery - Victor Raison We can only welcome so many people because one mustnt forget that in Brittany we have limited water resources and are already suffering from drought, she said. And even if it is better equipped to withstand global warming extremes in the short term, Vincent Dubreuil, vice-president of the Higher Breton Climate Council, said: Brittany isnt going to be spared from climate change. Fougeres will be 4C warmer at the end of the century, just like everywhere else. According to his calculations, by then, nearby Rennes will have the same climate as Coimbra in central Portugal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You may say thats not a problem, except handling such spectacular changes in a short period of time is no easy feat. The key message is that climate change concerns all regions and theres as much adapting to be done to it in Brittany as anywhere else. French experts said that similar towns in Britain would have topped the rankings too, given the UKs latitude and island status. However, Ms Lefeuvre advised against complacency on either side of the Channel. In the latest projections, there are question marks over the sea currents that allow Brittany, but also Great Britain, to enjoy this favourable climate. If the current stops, we will have a continental climate and that would change everything, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a lottery. When we talk about climate change, we still dont really know exactly what this change will actually bring. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Connecticut Office of Inspector General has found no doubt that a Bridgeport police officer was justified when he opened fire on a knife-wielding man who charged at him in May 2024. The details of the investigation were released Monday by Inspector General Eliot Prescott, who concluded that Officer Israel Colon of the Bridgeport Police Department acted objectively reasonable when he fired three rounds at Dale Stephenson. I am pleased, support, and agree with the Inspector Generals findings, Bridgeport Chief Roderick Porter said in a statement. Thank you to the Inspector Generals office for their thoroughness and professionalism shown towards the department and police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I am pleased that this clears my officer, this was ultimately a tragic event; one which the officer was faced with imminent threat of deadly force and had to make a split second decision, Porter said. This is a clear situation where the officers professionalism and training were followed. Stephenson, who was 49 at the time, was reportedly holding two knives above his head when he sprinted toward the 28-year-old Colon, who had responded to Birdseye Street around 6 a.m. on May 16, 2024, on the report of a man knocking on doors and acting erratically while waving two knives in the air, according to Prescotts report. Colon was the first on scene and asked for additional units when he encountered Stephenson in the middle of the street and confirmed he had two blades on him, the report said. Colon got out of his cruiser and was about 60 feet away from Stephenson when he called out to him, Hey, brother, according to Prescotts report and Colons body camera footage. Just as this was happening, Officer Darryl Wilson, Jr., pulled up in a cruiser. The footage shows Stephenson immediately charging toward Colon, who backs away and can be heard saying Hey, hey, hey. Dont do it, dont it, dont do it. Colon fired three shots at Stephenson once he got to within about five feet of him, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephenson, who fell to the ground and dropped both knives, was taken to a hospital and ultimately survived the shooting. Officer Colon honestly and sincerely believed that Stephenson was about to inflict serious physical harm to him by sprinting at him with two large knives raised about his head in a menacing fashion, Prescott wrote in his report. Any reasonable police officer under the totality of the circumstances would have believed the same. Officer Colon honestly and sincerely believed that the use of deadly physical force was necessary when Stephenson closed to within five feet of him with knives poised to stab him. A reasonable police officer, under the circumstances thrust upon Officer Colon, would undoubtedly have shared the belief that the use of deadly physical force was necessary to protect himself from serious physical injury or death, Prescott added. According to the report, Stephenson was shot in the left leg and left arm. Immediately after the shooting, Colon moved both knives away from Stephenson and began giving him medical attention after handcuffing him, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colon put a tourniquet around his leg and continued looking for additional gunshot wounds, the report said. Police found that Stephenson at the time lived in an apartment on Birdseye Street, according to the report. In the street, authorities reportedly found two Farberware knives that had eight-inch blades, the report said. On the northern side of Birdseye Street, police found a black sword with a 28-inch blade. Stephenson was treated for both gunshot wounds at St. Vincents Hospital. Authorities alleged that he acted aggressively and spit at the medical staff, the report said. He reportedly tested positive for cannabis and benzodiazepine use, Prescott wrote. The report does not indicate whether investigators with Prescotts office interviewed Stephenson about the incident. Prescott wrote in his report that the investigation determined that there was no doubt that Colon was justified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officer Colon arrived at the scene and almost instantaneously was charged at by a person wielding knives in both hands, Prescott wrote. He had no time to retreat or to attempt de-escalation strategies. He did not have other officers in a position to protect him if he were to try safely to use non-lethal force against Stephenson. Nor did he realistically have enough time to do so, Prescott continued. He played no role in creating the necessity for the use of deadly physical force. The potentially deadly situation was upon him immediately after he stepped out of his cruiser, and he was justified in using deadly physical force to protect himself. Stephenson was arrested following the shooting on charges of attempted first-degree assault, second-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree breach of peace, according to court records. Records reviewed Monday indicated he has accepted a plea deal that required him to plead guilty to amended charges of attempted second-degree assault with a weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon. Stephenson is free on a promise to appear and is scheduled to face sentencing on Sept. 18. (This story was updated to add new information.) The investigation into an Indianapolis teacher accused of possessing child sex abuse material began after a series of unusual cryptocurrency transactions, according to court documents filed in the case. Julian Wachner, 55, was arrested on one count of possession of child pornography on Aug. 20, 2025. At the time of his arrest, he taught fourth grade at Invent Learning Hub, a charter school on the city's southeast side. The school sent a statement to parents acknowledging Wachner's arrest, noting that his "inappropriate behavior" occurred "outside the school day and off school premises." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Marion County Prosecutor's Office has filed a total of 10 counts of child pornography and one count of possession of cocaine against Wachner. More: Indy 4th grade teacher, once-acclaimed composer, arrested on child porn accusation Police say Wachner sent about $840 in cryptocurrency to digital wallets associated with a dark web child sex abuse site between August 2024 and February 2025. Three separate transactions were brought to the attention of law enforcement by the online exchange Wachner used to buy and sell cryptocurrency. The transfers were flagged as part of a larger probe into the website, which court documents chracterized as the darknet's largest purveyor of child sex abuse material. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of publication, it's unclear if anyone else has been charged as a result of the investigation. After his arrest, Wachner told police that he'd exchanged cryptocurrency for credits on the website, which he then used to make hundreds of purchases. "He further stated that, over the course of several years, he had downloaded and subsequently deleted (child sex abuse material) that he had obtained from the Dark Web," detectives wrote. While serving a search warrant for Wachner's home, police found a black bag inside the primary bedroom's closet. The bag contained a "substantial quantity" of apparent cocaine and a laptop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When detectives entered Wachner's login credentials for the laptop, a video of child sex abuse was displayed in full screen. Dozens more files appeared to have been recently accessed, and a forensic examination of the laptop is ongoing. Before becoming a teacher in Indianapolis, Wachner was a critically acclaimed classical music conductor. He previously worked as the musical director of Trinity Church Wall Street in New York, but was put on leave when a then-Juilliard employee came forward with sexual assault allegations in 2022. He was eventually fired for what the church described as conduct "inconsistent with our expectations of anyone who occupies a leadership position." Wachner vehemently denied the assault allegations. A woman said that Wachner had groped and kissed her at a music festival in 2014. Wachner described the encounter as consensual in a since-deleted statement posted to his website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wachner sued Juilliard, his accuser's employer, for defamation. The case was dismissed. Invent Learning Hub conducted a background check on Wachner and offered him training before the school hired him as a teacher on Sept. 30, 2024, according to the statement sent to parents. Ryan Murphy is the communities reporter for IndyStar. She can be reached at rhmurphy@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Court docs: Indianapolis teacher, composer sent crypto to dark net site The body of a missing man discovered in Provincetown has prompted an investigation by authorities. According to the Provincetown Police, they recieved a report of a missing person on Friday, August 22. Members of the Provincetown Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police began searching for the missing person. With the use of the State Polices Air Wing, the body of the missing man was located in the marshes of Hatches Harbor Trail near the Provincetown Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An initial investigation by authorities suggests that there does not seem to be anything suspicious. As of now, the name of the deceased individual is being withheld pending a positive identification and notification of next of kin. Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Cape & Island District Attorneys Office is investigating. 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 AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -Dutch online bank Bunq has received a 2.6 million euro ($3.04 million) fine for failures in its money laundering controls, Dutch central bank DNB said on Monday. Bunq said it disagreed with DNB's decision, to which it has formally objected. DNB said Bunq was fined in May for "serious shortcomings" in four cases between January 2021 and May 2022, in which it had failed to properly investigate and report signs of possible financial crimes. It also said previous investigations had already shown repeated failures, which the bank had failed to improve despite an earlier fine and other warnings. In a statement, a spokesperson for the online bank said: "At Bunq, we take our role as gatekeeper very seriously." "We use the most advanced technology and continuously strengthen our systems - including in response to these cases from 20212022. We remain confident in our position." Dutch banks have significantly increased money laundering surveillance in recent years after the country's largest banks ING and ABN Amro incurred massive fines for failures in their controls. In April Dutch lender Rabobank said it will face a court case over its alleged failures to spot money laundering after failing to reach a settlement with prosecutors. ($1 = 0.8544 euros) (Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Jan Harvey) HANOVER, WV (WVNS) An investigation is ongoing into what led a man to be shot and killed in Wyoming County on Friday, August 22, 2025. According to the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office, they are investigating a shooting that occurred in the Hanover area of Wyoming County on Friday. It was also confirmed to 59News by the Sheriffs Office that Austin Cline reportedly shot and killed Teddy Toler. Details into what led to the shooting remain limited. No charges have been filed at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin Cline was arrested back in 2024 after shooting Toler during a domestic altercation. Cline, the reported nephew of Toler, was charged with wanton endangerment, domestic assault and possession of a controlled substance in the 2024 incident. The Sheriffs Office ensured all possible evidence would be gathered relating to the shooting. Stick with 59News for updates as they become available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Bryan Kohberger panicked after realizing police were looking for his white Hyundai Elantra in the weeks following the brutal murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20 and Madison Mogen, 21, on November 13, 2022, according to the forensic team that reviewed his phone records. He was scrambling, Jared Barnhart, who analyzed the records as part of his work at Cellebrite, a digital forensics firm, told Fox News Digital. After reading an article that police were looking for his vehicle in connection with the slayings on December, 29 2022, Kohberger searched for the phrases psychopaths paranoid and wiretap on his phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also read a press release about the case on the Moscow, Idaho, police department website and immediately looked up an auto detailing shop. Within 10 minutes, Barnhart told the outlet, the 30-year-old killer was shopping for a new car online. That August, Kohberger had been pulled over for speeding on the highway between Pullman, Washington, where he was a criminology graduate student at the Washington State University, and Moscow, Idaho, where the killings took place. A Latah County Sheriffs Office deputy let him go with a warning but cited for not wearing his seatbelt. Police made the connection because security cameras had caught the Elantra passing by the scene of the crime three times, and speeding away at 4:20 that morning, shortly after they believe the last victim, Kernodle, was stabbed to death. He thought the police were onto him Barnhart told Fox News Digital. And they were at that point. Kohberger was arrested at his parents house in eastern Pennsylvania on December 30. He is now serving four consecutive life sentences at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. IOWA PARK (KFDX/KJTL) Help support a great cause with the Iowa Park Volunteer Fire Departments 30 Guns in 30 Minutes Raffle. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, Lt. Cory Nava said. We use this to purchase new equipment, maintain our current equipment, and for any other expenses the department may incur. The event will be held on Saturday, October 25, at the Iowa Park Volunteer Fire Department at 104 East Hwy St. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fundraiser will begin at 2 p.m. Only 300 tickets will be sold, which are $100 a piece. To purchase tickets, send payment to @Iowa-Park-FD1 on Venmo. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mohammad Sadr emphasized the claim is a "personal analysis," while also adding that Russia provided Israel with intelligence on Iran's air defense systems. Mohammad Sadr, a member of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, alleged that Israel played a role in assassinating then-president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May 2024, along with then-foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others, in an interview with "Synergy" on Sunday evening. "Synergy" is hosted by Mohammed Hossein Ranjbaran, who is a producer at the state-run outlet Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). He also serves as an advisor to the foreign minister, according to Iran International. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From the very first moment I said this was an assassination...carried out by Israel," Sadr said, according to Saudi-owned outlet al-Arabiya. He emphasized that the claim is a "personal analysis," and not based on any documents or evidence, according to London-based dissident outlet Iran International. Several sources, including the interviewer, have cited that Iran's military chiefs assessed that Israel was not involved in the helicopter crash, and have repeatedly denied any links to an assassination attempt. Anti-Israel activists at the time also alleged Israeli responsibility for the incident. BBC's Persian-language channel added that Sadr said Israel's alleged assassination of Raisi was intended to send a message that "if Iran continues, we [Israel] will continue as well," insinuating that Israel assassinated Raisi in order to prevent Iran's military build-up, support of Iran-backed terror groups across the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, and to stop Iran seeking nuclear weapons. "Because I knew, through my contacts with Hezbollah in Lebanon, that one of the ways Hezbollah and Israel exchange messages is through the operational field; that is, through carrying out operations so that the other side understands the message," Sadr was cited as saying by Iran International. Did Russia provide Israel information on Iran's air defenses? Sadr also alleged that Russia provided intelligence to Israel on Iranian air defense sites during the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He referred to the strategic alliance between Iran and Russia signed earlier this year as "worthless," according to the Saudi outlet, after Israel successfully destroyed Iran's air defense systems and assassinated senior military commanders and nuclear scientists during June's Operation Rising Lion. Iranian observers cited by al-Arabiya stated that Russia condemned the attacks, but did not exert diplomatic pressure to stop them. The treaty was designed to strengthen Iranian-Russian relations, particularly in "military cooperation," according to Agence France-Presse. "Our relationship with Russia must be serious, and at the same time, we must not trust them," he commented, Iran International reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because "in the event of a war with the US, Russia will not offer us any assistance," he added. Who is Mohammed Sadr? Sadr has served as a member of the Expediency Discernment Council since 2017, and is related to the Islamic Republic's founder, Ruhollah Khomeini, according to Iran International. He also served as deputy foreign minister for Arab and African Affairs and was a senior advisor to then-foreign minister Javad Zarif, the outlet added. European governments' refusal to take back citizens from refugee camps, while providing little economic support, plays a role in preventing the region from healing. A Bedouin tribe in Syria is holding commemorations for a massacre eleven years ago. The Shaitat tribe was brutally attacked by ISIS in 2014 and today the tribe continues to remember the massacre of its members. It was one of several tribes attacked by ISIS during the rise of the extremist group. Eleven years ago, ISIS was on the rise in Iraq and Syria. In June 2014, it had swept into Mosul in Iraq, the countrys second largest city. It expelled Christians and persecuted minorities. In August, it began a massacre of the Yazidis in Iraq, murdering thousands and taking thousands captive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISIS didnt confine its persecution to minority groups. It targeted Iraq's Shi'ite population, massacring Iraqi cadets at Camp Speicher. The Shaitat were targeted by ISIS in the Euphrates river valley. The tribe is one of many Syrian Bedouin tribes. In the Euphrates valley many of these tribes also share connections to tribes in Iraq. The valley stretches from Deir Ezzor downriver into Iraq. As such the people here have often migrated and tended these fields for generations. North Press media in eastern Syria noted in a Sunday report that eleven years ago, in August 2014, three villages in eastern Deir Ezzor became the scene of one of ISISs most brutal massacres. These villages were home to the Shaitat tribe, who resisted the extremist groups control. Their only crime was defending their land and dignity, a stance that cost over 1,200 lives, including children, women, and elderly residents. ISIS in Aleppo, Syria. 2017; illustrative. (credit: Mohammad Bash. Via Shutterstock) The report notes that the massacre left an indelible scar on the community and on humanity itself. It was not merely a military act but a revenge-driven atrocity under the cover of false religious edicts. Images of the victims remain etched in the regions memory, their final moments marked by despair and dignity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are still searching for victims of the ISIS massacre. ISIS clung on to the Euphrates river valley and its last stronghold was in Baghouz in Syria near the river. As such the tribes here witnessed ISIS brutal rule from 2014 to 2019. Today the tribes are facing another uncertain future in the new Syria. Some tribes back the new government. They have chafed under the rule of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led group that the US backed against ISIS. They have also clashed with the Druze in Sweida. The clashes between the Druze and Bedouins sometimes boil down into depictions of the Bedouin in negative terms. However, its worth recalling that the Bedouin also have faced persecution. Because the Bedouin tend to be Sunni, they tend to feel more connections to HTS, the group that came to power in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. Being Sunni did not protect civilians However, being Sunni Arabs didnt save them from ISIS attacks. North Press notes that Never forget never forgive is the slogan raised by Shaitat descendants. Abdullarim al-Omayri from Abu Hammam told North Press: I lost a loved one in the 2014 Shaitat massacre. We are here today to honor the 11th anniversary of this tragedy that affected every member of the Shaitat tribe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also notes that Sahar Ubaid al-Hamoud, a member of the local Womens Committee, told North Press: Every year we remember this painful chapter of our lives. The 11th anniversary remains present in our collective memory, keeping alive the remembrance of our children, families, and elders. She stressed that the anniversary will continue to be observed as a testament that we have not and will not forget our victims. The memory of the ISIS massacre is important. ISIS destroyed the lives of many people in Syria and Iraq. Around 50,000 foreign extremists joined ISIS. Many of the foreigners then fled back to their countries as ISIS was defeated. Some went to Turkey or Idlib in Syria. Others ended up in camps in eastern Syria such as Al-Hol. Today there are questions about what happens to the ISIS families in Al-Hol, many of which consist of foreign citizens. Many European governments refuse to take back their citizens from Al-Hol, essentially dumping the problem on Syria. At the same time there is also very little economic support coming from abroad for people in Syria, including the Bedouin. As such, the disaster of 2014 continues to haunt the landscape and it is hard to heal. The Israeli military chief has reportedly said that a deal was on the table to free the captives held in Gaza and the military offensive to seize Gaza City would pose great danger to the lives of captives, according to Israeli media. Now its in Netanyahus hands, Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Eyal Zamir was quoted as saying by Israels Channel 13 news during his visit to the Haifa naval base on Sunday. Zamir claimed that the armys assault on Gaza, which has driven the enclave towards famine and killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, has created the conditions for a captive deal with Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result of the military pressure, we created the conditions for the release of the hostages, he said, according to an official statement released by the Israeli military and reported by Israeli media. The comments come as Israels security cabinet is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the latest truce proposal mediated by Qatar and Egypt. Tens of thousands of Israelis have protested, calling on Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war and bring back the captives. Last week, Hamas said it had accepted the new proposals, which call for a temporary cessation of military operations for 60 days, during which the entry of humanitarian aid would be allowed, and half of the 50 Israeli captives would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. But Israel has gone ahead with its plan to seize Gaza City home to nearly one million people despite a United Nations-backed body last week declaring famine in Gaza amid an Israeli curbs on the entry of food items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close to 514,000 people are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end of September, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) said last week. Earlier on Monday, Gazas Health Ministry said that 11 more people, including two children, have died from malnutrition in the past 24 hours. That brings the total number of hunger- and malnutrition-related deaths in Gaza to 300, including 117 children. On Monday, Israel bombed a hospital in southern Gazas Khan Younis, killing five journalists, including Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama. Rescue workers were among the 20 killed in the attack, which has triggered outrage and condemnation. Israel has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians since it launched its devastating war on Gaza in October 2023. Israel has struck Nasser Hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip, killing at least 21 people, including five journalists, as well as medics and rescue workers, in the latest deliberate attack on civilians and the besieged enclaves decimated health system. Mondays attack, which killed journalists who worked for Al Jazeera, the Reuters and Associated Press (AP) news agencies, and others, was among the deadliest of a multitude of Israeli strikes that have targeted both hospitals and media workers over the course of the nearly two-year genocidal assault. It comes as Israel widens its offensive to heavily populated areas and urban centres, including Gaza City, increasing the already heightened peril for the population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first strike of the double-tap attack, where one strike is followed by a second soon after, hit the top floor of a building at Nasser Hospital. Minutes later, as journalists and rescuers in orange vests rushed up an external staircase, a second projectile hit, said Dr Ahmed al-Farra, the head of the paediatrics department. Among the journalists killed were Al Jazeeras Mohammad Salama, Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, Mariam Abu Daqqa, a freelance journalist working for AP at the time, as well as Ahmed Abu Aziz and Moaz Abu Taha. Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said the attack has sent the entire area into an absolute sense of chaos and panic. Not only for passers-by or people living in the vicinity of the hospital, but for the patients themselves, who are receiving treatment in one of the areas that must be protected under international humanitarian law, Abu Azzoum said. The attack was met with widespread global condemnation, including from press freedom groups and rights advocates, who expressed outrage over Israels repeated targeted killings of Palestinian journalists in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeera condemned the attack as a clear intent to bury the truth. Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, also decried the attack. Rescuers killed in line of duty. Scenes like this unfold every moment in Gaza, often unseen, largely undocumented, Albanese said. I beg states: how much more must be witnessed before you act to stop this carnage? Break the blockade. Impose an Arms Embargo. Impose Sanctions. Israels allies, such as France, Germany and the United Kingdom, have called for an investigation. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate also condemned Israel for the strikes, saying it represented an open war against free media, with the aim of terrorising journalists and preventing them from fulfilling their professional duty of exposing its crimes to the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack raises the death toll of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023 to at least 273, according to an Al Jazeera tally. The Committee to Protect Journalists called for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the strike was a tragic mishap, and that the military was investigating it. Israel has often issued similar statements after incidents that drew international outrage and calls for UN investigations, but actual accountability for the perpetrators is unheard of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli forces also killed Palestinian correspondent Hassan Douhan, who worked for the Al-Hayat al-Jadida publication, in a separate incident in Khan Younis later on Monday, bringing the death toll of journalists killed that day to six. Two weeks ago, Israel killed prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif and four other journalists in a strike. In that attack, Israel acknowledged targeting Sharif and falsely alleged he worked for Hamas, without providing any evidence, after having openly maligned and condemned him for months before murdering him. Nasser Hospital has withstood raids and bombardment during the war, with officials repeatedly noting critical shortages of supplies and staff amid a crippling aid blockade. Other hospitals have also come under attack, including al-Shifa Medical Complex, the enclaves main hospital, where Israel has killed hundreds. Death, desperation and famine stalk enclave Israeli attacks across the famine-struck territory have killed at least 61 people since dawn on Monday, including seven people desperately seeking aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tanks have been advancing in Gaza City, where Israeli forces have been intensifying attacks in a bid to force nearly 1 million Palestinians there southwards into concentration zones. Gazas Civil Defence said that Israel had destroyed 1,000 buildings in Gaza City since August 6, trapping hundreds under the rubble, while ongoing shelling and blocked access routes prevented many rescue and aid operations. The al-Awda Hospital said Israeli gunfire also killed six aid seekers trying to reach a distribution point in central Gaza and wounded another 15. Israeli forces have been routinely opening fire on hungry Palestinians as they attempt to secure meagre aid parcels at the controversial Israeli and United States-backed GHF sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Gazas Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed and some 13,500 wounded while seeking aid at distribution points or along convoy routes used by the UN and other aid groups. Al-Awda said that two Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed six Palestinians, including a child, while al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said three Palestinians, including a child, were killed in a strike there. The relentless attacks continue as the UN warns that malnutrition among children in Gaza is deepening. The UNs humanitarian office (OCHA) renewed calls for the unrestricted flow of aid into and within Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With famine conditions now confirmed in Gaza governorate, hunger and malnutrition among children are deepening, OCHA said. Partners working on nutrition note that in any food crisis, children with underlying health conditions are affected first and without proper nutrition, water and care, their condition worsens more quickly. Chris McIntosh, Oxfams humanitarian response adviser in Gaza, has described the situation as unprecedented in scale and severity. Its difficult not to overuse superlatives in this context, but truly, this is a singular humanitarian disaster and the worst crisis that Ive ever been part of by far, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, US President Donald Trump has predicted that the war on Gaza could see a conclusive end within two to three weeks. Similar claims have quickly fallen by the wayside as Washingtons full military and diplomatic backing of Israels genocidal war shows no signs of abating. Its got to get over with because between the hunger and all of the other problems worse than hunger, death, pure death people [are] being killed, Trump said. The Israeli militarys killing of six Palestinian journalists, including an Al Jazeera cameraman, in Gaza has caused global condemnation, with the Al Jazeera Media Network accusing Israel of assassinating journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth. The Israeli military bombed Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday, killing five journalists, including Al Jazeera photographer Mohammad Salama. In total, 21 people were killed in a double-tap strike one missile hitting first, then another moments later, as rescue workers and journalists arrived on southern Gazas main medical facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack comes as Israel has intensified its offensive to seize Gaza City, the main urban centre in the enclave of 2.3 million people, despite a famine being declared last week. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attack was a tragic mishap. Israeli forces killed another journalist in a separate incident in Khan Younis later on Monday, bringing the death toll of journalists to six. Here are some reactions to the latest slaughter of media workers in the enclave: Al Jazeera Media Network In a statement on Monday, Al Jazeera said it condemns this horrific crime committed by the Israeli occupation forces, who have directly targeted and assassinated journalists as part of a systematic campaign to silence the truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blood of our martyred journalists in Gaza has not yet dried before the Israeli occupation forces committed another crime against Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama, together with three other photojournalists, the network said, referring to Israels killing, barely two weeks prior, of renowned Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, who had become the voice of Gaza for his extensive reporting from the enclave. Al Jazeera called the attack a violation of international norms and laws, amounting to war crimes. Despite relentless targeting, Al Jazeera remains resolute in providing live coverage of the Israeli genocide in Gaza for the past 23 months, with occupation authorities barring international media outlets from entering to report on the war, it added. Organization of Islamic Cooperation The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been holding an extraordinary meeting in Saudi Arabias Jeddah to discuss the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The OIC condemned the Israeli armys killing of journalists and media professionals as a war crime and an assault on press freedom. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) The PFLP, a left-wing Palestinian faction founded in 1967, said the attack was proof of the absolute brutality and sadism of the [Israeli] occupation. It said it held Israel and its allies responsible, adding that supporters, led by the US administration, are fully responsible for this organised crime. The PFLP is the second-largest group in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) after Fatah. Qatar Qatar said it considers this Israeli attack a new episode in the ongoing series of heinous crimes committed by the occupation against brotherly Palestinian people and a blatant violation of international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Israels targeting of journalists and humanitarian workers requires urgent and decisive international action to provide protection and ensure accountability. The ministry also reiterates the urgent need for global solidarity to end the brutal genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, address the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the enclave, and move forward toward achieving a just and sustainable peace that guarantees the establishment of an independent, fully sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Turkiye Ankara denounced the strikes as another war crime. Press freedom and human values have once again been targeted, under the shadow of genocide, amidst the anguished cries of the innocent, Burhanettin Duran, the head of Turkiyes presidential communications directorate, said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel, which continues its atrocities without regard for any humanitarian or legal principles, is under the illusion that it can prevent the truth from being revealed through its systematic attacks on journalists. Iran Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman said the attacks constituted a barbaric war crime, committed by Israel to advance its plan for the genocide of Palestinians. The US and other allies of Israel that have armed it during the war must be accountable to the international community after being complicit in Israels horrific crimes, Esmaeil Baghaei said in a short statement. Egypt The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the attack, describing it as another blatant violation of international humanitarian law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Egypt expresses its strong denunciation of the Israeli occupations deliberate targeting of journalists and workers in the medical and humanitarian field, and rejects the crimes of genocide it is committing against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, it said, calling on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to intervene. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabias Foreign Ministry condemned Israels attack on medical personnel and journalists. The Ministry stresses the Kingdoms rejection of Israels ongoing violations of international law and norms, it said. The Kingdom reiterates its call on the international community to put an end to these Israeli crimes and emphasizes the need to protect medical, relief, and media personnel. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he deeply regrets the tragic mishap at Nasser Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement from his office posted on X, Netanyahu said that Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, the statement added. Israels investigations into the actions of its forces rarely lead to criminal charges or any form of accountability. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed horror at the attack. Horrified by Israels attack on Nasser hospital. Civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire, Lammy wrote in a post on X. Spain The Spanish Foreign Ministry issued a statement decrying the strike as a flagrant violation of humanitarian law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spanish government condemns the Israeli attack on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of four journalists and innocent civilians, the ministry said. We reiterate that specially protected sites cannot be targeted. This is a flagrant and unacceptable violation of international humanitarian law, which must be investigated, it said. The statement stressed the importance of special protection for journalists, and reaffirmed Spains full commitment to the right of access to information. Germany Germany said it was shocked by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers, and other civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This attack must be investigated, the Foreign Ministry said on X, also calling on Israel to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza. France French President Emmanuel Macron said the strikes were intolerable. Civilians and journalists must be protected under all circumstances. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict, Macron said in a post on X. Reducing a population to famine is a crime that must stop immediately, he added. Canada Canada condemned the attack and said that Israel had an obligation to protect civilians in the combat zone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada is horrified by the Israeli military strike at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, which killed five journalists and many civilians, including rescuers and health officials. Such attacks are unacceptable, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Committee to Protect Journalists The CPJ called for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its continued unlawful attacks on the press. In a statement, CPJs regional director, Sara Qudah, said that Israels killing of journalists in the enclave continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history. These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity, Qudah said. Foreign Press Association The association, which represents international media working in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, said it is outraged and in shock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the group demanded an immediate explanation from the Israeli army and the Israeli Prime Ministers Office. We call on Israel once and for all to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists, it added. This must be a watershed moment. We appeal to international leaders: Do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves. Reporters Without Borders The press organisation said it fiercely condemns the killings of the journalists. How far will the Israeli armed forces go in their gradual effort to eliminate information coming from Gaza? How long will they continue to defy international humanitarian law? the RSFs director general, Thibaut Bruttin, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RSF calls for an emergency UN Security Council meeting to ensure [that UN Resolution 2222] is finally respected, and that concrete measures are taken to end impunity for crimes against journalists, protect Palestinian journalists, and open access to the Gaza Strip to all reporters. Freedom of the Press Foundation The press freedom organisation accused Israel of mounting an increasingly brazen campaign to discredit, silence and kill journalists. This attack on journalism should be at the center of any coverage of Gaza, whether about killings of reporters or anything else. Any story that quotes an Israeli official or references Israeli allegations should say that Israel does not allow the international press to verify its claims and kills the local journalists who try, the organisation said in a statement. Surely if a local mayor were banning reporters from City Hall and having their deputies kill those it cant keep out, no newspaper would quote the mayor without providing that context. The same should apply here the public should know its not getting the full story because the journalists witnessing it first hand are being systematically assassinated. Reuters In a statement, a Reuters spokesperson said the news agency is devastated to learn of the death of Reuters contractor Hussam al-Masri and injuries to another of our contractors, Hatem Khaled, in Israeli strikes on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza today. The spokesperson said Reuters is urgently seeking more information about the attack and has asked authorities in Gaza and Israel to help us get urgent medical assistance for Hatem. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the killing of Palestinians in Israeli strikes that struck Nasser Hospital and called for an investigation, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. The Secretary-General recalls that civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for a prompt, impartial investigation into these killings, Dujarric told reporters. UN envoy Francesca Albanese Rescuers killed in line of duty. Scenes like this unfold every moment in Gaza, often unseen, largely undocumented, said Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, in a post on X. I beg states: how much more must be witnessed before you act to stop this carnage? Break the blockade. Impose an Arms Embargo. Impose Sanctions, she wrote. UN rights office The killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world not into stunned silence but into action, demanding accountability and justice, UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement. Journalists are not a target. Hospitals are not a target, the statement insisted. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini Lazzarini called for immediate protection for journalists, health professionals and aid workers in Gaza after the strike. In a post on X, Lazzarini expressed shock at what he called the silencing [of] the last remaining voices reporting about children dying silently and famine in Gaza. He urged immediate action to end the famine by lifting restrictions on aid entering the enclave and ensuring protection for reporters, and humanitarian and health workers. Time for political will, he wrote. Not tomorrow, now. MSF Doctors Without Borders, known by its French initials MSF, said the attack was horrendous. Jerome Grimaud, MSFs emergency coordinator in Gaza, relayed that journalist Mariam Abu Daqqa worked with the relief organisation. We are heartbroken by her death. Mariam leaves behind a son who must now grow up without his mother, Grimaud said, adding that MSF staff members were forced to shelter in the laboratory of the hospital as Israel hit the building amid rescue efforts. He expressed outrage at Israels continuing attacks on journalists and medical facilities with impunity. As Israel continues to shun international law, the only witnesses of their genocidal campaign are deliberately being targeted. It must stop now. Israeli forces killed five Palestinian journalists on Monday in an airstrike on one of the few hospitals remaining in Gaza an attack carried out despite increasing global condemnation of Israels targeting of Palestinian journalists and its ongoing ban on international media from entering the territory. The Israeli attack on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis killed at least 20 Palestinians and injured dozens more, including rescuers and medical staff, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The military carried out whats called a double-tap strike: the first missile hit the hospitals roof and killed a Reuters journalist during his livestream, followed by a second missile that hit first responders and reporters responding to the initial one. The four journalists who were initially killed while reporting from Nasser are Hussam al-Masri (Reuters), Maryam Abu Daqqa (Associated Press), Moaz Abu Taha (Reuters) and Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera). The fifth, Ahmed Abu Aziz (Middle East Eye) died from wounds sustained in the attack. A sixth journalist, Hassan Douhan, was killed by Israeli forces on Monday in a separate incident within Khan Younis. Related: Israeli Strikes And Gunfire Kill 33 As Gaza City Becomes Focus Of Famine And A Military Offensive Palestinian journalists right now are crying. If I show you my colleagues that are sitting, between the reporting and between their live shifts, theyre trying to hold their tears, Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Khoudary said from Gaza. Theyre trying to find the words to describe whats going on. Our colleagues were killed live on-air, and theres no way there are any words to describe whats happening. Every single day were mourning people. "Palestinian journalists right now are crying." Al Jazeeras @Hind_Gaza became emotional as she described the Israeli attack on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza's Khan Younis that killed four Palestinian journalists. pic.twitter.com/3Bd092J7Mw Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) August 25, 2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday called the attack a tragic mishap and said the Israeli government values the work of journalists, medical staff and civilians. The statement contradicts the prime ministers baseless accusations that Palestinian journalists are actually members of Hamas, and ignores the reality that Israeli forces have, according to the UN, killed at least 240 media workers in Gaza since October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli Defense Forces separately said that authorities are investigating the bombing, though the military has a reputation of rarely holding Israeli perpetrators accountable. IDF spokesperson BG Effie Defrin repeated the unsubstantiated claim that Hamas militants operate in hospitals like Nasser, which the IDF has targeted multiple times over the past two years. But even if militants were found to be inside a hospital, Israel would still violate international law by bombing the institution. Related: Wall Street Holds Steady Just Below Recent Records Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it, President Donald Trump said when asked about the attack. But at the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare. Loved ones mourn at funeral ceremony outside Nasser Hospital for Reuters photojournalist Hussam al-Masri, Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammed Salama, AP journalist Maryam Abu Daqqa, and NBC News journalist Moaz Abu Taha, all of whom were killed in an Israeli attack on the hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza on Aug. 25. Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu via Getty Images Israel is already facing anger and condemnation from the United Nations, rights groups and multiple governments for the hospital airstrike and the killing of more journalists, with some voices calling for sanctions against Israel. The military bombed a media tent near Al-Shifa Hospital just two weeks earlier, killing high-profile Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif and his four colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blood of our martyred journalists in Gaza has not yet dried before the Israeli occupation forces committed another crime against journalists, Al Jazeera said. Because Israel continues to block access to Gaza for foreign media unless they agree to a rare IDF-led guided tour international outlets have heavily relied on Palestinian civilians and journalists on-the-ground coverage. Press freedom groups have warned that attacks on journalists could result in Gaza experiencing a media blackout while Israel escalates its campaign of violence. Related: European Postal Services Suspend Shipment Of Packages To U.S. Over Tariffs For the past 22 months, we have watched as healthcare facilities have been leveled, journalists silenced and healthcare workers buried beneath the rubble by the Israeli forces, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said. As Israel continues to shun international law, the only witnesses of their genocidal campaign are deliberately being targeted. It must stop now. More on World News Trump Frustrated After Thinking He Made Headway On Russia-Ukraine Talks Only To See Putin Balk 'Do Not Stop Speaking About Gaza': Palestinian Journalist Prepared Final Words Before Death The Bodies Were Everywhere: Doctors In Gaza Recount The Night Israel Killed Hundreds Read the original on HuffPost Ex Populus, the Delaware corporation behind Ethereums blockchain-powered gaming network Xai, has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Elon Musks artificial intelligence company xAI. The lawsuit centers on marketplace confusion between Ex Populuss XAI trademark, registered federally since June 2023, and Musks xAI company, announced in July 2023. Source: Court Filing Gaming Network Claims Prior Rights as Musks AI Venture Enters Market Ex Populus operates one of the highest transaction volume blockchain gaming networks globally, offering AI-driven gaming solutions and autonomous software systems across multiple platforms. Musks November 2024 announcement that xAI would start an AI game studio to make games great again directly entered Ex Populuss established gaming territory. The post reached over 36 million viewers, which further amplified consumer confusion between the two brands operating in overlapping markets. The complaint details widespread marketplace confusion, including xAIs own AI assistant Grok mistakenly informing users that XAI_GAMES refers to xAIs gaming initiatives. News algorithms and social media posts have consistently conflated the two companies, causing Ex Populus to lose control over its brand reputation. Ex Populus faces additional reputational damage from association with Musks polarizing public image. The company cited incidents where xAIs Grok chatbot was pulled offline after promoting violence and making racist comments, creating negative brand associations for their gaming ecosystem. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has already suspended several of Musks trademark applications for xAI and XAI GROK due to the likelihood of confusion with Ex Populuss prior rights. Defendants attempted to acquire senior trademark status by purchasing an abandoned X.AI registration, but Ex Populus argues that the previous owner, Bizzabo Ltd., had already abandoned the mark in October 2021. Musks xAI Plans Apple Lawsuit While Fighting Trademark Claims Regarding this Ex Populus lawsuit, Musks legal team attempted to pressure the company into relinquishing trademark rights through threatened cancellation proceedings. On August 7, 2025, xAIs counsel warned they would petition to cancel Ex Populuss federal registration unless the gaming company consented to worldwide xAI trademark registrations. The latest updated lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction preventing xAI from using the disputed marks, cancellation of Defendants existing trademark registration, and invalidation of five pending applications. The volatile mix of politics and law is always a piece of international court cases, but when cases are on the fence, the impact of that mix looms larger. This past April, Israel had a rare legal win at the International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber. It was one of those unique moments when Israeli lawyers could stand a bit taller and argue that trying to plead the Jewish states legal defense is worthwhile and not futile. And if the IDF would bother to make its case regarding the Israel-Hamas War, Israel had a serious case to defend its military actions in many areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, if Israel had not allowed the food security situation in Gaza to deteriorate to a dangerously precarious point and maintained the humanitarian aid levels from during the January-March ceasefire months it would have continued to have taken away the ability to make starvation claims, which had mostly gone quiet for a period of months. Finally, if the IDF had learned its lesson from some dozens of incidents where it mistakenly killed aid workers or journalists in sensitive areas such as hospitals, then with Hamass 24 battalions defeated already in the summer of 2024, it did not need to risk attacking such targets anymore. Rather, it could have avoided new high-profile tragic incidents, which lend fuel to the fire and makes judges worry that if they give Israel a pass, there will be more alleged war crimes or large-scale mistaken deaths incidents. THE ARREST warrants, which the ICC issued against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, are ridiculous, absurd and baseless, the writer asserts. (credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS) But Israel did the opposite of the smart move in all three of these major issues just as it entered a period of months when the ICC lower court would need to decide whether it could stick to its original guns of endorsing criminal probes and arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant, or retreat from going after Israel after the ICC Appeals Chamber warned it had jumped the gun. The reason the question was up in the air was that the ICC Appeals Chamber did not end the case against Israel; it only said the ICC lower court had rushed too much without fully analyzing and weighing all of Israels defenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That makes Israels case a case that is on the fence. The volatile mix of politics and law is always a piece of international court cases. But when cases are on the fence, the impact of that mix looms larger. Since August 2024, the IDF has failed to release a single major update on its more than 90 criminal probes of its own soldiers, hundreds of disciplinary probes, and more than 1,000 preliminary probes relating to fighting in Gaza. The Jerusalem Post has reported exclusively on several rounds of when an update almost came out dating back to this past January but has been repeatedly delayed. IDF legal source says delay due to complexity, length of war Although IDF legal sources tell the Post that the delay is entirely because of the complexity and length of the war, in fact, they could have issued a partial update on 20 or even 10 high-profile cases a year ago or certainly six months ago (since they were on the verge of doing so). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IDF legal sources deny that they have delayed over concerns of being attacked domestically within Israel by hard-right coalition members who tend to be against almost any probes of IDF war conduct. So, those sources may have the pressure so baked into their action that they may not fully realize how much slower and reactive they have become to problematic cases. Or they have lost faith in the chances of Israel before the ICC despite the win in April in which case there is no rush. Or some other IDF sources have told the Post that so much of Gaza has been destroyed, and so many Gazans killed, that it is simply becoming impossible for the IDF to come to clear-eyed answers on many of the cases, though it did in other smaller wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this last point is true, then it becomes even more problematic every time the IDF decides to slow-walk probing any new incidents. Either taking longer helps get to the heart of a case or it doesnt in which case, the cases should be decided much faster than in the past. It is also possible that IDF Military Advocate-General Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer Yerushalmi is waiting as long as she can to issue certain controversial decisions, so that if the political class jump on her, she will be close to the end of her term anyway. Next week she will finish the fourth year of her term; officially, her role is supposed to run for five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many IDF senior lawyers and advocates-general have held some of their most controversial decisions for the end of their terms. All of this is before getting to the starvation food insecurity issue. From March to May, Israel blocked new food supplies into Gaza. Israels claim that Gaza had enough food at the time was clearly true, because there was no mass starvation during those months. Those months eroded most of Gazas food inventory, however, which meant that if new food supplies in May or June came a day late due to a logistical delay at the border crossings or a military delay with attacks happening along the food delivery route, some Gazans suddenly were actually in a state of food security danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was exactly because of this that one month ago, Israel suddenly completely reversed its policy of only allowing selective UN and humanitarian aid into Gaza, and it opened the floodgates to let just about every group in. But the damage was already done. It does not matter that there has not been mass starvation. There has likely been some starvation in small numbers, and there has been dangerous food insecurity in higher numbers. After Israel managed to neutralize the starvation claims against it for much of the war, about 21 months into the war, it fell into a trap of its own making by tiptoeing too close to the line in terms of minimal food needs in Gaza and publicly being on record blocking food for two months earlier in the Spring. Finally, what utility has Israel really gotten out of recent attacks on dual-hat Hamas terrorists posing as journalists? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It might be legal to kill such individuals, but if Hamass 24 battalions were beaten in summer 2024, what is the utility of killing one more Hamas terrorist, compared with the intense condemnation Israel gets for killing a journalist, dual-hat or not? And how much benefit of the doubt does Israel expect to get with incidents like the one on Monday when it accidentally killed journalists, when it recently did so on purpose? It is not that Israel does not have a case in both instances, or that there are not nuanced differences between the various cases. There are. But trying to explain those nuances pales under the overall dynamics in the war and when the last time Hamas was able to really endanger Israelis was around January 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing Israel had a special shot before the ICC in this unique time period, Jerusalem essentially dropped its chance without trying much of a legal fight. Still, for now, the ICC is only going after Netanyahu and Gallant. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is going after the whole Israeli system. Fortunately, Israel convinced the ICJ judges earlier this summer to give it until January 2026 to respond to the genocide charges against it. Maybe Israel will use the next four months to try to present a better, more transparent, and more stable case to the ICJ than it has to the ICC. By Alexander Cornwell, Laila Bassam and Jana Choukeir JERUSALEM/BEIRUT (Reuters) -Israel on Monday signalled it would scale back its military presence in southern Lebanon if the Lebanese armed forces took action to disarm Shi'ite militant group Hezbollah, while the Iran-backed group reiterated its refusal to lay down its weapons. The announcement from the Israeli prime minister's office came a day after Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who has been heavily involved in a plan that would disarm Hezbollah and withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If the Lebanese Armed Forces take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction" by the Israeli military, the Israeli prime minister's office said. The statement did not explicitly say if Israeli forces would fully withdraw from the five positions they hold in Lebanon. Senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Komati on Monday rejected the Israeli proposal, telling Reuters that the group opposed "any direct cooperation with the Zionist enemy or collusion against Lebanons people and its resistance". He said Lebanon had fulfilled its obligations under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, intended to end a war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, while Israel continued to defy the accord and seek "unacceptable new gains". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Komati urged the Lebanese government to uphold the national consensus, dismissing what he called U.S. and Israeli "tricks and games". A senior Lebanese government official dismissed Netanyahus offer, saying Israel must first commit to a full cessation of hostilities. The ceasefire agreement stipulates Israel withdraw from Lebanese territory. With this offer, Israel is falling short of a full solution, the official told Reuters, accusing Netanyahu of trying to put Lebanon in a difficult position. Meanwhile, in a recorded televised speech aired on Monday, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said the Lebanese government must ensure Israel complied with a November 27 ceasefire agreement before talks on a national defence strategy can take place, reaffirming his group's longstanding refusal to disarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The weapon that brought us dignity, we will not abandon. The weapon that protects us from our enemy, we will not give up on," Qassem said. It was not clear when the speech was recorded. U.S.-BACKED CEASEFIRE The Israeli military has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon near the border since agreeing to the U.S.-backed ceasefire with Hezbollah in November. Israel was to withdraw its forces within two months and Lebanon's armed forces were to take control of the country's south, territory that has long been a stronghold for Hezbollah. This month, Lebanon's cabinet tasked the army with drawing up a plan to establish state control over arms by December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prime minister's office described the Lebanese cabinet's decision to back the move as a momentous decision. Israel stood "ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah", the statement said without saying what support it could provide. Qassem said the resistance's supporters, who he said make up more than half the population, stood ready to protect its arsenal when needed. Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally, the Amal movement, announced the postponement of a protest hours after planning it for Wednesday, saying the decision was taken to preserve "civil peace" and prevent attempts to shake the country's stability. Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, has said Israel should comply with the plan for Hezbollah disarmament, which would mean the withdrawal of Israeli forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military continues to carry out periodic air strikes in Lebanon that it says targets Hezbollah militants and facilities used by the group to store weapons. Palestinian factions in Lebanon surrendered some weapons to the armed forces last week as part of the disarmament plan. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell in Jerusalem, Laila Bassam and Jana Choukeir in Beirut; Editing by Peter Graff, Alison Williams and Cynthia Osterman) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday hinted at a gradual withdrawal of the remaining Israeli troops from southern Lebanon if the country's military takes steps to disarm the Hezbollah militia. "If the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF [Israel Defense Forces] presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. A ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hezbollah since the end of November, but both sides have accused each other of violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel still has troops stationed at five posts in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli military continues to carry out attacks in the country on an almost daily basis, saying it is targeting Hezbollah. People are repeatedly killed in the Israeli attacks. The Lebanese government is under pressure to implement the ceasefire agreement, which includes the disarmament of Hezbollah. At the beginning of August, the government in Beirut accepted a US plan that provides for the complete disarmament of the militia by the end of the year, but the undertaking is set to be extremely difficult and politically risky. Iran-backed Hezbollah has said it will only agree to disarm if Israel halts its attacks in Lebanon and withdraws its remaining troops from the south of the country. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday hinted at a gradual withdrawal of the remaining Israeli troops from southern Lebanon if the country's military takes steps to disarm the Hezbollah militia. "If the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) take the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF [Israel Defense Forces] presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism," Netanyahu's office said in a statement. A ceasefire has been in place between Israel and Hezbollah since the end of November, but both sides have accused each other of violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel still has troops stationed at five posts in southern Lebanon, and the Israeli military continues to carry out attacks in the country on an almost daily basis, saying it is targeting Hezbollah. People are repeatedly killed in the Israeli attacks. The Lebanese government is under pressure to implement the ceasefire agreement, which includes the disarmament of Hezbollah. At the beginning of August, the government in Beirut accepted a US plan that provides for the complete disarmament of the militia by the end of the year, but the undertaking is set to be extremely difficult and politically risky. Hezbollah calls for protests Iran-backed Hezbollah has said it will only agree to disarm if Israel halts its attacks in Lebanon and withdraws its remaining troops from the south of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shiite militia, along with its ally, the Amal Movement, has called for a protest in Beirut on Wednesday against the Lebanese government's decision to monopolize all weapons. In a joint statement, both groups reaffirmed their right to armed resistance and warned against "submission and capitulation." A short time later, however, they announced that they would postpone the protest without specifying a new date. They vaguely cited the "national responsibility imposed by the current phase" as the reason. Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip on Monday and then hit the facility again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding scores more, local health workers said. It was among the deadliest of several Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war sparked by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and the assault came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said the strike on Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis was a tragic mishap and that the military was investigating. AP freelancer among 5 journalists killed The first strike hit an upper floor housing operating rooms and doctors residences, killing at least two people, according to Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the records department at the Gaza Health Ministry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second strike hit an external stairwell as rescuers and journalists raced to the scene of the first, killing another 18. Around 80 people were wounded, including many in the hospitals courtyard, al-Waheidi said. Among those killed was 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who had worked for The Associated Press. Dagga regularly reported for multiple outlets from the hospital, including a recent story for the AP on doctors struggling to save children from starvation. The strike killed four other journalists who had worked for Al Jazeera, Reuters and Middle East Eye, a U.K.-based media outlet, most on a contractor or freelance basis. Reuters said it was showing live video from the hospital when the feed suddenly shut down. The journalist filming the live shot was killed in the first strike, Reuters said, citing hospital officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shot from across the street by pan-Arab channel Al Ghad showed people climbing the external stairwell just after the first strike, past walls with chunks shorn off followed by the boom of the second strike, a huge plume of smoke and a heap of wreckage. Israel says it is investigating Israeli media reported that Israeli troops fired two artillery shells at the hospital, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesman, said the army does not target civilians and had launched an internal investigation into the strikes. He accused Hamas of hiding among civilians but did not say whether Israel believed any militants were present during the strikes on the hospital. Netanyahus statement said: Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. secretary-general, along with Britain, France and others, condemned the attack. When asked about the strike, U.S. President Donald Trump initially said he was not aware of it before offering: Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it. Trump later said he thought there might be a conclusive ending in Gaza in the coming weeks, without elaborating. It was not clear if he was referring to Israels coming offensive or to long-running ceasefire talks. A doctor describes chaos, disbelief and fear Israel has attacked hospitals multiple times throughout the war, asserting that Hamas embeds itself in and around the facilities, though Israeli officials rarely provide evidence. Hamas security personnel have been seen inside such facilities during the war, and parts of those sites have been off limits to the public. The hospitals that remain open have been overwhelmed by the dead, wounded and now by increasing numbers of malnourished as parts of Gaza are experiencing famine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A British doctor working on the floor that was hit said the second strike came before people could start evacuating from the first. Just absolute scenes of chaos, disbelief and fear, the doctor said. They described people leaving trails of blood as they entered the ward. The hospital was already overwhelmed, with patients with IV drips lying on the floor in the corridors in stifling heat. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations from their organization to avoid reprisals from Israeli authorities. It leaves me in another state of shock that hospitals can be a target, the doctor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nasser Hospital has withstood raids and bombardment during the war, with officials repeatedly noting critical shortages of supplies and staff. A June strike on the hospital killed three people, according to the Health Ministry. The military said at the time that it targeted a Hamas command and control center. A March strike on its surgical unit days after Israel ended a ceasefire killed a Hamas official and a 16-year-old boy. More Palestinians killed while seeking aid Al-Awda Hospital said Israeli gunfire killed six aid-seekers trying to reach a distribution point in central Gaza and wounded another 15. The shootings were the latest in the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone where U.N. convoys have been overrun by looters and desperate crowds, and where people have been shot and killed while heading to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The GHF denied that any shootings had occurred near its site. The Israeli military said it was not aware of any casualties from Israeli fire in that area. Al-Awda said two Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed six Palestinians, including a child. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said three Palestinians, including a child, were killed in a strike there. One of the deadliest wars for journalists The war in Gaza has been one of the bloodiest for media workers, with 189 Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli fire, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. More than 1,500 health workers have been killed, according to the U.N. Israels killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history, said Sara Qudah, regional director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, called on Israel to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. This has gone on far too long, it said. Too many journalists in Gaza have been killed by Israel without justification. The group also noted that Israel has barred international journalists from entering Gaza since the start of the war apart from visits organized by the military. The health ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in the war. It does not distinguish between fighters and civilians but says around half have been women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own. The war began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the 2023 attack. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, but 50 remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israel struck one of the main hospitals in the Gaza Strip on Monday and then hit the facility again as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people and wounding scores more, local health workers said. It was among the deadliest of multiple Israeli strikes that have hit both hospitals and journalists over the course of the 22-month war. The assault came as Israel plans to widen its offensive to heavily populated areas, vowing to destroy Hamas after its Oct. 7, 2023, attack. Among the dead were five journalists, including 33-year-old Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who worked for The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reuters news agency said one of its reporters was killed in the initial strike as he operated a live television shot on an upper floor of Khan Younis Nasser Hospital. Other journalists, including Dagga, and rescue workers wearing orange emergency vests then raced up an external stairwell to reach the site, only to be hit by the second strike. Video shot from below by pan-Arab channel Al Ghad showed their last moments as they climbed the stairs past damaged walls, followed by a boom and a huge plume of smoke from the strike. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office called the strike a tragic mishap and said the military was investigating. He did not elaborate on the nature of the mistake. Israeli media reported that troops fired two artillery shells, targeting what they suspected was a Hamas surveillance camera on the roof. Reporters from different outlets had regularly set up live TV shots at that location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AP freelancer among 5 journalists killed The five journalists killed included journalists working for Al Jazeera, Reuters and Middle East Eye, a U.K.-based media outlet, most on a contractor or freelance basis. Dagga regularly reported for multiple outlets from the hospital, including a recent story for the AP on doctors struggling to save children from starvation. The AP and Reuters demanded an explanation in a joint letter to Israeli authorities. We are outraged that independent journalists were among the victims of this strike on the hospital, a location that is protected under international law, it said. These journalists were present in their professional capacity, doing critical work bearing witness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also noted that Israel has barred international journalists from entering Gaza since the start of the war, outside of visits organized by the military. Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the records department at the Gaza Health Ministry, said the initial strike hit an upper floor housing operating rooms and doctors residences, killing at least two people. The second strike, hitting the stairwell, killed another 18. Around 80 people were wounded, including many in the hospitals courtyard, al-Waheidi said. Israel says it is investigating Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, an Israeli military spokesman, said the army does not target civilians and had launched an internal investigation into the strikes. He accused Hamas of hiding among civilians but did not say whether Israel believed any militants were present during the strikes on the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahus statement said: Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. Israel has killed 189 Palestinian journalists during its campaign in Gaza, including some who were directly targeted and others who were killed among other strike casualties, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. More than 1,500 health workers have been killed, according to the U.N. Israels killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history, said Sara Qudah, CPJ regional director. The Foreign Press Association, which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, called on Israel to halt its abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. secretary-general, along with Britain, France and others, condemned the attack. When asked about the strike, U.S. President Donald Trump initially said he was not aware of it before offering: Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it. Trump later said he thought there might be a conclusive ending in Gaza in the coming weeks, without elaborating. It was not clear if he was referring to Israels coming offensive or to long-running ceasefire talks. A doctor describes chaos, disbelief and fear Israel has attacked hospitals multiple times throughout the war, asserting that Hamas embeds itself in and around the facilities, though Israeli officials rarely provide evidence. Hamas security personnel have been seen inside such facilities during the war, and parts of those sites have been off limits to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospitals that remain open have been overwhelmed by the dead, wounded and now by increasing numbers of malnourished as parts of Gaza are experiencing famine. A British doctor working on the floor that was hit said the second strike came before people could start evacuating from the first. Just absolute scenes of chaos, disbelief and fear, the doctor said, describing people leaving trails of blood as they entered the ward. The hospital was already overwhelmed, with patients with IV drips lying on the floor in the corridors in stifling heat. The doctor spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations from their organization to avoid reprisals from Israeli authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It leaves me in another state of shock that hospitals can be a target, the doctor said. Nasser Hospital has withstood raids and bombardment during the war. , with officials repeatedly noting critical shortages of supplies and staff. A June strike on the hospital killed three people, according to the Health Ministry. The military said at the time that it targeted a Hamas command and control center. A March strike on its surgical unit days after Israel ended a ceasefire killed a Hamas official and a 16-year-old boy. More Palestinians killed while seeking aid Al-Awda Hospital said Israeli gunfire killed six aid-seekers trying to reach a distribution point in central Gaza and wounded another 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shootings were the latest in the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone where U.N. convoys have been overrun by looters and desperate crowds, and where people have been shot and killed while heading to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor. The GHF denied that any shootings had occurred near its site. The Israeli military said it was not aware of any casualties from Israeli fire in that area. Al-Awda said two Israeli strikes in central Gaza killed six Palestinians, including a child. Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said three Palestinians, including a child, were killed in a strike there. The Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 62,686 Palestinians have been killed in the war. It does not distinguish between fighters and civilians but says around half have been women and children. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source on war casualties. Israel disputes its figures but has not provided its own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people and killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the 2023 attack. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals, but 50 remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. ___ This story has been corrected to note that Israel has provided some evidence of militants operating in and around some of the hospitals it has raided. One misspelling of the journalist's name Dagga also has been corrected. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo, and Metz reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem and Darlene Superville in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war (Reuters) -The Israeli military said it carried out a strike in the area of Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Monday and that the chief of the general staff had ordered an inquiry. Palestinian health officials said at least 20 people had been killed in the strike, including five journalists, one of whom worked for Reuters. In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces said: "The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops." (Reporting by Jana Choukei, Editing by Timothy Heritage) Benjamin Netanyahu described the apparent double-tap airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that killed 20, including five journalists, as a tragic mishap. The Israeli Prime Minister expressed rare regret over the deadly strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday while the Israel Defence Forces promised an immediate inquiry into the strike. The first strike hit the hospitals top floor at about 10.06am (8.06am BST) on Monday, killing cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, as he stood by a live broadcasting position, Palestinian health officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second projectile hit ten minutes later as rescue crews and journalists arrived at the scene in a so-called double-tap strike. Credit: Al Jazeera A video, apparently filmed in the immediate aftermath and broadcast by Al Ghad TV, shows a group of nine men, three in rescue gear, on the stairs of the damaged building when a second projectile explodes immediately adjacent to them. Oh God, they killed the people, [Palestinian] Civil Defence has gone, they killed the Civil Defence crews, shouts one witness as the second projectile strikes. Multiple journalists were killed in the strike, including Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who freelanced for AP News, and cameraman Mohammed Salameh, who worked for the Al Jazeera network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All had been documenting the famine and other humanitarian issues in Gaza over the last two years. Benjamin Netanyahu described the apparent double-tap airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that killed 20, as a tragic mishap - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters In a statement on Monday evening, Mr Netanyahus office said: Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Mr Netanyahus statement came shortly after Donald Trump said he was not happy about the incident and called for the war in Gaza to end. I think within the next two to three weeks, youre going to have [a] pretty good, conclusive, conclusive ending, the US president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli media reports said the strikes came from a tank crew at the request of Division 36 whose forces are stationed in the area. Medics guide an injured man away from the scene in Khan Younis. Journalists working for Reuters and Al Jazeera were killed in the attack - AFP The Israeli Air Force, which operates drones and jets over Gaza, was quick to deny responsibility a rare breach of protocol which may suggest tensions within different arms of the Israeli military. The IAF operates jets and drones over Gaza and generally uses smart munitions that are precisely targeted and can be swerved away from targets once released if the pilots suspect it will cause disproportionate collateral damage. All Israeli drone operators have eyes on the target until the last moment and a lawyer and senior officer in the room during all live fire operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the case with tank crews or the troops that support them. Rescue workers and others at the scene died after the strike, taking the toll to at least 20. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved [civilians] and in no way directs strikes at journalists, the military said, adding that it works to minimise harm to them while safeguarding the security of our forces. Videos of the aftermath circulating on social media are too graphic to publish and showed a scene of carnage. A journalists camera stained with blood and dust following the attack - Abdallah F.S Alattar/Anadolu At least one senior NHS surgeon was due to be at the hospital this week but had his permission to travel to Gaza rescinded by the Israeli authorities on the day he was supposed to travel last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hadil Abuzaid, a programme officer for Medical Aid for Palestinians, was at the hospital when explosions tore through the operating theatre right next to us. The killed and injured were everywhere. The hospital was overflowing, and medical teams were racing against time to save as many lives as they could, he said. The scene was unbearable. My legs could barely carry me under the shock of it all. You feel helpless and heartbroken. A Palestinian medic injured in the strike - AFP The strike was widely condemned by world leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, who described the deaths as intolerable. Civilians and journalists must be protected under all circumstances, the French president said. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Canadas foreign ministry said it was horrified by the Israeli strike, adding such attacks are unacceptable. Penny Wong, Australias foreign minister, called the attack horrific and called on Mr Netanyahu to heed the call of the world and agree to a ceasefire. Mr Netanyahus characterisation of the strike as a mishap is unlikely to cool tensions over the incident. The use of the word may be taken to minimise the incident. It also does not explain how two projectiles hit one after the other, the first naturally drawing journalists, medics and rescue personnel to the scene. Mondays strike occurred as the IDF continued to amass troops and armour for a takeover of Gaza City, one of the few remaining built-up areas of the Strip that has not yet been levelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also comes amid a growing war of words over conditions in Gaza in which the Israeli government has sought to blame fake Palestinian journalists for spreading false stories about the IDFs conduct. Ms Dagga had reported for AP on issues including child malnutrition in Gaza, and earlier this month reported on Nasser Hospital doctors struggling to save children with no prior health issues who were wasting away from starvation. Mariam Dagga worked as a visual journalist for AP News before being killed in the Israeli missile attack on the hospital - Jehad Alshrafi/AP The Foreign Press Association (FPA) said it was outraged and in shock after the five journalists were killed in the strikes. A group of journalists from several major international news outlets including Reuters, AP, and Al Jazeera have been killed together in Israeli military strikes, said the FPA, which represents journalists working for international media in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is among the deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began, it said. The association added: These strikes hit the exterior staircase of the hospital where journalists frequently stationed themselves with their camera. The FPA said that the strikes occurred with no warning. The organisation called on the IDF and the Prime Ministers Office to end the abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. This has gone on far too long. Too many journalists in Gaza have been killed by Israel without justification, it said, adding an appeal to world leaders: Do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves. The Israeli missile went through the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital - AFP/Getty Two weeks ago, prominent Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, 28, was killed alongside four colleagues in an Israeli strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF alleged that he was a terrorist who posed as a journalist, citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza as alleged evidence. Documents retrieved from Gaza by the IDF unequivocally proved his involvement as an active Hamas militant since 2013, it said. However, the documents shown to The Telegraph by the IDF appeared to be selected screen-grabs of electronic spreadsheets, and it was impossible to verify them independently. Note: this story has been updated to more accurately reflect the timings of the strikes on the hospital 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. Indiana University of Pennsylvania launched its largest-ever fundraising campaign, Impact 150, on Saturday, to coincide with the universitys sesquicentennial celebration. The Impact 150 Campaign aims to raise $150 million to support various university initiatives, including scholarships, faculty research and a proposed college of osteopathic medicine. As of Aug. 1, the campaign has already secured over $81 million from 11,673 donors. Impact 150 is about more than a number. Its about what that number represents: scholarships that open doors for students; programs that prepare graduates for an evolving world; faculty research that strengthens the lives of people around the world, said IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The campaigns public launch was marked by a celebration carnival and a fireworks show, underscoring the significance of the event for the university community. Laurie Frisina Kuzneski, a 1993 IUP graduate, and her husband, Andy Kuzneski III, are co-chairs of the Impact 150 Campaign. Laurie Kuzneski emphasized the importance of giving back to the university, stating, We talk a lot about being gratefuland we should. But giving back, whether it is our time or our treasure, is how we put that gratitude into action. The campaign supports a variety of initiatives, including the establishment of a college of osteopathic medicine, which has already received more than $34.3 million in donations. Jennifer DeAngelo, IUP Vice President for University Advancement, highlighted the diversity of contributions, noting that the campaign has received 13 gifts of $1 million or more, $15 million in anonymous donations and 562 gifts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event also recognized significant donors, including Dr. Rhonda Luckey and Alan Luckey, who contributed the official commemorative gift for IUPs 150th anniversary celebration. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has expressed its support for the recent joint EU-US statement that provides further details on the trade agreement reached between the two nations. The association, which represents major Europe-based vehicle manufacturers, said it is particularly encouraged by the announcement that the US will lower its tariffs on EU automobile imports from 27.5% to 15%. This reduction is set to be implemented alongside the EU's own procedures for reducing tariffs on American products. Starting from 1 September, the agreement will also introduce a special regime for certain product groups. These will only be subject to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs and include items such as cork, which are not readily available in the US, as well as all aircraft and aircraft parts. While the ACEA has welcomed the clarity provided by the joint statement, it acknowledged that some technical aspects of the agreement are still pending. ACEA director general Sigrid de Vries said: This confirmation is a positive step that provides greater certainty for our industry. It is now crucial that the Commission proceeds to implement the EUs commitments without delay, mitigating the tariff impact which already has cost automakers millions of euros in duties every day. The ACEA represents 16 major European vehicle manufacturers, including well-known brands such as BMW Group, Daimler Truck, Ford of Europe, and Volkswagen Group. Last month, ACEA report revealed that a 13.2% decrease in new EU van registrations in H1 2025. The downturn has been particularly pronounced in some of the largest markets, with Germany seeing a 14.7% drop in registrations. France and Italy also experienced declines of 12% and 11.7%, respectively. However, there was a positive development in Spain, where new van registrations increased by 11.2%. "EU-US auto tariff cut to 15% signals progress: ACEA " was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. HASTINGS, Pa. Indiana University of Pennsylvania's latest articulation agreement for its proposed college of osteopathic medicine was signed Monday with Conemaugh Miners Medical Center in Hastings. This is the school's 17th partnership agreement and its fourth with the Conemaugh system. "We certainly could not do it without Conemaugh," said Dr. Ryan Smith, the proposed medical school's founding associate dean of clinical affairs. "Conemaugh is certainly one of the crown jewels in our area." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Future students at the proposed college will be able to complete their rotations in their third and fourth years of schooling at these rural facilities because of the agreements. IUP has also secured affiliations with Indiana Regional Medical Center, Torrance State Hospital, Clarion Psychiatric Center, Penn Highlands Healthcare and several others. Smith said the outpouring of support from the community to partner with the university for this endeavor has been refreshing, and it highlights the focus on hospitals and health care centers aiming to draw from rural areas, train in rural settings and keep future doctors in rural facilities. "Beyond training, this partnership fosters innovation," said Conemaugh Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elizabeth Dunmore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that when hospitals and medical schools work hand in hand, they strengthen the entire health care system. "These collaborations bring fresh perspectives," Dunmore said. She and Smith were two of several speakers who highlighted the importance of these partnerships at Monday's signing. Audience members also heard from Conemaugh Chief Operating Officer Jessica Svidergol-Peterman and Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky, who spoke about the benefits of rural communities and the quality of care at rural health centers, and from Dr. Miko Rose, the proposed college of osteopathic medicine's founding dean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We created this as a celebration of community support," she said of the signing. Rose also touched on the groundbreaking nature of the proposed school, which recently received its candidate status from the American Osteopathic Associations Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. Once approved, IUP's medical school will be the only one of its kind at a public university in Pennsylvania and just the 11th with a rural focus in the nation. The first class is expected to begin in the fall of 2027. For more information, visit www.iup.edu/president/proposed-com. Jacksonville Tax Genie pleads guilty to falsifying hundreds of tax returns A Jacksonville woman who called herself the Tax Genie is facing up to three years in federal prison after admitting she falsified hundreds of tax returns, creating more than $1.8 million in losses to the United States. Federal prosecutors say Survalarie Harris, a tax preparer in Jacksonville, knowingly reported false information on returns she filed for clients, including creating fictitious businesses and inventing fake expenses. According to court documents, Harriss scheme stretched back as far as 2018, with investigators determining she prepared more than 900 fraudulent returns between 2020 and 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her crimes came to light when she prepared a bogus return for an undercover IRS agent posing as a customer. During that meeting, prosecutors say Harris falsely claimed the agent ran a business and fabricated losses to boost a refund of nearly $3,000 all without asking for documentation. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] One of Harriss former clients told Action News Jax she was left owing the IRS more than $5,000 after Harris claimed she had invested thousands of dollars into her small party service business. She said that I invested like $23,000 into the business, and how much sense does that make to invest $23,000 in a business that you only profit $300? the woman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The client said she is still paying back the money. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] I just knew that she would eventually get what she got coming to her, she added. When Action News Jax visited Tax Genie Tax Service, the doors were locked and no one answered the phone. Harris pleaded guilty to aiding and assisting in the filing of a false tax return. She is scheduled to be sentenced on December 10, and faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Charles KushnerU.S. ambassador to France, father of Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, and convicted felonhas drawn the ire of French President Emmanuel Macron over his allegations of rampant antisemitism in France. Kushner published A Letter to Emmanuel Macron in The Wall Street Journal on Sunday. I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it, Kushner wrote. Antisemitism has long scarred French life, but it has exploded since Hamass barbaric assault on Oct. 7, 2023. Since then, pro-Hamas extremists and radical activists have waged a campaign of intimidation and violence across Europe. In France, not a day passes without Jews assaulted in the street, synagogues or schools defaced, or Jewish-owned businesses vandalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kushner continued, presenting Macron with a call to action. In todays world, anti-Zionism is antisemitismplain and simple. President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. I know how he feels about antisemitism, as do all Americans.... I urge you to act decisively: enforce hate-crime laws without exception; ensure the safety of Jewish schools, synagogues and businesses, prosecute offenders to the fullest extent; and abandon steps that give legitimacy to Hamas and its allies. Kushners letter came just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote a similar letter to Macron, condemning him for announcing that France would recognize Palestinian statehood. France refuted Kushners allegations just hours after his article was publishedand summoned Kushner to appear before Macron and the French foreign ministry. France firmly refutes these latest allegations, the foreign ministry stated. The Ambassadors allegations are unacceptable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why is the U.S. ambassador to France more focused on lobbying on Israels behalf than the United States? Does he think the so-called French Hamas allies are so obtuse that they cant criticize Zionism two years into a genocide without condemning all Jewish people? Does he know that there are French anti-Zionist Jews whove been vocally supporting Palestine since the genocide began? Kushner shouldnt even have this job to begin withhes a reverse nepo baby and criminal who spent two years in jail for tax evasion, illegal campaign donations to the Democratic Party, and witness tampering. He even retaliated against his own sisterwho was a cooperating witness against himby paying a sex worker to seduce her husband and film it, likely for blackmail material. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who investigated Charles Kushner as district attorney, described his case as one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes hed encountered. Kushner was pardoned by Trump in 2020. Kushner shouldnt be here. Hes just lucky his son happened to marry Trumps daughter. Now, Kushners blatant Israeli agitprop risks further fraying an already strained relationship between the United States and France. Vladimir Putin is being held up by Donald Trumps administration as a reasonable wartime leader who is ready for peace. In a wide-ranging interview, JD Vance, the US vice-president, cited a number of concessions that he claimed showed the Kremlin was serious about ending its invasion of Ukraine. However, these concessions, as envisaged by Mr Vance, are more of a mirage to hoodwink the White House than a genuine compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putins apparent compromises, Mr Vance said, had not been offered by Moscow in the last three-and-a-half years of fighting, and were only made possible by Mr Trump. I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in three and a half years of this conflict, the vice-president told NBCs Meet The Press on Sunday. I didnt say they conceded on everything. But what they have conceded is the recognition that Ukraine will have territorial integrity after the war. Theyve recognised that theyre not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv... and importantly, theyve acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine. These could have sounded like reasonable and well-thought-out ideas when presented by Putin to Mr Trump during their summit in Alaska. Mr Trump shakes hands with Putin as he welcomes him to a peace summit in Alaska on Aug 15 - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters By all accounts, the Russian despot claims he no longer harbours his maximalist war aims of toppling Volodymyr Zelenskys government in Kyiv and replacing it with an administration more sympathetic to Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then there is the Kremlins sudden claim that it is prepared to allow security guarantees to shore up Ukraines territorial integrity as part of any post-war settlement. But the reality is that Putin hasnt suddenly dropped his desire to remove Kyivs Western-leaning government, nor has he discovered a newfound belief that Ukraine exists as a state. The truth lies in what the Russian president can or cant do. Seizing the entirety of Ukraine was a pipe dream that Putin was forced to give up after his initial invasion force failed to capture Kyiv within the original three-day schedule. Russia currently controls just shy of 20 per cent of Ukraines entire territory, as recognised under its 1991 borders after its split from the Soviet Union. A Russian Army multiple rocket launcher fires towards a Ukrainian position - Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP Putin dropped his original ambitions to conquer all of Ukraine in July 2022, five months after launching the invasion, instead opting to focus on the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a fact omitted from Mr Vances commentary on the potential concessions on the table. The other omission is the reality on the ground. A recent intelligence assessment by the Ministry of Defence suggested it would take Russian forces 4.4 years to advance far enough to have captured those four oblasts in their entirety. And even if Moscow was able to seize Zaporizhzhia, the southern region, it is around another 300 miles as the crow flies from the region capital by the same name to reach Kyiv. While the assessments dont exist in concrete terms, it is unlikely that Russia, given its resources, would be able to carry out such an offensive operation that could take decades to achieve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscows armed forces are already lacking in quality and the Russian economy is showing real signs of faltering, as demonstrated by rising fuel costs. It begs the question whether the concessions presented by Putin in Alaska were genuine or rather a cleverly prepared answer to convince the Americans that he is ready for peace. As for the idea of security guarantees, the Kremlin has, itself, already got to work on debunking what the US, Ukraine and its European allies have claimed is a concession. Just last week, while Admiral Tony Radakin, the Chief of the Defence Staff, was in Washington querying his American counterparts on how they could participate in a post-war peacekeeping operation, Russian officials were busy ruling out Western boots on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine will not agree to end its war with Russia if it does not have the necessary security guarantees. And that means Kyiv not engaging with Putins idea that he could act as a guarantor, including by holding a veto over future assistance provided by Western governments should he invade again. Suddenly, Mr Vances claimed concessions dont amount to much of a compromise, but more of a demonstration that Putin is succeeding in stringing the Americans along while he continues to grind away at Ukrainian defences. 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. JD Vance couldnt keep his coy giggles at bay when asked whether hed one day be taking over from President Trump. The millennial VP spoke with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press Sunday, and cryptically hinted that he and Trump may have spoken about his place in the future leadership of the GOP. Asked at first whether he saw himself as the apparent future of the MAGA movement, Vance stayed humble and suggested that 2026 midterms were the focus for nowbut that if all went to plan the future will take care of itself. Kristen Welker asked Vance whether he was the 'future of the MAGA movement.' / NBC News I see myself as a vice president whos trying to do a good job for the American people, Kristen, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if I do a good job, and if the president continues to be successful, as I know that he will be, the politics will take care of itself. We will cross that bridge when we come to it. Vance then said he was as sick of talking about politics as everyone else after the election, and suggested, Before we talk about anything three-and-a-half years down the road, lets take a break from politics, focus on governing the country and when we return to politics its gonna be to focus on those midterm elections. Pollsters suggest that Vance is the frontrunner for Republican voters, but Trump has another favorite in Marco Rubio. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images NBC News host Kristen wasnt to be batted off so easily, and asked, Have you had any conversations with President Trump about him passing the torch onto you? Vance immediately let out a burst of laughter, and the smile remained on his face as he sidestepped directly answering the question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you know, the president talks about everything. And if its in the news, the president and I have certainly discussed it, he said. After outlining that both he and Trump were simply focused on doing a good job for the American people for now, Vance then repeated his statement that if things went well the politics will take care of itself. While Trump himself is remaining tight-lipped about who might one day fill his shoes, it seems that Vance is the clear front-runner in the eyes of MAGA voters. In a J.L. Partners poll given to the New York Post, 46 percent of registered voters said theyd back Vance to succeed to leadership of the GOP in 2028no other candidate even got into the double figures. It might be the case that Trump has no successor, after plenty of hints that he has his eyes on a third term. / Win McNamee / Getty Images Within the White House, however, things might not be quite as clear-cut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in May, Trump took his own turn talking about the strong future of the GOP on Meet the Press, and suggested that alongside Vance, Marco Rubio was a frontrunner. And, theres always the possibility that Trump might not want to give up his throne at all. The president has frequently dropped hints that he might run for a third term, and earlier this month said hed like to run for four more years in the White House. The Jeffrey Epstein case, though nearly two decades old since his arrest in 2006, shows no sign of stopping as President Donald Trump faces continual political fallout over his administration's refusal to release the huge amount of information it holds about several investigations into one of the world's worst ever sexual predators. Two federal judges have criticized the Justice Department in seeking grand jury material in New York in Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's criminal cases. Judge Richard Berman issued his order on Aug. 20 to deny the release of that material and called the effort a "diversion." He went on to say the 70 pages of transcripts in the 2019 cases dwarfed the 100,000 pages held by DOJ. A district court judge in West Palm Beach also has denied the release of documents in the FBI's Palm Beach County criminal investigation in 2005-08 that never resulted in an indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only grand jury documents that have been made public were that of the 2006 grand jury in Palm Beach County, which resulted in a single solicitation of prostitution charge. Those transcripts were released in July 2024 in a lawsuit filed in 2019 by The Palm Beach Post. In the meantime, the House Oversight Committee is speaking behind closed doors with former attorneys general and FBI directors about their roles, if any. The panel also has subpoenaed former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, says the DOJ evidence subpoenaed by the panel is expected to be delivered starting Aug. 22. Comer has said they would be made public once proper redactions are made. More on what officials might talk about: Will Jeffrey Epstein testimony by the Clintons, ex-officials in D.C. be public or private? A quick primer on the Epstein case and answers to your questions 2005, Palm Beach County A 14-year-old Royal Palm Beach High student and her stepmother report to Palm Beach police in 2005 that Epstein molested her at his island mansion. Palm Beach PD will find dozens of girls who tell similar stories of Epsteins abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2006 Palm Beach PD Chief Michael Reiter becomes concerned about the way the Palm Beach County State Attorneys Office is prosecuting the case, so he sends his evidence to the FBI, which finds even more victims. 2007 Federal prosecutors prepare a 60-count indictment against Epstein, but some want to settle the case with Epsteins unrelenting lawyers. What emerged was the deal of the century. 2008 In the special deal, Epstein pleads guilty to two prostitution-related felonies in state court and gets a sentence of 18 months in jail, not prison. Hes also placed on the sex offender registry and in exchange the feds bag the indictment. 2008-2019 Victims file lawsuits against Epstein and Maxwell and some decide to go public with information about his network, including claims from the late Virginia Giuffre that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2019, New York Federal authorities in New York arrest Epstein on sex trafficking charges, but hes found dead in his Manhattan jail cell within weeks. The medical examiner rules it a suicide. 2020 The same prosecutors charge Ghislaine Maxwell as an accomplice. Shes convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022 on charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy to sex traffic minors. Portrait of Ghislaine Maxwell hanging on the wall in 2005 at Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach mansion. 2025 The Justice Department says on July 7 that it had reviewed its 300 gigabytes of evidence and decided not to make any of it public. President Donald Trump continues to face a whirlwind of blowback since he had promised on the campaign trail to release the files. DOJ interviews Maxwell in Tallahassee for two days starting July 24 but hasnt disclosed what she said. Maxwell within days is moved to a less-restrictive prison camp in Texas. Answers to your questions about Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell How did Jeffrey Epstein get away with his crimes for so long? Epstein didnt escape everything, though the prostitution-related charges he pleaded guilty to in 2008 hardly seem to have reflected what Palm Beach police had uncovered dozens of young women and underage girls telling similar stories of sexual abuse. The sentence of 18 months was much lower than the 20 years he could have faced for those felony charges. Until his 2019 arrest in New York, many society folks said they felt like hed served his time and didnt feel it was a problem to hobnob with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement authorities were certainly aware of his crimes though early on, though they had no idea that the sex trafficking was worldwide and involved as many as 1,000 girls. Epsteins setup of paying the girls not only for the sexual abuse but also for bringing him new girls was a Ponzi scheme of shame. The girls have said they felt like they were doing something wrong and could get in trouble themselves if they reported him to law enforcement. Some tried in the 1990s, but it wasnt until Palm Beach police got a report in 2005 that a criminal investigation was launched. Who was involved in Epsteins network, and what was their role? That is the quintessential question. Many believe powerful men were abusing the girls and that Epstein was blackmailing them but none has been arrested. Some members of the public also feel the government is covering that up. So far, only Ghislaine Maxwell has been convicted of being his accomplice and four other co-conspirators all women were given immunity in 2008 as part of Epsteins plea deal. What is the truth about Ghislaine Maxwells involvement? According to her criminal conviction, Maxwell not only recruited girls from across Palm Beach County and elsewhere for Epstein to abuse but she took part in the abuse itself. She was convicted of sex trafficking minors and in 2022, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. How did Epsteins connections to powerful figures affect investigations? Thats yet another question that hasnt been answered fully and may never be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we do know is Palm Beach police had to deal with high-powered friends of Epstein but none affected the investigation. The federal prosecutors in New York did not appear to be impeded before they arrested Epstein and Maxwell. Epstein have a number of high-powered, well-known attorneys during the case in Palm Beach County such as law professor Alan Dershowitz, former special prosecutor Kenneth Starr and former U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis as well as Roy Black who had successfully defended William Kennedy Smith in a rape case here. What are the key facts that most people still misunderstand about the case? Jeffrey Epstein did not plead guilty to minor charges solicitation of prostitution and procuring a person under 18 for prostitution. They were both felonies that carried 20 years in prison together. His plea deal ensured he'd get a lot less. Palm Beach police believed the stories of the victims and so did FBI agents and prosecutors in 2006-08. It was then-Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer who showed he thought the girls were prostitutes. Alex Acosta, the U.S. attorney, ended up leaving it in Krischer's hands after his prosecutors investigated. The main line prosecutor, Marie Villafana, opposed the deal and sought to launch the 60-count indictment that sat on a shelf. What has happened to Epsteins victims since the story broke? The story has broken again and again and again. Palm Beach Post and Palm Beach Daily New readers have reported the case every step of the way since Epstein's arrest in 2006. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We don't know how the vast majority of the victims are doing, but if letters to the New York judges considering whether to release grand jury transcripts are indicative, they have been traumatized and re-traumatized every time the conspiracy theories surrounding the case come up. They have said that seeing Epstein's and Maxwell's faces on news channels reminds them of the abuse and how little justice they have seen. "I am not sure the highest priority here is the victims, justice for the victims or combatting child exploitation, or at least I do not feel this way," one wrote to U.S. District Judge Richard Berman who presided over the short-lived Epstein sex trafficking case in New York. "If there was justice for the victims we would see some kind of accountability for the years they allowed this horrible human being, if you can call him that, to prey on underage and young girls while jet-setting around the world with high-profile individuals and/or entrapping his victims in his various mansions and/or his notorious private island." What legal actions have been taken against those in his network? On the criminal side, Maxwell is it. A plethora of lawsuits against Epstein himself and others, such as his banks, have been filed. Victims have been successful in obtaining settlements though they say the money doesn't make up for their trauma. At least two victims have overdosed and died in Palm Beach County after the abuse. How did Epsteins case influence laws on sexual abuse and trafficking? None directly. The name of one survivor who lives in the county, Courtney Wild, is on a bill designed to strengthen victims rights sponsored Democratic Reps. Lois Frankel of West Palm Beach and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Weston. It hasnt been passed by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state law that allowed underage girls to be charged with prostitution was changed in 2016. It conflicted with the law that says the age of consent is 18. Krischer's prosecutor who headed the crimes against children unit at his office said they'd been worried they'd have to charge the girls with prostitution. Wild had sued shortly after Epstein got his deal in 2008, claiming that according to federal law, the victims were entitled to know about the plea deal while it was being arranged and to be alerted to the court proceeding in which he pleaded guilty. Neither happened, and they wanted the deal nixed so he could be prosecuted. A federal judge from West Palm Beach ruled in 2019 that the feds had indeed violated that law, but Epstein was dead a few months later so they couldnt rescind it and proceed with the initial 60-count indictment by the feds. What evidence finally brought Epsteins crimes to light? The evidence was there for decades. No criminal case happened until authorities believed the girls. One girl, Maria Farmer, had reported Epstein to the FBI in the 1990s. Nothing happened. Another went to Santa Monica, California police. Same result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Palm Beach police were the first to operate as if crimes had occurred to girls who were children. Then came Krischer whose prosecutor actually told the two victims to testify in the 2006 grand jury that they were the criminals themselves. She did that in front of grand jurors who then picked up the ball and questioned them about their reputations. That was revealed in a nearly five-year lawsuit by The Palm Beach Post to get them unsealed. At first, Epstein faced only what a john soliciting a prostitute faced, nothing about the ages of the victims. Then the FBI took over. It wasnt until federal prosecutors in New York arrested Epstein in 2019 that the rest of the world really took notice. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell Q&A: When will we see the files? The New Jersey Supreme Court could decide whether the state can again adopt fusion voting, which the authors say is critical to advancing and strengthening American democracy. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) By Rayman Solomon, Robert Williams, and John Farmer The New Jersey Supreme Court has yet to grant the request from petitioners in the case known as In Re Malinowski to review the Appellate Division decision adverse to them. As longtime and respectful students of the court, we would be surprised if it did not. At a time when democracy is being eroded throughout our country, the court has the opportunity to reaffirm the New Jersey Constitutions strong commitment to freedom of association and voter choice both bedrocks of democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Malinowski case, arising from an election several years ago but still raising an issue that is important and continuing, challenges New Jerseys 20th-century prohibition on the plural nomination of candidates by inter-party coalitions. In such a system, jointly nominated candidates appear on the line of any nominating party and votes cast for them on any line are counted in their total support against rivals. Such ballot-line fusion the 19th-century term for plural nomination was once universal in the United States and is still practiced in Connecticut and New York. In New Jersey and across the land in the 19th century, it helped underwrite minor-party efforts to abolish slavery and, later, improve working conditions. Ballot-line fusion is the distinctive American way to permit more diversity in our election system. One might think of it as the American version of proportional representation. It accepts our deeply unrepresentative single-member district system, with winners generally decided by plurality and taking all of representation within that. Our current system discourages minor parties and the citizens who might support them by forcing them into a difficult, if not impossibly unfair, choice. From the point of view of such citizens, a vote for a third-party candidate will almost certainly be wasted, since the candidate typically has no chance at winning a plurality. Worse still, it might spoil the election by denying their next-best candidate a victory and elevating someone they really oppose. Still, accepting these severe constraints on their growth, minor parties have often flourished under ballot-line fusion because it allows their supporters to vote for their values without wasting their votes or electing someone who is less favored by these voters. This obtains on both the left and the right: FDR depended on fusion votes from the American Labor Party to carry New York State in 1940, and 40 years later, Ronald Reagan needed the votes from the New York Conservatives to get over the finish line there. But in New Jersey, as in almost all other states, the major parties banned fusion voting more than a century ago in order to consolidate their control. Regardless of ones political sympathies, fusion allows and even encourages third parties to play a constructive and meaningful role in American politics, and our country would be better for its reinstatement. The Appellate Division opinion on which the Malinowski petitioners seek New Jersey Supreme Court review was a disappointingly confused one. That court acknowledged the irrelevance of the widely criticized U.S. Supreme Court opinion in Timmons v. Twin Cities New Party, which had held that the U.S. Constitution did not bar state prohibitions of the practice of cross-endorsements by political parties. That decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, deferring to the states, is not binding on state courts interpreting their own state constitutions. Yet, the Appellate Division committed the same type of error as the court in Timmons. Without any evidence whatsoever from the New Jersey secretary of state, and contrary to the vast evidence from actual experience that the Malinowski plaintiffs supplied in their several-hundred-page record, the appellate court accepted the secretary of states claims that adopting ballot-line fusion would generate pervasive voter confusion, inspire fraud, and otherwise undermine public confidence in the present system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is most striking today, in rereading the Timmons 6-3 decision authored by then-Chief Justice Rehnquist, with a blistering dissent from Justice Stevens was the majoritys confidence in how well our two-party system serves the country. Today, 80% of voters say they want more than just two choices, but they must be meaningful choices. The hyper-partisan polarization of the two-party duopoly has led us to the effective collapse of any legislative or judicial check on the threats to democracy brought about by an unprecedented and seemingly limitless expansion of executive power. Throughout our history, ballot-line fusion has been a modest but potent tool for injecting new ideas and new leaders into our politics. It pushes back against the hyperpartisan politics that define our era as it incentivizes major parties to form coalitions with minor ones. We cant know if the New Jersey Moderate Party will end up building a voting base big enough to force the major parties to bargain, but they should surely have the right to try. History looks fondly on the pre-Civil War era parties Liberty, Free Soil, Anti-Nebraska, and others that forced the Whigs and even some Democrats to stop ignoring slavery. Eventually, the Republican Party emerged from the roots planted by these minor, fusion parties. Fusion is indeed as American as apple pie, and its recovery would be very good for this nations soul. We look forward to the New Jersey Supreme Courts consideration of the history and promise of fusion voting presented in the Malinowski case. The wisdom of the New Jersey Constitutions emphasis on the preeminence of freedom of association and free expression of voters, parties, and candidates would once again place New Jersey in the forefront of a critical opportunity to advance and strengthen American democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rayman Solomon is university professor and dean emeritus at Rutgers University, and previously served as dean of Rutgers Law School Camden. Robert Williams is the distinguished professor of law emeritus at the Rutgers University School of Law. John Farmer Jr. is university professor and dean emeritus at Rutgers University, and previously served as dean of Rutgers Law School-Newark, vice president and general counsel of Rutgers, and attorney general of New Jersey. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) A Jonesborough man was arrested Saturday and charged with abuse of an elderly adult after allegedly choking a woman and keeping her from leaving a home. The Washington County, Tennessee Sheriffs Office (WCSO) issued a news release Monday stating that Joseph Douglas, 42, had been charged with abuse of an elderly adult, aggravated assault, kidnapping and vandalism. Hot Dog Corner in Gray to permanently close Aug. 29 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies responded to a home in the 200 block of Archer Road on Saturday afternoon. Douglas reportedly came out of the home and turned himself over to deputies. The victim told the WCSO that Douglas had choked her and pushed her into furniture. He also allegedly threatened the victims life, broke her cell phone and did not allow her to leave the home. The sheriffs office stated that the victim had injuries consistent with her statement. As of Monday, Douglas remained in the Washington County Detention Center without bond. He is set to appear in court Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. DUBLIN (Reuters) -Online betting company Flutter has shut down its money-based online games in India following a law change last week, with CEO Peter Jackson saying he was "extremely disappointed" by the development. India's parliament on Thursday passed a bill to ban online games played with money in a move that threatens the survival of the popular fantasy gaming sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government flagged the high risk of financial harm. Flutter said it had halted real-money gaming operations by its Junglee subsidiary, which has a workforce of over 1,100 employees. The statement said Flutters Indian operations had been expected to contribute approximately $200 million revenue and $50 million in earnings on an Adjusted EBITDA basis in 2025, but did not give an updated forecast. "We believe this change will drive customers to the unregulated market, offering limited consumer protections and providing no contribution to the local economy," Jackson said in a statement. (Writing by Conor Humphries) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. A Cole County judge has denied a request to temporarily block Missouris Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, clearing the way for millions of dollars in new school choice funding to move forward. The ruling comes after the Missouri National Education Association attempted a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt implementation of House Bill 12, which lawmakers passed earlier this year. The measure provides $50 million for scholarships that can be used by families to send their kids to private schools or cover other educational expenses. Supporters, including Attorney General Andrew Bailey and State Treasurer Vivek Malek, praised the decision as a win for parents and students, saying the program gives families more options if their public schools are not meeting their needs. They say that the additional funding expands access for disadvantaged families, students with special needs, or children in struggling school districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen survives explosion, family speaks out The Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, also called MOScholars, launched in 2021 and has served more than 1,000 students so far, according to state officials. With the new funding, thousands more students could qualify for scholarships this school year. Critics, led by the states largest teachers union, say that the program cuts taxpayer dollars off from public schools, which educate the majority of Missouri children. They argue that the state should focus on strengthening public education rather than supporting private options, as there are already areas in rural or urban areas that face staffing and resource challenges. The lawsuit challenging the program remains ongoing, but the judges ruling means that scholarships already awarded will not be interrupted as the case continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) R.I. Superior Court Judge Brian Stern has denied motions to dismiss the states lawsuit against contractors that worked on the failed westbound Washington Bridge, moving the case forward toward its trial date set for 2027. Sterns decision on Thursday comes three weeks after attorneys representing three of the 13 defendants named in the high-profile lawsuit argued the state lacked the legal authority to sue them for negligence. State prosecutors pushed back, arguing the eastbound Washington Bridge has suffered increased damage ever since taking on two-way traffic after the westbound bridge abruptly closed due to a structural failure in December 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stern ruled in favor of the state, writing in a decision that while he was making no determinations regarding the merits of the states complaint, the allegations were made adequately under the law. The court has held that the [state] has adequately alleged damage to other property to survive a motion to dismiss, Stern wrote, adding that because the state met the legal threshold, he wouldnt be ruling on separate motions for declaratory judgement in the case. The decision now moves the ongoing lawsuit initially filed in fall 2024 into the next stage of civil litigation where all sides will start providing each other with evidence. Attorneys are expected to start deposing key players about what led up to the bridge failure, which could shed more light on who knew what, when. Stern last month issued a scheduling order requiring all written discovery to be submitted by mid-September 2026, and the trial itself is scheduled for November 2027. The new westbound span is slated to open a year later in 2028. The all-in cost of the bridge crisis is currently estimated at about $572 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state is accusing the 13 defendants comprising construction companies and engineers that have worked on the bridge over the past two decades of failing to identify and address worsening structural issues that ultimately led to its closure. The westbound span carried upward of 90,000 vehicles per day before closing, and the infrastructure failure has frustrated commuters and created political headaches for state leaders. The lawsuit has also spurred counterclaims from some of the defendants, who allege its the state thats to blame for the broke bridge. Defense attorneys this summer alleged the R.I. Department of Transportation failed to perform structural testing of the bridge, despite it being recommended in a 1992 engineering report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Target 12 investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with him on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. SPRINGFIELD A judge wont stop the reinstatement of a controversial guidance counselor at Amherst Regional Middle School, saying the anti-LGBTQ allegations against Delinda Dykes werent enough to block her return to work. Dykes was fired in 2023 for conduct unbecoming a teacher after being accused of misgendering trans students and making inappropriate remarks about sexual orientation. Among the allegations was that Dykes, also a former interim principal at the school, once remarked: In the name of Jesus we pray that the LGBTQ gay demon that wants to attack and confuse these kids to leave this school now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After her reinstatement, Dykes released a public statement professing her innocence. It came after a public uproar from certain parents who opposed her reinstatement following an arbitrators decision that she was not afforded due process by school administrators. Let me be clear, I am innocent, Dykes said in the statement. I deeply share everyones concern about the safety and well-being of all students, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and I will never waver from my commitment to help all students. The school district appealed to a Superior Court judge for an emergency motion to reverse the arbitrators decision, which was denied Friday. Judge James M. Manitsas ruled the school district had fallen woefully short of the legal standard to reverse an independent arbiters decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mere restating of bare allegations previously alleged by the school district, and found not to have been proven by the arbitrator, falls woefully short of establishing the arbitrator exceeded her powers or rendered an award requiring a person to commit an act or engage in conduct prohibited by state or federal law, Manitsas ruling reads. The judge also noted that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate irreparable harm if Dykes returns to the school. In response to the news of her reinstatement and the denial by the court, members of the LGBTQIA+ Caucus are planning a standout outside the middle school on Wednesday at 8 a.m., when students return for classes. A call to action by caucus spokesperson Ali Wicks-Lim to community members encourages a showing of rainbows, rainbow flags, trans flags and signs with sparkly or colorful lettering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Returning to school can be an exciting time, but it can also cause anxiety, especially for some LGBTQIA+ students. Things may feel especially challenging this year year, as students anticipate the potential return of a staff member who has caused harm to LGBTQIA+ people, the announcement reads. This is not a protest or a rally, but an opportunity to offer love and solidarity to kids during a vulnerable time. Read the original article on MassLive. The owner of two dogs that disfigured a child and severely injured a woman was found guilty of failing to confine and register her dogs. In July, Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Mary Kay Fenlon held a three-day bench trial on the misdemeanor charges stemming from a brutal attack more than a year ago. Fenlon issued the verdict on Monday, Aug. 25. Fenlon found that dog owner Stephanie Ayers failed to control her dogs. Stephanie Ayers, who owned the dogs that attacked and injured a child and an adult, pleaded not guilty to violations of the state's dangerous dog laws in Franklin County Municipal Court July 21, 2025. Beside her is defense attorney Fred Benton. "The dogs were not provoked, teased, tormented or abused. Nothing triggered the behavior demonstrated by them on that day," Fenlon said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fenlon added that the behavior of one of the dogs, Apollo, met the definition of dangerous under Ohio law. Ayers will be sentenced on Sept. 9. Special report: An investigation into how Ohio laws fail thousands of dog attack victims Avery Russell and her mom, Drew, attended the verdict hearing and said they were excited to be one step closer to putting this chapter behind them. "I just feel like a weight has been lifted," Drew Russell said. "It was a win not just for Avery and Jessica." The case hinged on whether Ayers had shifted responsibility to control the dogs to her adult cousin, Jessica Henry, for the brief time that Ayers was running an errand that day and whether Ayers knew her dogs to be aggressive. Henry was severely injured in the attack. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Ayers knew one of her pit bulls was dangerous before the June 2024 attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fenlon found that responsibility lay with Ayers. The case illustrated weaknesses in Ohio's dangerous dog laws, showing how victims are sometimes left with devastating injuries and medical bills while dog owners face minimal fines and consequences. The misdemeanor charges carried a maximum penalty of $850 and 30 days in jail. Apollo, one of the two pit bulls, was killed the day of the attack while the other, Layla, has been impounded since then. Ayers had asked the court to get that dog back. A decision was not made at the Aug. 25 hearing about Layla's status. Drew Russell said she hopes Layla does not get released back to Ayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She should not be owning animals," Russell said. "You have to take accountability. She has taken none so the fact that she's being forced to, it's a win." Russell said it's also a matter of when, not if, Layla will attack someone else. "I can only imagine she's more vicious today than she was. If she attacks again, it could be fatal," Russell said. Earlier this year, The Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Akron Beacon Journal and Canton Repository published a statewide investigation into vicious dog attacks and how Ohio's dog laws fail the victims and their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year across Ohio, about 17,000 dog bites are reported to local public health agencies. Many more go unreported. Some of the attacks cause serious injuries such as disfigurements and amputations and even deaths. Power washer and cop stop attack On June 11, 2024, Ayers' cousin, Jessica Henry, brought her children and Avery, then 11 and a friend of her daughter, to Ayers' house in Reynoldsburg. Ayers left to run a brief errand, leaving Henry as the adult in charge. Ayers' two adult pit bulls and two puppies were inside the house. The dogs began menacing Avery when she entered the house to use the bathroom. Hearing the commotion, Henry went inside to find the dogs had cornered the child. She stepped between Avery and the dogs but was unable to calm or control the pit bulls. Avery ran to the backyard and the dogs, Apollo and Layla, chased after her, tugging her like a rag doll into the yard. Henry dashed outside and tried to stop the attack only to be bitten in the neck, arms, torso and ear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zachary Ruff had been power washing a nearby house, heard the screams and dragged his equipment to the fence. He blasted the dogs with water until Reynoldsburg Police Officer Scott Manny busted through the fence gate, shot one of the dogs and carried Avery to a waiting ambulance at the curb. The injuries were so bad that Manny couldn't tell at the time if Avery was a boy or girl. Paramedics rushed Avery to Nationwide Children's Hospital and took Henry to another Columbus area hospital for emergency surgeries. The Ohio House approved a bill to revamp the state's dangerous dog laws on June 18. Avery's Law, named after 12-year-old Avery Russell of Columbus, would require owners of dangerous dogs to purchase $100,000 in liability insurance and lock their dogs away when people visit their property. The bill would also require euthanasia of a dog that kills or seriously injures a human being. The legislation still needs to clear the Ohio Senate before it'll be sent to the governor. Fighting for changes Avery and her mother are pushing for changes to Ohio's vicious dog laws. The Ohio House voted unanimously in June for Avery's Law, which would increase penalties for owners of dangerous dogs that kill or seriously injure humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed law mandates euthanasia for dogs that cause serious injury or death, requires liability insurance, and increases registration fees. It also empowers dog wardens to make arrests and impound animals during investigations. The bill is now pending in the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings this fall. State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@gannett.com and @lbischoff on X. What do you think of Ohio's vicious dog laws? This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio woman found guilty of failing to control dogs in 2024 attack WASHINGTON A search so blatantly illegal that a high school student would know it violated the Constitution. Thats how a federal magistrate judge described the search of a Washington, D.C., man who was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm last week during President Donald Trumps takeover of the citys police force. The man, Torez Riley, who is Black, was headed into a Trader Joes grocery store when local cops stopped him to look through his bag, backed by a group of federal law enforcement agents. The judge, Zia M. Faruqui, said from the bench in D.C. federal court Monday that the police had no reason to stop Riley except for the color of his skin. Faruqui said he was dismissing the case, calling it absolutely maddening, and had some savage words for the way Trump has taken over local law enforcement in the nations capital. Related: Karoline Leavitts Truly Unbelievable New Claim About Trump Backfires Immediately The Sixth Amendment doesnt get thrown out the window because the government has decided to make a show of arresting people, said Faruqui, referring to the amendment that outlines basic rights in criminal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump declared a crime emergency in D.C. on Aug. 11 and asserted control over the citys Metropolitan Police Department, despite violent crime in the district recently hitting a 30-year low. Since then, agents from the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, the FBI and other federal agencies have been teaming up with local police to make arrests and, in many cases, detain immigrants for deportation. The show of force has outraged the citys residents, and Faruquis critique helps explain why. He said evidence from illegal searches has been suppressed in several of the cases he has overseen since Trumps takeover. He described the mentality of the U.S. attorneys office as charge first, ask questions later. And he noted that it all seemed to be for spectacle some big celebration that was fundamentally damaging to our city. Related: Gavin Newsoms Hilariously Brutal Birthday Post To Stephen Miller Is Truly A Gift Lawlessness cannot come from the government, said Faruqui, who was himself a prosecutor for 12 years. Were pushing the boundaries here. Were beyond the boundaries and something is going to have to break. National Guard members patrol 14th Street, working with Washington, D.C., Metro police on Sunday. Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images Riley was arrested on Aug. 18 when a pair of MPD officers spotted him walking with a satchel into the Trader Joes. They followed him into the store and asked to look in his bag, on the grounds his actions were consistent with that of an individual concealing an illegal firearm, according to the court complaint. They seized two unlicensed handguns from the bag. A lawyer for Riley, Elizabeth Mullin, said in court Monday that a panoply of federal agents accompanied MPD officers on the arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faruqui said it was irrelevant that the cops found guns because there was no justification for the search. Speaking to Riley, who sat before him in an orange jumpsuit on Monday, Faruqui said he understood that Riley was carrying the guns for his own protection, but that doing so would only get someone killed or land him in jail fairly or not, since the police are apparently willing to disregard constitutional rights. The police are out there looking for everybody, and it seems theyre looking for people that look like you, Faruqui said, one of several references he made to racial profiling. You cant go into a grocery store without getting stopped and illegally searched. Do you understand? The case against Riley was so weak that the government moved to dismiss its complaint on Monday, saying in a brief motion that doing so was in the interests of justice. The New York Times reported Sunday that the Riley case had become a point of contention inside the U.S. attorneys office, since several prosecutors there believed the search had clearly violated the Fourth Amendment, which guards against illegal searches and seizures. Trump and Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for D.C., have been hyping the number of arrests since the presidents takeover, which Pirro now says surpasses 1,000. But a lot of arrests have been for minor infractions, like having an open container of alcohol, or been geared toward immigration enforcement. Many immigrant workers, both documented and undocumented, have opted to stay home rather than risk a run-in with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rileys wife, Crashawna Williams, who is pregnant, said outside the courtroom Monday that Riley had missed several days of work at an auto repair shop and that she struggled to care for their three children alone while he was in jail. She was relieved to see the case being thrown out, but said he never should have been arrested in the first place. Related: 'D.C. Is Ours': Residents Vow To Fight Trumps Takeover Of City's Police He was just walking into Trader Joes to get some food, said Mullin, Rileys public defender. Faruqui apologized on behalf of the government but acknowledged the words were meaningless. He noted that Riley was on supervised release in Maryland and said the D.C. arrest could unfairly create trouble for him with the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is on your record forever, he said of the arrest. The seven days you spent in jail, nothing can undo that. Faruqui commended Benjamin Helfand, the prosecutor who appeared Monday seeking to drop the case. The judge said the U.S. attorneys office badly needs prosecutors who know the difference between an illegal search and a legal one. If the system is going to crumble, the last line of defense will be people like you, Faruqui said. Once you leave, were totally cooked. More Stories Trump Fires Fed Governor Lisa Cook, Opening New Front In Fight For Control Over Central Bank Ex-Trump White House Lawyer's Deadpan Response To John Bolton Raid Has NPR Host Howling FBI Lawyers Say DOJ Cant Be Trusted In Fight Over Jan. 6 List Read the original on HuffPost Filmmaker Sherrie Richman, who co-wrote Juke Box Hero with Chris Kawika Brown, said she hopes the recently released independent film will spark conversations in Hawaii about the prevalence of childhood sexual abusea trauma she herself experienced from a young age. Richman was joined for the films world premiere Aug. 11 at Kahala Consolidated Theatres by some of the films cast and crew, along with Hawaiian musician Kawika Kahiapo, and local charities dedicated to ending childhood sexual abuse and promoting justice and accountability. She told guests at the screening of her dark psychological drama about the long-term effects of sexual trauma, I was sexually abused, starting as young as maybe 5 or 6, I dont exactly know, because its true, we repress our memories and and we pretend (it didnt happen ). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richman said that the film is not autobiographical, but there are similarities to her own life. Visit jukeboxherothemovie.com for more information. Jade Tailor stars as Kiva Jade, a woman in her early 20s, whose dreams of a career as a multi-platinum, chart-topping superstar are snagged by flashbacks of childhood trauma. Brendan Sexton III co-stars as Allan Crossley, a gentle 20-something nursing home caregiver who has difficulty talking with women his age. Allens attempts to, perhaps, build a friendship with Kiva are complicated by his insecurities and her unhealed psychological injuries. For Richman, the film provided an opportunity to channel her courage to speak out against childhood sexual abuse in a way that she couldnt as a child. I was thankful that (the abuse ) had ended (when I was ) 11, but it stayed with me, and I didnt do anything about it, she said. I didnt say anything because it was like, Id like to convince myself it didnt really happen. And I have a sister, and it happened to her (too ). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richman said that she was in her early 20s and living in Los Angeles when flashbacks brought everything back (to me ). I was having these memories, and I called and asked my sister, Do you remember these things ?, Yes, she did. With that confirmation Richmans memories were confirmed as well. They had both experienced inappropriate fondling. The trauma had lingered years afterward. Richman says the first step in reducing sexual exploitation in Hawaii is knowing the signs of exploitation and abuse, and being willing to speak up. In Hawaii theres so much sort of shame (about this ) and were brought up to cover our shame, she said. You dont talk about this, you make nice. I always like to say, Lets make real, not make nice. Be diplomatic, but we need to be honest about the truth, because the more you bury the truth, the more pain youve got in your body and your life and your soul, and and it spreads to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And I dont say victims, Richman said. I dont say survivors. I like to say victors. Juke Box Hero comes at a time when awareness of sexual violence in its many forms is more important than ever, which is why the films premiere provided an opportunity for charity workers who are battling childhood sexual abuse in Hawaii to speak and share community impact stories. The Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC ) of Kapi olani Medical Center for Women & Children, which aids males as well as females, defines sexual violence as any forced, tricked, or coerced sexual activity. Coerced sexual activity can run the gamut from exploitative speech to inappropriate social media posts to physical forms of sexual abuse, according to the SATC. But any type of sexual activity when consent is not freely given can be deeply traumatic for the people who experience it, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although NO ! always means NO !, the age at which someone can legally give consent varies. Some states set the age at 18, others at 17. Hawaii is one of 29 states where the age of consent is 16, but when the state Legislature raised the age of consent from 14 to 16 in 2001, it wrote in a loophole that allows teens age 14 and 15 to legally consent to sexual activities with a person who is less than five years older. Although Hawaii allows 14-year-old middle school students to have consensual sex with 18-year-old college students, those 13 and younger cannot consent to doing anything with anybodyperiod. Andrew Aguirre, , business development manager for Ho ola Na Pua (New Life for Our Children ), a local nonprofit committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, and providing care for exploited children, says the problem of sexual exploitation is especially acute in Hawaii. The average age in the United States for the first point of any type of sexual exploitation is 14 years old, Aguirre said. In the state of Hawaii, it is 11 years old. On the Big Island, it is 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Estimates are that women and girls have a 1-in-4 chance of experiencing some form of sexual harassment or physical violence sometime in their lives, he said. Estimates for men and boys fall between 1 in 6 and 1 in 7, Aguirre added. People who experience some form of sexual abuse in early childhood are vulnerable to exploitation later on, he said. Were committed to the prevention of child sex trafficking and providing healing services to those that have already been previously exploited. We do this through a variety of programs, Aguirre said. Our community-based programs are done through education and advocacy where we discuss and teach the ways of recognizing signs of trafficking and exploitation. We advocate for survivors to make sure that their voices are heard. Ho ola Na Pua programs include the Hoku Group Services Program that provides weekly group sessions for youth in places like Hale Kipa that provide emergency shelters, transitional living programs, and independent living support for youth and young adults. Ho ola Na Pua also operates the Starfish Mentoring Program, which pairs youth with carefully-vetted adult mentors ; Aguirre says the program is looking for more mentors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Ho ola Na Pua opened Pearl Haven, a 32-bed Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-accredited facility that provides therapeutic services for girls 11-17 who have experienced complex trauma or who have been diagnosed with serious emotional and behavioral disturbances likely caused by sexual exploitation or trafficking. The duration of the program is case by case, Aguirre said. Its anywhere from six months up to 18 months, depending on the need of the youth. Seek help For help and support in Hawaii :The Sex Abuse Treatment Center offers comprehensive services to survivors of sexual violence, regardless of gender. Call 808-524-7273 or visitHo ola Na Pua : VisitPearl Haven : Visit TOPEKA (KSNT) Police have shut down an intersection in central Topeka Monday afternoon after a juvenile was hit by a vehicle. The Topeka Police Department (TPD) and other first responders are at the intersection of Southwest Washburn Avenue and Southwest 10th Street on Aug. 25. Law enforcement has closed the area to traffic and erected crime scene tape at the scene. Police told a 27 News reporter at the scene a juvenile was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street. The individual, believed to be in critical condition, is now stable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 27 News is reaching out to police for additional details on this situation. More information will be added here as it becomes available. Driver clocked at 93 mph in 35 mph zone in Junction City For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Just days before a shooting in Downtown Kansas City left two people dead and three others injured, Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced legislation to increase security at the place where the shooting occurred, a surface parking lot. Mayor Lucas says another shooting at 13th Street and Grand Boulevard started the process. I had conversations with business owners nearby, others on the downtown council, and I think we recognized it was a problem, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1 dead, 3 others hurt in KCMO shooting, stabbing: KCPD The ordinance would require permits for owners to operate a surface lot. The permit requires owners to have a fence around the property, gates at entrances and exits, security cameras and functional lighting. These are preventable incidents, Lucas said on Sunday. And in the same way that we look to crime prevention through environmental design, as simple as locking our doors, putting on exterior lighting, we need these types of places where there are consistent problems like this, consistent shooting activity, to make sure theyre doing their part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas says that he notices that at parking lots that have those features, he sees a lot less criminal activity, noting that other lots near 13th and Grand arent seeing the same issues. I tell you what, if there was a gate on that parking lot and people had to pay to be in there, if there were some sort of security patrols saying get the heck out, you probably wouldnt have a congregation of people that were hanging out. Its not 100%, its not failsafe, but its a start, he said. Lucas also says he hears the response from citizens on social media, who are concerned about the amount of violent crime. Some people are saying, well, KCPD knows about burnouts that happen in that lot. KCPD may know about shootings. Its not their job to be private security for every parking lot owner in Kansas City, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are saying, You think parking lots or the reason for this? No, not necessarily. But any place that breeds crime and breeds harm for people you protect, right? Overland Park fire damages home near 154th, Robinson: OPFD While Lucas noted that some on social media are calling for a larger law enforcement presence, or even the National Guard to come to Kansas City, he says hes doing whats within his power to address crime. The city runs its laws, and the city runs its policies. And if there are policies out there, such as crime prevention through environmental design, that gives us some steps to saving lives and our community, I owe it to the people of Kansas City to pursue it. Our number one role in government, even with the bizarre state control of the police, are all the disparate ways we make it harder to do in Kansas City, our number one goal is to keep people safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ordinance is set to be introduced in the city council on September 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, says in an interview with ALEC that one of his objectives will be to reduce overall state spending by $200 million and target Medicaid for spending cuts during the 2026 legislative session. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins said the 2026 Legislature would strive to slash $200 million from the state governments budget and seek to reduce expenditures on the Medicaid program delivering health care to low-income adults and children. Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who has served 13 years in the Legislature, said during an interview at an American Legislative Exchange Council conference in Indianapolis that he was proud the 2025 Legislature took the lead in crafting the current state budget. Ahead of the 2025 session, a Republican-controlled committee of the House and Senate developed its own budget bill rather than wait for Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys recommendation, as traditionally presented to lawmakers in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Republicans in the House and Senate operating with partisan supermajorities since Kellys election in 2018, Hawkins was critical in the interview of what he calculated to be a 60% rise in spending during Kellys seven years as governor. In the past legislative session, Hawkins said, the House and Senate whittled down the state budget for 2025-2026 to more than $200 million below the amount it approved for 2024-2025. That first $200 million is probably the easy one to cut, Hawkins said during the ALEC interview. It starts getting harder every year after that. I think well come in next year and well probably cut about $200 million out of the budget. He said the Legislatures decision to consolidate its grip on the budget process at the Capitol resulted in a bill that spent less than the amount sought by Kelly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor still says that we spend too much, but we cut $43 million, Hawkins told his ALEC audience. In response to an inquiry, Hawkins staff clarified the actual year-to-year cut by the Legislature was $38 million below spending proposed by Kelly. The Legislature did vote for $43 million in deletions, but some were vetoed by the governor. The Legislature chose not to override all of Kellys line-item vetoes. That left the overall cut at $38 million not $43 million. Governor Kelly has always prioritized responsible fiscal management, and the results speak for themselves: fully funded schools, record-breaking economic development and historic investments in the state water plan, said Will Lawrence, the governors chief of staff. Speaker Hawkins can play with the numbers all he wants, but the reality is the financial path he advocates for is eating through the states ending balance and threatening to undo all the progress Kansas has made in the last seven years. Lawrence said cutting Medicaid would strain the states rural health system and endanger 443,000 Kansans who participate in the health program. Kelly has spent years advocating for expansion of eligibility for Medicaid in Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unserious, misinformed proposals like these are not what Kansans deserve, and I suggest Speaker Hawkins talk to Kansans about their priorities, not conservative think tank staffers, Lawrence said. Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, says Republicans are more interested in giving tax breaks to their donors than they are in fiscal responsibility. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Other perspectives Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes and House Minority Leader Brandon Woodard, who lead Democrats in the Legislature, offered perspectives on Hawkins interview with Lars Dalseide, ALECs director of policy advancement and media relations. Sykes said GOP legislative leaderships overhaul of the budget process for the 2025 session served to advance their priorities without regard for bipartisanship or public input. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats, for example, objected to the GOP-led Legislatures deletion from the governors budget of $62 million for special education in public schools. Also cut was $10 million for the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy, a program to develop reading instructional skills among licensed teachers and college students preparing to become educators. A core objective of Republican legislators has been to advance tax cuts most beneficial to wealthy Kansans, Sykes said. Fiscal responsibility is just a talking point to Republicans, Sykes said. Time and time again, they say they want to dig deeper into the budget, but the reality is they want to give away big tax breaks to their donors on the backs of working Kansans. Senate Democrats will continue to stand for true fiscal stability and not just partisan talking points. The Legislature is controlled by Republican supermajorities in the 125-member House and 40-member Senate. The two-thirds partisan advantage has meant the GOP could override any veto by Kelly. In the House, Republicans hold an 88-37 edge. The margin stands at 31-9 in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Patrick Schmidt, D-Topeka, says Republicans are lying when they make claims of widespread inefficiency in the state Medicaid program. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) The Medicaid issue Hawkins, who is seeking the Republican Partys 2026 nomination for state insurance commissioner, said the Legislature should strive during the upcoming session in Topeka to reduce spending on Medicaid. He said there were opportunities for the Legislature to restrict expenditures by getting rid of inefficiencies. Just like weve seen on the federal level, Medicaid has lots of opportunity, Hawkins said. I think that when we really start looking, well find some duplicative efforts. Woodard, who has urged the Legislature to broaden eligibility for Medicaid to more lower-income adults, said the House speakers plan to reduce health services for children, pregnant women, people with disabilities and the elderly was misguided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when Kansans are struggling to make ends meet, Republicans are threatening to further cut Medicaid at the expense of our most vulnerable Kansans, he said. Sen. Patrick Schmidt, a Topeka Democrat who served on the Senates government efficiency committee, said attempts to undermine Medicaid in the quest for efficiencies jeopardized the well-being of thousands of adults and children in Kansas. Claims of widespread inefficiency within Medicaid have been exaggerated, he said. When they say those words, theyre just lying, he said. Medicaid helps people get back to work. Key Points Fords long history, which spans more than 120 years, has made it a symbol of American industry. One of the biggest criticisms of Fords operations is that demand will always be cyclical, as sales will ebb and flow with the economy. The stock is cheap, and the dividend yield is high, but investors wont achieve huge returns. 10 stocks we like better than Ford Motor Company Ford (NYSE: F) is a rare business because it's been around for so long. Having been founded in 1903, the automaker has been an important part of the American economy. And its ongoing relevance shows just how successful it has been in its industry. This auto stock is having a great year thus far. As of Aug. 19, it's up 17% in 2025. But can Ford turn its investors into millionaires over the long term? Here's what you should know about the Detroit car company. Image source: Getty Images. Looking at Ford's business under the hood With a history that spans more than 120 years, Ford has built up brand awareness simply from being around for such a long time. This brand recognition is also supported by the fact that the company's F-series pickups have been the best-selling trucks in the U.S. for 48 straight years. That's an unbelievable track record. However, I think a deeper look at this company will reveal that it's not a high-quality operation that investors will want to own for a long time. There are some key reasons why. Ford isn't going to post strong revenue growth consistently. Unit volumes were up 14.2% in the U.S. in the second quarter (ended June 30), thanks to significant demand during Ford's employee-pricing program to boost sales amid trade and tariff uncertainties. This pace isn't sustainable. Between 2014 and 2024, Ford's top line increased at a compound annual rate of just 2.5%, a trend that seems likely to continue going forward. The global auto industry is very mature in the sense that unit volumes won't increase in any meaningful way on a yearly basis. Ford is making a push into electric vehicles, a part of the industry with potential, but this specific segment posted a $1.3 billion operating loss in Q2. Cyclicality is another reason that investors should tread with caution. Cars are huge buying decisions for consumers, as opposed to being small, repeat purchases. This makes Ford's demand highly sensitive to economic forces. If there's a mild downturn or even a severe recession, sales could face significant pressure. As a result, Ford's low profitability, as demonstrated by its Q2 adjusted operating margin of 4.3% and adjusted return on invested capital of 10.1%, will take a hit. In fact, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the business post a net loss in an adverse economic scenario. Ford's profitability leaves much to be desired, and it's yet another reason this isn't a great company. EMPORIA (KSNT) An Emporia-based Spanish group is rebranding this month. Originally Emporia Spanish Speakers, the group has recently rebranded to reflect the broader mission of supporting Spanish speakers in all corners of Kansas. Although they are still based in Emporia, the group provides Spanish language instruction, bilingual events and cross-cultural initiatives that aim to create more inclusive communities in other parts of the state. Trade war threatens Kansas soy industry, despite record yields Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the groups Emporia-based events like Se Habla Espanol, the Language Exchange and Vamos a Explorar will be expanding into new regions through partnerships and workshops. These programs will also continue locally. From the very beginning, our mission has been about building bridges, said LeLan Dains, founder and executive director of Kansas Spanish Speakers. As Kansas Spanish Speakers, we can bring that same energy and commitment beyond Emporiahelping more communities connect across language and culture. Historic Kansas civil war battle flags in desperate need of restoration The team is still in the process of transitioning its social media accounts and website to the updated brand. More updates will be provided as they are announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) Police say the person responsible for a deadly shooting in Kalamazoo in 2023 was caught after his lost wallet was turned into a Florida police department. The person who found the wallet gave it to police in the Tampa suburb of Temple Terrace. Inside was Daniel Partees Florida drivers license, which included a Tampa address. Investigators soon realized Partee was wanted for murder. Temple Terrace police called in the Hillsborough County (Florida) Sheriffs Office Saturday. The next day, Partee was arrested without incident, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Partee, 34, is now is awaiting extradition back to Michigan to face open murder and weapons charges stemming from the death of Kunta Davis. Florida deputies said he was carrying a plastic bag with Xanax inside when they arrested him, so he also faces drug charges there. No matter how far you run or how well you think you can hide, we will find you, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a Monday statement. This arrest demonstrates that violent criminals cannot escape justice by crossing state lines. Our deputies worked with our law enforcement partners to ensure this dangerous fugitive was taken off our streets. We will continue to pursue anyone who thinks they can commit heinous crimes elsewhere and find refuge in Hillsborough County. Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied. City concerned, frustrated by violence in Kalamazoo in 2023 Kunta Davis, 43, was shot and killed on Cameron Street north of Stockbridge Avenue on the evening of Sept. 22, 2023. The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety says the city saw a record 22 homicides that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, KDPS set two detectives to work on cold case killings. The Davis shooting was one of the cases they tackled, eventually leading the county prosecutor to file charges against Partee on Aug. 7. This arrest highlights the importance of never giving up on seeking justice for victims and their families, Capt. Danielle Guilds, who heads up KDPS Criminal Investigations Division, said in a Monday statement. The dedication of our cold case detectives, combined with strong partnerships with out-of-state law enforcement agencies, was instrumental in moving this investigation forward. This case is a reminder that time does not diminish our commitment to holding offenders accountable. Violent crime in Kalamazoo dropped from 2023 to 2024, police say KDPS says it is still investigating the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 269.337.8139 or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. President Donald Trump and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp shake hands with members of the Georgia National Guard in Evans at a briefing on Hurricane Helene recovery in 2024. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is sending approximately 75 members of Georgias National Guard to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with immigration enforcement efforts, his office announced Monday. The Peach State is joining 18 other states to mobilize a collective 1,700 troops nationwide. Guard members will not be tasked with making immigration arrests, but instead will assist with administrative and logistic support, according to the governors office. Processing and training is scheduled to begin in mid-September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am proud to stand with President Trumps team in the ongoing efforts to secure our nations border and keep Americans safe, Kemp said in a statement. With the longest continuous presence at the border of any National Guard, Georgia has led on this front for years and will continue to do so through this latest measure while still meeting all responsibilities and duties the Guard has to the state. State officials also stressed that partnerships between the National Guard and other governmental entities are not new. In February of 2024, Kemp authorized members of Georgias National Guard to assist with Texas border operations. They also said that the move to have guard members assist with immigration enforcement is different and separate from Trumps recent takeover of the District of Columbia. State Rep. Eric Bell speaks at a press conference during the 2024 session. Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder State Rep. Eric Bell, a Jonesboro Democrat who served in the U.S. Navy, condemned the use of the Georgia National Guard to assist with immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe Georgia is standing at a crossroads regarding governance and the protection of individual rights, he said in a statement. What is before us is not from foreign shores but from withinthe possibility of deploying troops on our own soil, against our own citizens. This is no act of security. I believe this an attempt to create division among Americans and Georgians and could be seen as serving private interests rather than the public. Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, also condemned the mobilization of the national guard. Unfortunately, this is another authoritarian move by the Trump regime, Gonzalez said. Our Georgia governor is going along with these fascist efforts to militarize attacks against our communities with violations of law with no due process for immigration enforcement. This story was updated at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26 to include a statement from Jerry Gonzalez. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56) Protestors gathered outside the Rockcastle County Courthouse on Monday, demanding change, as Kentucky State Police opens an investigation into the county animal shelter. On Aug. 22, Hailie Garcia, an animal rescuer, made a Facebook post thats been shared far and wide recounting what she described as a nightmare at the Rockcastle County Animal Shelter. Thousands of people have shared the graphic images, videos, and descriptions. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Garcia wrote of filthy conditions, animals left in the extreme heat and freezing temperatures, mass euthanasia, missing animals, and deceased dogs left inside the allegedly disease-ridden kennels. But she said this isnt a new issue. For years, rescuers and animal advocates have fought for change. For years, nothing has changed. In fact, it only seems to have gotten worse, Garcia said. Back in 2008, a local article exposed the shelter for placing live puppies in garbage bags and leaving them in a freezer to die. That was 17 years ago. Today, in 2025, similar horrific conditions appear to remain. Aug. 7, 2008 issue of the Mt. Vernon Signal (Madison County Public Library) Garcia said that on the morning of August 20, she made a similar discovery while at the shelter to see which animals she could secure for rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As I walked through, photographing animals to see who I could secure rescue for, I heard howling. It wasnt coming from any of the outside kennels, she wrote. I followed the noise to the shelters outside back area, near the cat room, and then I heard it again. It was coming from the freezerthe same freezer where euthanized animals are stored. I didnt know what to do, so I left to find help. Warning the following image includes graphic content, viewer discretion is advised. Hailie Garcia says these photos show conditions at the Rockcastle County Animal Shelter (Change.org) My heart automatically dropped when I opened the door. Inside, I found a dog on the cold floor, not even bagged. The body was not yet stiff. This dog had probably JUST died. Blood stained the floor and walls, she described. How many other times has this happened and nobody was around to hear the howling? After her discovery, Garcia launched a petition demanding the immediate termination of the shelters director, accountability, funding, and staff to bring humane conditions back to Rockcastle County. Since its garnered over 2,500 signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Kentucky news The protest was initially going to be held outside the animal shelter. But when she showed up on Monday morning, Garcia said she was met by law enforcement, who said the shelter would be closed for the day and nobody would be allowed on the property. We are having security cameras installed today at the animal shelter; as soon as they are up and going, the shelter will be open back up. Also the KSP has opened a investigation on the allegations that have been made Judge Executive Howell Holbrook Trooper Scottie Pennington confirmed the status of the investigation but said that its still in early stages. Garcia said that shell be outside the courthouse all week to collect signatures for the petition. I want all laws, Kentucky animal laws to be followed. I want these animals to stop living in the conditions that they are, and I want them to have better change, Garcia told FOX 56. And if we can get enough citizens to stand up and demand that this stops, and change has to happen now, change may actually happen for once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Brianna Rich, who was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her mother in March, is due in court on Monday, Aug. 25. Rich, 26, was arrested after deputies with the Laurel County Sheriffs Office found the body of her mother, Carol Rich, outside her home on Burnett Road around 9 p.m. on March 14. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Aug. 22, a motion was filed by Richs legal counsel to be evaluated for mental competency to stand trial. If the motion were granted as filed, she would also be tested to see if she suffered long-term brain damage or experienced external emotional disturbance on March 14. She appeared in court on the morning of July 28 for a pre-trial conference. Her next appearance another pre-trial conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday. Rich, charged with murder, has been lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center, where she is being held on a $250,000 cash bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Old Kern Canyon Road is open Wednesday after being closed due to rain washing over the road creating unsafe travel conditions. The Kern County Fire Department announced the roads closure following the Little Fire that started Friday afternoon. Highway 178 has been reopened and both lanes are functioning. Bulldozers were sent out to Old Kern Canyon Road due to the mud flows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KCFD advises driving with caution throughout the area due to both fire and road crews working in the area. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. KILLEEN, Texas (FOX 44) More than 100 Killeen Independent School District students have earned national recognition for academic excellence from the College Board, placing them among the top ten percent of high school scholars nationwide! According to Killeen ISD, the College Board National Recognition Program honors outstanding student achievement and connects recipients with universities across the country during the recruitment and scholarship process. Eligible students are considered across three categories: School Recognition Award, First-Generation Recognition Award, and Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award. In order to qualify, students need to demonstrate consistent academic success in grades 10 and 11, earn top scores on the PSAT/NMSQT or Advanced Placement exams, and maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher. This year, 101 Killeen ISD students representing Chaparral High School, Early College High School, Ellison High School, Harker Heights High School, Killeen High School, and Robert M. Shoemaker High School earned recognition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is the list of students, courtesy of Killeen ISD: CHAPARRAL HIGH SCHOOL Tolulope Abudu School Recognition Award Dominic Alexander School Recognition Award Ahmed Al-Omairi School Recognition Award Ariyanna Barlow School Recognition Award Keenan Branch School Recognition Award Abigail Cruz First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Grace Davila First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Yul Eroy School Recognition Award Caiden Gallegos School Recognition Award Jade Gile First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Alexander Gonzalez First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Trevor Gosney School Recognition Award Alana Green School Recognition Award Fenix Green First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Jaida Johnson School Recognition Award Samrah Khan School Recognition Award Zoraya Lazo-Nieves School Recognition Award Kayla Martinez First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Erica Mikulec-Dalzell First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award John Miller First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Jerome Mina School Recognition Award Ava Morgan First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Corde Munoz School Recognition Award Levi Robinson School Recognition Award Jessica Rogers School Recognition Award Nuri Sanft School Recognition Award Oshanna Valentine School Recognition Award Devin Williamson First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Christian Zimmerman School Recognition Award EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL Elena Alcaraz First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Dayanaris Aviles First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Charlotte Borja Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Haley Byrd School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Maxymus Channan First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Chen First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Juan Diego Cossio School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Yanelis De Sedas Velez First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Danielle Ellis Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Elizabeth Favela First-Generation Recognition Award Sayuri Fejeran First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Luciano Figueroa First-Generation Recognition Award Arvin Gonfel First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Sienna Gonzalez First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Lara Gray First-Generation Recognition Award Keith Halton First-Generation Recognition Award Sasha Herberger School Recognition Award Juliana Jensen School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Kaiyah King School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Elijah Laudat School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Triniti Mack School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Shane McMichael First-Generation Recognition Award Harmony Moralez First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Yarienis Mota First-Generation Recognition Award Earline Nixon Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Ariana Nobuo First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Thomas Pauley School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Carina Pitre First-Generation Recognition Award Tristan Rehse School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Alexandra Reyes Gumbs First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Elijah Robles School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Lilia Ruano Labarga School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Tyson Salaiz School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Erianys Sanchez Ortiz School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Isabella Soto School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Destiny Sullivan First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Rose Torres Costas First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Mairalynn Urena School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award Jacob Vanvalkenburg School Recognition Award ELLISON HIGH SCHOOL Kristina Apiado School Recognition Award Hunter Emblen School Recognition Award Kelysha Linton First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Jamie Mahatha School Recognition Award Kristopher Pelayo First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Garland Potvin School Recognition Award Belto Villasanta First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award HARKER HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL Isabella Alvarez School Recognition Award Kendra Catlin School Recognition Award Evelyn Counihan School Recognition Award Ricardo Figueroa First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Montserrat Hernandez Martinez First-Generation Recognition Award Alexander Kim School Recognition Award Rebekah Koh School Recognition Award Liliana Mendez School Recognition Award Leonidas Michelon First-Generation Recognition Award Mervin Jayden Narito School Recognition Award Kaden Nguyen First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Juan Orduna First-Generation Recognition Award Hannah Shin School Recognition Award Hannah Thompson School Recognition Award Nanami Threadgill First-Generation Recognition Award Israel Valdes-Munoz First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Caroline Vanderburg School Recognition Award Rachel Yancey School Recognition Award Gloria Yi First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award KILLEEN HIGH SCHOOL Jake Kilpatrick First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award Mackenna Dempsey School Recognition Award Malakai Thornton School Recognition Award ROBERT M. SHOEMAKER HIGH SCHOOL Tyller Harris School Recognition Award Jaida Holliman School Recognition Award Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellen McInelly School Recognition Award Charles Rodriguez Caraballo School Recognition Award Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) Judge Paula Xinis said she will issue an order to keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia in the country while she reviews a challenge to a Trump administration plan to quickly deport him to Uganda. He was taken into custody Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Baltimore when he appeared for a check-in with officials, his attorney said. Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador in March, filed a new lawsuit in the states federal district court shortly after he was detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Simon-Sandoval Moshenberg said the habeas petition will challenge his current confinement and deportation to Uganda or to any other country unless and until hes had a fair trial. ICE director says hell flood Boston after Mayor Wu refuses to comply with feds During an executive order signing, President Donald Trump said his administration has Abrego Garcia under control. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE was processing him for deportation as of Monday morning. The judge presiding over Abrego Garcias deportation has scheduled a conference call for Monday afternoon regarding his most recent filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE has given Abrego Garcia a 72-hour notice before deporting him meaning his window ends Wednesday afternoon. Costa Rica shared willingness to receive Kilmar Abrego Garcia Abrego Garcia last week rejected the Trump administrations offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, his attorneys previously said. A letter from the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica on Thursday expressed its willingness to accept the transfer of Abrego Garcia from the U.S., adding that it intended to provide refugee status or residency for him upon arrival. The Costa Rican government will not remove Mr. Abrego Garcia to any third country, including Mr. Abrego Garcias home country, without Mr. Abrego Garcias consent, according to the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California officials raise warning on illegal Chinese pesticides Skipping the administrations deal could instead have Abrego Garcia deported to Uganda a country he has no connections to no earlier than 72 hours from now (absent weekends), according to his lawyers. Abrego Garcia, in a Saturday filing, said he fears persecution, torture or further deportation to El Salvador if he were sent to Uganda. That same day, he designated Costa Rica his preferred country of deportation. In 2019, a U.S. immigration judge had barred Abrego Garcia from being deported back to his native El Salvador because he likely faced persecution there by local gangs who had terrorized him and his family. Kilmar Abrego Garcia says love will trump ahead of ICE check-in Abrego Garcia told a crowd of supporters that love will trump, minutes before he was due to report to the officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my ICE check-in, promise me this: Promise me that you will continue to pray, continue to fight, resist and love not just for me but for everybody, continue to demand freedom, he told the crowd. California officials raise warning on illegal Chinese pesticides What is Kilmar Abrego Garcia accused of? On Friday, a U.S. federal judge ordered Abrego Garcias release from a Tennessee jail, where he had been held since being returned to the U.S. in June, following his mistaken deportation to El Salvadors notorious CECOT prison in March. After initially accusing him of being a gang member, the Trump administration called Abrego Garcias deportation an administrative error in April. Top officials have since walked back those comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Migration down, but violence against migrants continues This courtroom sketch depicts Kilmar Abrego Garcia sitting in court during his detention hearing on June 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (Diego Fishburn via AP) Supporters of Kilmar Abrego Garcia rally outside the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md., where a hearing was scheduled to be held on returning him to Maryland on July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Kilmar Abrego Garcia, third from right, leaves the Putnam County Jail on Aug. 22, 2025, in Cookeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen) This undated photo provided by Murray Osorio PLLC shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (Murray Osorio PLLC via AP) Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASAs Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., on April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) Noem released a statement Friday in part saying: Today, we reached a new low with this publicity hungry Maryland judge mandating this illegal alien who is a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator be allowed free. The courts have found there is insufficient evidence to tie Abrego Garcia to the gang and have determined he is neither a danger to the community nor a flight risk. NewsNations Jordan Perkins and Steph Whiteside 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. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the illegal migrant who was wrongly deported by the Trump administration, has been re-detained by immigration officials in the US after his release from a Salvadorian mega-prison. Mr Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March and then sent back to the US, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore on Monday. ICE was processing him for deportation, Kristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mr Abrego Garcias lawyers, the government intends to deport him to Uganda. In 2019, a judge ruled that Mr Abrego Garcia, who entered the US illegally, should not be deported because he could be harmed in his home country. However, under Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented migrants he became one of more than 200 people sent to El Salvadors notorious mega-prison, Cecot. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March, before being sent back to the US before being charged with human smuggling - Stephanie Scarbrough After justice department lawyers admitted Mr Abrego Garcia had been wrongly deported to El Salvador, he was returned to US soil only to be detained again in Tennessee on human smuggling charges. Mr Abrego Garcia was released on Friday and permitted to return home to Maryland pending trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was required to check in with ICE in Baltimore on Monday as one of the conditions of his release. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Mr Abrego Garcias attorneys, said his client was taken into custody by ICE when he turned up for the appointment. The notice stated that the reason was an interview, Mr Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Clearly that was false. There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the US marshal service and basically on house arrest, he said. The only reason that theyve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. Mr Abrego Garcia kisses his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office - Elizabeth Frantz On Monday, a federal judge said she would order officials to ensure Mr Abrego Garcia is not removed from the US while she considers a legal challenge to the Trump administrations plan to deport him to Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Mr Abrego Garcia was taken into custody his lawyers filed a lawsuit asking Paula Xinis, a US district judge, to order his release and slow down the removal process. Judge Xinis said the government would be absolutely forbidden to remove Abrego Garcia from the continental United States, although it was not clear how long this order would remain. The attempt to deport Mr Abrego Garcia to Uganda in East Africa adds a new twist to a saga that became a test case for Mr Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration. The administration alleges he is a violent MS-13 gang member who smuggled other undocumented migrants into the country. Mr Abrego Garcia denies any wrongdoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, when it became clear Mr Abrego Garcia would be released the following day, government officials made him a plea offer to remain in custody, plead guilty to human smuggling and be deported to Costa Rica. He declined the offer. 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. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported in March before being brought back to the U.S. to face new criminal charges, was taken into immigration custody upon checking in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at its office in Baltimore on Monday morning and is currently being held at a detention center in Virginia, where he is again facing deportation. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who has been overseeing his deportation case, said at a habeas hearing Monday afternoon that the federal government is "absolutely forbidden" from deporting him for the time being. "Your clients are absolutely forbidden at this juncture to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia from the continental United States," Judge Xinis told government attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from criminal custody in Tennessee The federal government is currently blocked from deporting him through Wednesday, and Judge Xinis said she is also considering extending a temporary restraining order blocking Abrego Garcia from being deported to Uganda, where the government has indicated he may be sent despite his designated country of choice being Costa Rica. The judge also said she will order the government not to move Abrego Garcia from the Virginia detention center where's he's currently being held, and to make sure he has access to counsel. Abrego Garcia, who was released into his brother's custody in Maryland Friday from criminal custody in Tennessee to await trial on charges of human smuggling, was detained by ICE Monday morning as soon as he entered ICE's office in Baltimore for a scheduled check-in, his attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We asked the ICE officer what the reason for his detention was, the ICE officer didn't answer," Sandoval-Moshenberg said, adding that ICE officers would not say which detention center his client would be taken to. Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters - PHOTO: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, attends an event with supporters, as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, in Baltimore, Maryland, August 25, 2025. "We asked the ICE officer for a copy of any paperwork that's being served on him today, the ICE officer wouldn't commit to even giving us that paperwork," Sandoval-Moshenberg said. According to a court filing from his attorneys, ICE notified Abrego Garcia's lawyers that he may be deported to Uganda after Abrego Garcia rejected a plea deal to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges and remaining in jail. In the filing, Abrego Garcia's attorneys accused the federal government of trying to force their client to accept a guilty plea or face deportation to East Africa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native, 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. He was brought back to the U.S. in June to face charges in Tennessee of allegedly transporting undocumented migrants within the U.S. while he was living in Maryland. He has pleaded not guilty. In July, Judge Xinis ordered that, should he be released while awaiting trial, Abrego Garcia be placed under ICE supervision in Maryland, where he was living with his wife and children before he was mistakenly deported in March, to "provide the kind of effective relief to which a wrongfully removed alien is entitled upon return." Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters - PHOTO: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, attends an event with supporters, as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, in Baltimore, Maryland, August 25, 2025. Xinis also said that if the government intends to deport Abrego Garcia to a third country, it needs to provide 72 hours' notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order allowed the Trump administration to initiate "lawful immigration proceedings" when Abrego Garcia returned to Maryland. The immigration proceedings may or may not include "lawful arrest, detention and eventual removal," Xinis said in July. In their habeas lawsuit filed Monday morning, Abrego Garcia's lawyers accused the federal government of taking him into custody without providing him the right to be heard "on his expressed fears of persecution and torture" should he be deported to Uganda. "Respondents are seeking to remove Petitioner to Uganda -- a process which they know will trigger lengthy legal proceedings -- rather than Costa Rica -- the country for removal designated by Petitioner that offered him resettlement -- in order to punish him for his constitutionally protected activity," the attorneys said in the filing. The attorneys allege the government is seeking to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda instead of Costa Rica for "refusing to plead guilty in his criminal proceedings" in Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Timeline: Wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador "In so doing, Respondents know and intend for Petitioner to be detained by ICE for a lengthy period of time, even though a removal to Costa Rica could be effectuated with little or no ICE detention at all, and Respondents seek to use ICE detention to punish Petitioner," the filing states. The lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland shortly after Abrego Garcia was detained by ICE, requested that the court block the government from detaining Abrego Garcia "more than 200 miles" from the courthouse in Baltimore. The attorneys also asked the court to block the government from removing Abrego Garcia to Uganda without first attempting to remove him to Costa Rica. They also asked the court to order the government to allow Abrego Garcia to have a "reasonable fear" interview before their client is deported to Uganda. GreensKeeper Asset Management, an investment management company, released its second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The Value Fund has reached the midpoint of 2025, recording a decline of -3.6% net of fees and expenses. The US dollar has experienced a substantial depreciation, negatively impacting performance by over 5.0% year-to-date (YTD). The funds robust beginning in Q1 was reversed in Q2 as markets shrugged off President Trumps Liberation Day tariffs and adopted a full risk on stance. In addition, you can check the funds top 5 holdings to determine its best picks for 2025. In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, GreensKeeper Asset Management highlighted stocks such as American Express Company (NYSE:AXP). American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) operates as an integrated payments company. The one-month return of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) was 2.71%, and its shares gained 25.71% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 22, 2025, American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) stock closed at $319.16 per share, with a market capitalization of $222.098 billion. Burke Wealth Management stated the following regarding American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: "The top contributor to the portfolio in the second quarter was American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) +18.6%. AXPs affluent customer base continued to spend in Q1, with revenues up 8% at constant currency, causing the stock to end the quarter just shy of its all-time high. During Q2, AXP announced upgrades to its US Consumer and Business Platinum cards, which will be released later this year. AXP continues to tailor its products to capture the spending of younger consumers, with Millennials and Gen Z now accounting for 35% of total US consumer spending. We believe these investments will strengthen the companys network effect and further lock young consumers into AXPs ecosystem as their incomes and card spending continue to rise. Additionally, AXP is widening its use cases on the commercial side of the business with recent product launches tailored towards working capital and expense management. This should expand the number of transactions that AXP can participate in and increase switching costs with commercial card users." Is American Express Company (AXP) a Reliable Income Stock for Long-Term Investors? A close-up view of a payment terminal, capturing the sophistication of a payment network. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 70 hedge fund portfolios held American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) at the end of the second quarter, which was 75 in the previous quarter. In the second quarter of 2025, American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) reported revenue of $17.9 billion, which represents a 9% increase year-over-year. While we acknowledge the potential of American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) 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. BALTIMORE -- Kilmar Abrego Garcia was detained Monday morning at Baltimores U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement Office after speaking at a protest outside the office. Abrego Garcia, a 30-year-old El Salvador native and father of three from Prince Georges County, had been detained for five months following a mistaken deportation. On Friday, he was told to report to the Baltimore ICE office for possible deportation to Uganda after being released from a jail in in Tennessee and returning to Maryland. Chants of Si, se puede Yes, you can filled the air as Abrego Garcia on Monday morning outside the building where the ICE office is located, his wife and others by his side, their hands on his shoulders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the steps of the facility Monday, Abrego Garcia spoke through a translator to a crowd gathered in support, urging them not to lose hope. No matter what happens today at my ICE check-in, promise me this, he said. Youll continue praying, resisting, fighting for me and for all. Abrego Garcia was first detained in a Salvadoran mega-prison and later in other jails following a mistaken deportation. In June, he was held on human smuggling charges in Tennessee. The U.S. government gave Abrego Garcia the option to plead guilty to the smuggling charges and be deported to Costa Rica or face deportation to Uganda. He maintains his innocence against the charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcias lawyer, Sean Hecker, filed a motion to dismiss the smuggling charges as vindictive and selective prosecution. The Trump administration has claimed Abrego Garcia is a member of the international gang MS-13. Abrego Garcia was originally granted a withholding of removal by an immigration judge in 2019, which protected him from deportation because he would face gang violence if he returned to El Salvador. However, Abrego Garcia now faces possible deportation again if he does not accept a plea deal. U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, whose district includes Hyattsville, where Abrego Garcia has lived with his family for years, called the charges unjust. Ivey said when he worked for the Justice Department, they admitted when they were wrong and owned it unlike the current administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ellyn Loy, a Baltimore resident, came to support Abrego Garcia and said: Seeing whats happening in this country, it is becoming a fascist culture. People need to be a part of [resistance] in whatever way they can. Loy stood with longtime friend and now-Hyattsville resident Rob Duncan, a retired Local 5 iron worker out of Washington. Abrego Garcia is his neighbor, Duncan said, and although he did not know him personally before the arrest, he said he knew many in the community who did. Duncan has attended every news conference or courthouse appearance by Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Sura. This was his first time seeing Abrego Garcia in person, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they can come for my neighbor, Im going to be next, Duncan said. Sura and Abrego Garcia entered together Monday morning, but she emerged from the building without her husband. Abrego Garcia was detained by ICE an outcome his immigration attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, expected. As soon as he hit the sixth floor, they detained him and would not say why or where they would take him, he said in Spanish. Jennifer firmly looked at the officers in the face and said, Remember this moment when you go home and look at your kids. You have once again kidnapped my husband, a CASA representative told the crowd after Sura left in a black SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was unclear Monday morning if the plea deal is off the table, but Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego Garcia may be allowed to leave for Costa Rica if he pleads guilty and to Uganda if the does not. They dont have present legal authority to deport him to Uganda, he said. He has legal rights to due process and is on ankle monitoring. There was no reason for [this]. Sandoval-Moshenberg said he filed a suit this morning asking that Abrego Garcia not be removed until he has gone through the full due process he is entitled to. Our contention is they cant send them to any one of the other 200 countries on earth unless he will have a legal status as Costa Rica has offered (as a refugee), he said. The Baltimore ICE is notorious, it has been one of the worst in the nation since February of people coming in the front door and being taken out the back door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are weaponizing the immigration system, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. It is clear the government is far more interested in throwing its weight around and doing whatever they want to whoever they want, the lawyer said. Area elected officials in Baltimore voiced their upset with the situation. This is a horrible day, said Baltimore city councilwoman Odette Ramos, tearing up. This is one of the most emotional days Ive had in my time as a councilwoman Theyre playing with his life and not just him, there was a whole line of people. They were all scared. BALTIMORE Kilmar Abrego Garcia was detained Monday morning at Baltimores U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office while appearing for a routine ICE check-in. He is being processed for deportation to Uganda, according to a post on the social media site X by the White House. Supporters gathered by immigration nonprofit CASA rallied on the steps and in the plaza outside the building. Chants of Si, se puede Yes, you can, the chant associated with the largely Latino union, United Farm Workers filled the air as Abrego Garcia spoke to the crowd outside the building where the ICE office is located, his wife and others by his side, their hands on his shoulders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia, a 30-year-old El Salvador native and father of three from Prince Georges County, had been detained for five months following a mistaken deportation. He was released last week from a Tennessee jail and returned to Maryland, on the condition that he regularly reports for ICE check-ins. On Friday, he was told to report to the Baltimore ICE office for possible deportation to Uganda, court documents filed in the Middle District of Tennessee showed. Pursuant to the court order issued in the District Court of Maryland please let this email serve as notice that DHS may remove your client, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to Uganda no earlier than 72 hours from now (absent weekends), wrote ICE Principal Legal Advisor Charles Wall in an email to lawyer Sean Hecker, sent at 4: 01 p.m. Friday. According to the filings, if Abrego Garcia agreed to plead guilty to the charges against him, he would be allowed to leave for Costa Rica, which had offered him refugee status. If he refused the plea, he would be deported to Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his lawyer, Abrego Garcia was not given the opportunity to agree to the plea. Instead, upon setting foot on the sixth floor, his lawyer said, ICE officials detained Abrego Garcia in front of his wife.. Today, ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia [sic][ and are processing him for deportation, Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem posted on the social media platform X at 8:34 a.m. Monday. President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer. The White House posted a thread on X with a photoshopped poster of Abrego Garcia, with the words MS-13 displayed prominently under his face. Still NOT [sic] a Maryland Dad, the post read. Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador who came to the U.S. illegally when he was 16 years old, has been accused by the U.S. government of being a member of the MS-13 gang in addition to the charges of human trafficking. He was first detained in a Salvadoran mega-prison for terrorists and later in other jails following a mistaken deportation, despite Maryland officials regularly arguing for his return to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, he was returned to the U.S. only to be held on human trafficking charges in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia maintains his innocence against the charges and says he is not a member of any gang. Minutes before his arrest, Abrego Garcia spoke through a translator to the crowd, urging them not to lose hope. No matter what happens today at my ICE check-in, promise me this, he said. Youll continue praying, resisting, fighting for me and for all. Hecker filed a motion to dismiss the trafficking charges as vindictive and selective prosecution. Sen. Chris Van Hollen released a statement Monday saying he will continue to fight for Abrego Garcias right to due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While ICE is holding Kilmar Abrego Garcia and keeping his lawyers in the dark as to what is next for him, Administration officials continue to spread lies about the facts in his case, Van Hollen said. Instead of spewing unproven allegations in the press and social media, the Trump Administration needs to put up or shut up in court and allow Mr. Abrego Garcia the opportunity to defend himself. Abrego Garcia was originally granted a withholding of removal by an immigration judge in 2019, which protected him from deportation because he would face gang violence if he returned to El Salvador. U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey, whose district includes Hyattsville, where Abrego Garcia has lived with his family for years, spoke before Abrego Garcia entered the building for his appointment. Ivey called the charges unjust. Ivey said when he worked for the Justice Department, they admitted when they were wrong and owned it unlike the current administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ellyn Loy, a Baltimore resident, came to support Abrego Garcia and said: Seeing whats happening in this country, it is becoming a fascist culture. People need to be a part of [resistance] in whatever way they can. Loy stood with longtime friend and now-Hyattsville resident Rob Duncan, a retired Local 5 iron worker out of Washington. Abrego Garcia is his neighbor, Duncan said, and although he did not know him personally before the arrest, he said he knew many in the community who did. Duncan said he has attended every news conference or courthouse appearance by Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Sura, but this was his first time seeing Abrego Garcia in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they can come for my neighbor, Im going to be next, Duncan said. Sura and Abrego Garcia entered together on Monday morning, but she emerged from the building without her husband and did not speak to the public or media. Before she exited, CASA members led the public in a chant telling media to get off the steps of the courthouse. Some attendees called the media cockroaches. CASA volunteers and staff surrounded Sura and jogged her to a black SUV, pushing back media members jogging with her. One person with CASA, wearing a yellow vest, grabbed The Suns reporter by the shoulder to hold her back. Reporters learned moments later that Abrego Garcia had been detained by ICE an outcome his immigration attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, said he expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As soon as he hit the sixth floor, they detained him and would not say why or where they would take him, he said in Spanish. Jennifer firmly looked at the officers in the face and said, Remember this moment when you go home and look at your kids. You have once again kidnapped my husband, a CASA representative told the crowd after Sura left. It was unclear Monday morning if the plea deal is off the table, but Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego Garcia may be allowed to leave for Costa Rica if he pleads guilty and to Uganda if he does not. They dont have present legal authority to deport him to Uganda, he said. He has legal rights to due process and is on ankle monitoring. There was no reason for [this]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandoval-Moshenberg said he filed a suit this morning asking that Abrego Garcia not be removed until he has gone through the full due process he is entitled to. The case has been assigned to Judge Paula Xinis for the U.S. District Court of Maryland. Our contention is they cant send him to any one of the other 200 countries on earth unless he will have a legal status as Costa Rica has offered (as a refugee), he said. The Baltimore ICE is notorious; it has been one of the worst in the nation since February of people coming in the front door and being taken out the back door. They are weaponizing the immigration system, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. It is clear the government is far more interested in throwing its weight around and doing whatever they want to whoever they want, the lawyer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Area elected officials in Baltimore voiced their upset with the situation. This is a horrible day, said Baltimore city councilwoman Odette Ramos, tearing up. This is one of the most emotional days Ive had in my time as a councilwoman. Theyre playing with his life and not just him, there was a whole line of people [entering the building for their own ICE check-ins], she said. They were all scared. State Del. Sheila Ruth, a Baltimore County Democrat, called Abrego Garcias arrest unjust. He just wants to be with his family and now hes a political pawn, she said. Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia was taken into custody on Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is being processed for deportation to Uganda, just days after his release from criminal custody. In March, Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to his home country and was held in a Salvadoran prison for months. After he was returned to the U.S. in June, he was jailed on federal human smuggling charges, per CBS News. In the case of the smuggling charges, his trial was set for January and a judge ruled that he should be released from detention ahead of the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Friday, Abrego Garcia was freed from pretrial detention and on Saturday, his attorneys were sent a notice of his potential deportation to Uganda, per CBS News. Abrego Garcia is in the country illegally, but an immigration judge said he could not be deported to El Salvador because he reportedly faced danger there. The Department of Justice believes he is a member of the MS-13 gang. He was also accused of violence against his wife. Abrego Garcia taken into ICE custody on Monday Abrego Garcia arrived at an ICE facility on Monday morning to check in after speaking to a group of supporters who had gathered outside the facility, per CBS News. This administration has hit us hard, but I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us, Abrego Garcia said to the crowd of roughly 200 people gathered outside the ICE field office in Baltimore, per The Associated Press. God will bring justice to all the injustice we are suffering. Kilmar Abrego Garcia attends a protest rally at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, to support Abrego Garcia. | Stephanie Scarbrough Abrego Garcias attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said there was no need for ICE to take him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was already on electronic monitoring from the U.S. Marshals Service and basically on house arrest. The only reason that theyve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. To punish him for exercising his constitutional rights, Sandoval-Moshenberg said, per CBS News. The attorney filed a new lawsuit on behalf of Abrego Garcia on Monday, which challenges his confinement and deportation to any county unless and until he had a fair trial in an immigration court, according to CBS News. After the lawsuit was filed, the U.S. district court in Maryland issued an order preventing the federal government from immediately removing Abrego Garcia from the U.S., putting his deportation on hold for now. This order will be in effect until Wednesday at 4 p.m., unless it is extended. Why is Abrego Garcia being deported to Uganda? Federal officials have argued that Abrego Garcia can be deported since he came to the U.S. illegally and because a U.S. immigration judge deemed him eligible for expulsion in 2019, just not to his native El Salvador, per the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A legal filing from Abrego Garcias lawyers over the weekend said he was offered a plea deal, which included deportation to Costa Rica. His attorneys then received a notice of his possible deportation to Uganda. On Monday, Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego Garcia was willing to accept refugee status in Costa Rica. The fact that theyre holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick to try to coerce him to plead guilty to a crime is such clear evidence that theyre weaponizing the immigration system in a manner that is completely unconstitutional, Sandoval-Moshenberg said, per CBS News. The attorney shared that when asked about the reason for Abrego Garcias detention, an ICE officer did not answer and would not say which detention center he would be taken to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the AP, Uganda recently agreed to accept certain deportees from the U.S. Federal court filings show that the Costa Rican government said Abrego Garcia wouldnt face detention and would be welcomed as a legal immigrant. What the Trump administration has said about Abrego Garcia In an X post on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote about Abrego Garcias detainment and possible deportation. President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer, Noem wrote. Today, ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia and are processing him for deportation. President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 25, 2025 According to the AP, the Trump administration has alleged that Abrego Garcia is a danger to the community as well as an MS-13 gang member. Both Abrego Garcia and his family have denied the gang allegation, and he also pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has said it is trying to deport Abrego Garcia before his trial in Tennessee. Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said in a statement that the criminal charges show that Abrego Garcia presents a danger and that he can either stand trial or plead guilty. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people, Gilmartin said, per the AP. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an already once wrongfully deported Maryland man, has been detained by United States immigration authorities in Baltimore and now faces another potential and immediate deportation by the President Donald Trump administration, this time to Uganda. Despite Abrego Garcias new detention on Monday, a blanket court order automatically pauses any effort by the Trump administration to immediately deport him and other immigrants who are challenging their detention. Any immigrant seeking review of their detention in a Maryland federal court is covered by the order, which blocks their removal from the US until 16:00 (20:00 GMT) on the second business day after their habeas corpus petition is filed. In June, the administration sued all of Marylands 15 federal judges to challenge the standard order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration officials in the US say they intend to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, according to a court filing Saturday, in what the mans legal team describes as an act of vindictiveness by Trumps administration. Uganda, the east African nation where the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to deport him, recently agreed to a deal to accept certain deportees from the US. The court filing said the idea of sending Abrego Garcia to Uganda came after he declined an offer to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. Abrego Garcia, a 30-year-old Maryland construction worker and Salvadoran national, spoke at a rally before he turned himself in: This administration has hit us hard, but I want to tell you guys something: God is with us, and God will never leave us, Abrego Garcia said, speaking through a translator. God will bring justice to all the injustice we are suffering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia entered the offices of ICE in a downtown office building on Monday. His wife emerged without him a few minutes later with tears in her eyes. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, attends a protest rally at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Monday, August 25, 2025, to support him [KT Kanazawich/AP Photo] Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X that Abrego Garcia was being processed for deportation. Abrego Garcias lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, said a lawsuit had been filed in a federal district court in Maryland shortly after his detention, asking for an order that he not be deported. I expect theres going to be a status conference very promptly, and were going to ask for an interim order that he not be deported, pending his due process rights to contest deportation to any particular country, he said. The face of Trumps hardline immigration policies Abrego Garcia has an American wife and children and has lived in Maryland for years, under protected legal status since 2019, when a judge ruled he should not be deported because he could be harmed in his home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then became the highest-profile case among more than 200 people sent to the notorious El Salvadors CECOT mega-prison as part of Trumps crackdown on refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in the US. His case remains a major flashpoint for the Trump administration in its anti-immigration crackdown. Department of Justice lawyers admitted that the Salvadoran citizen had been wrongly deported due to an administrative error. Abrego Garcia was severely beaten and subjected to psychological torture in the El Salvador prison, his lawyers say. The alleged abuse was detailed in court documents filed in Abrego Garcias civil lawsuit against the Trump administration in June, providing an account of his experiences following his deportation for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia who denies any wrongdoing now stands accused of involvement in smuggling undocumented refugees and migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and other countries into the US between 2016 and earlier this year. His trial in his human smuggling case is set to begin in January 2027. The Trump administration has said it is trying to deport Abrego Garcia months before his trial is scheduled in Tennessee, alleging that the married father is a danger to the community and an MS-13 gang member. He has denied the gang allegation, pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges and asked a judge to dismiss the case on grounds of vindictive prosecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia was released Friday afternoon from a jail in Tennessee. He returned to his family in Maryland. In a statement, Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said the criminal charges underscore how Abrego Garcia presents a clear danger and that he can either plead guilty or stand trial. Although he was deemed eligible for pretrial release last month, he remained in jail at the request of his lawyers, who feared the Republican administration could try to immediately deport him again if he were freed. A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administrations bid to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia a Salvadoran man who has become a symbol of President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda to Uganda. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis on Monday ordered the administration to keep Abrego in a detention facility in Virginia while she weighs his renewed effort to prevent immigration officials from abruptly casting him out of the country for a second time in five months. The administration illegally deported Abrego to El Salvador in March and then brought him back to the U.S. in June to face criminal charges. Abrego now contends that the administrations new plan to deport him to Uganda is an illegal effort to punish him for refusing to plead guilty to those charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers say the administration offered to deport him to Costa Rica but only if he pleaded guilty to the human smuggling charges he faces in Tennessee. Costa Rica has agreed to accept him and give him refugee status, and Abrego has consented to being sent there. His first deportation was deemed illegal because it violated a 2019 order from an immigration judge that barred him from being sent to El Salvador over concerns that he could be targeted for persecution by a local gang that had extorted his family. After initially resisting court orders to facilitate his return to the U.S., the administration brought him back in June and charged him in the human smuggling case. Last week, he was released from jail in Tennessee and allowed to return to Maryland to rejoin his family. Early Monday morning, surrounded by a crowd of supporters and accompanied by his wife, Abrego showed up at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Baltimore for a scheduled check-in. ICE officers detained Abrego on the spot, his attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said at a press conference outside the building where his client was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security said he would be processed for removal to Uganda. In a last-ditch legal maneuver on Monday morning, Abrego asked Xinis to block his quick deportation and instead ensure he receives another full immigration trial and a chance to contest the circumstances of his removal from the country. Thats what we are going to be asking the district court to ensure, that he is not put on any flight to any country whatsoever, whether its Uganda, South Sudan, what have you, Sandoval-Moshenberg said, as several Abrego backers punctuated the press conference with cries of Free Kilmar! A Homeland Security spokesperson called Abregos latest legal action a desperate Hail Mary attempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a hearing Monday afternoon, Xinis said she had several concerns about the rapid-fire deportation proceedings, noting that Abrego might be entitled to go to his designated country of choice Costa Rica rather than Uganda. She also said that if the Justice Department used his deportation as a cudgel to coerce a guilty plea, it would be a violation of his constitutional rights. You cant condition the relinquishment of constitutional rights in that regard, Xinis said. Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign said Abregos deportation was not imminent and that the government would abide by court orders not to deport him while legal proceedings are underway. Abrego, who entered the U.S. illegally over a decade ago, has lived in Maryland with his wife and children, who are U.S. citizens. To his supporters, his saga represents the most extreme excesses and abuses of Trumps mass deportation policy. After erroneously deporting Abrego to El Salvador in March, the administration mobilized to defend the mistake and embarked on a campaign to portray Abrego who has no criminal convictions as a terrorist, criminal mastermind and violent gang leader. Judge after judge rejected the administrations assertions as flimsy, at best, and concluded Abrego had been deprived of his constitutional right to due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego was abruptly arrested and sent to El Salvador in mid-March on one of three planes that also carried more than 100 people subject to Trumps invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. Upon his arrival in El Salvador, Abrego was held for several weeks in the notorious anti-terrorism prison known as CECOT. He said in court papers that he suffered beatings, sleep deprivation and psychological torture there. In early June, two weeks after the Justice Department secretly secured a grand jury indictment against him for human smuggling, the administration brought him back to the United States. Abregos detention Monday took place despite a July order from Xinis in an earlier case, mandating that officials restore Abrego Garcia to his ICE Order of Supervision, a type of release for individuals facing deportation proceedings. The new lawsuit was also assigned to Xinis, an Obama appointee. Under a standing Maryland federal court order the Trump administration is challenging, the filing of the case resulted in an automatic order blocking Abregos deportation through Wednesday afternoon. But Xinis order on Monday adds another, indefinite layer of protection for Abrego while his legal fight continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego was heartened by the crowd that turned out to support him Monday and by those who drew attention to his situation while he was jailed in El Salvador. This is a person who didn't even know that he had anyone looking out for him, much less the entire nation for the three months that he was detained in El Salvador, the attorney said. This is a person who, you know, feared that the world had forgotten about him. Salvadorian Kilmar Abrego Garcia was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday morning, after arriving for a routine check-in at the agencys Baltimore field office. The arrest comes as federal officials prepare to start his removal proceedings, potentially deporting Garcia to a third country, such as Uganda. Throughout the announcement of Garcias arrest, the DHS continued to remind Americans that the man is a MS-13 Gang Member, Human Trafficker, Wife Beater, Child Predator and Criminal Illegal Alien. Garcias legal team has immediately filed an emergency habeas petition in a District Court of Maryland, per Fox News, challenging both his arrest and the future planned deportation. His lawyers also argue that he should not be removed to another country until he has fully exercised his appeal rights and received a fair hearing in immigration court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the ICE office, family members and supporters of the man charged with human smuggling gathered for a candlelight vigil protesting against his arrest. Despite the protests, federal authorities have continued to affirm that Garcia is considered a serious public safety risk. After weeks of scrutiny earlier this year over whether Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, the Department of Justice released documents saying they support the allegations, as previously reported by The Dallas Express. Garcia was also briefly detained in 2019 in connection with a murder investigation but never charged in that case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS Secretary Kristi Noem praised his arrest on social media, saying that the Trump administration will not allow individuals linked to violent criminal activity, including MS-13, to endanger American communities. Today, ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia and are processing him for deportation. President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) August 25, 2025 Garcias case has drawn national attention after his initial deportation to El Salvador, and his later return to America, where he faced human smuggling charges following a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee. ICE has now notified his attorneys that Garcias removal or deportation to Uganda is imminent, citing a new agreement with the East African nation to accept certain deportees. Border Czar Tom Homan confirmed in a Sunday interview on The Big Weekend Show that an agreement is in place, saying that Abrego Garcias deportation is certain, adding that his family can go with him, because he is leaving. A South Korean man who has lived in the U.S. since infancy was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine green card interview in Los Angeles in October and has remained in custody for more than 40 days. What happened: Taeha Hwang, 39, and his wife Xelena Diaz were expecting a straightforward, marriage-based green card appointment on Oct. 29 when ICE agents instead took him into custody over a deportation order issued in May 2024. Hwang, who arrived in the U.S. at 3 months old, is being held at the Adelanto Detention Center. Months after the government said he was mistakenly sent to a mega-prison in El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces another deportation threat. Following his release from federal custody in Tennessee on Friday, immigration officials revealed plans to deport the Maryland father to Uganda, after he declined an offer to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. According to Abregos defense attorneys, the government said he has until Monday morning to accept the deal, or that offer will be off the table forever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the looming threat of a second deportation, Abrego, a 30-year-old Salvadoran national, was scheduled to check in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore as part of the conditions of his release from federal custody on parole. Speaking at a rally before surrendering to ICE early Monday, Abrego told the crowd: Brothers and sisters, my name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this: remember that I am free, and I was able to be reunited with my family. Shortly after he entered a federal building for his check-in, Abrego was detained by ICE agents. Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks as he arrives at a rally near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore (AFP via Getty Images) MAGA-aligned officials have cast Abrego as a test case to show the administrations resolve on the enforcement of its hardline immigration policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Abrego battles against another deportation order, heres what you need to know about his case: Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia? Abrego fled El Salvador at age 16 because the Barrio 18 street gang extorted and terrorised his family, court records state. He traveled to Maryland in 2011, where his brother lives as a U.S. citizen, but was not authorized to stay. Abrego found work in construction and met Jennifer Vasquez Sura, who would later become his wife. In 2018, he moved in with her and her two children after she became pregnant with his child. While looking for work in a Home Depot in March 2019, police arrested Abrego and accused him of being a member of the ultra-violent, transnational street gang the Mara Salvatrucha more commonly known as MS-13. Garcia first arrived in the U.S. illegally in 2011, where he traveled to Maryland to live with his brother (Reuters) According to a court document, officials hung their allegations on three pieces of evidence: a Chicago Bulls hat, a hoodie and an unnamed informant who claimed Abrego was a member of the groups clique in New York, where he has never lived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through his attorneys, Abrego has denied any affiliation with MS-13. He has no criminal record in either the U.S. or El Salvador. A judge subsequently granted Abrego protection from deportation to his native El Salvador because he might face danger there over death threats from the Barrio 18 street gang. Abrego, released under federal supervision, held a work permit and reported to ICE each year, his lawyers said. Why was he deported to El Salvador? On March 12, Abrego Garcia was pulled over by federal agents who accused him of having ties to MS-13 and inaccurately declared that his protected status in the U.S. had changed. Three days later, he was on a plane with other migrants to the CECOT prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador, the biggest in all of Latin America, which holds up to 40,000 inmates. This came after Trump had invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a month earlier, the Trump administration designated MS-13 a foreign terrorist organization. The street gang emerged in Los Angeles in the 1980s, comprised largely of Salvadoran immigrants fleeing their homeland after a brutal civil war. Abrego later claimed that he was beaten and psychologically tortured in the El Salvador prison, according to court documents, which the countrys President Nayib Bukele denies. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, second right, leaves the Putnam County Jail in Cookeville, Tennessee on Friday (The Associated Press) Members of the Trump administration had positioned Abregos expulsion as an administrative error. The president and his top aides, however, have repeatedly accused Abrego of being a terrorist and gang member. The Supreme Court later directed the administration to facilitate Abregos return to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was returned to the U.S. in June this year, before quickly being arrested and indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to trafficking undocumented migrants, stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. Tennessee police initially suspected human smuggling but allowed him to go without charges. Abrego pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing vindictive and selective prosecution. Why is he being threatened with deportation to Uganda? In June, a U.S. magistrate ruled that Abrego had the right to be released while awaiting trial. However, at his attorneys request, he remained in a Tennessee jail for about 11 weeks over fears ICE would try to deport him immediately. The following month, ICE Assistant Director Thomas Giles testified that Abrego would be detained as soon as he was released. Still, a U.S. district judge blocked the action, citing due process concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within minutes after he was released from a Tennessee jail Friday, as he awaits criminal trial, ICE officials told Abrego that he may be deported to Uganda a country he has no known connection to his attorneys said. If he pleaded guilty to criminal smuggling charges against him, the Trump administration said Thursday he would be removed to Costa Rica, according to his attorneys. Garcia is scheduled to check in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore on Monday (REUTERS) Costa Rica assured he could live freely as a refugee or with residency status and wouldnt be sent back to his home country, the lawyers said. Abrego appeared to have refused the arrangement and was released on Friday. DHS then sent an email to Abregos attorneys, warning that ICE intended to deport the Salvadoran immigrant to Uganda no earlier than 72 hours from now and ordered him to appear at an ICE field office in Baltimore on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While check-ins are typically brief, Abregos legal team told NBC News it expects he will be taken into ICE custody. If Abrego doesnt change his plea in the Tennessee federal case, it is possible that he could be deported to Uganda as soon as Wednesday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned the administration would not stop fighting until he was out of the country. Washington Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being processed for deportation to Uganda, the Department of Homeland Security said, after he was taken into custody Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, days after his release from criminal custody. Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador, was mistakenly deported to his home country in March and held in a notorious Salvadoran prison for months before being returned to the U.S. in June where he was jailed on federal human smuggling charges. A judge ruled that he should be released from detention ahead of a trial set for January. Abrego Garcia was freed from pretrial detention last Friday. CBS News reported on Saturday that his attorneys were then sent a court-required notice of his potential deportation to Uganda. He arrived at the ICE facility on Monday morning to check in, speaking in Spanish to supporters who had gathered in a show of support outside of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the U.S. Marshals Service and basically on house arrest," his attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said. "The only reason that they've chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. To punish him for exercising his constitutional rights." Sandoval-Moshenberg filed a new lawsuit on Abrego Garcia's behalf on Monday challenging his confinement and deportation to any country "unless and until he had a fair trial in an immigration court." Kilmar Abrego Garcia holds his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura's hand, as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, in Baltimore, Maryland, August 25, 2025. (Picture taken through glass). / Credit: Elizabeth Frantz / REUTERS The U.S. district court in Maryland soon issued an order preventing the government from immediately removing Abrego Garcia from the U.S. or altering his legal status, meaning his deportation is on hold for now. The court has issued the standing order in all cases involving migrant detainees challenging the legality of their detentions in recent months, a move the Justice Department is challenging as unlawful. Judge Paula Xinis, who is assigned to the case, held a hearing on Abrego Garcia's new suit on Monday. She issued an oral order preventing the Trump administration from moving Abrego Garcia from the ICE facility in Virginia where he is now being held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security claims Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which his family denies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement that ICE had arrested Abrego Garcia and was "processing him for deportation." DHS said he is "being processed for removal to Uganda." The U.S. reached an agreement with Uganda to accept some deportees last week. "President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer," Noem said. In a legal filing over the weekend, Abrego Garcia's lawyers said he was offered a plea deal that included deportation to Costa Rica. His legal team said they then received a notice of his possible deportation to Uganda. Sandoval-Moshenberg clarified Monday that Abrego Garcia had stated that he was willing to accept refugee status in Costa Rica. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The fact that they're holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick to try to coerce him to plead guilty to a crime is such clear evidence that they're weaponizing the immigration system in a manner that is completely unconstitutional," Sandoval-Moshenberg said Monday. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the return of Abrego Garcia earlier this year, met with him Sunday. Van Hollen said in a statement that he was glad to "welcome him back to Maryland after what has been a long and torturous nightmare." "The federal courts and public outcry forced the Administration to bring Abrego Garcia back to Maryland, but Trump's cronies continue to lie about the facts in his case and they are engaged in a malicious abuse of power as they threaten to deport him to Uganda to block his chance to defend himself against the new charges they brought," Van Hollen said. "As I told Kilmar and his wife Jennifer, we will stay in this fight for justice and due process because if his rights are denied, the rights of everyone else are put at risk." An immigration judge ruled in 2019 that Abrego Garcia may not be deported to El Salvador because he feared persecution by local gangs in the Central American country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland Gov. Wes Moore advocated for due process for Abrego Garcia on Sunday, saying on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that "I just simply want a court and a judge to decide what is going to be the future fate of this case and all cases like this, and not simply the president of the United States or the secretary of homeland security who is trying to be judge, juror, prosecutor and executioner inside this case." Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Monday ordered that Kilmar Abrego Garcia temporarily can't be deported, hours after Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained the Maryland resident with plans to send him to Uganda. During an emergency hearing, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered that he must remain detained in the United States until she holds an evidentiary hearing. Lawyers on both sides were told to propose a briefing schedule, including dates for an evidentiary hearing, by Tuesday morning. "Your clients are absolutely forbidden at this juncture to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia from the continental United States," Xinis, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, told Justice Department attorneys. "That is the understanding that we have?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DOJ lawyer Drew Ensign agreed and said deportation was "not imminent" because "third country removals often take some time." The jidge said there are "several grounds" for her to exercise relief for him. Uganda hasn't agreed to offer him protection, including being able to walk freely because of his refugee status, and not being sent back again to El Salvador, where he was born and fled the country because of violence. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., spoke with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant living in Maryland and deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, in San Salvador in April. File Photo by President Nayib Bukele/UPI On Friday, U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes released him from jail in Nashville, Tenn., so he could be reunited with his family as he awaits a trial on human trafficking. He had been returned from El Salvador after being deported to notorious maximum-security prison in March, the government said. Magistrates are appointed by federal district judges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia went to the Baltimore ICE office on Monday for an immigration check-in, which was part of his condition of release from federal custody, his attorney said. The check-ins are considered routine and meant for case updates, NBC News reported. He was being held at a detention center in Virginia on Monday afternoon, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Abrego's attorneys said they expected he would be taken into ICE custody during the check-in after the Trump administration announced over the weekend its intention to deport him to Uganda. In the sealed petition, Abrego Garcia's lawyers argued that while the government did give notice to his counsel Friday that it plans to deport him to Uganda, it did not notify Abrego Garcia, himself, as a judge previously ordered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And now, the Government has, without forewarning, taken Petitioner into ICE detention based on the notice of removal to Uganda, without providing him an opportunity to be heard on his expressed fears of persecution and torture in that country," the petition says. Abrego Garcia's lawyer said, in a statement to The Hill, that the government's decision to detain him again was "both unnecessary and cruel." "After months of incarceration, he deserves the opportunity to remain safely at home with his family while his claims are fairly considered," Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said. "Instead, ICE is once again rushing to deport him, potentially to countries where his safety cannot be assured. The new legal filing, which called a petition for writ of habeas corpus, says that immigration officials are detaining Abrego Garcia at an ICE field office in Baltimore as punishment for his decision to challenge his unlawful removal to El Salvador in March, as well as his decision to go to trial in a human smuggling case brought against him in Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorneys provided Xinis with a copy of notices Abrego Garcia sent over the weekend to immigration officials that said he has a fear of being sent to Uganda and that he preferred to be sent to Costa Rica. Abrego Garcia had declined a plea deal that would have allowed him to "live freely" in Costa Rica after serving prison time in exchange for a guilty plea on federal human smuggling charges. "Despite having requested and received assurances from the government of Costa Rica that Mr. Abrego would be accepted there, within minutes of his release from pretrial custody, an ICE representative informed Mr. Abrego's counsel that the government intended to deport Mr. Abrego to Uganda and ordered him to report to ICE's Baltimore Field Office Monday," lawyers said in their court filing. "There can be only one interpretation of these events: the DOJ, DHS, and ICE are using their collective powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or rendition to Uganda, where his safety and liberty would be under threat." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia was brought back to the U.S. to face human trafficking charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. He was pulled over in Tennessee for speeding and was seen transporting men without luggage. Abrego Garcia has denied wrongdoing and his legal team has tried to get the case dismissed, arguing the charges were the result of a vindictive and selective prosecution. The Trump administration has accused Abrego of being a gang member of the MS-13, which his attorneys have denied. While he initially entered the country illegally, Abrego Garcia, was protected from deportation by a 2019 ruling from an immigration judge that prohibited his return to his native El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego Garcia is married to a U.S. citizen, and together they have a child who is a U.S. citizen. Before going into his ICE appointment on Monday morning, he spoke to supporters, surrounded by family, supporters, faith leaders and his legal team, who were all calling for his freedom. "My name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this, remember that I am free and I was able to be reunited with my family," he said in Spanish before a translator repeated in English. "This was a miracle. Thank you to God and thank you to the community," Abrego added. "I want to thank each and every one of you who marched, lift your voices, never stop praying and continue to fight in my name." He said lawyers asked ICE officers why Abrego was taken into custody but they would not answer. The ICE officers would also not give information about where Abrego is going, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Hibiscus Petroleum Berhad's subsidiary, Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia (HML), has inked a heads of agreement with PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) for the tie-in of Block 46/13 production sharing contract (PSC) production, offshore Vietnam, to the PM3 Commercial Arrangement Area (PM3 CAA) PSC facilities. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing the utilisation of the PM3 CAA PSC infrastructure. HML is the operator of the PM3 CAA PSC, while PVEP is the operator of Block 46/13 PSC. The agreement specifies the engineering and construction terms for the facilities tie-in, as well as the arrangements for handling the product. This will allow the production from Block 46/13 to be processed through the existing PM3 CAA PSC facilities. The utilisation of available capacity at these facilities is expected to be optimised under the new agreement. A commercial framework outlined in the tie-in agreement will govern the handling of production and the allocation of costs associated with Block 46/13. The finalisation of this agreement is contingent upon approvals from Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) and Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (PETROVIETNAM). This collaboration is part of the PM3 CAA PSC Master Hub Strategy, which Hibiscus Petroleum, through HML and its partners PETRONAS Carigali and PVEP, is pursuing. The strategy aims to extend the economic life of the PM3 CAA by sharing costs and optimising the use of shared infrastructure. The arrangement also highlights the strengthening of cross-border cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam. Both Hibiscus Petroleum and PVEP are working in close coordination under the guidance of their respective national oil companies, Petronas and PETROVIETNAM, to bring this initiative to fruition. In April, Hibiscus Petroleum secured a 20-year extension for the PM3 CAA PSC and upstream gas sales agreement (UGSA). "Hibiscus Petroleum signs tie-in deal with PetroVietnam for offshore production" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The post Kneecap Cancel 2025 US Tour as the British Government Continues Its Witch-Hunt appeared first on Consequence. Kneecap have been forced to cancel the entirety of their US tour scheduled for October 2025 amid ongoing legal concerns in the United Kingdom. Due to the close proximity of our next court hearing in London on September 26th as the British government continues its witch-hunt with the start of the U.S. tour, we will have to cancel all 15 U.S. tour dates in October, the Irish hip-hop group announced on Monday. With every show fully sold out this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kneecap member Mo Chara is charged with a terror offense in the UK stemming from a November 2024 concert in which he allegedly flew a flag in support of Hezbollah. The group has denied ever supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, and said an extract of footage [from the concert], deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action. Mo Chara appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last week, where his lawyers made a motion to dismiss the case, citing a technical error in the way the charge was brought against him. The chief magistrate overseeing the case is now deciding on whether he has jurisdiction. The next hearing is scheduled for September 26th. Kneecaps upcoming concerts in Canada, along with their scheduled shows in the UK and Europe over the coming months, are still scheduled to take place. The group also promises that itll be sharing something very special for US fans next week so that we can still link in with you all in October. Its top secret for now but all will be revealed next week stay tuned. Kneecap were also briefly investigated by UK authorities following their Glastonbury performance over the summer, where they led chants of Fuck [UK Prime Minister] Keir Starmer and Free, free Palestine. The investigation was ultimately dropped, with officials citing insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offense. Popular Posts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. Since major floods washed over Milwaukee more than two weeks ago, two men have been found drowned and at least two others are missing, all from the same homeless encampment. Relatives and homeless advocates are sounding the alarm, calling on the city to do more to determine whether the deaths are related to the floods and locate those who are missing. Meanwhile, police have said they need more evidence to conduct a search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know. Who are the men who died? Juan Carlos Sierra Campos, 48, and Isaias Serna, 72, were found drowned in the days after the Aug. 9 flood. Both men were known to live at the encampment under the bridge at the intersection of South Chase Avenue and South 1st Street, on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River, according to homeless outreach groups. Campos was recovered from Lake Michigan on Aug. 10, while Serna was found in the river on Aug. 13. MiniStreets Urban Christian Outreach Mission, a faith-based homeless advocacy group, visits the encampment every Friday. Co-founder Linda Alvarado recalls Campos and Serna being at the encampment the day before the floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campos' family has created a GoFundMe page to cover the estimated $12,000 to send his body back to his home country in Honduras. Has the city declared that these deaths are related to the floods? The Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office said Campos' death did not "appear" to be flood-related. They have not clarified how they made that determination. At a news conference Aug. 10, shortly after Campos' body was discovered, Mayor Cavalier Johnson said there were no flood-related deaths within the city. The mayor was unaware of the Campos' death at the time, said spokesperson Jeff Fleming. Serna's body was recovered three days later. The medical examiner's office has said his death is possibly related to the floods. Who else is missing from the encampment? Family members say Miguel Flores, 59, who also lived at the encampment, has been missing since the floods. Arturo Vazquez, Flores' nephew, reported him missing on Aug. 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores visited his sister's home and Kaszube's Park every day, but the family hasn't seen him since the day before the flood, said Juan Vazquez, another nephew of Flores. Flores also hasn't returned to work, all of which is out of character for him, the Vazquez brothers said. Maria Flores holds a photo of her missing brother, Miguel Flores, as family and community members gathered to search for him on August 23, 2025, in Milwaukee. Miguel Flores, who lived in a homeless encampment beneath a bridge at South Chase Avenue and South 1st Street along the Kinnickinnic River, is one of several people unaccounted for since a historic flood swept through Milwaukee. Another man known only as "Pedro" lived at the encampment and hasn't been seen since the floods, according to Alvarado. Alvarado and others with the outreach group recall Flores, Pedro, Campos, Serna and possibly one other person being there the day before the floods. What efforts are being made to find the missing people? The Milwaukee Police Department isn't actively searching for the men. The department said it needs more evidence that they were swept away in the floods, and Mayor Cavalier Johnson's office has said it relies on emergency services to make decisions about search efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, search efforts have been led by relatives and community members. On Aug. 22, Brew City Kayak and Milwaukee Pedal and Paddle Tavern rounded up four kayaks and a 22-foot electric Milwaukee Duffy boat to search the Kinnikinnic River for him for several hours. Flores' family also organized an all-day search in and around the river on Aug. 23. More than 40 volunteers showed up, and Brew City Kayaks lent about 10 to 15 kayaks for free. Arturo Vazquez says the family plans to search the river again on Aug. 30. An individual finds a shoe that might belong to Miguel Flores along the Kinnickinnic River on Saturday August 23, 2025 in Milwaukee. Miguel Flores, who lived in a homeless encampment beneath a bridge at South Chase Avenue and South 1st Street along the river, is one of several people unaccounted for since a historic flood swept through Milwaukee. Why isn't more being done to locate the missing men? The Milwaukee Police Department does not consider Flores "critically" missing. This label is reserved for certain vulnerable groups, such as children or people with certain health conditions, that would trigger a more active search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department's standard operating procedure says people missing following disasters can be considered "critically" missing, but a department spokesperson said Flores does not qualify because nobody "observed him being swept away by the water." How many people lived at the encampment? It's difficult to know for certain. Homeless advocates say that the encampment has had several people living there over the years. This encampment was one of the first spots Street Angels began visiting when the group was founded in 2016, said co-founder Eva Welch. Sometimes just one person was there, and other times several, Welch said. Sarah Young, a volunteer with the homeless shelter Mr. Bob's Under the Bridge, said anywhere between five to 12 people lived at the encampment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gina Castro is a Public Investigator she can be reached at gcastro@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Homeless men found drowned, are missing after Milwaukee floods Charles Kushner, the U.S. ambassador to France and Monaco, leaves the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris after a meeting with the French President on July 18, 2025. Credit - Ludovic MarinAFP/Getty Images France has summoned U.S. envoy Charles Kushner after the ambassador accused the French government of fuelling antisemitism through its criticisms of Israel. In an op-ed published Sunday in the Wall Street Journal titled A Letter to Emmanuel Macron, Kushner argued that France failed to rein in a dramatic rise of antisemitism, pointing to the French governments reproach of Israels military offensive in Gaza. Kushner also cited the Trump Administrations deportation record, targeting of students and administrations at universities where pro-Palestinian protests had taken place, and bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities as examples of effective measures to counter antisemitism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public statements haranguing Israel and gestures toward recognition of a Palestinian state embolden extremists, fuel violence, and endanger Jewish life in France. In todays world, anti-Zionism is antisemitismplain and simple, Kushner, who is Jewish, wrote. Frances foreign ministry released a statement refuting the allegations and said it would summon Kushner on Monday. Kushner, however, did not report to the foreign ministry, and instead sent the U.S. embassys charge daffaires in his place, a French diplomatic source told AFP. The U.S. State Department backed Kushners allegations on Monday. We stand by his comments, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. Ambassador Kushner is our U.S. government representative in France and is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know. Who is Charles Kushner? The President Donald Trump-appointed U.S. ambassador to France is the father of Jared Kushner, a former White House senior adviser during Trumps first term and the husband of Trumps eldest daughter Ivanka. Trump described the elder Kushner as a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker on Truth Social when he announced he would nominate him for the ambassadorship last November. Kushner, who is 71 years old, founded real estate firm Kushner Companies in 1985. He served two years in federal prison for tax evasion, making illegal campaign donations, and witness tampering after pleading guilty to 18 counts in 2005. Prosecutors alleged that he had conspired and participated in a scheme to intimidate his brother-in-law, who was cooperating with the investigation as a witness. Trump pardoned Kushner in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kushner said at his confirmation hearing in May that he was dedicated to building an even stronger relationship between the U.S. and France at a time when the Trump Administration is seeking to balance global trade dynamics through tariffs and pushing its allies to increase their defense spending. What did Kushner say about French authorities? I write out of deep concern over the dramatic rise of antisemitism in France and the lack of sufficient action by your government to confront it, Kushner wrote in the op-ed, which has been shared on social media by Israels foreign ministry. Kushner alleged that pro-Hamas extremists and radical activists have waged a campaign of intimidation and violence across Europe, including defacing synagogues, assaulting Jewish people, and vandalizing Jewish-owned businesses. Kushner also cited a report that nearly half of French youth lacked knowledge about the Holocaust. What are children being taught in French schools if such ignorance persists? (A nationwide survey in the U.S. in 2020 showed more than half of respondents did not have basic knowledge of the Holocaust.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump and I have Jewish children and share Jewish grandchildren. I know how he feels about antisemitism, as do all Americans, Kushner said, pointing to the Trump Administrations crackdown on non-citizens who have expressed pro-Palestinian sentiments. (Trump himself has been criticized for using antisemitic slurs, backing people with ties to white supremacy or records of antisemitism, and using antisemitism as a scapegoat for broader crackdowns on immigration and free speech.) What was Frances response? The French foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday that Kushners allegations are unacceptable. The ministry said the statements violate a principle of international law that bars ambassadors from interfering in the host countrys internal affairs. They also fall short of the quality of the transatlantic relationship between France and the United States and the trust that should result from it between allies, the ministry said. Summoning a diplomat to a host country is a diplomatic gesture typically to convey concern or anger. You are asked to go, normally to the director, and you have to hear what they have to say, and at the same time, you have the right to express your position, Ilir Bocka, the Albanian ambassador to Serbia, told the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a symbol of serious political will, John Casson, former U.K. envoy to Egypt, added. But not on its ownit needs to be backed up by other stuff. French Equality Minister Aurore Berge said on broadcaster Europe 1-CNews on Monday that the governments fight against antisemitism is unambiguous and that the issue of antisemitism is too important to be used as a diplomatic bargaining chip. Reports of antisemitism in France Both antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents have risen in France and across the world since Israels war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel by Hamas, which killed over 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages. In France, antisemitic attacks in the past year have included vandalism of the countrys national Holocaust memorial, synagogues, and a Jewish-owned restaurant, according to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as the vandalism of Israeli airline El Als Paris office and the destruction of a commemorative olive tree meant to honor a French Jew who was murdered in 2006. The French foreign ministry said in its statement responding to Kushner that rising antisemitism is a reality that we deplore and against which the French authorities are demonstrating total mobilization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Globally, there has been growing debate over whether anti-Zionist or anti-Israel rhetoric should be considered antisemitic, as the Anti-Defamation League reported that Israel-related incidents made up 58% of the total incidents of antisemitism in the U.S. last year. Some have criticized the labelling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations as antisemitic. Frances growing criticisms of Israel France said in July that it plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations general assembly in September. There has been growing international condemnation of Israel for its ongoing military bombardment of Gaza and outcry over what several humanitarian organizations have called a genocide in Gaza. The military offensive in Gaza that Israel is preparing can only lead to disaster for both peoples and risks plunging the entire region into a cycle of permanent war, Macron posted on X last week. The war in Gaza has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians and nearly 2,000 Israelis (including those killed in the Oct. 7 attack), according to Gazas Health Ministry, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, Gazas Health Ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME. Data from the IDF suggests a Palestinian civilian death rate of 83%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel condemned France for its decision to recognize Palestinian statehood, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that it rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became. The U.S. also rejected Frances decision. Several more countries, including the U.K. and Australia, have since also announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state. France has condemned Israels killing of Palestinians seeking aid, aid workers, and journalists. France was also among several European countries to summon their Israeli ambassadors after IDF soldiers fired warning shots near a delegation of visiting diplomats in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in May. That month, France, Canada, and the U.K. also condemned Israelis military expansion in Gaza, its blockade of humanitarian aid, and the forced displacement of Palestinians. The diplomatic row between the U.S. and France has come days after Macron reportedly rejected Netanyahus claim that antisemitism in France has surged after the French government announced its plans to recognize a Palestinian state. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement. It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamass refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets, Netanyahu said in an Aug. 17 letter to Macron. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Macrons office responded in a statement late last Tuesday, saying that Netanyahus claim is erroneous, abject, and will not go unanswered, according to news outlets. The current period, Macron reportedly said, calls for seriousness and responsibility, not generalisation and manipulation. Contact us at letters@time.com. Editor's note: A section about the oldest public high school has been altered due to an inaccurate source. We apologize for the error. Did you know Mississippi has the oldest public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the country? Several of the oldest schools in the state, including private and public options, are almost 200 years old. Several K-12 campuses, colleges and universities in the Magnolia State are nearing their bicentennials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's what to know about the oldest schools in Mississippi, where you can find them. What's the oldest public school in the state? Franklin Academy in Columbus was the oldest public elementary school in the state until it was closed earlier in 2025. Columbus Municipal School District restructured schools to offset declining enrollment, according to reporting from WCBI. What's the oldest private school in Mississippi? Cathedral Catholic School in Natchez is the the oldest private school in the state, per Moms Who Think. The Catholic church founded it in 1847. Until 2003, it was staffed by Daughters of Charity, according to a history on the school website. The school racially integrated in 1965. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, it serves students in Pre-K 3 through 12th grade. Top 10 schools in Mississippi: Niche ranks the best K-12 public, private schools in state How old is Mississippi College? Mississippi College was chartered in 1826 as Hampstead Academy, according to a history on its website. The school in what is now Clinton started offering classes for boys and girls in 1827 and was renamed Mississippi Academy. Initially, the land belonged to the Choctaw tribe. The five acres of the Central Mississippi campus were part of 6 million acres transferred to the U.S. Government in 1820. (Mississippi had joined the union only three years earlier.) Mississippi College students move between classes as signs of spring begin to grace the Clinton, Miss., campus on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Spring officially begins on March 19. The school was renamed to Mississippi College in 1830. The co-ed institution was the first in the U.S. to give a woman a degree in December 1831. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1842 to 1850, it was a Presbyterian college. The Mississippi Baptist Convention got the campus in 1850, and it's the second-oldest Baptist university in the U.S. "Mississippi College was one of the last private colleges in the country to drop its segregation policy and did not do so until the 196970 school year," according to the Mississippi Encyclopedia, published by the University Press of Mississippi to celebrate the Magnolia State's bicentennial. Mississippi College announced in 2024 that it will change its name to Mississippi Christian University in 2026, to coincide with its bicentennial. What to know: Princeton Review names one Mississippi university among best in the US. How old is the University of Mississippi? Ole Miss was chartered in 1844, and the Legislature picked Oxford as the site for the flagship university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classes started in 1848, according to a history published by the University of Mississippi. It's the oldest public university in the state. The school was famously racially integrated in 1962 when the federal government ordered that James Meredith, the first Black student, be allowed to attend. He had to be accompanied by U.S. marshals for his safety. There were violent riots on campus that led to the Mississippi National Guard and soldiers from the U.S. Army clashing with protestors. He graduated in 1963 and is still known as a national Civil Rights icon. Mississippi has oldest public HBCU in US Alcorn State University in Lorman is the oldest public land-grant HBCU in the nation. Alcorn was founded in 1871, according to a history on its website. The campus was originally Oakland College, a Presbyterian school founded in 1828. The state bought it and renamed it to Alcorn University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1878, it was renamed Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College, initially admitting only men. Women were allowed to enroll later. The name changed to the present Alcorn State University in 1974. Alcorn State University, seen on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, is located in Lorman, Miss. What's the oldest HBCU in Mississippi? Rust College in Holly Springs is the oldest Historically Black College or University in Mississippi. The Freedmans Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church opened Rust in 1866 in Asbury United Methodist Church. It took students of all ages and taught elementary subjects, according to a history on its website. Rust College The first building at the current campus opened a year later. It added high schools and college classes over time. In 1878, the first college graduates earned their degrees. The elementary school stopped in 1930, and the high school stopped classes in 1953. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were several name changes over time 1860, it was chartered as Shaw University. In 1892, the name changed to Rust University because another Shaw already existed. In 1915, it was changed to Rust College. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Where is the oldest school in Mississippi? It dates back to the 1800s HOUSTON (AP) Efforts by U.S. immigration officials to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, a country to which the Salvadoran national has no ties, has again focused attention on efforts by the Trump administration to send people to countries other than their own. The administration's agreements with so-called third countries have been contested in court by advocacy groups, who have argued that due process rights are being violated and that immigrants are being sent to countries with long histories of human rights violations. But in June, a divided Supreme Court allowed the administration to allow the swift removal of immigrants to countries other than their homelands and with minimal notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what to know about these third-country agreements. What are third-country agreements? The agreements are part of a sweeping immigration crackdown by the administration, which has pledged to deport millions of people who are living in the United States illegally. Federal law allows immigrants to be sent to countries where they are not from, with immigration authorities having occasionally done this in the past, according to immigrant and civil rights groups. But these kinds of deportations have greatly increased under the Republican administration. The Department of Homeland Security said in a March memo that as part of such third-country deportations, it will deport immigrants only after getting diplomatic assurances that they will not be persecuted or tortured, as guaranteed under international law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the U.S. hasnt received those assurances, immigration officials can still send the person there but first has tell them where they're going in a language they understand. Time between notice and deportation is generally 24 hours, but can be as little as six hours. Trump officials have said these immigrants often come from countries that often do not take back all their deported citizens. They have called these immigrants true national security threats, claiming they have been convicted of such violent crimes as rape, murder and armed robbery. What countries have agreed to accept immigrants? The Trump administration has reached agreements with multiple countries, many in Latin America and Africa, to take in immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. has sent hundreds of Venezuelans to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Abrego Garcias case became a flash point in Trumps immigration crackdown after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March. Venezuelans and immigrants from Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, China and other countries have also been sent to Costa Rica and Panama. Earlier this month, Paraguay signed a third-country agreement with the Trump administration. Mexico has not signed such an agreement, but has accepted deportees from Central America and other Western hemisphere countries, including Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. In July, South Sudan accepted eight deportees from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Sudan, one of the world's poorest countries, has endured repeated waves of violence since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. Last week, Uganda, a landlocked country in East Africa, agreed to a deal with the U.S. to take deported immigrants as long as they dont have criminal records and are not unaccompanied minors. In May 2024, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Ugandas parliamentary speaker, her husband and several other officials over corruption and serious abuses of human rights. In July, the U.S. deported five men with criminal backgrounds to the southern African kingdom of Eswatini. The men are from Cuba, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Vietnam and are being held in solitary confinement until they can be deported to their home countries. That process could take up to a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a meeting in July at the White House, Trump met with five West African leaders and discussed whether they would accept immigrants through third-country agreements. Experts say some African countries may seek to facilitate U.S. deportation programs in order to earn good will in negotiations over tariffs, cuts in U.S. aid or visa restrictions, which have hit several African countries in recent months. Trump has also pressured countries across Latin America to help facilitate deportations, at times under the threat of steep tariffs or sanctions. Criticism of third-country agreements These agreements have drawn strong criticism from human rights advocates, who have cited international protections for asylum seekers and questioned whether immigrants will be appropriately screened before being deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Nations human rights experts have said such agreements have left people stranded in faraway places, arbitrarily detained for years on end, and at risk of torture and other inhuman treatment. We urge the United States Government to refrain from any further removals to third countries, to ensure effective access to legal assistance for those facing deportation, and all such procedures to be subject to independent judicial oversight, the U.N. experts said in July. Other countries efforts The European Union has been trying to increase deportations and has opened itself to the idea of return hubs, which would be set up in third countries for rejected asylum-seekers to be detained and ultimately deported to their home countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Italy has been sending rejected asylum-seekers to detention and deportation centers it runs in Albania, a non-EU country. However, it has faced many legal challenges and has been opaque about the process and effectiveness of the centers, with many immigrants sent there ultimately returning to Italy. In a separate costly and controversial plan, the United Kingdoms previous government had tried and ultimately failed to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. ___ Follow Juan A. Lozano: https://x.com/juanlozano70 ___ Associated Press writer Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain contributed reporting. In 2009, when Jacey Blaylock was 17, she and a friend decided to take an early October trip to the Castle of Muskogee for its haunted house. But the outing spiraled into crisis when the pair was hit head-on in rural Cherokee County by a man in a speeding car who strayed into their lane. Blaylock, now 33, is still dealing with the effects of that day when she was pinned inside the vehicle for 45 minutes. It would take her a year to learn to walk again, though moving would never be the same because her foot was mangled. For lack of a better word, its kind of deformed, Blaylock said. Its hard to walk on. It causes me a lot of pain. My hip and pelvis were also crushed and also cause me a lot of pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the accident, Blaylock, who is on Medicaid, tried numbing injections in her neck, opioids and pills aimed at nerve pain. But the medications werent as effective as she hoped. In 2018, she discovered something new: kratom. Kratom is a plant native to Southeast Asia, where it was traditionally used to control chronic pain. The drug has had a controversial rise overseas: In 1943, growing kratom trees was banned in Thailand as the government tried to protect its monopoly on opium. In 1979, kratom was designated a Schedule V drug with cannabis. But by 2021, Thailand had decriminalized kratom, saying it wasnt as dangerous as portrayed. The United States is now grappling with the question of how to regulate kratom. In Oklahoma, the drug is still legal, though one of its compounds, considered central to its analgesic properties, 7-OH, is drawing scrutiny from both state and federal authorities. Research suggests that 7-OH, or 7-hydroxymitragynine, is 13 times more potent than morphine. Its what Blaylock eventually began using to manage the pain caused by her car accident. After kratom gained popularity, gas stations began selling a concentrated form of synthesized 7-OH, which Blaylock used alongside kratom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its like night and day the difference between when I have it and when I dont have it, she said. But lawmakers are putting a damper on 7-OH. In late July, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration place the novel opioid in Schedule I, citing a high potential for abuse. In Oklahoma, a law banning products containing more than 1% of 7-OH goes into effect in November. Potential downsides to banning kratom While stories about kratom addictions are proliferating and a Reddit community dedicated to quitting the drug has drawn more than 50,000 members, supporters of kratom and 7-OH think bans are short-sighted. Dr. Michele Ross is a scientific adviser for 7-HOPE Alliance, a nonprofit partially funded by the kratom industry, dedicated to advocating for 7-OH. Ross, a neuroscientist based in Oklahoma City, uses kratom herself due to fibromyalgia pain and believes more regulation would be better than a ban, noting that if 7-OH is classified as Schedule I, it will be difficult to study as an option to help wean people off more fatal drugs. Boosters of 7-OH point to a complicated claim that thereve been no deadly overdoses linked to the compound, though there have been deaths associated with kratom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre dealing with people who maybe tapered down from heroin to 7-OH, and thats safe, right? Ross said. But now they dont have 7-OH. What is their next step? How do we help and support them? We dont like to touch on these conversations. We like to pretend that people in recovery dont do this. Or that people in chronic pain just do yoga or breath work, and their pain will go away. These populations are highly marginalized and under-supported, and they are going to be hit hard by a federal 7-OH ban. 7-OH users may not know how much or exactly what they are consuming, though. Labeling requirements vary by state and dont always accurately portray the strength of whats inside. Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of forensic science studies at Oklahoma State University, said concerns around lack of regulation trump ease of access. You dont know what youre taking, and if the argument is, Lets just have strange substances available at gas stations as a replacement to health care, thats not a good argument, Beaman said. Like, Oh, I cant go to the heart doctor, so Ill just get my heart medicine at a gas station, but dont regulate it, so I can do it? Chronic pain is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by medical professionals with a treatment plan that lets you try different modalities. Over the past 10 years, Beaman has seen many patients in both addiction treatment and psychiatric settings struggling with kratom abuse, and hes not convinced the secrets of the understudied drug are worth learning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Absolutely, Id be a fan of studying it in a controlled environment, he said. At this point, though, I dont know that I see benefit in just regulating it, as I think we have more appropriate substances available. Blaylock may soon be looking for a more appropriate substance herself as she withdraws from 7-OH after the looming ban. Im not sure what Im going to do, she said. I just know its not going to be a whole lot of fun. Elizabeth Caldwell is a Tulsa-based journalist and contributor to Oklahoma Watch. Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state. Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Kratom compound under fire as Oklahoma users brace for ban During an Oval Office ceremony at which he signed a pair of executive orders on cashless bail and National Guard troop training, President Donald Trump misidentified Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as "Kristi" Whitmer. When asked if he is prepared to order National Guard troops into American cities if governors don't request federal deployment, the president responded by saying: "I am, but, I also think that look, Chicago, everybody knows how bad it is... they should be saying please come in. Pritzker should be saying that. I did a favor for Kristi for Kristi Whitmer. A good favor I think, with the China Carp," Trump said. Earlier this year, Trump issued a issued a memorandum that reiterates the federal government's commitment to keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and asks states, particularly Illinois, to move ahead on projects designed to stop the invasive fish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And although the memorandum didn't promise new funding, it said the federal government will make sure an barrier project moves forward "through deadline-oriented investments of taxpayer dollars, to ensure the state of Illinois does not stand in the way of its construction." State officials are concerned that bighead and silver carp, if they reach the Great Lakes, will reduce fishing opportunities, pose a threat to human health and change the lakes' ecosystems. Whitmer most recently met with Trump on Aug. 5 to discuss the recent changes to Medicaid. Why did Trump have a press conference today? President Trump signed a slew of executive orders on Monday, Aug. 25, including ending cashless bail and another directing the secretary of defense to train National Guard units to deal with "public order" issues, USA TODAY reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discussing the possibility of deploying the National Guard in Chicago next, Trump said during an Aug. 25 White House event: They say: 'We dont need him. Freedom, freedom, hes a dictator.'" "A lot of people are saying maybe we like a dictator," Trump added. "I dont like a dictator. Im not a dictator. I'm a man with great common sense and a smart person." What has Trump called Whitmer in the past? Trump previously told former Vice President Mike Pence, "Don't call the woman in Michigan," during the COVID-19 pandemic because Whitmer wasn't appreciative enough of federal support. Whitmer adopted the comment as a badge of honor. In April, however, he said she was doing a great job when Whitmer visited the White House. USA Today contributed reporting. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump refers to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as 'Kristi' HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) Kentucky State Police confirmed to Eyewitness News that a suspect in the 1995 disappearance of Heather Teague has been exhumed for DNA testing. Kentucky State Police Trooper Corey King confirmed that Marty Dill was exhumed from a Henderson County cemetery to take a DNA sample. Earlier this year, KSP said a bathing suit worn by Teague was sent to a lab to aid in their investigation. Teague disappeared from Newburgh Beach in Henderson County. She was 23-years-old at the time. Dill was the only suspect in the case, and he reportedly took his life when KSP attempted to question him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). Residents of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine remain without electricity, gas, and running water as Russian attacks continue, Andriy Besedin, head of the Kupiansk city military-civil administration, said on Aug. 25. About 1,800 civilians remain in the city, according to Besedin. Kupiansk, home to about 30,000 people before the all-out war, has been on the front lines of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besedin told Novyny.LIVE that daily attacks with guided bombs, artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, and FPV (first-person-view) drones have destroyed critical infrastructure and prevented the delivery of humanitarian aid. "Unfortunately, today there is no electricity, gas, or water in Kupiansk, and restoration is impossible due to the intensity of the shelling and the destruction caused by (Russian troops) every day," Besedin said. Conditions are especially dire on the city's right bank, where 870 residents are trapped with almost no basic services. "They are living in nearly inhumane conditions. We cannot provide any administrative or social services there," Besedin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local authorities have managed to maintain critical services in the Prystinske district, a cluster of nine small settlements within the Kupiansk community, where energy and centralized water supply are still functioning. Russian forces continue attacks across Kharkiv Oblast, including the city of Kharkiv itself, Ukraine's second-largest city near the Russian border. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, on Aug. 25, Russia launched multiple airstrikes, artillery barrages, and rocket attacks targeting both military positions and border settlements. Read also: Ukraine, US to meet this week to discuss potential Zelensky-Putin talks Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The capacity of the only operating power unit at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been reduced by 50% following a Ukrainian drone attack. Source: The Moscow Times, an independent Amsterdam-based news outlet, citing a statement from Rosenergoatom, Russia's state nuclear power operator Quote from Rosenergoatom: "A drone detonated upon impact, damaging an auxiliary transformer. Firefighting units quickly extinguished the resulting fire. The incident forced unit N3 to cut its output by 50%." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: According to The Moscow Times, the Kursk NPP, one of western Russias largest nuclear plants, serves as a key hub in the countrys Unified Energy System, supplying electricity to over 90% of industrial facilities in Kursk Oblast. Its third power unit, commissioned in October 1983, features a Chornobyl-type RBMK-1000 reactor with a capacity of 1,000 MW. Background: Oil prices have soared after Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, stoking concerns about a potential reduction in Russian crude supplies. Brent futures rose by US$0.03 per barrel, or 0.04%, to US$67.76, while US WTI futures increased by US$0.07 per barrel, or 0.11%, to US$63.73. Ukrainian drone attacks, which resumed in August, have hit at least seven large Russian oil refineries and could deal a devastating blow to the country's oil refining industry. Read also: Sky-high prices and petrol shortages: what's causing the Russian fuel crisis? Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! HSBC Holdings Swiss private banking arm is in the process of discontinuing its services to a segment of its high-net-worth clientele from the Middle East, reported Bloomberg. The affected clients, including over 1,000 individuals from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt, are being informed that they will need to transition their banking arrangements elsewhere. The action particularly targets clients with assets above $100m, who are deemed high-risk by the bank's internal assessments, the report said. The initiative to end these client relationships is expected to be largely completed within a six-month timeframe and a specialised team is being put in place by HSBC to oversee the termination of these banking services. In an e-mailed statement to the publication, HSBC International Wealth and Premier Banking CEO Barry OByrne said: HSBC announced plans in October last year to reshape the Group to accelerate strategic delivery. As part of this, we are evolving the strategic focus of our Swiss Private Bank. The bank added: We are creating a simpler, more dynamic organisation, focused on increasing leadership and market share in the areas where we have a clear competitive advantage. HSBC's Swiss private banking sector has faced challenges in maintaining its position in the competitive Middle Eastern market, where it has traditionally been a dominant capital markets player, the report said. The bank's private banking arm has struggled to keep pace with Swiss competitors in wealth management services. Last month, HSBC disclosed that its Private Bank (Suisse) unit was under investigation by law enforcement authorities in Switzerland and France for suspected money laundering activities linked to two historical banking relationships. According to Bloomberg, the investigation involves alleged misappropriation of funds by the former head of Lebanon's central bank. In June last year, Finma has pointed out two instances where HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) did not thoroughly verify the source and intended use of assets, involving transactions exceeding $300m between Lebanon and Switzerland from 2002 to 2015. By considering this last year, HSBC was ordered to overhaul its anti-money laundering protocols and reassess high-risk client relationships, particularly those involving politically exposed persons (PEPs). The bank is also prohibited from taking on new PEP clients until it completes a review and verifies compliance with regulatory requirements. "HSBC Swiss Private Bank cuts ties with middle eastern clients amid scrutiny " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. NEED TO KNOW Anthony Velasquez, 35, was convicted last week of three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Jesse Avalos, 34, Eduardo Robles, 38, and 27-year-old Amanda Nicole Lopez Prosecutors said Velasquez killed the victims because he felt disrespected by them. He maintains his innocence All three murders occurred around two miles from each other in East Los Angeles A California man was sentenced to 150 years to life in prison on Friday, Aug. 22, for the killing of three people who lived in his East Los Angeles neighborhood. Anthony Velasquez, 35, was convicted earlier in the week of three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Jesse Avalos, 34, Eduardo Robles, 38, and 27-year-old Amanda Nicole Lopez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Velasquez killed the victims because he felt disrespected by them, ABC7 reported. "You Anthony are and always will be nothing more than a certified homicidal serial killer who has no heart and no conscience," Amanda Lopezs mother Rozelle said during sentencing, per ABC7. Velasquezs defense attorney Leslie Ann Boyce tells PEOPLE that Velasquez "maintained his innocence throughout the investigation and throughout trial," adding that they have filed his appeal. All three murders occurred around two miles from each other in East Los Angeles. ABC7/YouTube Anthony Velasquez Anthony Velasquez Avalos was the first victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office, on the night of the murder, Avalos helped an acquaintance with a jumpstart on his vehicle near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Arizona Avenue around 11 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2014. A few hours later, Avalos was found sitting in the drivers seat of his blue SUV. He had been shot multiple times. On Monday, July 6, 2015, Robles was shot several times in the upper torso shortly after he got into a fight in the driveway of a residence on the 4300 block of Eagle Street. Lopez was also fatally shot in the upper torso in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 22, 2018, while she slept in a tent near a homeless encampment. In August of 2021, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department announced an $80,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for the murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know there were witnesses at every murder, Homicide Bureau Captain Joe Mendoza said at the time. Police determined that the same gun was used in the murders of Avalos and Robles. Velasquez was arrested on suspicion of murder a month after the announcement, the sheriffs office said, per the Los Angeles Times. Read the original article on People Lab-grown meat isnt being sold in Texas grocery stores or featured on most restaurant menus. In July, Austin sushi restaurant OTOKO began putting Wildtypes cultivated salmon on its menu, making it the first and only restaurant in Texas to sell a lab-grown product. Despite the lack of widespread sales of lab-grown meat, also called cell cultivated meat or cultured meat, lawmakers in June passed a law to ban its sale in Texas for the next two years, starting Sept. 1. Lawmakers approved the ban because of concerns that the cultured meat industry could disrupt traditional livestock markets and family farms, as well as concerns about product labelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a preemptive position for us, said Carl Ray Polk, Jr. a fifth-generation rancher in East Texas and president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association who testified in support of the bill in a March Senate committee hearing. We want to put this in a moratorium, at least a two-year ban, until everything checks and the balances are there for them to take the product to retail. Scientists and experts in cellular agriculture say the ban appears to be a political move that will have little to no impact on the market, since cell-cultivated meat, which is derived from animal cells and grown in bioreactors, isnt being sold on a large scale yet. It seems more like a statement than anything thats going to have lasting impact, said Dr. Kate Krueger, a cell biologist who previously worked as a scientist at Perfect Day Foods and now does technical evaluations for biotech companies focused on cell-based meat. Supporters of the industry say that it can be a more ethical and sustainable food source. It promises to help meet the rising consumer demand for meat without killing animals and without the risk of viruses that animals can carry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The industry is relatively new. After a surge of investor interest in the mid 2010s, funding for the industry has lost momentum in the past two years. In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave approval for two companies, UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat, to sell cell-cultivated chicken and a year later, the U.S. Department for Agriculture approved the label of cell-cultivated chicken for the products. Since then, both companies have sold the product to U.S. restaurants. Today, four companies have government permission to sell cultivated meat in the U.S., according to The Good Food Institute, a nonprofit think tank focused on advancing innovation in alternative proteins. We did bespoke [tasting] events and continue to do many events in multiple states in the United States to make people familiar with it as we produce it at small scale, said Uma Valeti, the CEO and founder of UPSIDE Foods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This scale, however, is too small to have an impact on the market, according to scientists. Its a nice proof of concept, but, you know, that's not really having an impact on the consumer market, said Paul Mozdziak, a professor at North Carolina State University who has been teaching cell culture since 1992. It is something that's highly specialized and something that only somebody at a high-end restaurant is going to eat. While the new state law bans selling cultivated meat, it does not ban research and development, which Katie Kam is grateful for. Kam, an Austin native and longtime vegan who dreams of selling a cultured barbecue beef brisket from a food truck, is the founder of BioBQ, the only cultivated meat startup based in Texas. BioBQ is not currently offering any products for sale, but Kam worries that the ban will have a chilling effect and deter already hesitant investors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now investors aren't so sure that Texas is friendly to business, and they don't want to invest in businesses where they're not even sure the product can be sold, Kam said. Tamar Lieberman, the state legislative specialist at The Good Food Institute who testified against the ban, equated it to Texas saying we dont want new jobs, we dont want new investments. Polk, the president of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said he is concerned about cultivated meat being blended with conventional meat. We dont want a [cell cultured product] to be able to be blended into 100% beef, Polk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polk also wants reassurance that the cultivated meat industry will follow truth in labelling laws after the two-year ban ends. If the products are blended with other ingredients, he believes that should be made clear to consumers. We welcome any competition, Polk said, pointing out that the beef industry has been competing with poultry, fish, and now plant-based proteins. TSCRAs goal, he said, is not to squash economic development or free markets. Valeti said that Polks concerns about labelling are unfounded. UPSIDE Foods, he said, is asking for a label to call their products cultivated meat. Mozdziak, the North Carolina State professor, said he doesnt believe cultivated meat can be called meat at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can call it cultivated chicken, but you can't call that meat, Mozdziak said. Thats because the industry typically uses fibroblasts, a type of cell that grows connective tissue. Most of the companies are not producing meat, they're producing connective tissue, he said. Connective tissue does not have the same protein levels of conventional meat since it contains no muscle tissue. Valeti said that his company uses a variety of cells to create cultivated products, not just fibroblasts. While the protein content of UPSIDE products may differ, he aims to get it to a place where its similar to conventional meat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mozdziak said he believes cultivated meat will eventually be the solution to a safer, more secure food supply without the risks of diseases like the bird flu. But he doesnt see that happening any time soon. The Texas ban, he said, is pure politics. More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 1315! This years lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of CNN NewsNight; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Correction, Sept. 3, 2025 at 10:44 a.m. : The story has been updated to correct the name of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Modern Americans might only see Labor Day as a chance to take a day off from work and shop for holiday-themed fall discounts. But Labor Day's history, and the reason for its recognition as a federal holiday, has strong ties to those who contribute to America's economy with their you guessed it labor. What is Labor Day, and when is it celebrated? When is Labor Day 2025? Labor Day is observed every year on the first Monday in September, which gives workers a long weekend to celebrate and relax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, Labor Day will be Sept. 1. More: Planning a staycation? Here are 10 OKC metro-area hotels with on-site dining There are four remaining federal holidays in 2025: Columbus Day : Monday, Oct. 13 Veterans Day : Tuesday, Nov. 11 Thanksgiving Day : Thursday, Nov. 27 Christmas Day: Thursday, Dec. 25 What is Labor Day? Labor Day is one of the United States' oldest federal holidays, even older than the state of Oklahoma. The annual celebration of workers and worker rights began 143 years ago in 1882, organized by a New York City labor union. Five years later, Oregon became the first state to officially recognize Labor Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was created to recognize achievements of the United States labor movement when American workers began to form labor unions and advocate for better working conditions, reasonable hours and fair wages, according to USA TODAY. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894 when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. By that time, 23 states had already adopted the holiday. Oklahoman reporter Alexis Aston contributed to this article. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Labor Day 2025: When is the holiday, why do we celebrate 5 unsung films that dramatize Americas rich labor history The U.S. is in the midst of a new upsurge of union organizing. Is a Hollywood drama about angry Starbucks baristas or frustrated Amazon warehouse workers far behind? Hollywood studios and independent producers have long depicted the collective efforts of working people to improve their lives and gain a voice in their workplaces and the larger society, notes Peter Drier, a professor of politics at Occidental College, writing for The Conversation. Some of the most well-known labor movies champion the struggle of the everyday worker: Modern Times, released in 1936, stars Charlie Chaplin going crazy due to his job on an assembly line. It features the famous image of Chaplin caught in the gears of factory machinery. The Grapes of Wrath, a 1940 adaptation of John Steinbecks novel, tells the story of sharecropper Tom Joads radicalization after his family and other migrant workers experience destitute conditions in Californias growing fields and overcrowded migrant camps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1979s Norma Rae is based on the life of Crystal Lee Sutton, who worked in a J.P. Stevens mill in North Carolina. The textile worker and single mom inspires her fellow workers to overcome their racial animus and work together to vote in a union. Bread and Roses, a 2000 film about low-wage janitors in Los Angeles, is based on the Service Employees International Unions Justice for Janitors movement. In an iconic scene from Modern Times, Charlie Chaplin gets caught in the gears of factory machinery. Theres also an anti-labor strain of Hollywood history, particularly during the post-World War II Red Scare, when studios purged left-wing writers, directors and actors through an industrywide blacklist. Red Scare-era releases such as 1952s "Big Jim McLain and the 1954 film On the Waterfront often depicted unions as corrupt or infiltrated by communist subversives. Here are five unsung labor movies, all based on real-life events, that, in my view, deserve more attention. 1. Northern Lights (1978) This is a fictionalized account of a fascinating but little-known political movement: the Non-Partisan League, which organized farmers in the upper Midwest in the early 1900s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During this period, Midwestern farmers worked long hours to harvest grain that they were then forced to sell for low prices to elevators while paying high prices to the big railroad companies and banks. Economic insecurity was a part of life, and foreclosures were routine. The film follows Ray Sorenson, a young farmer influenced by socialist ideas who leaves his North Dakota farm to become a Non-Partisan League organizer. In his beat-up Model T, he travels the back roads, talking to farmers in their fields or around the potbellied stoves of country stores. He eventually persuades skeptical farmers that electing NPL candidates could get the government to create cooperative grain elevators, state-chartered banks with farmers as stockholders, and limits on the prices that railroads can charge farmers to haul their wheat. Northern Lights is based on an early 20th-century farmer-led political uprising in the Midwest. In 1916, the Non-Partisan League did, in fact, elect farmer Lynn Frazier as governor of North Dakota with 79% of the vote. Two years later, the NPL won control of both houses of the state legislature and created the North Dakota Mill, still the only state-owned flour mill, and The Bank of North Dakota, which remains the nations only government-owned general-service bank. Lobbycard of The Devil And Miss Jones film featuring Charles Coburn and Jean Arthur from 1941. - LMPC via Getty Images 2. The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) In this screwball comedy with a pro-union twist, Charles Coburn plays John P. Merrick, a fictional New York City department store owner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After his employees hang him in effigy, the tycoon goes undercover to ferret out the agitators of a union drive led by a store clerk in the shoe department and a union organizer. As he learns more about their lives, Merrick grows sympathetic to his workers and even falls in love with one of his employees none of whom know his true identity. As the workers prepare to go on strike, and picket his house, Merrick reveals that he owns the store and agrees to their demands over pay and hours and marries the employee hes fallen for. The film was likely inspired by the 1937 sit-down strikes by employees of New York Citys department stores. 3. Salt of the Earth (1954) Decades ahead of its time, this story of New Mexico mine workers deals with issues of racism, sexism and class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a mine accident, the Mexican American workers decide to strike. They demand better safety standards and equal treatment, since white miners are allowed to work in pairs, while Mexican miners are forced to work alone. The strikers expect the women to stay at home, cook and take care of the children. But when the company gets an injunction to end the mens protest, the women step up and maintain the picket lines, earning greater respect from the men. Made at the height of the Red Scare, the films writer, producer and director had been blacklisted for their leftist sympathies. The film was sponsored by the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, not a Hollywood studio. Will Geer, a blacklisted actor who later portrayed Grandpa Walton on the TV drama, The Waltons, played the repressive sheriff. Mexican actress Rosaura Revueltas played the leader of the wives. The other characters were portrayed by real miners and their wives who participated in the strike against the Empire Zinc Company, which served as the inspiration for the film. The film itself was blacklisted, and no major theater chain would show it. Andre Braugher, the actor and executive producer of '10,000 Black Men Named George' speaks at the Winter TCA held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles, Ca., Jan. 18, 2002. - Kevin Winter // Getty Images 4. 10,000 Black Men Named George (2002) Andre Braugher stars as A. Philip Randolph, who organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first Black-run union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being a porter on a Pullman railroad car was one of the few jobs open to Black men. But wages were low, travel was constant and white passengers patronized the porters by calling all of them George, after George Pullman, the mogul who owned the company. The company hired thugs to intimidate the porters, but Randolph and his top lieutenants persisted. They began their crusade in 1925 but didnt get the company to sign a contract with the union until 1937, thanks to a New Deal law that gave railroad workers the right to unionize. Randolph became Americas leading civil rights organizer during the 1940s and 1950s and orchestrated the 1963 March on Washington. Actress Charlize Theron participates in a press conference for the film - Evan Agostini // Getty Images 5. North Country (2005) Charlize Theron portrays Josey Aimes, a desperate single mom who flees her abusive husband, returns to her hometown in northern Minnesota, moves in with her parents and takes a job at an iron mine. There, she is constantly groped, insulted and bullied by the male workers. She complains to the company managers, who dont take her seriously. The male-dominated union claims theres nothing they can do. Aimes sues the company, which, after a dramatic courtroom scene, is forced to settle with her and other women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With stellar performances by Theron, Sissy Spacek, Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson, North Country is based on a groundbreaking lawsuit brought by women miners at Minnesotas Eveleth Mines in the 1988, which led to the first sexual harassment class action at the federal level and helped make sexual harassment a violation of workers rights. This story was produced by The Conversation and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. BIRD-IN-HAND, Pa. (WHTM) A culinary staple in Lancaster County is set to reopen later this week. The Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, will welcome customers back to the buffet at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 28. It had been in temporary quarters since last Spring opening that location at the former Revere Tavern a few months after flames damaged the Old Philadelphia Pike restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tortoise hatchlings born of century-old parents come out of their shells at Philadelphia Zoo We couldnt be more thrilled to welcome all of our friends, neighbors and the local community back to our familys restaurant, said John E. Smucker, II, Bird-in-Hands president and chief executive officer. It has been a long journey and we are grateful to all those who have walked with us. The restaurant will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 11. Then, it will open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Menu service will return later. Although we are grateful that we have been able to accommodate some guests, we are now blessed to be able to welcome everyone back, including both travelers, our friends and neighbors in the community and, of course, our staff who have been so patient and supportive during our reconstruction, Smucker said of the temporary location and limited operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New is a permanent carving station, expanded dessert bar, reconfigured salad bar, and a larger hot buffet. This will enable us to incorporate some new offerings along with the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dishes and other foods that were famous for, Smucker said. We have also invested in new equipment to support our kitchen staff. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices For more information, visit the Bird-in-Hand 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 ABC27. LAMONT, Calif. When it comes to the immigration process among the Hispanic community, Spanish is the language that comes to mind for how best to communicate. In parts of the rural Central Valley, where an estimated one-quarter of farmworkers and day laborers in the area are of Mexican Indigenous descent, a community that includes many languages and dialects. In recent years, Indigenous advocacy organizations have found that its becoming more difficult to communicate necessary information to their community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lamont, California, the organization Centro de Unidad Popular Benito Juarez, named for the first Indigenous Mexican president, sees firsthand the struggles that the COVID-19 pandemic and fear of immigration enforcement have created for different indigenous groups across the state. When theres programs available, anything thats in the community, our Indigenous community are the last ones to find out, Hector Hernandez, the organizations CEO, said. The organization has worked to do outreach and interpretation for Mexican Indigenous populations across the state from up north near Napa to southern communities in San Diego for about 25 years. Hernandez said while there are many agencies in California and across the Central Valley that are working to provide services for migrants, he noted they often are available in English or Spanish because of the large Hispanic population in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if the services do reach the Indigenous communities, support workers often dont speak the native language. And it makes it even more difficult to reach people when each community has its own language. Hernandez, seated next to his wife, Gladys Flores, who is the organizations program director, noted that his communitys dialect is different from his wifes. Both Hernandez and Flores speak English and Spanish, and each of their native communities are from the Mexican state of Oaxaca. They both speak Mixteco, but their native dialect differs and the same words may have different meanings. Theres variants, theres differences, theres so many things, Flores said. And working with Indigenous communities, its not an easy community to understand, to work with, because we have different cultures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Native languages largely stopped being reproduced around the time when the Spaniards conquered America, meaning there are no words to describe modern things, Hernandez said. For example, computer is translated to Indigenous communities as devil machine, because of how it was perceived early on. When it came to alerting Indigenous communities about how to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus, Hernandez found they had more success communicating in pictures, with images of masks, hand sanitizers and social distancing guidelines. Hernandez said even if someone who spoke a native language went to receive medical care, they were unable to find proper translation or interpretation services. It often deters people from seeking necessary medical and mental health help, he said. Gladys Flores, program director, and Hector Hernandez, executive director, prepare for a meeting at Centro De Unidad Popular Benito Juarez in Lamont, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. The mission of Unidad Popular is to advocate for the health, housing and basic human rights of Indigenous people. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Now, theyre facing a new challenge: How to properly inform Indigenous communities, and those who are living in the country illegally, about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement concerns under the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fear is there, Hernandez said, later adding, The fear is there regardless of if youve been here for 10 years, regardless if youve been here for 30 years. One of the areas largest ICE raids came in the beginning of January, before President Donald Trump was inaugurated. The early January raid caused confusion in the community and sent widespread fear through the area. Hernandez said there were Indigenous farmworkers, who were in the country illegally, still in the fields until late at night, fearful they would be pulled over, detained or deported on their drive home. Organizers had to speak different dialects and languages into bullhorns until the early morning hours to encourage people that it was safe to come out of hiding, he said. As active community organizers, Flores said they are looking to harness the fear in communities due to immigration enforcement and use it as empowerment, not only to keep doing the work they do, but to educate and inform individuals about their rights, the immigration processes and what they can do if federal enforcement is in the area. Translation required for immigrants If immigration officials fail to provide adequate translation or interpretation, they could be in violation of the Civil Rights Act. Under the due process clause, which was reaffirmed by former President Bill Clinton, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin for federally funded programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says it is committed to providing translation and interpretation services regardless of country of citizenship or language. However, under ICEs Language Access Program, it offers oral or written translation in just 15 languages. Zefitret Abera Molla authored a 2023 article for the Center for American Progress, where she examined the challenges to expanding language access in the asylum process. I think language access gets kind of sidelined. But without language access, we cant guarantee a fair and efficient and humane immigration system, she said in an interview. Under the Biden administration, there were some efforts to standardize language access and recruit interpreters across agencies, but even then, the issue isnt receiving the attention it deserves, Molla said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ensuring language access would obviously ensure a much more fair and humane immigration system, but were talking about a backlog of millions of cases in the immigration courts, she said. So, this is just one part of the problem. The largest problem, Molla said, is that there are not enough interpreters willing to step in at any point in the immigration process. Hernandez and Flores say theyre facing a similar problem. There is a network of community leaders across the state of California that is trying to make plans for if large raids were to hit the rural Indigenous communities, Flores said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That conversation were having, its How do we go about dealing with this? How do we get interpreters? How do we get attorneys? Flores said. We do have agencies, theyre big organizations, but none of them have reached out to the Indigenous communities. None of them have asked how they can support us, she added. Its only Latino farmworkers, but nobodys talking about the Indigenous farmworkers. Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Eight alleged gang members have been arrested in break-ins of high-end items and firearms from at least 92 homes and businesses, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Monday. The suspects, who have been arrested and charged, are believed to be members of the Rich Rollin Burglary Crew, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. They range in age from 20 to 47, police said. Also, two other men were linked to the burglary crew but were already in custody on suspicion of an unrelated attempted murder, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These individuals represent the kind of repeat offenders we are targeting through our suppression strategies and their arrests underscore our progress in reducing burglaries and other crimes," the chief told reporters. McDonnell said they focused on West Los Angeles and near Los Angeles International Airport, though some crimes were in the San Fernando Valley, police said. They sought high-end jewelry, purses, watches and wallets, as well as guns and suitcases, police say. The items were sold for cash, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said. "They come in here, not because they need anything, but because of greed," Hochman said. "They don't want to use (the stolen items) for their own benefit, they are using that [to get] money." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the accused could face life in prison because they have one or two strikes against them, Hochman said. Police said they are members of the Rollin' 30s and 55 Neighborhood. None of the burglaries are linked to a recent crime wave in Encino, and instead were from 2022, with most last year and this year. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, search warrants were served at eight homes in Los Angeles, Hawthorn, Inglewood and Carson. Besides stolen high-end items and currency, police said they found 15 firearms, weapon magazines, burglary tools, narcotics, masks, cellphones and radios. Police said they got a break in the burglary cases on Feb. 13 when three suspects in a van were arrested after a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle was recognized from two burglaries the day before, McDonnell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, police found items from a search warrant. Included were stolen credit cards and license plates, he said. Mayor Karen Ross praised the "extraordinary work of our LAPD and our regional partners," including Hawthorne and Inglewood police departments. She said it was a "major win" for her city, and "we won't stop doing whatever we need to do to combat crime." Police said some places may have been targeted because of postings on social media. "You're showing off Rolexes, fancy bags, fancy cars, this kind of stuff. You make yourself a target," McDonnell said before the announced arrests during a meeting with the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association last week. Also, McDonnell said upscale restaurant patrons may be targeted. Homicides in Los Angeles are down 9% from the previous year. A large reptile has officials on high alert in a Maine town, authorities shared on social media. Calling the animal a large lizard on the loose, the Old Town Police Department shared on Sunday, Aug. 24 that the reptile is a tegu lizard. Someone called police around 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 about a large lizard under their porch, Bailey told USA TODAY. As of Aug. 25, the lizard has not been found, Bailey said. A tegu lizard on the loose in Old Town Maine in August 2025. It was initially believed to be a monitor lizard, but witness accounts have shown otherwise, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tegu lizards like this one have sharp teeth and claws, as well as strong jaws, police shared online at 7:15 p.m. on Aug. 24. While they are not inherently aggressive, they can lash out when they feel threatened. They can grow to be 2, 3, and sometimes 4 feet long, according to wildlife experts. The owner subsequently contacted us to confirm that the Tegu lizard belonged to him, Bailey wrote, adding that the owner is an Old Town resident. What to do if you see a lizard like this Bailey said those who see the lizard should not approach it. Police have been in contact with the Maine Warden Service and an animal control officer to create a plan to safely capture the lizard once it is found, Bailey told USA TODAY. Our plan involves using a catch pole to guide the lizard into a large crate, he said. We believe the lizard is possibly hunkered down somewhere and will likely come out when the sun shines again, as Tegu lizards enjoy basking in the sun. More on tegu lizards Tegus are often hunted for skins, local consumption, and sometimes, the commercial pet trade, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tegus, an invasive creature, have been introduced in Florida, and can be considered harmful and invasive to birds and mammals when released, the IUCN said. They are found in places such as Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, according to the Everglades Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), which researches invasive species across South Florida. Three common tegu species found in the U.S. include the: Argentine black and white tegu Grows up to 4 feet long, is black and white with banding along its tail. Hatchlings have green on their heads which fades after a few months. Gold tegu Grows 2 to 3 feet long and has black and gold stripes down its body. Red tegu Grows up to 4 feet long; males have large jowls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tegus eat fruits, vegetables, eggs, insects, dog or cat food, and small animals like lizards and rodents, according to CISMA. They spend most of the time on land but can swim and may stay submerged under water for long periods of time. During colder months, they are most active during the day and spend colder months in a burrow or under cover. Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Lizard on the loose' has authorities searching in Old Town, Maine LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Las Vegas City Councilwoman Victoria Seaman announced Monday shes withdrawing her candidacy for a Clark County Commission District F seat to work for the federal government. Seaman is going to work for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Intergovernmental & External Affairs. She will be the director of the Denver Regional Office. Seaman, a Republican, served six years as a Las Vegas city councilwoman for Ward 2 and announced in April that she planned to seek a seat on the Clark County Commission. Her council term was due to end in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the news release, she is credited with helping resolve the long-standing Badlands litigation, upgrading parks, leading the passage of animal protection ordinances, and increasing penalties for illegal fireworks. It has been my distinct honor to serve the people of Ward 2 for the past six years, Seaman said. While it is with a heavy heart that I step down from the City Council, I am deeply honored to continue my public service under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy. I look forward to carrying out HHS mission and advancing the Make America Healthy Again agenda across Region 8. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A journalist, whose body was located in a large container earlier this year, was beaten to death, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained Monday. Joseph Del Rivo, 63, killed Matthew Kelemen, 56, sometime before May 15, documents said. Kelemen was a freelance journalist who wrote for Las Vegas Magazine. Nearly a week after the murder, on Tuesday, May 20, Las Vegas Metro police discovered Kelemens remains after getting a report of the smell near a business on North 3rd Street in Downtown Las Vegas. A person called police that morning, saying a box dropped off on May 16 had a foul odor coming from it. Police cut off the boxs lock, finding Kelemens body wrapped in a tarp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the box, police located a music stand, a bottle of ketchup, hat and shoes, and several bags, documents said. Las Vegas journalist found dead in container; roommate accused of murder dies in crash The coroners office later ruled Kelemens death as homicide caused by homicide violence due to assault, documents said. Police documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained in May also indicated detectives suspected Kelemen died of blunt force trauma. Del Rivo later died in a high-speed chase in Utah. A press release matching the date of the crash and age of the victim said that the driver sped off from a trooper at 140 miles an hour on Interstate 70. After several miles, the driver lost control and was ejected from the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Toxicology testing revealed Kelemen had alcohol and THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, in his system at the time of his death, documents said. Kelemens work appeared in publications such as The Daily Beast, Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Weekly, according to his Muck Rack profile. His most recent article, published after his death, was a review of Janet Jacksons residency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Charanjot Singh Nanda, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), in a recent interview with The Free Press Journal, expressed optimism about India's prospects amid the ongoing tariff war initiated by US President Donald Trump. Nanda believes that this situation will ultimately bolster India's position as a global leader. Nanda highlighted that 11 member countries of BRICS have agreed to utilise the Indian Rupee as a common currency for trade settlements, stating, And India is getting crude oil from Russia at a highly discounted rate. Everything is going its way. Speaking at the Navdrishti conference in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Nanda asserted that India will emerge stronger from the tariff conflict with the US, citing the country's ethical dealings and lack of fear towards other nations. He pointed out several financial advantages for India, noting, Our stock market is the best and the safest in the world, we balance imports and exports equitably and we have constituted the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to regulate the countrys special economic zones. Nanda also emphasised India's significant consumer base, with 68% of its population under the age of 40, asserting, The worlds economic powers will have to deal with India, whether they like it or not. Regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the chartered accountancy profession, Nanda remarked, No artificial thing, including intelligence, can ever be better than the natural. He noted that the ICAI is embracing AI to manage repetitive tasks, having launched a certificate course on AI for chartered accountants, which has seen participation from both young and experienced members. Nanda further mentioned the ICAI's commitment to enhancing financial and tax literacy among the public, revealing that clinics have been established at all 180 branches to provide consultancy for startup owners and MSMEs. He concluded by stating, With the advent of modern technology, it is no longer possible to evade income tax. Form 26AS tells everything about your financial dealings. Evading income tax is now a thing of the past. "India positioned to benefit from US tariff war, says ICAI president" was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The valley continues to deal with a dip in tourism as data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority revealed an 11 percent drop in visitor volume this summer. Some tourists blame high costs and have even taken to social media to share their frustrations. For example, one tourist went viral for complaining about a $26 bottle of water in their minibar at the Aria. 8 News Now spoke to tourists Caitlyn and Max Laney, from Scottsdale, Arizona, who visit Las Vegas at least once a year. The Laneys said theyve noticed things are more pricey than theyre used to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day I was here, I got a bagel and it was $12, so I definitely had a little bit of sticker shock, Caitlyn Laney said. For lunch, we had a club sandwich and a couple of Cokes. The Cokes were $4 a pop. Other tourists, like Makeyta Chism, visiting from Tennessee with her husband, said she was here last July, and has noticed prices have gone up across the board, from show costs to food. Ive been a couple of times, Chism told 8 News Now. Its much higher than last year. Some businesses say they, too, are feeling the effects. Mellissa Spurgeon has worked at Fun Gifts on the Las Vegas Strip for three years and blames the overall high prices for fewer tourists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 News Now asked Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley about the sticker shock. The mayor attributed the price increase to a mix of factors, including a slow economy nationwide, as well as the gaming industry nickel and diming people, which refers to wearing someone down with small charges. However, Mayor Berkley believes that issue will self-correct. If you have to pay $70 for valet parking, youre going to find out very quickly people dont want to pay $70 for parking, Berkley said. The gaming industry is pretty smart people, and I think theyll figure it out without my input, but we need to be wary. We need bodies here in Las Vegas. Despite that LVCVA report of a tourism dip, some officials argue that Las Vegas is not losing its luster. At a public meeting earlier this month, President and CEO Steve Hill said their customer surveys show visitor satisfaction remains high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. President Donald Trump says hes firing Lisa Cook, a member of the Federal Reserves board of governors, amid mortgage fraud allegations, opening a new front in the fight over Americas central bank. The presidents announcement came Monday night, days after Cook said she wouldnt leave her post despite Donald Trump calling for her to resign over an accusation from one his officials that she committed mortgage fraud. Trump appointee Bill Pulte, the head of the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, alleged on social media last week that Cook had claimed two primary residences in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Atlanta in 2021 to get better mortgage terms. Mortgage rates are often higher on second homes or those purchased to rent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said in announcing the move that he had the constitutional authority to remove Cook, but doing so will raise questions about control of the Fed as an independent entity, as Trump would likely appoint a loyalist to the Feds governing board with Cook gone. Here's the latest: Why the Federal Reserve has historically been independent of the White House Trumps decision to fire Cook threatens the Feds venerated independence, which has long been supported by most economists and Wall Street investors. Heres why the central banks independence matters: The Fed wields extensive power over the U.S. economy, which strengthens or weakens based on cuts or increases to the short-term interest rate the central bank controls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cutting the rate which typically happens when the economy falters can make borrowing cheaper and encourage more spending, accelerating growth and hiring. Raising the rate which the Fed does to cool the economy and combat inflation can weaken the economy and cause job losses. Economists have long preferred independent central banks because they can more easily take unpopular steps to fight inflation, such as raise interest rates, which makes borrowing to buy a home, car, or appliances more expensive. Most investors also prefer an independent Fed, partly because it typically manages inflation better without being influenced by politics but also because its decisions are more predictable. Read more about the Fed and why its independence is important Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump fires Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserves board of governors Trump says hes firing Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserves board of governors amid mortgage fraud allegations, opening a new front in the fight over the central bank. The presidents announcement Monday came days after Cook said she wouldnt leave her post despite Trump calling on social media for her to resign over an accusation from one his officials that she committed mortgage fraud. Trump said in announcing the move that he had the constitutional authority to remove Cook, but doing so will raise questions about control of the Fed as an independent entity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the escalation in Trumps battle to exert greater control over the Fed The Korean Peninsula has grown more dangerous, South Korean president says South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the peninsula has grown more unstable in the past few years as Pyongyang continues to develop its nuclear programs and is at the final stage of developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. The hard facts are that the number of nuclear weapons that North Korea possesses has increased 2.5 times during the past three to four years, Lee said at the Center for Strategic and International Studies after meeting with Trump in the White House. And their ability to produce fissile material has increased tremendously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said Seoul has increased its defense capabilities but is at a disadvantage without nuclear capability. He called for efforts to stop the situation from getting worse. After Trump and Congress spending cuts, public media stations wait on money for emergency alerts The recently defunded nonprofit that distributed federal money to public media stations across the U.S. is warning of another casualty when it shuts down next month: the resilience of the nations emergency alert systems. In 2022, Congress authorized $136 million for the Next Generation Warning System grant program, meant to help stations in rural, tribal and otherwise underserved communities repair and improve the warning systems that tell people about evacuation orders, Amber Alerts, tornado warnings, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which manages the grant money, is shutting down Sept. 30 after Congress and Trump defunded it in July. That could leave unspent millions in grant dollars that were awarded but not yet paid to stations, imperiling dozens of projects meant to save lives in emergencies. The need for robust and redundant warning systems was made tragically clear in July when Texas floods killed at least 136 people, many in areas with spotty cellphone reception and no siren systems. Read more about how cuts will impact emergency alerts Navy gets new top officer Adm. Daryl Caudle took over as chief of naval operations, the Navys highest-ranking officer, on Monday, ending a six-month vacancy created by the Trump administrations firing of his predecessor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted a growing list of top military leaders with little or no explanation. Hegseth fired Caudles predecessor, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, without explanation in February. Neither Caudle nor Navy Secretary John Phelan addressed the ouster at a swearing-in ceremony Monday, though Franchetti was among several former chiefs of naval operations in attendance. Caudle showed his agreement with an often-repeated Trump administration phrase, saying, Peace through strength works. Rubio speaks with European foreign ministers on Ukraine peace efforts Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke Monday with counterparts from eight seven NATO allies, Ukraine and the European Union about the Trump administrations efforts to forge a Ukrainian-Russian peace agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a brief statement that did not divulge any details of the conversation, the State Department said Rubio had spoken with the foreign ministers of Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Ukraine and the top diplomat for the EU. Rubio and the others agreed to continue cooperation in diplomatic efforts to bring the Russia-Ukraine war to an end through a lasting negotiated settlement, the State Department said. Illinois governor blasts Trump as a wannabe dictator for plans to militarize policing in Chicago Earlier Monday, Trump suggested multiple times that he might dispatch the National Guard to Chicago regardless of Gov. JB Pritzkers opinion, calling the city a killing field, an apparent reference to the Cambodian genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker and other Illinois officials said the Trump administration has not reached out to Chicago leaders about any federal initiative to deploy military personnel to the city to combat crime the way the president has in the nations capital. They cited statistics showing drops in violent crime in Chicago and cast Trumps move as performative, partisan and racist. Mr. President, do not come to Chicago, Pritzker said, standing in a park about a mile from the Chicago skyscraper that features Trumps name in large lettering. The governor said he would fight the petty whims of an arrogant little man who wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish his dissidents and score political points. What to know about cashless bail after Trumps executive order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump signed an executive order on Monday threatening to withhold or revoke federal funding to local and state governments that offer cashless bail, arguing that it is a threat to public safety. Cashless bail refers to policies that allow people to be released from jail without paying any money while they await trial. It is an alternative to the traditional cash bail system in which people pay money to be released and get their money back if they return to court when they are supposed to. Studies have shown mixed results regarding the impact of cashless bail on crime. Many focus on the recidivism of individual defendants rather than overall crime rates. Loyola University of Chicagos Center for Criminal Justice published a 2024 report on Illinois new cashless bail policy, one year after it went into effect. It acknowledges that there is not yet enough data to know what impact the law has had on crime, but that crime in Illinois did not increase after its implementation. Violent and property crime declined in some counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about when and where cashless bail is offered Trump signs proclamation honoring American service members killed during 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan The president has signed a proclamation honoring 13 American service members killed in a suicide bombing during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal of forces at the end of the Afghanistan War in 2021. Surrounded by family members of those killed in the attack, Trump called the attack the worst day, and in many ways the most embarrassing day in the history of our country. In May, Trump directed the Defense Department to conduct a review of what occurred during the U.S. withdrawal, and Trump said during the event that he expected that to be complete by the middle of next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of the suicide bombing. Bipartisan pair of lawmakers pushing to lift Syria sanctions after visit A bipartisan pair of congressional lawmakers are pushing to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria after they were heartened by a visit with the countrys new interim leader. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, told reporters on a call that they had talked with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa about permanently lifting sanctions and would make a push to have Congress do that in the coming months. Trump issued an executive order lifting the sanctions on the country in June, but Congress would need to act to make that move permanent. Shaheen said the sanctions are preventing investment in the country and the prosperity and opportunity that people want to see in the future. Senate Democrat says she is appalled by Israels bombing of Gaza hospital The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee says that Israels bombing campaign in Gaza needs to end after an airstrike on a hospital killed five journalists, including a freelancer who worked for The Associated Press. I personally am appalled by the bombing in Gaza and by the killing of journalists. And I think it needs to end now, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen told reporters on a call from Beirut. Shaheen was traveling in the Middle East as part of a U.S. delegation to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Congressional Democrats, who once were stalwart supporters of Israel, have recently become more outspoken critics of how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has conducted the war on Hamas. US District Judge warns that the government cannot deport Abrego Garcia, who is now held in Virginia U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis noted that the government is temporarily prohibited from deporting Abrego Garcia under overlapping court orders currently in effect. She asked Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign if the government knows it is absolutely forbidden at this juncture to remove him from the U.S. under the current legal landscape. Your honor, yes, we certainly understand that, Ensign said. Abrego Garcia was taken to a Virginia detention center after he surrendered on Monday, said the plaintiffs attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, adding that they are concerned he would be moved to another facility later. Xinis said she will order that Abrego Garcia is not moved from the Virginia facility for now. She said she believed she must extend a temporary restraining order barring Abrego Garcias removal from the U.S. US ambassador to France doesnt respond to French foreign ministry summons over antisemitic claims U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner did not respond to a summons to the French foreign ministry to answer complaints about an open letter he sent accusing French authorities of not doing enough to combat antisemitism, a French diplomatic official said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with the ministrys practice, said Kushner, the father of Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner, did not appear for the meeting and was represented instead by his number two. The official said the U.S. diplomat was told that Kushners open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron was unacceptable in both form and substance, constituted interference in Frances internal affairs and ignored the French governments efforts and policies on combating antisemitism. Neither the embassy nor the State Department had any immediate response to the French officials description of the meeting. The State Department had said on Sunday that it stood by Kushners criticisms and that the ambassador is doing a great job advancing our national interests in that role. Sylvie Corbet and Matthew Lee Maine clinics denied Medicaid funds during lawsuit after Trump cuts to abortion providers A network of clinics in Maine will not resume getting Medicaid funds to treat thousands of low-income patients during its lawsuit over Trump administration cuts to abortion providers, a judge ruled Monday. Trumps policy and tax bill blocked Medicaid money from flowing to Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider. The parameters in the bill also stopped funding from reaching Maine Family Planning, a much smaller provider that offers health care services in one of the poorest and most rural states in the Northeast. Maine Family Planning says Medicaid dollars are not used for its abortion services, which are a relatively small percentage of the overall services provided. Its unfair to cut off funding for the clinics solely because Congress wanted to defund Planned Parenthood, an attorney for Maine Family Planning told the judge earlier this month. But in his ruling Monday, Judge Lance Walker said the payments will not resume during the ongoing lawsuit by the provider seeking to restore the funds. Read more about the ruling on Maine abortion clinics National Guard troops will be picking up trash in DC One of the duties for National Guard members in Washington will be cleaning up trash around the city, the military task force overseeing all the troops deployed to D.C. said Monday. The D.C. National Guard posted a video on social media Saturday that showed troops cleaning up an area around a trail. They were shown hauling several garbage bags and cleaning up large amounts of rubber gloves from a park bench. Officials said the effort is part of a broader beautification operation aimed at community restoration and improvement. Task force officials wouldnt offer details about how often troops have been asked to clean up areas in Washington. Armed National Guard members in DC will operate under long-standing rules for use of military force in the US Those rules, broadly, say that while troops can use force, they should do so only in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm and only as a last resort, the military task force overseeing all the troops deployed to D.C. said Monday. Troops first began patrolling the streets of D.C. with guns on Sunday just days after Defense Secretary Hegseth authorized the move. The task force has directed questions on why the change was necessary to Hegseths office. Those officials have declined to answer those questions. Speaking in the Oval Office Monday, Hegseth said it was common sense to arm them because it meant they were capable of defending themselves and others. Trump has long singled out Chicago in his rhetoric Trump made it a recurring theme on the campaign trail in both 2016 and 2024. He has drawn comparisons between the city and war zones like Afghanistan. In 2017, he vowed to send in the feds in response to gun violence a move that came even as the city was experiencing a broader trend of declining violent crime. Violent crime in Chicago dropped significantly in the first half of the year, representing the steepest decline in over a decade, according to city data. Shootings are down 37%, and homicides have dropped by 32%, while total violence crime dropped by over 22%. Kimberley Smith, director of national programs for the University of Chicago Crime Lab, attributes much of the drops in violent crime to a focus in Chicago on the systemic drivers of violence, rather than the militaristic approach Trump has touted in Washington, D.C. She encouraged more federal investment in researching these types of violence prevention strategies. Kind of out of necessity Chicago has become a hub for innovation in gun violence prevention, she said. Trump says there arent many GOP-led cities with high crime When asked whether hed be open to sending National Guard troops into Republican-led states and cities with high levels of crime in addition to as Democratic-led states, the president said, Sure, but there arent that many of them. DC Mayor: Leave our kids alone On the first day of school in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said she sympathized with the dilemma of immigrant parents who may be keeping their children home for fear of being detained or arrested by ICE agents. Parents are anxious. Weve heard from a lot of them, Bowser said, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly renovated bilingual middle school. Parents who need to make adjustments are going to be making adjustments, and thats a sad thing to say. Schools should be safe places. As schools opened across the capital city, parental social media groups and listservs were buzzing with reports and rumors of checkpoints and arrests from the hundreds of federal law enforcement personnel who have flooded the city. Bowser didnt mention Trump by name but harshly criticized any immigration crackdown that targets school children. Any attempt to target children is heartless, is mean, is uncalled-for and it only hurts us, she said. I would just call for everybody to leave our kids alone. Trump likens South Koreas appointment of a prosecutor to investigate the countrys former leader to his own past legal issues As South Koreas president described a prosecutor appointed by his countrys National Assembly, Trump interjected, Is his name Deranged Jack Smith, by any chance? Trump called Smith, who led two criminal cases against Trump before he took office for his second term, a deranged, sick individual. Im only kidding. Maybe Im not, Trump said. Trump suggested before his meeting with Lee began that a Purge or Revolution was taking place in South Korea. By way of explanation, Lee talked about investigating what he called turmoil after former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly imposed martial law and was ousted from office. Bruise exposed on Trumps hand A sizable bruise on Trumps right hand was exposed during his meeting with the South Korean president. Last Friday, the presidents hand was covered with a noticeable splotch of makeup that did not match his skin tone. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said Trumps hand bruising is consistent with irritation from his frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin. Trump predicts a conclusive ending to Israel-Hamas war within weeks Asked about famine in Gaza, Trump talked about Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 and about the people still being held hostage by the militant group. He said the U.S. is spending a lot of money to help feed hungry people in Gaza, and he added, I think within the next two to three weeks youre going to have a pretty good conclusive ending. Trump says he plans to travel to China later this year Trump said he would be traveling to China at some point probably this year after he said Chinese President Xi Jinping would like him to visit. Trump called the bilateral ties a very important relationship. Were going to get along with China, he said. The two countries are seeking to strike a trade deal, after both sides called a truce in escalating tariffs and export restrictions. Trump said hes resetting the economic relations with China, referring to his levying tariffs on Chinese goods. Since he took office, Trump has levied 54% tariffs across the board on Chinese goods, though his administration has paused 24%, pending final negotiations. Trump muses again on renaming the Department of Defense In both of his appearances in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump mused about renaming the Department of Defense to its original name, the Department of War. The name was changed in 1949. Trump said the previous name had a stronger sound and there might be an update on the potential name change over the next couple weeks. Trump walks down the DMZ memory lane The U.S. president responded to a question about whether he would return to the Demilitarized Zone that separates the Koreas by fondly recalling the last time he did so in 2019. Remember when I walked across the line and everyone went crazy? Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday. I loved it, Trump said, adding that he felt safe because he had a good relationship with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator. Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to set foot on North Korean soil in June 2019 during an unannounced trip to the DMZ. Trump says hed like to scrap the US lease with South Korea covering a large military base The president suggested that the U.S. should do away with a lease covering a large joint American-South Korean military base. I would like to see if we could get rid of the lease, and get ownership of the land where we have a massive military base, Trump said. Osan Air Base is a joint U.S. Air Force and South Korean base on South Koreas west coast. Trump says it remains unclear if Putin and Zelenskyy will meet I dont know that theyll meet, Trump said. Maybe they will. Maybe they wont. Trump last week following his hosting of European leaders and Zelenskyy for talks, as well as speaking by phone with Putin, said that he was arranging direct talks between Putin and Zelenskyy that might be followed by three-way talks in which hed take part. But Russias top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov, made it clear Friday that Putin wont meet with Zelenskyy until the Ukrainians agree to some of Moscows long-standing demands to end the conflict. It takes two to tango. I always say, Trump said. And they, should meet, I think, before I have a meeting and probably close the deal. Trump says US is studying drone tactics in Ukraine While answering a question about the conflict, Trump said this is a whole new form of war. He highlighted to use of flying drones, which have been widely deployed for reconnaissance and weaponry. A drone war never existed before, he said. Were actually studying it. South Koreas president asks for Trumps help bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula I would like to ask for your role in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, President Lee told Trump, adding that hed like to see construction of a Trump tower in North Korea and playing golf. Trump repeated his suggestions that he could soon meet with North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un to help work toward peace. Trump said he had a good relationship in his first term with Kim, though he also called him Little Rocket Man. South Korean president begins Oval Office appearance with flattery for Trump Lee Jae Myung complimented Trumps decorative touches in the Oval Office, to which Trump has added numerous gold accents around the room. He told Trump the office looks very bright and beautiful and has the dignity of America. He also said, I think America is becoming great again. House Republicans launch investigation into DCs crime statistics House Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer wrote that the Republican-led committee will probe disturbing allegations that D.C. crime data is inaccurate and intentionally manipulated in a letter to Metropolitan Police Chief Pam Smith. Comer cited local reports that a police commander for Washingtons Metropolitan Police Department was put on administrative leave after allegedly altering some crime statistics. Mayor Muriel Bowser has confirmed there is an ongoing investigation into the incident. In light of these reports and a related whistleblower disclosure made to the committee, the committee requests documents and information, as well as transcribed interviews with the district commanders of each of the seven patrol districts, Comer wrote. The Justice Department launched its own investigation into D.C.s crime statistics. Trump and Republicans have cast doubt on those statistics and scrutinized some local policing policies they allege reduced the reports of criminal acts. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) The Laurel County Sheriffs Office arrested a 54-year-old man in connection with roughly $50,000 of stolen items on Sunday afternoon. The owner of a stolen red trailer and tools, David Phillips, filed a stolen property complaint with LCSO just before 3 p.m. on Sunday. Read more of the latest Kentucky news In a news release Monday afternoon, LCSO announced that Darrell Smith, 54, was arrested around 3:40 p.m. on McWhorter Road. The department said it had received an anonymous tip that Smith had the trailer and tools there. Recovered red trailer reported stolen (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) Recovered tools also reported stolen (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) Smith told deputies that around 2 a.m. on Aug. 22, an unknown individual dropped the trailer and tools off at his home, according to an arrest citation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the citation, Smith admitted to the sheriffs office that he knew he shouldnt have had the trailer and tools, and he knew they were stolen. The items were estimated to be worth around $50,000. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: He was booked into the Laurel County Correctional Center, LCSO noted, and charged with receiving stolen property worth $10,000 or more. Court documents show he was arraigned Monday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. LAURINBURG, N.C. (WBTW) Laurinburg police are looking for an armed and dangerous man after a shooting that left another man hospitalized on Sunday. Tyrese McLean, 26, of Maxton, is wanted on warrants charging him with attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A 34-year-old Laurinburg man remains in stable condition after the shooting at Scotland Memorial Hospital, police said. It happened at about 2:50 p.m. in the 300 block of Pitt Street, police said. The victim went to the hospital in a private vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said anyone who sees McLean or knows where he might be should call 911 or 910-276-3211. You can also contact Scotland Crimestoppers anonymously by downloading the free mobile app, P3tips.com, visiting www.scotlandcountycs.com or by calling 910-266-8146. There is a reward of up to $1,000.00 for tips that lead to an arrest. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) New Mexico has one of the highest rates of uninsured motorists in the country. Now, lawmakers are considering a law looking to target those drivers more efficiently and relieve law enforcement. The proposal shows how other states are already using a similar program to address people driving without insurance by using advanced technology to confirm if vehicles have insurance coverage or not. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a problem New Mexico drivers know all too well. New Mexico right now, about one-third of our driving population is uninsured, and its a growing problem. Were number one in the country in that category, said Michael Olguin, president of the New Mexico Community Safety Company. In a presentation to the Transportation Interim Committee, lawmakers reviewed implementing a program to reduce the number of uninsured drivers. There are options and alternatives to just more fees, more fines, higher prices for uninsured motorists, said Jonathan Miller, Chairman Diversion Management. Its called the Automated Nationwide Non-Invasive Enforcement (ANNIE), which uses license plate reading technology to identify if a vehicle has insurance by checking a real-time insurance database. Then, law enforcement can send a notice of a violation to the driver. From there, drivers can either pay the fine or participate in a program. Its a diversion program so he has to take the course. The course is free as long as long he pays $50 a month; he can get rid of his obligation with the fee, said Miller. If the driver opts in, the violation disappears from their record, but they also must commit to never driving without insurance again. Presenters said the technology would be beneficial for police officers to free up their time for other tasks. And some lawmakers liked the idea of putting it into law. You can hold people accountable without involving the labor of the police, the labor of the court, said Senator Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque. Others, however, believe there could be a better way. We dont need a law necessarily; this can be done through local ordinance, so the answer to everything isnt a new state law, said Representative Rebecca Dow, R- Socorro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program Annie would be free to use for the state. Half of the fees collected from the monthly fee would go to law enforcement, and the other half would be for the program. Earlier this year, some lawmakers were looking to push a bill to include minimum coverage against uninsured drivers. That bill died before it reached the floor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A new law will make it easier for Rhode Island residents to get paid for any excess energy they create from at-home renewable sources. Earlier this summer, Governor Daniel McKee signed into law HB-5580. As Environment Rhode Island reported, the bill removes some previous limitations that energy companies could put on residential customers who want to take part in net metering. Net metering is designed to help lower the electricity bills of people who create their own electricity from sources like solar panels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oftentimes, people with solar panels create more electricity than their home needs for daily use. Under net metering, that excess energy goes out into the power grid and helps supply electricity to other local homes. In return, the energy company provides a credit on that customer's bill, which can be used for times of the year when the solar panels don't create enough energy. This provides a valuable financial incentive for people who generate their own sustainable energy, and it can help solar panels pay for themselves even sooner. It also creates more energy stability for communities while reducing the amount of dirty energy used. According to an analysis by the Brookings Institution, there is "substantial evidence that net metering is more often than not a net benefit to the grid and all ratepayers." Rhode Island's new law, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, makes two big changes to previously existing net-metering restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, energy companies can no longer prohibit customers from participating in net-metering programs because they haven't used much energy in the past. Secondly, the law requires that net-metering customers get credit for all excess energy they create, at a fair market rate. As Environment Rhode Island noted, officials hope the law will remove a barrier to entry for homeowners considering solar panels by allowing them to plan for exactly how much energy they are likely to use and create, and how many credits they should receive for participating in net metering. 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. Lawsuit filed against the City of Mount Holly, investigators after wrongfully convicted man released from prison GASTON COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A Gaston County man wrongfully convicted of murder is suing the investigators who put him behind bars for nearly a decade. Mark Carver walked out of prison in 2019, eight years after being sentenced to life for the murder of UNC-Charlotte student Irina Yarmolenko. File Photo Yarmolenko was found strangled on the banks of the Catawba River in 2008. In 2022, Carvers murder charge was dropped. PREVIOUS | Charges dropped against man accused of murder of UNCC student in 2008 Hes now suing the city of Mount Holly, one of the prosecutors, and investigators with several police agencies that worked on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carver claims in the lawsuit that they misrepresented evidence, disregarded evidence, and manipulated evidenceto manufacture the case for arrest. We do believe the investigation was a rush to judgment, said Christine Mumma, the executive director of the North Carolina Center for Actual Innocence. It was incomplete. Mumma worked to overturn Carvers conviction. Shes not involved in this latest lawsuit but says its an effort to hold people responsible and hopefully prevent this from happening to someone else. When someone is incarcerated for something they didnt do, it takes a toll emotionally, psychologically, [and] physically that doesnt go away, Mumma said. Mark still suffers from his wrongful incarceration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit says Carver is disabled physically and intellectually, and despite his obvious intellectual challenges, the State manipulated him during interviews. It also accuses investigators of ignoring other possible suspects and manipulating DNA testing to create a match with Carver. Carver is suing for damages, claiming his 4th and 14th Amendment rights were violated. His cousin, Neal Cassada, was also charged with the murder but died before his trial started. The State Bureau of Investigation and Gaston County Police both declined to comment on the pending litigation. Carvers attorneys didnt immediately respond Monday to Queen City News messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither did the Gaston County District Attorneys Office. The city of Mount Holly declined to comment on the lawsuit. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Israeli strikes on Nasser Hospital in Gaza have killed at least 15 people, including journalists, Palestinian health officials have said. Three journalists were killed in the strikes, according to officials. This includes cameraman Hussam al-Masri who worked for Reuters, and photographer Mohammed Salama who worked for Al Jazeera, the news networks confirmed. Photographer Hatem Khaled, also contracted by Reuters, was injured. A rescue worker was also among those killed, health officials added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims on the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital were killed in a double-tap strike with one missile hitting first, then another moments later as rescue crews arrived, the ministry said. The fourth floor of the hospital was impacted by the double-tap strike (AFP via Getty Images) Khaled Al Serr, a Palestinian surgeon who works at the hospital, told The Independent that the bombing hit the main building, the surgical building. The civil defence forces and also the paramedics rushed to the area of the bombing to evacuate the injured, he added. During the evacuation, we were standing in front of the building looking to work by starting to receive cases to the emergency department from the bombing. We were surprised by another bombing to the same spot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A live video feed from the hospital by Reuters, operated by al-Masri, suddenly shut down at the moment of the initial strike. Nasser Hospital, based in Khan Younis is the largest in southern Gaza. It has withstood raids and bombardment throughout 22 months of war, with officials citing critical shortages of supplies and staff. The Israeli military and Prime Minister's Office both had no immediate comment regarding the strikes. Israel has launched a ground offensive in Gaza City (AFP via Getty Images) Israel announced it had begun the first steps of its ground offensive on Gaza City on Thursday, with an IDF spokesperson declaring plans to deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organisation following a clash with the organisation in Khan Younis on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 240 Palestinian journalists have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the war started on October 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian Journalist Syndicate. The latest strike comes weeks after the world expressed shock as six journalists, including prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif, were killed in an Israeli airstrike. It targeted a tent where the journalists were sheltering at the Al Shifa medical complex in Gaza City, hospital director Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya told The Independent. The UN-backed organisation The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification system (IPC) declared that Gazas largest city was suffering from a manmade famine on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Th IPC said 514,000 people close to a quarter of all Palestinians in Gaza are experiencing famine, with the number due to rise to 641,000 by the end of next month. Previously, the IPC has only registered famines in Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages still held by Hamas and unfettered humanitarian access. Foreign secretary David Lammy called it a moral outrage and blamed Israels refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A 44-year-old Leavenworth, Kansas man was convicted on a sexual battery charge in Leavenworth County District Court. Cleo Williams Jr. on Friday waived his rights to a jury trial and entered a no contest plea. The court accepted his plea and found him guilty of the sexual battery charge. Other charges, including interference with a law enforcement officer and battery on a law enforcement officer, were dismissed. The charge stems from an incident on Dec. 14, 2024, when police officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a Leavenworth apartment complex, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records say while officers were arresting Williams, he kissed an officers neck, leading to the charge of sexual battery. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android Williams is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 26, at 1 p.m. in Leavenworth County District Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Americas image in much of the world is getting worse, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center. That should be a concern for Americans. Our image affects our effectiveness as a world leader and our ability to advance our national interests. The survey, conducted this year, found that people in other countries were almost evenly split in whether they had positive or negative views of the United States. However, the percentage with a negative view of America has grown in most nations in the survey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the end of World War II until early in the 21st century and beyond, the U.S. was the undisputed world leader by most measures. We helped create and led the institutions of the postwar international order, which produced a sustained period of peace and prosperity. Certainly, there were times when our policies were unpopular or misguided. For the most part, however, we could think of America as a model that much of the world admired, especially our allies. But things have shifted in recent years. When I meet with people from around the world, I find that they still care about the U.S. and are interested in what we think, but they are less likely to look to us as an example. The Pew Survey, which included 24 countries in all parts of the world, confirms that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The share of the population with a negative view of the U.S. has risen in almost every country. The number who view us positively has declined. Our worst rating is in Sweden, where four in five people have a negative view. Elsewhere in Europe, including in France, Germany and Spain, over 60% have negative views of the U.S. The biggest shift from positive to negative in the past year came from our neighbors, Mexico and Canada. Our highest approval, 83%, is in Israel. Only in Israel, Nigeria and Turkey have views of the U.S. improved. Its concerning that majorities in 12 of the surveyed nations see China as the worlds leading economic power, compared to only eight nations for the U.S. We have the worlds largest economy, as measured by gross domestic product, but our economic image doesnt reflect that reality. This comes at a time when China is pushing its state-controlled economy as a better model for the world than our free-market system. The same holds true for views of American democracy. According to the survey, people are split on whether democracy is working well in the United States. In many countries, including some European allies, majorities say it is functioning poorly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clearly, views of the U.S. reflect views of President Donald Trump. According to the survey, conservatives are now more likely than liberals to view the U.S. positively. But majorities lack confidence in Trumps ability to handle world affairs, especially climate change and the Russia-Ukraine war. (Its too early to say how bombing Iranian nuclear sites will affect Americas image in the long run). Trump would no doubt argue that it doesnt matter if people in other countries view the United States positively. He would say its more important that they respect us, and that he can make deals that favor the U.S. He has a point: Foreign affairs arent a popularity contest, and our leaders need to look out for Americas interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But most of us believe the United States should be a force for good in the world. We are the wealthiest and most powerful nation in history, and with that comes responsibility. Our 250-year experiment with democracy has inspired countless countries. Its important that we live up to our national ideals and our professed belief in freedom, democracy and human rights. Surveys that find our image getting worse should be a warning. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) is one of the best stocks under $10 to buy right now. On August 19, J.P. Morgan analyst Takahiro Yano maintained a Buy rating on Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) and set a price target of Yen6,070.00. Mizuho (MFG) "Great Place to Be!" Jim Cramer Backs Buffett's Bet A portfolio manager scanning the stock market numbers projected on a large wall monitor. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) reported its fiscal Q1 2025 results on July 31, affirming underlying growth. Adjusted earnings for the quarter reached J115.91 per share, up from an EPS of 114.14 reported in the same quarter last year. Earnings also topped consensus estimates of 98.33 per share. Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MFG) provides financial services such as trust banking, banking, securities, and others. Its operations are divided into the following segments: Mizuho Bank Ltd. (MHKB), Mizuho Trust & Banking Co., Ltd. (MHTB), and Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. (MHSC). While we acknowledge the potential of MFG 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: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)The Antonio family, local to Central New York, turned a simple lemonade stand into a charitable effort, donating proceeds to local animal shelters. The family organized the lemonade stand with the intention of donating the money to help animals, a cause close to their hearts. They sold lemonade and homemade cookies, with the children choosing to donate toys to Humane-CNY. They actually wanted to do a lemonade stand, so they came up with that idea, said Brittany Antonio, the mother. I asked them what they wanted to do with the money, and they immediately wanted to donate to the animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the lemonade stand, the family donated $3000 to the Rome Humane Society in memory of Brittany Antonios father, who recently passed away. Because we love dogs and we always wanna try and help them as much as we can, said Mia Antonio, the daughter. Nick Antonio, the father, humorously noted his role in the effort, saying, I was the ice scooper. It was a tough role. Someone had to do it, you know. Brittany Antonio emphasized the importance of supporting animal shelters, stating, All the animal shelters are in need, and a lot of them, so they run on donations, so even if its just 20 bucks, anything helps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Antonio familys initiative demonstrates how even small community efforts can make a significant impact, encouraging others to contribute to local causes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (COLORADO SPRINGS) For over 30 years, Texas T-Bone Steakhouse & Famous Daves BBQ has been serving the Southern Colorado Community with fall-off-the-bone meats and award-winning sides, and wings. With Labor Day Weekend being the unofficial end of summer, eating BBQ with friends and family is a perfect way to cap the summer season. Owner Ashley Brown and General Manager Sandy Urgilez joined Loving Living Local host Justin Antweil to discuss what makes their menu so mouthwatering. The two brought an elaborate spread as well. Our catering is huge, said Urgilez. We cater every size party from five to 5,000 people! We offer everything from chopped pork sandwiches and ribs for a laid-back event to full steak dinners for weddings or corporate events. Well work with your budget and take the stress out of planning so you can just enjoy the food and the company. Giving back to the community is an important part of the restaurants mission as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were second-generation, locally owned and operated, and we believe in giving back, said Brown. On Mondays, we offer 20% off to all public service workers, Tuesdays are Kids Eat Free, and every day we offer 10% off to all military personnel. And on Veterans Day, well be serving free Georgia chopped pork sandwiches to all active and retired military members. The restaurant is located across from Target at 5245 North Academy Boulevard. They will be open regular hours on Labor Day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Letter to David is a moving documentary about David Cunio, who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his family by Hamas on October 7. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum has called for a day of disruption on Tuesday to support the struggle to free the hostages, and Tom Shoval will show his documentary about David Cunio, Letter to David, in the evening at Lev Tel Aviv at 7:10 p.m. The film, which is nominated for an Ophir Award for Best Documentary, had its world premiere at the last Berlin International Film Festival. Since then, it has received enthusiastic reviews from audiences and critics in Israel and around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ticket prices for the screening are only 20 NIS and 10 NIS for seniors. All proceeds will be transferred to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, as the Lev Cinemas chain joins the call to end the war and release the hostages. Shoval will attend and take part in a conversation about the film. Photos from Letter to David, a documentary about hostage David Cunio. (credit: Courtesy of Hot 8 and Green Productions) 'Letter to David is no ordinary documentary' Letter to David is a moving and very unusual documentary about David Cunio, who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, along with Sharon Aloni Cunio, his wife; their twin daughters; Sharons sister Danielle Aloni; and Danielles daughter, Emilia. In addition, Davids brother, Ariel Cunio, was kidnapped with his partner, Arbel Yehoud. David and Ariel are still being held in Gaza, while Sharon, Danielle, and their daughters were released in late November 2023, and Arbel Yehoud was released in January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letter to David is no ordinary documentary, because Shoval has a special relationship with his subject. In 2013, he cast David and his twin brother, Eitan Cunio (whose home in Nir Oz was also attacked that day but who survived and was not kidnapped), in the movie, Youth, as teen siblings whose father is in debt and, in a plot turn that seems strange and ironic, who kidnap a wealthy classmate in order to ransom her. Shoval and David became close on the shoot, and Davids performance won rave reviews all over the world. But he decided to not to pursue acting and to settle down on the kibbutz where he grew up and became an electrician. The movie does not feature news footage of the attack but shows David and Eitan on the set of Youth, which gives a sense of what David is like. It also features video footage that the Cunio brothers shot on Nir Oz in 2012, for a documentary feature about their lives, in which they filmed themselves, their friends, and neighbors, and includes clips of several people who were kidnapped and murdered, including Shiri Bibas and Yarden Bibas, who speak candidly about their friendship with the Cunio brothers. It's an unusual approach to the story of October 7 and one that paints a memorable portrait of a young man whose life hangs in the balance and who has everything to live for. Dear Editor, The July 16 article on the inclusion of the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) paints the legislation as a clear win for American producers. But what looks like a patriotic victory on paper risks becoming a costly burden for the very people the bill claims to serve: young service members and their families. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all understand the need to strengthen the industrial base, yet the sad reality is our domestic bootmakers lack the capacity, time and taxpayer dollars to meet both peacetime and wartime needs. In a recent Defense Logistics Agency funded wargame, American boot manufacturers admitted that current annual capacity tops out at around 525,000 pairs, while surge demand would require nearly half a million more. Meeting that demand would require heavy taxpayer subsidies through the Defense Production Act, meaning longer waits, higher costs, and lower-quality products in the interim. The writing is already on the wall. According to Marine Corps Systems Command, nearly one in four of an American made boot sold at Marine Corps Exchanges were recently returned to the manufacturer due to quality issues. For a 19-year-old private or a 23-year-old sailor, a replacement pair is not an abstract policy pointit is a bill competing with groceries, rent or childcare. Closing off affordable, high-quality options from trusted allies and partners under the Trade Agreements Act will only worsen the squeeze. No one is calling for dependence on China. But the BOOTS Act goes further, banning even components from partners like Germany, Sweden, or the Philippinescountries that already supply U.S. forces with critical weapons and materials. Eliminating choice in the name of protectionism does not make our troops stronger; it risks making them poorer and less prepared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our service members deserve options, not monopolies. Congress (and the militarys industry partners) should rethink whether buying American at any cost is really the right way to support the warfighter, especially ahead of the future fight. Sincerely, Mike MacKay Mike MacKay is a decorated U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and Bronze Star for Valor recipient whose 23-year career spans special operations forces, the Pentagon, and Capitol Hill. He has served as a national security adviser in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, bringing deep expertise in geopolitical strategy, defense policy, and critical technology development. A humanitarian group has said that Libyas coast guard fired upon its vessel as it searched for a refugee and migrant boat in distress in the Mediterranean Sea. On Monday, the nonprofit SOS Mediterranee said the confrontation occurred a day earlier, about 40 nautical miles (74km) north of the Libyan coast, and released details and images of the incident. No casualties have been reported, although the group said the vessel sustained significant damage. SOS Mediterranee charters the Norwegian-flagged Ocean Viking in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack appeared to be one of the most violent involving a European rescue ship and the Libyan coast guard, which receives training, equipment and funding from the European Union. The patrol boat used in the attack was a 2023 gift from Italy to the Libyan coast guard as part of the EUs support for a border management programme, SOS Mediterranee said. Before it was attacked, the Ocean Viking had rescued 87 people from two boats, including many from war-torn Sudan, and was on its way to Italy. While searching for a third boat in distress, the Ocean Viking was approached by a Libyan patrol vessel in international waters, Angelo Selim, the search-and-rescue coordinator on board, told The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they were very close, he said, they started shooting for 15 to 20 minutes. In the beginning, I didnt understand the noise of the shots. But when the first windows exploded on my head, we all got on the floor, Selim recalled. He added that some of the shots appeared to come from automatic weapons. Selim said he instructed the refugees and migrants and non-essential crew members to lock themselves inside the safety room while he and the captain remained on the bridge. Eventually, he said, the shooting stopped, but the threats continued. Selim described the Libyan coast guard warning the Ocean Viking in Arabic over the radio: If you dont leave the area, we will come and kill you all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In video and photos of the incident released by SOS Mediterranee, two men can be seen pointing weapons at the boat and several rounds of gunshots are heard. Broken windows and damaged equipment are also seen. This incident was not only an outrageous and unacceptable act, SOS Mediterranee said in a statement Monday. This is far from isolated: the Libyan Coast Guard has a long history of reckless behaviour that endangers people at sea, flagrantly violates human rights and shows total disregard for international maritime law. Frontex, the EUs border protection agency that often spots boats in distress and shares coordinates with the relevant maritime authorities, called the incident deeply concerning and urged the proper authorities to investigate the events swiftly and thoroughly. While Italian officials have not yet responded to this incident, Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis right-wing government has vowed to block the refugee and migrant sea journeys from Africa and has passed measures against human smugglers, including tougher jail terms. The government has also urged allies to do more to curb the migration attempts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been numerous maritime disasters involving people travelling from Libya, making the perilous Mediterranean crossing from Africa to Europe. Rights groups and United Nations agencies have also documented systematic abuse against refugees and migrants in Libya, including torture, rape and extortion. In February, Libyan authorities uncovered nearly 50 bodies from two mass graves in the countrys southeastern desert, in the latest horror involving people seeking to make it to Europe through the North African country. Lil Nas X was charged with four felonies accusing him of injuring officers when he was found naked on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles last week, charges he pleaded not guilty to. Los Angeles police had said Lil Nas X, the Old Town Road rapper whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, charged at officers when they approached him early Thursday. Officers said they received reports of a nude man in the area. A law enforcement source alleged to NBC News last week that Hill punched an officer in the face twice and that it was unclear whether he was in mental distress or experiencing an overdose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill was taken to the hospital and accused of battery on a police officer. Court documents filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court show Hill faces three counts of battery on a police officer and one count of resisting arrest. More details on the incident were not immediately available. TMZ first reported Thursday that Hill was hospitalized and obtained exclusive video of him walking the street in a pair of white briefs and cowboy boots. It later obtained video in which Hill was naked and barefoot. Hill was held in custody over the weekend and released on a conditional $75,000 bail after he appeared before a judge Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Christine OConnor told the court that Hill has strong community ties and no criminal history and that he does not present a flight risk. There has been no evidence that any drugs were involved, OConnor said. She said that test results may be pending but that nothing has been submitted into the record. Hill has led a "remarkable" life, O'Connor told the court. She cited his two Grammy awards in her address to the judge. "Assuming the allegations here are true, this is an absolute aberration in this person's life," OConnor said. "Nothing like this has ever happened to him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A plea of not guilty was entered into the court record Monday, and a hearing was scheduled for Sept. 15. Hill is expected to attend four Narcotics Anonymous meetings a week or enroll in an outpatient narcotics program as a condition of his release. His father, Robert Stafford, said Hill is "very remorseful for what happened." "Hes going to get the help that he needs, and just keep him in your prayers," Stafford said. "Give him the same grace and mercy that God gives everyone. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Authorities in Switzerland have arrested the husband of a former finalist for Miss Switzerland, alleging that he strangled her to death before dismembering her and blending her body parts. Kristina Joksimovic was killed during the February of 2024, according to the BBC. Police referred to the 38-year-old beauty queen by her initials in court documents, Aug. 25A little over a year ago, micro-mobility giant Neutron Holdings won a renewed, two-year contract to operate Lime scooters in Spokane after promising several improvements would be made to keep the scooters out of the way of pedestrians, off downtown sidewalks and out of the Spokane River. For two of those issues, the changes appear to have largely been successful. Residents may have noticed the increasingly common electric scooters, which were used more than 550,000 times in 2023, were absent at the start of their operational season last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were frequently tossed into the Spokane River and other sensitive waterways, and with little clarity about whether Lime or a government agency was responsible for removing them, the task largely fell to hobbyist magnet fishermen, The Spokesman-Review reported in 2023. It is by no means a problem specific to Spokane or to Lime: Seemingly anywhere, e-scooters that are near a body of water will get tossed into it, just as was the case in the late 1990s when Spokane implemented the short-lived lilac bike program. Fifty free bikes painted purple were dumped into the river in short order. Last June, an agreement was struck: Lime would still get to be the only electric scooter ride-sharing service to operate in Spokane, and in return it committed to removing scooters from the river within 24 hours. The company also vowed to issue fines to riders who improperly parked and blocked sidewalks and to find a way to prevent the scooters from being driven on downtown sidewalks, the only area in the city where it is illegal to do so. Lime has been quick to remove scooters from the river, where they had sat for months at a time, said Jule Schultz, the Spokane Riverkeeper's cleanup director, among other duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People haven't stopped tossing them into the river, Schultz clarified, but they are being removed quickly. "It hasn't changed the public's ... well, the public's still throwing them in the river, it seems," Schultz said. "But the response has changed. I called one in the other day and floated the river the next day and it was gone." The company has also tried to be preventive, said Hayden Harvey, director of government affairs for Lime, creating zones around the river where scooters can't be parked or a parked scooter is flagged for quick relocation. The company also implemented, at the city's request, fines for those who park them across the sidewalk and block the already tenuous path for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues. The fines, which Lime keeps, are relatively nominal, ranging from a warning for the first violation to $40 for the fourth, though the fifth violation is supposed to lock a rider out of using Lime scooters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lime was not able to provide data before press time on how many fines the company has issued, but Ryan Shea, a planning department employee and the city's primary point of contact with Lime, says it appears to have been effective. "There have been more complaints, probably because people now know where to send complaints, but in terms of the actual environment, I think things have looked significantly better than in years past," Shea said. One of the most frequent complaints hasn't seen much improvement yet, however: Users are still riding Lime scooters on crowded downtown sidewalks. Riding on the sidewalk is permitted in almost all of the city, with the notable exception of the downtown retail area where the scooters see the heaviest use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the new contract, Lime is supposed to implement a sidewalk detection technology that would either audibly alert a rider that they are illegally using the scooter on the sidewalk or forcibly slow the scooter. Lime made its first attempts at the technology in 2020 with software that tried to predict if a rider was on a sidewalk using vibration detection and an accelerometer, which the company claimed was 95% accurate . This experiment appears to have proven insufficient, however, as the company began piloting a camera-based system in a few markets in 2022 that uses machine learning to visually detect when a rider is on the sidewalk. A year into the contract, and Spokane's scooters have not fully implemented any technological solution. But it likely will by next year, Harvey said. "We're currently in a pilot phase for data collection," he said. "We have (cameras) on certain vehicles in the city that do evaluate the road surface they're on... most likely by the end of this season, we will collate all the data and start synthesizing and working with the city on our findings." Officers of the Customs Criminal Service (CCS) have uncovered a Kaunas-based company in Lithuania that had allegedly posed as bogus recipients in Portugal and attempted to ship industrial water-treatment equipment to Russia. Source: Baltic states news website Delfi, as reported by European Pravda Details: The CCS said searches were recently carried out at the company, 11 people were detained, and several tonnes of equipment intended for projects in Russia were seized. After questioning, the detainees were released; two were placed under a travel ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two lorries carrying the equipment were intercepted one in Kaunas, the other heading towards the Lithuanian-Polish border and a third consignment was stopped by law-enforcement officers in Bulgaria. According to the service, the equipment was destined for specific industrial sites in Russia. Searches were also conducted in Portugal and Bulgaria in cooperation with local authorities. In Portugal, they took place at the premises of a fictitious recipient of filtration equipment, and in Bulgaria at a freight terminal a warehouse storing products from the Kaunas firm. Several tonnes of water-treatment equipment and components were seized during the raids. Authorities suspect that, in circumvention of international sanctions, all this equipment would have ended up in Russia, with part of it used in the countrys oil industry. Lithuanias CCS is conducting a pre-trial investigation into violations of international sanctions, led by the Kaunas District Prosecutors Office. Background: In early August, prosecutors in Latvia brought charges against members of the board of the local company SIA Arta-F over supplies of sewing fittings and various raw materials for manufacturing uniforms for the Russian armed forces worth more than 6 million. And in Poland in May, three people were remanded in custody for breaching EU sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Keurig Dr Pepper will acquire JDE Peets, a Dutch company that operates brands like Peets Coffee and Stumptown Coffee Roasters, in a deal worth $18 billion, the companies announced on Monday, Aug. 25. It's the largest acquisition of a European business within the last two years. Some of JDE Peets brands include Jacobs, LOr, Tassimo and Douwe Egberts. On Friday, Aug. 22, the company was valued at 12.76 billion, or around $14.87 billion. Keurig is worth about $48 billion. The deal is expected to save the companies $400 million in anticipated cost synergies over the next three years. Here's what to know about the acquisition. Deal comes while coffee prices rise The acquisition is a strategic move to establish a global coffee leader that can rival competitors like Nestle, the companies said in a news release. Theyll be combining portfolios at a time when consumers are paying more for their coffee than they did a year ago, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. In July, coffee prices rose 14.5% year over year, according to the agency, with a pound of ground coffee hitting $8.41. Meanwhile, food prices were 2.9% higher compared to a year ago. The surge is due to a 50% tariff President Donald Trump imposed on beans from Brazil, in addition to droughts plaguing regions for notable coffee growers. Blue Bell ice cream recalled over deadly risk. See where affected product was sold. What will happen to the companies after the acquisition? Once the acquisition closes, the companies said they plan to separate into two independent, U.S.-listed publicly traded companies, Beverage Co. and Global Coffee Co. Global Coffee Co. has about $16 billion in combined annual sales, while Beverage Co. has more than $11 billion in yearly net sales. Beverage Co. will focus on North Americas $300 billion beverage market, while Global Coffee Co. will participate in the $400 billion coffee market. Once the acquisition is finalized, JDE Peets will be delisted from the Amsterdam stock exchange. Keurig Dr Pepper stated it intends to pay JDE shareholders 31.85 per share, representing a 33% premium to the companys stock price. Shares of Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) traded down 8% on Monday, Aug. 25. In 2018, Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple merged to create Keurig Dr Pepper. The acquisition will partially reverse the merger, giving investors an opportunity to focus on a narrower scope of products. Contributed: Reuters Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Keurig Dr Pepper strikes deal to acquire JDE Peet's LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Officials with the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock said they are on track for the 14th annual Tinkerfest. Tinkerfest takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sept. 13. It will feature activities and displays both inside and outside the museum to bring makers, artists, engineers and crafters together, officials said. Arkansas Virtual Academy provides alternate learning experience for students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum is planning more than 50 activities to give participants chances to create, explore, craft, and build. Activities planned include Ballapalooza, rope making, car take-apart, drone demonstrations, and beehive painting. Some of the activities are planned to take place under the nearby Interstate 30 bridge, which will provide shade. Tinkerfest is the culmination of champions from our community and creativity from our staff to host highly engaging hands-on activities for families, says Thomas Lipham, Museum of Discovery Director of Programs. Tinkering is a great way to get families exposed to new ideas on how to play in a hands-on and open-ended way. Tinkerfest activities are included in the museums regular admission: $14 for adults, $12 for children 1-12 and free for infants younger than 1. Seniors, teachers, Little Rock city employees and active and retired military are admitted for $12. SNAP recipients plus an additional five people in their party are admitted for $2 each. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas looks to change teaching & learning assessment system to better determine student progress For more information about Tinkerfest or other museum attractions, head over to MuseumOfDiscovery.org. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A local man learned his sentence Monday in a Warren robbery case. Robert Elias, 44, was sentenced to an 18-month prison term after pleading guilty June 18 to third-degree felony robbery, according to a news release from the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office. The case involved an incident at the U-Haul outlet on Main Avenue NW in Warren on Feb. 23. Police say Elias robbed the business by telling an employee that he had a firearm. He took $100 and ran away, but was apprehended later that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Thursday night afforded three local students opportunity to showcase their musical talents in downtown Cleburne. I love music and these kids were just incredible tonight, Cleburne banker Guy James said. Theyre all three going to go far. Cleburne Chamber of Commerce President Tracy Thomas and Johnson County Commissioner Larry Woolley agreed and quipped how exciting it was to see three young area performers who might just make it big in the near future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three Joshua High School senior Madison Grant, Rio Vista High School graduate Will Salinas and Cleburne High School junior Nevaeha Wilson performed individual 30 minute sets at Songbird Live. All three competed against students from other area high schools earlier this year in JumpStarts inaugural Johnson Countys Got Talent competition and went on to receive scholarship awards. In that talent show, Wilson finished first, Grant second and Salinas third. The three of them were so good Februarys talent show but only got to sing a couple of songs each, JumpStart organizer Gary Dollgener said. So, we decided to put this Songbird show together to give each of them the chance to perform a little bit longer set. JumpStart, a local nonprofit, awards dual-credit scholarship funds to high school students throughout Johnson County wishing to take dual-credit courses at Hill College. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal, Dollgener said, is to supply dual-credit scholarships for as many Johnson County high school students as possible. That, of course, depends upon donations and funds available to supply the scholarships. Salinas, guitar in hand, took the stage first to kick things off with three country covers before closing with three of his original songs. Ive found that Im better at expressing myself through writing music than I am at talking, Salinas said. I started writing seriously about five months ago and inspiration has been just through the roof lately. Will Salinas Rio Vista High School graduate Will Salinas performs during JumpStart Live, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Johnson County JumpStart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Empty Roads, Fading Lights, the first song Salinas said he wrote, permeated poignant heartache over love lost with lyrics reminiscent of early 80s John Cougar Mellencamp or Springsteen. The radios playing our song but it dont sound quite the same, Salinas sang. Wonder if youre missing me or if youre moving on. Salinas, who plans to pursue a career in law enforcement, said he also intends to keep singing, playing and writing. Grant channeled Marilyn Monroe while opening with Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend followed by country and pop covers before wrapping with a cover of 4 Non Blondes Whats Up by way of Lainey Wilsons remake of the same. Bobbing heads and tapping feet infected much of Songbirds audience throughout Grants closer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleburne ISD Director of Fine Arts, Estelle Murr, who served as the nights emcee, detailed Grants participation in choir and acapella throughout her schooling as well as her acting and singing in several plays. Grant plans to attend Tarleton to study nursing. Madison Grant Madison Grant is a Joshua High School senior. Undecided, Grant said of her future musical ambitions. Ill definitely keep doing it as a hobby if nothing else. Ive been singing since I could talk so I cant just stop. James credited Grants appearance to serendipity. We wanted someone from all the county high schools for Februarys talent show but didnt have anyone from Joshua, James said. Then I happened to see her singing The Star Spangled Banner at the Johnson County Livestock Sale. I said, We need her. So, she came into the talent show kind of last minute then ended up finishing second place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Grant, Thursdays JumpStart Live at Songbird proved a night to remember. I dont usually get the chance to sing this many songs by myself so tonight was just such a great opportunity, Grant said. Wilsons play and musical accomplishments at Plaza Theatre Co. and CISD run long, Murr said. She has performance experience in local, national and televised events both as a soloist and musical theater performer, Murr said. Shes shared the stage with gospel, opera and Broadway professionals. She was named Texas Young Master for the 2024-25 Class by the Texas Commission on the Arts and Cultural Trust and last year selected as a Main Stage peformer and national qualifier at the Texas Thespian Festival. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson has also participated in Disney and iTheatrics projects in Atlanta. Wilson scanned the audience and smiled before belting right into At Last Etta James style. Not taking her foot off the pedal, she seamlessly transitioned into her take on Nina Simones Feeling Good. Plaza Theatre member Parker Barrus deftly accompanied Wilson on guitar during her final two songs. Nevaeha Wilson Cleburne High School junior Nevaeha Wilson sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Wilson closed her set, and the nights performance, by delivering Eva Cassidys soaring, emotional version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which concluded to boisterous applause and several teary eyed audience members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so amazing, Wilson said afterward of her first Songbird performance. I feel truly blessed to have such a supportive and strong community to help uplift me and help me reach the goals I have for my life. Ive always loved to sing and perform and be able to share what God has blessed me with and to do that tonight in Cleburne was just truly special. Dollgener called the night a success and the beginning of something special. Everyone loved the three performers tonight, Dollgener said. Just like were going to have the talent show every year I think we also need to do this JumpStart at Songbird every year for the top three winners and make this an annual event. For information on donating to or volunteering with JumpStart, visit jumpstartjohnsoncounty.com or call 817-944-4203. Sometimes, littering is accidental and unavoidable. Other times, though, it's clearly occurring because people simply don't care about the environment or aren't aware of their actions. One Redditor decided enough was enough. They posted photos of a popular hiking area covered with trash, up to and including discarded pieces of furniture, large cardboard boxes, and plastic bags that were clearly dumped there. They noted that while local authorities had recently been convinced to install trash cans, "they're not doing litter cleanups, no signage has been installed, and the illegal dumping sites remain open for business." They also set up a time and a place for people to meet and clean up the trail themselves. Photo Credit: Reddit Photo Credit: Reddit Being climate-aware begins with respecting nature, not polluting it. According to Global Conservation Force, littering causes all sorts of issues. It adds pollutants to rivers, lakes, soil, and more. It also degrades wildlife habitats, which hurts the species that need those habitats to survive. Additionally, it creates human health hazards, because it contributes to fires and more hazards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government of Raleigh, North Carolina, suggests several ideas to help combat litter. People can become more self-aware, bringing trash home from parks and properly disposing of it. They can notice when litter might fly out of car windows or their homes and take action to prevent it. Finally, they can recycle and educate their kids about doing the same. If you have an area near you that's full of litter, you can use your voice to vote for people who will end it. You can avoid using items that commonly end up as litter, like cigarette butts. Or, you can join with others to clean up local areas, like this Redditor did. Others who saw the original post were at least as upset about the trash as the original poster. "Man, that is [an] unbelievable amount of trash," one said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Thank you for volunteering your time to clean their mess!" someone else added. "It's pretty remarkable. I've often wondered at the psychology behind [extensive littering]," someone else shared. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? 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. Editors note: The video above originally aired on June 16, 2025. EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11) With all the warning signs of an impending sale, locals are leaving no stone unturned to save a historic church in the East Village. The Most Holy Redeemer Church, built between 1851 and 1852, sits on East 3rd Street between Avenues A and B. Concern has grown since church leaders announced it will no longer host regular mass or events starting on Sept. 1, according to the churchs bulletin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upper West Side Church evicts arts group and asks for change to landmark status At the same time, the church is facing structural issues with its roof, according to City Council Member Carlina Rivera. As of Monday, over 1,000 people signed a Change.org petition to save the church serving over 300 parishioners. Weve seen this pattern many times before, said Andrew Berman, executive director of Village Preservation. These are all of the classic indicators that they are looking to basically shut down this church and sell it. The Archdiocese of New York has said it is not officially closing the church, but ending mass services due, in part, to a shortage of priests, according to local blog EV Grieve. Parishioners are making internal appeals within the Catholic Church, Berman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get ahead of a sale, multiple organizations have appealed to the citys Landmarks Preservation Commission to declare the church an individual landmark, which would restrict a new buyer from demolishing the structure. A spokesperson for the LPC said the commission has reviewed the church and determined it may merit consideration as a landmark. The church has not formally entered the citys landmarking process, according to the spokesperson. If any building screams landmark, its this one, Berman said. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The outside of Most Holy Redeemer Church in the East Village. (PIX11 News) The church is a keeper of New York City history. It was founded in 1844 for a large German immigrant population in the East Village, then known as Little Germany, and has since grown to serve immigrants from Eastern Europe, Southern Europe and Latin America, Berman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1883, a deadly fire at the associated school on East 4th Street changed New York fire policy forever. The fire killed 16 children, leading to first-time fire safety reforms like wider stairwells and fire escape requirements in city schools. A decade later, the Most Holy Redeemer Church became one of the first in the United States to use electric lighting, according to Village Preservation. These spaces are some of the most important repositories of our history and memory, Berman said. Its one of the most visually prominent buildings in all of the East Village, and when it was originally built in the second half of the 19th century, it was one of the most visually prominent buildings in New York. In recent years, other historic churches have faced a similar fate. In July, a historic church in Harlem struck up a $5 million deal with a developer for the property, Crains reported. In 2023, a beloved Bed-Stuy church was demolished to make way for housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Upper West Side, celebrities like Mark Ruffalo and Matthew Broderick are fighting to save a church built in the 1880s, facing possible demolition. The Archdiocese of New York and East Village Catholic did not respond to PIX11s request for comment. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. (Courtesy: Loftis Steel & Aluminum) (Courtesy: Loftis Steel & Aluminum) DECATUR, Ala. (WHNT) A Steel & Aluminum Distributor company is planning a high-tech operation which will bring 20 new jobs to people in North Alabama. Loftis Steel & Aluminum, a family-owned steel fabrication company based in Nashville, Tennessee, is expanding its footprint with the launch of a new high-tech operation in Decatur with a $6.5 million investment. 20 new jobs are set to be created by the project, reinforcing the states position in advance manufacturing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loftis Steel & Aluminum produces custom metal components for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications. The new Alabama facility will be equipped with advanced manufacturing technologies, including state-of-the-art fiber lasers, nitrogen generation systems, and other precision cutting systems. Loftis selected Decatur for our second base of operation due to its strategic proximity to our Nashville operations, said Tom Russell, President & CEO of Loftis Steel & Aluminum. It provides a springboard for us to more effectively service the ever expanding North Alabama market. Average wages for the new job will began at $28/ per hour, contributing to workforce growth in one of Alabamas fastest-growing industrial corridors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Tab Bowling and other area officials welcomed Loftis planned growth in the North Alabama city, which sits in both Morgan and Limestone counties. This investment will allow Loftis to better serve the business growth they are experiencing in North Alabama, Bowling said. Collin Daly, Chairman of the Limestone County Commission, said the companys investment plans will be impactful. Their $6.5 million investment and 20 new jobs averaging nearly $28 per hour showcase our countys appeal to quality manufacturers, Daly said. This expansion strengthens our industrial base and demonstrates confidence in our skilled workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loftis will be better positioned to serve regional clients and support supply chains in key industries by bringing the distributor to Decatur. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LILY, Ky. (FOX 56) A London man was arrested on Aug. 21 for allegedly hitting a woman to the point where she had horrific injuries, according to the Laurel County Sheriffs Office. Deputies wrote on Facebook that they had been dispatched to the area of Trinity Road in Laurel County, seven miles south of London, in response to a domestic complaint. When law enforcement officials arrived, the door of the residence was open, and the inside was in a state of disarray. A large amount of blood was seen outside, and in the residence, blood was reportedly found on the floor and couch of the living room, per the sheriffs office. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After seeing the blood, deputies wrote that they found 34-year-old Steven R. Farris and an extremely bloodied woman in the bedroom. She had nearly all of her teeth knocked out and multiple cuts on her head. Authorities wrote on Facebook that Farris allegedly beat the victim with his fists. She was taken to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries. London man allegedly found hiding in shed charged in May armed robbery investigation Farris was charged with first-degree assault domestic violence and lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on a $75,000 cash bond. He is due in court at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The domestic assault investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) A London man was arrested on Friday evening just outside of town and charged in connection with a Laurel County gas station robbery in late May. The Laurel County Sheriffs Office posted on social media that just after 6:15 p.m. on Aug. 22, Hunter Steele, 23, was found near Flatwoods Frozen Camp Road, about 10 miles southwest of London. Deputies wrote that Steele was found hiding in a shed on property there. He allegedly had a gun that was reported stolen. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was arrested in connection with a warrant for a May 23 robbery at the Shell station on KY 770. According to authorities, Steele allegedly entered the gas station with an assault rifle, demanding money and leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash. He was charged with first-degree robbery and receiving a stolen firearm, and was lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center on a $50,000 bond. Hes set to appear in court at 11 a.m. on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Some patients struggling with long Covid experience long-term fatigue, brain fog, breathlessness and a heavily-reduced quality of life similar to levels seen in Parkinsons or stroke survivors, researchers find in a new study. Most people who suffer a Covid-19 infection experience a short illness with a cold, sore throat, or cough and fever for a few days before they get better and fully recover. However, several who have overcome the novel coronavirus still suffer a myriad of symptoms related to the virus infection in whats being termed long Covid by the World Health Organisation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While previous research has established these long Covid symptoms as mainly including fatigue, brain fog and breathlessness, the exact effect of the long-term condition on the daily life of survivors remains unclear. Now, a new study, published in the Australian Journal of Primary Health, confirms that long Covid isnt just an inconvenient condition to live with, but it also profoundly limits the daily life of patients. Test tubes with Covid-19 cell cultures during a long covid sample processing (AFP via Getty Images) In the research, scientists assessed 121 adults who contracted Covid-19 sometime between 2020 and mid-2022, and fit the WHOs description of a long Covid patient in late 2022. Researchers surveyed participants about their level of disability and functions they had on a daily basis, along with their perceived quality of life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Participants completed two surveys widely used to measure disability and quality of life: the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule and the Short Form Health Survey. Researchers found that long Covid is linked to a stark reduction in quality of life, and the ability to do basic life tasks compared to levels seen in the general population. About 86 per cent of the participants reported clinically significant disability and participation limitations in daily activities, scientists wrote. Months or years later, they were still struggling with daily activities they once took for granted, they wrote in The Conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cohort of 121 individuals with long Covid had higher levels of disability than 98 per cent of the general population, according to the study. The overall impact may be exacerbated in people with pre-existing comorbidities who are more susceptible to long COVID in the first place, scientists warned. Researchers call for stronger efforts to support long Covid patients, prioritising management of their fatigue and getting them to a position where they can perform important daily activities. The findings underscore the need for targeted rehabilitation and support services for people living in Australia with long Covid, and further longitudinal research to explore the long-term impact on disability and quality of life, and inform policy and healthcare service delivery, they wrote. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) The Rylan Strong Network hosted a car, Jeep and motorcycle show at the Longview Exhibition Center on Saturday in order to raise money for childhood cancer research. The inaugural Pines For A Cure show was held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and featured food trucks, vendors, family fun, live music and an auction, all benefiting the Rylan Strong Network. We need the community support. We call it a network because its literally a network of people coming together to make a difference in the lives of families that have kids battling cancer, president of the Rylan Strong Network, Mike Pruitt said. When Rylan was battling, we couldnt have done it by ourselves and I hope in some small part that his legacy is carrying on into the families here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rylan was 6-years-old when he died from a rare form of brain cancer. To learn more about his familys mission to fight childhood cancer, visit the Rylan Strong Network online. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Mateusz Rabiega and Juveria Tabassum (Reuters) -U.S. soft drinks giant Keurig Dr Pepper is set to create a global coffee giant to rival market leader Nestle with an $18 billion takeover of JDE Peet's, Europe's largest acquisition in more than two years. The deal, announced on Monday and offering a 20% premium to JDE Peet's closing market price on Friday, proposes splitting the merged entity's coffee operations and other beverage businesses into two separate publicly U.S.-listed companies, as the Dutch company would be delisted from the Amsterdam stock exchange. The transaction, which comes as the global trade war intensifies corporate action in the consumer goods sector, aims to create $400 million in annual cost savings, allowing the new entities to better fare against rising U.S. tariffs against coffee-producing nations and other trade rivals. "The new Coffee entity will be somewhat similar in size to the coffee business of Nestle... The two would each have a market share of around 20% in the global CPG (consumer packaged goods) coffee market" ING analyst Maxime Stranart told Reuters. The deal comes amid record high prices for global coffee, driven by droughts in top producers Brazil and Vietnam and following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose 50% duties on beans imported from Brazil. Keurig Dr Pepper's North American footprint will complement JDE Peet's European presence, while offering a springboard to grow in emerging markets as coffee consumption there rises. But avoiding tariffs into the world's biggest consumer market will be hard as most of North America is too cold to grow coffee. "Rolling the two coffee businesses together makes sense, reducing the European-centric and commoditised nature of most of JDE Peets business, and giving Keurig international exposure," said analyst Jon Cox of Kepler Cheuvreux. POST-CLOSE SEPARATION The transaction announced on Monday would partly reverse a 2018 merger that created Keurig Dr Pepper by combining Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple, allowing investors to focus a single segment rather than a bundle of diverse products. The new entities, called Beverage Co and Global Coffee Co, will be led by Keurig's CEO Cofer and CFO Sudhanshu Priyadarshi, respectively. Keurig said that Global Coffee Co, with around $16 billion in combined annual net sales, will be well positioned to profit from the world's $400 billion coffee market, while Beverage Co, with more than $11 billion in yearly net sales, will focus on North America's $300 billion refreshment beverage market. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A party with a porpoise, I mean purpose: the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) will host its 3rd Annual Fins and Flippers Fall Fundraiser to protect marine mammals for future generations. The event will take place at Bowens Island Dockhouse on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. Those who attend can look forward to a Lowcountry boil, sweet treats from Southern Soiree, live music by Lady Jane the Band, tons of raffle prizes featuring many local businesses. All of the fun supports the protection of South Carolinas beloved marine mammals, which is the mission of the LMMN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fins and Flippers is more than a great afternoon on the water; it directly supports our ability to respond to stranded animals, educate the public, and advocate for ocean health, said Lauren Rust, executive director of LMMN. So far in 2025, the LMMN has responded to 37 marine mammal strandings, including two successful dolphin rescues and a rare juvenile sperm whale, the organization reports. As of now, tickets will cost you $60 for general 21+ admission, which includes a meal, dessert, and drinks. Also, a limited number of Friend of the Flipper supported packages are available for $100, for additional event perks. At the event, guests can also purchase raffle tickets. With the money going to a good cause. The funds raised from this event will help sustain the organizations stranding response, community education, and dolphin research program, according to the LMMN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For guests aged 21 and over, beverages will include beer from Low Tide Brewing, wine spritzers from Tipsy Brewing Co., and wine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. SPRINGFIELDForrest Lucas, the founder of global brand Lucas Oil Products and drag racing enthusiast, passed away at the age of 83, on Saturday. Lucas went from growing up in poverty, with nothing more than a high school education, to becoming a self-made multimillionaire, after he founded Lucas Oil Products in the late 1980s. Lucas Oil would become the title sponsor and official oil of the NHRA Drag Racing series, for more than the past two decades. Here in Missouri, Lucas Oil Speedway is a well-known race track in Wheatland, but Lucas didnt just put his fingerprints on the automotive world. Lucas Oil Stadium is the home of the NFLs Indianapolis Colts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucas networth is estimated at $500 million. He received the NHRA Lifetime Achievement award in 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. Construction has begun on a new luxury apartment building in Fort Lee. The four-story, plus penthouse level, building will have 31 residential units and 47 garage parking spaces. The 0.31-acre parcel of land, located steps from Bridge Plaza North and the George Washington Bridge, was approved by the Fort Lee Zoning Board of Adjustment in September 2024 for a residential building and two-level parking structure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This property represents the type of strategic, transit-accessible development opportunity that continues to drive investor demand along the Gold Coast, said Jaime Weiss, founder and principal of Weiss Realty. With approvals already secured, the buyer is well-positioned to deliver a boutique Class-A building that will complement Fort Lees growing residential appeal. Weiss sold the property to developer Scott Heagney in a transaction that was brokered by Bruce Elia of Keller Williams, who represented the buyer and seller. Property records indicate that 2130 Center Ave. sold on April 4 for $1.85 million. The units will have panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River, private balconies, rooftop amenities and high-end finishes. Are you an agent, buyer or seller who is active in this changing market? Do you have tips about New Jerseys real estate market? Unusual listings? Let us know. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) recently criticized Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) by seemingly questioning the authenticity of Crocketts Black American experience. Bloomberg / Getty Images During an appearance this week on former Fox News Host Megyn Kellys podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, Greene reflected on her well-documented ongoing feud with Crockett by taking several jabs at her Democratic colleague. The Georgia Republican accused Crockett of mistreating her staff, which prompted Kelly to mention a New York Post article published earlier this month that detailed accusations from anonymous sources about Crockett showing diva behavior. (Crockett has since shut down the allegations, calling them lies and nonsense.) Greene, who is white, then pivoted to a discussion about the Black American struggle, sharing her opinion about whether Crockett, who is Black, really understands it. Al Drago / Getty Images Related: JD Vances Old Epstein Tweets Are Coming Back To Haunt Him In A Big Way She claims to be, you know, from her people. She puts on this image that she understands the Black American struggle, Greene said. But lets face it, the girl went to private school, she went on to ... I dont know what college ... and law school shes a complete fake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes as fake as her eyelashes, shes as fake as her hair, shes as fake as her fingernails and she is such a massive fraud, she continued. Crockett has since responded to the clip on X, formerly Twitter, though she did not name Greene in her response. Houston Chronicle / Getty Images It is funny that MAGA cultist want to challenge my blackness because of my education Remember how they challenged Barack Obama & his roots? Remember how they claimed Kamala [Harris] turned black, she said. Yall are a joke. Walk a day in my shoes where your white supremacist friends send me hateful emails, death threats, DMs, & posts, and then you can tell me if Im truly living the black experience in this country, UNTIL then mind your business. Crockett then emphasized that being Black has nothing to do with education. It is funny that MAGA cultist want to challenge my blackness because of my education Remember how they challenged Barack Obama & his roots? Remember how they claimed Kamala turnedblack. Yall are a joke. Walk a day in my shoes where your white supremacist friends send Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) August 20, 2025 @JasmineForUS/X / Via x.com Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crockett is often the target of right-wing, racist, and anti-Black attacks. Shes routinely criticized for the way she speaks and her use of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Conservatives have made a habit of accusing Crockett of being disingenuous because the way she speaks doesnt align with their views of how someone who attended private school should speak. Related: Donald Trump Just Shared A Very Ominous Post, And People Are Calling It "One Of The Worst Statements Ever Made By A Sitting US President" Case in point: In April, Fox News host Laura Ingraham accused Crockett of sounding very different in the past. And now shes going very ... street, Ingraham said at the time, as she swayed her head side-to-side. Roy Rochlin / Getty Images The congresswoman had addressed some of these accusations before. I dont have an accent ... if anything, its Texan, maybe mixed with a little bit of St. Louis, she said in a TikTok video in March. And then determining that my accent is fake because of the types of schools I went to ... seriously, yall? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as it relates to Greenes recent attacks on Crockett, Portia Allen-Kyle, a civil rights attorney and interim executive director at the racial justice organization Color Of Change, said that Greene doesnt understand the reality that Blackness is disrespected in this country no matter how many degrees you hold or how much money you make. Allen-Kyle told HuffPost that the Republican congresswoman showed her own ignorance during her appearance on Kellys podcast. She reduces the Black experience to some caricature of poverty and struggle as if class alone defines Blackness, she said. That mindset exposes her bias. Greene thinks struggle is the only stamp of Blackness and she dresses up her ignorance as commentary. Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images Furthermore, Allen-Kyle emphasized that Greenes digs about Crocketts fake eyelashes, nails, and hair were examples of macroaggressions not microaggressions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Greene fixates on a Black womans appearance instead of her words, shes playing an old, racist playbook meant to demean, belittle, and distract, Allen-Kyle said. Black womens beauty and choices have always been politicized, and Greene leans right into that racist tradition. Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words It was a macroaggression, rather than a microaggression, she continued. When young Black girls think about what a congressperson looks like, Congresswoman Crockett shows Black girls nationwide that they could represent their community someday. Jemal Countess / Getty Images And theres a lot more to unpack from Greenes recent comments about Crockett and her ideas about the so-called Black American struggle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crockett was absolutely right in her response to Greene on X, Allen-Kyle said. Theres no amount of education [or] income that allows you to transcend Blackness its made obvious every single day by the racist attacks aimed at us, she continued. Crocketts very presence in Congress, and the fact that shes constantly targeted, proves the point she made: Racism doesnt care about your resume. Anti-Blackness follows us into the boardroom, the courtroom, and even the halls of Congress. Kayla Bartkowski via Getty Images Deepak Sarma, inaugural distinguished scholar in the public humanities at Case Western Reserve University, said that Greenes comments about Crockett are consistent with the MAGA / Trump strategy to invent damaging unconfirmed allegations against prominent Black leaders and to question their intellect and capabilities. Sarma said that President Donald Trump and his MAGA minions continually malign others for their nefarious gaslighting and fraudulent purposes. They likened it to Trumps attacks on Harris and her capabilities as a public speaker, or about her intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the world of psychology, this is known as a Jungian projection, where one attributes ones unacceptable character, feelings, and behavior to someone else, they said. And by Greene suggesting that Crocketts success in a capitalist democracy makes her a fraud or inauthentic, shes insinuating that the real experience of a Black person is being impoverished and a failure, Sarma said. Brandon Bell / Getty Images Related: "Can A Trump Supporter Explain": 49 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Month Whats more, Sarma thinks that conservatives feel discomfort when they hear Crockett speak, or when she uses AAVE because it contradicts their misguided belief that America is a monoculture, a white Christian monoculture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feeling that they are being left out and that they are not adept in the language justifies, in their mind, their rage and suspicion, they said. Sarma later emphasized that Trumpisms are already becoming accepted in America and that these recent incidents directed at Black people, like Greenes remarks about Crockett, are slowly becoming more normal. Bloomberg / Getty Images Allen-Kyle thinks the right-wing attacks related to Crocketts private school education are ironic. Conservatives trash and defund public schools every chance they get, but they seethe when a Black woman gets a private education. Why? Because it proves what they fear most: that Black women can be smarter, sharper, and more culturally fluent than theyll ever be, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It exposes their real agenda they dont want Black people educated, period, she continued. They dont hate Crocketts accent or her educationthey hate that shes brilliant enough to beat them at both. Jemal Countess / Getty Images This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: "I Am So Torn With What You Are Doing" 11 Posts From MAGA Business Owners Who Are So Close To Getting It Also in In the News: 19 Trump Voters Are Reacting To The Rumors That Trump Wants To Run In 2028 Also in In the News: MAGA Is (Loudly) Regretting Their Votes After Witnessing ICE Raids Across The Nation, And It's Reallyyyy Not Looking Good For Trump Read it on BuzzFeed.com Donald Trumps offensive against the Smithsonian reached a dramatic new level last week, with a presidential declaration that the institution and its museums are OUT OF CONTROL. To help bolster his point, the president added that Smithsonian history museums focus on how bad Slavery was. The White House confirmed soon after that, as part of Trumps broader efforts, administration officials want to target other museums, too. He will start with the Smithsonian and then go from there, a spokesperson told NBC News. While the presidential campaign to control what Americans know and learn about history is clearly reflective of his authoritarian agenda, theres also a degree of irony to the developments because if anyone would benefit from some quality time at a history museum, its Trump and his team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president, for example, has talked about American forces having manned the air and taking over the airports during the Revolutionary War despite the fact that airplanes didnt exist at the time. He later said, If you look at the end of the Civil War, the 1800s, it was a very turbulent time. You take the end day, was it 1869? Or whatever. His vice president isnt much better. HuffPost noted: Vice President JD Vance fumbled some very textbook facts of world history while talking foreign policy on Sundays Meet the Press. During the interview, the Yale Law School alum defended President Donald Trumps decision to entertain Russias terms for a peace deal with Ukraine by claiming all wars end in compromise. NBC News Kristen Welker asked the Ohio Republican an important question, If Russia is allowed to keep any of the territory that it illegally seized, what message does that send to China? Does it give China a green light to invade Taiwan? Does it give Russia a green light to invade other European countries, which is what your European allies are concerned about? Instead of answering the question directly, Vance took issue with the premise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kristen, this is how wars ultimately get settled, he said. If you go back to World War II, if you go back to World War I, if you go back to every major conflict in human history, they all end with some kind of negotiation. No. If one actually goes back and assesses every major conflict in human history, they mostly ended with one force either conquering or repelling a rival force. Specifically as to World War II, the United States and its allies gave the Axis powers two choices: death or unconditional surrender. Negotiated settlements were not on the table and at no point did the U.S. consider allowing Germany or Japan to keep territories they had illegally seized by force. The global conflict was resolved in Europe when Germany collapsed and Adolf Hitler killed himself, ahead of Japans surrender after the American bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eighty years later, in the biggest conflict in Europe since the end of World War II, Russia doesnt have to surrender, it just has to leave its neighboring country, which would immediately end the conflict. As for how and why Vance got this wrong, its possible that the vice president is just confused. Its also possible that hes laying the groundwork for a White House policy that would reward Russia for its invasion, as if this is simply how wars ultimately get settled. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * The Abrego Garica case in court: A federal judge on Monday temporarily barred the Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garica to Uganda, pending a further hearing, NBC News reported. * In Gaza: Israel struck southern Gazas main hospital with a missile and then fired another as journalists and rescue workers rushed to the scene, killing at least 20 people, local health workers said Monday. ... Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office also said in a statement that Israel deeply regretted what it called the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * No good can come of this: National Guard troops deployed to Washington this month to support President Donald Trumps effort to mitigate crime began carrying firearms Sunday evening, according to the federal task force managing the operation. * Epstein files: The overwhelming majority of documents the Justice Department gave Congress in response to a subpoena for all information from its investigation into the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein had already been publicly released, the top Democrat on the Houses principal investigative committee said on Saturday. * Kushners off to a rough start: Frances foreign ministry officials met Monday with a representative of U.S. ambassador Charles Kushner after the American diplomat was summoned over his letter to French President Emmanuel Macron alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism. Mondays meeting took place after Paris rejected Kushners criticism as unacceptable and announced it had summoned him. Since the diplomat was absent, French officials met with the embassys No. 2 in his stead. * An overdue change in direction: The IRS plans to ask workers who accepted offers of deferred resignation and early retirement to come back to work an attempt to make up for staffing losses after the agency found it had vacancies in critical jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * That was quick: The second-highest-ranking official at the Treasury Department, Michael Faulkender, is departing President Trumps administration after being confirmed by the Senate about five months ago. * The most transparent administration ever, right? The Department of Homeland Security rebuffed a request for public records related to the National Guard deployment in Los Angeles this summer, saying that the agency had not maintained text message data among top officials since early April, according to its communications with a nonprofit watchdog group. See you tomorrow. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Donald Trump has made no secret of his contempt for crime statistics. Indeed, after the president militarized the nations capital, prompting observers to note that crime rates are down across the board in Washington, D.C. violent crime rates, in particular, have reached a 30-year low Trump didnt just condemn the data, his Justice Department even launched an investigation into the statistics he doesnt like. But that, evidently, wasnt enough. On Friday morning, the president specifically targeted Muriel Bowser, the Democratic mayor of the District of Columbia, for pointing to official data that conflicts with his perceptions. Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, the Republican wrote to his social media platform. Two days later, after former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized Trump during an appearance on ABC News This Week, this also generated a related presidential threat. The New York Times reported: President Trump on Sunday threatened to investigate former Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey over a 2013 political scandal, days after the F.B.I. raided the home and office of another former Trump official turned critic. Mr. Trump made the threat on social media after Mr. Christie said during an appearance on ABC News that the president doesnt care about maintaining a separation between his office and criminal investigations. In case that wasnt quite enough, the president apparently also saw Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on CBS News Face the Nation, leading Trump to pitch yet another threat. NBC News reported: The president on Sunday also threatened to pull federal funding for the replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024. The federal government had previously agreed to pay for the bridges replacement. I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge, Trump wrote. I will now have to rethink that decision??? The published threat was accompanied by nonsensical claims about crime rates in Baltimore a city thats seen its murder rate drop to a 50-year low and an attack on the Democratic governors military service. (Moore is a decorated combat veteran who served in Afghanistan.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The specific details are obviously relevant. Not only did Trump lie about Baltimore and about Moores service record, the president also claimed he gave the governor federal funds to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which (a) is not how the appropriations process works in the United States; and (b) is at odds with the simple fact that the funding was approved by Congress and signed into law by Joe Biden before Trump returned to the White House. But to the hear the Republican president tell it, he maintains total control over U.S. investments, which he can approve or curtail based on his whims. The common thread isnt exactly well hidden: Bowser, Christie and Moore told the public facts that Trump didnt want to hear, and presidential threats soon followed. Indeed, hours after targeting the former Republican governor and incumbent Democratic governor, the president, for good measure, proceeded to threaten ABC and NBC (twice) for airing news coverage that he disapproved of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brendan Nyhan, a political scientist at Dartmouth College, told The Associated Press the other day, The picture is pretty clear for anyone whos read a history book what kind of administration were dealing with. The quote resonates for a reason. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com By Rich Tenorio | Edited by Patricia Guadalupe A six-year-old girl with a mane of black hair stares at the bowl of soup before her. Steam swirls over a slice of French bread. Soup is to childhood what communism is to democracy! she declares. Welcome to Mafalda, the beloved comic strip by the late Argentine cartoonist Quino thats getting a delayed introduction to English-speaking readers. Mafalda offered different rewards to different Spanish-speaking demographics across Latin America since its nine-year run from 1964 to 1973 and extended afterlife. Kids could laugh at the antics of the impish, inquisitive yet innocent title character and her family and friends. Adults could smile at the strips subversive political humor, including jabs at the Vietnam War and subtler tweaks at Argentinas military dictatorship. Now, for the very first time, Mafalda is also available to English-speaking readers. Irish translator and writer Frank Wynne has rendered 240 strips into English; they are published as one volume by Elsewhere Editions. Mafaldas Elsewhere Editions English edition. A capacity crowd recently gathered at a bookstore in New York City to hear two experts discuss Mafalda. Alvaro Enrigue, an acclaimed Mexican-American novelist whose novel You Dreamed of Empires was released last year, and Lucas Adams, who heads New York Review Cartoons, a publication of the New York Review of Books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I grew up reading translations, Enrigue said. Everybody did. Translation is a normal thing, a human activity. He called it a very big and complicated thing. If there is the spirit, then it works. Now married to an Argentine and a self-described father to a Mafalda, he feels this is an opportune time for an English translation, given the current political moment and its resemblance to the Argentina of the 1960s and early 70s. The monster is rising, Enrigue said about Mafaldas era. It will become worse and worse and worse. Enrigue told the crowd at the bookstore how, in childhood, he and his siblings would read the latest Spanish-language book-length compilation of Mafalda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The black-and-white strip focuses on Mafalda as she navigates life in working-class Buenos Aires. Although each strip consists of just a few panels, storylines quickly emerge, whether its her wish to be an astronaut or her fathers epic battle with the ants invading their house. Throughout, her distaste for soup is palpable. Mafalda English edition, translated by Frank Wynne, published by Elsewhere Editions. Quino embedded political commentary into seemingly innocuous kiddie comics. This happens when Mafaldas best friend Felipe takes up chess and tries to teach her the centuries-old strategic game. She repeatedly interrupts with her own interpretations of the rules. In one digression, Mafalda sees a parallel between chess and the class struggle: The king is all-powerful, while the pawns are helpless. Upon realizing this, she exclaims, And then people are shocked by the rise of communism! Mafalda seems to be about a group of little kids in Buenos Aires, said Ulises Gonzales, a lecturer in journalism and media studies at Lehman College in New York City. In an urban environment, dealing with normal issues like going to school. Gonzales is a cartoonist himself, having done comic strips in his homeland of Peru. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that Mafalda is actually about values, democracy, the state of the world, living under a dictatorship. And, he added, Most of it was written under an authoritarian regime in Argentina. Somehow, [Quino] got away with it. In the compilation, its clear that Mafalda and her friends are interested in, and want to understand, the grown-up world. They discuss international topics such as Vietnam, overpopulation, and communism. Part of the genius of Quino was that Mafalda never discussed local issues, Enrigue said. She was an ultra-globalized girl. Mafalda English edition, translated by Frank Wynne, published by Elsewhere Editions. Yet there were moments when the strip also addressed Argentinas domestic political situation. When Mafalda sets up an imaginary government headed by herself, she fends off her friends military coup attempt. And when a friends older brother is drafted into the army, the boys in Mafaldas group of friends contemplate what it would be like for them to serve, Beatle haircuts and all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strip stopped running shortly before the situation worsened in Argentina, with the Ezeiza airport massacre on June 20, 1973, which arguably inaugurated the countrys Dirty War. The Ezeiza Protest and Massacre happened when Argentine anti-communist terrorist snipers attacked a crowd of over two million people who had assembled near the Buenos Aires airport as former President Juan Peron returned from nearly two decades in exile in Spain. Enrigue lamented that an older Mafalda might have become a desaparecida (forcefully disappeared) during that troubled time for Argentina. Yet Enrigue urged audiences to remember that Mafalda embodies hope for the future, no matter how hard the grownups make it. The world is very depressing, Enrigue said, yet, Somehow its full of tenderness. This tenderness, he added, makes you feel optimistic about something you cannot be optimistic about the world as it is. My wife was saying yesterday, We need Mafalda now, we really need Mafalda now. This is a Mafalda moment. Her child wisdom really opens a different kind of window into reality. President Donald Trump reiterated that he will follow through on one of his administrations recent reversals a move that has drawn criticism from MAGA world. While speaking at a trade summit on Monday, Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping wants him to visit China, and extended the invitation to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He then went on to say that were going to allow 600,000 Chinese students to study in the United States. As you know, were taking a lot of money in from China because of the tariffs and different things, and its a very important relationship, Trump told reporters. Were going to get along good with China. Trumps comments echoed similar remarks from June, when he reversed course around two weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to aggressively revoke the visas of Chinese students particularly including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields. Rubio also promised to create a stricter review process for future applicants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WE WILL PROVIDE TO CHINA WHAT WAS AGREED TO, INCLUDING CHINESE STUDENTS USING OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME!), Trump previously wrote on his Truth Social platform. After renewing his commitment in the Oval Office, some in Trumps base expressed disappointment over his decision to continue with his pledge. Sigh," the End Wokeness account wrote on X. Laura Loomer, a staunch Trump loyalist, baselessly claimed that They arent really students though. They are Chinese Communist spies. Would be great to kick all of these Chinese spies out of the US, she continued. They arent really students though. They are Chinese Communist spies. Would be great to kick all of these Chinese spies out of the US. https://t.co/bKTAW8VmFS Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) August 25, 2025 Marina Medvin, a criminal defense attorney, said that I dont know a single Trump voter in favor of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not what I voted for," Michael Flynn Jr., the son of the presidents former adviser, posted. Bo French, the chair of a Texas county GOP, argued that Trump could have an ulterior motive. While my position is we shouldnt allow a single Chinese student in America, because they are all spies for the CCP, I also believe everything Trump says is part of the negotiation, French said. Everything. Harrison Smith, an Infowars host, also weighed in: Trump f------ sucks now. We voted for MASS DEPORTATIONS, NOT MASS IMPORTATIONS, another user wrote. Trump fucking sucks now. https://t.co/him9qa8xFe Harrison H. Smith (@HarrisonHSmith) August 25, 2025 Trump and Lee were expected to discuss details of a trade deal between the two countries, announced in July, with Seoul investing billions of dollars into the United States. The agreement imposes 15% tariffs on South Korean goods entering the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Monday, Trump alleged that a Purge or Revolution seems to be taking place in South Korea, and threatened to halt business with the country. But while meeting with Trump, Lee kept the tone cordial, praising Trumps new White House decor and saying it symbolizes the new future and prosperity of America. He also even hinted at the possibility of a Trump Tower in North Korea. Weve known each other and gotten along very well, Trump said at the summit. Its a great honor to be with you and congratulations on your election. That was a big one, and were with you 100%, he added, referencing to how Lee took office after Seouls former leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, was ousted after imposing martial law. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. John, 61, is set for retirement. He was approved for Social Security, and then, just before he was about to give his notice, was laid off by his employer, an added bonus that meant his severance would cover him until the month his Social Security checks start. The only catch is that as hes not yet 65 hed have to bridge health insurance on his own. Don't miss An opportunity then arose that made him reconsider his plans. Johns employer offered him a team-leading, client-facing role in a department hes always wanted to join. The pay and benefits are strong. Hes tempted, but he cant see himself working beyond the end of the year. He also wonders if its fair to take a leadership job he intends to leave soon. Thats the core of his dilemma. Heres what else is at stake. Whats his situation? Lets say John is married. His 60-year-old spouse has been on his employer plan and is two years from Medicare eligibility. The couple has roughly $1 million saved about $940,000 in 401(k) and IRAs and $60,000 in cash with a nearly paid-off mortgage. Americans believe they need about $1.26 million to retire comfortably in 2025, so John and his wife may be within striking distance even without maximizing Social Security but are not quite at the magic number. Working longer would obviously boost their retirement savings. However, for John, the new job may be about more than just money. Many older Americans say work offers more than a bigger retirement pot, access to health insurance and Social Security benefits. Respondents to the University of Michigans National Poll on Healthy Aging claimed other important factors include having a sense of purpose, contributing to society, keeping their brain sharp and maintaining social connections. Would working longer help substantially? Taking the job could help John in four ways. 1. Social Security. If John begins withdrawing Social Security at 62, he will receive about 30% less in monthly benefits than if he waits until the full retirement age (FRA) of 67. Moreover, if he waits until 70, hell earn delayed retirement credits of about 8% per year. In other words, the longer he holds off, the more he will get. Ever since Donald Trump orchestrated a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.s law enforcement, complete with the National Guard being shipped in from at least three red states, defenders of the nations capital have painstakingly demonstrated this is a political stunt and is not about stopping crime. Critics have noted that the troops and agents have been concentrated in low-crime tourist areas, mostly ignoring high-crime neighborhoods where they could actually help. City officials have pointed out the citys crime rate was already at a 30-year low. Polls show that, far from feeling secure, most D.C. residents say Trumps actions make them feel less safe. People are so afraid that local restaurants have reported plummeting reservations, as frightened folks stay at home rather than deal with bored and angry law enforcement. As usual, the White Houses response is to lie about all of this. Trump and his goons say restaurant traffic is up, which is hilariously false. Vice President J.D. Vance said, Lets free D.C. from lawlessness. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller had a screeching meltdown on camera, insisting only stupid white hippies are mad about the takeover and declaring that Black people love him and the president for their actions. In reality, 80% of Black D.C. residents oppose the troop deployment. Fox News dutifully claims this is all about crime ignoring that the agents sent into the streets are mostly harassing ordinary people, while ignoring actual crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats a little unclear, however, is who this phony Republican talk about crime is for. Its certainly not for liberals or even centrists, who appear to understand full well that Trump is trying to terrorize the innocent people of D.C., not to fight crime. But its not like the MAGA base cares about the crime non-issue either. Dont get me wrong: The MAGA base loves this so-called crackdown. But not because its making D.C. safe. They love that its making D.C. miserable. They appear to know the victims of this charade arent criminals, but ordinary people just trying to live their lives. MAGA is getting sadistic joy out of terrorizing ordinary people whose only crime is living in a diverse, vibrant and majority Democratic city, instead of Cracker Barrel America. Videos of the new law enforcement harassing or even beating innocent residents of D.C. have circulated heavily online, but its not just liberals who are sharing them. Trump supporters love these videos, and, if anything, they are sharing them more than liberals. The right-wing Daily Wire posted a video of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents telling a woman that shes fat, and it has nearly 250,000 likes on TikTok. Fox News shared a video of ICE agents tearing down an anti-Trump banner, and it now has nearly 5 million views, mostly from conservatives who are relishing this overt violation of basic First Amendment rights. Another MAGA influencer collected over 3.5 million views on a video of homeless people having their tents bulldozed. MAGA influencers also celebrated a video of federal agents yelling at a man for smoking on his patio, calling it illicit activities for people to be outside in their own neighborhoods. Its almost like this D.C. crackdown isnt about crime, but about playing to the resentments of a bunch of suburban shut-ins who hate their fellow Americans who live in cities and do unfathomable things like leave their houses, walk down sidewalks and enjoy their neighborhoods. Anything but sitting inside all day watching Fox News, I suppose, constitutes illicit activities that no red-blooded American should enjoy. Especially not if theyre doing it in a racially diverse city, as if talking to people who are different than you is okay. Not in Donald Trumps America, its not! Whats remarkable here is both red and blue America seem, for once, to agree on the facts: That this takeover is a power grab by Trump, the representative of incurious, racist America, and that its main purpose is to punish D.C. residents for being more cosmopolitan and liberal. The only dispute is over whether abusing people for perceived sophistication a good thing. Blue America feels its not a crime to be the kind of people who read books, listen to songs released after 1985 or eat something other than an overcooked hamburger on occasion. Red America is in full lock em up mode. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even the Smithsonian has become wrapped up in Trumps D.C. takeover, which is further proof that the presidents actions arent geared toward stopping crime. Last week, Trump whined on Truth Social that the museum has exhibitions on how bad Slavery was and features Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future. As anyone who has toured any of the Smithsonian museums knows, this is a lie and it casts even more doubt that Trump himself has ever visited outside of a staged photo-op in 2017. (They have Dorothys ruby red slippers at the Smithsonian! And dinosaurs and spaceships!) But in the context of all this nonsense about fighting crime, his post was a telling remark. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Sign up for her free newsletter, Standing Room Only, now also on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Who feels unsafe seeing an exhibition about slavery at a history museum? We all know the answer: Racist white Americans who dont like being reminded of how horrible and degrading slavery actually was. The article released by the White House on Thursday, which numerated all the presidents grievances with the Smithsonian, feels like touring the museums with your crappy MAGA uncle who cant even read the Ann Coulter books his wife dutifully buys him at Christmas. Its just a lot of griping about any exhibit acknowledging that people other than straight white men did stuff, or hinting at history being more nuanced than a 5-year-olds picture book. Wah! They have portraits of non-white people on display! Wah! Theres an exhibit acknowledging LGBTQ history! Wah! Theres a photo of a non-white person in a wheelchair! Why wont someone call the cops? D.C. is a real city full of people. Its not Patriot Disneyland for people who are mad they cant find the Applebees among all the Ethiopian joints. Thats the crime Trump is so mad about, which is why hes also pushing for $2 billion to have this place beautified a terrifying proposition for anyone who has witnessed his love of plastering everything with cheap gold paint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This dynamic is beautifully illustrated by the divide in responses to the citys Hoagie Hero Sean Dunn, a decorated veteran and (now former) Justice Department employee who threw a Subway sandwich at some ICE officers. The video of the incident went viral because of how silly and harmless the sandwich toss was. Dunn was in cargo shorts and a pink polo, and he ran off in a goofy way, suggesting there was some alcohol consumption involved in his choice to waste a perfectly good sandwich in this manner. Most people laughed at the video, even as they felt sorry for Dunn, who was arrested and fired by Attorney General Pam Bondi. No one surely can take being grazed by bread as a crime, right? To many Washington residents, Dunn has become a local hero, with Banksy-style art depicting his action being plastered around the city. Trumps allies predictably hit the ceiling, acting like Dunn committed murder-by-baguette. (For the record, Subways bread is too soft.) Hes been charged with felony assault, and MAGA audiences erupted in joy. But what was so telling is that neither MAGA leaders nor the movements followers pretended to believe that sandwich-throwing is a serious threat. No, they want to lock Dunn up because they resent his perceived status and folk popularity as an urbane liberal. He thought it was funny, sneered Jeanine Pirro, the Fox News host-turned U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Well, he doesnt think its funny today. One gets the strong impression the crime hes being charged for is laughing at the mayo-eaters. Comments on Pirros post from MAGA followers reinforced this impression, as they griped about overprivileged, spoiled people and begged her to arrest other liberals for saying stuff they dont like online. Ive only been to DC once and swore I would never go back. Even on the tour bus, I was scared, one posted, unaware that this says more about her than about Washington. Right-wing media did not bother to pretend to think Dunn is a criminal. Instead they smeared him as a far-left weirdo and called his sandwich taxpayer-funded, apparently because he bought it with a salary he earned as a government employee. In my most recent episode of Standing Room Only, guest Lux Alptraum offered this insight about the MAGA mindset: They are so mad that liberals dont like them. This sadism, she said, felt like an act of revenge. Its not a coincidence that, in the midst of all this, White House communications director Steven Cheung had a lengthy online fit because Jack White of the White Stripes stated the obvious: That Trumps taste is tacky. No amount of protest-too-much screeching from Cheung, which included calling White washed-up, can conceal that of course the rock god is far, far cooler than Cheung could ever hope to be in a million years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talk of crime is even more threadbare than the usual right-wing pretexts. Scratch even a millimeter below the surface and it reveals itself as the most childish of culture war resentments: Unimaginative people lashing out a big city because its overflowing with all sorts of diversity and novelty they are too fearful to deal with. So instead of getting therapy, they turn to fascism. The post MAGA knows DC takeover isnt about crime which is why they love it appeared first on Salon.com. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) A network of clinics in Maine will not resume getting Medicaid funds to treat thousands of low-income patients during its lawsuit over Trump administration cuts to abortion providers, a judge ruled Monday. The decision against Maine Family Planning came despite a ruling last month by another federal judge, who said Planned Parenthood clinics around the country must continue to be reimbursed for Medicaid funding as the provider wrangles with the Trump administration over efforts to defund it. That legal fight continues. Without Medicaid, the much smaller provider in Maine says it will have to stop serving hundreds of primary care patients by the end of October. The organization says abortions are a relatively small percentage of its overall services, which include cervical cancer screenings, contraception and primary care to low-income residents in one of the poorest and most rural states in the Northeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trumps policy and tax bill, known as the big beautiful bill, blocked Medicaid money from flowing to Planned Parenthood, the nations largest abortion provider. The parameters in the bill also stopped funding from reaching Maine Family Planning, and it is the only other organization that has come forward publicly to say its funding is at risk. Maine Family Planning says Medicaid dollars are not used for its abortion services, and its unfair to cut off funding for the clinics solely because Congress wanted to defund Planned Parenthood, an attorney for the organization told the judge earlier this month. However, Judge Lance Walker said in his ruling Monday that the payments will not resume during the ongoing lawsuit by the provider seeking to restore the funds. He wrote that Congress can withhold federal funds and otherwise disassociate from conduct that is not enshrined as a constitutional right. Walker, a 2018 Trump appointee, also wrote that it would be a special kind of judicial hubris to undermine the big bill, which he described as the end result of democratic processes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The network of 18 clinics said in a statement Monday that Walker's ruling will destabilize the state's entire health infrastructure by potentially turning low-income patients away from their doctors. The group said about 8,000 people receive family planning and primary care from its clinics. Mainers health should never be jeopardized by political decisions, and we will continue to fight for them," said George Hill, president and chief executive officer of Maine Family Planning. When asked if the organization is considering appealing the decision, the group issued a statement that said the network is "considering all options to ensure that Maines Medicaid patients can continue to receive the health care they need and deserve. Attorneys representing the Trump administration did not immediately comment. Emily Hall, an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, told the judge in court earlier this month that Congress has a right not to contract with abortion providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rational basis is not simply to reduce the number of abortions, its to ensure the federal government is not paying out money to organizations that provide abortions, Hall said. While advocates of cutting Medicaid for abortion providers focused on Planned Parenthood, the bill did not mention it by name. Instead, it cut off reimbursements for organizations that are primarily engaged in family planning services which generally include items such as contraception, abortion and pregnancy tests and received more than $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023. The U.S. Senates parliamentarian rejected a 2017 effort to defund Planned Parenthood because it was written to exclude all other providers by barring payments only to groups that received more than $350 million a year in Medicaid funds. Maine Family Planning asserts in its legal challenge that the threshold was lowered to $800,000 this time around to make sure Planned Parenthood would not be the only entity affected. Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani said Monday that hed complete a slew of bus and bike lane projects scaled back or killed by the Adams administration if hes elected to lead the city. Mamdani said hed finish projects on Bedford Ave., Third Ave and Ashland Place in Brooklyn and the Fordham Road and Tremont Ave. busways in the Bronx all which have been either watered down or canceled by the Adams administration despite being given the go-ahead by the city Department of Transportation. The candidate also pledged to finish the original redesign plan for McGuinness Blvd. in Brooklyn, which Mayor Adams former chief adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin was accused in her recent indictment of attempting to kill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I commit to it because these are not simply ideas or thoughts as to what could make the city better, Mamdani said. These are the results of years of work by the DOT. And I have been someone who has gone back and forth with the DOT around street safety in Astoria, and yet I always have a guilt in those conversations, because I know Im not arguing with DOT, Im arguing with Mayor Adams. Mamdani made these remarks at a news conference on McGuinness Blvd. in Greenpoint, where he slammed the mayor for the corruption allegations against his former top aide. We need a politics where the decision is not determined by the last person who calls you and just how much money they have, whether donated to you or not. We need decisions that are made with the safety of New Yorkers in mind, Mamdani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis-Martin, the mayors longtime friend, was charged last week on four indictments alleging she accepted bribes in exchange for the bike lanes on McGuinness Blvd., a major thoroughfare in the area, in addition to intervening in the citys migrant contracts and building approvals process. Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorneys office allege Lewis-Martin worked within City Hall to water down plans to revamp a dangerous stretch of the street by placing protected bike lanes on either side of the road, accepting bribes of $2,500 cash, expensive seafood catering and a small role on a Hulu crime drama from Gina and Tony Argento, the owners of a production studio. After Lewis-Martins efforts, the city announced it would move forward with a scaled-back version of the original design. Then, when Lewis-Martins devices were seized and home raided by investigators, the city changed paths again, announcing it would move forward with the original bike lane design. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) The Huntsville Police Department said a man was arrested after he charged and hit two officers over the weekend. HPD said on Saturday, around 6 a.m., officers responded to a reported disturbance in the 3100 block of Clopton Street. Woman pleads guilty in brutal DeKalb County cliff murder Upon arrival, HPD said officers heard a man, identified as 26-year-old Kemonte Kentarieus Hobbs, yelling in the breezeway. The department said that when Hobbs saw the officers, he tried to run and hide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From there, HPD said officers called out to check on him. After that, HPD said Hobbs charged at them, hitting one officer in the face and another officer in the midsection. Using trained techniques, officers were able to safely bring the man under control. The officers sustained only minor injuries that did not require medical treatment, HPD said. Hobbs was arrested and charged with second-degree assault of a police officer and resisting arrest. Hobbs arrest comes after the City of Huntsville recently settled a federal lawsuit filed by Hobbs family. They sued the City after HPD officers stomped on Hobbs leg during an arrest in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Hobbs was originally arrested on May 30, 2021, at a MAPCO gas station in Huntsville after an employee of the store called the Huntsville Police Department to complain that Hobbs was disturbing customers by panhandling and refusing to leave. Video obtained by News 19 back in 2021, which circulated on social media, shows Hobbs struggling with Huntsville Police Department officers, being tased and being repeatedly stomped on by an officer while they attempted to arrest him. The video of the altercation can be seen below. This video contains scenes that could be disturbing to some. Viewer discretion is advised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Huntsville City Councilman Devyn Keith commented on the Facebook video, saying he considered what happened in the video reckless use of force. As part of the settlement, the City of Huntsville agreed to pay $15,000 into a Special Needs Trust for Hobbs with the Alabama Family Trust. Martin Weinberg, Hobbs attorney, sent a statement to News 19 about the settlement, saying, All the parties are relieved to settle this lawsuit over an unfortunate incident that occurred over 5 years ago. There were a number of challenges, but we have closure now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Multiple agencies responded from Friday night into Saturday morning in Harlan County when a man allegedly held family members at knifepoint before shooting at law enforcement officers. The Harlan County Sheriffs Office posted a news release on social media Sunday, where deputies said 51-year-old Stacy Huff was allegedly highly intoxicated at a residence in the Closplint community, holding family members at knifepoint. At some point, he allegedly took out a gun and started making threats. A deputy, accompanied by officers with the Evarts Police Department, reportedly found Huffs family members walking across the bridge near the residence. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When law enforcement officials introduced themselves to Huff, he allegedly shot at them, but didnt injure anyone. Deputies wrote that negotiations with Huff ended around 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, when he surrendered to the sheriffs office and one of his sons. He was then taken into custody. Huff was charged with two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and fourth-degree assaultdomestic violence. He was lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center on a $1 million cash bond. The shooting investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. ALLEGANY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A Cumberland man was taken into custody after he was accused of starting a fire near the Board of Education maintenance building on the Fourth of July. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) announced on Aug. 24 that 30-year-old Michael Butler was arrested by state troopers and charged with malicious destruction of property over $1,000. Fire rages through house in Ellicott City; no injuries Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just after noon on July 4, Cumberland firefighters and police officers were dispatched to a fire at 211 Market Street. This is where the Board of Educations maintenance building is located. Firefighters were able to control the blaze before it spread to the building, limiting the damage to about $1,000. Fire marshal investigators reviewed security surveillance footage, which allegedly showed Bulter entering the area before the blaze ignited. He was then spotted on the camera using a lighter to ignite the brush and grass near the Board of Education bu, according to the OSFM. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A Kern County jury has acquitted a man on all charges after learning the alleged victim could not positively identify the defendant with complete certainty as the person who threatened him with a gun, according to the Public Defenders Office. Jurors on Friday found Juan Carlos Garcia not guilty of assault with a gun and three other firearm-related charges. Hed faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted, defense counsel said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Melgar, Garcias attorney, argued at trial there was insufficient evidence for a conviction, pointing to the alleged victims shaky identification, the release said. The ID just didnt hold up, defense investigator Sara Sanchez said in the release. Once we did our full investigation, the jury saw the holes and cleared Mr. Garcia quickly. Kern Canyon Road closed due to rain over the weekend causing unsafe conditions On the afternoon of May 6, the alleged victim reported a man in a black SUV pointed a gun at him at a gas station at Edison and Weedpatch highways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies later found a black SUV parked outside Garcias home. He was asleep inside. They spoke with him he was cooperative and searched the vehicle, according to the release. A black handgun was found. The alleged victim, however, could not positively identify Garcia with complete certainty, according to the 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 KGET 17 News. UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A man was hoisted off the mountain and flown to the hospital after a paragliding accident at Mt. Timpanogos Monday morning. At around 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 25, Utah County Search and Rescue responded to a paragliding accident on Mt. Timpanogos. A man had been paragliding in the area when he crashed, suffering a leg injury, according to Sgt. Ray Ormond, Utah County Sheriffs Office. The terrain in the area is reportedly difficult to access, so Life Flight responded to airlift the individual from the mountain. The rescue helicopter hoisted the man and flew him directly to the hospital for further care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescue operation took about an hour to complete, Ormond said. No further information is available at this time. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Lozan Urban Developments (LUD) has entered into a partnership agreement with Al-Amal Engineering & General Contracting Company to commence the construction of the Apex Business Complex in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt, reported Daily News Egypt. The collaboration follows the completion of preliminary shoring works and the acquisition of necessary excavation permits. The Apex Business Complex is scheduled for completion in December 2027, aligning with the timelines of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD). LUD chairperson Adel Abdel Moneim said: The foundation of any successful, fully integrated project lies in working with entities that have proven execution capabilities. Situated in the centre of the Downtown area of the New Administrative Capital, the Apex Business Complexs architectural design will include two interconnected towers that incorporate large open areas and elegant glass exteriors. The development will include commercial, administrative, and medical facilities in one location. The project will cover an area of approximately 2,600m2, with a large section designated for a central plaza. It will comprise 13 levels of office and commercial space, along with a ground floor and three underground levels intended for parking. Al-Amal Engineering was chosen for the project due to its proven history of completing construction projects efficiently and adhering to quality standards, LUD stated. This collaboration is intended to guarantee that the Apex Business Complex aligns with the stringent urban development criteria set by ACUD. Al-Amal chairperson Haitham Farhat said: At Al-Amal, we are committed to adhering to the highest standards of execution while meeting the projects timeline, ensuring the Apex Business Complex becomes a model for future developments in the New Capital. "LUD, Al-Amal partner for construction of Apex Business Complex in Egypt" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Police have arrested a man in the shooting death of Baltimore comedian Reggie Carroll in Mississippi last week. According to officials, Tranell Marquise Williams, 38, was arrested and has been charged in connection with Carroll's murder. "One male is in custody and has been charged with the murder of Reginald Carroll. Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Carroll. Thank you to the community for their patience and understanding," police added in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carroll, 52, was killed in Southaven, Miss., near Memphis. He was shot Wednesday, and police released his identity on Saturday. Police confirmed that they had been called to an isolated shooting and found "one male victim suffering from gunshot wounds," the Southaven Police Department said in a statement. "The officers and medical personnel provided life saving techniques, but the individual succumbed to his injuries." Carroll, often called "The Knockout King of Comedy" for the stand-up special he hosted and produced under the name, built a loyal base through his comedy performances. He also made several television appearances, including on the variety series Showtime at the Apollo and The Parkers, according to his IMDb. Comedian Mo'Nique paid homage to her "brother in comedy" in an Instagram story, which Deadline captured, and called his death a reminder to "treat people the best you can because you never know if you'll get a chance to see them again." CENTER POINT, W.Va. (WBOY) A man has been charged after allegedly admitting to having a sexual relationship with a juvenile in Doddridge County. On Aug. 22, deputies with the Doddridge County Sheriffs Department assisted CPS workers at a residence where a juvenile disclosed a sexual relationship with an adult, according to a criminal complaint. Jacob Miller Jacob Miller, 20, allegedly claimed to be 15 years old when he went to the juveniles residence to perform sexual acts, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies learned Millers Snapchat username and asked law enforcement if Miller was a student in Ritchie County, but deputies learned he was no longer in school and was located at a residence in Pennsboro, according to the complaint. After deputies made contact with Miller, they spoke with him in a Mirandized interview where he claimed that the juvenile was 19 and he admitted that he did perform sexual acts on the juvenile, deputies said. Deputies looking for West Virginia teen traveling with male friend she met online Another individual told deputies that the juvenile did initially claim to be 19, but when Miller arrived at the residence, the juvenile told Miller they were much younger, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller has been charged with third-degree sexual assault. He is being held in North Central Regional Jail on $50,015 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 WBOY.com. CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) A man has been charged after allegedly leaving a child in a garage without any care or adult supervision for a week in Harrison County. On Aug. 15, deputies with the Harrison County Sheriffs Department were notified of a child who was left alone in a garage for approximately one week, according to a criminal complaint. Juan Benitez-Chacon When deputies responded, they located a child inside the small garage and noted that the juvenile did not have access to food, water, bathroom, medical assistance or adult supervision during that time, deputies said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man charged after allegedly admitting to having sexual relationship with juvenile in Doddridge County Deputies learned the child had been left there while Juan Benitez-Chacon, who was supposed to be care of the juvenile, was out of town with no known return date. Deputies noted the child did have assistance from neighbors throughout the day, but was not in sight or audible range for aid during the night, according to the complaint. Benitez-Chacon has been charged with child neglect creating risk of injury. He is being held in North Central 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 WBOY.com. SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) A man was arrested on a warrant following a threatening incident that happened in March, police said. Tylon M. Kelly, 34, of Hartford, was charged on Aug. 19 with breach of peace in the second degree and threatening in the first degree. Man dies after motorcycle crash in Bristol Police said Kelly allegedly made a threat over the phone to Orchard Hill Elementary School after he was told he could not go to the school to pick up a juvenile that he was not allowed to see due to an active protective order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly, who was already in custody on charges from other jurisdictions, was processed and presented at Manchester Superior Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. MIDVALE, Utah (ABC4) A 23-year-old man has been found guilty of the 2021 murder of Oscar Avila Jr. at a Midvale wedding, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office. A Third District Court jury found Guillermo William Herrera, 23, guilty of first-degree felony murder on Friday, Aug. 22, for the death of Oscar Avila Jr. On Nov. 6, 2021, Herrera and two others, Daniel Brando Garcia and Troy Latorio Kajiyama all associates of the Dogtown gang crashed a wedding celebration in Midvale. Friends and family in attendance confronted Herrera and the two others, asking them to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Herrera reportedly exited the building and was waiting outside as the two others also exited, shouting their gang name and arguing with partygoers, a press release from the DAs Office states. Once outside, one of Herreras associates flashed a pistol he had concealed in his waistband. Herrera also brandished a handgun, and the married couples son, Avila Jr., rushed him. Herrera was captured on video pistol-whipping Avila Jr. before Avila Jr. fell to the ground. Herrera then fired a single shot at Avila Jr.s chest before he and the others fled. Avila Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene. He was the oldest of four siblings and had five children of his own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oscar Avila Jr. (Courtesy of family) Weddings are meant to be a time of celebration for all those in attendance, and instead the defendant decided to turn this one into a tragedy. Our hearts go out to the family of Mr. Avila and hope that this conviction helps them start to heal from the devastation of his death. This office will aggressively pursue those that make our community less safe with gun violence, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. The cases against the co-defendants, Garcia and Kajiyama, are ongoing as they are still making their way through the criminal justice system. Herrera was also found guilty of second-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, second-degree felony obstructing justice, and third-degree felony aggravated assault. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No further information is available at this time. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A man is dead, and a woman suffered serious injuries after a crash in Ohio on Sunday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] State troopers from the Wilmington Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) responded at 11:50 a.m. to State Route 138 and Mad River Road in Highland County on reports of a crash, according to an OSHP spokesperson. Troopers identified the man who died as David Ayers, 97. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A medical helicopter flew Shirley Rhoades, 78, to Miami Valley Hospital with serious injuries. TRENDING STORIES: An initial investigation showed that the crash involved a 2021 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Ayers and a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Courtney Hunley, 43. State troopers say that Hunley failed to stop her SUV at a stop sign and got hit by Ayers vehicle. Both SUVs traveled off the road and came to a stop, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayers was pronounced dead at the scene. Tamara J. Ayers, 58, another passenger in the Traverse, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Hunley also had minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The crash remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) San Diego Police are searching for a suspect after a man was found with a gunshot wound to the leg Sunday evening. The San Diego Police Department reports officers responded around 6:55 p.m. to calls for shots fired on National Avenue near Chollas Creek in San Diego. Fiery crash on I-15 in Temecula kills 4, including teens When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken to the hospital with what police report are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police do not have a suspect in custody at this time. The shooting is under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. CHICAGO A man received 25 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty for the murder of 9-year-old Janari Ricks. Ricks was gunned down while playing outside with his friends in Cabrini Green on a Friday in August 2020. His mother, Jalisa Ford, told WGN News at the time that Ricks was inside all day until a friend asked him to play outside. He was in the house all day, he didnt come out til maybe after 5 when one of his friends knocked on the door to ask if he could come outside to play, Ford said. And I allowed him to come out to play with his friends. He never made it back to the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tears of joy: CPS honors slain 9-year-old with honorary diploma Darrell Johnson was arrested a few days after the shooting. Johnson opened fire on a small group of people and Ricks was not the intended target. He pleaded guilty Thursday and was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Ricks mother, Jalisa Ford, started the 1 Jar Foundation to reduce gun violence in and around Cabrini Green. She gives away backpacks and supplies every year before school starts in honor of Ricks. CPS gave Ford an honorary 8th grade diploma for her son in June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) One of the men hired by Solomon Pena to shoot up the homes of New Mexico democrats was released from custody last week. Jose Louise Trujillo took a plea deal, admitting that Pena paid him and his father, Demetrio Trujillo, to intimidate four elected officials. Suspected mastermind behind shootings at politicians homes heads to trial Pena was angry that he lost an election for state representative. Jose Trujillo was sentenced to three years in federal custody in May, but with time served, he was released on Aug. 20. His father Demetrio was sentenced to 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pena was recently sentenced to 80-years behind bars. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Authorities arrested a suspect after a man was reportedly shot near South Nashville Sunday night. According to Metro Nashville dispatch, the incident was called in shortly before 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24 from the 1200 block of Antioch Pike. Authorities reported a 22-year-old man was shot in the face and neck and was taken to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries. Man dead after shooting in Antioch; police investigating possible self-defense motive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect reportedly fled the scene, so K-9 units were dispatched to help search. Law enforcement said this was believed to be an isolated incident. James Lafayette Moore, 51, was arrested overnight in connection with this shooting incident, according to Metro police. Moore has been charged with attempted homicide, being a felon in possession of a firearm, weapon possession, felony reckless endangerment and evidence tampering. He remains jailed on a $1,105,000 bond. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Moore was paroled in 2024 after serving more than 30 years for first-degree murder out of Rutherford County. The incident marked the third shooting of the day in Nashville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 injured in shooting at apartment complex in South Nashville, police say The first shooting was reported just before 1:30 a.m. in the 2100 block of Century Farms Parkway in Antioch. Authorities said 22-year-old Jerrion Phillips was involved in a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend and a 23-year-old man at the apartment complex tried to intervene, but Phillips restrained the man, who fatally wounded Phillips. Since detectives are investigating a potential self-defense motive behind the shooting, no charges have been filed at this time. Then, just after 7 a.m., officers were called to an apartment complex in the 300 block of Natchez Court in South Nashville. Officials told News 2 a man and a woman were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Theres no word on the nature of their injuries. Police have not provided any indication these three incidents are related. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The Government of Thailand has granted Medco Energi Internasional (MedcoEnergi) subsidiaries, Medco Energi Thailand (Bualuang) and Medco Energi Thailand (E&P), an extension for the Bualuang oil field production period until 23 October 2035. This approval allows the subsidiaries to continue their operations and reinforces the company's focus on the region. MedcoEnergi director and CEO Roberto Lorato said: We are proud to receive this extension, which underscores our commitment to operational excellence and sustainable development in Thailand, while rewarding our investment proposition. This extension is a step forward for the company's long-term strategy to enhance production and maximise the value of the Bualuang asset through various investments and operational improvements. The company's development plan for Bualuang includes facility debottlenecking, workovers, development drilling, and near-field exploration. Medco Energi Thailand general manager Anastasia Mustika said: MedcoEnergi expresses its gratitude to the Government of Thailand, as well as to all stakeholders, including the Department of Mineral Fuels, local communities and contractors, for their support and collaboration in making this extension possible. This achievement reaffirms the Companys long-term commitment to responsible energy production. The extension of the Bualuang production period is in line with MedcoEnergi's goals to achieve sustainable growth and to maintain its status as a energy company in Southeast Asia. In June 2025, Medco Energi Internasional unveiled a deal to purchase a 24% interest in the Corridor Production Sharing Contract from Repsol E&P, a transaction valued at $425m (Rp6.88tn). The agreement aimed at improving Medco Energis portfolio, with completion expected in the third quarter of this year. "Medco Energi secures Bualuang oil field production period extension" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. JENSEN, Utah (ABC4) A man died after crashing into a John Deere backhoe in Uintah County. According to Utah Highway Patrol, the backhoe was being escorted by a pickup truck on eastbound SR-40 near mile post 154, by Ashley Creek Street. Both vehicles were attempting a lefthand turn when a Toyota Camry attempted to pass them, despite the area being a no-passing zone. The Camry struck the rear bucket of the backhoe, overturning the farm equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operater of the backhoe sustained minor injuries. The single male driver of the Camry was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. He was then life-flighted to Salt Lake City where he later died from his injuries. Utah Highway Patrol has yet to release the drivers identity. No additional injuries were reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Man killed during encounter with Washington County deputies WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)- Law enforcement in Washington County confirmed a man was killed during an encounter with deputies. The incident happened shortly before 1:00 a.m., on Monday, August 25, in the Evergreen subdivision of Bristol, Virginia. According to a press release issued by the Washington County Sheriffs Office, deputies were responding to an alarm call. Upon arrival, they came into contact with an armed man inside the residence. The armed man fired at deputies. The deputies returned fire, fatally striking the individual, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No deputies were injured. Deputies said the homeowners were not present at the time. 11-year-old Virginia girl dies after being hit by vehicle while riding bicycle The name of the man fatally shot was not released. The investigation is ongoing, with assistance from the Virginia State Police and Virginia Commonwealths Attorneys Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. NEED TO KNOW Wanda Taylor was slain in her California home last week Her husband Ernest Taylor returned home to find her body and her alleged killer still in the residence The man alleged to have killed her was "pacing" back and forth when Ernest walked in on him, the grieving husband told police A California man has been arrested after the victim's husband told police he was found "pacing" in the home of a woman he is alleged of killing. Authorities responding to a report of an assault in a National City, Calif. home last week found Wanda Taylor with "traumatic injuries" before she was pronounced dead, the National City Police Department said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police did not name the victim, but she was identified by her husband as 71-year-old Wanda Taylor, Times of San Diego, NBC 7 and ABC 10 reported. Wanda was found stabbed in a pool of blood by her husband Ernest Taylor in their home on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the three outlets reported. Ernest found her and her alleged killer in the home after he got back from a painting project, he told NBC 7. Authorities arrested Noel Trevino in connection with Wanda's killing, police said in their statement. Ernest, married to Wanda for 35 years, told NBC 7 that he found Wanda underneath a blanket, in a bloodied pool on the floor, after he came home on Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then saw the killer, alleged to be Trevino, in a frenzy, he told the outlet. He was right there. He was pacing up, he was like mumbling like crazy words," Ernest said. "Thats why I just left, and I saw my wife lying down underneath a blanket." He added that parts of his home were found in disarray. My whole upstairs is all disheveled and the kitchen. He took pictures off the wall house portraits of my wife and grandkids and put them in my recycle bin," Ernest told NBC 7. Wanda worked with the San Diego Unified School District, assisting with special education, per ABC 10. She also worked with young teen mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, when Trevino was scheduled to be arraigned, Ernest appeared in the courthouse with Wanda's friends and family members, the outlet reported. "She's loved from the East Coast to the West Coast," he said, later adding: "90 percent of the time, we would just do stuff together. We're theatre buffs, it was wonderful." 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. When officers arrived at the residence to respond to Ernest's 911 call, Trevino allegedly fled on foot before he was arrested, police said, adding that he allegedly attempted to flee again, but was unsuccessful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trevino was arrested on one count of homicide, police said. He is set to be arraigned Monday, Aug. 25, after his scheduled arraignment on Friday was postponed owing to his health concerns, per ABC 10. Attorney information for him was not immediately available. Read the original article on People (WKBN) A Dayton man pulled over by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and found to have over $8,000 worth of cocaine in his car was sentenced last week in Scioto County Common Pleas Court. Davion Black will serve 12 to 21 years in prison on charges of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, aggravated trafficking in drugs and having weapons under disability. Three cases against Balck were combined into one for his prosecution, stemming from an investigation that was launched following the traffic stop. Read next: Man charged with felonious assault after girlfriends car crashes on I-680 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black was arrested in November 2024 after he was pulled over on state Route 348 in Scioto County for a lane violation. Troopers said they saw drug residue and a gun inside the 2022 Chevy Malibu he was driving. When troopers searched the car, they found 90 grams of cocaine, worth about $8,100, and a gun that was reported stolen from Dayton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VIRGINIA BEACH A man was shot to death midday Sunday in the Bay Colony neighborhood at the home of a Virginia State Police special agent. Around 11:45 a.m., police say an unidentified 40-year-old man went to the agents front door and tried to break in, according to news release. The agent, who has also not been identified, then got into a physical confrontation with the man. During the fight, the agent shot the man with his service weapon, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to a local hospital but died of his injuries. The off-duty agent sustained moderate injuries during the altercation and was taken to the hospital for treatment, police said. The incident is under investigation by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Richmond Division, according to the news release. In accordance with department policy regarding police shootings, the agent has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. No other information was provided. CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (PIX11) A man was strangled and another was bitten in attacks inside Central Park early Monday morning, according to the NYPD. Police said an 18-year-old man was punched, kicked and strangled by a suspect near 62nd Street and West Drive around 1:30 a.m. Then, a 37-year-old man was thrown to the ground and bitten in his ear at 93rd Street and West Drive, according to authorities. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said both victims were taken to local hospitals. A person of interest believed to be involved in both attacks is in custody, according to authorities. 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. Mariam Dagga, a visual journalist who freelanced for The Associated Press and other news organizations and produced harrowing images of the war in Gaza, was killed Monday by an Israeli strike on a hospital. She was 33. Through photographs and video, Dagga captured the lives of ordinary Palestinians facing extraordinary challenges: families displaced from homes, people crowding around aid trucks, mourners attending funerals and doctors treating wounded or malnourished children. During the war, Dagga regularly based herself at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis. She was among 20 people, including five journalists, killed there Monday by Israeli strikes, according to health officials and news organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She worked under incredibly difficult circumstances to bring stories from Gaza to the world, particularly coverage of the wars impact on children," said Julie Pace, APs Executive Editor and Senior Vice President. "We are devastated by her death and urgently seeking more clarity on the strike. The Israel-Hamas war has been one of the deadliest conflicts for media workers, with at least 189 Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli fire in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Comparatively, 18 journalists have been killed so far in Russias war in Ukraine, according to the CPJ. In an April interview with Eye on Palestine a social media platform Dagga appealed to the international community to protect journalists in Gaza and to help end the war. In a video message Sunday, one of her last social media posts, she warned that nowhere in Gaza was safe. Every place is dangerous, is hit by airstrikes ... In every home there is a story. In every home there is a detainee. In every home there is suffering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born in Khan Younis, Dagga studied journalism and graduated from the Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. She began working as a journalist in 2015, and was among the few women visual journalists covering the war in Gaza. She is survived by a 13-year-old son who moved at the start of the war to the United Arab Emirates to live with his father. When she wasn't working, she was often on the phone with her son, who wanted to return to Khan Younis to be with her, she told colleagues. In her will, which Dagga had shared with a friend, she addressed her son directly: Never forget me and remember that your mother did everything she could to make you happy, comfortable, and at ease. At her funeral Monday, relatives and colleagues caressed her cheeks through tears. Her body lay shrouded in white, a single red flower placed gently beside her face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the war, she had given a kidney to her father, according to her sister, Nada Dagga. Displaced from home, she was forced to move multiple times during the war, but she never stopped working. She was always ready, said AP reporter Sarah El Deeb, who is based in Beirut. Dagga stayed close to Nasser hospital and was able to see through the cruelty of the war with the skills and patience to report on its cost to the people of Gaza, its doctors, children and mothers, she said. For her recent coverage of malnourished children in Gaza, Dagga won an internal AP award recognizing the strongest work produced each week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dagga's editor at the Independent Arabia media outlet, Adhwan Alahmari, said she was among the most ethical, dedicated reporters and photographers. He called the strike a flagrant violation of international laws.'' Wafaa Shurafa, APs senior producer in Gaza who worked with Dagga daily, said she never hesitated to help anyone. Dagga never complained despite the severe hardships she faced, was always quick with a laugh, and was deeply respected and loved by her colleagues, friends and family, Shurafa said. Shurafa said that she missed a call from Dagga after the first strike hit the hospital on Monday. When she called back, Dagga didn't answer. I was nervous at first because she didnt answer, I was super worried, I thought she was filming, but I never imagined she was killed," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She didnt answer, and she never will again. ___ This story has been corrected to reflect that at least 189 journalists have been killed in Gaza during the 22-month Israel-Hamas war. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo, Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Brian Melley in London contributed to this story. A Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter went up in flames on Friday in a ground mishap. The helicopter caught fire on Friday, Aug. 22 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. Footage of the blaze was posted to social media, including the Marine Corps subreddit, on Saturday. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed the incident on Sunday. At approximately 1:10 p.m. PDT Aug. 22, 2025, a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing experienced a ground mishap due to a fire onboard the aircraft at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, a spokesperson for the air wing said in a statement to Task & Purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire happened while people were inside the helicopter, with the air wing saying that all personnel safely evacuated the aircraft without injury. Emergency responders arrived and put out the flames. The Marine Corps is investigating the incident, 3rd Marine Air Wing said in its statement. Top Stories This Week News Pentagon fires heads of Navy Reserve, Naval Special Warfare Command By Nicholas Slayton News King of Malaysia cancels purchase of UH-60 Black Hawks, calling them flying coffins By Matt White News Demoted general sues Utah National Guard, governor over firing By Jeff Schogol The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, based out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing did not say what operation the helicopter and its crew were conducting at Twentynine Palms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage posted online shows the heavy lift helicopter on the ground, engulfed in flames. The short clip captured crews spraying water at the burning helicopter as flames continued to shoot up. The footage does not show how the fire started, or the crew evacuating the CH-53E. Marine Aircraft Group 16s squadrons operate MV-22 Ospreys and CH-53E helicopters. The latter first entered service in 1981. On Feb. 6, 2024, a CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16 crashed into the mountains on its way back to base at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, killing all five crew members onboard. They pull in six-figure salaries but dont think theyre rich. HENRYs, or High Earners, Not Rich Yet, are a surprisingly large class of Americans who pull in big bucks but still feel financially strapped. Don't miss Some have liabilities matching their assets. Even with annual incomes topping $200,000, theyre living paycheck to paycheck and battling credit card debt. Others are dedicated savers who only experience their wealth through a number in their bank account. Earning doesnt actually make you feel rich; spending it does, clinical psychologist Sabrina Romanoff shared with CNBC in July. If most people spent 99% of their paycheck, theyd feel quite rich. And its the paradox here. When were in accumulation mode, its very difficult to feel rich. Wealthy but financially unhealthy Over 25% of high-earning households pulling in between $200,000 and $300,000 per year are unhappy with their finances, according to research by Matt Killingsworth, a senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. Even people who are doing pretty well arent maybe as satisfied as we might imagine, Killingsworth told The Wall Street Journal. Marie Incontrera is a 39-year-old Manhattan-based entrepreneur whose income soared from $15,000 a year as a professional musician to an expected $300,000 to $400,000 from her digital marketing consulting business. Her company is projected to generate $1.4 million in 2025. I would have thought back then that the amount of money I have in the bank right now, I would be rich, right? ... And I dont feel that way, she told CNBC. I have more money anxiety, almost, now than I ever did in my 20s. Certainly, rising prices are making a six-figure salary less impressive than it used to be. But many HENRYs also experience lifestyle creep and funnel their money into things like daycare, organic food or a home in a nicer neighborhood. These can quickly feel like essentials and not luxuries, leaving high earners feeling like they dont have much more disposable income than before. Read more: Do you own rental properties in the US? These 6 hacks can help you boost your income and lower your tax burden How HENRYs can get a grip on their finances Whether theyre spending too much (or not spending enough) to feel rich, HENRYs should create a dedicated financial plan. That way they can stop spinning their wheels and start building true wealth and peace of mind. Authorities are investigating a fire on board a CH-53E Super Stallion that caused the crew to evacuate. The helicopter, assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, was conducting routine operations at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, on Friday, Aug. 22 when the fire broke out, resulting in a ground mishap, according to a statement provided to Marine Corps Times on Monday. The fire, captured briefly on video and shared on social media, shows the grounded helicopter engulfed in smoke and flames. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At approximately 1:10 p.m. PDT Aug. 22, 2025, a CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing experienced a ground mishap due to a fire onboard the aircraft during routine operations at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, a spokesperson told Marine Corps Times. The spokesperson for the air wing further noted that All personnel safely evacuated the aircraft without injury, with emergency responders able to extinguish the fire. The aircraft was based at Marine Corps Station Miramar and assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 16, according to the statement. Officials declined to release any further details, citing the ongoing investigation, noting that mishaps of this nature can take several months to complete. In the months before her death, Latricia Green went to court twice to get a personal protection order against her ex-husband, saying he repeatedly interfered with her job at Henry Ford Hospital, showing up without her permission and trying to grab her, calling her job and threatening colleagues and, most recently, breaking into her car at work. Police say Mario Green shot his 40-year-old ex-wife Latricia Green in the basement of the hospital on Friday, Aug. 22, an area the Free Press learned is a public space that doesn't require security badge access. It was about a month after a judge granted her the PPO against her ex-husband. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office charged him Monday, Aug. 25 with first-degree murder and several other charges including aggravated stalking. After a manhunt, police took Green, 53, into custody at 3 a.m. Aug 23. He was remanded to jail after his arraignment late Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second man, Anthony Lee-Lamont Barnett, 54, of Detroit, was charged in connection with the fatal shooting, accused of fleeing from the scene of the homicide, Worthy's office said. He was charged with being an Accessory After the Fact and Lying to a Police Officer. An attorney for both men could not immediately be reached for comment. Most people have had failed relationships of one kind or another," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a release. "The result has never been violence, but unfortunately deadly violence is the remedy for some individuals. We stand with the family, friends, and coworkers of Ms. Green and will work hard to make sure justice is done." Latricia Green wrote in her July 20 personal protection order (PPO) petition that she "constantly" had to look over her shoulder to make sure her ex-husband wasn't following her, like he'd done in the past. On July 1, Green said he broke into her car at the Detroit hospital where she worked for 20 years and cut up clothing and stole belongings. A month before that, she said he continued to call her work and threatened to meet her colleagues outside. On April 18, she said Mario Green showed up at her job and refused to leave. "I am asking for help before this goes too far, and things are too late," she wrote in her July 20 petition. Wayne County Judge Carla Testani granted the PPO a day later. WXYZ-TV first reported on the PPOs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wayne County Sheriff's Office has no record of Latricia Green contacting the sheriff's office to ask to serve the PPO, according to spokesperson Mara MacDonald. Family members of Latricia Green could not be reached as of Monday afternoon. Latricia Green had previously sought a PPO but Testani denied it June 16, noting that it failed to establish specific facts and the allegations didn't meet the burden of proof. In a June 13 petition, she asked the court to grant a PPO barring Mario Green from entering a property with the same address as Henry Ford Hospital, interfering with her at her workplace and following her. "Since I was denied, he has been able to break into my car and cut up my clothes, shoes and steal belongings from me," she wrote in her subsequent petition. She said she noticed him following her on July 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have tried being cordial because I feel that the system has now let me down each time that I have tried to make reports on this man. My father was murdered and now with this situation I am now in mental distress and scared not knowing what to do where I have PTSD of this whole situation," she wrote on July 20. A Wayne County Circuit Court spokesperson in a statement Aug. 25 said the court is aware of the public interest but said the court only speaks through written orders and does not comment on pending or active matters. Detroit Police Department Chief Todd Bettison said on Aug. 22 that Green reportedly got in an argument with his former spouse, who at some point pulled out a firearm, shooting her multiple times and killing her. Latricia Green was hired at Henry Ford Health in 2005, and most recently worked as a scheduler in the nursing department, said Dana Jay, a spokesperson for the Detroit-based hospital system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The basement level of the hospital, where Green was killed, is a public space that doesnt require security-badge access, Jay said. There are several clinics and other public-facing services on that level, she said. The health system issued the following statement on Aug. 25: "We are heartbroken by the loss of Latricia Green, our beloved Henry Ford Health team member for more than 20 years. At Henry Ford Health we are family, and we are hurting. We recognize that while this attack was targeted, a deep emotional impact is rippling across our workforce and our community. We continue to cooperate with the Detroit Police Department investigation," the statement reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the same time, our own internal investigation into how this violence made its way into our place of healing is underway. We are committed to scrutinizing our security measures and taking meaningful steps to enhance the safety and security of our facilities." Confidential counseling services are available for employees. We also acknowledge the difficult reality of domestic violence and encourage our team members to take advantage of internal resources and members of the community to utilize the national domestic violence hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE or texting START TO 88788," the statement went on to say. Latricia Green's fate is an unfortunate example of several systematic flaws in the way domestic violence cases are treated in Michigan, according to advocates like Johanna Kononen, the director of law and policy at the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ms. Green did everything we as a society ask of victims. She asked for help. She begged for help. She went to court, she said 'please help me. ... She did everything right, and she still paid the ultimate price, Kononen said. Despite the court agreeing with Green and issuing the PPO against her ex, that court order was never served to him. In most states, its a requirement that PPOs are served for victims at no cost but not in Michigan. The burden lies on the victim to facilitate service. We should not be one of only a handful of states that does not provide for free service of civil protection orders. That should be a priority of our legislature, Kononen said. Victims can ask the court to prohibit a perpetrator from purchasing a gun, but thats not also guaranteed and is yet another hurdle for victims, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even if there was PPO served, the reality is there is usually little or no enforcement of those personal protection orders by law enforcement, said Jeni Hooper, the interim executive director at First Step, an organization based in Wayne County that serves victims of domestic and sexual violence. Thats because it starts as a civil order, she said. It only becomes criminal until theres a violation, and that relies on the victim to report it, which is yet another barrier, she said. Hooper says the way the system functions places the burden on victims and with a lack of understanding of the dynamics of abuse. Both Hooper and Kononen pointed to a lack of resources and support for victims on the court level to help them navigate the system and make them aware of everything they can do to protect themselves. Some courts have court-appointed advocates, but more is needed, they both said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And theres a lack of intervention and accountability when it comes to the perpetrators, Hooper said. Nationally, over two thirds of intimate partner violence homicides are firearm related, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety. And 77% percent of victims are women. Data also shows much of domestic violence towards women in Michigan are firearm related. Domestic violence overall has increased since 2022, and Hooper said she sees more women who are being killed by their partners. Domestic violence is about power and control, Kononen said. Mario Green had previous criminal convictions. Green pleaded guilty to aggravated stalking in 2001, receiving more than five years probation on the felony charge, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. He completed probation after four years, according to the state. State records do not indicate who he stalked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green received a maximum of 7.5 years in prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to a felony arson charge and as someone previously convicted of a felony, according to state records. The Wayne County court system indicated he received a shorter sentence on this conviction. He served just over three years in prison, according to the department of corrections. He was paroled in January 2010 and discharged from parole in July 2012. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to one count of failure to pay child support. In 2022 he paid a fine and received three years probation, according to state and local records. He was discharged from probation in June. Staff writer Dave Boucher contributed to this report. Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at asahouri@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Man, 53, charged in fatal shooting of ex-wife at Henry Ford Hospital Brandy Melville one of the leading brands in the world of fast fashion has sued one of its rivals, the online platform Temu, for allegedly selling counterfeits and infringing on intellectual property. The July 21 filing continues a trend of fast-fashion titans clashing in the courts. What happened? In the federal lawsuit filed in New Jersey, Brandy Melville's corporate ownership claimed that Temu knowingly offered items on its website that imitated trademarked and copyright-protected designs, as TFL detailed. It shared cases of Temu allegedly using Brandy Melville's images to sell knockoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit also accused Temu of falsely representing itself as a neutral marketplace for vendors when it instead exerts control over what they sell. In the legal document, Brandy Melville characterized Temu as an "ultra fast fashion" seller with a focus on supplying products to customers "as quickly and cheaply as possible." It claimed that "Temu went to extraordinary measures to trade off Brandy Melville's goodwill with its customers" and that Temu sold lower-priced, lower-quality knockoffs. Fashion Dive reported that Brandy Melville sought a jury trial to award damages of at least $1 million. This lawsuit echoed a filing from June in which Brandy Melville accused Shein, another fast fashion rival, of similar infringements. In recent years, Shein has also sued Temu, and Temu has sued Shein. Why is fast fashion concerning? While fast fashion companies level accusations and lawsuits at one another, the model of selling fast, cheap, quickly discarded clothing has also arguably led to questionable business practices. Brandy Melville is itself the subject of a critical 2024 Max documentary and settled its own lawsuit in 2022 over alleged failures to pay employees properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, the fast fashion industry provides convenience and low prices, but its human and environmental costs are also well-documented. The UN Environment Programme and other sources have reported that the fashion industry as a whole produces between 2% and 8% of the carbon pollution that overheats the planet and intensifies extreme weather and other hazards. Even the Encyclopedia Britannica's explanation of "fast fashion" acknowledges this sector's heavy contribution to pollution, saying "fast fashion in particular, with its low prices and poor-quality items, encourages consumers to discard an item of clothing even if it has been worn only a few times." It also notes that "fast fashion tends to exploit the workers responsible for its production." Textile waste has been estimated at more than 100 million tons each year, according to Earth.org. Worldwide, a garbage truck's worth of clothes is burned or dumped in a landfill every second, per the Geneva Environment Network. What can I do about fast fashion? Some alternatives make it easier for consumers to save money and create less pollution by avoiding fast fashion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shopping secondhand for even part of your wardrobe can save you hundreds each year and can lead to fun, cheap discoveries while not requiring the impact of making new clothes. You can save money and impact by fixing up clothes that still have style and life in them. And when brands put in work to be eco-friendly or improve business practices, you can choose to reward their efforts. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) It has become a phenomenon that skyrocketed in popularity in the past year. The Japanese green tea drink matcha has been seen on more and more hands of San Francisco Bay Area cafegoers. Matchas recent boom has been likened to trends like having Labubu dolls dangling from ones purse. Like many things that go viral on social media, people tend to follow and hop on these trends themselves. However, the amount of people on the trend is outpacing the supply of the Japanese export. According to The Japan Times, the matcha shortage had been dated back as far as last fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, San Francisco cafes are being affected by the recent matcha shortage. Popular Japantown shop Maruwu Seicha confirms it is experiencing the effects of the matcha shortage. The cafe tells KRON4 its matcha supplier in Uji, Japan is feeling the pressure to meet increasing demand. Despite this, we remain committed to providing our customers with the highest grade of matcha and will not compromise on quality, Maruwu Seicha said. The good news for customers is Maruwu Seicha has not announced a price increase due to this shortage. Unfortunately, thats not the case for everyone. ChaTo in Japantown has its all of its matcha suppliers in Kyoto, Shizuoka, and Fukuoka affected by this shortage, the business said. The Japanese tea shop retailer said all the matcha it gets will sell out very quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supply shortage will lead to ChaTo having to increase its prices. Supply is limited, and the process of harvesting is time and labor-intensive. Due to this ongoing strain on resources, prices are inevitably starting to increase, ChaTo wrote in an email to KRON4. We are unwavering in our commitment to offer the fairest prices possible. In this March 4, 2015, photo, Teavana barista Riaunna Durham prepares matcha tea at the new Teavana Fine Teas + Tea Bar in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Andytown Coffee Roasters, a San Francisco-founded chain with eight cafes in the city, is also being hit by the matcha shortage saying yes, the matcha shortage is very real! According to Andytown CEO Lauren Crabbe, the companys matcha cost recently went up 60%. Crabbe attributes the increased cost mostly due to the shortage but says the President Trump tariffs on Japan certainly will not be helping. Crabbe added that Andytowns matcha cost could increase as high as 73% by the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inevitably, these increases will be passed to the consumer, though we try our best to not raise our prices until absolutely necessary, Crabbe said. However, there is good news for Bay Area matcha lovers. Not all cafes have the same matcha supplier in Japan, which means not all cafes serving the vibrant green drink are affected by the ongoing shortage. Uji Time Dessert in Japantown said it has not been significantly affected by the reported matcha shortage or tariffs. The business said it is tracking the latest updates with its reliable supplier of matcha and is prepared to make the necessary changes. At this time, our business hasnt been significantly affected by the reported matcha shortage or tariffs, Uji Time Dessert CEO Sharon Ku tells KRON4. Weve been fortunate to have reliable supplier relationships that have allowed us to keep our pricing and supply stable for our customers. Of course, were monitoring the situation and are prepared to make adjustments if necessary, but for now, our operations remain steady. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fake Labubu dolls prompt choking warning The new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration wont help keep prices down costing Japanese businesses more money to export matcha to the U.S. Businesses like Andytown may be forced into a position to raise prices in the already expensive San Francisco. As of Aug. 1, a 15% tax has been imposed on imported goods from Japan lower than the previously proposed tariff of 25%. Maruwu Seicha said it preferred not to comment on the tariff situation but tells KRON4 it is closely monitoring the supply situation. Production of tencha, the kind of tea used for matcha, nearly tripled from 1,452 tons in 2008, to 4,176 tons in 2023, according to Japanese government data. Japans tea exports have more than doubled in the last 10 years about a third of those going to the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large amount of that growth is because of matcha. New matcha spot opens near UC Berkeleys campus amid global shortage of popular Japanese tea plant Matcha soft serve from Maruwu Seicha inside the Japantown mall in San Francisco. What is matcha and is it really a healthier caffeine alternative? Matcha is a type of Japanese green tea but is processed differently than the typical tea bag you simmer in a cup of hot water. It stands out from regular tea drinks as its vibrant green color pops out on your screen when scrolling through one of many social media posts showing off the drink. Social media trends and matchas reputation as a healthier caffeine alternative to coffee have played a part in the growing demand of the drink, experts say. However, is matcha actually healthier than coffee? Lets start with the reason why most consume either of these drinks: caffeine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Harvard study, the typical 8-ounce cup of coffee has between 100 mg and 120 mg of caffeine. That number for matcha is between 38 milligrams and 89 milligrams. For reference, the study found that green tea typically has between 23 milligrams and 49 milligrams of caffeine. Matcha also has nutrients that may have positive effects on our health, according to the Harvard study. Matcha contains an abundance of antioxidants (including polyphenols such as catechins) and phytochemicals (such as chlorophyll and quercetin). The Harvard study also found that polyphenols help reduce inflammation, and the amino acid L-theanine in matcha is linked to improved concentration and alertness. Thats not to say coffee does not have its share of health benefits. According to a separate Harvard study, coffee is also rich in antioxidants like polyphenols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coffee drinking is associated with a host of health benefits, including less heart disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, depression, and cognitive decline, the Harvard study states. Regular coffee consumption is also linked to longer life. Cafe serving viral matcha spaghetti opening Serramonte location We dont want this to end up just a fad, but instead make matcha a standard as a flavor and Japanese global brand, said Tomoyuki Kawai, who works at the tea section of the agricultural ministry. The Associated Press contributed to this report. KRON4 reached out to six other establishments that sell matcha drinks in San Franciscos Japantown. We did not hear back from those cafes in time for this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. CHICAGO Chicago's mayor is defying President Donald Trump's threat to deploy the National Guard to the Windy City to combat crime and scoping out legal avenues to prevent soldiers from overtaking the city. On Friday, Trump talked about his controversial deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., and said Chicago and New York City would be next. He has described the deployment in the nation's capital as a bid to clean up crime, but critics dismiss the move as little more than political overreach. The guard is not needed, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson told NBC News. This is not the role of our military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve our country did not sign up to occupy American cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson also noted the city's decline in murders, shootings and car thefts. Chicago police crime data from earlier this month show murders are down 31% from the same time last year, shootings have dropped by 36% and vehicle thefts are down 26%. The things that were doing in Chicago by investing in people, youth employment, mental health care, services, building more affordable homes, making sure that our detectives bureau has all the resources that it needs ... thats why were seeing the results that we are experiencing right now, he said. Occupying our cities with the military thats not how we build safe and affordable communities, he added. Johnson on Sunday further questioned why Trump slashed federal investments in violence prevention and reduced the budget for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid if he wanted to drive down violence in big cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Guard is not going to put food on peoples table. The National Guard is not going to reduce unemployment, Johnson said. The mayor's office said in a statement Saturday that it was working with Illinois' governor and Cook County, which is home to Chicago, in evaluating all of our legal options to protect the people of Chicago from unconstitutional federal overreach. Edwin Yohnka, director of communications and public policy for the Illinois branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, said Trump will face legal challenge if the guard is deployed in Chicago without a valid reason. "Theres a higher barrier for the president to send National Guard into Chicago [than into D.C.], because there has to be a reason or he has to have the agreement of the governor of the state of Illinois. And clearly, from what we see, hes not going to have that. Hes going to have to articulate a reason for doing it. I think that reason will be challenged by the state of Illinois," Yohnka said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the ACLU of Illinois will also be on the lookout for how troops, if deployed, behave on the streets and challenge any arrests, detention sweeps or use of excessive force. Speaking Friday at the Oval Office, Trump said he hadnt made any concrete plans with regard to Chicago and hadn't spoken to Johnson about any troop deployment. He claimed, however, that people in the city "are screaming for us to come. When were ready, and well go in and well straighten out Chicago, just like we did D.C. Chicago is very dangerous, he said. On Saturday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker accused Trump on X of attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chair of the Chicago City Councils Public Safety Committee spoke to NBC Chicago about the need to reduce crime in the city but said Trump's National Guard threats are misguided. We still see an unacceptably high number of robberies, carjackings, burglaries, break-ins. We have work to do, but we need help that makes sense," Alderman Brian Hopkins said. "The federal National Guard isnt going to make a difference in carjacking in Chicago. If he really wanted to help, were short 2,000 police officers. Unfortunately, that is not what Trump is talking about. Trump has also threatened to deploy the guard to Baltimore and has attacked Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on social media. Moore said in a statement that Trump would rather attack his countrys largest cities from behind a desk than walk the streets with the people he represents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has been using the National Guard in unconventional ways compared to past presidents. Typically, the guard is called upon for crises, including natural disasters and civil unrest. In June, Trump deployed thousands of guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles amid protests against immigration raids, against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The current D.C. deployment has raised eyebrows, as well. While it is touted as being a stand against crime, the numbers show violent crime in the nations capital was down 26% compared with last year, according to D.C. police data. Shaquille Brewster and Selina Guevara reported from Chicago and Marlene Lenthang from Los Angeles. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com CHICAGO (WGN) President Donald Trump has signed off on an executive order for additional National Guard units, which means troops could be headed to Chicago. President Trump has called Chicago a mess, referring to crime statistics in the city. The executive order means troops will be trained and resourced for rapid response nationwide. Chicago is a disaster and the governor of Illinois should say, president would you do us the honor of cleaning up our city? We need help. They need help, they need help. We may wait, we may or may not. We may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do. The problem is, its not nice when you go in and do it and when someone else is standing there saying, as we give great results, saying we dont want the military. They need help badly. Chicago needs help. Just look at the crime statistics look at the statistics that JD said, even I didnt know it was that bad. Its terrible, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mayor Brandon Johnson took a strong stance against any proposed military occupation of Chicago on Sunday after President Donald Trump hinted at sending the National Guard to the Windy City as part of a crackdown on crime across the country. Johnson says he, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Cook County Board President are all in alignment, saying no one is asking for a military operation to be conducted in Chicago. During an Oval Office press conference on Friday, Trump spoke about his recent attempt to crack down on crime in Washington DC by deploying National Guard troops to the nations capital. He eventually signaled his willingness to deploy troops to Chicago next. The National Guard has done such an incredible job working with the police, and we havent had to bring in the regular military, which were willing to do if we have to and after we do this, well go to another location, were going to make our country very safe, make our cities very, very safe, Trump said. I think Chicago will be our next. And then well help with New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson says legal operations are currently being evaluated to protect Chicagoans from what he says is overreach by the federal government. First, we should establish this is not the role of the military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve the country didnt sign up to occupy American cities, Johnson said. A report from the Washington Post says the Pentagon has been planning a military deployment to Chicago for weeks, and thousands of National Guard members could be in the city as soon as September. Chicago is a mess, you have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent and we will straighten that one out next. That will be our next one after this, and it wont even be tough. And the people in Chicago, Mr. Vice President, are screaming for us to come. They are wearing Red hats, just like this one, but they are wearing red hats, Trump said. African American ladies, beautiful ladies, are saying, Please, Mr. Trump, come to Chicago, please. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois leaders push back as President Trump hints at sending National Guard to Chicago for crime crackdown Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton fired back at Trump in a social media post, saying, If Trump wants to take his ego trip on tour, he picked the wrong city. Chicago doesnt bow down to kings or roll out the red carpet for dictators. As a Black woman from the South Side, I can assure you, your political circus isnt welcome here. Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, in a post on X entitled Things People are Begging For, included cheaper groceries, no cuts to Medicaid or food aid for low-income families, and the release of federally held files on Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex trafficker and former Trump friend. Trumps takeover of Washington law enforcement begins as National Guard troops arrive Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What they are not begging for, Pritzker continued, is an authoritarian power grab of major cities. Despite claims of outrageous crime, Chicago saw a significant decline in violent crime during the first half of the year. We have seen over a 32% decrease in homicides, shootings are down almost 40%, shooting victims are down almost 40%, robberies are down, vehicle car hijackings are down, Johnson said. Were moving in the right direction for a safe and affordable big city. He says if Trump really wants to help Chicago, his agenda should be restoring funding for things like Medicaid, SNAP benefits, housing and education, adding hell do everything in his power to fight what he calls a threat to democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Guard troops on DC streets for Trumps crackdown will start carrying guns Thats not Chicago, thats not America. We wont bend, we wont cower, we wont break under this authoritarian rule, Johnson said. This is costly, illegal and unconstitutional. Ill use every tool to keep the city safe. Trump responded to Johnson Monday morning on Truth Social, saying: The incompetent Mayor of Chicago just stated that, in DC, where crime has been brought down to almost nothing, there have been no murders in 9 days, something which hasnt happened in years, and people are safe again, only nine people have been arrested. That is wrong, hundreds of criminals have been held, captured, and arrested, and their guns have been taken away. DC IS SAFE AND BOOMING!!! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As a measles outbreak exploded in Texas in February, local health officials struggled to reach CDC scientists who were grappling with changes under the new Trump administration, according to interviews and emails obtained by KFF Health News. The first three clips above are excerpts of emails from Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas. The bottom clip is from Scott Milton, at the Texas Department of State Health Services. (KFF Health News illustration; 500Px Plus; photo of Lubbock, Texas, from Getty Images) As measles surged in Texas early this year, the Trump administrations actions sowed fear and confusion among CDC scientists that kept them from performing the agencys most critical function emergency response when it mattered most, an investigation from KFF Health News shows. The outbreak soon became the worst the United States has endured in over three decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the month after Donald Trump took office, his administration interfered with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention communications, stalled the agencys reports, censored its data, and abruptly laid off staff. In the chaos, CDC experts felt restrained from talking openly with local public health workers, according to interviews with seven CDC officials with direct knowledge of events, as well as local health department emails obtained by KFF Health News through public records requests. CDC hasnt reached out to us locally, Katherine Wells, the public health director in Lubbock, Texas, wrote in a Feb. 5 email exchange with a colleague two weeks after children with measles were hospitalized in Lubbock. My staff feels like we are out here all alone, she added. A child would die before CDC scientists contacted Wells. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of us at CDC train for this moment, a massive outbreak, one CDC researcher told KFF Health News, which agreed not to name CDC officials who fear retaliation for speaking with the press. All this training and then we werent allowed to do anything. Delays have catastrophic consequences when measles spreads in undervaccinated communities, like many in West Texas. If a person with measles is in the same room with 10 unvaccinated people, nine will be infected, researchers estimate. If those nine go about their lives in public spaces, numbers multiply exponentially. The outbreak that unfolded in West Texas illustrates the danger the country faces under the Trump administration as vaccination rates drop, misinformation flourishes, public health budgets are cut, and science agencies are subject to political manipulation. While the Trump administration stifled CDC communications, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fueled doubt in vaccines and exaggerated the ability of vitamins to ward off disease. Suffering followed: The Texas outbreak spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Mexicos Chihuahua state at minimum. Together these linked outbreaks have sickened more than 4,500 people, killed at least 16, and levied exorbitant costs on hospitals, health departments, and those paying medical bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is absolutely outrageous, said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University. When youre battling contagious diseases, time is everything. The CDC Is Stressed Currently Wells was anxious the moment she learned that two unvaccinated children hospitalized in late January had the measles. Hospitals are legally required to report measles cases to health departments and the CDC, but Wells worried many children werent getting tested. I think this may be very large, she wrote in a Feb. 3 email to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Wells relayed in another email what shed learned from conversations around town: According to one of the women I spoke with 55 children were absent from one school on 1/24. The women reported that there were sick children with measles symptoms as early as November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that email and others, Wells asked state health officials to put her in touch with CDC experts who could answer complicated questions on testing, how to care for infants exposed to measles, and more. What transpired was a plodding game of telephone. One email asked whether clinics could decontaminate rooms where people with measles had just been if the clinics were too small to follow the CDCs recommendation to keep those rooms empty for two hours. Would it be possible to arrange a consultation with the CDC? Wells wrote on Feb. 5. It never hurts to ask the CDC, said Scott Milton, a medical officer at the Texas health department. About 25 minutes later, he told Wells that an information specialist at the CDC had echoed the guidelines advising two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked him to escalate this question to someone more qualified, Milton wrote. Of course, we know the CDC is stressed currently. A Feb. 5 email from Texas health official Scott Milton, obtained through a public records request. He wanted to reach scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who could answer urgent questions about measles from front-line workers in West Texas. Emails have been redacted to protect the privacy of individuals and facilities.(Screenshot by KFF Health News) Local officials resorted to advice from doctors and researchers outside the government, including those at the Immunization Partnership, a Texas nonprofit. The CDC had gone dark, said Terri Burke, executive director of the partnership. We had anticipated a measles outbreak, but we didnt expect the federal government to be in collapse when it hit. Technically, the Trump administrations freeze on federal communications had ended Feb. 1. However, CDC scientists told KFF Health News that they could not speak freely for weeks after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a lot of confusion and nonanswers over what communications were allowed, one CDC scientist said. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said the situation was not unique to measles. Like most public health organizations, we werent able to get ahold of our program people in February, he said. Information trickled out through the CDCs communications office, but CDC scientists gave no press briefings and went dark on their closest partners across the country. The CDC was gagged, he said. Through private conversations, Benjamin learned that CDC experts were being diverted to remove information from websites to comply with executive orders. And they were afraid to resume communication without a green light from their directors or the Department of Health and Human Services as they watched the Trump administration lay off CDC staffers in droves. Its not that the CDC was delinquent, Benjamin said. Its that they had their hands tied behind their backs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To work on the ground, the CDC needs an invitation from the state. But Anne Schuchat, a former CDC deputy director, said that during her 33 years with the agency, federal health officials didnt need special permission to talk freely with local health departments during outbreaks. We would always offer a conversation and ask if theres anything we could do, she said. Lara Anton, a press officer at the Texas health department, said the state never prevented the CDC from calling county officials. To learn more about the states correspondences with the CDC, KFF Health News filed a public records request to the Texas health department. The department refused to release the records. Anton called the records confidential under the Texas Health and Safety Code. Anton said the state sent vaccines, testing supplies, and staff to assist West Texas in the early weeks of February. Thats corroborated in emails from the South Plains Public Health District, which oversees Gaines County, the area hit hardest by measles. Texas will try to handle what it needs to before it goes to the CDC, Zach Holbrooks, the health districts executive director, told KFF Health News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Responding to an outbreak in an undervaccinated community, however, requires enormous effort. To keep numbers from exploding, public health workers ideally would notify all people exposed to an infected person and ask them to get vaccinated immediately if they werent already. If they declined, officials would try to persuade them to avoid public spaces for three weeks so that they wouldnt spread measles to others. Holbrooks said this was nearly impossible. Cases were concentrated in close-knit Mennonite communities where people relied on home remedies before seeking medical care. He said many people didnt want to be tested, didnt want to name their contacts, and didnt want to talk with the health department. It doesnt matter what resources I have if people wont avail themselves of it, Holbrooks said. Historically, Mennonites faced persecution in other countries, making them leery of interacting with authorities, Holbrooks said. A backlash against covid restrictions deepened that mistrust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reason Mennonites may seek to avoid authorities is that some live in the U.S. illegally, having immigrated to Texas from Canada, Mexico, and Bolivia in waves over the past 50 years. Locals guess the population of Seminole, the main city in Gaines County, is far larger than the U.S. Census count. I have no idea how many cases we might have missed, since I dont know how many people are in the community, Holbrooks said. Theres a lot of people in the shadows out here. Public health experts say the situation in Gaines sounds tough but familiar. Measles tends to take hold in undervaccinated communities, and therefore public health workers must overcome mistrust, misinformation, language barriers, and more. A Feb. 3 email from Katherine Wells to a Texas state health official, Imelda Garcia, warning of a far larger measles outbreak than case numbers suggested. KFF Health News obtained emails through Freedom of Information Act requests to local health departments. The emails have been redacted to protect the privacy of individuals and facilities. (Screenshot by KFF Health News) About 450 people including local health officials, CDC scientists, nurses, and volunteers helped control a measles outbreak sparked in an Eastern European immigrant community in Clark County, Washington, in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alan Melnick, Clark Countys public health director, said his team spoke with hundreds of unvaccinated people who were exposed. We were calling them basically every day to see how they were doing and ask them not to go out in public, he said. Melnick spoke with CDC scientists from the start, and the intensity of the response was buoyed by emergency declarations by the county and the state. Within a couple of months, the outbreak was largely contained. No one died, and only two people were hospitalized. In New York, hundreds of people in the citys health department responded to a larger measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019 concentrated among Orthodox Jewish communities. The work included meeting with dozens of rabbis and distributing booklets to nearly 30,000 households to combat vaccine misinformation. The effort cost more than $7 million, but Jane Zucker, New York Citys assistant health commissioner at the time, said it yielded immense savings. The average medical bill for measles hospitalizations is roughly $18,500, according to data from prior outbreaks. Then theres the cost of diverting hospital resources, of children missing school, of parents staying home from work to care for sick kids, and the lasting toll of some measles infections, including deafness or worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think theres a price tag to put on a childs death that would otherwise be prevented, Zucker said. Local health departments in West Texas were understaffed from the start. About 18 people work at the South Plains health department, which oversees four vast rural counties. About 50 staff the department in Lubbock, where patients were hospitalized and health workers struggled to figure out who was exposed. In mid-February, Wells emailed a colleague: Im so overwhelmed. A death ignites a response On Feb. 26, Texas announced that a 6-year-old child had died of measles. Wells heard from CDC scientists for the first time the following day. Also that day, the CDC issued a brief notice on the outbreak. The notice recommended vaccines, but it worried public health specialists because it also promoted vitamin A as a treatment under medical supervision. In emails, Texas health officials privately discussed how the CDCs notice might exacerbate a problem: Doctors were treating children with measles for toxic levels of vitamin A, suggesting that parents were delaying medical care and administering the supplements at home. A local Lubbock news outlet reported on a large drugstore where vitamin A supplements and cod liver oil, which contains high levels of vitamin A, were flying off the shelf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too much vitamin A can cause liver damage, blindness, and dire abnormalities during fetal development. A March 9 email from Katherine Wells announcing the arrival of CDC scientists in Lubbock, Texas, some six weeks after the first cases were detected. Emails obtained by KFF Health News have been redacted to protect the privacy of individuals and facilities.(Screenshot by Kff Health News) Milton worried that parents were listening to misinformation from anti-vaccine groups including one founded by Kennedy that diminished the need for vaccination by inaccurately claiming that vitamin A staved off the diseases worst outcomes. How many people will choose Vitamin A and not a vaccine because it appears to them there are two options? Milton asked in an email. Scientists at the CDC privately fretted, too. HHS pressed us to insert vitamin A into all of our communications with clinicians and health officials, one CDC scientist told KFF Health News, referring to the agencys notices and alerts. If pregnant women took too much vitamin A during the outbreak, their babies could be profoundly disabled. We havent seen those babies born yet. Another CDC official said theyve had to walk a fine line between protecting the public based on scientific evidence and aligning with HHS. While CDC scientists held their tongues, Kennedy exaggerated the power of nutrition and vitamin A while furthering mistrust in vaccines. Were providing vitamin A, Kennedy said in an interview on Fox News. There are many studies, some showing 87% effectiveness, he claimed, against serious disease and death. The studies Kennedy referenced were conducted in low-income countries where children are malnourished. Evidence suggests that vitamin A supplementation is seldom useful against measles in the United States, because deficiency is exceedingly rare. Kennedy deflected criticism from those who call him anti-vaccine, saying that any parent in Texas who wants a measles vaccine can get one. He followed this with dangerously inaccurate statements. There are adverse events from the vaccine. It does cause deaths every year, he said. It causes all the illnesses that measles itself causes, encephalitis and blindness, et cetera. There is no evidence that measles vaccines cause deaths every year. Scores of studies show that the vaccine doesnt cause encephalitis, that most potential side effects resolve quickly on their own, and serious adverse reactions are far rarer than measles complications. In another interview, Kennedy said, The MMR vaccine contains a lot of aborted fetus debris. The measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccine does not contain an iota of fetal cells. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon and spokespeople at the CDC did not respond to queries from KFF Health News. Staff are exhausted Despite national attention after the countrys first measles death in a decade, West Texas was overwhelmed. In late February and March, hospital administrators and health officials exchanged emails about how to lobby for resources. Local hospitals are at capacity, wrote Jeffrey Hill, a senior vice president at the University Medical Center Health System in Lubbock. The state reports emergency funds that typically cover a response like the measles outbreak are not available from the federal government right now, he added. I am writing to express our urgent need for additional staff and funding, Ronald Cook, medical director for Lubbock, said in an email, drafted with other Lubbock health authorities, to the deputy city manager. Our Capacity is Stretched Thin: The health department has been operating seven days a week since February 2nd. Staff are exhausted. The city of Lubbock fronted money to help the local health department hire temporary staff. The state did not provide money, but it asked the CDC to send epidemiologists. Some came to Texas in early March. Then Texas requested federal funds. None arrived, even as the outbreak approached 500 cases. It spread to Mexico when an unvaccinated Mennonite child returned home after visiting family in Seminole. This would fuel the largest outbreak Mexico has seen in decades, with at least 3,700 cases and 13 deaths in the state of Chihuahua. Then another child in West Texas died of measles. In a rare moment of openness, CDC scientist David Sugarman mentioned the outbreak at a vaccine advisory meeting in late April. There are quite a number of resource requests coming in, in particular from Texas, Sugarman said. We are scraping to find the resources and personnel needed to provide support to Texas and other jurisdictions. Federal funds arrived in Texas on May 21, said Anton, the state health department spokesperson. By then, the crisis was fading. The outbreak seemed to have burned until every unvaccinated person in Seminole was infected, said Richard Eby, a doctor at Permian Regional Medical Center who treated some measles patients. Hundreds, if not thousands, of cases have probably gone undetected, he said. A lot of people presumed their kids had measles, he said, and didnt see the need to confirm it. On Aug. 18, health officials declared the West Texas outbreak over, but the consequences of the catastrophe will be lasting. The outbreaks it sparked across the U.S. and Mexico are still spreading. More are inevitable, Nuzzo said. A growing number of parents are deciding not to vaccinate their kids, worried over unfounded rumors about the shots. Misinformation is flourishing, especially after Kennedy fired vaccine experts who advise the CDC and replaced them with doctors and researchers on the fringes of the scientific establishment. For example, one of his recent appointees, Robert Malone, blamed the deaths of children with measles on medical mismanagement, without evidence. At the same time, states are downsizing programs for emergency response, disease surveillance, and immunization after the Trump administration clawed back more than $11 billion in public health funds earlier this year. Amid Lubbocks toughest months, Wells sent an email to the departments exhausted staff. The future is uncertain, and I know this is an unsettling time for many of us, she wrote. Every day we show up and do our jobs is an act of resilience. Let us know what you think... This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF and subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. Behind a 6-foot high chain link fence at the Deptford Walmart Supercenter, hidden by overgrown foliage, lies an overlooked memorial to the first aerial flight in the United States. Deptford township was the landing place for the first air voyage in North America around 230 years ago. French inventor Jean Pierre Blanchard ascended in his air balloon from Philadelphia while crowds watched below, including some of the nations founders. He drifted eastward for 46 minutes before descending onto an open field in what is now Deptford. While Blanchards flight launched Deptford into aviation history, the landing site has another significant historical landmark. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) is among the 13 Best Magnesium Stocks to Invest in Now. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) has decided to sell Mosaic Potassio Mineracao Ltda, which operates the Taquari-Vassouras potash mine in Sergipe, Brazil, to VL Mineracao Ltda. The arrangement includes up to $27 million in cash payments, $12 million at closure, $10 million one year subsequently, and $5 million over six years, as well as the transfer of $22 million in asset retirement obligations. The deal is anticipated to close by the end of 2025, subject to clearance by Brazils CADE. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) will lose between $50 and $70 million in books. Mosaic Announces Agreement to Sell Brazilian Potash Mining Operations to VL Mineracao Photo by Dominik Vanyi on Unsplash The firm calculated that more than $25 million in new funding will be needed to maintain Taquari operations, which it intends to reallocate to possibilities with higher returns. According to CEO Bruce Bodine, The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS)s strategy of concentrating on core industry segments with stronger competitive advantages falls in line with the transaction. Daniel Moreira, CEO of VL Holding, said the acquisition will strengthen Brazils domestic potash supply for agriculture, guarantee ongoing investment, and maintain jobs. It is one of the Best Magnesium Stocks. While we acknowledge the potential of MOS 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: 10 High-Growth EV Stocks to Invest In and 13 Best Car Stocks to Buy in 2025. Disclosure. None. When Carl Enis was growing up in Coral Gables, he impressed his family and friends with twin passions a love of all things outdoors and a love for country. When his life was tragically cut short in 2018, hundreds of friends and relatives gathered for a memorial service in Tallahassee as a testimony to Enis remarkable achievements in pursuing those childhood passions. Enis, who moved to Tallahassee in 2004 to enroll at Florida State, was killed, along with six of his fellow airmen, while serving as a specialist in parachute rescue for the U.S. Air Force supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. On a routine mission on March 15, 2018, the teams Pave Hawk helicopter crashed near the town of Qaim. Air Force Staff Sgt. Carl Enis was killed in 2018, along with six of his fellow airmen, while serving as a specialist in parachute rescue for the U.S. Air Force supporting combat operations in Anbar Province, Iraq. Enis, who had distinguished himself in multiple aspects of air rescue operations and had attained the rank of staff sergeant, was 31. His name appears on a monument beside his grave at Arlington National Cemetery. And now, another monument just built off the shores of Dog Island in Franklin County will serve to commemorate Enis life in perpetuity. Adding to Carl Enis Memorial Reef On Aug. 13, the Tallahassee-based Organization for Artificial Reefs orchestrated a deployment of seven custom-made, multi-ton, pyramid-shaped concrete units to a designated site in 68 feet of water. Begun in 2023 as the Carl Enis Memorial Reef, the new additions nearly doubles the size of the project located roughly 18 miles southeast of Dog Islands easternmost shore. On Aug. 13, 2025, the Tallahassee-based Organization for Artificial Reefs orchestrated a deployment of seven custom-made units. Begun in 2023 as the Carl Enis Memorial Reef, the new additions nearly doubles the size of the project located near Dog Island. Alan Richardson, head of OARs board of directors, said the project was staged out of Orange Beach, Alabama, home to marine contractor Walter Marine. The company has for years been recognized as the largest reef-building operation in the country with reportedly more than 70,000 reef projects already under its belt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Enis reef features seven so-called super reefs which stand 15 feet tall and weigh upwards of 30,000 pounds each. Walter Marines technology employs a GPS-guided crane system that is capable of lowering units into precise positions on the seafloor, Richardson said. Weve enjoyed many years working with Walter Marine, Richardson said. These people are reef-building pros without peer. The marine tribute to Enis was inspired by his passion for saltwater fishing and particularly his skill as a spearfishing enthusiast and SCUBA diver. The multi-talented Enis held two degrees from FSU the most recent being a masters in business administration earned in 2017 and served as an Air Force Reserve airman and pararescueman with the 308the Rescue Squadron based at Patrick Air Force Base. While in Tallahassee, he also worked as a commercial real estate salesman for TLG Realty Services. Another Tallahassee residents life also was celebrated the same day with a brand-new reef created in his name just a quarter mile from the Enis reef. New site for Bill Mickler This new site, in 73 feet, commemorates William Bill Mickler (1947-2024), a longstanding and dedicated volunteer for OAR projects. Mickler, also an FSU alum, was a retired officer with the Florida Department of Transportation and a serious saltwater angler and conservationist who spent many years serving in various volunteer capacities with OAR and the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Richardson said. A new reef site was created in memory of Bill Mickler, a longstanding and dedicated volunteer for OAR projects and saltwater angler who died in 2024. I cant think of a more apt tribute to Bills marine advocacy for anglers through CCA and OAR than the creation of a massive artificial reef in his memory. Bill would have been very proud of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The long day of work by Walter Marine and its crew included a major expansion of the Buddy Ward Memorial Reef off Apalachicola. Located roughly nine miles south of the Bob Sikes Cut on St. George Island, the Ward reef lies in 40 feet of water. A total of 33 units weighing between three and eight tons each created the new Bill Mickler Memorial Reef off Dog Island Aug. 12, 2025. Olan Buddy Ward (1953-2006) was a major figure in Apalachicolas seafood industry for decades and was considered the patriarch of the areas shrimping industry by friends and associates, said Capt. Grayson Shepard of Apalachicola.Shepard, who heads the Apalachicola Artificial Reef Association (AARA), oversaw the permitting and the construction of the Ward reef. He said that 33 eight-foot-tall, 6,000-pound reef units were added to the site, making this one of most impressive memorial reefs off the countys coast. OAR and AARA, both nonprofit entities who rely exclusively on volunteer help, teamed up to obtain all the permitting and fundraising required for the project. All told, Richardson said this latest mission cost $202,000 and included funding from the Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission, CCA, OAR, AARA and a variety of private sources including friends and families of those being memorialized. Tax money raised through the sale of fishing licenses and equipment make up the bulk of state funding for public artificial reef construction in Florida. We have now created at least 31 reefs that permanently memorialize individuals whose lives were enriched by their association with our coastal waters, Richardson said. Anyone interested in establishing a lasting tribute to a loved one might want to consider this option at sea. New fishing hot spots The newest additions to Franklin Countys constellation of public artificial reefs include three memorial reefs within easy striking distance of Apalachicola and Carrabelle. Here are the GPS coordinates for the geographical centers of reefs built on Aug. 12. (For a complete listing of coordinates and more detailed information about OARs memorial reef program, visit OARs website at oarreefs.org.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carl Enis Memorial Reef: 29 35.426 84 25.383 Bill Mickler Memorial Reef: 29 35.340 84 25.679 Buddy Ward Memorial Reef: 29 29.136 84 56.032 This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Artificial reefs create remembrances at sea for two Tallahassee men Lyle and Erik Menendez opened up about the brutal murders of their parents during long-awaited parole hearings last week, revealing their perspectives on the infamous crime that's captivated the nation for decades. The case began on Aug. 20, 1989, when 21-year-old Lyle Menendez and 18-year-old Erik Menendez fatally shot their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the den of the family's Beverly Hills, California, home. The brothers said they committed the murders in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father. MORE: Menendez brothers timeline: From the 1989 murders to their new fight for freedom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Erik and Lyle Menendez appeared at their first parole hearings, where both were denied release. In separate hearings before different boards, commissioners said Erik and Lyle Menendez broke rules in prison, despite acknowledging both of them worked to rehabilitate themselves and help other inmates. As the brothers' bid for freedom hits another roadblock, here's a look at what they told the parole boards about the murders: Nick Ut/AP, Files - PHOTO: Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit in Beverly Hills Municipal Court where their attorneys delayed making pleas on their behalf in Beverly Hills, Calif., March 12, 1990. Erik Menendez At Erik Menendez's parole hearing on Thursday, he told the commissioners about a pivotal conversation he had with his brother five days before the murders. That day, he said he confided in Lyle Menendez that their father was sexually abusing him -- the first time the siblings had ever discussed the abuse. Erik Menendez said they talked about buying guns because they felt their situation had "become very dangerous" since he'd opened up to Lyle about the alleged abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My purpose in getting the guns was to protect myself in case my father or my mother came at me to kill me, or my father came in the room to rape me," he said. Commissioner Robert Barton asked Erik Menendez why he didnt leave or go to the authorities. Erik Menendez responded, "My absolute belief that I could not get away. Maybe it sounds completely irrational and unreasonable today." California Department Of Corrections via Reuters - PHOTO: Erik Menendez attends his Board of Parole hearing online from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, Calif., August 21, 2025. Erik Menendez also walked the parole board through his movements in the moments before the shootings. "Lyle came to the top of the stairs after my dad ordered me to [my] room and said he was coming up," he said, adding, "My focus was, 'Dads coming to my room. I cant let him come to my room.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erik Menendez said Lyle told him, "Its happening now." "I ran to my room to get the gun," Erik Menendez said. "All I knew was I had to get to that den. Fear was driving me to that den. ... Dad was going to come to my room and rape me that night. That was going to happen." Nick Ut/AP, Files - PHOTO: Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez leave a courtroom in Santa Monica, Calif., Aug. 6, 1990. Erik Menendez said he got his shotgun, went to the car and loaded it. "I didnt even wait for Lyle. I knew I had to get to that den," he said. "You would have to live my experience to understand if my dad exited that den, I was dead," he said. Barton said the murder of his mother "especially showed a lack of empathy and reason." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Erik Menendez denied parole, Lyle Menendez to learn his fate on Friday Erik Menendez said he shot her because she had "betrayed him." "I saw my mother and my father as one person after I learned that she knew [about the alleged sexual abuse], so when I was running into the den, I was in a state of terror, of panic, of rage," he said. "Had she not been in the room, maybe it would have been different," he said. Lyle Menendez Lyle Menendez told the parole board on Friday that he didn't buy the shotguns with the intent to kill his parents, but for "emotional protection." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I thought it was de-escalating ... it gave me some measure of safety," Lyle Menendez said. "Long guns are not very useful for protection, but it was better than nothing," he added. California Department Of Corrections via Reuters - PHOTO: Lyle Menendez attends his Board of Parole hearing online from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, Calif., August 22, 2025. As for the murders, he said, "There was zero planning. There was no way to know it was going to happen" that day. Reflecting on the moment he and his brother burst into the den with shotguns, he said, "Really the only thought in my head was -- it was happening now, I needed to get to the door first. Fear overwhelmed reason." "I dont have a great explanation for why I felt such terror in those moments," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Lyle Menendez also denied parole, will stay in prison with Erik Menendez Parole commissioner Julie Garland asked Lyle Menendez how he felt after the murders. "Um ... I dropped my gun and walked out," he responded. "I think shock. Numb at that point. Still panicked for a while." Garland asked if he had any feelings of relief, happiness or satisfaction. Lyle Menendez said no, adding, "I had feelings of regret, shock." Garland asked if one death gave him more sorrow than the other. He responded, "My mother. 'Cause I loved her and couldnt imagine harming her in any way. And I think, also, I learned a lot after about her life, her childhood, reflecting on how much fear maybe she felt." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the murders, six months went by before the brothers were arrested. Lyle Menendez said during those months he felt shame in "having to lie to relatives who were grieving." "I felt the need to suffer. That it was no relief," he continued. "... I sort of started to feel like I had not rescued my brother. I destroyed his life. Id rescued nobody." The brothers can apply for parole again in three years. With good behavior in prison, that wait can potentially be shortened to 18 months. Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada pleaded guilty Monday to U.S. drug trafficking charges, saying he was sorry for helping to flood the U.S. with cocaine and other illicit substances. I recognize the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico, he said through a Spanish-language interpreter. I apologize for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions. Under the leadership of Zambada and Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, prosecutors say the Sinaloa cartel evolved from a regional player into the largest drug trafficking organization in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In pleading guilty, Zambada acknowledged the extent of the Sinaloa operation, including underlings who built relationships with cocaine producers in Colombia, oversaw the importation of cocaine to Mexico by boat and plane and the smuggling of the drug across the U.S.-Mexico border. He acknowledged that people working for him paid bribes to Mexican police and military commanders so they could operate freely, going all the way back to when the cartel was just starting out. Zambada entered his plea in a Brooklyn federal court, two weeks after prosecutors said they wouldnt seek the death penalty against him. Instead, hes expecting to be sentenced Jan. 13 to life in prison. The 77-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of running a continuing criminal enterprise. He will be sentenced to a mandatory lift term in prison, with sentencing set for Jan. 13 Zambada had pleaded not guilty last year to a range of drug trafficking and related charges, including gun and money laundering offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Zambada presided over a violent, highly militarized cartel with a private security force armed with powerful weapons and a cadre of sicarios, or hitmen, that carried out assassinations, kidnappings and torture. Lawyers for Zambada didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday. Guzman was sentenced to life behind bars following his conviction in the same federal court in Brooklyn in 2019. His two sons, who ran a cartel faction, also face federal charges. The Sinaloa cartel is Mexicos oldest criminal group, with various incarnations dating to the 1970s. It is a drug trafficking power player: A former Mexican cabinet member was convicted of taking bribes to help the cartel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considered a good negotiator, Zambada was seen as the cartels strategist and dealmaker, thought to be more involved in its day-to-day doings than the more flamboyant Guzman. Nevertheless, prosecutors have said Zambada also was enmeshed in the groups violence, at one point ordering the murder of his own nephew. U.S. law enforcement sought Zambada for more than two decades, but he was never arrested in any country until he was taken into custody in Texas last year. He had arrived in a private plane with one of Guzmans sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez. Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in Chicago; his brother, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, pleaded guilty last month. Zambada has said he was kidnapped in Mexico and taken against his will to the U.S. He had often been at odds with Guzmans sons, dubbed the Chapitos, a term that translates to little Chapos. Zambadas arrest touched off deadly fighting in Mexico between rival Sinaloa cartel factions, apparently pitting his loyalists against backers of Guzmans sons. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The New Mexico House, Senate Republicans, and other lawmakers attended a tour of the Otero County Processing Center on Monday morning, Aug. 25. State Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte, says New Mexico legislators within the Court, Corrections, and Justice Committee (CCJ) were able to tour the Otero County facility on Monday. New Mexico state Sen. Crystal Brantley, R-Elephant Butte. Brantley says that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has indicated interest in having a ban that would close ICE detention facilities in New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lujan Grisham was invited by the bipartisan group to tour the facility but declined the offer to attend. Brantley says they gave a short notice in terms of their arrival, and saw that the facility was clean and personnel were transparent with them. Detainees were kept in humane conditions and were getting resources such as healthcare and meals. Brantley says lawmakers are worried that Lujan Grisham will close the remaining camps in the state, which will terminate around 500 jobs. About 45 percent of the detainees at the facility are felony offenders and are handled differently than the other 55 percent of detainees who are just seeking asylum or refuge, Brantley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its important that all legislators attend these tours and get engaged. Not only will this potentially lose jobs, but its important that we make sure that theres oversight in the detainee camps that are in humane conditions, Brantley said. New Mexico state Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo. State Rep. John Block, R-Alamogordo, says the Otero County facility is much better in terms of living conditions than the facility in El Paso. If we dont have this very nice, humane facility in New Mexico, you just have to drive 10 minutes and youre in El Paso, and they have an ad hoc center that is not as beautiful and updated as we have in Otero County, Block said. Block adds that the facility has showers, toilets, Zumba classes, a library, and detainees have access to attorneys and phone calls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you broke the law to come into this country, you broke the law. You came into the country illegally and we need to process you and put you back in your country of origin or somewhere else, he said. State Rep. Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, also sent out a statement following the tour of the facility: We want to thank the staff for their professionalism, transparency, and for taking the time to walk us through the entire operation. The facility was clean, well maintained, and we were given the opportunity to see firsthand the conditions in which detainees are living. We also came away with a clear understanding of the vital role this facility plays in our community. If legislation were to pass, shutting down facilities like Otero, it would mean hundreds of lost jobs, including more than 300 in Otero County alone. The other two facilities in Torrance and Cibola County are the economic drivers of their communities, closing them would be a devastating blow to the individuals, their families and to the communities they call home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans are committed to standing with the hardworking New Mexicans whose livelihoods depend on these facilities, and we value the willingness of the bipartisan effort to see these operations firsthand. These facilities are not only critical to ensuring the public is kept safe from criminal elements but also ensures that those in custody are treated with dignity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A cafe and store located in a 1879 adobe building in southwest New Mexico was awarded a $50,000 grant on Monday. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a privately funded nonprofit organization, and American Express selected the Hillsboro General Store Cafe in Hillsboro as a part of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which awards 50 restaurants across the United States and its territories with $50,000 each. PNM seeks state regulators approval of $11.5B Blackstone acquisition Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the New Mexico Tourism Department, the Hillsboro General Store Cafe has served many purposes over the years in Sierra County, including being used as a bank, telegraph office, stage stop, and a storeroom for the adjacent Miller Drug Store. In 1914, the main building was destroyed in a flood, and the business moved into the adjacent building, where it continues today. The business serves up New Mexican food, snacks, and local books, crafts, and more, the New Mexico Tourism Departments website states. The Hillsboro General Store Cafe will be able to use the grant money to make exterior public-facing improvements to their historic buildings, focusing on elements such as murals, awnings, lighting, signage upgrades, painting or cleaning of facades, or the creation of outdoor seating areas, according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Up to $10,000 of each grant may also be used for unrestricted uses such as general operating expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the grant, American Express-owned Resy is offering each of the historic restaurants complimentary use of Resy OS, its restaurant management software, for one year. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization. For more on the 2025 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grantees, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. **Note: A previous version of this story included the incorrect number of state parks in New Mexico. It has been updated with the correct number. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) New Mexicos 35 state parks brought in $266 million to boost the states economy in fiscal year 2024, according to the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Top 5 most popular New Mexico State Parks that offer hiking Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These impressive numbers demonstrate that New Mexico State Parks are essential to our states economic vitality and quality of life, State Parks Division Director Toby Velasquez stated in a news release. The State Parks Division of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department partnered with The Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University to analyze the state park systems influence from 2019 to 2024. The analysis found New Mexico State Parks made the following contributions in 2024: 5,120 jobs supported statewide $266 million contributed to the state economy $511 million in revenue generated for New Mexico businesses $162 million in labor income $40 million in state and local taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is notable that New Mexico State Parks economic contribution is significantly higher than their expenditures due to the follow-on effects from visitor spendingwhich are very large, Dr. Kramer Winingham, director of economic analysis at Arrowhead Center, said in the release. The New Mexico State Parks Division manages over 190,000 acres across 35 parks in 23 counties. The division receives 25% of its operating budget from the state general fund and primarily relies on federal grants, user fees, dedicated taxes, and revenue from concessionaires to fund its work. The division plans to invest an additional $56 million in capital improvements during fiscal years 25 and 26. See the complete study and learn more state parks economic impact here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. SEATTLE, August 25, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A coalition of American Jewish organizations have filed an amicus brief in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in support of a Vermont federal courts consideration of Rumeysa Ozturks habeas petition objecting to her then-detention. Ozturk, a Turkish national and PhD student at Tufts University, was detained this spring and held in an ICE facility in Louisiana for six weeks before a federal judge ordered her release. Ozturk was arrested under a rarely invoked statute after she co-authored an op-ed in the Tufts student newspaper supporting student government resolutions critical of Israels military conduct in Gaza. In her habeas petition, she asserted that the government had retaliated against her for exercising her protected First Amendment rights. "Without presuming to speak for all of Jewish Americaa diverse community that holds a multitude of viewpointsamici are compelled to file this brief because the detention of Rumeysa Ozturk for her protected speech violated the most basic constitutional rights," the organizations say in their brief, emphasizing that freedom of expression, particularly on matters of public concern, is a cornerstone of American democracy and extends to academic settings and campus discourse. In the appeal, the government is arguing that the Immigration and Nationality Act stripped the Vermont federal court of the right to review Ozturks habeas petition and that she was first required to pursue her First Amendment claims in immigration court before obtaining a federal court hearing. As amici emphasize, meaningful review of First Amendment claims generally means rapid, prioritized review. "Further, any regime under which Ozturk remains in detention for months despite a fundamental violation of her First Amendment rights sends a strong signal to all other potential noncitizen speakers that they risk detention, however ultimately unlawful, if they raise their voices in protest." The brief also expresses concern regarding any suggestion that actions taken against Ozturk are necessary to combat antisemitism: "The government . . . appears to be exploiting Jewish Americans legitimate concerns about antisemitism as pretext for undermining core pillars of American democracy, the rule of law, and the fundamental rights of free speech and academic debate on which this nation was built." Drawing on historical context, amici note that many Jewish Americans are especially attuned to the dangers of government actions taken in response to political expression, emphasizing that the protection of free speech has long served as a safeguard for minority communities in the United States, and that its erosion, particularly when connected to academic or political discourse, warrants close scrutiny. DEMING, N.M. (KRQE) A 20-year-old suspected kidnapper has been arrested after police say he was found with a missing teen girl in Deming, New Mexico. New Mexico State Police say Kyle Eckmann was traveling with a 15-year-old girl from Texas. License plate readers spotted the car, and when police turned on their sirens, Eckmann drove the car into a water-filled ditch. New Mexico State Police also say that as officers were approaching the car, Eckmann threatened them, saying he would shoot. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers say he was unarmed and arrested him. As Eckmann was being escorted to a patrol car, police say he ordered the girl not to speak with officers. The girl was placed in CYFD custody, and her parents have been notified. Eckmann was booked at the Luna County Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A Miami-Dade police officer charged with manslaughter in the death of two innocent victims of a deadly shootout in Miramar can try to convince a judge that he is entitled to immunity under the states Stand Your Ground law, even though the victims who died were not the targets of law enforcement action, a Broward judge ruled Monday. The ruling by Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra appears to break new ground in the often-cited law that blocks prosecutions in certain cases where the accused asserts he acted in defense of self and others. Officer Jose Mateo is one of four men accused of manslaughter in the 2019 shooting deaths of Frank Ordonez and Richard Cutshaw, who died as police were trying to subdue accused robbers and kidnappers Lamar Alexander and Ronnie Jerome Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say Alexander and Hill kidnapped Ordonez, a UPS driver, after robbing a Coral Gables jewelry store. Alexander and Jerome were also killed in the Dec. 5, 2019 incident. Though prosecutors disagreed with the ruling, the State Attorneys Office in a court filing Monday acknowledged Mateo can raise Stand Your Ground as a defense at trial. Kollra is listening this week to evidence and arguments that would short-circuit a trial if he later rules Mateo was standing his ground. Fellow Miami-Dade Officers Rodolfo Mirabal, Richard Santiesteban and Leslie Lee are also charged with manslaughter in the case. Jury selection in Mateos case is scheduled for the end of the Stand Your Ground hearing, which could take the bulk of this week. Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com. Fairchild Media Group, a division of Penske Media Corp., on Monday announced the elevation of Michael Atmore to editor in chief of Womens Wear Daily, in addition to his role as chief brand officer of FMG. In this expanded capacity, Atmore will lead the WWD editorial team in delivering its award-winning breaking news and business coverage, while guiding the brands continued evolution across digital, print, social, video and e-commerce platforms. Footwear News editorial will continue to report into Atmore, as will the expanding team responsible for FMGs live events, summits and experiences. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atmore will report directly to Amanda Smith, chief executive officer of FMG, and James Fallon, chief content officer of FMG. Michaels leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping Fairchild Medias decades of innovation and success. His dedication to the Fairchild company, its brands and its people have been nothing short of extraordinary, said Jay Penske, chairman and CEO of Penske Media Corp. I am confident that he will uphold excellence across FMG, and under his guidance WWD will continue to set the benchmark in fashion, beauty and business media. Michael is an exceptional leader. This achievement recognizes his hard work, talent and the successes he has earned. He has a clear vision on how we can build and expand our brands at Fairchild, and I am delighted to recognize him with this well-deserved promotion, Smith said. WWD is on fire with a growing audience, thriving live events business and unparalleled journalism. As we celebrate 115 years, Michaels vision will be key to growing and shaping our future. As editorial director of Footwear News and head of Live Events, Michael has brought remarkable insight and expertise to those roles, helping them innovate and evolve while always staying true to the editorial excellence in our DNA. We are excited to now have him take on a greater role at WWD as editor in chief, Fallon said. His storied tenure and vision continue to elevate every facet of our work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am honored to lead the incredible WWD team, the undeniable voices of authority, and to guide the legendary title into the next chapter with forward-looking content that amplifies our reach across multiple platforms in an ever-evolving fashion landscape, Atmore said. The future of WWD, and the industry it serves, has never been more vibrant, and its exciting to take the brand to the next level on a global scale. Fairchild Media Group recently revealed key milestones in its digital and experiential transformation, including the re-platforming of FN onto the WWD digital platform and the expansion of its global live events portfolio, all as WWD celebrates its 115th anniversary this year. The digital move is complemented by the growth of FMGs renowned live programming across its brands. This past June underscored FMGs unmatched momentum, with FN marking its 80th anniversary alongside industry luminaries in New York City, and WWD launching its new Culture Club franchise in London, spotlighting the intersection of business, culture and creativity in fashion capitals worldwide. These milestones build on the success of FMGs marquee programming, from the annual FN Achievement Awards, or FNAAs, often called the Shoe Oscars, to WWDs first red-carpet livestream from the Golden Globes and Style Awards earlier this year, which together generated more than 8 billion media and press impressions. Prior to joining Fairchild in 1997, Michael was founding editorial director and publisher of Footwear Plus. He has an extensive background in retail, having served as editorial director for a group of retail-based publications at International Thomson. He has also held top editorial positions at U.S. Business Press and Harcourt Brace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WWD provides a balance of timely, credible business news and key fashion trends for leading retailers, designers, manufacturers, marketers, financiers, Wall Street analysts, international moguls, media executives, ad agencies, trend-makers and global consumers. Founded in 1910 by Edmund Fairchild and helmed for more than two decades by legendary publisher John B. Fairchild, WWD has been the daily media of record and the industry voice of authority for more than 115 years. Operated and published by Penske Media Corp. under Fairchild Media Group, WWD reaches a global audience of nearly 16 million-plus every month across print, digital, mobile, video, social and events, including the annual WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit and Global Summits in three international markets. As an increasingly complex marketplace heightens the need for information and competitive intelligence, WWD delivers spirited coverage with frequency, integrity and a legacy of getting it right and getting it first. FMG is the leading source of fashion news and analysis for industry leaders and the global fashion community. Established in 1892 by Edmund Fairchild, Fairchild Media Groups brands include WWD, FN, Beauty Inc and Sourcing Journal. FMG further includes Fairchild Live, the global live events division producing 30-plus global thought leader and consumer experiences, and Fairchild Studio, a multiplatform content production team, executing more than 250-plus brand partner programs annually. FMG content reaches a 17.5 million-plus international audience of industry executives and highly engaged consumers across all media platforms. PMC is a leading global media and information services company whose award-winning content attracts a passionate monthly audience of more than 350 million. Since 2004, PMC has been a pioneer in digital media and live events, reaching viewers on all screens across its ever-growing constellation of iconic brands, which includes Variety, Rolling Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, Dick Clark Productions, WWD, SHE Media, Robb Report, Deadline, Sportico, BGR, ARTnews, Fairchild Media, Vibe, IndieWire, Artforum, Gold Derby and Luminate, the premier data and analytics company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, PMC owns several of the most iconic and vital cultural events such as The Golden Globes, Country Music Awards (ACMs), Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), New Years Rockin Eve, SXSW, American Music Awards (AMAs), LA3C, Life Is Beautiful, Latin Music Week and ATX Television Festival. PMC is headquartered in New York and Los Angeles with additional offices in 14 countries worldwide. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, warned against using independent commissions to draw congressional boundaries making his stance clear on the same day a Utah judge is expected to rule on a major decision that could force the Beehive State to draw new maps for next years midterm elections. In a lengthy post on X, Lee contended that independent redistricting commissions a method used in eight states to determine congressional boundaries are used as a political weapon to usurp the will of the state legislature and whichever party holds majority control. For Utah, he argued, that means a third-party panel would be used to give Democrats an edge in an otherwise Republican-only decision. Almost anything promoted as an independent commission is often a strategy to give Democrats an edge they cant win through fair elections, Lee wrote. This is especially true for legislative redistricting, the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using an independent commission to redraw maps opens the door for even larger disruptions, Lee argues, that would hand the Democratic Party wins in states that would otherwise be rejected by Republican voters. We the people need to halt this trend. To do so, we must first grasp what these independent commissions truly represent, Lee said. In a state like Utah, theyre essentially a mechanism for the left to grab power they cant earn through democratic elections. If you live in a Republican-led stateone with a GOP governor and legislaturekeep this in mind: Almost anything promoted as an independent commission is often a strategy to give Democrats an edge they cant win through fair elections. This is especially true for legislative https://t.co/WeRXX6TeDw Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) August 25, 2025 Lees comments come as Utah 3rd District Judge Dianna Gibson is expected to rule on Monday whether the state legislature illegally gerrymandered the congressional boundaries currently in use. Voting rights groups filed a lawsuit against the Utah Legislature in 2022, accusing lawmakers of unfairly repealing an independent redistricting commission that was approved by voters and instead established boundaries that diluted Democratic voters. The map did so by splitting Salt Lake County between the four congressional districts, the lawsuit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Gibson rules in the voting groups favor, the court has scheduled what is known as a status conference on Friday to discuss next steps. A decision to redraw the maps is likely to result in an appeal from the state legislature, sending the matter to the Utah Supreme Court. If that fails, the challenge could even reach the U.S. Supreme Court. If that happens, its unclear whether Utah could get new maps before the 2026 midterm elections next November. Boundaries for the state must be established by Nov. 1 so that congressional candidates can officially file in January. The decision comes as the country braces for a potential all-out redistricting war ignited by new maps proposed in Texas and California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas approved redrawn boundaries for its congressional map last week that could flip five seats in Republicans favor, prompting California Gov. Gavin Newsom to buck the states independent commission to propose a new map of its own. Californias new map would include five additional districts that favor Democrats, possibly neutralizing any GOP gains in the Lone Star State. Californias map still must be approved by voters during the states special election in November. Leaders in other states have begun to publicly consider whether theyd redraw maps before the November elections next year, during which control of Congress will be up for grabs. Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers have warned against redrawing maps in any state arguing it sets a dangerous precedent. If Texas does it, California is going to do it, Illinois is going to do it and Illinois is going to do it worse, in favor of the Democrats, and all of a sudden its just a free-for-all, Utah Rep. Blake Moore told the Deseret News in an interview earlier this month. Every two years, were going to have redistricting going on constantly instead of the current norm of at least once every 10 years. Its not a perfect system. Theres bias constantly involved in this. So yeah, I dont agree with mid-decade redistricting. PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) Militants attacked a security forces camp in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, sparking an hours-long gunbattle that left at least three officers and one assailant dead, police said. Seventeen security personnel were wounded in the assault in Hangu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to local police official Nazar Mohammad. He said security forces quickly responded and launched a search operation in the nearby mountains to track down the attackers who fled. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid tribute to the slain officers in a statement and directed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the wounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. Although separate from the Afghan Taliban, the TTP is allied with them, and its fighters and leaders have hideouts in Afghanistan. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in such attacks in recent months. The latest attack in Hangu comes weeks after Pakistan's military launched a targeted operation against TTP in another northwestern district, Bajaur displacing nearly 100,000 residents. So far, authorities have not released any details about the ongoing operation. Pakistan carried out an operation in Bajaur against TTP in 2009 as well. Millions of U.S. Gen Zers are not in employment, education, or training, but American men are struggling to find opportunities more than women are. Currently 9.1% of men ages 20 to 24 are unemployed compared to just 7.2% of women, a gap thats persisted since the thick of the pandemic. As more women funnel into AI-proof industries like health care, men are still on the hunt for jobs in tech and financial services slowly being overtaken by automation. Gen Z is stepping out of college and into a fierce labor market, up against slower payroll gains, ghost jobs, absent hiring managers, and dwindling entry-level job openings thanks to AI. Its caused millions of these young workers to be frozen out of new opportunities, and men are largely the ones being impacted. Although Gen Z men and women face the same labor market hurdles after college graduation, young male professionals have continued to be unemployed at higher rates. For years theyve struggled to keep up with their female peers who have skyrocketed past them in education and work. In the first quarter of this year, 9.1% of men ages 20 to 24 were jobless, compared to just 6.6% of women in that age group, according to a FRED analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. And the trend continues, with 9.1% of Gen Z men being jobless in the second quarter of 2025, compared with only 7.2% of women. Young female professionals have continued to have an edge on their male counterparts, being employed at rates 0.6% to 2.5% higher over the past five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jobless rates for these young Gen Z graduates seemed to switch in the third quarter of 2020in the thick of lockdownafter men previously saw lower unemployment than women. And post-pandemic, the unemployment rates have continued on the trend. The change also occurred two years before pioneering tech company OpenAI released ChatGPT in November 2022. Chart showing unemployment statistics Finding a gig across many industries has been dire. White-collar hopefuls have been sending out over 1,700 job applications, with many applying to companies for over a year with no luck. But men might be having a tougher go at nailing down a job because theyre skipping over one key recession and AI-proof industry: health care. One key industry men arent funneling into: health care Computer science jobs were once the hot ticket to six-figure salaries, and men in particular were funneling into the industry, hoping to make big bucks in tech. But now these high-paying coding and engineering roles are on the wane, thanks to AI automation. Meanwhile, women have continued pouring into health care, an industry theyve historically dominated, which is better protected against AI jobs disruption and recessionary impacts. In fact, home health, doctor, and nursing job postings have seen a combined 162% growth rate since pre-pandemic, according to 2025 data from Indeed. Physician and surgeon roles represented the greatest boost in the field, as open spots have skyrocketed 90% since pre-pandemic years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, computer-programmer employment recently dropped to its lowest level since 1980. Unlike jobs predominantly occupied by menincluding coding or financial servicesan AI bot cant be trained to take over their daily tasks like sterilizing surgical equipment. In 2021, 16.4 million women were employed in the health care and social assistance industry: 77.6% of the total 21.2 million workers in the industry, according to the BLS. Health care is a classic recession-resistant industry because medical care is always in demand, Priya Rathod, career expert at Indeed, told Fortune. During the 2007 to 2009 Great Recession, health care employment continued to grow even as overall U.S. payrolls shrank. And because of Americas rapidly aging population, theres no shortage of these jobs on the horizon. Older citizens are driving the need for services like home health, personal care, surgeon, and physician roles, and health care employment is expected to swell by roughly 1.9 million job openings annually over the next decade, according to BLS data. Fewer white-collar jobs for graduates and the rise of NEETS Young unemployed men are falling into a bucket of entry-level professionals checked out of the labor force and education. In 2022 there were roughly 4.3 million jobless Gen Z NEETs in the United States: not in employment, education, or training. But the issue spans internationally, as roughly a fifth of people ages 15 to 24 globally fall in that designation, according to the International Labor Organization. (Separate data from BLS show that there were 2.5 million unemployed people last month in the 1624 age range.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even when they follow the traditional path for successgoing to college, and applying for steady white-collar rolesthe glimmer of four-year degrees seems to have faded. The unemployment rate among recent college graduates is climbing, hitting about 4.8% in June, according to data from the Federal Reserve. And college diplomas seem to be losing their edge; men with a college degree had roughly the same unemployment rate as young men who didnt go to college, according to a Financial Times analysis of U.S. Current Population Survey data. This is why many young people have turned to blue-collar work as a way to skirt costly college degrees, land a guaranteed job, and still earn six figures. In many cases, young people have been sent off to universities for worthless degrees, which have produced nothing for them at all, British podcaster Peter Hitchens said of colleges in March. And they would be much better off if they apprenticed to plumbers or electricians; they would be able to look forward to a much more abundant and satisfying life. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com After millions spent, Seminoles green crosswalks are being repainted black and white Seminole County is repainting some of its crosswalks back to black and white after spending millions to paint them green. The county had originally painted more than 130 crosswalks green using revenue from a penny sales tax to increase visibility for drivers and pedestrians. However, recent federal rules require these crosswalks to revert to black and white, prompting the county to repaint them. I mean, its increased our safety as a biker, and its increased our safety as drivers, said Jessica Fletcher, who supports the green crosswalks for their visibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soma Hallawa, a pedestrian, commented on the aesthetics, saying, The green, its not that attractive. In my eyes, the grass is green and this is also green. Gary Neidhardt expressed frustration over the costs, stating, Its just kind of a waste of resources, I would say, because its like, I feel like they didnt even need to paint it in the first place, and then painting it again. The issue gained national attention last week after crew repainted the rainbow crosswalk next to the Pulse nightclub site. The change sparked outrage from many in the community, with some protesting the move by repainting the crosswalk back to its rainbow color. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crosswalk near Pulse was later paint back to black and white again. State troopers are now monitoring the crosswalk outside the Pulse to prevent unauthorized alterations to its colors. The repainting project raises questions about fiscal responsibility and compliance with federal regulations, leaving Central Florida residents concerned about the financial implications. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Milwaukee area is getting its "first real taste of fall" for the year. That's happening early this week. But, as usual with Wisconsin, it's not expected to last. We'll likely get another warm-up between the end of the month and beginning of September "typical fall activity," according to Taylor Patterson, meteorologist for the National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For much of the state, Monday Aug. 25 and Tuesday, Aug. 26 are expected to be the coldest days of the week, Patterson said. And, if you're way up north, the meteorologist described your lows as "brutal." Sorry. Here's a look at this week's temperatures and weather conditions for the Milwaukee area (and a peek beyond), per Patterson: Wisconsin, including Milwaukee, to see fall-like temperatures for some of the week "At least for the next 48 hours, it's going to feel pretty chilly for quite a lot of people," Patterson said. "Mostly, just because we have some breezy northwest winds. This is where we're going to feel the impact of highs in the 60s, overnight lows in the 40s." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since it's been a few months since we last experienced temps like these, we're more-likely to feel "colder than normal," Patterson said. For the Milwaukee area, Monday's highs will be in the mid-to-upper 60s. Farther inland, near Kettle Moraine, will likely be the coolest spot around here, with highs between 65 and 66. Monday's lows in Milwaukee County are expected to hit 48 degrees on the western edge and 52 closer to the lake. Areas around Waukesha, the Wisconsin Dells and Fond du Lac could see lows of 44 and 45 early this week. "It's obviously going to be much colder for areas to the north," Patterson said. Northern parts of the state, particularly around Eagle River and Rhinelander, could see high temps between 59 and 63 at several points this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The lows are going to be brutal, especially for people in the Northwoods," Patterson said, adding that they could see those dip to between 34 and 38 degrees at times. Most of the rest of the state, including the Milwaukee area, is expected to see highs floating around the upper 60s to mid-70s through Saturday, Aug. 30. Temperatures look like they'll trend slightly upward starting Sunday, but "that might be short lived," Patterson said. Is rain coming? "Mostly dry weather" is forecasted for the Milwaukee area Aug. 25 through Aug. 27. There's a "small chance" for isolated light rain showers in the area, starting early Thursday morning and lingering into the day, Patterson said. "The best potential" looks to be during the morning commute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chance for rain begins earlier to the north of us. Another "dry spell" is expected Friday, Aug. 29 through most of the day Sunday, Aug. 31 for the Milwaukee area. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee area getting first taste of fall for 2025 early this week A 51-year-old Milwaukee man died in a single-vehicle accident on Monday, Aug. 25, in Menomonee Falls. At 6:29 a.m., the Menomonee Falls Police Department responded to a call about a significant motor vehicle crash in the 7400 block of Town Hall Road, according to an Aug. 25 news release from the department. The vehicle left the roadway, struck a culvert, rolled several times and collided with a tree, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle, according to the police, and died as a result of his injuries. Police said that speed appears to have been a factor, but the cause of the crash remains under investigation. The Menomonee Falls Fire Department assisted the Menomonee Falls Police Department with the crash. More: It's sweet corn season. Here are some stands to visit in the Milwaukee area More: After 45 years in business, Pop's Custard in Menomonee Falls will close Aug. 31 Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on X at @kozlowicz_cathy. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man, 51, killed in single-vehicle crash in Menomonee Falls The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and several upstream gas supply firms have entered into a gas supply agreements (GSAs) with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG). The long-term agreements, which span 20 years with options for extension, are set to deliver 1.29 billion standard cubic feet per day of Feedgas to NLNG. The signing ceremony, held at the NNPC Towers in Abuja, Nigeria, saw the participation of the Sunlink Energies and Resources, Amni International Petroleum Development Company, First Exploration & Petroleum Development Company, SNEPCo, NNPC Gas Marketing, NNPC E&P, Shell Nigeria Gas Solutions, Oando Group, and Aradel Holdings. These deals are a strategic move to address the longstanding shortfall in upstream gas availability, aligning with energy transition agenda of Nigeria and the gas reforms of Federal Government, which aim to bolster the nation's economy and energy security. NNPC group CEO Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari said: These GSAs have opened up opportunities for the growth of our industry both for local and international development. Theyre hinged on collaboration, synergies and opportunities. We need to leverage economies of scale, share risk and opportunities for us to attain Presidents decade of gas vision. NLNG managing director Philip Mshelbila highlighted the GSAs would enhance local gas production capacity, enhance supply reliability, and energy security, industrialisation, and economic growth of the country. Philip Mshelbila said: "We could not have achieved this sooner without the deliberate and concerted efforts of our shareholders and stakeholders in the energy industry in Nigeria. These agreements are a turning point in NLNGs journey, restoring reliability of supply and ensuring we remain firmly on the path of growth and expansion. NLNG is an incorporated joint venture (IJV), owned by NNPC (49%), Shell Gas (25.6%), TotalEnergies (15%), and Eni International (10.4%). Earlier in March, NNPC began discussions with Dangote Oil Refinery to extend their existing supply contract for naira-based crude oil. "Nigeria gas supply agreements boost energy transition" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. Five years after lawmakers passed a compassionate release law, few have seen release and little savings have been achieved, records show. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) When New Jersey lawmakers passed a law in 2020 meant to free more gravely ill people from prison so they could die at home, they also ordered state corrections officials to reinvest any savings into programs that aid reentry and reduce recidivism. Five years later, officials have yet to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven seriously ill people have been freed from state prisons since 2021 under the compassionate release law, cutting a combined 1,849 days off their sentences and saving the system, by the Department of Corrections own estimate, $71,585. But that money remains in departmental coffers, unspent. Why are they holding on to the money? asked Chino Ortiz, co-founder of the Returning Citizens Support Group. If I had $71,000 and it was unrestricted, I would use it to help people with housing, because housing is a big issue, you know, getting people into stable, affordable housing. Christopher Greeder, a department spokesman, said officials do plan to spend the savings on recidivism reduction programs for women, but he did not answer questions about what programs and when the money would be spent. Legislators in 2020 directed department officials to set such savings aside in a designated Corrections Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Fund. Greeder said the money is there, but spokesman Daniel Sperrazza declined to provide financial statements for the fund. The unspent savings are just one way the 2020 law has not worked the way legislators intended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law replaced a 1997 medical release statute under which hardly anyone got released. But the newer law has not had much more success, averaging just over one person a year freed. That makes little sense to prison reformers, who say health care costs soar as the prison population grays while recidivism risks fall as people age. Continuing to incarcerate very elderly people means that the public is throwing many millions of dollars every single year at a system that pays officers salaries to monitor people who do not pose a public safety risk, while investing in health care that is negligent and doesnt actually provide that person their constitutionally guaranteed care, said Wanda Bertram of the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonprofit that does research on the criminal justice system. Its a total mess. Figures showing the number of inmates deemed eligible for early release by the state Department of Corrections versus how many were approved for release by state judges. (Chart courtesy of N.J. Department of Corrections) Department officials placed blame on judges, who ultimately decide whether to free the people the department deems eligible. Thirty-six people met eligibility requirements in the past five years, but judges did not approve 26 of them for release (another three await court decisions), according to departmental data. To be eligible, a person must have a terminal illness or be permanently physically incapacitated by a medical condition they didnt have when sentenced and that requires 24-hour care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the low numbers, the department supports compassionate release, Greeder said. People over the age of 55 make up a growing share of the prison population, he said. At the same time, more individuals are living with serious and complex medical conditions, need long-term care, or meet the medical criteria for compassionate release. Caring for these individuals is costly over time, which makes it important to have policies that reflect compassion while using resources wisely. Questionable calculations? Prison costs have climbed steadily in recent years, with the annual cost per incarcerated person in the current fiscal year projected to be $74,152, according to budget documents. Thats up from about $50,000 per person five years ago. By that math, freeing seven people would save the system over a half-million dollars a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the $71,585 officials instead calculated as savings is a far cry from the significant amounts of money in medical costs state lawmakers in 2020 predicted the compassionate release law would save. The 2020 law required the department to report annually to the Legislature on compassionate release savings. The New Jersey Monitor obtained those reports through public records requests. They show that in tallying compassionate release savings, corrections officials omitted fixed costs, like staff salaries, fuel and utilities, maintenance, and other things unaffected by minor fluctuations in the prison population. Without fixed costs, the cost savings of reducing the prison population by one person was just $3,975 a year, or almost $11 a day, in the 2024 fiscal year, officials wrote in their most recent report to legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department officials also used the average health care cost for all incarcerated people to assess the health care savings of those freed on compassionate release, even though incarcerated people in dire health typically require specialized care that can balloon those costs. For the 2024 fiscal year, the average health care cost per person was $10,405 a year, or $28 a day, according to the reports. Surraya Johnson, director of the criminal justice reform program at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, questioned the departments savings calculations. The seriously ill and incapacitated people who would be eligible for compassionate release require much more and costlier care than the average incarcerated person, she noted. We would anticipate the number being substantially higher than the $71,000 number. And we would expect that those funds would have been reinvested back into helping folks reintegrate into (the) community, Johnson said. The lack of transparency about where these funds are going is very troubling. Whatever the true savings, $71,585 could do a lot to ease reentry for people leaving prison, Ortiz said. Since 2017, his group has covered the costs of housing, transportation, job uniforms, food, medication, and more to help former inmates in Essex, Union, Passaic, and Hudson counties, he said. The groups most recent 990 tax filing shows its 2023 annual budget was less than $22,000, but it recently received almost $700,000 in public funding and foundation grants to expand its work, Ortiz said. Chino Ortiz of Newark testifies before the Assemblys judiciary committee at the Statehouse in Trenton on Dec. 4, 2023. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Obstacles to compassionate release While New Jersey could save more if more people were freed on compassionate release, its tough to quantify exactly how many eligible people remain behind bars or have been rejected as ineligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get compassionate release, incarcerated people must be medically evaluated by prison health care providers and be granted a certificate of eligibility from the department. Superior Court judges then decide whether to grant their release. Corrections officials did not respond to the New Jersey Monitors questions on how many people have applied for consideration. The department also denied a public records request for those applications, citing health privacy restrictions. Peter McAleer, a courts spokesman, said the court system does not track compassionate release cases. Almost 1,100 people now incarcerated in New Jersey state prisons are 60 or older, departmental data shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey isnt alone in its low compassionate release numbers. Most states rarely use it, limit it to situations of impending death and dire health, and have adopted laws and processes so complex and nontransparent that even prison management does not know how to use it, said Julie B. Cramer, a former UCLA law professor and author of a paper on compassionate release published last year in the Alabama Law Review. Confusion about New Jerseys law has resulted in several court challenges, driving the state Supreme Court to step in as the ultimate arbiter. Justices have clarified what permanent physical incapacitation means, allowed judges to deny compassionate release to eligible applicants in extraordinary cases such as crimes against the government, and decreed that eligible applicants convicted of especially heinous cruelty can be barred too. New Jerseys law doesnt contain such categorical bars, and Cramer rejects them too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes back to what you think jail is for. If you think its for retribution, you probably believe those people should die in prison. But if you think its for rehabilitation, you should be for eventual release, no matter what, Cramer said. It shouldnt matter, really, if it was murder, because the idea is were sending you to this place where youre going to get rehabilitated. Following the feds lead In 2018, federal lawmakers passed the First Step Act, which expanded compassionate release by allowing people to bypass the Bureau of Prisons and apply directly to judges for release. In 2023, policymakers amended the law to expand it further, allowing judges to release people for extraordinary and compelling reasons, which could include unusually long sentences or law changes that created disparities between the sentence imposed and what would be imposed today. The changes boosted federal compassionate release figures from roughly 21 people each year before the 2018 law to thousands since its passage, Cramer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States could see similar gains if they follow federal lawmakers lead by removing corrections and parole officials as the gatekeepers of compassionate release, expanding eligibility beyond people who are permanently incapacitated or dying, and rejecting categorical bars, Cramer said. Most elderly people in prison are serving life sentences for serious crimes, so excluding lifers or people convicted of certain offenses from compassionate release hamstrings the law and ensures the number of people freed will remain low, Bertram agreed. Thats just a backdoor way of rolling the law back entirely, Bertram said. Transparency is key to improving the laws implementation to ensure it works the way lawmakers intended, said Mary Price, senior counsel at FAMM. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit advocates for expanding compassionate release and gave New Jersey a grade of C+ in 2022 for its policies on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre only getting out one or two people a year, thats certainly not what was intended, Price said. So I would hope that lawmakers and agency personnel who are responsible for these programs are taking a hard look at whats not working here. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A 6-year-old boy from Ohio, who is deaf, recently lost his cochlear implants in the ocean while visiting Myrtle Beach with his family, but two other visitors were able to find them and help the boy hear the ocean again. Greyson Coffmons family was recently on their annual family vacation at Ocean Lakes Family Campground when he went to the beach before his mother could secure his two cochlear implants to his swim shirt. He got caught in a wave, and both his implants fell into the water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was instant panic for me, Ashley Coffmon, Greysons mother, said. Honestly, I was devastated because those were his first set. He was implanted at 9 months old. When they couldnt find the implants, Ashley posted on Facebook, hoping someone would find them and return them to Greyson. Tricia Stephens of Virginia, who was staying at the nearby Lakewood Camping Resort, said she she saw Ashleys post and kept Greysons implants in the back of her mind. A day later, she was on a mission to find sharks teeth on the beach, when she came across one of the missing implants one mile from where they had been lost. I looked down, and I was like, Oh my gosh. This isnt a shark tooth, but this is even better,' Stephens said. I instantly remembered seeing the post somewhere. So, I come running up the beach, and Im screaming, I found it! I found it! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greyson had a big smile talking about the special moment when Stephens returned the implant. I was just happy, Greyson said. Eleven-year-old Shawn Labonte from Quebec, Canada, was vacationing with his family at PirateLand Camping Resort. However, his mother said Shawn found Greysons second implant on the beach. About four days later, he was grateful to return something so important to Greyson. It was a long shot, just to find the first one, Ashley said. But when we found the second one, as well that was a miracle. I walked many miles, looking for those things, Justin Coffmon, Greysons father, said. Again, thats God, period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another miracle: the Coffmons say both implants still work. * * * Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. JEFF DAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Jeff Davis County Sheriff reported that Jonathan Miller, who went missing after going for a hike in the Madera Canyon, has been safely located. Sheriff Victor Lopez personally spoke with Jonathon Miller, who said that after his Jeep broke down Friday night, he hiked 11.5 miles in Madera Canyon. Sheriff confirmed that Jonathon is in good spirits and grateful to everyone who helped find him. He is currently undergoing a medical evaluation and will be reunited with his family shortly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. Mississippi health officials have declared a public health emergency after releasing data showing the state's infant mortality rate has risen to its highest level in more than a decade. In Mississippi, 9.7 infants died for every 1,000 live births in 2024, nearly double the most recent national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000, according to the state Department of Health. Since 2014, more than 3,500 Mississippi infants have died before their first birthday. The decision to declare a public health emergency places Mississippi's struggle within a wider national story. Here's what to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Infant mortality rate a nationwide concern Even in cities with strong healthcare systems, such as Boston, Black infants continue to die at far higher rates than their White peers. In Boston, the city's most recent report showed Black infants dying at more than twice the rate of the overall population and triple the rate of White infants, despite the city's overall infant mortality rate falling below the national average. Public health experts say both examples underscore the limits of focusing only on individual behavior or clinical care when structural inequities are key drivers of infant deaths. "Every single infant loss represents a family devastated, a community impacted, and a future cut short," said State Health Officer Dr. Dan Edney, who announced the Mississippi declaration. "We cannot and will not accept these numbers as our reality." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is causing higher infant mortality rate? The leading causes of infant death in Mississippi include congenital malformations, premature birth, low birthweight, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Disparities remain stark Black infants in Mississippi are more than twice as likely as White infants to die before their first birthday, and recent state data show those racial gaps have widened. Despite growing concerns, declaring a public health emergency for infant mortality is unusual. "This is a novel and necessary step," said Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes. "It elevates infant mortality to the level of urgent crisis response, which it truly is." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why a public health emergency was declared State officials said the declaration allows them to move more quickly to address gaps in care. Their plan includes expanding prenatal services in counties without obstetric providers, creating an obstetric system of care to regionalize services and improve emergency transfers, and strengthening home visiting and community health worker programs. "Improving maternal health is the best way to reduce infant mortality," Dr. Edney said. Dr. Morgan McDonald, National Director for Population Health at New York-based nonprofit Milbank Memorial Fund, said the declaration "should draw our attention to a problem that is tragic and preventable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: "We applaud Dr. Edney and his public health team for raising the alarm in a way that honors the families who have suffered this tragedy and also focuses attention on concrete solutions." Experts caution, however, that individual and clinical interventions alone cannot solve the problem. "Healthy babies come from healthy moms," said Dr. Rebekah Gee, former Louisiana health secretary and now CEO of Nest Health, a New Orleans-based company which provides in-home whole-family care, with a focus on those covered by Medicaid. "If women can't get continuous healthcare before, during, and after pregnancy, it is no surprise their babies are dying at higher rates." Dr. Stephen Patrick, a neonatologist and professor at Emory University, added that treating infant deaths as a series of isolated medical cases misses the broader reality. "So much of what we see in neonatal intensive care units reflects challenges that moms face long before delivery poverty, access to healthcare, housing, even transportation," Patrick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health care programs and infant health Federal funding cuts are also complicating the state's response to the crisis. The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program that collects state-specific data on maternal and infant health, has been targeted for elimination. CDC staffers who carried out the survey established nearly 40 years ago to improve maternal and infant health outcomes were fired in June. Mississippi relied on PRAMS to track maternal behaviors before, during, and after pregnancy, and to monitor infant outcomes. Many of CDC's Safe Motherhood initiatives are also in jeopardy of losing funding, which would affect maternal mortality surveillance, infant sleep safety programs, and hospital-based collaboratives designed to standardize care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Without robust data, we are flying blind," Patrick said. Analysts also warn that such cuts could limit the state's ability to detect trends such as unsafe sleep practices or gaps in postpartum care. "It's willful ignorance to cut vital maternal and child health programs when we have public health crises of both maternal mortality and infant mortality in this country," said a former CDC Division of Reproductive Health staffer who lost their job in a recent reduction in force. "For many people, it's downright dangerous to be pregnant in the U.S. in the 21st century. And that is shameful." Polling suggests most Americans support maintaining these programs. According to the Emory-Rollins National Child Policy Poll, 65% of Americans say PRAMS is important for improving outcomes for mothers and infants, while fewer than one in ten believe it is not needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, only 16% supported ending federal funding for the long-running "Safe to Sleep" campaign, which educated parents about reducing risks of sleep-related infant deaths. How changes to Medicaid will impact Mississippi Medicaid plays an outsized role in Mississippi, financing almost 6 in 10 of births in the state, compared to about 4 in 10 nationally, according a KFF Health News analysis of government data. In 2023, the state extended postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to a full year. But Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, leaving many low-income women uninsured before or between pregnancies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Congressional proposals could reshape Medicaid coverage, including the reconciliation bill already passed by Congress which would require many enrollees in the government health care program to prove they are either working, volunteering or in school to receive coverage. Dr. McDonald noted that since Mississippi is not a Medicaid expansion state, it would not be subject to most of the work requirement and frequent redetermination provisions of President Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill." KFF analysts estimate that bill's funding caps and work requirements could raise Mississippi's uninsured rate by 1 to 2%, potentially leaving 20,000 to 40,000 more residents without coverage. Public health experts say such policies could destabilize rural hospitals that rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursement, in turn limiting access to prenatal and delivery services in regions already described as "OB deserts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act have seen measurable improvements in infant health. Arkansas, for example, reported a 29% reduction in Black infant mortality in the five years following expansion. In Louisiana, which expanded Medicaid in 2016, researchers documented increases in early prenatal care and decreases in premature births. Colorado also saw declines in infant mortality, particularly in rural areas, as more women gained access to continuous coverage before, during, and after pregnancy. Nationally, one analysis found a 50% greater reduction in infant mortality in expansion states compared to those that did not expand Medicaid, with the steepest gains among Black infants. Today, 40 states and the District of Columbia have expanded Medicaid, while Mississippi remains one of 10 holdouts. The U.S. has long treated infant mortality as a measure of societal health. More than a century ago, sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois argued that high rates of infant deaths among Black families reflected inequities in living conditions rather than innate differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mississippi's emergency declaration and Boston's persistent disparities suggest those inequities remain deeply entrenched. State officials said the declaration is intended to galvanize coordinated action across hospitals, state agencies, and community groups. "It will take all of us working together to give every child the chance to live, thrive, and celebrate their first birthday," Dr. Edney said. Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" WILKINSON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) A Mississippi restaurant received a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. Officials said the grant will go to Community Grocery in Woodville. This is part of the Backing Historic Small Restaurants program, which awards 50 restaurants across the United States and its territories. Trust urges support for new Vicksburg National Military Park visitor center Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to funding, Resy, an American Express company, will waive one year of service fees for each grantee to its restaurant management software, ResyOS. These restaurants demonstrate the power that places hold. For generations, neighbors have gathered here, shared stories, made new connections, and enjoyed regional cuisine that often reflects our nations global roots, said Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. 2025 Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grantees Als Restaurant, St. Louis, MO Anita Street Market, Tucson, AZ Berthas Kitchen, Charleston, SC Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, Milwaukee, WI Black Bass Hotel, Lumberville, PA Bluenose Gopher Public House, Granite Falls, MN Casa Adela Restaurant, New York, NY Casales Halfway Club, Reno, NV Community Grocery, Woodville, MS Corner Kitchen, Asheville, NC Corner Station Deli, Fairview, UT Drews Place Restaurant and Catering, Fort Worth, TX Dupuys Seafood and Steak, Abbeville, LA El Paseo Inn, Los Angeles, CA Florences Restaurant, Oklahoma City, OK Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats, Alexandria, VA Harings Noank, Noank, CT Hillsboro General Store Cafe, Hillsboro, NM Ikes Chili, Tulsa, OK Kimball House, Decatur, GA Later Alligator, Wheeling, WV Lavalettes at Hotel 1829, St. Thomas, VI Locals Food Hub & Pizza Pub, Louisville, KY Lorenes Fish House, St. Petersburg, FL Manorys Restaurant, Troy, NY Mee Heng Low Noodle House, San Luis Obispo, CA New Delhi Restaurant, San Francisco, CA One Shot Charlies, Harrison, ID Pheasant Restaurant & Lounge, Brookings, SD Poppy Cafe & Market, Burlington, VT Qusqo Bistro & Gallery, Los Angeles, CA Restaurant Barrachina, San Juan, PR Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub, Annapolis, MD Snappers Key Largo, Key Largo, FL South Side Soda Shop, Goshen, IN Spotted Horse Bar and Grill, Arvada, WY Svea, Chicago, IL The Antique Sandwich Company, Tacoma, WA The Barn Route 66, Newberry Springs, CA The Bull Run Restaurant, Shirley, MA The Famous Chicken Hut, Durham, NC The Florentine Hotel, Germantown, OH The Rock Cafe, Stroud, OK The Summit Diner, Summit, NJ The Trolley Stop Restaurant, Ellicott City, MD The Vasquez 1935, Uvalde, TX The Wandering Goose, Tokeland, WA Vault & Cellar, Middletown, VA Wok Wok Southeast Asian Kitchen, New York, NY Zadies Market, Marshall, NC Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) launched a new online system for landowners to obtain forestry and agricultural burn permits. Officials said the online applications will streamline the process and strengthen safety measures for prescribed fire across the state. The digital platform will make it easier for landowners to comply with state regulations while supporting safe, responsible land management. Mississippi sets dates for gag fishing season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new system integrates daily fire weather forecasts from National Weather Service (NWS) offices in Memphis, Jackson, New Orleans, and Mobile. Day permits are posted between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., and night permits are available around 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly, as updated forecasts may close permitting windows. Additional features include an interactive map of current permits, allowing first responders and the public to confirm authorized burns before responding to smoke reports. Prescribed burning is one of the most effective and affordable land management tools available to landowners, said Randy Giachelli, MFCs Fire Chief. By moving this system online, were making the process more accessible while helping protect communities, natural resources, and property. Burn permits help: Meet legal requirements for liability protection Notify first responders of planned burns Enable rapid response if a fire escapes Ensure burns occur under favorable smoke-dispersion conditions To obtain a burn permit, applicants must provide: County and burn type (day/night) Responsible party information (name, contact details, certified burn manager status) Purpose (forestry or agricultural) Landowners name, email, and address Acreage to be burned Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MFC officials said it is important to note that the MFC permits are strictly for forestry and agricultural burns. For residential, land-clearing, or storm debris burning, residents should follow local ordinances and Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) guidelines. To view the burn permit portal, click here. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. The Supreme Court will reconvene from its summer recess next month for what is often described as the long conference. The justices typically decide what they will do with pending petitions for review at their weekly conferences when in session. For their first session back in a few months, that process takes a little longer than usual. Of the thousands of petitions that the justices will consider, perhaps none is as extreme as Missouri v. United States. The state is trying to defend a law that uses the threat of private lawsuits to dissuade state officials, including local police officers, from allowing the enforcement of federal gun laws. The case centers on the Second Amendment Preservation Act, or SAPA. Missouri lawmakers first passed it in 2021 in response to what its proponents described as federal overreach. Representative Jered Taylor, who introduced the bill, compared the measure to other areas of the law where states can decline to help the federal government carry out its policy goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The feds use us, Taylor told a public radio station in St. Louis in 2021. They rely on us to enforce their laws. Look at medical marijuana in the state of Missouri. This is exactly what we do with that. Its exactly what sanctuary cities use. The law said that almost any federal restrictions on gun ownership or possession shall be considered infringements on the peoples right to keep and bear arms within Missouris borders. Those restrictions include any registration or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition, as well any registration or tracking of their law-abiding owners. They also include any tax, levy, fee, or stamp imposed upon guns, accessories, or ammunition, aside from generally applicable sales taxes. Finally, they cover any law or regulation that orders the confiscation of any guns, accessories, or ammunition. In short, SAPA holds virtually every federal gun regulation or restriction to be unconstitutional. The 2021 law declared that any such restrictions shall be invalid to this state, shall not be recognized by this state, shall be specifically rejected by this state, and shall not be enforced by this state. This is not exactly what sanctuary cities use, as SAPAs author had claimed. Federal immigration officials can still enforce immigration laws inside sanctuary jurisdictions; they just cant get any help from state and local officials along the way. Instead, SAPA is a nullification law that rejects federal law altogether and punishes those who enforce it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nullificationthe theory that states can override federal lawis hardly new. Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe first proclaimed it in 1798 to reject the Alien and Sedition Acts, to the horror of most of the other Founders. The two men argued that states could declare federal laws unconstitutional and interfere in their enforcement to protect their own citizens. Past efforts to nullify federal laws have been met with failure. South Carolina said it would prevent enforcement of a controversial tariff in the early 1830s, only to back down when Congress authorized President Andrew Jackson to use the military to ensure federal law would be upheld. Southern states attempted to invoke nullification in the 1950s and 1960s to resist racial integration but were also brought to heel by federal power. Unlike those confrontations, SAPA tries to nullify federal gun laws through indirect means. The law allows private individuals to sue any political subdivision or law enforcement agency that employs someone who infringed upon Second Amendment rights or employs someone who gave material aid and support to the federal government, including by working for it. For each violation, litigants can receive $50,000 in damages as well as lawyers fees. In that sense, SAPA resembles the infamous Texas law that sought to circumvent Roe v. Wade by allowing private individuals to sue anyone who helped a woman obtain an abortion and receive damages if they prevailed. Lower courts blocked the bounty-style law at first, but the Supreme Court let it go into effect in 2021, foreshadowing Roes eventual demise the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri lawmakers may have hoped for similar success with this law. By confronting the federal government itself, however, they ran afoul of the Constitutions supremacy clause and the various Supreme Court precedents that bar states from obstructing or interfering with federal authority. The Biden administration sued the state of Missouri in 2022 to block the law and prevailed in the lower courts. When the state first asked the Supreme Court to intervene in 2023, the justices declined to lift the preliminary injunction. The consensus appeared to cross ideological lines. Justice Clarence Thomas was the only member of the court to publicly signal that he had voted in Missouris favor. Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, the other two most conservative members of the court, only wrote briefly to explain that they voted to uphold the injunction because, in their view, it was narrowly tailored to the case at hand. Last summer, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against SAPA on the merits as well. In a brief 10-page ruling, a three-judge panel held that the law was unconstitutional because it punished federal officials for enforcing federal laws. The Second Amendment Preservation Act states that certain federal laws are invalid to this state, but a State cannot invalidate federal law to itself, the court ruled. Missouri does not seriously contest these bedrock principles of our constitutional structure. That is technically true. Instead, Missouri tried a few too-clever-by-half arguments. In asking to have the Eighth Circuits decision reversed, the state told the justices that the court had violated the Tenth Amendmenta vague provision that reserves unenumerated powers to the statesby second-guessing its reason for passing the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before this case, it appears no federal court had ever blocked a state from exercising Tenth Amendment authority simply because of the reason the state expressed for exercising that authority, Missouri told the justices in its petition. The Eighth Circuit did that here, striking down a state law solely because the Act said the legislature believes certain federal statutes are unconstitutional. Invoking the Tenth Amendment is something of a distraction. SAPA did not merely express an opinion about the unconstitutionality of federal laws; it created a legal mechanism by which people could use that opinion to pursue lawsuits and injunctions of their own in state courts. The law is clearly intended to deter and dissuade federal officials from enforcing federal law within the states borders. It is, at best, nullification with extra steps. Missouri has the power to withhold state assistance, but the means it uses to achieve its ends must be consistent with the letter and spirit of the constitution, the panel wrote, quoting from the landmark 1819 decision McCulloch v. Maryland on the limits of state power. Missouris assertion that federal laws regulating firearms are invalid to this State is inconsistent with both. The Trump administration notably chose to continue the Biden administrations lawsuit, perhaps because of the broader implications for sanctuary jurisdictions if SAPA were upheld in its entirety. While the Justice Department suggested that it was open to limiting the injunction on procedural grounds in court filings, it strenuously argued against SAPAs constitutionality in general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department took particular issue with SAPAs penalties for former federal employees who work for Missouri law enforcement agencies. That provision violates intergovernmental immunity by discriminating against federal employees, the Justice Department told the high court. It also is preempted because it obstructs the specified federal laws by discouraging federal employees from enforcing them. There is little reason to believe the Supreme Court will uphold the Missouri law outright if it agrees to hear the case. While the justices allowed the Texas bounty law to take effect, that statute did not claim to actually nullify federal lawexcept, of course, for the courts Roe decision, which the conservative majority was going to overturn anyway. It did not implicate federal officials or their rights. How the court reacts to the case will still be an important signal to Missouri and the handful of other states that later enacted similar Second Amendment Protection Acts. If the justices somehow allow the law to take effect, Democratic-led states with sanctuary jurisdictions may be tempted to enact laws that punish federal immigration officials for their Trump-era abuses through similarly roundabout torts. Some Missouri officials may also have good reason to rethink the laws wisdom. Among the names on the states petition for review is Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, one of the most conservative state attorneys general in the country. President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that he would appoint him to serve as co-deputy director of the FBI. Unless Bailey radically overhauls how the federal government enforces gun laws, he may find himself giving material aid and comfort to federal officials responsible for what SAPA defines as widespread violations of the Second Amendment. That could complicate his ability to go back to the Missouri state government in the future once his FBI tenure ends if SAPA is upheldat least, not without facing a wave of lawsuits and $50,000 judgments along the way. Maybe government-by-bounty isnt worth it after all. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that all driver examination stations across the state will be closed for Labor Day. The stations will reopen after the Monday, Sept. 1 holiday, and will resume normal operations. MSHP also said it is hiring and has over 60 career paths available. Those interested can visit www.joinmshp.us. State Rep. Tara Peters, R-Rolla, speaks during Missouri House floor debate in May. (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications) One of the most-watched bills approved by Missouri lawmakers this year put the state back in control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The police takeover provisions made the bill one of the most controversial of the session, and sparked a lawsuit, set for trial Nov. 5. But tucked inside, and noticed only by those watching closely, the bill also includes bipartisan provisions ending the practice of seizing assets from incarcerated people that are unrelated to their crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Known as the Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act, the law was passed in 1988, when any idea intended to make life harder for criminals received a favorable hearing. Now, the law is viewed as a violation of property rights and a barrier to a law-abiding life. We need to pay our debts to society, state Rep. Tara Peters, a Rolla Republican, said in an interview with The Independent. Those who have paid their debt to society should have every opportunity to have a fresh start and to get out on the right foot when it comes time to go back into society. Peters sponsored a bill with the repeal, as did state Sen. Stephen Webber, a Columbia Democrat. It was added to the St. Louis police takeover bill to persuade Democrats in the Senate to end a filibuster. Once enacted, it is one of two bills that will allow people under the control of the state to keep assets they would use when released. The other stops the state from taking foster childrens Social Security benefits to cover the cost of foster care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incarceration reimbursement law was intended to take money from inmates to cover the cost of maintaining them in prison. The most recovered over the past five years is $523,000 in fiscal 2024, while the cost of operating the Department of Corrections is greater than $1 billion. In the fiscal year that ended June 30, efforts to enforce the act brought in only $136,000. People who are incarcerated by the state should not have to pay like its a hotel or an Airbnb, said Amy Malinowski, director of the Missouri office of the MacArthur Justice Center. Its a prison. Its the states responsibility to maintain those prisons, not the people who are detained there. Missouri has laws allowing prosecutors to seize assets gained in a criminal enterprise, and the courts can enforce restitution for stolen or damaged property as part of a sentence. The incarceration reimbursement act allows the attorney general to seek other assets, such as a family inheritance or proceeds from the sale of a house, that are unrelated to the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Brad Christ, a Republican from St. Louis County, sponsored the St. Louis police bill and chaired a committee where Peters bill was discussed in February. It was an easy decision to accept Democratic requests to include the repeal, he said in an interview. Democrats support it from a criminal justice aspect and a number of Republicans supported this, too, because its just basic property rights, Christ said. Missouris prisons hold about 24,000 people. In any given year, about 11,000 will be released on parole or because they have completed their sentence. The goal of prison is to punish and to prepare inmates to live within societys rules, Christ said. The seized money can be an important part of avoiding a return to prison, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever it may be, whether its two grand, 20 grand or 200 grand, Christ said, to knock someone down a peg while they are in prison, I thought, was a little unjust after their sentence has been fulfilled. Under the law, people sentenced to state prison are required to make a statement of their assets when they arrive in custody and, on release, allow the department to garnish their wages for five years. The attorney general can file a lawsuit to seize any assets found or received by the incarcerated person. With the repeal, the Department of Corrections is no longer requiring the statement of assets on entry, agency spokeswoman Karen Pojmann said in an email. But any current garnishments will be stopped only if the person making the payments petitions the courts to end them, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the House hearing in February, St. Louis attorney Bevis Schock, who has represented clients in civil litigation against the department, said he has won judgments that the attorney general then tried to seize. Schock said he believes the law is unconstitutional and expected a court would rule that way in the future. But he still urged lawmakers to act. I hate criminals, Schock said. I dont want to help them all. I want them to go to jail, but a criminals property should be as sacred as the property of a non-criminal. At least nine brokers have hiked their price targets recently Bloomberg pegs the average near $194, with KeyBanc at $215 and TD Cowen at $235 because Nvidia has consistently outpaced expectations. But this time, investors will likely be less interested in the headline numbers than in the shape of the forecast. They need confirmation that demand remains broad and durable enough to justify the premium. They want a clear accounting of how China fits into guidance now that licensing rules have changed again. And they expect execution detail on Blackwell shipments at the system level, not just chip counts. If the numbers are strong but the answers are hedged, a beat can still read like a warning. "Whenever the market has concerns about tech valuations or an AI bubble, NVIDIA usually comes to the rescue and reminds us why there's so much potential and optimism in this space, Will Rhind, the founder and CEO of GraniteShares, said. I suspect that's what we'll see again this week. This week, traders are bracing as though a policy announcement is coming. Consensus is clustered around a blockbuster print: about $46.4 billion in revenue and roughly $1.02 EPS for the quarter, a pace that still implies more than 50% growth from a year ago. Those are extraordinary figures for a company of Nvidias size, and they feed the expectation now a routine that CEO Jensen Huang will clear a bar most large-caps could never approach. But routine doesnt mean riskless. Markets are unusually sensitive to tone this week after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman flagged an AI bubble. Nvidia could be the swing factor for tech see: the stocks 30% year-to-date rise and influence on AI-linked names and the companys China outlook and a new revenue-sharing deal with the U.S. government could be the hinge that pushes post-earnings volatility in either direction. The reaction is understandable. Nvidia has become the bellwether of an era when capital flows toward AI with a fervor that recalls both the internet build-out and the shale boom. Last quarter , the company pulled in more than $44 billion in revenue, most of it coming from data centers that are crammed with Nvidias chips. That performance helped keep the broader tech rally intact even as questions about valuation and macro risk started to pile up. After months of volatility tugging at mega-cap valuations, Nvidias quarterly earnings release will be a gut check on whether AI-driven demand, geopolitical complexity, and silicon supply still justify techs lofty multiples. Lose confidence here? Markets may recalibrate. Hold fast? The narrative stays intact. The question isnt if the company will post another outsized quarter. The Street is already braced for that. The question is whether or not managements guidance can still stretch confidence across an anxious tape one where policy shifts have muddied China, supply questions shadow Nvidias Blackwell rollout, and a $4 trillion valuation leaves no room for a wobble. When the AI economy owns the bull market, all eyes turn to one company and one earnings call. Thats Nvidia on Wednesday after the bell. Story Continues On Wednesday, Nvidia needs to deliver a confident outlook that bridges near-term supply snarls and geopolitical risk. Anything less could unsettle the notion that AI demand alone is enough to levitate valuations. The guidance gauntlet Nvidia has turned earnings season into a ritual of raised eyebrows and raised estimates. The pattern has held for more than a year: soaring revenue, expanding data-center share, margins that make even bullish models look timid. Another beat looks more likely than not but the burden is what comes after the headline. The macro frame is accommodating but taut. Tech leadership has been fragile; when the group wobbles, the stock that matters most can steer the tape. Thats why an in-line guide wont cut it. Investors want language that keeps the growth engine running without creating questions on mix or cost. Margins are part of the test. Last quarters one-time China charges aside, management has anchored investors around low-70s non-GAAP gross margins, and maintaining that cushion matters because the product mix is shifting. That doesnt have to be a headwind; system-level deployments can sustain pricing power. Blackwell, the new GPU architecture, is moving from launch hype into mass production. Networking gear and full-rack systems are starting to account for a larger slice of revenue. Each of these dynamics can swing profitability by a few points. Analysts would welcome a margin profile that looks predictable. Any hint of turbulence will invite questions about how much the company can absorb in costs while maintaining its high-flying valuation. A steady margin profile, paired with a confident demand bridge into the back half, is the cleanest way to keep multiple pressures at bay. Analysts will also want to see whether Nvidia can continue to meet the markets insatiable appetite for proof that AI is still scaling. Hyperscaler spending is the main prop: Morgan Stanley estimates that U.S. giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google will spend more than $325 billion on capital expenditures in 2025, with AI infrastructure soaking up a growing share. The math is tantalizing for Nvidia if even a fraction of that outlay is captured in GPU orders, revenue growth can continue at a clip few mega-caps can match. But there are complications. Those billions are controlled by a handful of customers whose project schedules are sensitive to permitting, power access, and quarterly budgeting. The risk is not that demand disappears, its that orders slip from one quarter to the next. For a company as heavily modeled as Nvidia, even small shifts can move billions in valuation. Chinas toll road If demand is Nvidias engine, China is the wild card that investors are trying to model around. The facts have moved quickly and, at times, in opposite directions. In April, the U.S. imposed licensing requirements on Nvidias China-focused H20 chips, forcing the company to absorb a $4.5 billion charge tied to excess inventory and purchase obligations. In May, management warned that the export constraints could shave as much as $8 billion from second-quarter revenue, a hit big enough to matter even in Nvidias scale. Then, in July and August, Washington partially reopened the door approving H20 sales to China but demanding a 15% cut of revenue on those transactions even as Beijing urged local firms to avoid the H20 and scrutiny on buyers intensified. The result is a policy loop that turns China into a swing factor rather than a stable driver. The near-term implication for this quarter is stark. William Blairs Sebastien Naji wrote in a research note that he expects zero China revenue in this quarter despite broad strength elsewhere his base case for a beat-and-raise leans instead on volume deployments of Blackwell GPUs and NVL72 racks. If Nvidias earnings call confirms that China is effectively absent from the numbers, investors will shift focus to how and when any recovery might flow. Guidance for the second half of the year will benefit from the re-inclusion of H20 revenue, Naji said, adding that he expects another beat-and-raise quarter and maintains an Outperform rating at $205. There is a possible off-ramp. Reuters reported last week that Nvidia is working with U.S. officials on a new, scaled Blackwell variant for China the so-called B30A that would deliver less performance than unrestricted products but more than the H20 and that would comply with export thresholds if approved. Its not clear when, or even if, the variant will be green-lit. But if Huang can outline a path to reentering China timelines, accounting for the 15% revenue skim, how the mix would look without China then whats now a wild card could become a modeled tailwind for the back half and early next year. If he cant, the Street could treat China as a binary option with low near-term odds. From hype to hardware The other knot investors want untied is execution at cabinet scale. Its one thing to talk about orders; its another to ship NVL72 racks in volume through integrators on tight timelines. The Street will parse any color on lead times, assembly throughput, and whether or not Blackwell is ramping at the cadence large cloud customers expect. This matters because supply slippage even in a still-supply-constrained world can morph a beat into a guidance debate, especially if high-margin configurations lag. Recent coverage has pointed to mixed signals in the server ecosystem Super Micros numbers and outlook disappointed two weeks ago, even as partners such as Foxconn have been touting strength in AI server demand. None of that proves a bottleneck at Nvidia, but it explains why the market wants specific, rack-level detail instead of generalities. Theres also the quality-of-growth question. If cabinet shipments ramp cleanly, systems revenue should follow not just chips and that can stabilize margins and attach for networking. If cabinet timing is uneven, buyers can default to standalone accelerators, and the mix might not be as favorable. To be clear, the top-line setup is still powerful; previews across mainstream outlets and real-time market wraps continue to position Nvidia as the hinge for tech sentiment this week. But at a $4 trillion valuation, the market isnt just measuring how much demand there is, but how precisely it converts to revenue and earnings over the next two quarters. So what does a good call actually look like? It starts with the obvious: numbers that meet or top the consensus band. It adds a guide that treats China conservatively explicitly excluding revenues if visibility is poor while outlining the approval path for any compliant products and spelling out the accounting for the 15% U.S. toll. It includes line-of-sight commentary on Blackwell system deliveries how many sites are live, where lead times stand, and whether NVL72 throughput at integrators is keeping pace with orders. And it keeps margins boring: steady in the low-70s non-GAAP range with mix dynamics explained rather than waved away. None of that is dramatic. All of it is what sustains belief. The flip side is just as clear. If Nvidias guidance leans on China without crisp caveats or if cabinet execution is addressed in marketing language rather than operational detail, investors could default to caution. That doesnt mean belief in AI fades; it means the timing gets harder to underwrite, and valuation bears the stress. Expectations are high, the stock is heavy with gains, and the China framework now includes a policy toll that sits on top of the usual forecasting noise. Wednesdays call is where those strands either knit together or fray. This week, with markets more volatile and AI stocks wobbling, the burden is heavier: Nvidia doesnt just need to prove that demand is strong, it needs to prove that its durable enough to justify a trillion-dollar premium. Nvidia has earned the right to be graded on a curve. Few companies have scaled this fast with this much consistency. But the bar keeps rising because the stock did first. Missouri Southern State University leaders, faculty, students and members of the Board of Governors welcomed four professors from the Zhenjiang International Studies University on Monday to discuss an international partnership for education. The university is in the city of Hangzhou in the Zhejiang province of eastern China. MSSU President Dean Van Galen said 20 Southern students and four faculty have already visited the Zhenjiang International Studies University, also known as ZISU, and the delegation is in Joplin to discuss reciprocal visits by ZISU students to Southern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were also supposed to sign a cooperation agreement between the two universities, but a vice president from ZISU could not make it to Joplin this time. Plans are now to sign the agreement in October. The delegation from ZISU was led by Li Min, dean of art, and included Wang Linpu, deputy dean of education; Fan Xinyu, deputy dean of graduate education; and Shen Lu, lecturer of the Portuguese department at ZISU. The delegation traveled more than 7,000 miles in a day, landing in Springfield and arriving in Joplin on Sunday night. Rebecca Shriver, executive director of International Education at Missouri Southern, said Monday was a great day for the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I started one of the first things I was tasked with doing was to plan this welcome ceremony and the other events we are carrying on today for our colleagues from ZISU, Shriver said. This is a partnership in international education. Its really valuable in particular for our teacher education students and faculty as theyre getting to learn about how schools work in China as well as theyre coming here and learning about schools and education here and collaborating on pedagogical techniques and methods. Its been really really valuable for everyone who has been involved. Van Galen thanked the professors from ZISU for their hospitable treatment of students and faculty from Southern who traveled to Hangzhou in November 2024 and earlier this summer. Our students and faculty have returned from Hangzhou speaking very highly of the outstanding programs offered by the faculty and staff of ZISU, Van Galen said. Theyve also told us about the warm welcome and care youve extended to them. They have told us they have returned with new understandings and new perspectives. Today we are excited for you to learn more about Missouri Southern State University and the city of Joplin. Min told Van Galen in Chinese, translated by Xinyu, that it was a pleasure to be in Joplin and learn from their American counterparts how to serve the students ZISU and MSSU. She said ZISU was celebrating its 70th anniversary later this year, having been founded in 1955. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Misuta Chows, the restaurant on Main Street known for its Japanese eats and arcade games, will close its doors in September, the restaurant said Monday. The restaurant has been open since 2018. The eatery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy right at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with owners saying that they were misguided financially and were taken advantage of. In 2024 the restaurant suffered flood damage that closed the restaurant for over two months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite it all, the team remained committed to creating a space that was inclusive, colorful, welcoming and uniquely Buffalo, owner Christi Allen said Monday. Allen added, more than just a business, it became a home created not only by its founders, but by a collective of family, friends, and artists who poured their creativity, passion, and love into the space. This closure follows a trend in downtown Buffalo this year. Osteria 166 scaled back its dining services to a la carte dinner services to shift to an event-focused model. Southern restaurant Toutant closed after a decade in business earlier this year, Nicks Place closed its Amherst Street location in February, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que closed its Franklin Street location in January in favor of a location in Hamburg, and Pour Taproom on Pearl Street suddenly closed in March. Misuta Chows will close for good on Sept. 7 with a Bills home opener party. Latest Local News Aidan Joly was named News 4s Digital Executive Producer in 2025. He has been on staff since 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem brought her husband Bryon to her grilling on Capitol Hill after a report that Donald Trump is considering firing the top administration official over her problematic alleged lover. Noem showed up before the House Committee on Homeland Security with members of her family in attendance on Thursday. One person who did not appear to be in the hearing room: Corey Lewandowski. NEED TO KNOW A mother was allegedly stabbed while walking with her 2-year-old child outside a California mall on Aug. 21 The suspect, Shayne Suffern, 29, allegedly approached the woman and claimed that her baby was his before attacking her The mother was transported to a hospital and is in fair condition, and Suffern has been charged with attempted murder A mother was stabbed after a man allegedly attempted to snatch her 2-year-old child outside a mall in California. The mother who has not been named publicly was walking with her toddler outside the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park at around 12:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, Aug. 21, when the alleged incident occurred, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), per KTLA 5, CBS News and NBC Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect who has since been identified as Shayne Suffern, 29 allegedly approached the victim and said, Give me back my baby, KTLA 5 reported. The man then allegedly opened up a backpack and pulled out an AR-15 rifle, attempting to fire at the woman, but the gun jammed. She then began to run with her baby, according to KTLA 5 and CBS News. Suffern allegedly chased the woman and proceeded to stab her in the shoulder. She then ran into a nearby Cheesecake Factory, where she managed to get help. The suspect, meanwhile, escaped the scene in a vehicle, per both outlets. Authorities were called, and Suffern was located and arrested by LAPD officers shortly after the incident, KTLA 5 and CBS News reported. Police said they found an assault rifle in Suffern's car, along with ammunition and a knife, per the outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suffern was charged with attempted murder, and his next scheduled court date is Aug. 25, according to KTLA 5. His bail has been set at $5,250,000, Los Angeles County public booking recordsshow. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where the LAPD said she was in fair condition, per CBS News. They also said she had no apparent connection to the suspect. Getty Police car (stock image) Police car (stock image) PEOPLE reached out to the LAPD for comment on Sunday, Aug. 24, but did not receive an immediate response. In an interview with NBC Los Angeles, the suspects father said his son is an army veteran with a history of mental illness. 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. "Me and my wife, we sort of felt that it was a matter of time before we got this call," he told the outlet. "Hopefully, it wasnt the call where he had been unalive. We've been seeking help since day 1 after he got discharged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The father also relayed a message to the woman who was attacked, saying, "Im just praying for your speedy recovery. I am so sorry and ashamed of what has happened. He added, "I'm just beside myself." Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW Juanita Rosa was reportedly with her family for breakfast prior to her disappearance earlier this month Authorities said her body was later found a quarter mile away from where her vehicle was discovered in Superior, Wis., on Friday, Aug. 22 We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us during this profoundly difficult time, her relatives said in a statement An 85-year-old woman from Minnesota who went missing weeks ago was recently found dead in Wisconsin not far from her vehicle, authorities said. The Superior Police Department confirmed in a news release that officers were initially summoned to N. 54th Street and Logan Avenue around 12:50 p.m. local time on Friday, Aug. 22, about a vehicle found in a wooded area near that intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials found the car about 200 yards into the woods, down an ATV trail. The vehicle belonged to Juanita Rosa, 85, of Hinckley, Minn. She had last been seen on Aug. 4, according to a missing persons bulletin from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Superior police didn't locate Rosa near her vehicle on Friday and then requested the help of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad to search the nearby Superior Municipal Forest. Within hours, a K-9 found Rosa's body "about a quarter mile" from her vehicle, police said. No foul play is suspected in this incident. Further details about her death were not immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Rosas family members, she'd had breakfast with her two sons and then went home for a nap before vanishing, Fox affiliate KMSP reported. Relatives described her as a loving grandmother with a sense of humor. The Superior Police Department extends our heartfelt sympathy to Juanitas family and friends during this difficult time, authorities said in their statement. We also express our gratitude toward the St. Louis County Rescue Squad and the Douglas County Sheriffs Office for their assistance. The family issued a statement on Friday that was published by Northern News Now. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have supported us during this profoundly difficult time, they said. The outpouring of prayers, the countless individuals who have shared information and devoted their time, the tireless efforts of law enforcement, most notable the Pine County Sheriffs Office, have provided strength and comfort beyond what words can convey. 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. If there is one message we hope everyone takes from this, it is to never miss a chance to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you," the family's continued. "Life is fragile, and those words can never be said too often." Read the original article on People In response, Moshe Lion replied to Bezalel Smotrich: "You are the best finance minister Jerusalem has ever had." Against the backdrop of the change in policy on the Temple Mount, Finance Minister (RZP) Bezalel Smotrich spoke to thousands of participants at a conference marking the anniversary of Rabbi Kooks passing on Sunday. Smotrich spoke twice during the event, which took place at the Jerusalem International Convention Center. His first speech in the afternoon addressed the ongoing war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Smotrich took the stage for a second time, in front of the thousands of people present, Smotrich smiled at Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion and said, "I will give the money, you will build the Temple." The crowd burst into laughter, and sources who were there told Walla that Smotrich said it "as a joke." In response, Lion replied to Smotrich: "You are the best finance minister Jerusalem has ever had." While it was intended as a joke, it comes at a time when there is, in fact, a de facto shift in the policy surrounding the Temple Mount. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Old City, on Jerusalem Day, May 26, 2025 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir and others are increasingly visiting the Mount, praying, and even prostrating themselves in defiance of the established regulations. No change in official procedures regarding Temple Mount The Prime Ministers Office has emphasized that there is no change in the official procedures. As mentioned, the event attracted thousands of visitors, who enjoyed various special exhibits, including a visit to Rabbi Kook's restored study, a chance to view the "Greater" Israel map, and opportunities to attend lectures from Religious Zionist rabbis. Farmers in South Asia rely on the summer monsoons rainfall, but extreme monsoon rains in recent years have been destructive and deadly. Since late June, flooding from the 2025 summer monsoon has killed more than 900 people in Pakistan as water and mud swept through settlements and ancient towns, the Associated Press reported. Over 1 million people were evacuated in Punjab, a farming province, as rivers rose. Streets in Karachi, a vital port city of about 20 million people, were inundated. The damage has been reminiscent of 2022, when monsoon flooding stretched for miles across the country and displaced more than 8 million people. Pakistan has a long history of natural disasters, from lethal heat waves to flash flooding. As global temperatures rise, the risks from powerful downpours, flash floods and melting glaciers are increasing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I work on issues of water security and grew up in South Asia. I see how climate change is raising the risks and creating an urgent need for a dangerously unprepared region to invest in disaster preparedness. Why Pakistan gets such extreme floods The effects of climate change have wide-ranging implications for ecosystems, human communities and the physical environment. Rising temperatures increase both evaporation and the amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold, leading to powerful downpours. Drivers push their way through flooding in Karachi, Pakistan, on Aug. 19, 2025. AP Photo/Fareed Khan At the same time, warming in the mountains speeds up the melting of snowpack and glaciers. Melting glaciers increase both runoff into rivers and the risk of glacial lake outburst floods. Glacial lake outburst floods occur when depressions dammed by glacier ice or rock fill with meltwater and overflow or burst through their dams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A glacial lake outburst in Pakistans northern Gilgit-Baltistan region on Aug. 22, 2025, showed the cascading dangers. The resulting flood damaged dozens of houses and pushed up debris that temporarily blocked a river. With the river blocked, water built up, creating a broad lake that threatened more flooding for communities downstream. Dozens of schools were evacuated as a precaution. Torrential rains in the same region a few weeks earlier had triggered landslides and flooding that stranded 200 people. Residents recover useful items from the rubble of homes damaged by flooding on July 22, 2025. Their homes were near the bank of the Hunza River in Sarwarabad, in northern Pakistan. AP Photo/Abdul Rehman Earths cryosphere its glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice and snow cover is a key part of the planets climate system. Snow- and ice-covered surfaces can reflect up to 80% or 90% of sunlight, keeping temperatures cooler. The loss of reflective snow and ice cover as temperatures rise helps to further accelerate warming. Temperatures have been rising faster in the Himalayan region in recent decades, from increasing at about 0.18 degrees Fahrenheit (0.10 Celsius) per decade in the early 20th century to rising at about 0.58 F (0.32 C) per decade by the early 21st century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Pakistan saw record-breaking heat, with temperatures in Chilas, in the mountains, reaching 119 F (48.5 C), which may have contributed to the flooding that followed. When heat waves hit, faster melting can trigger major flooding, particularly in the Indus River Basins lower reaches, where agriculture fields are common in the flood plains. Deforestation, homes in flood plains add to risks Pakistans challenges include having a fast-growing population that has more than tripled since 1980 to over 250 million people. A large part of that population, about 96 million, live along riverbanks and in dried riverbeds. Those areas provide flat, available land but also high flood risks. More people has also led to more deforestation, removing both a source of cooling and increasing the risk of faster flooding and mudslides. From 2001 to 2024, Pakistan lost about 8% of its tree cover, primarily to logging. Some of that has gone into building large dams for hydropower. Preparing for future disasters Pakistan is among the countries hit hardest by weather-related disasters over the past two decades, yet it ranks 150th globally out of 192 countries when it comes to being ready to deal with disasters, according to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiatives assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pakistan National Disaster Management Authoritys recent National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2025-2030) discusses improvement in disaster risk management since 2006. But Pakistans disasters preparedness is still limited by poor coordination between institutions, too few early warning systems and not enough financial resources. Peoples vulnerability to disasters is made worse by old infrastructure, often poor drainage and urban planning that, in my view, doesnt do enough to take disaster risk reduction into account. Political instability in Pakistan can also make disaster responses less effective. The country could improve safety by designing infrastructure to better withstand disasters, expanding early warning networks, making risk reduction a part of education and policy, and improving community training and awareness programs. Those steps will require better governance and funding. For long-term protection against natural and human-made disasters, nature-based strategies can also help, such as replanting forests to reduce erosion and mudslide risks and improving land-use planning to avoid building in flood-prone areas or creating new flood risks. The world can help by reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are driving climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article, originally published Aug. 25, 2025, has been updated with flooding, rising death toll and evacuations in Punjab province. 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: Pintu Kumar Mahla, University of Arizona Read more: Pintu Kumar Mahla is affiliated with the Water Resources Research Center, the University of Arizona. He is also a member of the International Association of Water Law (AIDA). Pintu Kumar Mahla has not received funding related to this article. Another round of afternoon showers and storms developed across the northern half of New Mexico this afternoon and evening. Monday will be very similar to today, but a backdoor cold front will begin moving into northeast New Mexico which could cause some heavier rainfall amounts along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The backdoor cold front will push south across New Mexico Monday night through Tuesday. This will increase the moisture in the atmosphere and bring in much cooler air by Wednesday. Rain chances will increase across northern, central, and eastern New Mexico Tuesday. Even heavier rain will be possible Wednesday through the end of the week as the cold front combines with monsoon moisture to bring widespread chances for rain and storms across the state. For western New Mexico this could be the biggest surge of monsoon moisture this season, while eastern New Mexico could add to an already impressive monsoon season. This pattern may stick around into the first few days of 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. (The Center Square) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is pushing back against President Donald Trumps claims about crime in Baltimore and his suggestion that federal troops could be sent to the city, saying local partnerships are showing results and that he will not authorize the Maryland National Guard for policing. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Baltimore out of control and crime ridden, claiming the city is the 4th worst in the nation in crime and murder. He said that if Moore needs help like Los Angeles, he could send in the troops as his administration has done in Washington, D.C. Moore responded in a series of interviews and social media posts, saying Guard deployments are neither appropriate nor effective for local crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will not authorize the use of the Maryland National Guard for any mission that isnt mission critical or mission aligned. Full stop," said Moore in a social media post on X. In a seperate post, Moore added: Donald Trump can stay obsessed with me thats fine but Ill stay obsessed with working in partnership to continue our historic success of driving down crime in Baltimore. Trumps remarks come as his administration has already deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C., under what it called Liberation Day. Thousands of Guard members were activated earlier this month, with federal officials reporting hundreds of arrests and drops in carjackings and robberies. Moore has pointed to Baltimores own statistics as evidence of progress without military involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Mayor Brandon Scotts office, the city recorded 84 homicides through July 2025, down from 111 in the same period in 2024 a 24% decrease and the lowest midyear total in more than 50 years. Nonfatal shootings are down 18%, robberies 23%, auto thefts 34%, arson 10% and carjackings 15%. The citys homicide clearance rate, which is the percentage of cases solved by police, improved according to the office, rising from 40% in 2020 to 68% in 2024, with a 64% clearance rate so far in 2025. Baltimores crime map shows six homicides in the past 28 days, underscoring that while long-term trends are improving, violence has not disappeared. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into reports of engine failure involving more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, according to documents recently posted on the regulator's website. The engine failures were initially investigated under a previous NHTSA recall in November 2023, after the Office of Defects Investigation received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing problems that were suspected to be the result of a crankshaft manufacturing defect. However, NHTSA closed the investigation after it determined the engine failures were outside the scope of the 2023 recall and not caused by "the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751," the latest documents state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the significant number of reports involving vehicles from Honda and the automaker's Acura brand, NHTSA said it will open a new investigation "to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues." There have been no reports of deaths or injuries related to the engine failures, according to the NHTSA. The probe includes the following models and years: Honda 20162020 Honda Pilot2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline 20182020 Honda Odyssey Acura 2016-2020 Acura MDX20182020 Acura TLX Extreme weather slams the West with dust storms and wildfires Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. D.C. kids head back to school as armed National Guard troops patrol city Connected security intelligence software platform Ontic has raised $230m in a Series C funding round. The investment, led by funds managed by KKR, will focus on enhancing Ontic's artificial intelligence capabilities. Ontic aims to deliver faster and smarter threat detection, automation for security teams, and leverage the funding to expand its international presence. The funding round saw participation from JMI Equity, Silverton Partners, Ridge Ventures, and Ten Eleven Ventures. KKR is making this investment through its Next Generation Technology III Fund. Ontic, based in the US, plans to advance its platform to support both global enterprises and the US public sector. Established in 2017 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Ontic has developed a platform that assists security teams in monitoring, analysing, and responding to physical threats. The platform is utilised by a wide range of enterprise customers, including Fortune 50 companies in technology, financial services, and consumer goods sectors. Ontic CEO and co-founder Lukas Quanstrom said: Security leaders are being asked to do more than evertrack growing volumes of data, work with limited resources, and still show up as strategic partners to the business. It is a heavy lift. This investment is about backing them. It is about giving them a unified platformpowered by AI and built for real-world complexitythat reduces noise, connects the dots, and helps them lead with clarity and confidence in moments that matter. As the risk environment grows more complex, organisations are increasingly prioritising physical security solutions. Ontic's Connected Intelligence Platform acts as a command centre, helping security teams transition from reactive operations to proactive programmes. Ontic's platform aggregates open-source intelligence (OSINT) and external threat signals with internal data from systems such as HR, legal, IT, and facilities. It covers risk intelligence, incident management, investigations, and case management, eliminating manual processes and providing a unified view of the risk landscape, from executive protection to insider threats. KKR partner and head of tech growth equity in Americas Jake Heller said: We believe Ontic is setting the standard for what modern security operations should look like. Their platform is built on a foundation of integrated intelligence rather than point solutions and positions them to be a leader in a market that is demanding consolidation, clarity, and scale. This latest funding builds on Ontic's $40m Series B investment round completed in November 2021. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) Some new energy is hitting the air in the Lowcountry as three local favorites are teaming up to host a morning radio show. Jessica, Hunter and Cush from 92.5 are taking over Kickin Country weekday mornings. We want to be a show for country listeners, but we want to cast a wide net, host Jeff Cush Cushman said. Yeah, we talk about a lot of things that country listeners care about because the things they care about, we care about. But, also outside the country audience, those things people care about. They care about their kids, wallet, and they like to laugh. And thats what theyre going to get when they tune into Hunter, Jessica and Cush. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After longtime host TJ Phillips died this June, the community is honoring his legacy and contribution to the show. TJ was a fabric of this radio station for a long time, host Hunter Meyer said. I think TJ would be very happy about what were doing here because I know hed want us to continue on. With the torch now passed to this new trio, many people are eagerly anticipating this show. Some people may recognize Hunter and Cush as the afternoon duo, and Jessica from her morning show. The team at 92.5 says this mash-up gives Lowcountry listeners a unique vibe each morning. I look at us like Bluey, Hunter said. I love Bluey. Its on right now, mom and dad can watch Bluey. Well throw some things at mom and dad and theyre going to go, Oh yeah, I got that. But, were really cognisant. We all have kids ourselves. So, we understand that and the idea is to get you up, get you laughing. We never want to be too serious, were just having a good time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trio starts Monday, Aug. 25. They are live weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. President Donald Trump has long complained about the way Americans vote. He thinks it's too easy to cast a ballot without proving your identity, and it bothers him that people can vote by mail without visiting a polling place. On the first point, he has a winning issue. Americans overwhelmingly agree that no ballots should be cast until voters show ID. But when it comes to mail-in ballots, he's up against public opinion since most people really like the opportunity to vote remotely. No Real Democracy With Mail-In Ballots? "You can never have a real democracy with mail-in ballots," Trump commented last week in response to a reporter's question. "And we, as the Republican Party, are going to do everything possible to get rid of mail-in ballots. We're going to start with an executive order that's being written right now by the best lawyers in the country to end mail-in ballots because they're corrupt. You know that we're the only country in the worldI believe, I may be wrong, but just aboutthe only country in the world that uses them." Whatever the flaws, real or imagined, of voting by mail, Trump is wrong in his claim that the U.S. stands alone in permitting the practice. Around the world, a dozen countries permit all voters to mail their ballots according to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance. These countries include Canada, Germany, Greece, and New Zealand. Another 20 countriesincluding Australia, France, the Netherlands, and Spainallow some people to vote through the mail if they're traveling, incapacitated, imprisoned, or otherwise unable to get to a polling station. Voting by Mail Is Very Popular All this is to say that dropping a ballot in a mailbox has a fair bit of popularity beyond the borders of the United States. It's also very well-liked within the country. In Arizona, where I live, almost 90 percent of votes are cast early, the vast majority of them by mail. In eight statesCalifornia, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, and Washingtonmail-in voting is the default means of holding elections (Utah will require voters to request postal ballots rather than automatically receive them starting in 2029). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All 50 states allow some form of absentee/mail-in voting. Fourteen states require voters to provide an excuse to vote by mail. The other 36 states do not require an excuse," reports Ballotpedia. According to recent polling by Pew Research, "a 58% majority of Americans favor allowing any voter to cast their ballot by mail if they want to." As with so many matters these days, there's a partisan divide on the issue. "Today, 83% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents support no-excuse voting by mail, while 68% of Republicans and Republican leaners oppose it." That is, Republicans agree with the president that mail-in voting should go, but they're overwhelmed by everybody else, who want to keep the practice. Last year, an almost identical 60 percent of respondents to a Gallup poll favored "sending absentee ballot applications to all eligible voters prior to an election." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Undoubtedly, convenience plays an important role. It's far easier to get a ballot filled out when you have the time and then drop it off than it is to carve out a piece of the day to get to the polling station and work through a lengthy list of candidates and propositions. Last year, in eight of Arizona's 15 counties, ballots extended for two double-sided pages, printed on 17-inch-long paper. If you're going to need to trudge your way through something that looks like an SAT answer form, a little extra leeway to do the chore at your kitchen table can be a blessing. The President Can't Just Ban Mail-In Voting Fortunately for those Americans who've become accustomed to choosing their preferred control freaks and bad policies from the comfort of home, it's highly unlikely Trump can achieve what he wants through executive order. UCLA law professor Rick Hasen writes that there is "nothing wrong or illegal about" Trump's plan to advocate against mail-in voting and "there can be a debate about these things." "But part of the post says that Trump is going to sign an executive order purporting to direct how the midterm elections will be run, on the theory that states are merely an 'agent' of the federal government in counting and tabulating the votes," he added. "This is wrong and dangerous. The Constitution does not give the President any control over federal elections." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He said he was going to lead a movement in order to accomplish this, and he can certainly do that," agrees Northeastern University law professor Jeremy Paul. "But what he can't do is just sign an executive order and eliminate mail-in ballots." Legislative action would be required to eliminate mail-in voting across the United States. That could be done at the state level or, possibly, by Congress at the federal level. Paul sees little chance that Congress will ban mail-in voting, given the popularity of the practice. Hasen points out that, even if federal lawmakers act, that wouldn't affect state and local elections since Congress only has authority over federal contests under Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution. The president can push his allies to change the law at the state level, but even solidly Republican Utah only made people ask for mail-in ballots rather than receive them by default. Remember, most people like voting this way. Voter ID Has Even Higher Support Where Trump has much more support is on the issue of voter ID. The Pew survey that found high support for mail-in voting revealed even greater support (83 percent) for "requiring all voters to show government-issued photo identification to vote." That was right in line with last year's Gallup poll in which 84 percent of respondents favored "requiring all voters to provide photo identification at their voting place in order to vote." Pew also found 84 percent support for "requiring electronic voting machines to print a paper backup of the ballot." That indicates some public sympathy for the president's suspicions about the voting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when it comes to banning the practice of filling out ballots at home and dropping them in the mailbox, Trump stands in relatively isolated company. Americans may have voted for the current White House resident and his supporters, but they don't want to wait in line at a polling station to do so. The post Most Americans Oppose Trump's Plan To Ban Mail-In Voting appeared first on Reason.com. Hundreds of asylum-seekers line up outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in June 2023 in New York City. Most refugees and asylees will no longer be able to get food stamps under President Donald Trumps new tax and spending law. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) B. said he left Cameroon nine years ago because he was scared for his life. Authorities in the West African nation threw him in prison because of his sexual orientation, he said. After his release, he feared that if he stayed in the country, he would be killed. B., who is now 39 and who asked that he be identified only by his initial because he still has family in Cameroon, arrived in the United States with practically nothing. Since he was granted asylum last year, he has been able to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, to help him get by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now most refugees and asylees, who entered the country legally, including B., are no longer eligible for food stamps. The change is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the giant federal domestic policy measure that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. I think its unfair. I understand that there are some people who abuse the system, B. told Stateline. There are also people who are in need. And cutting help for families like mine not being able to get the help it will be very difficult. SNAP, which is funded by the federal government but administered by the states, helps families and individuals with lower incomes supplement their grocery budgets. The program serves an average of 42 million people a month. Supporters of the change note that refugees and asylees can get permits to work, and that they have other sources of support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not like they have been dropped off in this country with no support system, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit group that backs stricter immigration rules. They have sponsoring organizations that are helping them get settled and they have work authorization. So they really should be moving forward towards self-sufficiency with support right out of the starting gate. And they should be moving ahead to obtain green cards, she added, referring to the cards that signify permanent residency. Vaughan cited a federal grant program that reimburses states and nonprofit organizations for financial aid and health care coverage they provide to refugees. But critics argue that asylees and refugees, who are extensively vetted and have a legitimate path to citizenship, can wait years for a green card, which entitles them to a wider array of benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also say community organizations that provide aid to asylees and refugees are stretched thin. Without food stamps, they say, many refugees and their families would not have enough to eat. SNAP is an incredibly fundamental program for this population that comes to the United States, really, with very little, if anything, said Nicolas Palazzo, a policy counsel at the global humanitarian and refugee advocacy organization HIAS. These are people who literally had to flee many times overnight with nothing, but, you know, a pair of clothes in a backpack. Palazzo also said SNAP is not a handout to refugees or asylees. Rather, he said, its a smart and moral investment that protects all communities and strengthens the economy, offering people a foundation for self-sufficiency. Stripping critical food assistance forces refugees and asylees into the shadows of informal work, labor exploitation, and hunger that weakens our workforce and denigrates our moral obligations, Palazzo said. Nowhere else to go B. said he applied immediately for asylum when he arrived in the U.S. in 2016, but that he had to wait months for a work permit. He survived by doing odd jobs, such as cleaning homes and delivering food, and got by on very little. It wasnt until late 2024, when he finally won his asylum case, that he was eligible to get any public benefits, including food stamps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eligibility for food stamps came at a critical time for B., as a car accident had prevented him from making food deliveries. While not having income, it was very helpful, B. said. Im somebody who if I can work, I will work. The only reason I went over there to ask is because I had nowhere else to go. According to a November 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a total of 60,050 people were newly admitted to the United States as refugees in 2023, many from unstable countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria and Afghanistan. In 2023, the nation received at least 747,000 applications for people seeking asylum from countries including Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an immigration research group. Its a tremendous increase from the 68,000 applications received in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new domestic policy law specifies that food stamps are still available to Cubans and Haitians who might be refugees and asylees. As of July 2025, more than 2.2 million immigrants in the U.S. are awaiting asylum hearings or decisions after formally applying for asylum, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, an organization at Syracuse University that tracks immigration cases. Getting through the system was difficult, B. said. I had to find money. I had to find an attorney who would help me apply for my asylum case. The asylum case itself took a long time. I still know people who have been here for more than 10 years and never had an interview. Already stretched According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, half of all admitted refugees in 2023 were resettled across just 10 states: Texas, New York, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, estimates that around 41,000 people in the state are getting SNAP benefits while not being lawful permanent residents. She says that group includes refugees and asylees. The concerning part there is that these are individuals who were lawfully admitted to the country, have previously been eligible for SNAP when they need it, and now, simply because of their status, will no longer be able to receive SNAP benefits, Guinn told Stateline. Theres nothing were going to be able to do to make them eligible. Another change under the new law is that for the first time, states will have to pay for a portion of their food stamp programs. States will have to cover between 5% and 15% of their SNAP costs beginning in fiscal year 2028, depending on how accurately they dole out benefits to people eligible for the program. Robert Rector, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, pointed out that states that want to continue to provide SNAP benefits to refugees and asylees are free to do so as long as they pay for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If New York state doesnt want to cut these people off, they can continue to give them something like food stamps. They just have to do it with New York state money right now, Rector said. But Guinn said that will be difficult. New York does offer asylum-seekers a variable amount of monthly cash assistance through its Safety Net Assistance Program, but typically recipients must be working. In Texas, officials at the states health and human services agency said that as of last month, roughly 24,600 of the states 3.5 million SNAP recipients were refugees or asylees. A spokesperson for Marylands human services agency wrote in an email that the states SNAP program last year supported more than 10,000 refugees and asylees. The California Department of Social Services could not provide the number of refugees and asylees receiving food stamps, but projected that a total of 74,000 noncitizens including lawfully permanent residents, refugees and asylees would lose eligibility under the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherri Laigle, the director of social services at HIAS, said food banks will not be able to make up for refugees and asylees loss of SNAP benefits. Theyre already stretched, and now were going to see tens of thousands of people also needing to continue to rely on these programs. Of course, theres limited access to them. You have to have transportation. You have to be able to get there. B. said he would apply for food stamps again if he could, because hes earning too little income to get by. There are people who are in need. I think ignoring that its not human. This story was originally published by Stateline, which like the New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. Hundreds of asylum-seekers line up outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in June 2023 in New York City. Most refugees and asylees will no longer be able to get food stamps under President Donald Trumps new tax and spending law. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) B. said he left Cameroon nine years ago because he was scared for his life. Authorities in the West African nation threw him in prison because of his sexual orientation, he said. After his release, he feared that if he stayed in the country, he would be killed. B., who is now 39 and who asked that he be identified only by his initial because he still has family in Cameroon, arrived in the United States with practically nothing. Since he was granted asylum last year, he has been able to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, to help him get by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now most refugees and asylees, who entered the country legally, including B., are no longer eligible for food stamps. The change is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the giant federal domestic policy measure that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. I think its unfair. I understand that there are some people who abuse the system, B. told Stateline. There are also people who are in need. And cutting help for families like mine not being able to get the help it will be very difficult. SNAP, which is funded by the federal government but administered by the states, helps families and individuals with lower incomes supplement their grocery budgets. The program serves an average of 42 million people a month. Supporters of the change note that refugees and asylees can get permits to work, and that they have other sources of support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not like they have been dropped off in this country with no support system, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit group that backs stricter immigration rules. They have sponsoring organizations that are helping them get settled and they have work authorization. So they really should be moving forward towards self-sufficiency with support right out of the starting gate. And they should be moving ahead to obtain green cards, she added, referring to the cards that signify permanent residency. Vaughan cited a federal grant program that reimburses states and nonprofit organizations for financial aid and health care coverage they provide to refugees. But critics argue that asylees and refugees, who are extensively vetted and have a legitimate path to citizenship, can wait years for a green card, which entitles them to a wider array of benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also say community organizations that provide aid to asylees and refugees are stretched thin. Without food stamps, they say, many refugees and their families would not have enough to eat. SNAP is an incredibly fundamental program for this population that comes to the United States, really, with very little, if anything, said Nicolas Palazzo, a policy counsel at the global humanitarian and refugee advocacy organization HIAS. These are people who literally had to flee many times overnight with nothing, but, you know, a pair of clothes in a backpack. Palazzo also said SNAP is not a handout to refugees or asylees. Rather, he said, its a smart and moral investment that protects all communities and strengthens the economy, offering people a foundation for self-sufficiency. Stripping critical food assistance forces refugees and asylees into the shadows of informal work, labor exploitation and hunger that weakens our workforce and denigrates our moral obligations, Palazzo said. Nowhere else to go B. said he applied immediately for asylum when he arrived in the U.S. in 2016, but that he had to wait months for a work permit. He survived by doing odd jobs, such as cleaning homes and delivering food, and got by on very little. It wasnt until late 2024, when he finally won his asylum case, that he was eligible to get any public benefits, including food stamps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eligibility for food stamps came at a critical time for B., as a car accident had prevented him from making food deliveries. While not having income, it was very helpful, B. said. Im somebody who if I can work, I will work. The only reason I went over there to ask is because I had nowhere else to go. According to a November 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a total of 60,050 people were newly admitted to the United States as refugees in 2023, many from unstable countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria and Afghanistan. In 2023, the nation received at least 747,000 applications for people seeking asylum from countries including Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an immigration research group. Its a tremendous increase from the 68,000 applications received in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new domestic policy law specifies that food stamps are still available to Cubans and Haitians who might be refugees and asylees. As of July 2025, more than 2.2 million immigrants in the U.S. are awaiting asylum hearings or decisions after formally applying for asylum, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, an organization at Syracuse University that tracks immigration cases. Getting through the system was difficult, B. said. I had to find money. I had to find an attorney who would help me apply for my asylum case. The asylum case itself took a long time. I still know people who have been here for more than 10 years and never had an interview. Already stretched According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, half of all admitted refugees in 2023 were resettled across just 10 states: Texas, New York, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, estimates that around 41,000 people in the state are getting SNAP benefits while not being lawful permanent residents. She says that group includes refugees and asylees. The concerning part there is that these are individuals who were lawfully admitted to the country, have previously been eligible for SNAP when they need it, and now, simply because of their status, will no longer be able to receive SNAP benefits, Guinn told Stateline. Theres nothing were going to be able to do to make them eligible. Another change under the new law is that for the first time, states will have to pay for a portion of their food stamp programs. States will have to cover between 5% and 15% of their SNAP costs beginning in fiscal year 2028, depending on how accurately they dole out benefits to people eligible for the program. Robert Rector, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, pointed out that states that want to continue to provide SNAP benefits to refugees and asylees are free to do so as long as they pay for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If New York state doesnt want to cut these people off, they can continue to give them something like food stamps. They just have to do it with New York state money right now, Rector said. But Guinn said that will be difficult. New York does offer asylum-seekers a variable amount of monthly cash assistance through its Safety Net Assistance Program, but typically recipients must be working. In Texas, officials at the states health and human services agency said that as of last month, roughly 24,600 of the states 3.5 million SNAP recipients were refugees or asylees. A spokesperson for Marylands human services agency wrote in an email that the states SNAP program last year supported more than 10,000 refugees and asylees. The California Department of Social Services could not provide the number of refugees and asylees receiving food stamps, but projected that a total of 74,000 noncitizens including lawfully permanent residents, refugees and asylees would lose eligibility under the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherri Laigle, the director of social services at HIAS, said food banks will not be able to make up for refugees and asylees loss of SNAP benefits. Theyre already stretched, and now were going to see tens of thousands of people also needing to continue to rely on these programs. Of course, theres limited access to them. You have to have transportation. You have to be able to get there. B. said he would apply for food stamps again if he could, because hes earning too little income to get by. There are people who are in need. I think ignoring that its not human. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Hundreds of asylum-seekers line up outside the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in June 2023 in New York City. Most refugees and asylees will no longer be able to get food stamps under President Donald Trumps new tax and spending law. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) B. said he left Cameroon nine years ago because he was scared for his life. Authorities in the West African nation threw him in prison because of his sexual orientation, he said. After his release, he feared that if he stayed in the country, he would be killed. B., who is now 39 and who asked that he be identified only by his initial because he still has family in Cameroon, arrived in the United States with practically nothing. Since he was granted asylum last year, he has been able to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, to help him get by. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now most refugees and asylees, who entered the country legally, including B., are no longer eligible for food stamps. The change is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the giant federal domestic policy measure that President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4. I think its unfair. I understand that there are some people who abuse the system, B. told Stateline. There are also people who are in need. And cutting help for families like mine not being able to get the help it will be very difficult. SNAP, which is funded by the federal government but administered by the states, helps families and individuals with lower incomes supplement their grocery budgets. The program serves an average of 42 million people a month. Supporters of the change note that refugees and asylees can get permits to work, and that they have other sources of support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not like they have been dropped off in this country with no support system, said Jessica Vaughan, director of policy studies at the Center for Immigration Studies, a nonprofit group that backs stricter immigration rules. They have sponsoring organizations that are helping them get settled and they have work authorization. So they really should be moving forward towards self-sufficiency with support right out of the starting gate. And they should be moving ahead to obtain green cards, she added, referring to the cards that signify permanent residency. Vaughan cited a federal grant program that reimburses states and nonprofit organizations for financial aid and health care coverage they provide to refugees. But critics argue that asylees and refugees, who are extensively vetted and have a legitimate path to citizenship, can wait years for a green card, which entitles them to a wider array of benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also say community organizations that provide aid to asylees and refugees are stretched thin. Without food stamps, they say, many refugees and their families would not have enough to eat. SNAP is an incredibly fundamental program for this population that comes to the United States, really, with very little, if anything, said Nicolas Palazzo, a policy counsel at the global humanitarian and refugee advocacy organization HIAS. These are people who literally had to flee many times overnight with nothing, but, you know, a pair of clothes in a backpack. Palazzo also said SNAP is not a handout to refugees or asylees. Rather, he said, its a smart and moral investment that protects all communities and strengthens the economy, offering people a foundation for self-sufficiency. Stripping critical food assistance forces refugees and asylees into the shadows of informal work, labor exploitation and hunger that weakens our workforce and denigrates our moral obligations, Palazzo said. Nowhere else to go B. said he applied immediately for asylum when he arrived in the U.S. in 2016, but that he had to wait months for a work permit. He survived by doing odd jobs, such as cleaning homes and delivering food, and got by on very little. It wasnt until late 2024, when he finally won his asylum case, that he was eligible to get any public benefits, including food stamps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eligibility for food stamps came at a critical time for B., as a car accident had prevented him from making food deliveries. While not having income, it was very helpful, B. said. Im somebody who if I can work, I will work. The only reason I went over there to ask is because I had nowhere else to go. According to a November 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a total of 60,050 people were newly admitted to the United States as refugees in 2023, many from unstable countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria and Afghanistan. In 2023, the nation received at least 747,000 applications for people seeking asylum from countries including Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia, according to the Migration Policy Institute, an immigration research group. Its a tremendous increase from the 68,000 applications received in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new domestic policy law specifies that food stamps are still available to Cubans and Haitians who might be refugees and asylees. As of July 2025, more than 2.2 million immigrants in the U.S. are awaiting asylum hearings or decisions after formally applying for asylum, according to Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, an organization at Syracuse University that tracks immigration cases. Getting through the system was difficult, B. said. I had to find money. I had to find an attorney who would help me apply for my asylum case. The asylum case itself took a long time. I still know people who have been here for more than 10 years and never had an interview. Already stretched According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, half of all admitted refugees in 2023 were resettled across just 10 states: Texas, New York, California, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barbara Guinn, commissioner of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, estimates that around 41,000 people in the state are getting SNAP benefits while not being lawful permanent residents. She says that group includes refugees and asylees. The concerning part there is that these are individuals who were lawfully admitted to the country, have previously been eligible for SNAP when they need it, and now, simply because of their status, will no longer be able to receive SNAP benefits, Guinn told Stateline. Theres nothing were going to be able to do to make them eligible. Another change under the new law is that for the first time, states will have to pay for a portion of their food stamp programs. States will have to cover between 5% and 15% of their SNAP costs beginning in fiscal year 2028, depending on how accurately they dole out benefits to people eligible for the program. Robert Rector, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, pointed out that states that want to continue to provide SNAP benefits to refugees and asylees are free to do so as long as they pay for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If New York state doesnt want to cut these people off, they can continue to give them something like food stamps. They just have to do it with New York state money right now, Rector said. But Guinn said that will be difficult. New York does offer asylum-seekers a variable amount of monthly cash assistance through its Safety Net Assistance Program, but typically recipients must be working. In Texas, officials at the states health and human services agency said that as of last month, roughly 24,600 of the states 3.5 million SNAP recipients were refugees or asylees. A spokesperson for Marylands human services agency wrote in an email that the states SNAP program last year supported more than 10,000 refugees and asylees. The California Department of Social Services could not provide the number of refugees and asylees receiving food stamps, but projected that a total of 74,000 noncitizens including lawfully permanent residents, refugees and asylees would lose eligibility under the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherri Laigle, the director of social services at HIAS, said food banks will not be able to make up for refugees and asylees loss of SNAP benefits. Theyre already stretched, and now were going to see tens of thousands of people also needing to continue to rely on these programs. Of course, theres limited access to them. You have to have transportation. You have to be able to get there. B. said he would apply for food stamps again if he could, because hes earning too little income to get by. There are people who are in need. I think ignoring that its not human. This story first appeared in Stateline, a sibling site of the Minnesota Reformer and part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. A 36-year-old motorcyclist was killed Saturday in a head-on collision with a truck in Wantage Township, New Jersey State Police said. Ishavpreet Singh, of Guttenberg, was driving southbound on Route 23 when he crossed into the northbound lane and crashed into a pickup truck near milepost 47.9 shortly after 8 p.m., state police said. Singh sustained fatal injuries in the crash, authorities said. The driver and passenger of the truck had minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation into the crash remains ongoing. No additional information was available Monday afternoon. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com. MSNBC host Joe Scarborough lashed out at President Donald Trump on Monday over his latest threats against his former advisers. Scarborough was shocked at the Trump administrations move to target former national security adviser John Bolton on Friday and Trumps latest threat to investigate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over the Bridgegate scandal. Scarborough begged for the madness to stop, noting that Democrats could target Trump once they get back into power. Hes threatening Chris Christie now because he doesnt like what Chris says on This Week. And you just sit and wonder that the people that are sitting in the administration right now, making these moves, do they not understand that what goes around comes around?" Scarborough said Monday on MSNBCs Morning Joe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they were so shocked and stunned and deeply saddened by what happened over the last four years, theyre doing it this four years, what do they think is going to happen when Democrats get back into power? Do we really want this cycle to continue? he continued. Let me just assure everybody right now. [Democrats] will get back into power. Our independents will get back into power. The people that are doing this right now will leave office with a cloud over their head, wondering what happens next. Now, lets stop this madness, Scarborough added. Trump threatened to reopen the Bridgegate case in a Truth Social post Sunday after the New Jersey Republican appeared on ABCs This Week. Trumps threat marked the latest escalation of his feud with Christie, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump since he refused to accept the results of the 2020 election. Trump suggested that Christie should face scrutiny for the 2013 lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother? Trump wrote. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. His post came hours after Christie criticized Trump on This Week, where he accused the president of politicizing the Justice Department. Trumps threat against Christie also came days after the FBI raided the home of Bolton, who served as Trumps national security adviser during his first term. Like Christie, Bolton has been an outspoken critic of the president. Trump has made it a priority to target those critical of his administration in his second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps team has opened investigations of Democrat Letitia James, the New York attorney general who sued Trumps company over alleged fraud for falsifying records, and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who as a congressman led Trumps first impeachment. The Republican administration has charged Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., over her actions at an immigration protest in Newark, New Jersey, after arresting Mayor Ras Baraka, also a Democrat. Under investigation, too, is former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York City mayor. Trump has directed prosecutors to investigate two other members of his first administration: Miles Taylor, who wrote a book warning of what he said were Trumps authoritarian tendencies, and Chris Krebs, who earned the presidents wrath for assuring voters that the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden, was secure. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Middle Tennessee State University students wont have to venture far for their Italian food fix this fall. Murfreesboro institution and alumni-run Demos Steak and Spaghetti House will open its new campus location Monday, Aug. 25, with a ribbon cutting, prizes, photo ops and plenty to mangia," (or eat). The grand opening starts at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25 at the Student Union Buildings first-floor food court. The first 100 students in line for lunch will receive swag bags along with one lucky student winning a Demos Golden Ticket good for complimentary meals the entire semester. Dr. Scott Cook, alumnus, president, Dyersburg State Community College Keel Hunt The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce will be on hand along with owners and alums, Peter Demos and Kristin Demos, for a ribbon cutting. University mascot Lighting will also be available for photos, and the Demoses hinted they have a final surprise up their sleeves for attendees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thrilled to be part of the Blue Raider community, said Kristin Demos, the restaurants vice president of brand and marketing. We look forward to being an active member of the MTSU community and helping to showcase all the wonderful things about MTSU and Murfreesboro! Deidra Goins, alumnus Hal Hardin alumnus, Distinguished Alumni Award recipient 2025-26 Demos will be a great addition to campus dining, said Rachel Hunter, marketing manager for the MT Dining Department. Surveys show that Italian cuisine is one of the most desired in our community, and we look forward to the great food and variety Demos will bring. Demos said campus diners can anticipate familiar flavors tailored to the pace and demands of student life. The Demoses son, Jamey, will manage the new MTSU location. William Roper, alumnus, military veteran Julien Baker, alumnus, Young Alumni Achievement Award 2025-26 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our slogan for this location is run on real food, she said. We truly hope to provide the students and staff (with) a truly delicious meal that reminds them of home and that we can meet their time demands knowing their time between classes is limited. Menu options will include Demos famous chicken and rice soup and rolls, the signature variety of sauces served over penne pasta, lasagna and a possible rotating lunch special starting in September. The husband-and-wife team, who both graduated from MTSU with degrees in sociology, brought the restaurant to campus for a few weeks in fall 2022 as part of MT Dinings Local Restaurant Row concept. Hunter noted the campus loved Demos while Kristin Demos said the decision to return was a no-brainer for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunter also emphasized the other local, alumni-run dining options on campus available to students, faculty, staff and visitors. Just Love Coffee, Nashville Chicken & Waffles, and Blenz Bowls are all local eateries weve brought to campus after our Local Restaurant Row, with the first two also being run by our alumni, she said. At MT Dining, we're always striving for variety and building on it each year. Gen Z and Gen Alpha have sophisticated palettes, so we keep stepping it up for them. To learn more about all dining across campus, visit https://mtsu.campusdish.com/en/. MTSU rolls out 2025-26 alumni award honorees MTSUs alumni continue to embody their vibrant True Blue spirit long after departing their campus home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The universitys Alumni Association celebrates these successes annually with the Alumni Association Awards, recently naming this years recipients for demonstrating excellence and ability in the areas of education, community service and military service along with comprehensive recognitions of a junior and an overall distinguished alumni. Established in 1960, the association awarded its top honor the Distinguished Alumni Award to two winners for 2025-26: Hal Hardin (Class of 1966), of Nashville, and Keel Hunt (Class of 1971), also of Nashville. Hardins more than 50-year career in law includes a successful nomination by President Jimmy Carter to the U.S. attorney for Middle Tennessee, playing a key role in the ousting of Tennessee Gov. Ray Blanton in 1979 and multiple judge positions throughout Davidson County. Hunts 50 years as a writer includes work across The Tennessean newsroom; as a political blogger and founder; as a columnist for The Tennessean and larger USA Today Tennessee network; and as a four-book author, one of which, coincidentally, details the 1979 ousting of Blanton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025-26 Young Alumni Achievement Award winner, given to a graduate age 35 or younger making a positive impact on the world, is Grammy-winner Julien Baker (Class of 2019), of Memphis. Baker is a solo artist, was a member of the Grammy Award-winning band Boygenius and now performs as a country duo with fellow musician Torres. Launched in 2013, the associations True Blue Citations of Distinction honorees include: Achievement in Education (MTSU faculty) Chaney Mosley, of Nashville, MTSU agriculture professor; Achievement in Education (non-MTSU faculty) Scott Cook, of Dyersburg, president of Dyersburg State Community College; Service to Community Deidra Goins, of Manchester; and Military Service Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. William Bill Roper, of Stafford, Virginia. Visit mtsunews.com to learn more about this year's honorees. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU Mondays: Alumni to bring new Demos location to campus Its not just students heading back to the classroom. As the new school year begins, New Jersey teachers are also in back-to-school mode. But their paychecks vary widely, depending on their school districts. Teachers in New Jersey had a median salary of more than $80,000 during the 2023-24 school year, according to the state Taxpayers Guide to Education Spending released earlier this year. But teachers in the top-paying districts can average six-figure salaries. The highest paying district in New Jersey had a median salary of $119,285, according to the data. (See the 17 highest paying districts listed below.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best paying districts tend to be larger, or regional high school districts without elementary schools, an NJ Advance Media analysis of the state data shows. All of the top 15 districts have a median pay for teachers in the six figures. Teachers in the top-paying districts tend to have more experience than the state average, helping drive up the median salary, the data shows. Teachers in 12 of the top 17 highest paying districts have at least a year more experience than the state average. In Brigantine in Atlantic County, the average teacher has more than 17 years of experience, according to state data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other end of the pay scale, the seven lowest paying public school districts in New Jersey are charter schools with relatively inexperienced teachers. At Bridgeton Public Charter School in Cumberland County which has the lowest median pay in the latest state data the average amount of experience was less than one year. Salary data is reported annually in the Taxpayers Guide to Education Spending. The data is self-reported by New Jersey school districts. Some districts did not report salary data for the 2023-24 school year. The districts with the highest media salaries for teachers were: 17. Mainland Regional (Atlantic County) 2023-24 median salary: $99,271 Increase from 2022-23: 2.64% Average experience: 15.8 years 16. Ramsey (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $99,592 Increase from 2022-23: 4.59% Average experience: 14.9 years 15. West Orange (Essex County) 2023-24 median salary: $100,092 Increase from 2022-23: 2.07% Average experience: 12.4 years 14. Cresskill (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $101,107 Increase from 2022-23: 1.97% Average experience: 12.8 years 13. Millburn (Essex County) 2023-24 median salary: $101,160 Increase from 2022-23: 1.56% Average experience: 12.8 years 12. River Dell Regional (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $101,381 Increase from 2022-23: 5.40% Average experience: 15.2 years 11. Kittatinny Regional (Sussex County) 2023-24 median salary: $101,445 Increase from 2022-23: 6.45% Average experience: 18.2 years 10. Passaic City (Passaic County) 2023-24 median salary: $101,595 Increase from 2022-23: 18.66% Average experience: 13.5 years 9. River Vale (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $101,740 Increase from 2022-23: 0.25% Average experience: 12.7 years 8. Brigantine (Atlantic County) 2023-24 median salary: $102,124 Increase from 2022-23: 1.77% Average experience: 17.2 years 7. Wallkill Valley Regional (Sussex County) 2023-24 median salary: $102,920 Increase from 2022-23: 1.24% Average experience: 16.9 years 6. Atlantic City (Atlantic County) 2023-24 median salary: $103,981 Increase from 2022-23: 8.45% Average experience: 14.2 years 5. Hackensack (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $104,596 Increase from 2022-23: 1.43% Average experience: 12.7 years 4. Lenape Regional (Burlington County) 2023-24 median salary: $104,969 Increase from 2022-23: 2.46% Average experience: 16.1 years 3. Morris Hills Regional (Morris County) 2023-24 median salary: $105,599 Increase from 2022-23: 3.17% Average experience: 16.1 years 2. Pascack Valley Regional (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $116,240 Increase from 2022-23: 4.04% Average experience: 16.8 years 1. Northern Valley Regional (Bergen County) 2023-24 median salary: $119,285 Increase from 2022-23: 1.60% Average experience: 16.2 years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch. When Josh from Orlando, Florida called The Ramsey Show asking for advice about navigating finances and splitting bills with his girlfriend, host Dave Ramseys advice was clear: dont move in together before marriage. Josh makes more money than his girlfriend and, when discussing moving in with her, he suggested they split the bills 50/50 since they aren't married. This would leave him with more money left over to pay down his debt. Don't miss His girlfriend, however, feels that the extra money should be put in a savings account for them both to use, since Josh would only be saving money to pay off his debt because of her contribution. "I kind of understand where she's coming from because she is helping me save money and that money is paying off debt, Josh explained on the show. But at the same time, I feel like that's not necessarily, like, a healthy mindset." Heres what Ramsey and co-host Dr. John Delony had to say. The data is horrible on living together Ramseys advice is pretty straightforward. In fact, he points to data that suggests cohabitating before marriage negatively impacts your finances and your relationship. "So, you want a roommate that you sleep with, but you don't like their answers about money," said Ramsey. "Moving in actually sets you back on several fronts. The data is horrible on living together. The relationship data and the financial data sucks." Delony pointed out that living together would actually put his girlfriend at a disadvantage. "She's totally exposed if she moves in with you, pays off your debt and then you break up with her, said Delony. It's worth noting that Ramsey is an evangelical Christian, so his stance on living together before marriage is rooted partly in his religious beliefs. But there is some research to back him up at least in part. A study from Sonya Britt-Lutter an associate professor of personal financial planning at Kansas State University and Cassandra Dorius, an assistant professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University, found that people who cohabitate before marriage have lower net worth and accumulate fewer financial assets than married couples. Attached video: Is driving safer than other modes of transportation? LAWRENCE COUNTY, Mo. An area law enforcement agency shares results from Saturation Saturday. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Saturation Saturday is a nationwide effort to prevent impaired driving. A press release by MADD claims that for the last eight years, numerous lives have been saved during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 260+ law enforcement agencies across 16 states and Puerto Rico hosted Saturation Saturday events this year. Common ways authorities are doing their part include sobriety checkpoints, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says reduces drunk driving deaths by up to twenty percent. The CDC says that every day in the United States, 32 people lose their lives in crashes involving a drunk driver, roughly one every 45 minutes. The Lawrence County Sheriffs Office says that deputies conducted 26 traffic stops, and of those, three DWI arrests were made. Out of the three DWI arrests, two were felony offenses, which they say is what happens when your child is in the car with you. They say theyll continue to share information on the continued efforts against impaired driving. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A man convicted of first and second degree murder will be sentenced Monday in Minnehaha County. $2 million Powerball sold in Mobridge Darrian Johnson Darrian Johnson shot and killed Kaisean Tyler, 26, in September of 2022 in an apartment in Sioux Falls. He was convicted in a bench trial May. Judge Jennifer D. Mammenga found Johnson guilty of shooting Tyler four times in an apartment in Sioux Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyler was in an apartment of a woman with whom Johnson had been in a domestic partnership, according to the Minnehaha County States Attorney. KELOLANDs Jordan DeSmet will be in the courtroom Monday afternoon and will have a full report later on KELOLAND 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 KELOLAND.com. Elon Musk has filed a lawsuit against Apple and ChatGPT maker OpenAI, accusing the companies of conspiring against his AI business. The lawsuit, filed by Mr Musks xAI and his social media platform X, alleges that the two tech giants have engaged in an anti-competitive scheme to maintain their dominance. It said an exclusive agreement to embed ChatGPTs software in the iPhone had made it harder for rivals such as xAIs chatbot Grok to scale and innovate. It also accused Apple of de-prioritising other chatbots and so-called super apps in its app store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit, which is seeking billions of dollars in damages, added: Working in tandem, defendants Apple and OpenAI have locked up markets to maintain their monopolies and prevent innovators like X and xAI from competing. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Texas, follows up on Mr Musks threat to sue Apple and comes after he engaged in a bitter public dispute with OpenAI founder Sam Altman. In a post on X, the Tesla billionaire accused Apple of an unequivocal antitrust violation, saying the iPhone maker was behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store. In response, Mr Altman wrote: This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesnt like. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Musk then branded Mr Altman a liar, prompting the OpenAI boss to ask the tycoon whether he would sign a sworn legal statement declaring he had never made changes to the X algorithm to either benefit his own companies or harm competitors. It is the latest clash in an ongoing feud between the two billionaires, who both helped to found OpenAI. Mr Musk left the tech startup after falling out with Mr Altman over its non-profit status. The X boss has already filed a separate lawsuit against OpenAI over claims he was misled into investing in the company. The ChatGPT maker filed a counter-suit accusing him of unlawful harassment. A trial is scheduled next year. OpenAI chief Sam Altman launched a counter-attack on X against Musks alleged manipulation of X to benefit himself and his companies - Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters Mr Musk has also criticised Apples app store fees, which can take up to 30pc of in-app spending. The US has already filed a lawsuit against Apple over claims it has monopolised the smartphone market, while the iPhone maker is also facing potential crackdowns in the UK and EU. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes as Mr Musk looks to ramp up his companies AI capabilities to compete with rivals including OpenAI and Chinese startup DeepSeek. In March, Mr Musks xAI acquired X for $33bn in a deal that gives the tech company access to more data to train its chatbot. The tycoon has also integrated Grok into cars made by his electric vehicle company Tesla. Apple was contacted for comment. The company has previously denied claims of anti-competitive behaviour, saying its app store was designed to be free and fair of bias. An OpenAI spokesman said: This latest filing is consistent with Mr Musks ongoing pattern of harassment. 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. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) The operator of a Myrtle Beach Italian restaurant is facing multiple state alcohol-licensing violations after SLED said the business illegally sold alcohol to an undercover agent in July. Cafe Vincenzo operator Genci Cake, 43, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with failure to secure a beer or wine sale permit, unlawful sale of alcohol and unlawful storage or possession of alcohol in a place of business. He posted a $3,000 bond and was released from the J. Reuben Long Detention Center the same day, according to online jail records. News13 photo: Alec Daniels News13 photo: Alec Daniels News13 photo: Alec Daniels The sale took place on July 7 at the restaurant at 7710 N. Kings Highway, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said. The business did not have a license to sell or store alcohol at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sign posted outside of the restaurant said it will have a grand re-opening on Sept. 5. Another sign indicates the business has since applied for an alcohol beverage license. SLED said the city of Myrtle Beach Business License Division asked the agency to investigate. * * * Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Friends and family say its time for Karim Daoud to come home. Daoud, a Flemington husband and father of two, has been detained by ICE since March 12 at a detention facility in Elizabeth. His family said Daoud, from Egypt, was detained by immigration officials the same day that he went to an appointment to pick up work authorization documents. In June, a stay of removal meaning he cant be deported was granted, but Daoud has not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends created a social media page called Free Karim. They held a rally and continue to hold fundraisers for his family. It is unclear exactly why Daoud is being detained. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement issued a statement in March saying the agency is moving ahead with efforts to deport him. Karim Ahmed Daoud Mahmoud Salem, a native and citizen of Egypt, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement March 12 for violating U.S. immigration laws, ICE said. Daoud is currently detained at the Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and is pending removal from the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE also said in the statement that Daoud has reached the end of his appeals. During his long detention, Daoud has missed a lot of family events. His daughter, Alexandria, graduated from high school in the spring and also received awards for outstanding achievement. Daoud celebrated his birthday in April and Fathers Day in June, but inside the detention facility instead of the comfort of his home. Daoud took to social media on his 100th day of detainment to describe what is was like at the facility. Everyone working here makes sure to use a different language to reassure you that youre not an inmate, and that youre a detainee, Daoud wrote. Youre in an immigration detention center and not in a prison. Call it whatever, it sure feels like hell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daouds detention drew the attention of U.S. Sen. Andrew, D-N.J., and state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, D-16th Dist., who posted his testimony about Daoud on social media. During his testimony, Zwicker called Daouds case shocking. Kim and fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez also visited Daoud in April at the detention facility, according to a social media post. As of Monday, a GoFundMe account to help raise money for Daouds family has surpassed $100,000. The original goal set in April was only half that amount. On Sept. 12, Daoud will have spent half a year being detained. Friend Rachel Mascitelli said Daoud has lived in the United States for more than two decades. Hes been a food service worker and a pickleball instructor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes also been working on getting his citizenship, but the process has been taking years to complete, she said. Daouds wife, Jenn, declined comment. She is an American citizen, Mascitelli said, and the couple have two young children. The Hunterdon County community continues to rally around Daoud and his family. They are waiting for his case to come up for review, a process they hope will let him leave the detention facility. His family is also urging everyone to reach out to Gov. Phil Murphy and federal representatives on Karims behalf. Theyve published a list of names, email addresses, and phone numbers on the Free Karim social media page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remember, this man is not a criminal and has no criminal record, according to a post on the social media page. He deserves to be with his family. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Stephanie Loder may be reached at SLoder@njadvancemedia.com. National Guard members are now carrying firearms in Washington, D.C., raising concerns from civil rights groups and residents in the nations capital that armed troops could escalate growing tensions as Donald Trumps federal takeover enters a third week. As of Sunday evening, the troops will now be armed with handguns or rifles, just two days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the nearly 2,000 troops stationed in Washington to start carrying firearms, a Defense Department official told the Associated Press. The troops are authorized to use their firearms for self-protection, the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has requested additional information from the Pentagon. Trump initially deployed about 800 National Guard troops on August 11 after he declared a crime emergency, despite reports of violent crime hitting a 30-year low. Six GOP-led states have since sent their National Guard troops to support the presidents efforts, adding more military presence in the nations capital. National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C. are now armed, raising alarm among civil rights groups and residents amid already-high tensions in the nations capital following Trumps federal takeover (AP) Civil rights and advocacy groups have condemned the Trump administrations decision to arm troops, warning that it could inflame already-high tensions between locals and the federal government. The president relied on a phony emergency as an excuse to overstep his power, and now we have a real emergency the threat of an unnecessary and disorienting flood of armed military forces on D.C. streets, according to Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be clear: military troops have no place policing civilians in the United States, she added. Now, the people of D.C. face a dangerous escalation with armed National Guard troops patrolling our streets. Kris Brown, president of gun violence prevention group Brady, said arming National Guard members will contradict Trumps mission to reduce crime in the city. It doesnt take an expert to realize that more weapons on our streets wont decrease crime. If more guns meant less crime, then America would be the safest nation on Earth, Brown said in a statement. But the Trump administration is dangerously escalating its takeover of our nations capital by subverting D.C.s gun laws and militarizing our streets. Common Defense, an organization of progressive veterans, called the decision to arm troops reckless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers aren't trained for police work this only puts our communities at greater risk, the group said in a statement. Advocacy groups warn that arming troops is a dangerous escalation as the president brags about a drop in murders in the nations capital (AP) The president is reportedly weighing a radical expansion of the militarys footprint in American cities with plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks to support his immigration and crime crackdowns. In a Truth Social post Sunday, the president suggested troops could soon be sent to Baltimore. He has also signaled that he has his eye on Chicago to execute a similar plan, and the Pentagon has reportedly prepared for several weeks to begin an operation in the nations third-largest city. After we do this, well go to another location, and well make it safe also, Trump said in the Oval Office last week. That will be our next one after this. WASHINGTON National Guard troops deployed to Washington this month to support President Donald Trump's effort to mitigate crime began carrying firearms Sunday evening, according to the federal task force managing the operation. The majority of the guard members will carry M17 pistols, their service-issued weapons, a Defense Department official with knowledge of the planning said, while a small number of the troops will be armed with their service M4 rifles. The troops are authorized to use their weapons for self-protection and "as a last resort" in response to an "imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm," the federal task force said. A spokesperson for the task force said National Guard members supporting safety and security will be armed, whereas troops who are assigned to beautification tasks across the district, which includes tasks like community restoration, most likely will not be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several armed National Guard troops were seen Sunday evening patrolling the Chinatown neighborhood of D.C., wearing patches labeled "MP" to signify their role as military police. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday ordered the authorization of roughly 2,000 National Guard troops in D.C. to begin carrying weapons. It marked a shift in the posture of the guard members, who had been unarmed as they worked to support law enforcement by assisting with community safety patrols, traffic control points and crowd flow support. Members of the South Carolina National Guard patrol Union Station, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Washington. (Jose Luis Magana / AP) The federal task force said it is "currently staffing" a request by local police for "increased Guardsmen presence at pre-specified metro locations" to coincide with the start of school year for many D.C. area schools. In carrying out Hegseth's directive, the Army said that "Guard members receive initial, regular, ongoing and refresher training" and "complete annual weapons qualifications, prior to carrying weapons." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A White House official told NBC News that despite being armed, as of Saturday night, the National Guard troops in D.C. are not making arrests and will continue to focus their work on protecting federal assets and providing a safe environment for law enforcement officers making arrests. More than 2,200 National Guard soldiers and airmen, a majority from out of state, have been deployed to D.C. to support what Trump has framed as a concerted effort to tackle crime and homelessness in the nation's capital. At the time of the initial troop deployment this month, violent crime had dropped roughly 27% year over year, according to D.C. police data. Currently guard members from D.C., West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee are assisting the District and federal government agencies. Nearly 60% of guard members in D.C. are from out of the district after several Republican state leaders sent hundreds of troops there. West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey deployed more than 400 troops to D.C. "as a show of commitment" to Trump's initiative, the most of any state leader. Democrats have bashed the deployment as partisan in nature, accusing Trump of trying to exert his presidential authority through scare tactics and noting that his primary targets have been cities with Black leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump threatened Sunday to send the military into Baltimore after he sparred with Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, deriding the city as "crime-ridden." But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime, Trump said on Truth Social, using a derogatory nickname to refer to Gavin Newsom, the governor of California. Deploying the National Guard to cities like D.C. is historically uncommon, as the force is typically used to respond to situations like natural disasters and civil unrest. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Some National Guard members have started carrying their service-issued weapons around the nations capital. Starting the late evening of August 24, 2025, JTF- DC (Joint Task Force - DC) service members began carrying their service-issued weapon, the Guard said in a statement late Sunday. Task force personnel operate under the established Rules for the Use of Force, which allow the use of force only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm, the Guard added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memo late last week authorizing National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C., to carry weapons if their mission requires it. The memo, according to one official, was addressed to the chief of the National Guard Bureau and the Secretary of the Army. Roughly 2,300 Guard troops have been deployed in Washington and seen in low-crime tourist areas. Soldiers and airmen assigned to a beautification task force have conducted site surveys to begin community restoration projects over the next several days. Now that some are armed, it is unclear whether their tasks will expand to security patrols in neighborhoods that struggle with crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 900 members of the District of Columbia National Guard have been deployed, along with about 1,300 Guard members coming from Republican-led states, including Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia and Ohio. On Saturday, Mississippi National Guard service members assigned to JTF-DC responded to civilian calls for help, the National Guard said in its Sunday statement. Troops formed a protective barrier between a suspect and victims while also notifying Capitol Police. Capitol Police took the suspect into custody, the Guard said. Trump suggests Guard troops will be deployed to Chicago next President Donald Trump early Friday threatened a full federal takeover of Washington and accused D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser of providing inaccurate crime figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington, D.C. is SAFE AGAIN! Trump wrote on his Truth social. Mayor Muriel Bowser must immediately stop giving false and highly inaccurate crime figures, or bad things will happen, including a complete and total Federal takeover of the City! Washington D.C. will soon be great again!!! Bowser has shared data showing that violent crime has decreased in the city since a rise in 2023. Were at a 30-year violent-crime low. Were not satisfied. We havent taken our foot off the gas, and we continue to look for ways to make our city safer, Bowser said last week. Crime has been down across the board in D.C., with 20-year homicide trends at their lowest point since the 2020 pandemic, according to the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homicide rates last year were almost twice as high as 2012, when the nations capital experienced a 50-year low in the number of homicides per capita. But those rates are down more than 68% since the record highs of the 1990s, from about 80 homicides per 100,000 residents to about 25 homicides per 100,000 residents, FBI crime data shows. The Justice Department has launched an investigation into whether the Metropolitan Police Department has falsified its data. The probe, led by the U.S. Attorneys Office for D.C., came after Trumps administration federalized the citys police force and ordered the National Guard deployment. In a visit to Guard personnel Thursday, Trump suggested the military personnel would be playing a larger role in law enforcement in the city. He also suggested the troops could stay for six months or longer. You do the job on safety, and Ill get this place fixed up physically, and were going to be so proud of it at the end of six months, he told law enforcement and troops who had gathered to hear him speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retired Maj. Gen. Randy Manner, who served as vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, told Military Times this month that the crime situation in Washington falls far below any emergency criteria that has ever been used to deploy the Guard during or after his 35-year career. The cost for a deployment of about 2,000 Guard soldiers typically averages around $20 million per month, Manner said, and could negatively impact readiness by taking money away from drills and individual training. The Army did not provide cost estimates for the deployment. The U.S. Navy on Friday awarded Pratt & Whitney a contract modification worth up to nearly $2.9 billion to build more engines for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Pratt & Whitney, which is a subsidiary of RTX, will produce and deliver 141 F135 engines to go into new F-35s for the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as partner nations in the F-35 program and foreign military customers. The Navy expects Pratt to finish these engines by February 2028. Work on the engines will be spread among multiple Pratt facilities in Connecticut, Indiana, Washington, Maine and other locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These engines will go into the 18th lot of F-35 fighters being built by Lockheed Martin, largely at its facility in Forth Worth, Texas. The Navy awarded Lockheed a contract in December 2024 worth up to $11.8 billion to produce and deliver 145 Lot 18 F-35s by the end of June 2027. The Navy is providing nearly $656 million in 2024 and 2025 procurement funding to buy the engines, and the Air Force will contribute about $614.6 million. Foreign military customers will provide $513.7 million, and non-U.S. participants will provide $228.5 million. Boeing is also receiving a sole-source Navy deal worth $315 million to repair landing gears for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft, which the company also makes. That work will be done in places such as St. Louis, Quebec, Canada, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and is expected to be complete by September 2029, the Navy said Friday. And on Thursday, the Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a $27 million contract modification to buy special tooling and test equipment to support the Joint Strike Fighter. Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting authority for the Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed deals. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support in Philadelphia is the contracting authority for the F/A-18 landing gear repair deal. In mid-2014, during training flights off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia, F/A-18 pilot and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves began to notice something strange. The radar returns looked offphantom blips moving with unfathomable speed and precision. At first he dismissed it as a glitch. But then the anomalies returned, recorded by the fighter jets sophisticated sensors. They would hover in placeand then dart away at supersonic speeds. They were recorded from the oceans surface to 40,000 feet. Sometimes stationary0.0 Mach. Other times 250 to 350 knots.... Sometimes even supersonic1.1 to 1.2 Mach. All altitudes. And always over the ocean, Graves says. After appearing only as glitches on the jets radar, the objects on one occasion finally came into view. Graves reported seeing a dark gray or black cube inside a clear sphere, between five and 15 feet in diameter, coming within 50 feet of their jets. That was the turning point, Graves says. We started treating it as a safety issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the next year, Gravess squadron recorded sightings of unidentified objects almost daily. Sometimes the objects flew in loose formations. Other times they traveled alone. They had no exhaust, no visible propulsion, no wings. Sometimes the object would rotate in place; others vanished when approached. As it turned out, pilots stationed off the West Coaston missions aboard the USS Nimitz, the USS Princeton, and other carriershad been experiencing similar things for years. Some of these craftnow classified as UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena)appeared to be capable of transmedium travel, meaning they are able to move from air to sea without slowing, splashing, or emitting heat. They challenged every assumption held by aerospace engineers and radar operators. Graves doesnt claim to know what the objects were. But one thing was clear. This wasnt business as usual, he says. There was a serious issue at play. It wasnt just one rogue object. It wasnt just us on the East Coast. It wasnt just my squadron. It was a pattern. This was global. Since at least the 1950s, military sources have reported strange objects plunging into the oceanwhat they call USOs (unidentified submerged objects). These phenomena exhibit characteristics that conflict with our understanding of physics and maritime navigation. As radar and similar technologies have advanced, so have the number of sightings. Getty Images Today Graves is one of the most vocal advocates for UAP transparency. Now retired from the military, hes the founder of Americans for Safe Aerospace, the largest UAP-focused pilot safety initiative in the world, and works with former Pentagon and naval officials to push for greater transparency. He doesnt claim that these craft are alien, but hes certain that they arent using known human tech. Where that leaves us opens up optionsextraterrestrial visitors, time travelers, breakaway civilizations... things that challenge the status quo and arent easily accepted at face value, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, PhD, an oceanographer, was one of the first to view footage from the UAP incidents in 2015 involving fighter jets attached to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which at the time was conducting training exercises off the coast of Florida. Two videos captured by Navy fighter jets that were made public in 2020 show strange craft flying at incredible speeds with no visible means of propulsion, sometimes rotating in midair. I knew then that what I saw was not our technology. We dont test experimental aircraft in training rangesits too dangerousand I had access to everything classified. No nation has craft that can move like that, he says. Gallaudet, now retired from the Navy and currently the CEO of Ocean STL Consulting, is pushing for the U.S. government to treat these phenomena as a national research priority. Despite some public disclosures, many records remain classified, buried within defense contractor vaults or shielded by national security exemptions. If even part of whats been reported is true, then the encounters off Virginia, California, and elsewhere could be the opening chapter in a much deeper mysteryone that spans oceans, navies, and continents. This spring, Graves and Gallaudet briefed officials in Washington, D.C., on unidentified submerged objects. Were at a unique moment in history, Graves says. People have access to tools that can reveal things. The momentum is building. That momentum has already begun reshaping policy. In 2023, Congress passed the UAP Disclosure Act, legislation requiring federal agencies to collect, catalog, and disclose records related to recovered nonhuman craft and biologics. For the first time, U.S. law openly acknowledged the potential existence of off-world or nonhuman intelligence, and even hinted at craft retrieval and reverse engineering programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those newly released records contain a trove of details on previously classified encounters with multiple transmedium UAPs. None definitively prove that otherworldly beings are hiding in or above our oceans, but they do raise questions that neither our military nor scientific experts can explain. The possibility that they exist underwater is very real, Gallaudet says. They could come from another galaxy, if theyve conquered the engineering challenge of that, he says. Or why notmaybe they lived here for a long time, before we even evolved, and sought safety from the Earths atmospheric and geologic cataclysms by creating a habitat or place to live beneath the seafloor.... Thats one hypothesis. The following four incidents have provided investigators with the most compellingand perplexingevidence so far of transmedium encounters with what experts like Gallaudet believe could be nonhuman in origin. Hearst Owned USS Nimitz, 2004 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In November 2004, several U.S. Navy pilots assigned to the USS Nimitz encountered a Tic Tacshaped UAP darting and dashing over the Pacific. According to reports that followed, the object lacked visible control surfaces and heat signatures that would be typical of jet aircraft or rockets. It never made a sonic boom, although it appeared to be traveling faster than the speed of sound. The incident began when the USS Princeton, a guided-missile cruiser escorting the Nimitz off the coast of San Diego, picked up strange radar contacts. The objects appeared at 80,000 feet, and then dropped to sea level in less than a second. F/A-18 Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight scrambled to intercept the object. Each man claims to have seen a smooth, white oblong object around 30 to 40 feet long, with no wings, no windows, no markings. It hung in the air just over the sea. As Fravor circled downward, the object suddenly shot away, vanishing in seconds. It just disappeared. Like a bullet out of a gun, Fravor told Fox News. The strike group dispatched a second flight. This time the object was captured on an infrared camera showing a white speck flying against the wind, rotating and maneuvering in ways no known aircraft can. Hearst Owned Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, 2013 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most hotly debated encounters of an unidentified submerged object came in April 2013, when an infrared surveillance camera operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection captured something extraordinary over Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. A small spherical object flew inland from the ocean, crossed the airport, and then returned to seawhere it maneuvered in ways that appeared to defy physics. The three-minute video, published by the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies, has become a key piece of evidence suggesting the possibility of transmedium travel. It shows the object entering the water without slowing downno splash, no wake, no disruption. Seconds later it resurfaces, splits in two, and then submerges again. Any object passing between two mediums should generate drag or turbulence or, at the very least, a splash, according to the laws of hydrodynamics. But this one behaved as if those laws didnt apply. Its not that they break the laws, Gallaudet says. Its that they demonstrate engineering capabilities we havent yet developed. We cant build anything that can do that today. Ive spoken with the pilots who saw it, he adds. The near-instantaneous acceleration of that craft is something we just cant engineer. Hearst Owned Caribbean Sea, Unspecified date Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 1990s, a Navy CH-53 Sea Stallion pilot was flying off the coast of Puerto Rico when he saw something he couldnt explain. His crew, on a routine mission to retrieve a BQM target drone that had previously been dropped into the ocean, had sent a diver into the water to connect the drone to the helicopters hoist system. But just before the helo was about to lift the 20-foot-long drone out of the sea, something pulled it violently downward. The pilot, whose name has not been disclosed, would later report that the object was a large, dark mass unlike any submarine or marine animal hed ever seen. After F/A-18 Commander David Fravor went public with the previous incident he witnessed flying off the USS Nimitz, he says the Sea Stallion pilot contacted him to relay the story. Fravor then shared details on Joe Rogans podcast in 2019. The helo drops a swimmer in the water, he hooks the whole thing up, and they fly back, Fravor said. The first time they were out and they were going to pick up a BQM, hes sitting in the frontin the CH-53 you can see down by your feetand as hes looking down, theyre 50 feet above the water, he sees this kind of dark mass coming up from the depths. As the pilot picked up the BQM, he was apparently at a loss for words. Hes looking at this thing going, What the hell is that? And then it just goes back down underwater. Once they pull the kid and the BQM out of the water, this object descends back into the depths. Hearst Owned USS Omaha, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It began as a blip. In July 2019, an infrared camera aboard the USS Omaha captured something that defied explanation: a spherical object moving swiftly over the Pacific before dropping into the oceanagain, no splash, no wake, no debris. The footage, later verified by Pentagon officials, stunned observers. The object didnt resemble any known drone, missile, or aircraft. And its disappearance beneath the waves raised new questions about transmedium tech. In the incident, the crew of the Omaha (which was also sailing off the San Diego coast) recorded a spherical UAP hovering just over the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The ships sensor that caught the object was the sophisticated AN/KAX-2a stabilized sensor turret built for maritime environments that includes a digital video camera, night vision camera, and laser rangefinder. The video shows a recording of the AN/KAX-2 screen and appears to have been taken with a night vision camera. The object seemingly moves, tracked by the sensor operator, and then hovers just above the oceans surface. Then the object disappears. It looked nothing like any known aircraft, Gallaudet says. After I testified before Congress last year, a sailor who had been on the bridge of the Omaha contacted me. He said the object was just one of manyand that hed witnessed a similar event aboard the USS Jackson in 2023. You Might Also Like With US debt above $37 trillion and climbing, the US Treasury market is eyeing stablecoin issuers like Tether and Circle (CRCL) as key buyers. Wall Street's explosive adoption of digital tokens pegged to the US dollar has been fueled by the recently signed GENIUS Act, which established guidelines and a landmark framework for the industry. In terms of US President Trumps aim to make the US the crypto capital of the planet, a well-regulated stablecoin market could cement the US dollar dominance in the world of digital finance," HSBC analysts wrote earlier this week. Under the new law, stablecoin issuers have to back tokens with dollars or other high-quality liquid assets, effectively positioning short-term T-bills as the collateral of choice. Stablecoins will expand dollar access for billions across the globe and lead to a surge in demand for US Treasuries, which back stablecoins, Scott Bessent wrote earlier this week on X as he touted the benefits of the GENIUS Act. The Treasury Secretary added, Its a win-win-win for everyone involved: stablecoin users, stablecoin issuers, and the US Treasury Department." Tether and Circle, which went public during a blockbuster IPO, dominate the $250 billion stablecoin market, which is up 22% in 2025. Morgan Stanley analysis shows Tether (USDT-USD) holds about 65% of the total stablecoin capitalization, and Circles USD Coin (USDC-USD) holds another 25%, giving the pair a combined 90% share. On Tuesday, Tether, heavily used abroad, announced the hiring of former White House crypto policy executive Bo Hines as a strategic adviser to help steer its expansion in the United States. While much of issuers' reserves are in the form of short-term US debt, the industry is not yet considered a major part of the Treasury bill market. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City issuers hold around $125 billion in Treasury bills less than 2% of the $6 trillion in outstanding Treasury bills. By comparison, insurance companies hold about five times more, and mutual funds, the largest private buyers, hold $4.5 trillion, or 36 times as much. "Although the stablecoin market is currently too small to have a large effect on Treasury demand, the market is expected to grow substantially over the next several years," wrote Stefan Jacewitz, economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. That's exactly what Wall Street is betting on. Last Thursday, Coinbase forecast stablecoins could reach a market cap of around $1.2 trillion by the end of 2028, while Standard Chartered expects it to reach $2 trillion during the same time period. Bernstein projects as much as $4 trillion by 2035. Adm. Daryl Caudle officially took the reins as the 34th chief of naval operations as the service continues to be shaken by a purge of top leaders that ousted his predecessor six months ago. Neither Caudle nor Navy Secretary John Phelan mentioned the recent upheaval during a ceremony on Monday at the Washington Navy Yard marking Caudles assumption of office. Ensuring quality of service is my priority from housing, childcare, healthcare, to investing in world-class training and qualification standards we will make certain our sailors have everything they need to be successful, Caudle said. Because when they sail into harms way, they deserve nothing less than the absolute best. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mondays ceremony marked the first time that the Navy had a permanent CNO since Adm. Lisa Franchetti was fired in February along with other senior military officers. Top Stories This Week News Pentagon fires heads of Navy Reserve, Naval Special Warfare Command By Nicholas Slayton News King of Malaysia cancels purchase of UH-60 Black Hawks, calling them flying coffins By Matt White News Demoted general sues Utah National Guard, governor over firing By Jeff Schogol Then in April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield as the U.S. representative to the NATO Military Committee. More recently, Rear Adm. Milton Jamie Sands III and Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore were both relieved on Friday as heads of Naval Special Warfare Command and the Navy Reserve, respectively. Their replacements have not yet been announced. A Navy official had no further information on their firings on Monday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A major theme during Mondays ceremony was that the Navy is prepared for battle. Caudle promised that the service would be ready if needed to fight by ruthlessly executing prompt and sustained combat at sea with overwhelming force. At the end of the day, this is what we exist to do: deliver violence on behalf of the nation when called upon, said Caudle, a submariner who served as head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command from December 2021 until earlier this month. Our adversaries are watching us closely, searching for vulnerabilities, betting we cant adapt fast enough. They are wrong. Secretary Phelan struck a similar tone on Monday, warning that while the U.S. Navy remains the worlds preeminent maritime force, adversaries such as China are closing the gap at an increasing and alarming pace. This environment demands a combat credible naval force that is ready to fight and win any time, anywhere, and against any adversary with service chiefs championing that effort ruthlessly and with conviction, Phelan said. For the CNO of the United States Navy, Adm. Daryl Caudle is that person. Phelan also paid tribute to Adm. James Kilby, vice chief of naval operations, who had been serving as acting CNO since February. Bravo Zulu, admiral, Phelan said. A painting stolen from a Jewish collector during the Second World War has been discovered in Argentina after the daughter of a high-ranking Nazi put her home up for sale. More than 80 years after its theft, Portrait of a Lady, by the Italian painter Giuseppe Ghislandi, was spotted hanging over a sofa in the ladys living room in a photograph on a real estate advert. The painting was one of hundreds stolen or purchased under duress from the collection of Jacques Goudstikker, a successful Amsterdam art dealer who helped fellow Jews fleeing Nazi oppression. The collector died at sea while escaping to Britain on a cargo ship and is buried at Falmouth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 800 pieces from Mr Goudstikkers collection were stolen by Hermann Goering, the head of the Luftwaffe and a known art collector. Around 200 were returned in the early 2000s as part of a Dutch government investigation into artworks stolen by the Nazis. But hundreds, including Portrait of a Lady, were lost. Hermann Goering, the head of the Luftwaffe, was a keen art collector - PhotoQuest The portrait has now been traced to the family of Friedrich Kadgien, a financial adviser to Goering, in an investigation by AD, a Dutch newspaper. The revelation is thanks to one of the Nazis daughters putting her house up for sale, with interior photos showing the stolen painting posted on the Argentinian website of a real estate agent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The painting, a portrait of the Contessa Colleoni, is on the international list of lost art and the official Dutch list of artworks looted by the Nazis. Experts have reviewed images shared on the website of Robles Casas & Campos, an estate agent specialising in high value Argentinian properties, and believe that the painting matches the known dimensions and colours of the Italian painters work. There is no reason to think of why this could be a copy, said Annelies Kool and Perry Schrier of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE). The dimensions also seem to correspond to the information we have. Final confirmation can come by looking at the back of the painting, there may still be marks or labels that confirm the origin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A journalist from AD attempted to make contact with the Nazi officials daughter who is in possession of the artwork. I dont know what information you want from me, and I dont know what painting youre talking about either, she replied. As Goerings right-hand man, Kadgien was tasked with funding the Nazi war machine, often through the theft of art and diamonds from Jewish dealers in the Netherlands. After the war, like many of his Nazi colleagues, Kadgien fled to Argentina, where he died in 1979. Friedrich Kadgien, Goerings financial adviser, fled to South America after the war and died in Argentina in 1979 Before touching down in South America, he had slipped into Switzerland, where he convinced the authorities, as well as American officials, that he was not a real Nazi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Americans described him as not a real Nazi, but a snake of the lowest kind with large assets, [who] can still be of value to us, according to information later released from the CIA archives. Now the paintings whereabouts are known, the descendants of Goudstikker are set to mount a challenge to retrieve it through their American lawyer. My search for the artworks owned by my father-in-law Jacques Goudstikker started at the end of the 90s and I wont give up, Marei von Saher, 81, told AD. My family aims to bring back every single artwork robbed from Jacques collection and restore his legacy. Details of Goudstikkers inventory of art were kept in a little black book which he took with him on that fateful journey in May 1940, as the Netherlands fell under Nazi occupation. He was known to have taken a walk at nighttime on the SS Bodegraven when he fell through an open port into the ships hull. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The booklet was discovered by his surviving wife, Desi, and their only son, Edo, who eventually made it to the US. Separately, researchers from the RCE said they have spotted another missing painting by Abraham Mignon, a 17th century Dutch still-life painter, on a social media page belonging to Kadgiens other daughter. The painting of flowers also appears on the organisations list of stolen art, but its experts have yet to trace the ownership. 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. NCAE President Tamika Walker Kelly (Courtesy photo) The recent action of the State Health Plan Board to raise employee premiums at a time in which teacher and state employee salaries remain stagnant is causing great concern in many circles especially among the employees who will see their take-home pay decline even further. Indeed, as became clear in a recent conversation with the President of the North Carolina Association of Educators, Tamika Walker Kelly, these developments can be seen, especially when combined with recent actions in Washington, as just the latest in what amounts to an ongoing ideological war on public schools. Click here for the full interview with the President of the North Carolina Association of Educators, Tamika Walker Kelly. ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Detectives said they found nearly five pounds of ecstasy, along with other drugs, hidden behind a home in Anderson County. According to Anderson County Sheriffs Office, detectives executed a search of a house on Secret Lane in Belton earlier this month. The sheriffs office said detectives found some drugs inside the house, but also found buckets hidden in a wooded area behind the house which held others. The sheriffs office said it seized 342 grams just under three-quarters of a pound of cocaine, 2,170 grams 4.78 pounds of ecstasy, 200 grams -just under half a pound of methamphetamine and 96 grams just under a quarter pound of cocaine from the buckets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives arrested and charged Clarence Christopher Rowe on multiple charges including trafficking methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine and possession of a firearm during a violent crime. Rowe was denied bond and remains in the Anderson County Detention Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Federal prosecutors say eight people have been arrested and one remains at large after an 18-month investigation into a fentanyl trafficking ring tied to gang activity in Pierce County. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced Monday that law enforcement executed 13 search warrants over the past 36 hours, leading to the arrests and seizures of large amounts of drugs, weapons, and cash. Five more people were taken into custody on separate complaints after officers found narcotics and firearms in their homes and cars during the searches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say some of those arrested are connected to the Knoccout Crips, a street gang linked to drug trafficking and violence in Tacoma. The 18-month investigation, which included a two-month federal wiretap, revealed how the group allegedly moved fentanyl into Washington state. Prosecutors say couriers traveled to Phoenix to pick up drugs, then returned to Tacoma with kilograms of fentanyl pills and powder hidden in checked luggage. In one case, authorities allege the drugs were bound for Baltimore. Over the last 18 months, law enforcement carefully tracked the activities of this drug trafficking ring, seizing kilogram quantities of fentanyl pills and powder from checked luggage at Sea-Tac airport, Miller said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington said the South Sound Safe Streets Gang Task Force led the takedown with more than a dozen partner agencies. This case is an example of the FBIs commitment to combatting violent criminals and gangs, as emphasized in Operation Summer Heat, Herrington said. A 10-count indictment charges nine people with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances: Bryant K. Moss Jr., aka BJ, 29, Tacoma Gary Williams, aka Fat Boy, 36, Tacoma Dominique Woods, aka Kane, 33, Spanaway Joshua Logsdon, aka Bird, 38, Lakewood Michael Lewis, 32, Seattle Dallas Martin, 28, Phoenix Josaphina Diaz, 30, Tacoma Forest Neal, 31, Tacoma Genesis Moreau, 25, Vancouver Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All face conspiracy charges. Some also face additional counts of possession and distribution between March 2024 and April 2025. Seven more people were arrested on probable cause after Thursdays raids: James Whitaker, 37, Tacoma William Young, 47, Yelm Bryant Moss Sr., 48, Tacoma Jaylin Irish, 30, Tacoma Dominique Buffington, 31, Edgewood Troy Harris, 38, Tacoma An Do, 35, Tacoma During the investigation, law enforcement confiscated 34 kilograms of fentanyl, 45 kilograms of marijuana, and nine firearms. In just the last 36 hours, officers reported seizing: 2.68 kilograms of fentanyl 227.9 grams of cocaine 6.85 kilograms of methamphetamine 40.7 grams of heroin 27.6 kilograms of marijuana $111,524.25 in cash 23 firearms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the large amounts of fentanyl involved, prosecutors said some defendants face mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison if convicted. Prosecutors emphasized that the charges are allegations only, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Eric Moyer talking to reporters in Lincoln before his 1st Congressional District campaign kickoff event on Aug 14, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN In a crowded coworking space on Lincolns Y Street this month, 1st Congressional District Democrats gathered to meet their man running against Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood. Congressional candidate Eric Moyer told attendees at his kickoff event that he wants to create a spark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nebraska is special, Moyer told the crowd. I believe Nebraska can lead this nation into a better future. Nebraska Democrats hope hes onto something. They want the backlash to the second Trump administration to help them make gains in 2026, as national Democrats attempt to emerge from the political wilderness and address a weaker national brand than President Donald Trump or Republicans. Ruth and Jason Huebner-Brown pump up a crowd of Democrats talking about the history of their blue dot signs and tee shirts in 2024. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) The good news for Democrats: Recent polling shows the party holds a slight lead in the head-to-head matchup for the generic congressional ballot, which means likely voters told pollsters they would pick a random Democrat over a random Republican. And Democrats nationwide are more energized than Republicans about next years elections. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb, who is also a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, says a successful 2026 starts with winning the 2nd District U.S. House race in the Omaha area. It continues with registering at least 10,000 more Democrats in the state. And the party wants to make gains in the state Legislature, where Democrats and a handful of legislative moderates have a tenuous hold on the ability to filibuster needing 17 seats or 17 votes to stop controversial legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kleeb would like the party to win a statewide race again, too, and its been done before. Democrats held both U.S. Senate seats and the Governors Mansion as recently as the late 1990s. Democrats have said they have a potential candidate considering a race against Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, a Republican. The momentum is here, Kleeb told the Examiner. The fundraising is going to be there. We have to prove that we can now win this big [2nd District] seat. For Democrats, this may sound like a familiar tune. But the status quo in the 2nd District has changed. Omaha now has a Democratic mayor for the first time in more than a decade, and Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon announced in June that he is not running for reelection in 2026. Democrats have seen growth in city elections in Omaha and Lincoln, and they continue winning down-ballot races in a state where registered Republicans outnumber them roughly 2 to 1. The Nebraska Republican Party, in recent years, has focused more attention on lower-profile races in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News of Bacon not running has Democrats lining up to run next year in a competitive district where the partys nominees have lost by single digits four straight times. The loss on incumbent advantage has local and national political experts viewing the 2nd District as a possible pickup opportunity for the party. The Democrats crowded field includes State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades, newcomer Denise Powell and Navy veteran Kishla Askins. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Some Democrats and pundits discuss this years city election as a hint of a possible blue tide for the states second-largest party to capitalize on, although a handful of observers acknowledge that the fundamentals of the Omaha areas slightly right-leaning swing district havent changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationally, the Nebraska midterms are emerging as critical for the party attempting to retake the House. Locally, next year could determine whether the Legislature continues its drift toward a more combative brand of Republicanism and away from George Norris nonpartisan tradition. The question of whether Nebraska Democrats can seize the moment looms over the next 14 months. Recent history isnt on the Democrats side. The party has tried for years to win the House seat and come up short. The one exception was 2014, when State Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, a former Republican, upset GOP U.S. Rep. Lee Terry for a term. Bacon beat Ashford in 2016. Ashford was the last Democrat in the states federal delegation. In the statehouse, Democrats have lost some ground. The GOP gained 33 of 49 seats in 2024, the number needed to break a filibuster in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, when State Sen. Mike McDonnell switched parties from Democrat to Republican. The GOP then held the seats in the 2024 election. A test for the party The 2nd District is the states most politically divided and diverse, with all of urban Douglas and rural Saunders Counties, and a slice of suburban western Sarpy County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Douglas County Democratic Party Chair C.J. King said he considers Bacons retirement handwriting on the wall. He sees the momentum is shifting. National and state GOP strategists acknowledge that an open-seat 2nd District race is winnable for Democrats, but they emphasize that Republicans can win with the right candidate and the right messaging. Bacon, during his retirement announcement in June, warned Republicans not to get dragged to the right in the primary, because they wont be able to win the general. He told reporters that in this District, youve got to win swing voters. Bacon has been credited for striking that balance with a conservative voting record, an emphasis on national security, support for federal spending on local priorities and a willingness to sometimes criticize President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has helped Bacon fend off Democratic challengers. Last year, Bacon beat former State Sen. Tony Vargas by less than two percentage points. GOP strategists have emphasized the importance of Republicans of winning nearly 50% of the vote in Douglas County, as well as securing a good chunk of independent voters. They see it as a path to victory. Bacon, while he hasnt won a majority of Douglas County voters, has never won less than 48% of the vote there. The GOP also points to five Republicans having won municipal races in the county since 2018. This seat is tougher without Bacon, but hes not special, a House Republican strategist said in June. It can be done. Support for former President Donald Trump created a sign of his avatar with hair eating the Democrats blue dot in Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) Zach Bannon, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman, said the party is confident it can keep Nebraskas 2nd District red as Democrats pile into a clown bus of a messy and expensive primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nebraskans know Republicans are the party of common sense that delivers real results, Bannon said. The GOP primary race for NE-02 includes two Republicans, Omaha City Council Vice President Brinker Harding and former State Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha. When the GOP majority in the Legislature redrew Nebraskas congressional maps in 2021, it did so in a way that shored up 2nd District Republicans by swapping some Democratic-voting residents in suburban Sarpy County with more reliably Republican-leaning residents of rural Saunders County. The district has more registered Republicans than Democrats, according to the latest data from the Secretary of States office. Paul Landow, a retired University of Nebraska at Omaha political scientist, said if turnout is exceptionally high and if the party unites behind a strong candidate, the Democrats could win the 2nd District, but it wont be easy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its still a Republican lean district, even on a good day, Landow said. King, of the Douglas County Democrats, said the party has strong candidates and a key motivating factor on its side for 2026 fear. Theres an unfortunate thing in politics fear and hate seem to be the motivating factors, King said. Theres a lot of fear that the Democrats need to get off their butts and do something, or else it can only get worse. National Democratic strategists are prioritizing the 2nd District and leaving nothing to chance. Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Madison Andrus said Democrats would spend the next [14] months earning every single vote. Kleeb called winning the congressional race a test for the state party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National and state Democrats are banking on the current political climate surrounding Trumps budget and tax bill that passed earlier this summer, which polling indicates is unpopular among Americans. Kleeb said the party can capitalize statewide on peoples frustrations with Trump. The balance of the Statehouse The Nebraska GOP and its legislative candidates have built a narrow supermajority in the statehouse when the partys members stick together on controversial votes, which isnt always the case. Democrats and progressive-leaning nonpartisans hold 16 seats, meaning they must convince at least one Republican to filibuster legislation they find objectionable, a tactic the Unicameral minority has long used to stall or kill legislation lacking consensus. In theory, Republicans could pass the majority partys agenda without crossing the aisle, but some Republicans have sided with the minority on controversial issues including defeating the push to switch the states presidential elections to winner-take-all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both parties are jockeying to gain seats in Lincoln. The stakes are real: Republicans can strengthen their majority to the point that a handful of moderate conservatives would hold less sway, essentially neutering the filibuster. Democrats are attempting to end the supermajority and restore the filibusters original strength, seeking more negotiating power on legislation. Party officials say they aim to gain two seats. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb speaking at Eric Moyers kickoff event on Aug 14. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) Thats going to be difficult, no question, Kleeb said. But theres a seat in Gretna theres a couple of seats still in Douglas County that we think are on the table. I think there is a path. The Legislature could prove a pivotal point in the Democratic primary for Congress, too, in the 2nd District. Omahas John Cavanaugh would vacate his legislative seat if voters send him to Washington, allowing Pillen, a Republican, to appoint his successor and likely press the majoritys advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha, a progressive nonpartisan who regularly votes with Democrats, recently said that is part of why she is watching the Democratic primary closely. Hunt said losing any more seats could widen the door for extremist policies that hurt working people and target vulnerable communities. My hope is that we dont lose that last line of defense, Hunt said. Why is there no Democrat in the Senate race? Kleeb, in an interview with the Examiner, reaffirmed the partys alliance with populist candidate Dan Osborn against GOP U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts. She repeated her belief that a coalition of Dems, Indys, and Republicans can beat Ricketts and break up the one-party rule. However, party officials say that is not an official endorsement. Republicans have used the alliance to try painting Osborn, a registered nonpartisan, as a Democrat. Osborn has said he would caucus with neither party in the Senate, and he has described the challenges of being labeled a Democrat in a red state like Nebraska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ActBlue, a fundraising tool often used by Democrats, recently changed its rules to include independent candidates on a case-by-case basis, according to Axios. The Ricketts campaign has pointed out Osborns use of ActBlue. Some other nonpartisan and independent candidates in different states have avoided using the fundraising tool to keep from being associated with the Democratic Party. A Dan Osborn flyer in a bar in downtown Lincoln on July 24. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) Osborn, who in 2024 ran a closer-than-expected bid against U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb, is trying again against Ricketts. Thats part of why Republicans are attacking Osborn sooner this time. Osborns bid comes as Democrats are trying to repair their relationship with the working class. Trump has made gains with blue-collar voters and voters of color. Some working-class Americans have warned Democrats not to expect frustration with Trump to be enough to swing them. Kleeb said the Democratic Party needs to respect voters from all classes and be comfortable talking to them. She says Democrats must appeal to voters who hang out in dive bars and wine bars. Thats how were going to be successful, Kleeb said. I think this cycle were on that path. Landow, the retired UNO professor, said Democratic aspirations of winning beyond the 2nd District and legislative races arent impossible, because nothings impossible. But he said they might not be realistic. There are just too many Republicans in those other districts and statewide, Landow said. For a Democrat to pull it off anywhere but Omaha would be some sort of amazing occurrence. But dont tell the Lincoln-area Democrats who turned out with high spirits for Moyers kickoff event. As one attendee said, Democrats at least have to try. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON, Okla. (KFOR) A neighbors security camera captured the moment someone doused a McClain County Sheriffs Deputys vehicles with gasoline and lit them on fire, igniting the deputys home. The flames went up fast, nearly setting the person on fire. ORGINAL STORY: Deputys house set on fire after burglary Neighbors camera captures the moment someone starts a fire outside McClain Sheriffs Deputys home. Courtesy Evan and Zac Pierce. Moments later, the camera recorded the house engulfed in flames as emergency crews responded to the scene. Neighbors camera captures the moment someone starts a fire outside McClain Sheriffs Deputys home. Courtesy Evan and Zac Pierce. More law enforcement arrived outside the home, and eventually the blaze was put out. Neighbors camera captures the moment someone starts a fire outside McClain Sheriffs Deputys home. Courtesy Evan and Zac Pierce. There was a suspect that covered some vehicles with gas and then set the gas on fire of my deputies, and then that got to the house, said Sheriff Landy Offolter, Mcclain County. McClain Co. Sheriffs Deputys home set on fire, Image McClain County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect is 28-year-old Austin Garrett Reeves. The sheriffs office said Reeves was reportedly supposed to be in custody after being arrested for burglarizing the same deputys home the day before the fire. Im kind of concerned about it. Not too happy, said Sheriff Offolter. Sheriff Offolter said Reeves was turned over to Lighthorse Police Department because he was a tribal member, but was later released. Im trying to find out why, but the prosecutor for the Lighthorse declined to file charges on him for the burglary, said Sheriff Offolter. The sheriffs office said Reeves had reportedly been targeting law enforcement for weeks leading up to Saturdays incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainly just breaking into the cars or maybe a storage shed, said Sheriff Offolter. We know of two others here in the county so far. We recovered, where we made the arrest today, we recovered some property of one of the officers today. Reeves was arrested in Norman after a brief standoff. News 4 is working on finding out what other law enforcement were targeted prior to the fire. We reached out to the Lighthorse Police Department to find out why Reeves was released after being arrested for the burglary, but we have not heard back yet. News 4 confirmed Sunday that Reeves is currently in custody at the Grady County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knot Again Bar and Grill is taking donations for the family. A GoFundMe has been set up for the family. The sheriffs office is also taking any donations they receive and giving them to the family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 man is in custody, accused of shooting his girlfriend and a female friend at an apartment complex. Orlando police responded to the incident in the 5100 block of Cinderlane Parkway around 5pm on Sunday. Neighbors say the gunfire sounded like fireworks. The parking lot at Village Springs Apartments turned into a crime scene. Orlando police say when they got there, they found two women shot. Those women later died at the hospital. Police in Orlando said two women are dead after a domestic-related shooting over the weekend. This is a fairly cool neighborhood. You deal with little stuff here and there, but nothing like this, said Sonoma Collier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police arrested Eliette Shamire Dejesus Marquez. Investigators say he ran off after the shooting but was quickly caught. One neighbor says she was on the phone with a friend when gunshots went off. I was like these Florida people and their fireworks. It was kind of sketchy, but I didnt think to much of it thinking it was fireworks. Channel 9 talked to one woman who says the people involved were her neighbors. Two days ago, he came upstairs and was talking about noise. He didnt seem like himself talking about noise complaints, said Collier. She says earlier on Sunday, she heard them arguing and had a feeling something was up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect faces two charges of first-degree murder. Investigators are calling this domestic-related and arent searching for any other suspects. The victims names havent been released. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. DTE Energy, Detroit | Susan J. Demas Updated at 5:27 p.m. Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony on Friday in DTE Energys latest rake hike request, which is seeking more than $574 million increase from the Michigan Public Service Commission, the regulatory body that oversees the states utilities. Although the rate hike would only amount to an 11% percent increase, the full dollar amount is staggering, Nessel said, and comes just three months after DTE received approval from the commission to increase its rates by $217 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nessel urged the commission to reduce DTEs rate hike by nearly 75%, reducing it to a 2.5% increase instead of the 11% initially requested. The attorney general also recommended that DTE reprioritize customer dollars toward vegetation management and tree trimming, as opposed to raising rates on customers to bolster its grid. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DTE is once again showing us where its priorities lie and it isnt with Michigan ratepayers, Nessel said in a statement. Just months after being granted a $200 million rate hike, DTE is back at the trough demanding half a billion dollars more from its customers. Our thorough review shows that nearly 75% of this proposed hike cant be demonstrated to meaningfully improve service or do so cost effectively and stands only to enrich millionaire executives and far-flung shareholders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nessel added: At some point, this endless cycle of rate hike after rate hike from Consumers Energy and DTE must end. Why not now? Michigan ratepayers deserve utility companies that deliver affordable, reliable energy, not ones that treat them like blank checks, Nessel said. When asked for comment, DTE spokesperson Ryan Lowry sent Michigan Advance the following statement; Michigan has a robust regulatory process that ensures stakeholders can provide their input into how the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) sets rates. DTE bills have only grown by 3% in total over the past four years because of our strong focus on controlling our costs and efficiently operating our power plants, and residential bills continue to be below the national average, Lowry said. Rate cases support critical investments in the grid and DTEs work to build the electric grid of the future is showing results. Thanks to the combination of $1.5 billion of investment in the electric grid last year that allowed us to work our four point plan, including tree trimming coupled with less extreme weather, our customers experienced a nearly 70% improvement in time spent without power in 2024. We want to build upon this success and meet our commitment to improve electric reliability while maintaining the affordability our customers demand and deserve. This story was updated with comment from DTE. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has condemned his arrest by French authorities as legally and logically absurd one year after being detained for four days over alleged criminal activities on his platform. The Russian-born billionaire remains trapped in France under judicial supervision, forced to report to police every 14 days with no appeal date scheduled, calling the situation unprecedented for a tech CEO. Durovs legal troubles began on August 24, 2024, when French police arrested him at Le Bourget Airport near Paris on charges including drug trafficking facilitation, money laundering, and illegal cryptographic services provision. He was later released on 5 million bail but faces a potential 10-year prison sentence and 500,000 fine if convicted. The case centers on allegations that Telegrams encryption features and limited content moderation enabled criminal networks to conduct illicit activities worth billions. French authorities argue the platform became a marketplace for illegal services, while Durov maintains Telegram follows industry standards and responds to all legal requests. Despite ongoing investigations, prosecutors have struggled to identify specific wrongdoing by Durov or Telegram. The CEO revealed French police failed to follow proper legal procedures before his arrest, ignoring required protocols that could have been discovered through simple research. Platform Battles Criminal Networks While Facing Regulatory Pressure Telegram has emerged as a primary battleground between law enforcement and criminal organizations operating sophisticated marketplace ecosystems. The platform removed thousands of channels connected to Chinese-language marketplaces Xinbi Guarantee and Huione Guarantee following blockchain analytics firm Elliptics investigation, revealing over $35 billion in illicit transactions. Huione Guarantee, linked to Cambodias ruling elite and North Koreas Lazarus Group, operated as historys largest illicit marketplace with $27 billion in transactions. The platform offered services from money laundering and fake documents to human trafficking operations disguised as legitimate IT companies across Southeast Asia. However, enforcement efforts faced the hydra effect as criminal activity immediately migrated to successor platforms. Tudou Guarantee absorbed Huiones displaced users within weeks, processing equal transaction volumes while multiple smaller platforms experienced 400% volume surges. The UN estimates Telegram-based criminal activity generates up to $36.5 billion annually, primarily using Tethers USDT stablecoin. Two Israeli strikes on a Gaza hospital killed at least 20 people Monday, including five journalists, in what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a tragic mishap. His statement marked a rare acknowledgment of regret following one of the deadliest of several Israeli strikes to hit both hospitals and journalists during the war in Gaza. While Israel said it does not target journalists as such, the country has previously defended striking medical facilities, saying they are used by Hamas, allegations the group denies. The strikes come as Israel pounds Gaza City ahead of a planned offensive there. The former Hamas capital has become a city of fear, Der Spiegel wrote: Its exhausted residents dont know where they could go. The Lebanese government and army are expected to finalize, by next week, an implementation plan for its decision to disarm Hezbollah. In a potentially game-changing development on Monday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu laid out the possibility of a phased IDF withdrawal from Lebanon, as well as a rolling back of air force strikes there, should Hezbollah agree to the Lebanese governments order to disarm. IDF troops invaded southern Lebanon on September 30, 2024, and mostly withdrew in February of this year. However, five outposts, which include a complement of several hundred or more soldiers, still remain a few hundred meters into the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, the military has carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah, and while these have slowed, becoming more selective after the November 2024 ceasefire, the air force never stopped the strikes. It still often carries out a few such attacks per week. Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin, who recently stepped down as the IDFs Northern Command chief, told The Jerusalem Post during a recent embedded visit to one of the IDF outposts in Lebanon, that he would rather risk another war with Hezbollah than stop striking it at least until it agrees to disarm. Not long ago, under heavy American and Saudi pressure, the Lebanese government passed a decision to disarm Hezbollah. People carry flags as they gather during the burial of late Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine who was killed during Israeli airstrikes last year, in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, southern Lebanon February 24, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/THAIER AL-SUDANI) To date, Hezbollah has refused to disarm, whereby some say it has engaged in revolving door games of disarming by which it provides its weapons to the Lebanese Army, then quietly receives them back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu said on Monday, Israel acknowledges the significant step taken by the Lebanese government under the leadership of President [Joseph] Aoun and Prime Minister [Nawaf] Salam. The recent decision by the Council of Ministers of Lebanon to work toward the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of 2025 was momentous. It marks a crucial opportunity for Lebanon to reclaim its sovereignty and restore the authority of its state institutions, military, and governance free from the influence of non-state actors, he continued. In light of this important development, Israel stands ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah and to work together toward a more secure and stable future for both nations, Netanyahu said. Suppose the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) takes the necessary steps to implement the disarmament of Hezbollah. In that case, Israel will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF presence in coordination with the US-led security mechanism. Now is the time for both Israel and Lebanon to move forward in a spirit of cooperation, focusing on the shared objective of disarming Hezbollah and promoting the stability and prosperity of both nations, he said. US envoys Barrack, Ortagus meet with Netanyahu in Israel to discuss Lebanon, Syria Thomas Barrack, a top US envoy, and Morgan Ortagus, a US special deputy envoy, arrived in Israel on Sunday and met with Netanyahu to discuss issues concerning Lebanon and Syria, a source familiar with the matter told the Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The envoys spoke to the prime minister regarding negotiations with Syria as well as Americas request that Israel restrain its strikes in Lebanon. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee joined the two envoys in their meetings with Netanyahu. Barrack also reportedly met with Israels Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Ortagus and Barrack were set to travel to Lebanon on Monday following the conclusion of their visit to Jerusalem. Senior Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham will join the envoys in Beirut, the Post exclusively revealed. The US officials asked Israel to work with them to advance the possibility of Lebanons government dismantling Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior Israeli officials were told that if concrete results were achieved on the ground, specifically, if the LAF truly starts disarming Hezbollah, Israel would be expected to step back and allow the Lebanese authorities to take the lead. The emphasis, however, was such that the Israeli restraint would only be warranted if genuine steps toward disarmament were underway. By next week, the Lebanese government and army are expected to finalize the implementation of the plan to disarm Hezbollah. The visit of the American envoys underscores Washingtons intent to ensure that the plan is not merely symbolic but actually implemented. The view in Washington is that Aoun and Salam are taking a courageous step, but that the real test would be on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, by having Graham, who is the chair of the Senate Budget Committee, join Ortagus and Barrack, the US is signaling to Beirut that if it acts to dismantle Hezbollahs arsenal, it will receive economic assistance, including measures to strengthen the LAF. Gulf states have also made it clear to Beirut that they will not assist in rebuilding Lebanons devastated south, which was heavily damaged after two years of conflict, unless decisive measures are taken to disarm Hezbollah. Their concern is that any reconstruction carried out while Hezbollah remains active would primarily benefit the terrorist organization. Amichai Stein contributed to this report. JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israeli forces could begin withdrawing from territory they hold in southern Lebanon after the Lebanese Cabinets momentous decision earlier this month to work toward the disarmament of the militant group Hezbollah by the end of 2025. Netanyahu said if Lebanon takes the necessary steps to disarm Hezbollah, then Israel will respond with reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of the Israeli military presence in southern Lebanon. Since the Israel-Hezbollah war ended in November 2024 with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Hezbollah officials have said the group will not discuss its disarmament until Israel withdraws from five hills it controls inside Lebanon and stops almost daily airstrikes. Those strikes have killed or wounded hundreds of people, most of them Hezbollah members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon's Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri told The Associated Press in response that Israel has an obligation to comply with the ceasefire agreement, which has not yet happened. Lebanons position is clear. Israel must commit to the cessation of hostilities, Mitri said, referring to Israel's almost daily airstrikes since the ceasefire went into effect. He added that Israel should also withdraw from Lebanon and release Lebanese prisoners it is holding. Beirut is under U.S. pressure to disarm the group that recently fought a 14-month war with Israel and was left gravely weakened, with many of its political and military leaders dead. The announcement comes after a visit to Israel by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who has been attempting to solidify the ceasefire and to push Lebanon to move ahead with disarmament of Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a visit to Lebanon last week, Barrack said the Lebanese government has done their part and now what we need is for Israel to comply with that equal handshake. Lebanon needs international support to rebuild after last years war, which left large swathes of southern and eastern Lebanon in ruins and caused an estimated $11.1 billion in damages, according to the World Bank. International aid is likely to be contingent on Hezbollah disarming. However, the Lebanese government must move cautiously to avoid an internal explosion of unrest. Naim Kassem, Hezbollahs secretary-general, has vowed to fight efforts to disarm the group by force, sowing fears of civil conflict in the country. Hezbollahs leadership has vowed not to disarm, saying the national government's decision to remove the Iran-backed groups weapons by the end of the year serves Israels interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Kassem reiterated the groups stance of refusing to give up its weapons saying Israel will first have to leave Lebanon, stop its attacks, release Lebanese prisoners and allow Lebanon to start the reconstruction process in areas destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war. After that, we can discuss a national defense strategy, Kassem said referring to what could be the future of Hezbollahs weapons and the possibility of putting it under government control. We will not give up the weapons that brought us honor. We will not give up the weapons that defend us against our enemy, Kassim said in a televised speech. The weapons are our souls, honor, land, dignity and the future of our children. In an apparent warning to the Lebanese government, Kassem said that the decision to disarm Hezbollah came according to dictation by the U.S. and Israel, adding that whoever wants to remove the weapons means that they want to remove our soul and at that time the world will see our strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rebuild its military capabilities, and its military has said the five locations in Lebanon provide vantage points or are located across from communities in northern Israel, where about 60,000 Israelis were displaced during the war. Since the war ended, Hezbollah has withdrawn most of its fighters and weapons from the area along the border with Israel south of the Litani river. The ceasefire agreement it vague how Hezbollahs weapons and military facilities north of the Litani river should be treated, saying Lebanese authorities should dismantle unauthorized facilities starting with the area south of the river. Hezbollah maintains that the deal only covers the area south of the Litani, while Israel and the U.S. say it mandates disarmament of the group throughout Lebanon. A low-level conflict between Israel and Hezbollah started a day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack against Israel from Gaza, when Hezbollah began launching rockets across the border in support of its Palestinian ally. The conflict escalated into war in September 2024 and left more than 4,000 people dead. (Corrects spelling of Netanyahu in headline) CAIRO (Reuters) -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel deeply regretted what he described as the "tragic mishap" that occurred at the Nasser hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip on Monday. An Israeli strike on Nasser hospital killed at least 20 people, including five journalists who worked for agencies including Reuters, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home," Netanyahu said. (Reporting by Howard Goller, writing by Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Hugh Lawson) UN, UK, France, and Germany leaders condemn Israeli strikes on Gaza's Nasser Hospital, which killed 20, including journalists, calling for an impartial investigation and ceasefire. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel deeply regretted what he described as the "tragic mishap" that occurred at Khan Yunis's Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza on Monday. The Israeli strike killed at least 20 people, including five journalists. "Our war is with Hamas terrorists. Our just goals are defeating Hamas and bringing our hostages home," Netanyahu said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World leaders, including those from the UN, UK, France, and Germany, condemned the Israeli strikes. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the killing of Palestinians in Israeli strikes, and called for a prompt, impartial investigation, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said. Crowds gather in the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Khan Yunis's Nasser Hospital, August 25, 2025. (credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES) "The Secretary-General recalls that civilians, including medical personnel and journalists, must be respected and protected at all times. He calls for a prompt, impartial investigation into these killings," Dujarric told reporters. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that he was horrified after Israel struck the hospital, killing at least 20 people, including five journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Horrified by Israels attack on Nasser hospital. Civilians, healthcare workers and journalists must be protected. We need an immediate ceasefire," Lammy said in a post on X/Twitter. The IDF acknowledged striking the area of Nasser Hospital and said that IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir had ordered an inquiry. It added that it "does not target journalists as such." French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the strikes as "intolerable." The German Foreign Ministry said it was shocked by the killing of several journalists, emergency responders, and civilians. "The attack must be investigated," the ministry wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese reposted a picture of a camera allegedly belonging to one of the journalists killed. The original post referred to the camera as the "weapon Israel fears the most." "This camera should be exhibited one day in the Genocide Memorial built in memory of the innumerable victims of Israel's genocide in Gaza. Shame on all journalists not raising their voice against the massacre of their brave Palestinian colleagues while documenting the genocide," Albanese commented. Who were the journalists killed? Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, one of the journalists killed in the strikes, was a contractor for Reuters. Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was wounded. The officials in Gaza named the three other journalists as Mariam Abu Dagga, who the Associated Press said freelanced for the AP and other outlets since the start of the Gaza conflict; Mohammed Salama, who Qatar-based Al Jazeera said worked for the broadcaster; and Moaz Abu Taha. A rescue worker was also among those killed, the health officials added. The U.S. Navy confirmed the 34th chief of naval operations during an assumption of office ceremony Monday, according to a Navy release. Adm. Daryl Caudle, who previously led U.S. Fleet Forces Command for nearly four years, replaced acting CNO Adm. James Kilby at an event at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Kilby took over for Adm. Lisa Franchetti, whom President Trump dismissed in February without a stated reason. The Sailor will be front and center in my vision throughout my tenure as CNO hands down, no exception, Caudle said during the ceremony, according to the release. To ensure that they are ready to fight and win decisivelytoday, tomorrow and well into the future we will view everything we do we through an operational lens focused on three priorities: the foundry, the fleet and the way we fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pick for CNO faces few hurdles in confirmation hearing Navy Secretary John Phelan delivered a keynote address emphasizing the importance of strengthening the services shipbuilding infrastructure. Caudle, now a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will serve as an advisor to Trump, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee in July, Caudle said the United States was in the midst of a critical era, defined by global competition, technological saturation and unpredictable threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He vowed to try and reduce bloated budgets for Navy projects and focus on government accountability for defense programs experiencing problems with late deliveries. Caudle who was nominated by Trump on June 17 told lawmakers that success in his role as CNO would mean increasing the Navy ship count, delivering programs and projects on time, reducing gaps at sea, meeting munition floor requirements and improving training for sailors. Caudle has been a vocal critic of manning shortages and delayed ship availability in the past. Prior to his appointment to command U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Caudle held leadership positions with Submarine Forces, Submarine Force Atlantic, Task Force 114, 88 and 46 and Allied Submarine Command. As I step into the role as your 34th Chief of Naval Operations, Caudle said in a video that was posted to X, I do so with great pride, immense gratitude and an absolute focus on the mission ahead. California Governor Gavin Newsom is ready to throw down in court over his states upcoming redistricting referendum. President Donald Trump vowed legal retaliation against the Golden State Monday, telling reporters during a White House press briefing that his administration would be filing a lawsuit against California pretty soon over its plan to put the states congressional lines to a vote. I think Im going to be filing a lawsuit pretty soon and I think were going to be very successful in it. Were going to be filing it through the Department of Justice, thats going to happen, Trump said in the Oval Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also condemned the use of blue slips in the Senate, which allow home-state lawmakers to veto district court nominees as well as appointments to U.S. attorneys offices. Were also going to be filing a lawsuit on blue slipping. You know, blue slips make it impossible for me as president to appoint a judge or a U.S. attorney because they have a gentlemans agreement, nothing memorialized, its a gentlemans agreement thats about 100 years old, where if you have a president, like a Republican, and if you have a Democrat senator, that senator can stop you from appointing a judge or a U.S. attorney in particular, those two. But Newsom was already ready and willing to meet Trump at his level. BRING IT, the governor wrote on X, in response to the presidents comments during the presser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Newsom announced the Election Rigging Response Act earlier this month, a statewide Democratic gerrymandering plan intended to offset Republican efforts to strip liberal areas around the country of their electoral votes. California will invite residents to vote on whether or not to pursue redistricting in their own state, in reaction to the battle raging in Texas, on November 4. In July, the president demanded that Texas Republicans create five more House seats by redrawing its congressional map, eliminating a handful of blue districts. The order, and Texass subsequent obedience, elicited shock and contempt from two of the countrys most populous regionsCalifornia and New York. Both states have launched their own redistricting wars in the wake of the vote. This is radical rigging of a midterm election, Newsom told The Siren podcast Wednesday. Radical rigging of an election. Destroying, vandalizing this democracy, the rule of law. So, Im sorry. I know some peoples sensibilities. I respect and appreciate that. But right now, with all due respect, were walking down a damn different path. Were fighting fire with fire. And were gonna punch these sons of bitches in the mouth. NOW THAT HIS HOUSE AND OFFICE have been searched by the FBI, what is going to happen next to John Bolton? Until the Department of Justice provides information to the public about the basis for the search warrant, we can only speculatebut most speculation has with good reason focused on Boltons 2020 memoir, The Room Where it Happened, which the first Trump administration claimed was chock-full of top-secret information. In January 2020, a National Security Council official wrote to Boltons lawyer claiming that if he failed to respect the process in place that required books to receive clearance before they were published, he would be in violation of the Espionage Act: The manuscript appears to contain significant amounts of classified information. It also appears that some of this information is at the TOP SECRET level, which is defined by Executive Order 13526 as information that reasonably could be expected to cause exceptionally grave harm to the national security of the United States if disclosed without authorization. Under federal law and the nondisclosure agreement your client signed as a condition for gaining access to classified information, the manuscript may not be published or otherwise disclosed without the deletion of this classified material. In a reply to the White House, Boltons attorney had stated: We do not believe that any of the information could reasonably be considered classified. The book was full of embarrassing revelations about Donald Trump and his presidency, which Bolton saw close up as his national security advisor from April 2018 to September 2019. The Trump White House was using the prepublication review process in an attempt to squelch the books revelations. In the months that followed, the Trump White House and Department of Justice attempted a variety of convoluted tactics against Bolton, both civil and criminal. In the civil case, the judge ruled that Bolton probably had disclosed classified information but that an injunction would serve no purpose as the book had already been published. The criminal probe, meanwhile, was shut down by the Biden administration in June 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now a legal process against Bolton has resumed. The search warrant was signed by a federal magistrate, who was persuaded that there was probable cause that Bolton had committed a crime and evidence of that crime could be found on his premises. If we assume for purposes of discussion that such evidence was found, where does Bolton stand? The question can be put another way: Is Bolton in the position of a Victor Marchetti, a Frank Snepp, or a Daniel Ellsberg? These three men were each at the center of landmark cases involving the unauthorized disclosure of classified information. Sign up for a free or paid Bulwark subscription to support our independent political and cultural journalism. Former CIA operative Victor Marchetti coauthored a book, The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence, that detailed highly sensitive intelligence sources and methods, among other secrets from his career at the agency. When, in 1973, word of Marchettis pending book reached the CIA, agency lawyers first considered recommending his prosecution under the espionage statutes but ultimately decided to obtain a restraining order preventing Marchetti from showing his manuscript to anyone. Marchetti sued but lost. The court ruled that the government has a right to secrecy but the government has to act expeditiously in the service of that right. The CIA tried to excise 339 passages from Marchettis book, but ultimately settled for just 168, in a process that dragged on for a year. (So much for expeditious.) Knopf published the book in 1975. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CIA officer Frank W. Snepp III served in Vietnam duiring the fall of Saigonhe was among the last CIA officers to depart the American embassy roof via helicopter in 1975and was horrified by the friends the Americans abandoned when it quit Vietnam (very much as veterans of the war in Afghanistan are today, a half-century later, horrified by the callousness of the United States toward our loyal friends there). Among those left behind was Snepps own Vietnamese lover, who took her own life and that of their infant son. Snepps scathing depiction of the end of the war, Decent Interval, was published by Random House in 1977. Marchetti and Snepp had each signed a promise not to publish any information drawn from his CIA employment without specific prior approval by the Agency. But while Marchetti kept the promise. Snepp did not: He told his former bosses at the agency that he intended to submit his manuscript for review but he did not follow through. Ultimately, the Carter Justice Department, rather than attempting to seize and pulp the book, sought instead to prosecute and punish Snepp for violating his agreement. The courts sided with the CIA in agreeing that the failure to have the books material reviewed warranted punishment regardless of whether actual classified material had been revealed or caused harm. The Court ordered Snepp to disgorge the benefits of his faithlessnessto surrender to the government his $120,000 advance and all subsequent royalties from his book. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which upheld the ruling.1 Daniel Ellsbergs case is better known nowadays than Marchettis or Snepps. For providing the Pentagon Papersa classified multi-volume study of the Vietnam warto the New York Times, Ellsberg, a former Pentagon and RAND Corporation employee who had authored part of the study, was indicted on fifteen counts of conspiracy, conversion of government property, and espionage. Ellsberg and his collaborator Anthony Russo were put on trial in January 1973 in a case that dragged on for months. They both faced lengthy prison sentences. The prosecution collapsed, however, not long after it was revealed Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, two of Nixons agents, had broken into the offices of Ellsbergs psychiatrist to search for information that could be helpful to the prosecution. IF BOLTON DID INDEED PUBLISH sensitive classified information in his book, as the judge in the 2020 civil case concluded, and if the statute of limitations has not yet been passed, then Bolton stands in a similar posture to that of Snepp, Ellsberg, and the New York Times. Like Snepp, Bolton could be asked to return all funds earned from the sale of his book. Like Ellsberg, he could also be prosecuted under the espionage statutes for unauthorized possession or transmission of national defense information. Ellsberg was fortunate that his case was tossed out thanks to Nixons misdeeds. Bolton might not be so lucky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A First Amendment defense would be unlikely to prevail. In the Pentagon Papers case, the Court ruled that the New York Times could not be restrained in advance from publishing the secret information in the study. But prosecution after publication was another matter entirely. A majority of the Court held that the Times could indeed be prosecuted. Justice Byron White, reviewing the history of the Espionage Act, noted that Congress appeared to have little doubt that newspapers would be subject to criminal prosecution if they insisted on publishing information of the type that Congress has itself determined should not be revealed. How our current rightward-tilted Court would rule is not hard to guess. If, like Ellsberg, Bolton is indicted under the espionage statutes, it would lead to an epic trial. Boltons main line of defense would likely be that the information in his possession or published in his book was not national defense informationin other words, that it was not of a nature to cause damage to the national security of the United States. Whatever one thinks of Boltons politics and policy ideas, he is a manand a public servantof integrity. The FBI raid on Boltons house and office is in all likelihood not about national security at all but a step designed to punish a prominent Trump critic, something which Bolton has bravely been in spades. Share 1 I discussed the Marchetti and Snepp cases at greater length in this 2020 article. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) After many years of near-complete vacancy, a retail landmark with many names in southwest Ohio is set to be demolished. The city of Forest Park recently conducted a final walk-thru of the Forest Fair Mall, located conveniently along I-275 near Gilmore Road. The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio The final walk-thru of the Cincinnati Mall | Photo/City of Forest Park, Ohio Demolition to the building expected to occur in early 2026, making way for a 715,000-square-foot multipurpose facility with over 700 parking spaces. Described as a Cincinnati-based hardware distributor, The Hillman Group will lead the property as an anchor once redeveloped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Operations from the companys other regional locations will be consolidated at the upcoming two-story facility. Future expansion is possible, according to the city. This redevelopment is one of Forest Parks most complex and significant projects to date, said Forest Park. It not only removes a long-vacant structure but also retains one of the citys largest employers and positions the community for long-term growth. In March, WDTN.com reported the Forest Park had voted to approve the demolition and redevelopment of the site. Gov. Mike DeWine approved funding for the sites demolition in 2022. Brief mall overview While in operation, the mall has been referred to as the Cincinnati Mall, Cincinnati Mills and Forest Fair Village. Former Cincinnati Mall, 100 Cincinnati Mills, Fairfield | Oct. 5, 2011 | Butler County Auditors Office At one point, the mall was the second biggest in the Buckeye state. It housed upwards of 200 stores. Businesses like B. Altman, Biggs, Elder Beerman, Showcase Cinemas 10 and more once operated inside the mall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years, the mall switched owners, rebranded and renovated, but closed in 2022. WDTN.com previously reported Bass Pro Shops left the mall in 2024 followed by Kohls earlier this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Nexus Louisiana has announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to 440 on Third Street in downtown Baton Rouge. Officials say the new location will bring Nexus Louisiana closer to city and state leaders, as well as business and community partners. Nexus decision to relocate their headquarters to downtown Baton Rouge is a powerful signal of confidence in, and commitment to, our citys core, said DDD Executive Director Whitney Hoffman Sayal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serving as a crucial part of Plan Baton Rouge III, the move also reflects the vision of connecting entrepreneurs with government businesses and community resources. DDD Executive Director, Whitney Hoffman Sayal said, Their investment strengthens the ecosystem of workers and businesses here, fueling new opportunities, innovation, and momentum that benefit not only Downtown Baton Rouge, but also the entire State of Louisiana. We are thrilled to welcome Nexus and look forward to the energy and growth their presence will bring. By relocating downtown, Nexus Louisiana aims to give startups and small businesses greater access to amenities that foster innovation and growth. The move is expected to be complete by July 1, 2026. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. GANZHOU, China (Reuters) -Chinese copper (HG=F) flat wire manufacturer Wellascent's decision early last year to build a factory in Texas was a hedge against geopolitical risks. Now the investment is paying off as U.S. import tariffs boost demand for its locally produced goods. The company's plant in Grand Prairie will begin production later this year and expects to produce 3,000 metric tons of copper flat wire annually by 2028, serving clients such as automaker Stellantis, from behind the safety of Donald Trump's tariff wall. The factory shields U.S. customers from the 50% tariff imposed on copper wire imports, along with other semi-finished copper products like tubes, although refined copper - the base ingredient - is exempt from tariffs. "A few prospective clients in the United States were hesitating about buying our products at the very beginning, as they were concerned Sino-U.S. trade tensions would make stable supply uncertain," Hazel Zhu, a board member at Wellascent Electronic, told Reuters during a tour of their factory in mid-August. "A factory in the U.S. means the copper tariffs have in turn become a golden opportunity for us," she added. Wellascent plans to invest in three years $100 million in the U.S. plant, which is expected to generate more than half of the company's overseas revenue within three years. Wellascent's investment highlights a rare case where a Chinese company has benefited despite U.S. tariffs designed to counter China's perceived industrial dominance. But while the investment achieves one of Washington's stated aims of bringing industry to the United States, it underscores ambivalence among U.S. policymakers about whether to welcome Chinese companies. Copper wire production at Wellascent in Ganzhou. Lawmakers proposed removing tax credits from a Ford (F) electric battery plant because it plans to use technology from Chinese battery manufacturer CATL, although the carmaker said last month it believes it will still qualify. In the solar industry, some domestic producers have voiced concerns that Chinese rivals setting up factories domestically benefit from subsidised supply chains in China. Chinese investments, especially in manufacturing, began tapering off after Trump's first term and have now stalled, according to Cameron Johnson, senior partner at consultancy Tidalwave Solutions. The hostile attitude in Washington is now echoed in Beijing where regulators are encouraging firms to avoid the U.S., he added. "Anybody who is big and could be a target for U.S. or Chinese governments is doing hardly any investment," Johnson said. "They (Wellascent) got lucky in many ways." Nigeria's air force said it has killed at least 35 jihadists who had gathered near the border with Cameroon to plan an attack on ground troops. The army is battling an ongoing insurgency in the northwest of the country which has left tens of thousands of people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. In a statement, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said it had re-established communication with the ground troops that had been under threat by the jihadists. The strike on four targets in the Kumshe area in Borno State had "intensified efforts" to dominate the battle field and "deny terrorists freedom of action", said NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame. Insurgent resurgence The Nigerian military has been fighting a resurgence of attacks from jihadist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) since the beginning of the year in the northeast, which neighbours Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both ISWAP and Boko Haram have taken over military bases, killing soldiers and seizing weapons. The army, which says it is battling not just jihadist militants but also armed gangs in the northwest, known as "bandits", last week said it had killed 592 militia members in eight months, since the start of the year, surpassing operational gains made in 2024. US could supply arms Last week the United States State Department approved the sale to Nigeria of $346 million (291 million) in weapons, including bombs, rockets and munitions. The Nigerian army said the weapons - whose sale is subject to Congressional approval - would "improve Nigeria's capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organisations". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civilians have been caught in the crossfire of the insurgency, which has left more than 40,000 people dead and forced more than two million to flee their homes, according to the UN. Hostages held by 'bandits' freed Nigerias air force also helped to rescued at least 76 people kidnapped by bandits, including women and children, in northwestern Katsina state, according to local authorities. The rescue on Saturday followed a precision air strike by the air force at Pauwa Hill as part of a manhunt for a bandit known as Babaro who has been linked to a mosque attack last week in a nearby town that killed 50 people. One child captive died in the rescue operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mass kidnappings for ransom are common in Nigeria's northwest and central states, where armed gangs often target remote villages, stealing cattle and abducting residents, and leaving residents unable to farm and feed themselves. The militias are motivated by financial gain, and have no ideological leanings, but officials and analysts have expressed concern over growing pragmatic alliances with jihadists from Nigeria's northeast. (with newswires) Nigerias President Bola Tinubu began a state visit to Brazil to forge deeper ties with Latin Americas largest economy. The Nigerian president will hold talks with his Brazilian counterpart. Tinubu and his delegation of government officials are also set to meet business leaders during the two-day visit, his third since coming to office barely two years ago. Deals are expected to be signed for direct flights between the two countries and to promote agribusiness. Earlier this year, Brasilia and Abuja agreed to the commercial phase of a $1.1 billion deal to boost private sector investment into Nigerias agriculture sector. A Nigerian presidency spokesman said Tinubus trip to a key member of the BRICS bloc reflected the countrys broader ambition to diversify its partnerships beyond traditional alliances: Brazil and Nigeria have both been hit by US tariffs, with Washington imposing a 15% levy on goods imported from Nigeria and a 50% duty on Brazil for what it calls a witch hunt against a rightist former president. And, like Nigeria, Brazil has courted other nations to diversify its trade. The patient admitted last fall to the University of Floridas addiction treatment center had worked as a professional pilot. But months of abusing nitrous oxide, an anesthesia gas that can induce euphoria, had wreakedhavoc on his neurological system and left him irreversibly paralyzed, said Dr. Kent Mathias, director of the UF Health Florida Recovery Center. Florida resident Meg Caldwell, 29, was found dead outside an Orange County smoke shop in November after becoming hooked on whippets, a slang term for small canisters that contain the gas, according to her autopsy report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt hard to fuel their addictions. Under brand names like Galaxy Gas and Doodlez, nitrous oxide can be bought in gas stations and smoke shops across Florida. Brightly colored canisters of the gas infused with flavors like blueberry mango and vanilla cupcake are sold on Amazon and marketed on social media sites like TikTok. And abuse has continued to rise despite repeated public health warnings. A first nationwide study of deaths linked to the drug published in the medical journal JAMA in July found that 13 million Americans reported using the inhalant. It was linked to 156 deaths in 2023, a 578% increase from the 23 fatalities in 2010, the study found. Americas Poison Centers data shows a nearly 60% increase in reports of intentional exposure to the drug from 2023 to 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is used by dentists as anesthesia. That should mean that its closely controlled and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Mathias said. But because there are legitimate commercial uses of nitrous oxide canisters, including for tuning car engines and as an ingredient in whipped cream, the product is not a controlled substance and can be sold legally. Under Florida law, the gas can only be sold in canisters of up to 16 grams, although it includes exemptions for dentists and food preparation. A random sampling of five smoke shops in the Riverview and Gibsonton area found the product for sale in four of them. Now, its harder to buy a tank of oxygen than it is to get nitrous oxide, Mathias said. Why its available in gas stations is beyond me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drugs easy availability combined with appealing properties for those who abuse it is a potentially deadly combination, Mathias warned. The drug doesnt stay in the body long enough to leave biomarkers so its undetectable in drug tests of urine, blood or hair, he said. It produces a profound sense of euphoria and disassociation, and, like most inhalants, it works fast. The faster drugs work, the more addictive they are, especially if euphoria is there, Mathias said. Repeated inhalation of the gas can lead to abnormal blood counts, asphyxiation, blood clots, frostbite, headache, impaired bowel and bladder function among other health issues, the public health advisory warns. It weakens the immune system and can deplete the bodys B12 reserves, leading to damage to the sheath that surrounds nerves in the body. If the abuse continues, the result is numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, weakness in the legs, and eventually, paralysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an addiction that exemplifies what an addiction is, Mathias said. Youre losing your ability to walk and yet somehow justify using it. The Orange County lawsuit, which was filed in February, accuses smoke shops and vape stores of selling the gas to their patrons knowing full well they are not seeking these items to cook, but rather to abuse as a recreational drug. It names seven smoke shops where Caldwell purchased nitrous oxide canisters and eight companies that either manufacture or distribute canisters. Those companies marketed the gas to minors and other vulnerable populations, the lawsuit said. The defendants includes United Brands, a San Diego company that was ordered by a jury in a 2023 civil trial to pay $720 million to the family of a 25-year-old woman who was killed after her car was hit by a driver high on nitrous oxide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants in the Orange County lawsuit have yet to file a response and the case is still pending. United Brands did not respond to a request for comment. Caldwell became heavily addicted to the gas last year, the lawsuit said. She would often inhale it in the parking lot of the smoke shops and was sometimes scolded by shop staffers for littering their lots with empty canisters. These products have caused widespread addiction, death and severe bodily harm, and have resulted in a veritable public health crisis, the lawsuit said. One recent patient at UF Healths addiction center was brought there by worried parents after they noticed their child, a young adult, struggling to walk, Mathias said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Center staffers who reviewed photographs of the youths bedroom saw a number of nitrous oxide canisters. Louisiana in 2024 became the first state to ban the retail sale of the drug with a bill that also increased penalties for violators and gave its Alcohol and Tobacco Control agency more enforcement authority. Mathias wants the Food and Drug Administration to have more control of the gass use and distribution, as it does with other restricted medication. While it remains a medical drug, it should be treated like one in all areas that its used, he said. Without that, this problem will continue to get worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement *** For emergency assistance with a suspected poison, call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 to speak with a poison expert, or visit PoisonHelp.org for support and resources. Call 911 if the exposed person is unresponsive/unconscious, not breathing, or having a seizure. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 20-year-old suspected kidnapper has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes after he was found with a missing Texas teenage girl outside of Deming, New Mexico, on Friday, Aug. 22, according to the New Mexico State Police (NMSP). Kyle Steven Eckmann was booked into the Luna County Jail on the following charges, according to State Police: Kidnapping in the first degree Aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon Aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer Child abuse Intimidation of a witness Kyle Eckmann. Photo courtesy of New Mexico State Police. According to NMSP, shortly after 7:45 p.m. on Aug. 22, license plate readers alerted officers to a Volkswagen sedan traveling westbound on Interstate 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The license plate readers hit indicated that the vehicle was connected to the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl from Texas. Officers then found the Volkswagen near milepost 88 on I-10, outside of Deming. When officers turned on their emergency lights and sirens, the driver crossed the center median and eastbound lanes before crashing into a water-filled ditch, according to NMSP. According to State Police, officers approached the vehicle and found Eckmann and a girl standing outside. Eckmann threatened officers as they were approaching, claiming he was armed and would shoot them, while motioning towards his waistband, according to NMSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NMSP said officers then determined that Eckmann was in fact unarmed and arrested him without incident. As Eckmann was being escorted to a patrol car, he ordered the girl not to speak with police, State Police said. The NMSP later confirmed the girl to be a missing 15-year-old from Texas, and she was placed with the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, which notified her parents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. UPDATE (8:06 p.m.) The University of South Carolina has given an All Clear, and said there is no ongoing emergency at this time. The Thomas Cooper Library building remains closed. UPDATE (7:54 p.m.) EMS is treating several students with minor injuries from evacuations. No active shooter has been confirmed. UPDATE (7:38 p.m.) The Richland County Sheriffs Office said there was no confirmed active shooter on campus Sunday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPDATE (7:10 p.m.) The University of South Carolina released an alert stating police are searching the affected buildings. ______________ COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) The University of South Carolina reported an active shooter on its Columbia campus Sunday evening. Everybody starts rambling and is like wait what? Actually? Checking and seeing like oh this is happening. We all ran and went to the upstairs and barricaded the upstairs back in, said David Mann, who was studying at the library. Students and staff received an email warning them about an active shooter on campus located in the Thomas Cooper Library. The alleged suspect was reported as a 6 white male, with black pants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We could not find an active shooter. We did find, people who said they heard something that could have been, gunshots. We didnt find any shell casings. The building was evacuated. Students were told to leave everything. At this point, were completing a secondary search of the building with tactical teams. Weve checked video. We have no shell casings, said Deputy Police Chief Scott Prill with the University of South Carolina Police Department (USCPD). At 8:22 p.m. a gurney was brought onto campus. USCPD said a couple people suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, but they dont know their conditions. People that had minor injuries from the evacuation because everybody left the library in a quick, manner, said Prill. USCPD also similar incidents have been reported at other universities across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We also have received some reports that there have been some other hoaxes at Universities, swatting type calls. This weekend was actually one, I think, in Virginia tonight with a similar scenario where there were gunshots the sound of gunshots, in the phone call to the dispatch center, said Prill. USCPD added that there has been false information that has been circulating online. We understand that theres things circulating on social media that people have been shot. I think one even said someone has been killed. Those are all false. We have no corroboration that there was actually, an active shooter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. After an active shooter alert panicked the University of South Carolina campus Sunday evening, police said they found no evidence of a gunman or shots fired. The university alerted students through its emergency notification system around 6:30 p.m. that an active shooter had been reported at the Thomas Cooper Library on Greene Street. The university advised the campus community to shelter in place. Students rushed from the library. Across campus, students and others sought safety inside, and some erected barricades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But USC officials said around 7:15 p.m. on Sunday there was no evidence of an active shooter, and at 8:05 p.m., the university issued an all clear. The library remained closed. The university said there were two minor injuries related to the evacuation of the building, but no shooting-related injuries were reported. We could not find an active shooter. We did find people who said they heard something that could have been gunshots. We didnt find any shell casings, Scott Prill, the universitys deputy police chief, said at a news briefing Sunday evening. We also received some reports that there have been some other hoaxes at universities. Videos circulating on social media that claim to show a suspect carrying a firearm are false, USC officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains under investigation. The shooter was described as a 6-foot white man with black pants. Reporters on scene saw students running with arms raised near the library, and law enforcement officers and firefighters responded to the area. Agencies responding to the reported active shooter included university police, the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriffs Department, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the FBI. An alert for an active shooter went out Aug. 24, 2025 on the University of South Carolina campus. The scare left few people outdoors on campus; the bustling thoroughfares resembled a ghost town. It also disrupted student activities. Kayda Thomas, Emersyn Smith and Talia Diaz were eating supper at USCs Russell House when people began running into the student center worried about a reported shooter on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The next they knew, the first-year students and a crowd rushed into a kitchen area and barricaded the door, hoping to protect themselves. Its just one of the scariest moments Ive been through, Thomas said. Two students were injured, apparently in the stampede to get away, according to Thomas and her friends, who are from Fort Mill. One student had a head injury and the other was bleeding from the knee, Thomas, Smith and Diaz said. The Catholic Student Mission had tables set up for an apparent barbecue on Greene and Pickens streets. Abandoned, the air still smelled of hamburgers. Down the street at the Methodist student center, abandoned burgers were found on the grills just after 7:30 p.m. and a game of cornhole had been disrupted. The Catholic Student Mission had tables set up for an apparent barbecue on Greene and Pickens streets when an alert for an active shooter went off on the University of South Carolina campus on Aug. 24, 2025. Cool Beans, a coffee shop on College Street, locked its doors and was encouraging people to stay on the shops top floor. Chloe Gardner, an employee, said they were staying alert and making sure patrons were safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was literally standing outside [the library] somebody came and yelled at me, Active shooter, active shooter, active shooter, said Sky Johnson, 21, a USC Upstate student visiting his sister for the weekend. Jocelyn ONeal, 41, a worker at the Panera Bread in the Russell House, said the students just started running. We were just concerned about the kids because everybody was panicking and basically running over each other, ONeal said. Campus is now operating normally. USC said that students who wish to receive emotional support resources should contact the Office of Student Health and Well-Being. Staff writers Sammy Fretwell and John Monk contributed to this story. Mayor Adams and his campaign gave no indication Monday that his longtime confidant Ingrid Lewis-Martin would be asked to stop her volunteer work on his reelection campaign, despite a fresh round of corruption charges against her. The mayor welcomes the support of all New Yorkers, Todd Shapiro, the mayors campaign spokesman, said in a statement. Ingrid is not a City Hall staffer or campaign employee what she does on her own time is her business, Earlier Monday, Adams, who has defended Lewis-Martin since the new corruption charges, declined to say during a campaign news conference on the steps of City Hall whether she is still working on his reelection bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, I spoke about the case, the mayor said. Thats a wrap. Lewis-Martin, a longtime friend of the mayor whom he routinely calls his sister, has worked on the mayors reelection efforts for months, including taking what appeared to be a leadership role in helping to organize campaign volunteers, the Daily News previously reported. Last week, Lewis-Martin was hit with a second round of charges, with the Manhattan district attorney alleging she took at least $75,000 in bribes in exchange for doling out various favors for political allies, such as steering migrant shelter contracts to preferred vendors, derailing a bike lane project in Brooklyn and fast-tracking building permits for a Queens karaoke bar. The campaigns statements about Lewis-Martin mark a different tack from last weeks announcement that Winnie Greco, a former adviser who recently came under scrutiny for giving a reporter a potato chip bag stuffed with cash, was suspended from doing any further volunteer work on the campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are shocked by these reports, Shapiro said last week. Mayor Adams had no prior knowledge of this matter. He has always demanded the highest ethical and legal standards, and his sole focus remains on serving the people of New York City with integrity. Greco, who was ensnared in a federal probe prior to the potato chip bag incident, has not been been charged with any wrongdoing. Jesse Hamilton, a top real estate official for the city, was indicted along with with Lewis-Martin and resigned hours after he was charged. The new indictments come on top of a separate set of criminal charges last December alleging Lewis-Martin took an additional $100,000 in bribes. Lewis-Martin resigned as chief adviser to the mayor just before that first corruption indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a news conference last week following the indictments, Adams praised his longtime friend. Ingrid is like a sister to me. I love Ingrid. I have known her to be a hardworking, dedicated member of city government for 40 years, Adams said Friday. The Information Technology & Innovation Fund (ITIF) has called on the office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer to include Shein, Temu and AliExpress on this years Notorious Markets List (NML) for Counterfeiting and Piracy. The USTRs office opened the public comment period for the NML last week. According to the USTR website, the NML highlights online and physical markets that reportedly engage in or facilitate substantial trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ITIF contended that Temu, Shein and AliExpress meet that description. The non-profit said that it ordered 51 products from the three marketplaces and found 24 of those products to be likely counterfeits. The products examined ranged across consumer categories, including apparel, luxury goods and toys. Of the 24 products thought to be counterfeits, 14 came from AliExpress, one came from Shein and nine came from Temu. Eli Clemens, an ITIF policy analyst and the author of the report, said the companies need to be more closely watched to protect American consumers. The proliferation of counterfeits on Temu, AliExpress, and Shein is more than a series of isolated mistakes. It reflects a fundamental failure by these platforms to prioritize anti-counterfeiting efforts, leading to poor outcomes for brands and consumers alike, Clemens said in a statement. Counterfeit products are not only bad for the economy, but they also pose potential safety risks to consumers. According to ITIF, the suspected counterfeits used intellectual property from brands like Ralph Lauren, New Balance, Carolina Herrera, Brooks and Nike, among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The full report from the ITIF stated that the organization believes Temu, Shein and AliExpress have varying problems when it comes to enforcement of intellectual property rights. While just one Shein product was a suspected counterfeit, the trade organization still took issue with the companys approach toward intellectual property. IP infringement on Shein remains a live issue in the form of unauthorized reproduction of creative works by independent designers, the trade organization wrote in the report. These cases often avoid brand names and logos entirely, making them harder to detect with automated tools and more burdensome for individual rights holders to challenge. Shein has faced multiple lawsuits alleging that it has ripped off artists and companies proprietary designs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as AliExpress is concerned, the ITIF contended that counterfeits on the marketplace are more blatant. AliExpress appears to host vendors that misuse brand trademarks across multiple product types, particularly in low-cost categories such as accessories, toys and shoes. Likely counterfeits purchased on AliExpress often appear crude, with unauthorized use of brand names and logos applied to goods that the legitimate rights holder does not produce, or products with inferior quality than would be expected from the original manufacturer, the ITIF said. Temu, meanwhile, allegedly offers what the ITIF called highly deceptive counterfeits. These goods often bear barcodes, certification marks, or manufacturer references that appear authentic. This makes Temu counterfeits more difficult for consumers to spot while browsing, and more difficult to determine are counterfeit upon receipt of the goods. Taken as a whole, potential counterfeit vendors on Temu appear to have a strategy aimed at selling counterfeit goods as legitimate-looking products to maintain customer trust while still profiting from infringing sales, the ITIF wrote. The 2024 NML, released in January ahead of the new administration, included Pinduoduo, which is also owned by Temus parent company, PDD Holdings. Temu did not see any mention on the list. Former USTR Katherine Tai indicated upon release of the 2024 report that the government has continued to track the growth of China-headquartered marketplaces. Douyin Mall, owned by TikTok parent ByteDance made the list, alongside Taobao, DHGate and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. politicians have long harbored concerns about Shein and Temus purported links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in part because both are China-founded businesses. Shein is currently headquartered in Singapore, though reportedly, the company is actively considering a move back to China to align with its aspirations for an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong. Temu is currently headquartered in Boston, though its parent company PDD Holdings is based in Dublin. AliExpress, owned by Alibaba Group, remains the only company of the three headquartered in China. The company saw inclusion on the 2021 and 2022 NMLs. ITIF said it remains unclear what prompted the companys removal from the list in 2023. Shein, Temu and AliExpress did not immediately return Sourcing Journals request for comment on the ITIFs assertions. In addition to calling on the USTR to add the three companies to the 2025 NML, the ITIF has recommended some policy actions. It has stated it believes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) should leverage artificial intelligence for identifying counterfeit products. The ITIF said it believes the automated nature of AI systems could help scale up enforcement, while also preempting some counterfeits from being sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, it suggested that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) establish a Foreign Counterfeit Complaint Center (FC3), which would draw inspiration from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center. The FC3 would give consumers a way to report potential counterfeits to the government while simultaneously offering a way for the agency to track patterns and compile evidence against companies and marketplaces as necessary. Part of the reason for these additional recommendations, the ITIF said, is that CBP failed to stop potential counterfeits from entering the U.S. The ITIF noted that the agency detained four suspected counterfeit products from AliExpress but ultimately released them. The non-profit said more oversight could help other counterfeits from entering the country in the future. Addressing the counterfeit trade requires sustained U.S. action to recalibrate platform and vendor behavior through regulatory, trade, and technological measures, Clemens said in a statement. Holding foreign e-commerce platforms to the same standards as domestic ones is essential to protecting consumers, fostering innovation and safeguarding the integrity of global markets. (The Center Square) Two nonprofits run by an attorney with long-time Democratic connections have been filing ethics complaints against lawyers who represented Trump officials or issues, seeking to get them disbarred or disciplined. But an investigation by The Center Square found nearly all of the attorneys the groups targeted received no public discipline years after the complaints were filed. Critics and documents also raise questions about the group's nonprofit status, lack of transparency and connections to other nonprofits who claim to avoid political issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah attorney Michael Teter, who worked for the Democratic party and ran Democratic campaigns, is managing director of The 65 Project and executive director of the Legal Accountability Center. Both groups' websites talk about holding accountable attorneys who filed lawsuits challenging the 2020 presidential election results and supported other "anti-Democratic activity," charging the lawyers violated their oaths by knowingly filing false lawsuits and supporting disinformation. But a Center Square review of nearly 80 complaints filed against attorneys by The 65 Project between 2022 and 2023 in various states show only three resulted in public discipline against the attorneys, and it is not clear whether the nonprofit's complaints prompted the actions. Two disciplines came after criminal convictions and one was initiated by the California bar six months after The 65 Project complaint. Last year, America First Legal, a nonprofit law firm that supports right of center issues, filed an ethics complaint against Teter in Utah for The 65 Project's actions, but the Utah State Bar association does not show any action was taken on the October 2024 complaint. For too long, lawfare like that undertaken by The 65 Project and other, similarly motivated groups, has chilled attorneys across the country from representing clients or advancing certain lawful positions for those clients," the firm's executive director Gene Hamilton said in a news release on their website. "Seeking the personal destruction and financial ruin of another lawyer simply because of the client he represented or the cause he took up runs counter to not only the letter and spirit of the law governing the activities of lawyers... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We seek a return to a world in which lawyers can be lawyers, zealously advocate for their clients, and strive for a better future without fear of harassment or intimidation simply because of the clients or causes they take up," he added. "The abuses of the system must stop." The Teter-run groups repeatedly ignored requests by The Center Square to document their accomplishments and comment on their tactics. The Center Square attempted to find discipline against the attorneys on the bar association websites of the jurisdictions where the complaints were filed and reached out to bar associations that didn't clearly provide the information online. Most of the attorneys that The 65 Project filed complaints against two or three years ago showed no public discipline on the bar websites though that leaves open the possibility of confidential private discipline. Many of the bar associations The Center Square contacted refused to provide any additional information about the nonprofit's complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The State Bar generally does not confirm the existence or status of a grievance against a Georgia-barred attorney," wrote Georgia bar spokeswoman Jennifer R. Mason after The Center Square inquired about the status of a half dozen complaints from The 65 Project. "We are unable to comment further." The group of about 80 attorneys with complaints filed against them includes 15 former and current Republican state attorneys general, but they all remained in good standing and with no public discipline in their states. The State Bar of Nevada, however, confirmed The 65 Project complaint filed there was quickly dismissed for lack of evidence. The "case wasn't strong enough to meet our clear and convincing standard," wrote Nevada Bar Counsel Daniel M. Hooge in an exchange with The Center Square. "It involved subjective claims of frivolity and dishonesty. Because they are subjective, we would need some support either from a general community consensus, prior cases creating clear controlling precedent, or judicial action. We didn't have those in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was divided along political lines, there was no prior case law that clearly addressed the same issues, and the judges in the cases did not sanction Mr. [Jesse] Binnall," he added. "This case had little to no chance of success at hearing." Binnall, a Virginia attorney who The 65 Project complaint says joined in a Nevada lawsuit to substitute Biden electors with those who supported Trump, did not respond to requests for comment. The group also filed a complaint in Massachusetts against renowned Harvard Law professor and constitutional scholar Alan Dershowitz, charging he knowingly filed a false lawsuit to "discredit elections and voting procedures." But Dershowitz said he received no discipline, and the Massachusetts bar website shows no discipline against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The "frivolous and politically motivated complaint was dismissed, as it should have been," Dershowitz wrote in a brief email exchange with The Center Square. The 65 Project complaint notes that a judge sanctioned Dershowitz for signing a complaint he should have known was frivolous called a Rule 11 violation. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the judge's decision, writing "this court has not previously clearly articulated the rule that of-counsel attorneys may be sanctioned under Rule 11, the panel declined to give its holding retroactive effect." Neither The 65 Project nor the Legal Accountability Center make their tax returns public as is required of most organizations with federal nonprofit status. In exchange for privileges like not having to pay taxes and donors getting a tax write off, nonprofits must let the public see how much money they collect and what they spend on salaries, fundraising and other expenses. Nonprofits are required to provide those returns to anyone who requests them and most are on websites that track nonprofit activity. A search of databases for The 65 Project and Legal Accountability Center 990 tax returns produced no results so The Center Square contacted the IRS and the nonprofits. The IRS did not respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 65 Project public relations person Eddie Vale responded to a request for the group's 990s by saying the group does not have its own tax returns. "The 65 Project is a fiscally sponsored project of Global Impact, so the relevant 990s belongs to the fiscal sponsor," he wrote in response to The Center Square's request to see the groups tax returns as federal law requires. While Global Impact's tax returns are available online, they do not specifically provide income, spending and pay data for either of Teter's organizations. Vale didn't respond to repeated follow up requests asking for an interview with Teter, and no one from LAC responded to repeated requests for 990s or interviews with staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LAC website says they are a 501c(4), which allows them to do campaigning though it is not their primary activity. A web link that has since been taken down connects them to the Democracy Fund, but the Fund's nonprofit tax returns do not mention the LAC. No one from the Fund responded to requests for comment. LAC has filed three complaints against Trump Department of Justice attorneys and is also representing California Gov. Gavin Newsom in a $787 million defamation complaint against Fox News. The complaints against the DOJ attorneys were all filed July 31 and there is nothing about them on the District of Columbia bar website. Fox News is disputing Newsom's libel claim but did not provide a comment about the LAC's involvement in the case. Teter was deputy finance director for the California Democratic Party in the late 1990s; was campaign manager for U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisc., and Wisconsin field director for John Kerry's failed presidential run; and worked at the Democratic Campaign Committee, according to his Linkedin profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also worked at Perkins Coie between 2006 and 2008 a law firm that was targeted by a Trump executive order to suspend security clearances for their attorneys after Trump determined that the firm worked with Hillary Clinton on the Steele Dossier and discriminated in hiring by implementing DEI programs. Teter's nonprofits are clearly designed to make it difficult for Trump officials and issues to get legal representation, according to Tom Jones, executive director of the conservativeAmerican Accountability Foundation, and the nonprofit's own website. "The complaints are intended to harass attorneys and force them to spend money defending themselves because (The 65 Project and LAC) dont like the policy," Jones said. The 65 Project's website seems to echo that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The 65 Project will work to hold accountable the lawyers who raise fraudulent claims to overturn legitimate elections results, while also creating a rule-based system to prevent future attempts and to strengthen the mechanisms for accountability and deterrence," according The 65 Project's website. One employee anonymously put in much more stark terms in a 2022 Axios story about The 65 Project, which the group's website said is named after the 65 lawsuits filed by Trump supporters to overturn the 2020 election. "This is mostly important for the deterrent effect that it can bring so that you can kill the pool of available legal talent going forward," the story quoted the anonymous source. Confiscated guns are displayed on a table at a public safety news conference at City Hall in New York City on June 3. In a recent study, researchers found more pediatric firearm deaths in states with looser gun laws. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Gun safety advocates gathered last week to highlight the threat of constitutional carry ahead of a potential veto override of Senate Bill 50 from the state legislature, a bill allowing concealed carry without permits. Senate Bill 50 would allow North Carolinians above the age of 18 to carry concealed, loaded handguns without a permit, a change from the current system that requires background checks, safety training, and live-fire training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed the measure on June 20. But when the Senate returned to Raleigh in July, lawmakers overrode Steins veto. In order to override a veto, three-fifths of each chamber must approve. Now, its all up to the House, where Republicans are one vote short of a supermajority. With legislators coming back to town on Tuesday, SB 50 remains on the calendar and its possible the lower chamber will take up the bill if Republicans think the votes are there to override Steins veto. Two House Republicans, Rep. William Brisson and Rep. Ted Davis, joined Democrats in initially voting against the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, North Carolinians Against Gun Violence and concerned community members spoke at Strategic Tactics Of Protection LLC (STOP) against the bill. More people will die in NC if the House overrides Gov. Steins veto. The Senate already has, Becky Ceartas, executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, said. We cannot let this happen. Too much is at stake. Lives are on the line. Jessica Burroughs with the group MomsRising said the pervasiveness of guns and gun violence is chipping away at the freedom to learn, play, and live in North Carolina communities without fear. Look at what the data tells us about states with weaker concealed carry weapon permitting laws. They have 10.8% higher firearm homicide rates than states with stronger laws, said Burroughs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement STOP was chosen as the press conferences location because its a firearms training academy. The facility offers classes ranging from concealed carry handguns to unarmed defense and personal protection in the home. Tony DeRico, president and instructor at STOP, stressed the importance of having proper training to handle weapons. That includes knowing how to inspect a weapon to see if its loaded and laws regarding carrying one. He also supported maintaining background checks on those who wish to purchase and possess weapons. Without those parameters, you are putting up a wide open fence that will allow much harm to be done, he said. We dont need to have young people who arent ready to have a firearm. TikTok is set to cut hundreds of UK content moderation jobs and move them to other European locations. The strategic shift is part of a broader reorganisation of TikTok's global Trust and Safety operations, aiming to streamline processes and concentrate operations in fewer locations worldwide. The layoffs also come as the video sharing platform invests in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its moderation capabilities. A TikTok spokesperson, as reported by the BBC, said: We are continuing a reorganisation that we started last year to strengthen our global operating model for Trust and Safety, which includes concentrating our operations in fewer locations globally. However, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) expressed concerns over the move, citing potential risks to both worker and public safety. CWU National Officer for Tech John Chadfield criticised the decision, emphasising the importance of human moderation. TikTok workers have long been sounding the alarm over the real-world costs of cutting human moderation teams in favour of hastily developed, immature AI alternatives, Chadfield said. The affected staff are part of TikTok's Trust and Safety team in London, as well as other locations in Asia. TikTok employs a blend of automated systems and human moderators, with 85% of rule-breaking posts being removed automatically. The investment in AI aims to reduce human exposure to distressing content and improve efficiency. Impacted employees will have the opportunity to apply for other internal roles, receiving priority if they meet the job requirements. The transition occurs as the UK enforces stricter content regulation via the Online Safety Act, potentially imposing fines of up to 10% of a company's global turnover for non-compliance. In July, TikTok introduced new parental controls to enhance user safety. Despite these measures, the company has faced scrutiny in the UK, including a major investigation by the UK data watchdog. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, employs over 2,500 staff in the UK and is transitioning towards AI-driven moderation globally. According to The Guardian, recent changes include the dismissal of 300 content moderators in the Netherlands and the replacement of 500 employees in Malaysia with AI systems. Last week, TikTok workers in Germany went on strike over layoffs in the Trust and Safety team. "TikTok UK content moderator jobs at risk amid AI shift " was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. Photo: Getty Images Medicaid enrollees began receiving letters from hospitals last month telling them their old medical debts have been erased. That medical debt relief is part of the program former Gov. Roy Cooper and the former head of the state Department of Health and Human Services announced last year that increases hospitals Medicaid payments in exchange for erasing debts amassed by people with lower incomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debt relief letters will go out in phases and continue into next year, Julia Lerche, chief strategy officer and chief actuary for NC Medicaid said in an interview Friday. The state Department of Health and Human Services is collecting information from hospitals on the numbers of people whose medical debts have been erased, along with total debt abolished, and will have a report in the next few months, she said. We are really proud of the program, Lerche said. We know how much it means to so many people in North Carolina. Under the program, hospitals are forgiving Medicaid enrollees medical debts dating back to 2014. Former DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley said last year that as people were signing up for expanded Medicaid, they talked about the heavy weight of old medical debts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hospitals will erase medical debt dating back to 2014 for people who are not enrolled in Medicaid but whose incomes are at or below 350% of the federal poverty level or whose total debt is more than 5% of their yearly income. Hospitals also agreed to provide discounts to patients who meet income guidelines. Hospitals and Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that works to wipe out such debts, are looking at available income data to determine who is eligible to have their debts erased. As part of the program, hospitals had to agree to measures that would help people from going into debt in the first place, agree not sell to collectors the debts of people whose incomes are below 300% of the federal poverty level, or to report patients covered under the policy to credit reporting agencies. North Carolina has federal approval to run the program through June 2026, Lerche said. The program may eventually erase $4 billion in medical debt. SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Northwest Arkansas-based nonprofit organization, Pedal It Forward, partners with local businesses to collect bikes for a regional impact. Pedal It Forward is a nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the number of people in Northwest Arkansas who have access to bicycles. In an area with increasing interest in biking, the non-profit organization began when a group of Northwest Arkansas cyclists sought a way to share the benefits of bike riding with the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program aims to collect, refurbish, and distribute free or low-cost bicycles to those who cant afford them. Razorback legends to host Walmart meet-and-greet in Fayetteville Since 2014, the organization has donated more than 10,000 bikes. The organization is continuing its ongoing mission by partnering with Rise Physical Therapy throughout the week of Aug. 25 to Aug. 29 by hosting a bike drive, and with NorthWest Arkansas Community College from Aug. 28 to Aug. 29. If youre looking to donate, you can drop bikes off at the Springdale or Bentonville locations for the non-profit. If youre looking for a bike, you can read more about the process over on the Pedal It Forward website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. HIGHLAND- Sip Coffee House in Highland, Indiana, within the heart of the nearly purple 1st Congressional District, is the kind of place where eavesdroppers aren't afraid to join a conversation at the next table about politics. The topic du jour is redistricting, seeing as their Democratic district is ripe for the carving should Indiana leaders fulfill President Donald Trump's request to redraw the state's congressional maps mid-decade, amid a nationwide effort to pad the Republican majority in Congress. The mood in the 1st District, where Democrats are poised to lose what little like-minded representation they have in the state, is a mix of disappointment and healthy skepticism. "Every ten years they should be counted, every ten years they should make a new map simple as that," said 18-year-old Rafael Manzo Jr., a Gary resident who has his sights on running for Democratic U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan's congressional seat in 2032 as a Democrat. Rafael Manzo Jr., a Democrat planning to run for Congress in the 1st Congressional District, speaks in an interview with IndyStar on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Highland, Ind. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes Highland, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. "They're making it up as they go along," LuShana Williamson, a 50-year-old Hammond resident, piped in from a neighboring table, holding a drink carrier of to-go orders for her fellow hair stylists at the salon down the road. "They're reframing the constitution to fit their actual wants and desires at that time. Not a need, a want." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even several miles outside these urban cores, in the conservative suburbs of St. John and Dyer, it's not clear there are many voters clamoring over the prospect. Given that Republicans already control seven of nine congressional districts in Indiana, Pete Kopercinski, a 78-year-old Republican resident of Dyer, said he feels like he already is pretty well represented in Congress, even if his district representative is a Democrat. "I don't know what Indiana has planned," he said, "but Im perfectly happy with the way it is now." Pete Kopercinski stands for a portrait Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in St. John, Ind. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes St. John, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. Indiana is proving a tougher sell for Trump's redistricting agenda than fellow red states like Texas and Florida, where the GOP Statehouses have begun the process to try to draw more Republican districts. Unlike in those states, most of Indiana's state lawmakers from the most moderate to the most Trump-supporting conservative have spoken out vehemently against redistricting, voicing both moral and practical concerns. And that's after Vice President JD Vance made a personal visit to Gov. Mike Braun and state legislative leaders in early August. That pushback has only fueled the pressure campaign: robocalls, texts, a string of public statements from all seven Republican U.S. representatives for Indiana supporting redistricting. On Aug. 26, several state lawmakers are heading to D.C. for a previously scheduled meeting to discuss Trump's agenda, and though redistricting isn't on the agenda, it could very well come up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northwest Indiana, colloquially called "The Region" and the home of the 1st Congressional District, has a unique makeup for Indiana. The only other Democratic seat in Indiana is the 7th District, comprising almost entirely of the urban city of Indianapolis. Indiana's seven Republican districts are predominantly rural. But the 1st District contains the spectrum of the American experience: industrial urban cores by the lake shore to the north, suburban bedroom communities in the center, and agricultural rural areas in the south. Gary, Ind., is pictured Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes Gary, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. Randy Niemeyer, the Lake County GOP chair and county councilman who ran for the congressional seat in 2024, lovingly calls it "tripolar." "To say that there's one demographic, one set of ideals we have a total mix of all of it here," he said over steak and eggs Aug. 19. "That's kind of the difficult thing of trying to peg this district." That's part of what could make it a target for splicing and dicing to gain a GOP seat. Even as Mrvan slightly increased his overall electoral advantage over his Republican opponent from the 2022 to the 2024 election, Trump has made gains within each of the three counties making up the district since 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be easy to dilute the Democratic vote by adjusting the 1st District boundaries to extend south into Newton or Jasper counties, both of which Trump won by more than 50 percentage points in 2024. Republicans have for several election cycles been eyeing the district as flippable. House Speaker Mike Johnson stumped for Neimeyer in 2024, and the National Republican Congressional Committee has put the district on its list of 26 seats to target in 2026. Niemeyer, a career trucker, lost to Mrvan by eight percentage points last year. He hasn't decided yet if he wants to try again. He does, however, see an argument for redistricting nationwide, including in his own district, even five years after the last Census count. Randy Niemeyer, a Republican who ran for Congress in the 1st Congressional District in 2024, sits in an interview with IndyStar on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in St. John, Ind. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes St. John, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. That Census count took place during the global Covid-19 pandemic, and a post-enumeration report released in 2022 found there were overcounts or undercounts in 14 states. In Texas and Florida, two Republican-leaning states with undercounts, that could have cost them congressional seats, according to a Heritage Foundation analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Niemeyer looks at those reports, combined with reports about millions of undocumented immigrants having come to the U.S. since the Census was taken, as begging for further scrutiny. "So while it looks like a power play by the Trump administration, '21 through '24 was a power play by the Biden administration," he said. "As a matter of policy, I don't like mid-decade redistricting. But it's a matter of necessity. When you look at the data, from my standpoint, I don't know if we can ignore the numbers." But he said he knows that many people in his party locally don't agree. 'Where's the balance?' Natalie DeJarlais, who voted for Niemeyer in the last election, said it seems to her like the only reason to redistrict right now is a partisan one. She can see that there could be some lines drawn to concentrate the urban blue-collar neighborhoods together, and the suburban white-collar neighborhoods together, but that doesn't mean they should at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just feel like the time frame for redistricting seems to work, so I feel like, why are they pushing that?" she said. "They already control the state, so, do they need the whole state? Wheres the balance? If the ten-year plan was put in place, whats wrong with that?" "The parties are just so divided," friend and fellow parishioner Angie Brady chimed. "I dont like the whole manipulation for their own outcome," DeJarlais said. Natalie DeJarlais (left) and Angie Brady (right) stand for a portrait Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in St. John, Ind. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes St. John, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. DeJarlais and Brady have more in common than working for the same parish in St. John. They grew up in strongly Democratic union households, like many in the Region, home to a major steel mill in Gary. Back then there were more moderate and centrist overlaps between the two major political parties. But these days, given how polarized the parties now are, they find it hard to fit into either party fully, though they lean conservative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What they perceive as partisan games doesn't help matters. "I think until the parties shape themselves a little bit to become less fringey, its going to continue to be a dilemma for someone like me," DeJarlais said. The region is certainly a "melting pot" of voters of all stripes, including people who hold nuanced views that don't neatly fit into today's party lines, said Williamson, the hair stylist and entrepreneur. So it could be difficult to pin down which party most accurately represents the region. East Chicago, Ind., is pictured Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes East Chicago, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. But she looks at the statewide perspective: If the maps are redrawn so that Indiana is exclusively represented by Republicans in Congress, that potentially wipes out the views of Hoosiers across the state who align with more progressive views on social issues, like the protection of same-sex marriage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Losing that voice could lead people to leave the state, she reasoned. "They're drowned out, and then they could also feel like they're pushed out, just because that's how they choose to live their lives," she said. "I know of people that live in Illinois ... that would not come live here, mainly because it's a red state. But these are professional individuals who pay into our tax system, who would pay into our economy here." LuShana Williamson sits for a portrait Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Highland, Ind. President Donald Trump is pressuring Indiana lawmakers to re-draw the states congressional map mid decade. The 1st Congressional District in northwest Indiana, which includes Highland, is seen as the most likely in the state to be affected by this redistricting. For Manzo, a student at Purdue Northwest, having a voice in government is top of mind. He started an organization called MAS More Action for Students with a goal of registering more young people to vote. His district has been represented by Democrats in Congress for many decades, and that's because the people who are from this area have decided that party is the "lesser of two evils," he said. Gerrymandering the map to exclude Democratic representation would quash those voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not fair for us, and it's frankly racist," he said. "Redistricting would only further disenfranchise our Black and Hispanic votes." Though Sean Kantar, a 38-year-old Griffith resident, votes with the Democrats, he sees both parties as corrupt and caring only about securing more power. The whole system needs to be completely torn down and built back up with bipartisan or nonpartisan processes of apportioning representation, he told Manzo, the aspiring future politician, in the coffee shop. "It's all corrupt and we're way past fixing it," he said. "I think everybody needs to truce on everything." More: As national conservatives urge Indiana to redistrict, even pro-Trump lawmakers are opposed Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact IndyStar Statehouse reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on X @kayla_dwyer17. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: President Trump wants Northwest Indiana to redistrict. What the voters say PARIS Norway will help Germany pay for two Patriot air-defense systems including missiles for Ukraine, according to the Norwegian government, with the Nordic country providing total funding for air-defense capabilities amounting to roughly $692 million. Germany will provide Ukraine two complete Patriot systems from its inventory, and Norway will help pay for their replacement, the government in Oslo said in statement on Sunday, on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine. The United States has confirmed it will replace the two systems being donated by Germany, Norway said. Ukraine has been asking its allies for more air-defense systems for months, as daily Russian attacks pummel the embattled countrys cities with cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones. Patriot is one of the few systems supplied to Ukraine capable of intercepting tactical ballistic missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together with Germany, we are now ensuring that Ukraine receives powerful air defense systems, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said. Germany and Norway are working very closely together to support Ukraine in its fight to defend the country and protect the civilian population against Russian air attacks. Germany has already provided Ukraine with three Patriot systems, which typically consist of a fire-control unit, radar and multiple launchers. The German Ministry of Defence said in early August it would provide Ukraine with additional launchers, to be followed by further complete systems within two to three months. In return for donating the systems to Ukraine, Germany agreed with the U.S. Department of Defense that it will be the first country to receive the latest generation of newly manufactured Patriot systems, according to the German MoD. Patriot systems are in short supply, and the production of some components can take years, it said. Norway will help pay for the new German Patriots, as well as contribute to the purchase of air-defense radars from Germanys Hensoldt and air-defense systems from Norways Kongsberg, for a total amount of seven billion Norwegian kroner ($692 million). Germany has contracted with Hensoldt for the delivery of TRML-4D air-defense radar to Ukraine, the Norwegian government said. Berlin is also financing the delivery of Kongsbergs short-range aid defense systems Typhon-2, to which Norway will contribute by donating key components from its armed forces. Norway last year provided Ukraine with ten Typhon-1 systems, it said. Norway is planning to allocate $8.45 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced during a visit to Kyiv on Aug. 25. The move underscores Norways growing role in supporting Ukraines defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow. Speaking about security guarantees, Store said that the most important guarantee would be to provide Ukraine with strong defense capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The key thing is for the United States to remain engaged in these discussions," he said, adding that Oslo is also involved. According to the Norwegian prime minister, Norway will take part in training Ukrainian troops and contribute to protecting Ukraines airspace by providing air defense systems. The news come amid a push from Ukraine's allies to hammer out postwar security guarantees for Kyiv following a high-level meeting in Washington with President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. President Donald Trump, and European partners. Bloomberg reported on Aug. 19 that the package of security guarantees for Ukraine might be finalized in the coming days. European officials have reportedly discussed sending British and French troops to Ukraine, along with contingents from roughly 10 other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump told Fox News on Aug. 19 that Washington could provide air support as part of the guarantees but ruled out deploying U.S. ground troops to Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine has upgraded its Neptune missile heres what we know Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) U.S. President Donald Trumps special envoy Keith Kellogg said in Kyiv on Monday that officials are working very, very hard on efforts to end the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine, as a lack of progress fuels doubts about whether a peace settlement could be on the horizon. Officials are hoping to get to a position where, in the near term, we have, with a lack of a better term, security guarantees that address Ukraine's fears of another invasion by Russia in the future, Kellogg said. "Thats a work in progress, Kellogg said of the potential security guarantees after attending Ukraines annual National Prayer Breakfast along with politicians, business leaders and diplomats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week ago, Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelenskyy. But Russian officials have signaled that such a summit wont happen any time soon. Trump said Friday he expects to decide on next steps in two weeks if direct talks arent scheduled. A stream of high-ranking visitors to Kyiv in recent days reflects concerns around the U.S.-led peace drive. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Zelenskyy, pledging 2 billion Canadian dollars in aid, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in the Ukrainian capital on Friday. Germanys vice chancellor and finance minister, Lars Klingbeil, arrived in Kyiv on Monday to discuss how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin spoke on the phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday, the Kremlin said. Russia and Iran have close relations, and Putin has also deepened ties with China, India and North Korea as Western countries have sided with Ukraine in the war. Putin and Pezeshkian are expected to meet next week when China hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations annual summit, in Tianjin. Germany, Norway vow more help for Ukraine Klingbeil, the German vice chancellor, told Zelenskyy that Ukraines allies have to talk about what happens if President Putin does not relent, if he wants to continue the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany will continue to stand by Ukraine, he said, echoing sentiments by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store earlier in the day. Norways multibillion-dollar military and civilian support for Ukraines fight to defeat Russias invasion will stretch into next year, Store said in Kyiv. He said he will propose to the Norwegian Parliament spending $8.45 billion on Ukraine next year. Store, whose country borders Russia, told a news conference with Zelenskyy that Ukraine is defending a critical principle on the European level by refusing to accept Russias seizure of territory. Analysts say Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments commitment to Ukraine and use his bigger army to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norway on Sunday pledged about 7 billion kroner ($695 million) toward air defense systems for Ukraine. Norway and Germany are jointly funding two U.S.-made Patriot anti-missile systems, including missiles, with Norway also helping procure air defense radar, Store said. Drone strikes continue Ukraines Air Force said Russia launched 104 strike and decoy drones overnight, targeting the country's north and east. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Ukraine has continued long-range drone attacks on Russia, hitting oil refineries, armories and transport hubs and causing commercial flight disruption during the summer vacation period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, an Egyptian plane carrying Russian tourists from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg diverted to Tallinn because the Russian citys international airport had temporarily closed due to a drone attack, the Estonian daily Postimees reported. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting 23 Ukrainian drones overnight and Monday morning over seven Russian regions, both on or near the border with Ukraine and deeper inside Russia. ___ Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Norway's multi-billion euro military and civilian support for Ukraine's fight against Russia's full-scale invasion will stretch into next year, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre has said. Appearing beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday, Stre, whose country borders Russia, stressed that Ukraine was defending a "critical" European principle by refusing to accept Moscow's seizure of territory. On Sunday, Norway pledged around 7 billion kroner (593 million) toward air defence systems for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norway and Germany are jointly helping the Ukrainians by funding two US-made Patriot anti-missile systems, with Oslo also helping procure air defence radar for Kyiv, Stre said. Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre shakes hands with Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, 25 June, 2025 - AP Photo European countries have been scrambling to finalise security guarantees for post-war Ukraine ahead of a possible meeting between Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that could take place in the coming weeks. Some 30 countries have been in talks since February as part of the "Coalition of the Willing", with the deployment of a "reassurance force" to deter Russia from any further attacks among the ideas being considered. President Donald Trump said the US would be involved in Ukrainian security in some form, but has ruled out American boots on the ground. Promises of continued support Zelenskyy said that he would talk later this week to the US Special Envoy Keith Kellogg about American security guarantees and a possible meeting with Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellogg was in Kyiv on Sunday attending Independence Day celebrations. He is part of a stream of high-ranking officials who have visited the Ukrainian capital in recent days, reflecting concerns around the US-led peace push. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Kyiv on Sunday for meetings with Zelenskyy, pledging CA$2 billion (1.24 billion) in aid. Before him, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited the city on Friday. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney joins Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, at a wreath laying ceremony in Kyiv, 24 August, 2025 - AP Photo The German Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil arrived there on Monday to discuss "how Germany can best support Ukraine in a possible peace process". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week ago, Trump said he had set in motion arrangements for direct peace talks between Putin and Zelenskyy, but Russian officials have signalled that such a summit wont happen any time soon. Analysts say Putin thinks he can outlast Western governments' commitment to Ukraine and can use his army's numerical advantage to capture more Ukrainian land while peace efforts are under discussion. For the growing number of homeschooling families in Maryland, back to school has a different meaning, writes Melissa Bellamy. (Stock.adobe.com by snowing12) While traditional schools prepare for fall, homeschool families celebrate the return of quiet libraries, midday museum visits and uncrowded playgrounds. Across the U.S. especially in Maryland homeschooling is no longer a last resort but an intentional, affirming educational choice. The excitement goes beyond flexible schedules; it reflects a deeper shift in how, where and why children learn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional schooling, sparking a surge in homeschooling across all demographics. What began as a temporary fix has become a lasting trend. By the 202324 school year, more than 40,000 Maryland students 4.65% of the K12 populationwere homeschooled, according to the Maryland State Department of Education. Thats well above the 2.6% pre-pandemic rate and even the 4% peak during the pandemic. Local umbrella groups, co-ops and enrichment programs continue to report steady interest, signaling a long-term shift. Maryland regulates homeschooling under COMAR 13A.10.01. Parents must submit a Notice of Intent, teach required subjects, and undergo twice-yearly portfolio reviews. Families can either be supervised by their local school district or join an approved umbrella program, often affiliated with religious or private schools. While Maryland offers flexibility in curriculum and scheduling, it also imposes limits: homeschooled students cannot participate in public school sports, extracurriculars or classes. Your opinion matters Maryland Matters welcomes guest commentary submissions at editor@marylandmatters.org. We suggest a 750-word limit and reserve the right to edit or reject submissions. We do not accept columns that are endorsements of candidates, and no longer accept submissions from elected officials or political candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion pieces must be signed by at least one individual using their real name. We do not accept columns signed by an organization. Commentary writers must include a short bio and a photo for their bylines. Views of writers are their own. Recently, a viral Facebook post raised concerns about changes to Marylands homeschool laws. Parents responded by sending letters to the Department of Educations Regulatory Review, citing worries about state-approved curricula, parent degree requirements, home visits and mandatory testing. In reality, the state was simply gathering feedback to ensure regulations remain clear and workable. Input was welcomed from all stakeholders through Aug. 15. Families choose homeschooling for many reasons: individualized instruction, safety concerns, flexible pacing or a desire for more family time. Marylands strong homeschool associations and umbrella schools help ease the transition, offering structure without sacrificing freedom. For some, homeschooling addresses gaps in traditional education, allowing parents to integrate cultural, religious or academic values into daily learning. Museums, nature centers, and libraries across the state now offer specialized daytime programs, enriching the homeschool experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the most notable trends both nationally and in Maryland is the rise of homeschooling among African American families. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black students nationwide represent about 8.5% of homeschoolers as of 2025 a significant increase from prepandemic levels as of 2025. For many, its a way to build an education that reflects Black history, culture and identity areas often overlooked in traditional curricula. Parents speak of reclaiming education and creating systems that affirm their childrens worth and potential. Some critics question whether homeschooling limits access to higher education. In fact, homeschool graduates are increasingly welcomed by colleges and universities, including those in Maryland. Admissions offices recognize their independence, adaptability and self-direction. Institutions like the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the University of Maryland, College Park, and Morgan State University actively recruit homeschool applicants. Many students also take advantage of dual-enrollment programs, earning college credit while finishing high school. Of course, homeschooling comes with challenges. Portfolio reviews can be stressful, and families lose access to publicly funded extracurriculars, placing the burden on parents. Equity concerns persist, as homeschooling often requires a flexible work schedule, making it less accessible to lower-income families. Still, the continued growth of homeschooling suggests that many families find the benefits outweigh the barriers. Marylands homeschool community is building support systems from co-ops to regional teaching groups that help families thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As classrooms reopen and yellow buses roll out each fall, thousands of Maryland families choose a different path. For them, back to school means morning lessons at the kitchen table, afternoons exploring history at local museums, or science classes in state parks. For many Black families, its also a powerful act of reclaiming education stepping outside a system that has too often underserved them and creating new spaces for their children to flourish. Homeschooling in Maryland is no longer a fringe choice. Its a vibrant, resilient, and diverse movement one that continues to redefine what education can look like when families take the lead. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. on Monday proposed adding copper and potash among others to the draft critical minerals list for 2025, for their importance to the economy and national security. The Geological Survey, a branch of the U.S. Department of the Interior, released the draft list in the Federal Register and it will be open for public comment for 30 days. Inclusion on the list, which is typically updated every three years, can make projects eligible for federal funding, subject to a streamlined permitting process, or more competitive due to fees placed on imports, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center. Copper is widely used in transportation, defense, and the U.S. power grid, which needs revamping amid the first rise in electricity demand in two decades on the rise in data centers and artificial intelligence. Potash is a potassium-rich salt mostly used to make fertilizer. Silver, lead, and silicon were also added to the draft list. The draft list provides a roadmap to reduce U.S. dependence on imports and expand domestic production, said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Executive orders signed by President Donald Trump this year directed the Interior Department to see whether coal used to make steel, also known as met coal, and uranium, the fuel for nuclear power plants, should be put on the list. Those were not put on the draft list, but Interior said public comment was welcomed on inclusion of met coal and uranium on the final list. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner;Editing by Alison Williams) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Sunday fired back at President Donald Trump, who attacked his record on crime, threatened to send troops to Baltimore, and questioned his military service. Did Wes Moore, the Governor of Maryland, lie about getting a Bronze Star? Trump wrote on his Truth Social website. Related: Maryland Democratic Governor Keeping Options Open When It Comes To Redistricting In one follow-up, Moore called Trump President Bone Spurs, a reference to a disputed diagnosis the president used to duck military service during the Vietnam War, and raised a question of his own: Did Donald Trump, the President of the United States, lie about an injury to dodge the Vietnam draft? Wes Moore (@iamwesmoore) August 24, 2025 Moore also shared a fact check from Grok, the built-in AI tool on X, about his own record: Trump is doing everything in his power to distract from the Epstein files, Moore added. Really makes you wonder... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore listed the medal on an application for a White House fellowship in 2006 after his commanding officers said it had the necessary approvals and that he could list it. But the paperwork never went through, leading to questions over his inclusion of the award on his application. Moore also didnt correct TV hosts who mentioned the award when introducing him. Related: Trump Apparently Has A New Bruise And Karoline Leavitt Has An Explanation Moore later called it an honest mistake, according to The Washington Post, which noted that he finally received the award in 2024 when the paperwork was resubmitted. After nearly 20 years, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore officially receives the Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony at the Governor's Mansion in Annapolis in December 2024. Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post via Getty Images Moores latest tiff with Trump began when he invited the president to walk through Baltimore with him in response to the presidents use of troops in Washington and threat to send soldiers to other U.S. cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said the invitation had a rather nasty and provocative tone and called Moore a failing governor. Stop talking and get to work, Wes, he wrote on Truth Social. Also, I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge. I will now have to rethink that decision??? Related: JD Vance Schooled Over Clueless Historical Claim: Does He Know Anything? Trump did not give Moore a lot of money for the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed last year after being hit by a cargo ship that lost power. That money was authorized by a federal spending bill that passed Congress last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore also made one last pitch for Trump to visit Baltimore to see the city for himself no walking necessary: President Bone Spurs will do anything to get out of walking even if that means spouting off more lies about the progress were making on public safety in Maryland. Hey Donald, we can get you a golf cart if that makes things easier. Just let my team know. Wes Moore (@iamwesmoore) August 24, 2025 More on Politics Wall Street Journal Flags Donald Trump Risk Turning Out To Be Worse Than We Imagined Gavin Newsoms Hilariously Brutal Birthday Post To Stephen Miller Is Truly A Gift Democratic Governor Offers An Olive Branch To Trump On CNN Read the original on HuffPost The boyfriend of a Springfield Township woman, whose autistic son prosecutors say was tied down in a locked basement room and starved, has received the maximum sentence for the childs death after an earlier guilty plea. William Turnage, 59, was sentenced by Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers to at least 11 years in prison during a hearing on Aug. 25. Court records show Turnage pleaded guilty on July 31 to involuntary manslaughter and endangering children. Despite the plea agreement, prosecutors asked for the maximum possible sentence to be imposed on Turnage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Turnage was the longtime partner of 54-year-old Tamara Moore, the mother of 16-year-old Jeremiah Moore, and the pair had been in an on-and-off relationship since they were teenagers, prosecutors said. Tamara Moore, at center, stands next attorney Clyde Bennett II at a hearing in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on April 25. Jeremiah Moore died Feb. 6, 2024, after he was chained to a cot and starved, according to investigators. Prosecutor says autistic teenager was left restrained in a basement closet without food When police found the teen, he was on a cot inside a basement utility closet in nothing but a T-shirt and an absolutely disgusting diaper, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor Jaqueline Stachowiak said. Stachowiak said the room was 56 degrees when officers arrived at the home and restraints were strapped to the side of the bed, with marks on his wrists indicating the teen had been tied down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that police also found a dog collar underneath the bed and an autopsy showed marks left on the boys neck. She said the autopsy also revealed there wasnt a trace of food in the boys stomach. The room Jeremiah Moore was kept in wasnt big enough for the teen to stand up and the door locked from the outside, Stachowiak added. Springfield Township police Sgt. Rami Khayo said the teen was autistic and non-verbal, relying entirely on adults to take care of him. Khayo said the boy was restrained and locked in the room with no food and no blankets. Ive never seen a case thats this horrific, Khayo said, with the suffering that they put him through and with him not being able to even verbalize the pain or suffering that he was going through. Man argues he 'wasn't aware' of the extent of abuse. Judge says he's 'nothing but a monster' Prosecutors said Jeremiah Moore was cared for by his maternal grandmother, mom and Turnage, who lived with the family for years. However, Stachowiak said that when the teens grandmother died, he no longer received the care he needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Turnage feels horrible about it, said Scott Rubenstein, one of the attorneys representing Turnage. Rubenstein said that Turnage has accepted responsibility and knows he shouldve done more to prevent the abuse from happening. Turnage said in court that had he been more proactive, the teen would still be alive. I wasnt aware, Turnage told the judge. I do apologize for putting him in this situation. However, prosecutors disputed Turnages claims that he didnt know the extent of the abuse. The judge also questioned Turnages explanations, or lack thereof, for his failure to stop the situation or report it to authorities. She added that Turnage deliberately participated in the boy's abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre nothing but a monster, sir, Luebbers said. Youre going to have to live with this for the rest of your life. Alicia Logeman, who was identified as the boys former teacher, was the only person aside from law enforcement officials and prosecutors who came to court in support of Jeremiah Moore. How could you do this? Logeman said. How could you do nothing? She said that when the court proceedings are resolved, she intends to ensure that Jeremiah Moore is laid to rest with his grandmother, the person who cared for him. Under an Ohio law that states the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction can extend an inmate's incarceration based on conduct, Turnage could spend up to 15 years in prison. His attorney said they expect Turnage will appeal the judge's sentencing decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to a question from Luebbers, Turnage indicated he would be willing to testify against Tamara Moore, who is facing charges including murder. Court records show the boys mother is expected to go on trial on Sept. 29. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man sentenced to prison for death, abuse of autistic Ohio teen (The Center Square) Fentanyl dealers would face tough new criminal penalties under a proposal filed by a Republican New York congressman, which calls for charging those convicted of trafficking the drug with attempted murder. The Fentanyl Kills Act, refiled by Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., is the latest proposal aimed at cracking down on the sale and distribution of the synthetic opioid. The drug has been tied to Mexican drug smuggling cartels and remains a major driver of the nations deadly opioid crisis. Under the proposal, those convicted of trafficking in the drug could face a life sentence in federal prison. Lawler, who represents several upstate New York counties, said the proposal is about "accountability" and "making sure that those who profit off the destruction of our children, our neighbors, and our communities pay a price equal to the devastation they cause." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Those who traffic fentanyl know exactly what harm is done by the drug and the priceless cost of lives taken by the deadly substance," the Hudson Valley lawmaker said in a statement. "Too many families in New York and across America have suffered the unimaginable loss of a loved one to fentanyl." Fentanyl is commonly mixed with other narcotics and is considered more than 50 times more powerful than street-level heroin. It is both odorless and tasteless, making detection of the compound by law enforcement difficult. More than 54,743 Americans died of opioid-related overdoses in 2024, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl is blamed for nearly 60% of the fatal overdoses, the federal agency says. Amid the scourge of opioids, states and the federal government have been toughening drug trafficking laws to target fentanyl suppliers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has blamed former President Joe Biden's immigration policies for allowing large quantities of the synthetic drug to be smuggled into the country in recent years. In July, President Donald Trump signed into law a bill permanently adding the synthetic opioid fentanyl sold on the street to the list of controlled substances, which he said will make it easier to prosecute fentanyl traffickers. The HALT Fentanyl Act adds fentanyl derivatives to Schedule 1, which also covers drugs such as heroin and LSD that have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Under the law, those caught trafficking fentanyl face a mandatory 10-year minimum sentence in prison. Trump signed an executive order in August authorizing the use of military force against specific Latin American criminal organizations involved in trafficking drugs. The Trump administration recently deployed three guided-missile destroyers to the waters off Venezuela, with the authority to interdict drug shipments. NEW YORK (PIX11) Families with children enrolled in New York City schools can now track their childs school bus using the NYC School Bus App, a free app available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app allows parents to receive updates on the expected arrival time of the school bus, as well as notifications regarding any delays and additional information. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The app is available for families of students who receive bus transportation from the New York City Department of Education. This includes students at public, non-public, and charter schools. To use the app, families will need to register for an account on the NYC Schools Account website. Contact your childs school for their Student ID number and then download the app. Log in to the app with your NYCSA account, select the child you like to track, and youll be able to follow your childs bus. When is the first day of school in New York City? 2025-2026 calendar is out A web version of the app is also accessible for computers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families can also share information about student attendance and busing needs through the app. Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) The NYPD detective shot by friendly fire while chasing a violent carjacker in Queens was released from the hospital on Monday, officials said. Det. Corey Fisher left Jamaica Hospital surrounded by his NYPD family after recovering from two gunshot wounds while he and other officers were trying to apprehend Kevin Dubuisson, 28, during an attempted carjacking spree Friday morning, authorities said. The suspect may not have pulled the trigger himself, but make no mistake: Detective Fisher was shot because of the violence this man unleashed, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dubuisson, of Brooklyn, allegedly tried to steal a parked car that was left running at a Mobil gas station on Parsons Boulevard in Whitestone, prosecutors said. A gas station worker then went outside and told Dubuisson to get out of the car. Dubuisson then left the gas station without the vehicle while flashing what appeared to be a gun from his waistband. Minutes later, at the intersection of 22nd Road and Whitestone Expressway Service Road, Dubuisson allegedly knocked on the window and told the driver to give him the car while holding something that looked like a crowbar, authorities said. The man ran out of the car with the key in his pocket, and Dubuisson gave chase. After several blocks, he caught up to the man and allegedly took his keys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Det. Fisher, on duty but not in uniform, saw the incident and then chased Dubuisson. In an attempt to escape, Dubuisson hopped in the car and backed into another vehicle, which knocked down a woman and her 87-year-old mother. The woman fractured her wrist. The detective stopped Dubuisson by crashing into the suspects stolen vehicle. He and his partner then drew their weapons and ordered Dubuisson to stop the car. Uniform officers then arrived and approached Dubuisson with their guns drawn. Det. Fisher then heard gunshots coming from their direction and was struck in the right hand and left leg. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Det. Fisher was sporting a cast on his left leg as he was loaded onto an ambulance to take him home. Thats the danger our officers confront every tour, Tisch said. Dubuisson was then arrested and charged with assault, attempted robbery, grand larceny and menacing. He faces up to 32 years in prison if convicted, authorities said. Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. UPDATE on 8-26-25: New York State Police announced in a news release that North has been located and is in good health. LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) New York State Police are seeking your help to find a missing Liverpool woman. 34-year-old Lauren A. North from Liverpool, was last seen leaving St. Josephs Hospital in the City of Syracuse around 2:45 p.m. on August 6. She is around 5 4 tall, and weighs about 200 pounds. Her clothing description is unknown at this time. Courtesy of New York State Police Courtesy of New York State Police Courtesy of New York State Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North was reported missing after she failed to return home. Her family members said that this is unusual behavior for her, and she doesnt have known friends, employment, or frequent locations outside of her home. North may be in Onondaga County or Oswego County. Police indicate she could be walking around these counties. New York State Police, local hospitals, agencies, and shelters have been actively trying to locate North but have not been successful. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of North should contact New York State Police at 315-366-6000 and reference case #NY2500709535. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) New York State Police announced they uncovered thousands of files containing sexually explicit content involving children from a Hamlin man. This was the result of a joint investigation with NYSP and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Troopers said in August 2023, they searched the home of 74-year-old Peter Tonery and found over 820,000 files on his electronic devices that depicted children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tonery was arrested on Monday and has been charged with possession of sexual performance by a child. He was issued an appearance ticket and must return to Hamlin Town Court on September 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The core of Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, has long been a source of mystery for astronomers: an object so unfathomably dense and hot that it defies comprehension. Conventional theories have suggested for years that the gas giant's behemoth interior was formed following an enormous collision with an early planet. The "giant impact" theory suggests that roughly half of Jupiter's core originated from the remains of such a planet, explaining what researchers believe to be its strange, "fuzzy" interior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now, as detailed in a new paper published in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, an international team has found that the theory may not hold up after all, potentially undermining the way we understand Jupiter's formation. In their research, the scientists attempted to explain Jupiter's gradual blend of hydrogen layers, as first observed by NASA's Juno spacecraft. Researchers have long butted their heads over how such a structure could've come to be. By simulating the conditions during a planetary impact using a supercomputer, the researchers posed the question of whether Jupiter's "dilute core" is really the result of a massive collision. Confusingly, none of their giant impact simulations, even under the most extreme circumstances, resulted in the gradual blends of gas that currently seem to make up the planet's core, undermining current impact theories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, they found that the resulting cloud of rock and ice core material would settle into distinct layers, not a gradual blend. The research sheds new light and controversy on how one of the largest and most extreme structures in our solar system originally came to be. They propose in their paper that Jupiter's core formed gradually as it attracted heavy and light elements over time, "as part of the extended formation and evolution of giant planets, rather than through extreme, low-likelihood giant impacts." "It's fascinating to explore how a giant planet like Jupiter would respond to one of the most violent events a growing planet can experience," said Durham University planetary scientist and lead author Thomas Sandnes in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We see in our simulations that this kind of impact literally shakes the planet to its core just not in the right way to explain the interior of Jupiter that we see today," he added. Intriguingly, scientists have discovered that our system's other gas giant, Saturn, the second-largest planet after Jupiter, may also have a similar dilute core. "The fact that Saturn also has a dilute core strengthens the idea that these structures are not the result of rare, extremely high-energy impacts but instead form gradually during the long process of planetary growth and evolution," said University of Oslo researcher and coauthor Luis Teodoro in the statement. The same findings could even apply to other gas giants orbiting distant stars, suggesting their cores have complex interiors as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Giant impacts are a key part of many planets' histories, but they can't explain everything!" exclaimed coauthor and SETI Institute research scientist Jacob Kegerreis. More on Jupiter: Scientists Find Jupiter Used to Be Twice Its Current Size Before Shrinking Dramatically Theres no need to convey such a message because its obvious and self-evident" that Netanyahu won't break up the bloc for Gantz, the Likud source told the Post. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not break up his right-wing bloc to include Blue and White Party head Benny Gantz, and didnt need to send a message to his political partners on the matter because its obvious, a Likud source told The Jerusalem Post on Monday. Gantz had made a proposal to form a temporary "hostage redemption government" during a press conference on Saturday evening. He called on Netanyahu, Opposition leader Yair Lapid (Yesh Atid), and Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu) to join forces with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Netanyahu did not respond directly to the offer, KAN News reported on Sunday evening that the Prime Ministers Office had sent a message to Netanyahus political partners telling them he wouldnt break up his bloc. Theres no need to convey such a message because its obvious and self-evident" that Netanyahu won't break up the bloc for Gantz, the Likud source told the Post. The Likud source emphasized that even before Gantzs press conference, Netanyahus position was clear, stating that Gantz is invited without conditions if he so wishes, without any change to the coalitions composition and with an effort to bring back the haredi [ultra-Orthodox] partners. Shas head Arye Deri is seen in the plenum of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, July 14, 2025 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) The two haredi parties, Shas and United Torah Judaism, left the government in July due to the fallout in negotiations regarding the controversial haredi conscription law proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if there was any chance that Gantzs temporary government proposal would stand at all, the source explained that a coalition agreement is usually finalized first, and only after that, is it announced in the media. If it starts in the media, its usually a spin, the source said. Opposition MKs reject Gantz's proposal Both Lapid and Liberman outwardly rejected Gantz's proposal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has concerns that Netanyahu would see Gantz as a convenient partner and would want him to join the government, Ben-Gvir's spokesperson told the Post on Monday. Ben-Gvir has also been working to build an axis within Likud with the aim of blocking Gantz's inclusion, and has spoken to ministers and Knesset members to side against him, the spokesperson added. This comes after the Sunday KAN report said that coalition members expressed concern that Gantz's entry to the government would allow Netanyahu to move forward on a hostage deal and the end of the war in the Gaza Strip. A federal judge in Baltimore has issued a ruling, pausing several provisions of an Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) regulation, proposed by the Trump administration. The provisions, scheduled to be take effect on 25 August 2025, are estimated to potentially result in 1.8 million Americans losing their health insurance. The decision, made by US District Judge Brendan Hurson on 22 August, suspends parts of the rule critics argue would complicate enrolment and maintenance of Obamacare coverage while increasing costs for consumers, according to a report by CNN. Judge Hurson, appointed by former President Joe Biden, blocked measures that would introduce additional income verification requirements, permit insurers to exclude enrollees with unpaid premiums, and impose a $5 premium on certain consumers until they verify eligibility for federal premium subsidies. Other provisions of the rule were allowed to proceed. The ruling prevents the administration from implementing the blocked measures while the lawsuit, brought by a group of Democratic-led cities, continues, the report further noted. Hurson sided with the cities arguments that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) lacked authority to enact some of the changes or that they violated existing federal law. In his 76-page ruling, Hurson stated that without the block, the cities would suffer significant and irreparable harm. He noted, An increase in the number of uninsured and underinsured residents resulting from the final Rule would create a strain on (city-run health care) services and, ultimately, the cities budgets, which must make up the shortfall from decreased compensation and increased demand for emergency services. The judge further emphasised the broader implications, writing, Eliminating coverage for an estimated 1.8 million people will drive up costs for the insured and lead to a significant decrease in the quality of care for the newly uninsured, which is unquestionably not in the public interest. CMS, which finalised the rule in June, stated it was designed to curb improper enrolments and ensure the integrity of Obamacare exchanges. The agency declined to comment on the litigation. A parallel case filed by Democratic attorneys general is under review in Massachusetts, where a federal judge has yet to issue a decision. "US Judge blocks key changes to Affordable Care Act Regulation " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. OCEANSIDE, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) The Oceanside Fire Department deals with arson cases every year. The most recent incident involves a minor accused of setting 14 fires in the Loma Alta neighborhood over about 10 days. Randy Hill, assistant fire marshal for three years, said the fire department typically sees a few arson cases each year. Camp Pendleton brush fire scorches 400 acres in SoCal heat I would say we probably get a handful, maybe, a year, Hill said. Hill said cases often require close coordination with the Oceanside Police Department. When it happens, its a collaborative effort with the Oceanside Police Department, Hill said. Hill said the latest case followed a pattern in time and location, prompting fire and police to use undercover officers to monitor the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego County battles brush fires as heat wave continues In this case, he was setting them [fires] during certain time frames of the night in a certain radius where all the fires took place. With communication between the two departments, we had undercover people in certain areas and were able to catch him in the act, he said. San Diego courts treat arson cases with strict seriousness, emphasizing the importance of thorough evidence collection. Anytime we bring a case to any attorneys office, the more evidence and information we give them, the better off its going to be, Hill said. Criminal defense lawyer Gretchen Von Helms said that sentences can be severe. The courts take it very seriously for arson. Typically, it can be up to nine years, depending if there is great bodily injury or if you injure a firefighter. If you have a prior for arson, it can be up to life in prison, Von Helms said. While arson cases happen every year, Hill said prompt arrests and close coordination with prosecutors help keep communities safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. A new state law is cracking down on vaping, looking to better regulate a product rising in popularity. Effective Oct. 1, only FDA-authorized vape products will be available for sale in Mississippi, DeSoto County News reported. Mississippi Commissioner of Revenue Chris Graham will release a list of approved vapes for sale. After Oct. 1, retailers have a 60-day grace period to sell or remove any unapproved stock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to DeSoto County News, "Violations can lead to fines, product seizures, and potential loss of a retailer's tobacco sales license." Those in favor of the ban appreciate the regulation of the devices as an added safety measure, but those opposed fear it could put small businesses into financially precarious situations. From a health perspective, vaping poses various risks to humans. Many vapes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that can also have cognitive impacts for those under 25. While the term "vapor" seems harmless, the American Cancer Society notes that this vapor can contain a variety of addictive or toxic substances that the vaper and those around them can inhale. One of these substances is the volatile organic compound formaldehyde, which is known to cause cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From an environmental perspective, vapes are often disposable, which generates waste. Vaping waste is more problematic than typical waste for a variety of reasons. For one, the plastic in a disposable vape can take decades or centuries to break down, and it doesn't decompose but merely becomes microplastics. Vapes also contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals. As these sit in landfills or are discarded in natural spaces, the chemicals and metals can leach into the soil and water supply, harming the local ecosystem. A report published by the Public Interest Network notes that if you lined up the disposable vapes sold every year, they would cover 7,010 miles, which is long enough to cover the continental United States twice. Vaping is a health concern around the world, as is the electronic waste generated through the activity. Singapore and Bangladesh have implemented full vape bans. In the United States, partial vape bans have been implemented in multiple states, including North Carolina and Virginia. Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. Customs agents in Nigeria recently thwarted a smuggling scheme when they intercepted a 40-foot shipping container filled with donkey genitals. What's happening? The Nigerian Customs Service announced the bust in the midst of a serious crackdown on illegal wildlife smuggling. Over the past year, a variety of interceptions have been made by Nigerian law enforcement, including hundreds of heads of various birds as well as live parrots, primates, and pangolins, the world's most trafficked animal. "This seizure is a reflection of the growing operations of transnational criminal networks who exploit endangered species for illicit profit," said Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donkey body parts, specifically, are frequently trafficked for their supposed health and beauty benefits. Collagen can be extracted from their skin to make traditional Chinese remedies and creams, though scientific evidence doesn't support claims surrounding their benefits. Why is animal trafficking important? While the domesticated donkey is a common sight on farms across the United States, the species is being driven toward extinction in Africa. That's in large part due to trafficking. The trade leaves communities across the continent without the means to perform complex farming tasks and often without transportation. Animal trafficking on a global scale is throwing ecosystems out of balance. When live animals are smuggled, whether as pets or to use their body parts, the risk of them escaping into unfamiliar habitats increases. If they begin to breed, they can become invasive. What's being done about animal trafficking? "The fight against wildlife crime demands vigilance, collaboration, and an unyielding commitment to justice," said Maiwada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Nigeria Customs Service ramps up efforts to catch smugglers in the act, more needs to be done globally to prevent animal trafficking. The United Arab Emirates is taking initiative half a world away in the Amazon Rainforest, partnering with South American nations to disrupt criminal networks. 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. NEED TO KNOW Officials recently removed over 2,000 marijuana plants within Sequoia National Park The cultivation site encompassed about 13-acres of public land The move is part of a two-decade-long battle against illegal marijuana cultivation in California National Parks Officials at a popular California national park recently removed over 2,000 marijuana plants from public land. On Aug. 21, the National Park Service (NPS) issued a press release detailing park rangers and the Bureau of Land Managements joint effort to remove an illegal cultivation site within Sequoia National Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities found 2,377 fully grown marijuana plants and approximately 2,000 pounds of trash and infrastructure. The unwanted items were removed by hand and by helicopter sling-load operations in which a large, heavy object can be suspended from a helicopter using a cargo hook and rigging. Elsewhere on the nearly 13-acre damaged property, officials found a semi-automatic pistol and about one gallon of Methamidophos, a highly toxic insecticide banned in the U.S. since 2009. Getty Sequoia National Park, California Sequoia National Park, California Law enforcement first raided this cultivation site in 2024, but it was not rehabilitated until this year due to the presence of hazardous chemicals. In order to grow the plants, the perpetrators caused damage to the natural environment including diverting the natural flow of water from a nearby creek, creating pits to store the water, significantly clearing the surrounding vegetation, digging terraces into the hillside, illegally maintaining about two miles of trails and developing campsites, kitchen areas and cultivation sites in the wilderness area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Large marijuana cultivation sites can have major impacts on the Central Valley, the NPS wrote in their press release. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a single marijuana plant uses six to eight gallons of water a day that would otherwise nurture wildlife and vegetation. Additionally, water travels from the mountains within Sequoia National Park to areas of the Central Valley. This water is used for personal use including drinking, bathing and cooking and for crop irrigation. Runoff from cultivation sites may taint the water due to the presence of pesticides. While officials confirmed no arrests have been made, an investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any tips on illegal cultivation on park land is encouraged to call the NPS tip line at 888-653-0009. 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. Illegal marijuana cultivation has been an issue in both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks for almost two decades, according to the NPS. In the past 20 years, nearly 300,000 plants with a value of almost $850 million have been removed from the California parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These cultivation sites cause major damage to the parks natural resources and are a threat to public and staff safety, the NPS wrote. Last year, Sequoia National Park set an annual record with over 1.3 million visitors coming to view its natural wonders. Despite the legalization of recreational marjiuana in California in 2016, cannabis still remains illegal under federal law. That means cannabis users cannot use or possess the substance on federal lands, like national parks. Read the original article on People The Brazilian government has approved what's been dubbed a "devastation bill" that will reportedly streamline environmental licenses and weaken regulations in the country. What's happening? Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva vetoed 63 out of nearly 400 provisions in the "devastation bill," according to Climate Home News. While environmental experts supported the decision to veto provisions that would have harmed communities and removed special protection for the Atlantic Forest, some of the approved provisions come with setbacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The Guardian, the law will allow projects with "medium" polluting potential to acquire environmental licenses online with little oversight. The Arayara International Institute found that at least 2,600 fossil fuel projects could be fast-tracked, per Climate Home News. "It is a tragedy that in the same year that Brazil is hosting COP30, Congress decides to roll back environmental norms and the president does too little to veto," Lucas Kannoa, head of legal affairs at the Arayara International Institute, told the publication. Why are environmental regulations in Brazil important? The Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado are both threatened by habitat loss and the warming climate, according to scientists. In fact, the Atlantic Forest is Brazil's most endangered ecosystem, with less than 16% of its natural areas remaining, according to research published in the journal Scientific Reports. With thousands of dirty fuel projects potentially in the works, heat-trapping pollution could increase and negatively impact surrounding communities. A study published in the journal Cadernos de Saude Publica found that air pollution accounted for more than 326,000 deaths in Brazil between 2019 and 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seasonal wildfires are the main source of air pollution in the country, and human activities are fueling the fires. The burning of dirty fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas can increase the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. In 2024, a historic drought in the Amazon rainforest exacerbated wildfires with upwards of 38,000 fire outbreaks during the month of August. What's being done about environmental regulations? Protesters against the "devastation bill" have taken to the streets to raise awareness ahead of the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP30. The annual climate summit will be held in Belem, Brazil, in November. World leaders and scientists are expected to discuss actions to tackle the warming climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like in Brazil, environmental advocates in the U.S. are pushing back against the removal of regulations. In July, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to revoke a critical endangerment finding that declared six heat-trapping gases a risk to public health. However, there is a lengthy administrative process in order for those plans to take effect. 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 a creative effort to tackle invasive plant species, the Peninsula Township Parks Committee of Traverse City, Michigan, has introduced a herd of 15 goats to Bowers Harbor Natural Area, according to the reader-supported newspaper Old Mission Gazette. A grant from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians is funding the GoatWork program, which is deploying these goats to help restore and maintain the 60-acre natural parcel adjacent to Bowers Harbor Park. The goats, a friendly mix of Alpine and Nigerian dwarf breeds donated by local farmers, aren't just adorable; they're extremely effective. Anywhere from seven to 12 goats get selected to go to work at BHNA on a typical day "depending on which ones are behaving nicely with the others," according to the Gazette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In just one week, the herd can clear roughly 2 acres of invasive species such as autumn olive and spotted knapweed that have become prominent in the area. While goats are known to eat just about anything, they instinctively know which plants are toxic to them and make sure to avoid them. Using goats instead of pesticides offers many environmental benefits. Chemical herbicides can seep into soil and waterways, harming other plants, pollinators, and even aquatic life. Goats, on the other hand, provide a completely natural, chemical-free form of control that targets problem plants without disrupting the surrounding ecosystem. Their grazing actually helps open up sunlight for native plants and eliminates the need for heavy equipment to remove the invasives, reducing both pollution and any habitat disturbance. For those concerned about possible reseeding from the goats' fecal matter, goats have the ability to break down food and plant material even further, thanks to their four stomach chambers and two-way esophagus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When they're not "working," they welcome visitors at the barnyard where they reside at just 2 miles away. This park maintenance crew might be the greatest of all time. 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. Coastal erosion has threatened the future of a historic English graveyard, and authorities are trying to figure out how to save it. What's happening? St. Mary the Virgin Church, built in the 15th century in the coastal town of Happisburgh, is home to a cemetery that commemorates a well-known shipwreck. But as the BBC reported, erosion has washed away parts of Happisburgh's coastline, and the church is now roughly 260 feet from a cliff's edge. Officials believe the church and cemetery could be washed away in less than 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 1801, the HMS Invincible wrecked while trying to leave Great Yarmouth and fight in the Battle of Copenhagen. More than 400 sailors drowned in the accident, and 119 of them are buried at St. Mary the Virgin. Government officials have commissioned a report to look into the feasibility of relocating bodies from graveyards that could be lost to the sea, and St. Mary the Virgin is being viewed as a pilot project of sorts. "We are working with the local community to identify possible solutions," Councillor Harry Blathwayt told the BBC. "We need to get ready for the future. It is not something we would wish to be surprised by." Why is coastal erosion important? Shorelines can erode because of natural factors, like rising sea levels and storms, and also from human activities, such as construction and urban sprawl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But human activity has also increased the likelihood of natural coastal erosion. The pollution that traps heat in our atmosphere has caused global temperatures to increase. Those warmer temperatures have melted glaciers and forced ocean water to expand, causing the sea levels to rise. Warmer weather also increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as the storms that cause beaches to erode. Over the last century, beaches in Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia have lost more than two meters of shoreline per year, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and researchers expect the problem to get worse as the planet continues to warm. What's being done about coastal erosion? Without a fix, experts worry that coastal erosion could wash away not just churches or graveyards, but also homes and entire communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But scientists are working on the problem and have discovered encouraging early results. A team from Northwestern University found a way to solidify sandy soil near coastlines by applying a mild electric current, turning land that could otherwise wash away into a cement-like substance. 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 student wearing a LifeWise Academy shirt writes at a desk. (Photo provided by LifeWise Academy) PEEWEE VALLEY Students at an elementary school in Oldham County could be among the first to leave school for Bible lessons under a provision enacted by the Kentucky legislature earlier this year. The proposal has generated controversy among parents and community members as a citizens group calls for the board of education to reject the proposal from LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit that offers Bible-based classes to public school students around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Keith, a religion scholar and parent of Oldham County students, said the programs curriculum doesnt represent the full breadth of Christianity. I care a whole lot about this as a father as a father who is also very interested in biblical studies, he said. Im all for religion. Im all for Christianity, Im all for critical thinking. Im all for public schools. Im all for kids. Im not for indoctrination, Keith said last week during a meeting of the citizens group, Kentucky Citizens for Democracy. Earlier this year, the Republican-controlled General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 19 over Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears veto. The legislation initially required moments of silence at the start of school days. Toward the final days of the session, the House added a section to allow boards of education to permit moral instruction programs for students off campus and during school hours. The law also says parents or guardians must give permission for their students to participate in moral instruction. Headquartered in Ohio, LifeWise operates in 27 states and enrolls more than 44,000 students. The program maintains a high view of the authority of Scripture and we align ourselves with historic, orthodox Christian beliefs as expressed in the Nicene Creed, according to its Statement of Faith listed online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe the storyline of Scripture that climaxes in the central gospel message, that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead, the statement says. We believe this gospel is true, essential and announces the way by which sinners are reconciled to God. The Heritage Foundation awarded LifeWise one of its Innovation Prizes earlier this year, which included a financial award. LifeWise reported in its most recent IRS filing that its revenue exceeded expenses by $17 million. The organization reported its revenue grew from $13.8 million to $35.3 million from 2023 to 2024. Marshall County is the only active LifeWise program in Kentucky, with six schools in that district having the program this fall. LifeWise has been in the district since 2023. State law previously allowed school based decision making (SBDM) councils to decide if off-campus moral instruction programs could be offered to students. The group has ambitious plans in Kentucky, following the change in state law. Cassie Allchorne, the program director of Oldham Countys LifeWise Academy, told the Lantern that LifeWise has about 45 planning teams that are forming or are fully formed across Kentuckys 171 public school districts. Students exit a LifeWise Academy bus. (Photo provided by LifeWise Academy) The Oldham County proposal is to have a one hour per week Bible-based moral character education program, starting at Locust Grove Elementary School for third to fifth grade students. Allchorne said LifeWise would be offered during related arts time, which also is when students can take music, physical education and art classes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program would transport students to a nearby church or community center and off school property with parents permission. Allchorne said she became involved in LifeWise because she is a parent of three students at Locust Grove. LifeWise had sought approval to offer classes to Locust Grove students from the school council before the law was changed earlier this year. I heard about this and thought it was amazing, and would love the opportunity to just be able to provide this for my kids and for other parents who wish to have this option for their kiddos too, she said. LifeWise is open to everyone, no matter what they believe, who they are, Allchorne said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The curriculum is designed to teach the main and plain things of the Bible along with promoting positive character traits, like love, kindness and gratitude, as part of the lessons, Allchorne said. Anyone can submit a request to review LifeWises curriculum for 48 hours on its website. The Kentucky Lanterns review of the curriculum, which included lesson plans for elementary, middle grade and high school students, found lessons based on Bible stories and generating analysis and discussion of morals taught in those stories. The lessons typically had an activity for students and ended with a prayer. In a Year 3 lesson designed for elementary school students about Jesus baptism by John the Baptist, a suggested activity is to invite a local pastor to class to answer questions about baptisms. Another lesson in Year 3 centered around respect discusses Daniels obedience to God. It includes a lesson designed for older students to decide between two actions which would be the most biblical response in situations such as a parent telling a student that church is a waste of my time and the student should be at home to help instead or a teacher telling a student to stop talking about God at school because it makes other students uncomfortable. Opposition and support Kentucky Citizens for Democracy held a meeting of about 50 people at St. James Episcopal Church Aug. 19 to discuss concerns with LifeWises proposal. The group has been circulating a petition online that asks the board to reject LifeWises request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Fox, a parent of Locust Grove Elementary students and a teacher, had learned of LifeWises proposal before the school council earlier this year and has since brought his concerns about the program to the Oldham County Board of Education. He argued that children who do not attend LifeWise could be affected by schedule changes, and that could affect a parents say in how it affects my childs education. They specifically want this during the school day because they know they can have access to kids thats unopposed, Fox said. Parent Michael Fox addresses a Kentucky Citizens for Democracy meeting. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) Lutheran Pastor Richard Gianzero, who is also a parent of Oldham County students, told the group that LifeWises program tells students what to believe rather than putting them on a path of embracing the unknown. What this group wants to do is bring in a very specific and explicit, a dogmatic approach to morals that legislate and tell our children and our families what is right and what is wrong, based upon an ideological framework that is authoritarian and appropriately described as being part of white Christian nationalism, Gianzero said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anita Davis, a member of the group and a former chief academic officer for Oldham County Schools, said the citizens group is not anti-religion but pro-separation of church and state and wants all children to feel safe, included and respected in schools. As a former educator, she also questioned if approval of the program could lead to issues with schools master schedules for all classes and bullying of students who do not go to the program. Right now, its up in the air, Davis said. Its a may state, and we may have it, or we may not have it. We dont know because were not sure where the board is on this. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law earlier this year requiring school districts to create a religious instruction release time policy. The law had previously allowed school boards to decide policies around letting children attend religious instruction during the school day. The change in law paved the way for LifeWise to expand in Ohio. Kentuckys law says boards of education may provide an opportunity for pupils to attend moral instruction if it chooses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Sen. Lindsey Ticheror, who represents Oldham County and was a co-sponsor of the legislation this year, told the Lantern she views LifeWise as a great program thatll fall in line with Kentucky and Kentucky values. When asked if she would be supportive of Kentucky changing its law to mirror Ohios mandatory policy requirement, Tichenor said she would be supportive of it, and added that precedent exists from a decades-long Supreme Court decision for students to leave school for moral instruction. When youre teaching values of dont lie, dont steal, treat your neighbor as yourself, treat others as you want to be treated, the Golden Rule, why would that be a negative thing to try and teach students within our school day? Tichenor said. I dont think its a bad thing at all. The Oldham County Board of Education will meet Monday evening, but it will not vote on LifeWises proposal then, board Chair Carly Clem told the Lantern in an email seeking comment on the proposal. Clem added that the board has asked the Kentucky attorney generals office for clarification on the amended state law and are still discussing logistics on this new statute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to documents received via an open records request submitted by the Lantern, Clem said LifeWise is likely a wonderful program in an Aug. 6 email responding to a parent who was supportive of the program. As a Christian, I would love for my kids to have many opportunities to learn about the Bible, Clem wrote. However, Clem added that she has concerns surrounding the potential involvement of schools in LifeWise promotions to parents and students, such as whether LifeWise would be allowed to participate in school open houses for parents. Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, speaks at a Sept. 30, 2023, meeting of the Ohio Redistricting Commission, of which she was co-chair at the time. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original story.) Ohio Democrats are preparing for a congressional redistricting fight this fall, hoping to stand up to a Republican supermajority and align districts with the voter trends. Meanwhile, prominent Republicans have proposed drawing even more skewed districts. The redistricting process that starts next month in Ohio is different from the fights in Texas and other states, where Republicans have been reopening the process in years when the redrawing of voting districts isnt required by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of a state process that has been filled with conflict and controversy since the 2020 U.S. Census was released, Ohio is required to redraw congressional districts this year. United front Congressional maps were drawn and approved twice over the last five years by Ohio leaders, but neither of the maps received the bipartisan support the state constitution requires to allow the maps to be used for 10 years. On top of that, both maps were deemed unconstitutional by the Ohio Supreme Court, though that didnt stop Republican leaders from leaving the most recently approved map in place and using it for the last election cycle. Democratic leaders in the state say they plan to keep their eyes forward and work toward the agreement that has so often eluded elected leaders in the redistricting process thus far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obviously, my aspirational hope would be that we would enter into a process that was fair and that was reflective of the voting patterns of the people of the state of Ohio, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio told the Capital Journal. At the same time, Antonio said shes pragmatic and a realist, and she and her compatriot, House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, understand that the history of redistricting in Ohio has not brought about results that exactly matched the voting patterns, where Ohio currently stands at a ratio of 55% Republican and 45% Democrat. As the makeup of the congressional representation of the state stands now, the map has a 66% Republican lean with 10 Republicans and five Democrats in the U.S. Congress. The reality is Ohio has been gerrymandered for a really long time, and the idea that we would even consider further gerrymandering a state thats already one of the most gerrymandered maps in the country just adds insult to injury, Isaacsohn said. Ohio State Rep. Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati) speaking at a press conference. (Photo by Morgan Trau, WEWS.) With the recent results of the presidential election in Ohio placing the state in a 55%-44% ratio, advocates and Democratic leaders say the numbers should be more like eight Republican Congress members and seven Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, I dont know that thats what were facing, Antonio said of the upcoming redistricting process. My concern is that what were facing is another opportunity to gerrymander the districts. Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno suggested this summer that Republicans draw maps that would give them 12 of 15 seats, or 80% representation. The Ohio Democratic Party as a whole is concerned as well, and preparing to fight through outreach to legislators, through public comments during the proceedings and even a new ballot measure to challenge the process if needed. A previous attempt to change the way redistricting is done in the state through a ballot measure failed in last years general election. We will fight, we will organize, we will make noise at every step of the process, said Ohio Democratic Party chair Kathleen Clyde in a Thursday press call with Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder. We have options at the ballot, we have options in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas has made national news with their recent redistricting battle, one in which Democrats left the state all together to keep Republicans from passing a map that was deemed very unfairly Republican-leaning. Clyde and Scudder presented a unified front against Republican gerrymandering attempts, in what they say is a representation of the entire Democratic Partys stance against unduly partisan maps that hinder attempts to keep voting districts competitive. What we have heard loud and clear since the 2024 elections is that Democrats are ready for a party that doesnt just take punches, we throw them, Scudder said. Clyde is nonplussed by the numbers in the Ohio legislature, where Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers. The redistricting process starts in that legislature, where the maps must be approved by a three-fifths majority to be able to proceed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with a minority status in the legislature, that is part of the process, minority support for the maps, Clyde said. We will be pursuing what the voters said they wanted, which is a map where fairness is a key piece of the process. The path ahead Antonio has had her fair share of experience with redistricting, having been co-chair of the Ohio Redistricting Commission last time around, and being a part of the only instance in which bipartisan support was put behind a set of maps, in that case, the last round of statehouse district maps. While Antonio said that was a rare moment in which Republicans were motivated to add additional voices of the people of the state of Ohio and move towards a more fair map, she still acknowledges the legislative map was the best of a worst-case scenario. To get bipartisan support this time around would take reflecting those voting patterns from the Donald Trump-Kamala Harris election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would take having a fair representation of the patterns of the voting districts in Ohio, thats what it would take, Antonio said. The Senate and House minority leaders said they have started discussions about the process, and are working to draw up contracts for consultants to help with the drawing of maps when the time comes. Isaacsohn said he knows the redistricting process isnt about the elected officials who are a part of it, but more about the democracy we want to live in, and the impacts the power of voting can have on issues like education, housing and senior services. We will stick to our core convictions, Isaacsohn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are prepared, as are leaders of the Ohio Democratic Party, to take the battle to the courts if needed, though the state supreme courts current makeup of six conservative justices and a single liberal justice, doesnt provide hope for their chances. There was a time when the expectation was that the supreme court in the state of Ohio used the measure of the law to look through that lens and make decisions, Antonio said. What were seeing now, the supreme court in the state of Ohio looks through the lens of partisan politics first. Still, the Senates leading Democrat said state Republicans have pledged that they will work to create a map that represents whats best for the state of Ohio, and at the current moment, she is open to accepting them at their word. The biggest thing for all of us to consider is you go into everything with an open mind and you work from there, Antonio said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ohio General Assembly has until Sept. 30 to come up with a map that has the necessary bipartisan approval to be passed for 10 years. If it cant come up with that agreement, the process moves to the Ohio Redistricting Commission, made up of a majority Republican elected leaders. If bipartisan agreement isnt gained there by Oct. 30, the process moves back to the legislature, where the maps can be approved by a simple majority. The deadline for that final attempt is Nov. 30. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ATHENS Ohio University has been recognized by Forbes and Statista as one of Americas Best-In-State Employers for 2025, a recognition based entirely on anonymous feedback from those who know Ohio University best its employees. This recognition affirms that Ohio Universitys greatest strength is the talent, commitment and care our employees bring to their work every day, said President Lori Stewart Gonzalez. We are deeply honored that our faculty and staff have affirmed Ohio as one of the best places to work. Moving forward with our Dynamic Strategy, we are committed to ensuring that Ohio remains a place where our employees feel valued, supported, and connected to our mission. According to Forbes, Ohio University ranked 36th in the state out of 100 employers and fourth in the state for public universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Forbes once again recognized Ohio University as one of the nations best mid-size employers earlier this year, jumping up 17 spots from 2024 to 108 out of the 498 ranked companies in 2025. The annual list, published at Forbes.com, ranks employers across all industries and sectors who go above and beyond in cultivating strong workplace cultures, supportive environments and rewarding careers. This recognition is based on the experiences and opinions of those employed at Ohio University. Ohio Universitys employee-first approach continues to set it apart, with a workplace culture rooted in inclusion, innovation and support. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employees at every stage of life and career, while also placing a strong emphasis on professional development, career growth and advancement, all which reflect Ohio Universitys ongoing commitment to investing in its people. Key benefits include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage * Generous paid time offincluding holidays, vacation, sick leave, and winter break * Tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents * Robust retirement plans, including OPERS, STRS, and the Alternative Retirement Plan * Paid parental leave and adoption assistance * Employee discounts on wellness services, technology, travel, and even pet insurance * Access to continuing education and professional development through tuition-free Ohio University courses This recognition also aligns with Ohio Universitys Dynamic Strategy, which outlines Work as one of its core pillars. As part of this strategic commitment, the University is actively investing in a stronger employee experience, prioritizing recruitment, retention, development and workplace well-being. Recent efforts include freezing employee health benefit costs through FY27 and launching a new Center for OHIO Employee Excellence to support onboarding and training and hiring, among other initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were proud to see Ohio University once again recognized by Forbes as a leading employer in higher education, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported and engaged, said Vice President of Human Resources Mary Elizabeth Miles. This recognition also underscores the impact of our Dynamic Strategy Work Pillar, which is helping to drive meaningful progress in strengthening our work culture and enhancing the overall employee experience. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to survey more than 160,000 employees who work for a company of at least 500 people within the United States. Survey respondents, hailing from all 50 states and Washington D.C., were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer on a scale of zero to 10 and were asked to evaluate their workplace based on criteria including wage parity, work culture, paths to professional advancement and whether the employer takes action on serious issues. Participants were also asked to evaluate their previous employers (within the last two years) and organizations they knew within their industry or through friends or family who work there. To learn more about working at Ohio University, visit: ohio.edu/hr/jobs/working-ohio. By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -A U.S. railroad industry plan to rely more heavily on technology instead of humans to conduct routine track safety inspections has drawn a backlash from labor groups and lawmakers who voiced worry that automated inspections will result in more accidents. The dispute reflects simmering tensions in the global transport industry over the rise of automation. Also, U.S. President Donald Trump wants to slash regulations he says are holding back economic growth. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) in April requested a waiver from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that would allow freight railroads that use automation to slash the frequency of human-conducted track inspections by 75%. If approved, the waiver would allow operators employing a so-called "track geometry measurement system" (TGMS), which can be attached to rail cars and spot derailment risks like tracks that are warped or too far apart, to cut human inspections to twice per month from twice per week. The waiver would also provide railroads up to 72 hours to address defects, while human inspectors can immediately make repairs or choose to slow or stop trains. The association, along with manufacturing and agriculture trade groups that back the proposal, say the change would result in earlier detection and remediation of track defects. Tony Cardwell, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) union that represents track inspectors and other rail workers, called AAR's analysis flawed. The technology only checks about a quarter of the items in track defect inspections, he said. Human inspectors also see foundation issues like broken rail ties or water damage earlier, allowing problems to be fixed before they get serious enough for the technology to flag them. "Track geometry is the end result of a defect, not the cause of a defect," Cardwell said. Opponents of the plan have noted that after three train passengers died following a 2021 Amtrak derailment, a government report concluded that automated track inspections do not find as many types of track hazards as human inspectors. A dozen Democratic U.S. Senators and the Democratic ranking members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure also called on FRA to deny the waiver in recent public comments on the proposal. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who has more than 4,000 miles of railroads in her state, said automated track inspections "should not cut human track inspection at the expense of putting public safety at risk." COLUMBUS The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services announced a $1.2 million grant award to Youth to Youth International, a program of CompDrug, to serve as the lead organization for the newly established Ohio Youth-Led Collective. This investment reflects our commitment to supporting young people as leaders in prevention, their schools and their communities. The Ohio Youth-Led Collective is an exciting new way to make that happen, said OhioMHAS Director LeeAnne Cornyn. The Ohio Youth-Led Collective will build and sustain a coordinated, statewide infrastructure that advances youth-led prevention efforts to address substance use and suicide among young people. The Collective will: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Provide specialized training and technical assistance and statewide events for youth-led programs and adult allies. * Expand workforce development opportunities for youth and adult allies. * Offer prevention project grants to Collective members. * Maintain a statewide inventory of youth-led programs to guide strategic resource allocation. This grant funding marks an exciting milestone as we launch the inaugural year of the Ohio Youth-Led Collective. It will allow us to not only provide meaningful programs, trainings and events for young people, but also support communities that are just beginning, or looking to strengthen, their youth-led efforts, said Cheryl Sells, Director of Youth Prevention, Youth to Youth International. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youth-led prevention is grounded in decades of research showing that when young people are actively engaged in identifying community challenges, designing solutions, and leading implementation, they are more likely to adopt healthy behaviors and influence their peers. This is particularly important, OhioMHAS says, as suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14 in Ohio. The approach builds leadership skills, fosters resilience and strengthens connections between youth and caring adults, all proven protective factors against substance use and suicide. We are inspired by OhioMHAS vision of investing in the collective future of Ohio through the individual development of our youth across the state. They are the workforce and leaders of tomorrow. Their future is our future, and we are excited to collaborate with and promote organizations across Ohio through the Ohio Youth-Led Collective," said Dustin Mets, CEO, CompDrug. Being a part of youth-led prevention has given me a voice to speak up as a representative for my generation in spaces that I wouldve never thought of, said Trinity Collins, a Youth to Youth participant from Columbus. In the coming year, the Ohio Youth-Led Collective plans to strengthen partnerships with existing youth-led programs and bring new youth prevention initiatives into the fold, creating broad geographic reach and representation across the state. A pumpjack operates north of Carlsbad, NM. A New Mexico Environment Department air quality monitoring station in Carlsbad recorded ozone levels that could lead to the region being declared an ozone nonattainment zone by the EPA. The air pollution comes from oil and gas operations in the area. (Photo by Jerry Redfern / Capital & Main) A recent report on oil and gas production in the San Juan Basin in northwest New Mexico projects mixed futures for the fossil fuel industry over the coming 30 years. The report, commissioned by the Bureau of Land Managements field office in Farmington, also says that up to 1,200 new oil and gas wells could be drilled in the region over that time frame. The reports production numbers are a far cry from recent peaks, and well below the expectations of earlier reports for the region. The Bureau released the Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario in mid-July for New Mexicos second, smaller oil and gas basin. (The Permian Basin, in the opposite, southeast corner of the state, is both New Mexicos and the nations largest.) The base outlook for the two fuels differ, with natural gas production continuing its current, years-long decline, while oil production rises slightly over the next 20 years before tanking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both scenarios are based on current production levels, and the report does not predict dramatic increases, mainly because there isnt much left to produce. This story originally appeared on Capital & Main. Analysis indicates the past major gas plays are mostly depleted Any recent activity and projected future work are considered maintenance of existing resources, the report reads. Even so, up to 500 new gas wells could be drilled over the next 30 years, mostly on land just west of the Jicarilla Apache Nation Indian Reservation along New Mexicos border with Colorado. But that gas will not stop the overall production decline in the region, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allison Sandoval, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Land Management, said that Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario reports are not mandatory, but are usually issued on a 20-year cycle. The last version was in 2018, meaning this years edition came much sooner than is customary. The 2018 report took into account advances in horizontal drilling also known as fracking that spiked in preceding years and werent factored into an earlier 2001 iteration. Fracking changed how wells were drilled, increased the number drilled on a single site and dramatically increased how much oil and gas could be produced from a single well. Though only seven years apart, the 2025 report differs sharply from the earlier version in terms of expected well drilling. The older report predicted 3,200 new oil and gas wells in the Bureaus Farmington Division area over 30 years in its baseline scenario. Records from the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division, which tracks all oil and gas development across the state, show 319 wells drilled from 2018 to the present. Adding that number to the latest reports expected 1,200 new wells brings the total to 1,519 wells, less than half the number predicted seven years ago. The 2025 report also notes that actual gas production in the previous seven years was nearly twice what was predicted in the 2018 report, and produced water was massively larger, with 5 million barrels projected but 172 million barrels actually produced. Produced water is a growing problem in New Mexico, spurring clashes between well operators and local residents over what to do with the briny and often chemically toxic waste water. The bureau contracted Thomas Engler, a professor of natural gas and petroleum engineering at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico, to compile the report, and he said it is the result of a years work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engler said there is a possibility for gas production to quickly increase in the short term. Many factors must align for this to occur, but it does illustrate the strength of the basin remains in gas production, he said. For such an increase to happen, gas prices would have to rise sharply and producers would have to drill a lot of wells in a short timeframe. Natural gas prices have fallen since President Donald Trump began his second term, however, after rising under President Joe Biden. Gas prices were historically low during Trumps first term as well. The increase in oil production predicted in this report is minor, Engler said. An uptick in drilling in the so-called checkerboard region of federal, private and Navajo trust land just north of Chaco Culture National Park could add 700 new wells and provide slow growth over the next two decades. The report sees declining oil production from all other sources. Engler said, This is not surprising as the San Juan Basin has always been known more as a gas-bearing basin than oil. The report says the new oil production near Chaco Park would be infill that targets spaces between current wells rather than new development on untouched acreage. That detail is important because the park and much of the surrounding landscape is sacred to the Navajo and other surrounding Native American tribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland, a member of the neighboring Laguna Pueblo tribe, instituted a ban on oil or gas development within a 10-mile buffer zone around the park in 2023 when she was secretary of the Department of the Interior. Many Navajo own land in the surrounding checkerboard region and receive royalties from oil and gas produced on their property. That has led to protesters converging on the highly contentious location in the past, with local Navajo people both strongly for and against the buffer zone or any industrial development in the area. For years, Mario Atencio(who is Dine, as the Navajo call themselves) has led efforts against further oil and gas development on tribal lands around Chaco Park. His family has land near the park, and in 2019, an accident at a neighboring well dumped 1,400 barrels of fracking chemicals and crude oil into a stream that runs across their property. The entire landscape is a highly sacred place and is where the Dine, as a people, emerged spiritually, culturally and socially, he said. The decades of development have left a legacy of toxic waste, Atencio said. These waste streams, like the spilling of the toxic oil drilling aqueous waste on my familys lands, will have long-term impacts on the health and wellness of current and future generations. This legacy is a reflection of how settler-colonialism transforms landscapes from sacred motherscapes to industrialized wastelands, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Eisenfeld, energy and climate program manager for the San Juan Citizens Alliance, a regional environmental watchdog group, said the report reflects a very poor future for oil and gas in this area. Eisenfeld, who lives in Farmington, has argued for years that the oil and gas industry in the region was destined for decline and that local governments and the Bureau of Land Management should plan for that change. Missi Courrier, president and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, the states largest industry group, noted the states overall energy dominance and said, Markets change, industries evolve, and operators respond constantly to those changing demands. The report offers a point of reference, but its not a definitive roadmap. Sandoval, the Bureau of Land Management spokesperson, said this latest report was launched after the Farmington field office scrapped an update to a long-range Resource Management Plan in December 2023 that had been 10 years in the works. That plan would have directed how the Farmington district office planned and managed oil and gas development on lands under its control. Scrapping that plan left both environmental and industry groups confused and angry with the bureau after years of public hearings, comments and legal wrangling all of which was thrown out the window. Its incumbent on the BLM to figure out what theyre doing, Eisenfeld said. After years of promoting fossil fuel development in the area, it appears that the regional focus of the Bureau of Land Management will be shifting but without the Resource Management Plan, its not clear how. I would argue they are in a reclamation mode, he said, and he thinks the big question will become, How do you reclaim the landscape after more than a century of fossil fuel development? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Atencio offered a curt assessment. Drilling in a landscape that already has leased over 90% of reasonably saleable fluid and gas minerals is an incredibly dumb investment idea, he said. The big multinational operators have all pulled up stakes in the San Juan Basin. They are smart and this new [Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario] is clear that the San Juan Basin, as a carbon energy sacrifice zone, is coming to an end. Sandoval said, The economy of the four corners area has historically relied heavily on the oil and gas industry. A decline in production could result in job losses in the energy sector and a reduction in local and state revenue. The Bureau also manages other mineral development, recreation, grazing and timber on lands in the district, and Sandoval said, The BLM does not expect any major changes to these economic drivers based on the new [study]. Police have identified the victim and arrested a suspect in connection with a weekend shooting that left a 17-year-old girl dead in northeast Oklahoma City. Shortly before 2:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to calls about an assault with a deadly weapon at a house near NE 20th Street and Bath Avenue, according to an incident report written by an officer. Arriving officers found a 17-year-old girl, Shyanne Crawford, with gunshot wounds inside the home, police said in a news release Monday. She was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A boy who was also 17 fled the scene on foot, police said, but was later taken into custody. He has since been booked into the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Center on a complaint of murder, according to police. Investigators believe the 17-year-old boy and Crawford were together inside the home when he allegedly shot her. The Oklahoman is not naming him because of his juvenile age and because he has not been formally charged. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call the police department's tip-line at 405-297-1200. More: Charges pending in latest homicide in Edmond. What happened at a dispensary on Broadway Oklahoma City police have made an arrest in connection to a weekend shooting that left a 17-year-old girl dead. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC police arrest teen in connection with fatal shooting of 17-year-old In a switch up, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is now being asked to schedule an execution for a Hurricane Katrina evacuee who fatally shot two men in 2006. Kendrick Antonio Simpson, 44, was sentenced to death in Oklahoma County District Court in 2007 for both murders. He had relocated to Oklahoma after the hurricane hit New Orleans in 2005. The last execution in Oklahoma was carried out June 12 at the penitentiary in McAlester. Up next is death row inmate Tremane Wood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an Aug. 22 notice, Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the Court of Criminal Appeals to set Simpson's execution instead. He suggested Oct. 30 for the date. The switch up came after Wood's attorneys revealed they can no longer represent him because of a conflict. Wood's new attorneys will presumably be unfamiliar with his case and require time to prepare for clemency proceedings, Drummond told the court. Wood's execution has not been set yet by the court. The AG at first asked for Sept. 11. He then asked for the execution to be set in October, four weeks later. Drummond made the request after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation began looking into accusations about Wood. The accusations have not been made public yet. Wood's attorneys began steps to withdraw from the case after learning of the accusations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wood was sentenced to death for the fatal stabbing of a migrant farm worker from Montana during a robbery at an Oklahoma City motel on Jan. 1, 2002. Wood, 45, was caught with cellphones on May 8, June 26 and June 30, the Oklahoma Department of Corrections has said. On June 26, he was moved back to H Unit, the penitentiary's most restrictive area. What did Simpson do? Simpson fired an assault rifle from the front passenger seat of a car at three men in another car after a confrontation early Jan. 16, 2006, inside Fritzi's, a hip hop club in Oklahoma City. Afterward, he said, "I'm a monster. I just shot the car up," the Court of Criminal Appeals noted in its 2010 opinion upholding his conviction. He added, "They shouldn't play with me like that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Killed were Glen Palmer, 20, and Anthony Jones, 19. A former jail cellmate testified for the prosecution at trial that Simpson "had shown no remorse for his actions and had even laughed about the crime and wanted to kill and threaten potential witnesses," according to the opinion. Simpson does not dispute that he was the shooter. His attorneys plan to ask the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board for mercy because of a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis. A Tulane University professor of clinical psychiatry who examined him in 2011 reported the most severe traumatic stress occurred in November 2004 when Simpson was shot five times in a drive-by shooting in New Orleans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Then as he recovered from his wounds he lost his neighborhood and social support system to Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005," the professor wrote. Gov. Kevin Stitt has the final say on clemency, but only if the board recommends it. He cannot act if the board doesn't. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Hurricane Katrina evacuee could be executed in Oklahoma in October State Treasurer Todd Russ, pictured at a press conference on Oct. 3, 2023, chairs the TSET board of investors. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY A state investment boards vote to challenge several companies policies at minimum violated the spirit of Oklahomas open meetings law, two government transparency experts said. While Leslie Briggs and Joey Senat, who specialize in Oklahomas Open Meeting Act, said it would be up to a court to decide if a state law was violated last week, they said the meeting agenda for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trusts board of investors didnt provide enough information for the public to understand the planned vote or which companies would be impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board voted Wednesday to approve sending shareholder proposals to 10 major companies in an effort to pressure executives to change their policies, including the dispensing of the medication mifepristone and the distribution of images of child sex abuse. Most public companies give shareholders the opportunity to vote on compensation packages for executives and let management know their views on issues that could affect the value of shares, and the TSET board wants votes on their ideas. Briggs, the Oklahoma local legal initiative attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said the agenda did not provide details on which companies would receive a shareholder proposal and what would be included in the content of each. The question is whether the agenda item was deceptively vague, she said. Treasurer Todd Russ, who chairs the board, said in a statement Monday there is no reason to believe non-compliance occurred. The Board relies on its legal counsel to ensure all actions are consistent with both the letter and spirit of Oklahomas sunshine laws, he said in a statement. Counsel from the Attorney Generals Office was present and advises the Board on compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office declined to comment. Public Access Counselor Anthony Sykes did not return a request for comment. Sykes unit within the Attorney Generals Office works to ensure compliance with the states open meeting and records laws. Oklahoma Voice initially requested the names of the companies that would receive letters Wednesday but a spokesperson from the Oklahoma Treasurers Office said they werent publicly available. Oklahoma Voice submitted a formal open records to TSET on Thursday. A TSET official redirected Oklahoma Voices request to the Treasurers Office. The Treasurers Office had not provided records as of Monday. Spokespeople for Gov. Kevin Stitt, State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, did not comment. The three leaders appointed the trio of board members serving alongside Russ. Senat, an Open Records Act expert and associate professor at Oklahoma State University, said the agenda posted ahead of Wednesdays meeting should give notice of what will be discussed in plain, simple language. Senat said he doesnt think the posted agenda meets these terms and said it could be argued the agenda obscures the actual purpose of the discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This board is acting on behalf of and in the name of Oklahomans, he said. And Oklahomans were entitled to know which 10 companies and more specifics about these policies. Thats the point of our Open Records and Open Meetings Act. The item on Wednesdays agenda includes the Presentation, Discussion, and Possible Action of 2026 Shareholder Proposals. Listed as sub-items were anti-trafficking policies, politicized and anti-religious discrimination in charitable gift matching, gender ideology activism in healthcare coverage, dispensing of mifepristone, risks of executive compensation plans that include DEI and ESG, and risks of China exposure on shareholder return. The TSET board members, who oversee the investment of nearly $2 billion in public funds, said they were concerned that the companies policies could open the trust up to backlash and litigation. Briggs said a court would have to decide whether or not state law was violated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the TSET Board of Investors included great specificity about the specific companies and policies up for discussion during the November 2024 meeting, Briggs said it brings into question whether this information was intentionally left out of the agenda for Wednesdays meeting. You have a situation where at one meeting, and in one instance, they were willing to tell the public what companies and what policies they were worried about, she said. And you have another instance where they have deliberately decided not to reveal that information. And in fact, are misinterpreting the open records law to state that information is not public. Those are polar opposite interpretations of the law, and that violates the spirit of those laws. That doesnt lend itself to good faith in government. Without stating publicly the exact action and who the individuals or entities are, its difficult to know what the actual purpose of those shareholder proposals are, she said. If they knew in advance or during the meeting the specifics of the proposals that they would be voting on but the public did not, that would cut in favor of an agenda that was deceptive or misleading, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Former Mexican drug kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada has pleaded guilty to United States charges related to his decades-long leadership of the violent and notorious Sinaloa cartel and its role in flooding the US with drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Zambada, the alleged co-founder of Mexicos Sinaloa cartel, pleaded guilty on Monday in federal court in Brooklyn, New York to charges that he engaged in a racketeering conspiracy and ran a continuing criminal enterprise that prosecutors said was responsible for importing and distributing massive quantities of drugs. Those charges stemmed from his decades-long role leading the Sinaloa cartel alongside imprisoned drug lord Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a maximum security prison in Colorado. US law enforcement officers stand outside a federal courthouse, ahead of the plea hearing of alleged Sinaloa cartel co-founder Ismael El Mayo Zambada on drug-trafficking charges, in Brooklyn, New York, the US [Brendan McDermid/Reuters] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zambada agreed to plead guilty after the US Justice Department this month said it would not seek the death penalty for him or for Rafael Caro Quintero, another septuagenarian alleged Mexican drug lord facing US charges. I recognise the great harm illegal drugs have done to the people in the United States and Mexico, he said through a Spanish-language interpreter. I apologise for all of it, and I take responsibility for my actions. In pleading guilty, Zambada acknowledged the extent of the Sinaloa operation, including underlings who built relationships with cocaine producers in Colombia and who oversaw the importation of cocaine to Mexico by boat and plane and the smuggling of the drug across the US.-Mexico border. He also acknowledged that people working for him paid bribes to Mexican police and military commanders so they could operate freely, going all the way back to when the cartel was just starting out. Zambada was arrested in July 2024 alongside Joaquin Guzman Lopez, one of Joaquin Guzmans sons, after the plane in which they were travelling landed at a small airstrip in New Mexico. Zambadas lawyer has said Guzman Lopez kidnapped Zambada, which the Guzman family lawyer has denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzman Lopez has pleaded not guilty to US drug trafficking charges. US prosecutors have said they would not seek the death penalty for him if he is convicted. Mexico this month sent more than two dozen suspected cartel members to the US, amid rising pressure from US President Donald Trump on Mexico to dismantle the countrys powerful drug organisations. Mexico has said it received assurances from the US Justice Department that it would not seek the death penalty for them. The charges Zambada pleaded guilty to were contained in two separate indictments the US Justice Department had secured against him, one in New York and another in Texas. The Texas case was recently transferred to New York ahead of the guilty plea. Telegram CEO Pavel Durov said he'd "rather die" than give third parties access to messages on Telegram. Durov was detained by French authorities last year and charged with six crimes related to illegal activity on his platform. In a social media post on Sunday, Durov said the arrest is "legally and logically absurd." For Pavel Durov, data privacy is a matter of life and death. The founder and CEO of the messaging and social media app Telegram outlined his stance in a post on X on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'd rather die no third party has access to private messages on Telegram," the Russian-born entrepreneur wrote in response to a comment that suggested he gave French authorities "backdoor" access to Telegram data. Durov became a symbol of the struggle over user data privacy between social media companies and national governments after he was arrested by French authorities one year ago, in August 2024. The CEO was detained for four days and accused of being complicit in allowing criminal activity to occur on Telegram. He has denied all the criminal charges laid against him. Durov shared a four-part thread about the ongoing case on X on Sunday, the anniversary of his arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One year ago, the French police detained me for 4 days because some people I'd never heard of used Telegram to coordinate crimes," Durov wrote in the thread. "Arresting a CEO of a major platform over the actions of its users was not only unprecedented it was legally and logically absurd," he said. French prosecutors charged Durov in late August 2024 with six crimes , including "complicity" in the distribution of child sexual abuse material and drug trafficking, arguing that he allowed illegal activity to flourish on Telegram while refusing to cooperate with authorities. Durov said on X that the investigation against him "is still struggling to find anything that I or Telegram did wrong." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Telegram's moderation practices align with industry standards, and it has "always responded to every legally binding request from France," he added. "The only outcome of my arrest so far has been massive damage to France's image as a free country," Durov said. In his posts on Sunday, Durov said he does not have an appeal date and has to return to France every 14 days. Durov set up Telegram in 2013. Before that, he founded the Russian social media network VKontakte, known as VK. He sold his stake in VK and fled Russia in 2014 after rejecting Kremlin pressure to turn over the data of Ukrainian protest leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Telegram has about 1 billion active users globally. The influential messaging platform has grown to be a primary source of information in the war in Ukraine and Russia. It has been called out by critics and researchers for refusing to remove graphic, misleading, and sometimes criminal content. Durov and Telegram did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider One of your batteries could start a fire; what you should know: Lithium-ion batteries are everywhere: laptops, flashlights, yard equipment, and the list goes on. Theyre rechargeable and reliable -- but they can also be dangerous, and you may not realize you even have the batteries. Jody Bourgoynes home had a fire. She says firefighters told her it started with a lithium-ion battery charger for a scooter. I screamed and I just threw the fire extinguisher and ran because I knew it was bigger than what I could handle, she said. Its like before you buy something, youre going to have to think, Hmm, I could possibly lose everything, including a child, but is it worth having this scooter for? I dont think so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters were able to pull out baby photos of her children. But the family lost a lot in the fire, including a pet. You always think, you know, well, thats not going to happen to me. You know, what are the chances? But it can, she said. SPECIAL SECTION >> Action 9 Stories South Charlotte resident Jeff Freeman told Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke he was coming in the garage and I open the garage door. And I saw intense, I mean, intense, black gnarly smoke in the garage. He says he consistently charged this lithium-ion battery for his hedge trimmer around the clock. According to fire investigators, it shorted out and melted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a real serious problem. People not only could get their homes burned down. They could die, he said. He says the devices manual came with a warning about leaving the battery on the charger. But hed like more prominent ones. There really, in my opinion, should be some sort of legislation through Raleigh or federal standards, saying, a big warning sign on these lithium batteries: Do not charge overnight, he said. If nothing else ... getting the message out, that people know when they get these chargers, they have to unplug them as soon as theyre charged. They cant leave it in 24/7. Freeman says the business did replace his battery and charger and even gave him money to buy an air purifier for the smoke smell, all before Action 9 even got involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte Fires HAZMAT coordinator, Matthew Honaker, has this advice for you: charge the batteries until theyre fully charged, then take them off the charger, and only use the charger that came with that device and battery. Dont switch chargers. Dont use a different manufacturer charger, Honaker said. You may be thinking: dont they have safety features so they stop charging on their own? Technology is as good as long as it works, Honaker said. In other words, still play it safe. (VIDEO >> Action 9: Man switched phone companies because of promotion, but says carrier didnt follow through) HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) An Evansville man is in custody after authorities say five people were injured after his weapon discharged during a physical assault against a woman. According to Evansville Police, officers were dispatched to a report of people blocking vehicles near the intersection of Kentucky Avenue and Gum Street at 3 a.m. on Sunday. Officers were informed after the initial complaint that a firearm had been discharged at the scene. Officers arriving at the scene reportedly located a spent shell casing, a weapon-mounted flashlight and a significant amount of blood. Witnesses at the scene told authorities that Jeron Sebree, 29, had been in an altercation with a woman at a separate location before he was told to leave the establishment. Authorities say a second incident happened shortly after between the victim and a second offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the second incident, Sebree reportedly struck the victim multiple times with a handgun, causing the weapon to discharge, grazing the victim in multiple areas. Two other people were reportedly grazed by shrapnel from the weapon discharge. After the weapon was fired, authorities say Sebree and the second offender continued to physically assault the victim. Authorities say Sebrees actions resulted in injury that posed a substantial risk of death, and showed an intentional disregard for the safety of others nearby. Authorities say Sebree surrendered to authorities without incident. He was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail and arrested on charges of aggravated battery and criminal recklessness. Authorities say the incident is still under investigation, and additional arrests may occur. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Jason Hall: TJX companies , it's definitely got my eye, a little bit of my heart, but none of my wallet yet because of valuation, but TJX companies, the parent company of TJ Max, Marshalls, HomeGoods, other clothing and home furnishing retailers, reports Wednesday morning, and I'll be honest with you, Rick. I think besides Costco, TJX may be the best retailer in the US. It is exceptional at two really important things. The one that doesn't get enough credit from the average person or investor is how good of a buyer it is. It's like the release valve for excess inventory, for manufacturers, other retailers, and distributors, it's really good at getting great deals on the cost side of buying that. But here's the thing. The actual hardest part is getting that merchandise in the right stores and the right markets to move it quickly and then turn it into more cash than it paid for it. It's exceptional if that part of its business model is the treasure hunt experience. They cater both to people that have plenty of extra disposable income that are looking for that great deal, but also just to regular people that are looking for value for name brand products at extremely low cost. That combined expertise is a savvy buyer and extremely efficient retail operator results in great margins. It keeps customers coming in across economic environments. If you look last quarter, comps were up 3%. As customers are spending more money, you look at most of the competition in discount retail, you see the other thing, comps are shrinking, people are coming in less and spending less. I'm really interested to see if TJX can continue in operating so well in what's really a challenging environment for discount retail. Rick Munarriz: Indigestion for stocks, interesting companies reporting earnings this week. Incredible gains this year from unlikely companies. Let's dive in to find out right now on Motley Fool Money. I'm Rick Munarriz, and today I'm joined by fellow analyst Alicia Alfiere and Jason Hall with a look at what's eating at restaurant stocks this summer. We'll also look at some of the more surprising companies that have more than doubled this year. But first, it's still earning season. A lot of familiar names are stepping up with fresh financials this week. A lot of obscure ones, too, of course. I want to go around the room to see if there's a company that has your eye, if not your heart, reporting quarterly results this week. Let's start with you, Jason. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $649,657 !* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,090,993 !* The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Chipotle Mexican Grill wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. In this podcast, Motley Fool analysts Rick Munarriz and Alicia Alfiere and contributor Jason Hall dig into problems at favorite chain restaurants. They also look at some companies reporting earnings, and it's report card time for some of this year's biggest gainers. Story Continues Alicia Alfiere: Well, so I have a question for you, Jason, on TJX. With the economic uncertainty looming, do you think we're going to see more value shoppers going to TJX to look to find these deals, or do you think these value shoppers are going to be staying home? Jason Hall: I think it's going to do well. I think what we'll see is what we've seen from it in the past, and that is people whose personal finance situation is still fine are going to continue to go there more instead of maybe shopping upstream. They're going to come downstream, whether they have to or not, they're going to choose to because of sentiment. That's probably going to offset some of the other customers that are just truly having to pull back. Its strength as a buyer is going to be a really good situation for it. Particularly if we see tariffs do weird things with inventory levels, they're not going to mess around. They're going to take advantage of that opportunity. I think even if maybe they don't grow as fast, they're definitely going to prove how resilient their business model is. Rick Munarriz: Alicia, what you got? Alicia Alfiere: Well, so this week, I'm excited to see what is going on with Viking Holdings. It's a company that's close to my heart because my dad, who just turned 70, has wanted to do a European river cruise for a really long time. Viking is smaller than other cruise companies. But it's the top dog in the North American outbound River Cruise market. It's got a strong brand that ranks highly among the affluent 55 older crowd, which Viking believes has been mostly underserved in the cruise industry with the exception of them. By the end of their first quarter, Viking already had 92% of their 2025 capacity booked, so I'm excited to see what comes next for them. Rick Munarriz: I'm a fan of Viking, too. Probably like your dad. I've looked at these cruises. They are not cheap. River Cruises are not your basically carnival big chip with a lot of people and a lot of low prices. Are they susceptible to an economic downturn? Alicia Alfiere: That's a good question. I think because their focus is so much on this retiree community of 55 and older, Grant, it'd be wonderful to retire at 55. But people that tend to be affluent and retired, I think they have less of a risk, but as with anything that's discretionary, they can potentially take a hit with economic uncertainty. Rick Munarriz: Yeah, thanks. I'm going to go with Baidu. B-A-I-D-U, the company behind China's leading search engine, is going through some growing pains. Revenue has declined in half of the last six years, and Baidu delivered double-digit top-line growth just one of those years. Expectations are low heading into this week's results. Analysts see a 3% year-over-year decline in revenue on a sharp slide in profitability. It's not a good look, but Baidu has come through with double-digit percentage beats on the bottom line and back-to-back quarters. It's also been toiling away in AI, cloud computing, and autonomous driving long before those areas were cool. Those are bets that will pay off over time. In the meantime, you can buy a cash-rich Baidu for less than ten times next year's targets. Baidu. Jason Hall: Thinking about those next bet things, Rick, do you think Baidu is one of the companies that's going to be able to continue to innovate, even as the Chinese market continues to be challenged with access to the best chips for AI? Rick Munarriz: Obviously, the whole AI revolution in China has this whole thing happening right now, caught in the tariff war. I do think that whether they go out on their own or they find ways to do it. Baidu has offices, even in the US. They have places they have intel all over the world. It's not just purely Chinese company. I think they will figure it out. And right now, it's just a very competitive environment, which is why so many companies are Baidu struggling because so many other companies are also struggling to stand out in this environment. Baidu and TJX report on Wednesday morning. Viking disembarks on Tuesday morning. Companies keep earning, we keep learning. Coming up next, Hamburger Helper, what's going on with restaurant stocks? Hungry for more OrderUp. It's been a challenging summer for restaurant stocks, particularly rule-breaker chains. Cava took a 17% hit on a single trading day last week after posting disappointing comparable restaurant sales. We saw Wingstop, SweetGreen, and even Chipotle deliver negative comps. What's burning in the kitchen? Let's dig in. Alicia. Alicia Alfiere: Well, so it looks like the economy is taking a bite out of consumers' desire to dine out, or at the very least, it's making them a lot more price aware. If we look at Chipotle, which is an old school Rule Breaker, in its last quarter, comparable sales fell 4% year over year, and that's a big difference from last year when comparable sales grew 11% year over year. Chipotle talked about how much their traffic has been tracking along with consumer sentiment, and management believes that some consumers are making eating decisions based on price right now. They also mentioned some of their competitors have $5 meals, and they believe that's where a lot of the consumers are heading. Speaking of $5 meals, let's talk about McDonald's. Unlike Chipotle and some other restaurant chains that saw same-store sales declines, McDonald's saw its global comparable sales grow 3.8%, and that's a big improvement from last year when the company's comparable sales fell 1%. By the way, McDonald's saw sales growth in all of their world regions, and McDonald's knows that its affordability was a major driver for its performance and says that the $5 meal deal continues to be a hit, and the company also realizes that the 299 price point, they sell snack wraps for that looks to be attractive to consumers as well. But even with their performance this quarter, McDonald's is still cautious about upcoming quarters and the US consumer. But even they commented that visits from lower-income consumers who tend to eat at McDonald's more than other groups have declined, and the company believes that it'll be really important for them to reengage with these customers. One of the things that they talked about is working with their US franchisees to look at the core menu pricing, but they do have to be careful here. Too many cuts, and McDonald's will be buying their revenue by potentially sacrificing profitability. Rick Munarriz: Just a couple of days ago, I spent $16 on a McDonald Land adult kids meal. It's basically this thing comes with, like, a grimace shake. It comes with a Tin collectible with a little toy with a card game. It seems like McDonalds playing both the low end and the high end. Does that Barbell pricing? Does that sound like it's a good strategy for you, or is that a problem? Alicia Alfiere: Well, I do think that it's smart to try to hit multiple sides of the consumer continuum, as opposed to really just targeting one group. I think that can help make their revenues less lumpy when we go into different parts of the economic cycle. Rick Munarriz: Ba da, da, da, da, I'm loving it. So, Jason, your thoughts? Jason Hall: $16 when I was a kid, that'd feed a family of four at McDonald's, and everybody would get soft serve ice cream. It's remarkable how that's changed. I'll say this. I think the interesting thing to me, like, the observation as an investor, it's across the sector. It's a lot of what we're seeing a specialty and discount retail, too. It's a clear consumer trend. Consumers are starting to pull back in some areas. And as an investor, honestly, that makes me a little bit more interested and less concerned about individual companies because it means we're less likely to have a company that's struggling in a good market. The market is down and it's weak, and I start looking more closely when negative sentiment like that is happening, especially if it drives stock prices down because it could create some opportunities for investors to buy some really great quality businesses that have strong track records over the long term, and then just hold while the market collapse and we return back to a healthy market at some point in future quarters or even future years, that's one of the ways that long term investors can juice their portfolios and really win over the long term. Rick Munarriz: Basically, the business models aren't broken, just the consumer sentiment is what needs to temporarily come back in some capacity. Jason Hall: That's exactly what it looks like to me. Rick Munarriz: Perfect. When we get back from the break, we'll have fun with some of this year's hottest stocks. Stay with us. We ordered a cake. Finally, there have been some very surprising stocks that have more than doubled this year. I'm going to play a little game with you guys called beat or defeat. I want you guys to tell me beat, if you think they can continue to beat the market for the rest of the year, the next 4.5 months or so, or defeat, if you think that they're going to actually return back to their norms to improve modals. Don't overthink it. We're going to go over three stocks. The first one, Rule Breaker, Roblox. It's up 117% through Thursday's close, move lower on Friday. But right now, Jason, beat or defeat. Jason Hall: Going to say defeat. Now, in the news right now, there's some things with Louisiana is suing Roblox over some concerns about things with child safety. We won't get into that. But I think looking beyond that, what I see with Roblox right now it was a great business with some really good growth right now, but it just seems like the valuation metrics don't necessarily support a continued run 19 times sales. They lost about $500 million over the trading 12 months, and $500 million of that was stock-based compensation. It's just going to be hard to continue that run at this valuation. I think we're more likely to sell some profit taking before the end of the year that maybe undermines a little bit of that great results that we've had. Rick Munarriz: Alicia? Alicia Alfiere: I think this one is tricky. I think the Louisiana Attorney General suing Roblox alleging the platform doesn't do enough to protect minors. I think if that's true, that's a big problem. But if Roblox can solve this issue, I think it's actually a good candidate to beat. We've got really impressive metrics happening here, average daily users up 41% year over year, hours of engagement up 58% year over year. Jason Hall: The bookings numbers are incredible. Rick Munarriz: So let's look at Palantir, up 139% this year. Jason, start us off. Jason Hall: Are you sure you want me to start here? I've bought Puts. I'm actually shorting Palantir via puts. They're very long-term, like multiple years out. I'm going to say that now. I'm making a multiple-year bet that the stock is going to decline. Between now and the end of the year, I think that we could start to see some of that happen. Let me say this. I think it is an extraordinary business. But the valuation, I said, Rule Breakers is expensive. Palantir makes Rule Breakers look like a jalapeno. It is incredibly expensive, and the expectations, I think it becomes so dislodged from what the business can realistically do an incredible business can do that I think it's going to struggle, and I think it's going to be defeated by the market. Rick Munarriz: Alicia, Alicia Alfiere: I agree with Jason here. Last quarter was impressive. Revenues up 48%, cash generating business, management raised guidance. But, wow, it's valuation. Price to sales above 100? Rick Munarriz: Price to salespeople price to sales. Alicia Alfiere: Right, price to sales. We're not even talking price-to-earnings or anything like that. Priced beyond perfection, defeat. Rick Munarriz: Finally, let's close with former Rule Breaker Celsius up 150%. Alicia, I'll start with you. Alicia Alfiere: It's acquisition of Alani Nu seems to be helping Celsius, and the top line really accelerated this last quarter. Again, partially due to that acquisition. It has momentum, so I'm thinking it'll be, but anyone who has been watching this stock over the last little bit knows it's been a roller coaster, and it could just as easily fall into that defeat category. Jason Hall: Even as much as the stock has come up, I think the market is still has really low expectations for the business. The Pepsi distribution deal was great until it wasn't. That's a challenge. The core Celsius brands have been pretty flattish. International market is really wide open. Alani Nu expands them and really gives them a lot of control over that cohort of the market where they're really dominant. I think of these three, this is the one that's most likely to beat, so I'm going to say I think it'll be. Rick Munarriz: Alright, great. So, Alicia and Jason, thank you for making this Monday more magic and less manic. As always, people on the program may have interest in the stocks they talk about, and the Motley Fool may have formal recommendations for or against, so don't buy or sell stocks based solely on what you hear. All personal finance content follows Motley Fool Editorial standards and is not approved by advertisers. Advertisers are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. To see our full advertising disclosure, please check out our show notes. For Alicia Alfiere, Jason Hall, and the entire Motley Fool Money team, I'm Rick Munarriz. I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for our Motley Fool Money today. Alicia Alfiere has positions in Costco Wholesale. Jason Hall has positions in Chipotle Mexican Grill and has the following options: long December 2027 $80 puts on Palantir Technologies. Rick Munarriz has positions in Baidu, Costco Wholesale, Sweetgreen, and Viking. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Baidu, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Costco Wholesale, Palantir Technologies, Roblox, and TJX Companies. The Motley Fool recommends Cava Group, Sweetgreen, Viking, and Wingstop and recommends the following options: short September 2025 $60 calls on Chipotle Mexican Grill. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. What's Eating at Restaurant Stocks? was originally published by The Motley Fool Update: 4:25 p.m. 8/25/2025 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The Champaign County Coroner has released the name of the person who died in a shooting on Sunday. Laurie Brauer, coroner, said 35-year-old RL Glenn Selvie of Urbana was pronounced dead at the Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Department in Urbana at 3:33 a.m. on Aug. 24. About half an hour before, Champaign Police Officers responded near the area of W. Springfield Avenue and Kenwood Road after receiving reports of a shooting with injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arson suspect arrested in Mahomet after multi-county police chase on I-74 When officers arrived, they found Selvie unconscious and not breathing. He was brought to the hospital but died shortly after. An autopsy has been scheduled for later this week. 32-year-old Tyson Moore of Champaign and 37-year-old Deandre Newbill of Urbana were arrested on Sunday in relation to the shooting and are facing preliminary charges of first-degree murder. The Champaign Police Department and the Champaign County Coroners Office are investigating. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) One person has died and two suspects have been arrested after a shooting in Champaign on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers with the Champaign Police Department responded near the area of W. Springfield Avenue and Kenwood Road around 3 a.m. The police department said they had received multiple reports of a shooting with injuries. Battery with metal pipe leaves one hospitalized in Decatur Once officers arrived on scene, they found a 35-year-old man from Urbana with multiple gunshot wounds. He was unconscious and not breathing. First responders provided medical aid until he could be brought to a nearby hospital, but he died shortly after. After investigating, the police department learned that the man was in a parking lot when two people approached him and fired multiple shots. The victim was hit several times and the suspects, later identified as 32-year-old Tyson Moore of Champaign and 37-year-old Deandre Newbill of Urbana, fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle that Moore and Newbill used to flee was found in the 2000 block of Moreland Boulevard a short time later, police said. Two firearms were also found. Both Moore and Newbill have been arrested and are facing preliminary charges of first-degree murder. Five men arrested in State Police-led human trafficking operation in Forsyth Police are still searching for witnesses and video footage that could assist in the investigation. Any people or businesses who have outside cameras in the area should contact the police department at 217-351-4545. To submit an anonymous tip, contact Crime Stoppers at 217-373-8477 (TIPS), visit them online or use the P3 Tips mobile app. The Champaign Police Department said Metro SWAT Team and the Street Crimes Task Force assisted in the investigation. And, the police department added, more updates may be provided as more information becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. For seven years, a one-eyed goose named Billy waddled through yards and along sidewalks in a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, neighborhood, greeting residents who knew him by name and treating every day like Halloween. Billy, who couldn't fly and arrived in the neighborhood without explanation, quickly became a local fixture a neighborhood mascot. "He was our mascot. I mean, everybody here knew Billy. We don't know where he came from. He just showed up here," said Rachel Jackson, a longtime resident. From morning greetings to house-to-house visits for warm bread, Billy the goose became a neighborhood staple. / Credit: CBS News Billy's daily routine included visiting multiple houses for food, especially warm bread that neighbors would heat in the microwave. Many residents were unaware he was making his rounds to every home on the block. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's kind of interesting that he was trick-or-treating to every house on the block, and we didn't all know it," said Ami Wallis, Billy's friend. Wallis whistled for Billy each morning, and the goose would call back. Over time, the two developed their own form of communication. "Billy was like another little person. He tried to talk. He would, like, beep at you, and you'd beep back," Wallis said. More than just a familiar face, Billy served as a caretaker in the community. He even kept watch over the neighborhood ducks: Effie, Ellie and Emmy. "Billy would be seen swimming along with babies that were not his because the parents needed a break, and Billy was like, 'OK, I'll do nanny duty,'" Jackson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents trusted him enough to let him freely interact with their children, eventually earning him the title of neighborhood "Mother Goose." "He just was a bright light for us. To see that everybody really cared for him and - and how much everybody, um, had a connection to him was really uplifting. And it really showed me a lot about how much he's touched so many lives," Jackson said. When Billy was attacked last month, likely by an alligator, neighbors rushed him to a nearby animal hospital. Veterinarians determined he needed to be euthanized. Billy the goose's death sparked community tributes, social media memories and a lasting memorial. / Credit: CBS News Billy's death prompted an outpouring of memories on social media, revealing how deeply he had become an integral part of the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After he passed away, there were a lot of people who posted stuff on social media, and you got to see like how much people liked him. And most of the time, you would've thought he was just some random goose in the neighborhood, maybe an inconvenience for many, but he actually really wasn't," said Britta Leise, another one of Billy's friends. The community created a memorial and held a sunset toast in Billy's honor, complete with "Bill-ritas." Wallis also installed a permanent metal tribute that reads: "Billy, Forever Loved." David Begnaud loves uncovering the heart of every story and will continue to do so, highlighting everyday heroes and proving that there is good news in the news with his exclusive "CBS Mornings" series, "Beg-Knows America." Every Monday, get ready for moments that will make you smile or even shed a tear. Do you have a story about an ordinary person doing something extraordinary for someone else? Email David and his team at DearDavid@cbsnews.com Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" MADISON COUNTY, Iowa One person was life-flighted after a motorcycle vs. SUV crash in Madison County Sunday evening. According to the Madison County Sheriffs Office, around 7:30 p.m., a 911 caller reported that an SUV and a motorcycle had collided on Highway 169, about 8 miles north of Winterset. Urbandale woman killed, five injured in Bremer County crash An adult male was transported to a Des Moines hospital with injuries. His exact condition is not known at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Madison County SO was assisted by the Earlham Fire Department, Madison County Ambulance, and Iowa Methodist air ambulance. Metro 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 who13.com. MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56) There are still several school districts at the time of writing that have not started the 2025-2026 school year. That includes Rockcastle County schools, which go back on Monday. While the majority of students will return to the classroom in person, several will be attending virtually through a unique program. That program is called MyRock Online. This school year marks the 6th year of the program, which began due to the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fast forward a couple of years, and district leaders like Director of Student Success Marcus Reppert said the decision to continue the virtual program was the best thing for students and families in the county. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Reppert said the world is changing and shifting to a more digital one, so they want to adapt to the times. MyRock Online is only open to students who are in grade 6 or higher. Its meant to provide some flexibility for students and families who are in unique situations where in-person learning is too much of a challenge, in an environment where a students education will not be interrupted too much by whatever may be going on in their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that said though, Reppert said in-person should be the norm. We know that in-person learning is the best for all of our students, but there are situations and circumstances where we can provide a quality, virtual education for students that are in unique circumstances, Reppert said. I think its been a great benefit to some of our families, and I think its been a great benefit to our community, generally speaking. The program resets every semester, so students arent tied to being remote for a full school year. Read more of the latest Kentucky news Reppert said the key to the programs success has been keeping students disciplined. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each student is required to sign a contract before they start in the program; its an agreement to ensure each student puts forth maximum effort. Throughout the semester, Reppert said they hold in-person check-ins with each student in the program. This is to ensure kids are staying on track with their schoolwork and upholding the values of the program. If a student is struggling, this is an opportunity for tutoring as well as various counseling services they may receive. Its also a chance to keep kids connected to the rest of their school community. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre regularly enrolled students, and they can participate in all the things that the public schools have to offer, Repper said. That provides them an opportunity to stay connected to the campus, to the staff, to the teachers and to make sure that they can have a part in all of those opportunities and activities. Reppert also noted MyRock Online has helped students and staff when there are Non-Traditional Instruction, also known as NTI days, because while different, the infrastructure is already in place. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Washington state politicians and many more around the country cheered when the Albertsons-Kroger merger was blocked. They said it was about protecting workers and consumers. But walk through Kent, Renton, or Shoreline today and ask yourself are families really better off? This week, Kroger announced it will shut down at least six Fred Meyer grocery stores in Washington state. Hundreds of workers will lose their paychecks. Thousands of families will lose a neighborhood store. Shorelines mayor warned that the closure will leave a food desert in his city. Union leaders admit the closures will be devastating for employees. Politicians said the failed merger was a win. Today, it's a gut punch to working families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The truth is, the Albertsons-Kroger merger was about survival. Grocery competition doesnt just come from the store down the street anymore it comes from Amazon dropping food on your doorstep, Walmart offering rock-bottom prices, and Costco selling everything in bulk. Albertsons and Kroger needed each other to stand a chance. But politicians in Washington, D.C., Olympia and Seattle couldnt resist meddling. Washington state, in fact, spent $1,100 an hour fighting the merger, even though union leaders supported it. Politicians pressured regulators to block the merger, calling it anti-competitive. The irony? The real anti-competitive move is closing stores. An empty storefront doesnt give families more options it wipes them out. Now, instead of stronger regional competition, Washington families get fewer choices, longer drives and lost jobs. Rural and working-class communities will feel it the most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its time to stop pretending that stopping businesses from adapting is somehow protecting consumers. If politicians truly cared about competition, theyd welcome efforts to build grocery chains strong enough to take on Amazon, Walmart and Costco. Instead, their grandstanding has left our communities worse off. The closures in Kent, Renton and Shoreline should be a wake-up call. When politicians play politics with our economy, its ordinary people who pay the price at the checkout line, in lost jobs and in shuttered stores. Chris Cargill is the President of Mountain States Policy Center, an independent free market think tank based in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Eastern Washington. Online at mountainstatespolicy.org. The League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County advocates for vote centers in Delaware County because vote centers can offer increased access for voting, convenience for the voter, fewer expenses for the county, election security and the possibility of a Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail. The Indiana General Assembly approved vote centers in 2011. More than two-thirds 67 of our 92 counties now use vote centers as opposed to precinct polling locations. (See https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/voter-information/ways-to-vote/vote-centers/ .) In Delaware County, vote centers would allow voters who live in the 98 precincts to vote anywhere in the county, not at just one polling place based on the precinct where they live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the Republican and Democratic Party chairmen support vote centers, but the positions they outlined in their StarPress opinion pieces in mid-June did not agree on the details. As a result, the League of Women Voters believes that voters need to hear from the Republican and Democratic Party chairmen directly and be able to question and offer comments to them. They are not elected officials, yet between them, they control the actions of the election board. The League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County stands ready to assist in a public information campaign about vote centers. We will host a panel discussion about vote centers at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, in the auditorium of Muncie Central High School. Invited panelists are Chad Kinsella, executive director of the Voting System Technical Oversight Program for Indiana; Delaware County Clerk Rick Spangler; and Delaware County Republican and Democratic Party chairmen, Tim Overton and Andrew Dale, respectively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decision about vote centers for Delaware County is expected to be made in early September. The League of Women Voters has supported efforts by our Delaware County election officials to implement a vote center plan through the terms of both Democratic and Republican clerks. The league praised County Clerk Rick Spangler when he supported two of his staff members to study the potential of vote centers in Delaware County. As newly certified and trained election officials, the county clerks staff members then gave an informative public presentation. Their presentation led league members to hope that Delaware County was ready to pass a vote center plan. When the vote for vote centers was taken in 2023, it was a no. The 44 precinct polling places that were used for the 2024 elections could have been reduced by half if vote centers had been approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote centers also can reduce election expenses, 90% of which are election workers pay and meals, according to an article in The Star Press in 2021. So, we still have no vote center plan. Approval requires all members of the election board to vote yes. The board is comprised of the county clerk and a representative from each of the Republican and Democratic parties. We stress that vote centers can offer advantages over multiple precinct polling sites, and we hope the vote in September is a yes for vote centers. Whichever plan is adopted, it should take the following recommendations into consideration: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote centers should be along major bus routes. Vote center locations should take residential and employment concentrations into account. Options allow vote centers to be open a different number of days and hours in the month before an election. Some might be open the two Saturdays before Election Day or the entire week before. But under Indiana law IC 3-11-10-26.3, there must be at least the main early voting site, which is the Delaware County building on Main Street, and one other early voting site located somewhere in the county open on the two Saturdays immediately before an election day. Remember to mark the Aug. 28 public meeting about vote centers on your calendar and make plans now to attend. The League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County is committed to empowering voters by increasing our voter turnout in Delaware County, which is in the teens for May primary elections and less than 65% in November presidential elections. Because too few citizens in Indiana vote, Indiana ranks 50th in the nation for voter turnout. The use of vote centers would help make democracy work better for all citizens of Delaware County and encourage more county citizens to vote. Linda Hanson is president of the Indiana League of Women Voters and spokeswoman for the League of Women Voters of Muncie-Delaware County. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Op-ed: Its time for Delaware County to implement vote centers Days after the National Guard stormed into Los Angeles against the will of local officials, tanks rolled through the streets of Washington, D.C. for a showy military parade. It was billed as a patriotic celebration, but its real purpose was to send a message: that the machinery of war belongs in our neighborhoods, that force can be normalized as part of public life, and that those in power are prepared to use it to keep their grip. It was a warning of what was to come. In recent weeks, we have witnessed something unprecedented in modern American politics: a president openly fusing authoritarian power with oligarch wealth to suppress dissent, consolidate control and shield the elite from accountability. President Trumps federal takeover of the D.C. police, paired with his plan to put National Guard troops in the streets of our nations capital, is not just another abuse of authority. It is part of a deliberate strategy to use the machinery of the state, from militarized police to the surveillance networks of Big Tech, to keep the public in check while protecting the most powerful from scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not happening in isolation. These same tech giants, financiers and corporate barons poured millions into Trumps campaign. Now they are reaping the rewards: federal contracts, deregulation and a free hand to turn public institutions into private profit centers. Their investment in Trump has bought more than access. It has bought protection. The Jeffrey Epstein scandal shows exactly what this merger of oligarchy and authoritarianism is designed to preserve. The web of billionaires, political insiders and intelligence connections at its core is not just protected by the system. It is intertwined with it. Federalizing D.C.s police is not merely a distraction from Epstein. It is part of the same apparatus. When those implicated in corruption control the levers of justice, accountability becomes impossible. The pattern is clear. In Los Angeles, Trump deployed the National Guard against the will of local officials. In D.C., he has seized control of the police. The next city could be Chicago. Each move makes it easier to accept military or federally controlled police as a normal response to political opposition. Behind it all is the invisible infrastructure of the surveillance state, powered by private data brokers, artificial intelligence contractors and social media giants. These companies are not bystanders. They are partners, using their technology to monitor, profile and chill dissent while receiving lucrative government deals in return. This is the modern security state, an arm of Big Tech serving the political ambitions of an authoritarian president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of that architecture traces back to billionaire Peter Thiel and his allies, including David Sacks, who have used companies like Palantir to fuse corporate and state power into a single apparatus of control. Palantirs software has been deployed to fuel Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids on immigrant families, enable predictive policing in American cities, and track targets for military operations abroad all while securing billions in federal contracts under Trump. This is not just surveillance; it is a political weapon, designed to protect the interests of those at the top by keeping workers, immigrants and activists under constant watch. The merger between authoritarianism and oligarchy is the greatest threat to our democracy in modern history. It means the same elite class that benefits from Trumps policies also controls the tools to silence those who challenge them. And it means that the people who most need protection, including working families, immigrants, communities of color, whistleblowers and journalists, are instead treated as targets. History will not remember who stayed quiet. It will remember who stood up. It will remember who met an authoritarian power grab with urgency and solidarity, and who chose to retreat to the comfort of elite enclaves like Marthas Vineyard, shoulder to shoulder with the very donor class and political power brokers whose wealth and influence help keep this corrupt system in place. This is not a time for caution or delay. Congress must act to block this takeover, rein in the abuse of emergency powers, and preserve the line between civilian and military authority. Once that line is crossed, it will not easily be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joseph Geevarghese is executive director of Our Revolution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Early Friday morning, FBI agents searched the home of John Bolton, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump who previously served as his national security adviser. The early-morning knock on Boltons door should be a wake-up call to every American. This escalation in the Trump administrations use of law enforcement to target political opposition marks a dangerous new front for American authoritarianism. The multiyear feud between the president and his former adviser is no secret. Bolton left the first Trump administration after 17 months. Trump claims he fired him, while Bolton said he offered to resign. Since then, Bolton has harshly criticized Trump, alleging that he placed personal political interests over national security. Search warrants require judicial approval, but because they often remain sealed for months, the allegations and evidence supporting Boltons warrant are opaque. Initial reports described the search as part of an investigation into whether Bolton leaked sensitive national security information to the news in order to damage Trump. Subsequent reporting added that the search was based on intelligence collected abroad by the CIA now headed by sharp Trump partisans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the authors dealt daily with such intel as a diplomat and knows how unreliable and easily manipulated it can be. Skepticism is also in order because Trumps subordinates have leveled similar accusations against his former adviser before. In June 2020, Bolton was preparing to publish his memoir about working for Trump. The Justice Department sued to block the books publication and seize its profits, claiming that Bolton had breached a nondisclosure agreement by including national security information. The suit failed because the book had already been distributed, but at the time, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth questioned whether Bolton had gambled with national security and exposed himself to civil and potentially criminal liability. In September 2020, after the book was published, the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation and convened a grand jury. However, the classification expert who oversaw the books prepublication review for the National Security Council later documented in a letter filed in court that the book was cleared of classified material. In the letter, the officials attorneys described how the apolitical process had been commandeered by political appointees for a seemingly political purpose. The letter suggested a bad-faith campaign against Bolton, and The New York Times reported that the officials account implied that the Justice Department may have told a court that the book contains classified information and opened a criminal investigation into Mr. Bolton based on false pretenses. The Biden administration closed the investigation the following year. Since then, the relationship between Trump and Bolton has soured even further. Bolton was highly critical of Trump leading up to the 2024 election, predicting that a second administration would bring a constitutional crisis. In recent weeks, Bolton has strongly condemned Trumps meeting with Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine, saying that the Russian dictator had already won even before the Alaska summit began. Trump, for his part, has described his former adviser as a lowlife who should be in jail and one of the dumbest people in government. On Friday, despite denying advance knowledge of the search, the president again called Bolton a lowlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the coming days, more information about the investigation will inevitably emerge. And just as inevitably, Trumps critics will denounce the search and his supporters will cheer it, conveniently ignoring their criticism of the Justice Departments 2022 execution of a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago that led to Trump being indicted for mishandling classified documents. Many Americans will shrug off this incident as more partisan warfare in an increasingly hostile arena. That would be a mistake. As President Harry Truman rightly declared 75 years ago, Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear. Trumps DOJ has already shown a willingness to weaponize the justice system in unprecedented and dangerous ways: His administration is engaged in retaliatory investigations of those who investigated him, like New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff. It has launched a series of widely derided prosecutions, including of Judge Hannah Dugan, Rep. LaMonica McIver, labor leader David Huerta and wrongly deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Attorney General Pam Bondis DOJ has also filed a baseless ethics complaint against a judge who ruled against the administration; sued all the federal judges in Maryland; and opened a grand jury focused on Obama administration officials who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 election. The Bolton search, however, crosses yet another red line. Having FBI agents bang on your door early in the morning, enter your home and seize your property is terrifying. It is an obvious act of intimidation, and another example of this administration putting the president and his allies above the law while weaponizing the law against his perceived enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same legal apparatus can be wielded against anyone: judges who conclude his policies are unconstitutional; journalists who expose political corruption; members of Congress who vote against his legislation; even ordinary citizens who may have written a letter or a post on social media that he objects to. We have seen these tactics throughout history: from the Stasi police in East Germany and the DINA in Augusto Pinochets Chile and many other darker examples to current regimes in Russia, China and Iran. In many of those countries, there was a time when people never thought they would be subject to that kind of oppression, or the deterioration that followed. They believed it could never happen there. We know what happened next. And we must all be clear-eyed about the danger confronting us, whether you currently disagree with the president or not. After all, there was a time when John Bolton would not have dreamed that FBI agents would be entering his home one August morning. Fridays search was a message not just to Bolton, but to all of Trumps adversaries and indeed to every American paying attention. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Trumps recent decree that the states must follow his orders to get rid of voting machines and voting by mail is wrong in every way. Its wrong on substance, wrong on policy and wrong on the Constitution. Its one of the many ways Trump is trying to take power away from voters to maximize his control over the country now and in the future and thats wrong, too. Trumps obsession with discredited conspiracy theories about mail-in ballots and voting machines is tied up with his refusal to accept that voters rejected him in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man who cant stop talking about a supposedly rigged election wants to rig future elections to give Republicans more power than they deserve. Abusive redistricting is part of that plan. Making it harder for millions of people to vote is another. The presidents insistence that he can force states to abandon voting systems that have been proven to be safe, accurate and accessible in favor of less accurate and more expensive hand-counting of paper ballots is a sign of how far his vision of a dictatorial presidency has gone to his head. It is also giving us one more test of Republican lawmakers willingness to abandon principle and the rule of law to stay on Trumps good side. The conservative editors of the National Review helpfully pointed out the constitutional flaws in Trumps scheme, but Im still not terribly optimistic that congressional Republicans will pass this test. Its not exactly breaking news that Republicans have repeatedly abandoned previously held positions to align themselves with the score-keeping Trump White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, its worth remembering how Republican leaders responded when Democrats tried to pass legislation to expand federal voting rights protections and overturn some voter suppression laws passed by Republican-led states. Congressional Republicans opposed the legislation, warning that it would federalize our elections and unconstitutionally erode the ability of states to oversee elections. Just last year, Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans claimed that the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would federalize our state-run election system and unconstitutionally override states ability to oversee their elections. Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) said Its about federal control over state and local elections, which by the way is unconstitutional. But that was all before Trump declared that the States are merely an agent for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets see if Republicans appeals to federalism when opposing congressional action to protect voting rights disappear when theyre faced with a punitive Trump asserting the power to make it harder for many people to vote, including people with disabilities. That would also be the outcome of the GOPs SAVE Act and other efforts promoted by the MAGA movements election integrity machine. This whole scenario was made even more strange and troubling by the fact that Trump cited Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as a source for his bogus claim that no other nations use voting by mail. Its not even close to being true. And why would anyone, much less Trump, argue that Putin should have anything to say about how the U.S. runs its elections? The truth is that dozens of other countries use vote by mail. So do many states, including red states, which have run successful vote by mail programs for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having mail voting as an option reduces challenges to voting for millions of people, including those with work and family obligations as well as older and disabled voters. Having the option to vote by mail increases voter participation, something our election policies should encourage, not discourage. In fact, Trumps obsessions may not be all that helpful to Republicans in many states who invested millions of dollars to catch up with, and in some places surpass, Democrats traditional strength in turning out voters by mail. Even if Trump isnt successful in forcing change on the states by next years midterms, his rhetoric denouncing mail-in balloting may confuse or discourage some of his supporters. White House rhetoric since Trumps states must do as I say post suggests that others in the administration recognize that the president cannot simply upend election systems by executive order, and that hell have to put pressure on Congress and state legislators to get what he wants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given Republican officials eagerness to do just about anything to stay on Trumps good side, that might not be much of an impediment to his destructive plans. Trumps flagrantly unconstitutional attempt to take power away from the voters must be resisted on all fronts. The Supreme Court and congressional Republicans who have done little to date to protect Americans from an abusive power-hungry president must find the will to step up. Svante Myrick is president of People For the American Way . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Related video: Assault on Gaza could Destroy the Soul of Israel, Ex-PM Tells The Hill I The Niall Stanage Show A growing number of experts, including two respected Israeli NGOs and a genocide scholar, have recently determined that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has challenged these allegations, asserting that if Israel wanted to commit genocide, We could have done the Dresden bombing on them, but we dont because thats not the way we conduct war. Netanyahus invocation of the February 1945 firebombing of Dresden is presumably meant to create a stark contrast to an episode that represents a nonpareil example of excessive wartime devastation. But the dreadful reality is that Israel effectively has done the Dresden bombing in the course of its military campaign in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Damage mapping shows that Israel has in fact destroyed the built environment in Gaza at a rate comparable to the destruction in Dresden, particularly in northern Gaza. Independently of whether Israel is committing genocide, this destruction of Gaza has violated international law, going well beyond the permissible parameters for using force in self-defense. During the first year of Israels war against Hamas in Gaza, Israeli forces damaged or destroyed nearly 60 percent of all buildings in all of Gaza and 70 percent of all housing stock. In the two northern governorates, damage rates were particularly severe: 70 percent and 74 percent of all buildings were damaged or destroyed, and 80 percent of all housing stock. This is comparable to the level of damage in Dresden, where 80 percent of residential buildings, 56 percent of non-industrial buildings, and 23 percent of industrial buildings were damaged or destroyed. By July 2025, 78 percent of all buildings across all of Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, comparable to damage rates in Dresden. Overall damage rates in Gaza also surpass the damage in Nagasaki (40 percent) and Hiroshima (67 percent) after the atomic bomb detonations in 1945. Beyond World War II, the damage inflicted in Gaza dwarfs damage rates in other modern, highly destructive urban wars like those in Ukraine or Syria. Damage to infrastructure necessary for civilian survival has been similarly severe, with 94 percent of all health facilities and 84 percent of all water, sanitation and hygiene facilities across Gaza damaged or destroyed in the first 10 months of the war alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nor can this level of damage be justified as a valid exercise of Israels right of self-defense, as some of Israels supporters have argued. While Israel undoubtedly has the right to use force to defend itself following Hamass brutal October 7 attacks, this does not grant Israel the right to use any amount of force it deems necessary to eliminate any possible future threat it believes Hamas poses, no matter how tenuous or far in the future. Nor may Israel disregard the consequences for Gaza or its civilian population. Instead, Israel is bound by international law under the centuries-old principle of jus ad bellum proportionality, which dictates that Israel may not cause damage and harm in Gaza that is excessive in view of reducing tangible threats of future attacks from Hamas. The damage Israel has wrought onto Gaza is excessive in view of reducing tangible threats of future attacks from Hamas, going even beyond rates of damage in other destructive modern conflicts. Indeed, we argue in a forthcoming publication that Israels decision to pursue a full-scale ground invasion with the strategic objective of eliminating Hamass military capabilities and removing it from political power violated international law from the beginning. Israeli officials knew they could not have achieved this far-reaching objective without significant destruction of Gaza, given contextual information that was well-known to them at the time: Gaza is densely populated and has limited areas for civilians to flee or seek safety, that Hamas has integrated its military capabilities within the Gazan civilian population to be sure, in some cases in violation of international law and that Hamas has built an extensive network of tunnels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International law is not a suicide pact, and Israel had other options available to reduce tangible threats of future Hamas attacks and restore its security, as senior U.S. military experts then advised Israeli officials. But it chose not to pursue those options, and inflicted on Gaza and the Palestinian people a level of damage comparable to Dresden and worse than the atomic bomb detonations. The era in which this level of devastation is seen as an acceptable way of waging war is over. Israel must be meaningfully pressured by allied states to end the war. Allied states providing security support to Israel should immediately halt forms of security cooperation that are assisting the use of excessive force in Gaza, as some have already done. This may force Israel to face a difficult reality: that it cannot achieve its strategic objective of eliminating Hamass military capabilities and removing it from political power without violating international law. But Israels inability to accept this to date has produced intolerable devastation for Gaza and the Palestinians who live there. Its well past time to end current hostilities. Bailey Ulbricht is the founding executive director of the Stanford Humanitarian Program, a research program at Stanford Law School aimed at reducing harm in conflict settings. Allen S. Weiner is senior lecturer in law at Stanford Law School. He served as a career international lawyer in the State Department from 1990 to 2001 and as legal counselor at the U.S. Embassy in the Hague. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. iPhone revenue increased 13% year over year in the period, helping to push total sales up 10% compared to the prior-year period. The performance marked Apple's strongest quarterly sales growth since the end of 2021. Notably, Berkshire made its move to sell another 20 million shares of Apple stock before the tech giant's latest quarterly report. At the end of July, Apple published results for the third quarter of its current fiscal year -- a period that ended June 28. Sales and earnings in the period actually crushed the market's expectations, with the company's per-share profit of $1.57 on sales of $94.04 billion coming in far ahead of the average analyst estimate's call for a per-share profit of $1.43 on sales of $89.53 billion. Apple is still Berkshire's biggest public stock holding and accounts for roughly 21.4% of its stock portfolio as of this writing, but Buffett's company has rapidly cut its holdings since it began selling shares in the fourth quarter of 2023. While Berkshire's move to build up a cash position of approximately $344 billion suggests that the company is taking a relatively cautious approach to the stock market, there are also business-specific dynamics that could be driving its move out of Apple. Not long ago, Apple actually accounted for over half of Berkshire's total public stock portfolio. Buffett's company once owned more than 900 million shares of the tech giant's stock. As of the investment conglomerate's last update, it had trimmed its position in Apple to 280 million shares. Apple stock stands out as a notable underperformer in the tech sector this year, with shares down roughly 10% across 2025's trading despite a gain of 8.4% for the S&P 500 and a gain of 9.4% for the Nasdaq Composite across the stretch. Berkshire moved to sell another 20 million shares of Apple in Q2, but there are likely factors driving the divestment trend that extend far beyond the stock's generally bearish movement this year. Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) published its latest 13F filing at the middle of August, giving investors some government-mandated insight into the stock buying and selling moves made by CEO Warren Buffett's company in the second quarter. Notably, the investment conglomerate once again moved to sell a substantial number of Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) shares. Uneven business results and underwhelming momentum in AI could partially explain why Buffett's company has cut its position in Apple. Berkshire used to own more than 900 million shares of Apple stock, but it now holds 280 million. Story Continues It's possible that Buffett and the investment conglomerate's portfolio managers would have made a different decision with the benefit of knowing that the iPhone company was seeing a substantial sales growth acceleration. On the other hand, the tech leader's sales expansion has generally been pretty sluggish in recent years. Apple's trailing-12-month (TTM) revenue is up just 4% over the last three years. Meanwhile, fellow megacap tech stalwart Microsoft has seen its TTM sales increase 39% across the stretch. While Apple's sales saw a big jump last quarter, it's possible that consumer purchasing ahead of tariffs and other one-off catalysts were big contributors to the jump. Apple appears to be behind in AI Compared to some other leading tech companies, Apple appears to have been caught flatfooted in the artificial intelligence (AI) race. The company's Apple Intelligence platform hasn't been a big performance driver, and reports of internal development issues were followed by news that the launch of its Siri AI technology had been pushed out to 2026 at the earliest. The iPhone maker's massive user base and strong tech foundations give it some natural strengths in the AI space, but it's possible that Buffett and his advisors are seeing issues with the lack of results in the category so far. With Apple seemingly coming up short on AI thus far and generally weak growth in the saturated mobile market, the company is under pressure to deliver hit new products and services. Big trouble in China? Weak performance in China and issues related to tariffs and manufacturing have been key elements in the story behind Apple's disappointing stock performance lately. While sales in China were up 4% year over year in fiscal Q3, the performance was driven in part by government subsidies that boosted purchases for some of the company's devices. For comparison, sales in the country were down 2% year over year in fiscal Q2 and 11% year over year in fiscal Q1. In addition to issues connected to the rollout of Apple Intelligence, Chinese customers have generally been showing increasing preference for domestic brands. New import taxes and other geopolitical and macroeconomic dynamics also present challenges for Apple. While the company has made a commitment to invest $600 billion to build out its U.S. manufacturing base, it still relies on Chinese factories for much of its production. As a result, Apple is facing some significant pressures connected to tariffs. Compared to other "Magnificent Seven" tech players, the company faces higher risks if relations between the U.S. and China continue to worsen. While it's impossible to state exactly why Berkshire is selling out of Apple without an insider read on the situation, there are multiple dynamics that help explain why Buffett's company has been reducing its position in the stock. That doesn't mean that Apple won't be successful over the long term, but Berkshire's big divestment moves are notable in light of challenges facing the tech giant. Should you buy stock in Apple right now? Before you buy stock in Apple, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Apple wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $649,657!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,090,993!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,057% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 185% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 18, 2025 Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Why Is Warren Buffett Dumping Apple Stock Right Now? was originally published by The Motley Fool Opinion. With a deadline looming for the ownership transfer of Oak Flat to Resolution Copper, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week granted an emergency injunction that temporarily halted the transfer. Within 24 hours, President Donald Trump weighed in on the debate with inflammatory, ill-informed rhetoric on social media. He called the appeals court a Radical Left Court for issuing the emergency injunction blocking the transfer of Oak Flat to foreign-owned mining interests. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his post, Trump wrote our country, quite simply, needs copperand NOW. He went further, labeling those who oppose the mine as anti-American, suggesting theyre working against the interests of the United States. Trumps claim hinges on job creation and the importance of domestic copper production. But heres the truth: Resolution Copper, the company poised to benefit from this land transfer, is not American-owned. Its a joint venture between two of the worlds largest mining conglomerates Rio Tinto of Australia and BHP of the United Kingdom. Another fact you should know: The Chinese state-owned Aluminum Corporation of China, or Chinalco, is the largest single shareholder in Rio Tinto, with a 14.99% stake. Adding to the irony, China is also the worlds largest customer for copper, meaning this U.S. land transfer could ultimately enrich a Chinese state-owned firm and feed Chinas supply chains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oak Flat, known as Chichil Bidagoteel to the Apache, is far more than a piece of land sitting on copper deposits. It is sacred landa place of prayer and ceremony. For generations, Apache people and other tribal people have visited Oak Flat to perform ceremonies tied to their faith and culture. For Native Americans, it can be compared to what Jerusalem is to Christians or Mecca to Muslims. The area, about 40 miles east of Phoenix, is a sacred ceremonial site for the Apache and listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Property. Resolution Copper plans to eventually turn Oak Flat into a massive mining crater roughly two miles wide and over 1,000 feet deep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Resolution Coppers proposed mine isnt your average hole in the ground. The mining technique they plan to use called block caving would create a massive crater that would obliterate Oak Flats ancient oak groves, ceremonial grounds and natural springs. The site would be destroyed permanently. This kind of irreversible ecological devastation cannot be justified by vague promises of economic prosperity. The people of Arizona, including many tribal and rural communities, know that the history of boom-and-bust mining economies leaves behind more ghost towns and polluted aquifers than long-term economic resilience. Trump frames this as a jobs issue, but he fails to acknowledge that many of these mining jobs are temporary. What is permanent, however, is the destruction of the Apache peoples holy site. The land swap was authorized by a last-minute addition to the fiscal 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, pushed through by former U.S. senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, both Republicans who represented the state of Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, Apache Stronghold and environmental organizations have spent years in court battling to protect Chichil Bildagoteel. The legal fight has seen wins and losses in their efforts to preserve the Oak Flat. After last weeks injunction was announced, San Carlos Apache Tribe Chairman Terry Rambler weighed in on the situation. He said as first Americans, his tribe agrees on the importance of protecting Americas interest. Unfortunately, the presidents comments mirror misinformation that has been repeated by foreign mining interests that want to extract American copper, Rambler said. They will dig up $160 billion in copper and, under current law, pay almost no royalties. This proposed mine is a rip-off, will destroy a sacred area, decimate our environment, threaten our water rights and is bad for America. Rambler said he welcomes an opportunity to sit down with the Trump administration and provide factual information to protect American interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is defending the transfer of sacred Native land to foreign companies not for the good of the American people, but for the benefit of corporate shareholders overseas. And yet, he dares to call the Apache Tribe, Apache Stronghold and other Native defenders of Oak Flat anti-American. The hypocrisy is staggering. When Trump dismisses the efforts to protect this sacred site as an obstacle to American progress, he fails to grasp the fundamental values on which this country was founded. Religious freedom is not a partisan ideal; it is a constitutional right. Yet when it comes to Native peoples, it is all too often treated as a footnote something to be sacrificed in the name of resource extraction. If Trump is so concerned about American copper supply, why support a plan where much of the mined copper could well be exported to China? Thats not just poor policy its deeply dishonest politics. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Tara Hyde, CEO of the Kentucky-based nonprofit People Advocating Recovery, says she has been in recovery for more than a decade from an addiction that began with prescription painkillers. Today she helps others enter recovery and works to reduce stigma around addiction. She wants to see pharmacy benefit managers and other companies held accountable for their role in the overdose crisis. (Photo by Sam Foree) UnitedHealth Groups multibillion-dollar pharmacy benefit manager, Optum Rx, is suing five Kentucky counties in an attempt to force them out of national opioid litigation against the company. Pharmacy benefit managers, often called PBMs, act as middlemen that negotiate prescription drug prices between drug companies, insurance plans, and pharmacies. Some lawyers and advocates say PBMs helped fuel the overdose crisis by failing to restrict the flow of opioid prescriptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As governments begin exploring potential lawsuits against PBMs a step that could represent the next wave in opioid-related litigation Optum Rx is attempting to shut down those efforts, in some cases before they even fully take shape. In June, Optum Rx sued Anderson, Boyd, Christian, Nicholas, and Oldham counties in Kentucky for allegedly making decisions about participating in the new wave of national opioid lawsuits behind closed doors, violating Kentuckys open meetings law. Optum Rx is asking courts to effectively force those counties to make their decisions again, this time in open meetings, potentially with the hope that some wont bother because of the administrative burden. The result could be fewer claims against the company and possibly less money for it to pay in a future settlement. But legal experts call Optums case hypertechnical and frivolous, and addiction recovery advocates say it could set a dangerous precedent for companies to evade accountability for their role in fueling the overdose crisis. Christine Minhee, an attorney, a national expert on opioid litigation, and founder of OpioidSettlementTracker.com, said Optums suit reminded her of an adage among lawyers: If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the law is on your side, pound the law. If neither is on your side, pound the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, what were seeing is it pounding the table, Minhee said of Optum Rx. The company is desperately trying to find some kind of foothold to get cases against it thrown out. Minhee said these suits fit a pattern of Optum Rx using thin arguments to try to delay or evade opioid litigation nationwide. Christine Minhee says Optums suit reminds her of an adage among lawyers: If the facts are on your side, pound the facts. If the law is on your side, pound the law. If neither is on your side, pound the table. (Christine Minhee courtesy photo) Last year, Optum Rx, along with another PBM, asked a judge to throw out an opioid lawsuit filed by Los Angeles County, claiming during a December hearing that the county hadnt shown harm. The judge appeared skeptical of the claims and ultimately rejected the companies request. In April, the same companies tried to oust a federal judge overseeing national opioid litigation, claiming he was biased. Their argument was based partly on a Florida lawyers having said the judge was plaintiff-oriented. Their attempt failed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Optum Rx is working to keep five Kentucky counties out of that same sweeping opioid litigation. That national legal undertaking began more than seven years ago, as jurisdictions saw overdose deaths climb. Many people who had become addicted to prescription painkillers were cut off by their doctors, and some transitioned to using deadlier heroin or fentanyl. Health care and public safety costs skyrocketed. Thousands of cities, counties, and states began suing health care companies for allegedly creating a public nuisance by aggressively marketing prescription painkillers and negligently distributing them. Those cases were lassoed together into the giant multidistrict litigation, which has resulted in massive settlements. The first few waves of settlements involved opioid manufacturers, distributors, and retail pharmacies, with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, CVS, and Walgreens agreeing to pay state and local governments billions of dollars. The money is meant to be used for addiction treatment and prevention services though its rollout has been controversial. To add a new round of companies as defendants, jurisdictions must undertake a multistep process, said Peter Mougey, a Florida-based attorney who represents many local governments in the massive national litigation. The five Kentucky counties in question were in the early stages of that process, only having asked the judge to amend their complaint, he said. They hadnt added Optum Rx yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Optum Rxs suits are successful, those counties would have the option of redoing the initial steps of the process in a public meeting, then continuing to add Optum Rx as a defendant, Mougey explained. The company may hope that some counties wont undertake the extra administrative effort. Optum Rxs goal is clearly just to wear down and tire out these small counties, Mougey said. Theyre trying to have a chilling effect on the litigation. Its not clear why Optum Rx targeted those five counties out of the many localities undertaking the process to add the company as a defendant. The Kentucky counties range from having fewer than 8,000 residents (Nicholas) to more than 70,000 (Christian). One is among the richest in Kentucky (Oldham), while others are poorer. Boyd County, in Appalachia, is one of the hardest hit, with a recent overdose rate twice the state average. Optum Rx, in its filing against Boyd County, which was similar to claims against the other counties, said local authorities had taken official legal action by asking the judge to make a change in its case. The suit said such action must be done in a public meeting and that the county did not hold one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Optum spokesperson Isaac Sorensen told KFF Health News that the companys argument is not about a technicality. It is an important legal requirement designed to ensure accountability and transparency before a county takes legal action, said the statement Sorensen provided. We have found many counties ignored this requirement, alongside their duty to preserve relevant evidence, and Optum Rx will defend against these improper legal actions. The five Kentucky counties disagree with these assertions, according to court records. As of late July, all five had filed motions to dismiss Optum Rxs claim. Boyd County, like the others, argued in its motion to dismiss that asking a judge to amend its complaint was a routine, procedural step that did not require a public meeting. Optum Rx jumped the gun, the county argued, filing a case before any final action had been taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No amended complaint has been filed. No new defendant, OptumRx included, has been added. No new lawsuit has been initiated, Boyd Countys response said. The county also pointed out that it held an open meeting in 2017 that kicked off its involvement in the national litigation and authorized future amendments to that litigation. Hearings on the counties motions to dismiss Optum Rxs suits are set for late August and early September, according to court records. These cases are shaping up to be a Goliath-versus-David legal action. Although Oldham County is the wealthiest of the Kentucky counties that Optum Rx sued, its most recent budget is less than 0.1% of Optum Rxs annual revenue, which the company reported as exceeding $133 billion in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oldham County Attorney D. Berry Baxter told KFF Health News hed seen the impact of the opioid epidemic as a prosecutor working on a growing number of drug-related cases over the years. Now, as settlement money is arriving from other companies, it has funded increased addiction treatment in local jails. More settlement money from additional companies could expand such services, Baxter said. If Optum Rx succeeds in kicking Kentucky counties out of the national litigation, it would set a really horrific precedent for other PBMs and health care companies to do something similar, said Tara Hyde, CEO of the statewide nonprofit People Advocating Recovery. Hyde said shes been in recovery for more than a decade from an addiction that began with prescription painkillers for a broken leg. She wants to see PBMs and other companies held accountable and made to change their processes to prevent future crises. Despite a recent decrease in overdose deaths nationwide, Hyde said people in her state, their families, and the economy are still hurting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recovery doesnt just happen overnight, she said. Without these dollars that have been a direct result of people being misled, mistreated, and taken advantage of, we will still be detrimentally impacted. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. George Orwells dystopian novels Animal Farm and 1984 have remained popular in the U.S. ever since their initial publication in the 1940s. Whats less well known is that in the years before the publication of Animal Farm and 1984, Orwells writing often focused primarily on other themes including work, poverty, anti-imperialism and democratic socialism. In fact, Orwell remained a committed democratic socialist until his death in 1950. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Animal Farm tells the tale of a group of farm animals who take ownership of their farm from their human master by means of rebellion, but who eventually end up re-enslaved by the farms pigs. 1984 tells the story of one mans failed attempt to resist totalitarian rule in a hypothetical future dictatorship set in Orwells home country of England. Part of these books initial appeal came from their critiques of Soviet communism as the U.S. was entering the Cold War. Part of why the books seem to have remained popular are their anti-totalitarian and pro-freedom messages, which have been praised by people across the U.S. political spectrum. Orwell, who died of tuberculosis at age 46, is a writer famous for the ideas that preoccupied him in the final years of his life. His journey to those ideas via his thinking about work, poverty and democratic socialism, among other themes, may surprise those familiar with only his dystopian fiction. Communism and socialism not synonymous Orwells democratic socialism may surprise some Americans for at least two reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, when many Americans talk about politics, they often treat communism and socialism as interchangeable terms. How could Orwell, the great satirist of Soviet communism, have been a socialist? The answer is that communism and socialism are not synonymous. Author George Orwell was a committed democratic socialist until his death. Bettman/Getty Images Orwell denied that Soviet communism was a form of socialism. Instead, he saw Soviet communism as totalitarianism merely masquerading as socialism. Orwell claimed in his 1937 book, The Road to Wigan Pier, that Socialism means justice and common decency and a commitment to the overthrow of tyranny. Elsewhere in the same book, he maligned communisms anti-democratic behavior as like sawing off the branch you are sitting on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second reason that Orwells commitment to democratic socialism may surprise some is because in the U.S., democratic socialism is often associated with the nations most left-leaning political figures, such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. And Orwell is often not viewed in popular imagination as a political progressive. Yet, by American standards, Orwell was very politically progressive. He argued in The Lion and the Unicorn that his home country of England ought to nationalize mines, railways, banks and major industries. He also argued for limits on income inequality. Some of these policies run to the left of even most U.S. democratic socialists. For Orwell, such left-leaning economic policies were not only compatible with, but required, a strong commitment to the central pillars of democracy, such as intellectual freedom, free speech, a free press and genuine rule by the people. I think the best way to understand how these aspects of Orwells political views came together is to look at the evolution of his writing. Work and poverty Two of the most important themes in Orwells first decade as a professional writer, the 1930s, are work and poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are what he focused on most in his first book, the autobiographical Down and Out in Paris and London, published in 1933. There he recounts his experiences living among the poor and unemployed in France and England in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The book is full of pithy insights, such as poverty frees people from ordinary standards of behavior, just as money frees people from work, and the average millionaire is only the average dishwasher dressed in a new suit. The latter quote highlights one of the key ethical and political messages of Down and Out: It is primarily social and political circumstances, and not moral character, that separates the rich from the poor. Another key theme in Down and Out is that without a certain amount of leisure, people are incapable of doing certain kinds of thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Orwell argued that the reason the kitchen staff in French restaurants had not gone on strike or formed a union was because they do not think, because they have no leisure for it; their life has made slaves of them. Orwell blamed the owners of such establishments for exploiting their workers. As he saw it, at most upscale restaurants the staff work more and the customers pay more and no one benefits except the proprietor. In multiple novels and works of nonfiction in the 1930s, Orwell continued to explore the idea that social and political circumstances robbed people of the time they needed to engage in tasks like serious thinking and writing. Imperialism and democratic socialism One of Orwells earliest and most enduring political commitments was anti-imperialism opposition to extending national power by means of colonialization or military force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orwell was of English and French descent. He was raised in England, but born in India in 1903. His father worked for the British Civil Service, which at the time exercised administrative control over India as a British colony. Following his fathers footsteps, he spent five years working for the Imperial Police in Burma, now Myanmar. He came away from that experience with a deep hatred of imperialism. He drew upon this in his novel Burmese Days and his essays A Hanging and Shooting an Elephant. In The Road to Wigan Pier, he wrote, I hated the imperialism I was serving with a bitterness which I probably cannot make clear. Wigan Pier also displays Orwells commitment to democratic socialism. In the books first half, he reports on the dismal working and living conditions of the poor and unemployed in northern England. In the second half, he uses that material to make a case for democratic socialism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Orwells view, in deciding whether to embrace democratic socialism one had to decide whether things at present are tolerable or not tolerable. He concluded that present conditions were not tolerable and that democratic socialism was the way to make things better. George Orwells 1922 application papers to join the Indian Police Force in this case, the Burma Police using his real name, Eric Blair. Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images Propaganda and totalitarianism Orwell developed into a sharp critic of Soviet Russia after witnessing how they used propaganda to mislead much of Europe about the Spanish Civil War. He discussed this in his book Homage to Catalonia, which recounts his time during the Spanish Civil War as a volunteer soldier fighting with the Spanish left against Gen. Francisco Franco, who would go on to become the countrys longtime dictator. From Orwells perspective, communism highlighted the risks of how socialist revolution could go wrong. He thought that, without care, attempts at socialist revolution could create opportunities for a new form of oppression through totalitarianism. He saw that totalitarianism was not limited to either the political left or right. Soviet communism represented left-wing totalitarianism, while Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy represented right-wing totalitarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus, a major preoccupation in his final years was trying to warn people about the risks of falling into totalitarianism during times of political upheaval. Orwell wanted radical political change, but the change he wanted was in the service of increasing freedom and democracy, not decreasing it. Animal Farm is a story about falling into autocracy. 1984 is a story about just how much autocracy can take from us. But the things Orwell wanted to preserve, such as freedom of the mind, were also things that he thought were at risk from circumstances like poverty, oppressive working conditions and imperialism. 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: Mark Satta, Wayne State University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Research for this article was supported by a faculty fellowship from the Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues at Wayne State University. Some federal lawmakers are trying to shut down long-awaited regulations meant to protect farmers from toxic chemicals in sewage sludge used as fertilizer. What's happening? According to 2022 reporting from the Maine Monitor, the spreading of municipal and industrial sludge on farms and in forests originated as a plan to dispose of waste while also fertilizing lands at a low cost by reusing nitrogen-rich organic matter. The practice has had its champions and its detractors researchers at Cornell University, for example, encouraged New York to permanently ban agricultural sludge-spreading due to concerns over toxicity in 1981. In 1993, the United States Environmental Protection Agency finalized regulations for the land application of biosolids, which included some pathogen reduction and pollution limit requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the tail end of the Biden administration in mid-January 2025, the EPA proposed a new risk threshold, specifically regarding risks to farmers' health, for two "forever chemicals" now commonly found in the sludge. The proposed limit was just 1 part per billion of PFOS or PFOA two kinds of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or "forever chemicals" for their persistence in environments and human bodies. If the EPA's proposal were to be finalized, most sludge would no longer be approved as fertilizer, according to Inside Climate News, since that level is rarely met in real-world sludge applications. But before the limits could move forward, Republicans in the House added a rider to H.R. 4754 an appropriations, or spending, bill that would cut off funding to finalize or enforce them. The rider appeared shortly after a June meeting between EPA officials and a trade group representing large sludge producers, Inside Climate News reported in July. The bill itself won't be voted on by the full House until September at the earliest. Why is PFAS-contaminated sludge a problem? Close to 60 percent of the nation's sewage sludge is spread over farmland, according to Inside Climate News. While treated for pathogens, the sludge often contains high levels of PFAS toxic chemicals linked to cancers, reproductive issues, and other serious health problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Guardian reported in 2022 that some farmers have already seen their lands contaminated and livelihoods collapse, quoting one who said, "I don't know how we're going to survive." These chemicals don't stay put either. They can move through soil, water, food, and livestock. Christy McGillivray, who recently worked on sludge issues with the Sierra Club Michigan, told Inside Climate News, "This just fits into the pattern of the Trump administration sticking its head in the sand and disregarding science." U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree of Maine, formerly a farmer herself, said in a statement that farmers in her state, a notable site of the agricultural PFAS crisis, "have lost their entire livelihoods and their farms." What's being done about it? Public health advocates and some lawmakers are working to stop the rider from going through, saying it clashes with the Clean Water Act. The full House won't vote on H.R. 4754 until September at the earliest, so there's still time for residents to reach out to their elected officials with thoughts about the rider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, $15 million in funding for research into PFAS contamination on U.S. farmlands has recently been cut by the Trump administration. But it's also worth noting that PFAS problems aren't limited to fertilizer or farms. Researchers have found these chemicals in a wide range of household products, including non-stick cookware, stain-resistant furniture, waterproof clothing, and food packaging. Individuals can mitigate their exposure through purchasing choices, and the more consumers and policymakers push back, the more pressure may build to clean up wide-scale contamination from food systems and water sources and prevent it in the first place. 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. NEED TO KNOW Hundreds of corgis raced, dressed up and showed off tricks at the Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 Mango the corgi won the solo sprint, while Amigo took the costume contest crown The event also hosted the first World Corgi Meetup, drawing thousands of fans Over 100 corgis took off running in an awe-inducing competition over the weekend. From Saturday, Aug. 23, to Sunday, Aug. 24, 120 teams from across Europe took part in the Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The event took place in Vingid Park and was equipped to seat 6,000 patrons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teams, which included the dogs and their owners, competed in front of thousands of Lithuanians as they went head-to-head across multiple segments over the two-day competition, including a solo sprint, a contest for the mightiest voice," a puzzle contest to determine wits, a costume contest and a group race. PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 On Sunday, the event held the first World Corgi Meetup, in partnership with Portals, the creators of the innovative unfiltered 24-hour livestream. A corgi named Mango took home took home the trophy for the solo race. ABC News spoke to Mangos owner, Lithuania native Ignas Klimaika, who said that this is the second time the pair have signed up for the contest. Last year, we didnt manage to end the race perfectly, Klimaika shared with the outlet. We had a really good training. We had trained every day, but this year we decided we [would] just go without training, just to participate, just to enjoy all the lots of corgis. PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 And that seemed to be the magic answer to Mangos well-earned success. He knows what he did and hes really proud of himself, said Klimaika. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another corgi named Amigo, who sported a factory-themed costume (complete with two tiny chimneys and Fur Factory lettering), was named the proud winner of the costume contest. Other adorable characters included a princess, an airplane and a fur-covered Batman. Last year, the Corgi Race Vilnius brought together 100 corgis from five countries and hosted nearly 7,000 fans, according to the event's website. Read the original article on People EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) Over 200 soldiers from Fort Bliss dedicated their time and energy to support the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank on Saturday, Aug. 23, as they volunteered at the United in Service event. Sgt. Marasia Anne Olang (middle), the President of the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program, leads volunteer efforts from Fort Bliss soldiers during the United in Service event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Aug. 23, 2025. Over 200 soldiers volunteered their time at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, packaging food items for distribution. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) A member of the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program sorts and prepares food items for distribution during the United in Service volunteering event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Aug. 23, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program listen to opening comments given by Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, the 1st Armored Division Deputy Commanding General for Operations, during the United in Service volunteering event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Aug. 23, 2025. Brig. Gen. Crooks spoke about the importance of volunteering and the positive impact that it makes in the El Paso community. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy volunteer their time preparing food items for distribution during the United in Service event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, Aug. 23, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) Mr. Lonnie Valencia, Director of Communications and Marketing for the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, briefs Fort Bliss senior leaders and students from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy on El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank operations Aug. 23, 2025. Mr. Valencia explained how the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank combats food insecurity by providing education about healthy food choices in addition to serving food. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) This initiative, organized through the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC), highlighted the commitment of Americas service members to serving their local community, Fort Bliss said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founded in 1989, the BOSS program aims to enhance the quality of life and meet the needs of single soldiers, single parents, and geographical bachelors by offering support and a variety of opportunities, according to the news release. The SAMC is an organization that recognizes top noncommissioned officers, selected through a four-phase process that tests leadership knowledge and character. The relationship between El Paso and Fort Bliss has always been a neighborly one, Celeste Varla, director of government relations for El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, said. We are grateful for you being here and today represents an additional layer of that foundation of community, friendship and service. El Paso faces one of the highest food insecurity rates in the U.S., with about one in three residents struggling to access consistent, nutritious meals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is the only food bank in the region and one of the top 10 in the country, distributing millions of meals annually to families in need, according to the news release. There are a thousand things you could be doing on a Saturday morning, Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, deputy commanding general of operations for the 1st Armored Division, said. This really speaks to the character of all the soldiers and volunteers we have here today. During the event, soldiers helped prepare and distribute food packages, organized supplies, and assisted in logistics to ensure the food bank could meet the needs of local families. In the Army were always going to have food on our table, and some people in the civilian world are not always going to have access to the food they need, Spc. Trevor Gunyan, 21, a military police officer with the 212th Military Police Company, said. My family had to seek help from food banks, so I understand the necessity to get food to the people that need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The soldiers volunteer efforts made a measurable impact, contributing to the movement of six semi-truck loads filled with 118,960 pounds of beverages and 33,150 pounds of fresh produce totaling more than 152,000 pounds of food prepared to be distributed to families across El Paso. The participation of Fort Bliss soldiers underscores the Armys core value of selfless service and strengthens the installations long-standing partnership with the city of El Paso, read the 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 KTSM 9 News. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks at an October 2024 event in Greenwood, Indiana. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The panel overseeing Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas professional misconduct case denied his effort to force the states disciplinary commission to turn over internal records and instead set the matter for a December hearing. In two orders issued Friday, the three-member panel Indiana Court of Appeals Judges Cale J. Bradford and Nancy H. Vaidik, along with former U.S. Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann Jr. said the only question before them is whether Rokita violated his duty of candor to the Supreme Court by admitting that he had violated the disciplinary rules without really meaning it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokitas defense lawyers sought to obtain internal communications from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission about him and the motives for its investigations. They argued his comments were protected by the First Amendment and claimed the commissions complaint violated Indianas Anti-SLAPP statute, which prohibits frivolous lawsuits aimed at silencing critics. We cannot see how any internal communication, investigation, or other information gathered by the Commission could shed any light on Respondents state of mind when he indicated to the Supreme Court that he had taken responsibility. court order issued Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 Earlier this month, Rokita formally replied to the commissions allegations, denying that his 2023 press release contradicted his sworn statements to the Supreme Court. His defense maintained the case was an attempt to punish him for protected political speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the panel flatly rejected those arguments. The judges ruled that such internal records fall outside the scope of the Indiana Supreme Courts guidance, which limited the case to whether Rokita intentionally misled the justices in 2023, thereby violating his duty of candor, and nothing more. Because the matters for which Respondent [Rokita] seeks discovery are not before the Panel, they are not relevant, and we therefore deny Respondents motion to compel discovery in all respects, the panel wrote. Panel rejects Anti-SLAPP defense In Fridays discovery order, the panel said Rokita cannot pursue an Anti-SLAPP defense because disciplinary proceedings are neither criminal nor civil and no U.S. jurisdiction has allowed such a defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel cited precedent from Rhode Island and emphasized that the purpose and application of the anti-SLAPP statute are wholly inapplicable to attorney disciplinary proceedings. The respondent is not being sued for his exercise of First Amendment rights of free speech; rather, he is the subject of a disciplinary complaint, deriving from his conduct as a licensed attorney , the panel wrote. We find no merit in respondents claim that this process is somehow being used as a vehicle for chilling his free speech rights. The panel denied the discovery requests entirely, noting they were all aimed at supporting Rokitas argument that the case was meant to chill his free speech. Story continues below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hearing Officer Order Issued - O We cannot see how any internal communication, investigation, or other information gathered by the Commission could shed any light on Respondents state of mind when he indicated to the Supreme Court that he had taken responsibility, the order continued. The panel further ruled that no motions to delay or dismiss the case will be entertained going forward and ordered all discovery to be completed by Nov. 12. A separate scheduling order set a full evidentiary hearing on the case for Dec. 18 in Marion Superior Court, to continue until completion. Preliminary witness and exhibit lists are due Sept. 18, followed by a pre-hearing on Sept. 30 and a final pre-hearing on Nov. 19. Final witness lists and pre-hearing briefs must be filed by Dec. 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The panel also urged the parties to attempt mediation within 45 days, naming three potential mediators former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven David, and Indianapolis attorneys Patricia Polis McCrory and James Riley Jr. The parties must report back to the court if theyre able to agree on one. The three-judge panel will oversee the trial-like hearing and make a recommendation, but the Indiana Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether Rokita faces discipline. That discipline could range from another reprimand to law license suspension or disbarment. An ongoing saga The disciplinary commissions case stems from Rokitas public comments in 2022 about Indianapolis OB-GYN Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who provided abortion care to a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The commission alleged that Rokitas Fox News interview remarks risked prejudicing proceedings against Bernard and served no substantial purpose beyond embarrassing or burdening her violating Indianas professional conduct rules for attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokitas office settled an initial complaint about his comments in November 2023. In a sworn affidavit, Rokita admitted to violating two professional conduct rules in exchange for a public reprimand. A third count was dismissed. The Indiana Supreme Court approved the agreement, publicly reprimanding the Republican attorney general. Bernard was also disciplined before the Medical Licensing Board for discussing the procedure publicly. Although he agreed not to contest the charges, the conflict resumed after Rokita issued a news release and gave interviews suggesting he had not actually done anything wrong. He said he had evidence and explanation for what he said on air, but chose not to fight the complaint any further to save taxpayer money and distraction. The commission filed a new complaint in January, accusing Rokita of misleading the court and misrepresenting his acceptance of responsibility in the earlier disciplinary case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission said Rokita acted with a deliberate or reckless disregard for the truth and has since opposed his request to dismiss the new charges. Rokita attempted to get the new complaint dismissed, but the state supreme court ruled in July to let it go forward. The attorney general has consistently maintained the professional conduct proceedings are the result of a politically charged and unaccountable disciplinary process. Public records show taxpayers have already spent nearly $500,000 on Rokitas legal defense in the matter. Rokita flatly denied each allegation in his latest response and claimed the commission created widespread confusion in the media by pursuing charges it had already agreed to dismiss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers also cast the complaints against him as partisan attacks, maintaining that, Democrat activists filed complaints against him for politically motivated reasons and insisted that Rokita denies ethical misconduct or that he was dishonest with the Court. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Parents arrested for bringing weapons to campus on first day of school A married couple were arrested for bringing weapons to Palisades High School on the first day of school. ALSO READ: CMS unveils new safety protocol ahead of first day of school This is the same school where Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools said a student shot into a building last week. In a message sent out to parents, the schools principal said the weapons were confiscated immediately, the police were called and those parents were arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regina Marie Mungin brought a gun, according to records. She was charged with felony bringing a gun on educational property and misdemeanor bringing a weapon on educational property, not a gun. Miquel Anione-Umeek Williams reportedly brought pocketknife. He was charged with bringing a weapon on educational property-not a gun. The two are married, according to social media. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Chief Operations Officer Tim Ivey said two parents set off the weapons detectors inside Palisades High Monday morning. We take this very seriously and we will not tolerate behavior like this, said Ivey. Theres a secure vestibule there at the school where everybody is scanned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from North Carolinas Department of Public Instruction showed the amount of weapons brought onto a CMS campus, which dropped between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years. Last school years data is not available yet. The amount of firearms during that time period did jump slightly, from six to nine. We are making great strides in CMS in deterring weapons being brought onto our campuses, Ivey said. Theres one thing you cant deter, you cant deter someones choice, he said. District leaders are viewing those guns as a small blemish on a big day. Its been an absolute fantastic and smooth start to the 25-26 school year, said CMS Superintendent Crystal Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This school year marks the transition to a new student information system. Its been a pretty easy process to do, said Chris Rushing, a parent. ParentSquare to Infinite Campus. Chris and Stacy Rushing said the latter is much more streamlined. We get to see their academics in Infinite, so I like it honestly, said Stacy Rushing. Deputy Superintendent Melissa Ballknight said the district has about 53,000 families that have already completed their Infinite Campus enrollment. With more than 141,000 students, 63% of the districts parents still need to create their accounts. The district started the new school year Monday with 209 teacher vacancies. This is down from 228 just last week. VIDEO: Parents say cut football player fired gun at Palisades High; demand better communication from CMS Nick Fuentes isnt done beefing with Piers Morgan over his virginity. The far-right podcaster, 27, reignited his feud with the British pundit, 60, after they had a two-hour-long sparring match on Piers Morgan Uncensored earlier this week over his long history of racist, misogynistic, and Holocaust-denying remarks. I apologize for nothing, I take nothing back, Fuentes said on his America First show that streams online. You dont have to like me, you can think Im a jerk, you can think Im irre Correction: This article was update to show Sharif Street is a Pennsylvania State Senator. (WHTM) Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Sharif Street announced he is stepping down from his role as party chair as he runs for Congress. Street, a State Senator from Philadelphia, announced in a statement on Monday, August 25, that he will be stepping down as Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party after the election of his successor on September 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Local Business Beat Im proud of what weve built and Im not done fighting. Im running for Congress to keep up the work, he said in his statement. Street previously announced his run to replace retiring Congressman Dwight Evans (D) earlier this year. Street says he is looking toward the next chapter of his political career, flipping Congressional seats to take back Democratic control in Congress, and defeating Donald Trump and the MAGA agenda once and for all. When I first campaigned for Chair, I promised to build bridges bringing together Black voters who felt taken for granted, rural voters who felt overlooked, and progressives who felt shut out. As the first Black man and the furst Muslim ever elected to Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, I knew representation wasnt just a symbolit was strategic, he said in his statement. We built real power by forging a coalition that could win. And going forward, I remain committed to strengthening those voices alongside labor, young people, and all those fighting to build a more just, inclusive, and energized Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Street was elected in 2022 as the first African American man and Muslim to serve as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. He is one of six Democratic Party candidates running for Evans seat. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Malaysian speciality coffee chain ZUS Coffee has forayed into the Thai market with the opening of two new locations in Bangkok. The outlets are situated at Varnit Place Aree, a lifestyle destination, and Baan Kampu Asoke on Sukhumvit 21 Road. The launch event was attended by the country manager for ZUS Thailand, alongside RSC managing director Khun Attharkon Wuddhikullaphak and manager Khun Thanasin Inthongsuk, Marketech APAC reported. This expansion is part of ZUS Coffee's broader strategy to establish 200 new outlets across Southeast Asia by 2025, which includes plans for 107 locations in Malaysia, approximately 80 in the Philippines, and six in Singapore. The company is also looking to enter markets in Brunei and Indonesia in the near future. To mark the opening, ZUS Coffee offered promotions such as complimentary Spanish Lattes for the initial 100 customers at both locations. During the branch launch at Vanit Place Aree, leasing company RSC was quoted by Marketech APAC as saying: Were excited to see ZUS coffee bring their unique coffee experience to Thai consumers, and were glad to be part of their journey as they grow in Thailand. Established in 2019, ZUS Coffee has increased its presence in Malaysia from 290 stores to over 700 in 2023. The brand's international expansion commenced in 2023 with its first store outside Malaysia in the Philippines. In September last year, ZUS Coffee raised $57.5m in a funding round led by Singapore-based company KV Asia Capital. The company used the capital to advance its growth strategy, which includes opening new outlets. "ZUS Coffee opens first outlets in Thailand" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. (WHTM) A Pennsylvania lawmaker says he plans to introduce a bill to create the Fish PA license Plate. The legislation, proposed by State Rep. Josh Bashline, aims to create the Fish PA license Plate to honor the states history of fishing and conservation. According to the memo, the legislation would require PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to offer a design contest for elementary school-age students to create the plate. The plate would be based on the winning design and would need to include Pennsylvanias state fish, the Brook Trout, on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Severe Weather Alerts A portion of the funds from the Fish PA license plate would go to the Trout in the Classroom program. The memo says the PFBC offers the program, which introduces students to watershed conservation efforts, recreational opportunities, and more, by having students raise trout in their classroom before releasing them into a stocked waterway near their school. The legislation has not yet been submitted for introduction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) More than a dozen Republican general assembly leaders have endorsed Treasurer Stacy Garrity for governor. The news comes a week after Garrity formally launched her campaign for next springs primary. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania The roster of leaders endorsing Garrity includes State Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, and House Republican Leader Jesse Topper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next years race for governor could not have higher stakes for Pennsylvania, said Ward (R-Westmoreland). We need a governor who will fight for taxpayers, grow our economy, and serve the people instead of themselves. Stacy Garrity has proven that she can be that governor. Underdog Garrity outlines vision for Pennsylvania in Governors Race Im incredibly honored to have the support of Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, said Garrity. Their endorsement means a great deal, and Im grateful for their confidence in my record and vision for our Commonwealth. The endorsement of Garrity by state lawmakers comes as one of their colleagues, State Senator Doug Mastriano, considers a second run for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mastriano, who lost the 2022 gubernatorial race to Josh Shapiro, has been critical of state Republican leaders who, in his view, are attempting to coronate Garrity as the partys nominee eight months before votes can be cast. The issue I have here is that we want the state party out of the way and let the people decide, Mastriano said the morning Garrity launched her campaign. Mastriano has said hes still considering whether to run, but said a party endorsement will not affect his timeline. Doug Mastriano relaunches Doug4Gov website, teasing second run In an interview with abc27s Dennis Owens last week, Garrity said she sees an incredible opportunity to turn the state around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if you just look at the independent fiscal offices numbers, we would be totally out of the surplus, plus the rainy day fund, in two years, said Garrity. Pennsylvania has the fifth-largest tax burden, and so what would happen after were out of money? The winner of next springs primary will face incumbent Governor Josh Shapiro (D), who will likely bring significant fundraising behind him. Many consider Shapiro to be a top candidate in the 2028 presidential race as a popular swing state governor. Well, this isnt personal, Garrity said when asked about Shapiro. I just have a totally different vision for what our Commonwealth could be. When asked about Garrity entering the race, Shapiro said last week, [Republicans] are going to have their intramural fight, theyll send someone along to face me next year, well be ready. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Garritys full interview with Dennis Owens can be found on the abc27 News+ app, available for Roku, FireTV, and AppleTV devices. You can find the interview under the abc27 News+ Exclusives section. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. The influential head of the Defense Innovation Unit the Pentagons in-house tech incubator abruptly stepped down on Monday, removing the last high-profile Biden administration holdover at the Defense Department and severing a key link with Silicon Valley. Doug Beck, a former vice president at Apple, said Monday in a goodbye email that it would be his last day, according to two people familiar with the matter. He did not provide any reason for his departure. The Pentagon has appointed temporary leadership, said one of the people, who like others, was granted anonymity to discuss staffing information not yet public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Defense Department and Beck did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Beck, who had run the Pentagons tech accelerator since 2023, was responsible for updating the Defense Departments commercial tech. He made a point of connecting with Silicon Valley innovators who had shied away from the defense industry before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave him the ability to report directly to the Pentagons front office in an effort to speed up the agencys sclerotic tech acquisition. Beck pushed the Pentagon to find high-tech solutions more cheaply. He also sent innovation unit representatives in Europe and the Pacific to collect lessons from Ukraine and China. Becks departure comes just days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed three top military officials: Defense Intelligence Agency chief Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Navy Reserve chief Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore and head of Naval Special Warfare Command Rear Adm. Milton Sands III. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air Force chief of staff Gen. David Allvin on Tuesday also announced his surprise retirement, less than halfway into his four-year term in the services top military job. Its not clear whether the in-house Pentagon agency, first set up in the later years of the Obama administration, will have the same level of pull without Beck. Donald Trumps administration continued to mock Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to a brutal Salvadoran prison, as it now attempts to deport him to Uganda. Andrew Harnik / Getty Images The new deportation attempt comes after Abrego Garcia declined a plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica if he pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges. Earlier this month, the 30-year-old Salvadoran immigrant was released from a Tennessee jail where he had been detained since June after he was brought back to the US from El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has long attempted to portray Abrego Garcia as a violent gang member, and ICE alleged that he was a member of MS-13 due to his Chicago Bulls attire and the accusation of an informant. On Monday, the White Houses social media team doubled down on its allegations that Abrego Garcia is in the gang, posting a photo of him reminiscent of artist Shepard Faireys 2008 portrait of Barack Obama except instead of HOPE, the image says MS-13. Related: JD Vances Old Epstein Tweets Are Coming Back To Haunt Him In A Big Way The White House also mocked Abrego Garcias legal teams assertion that he is just a father in Maryland who was picking up his son from his grandmothers house when immigration officials detained him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still NOT a Maryland Dad... the tweet was captioned. However, Abrego Garcia is indeed a father, and had been residing in Maryland before he was forcibly removed from the US. Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images In a separate post, the White House used a quote from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that alleged Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, & child predator to terrorize American citizens... "ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia & are processing him for deportation. @POTUS is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, & child predator to terrorize American citizens..." - @Sec_Noem The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2025 @WhiteHouse / Via x.com Noem was alluding to the administrations questionable charges against Abrego Garcia, as well as the protective order his wife filed against him in 2021 that she has since addressed in a statement. Related: Donald Trump Just Shared A Very Ominous Post, And People Are Calling It "One Of The Worst Statements Ever Made By A Sitting US President" People on social media wondered why the White House insists on departing Abrego Garcia rather than defending its case against him in a US court of law. Then make your "air-tight" case rather than deporting him without trial.... again. Libertarian Party of Louisiana (@LouisianaLp) August 25, 2025 @LouisianaLP You tried to coerce a man into pleading guilty to charges you can't prove in court.He wouldn't.Instead of going to trial and proving your case, you're just gonna pretend you won.Because you were lying all along and now you're trying to cover up the truth. pic.twitter.com/M7ERdTpjFX Classical Liberal Caucus (@LP_CLC) August 25, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @LP_CLC So why did you screw this up so badly. He was a nobody until you decided to disobey a deportation order and then doubled and tripled down on the screw up. Bob Ochoa (@ochoab1) August 25, 2025 @ochoab1 Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words And they had other thoughts, too... And still less felony convictions than Trump Trump Tracker (@trackingdonald) August 25, 2025 @trackingdonald Jesus Christ. This poor guy is a legal resident. The courts say there's no proof of him being a gang member. But the Trump administration is so afraid of admitting they're wrong they'd rather ruin the life of this poor man and his family, than apologise.This should terrify all Xmus Waxon Flaxon Jaxon (@chairmanMAO_92) August 25, 2025 @chairmanmao_92 The White House is now pumping out propaganda posters like Nazi Germany dehumanizing immigrants, criminalizing dissent, and building loyal forces. Its Project 2025 authoritarianism in real time. Boss Global Radio (@BossGlobalRadio) August 25, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @bossglobalradio What a fucking disgraceful post from the official White House account. Also: pic.twitter.com/BEoz69eXsV dogturd (@dog_turd2) August 25, 2025 @dog_turd2 Related: "Can A Trump Supporter Explain": 49 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Month Yet Trump has 34+ felonies pic.twitter.com/18Ep2ACto1 Danny (@BigDanny410) August 25, 2025 @BigDanny410 Still NOT a shred of evidence that Garcia is a member of MS-13. Claire Zee (@EtrosChosen) August 25, 2025 @EtrosChosen Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement @BiatchDulce This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: "I Am So Torn With What You Are Doing" 11 Posts From MAGA Business Owners Who Are So Close To Getting It Also in In the News: 19 Trump Voters Are Reacting To The Rumors That Trump Wants To Run In 2028 Also in In the News: MAGA Is (Loudly) Regretting Their Votes After Witnessing ICE Raids Across The Nation, And It's Reallyyyy Not Looking Good For Trump Read it on BuzzFeed.com The fallowed farmland too dry, salty and barren to grow crops stretches across a remote, sunbaked expanse crisscrossed by rutted dirt roads. Soon, roughly 15 square miles of these retired agricultural fields in western Fresno County will hold one of the world's largest solar and battery energy storage projects a behemoth capable of powering some 850,000 homes for four hours. The Darden Clean Energy Project, approved by the California Energy Commission in June, is the first development to be fast-tracked under a 2022 state law that allows large renewable energy projects to be reviewed and permitted without sign-off from county and municipal governments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Opt-In Certification Program, as it is called, is meant to sidestep the kind of local pushback that can drag on for years. And the Darden project's approval was touted by Gov. Gavin Newsom as a major victory in helping the state meet its ambitious climate goal of using 100% clean energy by 2045. But in rural western Fresno County where energy firms have planned multiple large-scale battery and solar projects many residents feel blindsided. They have raised serious questions about who benefits and who gets left behind when major projects are fast-tracked. Espi Sandoval, a board member for the nonprofit Rural Communities Rising, a western Fresno County advocacy group, said the impoverished, mostly Latino area has long been exploited by corporate agriculture and now is playing catch-up as it finds itself suddenly at the forefront of California's energy transition. "We're forgotten by the government. Now we've got this private sector coming in with these huge solar panel farms," said Sandoval, who has lived in western Fresno County since 1972. "I don't want to see the same exploitation of our people." Espi Sandoval, board member of Rural Communities Rising, says clean energy companies have not listened enough to residents of rural communities while they plan projects. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Within a few miles of the Darden site are several tiny farmworker towns, including Cantua Creek, Five Points and Three Rocks (also known as El Porvenir). The solar and lithium-ion battery project will be built within a census tract where more than a third of residents live in poverty double the rate in Fresno County as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nearby towns struggle with poor drinking water and air quality, extreme heat and lack of access to opportunity, dozens of environmental justice groups and community advocates wrote in a letter to Newsom and the Energy Commission as the project was being considered. In its oversight of the Darden project, they wrote, the state "has the potential to either set the stage for an equitable, just transition or, conversely, to continue patterns of disinvestment in low-income communities of color." The Darden project's owner, IP Darden I, a subsidiary of San Francisco-based Intersect Power, is set to become the second-largest property tax payer in Fresno County, behind Pacific Gas and Electric. Intersect will pay at least $232 million to the county over the next decade, according to an economic impact report by the company. Acres of orchards in western Fresno County, which has long been dominated by agriculture and now is at the forefront of California's clean energy transition. A tractor tills farmland in Cantua Creek, near the site where a massive solar and battery project is planned. The project also is projected to generate tens of millions of dollars in local sales tax, including through the purchase of construction equipment and materials, according to Intersect Power. The company said it will create more than 1,200 construction jobs while it is being built and 16 full-time operational jobs once it's up and running. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maria Pacheco, the mayor of Kerman, a small city northeast of the Darden site, wrote in a letter to the Energy Commission this spring that the project's jobs and tax revenue will be transformative for the San Joaquin Valley. They will help provide "essential services and infrastructure improvements, directly benefiting the often-underserved west side," she wrote. The stakes are big near Darden, including for Newsom's plans to expedite other clean energy projects. The Opt-In Certification Program requires environmental reviews to be completed within 270 days of a project application being deemed complete. Eight other projects, from Imperial County in the south to Shasta County in the north, currently are pursuing approval through the opt-in process. And after significant local pushback, a developer that has been planning to build a lithium-ion battery storage facility on the site where Morro Bay's iconic smokestacks stand pulled out of the municipal permitting process this spring, indicating it might pursue the state's fast-track program. A woman walks by a mural in downtown Firebaugh, a small city in western Fresno County. Intersect Power said it will donate $2 million over the next decade to organizations benefiting the region. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) As part of the fast-track process, Intersect Power was required to enter into at least one so-called "community benefits agreement" with a local organization and to provide tangible benefits to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Intersect Power agreed to donate $2 million to local groups over the next 10 years and $5 million over the life of the project. In a statement to The Times, Elizabeth Knowles, the head of community engagement for Intersect, said the company has been meeting with residents, schools and other local stakeholders since 2023. Intersect's community benefits spending, she said, is "going directly to highly reputable nonprofits" and community-based organizations that will focus on western Fresno County. Much of the initial $2 million will be split among Fresno-based nonprofits that work to build housing and reduce asthma and hunger. An Intersect donation to the nonprofit Centro la Familia Advocacy Services was used to give away 250 high-efficiency window air-conditioning units to households close to the Darden site this summer. The company also agreed to give money to Westside Elementary School, about four miles southeast of the site, to support campus upgrades and efforts to build more local housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some donations have raised eyebrows. An undisclosed amount of the Intersect Power donations also will fund two years of after-school piano lessons from the Steinway Piano Gallery of Fresno at Cantua Elementary School. In an email to The Times, Felipe Piedra, superintendent of the Golden Plains Unified School District, which includes Cantua Elementary, said 98% of the school's roughly 185 students qualify for free or reduced lunch and "are in need of additional support and resources." He said "water and clean energy are a big priority" but did not answer questions about why funds were going toward piano lessons. Uriel Sanchez lives in this trailer with his father in Cantua Creek. Several dilapidated and closed retail spaces are located near the crossroads at the center of Cantua Creek. The Darden project should be able to power 850,000 homes after dark. Intersect Power is donating an undisclosed amount to the nonprofit Tree Fresno, which plants shade trees to reduce the effects of extreme heat and air pollution. Sandoval, a former member of the Kerman City Council and longtime teacher in nearby Tranquility, scoffed at the piano lessons and tree donation, noting that Cantua Elementary is across the street from an orchard. He said he was frustrated to see Intersect Power working primarily with Fresno-based nonprofits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This thing is dictated from the top," he said. "How is the money going to filter down to the community? Property taxes? That's going to the county. How can we get some of those benefits?" In an email to The Times, Tree Fresno's chief executive, Mona Cummings, said her organization was assessing the need for plantings at the elementary schools in Cantua Creek and Five Points and seeking more input from locals. During a public meeting in Coalinga this April, Leticia Villegas, a farmworker from Five Points, told the Energy Commission that she lives three miles from where the Darden solar panels will be built. She said through a Spanish interpreter that she works in fields during the day, when the sun is baking, and comes back to a run-down home with no air conditioning. She said she hopes money from the development will "go directly to our community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Please," she added, "we want to be listened to." Felipe Perez, a City Council member in nearby Firebaugh and a former fieldworker, said he used to pick crops near the Darden site. He said it was not easy seeing new industries arrive, "using soil that we used to use for ag." Felipe Perez, a Firebaugh City Council member and a founding board member of Rural Communities Rising, said that agricultural jobs have been going away in western Fresno County and that the region needs real investment. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Perez, 56, who came to the U.S. from Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1988, said there are not as many field jobs as there once were, in part because of drought and out-of-town farmers selling their land. The question is, are they going to hire us?" he said of clean energy developers. "In what language are they going to teach us? And what are we going to do when they dont help us and we still get those kind of bills?" The Darden Clean Energy Project will be built on nearly 15 square miles of fallowed farmland in western Fresno County. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) Construction on the Darden project is expected to begin by the end of this year, and it should be fully operational in late 2027 or early 2028, Knowles said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will be built on 9,500 acres sold by the Westlands Water District, the nation's largest agricultural water district. Decades of farming and irrigation have degraded the soil, drawing salts and metals to the surface. That and the district's uncertain water supplies have made the land impractical for farming, prompting Westlands to divert water to more productive land. The Darden project located near a major PG&E power line that can transmit electricity north or south will include a 1,150-megawatt solar facility with approximately 3.1 million solar panels. It also will have up to 1,150 megawatts of battery storage via 1,440 Tesla Megapack 2XL units essentially shipping container-sized units filled with battery modules. Such battery systems store excess energy generated during the day and release it into the power grid during times of high demand, including evening hours. But in western Fresno County, many residents have expressed concern about the lithium-ion batteries catching fire a fear that intensified after a massive blaze in January tore through a battery energy storage system in Moss Landing, a rural community in coastal Monterey County. A fire at a lithium-ion battery plant in Moss Landing, Calif., in January prompted the evacuation of about 1,500 people and spewed toxic smoke for days. (Nic Coury / Getty Images) That fire, which burned more than 54,000 LG battery modules, spewed toxic smoke into the air and smoldered for several days. Firefighters let it burn, citing the dangers of dousing lithium-ion battery fires with water, which can cause dangerous chemical reactions. The risk of reignition has been so high that cleanup crews are just now beginning to remove the charred batteries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowles said the Darden site will be safer because batteries will be in independent enclosures separated by open space outdoors, not stacked and placed in an enclosed building like they were in Moss Landing. With proper engineering, lithium-ion battery storage sites pose little risk of catching fire, said Shirley Meng, a molecular engineering professor at the University of Chicago who is an expert on batteries and studies ethically sourced, recyclable materials for energy storage. Safety has improved dramatically in recent years, and the failure rate is about 1 in 10 million for all types of lithium-ion batteries, she said. "Everybody has batteries in their hands," Meng said, referencing smartphones. "Batteries are safe. The chemistry that's in those [large-scale] facilities is even safer than the ones that you hold in your phone." In western Fresno County, residents have "been very vocal" about the Darden project being built in a place where emergency response times are already long, said Ryan Michaels, assistant chief of operations for the Fresno County Fire Protection District, which provides emergency services for the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no fire station in the nearest communities of Cantua Creek, Five Points and Three Rocks. Response time is typically more than 20 minutes, and "we want to make sure that as solar grows we don't reduce our current level of services within those communities," Michaels said. Several large solar farms already have been built and are planned, and "it really hit us by surprise how many were coming to western Fresno County," he added. The newly built Scarlet Solar Energy Park in western Fresno County, about 3.5 miles from the town of Tranquility, is operated by EDP Renewables North America. (Tomas Ovalle / For The Times) In recent months, Michaels said, firefighters have responded to numerous malfunctioning alarms and inverter fires at solar farms, he said. One recent blaze was sparked by vandals trying to steal wiring. Intersect Power and the Fresno County Fire Protection District said they are still negotiating fire mitigation measures. A state-required emergency action plan has not yet been finalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stacey Shepard, a spokesperson for the California Energy Commission, said Darden, like all such projects, must meet strict safety standards. When batteries are being shipped from the factory to the project site, they can only be charged up to 30%, and the developer has to provide at least two gates into the battery storage facility wide enough for emergency access. On site, she noted, the batteries will be surrounded by thermal detection cameras. Even so, the fire protection district said it will need to build four new stations and hire additional staff as more large clean energy projects are built. Michaels said Darden and other projects have to be planned for the long term. If it is going to be operating for up to 35 years, he said, "we need to be ready to fight fire there and provide for their workers for decades." An agricultural truck kicks up dust in an orchard in Cantua Creek in August. This article is part of The Times equity reporting initiative , funded by the James Irvine Foundation , exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address Californias economic divide. 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. PERRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) What started as a water rescue operation led to the discovery of a person who died in Perry County Sunday. The Perry County Rescue Squad said it responded to the Buffalo River Resort after family members reported the victim became distressed while swimming and went underwater on Sunday, Aug. 24. Clarksville residents call for safety changes after 11-year-old drowns at Billy Dunlop Park Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, personnel immediately started searching the area and found the victim near the last known location. The rescue squad told News 2 the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time, officials wrote on social media. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The Perry County Sheriffs Office, Perry County EMS, Perry County Dispatch, and Buffalo River Resort reportedly assisted the rescue squad during the operation. No additional details have been released about this incident. To learn more about water safety tips and resources, visit the American Red Cross website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A person was killed after they were hit by a subway train inside Grand Central, leading to the No. 7 line being partially suspended during the Monday morning commute. The person was struck by a train near 42nd Street and 3rd Avenue around 6:30 a.m., according to the FDNY. They died at the scene and no criminality is suspected, the NYPD said. More Local News There were extremely limited trains between 34th Street-Hudson Yards and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Heights in both directions. Some No. 7 trains headed to 34th Street-Hudson Yards ended at 74th Street-Broadway, the agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trains heading for Queens couldve been found on the Manhattan-bound platform from 5th Avenue to Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue, passing Grand Central-42nd Street. There was no No. 7 train service between 34th Street-Hudson Yards and Hunters Point Avenue earlier in the morning, according to the MTA. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State For service to Manhattan, the MTA encouraged straphangers to transfer between Manhattan-bound No. 7 trains and E, F, M and R trains at 74th Street-Broadway, E and M trains at Court Square-23rd Street or N and W trains at Queensboro Plaza. The LIRR cross-honored MetroCard and OMNY users between Penn Station-Grand Central Madison and Flushing-Main Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. It is a free, 24/7 service that offers support, information, and local resources. You can also click here for additional hotlines in your area. 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. Person shot, suffers non-life-threatening injuries on the South End A person has suffered non-life-threatening injuries following a shooting on the South End. According to Boston Police, the incident occurred around 9:44 p.m. on Sunday, when officers were dispatched to the area of 777 Tremont Street to reports of a person shot. Officers located the victim, who was then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At this time, no arrests have been made, as Boston Police continue to investigate the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A person has suffered non-life-threatening injuries following a stabbing in Dorchester. According to Boston Police, the incident occurred around 7:47 p.m. on Sunday, when officers were dispatched to the area of 11 Helen Street to reports of a stabbing. Officers located the victim, who was then transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. At this time, no arrests have been made, as Boston Police continue to investigate the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 AUSTIN (KXAN) A 40-year-old man was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of an 11-year-old family member, according to documents from Travis County. James Revada was initially charged after the girls death at their Pflugerville home in July 2022. Pflugerville man accused of killing 11-year-old family member On that day, police said James Revada was experiencing a mental health crisis at the home in the 18000 block of Friendship Hill Drive. Police said Revada told them he was having a Bi-Polar episode and hurt the girl, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was indicted in August 2022 on capital murder and two counts of injury to a child charges. Two years later, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to an inpatient facility designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, documents show. In April of this year, the court determined his inpatient treatment should continue. The 460th District Court in Travis County found Revada met the criteria for inpatient treatment, because he has a severe mental illness, which could result in him causing serious bodily injury to another if he is not provided with treatment and supervision and the treatment was necessary to protect the safety of others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. LOS ANGELES (AP) Three months after aggressive immigration raids began in Southern California, everyday life has shifted. Masked agents pull up, and neighbors mount quick protests. Priests bring Communion to homes. Children log on to class instead of walking to school. Still, people step out the rent is due. Work doesnt pause. The Trump administrations focus on arresting people suspected of living in the country illegally has transformed life for tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County, the nations most populous county. About a third of the countys 10 million residents are foreign-born, and an untold number of people are now trying to live without being seen. Day laborers still gather at a Home Depot lot in Los Angeles Van Nuys neighborhood, despite several raids there by immigration agents. A new sign outside a day labor center warns law enforcement not to enter the building without a warrant. Antonio from Guatemala who, like other migrants interviewed for this article, didnt want to reveal his full name because he doesnt want to identify himself to the authorities shows up in his pickup truck and with a whistle, ready to warn if agents from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement are coming. He said he is vigilant all the time but refuses to live a life in hiding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Street vendor Carmen, an immigrant from Guatemala, glances both ways as she fills a cup with fruit juice on a Los Angeles sidewalk. Juan Manuel runs his clothing subcontracting shop with its folding metal shutter shut and locked from the inside. Another contractor couple works at a sewing machine with their three daughters beside them, instead of sending the girls to summer programs. They work at night instead of during the day to avoid detection. The smell of tear gas has long since faded outside the downtown Metropolitan Detention Center, where National Guard troops and Marines stood guard in response to protests. The armored vehicles are gone, but a lone American flag still hangs upside down from a pole placed nearby. On Olvera Street, a popular Mexican marketplace, young server Diego Garcia smiles as he takes an order. Elsewhere, vendors glance up whenever helicopters fly by. Missing person signs are posted by families searching for loved ones they believe have been arrested by immigration officers. For these communities, life swings between courage and caution. Making ends meet comes first for many. Fear is just an inconvenience. ___ This is a documentary photo story curated by AP photo editors. DENVER (KDVR) South Metro Fire Rescue and the Douglas County Sheriffs Office responded to an injured hiker in Daniels Park on Sunday afternoon, according to a post on X from South Metro Fire Rescue. Hiker rescue in Daniels Park. (Credit: South Metro Fire Rescue). Hiker rescue in Daniels Park. (Credit: South Metro Fire Rescue). Hiker rescue in Daniels Park. (Credit: South Metro Fire Rescue). Hiker rescue in Daniels Park. (Credit: South Metro Fire Rescue). Crews have made contact with the injured hiker and are working on a plan to extract the hiker via rope. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the span of Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld's career as an anesthesiologist, he's lost three colleagues to suicide, and he's only in his 40s. Those losses weigh heavily on Ehrenfeld, who also serves as the executive director of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at the Medical College of Wisconsin. "For me, it's been very personal to have lived through those losses and to think about how the system has failed these physicians my colleagues because the problem is not the person. The problem is the system we drop these people into," Ehrenfeld said. Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, a professor of anesthesiology at Medical College of Wisconsin, co-authored a new study for JAMA Network Open on the barriers faced by physicians who attempt to seek mental health care. Physicians carry a far greater rate of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide than the general population. That system is at the center of a new report published by JAMA Network Open Aug. 14. The report, co-authored by Ehrenfeld, underscores the severe mental health treatment gaps of physicians, the culture of fear and stigma that deters help-seeking, and the profound consequences for physicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of conversations on the topic with friend and colleague Dr. Daniel Saddawi-Konefka of Harvard Medical School, the two physicians teamed up with Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, to better understand the unique mental health challenges physicians encounter. One-third of physicians struggle with depression, nearly a quarter with anxiety, and 10% have post-traumatic stress disorder, rates far higher than the general population. In particular, female physicians have a 53% higher rate of dying by suicide compared with women in the general population. Certain specialty-specific physicians, such as anesthesiologists, general practitioners, psychiatrists and general surgeons, may also have elevated rates of suicide, according to the report. Additionally, the report highlighted physicians' increasing vulnerability to substance use disorder and problematic alcohol use. In the last 15 years, harmful or risky drinking has skyrocketed, affecting 27% of physicians. Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, a professor of anesthesiology at Medical College of Wisconsin, co-authored a new study for JAMA Network Open on the barriers faced by physicians who attempt to seek mental health care. Physicians carry a far greater rate of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide than the general population. Simply put, most physicians with mental health conditions don't seek help. Much of that, according to the report, stems from a medical culture that expects doctors to work around the clock, respond to human suffering with stoicism, perfect their duties, and normalize burnout and inadequate self-care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As medical students, it's seen as a strength to stay up all night, work 100 hours a week, say yes to everything asked of you, and perform your duties with an almost superhuman level of perfection, Ehrenfeld said. Those tendencies, often attached to perfectionist personality traits, "operate very strongly in the background" of medical culture, said Dr. Mariah Quinn, chief wellness officer at UW Health in Madison. "As physicians train, they're very acculturated by those who've come before them," said Quinn, who was not involved in the new study. "There's a lot of expectations about what it means to be clinically excellent." That only grows as medical students progress in their careers from training to practice. According to the study, stigma as a barrier to care emerged in 30% of early-year medical students, 53% of final-year students and 58% of resident physicians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then, baked into the profession is another powerful deterrent from seeking care: an archaic, and persistent, notion that a medical professional with mental health conditions equates to professional incompetence. Studies from the report show a punishing cycle: When medical students disclosed a history of psychotherapy in applications for residency programs, medical licensing and credentialing, they were less likely to be interviewed and accepted. For example, the report referenced a 2007 survey that revealed about one-third of state medical licensing board directors would sanction a physician based on a mental health diagnosis alone. In other words, it's not a problem limited to any one facility or organization, Ehrenfeld said, but a systemic one. The problem of always being on and willing to do better In his second year of medical school, Ehrenfeld recalled being at an operating table with particularly sharp corners and stooping down to pick something up. As he stood, he rammed the corner of his eye into the table corner hard enough to lose consciousness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though he was sent home, a supervising doctor called him the next day telling him he needed to return for a shift to make up for leaving the night before, he said. Dr. Jesse Ehrenfeld, a professor of anesthesiology at Medical College of Wisconsin, co-authored a new study for JAMA Network Open on the barriers faced by physicians who attempt to seek mental health care. Physicians carry a far greater rate of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicide than the general population. "I told him no, that it was a completely inappropriate, unreasonable, unrealistic request. I stood up for myself but it's just expected that I would come back," Ehrenfeld said. That sense of stoicism was almost Dr. Michael Stadler's undoing. Ten years ago, Stadler was on the verge of leaving the medical field. An ear, mouth and throat surgeon at the Medical College of Wisconsin at the time, he'd adopted a hardened mindset over the years that didn't diminish the sense of pain and dread he felt inside each time a cancer patient encountered an unanticipated complication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it didn't diminish the heavy feeling of guilt he endured whenever a patient would look him in the eye and ask, Why did you do this to me? Could I have done better? he would ask himself just as often. One evening at the dinner table with his wife, also a surgeon, she asked him how he was doing. He soon found himself crumpled in her arms crying hysterically. He had so many sick patients, desperate to be cured of their cancers. In a culture where nobody speaks about their grievances, who could he turn to for help? "We don't generally or historically talk about these things. We are not candid and transparent with our peers. We don't say, 'I too vomited before every surgery for the first two months of my career.' We don't talk about those things," Stadler said. "I felt isolated and alone." Wisconsin is one of the only states without confidential resources for health care professionals Every state but three has a professional health program that serves as a confidential resource for health professionals to access mental health and substance use treatment, along with other health issues that may affect their practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin is not one of them. Ehrenfeld and Stadler are pushing to change that. Stadler is championing a landmark initiative with the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, the philanthropic health arm of Medical College of Wisconsin, called the Health Workforce Wellbeing initiative. Those efforts will be implemented by the Wisconsin Hospital Association in partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation in memory of the New York emergency room doctor who died by suicide in the early days of COVID-19. The first phase of the grant will work to reform intrusive licensing and credentialing questions that probe into a medical professional's mental health conditions and their history of psychotherapy. Those challenges aren't limited to physician licensure, Ehrenfeld said, but affect all health professions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it's not just a challenge for the state Medical Examining Board. When medical professions seek credentialing at different facilities, there isn't consistency in the types of questions on the form, Ehrenfeld said. Getting hospital privileges at Wisconsin's various health institutions sometimes requires mental health disclosure, although some organizations, like UW Health, have adjusted their questions to remove these disclosures. The next phase will work in the space of education, helping medical professionals better understand burnout both what drives it and how to distinguish it from underlying mental health issues. Burnout can be an especially murky thing in the health care workforce, said Quinn from UW Health. It's often underestimated and discounted as a normal expectation of the job. "One of the reasons it feels so murky is people feel like they don't know what to do with burnout because of how normalized it is," Quinn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final phase will create a health care coalition that breaks professionals out of their silos, Stadler said. During COVID-19, Stadler witnessed a systemwide trend to meet health care professionals where they were at, whether that meant giving medical professionals a free meal after their shift, setting up a respite room in the hospital for breaks, or setting up group grief sessions where colleagues could communicate freely. As society moved on from COVID, Stadler noticed these types of interventions also wound down. But many health professionals continue to crave such robust and deliberate care. "We shouldn't need a pandemic to step up and take care of each other," Stadler said. "We went back to the grind of what we knew health care to be: without those important support structures around our people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Eilbert covers mental health issues for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She welcomes story tips and feedback. You can reach her at neilbert@gannett.com or view her X (Twitter) profile at @natalie_eilbert. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Most physicians don't access mental health care, new report shows At Mach 3 three times the speed of sound an SR-71 pilot would be pushing close to the aircrafts top speed, but the plane would normally have been able to fly at those speeds for more than an hour. But normal flying isnt what test pilots do. On January 25, 1966, Lockheed test pilot Bill Weaver and his backseater Jim Zwayer took off from Beale Air Force Base in an SR-71 Blackbird to do some abnormal flying on a Blackbird dubbed #952. Sadly, Zwayer wouldnt return from the flight, an occupational hazard for many test pilots of that era. Weaver would return to base with the most incredible tale of high-altitude, high-velocity survival any pilot had ever heard: he would be the first pilot to eject from an SR-71 Blackbird. This is not how test pilots fly. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Michael Haggerty) Bill Weaver was no stranger to notable firsts. He was a Korean War veteran and a Naval Academy graduate who joined the Air Force, flying the F-89 Scorpion, the first jet aircraft designed as an interceptor. He left the Air Force after the war and went to work for Lockheeds Skunk Works in 1956, where he tested all models of the F-104, the A-12 Oxcart, and the YF-12. But it was aboard an SR-71 Blackbird that he would make horrific history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hitting an aerial refuel from a KC-135 tanker, Weaver and Zwayer hit their Mach 3.2 cruise speed and climbed to 78,000 feet. Their test mission was to investigate procedures to improve high Mach cruise speed by flying with the center of gravity further aft than usual, a perilous mission because the move reduced the planes longitudinal stability, Weaver later wrote. Near the start of the flight, the right engine inlet automatic control system malfunctioned and was switched to manual operation as required by procedure. As the Blackbird began its test run, the right engine suffered an inlet unstart. This happens when a shock wave inside the engine is propelled forward. These shock waves are designed to slow the air down to subsonic speeds, allowing the engine to breathe. When functioning normally, the shock waves stay inside the inlet. If something disrupts this process, the engines lose their smooth airflow. The result of this means the jet can kick like a mule or one side of the plane could drop to subsonic speeds and turn to one direction or another. Weavers inlet unstart caused the aircraft to begin rolling to the right and pitch up during a programmed 35-degree turn. Weaver attempted to tell Zwayer that he was decreasing speed and to stay with the aircraft until it reached a lower altitude, but the transmission was garbled, and it was too late anyway. With all the different forces acting on the aircraft, the stability augmentation system was unable to restore control, and a catastrophic failure occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the flight data, the time between the inlet unstart and failure was approximately three seconds. The Blackbird completely disintegrated. Weaver blacked out. Weaver remembers regaining consciousness, thinking he was dead. Surely, no one could survive what just happened. Weaver couldnt remember initiating the ejection sequence either. Thats because he didnt; the aircraft just disintegrated around him. My next recollection was a hazy thought that I was having a bad dream, Weaver wrote. Maybe Ill wake up and get out of this mess, I mused. Gradually regaining consciousness, I realized this was no dream; it had really happened. That also was disturbing, because I could not have survived what had just happened. Therefore, I must be dead. Since I didnt feel badjust a detached sense of euphoriaI decided being dead wasnt so bad after all. AS FULL AWARENESS took hold, I realized I was not dead, but had somehow separated from the airplane. I had no idea how this could have happened; I hadnt initiated an ejection. The sound of rushing air and what sounded like straps flapping in the wind confirmed I was falling, but I couldnt see anything. My pressure suits face plate had frozen over and I was staring at a layer of ice. SR-71 pilots in full pressure suits at Lockheed Martin. (Eric Schulzinger) He remembered his main chute was scheduled to open at 15,000 feet, but wasnt sure if it would work. He searched for his D-ring to activate the main chute manually, but couldnt see it. It was then that the main chute opened. Weaver finally managed to get his frozen faceplate open and could see Jims parachute about a quarter mile away. When he looked down, the terrain was desolate, with patches of snow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He landed without any further injuries and was trying to collapse his chute when he heard a voice say, Can I Help You? Once again, Weaver was shocked. The man was Albert Mitchell, a cattleman who saw the crash and hopped into his private helicopter, just a couple of miles away, to help. Mitchell told Weaver that he saw his partners parachute and called the New Mexico Highway Patrol. My seat belt and shoulder harness were still draped around me, attached and latched, wrote Weaver. The lap belt had been shredded on each side of my hips, where the straps had fed through knurled adjustment rollers. The shoulder harness had shredded in a similar manner across my back. The ejection seat had never left the airplane; I had been ripped out of it by the extreme forces, seat belt and shoulder harness still fastened. The tandem cockpits meant the Blackbirds rear cockpit has no forward visibility. (Burley Packwood) After helping Weaver with his chute, the cattle rancher took off in the helicopter to check on Zwayers condition. He returned about ten minutes later with the bad news: Zwayer was dead. Apparently, his neck was broken from the Mach 3 ejection. One of Alberts ranch foremen would watch over Zwayers remains until the authorities arrived. Weaver asked to see his partners body to make sure nothing else could be done. After taking him to check on Zwayer, Mitchell took Weaver to the hospital in Tucumcari, New Mexico, about 60 miles away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the helicopter flight, Weaver couldnt help but notice that most of the gauges on the Hughes helicopter were in the red. He thought to himself, wouldnt it be something if he survived a Mach 3 ejection only to be killed in a helicopter ride. Weaver made it to the hospital and called Edwards Air Force Base, notifying them of what happened. The flight test team was shocked to learn that anyone survived, as they were monitoring the flight and couldnt believe that he survived a Mach 3 ejection. The Blackbird wreckage was strewn over an area 15 miles long and 10 miles wide. The front section of the aircraft snapped off just aft of the rear cockpit and was located about 10 miles from the main wreckage. The next day, the flight data from the crash was entered into the SR-71 Flight Simulator, and the results were the same. A total disintegration of the aircraft. From that point on, testing of the center of gravity aft of the normal limits was halted, and modifications to the inlet control system made unstarts much less frequent. (Lockheed-Martin) Only two weeks after the crash, Weaver was back in the cockpit for the first flight of a fresh assembly line Blackbird. As he rolled down the runway about to rotate, the backseater called out, Bill, are you there? Weaver answered Yes, George, whats the matter? George answered, Thank God I thought you might have left! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SR-71 rear cockpit has no forward visibility, and an ejection warning light came on. Perhaps George was wondering about Weavers state of mind after the crash. Weaver continued his career with Lockheed, where he tested the L-1011 Tristar, a wide-body airliner, and later became the companys chief test pilot. Air Force The A-10 training guide from the 1970s was a coloring book By Blake Stilwell advanced fighter jets Fixed Wing Why advanced fighter jets still carry guns By Blake Stilwell This C-130 landing on an aircraft carrier will make you rethink physics Navy This C-130 landing on an aircraft carrier will make you rethink physics By Orvelin Valle Watch as A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operate on the Autobahn in the 80s Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air Force Watch as A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operate on the Autobahn in the 80s By Harold C. Hutchison JDAM B-2 Spirit Air Force Watch this Spirit decimate an airfield with 80 JDAMs By Harold C. Hutchison MILLERTON, Pa. (WETM) A Pine City woman has been arrested on various charges after a stabbing that occurred on Friday evening in Millerton. Tara Jo Cusick, 52, was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 23, on the following charges, as stated in a release from Pennsylvania State Police (PSP): Attempted criminal homicide (grade 1 felony) Two counts of aggravated assault (grade 2 felony) Recklessly endangering another person Two counts of simple assault Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say Cusick was arrested on the charges following an incident that occurred on Friday, Aug. 22. At this time, officials say they were called to the area near First Street in Millerton for the report of a stabbing around 9:15 p.m. Upon arrival at the scene, officials say they found the two people involved and contacted the Criminal Investigations Unit. Ithaca man arrested following stabbing investigation in Ithaca Upon investigation into the incident, officials say it was determined that Cusick and the victim, identified as a 56-year-old man, had known each other for about 10 years, and that Cusick was living with the victim for a few days before the incident occurred. Officials noted that Cusick had previously been staying at multiple different places regularly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say they learned that Cusick and the victim had been arguing multiple times throughout the day before the incident happened. Ultimately, officials say they learned that the stabbing occurred during the final argument, which was captured on video by the victim. Elmira man arrested after numerous reports of contractor fraud After the stabbing took place, officials say the victim then drove to his mothers house and called police. Both the victim and Cusick were then taken to Robert Packer Hospital. After making it to the hospital, officials say the victim was kept overnight for observation, and Cusick was placed in custody and taken to PSP Mansfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, Cusick was charged, processed and placed in the Tioga County Jail without 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. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Sunday, dozens gathered to gaze at vintage cars and support New Mexicos many veterans. Expo New Mexico hosted the Pistons for Patriots, a car show built on creating a community of veteran businesses supporting other veterans. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays goal was to raise money for Paws and Stripes, a local non-profit that helps train shelter dogs to become service dogs for veterans with PTSD. Just this weekend, weve made dozens of contacts with veterans who could use either mental health resources, they could use a service dog, or maybe they could just use some guidance in navigating their benefits that they earn through their service, said Kirk Daniels, Director of Development at Paws and Stripes. Starting Monday, September 1, they will be opening their veteran service dog applications for 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A Pittsburgh man has been indicted on federal charges related to child sexual exploitation. According to the Department of Justice, Kevin Patrick Brown Jr., 25, of West View, is accused of producing, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material. The indictment says Brown allegedly used, persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce a visual depiction of such conduct in August 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown is also charged with receiving child sexual abuse material in the same month and possessing it in October 2021. The potential penalties for these charges include a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would depend on the seriousness of the offenses and Browns prior criminal history, if any. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW NEED TO KNOW A traveler recounting their nightmare flight alleges a fellow passenger was smoking marijuana in the plane's bathroom The traveler took to Reddit on Aug. 5 to recount the serious flight delay The poster alleges the original crew refused to operate the flight out of fear of second-hand smoke A different kind of smoke than usual was present in the cabin of a recent flight, according to one displeased plane passenger. On Tuesday, Aug. 5, a Reddit user took to the forum to share their story, claiming that a fellow traveler was caught smoking marijuana in the bathroom, causing drama with the crew and major delays. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They allege that UA flight 1679, a regularly scheduled trip from San Francisco International (SFO) to Cancun, was initially delayed due to technical issues. But as they waited for paperwork to get completed, someone smoked weed in the front bathroom. As a result, the smoking passenger was removed. Then, the plane sat still for about another 40 minutes for the crew to figure out what to do. [The] crew was concerned they got exposed so we deplaned and are awaiting new crew, the original poster (OP) alleges. The OP claims they heard the pilot say: I have 30 years left of my career at United, Im not willing to risk getting drug tested when I get to Houston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poster claims passengers sat in the terminal at SFO with no sign of a replacement crew. Getty United Airlines planes grounded in San Francisco. United Airlines planes grounded in San Francisco. Original departure time 8:50 a.m., the OP wrote. Current estimated departure 12:30 p.m. For the inconvenience, the poster says passengers were given a $15 meal voucher and they brought the snack cart out to the gate. Flight Aware indicates the plane eventually departed at 12:48 p.m. and arrived in Cancun at 8:05 p.m. local time. United declined PEOPLE's request for comment. Smoking on airplanes has generally been banned on flights in the U.S. since 2000. While the recreational use of marijuana in California was legalized in 2016, cannabis remains illegal federally. Thus, the TSA does not permit cannabis, including edibles, on planes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For pilots, if marijuana is detected on a Department of Transportation or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drug test, their FAA-issued medical certificate may be revoked. This is the case even if a pilots state allows recreational marijuana. Although some states have passed laws that permit the recreational use of Marijuana, the Medical Review Officer (MRO) who reviews your test results will not verify your drug test as negative based on recreational use, the FAA wrote. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In the comment section of the original post, some users applauded the decision made by the United crew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont blame the crew at all. Good move on their part, one commenter wrote. Others thought they were overreacting. The idea that the flight crew was going to test positive due to second hand exposure on an airplane when someone smoked weed in the bathroom is absolutely hilarious, someone wrote. Though, most agreed the passenger who allegedly caused the issue should face the consequences. Should be an automatic lifetime ban across all airlines. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes, a comment with 636 upvotes said. Read the original article on People St. Andrews, Fla. (WMBB) This Saturday, August 30th, is international Play Music on the Porch Day. Local musicians are beginning preparations for this community-wide event that has been celebrated in Northwest Florida for the past six years. We had the privilege of speaking with one of the many bands participating in this years events, Possum Blonde. Event Coordinator, Floriopolis Volunteer, and Possum Blonde member Valerie Law told us how this celebratory day made its way to the Panhandle six years ago. When asked to describe the event, Law went on to say, its just all of the musicians in town get together and play a little music, go around and listen to each other too, so its always good supporting each other. Patrons are encouraged to listen to the music by joining such celebrations taking place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Lynn Haven and Downtown Panama City. The fun continues from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. in Historic St. Andrews. As this observance of the day is not confined to these locations, those who wish to participate are urged to simply sit on their porch and play! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. Japan's top law enforcement officials apologized to the family of a businessman who was wrongfully arrested and died after a months-long detention. Shizuo Aishima, a former adviser to machinery firm Ohkawara Kakohki, was one of three company executives illegally held in pretrial detention for months on charges that were later dropped. Human rights campaigners have long demanded an end to Japan's "hostage justice" practice, where investigators use lengthy pretrial detentions to coerce confessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior officials from the Tokyo police, the top public prosecutor's department and the Tokyo prosecutor's office visited Aishima's family and grave on Monday. The officials knelt and prayed in front of the grave, the Japan Times reported. Tetsuro Kamata from Japan's National Police Agency (3rd L) and two other officials from the prosecutor's office apologize in front of the grave of Shizuo Aishima, who was falsely accused of unauthorized export of sensitive equipment and died after prolonged detention, in Yokohama on Aug. 25, 2025. / Credit: STR/JAPAN POOL/JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images "We sincerely apologize for conducting the illegal investigation and arrest," Tetsuro Kamata, deputy superintendent-general of Tokyo Metropolitan Police, said during a televised meeting with the family. Aishima's wife said: "I accept the apology but I won't be able to forgive." The three men were detained and indicted in March 2020 on charges they illegally exported spray dryers capable of producing biological weapons -- exports they argued were legal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aishima was diagnosed with progressive cancer in October 2020, but prosecutors kept him detained, arguing that he could destroy evidence if released. He was admitted to a hospital a month later. His two colleagues were released in February 2021 on condition that they would not meet with Aishima, preventing them from seeing him before he died that same month. Prosecutors later dropped the charges, prompting Aishima's family and colleagues to sue authorities. The Tokyo police and Tokyo prosecutors apologized directly to the company and others in June, the Japan Times reported. In its report on the investigation, police said that "it lacked fundamental investigative principles as an organization, and that the chain of command was dysfunctional," the outlet reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tokyo High Court found that the investigation, arrests and indictment were illegal and not supported by evidence. The family's lawyer Tsuyoshi Takada told a press conference that the men's detention -- authorized several times in court -- "was not the mistake of a single judge." "We need to change the mistaken attitudes of all judges," he said. "The court must learn from this and think about what they can do so that there won't be more victims of 'hostage justice' in the future." Aishima's eldest son said he had mixed feelings about the apologies and requested a new investigation of the case, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I take them as a step forward, as they acknowledged the unlawfulness of the arrest, detention requests and prosecution," he said. "I cannot accept the findings of your reviews and the disciplinary actions taken." Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" LOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles law enforcement agencies have arrested a burglary crew linked to nearly 100 break-ins across the region, officials announced Monday. Multiple police agencies and the LA County sheriff's deputies searched eight homes around 5 a.m. Wednesday, arresting seven men between the ages of 22 and 47, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a press release. They were all booked on charges including burglary and possession of controlled substances while armed, police said. Another man with an active warrant surrendered two days later, and two other men connected to the burglary crew were already in custody facing attempted murder charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspects, 10 in total, were all repeat offenders and confirmed gang members, according to police. The crew is linked to at least 92 residential burglaries dating back to 2022, with most incidents occurring in 2024 and 2025. What made this takedown possible was the outstanding work of our officers and detectives communicating across divisions and bureaus, sharing intelligence, and connecting the dots that revealed these burglaries were tied to the same crew, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said in a statement. LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who was elected last fall on a platform of cracking down on crime, said in a statement that his office would not hesitate to seek the maximum penalties under the law. During Wednesday's operation, officials recovered stolen luxury watches, bracelets, high-end purses, wallets and cash. They also found burglary tools like window-breaking devices and handheld radios, large amounts of ammunition and firearms, narcotics, a money counter and multiple cellphones, police said. Police also served a search warrant in April 2025 at a home linked to the crew and found large numbers of firearms and ammunition as well as stolen credit cards, fake IDs and jewelry. Aug. 25Police have arrested the mother of a child who had fallen from a second-story window at a Newton apartment complex less than two weeks ago. Angelia Varner, 35, of Newton was arrested and charged with child neglect, a Class C felony, on Aug. 25. According to a press release from Newton Police Department, officers and paramedics had responded to a report of a young child who fell from a window at 6:52 p.m. Aug. 14 at Woodland Heights Apartments. The child survived the fall with non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the emergency room at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Police investigated the incident with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Both determined the window was left open with a significantly torn screen. Witnesses told authorities that the child had fallen through the open window to the ground below while the mother was outside the building in the parking lot. A man was shot and killed in New Britain over the weekend. Police responded to the 100 block of Arch Street around 2 a.m. Saturday on the report of shots fired and found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the New Britain Police Department. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Jayson Bruno-Matos of Bristol, was taken to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police, investigators believe the shooting is tied to a disturbance. Police said there is no reason to believe anyone else in the area is in any danger at this time. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Capt. Matthew Butkiewicz of the New Britain Police Department Detective Division at 860-826-3120. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The Ohio State Fire Marshal was called to investigate after a woman claimed someone threw lit fireworks through her front door. Police were dispatched to a home on Oak Knoll Avenue SE just before 10 p.m. Sunday after a caller said someone threw lit fireworks through the front door of her home. When they arrived, officers noted the glass portion of her front door was broken, with shards on the porch. The living room was full of colored smoke, the incident report states, and the fire department was called to investigate as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman living in the home told police she and her children had gone to bed for the night when she heard the sound of glass shattering. She said she went into the living room and found broken glass and the lit fireworks, which were extinguished before they could set anything on fire, reports state. The fire department told police they reached out to the state fire marshal to conduct an 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) The Peoria Police Chief is calling for the Men of Peoria to show up and show support for students at Manual High School after a shooting last week. In a release, Chief Eric Echevarria said that kids in Peoria need us now more than ever. He asks every father, grandfather, uncle, mentor, guardian, and role model in Peoria to be at Manual High School at 6:45 a.m. Monday morning. While our officers continue to do everything we can, the truth is simple: the police department cannot do this alone. Safety, guidance, and hope for our children require all of us, especially the men of our city, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echevarria said that he, along with members of the Peoria Police Departments command staff, as well as officers, will be in attendance. We want them to see and feel that their community stands behind them, strong and united, he said. He said he wants this to not just be about Manual but for people to show this support for schools all over the city. Men of Peoria, this is our time to lead. Our time to model strength, courage, and compassion. Together, lets build safe pathways, safe schools, and safe neighborhoods for every child, every family, and every future, he said. The chiefs full statement can be found on the Peoria Police Departments Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Police are investigating an assault that received some social media recognition after one of the suspected assailants shared a video of the incident. Police were called to Warren G. Harding High School around 2:30 p.m. Thursday for reports of four males acting suspiciously in the parking lot. The incident report states the males approached the door near the library, where they grabbed a victim and began fighting with him, ripping a gold chain from the victims neck in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers on scene said the victim did not appear to have any visible injuries and did not stick around long enough to make a police report. All of the suspects reportedly fled from police, three of whom escaped custody in a silver Chrysler while one was detained. The suspect who was detained is facing misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and assault, court records show. Reports state the man who was arrested claimed he didnt know the other three suspects he arrived with. Officers noted in the days following the incident, there had been several videos posted to social media by one of the suspects that depict them grabbing the victims gold chain and bragging about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was captured on school security cameras, which officers plan to review along with the prosecutor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Rape reported in Barry Twp. State police are investigating a report of sexual assault that occurred at a residence in Barry Twp. Police were dispatched early Aug. 19 to 21 Well Drive, where a 32-year-old woman from Philadelphia reported she was being held against her will and raped over the course of two days by a 54-year-old man, also from Philadelphia. The victim reported the incident to a family member, who alerted state police. Upon learning of the contact, the male fled the home on foot after taking the victims cellphone from her possession, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PSP Schuylkill Haven Criminal Investigations Unit conducted interviews and obtained a search warrant for the residence. Police said contact was later made with the male; he came to the Schuylkill Haven barracks to be interviewed and cooperated with the investigation. Man flees from officers State police at Schuylkill Haven have obtained an arrest warrant for a Minersville man who reportedly fled into the woods after a vehicle pursuit with troopers. Police said troopers were engaged in a pursuit with David J. Tavares, 38, around 8 p.m. Aug. 13 when he exited his vehicle and fled into a wooded area in Norwegian Twp., near Walnut Lane and Fourth Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the charges stemming from the pursuit, Tavares faces an active arrest warrant for drug offenses. Police said there is a $1,000 award for information leading to Tavares arrest. House theft reported in Ashland State police are investigating a report of theft at a residence on Centre Street in Ashland that occurred between July 31 and Aug. 20. Police said that an unknown person entered the residence and stole two TVs, two window unit air conditioners and a floor fan. The items were valued at about $700 combined, police said. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Trooper Karaman at PSP Frackville at 570-874-5300. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WJBF)- UPDATE 8:10 p.m.: The University of South Carolina has given the all clear and students no longer need to shelter in place. There is no ongoing emergency at this time, the Carolina Alert website states. The Thomas Cooper Library building remains closed until further notice. Public safety officials are on the scene. In a Facebook post, the university said there is no evidence that a shooting occurred and that there were two minor injuries related to the evacuation of the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement __________________________________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE 7:13 p.m.- According to the University of South Carolinas campus security, they have found no evidence of an active shooter at this time. Police are continuing to search affected buildings and ask that everyone continue to shelter in place until there is an all clear. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ The University of South Carolinas Columbia campus is reporting an active shooter at Thomas Cooper Library. The suspect is reported as a white male with black pants, approximately 6 feet tall and still in the area. Everyone is asked to avoid the area and evacuate or seek safe shelter and barricade in a safe area as necessary until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campus police suggests that people should defend themselves if they encounter the suspect and obey public safety officials commands. Public safety officials are on the scene. This is a developing story. We are working to bring you more information as we get it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. No evidence has been found of a shooting at the University of Arkansas, police said, after the university sent out alerts to campus about a potential active shooter situation. (Getty Images) Police say they found no evidence of any shooting after reports of an active shooter on the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville around 12:30 p.m. Monday. Since the original call, multiple calls at multiple locations around the university have come in, the Fayetteville Police Department posted on its Facebook page shortly after 2 p.m. As of now, there are no confirmed gunshots, no confirmed injuries, no known suspects, and no arrests have been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first alert came on the University of Arkansas official social media account: RazALERT Emergency Notification: Avoid the area of Mullins Library due to an active shooter reported. Avoid. Deny. Defend. University police guided students away from the library and into the nearby student union, one student told KNWA News in an on-air interview. Other buildings went into lockdown with students and faculty barricading themselves in place, one professor told the television stationg. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a social media post that she was monitoring the situation. U.S. Sen. John Boozman, and Reps. Bruce Westerman, Rick Crawford and Steve Womack released similar statements shortly after the universitys alert went out. My team and I are closely monitoring reports of an active shooter near Mullins Library on the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus. If youre in the vicinity, please follow all safety alerts, Womack, who represents the Fayetteville area, wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Tim Griffin said he was relieved to hear that the incident appeared to be a false alarm, but vowed to that any individuals making false reports would be met with the full force of the law. This incident will be investigated, and when caught, the perpetrator(s) will face justice. This is not a harmless crime, he wrote on X. University spokesperson John Thomas said in an emailed statement just before 2 p.m.: A RazALERT notification was sent to campus at 12:27 pm telling campus to avoid the area of Mullins Library due to a reported active shooter. Police are responding to multiple reports around campus. The university came out of lockdown around 2:45 p.m., according to another post on its social media profiles. Classes have been cancelled for the rest of the day and will resume Tuesday, the post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After investigating multiple reports, police have not confirmed any active threats on campus at this time, the post said. Avoid, deny, defend protocols have been lifted at this time while police continue to patrol campus, but please be vigilant. The reports come after multiple false reports of active shooters at other university campuses around the U.S. in recent days. Arkansas law allows concealed carry of handguns on college campuses but only by individuals with an enhanced carry permit that requires specific training. UPDATE: This story was updated to include additional information from the University of Arkansas social media pages and a statement from Attorney General Tim Griffin. WACO, Texas (Fox 44) Waco Police are seeking help locating 35yearold Jamarr Walker, who was reported missing after last being seen near the 1200 block of Mary Street on August 20th. Walker, who is a mental health consumer, was wearing a black shirt, black shorts and black Fila shoes when last seen. Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to call the Waco Police Department at (254) 7507500 or dial 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. Police are searching for a missing man from Nashua, New Hampshire, who hasnt been seen since June. George Porter, 36, was first reported missing on July 28 but has not been seen since late June, according to Nashua police. Porter is about 507 tall, weighs about 115 pounds, and has a shaved head, a trimmed beard, and brown eyes. He also has a distinctive tattoo of a skeleton drinking from a wine glass on his left forearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Porters family told police the mans disappearance is out of character. Police say he may be in the Boston, Brockton or Lowell areas. Anyone with information about Mr. Porters location or any sightings since late June is asked to contact the Nashua Police Department. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Authorities are trying to identify a man who was struck and killed by a vehicle in St. Clair County early Sunday morning. St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. said the man was pronounced dead at the scene, which was near Foley Drive and N. 88th Street, at 1:05 a.m. Sunday. Cahokia Heights Police are leading the investigation, which assistance from an Illinois State Police accident reconstruction unit. No additional details have been released. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski has criticised Polish President Karol Nawrocki's decision to veto a law concerning assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war on Monday 25 August. Source: Gawkowski on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Gawkowski stated that "presidential vetoes strike at random" after Nawrocki blocked the law on aid for Ukrainians. "With his decision, Karol Nawrocki is cutting off Ukraines internet, as this in effect means rejecting the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens. This marks the end of Starlink internet that Poland has been providing to wartime Ukraine. It also means the end of support for storing the Ukrainian administrations data in a secure location," the Polish deputy prime minister emphasised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gawkowski said he could not imagine "a better gift" for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putins forces than disconnecting Ukraine from the internet. "Mr President, you must stop blindly striking at the government in the name of political struggle. You are harming the people who are fighting for their independence, while at the same time helping Russia," the Polish deputy prime minister concluded. Background: At present, Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink satellite communication services provided by Elon Musks company SpaceX. Amid uncertainty about the future of Starlink in Ukraine, European states have been discussing alternative ways of ensuring satellite connectivity. In July, reports stated that Denmark, through the European Defence Agency, would provide Ukraine with satellite communication services necessary for defence operations. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! WARSAW (Reuters) -Ukraine's access to Elon Musk's satellite internet service Starlink could be cut due to the Polish president's veto of a refugee aid bill, a Polish deputy prime minister said on Monday, as a conflict between the government and head of state deepens. Poland pays for Ukraine to use Starlink, which provides crucial internet connectivity to the country and its military as they try to push back invading Russian forces. Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Monday vetoed a bill extending state financial support provided to Ukrainian refugees and unveiled plans to limit their future access to child benefits and healthcare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said the vetoed legislation also provided the legal basis for providing Starlink to Ukraine. "This is the end of Starlink internet, which Poland provides to Ukraine as it wages war," he wrote on X. A digital affairs ministry spokesperson said Nawrocki's veto meant that from October 1 there would be no legal basis for paying for Starlink. Nawrocki's spokesperson told Reuters the basis for paying for Starlink could still be restored if parliament adopts a bill proposed by the president by the end of next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public broadcaster Suspilne cited Ukraine's digital affairs ministry as saying Kyiv was communicating with Poland about Starlink payments. Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest backers since Russia invaded in 2022. Both the centrist government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Nawrocki, a conservative nationalist, agree on the need to help Ukraine resist Russia's invasion but some Poles have grown weary of helping to support an estimated 1.5 million Ukrainians currently living in Poland. Nawrocki, inspired by U.S. President Donald Trump, promised during his election campaign this year to put "Poles first" and to limit the rights of foreigners in Poland. "I believe that (family) benefit should only be granted to those Ukrainians who make the effort to work in Poland, the same with healthcare," he told journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Ukrainian diplomatic source said Kyiv was analysing the possible impact of the move on Ukrainians in Poland, adding they believed "their rights will be protected no less than in other EU countries". Ukrainian refugees are currently eligible to receive the monthly family benefit of 800 zlotys ($219) per child if their children attend Polish schools. Other EU countries such as Germany have also proposed cutting benefits recently. In Poland, the president can propose bills and veto government legislation. The government can similarly block the president's proposals. HISTORICAL STRAINS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki also proposed on Monday tightening the criminal code to ban the promotion of Stepan Bandera, a Ukrainian nationalist leader who fought both Nazi and Soviet forces during World War Two, and his insurgent army. "I believe this bill should clearly address Bandera and equate the Bandera symbol in the criminal code with symbols corresponding to German National Socialism, commonly known as Nazism, and Soviet communism," Nawrocki said. Many Ukrainians regard Bandera and his militia as heroes of Kyiv's painful struggle for independence from Moscow. But for many Poles, Bandera is associated with the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), which Warsaw says carried out mass killings of Polish civilians in 1943-44. Thousands of Ukrainians also died in reprisal killings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any politicised decisions to equate Ukrainian symbols with Nazi and communist symbols could provoke negative sentiments in Ukrainian society and require a response from the Ukrainian side," the Ukrainian diplomatic source said. Publicly promoting Nazi, fascist or communist ideas is subject to up to 3 years of prison under the Polish criminal code. ($1 = 3.6456 zlotys) (Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Pawel Florkiewicz and Barbara Erling in Warsaw, Anastasiia Malenko and Dan Peleschuk in Kyiv; Editing by Gareth Jones) Polish President Karol Nawrocki has refused to sign an amendment to a bill that envisaged additional support for Ukrainian citizens who fled the war. Source: Polish news outlet Onet, as reported by European Pravda Details: Nawrocki noted that over the three and a half years of Russias full-scale war, Polands strategic interests have not changed and Russia remains the biggest security threat. However, he said the financial situation and public sentiment in Poland have changed significantly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "The law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens that I received does not include amendments that have been publicly debated. I have not changed my opinion and I intend to fulfil my commitments. I believe that the 800+ benefit should only be available to Ukrainians who take up the challenge of working in Poland." Details: The new version of the law on assistance for Ukrainian citizens that Nawrocki has vetoed would also have extended temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war until 4 March 2026. "I believe we need to achieve a certain degree of social justice here. Poles in their own country should be on at least an equal footing with our guests from Ukraine. For me, this is a matter of principle, and that is why I did not sign the law on assistance for Ukrainian citizens in its current form," Polish news outlet Interia quoted Nawrocki as saying. Nawrocki added that he has put forward his own draft law on the issue. "I urge the government and all parties in parliament to work hard on the form of this law over the next two weeks," he said. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! LATEST: Polish president's veto won't threaten Ukraine's Starlink access, Nawrocki's office claims. Editor's note: This story was updated to include another law signed by President Karol Nawrocki the same day and a comment from a diplomatic source. Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Aug. 25 vetoed a bill that would have extended financial support for Ukrainians fleeing the war, a decision that officials warn will also cut funding for Ukraine's Starlink internet service starting Oct. 1. Poland has been supporting Ukraine's internet connection since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion by financing Starlink systems, which are a lifeline for soldiers fighting on the front line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Presidential vetoes are cutting blindly! Karol Nawrocki turns off the Internet in Ukraine with his decision, because de facto it means his decision on the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens," Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski wrote on X. "This is the end of the Starlink Internet, which Poland provides to Ukraine, which is waging war. This is also the end of support for storing Ukrainian administration data in a safe place." Read also: Once a top backer, Poland fades from Ukraine peace talks amid domestic turmoil "I can't imagine a better gift for (Russia's President Vladimir) Putin's troops than cutting off Ukraine from the Internet," he added, accusing Nawrocki of "helping Russia" by blocking support for Kyiv's communications infrastructure. The Polish president's decision to veto the bill "means that as of Oct. 1, Warsaw will not be able to continue paying for Ukraine's Starlink subscription," a spokesperson for Poland's Digital Affairs Ministry told TVP public television on Aug. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The bill, which President Nawrocki vetoed, extended the period of assistance, meaning this funding from the Ukraine Aid Fund, until the end of March next year," ministry spokesperson Marek Gieorgica said. "Therefore, there is currently no legal basis for funding this from Oct. 1." According to Polish outlet Onet, Nawrocki said on Aug. 25 that Poland's strategic interests have not changed, and Russia remains "the greatest threat to security." "However, after 3.5 years, the situation in terms of financials and social and political emotions has fundamentally changed. The law that was proposed should be corrected today," Nawrocki added during a briefing at the Presidential Palace. Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink, the satellite internet system developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, to maintain connectivity in front-line areas and support government communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced on April 3 that Poland had supplied 5,000 additional Starlink terminals for critical infrastructure. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has received over 50,000 Starlink terminals, with Poland providing nearly 30,000 the largest contribution by any single country, according to Fedorov. Among other measures, Nawrocki announced the submission of his own bill that, among other measures, would extend the period required to obtain Polish citizenship from three to 10 years and introduce harsher penalties for illegal border crossing. Nawrocki also proposed equating the "Bandera symbol" with Nazi and Communist symbols in Poland's criminal code and revising the law on the Institute of National Remembrance to reflect "crimes committed by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The controversy over historical symbols has long complicated Polish-Ukrainian relations. While many in Poland associate Stepan Bandera's legacy with wartime atrocities, in Ukraine, the figure has come to symbolize resistance and national identity, especially in the fight against Russia's ongoing invasion. "In order to eliminate Russian propaganda and set relations with Ukraine on a mutual respect, I believe we should also include in this bill an unambiguous slogan 'stop Banderism,'" the Polish president declared. A Ukrainian diplomatic source told the Kyiv Independent that while Ukraine appreciates Polands past support, equating Ukrainian symbols with Nazi and Communist ones risks fueling negative sentiment in Ukrainian society. "Any politicized decisions on allegedly equating Ukrainian symbols with Nazi and Communist ones may provoke stronger negative sentiment in Ukrainian society and will require a response from the Ukrainian side," the source said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki, a right-wing nationalist backed by the opposition Law and Justice party, narrowly won Poland's presidential election on June 1 with 50.89% of the vote, defeating liberal rival Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski. While Poland has a parliamentary system in which the president's authority is largely ceremonial, the Polish president is still able to veto legislation proposed by the parliament. Read also: Ukraine has upgraded its Neptune missile heres what we know Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. State Rep. Tanya Miller announces her candidacy for Georgia attorney general Aug. 25, 2025, outside the state Capitol. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder. The contest to be Georgias next attorney general is now a four-way race after attorney and Atlanta state Rep. Tanya Miller announced her candidacy outside the state Capitol Monday. Miller, who serves as chair of the House Democratic Caucus, touted her background as a prosecutor and civil rights attorney with more than 20 years of experience. She pledged to prioritize pursuing sex traffickers, child predators, scammers, slumlords and other criminals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also leveled criticism at Republican Attorney General Chris Carr, who is stepping down to run for governor next year, characterizing him as overprioritizing politics. The attorney general is the peoples lawyer, she said. And thats why Im running, because the people of Georgia need an attorney general who will stand up and fight for them, no matter what, no matter what part of this great state they call home, no matter their politics, no matter their personal beliefs, no matter what. Lets face it, many Georgians dont even know what the Attorney General does, because the office has done so little for them, for you, for your family, for your community. While President Joe Biden was in office, Carr regularly led or participated in lawsuits challenging that administrations policies. Democratic attorneys general nationwide are involved in numerous lawsuits against the Trump administrations actions. Miller said she will not play politics if elected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney generals job is to be Georgias lawyer, she said. So whether that means standing against a Washington, D.C., policy or supporting a Washington, D.C., policy, if it helps the people of Georgia, Im with it. If it hurts the people of Georgia, Im against it. State law requires candidates for attorney general to be members of the state bar for at least seven years, which limits the pool of candidates compared with other statewide offices. Miller will be up against former House Minority Leader Bob Trammell, an attorney from Luthersville, in the May Democratic primary. In a text message, Trammell indicated he welcomes the competition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the Democratic process and a sign of a vibrant party and people wanting fundamental change, he said. As I talk to Georgians all over the state, folks are fed up with politicians looking out for big corporations and billionaires, while we pay the price. Ive spent my life fighting for Georgians because everyone deserves a fair shot to get ahead. The winner of that contest will go on to face the GOPs nominee in November. So far, two Republican state senators have announced their candidacies: Sen. Bill Cowsert of Athens and Sen. Brian Strickland of McDonough. In a statement, Strickland said a competitive Democratic primary will only serve to swing voters to the Republican side. The Democratic primary for attorney general will turn into a squabble over who will most obstruct President Trumps conservative agenda that Georgians voted for, he said. I welcome a competitive primary because it will highlight for voters the importance of keeping the Georgia attorney generals office in the hands of a law and order Republican. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The world-famous pre-human fossil known as "Lucy" is going on display in Europe for the first time as part of a Prague exhibition on the evolution of humanity. The partial skeleton from Ethiopia is the highlight of the rare exhibition at the Czech National Museum, ceremonially opened on Monday with the discoverer of Lucy, the US palaeontologist Donald Johanson, in attendance. The 3.2-million-year-old original bones will only be on display in Prague until October 23, after which they will return to the high-security vault of Ethiopia's National Museum in Addis Ababa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lucy" was a global sensation when she was unearthed and still looks exactly as she did when discovered more than 50 years ago, Johanson said. He added that she remains an important piece of evidence that humanity's roots lie in Africa. "We all share a common ancestry, we are united by our past," Johanson emphasized. He expressed humility, noting that the extinct pre-human species Australopithecus afarensis, to which Lucy belonged, lived for one million years, while modern humans have existed for only a few hundred thousand years. "Lucy" was discovered in late 1974 in the East African Afar Triangle as the most complete skeleton of an early hominin found up to that point. Celebrating their discovery later that night, the research team repeatedly played the Beatles song "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," which inspired the name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, "Lucy" is being displayed alongside the remarkably well-preserved skeleton of a child named "Selam" (Peace) in Prague. It is also known as the "Dikika Girl" after its discovery site in Ethiopia. "Selam" is approximately 150,000 years older than "Lucy," whose fossils have been dated to around 3.2 million years. In addition to the original bones, the Prague exhibition "People and Their Ancestors" also features reconstructions of the facial features of the two pre-humans, as well as numerous other rare artefacts. Due to the expected crowds, visitors are advised to book a time slot in advance. There was a time when political rhetoric had at least the vague appearance of dignity, while our elected officials focused on kissing babies, pretending to enjoy gas station burritos and using language best suited for a mild-mannered sermon on Sunday morning. Politicians love them or hate them at least tried to speak in ways that aimed to inspire or persuade. Today? That's been replaced with a lazy, foul-mouthed shortcut, where the F-bomb is being dropped like there's no tomorrow. Celebrities and politicians alike have discovered what they think is a magic tool drop the F-bomb, cue the applause and watch the social media clips go viral. From podiums in Congress to late-night TV, it's become almost routine. "No f-ing way," Sen. Chuck Schumer announced in response to Donald Trump's attempt to restore law and order to Washington, D.C. "Who cares about the f-ing rules right now," declared professional-failure Beto O'Rourke, "Win some f-ing power." "Yep. When ICE is around, I will alert my community to stay out of the area, and I'm not f-ing scared of you nor Trump's masked goons," posted an Arizona state senator. Even outgoing so-called late-night "comedian" Stephen Colbert got in on the act: "How dare you, sir? Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f- yourself." I guess we'll never know why Stephen Colbert got fired ... Make no mistake: As a Brit, I'm not unaccustomed to using the odd four-letter one-syllable word to hammer my point home. But there are a few crucial differences. First, it's just funnier in a British accent. Second, I'm not a member of Congress, nor am I standing at the forefront of the anti-Trump "return to civility" nonsense that supposedly formed the foundation of the post-Obama Democratic Party! In this case, the problem isn't even that these F-bombs are crude or beneath the office of our elected officials. The real problem is that these people think this is what connects them to "the people" they are obsessively trying to woo. Somehow, they genuinely believe that being vulgar makes them authentic. In reality, it's quite the opposite. At this point, all they have left is "f- Trump." Nothing of substance, nothing of character, nothing based in adult reality. It's just low-IQ political Mad Libs: fill in your outrage with profanity, get a round of clapter and carry on with the same vacuous talking points. And let's be honest: It's boring. Shouting expletives doesn't shock anyone anymore, and it doesn't add a single ounce of weight to an argument. What it does reveal is just how little these politicians and entertainers actually have to say. Swearing is not policy. Vulgarity is not vision. The fact that so many rely on it shows how empty their platforms truly are. While they think they're appealing to the "masses" and imagine the average voter happily nodding along thinking, "Finally, someone said it," in reality, most Americans aren't looking for politicians to outdo each other in schoolyard profanity contests. They're looking for leaders who take their jobs seriously, who don't confuse a cheap laugh or a viral soundbite with genuine leadership. If anything, the rise of political profanity proves just how shallow our political class has become. When your only weapon is the F-bomb, you've already lost the argument. Ian Haworth is a political commentator known for using facts, logic and a hint of British humor to fight for true conservative values. A speaker with Young America's Foundation and Turning Point USA, he first moved to the United States from the United Kingdom after graduating from Oxford University with a bachelors and masters degree in computer science. While working at Facebook as a software engineer on their misinformation team, Ian started to speak out against anti-conservative bias in Silicon Valley, as well as the rise of antisemitism. (COMMENT, BELOW) President Donald Trump appeared to waver Monday on whether he would attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago, saying Gov. JB Pritzker should be asking for the help a request the second-term Democrat has made clear isnt forthcoming. We may wait. We may or may not. We may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do, Trump said. You know, I hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians like a guy like Pritzker, Trump added, mocking the Illinois governors weight and labeling him a disaster. Following the presidents comments, Pritzker indeed made it clear he wasnt inviting Trump to send the National Guard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier today, in the Oval Office, Donald Trump looked at the assembled cameras and asked for me personally to say, Mr. President, can you do us the honor of protecting our city? Pritzker said during a news conference overlooking the Chicago River downtown. Instead, I say: Mr. President, do not come to Chicago.' Emphasizing that there is no ongoing emergency that would justify deploying the Guard, the governor said such an action would infringe on Illinois sovereignty. This is exactly the type of overreach that our countrys founders warned against, and its the reason that they established a federal system with a separation of powers built on checks and balances, Pritzker said. Still, Pritzker and other officials acknowledged there are few, if any, steps the city or state could take to head off a deployment if the president were to choose that route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps comments signaling he might be hedging his position about sending Guard personnel to Chicago came as he signed an executive order targeting Illinois and other jurisdictions that have adopted policies eliminating money as a consideration in determining whether someone charged with a crime should be released from jail while awaiting trial. On Friday, Trump raised the idea of using the Guard in Chicago, as he previously did in Los Angeles and currently is doing in Washington, D.C. In addition, The Washington Post reported late Saturday that the Pentagon has been working on such plans for weeks. The Friday comments and the media reports drew swift rebukes from Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Trump said Monday he was rethinking the deployment because I have a slob like Pritzker criticizing us before we even go there. I made the statement that next should be Chicago, because, as you all know, Chicago is a killing field right now, and they dont acknowledge it, and they say we dont need them. Freedom. Freedom. Hes a dictator. Hes a dictator. A lot of people are saying, Maybe wed like a dictator. I dont like a dictator. Im not a dictator, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a man with great common sense and a smart person, and when I see whats happening to our cities, and then you send in troops, instead of being praised, theyre saying, Youre trying to take over the republic. These people are sick. But Im really saying, and I say this to all of you in a certain way, we should wait to be asked, because they have cities that are so under control, out of control. So we go in and fix it. They take the full credit for it, said Trump, who noted Pritzkers possible White House aspirations. Should Trump move forward with deploying Guard personnel to Chicago, it remains unclear how exactly that would work. Unlike Washington, where Trump has faced fewer legal challenges in deploying the National Guard, Chicago is not subject to federal oversight. Whether Trump acted with proper legal authority when federalizing the California Guard earlier this summer in response to protests over his immigration policies is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit. Pritzker on Monday delivered his own personal attack on Trump, saying the presidents remarks about this effort over the last several weeks have betrayed a continuing slip in your mental faculties and are not fit for the auspicious office that you occupy. Johnson and Pritzker, who is running for a third term as governor, have highlighted that crime is dropping in Chicago from its post-pandemic peak, seeking to undercut Trumps pretext for sending troops to the city. Neither the governors office nor City Hall have had any formal communication with the Trump administration about federalizing the Illinois National Guard, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, shootings in Chicago are down 36% and homicides 31% after peaking in 2021 to levels not seen in over two decades, according to Chicago police data. Johnson has attributed that progress to the leadership of his handpicked Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling, as well as his administrations spending on youth employment and anti-violence programs. Attempting to counter that message, the White House on Monday issued its version of a police blotter using local news headlines to back up its contention Chicago has a serious crime problem, including that Chicago has repeatedly had more annual homicides than New York City and Los Angeles. Many other cities, however, have higher homicide rates per capita. At the riverfront news conference, Pritzker, Johnson and the states two U.S. senators sought to portray a unified presence against a Trump troop deployment, backed by a large swath of the city and states business, civil rights and community leaders. During the event, the mayor said Trump is fixated on Chicago because the city has fought his agenda. We are being targeted because of what and who we represent, Johnson said, referring to the citys history of being pro-working class, pro-immigration and pro-labor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the mayor did not directly answer questions about what instructions Chicago police would receive should federal troops touch ground, other than saying, Were going to use every tool at our disposal. So the Police Department is under direction of my leadership, my superintendent, Superintendent Larry Snelling, Johnson said. We have our own autonomy in terms of how we protect our city. Pritzker also didnt provide many details when asked what the state would do to stop Trumps efforts. The governor did vow that the state would use every lever at our disposal to protect the people of Illinois and their rights as he also acknowledged that Illinois National Guard members could face legal consequences if they refused the call to duty. The state of Illinois is ready to stand against this military deployment with every peaceful tool we have, Pritzker said. We will see the Trump administration in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, whose office has been involved in dozens of lawsuits against the Trump administration, said there isnt any preemptive legal action the state could take to stop the president from federalizing the Guard or sending troops to Chicago. We dont know exactly the exact circumstances in which the deployment would take place, so a preemptive lawsuit couldnt be targeted to a specific targeting of the military, so we dont anticipate that, Raoul said. Johnson, meanwhile, repeated a line he used earlier this summer, accusing Trump of terrorism. Any attempt to intimidate our people from being able to live their lives, that is the quintessential example of terrorism, and we will not bend, break or bow to that type of tyranny, the mayor said, while also asking Chicago protesters to do it in a very peaceful way because the Trump administration, they are trying to incite and provoke violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with several other speakers, Johnson said that if the federal government wants to combat crime in Chicago, it could begin with restoring $158 million in violence prevention funding for the city and increasing spending on affordable housing and schools. As the mayor of this city, I can tell you that Chicagoans are not calling for a military occupation, Johnson said. They are calling for the same thing that weve been calling for for some time, and thats investment. Pritzker also issued a warning to Trump administration officials who are complicit in this scheme, to the public servants who have forsaken their oath to the Constitution to serve the petty whims of an arrogant little man, to any federal official who would come to Chicago and try to incite my people into violence as a pretext for something darker and more dangerous: We are watching and we are taking names. In response to a reporter seeking to clarify those comments, Pritzker said, It simply means that people who are breaking the law, who are acting in unconstitutional fashion, including White House staff members, will be held accountable must be held accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois moribund Republican Party, still without a prominent candidate to challenge Pritzker or most other Democratic statewide officeholders for reelection, firmly sided with Trump in a fundraising email. The state GOP compared Chicago to a war zone and said, If Illinois Republicans dont step up, the national media and Democratic machine will spin this as an attack instead of the lifesaving mission it is. Chicago has been a favorite target of Trump throughout his political career, particularly on issues related to crime and illegal immigration. In the early months of his first term, for example, Trump proclaimed in a social media post that he would send in the Feds! in response to gun violence in the city. Then-police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told the Tribune at the time that Trumps statement was so broad that Johnson had no idea what hes talking about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the president of the United States called in the military domestically The executive order Trump signed Monday, in addition to a separate order aiming to end cashless bail in Washington, D.C., orders the attorney general to identify other jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order and directs other agencies to identify grants and other federal funds those jurisdictions currently received that may be suspended or terminated, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. At the White House, Trump deputy chief of staff Steven Miller called cashless bail policies a key driver of the disorder we see on city streets all over America and said Illinois would be a great example. In fact, Chicagos crime rate has declined since the states cashless bail system went into effect nearly two years ago. The decline is in line with the trend in other major cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Robert Peters, a Chicago Democrat who championed the policy in the state legislature, said it isnt a coincidence Trump signed an executive order targeting cashless bail as hes raising the specter of sending troops to the city. These two things arent separate. Hes attacking the Pretrial Fairness Act and threatening to send troops. Theyre literally tied together, Peters said. NEW JERSEY Pres. Donald Trump on Sunday blasted former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie after the latter criticized the president on a Sunday morning ABC show with Trump suggesting that the 2013 "Bridgegate" scandal during Christie's administration could be revisited. READ MORE: Guilty Plea, Two Indictments In Christie Administration 'Bridgegate' Scandal Christie, a former U.S. attorney who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, has long criticized Trump's handling of the covid pandemic, the 2020 election results, and other matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, he appeared on ABC's "This Week," criticizing Ghislaine Maxwell's recent exoneration of Trump in the Jeffrey Epstein sex abuse scandal, and accusing the president of using the U.S. Justice Department as his personal legal arm. Following the appearance, Trump posted on social media about the physical appearance of both Christie and TV host Jonathan Karl, and referenced the Bridgegate scandal in which several officials were accused of having closed a bridge from Fort Lee to New York City to get revenge on the mayor of Fort Lee. "I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged 'News' Show, 'This Week With George Slopadopolus,' on ABC Fake News," Trump posted. "(By the way, what the 'hell' happened to Jonathan Karls hair? He looks absolutely terrible!... Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says?" He added, "Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW." In September of 2013, several New Jersey officials ordered two of three lanes of the George Washington Bridge closed, ostensibly for roadwork. The lanes forced traffic tie-ups for four days. After a newspaper columnist for the Record began looking into the closure, it came to light that two officials had traded messages suggesting that it was time to close the lanes, ostensibly to get back at the mayor of Fort Lee for refusing to endorse Christie's re-election. A leaked email from Christie's deputy chief of staff, Bridget Anne Kelly, to Chief of Staff David Wildstein reportedly said, Time for some traffic problems in Fort Lee." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Port Authority Director Bill Baroni, Wildstein, and Kelly were prosecuted. Investigators did not prove that Christie knew of his aides' actions. Wildstein pleaded guilty and testified in court. Baroni and Kelly were convicted in 2016, but the state Supreme Court overturned their convictions in 2020. Kelly, a mother of four and former head of the Republican Party in Ramsey, went on to run for office in Bergen County in 2021. READ MORE: Guilty Plea, Two Indictments In Christie Administration 'Bridgegate' Scandal READ MORE: Christie Aide Destroyed Bridgegate Evidence, May Be Charged: Lawmakers President Threatens To Revive 'Bridgegate' Case In Feud With Ex-NJ Gov. Christie originally appeared on the Fort Lee Patch At face value, the circumstances surrounding the FBI search of John Boltons home and office appear difficult to defend. The former White House national security adviser is, after all, a prominent Donald Trump critic, who was on the receiving end of public presidential criticisms just days ahead of the search, and who appeared on an enemies list prepared by the FBIs hyperpartisan director. As Norm Eisen and Andrew Warren wrote in a new piece for MSNBC: The early-morning knock on Boltons door should be a wake-up call to every American. This escalation in the Trump administrations use of law enforcement to target political opposition marks a dangerous new front for American authoritarianism. With this in mind, the White House has an incentive to at least try to keep up appearances, putting at least some superficial distance between the Oval Office and the federal investigation into one of the presidents top political foes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some early indications, however, that Team Trump isnt overly concerned with the pretense. On Friday morning, for example, the president initially told reporters that he didnt know anything about the case against Bolton, before suggesting that he was hardly in the dark. Hes not a smart guy, but he could be a very unpatriotic guy, Trump said. Were going to find out. For good measure, he proceeded to call his former White House national security adviser a sleazebag. In case that werent quite enough, the president said he wasnt directly responsible for what he described as the FBIs raid on Boltons home and office, but he added: I could know about it. I could be the one starting it. Im actually the chief law enforcement officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around the same time, his vice president went a bit further. Politico reported: Vice President JD Vance is defending the federal governments investigation into former national security adviser John Bolton, as Democrats slam the FBIs search of his home last Friday as a politically targeted attack. But Vance also made it clear he couldnt say what Bolton might have done. It wouldve been very easy for the Ohio Republican, a graduate of Yale Law School, to wave off questions about the Bolton case, saying something like, All questions about ongoing federal investigations should be directed to the Justice Department, since the White House is not involved in the matter. Except, thats not at all what Vance said. Were in the very early stages of an ongoing investigation into John Bolton, Vance said during an appearance on NBC News Meet the Press, failing to explain who we are in this context. I will say were going to let that investigation proceed. ... We are investigating Ambassador Bolton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance added that he thinks theres a broad concern about Ambassador Bolton, again failing to note who has such concerns and why. When host Kristen Welker specifically asked whether the administration was engaging in retribution against a critic, the vice president said: Well, who has said it looks a lot like retribution, Kristen? A lot of people who tried to throw Donald Trump in prison for completely fake charges. First, if Vance is looking for people who believe this looks a lot like retribution, the list is not short. Second, while its true that Trump faced dozens of state and federal criminal charges, to date, none of them have been discredited as fake. But lets not miss the forest for the trees: The vice president suggested to a national television audience that the White House is involved in a Justice Department investigation into a presidential critic, which is every bit as radical as it sounds. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker called President Donald Trump a wannabe dictator in response to the White Houses reported plan to send federal troops into Chicago to quell crime. On Friday, President Donald Trump said Chicago would be a likely next target of his administrations efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump called Chicago a mess and accused Mayor Brandon Johnson of being grossly incompetent in efforts to reduce crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Washington, D.C., approximately 2,000 troops were deployed on the street. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, in the first week the White House had control of the citys police force, property crimes dropped 19% compared to the week before, and violent crime dropped by 17%. We want to go from here to other places. But I was, I was telling some of the people that in a certain way, you really want to be asked to go. You know, I hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians, Trump said Monday, while signing several executive orders, including one targeting states like Illinois that have abolished cash bail. When asked directly about sending federal troops to Chicago, Trump answered, saying, I didnt get a request from the governor. Illinois is affected maybe more than anybody else. And I think until I get that request from [Pritzker], Im not going to do anything about it. However, Pritkzer, along with Johnson and Attorney General Kwame Raoul, held a press conference in downtown Chicago on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What President Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted, Pritzker said. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is un-American. According to the Governors Office, murders in Chicago have declined more than 30% in the past year, and 50% since 2021, with robberies down 33% from 2024, and shootings down 36%. However, according to the University of Chicago Crime Lab, violent crime remains 21% higher than the U.S. national average. Not one person here today will claim we have solved all crime in Chicago, nor can that be said of any major American metro area but calling the military into a US city to invade our streets and neighborhoods and disrupt the lives of everyday people is an extraordinary action and it should require extraordinary justification, the Governor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker cited CDC data from 2023, which showed that 8 of the 10 states with the highest homicide rates are run by Republican governors. The governor also said his administration has taken steps to address the root causes of violence, with a $250 million Reimagine Public Safety Act, which included training residents to become Peacekeepers in Chicago neighborhoods. Pritzker also accused Trump of defunding the police by freezing $158 million in funding for violence prevention programs and dismantling the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The U.S. Posse Comitatus Act bars federal troops from engaging in civilian policing. The Insurrection Act allows exceptions, but only in cases of rebellion or a complete breakdown of local government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another speaker at the press conference, Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, the executive director of the activist group Live Free Illinois, said, The President of the United States has decided to target black and brown communities, communities already traumatized by state-sanctioned violence and white supremacy. This is a declaration of war on our people, she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Burning Man, the annual arts and music festival, is underway in the Nevada desert. Each year, volunteers build a temporary airport, which typically becomes one of the 100 busiest in the country. But this year, air traffic in Black Rock City screeched to a halt following an intense storm. The private plane and charter jets shepherding passengers to Black Rock City, Nevada the home of Burning Man have all been grounded after a storm ripped through the desert. Nearly 100 aircraft landed in the Playa before the operations at 88NV, the Black Rock Municipal Airport, screeched to a halt on Sunday evening. Since then, an air ambulance was the only plane to land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a typical year, the airport in the middle of the desert says it transforms into one of the country's 100 busiest, seemingly overnight. But, as of Monday morning, it remained closed following a storm that brought rain and intense winds to the Playa. The airport anticipated opening midday, though precipitation remains in the forecast over the next few days. During 2023's infamously wet Burning Man, a plane was grounded for weeks after it was damaged due to the muddy conditions, according to the airport's 88NV Pilot Survival Guide. Built about a mile and a half from the center of Black Rock City, the airport supports the traffic flying in and out for the music and arts festival that has become a must-attend in some of tech's elite circles. Individual and charter flights shepherd passengers to the Playa, as does the Burner Express Air, a shuttle service that connects 88NV to Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and nearby Reno. Tickets cost between $900 and $2,400 each way, and the service also offers the option to charter an entire aircraft for up to $18,000 one way. A spokesperson for the Burner Express told Business Insider that demand is up over 20% this year; last year, it served 2,184 passengers, according to the annual AfterBurn report. How volunteers build an airport from the dust While, on face value, private air travel may not seem in line with some of Burning Man's core principles such as decommodification and leave no trace the airport, like most other things at the festival, is almost entirely operated by nearly 400 volunteers. Planes have been flying to the Playa since the festival moved there in 1991, though it wasn't until 2010 that the airport was given the official identifier 88NV, and most of the planes that come through have nothing to do with billionaire Burners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work on the airport begins in May, when volunteers take stock of and test equipment. "The familiar sensation of playa dust boogers forming in my nose is making me positively antsy," the airport's leader, Simon Miller, who goes by Trash Dad, wrote in his newsletter that month. "I can't wait to see your dusty faces!" In the week leading up to the August festival, volunteers construct a makeshift tarmac, control tower, terminal complete with a waiting area and gate and windsock. The website warns passengers not to expect anything "cushy." "There are no vending machines, ticket counters, wastebaskets, or taxi cabs here," it says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the airport is open, the volunteers man the radio, document arrivals, and run a faux customs station for more than 12 hours each day. Volunteer pilots spend the days taking Burners on scenic flights that offer aerial views of the Playa. Overnight, many of them crash at one of the airport's two theme camps, Black Rock Travel Agency and Flybynyte. Considering the airport is nearly entirely run by volunteers, it has a pretty good safety record. There have been about 10 accidents since 2002, according to the 88NV Pilot Survival Guide. Only one fatal accident has occurred, when a plane stalled midair. In the three to four days following the event, volunteers take the whole thing down. Their last job? Leaving "nothing more than dust." Or, in this year's case, mud. Read the original article on Business Insider The pro-Andrew Cuomo super PAC Fix The City raised a whopping $1.26 million in the past week alone the largest weekly haul for the mayoral candidate to a super PAC since the Dem primary, sources said. The massive take included $500,000 from billionaire William Lauder, the former executive chairman of Estee Lauder perfume and cosmetic companies. A pro-Andrew Cuomo super PAC, Fix The City, raised a whopping $1.26 million in the past week Getty Images John Hess, former chairman and CEO of the energy company Hess Corporation, shelled out $500,000. REUTERS Estee heir Jack Zinterhofer, the grandson of Williams uncle Ron Lauder, kicked in another $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Hess, former chairman and CEO of the energy company Hess Corporation, shelled out $500,000, too. The DNA testing company Natra Inc., meanwhile contributed $10,000. The infusion of hefty contributions to such super PACs which are independent from candidates campaigns, freeing them up by law to raise much larger sums from individual donors could help prop up the ex-governor for the final stretch of his general-election campaign for mayor. Mayor Eric Adams at a City Hall press conference. Paul Martinka Its unclear how much radical leading mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and trailing hopeful Mayor Eric Adams netted from their super PACs last week, as the figures are not typically released till Monday. Cuomo and Adams are running as independents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of regular campaign fundraising, Mamdami trounced his rivals by netting $1.05 million, more than double the $507,000 that Cuomo raised, in the past five weeks. Adams raised $460,000, while GOP candidate Curtis Sliwa raked in $407,000. It was only known that the pro-Mamdani super PAC New Yorkers for Lower Costs last week received a $250,000 donation from philanthropist Elizabeth Simons, daughter of the late billionaire hedge-fund investor James Simons. Its unclear how much radical leading mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and trailing hopeful Mayor Eric Adams netted from their super PACs last week. M10s/TheNews2/INSTARimages The only candidate who can defeat Mamdani is Andrew Cuomo, said Fix The City Chairman Steve M. Cohen, a longtime Cuomo confidante. A lot of our donors will come back. Over the next 30 days to 45 days, you will see the donors who supported us during the primary and new donors supporting Andrew Cuomo, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no contribution cap on how much a donor can give to an independently run super Pac, so Fix The City could help keep Cuomo competitive in the money game with fat-cat contributions, now that he is an underdog after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary. Fix The City raised more than $25 million to help Cuomo during the primary, including $8 million from billionaire Mike Bloomberg, the former three-term New York City mayor. It remains to be seen whether the pro-Cuomo group will replicate that figure as the former governor runs on an independent ballot line against the chosen Democratic nominee. The Cuomo PACs take included $500,000 from billionaire William Lauder, the former executive chairman of Estee Lauder perfume and cosmetic companies. Fix The City will devote more resources on getting out the vote in the general election to compete, an insider said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As during the primary, the Cuomo forces will have to compete with Mamdanis thousands of young volunteers and backing from the infrastructure of the Democratic Socialists of America. Mamdani also has the support of the Working Families Party, and many labor unions that had backed Cuomo switched to the socialist. The Cuomo super PAC intends to partner with neighborhood groups who do not want a democratic socialist as mayor and see the ex-gov as the viable alternative. During an interview Sunday, Cuomo said the race is a fight for the soul of the Democratic Party as well as the mayoralty. Im a Democrat running on an independent line. Zohran [Mamdani] is a socialist running on the Democratic line, Cuomo said on the Cats Roundtable 770 WABC radio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told host John Catsimatidis, Im not a socialist. Im not against business. Im not against corporations. I dont know how you can be a socialist leader in New York City and be anti-business and have New York City survive. New York City is all about business How can you be a mayor of New York whos anti-business? I do not get it. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins is taking aim at federal public defenders and their office in connection with the 40-year-old Danny Lee Hill murder case. Watkins wrote a letter to Ohio Attorney General David Yost asking his office to launch an investigation into what Watkins calls overreach by the Capital Litigation Division of the Federal Public Defenders Office in connection with Hills attempts to avoid the death penalty. Watkins is claiming an abuse of the principles of federalism by the public defenders office by inserting itself into the Hill case after his death penalty conviction had been upheld multiple times since his conviction in 1985. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill has an appeal right now before the Ohio Supreme Court challenging procedural errors in decisions made by the 11th District Court of Appeals related to his intellectual capacity and how the lower court categorized his case for litigation, and how changes in determining intellectual disability were addressed. Hill is contending that the denial of his appeals was a procedural error by the Appeals court, and that is the crux of the oral arguments that the Ohio Supreme Court will hear on October 22, 2025. Hill has had over 30 appeals, according to Watkins. Watkins, who has turned Hills latest appeal over to state prosecutors, is asking Yost to look into pleadings by the Federal Public Defenders Office in other courts that he says Hill has not sought let alone authorized the new pleadings. Watkins is taking issue with federal attorneys who may or may not have jurisdiction in Hills case or even his permission to file motions on his behalf. He feels they are nothing more than delay tactics that waste the courts time and money in the Hill saga. If permitted to proceed unchecked and unchallenged, federal involvement is assured by these federally funded, death penalty abolitionists. They must be appropriately stopped on legal grounds, Watkins wrote. In 2022, the Ohio Legislature created the Tenth Ammendment center, which calls for active monitoring to prevent the overreach of federal interventions. The legislation went into effect in April 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hill was convicted in 1985 of the rape and murder of 12-year-old Raymond Fife in Warren. Timothy Combs, a 17-year-old co-defendant in the case, died in prison at the age of 50 while serving multiple life sentences. Hill is 58 years old. He was 18 when Fife was murdered. Hill has had multiple execution dates set; however, Ohio has a moratorium on the death penalty because the Ohio Department of Corrections cannot obtain the drugs from pharmaceutical companies to carry out lethal injection, the only approved manner of execution in Ohio. Watkins has called on lawmakers to pass legislation approving other methods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Laws protecting Americans from expensive lawsuits threatening to restrict their free speech have risen across the country over the past seven years, though 12 states still offer no such protections, according to a report from a leading free speech organization. The Institute for Free Speechs Anti-SLAPP Report Card analyzes state laws that protect individuals from Strategic Lawsuit(s) Against Public Participation more commonly known as SLAPP suits. SLAPP suits are a type of costly lawsuit used to silence criticism and prevent people from exercising their First Amendment rights through the threat, or actual application of, baseless and expensive legal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These suits are often pressed by powerful corporations or affluent individuals against people who have written or said something the plaintiff didnt like. These lawsuits can incur massive court fees for average defendants and directly chill free speech, making the individual more hesitant to speak out for fear of being overwhelmed with litigation costs they cant afford. At the beginning of the 21st century, only three "good" anti-SLAPP laws were on the books across the country according to the report: in Rhode Island, Indiana, and Louisiana. Now, however, for the first time in American history, nearly 63% of Americans have strong anti-SLAPP protection in state courts, receiving a B grade or better on the Institutes scale, and 25 states now have an A-graded law. "It's a remarkable statistic," said David Keating, president at the Institute. "If you were to count the population in the 38 states that have an anti-SLAPP law, and you compare it to the national population, over 86% of citizens in the United States are now covered by some sort of anti-SLAPP law. And not only are we getting more states, we're getting better laws in more states." Anti-SLAPP suit laws are gaining strength Since the Institute's last report in 2023, 10 states have increased their anti-SLAPP laws, including Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as Illinois and Delaware, whose new laws are awaiting signature by their governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, 39 states, including D.C., now have a functioning anti-SLAPP statutes either passed or awaiting signature, and 12 do not have any type of law. The Institute for Free Speech's 2025 map showing states with their anti-SLAPP protection ratings, from the organization's 2025 Anti-SLAPP Report Card. "I've been pretty surprised by how many states have improved since the last report," Keating said. "In some respects, it's more difficult to get a state to improve its law than to pass new laws So not only are we getting more enactments of new laws, but we're getting the states that had weak laws to go back and improve them. Even with the increase in polarization that we've seen, which just seems to get stronger with each election cycle, most of these bills pass either unanimously or almost unanimously." However, many states still lag behind, with weak to no laws protecting citizens from SLAPP suits, putting their First Amendment right to speak and publish at significant risk. Six states received a D grade by the organization, while 12 states receive F grades for having no anti-SLAPP law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee is considered to have some of the strongest anti-SLAPP laws in the country, alongside California, according to the report. Tennessees protections against SLAPP suits were strengthened by the 2019 Tennessee Public Participation Act, which expanded the states previous anti-SLAPP law. More: Protesting in a chicken mask? Tennessee man fends off lawsuit in free speech win The states with a perfect score of 100, meaning they have excellent anti-SLAPP protections, are: Delaware Hawaii Idaho Kentucky Maine Montana Ohio Utah The states with a score of zero, meaning they have no anti-SLAPP laws, are: Alabama Alaska Michigan Mississippi New Hampshire North Carolina North Dakota South Carolina South Dakota West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some states have taken note of the lack of protections. Since the last report, five states that previously had no anti-SLAPP law enacted laws, while three states replaced "weak" anti-SLAPP laws with stronger laws. A number of these changes are due to the creation of a standard anti-SLAPP law that was adopted by the Uniform Law Commission a nonpartisan body of lawyers that help write model legislation for all states in 2020. Keating said that it's only getting "more important" to have robust speech laws as the axis of speech continues to turn towards a predominately vast online world. "We not only have journalists and media companies, but we have more citizen journalists now, more volunteer journalists, and just people who are keen observers of things on the local scene," he said. "Even for businesses this is important, which is totally new compared to when the original SLAPP laws were first enacted. We have reviews of businesses online now, and that's important, because it helps consumers and businesses." Anti-SLAPP suits dominate headlines in recent months Despite its strange name, SLAPP suits are fairly common lawsuits. Over the past seven months of the second Trump administration, however, SLAPP suits and protections against them have taken on an increasingly dominant presence in the legal landscape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Trump filed a federal lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owners. The suit is for at least $10 billion regarding the newspaper's recent report that Trumps name was on a 2003 birthday card for the late sex offender and disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. While the case is in the early stages and has not been ruled a SLAPP suit yet, Trumps lawsuit may run afoul of some anti-SLAPP measures, because he filed it in Florida. More: Florida free speech law could aid Wall Street Journal in Trump defamation suit Florida has an unusual clause in its anti-SLAPP protection laws rated C- by the Institute that allows judges to award attorney fees to the losing party in federal courts, not just state court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Off of the presidential trail, state officials in Arizona are facing similar heat for an alleged SLAPP suit. Attorneys representing students and community members who were arrested at a pro-Palestinian encampment last year on Arizona State Universitys campus say the Maricopa County Attorneys Office have accused them of charging them due to their political speech. Their anti-SLAPP complaint filed seeks to have the nearly 70 misdemeanor trespassing charges dropped, arguing prosecutors have been substantially motivated by the political nature of the protest. The protesters were part of a demonstration on Arizona State Universitys campus in April 2024 that ended after dozens of people were detained after defying officials orders to remove the encampment, which called for the end of violence in Gaza. The USA TODAY Network - The South region's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham Arizona Republic's Helen Rummel contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Protections against lawsuits restricting speech grow but some states still lag The 1953 Alfred Hitchcock film I Confess, based on an earlier play, features a priest suspected of murder. Hes innocent, and has even heard the murderers confession but cannot clear his own name. The Catholic sacrament of reconciliation, also known as penance or confession, has been a compelling set piece for fiction writers over the ages, from medieval novels to contemporary films. One reason the practice has intrigued both authors and audiences is the dramatic potential of the seal of the confessional that is, the requirement that priests not disclose any identifying information about what they have heard during confession. Recently, this sacrament has garnered nonfictional attention. Washington state passed a law on reporting child abuse, which was scheduled to go into effect in July 2025. In some circumstances, the law requires clergy to report abuse or neglect, even if it is revealed during confession. On July 18, however, a federal judge put the law on hold, amid a lawsuit alleging the measure would violate First Amendment rights to religious freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But what is the sacrament of reconciliation, and how has the practice developed in the Catholic Church? I have sinned Today, the most common form of confession takes place between a penitent and the minister of the sacrament a priest or bishop. There may be a screen between the two, or they may sit across from one another without anonymity. A priest listens to a pilgrims confession at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil, on Oct. 30, 2015. AP Photo/Leo Correa At the beginning of the rite, the minister greets the penitent with kindness, offers a prayer and sometimes reads from the Bible. The penitent then confesses the sins they believe they have committed since their last visit. In Catholic teaching, a sin is defined as a failure in loving God and others properly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christians believe that sin distances humans from God, but that Jesus life, death and resurrection repaired that wounded relationship. The confessor the ordained clergy hearing the confession reminds the penitent that through the sacrament, they participate in this central mystery of faith. Following the confession, the priest or bishop proposes an act of penance: a prayer or action by which the penitent might grow in holiness and make amends. Afterward, the penitent offers a prayer of contrition, asking for Gods mercy. The confessor then absolves the penitent in the name of God before exclaiming, The Lord has forgiven your sins, and dismissing the penitent to Go in peace. History of the sacrament Confession is a form of repentance: turning away from wrongdoing and heeding the call of God, a theme long emphasized in the Jewish and Christian traditions. While still an important emphasis today for Jews and Christians, practices around repentance vary. In the Catholic tradition, baptism the first sacrament a person receives washes away sin and brings the baptized into the church. As Jesus apostle Peter says in the New Testament, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Pope Francis kneels in confession during a penitential liturgy in St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican, March 9, 2018. Stefano Rellandini/Pool Photo via AP Gradually, the church developed communal practices for reconciliation after baptism. Typically, penitents would remain outside church gatherings, demonstrating their repentance by prostrating themselves, and then publicly confess. Though the historical record is complex, communal penance usually could be undertaken only once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an important variation, medieval soldiers returning from war regularly spent an extended period of penance in monasteries a recognition of Catholicisms teaching that any war is inherently sinful. During the Middle Ages, the practice of individual confession developed in what is now Ireland. The rite introduced private confession to a priest, who ritually represents both Christ and the wider church. Eventually, this rite became repeatable. Individual confession was codified into church law at the Fourth Lateran Council, a meeting of bishops in 1215. The council also emphasized the sanctity of the seal of confession that is, clergys requirement not to betray a penitent by revealing something confessed to them during the sacrament of reconciliation. This absolute confidentiality helps give penitents the confidence to approach confession forthrightly, without holding back. The automatic consequence for a confessor who breaks the seal of confession is excommunication that is, banned, at least temporarily, from the sacraments of the church. In some cases, the offender can be removed from the clergy. Public and private Two elements of confession are emphasized throughout Christian history, sometimes in a kind of back-and-forth: interior attitude of repentance, and outward expression of that repentance. Catholicism teaches that speaking aloud ones sins makes them concrete in a way that private prayer cannot and makes the forgiveness concrete, as well. As Pope John Paul II wrote, confession forces sin out of the secret of the heart and thus out of the area of pure individuality, emphasizing its social character as well. A priest listens to confession in a row of confessionals set up for pilgrims during World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 1, 2023. AP Photo/Ana Brigida In the standard form of the Catholic sacrament today, the communal element is reduced but not lost, since the confessor stands in for the presence of Christ and for the presence of the wider Christian community. Other penitential acts bring the communal aspect more to the fore. Indeed, at every Catholic Mass, participants offer a general confession of sins without specifying particular actions. They ask for each others prayers, and pray for Gods forgiveness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sacrament of reconciliation, however, remains a practice in which Catholics can be specific and concrete about what they understand to be serious sins. Dorothy Day, an American peace and labor activist who is under consideration for sainthood, famously reflected that confession is hard. You do not want to make too much of your constant imperfections and venial sins, but you want to drag them out to the light of day as the first step in getting rid of them. At its best, the sacrament of reconciliation aims to support this practice and bring about Gods abundant grace upon the penitent. 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: Timothy Gabrielli, University of Dayton Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Gabrielli 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. (PUEBLO, Colo.) On Friday, Aug. 22, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), along with Governor Jared Polis, the Pueblo County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) and the Pueblo Police Department (PPD), teamed up to hold a press conference updating the public on its investigation into the Davis Mortuary and Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter. At the press conference, both Gov. Polis and Pueblo County Sheriff David Lucero called for Cotters resignation, as there is no legal option to remove any elected county official in Colorado. On Sunday, Aug. 24, the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorders Office released an outline for what the recall process looks like for elected officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Colorado Election Code, any elected public officer of the state or its political subdivisions may be subject to recall by the registered electors of the jurisdiction from which the officer was elected. The recall process is a constitutional right that allows voters to hold elected officials accountable between regular elections. To get a recall started, proponents must first file a notice of intent with the County Clerk. This notice must include: The name of the officer sought to be recalled A statement of the grounds for recall in not more than 200 words The names and addresses of at least three registered electors who will represent the proponents as the recall committee If the Pueblo County Clerk approves this notice, those in support can begin collecting signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of signatures required for a recall depends on how many votes were cast in the last election for the specific office. The number of valid signatures required is based on a percentage of the votes cast in the last election for that office, wrote the Pueblo County Clerk and Recorders Office. In the case of the 2022 Pueblo County General Election, that number is 16,431 valid signatures. If the required signatures are reached within the statutory timeframe, then a recall election will be scheduled, letting voters make the decision to remove said official. The Pueblo County Clerk and Recorders Office encourages anyone with questions about these procedures or their requirements to email the Elections Department at elections@pueblocounty.us or call (719) 583-6620. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. In an interview with ABC News on Aug. 24, former CIA Director and retired U.S. Army General David Petraeus cast doubt on both the likelihood of a meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and on Putin's willingness to negotiate in good faith. "There's not that much right now that would lead us to believe that," Petraeus said when asked if such a meeting might take place. "In fact, out of the last two weeks... I think what should be clear to all, and I think it is even clear to President Trump, is that despite all of his efforts...to end the war, to stop the killing, Vladimir Putin clearly has no intention of doing that unless he's given additional territory, which is heavily fortified, and Russian forces would have to fight for years at the pace that they're going." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Putin's core demands including a pro-Russian government in Ukraine and its demilitarization have not changed. "The obstacle to peace at this point in time is President Putin," he said. Petraeus argued that the U.S. and its allies need to shift the balance of power by increasing support for Ukraine. "What we need to do is change those dynamics by helping Ukraine far more than we have so far," he said. "Lifting restrictions on them, seizing the $300 billion of frozen reserves in European countries of Russian money, giving it to Ukraine. More sanctions on Russia, even including the Gazprom bank, and curtailing the export of oil further than we have already." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petraeus' comments follow an eventful two weeks of diplomatic activity. On Aug. 15, Trump and Putin met face-to-face in Anchorage, Alaska their first meeting in years. With Ukraine excluded from the Alaska summit, Zelensky, accompanied by a delegation of European leaders, traveled to Washington on Aug. 18 to meet with Trump and press for concrete security guarantees in the event of a future peace deal with Moscow. Following the meetings, Trump said a bilateral summit between Zelensky and Putin could happen within two weeks. However, recent statements from Russian officials suggest such a meeting remains unlikely. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian President Vladimir Putin avoids meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky because "he doesn't like him," U.S. President Donald Trump said on Aug. 25. Trump separately met Putin and Zelensky this month as part of his push to broker peace, but no breakthrough has been achieved, and Russia has continued striking Ukrainian cities. "Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace, and then I get very angry about it. I think we're going to get the war done. It's tough Strange things happen in war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his Aug. 25 speech, Trump made contradictory statements about the possibility of ending Russia's war against Ukraine. He said he intends to arrange a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia but then added that it might not happen at all. "They really don't like each other," Trump added. "The one I thought would be the easiest, frankly, was Russia and Ukraine. But it turns out there are some big personality conflicts." Trump met Zelensky at the White House on Aug. 18, three days after he first met Putin in Alaska. Zelensky said following the meeting that Ukraine is prepared to hold unconditional talks with Moscow. The Ukrainian leader said peace talks must address Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children, the return of occupied territories, and funding to support Ukraine's war effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky noted that more than 30 countries, including European states, Canada, and Japan, are ready to back security guarantees for Ukraine, with some signaling willingness to provide peacekeeping forces, intelligence, and air defense support. Trump said U.S. backing would come "from the standpoint of backup," while European nations would provide significant security guarantees. "We're going to help them," he said. "I want to stop seeing people being killed." Earlier, on Aug. 19, Trump said that U.S. soldiers will not be on the ground in Ukraine to ensure security guarantees are upheld, highlighting European countries would "frontload" them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky repeatedly said he is ready to meet Putin and hold peace talks with Russia. Zelensky told reporters on Aug. 20 that if Putin "is not ready" for a one-on-one meeting, Kyiv expects the United States to respond with tougher measures. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Aug. 22 that a meeting between the two leaders is not ready at all, claiming that Zelensky had rejected several principles needed for future peace talks and questioning his legitimacy. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Donald Trump said Vladimir Putin is reluctant to meet Volodymyr Zelensky because he doesnt like him. After his Alaska summit with Putin and White House visit from Mr Zelensky and European leaders last week, the US president had been confident the two leaders would shortly sit down for bilateral talks. But Putin has appeared to stall the meeting, with his foreign minister on Sunday claiming there needs to be an agenda before the two leaders meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked why he thinks the Russian despot is so averse to meeting with Mr Zelensky, Mr Trump said: Because he doesnt like him, he doesnt like him... they dont like each other, really. I dont know if theyll meet. Maybe they will, maybe they wont, Mr Trump said in the Oval office. They do not exactly get along well, he added of the Ukrainian and Russian leaders. Donald Trump with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office last week - MANDEL NGAN/AFP Mr Trump suggested he was frustrated with Putins contradictory words and actions. Mr Trump confirmed he had spoken with Putin since their call following his high-level meeting with European leaders and Mr Zelensky last week. Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation, and then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace and then I get very angry about it, Mr Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Republican leader appeared confident a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia still might be possible. I think were going to get the war done and stuff. I thought that would be, of the seven that I settled, I thought that would be the easiest of the group. Mr Trump speaks in the Oval Office on Monday alongside JD Vance, the vice-president, and Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary - Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS Mr Trump also said he had spoken to Putin about limiting nuclear weapons and the threat from China. We have the most. Russia has the second most, and China has third, but China is way behind, but theyll catch us in five years. We would like to denuclearise. Its too much power, and we talked about that also, he said. Mr Trump also gave further details on what role the US could play in a potential security guarantee package for Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US leader previously ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine if a peace deal is agreed, but said the air force could help police the skies above the country. On Monday, he said while they do not yet know the specifics of a deal, America could provide backup to Ukraine and Europe. Europe is going to give them significant security guarantees, and they should, because theyre right there, but well be involved from the standpoint of backup to help them, Mr Trump said. And I think if we get a deal, and I think we will, but if we get a deal, youre not going to, I dont believe youre going to have much of a problem, but well back it up, because I want to stop seeing people being killed. Mr Trump meets with European leaders at the White House. He said he would provide backup to Ukraine and Europe - Win McNamee/2025 Getty Images Mr Trump also said the US no longer deals directly with Ukraine when it comes to military aid for the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We deal with Nato, we dont deal, really, with Ukraine. Nato requests missiles, they want patriots, they want missiles, we give the missiles to Nato, Nato pays us in full and does what they want, he said. Mr Trump also claimed that people call him the president of Europe because the blocs leaders respect him. They call me the president of Europe, which is an honour. I like Europe, and I like those people, theyre good people, theyre great leaders, he said. Speaking later in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said there could be very big consequences for Russia if Putin and Mr Zelensky do not meet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether there would be ramifications for Russia if the two leaders do not meet, Mr Trump said: There would be very big consequences, but well see what happens. There might be very big consequences, because this is something that has to end. Coalition of the Willing On Monday, the Coalition of the Willing held a virtual meeting to continue their planning for the possibility of deploying troops to police a ceasefire in Ukraine. It was attended by military chiefs from more than 30 countries, including Admiral Tony Radakin, Britains Chief of the Defence Staff, alongside US and Nato officials. The Europeans remain buoyed by the fact that Mr Trump has gone further than his predecessor, Joe Biden, in his support for American involvement in such a mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the US is yet to officially declare how it will assist, sources have indicated that they see Washingtons primary role as delivering intelligence, logistics, and command and control support on a daily basis, including the possibility of Natos top general, which is always an American, being given an overarching leadership post. Europeans are also pushing for US fighter jets and missiles to be stationed in neighbouring Romania or Poland to act as a deterrent against a Russian attack on any European forces deployed to Ukraine. Despite Mr Trump ruling out putting American boots on the ground, there have been discussions about the possibility of American private contractors being offered lucrative deals to help Ukraine rebuild its war-stricken defensive lines as part of any Western security guarantees. However, Western officials still believe these plans will unlikely see the light of day in the near future because they are not convinced that Putin is ready to end his war. 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. Israel has emphasized its commitment to adhering to the conditions presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In recent days, Qatar has conveyed a series of new ideas, as additions to the existing framework, in hopes that the new proposal will enable Israel to accept the framework, two sources with knowledge of the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Monday. According to the sources, the proposal is based on the framework for the release of 10 hostages presented last week. Israel has said it was only willing to discuss a framework that includes the release of all the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli officials met on Monday with a delegation of working-level representatives from Egypt in an attempt to coordinate the start of negotiations for the release of all the hostages held in Gaza. The officials said Israel was adhering to the conditions presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. DEMONSTRATORS CALL for the release of the hostages and an end to the Israel-Hamas War, in Tel Aviv this week. Israel will survive its external enemies; the greater question is whether we will overcome our internal divisions, says the writer. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) PMO: Israel will only agree to full hostage deal Israel would only accept a comprehensive deal that secures the release of all the captives at the same time, the Prime Ministers Office said earlier this month. The Prime Ministers Office clarifies that Israel will agree to a deal on condition that all the hostages are released in one go and in accordance with our conditions for ending the war, which include the disarming of Hamas, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, Israeli control of the Gaza perimeter, and the installation of non-Hamas and non-Palestinian Authority governance that will live in peace with Israel, it said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the weeks after Netanyahus statement, protests calling on the government to reach a deal continued across the country. Demonstrators advocating for an immediate hostage deal blocked Tel Avivs Ayalon Highway in both directions last Friday and set a Shabbat table on fire, which was quickly extinguished by police. We are in the midst of another deliberate sabotage attempt by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the protest organizers said. Those who were kidnapped under his watch, those who were supposed to be the first to be rescued, have been abandoned once again, and now they are being sacrificed on the altar of political considerations. Uri Sela, Pesach Benson, and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report. Three fatal fires in the state within two weeks which left a total of six people dead, including two children have brought the number of people who died in a fire in Connecticut so far this year to more than two dozen. The causes of all the residential fires, one in Cheshire, another in Hartford, and a third on Monday in Southington remain under investigation by local fire marshals and Connecticut State Police, with the Office of State Fire Marshal keeping tabs on the investigations to possibly put out information to the public on fire prevention or potentially look at bolstered code enforcement. So anytime we get a report of a fatal fire its cause to take a step and look at what the cause is, State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert told The Courant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So were in conversation with the local fire marshals and with the state police to look at the causes and, if theres kind of code questions or safety issues like that, well step in as subject matter experts and help provide that level of expertise to the investigation. But then weve also started having conversations with local fire marshals to follow up after fatal fires a couple months after the fire to talk through what the causes are and how that can shift our fire prevention messaging, Volkert added. Community grieves loss of 3 sisters, toddler as investigation into Hartford house fire continues According to Volkert, in 2024, there were a total of 43 fire-related fatalities reported in Connecticut. So far this year, 27 fire-related deaths have been reported, which puts the state on pace to see a similar number to last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volkert said state officials are working to drive those numbers down as much as possible. After a number of fatal fires earlier in the year were found to be related to smoking, Fire Safe CT put out PSA messaging warning about the dangers of smoking and fire safety, she said. The newly launched initiative brings together the Office of State Fire Marshal, the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, the Connecticut Fire Academy, the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The effort is focusing on giving Connecticut residents fire prevention information through multimedia campaigns and to equip local fire departments and municipal fire marshals with enhanced resources and educational materials, according to statement issued from Gov. Ned Lamonts Office. Keeping Connecticut families safe is our highest priority, Lamont said in a statement. Fire Safe CT brings together the best of what our state has to offer public safety, health care and environmental expertise to help residents stay safe and informed. Its a model of collaboration, and Im proud to support it. From investigation to education to training, this initiative links every part of the fire safety ecosystem, Ronnell A. Higgins, commissioner of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, said in the release. Our agencies are united in the mission to prevent fires before they start and support recovery when they do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials identify man found dead in debris following house fire in Cheshire According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fatal fires around the nation were steadily on the rise between 2014, when 3,275 deaths were reported, and 2021, when that number climbed to 3,800. The only year that saw a drop in the timespan was 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. National fire deaths dropped slightly in 2022 to 3,790 fatalities and again in 2023, when 3,670 fire-related deaths were reported. National data beyond 2023 was not immediately available. The most recent deadly fires in Connecticut occurred in Cheshire on Aug. 12, when a man and his dog were found dead in a burning home after the roof partially collapsed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This past Monday, two adults and two children were found dead when a fire broke out in the early morning hours at a single-family home on Shultas Place in Hartford where multiple others escaped the blaze. Four residents and a firefighter were also taken to the hospital, according to fire officials. Then early Monday morning, one person was found dead a house fire in Southington. Authorities did not immediately say whether the homes had working smoke alarms. All three fires remain under investigation. According to West Hartford Fire Marshal Bob Grimaldi, the key to surviving a fire is having an early warning. The best way to do that, he said, is by having working smoke alarms or detectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grimaldi, who spent nearly three decades with the Bristol Fire Department before joining West Hartford in 2019, said he has found that fire deaths more often than not involve someone who is sleeping. In many cases, the individual had no way of knowing that a fire had started. I found over the years that a lot of fatalities can be attributed to non-working smoke alarms, Grimaldi said, adding that many people either arent even aware that there is a fire or, by the time they do realize it, its already too late. By the time they may wake up, theyre coughing or choking because of the smoke, Grimaldi said. According to Grimaldi and Volkert, state law requires all dwellings to have working smoke alarms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You want to have smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home and outside of the sleeping area, said Volkert, who spent about 15 years as a fire inspector and fire marshal with the Windsor Fire Department before being appointed as state fire marshal in December. She said she recommends having alarms inside of each bedroom in the event that the fire breaks out in that room. She also suggests devices that are interconnected. They actually make wireless interconnected (alarms) where if one goes off, they all go off, which gives you a better chance of hearing it throughout the house, Volkert said, adding that she uses this type of device in her own home. Grimaldi also stressed the importance of sleeping with a bedroom door closed, which helps keep smoke and particles out of the room and can drastically reduce the spread of flames into the bedroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smoke is actually what usually kills people in fires, Grimaldi said. Its not the heat, its usually from the smoke. Its important once a resident realizes there is a fire to get out of the home as quickly as possible and to contact the fire department, Grimaldi and Volkert said. Under no circumstances should anyone ever go back into a burning home, even in instances where they may feel like they need to help someone inside, they said. Even one gasp of smoke-filled air can be enough to incapacitate someone. All it takes is that one gasp of air and it fills your lungs, Grimaldi said, adding that its best to advise firefighters of anyone trapped in a home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone does find themselves trapped in a home and unable to escape a fire, especially for those on the second story or higher, Grimaldi said its best to close the door and get to the nearest window, where they can wave down responding firefighters and expedite a rescue. Dial 911, let them know where you are, the address, and then tell them where you are and that you cant get out, Grimaldi said. NEED TO KNOW Devon Hogan Flanagan, who asserted that she was an assistant attorney general and told police officers they'd "regret" arrested her after an incident last week, has reportedly been placed on unpaid leave The viral incident took place at a Newport, R.I., restaurant last Thursday when Flanagan and a friend were reportedly asked to leave a restaurant Body camera footage from police showed Flanagan threatening officers with repercussion if they arrested her The Rhode Island prosecutor who went viral last week for threatening police officers on bodycam video, saying theyd regret arresting her, is now the one facing consequences for her actions. Devon Hogan Flanagan, a special assistant attorney general in Rhode Island, has reportedly been placed on unpaid leave by the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office, officials with the office told WJAR, CT Insider, and Boston.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson with the states attorney generals office told the outlets the incident is under review and that its currently unclear how long Flanagan, 34, will remain on unpaid leave following last weeks incident at a Newport, R.I., restaurant. PEOPLE has reached out to the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office for more information but did not immediately receive a response Monday morning. Newport RI Police Department Devon Hogan Flanagan Devon Hogan Flanagan As previously reported last week, Flanagan and a friend were arrested after allegedly refusing to leave the restaurant or comply with responding police officers called to the scene who attempted to escort them outside. PEOPLE reported that Newport Police officers responded to the Clarke Cooke House on Bannisters Wharf last Thursday night after receiving a call about an unwanted party who refused to leave. Body camera footage obtained by NBC10 WJAR showed Flanagan threatening the officers with repercussions throughout their interaction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want you to turn your bodycam off. Protocol is that you turn it off. Its a citizen request that you turn it off, Flanagan told the officers, who refused to turn off their body cameras. A responding officer then told Flanagan, Youre trespassed, and we got to leave now, unless you want to be in handcuffs. Were not trespassing, Flanagan shot back. You havent notified us that were trespassing. She then asserted her status as an assistant attorney general, telling the officers: Youre not going to arrest us. Im an AG. Im an AG, Flanagan repeated. Good for you. I dont give a f---. Lets go, one of the officers told her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flanagan was then placed in the back of the police vehicle. Buddy, youre going to regret this, Flanagan said as the officer shut the door. Youre going to regret it. Im an AG. Flanagan did not respond to PEOPLEs request for comment last week, nor a follow-up inquiry on Monday. WJAR reached Flanagan, who told the outlet she had no comment about the incident. An attorney for Flanagan told PEOPLE she is "a law abiding, productive member of society with no prior run-ins with law enforcement and offered her lack of prior experience with police for how she responded to being asked to leave the restaurant, alleging she was caught off guard. Meanwhile, The Boston Globe reported that the Rhode Island Attorney Generals Office was weighing whether to fire Flanagan, noting that she would face a strong sanction over the incident. Read the original article on People Students in the Health Education and Learning (HEAL) high school program in Texas practice using blood pressure cuffs. (Photo courtesy of Aldine Independent School District) In a few short weeks, Aldine Independent School District in Texas will welcome a new cohort of ninth graders to the HEAL high school programs one of the biggest career-technical education experiments underway in the state and just one of many that the Houston-area district is implementing to ensure its graduates are equipped with real-world skills. Through a partnership with Memorial Hermann Health System the largest health care provider in the Houston area students pursue one of five pathways, identified for their resistance to automation and urgent local workforce needs: nursing, rehabilitation, pharmacy, imaging, and non-clinical administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In ninth and 10th grades, students participate in job-shadowing and practice their skills in simulation labs; starting in their junior year, students have access to paid health care internships and professional mentoring, among other work-based learning experiences. Students at HEAL, or the Health Education and Learning program at Nimitz High School, still take traditional academic courses to meet state graduation requirements, but they also enroll in specialized health care classes co-taught by Memorial Hermann employees. Once the school is fully phased in over the next three years, it will serve approximately 760 students who will graduate with the skills and in many cases the certifications needed to move directly into high-demand health care jobs with family-sustaining wages. Weve made a big push to re-leverage how were using CTE programs and industry-based certificates for kids that are in high-demand, high-wages career fields, said Adrian Bustillos, the chief transformation officer at the district. The hospital system was telling us we have a shortage in these pathways and careers that we need to fill. Well, lets work with our students sooner so we can get them in today. Give them access to their building, give them access to their training and to the experts in the field, and help cultivate future healthcare workers, he said. This is a game changer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 58,000-student school district, where the vast majority of students are from low-income families, offers other workforce pathways focused on cybersecurity, energy, engineering and more partnering with local businesses to offer students real-world experiences, industry certifications and dual credit opportunities. Looking ahead, Bustillos says, Aldine is focused on how to make these options available for all students and on how to orchestrate a wholesale shift from a century-old learning model rooted in class time and passing exams to one that prioritizes skills gained. How do we find the other premier programs that are rooted in a model similar to this, that students want and the community needs, and that will help drive the market?, Bustillos asked. How can we leverage our thinking and drive it out to scale across the district with different pathways? Bustillos is far from the only district leader asking such questions these days. The slow recovery from the pandemic along with the swift integration of artificial intelligence and a workforce thats increasingly interested in skills and experiences over four-year degrees and pedigrees has scrambled long-held assumptions of teaching and learning. Faced with a moment thats forcing the education community to rethink what students should be able to do by the time they graduate, many are attempting to pivot away from test scores, GPAs and essays toward more tangible, employable skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Aldine is part of a new cohort of two dozen school systems from across the country whose leaders are already pursuing this type of transformation. The Future of High School Network, launched this summer by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, aims to establish a new architecture for high schools across the country one that sets ambitious goals for students, offers meaningful, rigorous and engaging learning experiences and uses improved tools to measure and accelerate student progress. The network is part of a larger effort by Carnegie to redefine the so-called Carnegie unit, or what many know as the credit hour. Developed back in 1906, the unit defines the amount of time students need to spend in a course to earn credit toward a high school diploma. More than a century later, it still serves as the basis for calculating credits needed for graduation in many states and school districts. And while it once played an important role in standardizing a fragmented public education system, the time-based system, most agree, has outlived its usefulness. There is really broad scale recognition that the current design for the American high school isnt meeting the needs of young people, isnt meeting the needs of the economy and probably isnt preparing young people effectively for participation in civic society, says Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. You layer on top of that the intensity of the economic transition that the nation and the world is in, and it makes a very strong argument for this being an important moment for high school transformation. Lots of states are grappling with how you move away from time conflated with learning. The Carnegie unit was our creation, and it doesnt really comport with what we now know about how young people learn, he says. Now is a critical moment of opportunity, not for tinkering around the edges with small elegant examples, but with more sustainable and scalable examples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of the high school network is for members to collaborate on a framework that helps other districts modernize their outdated systems and expand competency-based high school models that accelerate student engagement, achievement and success in postsecondary education and work whether thats community college, medical school, a certificate program, the military or directly into the workforce. Related The cohort is wildly diverse, both geographically and when it comes to the demographics of students the schools serve. It includes traditional public school districts like Aldine, Akron Public Schools in Ohio, Roanoke Public Schools in Virginia and New York City Public Schools; and it incorporates more innovative public and public charter systems like the Rural Alliance Zone in Indiana, and the Springfield Empowerment Zone in Massachusetts. That wasnt an accident. If the goal is to pursue high school transformation at scale, then the first step, Knowles says, is to prove that it works in states and districts that look like the rest of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is it that Aldine is doing particularly preparing young people for careers in healthcare and how does that actually work in a way that would be useful for other systems across Texas, but also anywhere, and then elevating those lessons and building evidence. While the programs are unique and, in most cases, speak to the needs of the local workforce, the through-line is the same: an endeavor to equip students with more meaningful learning. Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies student Garret Wand explores the flight simulator with Kim Mawhiney, Director of STEM. (Photo by J.K. Yezdanian for The 74) In Elizabeth City, North Carolina, students at the Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies (NEAAT) choose between three science tracks: aviation, computer, and health. All high school courses are honors courses, and the majority of students also take classes at nearby Elizabeth City State University and the College of the Albemarle. We were dissatisfied with the opportunities our students had in the region, and decided it was time to do school differently, says Andrew Harris, CEO of the academy. We strive to graduate students who are ready for the real world, and that looks quite different than taking a bunch of multiple choice tests or sitting in rows or any of the things that we might have thought about from our own experiences. We try to make sure that students learn through experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly one in three students at NEAAT graduate with a two-year degree, and two out of three finish with at least one year of post-secondary coursework already completed. All students participate in local internships and are encouraged to earn 150 hours of volunteering in the community. If Im going to have heart surgery, its important that the surgeon has passed the test, he says. But its a whole lot more important to me that he can actually perform the surgery and has a history of doing it. Were trying to make sure our kids can match this sort of technical knowledge with real world experiences. Appetite for the academys model is overwhelming. What started with 120 students in eighth and ninth has grown a decade later into 760 students in fifth through 12th. If the school had the funding, Harris says, it would expand enrollment by another 500 to establish a pre-K through fourth grade. The school handles enrollment through a lottery system and receives nearly four applications for every open seat. Carnegie is joined by several nonprofits and philanthropies to support the high school networks efforts, including the XQ Institute, which has been pushing school leaders to rethink high school and embrace new models of teaching and learning for the last decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We wake up every day thinking about how high school needs to change, says Keith Dysarz, chief academic officer at XQ. We have all this data that shows what were doing now isnt preparing students for success when they leave high school. For Dysarz, the most important part of the effort isnt simply dismantling the current model; its gathering data and evidence of what works to support the types of policy needed for scalable and sustainable change. Theres a lot of momentum in this work across the country right now, and this network is going to help us reimagine and envision new models for high school. We need these proof points, these examples that can turn into exemplars to really show that its possible. This article was published with the support of XQ Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disclosures: The Future of High School Network and The 74 both receive financial support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, XQ and the Walton Family Foundation. This story first appeared at The 74, a nonprofit news site covering education. HARTFORD, S.D. (KELO) A pair of female race car drivers are blazing a new path for women and girls in the sprint car division, both on the track and in the shop. Bayley Ballenger and Gracyn Masur have competed throughout South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota this summer. The two have been around the sport their entire lives. Masur attended races with her father, Jay, the owner of MED-Star Ambulance Service. She then decided to get behind the wheel herself. Ballenger is following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, who both race. Thats just what I grew up around, Ballenger said. I love sprint cars so much I dont think Ill ever be able to get away from it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have formed a strong bond with each other through being a small minority on the track. Its nice to have that other female driver to just talk to about some things, Masur said. As a driver and as a friend, shes an amazing person, a heck of a driver. The support they receive from the fans is one of the aspects they cherish most. Fans are the best part of the sport, Ballenger said. I love all the fans and the kids and the people that I get to meet through racing. But theres a whole lot more for Ballenger and Masur than just showing up on race day. They put in numerous hours working on and taking care of their cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does take a lot of work, Masur said. Whether its the maintenance part of it, the driving. And I think having the passion for it is the biggest thing. In a sport dominated by male drivers, the pair hopes to show girls that they can compete too. We can do things that guys can do, and guys can do things that girls can do too, Masur said. Just because we are female doesnt mean we are incapable of working on cars and getting our hands dirty. They have each registered several top-10 finishes this season and plan on long careers at the wheel. As long as my body lets me, wherever this will take me, Ballenger said. I dont think I ever see a life outside of racing. Its just what I eat, sleep and breathe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ballenger and Masur are both in college. Masur attends Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, and Ballenger goes to Southeast Tech. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Rain is helping to stop a small fire reported at Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday. A spokesperson for the National Park Service told FOX31 in an email that RMNP fire crews responded to an area above Mills and Jewel Lakes, close to treeline, after a visitor reported seeing smoke. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Fire crews hiked to the area and found the small fire, but due to the steep and technical terrain in the area, air resources were requested, and Northern Colorado Helitack dropped buckets of water from Jewel Lake on the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is currently raining on the fire and is forecast in the area today and tonight. Fire crews will continue to take appropriate suppression efforts, the NPS spokesperson said around 3:45 p.m. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The Mills Lake trail was closed during that time, but has since reopened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Raleigh County Judicial Center in Beckley, W.Va. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch) The judge in a Raleigh County lawsuit against the state and county boards of education over their defiance of Gov. Patrick Morriseys executive order concerning school-required vaccines has agreed to consolidate that case with a Kanawha County lawsuit against the state Department of Health. Circuit Judge Michael Froble said hell go forward with a previously scheduled hearing for permanent injunction Sept. 10 and 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruling from the bench during a status hearing Monday, Froble denied a request from the state Board of Education that he suspend the case as education officials appeal to the state Supreme Court over his July ruling granting preliminary injunction to three families who sued to have their children admitted to school with a religious exemption to the states vaccination requirements. Froble suggested that the board should file a motion to suspend the case with the Supreme Court. My experience with the Supreme Court is, I truly believe that this case appealing the preliminary injunction case is premature, Froble said. And the Supreme Court would benefit immensely from [full] development. The court believes that most of these are a lot of legal issues that need to be resolved and need to be presented in a manner in which the Supreme Court can fully understand the issues and have the opportunity to rule on those, Froble said. I believe that if theres further discovery or factual issues that need to be resolved, the court can always remand it back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Attorney General J.B. McCuskey filed the motion to consolidate the two lawsuits filed by plaintiffs on opposite sides of battle over the states compulsory school vaccination law and Gov. Patrick Morriseys executive order requiring the state to allow religious exemptions to the law. All states require school students to be vaccinated against a series of infectious diseases including polio, chicken pox and measles. West Virginia has been one of only five states in the country that do not allow religious or philosophical exemptions for the shots. West Virginia has only allowed medical exemptions. Morrisey issued an executive order requiring the state to accept religious exemptions on his second day in office. He has not rescinded the order despite the Legislature this year voting down a bill that would have established religious exemptions in state law. Morrisey argues that the states school vaccination law, read alongside the states Equal Protection for Religion Act of 2023, legally requires religious exemptions. The state board has said it would continue to instruct county boards to accept only medical exemptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joshua Hess and Marisa Jackson, parents of immunocompromised students, sued the state Department of Health in Kanawha County Circuit Court in an attempt to stop the department from granting religious exemptions. Theyre represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia and Mountain State Justice. Miranda Guzman and two other families sued the state Board of Education after the board directed county school districts not to allow religious exemptions to the states school vaccination requirements. Froble in July granted a preliminary injunction in the case a ruling that applies to the three plaintiffs in the case. Frobles ruling to consolidate the cases came over objections from attorneys with the ACLU of West Virginia and Mountain State Justice on behalf of Hess and Jackson. The attorneys argued that the cases do not arise from the same transaction or occurrence, seek different relief, and present different legal questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Froble has set a hearing for Sept. 10 and 11. In a court filing recently, Froble said the agenda for the hearing will include: Whether the states school vaccination law is constitutional without religious exemptions. Whether his ruling should apply only to plaintiffs, to Raleigh County or statewide. Whether Morrisey has authority under his executive authority as it relates to the states mandatory immunization law and the Equal Protection for Religion Act. Whether, if the ruling applies county or statewide, the court has the authority to establish a process for parental applications for religious exemptions and for responding to any potential outbreak. The hearing is set for 9 a.m. both days in Frobles courtroom in Raleigh County Circuit Court. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) Rankin County deputies are searching for a suspect in connection to a livestock shooting. The shooting occurred on Highway 469 near East Mountain Creek Road just before 7:30 p.m. on August 18, 2025. Hinds County crash kills woman, leaves sister injured Investigator Tyler Burnell said deputies were notified by a cattle farmer about the shooting. The suspect was driving a white Ford F-250, four-door, diesel pickup truck with a loud exhaust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shooting occurred, Burnell said the suspect apparently returned to the area then fled south on Highway 469 toward Simpson County. The shooting occurred on Highway 469 near East Mountain Creek Road just before 7:30 p.m. on August 18, 2025. (Courtesy: Rankin Co. Sheriffs Office) The shooting occurred on Highway 469 near East Mountain Creek Road just before 7:30 p.m. on August 18, 2025. (Courtesy: Rankin Co. Sheriffs Office) Anyone with information that leads to an arrest could receive a $2,500 reward. Anyone with information about this case can contact Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip to www.P3tips/116. This is an ongoing investigation in cooperation with the Mississippi Agricultural & Livestock Theft Bureau. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A Rapid City man is heading to federal prison after pleading guilty to a drug charge. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Michael Texas Cole, 34, will spend 20 years behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release. Endangered missing advisory issued for 16-year-old girl Between January and February last year, Cole was a part of a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout the Rapid City area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole traveled to Colorado to purchase the drugs before returning to South Dakota to distribute them. Cole was on supervised release from a previous drug conspiracy at the time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A "rear-view camera" has been found on a Russian Orlan drone. It could potentially let the operator veer the UAV away in the event of attacks by Ukrainian interceptor drones. Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, an expert in military communications and communication technologies Details: Flash posted a photo of the camera. The image shows it has a protective cover, but further specifications were not provided. A "rear-view camera" found on a Russian Orlan drone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov on social media Flash also pointed out that anti-aircraft drones from the Russian Rubicon unit are inflicting ever greater losses on our reconnaissance UAVs. Ukrainian experts are therefore searching for every possible countermeasure. The Rubicon unit is currently considered one of the best in Russia. This is not the first Orlan modification. Earlier, air-defence troops of Ukraine's 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade downed another Orlan carrying two FPV drones. Such a mothership UAV can ferry FPVs over long distances and act as a signal relay. Ukraine is also actively developing and implementing interceptors. Recently, the company Besomar unveiled a reusable fixed-wing interceptor drone equipped with a shotgun and an automatic firing system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the only project in this area. Another interceptor is the Sting by Wild Hornets; it was recently clocked at a speed of 315 km/h. In late July, Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine had already ordered interceptor drones worth over UAH 3 billion (approx. US$72 million) under four contracts. Meanwhile, Russia is seeking ways to counter Ukrainian interceptors. Flash revealed that Russian Shaheds have begun performing a set of complex in-flight manoeuvres designed to reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian anti-aircraft drones. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! In Bolivias first round general election on Aug. 17, the ruling Movement Toward Socialism party, known by its Spanish acronym MAS, only won 3 percent of the vote. That means that in the 130-seat lower house of Congress, the party that has dominated Bolivian politics for almost two decades will be reduced from 75 seats down to just one. They will have no seats in the Senate. The second-round runoff for the presidency that will be held on Oct. 19 will see two candidates face offRodrigo Paz and Jorge Tuto Quirogawho represent different factions of the MAS opponents. Incumbent President Luis Arce must now preside over a second-round election that his party has already decisively lost. The MAS was defeated, but the Bolivian election and transition of power are not yet done. As journalist Thomas Graham explained in a pre-election essay, MAS imploded because the party had become unpopular due to the ongoing economic crisis, perceptions of corruption and a general fatigue after 20 years in power. They were on track to lose this election even if they had remained unified. That said, internal rifts ensured their defeat. The official candidate of the MAS, Eduardo del Castillo, was announced late in the campaign after Arce declined to run for reelection. Castillo was opposed by former President Evo Morales, who is facing an arrest warrant on charges of statutory rape and is hiding in the mountains as a fugitive, but who insisted that he be allowed to run despite numerous court rulings denying his eligibility. In protest, Morales called on his supporters to refuse to vote or spoil their ballots. Separately, Senate President Andronico Rodriguez, once considered a political heir of Morales, split from the MAS and ran with a separate party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That divide means that the MAS 3 percent is not a true representation of where Bolivias left stands. Nearly 20 percent of voters spoiled their ballots in a sign of Morales influence. Rodriguez won another 8 percent of the vote. Further, an analysis of the regional results suggests that much of Rodrigo Pazs vote came from the 55 percent of voters who supported Arce in the 2020 election, a form of protest vote from center-left citizens that emerged in the final weeks of the 2025 campaign. While the left may be nearly bereft of political power over the coming five years, they arent done as a political force in the country. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. The real test for Bolivia will be whether the winner of the second round can govern effectively in 2026 and beyond. Still, there is a sense of euphoria among MAS opponents that they have finally succeeded in ousting the party that took over when Evo Morales won the presidency in 2005 and worked hard to never let go. The complicated election in 2019 ended with Morales being tossed out of power amid protests and allegations of electoral fraud rather than a clean and democratic process. The resulting political turmoil brought about the interim presidency of Jeanine Anez, a relatively unknown senator who, without a clear public mandate, attempted a radical undoing of MAS policies while violently repressing protests and mismanaging the countrys COVID response. By the time Anezs 12-month interim presidency was done, the MAS had rebounded to majority support in the country, leading to the election of Arce in late 2020. Bolivias challenges in 2019 and 2020 demonstrate just how hard these sorts of transitions can be. Indeed, in recent years, the hemisphere has seen a large number of failed and contested transitions. There are leaders such as Nicaraguas Daniel Ortega and Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro who rig and steal elections to never give up power. There are leaders undoing democracy to make sure their opponents cannot run in the future, such as El Salvadors Nayib Bukele. There are the sore losers who have tried and failed to undo the results of democratic losses, including Guatemalas Alejandro Giammattei in 2024, Brazils Jair Bolsonaro in 2022 and the United States Donald Trump in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if a country avoids those more extreme paths, it must sometimes deal with more mundane troubles. There are leaders who sabotage political transitions, making the first months of a new administration more difficult. There are times that presidents make last-minute appointments to keep key personnel in place in a fashion that feeds deep state conspiracies. Lame duck presidents can also hand out contracts and resources on the way out the door to enrich themselves and their allies and starve the next government of funding. Beyond the regional context, Bolivia has not had a smooth democratic transition in decades and only a handful of smooth transitions among democratically elected presidents since the office was established following the countrys independence in 1825. Contrast that with dozens of coups, resignations, deaths in office, and other irregular shifts of power at the top, and the odds do not favor the next few months or years going smoothly. Arces incentives will be to protect himself and allies from prosecution, meaning the incoming government may need to negotiate. There will be bureaucratic inertia in the executive branch as MAS officials still control much of the state machinery. Purges, resignations, and institutional paralysis are likely. Due to Evo Moraless reforms in the 2010s, the judiciary remains politicized; expect disputes over corruption prosecutions or protection of MAS-linked figures. Even if the presidential sash is handed over to Paz or Quiroga in early November, the real test will be whether the winner of the second round can govern effectively in 2026 and beyond. The opposition coalition that ousted MAS may fracture once they dont have their antipathy of Morales to unite them anymore. The austerity measures that the current economic crisis demands will be politically controversial. The population is voting for change, but their votes are not a mandate for the chainsaw austerity measures imposed by President Javier Milei in neighboring Argentina. If that is what the new Bolivian government delivers, it may create the political pressure cooker of a weak left in Congress but a strong left reemerging on the streets to protest unpopular measures. If the economy remains in crisis, citizens well beyond the MAS base may join them. The most chilling warning about the challenges of the coming years comes from Edman Lara, the vice-presidential running mate of Rodrigo Paz. Lara is a former police officer who denounced corruption within the police in 2023 and spent time in prison due to his accusation. Across the campaign, Lara has demonstrated a populist and authoritarian streak while running on strong anti-corruption credentials. Asked about how he thought the next government should manage corruption, Lara said, Im the guarantee. If Rodrigo Paz goes astray, Ill set him straight. If he refuses, other measures will have to be taken. Latin America has seen plenty of splits between presidents and vice presidents over recent decades that have resulted in complicated governance. If a vice-presidential candidate is threatening to toss out his presidential running mate before the election is even won, its surely going to be rough term to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Bosworth is the founder of Hxagon, a firm that does political risk analysis and bespoke research in emerging and frontier markets. He has two decades of experience analyzing politics, economics and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. The post After a Rebuke to the Left, Bolivia Could Face a Troubled Transition appeared first on World Politics Review. Aren't we united with Europe in opposing what President Vladimir Putin is doing? But that doesn't mean we believe Russia has no right to exist, he added. Belgium must recognize Palestine as a state as a solution to guarantee long-term peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said in an interview with De Standaard on Sunday. We are in favor of a two-state solution, arent we? Well, for that, you need two states. Incidentally, recognition is not at all a reward for the horrific terror of Hamas. On the contrary, its about recognizing a state, not a government. And certainly not a terrorist group, De Standaard quoted him as saying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aren't we united with Europe in opposing what [Russian] President Vladimir Putin is doing? But that doesn't mean we believe Russia has no right to exist, he added. On Wednesday, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and his deputy prime ministers will convene to determine their position on the ongoing conflict, a topic that has become a major point of contention within the government. The issue remains deeply sensitive, according to the foreign minister, with parties such as Prevots Les Engages, Christian Democratic and Flemish, and Vooruit calling for a tougher stance against Israel and a formal recognition of Palestine. The New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) and the Reformist Movement (MR) remain firmly opposed to such moves. People rally in front of the United Nations headquarters during a ''Stop Starving Gaza Now'' protest amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in New York City, US, July 25, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Christian Monterrosa/File Photo) Prevot has taken an active role in pushing Palestinian state recognition forward as deputy prime minister, signaling the urgency he attaches to the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are legal obligations that compel us to recognize Palestine and impose sanctions against Israel, Prevot said. This is a matter of applying the law rationally. You cant negotiate with the law; you cant turn it into political currency. French-Arab initiative to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly Prevot's stance aligns with Belgiums coalition agreement, and he believes it is essential for the country to join the French-Arab initiative to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly, set to commence on September 22. He stressed the urgency of this move, stating that without action, Palestine could soon be "reduced to nothing." We have until September 5th to sign the Franco-Arab document, which is supported by the Arab League. This document paves the way to a two-state solution, Prevot explained. If we miss that boat, it will be detrimental to Belgiums international image. Belgiums reputation on the world stage has been a long-term achievement, but Prevot noted that the Foreign Ministry is concerned that this reputation is rapidly eroding due to the delay in recognizing a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prevot is pushing for more than just recognition. He and his colleagues are finalizing a memorandum that proposes concrete measures to address the humanitarian crisis and hold Israel accountable for its actions. The measures include, among others, an entry ban for far Right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, and exploring ways to prevent products from occupied territories from entering Belgium. We must do more than recognize Palestine, he stated. That alone wont stop the humanitarian crisis. We are working on a ban on the overflight and transit of weapons to Israel through Belgian airspace. As Prevot prepares to present his proposals on Wednesday, he believes that Belgiums role in addressing the conflict must be decisive and constructive. While some parties within the government are still hesitant, Prevot urged unity, saying, Moving forward on this issue isnt a sign of weakness. On the contrary, we can gain international credibility this way. Every party benefits from that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prevot also acknowledged the need for internal reflection within the MR, urging them to reaffirm their role as defenders of international law. Prevot expressed optimism that a consensus could be reached within the government. If the government doesnt adopt a stricter tone regarding Israels human rights violations, a major crisis looms, he warned. Some parties are signaling that they welcome the oppositions appeal for a rotating parliamentary majority. It's unacceptable for one party to insist that everyone must defend its issues at all costs, while ignoring whats important, he warned. This article originally appeared in Good Day, Berks Spotlight PAs free daily newsletter for Berks County and your daily dose of Berks County essentials. Sign up here. WYOMISSING A police officer fired by Wyomissing Borough and identified as only badge 29 was Rubiel Estevez, who was the subject of a recent $500,000 false arrest settlement, Spotlight PA has learned. At the time of his termination in July, Borough Council members offered no explanation for the move and refused to identify the name of the officer. It was revealed through a subsequent public records request filed by the news organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failing to provide the public with Estevezs name at the time of his firing was a violation of the state Sunshine Act, according to a transparency expert. Whats more, borough officials, from manager to police chief, have continued to refuse to explain why Estevez was fired, saying they do not discuss personnel matters. They also wont discuss other recent personnel shifts in the police department, including the demotion of a sergeant to a patrol officer and the resignation of Sgt. Richard Karstien, who retired after 29 years. Wyomissing is the most populous borough and one of the wealthier municipalities in Berks County. Bordering the city of Reading, it has about 11,000 residents, and a fifth of households have an annual income of $200,000 or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police department is run by Chief John Phillips, who was promoted to the role in 2021 after rising through the ranks of the department he joined in 1997. Phillips oversees about 22 full-time officers and a department with a roughly $3.7 million annual budget. Estevez, who made about $114,000 annually, declined to comment for this story when reached by phone Aug. 4. Public information shows he previously worked for the Lower Merion Township Police Department. Over the years at the Wyomissing department, Estevez often responded to car crashes and traffic stops, sharing details about incidents with news media. He was also recognized by Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police in December last year with a unit citation award for helping prevent someone from jumping off a bridge in October 2024. The award came four months after Wyomissing agreed to pay $499,000 to settle allegations of false arrest made against Estevez, according to an agreement obtained by Spotlight PA through a Right-to-Know request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 9, 2024, Estevez accused a man and woman of duping a skill games machine to get a 7-11 store to pay them $1,000. The charges were dropped the following month. In July 2024, the couples attorney, Richard Wiener, warned Wyomissing leaders of the couples plan to sue the borough and Estevez for false arrest and unlawful search and seizure. An agreement was reached the following month. Borough officials confirmed the claim was paid by Wyomissings insurance carrier on Aug. 30, 2024. The right to give meaningful comment The legislative bodies of boroughs and second-class townships in Pennsylvania are empowered to hire, fire, demote, and promote all public employees, including police and fire personnel, according to the Civil Service Guide for Pennsylvania Municipalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when Wyomissing Borough Council voted to fire Estevez on July 28, they referred to him only as badge 29 in documents and at the meeting. An expert on state transparency laws criticized that omission. They should have provided the name when they voted to terminate, Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association, said in an email. (Spotlight PA is a member of the organization.) Without the name, the public doesnt understand whats being voted on, and the public is denied the right to give meaningful comment before the vote takes place. Pennsylvanias Right-to-Know Law does allow agencies to withhold the reason for firing someone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Berks Lodge #71 Fraternal Order of Police did not respond to requests for comment. Wyomissing Mayor Fred Levering, reached by phone Aug. 13, said he could not speak on personnel matters. It was really a question of judgment, Levering told Spotlight PA when asked about Estevezs termination. Our objective, of course, is to protect the community, and we have to make sure people are mindful of the effect of their actions. BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. (The Center Square) Opponents of Californias congressional redistricting argued their case in ads that voters received in their mail immediately before or after the Legislature approved a constitutional amendment and map for a Nov. 4 special election. Opponents are spending up to $100 million to defeat Proposition 50, said Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who led the effort to redistrict after Texas decided to do so to gain five Republican seats in the U.S. House. Newsom and other top Democrats in California are seeking to redraw congressional districts so that the Democratic Party will gain five seats to counter Texas' move. The Texas Legislature passed its redistricting map Saturday. Historically, the party in power in the White House loses at least one of the chambers of Congress in the first midterm election. Republicans currently hold a razor-thin majority in the House and are vulnerable in the 2026 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proposition 50 is the ballot measure known as the Election Rigging Response Act. With Democrats holding supermajorities in both houses, there was no doubt that legislation advancing the measure to the Nov. 4 election would pass Thursday. Opponents apparently realized that, getting anti-Proposition 50 ads printed and mailed last week to residents throughout California. Vote no in the special election, said the four-page ad printed and mailed by the Protect Voters First coalition. It's sponsored by Hold Politicians Accountable Ad Committee and its top funder, Charles T. Munger, Jr. Munger, who was a key figure starting the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission, has contributed million of dollars to fight redistricting. The Voters First Act in 2008 created the commission. Another measure two years later expanded the commission's efforts to include congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California Democrats, Republicans and independents should stand against any attempt to politicize our redistricting process, said Jeanne Raya, former chair of the bipartisan California Citizens Redistricting Commission, in the ad from the Protect the Voters First Act coalition. "Stop the Sacramento power grab," the coalition said on its website, votersfirstact.org. "Californias Citizens Redistricting Commission was created by voters to take the power of drawing political districts out of the hands of politicians and put it where it belongs with the people," the coalition said. Another organization, Right Path California, printed and mailed a two-page ad accusing Newsom and other Democrats of unconstitutional gerrymandering and a political power grab. The organization said Democrats are trying to remove protections against political maps designed to favor incumbents or political parties." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This November, voters will decide the fate of Sacramento politicians scheme to destroy Californias independent redistricting process, ignoring the will of the voters and stripping constitutional protections that ensure voters choose their elected officials, not the other way around," Right Path California said on its website, protectfairelections.org Others campaigning against redistricting include former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a movie star and Republican who supported the creation of the citizens' commission. Former U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a Bakersfield Republican who served in Congress until his resignation in 2023, and former California Republican Chair Jessica Millan Patterson are leading a committee to defeat Proposition 50, Politico reported. Republican legislative leaders told The Center Square that redistricting would erode voters' trust and take away representation. The California Democratic Party, meanwhile, voted Saturday to endorse Proposition 50. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[President Donald] Trump and Texas Republicans are making an unprecedented power grab by manipulating district boundaries to steal congressional seats before voting even begins," the party said in a press release. "Other GOP-controlled states are preparing to follow suit. California wont sit on the sidelines while Republicans try to rig the system were fighting back to protect our democracy." Trump knows he cant win fair and square so he wants to stack the deck. But we refuse to play a rigged game of Texas Hold Em here in California, said California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks. The party's website is cadem.org, which begins immediately with a request for donations to support Proposition 50. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Mississippi taxpayers could save more than $22 million per year if the state restricted the purchase of certain junk food with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, according to State Auditor Shad White. According to Whites report, nearly one in eight Mississippians receive SNAP benefits to buy groceries. MDHS warns of increase in SNAP benefits fraud in Jackson area Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State Auditor said taxpayers spend $190 million each year on providing junk food for Mississippians on the SNAP program. He said if Mississippi obtained a waiver to ban just sugary drinks and candy from SNAP, analysts estimated that at least $95 million would be redirected to more nutritious foods and drinks. A growing number of states have called on the federal government to tighten restrictions on SNAP benefits. Supporters of the move argue its about promoting better nutrition and reducing long-term health care costs. Critics, however, say it restricts personal choice and stigmatizes low-income families. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Weather Forecast Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco is running for California governor, touting his decades of law enforcement experience in protecting the community and ensuring the safety of all its residents. A new report, however, takes aim at his claims, identifying him as the sheriff with Californias worst crime-solving record. A report from the San Francisco-based Center on Juvenile & Criminal Justice pointed out that the Riverside County Sheriffs Department solved only 9.2% of violent and property crimes between 2019 and 2024, the only county in the state that failed to reach double digits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Irvine polices new Cybertruck sparks excitement, scrutiny Using data from the California Department of Justice, the CJCJ questioned Biancos fitness for the governorship. It is hard to take seriously Biancos promises to improve public safety or his complaints that Californias streets are less safe, government is failing, drug abuse is more rampant, and crimes occur without consequences when these ills are nowhere more true than in his own bailiwick, the report said. Bianco, however, pushed back against what he called a political hit piece from a disingenuous source and contributors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He claims the state data is fatally flawed, as officials were intentionally trying to obtain data in a way that would paint a negative picture. The Riverside County Sheriffs Office is one of the most efficient, and successful agencies in the country at protecting our communities, and Riverside County residents know it, Bianco told the Press-Enterprise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir has stepped up his warnings over the planned Gaza City takeover, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire proposal to free the remaining hostages, in comments reported by Israeli media. "There is a deal on the table, it is the improved Witkoff deal, we must accept it," Israeli television Channel 13 quoted Zamir telling commanders during a visit to a naval base in Haifa. The military chief was referring to a proposal previously negotiated by US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, which provides for a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 living hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The army has created the conditions for a hostage deal, now it is in the hands of Netanyahu," Zamir continued. He reiterated his concern that the planned seizure of Gaza City would endanger the lives of the 20 remaining hostages believed to still be alive, some of which are thought to be held in the major metropolis. He warned that militants from the Palestinian Islamist Hamas group could murder the hostages or "commit suicide with them." In its official statement of the visit, the Israel Defense Forces only cited Zamir as saying that the army had created the conditions for the release of hostages through military pressure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As requested, Zamir has drawn up the operational plans for a takeover of Gaza City, which have been approved by the country's political leadership. Around 60,000 additional reservists have been called up for September. However, the military chief has reportedly been critical of the government's decision to capture the city, which is home to some 1 million people. Hamas said last week it had agreed to a new ceasefire proposal, which is reportedly an adapted version of the Witkoff proposal. Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Two Israeli airstrikes in short succession Monday on the Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza killed at least 20 people, including journalists from several organizations. Officials from the Hamas-run health ministry said emergency medical personnel and first responders were among the fatalities, with many more people injured. The emergency response workers and ambulance crews were killed and injured when they were caught in the second strike, a so-called "double-tap," as they rushed to help those hit in the initial strike, according to the hospital, which is in Khan Younis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The journalists were killed when a hospital balcony, popular with the press because of the view it afforded over the city, was hit. They were named as Al Jazeera cameraman Mohammad Salama, Reuters contractor Hussam Al-Masri, Associated Press stringer Mariam Abu Dagga and freelancer Moath Abu Taha. A worker in the Gaza Civil Defense was also killed. Relatives of one of five Palestinian journalists killed in an Israeli airstrike on Nasser Hospital mourn over his body ahead of the funeral in Khan Yunis. Photo by Anas Deeb/UPI Reuters, which was "urgently seeking information" regarding Al-Masri, said the news was shattering, while AP said it was "shocked and saddened" by the loss of Dagga. The Israel Defense Forces acknowledged carrying out an attack near the hospital. The journalists were killed when a hospital balcony, popular with the press because of the view it afforded over the city, was hit. Photo by Anas Deeb/UPI Saying that the head of the military had ordered the opening of an initial investigation as soon as possible, the IDF stressed that it "does not target journalists as such." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza war has been one of the most dangerous conflicts ever for journalists, with almost 200 killed since Oct. 7, 2023, said the Committee to Protect Journalists, which is based in New York City. Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Reuters photographer Hossam El-Masry, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital. Photo by Anas Deeb/UPI.. CPJ said more reporters and other members of the press had been killed in the past two years than those killed globally between 2020 and 2023. Journalists, camera crews and other personnel working inside Gaza are predominantly local staff, contractors or freelancers covering events for regional and international news organizations since Israel has blocked journalists from those media from entering Gaza -- other than when they are embedded with the IDF. Paramedics evacuate a wounded Palestinian man for treatment at the Nasser Medical Complex, which was hit by Israeli shelling in Khan Younis. Photo by Anas Deeb/UPI The BBC said it had seen footage in which a doctor is filmed showing bloodied clothing to journalists when a blast from a second strike is caught on camera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 10, the Israeli military said it had carried out the targeted killing of Al Jazeera reporter Anas al-Sharif, on grounds that he had previously served as the head of a Hamas "terror" cell. IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee previously alleged al-Sharif had been a member of Hamas' military wing since 2013. Al-Sharif died alongside four of his colleagues in a strike on a tent in which they were living near Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. The United Nations' Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said the attack was a serious violation of international law, while the CPJ called out what is said was "a pattern of the Israeli state labelling journalists as militants without any evidence." At least 14 Palestinian civilians, including several journalists, were killed by an Israeli strike on Monday on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza, according to Palestinian sources. The incident occurred at the hospital in Khan Younis, the Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, adding emergency workers are among the dead. Dozens were injured, the agency said. According to the Associated Press (AP), a freelance contributor for AP was among the dead. Reuters also reported that one of its freelance contributors was killed, and another photographer working for the agency, also a freelancer, was injured. The Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera said one of its cameramen was among the journalists killed. The Israeli army said it is reviewing the reports. At least 19 people have been killed, including at least five journalists, in an Israeli attack on the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza on Monday, according to Palestinian sources. The hospital said the victims were hit by an airstrike while on the fourth floor of the hospital in Khan Younis. The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that emergency workers were also among the dead. According to the Associated Press (AP), a freelance contributor for AP, Mariam Dagga, was killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters also reported that one of its freelance contributors was killed, and another photographer working for the agency, also a freelancer, was injured. The Arabic broadcaster Al Jazeera said one of its cameramen was among the journalists killed. It was initially unclear which outlet the fourth journalist killed worked for. According to sources from Gaza, the fifth journalist was a freelance contributor for several Arab media outlets. Eyewitnesses said a second attack followed, after paramedics and civil defence workers had already rushed to the scene, and video footage of the bloody incident circulated on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broadcaster al-Ghad published a video showing a group of people being hit, reportedly during the second attack. In a statement, the Israeli military said troops had carried out a strike in the area of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis and that an inquiry into the incident has been ordered. "The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and does not target journalists as such. The IDF acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals as much as possible while maintaining the safety of IDF troops," it said. Almost 200 journalists killed in the Gaza war The victims of Monday's attack bring the total number of journalists killed since the start of the Gaza war to almost 200, most of them Palestinians, according to information from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, WAFA reported that a Palestinian cameraman had been killed by Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Journalists' Union spoke of a "continuing Israeli campaign against journalists aimed at silencing Palestinian accounts." Earlier in August, four Al Jazeera employees were killed in Gaza City, with Israel's military confirming the death of correspondent Anas al-Sharif. The military said the 28-year-old was a Hamas terrorist posing as a journalist, without providing clear evidence. Report: Israeli military chief urges Netanyahu to accept hostage deal The Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage to Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite efforts to reach a new ceasefire, the war shows no sign of abating. The Israel leadership has approved operational plans to launch a new campaign to seize Gaza City, despite warnings at home and abroad that the offensive would endanger the lives of the remaining hostages and the population of some 1 million living in the major metropolis. Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir on Sunday again warned against the offensive, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire proposal to free the remaining hostages, in comments reported by Israeli media. "There is a deal on the table, it is the improved Witkoff deal, we must accept it," Israeli television Channel 13 quoted Zamir telling commanders during a visit to a naval base in Haifa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military chief was referring to a proposal previously negotiated by US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, which provides for a 60-day ceasefire, during which 10 living hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. "The army has created the conditions for a hostage deal, now it is in the hands of Netanyahu," Zamir continued. He reiterated his concern that the planned seizure of Gaza City would endanger the lives of the 20 remaining hostages believed to still be alive, some of which are thought to be held in the major metropolis. In its official statement of the visit, the IDF only cited Zamir as saying that the army had created the conditions for the release of hostages through military pressure. Hamas said last week it had agreed to a new ceasefire proposal, which is reportedly an adapted version of the Witkoff proposal. The National Guardsmen deployed to Washington by US President Donald Trump are now armed, US media reported late on Sunday, citing a statement from the force. From Sunday evening, soldiers were carrying firearms, media outlets including broadcaster NBC and newspaper The New York Times reported. The troops would be authorized to use the weapons for self-defence "as a last resort" in response to an "imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm," according to a spokesperson cited by the media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dpa enquiry to the National Guard initially went unanswered. The Washington Post newspaper reported that a total of 2,200 National Guardsmen had been deployed to the US capital. Earlier this month, Trump activated the National Guard to address allegedly out-of-control crime levels in the US capital, which is governed by a Democratic mayor. Trump spoke of a "crime-infested rat hole." He also placed the local police force under federal control. His actions are highly controversial and have triggered protests. Police statistics and information from the Washington district attorney's office do not provide evidence of a rise in crime. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has also disputed Trump's account, noting the city's lowest crime rates in 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Guard troops are increasingly visible in the cityscape, including at locations that are frequented by tourists but are not known as particular hotspots for violence or crime. According to reports, Trump is considering initiating similar measures in Democratic-led Chicago next. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called such deployment "unlawful" and Trump's approach "uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound." "Unlawfully deploying the National Guard to Chicago has the potential to inflame tensions between residents and law enforcement," Johnson continued, adding that homicides, robberies and shootings have dropped significantly over the past year. Standard weed control methods, such as herbicides and the use of machines, can damage the environment, but Cambridge University researchers have found "weed-zapping technologies" that use electricity could do the job just as well. According to the Weed Science Society of America, which summarized the study published in the journal Weed Science, the team found that a Zasso XPower electric weed-control machine mounted to a tractor was "shockingly effective" at managing weeds. Since it doesn't leave chemical residues on crops or impact neighboring fields, it's a much more environmentally friendly solution to weed management. Plus, it can be applied to weeds in most weather, aside from rainy or extremely dry periods, as the electric current remains mostly on the outside of plants in wet conditions and may pose a fire risk when the current arcs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No-Till Farmer explained that the XPower works by utilizing high-voltage electricity to destroy unwanted weeds and vegetation. The electric weeder features a 36-kilowatt generator, driven by the tractor's power takeoff, which supplies the electricity that flows into an applicator unit that contains six electrodes each. When the tractor moves, the electrodes make contact with the weeds and transfer the current to the roots, where it's converted into heat energy within the plant's cells, effectively destroying them and preventing their regrowth. In the study, Catherine Borger, Ph.D., lead researcher and weed science expert from the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, along with co-research scientist Miranda Slaven, tested the weed zapping machine in vineyards near Yallingup, Western Australia. The trials proved successful, and no grape vines were damaged in the process. While Borger noted that electric weed control offers plenty of benefits compared to traditional methods, such as being nontoxic and having immediate effectiveness, it can take longer to apply and uses more fuel. But with electric tractors now becoming available, at least on a small scale, perhaps the latter problem can be solved easily in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our results, being the first of their kind, highlighted electric weed control as a potential alternative to chemical use that can be integrated into weed management programs in winter and spring within a Mediterranean climate," the authors wrote. "Electric weed control will be of particular importance for those where herbicide resistance is increasingly problematic and for organic growers," Borger added, per the WSSA. As herbicides have been linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, Parkinson's disease, and other serious health problems, this suggests that both farmers and the environment would benefit from the widespread adoption of electric weed control methods in the agriculture industry. Should the government ban gas-powered lawn equipment? Absolutely Not yet Only for commercial use Nope Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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. Even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke is far more deadly than previously understood, with death tolls due to particulate matter having been underestimated by 93%, found the authors of a new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health. "Smoke can affect populations far away from the fires," said Cathryn Tonne, the study's co-author, according to the Guardian. "So many more people will be exposed to smoke than the immediate physical threat of the flames." What's happening? With wildfires charring record amounts of land this summer, particularly in Spain and Portugal, understanding the full health impacts of wildfire-smoke exposure has taken on new urgency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, the situation is much more dire than previously thought. For years, scientists had assumed that particulate matter from wildfire smoke was similar in its health risks to particulate matter from other sources, such as automobile exhaust. However, the new study proved this assumption to be false, with particulate matter from wildfires being much more harmful. "Our paper shows evidence that although it happens less often the health impact for the same amount of particles is stronger for wildfire particles," explained Tonne, according to the Guardian. The study concluded that from 2004 to 2022, on average, 535 people died in Europe every year from short-term exposure to wildfire smoke, much higher than previously thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, the authors found that the risk of death increased significantly in the week after short-term exposure to wildfire smoke. Adding just 1 microgram of wildfire particulate matter to 1 cubic meter (1.3 cubic yards) of air raised the risk of all-cause mortality by 0.7%, respiratory mortality by 1%, and cardiovascular mortality by 0.9%. Multiplied across the estimated 1 billion people exposed to wildfire smoke annually, these numbers mean that the global death toll due to even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke is significantly higher than previously understood. Why are the health impacts of wildfire smoke important? Rising global temperatures have made wildfires both more frequent and more severe, according to the California Air Resources Board. This means that each year, more and more people are exposed to wildfire smoke. The new data sheds a more accurate light on the true risk that this exposure poses to human life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The results are concerning, considering that wildfires and other extreme events are increasing exponentially with climate change," Antonio Gasparrini of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said of the new study, according to the Guardian. It has long been understood that wildfires destroy lives, homes, businesses, crops, and livestock, causing the price of food and insurance premiums to go up far beyond the reach of the flames. However, the new study has revealed just how deadly even short-term exposure to wildfire smoke can be. More concerning still, according to a May report from the Guardian, wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles, meaning that essentially nowhere is safe from these dangerous particles. What's being done about wildfire smoke? In the immediate term, there are steps that you can take to protect yourself and your family from the health risks of wildfire-smoke exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study published in May found that indoor air pollution during a wildfire can be three times worse than under normal conditions, even with all doors and windows closed. However, the researchers did find that using an air purifier, though expensive, was an effective solution for improving indoor air quality. In order to truly address the health risks posed by wildfire smoke, though, it is necessary to address the root causes. This means reversing the trend of rising global temperatures by significantly reducing the amount of heat-trapping pollution entering the atmosphere. To help push for meaningful government action aimed at reducing planet-warming pollution, you can use your voice, support climate-friendly candidates, and contact your elected representatives to let them know where you stand. Taking things a step further, driving an EV or installing solar panels on your home can reduce heat-trapping pollution while also saving you money on electricity and fuel 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. More than 300 million years ago, Illinois was a very different place. Instead of cornfields and prairies, the land lay in the tropics, teeming with swamps, rivers and shallow seas. Today, that ancient world is preserved in the world-renowned Mazon Creek fossil beds, where researchers recently reexamined a massive collection of more than 300,000 fossils and uncovered a breakthrough. It turns out the area (near modern-day Coal City, Illinois) once hosted three distinct ecosystems, each with its own unique animal and plant life. This was a fun project that kind of came about in a weird way, said Dr. Jim Schiffbauer, professor at the University of Missouri and a co-lead on the study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oddly enough, the latest discovery got a helping hand from the coronavirus. Initially started by retired geologist Gordon Baird, who spent decades collecting Mazon Creek fossils across Illinois, the project got a fresh boost from a group of students stuck at home during the pandemic. The group, looking for creative ways to study paleontology virtually, set to work digitizing all of Baird's records. Researches used freeze-thaw cycles to split open the ironstone concretions encasing fossils found at Mazon Creek. When all that data landed on Schiffbauers desk, he and his team used modern statistical tools and mapping techniques to uncover something new. There are distinct ecosystems here, and actually more than what Gordon originally proposed. Schiffbauer explained. There is the freshwater, there is an estuary and then there is a fully marine ecosystem. So it's really neat. (MORE: Bizarre Radio Signals Stump Antarctic Scientists) The teams analysis revealed a freshwater zone dominated by river fish, insects, and plants washed downstream; a brackish estuary with hardy, salt-tolerant clams and other bottom-dwelling animals; and an offshore marine setting rich in jellyfish. Among the most famous fossils at Mazon Creek is the Tully monster a creature so strange that scientists still argue over whether it was a vertebrate or not. That tropical setting may seem surprising for Illinois, but the continents once looked very different. 300 million years ago, North America was a little bit twisted and it was further south. Schiffbauer said. Southern Illinois would have been looking west. While the study doesnt directly address climate change, Schiffbauer says the Carboniferous world of Mazon Creek holds important comparisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is kind of a parallel to where we're going, in terms of sea level and heat on the planet and increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere," he explained. (MORE: Stunning Discovery On A Sunken WWII Ship) For Schiffbauer, the work is both personal and professional, The Mazon has always been on my bucket list," he admitted. "I'm optimistic that this is going to be the go-to paper for Mazon moving forward, because it really kind of summarizes and solidifies some of the previous interpretations, and adds more nuance to them." Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. Southwest Michigan residents are working to save their shoreline, which is quickly eroding. What's happening? Researcher John Yellich, retired head of the Michigan Geological Survey, has undertaken the first coastal erosion study in Southwest Michigan in nearly a decade. As CBS News reported in early August, the study is unfolding as parts of the Lake Michigan shoreline deteriorate at a frightening pace. On average, the region's shoreline is eroding at the rate of more than a foot each year. Certain areas, however, have lost 75 feet in four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without action, experts say, beaches, bluffs, and homes could be washed away. "As a Navy pilot, I'm used to panic, but I panicked," local resident John Barkley told CBS News. "There were some days here where we lost several feet. We saw the boardwalk collapse into the lake. We saw part of our drain system collapse into the lake." Why is coastal erosion concerning? The dangers of rapid coastal erosion are evident. Just ask the Michigan residents who have watched beaches wash away or the residents of coastal states who fear their communities could be underwater by the end of this century. Perhaps equally concerning is the exacerbating effect that human-caused pollution has had on such land loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we spew heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere, the planet continues to warm, evidenced by the heat records now broken on a near-annual basis. And as the planet overheats, glaciers melt, sea levels rise, and weather events become more frequent and more severe, washing sand and soil away from coastlines. "It's gotten worse because of the climate, and we are just more aware," Southwest Michigan resident Victoria Turbov told CBS. "We need to protect this place and other places and, you know, our environment in general." What's being done about coastal erosion? Turbov, Barkley, and other residents are championing the fight, with coastal neighborhoods working to keep their homes safe. For example, they've helped to ensure that the terrain has been sculpted to add deep-rooted plants, which can help hold the land together. Adjusting irrigation systems and reinforcing beaches with rocks can also help strengthen the coastline against the threat of further erosion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their work shows the importance of understanding climate-related issues and taking local action to help preserve ecosystems and communities. "This is an example of what catastrophic things can happen if you don't do the right things," Yellich told CBS. 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. CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) A retired Air Force colonel who commanded the final mission out of Afghanistan during the 2021 withdrawal of US troops has set his sights on Congress. Ret. Lt. Col. Alex Pelbath launched his campaign for South Carolinas First Congressional District on Monday morning, casting himself as a political outsider who will fight for President Donald Trumps agenda. I never planned to run for Congress, but I witnessed the devastation caused by career politicians weak leadership, Pelbath says in an 80-second video as images of former President Joe Biden flashed on the screen, including one of his stumbling on the steps of Air Force One. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pelbath also says that the U.S. needs leaders who stand with President Trump and fight to Make America Great Again. Laying out the tenets of his platform if elected, Pelbath said he would focus on ending the flow of illegal immigrants, stopping woke nonsense in our schools and military, and working toward economic policies that benefit Lowcountry families. Pelbath spent 22 years in the Air Force, logging more than 4,000 flight hours, including 1,000 hours in combat, according to his campaign. In 2021, he was called to lead what became known as Operation Allies Refuge the largest non-combatant evacuation in history, which saw approximately 124,000 US citizens, green card holders, Afghan allies, and vulnerable Afghans ferried to safety as the Taliban seized control of the country. Pelbath, then director of Joint Base Charlestons 437th Airlift Wing Operations Group, oversaw the evacuation of all aircraft from Kabul and flew the last C-17, MOOSE 94, out of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the grainy, neon-green and black image that has now become iconic, Major General Donahue is seen boarding the C-17. Pelbath described the surreal moments following that photo in September 2021: We had just taken the runway, the other four aircraft had departed, I could see all four aircraft in front of me. We took off five aircraft in about two and a half minutes. I had the entire picture of the final C-17 force departing Kabul. That, for me, was the moment when I realized wow, this is really it, he said at the time. Pelbath invoked images from that historic withdrawal in his launch video, portraying it as a failure on Bidens part, while leaning on his own military experience. In combat, mission is everything, he said. My mission is clear: Provide President Trump the reinforcements he needs, deliver leadership that makes the Lowcountry proud, and bring an outsiders perspective to Washington. I was the last one out. But the missions not over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pelbath, who lives in Mount Pleasant, is the second person to enter what is expected to be a crowded field vying for the GOP nomination. State Rep. Mark Smith (R-Berkeley) launched his campaign in mid-August, and Dorchester County Councilman Jay Byars is also considering a run. The seat, which stretches along the coast from the South Santee River to Hilton Head Island, is currently held by U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R), who is pursuing a bid for governor. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. The Rev Martin Smyth who has died aged 94, was one of the most influential figures in Protestant Ulster for three decades, as a Presbyterian minister, Grand Master of the Orange Lodge of Ireland and, from 1982 to 2005, Unionist MP for South Belfast. Twice a challenger for the Unionist leadership and briefly party president, Smyth stood firmly for a return to majority Protestant rule, with Ulster preferably part of a federal United Kingdom and Westminster having little scope to interfere. He was slightly less inflexible toward the provinces Catholics during the Troubles than Ian Paisley and his Democratic Unionists. But in latter years he opposed the Good Friday Agreement, and led the opposition within his party to David Trimble, one of its architects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Grand Master from 1972 to 1996, he asserted the Orange Orders right to march through Nationalist areas, saying: I cannot understand why the mainland British have this blind spot over our marches. In 1988 he was fined for taking part in an illegal procession. He attempted to promote a rally on the banks of the quasi-religious River Boyne in the Republic to commemorate the tercentenary in 1990 of William of Oranges victory there over the Catholic James II; he was foiled by the stiff insurance premium demanded and Dublins bigoted lack of enthusiasm. Grey-haired, soft-spoken and firm, the teetotal Smyth came across as a mainstream clergyman, not a Paisleyesque ranter. Yet his manner concealed a calculating mind; he once asserted that picketing the homes of political opponents was a normal method of the democratic process. Smyth in 2000 after his announcement that he was to challenge David Trimble for the leadership of the UUP - Paul Faith/PA In the 1970s Smyth was ready to talk with Nationalists, though not with Republicans and was nevertheless denounced by Paisley as a traitor. Despite his eventual rejection of its terms, he was one of the first Unionist politicians to scent the chance for a settlement, saying in 1993 that talks with Sinn Fein might be possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He took a hard line against divorce and abortion, saying: I am not an absolutist, but I have always found it difficult to counsel the taking of life. He opposed membership of the EEC and supported South Africa under apartheid, seeing Nelson Mandelas African National Congress as a co-conspirator with the IRA. Smyth was a leading parliamentary campaigner for Soviet Jewry, visiting Moscow in 1984 to meet would-be emigrants. Two years later, after Margaret Thatchers accord with Dublin, he mischievously suggested Unionists approach the Kremlin to show the British people we could threaten their position within Nato. At Westminster, his speciality was social care. In his maiden speech he complained that the Thatcher governments Mental Health Bill protected doctors and social workers rather than patients, and in committee he secured amendments. He urged the acceptance of guide dogs in churches, opposed NHS charges for eye and dental checks, and in 1989 pushed through a Private Members Bill giving people in Northern Ireland with disabilities the same rights as in mainland Britain. A long-serving member of the Health Select Committee, he was briefly dropped in 1986 for boycotting Parliament in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Smyth at Drumcree in 1996 with David Trimble and Jeffrey Donaldson - Stephen Davison/Pacemaker William Martin Smyth was born in Belfast on June 15 1931, the twin son of James Smyth, a plumber, and the former Minnie Kane. He was educated at Methodist College, Belfast, and at Magee University College in Londonderry he made the rugby XV. He went on to Trinity College Dublin, Presbyterian College in Belfast and, later, San Francisco Theological Seminary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ordained in 1953, he was Presbyterian minister at Raffrey, Co Down, from 1957, then from 1963 until his election to Parliament, at Alexandra Church, Belfast. He was elected Grand Master of the Orange Lodge in 1972, benefiting from working-class dissatisfaction with its upper-middle-class leadership. From 1974 to 1982 he was also grand master of the World Orange Order. Smyth joined the then all-powerful Ulster Unionist Party in 1959, and in the early 1970s was deputy leader of William Craigs Vanguard faction; when Craig broke away he stayed with the UUP. In 1975 he was elected to the Constitutional Convention for Belfast South, and the following year resisted a Paisleyite attempt to take over the party. On November 14 1981 the Rev Robert Bradford, MP for Belfast South, was assassinated by the IRA while conducting a constituency surgery. Smyth took the seat at a by-election the following March with a 5,397 majority over the moderate Alliance Party, with the DUPs Rev William McCrea splitting the Unionist vote. Through his shrewd positioning, Smyth would not again face a Loyalist challenge until 1997. In October 1982 he was also elected to Jim Priors Northern Ireland Assembly telling Prior he should follow Dublins example and ban Sinn Fein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 1985 Smyth resigned his seat, with other Unionists, in protest at the Agreement. Re-elected with a majority of 14,136 at the subsequent by-election, he boycotted the Commons for a year. When Mrs Thatcher was overthrown in November 1990, he told her Unionists empathised with her because we know what betrayal means. Smyth first ran for the UUP leadership in September 1995 when James Molyneaux stood down, but finished last of five candidates as Trimble was elected. In March 2000 he challenged Trimble, who was implementing the Belfast agreement, head-on at the Ulster Unionist Council and ran him uncomfortably close: 348 votes to Trimbles 457. Before the 2001 election, Smyth defeated a challenge for the UUPs Belfast South nomination by the pro-Agreement Michael McGimpsey. Holding the seat, he was elected party president. In April 2003 he resigned the Unionist whip with David Burnside and Jeffrey Donaldson, in protest at Trimble supporting a British-Irish Declaration intended to secure the resumption of power-sharing with Sinn Fein. He retook the whip a year later, having failed to dissuade Donaldson from switching to the DUP. Later in 2004 he lost the party presidency to Lord Rogan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smyth left the Commons at the 2005 election, a split in the Unionist vote handing Belfast South to the Nationalist SDLP. His books included: Faith for Today (1961), Why Presbyterian? (1963), In Defence of Ulster (1970) and The Battle for Northern Ireland (1972). Martin Smyth married Kathleen Johnson in 1957. They had three daughters, of whom the eldest survives him. The Rev Martin Smyth, born June 15 1931, death announced August 22 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Health officials will review guidance on prostate cancer following concerns that 5,000 men are undergoing needless treatment every year. Changes to the advice could help pave the way for the introduction of routine screening to identify those most at risk. The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (Nice) will re-examine its advice to consider whether the case for active surveillance otherwise known as watchful waiting should be strengthened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after experts warned that outdated guidance was preventing the introduction of a prostate cancer screening programme. Nice will also reconsider its stance on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. Current guidance says GPs should only consider offering men PSA tests if they show symptoms. GPs are not advised to proactively offer the tests to patients without symptoms, although men can ask for them. Until recently, separate guidance for the NHS said the tests were available to any man aged 50 and over who requested it. In December, the age threshold was dropped amid growing concern about the number of cases among younger men that were being missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came a year after Sir Chris Hoy, the gold medal-winning cyclist, spoke about his diagnosis of stage four prostate cancer at the age of 47. He had never been offered tests despite a family history of the disease. The Telegraph is campaigning for the introduction of targeted screening so that those most at risk, such as black men and those with a family history of the illness, are offered PSA tests. Until now the UK National Screening Committee has resisted such a move because doubts over the reliability of the tests. But in recent years the back-up technology used to confirm a diagnosis has significantly improved, with hopes that further advances could mean that, in future, screening could prevent up to 40 per cent of deaths of prostate cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the charity Prostate Cancer UK (PCUK) said the lack of evidence-backed guidance was hindering efforts to introduce targeted testing because insufficient attention was being given to the role of active surveillance in managing the disease. It said close monitoring was the best option for men whose prostate cancer was unlikely to progress to a stage at which it had a real impact on their health. The charity has called for evidence about active surveillance to be incorporated into NHS guidance. Of the 56,000 diagnosed in the UK each year, around 6,500 men opt for this approach, but the analysis by Prostate Cancer UK said another 5,000 could benefit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amy Rylance, the assistant director of health improvement at PCUK, said: To reduce the harm caused by prostate cancer and build the foundations for a screening programme, we need to both save lives and prevent unnecessary treatment, but official guidelines still havent caught up with the clinical evidence. Concerns about overtreatment are a major reason the UK does not routinely screen for prostate cancer. Acting on the latest research that shows more men can safely opt for monitoring instead of treatment will reduce overtreatment and the harm it causes men. The charity said it also wanted to see guidance for GPs changed so that family doctors were encouraged to proactively offer PSA tests rather than only responding to those who asked for them. Nice told The Telegraph it would now be updating its guidelines, in particular reviewing recommendations about active surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polling of GPs showed that most think Nices current guidance is ambiguous or could be improved. The survey of 400 GPs, commissioned by the charity Prostate Cancer Research, found that 63 per cent thought the current guidance on PSA tests was too ambiguous or could be improved. The Nice decision will also see its experts re-examine the age-related thresholds for investigating prostate cancer on the basis of PSA tests. While PSA levels rise with age, there has been criticism of Nices specific thresholds. The poll of GPs found that just over half now follow the thresholds. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. Every year around 55,000 men are diagnosed with the disease and 12,000 die from it. But just half of cases are caught at an early stage, when treatment is most effective. A Nice spokesman said: We are committed to ensuring our prostate cancer guidelines continue to reflect the best available evidence and give patients the best possible outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are developed by an independent committee, including NHS clinical experts, and are kept under constant review to ensure they remain current and take account of events that may impact our recommendations. We will be updating our prostate cancer guideline, including a review of the recommendations around active surveillance, and will be assessing whether our suspected cancer guideline around age-related thresholds for PSA tests for prostate cancer in primary care requires updating. David James, the director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, said: This polling highlights the difficult position GPs are in. Current guidance on PSA testing is ambiguous, which creates uncertainty for doctors and poorer outcomes for patients. Many men are slipping through the net because prostate cancer can be symptomless in its early stages and because of discrepancies between age-related cut-offs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A targeted screening programme would help give GPs greater confidence that men at higher risk are not being missed and ensure more men get an early diagnosis that may save their lives. A Department for Health and Social Care spokesman said: Its encouraging to see how improved technology, including the use of MRIs, has helped with diagnosis. This Government is committed to following the science and the UK NSC advice on prostate cancer screening, as the decision must be evidence-led. The UK National Screening Committee is looking at this as a priority, including reviewing the evidence for screening men with a family history of prostate cancer and other high-risk groups. While this review takes place, were getting on with improving cancer treatment and prevention investing 16m developing new detection methods, and deploying cutting-edge technology to personalise medicine, catch sickness sooner and save lives. 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. CONNECTICUT (WTNH) ISO New England said the stop-work order received by Revolution Wind could increase risks to reliability across the region. Revolution Wind project, set to power homes in Connecticut, Rhode Island halted due to federal order The Revolution Wind project, a 65-turbine wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, was set to bring power to over 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to the projects lead company, rsted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a stop-work order on the project on Friday, bringing all work to a halt. ISO-New England is an independent non-profit system operator responsible for the transmission of electricity across six states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. The project was set to bring power at a rate of 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour, cheaper than average costs in New England, according to reporting from the Associated Press. As demand for electricity grows, New England must maintain and add to its energy infrastructure, ISO-NE said in a statement. Unpredictable risks and threats to resourcesregardless of technologythat have made significant capital investments, secured necessary permits, and are close to completion will stifle future investments, increase costs to consumers, and undermine the power grids reliability and the regions economy now and in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ISO-NE cited recent heatwaves in New England as reason meet demand and maintain energy reserve. Beyond near-term impacts to reliability in the summer and winter peak periods, delays in the availability of new resources will adversely affect New Englands economy and industrial growth, including potential future data centers, ISO-NE said. Equipment for the Revolution Wind project remains in New London after a federal stop-work order. Equipment for the Revolution Wind project remains in New London after a federal stop-work order. Equipment for the Revolution Wind project remains in New London after a federal stop-work order. BOEM claimed it was seeking to address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States and prevention of interference with reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, the high seas and the territorial seas. 2024: Offshore wind projects in New London to become more affordable Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump was cited as a reason for the stop-work order, according to BOEM. The Revolution Wind project is 80% complete, according to rsted, with foundations for all offshore turbines installed and 45 of the 65 turbines installed. rsted claims the Revolution Wind project employed hundreds of local union workers totaling 2 million labor union hours and will be investigating potential legal proceedings in the wake of the stop-work order. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. first decided to run for president in 2023, one of his mother's first phone calls was reportedly to his opponent, President Joe Biden A report from New York magazine states that Ethel Kennedy, who died in 2024, called Biden at the time to apologize for her son's competing presidential bid Biden reportedly gave a short but memorable response to Ethel When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. first decided to announce his run for president in 2023, one of his late mother Ethel Kennedy's first phone calls was to his opponent in the race, then-President Joe Biden. A new report from New York magazine, published on Aug. 25, details the complicated relationship between the widow of late Democratic Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and her son, who is now Donald Trump's secretary of health and human services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When RFK Jr. announced his candidacy running as a Democrat at the time Ethel called Biden to apologize "for her wayward son," as the outlet put it. "You dont have to," Biden reportedly replied to Ethel. "I know about these things." Stephen Lovekin/Getty Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Ethel Kennedy in 2013. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Ethel Kennedy in 2013. According to the report, Ethel and Biden had a long lasting friendship that spanned decades, and she expressed disappointment when her son decided to challenge him in a bid for the presidency particularly because of her dedication to the Democratic Party. The one who was brokenhearted and the family wont talk about it, but I saw it up close was Ethel, a longtime family friend told the magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released by his sister Kerry in 2023, she appeared unsupportive of his political aspirations, writing, "I love my brother Bobby, but I do not share or endorse his opinions on many issues, including the COVID pandemic, vaccinations, and the role of social media platforms in policing false information." She also made clear that, though he shares a name with RFK, the younger Bobby does not reflect "or influence" the work of RFK Human Rights, the organization she runs in honor of her father. RFK Jr.'s youngest brother, Doug Kennedy, a correspondent for FOX News Channel, also told PEOPLE in 2023 that his brother "has immense political talent," but that while he's loved in the family, "not everyone agrees with his positions." Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. A number of other family members opposed RFK Jr.'s bid for office, and in March 2024, a few dozen Kennedys showed up for a St. Patrick's Day photo op at the White House with Biden. A few weeks later, according to New York magazine, six of his eight siblings got onstage with Biden to declare their support for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you have seven or eight people trying to figure out a statement about their brother, its not easy," Stephen Smith Jr., whose mother, Jean, was JFK's sister and Bill Clinton's ambassador to Ireland, told New York. "The St. Patrick's thing emerged as the easiest way to make a statement." Additionally, when RFK Jr. later endorsed Trump for president, a few of his siblings released a statement calling his endorsement "a sad ending to a sad story." Kevin Mazur/Getty Joe Biden and Ethel Kennedy. Joe Biden and Ethel Kennedy. Details about Ethel and former president Biden's friendship have been made public in the past. According to New York magazine, Biden called the late Kennedy to wish her happy birthday each year, including her 95th birthday, which was just one week before RFK Jr. announced his presidential run. "@Potus just called to wish Grandma Ethel happy birthday," Ethel's daughter Kerry Kennedy wrote on social media at the time. "He was 35,000 feet above the earth with @JoeKennedyiii, U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland. He said how much of a difference Joe K is making, especially on economic development in Northern Ireland, and how happy he is to be traveling with Joe K today on the way to Belfast." Ethel died at 96 years old on Oct. 10, 2024, "from complications related to a stroke," according to a statement from Kerry. Read the original article on People CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Monday that he stands with West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey and his executive order to loosen vaccine mandates in schools. In a post on X, Kennedy said that an executive order by Morrisey from January that calls for exemptions to West Virginias school vaccine requirements upholds West Virginians religious freedom and parental rights. The West Virginia Department of Education decided not to enforce the order, especially since a bill in line with the order failed in the West Virginia Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also an active lawsuit against the order that was refiled last week by the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia on behalf of several parents of immunocompromised students. While lawsuits are ongoing, several students have been granted injunctions to attend school without the required immunizations, including two students in Gilmer County. These are the best colleges in West Virginia for 2026: report Morriseys order calls for exemptions at a statewide level to the current vaccinations required for students to under public school, including for religious and conscientious reasons. Kennedy said in the post that state legislators should support Morriseys order and protect these fundamental rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At @HHSgov, we will enforce conscience protections and defend every familys right to make informed health decisions, Kennedy said. In a response, Morrisey called the exemptions a common sense policy on the grounds that West Virginia is one of only a few states that do not allow exemptions for vaccinations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Aug. 25Happy Monday. Second Street between Rio Bravo Boulevard and the San Jose Drain will be closed for several weeks due to road work. The project, which is expected to start on Tuesday and last until Oct. 15, will include the installation of a new curb and gutter, sidewalks, a center median and fresh asphalt. The work is part of the Rio Bravo and Second Street Reconstruction Project that includes the widening of Rio Bravo and adding pedestrian facilities, according to a Bernalillo County news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said. TINGLEY SPEED BUMPS: The city of Albuquerque is adding speed bumps on Tingley Drive from Tingley Beach to Alcalde Place. Work will begin on Monday and take about two weeks, City Department of Municipal Development spokesperson Dan Mayfield said in a news release. LOS LUNAS GROUNDBREAKING: The groundbreaking for the Los Lunas Interstate 25 second interchange and east-west corridor project took place on Aug. 14. The project will consist of a new interchange, about a mile south of the I-25-N.M. 6 interchange; a 2,000-foot, four-lane bridge over the Rio Grande and multi-use trails and connections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work is expected to be finished in four years, CWS Strategic Communications president Patti Watson said in an email. "This project is about more than building a new road and another access from I-25," Los Lunas Mayor Charles Griego said in a news release. "It's about building opportunity, because it will unlock access to high-demand areas in our community that can grow with the additional infrastructure." According to the village, work hours will be 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with possible work beyond those hours and on weekends as needed. TRAFFIC FATALITIES: There were 34 traffic fatalities reported across New Mexico in July, according to data from the University of New Mexico and NMDOT. This marks about a 42% increase from June, 24 traffic fatalities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county with the highest number was Bernalillo County with 15, which almost doubled June, eight. San Juan County had the second highest amount of fatalities last month, four. NMDOT REMINDERS: The New Mexico Department of Transportation recently sent out a couple of reminders on social media: Drivers need to come to a complete stop when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk. When a school bus stops: Stop and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn and the bus starts moving. "Let's all keep the roads safe for everyone and follow the laws," a post states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COMMUTER TIME: Albuquerque ranked 12th in cities with the lowest commute time, according to a study conducted by Yardikube. The 23 minutes is up 30 seconds from 2023, 22.7 minutes, and is the longest it has been since 2019, 22.5 minutes. GILA ROAD REPAIR: For those planning a Labor Day trip to Gila National Forest, be prepared for a minor inconvenience. Road repairs are being done on a 1-mile section of Forest Road 150 between the Beaverhead Work Center and Wall Lake. The project, which includes resurfacing and culvert replacements, is expected to be finished Sept. 5, U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Maribeth Pecotte said. Travel delays should be minimal, except during culvert replacement in the Wall Lake area, when half-hour delays can be expected, she said. (The Center Square) Shaun Adams can remember when his hometown of Robbinsville, N.C. was thriving, with four factories humming and producing regular paychecks for the people who worked there. Then came the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. When NAFTA first passed, our two electronic plants left immediately, Adams told The Center Square. Within a few years, a sewing plant and a furniture factory also closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams was one of the 400 workers at the furniture plant who lost their jobs. He went back to school to earn his masters degree. He found a job at a local grocery store. Then Adams decided to run for mayor of Robbinsville, hoping to help recruit new industry businesses and jobs to the town. That was my main motivation to run, he said. Before, town officials before did nothing to save our jobs. Adams is still the mayor and Robbinsville is making a comeback. Chinese paper products manufacturer Kingsun Eco-pack Co. plans to invest $80 million to refurbish the former furniture factory. The Robbinsville plant, about 90 miles from Asheville, and 65 miles from Interstate 40, will produce paper trays and platters commonly used in grocery stores and restaurants. It will employ an estimated 500 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its Kingsuns first U.S. factory and will help it better serve its customers here, state officials said. The jobs will pay a minimum average wage of $46,707, the state said. They were looking for a strong workforce, Adams said. It will save shipping costs and tariff costs and put them closer to their customers. The company is already working on renovating the former furniture factory, Adams said. They are moving machinery in now, he said. North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley recently praised Robbinsville and Graham County for their work in recruiting Kingsun. With a population of only 8,030, only two counties have less population than Graham County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was literally an abandoned furniture facility that closed more than 10 years ago, Lilley told The Center Square. Their team really helped nurture prospects to come look at a very rural county to a good facility where theyve got talent, people who know how to use their hands and make things. Landing the Kingsun project is a win for small-town America, Adams said. It was a wonderful place to grow up, he said of Robbinsville. An estimated 80% of Graham County is national forestland, the mayor said. I love the area, I love the people, Adams said. COX'S BAZAR, Bangladesh (AP) Tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in dozens of camps in Bangladesh marked the eighth anniversary of their mass exodus, demanding a safe return to their previous home in Rakhine state. The refugees gathered Monday in an open field at a camp in Kutupalong, in the Coxs Bazar district in southeastern Bangladesh, the site of a large refugee camp. They carried banners reading No more refugee life and Repatriation the ultimate solution. They were marking what they called Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day. We want to go back to our country with equal rights like other ethnic groups in Myanmar," one of the protesters, 19-year-old Nur Aziz, told The Associated Press. "The rights they are enjoying in Myanmar as citizens of the country, we too want to enjoy the same rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, urged the international community to facilitate a process for their safe return as he addressed a three-day conference on the Rohingya that began a day earlier in Coxs Bazar. International dignitaries, United Nations representatives, diplomats and Bangladeshs interim government discussed supporting refugees with food and other amenities and how to speed up the repatriation process. Yunus said that that the relationship of Rohingyas with their homeland cannot be severed. Their right to return to their homeland has to be secured, he said. Therefore, we urge all parties and partners to work hard for charting a practical roadmap for their speedy, safe, dignified, voluntary and sustainable return to their homes in Rakhine as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myanmar launched a brutal crackdown in August 2017 following insurgent attacks on guard posts in Rakhine state. The scale, organization and ferocity of the operation led to accusations of ethnic cleansing and genocide from the international community, including the U.N. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims began leaving Myanmar then. They traveled by foot and boats during shelling, indiscriminate killings and other violence in Rakhine state, which was captured by the Arakan Army insurgent group that has battled against Myanmar government forces. The Bangladesh government, which was led at the time by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ordered the border to be opened, eventually allowing more than 700,000 refugees to take shelter in the Muslim-majority nation. The influx was in addition to more than 300,000 refugees who already had lived in Bangladesh for decades in the wake of previous violence perpetrated by Myanmars military. Since 2017, Bangladesh has attempted at least twice to send the refugees back and has urged the international community to build pressure on Myanmars government to establish a peaceful environment that could assist their repatriation. The governments under Hasina and Yunus also have sought repatriation support from China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the situation inside Myanmar has remained volatile, especially in Rakhine state. In Bangladesh, Rohingya refugees face challenges including aid cuts by donors. Yunus urged the regional and international stakeholders to continue to support the Rohingya people, including with financial support. We urge upon all to calibrate their relations with Myanmar and the Arakan Army and all parties to the conflict in order to promote an early resolution of this protracted crisis, he said. ___ Julhas Alam contributed from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ukraines Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, after meeting with his Romanian counterpart Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu in Kyiv, has announced that Romania will soon hand over another the 23rd military aid package to Ukraine. Source: Shmyhal on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Ukrainian defence minister thanked Romania for its unwavering support across key areas. "The country has already provided Ukraine with 22 military aid packages, and our troops will receive the 23rd in the near future," Shmyhal said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romania continues training Ukrainian F-16 pilots and is making other substantial contributions to building our air-defence shield. Shmyhal reported that at the meeting it was agreed to strengthen coordination between the air-defence forces. "We focused on developing industrial co-operation. The priority is production: interceptor drones, FPV drones and long-range drones," Shmyhal added. The two ministers also discussed using the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) mechanism to launch joint projects on technology transfer and to start Ukrainian production in Romania, as well as Romanias participation in the PURL (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) initiative, which supplies Ukrainian troops with US-made weapons. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Royal Mail is to stop accepting parcels bound for the US as it braces for the impact of new tariffs announced by Donald Trump. The postal service has joined a number of operators across Europe in suspending most shipments to the US from Tuesday, amid uncertainty sparked by incoming new laws. President Trump last month signed an executive order scrapping a tax exemption that allowed goods worth $800 or less to enter the US duty-free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The loophole, known as the de minimis exemption, will be removed from this coming Friday, forcing shippers to pay new duties. The new taxes will only apply to goods bought and sold; gifts and goods sent between family and friends will be exempt. However, postal services will still need to ensure all packages comply with the new regime and Royal Mail said it would stop accepting parcels over concerns that those sent on Tuesday would not have enough time to reach US customs before the new rules come into effect. Royal Mail is to launch a new service for shipping packages to the US, which is expected to be available from Thursday. While its individual postage pricing will remain the same following the changes, Royal Mail will add a 50p per parcel handling charge to cover the additional costs associated with providing clearance services into the US. This will be invoiced as a handling fee in addition to postage costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crackdown is expected to have a major impact on e-commerce companies and small businesses exporting low-value goods to the US. Around 1.4 billion packages containing goods worth $64.6bn (4.8bn) entered the US last year under the de minimis exemption, according to US Customs figures. Around 60pc of these originated from China, amid a boom in shopping on cut-price sites such as Temu and fast fashion brand Shein. The level of the tariff will depend on which country the products have been sent from. Items originating from the UK will be subject to a 10pc tariff, while those from the EU will be hit with a 15pc levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers will still be allowed to ship gifts worth less than $100, although postal operators have warned that packages will be subjected to extra checks to ensure the service is not being used for commercial goods. A spokesman for Royal Mail said: We have been working hard with US authorities and international partners to adapt our services to meet the new US de minimis requirements so UK consumers and businesses can continue to use our services when they come into effect. Consumers sending gifts worth less than $100 will not have to pay duty. Frances La Poste, Germanys Deutsche Post, Poste Italiane and Spains Correos have also suspended parcel shipments to the US, joining the Belgian, Swedish and Danish postal services. DHL, which owns Deutsche Post, blamed uncertainty over how the tariffs would work as well as a lack of time to prepare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said: Key questions remain, particularly regarding who will have to pay the tariffs and how, what additional data will be required, and how data will be transmitted to US Customs. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will host Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hikes at Texas State Parks and State Natural Areas throughout the month of September. All military, veterans, family and friends are invited to participate, TPWD said. This will be our third consecutive year hosting these events, and its been growing, said Nicole Mechler, TPWD military and internship coordinator. The more we can advocate and join together, the better for our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locally, a ruck hike will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 13 at Hueco Tanks State Park. Hikes at different locations are scheduled for each Saturday of the month beginning on Sept. 6. Each park will offer a variety of trails and activities. Information on the hikes and the specific host sites are available by clicking here or you can reach out through email at vetcontact@tpwd.texas.gov. TPWD offers Texas Parklands Passports which provide free entry to all Texas state parks for active-duty military members, veterans, disabled veterans, Gold Star families and Senior Full. Information about the passports is online by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Passes can be obtained with supporting documents at any state park headquarters. State park staff advise visitors who plan to acquire a pass at the event to arrive early. Visitors can learn more about accessibility at TPWD facilities by clicking here. The complete list of parks for this years ruck hikes event is below: Sept. 6 Brazos Bend State Park: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Tyler State Park: 8-10 a.m. McKinney Falls State Park: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Cooper Lake State Park (Doctors Creek Unit): 9-11 a.m. Sept. 13: Atlanta State Park: 9 a.m. Hueco Tanks State Park: 7:30 a.m. Cedar Hill State Park: 6:30 a.m. Sept. 20: Lockhart State Park: 8:30 a.m. Abilene State Park: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Purtis Creek State Park: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dinosaur Valley State Park: 10 a.m. Cooper Lake State Park: 9-11 a.m. Caprock Canyon State Park: 10 a.m. Sept. 27: Daingerfield State Park: 9:30-11 a.m. Inks Lake State Park: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Government Canyon State Park: 8:30 a.m. Pedernales Falls State Park: 9 a.m. South Llano River State Park: 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Lake Tawakoni State Park: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Goose Island State Park: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m Lake Bob Sandlin State Park: 5-7 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. CLEVELAND (WJW) The glory days of aviation were on full display as people came together to raise money for the International Womens Air and Space Museum. The museum, located inside Burke Lakefront Airport, held a Corks on the Concourse fashion show Friday night. Models walked the concourse sporting aviation outfits from all different decades. Baby found dead in shopping bag on Cleveland driveway Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The museum partnered with Haute Ohio Magazine to produce a vintage stewardess uniform showcase. The show featured looks from the 1960s-1990s. There were also two original designs that were inspired by the museums own collection. They were both created by local designers. One was by R.J. Luna and the other by Ghosted Reality. Fox 8s Jessica Dill was part of the fun, sporting a vintage dress from the museum. She wore a United Airlines Winter Uniform used in the late 1960s. Corks on the Concourse, FOX 8 photo Corks on the Concourse, FOX 8 photo Bodies found after Amish womans concerning statements: Sheriff All the money raised supports the museum which works to collect and preserve items to showcase the history and culture of women in all areas of aviation and aerospace. Admission to the museum is always free for people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This event kicked off an exciting aviation week as the Cleveland National Air Show is this upcoming Labor Day weekend. Click here to see upcoming Labor Day Events. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Its been seven months since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term. He has pushed sweeping changes on the country, claiming to have a mandate (a curious claim, with only 32% of voting-eligible adults casting a ballot for him). Having lived half my life in Michigan, I often find myself wondering how the Mitten State is faring under Trump 2.0. I keep coming to the same conclusion: not well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardest hit are rural and remote communities, which voted overwhelmingly for Trump. To illustrate, look at the latest developments in health care, economics and the news. People line Cedar Street in front of the Ingham County Health Department during the 'Good Trouble Lives On' protest on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Lansing. Driving down health Trump signed what he dubbed the big beautiful bill on July 4, 2025. Dont let the fanfare fool you: this law is not good for Michigans health. Because of the Medicaid cuts baked into the bill, 200,000 of our neighbors may lose their healthcare. The bill is especially bad for small town and rural folks, 40% of whom rely on Medicaid. Cuts to Michigan Medicaid will jeopardize the health of the most vulnerable among us. We will see seniors losing nursing facility care (Medicaid covers 65% of Michigans nursing home residents). Prenatal services will be out of reach for many pregnant people (nearly one in two Michigan births are covered by Medicaid). Some disabled children will no longer receive therapies in schools (kids constitute 36% of our Medicaid recipients). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan hospitals will also take a hit, losing billions of dollars in federal funding. As a result, three of our rural hospitals might close. That includes McLaren Central Michigan Hospital (in Isabella County), Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital (Cass County) and University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Carson City Hospital (Montcalm County). These counties voted in large numbers for our current president (over two-thirds in Montcalm County, for example). In other words, the Trump Heartland will bear the brunt of the Trump Medicaid cuts. People line Cedar Street in front of the Ingham County Health Department during the 'Good Trouble Lives On' protest on Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Lansing. If rural hospitals close, people will suffer, no matter their political stripes. Rural families will be forced to trek farther for treatment. Those in crisis will have a harder time accessing emergency care. More Michiganders will get sick. More might die. The Republican response in Washington? Well, we all are going to die," said Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.Surely the fine folks we elected to represent Michigan in Congress wont let this happen. Indeed, none of our Democratic U.S. senators or representatives voted for this legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But every Republican did: U.S. Reps. Tom Barret, R-Charlotte; Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet; Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland; John James, R-Shelby Township; Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township; John Moolenaar, R-Caledonia, and Tim Walberg, R-Tipton. Many of these politicians represent rural and remote regions of Michigan. Its their constituents who stand to lose the most from this big, (not so) beautiful bill. Driving away farm workers Making matters worse for Michigans economy is Trump's aggressive stance on immigration. After talking tough about deporting criminals, his administration has gone after migrants in factories and farms. Some are deported to nations theyve never known. Others are put at risk of persecution or torture. Still others are banished to a concentration camp in the Florida Everglades. Migrant labor is the backbone of Michigan agriculture. This is the states second largest industry, contributing $125 billion annually to our economy. It employs nearly 1 million people, making us the #1 producer of crops like cherries and blueberries. Many Michigan farmworkers lack formal work authorization. But work they do, in jobs that are physically demanding and dangerous. They toil for long hours in extreme weather conditions, both hot and cold. They run the risk of heat stress, hearing loss and hazardous chemical exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many migrant workers, their only crime is to be undocumented. If Trumps mass deportation campaign drives off Michigans agricultural workforce, higher costs will hit farmers (who heavily favored Trump in the last two elections). The costs will be passed on to consumers. We will pay more for fruits and vegetables even eggs. Many Michiganders voted for Trump believing his promise to bring prices down, starting on Day One. Turns out, this was just another tall tale. We are more than 200 days into this presidency, and prices are still picking up steam. Defunding the news When not dismantling health care and driving up food prices, Trump is defunding local public radio and television. He sent to Congress signed a rescissions package that strips more than one billion dollars from public media. The effects are devastating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In rural and remote communities, like those in the Upper Peninsula, public radio is the news. Throughout the state, we rely on public media for emergency alerts. Its how we learn about tornadoes and floods and impending ice storms. Its how we get news even when power and internet go down. Its how we receive Amber alerts when a child goes missing. Without funding, some local radio and television stations may go dark. Most vulnerable are the small stations in rural areas. Again, this is Trump Country. And again, the members of Congress representing these parts of the state all voted for this legislation: Barrett, Bergman, Huizenga, James, McClain, Moolenaar and Walberg. Looking ahead One would expect our elected officials in Washington to be a firewall against painful policies. They should ensure (even enhance) funding for our food supply, our hospitals, our emergency alert systems. One would hope they would take seriously their constitutional obligation to act as a check on the executive branch. To date, Michigans U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters have voted to shield our state from Trumps greatest hits. So have our Democratic representatives in the House. U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, right, talks with Shelly Berryman, Medilodge vice president of operations, after a tour of MediLodge of Okemos nursing care facility on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Okemos. The same cannot be said of their Republican colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michiganders are no fools. When the political smoke clears and the 2026 midterms roll around, we will remember who stood up for The Great Lakes State. And who did not. Lilia M. Cortina is University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor of Psychology, Womens and Gender Studies, and Management and Organizations at the University of Michigan. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it online and in print. Like what you're reading? Please consider supporting local journalism and getting unlimited digital access with a Detroit Free Press subscription. We depend on readers like you. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: From Medicaid to media, Trump hammers small-town Michigan | Opinion I have been teaching a course on rural criminology since 2014, and most of my students are surprised by the information on violence against women presented to them. Due to the lack of media attention to rural areas, my students come to class with the impression that all countrysides and small towns are safer than urban and suburban locales. In reality, rates of violent crime are often higher in many rural communities, and at times theres even more silence around it. Nearly 50 years of research shows that male violence against women knows no geographical or demographic boundaries. It occurs among all socioeconomic groups and in almost all communities, regardless of their size and location. Yet, crime in rural and remote places is reported to the police at lower rates than in urban areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most criminology scholars do not study violence of any type in rural communities, which partly contributes to the widespread belief that rural women are safer than their urban and suburban counterparts. Media reporting also overlooks brutal forms of violence perpetrated by men in intimate relationships with women. Hidden in plain sight Janet, from rural southeast Ohio, whom I interviewed along with sociologist Martin Schwartz in 2003, like some other women in this region we talked to, was beaten by her husband after going through brutal degradation: He wanted sex or with his buddies or made me have sex with a friend of his. He tied me up so I could watch him have sex with a 13-year-old girl. And then he ended up going to prison for it. Janet is by no means an outlier. I analyzed aggregate 1992 to 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey data along with criminologists Callie M. Rennison and Molly Dragiewicz. This data conclusively shows that rural women across the U.S. report physical and sexual violence at higher rates than those in more densely populated areas. Research also shows that rural women in the U.S. are more likely to be killed by their current or former male partners compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. A study looking at data from 2005 to 2017 across 16 states, for example, found that female homicide rates are higher in rural places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another rural Ohio woman told Schwartz and me about the violence she suffered in her relationship: Hed come home and pull a double barrel and cock both barrels and said he was going to kill me. And it was like, wait a minute here, you know, it was two oclock in the morning. Why are rural women at higher risk? Research conducted since 1988 has identified several reasons for rural women being at higher risk of violence compared to those living in urban and suburban places. These include geographic and social isolation, widespread acceptance of violence against women, and community norms prohibiting women from seeking social support. What makes it even worse is the absence of effective social support services and the higher rates of gun ownership. Geographic and social isolation can make rural women more vulnerable. funky-data/E+ via Getty Images Many social workers, for example, must travel vast distances to reach rural battered women, often at their own expense. What is more, rural abusers feed off their female partners isolation. As a woman Schwartz and I interviewed from Meigs County, Ohio, told us, I didnt have a car. I wasnt allowed to go anywhere. Her husband, however, who had plenty of cars, disabled them to stop her from seeking freedom and independence. He taught me a lot about cars and I knew what parts I need. And there would be no spare. So, I couldnt leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In rural sections of Ohio and other states, as my research uncovered, there is common acceptance of abuse of women. In many rural areas, community norms often prohibit survivors from publicly talking about their experiences and from seeking help. As one Appalachian woman put it: I dont sit around and share. I keep it to myself. Um, I, I believe thats part of my mental illness. But Im not one to sit around and talk about whats happened. Jackie, another rural Ohio woman Schwartz and I interviewed, said that numerous women in her community suffer in silence: Its like we see, but we dont. Its like three monkeys: dont see, dont hear, dont speak. Other women told similar stories of the unwillingness of people in their community to help them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun ownership is a strong correlate of intimate partner violence in rural parts of the U.S.: In rural areas, 46% of adults own guns compared to 19% in urban places. Moreover, firearms are used in 54% of all rural domestic homicides. What Neil Websdale, director of Arizona State Universitys Family Violence Center, stated nearly 30 years ago still holds: Rural culture, with its acceptance of firearms for hunting and self-protection, may include a code among certain men that accepts the casual use of firearms to intimidate wives and intimate partners. In urban areas, it is more difficult for abusers to discharge their weapons and go undetected. People in the country are more familiar with the sound of gunshots and often attribute the sound to legitimate uses such as hunting. Gun ownership can create safety concerns for social workers, many of whom work alone. Pathways to prevention One, albeit highly controversial, prevention strategy is banning the possession, purchase, sale and transfer of handguns, which are the weapons men use the most to kill women regardless of where they live. That would greatly reduce the rate of male-to-female homicide in rural places, as it would in more densely populated areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, it is estimated that 38% fewer women are shot to death by intimate male partners in states where background checks are required for all handgun owners. Similarly, the federal Violence Against Women Act includes provisions that, when an order of protection also referred to as a restraining order is granted, it leads to the person being restrained losing any gun permits or permission to keep guns at home. This, in turn, leads to a reduction in intimate femicide. A number of states have gone further than the federal law, extending gun possession bans to people under temporary not just permanent restraining orders. Such bans have further reduced intimate partner homicide, by a best estimate of 14%. Libraries as safe spaces Rural libraries have proven to be a vital resource in the struggle to end interpersonal forms of abuse of women. They are more accessible in many U.S. rural communities than are shelters, public transportation and other services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rural librarians can direct survivors to legal assistance and domestic violence service websites, help find books and pamphlets that are useful for survivors, and provide programming for survivors children if survivors need time to think about their options. The librarian could also help survivors travel from the library to the nearest shelter and work with the police to provide transportation assistance. Moreover, the librarian could help connect survivors with shelter workers via telephone and arrange for the arrival of survivors and their children at a shelter. We are starting to see attorneys offering survivors legal advice in rural public libraries and providing libraries with information kiosks that include materials on legal issues related to the abuse of women. A word of caution, though, is necessary. Libraries and other places that offer services to abused rural women require architectural changes that preclude people from hearing survivors talk about their violent experiences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chances that people might overhear survivors talking is much greater in smaller communities and hence more likely to jeopardize the safety of survivors and their children. A multipronged strategy is always necessary. For example, some experts in the field call for setting up womens police stations and safe houses in rural areas. They also recommend getting rural men to participate in anti-violence and anti-sexist community-based activities, such as holding town hall meetings to raise awareness about violence against women. All too often, people think of ending violence as an event simple enough to fit on a bumper sticker or the side of a coffee mug. Just leave, and then it will be over. Unfortunately, for a large number of women and children, particularly in rural areas, leaving and ending up in a safe place is a complex, ongoing process, and for some women and children it is one that never ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Walter S. DeKeseredy, West Virginia University Read more: Walter S. DeKeseredy receives funding from West Virginia University.. Russia launched renewed overnight drone attacks on Ukraine, targeting the border region of Sumy, and killing one and injuring nine, Sumy Governor Oleh Hryhorov reported on Monday on Telegram. In the provincial capital of Sumy, an apartment building and dozens of detached houses were damaged. Civilian infrastructure was also hit. In the Konotop district, the public prosecutor's office has opened investigations into war crimes after a 37-year-old driver was killed in a drone strike and two elderly passengers sustained severe injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Ukrainian air defence, Russia deployed 104 Iranian-designed Shahed combat drones overnight, 76 of which were intercepted. The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has now lasted three and a half years. Russia continues to target the hinterland of its neighbour, killing civilians and destroying infrastructure. In an exclusive interview with NBC News' "Meet the Press," on Aug. 24, U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine and claimed that Russia has made "significant concessions" during peace talks. "I think the Russians have made significant concessions to President Trump for the first time in 3.5 years of this conflict. They've actually been willing to be flexible on some of their core demands. They've talked about what would be necessary to end the war," Vance said. When asked to clarify which "concessions" Russia has made especially given Moscow's refusal to accept U.S. President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal and a bilateral meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin Vance responded: "I didn't say they conceded on everything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But what they have conceded is the recognition that Ukraine will have territorial integrity after the war," he continued. "They've recognized that they're not going to be able to install a puppet regime in Kyiv that was, of course, a major demand at the beginning. And importantly they've acknowledged that there is going to be some security guarantee to the territorial integrity of Ukraine." When asked about a recent Russian strike on an American-owned factory in Ukraine, Vance said that he "didn't like it," but added that "this is a war" seemingly dismissing ongoing Russian attacks on non-military targets. He also praised Trump's diplomatic approach, contrasting it with that of former U.S. President Joe Biden. "President Trump has done more to apply pressure and to apply economic leverage to the Russians... than Joe Biden," Vance said. "We have a president who's engaging in energetic diplomacy to try to stop the killing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the question of future sanctions, Vance said: "Saanctions aren't off the table, but we're going to make these determinations on a case-by-case basis." When asked on how the Trump administration plans to apply pressure on Moscow without imposing new sanctions, Vance did not provide a direct answer, instead pointing to continued diplomacy as the administration's strategy for ending Russia's war in Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. For Volodymyr Mykolaienko, the former mayor of Kherson, this years Independence Day became a second birthday he regained his freedom after over three years in Russian captivity on Aug. 24. For the past few years, I havent seen anything but bars and concrete walls, Mykolaienko told journalists upon his release. I always wondered what my second birthday would be like, and it turned out beautifully that it fell on Aug. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the full-scale invasion began in 2022, 65-year-old Mykolaienko who served as Khersons mayor from 2014 to 2020 joined a local territorial defense volunteer group to support residents who chose to remain in his hometown despite the looming Russian occupation. Kherson was under occupation for nearly nine months, until it was liberated by Ukraines Armed Forces in November 2022. According to his niece Hanna Korshun-Samchuk, Mykolaienko was detained by Russian forces on April 18, 2022. She says he was targeted for his pro-Ukrainian views and that Russian troops later tried, unsuccessfully, to pressure him into cooperating. The former mayor knows the city inside out its people, its networks, everything. He refused to cooperate with the occupiers. Hes strongly pro-Ukrainian, and for them, that made him a nationalist enemy, she told the Kyiv Independent in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more than three years, his relatives only knew he was being held in a Russian detention facility in Pakino, Vladimir Oblast. When he was released in August, Mykolaienkos appearance had changed drastically he had lost significant weight due to starvation in Russian captivity. Experts believe that Russias targeting of Mykolaienko wasnt personal it was an attack on the very institution of local government. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have abducted or unlawfully detained around 133 Ukrainian officials, the majority from Kherson Oblast, according to Borys Petruniok, an analyst at the Zmina Human Rights Center. At least six remain in captivity to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Petruniok, when occupying a new settlement, Russian forces deliberately target Ukrainian officials who remain loyal to their country and try to continue their duties despite the threats. In order to establish an occupation administration, Russia tries to destroy the legitimate bodies of government and self-governance, Petruniok told the Kyiv Independent. "From education and culture to currency and governance, they were building their own system and anyone who stood in the way had to be removed." Another mayor in captivity Mykolaienko is not the only Kherson mayor who was captured by Russians. Ihor Kolykhaiev, who was serving as the acting mayor when Russia occupied Kherson, remains in Russian captivity to date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kolykhaiev was captured by armed Russian officers, likely members of the FSB (Federal Security Service), on the morning of June 28, 2022, when he arrived at a local government building one of the few still operating after Russian troops seized control of Kherson and took over the city hall. It was where the remnants of his team continued their work under Russian occupation. Shortly after that, his advisor, Halyna Liashevska, wrote on Facebook that she was certain Kolykhaievs abduction was linked to his refusal to cooperate with Moscow-installed authorities. A few days earlier, he received a letter from the 'newly appointed' mayor, inviting him to discuss future coordination. He was threatened with arrest if he declined the meeting. Kolykhaiev didnt go, Liashevska wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kolykhaiev did not consider leaving Kherson when the full-scale invasion started, says his son Sviatoslav. Many of his colleagues also remained in the city, including those responsible for humanitarian aid, utilities, electricity, and gas supplies. They did everything they could to keep Kherson functioning, says Sviatoslav, who fled the occupied city with his mother in April 2022. Kolykhaiev remained vocal, regularly speaking about the situation in the city in interviews with Ukrainian and international media. I remain in Kherson and have no intention of leaving, Kolykhaiev wrote on Facebook in early June 2022, just days before his abduction. I want to ask the residents who are able to read this to pass it on to others: Im in the city, Im with you, and I will not abandon you under any circumstances. Things are very difficult. Catastrophically hard. But the city will endure thanks to all of us who want our city to live!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though he doesnt know the full details, Sviatoslav says his father was pressured to cooperate with Russian-installed authorities in the region, such as Volodymyr Saldo, a Ukrainian politician turned top Russian proxy in the occupied part of Kherson Oblast. Kolykhaiev refused to cooperate, says his son: He regularly reported to Kyiv. He was in contact with the Presidents Office, as far as I know. They were having some kind of dialogue, and he was receiving certain instructions. Mayor of Kherson Ihor Kolykhaiev. (Facebook/ Ihor Kolyhaev) Unlike Kolykhaiev, members of his team who were also captured were released in around three months. They were interrogated about the city councils activities and the mayor. Russian troops tried to push the narrative that they were forming illegal armed groups, Sviatoslav says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When my father was detained, the Russian channels posted one message saying the mayor had been arrested, without details. That was it, and in the three years since, thats the only official news from the Russian side. Those who escaped Russian captivity told Sviatoslav that his father was transferred to multiple locations, including Kalanchak, followed by Chaplynka, and Novotroitske in Kherson Oblast. In September 2023, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) officially confirmed Kolykhaievs prisoner of war (POW) status. Sviatoslav says his father was held at the Taganrog detention facility, which is notorious for torturing prisoners. The last known location of his detention is in the Russian Perm Oblast. His health is bad, mentally and physically. He cant stand due to a leg injury and has received some medical treatment, Sviatoslav says. Systematic and coordinated violations Russian forces have been going after local officials mayors, village heads, and other community leaders since the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, according to Petruniok. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These people held power and influence in their communities. They had access to information and networks, which made them targets. Russians came for them first, even for former officials or family members perceived as influential, he says. Since spring 2022, detentions of local officials in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine have become systematic and coordinated, with the cases in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts overseen by Russias FSB, Zmina Human Rights Center wrote in its latest report. These detentions aimed to extract information and exploit the officials administrative skills, probe their political views to identify anti-Russian sentiment, and, most often, pressure them into collaboration, according to Zmina. Officials in custody were frequently kept in isolation, including solitary confinement. Some were coerced into leaving their communities, while others were barred from doing so, extending the pressure, often to get some information from them. In some cases, they were forced to resign through falsified statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harsh detention conditions and mistreatment left some physically incapable of resuming their duties, according to Zmina. In addition to Kolykhaiev, at least five other Ukrainian officials from now occupied areas remain in Russian captivity. Among them is Oleksandr Babich, the 57-year-old mayor of Hola Prystan, an occupied town in Kherson Oblast. Babich was detained by Russian forces at his home on March 28, 2022, interrogated in the city council building in front of colleagues and pressured to cooperate, according to Zmina. He is reportedly being held in Russian-occupied Crimea. Anatolii Siryi, the head of Novi Borovychi village in Chernihiv Oblast, was also detained by Russian forces in March 2022 following a search of his home. According to Zmina, he was beaten during interrogation. His current whereabouts remain unknown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also no details about the current whereabouts of Mykola Maslii, a member of the Kupiansk city council in Kharkiv Oblast and an entrepreneur, following his arrest by Russian forces at a pro-Ukrainian rally in Kupiansk on March 1, 2022. Besides those held captive, Russian forces have also killed at least four Ukrainian officials and in some cases, members of their families during the occupation of new settlements since 2022. Olha Sukhenko, the head of Motyzhyn village in Kyiv Oblast, was abducted from her home and killed along with her husband and youngest son in late March 2022. Sukhenko had openly expressed pro-Ukrainian views and provided humanitarian aid to local residents. Their bodies were discovered in a forest near Motyzhyn shortly after Ukrainian forces liberated Kyiv Oblast in April 2022. Sukhenkos hands were tied, indicating she was likely tortured, according to Zmina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such violations are systematic in nature and should be viewed as part of a broader policy bearing the characteristics of international crimes according to the norms of international humanitarian, criminal, and human rights law, reads the report. Petruniok believes that detentions of Ukrainian officials are driven by Russias goal to establish its own system of governance, an occupation administration to implement its policies. This ultimately led to Russias illegal annexation of parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts. Local government workers and officials were targeted because they embodied legitimate authority. It wasnt just about harming individuals it was an attack on the very institution of local self-government and governance itself. Note from the author: Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russias brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russias war against Ukraine. By becoming the Kyiv Independent's member, you can help us continue telling the world the truth about this war. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian attacks against Ukraine killed two people and injured 33 others over the past day, regional authorities said on Aug. 25. Ukrainian forces downed 76 out of the 104 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones and decoys, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. An 82-year-old woman was killed in a Russian attack on the city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Two women and a man, aged 35, 83 and 56, suffered injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Russian attack on Staryi Saltiv, Korotych and Pidserednie in the region injured two more men and a woman. Russia targeted Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring a 40-year-old first responder near the city of Nikopol, Governor Serhii Lysak said. Five men and five women were injured in Russian drone attacks on Sumy Oblast, the region's military administration reported. One person was killed in the village of Drobysheve in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said. Three more people suffered injuries in the region over the past day. In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 43 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson. Three people were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine strikes long-range with own weapons without coordinating with US, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. DONETSK, Russian-controlled Ukraine (Reuters) -The head of the Russian-held Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine said a water crisis that is forcing people to queue at water trucks can only be fixed if Russia takes full control of the region, including a vital canal. Donetsk is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia claimed as its own in 2022 as part of what it cast as a defensive "special military operation", an assertion that Kyiv and most Western countries reject as an illegal land grab. Moscow currently controls around 75% of the Donetsk region and Russian forces are meeting fierce Ukrainian resistance as they push to take the rest of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Severe water shortages in the chunk it does control, which local residents say make carrying out simple daily tasks difficult, have become a headache for Moscow, which wants to show its presence is improving people's lives. A group of residents sent an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last month asking him to intervene in what they called "a humanitarian and ecological catastrophe", and Ukrainian commentators have pointed to the problem to criticise Russian governance. Speaking to Reuters in the city of Donetsk, where he said tap water was only available for several hours every three days, Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the region, described the shortages as "sensitive." Pushilin, who appeared on Russian state TV this month in a Kremlin meeting with Putin who was quizzing him about the shortages, said water tankers and repair crews from Moscow had been drafted in and a water pipe built to bring water from the River Don. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(But) the situation is really difficult as it has no quick solutions, he said. The only way to fix the issue would be for Russia to take control of the rest of Donetsk, including a Soviet-era canal crucial for water supplies, he suggested. WATER RATIONING "The most and only important solution probably, and that's what the fighters are doing, is to liberate Sloviansk and nearby territories to be able to start restoring the Siverskyi Donets-Donbas Canal, which will fully supply the region with the necessary water," said Pushilin. Built in the 1950s, the 83-mile (135-km)-long canal, which connects two rivers, starts about 12 miles northeast of Sloviansk, which is held by Ukrainian forces, and flows south finishing around 11.6 miles northeast of Donetsk city in an area controlled by Russian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pushilin said the water problem had become particularly acute this summer, forcing the authorities to introduce stricter rationing due to what he said was abnormal weather. "As a result... our reserve reservoirs are almost empty," he said. Pushilin accused Ukraine of imposing "a water blockade," but Ukrainian officials say parts of the canal have been damaged in the war and other parts are located in front-line areas. In Donetsk, Reuters saw residents queuing up at a water truck to fill up five-litre plastic bottles and petrol canisters with water before carting them away on trolleys or in their car boots. I am 78," said one pensioner who gave her name as Lyubov and was visibly upset. "How am I supposed to come here, collect water, and bring it back home? I need to go to the toilet and wash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another woman, Irina, said no water had come through her taps at home for the last 12 days. "Some people buy (bottled) water; some search for it in other places. Some people get water brought to them by people from a well and by car," she said. At a reservoir outside Donetsk seen by Reuters, shallow rivulets of water pooled in the centre; other parts of it had turned to cracked chunks of mud. (Reporting by Pavel Klimov in Donetsk Writing by Andrew Osborn in Moscow Editing by Mark Heinrich) Tatyana Moskalkova, Russian Commissioner for Human Rights, has stated that she has held talks with a representative of the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights in Belarus. Source: Moskalkova on Telegram Details: Moskalkova said that the meeting took place with the assistance of Belarus. The issues discussed during the negotiations allegedly included reunification of families, visiting prisoners of war and sending them packages. They also reportedly exchanged letters from POWs to their families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moskalkova did not provide any further details about the content of the conversation or its results. The Ukrainian side has not yet officially commented on the meeting. Background: On 24 August, Ukraines Independence Day, a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia. Among those released are representatives from nearly all branches of Ukraine's defence forces: Air Assault, Air Force, Navy, Territorial Defence, National Guard and State Border Guard Service. All are privates or non-commissioned officers, and most had been held in Russian captivity for more than three years. Eight civilians were also released as part of the 68th exchange. Most of them had been held in captivity since 2022. Two Ukrainian journalists were also brought back from captivity: Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush, who had been unlawfully held by the Russians since 2022 and 2023 respectively. Among the civilians released are Serhii Kovalov, a medic from the Hospitallers volunteer battalion who saved the lives of defenders and civilians during the siege of Azovstal, and Volodymyr Mykolaienko, former mayor of Kherson, who refused to collaborate with the Russians. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces launched an airstrike on the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast on 25 August, injuring four civilians. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office on Telegram Quote: "Russian forces launched another airstrike on Kostiantynivka between 11:20 and 12:00 on 25 August 2025. The enemy used five FAB-250 bombs equipped with a UMPK guidance kit against civilians. Residential areas came under attack." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Four civilians who were outside at the time were injured: a 26-year-old man and three women aged 51, 74 and 85. They sustained blast injuries, shrapnel wounds, a fracture, lacerations and contusions. The wounded civilians received medical assistance. Doctors assess the condition of two of them as serious. In the affected area, 21 apartment buildings and power lines were damaged. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! In August 2025, pro-Russia Telegram channels and state-linked media claimed Russian hacker groups accessed a Ukrainian military database showing 1.7 million soldiers killed or missing since 2022. The rumor originated on the Russian Telegram channel Mash, a Kremlin-linked outlet, and was amplified by Russian state media, pro-Kremlin websites and social media posts. The hacker groups have offered no verifiable evidence of such a breach. The alleged database has not been released publicly, meaning the claim cannot be independently verified. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation called the story an "absurd fake," noting the Ukrainian armed forces never numbered anywhere near 1.7 million and currently stand at about 880,000 personnel. Ukraine does not publicly release its casualty numbers and, as of this writing, available data remains limited. In August 2025, a rumor spread across social media claiming that Russian hackers had uncovered a Ukrainian military database proving that 1.7 million Ukrainian soldiers had been killed or gone missing since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. One X post (archived) on the topic read: Confirmed Ukraine has lost over 1,700,000 dead and wounded Russian hacker group Killnet has confirmed that they successfully hacked the database of the Armed Forces of Ukraine It contains information on an astounding 1.7 million dead and missing Ukrainian soldiers (X user @BowesChay) The post also featured alleged screenshots of evidence supporting the claim, including Ukrainian military documents and IDs. Another X post attributed the alleged hack to multiple groups, including "Killnet, Palach Pro, User Sec, and Beregini." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One instance of the claim on X attracted more than 2.4 million views, while dozens of other X posts circulated the rumor. The rumor spread on platforms including Instagram, Threads, Facebook and Reddit. In short, we found no independent evidence that Russian hackers uncovered a database showing 1.7 million Ukrainian soldiers killed or missing since 2022. The figure circulated mainly through pro-Kremlin media and social accounts, and Ukrainian officials dismissed it as false. While Ukraine does not publicly disclose its casualty numbers, official estimates and credible analyses diverge sharply from the claim. We will update this article if more information about the alleged data becomes available. Here's what we know: Source of the rumor The earliest version of the claim came from Mash, a popular Russian Telegram channel that was identified by the EU's 2025 disinformation threat report as "state-linked," meaning it operates "under state oversight without publicly disclosing their affiliation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Aug. 20, 2025, post (archived), read (translated from Russian): Ukraine lost 1.7 million military personnel during the special military operation those killed and missing in action. The information comes from the database of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which was hacked by our hackers. According to the Armed Forces' digital records, over the three years of the war, the Ukrainian army has lost 1,721,000 people killed and missing in action. 118,500 in 2022, 405,400 in 2023, 595,000 in 2024, and a record 621,000 in 2025. A total of 1.7 million files with full names, descriptions of the circumstances and place of death/disappearance, personal data, contacts of immediate relatives, and photos. The information was obtained as a result of a comprehensive hack of the PCs and local network of Ukrainian General Staff employees by hackers from Killnet, Palach Pro, User Sec, and Beregini. Using the latest "Nuance" virus, which works exclusively in Ukraine, they infect the victim's device, download data, and block it without the possibility of recovery, according to cyber geniuses. They now have terabytes of information about the losses of the Armed Forces, personal data of the Special Operations Forces and Main Intelligence Directorate command, lists of all countries supplying weapons to the Armed Forces, and lists of all weapons transferred from 2022 to 2025. Notably, the message used the Kremlin's official framing of the conflict as a "special military operation" rather than "war" or "invasion." Pro-Russian accounts that previously were flagged as spreading false information also circulated the claim. The Pravda network of pro-Kremlin websites, known for spreading disinformation, also amplified the rumor. Finally, Russian state media outlets, some of which are blocked in the European Union, such as RT (formerly Russia Today), Gazeta.ru and RIA Novosti also spread the rumor, with the last claiming to have obtained confirmation directly from the hacker group. RT's Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan released a video purportedly showing a hacker from the group, saying: We don't expect any effect. We just want to open the eyes of the whole world, especially Ukrainians, to show what sacrifices the Kyiv regime is making for its own benefit. I don't want to go into detail about the style of our work. [] Let's keep it a secret while there is good result of our work. What we know about the supposed hackers Killnet, mentioned in the post, is a proRussia hacktivist group that emerged around March 2022 and is best known for launching denialofservice campaigns targeting critical infrastructure in countries perceived to support Ukraine. Cybersecurity agencies, including the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, have repeatedly issued warnings about Killnet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ActiveFence, a trust and safety company, said that while presenting itself as nonaffiliated, "the Beregini Hacking group appears to be acting in service of the Russian states disinformation engine, utilizing sophisticated tactics to allegedly hack and leak sensitive documents that support Russias claims." We found no reliable English-language information about the groups Palach Pro and User Sec mentioned in the social media posts. A Google search turned up no relevant reports of their activity before Aug. 20, 2025, when the claim about Ukrainian casualties claim began circulating. Ukrainian officials dismiss claim as 'absurd fake' The Center for Countering Disinformation, part of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, disputed the rumor on Telegram and Facebook (we translated it using Google Translate), writing "In fact, it is an absolutely absurd fake, because Ukraine has never had a regular army of 1.7 million people during the years of independence." It argued Ukraine's total armed forces number fewer than 900,000 and that 1.7 million dead or missing soldiers would exceed the entire size of the force. "The purpose of this fake is to demoralize Ukrainians, convince the world of the 'exhaustion and inefficiency of the Armed Forces of Ukraine' and weaken its international support," the post ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple Ukrainian news outlets echoed the CCD's statement. The Ukrainian Center for Strategic Communications and Information Security also disputed the rumor, writing "is a fabrication aimed at demoralizing Ukrainians," emphasizing "Russian propaganda spreads this fake news" even though "no evidence is provided." "The fake news is based on the usual pattern: a fabricated figure is backed up with random documents to create the 'illusion of truth'," the post read. Petro Andryushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, commented on Telegram that Ukraine is "at the epicenter of a new major information attack by the Russians." He further noted that while the claim is "blatantly false, because we simply did not have that many people in the army" there are "probably some other real documents" that the hacker group obtained and "these documents will be used to legitimize the lie." What other studies estimate In war reporting, the term "casualties" doesn't mean only deaths, as it includes soldiers who are killed, wounded, missing or captured. Ukraine does not publish official casualty figures, and reliable independent estimates are limited. Still, available assessments place Ukrainian losses far below the 1.7 million claimed in the alleged hack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, HRMMU has documented the deaths of at least 13,883 civilians, including 726 children, and 35,548 injured, including 2,234 children," an Aug. 13, 2025, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights news release stated. In February 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said (Page 15 of the transcript) in an NBC News interview that 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and more than 390,000 wounded since the start of the war. A June 2025 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated between 60,000 and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed, with a total of 400,000 casualties, and up to 250,000 Russian soldiers killed as part of 950,000 total Russian casualties. In sum All in all, the claim that 1.7 million Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or are missing comes from Russian-linked channels. Ukrainian officials have rejected it as a fabricated claim aimed at "demoralizing Ukrainians," and the numbers conflict with the known size of Ukraine's army and casualty estimates from independent sources. Therefore, the figure of 1.7 million casualties is unsupported. As of this writing, reliable and independently verifiable sources on the topic are limited, and the exact number of Ukrainian casualties is not publicly known. We have investigated numerous claims regarding war in Ukraine, which you can read here. Sources: Definition of CASUALTY. 11 Aug. 2025, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/casualty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DFRLab. "Russia's Pravda Network in Numbers: Introducing the Pravda Dashboard." DFRLab, 18 Apr. 2025, https://dfrlab.org/2025/04/18/introducing-the-pravda-dashboard/. Epachtitis, Thanos Sitistas. Russian Propaganda: 8 Mansions of High-Ranking Ukrainian Military Officials Did NOT Burn Down in Los Angeles - Greece Fact Check. 12 Jan. 2025, https://www.factchecker.gr/2025/01/12/russian-propaganda-8-mansions-of-high-ranking-ukrainian-military-officials-did-not-burn-down-in-los-angeles/. Jones, Seth G., and Riley McCabe. Russia's Battlefield Woes in Ukraine. Jun. 2025. www.csis.org, https://www.csis.org/analysis/russias-battlefield-woes-ukraine. Number of Civilians Killed and Injured in Ukraine Reaches Three-Year Monthly High in July 2025, UN Human Rights Monitors Say | United Nations in Ukraine. https://ukraine.un.org/en/299761-number-civilians-killed-and-injured-ukraine-reaches-three-year-monthly-high-july-2025-un, https://ukraine.un.org/en/299761-number-civilians-killed-and-injured-ukraine-reaches-three-year-monthly-high-july-2025-un. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Read the Full Transcript: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Interviewed by 'Meet the Press' Moderator Kristen Welker." NBC News, 16 Feb. 2025, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/read-full-transcript-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskyy-interview-rcna192389. Sauer, Pjotr. "One Million and Counting: Russian Casualties Hit Milestone in Ukraine War." The Guardian, 22 Jun. 2025. World News. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/jun/22/one-million-and-counting-russian-casualties-hit-milestone-in-ukraine-war. Slychko, Ivan. Fake about 1.7 Million Dead and Missing AFU Soldiers in the War against Russia | . 20 Aug. 2025, https://cpd.gov.ua/en/international-threats-en/usa/fake-about-1-7-million-dead-and-missing-afu-soldiers-in-the-war-against-russia/. Ukraine War Articles | Snopes.Com. https://www.snopes.com/tag/russia-ukraine/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025. . "Special Military Operation" In The Kremlin's Narrative: Three Years Into The Russia-Ukraine War | Mythdetector.Com. 24 Feb. 2025, https://mythdetector.com/en/special-military-operation-in-the-kremlin-s-narrative/. MOSCOW (Reuters) -The deputy governor of a Russian region bordering Ukraine has been detained as part of a criminal case involving the embezzlement of 1 billion roubles ($12.4 million) earmarked for defensive fortifications, the TASS state news agency reported. The office of Deputy Kursk Governor Vladimir Bazarov, who previously worked as deputy governor in the neighbouring Belgorod region, was being searched, TASS reported. The detention of Bazarov was confirmed by Kursk Governor Alexander Khinshtein, who said the case related to his work in the Belgorod region. He gave no further comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters was unable to contact Bazarov or his lawyer. Since Ukrainian troops smashed their way across the border and entered Kursk region last year in the biggest military incursion into Russia since World War Two, a series of Russian officials have been investigated for corruption. In July, President Vladimir Putin dismissed Roman Starovoit, a former Kursk governor, as transport minister and asked Starovoit's deputy to replace him. Starovoit was later found dead in his car from a gunshot wound, and investigators said he appeared to have committed suicide. ($1 = 80.6500 roubles) (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) (Reuters) -Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said in remarks published on Monday that he will discuss countering sanctions pressure and external interference when he meets with his Chinese counterparts in Beijing this week. Volodin arrived in China on Monday heading a Russian parliamentary delegation for an official visit. "On the agenda: countering sanctions pressure and external interference; expanding trade and economic ties; defending historical truth; youth exchanges to strengthen humanitarian cooperation," TASS state news agency cited Volodin as posting on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanctions pressure includes the U.S. effort to get China to stop importing Russian oil. The parliamentary visit comes ahead of President Vladimir Putin's planned trip to China in late August for celebrations marking the end of World War Two in China and a summit with more than 20 heads of government. The events, including a massive military parade on September 3, which Western leaders are expected to shun, are aimed at projecting a major show of diplomatic solidarity between China, Russia and the Global South. Ahead of the parade, Beijing has mounted a campaign on World War Two history aiming to highlight that China and Soviet Russia played a pivotal role in fighting fascist forces in the Asian and European theatres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In talks at the Kremlin in May, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Putin that their two countries should be "friends of steel", as they pledged to raise cooperation to a new level and "decisively" counter the influence of the United States. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Sonali Paul) A Russian UAV attack on a car in Sumy Oblast has killed one person and injured two others on the morning of 25 August. Source: Sumy Oblast Prosecutor's Office on Telegram Quote from prosecutor's office: "The occupiers attacked a car travelling through the village of Nova Sloboda in the Konotop district of Sumy Oblast with a UAV on 25 August, at around 05:00. The 37-year-old driver was killed, and the passengers, a 56-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband, were injured." Details: A criminal investigation into this incident is being carried out under Article 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crime resulting in death). Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian forces have launched 104 Shahed strike drones and decoy UAVs against Ukraine since the evening of 24 August; 76 of them have been neutralised, but hits have been recorded. Source: Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Quote: "As of 08:00, air defence has shot down/jammed 76 enemy Shahed UAVs and decoy drones of various types in the north and east of the country. Hits by 28 UAVs were recorded at 15 locations and debris fell in four locations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Russians launched their drones from the Russian cities of Shatalovo, Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. The air attack was repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare units, unmanned aerial systems and mobile fire groups from Ukraines defence forces. Background: On the night of 24-25 August, Russian forces launched a large-scale UAV attack on the Sumy hromada. At least 10 hits were recorded, and residential buildings caught fire. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! On the evening of 24 August, Russian television in several regions aired a video about the real losses of the Russian armed forces in the war against Ukraine and other Russia's "achievements". Source: a contact in Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) speaking to Ukrainska Pravda Details: The source revealed that local cyber-partisans managed to "hack" Russian provider No. 3 and put an unauthorised video on Russians TV screens simultaneously across 116 channels. The cyber-activists also blocked the providers administrators from accessing the servers to make it harder to interrupt the "partisan" broadcast. ... pic.twitter.com/HU4sBd0Igb (@ukrpravda_news) August 25, 2025 As a result, at least 50,000 subscribers in Moscow and other regions of Russia spent more than three hours in evening prime time watching explosions at Russian oil refineries and endless views of Russian soldiers graves on their TV screens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those not using digital television, the video was additionally streamed via apps on the Apple Store, Google Play and Smart TV, as well as other cable networks, the source added. Background: The fuel crisis in Russia is escalating: one after the other, Russian regions are introducing restrictions on petrol sales, and the authorities are forced to urgently purchase fuel from Belarus. Ukraine's defence forces continue to strike the oil refining industry and other facilities belonging to the Russian defence industrial base. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A man who faked his death and fled the country last year is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 26 for a plea and sentencing hearing on a misdemeanor charge. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, gained widespread attention as local and national media outlets picked up his story. The then-Watertown resident was reported missing after kayaking on Green Lake. Believing Borgwardt may have drowned, authorities launched a nearly two-month search of the lake but couldn't find his body. They later determined he had faked his death and fled the country. Borgwardt returned to the United States in December 2024 and was criminally charged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His hearing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Aug. 26 in Green Lake County Circuit Court in Green Lake. What are the details of Ryan Borgwardt's disappearance? Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll addressed the media Nov. 21, 2024, while playing a video of Ryan Borgwardt, a man who was reported missing after kayaking in August. On Aug. 12, 2024, Borgwardt was reported missing after kayaking on Green Lake. After a 54-day search involving divers, underwater drones, sonar and canine cadaver teams found no sign of Borgwardt's body, authorities turned to a broader search. According to a criminal complaint, a forensic analysis of Borgwardt's laptop determined that the hard drive had been replaced, browsers had been cleared on the day of Borgwardt's disappearance, inquiries had been made about moving funds to foreign banks, an airline gift card had been purchased, and a new $375,000 life insurance policy had been taken out in January 2024. The forensic analysis also indicated that Borgwardt had been in communication with a woman from Uzbekistan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation determined that Borgwardt had a second passport, which was checked by Canadian law enforcement Aug. 13, 2024 the day after he was reported missing. In November, investigators made contact with Borgwardt. At a Nov. 21 news conference, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said authorities had been in contact with Borgwardt nearly daily since Nov. 11, attempting to convince him to return home. At that time, they knew he was somewhere in Europe, but couldn't determine where. The investigation later determined that Borgwardt had traveled to Canada, then France, then "a country in Asia," before he landed in the European country of Georgia, according to a criminal complaint. In December, Podoll announced at a news conference that Borgwardt had returned to the United States and was cooperating with authorities. Podoll said Borgwardt's family was the reason he gave for deciding to return. How did Ryan Borgwardt fake his death? According to the complaint, Borgwardt told investigators that his disappearance involved: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stashing an eBike near a Green Lake boat launch Paddling a kayak and small inflatable boat onto the lake Overturning the kayak, leaving a life vest and dropping his phone in the lake Returning to shore in the inflatable boat, then taking the eBike to Madison Boarding a bus in Madison to Detroit, then from Detroit to Canada Getting on a plane in Toronto RELATED: Ryan Borgwardt case timeline: Wisconsin man faked his own disappearance in August What is Ryan Borgwardt charged with, and how serious is the crime? Ryan Borgwardt faces judge Mark Slate in his first appearance in Green Lake County Circuit Court. Borgwardt is charged with obstructing an officer, a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, Borgwardt faces up to nine months in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Although Borgwardt only faces the misdemeanor charge, Podoll said the Green Lake County Sheriff's Office referred "a number" of charges to the District Attorney's Office. Does Ryan Borgwardt face any additional legal consequences? At the Dec. 11, 2024, news conference, Podoll said the sheriff's office will be seeking a financial reimbursement for the search effort as part of restitution in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justin Marville of the Oshkosh Northwestern contributed to this report. Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin kayaker who faked death scheduled for plea, sentencing SPRINGFIELD, Mo. As part of Navy Week, sailors will be helping out at the Dickerson Park Zoo on Friday, Aug. 29. Sailors will be volunteering at the zoo from 8-11:45 a.m. to help zookeepers and interact with guests. More: Navy celebration sets sail for Springfield, Branson There will also be a special edition class called Animal Heroes-Helpers on Land and Sea, for kids ages 2-1st grade. Kids will meet the sailors and learn how animals help people every day. Registration for the event is required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The zoo will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about Navy Week, visit the website located here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) San Angelo ISDs Board of Trustees is set to consider adopting the 2025-2026 school year budget and an ordinance for a new tax rate thats lower than the current rate. Heres what to know. The SAISD meeting agenda and minutes website states that the districts Board of Trustees is set to convene at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, at the board room of the SAISD Administration Building. Among the items listed in the meetings agenda is an action item calling for the consideration of the adoption of the 2025-2026 school year budget. SAISD to consider Texas Senate Bill 13 on library materials Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An action sheet provided in the online agenda states that the board is to specifically consider adopting an ordinance that would set the total tax rate to $1.0706 for the 2025-2026 school year, a rate that is $0.013567 lower than the current year voter-approval tax rate of $1.084167. The voter-approval tax rate is the highest tax rate that a taxing unit may adopt without holding an election to seek voter approval of the rate, the sheet reads. The sheet states that $0.7122 of the new total rate would be levied for maintenance and operations expenses, while $0.3584 of it would be levied for debt service. Also included in the meeting agenda is a resolution and order document for recording the adoption of the 2025-2026 school year budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. A Salem teen has pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing a 19-year-old at Wallace Marine Park in July 2024. On the morning of July 27, 2024, a group of youth got in a "spontaneous dispute" near the Wallace Marine Park boat ramp, Salem Police said. The dispute resulted in the stabbing of Riley John Adams, 19. Officers responding to the call found Adams at the south end of the park with multiple stab wounds, police said. He was taken to the hospital, where he died on Aug. 19, 2024, of his wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The teen was arrested Nov. 26, 2024, after Salem Police, a SWAT team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives executed a search warrant of a residence associated with him. The youth, who was 16 at the time of his arrest, was originally charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon. His current age was not immediately clear. He pleaded guilty Aug. 15 to manslaughter and was committed to the custody of the Oregon Youth Authority. He will be held in MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn until he turns 25, at which time he will be released. Oregon law prohibits youth from being held in a correctional facility past the age of 25, regardless of the charge, unless they were waived into adult court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem teen sent to MacLaren for Wallace Marine Park fatal stabbing SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Uranus new moon which happens to be about the size of San Angelo moon, has been discovered on Feb. 2, 2025, and announced later in August of 2025. After the hearing about the announcement, CVHP reached out to Angelo State Universitys Planetarium Director Kenneth Carrell to find out some interesting facts about this new moon. Discovery In recent years with more powerful telescopes and instruments, quite a few new moons have been discovered in our solar system reported Carrell. He then provided a link with all the known satellites of all the planets and Pluto, click here to view it. The James Webb Telescope is finding smaller moons still, so there have been several discoveries in the 2020s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it is remarkable that a telescope launched into space and looking at the universe from one million miles away from Earth was able to find a San Angelo sized object orbiting a planet that is two billion miles away from us, said Carrell. The biggest moons were discovered centuries ago but with missions like the Voyagers to the outer planets, and then Cassini at Saturn, many more moons were discovered in the past half century or so reported Carrell. Carrell told the publication that Uranus new moon does not have a proper name yet, but the current designation is S/2025 U1. The S/ means its a satellite (moon), 2025 is the year of discovery, U is for Uranus, and 1 means its the first one discovered in 2025. The moons of Uranus have been named after characters in the works of Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, so if this moon receives a name, I assume it will follow that convention, said Carrell. Once the object is confirmed as a moon, it is up to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to decide what its official name will be. Comparing S/2025 U1 to Earths Moon S/2025 U1 is a small moon. The moon is only about 6 miles across which is the same distance from the San Angelo State Park to Goodfellow Air Force Base. Our Moon is just over 2,000 miles across, so it is much larger than the newly discovered one reported Carrell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement S/2025 U1 is also very close to Uranus it orbits about 35,000 miles from the center of Uranus, which is less than 20,000 miles above the surface of the planet. The moon is about the same distance from the surface as the center of Uranus is from its surface, which means the moon orbits at about the diameter of the planet reported Carrell. He told the publication that our moon is very different. Carrell said that our moon is about 240,000 miles from the Earth, which is about 9 times farther than the newly discovered moon is from the center of Uranus. In comparison our moon orbits about 30 Earth diameters away while S/2025 U1 orbit is just about the diameter of the planet. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Fall semester officially kicked off at San Diego State University on Monday, welcoming new students, new experiences and even a new degree in artificial intelligence. SDSUs College of Arts and Letters has added a new option for students in the form of a Bachelor of Science degree in Artificial Intelligence and Human Responsibility. According to the university, the degree is meant to teach students how to understand and use AI in an ethical and sustainable manner. Upon graduating, students with the degree will be able to use hands-on skills such as proficiency in tools such as Python and GIS, and enter careers in technology, policymaking, and social impact among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prerequisites to apply for the major include 26 units with courses including computer science, renewable energy, philosophy, statistics and environmental science. Students who intend to graduate with the degree must complete required courses such as Technology, Personhood, and the Body, Spatial Data Analysis, Ethics and Artificial Intelligence and others. In addition, students must complete 21 units of electives which can be chosen depending on their own particular interests, but must fit under three categories: Advanced Technical Methodologies; Ethical, Social, and Cultural Analysis; and Environmental Decision-Making. Thats not all that prospective and current Aztecs have to be excited about this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This fall, SDSU expected the combined enrollment between its Imperial Valley and San Diego campuses to surpass 40,000 students, a record number in the universitys history. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Diego Strike Team Task Force is being deployed to help firefighters in northern California fight the Pickett Fire. The Pickett Fire, which has burned more than 6,000 acres in Napa County, was only 11% contained as of Sunday evening, Cal Fire reports, and firefighters from across the state were being deployed to help battle the wildfire, following the recent mass deployment due to the severe weather and thunderstorms. Newsom sends additional firefighting resources to San Diego, LA amid critical fire weather Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Diego Police confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI Sunday evening the San Diego Strike Team Task Force was deployed to Napa and Sonoma counties to assist with battling the fire. Cal Fire reported firefighters made good progress Sunday strengthening containment lines and mopping up hot spots. Some evacuation orders were also downgraded, however several evacuation orders and warnings still remained in place as of Sunday evening. San Diego County battles brush fires as heat wave continues The nearly 2,000 firefighters battling the fire were being flown into the remote and steep and rugged terrain to gain access to the fire, and were receiving help from nearly a dozen firefighting air tankers from throughout the State, according to Cal Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An air quality advisory remains in place, warning of the potential for unhealthy air in parts of Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties through Monday. Resources were just deployed to San Diego and Los Angeles ahead of Red Flag critical fire weather conditions and monsoons that brought rain and thunderstorms to the region, which is forecast to continue into next week. It follows earlier deployments to Los Angeles, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Bernardino counties. Check back for updates on this 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Sandia National Laboratories Director Laura McGill gave lawmakers a presentation at the Legislatures interim Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee. She updated them on the lab during the commiteee's Albuquerque meeting on Aug. 25, 2025. Pictured above talking to Srinivas Mukkamala, a CEO for AI-cybersecurity company Securin Inc. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM) Sandia National Laboratories Director Laura McGill anticipates no further job losses following layoffs for approximately 400 people to be completed by October, she told Source NM on Monday. McGill, who assumed leadership at Sandia in May, presented an update Monday for lawmakers attending the Science Technology and Telecommunications committee meeting in Albuquerque. She gave an overview of the labs programs, which primarily focus on nuclear weapons research, and employ most employees at the main campus in Albuquerque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, McGill initially announced proposed 1% to 3% cuts of Sandia Labs workforce of nearly 17,000 people, a departure from the job growth Sandia had reported every year since 2011. On Monday, she confirmed to lawmakers that 2% of employees took a voluntary severance package, offsetting costs from higher salaries and reducing overhead. The restructuring will be complete by October, according to Kenny Vigil, a spokesperson at Sandia Labs. After the meeting, McGill told Source NM that the job losses were mostly in support positions, which she described as non-contract work for federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Defense or the National Nuclear Security Administration. Instead, its all the other things we do to support those activities, around administrative work, the planning work and all the other things that have to be in place to do the technical work, McGill said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to emailed questions seeking greater specificity about the eliminated positions, spokespeople at Sandia said just over three-quarters are from Albuquerque and the remaining layoffs are at the Livermore, California location. McGill faced questions from lawmakers on the labs future and potential federal fallout, given the Trump Administrations cuts to science grants and medical research. McGill noted that the laboratories do not have their full budgets yet, but she expects static funding or increases for nuclear weapons work, despite cuts to U.S. Department of Energy programs. The NNSA received a $6 billion increase to its budget for designing, handling and storing nuclear weapons, and contracts with the NNSA account for more than 60% of Sandias work, McGill told lawmakers. As far as the federal budgets go, were in great shape, she told lawmakers. Rep. Joy Garratt (D-Albuquerque) asked McGill if the laboratories had received a directive regarding diversity, equity and inclusion, which the Trump administration has vowed to cut from universities and the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had some direction from the administration to talk about our outward-facing websites, but it hasnt affected anything were doing internally, McGill said. We continue to support all our employees. We just believe in belonging. After the meeting, McGill told Source NM she hopes to reassure the workforce that further layoffs are not coming. We know theres a lot of needs out there, but I can say we fully expect our programs to continue to be supported, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Mosa Sandwich Makers has quietly opened at 9801 South Tacoma Way. If the name sounds vaguely familiar, youve probably had some sandwiches in Tacoma over the years. Hashed Mousa and two of his sons, Abdulghani and Adel Mosa, are behind the new Lakewood venture. Its not affiliated with the similarly named MSM Deli, the 30-year-old shop on Sixth Avenue, but Mousa is related personally and was professionally. Hashed Mousa has opened Mosa Sandwich Makers with his twin sons, Abdulghanil (left) and Adel Mosa. They showed off the new Lakewood shop on Aug. 19. Mousa worked at MSM for more than 20 years, starting in 1998 after emigrating to the United States from Yemen. His mother married the owner of MSM Deli, Mike Muthala, also a Yemeni immigrant, who adopted him as his own. Familial strings frayed around 2021, when Mousa learned that Jamal Muthala, technically his half-brother, had taken financial control of the family business a decade prior. It led to a legal dispute in which Mousa alleged he had been improperly paid for years worth of work and his twin sons had also been working as minors without pay, as The News Tribune reported. Mousa thought he would have a stake in the family business but learned that opportunity was never in the cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family received a total of $110,000 in a settlement agreement, according to their attorney at the time. Jamal Muthala did not admit any wrongdoing, liability or fault under the terms of the agreement. Mousa returned to Yemen, he explained to The News Tribune this month, heartbroken at what had unfolded. His adopted father has also returned to the Middle East, he said. I stepped out of the family business, Mousa said. Upon returning to Tacoma, he started hearing about changes at the original MSM. He was a familiar face at the Sixth Avenue shop for so long, and customers recognized him out and about. They would ask him questions, he recalled, and he would have to explain, Im not involved anymore. He wondered if there was a way to give back to the community that gave him so much. Why not start his own sandwich shop? He had the knowledge and decades worth of feedback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt easy for me to move forward, he said. The legal dispute also claimed that Mousa and his family had been living in a house owned by the Muthalas, which they also lost. Im gonna give it one more try, and try on my own. I loved serving the public. I grew up around the customers, and they had a big support and a big impact in my life. Hashed Mousa prepares The Big Bite, a roast beef, turkey and bacon sandwich at Mosa Sandwich Makers. The menu features his takes on subs after years of making sandwiches in Tacoma. In searching for a space, he found the 1,100-square-foot mini-mart on South Tacoma Way. The last tenant wanted to open a halal market here. It had the bones of what could be a deli, thought Mousa. The result is an open space with coolers holding soft drinks, juice, teas and water; shelves of Tims Cascade Chips, Doritos and Fritos; and the deli counter, replete with a meat slicer that Mousa knows well. The menu features 11 house sandwiches, packed with meat, served on a French roll from a Seattle-area bakery in four sizes (6, 9, 13 and 26 inches), cold or toasted, plus a pickle on the side. The Reuben, served on sliced rye, is the only exception to the sub rule. I knew what sells the most, explained Mousa of the simplified list of specialties. Id rather focus on what is the most selling than just have a lot on the menu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The twins pointed to The Big Bite as the superstar: turkey-bacon, sliced turkey, roast beef, cheddar and Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, fresh onion, sprouts, pickles, mayo and mustard. The Deluxe Deli Club is similar but sans beef add your choice of cheese and avocado. Other signatures include the French dip, cheesesteak, turkey BLT, tuna salad, the Golden Caesar and a meatball sub. You can also create your own, including a mini 3-inch version for the kids. The Big Bite with homemade chocolate chip cookies at Mosa Sandwich Makers. If chips arent your bag, a cup of chili goes for $4 and a homemade cookie for $1. Why call it Mosa and not Mousa? The twins explained that there was an issue with translating the familys last name on their paperwork many moons ago. In the case of the new shop, Mosa represents the next generation of sandwich makers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family plans to make sandwiches daily with earlier and later hours anticipated. Mosa Sandwich Makers We have two Scholastic Spotlights to start the school year! Waukee School District is celebrating receiving a national theater award as a Premiere Community for Theater Education, and their state-of-the-art new theater is halfway to completion. In the Saydel School District, a Cornell Elementary Master Teacher is one out of 11 teachers part of a national fellowship with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching. Find out more on how to become an NIET fellow here. If you have a school, student, or teacher highlight, recognition, project, or program that deserves recognition in our Scholastic Spotlight, go here to submit that information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. The first day of school is the time when every students unique journey starts in the same place. At Landstown Elementary School in Virginia Beach, children and their families arrived like a wave. Some posed for photos in front of a huge sign welcoming them; others shuffled in shyly. Some parents tried to snap pictures of their children from behind as they walked through the doors. Among the first faces they all saw when they arrived was that of Tyler Peterson, an assistant physical education teacher. Peterson, 29, called to student after student by name, dapping them up and joking around with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I try to give the kids a good, nice warm welcome, you know, bring that smile to their face early in the morning and just start the day off right, Peterson said. Hes been greeting students first thing in the morning for about six years, he said. I love kids, theres a reason why Im here, Peterson said. Monday was the first day of school for most of the systems in southeastern Virginia most changed their calendars after the state allowed them to start classes before Labor Day. The systems in Norfolk and Portsmouth started last week, those in Chesapeake and Isle of Wight County have opted to wait until after the holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David Boord walked with his 8-year-old son to his first day of third grade at Landstown Elementary while sipping a coffee cup he brought from home. Asked what was going through his mind on his way out, Boord said hes already thinking about the clients on his agenda for the day. Im a veteran at this, this is my fourth child so this is nothing, said Boord, 53. This time Im more equipped. With our first child, my wife would follow the bus to school for like the first week we went crazy. But (the oldest child) is in college now, that was new for me. Im still going through daughter withdrawal, he continued. Virginia Beach Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson described the first day of school as a new birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its extremely exciting to see all the families involved, the childrens faces, he said. In all 85 of our schools today, there is a member of my team greeting students with the principals and staff. So this is really just a great time. And in Newport News, excitement was in the air at Stoney Run Elementary School as more parents than principal Karnesha Ford had ever seen came to drop off their children and support school staff. Virtually every school system on the Peninsula Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg-James City County, York County, Poquoson and Gloucester County began classes Monday. Parents and staff have increased their collaboration lately at Stoney Run, which established a Parent Teacher Association in the last couple years that has since capped at more than 100 members, Ford said. According to Ford, whether its phone calls home to check in or social media connections, she wants to ensure families are involved and up to date on their childs education. Its just going above and beyond what weve done in the past to get everybody in, Ford said. Weve taken it from the student to everybody in our school community, not just who were serving day in and day out here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford added thats because this year is many students first time experiencing school, and its many parents first time since they walked in that single-file line themselves. Our kindergartners, of course, this is their first year in school. Theyre in a brand new school, they have teachers, and they just have a positive outlook for coming to school, Ford said. I think a lot of kindergartners definitely want to be here and have fun. Ford said she attributes the influx of kindergartners to the COVID-19 pandemic keeping everyone at home five years ago. Weve seen a lot of kids coming in and smiling, and I think our kindergartners versus our upper grades, its just a new experience for them, Ford said. Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com Getty Images On June 25, the Michigan League for Public Policy joined advocates from the American Heart Association and Healthy School Meals for All Coalition at the state Capitol for an advocacy day. We showed up in droves to urge the Legislature to continue including free school meals in the fiscal year 2026 School Aid budget. We greeted members of the House and Senate with paper lunch bags filled with stories from across the state about the benefits of providing school meals for all students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These stories included thank yous from multiple perspectives: kids who come from families with low incomes shared that with free school meals, they can attend school without going hungry; administrators wrote stories about how giving all kids access to the same food has created a more inclusive environment in their schools; middle-class families expressed relief that their grocery bills are lower during the school year in a time when prices continue to rise. We know these stories are true because we have seen them play out since Michigans School Meals program was introduced in the 2024 state budget. More kids are eating breakfast (31% increase) and lunch (25% increase) at school, and families are saving an estimated $850 per student each school year on grocery bills. I spoke with a rising senior at a local high school who said that he appreciates the shift he has seen at his school since all students had access to free meals. I remember back in elementary school there used to be a stigma around kids getting free school lunch. It created a divide and class system thats now completely gone. Upon hearing the news that school lunches for all students might not be provided next school year, he responded with an emphatic groan, resounding no, and I cant pack my own lunch again! Getty Images Since our day at the Capitol, little progress has been made on the state budgets, but school meals for all has remained a hot topic in advocacy circles and in budget negotiations. Both the governor and the Senate included funding for school meals in their budgets, but the House eliminated the line item for school meals in its budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While budget negotiations drag on, teachers are beginning to set up their classrooms and families are tackling the back-to-school lists. On the other hand, school administrators are beginning to question whether or not funding for certain programs will be included in the state education budget. Just down the road from the Capitol, a school district announced that it will be ending its school meals for all program due to the budget uncertainty. Other districts are warning families that unless the state budget provides funds for school meals, they will end the program when funds run out at the end of September. The Michigan Department of Education and the State Superintendent are encouraging schools to continue providing school meals for all students, even if funding is not included in the final budget. The importance of providing school meals in the 2026 state budget is even more critical after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Due to tax changes in the bill, an estimated 18 million students could lose access to free school meals nationwide. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will cost about 74,000 Michiganders their benefits, and cuts to Medicaid puts health care coverage for more than 500,000 people at risk. Times are about to get tougher for many Michigan families who will be forced to decide whether to get prescriptions filled or pay utilities. Food insecurity will grow. Students will be less healthy and more hungry, making attending and succeeding in school more difficult. If putting breakfast and lunch in front of our children at school everyday supports their health and educational attainment (leading to higher outcomes later in life), putting universal school meals in the state budget is a win for all of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the League, we love to remind people that the budget is a reflection of our states priorities. Lets make sure that kids dont go hungry, schools continue to be inclusive, and families arent forced to bear the cost of legislative inaction. School meals for all students is just one line item in question without a passed budget, though. Funding for literacy programs, mental health services, resources for English-language learners and more are all up in the air as the Legislature continues to negotiate on the K-12 budget. We will be watching the budget closely and keeping you up to date at www.mlpp.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The new school year is underway in multiple Siouxland communities. All students in grades K through 12 went back to school Monday in the Sioux City Community School District. Its also the first day of school for Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community Schools. KCAU spoke to Angela Bemus about the new school year getting underway. Shes the districts associate superintendent. She told us theres just nothing like that first day of school. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a day of excitement, she said. It means almost 14,000 kids in Sioux City arent going to be home in their warm beds, and theyre coming to school, and were ready for them. Were ready to greet them, ready to get them here, ready to teach them. Bemus told us the district has 21 special education positions that need to be filled. Theyve been using long term substitutes to handle those positions. The start of the school year in Sioux City comes as the district announced on Friday that new superintendent Dr. Juan Cordova has requested a leave of absence. However, the district did not share any details as to why that leave was requested, or how long it will last. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (AP) Public schools reopened Monday in the nations tense capital with parents on edge over the presence in their midst of thousands of National Guard troops some now armed and large scatterings of federal law enforcement officers carrying out President Donald Trump's orders to make the District of Columbia a safer place. Even as Donald Trump started talking about other cities Do not come to Chicago, was the Democratic Illinois governor's clipped response the president again touted a drop in crime that he attributed to his extraordinary effort to take over policing in Washington, D.C. The district's mayor, meanwhile, was lamenting the effect of Trump's actions on children in her city. "Parents are anxious. Weve heard from a lot of them," Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a news conference, noting that some might keep their children out of school because of immigration concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any attempt to target children is heartless, is mean, is uncalled for and it only hurts us, she said. I would just call for everybody to leave our kids alone. Rumors of police activity abound As schools opened across the capital city, parental social media groups and listservs were buzzing with reports and rumors of checkpoints and arrests. The week began with some patrolling National Guard units now carrying firearms. The change stemmed from a directive issued late last week by his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Armed National Guard troops from Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee were seen around the city Monday. But not every patrol appears to be carrying weapons. An Associated Press photographer said the roughly 30 troops he saw on the National Mall on Monday morning were unarmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armed Guard members in Washington will be operating under long-standing rules for the use of military force inside the U.S., the military task force overseeing all the troops deployed to D.C. said Monday. Those rules, broadly, say that while troops can use force, they should do so only in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm and only as a last resort. The task force has directed questions on why the change was necessary to Hegseths office. Those officials have declined to answer those questions. Speaking in the Oval Office on Monday, Hegseth said that it was common sense to arm them because it meant they were capable of defending themselves and others. Among their duties is picking up trash, the task force said, though it's unclear how much time they will spend doing that. Bowser reiterated her opposition to the National Guard's presence. I dont believe that troops should be policing American cities, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is considering expanding the deployments to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, Chicago and New York, saying the situations in those cities require federal action. In Washington, his administration says more than 1,000 people have been arrested since Aug. 7, including 86 on Sunday. We took hundreds of guns away from young kids, who were throwing them around like it was candy. We apprehended scores of illegal aliens. We seized dozens of illegal firearms. There have been zero murders, Trump said Monday. Some other cities bristle at the possibility of military on the streets The possibility of the military patrolling streets of Chicago, the nations third-largest city, prompted immediate backlash, confusion and a trail of sarcastic social media posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a first-term Democrat, has called it unconstitutional and threatened legal action. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker deemed it a distraction and unnecessary as crime rates in Chicago are down, as they are nationwide. Trump suggested multiple times earlier Monday that he might dispatch the National Guard to Chicago regardless of Pritzkers opinion, calling the city a killing field." Pritzker and other Illinois officials said the Trump administration has not reached out to Chicago leaders about any federal initiative to deploy military personnel to the city to combat crime. They cited statistics showing drops in violent crime in Chicago and cast Trumps move as performative, partisan and racist. Mr. President, do not come to Chicago, Pritzker said, standing in a park about a mile from the Chicago skyscraper that features Trumps name in large lettering. The governor said he would fight the petty whims of an arrogant little man who wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish his dissidents and score political points. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others raised questions about where patrols might go and what role they might play. By square mileage, Chicago is more than three times the size of Washington, and neighborhoods with historically high crime are spread far apart. Former Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, who also worked for the New York Police Department, wondered what the National Guard would do in terms of fighting street violence. He said if there was clear communication, they could help with certain tasks, like perimeter patrol in high-crime neighborhoods, but only as part of a wider plan and in partnership with police. National Guard troops were used in Chicago to help with the Democratic National Convention last summer and during the 2012 NATO Summit. Overall, violent crime in Chicago dropped significantly in the first half of 2025, representing the steepest decline in over a decade, according to police data. Shootings and homicides were down more than 30% in the first half of the year compared with the same time last year, and total violent crime dropped by over 22%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, some neighborhoods, including Austin on the citys West Side, where the Rev. Ira Acree is a pastor, experience persistent high crime. Acree said hes received numerous calls from congregants upset about the possible deployment. He said if Trump was serious about crime prevention, he would boost funding for anti-violence initiatives. This is a joke, Acree said. This move is not about reducing violence. This is reckless leadership and political grandstanding. Its no secret that our city is on the presidents hit list. In June, roughly 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines were sent to Los Angeles to deal with protests over the administrations immigration crackdown. Californias Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, and other local elected officials objected. ___ Tareen reported from Chicago. Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin and Will Weissert contributed to this report. Mundane wayward space snowball, or extraterrestrial visitor? Astronomers believe that our solar system's latest and only third ever confirmed interstellar visitor, 3I/ATLAS, is almost certainly a comet. But lingering questions about the object means it's not yet an open and shut case. Amid that uncertainty, famed Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb is pushing the possibility that the interstellar interloper is an "extraterrestrial artifact" perhaps even an "alien mothership" here to menace or observe us. Which, though it sounds scary, could be interpreted as a good thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The discovery of an extraterrestrial artifact would reset our priorities to explore the real estate beyond Earth instead of just focusing on terrestrial conflicts," Loeb wrote in a recent blog post. "Humanity desperately needs a wakeup call." Loeb acknowledges that the odds aren't in his favor but only slightly. Presently, on his detailed scale of one to ten for classifying the likelihood of interstellar objects representing a piece of alien technology, he gives 3I/Atlas a "four" an "anomaly meeting potential technosignature criteria." "Having a 40 percent chance for an accident while crossing the street, argues in favor of keeping our eyes open and monitoring an approaching car," he argues in the post. The claims are controversial, but this isn't new territory for Loeb. He has long argued that 'Oumuamua, the first detected interstellar object in history, may have actually been an alien probe. The nearly quarter-mile object's unusual acceleration could have been a sign that it was being propelled with a solar sail, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early July, astronomers confirmed that 3I/ATLAS, named after the telescope in Chile which first spotted it, came from interstellar space, making it the third detection ever of such an object. It followed the discovery of 2I/Borisov in 2019, which was also believed to be a comet. The main giveaway was its blistering speed. Traveling at over 130,000 miles per hour, it vastly outpaces anything in our solar system, and would have had to reach its incredible speed outside the speed limit imposed by the Sun. The prevailing theory is that 3I/ATLAS originated in a star system near the center of our galaxy, and was propelled our way after being ejected from its home by a gravitational disturbance like a passing star. The suspicion from the get-go has been that 3I/ATLAS is a comet. Images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, for example, show evidence of a coma, the luminous halo of gas and dust that gives comets their flashy appearance, which form when the Sun warms the ice in the comet's solid core, leading to "outgassing." Loeb acknowledges the coma on his own blog. But a puzzling wrinkle in this theory that Loeb picks apart is the fact that 3I/ATLAS doesn't possess a cometary tail which is extra strange, since it's traveling toward the Sun. He also goes in on its highly unusual trajectory: that it just so happens to travel along the same plane that most of the planets of our solar system orbit the sun. And maybe that's not an accident, suggests Loeb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The chance of it being on that plane is one in 500," Loeb told The Times in a recent interview, noting that its timing means it will fly remarkably close to Jupiter, Mars and Venus. This "raises the question of whether this trajectory was designed." Loeb also points out how his colleagues have gotten it wrong in the past. In his blog, he cites the amusing example of the Minor Planet Center nearly announcing a new near-Earth asteroid until astronomers realized the object just so happened to follow the orbit of the Tesla Roadster that Elon Musk launched into space back in 2018. "Recognizing that this object is not a rock but a technologically-manufactured car required knowledge that SpaceX launched such a car," Loeb wrote. "Without that knowledge, as would be the case for an interstellar probe, this car would have been cataloged, even today, as a rocky asteroid." Does that mean that aliens should be the next explanation in line? Peter Veres, a fellow Harvard astronomer who works at the Minor Planet Center, has a less sensational theory for 3I/ATLAS's strange behavior. Per The Times, he believes the comet developed a crust on its surface while traveling through interstellar space that was "baked" and hardened by cosmic rays. Once it gets closer to the Sun, he believes, the crust "will peel off and suddenly we'll see a lot of activity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for its strange trajectory? Veres emphasizes that we're only dealing with a sample size of three. "The previous two objects were on totally random angles," he told The Times. We'll know what's an ordinary trajectory once we track 30 to 100 interstellar objects, he added. Granted, Loeb himself is hoping he's wrong. "I would be relieved to know that it is an icy rock, because in that case humanity will not face any risk," he wrote. More on space: Scientists Detect Precise Origin of Mysterious Signal From Deep Space For the first time in history, scientists in China have transplanted a lung from a genetically modified pig into a human patient. As detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature, the team of researchers transplanted the lung into the body of a 39-year-old male who had previously been declared brain-dead, in May of last year at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. The news comes after scientists in the United States successfully transplanted a gene-hacked pig kidney, allowing a patient to live for roughly two months last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers have also transplanted pig hearts and livers into humans. Unfortunately, the latest procedure didn't go perfectly. The brain-dead patient received a regimen of immunosuppressive drugs to ensure his body wasn't rejecting the new organ one of the biggest challenges facing doctors when it comes to xenotransplantation, or transplanting organs from a different species into a human. Around 24 hours after the surgery, the body began producing white blood cells that invaded the pig lung. Over the following days, the body began rejecting the lung, and on day nine, the recipient's family asked for the experiment to be shut down. While experts are cautiously optimistic that lungs could eventually allow us to address severe donor organ shortages, some warn that a lot more research needs to be done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its not ready for prime time," University of Toronto professor of thoracic surgery Shaf Keshavjee, who was not involved in the research, told STAT. "Importantly, theyve shown us were not there yet; dont go trying this on a patient because it aint going to work." Nonetheless, scientists are hopeful that xenotransplantation could eventually allow us to lower our dependence on human donor organs, which are in extremely short supply. In the latest experiment, Chinese researchers used the lung from a pig, whose genes were edited using the breakthrough gene-editing technique of CRISPR. The study was primarily designed to determine whether the human body would reject the lung. The human patient's right lung was left in the body, which means that it's impossible to tell whether the pig lung would've represented a life-saving intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For our team, this accomplishment is a meaningful beginning," Guangzhou Medical University physician and coauthor Jiang Shi told STAT. "Lung xenotransplantation presents unique biological and technical challenges compared to other organs. Our aim is to create a rigorous scientific pathway toward a safe, durable lung xenograft, not to claim clinical readiness today." Other experts also remain hopeful, with Luhan Yang, a cofounder of major US-based xenotransplantation company eGenesis, calling it an "insightful study," telling STAT that it "offers significant contributions to understanding immune responses toward xenograft lungs." More on xenotransplantation: Patient Dies After Receiving Kidney From Gene-Hacked Pig You're in Delhi. The power's flickering again, rain's hammering the roof, and the air clings like wet laundry. You step into the bathroom barefoot and stop cold. A snake. Coiled tight under the sink, tongue flicking, eyes like polished glass. It doesn't move. But you sure do heart racing, skin electric, backpedaling like the floor just bit you. That's monsoon season in the capital now. Wildlife helplines are buzzing, and snakes aren't just showing up in forests they're turning up in kitchens, storerooms, even behind toilet tanks. What's going on? The Times of India reported a sharp rise in snake sightings across Delhi from upscale bungalows to dense colonies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's not random. Burrows flood, prey comes out, and snakes follow. Add constant construction and habitat loss, and it's no surprise they're slithering into human spaces. "Construction activities disturb underground burrows and disrupt the delicate ecosystems snakes depend on," the Times of India explained. Throw in warmer spells and erratic rainfall, and snake movement becomes even less predictable. Wildlife SOS has already removed close to 90 snakes from Delhi-NCR this monsoon season. Why does this matter? People working outdoors or living in crowded areas face the highest level of risk. Sanitation workers, construction crews, families in low-lying neighborhoods they don't just run into snakes. They live around them. Garbage heaps and waterlogged alleys attract frogs and rodents and where there's prey, predators follow. Some areas lack access to nearby medical help, and not everyone knows what to do when snakes bite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent study looked at how rising global temperatures are changing where venomous snakes live which might mean seeing them in places you didn't before. Delhi's floodwater problems and shifting food chains are pushing snakes indoors more often and faster than expected. What's being done about it? Affected residents were encouraged to keep yards and entryways clean, seal cracks, trim bushes, and move trash and firewood away from homes. The objective is simple: make it harder for snakes to settle in. Wildlife teams are trained to remove snakes safely no harm to the people, no harm to the animal. They're working long days this season. Community groups are also spreading the word. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This tension between development and wildlife is showing up elsewhere, too. Wild boars have been tearing through yards in the Bay Area. In British Columbia, feral pigs are chewing up farmland. And off Sydney's coast, bull sharks are moving into shallow waters more often all signs of animals adapting fast to disappearing habitats. Experts in India are sounding alarms about rising snakebite cases during the rainy season, and the simple steps that could lower that risk. One conservationist dug into how myths, fear, and flash storms all collide to make these encounters more dangerous than they need to be. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Scientists are finding that two tiny islands off the coast of Florida are receiving a lot of attention from shorebirds. What's happening? The islands, known as 2D and 3D, were built in the 1970s, per the Tampa Bay Times, and they provide a lot of stability for the birds. "These birds show up year after year for one big reason," National Audubon Society sanctuary manager Jeff Liechty told the Times. "They know that this is a safe place to come and raise their young." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researchers have also found that hurricanes have pushed these birds out of their previous homes. The Times said that 9,000 birds were counted this year. Of those, 5,600 were on 3D. Flooding from Hurricane Helene caused a lot of damage last year. Unless we reverse this change fast, it's not looking so good for these birds. Why are extreme weather events concerning? The Revelator reported that extreme weather events cost the U.S. $95 billion in 2020. It mentioned a 2018 study that found that 57% of extreme weather events create a negative ecological response. When the environment reacted positively, the reaction was usually in favor of invasive plants, which can create very unbalanced ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shorebirds, which include royal and sandwich terns, are at risk of losing a lot of their population. The National Audubon Society said that they could lose over half their population by 2050 because of extreme weather events. Taking action against extreme weather events will protect these animals and save us a lot of money. What's being done to help the birds? People working at Port Tampa Bay want to expand the nesting islands for the shorebirds. This will be done by expanding the shipping channels and using the excess sand on the islands, per the Times. The Nature Conservancy also shared that people who are passionate about the environment are looking to make the state greener. They hope to make clean energy the norm and create more green jobs. Hopefully, these actions will pump the brakes on things like rising sea levels and increased extreme weather events. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Water is essential to life, and when animals can't get it themselves, humans step in and step up. In Guatemala, conservation groups are doing what they can to help animals deal with the intense summer heat. According to Vox, they've added tubs of water to nature reserves that can be continuously refilled, unlike natural water sources that have dried up with the sun's rays. This way, what could have been a struggle to survive has instead become a place for animals to relax, cool off, and hydrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Interestingly, the range of species that visited the artificial watering holes was much wider than originally expected. Predators and prey alike came to utilize the newly provided resources, with cameras installed to catch their different habits. Gabriela Ponce, head of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Guatemala, told Vox, "The diversity of species using the water sources was amazing." While typically expected species like spider monkeys visited, so too did rarely seen ones, "like jaguars and tapirs." The cameras enable humans to observe various animal species and behaviors without direct interference, and that can inform conservation efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By watching how animals behave in their natural habitats and how they respond to human interventions, conservationists can react accordingly and increase or decrease assistance. That knowledge of species' habits and traits can then be applied when supporting other habitats suffering from negative environmental impacts. The footage shown on trail cameras allows researchers to identify habitat requirements and assess what can be done to supplement healthy growth for flora and fauna alike. In addition, closely monitoring wildlife ensures that conservation efforts, like the man-made watering holes in Guatemala, are effective and stay that way. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Eric Aldrich, a member of Borderlore, which runs the Culture and Climate in Community program in Southern Arizona, further corroborates this. He noted that cameras allow for "non-invasive surveillance" and increase the connection between humans and animals. "[Cameras] also link me to a wider community of people with a deep curiosity for wildlife," Aldrich said. "Sharing our footage on social media and through conservation projects expands our ranges, so to speak, letting us see more of the wild, learn technical tricks and techniques, and connect to wider audiences." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The United States has reported its first human case of New World screwworm, according to its Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The flesh-eating parasite usually eats cattle and other warm-blooded animals, and is fatal if left untreated. The case, investigated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was confirmed on August 4 and involved a patient who returned from El Salvador to the US state of Maryland, HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an email to the Reuters news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nixon did not address an earlier report that said a case had been confirmed in Maryland in a person who had travelled from Guatemala. The US government has not confirmed any cases in animals so far this year. Whats a screwworm? Its the larva of a screwworm fly. Female screwworm flies lay their eggs in the wounds of warm-blooded animals, and those eggs hatch into hundreds of screwworm larvae. The larvae then use their sharp mouths to burrow through the living flesh of their hosts for about a week. At the end of that week, they drop to the ground, form a pupa and develop in the ground for another week to two months before emerging as an adult fly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Screwworm can be devastating in cattle and wildlife and has been known to infect humans. A calf sprayed with disinfectant to prevent screwworm as the Mexican government and ranchers struggle to control the spread, in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico, on July 3, 2025 [Daniel Becerril/Reuters] What are the symptoms? Screwworm infestations in wildlife and humans cause painful, progressive wounds as larvae burrow into living tissue. Symptoms include open, foul-smelling sores that enlarge rapidly, with visible maggots inside. Affected animals may show weakness, reduced mobility, weight loss, and abnormal behaviour from distress. In humans, symptoms include severe pain, swelling, fever, and secondary infections. Screwworm is diagnosed primarily by visual identification of larvae in wounds. The maggots have distinctive features, such as dark tracheal tubes visible through their bodies with bands of spines around each segment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If untreated, infestations can lead to tissue destruction and even death. How is it treated? Painfully. The hundreds of larvae have to be manually removed, and the wounds disinfected. Antibiotics are often prescribed to control secondary bacterial infections, and pain management may be necessary in severe cases. In animals, topical or systemic insecticides are also used to kill remaining larvae and prevent re-infestation. With thorough care, recovery is possible, but untreated cases can lead to extensive tissue damage and death. Why is this case significant? As adult screwworm flies are capable of travelling many kilometres in search of hosts, infestations can spread quickly across wildlife populations, livestock herds and even to humans. The patient in Maryland represented the first-ever recorded case of human screwworm in the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the potential human health toll, the spread of the parasite could also rattle the US cattle industry. In particular, newborn calves are at high risk because the post-partum navel has yet to scar. Beef producers and livestock traders in the US are already on alert for potential infestations, as screwworms have recently been found moving north from Central America into southern Mexico. What are governments doing about it? The US governments confirmation of a screwworm case comes just more than a week after US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins travelled to Texas to announce plans to build a sterile fly facility there as part of efforts to combat the pest. A sterile fly facility produces a large number of male flies and sterilises them. These are then released to mate with females in the wild, which reduces the wild population over time. This method eradicated screwworm from the US in the 1960s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA has estimated that a screwworm outbreak could cost the economy in Texas, the largest cattle-producing state, about $1.8bn in livestock deaths, labour costs and medication expenses. Earlier this year, Mexico also began efforts to limit the spread of the pest by kicking off construction of its own $51m sterile fly production facility. Larvae of the screwworm fly, collected from infected cows, at the COPEG sterile fly production plant in Pacora, Panama, on June 11, 2025 [Enea Lebrun/Reuters] Why is the US cattle industry nervous? Screwworms have been travelling north through Mexico from Central America in recent years. They are endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and countries in South America, according to the USDA. When Mexico reported a new case about 595km (370 miles) south of the US border in July, the USDA ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry, after previously halting imports in November and May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US legally imports more than a million heads of cattle from Mexico a year, used to fatten feedlots and for slaughtering. But illegal cattle smuggling, long considered one of the most efficient money-laundering means for Central American drug cartels, is now regarded as the main potential threat for the advance of the parasite in the US. The search for baby Emmanuel Haro expanded to a dusty field in Moreno Valley over the weekend, where San Bernardino County Sheriff's investigators were joined by the boy's father, Jake Haro, wearing a jail jumpsuit. Haro, 32, and his wife, Rebecca Haro, 41, have been in sheriff's custody since they were arrested Friday on suspicion of killing their 7-month-old son, Emmanuel. The infant's mother reported him missing Aug. 14 after she said she was attacked in a Yucaipa parking lot near a Big 5 sporting goods store, knocked unconscious, and discovered her baby was gone when she woke up. Investigators say that story was made up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then questions have swirled around the baby's whereabouts, even as the parents appealed to the public to help them find their son. Investigators deemed the disappearance suspicious early on, saying Rebecca Haro offered contradictory statements about what happened the evening her child disappeared. An attorney who spoke on behalf of the parents said she was simply emotional and declined to take a polygraph. On Sunday, news helicopters captured sheriff's investigators and Jake Haro in a bright orange jumpsuit in a dry-grass-covered shoulder of the westbound 60 Freeway near Gilman Springs Road, joined by cadaver dogs. Sheriff's investigators declined to say what led them to the area or why Haro was with them. "During yesterdays search, Jake Haro was present with detectives; however, Emmanuels body was not found despite an exhaustive effort," the department said in a statement Monday. "The Sheriffs Department would not, and did not, describe Haros presence at the location as providing assistance." Rebecca Haro, meanwhile, continued to maintain her innocence and her husband's in a brief interview with a reporter on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will not give up. I will not give up on my baby, she told a reporter from the Southern California News Group. "I want to be out looking for my baby." After Emmanuel Haro was reported missing, Riverside County child protective removed a 2-year-old girl from the Haro home. County officials would not disclose why the child was removed, citing state confidentiality laws. According to court records, Jake Haro was convicted in 2023 of willful cruelty to a child following an incident where a baby in his care suffered multiple bone fractures in 2018. He was still on probation in that case when he was arrested last week. Read more: The tragic end of Emmanuel Haro: Demanding 'answers for this beautiful, little baby' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her interview Sunday, Rebecca Haro said that she still supported her husband. "Hes a good dad, she told the news outlet. He would never hurt a baby. The couple were arrested at their home in Cabazon on Friday as investigators served a search warrant and combed the property for evidence. San Bernardino County sheriffs investigators in plain clothes searched the property, passing by a colorful kids bicycle leaning against a fence and a baby swing on the the porch. Investigators entered three detached buildings on the property, including a single-story home and a tin-roofed barn. Helicopters circled over the neighborhood and showed footage of investigators parsing through scattered items in the homes rear while multiple people recorded the scene with their phones from the street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing, the Sheriffs Department said in a statement. While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel. It was not immediately clear what, if anything, detectives took from the home. Both parents remain in custody and jail records show they are due in court Tuesday morning. Riverside County prosecutors said they are still reviewing the case from investigators. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Expect clearing skies on Monday in the Bay Area with temperatures back down towards seasonal averages, not just for today but also for the week ahead. Daytime highs will range from the 60s at the coast to 90s at the very warmest for inland areas. Expect some morning fog and coastal drizzle, followed by some afternoon clearing and still a warm one for many inland spots. The rest of the week will be slightly cooler than Monday and steady into Labor Day weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunrise in San Francisco is at 6:34 a.m. Sunset is at 7:48 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 KRON4. ST. LOUIS A second person has been charged in connection with a deadly shooting outside a north St. Louis market earlier this summer. The shooting happened just after 5 p.m. on June 8 in the 8300 block of North Broadway at the Elite Supermarket and Grill, located in the citys Baden neighborhood. According to a statement from a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesman, officers arrived to find Michael Maxon shot to death in the parking lot. Maxon was 22. A second victim, a 25-year-old man, was found inside the market with a gunshot wound to his leg. An eight-year-old girl suffered a graze wound on her lift wrist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers quickly applied a tourniquet to the young girl, who kept calm despite her injury. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News After reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses, investigators believe Maxon was sitting inside a parked car with the other victims when Tavon L. Jackson, 25, walked up and began firing shots into the vehicle. Police said Jackson pulled Maxon out of the car and shot him again. Meanwhile, Jacksons cohort, later identified as Darnell D. Westmoreland, 28, stood nearby with a firearm and kept watch. Westmoreland fled with Jackson after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson was arrested on June 17. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Jackson with first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and three counts of armed criminal action. He remains jailed without bond. Meanwhile, a St. Louis Circuit Court judge signed an arrest warrant for Westmoreland on Friday, Aug. 22. Prosecutors have charged Westmoreland with first-degree murder and armed criminal action. Westmorelands arrest warrant does not allow a bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. State Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, gives a thumbs-up to Democratic National Committee members as he takes the stage in his first public appearance since he was shot nine times in June. (Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer) In Sen. John Hoffmans first major public appearance since he and his family were the survivors of attempted political assassinations in June, Hoffman urged top Democratic officials from around the country to re-establish trust in institutions, and among people. In this political climate, we must recommit ourselves to governance over grievance, to service over self, and to action over anger, Hoffman said in a speech closing out the first general session of the Democratic National Committee summer meeting in Minneapolis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoffman spoke in the same hotel where he and other Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor elected officials had gathered for a celebratory dinner on June 13, hours before a masked man shot him and his wife, Yvette, and killed DFL House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Hortman was frequently invoked in the meetings opening session, which featured speeches from DNC Chair Ken Martin, Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, state Rep. Zack Stephenson of Coon Rapids and Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu. We have not moved on from it, Walz said of the assassinations. It is not a new news cycle for us. We are forever changed by it, but we are a hearty people. Hoffman spent many weeks in the hospital after sustaining nine gunshot wounds; his wife was shot eight times. Bullets narrowly missed their daughter, Hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sporting a splint on a finger of his left hand he has a rod in it Hoffman listed three values he wants Democrats to revive: courage, truth, and listening to the American people. I heard from many people from across this country since June 14, and Americans across the political spectrum are thirsting for those things, Hoffman said. His example of courage: An early-career Hubert Humphrey standing up at the Democratic National Convention in 1948 and challenging the party to adopt a strong civil rights agenda. The Minnesota speakers offered remembrances of Hortman and lessons from her leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNC Chair Ken Martin ended his speech with a common Hortman refrain: Power is fleeting, and you never know when youll have it again. So use your power, Martin said. Use your power, when you have it, to make the biggest difference you can for as many people as you can. Minnesota Democrats did that in 2023, passing a sweeping progressive agenda with a single-vote majority in the state Senate. Now, the problem for Democrats is figuring out what power they have to resist President Trumps agenda without control of Congress. The party of the president in office typically suffers midterm losses, but Trump is angling to retain power in the House by having red states redraw electoral maps in their favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin supports blue states like California responding in kind, saying, We cant be the only party thats playing by the rules. On Monday, Klobuchar who has introduced a bill to rein in gerrymandering also voiced her support for Californias redistricting response. While we wait to get (this bill) in place and put some national rules of the road in place, we will not back down, Klobuchar said. We will not let them set the playing field. Clawing back power is going to take more than redrawing maps, and Martin must find a way to unite party officials and rank-and-file Democrats who are divided over Israels destruction of Gaza, and deal with the partys lackluster financial situation and lagging fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the party meetings this week, delegates will debate the partys position on Israel; consider which states should have the first presidential primary elections in 2028; and search for a path to mobilizing nonvoters and those who have drifted from the party. For Hoffman, the path to regaining that support comes from resisting polarization and finding common ground and working for the prosperity of the common person rather than the wealthiest class. I believe all Americans and Minnesotans want to talk to each other again without being demeaned and without the threat of violence, Hoffman said. The summer meetings continue in downtown Minneapolis through Wednesday. Sen. Sharif Street and senate Democrats at a press conference opposing the proposed U.S. budget on Monday, June 30 State Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking his partys nomination to run for Congress, announced Monday he will step down from his role as Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair. This was not an easy decisionbut it is the right one, Street wrote in a post on social media. I took on this role to build a Democratic Party that was more inclusive, more united, and more powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, weve done exactly that delivering historic victories, strengthening our grassroots, and expanding our coalition across Pennsylvania, he added. Im proud of the progress weve made and confident the party is strong, energized, and ready to meet the challenges ahead. Now its time to make space for the next chapter of leadership so we can keep building on that progress. Street is one of several Democrats in the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), who declared he would be retiring at the end of his current term. Street announced his candidacy for the 3rd District seat in July along with state Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia). Since Street entered the race for Congress, DNC Chairman Ken Martin and Gov. Josh Shapiro questioned whether it was best for him to continue leading the state party while he is competing with other Democratic candidates in an 2026 open primary election. Street, first elected to the state Senate in 2016, has held a leadership role with the state Democratic Party for the past seven years. In 2018, he was elected to serve as the vice chair of the state Democratic Party, as Nancy Patton Mills was elected to serve as Chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Street made history by becoming the first Black man and Muslim to win the race for Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman. He defeated the state partys Southeast Caucus Chair Jerry Lawrence for the position by a 174-138 vote, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. Lawrence had the support of then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Gov. Tom Wolf, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. Streets tenure at the helm of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party featured two vastly different election cycles. In 2022, Shapiro cruised to a double digit victory over state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin) to keep a Democrat in the governors mansion for a third consecutive term, while John Fetterman flipped a U.S. Senate seat blue with his win over Republican Mehmet Oz. In 2024, Republicans had a clean sweep in Pennsylvania with Donald Trump securing the states 19 electoral votes, plus GOP candidates winning all three row offices and flipping a U.S. Senate seat red with Dave McCormicks victory over three-term incumbent Bob Casey. Republicans also flipped two seats in the U.S. House that year, although Democrats maintained their one-seat majority in the state House. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Street plans to endorse former state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale to succeed him at the next state committee meeting Sept. 6 in Lancaster. Since the current vice chair is a woman, the new chair must identify as a male in order to preserve the partys commitment to gender-balanced leadership, according to a press release. The candidates for state party chair also have to be registered Democrats in Pennsylvania for at least two years prior to the date of the special election. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. The most recent poll by Gotham Polling shows that Mamdani's negative ratings are rising but that his vote share is not yet dropping. Mamdani still wins 42 percent of the vote, leading the field though his negative ratings have almost doubled from the high thirties to 47 percent, the exact same level as his positives. As voters learn the truth about Mamdani, they come to see him negatively but still vote for him because there is nobody else. Andrew Cuomo is stuck at 23 percent and going nowhere according to the Gotham poll. Adams remains mired at a paltry 9 percent of the vote. The Republican, Curtis Silwa gets 17 percent as his partisan identification continues to hold him down. But Mamdani is not a done deal. Cuomo can't move up. His negatives are too strong and neither can Adams. But Silwa can move up. Only his party is holding him back and, given the negatives on the other three candidates, being a Republican shouldn't be fatal. We have to give the race time to unfold. Mamdani's negatives are going to keep rising and voters will get increasingly frustrated by the lack of alternative choices facing them. Cuomo's culpability in the genocide of 6,000 elderly New Yorkers, forced into nursing homes filled with highly contagious COVID patients during the pandemic makes him unelectable. New Yorkers will also strongly dislike having to pay half a million in damages for the governor's sexual philandering while in office. Adams, with sky high negatives after four years in office, shows no sign of rising even above ten percent of the vote. So who's left? Curtis Silwa. Ultimately, New York Democrats need to forgive his Party. He's pro-choice and no mouthpiece for Trump. His crime fighting credentials are impeccable. LaGuardia, Lindsay, and Giuliani governed well despite their party and so would Silwa. President Donald Trump is once again upping the pressure on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to do away with a century-old Senate tradition that places some constraints on the president's authority to appoint judicial nominees. Trump is targeting the Senate's "blue slip" tradition, a time-honored Senate process that gives senators the right to approve or object to nominees nominated to serve as federal judges or U.S. attorneys in their home states. Senators approve of a nominee by returning their blue slip to the Judiciary Committee Chairman. If a senator does not return their blue slip or returns it with objections, the nominee does not advance. In blue states like New York, some of Trump's judicial nominees have stalled out because Democratic senators have not returned blue slips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump administration live updates In a post on his social media platform on Sunday evening, Trump made his continued displeasure with this Senate tradition known. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images - PHOTO: Sen. Chuck Grassley is seen during votes in the U.S. Capitol, December 5, 2023. I have a Constitutional Right to appoint Judges and U.S. Attorneys, but that RIGHT has been completely taken away from me in States that have just one Democrat United States Senator," Trump said. "This is because of an old and outdated "custom" known as a BLUE SLIP, that Senator Chuck Grassley, of the Great State of Iowa, refuses to overturn, even though the Democrats, including Crooked Joe Biden (Twice!), have done so on numerous occasions." This isn't the first time that Trump has gone after blue slips and Grassley. But Grassley has consistently committed to maintaining the Senate tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on X on Monday, Grassley once again defended the Senate process. "A U.S. Atty/district judge nominee without a blue slip does not hv the votes to get confirmed on the Senate floor & they don't hv the votes to get out of cmte," Grassley posted. "As chairman I set Pres Trump noms up for SUCCESS NOT FAILUREThe 100 yr old "blue slip" allows home state senators 2 hv input on US attys & district court judges In Biden admin Republicans kept 30 LIBERALS OFF BENCH THAT PRES TRUMP CAN NOW FILL W CONSERVATIVES." But Grassley's pushback has not dissuaded Trump from trying to force modifications to the process. While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump doubled down, saying he would file a lawsuit to challenge the use of blue slips, though he did not say who he intended to file suit against. He then blamed Grassley for a lag in the advancement of his appointees to be judges and U.S. attorneys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Committee advances former Trump attorney for key appeals court role "It's a gentlemen's agreement that's about 100 years old, where if you have a president like a Republican, and if you have a Democrat senator, that senator can stop you from appointing a judge or or U.S. attorney in particular," Trump said. "And this is based on an old custom. It's not based on a law ... And I think it's unconstitutional. And I'll probably be filing a suit on that pretty soon." The Senate has the authority to govern itself and typically retains authority to make its own rules and traditions. Blue slips are not codified in the Senate rules, but are rather a courtesy observed by the committee chairman. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to the press during a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, August 25, 2025. The blue slip process goes back to at least 1917, according to the Congressional Research Service. Since the use of blue slips is not codified or in the committee's rules, the chair has the discretion to determine whether a home state senator's negative or withheld blue slip stops a judicial nomination from receiving consideration by the committee and whether it reaches the Senate floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump explicitly expressed his desire to advance nominees like Jay Clayton, who was appointed to serve as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York by Manhattan federal judges earlier this month despite his nomination being stalled in the Senate by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's refusal to return a blue slip on the nominee. "That's the only way you get by. But generally speaking, you can't do that because you'll have judges from the other party. So, so Jay Clayton just got approved and he's in, but he didn't get approved by the senators, Trump said. Trump said the blue slip process was a barrier for him to get any Republican judges through -- that he can now "only get a Democrat U.S. attorney." "The only person that I can get approved are Democrats or maybe weak Republicans. But we don't want that. But the only person I will be able to get approved in any of those states where you have a Democrat will I can't get a U.S. attorney. I can only get a Democrat U.S. attorney," Trump said. Courtesy National Archives - PHOTO: Then-Sen. Thomas Hardwick of Georgia said in this 1917 blue slip that he found U.V. Whipple, a candidate for the federal bench in the Southern District of Georgia, "personally offensive and objectionable to me. Still, Senate Republicans are generally opposed to modifying the tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who serves on the Judiciary Committee and announced earlier this year he wouldn't seek re-election next year, said in a post on X Monday that getting rid of the blue slip is "short-sighted." "Chairman Grassley is a principled conservative who wants to keep radical liberals off the bench. Getting rid of the blue slip is a terrible, short-sighted ploy that paves the path for Democrats to ram through extremist liberal judges in red states over the long-term," Tillis posted. "It's why radical liberal groups have been pushing to get rid of the blue slip for years -- Republicans shouldn't fall for it." MORE: Habba set to remain as top prosecutor in New Jersey after White House maneuver A number of Senate Republicans spoke out when Trump last called for changes to the Senate process in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Majority Leader John Thune expressed little interest in making modifications. "I think that the blue slip process is something that's been used for a long time by both sides, and neither side has violated its usage in the past," Thune said in July. "So my view on it is and I'm happy to hear what Sen. Grassley and some of my colleagues say, "but no, I don't think there's any strong interest in changing that up here." SENECA, Mo. The Seneca Fire Department was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from State Farm and the National Volunteer Fire Council. We plan to use the funds to purchase five AED defibrillators, said Tyler Crow, Seneca Fire Chief. The Seneca Fire Department consists of 18 volunteer firefighters and has seven firetrucks located at two fire stations in the community of 2,300 residents. Since the Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program launched in 2024, $2.5 million has been awarded to 250 local fire departments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteer firefighters make up 65% of the U.S. fire service, and communities across the country rely on them to respond to emergencies of all kinds, from structure and wildland fires to vehicle crashes and medical emergencies to natural disasters and hazmat incidents. Many small-town and rural fire departments operate with limited budgets, making it challenging to meet the rising costs of the equipment and gear they need to serve their community. These grants are a lifeline for local departments to obtain equipment to increase safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. In addition to the Seneca Fire Department, 150 departments in 44 states, including two other departments in Missouri, received the grants the Martinsburg Area Fire Protection District and the Terre Du Lac Volunteer Fire Department (Bonne Terre). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Volunteer Fire Council is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. SENECA (KSNT) On April 3, Father Arul Carasala was shot; just later that evening, Father Joel Haug stepped in and led services. A few months later, he became the churchs permanent pastor. Since then, he has played a major part in keeping the community strong. Being able to be there in the time for us when you know you just kind of like what happened. Hes brought hope back to our parish community, and hes definitely brought the holy spirit, Church Member, Terilynne Haverkamp said. You know you can feel the fire and the spirit come in, because I think a lot of us were pretty broke when we lost Father Arul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church has a memorial set up on the front lawn, on the spot where Father Arul was shot. Church members made t-shirts, rosaries, and even organized a 5k in his honor. Father Haug says the loss of Father Arul has brought the church closer to God. Six in Kansas infected with West Nile Virus: KDHE The best way we can honor someones memory is by embodying in ourselves that which was most important to them. And he gave up his life for the faith, Pastor, Joel Haug said. So how important it is for us to make a recommitment of ourselves to Jesus, regardless of where we find ourselves in our relationship with him and the church, to come back to prayer, to come back to church, to get into the word of god. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Father Joel says there will be more events to celebrate and remember Father Arul, and the community will continue coming together through prayer. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. DAKAR (Reuters) -Senegal authorities said they had detected a case of mpox in a foreign man who arrived in the West African country last week. The health ministry said it was the first case it had detected this year. It was not immediately clear how many cases, if any, had been reported there before January. "The patient's clinical condition is stable. He is currently in isolation and is receiving care," the ministry said in a statement late on Saturday. It did not give details on what variant of the infection had been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No new cases had been detected since then and 25 people were being monitored, a ministry spokesperson said on Monday. Mpox can spread through close contact. Usually mild, it is fatal in rare cases. It causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo that had spread to neighbouring countries. (Reporting by Diadie Ba and Anait Miridzhanian; Editing by Andrew Heavens) NEW MEXICO (KRQE) A set of lawsuits has been filed against catholic churches in southern New Mexico. An attorney representing a group of victims says they were sexually abused by clergy members over a span of decades. Eight separate lawsuits were filed in July at the same time, and each lawsuit accuses eight different priests of sexually abusing children from three to 15 years old. Their lawyer said the lawsuits were filed as the victims pursue accountability and look to the dioceses they say allowed the abuse to happen. This problem has obviously been going on for a long time, and these cases reflect that, said Levi Monagle, Partner at the law offices of Huffman, Wallace, and Monagle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8 new lawsuits filed against southern New Mexico clergy Eight people, who chose to remain anonymous, went to attorney Levi Monagle and his team in 2024, seeking compensation for the sexual abuse they say they endured at the hands of catholic priests at several parishes in southern New Mexico. The abusers in these cases were middle-aged or elderly at the time the abuse occurred, and that was decades ago. And so they have passed away, said Monagle. The survivors seek to hold the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces and the Diocese of El Paso accountable. Theres no justice to be had for these survivors through the criminal process, unfortunately, and this is the only legal process thats left to them, said Monagle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the lawsuits claims that Father Emilio Roure abused a child as young as seven years old in 1956 and continued to abuse her for eight more years inside of the Shrine and Parish of our Lady Guadalupe in Dona Ana County. It claims he used his power as a priest to groom her. A couple of the perpetrators in these cases, the ones that we filed most recently, are notorious serial offenders, said Monagle. Among those offenders, Monagle said, is Bernard Bissonnette, who is accused of sexually abusing over 30 boys in New Mexico. The lawsuit said the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces and Bishop Ricardo Ramirez knew about his proclivity to sexually abuse children and that the abuse happened at St. Eleanor Parish in Ruidoso. So those kinds of cases with those kinds of priests represent the most disturbing manifestation of the clergy abuse phenomenon, said Monagle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monagle said offenders like Bissonnette were sent into the churches to receive treatment and were placed back into circulation, resulting in the abuse of even more children. Monagle said, to the catholic churchs credit, it has improved its child protection protocols and is taking the problem more seriously in recent decades, We applaud the church for those efforts, but these crimes against children still need to be accounted for, and thats what these lawsuits are designed to do. Some of the other parishes named in the lawsuits include St. Jude mission church in Alamogordo and Our Lady of Purification Parish in Dona Ana County. KRQE News 13 reached out to both dioceses for comment, but has not heard back yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the family of a Seton Hall University student who died after being placed in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit, brought by the estate of Kristen McCartney and her parents, alleged that Seton Hall breached contractual obligations to ensure the students health and safety. While the events giving rise to this case are tragic, they do not support the claims in the amended complaint, U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for Seton Hall and for the McCartney family did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A request for comment from a Seton Hall spokesperson was also not immediately returned. McCartney, a diplomacy student at Seton Hall, was diagnosed in childhood with rare epilepsy, a type of epilepsy that affects a small number of people. She suffered at least two seizures a year, according to the lawsuit. She tested positive for COVID-19 in 2021 and was placed alone in a dorm room designated for isolation. The suit alleges McCartney, 20, died after suffering a grand mal seizure while alone in the dorm room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family claims university officials failed to monitor her as promised under campus pandemic protocols. On Wednesday, Wigenton ruled the family did not prove Seton Hall had a valid agreement either implied or expressed with McCartney that guaranteed her safety. Wigenton said simply attending or paying tuition at a university does not automatically create a contract. She also said the familys claims were better suited for a negligence case, but that case had already been dismissed earlier this year because they were filed after the statute of limitations expired. In their amended complaint, the plaintiffs attempted to reframe their claims as contractual to extend the filing window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They cited Seton Halls COVID-19 Restart Plan and statements on the universitys website about student safety as evidence of express contracts between the university and students. However, Wigenton found the Restart Plan lacked mutual agreement and the universitys website statements were too vague to be legally binding. The judge also dismissed the claim that Seton Hall violated its duty to act fairly, saying that such a claim requires a valid contract and the plaintiffs had not shown one. The amended complaint was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. Leader of new Syrian administration, Ahmed al Sharaa and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (not seen) watch the view of Damascus on Mount Qasioun following their meeting in Damascus, Syria on December 22, 2024 (photo credit: Murat Gok/Anadolu via Getty Images) The Syrian president said that Syria is at an advanced stage in reaching an agreement Damascus and Jerusalem may soon share a new security agreement, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told Arab press on Sunday. Syria's official news agency, SANA, reported on Sunday night that al-Sharaa met with a delegation consisting of Arab media figures - including directors of media institutions, newspaper editors, and former ministers of information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the members of the delegation was the CEO of the Arabic-language Sky News channel, Nadim Qatish, a Lebanese national. Regarding Israel, Qatish reported Sharaa said that Syria is at an advanced stage in reaching a security agreement, and the chance that such an agreement will be reached is greater than not being reached. Sharaa further claimed that such an agreement would be based on the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria, so that Syria's sovereignty would be protected, and this would open the door to confidence-building measures and perhaps reaching a peace agreement. Operations of IDF troops in southern Syria, August 20, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) However, Sharaa also stated that he does not see the current conditions as being suitable for a peace agreement with Israel, and emphasized that if he sees that a peace agreement with Israel would serve Syria and the region, then he would not hesitate to reach such an agreement publicly. Relations with Lebanon Regarding Lebanon, the Syrian president made it clear to the Arab media delegation that he wants to turn a new page with Lebanon in the hope that Lebanon will benefit from the expected economic growth in Syria. He also stated that he wants the relationship with Lebanon to be one of state versus state and made it clear that he does not want to be dragged into battles within Lebanon, despite international and local factors encouraging him to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Qateish told Sky News that regarding the situation in the Sweida province, Sharaa stressed two important things: the need for Syria to be united and, secondly, opposition to the possession of weapons outside the control of the state. Sharaa also noted, according to Qateish, that these two principles would form the basis of any arrangement with the Kurds, Druze, or Alawites. Regarding the disputes with the Syrian Democratic Forces, he noted that it is possible to build on the agreement he signed on March 10 with the organization's leader, Mazloum Abdi - but emphasized that the area controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeastern Syria is an area with agricultural resources, oil resources, and a significant geographical area, and therefore he is not willing to turn this area into a conflict zone between the government and the Kurds and sees the Kurds as part of the Syrian government. The share of working Californians represented by unions has held relatively steady, bucking national trends of an overall decline in union membership, according to a report released Monday by labor researchers at UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Riverside. The report, which analyzed data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, found that the percentage of Californians covered by a union has hovered between 16% and 18% in the last two decades. In 2024, the most recent year analyzed by researchers, the Golden State's 2.67 million union-represented workers amounted to 16.3% of its labor force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unions have only been able to sustain those numbers through consistent new organizing, said Enrique Lopezlira, director of the Low-Wage Work Program at the UC Berkeley Labor Center and a co-author of the report. "Unions are very active in California and have really tried to continue organizing workers, and that is showing up in the data," Lopezlira said. Read more: L.A. unions push for 'New Deal' ahead of 2028 Olympics Successful new organizing was concentrated in the medical industry at large hospitals as well as at Starbucks and other snack and nonalcoholic beverage establishments, with many new members represented by the Service Employees International Union, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, a drive at Sharp Metropolitan Medical Campus in San Diego, the second-largest group of workers that filed for union representation in 2024, held a successful election covering about 2,100 workers. Some unions, however, reported declines. United Food and Commercial Workers reported a sharp drop in employee staffing due to automation in grocery stores, the report said. And contractions in television and film production in the state has slowed, hitting below-the-line crew members represented by International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Nationwide union membership saw steep declines in the 1980s and early 1990s, brought on by automation, massive layoffs in heavily unionized industries such as automobiles and steel, the increasing success of employers anti-union efforts, and the sharp growth in service industries that unions had little success in organizing. The share of all workers who were union members fell precipitously in the 1980s and 1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a gradual decline has continued in recent decades, with the share of workers represented by a union nationwide dropping to 11.1% in 2024 from 13.8% in 2004, according to data analyzed in the report. Although the U.S. overall has continued a steady decline, California and several other states have managed spurts of organizing to keep membership somewhat level since then. Read more: Over 160 Blizzard workers in Irvine join union as gaming-industry labor movement expands There are ebbs and flows. The state's union density numbers rose to 17.6% about five years ago, invigorated by successful organizing campaigns across occupations as varied as nurses, electricians, animation artists, scooter mechanics and university researchers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then it has fallen by more than a percentage point, to 16.3%, but overall density has generally held steady, the report said. This year, unions could face more declines, with the second Trump administration moving to hobble federal regulatory agencies, including the National Labor Relations Board, and firing tens of thousands of federal workers. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) A San Antonio man has been placed under custody after allegedly kidnapping a minor in Rusk County and taking her across state lines. On Aug. 20, the Rusk County Sheriffs Office received reports of a missing juvenile after the victim left her home and told her parents she would return in 15 to 20 minutes. The minor, however, did not return home and was believed to be with 20-year-old Kyle Eckmann, whom she had met online. Authorities respond to deadly crash on Highway 110 near Whitehouse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators later discovered that after meeting the girl, Eckmann had driven them to San Antonio and Austin before traveling to El Paso and into New Mexico. After crossing over state lines on Aug. 22, New Mexico State Police began to pursue Eckmann, who eventually drove into a ditch filled with water. He was then taken into custody. UPDATE: U.S. 59 back open in Livingston after sweet potato spill Following the pursuit, the minor was discovered inside Eckmanns vehicle, and she reportedly told authorities that she was in fear for her safety and that was being held against her will. Following Eckmanns arrest, the victim was taken to a local medical facility and was later released to New Mexico Family Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a forensic interview at a local Child Advocacy Center in New Mexico, the victim reportedly stated that she had left her home with Eckmann to talk him out of harming himself. After she requested to return home, he refused to let her. It was also revealed that the victim had met Eckmann on social media and that they had spoken on and off for the past couple of years. The victims mother is currently on the way to pick up her daughter, who is currently in the custody of New Mexico Family and Protective Services. Following his arrest, Eckmann was taken to the Luna Detention Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico and has been charged with kidnapping and unlawful restraint. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Sheriff urges e-bike safety after teen survives first-day-of-school crash Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood spotlighted the actions taken that helped save the life of a 14-year-old boy who was hit by a car on the first day of school earlier this month. Hunter, 14, was struck by a car while riding his e-bike in Deltona on the first day of school, but survived thanks to his helmet and the help of a tow truck driver. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood shared photos of Hunter on social media after meeting with him and his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff highlighted the role of Hunters helmet and a quick-thinking tow truck driver in saving his life. Hunter was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for urgent medical care following the accident. Chitwood noted the importance of the rapid response in ensuring Hunters survival. Chitwood encouraged parents to consider using safety apps for e-bikes, which offer features like location tracking, geo-fencing, speed caps, and helmet detection. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. MECOSTA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) A woman who was shot and injured by a Mecosta County deputy last week had a gasoline explosive device, the sheriffs office said. Deputies were called late Friday morning to a property on Hayes Road west of 230th Avenue southwest of Big Rapids because a 36-year-old woman was refusing to leave, the Mecosta County Sheriffs Office said. Trespasser shot after threatening deputies, sheriff says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Monday release, the sheriffs office said the woman began to make the motion to throw a gasoline explosive device at a deputy and his partner, so he shot her. She remained in a Grand Rapids hospital Monday with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Her name was not released. The Michigan Sheriffs Association is looking into the shooting, the sheriffs office 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 WOODTV.com. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is returning to the political fray with a Senate bid at a moment when the cryptocurrency industry which poured millions of dollars into ousting him last year is emboldened by its recent political successes. Brown launched a campaign for Sen. Jon Husteds (R-Ohio) seat Monday, seeking to win back a spot in the upper chamber after losing the seat he held for three terms last fall. The crypto industry has largely taken credit for Browns defeat by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R) after spending some $40 million on the key race in the Buckeye State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It appears poised to face off with the Ohio Democrat once again, fresh off several key wins in 2024. President Trump become a vocal proponent of the industry during his campaign back to the White House, while crypto-friendly Republicans took control of both chambers in Congress, paving the way for progress on digital asset legislation. Its pretty clear that theres going to be significant crypto money put against his campaign again like we saw last year, and I think that that will continue to pose an uphill challenge for Brown to overcome, said Owen Tedford, a senior research analyst at Beacon Policy Advisors. However, he added, I think that the larger political environment may end up being more decisive in the ultimate outcome of the race than crypto fundraising. Crypto super PAC Fairshake has already fundraised heavily for the 2026 midterms, with $141 million on hand. Coinbase and a16z gave the super PAC $25 million and $23 million, respectively, for the next election before the votes had even been counted in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, voters sent a clear message that the Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren agenda were deeply out of touch with Ohio values, Fairshake said in a statement. We will continue to support pro-crypto candidates and oppose anti crypto candidates, in Ohio and nationwide. An affiliated super PAC, Defend American Jobs, spent $40 million to defeat Brown, who was seen as standing in the way of long-sought crypto legislation as the head of the Senate Banking Committee. Brown ultimately lost to Moreno, a crypto enthusiast, in what was the most expensive Senate contest in the country, with both sides spending more than $500 million. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the chair of Senate Republicans campaign arm and the Senate Banking panel, credited the industry with Morenos win Tuesday and noted the first-term senator now also serves on the Banking Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you to all of yall for getting rid of Sherrod Brown, Scott said at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium, adding, Literally, the industry put Bernie Moreno in the Senate. The industry has received a warm welcome in Washington under Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress a sharp departure from the chilly reception in recent years. The president named venture capitalist David Sacks as his artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto czar, invited industry leaders to the White House and signed an executive order creating a bitcoin strategic reserve and digital asset stockpile. Crypto-friendly leadership at the agency level has prompted the Securities and Exchange Commission to close investigations and dismiss lawsuits against numerous crypto firms, while agencies including the Federal Reserve and the Justice Department roll back various Biden-era policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers have also made crypto legislation a high priority, passing a bill last month creating a regulatory framework for dollar-backed digital tokens known as stablecoins. But Congress has yet to pass the centerpiece of digital asset legislation, a market structure bill that lays out regulation for the rest of the industry. Brown has previously aligned himself with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on crypto policy, voicing concerns about potential consumer harms and the industrys role in terrorist financing. Warren, now the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has led the charge opposing industry-friendly legislation in the upper chamber this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Browns leadership of the panel coincided with the stunning 2022 collapse of FTX, which severely damaged the industrys reputation. The exchanges sudden demise came after revelations about the firms questionable financial practices, which ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of cryptos golden boy, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried. While industry advocacy group Stand With Crypto deems Brown strongly against crypto, it suggested the former senators latest comments were somewhat pro-crypto. Cryptocurrency is a part of Americas economy, Brown told Axios this week. My goal is to make sure that as more people use cryptocurrency, it expands opportunity and lifts up Ohioans and they are not put at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hill has reached out to Browns campaign for comment. When asked about Browns comeback bid, Stand With Crypto said it would continue pushing every policymaker, regardless of party, to understand that supporting pro-innovation policies is not just smart politicsits the will of the people they represent. Crypto voters are engaged, organized, and paying attention, and they want leaders who will protect their right to build, innovate, and participate in this new economy and ensure the United States is the crypto capital of the world, Stand With Crypto community director Mason Lynaugh said in a statement. However, some are skeptical of cryptos electoral impact and suggest other dynamics inherent to the state could be more significant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio Republican strategist Mark Weaver questioned how much the crypto industrys involvement was determinative to defeating Brown in November, pointing more so to the realities of Ohio increasingly shifting right. While Ohio voted for former President Obama twice and had been through the 2010s considered a prime swing state, Trump has improved his margins there in each of the three elections he ran. Brown was the last Democrat holding statewide office, and no Democrat has won one in several years. Donations are welcome, and everybody on the team deserves some credit, but the trend is Ohio is quickly moving red, which means thats largely why our candidates are winning, Weaver said. We have good candidates, and theyre running in a Republican state. Browns race could also potentially be less of a target for the crypto industry in the 2026 midterms, as Democrats face an uphill battle to reclaiming control of the Senate, Tedford suggested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if Democrats flip the Ohio [seat], it still feels like an uphill battle for them to get back to 51 seats in the Senate, he said. So, is there a possibility that Brown maybe faces a little less pressure than he did in 2024, where his race was one of the key ones for Republicans to take control? While historical trends would suggest that Democrats will have the advantage in the midterms as the party out of power, getting back to a Senate majority as soon as next year will be a challenge. The party has two obvious pickup opportunities in Maine and North Carolina, but that would only get them 49 seats, presuming no Democratic seats flip either. Getting to 51, then, would require winning in at least two states considered a bit more of a reach, such as Ohio and Texas. How they pick and choose their battles I think is something that will be particularly worth watching, Tedford said of the crypto industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) has returned the M18 Modular Handgun System pistols back into service. The command paused use of the sidearm to inspect them starting on July 21, following the death of an airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, which TWZ was first to report. A week later, some units in Air Combat Command (ACC) instituted a similar pause, though the status of that is unclear. Weve reached out to ACC for comment. The M18 and the larger M17 are used by all the U.S. military services, widely replacing the Beretta M9. The weapons, as well as their civilian P320 counterparts, have been fraught with controversy, with a drop-safe issue early on in its adoption, which is now fixed, and allegations and lawsuits over the guns going off without the user pulling the trigger with their finger. AFGSC has completed a comprehensive inspection of its 7,970 M18 Modular Handgun Systems, following a directed pause on July 21, 2025, AFGSC said in a release. Air Force Global Strike Command Security Forces Defenders are resuming arming with M18s that have successfully passed inspection deeming them safe and reliable for use on Aug. 25, 2025. A member of the U.S. Air Force fires an M18 pistol. USAF The M18 is specifically designed and rigorously tested to meet stringent environmental, endurance, and drop tests unique to the military, AFGSC stated. A review of weapon discharges in AFGSC showed that none were attributed to weapons malfunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No discharges we are aware of occurred without a trigger being pulled, an AFGSC spokesperson told us, adding that the inspection did not look into whether any were accidental discharges. Separate investigations are launched for those instances. Still, though the gun has been returned to service, the command did find some problems related to wear and tear in a small percentage of the pistols inspected. The inspection process identified discrepancies with 191 weapons across the commands M18 inventory, the command explained. The primary discrepancy was related to component wear. The most frequent issues centered on problems with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear. Weapons exhibiting these discrepancies were immediately tagged and are undergoing necessary repairs. As a result of the death at F.E. Warren and resulting inspections of the M18s, AFGSC is implementing enhanced inspection procedures for the M18 pistol, the statement continued. The commands bases will include additional inspection criteria for the areas where potential issues were found during the M18 pause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By incorporating these added measures, we assess that any issues found with the safety lever, striker assembly and sear will be identified during semi-annual and annual inspections, said Lt. Col. George Hern, AFGSC chief of security forces. As we execute M18 inspections in the future, we will be taking a particular interest in these components to ensure these methods address the issues we found and make adjustments as needed. In addition, Security Forces squadron commanders, senior enlisted leaders and combat arms training and maintenance personnel are taking the time to meet with Airmen following this inspection, AFGSC noted. These leaders are discussing inspection findings, explaining the enhanced inspection procedures, reinforcing muzzle discipline, reviewing reporting procedures for weapons of concern, and providing Airmen the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns. It is paramount that our Airmen trust their weapon systems, Gen. Thomas Bussiere, AFGSC commander, said in a release. This thorough inspection ensures the M18s in our inventory are in optimal working order, providing our Defenders with safe, reliable, and effective systems to accomplish their mission. Though none of AFGSCs M18 discharges were attributed to weapons malfunctions, a small percentage of the pistols exhibited wear and tear. (USAF) USAF AFGSC implemented its pause on the use of M18s the day after the death of Airman Brayden Lovan, a member of the 90th Security Forces Squadron at F.E. Warren, on July 20. The Air Force has, so far, only confirmed that the incident, which remains under investigation, involved the discharge of an M18 for still unclear reasons. There were original unconfirmed reports that Lovan had removed the M18, still in its holster, from his person and placed it on a table before it went off. After the fatal discharge, the investigation has progressed and an individual has now been arrested on suspicion of making a false official statement, obstruction of justice, and involuntary manslaughter, the Air Force said in a statement on Aug. 8. The details of that arrest remain unclear and the Air Force investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lovans death came roughly two weeks after the public disclosure of an FBI report that raised new safety concerns about the P320 series based on the examination of a police variant of the M18 belonging to the Michigan State Police (MSP), which had experienced what was described as an uncommanded discharge in an incident last year, as you can read about in detail here. Sig has unequivocally refuted the conclusions of that report, which had identified multiple potential faults and called for further investigation of the pistols core design. The company says the FBI was unable to reproduce its initial findings using a mutually agreed-upon testing protocol that was subsequently developed. An M18 pistol, at top, and an M17 pistol, at bottom, as delivered to the U.S. Army in 2017. US Army USAF Global Strike Command getting the M18 back into service is clearly very good news for Sig Sauer. In a statement to The War Zone, the company lauded the AFGSC decision. We applaud the USAF and the Global Strike Command in both their diligence and expediency in their investigation of this tragic incident, and we greatly value this further confirmation of the safety, reliability, and durability of the P320-based M18 pistol. SIG SAUER remains a committed partner to the USAF and are extremely proud to continue to support their mission, Phil Strader, the companys vice president of consumer affairs, told us. We are hopeful that this thorough inspection and confirmation by the USAF will satisfy the concerns of the ranges, training facilities and organizations who have temporarily suspended the use of the P320 and its variants. We will continue to keep you up to date regarding the M18/M17s status as it develops. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) The City of Sioux City is going to begin enforcing a no stopping rule on Outer Drive. According to a release from the city, they are going to be posting up signs marked no stopping on Outer Drive in the area near 41st Street. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This rule means that stopping or parking will not be allowed on any part of the Outer Drive right-of-way. The reason for this change is to minimize traffic back-up during school drop-off and pick-up times. The city is asking that if you usually use Outer Drive to pick up or drop off your child for school, to use a different street or area to do so. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Skamania County Sheriffs Office says it has seen an unusual upward trend of Search and Rescue (SAR) missions over the past year. Officials have seen a reported 200% increase in rescues within the county but the sheriffs office says its not a unique problem to Skamania. Teams across the state have reported an increase in Search and Rescue operations, according to the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on Facebook, the Skamania County Sheriffs office highlighted seeing 13 rescues in July. Despite repeated messaging on social and mainstream media, we continue to see this exorbitant number of search and rescue missions in our county, states Sheriff Summer Scheyer. We do not have the financial or personnel capacity to continue with this extraordinary increase in missions for much longer. I want nothing more than people to enjoy the incredible outdoors and live a healthy lifestyle. I just want them to do it responsibly," the sheriff said. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar has stated that Ukrainian strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline, through which Russian oil is transported to Slovakia, not only contradict his countrys national interests but could also lead to a shortage of diesel fuel in Ukraine. Source: Blanar on Politika 24 on Slovak private TV channel JOJ, cited by Interfax-Ukraine Details: Blanar said that the Slovnaft oil refinery produces petrol and diesel and is currently an important supplier of diesel to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blanar stated that Slovnaft accounts for 10% of Ukraines monthly diesel consumption and that his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha had taken this information into account, saying he would continue to communicate it further. The foreign minister also said he would soon discuss this issue with the Ukrainian deputy prime minister for European integration. He added that Slovakia understood it was difficult for Ukraine, but that the infrastructure was very important for them, especially when they saw that Ukraine itself was harming its own interests and risking being left without sufficient fuel on its territory. The minister recalled that back in January, the EU had called on all parties, including Ukraine and Russia, to respect the inviolability of energy infrastructure. In this context, Slovakia and Hungary sent a joint open letter to EU diplomatic leaders demanding guarantees for energy security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On 21 August, Zelenskyy said he had asked US President Donald Trump to try to persuade Hungarian President Viktor Orban not to block Ukraines path to EU membership. On 22 August, Hungary was notified that the Druzhba pipeline on the Russia-Belarus border had "come under attack for the third time in a short period". Orban decided to write a letter to Trump in connection with Ukraine's attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline, and Trump apparently replied that he was angry about this. Separately, the foreign ministers of Slovakia and Hungary complained to the European Commission about the attacks. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Leaders in New Smyrna Beach will discuss two projects at tomorrows city council meeting: a $96,000 upgrade to the Magnolia Event Center and a $1 million stormwater grant. The city council meeting tomorrow night from 6 P.M. to 10 P.M. at City Hall will discuss projects to improve local infrastructure and prevent flooding in parts of Volusia County. One of the main items on the agenda is the $96,000 project to upgrade the Magnolia Event Center. This effort aims to improve the facility, although specific details about the upgrades have not been revealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with the event center upgrade, New Smyrna Beach will also get a $1 million grant for stormwater improvements. This funding is intended to help resolve flooding problems in the area, although specific plans for how it will be used have not yet been detailed. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A Wyoming man who allegedly hit a wolf with a snowmobile, taped the wounded animal's mouth shut and showed it off in a rural bar before killing it has been indicted on an animal cruelty charge by a grand jury nearly a year and a half after the incident. Cody Roberts last year paid a $250 fine for illegal possession of wildlife but avoided more serious charges as investigators struggled to find cooperative witnesses. Wyoming law gives wide leeway for people to kill wolves and other predators by a variety of means in the vast majority of the state. Even so, the 12-person grand jury found enough evidence over the past two weeks to support the charge of felony animal cruelty, Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich said in a statement Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melinkovich had no further comment on the case. Roberts has not commented on the case and did not have a listed working number, nor an attorney on file in state District Court who might comment on his behalf. If convicted, Roberts faces up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Widely circulated photos showed a man identified as Roberts posing with the wolf, its mouth bound with tape, on Feb. 29, 2024, in a bar near Daniel, a town of about 150 people about 50 miles south of Jackson. One photo of the abused wolf was shared with CBS News Colorado. Video clips showed the same animal lying on a floor, alive but barely moving. One video allegedly showed the struggling wolf lying on the floor of the bar, its mouth covered in a black muzzle, the Cowboy State Daily reported. Another clip showed Roberts bending down to kiss the animal on the snout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The light punishment against Roberts led to calls for a Wyoming tourism boycott, to little apparent effect. Yellowstone National Park had its second-busiest year on record in 2024, up more than 5% from 2023. Grand juries in Wyoming are rare. The last one to get significant attention, in 2019, found that a sheriff's deputy did not commit involuntary manslaughter by killing an unarmed man after a traffic stop. In a statement, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy praised the indictment. "What Cody Roberts did to that wolf was an act of savagery," the nonprofits' president Wayne Pacelle said. "Now the next step is to win a conviction and to put this man in jail for his monstrous actions." The Wyoming Legislature's Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee discusses changes to how the state allows predators such as wolves to be killed with vehicles Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Cheyenne. / Credit: Mead Gruver / AP Government-sponsored poisoning, trapping and bounty hunting all but wiped out wolves in the lower 48 states in the 19th and 20th centuries. Starting in the 1990s, a reintroduction program brought them back to Yellowstone and central Idaho, and their numbers have rebounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though wolves remain listed as a federally endangered or threatened species in most of the country, they have no such protection in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, where they can be hunted and trapped. Exceptions include Yellowstone and neighboring Grand Teton National Park, where hunting is prohibited and the wild canines are a major attraction for millions of tourists. In 85% of Wyoming, wolves are classified as predators and can be freely killed by virtually any means. The so-called predator zone includes Sublette County, where the wolf was killed. Groups including the Humane Society argued that Wyoming's animal cruelty law could nonetheless apply there. Minneapolis Catholic school shooter identified Cracker Barrel scrapping new logo, returning to old one after backlash Everything we know about the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting so far When Emmanuel Macron was asked about the UKs plans to send migrants to Rwanda, he could not have made his contempt more clear. Europe must not go and look for a third country, for example in Africa, and send our immigrants there, the French president proclaimed in April 2024. This is a betrayal of our values and will lead us down the path of new dependencies on third countries. But one year on, this is precisely what the European Union seems to be planning as it pivots from a softer touch on migration to an approach that even the tough-talking Tory government was forced to abandon when its own Rwanda scheme was thrown out by the Supreme Court in November 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Against a rising tide of Right-wing populism, officials in Brussels are drawing up new rules as nation after nation from Denmark in the north to Italy in the south turns to Rwanda-style asylum processing schemes. Politicians representing the EU, Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Austria and Czechia convened for a summit on migration politics in Germany in July - Philipp Guelland/AFP Indeed, the interior ministers of Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Denmark and the Czech Republic convened for a special migration summit on the Zugspitze, Germanys highest mountain, last month. At a resort on the peak of the 9,718ft-high mountain in Bavaria, they agreed that member states needed more freedom of action to deport asylum seekers, and that the establishment of return centres in third countries should be legally permitted. Overwhelmed asylum capacities Under the proposed reforms, said to have the backing of the majority of the bloc, EU members would be allowed swiftly to reject asylum seekers and deport them to a third country they deem safe, such as Rwanda, even if the applicant has no link to that nation whatsoever. They also open the door to creating offshore hubs in the Middle East or North Africa, where asylum seekers would have their claims processed on the EUs behalf by a host government. Both ideas are similar to the UKs failed Rwanda scheme, which would have sent asylum seekers to Rwanda for their claims to be processed and then to remain there even if the asylum claim was granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposals are a far cry from the munificent era of the 2015 refugee crisis, when Angela Merkel, then Germanys chancellor, declared wir schaffen das (we can do it) as the bloc witnessed an influx of 1.3 million people. Critics have also warned that the reforms are legally unsound, eye-wateringly expensive and could lead to gross human rights violations of asylum seekers in the countries to which they are sent. But with first-time asylum applications hovering close to or above the one million mark in recent years, a surge in support for far-Right parties and the weaponisation of migrants by countries such as Russia, there is growing momentum behind a Rwanda-style model for the EU. The geopolitical reality has shifted, and in the European Union we have asylum capacities which are overwhelmed, says Lena Dupont, a member of the European parliament who played a role in shaping the draft asylum reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one is questioning whether we should have an asylum policy based on European values, but weve seen that this courtesy is being misused in the most cynical way, the German MEP adds, citing smuggling networks and Russias tactic of pushing migrants across the EUs eastern borders to sow disruption. German MEP Lena Dupont says asylum capacities are overwhelmed in the EU - Martin Bertrand/Hans Lucas If you want to grant protection to those that are in need, you need a properly working system that is able to differentiate as early as possible between those who are in need of protection and those who are not, she says. A stark shift in Germany A decade ago, European attitudes to asylum seekers were markedly different: crowds of Germans gathered at Munichs central train station to cheer and greet new arrivals. But the mood has since soured on mass migration across the bloc, and perhaps most strikingly in Germany where the far-Right, anti-migrant Alternative for Germany (AFD) party secured an unprecedented second place in last Februarys elections, making it the de facto opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the countrys current chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who has loudly and repeatedly distanced himself from the migration policy of Merkel, German police have been turning away asylum seekers from their land borders since May. Angela Merkel posed for a selfie with a Syrian refugee during a visit to a Berlin migrant centre in 2015 - Sean Gallup/Getty Merz himself says Germanys asylum capacity has been overwhelmed, a sentiment echoed by leaders in Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland where vigilante groups have resorted to policing the borders themselves. According to a report earlier this month, the Merz government has already launched talks with Rwanda on an asylum scheme, perhaps in the hope that the new EU reforms will clear any legal hurdles the deal would otherwise face. When asked by The Telegraph what progress has been made so far, a German interior ministry spokesman said they do not comment on ongoing negotiations with other countries. However, sources in Merzs centre-Right Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) party say there is great appetite to replicate the scheme that was attempted by Rishi Sunak before the collapse of his government. We want to erase any legal obstacles that exist under EU level for such a scheme, a CDU source in Berlin says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They add a caveat: even if talks with Rwanda are going on behind closed doors, Merzs coalition of his centre-Right CDU party and the centre-Left Social Democrats (SPD) are split on the issue. Its not very likely that the SPD accepts a Rwanda plan any time soon, the source says, raising the possibility that the plan will never get full political backing. Even so, Alexander Dobrindt, the German interior minister, has gone as far as claiming that models involving third countries have majority support a vast majority of member states have made it clear that this is a path the EU must take. A rekindling of a longstanding concern Another key player in the EUs migration debate is Denmark, which holds the rotating EU presidency and, unlike Germany, has been consistently sceptical towards mass migration. Having had its own failed Rwanda plan, which was shelved amid a backlash in January 2023, the Nordic nation now appears to feel increasingly vindicated as other member states warm to outsourcing asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While immigration has certainly returned to the forefront of the Danish debate after nearly five years of relative silence on the issue I wouldnt describe it as a major shift in public attitudes. Rather, its a rekindling of a longstanding concern, says Mikkel Bjrn, an MP for the Right-wing Danish Peoples Party. To cite just one example, in 2016 Denmark was criticised for what was considered at the time to be callous treatment of asylum seekers: seizing their valuables upon arrival to help fund their accommodation. Now, somewhat similar ideas are being floated across the EU, alongside plans for Rwanda-style processing schemes. However, human rights groups are deeply concerned by the new push in the bloc to try to succeed where Sunak and his ministers failed. Amnesty International has warned that the Rwanda model and others, such as Italys migration pact with Albania, are deeply cynical, violate human rights laws and are an abdication of Europes responsibilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the deal struck by Italian prime minister Giorgia Melonis government last year, Rome planned to transfer migrants to centres in Albania while their applications for asylum in Italy were being considered. But the move was challenged by Italian courts, forcing authorities to pivot and use the facilities to house those awaiting deportation from Italy instead. Most of the few dozen transferred to Albania under the scheme have also had to be returned to Italy before being repatriated. A reception camp in Shengjin, Albania, set up as part of an Italian government plan to process migrants rescued at sea - Florion Goga/Reuters A lot of different initiatives are being bandied around, but all of them are doing the same thing, which is shifting the EUs responsibility for asylum outside of the bloc, says Olivia Sundberg Diez, a migration expert at Amnesty International. Whenever there have been similar schemes, you see a very similar pattern of human rights violations taking place, she adds, referring to Australias notorious processing centre on the island of Nauru, where refugees were kept in inhumane conditions, denied proper medical care and in some cases driven to suicide attempts, according to a 2016 Amnesty report. Inflated expectations Despite such concerns, officials in Brussels appear confident the Italian model will work in the future. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Financial Times such a scheme will be possible again, adding that member states would make the necessary adjustments required to ensure asylum processing could be outsourced to countries not part of the bloc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even if the EU pushes ahead with such schemes, Diez says they still risk breaching international law and being abandoned just like the UK-Rwanda model, which racked up a 700m taxpayers bill despite never coming into force. From our experiences, its very dangerous for policymakers to be inflating the publics expectations of what these schemes can accomplish, and we dont believe they can be implemented in a way thats compliant [with international law], she adds. But it appears increasingly unlikely the bloc will be deterred. And now, it will be up to the European Commission, the EUs civil service, to make the lofty vision of the Zugspitze summit a reality. Should they succeed where Sunak failed, it would be a bruising twist of irony for Brexiteers. After all, it was they who argued that leaving the EU would allow Britain finally to bring immigration under control. But if EU leaders have their way, we may soon see Brussels, not Britain, celebrating the first complete migration pact with Rwanda. 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. Last week, Google AI pioneer Jad Tarifi sparked controversy when he told Business Insider that it no longer makes sense to get a medical degree since, in his telling, artificial intelligence will render such an education obsolete by the time you're a practicing doctor. Companies have long touted the tech as a way to free up the time of overworked doctors and even aid them in specialized skills, including scanning medical imagery for tumors. Hospitals have already been rolling out AI tech to help with administrative work. But given the current state of AI from widespread hallucinations to "deskilling" experienced by doctors over-relying on it there's reason to believe that med students should stick it out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anything, in fact, the latest research suggests we need human healthcare professionals now more than ever. As PsyPost reports, researchers have found that frontier AI models fail spectacularly when the familiar formats of medical exams are even slightly altered, greatly undermining their ability to help patients in the real world and raising the possibility that, instead, they could cause great harm by providing garbled medical advice in high-stakes health scenarios. As detailed in a paper published in the journal JAMA Network Open, things quickly fell apart for models including OpenAI's GPT-4o and Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet when the wording of questions in a benchmark test was only slightly adjusted. The idea was to probe the nature of how large language models arrive at their answers: by predicting the probability of each subsequent word and not through a human-level understanding of complex medical terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have AI models achieving near perfect accuracy on benchmarks like multiple-choice based medical licensing exam questions," Stanford University PhD student and coauthor Suhana Bedi told PsyPost. "But this doesnt reflect the reality of clinical practice. We found that less than five percent of papers evaluate LLMs on real patient data, which can be messy and fragmented." The results left a lot to be desired. According to Bedi, "most models (including reasoning models) struggled" when it came to "Administrative and Clinical Decision Support tasks." The researchers suggest that "complex reasoning scenarios" in their benchmark threw the AIs for a loop since they "couldnt be solved through pattern matching alone" which happens to be "exactly the kind of clinical thinking that matters in real practice," per Bedi. "With everyone talking about deploying AI in hospitals, we thought this was a very important question to answer," Bedi told PsyPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For their benchmark test, the researchers made a clever adjustment to trip up the AIs: they replaced the correct answers of multiple-choice questions with the option "none of the other answers." This change forced the AI models to actually reason their way to the right answer and not rely on picking up familiar language patterns. The team noticed a significant decline in accuracy when presented with their new test, as compared to their answers to the original questions. For instance, OpenAI's GPT-4o showed a reduction of 25 percent, while Meta's Llama model showed a drop of almost 40 percent. The results suggest current AI systems may be vastly over-relying on recognizing language patterns, making them inadequate for real-world clinical use. "Its like having a student who aces practice tests but fails when the questions are worded differently," Bedi told PsyPost. "For now, AI should help doctors, not replace them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research highlights the importance of finding new ways to evaluate the proficiency of AI models. That's especially true for an extremely high-stakes environment like a hospital. "Until these systems maintain performance with novel scenarios, clinical applications should be limited to nonautonomous supportive roles with human oversight," the researchers wrote in their paper. More on AI doctors: Founder of Google's Generative AI Team Says Don't Even Bother Getting a Law or Medical Degree, Because AI's Going to Destroy Both Those Careers Before You Can Even Graduate South Africa will soon allow private firms to run trains on its freight network in a bid to improve services after years of problems with the state-owned ports and rail company Transnet. The government shortlisted 11 private companies that will now hold further talks about securing routes to transport commodities such as coal, iron ore, manganese, and sugar. Transnet has in recent years grappled with a shortage of freight trains and inefficient ports that have cut income from exports, particularly mining. A Sep. 2023 study by South African research consultancy GAIN Group said the firms problem cost the country 1 billion rand ($53 million) a day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Africas transport minister stressed that the new private firms were not cannibalising Transnet freight, telling reporters they are adding capacity to what Transnet freight is already carrying. (The Center Square) Students resumed routines shaken but unhurt Sunday evening at the University of South Carolina campus in Columbia where a shooter was reported. The shelter in place instruction lasted 95 minutes and lawmen from multiple agencies swept through the area to check. A description was given on the Carolina Alert social media system used by the university of more than 46,000 undergraduates. The campus is the third in less than a week to lock down because of reports of a shooter. It happened last week at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and at Villanova University in Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first alert went through at 6:36 p.m. and the clearance came at 8:11 p.m. In between, the Thomas Cooper Library was named as a possible scene. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded. The university said some students were treated for minor injuries that happened in evacuating to safe places. A university spokesman said the alert was sent out of abundance of caution. Classes started Tuesday. The leaders of the US and South Korea agreed to increase cooperation on North Korea, shipbuilding, and security, even as lingering trade tensions persist. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung survived his first Oval Office meeting Monday by praising Trump and the US economy, hours after Trump questioned Seouls stability in a social media post. Lee, who campaigned on greater engagement with North Korea, also flattered Trump over his diplomatic overtures to Pyongyang: Trump touted his rapport with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and signaled willingness to meet him again. But the regime has reportedly rejected Washingtons outreach. We also have not heard a peep from Pyongyang on Trump this year, the BBC wrote. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has arrived in Washington for his first-ever meeting Monday with President Donald Trump, a high-stakes event that could help set the tone for the allies' economic and security partnership during Trump's second term. "There is a great sense of responsibility for the national interests of the Republic of Korea, which is thoroughly self-centered in international diplomacy," Lee said at a press conference in Washington. "The Korea-U.S. alliance is the basis of diplomacy, but it cannot be insulated from China." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee arrived in the U.S. capital after he met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo and said he learned more about negotiations between the United States and Japan, as well as receiving advice on negotiation style. "This summit is an opportunity for Lee Jae Myung to establish a personal rapport with Donald Trump to build a positive, collaborative relationship so that the allies are capable of resolving differences and working collaboratively on issues of mutual interest," Thomas Byrne, president of The Korea Society, said a few days before the meeting. He added: "A positive signal was sent when Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this month stated that the U.S. looks forward to working with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, while characterizing the bilateral alliance as 'ironclad.'" Lee is to be joined by 15 of the largest Korean business leaders, signaling that investment and trade will be the center of the visit. Making use of Korea's partnership with Westinghouse Electric LLC to build nuclear plants in the United States also could be on the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During the upcoming summit, Trump and Lee are likely to review the trade deal agreed to in June and may make an announcement regarding certain cutting edge aspects of a broadening economic relationship, including the wave of Korean investment in the manufacturing industry in the U.S. and evolving cooperation in the highly strategic shipbuilding and maintenance, repair and overhaul sectors," Byrne said. South Korea already has a footprint in American shipbuilding -- Hanwha, a South Korean conglomerate, acquired the historic Philly Shipyard in December 2024. The U.S. Navy ceased most operations at the shipyard in 1996, and it turned to constructing commercial vessels. In addition, Lee is expected to further discuss details of the recently negotiated trade deal that lowered Trump's tariffs on Korean imports from 25% to 15%. "South Korea hopes to confirm recent trade deals, lower tariff risks and expand cooperation in areas like semiconductors, autos and defense," said Munseob Lee, an associate professor of economics and Krause chair of Korean studies at the University of California-San Diego. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On security, the two leaders are expected to talk about the cost of U.S. troops in Korea and how to keep the alliance strong," he said. One of the most sensitive issues from Trump's first presidency was how much South Korea pays to support the presence of U.S. troops on its soil, and Lee potentially will discuss a proposal during his visit to increase cost-sharing support. "We think that President Lee will strive to emphasize the mutually beneficial nature of the U.S.-ROK alliance. The president has reportedly drawn up a proposal to increase Korea's cost-sharing support for hosting U.S. troops," Byrne said. He added: "During Trump's first administration, the Special Measure Agreement was a highly contentious issue with President Trump. Strategic flexibility, the concept that U.S. troops in Korea may be called to respond to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, could be another critical issue for the two leaders to discuss." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Seoul, the debate over troop "strategic flexibility" is inseparable from the Taiwan Strait, where rising tensions with China pose risks that extend beyond the peninsula. According to Munseob Lee's perspective on including Taiwan in the conversation, he said, "This visit also fits into a larger strategy in the Indo-Pacific, especially working more closely with the U.S. and Japan at a time of rising regional tensions. South Korea wants a practical, forward-looking alliance that benefits both sides." North Korea will also loom large over the visit. Both Trump and Lee have signaled interest in keeping diplomacy with Pyongyang alive, but doing so will be more complicated this time. That's largely because North Korea has deepened military and economic ties with Russia, complicating efforts to draw it back into negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lee and Trump are on the same page in terms of seeking to use diplomacy to pursue rapprochement with North Korea," Byrne said. "The difficult task will be on how to pull Pyongyang away from its embrace of Moscow." For Lee, the trip could be about more than policy deliverables -- a priority is establishing personal rapport with Trump, something past South Korean leaders have found critical in navigating the U.S. alliance. Whether the two leaders emerge from the meeting with concrete announcements or mainly a show of solidarity, the summit will offer early clues about how the Trump administration intends to approach its partnership with South Korea for the rest of the administration. All things considered, "President Lee's meeting with President Trump is an important chance to show the strength of the U.S.-Korea partnership," Munseob Lee said. By Steve Holland, Hyunjoo Jin, David Brunnstrom and Trevor Hunnicutt WASHINGTON/SEOUL (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he wanted to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un this year and was open to further trade talks with South Korea even as he lobbed new criticisms at the visiting Asian ally. "I'd like to meet him this year," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he welcomed South Korea's new president, Lee Jae Myung, to the White House for the first time. "I look forward to meeting with Kim Jong Un in the appropriate future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite clinching a trade deal in July that spared South Korean exports harsher U.S. tariffs, the two sides continue to wrangle over nuclear energy, military spending, and details of a deal that included $350 billion in promised South Korean investments in the United States. After meeting with Trump, Lee attended a business forum with senior U.S. officials and CEOs of South Korean and U.S. companies. To coincide with the visit, South Korea's flag carrier, Korean Air, announced an order for 103 Boeing aircraft, the largest order in the airline's history. KIM IGNORES TRUMP CALLS North Korea did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's remarks. Its state media said later that U.S.-South Korea joint military drills proved Washington's intention to "occupy" the Korean peninsula and target countries in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump's January inauguration, Kim has ignored Trump's repeated calls to revive the direct diplomacy he pursued during his 2017-2021 term in office, which produced no deal to halt North Korea's nuclear program. In the Oval Office, Lee avoided the theatrical confrontations that dominated a February visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and a May visit from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Lee talked golf and lavished praise on the Republican president's interior decorating and peacemaking, telling reporters earlier he had read the president's 1987 memoir, "Trump: The Art of the Deal," to prepare. "I hope you can bring peace to the Korean Peninsula, the only divided nation in the world, so that you can meet with Kim Jong Un, build a Trump World (real-estate complex) in North Korea so that I can play golf there, and so that you can truly play a role as a world-historical peacemaker," Lee told Trump, speaking in Korean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee's office said he and Trump discussed shipbuilding and the assassination attempts against both men. Lee also invited Trump to attend the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping in October, and suggested the American president try to meet with Kim during the trip, Lee's office added. "Despite the massive sanctions imposed to deter North Korea, the result has been the continuous development of nuclear weapons and missiles," Lee said during an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington after the summit. He said North Korea now has the capacity to build 10 to 20 nuclear warheads per year, and only needs to perfect a reentry vehicle to carry those warheads on its largest ballistic missiles that can reach the U.S. DIFFICULT ISSUES Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Korea's economy relies heavily on the U.S., with Washington underwriting its security with troops and nuclear deterrence. Trump has called Seoul a "money machine" that takes advantage of American military protection. "I think we have a deal done" on trade, Trump told reporters. "They had some problems with it, but we stuck to our guns." He did not elaborate, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump said while sitting with Lee he would raise "intel" he had received about South Korean investigations he said targeted churches and a military base. The White House did not respond to a request for more information. This month, Seoul police raided Sarang Jeil Church, headed by an evangelical preacher who led protests backing Lee's ousted predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, prosecutors investigating Yoon's declaration of martial law served a search warrant on the Korean part of a military base jointly operated with the U.S. Officials have said U.S. troops and materials were not subject to the search. South Korea's far-right movement, especially evangelical Christians and Yoon supporters, sees him as a victim of communist persecution. Trump was expected to pressure Lee to commit to more defense spending, including toward upkeep of the 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. Asked if he would reduce those numbers to give the U.S. more regional flexibility, Trump said: "I don't want to say that now," but that maybe Seoul should give the U.S. ownership of the "land where we have the big fort," an apparent reference to Camp Humphreys, a U.S. Army garrison in South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the meeting, Lee told reporters it would be difficult for Seoul to accept U.S. demands to adopt such "flexibility" - a reference to using U.S. forces for a wider range of operations, including China-related threats. (Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Idrees Ali, Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt and David Shepardson in Washington and Josh Smith, Joyce Lee, Hyun Joo Jin, Ju-min Park and Jack Kim in Seoul; Writing by Josh Smith and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Ed Davies, Michael Perry, Rod Nickel) In todays newsletter: South Koreas president will meet with Donald Trump to discuss tariffs, a shipbuilding investment and nuclear-armed North Korea. National Guard troops deployed to D.C. are now armed with guns. And what could happen at Kilmar Abrego Garcias ICE check-in after the government announced plans to deport him to Uganda. Heres what to know today. No bromance expected: Trump to meet South Koreas president President Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. (Getty Images file) South Korea, one of the strongest U.S. allies in Asia, has had a rough start with President Donald Trump, struggling in tariff talks as it spent months without a permanent leader. But its new president, Lee Jae-myung, has arrived for a meeting with Trump on Monday with a $150 billion offering whose name is sure to appeal to the U.S. leader: Make America Shipbuilding Great Again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is Morning Rundown, a weekday newsletter to start your day. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. The package, which South Korean officials also refer to as MASGA, includes the construction of new U.S. shipyards, the training of shipbuilding personnel and U.S. Navy ship maintenance. Its a key part of the last-minute trade deal South Korea struck last month with Trump, who says he wants to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding for both economic and national security reasons. The White House summit is an important opportunity for Lee to advocate South Koreas interests with Trump after months of political instability created by former President Yoon Suk Yeols botched declaration of martial law. Though Lee comes from a liberal party, he and Trump share much in common both have been the subjects of assassination attempts, and both are more open to diplomacy with nuclear-armed North Korea than their predecessors. But they have very different outlooks on political, economic and foreign policy, which could make the summit challenging, analysts told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the White House summit here. National Guard troops in D.C. begin carrying firearms National Guard troops deployed to Washington to support Trumps effort to mitigate crime began carrying firearms Sunday evening, according to a Defense Department official with knowledge of the planning. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had authorized the change last week. The majority of the guard members will carry M17 pistols, their service-issued weapons, the official said, while a small number of the troops will be armed with their service M4 rifles. The troops are authorized to use their weapons for self-protection and as a last resort in response to an imminent threat, according to the federal task force managing the operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several armed troops were seen Sunday evening patrolling the Chinatown neighborhood, wearing patches labeled MP to signify their role as military police. There will be an increased presence in pre-specified metro locations to coincide with the start of the school year, the task force said. A White House official told NBC News that despite carrying weapons, the National Guard is not making arrests. More than 2,000 troops are currently in the nations capital, and have been assisting law enforcement with community safety patrols, traffic control points and crowd flow support. Read what else we know here. More on the D.C. takeover: As D.C. students return to school today, Mayor Muriel Bowser is being flooded with questions from parents concerned about ICE agents on campuses and National Guard troops pouring in from other states. The acting ICE director said immigration officers wont be visiting D.C. schools on the first day of class. But he said they could be on campuses in the future. Chicagos mayor is scoping out legal avenues to prevent soldiers from overtaking the Windy City after federal threats. Trump said on Truth Social that he would send the military into Baltimore to quickly clean up crime, another threat to replicate the Guard deployment in Washington in other cities. What might happen at Kilmar Abrego Garcia's ICE check-in today Kilmar Abrego Garcia, center, leaves the Putnam County Jail in Cookeville, Tenn., on Friday. (Brett Carlsen / AP) Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man who the government says was mistakenly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador, will meet with immigration officials today under the looming threat of a second deportation.Minutes after Abrego was released from federal custody last week, immigration authorities notified him that they intend to deport him to Uganda. Separately, the Trump administration offered him a plea deal that would eventually deport him to Costa Rica, giving him until first thing today to accept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres how Abregos ICE check-in could go: These appointments are typically a brief meeting with an ICE officer to review case status, provide updates and confirm where a person is living. Usually, a person is released until the next scheduled check-in. Abregos attorneys told NBC News they expect he will be taken into ICE custody during the check-in, given the governments deportation plan. From there, Abrego could take the plea deal and eventually be deported to Costa Rica. He could refuse and be deported to Uganda as soon as Wednesday. Or, his lawyers could fight to prevent his deportation to Uganda altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what that entails. Vance remains optimistic about ending Ukraine war while Kremlin dampens hopes Vice President JD Vance remains confident the U.S. can broker an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine despite potential hang-ups that have emerged since Trumps meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. We believe weve already seen some significant concessions from both sides, just in the last few weeks, Vance said in an exclusive interview on NBC News Meet the Press. If we hit a brick wall, then were going to continue this process of negotiation, of applying leverage, the vice president added. Meanwhile, Russias top diplomat, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, cast doubt on hopes that Trump will propel a swift end to the war. Lavrov cited several issues that remain unresolved, including security guarantees for Ukraine and territorial disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker that Ukraine has hindered the process, saying President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders dont want peace. Zelenskyy said no to everything, Lavrov said. How can we meet with a person who is pretending to be a leader? Lavrov said Putin is ready to meet with Zelenskyy when the agenda is ready. But he suggested the Russian president would not sign a peace agreement with Zelenskyy, whose legitimacy Moscow has questioned since Ukrainian elections were postponed last year amid martial law. Read more on Vance here, and Lavrov here. 'Sopranos' actor Jerry Adler dies at 96 Jerry Adler in New York City on Dec. 7, 2014. (Rob Kim / Getty Images file) Jerry Adler, best known for playing a mobsters confidant on The Sopranos, died at the age of 96, according to an obituary from the Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York. Adler spent the majority of his career behind the scenes of Broadway shows, not stepping forward to act until he was in his 60s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was the stage manager for the original 1956 production of My Fair Lady featuring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, and received his first acting credit in 1991 for an episode of Brooklyn Bridge. But, the world will remember Adler for his six seasons on The Sopranos as Hesh Rabkin, a loan shark who often doled out advice to lead character Tony Soprano. Read what friends and colleagues said about his legacy. Read All About It Across politics, culture and sports, its the golden age of men named Josh. Were not kidding and its also a sign of broader generational change. The first human case of the flesh-eating parasite new world screwworm has been detected in the U.S., the Department of Health and Human Services said early Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israel strike on a hospital in southern Gaza killed four journalists on Monday, including a freelancer who worked for The Associated Press, according to health officials. The son of Walking Dead star Norman Reedus was arrested and charged following an alleged assault in a New York City apartment. Youre probably brushing your teeth wrong. These dental experts want to help. Female entrepreneurs are finding community, investors and tips for navigating a male-dominated world at this Long Island summer camp. Staff Pick: Your college dorm didn't come with a chandelier and custom wall art? Let's fix that. Dorm room makeovers by Shelly Gates / Mary Margaret Designs. (Courtesy Shelly Gates) You may have seen the crazy dorm makeovers on your TikTok feeds. Picture the classic, drab freshman dorm room with a paper-thin plastic mattress and cinder block walls transformed into a true palace. Parents are now shelling out thousands of dollars sometimes upward of $20,000 and hiring interior designers to deck out their kids college abodes. Many on social media are obsessed with the trend, and it has everyone in my office comparing todays decor to their freshman year rooms (enter the fairy lights, fake vines, and tapestry from 2016). I chatted with some top interior designers and recent college grads about the trend and how they feel its impacting college campuses across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Natalie Bennett, producer for Top Story with Tom Llamas NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified Theres a right way to rid your home of dust: Start from top, work your way down and use a proper duster. Plus, the NBC Select team has everything you need to know about Labubu and why the little dolls have become a viral sensation. Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week. Thanks for reading todays Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Kayla Hayempour. If youre a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HONG KONG One of the United States strongest allies in Asia, South Korea, has had a rough start with President Donald Trump struggling in tariff talks as it spent months without a permanent leader. But its new president, Lee Jae Myung, met with Trump on Monday touting a $150 billion offering whose name is sure to appeal to him: Make America Shipbuilding Great Again. The package, which South Korean officials also refer to as MASGA, includes building U.S. shipyards, training shipbuilding personnel and maintaining U.S. Navy ships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a key part of the last-minute trade deal South Korea struck last month with Trump, who says he wants to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding for both economic and national security reasons. Trade and security were high on the agenda at his summit with Lee, which came amid growing tensions with China and North Korea. A White House official said before the meeting that Trump looks forward to hosting Lee and that they would discuss North Korea, defense posture, trade barriers, maritime security, American shipbuilding, energy dominance, and more. Trump himself injected a note of uncertainty into the days meeting Monday by posting on Truth Social: WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We cant have that and do business there. It was not clear what Trump was referring to. Later, speaking to reporters at the White House during their meeting, Trump explained that he had heard from Intel that there was a raid on churches. Were going to talk about that later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After decades of industry decline, the United States now accounts for less than 1% of the global shipbuilding sector, according to the Rand national security think tank, compared with 50% for China, 30% for South Korea and 10% for Japan. South Korean equipment, designs and knowledge could help put the United States back on the map. On Tuesday, Lee and possibly Trump will visit a Philadelphia shipyard acquired last year by the South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group. The shipbuilding initiative is a strategic and symbolic win for South Korea as well as the United States, said Eun A Jo, an assistant professor of government at William & Mary and director of its Asia Policy Lab. I think its a smart move to try and secure influence in a critical American sector while at the same time countering Chinese expansion in global maritime infrastructure, she said in a phone interview Sunday. No 'bromance' expected The White House summit is an important opportunity for Lee to advocate South Koreas interests with Trump after months of political instability created by former President Yoon Suk Yeols botched declaration of martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Lee comes from a liberal party, he and Trump have much in common both have been the subjects of assassination attempts, and both are more open to diplomacy with nuclear-armed North Korea than their predecessors. But they have very different outlooks on political, economic and foreign policy, which could make the summit challenging, said Bae Jong-chan, president of Insight K, a private think tank in Seoul. One will not be able to expect bromance between President Lee and President Trump, he said in a phone interview Monday. The relationship has already been strained by Trumps tariffs on South Korea, the worlds 10th-largest economy, which has a large trade surplus with the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said last month that the U.S. tariff on South Korean imports would be 15%, down from the 25% he had threatened earlier. He said South Korea, which does not impose any tariffs on U.S. goods, managed to buy down the U.S. tariff by promising $450 billion in U.S. investment and energy purchases, including the $150 billion shipbuilding fund. Jo said Lee is seeking to lock in the terms favorable to South Korea in the trade deal, which remains unwritten and largely unclear. I think he wants that to be firm and solid, to have at least some sense of predictability and stability in their economic relations, she said. Trickier are questions about South Koreas long-standing security alliance with the United States and its position on China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump wants South Korea to take more responsibility for its own defense, freeing up the almost 30,000 U.S. service members stationed there to focus more on containing China, Washingtons biggest strategic rival. South Korea worries that such a shift could expose it more to threats from North Korea, as well as increase the chances it could be drawn into a potential U.S.-China conflict over Taiwan, the island democracy Beijing claims as its territory. Though Lee strongly supports the decades-old U.S.-South Korea alliance, he also has to balance relations with China, South Koreas main trading partner. On Sunday, a special envoy told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing that South Korea hopes to normalize relations with China after years of tension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee has long been vocal about his reluctance to take sides between the United States and China, and his pragmatic approach to South Korea-China relations is unlikely to sit comfortably with President Trump, Bae said. Lee makes U.S. his second stop Before he headed to Washington, Lee stopped in Tokyo for a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his first foreign visit since he was elected president in June. That was a very deliberate and strategic move, Jo said, as the two U.S. allies seek leverage to protect themselves from Trumps vicissitudes. On his flight from Tokyo to Washington on Sunday, Lee told reporters that he had asked Ishiba for details about Japans negotiations with the United States and that Ishiba had given a lot of very friendly advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee and Ishiba, whose countries have historically been at odds, agreed at their summit to improve bilateral ties so they can better coordinate with the United States against China and North Korea. Despite interest from Washington and Seoul, North Korea has dismissed the idea of further denuclearization talks, saying Trump must accept it as a nuclear power. The United States and South Korean militaries are holding annual joint exercises that North Korea condemns as a rehearsal for invasion. Bae said Lee is likely to walk away from the summit with detailed homework on North Korea, tariffs, military cost-sharing and the role of U.S. troops in South Korea, among other issues. If he fails to deliver as President Trump sees fit, Trump may protest by skipping the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting South Korea is hosting this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MASGA cannot cover everything for President Lee in dealing with President Trump, Bae said. Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong and Stella Kim from Los Angeles. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com ALABAMA (WHNT) Southwest Airlines recently made some updates to its refund policy for customers who require more than one seat. Southwest said it has had a long-standing policy designed to meet the seating needs of Customers who require more than one seat, which allows passengers to apply for a refund for the second seat fare after they travel. Now, Southwest said it would still allow customers to apply for the refund, but it is restricting the conditions under which it will provide a reimbursement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the airline said beginning on January 27, 2026, the following conditions must be met for a refund to be approved: The flight(s) must depart with at least one open seat (or with Passengers traveling on space available passes). Both seats should be purchased in the same fare class (i.e., Choice, Choice Preferred, Choice Extra, or Basic). The refund request must be made within 90 days of your date of travel. The previous policy still encouraged customers who needed the extra seat to purchase it, but provided fewer restrictions on when refunds could be provided. This policy update takes effect on the same day the company implements assigned seating on all its flights. Customers who encroach upon the neighboring seat(s) should proactively purchase the needed number of seats prior to travel to ensure the additional, adjacent seat is available. The armrest is considered to be the definitive boundary between seats; you may review information about the width of Passenger seats, the airline said. What happens if you arrive at the airport and havent reserved the space you need? The airline provided answers to this question below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Discuss your seating needs with the Customer Service Agent at the departure gate. If its determined that a second seat is needed, youll be accommodated with a complimentary additional seat if space is available on the flight. If the flight is full, we will rebook you on an alternate flight with available seats to your destination. To avoid the need for rebooking, we encourage you to purchase your second seat when you make your initial reservation. If we determine after boarding that you require a second seat, you will need to deplane so that we may update your reservation to include a second seat. As time is limited after boarding has commenced, you may be rebooked on an alternate flight that has two seats available. To avoid the need for rebooking, we encourage you to purchase your second seat in advance of travel. Depending on the fare you purchase, Southwest said customers may be able to select their seats at the time of booking. If you are unable to select your seats at the time of booking, please contact the airline as soon as possible after booking so that they can help. Keep in mind the following: We will not assign a seat for any other members of your party if the fare you purchased does not include seat assignments. If adjacent seats are not available on your flight or in the fare class purchased at the time you contact us, we will attempt to rebook you on an alternate flight to your destination on which adjacent seats are available. When you arrive at the gate for your flight(s), board in your assigned group. Once onboard, if necessary, please request a seatbelt extension from our Flight Attendant. Customers may not purchase more than one seat for the sole purpose of keeping the seat next to the Customer empty. Southwest Airlines You can read more about this policy update on Southwests website here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Southwest Airlines will soon require travelers who don't fit within the armrests of their seat to pay for an extra one in advance, part of a string of recent changes the carrier is making. The new rule goes into effect Jan. 27, the same day Southwest starts assigning seats. Currently, plus-size passengers can either pay for an extra seat in advance with the option of getting that money back later, or they can request a free extra seat at the airport. Under the carrier's new policy, a refund is still possible but no longer guaranteed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement Monday, Southwest said it is updating some of its policies as it prepares for assigned seating next year. To ensure space, we are communicating to Customers who have previously used the extra seat policy that they should purchase it at booking, the statement said. It marks the latest change at Southwest, which had long been known for letting its passengers pick their own seats after boarding the plane, and for letting their bags fly for free, which ended in May. Those perks were key to differentiating the budget carrier from its rivals. Southwest says it will still refund a second ticket under its new policy for extra seating if the flight isn't fully booked at the time of departure, and if both of the passenger's tickets were purchased in the same booking class. The passenger also needs to request the refund within 90 days of the flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a passenger who needs an extra seat doesn't purchase one ahead of time, they will be required to buy one at the airport, according to the new policy. If the flight is full, the passenger will be rebooked onto a new flight. Jason Vaughn, an Orlando-based travel agent who posts theme park reviews and travel tips for plus-size people on social media and his website, Fat Travel Tested, said the change will likely impact travelers of all sizes. Southwests current policy helped create a more comfortable flying experience for plus-size travelers, he said, while also ensuring all passengers have adequate space in their seats. I think its going to make the flying experience worse for everybody, he said of the new rule. Vaughn described the change as yet another letdown for Southwest loyalists like himself, likening it to Cracker Barrel's recent logo change that has angered some of the restaurant's fans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They have no idea anymore who their customer is, he said of the airline. "They have no identity left. The airline has struggled recently and is under pressure from activist investors to boost profits and revenue. It also said last year that it would charge customers extra for more legroom and offer red-eye flights. If you have a question or thought for Rep. Warren Davidson, Wednesday night is the time to share it. Davidson will host a town hall at 6 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Edgewood Middle School in Trenton. He represents Ohio's 8th Congressional District, which sits on the western border of Ohio and includes Darke, Preble and Butler counties, along with portions of Miami and Hamilton counties. This is a great opportunity for citizens of Southwest Ohio to ask questions and hear directly from me. I encourage everyone to attend and participate!" Davidson said in a news release announcing the town hall. Ohio 8th Congressional District detail When was Davidson's last town hall? Town halls with congressional Republicans have been scarce since March, when House Republicans were advised to stop holding town halls after angry constituents voiced their concerns about cuts under Trump's administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davidson held a town hall in Green Township last August when he was running for reelection. The congressman did not respond to questions from The Enquirer in March about when he last held a town hall or whether there were any scheduled in the near future. Butler County Democrats held an "empty chair" town hall with Davidson in April, seeking to ask the congressman questions about social security, the Save Act and deportations. Davidson was invited but declined to attend the event. Who is Warren Davidson? Davidson is an Army veteran with a master's degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame. He ran his family's manufacturing business, West Troy Tool, before serving in Congress. He's represented Ohio's 8th Congressional District since 2016 and serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee. He was a member of the Republicans' House Freedom Caucus until June 2024, when he was ousted after endorsing the chairman's opponent. Davidson bans signs from town hall Davidson said in the news release that disruptions and signs will be prohibited from the town hall and there will be police there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town hall will be held at 5005 OH-73. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Those interested in attending can register online here. Regional politics reporter Erin Glynn can be reached at eglynn@enquirer.com, @ee_glynn on X or @eringlynn on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Greater Cincinnati Republican to host town hall on Wednesday RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN/WJZY) Drivers throughout North Carolina may need to pay even closer attention when traveling through school zones in just a few weeks. The governor signed a bill into law earlier this summer, authorizing cities and counties to install cameras to catch speeders around schools. The measure was part of Senate Bill 391, a DOT omnibus effort to improve traffic safety. In the Tar Heel state, there were more than 700 school zone-related crashes between 2015 and 2019, resulting in 17 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan, section 13 of the bill, was designed to crack down using a generally automated process. Starting on October 1, North Carolina towns, cities, school boards, and counties can begin installing special speed-triggered cameras in school zones. All camera zones must have clear warning signs posted within 1,000 feet, according to the law. The camera may grab a picture of a speeding drivers vehicle in a school zone. The ticket will include the date, time, the recorded speed, and it must be signed by a sworn law enforcement officer. A flat $250 fine will be issued, but it wont add points to a drivers license, the new law said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those cited will have 30 days to pay or appeal the ticket. If the ticket is ignored, a $50 late fee could be added and a car registration renewal could be held up until its paid. WJZY-TV 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 CBS17.com. Early Sunday morning, surveillance footage captured a violent crash at the heart of Oranges historic Plaza Park. A speeding driver failed to navigate the turn at Orange Circle, plowing through bushes, benches, and barriers before scraping the side of the iconic fountain at the center. Witnesses said a group of men had just left the area where the car came to rest, leaving behind a mangled vehicle. The driver survived and was arrested on suspicion of DUI, according to a spokesperson for the Orange Police Department. Authorities told KTLA the suspect was on DUI probation at the time and had prior convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents expressed frustration over yet another incident at the fountain. I just dont know why people cant figure it out and stop driving through it! It blows my mind, said local resident, Kurtis Adams. Others pointed to a broader responsibility, noting the risks of drinking and driving. You know if youre gonna drink, dont drive. If youre gonna drive, dont drink. Its real simple, a bystander commented. This crash is the latest in a troubling pattern at the historic site. Police records show four collisions at the fountain over the past two years. On August 24, 2025, a speeding driver failed to navigate the turn at Orange Circle crashing into the side of the iconic fountain at the center. (OC HAWK) The original Orange Plaza Water Fountain. (KTLA) On August 2023, an SUV struck a tree near the fountain; the driver was rescued from the burning vehicle. (Southern Counties News) On November 2024, a speeding 18-year-old hit the fountain directly on a rainy night, prompting another arrest for reckless driving. (Southern Counties News) In March 2023, a carjacking suspect leading officers on a chase crashed into the fountain, flipping his vehicle several times. Five months later, an SUV struck a tree near the fountain; the driver was rescued from the burning vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After months of repairs to the fountains historic tilework and the installation of safety enhancements at the roundabout, the site reopened to the public in April 2024. By November of that year, a speeding 18-year-old hit the fountain directly on a rainy night, prompting another arrest for reckless driving. Orange police said while the plaza has seen its share of accidents, they respond even more frequently to other intersections around town, both DUI-related and otherwise. Some residents have called for the historic plaza to be converted into a pedestrian-only space. During COVID, when it was shut down, it was really nice I understand that they cant do that forever, said Adams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others lamented the repeated damage to a cherished public space. Its a shame because its a pretty beautiful historic place, one resident said. Chris Wolfe contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Elizabeth Sensley, a juror in Grays case, gave a statement to an investigator with Grays legal team recounting how she felt about being Black on the nearly all-white jury. When Lloyd Gray stood trial for rape in 1980, two jurors didnt believe he was guilty and voted to acquit. Today, a split-jury verdict would mean a mistrial and possibly Grays freedom. But back then, in Louisiana, it resulted in a life sentence for the 19-year-old from Tunica, a rural community nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River. Gray, who has always maintained his innocence, spent the next four decades in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. During that time he lost everything, he said. From behind bars, he learned that his mother, who for a time was a guard at the prison where he was being held, had dementia and died in 2020. Prison officials refused to allow him to attend her funeral. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article was produced for ProPublicas Local Reporting Network in partnership with Verite News. Sign up for Dispatches to get our stories in your inbox every week. READ MORE IN THIS SERIES That same year the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that nonunanimous jury verdicts, legal in only Louisiana and Oregon, were unconstitutional and based on an inherently racist law designed to uphold white supremacy. Going forward, there would be no more Lloyd Grays. But in fact, there are more than 1,000 people in Louisiana like Gray, convicted by split juries and still imprisoned, according to the Promise of Justice Initiative, a New Orleans-based nonprofit focused on criminal justice reform. Although the Supreme Court says cases like theirs are unconstitutional going forward, it left the decision about what to do with those convicted long ago to the states. And Louisiana alone says they should stay behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court decision, the Louisiana Supreme Court declined to grant new trials for those prisoners, acquiescing to local prosecutors who feared that retrying hundreds of decades-old cases would tie up state courts. The conservative state Legislature, meanwhile, has repeatedly rejected bills that would have required a reexamination of their cases. That left one very narrow path for Gray and others like him, mostly Black men, to have their cases revisited. If they could credibly argue that their convictions were secured illegally if there was race-based discrimination in the case, for example they could strike a plea deal with a prosecutor, securing their release. But a new state law, passed last year at the urging of Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, limited local prosecutors ability to broker such deals, cutting off the last remaining avenue of relief for those imprisoned by nonunanimous juries. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The key problem, legal experts say, is that the Supreme Court did not make its 2020 ruling retroactive as it did in Montgomery v. Louisiana, a 2016 case in which the justices found that life sentences without parole for juveniles should be banned going forward as well as for those already convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more, in a separate decision in 2021, the court ruled that its 2020 opinion did not apply to older cases, like Grays, that had already gone through the regular state appeals process. However, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote for the courts majority, Oregon and Louisiana were still free to offer retroactive relief on their own. In contrast to Louisiana, Oregons Supreme Court vacated every split-jury conviction in the state, after which prosecutors offered plea deals with reduced sentences to the majority of those prisoners convicted by nonunanimous juries. Verite News and ProPublica estimated about 760 prisoners were convicted by nonunanimous juries based on a 2018 list provided by the Oregon Department of Justice of people who had filed lawsuits claiming their convictions were unconstitutional. There are a lot of injustices in our legal system we cant fix. And yet, here is this issue that is so clear and obvious that its on all of us to do the right thing, said Aliza Kaplan, a professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, who fought for years to end the states split-jury system. When I look at Louisiana, its really heartbreaking. In this file photo from 2022, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry outside the U.S. Supreme Court. (Image via RLDF.org) The Landry administration did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zach Daniels, executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, said the group, which backed Landrys law, has attempted to reach a compromise with criminal justice reformers who want all past split-jury verdicts overturned. This included an alternative that would give those convicted by nonunanimous juries the opportunity to apply for parole instead of having their cases either vacated or reexamined. But some lawmakers and criminal justice reform advocates rejected that option because they did not view the opportunity to be heard by a special parole committee appointed by Landry, as the plan called for, a compromise for people imprisoned unconstitutionally. Grays case for freedom is particularly strong, his attorneys said, because there is good evidence that racial animus led to his conviction. They discovered last year that the two jurors who had voted to acquit were Black a fact that doesnt appear in the court records. And that someone had drawn a swastika on the upper right hand corner of the original district attorneys case file. In addition, the lone surviving family member of the victim told the district attorneys office he is fully supportive of Grays release. He could not be reached for comment. The New Orleans District Attorneys Office had been in discussions with Grays legal team about a potential deal to secure his release before Landrys 2023 election. But the governors new law constraining prosecutors from making such deals could ensure that Gray spends the remainder of his days in Angola. His current case before the court will next be considered Tuesday at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, where a judge will decide whether Landrys law applies in Grays case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre sent to prison with a life sentence, they send you here to die, said Gray, now 65, through his attorney because the prison rejected requests from Verite News and ProPublica to interview him directly. After 45 years, Im no closer to freedom than the day I walked into this place. Jim Crow juries Louisiana began allowing nonunanimous verdicts or Jim Crow juries, as they are sometimes called here in response to the 14th Amendment, which ensured that Black citizens, including formerly enslaved people, had equal protection under the law. This included, among other things, the right to serve on juries. Until then, Louisiana had required a unanimous vote for criminal convictions. But state lawmakers did not want to give a single Black juror the power to undermine the will of 11 white people. During an 1898 constitutional convention, Louisianas elected officials lowered the threshold for a criminal conviction from 12 votes to nine (and increased it to 10 in 1973). One committee chairman was cited in the Supreme Court ruling against the practice saying that the provision was meant to establish the supremacy of the white race. In 1934, Oregon followed suit, becoming the only other state to ever approve the use of split-jury verdicts. (Oregon passed its law following public outrage that a Jewish man was found guilty of manslaughter rather than murder in the high-profile death of a Protestant man.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jurys decision at Grays trial in December 1980 unfolded as Louisiana legislators had envisioned nearly a century ago. After initially charging Gray with aggravated rape, prosecutors offered him a deal, according to Gray and his attorneys. If he pleaded guilty to a lesser offense, he would receive a 10-year sentence. But Gray rejected the offer, never wavering in his claims of innocence. The district attorneys office said there is no record of a proposed plea deal. Gray and Dianna Knockum, the woman who accused him of rape, each testified on a single day, providing wildly divergent versions of what happened on a Wednesday night six months earlier. Gray, 19 at the time, and Knockum, 33, knew each other from frequenting a bar called Club Hollywood in the Hoffman Triangle neighborhood of New Orleans. Gray claimed they got into a fight outside the bar over $15 Knockum owed him. When she refused to pay, Gray said he hit her twice in the face, at which point a mutual friend separated them and brought him back into the club. Knockum claimed Gray was angry after she rejected his advances. She said he followed her as she left the bar then hit her with a hard object on the back of the head. Knockum said she regained consciousness in an abandoned building where Gray raped her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At trial, prosecutors noted that Knockum identified Gray as her attacker, and that doctors found bruises on her head. Grays defense team focused on the lack of physical evidence or witnesses tying him to the crime, and that Knockums injuries didnt indicate she was raped. DNA testing didnt exist at the time, and the evidence was not saved for later examination. After 54 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned with its verdict: The 10 white jurors voted guilty, and the two black jurors, Elizabeth Sensley and Audrey Kaywood, not guilty. Gray was sentenced to life without parole. Knockum died more than 20 years ago, according to a 2024 court filing by New Orleans prosecutors. Sensley and Kaywood provided statements to Grays attorneys last year in which they said the racial makeup of the jury likely contributed to his conviction. Sensley said there were plenty of Black people in the jury pool, yet only two were selected. The prosecution used its only jury selection strike to prevent a third Black person from serving. At the time, Black people made up 67% of the citys population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I knew that my voice would not matter, Sensley told an investigator with Grays legal team, recounting how she felt about being Black on the nearly all-white jury. I cannot believe that Lloyd Gray is still in prison. Elizabeth Sensley, a juror in Grays case, gave a statement to an investigator with Grays legal team recounting how she felt about being Black on the nearly all-white jury. Kaywood told the investigator she had a strong feeling Gray might be innocent. I wondered aloud to my husband, what if he didnt do it. The case impacted me deeply, she said. I never wanted to serve on a jury again. Neither woman could be reached for comment. Keeping Black people off juries was vital to prosecutors, as they were seen to be more skeptical of the state, according to a 2018 investigation by The New Orleans Advocate. In convictions with split-jury verdicts, Black jurors were 2.5 times more likely to dissent compared with white jurors, the report found. Thats why prosecutors used their strikes to remove prospective Black jurors at more than twice the rate as they did white jurors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grays legal team has noted that his conviction happened at a time of intense racial strife in New Orleans. Just a few years earlier, the Ku Klux Klan, led by David Duke, marched through the French Quarter to protest the citys first Black mayor. The district attorneys office was headed by Harry Connick Sr., whose 30-year tenure was stained by accusations of racial bias. During Connicks time as district attorney, there were 32 cases of wrongful convictions, 27 of which involved prosecutorial misconduct, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. Of those wrongfully convicted, 97% were Black. And yet Connick refused to crack down on his staff, drawing the ire of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As part of a wrongful-conviction case in which prosecutors hid blood evidence, Ginsburg said in a 2011 dissent that Connick had created a tinderbox in Orleans Parish where it was expected that prosecutors hide evidence from the defense. And when those violations occurred, she wrote, Connick insisted there was no need to change anything, and opposed efforts to hold prosecutors accountable on the ground that doing so would make his job more difficult. Five of the other eight justices disagreed with her. After his conviction, Gray was sent to Angola, one of the most violent penitentiaries in the country at the time. The 19-year-old was frightened, but he wasnt alone. A few years prior to his incarceration, his mother, Ora Gray, had taken a job as a guard at Angola. She worked the night shift in a watchtower that overlooked the same cell block that would briefly house her son. Gray said he would wake up early every morning, sit by a window and look up into his mothers tower, about 40 yards away. And every morning she would look down at him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was sitting there to let her know that I was safe, Gray said. After about six weeks, Gray said he was transferred to another part of the prison. Gray assumed prison officials wanted to separate them, afraid his mother would hesitate to shoot if he tried to escape. Ora Gray worked at Angola for more than three decades until she retired in 2012. She died eight years later. Lloyd Gray, wracked by guilt, said he should have cared for her in her final years and held her hand as she slipped away. Instead, he couldnt even attend her funeral. The system was designed to put people of color in the situation Im in, he said. In this file photo from July 2014, a group gets a tour of a dormitory at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. (Jarvis DeBerry) A deal retracted After nearly four decades in Angola, Gray had settled in as best he could. He held a mixture of jobs tutor, office clerk, field hand, kitchen orderly and tried to stay safe and out of trouble. But he told his lawyers he struggled to come to terms with where life had taken him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grays sister sent him a family picture, and he didnt know who half the people were, especially the younger children. That was the hardest part, he said, contemplating everything that had been taken from him. Grays prospects began to improve, however, in tandem with a growing sentiment that the criminal justice systems across the country were heavily weighted against poor and minority communities and needed to be reformed. A series of victories for this movement, on both the state and national levels, gave Gray hope, starting in 2018. Thats when 64% of Louisiana voters approved a constitutional amendment outlawing nonunanimous juries for any crime committed after Jan. 1, 2019. Those who fought for the amendment focused their campaign on the damage such juries had done to the states minority communities: Black people make up 67% of the prison population but 80% of those convicted by split juries, according to a report from the Promise of Justice Initiative. Split-jury verdicts also resulted in lengthier sentences. In Louisiana, 62% of all prisoners convicted by split juries are serving life sentences, like Gray, while only about 16% of the overall prison population is doing so, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because the split-jury law created an incentive for prosecutors to hand down the most serious charges they could. Lesser crimes that carried shorter sentences were tried before a six-person jury that had to rule unanimously. Former prosecutor and state Sen. Dan Claitor said during a 2018 legislative hearing on nonunanimous juries that the numbers frequently led him to up-charge defendants because it was easier for me to convict them with 10 out of 12 than it is six out of six. Louisianas voter referendum prohibiting nonunanimous juries was a significant victory, but it did little to address the plight of people like Gray who had already been convicted. And then, two years later, in Ramos v. Louisiana, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 vote that split-jury verdicts violated the Sixth Amendments guarantee of a fair trial. In his majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch, appointed to the court by President Donald Trump, wrote that the origin of split-jury verdicts could be traced to the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and efforts to dilute the influence of racial and ethnic and religious minorities. In Louisiana, he wrote, the point was to ensure that African-American juror service would be meaningless. In the months that followed, the Promise of Justice Initiative filed appeals for 1,049 Louisiana prisoners convicted by split juries. Hundreds of those, including Grays, were filed in New Orleans, where a new district attorney, Jason Williams, had just been elected. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams speaks with reporters at the Superdome in New Orleans on Nov. 29, 2023. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator) Williams took office in January 2021, one of a wave of progressive prosecutors across the country. He pledged to root out and reconsider potentially problematic cases involving wrongful convictions, excessive sentences or racial bias. He also took on split-jury verdicts. Within days of being sworn in, Williams had established a civil rights division and hired Emily Maw, the former head of the Innocence Project New Orleans, to lead it. As of July 2024, the division had vacated or reduced the sentences of more than 350 men and women, 150 of whom were convicted by nonunanimous juries, according to the district attorneys office. In 2022, prosecutors with the unit proposed a potential deal to Grays attorneys: If he pleaded guilty to forcible rape, he would walk, according to Gray and his attorneys. The lesser charge carried a maximum sentence of 40 years; Gray had already served 41. Such plea deals would soon prove to be the only shot people like Gray had at freedom. The same year Gray was offered a plea deal, the states highest court ruled in a 5-2 vote that the federal ban on nonunanimous juries was not retroactive, preventing more than 1,000 people convicted by split juries from having their day in court, according to estimates by the Promise of Justice Initiative. The only Black member of the Louisiana Supreme Court, Justice Piper Griffin dissented, writing: Such convictions were racially discriminatory in 1898. They were racially discriminatory in 1975. They remain racially discriminatory today. While he agreed with the majority that the state shouldnt overturn all past split-jury verdicts, Justice James Genovese wrote in a partial dissent that prisoners who could demonstrate that their verdicts were tainted by racial animus should be entitled to relief, regardless of the date of their conviction. In particular, he said, new trials should be granted when it can be proven that a Black juror had voted to acquit the accused. Louisianas rejection of retroactivity put a premium on the type of deals offered to Gray. But before his could be finalized and approved by the courts, it was upended in November 2023 by a massive political shift in Louisiana as Landry was elected governor. Campaigning on a tough-on-crime platform, the former police officer and state attorney general vowed to accelerate executions, impose stiffer sentences and end the reign of woke district attorneys whom he accused of playing a dangerous game of catch and release with criminals. Within his first few months in office, in March 2024, Landry signed Act 10, which prohibits district attorneys from waiving the two-year deadline for prisoners to challenge their convictions through post-conviction relief. Such a waiver is typically needed to revive decades-old cases like Grays. It was set to go into effect Aug. 1, 2024. Swastika on the case file The clock was now ticking for Gray and his attorneys. Given the drastic change in the political climate, they believed they needed to uncover additional evidence that Grays prosecution was unjust to increase his chances of being released. And they needed to do so before Williams lost the ability to have missed deadlines waived. They caught their first break the same month Landry signed Act 10 into law. Thats when they requested and received Grays original 1980 case file from the district attorneys office, something they had never seen before. Colin Reingold, Grays attorney from 2021 to 2024, said he skimmed the file, blowing past the cover page, looking for any facts that could help secure Grays release. He then recalled receiving a Slack message from an investigator on his team who was also scouring through the new documents: Wow, this swastika on the front cover is sure crazy, isnt it? I was like, What are you talking about? I didnt see it at all, Reingold said. And then I immediately went to the DA file and pulled it up. And, I mean, its unmistakable. That someone with the district attorneys office would doodle the Nazi symbol on the case file of a Black man accused of rape in the early 1980s raises significant concerns about the motivations of the prosecution, Reingold said. You always suspect that there are, in some cases, bad actors with beliefs that could taint the whole process, Reingold said. But you never think that youre going to find it in black and white like that. A doodle of a swastika on the upper right corner of the cover of Grays file Credit: Obtained by ProPublica and Verite News. Highlight added by ProPublica. The district attorneys office does not dispute the swastikas existence or that a staff member might have drawn it more than 40 years ago, according to a September filing by prosecutors. Assistant District Attorneys Jim Letten and William OHara prosecuted Grays case. OHara died in 2007. Letten, who would later serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, did not respond to requests for comment. Our office acknowledges that a derogatory symbol appears on a microfilmed copy of Mr. Grays case file, Keith Lampkin, a spokesman for the district attorneys office, told Verite News and ProPublica. There is no record indicating who drew the symbol or when it was drawn. The swastika was important to Grays claims of racial bias, but even more vital was the discovery two months later, in June 2024, that the two people who voted to acquit Gray were Black. Erica Navalance, an attorney with the Promise of Justice Initiative who currently represents Gray, said these new pieces of evidence spoke directly to the two factors Genovese said in his partial dissent should trigger a new trial: racial bias and proof that a Black juror voted to acquit. Armed with this information, Grays attorneys filed a new appeal the day before Act 10 went into effect. They knew that Williams was under increasing pressure from Landry to abandon his efforts to reinvestigate old cases but hoped this new evidence would convince his office to keep their word and free Gray. Publicly, Williams refused to back down, telling his conservative opponents during a legislative hearing last September that he could not ignore the citys long history of wrongfully convicting Black people. In the city of New Orleans, weve been so good at mass-producing defective convictions that I think it is incumbent that we make sure that we let these cases be heard, Williams said. Eleven days later, Williams office took an unexpected position in its response to Grays appeal. Its hands were tied by Act 10, it said, and it could no longer waive missed deadlines. As a result, Gray would have to serve out the remainder of his life sentence, prosecutors claimed. The district attorneys office has maintained this position despite Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Robin Pittman stating in November as part of Grays case that its interpretation of Act 10 was wrong. As long as the appeal was filed before Aug. 1, Pittman said, it retained the ability to waive deadlines. Four months later, the state Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Taylor came to the same conclusion. Navalance said shed never before witnessed the state district attorneys association rallying behind a law that would strip them of their own power. I thought our goal was to see justice done, Navalance said. I thought we all agreed that meant Lloyd Gray should come home 45 years after being convicted of a crime he didnt commit. Lloyd Gray on a recent video call with his lawyers. He fears he will never leave Angola. (Photo by Kathleen Flynn for ProPublica) The district attorneys office told Verite News and ProPublica that its response to Grays case simply reflects statutory changes. It is now for the court to determine whether Mr. Grays application overcomes those procedural requirements, Lampkin said. Gray said the whiplash of events over the past several years from believing he once had a shot at freedom to fearing the door might be permanently closed have felt like a mirage. You see it, he said, but when you reach for it, its not really there. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This article first appeared on Verite News New Orleans and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Spotted lanternfly adult (Photo courtesy Doug Pfeiffer/Virginia Tech) The invasive red-and-white spotted lanternfly has now spread to more than half of Virginias counties and cities, after years of creeping along the states major transportation corridors. Officials are ramping up research to determine how to best target the pests and provide vineyards with clear guidelines on when to spray pesticides. The brightly colored insects can now be seen lazily flapping through much of the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley. Hitchhikers from Asia, they first arrived in Virginia in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, they are most commonly found near railways and other transportation routes. The state once tried quarantining infested counties and inspecting shipments for eggs to stop the spread, but as the flies became more pervasive those measures were repealed in March of this year. Map shows where spotted lanternfly has been spotted. (Map by Virginia Tech) While not as devastating as some invasive insects, lanternflies feed on a wide range of plants. They are most devastating to grapevines and to the invasive tree of heaven plant. The pests have also shown to weaken some maple and black walnut trees, potentially leaving them vulnerable to further infestation. The term that we typically use in invasive species biology is cascading effects to refer to the idea that there are effects out in the ecosystem that we may not yet be aware of because the spotted lanternfly is so new, the research is so new. Its still establishing in most places, but it has not reached its peak yet, said Jules Amanita, the spotted lanternfly field supervisor at the Virginia Department of Agriculture. Virginias $8 billion wine industry has been closely monitoring the presence of spotted lanternflies in vineyards. Doug Pfeiffer, a professor of Entomology at Virginia Tech, said that there is a proposal for the USDA to approve data-based guidelines of when growers should spray for the pests. But, he added, those efforts are on hold due to ongoing funding disputes in Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, sometimes they were a little too prepared, because I didnt want them to spray the whole vineyard at the first sight of an individual insect. But they were so concerned with it, Pfeiffer said. The problem is we dont have a firm action threshold established. The spraying of pesticides also affects other insects, including those that prey on lanternflies or control other insects. Since the flies have no natural predators in the U.S., populations can quickly grow unchecked. Insecticides will cause secondary past outbreaks. If they kill natural enemies, at least a pest that is being controlled naturally from their controls, and then they rise to pest status, Pfeiffer said. So that could be a problem on most crops. Its especially problematic in vineyards, because one of the pests that can be induced to outbreak status are mealybugs, and they serve as the vectors or carriers of some grapevine viruses. Pfeiffer said he has not heard many reports of vine loss due to lanternflies, since vineyards have been preparing for years. Still, the cost of spraying, along with the risk of triggering new pest problems, weigh heavily on growers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lanternflies frequently feed on the invasive tree of heaven, a plant introduced to the U.S. centuries ago. After feeding, the flies develop a bitter taste that makes birds less likely to eat them, Pfeiffer explained. Branch of a tree of heaven plant. (Photo courtesy Doug Pfeiffer, Virginia Tech) They can develop without the tree of heaven, but with a much lower success rate So if we eliminate the tree of heaven, not only do they have more trouble developing, but once they reach adults, they could be better prey for birds, Pfeiffer said. Efforts are underway to reduce tree of heaven populations as part of controlling lanternflies. Researchers are also exploring the release of potential predators to combat the insects, though these species remain under quarantine. Other states have turned to public campaigns encouraging residents to squash lanternflies on sight. While killing them wont eradicate the pest, it can help slow their spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a spotted lanternfly is showing up somewhere that a member of the public is seeing it, it is far more likely to have that individual hitchhike with that person or somebody else and end up somewhere new, Amanita said. So even killing just one if youre killing it in a populated area can make a significant difference. Additionally, crushing egg masses is a great thing that everybody can do. Spotted lanternfly egg mass. (Photo courtesy Doug Pfeiffer, Virginia Tech) The flies lay their eggs in mid-September, a period that gives researchers insight into the size of each years generation. Pfeiffer said climate change could alter how long lanternflies feed on vulnerable grapevines and other plants. I think the impact will be that if the egg laying happens earlier and theres signs that it is, then they may reach adult stage earlier and prolong the adult period when theyre doing their most severe feeding and egg laying, Pfeiffer said. Due to the spread of the flies, the Virginia Department of Agriculture is not able to provide treatments for individuals outside areas where the insects are being actively detected and transported to new regions. However, the agency does offer information on how residents can combat the pests themselves and how to manage the tree of heaven. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ST. LOUIS A Florissant man is charged after a robbery during a drug deal ended with a homicide. According to a St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson, the shooting happened around 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, in the 5600 block of Hebert Street in the citys Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood. Officers arrived at the scene and found a Chevrolet Malibu flipped over. The victim in the vehicle, Jermaine Williams Jr., had been shot. William was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 20. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Investigators learned Tyrell L. Pearson, 19, arranged to buy marijuana from Williams. Police said Pearson and others met Williams and then stole an unspecified amount of marijuana from him. During the robbery, one of the assailants shot and fatally wounded Williams. Pearson was arrested on Thursday, Aug. 21. The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Pearson with second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and two counts of armed criminal action. Pearson remains jailed without bond. Online court records do not show when Pearson will appear before a judge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. St. Pete Pride President Dr. Byron Green-Calisch, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, and City Council member Copley Gerdes at St. Pete City Hall on August 25, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix) ST. PETERSBURG St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch vowed Monday, amid a dispute over street murals depicting Gay Pride colors and other themes, that his city will build back stronger and create even more powerful expressions of who we are. However, he said he would bow to a directive from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to remove five of the murals, including ones that celebrate Black history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the effective date of a new state law in June, FDOT updated its Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which now includes a prohibition on non-uniform traffic control devices, such as pavement markings on state and local roads, and notified local governments of that directive. Shortly thereafter, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to all 50 governors around the country to keep crosswalk and intersection markings free from distraction for safety reasons. FDOT followed up last week, demanding that local governments that hadnt removed painted crosswalks do so within weeks or lose access to state transportation funds. In some cases, FDOT is erasing such crosswalks itself, as it did last week in Orlando at the site of the Pulse Memorial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evan Mory, St. Petersburgs transportation and parking director, had asked FDOT to exempt five specific murals, noting that they were all in place before the law changd. City officials also noted that traffic crashes had been reduced by 70% at the Common Ground mural painted at Fifth Street and Central Ave. in downtown St. Petersburg. That mural, painted by Argentinian artist Cecilia Lueza, features a rainbow of huge triangles and geometric shapes that spread across the intersection. However, on Friday, Justin Hall, FDOTs District 7 secretary, rejected that request. He said in his response that if the FDOT removes the markings instead of the city, those costs will be assessed to St. Petersburg. Mayor Welch began his press conference by bemoaning what he said was the states latest move to usurp local values and priorities and instead mandate what our values should be. State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith stands near the crosswalk outside the Pulse Memorial site in Orlando on Aug. 23, 2025. State workers had paved over Gay Pride colors at the site, but activists used chalk to restore them. The state later repaved the site and posted a police guard. (Via Smiths X feed) Murals to live on in other forms Weve seen repeated attempts to silence our voices, to change the definition of terms from climate change to DEI, even banning the recognition of Black history and the LGBTQ community, he said. Weve seen the attempts to stifle our ability to express and celebrate our community values. Yet time and time again, our community has risen to the occasion. And this latest challenge will be no exception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How that response will be manifested isnt exactly clear yet. Welch said that the murals will live on in other forms, on city and privately owned properties, on flags and banners and other installations. Whatever is taken away will be replaced in new, more impactful ways. While cities such as Key West have asked for and received an administrative hearing with FDOT to fight to maintain their rainbow crosswalks, Mayor Welch said on Monday that he saw no reason to do likewise. FDOTs Justin Hall told the city on Friday that the hearing will not involve a request for an exception of waiver to permit the nonconforming pavement markings to remain in place. The Department has already reviewed the pavement markings at the location(s) mentioned above and determined that the pavement markings will not be allowed. St. Petersburg City Council member Copley Gerdes said at the news conference that while the city was speaking rationally, the state wasnt, and thats what were experiencing today. We have been data-driven, he said. Weve been intentional. Forward-thinking. We are trying to [be] rational. Unfortunately, our partner in this conversation is not. And so, were never going to see eye-to-eye in this conversation until they start using rational as well. State pressure Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier have previously used threats of removing local officials from office in pushing local governments to see things their way when it comes to cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Now they are using the threat of denying state funds for cities that refuse to remove street art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After insisting he wasnt going to allow Uthmeier to bully him or other Orange County leaders, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings backed down earlier this month and signed an updated agreement with ICE to transport immigration detainees to ICE facilities, although he later said he did so under protest and extreme duress. Uthmeier had threatened to have DeSantis remove Demings and every other Orange County commissioner unless they signed that agreement. Welch said Monday that he and his administration had not conceded initially to the states order and had provided data showing the street markings had actually increased public safety, based on data before and after the installation of the murals. But he said FDOTs position was clear that a refusal to remove the public art would jeopardize millions of dollars in state transportation funding and potentially tens of millions more in broader state funding in other areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He encouraged members of the public to visit the murals and share them on social media before they are removed. He said that the city wont remove them directly, but instead will reimburse FDOT to do so, because its not our decision. As the mayor of our city, I will not risk these essential investments in a fight that I dont believe we can win. That would be irresponsible leadership and detrimental to our city in the long run, but make no mistake, this is not the end of the story. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ST. PETERSBURG Mayor Ken Welch on Monday said his administration has looked at every option and does not see a pathway through litigation to defend five street murals that will be removed by the state, including the large rainbow in the heart of the citys Grand Central district. Make no mistake, this will not be the end of the story, said Welch, whose city hosts the largest LGBTQ+ Pride parade in the Southeast U.S. Standing by him were Byron Green-Calisch, president of St. Pete Pride, and City Council chairperson Copley Gerdes. Our response will be strategic, not reactionary. The Florida Department of Transportation is targeting street art for removal, enforcing a new state directive that cities keep their streets free and clear of political ideologies. St. Petersburg asked for an exemption for its street murals last week, arguing that they create a strong sense of community and make roads safer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state responded Friday, denying the citys request for an exemption and calling for the art to be removed by Sept. 4. It gave the city the option to request an administrative hearing, but Welch said Monday that the city didnt pursue it. He said the state transportationdepartment already reviewed the pavement markings and determined they wont be allowed. We looked at every option. We talked to our attorneys. We did not see a pathway through litigation, Welch said. So the city announced Friday it would comply with the order, but by reimbursing the state to paint over the murals. Facing removal are the citys first intersection mural, Common Ground at Central Avenue and Fifth Street that was found to reduce crashes by 70%, a Progressive Pride mural at Central Avenue and 25th Street, a University of South Florida-themed crosswalk done by USF St. Petersburg students at Sixth Avenue South and Second Street, a Black History Matters mural at Ninth Avenue South and 22nd Lane, and a painted intersection in the Childs Park neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. Petersburg joins Tampa and Orlando in complying with the state. In Tampa, city crews will help the state paint over pavement art, including a Back the Blue mural on Madison Street near the Tampa Police Department. Meanwhile, one of Orlandos intersections a rainbow crosswalk to commemorate the Pulse nightclub shooting, in which 49 people were killed in 2016 was painted over by the state early Thursday morning. That rainbow crosswalk wasnt on the list of non-compliant markings the state sent Orlando last week. Two smaller cities, Delray Beach and Key West, are challenging the state. Delray Beachis scheduled for an administrative hearing Sept. 2 that will determine whether the state transportation department has the legal right to remove Pride murals from city-owned roads. Delray Beach Vice Mayor Rob Long said hes requested a police presence near the citys Pride mural to prevent the state from paintingit overbefore the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, were complying with the law, Long said. Were still going through an administrative challenge, so to me, its trespassing and destruction of property if the state paintsit over before Sept. 2. Key West has also requested a hearing, set for Sept. 3, before removing its pavement art. The city received a state order that it must remove all pavement art by that date. Welch said the state made its position clear through meetings and correspondence that it has the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the federal government to withhold millions of dollars in state transportation funding. Potentially tens of millions of dollars in broader state funding could be jeopardized too, he said, though he didnt have specifics. He cited the Interstate 275 express lanes slated to come to St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park as projects the city could lose if it refuses to comply with the order. Construction has begun on three additional express lanes from the Howard Frankland Bridge to the interstates 38th Avenue exit. The state is expected to put $340 million into that project, according to an initial estimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a mayor of our city, I will not risk these essential investments in a fight that I dont believe we can win, he said. That would be irresponsible leadership and detrimental to our city in the long run. Council member Gina Driscoll said an administrative hearing couldve bought the city some time to make a stronger case. Even if it wouldnt have changed the outcome, it wouldve showed the people of our city that we were exhausting every option, she said. Council member Lisset Hanewicz said she trusts the citys legal department and said if there were grounds to fight, other cities would be doing the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just shows you elections matter, she said. Welch said conversations are already happening about how residents and artists will build back stronger and bolder with flags, banners and installations carrying messages of inclusion and diversity on city and privately owned property. He put out a call to action for residents to visit mural sites to take and share photos with friends and family and online, using hashtags like #WeAreStPete. Im going to go off script and say, obey the law. Dont take the bait. Be smart about how we take these next steps and keep an eye out for whats next, Welch said. Welch said he didnt know when the state would remove the murals. He opted for the state to remove the artwork instead of city employees. He said he did not know how much that would cost or what funding source would pay for the removal. I think whats going to come out of this is going to be much more bold and much more impactful than those three or four targeted murals, Welch said. The Social Security field office in Whitehall, Ohio. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.) President Donald Trump has cut more than 7,000 staffers from the Social Security Administration, sapping its ability to connect Americans in Ohio and elsewhere with their benefits, the Democratic commissioner who led the agency in 2024 said last Monday. Under Trump, the administration isnt reporting important metrics to members of Congress and their offices are being flooded with complaints from constituents, Martin OMalley, the former commissioner, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about OMalleys statements, the offices of Ohios U.S. senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, both Republicans, didnt respond. The Social Security Administration, however, claimed it was delivering more timely, efficient service than the agency had under Trumps predecessor, former President Joe Biden. However, the agency didnt respond to questions about agency staffing or how long its taking for applicants to receive benefits after they initially apply. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE When Trump took office in January, he appointed the worlds richest man, Elon Musk, to look for ways to cut the federal workforce. On Feb. 27, the Social Security Administration announced significant workforce reductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through these massive reorganizations, offices that perform functions not mandated by statute may be prioritized for reduction-in-force actions that could include abolishment of organizations and positions, directed reassignments, and reductions in staffing, the agency told its employees. What resulted were layoffs, resignations, and retirements totaling 7,150. At 13%, it was by far the largest staffing cut in the agencys history, the Center for American Progress reported in June. The last time the SSA had this few employees was 1967, when the agency served 480 beneficiaries for every staff member, the report said. In 2025, the agency would be attempting to serve 1,480 beneficiaries for every staff member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Computers have enabled each Social Security worker to serve more clients than she or he could 58 years ago, but in a virtual press conference, OMalley said that after the cuts, the agency isnt keeping up. Every member of Congress will tell you that regardless of party their phones have been exploding with additional numbers of people who have been calling their congressional representatives because they cant get through to Social Security for the benefits that theyve already earned, he said. Because of the speed and the depth of the cruelty of the staff cuts to Social Security an agency that was already struggling to serve record numbers of new beneficiaries because of baby boomers the staff was cut to a 50-year low. The continued, never-fail, every-monthly string of payments by Social Security is very much in jeopardy. The offices of Ohios U.S. senators, Moreno and Husted, didnt respond when asked if they had been deluged with constituent complaints about getting their benefits, and what they were doing in response if they were. Inside the Social Security field office in Whitehall, Ohio. (Photo by Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal.) For its part, the Social Security Administration said OMalleys claims arent true. It didnt address staffing cuts, but said that service had actually improved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SSAs dedicated workforce is delivering a significantly improved customer experience for the American people, despite unfounded claims being made by former SSA officials, a spokesperson said in an email. Under Commissioner (Frank J.) Bisignanos leadership, there has been a transformation at SSA that all Americans can be proud of: the average speed of answer for the National 800 Number has dropped from 30 minutes last year to 8 minutes in July 2025; average field office wait times have decreased by 30%; and the SSA website now enables Americans with 24/7 access and management of their benefits after the elimination of 29 hours of previously scheduled weekly downtime. But OMalley, the former Democratic governor of Maryland, claimed that under its current management, the Social Security Administration is no longer reporting some metrics to Congress and manipulating others to gaslight the public. Its not so much what theyre cherry picking and posting, its what theyre not sharing, he said when asked what numbers the public can follow to monitor performance. Id like to direct you to things to look at, but they dont share those things. The place has become like the hermit kingdom only the happy story gets told. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, he said, claimant representatives around the country are telling him that theyre now seeing a six-month to 18-month waiting period between when an allowance is granted say in the case of a disability to when that person received their first benefit check. The Social Security Administration didnt respond directly when asked how long the average waiting period is to receive benefits. OMalley added that members of Congress havent been receiving the same weekly performance reports from the agency they had gotten in the past. He said that it also isnt reporting its performance center backlog the only metric his administration wasnt able to substantially improve when he was running the agency under former President Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The processing centers serve as a backstop to Social Security field offices, handling their overflow and complex cases. With so many fewer workers throughout the Social Security Administration, the centers are sure to be seeing many more cases while having less capacity to deal with them, OMalley said. The processing center is like an escape valve and if and when a member of Congress gets them to show what the processing center backlog is, you will see that its adversely affecting millions of people, he said. In fact, dare I say, its probably at an all-time, record high. The Social Security Administration spokesperson said the agency is keeping Congress up to date. SSA regularly engages with Congress and shares timely performance data, which is prepared by SSAs dedicated career workforce using long-standing agency methodology, the spokesperson said. Additionally, we publish our performance metrics on our website for public awareness to provide a snapshot of the real experiences of the people we serve and highlight the optimal ways our customers can get service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For his part, OMalley described one way he thinks the new administration is manipulating some of the metrics it does report. At the start of 2024, the 8 million who called the agencys 1-800 number each month had to wait 42.5 minutes on average to get through. After a vendor and technology change, the agency got the average wait down to 12.8 minutes before beneficiaries could get an answer, OMalley said. The Social Security Administration on Monday reported that it had gotten those wait times down even further, to eight minutes. But OMalley said it appears to have simply changed the definition of answer. Answer would appear to be anytime a person calls and hangs up after hearing a recording, or calls and gets run around the barn three times by a chatbot and has their call dumped, he said. Thats what they call answered. Thats what they call served. None of it bears any reality to what people are experiencing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A call Wednesday to the Social Security Administrations Georgesville Road field office in Columbus appeared to produce such a result. A caller was asked by a chatbot why he was calling. When he said he wanted to check his eligibility, the chatbot hung up. OMalley also said the Social Security Administration under Trump is ducking basic questions about whos working there and what theyre doing. For their part, the offices of Ohios U.S. senators didnt respond to a question asking about staffing levels. OMalley said thats because the administration has put itself in a bind. Out of one side of their mouths they applaud themselves for getting rid of 7,000 people and yet, they wont share the data in terms of what that means for workloads, he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Beach teachers held a rally in the Town Center area of the city on Sunday. The rally comes after over 100 Virginia Beach City Public School employees sued the district, arguing they hid an upcoming increase in health insurance premiums until after contracts were signed. Teachers and staff sue VBCPS over double-digit health insurance increase Virginia Beach attorney Timothy Anderson is behind the lawsuit, and he said that many of the teachers feel like they are victims of fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, earlier this week, I filed a lawsuit on behalf of more than 100 Virginia Beach city employees who felt like they were induced into their contracts this year by fraud, Anderson said. The people who work in the schools are the most important people in government at the local level. They are the bread and butter of protecting us and educating our children. So were going to lean into them and were going to make sure that what happened to them is not going to happen to them again in the future. 10 On Your Side previously reported that the district was aware the premiums would increase as early as last November, with rates rising more than 110%. A gut punch, VBCPS staff face 110% plus hike in health insurance rates The Virginia Beach School Board announced it will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 27 to discuss health insurance premiums, employee healthcare costs and potential future steps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After lawsuit filed, VB board to hold special meeting on health insurance premiums Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. A startup in Seattle is making waves or rather, making light waves with a new commercial-scale fusion technology testing facility, GeekWire reported. Avalanche Energy recently received a $10 million grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce's Green Jobs Grant Program in order to launch its facility, which will be located in eastern Washington. As GeekWire explained, the facility is a public-private partnership named FusionWERX that will share its research and development resources with government labs, universities, and private companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avalanche is also developing its own fusion devices, which use tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, as a fuel. Company leaders shared that these devices will be able to support industries that include specialized medical treatments, advanced materials science, and nuclear power, GeekWire shared. Nuclear fusion is an ambitious technology with massive potential. Fusion happens by combining two atomic nuclei into one, releasing huge amounts of energy in the process. It's the kind of energy that powers the sun and researchers are looking to figure out how to recreate it and sustain it here on Earth. "if nuclear fusion can be replicated on Earth at an industrial scale, it could provide virtually limitless clean, safe, and affordable energy to meet the world's demand," the International Atomic Energy Agency explained on its website. Through FusionWERX, Avalanche Energy hopes to be part of that solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are already several fusion-focused companies and organizations in the Pacific Northwest that not only are working to develop fusion power but also support its supply chain and production processes. Many of them have already expressed interest in becoming FusionWERX customers, including potential collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy and Washington State University. "By supporting Avalanche's FusionWERX facility, Washington is translating cutting-edge fusion science into family-wage jobs and a resilient clean-energy supply chain," said Joe Nguyen, the state's Department of Commerce director, in a press release. "It's exactly the kind of community-driven innovation our Green Jobs program exists to champion." The facility is still in its design stages, with operations predicted to begin in 2027. 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. Just 10 months ago, Todd Smith was preparing to stand trial, accused of soliciting exorbitant fees in exchange for state hemp licenses. Smith was a top political consultant for Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, whose office provided the licenses. Less than a week after prosecutors subpoenaed Miller to testify in Smith's trial set for October, Smith pleaded guilty to commercial bribery and accepted a deal offered by prosecutors that will dismiss the charges after two years if he follows the terms of his probation. Mr. Smith looks forward to the completion of this matter and moving forward with his life, his lawyers told reporters at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Smith moved forward, he didnt move far. Three months after his guilty plea, Miller hired Smith to be his chief of staff at the same state agency at the center of his case. Todd Smith in a March 2021 Facebook post. Credit: Social media. Miller, in his third term in state office, had never employed a chief of staff before Smith. The new job came with an annual salary of $218,582, making Smith the second-highest paid employee in the department of nearly 700 people earning more than Miller himself. Newly surfaced interviews and police reports from the Texas Department of Public Safetys investigation into Smith shed fresh light on Smiths relationship with Miller. Employees at the agriculture department told state police they were concerned about Smiths presence at the agency, the hiring of Smiths family members to agency positions, and his influence on their boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd was always trying to come up with some scheme, somehow, to build a facade around Sid, and around the office, to glean money off everything, Walt Roberts, a former deputy commissioner, told the Texas Rangers when interviewed for the investigation into Smith in 2021, according to a recording of the interview obtained by The Texas Tribune through an open records request. There's been a whole host of us who have sat Sid down several times and said, Sid, you've got to do something about him. You got to stay away from him. He's going to get you in trouble, Roberts told the Ranger. [Miller] never listened to any of that. Roberts also told DPS he made a point not to attend any meetings about hemp if Smith was involved, according to the audio recording. Roberts, who worked at the agency for 10 years and retired earlier this year, did not respond to a request for comment for this story. [Former Sid Miller allies told police the ag commissioner feared the DEA, told a friend to get rid of marijuana] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim Reaves, another former agency employee who recently died, told the Rangers in 2020 that he was advised by his supervisor not to take private meetings with Smith, according to the Rangers report. Concerns about Smith continued after he became Millers chief of staff in January. At least one employee shared his trepidation directly with Miller. Freddy Vest, a former agriculture department director for a decade, reported telling Miller in a one-on-one meeting in May that Smith was wreaking havoc across the agency. Its in turmoil right now from the field operation to the floor down to biosecurity, Vest told Miller, according to a recording of their conversation that Miller made and provided to DPS. They are all scared to death. They dont know whats going on. Vest declined to comment further to the Tribune. Shortly after that meeting, Miller fired Vest, accusing him of trying to pressure him into firing Smith and reporting him to state police for trying to coerce a public official, according to a copy of his complaint to DPS obtained through the open records request. Vest denied the accusation. DPS investigated the claim but did not file charges and closed the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith did not respond to a request for comment. In an interview, Miller said Smith has always had his fingerprints on the department. "He's a long-time confidante, friend, adviser," Miller said. "I never ran anything through publication unless Todd's eyes were on it. So he's been a part of the deal. He's just never been paid. So that's why I hired him." But he dismissed the concerns about Smith as lies from disgruntled former employees. He said Smith was "the best hire I've ever made," and praised his work at the agency over the last eight months. Miller said Smith has positively overhauled multiple departments, including communications and the agency's Go Texan advertising campaign supporting Texas-made products. Miller told the Rangers in 2021 that agency employees were jealous of Smiths close relationship with Miller. Miller acknowledged to the Tribune that employees often grew frustrated because he always asked for Smith's advice when sending agency communications, but defended Smith's involvement because his agency employees "were not political animals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They didn't understand that this is an elected office. It's not a bureaucracy," Miller said. "This [agency] is ended up by an elected official. And you have to consider the political aspects of it, too. So, yeah, they really resented Todd having that much power over their work." During Millers interview with DPS about Smith, a Texas Ranger told Miller that not one person had anything good to say about Todd Smith during the course of this investigation, and that agency employees interviewed as part of the investigation were distancing themselves as not to be around him, the report states. When the Rangers asked whether Miller allowed Smith to solicit money from people in exchange for a hemp license, he told the Rangers, of course not, according to the investigation report. That would be illegal, Miller told the Ranger. I would never do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller was never charged or implicated in the bribery case. Who is Todd Smith? Miller first hired Smith 25 years ago as a political consultant during his first race for the Texas House of Representatives in 2000. Smith has also worked as a lobbyist in Texas for dozens of clients across the country since 2003, including the American Cancer Society, multiple home healthcare companies, political action committees like Texans for Traditional Marriage, and Texas-based farmers like L&L Farms and Green Gro Farm Texas. Todd Smith from a March 2021 Facebook post. The caption reads, "Exciting day meeting with conservative leaders in East Texas!" Sid Miller, center with hat; Smith is second from right. Credit: Social media Miller and Smith have also been business partners, documents filed with the Secretary of States office show. They were both listed as officers at a now-defunct company, PeerProf LLC, which was incorporated in 2010 and allowed college students to rate their professors online, and a political phone bank company called E Communication Advantage, which started in 2008, according to the Austin American-Statesman. In early 2020, the Texas Rangers started investigating a series of complaints that Smith and another man, Keenan Williams, were allegedly soliciting large sums of money from people interested in investing in the burgeoning hemp industry in Texas, promising that the payments would get them to the front of the line for one of the exclusive hemp licenses that Millers agriculture department would issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses told state police that they gave money to Williams and Smith, who characterized the payments as consulting fees, political donations, or funding for surveys of Texans perception of hemp legalization surveys that were never conducted, according to Smiths arrest affidavit. In exchange, witnesses said they were told they would receive a hemp license. In reality, hemp licenses cost $100 each, and the state could grant an unlimited number of them. Miller himself applied for a hemp license in 2020 and grew hemp for a few years. Smith was accused of soliciting $55,000 in the scheme from individuals, a third-degree felony that carries a potential sentence of two to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. He pleaded guilty to commercial bribery, a state jail felony with a maximum sentence of two years in jail, and was given deferred adjudication, a form of probation. Last month, the Tribune reported that former allies of Millers told state police officers that Miller feared a possible investigation into his hemp farm by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and asked his friend to dispose of marijuana cigarettes and gummies for him in case DEA agents showed up at his house. Miller has denied the claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller told the Texas Rangers in 2021 that he paid Smith $2,000 per month for consulting, plus Smith received a 10% commission for any money he raised for Millers political campaigns. Miller confirmed to the Tribune that this was his practice. "If he went out on his own, then raised $10,000, I got him a check for $1,000, glad to do it," Miller said. Hiring paperwork shows that Smith is still working as Millers political consultant while also acting as chief of staff. State law says thats legal as long as employees do not conduct any campaign work on state time or with state equipment. When Smith was hired, Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Terry Keel wrote on Smiths hiring documents that he did not believe Smiths work as a political consultant would influence his decision-making as the commissioners chief of staff or create a conflict of interest for the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller said Smith "does not cross any lines," and said he only works on his political campaign on nights and weekends. Smiths son and ex-wife hired at agriculture department Smith is the third member of his family to draw a salary from the agriculture department since Miller was first elected commissioner in 2014. In May 2019, the agency hired Smiths son, Jacob Smith, employees told Texas Rangers as they investigated Smiths relationship to the agency. Ken Weidenfeller, a former regional director at the Department of Agriculture, told the Rangers in 2020 that he was directed by Vest and Roberts to hire Jacob Smith as a field inspector in the agencys San Antonio office. Weidenfeller said he was never told why, but assumed it was linked to Todd Smith, the Rangers report states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weidenfeller told the Ranger that he did not think Jacob Smith was qualified for the job. Weidenfeller did not respond to requests for comment. Vest denied to the Rangers that he directed Weidenfeller to hire Jacob Smith, saying he only encouraged him to do so. Miller and Todd Smith confirmed in their respective interviews with the Rangers that Jacob Smith was hired to work for the agency. Miller told investigators he never instructed anyone at the agency to hire Jacob Smith and would never hire someone unqualified for a position. But the report said Miller also told them that he may have told staff to find a job for Jacob Smith at the agency, and that someone interpreted his comments as direction to hire Jacob Smith. Miller told investigators that the agency is always short-staffed and he would help anyone trying to find a job, not just Todd Smiths son. Miller told the Tribune that Jacob wanted to work at the agency, and Miller told him he needed to apply like anyone else. He said he believed he was qualified for the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith told the Ranger that he told Miller and Roberts that his son was applying for a job, according to the Rangers report, but the Ranger wrote that Smith was noncommittal on whether he helped Jacob Smith get a job at the agency. Todd Smith said his son resigned from the agency after supervisors attempted to reassign him. Vest told the Rangers that Jacob Smith was let go after six months. The Tribune could not identify contact information for Jacob Smith, but issued a request for comment through his father. Jacob Smith did not respond to that request. Todd Smiths former wife, Kellie Housewright-Smith, also worked at the Department of Agriculture for a few months when Miller was first elected to the position in 2014. She started as part of Millers transition team and then as an assistant commissioner in early 2015 with a $180,000 salary. At the time, Smith told the Austin American-Statesman that his wife was hired because of her experience as a health care consultant to former members of Congress. She was put on probation for chronic absenteeism and quit just a few months after being hired because she said she wanted to spend more time with her son, who had medical needs, Smith told the Tribune at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts, the former assistant commissioner, told a Ranger during the investigation that Miller told him he needed to hire Smiths wife because he owed Todd Smith a bunch of money on consulting fees, according to the Rangers report. Miller denied Roberts' allegation. He defended his decision to hire Smiths wife as an assistant commissioner, saying he felt she was qualified for the position. "It's a pretty common practice to help, hire people that have helped you and are loyal to you," Miller said. "It's not just me, it's common for elected officials to appoint former colleagues, campaign workers or political advisors, you know, positioned in the administration." More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 1315! This years lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of CNN NewsNight; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Firearms are on display in a Salem gun shop. Advocates for gun owners and the Oregon State Police are debating the the efficacy of the states longstanding system for clearing gun background checks. (Photo by Connor Radnovich/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Advocates for gun owners and the Oregon State Police are at odds over the efficacy of the states longstanding system for clearing gun background checks, as the future of the agencys firearm safety efforts rests with a disputed voter-approved gun control law. For years, Oregon gun owners and advocates have complained that the state has been too slow to process background checks, even as the state has ranked as a national leader in gun sale rates. Legislation to end the states existing background check systems reliance on state police, however, has historically failed to pass the states legislative Democratic majority. The states gun death rate ranked 7% higher than the nationwide average in 2023, according to public health researchers, a factor that has spurred support for more gun control in Salem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics of the states system, however, secured a brief acknowledgement of their concerns by the Oregon Legislature in the past year. A March Legislative Fiscal Office budget report found that Oregon State Police are already experiencing backlogs from high volumes the past few years, reporting that 26 staff are handling around 400,000 background checks annually. State analysts also noted the uncertainty posed by Measure 114, an initiative voters passed in 2022 that required law enforcement to issue a permit for acquiring a firearm and banned the sale of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the law in March, but the Oregon Supreme Court has agreed to take up the case and will hear oral arguments Nov. 6. If the law were to take effect, Oregon State Police would need an additional $15.7 million for the agency and further staff alongside the states existing Firearm Instant Check System to handle the incoming caseload, according to the legislative report. Part of that expansion would be a $3.4 million searchable electronic permit database in compliance with Measure 114. But state data shows that the number of background checks state police conduct has been decreasing since 2020, when more than 400,000 were recorded. State police logged 261,134 checks in 2024, recording 283,746 in 2023 and 393,862 in 2022. The fiscal analysis lead author did not dispute those figures when contacted by the Capital Chronicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time our analysis was drafted, we only had complete data through 2023 and (it) was uncertain if the data associated with 2023 represented a new trend or was an outlier, said Principal Legislative Analyst John Borden in a statement. In hindsight, the LFO analysis should have referenced the years on which our estimate was based. Pending cases rising Kevin Starrett, executive director of the Canby-based Oregon Firearms Federation, said his organization usually hears daily from people experiencing delays or denials on their background checks for no apparent reason. He questioned why state police are able to find evidence of an arrest promptly but struggle to verify whether an actual conviction took place. That setup puts the burden on the person seeking a gun to provide documentation for cases that may stretch back decades, he said. OSP has an institutional policy of we dont care, we dont have to. Starrett said in an emailed statement. There are people who have literally been waiting for years for a resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, 15,838 background checks were recorded as pended or requiring further research in 2024, a number that has increased in the past few years from around 11,000 in 2021, according to the firearm units annual 2024 report. The number of cases still open at the beginning of the year has also increased from just two in 2020 to more than 4,800 in 2024. Oregon State Police Capt. Kyle Kennedy, an agency spokesperson, said that in the past year and a half, same-day approvals have become far more common. Pending cases are also being resolved faster, but there are increasingly complex cases that require finding documentation from an agency regarding a previous criminal history, Kennedy said. Oregon law prohibits the sale of guns to individuals who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving violence within the past four years. When theyre in Oregon, its usually the easiest, because we can reach out to Multnomah County and go, Hey, do you have this info? he said. Theyre usually a lot more responsive in state, but we have a ton that are out of state, and its just a lot of work. When the switch is flipped, were ready Oregon is among 15 states where state law enforcement act as an intermediary between gun sellers and the FBI for background checks. The process costs gun seekers $10 each background check, but prospective owners have long complained that its difficult to get ahold of a real person when calling state police to challenge decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The days of the state police giving any pretense of customer service in this regard, are gone, said Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, in a text message. Gun sales across the state of Oregon ticked upward during the passage of Measure 114 in 2022. Despite the number of fatalities from guns surging nationwide in the year before, the number of Oregon background checks preceding the measures passage increased by 14% in the weeks preceding the November 2022 election, research shows. That number ballooned to 157% after the vote, particularly concentrated in Oregons rural communities. Before 2020, most background check applicants would be approved through the firearm units automated process or through a manual check within a few weeks, Kennedy said. But with the passage of Measure 114, the COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced background checks required by federal law, he said, the number of requests rose and posed just the perfect storm. Oregon lawmakers took a wide range of action on gun control and public safety this past legislative session, seeking to address uncertainty created by the ballot measure. Democrats were successful in passing Senate Bill 243, which bans rapid-fire devices like bump stocks and empowers local governments to stop concealed carrying in public buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation modifies Measure 114s implementation date to March 15, 2026, when lawmakers hope there will be more clarity around the initiatives legal standing. Kennedy of the state police said funding will be available for the agency to begin issuing permits should the law withstand challenges. If and when the switch is flipped, were ready to get some infrastructure in there so that we can start processing so that we dont delay peoples ability to acquire permits, he said. Other legislation involving guns faced an uphill battle. Legislators failed to enact House Bill 3076, which would have set up a state gun licensing program for dealers administered by the Oregon Department of Justice, an outcome many Republicans celebrated. When it comes to background checks, however, Republicans once again failed to gain steam for a more than decade-long effort to end Oregons point of contact system. House Bill 3836, whose main author was Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, did not receive a committee hearing. Yunker did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2011, Thatcher, then an Oregon state representative, tried her hand at a similar unsuccessful bill. Now, she said she has seen far less complaints to her office about delays in the system. Though there are a lot of times my office has helped people get their gun background checks, those were long ago, she said, And the memories have faded. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Legislators representing Altadena-area fire victims called Monday for Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to crack down on alleged misconduct by insurers and to halt any rate increase for State Farm General. In a news conference held at an Altadena library, the legislators, led by Assemblyman John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), said too many fire victims were still grappling with their insurers more than six months after the Jan. 7 fires. "They are facing unavoidable hardships caused by insurance delays, denials and underpayments. These are problems that can be mitigated and solved if the right reforms are implemented immediately," Harabedian said. "Commissioner Lara, families need your swift leadership to ensure insurance companies fulfill their legal responsibilities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: L.A. wildfires up the pressure on California's insurance commissioner over industry ties The legislators, including state Sen. Sasha Renee Perez (D-Alhambra) and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, singled out in particular State Farm General, California's largest home insurer, which is seeking a homeowners rate hike of 11% on top of an emergency rate hike of 17% that Lara approved in May. "We demand that investigations into companies like State Farm be completed swiftly within the next 60 days, and rate hikes frozen until survivors are made whole," Perez said. After mounting complaints over how the insurer has handled smoke damage and other claims, Lara announced in June that his department would be conducting a market conduct exam of State Farm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Is State Farm being 'stingy'? These fire victims think so However, he has refused to link the claims handling issues to the rate hike request, maintaining the rate issue is a separate legal proceeding. Critics have accused Lara of being too chummy with the insurance industry, which he has denied. Our goals align with fire survivors. We want individuals to recover on their own terms. I launched a thorough investigation into State Farm's wildfire claims, but holding up rate filings without a legal basis affects the integrity of our entire market, including wildfire survivors who need access to insurance options," Lara said in a statement Monday. State Farm spokesperson Bob Devereux disputed the insurer was mistreating its customers and said in a written statement an "overwhelming majority are satisfied with our service." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our goal at State Farm is to work with customers to resolve any of their concerns," he said. Read more: State regulators launch inquiry into State Farm's handling of fire claims The insurer has said it expects claims payments to top $7 billion from the Jan. 7 fires, but losses under $700 million due to reinsurance agreements with its parent company. The insurer said it has received more than 13,000 claims and paid over $4.5 billion. The news conference amplified complaints about State Farm made by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, a community group that claims more than 7,000 members. The group distributed a report Monday that said while some insurers were honoring their obligations, others were lowering benefits by "secretly" rewriting loss estimates prepared by field adjusters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also claimed insurers are making illegal cuts in payments for temporary housing and criticized how the state's insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan, is handling smoke damage claims. It called for the Department of Insurance to be more transparent about the complaints it receives by issuing an online monthly report by insurer, type of complaint and imposed fines, among other data. "What should be a safety net has instead become a wrecking ball, wrecking our finances, health and the future that we have worked so hard to build for our families," said Joy Chen, the group's chief executive, citing a survey that found 70% of Eaton and Palisades fire survivors say their insurer is derailing their recovery. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A rendering of Elanco Animal Health's new global headquarters in Indianapolis. (Courtesy Indiana Economic Development Corp.) The state of Indiana sold a chunk of a massive, long-vacant Indianapolis industrial site to Elanco Animal Health for nearly $30 million, Gov. Mike Braun announced Monday. Gov. Mike Braun addresses reporters on Aug. 18, 2025. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) This agreement is a responsible step forward. It places this property in the hands of a company with a clear vision of a world-class innovation district, while ensuring the State of Indiana remains a full partner in what comes next, Braun said. This is about more than redeveloping land; its about creating jobs, attracting talent, and driving long-term growth for Indiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General Motors closed its stamping plant on the White Rivers west bank, near downtown, in 2011. After demolition, the sprawling site which required environmental remediation lay vacant for years. The state of Indiana purchased 91 acres in 2022 for $25.5 million. The 56-acre, $27 million sale to Elanco comes at a sizable profit. Greenfield-based Elanco is building its next global headquarters on a separate 12 acres. Its new land lies to the northwest and south. This is about partnership and progress. The States willingness to work with us not as a landowner but as a partner makes this possible, Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons said. Securing this property now gives us the certainty we need to integrate it into our headquarters campus and move forward with speed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company broke ground three years ago. It plans to move into its new digs in early October, per Simmons. Jeff Simmons (Courtesy Elanco Animal Health) The sale will accelerate the creation of a larger One Health Innovation District anchored by the headquarters, according to the news release. The district is meant to connect research institutes, pilot-scale facilities, diagnostic labs, and animal clinical care with a vibrant community of offices, housing, retail and green space. That means jobs, investment, and an accelerated path to creating an innovation district dedicated (to) One Health, Simmons said. Together with Purdue (University) and the State of Indiana, were building something that will drive innovation and improve lives for decades to come. Purdue President Mung Chiang said the university was excited to bring its expertise in animal, plant and human health to the project, and committed to help(ing) create One Health jobs and workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This strategic step will also further accelerate Purdues growth in the states capital city as part of our main campus across the Hard Tech Corridor between West Lafayette and Indianapolis, he added. Update: This article has been updated with more information about the acreage sold. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (The Center Square) - Despite drastic shifts in grant funding, some state programs are still finding assistance through the federal government. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced a $4.1 million investment to support youth who have been involved in the justice system to access health and behavioral care. The funds from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services will go toward creating a record system for youth returning home after serving time in detention facilities. The system will consolidate individuals medical, dental, and behavioral records to create a smoother transition to external providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youth in secure juvenile justice residential programs experience far higher rates of physical, mental, and behavioral health challenges than their peers, including chronic illnesses, infectious diseases, untreated dental problems, psychiatric disorders, and substance use. Many also face developmental disabilities, reproductive health risks, and the lasting effects of trauma, poverty, and poor access to care, said DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh. Access to care, officials hope, will help to reduce recidivism and poor health outcomes for young people who have been released. Continuation of care for both youth and adults has been a major talking point for criminal justice reformers in the state legislature where a bill extending Medicaid access to prisoners before an upcoming release has made its way to the Senate. Having an effective continuum of care provides young people involved in the juvenile justice system the support needed to stay on the right path by continuing their education or landing a job ultimately leading to healthier lives, said Arkoosh. This change to ensure health care records follow them upon release bolsters our efforts to create smoother transitions, prevent treatment gaps, and promote healthier long-term outcomes. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita speaks at an environmental deregulation event at an Indianapolis truck dealership on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Companies seeking to partner with the state of Indiana must affirm that they dont have any diversity, equity or inclusive practices that treat people differently on the basis of race and sex when recruiting, hiring, promoting and conducting other employment activities. The policy took effect July 1 and is part of a push to eliminate discriminatory DEI practices, Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a news release last week. Rokitas office is charged with reviewing and approving all state contracts while enforcing the False Claims Act. The additional anti-DEI certification action is undertaken in coordination with Gov. Mike Braun and the Indiana Department of Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also last week, the state abruptly cancelled its 2025 Business Conference and B2Bloom Expo. The 17th annual gathering, hosted by the Indiana Department of Administrations Division of Supplier Diversity, showcased opportunities for underrepresented companies to contract with state government. The agency declined to share why the October conference was cancelled, only saying, Further details will be shared when they become available. More on AG In the release, Rokita said DEI is often used as a cover for policies that violate state and/or federal civil rights laws. No one gets a free pass for unlawful discrimination just because they claim to have good intentions, Rokita said. Treating people differently in the workplace or at school based on race and sex is a destructive practice and illegal. We will continue to enforce the law against higher education institutions and working to eliminate this terrible Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion known as DEI nonsense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State contracts will still have language prohibiting racial discrimination. But contractors could experience consequences under the states False Claims Act if found to have DEI programs violating Indiana or federal civil rights laws. The anti-DEI language in new contracts says the contractor does not and shall not operate any programs or engage in any practices promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), or other similar goals, that violate Indiana or Federal Civil Rights Laws by treating a person differently on the basis of race or sex, such as by considering race or sex when making recruitment, hiring, disciplinary, promotion, or employment decisions; requiring employees to participate in training or educational programs that employ racial or sex stereotypes; or attempting to achieve racial or sex balancing in the Contractors workforce. Following a January executive order, executive branch state agencies cannot use state funds or resources to support DEI positions, departments, activities, procedures or programs if they grant preferential treatment based upon one persons particular race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Braun has pivoted to MEI, or merit, excellence and innovation. The cancelled business conference The Division of Supplier Diversity has sought to promote, monitor and enforce certification standards for minority and women-owned small businesses since 1983, and added veteran-owned small businesses in 2018. A February presentation describes the mission of the 13-person department as provid(ing) equal opportunity to those businesses in the states procurement and contracting process. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US A May promotional video on the divisions Facebook page pitches the annual conference as a gathering of over 80 exhibitors, including state agencies, local universities and contractors, where small business owners can network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were planting seeds of opportunity, pollinating strategic partnerships and cultivating a vibrant, diverse ecosystem right here in Indiana, narrates Kesha Rich, the divisions deputy commissioner. Lets grow your business together. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Aug. 25If Fern Shore were alive today, she would likely tell you that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a difference. The Sterling teacher lived that philosophy, quietly giving her time and resources through Hope for Haitians, a nonprofit dedicated to building sustainable communities in Haiti. For more than 20 years, Shore traveled to the country and helped the organization raise funds, contributing to the construction of 17 homes in some of Haiti's most impoverished communities. Executive Director of Hope for Haitians Chris Eickert said Shore began as a modest donor, contributing small amounts in the early years before giving about $100 a month later in life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She used to tell the story of the first house she helped with," Eickert said. "At that time, it cost $500. She said, 'I don't have that much money, but if I save a little bit every month, I'll be able to.' And she did. That's how she started, just with those small steps." But even after death at the age of 101, Shore found a way to continue her mission of kindness. On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Hope for Haitians announced that Shore had bequeathed to the organization 741 shares of McDonald's stock before her death last September. The gift was valued at $220,000 at the time of transfer. "Along the way, someone in her family was involved in McDonald's, and would gift her a few shares of stock for her birthday," Eickert told Shaw Local. "She just set it aside and earmarked it for our organization at some point, and it accumulated and the dividends reinvested." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eickert said a portion of her gift will be used this year to fund additional safe housing, clean water systems and education initiatives. Another portion will be added to Hope for Haitians' endowment, ensuring that Shore's "generosity will give forever." Hope for Haitians co-founder Tom Lorden said Shore's involvement stretched back to the organization's beginning. "From our earliest days, Fern was there encouraging, supporting, and giving," Lorden said. "She was part of every effort we made and brought her heart for service into everything she did." Her daughter, Laurie Brandenburg, recalled the turning point in her mother's commitment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When she visited Haiti, she was deeply moved by the families living without safe water or secure homes," Brandenburg said. "She understood their struggle because she had lived through similar challenges in her own youth. That trip made her commitment unshakeable." Shore, who taught kindergarten and first grade in Sterling for decades, lived through several extraordinary eras, including the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression and World War II. She and her late husband, Wayne, raised eight children, and her legacy continues through 21 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, four step-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Known for her warmth, humor, and resilience, Shore was honored with Hope for Haitians' Ambassador of Hope Award in 2023, recognizing the decades she devoted to the cause. This week marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a storm that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, but ultimately reshaped the entire countrys understanding of disaster. This summer, our team traveled to Louisiana and Mississippi to explore the storm from every angle, hearing directly from those who survived it. Their voices drive our storytelling, from deeply personal interviews and emotional accounts to riveting snapshots, storm tracks, archival footage, weather data and the unmistakably rich feel of New Orleans, capturing both the hard truths and the untold stories of Katrina. Immerse yourself in a heart-pounding timeline, poetic visuals of the aftermath or a deep dive into a meteorologists memories of the storm. Together, these pieces paint a vivid picture of loss, survival and strength, and ensure that the story of Katrina, and the lessons learned, will never be forgotten. Come with us on a lyrical journey into the soul of New Orleans, told through the voices (and instruments) of the musicians who lived through Hurricane Katrina. From Katrinas menacing crawl in the Gulf to the moment the floodwaters began to rise, residents and first responders navigated terror and chaos. Senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman recalls tracking Hurricane Katrina, from its first landfall in Florida through each shift in wind and pressure that put New Orleans in its path. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From unimaginable loss to cautious triumph, New Orleans journey of recovery spans twenty years of reflection, resilience and rebuilding. Winds topping 175 mph, a 27-foot storm surge, 80% of New Orleans underwater these staggering numbers barely scratch the surface of Katrinas fury. An enchanting blend of voices, music and memory to pull you into the flood that reshaped New Orleans, revealing how the sounds (and silence) of the storm still ripple through the city today. These stories have been put together over the last few months by the Weather.com Features Team: - Patrick Maddox: Content Director Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Mike Ellis: Senior Producer, Editor - Caroline Aylward: Producer, Editor - Jenn Jordan: Lead Editor - Jon Erdman, Jonathan Belles: Senior Digital Meteorologists - Brandon Burton: Senior Assignment Editor - Joy Kigin: Manager of Content Development - Madie Homan, Lisa Pringle: Illustrators, Designers - Wyatt Williams: Writer NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) The next class of Blue Devils moved into their new homes on Sunday at Central Connecticut State University. A record number of students opted to live on campus this year. Its estimated that 2,500 students are living on campus, an increase of 200 from last year. SCSU campus welcomes students for move-in day The demand was so high that the university had to build out multiple floors of a residence hall to accommodate all students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students are looking forward to the start of classes and the college experience. At first I was good, but Im just a little nervous, but Im still good though, Jajuan Whitfield said. Back to school season brings nerves and excitement for many students. Im a little nervous, because Im used to living at home, and I miss my dogs, Sean Green said. I went to Costa Rica for a week once and I wanted to see my dogs the entire time, so thats what its going to be like when Im here, and Im probably going to be home often, but thats alright. Im going to enjoy it. Classes start on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. As nearly 20,000 students prepare to return to Pittsburgh Public Schools on Monday, some parents are expressing concern over proposed district-wide changes that could impact their childrens educational experience as early as next school year. >>> Parents speak out as Pittsburgh Public School board nears vote to start process of closing schools <<< Over the summer, district officials have been working on a reorganization plan that includes the potential closure of up to 12 school buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal is part of a larger effort to address declining enrollment and financial challenges, according to PPS administrators. >>> Pittsburgh Public Schools board votes to start public hearings for possible school closures <<< Honestly, I feel like it doesnt make any sense. Its already hard for the teachers to be teachers, honestly, said Stephanie Weems, a Pittsburgh parent whose children attend PPS. While students enjoyed the final day of summer, getting haircuts and picking up school supplies, some families are preparing for an academic year filled with uncertainty. I cant speak for everyone else, but to take kids that dont want to listen or dont want to pay attention and put them in schools where kids are excelling, its kind of crazy to me, Weems added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> Public hearings on Pittsburgh Public Schools closures, reconfiguration plan begin this week <<< The district held nearly 10 community meetings over the summer to hear from families concerned about the proposed changes. The discussions stem from a facilities plan introduced by district leaders in 2024, which recommended school consolidations and closures to better allocate resources. Kayla James organized the Give Back Sunday to give students free haircuts and supplies. As a parent and community organizer, she worries the reorganization could create transportation issues for families already struggling to access reliable transit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement >>> Parents voice concerns about potential closures in Pittsburgh Public School District <<< Everybody doesnt have a vehicle and cant get to places, so I feel like the more schools, the better, James said. I do understand funding is not always the best. As of now, no final decisions have been made. The PPS board has yet to vote on the reorganization plan. If approved, the changes would not take effect until at least the 202627 school year. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Thousands of students across Rhode Island and Massachusetts are returning to school this week or next. Many students will be welcomed back to the classroom with major upgrades to their learning spaces, including in North Providence. Superintendent Joseph Goho said facility improvements are the theme in the town, with upgrades to both school gyms, the cafeteria, and the library at the high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This cafeteria was about 35 years old, and it gets heavy use, you know, 1,000 kids a day, every single day. Lots of community use, explained Goho. With the use that they get, they become worn down, they become not functional, they fall into disrepair. Over time, it becomes a bit tough to maintain that. And you want kids to come to school in an environment thats pleasing and thats modern, and thats 21st century in terms of the ability to apply learning concepts. Back to school: Heres when RI, Mass. students have their first day Other districts in the Ocean State have also made transformative renovations to their schools. That includes everywhere from East Greenwich to Cranston to Smithfield to Providence. Goho added that they continue to prioritize student success in and out of the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our priority for the year is what it always is, improve student outcomes, prepare them for college and readiness, along with that, we know we have to improve attendance, because kids are going to learn and theyre going to grow when theyre in school, not when theyre at home, said Goho. Programs and support systems are in place to make sure students can focus on learning, Goho said, and families are encouraged to work with schools to meet individual needs. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Clean, renewable energy sources like solar are beginning to replace dirty, polluting energy sources like gas and oil. However, one issue with solar that needs to be addressed as it continues to expand is the amount of physical space solar arrays take up. Luckily, there are several viable ways to work around this issue or even to use it for good. Among them is the burgeoning practice of agrivoltaics, where solar arrays are combined with other types of farming to make use of the shade they provide. In New South Wales, Australia, one renewables developer just commissioned a study on agrivoltaics that had promising results, pv magazine reported. Developer Lightsource bp had environmental services company EMM Consulting, in collaboration with agribusiness group Elders Rural Services, conduct a study on its Wellington project, where a flock of about 1,700 Merino sheep have been grazing under solar arrays for the past three years. If you were to install home solar panels, which of these factors would be your primary motivation? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The findings of the study were that the quality of the wool produced by these sheep was no worse than wool produced by sheep grazing out in the open. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The findings suggest that the co-location of solar farming with sheep grazing is not negatively impacting wool production, even in the case of pre-existing high-quality standards," Lightsource bp said, in a released statement. According to the farmer who owns the sheep, the quality of wool actually increased over this period. "Our wool quality has increased significantly, mainly, I think, because variable rain means our sheep can go from a lush feed to dried grass to standing hay up to six times a year, which means you can get breaks in your wool production and the tensile strength can be slightly weaker," he said. Other agrivoltaics projects include one in Spain that combined solar panels with olive trees. Other studies have found that crops like maize, Swiss chard, and beans grow even better under partial shade provided by solar panels. 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. TOKYO (Reuters) -Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba surged nearly 20 percentage points, a Yomiuri newspaper public opinion poll showed on Monday, despite his ruling coalition losing its majority in July's parliamentary election. Support for Ishiba's cabinet stood at 39%, surging by 17 percentage points from last month's survey taken after the upper house election. The disapproval rate fell to 50% from July's 67%. The public approval for the prime minister likely bounced thanks to factors such as Japan reaching a trade deal with the United States and the government's announcement of increasing rice production to counter sharp price rise, the newspaper reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ishiba vowed to stay in his post after the election defeat, fending off demands by some of his Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers to resign to take responsibility. Asked whether Ishiba should step down following the election results, 42% said "yes," down from last month's 54%, the Yomiuri survey showed. Fifty percent of respondents said Ishiba did not need to resign, up from 35% in the previous poll. (Reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Stephen Coates) There arent many activists who have directly influenced the course of the United States more than Leonard Leo. The right-wing money man and longtime Federalist Society honcho effectively built the conservative-dominated Supreme Court, feeding Donald Trump the justices who would go on to overturn Roe v. Wade and grant the chronically corrupt president immunity from prosecution. Leo and his dark money network have continued to spend millions to advance his conservative agenda. He tried to get Will Scharf who just so happened to represent Trump in his immunity case before the Supreme Court elected attorney general of Missouri last year. Scharf lost in the Republican primary to Andrew Bailey, whom Trump tapped this week to become a deputy director at the FBI. Scharf is also now a member of the Trump administration, serving as a White House staff secretary, along with a cadre of Trumps other personal lawyers. Trump lashed out at Leo in May, calling him a sleazebag who probably hates America, ostensibly because the judicial nominees Leo recommended werent sufficiently willing to bend the law in Trumps favor. The Supreme Court justices have been much more compliant of late and Leo is still doing what he can to ensure the president can impose his will on the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Over the past year, Leos new dark money node, the Lexington Fund, has poured $2 million into First Principles PAC, part of a series of groups that use some variation of that moniker, and were all registered in Tennessee last November. These First Principles groups, led by a former top Leo deputy, have been spending big on key races across the nation. First Principles PAC, for example, funded another group called First Principles Wisconsin, which pumped over $600,000 into the critical Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The group spent the spring buying ads and robocalls on a race that saw Elon Musk contributing $20 million in an effort to secure conservative control of the states highest court. It was the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, one that the Democratic-endorsed Susan Crawford wound up winning relatively easily despite the tens of millions in right-wing money spent to defeat her. Meanwhile, First Principles Action has given over $1 million this summer to Republican Katherine Robinsons campaign for Alabama attorney general. Robinson is currently the chief counsel for the states current attorney general, Steve Marshall. Marshall ran the Rule of Law Defense Fund the dark money arm of the Republican Attorneys General Association when it paid for robocalls encouraging people to march on Washington, D.C., to protest the results of the 2020 presidential election. At 1 p.m., we will march to the Capitol building and call on Congress to stop the steal, the robocall said, per NBC News. Marshall has denied knowledge of the robocalls, calling it unacceptable that he wasnt informed about them. Advertisement Advertisement First Principles PAC has also given to a group supporting MAGA loyalist Kris Kobach in his campaign to be reelected attorney general of Kansas. The Lexington Fund, which has provided First Principles PAC with over 99 percent of its reported revenue, gave $1 million to a Super PAC working to ensure Maine Republican Susan Collins is able to fend off any challengers to her Senate seat next year. Though Collins is publicly pro-choice, she provided essential votes for Trumps right-wing Supreme Court nominees, who promptly gutted federal protections for abortion rights fulfilling a decades-long goal of Leos. Leo lives in Maine now, too, and Collins once attended a lavish fundraiser at his mansion in the ritzy Bar Harbor area. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WSPA) Police officers arrested a third suspect in connection to an Asheville apartment shooting that occurred in June. According to police, the shooting happened at the Hillcrest Apartments on June 28. Officials said the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Lamon Tyrone Smith Sr., was arrested on Sunday at around 2:04 a.m. on Broadway Street. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a felon, civil non-support, and simple possession of schedule V drugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith remains at the Buncombe County Detention Facility under no 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 WSPA 7NEWS. DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) A train conductor attacked with a giant knife and stabbed nearly a dozen times got the news he had been waiting for today. Transit workers rallied outside the court in Brooklyn as a show of support and to stand up for safety in the system. More Local News Train Operator Myran Pollack walked with friends, family, and his transit coworkers into court in Downtown Brooklyn on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pollack was viciously attacked with a knife at the Utica Ave. station, an assault which continued as the 33-year veteran of New York City Transit tried to run to safety. Jonathan Davalos was arrested on the scene after the attack inside the Utica Avenue Subway station in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. In a hearing before a judge, Davalos entered a plea of guilty to a charge of attempted murder. Transit workers and Transport Workers Union Local 100 offer support to colleagues as cases move through the system. TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello wants judges, prosecutors, MTA officials, and elected leaders to hear and see their message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to make sure when someone commits a crime, theyre not on the street again because theyre doing it over and over again, Chiarello said. Mr. Pollack plans to address the court in a victim impact statement. Sentencing is set for September 24th. The judges sentence is expected to be 15 years with five years of supervised release after the sentence is served. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The union was hoping for the maximum sentence, but was also pleased to see the attempted murder charge. In a statement after the case was filed last year, the Brooklyn District Attorney said the office was committed to ensuring that those who threatened the safety of subways would face the full consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This defendant is accused of viciously attacking and seriously injuring a hardworking train operator who was simply doing his job. My office requested that he be held without bail, and we will aggressively pursue full accountability for this violent assault. Keeping straphangers and transit workers safe is essential to the functioning of our city and a top priority for my office, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. Transit workers and the union have more cases to follow in the coming months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. LAMPASAS, Texas (FOX 44) One person is in the hospital after a shooting in Lampasas. Police are searching for the suspect. The Lampasas Police Department received a report at approximately 4:43 p.m. Sunday regarding a shooting at 408 N Ridge Street. When officers arrived, they found a man inside the residence with a single gunshot wound to the neck. Officers immediately began life-saving measures. Police say Hamilton EMS also responded to provide medical aid. The victim was transported to Baylor Scott & White in Temple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses at the scene identified a suspect who fled before law enforcement arrived. Police say all evidence suggests this was an isolated incident stemming from a conflict between two individuals who knew each other. It is believed there is no ongoing threat to the public. This remains an active and 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 KWKT - FOX 44. Los Angeles witnessed a high-speed chase unlike any other when a suspect, behind the wheel of a stolen car, paused mid-pursuit to refuel before speeding off again. The bizarre twist left police and viewers stunned, turning the pursuit into one of the most talked-about high-speed chases in recent memory. Heres how the chaotic night unfolded. High Speed Chase Turns Bizarre With Gas Station Stop The chaos began on Friday night, just before 10 p.m., in the Wilshire area after police identified a dark blue Infiniti 250 sedan as stolen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within moments, the driver pushed the vehicle to dangerous speeds, reaching up to 100 mph and weaving recklessly between cars. At times, he even veered onto the shoulder, narrowly missing other vehicles. According to ABC7, the chase, which spanned multiple freeways, including the 105, 110, 710, and 10, quickly escalated in danger. Law enforcement helicopters hovered overhead while ground officers attempted to maintain pursuit. However, in a shocking move that left even seasoned officers surprised, the suspect pulled into a Shell gas station located at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Long Beach Boulevard in Lynwood. As he pumped fuel, the driver appeared to notice the AIR7 camera overhead and covered his face before looking directly into the lens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the tank was filled, he jumped back into the car and sped off as if nothing had happened. Reckless Driving Pushes High Speed Chase To New Heights After leaving the station, the suspect wasted no time resuming the high speed chase, darting recklessly through traffic and drawing in police units from surrounding cities, including Bell. For moments at a time, officers pulled back to create distance, hoping to reduce the risk of collisions, but the suspect showed no signs of slowing down. From freeways to crowded surface streets, the pursuit kept residents on edge as the vehicle tore through multiple communities. The suspects boldness highlighted just how unpredictable the situation had become. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Viewers watching the live broadcast couldnt believe their eyes as the pursuit seemed to grow more dangerous with every passing minute. Foot Chase Ends In Mysterious Disappearance Canva Stock Images The wild chase finally came to an end under the 10 Freeway overpass at Alameda Street near Los Angeles Fashion District. There, the suspect abruptly bailed out on foot. The abandoned Infiniti rolled into a light pole, while the driver slipped out of sight of both AIR7s aerial coverage and police helicopters overhead. Authorities believe he may have been picked up by an accomplice in another vehicle or possibly carjacked an SUV nearby. The police confirmed that the driver was still at large, leaving the community apprehensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adding another layer of intrigue, the very same overpass was the scene of another unusual getaway in a recent chase, when a different suspect abandoned a stolen tanker truck and escaped in another vehicle. High Speed Chase Spirals Into Tanker Truck Madness Two weeks before the bold driver's shocking refueling move amid a speed chase, there was another pursuit that gripped Los Angeles, this time involving armed suspects, multiple carjackings, and a stolen tanker truck. The ordeal began late when two armed suspects carjacked a pickup truck in the Antelope Valley just before 11 p.m. on August 10. Authorities said the victim tried following them, prompting one of the suspects to fire shots. No one was injured, but the gunfire triggered a massive pursuit involving CHP and local agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the chase, the suspects reportedly drove the wrong way on a freeway and exchanged gunfire with officers. Moments later, they rammed into a tanker truck, forcing its driver to flee. The suspects then took control of the big rig, continuing the pursuit through freeways and eventually into downtown Los Angeles. Truckers watching the live broadcast told ABC7 that the tanker likely carried milk, not hazardous material, although the sheer size of the stolen vehicle added to the danger. As the chase unfolded, the semi circled high-rises downtown before swerving onto the 10 Freeway in the wrong direction, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic. Suspects Vanish After Multiple Carjackings Canva Stock Images The chaos didnt end there. After abandoning the tanker, the suspects slipped into yet another stolen vehicle, a white pickup truck. At one point, they swapped drivers in Boyle Heights before ditching the truck altogether. Police confirmed the suspects then carjacked a fourth vehicle, disappearing once again into the night. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The U.S. Border Patrols San Diego Sector has seen more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The video above by Nexstar Media Wire explains what you need to know about fentanyl Battery concealment involves hiding drugs under the hood of a vehicle, CBP said in a news release Monday. Fiery crash on I-15 in Temecula kills 4, including teens Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 20, Border Patrol agents and the San Diego County Sheriffs Office stopped a Jeep Grand Cherokee that was carrying narcotics while heading north on Interstate 5 in Carlsbad. A search of the vehicle led authorities to discover more than nine pounds of cocaine and over two pounds of methamphetamine inside the cars battery. The suspect and narcotics were taken to the Vista Sheriffs Station for processing, CBP said. Border Patrol agents have seen an increase in more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Border Patrol agents have seen an increase in more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Border Patrol agents have seen an increase in more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Border Patrol agents have seen an increase in more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Border Patrol agents have seen an increase in more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Border Patrol agents have seen an increase in more drug smuggling attempts involving car batteries. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) In addition, the seizures of about 33 pounds of fentanyl on April 14, nearly five pounds on July 24 and at least 16 pounds of the same drug plus $1,000 in cash on July 28 all involved battery concealment, according to the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The San Diego Sector has seized a total of more than 10,600 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 2,750 pounds of cocaine, more than 520 pounds of fentanyl and 56 pounds of heroin this fiscal year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. By Anne Kauranen HELSINKI (Reuters) -The captain of an oil tanker and two officers accused of severing five undersea power and telecoms cables in the Baltic Sea last December, blamed technical faults for the damage as their trial began in Helsinki on Monday. NATO allies with forces stationed around the Baltic Sea went on high alert after the December 25 incident, one of a string of suspicious cable and gas pipeline outages in the region since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say the Eagle S tanker deliberately dragged its 11,000 kg (24,250 lb) anchor along the seabed to sever the Estlink 2 power cable linking Finland and Estonia and four internet cables as the vessel sailed from a Russian port via the Gulf of Finland. Finnish security forces intercepted the Cook Islands-registered ship and boarded it from helicopters after ordering it to move into Finnish territorial waters. The tanker's Georgian captain, Davit Vadatchkoria, and its Georgian first and Indian second officers pleaded not guilty, saying the vessel's anchor had dropped due to technical faults in the securing of the anchor winch. State prosecutor Heidi Nummela said that, while investigators did not find proof that the anchor's fastening had been manipulated, the failure of all three available backstops was at minimum a sign of gross negligence on the crew's part. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finnish prosecutors are seeking 2.5 years in prison for aggravated criminal mischief and aggravated interference with telecommunications for the defendants who deny all charges and reject the cable owners' claims for damages that amount to tens of millions of euros. They also questioned the court's jurisdiction in the matter, given the cable cuts occurred in international waters. "This was a normal marine accident, not any sabotage," second officer Santosh Kumar Chuarasia told reporters during a break. He said that the anchor dropped due to bad weather and mechanical malfunction and that he trusted the court to rule in the defendants' favour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vadatchkoria declined comment, while his lawyer Tommi Heinonen told the court the incident was "a marine accident". On December 25, the Eagle S sailed on for three hours at a reduced speed after severing the first power cable at 12:26 p.m. (1026 GMT), prosecutors told the court. When contacted by Finnish marine authorities at 3:20 p.m. and asked whether its anchor was up and secured, its crew replied in the affirmative, which was not true, prosecutors said. Defence lawyers said the defendants had no reason to believe the anchor had sunk to the seabed as the tanker's mechanical engineer, who is not on trial, had told them the drop in speed was caused by "an engine problem". Prosecutors said the tanker sailed on and cut four more cables between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. that day, which they said showed clear criminal intent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, a Ukrainian was arrested over the 2022 attacks on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Both Moscow and the West have described the explosions, which largely severed Russian gas supplies to Europe, as sabotage. ($1 = 0.8619 euros) (Reporting by Anne Kauranen; writing by Anna Ringstrom; editing by Hugh Lawson, Mark Heinrich and Tomasz Janowski) TRIBECA, Manhattan (PIX11) An SUV crashed into scaffolding attached to a nearly 130-year-old building in Tribeca Monday afternoon, according to the FDNY. A gray Jeep Wagoneer was seen in a Citizen video mounted on the curb at 260 W Broadway between Beach Street and Lispenard Street in Tribeca. More Local News According to the FDNY, the report came in at 12:24 p.m. on Monday. The video showed the scaffold area taped off by authorities, with firetrucks and EMS vehicles surrounding the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDNY said one person was taken to a local hospital, but did not provide information on their condition. The building is the American Thread Building, which is a converted wool exchange built in 1896 that now serves as a condominium complex, according to its website. Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Students walk past the Russell House on the University of South Carolina campus on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette) COLUMBIA An active shooter scare at South Carolinas flagship university over the weekend was a swatting hoax, University of South Carolina police said. The USC Police Department received two calls around 6:30 p.m. Sunday reporting gunfire at the colleges main Thomas Cooper Library, during students first week on campus. Both calls came from an unknown man and included background noise that mimicked gunfire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within minutes the school sent out a message to students and parents on its campus-wide alert system saying, An active shooter has been reported on the University of South Carolinas Columbia campus. Avoid the area. Evacuate the area or seek safe shelter and barricade yourself in a safe area as necessary until further notice. Defend yourself if you encounter the suspect. Obey public safety officials commands. About 30 minutes later, the school sent an update saying there was no evidence of a gunman or shooting. Law enforcement continued to search, clearing the library. Police gave the all clear at 8:05 p.m. Two students sustained minor injuries related to the evacuation and have since been released from the hospital, according to a statement from the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These types of situations require split-second decisions with limited information, and our police officers, communications center staff, and emergency management unit acted swiftly to protect students, faculty, and staff, according to a statement from the school. USC is not the only college to receive a false active shooter report in the last week. The hoax is called swatting because the calls are designed to get a heavy response from law enforcement, to include SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) teams. Two hoax calls came in to Villanova University in Pennsylvania, one Sunday morning and one the previous Thursday. Police at the University of Tennessee last Thursday received a call reporting a man shot an AR-15 on campus. That report, too, was found to be fake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on Monday, Iowa State University students became the latest victims of a false report. This is also not South Carolinas first experience with swatting. In October 2022, a wave of hoax calls came in to more than a dozen K-12 schools across the state, creating mass chaos. USC police say they have no evidence that these latest calls originated on campus. During the event, people posted photos and video of a USC student carrying an umbrella on social media. According to the school, the student had no role in the incident. Among those who reposted an image of the student was U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who is running for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the second alert saying police had found no evidence of a shooter, Mace then posted: Real, or a hoax, or a mistake, now would be an appropriate time to talk about hardened security at schools of all grades, colleges and universities. As the mom of a student at USC, tonight was terrifying, Mace wrote in a follow-up post. Frantically calling my child to see if they were at the library or barricaded somewhere else on campus, making sure they and their roommates were safe, your heart just drops to the ground, for a minute you cant breathe. Other gubernatorial candidates also posted on social media following the alert: U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman of Rock Hill, Attorney General Alan Wilson, and Lt. Gov. Pam Evette posted messages urging calm, offering prayers and thanking law enforcement. Police agencies that responded include the Columbia Police Department, the Richland County Sheriffs Department, the State Law Enforcement Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The investigation, in conjunction with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, is ongoing, according to the university. STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden said on Monday it has signed a deal to sell four Gripen fighter jets produced by Saab to Thailand. The deal "strengthens the long-term development opportunities for Swedish warplanes," Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) Director-General Mikael Granholm said in a statement. Saab said in a separate statement that the value of the order, which includes three Gripen E jets and one Gripen F, as well as equipment, support and training, was around 5.3 billion crowns ($556 million) and deliveries would take place in 2025-2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thailand already has one squadron of Gripen C/D fighters. Shares of Saab were up 3% in late morning trading. ($1 = 9.5271 Swedish crowns) (Reporting by Simon Johnson, writing by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Stine Jacobsen and Bernadette Baum) Syria has condemned a new military incursion by Israel in the southwestern Damascus countryside area outside the capital, calling it a grave threat to regional peace, in the wake of the two sides recently holding talks in Paris on de-escalating the conflict in southern Syria. Syrias Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Israel had sent 60 soldiers to take control of an area inside the Syrian border around Mount Hermon. Israel did not immediately comment on the accusation. The incident took place near a strategic hilltop that overlooks Beit Jinn, an area of southern Syria close to the border with Lebanon, the ministry said. Israel also arrested six Syrians there, according to residents in the area. The area is reportedly known known for arms movement by Lebanons Hezbollah and by Palestinian armed groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani accused Israel of violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement by establishing intelligence facilities and military posts in demilitarised areas to advance its expansionist and partition plans. Al-Shaibani made the remarks at an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperations (OIC) foreign ministers to discuss Israels genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. The latest Israeli military action in Syria follows deadly clashes in the Druze-majority Syrian province of Suwayda, where a week of sectarian violence in July killed 1,400 people before a ceasefire put an end to the bloodshed. Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops and also bombed the heart of the capital, Damascus, under the pretext of protecting the Druze. Al-Sharaa will be first Syrian leader to address UNGA In the meantime, it was announced that Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa will speak at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September, the first Syrian leader to do so in decades, as the nation seeks to rebuild and reengage with the international community after 14 years of ruinous civil war and the fall of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the more than 50 years that the al-Assad dynasty ruled Syria, neither Hafez al-Assad nor his son, Bashar, ever addressed the annual gathering of world leaders in New York. He will be the first Syrian president to speak at the United Nations since former President Nureddin al-Atassi (in 1967), and the first Syrian president ever to take part in the General Assemblys high-level week, scheduled for September 22-30, a Syrian official told the AFP news agency on Monday. Syrias interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Syria [Khalil Ashawi /Reuters] Al-Sharaa, who took power in December after leading rebels on a lightning advance to Damascus that toppled al-Assad, remains under UN sanctions and a travel ban due to his past as a fighter, and must request an exemption for all foreign trips. In April, al-Shaibani addressed the UN for the first time and raised his countrys new flag at the bodys New York headquarters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking power, Syrias new authorities have gained regional and international support, both diplomatic and financial, securing critical economic lifelines to reconstruct the devastated country. Damascus signed 12 agreements worth $14bn this month, including a $4bn agreement with Qatars UCC Holding to build a new airport and a $2bn deal to establish a subway in Damascus with the national investment corporation of the United Arab Emirates. Al-Sharaa met United States President Donald Trump in May in Saudi Arabia, a week after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on his first trip to the West. Both the US and the European Union have lifted longstanding sanctions on Syria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syria will hold parliamentary elections in September, a week before the UNGA meeting. They will be the first to take place under the countrys new authorities after the fall of al-Assad. One-third of the 210 seats will be appointed by al-Sharaa, with the rest to be elected. By Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Jaidaa Taha CAIRO (Reuters) -Syria said on Monday that Israel had sent 60 soldiers to take control of an area inside the Syrian border around Mount Hermon in an operation that violated its sovereignty and posed a further threat to regional security. An Israeli military spokesperson said troops carried out a routine operational activity in an area of southern Syria but did not operate in Beit Jinn, an area close to the border with Lebanon and near Mount Hermon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident comes as the two countries engage in U.S.-mediated talks on de-escalating their conflict in southern Syria. Damascus hopes to reach a security arrangement that could eventually pave the way for broader political talks. Monday's incident took place near a strategic hilltop that overlooks Beit Jinn, the Syrian ministry said. Israel also arrested six Syrians there, according to residents in the area. The Israeli military said they made no arrests during their activity in southern Syria but they detained one person for questioning after some suspects were identified approaching the area in a manner the military deemed as a threat to the troops. The area is known for arms smuggling by Lebanon's Iran-aligned Hezbollah group and by Palestinian jihadist factions. Previous Israeli incursions have mostly been in the southern Quneitra governorate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This dangerous escalation is considered a direct threat to regional peace and security," the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement. Israel has cited its own security concerns for its military interventions inside Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad last December, including what it sees as its obligation to protect members of the Druze minority in southern Syria. On the same day, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed developments in Syria and the region with U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack in Damascus, a day after Barrack was in Israel and discussed Syria and Lebanon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hundreds of people were reported killed in clashes last month in the southern province of Sweida between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces. Israel intervened with airstrikes to prevent what it said was mass killings of Druze by the Syrian government forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops would remain on the summit of Mount Hermon indefinitely. Israel has since then formed a de facto security zone, where it regularly patrols, sets up checkpoints, and carries out searches and raids in villages. (Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Suleiman Al-Khalidi, additional reporting by: Tala Ramadan, Menna Alaa El Din, Howard Goller and Kinda Makieh; Editing by Gareth Jones) Syria accuses Israel of sending 60 soldiers to Mount Hermon, violating its sovereignty and escalating regional tensions. The incident comes amid ongoing US-mediated talks on southern Syria. Syria said on Monday that Israel had sent 60 soldiers to take control of an area inside the Syrian border around Mount Hermon, saying the operation violated its sovereignty and posed a further threat to regional security. Israel did not immediately comment on the accusation by Syria's foreign ministry, which comes as the two countries engage in US-mediated talks on de-escalating their conflict in southern Syria. Damascus hopes to reach a security arrangement that could eventually pave the way for broader political talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The area around Beit Jinn is known for arms smuggling by the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group and by Palestinian jihadist factions. Previous Israeli incursions have mostly been in the southern Quneitra governorate. Monday's incident took place near a strategic hilltop that overlooks Beit Jinn, an area of southern Syria close to the border with Lebanon, the ministry said. Israel also arrested six Syrians there, according to residents in the area. IDF troops from the 474th Brigade in the 210th Division arrested and interrogated terror suspects and raided weapons depots in southern Syria, the military said Sunday. Operations of IDF troops in southern Syria, August 20, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Soldiers seized RPG missiles, IEDs, Kalashnikov-type rifles, and a large amount of ammunition. The IDF added that all the weapons were confiscated by soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This dangerous escalation is considered a direct threat to regional peace and security," the Syrian foreign ministry said in a statement. Israel's protection of Syrian Druze in Sweida Israel has cited its own security concerns for its military interventions inside Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad last December, including what it sees as its obligation to protect members of the Druze minority in southern Syria. Hundreds of people were reported killed in clashes last month in the southern province of Sweida between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces. Israel intervened with airstrikes to prevent what it said was mass killings of Druze by the Syrian government forces. In January, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli troops would remain on the summit of Mount Hermon indefinitely. Israel has since then formed a de facto security zone, where it regularly patrols, sets up checkpoints, and carries out searches and raids in villages. By Cathy Hasprunar Exactly a year ago, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a new literacy bill into law, set to take effect this September. For many parents and professionals like me, who have spent years advocating for evidence-based reading instruction, this moment feels like long-overdue progress. While the bill holds promise, its essential to understand not just what it includes, but what it leaves out. S2644/A43034 creates a statewide literacy working group composed of experts from across New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their charge: recommend how to implement evidence-based literacy strategies in public schools. The key recommendations include: Mandatory literacy screenings twice a year Evidence-based support for struggling students An online resource hub to help schools choose effective programs Required professional development in evidence-based reading instruction This bill builds on tools already in place, such as the revised New Jersey Dyslexia Handbook (2024) , which outlines effective strategies for teaching reading, and the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS), introduced in 2019. NJTSS is designed to help schools deliver academic and behavioral support to all students, with an emphasis on progress monitoring to ensure interventions are effective. Another critical, but often underutilized resource, is the Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG), which every district in New Jersey is required to have. These groups are meant to be parent-led and work in partnership with school administrators to address district-wide issues. When they function as intended, SEPAGs can be powerful vehicles for change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The harsh reality is that even with these tools in place, real change isnt happening and thats because there is no real accountability from the top down and student data is not driving interventions. Like so many families, mine was failed by a broken system with no accountability. In her early grades, my daughter struggled to read, but we were repeatedly told she was making progress. She passed the states dyslexia screening at six years old, yet her progress remained far behind that of her peers. The real failure came later: a lack of evidence-based interventions and the misuse of data led to a devastatingly delayed diagnosis of dyslexia. Had our district implemented NJTSS properly, her struggles might have been identified sooner. Had she received evidence-based instruction from the start, she might not be facing the same challenges she is today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Researcher Sally Shaywitz has shown that children who fall behind in reading beyond first grade rarely catch up. Literacy expert Louisa Moats reminds us that 95% of children can learn to read at grade level, if they receive the right instruction. In New Jersey, only 33% of students are reading at or above grade level, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Thats not just a disappointing numberits a failure of systems, leadership, and oversight. My family is now paying the price for ineffective instruction and poor progress monitoring. Even though the state provides clear guidance through NJTSS and the Dyslexia Handbook, our district has said theyre not required to follow them. Thats devastating. I tried to work through our local SEPAG, but our administration refuses to allow parents to lead it as suggested by state guidelines. When families are denied a voice in the very systems designed to serve them, how can we expect things to improve? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I trusted my district. I believed they knew how to help my child. That trust was misplaced, not because educators dont care, but because many havent been given the training, tools, or systems they need to succeed. This isnt just my familys story. Its the story of thousands across New Jersey. And thats why parents can no longer afford to be passive. We need to stop assuming the system is working and start asking tough questions. We need to educate ourselves about what interventions are truly effective, and how to measure real progress. We need to talk to school board members, administrators, and teachers. Ask them what tools theyre usingand why. We need to ensure that our districts are implementing the recommendations from the New Jersey Literacy Working Group. Lastly, we need to demand that SEPAGs function as theyre intended: as parent-led advocacy groups, not district-controlled rubber stamps. These groups are our platform. If your SEPAG isnt working, organize, push back, and rebuild it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new literacy bill gives us an opening, but it will mean nothing if we dont seize it. Rebuilding trust in New Jerseys public education system requires more than legislation. It requires sustained pressure from families. It requires us to be louder, better informed, and unafraid to challenge the status quo. Our children deserve an education grounded in science, delivered with compassion, and backed by real accountability. That responsibility doesnt just belong to lawmakers or administrators. It belongs to all of us. Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster. Cathy Hasprunar is a Speech Language pathologist and National Parents Union N.J. parent leader. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. In a new podcast series, Harvard Law School Professor Lawrence Lessig presents his version of the truth in a four-year-old academic controversy that resulted in the loss of tenure for Harvard Business School superstar Francesca Gino. Lessig, a highly influential and thoughtful observer of the law, is not an unbiased moderator. He is both a friend of Ginos, a lawyer who helped to counsel her as she faced allegations of academic fraud in four specific research studies. He also authored the appeal of the universitys decision to May of this year to strip her of tenure. (Lessigs detailed response to the allegations is an appendix to a recent court filing by Gino). Lessig believes that unprecedented decision is completely unjustified. I am convinced Francesca did no wrong, he says in the first episode of the podcast launched on Aug. 21. I am convinced she is innocent absolutely. But I would concede that there is at least a conceivable scenario to support the idea that she is not innocent Indeed she could be guilty but I am quite certain that scenario is just fantasythat conclusion is just crazy talk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The series requires a formidable investment in time: the second podcast episode alone is one hour and 53 minutes long. But Lessigs approach is thoughtful and reasonable, based on logic and fact, not emotional appeal. He expects a series composed of six to eight episodes, some of which will feature Gino herself, each delivered in a colloquial but confident voice. In fact, she appears in the second episode entitled How You Know A Business School Is Not A Law School. At one point during that episode, Gino concedes: I was radioactive. SHE WAS EFFECTIVELY GAGGED FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS Former Harvard Business School Professor Francesca Gino Throughout, Lessig is attempting to convince many in academia, who believe Gino is guilty, that they never really heard her side of the story because Harvard Business School and Harvard University put in place rules that did not allow her to defend herself. She has effectively been gagged for almost all of these past four years, declares Lessig. You might believe you know the truth. I am not going to call you out for that. Give me some time and after you have heard everything, ask yourself again, Were you right originally? Are you confident you were right?' When the universitys hearing committee revoked her tenure in May, making Gino the only professor in the history of Harvard to lose that honor, Lessig believed a great injustice occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question the committee was supposed to answer was not is it possible that Francesca committed academic misconduct, he explains. It was not even is it more likely than not that Francesca committed academic misconduct. The question they were supposed to answer is whether there was clear and convincing evidence that she committed academic misconduct. Any lawyer will recognize that that is an extraordinarily high bar. It plainly requires clear proof of a wrong. ASTONISHED OVER THE CONFIDENCE THAT PEOPLE WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE FACTS SEEM TO HAVE ABOUT THE FACTS Lessig maintains no proof of the sort exists. He believes there was a rush to judgment as Harvard prevented her from fully defending herself at a time when social media has become a significant shaper of opinion. In the culture of tweeting, Lessig notes, it is an easy story to mischaracterize. In the culture of tweeting, it is an easy story to mock. I have been astonished with the confidence that people who know nothing about the facts seem to have about the facts. So I am going to give you a picture of the facts. Gino says she met Lessig shortly after arriving at Harvard in July of 2010 as an associate professor of organizational behavior at Harvard Business School after stints at North Carolinas Kenan-Flagler Business School and Carnegie Mellon University. The Italian-born professor became a highly prolific and acclaimed teacher and scholar at HBS, obtaining tenure as a full professor in four years in July of 2014. Over those years, she published 140 papers and was much in demand by consulting and leadership development clients, including Disney, Nike, EY, General Mills, and Honeywell. She was Harvards fifth-highest-paid employee from 2018 to 2019, earning up to $1 million a year. All of that success came to an abrupt end in July of 2021 when Data Colada, a blog written by three behavioral scientists, contacted Harvard Business School about data anomalies in four studies authored by Gino and others. The school launched a probe into the charges while getting Data Colada not to report its findings until HBS had fully investigated them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would take more than three months before Harvard let Gino know about the accusations during which time the school secretly developed a new 16-page policy for dealing with academic misconduct. The faculty was not given notice of this new policy, which was eight times longer than the previous policy, nor was there a faculty vote. The new process placed severe restrictions on any professor accused of academic misconduct, limiting Gino to engage with two advisors and preventing her from speaking to anyone else, including all the researchers and co-authors of her papers. If she violated those restrictions, the school would impost sanctions on her up to termination. A 10 A.M. EMAIL CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE MEETING TO DISCUSS A SERIOUS & TIME SENSITIVE MANNER It was not until she received an email on October 27th of 2021 at 10 a.m. asking her to meet on the same day with a newly appointed research integrity officer, a position created by the new policy, and to bring her HBS-issued devices with her to the session. The email vaguely referred to a serious and time sensitive manner. On that day, she was teaching in Harvards MBA program, also had parent-teaching conferences for her own children, as well as her husbands 50th birthday. Nonetheless, she walked to campus for the meeting that afternoon accompanied by her husband and was finally told of the allegations from an anonymous source and the start of an inquiry. The scene was puzzling since security was there when I showed up, recalls Gino in the second podcast episode. It was a little bit like being in a movie and asking yourself if this is your storyI remember being shocked, I couldnt quite understand what I was hearing but then I decided there was an error because I didnt commit any misconduct. So right from the start, I was collaborative and did what I was told. As her two advisors, she picked an HBS colleague and mentor outside her field, Gary Pisano, and a lawyer based on the recommendation from the research integrity officer. She was called before an inquiry panel of two HBS faculty members in February of 2022; a month later, the inquiry led to a full investigation by an expanded group of three HBS professors. Gino was then informed that the committee hired a forensic consulting firm to examine her studies but also told, Gino recalls, that she could not hire her own firm because she had already reached her limit of two advisors. Harvard Business School's Francesca Gino Former Harvard Business School Professor Francesca Gino DENIED DUE PROCESS When Gino conveys the facts of her story, Lessig expresses his own outrage. This is a really critical point and I say that as a member of the Harvard faculty because it just strikes me as outrageous. You have effectively been gagged already. You dont have an opportunity to talk to the people who could help you put together the evidence you would need to establish what I believe is trueBut they think its necessary to have an expert to understand the data. The idea that they dont let you have an expert to understand the data is extraordinary. It would be a violation of due process in a courtYou are blocked from being able to have an expert who could help you resist or rebut or interrogate the evidence that comes out from the expert on the other sideThat becomes quite significant, because eventually its shown this experts work is problematic, and they withdraw the expert as the expert they rely on in the tenure revocation proceeding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation, of course, would ultimately find Gino guilty of academic misconduct. Gino received the final report from the committee in early March of 2023. When you read this you must have been devastated, says Lessig. I think that is a good word for it, she says. The process had been hard and I just couldnt understand why the conclusion they reached was the conclusion. I couldnt make sense of it. But you are finally understanding the consequence here?, asks Lessig. Yes. GOING THROUGH SCENARIOS WHILE WAITING FOR A MEETING WITH THE DEAN Three months later on June 13th, Gino would be summoned into the office of Harvard Business School Dean Srikant Datar. It was a day when I was teaching the entire day in executive education and I remember sitting at 5 p.m. in the cafeteria waiting for the 5:30 meeting with the dean. I was just planning scenarios. And I thought that maybe there would be conversations about what do we learn from this experience and what needs to change, to sorry you had to go through this, clearly the wrong conclusion. Im not even sure if I truly thought through the possibility that I would be asked to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Counters Lessig: I dont think youre asked. So he brings you to the office. Its 5:30, June 13th. He tells you not to speak. and he has a letter that he reads to you, right? Yep. Is he emotional? Is he uncomfortable?, asks Lessig. He doesnt look uncomfortable. He doesnt look emotional. DEAN ASKS A COLLEAGUE TO COUNSEL HER OUT And this letter is telling you that you have been put on leave. Unpaid leave. And the research integrity officer then contacts the journals that have published these pieces and shares the data galata data and the Maidstone reports and the conclusions. I take it he didnt share your responses to it? He did not, confirms Gino. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeah. And then, the dean reaches out to one of your colleagues, a professor, and asks that colleague to counsel you out. What does that mean? That means that the colleague came to me with a recommendation that I resign. And so the deal, in essence, as he was supposed to me, is that if I resigned, this would go quiet. You didnt take that deal?, asks Lessig. I didnt take that deal. As I told my colleague, I didnt commit what Im accused of. I WAS RADIOACTIVE So you didnt go silent, adds Lessig, which means that four days later, on June 17th, the news goes to the public. I remember hearing it and I was astonished. I didnt believe it. But it almost writes itself, the story, right? An academic studying the psychology of fraud, convicted of engaging in fraud. The internet loved it. It was everywhere. Everyone was sure that this powerful Harvard professor, one of the young superstars of the Harvard Business School, turns out to be, as many think, not what anybody believes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Francescas voice begins to crack on the recording. It was really hard, she says in a fragile voice. I think that summer was full of great low pointsthe press is going on fire, and reading the stories was really, really hard. Im an endless optimist. And so I remember at the time looking at my husband and saying, Its okay. We are going to navigate through this, and Im going to be able to keep my consulting. And I was wrong. And what we saw pretty much every day is a client or somebody I was working with calling up and saying that in light of the news, despite the fact that they didnt believe what they read, I was radioactive, and so they couldnt keep working with me. DONT MISS: FRANCESCA GINOS BEST CASE AGAINST THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL or AFTER LOSING TENURE, FRANCESCA GINO MAINTAINS HER INNOCENCE The post Taking Off The Gag: A Podcast Series Dives Deep Into The Francesca Gino Tragedy appeared first on Poets&Quants. The city of Tampa will comply with a state order to remove pavement art from its streets, a spokesperson said Monday. Pieces of art slated for removal include a Back the Blue mural painted by pro-police activists in 2020 along Madison Street, near the Tampa Police Department, and a hand painted red, yellow, green and blue in the intersection between East Henderson Avenue and North Franklin Street that was sponsored by the Tampa Bay LGBT chamber. Thats according to a list of 47 decorative crosswalks, intersections and other non-compliant features the city sent the state. Tampa and St. Petersburg received near-identical letters from local state transportation secretary Justin Hall on Friday. In Tampa, the state identified 44 locations, including an intersection on Madison Street near the Back the Blue mural, where pavement art must be removed, or the city will risk losing state funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City of Tampa crews will begin removing some painted street art this week, following recent direction from FDOT, said Josh Cascio, spokesperson for Tampas mobility department, in a statement. The city provided the state transportation department with the list of artworks slated for removal so it can assist, Cascio said. Tampa, like St. Petersburg, has been given until Sept. 4 to remove the art and expects to finish on or around that timeframe, he said. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said he will allow the state to remove the pavement art in his city, rather than directing city crews to remove it. Orlando has also agreed to comply with a similar removal order after state transportation crews filled in a rainbow crosswalk commemorating the Pulse nightclub shooting last week. Smaller cities like Delray Beach and Key West have said theyll fight back, requesting hearings next week where they plan to challenge the states legal right to remove pavement markings from city streets. This doesnt mean art is disappearing from Tampa, Cascio said. We continue to encourage and celebrate community art projects in spaces where they can truly shine. Lets keep Tampa colorful together. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Mahoning County OVI Task Force released the results of its checkpoint in Austintown over the weekend. The checkpoint was conducted in the area of 4545 New Rd. between 10 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday. According to the Task Force, 303 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 14 of those vehicles were directed into the diversion area for further investigation. Officers and troopers on patrol also conducted 34 traffic stops in support of the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Task Force reported the following enforcement activity as a result: Four arrests on OVI charges One summons for driving with a suspended license Two summonses for no operators license Three citations for adult restraint violations One citation for child restraint violations Two citations for traveling left of center One citation for rear plate light illumination One felony charge for improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle The Mahoning County OVI Task Force is funded by a federal grant, which is administered through the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 17-year-old was arrested earlier this month for possession of drugs after a woman called 911 due to concerns for her own well-being and her child in Horizon City, according to police. Jose Manuel Nilo, 17, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and endangering a child under a $3,000 bond. He was taken to the El Paso County Detention Facility. On Aug. 4, officers responded to a welfare check involving a woman who had called 911 due to concerns for her own well-being and her child at the 14000 block of Calhoun Drive, according to the Horizon City Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While checking on the childs safety, officers observed a controlled substance in plain view near the child. Nilo admitted the controlled substance belonged to him and surrendered the item to officers. This case was reported to Child Protective Services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A teen has died and another is in custody following a shooting in Northeast Oklahoma City on Saturday, police say. According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a shooting near NE 20th St. and Bath Ave. at around 2:15 p.m. on August 23. Upon arrival, officers found a 17-year-old female injured. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died. Two arrested, accused of multiple child sex crimes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say a 17-year-old male has been taken into custody and booked into the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Center on a murder complaint. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NEED TO KNOW Two Texas teens thought they were just competing for scholarships honoring the children of dead or disabled first responders In Los Angeles earlier this month, they discovered their families were already linked through tragedy Catherine Norris and Lizzie Rule got another surprise: their scholarship awards were much larger than they expected Though they live less than an hour apart in Texas, it wasnt until two teenagers took a trip to Los Angeles for a scholarship competition earlier this month that they discovered a surprise emotional connection between their families. Catherine Norris and Lizzie Rule, both 18, traveled to California for what they believed was the final stage of the application process for the Children of Heroes Scholarship, a program supporting kids of first responders who are injured or killed in the line of duty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What neither girl expected was to discover that Catherines mother, Wendy a fire department chaplain and grief counselor had been called to the scene of Lizzies fathers death five years ago. Fort Bend Deputy Constable Caleb Rule, Lizzies dad, was 37 when he was reportedly shot by accident by a sheriffs deputy during a call for service on May 29, 2020 the same day Lizzies older sister graduated from high school. Catherine's own father, Forest Bend Fire Chief John Pittman Norris Jr., 55, later died of a heart attack shortly after he returned home from a fire on Nov. 25, 2023. The Norris and Rule families arrived in L.A. this month with scholarship hopes on their minds but were caught off guard when they found themselves together for the first time or so they thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catherine and Lizzie's moms, Wendy and Eden, met that first night in the city "over ice cream," Wendy tells PEOPLE. "I asked if she [Eden] was a board member or donor and she said no, she had lost her husband," Wendy says. "When I found out her name, I said, Oh, let me tell you how were connected. Courtesy of Wendy Norris From left: John Pittman Norris Jr., Catherine Norris and Wendy Norris From left: John Pittman Norris Jr., Catherine Norris and Wendy Norris Wendy says she got a "little flustered" with Eden while remembering how she was there the day Lizzie's father was killed "because its such a big deal to be able to see a family that I was a part of." Were often left just wondering how things are going. To see her ... and just have that connection was incredible. Its a huge blessing, Wendy says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While sitting down for a joint interview with PEOPLE, Wendy told Lizzie, When your dad died, I was brought in to be part of this crisis response team to support your fathers fellow brothers and sisters. So I was a part of your family before yall even knew it. To now be sitting here together is just phenomenal. Courtesy of First Responders Children's Foundation Lizzie Rule (second from left) with her dad, Caleb (third from left), mom Eden (fourth from left) and her three siblings Lizzie Rule (second from left) with her dad, Caleb (third from left), mom Eden (fourth from left) and her three siblings The Children of Heroes Scholarship is a partnership between the First Responders Childrens Foundation and Scooter Brauns Braun Foundation, created to help kids of dead or disabled first responders pursue higher education. The Braun Foundation funds the program and participates in selecting the recipients, who are chosen for their resilience, leadership and drive to honor their parents legacies. Children of first responders shouldnt have to worry about where they go to school, Braun, 44, tells PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and the First Responders Children's Foundation didn't know how Lizzie and Catherine's families were connected until the day that Braun surprised them with another announcement: not only had the two girls won scholarships the award would now cover their full undergraduate tuition rather than $5,000 per semester. Braun had planned to tell them individually, but when he learned of their shared history, he had the teens and their mothers sit down together with him and the First Responders Childrens Foundation president and CEO, Jillian Crane. We owe it to these families, says Crane, adding, To see the relief on these parents' faces that their kids will be able to go to school and not have to struggle financially means the world." Jacob Patrick Lizzie Rule Lizzie Rule After learning of her scholarship, I was just overwhelmed with shock gratitude, Catherine says. It took a second to process." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lizzie echoes that. I wasnt expecting this at all," she says. In fact, "After my first interview, I thought, Oh, I dont know if that went that great, I was a little flustered and emotional. 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. Jacob Patrick Catherine Norris Catherine Norris Lizzie, a freshman at Texas State University, hopes to study acting in New York, inspired by her parents love of performing in community theater. "Acting is my dream, she says. This scholarship makes that a realistic option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catherine, an entrepreneurship major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., has a different more caffeinated dream: opening a coffee shop. For me, service looks like serving a latte, she says. I love the community-building aspect of it. One day, I would love to be able to give back in a way that I'd be able to offer a scholarship for other students. In addition to Lizzie and Catherine, two other young students were awarded full scholarships: Camren Callender, whose father, a Newark, N.J., police detective, died in the line of duty; and Joe Gianni Aliott, whose dad, a firefighter and 9/11 first responder, was diagnosed with cancer. For all the good that the money can do, the selection process, says Braun, sucks." Jacob Patrick From left: Bodie Wick, mentor and former scholarship recipient; Joseph (Joe) Gianni Aliotta; Camren Callender; Scooter Braun; Jillian Crane, president and CEO, First Responders Childrens Foundation; Lizzie Rule; Randy Acosta, chief philanthropy officer, First Responders Childrens Foundation; Catherine Norris; Lindsay Reilly, program coordinator, First Responders Childrens Foundation; Savannah Lerian, mentor and former scholarship recipient From left: Bodie Wick, mentor and former scholarship recipient; Joseph (Joe) Gianni Aliotta; Camren Callender; Scooter Braun; Jillian Crane, president and CEO, First Responders Childrens Foundation; Lizzie Rule; Randy Acosta, chief philanthropy officer, First Responders Childrens Foundation; Catherine Norris; Lindsay Reilly, program coordinator, First Responders Childrens Foundation; Savannah Lerian, mentor and former scholarship recipient You try to do the best job you can, [and] each year you pick more kids, he says. Each year, you give away more scholarships. You just get in this position where you keep thinking of certain aspects of your own life that you're so fortunate to have. How can you not do this? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Catherine's mom, though, the trip meant more than just financial relief. Meeting Lizzie and her mom "just expanded our chosen family," she says. The money is helpful they don't have to worry," Wendy says. "But more than anything, its the relationship that's been given to us. And that's such a gift. Read the original article on People Acquired through the Voting for Art group, the works span a variety of genres, capturing a cross-section of contemporary Israeli creativity. The Tel Aviv Museum of Art has announced the addition of 35 works by 11 contemporary Israeli artists, acquired in 2025 through its Voting for Art group. Selected collectively by the groups members for a total sum of NIS 500,000, the works range across sculpture, painting, drawing, textiles, and photography, and will now join the museums permanent holdings. Founded in 2013 and chaired by Yael Braun, Voting for Art was created to expand and update the museums holdings of Israeli art through a yearly process in which members vote on the acquisitions. Since its establishment, the group has secured more than 200 works, aiming for intergenerational representation, a diversity of media, and the introduction of new voices alongside support for established ones. Selected artworks This years selections reflect that spectrum. Three sculptures lead the list: Chava Rouchers Line (2010), six aluminum figures of naked men and women standing in a row; Michal Shamirs Untitled (2024), assembled from cable ties and gold-painted bird spikes, evoking both ornament and barbed wire; and Moran Lee Yakirs The Brothers (2024), a clay cluster of body-like cylinders that emit faint sounds of wind and waves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On paper, intimate vocabularies emerge: Anisa Ashkars You (2022) merges Islamic calligraphy with gestural abstraction in a daily cycle of sunrise to sunset; Karen Dolevs Chameleon (2023) pastel series recalls the shifting hues of mood rings; and Merav Kamels Artist Notebooks (20192024) offer a visceral, associative record of erotic, violent, and humorous imagery. THE TEL AVIV Museum of Art. (credit: ELAD SARIG) Painting and mixed media further expand the collection. Orly Maibergs Late Autumn (2024) stitches fragments of earlier works into layered textile compositions; Gabriella Kleins Twisted Sister (2025) captures her reclining sister, phone in hand, against a muted backdrop; and Ran Tenenbaums Self-Portrait with a Hoodie (2024) remains unfinished, its crimson underlayer shadowing the figure with a spectral presence. Photography continues to play a central role. Ron Amir contributes seven images from long-term projects such as Jisr az Zarqa and Galilean Landscape, reflecting his socially engaged approach to communities often overlooked in Israeli society. Gustavo Sagorskys three photographs, taken around Moshav Aminadav near Jerusalem, focus on transitional landscapes marked by subtle traces of human activity. Together, the acquisitions chart a portrait of Israeli art in 2025 at once intimate and public, experimental and rooted. For the museum, they mark another chapter in a collective effort to keep its collection responsive to the shifting present. Gov Bill Lee, pictured at podium, $4 million in state funds to be sent to three companies affected by 2024S Hurricane Helene. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Three East Tennessee companies devastated by Hurricane Helene in fall 2024 are set to receive an unprecedented million-dollar infusion each to help rehire workers and resume production. Gov. Bill Lee and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart McWhorter announced the Unicoi County factories will receive grants totaling more than $4 million to retain and retrain employees who lost jobs after the hurricane destroyed factories last September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hurricane Helene was an unprecedented disaster for our state, and one year later, many Tennesseans remain forever changed by the loss of life and severe flood damage, Lee said in a statement. All three companies are located along the Nolichucky River in Erwin Riverview Industrial Park and are either in the preliminary stages of resuming work or preparing to restart, according to the state. The grants mark the first time the Economic and Community Development Department has provided funds after a natural disaster for companies to keep employees and retrain them, according to McWhorter. Companies receiving the grants are: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foam Products, a fabricator and distributor of foam insulation and packaging products, which is investing $4.4 million and retaining 47 employees. The company estimates $20 million in damages if it were to rebuild the entire facility. PlastiExports, a Mexico-based plastics company, which is investing $7.4 million and keeping 53 employees. It sustained more than $14 million in damages and loss. PolyPipe, which manufactures polyethylene pipe to deliver natural gas, is investing $27.1 million and retaining 66 employees. The storm completely destroyed its building. The devastation from Hurricane Helene was unlike anything weve faced in our companys history, said PolyPipe CEO Mark Brenon. This grant is not just funding its a lifeline for our employees, our customers and our future here in Erwin. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Irish rap trio Kneecap have said they have been forced to cancel 15 US tour dates in October because of one of their members forthcoming UK court hearing in relation to a terror charge. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, will return to Westminster magistrates court on Sept 26 after his legal team argued that the case should be thrown out due to a technical error in the way the charge was brought against him. Prosecutors allege that the 27-year-old displayed a flag in support of proscribed terror organisation Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the adjourned hearing in September, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring will rule on whether he has the jurisdiction to try the case. Liam OHanna at his last appearance before Westminster magistrates - Benjamin Cremel/AFP via Getty In a social media post on Monday, the band said: To all our US based fans, we have some bad news. Due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour, as the British Government continues its witch hunt, we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October. With every show fully sold out, to tens of thousands of fans, this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads. The band said refunds for the tour would be available from point of purchase, and promised that they would be sharing something very special for their US fans next week, which would mean we can still link in with you all in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kneecap confirmed that their four sold-out October shows in Vancouver and Toronto in Canada, would go ahead as planned. Kneecaps performance at the Glastonbury festival led to an investigation - Ki Price/WireImage The band, comprised of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit the headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying kill your local MP at one gig and and up Hamas, up Hezbollah at another. Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah. They were also investigated over their set at the Glastonbury Festival in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said in July that it would be taking no further action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group are known for their provocative lyrics in both Irish and English, with their best-known tracks including Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live and The Recap. 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. DALLAS The Texas House pushed forward a proposal Monday aimed at containing property tax bills by putting tighter restrictions on cities and counties. The legislation would further limit how much more in property tax revenue cities and counties can collect each year without voter approval. Under state law, that limit sits at 3.5%. The bill would take that limit down to 1%. I believe that we need to venture and do everything we can at the state level to provide lower taxes to our constituents, said state Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-University Park, who carried Senate Bill 10 in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, which passed the Senate earlier this month, cleared the Texas House by a 78-52 vote.The Senate will either accept changes House lawmakers made to the bill or find a compromise. Such a limit comes at a tricky time for localities. Cities and counties have already had their budgets crimped by the states current limit on property tax revenue enacted in 2019. The cost of paying for essential services like police and fire protection and road construction have only grown since then as the states population boomed. Localities have also brought in less revenue from sales taxes thanks to a slowing economy. Federal pandemic relief dollars have all but dried up, and theres uncertainty over future federal funding. Local officials and Democratic lawmakers raised concerns that cities and counties public safety spending and ability to recruit police officers, firefighters and paramedics as well as maintain equipment needed to respond to public safety calls would take a hit under the proposed limit. Police and fire spending tend to make up the majority of a city or countys budget. City and county officials asked lawmakers last week to consider some kind of carveout for public safety spending. [Meet the Californian who pushed Texas lawmakers to help fix the states housing crisis] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't see how there's not a public safety hit that our local governments are going to take and then they're going to have to go to the voters every year simply to approve maintaining existing fire and police staffing levels, said state Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie. Proponents of the bill had argued that cities and counties can ask voters to approve a higher property tax rate if they run into a budget crunch. This is about providing accountability, Meyer said. It's making sure cities and counties plan accordingly, and if they do that, they should be able to cover all of their core services that are necessary. But the House ultimately approved a change to the bill that exempts public safety costs from being subject to the new limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill initially would have only applied to cities and counties with at least 75,000 residents. House lawmakers struck that language, so now the bill would apply to every city and county. Republican lawmakers have shown frustration that while theyve spent billions of dollars to rein in school property taxes, city and county property taxes have generally continued to climb albeit more slowly than they otherwise might have if not for state limits. Texas will spend $51 billion over the next two years to give bigger school tax breaks to homeowners and business owners. Gov. Greg Abbott called on lawmakers to find ways to cut property taxes by reining in spending by local governments. To the chambers more conservative GOP lawmakers who have sought more aggressive ways to bring down property taxes, the legislation is insufficient. Before legislators amended the bill to include a tighter cap, state Rep. Mitch Little, a Lewisville Republican, said that city and county officials in his district told him the typical homeowner in those places would save less than $20 a year under the bill figures that Meyer disputed. My concern is that everyone in my district who has calculated this suggests that this bill roughly equates to a Starbucks run in tax relief, Little said. More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 1315! This years lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of CNN NewsNight; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. LUFKIN A bill to pause a proposed water extraction from East Texas won preliminary approval in the Texas House Monday. The legislation by state Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, directs the agency that manages the states water supply to study how much water is available to use under three counties Anderson, Cherokee and Henderson. It also prohibits any new permits to extract water, or change existing applications, in the region. The bill was introduced during the special session called by Gov. Greg Abbott after plans by a Dallas-area businessman to export millions of gallons of water from the region became public, stirring controversy. This is really a simple bill that only affects my district and instructs the Texas Water Development Board to do a study of the aquifer inside the Neches and Trinity valleys Groundwater Conservation District for a period of two years, Harris said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Bill 27 appears to run counter to the states longstanding law, known as rule of capture, that allows private land owners to generally use as much water as they can pump from their property. Land owners must seek permission from groundwater districts, tasked with conserving state aquifers, before drilling new wells. Texas is facing a growing water crisis. The water board estimates that the state would not have enough water to meet its needs if there were a prolonged drought of record, like the one in the 1950s. Lawmakers during the regular session sought solutions. Many eyes have turned East, the states most lush and water-rich region. Businessman Kyle Bass and his company, Conservation Equity Management, have applied for a permit to drill more than 40 high-capacity water wells in Anderson and Henderson counties. He also has plans to install wells in Houston County, which has no groundwater conservation district to ask for permission. Bass has stated his goal for now is just to study the aquifer and determine if it could handle a large-scale extraction. If it can, he would pull more than 48,000 acre feet equivalent to about 15.9 billion gallons of water from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents dont trust that Bass only seeks to study the aquifer or that the result of his study will change his plans for extraction. They met en masse on multiple occasions in East Texas to express their worries. Texas lawmakers met in an 11-hour committee hearing in July to deliberate the proposal. Harris worries about what will happen to the region if these types of mass extraction projects are permitted to move forward, he told The Texas Tribune in an interview following a committee hearing on the matter. The proposed study would give the state a baseline to understand the potential impacts. Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, on Monday asked if the bill could be amended to require a study of all the states aquifers. Lawmakers could not do that and remain within the confines of what was permitted during the special session, Harris said. Thats a shame, good legislation, Zwiener said. More all-star speakers confirmed for The Texas Tribune Festival, Nov. 1315! This years lineup just got even more exciting with the addition of State Rep. Caroline Fairly, R-Amarillo; former United States Attorney General Eric Holder; Abby Phillip, anchor of CNN NewsNight; Aaron Reitz, 2026 Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General; and State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin. Get your tickets today! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase. Correction, Aug. 27, 2025 at 10:26 a.m. : A previous version of this article incorrectly reported the number of acre feet Kyle Bass has proposed exporting from East Texas. The proposal is 48,972 acre feet. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Exactly a week ago, Texas House Democrats returned to the state after fleeing to prevent Republicans from voting on President Donald Trumps Big, Beautiful Map. Now, Republicans are trying to prevent them from leaving in the future. During the second special session, three bills have been filed to either punish quorum-breakers or prevent quorum breaks in the future; a measure added to the special session agenda by Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday. House Bill 18: Banning fundraising during a quorum break Senate Bill 48/House Bill 64: Vacating the seat of a lawmaker with seven consecutive days of unexcused absences House Joint Resolution 10: Amending the Texas Constitution to reduce the quorum threshold from two-thirds majority to a simple majority Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Texan News reporter Brad Johnson, the Texas House Republicans agreed to support each of those bills, along with supporting House rule changes to increase penalties for future quorum breaks. Those rule changes include: Allowing the removal of chairmanship/vice-chairmanship and loss of seniority for breaking quorum Dramatically increasing the $500/day fine for breaking quorum Forfeiting a pro rata portion of their office budget for each day absent Automatically vacating chairmanship/vice-chairmanship roles for missing two consecutive days unexcused However, they fell just short of hitting the two-thirds vote necessary to support a censure of the Democrats who fled the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tenuous Republican Caucus unity that has been developing since the Dems broke quorum is over, and its the fault of Speaker [Dustin] Burrows, State Rep. Andy Hopper, R-Decatur, wrote on X. Only 44 Republican members were willing to punish the Derelict Dems after Burrows whipping votes against it. Very disappointing. I am incredibly disappointed in the uniparty Republicans that chose to get the backs of the far left democrats that abandoned Texas rather than getting the backs of their constituents, State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, wrote. The fight over what to do with the quorum breakers comes after the Texas House revealed the fines accrued by the quorum breakers last week. State Rep. Venton Jones, D-Dallas, shared a letter from the Committee on House Administration to his office charging him $9,354.25 for the quorum break. Fees included $7,000 worth of fines House rules fine members gone for a quorum break $500 a day along with a $2,354.25 fine to cover the expenses to have the Texas Department of Public Safety attempt to bring Democrats back to Austin. The letter states $124,943.25 was spent towards the latter purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Texas House Democrats, most members who broke quorum incurred a fine of the same amount or very, very similar. Push for banning fundraising during a special session On Friday, the Texas Senate stopped a last-ditch measure by State Sen. Carol Alvarado, D-Houston, to stall the Big, Beautiful Map, even further through a filibuster. At around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, accused Alvarado of using her seat for fundraising, calling it unethical and potentially unlawful. Currently, lawmakers are prevented from raising campaign funds during regular session, but are allowed to fundraise during any subsequent special sessions. I thought it was a lame excuse, and I thought it was just, you know, overreaching, trying to shut down a filibuster, something thats been a Senate tradition for as long as I know, Alvarado said. They didnt say what rule was broken, what law was broken, because there wasnt any, and I think it was just a way to yet again, silence voices. On social media, State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, then called for a ban on special session fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the whole furor over the fundraising filibuster brought this to the surface. Because what happens if somebody does send out a email that says, Im going to filibuster, and you need to watch, and not only watch, you need to rush donations to me,' Bettencourt said. And thats something the Senate had never seen before. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick followed up by saying a special session fundraising moratorium could hinder future quorum breaks. [Bettencourts proposal] greatly reduces quorum breaks because outsiders will not be able to fund the costs to travel outside Texas, Patrick wrote. It will cut down on the number of special sessions and their length. Members want to complete their work quickly and effectively, so they can return home to their families and regular jobs. The most important result is that this bill will keep legislators on task and save taxpayer money. Alvarado said she supports Bettencourt and Patricks attempt to ban special session fundraising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign me up, Ill be the first one to joint author, Alvarado said. I know I have at least one bipartisan vote, Bettencourt said after Alvarado posted her support on social media. That much is for sure. Bettencourt said his fundraising ban would also extend to the Governors office as the Governor is the only one who has the power to call special sessions. I think well get clear special sessions, Bettencourt said. Weve had nine special sessions in four years it starts turning everything into mini-legislative sessions as opposed to what special sessions were designed to befixing specific problems and getting them fixed and get out of (Austin) as soon as you can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours after Patrick and Bettencourt called for the special session fundraising ban on social media, Abbott added two items to the second special session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Tropical Storm Kajiki proved deadly in Vietnam after it made landfall as a powerful typhoon on Monday, unleashing dangerous winds and prompting authorities to evacuate tens of thousands of residents as it surged through the countrys central provinces. Three people were killed across three provinces and 13 others were injured, the state-run Vietnam News Agency reported Tuesday. Kajiki barreled into Vietnams Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces at around 3 p.m. local time (4 a.m. ET) with wind speeds of 133 kph (82 mph), according to Vietnams national weather forecast agency. It has since weakened into a tropical storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powerful gusts ripped through properties, uprooted trees from the ground and knocked down lampposts, according to state media. More than 6,800 houses sustained damage and 28,000 hectares of rice fields were flooded, VNA reported. Seven central and northeast provinces were affected by Kajikis strong winds, torrential rain and flooding. In the capital Hanoi, which is 350 kilometers (217 miles) north of where the typhoon made landfall, heavy flooding disrupted traffic and inundated homes. Earlier, residents and business owners along the coast had boarded up windows and stacked sandbags outside homes, restaurants and hotels. Authorities shut down schools, two provincial airports, and organized mass evacuations from coastal provinces as Kajiki the fifth named storm to hit Vietnam this year churned toward the Southeast Asian nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 44,000 people had been evacuated in low-lying coastal communities, VNA reported. People shelter inside the Nghe An Provincial Gymnasium in Vinh city, Nghe An province earlier Monday. - Nhac Nguyen/AFP/Getty Images Huge waves pound central provinces Eyewitnesses described huge waves gushing through streets in the coastal regions, according to Reuters, as roofs collapsed and homes were flooded. Its terrifying, said Dang Xuan Phuong, 48, who lives in Cua Lao, a tourism town in Nghe An. When I look down from the higher floors, I could see waves as tall as two meters, and the water has flooded the roads around us. Areas in Ha Tinh were left without power and unstable phone networks after torrential rain forced residents to seek shelter, according to state media reports, which also said that the storm triggered tidal surges, flooding coastal areas in Thanh Hoa province. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storm was moving slowly and gradually weakening, according to an update from the countrys weather forecast agency on Monday evening, but added that the risk of strong winds remained. It came after the Joint Typhoon Warning Center previously forecast that Kajiki would drop to tropical depression strength by early Tuesday. Authorities in the countrys central provinces activated emergency measures on Sunday, which included a plan to evacuate around 587,000 people from Thanh Hoa, Quang Tri, Hue and Danang provinces, banning fishing vessels from leaving shore and securing dams and flood walls, according to VNA. More than 300,000 military personnel were mobilized with the Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force on standby for rescue operations, the news agency reported. Vietnamese government officials had compared the storm to Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful storm to hit the region last year, which devastated Vietnams north, killing about 300 people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, factories and farmland. Yagi made landfall as the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane, and while Kajiki is weaker, it has brought destructive winds and flooding. Climate projections materializing The storm is expected to move inland towards Laos and Thailand, Chinas Meteorological Center reported, with the risk for flash flooding and mudslides increasing. Between 200-400 millimeters of rain is forecast in some regions in Vietnam, with isolated areas exceeding 600 mm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kajiki had brushed past the southern coast of Chinas Hainan island and parts of Guangdong province Sunday evening. Known for its sandy beaches, luxury resorts and duty-free shopping, the city of Sanya on Hainan island closed tourist attractions, shuttered businesses and suspended public transport. A car drives on a flooded street as Typhoon Kajiki brings strong winds and heavy rain on Monday in Sanya, Hainan Province of China. - VCG/Getty Images Sanya downgraded its typhoon alert on Monday morning but cautioned that heavy rain and storms in southern Hainan were expected to continue, Reuters reported. Scientists have long warned the human-induced climate crisis for which developed nations bear greater historical responsibility has only exacerbated the scale and intensity of regional storms, with countries in the Global South facing the worst impacts. Its frightening to see our projections from just last year already materializing, Benjamin Horton, a professor of earth science at City University, Hong Kong, told the Associated Press. We are no longer predicting the future we are living it. CNNs Taylor Ward, Michael Rios, Briana Waxman and Sana Noor Haq contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A three-judge panel struck down the State of Tennessee's law prohibiting people from bringing guns into public parks. The ruling came after three gun owners, along with two gun rights organizations, Gun Owners of America, Inc. and Gun Owners Foundation, sued the state in February 2023 over the law. The law made it a crime to bring guns to parks in most circumstances. The panel ruled against the state's argument that it did not have jurisdiction to strike down a criminal statute and that the gun owners and gun rights organizations do not have standing to bring the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It instead found the Tennessee law violated the Second Amendment and Tennessee Constitution because the "Tennessee Constitution cannot afford its citizens fewer protections with regard to the right to keep and bear arms than the United States Constitution." "Thus [plaintiffs] argue, while Article I, Section 26 (of the Tennessee Constitution) may provide greater protections than the Second Amendment, the Second Amendment establishes a 'floor' of protections that the Tennessee's Constitution [sic] cannot fail to also provide," the court wrote in its ruling. That argument required the plaintiffs to prove that the law fell within the scope of the Second Amendment before the burden shifted to the state justifying its prohibition. The court agreed with the plaintiffs, saying the prohibition fell under the Second Amendment. The court reasoned that the term "going armed," has traditionally meant traveling with a weapon and the intent to threaten the lives of others. In Tennessee, however, the court said the term has traditionally been used to describe the open carry of firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of this, the court found that the Tennessee law's wording criminalized the right to carry a firearm anywhere in the state. "The Going Armed Statute, by its use of the phrase 'the intent to go armed,' far from criminalizing an intent to terrorize the people, instead criminalizes an intent to 'carry' for the purpose... of being armed and ready for offensive or defensive action in a case of conflict with another person," the court said. "In other words, the Going Armed Statute criminalizes the entire right-to-bear-arms portion of the Second Amendment. Inherently, there can be no tradition of such a regulation in our history, nor can there be any legitimate sweep to such a statute." The court described the state's arguments against this characterization of the law as "unpersuasive." 'Puts lives on the line' In an Aug. 25, statement, Sen. London Lamar, a Memphis Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, said the ruling puts lives at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This ruling puts Tennesseans at greater risk by tying the hands of law enforcement officers who encounter people who are armed and potentially dangerous," Lamar said in the statement. "If police can no longer investigate someone for the intent to go armed, officers are left waiting until a crime has already been committed a failed public safety policy that puts lives on the line." Lamar went on to say it was "unclear whether the [Gov. Bill Lee] administration will appeal the lower court's ruling. However, the court order said lawyers with the Tennessee Attorney's General Office had requested oral arguments be preserved for an appeal. The state attorney general's office did not respond at the time of publication to a request for comment. Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, and followed on X @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TN gun laws: Court strikes down guns in parks prohibition CHESTER, Ill. A Tilden, Illinois, man will spend the remainder of his life in state prison after pleading guilty in a child sexual abuse case. Clyde J. Thibodeaux, 67, appeared in Randolph County Circuit Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Each charge carries a 60-year sentence. Thibodeaux was ordered to serve each sentence consecutively a combined 180 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen survives explosion, family speaks out The Sparta Police Department identified 11 victims, all under the age of 12 at the time of the incidents, spanning three jurisdictions, including Louisiana. Thibodeaux was originally charged with eight counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and one count of aggravated criminal sexual 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 FOX 2. A statue honoring Confederate soldiers, dedicated on the Franklin, Tenn., town square in 1899. (Photo: John Partipilo) I hear from many Tennesseans concerned about the Trump administrations effort to wind the clock back on equality, tangling with universities over hiring programs and the teaching of Americas brutal history of slavery, and stripping LGBTQ+ military service members of their ranks. Most recently, President Donald Trump took on the Smithsonian Institution, the worlds largest grouping of museums, education and research centers, most clustered around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian is truly one of the countrys treasures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Trump blasted the Smithsonian for exhibits noting how bad slavery was. This came amid news that six states, four of which were part of the Confederacy, sent National Guard troops to Washington as part of Trumps takeover of the capital city. The Trump administrations efforts to rewind history and whitewash the ordeals of Black Americans reek of a pattern or racism, but we have similar efforts to drag us into the past at a much more local level with the help of the Tennessee General Assembly. This seal of Williamson County, Tennessee, features a Confederate battle flag draped over a cannon. No American flag appears on the seal. Williamson County is now in the sixth year of an effort to remove the Confederate flag from the county seal and has been stymied by state lawmakers, who created a new law to ensure the flag of traitors continues to represent Tennessees most affluent county. Franklin, the county seat, was the site of one of the Civil Wars bloodiest battles. On Nov. 30, 1864, six Confederate generals were killed in the Battle of Franklin and according to the American Battlefield Trust, the scale of the Confederate charge rivaling that of Picketts Charge at the Battle of Gettysburg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Civil War battles go, it was a big deal. And yet, Tennessee in its 229 year history as a state was part of the Confederacy for only four years. The Confederate battle flag was added to the Williamson County seal in 1968, which was arguably the height of the Civil Rights Movement, a time more than 100 years after the Civil War ended at which Black Americans were still fighting for desegregated facilities and rights equal to those of white Americans. I talked with Eric Jacobson, CEO and Chief Historian for the Battle of Franklin Trust. Jacobsons job is to tell the story of the Franklin battle, the people who were part of it including enslaved people and to be a steward for the battlefield properties that draw historians and visitors from around the world. It was put on the seal of this county in 1968, and it was done with as much intent as Georgia putting it on their state flag in 1956 or South Carolina running the flag up at the state capitol in 1961. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thus in 2020, a group of residents expressed their concern about having a symbol of the Confederacy represent the county so prominently. The group began to jump hoops in the process to get the battle flag removed from the seal. A task force was created and recommended to the Williamson County Commission the seal be changed. The county commission voted to uphold the recommendation, moving to the next step: gaining approval for the flags removal from the Tennessee Historical Commission. The Historical Commissions mission is to care for the proper marking and preservation of battlefields, houses, and other places celebrated in the history of the state. Fifteen members, all appointed by the governor, voted unanimously in 2022 to allow the flags removal, ruling that a seal did not qualify as a memorial to be protected by the Tennessee Heritage Protection Act. With that, all should have been well, and the flag should have been stripped from the Williamson County seal and cast into the dustbin of history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After years of litigation with the Sons of Confederate Veterans a Columbia, Tennessee group that has historically promoted white supremacy and been linked with white extremist organizations the county finally won the case in 2025. But state lawmakers intervened, putting their collective thumb on the scale for the Confederate supporters. Sen. Janice Bowling, a Tullahoma Republican, and Rep. Dave Wright, a Knox County Republican, sponsored a measure to override the state Historical Commission. The new law specifically states the definition of a memorial, for purposes of Tennessee heritage protection, an official governmental seal of a city or county government that contains imagery representative of any historic conflict, historic entity, historic event, historic figure, or historic organization. The bill passed 70-24 in the House and 27-6 in the Senate. No Democrats voted for the measure, which Gov. Bill Lee a Williamson County native signed into law. So the Confederate flag, a symbol of treason and of traitors, remains on the Williamson County seal, a giant public middle finger, a distorted Jim Crow law, not only to Black Tennesseans to but to every Tennessean, regardless of race, for whom the truth of the nations savage and disgraceful history is important. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting the rejection of a massive hotel project at the site of the former Wonderland amusement park, a tour bus crash that killed three New Jersey residents and a massive new pickleball facility in the works. Plus, well tell you about a major transformation planned for a New Jersey mall. Listen by clicking the play button above. This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Office of the Leavenworth County Attorney announced on Monday that two women were convicted of animal cruelty last week after their dog was found severely malnourished and matted on the streets of Tonganoxie, Kansas. According to the county attorney, 35-year-old Jessica Lynn Fleer and 42-year-old Amanda Fleer were found guilty of one count of animal cruelty. They both pleaded no contest to the charge. Court records filed on Feb. 19, 2025, say that in October 2024, a black poodle was found in the middle of Tonganoxie Drive, near 199th Street, by two people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two hospitalized after rollover crash in Kansas City The dog was then taken to a veterinary center for treatment, court records say, and was reported to be severely malnourished and matted. The dog was later traced back to Amanda and Jessica using its microchip. After being arrested, both women were convicted of the animal cruelty charge on Friday, Aug. 22. Their sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19. We have a responsibility to properly care for animals, Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson said. We will continue to hold people accountable when they fail to meet even the most basic standards of care for pets and animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. WASHINGTON (AP) Adm. Daryl Caudle took over as the Navys highest-ranking officer Monday, ending a six-month vacancy created by the Trump administration's firing of his predecessor. Caudle became chief of naval operations as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ousted a growing list of military leaders with little or no explanation. Remarks at a swearing-in ceremony at Washington Navy Yard offered several nods to the admiral being in close alignment with the Trump administration leaders above him. In February, Hegseth fired Caudle's predecessor, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, without explanation. Neither Caudle nor Navy Secretary John Phelan addressed the ouster at the ceremony Monday, though Franchetti was among several former chiefs of naval operations in attendance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franchetti had been the second woman ever to be promoted to four-star admiral and is among several female military leaders fired by the Trump administration. She was ousted the same day as Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Phelan, the Navy's civilian leader, described the sea service as rife with issues like decaying shipyards, inadequate maintenance, enormous cost overruns (and) delayed delivery and repair rates and unspecified traditions that were stifling innovation. Admiral Caudle, together we must rebuild, reform and refocus on what matters readiness, accountability and results in order to execute President Trumps mandate of peace through strength, Phelan said. Caudle was unequivocal in his agreement with the often-repeated Trump administration phrase, saying, Peace through strength works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The admiral, who until the promotion was commanding U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said he wanted to be judged by the results we achieved. Specifically, he cited the number of ships delivered and repaired on time, the number of ships that are fully manned, and ordinance production as meeting the Navy's demands. Phelan said Caudle's success is inextricably linked to my success as secretary of the Navy and vice versa. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) lashed out at President Donald Trump and the Republican Party during the Democratic National Committees official meeting of the summer on Monday. While speaking to the crowd, Walz urged Democrats to dont take the bait, arguing that the party is strong on several fronts, including challenging each other and being held accountable. It boggles my damn mind that in the midst of a military takeover of our cities and the attempt to go into others, the flouting of the rule of law, the cruelness and the unconstitutional nature of the way theyre attacking our neighbors, that the press finds the need to talk about, Oh, theres a division in the Democratic Party, Walz said, referring to Trumps federal D.C. takeover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a division in my damn house and were still married, and things are good. Thats life, he continued. Walz: "Don't take the bait. It boggles my damn mind that in the midst of a military takeover of our cities and the attempt to go into others, the flaunting of the rule of law, the cruelness and the unconstitutional nature of the way they're attacking our neighbors, that the press pic.twitter.com/kxknuorihE Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 25, 2025 Walz went on to say that it would be easy to be a damn Republican, before launching a veiled attack on the Trump administration. Oh, what should I wear today? This stupid frickin red hat. What should I say today? I dont know, just make sure its cruel. Who do we listen to? That guy oh, the felon in the White House, yeah, listen to him, and that will be fine, Walz said. But I am willing to say, each and everyone one of us are unified around the idea that this cruelty must end. This slow-rolling attempt at undermining democracy. And I always get in trouble for it, and Ill continue to say it. I dont think we do any favors when we dont name it these are fascist policies..., he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DNCs meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, comes as the Democratic Party is facing an internal battle, hitting its lowest approval rating in over 30 years, according to a Wall Street Journal poll released last month. A new analysis from The New York Times found that Democrats are losing voters at an alarming rate, as they look to regain control of the House during the 2026 midterms. All of the 30 states that track voter registration by political party saw drops in Democratic Party registrations between the 2020 and 2024 elections, according to the outlet, which published its results last week. The DNC has also faced a fundraising deficit compared to the Republican National Committee. It reported $65 million less cash on hand at the end of July, with just $15 million, while the RNC had $80 million. Meanwhile, the DNC has paid over $15 million toward former Vice President Kamala Harris 2024 campaign over the span of the first six months of this year. Theres no doubt we have work to do, DNC chair Ken Martin told Fox News Digital, noting that the party has continued to lose ground with many parts of our coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his remarks to more than 400 elected party officials from all 50 states and territories, Walz said that Harris would have been a fantastic president. We wouldnt wake up every day to a bunch of sh-- on TV and a bunch of nonsense. We would wake up to an adult with compassion and dignity and vision and leadership doing the work, not a manchild crying about whatever is wrong with him, Walz said, adding May his fat ankles find something today. Petty as hell. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Some parts of San Diego County could see more precipitation at the start of the work week, thanks to increased monsoonal moisture sweeping through the region. Following a weekend of rain and lightning from the coast to the deserts, more chances of thunderstorms are heading into the county from neighbors in the southeast, such as Imperial County and Mexico. Close Thanks for signing up! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Weather Alerts Although Mondays temperatures feel much cooler than the weekend, they are still above average, bringing warm, humid conditions throughout the county. Forecast models show high chances of rain in Borrego, Mt. Laguna and El Centro by the end of Monday and into early Tuesday. Afternoon monsoonal storms could bring a chance of flooding in some areas. Neighboring areas in Imperial County stretching out to southeast Yuma County will be under a flood watch starting at 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. More weather: Forecast | Alerts | Live Radar | Newsletter NWS reports that some areas may see moderate rainfall rates of 0.5 to 0.75 inches per hour on Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. After a drive-thru in a Boston suburb recently closed after the towns health department limited what food it could sell, a town official is speaking out to clarify what happened. Debbys Drive-Thru Coffee in Sudbury announced the business will shut down after being told by the town that it can no longer sell breakfast sandwiches. In a social media post made on Aug. 19, the business announced its permanent closure as of Aug. 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Debby Johnston owner of the small drive-thru hut that sits in the middle of a parking lot near Sudbury Farms on Route 20 said on Facebook that Sudbury Health Director Vivian Zeng determined the production of breakfast sandwiches at the business represents a public health hazard. The town official said the business could only reopen serving coffee and baked goods. Johnston said after 12 years of making sandwiches, she had never had an incident or complaint by the previous health directors or customers. This stipulation will create a huge shortfall in my ability to cover my rent, other expenses, and provide me with a living wage, Johnston said. Therefore, it is no longer viable for me to continue at the space lovingly known as Debbys Drive-Thru. The owner graciously thanked its customers of the shop for 12 years of business, calling them the best customers in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She continued in a separate social media post on Aug. 20, clearing confusion that she was not solely closing the shop because of the health department. My original plan was to retire and work toward a transition in the coming months, but that was always with the understanding that the shop could continue under the current business model, the post reads. Sudbury Town Manager Andrew J. Sheehan addressed the health departments decision in a note published to the town website on Aug. 21. Please note that the health department did not revoke the food permit for Debbys Drive Thru, Sheehan said. The business was not ordered to close nor to stop serving. Most of the past issues which had been identified were promptly addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued by saying town staff is committed to helping Debbys Drive Thru find a solution that fits the unique setup of the kiosk while protecting the health of patrons. If residents wish to submit comments about the situation, they can email the department at health@sudbury.ma.us. More Business News Read the original article on MassLive. Modern matsutake hunters in SW China go digital Xinhua) 09:39, August 25, 2025 KUNMING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Before dawn, villagers of Jidi set out with baskets and walking sticks, their torchlight slicing through the darkness as they ascended mist-shrouded mountains rising over 3,000 meters in southwest China's Yunnan Province. They are the traditional "matsutake hunters," guardians of secret forest patches teeming with the prized fungi. Yet alongside this age-old ritual, a digital transformation is quietly unfolding. By 9 a.m., the scene had shifted dramatically. In a bustling warehouse at the Shangri-La matsutake trading market, 22-year-old Wu Xia, dressed in vibrant Tibetan attire, promoted the mushrooms online through her smartphone. Fresh matsutake, still dusted with earth, filled the screen, while young packers and sorters moved swiftly behind her. "What you see is what you buy. Shipped immediately," Wu said to her livestream audience. Her livestreaming stretched deep into the night, drawing over 110,000 viewers and generating nearly 120,000 yuan (about 16,825.3 U.S. dollars) in sales. The embrace of technology is transforming life in Yunnan's Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, home to some of the world's richest matsutake forests. Once dependent on distant city markets or low-paying middlemen, villagers are now harnessing the power of the digital world. Leading this change is Chunpai, a local known as "Village Chief Losang." When he returned to his hometown in 2019, the young Tibetan saw foraging practices threatening the region's precious matsutake fields. He introduced a conservation model in which villagers partner with companies and research institutes, retaining ownership while pledging to protect young mushrooms and rotate harvesting areas. In return, enterprises purchase their premium matsutake at above-market prices. "At first, villagers resisted," Chunpai recalled. "We had to go door to door to explain the long-term benefits." The results soon became clear, as natural matsutake growth rose by 20 percent, and household incomes from foraging increased by an average of 20,000 yuan annually. By 2 p.m., Jidi's trading market was buzzing. Elders in traditional dress efficiently sold their day's harvest, with transactions completed in minutes thanks to online price checks. Cold-chain trucks stood ready, ensuring that mushrooms reach 264 Chinese cities within 24 hours and overseas destinations such as Tokyo and Seoul in 36 hours. Chunpai's vision goes beyond sales. He trains villagers in online marketing, with more than a dozen now earning income by livestreaming their hunts. A new "matsutake camp" offers immersive foraging, camping and culinary experiences, while traditional homes welcome tourists as guesthouses. According to Zhao Yuezhen, a visitor from Shanghai, the hands-on hunt is both rewarding and eye-opening. "Connecting deeply with nature is healing. It makes you appreciate how hard this is." "The old hunters told tales of finding mushrooms," Chunpai said. "We, the new generation, are weaving the story of an entire industry. The path for rural revitalization only widens when the young walk it." (Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun) SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Though Senator Ed Markey has already been in Congress for 49 years, he wants voters to reelect him to another six-year term. He will be 80 on Election Day in 2026 older than any other senator seeking reelection and older than any senator in Massachusetts history. Markey has a tendency to repeat himself; for years his answer to questions about stepping aside has been word-for-word the same. "It's not your age, it's the age of your ideas," he invariably says. "And I've always been the youngest guy in the room." But that line is glib nonsense. Some of the "youngest" ideas in circulation, like the vogue for socialism among Generation Z, are thoroughly foolish, while some of the very oldest ideas in American history "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal" have never been improved upon. Just as age does not always lead to wisdom, the newness of one's "ideas" is no guarantee of their good sense or practicality. As for being the "youngest guy in the room," if the room is full of Massachusetts politicians it is likely to resemble a geriatric ward. Political power in the Commonwealth is concentrated in the hands of the elderly. Markey's Senate colleague Elizabeth Warren is 76, as is Representative Richard Neal, the dean of the state's delegation in the House of Representatives. Nearly as old are two other House members, Bill Keating, 73, and Stephen Lynch, 70. On Beacon Hill, the ages skew even higher. Representative Paul Donato of Medford, Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem, and Senator Pat Jehlen of Somerville are all in their 80s. House Speaker Ron Mariano is 78, Senate President Karen Spilka is 72, and Secretary of State William Galvin first elected more than three decades ago turns 75 next month. In a state whose median age is 40, and which has long been a mecca for college students from around the world, the gerontocracy could hardly be more firmly entrenched. That imbalance would be troubling enough on its own. But what makes Massachusetts politics especially perverse is the way we enforce strict limits on age and tenure in some spheres of public life while turning a blind eye to the advancing years of our political leaders. The inconsistency is glaring. Under the Massachusetts Constitution, for example, the state's judges must retire by age 70, regardless of their mental sharpness, legal deftness, or desire to keep working. The logic behind the rule is straightforward: At a certain point, the risks of mental decline outweigh the benefits of experience, and it is better for the institution to guarantee regular turnover than to cling to the talents of a few elders. Even more straightforward is the reason why Massachusetts law requires firefighters, police, and correction officers to retire by 65: because no matter how much experience a uniformed public safety employee brings to the job, there comes a time when diminished strength and slower reflexes make continued service a potential danger to the public. Well, it is also potentially dangerous to the public when legislators cling to office long past the age at which firefighters and judges are permitted to do so. Massachusetts voters appear to recognize the problem. In a University of Massachusetts/WCVB poll last October, 72 percent of respondents said they would support an age limit for US senators; on average, respondents favored a cutoff of 66. Yet at the ballot box, incumbents keep getting reelected, usually unopposed, even into their 80s. The problem isn't limited to Massachusetts, of course. In Washington, it grows ever more painfully obvious that Congress is filled with men and women who cannot bring themselves to admit that their time has passed. One recent jarring example was former representative Kay Granger, a Texas Republican, who vanished from Capitol Hill and missed scores of votes because, it turned out, she was residing in a senior care facility in Fort Worth after developing dementia. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton the 88-year-old who has represented the District of Columbia in Congress for 34 years continues to insist that she will run for a 19th term, though everyone can see that cognitive decline has left her "vastly diminished and struggling to fulfill her congressional duties," as The New York Times reported in June. And recent history has brought numerous other examples of sick, superannuated lawmakers, including Senators Dianne Feinstein and Ted Kennedy, who refused to retire and died in office. Unlike Markey and too many other Massachusetts politicians, one towering figure of recent memory had no qualms about retiring at a sensible age. Tip O'Neill, the Cambridge congressman who rose to become speaker of the House, voluntarily stepped down in 1986 at 74. Asked why, he answered bluntly: "How long you gonna stay around here? I figure it's time to get out." It was the decision of a leader who understood that public office should be a season of service, not a life sentence. If voters today insisted on seeking out more Tip O'Neills politicians who knew when to quit and who were not so addicted to office that they clung to it until dementia or death the gerontocracy would evaporate. The only sure cure for our plague of endless incumbency is for the electorate to stop indulging it. No one forces Massachusetts voters to be represented by politicians past their sell-by date. If you really want "the youngest guy in the room," try electing someone who isn't pushing 80. Jeff Jacoby is a columnist for The Boston Globe, from which this is reprinted with permission. (COMMENT, BELOW) WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump took to social media before meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday to threaten not to do business with Seoul because of a Purge or Revolution that he claimed was taking place in the country. But any prospect of a hostile Oval Office meeting evaporated after Lee heaped praise onto the U.S. president lauding the decor, beseeching Donald Trump to continue to help with Korean peace efforts and even suggesting a Trump Tower in North Korea. We've known each other and gotten along very well, Trump said, before adding: It's a great honor to be with you and congratulations on your election. That was a big one, and we're with you 100%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cordial display showed how world leaders are taking notes from previous meetings between Trump and heads of state, who've largely chosen the route of praise and adulation rather than confrontation as they seek favorable trade terms and continued military aid from Washington. It was one of the first big foreign policy tests for Lee, who took over a country in a state of political turmoil since its former leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, was ousted from office after imposing martial law. Lee, elected in June, began by praising one of Trump's pet projects: presidential interior design. I heard that you recently redecorated the Oval Office, and I would like to say that it looks very bright and beautiful, Lee said through an interpreter. It has the dignity of America, and it symbolizes the new future and prosperity of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that the Dow Jones index has reached record highs (although Lee made sure to add the caveat that it went down a bit) and asked Trump, who has been on a mission to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, to reunify the two Koreas and even perhaps see the construction of a Trump Tower in North Korea accompanied by a round of golf. Lee also agreed with Trump's assertion that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would not have continued to enhance his nuclear capabilities the last few years had Trump remained in office. Noting a renaissance that is taking place, Lee said, I believe you are the only leader who has made such accomplishments. What happened in South Korea The tone was a far cry from Trump's confrontational social media post earlier Monday. He later elaborated that he was referring to raids on churches and on a U.S. military base by the new South Korean government, which they probably shouldn't have done." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I heard bad things, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday morning. I don't know if it's true or not. I'll be finding out. Trump did not identify specific raids. But earlier this month, South Korean police raided a church led by a conservative activist pastor who authorities allege is connected to a riot by Yoons supporters at a Seoul court in January, after it issued an arrest warrant for him. A special prosecutors team that is investigating corruption allegations against Yoons arrested wife, former first lady Kim Keon Hee, also raided the facilities of the Unification Church over allegations that one of its officials gave her luxury goods. Meanwhile, Osan Air Base, which is jointly operated by the United States and South Korea, was also the target of a raid last month by investigators looking into how Yoons activation of martial law transpired. South Korean investigators stressed the search was limited to areas controlled by Seoul and did not involve U.S. military operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about his assertions by a reporter in front of Lee, Trump declined to confront the South Korean president and instead said the two will discuss it later. It didn't sound to me like South Korea, Trump said. Lee explained that the special prosecutor was tapped by the country's National Assembly to investigate the actions of Yoon, who Lee said staged a self-coup. At that point, Trump interjected, Is his name Deranged Jack Smith, by any chance? He was referring to the special prosecutor who led two criminal cases against Trump before the Republican president was reelected to a second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon, who was elected to a five-year term in 2022, was considered more ideologically aligned with Trump and had even taken up golfing again after the U.S. president was reelected last November to try to forge a bond with him. Lee led the South Korean parliament's efforts to overturn Yoon's martial law decree while impeaching him. The nation's Constitutional Court formally dismissed Yoon in April. The new president Elected in June, Lee was a former child laborer with an arm deformity who rose his way through South Koreas political ranks to lead the liberal Democratic Party and win the presidency after multiple attempts. At a subsequent remarks in Washington on Monday night, Lee suggested that Trump's post had been threatening and said it had him worried he might face a Zelenksyy moment" similar to when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was hounded out of the Oval Office by Trump and Vice President JD Vance following a contentious meeting in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Lee also said the South Korean-U.S. relationship was strong enough that he was confident Trump wouldn't work to undermine it. Instead, he said the pair had very good conversations that went beyond my expectations" and took longer than originally scheduled. Everybody gave me the advice to have patience, Lee said of his meeting with Trump. He said he also told Trump that South Korea would increase its defense spending, even as it works to ease tensions between his country and North Korea. We will increase our defense budget, which will be used to transform the Korean military into a smart military that will prevail in future, Lee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said he and Trump also discussed modernizing their countries' trade relations, which follows a July deal that has Seoul investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. That agreement set tariffs on South Korean goods at 15% after Trump threatened rates as high as 25%. Seoul has one of the largest trade surpluses among Washingtons NATO and Indo-Pacific allies, and countries where the U.S. holds a trade deficit has drawn particular ire from Trump, who wants to eliminate such trade imbalances. Trump also said Monday that hed like to scrap the U.S. lease with South Korea that covers Osan Air Base and instead get ownership of the land. ___ Associated Press writer Will Weissert in Washington contributed to this report. The following is a lightly edited transcript of the August 25 episode of Right Now With Perry Bacon. (Due to technical difficulties, we dont have a video of this conversation.) Bacon: Lets talk about your constituent [Kilmar Abrego Garcia] What happened this morning? I guess hes been detained now. Talk about what you have heard about him specifically so far. Rep. Glenn Ivey: Well, at this point were just following reports. That theyve detained him and theyre going to deport him is our understanding. I havent heard any official confirmation on that, but thats what were hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bacon: To Uganda or where? Or you dont know? Ivey: Uganda. Yeah. Bacon: OK. Wow. Ivey: Uganda. Thats what were hearing. Whether thats true or not, I dont know. Well have to wait for a tweet from the president, I suppose, cause thats the only way he does official communications: on Twitter or X or whatever they call it now. Bacon: Just for the average person, why is this so concerning? Ivey: Well, because the Trump administration is doing everything it can to keep him from having his day in court. Theyve been accusing him of being MS-13. The secretary said he is a monster. They dropped all these federal charges on him. Theyre doing everything they can to actually keep him from having a chance to get the day in court that the Supreme Court said he should get. So when they brought him to Tennessee after they charged him, the judge there looked at the charges to make a determination about whether he should be released or not and how the case should go forward now. Theyve charged him with human trafficking and all these serious felonies. The judge looked at the case and said, I dont think hes a threat to public safety. Thats one of the two things the judges have to look at when they make the bail of determinations. And the second was, I dont think hes a flight risk. I think he can go back to Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What that says to me is that this judge didnt think this was such a strong case. And the fact that theyre trying to pressure him with this deportation to Uganda, a place that hes never been and apparently the jail conditions over there are horrificclearly theyre just trying to pressure him into taking a plea so they dont have to come into court and prove the case that they said they could prove. Theyre afraid to go to court. Theyre afraid to have their case evaluated by a judge and a jury. Bacon: You went to a rally this morning for him? Is that what you went to? Ivey: Yeah, kind of a rally. It was right before he went into into the building into ICE. Thats the same building, ironically, that we went to meet our two senators and three other members a couple of weeks ago to try and get a chance to tour the detention facility, which they refused. So its a little ironic that its the same building. Bacon: And basically whats happened here is they do not have anything. Hes committed no crime, but they cant concede that, right? Hes committed no crime, done nothing wrong, but theyd rather deport him than admit that they were wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey: Well, theyve charged him with a crime. Bacon: Yeah. Ivey: So they would say hes committed a crimebut he certainly hasnt been convicted of a crime. And if you go back to the beginning of all of this, the deportation was illegal, which they had to acknowledge in court. But rather than just bring him back and fix the problem, they kept saying they couldnt bring him back, they didnt have the authority to bring him back. The Supreme Court said, Youve got bring him back. The Fourth Circuit said, Youve got to bring him back. He gets his day in court. So they trumped up these chargespardon the punso they could bring him back and save face. But then they brought him back, and hes like, OK, well, give me my day in court. Then theyre like, Geez, we dont want to do that either, so lets send him to a country where hell never be heard from again. That looks like what theyre trying to do. Bacon: Talk about the National Guard. I know youre in the suburbs above D.C., not D.C. proper, but talk about what thats like and why we should be concerned about that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey: Yeah. I was in D.C. yesterdaytwo of my kids live in D.C., by the way; my grandsons in D.C. and the likeand we were down on the wharf. And I saw, I dont know, 30 or so of these guys walking around in groups of between three and five mainly. There was one time where it was a group of eight. First of all, I was with a guy who works in the restaurant business in D.C. and he says nobodys here. This is shocking that theres so few people here. And I know its been very damaging to the restaurants. Theyve had to extend the restaurant week, but seeing guys walking around on American streets in full camothis looks like they just got pulled off the front line of some combat theater. And theyre carrying Im not a gun guy, but I would say either an M4 or an M16, military assault weapons. And some of them had 9mm handguns strapped on. Im just not used to seeing that kind of firepower on American streets. Thats not whats going on. Thats problem number one. Problem number two is when I looked at their belts, they didnt have anything other than firearms. So in a civilian police context where you have a force continuum, you dont go right to shoot the guy. You go toWell, we got tasers, weve got pepper spray, weve got other options. Weve got nightstick that arent deadly force that we can use depending on the situation. And the firearm is the last resort. For these guys, its the only resort. Thats all they have. And then theres the training issue. Now, you know the presidenttheyre saying theyre going to train them [on] how to deal with civilian contacts, but they havent trained them yet. And even if they had trained them, they dont have the tools to do nonlethal force in most situations. And by the way, if you fire one of those assault weapons guns in a context like the wharf, the bullet goes right through the target and keeps going. So the chances of hitting some innocent bystander jump exponentially when you are using firearms with that kind of power in that kind of environment. So for me, it was this is why we dont have military policing our streets. And then the last point Ill make on this one is, last time I checked, the wharf was not a hotspot. Bacon: Yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivey: Im seeing these guysit looks like theyre tourists in town. Theyre at the Washington Monument or Union Station or in front of the Supreme Court, all the iconic things that make for great photos and great political theater, I guess, for MAGA Republican America. But if you really want to try and help with the crime problem, thats not where it is and those arent the right guys to do it. The guys to do that would beI did see some DEA on the street. Although, again, theyre in camo outfits, street patrol is not what theyre trained to do and its not the highest and best use of their capabilities. Same with FBI agents. When I was a local prosecutor in D.C., when I was at the U.S. Attorneys Office, we had task forces where you worked with the FBI and the DEA and the local police all the time. U.S. Marshals as well. And those can be great and very effective and very powerful. But let em have their role. Its like, dont let Michael Jordan inbound the ball. What are we doing here? Put em in a position where they can do the most good work for the community. Bacon: Sounds like troops are now coming to potentially Chicago, Baltimore. What do you make of this general trend? Ivey: Well, its a stupid abuse of the military power. Its enormously expensive. The quote I heard was $1 million a day just for D.C. And lets start with this. Crimes gone down in the U.S. pretty significantly in the last few years, but we have a major crime problem. I was a prosecutor for 12 years of my career, state and federal. No question its an issue. How do you fix it? Well, more cops. This doesnt help with that, especially D.C., cause instead of releasing the $1.1 billion that the mayor said she would use to hire cops at least in part, theyre hanging onto that. Number two, youre not putting people on the street who can help with civilian policing to address the actual things you say are the problemlets say its murder, carjacking, or whatever. These are guys walking around as tourists, really doing nothing to address the situation. Number three, youre not putting people on the types of task forces and teams that would be helpful to local police to actually target the violent criminal offenders. And then number four, you need a comprehensive approach to violence reductions on the street. Its not just enforcement. Intervention and prevention programs can be extraordinarily helpful with that. But instead of funding that, Trump got in office and the first thing he did was cut the Biden [administrations] Office of Gun Violence Prevention. First thing he did was cut that. And then of course they wont take any steps to address guns on the street. Take ghost guns. Last I looked, there were 180 sponsors for a ghost gun ban at the federal level. How many Republicans? Zero. And everybody know ghost guns. Theyre made to help criminals evade being caught when they use the gun. You cant even work to ban thatyou cant even work to get that off the street. I mean, come on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then, I forgot this part, Im watching what these guys are doing and theyre grabbingICE is grabbing people off the streets. I guess apparently right now, theyre targeting pizza delivery guys. Yeah. Wow, we got some pizza delivery guys. Citys a lot safer now, isnt it? You got the pepperoni off the streets. Its ridiculous. It would be pathetic if it werent true. It is just incredible. Bacon: Your staff told me youve got to go in 10. So the last question is what should we do about this? Like how crazy theyve gone going after pizza delivery guys. What cannot just Democrats in Congress, but what should the country be trying to do to challenge this? Ivey: Well, I think in part, the messages that they can send to their elected officials is a big step, especially if theyre in red states or have Republican representatives. Hey, Congressman or Senator so-and-so, this is a big waste of dollars. Get these guys back in the mission that theyre supposed to be carrying outthe National Guard. And its not civilian law enforcement patrol. If we want to do more, do that. Lets take Tennessee for example. Tennessee sent National Guard troops up here, but Memphis apparently has a much worse capital murder problem than we do in Washington D.C. And if I recall correctly, Memphis was the place where they had the five guys that beatI forget the mans name, but beat him to death. So that police departments in need a reform. But guess what Donald Trump did? He shut down DOJ intervention efforts to try and help with the consent decree reform for local police departments, including that one. So all you can do is hope that people will finally see through the show that hes trying to put on and say, OK, yeah, we want to reduce crime. We know this isnt the way to do it. Lets get back on track. I think the poll in the D.C. crowd was 80 percent, but he doesnt really care about that cause D.C. doesnt have a red influence on it. But we need our Republicans in Congress to stand up and say something about this just like the cuts to Medicaid. Just like the cuts to Obamacare. Just like the tariffs hes put in place, just taking money out of their pockets. And if they wont do it, they need to be replaced by Democrats. Bacon: Congressman ...Thank you. TRAVERSE CITY Ahi tuna tacos nestle in a wonton wrapper shaped like a taco shell. Mini cheesecakes topped with honeycomb. A latke topped with smoked salmon. Downtown Traverse Citys Open Space park on Saturday, Aug. 23, was the setting for an afternoon of these eclectic foods while mingling with celebrity chefs and watching cooking demonstrations or sampling wine. Cheesecake samples are shown at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. More than 1,000 people strolled through the grand tasting at the inaugural Traverse City Food & Wine Festival on a sun-drenched afternoon with a light breeze off the backdrop of West Grand Traverse Bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event celebrated the regions wine industry as well as the peak season for Michigans rich agricultural products. Salmon ceviche is shown at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. Headlining the event was Food Network celebrity chef Tyler Florence, along with chefs from around the state, wowing festivalgoers with cooking demos peppered with a variety of pro tips. Event chefs featured included many James Beard Award nominees and winners from Michigan and other states on the main stage as well as at various events throughout the festivals multi-day footprint. Several chefs described the event as a week of camaraderie. From left, chefs Ji Hye Kim, Abra Berens and Omar Anani at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. Omar Anani of Detroits Saffron De Twah and Ji Hye Kim of Ann Arbors Miss Kim and the newly opened Little Kim described a week of fun amid cooking using Michigan produce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On stage, Anani showed people how to make proper hummus. Kim demonstrated making kimchi for the crowd. Abra Berens, author and chef at Granor Farm, also took the stage for a cooking demo. Berens said the festival celebrates the agricultural nature of this area and brings everything together in wine. Chef Sarah Welch, along with her husband, executive chef Cameron Rolka of Mink in Detroits Corktown, spent the afternoon shucking and serving oysters to festivalgoers. The oysters were a taste of whats to come at the couples 25-seat Umbo restaurant, which is slated for February 2026 opening in Traverse City. Latkes topped with smoked salmon at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival grand tasting on Aug. 23, 2025. Welch, also an on-stage presenter who made ricotta doughnuts, said it was great to be a part of the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's always fun to be a part of something for the first time, Welch said. And I hope that there are more years. The multi-day festival started Wednesday, Aug. 20, offering a collection of events from winery wine tastings and dinners, farm tours, plus tasting events at various venues. Wine sampling was plentiful, featuring a selection of pours of Chardonnay to Pinot Noir to Reisling and sparkling wines from Traverse Wine Coast wineries. Dozens of wineries touted their wines at the festival. Ahi Tuna Tacos at the Traverse City Food & Wine Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. Mike Laing of Mawby Sparkling Wines in Suttons Bay said he's excited to have this style of event back in Traverse City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a winemaking community and a culinary community combined, we view our industries very tightly tied together because wine is better with food," he said. "My colleagues and winemakers are thrilled to be celebrating northern Michigan wine and food in one place together." 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: Traverse City Food & Wine Festival celebrated state's food and wine NEED TO KNOW The USDA Forest Service announced that the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Wash. will be closed to the public through Wednesday, Aug. 27 This is so the FBI can continue the multi-agency investigation into fugitive Travis Decker, 32, who officials believe murdered his three daughters at the campground on June 2 The Chelan County Sheriffs Office, Homeland Security, U.S. Border Patrol, Washington State Patrol, Wenatchee Police Department, and U.S. Marshals are also involved in the investigation Travis Decker has been on the run for close to three months after allegedly murdering his three daughters, and still authorities have found no evidence to suggest he is alive or dead. The manhunt for the fugitive father continues though, and this week agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation are returning to the scene of the crime to conduct additional investigations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An order from the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service announced that the Rock Island Campground in Leavenworth, Wash. will be closed to the public through Wednesday, Aug. 27. That campground is where Decker took his three girls after the court approved him for a custody visit on May 30. Ninety minutes after he failed to return the girls at 8 p.m., as ordered by the court, their mother Whitney Decker called police to report the girls missing. Then, on June 2, authorities discovered the bodies of: Paityn, 9; Evelyn, 8; and Olivia, 2. All three girls had plastic bags over their heads and several cable ties were found nearby on the ground near their bodies. USDA Rock Island Campground Closure Map Rock Island Campground Closure Map The girls had been hidden away, and were only discovered after a member of the search party came upon Decker's truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside the truck were Decker's wallet and cellphone. Decker's dog was also found wandering near the crime scene, alive and unharmed. 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. A medical examiner determined that the three sisters each died of asphyxiation, with their manner of death being ruled a homicide. Authorities announced in August that the only DNA found at the crime scene belonged to Decker and the three girls. The closures are all within a four-mile radius of the crime scene, which is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Wenatchee Police Department Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker (l to r) Olivia, Evelyn and Paityn Decker (l to r) This is all part of the multi-agency effort to track down Decker that, in addition to the FBI, involves the Chelan County Sheriffs Office, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Border Patrol, Washington State Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol, Wenatchee Police Department and U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If apprehended, Decker is facing three counts each of first-degree murder and kidnapping. U.S. Marshals announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Decker, 32, is a former military member with extensive tactical training, which would allow him to survive in the woods for long periods of time. Authorities believe he may be in Canada based on internet searches conducted before his disappearance, and there have been at least two reported sightings of men who were initially thought to be Decker, but were soon debunked by investigators. Decker and his wife divorced in 2023, at which time she petitioned the court for sole custody of the couple's three daughters citing her husband's mental health struggles, according to copies of court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of that agreement, Decker was granted three hours of visitation with the girls every Friday, and an additional eight hours every other weekend. Prior to the incident there were no red flags or warning signs of any kind, a lawyer for his ex-wife told ABC News. Read the original article on People OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Theres a new procedure for Oklahomans who suffer from varicose veins. One patient is a former chef who still stands a lot at work and was finally able to get some relief. It feels like broken glass pushing through your veins, said Andrew Marsh, a patient. Andrew Marsh spent most of his life as a chef, standing and moving around in a hot kitchen. Dr. Parker Truong said all that standing over time, plus the heat, can make varicose veins worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: In by 10 reminds parents to get kids home by 10 p.m. By the blood going the wrong way so instead of the blood draining towards the heart, its going backward and its being fed into these varicose veins, they become dilated and they become painful, said Dr. Parker Truong at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. Dr. Truong said treatment at Oklahoma Heart Hospital starts with an ultrasound to check the severity of the problem in the veins, then compression wraps may be given to help many patients. If that doesnt give some relief, the new procedure called VenaSeal developed by Medtronic, is done with a vein catheter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We would numb up the incision site we would go into the vein with the catheter, and were using ultrasound like this one to locate the tip of that vein. And we would put the little droplets of glue inside a vein, compressing the vein within ten second to 30 seconds and having it completely close, said Dr. Truong. Patients used to have a full procedure with a longer recovery. Now, the procedure has been refined so that patients, like Andrew Marsh, can be in and out in about 20 minutes. Thats pretty much what it was. I came in, and the longest part was checking in, sit down for the procedure, you know, put some glue in my legs, and I was in and out. I walked in, I walked out. I was back at work that day, said Marsh. Marsh got his procedure done in 2023 on one leg and the other in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: Neighbors tree falls on womans vehicles: Whos paying? Its been wonderful. So Ive been able to lose about 60 pounds. Ive been able to go to the gym again. Ive been in the gym for about a decade, ran my first 5k a few months ago. So its definitely helped me be able to take progressive steps into my life, said Marsh. Based on his experience, Marsh has a message for others suffering like he did. I would tell them to definitely go get checked out. You know, the worst thing they do is say no, but, you know, at the best they can do, you can get your life back, said Marsh. Dr. Truong said if a patient doesnt respond well to the new procedure technique, there are more extreme ways to tackle the varicose veins and help provide relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information on the VenaSeal treatment, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. TREMONTON, Utah (ABC4) Tremonton shooting survivors Deputy Allred and K-9 Azula made a surprise appearance at a local rodeo Friday night. The shooting, which occurred during a police response to a domestic violence call in Tremonton, rocked the community after two officers Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada were killed in the line of duty. Deputy Allred and K-9 Azula were both injured in the incident, but survived. The pair made a special, surprise appearance at the Golden Spike Rodeo Friday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amidst our grief, we wanted to share a moment of hope, Box Elder County shared on Facebook. Deputy Allred and K9 Azula made a surprise appearance at the Golden Spike Rodeo last night, letting us know they are healing and going to be okay. Deputy Allred tipped his hat to the crowd in what was an emotional moment honoring the lives of the fallen officers and bringing hope to the community. Our hearts are heavy as we continue to mourn the tragic loss of Sergeant Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada. The immense outpouring of support from our community has been a source of strength during this difficult time, the post from Box Elder County states. Thank you for your unwavering support and for keeping the fallen officers and their families in your prayers. Charges have been filed against the alleged shooter, Ryan Bate. He had his initial court appearance Friday morning. He faces a long list of charges, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, conduct to injure or kill a police canine, unlawful detention, assault, and domestic violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the 20 total charges, Bate faces 10 felonies, including two capital charges. The Box Elder County Attorneys Office has filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. Funeral services for Officer Estrada will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. Sgt. Sorensens service will take place Friday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. Latest headlines: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN) Theres big news for students across Ohio, especially right here in the Valley. On Monday, former YSU President and current Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel was in Struthers, kicking off a statewide program aimed at boosting student health. Its called the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, and its why Struthers Middle School is welcoming the lieutenant governor into town. The new program targets students in grades 4 through 8. The goal is to get kids moving, eating better and living better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The challenge is part of Gov. Mike DeWines broader push to improve the overall health of Ohioans. The governor always says he wants everyone healthy everyone safe and everyone reaching their full potential and we think this can help them do all of those, Tressel said. So far, 635 schools have signed on, representing more than 160,000 students. We want to make it a habit, Tressel said. If your good sleep, good fitness and good nutrition becomes a habit, its something youll take with you the rest of your life. The program officially launches Sept. 8 but Struthers is the first school to tap into the challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Struthers was one of the first ones who said, Hey we want to be in this,' Tressel said. Each student gets a workbook to track healthy habits and exercises, ranging from cardio to strength and flexibility. The program rolls out in three 90-day phases starting this fall. Helping Tressel demo the challenge to students was former player Tedd Ginn Jr., serving as fitness challenge captain. He calls the play, we execute it, Ginn said. Thats always been our deal. Just learning a lot. being able to be in a different room and a different atmosphere, but still doing the same things. changing lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State leaders Tex Fischer, Al Cutrona, and even Struthers Mayor Cat Miller are all chipping in to help set an example for students that they hope goes beyond the classroom. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Trial for man accused of killing firefighter and wife depends on competency decision A judge is set to decide whether Matthew Lanz, the suspect in a double murder, is competent to stand trial. The trial, originally scheduled for November, may be delayed depending on the judges ruling on Lanzs mental competency, Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell reported. Lanz is accused of killing Cherokee County firefighter Justin Hicks and his wife in their Acworth home nearly four years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their child, who was in the home when they were killed, is forced to grow up without them. Dr. Justin Donaldson of Georgia Regional Hospital testified that Lanz is competent to stand trial, stating, That is my belief. A third psychiatrist, however, testified that Lanz is not fit for trial. During the competency hearing, two psychiatrists from Georgia Regional Hospital testified about Lanzs mental state following a 10-month evaluation. Dr. Wanda Shao of Georgia Regional Hospital noted that Lanzs responses and actions were inconsistent with true delusions. His responses, his actions are completely inconsistent with true delusions. The nurses became concerned that he was trying to copy the behavior of people who were genuinely psychotic... Shao said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lanzs attorney argued against Donaldsons assessment, claiming that he did not spend enough time with Lanz and failed to take adequate notes. The defense also raised questions about alleged demonic lights Lanz reported seeing. He didnt acknowledge that there was any significance to the lights, Donaldson said. The case has drawn attention because of the brutal nature of the crime and subsequent events. Police allege that Lanz stabbed an officer in Sandy Springs 36 hours after the murders. Lanzs attorney says Lanz believed the government framed him. The decision on Lanzs competency will determine if the trial proceeds as planned, impacting the timeline for justice. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Trial for SC deputy accused of killing retired police lieutenant delayed again The trial for a former Chester County deputy has come to another false start after the jury was seated on Monday. Former deputy Evan Hawthorne is accused of killing retired Rock Hill Police Lieutenant Larry Vaughn in his own apartment four years ago. Investigators had arrested Hawthorne and claimed he had followed Vaughn to his apartment from a nearby bar where the two had reportedly been drinking. They said Hawthorne was seen leaving about half an hour later, covered in blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawthornes family said this is a case of self-defense. READ: Delay preempts trial for deputy accused of murdering retired police officer Channel 9s Tina Terry was at the courthouse Monday, where attorneys were present most of the day. But not much was accomplished. The jury was seated on Monday afternoon and some expected to hear opening arguments. But attorneys debated several pre-trial motions and the defense argued that parts of a police interview with Hawthorne following the incident should not be seen by the jury. The problem I have is over the edge, because thats a characteristic that the detective is making of it, the defense argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a video that theyre gonna watch, hes stating what hes seeing on the video, prosecutors responded. Several motions were discussed, and the judge decided to break for the day and reconvene tomorrow morning. Jury selection had been delayed last week with no explanation. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. WATCH: Delay preempts trial for deputy accused of murdering retired police officer Tribal leaders took some pride in being able to assist anyone who needed help during the pandemic, so they recently met to figure out how to do that for other crises, such as Milwaukees 1,000-year flood. Officials from 12 tribal nations around the Great Lakes met with local, state and national emergency management experts at a summit in August in Lac du Flambeau to develop a preparedness plan. We feel for all those suffering in Milwaukee County, which hosts the largest concentration of Native people in the state, said Bryan Bainbridge, CEO of the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, which organized the emergency management summit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The summit took place a few days after the floods in Milwaukee. Many tribal members living in the city and surrounding areas were directly affected. Tribal nations with community centers in Milwaukee, such as Potawatomi, Oneida and Ho-Chunk, mobilized to assist tribal members who were affected. Officials with the Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services in Milwaukee helped organize volunteers to clear the basements of multiple elders whose homes were flooded. Food distributions also were held at the Oneida center in Milwaukee for flood victims. The tribe offered its members financial assistance in the form of hotel stay reimbursements up to $75 a night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bainbridge said tribal nations are also willing to help anyone during disasters as they did during the pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tribal Nations across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan whose leaders comprise the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council led the way in vaccine distribution, not only protecting our own citizens but also serving surrounding non-tribal communities, he said in a statement. The pandemic proved whats possible when tribal, state, and county governments work together. Bainbridge said non-tribal families from as far as Chicago made the six-hour drive up to Lac du Flambeau to receive food boxes the tribe was distributing when there was a food shortage during the pandemic. This months summit included representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but Bainbridge acknowledged that agency is on the chopping block with the Trump administration, as is funding for tribes to deal with emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But tribal nations do have strength in unity and organizing in response to disasters even if financial resources are low, Bainbridge said. One theme at the summit was establishing coordinated efforts among all the tribal nations when theres a large disaster, rather than tribes responding alone. Bainbridge said its important to have the correct contacts in place in times of emergency to reduce reaction time without panicking. Sign up for the First Nations Wisconsin newsletter Click here to get all of our Indigenous news coverage right in your inbox Frank Vaisvilas is a former Report for America corps member who covers Native American issues in Wisconsin based at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact him at fvaisvilas@gannett.com or 815-260-2262. Follow him on Twitter at @vaisvilas_frank. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tribal nations discuss disaster preparedness after Milwaukee floods BOSTON (WWLP) A Lawrence man allegedly tied to the Trinitarios gang was charged with machine gun possession in federal court last week. Charging documents stated that on May 6, law enforcement broadcast an alert to arrest 20-year-old Derek Mercado of Lawrence following a domestic violence incident report. The victim involved in the incident stated that Mercado was allegedly in possession of a firearm in a green duffel bag. Mercado also had two arrest warrants on unrelated charges at the time. Wilbraham doctor reprimanded for poor care and false board certification claims Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators observed him leaving a home, reportedly carrying a green duffel bag as described by the victim. Police arrested Mercado and seized the bag, which inside they found an Israel Military Industries UZI model submachinegun containing an extended magazine loaded with 24 rounds of ammunition. Officers later test-fired the firearm and confirmed that it was a functional machine gun. Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice. Mercado is also alleged to be a member of the Trinitarios gang, a criminal enterprise responsible for many murders and violent acts throughout Massachusetts. In February 2025, nearly two dozen members of the Trinitarios were charged in connection with murders committed in Lynn and Lawrence. Mercado was charged on August 20 by criminal complaint with one count of possession of a machine gun. He is currently being held in state custody on domestic violence offenses. For machine gun possession, he could face up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Tropical Storm Fernand, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean Saturday night, continues moving north and east in open waters and poses no direct threat to Bermuda or the United States, forecasters say. As of Monday morning, Fernand was spinning about 360 miles east-northeast of Bermuda and was generating top sustained winds of 50 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forecasters say the tropical storm will continue moving slowly across the open waters of the subtropical central Atlantic well east and northeast of Bermuda during the next two days. Although the storm may gain some strength on Monday, weakening is expected to begin tonight, and Fernand is expected to become post-tropical on Wednesday, the hurricane center noted. Tropical Storm Fernand, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean Saturday night, poses no direct threat to Bermuda or the United States, forecasters say. Another storm system, in the Caribbean Sea, is expected to weaken during the next few days. Meanwhile, a tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean Sea is expected to weaken during the next few days, with forecasters saying it has no chance of developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm. Dangerous rip currents at Jersey Shore Even though Hurricane Erin is long gone and Tropical Storm Fernand is hundreds of miles away from the eastern U.S., dangerous rip currents continue to pester the Jersey Shore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service said the rip currents are being generated by strong ocean swells. Those swells could be partially coming from the far-away tropical storm, and also from a small low pressure system off the coast of New Jersey and Long Island, New York, according to weather service meteorologist Nick Guzzo. Guzzo said theres a high risk of dangerous rip currents along the Jersey Shore on Monday, and the risk is expected to be moderate on Tuesday. Even though Hurricane Erin is long gone and Tropical Storm Fernand is hundreds of miles away from the eastern U.S., dangerous rip currents continue to pester the Jersey Shore on Monday, Aug. 25. Meanwhile, New Jersey is enjoying the start of whats expected to be a long stretch of pleasant fall-like weather with low humidity and no significant threats of rain or thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-80s Monday afternoon before dropping to unseasonably cooler levels with highs in the mid- to upper 70s the rest of this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forecasters say theres a good chance that Labor Day weekend will remain dry with cooler than normal temperatures. Current weather radar Thank you for relying on us to provide the local weather news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com or on X at @LensReality. The National Hurricane Center on Sunday continued to track newly formed Tropical Storm Fernand in the open Atlantic while also eyeing a system approaching the Caribbean that could become the next tropical depression or storm. As of the NHCs 5 p.m. advisory, the center of Fernand was located about 295 miles east of Bermuda moving north-northeast at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Tropical-storm-force winds extend out 60 miles. This motion is expected to continue for the next day or two, followed by a turn to the northeast, forecasters said. On the forecast track, Fernand should move well east of Bermuda and across the open waters of the subtropical North Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While it may strengthen in the next two days, its not expected to threaten any land before weakening by Tuesday. Fernand became the sixth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Saturday while the NHC is keeping track of what could be the seventh farther south in the Atlantic. As of the NHCs 5 p.m. special tropical outlook, the tropical wave was about 200 miles east of the Windward Islands with showers and thunderstorms, but a lack of circulation. This system could still become a tropical depression during the next day or two while it moves quickly westward at about 20 to 25 mph, passing through the Windward and Leeward Islands later today and early Monday, forecasters said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could become Tropical Depression Seven or if strong enough be named Tropical Storm Gabrielle. No matter the development the Caribbean islands can expect heavy rainfall and gusty winds through Monday. Its then forecast to move into the Central Caribbean on Tuesday where conditions are less favorable for additional development. Data from the Air Force reconnaissance aircraft indicate that thesystem located near the Windward Islands does not have a closedlow-level circulation, Forecasters said. However, the system is still producing alarge area of showers and thunderstorms and winds to near gale force, and these conditions are expected to affect the Windward and Leeward Islands tonight and Monday. The NHC gave it a 30% chance to develop in the next two to seven days, a lower chance than earlier on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently updated its season forecast to call for 13-18 named storms this year, of which five to nine would grow into hurricanes. Two to five of those would develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. The height of hurricane season runs from mid-August into October while the entire six-month season runs June 1 to Nov. 30. _____ A federal judge on Monday doubled down that the Trump administration is absolutely forbidden from removing the onetime wrongfully deported man Kilmar Abrego Garcia from the U.S., for now. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, an appointee of former President Obama, blocked Abrego Garcias deportation to Uganda until she can hold a hearing to determine whether the administration will let him contest his removal to the third country. Abrego Garcias detention and the bid to deport him comes just three days after he was freed from custody in a criminal case filed against him in federal court in Tennessee. He filed suit after he was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody Monday when he reported for a check-in at ICEs Baltimore field office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xinis emphasized Monday that Abrego Garcia isnt going anywhere, for now. Your clients are absolutely forbidden at this juncture to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia from the continental United States, the judge told Justice Department lawyer Drew Ensign. That is the understanding that we have? Your honor, yes, Ensign replied. We certainly understand that. But the government also suggested Abrego Garcias deportation was not imminent. Third-country removals often take some time, Ensign said. Abrego Garcias case became a flash point in President Trumps ramped-up efforts to remove noncitizens from the U.S., after he was wrongfully sent to El Salvador despite a 2019 court order preventing him from being deported there over fears his safety would be at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After initially resisting court orders to facilitate his return, the Trump administration brought Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. in June but then filed federal criminal charges against him in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia has argued in the criminal case that hes a target of selective and vindictive prosecution, claiming the effort to deport him to Uganda is proof. His lawyers told a federal judge in Tennessee that the Justice Department presented him with a deal to plead guilty to two human smuggling charges he faces and serve that time before being deported to Costa Rica, which would accept him as a lawful citizen. But when he turned that down, the government said it would instead send him to Uganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allegations raised alarm, Xinis said. You cant condition the relinquishing of a constitutional right in that regard, she said. Xinis also noted that nothing in the record indicates Uganda would not send Abrego Garcia back to El Salvador after receiving him. Costa Rica, meanwhile, offered assurance that Abrego Garcia could move freely. The silence is taken certainly in contrast to whats been provided by the country of Costa Rica, Xinis said. The contrast is significant. Sealed court filings obtained by The Hill sister network DC News Now show Abrego Garcia signed a document stating he fears persecution in Uganda and that the country will send him to El Salvador. He also signed a document designating Costa Rica as his preferred country of removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that he has served that reasonable fear notice, hes entitled to a reasonable fear interview, Abrego Garcia lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said on a press call earlier Monday. To me, it seems very clear crystal clear that while were waiting for that interview to be scheduled, while were waiting for the results of that interview, they cant put him on a plane. Xinis also ordered the government not to move Abrego Garcia from the detention facility in Virginia where his lawyer said hes being housed, to ensure he has access to counsel as the lawsuit progresses. The government and Abrego Garcias lawyers were directed to propose a briefing schedule, including dates for an evidentiary hearing, by Tuesday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. For years, anti-renewable-energy advocates have opposed solar and wind projects on the grounds that they take up too much land. Now those talking points, popularized by groups linked to the fossil-fuel industry, have made their way into a sweeping new directive from the Trump administration. On Aug. 1, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum mandated that federal leasing decisions factor in capacity density for solar and wind projects. His order defines capacity density as the amount of electricity a proposed facility is expected to produce, as a share of the maximum nameplate amount, divided by the sites total acres. An appendix to the order shows that nuclear and combined-cycle gas plants rank highest on this measure, while renewables come in last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Department will now have to consider the density measure in environmental reviews. With that in mind, the order questions whether the law allows any federal land use for wind and solar projects, given these projects encumbrance on other land uses, as well as their disproportionate land use. Only a small portion of solar and wind projects are located on areas owned and managed by the U.S. government, but there is vast potential for development. A January 2025 report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that 1,300 gigawatts of solar and 60 GW of onshore wind could be cost-effectively built on public lands, and that significant deployment in those spaces would be needed to meet grid-decarbonization goals. Its unclear whether the order might also block some projects on private property if they require reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. The directive is yet another example of the Trump administrations push to slow the development of solar and wind, which together with batteries will account for more than 90% of new utility-scale energy-capacity additions this year. But more broadly, it illustrates how the administration is elevating fossil-fuel-backed misinformation about land use into federal energy policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is the latest sign that the Trump administration is really just relying on political talking points to push back on renewable energy that have little or no basis in fact, said Dave Anderson, policy and communications manager for the Energy and Policy Institute, a watchdog group that focuses on the fossil-fuel and utility industries. The density debate Before capacity density became a factor in federal leasing decisions, anti-renewable-energy groups were using the argument to build local opposition to utility-scale clean-power projects across the country. The battle over a now-approved solar project in central Ohio provides a case in point. In November 2023, a group called Knox Smart Development held a town-hall meeting to stoke opposition to the proposed 120-megawatt Frasier agrivoltaics project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canary Media (then the Energy News Network) confirmed last year that one of the main funders of the group was Tom Rastin, former vice president of Ariel Corp., which makes compressors for the oil and gas industry. Rastin and his wife, Karen Buchwald Wright, who is the companys board chair, also play large roles in The Empowerment Alliance, a pro-natural-gas group. Steve Goreham, a policy advisor to conservative think tank The Heartland Institute, was one of the speakers at the 2023 event. In addition to denying that climate change requires a shift away from fossil fuels, Goreham told people at the Knox County meeting that solar farms require much more land than nuclear, gas, and coal-fired power plants. He also focused on power density in a 2023 opinion piece for the conservative-leaning Western Journal, warning that environmental devastation will result from policies that aim to accomplish net-zero carbon emissions. Goreham repeated this land-use argument in a Real Clear Energy post in March. A Heartland Institute policy brief released this spring also relied on information about the land areas needed for solar and wind energy to conclude that large-scale electricity production from those sources requires substantial ecological damage and impact. The institutes funders have included Exxon Mobil, coal-mining company Murray Energy (now American Consolidated Natural Resources), and foundations supported by the Koch brothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another speaker at Knox Smart Developments town hall, a lobbyist named Mitch Given, had previously represented The Empowerment Alliance in a 2023 presentation to the Ohio legislatures Business First Caucus. His slides on the nonsense of turning corn fields into solar fields compared 6,050 acres for an Ohio solar project to just 5 acres for a similar-sized combined-cycle gas power plant. A 2024 rally against the Frasier agrivoltaics project then brought in Robert Bryce, a former Manhattan Institute fellow who spent an entire chapter of his 2010 book arguing that wind and solar energy are not green because of their land use and power density. The argument is also featured in an anti-solar video he released this month. The Manhattan Institute has received funding from fossil-fuel interests, such as Exxon Mobil and organizations linked to the Koch brothers. The Checks and Balances Project, a pro-clean-energy watchdog group, has criticized Bryce multiple times for failing to disclose those links. Bryce did not respond to Canary Medias request for comment for this story. Everybody needs to come to this debate with a full picture of who theyre talking to and why theyre saying what theyre saying, said Ray Locker, executive director for the Checks and Balances Project. Companies in the fossil-fuel industry have a vested interest in preserving their business, so when they present renewable energy as somehow dirty, then that furthers their interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This months Interior Department order is not the only recent federal attack on clean energy based on the land-use argument. Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that the agencys longstanding Rural Energy for America Program would no longer fund large solar projects on prime farmland, a major shift for a program whose main use case has been helping farmers install solar energy. An absurd metric Burgums order to the Department of the Interior is really implementing an ideological agenda, said Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling at think tank Energy Innovation. In his view, the mandates definition of capacity density is an absurd metric, with multiple flaws. Among other things, the capacity-density measurement does not capture the full picture of what it takes to produce electricity from a fossil-fueled or nuclear power plant. The metric focuses only on the step where electricity is generated. A full life-cycle analysis would consider all stages for producing equipment, obtaining and transporting fuel, and dealing with waste. The Interior Departments recent order is entirely designed to make these [renewable] resources they dont like look bad, Pierpont said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The definition of capacity density also fails to account for the fact that renewable projects can coexist with other activities, such as livestock grazing or farming certain crops, noted Matthias Fripp, global policy research director at Energy Innovation. Additionally, land used for solar or wind energy can produce electricity for decades, he said, unlike fossil fuels, where the industry must keep finding new land for resource extraction. Researchers made a similar point in a 2016 study in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, which found the land requirements for coal-fired electricity could equal or exceed those for renewable energy within two to 31 years. Anderson at the Energy and Policy Institute called the rationale for the Interior Departments order a red-herring argument to focus on just one of the impacts of different energy sources. Nowhere does the order address environmental and health concerns about mining for coal or uranium, drilling for oil and gas, or transporting and burning those fuels. Waste disposal, particularly for coal and nuclear plants, also poses a challenge. Renewables are obviously leaps and bounds ahead of fossil fuels in terms of their net benefits, Anderson said. It happened again. For the second time this year, the Trump administration has halted the construction of a massive offshore wind farm being built to power blue states. On Friday, the acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Matthew Giacona, ordered the Danish wind developer rsted to stop all construction on the nearly complete Revolution Wind offshore project so the federal government can "address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States." Giacona, a former lobbyist for offshore oil and gas companies, did not specify the nature of those concerns. The move echoes an April order from the Interior Department that stopped all offshore work on New Yorks Empire Wind project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last time, the controversial pause lasted just one month but cost the developer nearly $1 billion and drove the project to the brink of cancellation. This time, with a Trump appointee now at the helm of BOEM, its unclear how long this costly work stoppage might last. Construction began on Revolution Wind in January 2024 and is now 80% complete, according to rsted. The wind farm is being built off the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in a federally designated wind energy area that was created after a five-year-long consultation between the state of Massachusetts, coastal towns, federal agencies, and branches of the military including the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, and Army Corps of Engineers. Once the 704-megawatt project is complete, its cables will come ashore in Rhode Island and its carbon-free electricity will be fed into New Englands regional grid and serve utility customers who saw their power bills skyrocket this past winter. Its one of five offshore wind projects under construction in U.S. waters. The country currently has only one fully operational utility-scale offshore wind project, South Fork, near Long Island, New York. President Donald Trump promised that America would see no new windmills on his watch. Fridays order is just the latest attempt to make good on that pledge: In recent months the Trump administration has killed offshore wind leasing, paused permitting, and sunsetted tax credits critical to the economic viability of offshore wind farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The purpose given for Fridays stop-work order national security interests has long-time wind industry insiders scratching their heads. There were no major military issues that came to the fore in New England, said wind energy veteran Bill White in an interview with Canary Media. From 2009 to 2015, White represented Massachusetts on a BOEM-led intergovernmental task force focused on the responsible siting of offshore wind energy areas south of Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket islands. Was the military at the table, represented and consulted with during this stakeholder process? The answer is: very much so, said White, who for much of his time on the task force worked for the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center as senior director of offshore wind sector development. White who went on to oversee offshore wind as CEO of Avangrid Offshore, one of the developers of Massachusetts embattled Vineyard Wind project said hes aware of national security issues that have been raised about proposed offshore wind projects near Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, which have coastlines dotted with large military installations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2023, for example, the Pentagon flagged proposed wind energy areas in the central Atlantic Coast as highly problematic. But the Pentagon has not raised those kinds of high-level concerns over Revolution Wind or any of the projects being built in New Englands waters, according to White. The Pentagon did not return a request for comment. Development of the Revolution Wind project began more than a decade ago. In 2013, Deepwater Wind New England LLC won a federal auction for two leases in the wind energy area designated by the intergovernmental task force; rsted later acquired those leases when it bought the company. From 2016 to 2020, the Danish firm assessed the site and continued to engage stakeholders, like local fishermen, according to BOEM records. Between 2020 and 2023, Revolution Wind endured an extensive regulatory review, including from the Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration. Since wind turbines have the potential to affect air-traffic radar and aviation navigation, the FAA conducted an airspace analysis. The agency ultimately approved the project under the condition that all turbines be built to lighting and marking standards that would ensure theyre visible to aircraft at night. In August 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers co-signed the authorization of plans for rsted to build 65 wind turbines for the Revolution Wind project. The National Marine Fisheries Service, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also signed the authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Revolution Winds long road to construction, it had strong support from neighboring states, which have made ambitious renewable energy commitments in recent years. The Trump administrations stop-work order on Revolution Wind undermines efforts to expand our energy supply, lower costs for families and businesses, and strengthen regional reliability, said Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, a Democrat, in a statement. In a post to X, McKee said that he and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, also a Democrat, will pursue every avenue to reverse the decision to halt work on Revolution Wind. Lamont, in an Instagram post, called the order a political move. This new fight between the two governors and the feds could play out similarly to the fight between New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Trump administration over the Empire Wind project earlier this year. After weeks of developer Equinor threatening to walk away from the halted project due to the high costs of delayed construction, the Trump administration reversed course and lifted the ban, claiming it had struck a deal with Hochul, a Democrat, to allow a natural gas pipeline to be built in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the day the Interior Department lifted the order, Secretary Doug Burgum thanked Hochul in a social media post for her willingness to move forward on critical pipeline capacity. But a representative for Hochuls office told Canary Media at the time that no deal on any natural gas pipeline was reached. The Trump administration, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, has in recent months pushed for New England and in particular Massachusetts to build new gas pipelines. McKee and Lamont or perhaps rsted could also opt for litigation, a route not taken by Hochul or Equinor during the Empire Wind drama. The Trump administrations stop-work order comes as rsted is seeking to raise billions of dollars from its shareholders to help complete Revolution Wind and its other fully permitted U.S. project, Sunrise Wind, after other financing options fell through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the earnings call announcing the fundraising effort earlier this month, rsted blamed its financial troubles on unexpected developments outside our control. Now the European firm is reeling from yet another unexpected blow from the Trump administration. A correction was made Aug. 25, 2025: This story originally misstated Bill White's former title as CEO of Avangrid Renewables. Trump officials have appealed a federal judge's ruling that Alina Habba has served 'unlawfully' as acting U.S. attorney in N.J. since July 1. (Photo by Gage Skidmore) The Trump administration is appealing a judges recent ruling that Alina Habba has unlawfully served as New Jerseys top federal prosecutor since July 1. Attorney General Pamela Bondi vowed last week to challenge U.S. District Judge Matthew Branns ruling, just hours after it was filed, and she officially did so in a one-page notice of appeal Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habba, President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer, didnt wait for things to be official. She went on the offensive Sunday on Fox News, bashing a U.S. Senate tradition known as blue slips, which allows senators to block judicial and U.S. attorney nominees in their home states from advancing. Trump on Monday threatened to sue to end the century-old practice. New Jerseys two U.S. senators, Democrats Cory Booker and Andy Kim, have criticized Trumps pick of Habba as U.S. attorney. Senator Booker and Senator Kim had absolutely every right to vote no for me for the U.S. Attorney position, but I had the right as the nominee to get in front of Senate and to be voted on, to be vetted. I never even got there. Of course not. I was, according to them, unqualified, Habba said. Why? Look at (Dem Rep.) Hakeem Jeffries tweet. Because I arrested a congresswoman for a charge of assaulting a police officer. And you know what? I stand by my work as the U.S. attorney, and I wont be intimidated by this type of political rhetoric. She repeated that message on social media Monday, calling on Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who chairs the Senates Judiciary Committee, to end the blue-slip tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remember, President Trump nominates individuals that he knows can get the job done. Your job is to work with your committee to advance their nominations. Doing the dirty work of Thom Tillis, Corey (sic) Booker and Andy Kim is NOT what America voted for, she wrote. Now New Jersey is becoming a playground for criminals because of partisan Federal Judges. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) also sits on the judiciary committee and has said he would honor blue slips. Its not clear whether opposition from Booker and Kim is all that has kept Habba from receiving confirmation from the U.S. Senate. Grassley on Monday said when Trump withdrew her name as a nominee for U.S. attorney part of a series of legal and personnel moves the Trump administration undertook to keep Habba in the job past a statutory deadline the judiciary committee had not received any of the paperwork needed for it to vet her nomination. Habba has had a turbulent tenure since Trump named her to the post in an acting capacity in March, most rooted in her prosecutions of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, both Democrats, stemming from their May visit to an immigrant jail in Newark. Her office has reportedly subpoenaed Gov. Phil Murphy, also a Democrat, over comments he made in February that suggested he might hide an undocumented immigrant in his home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Senate did not act to confirm her, a federal panel of judges in New Jersey in July declined to extend her tenure and chose her top deputy, Desiree Leigh Grace, for the post. Trump officials, though, fired Grace and reinstalled Habba, setting off the legal battle that ended up before Brann. Brann voided all Habbas actions as acting U.S. attorney since July 1, but he stayed his decision pending appeal. He also called on her to recuse herself from prosecutions until the ongoing court battle ends, because federal prosecutions in New Jersey have largely ground to a halt, with questions about her authority unresolved. But she has refused to do so. The cases next stop will be the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Very few Vermonters approve of President Donald Trump, a new poll from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found. According to the poll, just 28% of Vermont residents approve of Trumps handling of his job, while 72% disapprove. The net approval rating of -44 is statistically unchanged from June. The finding aligns with other recent polls, including an Aug. 12 update from Morning Consult where Trump had the lowest approval rating in the country in Vermont. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll found similarly low approval ratings (27% each) for his handling of foreign affairs and the economy. Trump: Epstein took Mar-a-Lago spa staff The poll, released Aug. 22, was based on the results of 1,320 surveys completed online from Aug. 14 18, 2025. It has a margin of error of +/-2.7%. What do VT residents think of the Epstein case? A majority of Vermont residents (81%) believe the Trump administration is concealing information related to the Epstein case and that Trump was involved in crimes related to the Epstein case (69%). Thats compared to the 44% (a plurality) of Vermont residents who thought that the Biden administration concealed information about Epstein and 63% who think that Bill Clinton was involved in crimes related to Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All said, 89% of Vermonters, including wide majorities of each party, think that the government should release all documents related to the Epstein case. And 83%, again including majorities of each party, oppose the Trump administration potentially pardoning Maxwell, who was convicted of offenses in connection with Epstein. 2016 Russian Election Interference Recently, the Trump administration ramped up accusations that former President Barack Obama manipulated the investigation on whether Russian interfered in the 2016 election, a move seen by some as a diversion from the Epstein files controversy. Obamas office has called it a weak attempt at distraction, and the poll found that 70% of Vermont residents dont believe the accusations. This is divided by party, though: 91% of Democrats believe Obama did not manipulate the investigation while 69% of Republicans think he did. 71%, including 94% of Democrats, believe that Russia did interfere in the 2016 election to help Trump, which is what a bipartisan report from the Senate Intelligence Committee concluded. In contrast, 73% of Republicans believe Russia didnt interfere. Israel-Hamas war Opinions on the Israel-Hamas war are largely divided by party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, 87% of Vermont residents think that Hamas bears a lot or some responsibility for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, while 86% place the blame on Israel and 71% on the U.S. But this is divided by party: 91% of Republicans believe Hamas is largely responsible, while 91% of Democrats think it's on Israel. This split is also seen over whether the U.S. should sell weapons to Israel. A majority (59%) support blocking US military sales to Israel, including a 79% of Democrats. 56% of Republicans oppose blocking the sales. Should members of Congress be allowed to trade stocks? Vermonters of all political backgrounds can agree on one thing: 95% overall, 95% of Democrats and 96% of Republicans support banning stock trading by members of Congress, said the poll. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: What are VT approval rating on Trump, Epstein files, Israel-Hamas war? Once again our "negotiator in chief" has proven himself to be all talk and no action. As President Donald Trump flew to Alaska on Air Force One, he promised Americans that if there was no Ukrainian ceasefire, he would impose strict sanctions on Russia. After three hours of Russian President Vladimir Putin flattering our "tough guy" president, what did we get? Trump essentially gave Putin a green light to continue his slaughter. Trump may be rough and tough when it comes to placing tariffs on all our allies, but when it comes to Russia or China, Trump Always Chickens Out! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Norton, Oshkosh Letters: ICE cruelty, rioter pardons, unjust tariffs and more in Trump's first six months Letters: Millions for ballroom while healthcare, food aid, federal services are cut Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'Negotiator in chief' Trump is all talk and no action | Letters President Trump on Monday signed an executive order instructing the U.S. attorney general to pursue criminal charges against anyone caught burning the American flag, blatantly violating basic freedom of speech and expression laws. Flag burning. All over the country theyre burning flags. All over the world they burn the American flag, Trump said at his press conference, where he signed another executive order revoking cashless bail in Washington, D.C. What happens when you burn a flag is, the area goes crazy. If you have hundreds of people they go crazy. When you burn the American flag it incites riots at levels that weve never seen before. If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail, no early exits, no nothing. You get one year in jail, Trump said. You dont get 10 years, you dont get one month, you get one year in jail. And it goes on your record. And you will see flag burning stopping immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president claimed the Department of Justice would investigate instances of flag burning in situations where prosecution wouldnt fall afoul to the First Amendment. But the order does exactly that. In 1989, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that flag burning is a protected right under the Constitution. Trump also made unsubstantiated claims that flag burning is a rampant practice in America right now (it is not) and that anyone doing it is being paid by the radical left. Its extremely unclear how exactly the administration can throw American citizens in jail for burning a piece of fabric without running afoul of the Constitution. This is a move that would be relentlessly vilified if someone like Russian President Vladimir Putin or North Korean leader Kim Jong Un did it. Instead, Trump is using this despotic tactic to crack down on protesters and further push his dark MAGA agenda. President Donald Trump said he is not happy about Israeli strikes on a hospital in Gaza that killed at least 20 people on Monday, including five journalists and medical workers. The hospital was hit by two strikes minutes apart, with the second blast killing medics and rescue workers who had rushed to help people injured in the first. Journalists who were covering the attack on the hospital were killed as they worked. Im not happy about it. I don't want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare. I'm the one that got the hostages out, Trump said in the Oval Office when asked by a reporter about the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the incident taken from a live shot on Egyptian television, and verified by Reuters, shows the strike hitting rescue workers as they search through the rubble of an upper floor at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis. Read more: Israeli Strike Kills Al Jazeeras Anas al-Sharif, Who Left a Final Message from Gaza The journalists killed included Mariam Abu Dagga, a freelance journalist who worked for the Associated Press; Mohammed Salama, who worked for Al Jazeera; Moaz Abu Taha, a freelance journalist who worked with several news organisations, including Reuters; and Ahmed Abu Aziz, a contributor to Middle East Eye. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the airstrike a tragic mishap, and claimed that Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff and all civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli army said in a statement on Tuesday that an initial inquiry found the strikes were aimed at a camera that was positioned by Hamas in the area of the Nasser Hospital that was being used to observe the activity of IDF troops, in order to direct terrorist activities against them. The Israeli military did not provide any evidence to support its claim, and acknowledged gaps in the investigation, including the type of ammunition used. At least 192 journalists have been killed in Gaza in the 22-month conflict, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)189 of them Palestinians. The war has been even more deadly for health workers: more than 1,500 have been killed by Israel's strikes in Gaza, according to the United Nations. It comes two weeks after Israel killed four Al Jazeera journalists in a targeted strike in Gaza City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French President Emmanuel Macron joined international condemnation of the strike. This is intolerable: civilians and journalists must be protected in all circumstances. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict, he said. The AP and Reuters called for an explanation in a rare joint letter to Israeli authorities. We are outraged that independent journalists were among the victims of this strike on the hospital, a location that is protected under international law, it said. These journalists were present in their professional capacity, doing critical work bearing witness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sara Qudah, CPJ's regional director, condemned the strikes, saying that Israel's killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history. These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity, she added. The strike came as Israel pushed on in its offensive towards famine-stricken Gaza City. At least 18 people were killed in shelling and bombing of the city overnight and on Tuesday, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) concluded last week that famine is taking place in the city. It marks the first time that famine has been confirmed since the start of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher described it as a famine that we could have prevented, if we had been allowed. Yet food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel. Israel has strongly rejected the IPC report, with Netanyahu's office calling it an outright lie. More than 220 people have died of malnutrition due to Israel's blocking of most food and aid from entering the strip. The toll includes 117 children since the start of the war. The war was triggered after the Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territorys Health Ministry. The IDF's own data suggests a Palestinian civilian death rate of 83%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, Gazas Health Ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME. Contact us at letters@time.com. Donald Trump is considering a United States travel ban for European Union officials responsible for the blocs Digital Services Act and additional tariffs on countries with similar laws, which he claims discriminate against Americans. The State Department is considering placing sanctions which may come in the form of visa restrictions on those behind the legislation as the US government continues to fight against what it sees as an attempt to silence conservative voices. US officials held a meeting on the issue last week and are yet to make a decision on whether to press ahead with the sanctions, sources told Reuters. Such a move would be an unprecedented attempt to punish countries for domestic policies the Trump administration does not agree with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump also threatened to impose substantial additional tariffs on the UK and other countries that have digital taxes unless they scrap the legislation. The US president characterised the laws as a discriminatory attack on American tech companies, and warned he would impose export restrictions on critical American-made chips and other protected technology. It comes after a fact-finding delegation of US congressmen visited Westminster to air their concerns and vowed to brief Mr Trump on what they saw as an attack on American businesses. In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies. Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This must end, and end NOW! With this TRUTH, I put all Countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations, on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Countrys Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips. Mr Trumps latest salvo is part of a broader push by his government to reshape the global online space, and prevent what he sees as the silencing of conservative voices and decline of free speech. The EU legislation is meant to battle online harms by compelling tech giants to do more to tackle illegal content, including hate speech and child sexual abuse material. But Washington has said the EU is pursuing undue restrictions on freedom of expression in its efforts to combat hateful speech, misinformation and disinformation. Strained relations Relations between the Trump administration and the EU are already strained amid tariff threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports from earlier this month claimed the US government had instructed European diplomats to launch a lobbying campaign to oppose the Digital Services Act. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously threatened visa bans for people who censor speech by Americans, including on social media, and suggested the policy could target foreign officials regulating US tech companies. JD Vance, the US vice-president, is among the US leaders to have repeatedly lashed out at European officials and regulations, accusing them of censoring Americans. The Republican used his speech at the Munich Security Conference in February to accuse EU leaders of suppressing the speech of groups such as Germanys Right-wing AfD party. Orwellian Online Safety Act The UK Government has also come under fire for its Online Safety Act, which the Trump administration views as Orwellian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Mr Trumps visit to Scotland last month Sir Keir Starmer defended the bill and insisted the UK would protect free speech. It comes as Nigel Farage prepares to tell Lucy Connollys story when he testifies to members of Congress in September about threats to freedom of expression in Britain. Lucy Connolly with her husband Ray. Mrs Connolly was jailed after a social media post - Heathcliff O'Malley for the Telegraph He is set to bring up the case of Mrs Connolly, who was released from prison earlier this month after being jailed for 31 months over a social media post in the aftermath of the Southport attacks. A State Department spokesman said: We are monitoring increasing censorship in Europe with great concern but have no further information to provide at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An EU Commission spokesman declined to comment on the potential for sanctions, but had previously called censorship claims by the US completely unfounded. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right in the EU. It lies at the heart of the DSA, the spokesman said. It sets out rules for online intermediaries to tackle illegal content, while safeguarding freedom of expression and information online. 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. US President Donald Trump on Monday dampened expectations of a meeting between Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war in Ukraine. "I don't know that they'll meet," Trump said in Washington. "Maybe they will, maybe they won't." Since taking office for a second time in January, Trump has made repeated efforts to end the war in Ukraine, pressuring Zelensky and Putin to meet to reach an agreement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump hosted Putin in Alaska earlier this month and met European leaders at the White House last week, the prospect of a summit to end the war still seems distant. "That's going to be up to them," Trump said on Monday. "It takes two to tango, I always say, and they should meet, I think, before I have a meeting and probably close the deal." The US president pointed to personal tensions between Putin and Zelensky as an obstacle to a meeting. "They do not exactly get on well," he said. "There's tremendous dislike personally between the two men, and we're going to have to straighten that out, but I would like to see them meet first." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They'd like me to be there," Trump added. "I may be there, I may not. I'll see but I wanted them to work out their differences first, because it is ultimately between them." Trump earlier said he had again spoken to Putin and praised the Russian leader's willingness to visit Alaska, calling it a "big statement" proving his desire for peace. "Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation," said Trump. "And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kiev or some place, and then I get very angry about it." Trump said he had believed the Ukraine conflict would be the easiest for him to resolve, but that "strange things happen in war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Zelensky's meeting with Trump in the Oval Office last Monday, Putin stated that Moscow was prepared to take bilateral contacts in the negotiations with Ukraine to a higher level, such as foreign ministers. However, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the US broadcaster NBC on Friday that Moscow sees no basis for a direct meeting with Zelensky because the two sides are very far apart in their demands. Zelensky was due to meet US special envoy Keith Kellogg on Monday in Kiev in preparation for a Ukrainian-US negotiating group meeting at the end of the week to discuss possible talks with the Russians. Moscow and Kiev resumed direct negotiations this year for the first time since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the agreements reached in Istanbul have so far been limited to humanitarian aspects such as the exchange of prisoners of war and bodies of killed soldiers as well as the return of Ukrainian children to their relatives. Sunday marked three and a half years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In what is likely another attempt to distract from his many failings and broken promises, Donald Trump declared on his social media network that he is going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS and that he will do it unilaterally. He continued: WE WILL BEGIN THIS EFFORT, WHICH WILL BE STRONGLY OPPOSED BY THE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THEY CHEAT AT LEVELS NEVER SEEN BEFORE, by signing an EXECUTIVE ORDER to help bring HONESTY to the 2026 Midterm Elections. Remember, the States are merely an agent for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them, FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COUNTRY, to do. In case anyone missed the point, on August 18, at the press conference for his high-stakes summit with Ukraines leader, he repeated his anti-mail-in ballot tirade as Volodymyr Zelenskyy looked on. You will not be surprised to hear that the federal government does not manage Americas elections, and state and local elections officials need not do what the President tells them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, Trumps disparagement of vote-by-mail could prompt Republican governors and state legislators to pursue a fresh round of mail voting restrictions, and Republican political operatives to discourage mail voting among their rank and file. Florida DOGE hypocrisy: Palm Beach County deserves better than what Florida DOGE is offering Following Trumps advice on mail-in balloting would be bad for Republicans. Fact check: Florida Republicans use mail-in voting to win elections A voter gets a sticker from a poll worker after dropping off their Vote-by-Mail ballot at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office for early voting on October 26, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. In the 2024 election, Republicans eased their unjustified opposition to mail balloting Trump never abandoned it, but he softened his criticisms under pressure from party leaders and it proved successful. The New York Times reported earlier in January: Republicans made almost universal gains in mail voting during the 2024 election, eroding a key Democratic advantage in nearly every state that tracks party registration, according to a data analysis by The New York Times. The Republican rise in the use of mail voting was almost always accompanied by a drop in registered Democrats casting a mail ballot, allowing Republicans to make significant inroads in battleground states like Pennsylvania, red states like Florida and blue states like Connecticut. In Pennsylvania, Republicans deployed a multifaceted campaign of messaging, fund-raising and field operations, boosting their share of the mail vote from 24 percent in 2020 to 33 percent in 2024. This proved critical. The Times reported: Before Election Day, some Democrats speculated that the Republican gains in mail voting simply represented a shift in which high-frequency G.O.P. voters had decided to cast early ballots, cannibalizing the partys Election Day vote. But Republicans overall turnout edge proved to be real, and their improved early-voting numbers gave their campaigns an advantage. When we were looking at daily returns and saw huge gains in the Republican vote-by-mail share compared to previous election cycles, we knew we were on the right pathway to winning this election, said Matt Gruda, who managed [Dave] McCormicks [Senate] campaign. We were seeing these gains not only among the most frequent voters but even more so also among the voters who rarely vote in our elections. And just because Pennsylvania Republicans were still the minority of mail voters doesnt mean thats true everywhere. The Times also noted: In deep-red Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa, Republicans made up a majority of mail voters in last years election, after Democrats dominated in those states in 2020. And in Arizona, a swing state where a vast majority of voters cast their ballots by mail, Republicans had an eight-point advantage over Democrats in mail voting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That many Republicans out West had no hang-ups probably stems from the fact that mail-in voting got some of its biggest early boosts from Western Republican governors and secretaries of state. Trump bigotry, propaganda: The Trump administration wants to rewrite history, spread dangerous propaganda Trump mail-in voting efforts could reverse Republican gains Vote-by-mail manager Sean Williams, wheels pallets of ballots onto postal service transportation vehicles at the Supervisor of Elections office in unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla., on September 27, 2024. None of this surprised me because I wrote in 2021 that the conventional wisdom, held by most major party leaders, that easier voting access inherently benefits Democrats, was clearly wrong. Republicans have won in states with high mail-in voting. Democrats have also won races in states with strict voter ID laws. And there is nothing about mail-in voting that is naturally more appealing to Democrats than Republicans. Before 2020, voters regardless of party affiliation tended to just take advantage of the process, whatever it was in a state, including vote by mail and early voting, according to John C. Fortier, a resident scholar at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. So the partisan split about traditional and nontraditional voting methods that we saw [in the 2020 presidential election], fueled by Donald Trumps disparagement of mail voting and polarization around the merits of social distancing, should not color our views about which party would benefit from Democratic proposals to nationalize and encourage such methods. But now that Trump is back to full-throttle disparagement of mail voting, the gains Republicans made in 2024 may be reversed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: I represented Epstein, Maxwell victims. They deserved more than cover-ups. Trumps MAGA movement includes many low-propensity, unreliable voters, often in rural areas. In future elections, Republicans wont have their greatest motivator of low-propensity voters on the ballot: Trump himself. He will never be on the ballot again, no matter what MAGA leaders see in their fever dreams. In turn, Republicans should recognize it is in their interest to make it easier for people in far-flung rural areas to vote by mail at home, instead of forcing them to travel long distances in uncertain weather to vote in person. But what is in the Republican Partys long-term interest isnt necessarily what is in Donald Trumps short-term interest. And as far as I can tell, Trump perceives his short-term interest to be promoting conspiracy theories to justify power grabs. No Republican should feel obliged to indulge Trumps self-serving paranoia. Bill Scher, Politics Editor, the Washington Monthly Bill Scher is the politics editor of the Washington Monthly. 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: Will Florida Republicans listen to Trump on vote-by-mail? No. | Opinion On Monday, President Donald Trump, who has called cashless bail a "government-backed crime spree," signed an executive order to end the policy nationwide. The order restricts the allocation of "Federal policies and resources" to jurisdictions and states with cashless bail policies for "crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order." It tasks Attorney General Pam Bondi with creating a list of such jurisdictions within 30 days, at which point the federal funds of these jurisdictions may be suspended or terminated. While the Eighth Amendment prevents excessive bail, defendants are not guaranteed an absolute right to bail. The Bail Reform Act of 1984 allows for the denial of bail for defendants who pose a flight risk, including those charged with violent crimes, offenses carrying life imprisonment or death, certain drug offenses, repeat felony offenders, and those posing a danger to society. When a defendant is arraigned, a judge may release them on their own recognizance (a promise to appear), detain them, or release them on bail. With bail, a cash guarantee is provided and returned upon the conclusion of the case. Bail is determined by the jurisdiction where the crime is prosecuted, meaning in some jurisdictions, bail isn't required for lesser charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With cashless bail, defendants who are not deemed a flight risk or threat to public safety are released on a promise to return, without monetary collateral. Proponents argue that cash bail disproportionately impacts black and Latino populations, and ending this practice would reduce recidivism rates, since data suggest that longer pretrial detention is linked to quicker new arrests. Multiple jurisdictions and states have experimented with cashless bail to varying degrees of success. In 2023, Illinois became the first state to abolish cash bail. Under the Pretrial Fairness Act, judges must instead hold detention hearings to determine whether a defendant is a flight risk or a public safety threat. "Not too different from how we release people now. It's just that money will no longer be a condition of release," NPR reported at the time. It's unclear if these reforms had any impact on crime, although a study by Loyola University Chicago's Center for Criminal Justice notes that violent crimes and property crimes declined a year after cashless bail was enacted. That same report found that the percentage of people who missed a required court date declined from 25.1 percent to 22.8 percent. New York's bail reform law, enacted in 2019 and amended in 2023, limits cash bail and pretrial detention primarily to violent felonies. Defendants are typically released on recognizance unless there's a flight risk, and New York law narrows the parameters for bail consideration to "the kind and degree of control or restriction necessary to reasonably assure the principal's return to court." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the passage of New York's laws, a 2023 study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice found that the state's bail reforms neither increased nor decreased recidivism rates. New Jersey's risk-based bail system, which was finalized in 2017, offers more judicial discretion than New York's, but still eschews cash bail for low-risk defendants in favor of a public safety assessment. In 2023, New Jersey's Joint Committee on Criminal Justice Reform attributed the state's rearrest rate of less than 1 percent to the 2017 bail reform, noting that over 80 percent of defendants who completed pretrial services were not rearrested. The president also signed an executive order on Monday aimed at cashless bail policies in Washington, D.C., which have been in place since 1992. The order mandates that federal law enforcement in the city hold arrestees in federal custody and pursue federal charges and pretrial detention to ensure they aren't released from custody before trial. It also authorizes Bondi to review the Metropolitan Police Department's retrial release policies and direct Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser to align D.C. policies with the president's methods for dealing with crime in the city. Under the order, federal agencies must also identify actions, including funding allocation and federal services, to coerce D.C. to abandon its cashless bail system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the city released 87 percent of the people arrested in D.C. without bail. Of those, 89 percent remained arrest-free, and 86 percent of released defendants made all scheduled court appearances, according to data from D.C.'s Pretrial Services Agency. The post Trump Directs DOJ To Penalize States and Cities That Use Cashless Bail appeared first on Reason.com. President Trump on Monday appeared to back off on his threat to deploy the military or take other unilateral actions to crack down on crime in liberal cities, saying it would be better to be asked by state and local officials for federal assistance. I was telling some of the people that in a certain way you really want to be asked to go. I hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. I dont like going to a town, city, place, a state, and then be criticized by some corrupt or incompetent governor where crime is rampant, Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents remarks came just before he signed a series of executive orders intended to intensify the federal governments efforts to address crime in the nations capital. He signed orders that aimed to end cashless bail, to increase penalties for desecrating the American flag, and to establish specialized units in the National Guard equipped to deal with public order issues. The Trump administration earlier this month began surging federal law enforcement across parts of the District to crack down on what the White House said was an unacceptable level of crime, despite statistics showing violent crime has declined in the city. That order came after a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency, created by Trumps administration, was attacked in the nations capital. Trump took federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed hundreds of National Guard troops across the city to further the crackdown on crime. Last week, Trump indicated he planned to take similar steps in Chicago next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to make our cities very, very safe, Trump said Friday. Chicagos a mess. You have an incompetent mayor. Grossly incompetent and well straighten that one out probably next. That will be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough. Its unclear how Trump would enact a similar effort in another city. He cannot seize control of a local police department outside of Washington, D.C., where home rule laws give the federal government greater authority. And Illinois officials have sharply pushed back against suggestions that Trump might send in the National Guard. Trump has repeatedly criticized Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D), who is a potential 2028 presidential candidate, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D). These people are sick. But Im really saying, and I say this to all of you, in a certain way we should wait to be asked, Trump said Monday. Because they have cities that are so out of control. So we go in and fix it, they take the full credit for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. With millions of people projected to lose health insurance over the next decade, President Donald Trump's administration appears ready to ease access to a potentially cheaper form of coverage. The Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury departments said they'll relax enforcement of a Biden-era rule that limited the use of a type of bare-bones health insurance, known as short-term health insurance. The plans are typically cheaper, but often lack protections for consumers who buy their own health insurance. Furthermore, the three departments expect to draft new rules to consider changes to these insurance plans. What is short-term health insurance? Short-term insurance plans often cost less than Affordable Care Act plans but come with a catch. Insurers that sell these plans don't offer all of the robust benefits of ACA plans. Also unlike ACA plans, insurers can deny or limit coverage based on a person's health status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But some say these plans might appeal to healthy adults seeking less expensive coverage as insurance costs rise and federal cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act are projected to leave 10 million uninsured over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. An additional 4 million-plus consumers could lose coverage if Congress doesn't extend the expiring COVID-19 pandemic-era tax credits that have made ACA plans more affordable for consumers, according to the CBO. As more people lose insurance or no longer qualify for subsidized ACA plans, some "might look to less comprehensive plans to at least provide some levels of coverage," said Michelle Long, senior policy manager of patient and consumer protections for KFF, a health policy nonprofit. Will Trump once again expand the use of short-term plans? The Trump administration is again taking steps to make these plans more accessible for insurers and consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an Aug. 7 statement, the Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury departments said they "do not intend to prioritize enforcement actions" for plans that fail to meet the terms of a Biden-era rule that limited short-term plans and made companies disclose the limits of services and amounts the plans cover. HHS also "encourages states to adopt a similar approach" and back off enforcing Biden's four-month limit on short-term plans. The three federal agencies also said they intend to draft new rules and seek public comments to change the definition of short-term plans. The agencies didn't provide a timeline on when rule changes might be drafted. White House spokesman Kush Desai said the Trump administration is "committed to expanding affordable plans that give Americans more choices for health coverage." "Its in the American people's interest to have more options and more competition in the insurance market," Desai said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given that Trump previously allowed short-term plans to extend up to three years, "I generally anticipate that's where we're headed again," said Justin Giovannelli, project director at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown Universitys Health Policy Institute. American Association of Ancillary Benefits, an industry group representing short-term health insurers, sued HHS in U.S. District Court in Texas seeking to halt Biden's 2024 rule. A federal judge stayed the case and ordered HHS to respond by Aug. 28 to detail its plans to issue new rules on short-term plans. It's also unclear whether states will choose to scale back enforcement of Biden's short-term plan limits. Idaho has proposed relaxing rules on short-term plans. Other states such as California and Colorado have banned or limited short-term plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if the Trump administration relaxes oversight of short-term plans, insurers will likely be cautious about selling plans until the administration drafts and finalizes more permissive rules, said Michael Cannon, directory of health policy for the libertarian Cato Institute. The online insurance marketplace eHealth allows consumers to compare and enroll in short-term plans. While the Trump administration has signaled plans to ease restrictions on these plans, eHealth officials urged consumers to be cautious. Whitney Stidom, vice president of consumer enablement at eHealth, consumers must be aware short-term plans are less comprehensive than ACA plans and typically lack coverage for some preventive services, mental health and preexisting conditions. "While short-term health insurance plans have value for people who are between jobs or only in need of limited coverage, it is important for individuals to understand the limitations of these options and make informed choices, Stidom said. Democrats, Republicans differ on short-term plans For nearly a decade, the legal status of short-term health insurance plans has depended on who's been in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, then-President Barack Obama's administration finalized a rule that limited short-term insurance plans to three months, a rule that took effect in 2017. The move came three years after the Democrat president's signature Affordable Care Act overhauled the health insurance market and marketed plans with minimum benefits such as prescription drug coverage, emergency and maternal care. ACA plans also prevent insurers from denying or limiting coverage based on a person's medical history a common practice before 2014. In 2018, the Trump administration loosened restrictions on these short-term plans. The Republican president's administration allowed consumers to purchase plans up to one year and renew coverage up to three years. In 2019, about 3 million consumers signed up for short-term plans sold by 9 insurance companies, according to a June 2020 House oversight report. Biden's administration in 2024 instituted its rules for short-term health insurance. Are there benefits to short-term plans? For consumers who are healthy and earn too much to qualify for ACA plan subsidies, short-term plans might be a viable option for temporary coverage, Giovannelli said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An example would be someone who became uninsured due to a job loss or another change in life circumstances. But Giovannelli said these plans are more of a stopgap for consumers. "It's really quite risky for a person to be sold that product as an alternative to comprehensive coverage when it's really not," Giovannelli said. "You get a low, up-front cost if you are healthy, but there are no rules about all the back-end costs." These plans also might include annual or lifetime limits on coverage both of which are not allowed under ACA plans. Cannon said Biden's four-month limit on these plans harms people who become ill while they are covered. He said healthy people can theoretically stack these plans, buying one plan after another from different insurers, to sustain coverage. But because short-term health insurers can deny coverage based on a person's medical history, a short-term insurance customer who is diagnosed with a new illness likely wouldn't qualify for a new plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The rule hurts people who get an expensive illness and cannot buy another plan," Cannon said. North Carolina man can't renew his short-term plan Charlotte, North Carolina, resident Steve Swicegood purchased a short-term plan sold by UnitedHealthcare over two years ago. The 59-year-old said his insurance is a "horrible plan" because it limits the number of doctor visits his family can make each year. He also now must pay more out of pocket for routine items such as immunizations and prescriptions. Charlotte, North Carolina resident Steve Swicegood is frustrated that his short-term health insurance plan will expire this year. He can't renew coverage under current federal regulations. The Trump administration signaled plans to ease restrictions on these cheaper, bare-bone health insurance plans. But the coverage worked for him. His insurance costs $900 a month to cover him, his wife and his college-age son. The cost is largely covered by his former employer, NBC News, which pays a monthly stipend for his health insurance as part of an early retirement benefit. He forfeits the NBC insurance payments if he takes another full-time job or ACA health insurance subsidy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he selects an ACA plan, it will cost him an additional $800 each month, he said. He's frustrated because his family is healthy and doesn't visit the doctor often. Even with his short-term plan's limited coverage, it's worked for his family. He's not sure what he'll do when his plan expires at the end of the year. "As a consumer, I don't want to spend more money than I have to," Swicegood said. "What really infuriates me is in Washington (D.C.), they play these political games. That's obviously what happened with this kind of insurance." Email consumer health reporter Ken Alltucker at alltuck@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump signals plan to expand controversial type of health insurance (The Center Square) President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday requiring federal prosecutors to investigate and prosecute people for burning the American flag, a practice the U.S. Supreme Court said was protected speech in 1989. In his executive order on Monday, Trump said that the flag is an important symbol that should be protected. "Over nearly two-and-a-half centuries, many thousands of American patriots have fought, bled, and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly," according to the order. "Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Civil liberties groups questioned the order, especially in light of the Supreme Court ruling. The president said anyone who burns the American flag should spend a year in jail. "You burn a flag, you get one year in jail," the president said. "You don't get 10 years, you don't get one month. You get one year in jail, and it goes on your record, and you will see flag burning stopping immediately." Trump acknowledged the high court's 1989 ruling, but said federal prosecutors still have room to pursue criminal charges in some cases. "The Attorney General shall prioritize the enforcement to the fullest extent possible of our Nation's criminal and civil laws against acts of American Flag desecration that violate applicable, content-neutral laws, while causing harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment," the order said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the order, Trump likened the practice to "fighting words." "Notwithstanding the Supreme Court's rulings on First Amendment protections, the Court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to 'fighting words' is constitutionally protected," it noted. The order instructs U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to "pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions in this area" if needed. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, said Trump has no authority to change the First Amendment, which protects speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FIRE Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere said that no matter how offensive, flag burning is protected. "Flag burning as a form of political protest is protected by the First Amendment. That's nothing new. While people can be prosecuted for burning anything in a place they aren't allowed to set fires, the government can't prosecute protected expressive activity even if many Americans, including the president, find it 'uniquely offensive and provocative.'" he said in a statement. "You don't have to like flag burning. You can condemn it, debate it, or hoist your own flag even higher. The beauty of free speech is that you get to express your opinions, even if others don't like what you have to say." Former Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, a Democrat nominated by former President Dwight Eisenhower, wrote the majority opinion in the 1989 case. "We can imagine no more appropriate response to burning a flag than waving one's own, no better way to counter a flag-burner's message than by saluting the flag that burns, no surer means of preserving the dignity even of the flag that burned than by as one witness here did according its remains a respectful burial," the majority opinion read. "We do not consecrate the flag by punishing its desecration, for in doing so we dilute the freedom that this cherished emblem represent." The existing nine-member Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority. President Donald Trump is so obsessed with punishing Democrats that hes pretending red states dont have a crime problem. While speaking to reporters Monday, the president balked when asked whether he would consider sending National Guard troops to Republican-led cities and states that experience high rates of crime. Sure, but there arent that many of them, Trump said. If you look at the top twenty-five cities for crime, just about every one of those cities is run by Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Newsweeks recent list of the 30 U.S. cities (with at least 100,000 residents) that had the highest number of violent crimes against people, 16more than halfof those cities were in certifiably red states. These included Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas, Texas, South Carolina, Missouri, Utah, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Four of those states were among the six to send National Guard troops to Washington D.C., which was notably absent from the recent list of the most crime-ridden cities. But while a state like Ohio has a whopping four cities on the high-crime listincluding Cleveland, Toledo, Dayton, and AkronTrump has set his sights on another city, in Illinois: Chicago. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been a vocal critic of Trump, and hasnt flinched at the presidents previous attempts to intimidate the city. Twenty-two out of 30 of the cities on Newsweeks list were led by Democratic mayors. While mayors are not powerless to contribute to crime prevention, funding for public safety initiatives and other programs, the rates of violent crimes are primarily driven by gun violence, which is a state and federal issue. Earlier this year, the Trump administration terminated 69 of the 145 community violence intervention grants awarded through the DOJ, cutting a whopping $158 million in grants. President Trump on Monday floated returning the Department of Defense to its prior name, the Department of War arguing the name it has held since the 1940s is "too defensive." "We want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive, too, if we have to be," the president told reporters during a Monday afternoon Oval Office event. Mr. Trump tested out the Department of War moniker during a series of public events at the White House on Monday, including a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He argued that the United States had an "unbelievable history of victory" under the department's old name, referring to World War I and World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president said earlier Monday the change would likely be made "over the next week or so." Hours later, he said he'd leave it up to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth: "We'll do it a couple of more times. And if everyone likes it, we'll make that change." Asked whether Congress would need to sign off on restoring the agency's old name, since lawmakers had passed the initial renaming, Mr. Trump said he didn't think so: "We're just going to do it. I'm sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don't think we even need that." The president has teased a name change for the federal government's largest agency on and off for months, referring to Hegseth as his "Secretary of War" at one point last month in a post on Truth Social. During a June press conference, he claimed the old Department of War moniker was abandoned because "we became politically correct." Why was the Department of War changed to the Department of Defense? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The renaming took place in the wake of World War II, part of a broader reorganization of the U.S. military that placed the Army and Navy into a single Cabinet-level agency. The War Department which oversaw the Army dated back to President George Washington's first term, but in the late 1790s, Congress created a separate Navy Department to oversee the new country's naval forces and, later, the Marine Corps. Those two agencies operated separately for over a century. President Harry Truman pushed for different branches of service to be combined into a single Department of National Defense in 1947, telling Congress the move was necessary to "cut costs and at the same time enhance our national security." The agencies were combined under a single Secretary of Defense in a 1947 law that also created the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency. Two years later, Congress named the agency the Department of Defense. Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announce engagement Democrats voting on key resolutions at summer meeting President Donald Trump and Maryland Governor Wes Moore hurled insults at one another on Sunday (Aug. 24) after Trump reiterated his threat to send the National Guard into Baltimore. During a recent speech, Moore suggested, If President Trump were to walk our streets, stand with our people, and visit our community, he would see what I see: One of the greatest cities in the United States of America. He urged Trump to keep Baltimores name out of his mouth. If President Trump were to walk our streets, stand with our people, and visit our community, he would see what I see: ??? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ???????. pic.twitter.com/yipidTBTLK Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) August 21, 2025 This led to Trump firing back at the governor on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I walk the streets of Maryland with him. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk, he wrote. Trump accused Moore of fudging his figures on crime like many of the other Blue States are doing, and said that if he needs help, he will deploy troops like he did in the nations capital. Baltimore is ranked the 4th WORST CITY IN THE NATION IN CRIME & MURDER. Stop talking and get to work, Wes. Ill then see you on the streets!!!, he continued. The President also threatened to reconsider the federal funding allotted to fix the Francis Scott Key Bridge, that was severely damaged last year after a cargo ship crashed into it. I will not authorize the use of the Maryland National Guard for any mission that isnt mission critical or mission aligned. Full stop. pic.twitter.com/W0yiTl2jVi Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) August 24, 2025 Moore, on the other hand, has defended the citys crime record noting that Baltimores homicide rates have been at a historic low since he entered into office. He believes Trump is, once again, distracting the public from the Epstein files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is doing everything in his power to distract from the Epstein files. Really makes you wonder, Moore tweeted. Did Donald Trump, the President of the United States, lie about an injury to dodge the Vietnam draft? That jab came after Trump brought up Moore accidentally saying he received a Bronze Star earlier than he actually did. Despite the back-and-forth, many believe Moore will run for President in 2028 along with front-runner, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President Donald Trump brushed off criticism that he is acting like a dictator by putting federal law enforcement in U.S. cities to control crime but insisted that some people think the country could use one. Shortly before signing executive orders that intend to get rid of cashless bail and criminalize flag burning on Monday, the president told reporters that Democratic-led cities are ungrateful for his administration intervening in controlling crime. As you all know, Chicago is a killing field right now, Trump said, referencing his comments from last week in which he indicated he would send National Guard troops into Chicago next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And they dont acknowledge it. They say, we dont need him, freedom, freedom, hes a dictator, hes a dictator, the president said, mocking Democratic leaderships criticisms of him. A lot of people are saying, Maybe we would like a dictator. I dont like a dictator; Im not a dictator. Im a man with great common sense, and Im a smart person, Trump added. President Donald Trump claimed that some people would like the US to be run by a dictator, but that he is not one (REUTERS) The president has promised to crack down on crime in the country, in part, by deploying federal law enforcement into cities to make sweeping arrests. Trumps first target was Washington, D.C., which he claimed had been overrun by crime although state and federal statistics indicate violent crime in the nations capital has been declining. The presence of 800 National Guard members, some armed, has sparked protests and a decline in recreational activities such as restaurant reservations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump previously sent the National Guard to Los Angeles after protests against anti-immigrant sweeps by ICE agents. Democrats have accused Trump of exaggerating violent crime anecdotes and ignoring data about crime statistics to impose federal law enforcement in cities run by liberal leaders he disagrees with. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said on Saturday, there is no emergency in the state that would warrant Trump to federalize the Illinois National Guard. He accused Trump of attempting to manufacture a crisis. Maryland Governor Wes Moore said the homicide rate in Baltimore, a city Trump has also claimed is overrun with crime, is the lowest it's been in four decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If [Trump] wanted to have a serious conversation about violent crime, he should have to pay attention to the work were doing in the state of Maryland to be able to address the issue, Moore said. Federal law enforcement has been conducting hundreds of arrests in DC since Trump ordered them to begin patrolling the streets earlier this month (Getty) House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Trump has no basis and no authority to send troops or agents into Chicago, adding that Democratic voters also want to see lower crime rates. But the president and his administration have taken a different narrative, claiming those pushing back on his use of power are just trying to be noncooperative. Vice President JD Vance claimed that Democratic leaders are angrier that Trump is offering help than that murderers are running roughshod over their cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump insinuated he was helping cities by sending in federal law enforcement or federalizing state National Guards. He said those who are ungrateful for his help are sick. When I see whats happening to our cities, and then you send in troops, instead of being praised, theyre saying Youre trying to take over the Republic, Trump said. These people are sick. Despite statistics largely showing violent crime is on the decline in cities across the country, Trump has claimed those numbers are untrustworthy. The Justice Department is currently investigating the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to see if they manipulated violent crime statistics. President Donald Trump fired back at Democratic critics on Monday, insisting that he is not a dictator. Trump defended his federal takeover in Washington, D.C. in comments to reporters on Monday, where he also suggested that Chicago could be the next city he sends troops into. He criticized those who called him a dictator for sending troops into Democratic-led cities, arguing that he is just a smart person. Chicago is a killing field right now, and they dont acknowledge it, and they say, We dont need him. Freedom. Freedom. Hes a dictator. Hes a dictator. A lot of people are saying, Maybe wed like a dictator. I dont like a dictator. Im not a dictator, Trump said on Monday. Im a man with great common sense and a smart person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when I see whats happening to our cities, and then you send in troops, instead of being praised, theyre saying youre trying to take over the republic, he added. Trump, who calls Pritzker a slob, says of Dems calling him a dictator for sending troops into cities: A lot of people are saying: Maybe we like a dictator. I dont like a dictator. Im not a dictator. Im a man with great common sense and a smart person. pic.twitter.com/4T33OPhu9a Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 25, 2025 Trump has received widespread backlash over his federal takeover of the nations capital that he authorized in early August. Trump announced earlier this month that the federal government would be taking over the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., claiming that there are high crime rates in the Democratic-controlled city. He has suggested that other cities, including Chicago and New York City, will be next. The Republican president is proudly promoting the work of roughly 2,000 National Guard troops in the city, loaned by allied governors from at least six Republican-led states. Theyre in place to confront what Trump describes as an out-of-control crime wave in the Democratic-run city, though violent crime in Washington, like dozens of cities led by Democrats, has been down significantly since a pandemic high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and his allies are confident that his stunning decision to dispatch troops to a major American city is a big political winner almost certain to remind voters of why they elected him last fall. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Tourists pass by members of the National Guard stationed outside Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 18, 2025. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) President Trump mobilized the D.C. National Guard under the guise of restoring security in the nations capital despite D.C.s crime rate being at a 30-year low. What began as a deployment of 800 D.C. National Guard troops has grown to encompass 2,091 as of this writing, as Republican governors send hundreds more. Trump hasnt just complained about alleged crime in the district hes placed a target on people experiencing poverty and homelessness. Claiming that were getting rid of the slums, Trump has called on troops and police to forcibly remove unhoused people from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal law prohibits deploying the military on U.S. soil, except under certain extraordinary circumstances. Trump is currently facing legal challenges over his 60-day deployment of troops in Los Angeles earlier this year under equally unfounded claims about violence and risk and against the wishes of the troops themselves. Now hes ordering soldiers into our streets for the fourth time as president to viciously target some of the most vulnerable members of our society despite abundant evidence that prosecuting homelessness only makes it worse. The cost of this cruel power grab is borne by taxpayers like you and me. Previous reporting found that National Guard deployments cost the U.S. government $530 per Guard member, per day. So the price tag of deploying 2,091 troops to D.C. is well over $1 million per day and the number of troops will likely continue to grow. And with no deadline for the D.C. deployment, those costs could add up for months or even years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This militarized spending comes at the expense of federal programs like public housing that actually do prevent crime and improve health and education outcomes. Using those figures and other publicly available data, I calculated that the daily cost of operating public housing for all 5,616 people who are unhoused in D.C. on any given night is one-quarter the daily expense of deploying the National Guard. If the Guard remains deployed for three months, it would cost more than operating public housing for the entire unhoused population in D.C. for an entire year. Thats also true in the states whose GOP governors are voluntarily sending National Guard troops to the capital. Across those six states Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia some 30,000 people are unhoused. The daily cost of operating safe shelter for all 30,000 would be less than one day of the D.C. occupation. In fact, its true in almost every state, I learned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The daily expense of deploying troops to D.C. is more than four times the daily cost of operating public housing for Georgias unhoused population, five times for Nevadas unhoused population, and 15 times for all unhoused people in Wisconsin. If you want numbers for your own city, county, state, or congressional district, you can use the National Priorities Projects trade off calculator at NationalPriorities.org to learn more about what taxpayers in your area are paying towards militarism and the services we could be enjoying instead. Trumps decision to hyper-militarize our streets is transpiring on the heels of the MAGA budget bill, which cuts food and medical services for millions across the country to further enrich billionaires and war profiteers. Deploying troops in our nations capital, rather than investing in what makes communities safe and prosperous, is yet another attempt to scapegoat struggling people especially communities of color to advance a draconian agenda in service of billionaires, war profiteers, and white supremacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Government spending on straightforward solutions that help poor and working-class people faces constant political backlash. But providing affordable housing to end homelessness in D.C. would be far cheaper than deploying troops and would do far more to improve the citys security. This commentary was originally published by OtherWords. President Trump on Monday bashed Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) as incompetent amid threats from Trump to send National Guard troops into the Illinois city. The incompetent Mayor of Chicago just stated that, in DC, where crime has been brought down to almost nothing, there have been no murders in 9 days, something which hasnt happened in years, and people are safe again, only nine people have been arrested, Trump said on Truth Social. That is wrong, hundreds of criminals have been held, captured, and arrested, and their guns have been taken away. DC IS SAFE AND BOOMING!!! As of Sunday, there have been over 910 total arrests in Washington, D.C., and 101 firearms have been seized since federal law enforcement was sent into the nations capital on Aug. 7, according to the White House. On Saturday night alone, there were a total of 93 arrests and six illegal firearms seized, the White House said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson on Sunday said Chicagoans will not bend or cower to Trumps threats to turn a federal policing push next to Baltimore and Chicago, cities like D.C. that are overwhelmingly blue and represented by Democratic mayors. The mayor said he is in active communication with local and state counterparts as we prepare for any potential unconstitutional military deployments to Chicago. On Friday, Trump told reporters, I think Chicago will be next. The Washington Post reported on Saturday that the Pentagon for weeks has been planning a military deployment to Chicago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday that will end the cashless bail system in Washington, D.C., as part of his efforts to crack down on crime in the nations capital, a White House official confirmed to The Independent. The planned executive order, first reported by Axios, directs law enforcement to hold arrested individuals in federal custody whenever possible and allows the administration to withhold federal funding if officials continue using the cashless bail system. Cashless bail aims to create a fairer legal system for low-income defendants and reduce the number of people in jail by removing cash bail as a requirement for pretrial release in some criminal defendant cases. In these instances, a judge can decide to detain a defendant only if there is evidence that a monetary bail amount is needed to ensure their presence in court or protect public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the administration believes cashless bail allows dangerous individuals to reoffend soon after being arrested, despite there being little evidence to support the claim. They kill people, and they get out, cashless bail. They thought it was discriminatory to make people put up money because they just killed three people lying on the street. Any street all over the country, cashless bail, were ending it. But were starting by ending it in D.C., Trump said while signing the executive order on Monday. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Monday, eliminating cashless bail in DC as he cracks down on crime (Getty Images) In May, D.C.s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council published a report that found fewer than 1 percent of people released ahead of their trial on violent charges were rearrested for a violent or dangerous crime. Earlier this month, Trump lamented that cashless bail contributes to crime in D.C., which the president has characterized as out of control and rampant despite local and federal statistics showing violent crime is at more than a two-decade low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the cashless bail system has existed in D.C. for decades, it has had more restrictions added to it over the last few years, preventing defendants accused of various violent crimes, including sexual abuse or strangulation, from benefiting from it. Regardless of the evidence, the president has declared a crime emergency in the nations capital and used the statute to deploy 800 National Guard members to patrol the city and try to put the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. The controversial move has sparked protests in the city and outrage from Democratic lawmakers who see Trumps attempt to control crimefighting in D.C. as an authoritarian move. The president has pointed to other Democratic-led cities, such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, as other examples of cities rampant with crime due to their liberal policies. Trump said last week that Chicago would likely be the next city to see an increase in federal law enforcement presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president made the crackdown on crime a pillar of his agenda, consistently promising to take a tough-on-crime approach during his presidential campaign. "When I'm re-elected, I will crack down on the left-wing jurisdictions that refuse to prosecute dangerous criminals and set loose violent felons on cashless bail, Trump previously said. Additional reporting by Andrew Feinberg in Washington, D.C. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) is facing criticism after falsely mistaking a college student for being an active shooter at the University of South Carolina. School officials at the University of South Carolina issued an all-clear late Sunday after a schoolwide alert warned of a shooter on the Columbia campus, urging the community to avoid the area and shelter in place. The alert followed what the university called a a credible report of an active shooter at the library. Subsequent messages stated that there was no evidence of a threat. Mace had initially published multiple images of a man walking on campus, describing him as the alleged shooter. She wrote that he was a white male, wearing black shorts, grey tshirt, backpack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the South Carolina gubernatorial hopeful later backtracked: Real, or a hoax, or a mistake, now would be an appropriate time to talk about hardened security at schools of all grades, colleges and universities. This was a terrifying experience for students on campus and their families. Many are confused after being told there was an active shooter. Some are even afraid to return. Real, or a hoax, or a mistake, now would be an appropriate time to talk about hardened security at schools of all grades, colleges and universities. This was a terrifying experience for students on campus and their families. Many are confused after being told there was an Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) August 25, 2025 In a separate post, Mace added that as the mom of a student at USC, tonight was terrifying. Frantically calling my child to see if they were at the library or barricaded somewhere else on campus, making sure they and their roommates were safe, your heart just drops to the ground, for a minute you cant breathe, Mace wrote, adding South Carolina first! Social media users were quick to pounce on her posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She deleted it but my God how irresponsible can Nancy Mace be? one user wrote. She deleted it but my God how irresponsible can Nancy Mace be? pic.twitter.com/KfpaJyWAuG Tyler Jones (@TylerMJones) August 24, 2025 Another user posted the man, who appeared to match the description from Mace, holding a large umbrella. .@NancyMace posted videos of this kid casually walking through campus with his umbrella saying he was a shooter at the University of South Carolina during their active shooter scare earlier that turned out to be a false alarm.kid should sue her ass!" the account added. Matt Walsh, a right-wing commentator, also weighed in, joking: Really grateful for Nancy Mace. She bravely alerted the public to the dangers of a guy carrying an umbrella. This is why we need common sense umbrella control. .@NancyMace posted videos of this kid casually walking through campus with his umbrella saying he was a shooter at the University of South Carolina during their active shooter scare earlier that turned out to be a false alarm.kid should sue her ass! pic.twitter.com/a3oMyvkFEF Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) August 25, 2025 South Carolina police say there is no shooter on the campus of USC. The image shared by @NancyMace was obtained from X, and was of a student carrying an umbrella. The image was not released by law enforcement or an official authority, and could have resulted in him being killed, someone else said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fred Guttenberg, a gun control activist who lost his daughter in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting, also responded: Now would be an appropriate time to talk about how to appropriately punish you for this false post that could have gotten someone killed. As the father of Jaime, killed in the Parkland shooting, everything about you and your messaging is the problem. Seek help as I firmly believe you are in need. Ron Filipkowski, the editor-in-chief of MediasTouch, pointed to how Mace did not issue a formal apology. If you thought Nancy Mace was going to apologize after spending her day falsely accusing a kid with an umbrella of being a school shooter, you thought wrong, Filipkowski wrote. A university spokesperson told WIS-TV that no major injuries were reported and there were no confirmed reports of shots fired. An alert stated that a couple of students were treated for minor injuries that occurred while evacuating. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. A network of clinics across Maine that got swept up in President Donald Trumps megabills defunding provision will not receive Medicaid funding to treat thousands of low-income patients as the lawsuit proceeds in court, a federal judge ruled on Monday Maine Family Planning, a nonprofit that offers primary and reproductive health care in 18 clinics across the state, was unable to receive Medicaid funding because Trumps bill, known as the One big beautiful bill, blocked money from flowing to abortion providers. The nonprofit sued the Trump administration after the July 4 law, saying no Medicaid funding went toward abortion services which only account for a fraction of their services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Maines district court Chief Judge Lance Walker, appointed by Trump in 2018, said on Monday that Congress can withhold federal funds from conduct not enshrined as a constitutional right and cited the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Walker added that allowing the Medicaid funding would also undermine the bill, which he said was created through a democratic process. Maine Family Planning faces the threat of closing clinics in the state after Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' which included a provision that stripped Medicaid funding from the nonprofit (AP) The decision arrived despite a separate federal court ruling that said all Planned Parenthood clinics must continue to be reimbursed for Medicaid funding as court proceedings play out. Without Medicaid funding, Maine Family Planning is at risk of closure which could harm another crucial service in the state: gender-affirming care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without Maine Family Planning, the infrastructure and the whole state network would crumble, Evelyn Kieltyka, the senior vice president of Program Services at Maine Family Planning, told The Independent. Last year, Maine Family Planning had nearly 16,000 visits, but the nonprofit performed just 760 abortions, meaning terminations made up less than five percent of care provided. Thats compared to more than 2,000 gender-affirming care visits last year. Patients have said the network is a lifeline for individuals seeking gender-affirming care, Kieltyka said. Thats partly because of the states composition. Because so much of the state is rural, patients often have to travel hours to seek medical care. For more than two-thirds of its patients 70 percent Maine Family Planning is the only health provider they will see in a given year. (Getty Images) Finding gender-affirming care is less readily available generally. Trumps attacks on transgender Americans havent helped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, after the president issued a string of executive orders attacking transgender Americans. Trump issued an executive order stating the United States only recognizes two sexes, introduced a ban on transgender service members in the U.S. military, and ordered that federal funds stop being used to support gender-affirming care for minors. Legal challenges over the bans are playing out. That month, the nonprofit was flooded with calls from concerned patients about whether gender-affirming care was still offered and still legal, according to Kieltyka, who called the new measure devastating. The nonprofit offers a variety of services cancer screenings, STI testing, contraception, and abortion services. To add insult to injury, several hospitals in the state have been forced to shutter their labor and delivery units in recent years, taking OBGYNs with them. Communities across the state are just losing resources and they're losing people who hold knowledge in their communities, Kris Pitts, executive director of MaineTransNet, told The Independent. Every single time we take away any little piece of that puzzle, it's the community members who suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roughly 40,000 Maine residents will be impacted by the Medicaid cuts and 7,500 of them are patients at Maine Family Planning, according to the nonprofit. Without access to Medicaid dollars, the nonprofit will be forced to stop seeing all patients, regardless of their insurance status, by the end of October. But the issues span far beyond Maines border. Nationwide, the July 4 law could leave 10 million uninsured and threatens to shutter already-stressed rural hospitals across the county. Across the country, roughly 185,000 transgender adults use Medicaid as their primary health insurance, according to a 2025 report by the Williams Institute, a think tank at UCLA School of Law. A demonstrator holds a transgender pride flag as protest the Trump administration (AP) Planned Parenthood was the intended target of the July 4 legislation, but the nonprofit got caught in its net, the lawsuit says. The law barred Medicaid funding for nonprofits that "primarily engage in family planning services and reproductive health, provide abortions, and received more than $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Planned Parenthood not only serves as the largest abortion provider in the country, but also the second largest provider of hormone therapy. If its defunded, nearly 200 Planned Parenthood centers across 24 states face risk of closure, the organization has said. Its not surprising that the law targeting abortion care is also targeting gender-affirming care, Pitts said: They're not separate issues. It's all one issue. It's all one attack, it's all one movement. The reality of the new law is especially devastating because the July 4 law specifically excluded language from the bill the House passed that would have prohibited federal dollars, including from Medicaid, from being used for gender-affirming care. That provision was eliminated in the Senate version. These organizations provide critical care to members, Pitts said. Mainers deserve health care that meets their needs, and any interference with that is a tragedy. A few days after Donald Trump began militarizing the nations capital, the president complained about his critics. Already theyre saying, Hes a dictator, he said, adding that Washington, D.C. is going to hell, and weve got to stop it. Instead of insisting that his critics have been unnecessarily alarmist, Trump suggested his critics have missed the point: The president feels the need to improve conditions in D.C. How he chooses to pursue such a goal is far less important than the goal itself. He didnt say the accusations related to tyranny were wrong; he instead suggested the accusations were irrelevant. D.C. is going to hell, the Republican falsely claimed, so if that means acting like a dictator, so be it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eleven days later, he returned to the subject. NBC News reported: Before signing a series of executive orders aimed at reducing crime in D.C. and across the nation, Trump referred to his critics bashing him for sending the National Guard to D.C., claiming that some people think they might like a dictator. Referring to those opposed to his threats about deploying troops to American cities, the president, echoing his earlier rhetoric, told reporters, They say, We dont need him. Freedom. Freedom. Hes a dictator. Hes a dictator. But then he delivered a more pointed response to his detractors: A lot of people are saying, Maybe wed like a dictator. To be sure, Trump didnt describe himself as a dictator. He instead added, Im a man with great common sense, and Im a smart person. And when I see whats happened to our cities, and then you send in troops. Instead of being praised, theyre saying, Youre trying to take over the republic. These people are sick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between this, the presidents comments from nearly two weeks ago and JD Vances rhetoric on Fox News last week, the White Houses line is increasingly unambiguous: As far as the administration is concerned, the underlying principles about democracy, Americans freedom, the rule of law, the dangers of a police state and the limits on the powers of the government are meaningless. In this White House, the ends justify the means and those who disagree are sick. As for Trumps contention that a lot of people have voiced support for a dictator, I have a follow-up question for the president: Can you name some of these people? Ahead of Election Day 2024, Trump talked about terminating parts of the Constitution that stand in the way of his ambitions and creating a temporary American dictatorship. Months later, the relevance of that rhetoric lingers for increasingly obvious reasons. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com (The Center Square) Two weeks after declaring Liberation Day in Washington, D.C., to combat crime, President Donald Trump signed executive orders to end cashless bail in the nations capital, while taking steps to eliminate it throughout the country. The president signed the executive orders on Monday morning in the Oval Office. The moves threaten to withhold federal funding from states and jurisdictions that dont comply with his executive action, which could have a major impact on states like California and Illinois. Touting 11 days without a homicide in the district, Trump moved to eliminate the controversial cashless bail policy that has been in effect in the district since 1992. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [The order would] ensure that arrestees in the District of Columbia are held in Federal custody to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, and shall pursue Federal charges and pretrial detention for such arrestees whenever possible, consistent with applicable law, to ensure that criminal defendants who pose a threat to public safety are not released from custody prior to trial, according the order. The White House says the policy has contributed to disgraceful conditions, adding that the current law is a revolving door for criminals where dangerous criminals are sometimes rapidly released, leaving such criminals free to endanger American citizens. Following a decrease in crime since the Aug. 11 executive action, which Trump declared a crime emergency in the district, calling it Liberation Day, by deploying the National Guard to patrol the district. The president is setting his sights on other cities, including Chicago, New York and Baltimore. As part of his effort to combat crime, the president signed a similar executive order Monday to take steps to eliminate cashless bail in cities and states that have such policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order directs the attorney general to submit a list of states and local jurisdictions that have, in the Attorney Generals opinion, substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition of pretrial release from custody for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety. In addition, the order directs the head of each executive agency and department to identify federal funds, including grants and contracts, currently provided to cashless bail jurisdictions identified that may be suspended or terminated, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law. As President, I will require commonsense policies that protect Americans' safety and well-being by incarcerating individuals who are known threats. It is therefore the policy of my Administration that Federal policies and resources should not be used to support jurisdictions with cashless bail policies, to the maximum extent permitted by law, according to the order. The Trump administration is touting the operation to Make D.C. Safe Again as a success, which has netted over 1,000 arrests since the crackdown began. Supporters of the cashless bail measure argue that the practice of cash bail unfairly harms low-income and minority communities. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) launched his ultimate troll yet of President Donald Trump. Newsom launched his PATRIOT merchandise store on Sunday, selling items that mimic Trumps signature MAGA apparel, including hats, bibles and tank tops. The shop includes a red hat that reads, Newsom was right about everything, which directly mocks Trumps own hat he was spotted wearing on Friday. The shop also includes a white tank top that reads, Trump is not hot, and a red hat that has Real Patriot written across it. THE PATRIOT SHOP IS NOW OPEN!!!! MANY PEOPLE ARE SAYING THIS IS THE GREATEST MERCHANDISE EVER MADE. PLEASE ENJOY, AMERICA! https://t.co/H9wbcXdNhb pic.twitter.com/dWlKGq23eq Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 24, 2025 As of Sunday evening, Newsom said on social media platform X that the shop had sold over $100,000 worth of merchandise, including the complete sellout of his $100 signed bibles by Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump was brutally mocked last year for selling God Bless the USA bibles for $60. WOW! WE HAVE NOW SOLD OVER $100K OF THE BEST PRODUCTS EVER MADE!!IF YOU HATE THE PATRIOT SHOP, YOU HATE AMERICA! THANK YOU! Newsom wrote on X, mocking Trumps Truth Social posts. Newsom also mocked Trumps signature slogan, Make America Great Again, by teasing new flags for his merch shop. The flag, which mimics Trumps flags, reads Make America Gavin Again. SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! he wrote on X. SOON MAGA WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW MEANING! COMING SOON FOR YOUR NEXT BOAT PARADE! YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, PATRIOTS! https://t.co/b1GeTGzLuy pic.twitter.com/cjGW5L5MXT Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 24, 2025 Newsoms press office has been mocking Trump by mimicking the presidents social media posts for weeks, often tweeting posts in all-caps and giving his political rivals new nicknames. The MAGA base and conservatives have complained about Newsoms new social media strategy, with many arguing that he is not being authentic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent analysis from CNN data guru Harry Enten found that Newsoms new social media strategy is absolutely working, citing an increase in social media followers and Google searches. He said on Laura Coates Live that Newsoms press office account on X has increased its following by 450% since mid-June. Enten said that daily Google searches for Newsom are up 1,300% since June 1 and up 500% since Aug. 1. Newsoms new social media strategy comes as he eyes a potential run for president in the 2028 election. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Okay, JB Pritzker, youre up. Donald Trump is coming after Chicago next, now that hes solved crime in Washington, D.C. And since the mayor of Chicago is kind of a jokethatd be Brandon Johnson, whose approval rating is 26 percent, which (on the bright side) is up from the 7 percent approval he enjoyed earlier this yearmost eyes will be focused on you, the governor of Illinois and a tier-one 2028 presidential contender, to take charge of the counter-argument. First, lets state some numbers. Crime in Chicago, like crime in nearly every major city, is down. Through the first half of 2025, the homicide rate is down 33 percent. There were 289 murders in the first half of 2024, and 192 in the first half of this year. Yes, 192 is still 192 dead people. No one celebrates that. But a 33 percent decrease? That is real, tooand really good. Overall crime complaints are down 14 percent as well. Certain categories of theft are up since the pandemic, but overall, Chicago is hardly out of control. Its been sickening to watch Trump tell lie after lie about the city he lives in most of the time but clearly knows nothing about. Yes, Washington went a week without a homicide since Trumps National Guard deployment. Good. Great, even. But he talked about that as if it had never happened before. Thats the first time in anybodys memory that you havent had a murder in a week, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, thats truefor people whose memories go back only to mid-May. If your memory goes back any further than thatlike all the way back to January 1, saythen you might recall that this is the fifth week this year without a homicide. The others include February 25 to March 4, March 5 to March 12 (yep, that was two weeks in a row), April 11 to 18, and May 4 through 11. But the right-wing media repeat Trumps garbage, and his idiot backers believe it. Likewise, that toxic nonsense about how nobody ever went out to a restaurant out of sheer terror, but now, his friends tell him theyve gone out four nights in a row. (Must be nice! For most people, prices are going up.) I dont doubt that his sycophantic courtiers did that and made sure to tell him about it. In fact, however, restaurant bookings in the District are down since Trumps police hit town, and dramatically so year-over-year: more than 30 percent. Hes constitutionally incapable of telling the truth about anything. But its worse than his fudging of numbers, because at the heart of Trumps lies is his unswerving and poisonous racism. Hes not really trying to solve crime in the District of Columbia or anywhere else. Hes trying to scare white people. To divide the country; to make people in suburban, exurban, and rural America believe that the places where lots of nonwhite people live are war zones. Also, hes trying to demonize places with Democrat mayors and governors. The city with the highest crime rate in America is Memphis. The mayor of Memphis, Paul Young, is a Democrat (although elections are nonpartisan), but the governor and both senators and eight of its nine House members are Republican, and Trump carried the state by 30 points last fall. So, what do we think the odds are that Trump will declare Memphis a hellhole, which is what he called Washington last week? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Guard incursion into the nations capital also provides cover for what ICE agents are doing there, which is getting less attention. Crime is down only moderately since the National Guard hit town. Meanwhile, ICE has rounded up more than 300 immigrants since August 7. If we could be sure that all of them had arrived in the United States illegally and had criminal records beyond their method of entry, even I might applaud that. But ICEs track record this year gives us every reason to think that such is not the case, and as weve seen in numerous polls, the American public does not support rounding up people who may be undocumented but whove otherwise lived blameless lives. So, back to Chicago. Pritzker has already come out swinging, having tweeted on Saturday: There is no emergency that warrants the President of the United States federalizing the @IL_Natl_Guard, deploying the National Guard from other states, or sending active-duty military within our own borders. Good. I hope he keeps at it. Gavin Newsoms social media fusillade these last couple weeks should have taught Democrats something. You mustmust!take the fight to Trump. Dont wait for Trump to attack and then respond. No matter how clever or cutting, a response is always just that: a response. Newsom turned the tables and attacked first. That had Trumpworld reacting and certain Fox News hosts freaking out, trying to pretend that Newsom wasnt being effective. Everything with Trump is the law of the jungle. Its hit or be hit. Its amazing that its taken the Democrats a decade to figure out something that was obvious back when Trump was steamrolling his way through Jeb (or Jeb!), Ted, Little Marco, and the rest of his hapless Republican primary opponents who stood by thunderstruck waiting for some referee to call foul on the marauder in their midst. Well, for one Democrat to figure it out, anyway. Newsom, after a sketchy spring when he had some right-wingers on his podcast and used one of those broadcasts to pander to a right-wing talking point on transgender athletes, has raised his stock price these last two weeks by taking the fight to Trump. Pritzkerwho has been far less cuddly with MAGA right-wingers and their talking pointswill now have a chance to do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not going away. The American people believe that Trump probably wants to send the Guard to a number of cities. And now we learn that most of the 2,200 Guard troops in Washington are armed, as of Sunday evening. This was Pete Hegseths great idea. Thats exactly what America needs, for a white Guard member from a Trumpy-red state to shoot a Black kid. What are these people thinking? Crime is still too high in American cities, sure, and anyone whos a victim of a carjacking or armed robbery doesnt care about the impressive statistics. But it should not be hard for Democrats to say that and still point out what Trump is really doing here. Where D.C. officials have been making progress after a woeful 2023, Trump is only scaring and dividing people with his lies and his noxious, and completely gratuitous, rhetoric. So come on, Chicago. Youre a city of both Bears and Cubs. Show us your claws. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing federal prosecutors to aggressively pursue flag desecration cases and potentially revoke visas from foreign nationals who burn the American flag. The order instructs the Attorney General to vigorously prosecute flag desecration violations and seek litigation to clarify First Amendment boundaries in this area. The move revives a decades-old debate over whether flag burning constitutes protected speech. While the Supreme Court ruled flag desecration is protected expression in 1989 in Texas v. Johnson, Trumps order targets cases involving incitement or violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the directive, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security can deny visas, revoke residence permits, or pursue deportation of foreign nationals who desecrate the flag wherever there has been an appropriate determination that existing law permits such actions. The Attorney General will also refer state and local flag desecration cases to appropriate authorities. The White House cited June 2025 protests in Los Angeles, where flag burning allegedly occurred alongside violent acts and other conduct threatening public safety. Trump has previously called flag burning disgraceful and championed various patriotic initiatives. His administration banned flying non-U.S. flags at State Department facilities worldwide and launched the America 250 Commission to celebrate the nations upcoming semiquincentennial. The order claims the Supreme Court has never held that flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or serve as a form of fighting words is constitutionally protected. This appears to target flag burning during protests that turn violent. Critics will likely challenge the orders constitutionality, given established precedent protecting symbolic speech. The directives focus on foreign nationals and violence-adjacent flag burning may represent an attempt to navigate those legal constraints. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Two weeks after President Donald Trump issued a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., he issued an order expanding actions in the District and nationwide. Under Trumps executive order, D.C. hasnt recorded a homicide in 11 days, the last recorded on Aug. 13, according to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Included in the order on Monday were provisions to escalate the federal governments involvement in D.C.s crime response by expanding law enforcement presence, mobilizing the National Guard nationwide and calling for investigations into the Districts housing and transportation operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also called for an end to cashless bail in the District, a policy thats been in place since the early 1990s. He threatened to take away the citys access to federal funds if it does not comply. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser responded to that new order at a first day of school event Monday morning, saying the citys recent efforts to expand pre-trial detention have helped to keep crime down in recent years. [It requires] judges to hold certain offenders, people who have been accused, pre-trial. Thats why weve seen a reduction in shooting precipitously in the last two years, said Bowser. I, frankly, think that has worked better than any other system. DC man facing slew of charges after shooting at teens who knocked on his apartment door Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi touted on X Monday morning over 1,000 arrests made in the District since the start of the federal crime crackdown two weeks ago, including immigration-related arrests. Bowser says shes heard from D.C. families anxious about immigration enforcement as they send their children back to school. I think that parents who need to make adjustments are going to be making adjustments. And thats a sad thing to say. Schools should be safe places, said Bowser. I think any attempt to target children is heartless, its mean, its uncalled for, and it only hurts us. As part of Trumps D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force which he established with an executive order in March this year he ordered a specialized unit dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in D.C. that can be deployed whenever the circumstances necessitate, and that could be deployed in other cities where public safety and order have been lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force was also directed to create an online portal for people with law enforcement backgrounds to apply to join federal law enforcement entities to support the orders policy goals. Some troops now carrying weapons in DC: Pentagon The president also directed the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as of the time of the order to create a specialized unit within D.C.s National Guard dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the Nations capital. Similar agency heads, such as the Secretary of Homeland Security, were ordered to deputize the members of that unit to enforce federal law. On a national scale, Hegseth was tasked with ensuring each states army and air national guard are ready to assist with federal, state and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said National Guard members should be available for rapid mobilization for such purposes nationwide. Trump ordered the Director of the National Park Service (NPS) to hire additional members of the U.S. Park Police (USPP) to help maintain public safety and proper order in D.C. He also ordered the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro to hire more prosecutors who would focus on prosecuting violent and property crime. DC Board of Education pushes to get students REAL IDs amid federal crackdown Housing, transportation and D.C.s police department Beyond policing, Trumps order extended into local housing and transit safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He directed the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to investigate any non-compliance with the crime prevention and safety requirements by the D.C. Housing Authority or any independent landlord. Specifically, investigators should consider housing providers requirements to maintain safe and sanitary conditions or restrictions on tenants who engage in criminal activity that threatens the well-being of other tenants. Such tenants include those engaging in drug distribution, violent crime and domestic violence. Any findings of non-compliance should be referred to the Attorney General, federal law enforcement, housing authority police and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the order read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Secretary of Transportation was directed to conduct additional inspections to determine whether conditions in federally funded transit services in D.C. endanger transit workers. Any violations should then be mended. The Attorney General was ordered to review and, if needed, update MPDs General Orders to address the crime emergency and ensure public order and safety. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was requested to make updates and modifications deemed necessary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. US President Donald Trump has told reporters at the White House that Washington will contribute to security guarantees, but will not be spending any more money on Ukraine. Source: Radio Liberty Quote from Trump: "We don't even know what the security guarantee is because we haven't even discussed the specifics of it. But were going to help them. And if we get a deal and I think we will I dont believe were going to have much of a problem." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Trump said that Europe will give Ukraine significant security guarantees. Meanwhile, the US president noted that the US is no longer spending money on Ukraine, pointing out that Washington is now selling weapons to NATO for Ukraine. Background: On 25 August, Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, said diplomatic work on security guarantees for Ukraine is ongoing and very complex. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukrainian and US teams will meet at the end of this week to discuss the prospects for future talks between Ukraine and Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Updated September 2 The Fairfax and Arlington school districts in Virginia sued Education Secretary Linda McMahon Friday over her move to classify them as high-risk over their transgender policies. Their complaint noted that the additional oversight of spending came just two days after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, in a South Carolina case, reaffirmed its ruling in Grimm v. Gloucester County Board of Education, which gives trans students the right to use restrooms that align with their gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That decision remains the law in Northern Virginia as well as the rest of the Circuit, they wrote. In a statement, Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michele Reid called the lawsuit a step toward ensuring that hungry children are fed and that student access to multilingual, special education, and other essential services is not compromised. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has tried since 2022 to get the suburban D.C. school districts in his state to end their policies accommodating transgender students. Last week, the Trump administration offered considerable firepower to his cause when it announced it would require the five districts to justify every dollar they spend in order to receive federal funding. In a stern statement, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William the five northernmost districts closest to the nations capital are choosing to abide by woke gender ideology in place of federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even as McMahon placed them on high-risk status, their leaders refused to change policies that allow students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity, meaning the Republican governor might leave office in January without accomplishing his goal. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Grace Turner Creasy, president of the Virginia Board of Education, said its anyones guess whether the departments move will change the outcome. District leaders say they are following state law and the most current federal court opinion on the issue. The states position on the matter might also shift in the next few months with Youngkin ineligible to run again in November. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, who is leading in the polls, hasnt addressed the controversy, while Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears has grabbed onto the issue, much as Youngkin did in 2021 when he appealed to parents angry over pandemic school closures and critical race theory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments action against the Virginia districts is part of an effort by President Donald Trump to force states and districts to comply with his executive order stating that the federal government only recognizes two sexes. Following that move in January, the Education Department said it wouldnt enforce the Biden-era Title IX rule, which expanded protections for transgender students. Related See You in Court: Schools Face Whiplash in Trump Push Against Trans Athletes On Thursday, Trump threatened to pull all federal funding from any California school district that doesnt adhere to our Transgender policies. The administration is already suing California and Maine on trans students participation in womens sports. The conflict with the Virginia districts has been building since February when the department launched a probe into their policies. In July, officials found them in violation of Title IX and gave them 10 days to change their rules and adopt biology-based definitions of the words male and female in all practices and policies relating to Title IX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They refused, and with roughly $50 million for low-income students, special education and other programs at risk, last weeks move escalated the dispute to a new level. Youre going to continue to see the Trump administration put pressure in a variety of ways that affect funding. It feels like all options are on the table, said W. Scott Lewis, managing partner with TNG Consulting, which trains districts across the country on Title IX. He added that where the Education Department directs its enforcement may vary by state, depending on gubernatorial and state house control. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks during a campaign event for Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sear at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department on July 01, 2025 in Vienna, Virginia. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) Totally atypical The penalty is severe, experts said. The high-risk label is usually reserved for districts or states in serious financial trouble. In 2006, the Education Department slapped that designation on the District of Columbia Public Schools for mismanaging money, including federal grants and charter school funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another example, the Michigan Department of Education placed the Detroit district in high-risk status after a federal audit found the district misused over $53 million. The district spent Title I funds, for example, on equipment and building improvements the state didnt approve, paid vendors more than the amount of their contracts and couldnt produce invoices and receipts for multiple transactions. The district remained under federal oversight for five years. In this case, the added layer of scrutiny isnt because of suspected mismanagement of the grant funds themselves; its an ideological disagreement. David DeSchryver, senior vice president of Whiteboard Advisors, a consulting firm, called the action totally atypical in terms of scale. With the school year just starting, the question is whether any new hurdles might slow down the reimbursement process, said Dan Adams, spokesman for the Loudoun County Public Schools. In a statement, the Virginia Department of Education said it will closely scrutinize any future requests for funding. At least one of the five superintendents, Arlingtons Francisco Duran, told the public at a board meeting Thursday that hes prepared to take legal action if the districts funding is challenged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But conservatives view McMahons approach as accountability for districts that are defying the president. By refusing to reverse your reckless policies, you are failing our daughters and risking losing millions of dollars in funding, Earle-Sears said at Arlingtons board meeting. As governor, I will not stand by while political correctness tramples over science, fairness and safety. The district has faced criticism over a February incident in which a registered sex offender identifying as a transgender woman used a womens locker room at Washington Liberty High School. The schools indoor pool is open to the public after school hours, and Duran said officials were unaware the person was a registered offender. Ginny Gentiles, an Arlington parent and a school choice expert at the conservative Defense of Freedom Institute, said the districts are clinging to activist-drafted policies that allow males to self-ID into female spaces, but that she hopes officials will listen to those concerned about womens and girls safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She urged community members to closely monitor expenditures. School board leaders clearly intend to spend taxpayer dollars on inevitable court cases and likely expensive legal fees, she said. Earle-Sears also joined a protest in Loudoun County on Wednesday, where district officials threatened to suspend two boys for sexual harassment and sex discrimination. They complained last spring when a student identifying as a trans boy used the locker room to change and videotaped them. Families in the Loudoun County Public Schools have clashed over policies accommodating trans students since 2021, when a student was accused of sexually assaulting girls at two different schools. The student was later convicted, spent time in a treatment facility and put on supervised probation in 2024. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Federal overreach Some observers say the battle between Washington and its neighboring districts is more than a culture war. Kristen Amundson, a former Democratic state lawmaker and Fairfax County school board member, said the administration is trying to exert control over blue cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not about trans kids; this is about federal overreach, she said. She cited federal troops patrolling Washington and Trumps makeover of the Kennedy Center Honors as further examples. Do you see the pattern here? The impasse also comes at a difficult time for the states Republicans, which tend to elect governors from the party thats not in the White House. Northern Virginia already votes predominantly blue, and residents, Amundson said, are especially angry at Washington. They have seen thousands of parents lose their jobs because of federal government downsizing and parents snatched off the streets in immigration raids, she said. For Earle-Sears, a school choice advocate, the debate over trans students is a key campaign issue. In contrast, Spanberger, who has three school-age daughters, has an education platform focused on improving instruction in public schools and addressing teacher shortages. Abigail Spanberger, a former state representative who is running for governor, spoke at a gun safety event in April. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Anne Holton, former secretary of education under Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, called the issue a distraction from the issues that parents really care about, like employing high-quality teachers and preparing kids well for college or a career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Supreme Court to Address Legality of Barring Trans Athletes From School Sports For now, districts say they are complying with the Virginia Values Act. Enacted in 2020, it allows anyone to use facilities that align with their gender identity. In addition, the Trump administrations policies, they say, conflict with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuits opinion in Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board. Thats been their position since 2022, when Youngkin issued rules stating that students must use bathrooms and locker rooms that match the sex they were assigned at birth. A year later, Jason Miyares, the states attorney general, advised that the governors rules didnt violate state or federal anti-discrimination laws. Yet district policies remain unchanged. Related Of Rules & Law: Virginias Largest School Districts Wont Adopt Gov. Youngkins New LGBTQ Edict In Grimm, the court ruled that the districts transgender bathroom ban was unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2021 turned down an appeal in that case. In its upcoming term, the Supreme Court will hear lawsuits from West Virginia and Idaho that test whether states can ban transgender girls from competing in female sports. Those cases will further clarify Title IXs application, Arlingtons Duran said at last weeks board meeting. But in the meantime, our policy will remain in place in alignment with state and federal law, and we are prepared to defend it and our federal funding if challenged. E.J. Antoni, President Donald Trumps problematic pick to lead the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, is expected to face a hearing before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, or the HELP Committee, according to two people familiar with committee proceedings. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) chairs the committee and plans to hold the hearing in September for Antoni and four other nominees if Antoni can get his paperwork submitted in time, according to a staffer for a member of the HELP Committee. The four other nominees are Scott Mayer and James Murphy, appointed as members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) after Trump fired a Democratic member of the board in January; Rosario Palmieri as assistant secretary of labor for policy; and Surgeon General nominee Casey Means. The HELP Committee doesnt usually hold confirmation hearings for BLS commissioner nominees. But Democrats on the HELP Committee and BLS advocates have been pushing for a close examination of Antonis record since his appointment was announced due, in part, to his lack of experience and MAGA bona fides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a member of the HELP Committee, called Antoni an unqualified right-wing extremist who wont think twice about manipulating BLS data and degrading the credibility of the agency to make Trump happy, in a statement demanding Cassidy hold a hearing for Antoni. Another committee member, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), called Antoni a devout Trump loyalist in an Aug. 15 statement, and called for Antoni to appear before the panel. I also believe his appointment could have devastating economic impacts if the country and the rest of the world can no longer trust statistics coming out of this crucial agency, Blunt Rochester said. And the Friends of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an advocacy organization on which multiple former BLS commissioners sit, called on the Senate HELP Committee to examine Antoni using a list of criteria ranging from strong management experience, to an understanding of BLS products and broader relevance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erica Groshen, co-chair of the Friends of the BLS and former BLS commissioner under President Obama, told TPM the organization released the criteria to help senators, senate staffers and the public understand and assess the qualities a BLS commissioner should possess. Friends of the BLS previously urged the senate to consider the same criteria for former commissioners William Beach and Erika McEntarfer, Groshen said. We were very intentional about putting out the qualities that we were looking for, and I guess I feel like I should leave it to the Senate to make that determination, she said. I think the Senate really has to do their job in this case. When she was nominated by Obama in 2012, Groshen had no committee hearing. She recalled attending meetings with Democratic and Republican committee staffers, answering some additional questions, and ultimately watching her own unceremonious confirmation vote live on CSPAN because they told me that maybe it was going to be on, she said. Of the six BLS chiefs since Katherine Abraham in 1993, only Trumps previous BLS commissioner nominee William Beach had a HELP Committee hearing, Groshen said. Beach has in the past drawn parallels between himself and Antoni. The former BLS commissioner also joined the agency as a conservative economist who had worked at the Heritage Foundation and had a reputation for being right wing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That follows you into the bureau and you need immediately to align yourself with the staff in leadership positions, Beach told TPM earlier in this month. Afterward, his reputation doesnt matter. Its irrelevant because what you do inside the BLS is way different than what you do at a thinktank. Beach made these statements to TPM, however, before additional details about Antoni emerged in recent weeks, including new reporting that showed he attended the Jan. 6 rally which later devolved into a violent insurrection and attack on the Capitol building. Recently surfaced footage showed Antoni among the crowd gathered outside the Capitol that day but it appears he did not enter the building. HELP Committee chair Cassidy has vocally condemned the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol for years. In an Aug. 13 statement to Punchbowl News about Antonis nomination, Cassidys spokesperson Stephen Lewerenz criticized the BLS and its federal economic statistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BLSs years-long failure to produce reliable data especially when that data has broad market-moving implications is unacceptable, Lewerenz told Punchbowl. We need a BLS Commissioner committed to producing accurate, unbiased economic information to the American people. Chairman Cassidy looks forward to meeting with Dr. Antoni to discuss how he will accomplish this. Cassidy is facing a potentially tough GOP primary in 2026 and has aligned himself very closely with Trumps agenda this year. Cassidy found himself a target of MAGA vitriol after voting to convict Trump for his role in inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection in 2021. Our Constitution and our country is more important than any one person, Cassidy said at the time. I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty. A medical doctor turned-career politician, Cassidy was initially seen as a potential roadblock to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s confirmation after Trump nominated Kennedy to become health secretary. The former physician expressed skepticism about Kennedys unscientific anti-vaccine beliefs, and questioned him extensively during his hearing before the Senate HELP committee before ultimately voting to confirm him. Its been reported that Cassidy secured an agreement from Kennedy as part of his vote to confirm that Kennedy would maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes, Cassidy said during a floor speech in February. In June, Kennedy announced he was removing the 17 members of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions advisory panel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one from Cassidys office responded to multiple TPM outreaches regarding Antonis confirmation. Economists across the ideological spectrum have condemned Antonis nomination and expressed concern that hell politicize the independent agency. Trumps Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik foreshadowed this concern when he invalidated the idea of federal statistical independence during a speech earlier this month. But Groshen said the BLSs factory-like processes would make it difficult for a new commissioner to come in and muck with the data. The new commissioner would have to come in with a posse of people who are not part of the BLS culture and then they would not come in knowing the BLS processes, Groshen said. The BLS employees, the current ones now, I think would resist any changes that would undermine the trustworthiness of the data. And then youd get turmoil that would be visible from the outside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other nominee expected to join Antoni in the HELP committee hearing faces quite as much public outcry, but each brings their own form of alignment with Trumps agenda. Mayer and Murphy were nominated to the NLRB, which administers the law protecting private sector workers rights, after Trump fired former board chair Gwynne Wilcox in January for disfavoring the interest of employers in her decisions. The National Law Review said Mayer and Murphy bring strong management-side credentials to the table. Palmieri, nominated as the assistant secretary for labor policy, has spoken against federal regulations and was on the shortlist to lead the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in 2019 according to Politicos E&E News. Meanwhile, Surgeon General nominee Means is a MAHA darling who has said vaccine mandates are criminal, corruption in the FDA is overwhelming, and RFK is doing Gods work. And thats just from one post on X. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to crack down on flag burning on Monday. If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail, Trump told reporters at a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, though the order itself does not include any details on sentencing. You will see flag burning stop immediately. The order tasks law enforcement with seeking a workaround of constitutional protections, giving authorities the green light to arrest flag-burners if they believe the protest is carried out in conjunction with other illegal activities. It argues that there is no precedent for flag-burning conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action, and that fighting words arent constitutionally protected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What it does is incite to riot, Trump said. Though highly controversial, flag burning has long been protected as an expression of free speech. The Supreme Court ruled that the protest tactic was protected speech in the landmark case Texas v. Johnson. The justices backed up that ruling a short time later, invalidating a federal law banning desecration of the flag that was passed in Johnsons wake. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the order can be carried out without stepping on protections in the Bill of Rights. We will do that without running afoul of the First Amendment, Bondi said on Monday. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Already, the move is drawing harsh pushback and criticism from typically Trump-friendly circles. Fox News commentator Brit Hume said the order flies in the face of the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George HW Bush ran against flag burning in 1988 and spent a whole week campaigning on the issue, Hume wrote in a post on X. But he called for a constitutional amendment to ban the practice. He didnt pretend he could ban it by an executive order that flies in the face of constitutional speech protections. Cmon, man. The Libertarian Party released a statement defending the practice. Patriotism doesnt mean blind allegiance to symbols, the statement read. If you ban burning the flag, you wholly discredit what it represents. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression criticized Trump for trying to revise the First Amendment with the stroke of a pen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont have to like flag burning. You can condemn it, debate it, or hoist your own flag even higher, the organization said in a social media post. The beauty of free speech is that you get to express your opinions, even if others dont like what you have to say. The post Trump promises jail time for flag-burners while signing executive order appeared first on Salon.com. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on Monday, escalating his crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., by aiming to end cashless bail for suspects arrested in the city. The efforts come as Trump continues to pressure local officials to comply with his demands to crack down on rising crime rates, accusing the Democratic-led city of letting crime get out of control. Part of that effort is ending the policy known as cashless bail, a system in which suspects can be released from custody even if they dont have enough money to post bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under a cashless bail system, judges can decide whether to release suspects based on the severity of the crime and how likely they are to return for a court appearance. Rather than putting money down as a guarantee theyll return, defendants can instead agree to mandatory check-ins, travel restrictions, location monitoring or more. Proponents argue the system ensures equality in release standards rather than only allowing wealthier defendants to go free before trial because they have the means to afford it. However, opponents argue it leads to more criminals being released when they could be a danger to the community. While Trump cant outright end Washingtons no-cash bail system in D.C. Superior Court, the order allows the president to take appropriate actions if the district does not participate. Heres a look at the orders signed by Trump and what they mean for local law enforcement: Ending cashless bail Trump is asking relevant law enforcement agencies and other officials to ensure that people arrested in Washington are held in Federal custody to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, according to the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Pam Bondi must determine if the local agencies change its cashless bail policy for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety, including murder, rape, carjacking, assault, burglary and more. If local authorities do not change the citys cashless bail policy, the order allows the Trump administration to take appropriate action. While that action is not entirely clear, the administration said it could result in withholding of federal funding, services or approvals and any other actions Bondi deems necessary and appropriate. The District of Columbias cashless bail policies allow dangerous individuals to be released quickly, endangering residents, visitors, and Federal workers, and force law enforcement to repeatedly arrest the same offenders, the White House said in a statement. Trump, speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, said he would end cashless bail, starting in Washington, which he has the right to do by federalization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also targets other jurisdictions across the country that have similar policies. Washington was among the first areas in the country to implement cashless bail in 1992. Illinois has eliminated cash bail entirely and other states, such as New York and New Jersey, have also removed cash bail for some offenses. Advocates like The Marshall Project point to racial and economic justice in the reasoning for removing bail procedures. On Monday, Trump claimed that defendants charged with murder could be allowed to get out due to cashless bail. However, defendants who are charged with murder are generally not able to be released before their trial, even in areas that have changed their bail practices, The New York Times reported. Prosecuting those who desecrate the American flag Trump also signed an executive order that aims to prosecute people who desecrate the American flag to the fullest extent permissible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order directs Bondi and the Department of Justice to prosecute people who violate the countrys laws in ways that involve desecrating the flag and for her to pursue litigation that permits the flag from desecration under the First Amendment. Trumps order could face a legal obstacle after the Supreme Court in 1989 declared in the Texas v. Johnson case that burning the American flag was protected as free speech under the First Amendment. The White House said in a statement that the Supreme Court never decided if flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action is considered protected by the Constitution. The American flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and desecrating it is uniquely and inherently offensive and provocative, the White House said in its statement. It is a statement of contempt and hostility toward our Nation, and an act used by groups of foreign nationals calculated to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House pointed to the protests earlier this year in Los Angeles, where people burned an American flag. The order also directs Bondi, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, or nationalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal from the United States. Further crackdown on crime in Washington Trump signed a third executive order on Monday instructing law enforcement officials making arrests for local crimes to charge individuals with federal violations. By circumventing the cashless bail system, it would allow local officials to hold suspects in federal custody and to be charged with federal crimes. The order calls for federal standards and pretrial detention to be used whenever possible, consistent with applicable law to ensure suspects are not released from custody until a trial is held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going further, the order would direct the U.S. attorney general to review the Metropolitan Police Departments policies to determine whether they are being used to release detainees before their trials even if the individual could be considered dangerous. If such policies are identified, the attorney general must then request the D.C. mayor to update or modify those policies giving the attorney general the ability to pressure local officials to change their policies if deemed inadequate by the federal government. The orders come as Trump further intensifies his efforts to take control of the D.C. police department after initially signing an order on Aug. 11 approving the deployment of 800 National Guard soldiers to the nations capital. As of Sunday, some of those soldiers are now being armed as they patrol the streets. Crime rates in the city overall have reportedly gone down over the last year, according to statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department. Violent crime, for example, has decreased by 26% compared to this time last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump has accused the city of falsifying its data to make it appear as if crime is going down. The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the Metropolitan Police Department this week, and congressional Republicans initiated their own inquiry on Monday. The Trump administration has touted its work in the capital city so far, which it says has resulted in more than 1,000 arrests and no reported homicides in nearly two weeks. President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric about intervening to address crime in Chicago via the National Guard on Monday, inching closer to the potential next step in his administrations efforts to increase military presences in major American cities. In comments to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump repeatedly decried the nations third-largest city as a disaster and a killing field, suggesting he will deploy the Illinois National Guard to Chicago against the wishes of city and state officials. We go in, we will solve Chicago within one week, maybe less, Trump said Monday morning. But within one week we'll have no crime in Chicago, like no crime in D.C." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We may go in and do it, he said. Trump escalated his threats against Chicago on Friday, singling out the city as his administrations next target in its campaign to spur urban crime through the use of the National Guard following an ongoing interagency effort in Washington. The Friday comments drew swift criticism from Democrats including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who accused Trump of attempting to create a distraction because hes deeply unpopular. In a Friday statement, Johnson called Trumps use of the National Guard uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound, warning that a deployment in Chicago could inflame tensions in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump derided Johnson and Pritzker Monday, pushing back on Pritzker's response that Trumps move was an authoritarian power grab of major cities by calling the governor a dictator. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was tasked Monday with setting up a quick reaction force within the National Guard to be able to deploy quickly to assist local, state and federal law enforcement. The measure, which was spelled out in an executive order signed by Trump Monday, is the latest in a series of moves made by the administration to use the guard for law enforcement activities, after the president called up 2,000 guard members to deploy to Los Angeles this summer, and another 800 to hit the streets of Washington, D.C., to backstop local cops and federal law enforcement. The order calls for the units to assist in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate, for nationwide deployment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were ready to go anywhere in the nation with National Guard troops, Trump said in the Oval Office after signing a slew of executive orders. Calling out and deploying National Guard troops is normally at the behest of each states governor, though the president can federalize the guard under extreme circumstances. Over the weekend, the D.C. guard began carrying weapons in the city for the first time. The escalation comes as the Trump administration continues to face legal scrutiny over its June deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles, with a federal judge in California currently weighing whether the move was illegal. The judges decision could have implications for Trumps ability to authorize similar deployments in other cities. President Donald Trump went concealer-free on Monday, showing a dark bruise on the back of his right hand while signing executive orders in the Oval Office. Sitting at the Resolute Desk, Trump appeared to be covering up the back of his right hand by placing his left hand on top of it while speaking with reporters. This past weekend, Trump was seen with a patch of makeup over his hand, seemingly covering a recurring bruise. But at various points in the press conference on Monday, reporters could see a flash of the extensive bruise across the back of his hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was again visible as Trump hosted his South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung, in the Oval Office. The black-and-blue patch is the latest bruising to make an appearance on the 79-year-old presidents hand. Over the last few months, Trump has been seen with a familiar-looking bruise in the same spot, and occasionally covers it with makeup. President Donald Trump had a large bruise on the back of his right hand on Monday. The White House attributed it to frequent hand-shaking and aspirin usage (AFP via Getty Images) The White House and Trumps doctor have maintained that the president is in excellent health and that the hand bruise is the result of frequent handshaking and intake of aspirin. This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen, Trumps doctor, Sean Barbabella, has said. This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the answer has not satisfied some people online who speculate that Trump may be receiving medical treatment through an IV or that physicians may be conducting frequent medical tests, such as blood draws. Trump recently revealed he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, which means he experiences swelling in his lower extremities because the veins in his legs ineffectively pump blood back up toward his heart. The bruise was clearly visible again as Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office (REUTERS) However, that diagnosis appears to be separate from the hand-bruising. When asked about the patch of makeup covering the bruise this past weekend, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representative Ronny Jackson, who also served as the physician to the president from 2013 until 2018, has said Trump is the healthiest president this nation has ever seen. Trump kept his left hand over his right hand while speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Monday later, a bruise could be seen on the back of his right hand (AFP via Getty Images) Trumps physical and mental health has been a consistent subject for years, with many people speculating about ailments he may have suffered from or may currently be living with. But speculation and rumors have also been feuled by a sense of public mistrust around Trump and his health because the president has often refused to share health information publicly or misrepresented his own health. In 2015, Trumps previous doctor released a statement claiming he was the healthiest person ever elected to the presidency. That same doctor later told reporters that Trump dictated that whole letter. Trump was spotted wearing hand makeup again on Friday (AP) The first Trump administration also appeared to downplay the severity of his illness when Trump contracted Covid-19 for the first time in 2020. It was later revealed that Trump was far sicker than the public knew, and he required hospitalization for low blood oxygen levels, high fever, and lung problems. Trump has often harshly claimed former president Joe Biden, saying he was unfit for office and was covering up a major health issue from the public. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he was seeking information from South Korea about investigations in that country that he said targeted churches and a military base. "Police probably shouldn't have done that, but I heard bad things. I don't know if it's true or not," Trump told reporters just before he was due to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House. "I'll be finding out." Trump said he had heard "there were raids on churches over the last few days. Very vicious raids on churches by the new government in South Korea," and added that "they even went into our military base and got information." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, Seoul police raided Sarang Jeil Church, headed by evangelical preacher Jun Kwang-hoon, who led protests in support of ousted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap News Agency said. The police were investigating pro-Yoon activists who stormed a court in late January after it extended the detention of Yoon. In July, special prosecutors investigating Yoon's declaration of martial law served a search warrant on the Korean part of a military base jointly operated with the United States. South Korean media said the search was conducted with the permission of the South Korean military but without coordination with the U.S. authorities. Earlier on Monday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform: "WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We cant have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" (Reporting by Steve Holland, Trevor Hunnicutt and David Brujnnstrom in washington and Josh Smith, Park Ju-min and Jin Hyun Joo in SeoulEditing by Rod Nickel) President Trump indicated on Monday that he could move soon to rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War. Pete Hegseth has been incredible with the, as I call it, the Department of War. You know, we call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think were going to change the name, Trump said during a meeting with South Koreas president. You want to know the truth, I think were going to have some information on that maybe soon, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump argued it was called the Department of War during U.S. victories in World War I and World War II. Defense is a part of that, Trump said. But I have a feeling were going to be changing. Everybody likes that. We had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War. The Department of War was established by George Washington in 1789. It existed until 1947, when it was reorganized by then-President Harry Truman. It was renamed the Department of Defense in 1949. Trump has previously referred to Hegseth as Secretary of War. The president has also touted that military recruitment numbers are up during his second term so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the floated name change, Trump has emphasized his efforts to broker ceasefires and truces in global conflicts, pointing to successes in fights between India and Pakistan and Armenia and Azerbaijan, among others. He has also sought to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as many of his supporters have called for him to be awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) was the most recent officeholder to make this suggestion, though Johnson was lauding Trumps anti-crime crackdown 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 The Hill. President Donald Trump asserted that ABC and NBC News should lose their broadcast licenses over unfavorable coverage about him in his latest attacks on the media networks. The president has been critical of both networks in the past but escalated matters Sunday, saying the biased and untruthful networks pose a threat to democracy. More from TheWrap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest hit to the media conglomerates follows Trumps $16 million settlement with Paramount earlier this summer over CBS 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris, which was followed by FCC approval of parent company Paramounts $8 billion merger with Skydance. Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES, the president wrote in a Truth Social post Sunday. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC. Trump went on to question why the absolute worst and most biased networks do not pay millions of dollars in licensing fees. They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! he added. Crooked journalism should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president then criticized ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karls hair. He also lamented friend-turned-foe Chris Christies appearance on ABC News This Week, saying that he refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. On the show, the former New Jersey governor condemned the FBI raids against the presidents ex-national security advisor John Bolton. The post Trump Says FCC Should Revoke ABC and NBC Fake News Licenses Over Unfavorable Coverage appeared first on TheWrap. Trump repeated his claim that there are "probably just under 20" hostages left alive in the Gaza Strip during a press conference at the White House on Monday. US President Donald Trump said while he wasn't aware of the IDF's strike on the Khan Yunis hospital overnight that killed 20 people, including five journalists, he is "not happy about it" during a press conference at the White House on Monday. "I'm not happy about it. I don't want to see it. At the same time, we have to end that nightmare," Trump told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the president repeated his claim that there are "probably just under 20" hostages left alive in the Gaza Strip. "I think one or two have died," he added. Israeli officials reiterated on Monday night that there are 20 hostages alive in Hamas captivity, citing intelligence reports. US President Donald Trump waves while boarding Air Force One, as he departs for Alaska to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, August 15, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE) Trump initially claimed there were probably fewer than 20 hostages left alive during a Friday press conference, and Israels hostage coordinator, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch denied that Israel had any knowledge to suggest that further hostages had been killed in Hamas captivity. Trump also stated that he is having a "very serious diplomatic push on Gaza" and that he expects a "good, conclusive ending" within the next two-to-three weeks. Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis The IDF on Monday admitted tomistakenly attacking Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, killing well-known journalists, including from Reuters, and as many as 14 others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, the military admitted that the attack on the hospital was approved, indicating there was some Hamas target in place, but said that it is probing the incident, suggesting that significant aspects of the attack and its results are viewed as a major mistake. The IDF said it did not intend to harm journalists or innocent Palestinian civilians. US President Donald Trump has suggested that he will hold another meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un "some day", as he gets on with him "very well". Source: European Pravda Quote from Trump: "Well meet at some point [with Kim Jong Un] I look forward to it actually." Details: The US president recalled that during his first presidential term, he met with the North Korean leader twice. He said Kim Jong Un "was very good with me" and "I got along with him very well". Background: Trump said in early April that he might contact North Korea "at some point" and reiterated that he had a "very good relationship" with Kim Jong Un. After that, the US administration reportedly started talking about what to do next to establish contact with North Korea. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! US President Donald Trump says the reason why Russian leader Vladimir Putin does not want to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is because he dislikes him. Source: Trump at a press conference Details: Asked by journalists why he thinks Putin is reluctant to meet with Zelenskyy, Trump replied: "Because he doesnt like him." The US president also spoke about his recent discussions with the Kremlin leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Missiles, nuclear were talking about a lot of different things. Were talking about limiting nuclear weapons, well get China into that. We have the most, Russia has the second most, and China has third, but China is way behind. But theyll catch us in five years." Background: Earlier, Trump lashed out at his predecessor Joe Biden for not permitting Ukraine to attack Russia, saying that this took away Kyivs chance of winning the war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters he and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth want to party like its 1946 by renaming Hegseths Cabinet department to what it was last called nearly eight decades ago. Trump was speaking to reporters alongside South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office when he turned an answer to a question about how long he plans to use the military to augment police in Washington, D.C. into a stem-winding rant about the department housed in the massive Pentagon building. He said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been incredible with the, as I call it, the Department of War, which is what the Defense Department was known as until 1947, before the creation of the modern American defense establishment under the Truman administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You know, we call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think we're going to change the name. You want to know the truth. I think we're going to have some information on that may be soon, Trump said. He justified the bizarre move by appealing to the countrys history of wins in two world wars during the 20th century. After the end of World War II, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, leading to the Department of Defense. (AFP/Getty) I think because, you know, Department of Defense, we won World War I, World War II, it was called the Department of War. And to me, that's really what it is. Its defense is a part of that. But I have a feeling we're going to be changing, Trump said. Everybody likes that we had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War, then we changed it to Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump added that there would be more news on that topic over the next couple weeks. The president has previously mused about referring to Hegseth as the Secretary of War and posited that the change in title was a function of political correctness or an expression of weakness of some sort. But the change in name for the department took place for far more mundane reasons. It came only a few years after the end of World War II, when President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 in July of that year. Trump says he and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are studying renaming the Defense Department back to the Department of War (Reuters) The landmark law renamed the Department of War as the Department of the Army, and put it along with the Department of the Navy and the newly created Department of the Air Force into what was first called the National Military Establishment, led by the first Secretary of Defense, James Forrestal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, the law also created the Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Council, but did not place those under Forrestals control. Two years later, Truman signed a law amending the National Security Act to combine the Navy, Army and Air Force departments into a renamed Department of Defense. At the time, it was believed but never stated openly that the Department of Defense was so renamed because the abbreviation of National Military Establishment, N.M.E., was being pronounced as enemy. By Idrees Ali and Emily Schmall WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the U.S. military might deploy to Chicago and is ready to go anywhere on short notice to crack down on crime. Citing a purported wave of lawlessness, Trump seized control this month of the police force in Washington, D.C., and is allowing National Guard troops to carry weapons while on patrol in the city. He has threatened to expand the U.S. military presence to Democrat-controlled cities like Baltimore and Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We can go anywhere on less than 24 hours' notice," Trump said when asked on Monday whether the Pentagon was preparing for deployment to Chicago. "They need help. We may wait. We may or may not, we may just go in and do it, which is probably what we should do," Trump told reporters who were in the Oval Office as he signed executive orders aimed at stopping criminal suspects from being released on cashless bail. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker said his state had made no request for federal intervention and the Illinois attorney general said legal action would be taken to prevent a federal deployment in Chicago. "This is about Donald Trump searching for any justification to deploy the military in a blue city, in a blue state, to try to intimidate his political rivals," said Pritzker, a billionaire Democrat who has been discussed as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump on Monday also ordered the Department of Defense to ensure that every state has some National Guard troops who are ready to rapidly mobilize to help quell civil disturbances and assist in public safety. The order also said there should be a standing quick reaction force that can be deployed around the country. The National Guard already has a quick reaction force that can respond to emergency events that require security support. This force, known as the NGRF, can deploy with 75-125 personnel in eight hours and then a follow-on force of up to 375 personnel within 24 hours. U.S. officials have told Reuters that there has been initial planning at the Pentagon about what a deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago would look like. One official said the plans were part of the military's efforts to anticipate any requests by Trump and noted senior Pentagon officials have not yet been briefed on them. It is not uncommon for the Pentagon to plan for potential deployments before formal orders are given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago has long had high levels of gun violence but crime, including homicide, has declined in the last year. The city's mayor, Brandon Johnson, told reporters on Monday that federal money in recent years had helped the city cut its homicide rate by more than 30% year over year. Johnson, a Democrat, demanded that Trump reinstate millions of dollars in public safety funding for the city that were cut in April as part of the administration's government downsizing effort. (Reporting by Steve Holland, Idrees Ali and Emily Schmall; Writing by Katharine Jackson and Jasper Ward; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Rosalba O'Brien and Caitlin Webber) Faith is an integral part of millions of Americans daily lives. One Nation Under God is committed to reflecting Americas voices, values and communities covering stories of faith and religion, from the latest headlines to stories of hope. Subscribe here. (NewsNation) During a recent interview, President Donald J. Trump said one of his motivations to end the war in Ukraine is to try to get into heaven. I want to try and get to heaven if possible. I hear Im not doing well. I hear Im really at the bottom of the totem pole, Trump joked on Fox & Friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hulk Hogan embraced Jesus after sex tape But, jokes aside, what is the presidents religion, and what role does faith play in his life? What role does faith play in President Trumps life? President Trump was raised Presbyterian, the faith of his Scottish-born mother, and publicly identified as such during much of his life and on the campaign trail in 2016. But in 2020, he told Religion News Service that he considers himself a nondenominational Christian. Theres little record that Trump has been active in church life, and there have been no public reports of him attending church services regularly since his reelection. Stephen Colberts journey of faith Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have always been a believer in God. I dont go to church all the time, but I believe in God, Trump told the New York Times in 1999. But in the wake of the 2024 assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania, Trump has spoken in a new way about the hand of God in his life and his own faith. President Donald Trump bows his head in prayer during the White House Faith Office luncheon in the State Dining Room, Monday, July 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Trump credited God with saving him from assassination attempt Immediately after the attack, Trump credited God with saving him. It was God alone who prevented the unthinkable from happening, he posted on TruthSocial. Chloe Cole on life after detransition, her spiritual awakening At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Trump, still the partys nominee at that point, told his supporters the bullet came within a quarter of an inch of taking my life and that God was on his side. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July of 2025, a year after the near-assassination, President Trump said in a statement, It remains my firm conviction that God alone saved me that day for a righteous purpose: to restore our beloved Republic to greatness and to rescue our Nation from those who seek its ruin. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. First Lady Melania Trump wasnt at the big Ukraine war summit in Alaska between her husband, President Donald Trump, and Russian President Vladimir Putin but she was there in spirit. Trump handed Putin a letter from his wife, appealing to him to remember the innocence of the children caught in the midst of the fighting between Russia and Ukraine, and to put an end to the violence. In todays world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them a silent defiance against the forces that can potentially claim their future, the first lady wrote. Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter. But the first ladys signature at the end of the letter, which was shared on social media by Attorney General Pam Bondi, has sparked more social media interest than its content. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats because of how similar it looked to the presidents signature Sharpie scrawl. Donald Trump and Melania Trump's signatures. So weird, said one person on X, who shared a side-by-side image of the two. Thats IDENTICAL to Trumps own signature Social media is alight with conspiracy theories about First Lady Melania Trumps signature on a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Getty) Melanias signature on the letter to Putin, handed to him by Trump at last weeks Alaska summit. Melania appealed to him to remember the innocence of the children caught in the midst of the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. (@AGPamBondi/X) Why she have the same sharpie a** signature as Trump? a social media user on X said, referring to the presidents favorite pen. (Getty) Melania has the same type of signature as Trump ... odd ... wrote a Facebook user. Why she have the same sharpie a** signature as Trump? posted another, referring to the presidents favorite pen. No way is that her signature, said another. She didnt write it and Trump signed it, someone else said on Facebook, without evidence. Others questioned why the first ladys signature appears to have changed over the years, with one user asking Elon Musks Grok AI chatbot, Why did Melania Trump change her signature? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melania Trump's signature evolved after her 2005 marriage, shifting from a flowing cursive style (as Melania Knauss) to a peaked, stylized one resembling Donald's, Grok replied. Analysts suggest it's for branding unity, quick signing via autopen or to reflect tenacity and privacy. No official reason given. Melanias handwriting and signature have morphed into Trumps in the last decade and is part of the brand of the couple, according to expert Bart Baggett. (Getty) The chatbots answer actually tallies with the opinion of Bart Baggett, a handwriting expert who has testified in criminal cases. He said the style with its angular letters and long downstrokes is all about the Trump brand. She's got angular writing that's a fast, analytical line. She's had that long before she met Donald Trump, Baggett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Melanias handwriting and signature has morphed into Trumps in the last 10 years, the expert noted. Signatures of Melania and Donald Trump in the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum guest book on a visit to Jerusalem in May, 2017. (AFP/Getty) Her current handwriting is almost like a brand, like a logo, and I think she morphed it a little bit more into matching Trumps as she bought into the brand, Baggett added. The signature on the letter to Putin is an aggressive one, which tied in with the powerful display of a B-2 Stealth Bomber flying overhead as the two leaders met for the first time last week, the expert said. [Trump] did have a bomber fly over their meeting, he did have a red carpet. He had a lot of pomp and circumstance, Baggett said. So there's a lot of pressure about how powerful we are as a country and so that doesn't surprise me that it's a more aggressive signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You don't want a heart and flowers on your letters, Baggett added, referring back to a handwritten note Melania penned in 2017 to the patients of a childrens hospital in Italy. Baggett, who stressed that he has not examined the letter to Putin personally, poured cold water on the conspiracy theory that the first ladys signature was forged in any way. Signatures of Melania and Donald Trump on a 2016 tax return, released in 2022 by the House Ways and Means Committee. (House Ways and Means Committee) I don't see any nefarious thing about her letter, Baggett said. Those conspiracy theories, I think, are just grasping at straws. Chatter online turned to Trumps Sharpie, the marker he raved about during his first term, and he has used to sign dozens of executive orders since his return to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did she borrow his Sharpie? one person joked on X. Well, quite possibly, according to Baggett, who said the Sharpie is typical of the Trump brand. I think a Sharpie probably was used, and it is very typical of his brand, he said, referring to the signature on the Putin letter. For some people, if you write really heavy, Sharpies are [a] really good instrument. People that write heavy are more passionate. The marker has become a trademark of the presidents. I was signing documents with a very expensive pen and it didn't write well, Trump said in a 2018 HBO documentary in partnership with Axios. It was a horrible pen, and it was extremely expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then I started using just a Sharpie, and I said to myself, Well wait a minute, this writes much better and this cost almost nothing, Trump said. A handwritten note Melania penned in 2017 to the patients of a childrens hospital in Italy. (Supplied) Reddit and X users were also wildly speculating whether the first lady used an autopenwhich has become one of the presidents go-to attack lines on his predecessor Joe Biden. Earlier this year, Trump began accusing Biden of using the mechanical device to sign pardoning documents, rather than doing so by hand. Trump claimed, without providing evidence, that Biden had no knowledge or approval of the documents. Did Melania use Donald's autopen? asked one X user. The autopen can only have one signature preset, jested another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has contacted the White House to inquire whether the first lady did, indeed, use Trumps Sharpie or an autopen to sign the letter to the Russian dictator. Unfortunately for the autopen conspiracy theorists out there, until there is a definitive answer - it will remain a mystery. If [Melania] has an autopen, we don't know about it, Baggett concluded. But [the signature] doesn't really deviate too much from her known handwriting, the expert said. She's got angular letters, she's got a very similar Trumpian style of aggressiveness, which I'll call triangles. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Aug. 25 seeking to penalize people who burn flags, although courts have long upheld the practice as legitimate expression under the First Amendment. Here's what we know. What did Trump say in his executive order about flag burning? The order aims to prosecute people who burn flags associated with other violence, such as inciting a riot, Trump said. "My Administration will act to restore respect and sanctity to the American Flag and prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, to the fullest extent permissible under any available authority," according to the Aug. 25 executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has previously called for a one-year penalty for flag-burning, including during a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 2020, during the presidential campaign. He was photographed hugging a flag at the Conservative Political Action Conference in March 2019. Flags are occasionally burned during protests in front of the White House, including in 2019. An American flag blows in the wind as severe weather approaches central Indiana on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Indianapolis. Was it illegal to burn flags previously? About Texas V. Johnson ruling From a federal standpoint, no. The Supreme Court in 1989 ruled in a 5-4 decision that burning a flag itself is a form of political expression (protected by the First Amendment) and therefore isn't illegal. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Trump's goal of prosecuting flag-burning could be accomplished without violating the high court's decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will do that without running afoul of the First Amendment," Bondi said. Some states, including Indiana, have since passed their own laws about flag burning. Others are reading: How detaining immigrants became a 'cash cow' for small Indiana county Is it illegal to burn flags in Indiana? Yes; according to IN Code 35-45-1-4 (2024), "A person who knowingly or intentionally mutilates, defaces, burns, or tramples any United States flag, standard, or ensign commits flag desecration, a Class A misdemeanor." It is important to note that it is written that this section does not apply to a person who is disposing the flag in accordance with 4 U.S.C. 8(k), which details the proper way to dispose of a worn out American flag which also involves burning it. How do you properly dispose of an American flag? The American Legion passed a resolution about flag retirement ceremonies in 1937, and they've been an important ritual ever since, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The approved method of disposing of unserviceable flags has long been that they be destroyed by burning," the resolution states. You can hold your own ceremony as long as you can do so in accordance with your local and state fire codes and ordinances. According to the VFW, you first need to fold the flag in its customary manner. To see a video tutorial, you can visit the U.S. Department of Defense website. When starting a fire, make sure it's big enough to fully burn the flag before you place the folded flag on it. Next, salute the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance or hold a moment of silence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the flag has been fully consumed, make sure to safely extinguish the fire. If you are unable to hold a ceremony to burn it properly yourself, you can take the flags to state and county government offices, police stations, American Legions and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts usually have flag disposal boxes outside. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Is it illegal to burn the American flag? About Trump's order, Indiana law President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday that would lead to a crackdown on flag burning, despite the Supreme Court of the United States ruling in 1989 that flag burning is protected speech. Trump used the executive order to defend and praise the American flag, and said many thousands of American patriots have fought, bled and died to keep the Stars and Stripes waving proudly, according to the order in a statement. The American Flag is a special symbol in our national life that should unite and represent all Americans of every background and walk of life, the order read. Desecrating it is uniquely offensive and provocative. It is a statement of contempt, hostility and violence against our Nation the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump added that burning this representation of America would incite violence and riot. The order does reference the First Amendment protection that flag burning has as a result of the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson. But, Trumps order read, the court has never held that American Flag desecration conducted in a manner that is likely to incite imminent lawless action or that is an action amounting to fighting words is constitutionally protected. The administration will prosecute those who incite violence or otherwise violate our laws while desecrating this symbol of our country, Trumps order read. To the maximum extent permitted by the Constitution, the Attorney General shall vigorously prosecute those who violate our laws in ways that involve desecrating the American Flag, and may pursue litigation to clarify the scope of the First Amendment exceptions in this area, the order continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court took on the flag-burning as free speech case after, in 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag outside the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, in protest of President Ronald Reagans policies, according to the Federal Judiciarys website. Johnson was charged with violating a Texas statute, which prevented the desecration of a venerated object, the website read. While a Texas court convicted him, a 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court favored Johnson, calling flag-burning a form of symbolic speech that is constitutionally protected. Trumps latest executive order comes after he has made several comments against flag-burning. He brought it up after demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles, and used it as a talking point on the campaign trail and during his first term. Now, people will say, Oh, its unconstitutional, Trump told Fox News during an interview in July 2024. Those are stupid people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 2020, Trump previously said there should be a one-year penalty for flag-burning, USA Today reported. Related News: Donald Trump Read the original article on MassLive. Washington President Trump on Monday signed an executive order to push Washington, D.C., and other localities to end cashless bail for arrested suspects, threatening to withhold federal funding from cities that fail to end the program. It's the latest move in the president's federal crackdown on crime. Mr. Trump also signed an order directing the Justice Department to investigate instances of flag burning, although the Supreme Court in 1989 ruled that the First Amendment protected symbolic speech, including flag burning. The executive order on cashless bail charges Attorney General Pam Bondi with identifying jurisdictions in the U.S. that have cashless bail policies, and withholds or revokes federal grants to those jurisdictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're ending it," Mr. Trump said of cashless bail before he signed the executive order in the Oval Office. "But we're starting by ending it in D.C., and that we have the right to do through federalization." The move comes as the National Guard and federal law enforcement are dispersed throughout the district, patrolling the streets. In the last 11 days, the White House says no murders have taken place in the district. D.C. introduced cashless bail in the 1990s over civil rights concerns, becoming one of the first cities in the country to do so. "That was when the big crime in this country started," Mr. Trump said Monday, speaking of cashless bail. "They kill people and they get out. Cashless bail, they thought it was discriminatory to make people put up money because they just killed three people lying on the street." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president also signed an executive order Monday stating it's the government's objective to hold as many suspects captured in D.C. in federal custody as possible, and to charge them with federal crimes. The president also signed an executive order encouraging federal law enforcement agencies to hire additional personnel so they can surge law enforcement to D.C. Trump on federal government intervention in Chicago: "We're ready to go anywhere" One of the president's executive orders also directs the defense secretary to ensure that each state's National Guard is resourced, trained, organized and available to help in "quelling civil disturbances," and directs the defense secretary to designate a number of each state's National Guard to be available for such purposes. Mr. Trump has said Chicago could be the next city where the federal government imposes a crime crackdown. "We're ready to go anywhere," the president said when asked about Chicago. "We can go anywhere on less than 24 hours' notice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cracking down on flag burning The executive order the president signed pushes Bondi to investigate instances of flag desecration. The administration has been critical of pro-Palestinian protests and anti-immigration crackdown demonstrations that have featured flag burning. "And then where there's evidence of criminal activity, where prosecution wouldn't fall afoul of the First Amendment, it instructs the Department of Justice to prosecute those who were engaged in these instances of flag burning," said Trump staff secretary Will Scharf. Mr. Trump said he wants the penalty for flag burning to be at least one year in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And what the penalty is going to be, if you burn a flag, you get one year in jail, no early exits, no nothing," the president said of what he hopes punishment for flag burning will be. Creation of specialized National Guard unit and quick reaction force The order also included a provision ordering the defense secretary to create a specialized unit within th eD.C. National Guard "dedicated to ensuring public safety and order in the Nation's capital." The president also ordered the defense secretary to begin ensuring that every state's National Guard has the resources and is trained and available to help federal, state and local law enforcement address civil disturbances and ensure public safety and order "whenever the circumstances necessitate, as appropriate under law." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the order, the defense secretary is also supposed to designate numbers of trained National Guard members in each state "to be reasonably available for rapid mobilization" for those circumstances and ensure there's a standing National Guard quick reaction force that would be available to be deployed rapidly nationwide.. Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Video shows armed National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump signed a collection of executive orders on Monday that target jurisdictions with cashless bail policies and encourage the Justice Department to prosecute individuals who burn the American flag. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi were careful to note that the flag-burning order was not meant to run afoul of a 1989 Supreme Court decision that narrowly affirmed flag-burning as protected speech under the First Amendment. During a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, Trump made the completely baseless claim that flag-burning is causing widespread riots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All over the country, theyre burning flags. All over the world, they burn the American flag, Trump said. Related: Ex-Trump White House Lawyer's Deadpan Response To John Bolton Raid Has NPR Host Howling As you know, through a very sad court, I guess it was a 5-4 decision, they called it freedom of speech, Trump said, referencing the 1989 Texas v. Johnson ruling. But theres another reason which is perhaps much more important its called death, Trump said. Because what happens when you burn a flag is the area goes crazy. If you have hundreds of people, they go crazy. When you burn the American flag, it incites riots at levels weve never seen before, he said. Donald Trump holds up one of the executive orders he signed that aims to end cashless bail. MANDEL NGAN via Getty Images The text of the order suggests that the Justice Department will consider whether destruction of the American flag constitutes violent crimes; hate crimes, illegal discrimination against American citizens, or other violations of Americans civil rights; and crimes against property and the peace, as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate, and aiding and abetting others to violate, such laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also tells the Justice Department to refer specific instances of flag-burning that might violate local law such as open burning restrictions to the appropriate local authorities. Gregory Lee "Joey" Johnson, left, fought a conviction for flag-burning based on a 1984 incident in Texas. At right is Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Kathi Alyce Drew, who told the Supreme Court that people who destroy the American flag as a political statement should be criminally punished. Bob Daugherty via Associated Press Other executive orders addressed another conservative pet peeve: cashless bail. Washington, D.C., was among the first places in the country to eliminate cash bail three decades ago due to civil rights concerns. Critics say that cash bail leads to disproportionate negative effects on the poorest individuals, many of whom are people of color, who may lose jobs or housing if they are forced to remain behind bars while charges against them are pending. Wealthy individuals, conversely, have an easier time paying bail and going about their lives while their cases work their way through the courts. Illinois, New Jersey and New Mexico have also cracked down on cash bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of Trumps orders allows Bondi to withhold federal funding and grants to jurisdictions around the country with such policies. The president mocked the lawmakers who support cashless bail, claiming falsely that it results in murderers being released from custody and subsequently skipping town. Contrary to Trumps claims, people who commit violent crimes may still be held behind bars until trial, as determined by a judge. Related: 'Well Make It Constitutional': Trump Again Calls For Jail Time For Burning American Flag Two other executive orders targeted Washington, D.C., specifically. One encourages law enforcement officials to hold more people in federal custody instead of local custody, where they could be freed pending trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another directs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to further surge personnel to the district, establishing specialized units of National Guard troops to assist Federal, State and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order. The directive provides further evidence that Trump will try to crack down on supposed crime in other major metropolitan areas, such as Chicago, by sending in the National Guard. Related... Read the original on HuffPost President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday directing the Justice Department to pursue criminal penalties against people who desecrate the American flagincluding by burning itsetting up a direct collision with a landmark Supreme Court ruling that shielded such acts as protected speech. All over the world they burn the American flag, Trump said in the Oval Office as he signed the order. The people in this country don't want to see our American flag burned and spit on and by people that are, in many cases, paid agitators. While Trump suggested he wanted to charge flag burners in a way that didnt run afoul of Supreme Court rulings, he also made clear he did not believe flag burning should be viewed as protected speech. "If you burn a flag, you get one year in jail," Trump noted. "No early exits, no nothing And it goes on your record." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute those who burn or desecrate the American flag in ways that cause harm unrelated to expression, consistent with the First Amendment, the directive says. This may include, but is not limited to, violent crimes; hate crimes, illegal discrimination against American citizens, or other violations of Americans civil rights; and crimes against property and the peace, as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate, and aiding and abetting others to violate, such laws. The order also tells the DOJ to refer flag-desecration cases to state and local authorities, even as many of those jurisdictions once relied on statutes the Supreme Court struck down more than three decades ago. The move revives a long-running political fight over patriotism and protest that the Court sought to settle in 1989. In Texas v. Johnson, a 54 decision written by Justice William Brennan Jr., the justices held that the First Amendment protects expressive conduct such as burning the American flag. Justice Anthony Kennedy, in a separate concurrence, acknowledged the rulings unpopularity but wrote that the flag protects those who hold it in contempt, underscoring that constitutional guarantees do not hinge on whether speech is agreeable. Read More: Why Its Legal To Burn The American Flag Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps order appears designed both to test and to narrow that precedent. They called it freedom of speech, Trump said, referring to the decision in Texas v. Johnson. But there's another reason, which is perhaps much more importantit's called death. Because what happens when you burn a flag is the area goes crazy it incites riots at levels that we've never seen before. Legal experts were skeptical the order would withstand constitutional scrutiny. Flag burning as a form of political protest is protected by the First Amendment, says Robert Corn-Revere, chief counsel of FIRE, a national free speech group. While people can be prosecuted for burning anything in a place they arent allowed to set fires, the government cant prosecute protected expressive activity even if many Americans, including the president, find it uniquely offensive and provocative. Beyond urging federal prosecutors to bring charges, it directs the administration to take sweeping immigration-related steps against noncitizens who engage in flag desecrationto deny, prohibit, terminate, or revoke visas, residence permits, naturalization proceedings, and other immigration benefits, or seek removal, according to the order. American Flag burning is also used by groups of foreign nationals as a calculated act to intimidate and threaten violence against Americans because of their nationality and place of birth, the order said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order describes the flag as the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States, calling acts of desecration uniquely offensive and provocative and statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation. The directives immigration provisions broaden the initiative beyond criminal enforcement to civil and administrative penalties that may be more insulated from immediate constitutional challenge, even as they raise their own free-speech questions. Mondays order arrives after a period in which images of flag burnings have periodically circulated online and on cable newsincluding at protests in Washington, D.C. during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress, and in New Yorks Washington Square Park on July 4. Trump has for years called for tougher penalties for flag burning. In a 2024 Fox and Friends interview, he said people who desecrate the flag should face a one-year jail sentence and has at times floated a constitutional amendment to criminalize the practice. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. President Trump said he plans to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, following a request from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to the president to help bring about peace on the peninsula. Thanks to your efforts when you were in office during your first term, the situation on the Korean peninsula was stable. But, during the short the hiatus where you were out of office, North Korea developed further its nuclear and missile capabilities and that lead to a deterioration on the situation of the Korean peninsula, Lee said during his sit-down with Trump in the Oval Office. Trump replied, And they wouldnt have done that, they would not have done that if I were president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I completely agree with you, the South Korean leader said, adding that Trumps relationship with Kim isnt bad. I believe that this is a sign that North Korea is waiting, so I hope that you will usher in a new era of peace on the Korean peninsula. I will do that and well have talks. Hed like to meet with me. He didnt want to meet with Biden because he had no respect for Biden, but we look forward to meeting with him and well make relations better. Youll help that, Trump said. Trump said the meeting would take place in the appropriate future, adding that he would like to meet Kim this year when pressed by reporters in the Oval Office on timing. The South Korean leader argued that Trump is the only person who can make progress on this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can do big progress, I think, with North Korea. Absolutely, Trump said. Lee quipped, while requesting help from Trump in starting peace talks, that he may want to open a business venture in North Korea. I would like to mention that the only remaining divided nation in the world is the Korean peninsula and I would like to ask for your role in establishing peace on the Korean peninsula. So, I look forward to your meeting with Chairman Kim Jong Un and construction of Trump Tower in North Korea, Lee said, and Trump smiled. The meeting on Monday is the first in-person meeting between the two leaders after Lee, a former child laborer who rose through the ranks to lead the liberal Democratic Party, was elected in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump in February said the U.S. will have relations with North Korea and touted his personal relationship with Kim. He held two summits with Kim during his first term, in Vietnam and Singapore, but failed to achieve North Koreas denuclearization. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Center Square) Onlookers braced for another tense, confrontational meeting in the Oval Office between President Donald Trump and another world leader when, Monday morning, Trump posted to Truth Social suggesting he was unhappy with what is going on in South Korea. Instead, the meeting before the media proceeded smoothly, despite Trump saying there would be very serious discussions happening during his later private meeting with the South Korean president. WHAT IS GOING ON IN SOUTH KOREA? Seems like a Purge or Revolution. We cant have that and do business there. I am seeing the new President today at the White House. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!! Trump wrote on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later clarified that he was referring to vicious raids on churches by the new government in South Korea, that they even went into our military base and got information, Trump said, according to reports. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was elected to office in a snap election on June 3, after the impeachment of the former president. Lee is a member of the left-leaning Democratic Party of South Korea and was reportedly facing multiple criminal charges before securing office. Sitting presidents in South Korea cannot be prosecuted for most criminal charges, however, so courts have postponed his trials for a later time. The social media post didnt come up until about 40 minutes into the livestreamed Oval Office meeting, and Trump at first didnt appear to want to talk about it then though he did allude at one point to some very serious discussions about different things, including trade that would be happening. When a reporter asked Trump directly about the post, he said he and Lee would talk about it later but then offered Lee a chance to comment. I could ask you now, if you want, Trump said, turning to the South Korean leader. If youd like [to respond], it didnt sound to me like South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee attributed the events in question to fact-finding missions directed by a National Assembly-appointed special prosecutor who he said wasnt under his control. The missions are part of investigations surrounding the soft coup led by the former president. Lee attempted to explain what Trump had heard about an American military base. I would like to explain We did not conduct a search and seizure of American bases but they looked into the chain of command and the control system of the Korean military, Lee said, and added that he would be happy to talk more about it in their private meeting. I am sure its a misunderstanding, but you know, there is a rumor going around about churches, raiding churches, so well talk. Im sure thats going to be worked out fine, Trump concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press-conference-style meeting mostly centered around economic development, trade relations and Trump leveraging his relationship with Communist North Korean leader Kim Jung Un to achieve peace on the Korean peninsula. Lee expressed a desire to expand South Korean-U.S. economic relations. Korea was able to attain economic growth and development through our ironclad alliance, and going forward, I hope to develop our alliance into a future-oriented alliance that encompasses areas not only committed to security, but also the economy and science and technology, Lee said. Trump spoke about partnering with South Korea to rebuild Americas shipbuilding industry and providing them with oil and gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're going to get along great, because we, you know, we really sort of need each other We love their ships. We love a lot of the things that they make, and they love what we have. We're dealing with them on Alaska, having to do with the oil they need. You need oil, and we have it, Trump said. He also noted that the country wanted to negotiate its trade deal with the U.S. Thats OK, I dont mind that. That doesnt mean that theyre going to get anything, but I dont mind, he said. Lee asked Trump to meet again with Kim, as he did during his first term, and Trump said he would, touting his very good relationship with Kim. I will do that and well have talks, Trump said. We think we can do something in that regard, with respect to North and South and I think you are much more prone to doing that than other leaders that I've been working with from South Korea, and we'll work on that. I think it's very good to work on that. In Donald Trumps long-running feud with federal judges, the president has found some support in an unlikely place: the nations highest court. A growing sense of frustration with some lower courts articulated in terms that at times sound similar to Trumps own rhetoric has crept into a series of opinions this summer from the Supreme Courts conservative justices as they juggle a flood of emergency cases dealing with Trumps second term. Lower court judges may sometimes disagree with this courts decisions, but they are never free to defy them, Justice Neil Gorsuch admonished in an opinion last week tied to the courts decision to allow Trump to cancel nearly $800 million in research grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rebuke, which was joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, flipped the narrative that it is Trump who has pushed legal boundaries with his flurry of executive orders and support for impeaching judges who rule against him. A wave of legal conservatives took to social media to tout Gorsuchs warning. This is now the third time in a matter of weeks this court has had to intercede in a case squarely controlled by one of its precedents, wrote Gorsuch, who was Trumps first nominee to the high court. (Kavanaugh was Trumps second.) When this court issues a decision, it constitutes a precedent that commands respect in lower courts. Other conservatives have been just as harsh this year. Justice Samuel Alito in March accused a federal judge in another case involving a Trump policy as committing an act of judicial hubris and self-aggrandizement of its jurisdiction. The Supreme Court has been consistently siding with Trump on the emergency docket for months, including in high-profile cases dealing with immigration, spending and the leadership of independent agencies. And Trump has won even in cases in which there are serious arguments that his administration defied a lower court, said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorsuchs opinion in the NIH funding case is perhaps the most direct articulation yet of why because the justices seem more concerned with lower courts correctly reading the tea leaves in their (often unexplained) rulings than with the executive branch behaving properly before the rest of the federal judiciary, Vladeck said. In a biting dissent in the research grant decision on Thursday, liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson described the result as Calvinball jurisprudence, in reference to the popular Calvin and Hobbes comic. Calvinball has only one rule: There are no fixed rules, Jackson wrote. We seem to have two: that one, and this administration always wins. Trumps attacks on federal courts have subsided somewhat since the spring, when he repeatedly took to social media to rail against lower court judges and also privately complained about some members of the Supreme Court whom he appointed during his first term. But many of the presidents allies continue to work the refs and misstate the judiciarys role reflexively chalking losses in court up to politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will not fall to rogue judges, Trumps former personal lawyer Alina Habba told Fox News last week after a federal judge ruled that she was not legally serving as the acting US attorney for New Jersey. We will not fall to people trying to be political when they should just be doing their job respecting the president. Rewarding lawlessness? Critics say it is Trump who is to blame for the tension between the executive and judicial branches, not only because of his rhetoric but also because of how the Justice Department has handled a number of high-profile cases. In a scathing dissent in an emergency case earlier this summer, Justice Sonia Sotomayor accused the court of rewarding lawlessness by siding with Trump in one of those cases. This is not the first time the court closes its eyes to noncompliance, nor, I fear, will it be the last, Sotomayor wrote, dissenting from the courts decision to allow the administrations deportations of certain migrants to countries other than their homeland. Yet each time this court rewards noncompliance with discretionary relief, it further erodes respect for courts and for the rule of law. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is photographed during a group portrait at the Supreme Court in Washington on October 7, 2022. - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters Sotomayor and Jackson, both liberals, are the only two on the Supreme Court who have served on district courts, where judges often take the initial stab at applying precedent to new litigation. Most of the other justices were formerly appeals court judges, where they review those first attempts by the district courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gorsuchs sharp lines not to mention Trumps winning streak at the high court suggests that at least some of the justices believe that some lower courts are overreacting to the administrations moves. Justice Gorsuch is making the obvious point that lower courts are required to follow the Supreme Courts emergency orders as much as any other decree, said James Burnham, an attorney and former Gorsuch clerk who served as general counsel for Trumps Department of Government Efficiency. The defiance of the Supreme Courts emergency orders by some lower courts is unprecedented, extraordinary, and the Supreme Court must deal with it decisively. Carrie Severino, president of the conservative Judicial Crisis Network, cheered Gorsuchs opinion on social media, writing that yet again it had become necessary to remind district judges not to flout orders of the Supreme Court. But just how judges are supposed to approach the Supreme Courts emergency orders particularly when they are opaque or include little explanation has been open to debate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early in Joe Bidens presidency, defending the Supreme Courts emergency docket, Alito stressed that its orders did not make precedent. Unlike the courts regular merits docket, emergency orders are almost always decided without the benefit of oral argument or extensive briefing. They do not resolve the underlying legal questions of a case only what happens while the litigation continues. Its one thing when theres a majority opinion with clear language that resolves a legal question in a way everyone will understand, whether or not we agree with it, Vladeck said. Its something else entirely when the justices provide literally zero analysis in support of a ruling, expect the lower courts to nevertheless understand which argument(s) they relied upon, and then subsequently chastise the lower courts for not reading their minds and that something is hubris. If the court wants lower courts to treat its analyses as precedent, it should, you know, provide them. In recent weeks, a majority of justices have sought to reinforce the notion that short-term orders should control the outcome of similar cases. In its fractured decision Thursday, a 5-4 majority said that US District Judge William Young erred by requiring the administration to revive nearly $800 million in National Institutes of Health research grants Trump canceled because they dealt with gender or diversity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The high courts unsigned opinion, which allows the NIH to keep those grants frozen, pointed to an earlier unsigned emergency order from April that permitted officials to block millions of dollars in grants to states intended to address teacher shortages. Young, who was named to the court by President Ronald Reagan, said he had never seen government racial discrimination like this. In its most notable decision this year, the Supreme Court stripped the power of lower court judges to issue so-called nationwide injunctions that have been used to shutdown policies adopted by presidents of both parties. That potentially landmark ruling came in a challenge to Trumps executive order intending to end birthright citizenship. Lower courts are continuing to work through whether there are other avenues judges can use to temporarily halt policies they believe are unconstitutional. Kavanaugh: Judges are not policymakers In a decision last month allowing Trump to remove three members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission who were appointed by Biden, the court similarly pointed to an earlier unsigned emergency order that dealt with firings at labor agencies. At issue in both cases was whether the president may fire board members at independent agencies despite a federal law intended to shield them from removal for political reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CPSC firings, the court said in a brief, unsigned opinion on July 23, were squarely controlled by the earlier decision. Although the courts interim orders are not conclusive as to the merits, a majority of the justices reasoned, they inform how a court should decide short-term questions in like cases. The emergency docket has been a topic of debate as some of the justices have traveled the country for speaking engagements during the courts summer break. Speaking in California in July, Justice Elena Kagan a member of the courts liberal wing suggested the high court could do more to explain things better so that lower court judges and the public understand clearly what the Supreme Court is deciding. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh listens to remarks during a visit by Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Washington, DC, on March 12. - Leah Millis/Reuters Days later, speaking to a group of judges and attorneys in Kansas City, Kavanaugh defended the courts sometimes terse emergency orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kavanaugh kicked off his speech by extolling the virtues of an independent judiciary. And he stressed that judges have a part to play in maintaining that independence. He mentioned no specific case or judge, but the message could easily be read as a yellow flag for lower courts. Members of the judiciary have an important responsibility, of course, that goes with maintaining the independence that responsibility, of course, to get it right, to do our hard work, to understand our role in the constitutional democracy, Kavanaugh said. Were not the policymakers. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to investigate former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie over the 2013 Bridgegate scandal, another chapter in the presidents effort to wield the power of the Executive Branch against his critics. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? Trump wrote on Truth Social Sunday. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! The presidents broadside against Christie, a two-time GOP primary opponent of Trump's, recalls a 12-year-old scandal that rocked the then-governor's high profile within the Republican Party. Two of Christies allies were convicted in a scheme to close lanes on the George Washington Bridge connecting New Jersey to Manhattan, retaliation against a nearby mayor who declined to back the governors 2013 bid for reelection. Both convictions were overturned by the Supreme Court in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Monday press conference at the Oval Office, Trump told reporters the decision on whether to probe Christie's involvement in "Bridgegate" would be left up to the Department of Justice. "He knew all about it, Trump said. "So no, I don't know, if they want to look at it, it's not for me. If they want to look at it, they can. You can ask [Attorney General] Pam [Bondi]. I think we have other things to do, but I always thought he got away with murder." It came after Christie criticized the Justice Department under Trumps leadership during an interview with ABC News, the network where he is a contributor. Let me say candidly to the American people who are watching, Christie, among the loudest critics of Trump within the Republican Party, said. You were told this. You were told that this was what he was going to do. And not by me, by Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign. He told you that he was going to do this, that he was going to have a Justice Department that acted as his personal legal representation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christie did not immediately respond to a request for comment from POLITICO on the president's threat. Just last week, Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff, a longtime Trump enemy, formed a legal defense fund amid the Justice Departments investigation into his finances. And John Bolton, Trumps former national security adviser who later became another vocal critic of the presidents foreign policy, had his Maryland home searched by federal agents. The president and Christie were also once allies. The former New Jersey governor endorsed Trump during his first White House campaign in 2016. He then briefly ran Trumps first presidential transition and helped Trump prepare for his September 2020 debate against former President Joe Biden. Christie turned against Trump after the 2020 election and ran against him in 2024. Hes becoming crazier, Christie said of then-candidate Trump as the campaign kicked into high gear in December 2023. President Trump has fired off a pair of late-night posts on his Truth Social profile over the weekend, specifically targeting ABC and NBC. Trump lambasted the networks, referring to them as fake news, while accusing them of relentless bias, and even calling for some regulatory action from the FCC. The Presidents recent posts have re-ignited the debate over honesty in the media, the FCCs authority, and the boundaries of our First Amendments protections for the press. In his first post, Trump wrote, Despite a very high popularity and, according to many, among the greatest 8 months in Presidential History, ABC & NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the worst and most biased networks in history, give me 97% BAD STORIES. IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEY ARE SIMPLY AN ARM OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY AND SHOULD, ACCORDING TO MANY, HAVE THEIR LICENSES REVOKED BY THE FCC. I would be totally in favor of that because they are so biased and untruthful, an actual threat to our Democracy!!! MAGA His next post didnt let up on the networks and their overwhelmingly biased reporting. Why is it that ABC and NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the absolute worst and most biased networks anywhere in the World, arent paying Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES. They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! Crooked journalism should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!! the President added. Trumps core argument is that media outlets using publicly regulated airwaves have a responsibility to be fair and balanced, not openly hostile to a sitting President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Trump has floated the idea of pulling network licenses, the legal and regulatory reality is a more complicated process. FCC authority applies to local news affiliates, not the national networks themselves, which do not directly hold broadcast licenses. The First Amendment also shields outlets from losing licenses over unfavorable coverage, with American judges rejecting content-based infractions in the past. At a press conference held in April, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said he aims to empower local broadcasters while also claiming that the commission will strictly uphold the public-interest standard for news coverage around the country. Even beyond constitutional hurdles, it is Congress, not the FCC, that controls licensing fees; regulators have historically made clear that penalties should target serious public interest violations, not editorial bias. Yet, federal regulations havent slowed down Trump in the past; sometimes, they motivate him to fight harder against red-tape reinforced bias. Donald Trump threatened to investigate Chris Christie, reviving a 2013 political scandal after the former New Jersey Governor criticized him during a Sunday interview on ABC News. Hours after Christie appeared on This Week on Sunday, Trump fired back with a veiled threat against his former ally-turned-2024 GOP presidential rival, dredging up Bridgegate. In 2013, Christies aides ordered the abrupt lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, causing massive traffic jams to allegedly punish a local Democratic mayor who refused to endorse him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christie was never charged and denies any knowledge of the incident. While two top aides were convicted of fraud and conspiracy, the Supreme Court overturned those convictions in 2020. Donald Trump (left) slammed former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie after his ABC New appearance (AP) I just watched Sloppy Chris Christie be interviewed on a ratings challenged News Show, This Week With George Slopadopolus, on ABC Fake News, Trump wrote Sunday evening on Truth Social, before taking a jab at co-anchor Jonathan Karls hair. Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother, who spent years trying to fight off the vicious charges against her, Trump continued. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Sundays interview, Christie expressed concern about the administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and the FBIs raid on the home of former national security adviser John Bolton. He shared skepticism about Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanches questioning of Ghislaine Maxwell after the Justice Department released the transcript on Friday. Christie expressed concern over the FBI's raid on the Maryland home and office of former national security adviser John Bolton (ABC News/This Week) Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and Epsteins former confidant, said that she did not hear from Epstein that Trump did anything inappropriate and offered a glowing review of Trump. She might as well have taken out Donald Trump, or President Trump, and said, The man who can pardon me has never done anything wrong. The man who can pardon me has always been wonderful, Christie said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the wake of the recent FBI searches of Boltons Maryland home and Washington office, Christie also claimed that the president has been following through on his 2024 campaign promises to seek retribution against his political rivals. He told you he was going to do this, that he was going to have a Justice Department that acted as his personal legal representation, and that is what theyre doing, Christie said. It was not immediately clear what aspect of Christies appearance on This Week had led Trump to threaten him. The clash comes as the president deepened his feud with Marylands Democratic Governor Wes Moore, threatening to cancel funding for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, destroyed by a ship strike last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump indicated in another Truth Social post that disaster relief funding would be wielded as a political weapon against any state or local leaders who dared challenge him. I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge, Trump said on Sunday, which isnt true. Trump wasnt president in 2024, when full federal funding for the project was allocated during government funding negotiations. I will now have to rethink that decision???, he continued. Telecommunications equipment vendor Ericsson and a conglomerate of high profile Swedish companies have launched a Sweden-focused advanced AI company under the name Sferical AI. Originally announced by Ericsson in May 2025, Sferical AIs partners, in addition to Ericsson, are AstraZeneca, Saab, SEB bank and Wallenberg Investments. Sferical AI is part of the collaboration announced by Wallenberg Investments President, Marcus Wallenberg, and NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang, during a joint session in Linkoping Southern Sweden in May. According to Ericsson, Sferical AI aims to strengthen the competitiveness of Swedish industry by providing participating partners with world-class computing power for AI in an integrated, sovereign and secure infrastructure. Through this initiative, we create the opportunity for some of Swedens leading companies to position themselves at the forefront of the rapid structural transformation of the business landscape brought about by the development and use of AI, said Marcus Wallenberg, Chairman of Wallenberg Investments. Ericsson Chief Technology Officer, Erik Ekudden, expressed enthusiasm for the new AI initiative. Ericsson is looking forward to working with Sferical AI partners to develop, deliver and operate advanced and complex AI to drive Swedish competitiveness at both individual partner enterprise and national economy levels, Ekudden said. Sferical AI CEO, Jenny Nordlow, says the conglomerate would make industry in Sweden more competitive. I look forward to, together with our partners, establishing the next generation of AI infrastructure in Sweden and strengthening the competitiveness of Swedish industry, Nordlow said. President Trump Monday threatened to order National Guard troops to Chicago in a widening crackdown on big cities that started with Washington, D.C. and Democratic leaders pushed back. Trump sang the praises of surging military troops into the streets of the nations capital and threatened to expand the operation to Chicago and beyond during a White House ceremony where he signed several executive orders aimed at battling crime. We can go anywhere on 24 hours notice, Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to go on to other places, Trump added. Chicago, Illinois, is a disaster.Chicago is a killing field. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker countered that there is no pressing need for troops or other federal law enforcement, especially with crime down sharply in Chicago and other cities nationwide. Pritzker was expected to hold a press conference along with the states attorney general to push back against Trumps possible plan to declare some sort of emergency and send troops into the streets of the nations third largest city. Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis, politicize Americans who serve in uniform, and continue abusing his power to distract from the pain hes causing families, Pritzker tweeted over the weekend. Well continue to follow the law, stand up for the sovereignty of our state, and protect Illinoisans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city doesnt need a military occupation and would sue to block one. He said there has been no communication from the White House about a possible military deployment. This is not the role of our military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve our country did not sign up to occupy American cities, Johnson told NBC News on Monday. Trump has suggested for several days that Chicago will likely be the next target of his efforts to crack down on crime, homelessness and illegal immigration, although he has also hinted at federal action against Baltimore and New York. I think Chicago will be our next, Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding, And then well help with New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments came as the Pentagon began ordering troops in Washington to carry firearms, though there have been no overt indications they have faced threats that would require them to carry weapons. Trump has repeatedly derided some of the nations largest cities, which are run by Democrats, mostly with Black mayors and majority-minority populations. He singled out Chicago on Friday, calling it a mess and saying residents there are screaming for us to come despite sharply declining crime rates. Trump has also unleashed a war of words with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who taunted Trump with an invitation to join him on an inspection of local and state law enforcement in Baltimore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes doing a bad job, Trump said. The White House already clashed with state and local officials in California when he ordered the National Guard to patrol Los Angeles during protests against his immigration crackdown. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom sued to block the deployment, which Trump claimed was due to a public safety emergency. The case is still pending in federal courts. President Donald Trump criticized former Gov. Chris Christie and threatened to reopen the Bridgegate case in a Truth Social post Sunday after the New Jersey Republican appeared on ABCs This Week. Trumps social media post reignited the long-dormant Bridgegate scandal, suggesting Christie should again face scrutiny for the 2013 lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. Do you remember the way he lied about the dangerous and deadly closure of the George Washington Bridge in order to stay out of prison, at the same time sacrificing people who worked for him, including a young mother? Trump wrote. Chris refused to take responsibility for these criminal acts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christie was never charged in the Bridgegate case and has consistently denied any involvement. Trumps post came hours after Christie criticized Trump on ABCs This Week, accusing the president of politicizing the U.S. Justice Department. Christie also dismissed praise of Trump from Ghislaine Maxwell the convicted accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein as phony. She might as well have taken out Donald Trump and said, The man who can pardon me has never done anything wrong, Christie said. Were going to believe Ghislaine Maxwell? Give me a break. Trump fired back on social media, bashing Christie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can anyone believe anything that Sloppy Chris says? Trump added. For the sake of JUSTICE, perhaps we should start looking at that very serious situation again? NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW! Trumps post referenced the politically motivated traffic jam that paralyzed Fort Lee for several days in September 2013. The scandal was dubbed Bridgegate after the lane closures were traced back to Christie aides. The lane closures were allegedly retaliation against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat who declined to endorse Christies reelection. David Wildstein, a Christie appointee at the Port Authority, later admitted to orchestrating the scheme, with involvement from Christies deputy chief of staff Bridget Anne Kelly and the Port Authoritys deputy executive director Bill Baroni. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trio initially claimed the closures were part of a traffic study. The case was prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, whose investigation led to indictments against Wildstein, Kelly and Baroni. Wildstein pleaded guilty and cooperated with prosecutors. Kelly and Baroni were convicted of wire fraud and conspiracy in 2016 and sentenced to prison. However, in 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously overturned their convictions, ruling that while their actions were deceptive, they did not meet the federal definition of fraud because they did not seek money or property. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. President Donald Trumps legal retribution campaign against his foes is in full swing. The administration has already targeted key figures in every major recent investigation of Trump. On Friday, the FBI searched Trump adviser-turned-critic John Boltons home and office. And on Sunday, Trump explicitly tied his complaints about another critic, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, to the prospect of criminally probing him. All of which has led Trumps defenders to launch a familiar whataboutism defense: What about all the times Trump and his allies were prosecuted? Isnt turnabout fair play? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some people say its retribution; I say, who cares? Fox News host Greg Gutfeld said Friday, adding: Dont lecture me on politically motivated investigations. You guys invented this stuff. But there is a key and very important difference: Prosecutions of Trump and Co. were overwhelmingly successful; the presidents allegations have fared much worse when his side has actually tried to prove them. To the extent cases against Trump himself didnt result in convictions, its not because the evidence was insufficient. Its because of technicalities and his being reelected president. FBI members walk outside the home of the former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, in Bethesda, Maryland, on August 22. - Tasos Katopodis/Reuters A big question right now is whether the Trump administration actually pursues these charges or just uses the probes to shame people and send a message as one top DOJ official suggested could be the goal. Theres a case to be made that one of the best things for our body politic would be for these cases to result in charges that the administration then has to actually detail and prove. To this point, though, they havent been able to prove much. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We should learn soon, for example, whether the administration deports Kilmar Abrego Garcia before it tries to prove its criminal case against him. The administration sought to justify its wrongful initial deportation of Abrego Garcia to El Salvador earlier this year by pointing to a series of unproven allegations against him. Those included that he was a leader of the MS-13 gang. (Abrego Garcias family and lawyers have denied hes a gang member.) When the administration ultimately bowed to judges orders that it facilitate his return, it made a show of charging him with a years-old human smuggling offense. (Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to transporting other undocumented people from Texas to Maryland in an SUV in 2022 and taking part in a smuggling conspiracy.) The administration said it intended to prove those allegations before it would deport him again. He will face the full force of the American justice system including serving time in American prison for the crimes hes committed, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon completion of his sentence, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, we anticipate he will be returned to his home country of El Salvador. Kilmar Abrego Garcia enters a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday. - Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images But that was then. Two judges have described the administrations allegations against Abrego Garcia as being tenuous. A whistleblower revealed that some in the Justice Department cast doubt on the handling of some litigation in his case. And now the administration appears to be preparing to deport him to Uganda before his trial. Its a move that would both contradict what the administration said before and perhaps send a signal about its lack of confidence in its criminal case against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wouldnt be the only time that Trump and his team have failed to prove their case when the rubber met the road. For years, House Republicans waged an impeachment probe of then-President Joe Biden seizing on allegations pushed in large part by Trump. But the hodge-podge of allegations were routinely shown to be speculative, false or misleading. The impeachment push was derailed when the source of a key claim the GOP had hyped that the Bidens took a $10 million bribe was charged and later convicted of lying to the FBI. Even before that, though, some Republicans acknowledged the evidence just wasnt there. The House never impeached Biden, despite Republicans having the majority to do so. President Joe Biden walks out to deliver remarks from the Rose Garden at the White House on November 26, 2024. - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/File (The lack of GOP support for impeaching Biden was a notable contrast to Trumps two impeachments, which both garnered historic levels of bipartisan support though Trump was ultimately acquitted when two-thirds of the Senate failed to convict him.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans did get some traction with their allegations against Bidens son, Hunter, who was convicted last year of tax and gun crimes. Still, the charges didnt pertain to Trumps biggest claims against him and Joe Biden, including the younger Bidens work for a Ukrainian energy company. But perhaps the biggest example of cases tied to Trumps allegations actually going to court was the Durham investigation a special counsel probe launched late in the first Trump administration and headed by former US attorney John Durham. The purpose was to re-investigate the origins of the Russia probe that plagued the early part of Trumps first term and to search for political bias in it. Then-Attorney General William Barr extensively hyped it. He called the Russia probe one of the greatest travesties in American history and cited a whole pattern of events to sabotage the presidency or at least have the effect of sabotaging the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Durham probe demonstrated nothing of the sort. Three people were charged with relatively small crimes; two of them were acquitted. The one successful prosecution was actually a case originating from an earlier inspector general investigation, not Durhams. It resulted only in probation after the judge said prosecutors hadnt proven the defendant, an FBI lawyer named Kevin Clinesmith, acted out of political bias. By contrast, around 10 Trump allies and advisers have been convicted or pleaded guilty to crimes, depending on how you slice the definition of ally. When longtime ally Tom Barrack whos now Trump ambassador to Turkey was acquitted in 2022, it was the exception rather than the rule. Trump himself was convicted in the only one of his four indictments that went to trial, in Manhattan. He was also found liable in both a sexual abuse case and a civil fraud case. (An appeals court last week voided the $500 million penalty against him but said Trump was still liable for the fraud.) Donald Trump attends his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on May 30, 2024. - Justin Lane/Pool/AFP/Getty Images As for the other Trump indictments? Juries never got to render a verdict in those cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His two January 6, 2021-related indictments were shelved when he won the presidency again. But the evidence was compelling enough that a record number of Senate Republicans had voted to convict him in his 2021 impeachment trial. And his federal classified documents case was dismissed not for lack of evidence, but because of a Trump-nominated judges extraordinary ruling on a technicality that legal observers said bucked precedent: the special counsel handling the case, she ruled, was illegally appointed. Indeed, that classified documents case was perhaps the most iron-clad against him to the point where even the likes of Barr said the government had been deceived. In these cases, the government showed what evidence it had and was prepared to back it up. And when it was forced to back it up, it was often successful. Perhaps that will ultimately be the case with the investigations the Trump administration has launched against its foes. Well see if the administration actually starts charging people. But history suggests Trump and Co. just throw a bunch of stuff at the wall in ways that their opponents havent. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com US President Donald Trump on Monday touted his "very good relationship" with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Before receiving South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House, Trump said he knows Kim "better than anybody, almost other than his sister." "Now I know him well, and I got along with him," Trump said. "You know, I'm not supposed to say I really like him a lot, because if I do that, I get killed in the fake news media." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee asked the US president to work for peace on the Korean peninsula. According to the UN, around 30 North Korean soldiers recently briefly crossed the heavily armed border with South Korea, triggering warning shots from the military there. Since the Korean War (1950-53), the Korean peninsula has been divided. Although the war ended with an armistice, neither state has signed a peace treaty to date. During his first term in office, Trump pursued an unconventional policy on North Korea and met Kim several times, aiming to secure Pyongyang's nuclear disarmament. He has now held out the prospect of a further meeting with Kim, without giving specific details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We'll meet at some point," said Trump. "I look forward to it." North Korea and the United States do not maintain official diplomatic relations. Diplomatic matters are often handled through intermediaries. As questions swirl about recurrent bruising on the back of Donald Trumps right hand, the 79-year-old presidents injury was clearly visiblewithout the daub of mismatched makeup with which its usually coveredduring his public appearances early on Monday. The bruising was spotted repeatedly during a Monday morning executive ordersigning, and again during an afternoon meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. While Trump has previously sought to hide the mark with a (quite conspicuous) smear of concealer, observers noticed on Monday that it was exposed, despite apparent efforts by the president to hide his bruised hand from view. X screenshot Spencer Hakimian @SpencerHakimian Donald Trump with very visible bruising on his right hand today. (photos of his bruised hand) Trump is trying to hide the back of his right hand from cameras but here you can see the nasty bruising on it pic.twitter.com/VrhgWDXLkA Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 25, 2025 In Trumps second term, the bruising has been spotted regularly, in at least February, April, June, and July, thus giving rise to speculations about the presidents healthincluding as to whether he is receiving undisclosed intravenous treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such concerns mounted in July, as images circulated of the hand bruise as well as of swelling in his ankles. At the time, the White House attributed the swollen ankles to a benign and common condition, chronic venous insufficiency. As for the bruising, the White House cites frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirina dubious line, given that the mark appears on the part of the hand subjected to the least, if any, pressure during a handshake. This can be seen in a video, posted by a communications staffer, of Trump greeting Lee Jae Myung outside of the White House. The South Korean president shakes Trumps right hand, making contact only with the area around the bruise. When Myung goes to rest his left hand on the back of Trumps right, he abruptly grabs the presidents sleeve instead, perhaps to deliberately avoid touching the empurpled part. Asserting federal control over the private sector is as American as apple pie, according to Donald Trump. The president apparently sees nothing wrong with his administrations latest deal with Intel, the only chipmaker allowed to make the tech parts in the U.S. Last week, the government took a 10 percent stake in the company, purchasing 433.3 million shares for a total price of $8.9 billion. In a press release Friday, Intel underscored that the exchange came at a discount to the companys current stock rate. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also confirmed the deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transaction has made the U.S. government Intels largest single shareholder, though Intel said that the White House would not have a board seat or hold any governing rights of the company. The terms of the deal do, however, allow the U.S. to buy an additional five percent of Intels market shares if the company is no longer majority owner of its foundry business, according to MSNBC. But Trumps recounting of the events has been remarkably different. By Monday morning, Trump still refused to acknowledge that the stock purchase came with a price, deriding his critics of the deal with simple insults. I PAID ZERO FOR INTEL, IT IS WORTH APPROXIMATELY 11 BILLION DOLLARS. All goes to the USA, Trump wrote on Truth Social. Why are stupid people unhappy with that? I will make deals like that for our Country all day long. I will also help those companies that make such lucrative deals with the United States States. I love seeing their stock price go up, making the USA RICHER, AND RICHER. More jobs for America!!! Who would not want to make deals like that? he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps insistence that the White Houses involvement in private business is a good thing does not bode well for the rest of the private sector: The government is already looking to take equity stakes in other companies, according to one of Trumps top economic advisers. Im sure that at some point therell be more transactions, if not in this industry, in other industries, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNBC Monday. The deal with Intel followed several weeks of personal attacks by Trump against Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, in which the president openly questioned the Malaysian-born American business executives previous investments in Chinese tech firms. Since the deal was announced, however, the president has noticeably pulled back on his calls for Tans resignation. Donald Trump said he wants to meet Kim Jong-un this year after South Koreas president asked him to help usher in peace to the region. During an Oval Office meeting with Lee Jae Myung, Mr Trump spoke fondly of the North Korean dictator. Discussing his 2019 visit to the region, when he crossed the border to become the first sitting US president to step foot in North Korea, Mr Trump said: I felt safe because I had a great relationship with Kim Jong-un. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: I hope it stays that way. I think it will... I have a very good relationship, I understand him, I spent a lot of free time with him, talking about things that we probably arent supposed to talk about, and, you know, I just, I get along with him really well. Asked when he would like to meet the North Korean leader, Mr Trump said: I mean, its hard to say that, but Id like to meet him this year. Mr Lee piled praise on Mr Trump, suggesting that relations between their two nations had soured while Joe Biden was in office. Lee Jae Myung, South Koreas president, meets with Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Monday - YONHAP/EPA/Shutterstock Thanks to your efforts when you were in office during your first term, the situation on the Korean peninsula was stable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, during the short, the hiatus where you were out of office, North Korea developed further its nuclear and missile capabilities and that led to a deterioration on the situation of the Korean peninsula, Mr Lee said during his sit-down with Mr Trump. Mr Trump replied: And they wouldnt have done that, they would not have done that if I were president. I completely agree with you, the South Korean leader said, adding: I hope that you will usher in a new era of peace on the Korean peninsula. Continuing his campaign of flattery, Mr Lee said: The only person that can make progress on this issue is you, Mr President. If you become the peacemaker, then I will assist you by being a pacemaker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to the meeting, Mr Trump had claimed there had been a recent purge or revolution in South Korea in a post on his Truth Social account. Keen to avoid his Oval Office meeting turning into a diplomatic disaster, Mr Lee said he had read Mr Trumps memoir The Art of the Deal during his flight to Washington. He began the meeting with a charm offensive, telling Mr Trump the redecorated Oval Office looks very bright and beautiful. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The late conservative icon Antonin Scalia said that if it were up to him, he would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag. The Supreme Court justice then acknowledged: But I am not king. Fast-forward to Monday, when President Donald Trump felt the need to clarify that he is not a dictator on the day that he signed an executive order calling for flag-burning prosecutions. During the Oval Office ceremony, the president lamented that a very sad court I guess it was a 5-4 decision, he said they called it freedom of speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He appeared to be referring to long-standing Supreme Court precedent on the subject. In a 5-4 decision joined by Scalia, the court said in 1989s Texas v. Johnson: If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. The court sided with Gregory Lee Johnson, who burned the flag in 1984 in Dallas during the Republican National Convention. The majority recounted that Johnson participated in a political protest called the Republican War Chest Tour against the Reagan administration and certain Dallas-based corporations. The majority said Johnson was convicted for expressive conduct and that he did not threaten to disturb the peace. It said the states interest in preserving the flag as a symbol of nationhood and national unity couldnt justify his prosecution. The majority said the way to preserve the flags special role isnt to punish people who disagree but rather to persuade them that they are wrong. In a follow-up ruling in 1990s United States v. Eichman, the court struck down federal flag-burning prosecutions under a law passed by Congress in response to Texas v. Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that background in mind, lets take a closer look at the new executive order. While its performative political aspect is clear, a notable legal aspect is the degree to which it acknowledges the limits of Trumps power in this area. Though the order instructs the attorney general to prioritize law enforcement actions against flag-burning, it caveats these instructions by saying to do so in ways consistent with the First Amendment and to the maximum extent permitted by the Constitution. In other words: Do everything you can, except where you cant. Its unclear where that leaves any enforcement actions in reality. So, the orders legal effect is fairly limited by its own terms, putting aside whatever chilling practical effect it might have on peoples conduct something that cant be ignored these days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like anything else, the true legal effect of the executive action, if any, would need to be tested in court. If a 2025 version of the Johnson case comes along, we may find out if todays high court is one that Trump would likewise deem very sad on the subject. 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 Telecoms equipment vendor Nokia has been selected by INX-ZA, the Internet Exchange Point division of the Internet Service Provider Association (ISPA) of South Africa, to modernise its exchange infrastructure. INX-ZA will deploy Nokias IP routing portfolio to offer new 400GE and expanded 100GE services to its customers across the country. The deployment will be powered by Nokias high-capacity 7250 Interconnect Routers and Service Router Operating System (SR OS), enabling INX-ZA to offer new 400GE and expanded 100GE services for peering partners and ISPs a capability not previously available in the region. In addition, Nokia says it will augment the scale and performance of INX-ZAs backbone to connect to different points of presence (POPs) with 400GE links. Internet exchanges enable data to be exchanged locally and reduce dependency on expensive international bandwidth, yet many IXPs across Africa still operate on aging platforms that lack scalability and efficiency. INX-ZA says its shift to Nokias solution addresses these limitations head-on, opening the door to more energy-efficient, scalable and high-density infrastructure that can evolve alongside the regions digital ambitions. Nishal Goburdhan, INX-ZAs General Manager said upgrading to Nokias 400GE-ready infrastructure isnt just about adding capacity its about reimagining how South Africa connects. "With this modern, energy-efficient platform, INX-ZA can deliver faster, more reliable, and more sustainable interconnection services while maintaining the uptime and performance our community has come to expect of us," Goburdhan said. "Nokias technology gives us the scale and capability to keep our exchanges at the forefront of global standards and power the countrys digital economy for the future." Nokia will upgrade INX-ZAs Internet Exchange Points in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, beginning with Johannesburg home to JINX, Africas oldest Internet Exchange Point. Nokia and INX-ZA plan to expand JINX from seven to ten data centres by the end of 2025, deploying thirty high-performance platforms in phase one. Toni Pellegrino, Head of South and East Africa Sales, Network Infrastructure at Nokia said as people are consuming and producing more content and businesses are moving their loads to the cloud, Internet Exchanges are an essential and critical part of digital infrastructure. "Working with customers like INX-ZA, which is deeply committed to technical excellence and community enablement, aligns with our belief in delivering resilient, sustainable and scalable trusted infrastructure in South Africa," Pellegrino said. "Our platforms offer the flexibility and openness needed to meet todays interconnection demands while paving the way for future innovation with SR Linux and automation." Donald Trump expanded his efforts to diminish the scope of First Amendment protections on Monday as he signed an executive order directing the Justice Department to work on criminalizing the act of burning an American flag. As The Independent reported last week, the order is functionally powerless. Trump cant write laws by fiat, and the document merely instructs federal prosecutors to prosecute people for inciting violence if they are suspected of burning a flag at a rally or other event. This latest effort is almost certain to be constitutionally fruitless, as experts noted after Mondays signing ceremony in the Oval Office. But by lashing out against a famous form of protest with roots dating back to the Vietnam War era, the president could be poking a bear and it may be by design. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You burn a flag, you get one year in jail. You don't get 10 years. You don't get one month. You get one year in jail. And it goes on your record, and you will see flag burning stopping immediately, Trump declared on Monday. The presidents description of the supposed consequences is actually accurate; under federal law, a person can face up to 10 years in prison for incitement of a riot, or potentially more for more serious incitement involving death or serious bodily harm. Donald Trump often uses flag burning and other actions to paint left-leaning protesters as anti-American (AFP via Getty Images) But there are two big problems with his desire to prosecute flag-burners. The first is Texas vs. Johnson, a Supreme Court decision in 1989 which struck down flag desecration bans in 48 states and ruled that the act was protected under the First Amendments provisions for free expression. The second is the so-called Brandenburg standard, established in another SCOTUS case: Brandenburg vs Ohio, and clarified in others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas Berry of the Cato Institute explained in an interview with The Independent on Monday why that case, which defined the limits of prosecuting incitement to violence or illegal acts under federal law, would also prevent the Trump administration from winning any prosecutions against persons who burn the flag, except under the most extreme hypothetical circumstances. Its very difficult to successfully prosecute an incitement charge because the prosecution needs to prove not only that the speech was likely to cause imminent violence but that it was intended to, said Berry, who added: Ironically, Trump himself has benefited from this high bar, since his speech on January 6, 2021 was followed by violence, but the intent prong would have made it difficult to convict him of incitement. In all likelihood, the most success the White House and Justice Department may find in cracking down on left-leaning protesters in this manner is in encouraging more demonstrations against the president in the nations capital and beyond. Burning the American flag emerged as a popular form of protest for anti-war Americans during the Vietnam Era and it has remained a form of attention-grabbing denunciation of the actions of the government. I think this strategy has very little chance to succeed, since it is hard to imagine a scenario where burning a flag on its own could be proven both likely and intended to provoke imminent lawless action. Merely provocative speech simply isnt enough to satisfy the Brandenburg standard and lose constitutional protection, said Berry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under George H.W. Bush Republicans pushed for a constitutional amendment to ban the practice. It went nowhere. Berry added: I imagine that the administration knows it has no chance of passing a constitutional amendment, so it chose to go this route to appear as if it is doing something, even though it is unlikely to win any convictions that would withstand constitutional review. Most recently, the practice returned to the streets of Washington, D.C. in 2024 when demonstrators burned a U.S. flag outside of Union Station, near the Capitol, to protest the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu amid the deadly Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip. Members of the Communist Party USA burned a flag in Washington, D.C. in 2024 to protest the visit of Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images) Trump pledged to ban the practice during his campaign for the White House, clearly provoked by those protests. At the time, he even compared the anti-Israel protests in Washington to his own supporters siege of the Capitol on January 6, making it one of the rare moments when then-candidate Trump seemed to acknowledge that January 6 was not a peaceful demonstration but was instead supposedly worthy of a law enforcement response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it may end up working in the presidents favor if he provokes further demonstrations in D.C., now home to a federal takeover, in the form of deployed National Guard troops and patrolling teams of federal law enforcement agents. The president is eager for rationale to extend his takeover of the capital and the imposition of a visible militarized law enforcement presence as he seeks to expand his plans to other cities in liberal jurisdictions such as Baltimore, Chicago and New York City. Trump could also use a defeat in the courts on this issue to continue ginning up anger against federal judges. Normally, that would be a useless tactic but Trump is also pushing for Republicans in Congress to further restrict the power of the judiciary to declare his actions unconstitutional and issue nationwide injunctions halting them. In the end, he could fail to ban flag burning, but succeed at another goal: eroding confidence in American institutions, painting his enemies as disloyal to the country, and fanning the flames of anger among his base. Donald Trumps administration continued to mockKilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to a brutal Salvadoran prison, as it now attempts to deport him to Uganda. The new deportation attempt comes after Abrego Garcia declined a plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica if he pleaded guilty to human smuggling charges. Earlier this month, the 30-year-old Salvadoran immigrant was released from a Tennessee jail where he had been detained since June after he was brought back to the U.S. from El Salvador. Related: The Trump Administration Cant Stop Lying About Kilmar Abrego Garcia The Trump administration has long attempted to portray Abrego Garcia as a violent gang member, and ICE alleged that he was a member of MS-13 due to his Chicago Bulls attire and the accusation of an informant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the White Houses social media team doubled down on its allegations that Abrego Garcia is in the gang, posting a photo of him reminiscent of artist Shepard Faireys 2008 portrait of Barack Obama except instead of HOPE, the image says MS-13. Still NOT a Maryland Dad... pic.twitter.com/JhniYkBqrB The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2025 The White House also mocked Abrego Garcias legal teams assertion that he is just a father in Maryland who was picking up his son from his grandmothers house when immigration officials detained him. Still NOT a Maryland Dad... the tweet was captioned. However, Abrego Garcia is indeed a father, and had been residing in Maryland before he was forcibly removed from the U.S. Related: White House Insults Both Wrongly Deported Man And Rule Of Law On Social Media In a separate post, the White House used a quote from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that alleged Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, & child predator to terrorize American citizens... Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem was alluding to the administrations questionablecharges against Abrego Garcia, as well as the protective order his wife filed against him in 2021 that she has since addressed in a statement. "ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia & are processing him for deportation. @POTUS is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, & child predator to terrorize American citizens..." - @Sec_Noem The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 25, 2025 People on social media wondered why the White House insists on departing Abrego Garcia rather than defending its case against him in a U.S. court of law. Then make your "air-tight" case rather than deporting him without trial.... again. Libertarian Party of Louisiana (@LouisianaLp) August 25, 2025 You tried to coerce a man into pleading guilty to charges you can't prove in court. He wouldn't. Instead of going to trial and proving your case, you're just gonna pretend you won. Because you were lying all along and now you're trying to cover up the truth. pic.twitter.com/M7ERdTpjFX Classical Liberal Caucus (@LP_CLC) August 25, 2025 So why did you screw this up so badly. He was a nobody until you decided to disobey a deportation order and then doubled and tripled down on the screw up. Bob Ochoa (@ochoab1) August 25, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesus Christ. This poor guy is a legal resident. The courts say there's no proof of him being a gang member. But the Trump administration is so afraid of admitting they're wrong they'd rather ruin the life of this poor man and his family, than apologise. This should terrify all Xmus Waxon Flaxon Jaxon (@chairmanMAO_92) August 25, 2025 The White House is now pumping out propaganda posters like Nazi Germany dehumanizing immigrants, criminalizing dissent, and building loyal forces. Its Project 2025 authoritarianism in real time. Boss Global Radio (@BossGlobalRadio) August 25, 2025 Related... Read the original on HuffPost President Donald Trump issued an executive order prohibiting the burning of the American flag on Monday. There's a big problem with the order, thoughone that Trump even acknowledged in his press conference touting the E.O. Flag burning is clearly protected by the First Amendment, and the Supreme Court has twice affirmed that this is so. Moreover, any administration that purports to care about freedom of speech should easily reach the conclusion that criminalizing provocative yet nonviolent acts of political expression is a violation of this principle, even if the constitutional issue was not so cut and dry. It's understandable why people don't like flag burning. The flag is a visual representation of the principles upon which America was founded, and when it's disrespected, many Americans take it as a sign that those values are being treated with contempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Flag burning, all over the country they're burning flags," lamented Trump, as he signed the order. Free speech, though, is among the most fundamental American values of all. The right of Americans to speak their minds is enshrined in the First Amendment; importantly, this right does not apply solely to benign, polite, socially acceptable speech. As one hundred years of Supreme Court jurisprudence has made clear, the First Amendment also protects hateful speech, wrongful speech, angry speech, criticism of the government, and so on. There are some exceptions to the First Amendment, but they are incredibly narrowand importantly, they do not include flag-burning. That's because the Supreme Court ruled on this very issue in the landmark 1989 case Texas v. Johnson, which overturned 48 state laws prohibiting desecration of the American flag. In response, Congress passed a federal law that prohibited flag burning, and the following year, the Supreme Court reached the exact same conclusion in United States v. Eichman. If the state-level bans are unconstitutional, and the ban implemented by Congress is unconstitutional, then you can pretty safely bet that the executive order version is even more obviously unconstitutional. That's not how Trump sees it, of course. While signing the ban, Trump noted that the Supreme Court decisions on this issue were both 54. It's certainly possible that a future Court could rule a different way, and the composition of the Court has drifted further to the right since the early 1990s; on the other hand, there's little evidence that the current justices embrace a more limited view of the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that in mind, the executive order grapples with the actually existing Court precedents in creative fashion, introducing the idea that while flag burning itself might be protected speech, flag burning "that is likely to incite imminent lawless action" could still be criminalized. This is true to the extent that incitement is one of the exceptions to the First Amendment. It isn't specific to flag burning thoughan expressive action that incites other people to engage in specific, direct lawlessness might be outside the bounds of the First Amendment, whether or not the action has anything to do with the flag. The key word there is might, however. There's obviously a fundamental difference between engaging in speech to directly advocate for a lawless action and burning the American flag, the latter of which is not a specific call for violence and lawlessness but could inspire others to commit lawlessness and violence. It's a difference that the president should well understand. On January 6, 2021, in response to Trump's speech disputing the outcome of the 2020 presidential election, his supporters marched to the U.S. Capitol and rioted. Though their actions were undoubtedly sparked by Trump's remarks, Trump never instructed anybody to commit violence or lawlessness; on the contrary, he told them to "peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard." For that reason, Trump should have been cleared of incitement charges. (He was never criminally charged for incitement; the U.S. House of Representatives impeached him on this basis, and the Senate acquitted him.) Unfortunately, Trump's executive order clearly seeks to erode this clear distinction between expressive acts that could inspire lawlessness and expressive acts that directly call for lawlessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What happens when you burn a flag is the area goes crazy," said Trump, offering a justification for attempting to ban flag burning yet again. If the federal government could abridge speech because other people might react negatively to it, then the First Amendment would cease to be a useful defense against censorship. The Trump administration should not even attempt to make this more of a reality, even while the Supreme Court is likely to thwart them. In fact, Trump should take more of his cues from the late, archconservative Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, who twice sided with the majority and overturned the prohibitions on flag burning, defending his opinion thusly: "If it were up to me, I would put in jail every sandal-wearing, scruffy-bearded weirdo who burns the American flag. But I am not king." The post Trump's Executive Order Prohibiting Flag Burning Is Unconstitutional appeared first on Reason.com. Illinois political leaders and Chicago municipal officials are raising alarms over President Donald Trumps threat to deploy National Guard troops to the city, insisting that sending in soldiers would be baseless and a clear case of federal overreach. Flanked by political, business and religious leaders, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday blasted the presidents suggestion that federal soldiers were needed in the city and emphasized what he said was a significant reduction in homicides, vehicle thefts and other crimes in recent years. There is no emergency in Chicago that calls for armed military intervention, he said during a news conference. There is no insurrection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump wants to use the military to occupy a U.S. city, punish his dissidents and score political points, Pritzker said. If this were happening in any other country, we would have no trouble calling it what it is a dangerous power grab. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker at a news conference in Aurora on Aug. 5. (Audrey Richardson / Bloomberg via Getty Images file) The number of homicides in Chicago has fallen 32% from last year, Pritzker said, while vehicle thefts and burglaries are both down by more than 20%. But as National Guard soldiers fanned out across Washington, D.C., to tackle what Trump has framed as an epidemic of crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse, the president said that Chicago and New York City are next on his list. The Washington Post, citing officials familiar with the matter, reported Saturday that the Pentagon has spent weeks planning a military deployment to Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans reportedly involved several options, including dispatching a few thousand members of the Guard to Chicago as soon as September. NBC News has not independently confirmed that report. Pritzker, a second-term Democrat, said he has heard nothing about those plans from the White House or the Department of Defense. "We only read about it in The Washington Post," he said during a media availability earlier Monday. Pritzker said such a deployment would be unconstitutional because the federal government is barred from deploying military troops to an American city for crime-fighting purposes. If the administration moves forward with the plan, Pritzker said, "the first thing we're going to do is take him to court." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to reporters Monday, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he does anticipate filing a pre-emptive lawsuit. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a first-term Democrat, struck a similar chord as Pritzker in an interview with NBC News. The guard is not needed, Johnson said. This is not the role of our military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve our country did not sign up to occupy American cities." Traditionally, the federal government deploys enlisted National Guard members to respond to major domestic crises such as national disasters, the Covid pandemic and civil unrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, speaking to reporters from the Oval Office on Monday morning, blasted Illinois political leaders and called Chicago a disaster. Trump called Johnson incompetent and labeled Pritzker corrupt. He signed an executive order that creates National Guard units focused on public order issues. Earlier this year, Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles to respond to protests over his administrations immigration raids and deportations. The president did so over the vocal objections of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Members of the National Guard patrol near the Capitol last week. (Sual Loeb / AFP-Getty Images) Illinois' two senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, both Democrats, excoriated Trumps talk of troop deployments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durbin dismissed Trumps threats as purely political theater and nothing more than a power grab. The fifth-term U.S. senator, who is not seeking re-election in 2026, urged political leaders to instead focus on proven bipartisan solutions to continue to reduce violent crime. Duckworth, a U.S. Army combat veteran and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, slammed Trumps threat as deeply disturbing and un-American. Its yet another unwarranted, unwanted and unjust move straight out of the authoritarians playbook that will only undermine our militarys readiness and ultimately weaken our national security, Duckworth said in a statement. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Another change is in store for Wisconsin flyers: the Transportation Security Administration has banned additional items from checked bags. The TSA has banned certain types of hair tools in checked bags. The new rule comes just a few months after the Federal Aviation Administration also banned portable chargers and power banks powered by lithium-ion batteries in checked bags. Here's what to know about the new TSA rules, plus where to find a complete list of banned items on flights: What are the new items banned by TSA? The TSA is no longer allowing cordless hair tools in checked bags because they may contain hazardous materials, like gas cartridges and butane, which are already banned by the agency, according to USA TODAY. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More specifically, the following types of hair tools are banned in checked bags, per the FAA: Curling irons or flat irons that contain lithium metal or lithium ion batteries Curling irons or flat irons that are gas- or butane-fueled Gas refills, or spare cartridges, for curling irons or flat irons. You can still pack these items in your carry-on, but they must have a safety cover over the heated part. Hair tools with cords are allowed in either checked or carry-on bags. A passenger makes their way through TSA security screening at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Starting May 7, everyone 18 and older is required to have a REAL ID to fly domestically or enter federal buildings. What other items did TSA ban from checked bags? Earlier this year, the FAA also banned additional items powered by lithium-ion batteries in checked bags because all such batteries can potentially overheat and cause a fire risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Items that commonly use lithium batteries include: Power banks Cellphone battery charging cases Rechargeable and non-rechargeable lithium batteries Cellphone batteries Laptop batteries External batteries Portable rechargers Where can I see a full list of TSA banned items? You can visit the TSA's "What Can I Bring?" webpage for a full list of prohibited items, including which ones are banned altogether and which ones are only allowed in carry-ons or checked bags. Cailey Gleeson contributed to this report. More: Wisconsin flyers will no longer have to remove their shoes at airport security This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: TSA bans new items in checked bags. What to know in Wisconsin ISTANBUL (AP) Coast guard and maritime police vessels in Istanbul were searching Monday for a Russian swimmer who went missing during a cross-Bosphorus race a day earlier, Turkish state-run media reported. The swimmer, named by the Anadolu news agency as Nikolai Svechnikov, failed to complete the 6.5-kilometer (4-mile) annual race from Istanbuls Asian shore to the European side. A statement from the Istanbul governors office said security camera footage and a chip worn by the participants showed the 30-year-old professional swimming coach had started the race but had not exited the sea at the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2,800 swimmers from 81 countries took part in Sunday's competition, which is considered one of the worlds leading open-water races. Swimmers face strong currents and choppy waves while traversing the waterway, which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Turkeys largest city. The strait was closed to maritime traffic for the event, which is organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee. SwimTrek, a company offering entry to the race, describes race conditions as challenging on its website, adding that experience of swimming in all sea conditions is essential. In a statement, the Olympic committee said it was deeply saddened by the disappearance of one of our athletes during the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said 100 vessels, including boats from various emergency services, were monitoring swimmers during the race. At the end, the route was scanned for stray competitors and none were found. Officials realized a swimmer was missing by comparing the lists of participants and those who finished, the statement said. The November elections are less than three months away, but voters in at least two central Connecticut communities will be going to the polls next month to settle uncommonly bitter primary contests. A full slate of challenge candidates in Bloomfield is running against the Democratic Town Committee-endorsed slate, hoping to wrest control of local government from Mayor Danielle Wongs controversial administration. The challengers include two former mayors and former Councilor Rickford Kirton, who is suing Wong and the council over the most recent budget and who is also pursuing a Freedom of Information complaint claiming her administration violated FOI rules to launch a political attack against him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in New Britain, Democratic Alderman Neil Connors is waging a primary after a literally bruising party endorsement gathering last month. The party chose fellow incumbent John McNamara and newcomer Iris Ortiz Luna instead of Connors; moments later, Connors wife was hit from behind by a young relative of Ortiz Lunas. A CT senator is petitioning in a bid to lead a town. It comes after the first selectmans death Party leadership didnt say why it chose Ortiz Luna over Connors that night, but committee members say Connors wife insulted Ortiz Luna for running in a previous election on the GOP ticket. After what happened to my wife, this race has become deeply personal. This is no longer just about a nomination its about whether our party protects the people who show up, or punishes them for speaking up, Connors said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In both Bloomfield and New Britain, Democratic voters will vote Sept. 9 to choose candidates for the Nov. 4 general election. The town committees in each community have chosen the people they want to run on the Democratic ticket, but voters in the primary get the final decision. Republicans and Democrats in the vast majority of Connecticut towns have no primary challengers this year. The secretary of the states office said Wednesday that it will be another week before staff knows precisely how many town and cities will conduct September primaries, but its expected to be only a small number. For Bloomfield, the primary outcome could prove to be more important than the general election, since Democrats traditionally dominate in November. If that pattern holds true this year, the key question will be which Democrats survive Sept. 9 and get their names on the November ballot. New Britains contest could also be significant. Popular Republican Mayor Erin Stewart isnt running for re-election, so that mayors seat almost certainly will go to either Democrat Bobby Sanchez or Republican Sharon Beloin-Saavedra. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The winner will want control of the Common Council, which is currently split in favor of Democrats by the narrowest of margins: 8-7. Connors holds one of those eight seats; by not endorsing him, Democrats relinquished the usual advantage of an incumbent in the November election. The challenging candidates in both communities circulated petitions to get enough signatures to force primaries. The Bloomfield race is the latest stage of an intra-party battle thats been going on for the past couple of years. Kirton along with other Democratic dissidents has complained that Wongs administration is overspending and underperforming, and they blame her for what they call a secretive and tone-deaf atmosphere in city government. Wong and her close political ally Councilor Kenneth McClary have already said theyre not running again, and Wong recently announced shes resign later this month. The councils Democratic majority will choose an interim mayor to serve out the term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic Town Committee has nominated a slate thats running with the theme One Bloomfield Moving Forward, Together. The council ticket includes incumbents Ola Aina, Todd Cooper, Cindi Lloyd and Anthony Harrington along with newcomers Michael Oliver and Darrell Goodwin. Their supporters contend that critics ignore the Wong administrations achievements and focus on fostering division rather than community unity. The challenge slate for council, using the motto Leadership You Can Trust, consists of Kirton, former mayors Suzette Debeatham-Brown and Sydney Schulman, and Mark Sanderson and Stephan Richmond. In New Britain, Ward 4 Democrats will get to choose two candidates among Connors, McNamara and Ortiz Luna. SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) An Army officer pleaded guilty to theft and sale of government property, with the total loss of his actions exceeding $150,000, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Jacob Suenkel, of Richmond Hill, Georgia, stole equipment at Fort Stewart from late 2024 through May of 2025 while serving as a captain. The equipment included skid-steer loaders, UTVs, trailers, generators, welders, commercial grade hand tools and a tractor. Suenkel then sold the stolen items on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suenkel made an initial payment of $50,000 as part of his agreement as well as agreeing to be discharged with an adverse characterization of service. He will lose veterans benefits as part of the discharge. His potential sentencing includes penalties up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Suenkel will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the crimes. Jacob Suenkel violated the trust of his employer and unsuspecting buyers, and is being held accountable for his theft, said U.S. Attorney Margaret E. Heap. This guilty plea offers assurance that those who commit theft will be brought to justice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) A local tinting shop is expanding its business by offering U-Haul rentals. The Tint Shop, located on Memorial Drive in Chicopee, offers services for vehicles, residences, and commercial properties has teamed up with U-Haul. The facility has rental equipment available, like trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies. Local womans effort donates $85,000 in goods to those in need Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a news release sent to 22News from Sydney Ellis at U-Haul International, more than 21,000 small businesses have partnered with U-Haul to help supplement their income. When customers rent from these affiliates, they are directly supporting their community. State law determines how dark your windows can be. In Massachusetts, it is illegal for drivers to use a window application, sunscreen material, or a non-transparent material to tint their vehicles windows more than 35 percent. Drivers who illegally tint their windows could face a fine of up to $250. However, drivers whose doctors have found them to be light-sensitive or photosensitive can apply for a tinted window waiver. The waiver is granted for the protection of owners or drivers of private passenger vehicles. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- After spending nearly two months unable to leave Antarctica with his aircraft, American pilot and influencer Ethan Guo, 19, is set to return to Punta Arenas aboard an icebreaker in early September. Chilean authorities said Guo altered his flight plan and landed without authorization on the continent June 1, and they forced his small aircraft to remain at the Chilean air base in Antarctica at which he set down. Officials said Guo was not barred from leaving, but he chose to stay at the base until the dispute was resolved. Prosecutors argued that the 19-year-old American influencer broke "multiple national and international regulations" by changing his flight plans without prior notice and landing in a sector of Antarctica claimed by Chile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ethan Guo will board the icebreaker Almirante Viel in early September, which will allow him to return to Punta Arenas. I want to thank the Chilean Navy for helping resolve this humanitarian problem, because he had no way to leave Antarctica other than flying his own aircraft, which was not authorized," his lawyer, Jaime Barrientos, told UPI. Since 2024, Guo has led the campaign "Flight Against Cancer," aiming to become the first pilot to fly solo across all seven continents in a Cessna 182Q, while raising $1 million for childhood cancer research after his cousin was diagnosed with the disease. On June 28, Guo took off from Punta Arenas, bound for Ushuaia, Argentina, but changed course due to weather and landed instead at Teniente Marsh Air Base on King George Island, about 745 miles away. Chilean officials said he filed a flight plan to depart from Punta Arenas, which he later failed to follow. By changing course without notice, an emergency protocol was triggered. The country's Directorate General of Civil Aviation accused him of violating aviation rules and jeopardizing air safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barrientos countered that Guo had received clearance to modify his plan. "There is irrefutable evidence that he established communication with the DGAC, made the change and was expressly authorized to land at Teniente Marsh," he said. Speaking with Chilean newspaper Las Ultimas Noticias, Guo said he never lied about his route. "What happened on June 28 was deeply unfair. I didn't understand the language they spoke to me in, and I was not allowed to present evidence to defend my case," he said. Living at the Chilean base, Guo described the experience as stressful and isolating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I spend 90% of my time in my room, and there isn't much to do. Not everyone here speaks English, but they've treated me kindly. Despite the unfair legal process I've faced, I have a very good impression of Chile and its people." The case was closed through an out-of-court settlement. Regional prosecutor Cristian Crisosto said Guo agreed to donate $30,000 to charity and is barred from returning to Chile for three years. As for the aircraft, Barrientos said the DGAC reached a deal allowing an authorized pilot to fly it back to Punta Arenas and then to the United States. "We are complying with DGAC requirements so the plane can be returned as soon as possible," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guo's lawyer emphasized the young pilot's experience: "He has landed in 50 countries, including war zones, crossed the Atlantic twice and flown more than 10 hours over the ocean. He was fully qualified to make the return flight, but we accepted the alternatives provided by the DGAC." For now, Guo said he only wants to move on. "I haven't seen my family or friends in months, so I hope to reunite with them soon. I just want to close this chapter of my life." CCTV: This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region. Whats your comment on the progress of Xizang over the past 60 years? How will Xizang continue to develop in the future? Guo Jiakun: Last week, General Secretary Xi Jinping led a delegation of the CPC Central Committee to attend the events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region. He had an in-depth exchange of views with officials and people of all ethnic groups and from various sectors and delivered important remarks, providing strong impetus and charting the course for building a modern socialist new Xizang. General Secretary Xi Jinping noted that over the past six decades since the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee and the vigorous support of the people of the whole nation, the CPC Xizang regional committee and the regional government have brought together and led people of all ethnic groups in the region to strive forward and break new ground. They have upheld and improved the regional ethnic autonomy system, fought secessionism, and made remarkable achievements in economic and social development. The plateau region has experienced profound changes, completed the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects as scheduled together with other regions of the country, and embarked on a new journey of building China into a modern socialist country in all respects. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed that Xizang needs to fully implement the partys policy on Xizangs governance in the new era, uphold the basic principle of making steady progress in relevant work, fully, accurately and comprehensively implement the new development concept, steadily advance high-quality development, make solid efforts on the four main tasks of ensuring stability, facilitating development, protecting the eco-environment, and strengthening the borders, and strive to build a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful. We welcome more foreign friends to visit Xizang to experience its prosperity and progress, and see for themselves the breathtaking landscape and the happy life of people of all ethnic groups in the region. AFP: Nigerias police said on Sunday that it had extradited a Chinese gang leader who is wanted in China for organized violent crime, in an operation conducted with Interpol. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on this? Guo Jiakun: On international cooperation on law enforcement, Id refer you to competent authorities. Bloomberg: Viet Nam has sharply accelerated its island-building efforts this year in the contested islands in the South China Sea. This is according to a report from a U.S. think tank CSIS. The latest expansion covers eight reefs that were previously not part of the reclamation efforts of Viet Nam, which started in 2021. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on Viet Nams activities in the South China Sea regarding island-building efforts? Guo Jiakun: Nansha Qundao has always been Chinas territory. China firmly opposes relevant countries construction activities on islands and reefs they illegally occupy. We will do what is necessary to safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. DPA: Its reported by Germany-based Die Welt that diplomatic representatives from EU countries said that China expressed its willingness to participate in a potential international peacekeeping force in Ukraine. Whats the Ministrys comment or can you confirm it? Guo Jiakun: The report is not true. Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. Hubei Media Group: It was reported that the commander of the U.S. Southern Command said when attending the South America Defense Conference in Argentina recently that China continues its methodical incursion in the region and seeks to extract precious resources from countries in the Western Hemisphere. What is Chinas comment? Guo Jiakun: These remarks just repeated the same old false narrative inconsistent with facts, and once again revealed the deep-seated Cold-War and confrontational mindset of some in the U.S. Over the years, China has carried out practical cooperation in various fields with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. Such cooperation meets the needs and serves the common interests of both sides. It has given a strong boost to local economic and social development and is warmly welcomed by countries and people in the region. The U.S., by contrast, has tried every means to interfere in and exert control over the region for years. The hegemonic and bullying nature of its behaviors is for all to see. The LAC region is no ones backyard. China-LAC cooperation does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted by any third party. Regional countries have the right to independently choose development paths and cooperative partners. The U.S. should stop sowing discord and making trouble. Rather, it should do something tangible for the development of LAC countries. Australians reported more than 108,000 scams and financial losses of about $175 million to the National Anti-Scam Centres Scamwatch service in the first half of 2025, with fake websites, online advertisements, and contact through social media criminals preferred methods of reaching people. This Scams Awareness Week (25-29 August), the National Anti-Scam Centre is joining together with government, business, community groups, consumer protection groups, educational organisations and individuals to reinforce the three simple actions that can help protect Australians: Stop. Check. Protect before clicking, sharing, or paying. It comes as Scamwatch received 108,305 reports about scams in the first six months of 2025, which is a 24 per cent decrease in reports compared to the same period last year. While total number of reports are down, reports involving losses have increased significantly. The $174.8 million reported lost is a 26 per cent increase compared to the first half of 2024. There has been a 40.5 percent increase in reports involving losses and this is higher for some demographic groups: about 44 per cent among individuals who speak English as a second language, and 55.3 percent for First Nations Australians compared to the same period in 2024. The 2025 losses still represent but a 39 per cent decrease compared to the equivalent period in 2023. Financial losses to scams peaked in 2022 and early 2023. The average reported loss was $12,212 a decrease of about 10 per cent. Losses to phishing scams were $19.5 million in 2025, driven in part by a rise in cryptocurrency impersonation scams. 14,235 reports involved losses to crypto scams. These scams closely mirror bank impersonation tactics and have resulted in significant financial harm to victims. Technology is helping scammers reach more people than ever before and we see scams becoming more sophisticated and harder for people to detect, ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said. This Scams Awareness Week, were encouraging everyone to talk about scams, watch for the signs and remember three simple words that can help make all the difference: Stop. Check. Protect. As scams become more sophisticated, we are urging more businesses to join the NASC and share data to improve disruption capability across the ecosystem. Scams dont discriminate and can affect anyone, which is why open conversations with loved ones and greater awareness are so important. Government, business and individuals all have a role to play in building a scam-aware community and reaching every group, including those who may face extra barriers to understanding or reporting scams, Lowe said. The National Anti-Scam Centre encourages consumers to be particularly vigilant when shopping online carefully scrutinise deals that seem too good to be true, and check websites before making a purchase. Scamwatch received more than 6,300 reports of financial loss to shopping scams in the first half of 2025: the highest of any scam type. Scamwatch data shows that scammers achieved this by creating convincing online shopping platforms, advertising fraudulent products and luring consumers with deals that appear too good to pass up. An individual who reported to Scamwatch lost more than $11,000 to an online shopping scam involving a fake travel agent. The scammer operated a convincing website and offered a free digital travel assistant service. After the victim made an airline booking through the website, the scammer cancelled the booking but kept the money. Attempts to contact the agent failed once the scam was revealed. Scammers are increasingly targeting people on websites and social media, knowing were all spending more time and money online. Taking just a few moments to verify a seller or offer can be the difference between a good deal and a devastating financial loss, Lowe said. We encourage people to avoid clicking on suspicious ads or links and instead visit official websites directly. Before buying from an unfamiliar seller or business, search their name along with terms like review, scam or complaint as this can quickly reveal any red flags from other consumers. It is also important to use secure payment methods like credit cards or PayPal. Taking a few simple steps like these can help protect you from online scams, Lowe said. The National Anti-Scam Centre credited increased awareness of scam warning signs and the availability of targeted educational resources on job scams for the rise in reports during the first half of 2025, following the conclusion of the Job Scams Fusion Cell. . This Scams Awareness Week, were highlighting the importance of coordinated action, including through intelligence sharing, and the Scam Prevention Framework provides the structure for holding telecommunications companies, banks, and digital platforms accountable in protecting consumers, said. While its distressing to see so many people affected by scams, its encouraging to know that Australians are speaking up, seeking help and sharing what they know. This information helps us continue to disrupt scam networks. Australians are urged to talk about their experiences this week across social media channels using the hashtag #stopcheckprotect. Hear from some Australians who have personally experienced scams: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/scams-awareness-week This Scams Awareness Week, follow our advice to stay safe from scams: STOP. Always take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Dont rush to make decisions about money or sharing personal details. What to do: Say no, hang up, or delete suspicious messages Take time to think before responding to unexpected requests Dont let anyone pressure you into immediate action Trust your instincts if something feels wrong CHECK. Make sure the person or organisation youre dealing with is real. Scammers pretend to be from organisations you know and trust. Always verify who youre really dealing with before taking any action. What to do: Contact the organisation directly using phone numbers or email addresses you find on their official website or app Research investment opportunities or offers through official sources like ASIC Get a second opinion from family, friends, or professionals. PROTECT. Act quickly it something feels wrong. The sooner you act, the better you can protect yourself and others from scammers. What to do: (The Center Square) University of California, Berkeley is facing a lawsuit claiming it denied Dr. Yael Nativ a teaching role for being Israeli. The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and Olivier & Schreiber filed a lawsuit against UC Berkeley for denying Nativ a job application due to her national origin. For a university to deny the invitation of a respected professor simply because of her national origin is not only distasteful, its illegal, said Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman and CEO of the Brandeis Center and a graduate of UC Berkeley School of Law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if the campus administration doesnt hold themselves up to the same accountability standards that they hold their students, what is stopping their students from acting on their own discriminatory beliefs?" said Marcus, a former U.S. assistant secretary of education for the Bush and Trump administrations. "The vicious and illegal targeting of Israeli faculty and researchers is, unfortunately a disturbing new trend we are seeing nationwide that must stop. Back in 2022, Nativ, an Israeli dance researcher and sociologist, was a visiting professor at UC Berkeley. In reapplying for the 2024-2025 school year, according to the lawsuit, shortly after Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, Nativ was expressly told by the chair of the department that she was rejected because of the potential backlash of hiring an Israeli professor. Things are very hot here [on campus] right now, and many of our grad students are angry. I would be putting the dept and you in a terrible position if you taught here, said SanSan Kwan, the department chair of theater, dance and performance studies at UC Berkeley, in a WhatsApp message. UC Berkeleys Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination investigated the incident. In September 2024, the office concluded that Nativ was the victim of national origin discrimination in violation of Berkeleys Nondiscrimination Policy, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy states, The University prohibits discrimination against any person seeking employment. Yet Berkeley has failed to remedy its discrimination, despite Nativs many outreach efforts to the school, the lawsuit claims. The Center Square reached out to UC Berkeley for a comment, but has yet to receive a response. The lawsuit reflects ongoing tensions at universities nationwide, where some institutions face criticism for their handling of discrimination claims involving Jewish and Israeli students on campus. In November 2023, UC Berkeley was hit with another lawsuit from Brandeis Center for the unchecked spread of anti-semitism on Berkeleys campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The anti-Semitism Berkeleys Jewish students find themselves embroiled in today did not start on Oct. 7, Marcus said. It is a direct result of Berkeleys leadership repeatedly turning a blind eye to unfettered Jew-hatred. The school is quick to address other types of hatred, but why not anti-Semitism?" Marcus said. "Berkeley, once a beacon of free speech, civil rights and equal treatment of persons regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, and sexual preference, is heading down a very different and dangerous path from the one I proudly attended as a Jewish law student. The University of Floridas board of trustees voted unanimously Monday to pick a medical doctor and researcher from Columbia University to be the institutions interim president. UF has been without a permanent president since Ben Sasse abruptly resigned his post more than a year ago. Its attempt to hire the University of Michigans former president, Santa Ono, ended in failure when conservative leaders in Florida and nationwide denounced the choice and Floridas higher education board then voted down Ono in June. With little fanfare, Donald Landry was tapped for an interim role that starts next week. He is currently the director of the clinical pharmacology and experimental therapeutics division and the nephrology division at Columbias College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Landry is a highly accomplished scientist whose work is recognized around the world, said Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF board, in a statement. He has shown exceptional leadership in academia and beyond, building programs with innovation, energy and integrity. I am confident that Dr. Landry will bring those same talents to the University of Florida in service to the students, faculty and people of the great state of Florida. A search for a permanent leader is expected to start soon, although no details were discussed at Mondays meeting. UFs last presidential search took about a year. Its unclear whether Landry will be a candidate. Landry attended Mondays meeting in Gainesville and answered questions from the board. I hope to make more than small changes. But the smallest change thats made will be done in close collaboration with the board and for the greatest good, he said following his selection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Landry said he was honored to serve the Florida university. UF has made remarkable strides over the past 10 years and is now recognized as one of the top public universities in the country, and I look forward to working with its remarkable faculty, staff and students to continue building on that momentum, he said. Landry replaces Kent Fuchs who was asked to be interim president after Sasse stepped down. Fuchs previously served as UFs president for eight years, and his interim contract expires on Sept. 1. At a Faculty Senate meeting in August, Fuchs said that the developments of the past few months made the search for a new UF president more challenging, according to the Tampa Bay Times. When Floridas Board of Governors, which oversees the states colleges and universities, voted against Ono, it shocked many in higher education circles, especially because he already won approval from UFs board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the announcement that Ono was UFs finalist was quickly met with backlash from many conservatives who deemed him too progressive for Florida. Christopher Rufo, a New College of Florida trustee and conservative firebrand, for example, called Onos selection a scandal, while Donald Trump Jr. dubbed Ono a woke psycho. During their June meeting, board of governors members grilled Ono about Michigans diversity, equity and inclusion policies and his handling of campus encampments in the wake of the October Hamas attacks in Israel before voting 10-6 to reject his appointment. Florida law bans DEI, and UF and other state universities have dismantled their programs. Monday, Rahul Patel, the UF boards vice chair, asked Landry for his perspective on DEI initiatives. Landry responded that they were vague when they first emerged, and then went too far in later years. I think we can all be thankful that government has intervened and returned us to a rational meritocracy, Landry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vote against Ono made Florida critics convinced only political candidates would be considered in the future. In the last several years, former Lieutenant Gov. Jeanette Nunez, former state lawmaker Manny Diaz Jr. and former Speaker of the Florida House Richard Corcoran have all been tapped as presidents at Florida universities and colleges. But Landrys career has been in medicine and academia. And following the boards vote Monday, Rufo called Landry a great selection in a post on X. Landry served on former President George W. Bushs Council on Bioethics and was subsequently awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2008. He graduated from Harvard University with a doctorate in organic chemistry and earned his medical degree from Columbia. The University of Floridas board of trustees unanimously selected Dr. Donald Landry to serve as interim president starting Sept. 1. Landry, an endowed professor of medicine at Columbia University, is chairperson emeritus of Columbias Department of Medicine and former physician-in-chief at New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. He was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by George W. Bush in 2009 for his diverse and pioneering research and his efforts to improve the well-being of his fellow man, and holds over 50 patents. His research has included alternative ways of harvesting stem cell lines from embroys that did not survive in vitro fertilization as opposed to human embryos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Board Chairperson Mori Hosseini highlighted the rankings and stature of Landrys department under his leadership. The pick comes after the unprecedented rejection by the state Board of Governors of the universitys pick for its next president earlier this summer. Following the move, interim president Kent Fuchs contract was extended until Sept. 1. Fuchs has served in the role since former President Ben Sasse stepped down. Landry called coming to UF the opportunity of a lifetime at a time higher education is facing crises nationwide. I come from New York City, from Columbia, he said. Ive seen the difficulties, and I watched in awe at the way the University of Florida has handled this difficult moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry said he planned to continue the culture of excellence, the respect for freedom of expression, and yet the respect of the inviolability of the right to learn and the right to teach. Its a nonpartisan organization, he said. We have a full spectrum of members, liberals to conservatives. We dont choose sides. Hosseini told Landry that UF was home to the the most Jewish students in the country and was firmly committed to being against antisemitism. The university isalso committed to free speech, he said, and asked Landry to share his perspective. Landry said he would emphasize safety and free speech, and referred to seeing actions at Columbia that emboldened students to act more recklessly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We really do need to have universities that are neutral, he said. A neutral university, paradoxically, in this nation, at this moment, would be a conservative university. ... We wouldnt choose sides. There wouldnt be constant pronouncements that divide the faculty into those who are aligned and those who are not, dividing the students. Landry said he believed the university could support a wide range of speech on topics we dislike. At a minimum, we will not allow disruption, and thats what the (UF) board did, he said. Search committee chairperson Rahul Patel asked his thoughts on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts a topic that tanked former pick Santa Onos path to the presidency when Board of Governors members expressed doubts about his stance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When DEI first emerged, it was a bit vague what it actually meant, and you could define the words to be many things, Landry said. By the time it crystallized, it was clear it had gone too far and I think we can all be thankful that government has intervened and returned us to a rational meritocracy. Landry spoke of how he increased funding for his department by 300 percent. He reorganized howresearch was done, he said, and recruited a highly coveted researcher that was part of that transformation. A series of superstar recruits led to a center that regularly brings in $20 to $30 million in research dollars, he said. I think the University of Florida is well on its way in this realm, attracting stars and building programs that are pre-eminent enough, he said. Pre-eminent programs create a pre-eminent university, and the funding will come with it. Faculty board member Luisa Amelia Dempere asked what Landry would to help retain faculty and continue to recruit top-notch faculty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry said he prided himself in prior positions for not letting people leave without a fight, and said he wished to focus on rewarding people who contribute exceptionally and continuing to explore child care options for faculty. Others askedforhis thoughts on post-tenure review, a controversial move taken by the state. Landry said he saw the review as merely a codification of existing expectations. He said he thought most faculty would likely meet standards of productivity, but said he was more interested by creativity and innovation. Productivity is important, but its not the pinnacle, he said. The selection was lauded online by the likes of Christopher Rufo, a conservative activist and New College of Florida board member. The appointment is subject to confirmation from the Board of Governors. Details of the interim contract are still in the works. The university expects to relaunch its search for a full-time president by spring 2026. The News Uganda looks set to receive the man at the center of one of the United States most controversial deportation cases, as President Donald Trumps anti-immigration drive continues. The US Department of Homeland Security on Friday notified lawyers of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, that he would be deported to Uganda in 72 hours. Abrego, 30, became a cause celebre for immigration rights activists and opponents of Trumps anti-immigration campaign after he was wrongfully deported there in March. He was returned to US custody in June and finally allowed back to his US home in Maryland last week. Uganda this month was the latest to join the small but growing number of African countries who have reached agreements with the US government to receive third country nationals deported from the US. But Ugandas foreign minister said on Aug. 21 it is a temporary arrangement with conditions including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump officials have repeatedly claimed that Abrego had been involved in criminal activity such as human smuggling, an allegation that Abregos lawyers have denied. Know More As the Trump administration ramps up deportations, it has been targeting African nations under its safe third country plan to reroute deportees to countries that are not their own. This month, Rwanda said it would accept up to 250 migrants from the US, while both South Sudan and Eswatini have accepted small numbers of deportees. Ugandas foreign minister said that his government would prefer to receive deportees from African countries. According to The New York Times, US prosecutors said that if Abrego had pleaded guilty to his charges and agreed to stay in custody until Monday, they would have sent him to Costa Rica, a Spanish-speaking country. But his lawyers declined the offer to keep him in jail beyond Friday, and the government issued its 72-hour ultimatum to deport him to Uganda. Step Back Relations between the US and the government of President Yoweri Museveni are warming up, according to the Ugandan press, after a call last week with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the first such call under the Trump administration. Kampala had fallen out with the White House under President Joe Biden after Uganda passed a harsh anti-gay law, which saw the US and other Western partners suspend aid to the country. A State Department spokesperson said Rubio opportunities to deepen US-Uganda cooperation on migration, reciprocal trade, and commercial ties. Room for Disagreement Local human rights lawyers and activists have sued Eswatinis government for making an opaque pact with the US government to accept third-country deportees, claim the move was unconstitutional. The case, which was due be heard at the High Court of Eswatini on Friday, has been postponed until Sep. 25, according to Reuters. Notable NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio (WJW) Northeast Ohio residents have a new place for medical care. University Hospitals announced Monday it was opening an urgent care facility in North Ridgeville. Baby found dead in shopping bag on Cleveland driveway The facility opened Monday morning at 34548 Center Ridge Road. Our UH Urgent Care delivery model aims to provide the most convenient and valuable care for our patients, UH Chief Operating Officer Dr. Paul Hinchey is quoted in the release. Having easy access to urgent care locations provide a more affordable option than emergency departments for patients who dont have a primary care physician but need immediate, non-life-threating medical attention. By offering more urgent care locations, we can relieve the burden on emergency departments and reduce wait times so our emergency medicine teams can focus on critical cases. Courtesy: University Hospitals Courtesy: University Hospitals Courtesy: University Hospitals The fight of his life: Bernie Kosar humbled and grateful for fan support Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new location, and all UH Urgent Care facilities, are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, with special hours on some holidays. UH Urgent Care North Ridgeville services include on-site X-ray, laceration repair, laboratory, electrocardiogram and medication dispensing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Sam Tabahriti LONDON (Reuters) -A record 28,076 migrants have crossed the Channel to Britain in small boats this year, a 46% rise on the same period in 2024, government data showed on Monday, piling pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his handling of immigration. The sharp increase comes amid mounting public concern over immigration, which is polling as the public's top concern, with anti-migrant protests continuing outside hotels housing asylum seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The record was reached on Sunday after 212 migrants arrived in four different boats that day, the data showed. The Home Office, or interior ministry, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Demonstrations took place across Britain over the weekend following a court ruling last week that ordered the removal of asylum seekers from a hotel in Epping, north-east of London, the latest flashpoint in the immigration debate. Starmer's Labour government has pledged to phase out hotel use by 2029 and to overhaul the asylum system. On Sunday it announced reforms to speed up asylum appeals and reduce a backlog of more than 100,000 cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the country's interior minister, said the changes were aimed at restoring "control and order" to a system she described as "in complete chaos". Official data last week showed asylum claims were at a record high, with more migrants being housed in hotels compared with a year ago. Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party that has topped recent surveys of voting intentions, outlined plans for "mass deportations" of migrants arriving by small boats. These would include taking Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights, barring asylum claims, and building detention centres for 24,000 people. He told The Times newspaper he would strike repatriation deals with countries such as Afghanistan and Eritrea, and arrange daily deportation flights. ($1 = 0.7417 pounds) (Reporting by Sam TabahritiEditing by Gareth Jones) (NewsNation) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked the countrys Independence Day, reminding Ukrainians that they are still fighting for freedom amid continuing efforts to end the war with Russia. President Donald Trump, among other world leaders, sent letters of support to Zelenskyy as Ukraine marked 34 years since the nation broke from the Soviet Union. Ukraine was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. The United States respects your fight, honors your sacrifices, and believes in your future as an independent nation, Trump wrote in a letter to Zelenskyy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump suggests Ukraine play offense against Russia Zelenskyy responded to that, writing, We appreciate your kind words for the Ukrainian people, and we thank the United States for standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in defending what is most valuable: independence, freedom, and guaranteed peace. Russia sanctions not off the table: Vance Despite celebrations, Ukrainians marked their Independence Day Sunday with daily drone and missile attacks from Russia amid the ongoing three-year war. Vice President JD Vance said sanctions remain an option to pressure Russia, stressing the goal is still to bring Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking Tuesday from the Oval Office, President Trump said every conversation hes had with Putin since last Monday has been a good conversation, and then unfortunately a bomb is loaded up. I think we are going to get the war done. Its tough, Trump said. I thought of the seven I settled, I thought that would be the easiest strange things happen in war. The fact that he went to Alaska, our country, I think was a big statement that he wants to get it done; that was not easy for him. Trump attacks South Korean instability ahead of meeting Trump has said he expects Russia to show progress toward peace within the next two weeks, warning hes prepared to change course if that doesnt happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Kyiv and Budapest exchanged sharp rhetoric after tensions escalated following a Ukrainian strike on Russian oil infrastructure, which disrupted flows through a critical pipeline supplying Hungary. During a press conference on Aug. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky suggested that the future of the Druzhba oil pipelinewhich delivers Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakiamay hinge on Hungary's position regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union. "We have always supported friendship between Ukraine and Hungary," Zelensky said. "The existence of 'Druzhba' depends on the position of Hungary." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky's remarks drew a sharp response from Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who accused Zelensky of threatening Hungary and its sovereignty. "We urge Volodymyr Zelensky to stop threatening Hungary and to stop risking our energy security," Szijjarto said in a statement on Facebook. In turn, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to Szijjarto's comments, urging Hungary to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. "You dont need to tell the Ukrainian President what to do or say, and when. He is the President of Ukraine, not Hungary," Sybiha wrote on X. "Hungary's energy security is in your own hands," he added. "Diversify and become independent from Russia, like the rest of Europe." The diplomatic tensions came days after Ukrainian drone strikes targeted the Nikolskoye pumping station in Russia's Tambov Oblast on Aug. 18. The attack temporarily disrupted operations on the Druzhba pipeline, halting crude oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Druzhba pipeline, one of the world's largest, carries Russian oil directly to Hungary and Slovakiathe only EU countries still buying Russian crude through the system. In July, they imported $232 million and $196 million worth of oil, respectively. Hungary has repeatedly opposed EU attempts to fully halt Russian energy imports and has threatened to block Ukraine's path to EU membership. Meanwhile, Kyiv regularly carries out attacks on military and industrial facilities in Russia, targeting Russian oil infrastructure to undermine Moscow's revenue streams and weaken its ability to wage war in Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold prisoner exchange on Independence Day Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine and Lithuania will collaborate on the manufacture of defence products, Ukraines Ministry of Defence has announced. Source: Ukraines Ministry of Defence Details: A Letter of Intent on joint defence production in Lithuania and Ukraine has been signed in Kyiv by Ukraines Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal and Lithuanias Minister of National Defence Dovile Sakaliene. Quote from Shmyhal: "Our joint focus is on initiating collaborative production initiatives, particularly in the development of long-range unmanned aerial systems. We discussed the specific prospects for industrial cooperation arising from the Letter of Intent. This document creates new opportunities for launching joint ventures, strengthening the presence of Ukrainian companies in Lithuania and promoting technology exchange." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Defence Ministry emphasised that Lithuania will continue to allocate 0.25% of its GDP for military aid to Ukraine until 2027. This is a strong signal of long-term support for Ukrainian troops, Shmyhal said. During the meeting, the defence ministers focused on the securing of additional funding for weapons procurement and the development of Ukraines defence industry. Background: At the end of July, Raimundas Vaiksnoras, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, said Lithuania plans to deploy a Ukrainian-made acoustic drone detection system. He noted that "this year has been the starting point, as we have allocated funds for the purchase". Testing and trials are expected to take place by the end of the year. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT: Tenable (NASDAQ: TENB), the exposure management company , today announced the appointment of Matthew Brown as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Brown succeeds Steve Vintz, who recently was appointed as a Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company alongside Mark Thurmond. Brown is an accomplished public company finance leader with more than two decades of experience in the technology sector. Most recently, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Altair Engineering, where he played a pivotal role in driving the companys strategic growth, delivering consistent double-digit software revenue growth and margin expansion, and ultimately helping lead its sale to Siemens for $10.7 billion. Prior to Altair, Brown held senior finance roles at NortonLifeLock, Symantec, Blue Coat, Brocade, NETGEAR, and KPMG, specialising in strategic planning, M&A, investor relations, controllership and operational excellence. Matt brings a proven track record of scaling global technology businesses, delivering operational efficiency, and driving shareholder value, said Steve Vintz, Co-CEO, Tenable. His strategic mindset, deep financial expertise, and collaborative leadership style make him the ideal partner to help Tenable accelerate growth and achieve our long-term vision. Tenable is in a prime position to lead the future of exposure management, and I couldnt be more excited to join this remarkable team, said Matthew Brown. The opportunity to pair Tenables market leadership with bold financial strategy is incredibly energising, and Im ready to help propel the company to its next chapter of growth. Brown holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California. Washington has approved the transfer of thousands of Extended Range Attack Munitions (ERAM) to Ukraine, which will provide the country with a powerful new and relatively low-cost standoff strike capability, it has been reported. However, its unclear whether Kyiv will be able to use the new weapon to strike targets deep within Russia, with unnamed U.S. officials telling the Wall Street Journal that such targets are off-limits, at least for the U.S.-donated Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). According to the WSJ, the Trump administration last week approved the sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles to Ukraine. The weapons, which have a range between 150-280 miles and are stated to be air-launched, at least initially, should start to arrive in around six weeks. Several unnamed U.S. officials told the same publication that ERAM use would require prior approval from the Pentagon, due to the fact that it could strike targets relatively deep within Russia. Artwork the U.S. Air Force has put out in the past depicting a general notional missile design. U.S. Air Force The ERAM package is said to be worth around $850 million, including undisclosed other items, with most of the funds for this coming from Ukraines European allies. The deal was delayed until after U.S. President Donald Trumps summit meetings with Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January 2024, the U.S. Air Force issued its first public contracting notice regarding ERAM, a request for information (RFI), but made no mention at that time about any connection to Ukraine. Then, in July last year, the service disclosed that Ukraine was the intended recipient of ERAM, a precision-guided air-launched standoff munition that it was poised to start developing. A request for proposals (RFP) called for proposals from 16 companies, without naming them. US approves sale of 3,350 ERAM missiles with a range of up to 450 km to Ukraine WSJ Delivery expected in six weeks. Targets must be coordinated with the Pentagon. The package costs $850 million, largely financed by European allies. pic.twitter.com/Cv8cMCq92L Jurgen Nauditt (@jurgen_nauditt) August 24, 2025 Included among those 16 companies, are CoAspire and Zone 5 Technologies. Of these, Zone 5 is also involved in the U.S. Air Forces Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV). Under this program, the service has picked four companies to build prototypes of a relatively low-cost and readily producible missile, with the aim of informing future cruise missile concepts. This is far from the first project of this kind to explore similar and related technologies. Its not clear if the Zone 5 offering for ETAM is the same as that for ETV. A rendering of the ETV design from the Zone 5 company. Zone 5 via DIU As for CoAspire, as well as ERAM, this firm is actively involved in a jointly funded U.S. Air Force and Navy project called the Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM), which has been described in very similar terms to ETV. Two candidate weapon prototypes competing for the US Air Force's Extended-Range Attack Munition program . Both Coaspire and Zone 5 Technologies were awarded contracts late last year in support of the #ERAM program. Both are expected to enter testing this year. https://t.co/9cGBuB9z3spic.twitter.com/gc3ZDtX54m AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) (@AirPowerNEW1) February 9, 2025 Once again, we dont know at this point the exact relationship between the companys ERAM and RAACM offerings, let alone whether either of CoAspire or Zone 5 will be building missiles for the Ukrainian contract. There are many other possibilities here, not least more than a dozen companies that we dont know about and that were issued an RFP. Looking at the same kind of space more broadly, it is clearly a growth area among defense contractors, both well-established ones like Lockheed Martin and relative newcomers such as Anduril and Kratos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RFP said that ERAM would be pivotal for accelerating Ukraines capability to meet warfighter needs efficiently and effectively, and provides an affordable mass weapon to be produced at scale. The Air Force added: The Government is seeking to prototype and adapt commercial autonomous modular open-architecture vehicle [sic] that can deliver affordable long-range effects. The resultant prototype will provide a platform that is mass producible. ERAM will provide the Ukrainian Air Force with an important new capacity to strike targets beyond the reach of many of the weapons currently in its arsenal, including Western-supplied precision-guided bombs. It would make Ukraine better able to hold at risk a range of Russian targets far from the front lines command-and-control facilities, logistics hubs, military-industrial capacity, and airfields, for example helping offset Russian advantages in terms of manpower, weaponry, and resources. Previously, Ukraine received Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER) and Small Diameter Bombs (SDB) from the United States, as well as French-made Hammer guided bombs. All of which can hit targets out to distances of around 40 to 45 miles, depending on the release envelope and other factors. Ukraine has also received smaller numbers of Storm Shadow cruise missiles from the United Kingdom and Italy, and functionally identical SCALP-EGs from France that have maximum ranges of around 300 miles. A Ukrainian Su-24 carrying a SCALP-EG cruise missile. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense As well as its range parameters, some other specifications for the ERAM were disclosed in the RFI. In particular, the missile will be in the 500-pound class required and will have a top speed of no less than Mach 0.6. The weapon is required to have a blast/fragmentation type with at least some degree of penetrating capability and unspecified variable fuze settings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ERAMs internal navigation system has to be capable of operating in a GPS degraded environment, the RFI continues. The weapon also needs to have a terminal Accuracy of CEP 50 w/in 10m (meaning the weapon hits within 10 meters, or around 33 feet, of the specified impact point at least 50 percent of the time) in both in non-EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) and high EMI environments (includes GPS degraded). Russian forces have reportedly been using electronic warfare systems to good effect against GPS-assisted guidance packages used on a variety of air and ground-launched munitions that Ukraine has received from the United States and other Western partners. The ability of standoff precision-guided munitions to still operate effectively in the face of heavy electronic warfare jamming is also an area of considerable interest to the U.S. military. Just as important to Ukraine are the significant numbers of missiles involved: the 3,350 ERAM rounds will go some way to helping offset the huge advances in Russian long-range precision weapons capabilities, especially the Shahed/Geran one-way attack drones. At this point in the conflict, sheer capacity is becoming critical to Ukraine to keep pressure on Russia via long-range strikes. Its unclear what aircraft the ERAM missile will be launched from, but Ukraine has adapted its Soviet-era MiG-29 Fulcrum, Su-24 Fencer, and Su-27 Flanker tactical jets to deliver Western-supplied precision ordnance. The MiG-29 and Su-27 have also been fitted with specialized pylons and tablet-based cockpit interfaces that make it easier to employ GPS-guided weapons. The Ukrainian Air Force has also received second-hand F-16s, which would be another possible candidate. It should also be noted that while publicly released answers to questions from prospective ERAM vendors have specifically discussed launch from aircraft, this might be just one mode of launch for what is already shaping up to be a highly modular weapon. An ADM-160 Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) fitted to a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 Flanker fighter. The decoy is carried on the same specially adapted underwing pylon that is used for various Western-supplied guided munitions. Ukrainian Air Force screencap Last year, Lt. Gen. Serhii Naev, commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that unspecified air-to-ground missiles with ranges of between 186 to 310 miles were expected to be provided to arm the F-16. While its possible he may have been referring to ERAM, there are other possibilities, as TWZ explored at the time. A Ukrainian Air Force F-16 returns at low altitude after attacking Russian military positions in the direction of occupied Kurakhove, in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by Andriy Dubchak/Frontliner/Getty Images Andriy Dubchak/Frontliner Another key aspect of the original RFI was the requirement that 1,000 examples of the new missile could be built within two years, for an average production output of around 42 per month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This also relates to increasing U.S. military interest in weapons, especially those with standoff range, that can be rapidly developed and then their production capacity and stockpiles scaled up, something that is seen as vital when it comes to planning around a potential future high-end conflict with China. With that in mind, ERAM should also be a very useful real-world learning opportunity for the United States. Most immediately, though, the ERAM missile helps meet Ukrainian demand for weapons that can engage targets deeper behind the front lines, reducing the launch aircrafts exposure to highly capable Russian air defenses. Potentially, depending on its propulsion system and flight profile, Ukrainian pilots might be able to launch ERAM from lower altitudes, further improving their chances of survival, and still hit targets at extended distances. For now, these details about the weapon remain unknown. A mock-up of the Powered Joint Direct Attack Munition (PJDAM), which is broadly in line with the announced ERAM requirements. Joseph Trevithick Then there is the consideration about what kinds of targets the Pentagon will allow Ukraine to go after with ERAM. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing two unnamed U.S. officials, the WSJ reports that, for months, the U.S. Department of Defense has prohibited Ukraine from using long-range missiles to strike targets deep within Russia. Since late spring, the report continues, Ukraine has been blocked from using ATACMS against targets in Russia. On at least one occasion, a Ukrainian request to use ATACMS against a target on Russian territory was rejected, the two officials said. Launch of a pair of ATACMS missiles somewhere in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/g0D38Z5ecU Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) November 19, 2024 In his final year in office, President Joe Biden finally authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS to strike objectives in Russia, starting with the Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a ground advance into Russia, before extending that authorization into other areas, according to reports. There remains some confusion here, however, since the U.S. State Department has also said that its policy on Ukraines use of long-range weapons had not changed. U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 26, 2024, in Washington, DC. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images Win McNamee The apparent policy change by the Trump administration seems to be connected to efforts to bring the Kremlin into peace talks and find a resolution to the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid the latest reports on weapons restrictions, Zelensky has talked up Ukraines ability to strike targets in Russia using domestically produced weapons. At present, honestly, we are using our long-range weapons of domestic production, Zelensky said, during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. And lately, we have not been discussing such matters with the U.S., he added. Zelenskys words follow the public unveiling of the locally produced Flamingo ground-launched long-range cruise missile last week. This weapon has a reported range of 1,864 miles (3,000 kilometers) and a powerful warhead, making it a much farther-reaching and more destructive weapon than any missile or one-way-attack drone available to Ukraine now. Efrem Lukatsky, head of the AP photo service, published a very interesting teaser: Ukrainian-made over 3,000 km range Flamingo missiles, which were launched into serial production, are seen in a workshop of one of the countrys leading Fire Point defence company in an pic.twitter.com/i1qvFDgaW4 Denis Danilov (@DenisDanilovL) August 17, 2025 Since then, Ukraine has shown off another long-range cruise missile from domestic production. This is the so-called Long Neptune, an extended-range version of the land-attack version of the Neptune anti-ship missile. Ukraine famously used Neptune missiles to sink the Russian Navys Slava class cruiser Moskva in 2022 and reportedly began developing a new land-attack version in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past, the maximum stated range of the anti-ship version of Neptune has been said to be around 190 miles (300 kilometers). A Ukrainian defense official told TWZ that the original land-attack version could have a range of up to 225 miles (360 kilometers). With its extended body having capacity for additional fuel, Zelensky has said the range of the Long Neptune is in the region of 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president says that the new version has already been tested in combat. A first official look at Ukraines other operational land attack cruise missile; the Long Neptune. The Neptune LACM reportedly has a range of roughly 1000km, and has already seen combat this year. pic.twitter.com/cPHJ5sjZlu OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 25, 2025 For the time being, its unclear to what degree Ukraine will be able to use ERAM missiles against targets deeper inside Russia. Even without that possibility, however, the new weapon will be of value to Ukraine, and its relevance also extends to the U.S. military. In addition, while the Air Force says ERAM is ostensibly for Ukraine, it is not hard to see how the service or other branches of the U.S. military might also be interested in this weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, the Pentagon is looking to develop and field weapons in this class, and domestic interest in the ERAM would not be surprising. There are, meanwhile, U.S. efforts aimed at reducing costs and speeding up large-scale production of other systems, especially uncrewed platforms, which also parallel plans to prepare missile stockpiles for any future high-end conflict, especially one against China. In the immediate future, the lower-cost, easier-to-produce ERAM should provide a significant boost to the Ukrainian Air Force. Looking further ahead, weapons like this may well be critical to the U.S. militarys potential to wage war against higher-end adversaries. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com Officials in Kyiv have reacted to an initiative by Polish President Karol Nawrocki to ban the Ukrainian red and black flag, warning of what the response might be if the Polish Sejm goes ahead with the ban. The red and black flag was historically used by the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) during the Second World War and has since become associated with Ukrainian nationalism. Source: European Pravda, citing its source Details: On Monday 25 August, Nawrocki announced a legislative initiative that would amend Polands Criminal Code to equate the "Bandera symbol" with Nazi and communist symbols. [Stepan Bandera was a Ukrainian nationalist leader who is often criticised in Poland for extremist actions during the Second World War ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are analysing the legal implications of the decisions made and their potential impact on the situation of Ukrainian citizens in Poland," a diplomatic source said. The source said Kyiv is grateful to Warsaw for all its past decisions in favour of Ukrainian citizens and believes their rights will be respected no less than in other European Union countries. "However, any politicised decisions to supposedly equate Ukrainian symbols with Nazi and communist ones could provoke an increase in negative sentiment in Ukrainian society and would require a response from the Ukrainian side," the source stressed. Background: On 14 August, Nawrocki called on the Sejm to ban the "Bandera flag" in Poland following incidents that took place during a concert by a Belarusian rapper in Warsaw. On 25 August, the Polish president also decided to veto a law on support for Ukrainian refugees who do not have jobs in Poland. Polish Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski has criticised Nawrockis stance, saying it would mean the end of Starlink internet for Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Woody Allen in 2023. - Credit: Lorena Sopena/Europa Press/Getty Images Woody Allens appearance at a Russian film festival has garnered the condemnation of Ukraines Foreign Ministry, who called the filmmakers participation a disgrace and an insult to the victims of Russias invasion of Ukraine. As The Associated Press reports, Allen made a video appearance at the Moscow International Film Week on Sunday, Aug. 24, with the footage reportedly airing on Russian state TV. Allen partook in a panel moderated by actor and director Fyodor Bondarchuk, a longtime supporter of Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared online, Ukraines Foreign Ministry said, Woody Allens participation in the Moscow International Film Week is a disgrace and an insult to the sacrifice of Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals in their ongoing war against Ukraine. They continued: By taking part in a festival that brings together Putins supporters and voices, Allen chooses to turn a blind eye to the atrocities Russia commits in Ukraine every single day for 11 years now. Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool. We strongly condemn Woody Allens decision to bless Moscows bloody festival with his address. A rep for Allen did not immediately return Rolling Stones request for comment, though the filmmaker told The AP, When it comes to the conflict in Ukraine, I believe strongly that Vladimir Putin is totally in the wrong. The war he has caused is appalling. But, whatever politicians have done, I dont feel cutting off artistic conversations is ever a good way to help. According to reports, Allens Moscow International Film Week panel found him discussing his fondness for Russian cinema and past trips to Russia and the Soviet Union. Allen also said he had only good feelings for Moscow and St. Petersburg (per Russian media), though had no plans to make a film there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allens last two films have been made in Europe with overseas financial backing. His most recent Hollywood deal, a production agreement with Amazon, was terminated over allegations that Allen had sexually abused his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was seven years old. Allen who has denied the allegations and been cleared in two investigations sued Amazon with the case settling out of court. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Ukraine will aim to each month spend at least US$1 billion received from allies on the purchase of American weapons for its war against Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Source: Zelenskyy during a briefing Details: Speaking at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Kyiv, Zelenskyy also noted that Norway could contribute to Ukraines security guarantees in matters of air defence and maritime security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Norway has joined the PURL programme, which makes it possible to purchase weapons in the United States and to fund this programme with no less than US$1 billion monthly I have already spoken about this. And today we also discussed our drone production, joint opportunities with partners, and investments that can now help not only physically, but also by compelling Russia to bring this war to an end," Zelenskyy said at the briefing. Background: In exchange for American security guarantees, Ukraine has pledged to purchase US$100 billion worth of weapons from the US using European funds and to sign a US$50 billion deal with Ukrainian companies for drone production. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect additional comments by the Trump administration's Russia envoy Steve Witkoff made on Aug. 26. Ukrainian and U.S. officials are expected to meet later this week to discuss a potential meeting between Kyiv and Moscow, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 25. In separate comments by the Trump administration's Russia envoy, Steve Witkoff, the U.S. official confirmed to Fox News on Aug. 26 that the meeting will take place in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm meeting with the Ukrainians this week. So I will be meeting with them this week in New York, and that's a big signal. We talk to the Russians every day," Witkoff told Fox News. Witkoff did not specify which officials would be in attendance for the meeting or which day it will take place. The news comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a speedy peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Following separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, Trump said that the next step would be a bilateral summit between the two leaders, which he hoped would occur in the next two weeks. Witkoff expressed optimism that ongoing talks with the Ukrainian delegation would amount to a summit between the two leaders. "I think that we may end up seeing a bilateral meeting," Witkoff told Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The envoy voiced hope that the "ingredients" for the peace deal could be found by the end of the year, "or maybe quite a bit sooner." According to Zelensky, he is also planning to discuss potential talks with the Russian side during a meeting with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg later on Aug. 25. Ukraine also expects to receive a plan on security guarantees backed by Western partners within days. "We would like to understand from the American side whether the Russians are ready and in what format for a bilateral, and eventually trilateral, meeting," Zelensky said during a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting would mark the first encounter between Zelensky and Putin since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The two leaders last met in Paris in December 2019 as part of the Normandy Format talks mediated by France and Germany. Talk preparations are being led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Witkoff, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, the Ukrainian president said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Kremlin will not accept Zelensky's signature on legal documents establishing terms for an end to Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, furthering the Russian propaganda claim that Zelensky lacks legitimacy. Read also: Its all bullsh*t Trump responds to Russias attacks on Zelenskys legitimacy Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Aug. 25: Ukraine, US to meet this week to discuss potential Zelensky-Putin talks Putin reluctant to meet Zelensky 'because he doesn't like him,' Trump says Norway pledges $8.5 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026 Ukraine seeks $1 billion a month for US weapons purchases, Zelensky says Kupiansk left without water, electricity, and gas amid Russian attacks Ukrainian and U.S. officials are expected to meet later this week to discuss a potential meeting between Kyiv and Moscow, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine. Following separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, Trump said that the next step would be a bilateral summit between the two leaders, which he hoped would occur in the next two weeks. Ukraine also expects to receive a plan on security guarantees backed by Western partners within days. "We would like to understand from the American side whether the Russians are ready and in what format for a bilateral, and eventually trilateral, meeting," Zelensky said during a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Kyiv. Read also: How Russia targets, detains and kills Ukrainian officials in occupied regions Putin reluctant to meet Zelensky 'because he doesn't like him,' Trump says Following Zelensky's comments, Trump said on Aug. 25 that Putin avoids meeting with the Ukrainian president because "he doesn't like him." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every conversation I have with him is a good conversation," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "And then, unfortunately, a bomb is loaded up into Kyiv or someplace, and then I get very angry about it. I think we're going to get the war done. It's tough Strange things happen in war." During his Aug. 25 speech, Trump made contradictory statements about the possibility of ending Russia's war against Ukraine. He said he intends to arrange a meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia but then added that it might not happen at all. "They really don't like each other," Trump added. "The one I thought would be the easiest, frankly, was Russia and Ukraine. But it turns out there are some big personality conflicts." Read also: Ukraine has upgraded its Neptune missile heres what we know Norway pledges $8.5 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026 Norway is planning to allocate $8.45 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2026, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store announced during a visit to Kyiv on Aug. 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move underscores Norways growing role in supporting Ukraines defense as Western partners move closer to finalizing security guarantees amid a push to organize a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow. Speaking about security guarantees, Store said that the most important guarantee would be to provide Ukraine with strong defense capabilities. "The key thing is for the United States to remain engaged in these discussions," he said, adding that Oslo is also involved. According to the Norwegian prime minister, Norway will take part in training Ukrainian troops and contribute to protecting Ukraines airspace by providing air defense systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news come amid a push from Ukraine's allies to hammer out postwar security guarantees for Kyiv. Read also: Putin is obstacle to peace, retired US General Petraeus says Ukraine seeks $1 billion a month for US weapons purchases, Zelensky says Ukraine aims to secure at least $1 billion a month from its allies to purchase American-made weapons as it fights off Russia's ongoing invasion, Zelensky said on Aug. 25. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Zelensky said Norway had joined NATO's Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) program, which allows participating nations to buy weapons from the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our goal is to fill this program with no less than $1 billion every month," Zelensky said. "We also discussed our domestic drone production and joint opportunities with partners. Investments now can help not only physically but also force Russia to end this war." Zelensky added that more Ukrainian-made drones for air defense and long-range strikes would increase pressure on Moscow, as it continues to disregard calls for a ceasefire. Ukraine's request comes as Kyiv seeks to anchor long-term U.S. security guarantees through a major arms procurement deal. Zelensky said on Aug. 18, Ukraine had proposed buying $90 billion worth of U.S. weapons financed largely by European partners as the second pillar of its security framework, alongside building a strong domestic army and expanding drone production. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Analysis: Why JD Vance is very wrong about Russian concessions in Ukraine peace talks Kupiansk left without water, electricity, and gas amid Russian attacks Residents of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine remain without electricity, gas, and running water as Russian attacks continue, Andriy Besedin, head of the Kupiansk city military-civil administration, said on Aug. 25. About 1,800 civilians remain in the city, according to Besedin. Kupiansk, home to about 30,000 people before the all-out war, has been on the front lines of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. Besedin told Novyny.LIVE that daily attacks with guided bombs, artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, and FPV (first-person-view) drones have destroyed critical infrastructure and prevented the delivery of humanitarian aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Unfortunately, today there is no electricity, gas, or water in Kupiansk, and restoration is impossible due to the intensity of the shelling and the destruction caused by (Russian troops) every day," Besedin said. Conditions are especially dire on the city's right bank, where 870 residents are trapped with almost no basic services. "They are living in nearly inhumane conditions. We cannot provide any administrative or social services there," Besedin said. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the participation of American film director Woody Allen in Moscow International Film Week. Source: a statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Quote: "Ukraines Foreign Ministry strongly condemns the participation of American director Woody Allen in Moscow International Film Week. This is a disgrace and an insult to the memory of the Ukrainian actors and filmmakers who have been killed or injured by Russian war criminals during Russias aggression against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By taking part in a festival that brings together Putins supporters and mouthpieces, Allen is deliberately turning a blind eye to the atrocities that Russia has been committing in Ukraine every day for 11 years." Background: Russian media reported that on 24 August, Allen took part in a videoconference as part of Moscow International Film Week in which he reflected on the future of cinema in light of the development of artificial intelligence. He also said that he has always liked Russian cinema. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Guardian has reported that last November, Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office, visited London to meet Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and current ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, and suggested he join President Volodymyr Zelenskyys team before future elections. Zaluzhnyi declined. Source: The Guardian, citing several unnamed sources close to Zaluzhnyi, as well as political insiders, diplomats and other people familiar with the matter Quote: "No election is scheduled in Ukraine, with voting legally and technically impossible while the country is at war... But everyone in Ukraine knows that sooner or later, politics will return. And when that happens, polling suggests that Zaluzhnyi, who led the successful repelling of the Russian onslaught at the beginning of the war, is the only candidate who would pose a serious threat to Zelenskyy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Guardian notes that Zaluzhnyi has never publicly stated any political ambitions and rejects almost all requests for interviews. "His team carefully manages his public appearances in London to avoid events where awkward questions could be asked," the newspaper says. However, according to The Guardian, a steady stream of political pilgrims has been arriving at the Ukrainian embassy, housed in a mansion near Holland Park in west London, to offer their assistance, show support, or try to determine whether the general plans to run for office. The newspaper also notes that, alongside Ukrainian MPs, civil society activists, and business representatives, Zaluzhnyi was visited by former Donald Trump adviser Paul Manafort, who offered his services as a political consultant for any future election campaign. The Guardian reports that Zaluzhnyi declined the offer. According to the newspaper, one of Zaluzhnyis visitors was Andrii Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office. A source told The Guardian that at a meeting last November, Yermak proposed that Zaluzhnyi formally join Zelenskyys political team to present a united front before future elections. Zaluzhnyi, however, declined the offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, sources told The Guardian that Zaluzhnyi promised Yermak he would not publicly criticise Zelenskyy while the war continues and assured him he would not create any unwelcome surprises for the Presidents Office. "If I do decide I want to go into politics, you will hear it from me first, privately," Zaluzhnyi told Yermak, as reported by The Guardian. Background: In February 2025, Zaluzhnyi neither confirmed nor denied that he would run for president, saying the matter would only become relevant once Ukrainian statehood is no longer under threat. A new poll has found that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would receive the highest number of votes in the next presidential election, while a hypothetical "Zaluzhnyi Party" would attract the most support in a parliamentary vote. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The Slavic Refugee and Immigrant Services hosted a celebration to mark Ukraines Independence Day on Sunday. The event was held at Liberty Station and about 400 Ukrainian families registered. The nonprofit helps provide resources, shelter, food and jobs to Ukrainian refugees. Its so hard and painful, we left our house and never went back for almost three years, said one couple whos been hosted by an Eastlake family for about three years. Ramona post office could soon honor a champion boxer Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gathering included food, music, face painting and more to bring together Ukrainian families. The event comes about a week after President Trump and President Zelenskyy met in Washington D.C. For newly arriving Ukrainians, the day represents a powerful reminder of hope and resilience. Just pray, I think we have to pray for peace in our world, said Pastor Riley McRae. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ukraine's Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal has met with Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, on Monday 25 August. Source: Shmyhal on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda Details: Shmyhal said that Lieutenant General Andrii Hnatov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, provided the US delegation with a detailed analysis of Russias plans and the situation on the front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister informed the delegation about Ukraines defence priorities. Shmyhal and Kellogg also discussed the creation of reliable security guarantees that would prevent new aggression against Ukraine in the future. Work on such guarantees is being carried out in close cooperation with partners. In addition, the officials discussed preparations for the signing of an agreement between the presidents of Ukraine and the US regarding the production and sale of drones. The relevant documents were handed over to the US side during the meeting. Background: On the same day, Kellogg said that diplomatic work on security guarantees for Ukraine is ongoing and very complex. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a meeting between Ukrainian and US teams at the end of this week to discuss the prospects for future talks between Ukraine and Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! His evidence is that Donald Trump had a light public schedule a couple of days after this flurry of in-person, high-stakes diplomacy. This would be little like a critic of Charles Lindbergh accusing the landmark aviator of being a layabout because, after landing in Paris upon the completion of his historic trans-Atlantic flight, he didn't do anything except sleep at the American ambassador's residence. According to O'Donnell, Trump's absence might have been because he couldn't stand up for very long or speak coherently. Apparently, he believes Trump after Alaska was basically in the same condition as an exhausted, very ill FDR after Yalta. Perhaps the secretly enfeebled Trump is going to be the next big anti-Trump fantasy, replacing the notion from the first term that he must be a quasi-Russian agent. There's already a cottage industry in anti-Trump opinion pieces raising the alarm about the president's alleged decline, and Democrats made a serious, if abortive, attempt to make Trump's age an issue in the 2024 campaign. A Washington Post piece retailing this line of attack during the election wondered: "The man who would (once again) be the oldest president in history has reportedly scaled back his campaign due to fatigue. So who would run his White House?" It'd be better if Trump were 49 years-old instead of 79, but of all the criticisms to make of him, that he's frail and easily fatigued is the most preposterous. It was clearly a lie when then-White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she had trouble keeping up with Joe Biden. But would anyone be surprised if Trump aides half his age really did find it difficult keeping his pace? There's the late-night social media posts, the never-ending interactions with the media, the constant stream of incoming and outgoing phone calls, the attention to matters large (trade deals) and small (a new White House patio) and, above all, the ceaseless effort to impose his will on our domestic politics and, literally, the world. Trump must be our most relentlessly high-spirited president since Teddy Roosevelt, who was inaugurated as the youngest president whereas Trump was inaugurated as the oldest. Alice Roosevelt famously said, "My father always wanted to be the corpse at every funeral, the bride at every wedding and the baby at every christening." Trump surely would have been determined to try to push aside the Rough Rider at the coffin, alter, or fount. Trump was the instigator of the high-stakes diplomacy with Putin and the Europeans, and displayed in his session with our allies a sense of personal command -- making the Europeans play by his rules -- that had many commentators comparing his counterparts to schoolchildren. Anyone who thinks Trump is decrepit must believe the opposite of the famous "Saturday Night Live" sketch that depicted Ronald Reagan as an amiable dunce in public but a ruthless mastermind behind the scenes. Trump, to the contrary, must be pretending to be a dynamo in public, while in private he retires to a rocking chair and dozes offs while watching "The Price is Right." The irony is that the same people who looked away from, or lied about, Biden's decline are desperate to insist Trump is in the same reduced state. But Biden's struggles were plain for everyone to see, while his White House undertook measures to protect him and minimize his public exposure. Whatever Trump is doing, it certainly isn't hiding, or deferring to others. He may not be in the prime of his life, but he's at the apex of his power and his ability to command attention, and he's taking advantage of both with an obvious zest and boundless energy. (COMMENT, BELOW) A passenger plane carrying Russians en route to St. Petersburg was forced to make an emergency landing in Estonia early on Aug. 24 due to a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia, the Postimees newspaper reported. "The aircraft was rerouted to land in Tallinn, as it could not land at Pulkovo Airport due to a temporary closure," said Margot Holts, Head of Communications and Marketing at Tallinn Airport. Overnight on Aug. 24, Ukrainian drones struck a gas terminal in Russia's Leningrad Oblast and an oil refinery in Samara Oblast. A source in Ukraines Security Service (SBU) confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the agency was behind the attack on the liquefied natural gas terminal in Leningrad Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft, operated by Egyptian carrier AlMasria Universal Airlines, had departed from Sharm El Sheikh and landed in Tallinn at 5:33 a.m. local time. It was able to continue its journey to St. Petersburg nearly six hours later. According to Holts, passengers and crew were not permitted to leave the plane during its time at Tallinn Airport. Kyiv's drone campaign, which has increasingly disrupted civilian air travel in Russia, is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to undermine Russia's logistics far beyond the front line. In the first months of 2025, Ukrainian drone attacks reportedly forced Russia to suspend airport operations over 200 times, a record number since the start of the full-scale war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine strikes long-range with own weapons without coordinating with US, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has described Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrovs statements about the alleged illegitimacy of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as absurd, pointing out that in Russia, the head of state has not changed for over 25 years. Source: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Telegram Quote: "There is nothing more absurd than a lecture on legitimacy from a person who has sat in his chair for 21 years, serving someone who has ruled for more than 25 years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: He added that Lavrov himself has "no legitimacy whatsoever" to speak about legitimacy. "Such unfounded statements demonstrate that Russia rejects peaceful efforts," Sybiha insisted. Why it matters: According to the Ukrainian Constitution, the next presidential elections were scheduled for March 2024. However, the law on martial law prohibits any elections in Ukraine during this period. Vladimir Putin has been "elected president" of Russia five times. In reality, he has been in power since 2000 (with Dmitry Medvedev serving as president from 2008 to 2012 as Putins proxy). All so-called elections in Russia have been accompanied by falsifications and persecution of the opposition. [N.B. Ukrainska Pravda does not recognise Putin as president ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy supposedly lacks the legitimacy required to sign legal documents with the aggressor country. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russia continues to hold 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers in captivity. Source: Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) Committee on Freedom of Speech on Facebook Quote from the committee: "Another 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers remain in Russian captivity. We call on the international community to continue to put pressure on Russia only publicity and persistent fighting will bring closer the day when all Ukrainians will return home." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Institute of Mass Information (IMI) lists 26 civilian journalists and one media worker combatant in captivity. The IMI has information that some of them have been in prison on trumped-up charges since 2016. On 24 August, Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Khyliuk was brought back to Ukraine as part of a prisoner of war exchange. He was abducted by Russian forces in Kyiv Oblast in 2022 and held in detention for more than three years. Dmytro endured torture and significant weight loss. His last place of imprisonment was a penal colony in Pakino, Russia, which is notorious for its harsh conditions for Ukrainian captives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Journalist Mark Kaliush, who was abducted in Melitopol in 2023 along with six colleagues, was also released in the recent exchange. He was one of the administrators of the Telegram channels RIA-Melitopol and Melitopol is Ukraine. The Russians accused him of "planning a terrorist attack". They later released him from prison and sent him for forced psychiatric "treatment", supposedly for schizophrenia. Background: The IMI says over 840 Russian crimes against media representatives have been recorded in Ukraine since the start of Russias full-scale war, including the killing of 108 journalists. Among those tortured to death in captivity was journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who investigated the abduction and torture of civilians by Russian forces in occupied territories. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Ukrainian and US teams will meet at the end of the week to discuss the prospects for future talks between Ukraine and Russia. Source: Interfax-Ukraine, citing Zelenskyy at a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Kyiv on 25 August Quote: "Today there will be a meeting with [Keith] Kellogg to continue discussing this topic, as part of preparations for a possible future meeting with the Russian side. At the end of the week there will be a meeting between the Ukrainian team and the US team so the people you mentioned, or some of them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy said there would be "a great deal of work" over the course of the week. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) A Bronx teachers aide has been accused of possessing and transporting child pornography, according to Homeland Security Investigations. Immigration agents stopped 47-year-old Alejandro Santos, who worked for the New York City Department of Education for 23 years, inside John F. Kennedy International Airport on July 15 after he returned from the Dominican Republic. Santos cellphone allegedly contained thousands of photos and videos of child sex abuse material, according to HSI. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This alleged behavior is extremely concerning and unacceptable. This employee was suspended immediately following their arrest, and if convicted, we will pursue termination, the New York City DOE told PIX11 News in a statement. Santos was employed at a public school in the Bronx for children with disabilities, according to authorities. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The details of Alejandro Santos alleged crimes against children are among every parents worst nightmare. This defendant worked closely with young kids nearly every day over the course of 23 years, HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel previously said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who may have information about Santos and the charges hes accused of is urged to contact HSI New York at hsinyhumanexploitation@hsi.dhs.gov. If convicted, Santos could face 20 years in prison. 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. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) fired back at pressure from President Donald Trump in a series of posts on social media on Monday. Grassley shielded himself from criticism on X after Trump slammed the senators defense of the century-old blue slip practice, which allows home-state senators to approve or reject district court and U.S. attorney nominees. Trump, who has been demanding Grassley for weeks to abandon the tradition, on Sunday had blasted the custom, framing it as an affront to his appointment power. He also claimed that his constitutional authority has been completely taken away from me in States that have just one Democrat United States Senator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because of an old and outdated custom known as a BLUE SLIP, that Senator Chuck Grassley, of the Great State of Iowa, refuses to overturn, even though the Democrats, including Crooked Joe Biden (Twice!), have done so on numerous occasions. Therefore, the only candidates that I can get confirmed for these most important positions are, believe it or not, Democrats! Trump wrote about the Senates president pro tempore on his Truth Social platform. Chuck Grassley should allow strong Republican candidates to ascend to these very vital and powerful roles, and tell the Democrats, as they often tell us, to go to HELL! he continued. Grassley, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, responded to Trumps claims in several posts, suggesting that he isnt budging on his belief. A U.S. Atty/district judge nominee without a blue slip does not [have] the votes to get confirmed on the Senate floor & they dont [have] the votes to get out of [committee], Grassley first wrote, adding As chairman I set Pres Trump noms up for SUCCESS NOT FAILURE. A U.S. Atty/district judge nominee without a blue slip does not hv the votes to get confirmed on the Senate floor & they dont hv the votes to get out of cmte As chairman I set Pres Trump noms up for SUCCESS NOT FAILURE Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) August 25, 2025 In a separate post, Grassley added: The 100 yr old blue slip allows home state senators 2 [have] input on US attys & district court judges. In Biden admin Republicans kept 30 LIBERALS OFF BENCH THAT PRES TRUMP CAN NOW FILL W CONSERVATIVES. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exchange comes as a federal judge ruled last week that Alina Habba, the presidents pick to serve as New Jerseys U.S. Attorney, has been unlawfully serving in the position. The court found that Habbas appointment violated federal law governing temporary appointments to Senate-confirmed positions, with Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim opposing her nomination to a full term. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department will immediately appeal the ruling. Habba herself also sharply criticized the decision, arguing on Fox News that We will not fall to rogue judges. I am the pick of the president. I am the pick of Pam Bondi, our attorney general. And I will serve this country like I have for the last several years in any capacity, Habba said during an appearance on Hannity. And frankly, same with Sen. Grassley by holding up a traditional blue slip, not a law, and not allowing a lot of the presidents picks to go through and be voted on by Senate. I didnt even get to that point, she added. We will immediately appeal. @USAttyHabba is doing incredible work in New Jersey and we will protect her position from activist judicial attacks.https://t.co/BSBlYPcGy6 Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 21, 2025 In another post, Grassley referenced that Habba was withdrawn as Trumps nominee on July 24, noting that the committee never received any of the paperwork needed for the Senate to vet her nomination. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The situation surrounding ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore just keeps getting worse. Michigan fired Moore after two seasons because he had an "inappropriate relationship with a staff member." Hours later it was revealed that he's in custody as a suspect in an alleged assault. The Washtenaw County ... In August 2025, a rumor spread that U.S. President Donald Trump had ordered the deployment of the National Guard to 19 states. For example, a post on X described this alleged move as something similar to what Nazi leader Adolf Hitler did in Germany (archived): Donald Trump is putting the National Guard in 19 states. This can be stopped by the Senators. Senators you have more power than Donald Trump so f*ck*ng use it. Trump is doing just what Hitler did to Germany. Todd B (@John_Beckham14) August 23, 2025 This post had gained 168,000 views and 10,000 likes as of this writing. More posts on X claimed the same thing, as well as on Reddit. Further, several Snopes readers searched the website seeking to confirm the veracity of the claim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, several news reports by various news outlets, including the right-leaning Fox News, centrist News Nation and U.K.-based, left-leaning The Guardian, published reports on the matter. In fact, the claim stemmed from a Fox News investigation that 1,700 National Guard troops would be deployed to 19 states to support deportation efforts by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The news network said it had seen documents detailing the plan, including a list of states to which the troops would be deployed: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming. The report added that the operation would take place from August to November 2025. These were not part of the same crackdown on crime that motivated the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., in August, Fox News said. Indeed, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced on July 25, 2025, that it would deploy 1,700 National Guard troops to support the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) effort to deport immigrants: The Department of Defense announced today a change in the duty status of military personnel supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in its immigration law enforcement mission. Personnel will transition from Title 10 to Title 32 status. This change affects the 1,200 service members currently authorized for the mission and includes an additional 500 newly authorized personnel, bringing the total DoD support to approximately 1,700 troops. (...) As part of this transition, Title 10 personnel from the Marine Corps and Naval Reserve who have been providing invaluable support will return to their home stations. National Guard members, in a Title 32 status, will seamlessly take over these vital mission roles to ensure continuity of support and operations. This ongoing support, provided in response to a May 9, 2025 request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security includes case management, transportation and logistical support, and clerical support for the in- and out-processing of illegal aliens at ICE detention facilities. However, the announcement did not include a list of states. A DOD official reportedly confirmed the list to News Nation. While DOD told Snopes in an email it would not provide more details, we contacted the National Guard seeking independent confirmation of this list and will update this report should they respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for crackdowns on crime (as opposed to deportations), on Aug. 22, 2025 Trump announced that Chicago may be the next city to which he might send military troops, followed by New York: "So, I think Chicago will be next and then we'll help with New York," Trump said. Later in this announcement, he added San Francisco to the list, saying "we can clean that up too." None of these cities was in the states mentioned above. Asked directly to confirm that these crime crackdown plans had nothing to do with the DOD plan to support ICE, a White House spokesperson repeatedly referred to the July 2025 DOD announcement, indicating that crime crackdown efforts were separate from ICE support. Sources: "Allsides | News Nation." Webpkgcache.com, 2025, www-allsides-com.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/www.allsides.com/news-source/newsnation-media-bias. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNBC Television. "President Trump Makes an Announcement 8/22/2025." YouTube, 22 Aug. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQtQQHBVQBI. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025. Dorgan,Jacqui, Michael. "National Guard Rollout in 19 States Not Linked to Trump's Crime Crackdown, WH Says." Fox News, 23 Aug. 2025, www.foxnews.com/us/national-guard-roll-out-19-states-not-linked-trumps-crime-crackdown-wh-says. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025. Fischer-Espitallier, Andrew, et al. "1,700 National Guard Troops to Be 'Force Multiplier' for ICE: Homan." NewsNation, 23 Aug. 2025, www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/military/1700-troops-to-assist-ice-in-19-states/. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025. Luscombe, Richard. "Trump 'Manufactured Crisis' to Justify Plan to Send National Guard to Chicago, Leading Democrat Says." The Guardian, The Guardian, 24 Aug. 2025, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/24/trump-national-guard-chicago-hakeem-jeffries. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025. Parnell, Sean. "Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell on DOD Personnel Support to ICE." U.S. Department of Defense, 25 July 2025, www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4256444/statement-by-chief-pentagon-spokesman-sean-parnell-on-dod-personnel-support-to/. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025. Hundreds of community members held a vigil on Devereux Beach Sunday night, surrounding the family of 13-year-old Savannah Gatchell, who was killed in a car crash Tuesday morning. Family, neighbors, friends, classmates, and more were led by local faith leaders in prayer around pictures of the Marblehead student. The tearful tribute ended with those close to Gatchell releasing flowers into the ocean. Its just an unspeakable tragedy, said Diana Aniello, the parent of one of Gatchells classmates. We can only learn from these things and move forward. Katie Cooper, Gatchells neighbor, added, We need to put all of our differences aside, and just love this family so much because Savannah is an angel to so many people... Just love hard, because thats the only solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Essex County District Attorneys office said a 16-year-old boy was arraigned on Wednesday. He faces charges including motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and OUI. Their office is still investigating the incident. Marblehead schools are back in session this Wednesday. The district told Boston 25 last week that theyd have additional resources on hand for students. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) A center in the Upstate serving individuals in the LGBTQ+ community is asking for the publics help to advance their mission. Uplift Outreach Center in Spartanburg serves more than 300 young people who identify as LGBTQ across ten counties in the Upstate, according to program director, Jodi Snyder. Snyder told 7NEWS a lot of the individuals who visit the center are struggling. You know, and I think its important to know that the adults are here, but like, were not here to tell them what to do, Snyder explained. Were not here to censor them. We are here to support them and give them resources and show them that there are safe adults in their corner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snyder said some local resources that helped the teens deal with issues like bullying and suicidal thoughts are no longer available due to federal funding cuts. Snyder wants to offset that by expanding the hours teens can meet at the Uplift Outreach Center, and by adding staff. The center is accepting donations. Snyder said the center is a safe haven for LGBTQ+ youth, offering mental health services, in addition to support with harm reduction, drug abuse prevention and financial literacy. Its incredibly important, Snyder said. We are the sole organization that is dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth in all ten counties. So, in the Upstate, its a lot. You know, our counties are vast and so were not even scratching the surface of people who, you know, who are even here or having youth be able to, you know, get our services. Snyder also said the center is currently planning its queer prom for the fall and needs volunteers. Her goal is to have new hours and more staff in place by January 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) History was brought to life in Gaffney over the weekend as an organization marked the anniversary of a colonial mission during the American Revolution with live reenactments. The event in Gaffney held by Cherokee 250 highlighted the ongoing efforts to honor South Carolinas contributions to the American Revolution. The family-friendly event featured reenactments of patriots, loyalists and settlers. A guided bus tour took attendees to the key Revolutionary War sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our local Cherokee came together, and we decided this would be the first major event to commemorate the happenings in August 1775, said event coordinator Erica Evett-Lipsey. Evett-Lipsey said the event is part of a statewide initiative celebrating South Carolinas role in the American Revolution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. The Environmental Protection Agency has scrapped plans to address nitrate pollution in seven river segments providing drinking water to Iowa residents. Community advocate Jenny Turner, president of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Board, called the decision "an affront to the health and well-being of Iowans," as reported by the Iowa Capital Dispatch and the Des Moines Register. What's happening? In November, the EPA added seven segments in the Cedar River, Des Moines River, Iowa River, Raccoon River, and South Skunk River to the state's 2024 list of impaired waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opposed the move as unrepresentative of water quality in the Hawkeye State, arguing the evaluation included a narrow set of data, according to the Iowa Environmental Council. It also pushed back on the designation because the EPA doesn't list nitrates as toxic merely stating that they can have "toxic effects." In July, the EPA reached out to the DNR to indicate it was rescinding its decision to add the Iowa river segments to the impaired list. A DNR spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Why is this important? Imbalanced waterways can have deadly consequences. While nitrates are naturally occurring essential compounds and aren't inherently harmful, having too much nitrate in one's body can make it more difficult for red blood cells to carry oxygen, as the EPA explains. Infants are particularly vulnerable and may develop the rare but sometimes fatal "baby blue syndrome." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Iowa, carefully managing nitrates is crucial because the state's economy depends heavily on agriculture, with extensive use of fertilizers and animal manure causing an overabundance of these compounds in the environment, according to the Iowa Environmental Council. IEC senior attorney Michael Schmidt told the Des Moines Register that the EPA's reversal was unusual and "definitely runs counter to the public's interest." What's being done about this? Globally, numerous organizations are working toward a cleaner, healthier future. IEC is one of the groups rallying around Iowans who expressed concerns about nitrate contamination in their drinking water during the EPA's period of public comment. "This action undermines the public process and the public trust in the agencies charged with keeping our water clean. The public already had opportunity to comment and overwhelmingly supported the listing that reflected real-life conditions in these rivers," Schmidt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We call on EPA and DNR to engage in a public process and bring Iowans together to address nitrate concerns that threaten the health and economic wellbeing of people across Iowa, rather than taking action behind closed doors," he added. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The U.S. Coast Guard offloaded 76,140 pounds of illicit narcotics on Monday, the largest single illegal drug dump in Coast Guard history. The illegal narcotics surrendered by the Coast Guard cutter Hamilton in Port Everglades are valued at $473 million, according to a statement from the Coast Guard. This combined illegal narcotics offload prevented the maritime flow of approximately 23 million potential lethal doses from reaching the United States, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest Coast Guard offload prior to Monday was in 2021 when the Coast Guard Cutter James crew offloaded 61,130 pounds of illicit drugs. The latest seized contraband was the result of 19 interdictions in international waters of the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific. Cocaine accounted for the vast majority of the illicit narcotics, which also included marijuana. Multiple Coast Guard cutter interdictions contributed to the catch, along with Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment crews deployed aboard the Royal Netherlands Navy ship HNLMS Friesland, the American Navy destroyer USS Cole and the Navy littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis Saint-Paul. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a Coast Guard law enforcement team is aboard a Navy ship when potential drug smugglers or migrant traffickers are identified at sea, the Coast Guard team can raise its ensign to create whats commonly referred to as a title shift, granting the ship authorities under Title 14 to carry out law enforcement activities ranging from inquiries, examinations, searches, seizures and arrests. The Coast Guard regularly deploys LEDETs aboard both U.S. and allied vessels, and is responsible for interdicting drug trafficking vessels - including fast boats, fishing and semisubmersible vessels - transporting illegal narcotics at sea. The Coast Guard typically focuses on interdicting cocaine shipments, which drug trafficking organizations commonly transport using maritime routes. Operation Pacific Viper Since Jan. 20, the Coast Guard says it has tripled its operational presence to better secure Americas maritime borders, territorial integrity and sovereignty. Last week the Department of Homeland Security announced the Coast Guards launch of Operation Pacific Viper to further surge forces to the eastern Pacific. Many of the recent drug seizures made during Pacific Viper thus far have been large quantities of cocaine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guard is deploying additional counter drug force packages which include major cutters, specialized sniper equipped helicopters from the Coast Guards Helicopter Interdiction Squadron (HITRON), law enforcement boarding teams, and long-range patrol aircraft, Coast Guard spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Steve Roth told Military Times. The operation is the latest in a series of bids to use U.S. maritime power to counteract drug trafficking at sea. In March, U.S. Navy destroyers carrying Coast Guard LEDETs were deployed to the southern border as a deterrent to smugglers seeking alternative routes to moving illicit shipments over the border from Mexico, which is becoming more impassable due to increased U.S. military presence. In the wake of US envoy Thomas Barrack and Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus visiting Israel, Beirut may feel that the US is growing in its serious desire to see real action. US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack and Deputy Special Envoy Morgan Ortagus arrived in Israel on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Monday, Lebanese media reported that Ortagus had arrived in Lebanon. The regional trip is important because it comes as Lebanons government has said it is trying to disarm various groups. At the top of the list of groups that need to be disarmed in Lebanon is Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is seen as a huge challenge, however, and Beirut has preferred low-hanging fruit. Beirut has tried to disarm Palestinian groups first. Hezbollah has hinted at civil war if the government tries to take its arms. Pressure may be building on Lebanon now. In the wake of Barrack and Ortagus visiting Israel, Beirut may feel that the US increasingly wants progress in its serious desire to see real action. London-based The Arab Weekly characterized Ortaguss return to the scene in Lebanon as important. She has the background that matters, it reported. People carry flags as they gather during the burial of late Hezbollah leader Hashem Safieddine who was killed during Israeli airstrikes last year, in Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, southern Lebanon February 24, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/THAIER AL-SUDANI) That knowledge is precisely why her return matters, the report said. Lebanese leaders thrive on ambiguity, on exhausting new envoys with a maze of committees, statements and staged dialogue. Ortagus is not new to this. She has already rattled the system once, and her reappearance signals she is ready to do so again, this time with Barrack as the public face and herself as the watchful enforcer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, US Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois) has visited Lebanon, Lebanons pro-Hezbollah Al-Akhbar newspaper reported. He came with a delegation that included Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee). LaHood is the co-chair of the US-Lebanon Friendship Caucus and praised the election of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in January. Congressman Darin LaHood praised the governments measures to restrict the possession of weapons by the state and implement judicial and financial reforms, Al-Akhbar reported Monday. He said, These steps contribute to restoring the international communitys confidence in Lebanon. LaHood and Cohen met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in the presence of the US ambassador, National News Agency (NNA) of Lebanon reported. They also met with Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal on Saturday. The role of UNIFIL within Lebanon The essential role of the United Nations Interim Force in South Lebanon (UNIFIL) was also emphasized in light of the exceptional circumstances and challenges facing Lebanon, NNA reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Salam spoke to the US members of congress about the essential role of the Lebanese Army and also about UNIFIL, the report said. Salam stressed the necessity of Israel respecting Lebanons sovereignty and withdrawing from the occupied territories, adding that this will enable the army to complete its deployment, cease its hostile actions, and release prisoners, paving the way for the beginning of the process of reconstruction and recovery. The Lebanese Army is the army of all Lebanese, and supporting it constitutes a fundamental pillar for enhancing security, Salam was quoted as saying. Hezbollah and the Shiite Amal movement are calling for protests in Lebanon against disarmament. The Amal Movements Central Labor Bureau and Hezbollahs Central Union of Trade Unions and Workers called on Lebanons honorable workers, producers, and unionists to gather at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday in Riad al-Solh Square, in denunciation of the two government decisions issued on August 5 and 7, 2025, referring to the governments decision to task the army with preparing a disarmament plan, Al-Akhbar reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement by the groups noted that this stand is an affirmation of our right to preserve our weapons, which have proven their ability to break the back of the enemy, and our right to resist the Israeli enemy, which is violating our land, occupying part of it, and restricting our freedom. It is one thing for the government of Lebanon to vow to disarm groups, but the proof will be whether it can actually collect the arms. Ultimately, it is not enough to trust Beirut; verification will be needed. So far, Beirut has not collected any arms from Hezbollah. US troops patrolling the countrys capital as part of President Donald Trumps crackdown on crime began carrying weapons, while the administration mulled deploying the military to other major American cities. The White House has insisted soldiers were necessary to help overstretched local law enforcement, but critics have retorted that the president is solely targeting Democrat-controlled cities in order to punish opponents: Trump threatened similar measures against Baltimore and promised help with New York, while The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon is planning a military deployment to Chicago. The Washington, DC, deployment has so far been the most expansive, with thousands of National Guard troops patrolling the city, many of them now armed with handguns and rifles. Americas jobs market is bracing for a Trump slump as the presidents tariffs and immigration crackdown hammer businesses, economists have warned. Over the next year, the US economy will add just 690,000 new jobs 64pc less than the 1.9 million added across 2024 before Donald Trump took office, according to a forecast by Capital Economics. Bradley Saunders, an economist at the consultancy, said: Outside of the pandemic, the last time jobs growth was this low over a 12-month period was during the recession caused by the global financial crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jobs growth of 690,000 would roughly match the 687,000 recorded more than a decade ago in 2010, when the US economy was still reeling from the credit crunch. James Knightley, chief international economist at ING, said: Trumps policies have contributed to a further deterioration in the labour market that was already underway. Certainly the numbers have been coming in much weaker since hes come into office. His policies have created a big headwind to growth and a big headwind to consumer and business sentiment. When youve got uncertainty, companies just naturally pull back on their hiring. Americas jobs numbers have proved a sore point for Mr Trump. He sacked Erika McEntarfer, the head of the Bureau of Labour Statistics (BLS), at the start of August after the agency published massive downward revisions in the jobs numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across 2024, monthly jobs growth averaged 161,000. The latest BLS figures showed that from May to July, monthly jobs growth was less than a quarter of this, at just 35,000. Recession territory Mr Trump claimed that the numbers were RIGGED in order to make the Republicans, and ME, look bad. But there is clear evidence that Mr Trumps radical economic agenda is hitting the US economy. Since Mr Trump won the election in November, the net share of Americans who expect unemployment will rise has nearly quadrupled, rising from 13pc to 49pc, according to the University of Michigans sentiment index. The reading has only been this high in five periods since 1978. The last time was during the global financial crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Knightley said: Historically, this is consistent with private payrolls falling perhaps 200,000 per month, which is recession territory. The index is a key lead indicator for joblessness because it reflects what people can see and feel in their workplaces before it starts showing up in the numbers, Mr Knightley said. Workers notice when there is a hiring freeze or when a couple of people are fired and they start to fear broader action is coming, and unfortunately it typically does. There were already weaknesses in the US jobs market before Mr Trump swept to power. Some 90pc of the jobs growth recorded in the US over the past two and a half years has been concentrated in just three sectors: health and education, government, and leisure and hospitality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means there were very limited gains in the traditional engines of a healthy economy, such as technology or manufacturing. But Mr Trumps key economic policies will now directly hammer these three key engines of jobs growth. Sweeping government cuts put in place by Mr Trumps department of government efficiency have also hit federal jobs. Massive cuts to Americas Medicaid public health insurance programme in Mr Trumps latest spending bill threaten the healthcare sector, while leisure and hospitality is vulnerable to the slowdown in consumer spending that is already apparent. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -A U.S. railroad industry plan to rely more heavily on technology instead of humans to conduct routine track safety inspections has drawn a backlash from labor groups and lawmakers who voiced worry that automated inspections will result in more accidents. The dispute reflects simmering tensions in the global transport industry over the rise of automation. Also, U.S. President Donald Trump wants to slash regulations he says are holding back economic growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Association of American Railroads (AAR) in April requested a waiver from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that would allow freight railroads that use automation to slash the frequency of human-conducted track inspections by 75%. If approved, the waiver would allow operators employing a so-called "track geometry measurement system" (TGMS), which can be attached to rail cars and spot derailment risks like tracks that are warped or too far apart, to cut human inspections to twice per month from twice per week. The waiver would also provide railroads up to 72 hours to address defects, while human inspectors can immediately make repairs or choose to slow or stop trains. The association, along with manufacturing and agriculture trade groups that back the proposal, say the change would result in earlier detection and remediation of track defects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tony Cardwell, president of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division (BMWED) union that represents track inspectors and other rail workers, called AAR's analysis flawed. The technology only checks about a quarter of the items in track defect inspections, he said. Human inspectors also see foundation issues like broken rail ties or water damage earlier, allowing problems to be fixed before they get serious enough for the technology to flag them. "Track geometry is the end result of a defect, not the cause of a defect," Cardwell said. Opponents of the plan have noted that after three train passengers died following a 2021 Amtrak derailment, a government report concluded that automated track inspections do not find as many types of track hazards as human inspectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A dozen Democratic U.S. Senators and the Democratic ranking members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure also called on FRA to deny the waiver in recent public comments on the proposal. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who has more than 4,000 miles of railroads in her state, said automated track inspections "should not cut human track inspection at the expense of putting public safety at risk." Republican lawmakers did not submit public comments. The AAR said the waiver would actually improve railroad safety and operational efficiency. "Layering technology on top of redundant and unnecessary, old ways of conducting inspections is not a way to make an industry competitive," said Michael Rush, AAR's senior vice president for safety and operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AAR member railroads, including megamerger hopefuls Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern as well as Berkshire Hathaway-owned BNSF, back the request. The National Association of Manufacturers and the National Grain and Feed Association, both representing major U.S. freight rail customers, also support the proposal. The decision is now in the hands of FRA, which does not face a deadline. Train derailment rates are down over the last two decades, though there are still roughly three per day in the country, according to AAR and federal safety data. Some have been major. The village of East Palestine, Ohio is undertaking a billion-dollar environmental cleanup after a Norfolk Southern derailment in 2023. Two years earlier in 2021, an Amtrak derailment on a freight rail track in Montana killed three passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Amtrak derailment, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report spelled out some of the limitations of TGMS technology. The report said the technology can provide detailed information on specific track parameters, but does "not capture the diverse array of unique track hazards detectable to human inspectors." NTSB and FRA did not immediately comment. (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles) A US Navy training ground has boosted its ability to run sailors through missile attack simulations. With increased ability to build and store munitions on-site, training can be conducted more frequently. Navy officials said the training helps prepare sailors for the changing threat environment. US warships are facing rising missile threats, and the Navy is pushing for more training capacity to make sure sailors are ready for that kind of fight. New facilities bolster the Navy's ability to run sailors through realistic simulations of challenging missile attacks, preparing them for today's threat environments, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Point Mugu Sea Range on San Nicolas Island in California uses ground-launched GQM-163A Supersonic Sea Skimming Targets as training tools, with this system simulating missile threats warships could face in combat. The GQM-163 Coyotes are made by Northrop Grumman, and they are designed to represent advanced supersonic anti-ship cruise missile threats. With two launchers on San Nicolas Island, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division can fire four, simulating a complex missile attack. "The threat environment is changing every day, and we must change and grow with it," said Rear Adm. Keith Hash, NAWCWD (Navy Air Warfare Center Weapons Division) commander. "Being able to present multiple, realistic threats is critical to ensure we deliver our warfighters a decisive advantage so they can deter aggression and, if necessary, win in conflict and return home safely." The Navy previously sought to do more than 30 of the missile training exercises a year, but the training ground lacked sufficient capacity. Over the past few years, though, work has been underway to not only build more munitions on-site but also store more of them there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Navy can now do two quad launches in a 24-hour period at the Point Mugu Sea Range because it can store eight on-site instead of only four. US Navy warships launched hundreds of missiles during the Red Sea conflict. Screengrab via US Central Command The US Navy has seen the clear need for improved missile defense firsthand in its fights in the Middle East, where ships have come under fire from the Houthis and engaged Iranian missiles targeting Israel. "For the past two years, our surface Navy has been taking the fight, taking the shots, on the other side of the world," said Capt. Anthony Holmes, the commanding officer for NSWC-PHD (Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division). "Our warfighters are being asked to fight and use their ships and weapons in ways they never thought they would," he said. In the Red Sea alone, warships have faced anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time, drones, uncrewed surface vessels loaded up with explosive payloads, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intense fighting has tested readiness, reaction times, and inventories of defensive weaponry. Concerns have come up about cost imbalances in intercepts, as well as overall munition expenditure. While the US is prepared for the lower-end threats like the Houthis, questions have come up about potential higher-end threats like China. Officials and analysts have noted that the Middle East engagements are likely just a small taste of what a high-tempo fight against China, which boasts a massive, sophisticated missile arsenal, could look like, especially in the vast Indo-Pacific region. Read the original article on Business Insider A US Navy destroyer practiced reloading missiles at sea last month, officials said Saturday. The Navy said the drill highlights logistics operations that are essential for a Pacific fight. Recent Navy operations around the Middle East have underscored the need to master this capability. The US Navy is figuring out how to rearm its warships at sea, a crucial logistics skill it could need in an intense missile fight that doesn't immediately offer a respite to pull out and reload. Off the coast of Australia last month, the American destroyer USS Higgins simulated rearming with an SM-2 missile at sea, officials said Saturday, characterizing the reloading capability as "essential" for sustained combat operations in the Indo-Pacific. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US warships have been working on reloading at sea, with this type of exercise becoming more important in recent years. In Navy operations around the Middle East over the past two years, hundreds of missiles have been expended for air defense against Iranian threats and those presented by the Tehran-backed Houthis in Yemen. During these challenging fights, US warships occasionally had to leave the region to rearm. US officials and analysts have cautioned that a conflict against China, which maintains a deep arsenal of capable ballistic and cruise missiles, in the Pacific would put a much greater strain on the Navy's missile stockpiles than in the Middle East. Sailors aboard USS Higgins simulate loading ammunition from a barge. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Trevor Hale The threat of a conflict between the US and China makes it critical that the US Navy can reload on the fly at sea rather than force warships to return to a friendly port with the ability to provide rearmament, which takes more time and keeps them out of the fight for longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The July exercise is the latest in a string of vertical launching system reloads focused on rearming the missile tubes near Australia. US destroyers also practiced this tactic in September 2023 and September 2024. In October, the Navy achieved what it called a "breakthrough in combat readiness" by demonstrating the Transferrable Reload At-sea Method, or TRAM, on a warship in the ocean for the first time. The reload process involved moving a missile canister from a support ship to a cruiser using cables, tilting the canister into an upright position, and then lowering it into one of the cruiser's many VLS cells. Navy leadership said the service expects to field TRAM in a few years. Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kevin Kodrin, the ordnance officer for the task force that led the July drill, said in a release that "this successful rearm event was the result of exceptional teamwork between the ship's crew, shore support teams, and technical experts." The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Higgins. US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Lucas J. Hastings "Exercises like this are critical to validating our ability to safely and effectively reload at sea, ensuring our ships remain combat-ready whenever and wherever needed," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USS Higgins operates under Task Force 70, the command responsible for forward-deployed surface assets in the Indo-Pacific region . The US 7th Fleet is the Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, with 50 to 70 ships and submarines at any given time. "We are strengthening distributed logistics capabilities that enhance our collective operational readiness across the Indo-Pacific," Rear Adm. Eric Anduze, the Task Force 70 commander, said of July's reload simulation. "This gives our warfighters a tremendous amount of agility to strike from sea, move, reload, reposition, and strike again," he said. "It represents a lethal tactical advantage that helps us protect the safety and prosperity of the region." Read the original article on Business Insider (Reuters) -The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is opening a probe into more than 1.4 million Honda vehicles sold in the United States over concerns that connecting rod bearing failures in their engines could lead to complete engine failure. In a letter dated August 20, the regulator said it received 414 reports of the issue in various Honda and Acura vehicles' 3.5-liter V6 engine. The investigation covers 2018-2020 model year Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, the agency probed 1.4 million Honda vehicles on reports of serious engine issues following the Japanese automaker recalling 249,000 vehicles in November 2023. Honda issued the recall to address a possible manufacturing defect in the engine crankshaft which could cause the connecting rod bearing to prematurely wear and seize, leading to engine failure. The U.S. auto safety agency said in the August 20 letter it is opening another investigation to more thoroughly evaluate the scope and severity of the potential issue and to fully assess related safety concerns, following the closure of its previous probe. NHTSA said that the high volume of engine failure reports in vehicles not covered by the previous investigation poses a potential safety risk. (Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala) By Tom Polansek and Leah Douglas CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The patient with the first human infestation of travel-associated New World screwworm in the United States has recovered from the flesh-eating parasite, and there was no sign of transmission to other people or animals, the Maryland Department of Health said on Monday. U.S. cattle futures tumbled on concerns the pest will also strike livestock as ranchers criticized a lack of transparency about the case, following exclusive reporting by Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Screwworms are parasitic flies whose females lay eggs in wounds on any warm-blooded animal. An outbreak could cost the economy in Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle-producing state, about $1.8 billion, according to U.S. estimates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the human case as screwworm on August 4 in a person who returned from travel to El Salvador, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency announced the case on Sunday after Reuters reported earlier in the day on emails from beef industry officials on a CDC-confirmed case in a person in Maryland who had traveled to the United States from Guatemala. The nearly three-week delay between the confirmation of the case on August 4 and the U.S. government's disclosure erodes trust that public agencies need to identify and fight potential screwworm outbreaks, said Neal Wilkins, CEO of conservation and cattle group East Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It will cause many producers and land owners, wildlife managers, to simply begin to believe that they're not being fed the whole story," he said. "It's irresponsible and tone deaf for them to have done this." Maryland's health department said the patient was a resident of the state but did not respond to questions about the country to which the person traveled or the timing of the case. An HHS spokesperson did not address the discrepancy on the source of the human case on Sunday. Feeder cattle futures fell at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange after cattle and beef prices set records this year because the nation's herd shrank to its smallest size in 70 years. Screwworm has spread north in Mexico from Central America, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to halt imports of Mexican cattle in July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins did not mention the human case when she traveled to Texas on August 15 to announce that the agency would spend up to $750 million to build a Texas facility to produce sterile flies to combat screwworm. The agency has not confirmed cases in animals this year. The USDA has not responded to questions about the human case and what communications the agency had with the CDC. Last week, an executive of industry group Beef Alliance sent emails to about two dozen people, informing them the CDC had confirmed a case in Maryland in a person who had traveled to the U.S. from Guatemala, according to a source. Beef Alliance has not responded to requests for comment. U.S. cattle producers' association R-CALF USA said on Monday there should be an investigation if government officials shared information about the case with select industry members. "Without transparency and symmetrical information dissemination to all industry participants there can be no trust between industry participants and the government," the association's CEO, Bill Bullard, said. (Reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago and Leah Douglas in Washington; Additional reporting by Heather Schlitz in Chicago and Cassandra Garrison in Buenos Aires; Editing by Stephen Coates) The source added that there is a real chance to reach certain understandings on security issues between the two countries by this date. The US administration is working to bring about an announcement by Israel and Syria on agreed security arrangements by the time of the UN General Assembly in September, a source familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Monday. The source added that there is a real chance to reach certain understandings on security issues between the two countries by this date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25. This will mark the first time in several years that a Syrian president has delivered an address at the Assembly. On the same day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to arrive in New York, where he will deliver his own speech the following day. Following the fall of the Assad regime, the IDF entered buffer zones south of Damascus and in the Syrian Golan Heights. Both Israel and Syria are now seeking to establish agreements on the border areas to create mutual security arrangements and demilitarized zones. From Israels perspective, these arrangements should be based on new agreements rather than automatically on the security understandings reached at the end of the Yom Kippur War. In Israel, there is no belief that past agreements reflect the new reality after October 7, the source explained. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Istanbul, Turkey, May 24, 2025. (credit: Muammer Tan/Turkish Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS) US officials optimistic Israeli-Syrian deal can be reached US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who visited Israel on Sunday along with Special Representative Morgan Ortagus, expressed optimism that the two countries could reach security understandings and move forward toward a broader agreement. Last week, Barrack met with the Syrian foreign minister and Israels Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, with both sides indicating that progress had been made. Israel has also insisted that any security arrangement must include practical assurances addressing the fears of the Druze community in Syria, who have recently suffered severe violence. On Sunday, Syrian President Sharaa told reporters that advanced discussions are underway regarding a security agreement between Syria and Israel. COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSAV) The University of South Carolina Police Department (USCPD) said it believes Sundays active shooter alert was part of a swatting hoax. UPDATE: Active shooter reported at USC Columbia A similar hoax occurred earlier in the week at Villanova University. USCPD said it received two calls Sunday reporting an active shooting that were initiated by an adult male with background noise that reportedly mimicked gunfire. USCPD said there is no evidence the calls originated on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two students received minor injuries exiting the library during the threat. Both were transported to the hospital and later released. USCPD and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) are still investigating 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 WSAV-TV. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) A man is in the Vanderburgh County Jail after being accused of raping a woman on the campus of University of Southern Indiana. According to an affidavit, authorities with the Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office were called to Ruston Hall for what was described as a sensitive incident. The victim said she was sexually assaulted by Devean White, 20. The victim claimed on Sunday, her, White and a few other friends met on campus before she and White went back to her apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She further claimed she and White began to watch tv before he began to physically touch her before sexually assaulting her and kissing her repeatedly while also holding her neck. The affidavit says she tried to tell White no multiple times. Officials state White admitted to the acts while talking to authorities but believed it was consensual. The victim also reported to authorities White resides in Ruston Hall. White was booked on rape and strangulation charges. The university issued a statement to Eyewitness News saying they are aware of an alleged sexual assault involving its campus community. The University of Southern Indiana takes allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment seriously whether from students, staff or faculty. Allegations are handled by USI Public Safety, local law enforcement and the Title IX Coordinator in the USI Institutional Equity Office. The university has policies and procedures in place to handle reports and to conduct investigations in accordance with federal regulations implemented by the Department of Education. University of Southern Indiana Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). The USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) has left port in Norfolk, Virginia, after returning days earlier to avoid Hurricane Erin. The three amphibious ships, which the Navy says are carrying more than 4,500 sailors and Marines, could be seen leaving Norfolk on Sunday in video and imagery posted on social media. An official, who spoke to Military Times last week on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deployment, said the ships had planned to enter Caribbean waters under the command of U.S. Southern Command when they initially deployed on Aug. 14, but had been delayed by the storm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is deployed aboard the ships, which include the amphibious assault flagship Iwo Jima, along with the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships San Antonio and Fort Lauderdale. The deployment marks the first for a Marine Expeditionary Unit in more than five months. Navy amphib readiness dips as sailors, Marines deploy for Caribbean The Pentagon has not announced what exercises or operations the Marine Expeditionary Unit will conduct while sailing in the Caribbean. President Donald Trump has said he wants to strengthen the military while tackling immigration issues and stopping illicit drugs from entering the United States. He designated Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel and Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua as global terrorist organizations in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple Navy destroyers deployed to the eastern Pacific earlier this year to help with the counter-narcotics fight on the West Coast, Military Times previously reported. When potential drug smugglers or migrant traffickers have been identified at sea, a Coast Guard law enforcement team onboard a Navy ship can raise its ensign to create whats commonly referred to as a title shift, granting the ship authorities under Title 14 to carry out law enforcement activities ranging from inquiries, examinations, searches, seizures and arrests. A solar installation in Emery County, with PacifiCorps Hunter coal-fired power plant in the background, is pictured on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Utah lawmakers are eyeing more policy changes to further regulate renewable energy producers in the state, starting by disincentivizing the presence of solar farms in fields that could be productive, and adding a requirement to contribute to the communities that surround them. Its a theme the industry saw in the last legislative session. Legislators and developers had tense exchanges over a substantial conservation tax on private solar and wind generation facilities. Additionally, a bill that would reduce solar plants eligibility for state incentives ended up dying on the Senate floor because of lack of time, but next year it is expected to get fast tracked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement St. George Republican Rep. Colin Jacks bill draft on solar power plants made big changes from its original idea which established permitting requirements for location, size, setbacks, noise and visual appearance that for clean energy advocates, was too strict. Now the bill mostly focuses on which renewable energy developments wont have state-sponsored tax credits those on prime farmland. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX (Farmers and ranchers) came to me and expressed a concern that in their counties they were seeing prime crop land and grazing land being covered up with big fields of solar panels, Jack said at a Thursday interim meeting. And they were saying theres lots of land in this county that cant grow anything. Why dont we put the solar panels over there and not over here, where theres cropland? The first version of the bill had issues, Jack said, because the state isnt able to limit uses on private property. But, lawmakers could still limit state incentives for what the Natural Resources Conservation Services soil survey considers to be productive cropland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee voted 9-5 to adopt the bill as a committee bill, meaning it could be fast-tracked in the legislative process in 2026. In the meantime, clean energy experts still worry the proposal would have negative effects on the states quest to multiply its energy production. At a time when strengthening domestic energy production is critical to both national security and economic growth, we should be expanding access to affordable, homegrown power, not hindering it, Logan Mitchell, energy analyst at Utah Clean Energy said in a statement. This bill would limit opportunities for Utah farmers to diversify their income through long-term lease payments for energy development. Next session, Sen. Derrin Owens, R-Fountain Green, is sponsoring another bill requiring energy producers to give back to Utah communities, he said during the interim meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using our airshed and sending 99% of the power to California, and we get 100% of whatever pollution is there, he said, those days have to be over. The role of renewables Owens referred to his proposal after presentations from the Interwest Energy Alliance, a renewable energy advocate organization, and the Utah Association of Counties on the role of sources like solar and wind in the state. The groups then argued that the social benefits of the solar farms are seen mostly at the local level because of how the states tax code is written. Lincoln Shurtz, a lobbyist for the Utah Association of Counties, said that any energy project thats not a regulated utility in the state is assessed for taxes at the local level, not through the centrally assessed tax process. Let us know what you think... Under the state law, counties, cities and districts wont benefit from new growth on the developments tangible investment, like new solar arrays and equipment put in the land, unless they are put in a community reinvestment area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With that designation, counties are able to sign community benefit agreements with solar developers, calculating their new growth and tracing a path for reinvesting the revenue in communities. In many circumstances, thats how were putting in the infrastructure within the counties or the cities, whether that be transportation infrastructure within our counties, without having to raise taxes, Shurtz said. In many circumstances, thats how were paying for the police department or the fire department or the EMS services within our communities. But, Republicans in the committee remained skeptical, arguing that solar power plants take larger footprints of land than other energy producers. There is an environmental impact to placing them and where we place them, Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, said. Theyre better on rooftops. Theyre better on places where were already industrialized, in my opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, mostly, Sandall said hed be cautious about whether solar projects will be sustainable once tax credits go away in a couple of years. According to a study by Lazard, a financial firm, they will. Even with the tax credits going away for wind and solar, wind, solar storage continue to be amongst the most cost competitive resources on the market today, Rikki Seguin, executive director at Interwest Energy Alliance said. Renewables are often cheaper than conventional resources, Seguin said in her presentation to the committee. Without federal tax credits that expire in 2027 and state incentives that stop in 2028, the price of new solar and wind builds would be competitive with new gas generation. And sometimes bringing a new renewable development may be cheaper than operating an existing thermal facility. Im not telling you to turn off a thermal facility. Thats not my presentation here today, she said. It is just to say if you need more power, which is what I think were all saying we need, you can build renewables very affordably on your system and help keep costs low and stable. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Utah National Guard has been called on to aid in the federal governments crackdown on illegal immigration, with local forces likely to help with transportation and handle administrative tasks, not enforcement. Theyre reportedly part of a contingent of 1,700 National Guard forces from 19 states to be called on to help federal immigration authorities. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox last week broached the possibility of Utah National Guard troops aiding in efforts to detain and deport immigrants in the country illegally and federal authorities, it turns out, submitted a formal request for help, also last week. In response, Lt. Col. Christopher Kroeber, the Utah National Guard spokesman, said the entity sent out messages on Thursday, Aug. 21, seeking guardsmen and guardswomen willing to take part in the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The request is not large; its not for a huge footprint of people, Kroeber said Monday. At the same time, details of what those taking part would do have yet to be pinpointed, though theyd remain in Utah. The federal government would cover the cost of the Utah troops efforts, which are expected to last from mid-September to mid-November, according to preliminary planning. We are planning for administrative support missions, potentially transportation-type things or fingerprinting, administrative tasks like that, Kroeber said. He understands the request for assistance from the Utah National Guard came through the Department of Homeland Security, but hes not sure which federal agency the Utah forces would be assisting. Cox said at his monthly press conference last week that Utah National Guard troops would not be involved in arresting suspected immigrants in the country illegally, a topic that has generated intense debate across the nation. President Donald Trump has made the detention and deportation of immigrants in the country illegally a priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not the role of the National Guard, and we would not allow that to happen, Cox said. Regardless, the potential participation of Utah National Guard forces in the immigration crackdown has prompted backlash, Kroeber said, alluding to critical comments by readers of some of the news reports about the possibility. Several sheriffs offices across Utah have recently formalized accords to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials with their efforts. Utah National Guard leaders are concerned about the safety of our soldiers, he said, but it is one of our primary responsibilities to support state and local authorities if and when they need our help. Utah isnt the only state to potentially assist immigration officials in efforts to track immigrants in the country illegally. The Christian Science Monitor reported earlier this month that the state is one of 20, all led by Republican governors, authorized to aid federal immigration officials. News Nation on Saturday reported that National Guard troops would be deployed to serve in a supportive role for federal immigration authorities. Theyre a force multiplier. It helps us arrest the bad guy quicker and it makes it more efficient, Tom Homan, Trumps border czar, told the news outlet. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) A Virginia Beach Police officer faces charges following a Friday night incident. According to police, officers were called to the 1500 block of Snowbird Court at 8:34 p.m. for the report of an assault. When officers arrived on scene and conducted an investigation, they arrested 31-year-old Michaelena Scanniello. Michaelena Scanniello (Courtesy-VBSO) She is charged with misdemeanor assault and public intoxication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scanniello has been employed as a Police Officer with VBPD since Jan. 28, 2021. She has been placed on administrative duty and her police powers have been suspended. This incident 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 WAVY.com. Texas health officials on Aug. 18 declared the end of a measles outbreak that had sickened more than 760 people across the state and killed two children. Doctors and public-health officials involved in the outbreak, most of whom had previously never encountered a measles patient, are now taking stock of what theyve learned about the virus and the best ways to prevent and control outbreaks of the disease. Measles, they say, is as contagious as feared, and unvaccinated people are the most vulnerable. But while vaccination remains the best way to prevent measles, Texas public-health officials say they could have adopted a more inclusive approach when engaging with vaccine-hesitant communities about the virus and its risks. More investment is also needed, they say, into building trust between rural communities and health officials. These insights should be taken to heart as measles cases continue to rise in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, say public-health experts who fear that measles may now be here to stay. More than 1,300 measles cases have been reported nationally this year, the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though the Texas outbreak looks to be under control, were still seeing a lot of cases, says Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University School of Public Health. The measles situation is not over. Here are some lessons learned from the Texas measles outbreak. Measles is as dangerous, contagious, and vaccine-preventable as expected What surprised me was how textbook measles is, says Katherine Wells, the public health director of Lubbock, Texas, where many measles patients were treated during the recent outbreak. Wells has been in public health for almost 25 years and had never before seen a measles case. But as patients streamed into Lubbocks hospitals and clinics, a clear clinical patternwhich Wells had learned about in the medical literatureemerged. Unvaccinated people with measles first develop a runny nose and conjunctivitis, then a high fever and rash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The disease also proved to be as contagious as feared. In Lubbock, an unvaccinated child became ill with the virus after sitting in the same waiting room as someone with measles, Wells says. Seeing those cases on the ground confirmed what was in the books. Read More: Former CDC Director: RFK Jr. is Dangerously Wrong about Vaccines About one in five measles cases are severe, says Dr. Leila Myrick, a family medicine and obstetrics physician in Seminole, Texas, who treated more than 20 people with measles this year, most of them children. Several of Myricks patients developed pneumonia and required breathing treatments including supplemental oxygen, she says. Almost 100 people, mostly children, were hospitalized in Texas because of complications from measles. Most people who have contracted measles in the U.S. this year have been unvaccinated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the outbreak, U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downplayed the risk of measles, saying in a Fox News interview in March that its very, very difficult for measles to kill a healthy person. The two children in Texas who died from the disease were unvaccinated but had no preexisting conditions, officials have said. Measles is not a little cold. It can cause very high fever that can become very rapidly life-threatening, said Richard Plemper, a Georgia State University biomedical scientist whose lab is developing an antiviral treatment for the virus family that includes measles. There is currently no approved treatment for the disease. About 0.1% of measles cases in developed countries are fatal, Plemper says. Yes, thats a small number, but if its your child, what comfort is that? Measles is vaccine-preventable. In a country like the U.S., nobody has to die from measles. Public-health experts say there is still more to learn about the diseases longer-term effects on patients who have recovered. Measles can cause yearslong immune amnesia, in which the body forgets how to fight other infections. In very rare cases, the disease can also cause a deadly type of brain inflammation that strikes several years after the initial infection. Better testing and wastewater surveillance can hinder disease spread At the start of the Texas outbreak, measles testing was a major hurdle, state public-health officials say. It took up to a week for test results to come back, which stymied efforts to curb the spread of the virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt until about six weeks into the outbreak that testing capabilities improved, and people were able to get test results the next day, says Wells, the Lubbock public-health director. Wastewater surveillance for measles could also have been instituted earlier, public-health experts say. Such testing, which was started midway through the Texas outbreak, can flag the presence of a disease even before people come forward with symptoms. Recently in Idaho, wastewater surveillance detected measles activity at least a week before the states first case in 30 years was reported. Pushing vaccination is importantbut so is meeting people where they are The Texas outbreak started in a Mennonite community in Gaines County where vaccination rates are low. State health officials say they pushed hard to get people in the community vaccinated, setting up mobile vaccine clinics and educating people on the safety and efficacy of the shot. In the end, more than 300 people in the county were vaccinated as part of this campaign, says Zach Holbrooks, executive director of the South Plains Public Health District, which includes Gaines County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But officials said they could have done a better job at providing not just vaccines but also information and other resources that could have helped families that chose not to vaccinate and had sick kids at home. Many children showed up to the hospital with dehydration, for instance, and could have benefited from information on the importance of keeping children hydrated, Wells says. Read More: The Public Health Community Needs to Tell the Whole Truth About the History of Measles The Texas Department of State Health Services said in an email that in future outbreaks, it would continue to share information about the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, but it might also introduce more general messaging that does not focus on vaccines, such as when people with measles symptoms should seek emergency care, sooner. We have to meet people where they are, says Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, which represents local health departments across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Freeman says that building trust with communitiesand doing so before an emergency strikesis indispensable. Our work is only as successful as our ability to partner with communities, she says. People do listen to official advice, and the quality of that advice matters The Texas outbreak demonstrated that the public does heed official recommendations, says Plemper of Georgia State University, and highlights the heavy responsibility that health leaders shoulder when doling out advice. For instance, Kennedy repeatedly said that supplementing with vitamin A could effectively treat measles. Vitamin A is not an approved measles treatment, and while some research has shown that people with vitamin A deficiencies can get sicker from the disease, there is no evidence that people who arent deficient will benefit from it. Taking too much vitamin A, however, can cause organ damage. Several children in Texas were reportedly hospitalized earlier this year after taking too much vitamin A. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nuzzo of Browns Pandemic Center says Kennedywho has long questioned the safety of the MMR vaccine and provided misleading information about the outbreakdid little to help curb the outbreak in Texas. We have an HHS Secretary who was pushing false narratives about the vaccine and the virus, she says. It was controlled despite him. Contact us at letters@time.com. SAN DIEGO, CA We've rounded up the stories you may have missed over the weekend to prepare you for the week ahead. But before we jump into Southern California's top stories, residents should expect humid conditions to continue before a cooling trend begins this week, according to the National Weather Service. "Daily chances for showers and thunderstorms will continue through the middle of the week as the monsoon weather pattern continues across the mountains and deserts, although this will be winding down going into the later part of the week and into the weekend, with a lesser chance of afternoon thunderstorms," NWS San Diego forecasters wrote Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Inland valleys may see a storm or two this afternoon, otherwise all areas will remain humid through the early part of the week," forecasters continued. "A cooling trend will begin tomorrow and continue through Wednesday, then remain nearly steady through the weekend. A weak trough offshore will help to lower chances for monsoonal storm activity across the mountains and deserts by the middle of the week with less humid conditions." In other news, a boy was fatally shot; four people were killed and two were injured in a crash; two women and a man were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide; a serial "butt sniffer" was arrested again; and a vehicle went 1,000 feet off a highway. Plus, after years of working to restore students' attendance rates in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that California is on track to cut chronic absenteeism by half in the next five years. To help districts meet that goal, the state Department of Education has issued a California Attendance Guide. Here are some of the stories you may have missed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3 Found Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide At Rolling Hills Home The names of the three people and their causes of death will be released by the Medical Examiner's office. 4 Killed, 2 Injured In Temecula Crash: Police Two of the deceased were young teens, police said. Boy Fatally Shot In Los Angeles County The child was pronounced dead at the scene, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported. Brush Fire That Broke Out East Of Temecula Now 90% Contained The blaze dubbed the Vail Fire was first reported at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Debris Fire Engulfs Big Rig Parked In Los Angeles Neighborhood Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took 38 firefighters 20 minutes to put out the fire, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Man Arrested For Sexual Assault In Long Beach: Police The investigation is ongoing. Man Killed; SWAT Team Arrests Suspect After 8-Hour Standoff Arriving officers discovered the wounded man lying on the ground in front of the residence, police said. The man died at the scene. Man Sentenced To Prison For Role In Scam Targeting Senior Citizens Prosecutors say six victims in California and Arizona gave just over $200,000 combined to Jiaci Liu in the span of one week. Man Suffers Serious Injuries In San Diego Crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Civic driver was ejected from his car, suffering life-threatening brain injuries and several fractures, police said. Motorcyclist Seriously Injured In Hit-And-Run Crash In San Diego The car fled the scene and paramedics rushed the motorcyclist to a hospital, where he was treated for a brain bleed and a fractured pelvis. Police Seeking Information After Deadly Hit-And-Run In Los Angeles Friday Night A man was struck and killed as he was exiting his parked vehicle in Reseda, police say. Search For Emmanuel Haro Takes Police To Badlands, But No Remains Found Jake Haro was present for the search, according to the sheriff's department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serial 'Butt Sniffer' Arrested Again, This Time in Burbank Calese Crowder, a registered sex offender currently on parole, has a history of similar offenses dating back to 2021, according to police. Vehicle Flies 1,000 Feet Off Angeles Crest Highway The iPhone of the person inside notified authorities of the need for help. Woman Fatally Shot On Metro Bus Near LAX The suspected gunman fled the scene on foot and remained at large Saturday morning, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 4 CA Amusement Parks Among 20 Best In U.S. In New Ranking Of 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve the "best of the best" milestone, according to TripAdvisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CA Bill Sparks Controversy Over Parental Rights, Child Safety The bill was created to ensure children are cared for by an adult in the event their parents are detained or deported. 'Cold Civil War': 5 Things To Know About CAs Redistricting Special Election California Democrats are pursuing a partisan midterms redistricting plan in response to Texas Republicans. Here's how and what's at stake. If Texas Gerrymanders, Should CA Do The Same? Readers Weigh In Here's what readers said about Newsom's plan for a power grab by redrawing its maps as a retaliatory move against Texas doing the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Menendez Brothers Denied Parole: 5 Things To Know Prison infractions and gang ties did not sit well with parole board commissioners, and neither did the slaying of Kitty Menendez. Newsom's National Profile Soars With Latest Trump Fight, But There Are Risks In the national redistricting battle, Newsom is benefiting from a torrent of national media exposure Serial 'Butt Sniffer' Strikes Again | Murder-Suicide | Vehicle Flies 100 Feet Off Highway: SoCal In Brief originally appeared on the San Diego Patch CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) Venezuelan opposition leaders and civil society groups said on Sunday that the government released 13 people jailed in a crackdown by the government of President Nicolas Maduro following last year's disputed elections. Venezuelan authorities did not immediately confirm the releases, but opposition leaders like Henrique Capriles celebrated on social media, calling it a step forward for those behind bars. He said eight people were freed, while five more were released under house arrest. "Today, several families have been reunited with their loved ones. We know that many remain, and we will not forget them; we continue fighting for them all," he wrote in a post on the social media platform X, with a video of one of those released embracing their loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes more than a year after the tumultuous South American nation once again erupted following July presidential elections. Electoral authorities declared Maduro victor of the presidential elections, but refused to share key documents known as actas evidencing the count. The results were rejected by the international community and opposition members. In its wake, street protests erupted, leaving 28 dead, 220 injured and at least 2,000 detained, according to official figures. The Venezuelan civil society organization Committee for the Freedom of Political Prisoners said those detained were release as a result of pressure by victims, organizations, citizen campaigns and international institutions. The organization wrote on social media that they had physically and psychologically deteriorated and that many were returning home with open wounds. It added that around 1,000 people continue in detention for political reasons, while other organizations say the number is a bit lower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venezuelan authorities deny the detention of opponents for political reasons, instead claiming they are part of plots to destabilize the government. The releases come just weeks after a prison exchange between Venezuela, and the American and Salvadoran governments, which kept some 200 Venezuelan deportees in dire conditions in a prison for gangs in El Salvador. In exchange for the deportees returned to Venezuela, Maduro's government freed 10 jailed Americans. In the exchange, American Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a number of Venezuelan political prisoners and detainees were also released from Venezuelan prisons. Civil servants, housewives and retirees alike lined up in Venezuela's capital Caracas over the weekend as thousands volunteered to join the country's militia in case there is a U.S. invasion. President Nicolas Maduro called on citizens to respond to "outlandish threats" by the U.S. and sign up over the weekend to the Bolivarian Militia, a civilian corps linked to the South American country's armed forces. The show of force is also intended to send a message to Washington, which has issued a $50 million bounty for Maduro -- who is accused by the Trump administration of leading a drug cartel -- and has stationed three warships off Venezuela's coast for what the U.S. says are anti-drug operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Maduro denounced "the renewal of extravagant, bizarre and outlandish threats" from the U.S. Militia registration centers were set up in the capital's squares, military and public buildings and even in the presidential palace Miraflores. Volunteers could also sign up in the Mountain Barracks, which is home to the mausoleum of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, in a densely populated area with large housing projects and crumbling brick houses. People wait to sign up to join the civil militias during a national enlistment campaign called by the government of President Nicolas Maduro at a military museum in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. / Credit: Ariana Cubillos / AP "Have you previously served?" a militia member dressed in camouflage asked Oscar Matheus. "I'm here to serve our country," the 66-year-old auditor told AFP. "We don't know what might happen, but we must prepare and keep resisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The homeland is calling us. Our country needs us," said 51-year-old Rosy Paravabith. U.S.-made machine gun on display Dubbed the Bolivarian Army by Chavez, the Venezuelan Armed Forces do not hide the militia's political bent. "Chavez lives!" is now their official greeting. Former Venezuelan socialist president Chavez came to power in 1999 and died in office in 2013. Maduro has been in power since, though the U.S. does not recognize the validity of his last two elections. It is unclear how many troops are in the Venezuelan militia. Maduro said this week that the militia alone has more than 4.5 million ready soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However the most recent independent estimate tallied about 343,000 members in 2020, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "I sign up for Venezuela, long live the homeland!" shouted the volunteers upon registration. Police officers and military reservists also lined up to reaffirm their commitments. After registering, volunteers were shown a documentary about the European blockade on Venezuela's coast between 1902 and 1903, after then-president Cipriano Castro refused to pay a foreign debt. The 2017 film showed armed farmers, some shooting guns while others analyzed maps, as warships loomed in the distance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, the volunteers were taken through a room with weapons on display: a U.S.-made machine gun, a Swedish grenade launcher, a Soviet RPG launcher and a Belgian machine gun. An army lieutenant explained how to use each weapon. "Can this be shot at the sky?" an attendee asked. "It's better to shoot it straight," the soldier replied. "I want to defend the homeland" The United States has sent armed forces to the Caribbean in the past. But this time, the deployment coincides with President Donald Trump's administration increasing pressure on Maduro by doubling its bounty on him to $50 million earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. alleges Maduro is leading the Cartel of the Suns, a drug trafficking group that has been designated a terrorist organization. Last September, the U.S. seized a plane belonging to Maduro and brought it to the U.S., with the Justice Department claiming the jet was exported from Florida in violation of U.S. sanctions. On Friday, Maduro described the U.S. moves as an "illegal" attempt at regime change. "What they're threatening to do against Venezuela -- regime change, a military terrorist attack -- is immoral, criminal and illegal," Maduro said. On the streets of Venezuela, the topic prompted jokes and worries alike, though experts say it is unlikely the U.S. would take direct action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maduro's opposition has called for people not to enlist -- though many were anyway. "I want to defend the homeland," said Jesus Borquez, 19. "I know that because of my age I'm not going to carry a rifle," 78-year-old Omaira Hernandez said. "But I'm willing to help them." Rainbow crosswalks in Florida painted over Welcome to New Orleans Maryland Gov. Wes Moore calls Trump D.C. National Guard deployment "unconstitutional" Who Is Still Alive, from Swiss director Nicolas Wadimoff (The Apollo of Gaza, Operation Libertad, Aisheen, The Golden Gloves of Akka), world premieres Sept. 3 in the Venice Days program (Giornate Degli Autori), the independent section within the Venice Film Festival promoted by the Italian filmmaker associations ANAC and 100autori. But anticipation has already been building, given its topicality. After all, it features nine Palestinian refugees from Gaza sharing their stories. A map of Gaza, its cities, camps and neighborhoods. White paint on a black floor. In these roughly drawn outlines, nine refugees who were able to escape hell tell their stories, reads a synopsis. Their previous lives, their buried dreams, the danger, the rubble, the loss of their dear ones. Oppressed, hindered existences, but not yet reduced to ashes, not yet totally plunged into oblivion and darkness. By sharing their stories, the protagonists of Who Is Still Alive attempt to reconnect with themselves, to stop being ghosts. And, perhaps, come back to life. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wadimoff, in a directors statement, highlights: What the survivors of Gaza have endured cannot be told with words alone. Gestures, breaths or silences can be more telling, sometimes. And he offers: Whatever word we use for this campaign of systematic destruction and erasure, our common framework for understanding the world seems to have become ineffective in the face of this unspeakable thing, which must not, however, remain unheard and unseen. Wadimoff also emphasizes a hope to present the film beyond affiliations and political opinions, emphasizing: The idea here is to give visibility to the stories of a people too often dehumanized, reduced to numbers. And to take the time to listen, watch, feel the battered bodies and the wounded souls. The director even describes the film as a bridge between the intimate and collective experience of a devastated people and the spectators, who will become witnesses. A motion to think the unthinkable together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THR can present two exclusive clips from Who Is Still Alive. The first clip shows two men sharing some of their experiences. One of them talks about missiles and his family, including his sisters fears before tears start flowing. The second man recalls a visit to a market in Cairo where he wanted to buy a painting before making a painful realization. In a second exclusive clip, a woman talks about a harrowing young death. And then, a man shares what a difference a year makes and addresses how his body may be elsewhere now, but his spirit is still in Gaza. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A woman who police said had her head stomped against a curb earlier this month during a fight downtown testified Monday in municipal court she has no memory of the injury or what led up to it. The woman, testifying in a preliminary hearing for the brothers accused of felonious assault for the incident, Ryan and Bryan Moore, both 49, also admitted under cross examination that she may have been drunk before a fight started when she went after one of the brothers because they would not leave her and her cousin alone at a downtown bar. Judge Renee DiSalvo bound the charges over against both brothers to a Mahoning County grand jury following the hearing, which took about an hour and included video of the fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said the fight began after the victim and her cousin were approached by the brothers inside a downtown bar and then again outside. The victim started the fight when she stopped her car in the middle of the street and attacked Bryan Moore, according to the report. As she was fighting Bryan Moore, he took her to the ground and was holding her down when Ryan Moore, who had been hit by pepper spray by the victims cousin, stomped on her head as it was on the curb. The woman was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center to be treated for a concussion and has no memory of the fight or what led up to it, she testified Monday. Her cousin testified that a few hours before the fight, she was in the restroom at the bar with the victim and another woman when they saw one of the brothers had his ear pressed against the door when they walked outside, like he was listening to what they had to say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She testified, We ignored him and walked past him, and he said, Youre all three beautiful.' Both brothers did a double take at her testimony, and had reacted at other testimony before Judge DiSalvo warned them that they would be banned from the courtroom if they continued. The cousin testified that they told a bouncer, who told them to stay away from the Moores. They had no more contact until closing time, when the cousin said she was sitting on the sidewalk when one of the men hovered over her. She said she recorded him and told him to leave her alone. The two then went across the street and harassed another woman, she testified, before they got in a car and left. The cousin testified they heard the Moores shout something at them, and Bryan Moore walked over to the car. The victim, who was driving, stopped in the middle of the street before everything escalated and the fight began. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next thing I know, there was a fight, she testified. The cousin said she did not know how the fight started, but she agreed withthe defense attorneys that the woman who received the concussion was the aggressor. A video of the incident shows the victim swinging away at Bryan Moore, who at one point had his pants slip down around his ankles. Ryan Moore came over to help his brother and threw some punches before he was hit by pepper spray. He backs up, and Bryan Moore takes the victim to the ground. She is still swinging as he holds her before his brother comes up and stomps on her head, the video showed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Yacovone, attorney for Bryan Moore, said his client should not have his charge bound over to a grand jury because he was not the aggressor in the fight and he was defending himself. He said at no point did he signal or ask his brother to stomp on the victims head, and that he was only holding her down because he was losing the fight. That stomp should not be attributed to my client, Yacovone said. Under direct examination, Detective Sgt. Mike Marciano, the lead investigator on the case, said the fight was a mutual combat situation until Ryan Moore stepped in. Thats what changed it for us, when she got her head stomped, Marciano testified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police report noted that the victim could have been charged with assault, but the brothers declined that night to press charges, and the victim could not talk because of her injuries. As such, she could not be questioned or sign the citation she would have received. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LONDONDERRY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) State police have identified the victim who was harmed and dropped off at SVMC before being pronounced deceased Friday. Officers in Bennington initially received a report about the incident at 3:30 p.m. Friday, when 31-year-old Angelica Barbour, of Brattleboro was dropped at the medical center. Police reportedly secured the hospital due to a possible gunshot wound on Barbour, but eventually determined that no shooting had occurred on site. An autopsy on the body revealed that Barbour had not suffered a gunshot wound. Her cause of death was blunt force trauma sustained on the neck and head, according to the Chief Medical Examiners Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suspicious death under investigation after Bennington hospital lockdown Investigators believe that Barbour was initially injured on Vermont Route 11 near the intersection with Mansfield Lane in Londonderry. An individual previously detained in connection to this incident has been released, police also confirm. Those with information about this case can call Vermont State Police, Westminster Barracks at (802) 722-4600 or submit an anonymous tip online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. By Khanh Vu and Minh Nguyen CUA LO (Reuters) -Typhoon Kajiki brought torrential rains to Vietnam's north central coast on Monday, felling trees and flooding homes, despite wind speeds tapering off from earlier in the day. As of 0900 GMT, Kajiki was on the coast of Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces, with wind speed easing to 118-133 kph from as strong as 166 kph, according to the country's weather agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's terrifying," said Dang Xuan Phuong, a 48-year-old resident of Cua Lo, a tourism town in Nghe An province directly hit by the storm. "When I look down from the higher floors I could see waves as tall as 2 metres, and the water has flooded the roads around us," Phuong told Reuters. State media reports said power in several areas in Ha Tinh province had been cut off, roofs were blown out and floating fishing farms were washed away. Vietnam had earlier shut airports, closed schools, and begun mass evacuations as it prepared for the most powerful storm so far this year. The government warned earlier of "an extremely dangerous fast-moving storm," adding that Kajiki would bring heavy rains, flooding and landslides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a long coastline facing the South China Sea, Vietnam is prone to storms that are often deadly and trigger dangerous flooding and mudslides. The weather agency said rainfall could reach 500 millimetres from Monday afternoon until the end of Tuesday in several parts of northern Vietnam. The Vietnamese government said earlier on Monday about 30,000 people had been evacuated from coastal areas. More than 16,500 soldiers and 107,000 paramilitary personnel had been mobilised to help with the evacuation and stand by for search and rescue. Two airports in Thanh Hoa and Quang Binh provinces were closed, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet cancelled dozens of flights to and from the area on Sunday and Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kajiki skirted the southern coast of China's Hainan Island on Sunday as it moved toward Vietnam, forcing Sanya City on the island to close businesses and public transport on Sunday. China's southernmost province downgraded its typhoon and emergency response alerts on Monday morning but warned of heavy rain and isolated storms in cities in the southern part of Hainan. Local media reported that many residents in Sanya, a popular holiday resort, had taken shelter from the storm in underground garages on Sunday evening. Some large trees were brought down leaving roads strewn with broken branches by Monday morning, the reports said. On Monday, China's transport ministry urged local authorities in various provinces and regions to remain vigilant to risks and secondary disasters after the national forecaster's warnings of typhoon impacts on a large part of the country until early Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The areas include the southwest part of China including Sichuan, Yunnan and Guangxi, and the comprehensive warning also extended to as far as the country's northeastern provinces such as Heilongjiang and Jilin, which are close to the Koreas. Chinese embassy in Hanoi on Monday reminded Chinese citizens in Vietnam to enhance their awareness of prevention and be well-prepared for strong winds and heavy rainfall. (Reporting by Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Minh Nguyen and Thinh Nguyen in Cua Lo and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Saad Sayeed, Kate Mayberry, Peter Graff) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) The largest school district in Hampton Roads went back to class Monday morning. Students all over Virginia Beach are starting the new year, and for one local boy, this morning was a milestone in his recovery. Back to school for students in Virginia Beach, Newport News, Suffolk and Hampton The first day of school can be nerve-wracking for parents and students, but Landyn Davis told us he was excited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last February, police said three men fired more than 20 bullets while on Peele Court one of which went through a home and struck Landyn in the head. A year and a half later, he is ready for his first day of fifth grade. Hes an innocent child; 8-year-old boy in coma after being shot in the head in Virginia Beach home Last year, he was very sad and upset that he wasnt going to be with his friends. And he was here, said his mother, Emily Rigsby. So it just feels good to see a smile on his face and know that he gets to go back with all of his friends and his teachers and the staff at the school. 10 On Your Side was with Landyn and his family Monday morning before he left for school, where Landyn gave us a wave and a soft, shy smile. Rigsby says this moment brings a lot of emotions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im happy. Sad. Im grateful, definitely grateful, that he gets to go back and he gets this opportunity. All of his friends are excited, and the staffs excited, and everybodys just so welcoming of him coming back to school. And it just feels great, said Rigsby. The family was busy packing his Lego school bag and slipping on his Pokemon shoes; his family was outside waiting for the bus to pick him up. He gets that sense of being the same kid he was before he was shot. So he gets to be included and feel like the other kids when they get to go to school. Instead of me loading him up and taking him to school and dropping him off, he actually gets to ride the school bus like the other kids, and there will be other kids on his bus, said Rigsby. Smiles, goodbye waves, and even some tears; both of his parents wore their black and green Landyn Strong shirts as they watched him board the bus to go back to Holland Elementary, the school he has been going to since kindergarten. Landyn Davis getting on the bus for his first day of fifth grade (WAVY photo) One step at a time a Virginia Beach boy, shot in the head, is learning to walk again Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He just wanted to go back to finish his last year in elementary school, you know, in person, said Rigsby. Loved ones say Landyn Davis is back after being shot in head in VB home Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Two Stone Bridge High School students in Loudoun County, Virginia, were suspended for 10 days after a Title IX investigation found them responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination. The case arose when the boys were recorded questioning a transgender students presence in the boys locker room. The student, who is biologically female but identifies as male, was the one who recorded the exchange a possible violation of district policy. The controversy highlights ongoing disputes over transgender policies in Virginia schools, as federal officials have begun the process of cutting federal funding to five Northern Virginia districts, including Loudoun, arguing their policies allowing bathroom and locker room access by gender identity violate Title IX. The Title IX investigation stemmed from that video, which showed the boys asking why a girl was in the boys locker room. Attorneys for the families argue the process was biased and retaliatory. Parents fear the incident could follow their sons on permanent academic records and affect college applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Administrators also imposed additional penalties: no-contact orders, restrictions on sharing classes with the complainant, and mandatory meetings with school officials to determine corrective actions. Seth Wolfe, a parent of one student, criticized the decision. Were saddened by how this process unfolded and disappointed in the outcome, Wolfe said. Another parent, Renae Smith, said she pulled her son out of LCPS and moved out of state. [Were] absolutely floored that they branded my son responsible for sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination with no solid evidence whatsoever. Were talking about scarring him for life by a biased process it should terrify every single parent. The discipline ties back to LCPS Policy 8040, which allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on gender identity. Critics have long argued the rule compromises privacy and safety in intimate spaces. Supporters say the district is complying with federal court precedent in Grimm v. Gloucester County, which held that denying bathroom access based on gender identity constitutes sex-based discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School leaders declined to clarify whether students may be disciplined for expressing discomfort with the policy or whether recording inside locker rooms is ever permissible. At the same time, federal officials escalated pressure on Virginia districts. The U.S. Department of Education said Friday it had begun the process of cutting federal funding to five Northern Virginia districts, including Loudoun, potentially costing each system tens of millions of dollars annually. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares positioned themselves as opponents of the policies. Youngkin said separate facilities for boys and girls are essential for privacy and accused districts of neglecting their duties. These school divisions have been violating federal law, deliberately neglecting their responsibility to protect students safety, privacy, and dignity, and ignoring parents rights. They got away with this behavior because the Biden administration backed them up, Youngkin said. I fought to prevent the Biden administrations radical Title IX reinterpretation from being imposed on Virginias public schools, Miyares said. Earlier this summer, his office also investigated the Stone Bridge case, concluding that LCPS conducted an unlawful, retaliatory Title IX process. He referred the matter to the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights and the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stone Bridge case marks the latest flashpoint in Virginias battles over transgender student accommodations. With federal funding at stake, districts face increasing pressure to reconsider bathroom and locker room policies. The Founding Freedoms Law Center, representing the families, pledged to fight the suspensions until overturned, while Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb said LCPS is making an example of students who oppose district ideology. Italian volunteer Luca Cecca, who fought alongside the Ukrainian defence forces against Russia, has been killed in action. Source: ANSA, as reported by European Pravda Details: ANSA reported that there had been no news of the Italian fighter since 2024. His death was announced on a Facebook page dedicated to the memory of foreign fighters who have been killed in Ukraine. "Our beloved Italian brother, Luca Cecca, who served in Ukraine as a volunteer, fell on the battlefield. Honour, glory and gratitude to our brother," the post read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ANSA sources have also confirmed the death of the Italian volunteer. Luca Cecca was born in Rome and was 34 when he died. He had been officially declared missing in December 2024. Sources report that he was killed in fighting in Donetsk Oblast. Cecca is the ninth Italian to have been killed in the war in Ukraine. Background: In July, it was reported that a 21-year-old Italian of Ukrainian descent from Veneto, who had come to Ukraine as a volunteer soldier, had been killed during training. There have also been reports of the death of a Hungarian volunteer soldier and the wounding of two Romanian volunteer soldiers. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Over 800 volunteers from Fairhaven Church gathered on Saturday, August 23, for Family Serve Day, an event dedicated to making a difference in the Miami Valley and beyond. The volunteers packed 92,016 meals for families in Guatemala and built 158 beds for local children, marking the largest bed build ever for the Montgomery County chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Theres something really special about seeing kids, parents, and grandparents serving side by side, said Christin Adams, Family Ministry Director at Fairhaven Church. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharon VanVlymen, Outreach Pastor at Fairhaven Church, stated, Every meal packed and every bed built says to someone, You matter. Family Serve Day is organized by Fairhaven Church to engage its community in service projects with both local and international impact. The event saw participants of all ages working together, from children to grandparents, highlighting the churchs emphasis on family involvement in community service. The meals packed during the event were in collaboration with A Childs Hope International, an organization focused on providing food for children in need. The bed-building initiative was part of a partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor. Family Serve Day exemplifies how community efforts can bring hope and tangible support to those in need, both locally and globally. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Tuesday's jungle general election has seven candidates on the ballot to replace former state Sen. Brandon Beach. Some Fulton County voters hoping to beat election day lines have already stopped by the Alpharetta Branch Library to cast their votes. Amber Roldan/Georgia Recorder Seven candidates are vying to replace former state Sen. Brandon Beach as the lawmaker representing a northern Atlanta suburban district in the Georgia Senate. Early voting concluded Friday in the district, which covers much of Cherokee County and extends into north Fulton County, and just under 12,000 voters have already cast a ballot for a turnout rate of 8% in early voting. Senate District 21 candidates: Lance Calvert (Republican) Jason Dickerson (Republican) Stephanie Donegan (Republican) Brice Futch (Republican) Debra Shigley (Democrat) Steve West (Republican) Brian Will (Republican) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Election day is Tuesday, and polls will open again at 7 a.m. If one candidate does not secure more than 50% of the vote, a runoff is on the books for Sept. 23. Beach resigned earlier this year, leaving his seat vacant. His resignation came after a March appointment from President Donald Trump to become the 46th U.S. Treasurer. Prior to this appointment, the Alpharetta Republican held onto his seat in the Senate for 13 years. Beach has been a consistent Trump ally including by backing false conspiracies that the 2020 election had been rigged. The conservative suburban and rural district sent him back to the state Capitol with large margins of victory. In 2024, he won more than 70% of the vote against a Democratic challenger. While Democrats are hoping to flip the seat, GOP voters feel optimistic about retaining party control with six Republicans on the ballot: business owner Lance Calvert, investment manager Jason Dickerson, business and marketing strategist Stephanie Donegan, firefighter Brice Futch, former Cherokee County Commissioner Steve West and business owner Brian Will. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im a Republican, so Id like to see a Republican fill Brandon Beachs shoes, and there were several to choose from, said Fulton County early voter Lynna Lee after casting a ballot at the Alpharetta library. Democrats have placed their faith in Milton mom, attorney and small business owner, Debra Shigley. As the only Democratic candidate in the race, Shigley is fighting to overturn a long standing precedent in the red district. (When) hoping to flip a Republican-held seat, the best opportunity is to have only one candidate, because its a jungle general election where the candidates from both parties are listed on the ballot, said Melita Easters, executive director of Georgia WIN List. Georgia WIN List, a political action committee focused on electing Democratic women who support reproductive rights, has officially endorsed Shigley. Easters believes that Shigley will stand out against the stale, pale, male Republicans also fighting for a spot in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve got these five men over here yelling, Im more MAGA than the other guys, and theyre all spouting the same message, Easters said. Stephanie Donegan is the only Republican woman running in the district, and her campaign remains rooted in conservative values. The party in power typically faces a backlash after a presidential election. Democrats are hoping frustration with GOP leaders at the state and federal levels could depress Republican turnout while invigorating Democrats to vote. Flipping a seat in a staunchly conservative district would be a major publicity win for a state party that has spent decades in the minority. Gabrielle Smith, a Democratic voter, cast her ballot in Alpharetta during the second week of early voting. Smith said she was concerned about the way things are going in the country and hopes that her vote for Shigley could help make a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that a womans voice is needed, Smith said. I think that in a red state, a blue voice is needed. I think that somebody who isnt trading on fear and hate is needed. Honestly, thats why I voted for her. Democrats hope that having a single candidate in the race will work to their advantage, but Republicans are not convinced that the strategy will prove successful. Kennesaw State University professor of political science and former Cobb County Republican Party Chair Jason Shepherd said he thinks that it could be hard for Democrats to walk away with a victory. Shepherd predicts Shigley could be a third place finisher in the overwhelmingly Republican district and that there will be a September runoff between Tuesdays top two Republican vote-getters. If by some reason the Democrats do win it, then the Republicans need to be very nervous about these midterm elections, Shepherd said. And the person who should be most nervous is (Lt. Gov.) Burt Jones, who has Trumps endorsement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones is a Republican running for governor next year who has heavily touted his early endorsement from the president. Right now, his top rival on the GOP side is Attorney General Chris Carr. Despite signs some voters are excited to use their voice at the ballot box this month, low turnout is expected to continue tomorrow. Voting is important, and I think the local people can impact your life a lot, in addition to the people in Washington, D.C., Lee said. I think that since I get the opportunity to vote, especially as women weve had people fight for us to vote, that I should execute that. This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 to include the names and occupations of all the candidates. An earlier version of this story also mistakenly said where Shigley lives. She resides in Milton. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in swift negotiations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while also threatening further sanctions against Moscow. "If President Putin thinks he can play for time, he will have miscalculated," Wadephul said during a meeting with his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Grlic Radman, in the capital Zagreb. Wadephul emphasized that pressure must continue to be applied to Russia, adding that the European Union is preparing its 19th sanctions package against the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is now up to Putin to prove that he is genuinely willing to work towards a just peace, Wadephul said. "Based on everything we see, there are significant doubts about this." He noted that Ukraine has already made a concession by being willing to negotiate without further preconditions. At the same time, Wadephul stressed that "it is clear that there will be no negotiations over the heads of Ukrainians. That is our shared European promise." He assured Ukraine that "we will continue to support them politically, economically and militarily." Croatia demands peace without violent border changes Radman also pledged continued European support for Ukraine on its path to a just and lasting peace, without any changes to its borders through violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We know that any other scenario would have negative consequences for the security of South-East Europe and particularly the Western Balkans." Croatia understands that only a just peace can be enduring. "Other solutions that reward the aggressor carry the potential for further expansionist tendencies and instability, both in Europe and globally," Radman said. Our guest columnist weighs in on Indiana's housing shortage and her personal struggle to find an affordable option. (Getty Images) In just a few days, Ill move into an affordable independent-living neighborhood for seniors in Valparaiso. I was on a waiting list for three years. Waiting is a roller coaster. At first, you dream, plan, and purge belongings with a purpose. But as the months tick by, the excitement fades. You stop packing. The goal feels out of reach. You start wondering if maybe its easier to stay put and try to manage a large property even if its more than you can handle. There is enough to deal with as one ages, but for many, independence is everything. I was fortunate to be physically able to live in my home, but many seniors struggle. A neighbor I know sleeps on his first floor couch because he can no longer climb stairs. And while youd think downsizing would save money, today it often means higher costs, fewer options, and more stress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As focused as I was on my own dilemma, I knew I was not alone. As a new member of the Social Justice Committee at Christ Lutheran Church, we worked with eight area congregations under the direction of We Make Indiana, an organization that supports people of faith and conscience to create change. We did our own research, met with local officials, and brainstormed ways of tackling the crisis. We then began to plan a large public meeting to talk about solutions to the housing crisis and invite our local leaders to lead. Our focus was Housing for All seniors, first-time home owners, renters who need to be close to their jobs, and the growing homeless population in Porter County. On a Saturday in May, the Porter County Housing Assembly drew a crowd of close to 200 area residents. We shared personal stories, reviewed data, and examined decades of policies that shaped todays shortage. One story that stuck with me came from a single mother and professional who, despite her career and working two, three or four jobs, bounced between friends couches because rent in Valparaiso was out of reach. When we asked members of the Valparaiso City Council and the mayors staff they committed to work with us to reform local zoning laws and other barriers that get in the way of building more housing. Three months later the mayor is hiring a firm to completely redo the citys zoning laws, something that has been talked about for decades. This is a critical first step, and were excited to help shape the new zoning ordinance to allow for more multi-family units, legalize accessory dwelling units in more places, and make the process to build easier, faster, and less expensive. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have put the ball in play in Valparaiso. But Valparaiso cant solve this crisis alone. Housing advocates across the state have called for a commission for the state legislature to address the housing crisis. Gov. Mike Braun has neither dismissed nor approved the proposal. Whats clear is that state and local policymakers need to act together, and now. Montana and Texas both conservative states have taken bold action. Why not Indiana? This fall, teams from each congregation in our coalition are holding meetings to educate neighbors and encourage them to join the effort to modernize our zoning laws. Its exciting to work toward a change that will benefit other Hoosiers who, like me, have struggled to find a place to live. We are in this together. Change is possible. We know whats possible when communities organize. Now we need our state leaders to prioritize building more housing so all Hoosiers have a place to call home. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Wall Street Journal argued its becoming increasingly clear that vengeance is a large part, maybe the largest part of how President Donald Trump will define success in his second term. Trumps campaign for vengeance took an ominous turn with the FBI raid of his former national security adviser-turned-critic John Boltons home on Friday, said the newspapers conservative editorial board, which has criticized the president on multiple issues since his return to office. Related: Wall Street Journal Shreds Trumps Most Recent Vindictive Whim As A New Low Its hard to see the raid as anything other than vindictive, said the Journal, which suggested Trump may view the process itself to be the punishment even if there is ultimately no criminal charge or hope the raid will silence Bolton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The real offender here is a President who seems to think he can use the powers of his office to run vendettas, the board concluded. We said this was one of the risks of a second Trump term, and its turning out to be worse than we imagined. Read the full editorial here. Related... Read the original on HuffPost Stock photo from Getty Images. There are few things more important than our homes. Alongside providing our shelter, homes are where we make memories with friends and family where bonds are formed and strengthened. Unfortunately, the right to a home in America is under threat. Rents have skyrocketed, homelessness is rising, and home ownership is increasingly unattainable for most Americans. There are multiple causes, but one culprit stands out: classic Wall Street greed. Massive private equity corporations and hedge funds are buying up homes by the thousands houses, apartment buildings, and mobile home parks alike and then jacking up rents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This trend accelerated after the 2008 financial crisis, when investment firms snatched up homes in foreclosure and began renting them to the growing number of people locked out of ownership. The result? An epidemic of corporate slumlords. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE According to a recent study, nearly a fifth of all homes sold in the first quarter of 2024 were purchased by investment firms including over a quarter of low-priced homes that might have been affordable to working people. With their vast wealth, these companies are able to easily outbid real people, often paying a premium to buy properties before they even hit the market. This reduces supply and encourages developers to sell at higher prices that only Wall Street can afford. Once a firm owns a property, they rent it out at an inflated, algorithm-fixed price, further driving up costs for working people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take Blackstone. The trillion dollar private equity giant owns over 300,000 U.S. residential units, making it the largest corporate landlord in the world. The company has hiked rents in its properties by as much as 64 percent over just two years. While Blackstones tenants often cant make rent, CEO Stephen Schwarzman now enjoys a net worth north of $50 billion. Ive seen the impacts of Wall Streets assault on our homes firsthand. According to a Georgia State study, my hometown of Atlanta has the highest concentration of Wall Street-owned single family homes in the country. In the past 15 years, mega-corporations have purchased over 70,000 homes in Atlanta, accounting for over 30 percent of all single family rental properties in the city. In some districts, as much as 99.6 percent of the market is owned by corporate investors! As a result, longtime residents have been pushed out, housing costs have soared, and inequality has multiplied. For me and many of my friends, the idea of owning a home in the city we grew up in feels less realistic every day an unfortunate truth across countless towns and cities in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That includes Cleveland, where nearly 24 percent of homes have now been purchased by investors. As a fundamental need, housing should be a right for all people and families not an investment commodity for the ultra-rich. In the short term, rent control and increased tenant protections could ease peoples pain in this corporate-controlled housing market. In the longer term, theres an alternative that would allow us all to have the homes we deserve: social housing. Social housing refers to housing developed by non-corporate entities like non-profits or local, state, or federal governments. Social housing is permanently and truly affordable, controlled democratically by its community, and never resold for profit. There are a variety of models, but they all share one key component: they exist outside the for-profit housing market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cities and states can take the lead in developing their own social housing, like whats happening in Seattle after a citizen-driven referendum. There, a tax on rich corporations will fund a city-owned social housing developer a great model for cities across the country. Housing should be a source of safety and joy for everyone not yet another source of profit for the ultra wealthy. By rejecting corporate home ownership and supporting social housing, we can build a world where thats the case. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WALTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A Walton man has been arrested on charges of allegedly being in possession of an explosive device, drugs and a firearm. The Delaware County Sheriffs Office Road Patrol Division responded to reports of an individual threatening self-harm on August 6th. According to police Gerald Walke of Walton, NY, threatened to harm himself with the use of a firearm. Walke was located by deputies and taken to a treatment facility. During the investigation the Criminal Investigation Division of the Delaware County Sheriffs Office applied for a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order through the Delaware County Supreme Court. The request is for the removal of Walkes right to be in the possession of shotguns, firearms or rifles. The request was granted by the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walkes residence was searched on August 8th. With the assistance of Edge an Explosive Detection K-9, precursors for a bomb and explosive device construction were located by investigators. A rifle and rocket launcher were also discovered along with drugs and whats believed to be a homemade explosive device according to investigators. A second search warrant was granted with the assistance of the New York State Bomb Disposal Unit. Various items were seized including drugs, homemade explosive devices and a handgun. Walke was arrested on August 11th on charges of Criminal Possession of a weapon, Criminal Possession of a firearm and four counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walke was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in Lieu of a $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 secured bond, after he was arraigned at the Delaware County Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Experts in Texas are warning residents to be wary of leaving plastic water bottles in their cars during the sweltering summer months. While it is critical to stay hydrated during the summer heat, it is best to avoid water that has been left sitting in a warm car. Once temperatures start to climb high enough, plastic particles can begin to break down, making them easier to ingest. The crucial temperature that that starts to happen in is around 140 to 170F, which is very normal to get to inside of a hot car in the summertime. Its at that point that it starts to become more likely that youre going to pull particles or chemicals into your water, Bryan Tuten, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Texas at Tyler, told KLTV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuten compared the plastic used to produce water bottles to strands of spaghetti. Although pasta is difficult to separate when cold, as it gets warmer, it can come apart much more easily, just like plastic particles. Unfortunately, microplastics, which are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters in size, are increasingly being shown to drive a number of adverse health effects. One study showed that exposure to the particles from drinking from plastic bottles may increase blood pressure as they enter the bloodstream. And the risk extends far beyond just plastic water bottles. The Dallas Express recently reported on a study that found indoor air is inundated with thousands of microplastics small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs. The study concluded that adults may be inhaling around 68,000 microplastic particles of one to 10 micrometers per day, or 100 times higher than expected. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) A Warren man accused of having internet-based child sex abuse materials received his sentence Monday in the case. Philip Stouffer, 46, was sentenced to an indefinite two-to three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty on June 11 to three counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and two counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, according to a news release from the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office. He was also declared a Tier 2 sexual offender, which requires Stouffer to register with the sheriffs office twice per year for 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a Warren police report, officers were given a cybertip about Stouffer, and the charges stem from an incident in early November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) The Warrick County Democratic Party is speaking up after last weeks chaotic town hall with Indianas Lieutenant Governor. Amanda Bennett and Matthew Eike were arrested on Wednesday at the town hall. Warrick County Sheriffs Deputies say Bennett became increasingly agitated with the lieutenant governor through the evening. Authorities say that as Bennett left the room, she shoved a deputy. She was then taken to the ground and arrested. Eike was also arrested. Deputies say he was seen shoving another man and screaming, and resisting arrest. A third person, Kellie Moore, was not arrested at the event but was later charged with battery against a public safety official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Warrick County Democratic Party released a statement on Sunday following the town hall. Below is the full statement: On August 20, members of the Warrick County Democratic Party Central Committee and the Warrick County Young Democrats attended the Lt Governor, Micah Beckwiths, Townhall in Newburgh, Indiana. While some individuals at the event were arrested following confrontations with law enforcement, our members were not involved in any such incidents. We respect and stand in solidarity with those who exercised their right to protest and were arrested, but our group chose a different approach to express free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a symbolic and peaceful act, our members wore shirts reading Jezebel Spirita direct reference to a past derogatory comment made by Mr. Beckwith about women. Our purpose in attending was simple, said Chairman Barclay. We wanted to show up, ask questions, and represent our values through a respectful presence. Peaceful civic engagement is at the heart of democracy. While we hope that the events of August 20 are investigated fully, we also want to be clear: we respect and support our local law enforcement officers, who work every day to keep our community safe. The Warrick County Democratic Party and the Warrick County Young Democrats remain committed to promoting dialogue, equality, and inclusive representation in Indiana politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)- The Virginia State Police is investigating a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 that left a 90-year-old man dead. The crash happened around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, at mile marker 26 in Washington County. According to VSP, a 1997 Ford F-150, traveling southbound, was struck by a 2000 International 9200L, when the big rig was making a lane change. The F150 then struck a guardrail, traveled into the median, and hit a concrete pillar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the pickup, Jimmie Fields, 90, of Lewis Center, Ohio, died at the scene. Police said he was not wearing a seat belt. A passenger in the pickup was also injured, but was wearing a seat belt. Man killed during encounter with Washington County deputies Police said charges are pending against the driver of the tractor-trailer, identified at Robert Turnage, 52, of Collins, Mississippi. Turnage suffered minor injuries in the crash. Police said he was wearing a seat belt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's first visit with President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday has drawn much attention from experts and policymakers. For younger Korean Americans in Washington, especially those engaged in politics and policy, the presidential summit carries great weight. "This is one of the most important times in Korean politics," said John Lee, a Korean American graduate student at George Washington University and a member of GWU's Korean Student Alliance chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because there's such an instability within Korea politically, I hope that the visit to the U.S. doesn't cause more instability and more chaos in South Korean politics," he said. Before beginning the summit, John Lee, along with other Korean Americans in the District of Columbia area, joined President Lee at a dinner at the Conrad Hotel to bolster community spirit within Washington. Other policymakers, such as Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., and the ambassador of South Korea to the United States, Cho Hyun-dong, who formerly served as foreign minister, attended. Korean Americans who are veterans in Washington politics appear to continue focusing on day-to-day concerns, while a student like Lee has focused on the progression of talks, especially given his educational focus on international affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This talk is extremely important, and it will kind of determine the next few years between the two [leaders] in this relationship between South Korea and the U.S.," Lee said. He noted a major polarization is occurring in Korea, noting that whatever does occur during the summit will most likely meet with disapproval by conservatives, while liberals will praise it. According to a White House Communications Office press report, the South Korean Embassy in Washington said Lee's objectives are to find steady trade ties with Washington and create a more reliable economic partnership. Another goal is to update a 73-year security alliance to better address regional and global challenges and explore new ways of cooperation, such as within the shipbuilding industry. After Lee's meetings with Trump today, he is to speak at a forum hosted by the Center for Strategic & International Studies before heading to Philadelphia with Trump to visit the historic Philly Shipyard, which was acquired last year by the Hanwha Group, a South Korean conglomerate. President Trump signed executive orders in the Oval Office on Monday morning. Trump was expected to sign orders aimed at ending cashless bail policies in places like Washington, D.C. and targeting flag burning, his latest efforts to use the power of the federal government to exert pressure over liberal jurisdictions. The event comes one day after Trump and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) lobbed insults at each other as the president threatened to send National Guard troops to more American cities, including Baltimore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch a replay of Mondays event in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (WJW) President Donald Trump signed a series of new executive orders on Monday, including a new order related to punishment for burning the American flag. Footage released on X by Special Assistant to the President and Communications Advisor Margo Martin shows the moment President Trump discussed and signed the new order while seated in the Oval Office. What the penalty is going to be, if you burn a flag, you get one year in jail, no early exits, President Trump is heard saying in the video. You will see flag burning stopping immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the order, the American Flag is the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America, and of American freedom, identity, and strength, the White House website states. It also states that burning the flag may incite violence and riot, according to the White House website, claiming that burning the flag is a statement of contempt, hostility, and violence against our Nation. The Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that burning the US flag is considered symbolic speech and is protected under the First Amendment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. (The Center Square) Taxpayer resources should not be used to support jurisdictions with cashless bail policies, according to a new executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The order comes as the president hedges on whether to send the National Guard to Chicago. Within 30 days, a list of states and local jurisdictions that have ended cash bail will be delivered to the president. The order says the federal government may suspend or terminate federal funds, grants and contracts to areas with no cash bail. Illinois was the first state to end money bond statewide in September 2023. They have great cashless bail, you know you dont even go to court sometimes, Trump joked with staff in the oval office. Illinois, I love that state. Its a great state, but its run so badly by [Gov. J.B.] Pritzker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday afternoon, the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice held a news conference supporting Illinois end to money bond. ACLU of Illinois Ed Yohnka said Trumps moves are an overreach. You just simply dont have the power to limit and choke off funding to states on the basis of a policy that is really unrelated to the funding that is being given, Yohnka said. The group couldnt put a price tag of how much federal tax funds could be withheld from Illinois because of the states no-cash bail law. Yohnka anticipates the state of Illinois would file a lawsuit against any withholding of federal funds, to which the ACLU would file an amicus brief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the same event in the Oval Office Monday, Trump hedged on the idea of sending National Guard troops to Chicago to address public safety. These people are sick, but Im really saying, and I say this to all of you, in a certain way we should wait to be asked, because they have cities that are so under, you know, out of control, Trump said. During an afternoon news conference with Democratic members of Congress and other elected officials, Pritzker said there has been no communication between state and local officials about the use of the National Guard and there is no crime emergency in Illinois or in Chicago. This is not because weve asked for it, it is not because there is some justice that he is going to seek, it is because he wants to create chaos, that is all this is about, Pritzker said. Attorney General Kwame Raoul said he couldnt rule out a lawsuit against the Trump administration. Watertown High School to utilize new technology limiting student cell phone use A week away from the start of another school year, Watertown High School and developers of Doorman are working together to implement first-of-its-kind technology across classrooms to reduce phone distractions. Joel Giacobozzi, principal at Watertown High School, was approached by Doorman this winter. Were implementing an electronic solution to a problem weve had for a while, said Giacobozzi. We feel its the best middle ground between completely taking a students phone or locking a students phone away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school will roll out Doormans pilot program, where students will use their app to tap in before walking into class. Giacobozzi added, When you tap in, and only when you tap in, all of your web traffic is redirected to a VPN ... what that does is allows us to block kind of high dopamine applications. Those applications, Giacobozzi said, include messaging, Instagram, Snapchat and others. The application will be synced up with the schools class schedule. Meanwhile, apps like Google Classroom and others that can enhance the learning experience will be up and running. Once class is over, it automatically allows the student to unlock, Giacobozzi told Boston 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said students will be able to use their phones to their full extent until they tap into their next class. They claim they are the first high school in the country to use this technology. Giacobozzi said if students choose not to download the app, they will have to leave their phones in the office. He said the app does not track any data on students phones. Their decision comes as the debate over a statewide cell phone ban rages on Beacon Hill. He finished, Students like their phones. Adults like their phones. Everyone loves their phones... They understand the option is locked in a pouch... locked in central storage, or the phone is on them but bricked as we say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giacobozzi told Boston 25 Doorman crews would be working on implementing the systems in every classroom this week. It will be reportedly rolled out over the first few weeks of school.that Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) Governor Jeff Landry announced that a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement has resulted in over 100 arrests for violent crime in Baton Rouge. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing crime rates in the area, marking a significant step in addressing public safety concerns. Attorney General Liz Murrill emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, stating, I think that the collaboration that were seeing among law today is the model that we are looking to replicate across the entire state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new multi-agency task force has been established to combat child exploitation. Murrill highlighted the alarming increase in cyber tips over the years, which have surged from 800 in 2013 to over 13,000 last year, making it easier for predators to exploit children. Gaming platform Roblox responds to Louisiana AG child safety lawsuit Meanwhile, discussions about a potential special legislative session are underway, with state lawmakers advised to keep their calendars clear for a session likely focusing on redistricting between October 23rd and November 13th. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is set to appear in magistrate court on Sept. 10, facing 18 charges, including conspiracy, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice related to an alleged romantic involvement with her bodyguard, Jeffrie Vappie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Louisiana House Speaker Joe Salter, known for his role in the states post-Katrina recovery efforts, has passed away at the age of 82 after a long battle with kidney cancer. NSU announces death of Joe Reece Salter former Louisiana State Representative This and more on Your Local Election Headquarters. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. A 77-year-old British citizen has been in prison for almost four years. He has spent much of it in solitary confinement. His health has deteriorated: diabetes worsened, heart palpitations treated. His alleged crime? Criticising his government. No not in Sir Keir Starmers Britain, though many might raise an eyebrow at the thought. This is Xi Jinpings China. The man is Jimmy Lai. The trial of Lai founder of Apple Daily, Hong Kongs most prominent pro-democracy newspaper concluded closing arguments last week. He stands accused of sedition and collusion with foreign powers, his supposed offence being to report on Beijings assault on liberty during the 2019 protests and to call on the international community to hold China to account. In other words: journalism. Also known as: the lifeblood of any free society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is almost certain he will be found guilty. The National Security Law (NSL), passed in 2020, criminalises previously lawful acts of dissent. Last year, Beijing went further with the Article 23 legislation, hardening penalties, removing the jury and lowering thresholds. In practice this means the state can convict almost anyone it wants, and it has: of the 78 cases tried under the law, all but a handful have ended in guilty verdicts. In the landmark Hong Kong 47 case, a group of pro-democracy activists were sentenced to double-digit prison terms for peaceful political organising now, a violation of the NSL. Appeals abound but will take years to be heard. This is not justice. It is theatre. Hong Kongs courts, once respected across the common law world, now sit under the shadow of Beijings will. Lord Sumption, formerly a member of the Hong Kong bench, has warned that judicial independence there is collapsing. Together with Lord Collins, he left the Hong Kong court because it was being reduced to an annex of the Chinese Communist Party. According to the World Justice Project, Hong Kong has tumbled down global rankings for human rights protections. What was once Asias freest city is now little more than another Chinese satellite, its promises of liberty from 1997 reduced to ashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And where is Britain? Where is the voice of the country that once guaranteed Hong Kongs freedoms and whose citizen is now facing life in prison for standing by them? We have heard the usual ministerial murmurings of concern. We have been told that the case has been raised. Meanwhile, the Government seems unwilling to stop Beijing from constructing its gargantuan embassy complex in central London a project better described as a surveillance fortress. The Prime Minister refuses to list China as a threat on the Enhanced Tier of the Foreign Influence Register. The Foreign Secretary, once a great orator against Beijings crimes, has now retreated into virtual silence: whether on the plight of the Uighur Muslims, Taiwan or Chagos. This is not diplomacy. It is appeasement. The contrast with past efforts is stark. Britain fought, lobbied, and eventually negotiated to bring Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe home from Iran. Other Western nations have secured the release of their citizens from Chinese jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet for Jimmy Lai a British passport-holder, a man whose only crime is to believe in the principles Britain once taught Hong Kong there is inertia. Strange, given that our Government is headed up by one former human rights barrister, Starmer and supported by his close friend from chambers, the Attorney General, Lord Hermer. For all their zealousness over human rights, why so silent now? I have met with Jimmy Lais son, Sebastien and their legal team. He is campaigning diligently for his fathers life. But this case is not only about Lais freedom, crucial though that is. It is about Britains willingness to defend its citizens, its values, and its word. Beijing is watching. The world is watching. If Britain will not raise its voice for liberty now, then when? The question is brutally simple: will Starmer and his Attorney General rediscover their principles and use them to save a British life? Or will they allow themselves to become the diplomatic errand boys of a regime that fears nothing more than the sound of free men speaking? The Chinese Communist Party or Jimmy Lai. Its time to choose. I know whose side Im on. But does this Government? 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. BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) Every Sunday, a group gathers for the Run For Their Lives walk, drawing attention to the hostages still being held during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. A group of community members participated in the silent 18-minute walk through Bexley, most of them holding signs that read Home Now, while others carried pictures of the hostages. We stand strong, not only with the Jewish people, but the hostages were taken from all different countries, walk organizer Yehudit Wittert said. So thats why its important that we continue until every last one is home and that we stand strong with each other and for each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young artist from central Ohio takes top prize in Americas Field Trip contest Another organizer, Daniel Newman, shared that its imperative to continue showing their support to those in the midst of the war; it also signifies standing in solidarity with those group members in Boulder, Colorado, who were attacked during a similar walk in June, injuring 15 people, including an 82-year-old woman who later died from her injuries. Were hoping for the return of them all as soon as possible, Newman said. And were just, thats what, thats what one, whenever possible, were going to speak out just to make sure that everybody knows there are still hostages in there and that they should be home. There are more than 200 Run for Their Lives groups around the world continuing to hold the walks weekly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A former Wells Fargo employee has been indicted on charges of allegedly stealing more than $26,000 from the account of an Oregon woman in her 90s. According to a Multnomah County indictment, Brittany Monique McLaughlin faces 20 counts, including aggravated theft, aggravated identity theft and first-degree theft. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, Bernadette Richardson, died in 2023. It wasnt until her brother began sorting through her finances that the family noticed irregular withdrawals. His daughter Leah Dieringer said the discovery came after she reviewed bank statements tied to the estate. "My dad was in charge of all of her estate," Dieringer told KGW8 News. "After she passed away, my dad was able to get all of her banking information sent to him. He hands me the statements, and I see this name Brittany McLaughlin attached to it. I'm like, what is this name? He's like, I have no idea who that is." The discovery When Dieringer combed through her late aunts bank statements, she spotted repeated payments for car loans, insurance, utilities, PayPal transfers and cash withdrawals none of which had anything to do with her aunts life. Although Wells Fargo eventually reimbursed the family about $13,000, the bank hadnt flagged the suspicious activity as a concern at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say McLaughlin used Richardsons personal information to make more than a dozen fraudulent transactions over several months. Dieringer said she believes her aunts information was first compromised when she called Wells Fargo for help with online banking and the employee on the other end took advantage. To find out that someone had taken this money from someone who was older, just took advantage of them, it's horrific," Dieringer said. The case highlights a larger problem: financial fraud against seniors is on the rise. Older Americans are often targeted because they tend to be more trusting, financially stable and less likely to spot irregularities in their accounts. According to the FBI, seniors reported $4.8 billion in losses to scams in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every number in this report represents a real person, a victim whose trust was betrayed, whose financial security was compromised and whose voice deserves to be heard," said Christopher Delzotto, section chief of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division, during a conference call. Read more: Do you own rental properties in the US? These 6 hacks can help you boost your income and lower your tax burden Protecting yourself and loved ones from fraud McLaughlin now faces an arrest warrant out of state. "Our thoughts remain with Ms. Richardson's family and we take this matter seriously, A spokesperson for Wells Fargo said in a statement. The employee has not worked at Wells Fargo since 2022 and we have cooperated with law enforcement in their investigation. We are reviewing the family's concerns and do not have an update at this time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scams dont always come from faceless hackers overseas. Sometimes the risk is much closer to home, even inside the very institutions entrusted to protect your money. If youre managing the finances of an aging parent or relative, build habits that make fraud harder to miss. Review statements line by line, set up fraud alerts and consider having a second family member receive copies of monthly statements. Keep a log of every call with banks or service providers so you have a paper trail. If you spot something that feels off, report it immediately. Protecting your familys financial legacy means being proactive because once the money is gone, the stress and paperwork to recover it can linger long after. What to read next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Sunday listed the reasons why he opposes President Trumps deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., including his seeing it as disrespectful to the guard members. Earlier this month, the Trump administration began surging federal law enforcement across parts of the nations capital to crack down on what the White House said was an unacceptable level of crime, despite statistics showing violent crime has declined in the city. Last week, Trump took federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed hundreds of National Guard troops across the city to further the crack down on crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore, in a Sunday interview with CBS Newss Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, said there were plenty of reasons why he opposed the deployment, including that it is unsustainable, not scalable, and unconstitutional. The fourth reason is because its deeply disrespectful to the members of the National Guard, Moore said. As someone who actually deployed overseas and served my country in combat, to ask these men and women to do a job that theyre not trained for is just deeply disrespectful. And so when were thinking about all of these lasting factors, when were thinking about the fact that it serves as a distraction from the fact that the presidents disastrous economic policies are making everything more expensive for everyday Americans is making life harder for everyday Americans, there is a multitude of reasons that I am against this, and I will not authorize the Maryland National Guard to be utilized for this, he continued. Last week, Trump suggested he could bring his takeover efforts to other Democratic-led cities, including Baltimore, which he called in a Truth Social post on Sunday morning out of control and crime ridden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also slammed Moore in his post for asking the president to come walk the streets with us, saying he needs to rethink his decision to give money for repairing the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship. Governor Wes Moore of Maryland has asked, in a rather nasty and provocative tone, that I walk the streets of Maryland with him, Trump wrote. I assume he is talking about out of control, crime ridden, Baltimore? As President, I would much prefer that he clean up this Crime disaster before I go there for a walk. He also accused Moore of having a very bad record in his handling of crime in the state and offered to send troops to the state if he needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A. Moore on Sunday touted Baltimores decline in crime in the past few years but also said there is still work we have to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know if one person does not feel safe in their neighborhood, thats one too many. But we also know what tactics actually work and what tactics is just theatrics, Moore said. Moore also admitted his state needs more federal help in cutting down on crime, which Trump can do by stopping funding cuts for violence intervention groups, and the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives bureaus that are supporting local jurisdictions like Baltimore. Those are actually real, tangible things that the president of the United States could do and where you could put capital to actually make our communities safer, Moore 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. BOSTON The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced this week that 30 school districts, in partnership with over 100 community-based preschool programs, will receive a total of $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to expand access to high-quality, affordable preschool for children and families across Massachusetts. These grants maintain the states expanded access to high-quality preschool, supporting approximately 220 preschool classrooms and 3,200 seats for children across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start, and other community-based preschool programs, according to the announcement. Among the grantees were Westfield Public Schools, which received a $1 million implementation grant, and Gateway Regional, which received a $250,000 early implementation grant. Both school districts offer free preschool to families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joanne Lemelin, grants manager for Westfield Public Schools said the grant the district submitted was for $1 million, and they were fully funded. This amount is for one year and the grant runs Sept. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026. When we applied for this grant it was noted that the FY26 grant was competitive and if approved it would then be a renewal grant for the two years following, Lemelin said. This does not mean we are guaranteed the funds for the next two years, it just means the funds are potentially earmarked for Westfield but we would still have to go through the application process each year. And, as always, the funding is contingent on what is available each year in the state budget. Lemelin said the grant does not fully fund the preschools, but does cover a portion of the teacher salaries, the salaries of the preschool itinerant team, and provides funding to their community partners: the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield and the YMCA of Greater Westfield. It also covers some additional expenses, she said. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the district will be offering full day and half day seats with rolling enrollment for students needing special education services. Highland Elementary and Munger Hill will have five classrooms each, with two classrooms each at Southampton Road and Westfield River elementary school. Anticipated preschool enrollment in FY26 is 250 students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking on her last day as superintendent at Gateway, Kristen Smidy said the regional school district was grateful to receive the grant again this year. We are so thankful to receive $250,000 for our CPPI grant for early implementation. We did receive the same amount last year for early implementation and anticipated receiving upwards of $600,000+ for implementation, but I understand that the state has some unexpected financial limitations. Even so, we are pleased to receive the same amount as last year to continue our great work with our early learners. Because we got the same amount as last year, we will continue with our strong offerings without additional expansion, Smidy said. Last year, Gateway was the only rural school district to receive the funding after a lengthy application process. The district offered two-half day preschool programs at Littleville Elementary, one full-day program within the high school associated with Gateways Early Childhood Chapter 74 Vocational Program, and two half-day programs and a full day program at Chester Elementary School. According to the announcement from the governors office, new data analysis from the Department of Early Education and Care finds that CPPI-funded classrooms generally serve children with diverse backgrounds and needs, including that just under two thirds of CPPI enrolled children are students of color and just under a third are English Learners. In addition, about one-quarter of children receive early intervention or special education services and about one third are in an early education program for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large portion of CPPI programs operate in communities with fewer resources available for children and families, as defined by the Child Opportunity Index. Through Governor Healeys Gateway to Pre-K agenda, the administration has expanded CPPI to serve more than three times the number of children compared to two years earlier, with a focus in Gateway Cities and rural communities. We know that far too many parents are being held back from returning to the workforce because of the daunting cost of child care. Thats why we have been focused on expanding access to universal pre-K through our schools and community-based programs across the state, said Gov. Maura Healey. Access to high-quality pre-k helps close learning gaps before students enter kindergarten, leveling the playfield and setting children up for success in school. I am grateful to the Legislature for their partnership in this years budget, and our administration is committed to building on this progress and working toward expanding access to child care and pre-K in more communities. Read the original article on MassLive. More than 1,000 arrests have been made since federal law enforcement was sent into Washington, D.C., earlier this month, the White House announced Monday. Overall, 111 firearms have been seized and six known gang members have been arrested, including a MS-13 and a Tren de Aragua gang member, according to the White House. Additionally, 49 homeless encampments have been cleared by the multi-agency teams. Of the 1,007 total arrests since Aug. 7, 86 of them were made Sunday night, which included 37 immigrants lacking permanent legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 2,100 federal law enforcement officers patrolled Sunday night, during which 10 illegal firearms were seized and arrests included for carrying a pistol without a license, assaulting a federal officer and assaulting a National Guard member, among other charges. President Trump announced on Aug. 7 that he would increase the federal law enforcement presence in the nations capital; he announced days later that he would take federal control of the Washington, D.C., police department and deploy the National Guard. Under the Home Rule Act, Trump can temporarily take control of the Districts police department if he determines special conditions of an emergency nature exist. He has not said when the federal police presence could end, but last week he said he would ask Congress for $2 billion to make improvements around D.C. Trump has threatened to turn his federal policing push next to Baltimore and Chicago, cities like D.C. that are overwhelmingly blue and represented by Democratic mayors. But he appeared to back off Monday, saying it would be better to be asked by state and local officials for federal assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was telling some of the people that in a certain way you really want to be asked to go. I hate to barge in on a city and then be treated horribly by corrupt politicians and bad politicians, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Trump visited federal law enforcement stationed in D.C. last week in Anacostia, and Vice President Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Union Station earlier in the week to assess operations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a Michigan Democratic Party delegation breakfast on day three of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Ill., on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is asking President Donald Trump for answers and a change of heart after his administration reneged on a declaration approving portions of a disaster relief package for northern Michigan following devastating ice storms in the spring. Whitmer on Monday issued a letter to appeal that decision. The governor said although assistance for local municipalities was approved by the Trump administration, individual families, businesses and utilities have been denied relief in the form of federal funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Northern Michiganders are still reeling from the impacts of the ice storm that devastated communities earlier this year, Whitmer said in a statement. Michigan families and businesses deserve the support they need to recover from these storms. Thats why Im appealing [the administrations] disaster aid denials. Ill keep fighting like hell to deliver relief for our residents, local governments and utility providers. Trump on July 22 declared a major disaster for Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Kalkaska, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in response to a severe winter storm that occurred between March 28 and March 30. The presidents declaration activated a number of Federal Emergency Management Agency public assistance programs, but on July 28, FEMA officials informed the governors office that it would be denying its request for activation as it related to public utility assistance, along with hazard mitigation grants and individual assistance for families. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II also issued a statement through Whitmers office, adding that the executive team was working hard to provide relief. An ice storm leaves a tree coated in Gaylord. March 30, 2025. Photo courtesy of NOAAs National Weather Service. Unfortunately, residents, business owners, and utilities arent getting what they need, Gilchrist said. We are appealing FEMAs decision not to approve key parts of our request, and well continue Standing Tall to help northern Michigan recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bipartisan group of federal and statewide elected officials also joined in the governors call to greenlight the remaining portion of requested aid, including U.S. Sen. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Holly, both Democrats, as well as U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman of Watersmeet and state Sen. John Damoose of Harbor Springs, both Republicans. Recovery will continue to be out of reach without these critical resources from FEMA, which is why I support Governor Whitmers appeal. Michiganders deserve better, Peters said. Slotkin echoed Peters and said FEMA needs to step up and do its part after Trump declared a major disaster for the area. Bergman, a strong Republican supporter of Trump, added that Michigan families and communities were still left carrying the burden even months after the ice storms halted power and critical resources in March. The congressman said he strongly supported Whitmers appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about standing up for Northern Michiganders and ensuring we are not left behind, Bergman said. Damoose, a leading Republican in the Senate, said he personally experienced the devastation of the storms. I am also deeply troubled by the costs that our electrical co-ops have faced which total hundreds of millions of dollars, Damoose said. While we are all grateful for the federal support that has been approved, I very much support Governor Whitmers efforts to appeal the decision by the federal government to deny individual assistance and help to our utilities, who otherwise will have no choice but to pass those costs on to residents. The letter and appeal came within a 30-day window to appeal FEMAs decision. Whitmer said she was providing the agency with updated data and what she believed was a compelling justification for why the programs were essential for long-term recovery in the region. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX An eerily familiar set of headlines is making the rounds in Ethiopia, troubling many in the fragile, northern Tigray region. Successive delegations of civil society and religious leaders have, in recent weeks, travelled to the Tigrayan capital, Mekelle, for dialogue. For some, it is a reminder of the events that played out in the final weeks before Tigray descended into war in November 2020. That war left 600,000 people dead and some five million displaced. It brought global attention to Ethiopias fractured politics and tarnished the reputation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who had won a Nobel Peace Prize for mending long-severed ties with neighbouring Eritrea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A ceasefire two years later was supposed to end the war; instead, analysts say, another conflict might be looming. This time, it could involve not just the Tigrayan regional authorities, but also Eritrea, and potentially, that countrys own allies. It is not a conflict that the region can withstand, experts fear. We are now at a point where we are all frightened at another conflict in Tigray, and with Eritrea, analyst Abel Abate Demissie of the Chatham House think tank in the United Kingdom told Al Jazeera. It would be extremely devastating. Fractured agreements signed back in November 2022 that ended the war between the regional Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) and the federal government are at the root of the tensions. However, it is the deepening resentment between neighbours Eritrea and Ethiopia that analysts say is the scariest development this time. Ethiopia is a key player in East Africa, and war there could derail regional stability as neighbouring Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia deal with ongoing armed conflict. It could also affect Africas self-reliance in the aviation sector, as Addis Ababa is one of Africas most important air travel hubs. Internally displaced people walk through the Sebacare camp on the outskirts of Mekelle, Tigray region, Ethiopia, on February 12, 2025 [Alexander Mamo/AP Photo] Peace agreement pushed aside War broke out in Tigray in November 2020 after Ethiopias Abiy accused the TPLF of attacking a command centre of the national army, the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, the TPLF dominated the ruling coalition in Addis Ababa in what experts say was an autocratic system. The group was disliked in nearly all 10 regions of Ethiopia, a country where regions form along ethnic lines. Eritrea, which fought a border war with TPLF-dominated Ethiopia in 1998, also had gripes with the party. When Abiy, an Oromo, was elected in 2018, though, he established peaceful ties with Eritrea and set about implementing reforms for a stronger central government. The TPLF, however, saw Abiys moves as a threat to its power and sought to overthrow his government. Addis Ababa, in its military response to the TPLF attack, teamed up with other TPLF-opposed entities, including the Amhara army and allied militias, as well as Eritrean forces. All sides were accused of attacking civilians; however, rights groups also accused the federal government of deliberately blocking aid to Tigrayans and causing a near-famine. The United States called attacks by Amhara militias ethnic cleansing while many Tigrayans claim the war was a genocide. Many were forcibly displaced from western Tigray, which the Amhara region claims. Thousands of women were raped. In November 2022, Addis Ababa and TPLF signed the Pretoria peace agreement. The ceasefire deal mandated that the TPLF disarm and a new government be jointly appointed by both sides. It also mandated that Addis Ababa oversee the safe return of displaced people and that all third-party armies withdraw. However, a power struggle emerged in the TPLF between the Abiy-appointed Tigray mayor, Getachew Reda, and the TPLF head, Debretsion Gebremichael. It began when Getachew attempted to implement the disarmament clause. Core TPLF members, however, accused him of being a sellout. In March, the TPLF faction aligned with Debretsion staged a coup, seized the Mekelle radio station, and forced Getachew to leave Mekelle for Addis Ababa. The coup was a direct affront to Abiy, analysts say. Although he has since appointed another interim president from Debretsions camp, Addis Ababa and TPLF have traded insults and threatened attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both sides have downplayed their responsibility, said Abel of Chatham House, speaking of how both sides appear to have moved away from the Pretoria agreement. The TPLF accuses Addis Ababa of failing to resettle people, with some 1.6 million still displaced, and is threatening to forcibly return them. It also blames the government for revoking its licence as a political party, although the national electoral body says it is because the TPLF has failed to hold a general assembly as it previously mandated. Addis Ababa, on the other hand, has faulted the TPLF for failing to disarm, and also accuses the party of allying with Eritrea. In a speech in parliament in July, Abiy urged religious leaders and civil society members to warn TPLF leaders against escalation, because when conflict starts, it would be too late. Getachew, who has been expelled from the TPLF, has formed a new party, the Tigray Democratic Solidarity Party. Analysts say it is possible that the party might be installed in Tigray instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Amhara militias and the TPLF continue to clash. Many young people who joined the TPLF in the 2020 war have defected to form new militias allied with Getachews faction and attempted an attack on the TPLF in July. Troops in Eritrean uniforms walk near the town of Adigrat, Ethiopia, March 18, 2021 [Baz Ratner/Reuters] The problem with Eritrea Ethiopias perpetual entanglement with Eritrea has taken on a different dimension since 2020, with both again at loggerheads. Cracks appeared in their parley after Abiys government agreed to peace with the TPLF. President Isaias Afwerki, who has been Eritreas de facto leader since 1994, was reportedly angered as he did not feel sufficiently consulted, even as Eritrean troops are still in Tigray. A bigger problem, however, is Abiys comments since 2023 about landlocked Ethiopias existential need to access a seaport. Asmara has taken those statements as a threat that Addis Ababa might invade and seize the coastal areas it previously lost after Eritrea fought to secede in 1993. In one comment, Abiy described Ethiopia losing sea access as a historical mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Eritrea has been building up defences, sending military tanks to the border, according to analysts, with Ethiopia doing the same. In February, Eritrea put out calls for conscription into the army. Asmara is also reportedly in cahoots with the TPLF to undermine Abiy, although officials deny this. Both sides do not really want to go to war and are merely posturing, analyst Abel said. Eritrea would meet in Addis Ababa a formidable enemy, and Ethiopia is not eager to mar its reputation as a growing regional leader where the African Union has its headquarters. The problem, though, is it only takes one small act to ignite a war, even if both sides dont want it, the analyst said. In March, Abiy attempted to downplay the tensions while speaking in parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our intention is to negotiate based on the principle of give and take, he said, implying that any port deals would be commercial. Our plan is not to fight but to work together and grow together. It is not only Asmara that has been angered by Abiys bid to find a port. Neighbouring Somalia nearly declared war last year after Abiy sealed a port deal with the self-declared state of Somaliland. Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its territory, was furious, but Turkiye, Somalias close ally, mediated repairs between the two in December. Before they reconciled, Eritrea held meetings with Somalia, as well as Egypt, which is also angry with Addis Ababa over the Grand Renaissance Dam, which it says will limit its water supply from the Nile. Eritreas President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopias Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the inauguration ceremony marking the reopening of the Eritrean Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 16, 2018 [Tiksa Negeri/Reuters] Can all sides find peace? Analysts say the work of finding common ground rests mostly with Abiy as Asmara, for one, is not strong on diplomacy, and the TPLF appears more confident with reported Eritrean backing. The big unknown is whether Abiy is willing and able to restore ties with either the TPLF or Eritrea without either side feeling sidelined. In the background, as well, are the Amhara militias who are still present in disputed western Tigray. Any attempts to remove them could lead to conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In any case, Abiy is already suffering a crisis of legitimacy, analyst Micheal Tsegay Assefa concluded in a brief for the Atlas Institute for International Affairs. Regional leaders, particularly from Amhara and Oromia, increasingly question the central governments capacity to secure peace and manage inter-regional conflicts, he wrote, due to Addis Ababas inability to enforce the peace deal. Meanwhile, as the sabre-rattling continues, Tigrayans are once again fearing for their lives. The recent tensions have sent scores of people fleeing from the region, with some risking deadly routes to get out of the country altogether. Researchers say Ethiopian migrants attempting, and dying, to enter Yemen via the Gulf of Aden increasingly appear to be from Tigray, based on the clothing or jewellery found by rescuers during shipwrecks. Analysts say another war simply must not happen. Conflict only needs one side to go rogue, Abel said. I really hope that sanity will prevail and all sides will apply wisdom. President Donald Trump talks to journalists after signing executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on August 25, 2025. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images President Donald Trump on Sunday signaled his support for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revoking ABC and NBC News broadcasting licenses, calling the media outlets an arm of the Democratic Party. But press freedoms and laws governing the FCC would hamper any effort to carry out the threat. Why is it that ABC and NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the absolute worst and most biased networks anywhere in the World, arent paying Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES, the President wrote on Truth Social, after asserting the outlets pose a threat to our democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! The FCC only licenses individual broadcast systems, however, not networks such as ABC and NBC, as the agency notes. The FCC is also barred under the First Amendment and the federal law that created the agency from dictating what programming networks air. Broadcast stations can violate FCC rules if they knowingly publish false information which then results in substantial public harm that was foreseeable, or if direct evidence shows them intentionally rigging or slanting the news, the agency says. But the FCC also generally does not engage with complaints allegingone-sided news reports or comments, it says, because doing so would be inconsistent with the First Amendment to replace the journalistic judgment of licensees with our own. The Presidents recent comments add to his previous calls for networks to lose their broadcast licensesincluding both ABC and NBC. Past heads of the agency have pushed back on those threats and emphasized the limits of the FCCs authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the law, the FCC does not have the authority to revoke a license of a broadcast station based on the content of a particular newscast, then-agency Chair Ajit Pai said in 2017, after Trump suggested challenging NBCs license over a report regarding the Presidents relationship with his national security advisers. As Ive said before, the First Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy. The FCC does not and will not revoke licenses for broadcast stations simply because a political candidate disagrees with or dislikes content or coverage, then-Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said last year, after Trump indicated CBS News should lose its license over its editing of a 60 Minutes interview with 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. While repeated attacks against broadcast stations by the former President may now be familiar, these threats against free speech are serious and should not be ignored, Rosenworcel warned at the time. Current FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who proposed moves to reshape the agency in conservative policy playbook Project 2025, has in contrast supported Trumps call for the revocation of the three major broadcast networks licenses. Carr also criticized NBC for having Harris on Saturday Night Live days before the 2024 election, pointing to the requirement for media outlets to provide presidential candidates with the opportunity for equal air time under federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps threats to networks licenses have come alongside broader attacks on the media by the President and his allies. Last year, Trump sued ABC News and anchor George Stephanopoulos after Stephanopoulos made an inaccurate statement about the verdict of a civil lawsuit against Trump. The media company agreed in December to pay $15 million toward Trumps presidential library to settle the suit. Paramount, CBSs parent company, more recently reached its own $16 million settlement with Trump in his lawsuit over the editing of the 60 Minutes interview. The agreements have sparked concern from media organizations, and legal experts told TIME in the wake of Paramounts decision to settle with Trump that such cases could fuel a decline in the U.S.s press freedoms and lead to self-censorship in newsrooms. Trump has since sued multiple entities associated with the Wall Street Journal after it published an article alleging he sent a birthday letter to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2003, and barred a Journal reporter from Air Force One for an international trip. Public media has been subject to recent attacks as well. Earlier this month, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which helps fund NPR and PBS, announced that it would start shutting down in response to a law passed by Congress and signed by Trump rescinding $1.1 billion of its funding. Contact us at letters@time.com. A fire in the Florida Everglades has burned about 48,000 acres, according to the Florida Forest Service. As of Sunday night, it was 85% contained. The fire in Broward County, about six miles southwest of Weston, was discovered a week ago, on Aug. 18. Here's the latest from the Florida Forest Service. Florida Everglades fire named 'Mile Marker 39' fire The Mile Marker 39 fire in Broward County, about six miles southwest of Weston, was discovered about 6 p.m. Aug. 18, according to the Florida Forest Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire's main fuel source are tall grasses, with the area comprised of 99% wetlands, according to the Florida Forest Service. How large is the Everglades Mile Marker 39 Fire? As of 8:35 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, six days after the fire was discovered, the fire has burned about 48,000 acres. Wildland firefighters with the Florida Forest Service EvergladesD18 division said firefighter crews along with heavy equipment "aviation resources" have been deployed to contain the fire. Helicopters were used to make water drops on Aug. 21, at which time the fire was 10% contained. An earlier fire, designated as the Sawgrass Fire, combined with Mile Marker 39 fire to its south on Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Florida Forest Service said. Weekend rain help knock Everglades fire down Earlier this afternoon, @FLForestService provided an update that the Mile Marker 39 Wildfire had grown to 42,000 acres with a 10% containment. Since then, multiple rounds of quick moving storms have moved over the fire, bringing bursts of heavy rain directly over the flames. pic.twitter.com/lBjg6P0tOv NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) August 21, 2025 "We had a significant amount of rain over the weekend. In the past three days, we received 2 to 3 inches of rain in the area, which really helped knock it down," George Rizzuto, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Miami, said in a phone call Monday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More rain is on the way, with scattered showers expected Monday afternoon and evening. What caused the Mile Marker 39 Fire? The Florida Forest Service lists the cause of the fire as "natural." The fire is in an area deemed 99.41% as wetlands. Florida wildfires and smoke tracker Should I be concerned about air quality in South Florida due to smoke? There are no air quality concerns in Broward and Miami associated with the fire since it is now 85% contained, Rizzuto said. There was a potential for smoke impacts from the fire in Palm Beach and Broward counties over the weekend, the Florida Forest Service posted on Facebook Aug. 22. 344 Fire earlier this year closed roads leading to Florida Keys In March, firefighters battled what was known as the "344 Fire," which burned more than 25,000 acres in South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire also affected the only two roads with access to and from the Florida Keys, prompting officials at various times to close the roads and warn residents and visitors, after the roads had opened, they could be closed again if conditions warranted. The 344 Fire also affected an area away from commercial and residential development. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mile Marker 39 fire in Florida Everglades burns almost 50,000 acres WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A Wilson Central High School sophomore who moved to Middle Tennessee less than a year ago is already a published author. Shriyam Dhungana, who spent the first 14 years of his life in Nepal, said adjusting to life in the United States has not been easy. He and his family moved to the Volunteer State in April 2023, and he described the transition as difficult at times. As part of that adjustment, Shriyam turned to writing. His debut novel, Ash Beneath the Sky, was inspired by his own journey of starting over in a new country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cracker Barrel co-founder fears new logo, interior changes could hurt company He said the process felt like putting a piece of himself into a fictional story, which helped him make sense of the changes he was facing. Shriyam credited his English teacher with assisting him through the early chapters, saying that guidance gave him the confidence to keep writing. However, the process was not without challenges. Shriyam said he experienced culture shock and discrimination. The USA is like a different religion and everything is so different the rules, the regulations and honestly, I dont know how. I think its just me, but they were treating me differently because, basically, the type of my skin is brown, so I wouldnt say thats a negative thing because thats what shaped me, Shriyam explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shriyams parents, Sunita Chaulagain and Gunaraj Dhungana, said they could not be prouder of what hes accomplished at such a young age. The high schooler is already planning his next book, which he hopes will have an even bigger impact. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Its about the world, how theres wars everywhere, so a story of the soldiers who are fighting in the warand maybe it could help change the world. Who knows? Shriyam told News 2. He hopes the story might even inspire change on a global scale. Just nine months after arriving in Tennessee, Shriyam said this is only the beginning of his writing journey. If youre interested in reading Ash Beneath the Sky, follow this link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) Winchester authorities have charged a man who allegedly stabbed another multiple times in the area of Jackson Street and Jefferson Street. The Winchester Police Department posted on Facebook that officers were sent to the intersection around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, where off found the victim of the stabbing. Emergency personnel took him to the University of Kentucky Hospital, where, at last check, he was reportedly listed in critical condition. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winchester law enforcement officials said the Criminal Investigation Division processed the scene of the stabbing, and the suspect was identified as Jon Matthew Southern. A warrant for first-degree assault has been issued for Southern in connection with the stabbing investigation, authorities wrote. He has ties to Berea, Richmond, and Winchester. Just after 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, Winchester police announced on social media that Southern had been taken into custody and charged with first-degree assault. Hes set to be lodged in the Clark County Detention Center. Anyone with information that could help investigators find him has been asked to call the WPD at (859) 745-7403. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, visiting bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips app, available at p3tips.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Aug. 25A data science company with a global presence is establishing roots in Uptown, but the move goes beyond office space. RS21, a data science company that uses tech and tools like artificial intelligence to help organizations make decisions, will be opening a new office space at Winrock Town Center this fall, the company shared in a news release. The company, headquartered in New Mexico, said the move reflects the company's "long-term commitment" to New Mexico's economy and the revitalization of Albuquerque's Uptown district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "RS21 is doubling down on New Mexico," the company's CEO, Charles Rath, said in a statement. "Doing (our) work from a hub of economic activity aligns with our mission to 'do good with data' and support inclusive growth in our home state." The office space is situated within the center's newly constructed Portland Building, a three-story Class A office and retail space located at 2100 Louisiana NE. Construction on the roughly 30,000-square-foot building was completed in late 2024 and has since welcomed tenants including StretchLab, Hyena's Comedy Club and Goodman Realty Group, the center's developer. RS21's new office space, slated to open in October, will feature a conference room, multiple offices, common areas, a break room and two balconies, the news release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company plans to use the 3,340-square-foot space for workshops, demonstrations, recruiting and meetings with clients and partners, the release added. "We're excited to welcome RS21 to the Portland Building and to continue activating Winrock as a premier destination for business and community in Albuquerque," said Scott Goodman, president of Goodman Realty Group, in a statement. The waters from Wisconsin's historic flooding have receded, but the threat of potential health issues for residents has not, especially as mosquito populations across the state are likely to increase in the coming weeks. Mosquitoes are already most active in summer and early fall and choose to lay eggs in or near water, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. DHS routinely monitors the southeast portion of the state for two kinds of mosquito species, public health entomologist Xia Lee told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in an email. Lee said regular surveillance is conducted for mosquito species capable of transmitting West Nile and eastern equine encephalitis viruses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin's first case of West Nile was reported in late July in Barron County. Mosquitoes in Milwaukee and Lafayette counties have since tested positive for the virus. Officials in Milwaukee are also monitoring for West Nile cases, city Health Commissioner Michael Totoraitis said Aug. 13. Here's what to know about mosquito activity trends and steps you can take to protect yourself from bites: Was there an uptick in mosquito activity in Wisconsin after the floods? Lee said DHS surveillance efforts have not observed an increase in either species capable of producing disease since the floods, explaining that floods can have "varied effects" on mosquitoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A "temporary decrease" is typically observed in some mosquito species when eggs are flushed out following floods, Lee said, though the populations of other species can increase. "As flood waters recede, an increase in pools of standing water can lead to a later increase in species that prefer stagnant water for hatching," Lee said. "The eggs of the species capable of transmitting West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis virus prefer stagnant water sources." One type of mosquito that can have a population increase after heavy rain is the aptly named inland floodwater mosquito. These insects lay their eggs on low-lying dry ground that can later be flooded with rainfall. After heavy rains occur, large numbers of eggs laid even a year or two earlier can hatch at once, suddenly becoming a major nuisance to people spending time outdoors. In 2018, heavy rain and flooding in Dane County and south-central Wisconsin led to an "explosion" of floodwater mosquitoes, according to UW-Madison's entomology department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is some good news, though. While this species of mosquito is pesky, it's unlikely to transmit diseases to humans. Have officials seen an uptick in mosquito-borne illnesses in Wisconsin after the floods? Similar to mosquito activity, Lee said DHS has not yet seen any notable increase in mosquito-borne illnesses in the state or in areas affected by flooding. However, Lee reiterated there could be an increase in the species capable of transmitting illness, adding that there is a "surveillance lag" in tracking mosquito-borne disease. "Any upticks DHS may detect would likely take a few weeks to a month or more to see in our data," Lee said. More: First human case of West Nile virus in Wisconsin in 2025 recorded in Barron County How can Wisconsin residents protect themselves from mosquitoes? Prepare your home You should be alert whenever weather events create standing water, said Tom Mascari, an entomologist at the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mosquitoes can lay eggs in just a tablespoon of stagnant water," Mascari said. "So reducing these sources helps limit mosquito populations and lowers the risk of bites and mosquito-borne illnesses." You can protect your home by routinely emptying standing water from common pooling items, like gutters, birdbaths and flower pots, Mascari said. DHS recommends keeping your lawn and weeds trimmed since mosquitoes often use those areas to rest when it's hot. You should also make sure window and door screens are intact and tightly fitted to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside. Protect your skin and clothes Lee said the best way to avoid illnesses from insects is to reduce your exposure. You can apply insect repellants that contain DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil or IR3535 to any exposed areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also treat clothes with permethrin directly, but it should not come into contact with skin, according to Lee. You should pick long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks to help reduce skin exposure. Mascari said that mosquitoes are attracted to dark clothing, so you should opt for lighter colors whenever possible. Avoid being outdoors at dawn and dusk Mosquitoes are typically more active at the beginning and end of the day, according to experts. If you're able, plan outdoor activities outside of those time periods and reschedule evening activities during peak season for the pests. You can view more mosquito bite prevention tips from DHS at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/mosquito/bite-prevention.htm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Flooding can harm health even after water recedes. Here's how to protect yourself. What effect does climate change have on mosquito populations? Warmer and wetter conditions associated with climate change can affect mosquito breeding and biting rates. Earlier springs and later frosts are extending mosquito season, and warmer temperatures are making mosquitoes reproduce faster. These changes can also increase the rate at which mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus, replicate. Rebecca Osborn, a vector-borne disease epidemiologist for the state health department, said health officials expect to possibly see higher numbers of infected mosquitoes and an overall higher number of people infected. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin to see more mosquitoes after historic floods (The Center Square) The top Republican on Wisconsins Elections Commission isnt sure President Donald Trumps plan to end mail-in voting across the country is a good idea. Commissioner Don Millis was a guest on UpFront over the weekend, and said Republicans in Wisconsin used absentee voting, including voting through the mail, to help the president carry Wisconsin last year. "Among my many reactions are that if we eliminate mail-in ballots, we're going to actually make it harder for Republicans who have historically used absentee voting to vote," Millis said. "And I don't think that's good for the base of the Republican Party, so I'm not sure that's a wise strategy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump last week took to Truth Social to say he wants to end mail-in voting. Millis said he understands the lingering questions about ballot security, and the presidents desire to count every vote. "I understand the impulse to go hand-count ballots," Millis added. "For me, the most important requirement, the most important consideration, is that we have a hard copy of ballots in Wisconsin. The vast majority of people fill out paper ballots. They are stored. They can be recounted. For those who have a need for accessible touch screens, in one of two ways, there's a record of that ballot. So that's the most important thing, and we have that in Wisconsin right now." But Millis did acknowledge that there are lingering questions about Wisconsins vote-counting-history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Listen, I understand the president's concerns, and I think a lot of us have concerns that there's a perception that elections aren't fair," Millis said. "I think elections have been, (there's) overwhelming evidence that elections have been fair, that votes have been counted." WEC chairwoman Ann Jacobs, who was also on UpFront on Sunday, said moving to hand-counts for every ballot would change elections in Wisconsin, and not necessarily for the better. "We sure-as-shootin wouldn't have the results late on the evening of Election Day or early the next morning," Jacobs said. "You would be looking at weeks before ballots could be counted and results announced, and in a swing state like Wisconsin, that would make a big difference for the country. I think it would just be insanity." MADISON While a federal law eliminating taxes on tips is in effect for the 2025 tax year, a proposal to do the same at the state level has lagged. Here's the latest on the effort. What's happening with the Wisconsin legislation? In January, a group of Republican lawmakers introduced a proposal to create a state income tax exemption for cash tips received by service industry workers from customers. A bipartisan group of lawmakers unsuccessfully introduced the same idea in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also included his own measure to eliminate the state income tax on cash tips in his 2025-27 state budget proposal. Like many of the governor's initial proposals, Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee removed it early in the process and did not revisit it. The GOP legislative proposal has not attracted any Democratic co-sponsors, and some specifics of the bill were changed in an amendment. The bill would now cover both cash and charged tips, up to $25,000 per year. If approved, it would take effect for tax year 2025 and sunset after tax year 2028. Is the Wisconsin bill going anywhere? It's not moving quickly. It was introduced in January and received a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue in May. That committee has yet to hold a vote to advance the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended version of the bill received a hearing in the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on Aug. 21. It has not been scheduled for a committee vote. It's worth noting the budget, signed into law with bipartisan support, included a tax cut package. That measure did not include a "no tax on tips" provision, but did exempt some retirement income from taxation. More: We asked for your thoughts on Wisconsin's new retirement tax cut. Here's what you said What do the bill's authors say? Tips "never should have been taxed" in the first place, state Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, said during the Aug. 21 hearing. "The folks that receive tips are not wealthy people, they're not usually middle-class people. Usually, theyre working-class people that are trying to get themselves to that middle-class level, to get themselves their American dream," Tusler said. "As representatives, these are great folks for us to target, and as Christians, we should always be trying to help the poor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would help employers make tips go further for their employees, Tusler said. Erin Vranas, owner of Madison's Parthenon Gyros, agreed, arguing it's difficult for her as a business owner to pass down relief to her employees when businesses themselves are "getting squeezed." "This is something to help retain those workers that we already have in that sector of the economy, to recruit others but fundamentally, tips are supposed to be something that are freely given something in exchange for excellent service," said Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere. What is Wisconsin's tipped minimum wage? The minimum wage for tipped workers in Wisconsin is $2.33. If tips, combined with that hourly rate, don't equal Wisconsin's minimum wage of $7.25, employers must cover the difference. Democrats in Wisconsin have introduced proposals to increase both of those minimum amounts, but Republicans often argue employers already offer much more to attract workers. What is considered a tip for tax purposes? According to the Internal Revenue Service, any tips of $20 or more that an employee receives in a month from one job are considered wages that are subject to income tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with cash received directly from customers, the following are all considered taxable tips: electronic payments, noncash tips in the form of other items of value and tips received from other employees via tip pools or other informal sharing arrangements. What about federal taxes? President Donald Trump signed the federal "no tax on tips" provision into law on July 4 as part of his sprawling tax cut and spending package that also eliminated taxes on overtime pay. Under the federal tax cut, workers can deduct up to $25,000 in tips and $12,500 in overtime pay from their taxable income on federal tax returns. Individuals who earn more than $150,000 are not eligible for the tax cut. The law is in effect for the 2025 tax year. That means eligible workers won't see an immediate boost in take-home pay, but they may see a lower tax bill or increased refund when they file for this year's taxes in early 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deductions are set to expire in 2028 the end of Trump's term unless extended. Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Wisconsin's 'no tax on tips' legislation On August 22, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for Chinese and foreign media on President Xi Jinping's upcoming attendance at the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and related events. Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin provided relevant information and answered questions. Liu Bin said that the 2025 SCO Summit will be held in Tianjin from August 31 to September 1. This will be the fifth time for China to host an SCO summit, and it will also be the largest-scale summit since the founding of the SCO. President Xi Jinping will gather with more than 20 foreign leaders and heads of 10 international organizations by the Haihe River to take stock of the SCO's successful experience, map out a blueprint for the development of the SCO, build greater consensus on cooperation within the SCO family, and propel the SCO's strides toward the goal of building a closer community with a shared future. Liu Bin said that the Tianjin Summit is one of China's most important head-of-state and home-court diplomatic events this year. President Xi Jinping will chair the Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO and the "SCO Plus" Meeting, and will deliver keynote speeches at the above-mentioned two meetings. He will expound on China's new perspectives and propositions for the SCO in carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit, shouldering the mission of the times, and meeting the people's expectations. He will announce China's new measures and actions to support the high-quality development and all-round cooperation of the SCO, and put forward new methods and approaches for the SCO to play a constructive role in safeguarding the post-World War II international order and improving the global governance system. Together with leaders of other SCO member states, President Xi Jinping will sign and issue the Tianjin Declaration, approve the SCO's development strategy for the next decade and issue a statement on the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations, and adopt a series of outcome documents on strengthening security, economic and cultural cooperation, charting the course for the future development of the SCO. President Xi Jinping will also host a welcome banquet for leaders of participating countries and heads of international organizations, and hold intensive bilateral events. Liu Bin pointed out that over the past 24 years since its founding, guided by the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, the SCO has grown from 6 founding members into a big family covering 26 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. It has successfully pioneered a path of peaceful development and a new type of cooperation that jointly safeguards security, promotes prosperity, benefits people's livelihoods, shares dividends, and achieves a win-win future. Since the new era, President Xi Jinping has personally taken the lead in charting the course of neighborhood diplomacy and promoting the development of the SCO. He has put forward a series of important initiatives and propositions, continuously contributing Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese strength to the development, growth and influence of the SCO. President Xi Jinping has advocated that member states uphold approaches to development, security, cooperation, civilization and global governance that go beyond the clash of civilizations, Cold War mentality and zero-sum mindset. He has successively proposed building an SCO community with a shared future, building the common home of solidarity and mutual trust, peace and tranquility, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, and fairness and justice, and other important initiatives. He has also announced multiple initiatives on cooperation in areas such as law enforcement and security, economy, trade and investment, public health, cultural exchanges, and poverty reduction, constantly enriching the conceptual connotation and diplomatic practice of the SCO community with a shared future. Liu Bin said that at present, the SCO member states are all in an important stage of accelerated development. China hopes that through the Tianjin Summit, SCO countries will build political consensus, stimulate cooperation momentum, send a united voice, take joint actions, draw on the stability and resilience of the SCO to address uncertainties and unpredictable factors in the international environment and create a favorable environment of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness, inclusiveness, harmony and friendship for the people in the region. China firmly believes that the Tianjin Summit, characterized by friendship, solidarity and fruitful outcomes, will surely propel the SCO into a new stage of high-quality development featuring stronger solidarity, coordination, dynamism and productiveness, and will contribute more "SCO strength" to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Liu Bin also took questions on the significance of the SCO, China's work as the Chair, the "SCO Plus" Meeting, and the future development of the SCO. MADISON While a federal law eliminating taxes on tips is in effect for the 2025 tax year, a proposal to do the same at the state level has lagged. Here's the latest on the effort. What's happening with the Wisconsin legislation? In January, a group of Republican lawmakers introduced a proposal to create a state income tax exemption for cash tips received by service industry workers from customers. A bipartisan group of lawmakers unsuccessfully introduced the same idea in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Tony Evers also included his own measure to eliminate the state income tax on cash tips in his 2025-27 state budget proposal. Like many of the governor's initial proposals, Republicans on the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee removed it early in the process and did not revisit it. The GOP legislative proposal has not attracted any Democratic co-sponsors, and some specifics of the bill were changed in an amendment. The bill would now cover both cash and charged tips, up to $25,000 per year. If approved, it would take effect for tax year 2025 and sunset after tax year 2028. Is the Wisconsin bill going anywhere? It's not moving quickly. It was introduced in January and received a hearing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Revenue in May. That committee has yet to hold a vote to advance the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended version of the bill received a hearing in the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means on Aug. 21. It has not been scheduled for a committee vote. It's worth noting the budget, signed into law with bipartisan support, included a tax cut package. That measure did not include a "no tax on tips" provision, but did exempt some retirement income from taxation. More: We asked for your thoughts on Wisconsin's new retirement tax cut. Here's what you said What do the bill's authors say? Tips "never should have been taxed" in the first place, state Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, said during the Aug. 21 hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The folks that receive tips are not wealthy people, they're not usually middle-class people. Usually, theyre working-class people that are trying to get themselves to that middle-class level, to get themselves their American dream," Tusler said. "As representatives, these are great folks for us to target, and as Christians, we should always be trying to help the poor." The bill would help employers make tips go further for their employees, Tusler said. Erin Vranas, owner of Madison's Parthenon Gyros, agreed, arguing it's difficult for her as a business owner to pass down relief to her employees when businesses themselves are "getting squeezed." "This is something to help retain those workers that we already have in that sector of the economy, to recruit others but fundamentally, tips are supposed to be something that are freely given something in exchange for excellent service," said Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere. What is Wisconsin's tipped minimum wage? The minimum wage for tipped workers in Wisconsin is $2.33. If tips, combined with that hourly rate, don't equal Wisconsin's minimum wage of $7.25, employers must cover the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats in Wisconsin have introduced proposals to increase both of those minimum amounts, but Republicans often argue employers already offer much more to attract workers. What is considered a tip for tax purposes? According to the Internal Revenue Service, any tips of $20 or more that an employee receives in a month from one job are considered wages that are subject to income tax. Along with cash received directly from customers, the following are all considered taxable tips: electronic payments, noncash tips in the form of other items of value and tips received from other employees via tip pools or other informal sharing arrangements. What about federal taxes? President Donald Trump signed the federal "no tax on tips" provision into law on July 4 as part of his sprawling tax cut and spending package that also eliminated taxes on overtime pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the federal tax cut, workers can deduct up to $25,000 in tips and $12,500 in overtime pay from their taxable income on federal tax returns. Individuals who earn more than $150,000 are not eligible for the tax cut. The law is in effect for the 2025 tax year. That means eligible workers won't see an immediate boost in take-home pay, but they may see a lower tax bill or increased refund when they file for this year's taxes in early 2026. The deductions are set to expire in 2028 the end of Trump's term unless extended. Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Wisconsin's 'no tax on tips' legislation Democrats have been told to stop using phrases like birthing person, chest feeding, and cultural appropriation because they alienate voters. Third Way, a centre-left think tank, accused Democrats of using an awful lot of words and phrases no ordinary person would ever dream of saying. In the aftermath of Kamala Harriss election defeat to Donald Trump in the 2024 election, critics accused the Democrat party of spending more time pandering to woke causes than focusing on the issues that mattered to ordinary Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effect of this language is to sound like the extreme, divisive, elitist, and obfuscatory, enforcers of wokeness, the group said in a scathing memo. The partys adoption of gender correctness language received harsh criticism. The group instructed Left-wing politicians to stop using terms such as inseminated person and chest feeding to describe pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Republicans honed in on Ms Harriss support for trans rights in their attacks during the 2024 race. It was argued to be one of the key issues that cost Democrats the election. Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor who appeared on the ticket with Ms Harris, was also criticised for signing legislation requiring public schools in his state to stock period products for all menstruating students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, prominent party member such as Gavin Newsom have broken with party ranks on gender, with the California governor coming out against the inclusion of trans players in womens sport. However, the memo also criticised the language Democrats use to describe crime, saying they often send the message the criminal is the victim. The victim is an afterthought. Official policy papers written by Joe Bidens administration referred to justice-involved populations rather than prisoners, and previously-incarcerated individuals instead of ex-convicts. Third Way points out that prisoners were regularly described by Democrats as incarcerated people who were suffering from involuntary confinement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it came to race, the paper said Democrats often used sociology buzzwords such as Latinx, minoritised communities and intersectionality. The memo warned: As we fight racism and discrimination, we should reflect upon whether the words we are using are part of the reason Democrats are losing support from all non-White voter groups. Party activists were also accused of engaging in what the memo described as therapy speak and seminar room language, undermining the concerns and empathy of voters. Terms to be avoided included privilege, othering, progressive stack, body shaming and safe space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rahm Emanuel, Chicagos former Democrat mayor who is widely reported to be considering a 2028 presidential run, acknowledged his partys problem with messaging in June. Why do Democrats have a problem? he asked The Bulwark podcast host, Tim Miller. Because were punks, and we not only talk like punks, we talk down to people. We get caught up in a set of issues that arent relevant. The memo concluded: When we use words people dont understand, studies show that the part of their brain that signals distrust becomes more active, undermining our ability to reach them. We will never abandon our values or stop doing things to protect those who need help, encouragement, trust, a second chance, acceptance, a fair shake, and the opportunity to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But as the catastrophe of Trump 2.0 has shown, the most important thing we can do for these people and causes is to build a bigger army to fight them. Communicating in authentic ways that welcome rather than drive voters away would be a good start. JD Vance, the vice-president, told Fox News in an interview earlier this week. I mean, look, the autopsy for the Democrats, some free political advice from the president of the United States is: stop sounding like crazy people. A lot of Democrats have reacted to their 2024 loss by looking at things like this, and trying to win back white blue-collar voters, Christopher Galdieri, professor of politics at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, told The Telegraph. This morning I saw Senator Ruben Gallego, a Democrat elected in Arizona last year even as Trump carried the state, speak, and he argued that his party spends too much time trying to perfectly calibrate every utterance and winds up both paralysed and alienating voters they cant afford to lose as a result. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So theres clearly a widespread sentiment in the party that they need to rethink the way they communicate with voters. Read the six categories in full Therapy speak According to the memo: These words say: Im more empathetic than you, and you are callous to hurting others feelings. Privilege: Advantages experienced based on race, gender, or social identity Violence (environmental): Harm caused by pollution and climate change, often marginalised communities Dialoguing: Reaching mutual understanding through open conversation Othering: Treating people with different characteristics unkindly or pushing them out of the group Triggering: Causing emotional distress by recalling past trauma or harm Microaggression/assault/invalidation: Small, sometimes unintentional, acts that undermine or offend marginalised groups Progressive stack: Projecting the voices of those who face the most adversity above others Centring: Making a viewpoint or group the focus of discussion Safe space: An environment free of judgment and discrimination Holding space: Offering silent support without judgment or interruption Body shaming: Shaming someone for how their body looks Seminar room language Using this language suggests Im smarter and more concerned about important issues than you. Your kitchen table concerns are small, according to the memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subverting norms: Promoting equality by challenging tradition Systems of oppression: Societal and institutional structures that further discriminate of marginalised groups Critical theory: The analysis of the intersection of power, inequality, and social justice Cultural appropriation: Adopting or using aspects of another culture without respect or understanding Postmodernism: Questioning the status quo and amplifying perspectives of those not usually heard Overton Window: Range of political ideas considered acceptable to discuss Heuristic: Assumptions made by voters Existential threat: Immediate danger to humanity Organiser jargon According to the memo, using language such as this says: We are beholden to groups, not individuals. People have no agency. Radical transparency: Unbounded openness with the public Small d democracy: Democratic principles that are not a result of party politics Barriers to participation: Obstacles stopping people from taking part in all aspects of civic life Stakeholders: The core group of people affected by policy decisions The unhoused: Homeless people Food insecurity: Unreliable access to food Housing insecurity: Unreliable access to shelter and safe living conditions Person who immigrated: Immigrant, migrant Gender and orientation correctness Using ultra-politically correct terms like these project an air of your views on traditional genders and gender roles are at best quaint, the memo says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birthing person/inseminated person: Gender neutral term for a woman who is in, or will be in, labour Pregnant people: Gender neutral term for a pregnant woman Chest feeding: Breastfeeding Cisgender: A person who identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth Deadnaming: Using a transgender persons given name Heteronormative: The assumption that everyone is straight Patriarchy: A system built to benefit men LGBTQIA+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and any other sexuality The shifting language of racial constructs Using this language gives the people the impression they will be called out as racist if [they] do not use the latest and correct terminology, the memo states. Latinx: A term used for someone with Latin American heritage that negates the need for the gendered a or o at the end of the word, indicating a male or female BIPOC: An acronym for Black, Indigenous, and people of colour Allyship: Supporting a marginalised group without being a part of that group Intersectionality: Overlapping characteristics that can intensify discrimination Minoritised communities: Groups on the fringe of society owing to discrimination Explaining away crime Using this language implies the criminal is the victim, according to the memo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justice-involved: Those who have interacted with the justice system Carceration: Detaining people Incarcerated people: People in prison Involuntary confinement: Being detained without consent 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. Woman arrested in Palm Bay after entering couples vehicle and choking dog, officials say On August 24, 2025, a woman was arrested in Palm Bay for allegedly entering a vehicle without permission and attacking a dog inside. A couple noticed a suspicious woman, who was later identified as Azeda Dark, while driving near Dallam Avenue and Fairlight Street NW. After rolling down his window to ask if she needed help, Azeda got into their vehicle and started choking their German Shepherd, Chunk Norris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver then used a wooden baton to intervene and protect his dog, Chunk, from Azeda Darks attack. Following the altercation, an unidentified white male assisted Azeda into his truck and took her to Palm Bay Hospital. Officers subsequently arrested her there. Azeda Dark is charged with aggravated animal cruelty and burglary of an occupied vehicle. The Eichelbergers have stated that they intend to press charges against her. Azeda Dark was medically cleared and subsequently taken into custody. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The tag inside the Gap dress could fool anyone. With a vivid green color and a neat QR code inviting consumers to look at the company's sustainability policies, it would be easy for the average wearer to conclude that this garment is, in fact, environmentally friendly. Unfortunately, they'd be wrong. Sustainability advocate Sabs Katz (@sustainablesabs) discovered this when she looked deeper into the substance behind the tag's claims. In a video she posted to TikTok which she labels as a "Greenwashing 101" lesson she explains that as she read through the initiatives linked from the QR code, she was impressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So I go to check the tag to see which of these materials that GAP is using," she says, "but the label says, 'Made with polyester and spandex/elastane.' There's no recycled polyester." Frustrated, she continues: "I'm just so f****** annoyed with these enormous brands who think they can just slap one of these labels onto a piece of clothing and think that they can hoodwink us and make people think that they're making a more sustainable decision than they actually are. The majority of people aren't actually gonna take a look at it; they're just gonna see this label and take it at face value." Commenters echoed her sentiments. "Such bull****," one wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, this is hardly the first case of blatant greenwashing by an apparel company, particularly a fast fashion company. And in some cases, consumers are calling them out. For example, a lawsuit was recently filed against apparel giant Lululemon for knowingly misleading the public about its sustainability initiatives. Brands are doing this because they know sustainability matters to their buyers. According to a 2022 Statista report, nearly two-thirds of Americans labeled sustainability as a priority in their clothing choices, be it through materials, efficient processes, or similar initiatives. What should the government do about the fast fashion industry? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind But because the industry has built its business on precisely the opposite types of practices, many "sustainable" brands are claiming to be much farther along than they actually are. Part of the issue is that reporting of emissions is still largely unregulated for apparel makers, allowing companies to report a drastic reduction in emissions when really they've just changed their definitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sabs expressed outrage at the fact that Gap could so knowingly deceive customers. "There really needs to be more legislation against this, because this is bull****," she said. 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. DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A woman accused of kidnapping and forcing a missing woman off a cliff pleaded guilty to murder on Monday. Jessie Eden Kelly was initially charged with capital murder for the death of Mary Elizabeth Isbell, a woman who was last seen in 2021. As part of the agreement, Kelly agreed to provide assistance to prosecution and truthfully testifying in State v. Carr. Man accused of charging at, hitting two HPD officers had recent $15K settlement with City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea agreement states that Kelly has been sentenced to 40 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections; however, she will receive credit for each day served up to the date of her sentencing. On June 28, 2023, the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said a search team located remains at Little River Canyon National Park. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Huntsville Laboratory identified them as Isbell. DCSO Chief Investigator Nick Brown said that one of the women cooperated and helped lead authorities to Isbells remains. Investigators also said they found physical evidence at Isbells home, leading to the arrests of Kelly and her mother, Loretta Carr. According to a criminal complaint filed on June 26, Carr is accused of kidnapping Isbell in October 2021. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App Brown described what the women did to Isbell as inhuman and brutal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr is currently charged with capital murder (kidnapping). Her trial is set to begin on December 8, 2025. The State of Alabama said it will seek the death penalty against her. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Woman flees war-torn Ukraine, killed on Charlotte light rail Iryna Zarutska, 23, who police said was stabbed to death on Friday night on the light rail in Charlotte, had fled war-torn Ukraine, according to a GoFundMe page her friends set up. The deadly stabbing happened at about 10:30 p.m. PAST COVERAGE: Suspect, victim identified in South End stabbing The crime scene was at the East/West Station in South End. MEDIC said they responded to the Lynx station near Camden Road around 10:20 p.m. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will charge DeCarlos Brown, 34, who is homeless and has a lengthy criminal history, with first-degree murder. He was sent to a hospital, where he remained on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown spent five years in prison for robbery with a deadly weapon. In July, his public defender made a motion questioning his ability to proceed in his court case about misusing the 911 system. The judge ordered a forensic evaluation but he was allowed to be out and about. In January 2025, Decarlos Brown was arrested for misuse of a 911 system. Court records say Brown called 911 from Novant Hospital and claimed someone gave him "man made material" that was controlling when he ate, walked and talked. Not satisfied with the officer's response that pic.twitter.com/tum3IWts7Z Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) August 25, 2025 That criminal charged stemmed from January when police said he called 911 and claimed someone gave him man-made material that controlled when he ate, talked and walked. The magistrate allowed him to be released from jail without paying anything on a written promise to appear. Councilman Edwin Peacock, R-District 6, is demanding answers from CMPD and CATS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, the trust and confidence that we have right now, and particularly between South End and Uptown, its very fragile right now, he said. Peacock wants to know what, if any, security measures were in place and what changes the city needs to make so this never happens again. The story is heart-wrenching, and if, obviously what were hearing is true, clearly we need to give that family answers, he said. And we, more importantly, need to give all the citizens who are riding the light rail a lot of confidence that youre going to be safe. CATS confirmed the light rail operator was made aware of the stabbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They followed protocol by keeping the train at the station while they waited for the police to arrive. Police have not said what led up to the stabbing. Browns first appearance in court has not hasnt been set. VIDEO: Suspect, victim identified in South End stabbing Superintendent Brian Allen has a message for families for the first day of school: do not fear Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In January, former Worcester Public Schools (WPS) Superintendent Rachel H. Monarrez sent a letter to parents outlining how the schools would interact with ICE. The information is posted on the schools website as well. The public schools will not coordinate with ICE, noting that they will not allow agents to access Worcester Public Schools facilities unless they have a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge, according to the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WPS does not ask for families immigration statuses and does not share student records with ICE, barring rare instances when a court order or parental and or guardian consent is provided. A free, public education is a cornerstone of our democracy. WPS is committed to educating all children, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or immigration status, the website reads. WPS is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and rights of all our children. Additionally, school bus drivers in Worcester will not be letting students off the bus if there are immigration agents at bus stops, MassLive previously reported. In an interview with Channel 25 on Monday, Allen reaffirmed the districts policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have protocols in place for our schools, and our school buses should ICE raids occur, Allen said. Grades 1 to 12 start school on Monday, while students in Pre-K and kindergarten start on Thursday, according to WPSs website. Worcester was the site of an ICE arrest on May 8, when agents arrested Brazilian mother of three, Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira. She is currently being held at the Strafford County Corrections facility in Dover, New Hampshire, according to ICEs locator tool. More Worcester Stories Read the original article on MassLive. The World Banks recent decision to lift a longstanding de facto ban on funding for nuclear energy projects has raised hopes that it will help developing nations meet rising electricity demand without exacerbating climate change. Until now, nuclear power has remained out of reach for these countries largely due to financing challenges. The Banks decision is an important first step toward addressing this gap. The World Bank has not funded a nuclear project in 60 years, so it lacks the in-house expertise to assess, develop, and manage such projects today. To address this challenge, it has partnered with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. body responsible for technical expertise and cooperation in nuclear energy. This collaboration is especially significant for countries of the Global South, which often depend on the IAEAs support to establish the regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, safeguards and human capacity needed for nuclear power. Through the new partnership, the IAEA will provide similar expertise to the World Bank as it considers projects so that it can responsibly assist countries seeking reliable, low-carbon energy solutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The World Banks decision to re-engage with nuclear energy came after sustained lobbying by IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, as well as by countries such as France and the United Statesits largest shareholder. According to World Bank officials who spoke at a recent event in Washington on condition of anonymity, this move also reflects increasing interest from client countries in the developing world looking to expand their energy infrastructure. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Indeed, these countries need low-carbon, dependable, long-term baseload electricity to ensure a decent quality of life and enable socioeconomic development. This is especially relevant in energy-poor regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where 1 billion peopleroughly 83 percent of the regions populationstill depend on wood and charcoal for cooking. A key focus for the Banks partnership with the IAEA will be to help client countries extend the operation of existing reactors beyond their original 40-year lifespan, a step that many wealthier nations such as the United States have already taken. Nuclear reactors are very expensive to build but have relatively low operating costs compared to other electricity sources, so extending the life of existing reactors provides the cheapest source of energy. Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group, said the Bank would support countries such as Brazil, Romania and India in extending the lifetime of their nuclear fleets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thirty-one countries currently operate nuclear power plants, 13 of which the World Bank classifies as developing economies. More than two-thirds of the 444 nuclear power plants in operation today are reaching the end of their operational lifetimes. However, simply extending the lifespan of existing power plants will not be sufficient to meet future energy needs. According to the International Energy Agency, global electricity demand is projected to grow by 4% annually through 2027, driven largely by emerging markets as well as the rapid expansion of data centers. While initial funding is limited, World Bank officials hope their support will attract additional investment from other sources in the public, private, and multilateral sectors. In response to this urgent need for reliable, low-carbon energy sources, 31 countries, major financial institutions, and leading energy users like technology companies, have endorsed the ambitious goal of tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050from 400 to 1,200 gigawatts. Maintaining the current 400 gigawatt capacity will require extending the operational lifespan of existing nuclear plants to up to 80 years, with planned new reactors contributing more than 300 gigawatts. Another 400 gigawatts are projected to come from the adoption of small modular reactors, which are expected to be deployed commercially in the coming years. These SMRs utilize advanced technology but operate at a reduced capacity of 300 megawatts or less, and their design allows for flexible and scalable deployment. SMR manufacturers also hope these reactors will be less expensive, though this promise has yet to be proven. Many experts are skeptical that the goal of tripling nuclear capacity can be achieved given the industrys history of cost overruns and construction delays, especially in Western countries, where years of stagnation in the nuclear sector have weakened the industrial base needed to build new plants. Moreover, when it comes to exporting to fast-growing emerging economies, Western suppliers have found themselves at a disadvantage when competing with Russiacurrently the largest nuclear supplierbecause they must comply with OECD rules limiting subsidies, which Russias state-owned nuclear energy company, Rosatom, is not subject to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is where the World Banks recent announcement comes in. While initial funding is limited$10 billion annually for all energy sources, including nuclearBank officialshope their support will attract additional investment from other multilateral development banks, export agencies, and the private sector. Multilateral development banks could help catalyze nuclear energy projects through a variety of financing instruments. For example, they often provide technical assistance for electricity market design and help build key infrastructure necessary for nuclear energy. Development banks can also fund and conduct feasibility studies, advise on electricity procurement mechanisms, and offer templates for contractual arrangements, such as public-private partnerships. In some cases, they have helped countries access new sources of funding, including the issuance of sovereign sustainable debt like green bonds. For emerging nuclear technologies such as SMRs, development banks can also help mitigate first mover riskfor instance, by guaranteeing portions of revenue streams for initial projects to help bring them to market. Another area of focus for the Banks partnership with the IAEA will be accelerating the potential of SMRs. Their lower power output and presumed lower initial capital costs tend to be a better fit for the smaller electricity grids and limited budgets of many poorer countries. By contrast, large nuclear power plantswith their high costs, lengthy construction timelines, and electricity outputs often exceeding 1,000 megawattshave not been viable options for most developing countries, whose smaller power grids cannot accommodate such scale. SMRs also offer scalability and siting flexibility, making them easier to deploy in remote or infrastructure-constrained areas and enhancing energy security in regions lacking stable electricity. They also are more compatible with decentralized gridswhich generate power from multiple small sources such as renewables, close to where the electricity is usedand can increase those grids resilience by providing reliable, baseload power. This makes SMRs an effective complement to renewables. They are particularly beneficial in contexts where national grid infrastructure is limited or underdeveloped, further supporting their viability as an option for developing economies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with the World Banks buy-in, the path for developing countries to acquire nuclear power will not be entirely smooth. One key potential bottleneck is the supply chain for nuclear reactors and the uranium fuel that powers them. World Bank officials said they foresee financing the expansion of uranium mines in developing countries that have deposits, such as Brazil, Namibia and India. Another significant challenge, which is not limited to developing countries, is public acceptance, much of which stems from outdated perceptions of safety rather than current realities. Globally, the safety record of civilian nuclear powermeasured in terms of incidents per unit of electricity generatedremains among the best of any large-scale energy source, with only five major incidents since 1960, all of which have driven substantial safety improvements. And a 2007 study in The Lancetfound that nuclear powers fatality rate, including from accidents and long-term health effects, is orders of magnitude lower than coal, oil, and even natural gas, and comparable to wind and solar. Still, developing countries will need to establish independent, well-resourced nuclear regulators capable of maintaining nuclear safety in line with international standardsan area where the World Banks engagement can bolster ongoing efforts by the IAEA and its Member States. All these issues will have to be addressed if the promise of the World Banks funding decision is to realize its potential. But for now, the World Banks support, combined with the IAEAs technical partnership, represents a pivotal step toward enabling developing countries to harness the benefits of nuclear power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingrid Kirsten is a senior fellow at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and NonProliferation, where she leads a program focused on expanding access to the benefits of peaceful nuclear energy, science, and technology for the Global South. Miles Pomper is a senior fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. The post The World Bank Gives Nuclear Power a Jolt in the Global South appeared first on World Politics Review. Exactly one year and two days after Dr. Hamid Mirshojae was gunned down outside his office in Woodland Hills, his family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his ex-wife and the four others accused of orchestrating his murder. The beloved physician was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Warner Plaza Medical Center, located at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Oxnard Street, around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 23, 2024. The preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that Mirshojae, 61, was likely targeted in an ambush-style murder, the Los Angeles Police Department said at the time. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hamid Mirshojae, 61, is seen with his wife and their 6-month-old baby in a personal photo. Months passed before it was announced that five people were arrested in connection with the slaying, including Mirshojaes ex-wife, Ahang Mirshojae (she has also been named as Ahang Kelk). She was arrested on Dec. 12, 2024, while the other suspects Sarallah Jawed, Shawn Randolph, Evan Hardman and Ashley Rose Sweeting were all arrested arrested days earlier; police had been seen searching Ahang Mirshojaes Calabasas home hours before her arrest was announced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 13, Jawed, a 26-year-old Canoga Park resident, and Hardman, 41, of Tomball, Texas, were both charged with one felony count of murder, one felony count of assault with a deadly weapon and special allegations that the murder was intentional and carried out for financial gain. Hardman received additional special allegations of carrying out the shooting by lying in wait and that he personally and intentionally used a handgun. Sweeting, 40, of Reseda, was charged with accessory after the fact. Brother speaks out on murder of Woodland Hills doctor According to prosecutors, Hardman fatally shot Mirshojae from behind, while Sweeting drove him to and from the crime scene. Jawed, meanwhile, was said to have helped facilitate the murder and drove Hardman out of state after the fact, and Randolph is believed to have supplied the ghost gun used in the killing. Ashley Sweeting, 40, of Reseda and Evan Hardman, 41, of Tomball, Texas. (LAPD) L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Dec. 16 that Ahang Mirshojae and Shawn Randolph were both charged with murder. The former was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon and is accused of hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband in a financially motivated crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The horror and betrayal of this crime are beyond words, Hochman said in a statement released after the Dec. 16 news conference. The depth of the deceit and violence involved in this case is chilling, and we will not rest until justice is served. Since the charges were announced, all of the defendants pleaded not guilty in their related criminal proceedings. A growing memorial seen outside a Woodland Hills clinic honoring Hamid Mirshojae on August 24, 2024. (KTLA) On Monday, the late doctors family filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife and the four co-conspirators alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress, wrongful death, survival claims and fraudulent asset transfers. In addition to wrongful death and emotional distress claims, the lawsuit also alleges that Ahang Mirshojae fraudulently transferred assets in an attempt to shield them from legal accountability following the killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaintiffs are pursuing remedies under Californias Uniform Voidable Transactions Act to recover those assets, attorneys explained. Mirshojaes widow, Ghazal Simorgh, was reportedly visiting family overseas in Turkey with the couples 6-month-old baby at the time of the shooting. It was reported that she quickly flew back to the U.S. when she learned of her husbands murder. This has been a nightmare for Dr. Mirshojaes widow, Ghazal Simorgh, and their young daughter, said Alex Guerrero, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, in a statement released to KTLA. To lose a husband and father to such a cold-blooded, calculated act of violence is devastating. Our lawsuit seeks justice for this family and holds accountable those responsible for this horrific crime, not just criminally, but civilly as well. Simorgh spoke at a press conference alongside her attorneys on Monday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I miss my husband every day, and its not fair that my 1-year-old baby lost her dad at a very young age, she said. I live with fear every day after my husbands murder, but I try to be strong for my children. I just want justice. The highly respected doctor is survived by his wife and four children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. By Daniel Trotta, Luc Cohen and Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Kilmar Abrego, the migrant whose wrongful deportation to his native El Salvador made him a symbol of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, was detained again by U.S. immigration officials in Baltimore on Monday and may be deported a second time, this time to Uganda. The Trump administration's push to deport Abrego, 30, to an African country where he has no ties is the latest twist in a saga that began in March, when U.S. authorities mistakenly sent him to El Salvador. Abrego was brought back in June to face criminal charges of transporting migrants living in the United States illegally and was released on bond on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers have accused the administration of vindictive prosecution. He also has denied the administration's claims that he is a gang member. Abrego, 30, was arrested at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in downtown Baltimore, where he reported for a scheduled interview on Monday morning, and then was sent to a detention facility in Virginia. During a hearing conducted by telephone on Monday afternoon, Greenbelt, Maryland-based U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said she planned to hold additional court proceedings on the administration's plan to deport Abrego to Uganda. The judge barred the government from removing him until such a hearing could be held. Abrego's lawyers asked Xinis to prevent him from being deported again without the due process required under the U.S. Constitution. The judge voiced concern that the government had not offered assurances that Abrego would not be imprisoned in Uganda or sent back to El Salvador. Xinis said there was "an absence of process" around resolving Abrego's immigration claims to remain in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just have nothing on the record that suggests defendants (the government) are taking that in good faith and operating as they should," the judge said. Drew Ensign, a Justice Department lawyer, told the judge that Abrego's deportation was not imminent and that so-called third-country removals - sending deportees to countries other than the one where they have citizenship - often take some time to execute. After being detained in Baltimore earlier in the day, Abrego was being held at an ICE detention center in Farmville, Virginia, according to the agency's online detainee locator. Xinis ordered the Trump administration to keep Abrego there at least overnight to preserve access to his attorneys. Abrego, a sheet metal worker who entered the United States illegally, had been living in Maryland with his wife, their child and two of her children - all of whom are American citizens - when he was arrested and sent to El Salvador. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers have said the administration's handling of the case is indicative of the Republican president's push to expand executive power in immigration matters at the expense of due process mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Trump's administration has said aggressive deportations are needed after years of insufficient enforcement, including under his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden. His U.S. citizen wife, Jennifer Vasquez, and his brother Cesar accompanied Abrego to the ICE field office on Monday morning, where a crowd of supporters greeted him with chants of "Si se puede" - Spanish for "Yes we can." "When I was detained, I always remembered beautiful moments with my family, like going to the park or going to the trampoline with my children," Abrego said while choking up. "Those moments will give me strength and hope to keep fighting." A CARROT-AND-STICK APPROACH Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abrego's lawyers have accused the administration of using a carrot-and-stick approach to try to coerce him to plead guilty to criminal charges of transporting migrants living illegally in the United States. His trial is scheduled for January. According to court filings, the administration had offered to deport him to Costa Rica - a Spanish-speaking country in Central America, like El Salvador - if he agreed to change his plea to guilty, but plans to deport him to Uganda if he does not. In a call with reporters on Monday afternoon, Abrego's attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego had notified the U.S. government that he would accept deportation to Costa Rica since the country had said it would provide him refugee status, but did not say whether he would agree to plead guilty to U.S. criminal charges. Sandoval-Moshenberg said Abrego could not lawfully be deported elsewhere without assurances that he would not be sent back to El Salvador, where he fears persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't know if Uganda will even let him walk around freely in Kampala or whether he'll be inside of a Ugandan jail cell," Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Abrego's lawyers have acknowledged they have entered plea discussions with the government to possibly avoid deportation to Uganda. 'COMPLETELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL' Andrea Flores, a former top immigration official under Biden, said on the call that the Trump administration's threat of deportation to Uganda amounted to retribution for fighting his earlier removal to El Salvador. "There is no legal, public safety or national security reason for this retaliatory deportation," Flores said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Abrego's detention on Monday, he embraced his wife in the ICE field office's lobby before passing through a security checkpoint. About 45 minutes later, his wife and brother left the building without him. Abrego was deported despite a 2019 U.S. immigration court ruling that he not be sent back to his native country due to a risk of persecution by gangs. Abrego was flown back from El Salvador in June to face the charges brought by federal prosecutors in Nashville, Tennessee. Administration officials have called him a "monster," pointing to a protective order his wife filed against him in 2021. "We've got him under control. He will no longer terrorize our country," Attorney General Pam Bondi told reporters at the White House on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said Democrats wrongly thought that supporting Abrego would help them win over voters, calling him an "animal" and referencing allegations of violence lodged by his wife in the 2021 protective order. After his release on Friday, Abrego returned to a family home in Maryland after more than five months of detention, including time in a mega-prison in El Salvador known for its harsh conditions. Video posted to social media by immigrant rights advocacy organization CASA on Friday night showed him entering a room where his family was waiting, setting down a bouquet of flowers and embracing his wife. (Reporting Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Toby Chopra, Chizu Nomiyama, Noeleen Walder, Mary Milliken and Will Dunham) York Space Systems confirmed today it has delivered all of the 21 satellites that will fly next month on the long-anticipated first launch of the Space Development Agencys first operational data transport satellites. Our satellites are built, delivered, and ready for launch, now all thats left is integration with the rocket, Melanie Preisser, Yorks vice president and general manager, said in a statement. Once deployed, these systems will provide on-orbit Link 16 connectivity to the warfighter. The Sept. 10 launch, which will fly from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, will kick-start a months-long campaign to deliver 126 data transport and 28 missile warning and tracking satellites to low Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transport constellation is designed to provide global communications and persistent, secure connectivity for military users. Its envisioned as the backbone of the U.S. Defense Departments plan for linking systems operating in different domains. The mission was originally slated to fly in 2024, but supplier delays pushed it back about a year. Despite the slowdown, SDA says its on track to meet its requirement to have a complete, operational Tranche 1 constellation in orbit providing an initial warfighting capability by 2027. York is a key provider for SDAs Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture a mega constellation of small missile warning and data transport satellites in low Earth orbit. The firm is building 136 satellites over three phases of the agencys Transport Layer. Ten of those satellites have already launched as part of the first phase, Tranche 0, and the remaining satellites will launch in batches over the next few years. York Space Systems delivered 21 satellites, pictured here, for the Space Development Agency's upcoming Tranche 1 mission. (York Space Systems) The firm is one of three companies including Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman building satellites for the Space Forces first operational tranche of data transport satellites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For York, the mission is one of five it will support this year, its busiest cadence to date. In June, its experimental Dragoon spacecraft flew for SDA, followed in July by a communications satellite called BARD that it built for NASA. Also on deck is a classified project called Tyndal and another SDA transport launch at the end of this year. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown City School District hosted a school supply and free haircut event on Sunday at East High School. Kelan Bilal, owner of Excalibur Barber in Youngstown, wanted to use his skills to make sure every kid could start their school year in style. Bilal knew he could not do it alone, so he called on the community for support. Collaboration over competition, always, said Bilal. It doesnt matter what we do in life; if you collaborate, you could do things better. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bilals team called on six other barbershops and dozens of community organizations to help provide free haircuts, school supplies, food and other resources for students during the Bigger Than Us giveaway event before the 2025 school year begins. When I became superintendent, actually two years ago, we talked about doing one big collaborative event. We were bringing together barbers and stylists and other community agencies to do good things for Youngstown, but weve been talking about it and kind of planning it behind the scenes for two years, said Jeremy Bathchelor, superintendent for the Youngstown City School District. Before the event, over 400 kids pre-registered to take part, and, with Youngstown City Schools heading back to class on Tuesday, August 26, the students were lined up around the school waiting for their turn. I watched the line fill up and I was like, Whoa, I wasnt even ready for it yet. and I was like, Wow, this is something crazy, said Bilal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We wanted to help bring people together that are doing something super great in the community, and just join forces kind of like the Avengers, said Bilal. So its sort of like that, everybody is doing something great in their own way. Why not bring it together to, you know, do it fully for the community? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Reports said city police over the weekend arrested two men in separate incidents on felony drug charges. Eugene Frazier, 41, was arrested about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, after he was spotted on South Avenue in an SUV that was reported stolen. When officers tried to pull it over, it turned into the parking lot of a 1907 South Ave. gas station, stopped, and a man inside jumped out. Police heard a gunshot as the man ran away and found Frazier in the SUV, reports said. Reports said police searched for the man who ran away but could not find him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said police believe the man had a gun in his pocket that went off when he began running. Police found a satchel on the floor of the passengers side, and inside was a large amount of cocaine, along with fentanyl, mushrooms, ecstasy and methamphetamine, reports said. Frazier was charged with possession of cocaine, a first-degree felony; possession of fentanyl, a fourth-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony; and three fifth-degree felony counts of possession of drugs. He was booked into the Mahoning County jail. Arrested about 11:15 p.m. Saturday, following a traffic stop in the 900 block of Cornell Avenue, was Marcus Wilkins, 37. Reports said Wilkins was the driver of a car pulled over for an improper turn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because he was acting suspiciously, police asked Wilkins to get out of the car so they could search it, reports said. At first, he refused, but he later agreed, and when officers patted him down, they found marijuana and a large plastic bag that had several smaller bags of methamphetamine and crack cocaine. Police tried to handcuff Wilkins, but he managed to run away, reports said. He was later caught in a backyard in the 900 block of East Indianola Avenue, reports said. When the bag that was on Wilkins was searched, reports said police found crack cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl. Wilkins also had $960 cash, reports said. Wilkins was booked into the jail on charges of possession of cocaine, a first-degree felony; possession of methamphetamine, a second-degree felony; possession of heroin, a fourth-degree felony; and obstructing official business, a second-degree misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Wilkins also has warrants through Mahoning County Common Pleas Court for aggravated drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm, reports said. Both men are expected to be arraigned Monday in municipal court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown police Saturday morning cited seven people for trespassing inside the former Adams Junior High School. They were found inside the former school at 2537 Cooper St. about 10:05 a.m., after police got a call that someone was seen going inside through a hole in a door. Officers entered and found four people on the second floor, reports said, and an additional three presented themselves to police without incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The seven were charged with criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and told to appear in municipal court Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Youngstown State University has partnered with the Western Reserve Transit Authority to launch a new free campus shuttle system. YSU WRTA Campus Shuttles will help students get around campus and the city more easily, according to a news release from the university. Beginning this fall, the Red and White Loop shuttles will operate from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The service is open to all students, faculty, staff and campus visitors with no ID or fare required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two shuttles run on continuous 16-minute loops. The Red Loop travels clockwise from Federal Station through key campus corridors, including Wood Street, Fifth Avenue, Wick Avenue and more. The White Loop runs counterclockwise along Commerce Street, Lincoln Avenue, Madison Avenue and other central areas. Riders can signal the driver to stop anywhere along the route, and all vehicles are ADA accessible. The new service also includes updated technology; riders can track shuttle locations and receive live updates using the myStop app, which also provides access to WRTAs full network of city routes. More information is available on WRTAs website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Student Government Association is excited to promote the new partnership with WRTA taking over the Penguin Shuttles, read a statement from Sofie Myers, president of YSUs Student Government Association. This is an amazing resource that students across YSUs campus can utilize! Additionally, students will now be able to track bus routes and better plan their shuttle trips. This is an important initiative that SGA had been working toward for a while, and we are very proud to have accomplished the goal of tracking our Penguin Shuttles and getting student transportation on track. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. A general view of the damaged Nasser Medical Complex building in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, August 25, 2025. (photo credit: Abdallah F.s. Alattar/Anadolu via Getty Images) Khan Yunis's Nasser Hospital was probably shelled, but there remains some dispute regarding what the target was. The IDF on Monday finally admitted mistakenly attacking Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, killing well-known journalists, including from Reuters, and as many as 14 others. Next, the military admitted that the attack on the hospital was approved, meaning there was some Hamas target in place. It said it is probing the attack, meaning significant aspects of the attack and its results are viewed as a major mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF said it did not intend to harm journalists or innocent Palestinian civilians. Earlier in the day, IDF sources told The Jerusalem Post the IAF was not in charge of anything related to any operation in that area. They said the address for managing any such attack would have been IDF Southern Command, which is headed by Maj.-Gen. Yaniv Asor, although different levels of officials approve targets of varying levels of sensitivity. It appeared that the attack was carried out with shelling, although it was still unclear whether the shells were fired by a tank or by artillery, with no IDF sources denying this narrative. Smoke rises from Gaza after an explosion as seen from the Israeli side of the border, August 25, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN) In addition, the IDF did not deny that there were two separate rounds of fire on the hospital. The second round caused additional deadly harm to medical and media officials who came to the scene to try to assist after the first strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The likelihood that there were two rounds of shell firing was condemned even more strongly in global media coverage. It appeared to be an issue that would be even harder to explain. Generally, higher-level officials must approve an attack on a hospital, even if there is a terrorist in the vicinity. The IDF tries to avoid striking civilians, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin said, adding that it must sometimes pursue Hamas terrorists even when they hide in hospitals. Oddly enough, Deffrin gave no specific information about the Hamas assets that were struck during the incident. That led to speculation that there were disagreements within the IDF about what the target was and whether it was negligent to fire at such a target using shells as opposed to a more surgical and precise strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Asor took command of IDF operations in Gaza in March, sources in the IAF have periodically slammed him for being less thorough in avoiding civilian casualties than his predecessor, Maj.-Gen. Yaron Finkelman. The IDFs recent ratios of civilians harmed compared with terrorists harmed have likely been the worst since the start of the war. For much of the war, a ratio of 60% civilians harmed to 40% terrorists harmed seemed broadly accurate, various IDF officers said off the record. That would have put Israel in good standing compared with other countries that had to fight terrorists in urban areas with the systematic use of human shields. But this was at the stage when the IDF was sometimes killing thousands of Hamas terrorists per week or month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, over the past half year, the IDF has said it had killed more than 2,000 Hamas terrorists. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, about 11,000 Gazans have been killed during that same period. The IDF has cited numerous examples of Hamas exaggerating or downright inventing nonexistent mass civilian casualty incidents. But the IDF has not tossed Hamass estimates completely out the window, and it has declined to provide its own estimated civilian casualty tally something that it always did in prior conflicts in Gaza. Journalists killed in the strike Cameraman Hussam al-Masri, one of the journalists killed in the strikes, was a contractor for Reuters. Photographer Hatem Khaled, also a Reuters contractor, was wounded. The officials in Gaza named the three other journalists as Mariam Abu Dagga, who the Associated Press said freelanced for the AP and other outlets since the start of the Gaza conflict; Mohammed Salama, who Qatar-based Al Jazeera said worked for the broadcaster; and Moaz Abu Taha. A rescue worker was also among those killed, the Gaza health officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital was reportedly operating at full capacity, treating more than 1,000 patients at the time of the strikes, Nasser Hospital Director Atef al-Hout told Al-Arabiya TV. More than 50 people were wounded, he said. Reuters contributed to this report. If youre tired of refreshing Outlook before your daughters first dance recital or your boss denying PTO, moving to New Zealand may be the new answer to combating your 9-to-5 burnout. A new measure of the Global Life-Work Balance Index found New Zealand was crowned the best country for life-work balance for the third year in a row, improving from its score in 2024, thanks in part to a slight jump in minimum wage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Global HR platform Remote studied the 60 countries with the largest economies in the world to measure which ones allowed workers to live and work well. The index measured factors ranging from paid leave, sick pay, maternity policies, minimum wage, healthcare, happiness, working hours, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and overall safety. Each country was ranked out of 100. New Zealand is performing well across each category, with a score of 86.87. Workers there could enjoy 32 days of paid leave, six months of fully paid maternity leave, and one of the worlds highest minimum wages at $16.42 an hour. Compared to the U.S., the federal minimum wage averages $7.25 per hour and hasnt been changed since 2009. As our study shows, countries such as New Zealand and many in Europe are helping their employees navigate the balance between life and work with employee-first policies, but nations like the United States risk walking into a burnout epidemic with a culture that continues to prioritize long hours and limited paid leave, the study said. Following behind New Zealand were Ireland and Belgium. Ireland recorded an 81.17 rating, helped by its relatively high minimum wage and generous maternity leave policy. Belgium scored 75.91, bolstered by its sick pay and maternity-payment rate. Belgium also had one of the highest happiness rates in Europe, along with shorter work weeks (34.1 hours on average). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, not only does the U.S. not rank in the top 20, its the second to last on the list of 60, due to its lack of paid parental leave and private healthcare system. With public safety and LGBTQ+ inclusivity decreasing, the United States now has the second-worst life-work balance, according to the data. The U.S. falls to 59th out of 60, having placed 55th last year and 53rd in 2023, the study said. When ranking the countries with the best and worst ratings, the study rejected the traditional term work-life balance, flipping the order to life-work balance to emphasize the priority should be living first and foremost. The top five countries with the best life-work balance are as follows (scores below are out of 100): New Zealand, Wellington (86.87) Ireland, Dublin (81.17) Belgium Brussels (75.91) Germany, Berlin (74.65) Norway, Oslo (74.20) And here are the five countries with the weakest life-work balance: Nigeria, Abuja (26.67) United States, Washington, DC (31.17) Egypt, Cairo (35.77) Bangladesh, Dhaka (36.91) Ethiopia, Addis Ababa (37.61) Americans yearn for more work-life balance Gen Zers have specifically gained a reputation for valuing work-life balance. A recent survey found work-life balance ranked as the top priority when considering full-time jobs, surpassing salary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite recent graduates being in the spotlight for wanting more free time outside of work, millennials want a chance to not miss out on their lives, too. More than half of millennials would be willing to take a 20% pay cut for a lifestyle that prioritizes their quality of life, according to a survey from Ford. 77% of respondents also said they prioritize a balanced personal life over achievements or growth at work. Americans are aware theyre stuck on the hamster wheel of hustle culture in the States. A broader expat survey found 70% of Americans believe the U.S. is the most lucrative country for work, but 68% feel that they are surviving more than thriving. For those who have considered moving abroad, Americans preferred English-speaking countries such as Canada and the UK as the most desirable. Following that were Australia, France, and Italy. New Zealand ranked number 10 on their list. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet US special envoy Keith Kellogg on Monday in Kiev in preparation for a Ukrainian-US negotiating group meeting at the end of the week to discuss possible talks with the Russians. Zelensky said he would discuss with Kellogg a possible meeting with the Russian side with the goal of ending Moscow's war against his country before the larger meeting, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported. Amid heavy pressure from US President Donald Trump for the two countries to reach a peace deal, Zelensky has repeatedly called for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Zelensky's meeting with Trump at the White House last Monday, Putin stated that Moscow was prepared to take bilateral contacts in the negotiations with Ukraine to a higher level, such as foreign ministers. After a telephone call with Putin, however, Trump assumed that the Kremlin leader would meet with Zelensky personally. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told the US broadcaster NBC on Friday that Moscow sees no basis for a direct meeting with Zelensky because the two are very far apart in their demands. The Russians and Ukrainians resumed direct negotiations this year for the first time since 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the agreements reached in Istanbul have so far been limited to humanitarian aspects such as the exchange of prisoners of war and bodies of killed soldiers as well as the return of Ukrainian children to their relatives. Sunday marked the three and a half year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil met in Kyiv on 25 August to discuss strengthening Ukraines air defence and military capabilities. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening Ukraines air defence, financing Ukrainian drone production and the possibilities of the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) programme for purchasing US weapons for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Work is ongoing on the purchase of two additional Patriot systems, as well as the delivery of additional German-made IRIS-T air defence systems," Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian president said that particular attention was paid to diplomatic efforts for peace, strengthening sanctions against Russia and security guarantees. "The relevant diplomatic work is underway, particularly at the level of national security advisors. We count on Germany to be among the leaders in developing and implementing security guarantees," Zelenskyy added. On the same day, Klingbeil announced that Germany had pledged to provide Ukraine with 9 billion annually for the coming years. Background: The US and NATO have launched a new mechanism for providing American weapons to Ukraine the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), which envisages funding through contributions from other Alliance members. The Netherlands has prepared a 500 million package under PURL, including components and missiles for the Patriot air defence system. Sweden, Norway and Denmark will jointly allocate about US$500 million. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stressed that Russias statements claiming it is ready not to advance further into Ukraine are not concessions. Source: Zelenskyy during a meeting with German Finance Minister and Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, cited by Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "As for Russias concessions, I am not aware of any. I do not consider the statements we heard from the Russian side, that they are allegedly ready not to seize further Ukrainian territory, to be concessions. I also do not consider it a concession that they suggest we should withdraw from areas not under Russias control." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy noted that even discussing such ideas falls outside international law. Zelenskyy also added that the timing of talks between leaders depends solely on the Russian side, as well as on the United States. "Because it was precisely the United States that proposed, let me remind you on 7 March a ceasefire. We supported that," the head of state explained. Background: US Vice President JD Vance described Russias alleged readiness to abandon the goal of installing a puppet regime in Kyiv and its supposed willingness to accept certain security guarantees for Ukraine as "significant concessions" to the Americans in terms of war in Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has published a letter he received from Polish President Karol Nawrocki on the occasion of Ukraines Independence Day. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: In the letter, Nawrocki emphasised that 24 August is a symbol of the unbreakable courage and determination of the Ukrainian people, who in these difficult times are defending their independence against the brutal aggression of the Russian Federation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Polish president wrote that Ukraines struggle was not only a fight for its own borders and the right to self-determination but also a heroic contribution to defending the values that underpin European civilisation freedom, democracy and respect for human dignity. He added that Poland, as Ukraines close neighbour and ally, supported the Ukrainian people in this difficult time. I am sincerely grateful to President of the Republic of Poland @NawrockiKn for his congratulations on Ukraines Independence Day. Poland is our reliable ally and strategic partner, which has shown the highest level of solidarity in the most difficult times for Ukraine in our pic.twitter.com/pqTeWl1yj6 Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 24, 2025 Nawrocki also noted that Ukraines Independence Day served as an important reminder for Poland and other countries in the region that independence was not given once and for all but was a value that had to be nurtured and defended, especially from those who sought to destroy it. He stressed that on this special day Poland wanted to emphasise how significant a free and sovereign Ukraine was not only as a neighbour and ally, but also as a cornerstone of stability and peace in the region. President Zelenskyy thanked his Polish counterpart, noting that "Poland is our reliable ally and strategic partner, which has shown the highest level of solidarity in the most difficult times for Ukraine in our fight against Russias full-scale aggression". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have always been united by our shared aspiration for freedom, independence, and a dignified European future for our peoples," Zelenskyy added. Background: On 15 August, in his address for Polish Army Day, Nawrocki highlighted the role of Ukrainians in the victory that helped newly independent Poland repel the Bolshevik invasion. Earlier, Nawrocki had also called on the Sejm to ban the "Bandera flag" in Poland after incidents during a concert by a Belarusian rapper in Warsaw. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russia is striking Ukraines energy infrastructure in an attempt to wreck preparations for the heating season, targeting not only electricity and heat generation but also natural gas production. Source: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre in Kyiv on 25 August, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine Quote: "Russia is trying to disrupt our preparations for winter by striking our energy infrastructure. And this applies not only to electricity and heat generation but also our natural gas production. So we greatly appreciate the assistance that Norway provides to Ukraine specifically for gas procurement. It directly helps to protect lives." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy noted that at least one million Ukrainian families had heating last winter because of the cooperation with Norway. "The challenges this year are also significant. Norway has already taken the decision to support our gas purchases, and we are counting on Norways next steps," the president added. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, on 25 August. Source: European Pravda; Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) Details: Following the meeting, Zelenskyy emphasised the importance of implementing all the results that were achieved at his meeting with European leaders in Washington. "Undoubtedly, it was a successful summit, a demonstration of true unity between Europe and America. Ukraine, as always, is uniting the world. We value the United States readiness to be part of the security architecture for Ukraine, and our teams are actively working on shaping it. We expect that the key foundations of security will be defined shortly," Zelenskyy wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy and Kellogg discussed how to influence the Russians to "compel them to engage in real negotiations, and end the war". "Sanctions, tariffs everything must remain on the agenda. We are ready to engage in a format of leaders. This is the format needed to resolve the key issues. Now, the same readiness is needed from Moscow," Zelenskyy wrote. The Ukrainian president also noted that military cooperation is important for both Ukraine and the United States, and there are two strong opportunities an agreement on arms procurement and an agreement on drones "that could significantly strengthen our arsenals". "We are maintaining momentum in our work within PURL. This is an important instrument for procuring American equipment funded by partners, and we are now actively working on engaging additional countries," Zelenskyy wrote. Background: On 25 August, Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy for Ukraine, said diplomatic work on security guarantees for Ukraine is ongoing and very complex. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian and US teams will meet at the end of this week to discuss prospects for future talks between Ukraine and Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! As the 2,200 National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., begin to carry firearms on patrol, President Trump is now threatening and, according to at least one report, actively planning to expand his domestic use of military force into other cities over the objections of local officials. Chicago and Baltimore are in the spotlight. Chicagos a mess, the president said Friday. And well straighten that one out probably next. Thatll be our next one after this. And it wont even be tough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, the Washington Post reported that the Pentagon has for weeks been planning a military deployment to Chicago, which could involve mobilizing at least a few thousand members of the National Guard as soon as September or even the use of thousands of active-duty troops. In response, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a Democrat, said the city was currently evaluating all of our legal options to protect the people of Chicago from unconstitutional federal overreach. No matter what happens, the City of Chicago will not waver, Johnson added. We are Chicago. We will not bend or cower, and we will never break. Trump, for his part, has repeatedly called Johnson incompetent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a similar situation has been unfolding in Baltimore after Maryland Gov. Wes Moore a Democrat and a frequent critic of Trumps actions in nearby Washington, D.C. formally invited the president to the state for a public safety walk next month. Instead of accepting the invite, Trump shot back on social media, writing that if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the troops, which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime. But can Trump actually send federal forces elsewhere? Heres everything you need to know about what the president could be planning. What has Trump said about sending the National Guard into other cities? The president has repeatedly hinted that he might try to use his D.C. playbook in other places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, as soon as Trump announced earlier this month that he was mobilizing National Guard troops in the nations capital to crack down on what he described as crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor, he issued a warning to other cities around the country as well. Were going to take back our capital, Trump said. And then well look at other cities also. The president went on to single out Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore and Oakland, Calif., as other cities also that are bad, very bad. Theyre so far gone, he continued. Were not going to let it happen. Were not going to lose our cities over this. And this will go further. Were starting very strongly with D.C. and were going to clean it up real quick, very quickly, as they say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond that, the president didnt elaborate on his plans. But he did issue what amounted to an ultimatum: Self-clean up or else. Other cities are hopefully watching this, Trump said. Maybe theyll self-clean up, and maybe theyll self-do this. But if they dont learn their lesson, if they havent studied us properly, he continued, then Im going to look at New York in a little while. ... And if we need to, were going to do the same thing in Chicago, which is a disaster. On Friday, Trump again mentioned Chicago and New York suggesting that actual planning might already be underway (per the Washington Post report). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think Chicago will be our next, Trump told reporters at the White House. And then well help with New York. What does the law say about Trumps plans? Trumps actions in Washington, D.C., are legal. As you may remember from elementary school, D.C. isnt a state. It isnt part of any other state either. It doesnt have a constitution of its own. Instead, D.C. is whats known as a federal district, and its been mostly under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress since its founding in 1791. In 1973, Congress passed the Home Rule Act, which allowed D.C. residents to elect their own mayor and council members. But the law doesnt give D.C. complete autonomy. Even now, Congress controls its budget. Congress also has the power to review and block local legislation. The president, meanwhile, still appoints D.C.s judges and he still leads its National Guard. He can also take control of the Districts police force by invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act, which is precisely what he did earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trump doesnt have the same powers across the rest of the country. Under current law, governors are in charge of each states National Guard and the police are largely controlled locally. Trump has already challenged some of these rules. Over the objections of state and local officials, he deployed nearly 5,000 National Guard members and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in June after a new round of ICE workplace raids sparked protests marred by sporadic violence. California Gov. Gavin Newsom swiftly sued the administration to end the mobilization, claiming that Trump was violating the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the president from deploying the armed forces to participate in domestic law enforcement operations unless he declares that an insurrection is underway. A federal judge agreed with Newsom, but an appeals court blocked that ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks ago, Trump and Newsom faced off in a three-day trial in San Francisco to determine whether Trump has the authority to do what he did in L.A. in other cities such as Chicago and New York. The state of California asked District Judge Charles Breyer for an injunction that would allow the military to protect federal property but block it from continuing to support immigration enforcement operations, which the states lawyer called an unlawful military crusade, according to CBS News. During arguments, Breyer seemed skeptical of several of the Trump administrations assertions particularly what he called the apparent absence of any limits to a national police force. Breyer is currently deliberating on the case. A ruling is expected any day now. What does Trump hope to accomplish by mentioning other cities? Whether the president sends federal forces into other cities remains to be seen; much depends on the outcome of the current trial in California (and any subsequent appeals). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Trump has been clear: He wants to pressure Democratic-run cities to change certain policies he disagrees with. One policy he has mentioned is cashless bail, which eliminates the requirement for defendants to pay money to be released from jail before their trial. Supporters say the policy addresses disparities in the justice system, where those who can afford bail are released while those who cannot remain incarcerated; critics (like Trump) say that it puts the public at risk by releasing potentially dangerous individuals back into the community. Maybe other cities will get rid of the cashless bail thing and all of the things that caused the problem, Trump said earlier this month. I mean, if you go back, this whole thing with cashless bail is a disaster. So many problems came that we never had before. Trump has also threatened to withhold federal funds in order to put pressure on local leaders, much as he has done with private universities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I gave Wes Moore a lot of money to fix his demolished bridge, Trump wrote Sunday on social media, referring to efforts to replace the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in 2024. I will now have to rethink that decision??? The federal government had previously agreed to pay for a new bridge. Moore slammed Trumps message, saying in a statement that any threats to this funding will cause irrevocable damage to the national economy and to the entire State of Maryland. We have already begun rebuilding, Moore added, and now that Maryland is showing great progress, our President is threatening to intentionally harm Maryland. Have local officials pushed back? Yes. As Yahoo News reported earlier this month, the presidents description of crime in Washington, D.C., is not reflected in official statistics, which show that the city had its lowest violent crime rate in over 30 years in 2024. The rates of homicide, sexual abuse, assault with a dangerous weapon and robbery all fell by at least 25% compared to 2023, according to statistics from the U.S. attorneys office for the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing such numbers, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has increasingly questioned Trumps motives, framing his takeover as an authoritarian push. Our police department has been consistently, precipitously driving down crime, Bowser said at a news conference on Thursday, calling the departments work effective. She then added that federal troops have been almost exclusively focused on immigration enforcement and homeless encampment enforcement, rather than crime. Ill let you draw your own conclusions, Bowser said. Both Moore and Johnson have followed Bowsers lead. The guard is not needed, Johnson told NBC News on Sunday. This is not the role of our military. The brave men and women who signed up to serve our country did not sign up to occupy American cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to CNN, Moore said Trump is using the military as a tool for political purposes. I take very seriously about how, when and why I deploy members of our National Guard in cases of emergency and in true crises, said Moore, who served in Afghanistan. And I will not authorize the usage of Maryland National Guard forces for missions that I do not deem to be either mission critical or mission aligned. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has responded to Trumps actions and statements by touting a nationwide success story of plummeting crime rates. An FBI report released Aug. 5 found that between 2023 and 2024, violent crime nationwide dropped by 4.5%, with murder and nonnegligent manslaughter falling by nearly 15%. Ultimately, the best public safety outcomes are delivered by local police departments and local officials, who know the communities, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, a Republican and the president of the mayors conference, said in a statement. Americas mayors never see takeovers by other levels of government as a tactic that has any track record of producing results. President Trump on Monday signed a pair of executive orders seeking to eliminate cashless bail in the United States. One order directs his administration to identify federal funding that could be taken away from states and cities that refuse to give up cashless bail. The other order specifically moves to end the policy in Washington, D.C., as part of Trumps ongoing takeover of law enforcement in the nations capital. During a signing ceremony in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump blamed cashless bail for rising crime while inaccurately describing how the policy works. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody kills somebody. They go out. Dont worry about it, no cash, come back in a couple of months, well give you a trial. You never see the person again. And they kill people, and then they get out, he said. Cashless bail were ending it. Trumps claims that crime is on the rise run counter to official statistics that show crime in D.C. and nationwide has declined significantly in recent years. How cashless bail works Traditional bail serves as a form of collateral to convince people charged with crimes to show up to their future court dates while their case is adjudicated. The accused must pay money up front for the right to be released before their trial and can get the money back if they return to court on the appropriate dates. If they dont come back, they forfeit the money. Anyone who cant afford to pay their bail must stay in custody. Cashless bail policies require judges to set bail amounts at $0 for certain offenses, including misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, allowing suspects to be released without having to give up any money up front. That doesnt mean that everyone gets to go free, as Trump claims. The details vary between states and cities, but violent crimes like murder and assault are often exempted from cashless bail policies. Judges also usually have the power to order that someone be kept in custody if theyre considered to be a danger to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists have argued for decades that the traditional bail system punishes the poor, since they end up being forced to remain locked up while others who can afford to cover their bail go free. Roughly 60% of defendants, who have not yet been convicted of a crime, are detained for some period of time before their trials because of their inability to pay bail, according to a federal government study released in 2022. That same study found that the number of people being held in pretrial detention went up by 443% between 1970 and 2015, largely because of cash bail. Other researchers have found consistent inequities in the cash bail system. Men tend to be ordered to pay significantly higher bail amounts than women. Black and Latino defendants are frequently required to pay more than white defendants. Even a brief amount of time in pretrial detention can cause people to lose their jobs, make them unable to pay their rent and even make them more likely to be rearrested before their trial starts. What is the impact of cashless bail? Every place in the country where you have no cash bail is a disaster, Trump said earlier this month, but that claim is not backed up by available data. Isolating the specific impact of cashless bail can be challenging, given the many other factors that influence crime rates and the fact that most of the country still uses the traditional bail system. In general, though, researchers have not found any correlation between cashless bail and a rise in crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington, D.C., was one of the first places in the U.S. to switch to cashless bail in the 1990s. Crime rates in the nations capital have dropped dramatically since then, consistent with nationwide trends that have seen violent crime rates cut by more than half over the past three decades. More recent changes in Illinois, New York and New Jersey have yielded similar results. To make its case against cashless bail, the Trump administration pointed to the results of a study in Yolo County, Calif., which installed an emergency zero bail policy in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Defendants who were released under that policy were twice as likely to be rearrested on felony charges and three times as likely to be charged with a violent crime, the study found. However, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, who commissioned the study, told CBS News earlier this year that the results should not be used to judge the effectiveness of cashless bail as a whole because it was so unique both in its scope and its implementation because of the specific circumstances of the pandemic. Can Trump end cashless bail? The president has far more authority over what happens in Washington, D.C., than he does in the rest of the country. In general, he cannot rewrite state or local bail laws through executive order. Some Republicans in Congress have said they will push for legislation to eliminate cashless bail nationwide, but theres debate over whether they even have the power to force states to change their laws on this issue. Congress has no general authority to dictate how states set their bail laws, Lisel Petis, policy director at the think tank R Street, wrote earlier this month. Bail policy falls under a states police powers. What Trump and the congressional GOP can do is threaten to withhold billions in federal funding from states and cities that defy his call to ditch cashless bail. Whether that will be enough to convince them to change their policies remains to be seen. Support Local News Reporting Journalists at the Yakima Herald-Republic bring you timely, in-depth and credible local news. Your generous donation supports their work. In Hungary, the address of a natural person is part of their core data. Most third-country nationals living in Hungary can prove their address with a QR code featured on an accommodation slip, while some of them are eligible for an address card alongside Hungarian citizens. Accommodation slip or address card While taking care of official business in Hungary, you will regularly be asked to prove your address this is just part of how administration works here. As a result, having an address is essential as a Hungarian resident. There are two types of documents that can prove your address. Whether you are eligible for one or the other depends on your status in Hungary. If you are a third-country national who has just moved to Hungary, you most probably have an accommodation slip (szallashelybejelento lap). This is an official document featuring a QR code that officials can scan when they want to verify your address. It is handled by the Immigration Office. Otherwise you might be eligible for an address card (lakcimkartya). This is a laminated card that contains your Hungarian address, your Hungarian ID number, and a bar code that officials can scan when they want to verify your address. This is handled by the government office (kormanyablak). The address card is available to: Third-country nationals with permanent residency in Hungary (with a National Residence Card, EU Residence Card, or Interim Residence Card) EEA nationals and their closest third country national family members living in Hungary (with an EU registration certificate) Hungarian citizens Refugees and persons admitted for subsidiary protection Benefits of the address card Once you become eligible for a Hungarian address card, several services become more accessible to you than before. You will find it easier to localize your drivers license, subscribe for a post-paid mobile phone plan, buy a car, open a bank account, or get a loan or mortgage. You will also be able to sign up for DAP, the latest mobile app for electronic administration. The accessibility of some procedures is based on your eligibility for an address card. For example, if you would like to have Hungarian health insurance but you are not insured, you can start paying a monthly contribution for yourself once you have been holding an address card for at least one year. After 8 years, you can apply for Hungarian citizenship. Permanent and temporary address in Hungary Your address is supposed to be the place where you live. It should reflect where authorities can reasonably expect to find you, and mail sent here will be considered delivered. This address will be referred to as your permanent address (lakohely), which you should update within 3 working days after each change. However, you will also be allowed a secondary, temporary address (tartozkodasi hely), which you should register within 15 days if you are planning to stay somewhere for more than 3 months without giving up your permanent address. (With Hungarians, this is typical when a young person first moves to a rental from the parental home to study or work somewhere new. They keep their parental home as their permanent address, and add their rental as their temporary address.) The address card will not expire if you only have a permanent address in Hungary. If you also have a temporary address, however, that needs to be renewed every 5 years. In this case, the day of expiry will be indicated on the card. Get your address registered To register an address, you need permission from the owner of the property. If you are the owner, you can prove this by showing the purchase agreement to the administrator. If you are renting, you have several methods to prove the approval of your landlord. It is easiest if you can ask your landlord to sign the application form . The landlords signature is not needed on the application form if the rental agreement is properly attested, either by two witnesses or a notary. Some administrators are not aware of this rule, so you might need to point it out in the requirements listed here (find the section about Szallasadoi hozzajarulas). If there are several owners, or if there is a beneficiary to the property, all of them need to sign the application form. Alternatively, they can authorize one of them to act on behalf of all of them in a separate document. Then only the authorized person will need to sign the application form. The registration can be taken care of either in person at any government office or online. If you go to a government office, you can receive your new address card on the spot. If you register online, the card will be mailed to you. Get the physical address card too Issuing an address card is not automatic as of February 2025. From this year on, the address can be proven by the relevant function of the DAP app, which should make the physical address card redundant. However, since the laws regulating ID procedures have not yet been updated, verifying your identity is possible only with the combination of your ID card / passport / drivers license AND your address card. As a result, when you register your address and you are asked if you want the physical address card too, make sure to say yes. You might have to pay a small fee (HUF 3,700, which is less than EUR 10), but the address card is an essential document. If you want the card delivered to your address, that will cost an extra HUF 2,000. Receiving a physical address card remains free in the following cases: When a minor reaches the age when they should receive their first address card (14 years) When someone used to have an old ID booklet and they are switching to the new cards When there was a mistake on the card (wrong data, manufacturing defect) When your address changes without you moving to a new place (this can happen when a street is reclassified, or when two villages merge) Helpers Hungary at your service Helpers has 20 years experience assisting foreigners living, working, and doing business in Hungary. When we help you receive a residence permit, that will include the right form of address verification, whether it is an accommodation slip or an address card. Is there anything you need help with regarding administration in Hungary? Feel free to contact to and tell us about your plans, and we will be happy to find the solutions that best suit your needs. More: Helpers.hu - republished with permission The health of your feet plays a key role in everyday comfort and freedom of movement. According to Dr. Daniel Kiss, orthopaedic trauma specialist at Dr. Rose Private Hospital, bunions and hammertoes are among the most common foot deformities, yet many people only seek medical help once the condition is already causing pain. Prevention, early diagnosis, and professional treatment can not only reduce pain in the long term but also greatly improve mobility. What causes bunions and hammertoes? Bunions often have a genetic component. As Dr. Kiss explains, there is frequently a family tendency: If your mother or grandmother had bunions, theres a good chance the next generation will develop them too. Poor footwear choices play an even bigger role, with tight, narrow-toed shoes and prolonged use of high heels making the problem worse. Hormonal and metabolic disorders such as thyroid disease can also contribute to connective tissue weakness, which encourages the development of bunions. Other risk factors include being overweight and predisposition, while pregnancy can also worsen the condition. Hammertoes most often occur alongside bunions, as the deformed big toe can force the neighbouring toes into abnormal positions. A hammertoe is essentially the result of a chain reaction, where the disruption of the foots biomechanics gradually affects the position of the toes, says Dr. Kiss. The first step to prevention: choosing footwear carefully Orthopaedic specialists emphasise that a good choice of footwear is key to prevention. Shoes that are too tight, have pointed toes or with high heels all contribute to deformity. Good shoes are comfortable, provide enough room for the front of the foot and have a low heel, says Dr. Kiss. Choosing footwear carefully from a young age is particularly important, as deformities can begin to develop during adolescence, and hereditary predispositions can therefore cause earlier and more persistent symptoms. Physiotherapy also plays an important role in maintaining muscle balance, helping to prevent shortening of muscles and ligaments, which can lead to deformities over time. When is surgery necessary? If a deformity has already developed and is causing symptoms, surgery is the most effective solution. "When treating a bunion, we not only correct the bone deformity but also restore the balance of the tendons and ligaments, Dr. Kiss explains. The choice of surgical technique depends on the severity of the deformity, as well as the patients age and activity level. There are also several surgical options for correcting hammertoes, which, when properly applied, restore and preserve movement of the foot. Its important to understand that eliminating symptoms not only provides an aesthetic benefit but can also result in significant improvement in mobility for patients, adds the specialist from Dr. Rose Private Hospital. How long-lasting is the result after surgery? Long-term results are achieved through the combination of an appropriate surgical plan and patient co-operation. At Dr. Rose Private Hospital, patients receive detailed guidance on rehabilitation following surgery. According to Dr. Kiss, A well-performed operation, combined with precise aftercare, can deliver lasting results. Most patients report the disappearance of previous pain, improved load-bearing capacity, and satisfaction with the restored appearance of their feet. Recovery time varies, but typically after 68 weeks, gradual weight bearing on the foot can begin, with significant improvement noticeable by then. Almost full function, along with reduced swelling, can usually be achieved within 3 4 months. Prevention, care, and long-term results In the case of both bunions and hammertoes, prevention is always the best strategy, but if the problem has already developed, its worth consulting a specialist. Many people come too late, even though pain and discomfort could be avoided with a the right choice of footwear, and timely surgery if needed, concludes Dr. Kiss. At the orthopaedic clinic of Dr. Rose Private Hospital, patients are welcomed with state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities and highly experienced specialists. Foot health is not merely an aesthetic concern it ensures the ability to move without pain. Click here to virtually visit Dr. Rose Private Hospital in Budapest Copy-editor: Marion Merrick Language editor and author: Now You See It, Now You Dont / Surprising Expats / Budapest Retro With Budget Hungary, your journey is truly flexible: rent a car where you need it, and return it where your trip ends! Whether you're starting from Budapest Airport or arriving in the city center, Budget Hungary adapt to your plans. There are multiple pick-up and drop-off locations available for your convenience just the way you want it! Learn more here: www.budget.hu/en ********************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. Delhi Police arrested Tahseen Syed, aide of accused Rajesh Sakariya, in CM Rekha Gupta knife attack case. Charged with conspiracy, his arrest reveals planned assault; probe continues into wider network, weapon recovery. FATF (Financial Action Task Force) has imposed sanctions on Russia. Now, Russia will not be able to get the benefit of new projects related to FATF. Commenting on this, FATF President T Raja said that action has been taken against Russia due to its attack on Ukraine. Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Physician and public health advocate Judith Eguzoikpe discusses her article, Hope is the lifeline: a deeper look into transplant care. She pulls back the curtain on the kidney transplant process, revealing that the true journey for patients with end-stage kidney disease is not just a single surgery but months or years of emotional and logistical challenges. Judith shares powerful patient stories that illustrate the fear, frustration, and uncertainty that define the waiting period. The conversation highlights the essential role of health care professionals as advocates who must provide not just information but presence and compassion. She also confronts the stark inequities in the system, where marginalized communities face greater barriers to care. The core message is a call for clinicians to look beyond lab values and recognize that building hope through advocacy and human connection is a critical part of the treatment itself. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nations largest health care hiring network, were your partner in shaping health cares future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Judith Eguzoikpe. Shes a physician and public health advocate. Todays KevinMD article is, Hope is the lifeline: a deeper look into transplant care. Judith, welcome to the show. Judith Eguzoikpe: Thank you so much, Kevin. Its truly an honor to be here to help shed more light on organ transplantation for the health care professionals who have been working in this field, especially from the perspective of patients and the clinicians who advocate for them. I am a physician and I hold a masters degree in public health, where I work at the intersection of transplant advocacy, public health, and research. My focus is on improving access to kidney transplantation, especially for underserved populations, and bridging the gap between system-level barriers and clinical care. Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to work with patients navigating complex transplant pathways, and I have seen firsthand how trust, hope, and communication are just as essential as lab values and procedures. Kevin Pho: So tell us more about your KevinMD article regarding some of the obstacles underrepresented minorities have when it comes to our transplant system. Tell us about some of the things that youve seen. ADVERTISEMENT Judith Eguzoikpe: Yeah. My article, Hope is the lifeline: A deeper look into transplant care, was born just from quiet moments watching patients wait. They were not just waiting for organs; they were waiting for referrals, calls, and approvals. They were waiting for clarity. And it struck me how much patients endure is invisible. The emotional toll, the quiet resilience, and the confusion were not captured on lab results. So I wanted to write something that reminded us that while we often focus on the clinical and logistical piece, hope is a therapeutic force. And when clinicians slow down enough to offer clarity or advocacy, it completely changes the patient experience. So writing this article for me was a way to honor the patients who taught me that and to gently nudge our field toward more human-centered care. Kevin Pho: In your article, you talk about the essential work of liaisons and coordinators in the whole transplant process, so talk to us more about their role and the difference that they make. Judith Eguzoikpe: Their role basically stems from sending in those referrals, coordinating the care, all the appointments that patients need to make, and ensuring that information gets transferred to the transplant center and that they receive it. Transplant centers then take these results and lab values and tests and make sure that the patients are listed on the waiting list to become actively waiting for a kidney or a heart or any type of organ. So the liaisons and coordinators, I see them as a bridge to transplant, helping patients navigate through that process. And while theyre doing that, they need to offer hope. They need to offer clarity, advocacy, and educate patients on the transplant process. Ive come to realize that most patients are stuck in limbo. They dont know what the next steps will be. What do I do? What is transplant? So most times it is our duty as health care professionals, coordinators, and liaisons to educate the patients and accurately make them understand what theyre getting into. Kevin Pho: Now, in your article, you talk about the simple task of transportation, and thats a powerful example of a systemic barrier. So just talk to us about something that we often take for granted, transportation, and how these non-medical hurdles can really derail a patients path to transplant. Judith Eguzoikpe: Yeah. I have seen where most patients are not able to get to appointments due to a lack of transportation. They dont have a ride. Theyre not able to secure a ride to get to the evaluation appointments, to get to the appointments that are being scheduled by the transplant centers. Because of this lack of transportation, they miss appointments and are not able to get actively waitlisted. So most times, this is a huge barrier that we always have to solve for. Most patients are maybe in a geographical location where they cant get a ride to another transplant center and theyre forced to go out of town. For example, if the transplant center is not located within their vicinity, how will they get there? So these are the things that we all have to put into perspective when we educate patients about them, and we need to try to also explore other means, maybe telemedicine for evaluation appointments or try to get them to the appointments one way or the other. Kevin Pho: So you mentioned earlier about how we in health care sometimes need to slow down and look beyond values in a busy clinical setting. So just from your perspective in the transplant space, what are some ways that we can do that? And again, talk about the difference slowing down can make for our patients. Judith Eguzoikpe: Yeah. When I say slow down, I mean when we slow down to offer clarity and advocacy, we tend to actually listen, to actively listen to our patients. We are not always just going to, Get this done, get that done. Once we slow down, we can hear clearly what our patient needs. But if we are all stuck in, This is what the template says, you have to get this done, you wont be able to listen to the subtle cues the patient is offering. You will just go past them. Its always going to be at a fast pace where you have to get this done, and thats it. But does the patient have the bandwidth to get it done? So slowing down means actually actively listening to your patients, learning your patients, and knowing what your patient needs. Kevin Pho: So in your article, you touch upon the hardest moments that youve seen, sometimes when patients dont survive the wait. Tell me what effect that has on you and how does that strengthen your commitment to advocacy? Judith Eguzoikpe: Yeah. When I say most patients dont survive the wait, it is all related to that lack of clarity, the uncertainty of if theyre ever going to get a transplant, if theyre ever going to get an offer, if theyre ever going to be called. So while they are on that wait, they dont know whats going to happen next. Most people wait without clarity on the next steps or what they have to get done. They are just waiting. This is also where we come in as health care professionals to offer hope, to offer assistance, to make it clear enough that this is what you need to get done. You are not just waiting; you are actively getting things done to become active on the list. The goal is always the transplant. The goal is always to get transplanted. So for patients and for health care professionals, its about coming together to work closely to understand that while they are waiting, we must make it clear enough that these are the things they need to get done. And if the patient is not eligible for this process, its always good to let them know early enough or find another way, like maybe solving the issue that has made them ineligible. Most patients have comorbidities that they have to actually address first before pursuing a transplant. So I believe in letting them know early. And this all comes with advocacy and the clarity of what the process is about. Kevin Pho: So talk to us about more things that we can do. I guess from a program level, are there any policy issues or anything that we can do to help overcome some of these obstacles that underrepresented minority patients are facing? Is there anything on a policy level that we can implement or advocate for to help these patients on the transplant list? Judith Eguzoikpe: Yeah. I know as health care professionals we cant fix the systemic flaws, but I believe that we can bridge that gap. And bridging the gap in the sense that with what they are facing, they really have to understand, again, what the process is about. And some of these policies are about fixing transportation, medical access, health care access, and insurance problems. The policies that the government could put in place would help Medicaid and Medicare patients be able to access the health care needs or whatever tests that they need to complete. So from a health care perspective, I believe in working together with the patient to make sure that this access is being given. That is one policy that I would actually love to see addressed. Kevin Pho: In your article, you also talk about family and social support. You told a story about a young father who hesitated to tell his wife about his diagnosis. So tell us the importance of that type of familial support in these situations. Judith Eguzoikpe: Having a loved one and having an advocate who will always go with the patient to transplant evaluations and tests is very essential, in the sense that they would understand what the patient needs. Some patients might be too tired. For example, take dialysis. Dialysis could cause brain fog and fatigue at the end of the day. But having an advocate who knows what medication is needed, what the days of dialysis are, and what tests are being required by the transplant center actually helps the patient navigate the process effectively. So the importance of an advocate in all of this is that this is a very critical role, and whoever is going to take on this role needs to be mentally ready and prepared to actually take on this task. Kevin Pho: Now, lets ask a question from the patients perspective. Tell us some pieces of advice that you could share with patients, perhaps with a newly diagnosed end-stage kidney disease who is feeling completely overwhelmed by the entire transplant process. What kind of advice can you share with these patients? Judith Eguzoikpe: Take it one day at a time. I know a new diagnosis is overwhelming, but you will definitely get through it. The importance of educating them earlier on before they actually get to stage five, for example, is very important. Because the longer they stay on dialysis, the more impact it has on their heart. So education comes in first. Educate them about the need for organ transplantation. Once that is done, the patient can quietly and easily navigate through that process. I know a new diagnosis might be overwhelming at first, but theyll get through it. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Judith Eguzoikpe. She is a physician and public health advocate. Todays KevinMD article is, Hope is a lifeline: a deeper look into transplant care. Judith, lets end with some take-home messages that you want to share with the KevinMD audience. Judith Eguzoikpe: Yeah. I just want to say that hope isnt just something our patients bring with them. It is something that we help sustain. In complex fields like transplant, where the process can stretch for months or even years, our role as clinicians goes far beyond technical care. Its about helping patients feel less lost, less alone, and more empowered. So every time we take the time to clarify, to follow through, to simply listen, we are practicing a form of care that is just as vital as surgery or medication. So hope is part of that treatment plan, and we have the privilege of protecting it. Kevin Pho: Judith, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight. Thanks again for coming on the show. Judith Eguzoikpe: Thank you so much, Kevin. Kimchi Fries and Torta Eagle (Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) Seeking shelter from the sweltering heat in Seoul recently, we ducked into a Lotte Department Store near Myeongdong. Checking the directory for where we could get a cold drink and small meal, I stopped and made a beeline when I saw Coreanos had a location in the basement. Coreanos is a Mexican food restaurant with three locations in Seoul. According to The Korea Times, the company originally started out of a food cart in Austin, Texas. The LA-Tex-mex fusion eatery features a vast menu with a variety of tacos, tortas, nachos and more. The Lotte Store location in the B1 floor has a small-but-hearty menu worth a stop if you dont have time to hit the main shop in Itaewon District. This was my first time visiting this basement location, which is like a cafeteria set up. The seating situation can get precarious and competitive, so be patient and strike the second you see someone wrapping up their meal so you can snag a seat in the shared dining areas of the basement floor. From the menu I chose kimchi pork fries, a grilled chicken torta and a coke. My friend ordered a taco set with pork tacos, fries and a drink. Pork Kimchi Fries (Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) Taco set (Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) Chicken Torta (Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) After placing my order, I received a buzzer to alert me about the order being ready. The department store offers a table delivery option, but I couldnt figure out how it worked, so I had to pick up my own food tray. The food took about a 15-minutes to be ready and when I finally got my tray, I was shocked at the large portions. The kimchi fries alone wouldve been enough for two people. I was ready to enjoy some tasty Mexican fusion. The kimchi fries were perfection. A delicious mix of kimchi, cheese and well-seasoned pork. The fries were topped with chopped onion and cilantro for a refreshing medley to round out the flavor punch. I thoroughly enjoyed the fries and wish I had more time to return for more. The torta came with a generous slathering of guacamole and a large portion of tender chicken. It was good, but was missing something. I stole some of my friends pickled jalapeno slices to add to the torta which finally gave it the kick it needed. All in all, this stop was more than a mere snack stop and though I paid for it with heartburn that night, I had the TUMS at the ready. Storefront (Denisse Rauda/Stripes Korea) Address: Lotte Department Store, 81 Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, B1F Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. Website: https://www.instagram.com/coreanoskitchen/?hl=en Notes: The Lotte Dept. Store location is in the basement food court. Other locations are sit-down restaurants, so try those if you dont want to hustle for a seat. The radical religious wing of the Iranian elite has not been hiding its extremist intentions towards Azerbaijan lately. For many years, the adherents of Persian chauvinism remained silent, as they were sure that Armenia and its supporters would do everything for them, and they would only have to come and take what they consider "their own." We are talking about the territory of Northern Azerbaijan, whose "reunification" with Iran has become increasingly talked about by radical propaganda. These conversations began after the Second Karabakh War. Those circles in Iran who actively cooperated with the Armenian separatists realized that their hopes for Armenia had not been fulfilled. The campaign against the Zangezur Corridor, which is being built on the territory of another country, was designed to show that "Iran has long arms." Until Yerevan decided on priorities, the radical propaganda of its southern neighbor might not have tried very hard, but after Washington, these calculations also collapsed. Ali Akbar Velayati, Adviser to the Supreme Leader of Iran on international Affairs, recently called the South Caucasus a "buffer zone" and a "strategic shield" for Iran. They say that this has been the case historically and will continue to be the case. He spoke about this in the context of the same Zangezur corridor. Mr. Velayati. apparently, he is completely divorced from the realities of the region, if he refers to past times. And a very long time ago. Persia has not been dominant in this region for hundreds of years. He doesn't know how much things have changed in that time. Today, the leading powers of the world cannot speak down to Azerbaijan either. And we are even afraid to imagine what advice Velayati gives his patron on international issues. It is not surprising that the country cannot find its place in world politics. The campaign against the Zangezur Corridor (Trump's Route) will remain dominant in Iran for radical propaganda. Due to the interference caused by these circles to the official authorities of the country, Iran cannot get out of serious economic and social problems, and in order to divert public attention from this, these circles constantly find new enemies for the Iranian people. It's easier than solving acute problems with water, electricity, and so on. The statements follow one another. The day before, the IRGC Telegram Channel posted a post accompanied by a provocative video showing the territory of Azerbaijan "reunited" with Iran. And the IRGC promises to do this by 2040, when "the lands that have been waiting for a long time will be reunited with their mother homeland." The video illustrates a statement in parliament by a deputy from the cities of Shehrekord, Ben, Saman and Farrokhshahr, who stated: "America understands perfectly well that the Zangezur corridor next to the Islamic Republic of Iran will never be realized, and we will never allow this." Iran has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. The communications that will be built on the territory of Armenia have nothing to do with Iran. This country may or may not take advantage of the opportunities offered by the project. It's her own business. But she has no right to dictate the rules to sovereign states. No one would let her do that. Because the sovereign countries of the South Caucasus decide for themselves what to build and with whom to cooperate. The South Caucasus, in which Azerbaijan plays a dominant role today, will no longer play the role of a buffer zone for either the North or the South. Iranian radicals and chauvinists should end their hysteria and think about what such MPs and advisers on international issues have brought their own country to. By Akbar Novruz The peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, initialed in Washington on August 8 under the auspices of US President Donald Trump, is being described as a historic turning point for the South Caucasus, opening a new page in regional geopolitics, Azernews reports that this was stated in an article by Leyla Ali, a senior researcher at the Gulf Research Center. According to her, the peace deal is not only crucial for the South Caucasus but also carries significant importance for the Gulf countries, as it paves the way for a strategically vital corridor between Europe and Asia. "As Europe seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, the role of Azerbaijan and the importance of safe transit through the South Caucasus are increasing. Stable relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan strengthen the security of these routes and allow the Gulf states to align their strategies with the energy potential of the region. For example, LNG exports from Qatar to Europe benefit from a diversified supply environment," Ali wrote. She further emphasized that, "Producers from the Gulf countries can find synergies in partnership with Azerbaijan in energy infrastructure and renewable energy projects." The expert added that stability in Azerbaijani-Armenian relations removes one of the main political obstacles to the reliability of the Middle Corridor, making it a more attractive proposition for investors from the Gulf countries. > < 23:59 SC forms SIT to probe complaints against Vantara The Supreme Court on Monday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to get a fact-finding inquiry conducted against Vantara, a Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at Gujarat's Jamnagar, in view of allegations of non-compliance with laws and acquisition of animals from India and... Read more > 23:12 Now, Trump says 'they shot down 7 jets' United States President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that he stopped seven wars around the world, including the one between India and Pakistan.Talking to the press at the White House, Trump further claimed that of the seven wars he stopped, four were because he used tariffs and trade to... Read more > 21:44 Lover kills woman by stuffing chemical powder into her mouth In a horrific crime, a 20-year-old married woman was allegedly killed by a man, who was in a relationship with her, by stuffing some chemical powder into her mouth after a heated argument, police said on Monday.The incident occurred on Saturday at a lodge in Bherya village of Saligrama taluk in... Read more > 21:40 79-year-old doctor loses Rs 25 lakh in share trading fraud Cyber police arrested two individuals for allegedly duping a 79-year-old doctor from Mumbai of Rs 25 lakh through a fraudulent share trading scheme, an official said on Monday.The accused, identified as Prashant Chaudhary and Richard Rao, were found to be in contact with cyber fraudsters and had... Read more > 21:17 Coffers dry, 'no land left to give for poor': Telangana CM Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday said the state's coffers have run dry and the government has no land left with it to distribute to the poor.Addressing a gathering at Osmania University after inaugurating newly constructed hostels and laying foundation stones for various... Read more > 21:15 Bihar SIR: Over 99% submit documents as deadline nears The Election Commission on Monday said that documents of 99.11 per cent of the 7.24 crore electors in Bihar, as per the draft list, have been received so far. There is a September 1 deadline for the submission of documents by those who filled the enumeration forms during the... Read more > 20:56 BSE Sensex: Top gainers today Infosys was the biggest gainer among Sensex firms, rising by 3.03 per cent. Tata Consultancy Services rose by 2.85 per cent, HCL Tech by 2.6 per cent and Tech Mahindra by 1.32 per cent. Read more > 20:49 Delhi CM's attacker charged with criminal conspiracy The Delhi Police on Monday slapped criminal conspiracy charges against both the accused in connection with the recent attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.A senior Delhi Police officer said the fresh charge was added after investigators found evidence suggesting the assault was not an isolated... Read more > 20:45 After 3 years, Delhi cops book officer for assaulting street dog Following the direction of a city court, the Delhi Police has registered an FIR against its officer, who allegedly thrashed a street dog with a stick in northeast Delhi's Jafrabad area in January 2022.Police have begun an investigation into the matter after registering the FIR on August 7, over... Read more > 20:40 Sensex rebounds 329 points Benchmark BSE Sensex rebounded by 329 points on Monday following heavy buying in IT and auto shares and a rally in global equity markets on hopes of a potential US Federal Reserve rate cut.The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 329.06 points or 0.40 per cent to settle at 81,635.91 with 20 of its... Read more > 19:30 Chinese expert hails India's new laser-based weapon India's successful test of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), especially the high-power laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), drew praise from a Chinese military expert who said it should be considered a 'significant advancement'.The IADWS is a multi-layered air defence system... Read more > 19:19 Guruvayoor Temple to conduct 'purification ritual' after influencer video Pic: ANI Photo The Guruvayoor Devaswom, which manages the renowned Sri Krishna Temple, announced on Monday that a 'purification ritual' will be conducted at the temple pond on Tuesday, following a recent video shoot by a social media influencer that allegedly violated temple rituals. In a Facebook post,... Read more > 18:22 Soon, people will talk of ISRO over NASA: Shuks Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Sudhanshu Shukla on Monday said it is only a matter of time before the world talks about Indian Space Research Organisation over National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as India continues to advance rapidly in space exploration.Since returning... Read more > 18:13 Bengal college girl shot dead at home by ex-boyfriend A college student was allegedly shot dead at her home by her ex-boyfriend in West Bengal's Nadia district on Monday, police said.The incident happened in the afternoon in Manikpara in the Kotwali police station area, they said.Isha Mallik, 19, has been in a relationship with Debraj since her... Read more > 18:11 India alerts Pak about flood in Tawi river India has alerted Pakistan about a flood alert in the Tawi river on humanitarian grounds, even as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) continues to remain in abeyance in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, sources said.The communication was made to the Ministry of External Affairs, which then... Read more > 18:05 17,600 cops to guard Mumbai during Ganesh festival More than 17,600 police personnel will man the streets of Mumbai to prevent any untoward incidents during the 10-day Ganesh festival, which begins on August 27, an official said on Monday.A horse-mounted police unit, drones, Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), and dog squads are also part... Read more > 17:54 Days after SC order, stray dog mauls 5-year-old boy inside police colony A five-year-old boy sustained multiple deep bites after being attacked by a stray dog inside a police colony in east Delhi's Shakarpur, officials said on Monday.The incident occurred on Sunday when the boy and his father had gone to meet their relatives living in the police colony, they said.The... Read more > 16:38 Beatings, apology, compromise... the life of Nikki Bhati Nikki Bhati's husband Vipin Six decades after dowry was banned in India, a 28-year-old woman living less than an hour from national capital Delhi was burnt alive, allegedly by her husband and mother-in-law, over a demand of getting Rs 36 lakh from her parents as dowry.NDTV spoke to Nikki Bhati's father Bhikari Singh Payla... Read more > 16:31 Delhi CM gets two-layered security after attack The Delhi Police has significantly shored up security arrangements for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta in the wake of the recent attack on her, permanently deploying 40 personnel and ordering multiple frisking of visitors before their entry to any of her events, an official said on Monday.Initially,... Read more > 16:17 Monsoon rains happen every year. So why do so many die in Pakistan? As villagers carried out the bodies of two children, soaked in mud, the large crowd looked impassive.They had gathered in a small village in the Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after a flash flood washed away several houses, trapping dozens underneath the rubble.Some of them watched on as... Read more > 16:11 J-K bans pen drives in govt offices To strengthen cybersecurity, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said it has decided to prohibit the use of pen drives on official devices at all administrative departments in the civil secretariat and deputy commissioners' offices across districts. The use of public messaging... Read more > 16:08 Dozens including journalists killed Israeli strike on Gaza hospital More than a dozen Palestinians were killed in a pair of Israeli strikes on a hospital in southern Gaza, according to the Nasser Medical Complex, including journalists from multiple outlets, reports CNN.The hospital said at least 14 people were killed in the attack on Monday, including a... Read more > 16:04 Stock markets log gains on US Fed rate cut hopes Benchmark indices rebounded on Monday, with the BSE Sensex climbing 329 points, tracking a rally in global equity markets, on hopes of a potential US Federal Reserve rate cut. Buying in IT stocks were also instrumental in driving the markets higher.The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 329.06... Read more > 15:44 Kerala man gets double life term for abducting, raping minor A Fast Track Special Court in Kasargod, Kerala, on Monday sentenced a 40-year-old man to double life imprisonment for abducting and raping a nine-year-old girl in Hosdurg in May 2024. According to the court order, P A Saleem, a resident of Napoklu in Kodagu district of Karnataka, will remain... Read more > 15:31 Vietnam evacuates over 300,000 people ahead of looming typhoon Vietnam is evacuating more than 300,000 people and has suspended several domestic flights as Typhoon Kajiki approaches the country's eastern coast. Authorities confirmed that over 325,500 residents across five coastal provinces are being relocated to schools and public buildings designated as... Read more > 15:15 Is the PM a graduate? HC sets aside CIC order The Delhi High Court on Monday set aside an order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) directing disclosure of information on the bachelor's degree of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Justice Sachin Datta, who reserved the judgement on February 27, passed the verdict on Delhi... Read more > 15:03 Nikki Bhati dowry case: No evidence yet, says police Victim Nikki's husband Vipin is in police custody The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday arrested all four accused in Greater Noida's dowry murder case and informed that they will be interrogated, following which the investigation of the case will progress.According to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sudhir Kumar, the family of the... Read more > 14:50 Fitch affirms India's sovereign rating at 'BBB' Fitch Ratings on Monday affirmed India's sovereign rating at 'BBB-', with a stable outlook, saying a strong record of delivering growth and improving fiscal credibility will drive improvements in structural metrics. India's ratings are supported by its robust growth and solid external... Read more > 14:48 Seaplane services to restart on two routes by October. They are... The Civil Aviation Ministry will restart seaplane operations on at least two routes in India by October, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said here on Monday. Addressing the Eastern Region Civil Aviation Ministers' Conference, Naidu said, Seaplane operation was there once, but it was limited... Read more > 14:46 Man on video call with sister jumps off Yamuna bridge File pic A 21-year-old allegedly jumped off the Yamuna bridge during a video call with his sister on Sunday night. A PCR call was received at Sunlight Colony police station at 11:22 pm, prompting an extensive search operation by police and rescue teams. According to the police, the caller had stated... Read more > 14:26 India makes goodwill gesture to Pakistan despite Pahalgam horror File pic India has alerted Pakistan about a potential flood in the Tawi River, a media report said on Monday, even as the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror attack. Citing official sources, The News reported that India has contacted Pakistan to share information... Read more > 14:05 'No one takes Rahul Gandhi seriously' Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for distrusting key institutions, including the Constitution, Parliament, Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax department. Seth also took issue with Rahul Gandhi's... Read more > 14:04 Where will it end: SC slams comedians for mocking disabled The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on stand-up comedian Samay Raina for allegedly making insensitive remarks about people with disability. The court directed Raina and four other comedians--Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Nishant Jagdish Tanwar, and Sonali Thakkar (aka... Read more > 13:31 Heavy rain lashes Rajasthan, IMD issues orange alert File pic With heavy to very heavy rain likely to continue on Monday and Tuesday in several parts of Rajasthan, the state government announced that schools across Jaipur and other districts will be closed as a precautionary measure.According to the Meteorological Centre, Jaipur, an orange alert for... Read more > 13:27 Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha announce pregnancy Bollywood actor Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha on Monday announced that they are going to be parents. The couple shared a picture of a cake on Instagram, which read 1+1=3. The caption to their post read, Our little universe...on its way. Blessed beyond measure. The couple... Read more > 13:05 SC restrains trial court from taking note of chargesheet against Ashoka University professor The Supreme Court on Monday restrained the trial court from taking cognisance of the chargesheet filed by Haryana SIT in the FIR against Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, who was booked for social media posts on Operation Sindoor. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya... Read more > 12:55 Cong: Shah only added to Dhankar mystery by saying... Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that there may be more to the story than meets the eye after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the Opposition should not make a fuss over Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation. The Congress leader further praised Dhankhar for... Read more > 12:37 Rahul Mamkootathil suspended from Congress Congress leader and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was suspended from the primary membership of the party on Monday, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph said here.However, the KPCC Chief rejected the political opponents' demand for Mamkootathil's resignation as MLA.... Read more > 12:29 Overflowing rivers flood parts of northern Odisha File pic Large parts of the northern Odisha districts of Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur were inundated by the waters of overflowing rivers on Monday, officials said. In the worst-affected Balasore district, Balipal, Basta, Bhograi and Jeleswar blocks were inundated by the overflowing Subarnarekha, they... Read more > 12:26 Man jumps into river attempting suicide but changes his mind Representational image A 50-year-old man in the Vrindavan area of Mathura jumped into the Yamuna river allegedly with the intention of ending his life; however, he changed his mind at the last minute and started calling out for help. A passerby heard his calls and informed the police, after which the man was rescued,... Read more > 12:23 Rahul Gandhi a serial liar: Fadnavis on vote theft allegations Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dubbed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi as a serial liar while rejecting the latter's allegations of vote theft against the BJP. These lies of the opposition leaders are only meant to convince themselves, Fadnavis told reporters.I have said it... Read more > 12:18 Gangotri highway blocked Uttarkashi Police says, Gangotri Highway is blocked near Naluna due to landslide. Machinery for restoration has been deployed at the location, but it is taking time to restore the highway. For safety reasons, barricading has been done on both sides, and traffic has been stopped at safe locations. Read more > 12:04 BJP protests Muslim Booker winner inaugurating Dasara Banu Mushtaq Senior BJP leaders and an MLA expelled from the saffron party have questioned the Karnataka government's decision to have Booker Prize-winning author and activist Banu Mushtaq inaugurate the world-famous Mysuru Dasara festivities this year. Former minister and BJP MLC C T Ravi said it is... Read more > 11:39 BJP announces the name of Rahul Gandhi's 'driver' File pic Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pradeep Bhandari on Monday slammed Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, claiming that both are Parivarvadi who have nothing to do with Bihar.Speaking to ANI, Bhandari took a dig at Tejashwi Yadav, stating that he has been kept as a driver by... Read more > 11:27 Dream11 to part ways with BCCI as lead sponsor after Online Gaming Bill passage Fantasy sports platform Dream11 is set to part ways with the Indian cricket team as its lead sponsor, following the Online Gaming Bill being passed in the Parliament last week. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday confirmed the development,... Read more > 11:16 Nikki Bhati dowry death: Father-in-law also arrested Nikki Bhati's father-in-law at the police station The father-in-law and brother-in-law of Nikki Bhati, the 26-year-old woman who was allegedly burnt alive over dowry demands in Greater Noida, have been arrested, police said on Monday.The accused, identified as Satveer Bhati (55) and Rohit Bhati (28), were arrested by Kasna Police near Sirsa Toll... Read more > 11:06 Nifty Midcap 150 Index: Major Reshuffle In September The Nifty Midcap 150 index, which tracks the performance of India's midcap stocks, is set for a major reshuffle this September.Analyst Brian Freitas of Periscope Analytics, writing on Smartkarma, projects 11 changes to the 150-company index that will trigger round-trip trades worth nearly... Read more > 11:05 Reels Influence Financial Decisions Consumers are increasingly turning to social media platforms to make big money decisions.One out of two financial services customers view personal finance and investment content across digital platforms owned by US tech giant Meta.A key driver of this trend is the rising appetite for financial... Read more > 11:03 Delhi Airport Capacity Soars Past 100 Million Delhi airport, with a capacity to handle 109 million passengers annually, has joined a select group of airports worldwide in the 100-million-plus club, based on data from OAG and airport operators. There are only six airports in this exclusive list.The Delhi International Airport Limited... Read more > 11:02 Massive landslide triggered by rainfall crushes petrol pump in Udhampur A massive landslide triggered by rainfall occurred near Balinallah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur on Sunday, crushing a petrol pump under its debris. The owner of the petrol pump, Jai Pal Singh Jamwal, claimed that this incident happened around 6:30-7 pm. This incident... Read more > 10:58 AIADMK workers block ambulance; attack vehicle, driver Representational image Tension prevailed in Thuraiyur town of Trichy district ahead of the visit of former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who was on his tour themed Let's Protect People, Let's Retrieve Tamil Nadu. According to reports, an emergency call was made to the 108... Read more > 10:29 NTPC To Mark Nuclear Power Entry With 2,800 Mw Project Marking its entry into the nuclear power domain, State-owned power generator NTPC Ltd will next month lay the foundation stone for its 2,800 megawatt (MW) nuclear power project at Banswara in Rajasthan.The project will house four pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) of 700 MW capacity each.We... Read more > 10:26 Farmers begin gathering at Delhi's Jantar Mantar for Kisan Mahapanchayat File pic Hundreds of farmers from different parts of the country started gathering at Jantar Mantar here on Monday morning to attend a 'Kisan Mahapanchayat' being organised by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha.The mahapanchayat will deliberate on the long-pending demand for a legal guarantee to minimum support... Read more > 10:22 Wife donates liver to husband, both die after transplant surgery Representational image A woman who donated a part of her liver to her husband died days after he passed away following a transplant surgery, prompting the Maharashtra health department to issue a notice to a private hospital in Pune, an official said. The Sahyadri Hospital has been directed to submit all details... Read more > 10:16 IndiGo flight with Assam CM on board diverted due to... A Guwahati-bound IndiGo flight with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on board was diverted to Tripura's Agartala airport due to inclement weather conditions in the neighbouring state, an official said on Monday. The flight diversion was carried out on Sunday evening as a... Read more > 09:52 Noida dowry murder: Brother-in-law held in 3rd arrest Vipin Bhati, the husband of the woman who was burnt alive The brother-in-law of Nikki, the 26-year-old woman who was allegedly set ablaze for dowry in Greater Noida, has been arrested, police said on Monday. The accused, identified as Rohit (28), was arrested by Kasna Police near Sirsa Toll Chauraha following a tip-off and manual intelligence... Read more > 09:33 Earn lakhs and crores, join the diamond hunt in Andhra File pic The early rains in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh have turned into a season of fortune seeking for farmers and villagers in Kurnool and Anantapur districts, where hunting for precious stones, including Diamonds, has intensified alongside kharif cultivation. Rain-washed lands in... Read more > 09:23 Govt withdraws CRPF from Delhi CM's security The Centre has withdrawn the Z category CRPF security provided to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, days after she was accorded the cover following an attack on her, official sources said on Monday. Her security has been entrusted to Delhi Police again, they said.Gupta, 51, was attacked by a... Read more > 09:20 Returning to normal will be a challenge: Himachal residents Residents of Tharali tehsil in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district are facing severe challenges after a cloudburst on August 23 triggered a landslide, burying homes and damaging infrastructure. An entire house was filled with debris in the landslide that followed the cloudburst.Restoration work is... Read more > 09:15 Sebi Approval For LIC As IDBI Bank Public Shareholder Securities and Exchange Board of India has given the green light to classify Life Insurance Corporation of India as a public shareholder of IDBI Bank for its residual stake on completion of strategic divestment in the lender.The reclassification as public shareholder is subject to fulfilling the... Read more > 09:02 Microcap Stock: SEBI Warns MFs Against Overexposure Last week delivered two stark reminders that microcap investments remain one of the market's least-patrolled borders, and investors should proceed with caution.First came a three-minute clip from GKB Ophthalmics' virtual annual general meeting -- with a market capitalisation of less than 84 crore... Read more > 08:59 Survival tests, photography, kayaking: Shux shares prep for Axiom 4 Undergoing survival tests in simulated environment, learning photography to document space experience and a team kayaking off the Mexican coast to foster camaraderie -- these were some of the activities that the crew of Axiom-4 had engaged in before setting off on the mission, astronaut... Read more > 08:55 Bangladesh asks Pakistan to apologise for 1971 genocide Bangladesh has asked Pakistan to apologise for the 1971 genocide. Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain raised this point to Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a bilateral meeting held in Dhaka on Sunday. Regarding the long outstanding... Read more > 08:53 Heavy rains lash Himachal, schools shut in 4 districts Heavy rain disrupted normal life in Himachal Pradesh, prompting the closure of schools and colleges in four out of 12 districts, while 484 roads, including two national highways, remained closed for vehicular traffic. The local meteorological office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain... Read more > This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The catastrophic war in human history rewrote the geopolitical landscape of the 20th century, and ushered in the international order with the United Nations at its core. During WWII, China was the first country to launch resistance in the East and, more importantly, stood as a pillar in the main Eastern theater. Today, facing increasingly complex geopolitical conflicts and global challenges, China remains an important force for defending post-war international order. To this end, it proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, providing a clear, incisive answer to the important question of what kind of world to build and how to build it. Fourteen Years of Heroic War Against Aggression: China, a Founder of Post-War Order From the screams and cries in 1931 to the bugle of victory in 1945, the 14-year-long War of Resistance was an epic chapter that the Chinese people wrote with their lives. Under ferocious aggression, China suffered 35 million military and non-military casualties. The number testifies to Chinas solemn pledge: seeking justice for humanity. During the darkest days of the War of Resistance, China tied down nearly 70 percent of the Japanese Army, and thus helped Allied forces in other theaters gain vital strategic opportunities. Had China failed, the Japanese aggressors might have pivoted to the Soviet Union or India earlier, and the global landscape could have been completely changed. Thanks to this strategic contribution, China proudly became a founder of the United Nations, a signatory to the U.N. Charter, and a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. For Peace and Development: China, Defender of the International Order The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, first proposed by China in the 1950s, has become a basic norm universally recognized by the international community. Contributing more peacekeepers than any other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, China is acclaimed as a key factor and a vital force in peacekeeping efforts. In recent years, China has made relentless efforts for peace by actively mediating hotspot issues in the Middle East and Africa. The Belt and Road Initiative, with over 150 partners cooperating in such key fields as infrastructure, energy and digital economy, has provided strong impetus for the development of the Global South countries. In areas concerning humanitys well-being such as climate change solutions and digital transformation, China has provided large amounts of international public goods by sharing its products, technologies and governance experience. In todays world, with rising anti-globalization sentiment and growing noises of decoupling, some are erecting walls and some are building bridges. With its consistent pursuit of openness, inclusiveness and mutual benefit, China has shown to all fellow nations striving for modernization that it aims to seek progress for humanity. Proposing a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity: China, Pacesetter in Promoting New Development of International Order As changes unseen in a century unfold in the world, developing countries as a whole are enhancing competitive advantage. The current international mechanisms fall short of the needs of global governance due to the lack of viable institutions, forward-looking visions and effective approaches. As such, a new vision on international order is eagerly called upon. China has proposed the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. It believes that a multipolar world needs to be equal and orderly, economic globalization should be universally beneficial and inclusive, and true multilateralism must be safeguarded. World affairs should be handled through extensive consultation, not dictated by those with more muscles. China, having emerged from the flames of war, remains steadfast in upholding fairness, justice, development and progress for humanity. Gong Sheng The author is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs. Like this: Like Loading... Macau will roll out a new MOP485 million discount campaign next month to spur domestic spending, offering expanded benefits for seniors and people with disabilities as part of efforts to support small businesses and boost consumer confidence. Running from September 1 to November 30, the National Games Power Community Consumption Awards will put consumer discounts into circulation over 13 weeks. The program, jointly organized by the government and the Macao Chinese Chamber of Commerce, is designed to encourage local shopping, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and mark the upcoming 15th National Games and Special Olympics. During a press conference Friday, chamber chairman Ma Chi Ngai acknowledged the difficulties facing SMEs, saying, The business environment is still full of challenges. He noted that large-scale promotions are crucial for attracting customers and sustaining local businesses. Expanded benefits for residents This years campaign will provide additional support for seniors and persons with disabilities, each eligible for up to MOP500 in discounts, an increase from MOP300 in the previous round. However, the two benefits are mutually exclusive, and residents cannot claim both at the same time. A total of MOP75 million has been earmarked for this measure. Economic and Technology Development Bureau (DSEDT) director Yau Yun Wah pointed to the success of past consumption award programs, which generated MOP1.04 billion in linked spending, adding that this years campaign seeks to further strengthen consumer confidence. He highlighted the increased investment, noting that the budget is 65% higher than the last campaign. Especially in low season, our previous campaigns served to stabilize the domestic economy, Yau said. The official added that more funding this year is expected to enliven neighborhoods and improve business conditions for shops still adapting to shifting spending patterns. Incentives to spend Residents will be able to use a real-name authenticated e-wallet to collect rewards. Consumers who spend at least MOP50 on weekdays can draw three electronic discounts each week, while e-vouchers redeemable at more than 20,000 merchants will range in value from MOP10 to MOP200. Also, three winners will be selected each week, each receiving a cash prize of MOP8,000. The Social Welfare Bureau will issue MOP500 Care Cards to people with disabilities, with more than 40 rehabilitation service agencies assisting in the application process that began yesterday. An increased investment will enliven the vibes of certain neighborhoods and improve business conditions there, Yau said. The official said a survey commissioned by DSEDT found that both residents and businesses were broadly satisfied with the consumption initiative, citing its positive impact on local spending. According to government data from the previous round of the campaign, each pataca invested generated more than four times its value in consumption. With a budget of MOP485 million, authorities expect nearly MOP2 billion in total spending this time, or an average monthly turnover exceeding MOP600 million. During earlier community visits by the Chief Executive, many SMEs voiced hopes that the government would extend support measures to help sustain the community economy during the low season. Times Reporter Survey shows spending boost from consumption awards The previous round of the 2025 Community Consumption Awards delivered positive results, with both residents and merchants reporting benefits, to data released by the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT). Director Yau Yun Wah said the campaign generated MOP1.04 billion in linked consumption, representing a leverage ratio of 4.2 times. Weekend daily local payments rose by 21% compared with pre-campaign levels. Survey findings from a local university showed that 73% of respondents changed some of their weekend cross-border spending habits to shop and dine in Macau instead. The most popular spending categories were dining (70.9%), household goods (50.6%), and food and produce (49.2%). In addition, 42% of residents admitted the campaign encouraged unplanned purchases. Merchants also reported a positive impact. Among 800 surveyed businesses, 41.4% observed an increase in customer traffic during the campaign, while 46.9% said it was steady. Meanwhile, 46.1% saw sales rise and 41.1% reported no change. Like this: Like Loading... The Health Bureau recorded 1,158 cases of notifiable diseases in July, including two dengue fever and nine chikungunya reports, covering both local and imported cases. Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant to curb mosquito-borne diseases. The most reported illnesses were influenza (831), hand, foot, and mouth disease (184), scarlet fever (27), and chickenpox (27). Norovirus cases rose 2.2 times, while enterovirus infections increased 20.3%, and scarlet fever declined 53.4%. Like this: Like Loading... The Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has developed a plan to explore the potential for a branch venue of the International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao, scheduled for March next year, in the ZAPE area. Recently, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of MGTO, reported that since the launch of the ZAPE Taste Jam market on August 15, the first four days attracted more than 36,000 visitors, averaging over 9,000 per day, despite a one-day suspension on August 17 due to the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 3. Total revenue reached MOP200,000. This news sparked heated online discussions, with some netizens noting that each person spent less than MOP5, highlighting a mismatch between expenditure and revenue. Speaking to the media on Friday, the tourism chief stated that the 10-day event had initially estimated an average of 4,000 visitors per day but actually recorded 36,000 visitors in the first four days. She emphasized that these results were better than expected. She added that during the event, in addition to the market discounts, nearby hotels offered special deals, and the response from the hotels was positive. In the interview, Senna Fernandes revealed that authorities are exploring the possibility of setting up branch venues in the Rua de Xangai and Rua de Cantao areas for next years International Cities of Gastronomy Fest Macao. The aim is to create a ripple effect and transform the ZAPE area, from Macau Fishermans Wharf to Rua de Cantao, into a vibrant new district. The recently concluded market was co-organized by the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau. Its vice president, Wu Wai Fong, informed reporters that the association will refine future event arrangements based on customer feedback, including adding more signboards. She emphasized the aim to continue organizing diverse activities to introduce unique elements, create varied consumer experiences, and promote the sustainable development of neighborhood tourism in Macau. Like this: Like Loading... Authorities plan to install 96 dual-standard electric motorcycle charging stations at 10 high-usage public parking lots, including Mong Son Building, in collaboration with CEM. This initiative, part of the Macau governments electric vehicle promotion plan, aims to enhance charging infrastructure to accommodate electric scooter growth, public parking conditions, and community feedback. As suitable locations are identified, more charging stations will be added. Authorities will also monitor electric scooter trends and parking conditions to adjust charging and battery-swapping facilities as needed. Like this: Like Loading... Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) welcomed 3,000 new bachelors, masters, and doctoral students from Macau, the Greater Bay Area, Portuguese-speaking countries, and beyond at its 202526 opening ceremony. Rector Marcus Im highlighted MPUs commitment to national development and its rising global stature, noting its placement among the top 100 universities worldwide for sustainability in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. MPU also highlighted its contributions to the Macao-Hengqin International Education Citys growth as an International Higher Education Demonstration Zone and an International Science and Technology Innovation Demonstration Zone. Like this: Like Loading... Opposition lawmakers easily survived recall votes in Taiwan this weekend, but an opposition-backed referendum to bring back nuclear power failed. The recall votes, the second in a month, were an attempt to restore ruling party control of the legislature after the Democratic Progressive Party lost its majority in a 2024 election. The recall results were a second straight setback for the ruling DPP. The seven lawmakers from the opposition Nationalist Party all held onto their seats, as did 24 members of other parties in a first round of recall votes on July 26. The Democratic Progressive Party won the leadership in 2024 but neither main party took a majority in the 113-seat legislature. The Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT, won 52 seats, one more than the DPP. The Nationalists have teamed up with a third party, the Taiwan Peoples Party, to pass legislation, much to the consternation of the ruling DPP. The referendum on nuclear power Voters favored a return to nuclear power by an almost three-to-one margin, but the total in favor fell short of a threshold of 25% of eligible voters, or about 5 million votes, needed for approval. The referendum was supported by 4.3 million voters and opposed by 1.5 million. Taiwan shut down its last reactor in May under a DPP policy of phasing out nuclear power, which once provided about 20% of the self-governing islands electricity. But the same month, the legislature approved a proposal from the Taiwan Peoples Party to hold a referendum on extending nuclear power, with the support of the Nationalists. The referendum asked voters if the most recently shut nuclear plant should continue operating, assuming regulators agreed it was safe to do so. The last reactor at the Maanshan plant, one of three that Taiwan once operated, was shut three months ago after its 40-year operating license ran out. Backers of nuclear power said it reduces electricity bills and helps meet the growing demand for power from artificial intelligence applications. Jensen Huang, the Taiwan-born founder of American chip giant Nvidia, backed nuclear power when asked about the issue after arriving at the airport Friday in the capital, Taipei. Citing AIs need for energy, he told reporters he hopes that all options will be explored. Theres excellent technologies for sustainable energy solar and wind, he said. And nuclear is an excellent option. In May, Nvidia announced it would team up with Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn to build an AI supercomputer for the islands researchers and companies. MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Recent deepfake videos featuring prominent figures crafted from publicly available interviews to promote fraudulent investment schemes have emerged alongside counterfeit websites mimicking local newspapers, leading to two reported AI-related fraud cases since April. Among the cases, the Times was previously impersonated by scammers who created fake content featuring former Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng in a deceptive interview. This fraudulent scheme lured the public into making investments, resulting in significant financial losses. In June this year, a similar scam reappeared on social media platforms in Macau. Also previously, the scammers used news clips of the current Chief Executive Sam Hou Fai attending a public event, combined with AI-generated deepfake technology to fabricate false videos. These videos impersonated the chief executive, promoting fraudulent online investment projects aimed at deceiving the public into logging into bogus investment platforms. AI has become an integral part of daily life, providing numerous conveniences to the public. However, criminal gangs are increasingly exploiting AI technology to commit or facilitate crimes. This has led to a rise in the sophistication and complexity of fraud schemes, significantly enhancing their success rates and posing a greater threat to the public, the Public Security Forces Affairs Bureau said, acknowledging that AI-driven contactless crime is expected to become one of the mainstream trends in the future. According to the bureau, fraudsters can leverage deepfake technology to impersonate anyone, creating fake videos of relatives or friends who urgently claim to be seriously ill or involved in an accident to solicit emergency funds. They may also impersonate superiors requesting commercial transfers from subordinates. In these scenarios, not only ordinary citizens but also multinational companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can fall victim to AI-driven fraud. Authorities further noted that AI technology permeates every stage of criminal activity. During the preparation phase, AI can automate the collection and analysis of online information, identify potential victims, and generate the voice and text content necessary for scams. In the execution phase, AI chatbots can simulate customer service representatives or romantic partners to maintain regular contact with victims, gradually building trust. Additionally, in terms of technical support, AI can automatically identify system vulnerabilities to facilitate cyberattacks or quickly create phishing websites. In response to the rapid development of AI technology, distinguishing between truth and fiction in the online world has become increasingly challenging, particularly regarding photos and videos. The Judiciary Police (PJ), responding to recent inquiries from the Times, emphasized that while professional software and tools can assist in verification, the public can also employ simple methods for preliminary assessments. These methods include checking for blurry edges around subjects, observing if facial expressions appear stiff or unnatural, and noting any unusual distortions in the background. Additionally, individuals should assess whether the direction of light or shadows seems unreasonable and listen for unnatural voice quality or mismatched lip movements. If there are doubts about the authenticity of a photo or video, it is advisable to verify the information from multiple sources. The police also reminded the public that technological advancements are rapid, and any auxiliary identification techniques or tools may quickly become outdated. Therefore, individuals should not blindly trust the content of images or videos circulating online. According to the PJ, they have implemented several measures to combat emerging threats. These include enhancing criminal investigation capabilities, strengthening intelligence gathering and online monitoring, and improving interregional and international cooperation to quickly inform the public about new criminal tactics. Additionally, they are enhancing communication with major social media platforms to swiftly address and remove reported illegal or fraudulent content, thereby protecting the publics rights and interests. The Macau Residents Internet Usage Trends Report 2025 reveals that nearly 80% of internet users are aware of generative AI, with about 50% having used it. DeepSeek is the most commonly used tool, followed by ChatGPT. Users primarily utilize generative AI for information retrieval and problem-solving, with an average effectiveness rating of 3.7 out of 5 for learning and work. Additionally, nearly 60% of users expressed a willingness to use generative AI in the future, indicating a growing intent to adopt this technology. The PJ reminded the public that using artificial intelligence technology to disseminate false information that harms others reputations or to defraud individuals may constitute a crime under existing laws. Like this: Like Loading... Macaus rich cultural heritage and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit are at the heart of Sands Chinas mission to foster local economic growth. Through initiatives like the F.I.T. Programme and the Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, Sands China is empowering small businesses and young innovators to thrive. One such success story is Cafe Fantart, a local creative cafe specialising in puff pastries and various baked goods alongside main coursesa nostalgic yet innovative eatery that has become a beloved fixture in the revitalized Rua das Estalagens. A Collaborative Vision The transformation of Rua das Estalagens began with a shared vision between Sands China and the Macau SAR government to breathe new life into the citys historic districts. In 2023, Sands China established the Sands Resorts Incubation Centre, a dedicated hub for nurturing local talent and innovative business ideas. The centers flagship initiative, The Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens, launched in April 2024, was designed to attract creative entrepreneurs to the area by offering comprehensive support, including seed funding, mentorship, and marketing resources. The response was overwhelming, with 128 applications submitted by aspiring entrepreneurs. Among them was Cafe Fantart, a concept that perfectly blended tradition with innovation. We were looking for businesses that could bring something fresh to Rua das Estalagens while respecting its heritage, explained William Chan from Sands Chinas Procurement and Supply Chain Management team. Cafe Fantart stood out because their plan was not only creative but also executable. Their signature crispy pastry dishes, like the Egg and Beef Crispy Tart, offered a modern twist on classic flavorsexactly what we wanted to showcase. The schemes holistic approach went beyond financial aid. Participants received trainings like business planning and proposal pitching, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in a competitive market. The workshops helped me refine my vision and understand how to position my cafe, said Chan Iat Seng, owner of Cafe Fantart. Sands China didnt just give us funding; they gave us the tools to build a sustainable business. From Concept to Reality For Chan Iat Seng, the journey from idea to opening day was both challenging and rewarding. When I heard about the scheme, I saw an opportunity to turn my passion for food into a business that could contribute to the community, he recalled. His concepta new-meets-nostalgia cafecombined the cosy ambience of a traditional Macau bing sutt (literally ice room, a type of mini-cafe) with innovative dishes that appealed to both locals and tourists. After months of preparation, Cafe Fantart opened its doors in December 2024. The initial months were tough, as the cafe worked to establish its presence in a neighbourhood that was still gaining traction. However, Sands Chinas marketing support played a pivotal role in driving awareness. Collaborations with travel and food bloggers, media features, and participation in events like food festival helped attract a steady stream of customers. By May 2025, we started seeing a real turnaround, Chan Iat Seng shared. Weekends became especially busy, with both locals and tourists coming to try our pastries. The Sands China Macau International 10K race was another boostthey included discount vouchers for our cafe in the runners goodie bags, which brought in new customers. The cafes success is a testament to the power of innovation and community support. Were constantly experimenting with new recipes, Chan Iat Seng added. Next, were looking to expand into souvenir products, like packaged cookies, so that visitors can take a taste of Macau home with them. Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road Ahead Revitalizing a historic district like Rua das Estalagens is not without its challenges. Older buildings with outdated infrastructure and fragmented property ownership posed logistical hurdles for some businesses. We kept in close communication with the business owners to support smooth openings, noted Sands Chinas team. Seeing the street come alive makes it all worthwhile.The impact of the revitalization efforts is undeniable. Rua das Estalagens looks different nowmore vibrant, more alive, Chan Iat Seng observed. On weekends, you can see families, tourists, and even photography enthusiasts exploring the area. Its exactly what we hoped for when we started this journey. By combining financial support, training, and promotional expertise, Sands China is not only revitalizing historic neighbourhoods but also creating a sustainable ecosystem that enables local enterprises to flourish. Looking ahead, Sands China remains committed to its philosophy of the big supporting the small. Our goal is to empower local businesses so they can stand on their own, said William Chan. Whether its through training, networking opportunities, or collaborations within our resorts, we are happy to see these enterprises grow and thrive. For Cafe Fantart, the future holds even greater possibilities. Wed love to expand into one of Sands Chinas properties or become a supplier for their resorts, Chan Iat Seng revealed. This partnership has already opened so many doors for us, and were excited to see where it takes us next. Like this: Like Loading... In Azerbaijani, there is a saying quru b?y, literally the penniless nobleman. It refers to a person whose ancestors were immensely wealthy, but who, through his own incompetence, is left without a penny. Instead of working hard and taking steps to improve his current condition, he sleeps until noon and endlessly talks about how rich his grandfathers once were. For a reader struggling to understand this expression, it is enough to look at Persian nationalists in Iran. Indeed, it is painful to see the current condition of the Persians once among the most ancient peoples of the East, whose language for centuries served as the lingua franca of the Orient, whose architecture and poetry influenced entire civilizations, and who in ancient times were, in todays terms, a superpower. And yet today, instead of rising to action and becoming once again the locomotive of the region as their ancestors had been, Persian nationalists do nothing but talk themselves hoarse about their over 2000 years of statehood history, only to make themselves a laughingstock whenever they attempt real action. It is as if a postmodern writer had scripted a comedy for the stage, and the world watches only to laugh. To be more precise: Today, Iran is a country where every military drill ends in disaster, killing its own soldiers or destroying its own equipment. Today, Iran is a country that, in the name of helping Palestinians, fired hundreds of rockets at Israel yet achieved nothing. On the contrary, one of its rockets fell on a Palestinian, killing him. The most absurd part is that the poor man did not die from the explosion of the rocket. The rocket, overweight and malfunctioning, failed to explode at all and simply crushed him to death. Today, Iran is a country where Israel sends Iranian generals to kingdom come before they can even rise from their beds. It is a country so incapable that, while Israel bombarded Iran for days with its aircraft, Iran failed to bring down even a single Israeli plane. It was as though Irans air force had simply disappeared. By comparison, in the first six months of the RussiaUkraine war, Ukraine managed to shoot down more than 300 Russian aircraft. We could continue this tragicomic list, but we do not wish to tire the reader. Instead, let us point to one telling fact: Iran today is a country whose Supreme Leaders adviser a man who foams at the mouth as he lectures about Irans glorious past and present strength Ali Akbar Velayati, resorts to criticizing Americans by using X (formerly Twitter), a platform created by the West. To be fair, he at least wrote his status in Persian rather than in English, as if that somehow demonstrates Irans power to the world. Yet he has never asked himself the obvious question: why is Iran unable to create such a platform on its own? But then again, he is the proud Persian the quru b?y. He does not think, he does not act; he only speaks. In reality, Velayatis tweet reveals much more than intended. The hashtags he used show what really angered Irans quru b?y: the meeting on Ukraine held in Alaska. Even Iranian media openly admitted that the hashtag man of many faces was aimed at Putin. Everything is clear up until the Caucasus hashtag. It raises an important question: what does the Caucasus have to do with this? The inclusion of the Caucasus hashtag suggests that either the issue of the Zangezur Corridor (the TRIPP route) was raised at the summit and Putin agreed to it, or that Persian quru b?y fears that he might. Too timid to mention Putins name directly, quru b?y instead directed his threats against the peoples of the region. But he should not forget that this corridor is vital not only for Azerbaijan but also for Armenia and indeed for the wider world. Sooner or later, it will be opened. To oppose it is akin to opposing the force of gravity itself. As for his threats against us, they have been dismissed without a second thought. For we know the Persians well, we know their history well, and we know very well what they are truly capable of. The quru b?y should not forget that the proud Persians history effectively ended with the killing of the last Sassanian ruler by the Arab Caliphate. After that, the dominance of Persians survived only in literature and the arts. From the Seljuks onward, it was Azerbaijani dynasties who ruled Iran. It was thanks to the Azerbaijani Qara Qoyunlu and Aq Qoyunlu dynasties that the Mongols and Timurids were expelled from the region. It was thanks to the Azerbaijani Safavid dynasty that Iran became the regions most powerful empire and survived intact until the 20th century. It was thanks to the prudence of the Azerbaijani Qajar dynasty that Iran avoided catastrophe and was spared destruction during the First World War. But sadly, in the 1920s, the Persian Pahlavi dynasty ultra-nationalists who squandered Irans wealth in service of the West staged a military coup and seized power from the Qajars. Irans true decline begins here. It was they who invented, for the first time, the myth of the 2,500-year Persian state. They conveniently forgot that in the last thousand years, Iran had not been ruled by Persian dynasties at all, but by Azerbaijani ones. They pretended, absurdly, that from the Arab conquest until the 1920s a Persian state had existed continuously. Chauvinism rose to such a level that, inspired by Hitlers Aryan ideas, they even changed the countrys name to Iran, as if to declare themselves a superior race. Naturally, all this culminated in Iran being occupied by the Soviets and the British. In the 1970s, a new nationalist, Khomeini, overthrew the Shah and seized power his first act being to plunge the country into war with Iraq. Hundreds of thousands were killed, infrastructure was destroyed, and Iran emerged from the war gravely weakened, without achieving a single strategic goal. After Khomeini, an Azerbaijani Khamenei eventually came to power and stabilized Iran, for better or worse. Finally, with the election of Masoud Pezeshkian to the presidency the second-highest office in Iran the countrys image has begun to improve significantly. Today, two Azerbaijanis hold Irans two highest posts: Khamenei as Supreme Leader and Pezeshkian as President. The world has started to speak not of war with Iran, but of peace, of Irans integration into the global economy. Yet even now, Irans quru b?y, Velayati, does his utmost to ruin the country. At one moment, he complains about Azerbaijan to Pakistan, as if Pakistan were our guardian. At another, he grumbles on social media about peace in the Caucasus, consumed by envy. Perhaps he forgets that without peace, there can be no development. And without development, countries like Israel and others will continue to plough through Iran as they please. Sands China Ltd. and Macau Special Olympics (MSO) co-organized the 2025 MSO Sands China Cup Greater Bay Area Badminton Invitational on August 9 at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. The event brought together over 200 athletes from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in a series of more than 90 matches, including singles, doubles, inclusive doubles, and wheelchair badminton categories. The tournament, part of preparations for the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games in December, also supported the MSO Healthy Athletes programme. Athletes received health assessments covering FUNfitness, Health Promotion, and Strong Minds, aimed at improving physical and mental well-being. Sands China provided accommodation at The Londoner Grand, resort tours, and meals, while 60 volunteers assisted the athletes during the event. The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony, presenting 25 trophies and prizes sponsored by Sands China. Like this: Like Loading... Macau recorded 3,458,366 visitor arrivals in July, representing a 14.5% year-on-year increase, according to the latest data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC). The figure also marked a 19.7% month-on-month rise from the 2,891,003 visitors registered in June. The surge was largely fueled by a 24.1% rise in same-day arrivals, which reached 1,980,732. Overnight visitors grew at a slower pace of 3.7%, totaling 1,477,634. The average length of stay remained unchanged at 1.2 days. Overnight visitors stayed an average of 2.4 days, while same-day visitors duration edged down by 0.1 day to 0.2 day. Mainland China continued to dominate as Macaus largest source market, with arrivals climbing 17.4% year-on-year to 2,563,212. Among these, 178,533 entered under the one trip per week policy, 56,602 through the multiple-entry scheme, and 8,993 via the tourist group multi-entry policy. Visitors under the Individual Visit Scheme jumped 23.6%, significantly boosting the overall total. International arrivals increased moderately by 2.8% to 177,774. In Southeast Asia, visitor numbers showed mixed results: Indonesia (14,884) rose 9.7%, Thailand (12,352) surged 48.9%, and Singapore (5,836) edged up 2.9%. Conversely, the Philippines (37,912) and Malaysia (8,102) posted declines of 11.8% and 9.6%, respectively. Long-haul markets also contributed to growth. Arrivals from the United States rose 6.2% to 15,796, while Spain registered 799 visitors, up 55.8% from the same month last year. By mode of entry, 83.3% of visitors 2.88 million arrived via land, an increase of 19.5% year-on-year. Growth was led by a 20.1% rise at the Border Gate and a sharp 43.2% increase through Hengqin port, which handled 501,740 visitors. In contrast, arrivals by sea and air dropped 2.6% and 8.6%, respectively. For the first seven months of 2025, Macau welcomed 22,676,906 visitors, up 14.9% from 19,741,172 during the same period in 2024. The growth was primarily driven by a 25.5% increase in same-day visitors, while overnight arrivals rose by 2.8%. The average length of stay across all visitors during the JanuaryJuly period declined slightly by 0.1 day to 1.1 days, underscoring the rising dominance of day trippers. Like this: Like Loading... The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a landmark project that seeks to eliminate hazardous chemicals and promote green manufacturing. The DENR through its Environmental Management Bureau with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) initiated the Reduction of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Unintentional POPs (UPOPs) through Integrated Sound Management of Chemicals project last week. - Advertisement - The project marks a critical milestone in the countrys continued implementation of its commitments under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which the Philippines ratified in 2004. POPs are some of the most hazardous chemicals ever produced, known for their persistence in the environment, ability to bioaccumulate and serious threats to human health and ecosystems. Despite global efforts to phase them out, many of these toxic substances continue to be present in industrial processes, waste streams and everyday consumer products. The inception workshop convened key stakeholders from national government agencies, industry, civil society, development finance institutions and the international development community. The activity serves as the formal start of the project implementation, and as a platform to introduce the projects objectives, strategy and planned outcomes. The POPs and UPOPs Project seeks to eliminate 192.5 tons of industrial POPs from critical value chains, particularly in manufacturing industries that are still using hazardous substances. These include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Pentafluoro octane sulphonates and their derivatives (PFOS) and Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD). The project aims to promote the adoption of Green Chemistry principles in Philippine industries and support the establishment of an innovative financing mechanism known as FREE-MEshort for Financing the Roadmap for the Environmental Enhancement of Manufacturing Enterprises. The mechanism is designed to help enterprises, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), gain access to green financing to adopt safer alternatives and cleaner technologies. DENR Undersecretary Juan Miguel Cuna said the project supports the Philippines implementation of the Stockholm Convention to reduce and eliminate hazardous substances known for their toxicity, persistence, and transboundary impacts. Another major component of the project is to support the government in designing and piloting the countrys first Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR), which will strengthen national capacity to track chemical use and toxic emissions in key industrial facilities. UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran stressed the urgency of transitioning to a toxic-free, low-carbon and circular economy. UNDP Philippines News The Philippine Consulate General in New York is assisting three Filipino nationals hurt in a tourist bus crash that killed several passengers. In a statement, the DFA said that all passengers aboard the ill-fated bus have been identified and their next-of-kin have been notified. - Advertisement - It maintained that no Filipinos were among the fatalities. A Consulate representative will meet them to ascertain their needs and ensure their welfare until their scheduled departure, the statement reads. The three Filipino tourists, based in Qatar, have been discharged from the hospital and are cleared to travel. The Filipinos, who reside in Qatar, were touring New York, the statement added. On Friday, August 22, the New York Police Department confirmed the accident took place 25 miles east of Buffalo as the tourists returned to New York City after visiting Niagara Falls. Reports show that 54 people were on the bus when the accident happened. Passengers include Filipino, Indian, and Chinese nationals, US authorities said. Twenty-four Filipinos who were forced to work in a scam hub and later sold as slaves in Cambodia have returned to the Philippines after being rescued by Cambodian police, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Monday. They arrived on August 23 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 via a Philippine Airlines flight from Phnom Penh. The victims, composed of nine males and 14 females, were rescued with the help of the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia. - Advertisement - The group recounted how they were recruited through social media with promises of $1,500 monthly salaries as customer service representatives. Instead, they received only about $300 and were forced to work as romance scammers in catfishing syndicates targeting European men. Victims also revealed they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse, including punishments such as squatting exercises for failing to meet quotas. Several said they were later sold to other companies, likening their ordeal to modern-day slavery. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado warned aspiring overseas workers not to fall for illegal recruitment schemes, saying traffickers increasingly use social media and messaging apps to lure victims. He added that the bureau is investigating possible collusion of certain personnel with recruiters. By Alimat Aliyeva This year, 8,051 ethnic Kazakhs returned to their historical homeland and were granted the status of kandas (ethnic Kazakhs from abroad), Azernews reports. Since 1991, a total of 1,156,100 ethnic Kazakhs have made the journey back to Kazakhstan, seeking to reconnect with their roots and contribute to the country's cultural diversity. Among the kandas who arrived this year, 44.2% came from Uzbekistan, 43.2% from China, 5% from Turkmenistan, 2.7% from Mongolia, 2.4% from Russia, and 2.5% from other countries. This reflects the continued strength of the Kazakh diaspora across Central Asia and beyond. These new arrivals have settled in various regions of Kazakhstan, contributing to the demographic and economic growth of the country. The return of ethnic Kazakhs also brings a rich blend of traditions, languages, and skills, strengthening the cultural fabric of the nation. This ongoing trend highlights the importance of Kazakhstan as a unifying center for ethnic Kazakhs, as well as the nations efforts to preserve and celebrate its unique heritage. UNITED NATIONS, New York The United Nations Security Council will vote Monday (Tuesday Manila time) on the future of the blue helmet peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon that has faced US and Israeli opposition. The Council will vote on a French-drafted compromise that would keep the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), deployed in 1978 to separate Israel and Lebanon, in place for one more year while it prepares to withdraw. - Advertisement - In the latest draft text seen by AFP, the Council would signal its intention to work on a withdrawal of UNIFIL with the aim of making the Lebanese Government the sole provider of security in southern Lebanon. Under a truce that ended a recent war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, Beiruts army has been deploying in south Lebanon and dismantling the militant groups infrastructure there. Lebanon has been grappling with the thorny issue of disarming Hezbollah, with the cabinet this month tasking the army with developing a plan to do so by the end of the year. The Iran-backed militant group has pushed back. AFP Under the truce, Israel was meant to completely withdraw from Lebanon, though it has kept forces in several areas it deems strategic and continues to conduct strikes across Lebanon. The resolution would extend the forces mandate until Aug. 31, 2026. It was not clear if Washington, which wields a veto on the Security Council, would accept the compromise language, with a State Department spokesman previously telling AFP it would not comment on Council deliberations. The text also contained language condemning the incidents that affected United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon premises and forces, injuring several peacekeepers a reference to strikes by US ally Israel on UNIFIL positions that have caused injuries and damage. Israel was not specifically named. Ahead of the vote, a senior UN official warned that to completely eliminate (UNIFILs) capacity at this point, or very quickly, would not serve anybody in the region, calling any abrupt withdrawal risky. Senegal has strongly criticised the United States for imposing sanctions on four International Criminal Court (ICC) officials, including Senegalese Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang. In a statement on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry described the sanctions as a serious violation of the principle of judicial independence that undermines the ability of ICC judges to work freely. Senegal, the first country to ratify the Rome Statute, reaffirmed its unwavering support for the court and called on fellow signatories to show solidarity in safeguarding the ICCs independence against external pressures. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko also voiced total and unwavering support for Niang, vowing that Senegal would stand firmly by his side against what he called unjust measures from Washington. The US sanctions, announced on Wednesday, targeted Niang, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan, Judge Nicolas Yann Guillou, and Judge Kimberly Prost. Guillou had authorised arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, while Niang and Khan were accused of backing ICC actions against Israel. The sanctions come amid Israels ongoing war in Gaza, which has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians since October 2023 and triggered genocide proceedings at the International Court of Justice. At least 50 people were killed and 60 others abducted in a terrorist attack on a mosque and nearby homes in Unguwan Mantau, Katsina State, northwestern Nigeria, officials confirmed on Wednesday, August 20. Lawmaker Aminu Ibrahim told the Katsina State House of Assembly that 30 worshippers were shot dead during morning prayers, while another 20 victims were burned alive in their homes. Police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said the attackers also set fire to 20 houses before abducting dozens of residents, leaving behind scenes of devastation. The assault underscores the escalating threat posed by armed groups, locally known as bandits, who continue to terrorise communities in Nigerias northwest and north-central regions through killings, abductions, and looting. Acting Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe has appealed to the military for stronger intervention, while President Bola Tinubu has vowed to take a firm stance against terrorists and bandits. The attack adds to mounting pressure on security forces to curb the relentless wave of violence destabilising the region. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group has denied responsibility for a series of massacres in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, dismissing an Amnesty International Watch report published on Wednesday accusing its fighters of killing more than 140 civilians. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka described the allegations as fake and a falsification of reality, accusing Amnesty International of spreading extremist propaganda. The denial comes amid heightened scrutiny of M23, which is among more than 100 armed groups battling for control in Congos mineral-rich east. The report alleged that M23 carried out killings as part of its offensive against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia composed largely of ethnic Hutu fighters. Both the Congolese military and M23 have previously been accused of atrocities against civilians, including extrajudicial killings during M23s capture of key cities earlier this year. The conflict is rooted in longstanding tensions dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which forced nearly two million Hutus into Congo. Kigali maintains that many of those who fled participated in the genocide and accuses the Congolese army of offering them protection. Protesters in several South African cities on Thursday, August 21, demanded that the Government impose an embargo on coal shipments to Israel, accusing local mining companies of fuelling Tel Avivs military campaign in Gaza. Demonstrators carried placards denouncing Glencore, the mining giant that exports coal to Israel, alleging the fuel helps sustain Israels electricity grid and, by extension, its high-tech military operations. It is appalling that tons of coal exported from South Africa to the settler colonial regime fuels the regimes slaughter of Palestinians, said Iqbal Jassat of the Media Review Network, urging the Government to act decisively. Marches were held in Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town outside the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition, with unions and activists accusing the Government of hypocrisy for simultaneously challenging Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) while allowing coal exports to continue. GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei said supplying coal to Israel undermines South Africas principled stance against genocide. While protesters stressed their views have been registered, they acknowledged the decision ultimately rests with the government. The demonstrations come amid international scrutiny of Glencore, with Colombian President Gustavo Petro last month threatening to alter the companys concession contract if it continued exports to Israel. Since October 2023, Israels offensive in Gaza has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians and triggered genocide proceedings at the ICJ. In a harrowing continuation of violence in Darfur, Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are accused by the Sudan Doctors Network of executing 13 civiliansfive children, four women, and four elderlyon August 24, 2025, along a key road between el-Fasher and Tweila. This attack closely followed the RSFs shelling of a hospital in el-Fasher that wounded several patients, including a pregnant woman and a child. The Doctors Network lamented that these killings appear ethnically motivated, befitting a broader pattern of targeting unarmed non-combatants in a campaign that could now be defined as ethnic cleansing or even genocide, amid RSFs intensified push to seize el-Fasher, the Sudanese militarys final stronghold in Darfur. This atrocity unfolds within a wider siege of suffering: between August 1120, the United Nations documented the RSFs killing of at least 89 civiliansincluding 16 who were summarily executed in el-Fasher and in the nearby Abu Shouk displacement campwith the true toll likely higher. Since the civil war erupted in April 2023, the conflict has wrought unimaginable devastationover 40,000 dead, more than 14 million displaced, and famine spreading, while the International Criminal Court investigates alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain US health authorities have suspended the license for the Ixchiq vaccine against the chikungunya virus following reports of "serious adverse events," the drug's French maker said Monday. Ixchiq is one of just two vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the mosquito-spread virus, which mainly occurs in tropical and subtropical regions but has recently been discovered in countries worldwide. French company Valneva obtained US approval for the vaccine in 2023 but reports of side effects have prompted reviews in particular over its use in older patients, including by the European Medicines Agency this year. "The suspension of the license is effective immediately," Valneva said of the FDA order issued Friday, citing four additional cases of serious side effects, three of which involved people aged 70 to 82. "As we determine potential next steps, and as the clear threat of chikungunya continues to escalate globally, Valneva remains fully committed to maintaining access to our vaccine as a global health tool," chief executive Thomas Lingelbach said in a statement. The company said it was evaluating the financial impact of the suspension "but is not modifying its revenue guidance at this time." It said Ixchiq generated sales of 7.5 million euros ($8.8 million) in the first half of this year. The suspension prompted a sell-off of Valneva's shares on the Paris stock exchange, falling over 26% in opening deals. Public health experts say chikungunya could be a potential future pandemic threat as climate change pushes the mosquitoes that spread it into new regions. The symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever and Zika virus, with high fever and severe joint pain that is often debilitating and varies in duration. Chikungunya is rarely fatal, though there is increased risk of death for babies and the elderly. In July, the World Health Organization warned of the risks of a major chikungunya epidemic, calling for urgent action. The agency said it was picking up the same early warning signs as in a major outbreak two decades ago, which swept across the Indian Ocean before spreading globally and affecting almost half a million people. So far this year, Europe has seen 27 chikungunya outbreaks, a new record for the continent, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said this month. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A recent review of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care underscores the need for expert bodies to produce evidence-based guidance and that Canada should ensure a renewed task force is adequately funded and supported, argues a commentary in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo and author of the commentary, chaired the External Expert Review panel that reviewed the task force's structure, methodologies, and clinical practice guidelines, and looked at international best practices along with input from various groups. "Our review affirmed that we need expert bodies like the task force, now more than ever, to produce evidence-based guidance for the public, health care practitioners, and health systems," writes Dr. Goel. There have been several versions of the task force that, over decades, helped to change the way medicine is practiced, moving from opinion-based medicine to evidence-based medicine. "Those with stature, influence, and authority could drive care and policy in entire populations, with the potential to lead to substantial harm," writes Dr. Goel. "The task force pioneered the now-standard methods of evaluating clinical interventions not by tradition or authority but according to rigorous scientific evidence. The evidence-based medicine movement, whose development was led by clinicians at McMaster University, transformed preventive medicine globally and is among the most important achievements in health care worldwide." He calls for adequate funding and support to help the task force provide timely guidance on a national scale. The modernized task force should incorporate updated methodologies, take an inclusive, transparent approach in its work, and have protection from political interference. "For decades, this important body has delivered high-impact work on a shoestring budget, relying on the time and expertise of many volunteers," Dr. Goel writes. With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s directives affecting many similar guideline-producing bodies in the United States, this could be an opportune time for Canada. "Canada has the opportunity to reclaim global leadership in preventive health. A modernized Canadian body that makes national preventive care recommendations will not just improve careit will be a statement of Canadian values. As others retreat from science, Canada can lead with integrity, inclusiveness, and evidence, with a strong, independent body that is well resourced to produce high-quality guidance," Dr. Goel concludes. More information Evidence, not ideology, must guide preventive health care policy recommendations, Canadian Medical Association Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.251038 Journal information: Canadian Medical Association Journal This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine have developed a new and highly effective application of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to quickly scan notes in electronic medical records and identify high-risk patients who may have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza or "bird flu," according to new findings published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. Using a generative AI large language model (LLM), the research team analyzed 13,494 visits across University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) hospital emergency departments from adult patients in urban, suburban, and rural areas in 2024. These patients all had acute respiratory illness (such as cough, fever, congestion) or conjunctivitissymptoms consistent with early H5N1 infections. The goal was to assess how well generative AI could find high-risk patients who may have been overlooked at the time of initial treatment. Scanning all of the emergency department notes, the model flagged 76 because they mentioned a high-risk exposure for bird flu, such as working as a butcher or at a farm with livestock, like chickens or cows. Usually, these exposures were mentioned incidentallyfor example, documenting a patient's occupation as a butcher or farm workerand not because of clinical suspicion for bird flu. After a brief review by research staff, 14 patients were confirmed to have had recent, relevant exposure to animals known to carry H5N1, including poultry, wild birds, and livestock. These patients were not tested specifically for H5N1, so their potential bird-flu infections were not confirmed, but the model worked to find those "needle in a haystack" cases among thousands of patients treated for seasonal flu and other routine respiratory illnesses. "This study shows how generative AI can fill a critical gap in our public health infrastructure by detecting high-risk patients that would otherwise go unnoticed," said study corresponding author Katherine E. Goodman, Ph.D., JD, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health at UMSOM and a faculty member of the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing (UM-IHC). "With H5N1 continuing to circulate in U.S. animals, our biggest danger nationwide is that we don't know what we don't know. Because we are not tracking how many symptomatic patients have potential bird flu exposures, and how many of those patients are being tested, infections could be going undetected. It's vital for health care systems to monitor for potential human exposure and to act quickly on that information." Since early 2024, H5N1 has infected more than 1,075 dairy herds across 17 states, and over 175 million poultry and wild birds have tested positive during this outbreak period. Identified human cases remain rare, with 70 confirmed infections and just one fatality in the U.S. by mid-2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are, however, likely many more infections that have gone undetected due to a lack of widespread testing. In addition, new strains could arise, enabling human-to-human airborne spread, which would lead to an uptick in cases and a potential epidemic. "The AI review required only 26 minutes of human time and cost just three cents per patient note, demonstrating high scalability and efficiency," said study co-author Anthony Harris, MD, MPH, Professor and Acting Chair of Epidemiology & Public Health at UMSOM. "This method has the potential to create a national network of clinical sentinel sites for emerging infectious disease surveillance to help us better monitor newly emerging epidemics." The LLM (GPT-4 Turbo) demonstrated strong performance in identifying mentions of animal exposure, with a 90% positive predictive value and a 98% negative predictive value when it was evaluated on a sample of 10,000 historical emergency department visits from 20222023, before bird flu was circulating in U.S. livestock. However, the model was conservative when identifying exposures specifically relevant to avian influenzasometimes flagging patients with low-risk animal contact, such as exposure to dogsunderscoring the need for human review of any flagged cases. As the risk of infections transmitted by animals grows, researchers suggest that large language models could also be used prospectively to alert health care providers in real time. This could prompt them to be more vigilant about asking about potential exposure to infected animals, targeted testing, and controlling infections by isolating patients. The CDC currently relies on mandated lab reporting to track avian influenza but lacks systems to assess whether clinicians are asking about or documenting relevant exposures in symptomatic patients. The researchers hope to next test the large language model for prospective surveillance and deployment within the electronic health record, for faster real-time identification of high-risk patients. As respiratory virus season resumes in the fall, having a fast and accurate way to identify those patients needing special testing for bird flu, or precautionary isolation while receiving treatment, will be especially critical. "We are at the forefront of a disruptive but incredibly promising revolution around big data and artificial intelligence," said UMSOM Dean Mark T. Gladwin, MD, who is also the Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor. "The engineers and physician researchers working at the Institute for Health Computing have secure access to medical records from the two million patients that we serve throughout Maryland, and as this study demonstrates, can use AI and big data to identify early signals of emerging infectious diseases like bird flu to enable us to take action sooner to test for these diseases and keep them from spreading." Other UMSOM faculty co-authors on the paper include Laurence S. Magder, Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health at UMSOM, Jonathan D. Baghdadi, Ph.D., MD, Associate Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health at UMSOM, who is also on the faculty at the UM-IHC, and Daniel J. Morgan, MD, MS, Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health at UMSOM. More information Katherine E Goodman et al, Generative Artificial Intelligencebased Surveillance for Avian Influenza Across a Statewide Healthcare System, Clinical Infectious Diseases (2025). DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaf369 Journal information: Clinical Infectious Diseases Key medical concepts Zoonoses This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain At age 82, Roberta Rabinovitz realized she had no place to go. A widow, she had lost both her daughters to cancer, after living with one and then the other, nursing them until their deaths. Then she moved in with her brother in Florida, until he also died. And so last fall, while recovering from lung cancer, Rabinovitz ended up at her grandson's home in Burrillville, Rhode Island, where she slept on the couch and struggled to navigate the steep staircase to the shower. That wasn't sustainable, and with apartment rents out of reach, Rabinovitz joined the growing population of older Americans unsure of where to lay their heads at night. But Rabinovitz was fortunate. She found a place to live, through what might seem an unlikely sourcea health care nonprofit, the PACE Organization of Rhode Island. Around the country, arranging for housing is a relatively new and growing challenge for such PACE groups, which are funded through Medicaid and Medicare. PACE stands for a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, and the organizations aim to keep frail, older people in their homes. But a patient can't stay at home if they don't have one. As housing costs rise, organizations responsible for people's medical care are realizing that to ensure their clients have a place to live, they must venture outside their lanes. Even hospitalsin Denver, New Orleans, New York City, and elsewherehave started investing in housing, recognizing that health isn't possible without it. And among older adults, the need is especially growing. In the U.S., one in five people who were homeless in 2024 were 55 or older, with the total older homeless population up 6% from the previous year. Dennis Culhane, a University of Pennsylvania professor who specializes in homelessness and housing policy, calculated that the number of men older than 60 living in shelters roughly tripled from 2000 to 2020. "It's a national scandal, really, that the richest country in the world would have destitute elderly and disabled people," Culhane said. Over decades of research, Culhane has documented the plight of people born between 1955 and 1965 who came of age during recessions and never got an economic foothold. Many in this group endured intermittent homelessness throughout their lives, and now their troubles are compounded by aging. But other homeless older adults are new to the experience. Many teeter on the edge of poverty, said Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, a national association representing what are known as area agencies on aging. A single incident can tip them into homelessnessthe death of a spouse, job loss, a rent increase, an injury or illness. If cognitive decline starts, an older person may forget to pay their mortgage. Even those with paid-off houses often can't afford rising property taxes and upkeep. "No one imagines anybody living on the street at 75 or 80," Markwood said. "But they are." President Donald Trump's recent budget law, which makes substantial federal cuts to Medicaid, the public insurance program for those with low incomes or disabilities, will make matters worse for older people with limited incomes, said Yolanda Stevens, program and policy analyst with the National Alliance to End Homelessness. If people lose their health coverage or their local hospital closes, it will be harder for them to maintain their health and pay the rent. "It's a perfect storm," Stevens said. "It's an unfortunate, devastating storm for our older Americans." Adding to the challenges, the Labor Department recently halted a job training program intended to keep low-income older people in the workforce. Those circumstances have sent PACE health plans throughout the country into uncharted waters, prompting them to set up shop within senior housing projects, partner with housing providers, or even join forces with nonprofit developers to build their own. A 1997 federal law recognized PACE organizations as a provider type for Medicare and Medicaid. Today, some 185 operate in the U.S., each serving a defined geographic area, with a total of more than 83,000 participants. They enroll people 55 and older who are sick enough for nursing home care, and then provide everything their patients need to stay home despite their frailty. They also run centers that function as medical clinics and adult day centers and provide transportation. These organizations primarily serve impoverished people with complex medical conditions who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. They pool money from both programs and operate within a set budget for each participant. PACE officials worry that, as federal funding for Medicaid programs shrinks, states will curtail support. But the PACE concept has always had bipartisan support, said Robert Greenwood, a senior vice president at the National PACE Association, because its services are significantly less expensive than nursing home care. The financing structure gives PACE the flexibility to do what it takes to keep participants living on their own, even if it means buying an air conditioner or taking a patient's dog to the vet. Taking on the housing crisis is another step toward the same goal. In the Detroit area, PACE Southeast Michigan, which serves 2,200 participants, partners with the owners of senior housing. The landlords agree to keep the rent affordable, and PACE provides services to their tenants who are members. Housing providers "like to be full, they like their seniors cared for, and we do all of that," said Mary Naber, president and CEO of PACE Southeast Michigan. For participants who become too infirm to live on their own, the Michigan organization has leased a wing in an independent living center, where it provides round-the-clock supportive care. The organization is also partnering with a nonprofit developer to create a cluster of 21 shipping containers converted into little houses in Eastpointe, just outside Detroit. Still in the planning stages, Naber said, the refurbished containers will probably rent for about $1,000 to $1,100 a month. In San Diego, the PACE program at St. Paul's Senior Services cares for chronically homeless people as they move into housing, offering not just health services but the backup needed to keep tenants in their homes, such as guidance on paying bills on time and keeping their apartments clean. St. Paul's also helps those already in housing but clinging to precarious living arrangements, said Carol Castillon, vice president of its PACE operations, by connecting them with community resources, helping fill out forms for housing assistance, and providing meals and household items to lower expenses. At PACE Rhode Island, which serves nearly 500 people, about 10 to 15 participants each month become homeless or at risk of homelessness, a rare situation five or six years ago, CEO Joan Kwiatkowski said. The organization contracts with assisted living facilities, but its participants are sometimes rejected because of prior criminal records, substance use, or health care needs that the facilities feel they can't handle. And public housing providers often have no openings. So PACE Rhode Island is planning to buy its own housing, Kwiatkowski said. PACE has also reserved four apartments at an assisted living facility in Bristol for its participants, paying rent when they're unoccupied. Rabinovitz moved into one recently. Rabinovitz had worked as a senior credit analyst for a health care company, but now her only income is her Social Security check. She keeps $120 from that check for personal supplies, and the rest goes to rent, which includes meals. Once a week or so, Rabinovitz rides a PACE van to the organization's center, where she gets medical care, including dental work, physical therapy, and medicationalways, she said, from "incredibly loving people." When she's not feeling well enough to make the trek, PACE sends someone to her. Recently, a technician with a portable X-ray machine scanned her sore hip as she lay in her own bed in her new studio apartment. "It's tiny, but I love it," she said of the apartment, which she's decorated in purple, her favorite color. Key medical concepts Medicare Medicaid Physical Therapies 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research led by investigators at Mass General Brigham suggests a link between a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the risk of developing a malignant brain tumor. By evaluating data from 20002024 of more than 75,000 people with a history of mild, moderate or severe TBI, the team found the risk of developing a malignant brain tumor was significantly higher compared to people without a history of TBI. The results are published in JAMA Network Open. "I see these results as alarming," said co-senior author and corresponding author Saef Izzy, MD, FNCS, FAAN, a neurologist and head of the Immunology of CNS Injury Program at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "Our work over the past five years has shown that TBI is a chronic condition with lasting effects. Now, evidence of a potential increased risk of malignant brain tumors adds urgency to shift the focus from short-term recovery to lifelong vigilance. "Alongside our earlier findings linking TBI and cardiovascular disease, this underscores the importance of long-term monitoring for anyone with a history of TBI." The team divided the severity of TBI between mild, moderate and severe, with participants suffering from incidents ranging from car accidents to falls. In the two categories of moderate and severe, 0.6% of people (87 out of 14,944) developed brain tumors within three to five years after the TBI, which was a higher percentage than controls. Mild cases of TBI, such as those caused by concussions, were not associated with an increased risk of tumor. The aim of the study was not to establish a cause-and-effect link between moderate-to-severe TBI and malignant tumors, but rather to explore whether an association exists. Determining causality and understanding the underlying mechanisms will require a dedicated translational study in the future. The team collaborated with researchers from Northwestern University in Chicago, the University of California, San Francisco, the University of Texas Health Science Center, and the University of Missouri. A previous study showed veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who suffered TBI experienced an increased risk of brain tumors, but previous studies on civilian populations showed conflicting results. The researchers used an international disease classifying system known as ICD codes to exclude anyone in the study with a history of brain tumor, benign tumors, and risk factors such as radiation exposure. Previous neurotrauma studies from Mass General Brigham have looked at patients with a history of TBI and found an association with the emergence of anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases, but the current study focuses on malignant tumor development. Future imaging studies could draw a connection between the location of the TBI and where tumors developed in the brains of participants. The team would like to further study patients with repeated injuries, such as falls. "While there is an increased risk of tumor from TBI, the overall risk remains low. Still, brain tumor is a devastating disease and often gets detected in later stages," said lead author Sandro Marini, MD, a neurologist at Mass General Brigham. "Now, we've opened the door to monitor TBI patients more closely." More information Marini, S. et al., Traumatic Brain Injury and Risk of Malignant Brain Tumors, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.28850 Journal information: JAMA Network Open 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: Cross-species analysis of immature neurons in the hippocampus. Leveraging machine-learning-augmented scRNA-seq analysis, the team identified imGCs with transcriptome-wide immature neuronal characteristics in different mammals. They then performed cross-species comparisons of imGCs and mature granule cells (mGCs) from humans, monkeys, pigs and mice. Credits: Yi Zhou, Guo-li Ming, and Hongjun Song. While the process via which different types of neurons are produced, also known as neurogenesis, has been the focus of numerous neuroscience studies, its genetic and biological underpinnings in humans have not yet been fully elucidated. This is also true for immature neurons arising from adult hippocampal neurogenesis, known as immature dentate granule cells (imGCs), which support the brain's adaptation in response to experiences throughout adulthood. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other institutes recently carried out a study aimed at better understanding how imGCs evolve and determining whether the processes prompting their genesis in humans might differ from those observed in other species. Their findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that while similar biological processes influence these cells in the brains of mice, pigs, monkeys and humans, the expression of genes in human imGCs differs considerably. "ImGCs arising from adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mammals play critical roles in brain plasticity, learning and memory, and hold great potential for regenerative medicine," Yi Zhou, first author of the paper, told Medical Xpress. "However, little is known about the molecular traits of imGCs in humans and macaques, as most research has relied on knowledge and molecular signatures of imGCs in mice, which has resulted in inconsistencies in identifying and characterizing imGCs in primates." A key objective of the recent study by Zhou and his colleagues was to try to identify molecular features and gene expression patterns that could be unique to human imGCs. To do this, they carried out a study focusing on four mammalian species, namely mice, pigs, monkeys and humans. "We aimed to accurately identify imGCs in published single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and then perform a systematic comparison of the molecular landscapes of imGCs in the hippocampus across mammalian species to reveal their evolutionary changes and human-specialized features," said Zhou. "Given potential interspecies variation , we refrained from using mouse-derived molecular markers to accurately annotate imGCs in the published human and macaque scRNA-seq datasets we examined." As part of their previous work, Zhou and his colleagues developed a machine learning-augmented approach to identify human imGCs, which was found to achieve remarkable results. Characterizing imGCs in the brains of macaques, on the other hand, previously proved to be challenging, with earlier efforts achieving inconsistent results. In their new study, the researchers developed a machine learning-powered approach to characterize these hippocampal cells that relied on a classifier (i.e., an algorithm to classify specific data). To train the algorithm, they used high confidence imGCs (i.e., granule cells expressing classical imGC markers, such as DCX and PROX1, but not mature counterparts, such as CALB1 ). Data for these cells was collected from young macaques, in which there are plenty of imGCs present. Shared molecular signatures of immature neurons in the hippocampus of different species. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-02027-9 "The new classifier enabled us to identify transcriptome-wide immature neuronal characteristics of macaque imGCs using consistent criteria across datasets," explained Zhou. "To systematically compare the conserved and divergent molecular features of imGCs across species, we then conducted a cross-species analysis of imGCs versus their mature counterparts from humans, macaques, pigs and mice using all published scRNA-seq datasets at the time of our research." The analysis carried out by the researchers showed that the richness of gene expression in imGCs differs greatly across species, strikingly more than the gene expression in mature granule cells. Nonetheless, the biological processes governing the development of the cells appeared to be the same for all the species they studied. "We also identified enrichment of several gene families in human imGCs versus mature granule cells, with no such enrichment in macaques, pigs or mice," said Zhou. "In particular, we identified the enriched expression of an ATP6 gene family that encodes proton-transporting vacuolar-type ATPase subtypes. We further developed a human pluripotent stem cell-based model of imGCs and demonstrated in vitro that vacuolar-type ATPase has a critical role in regulating imGC neurite outgrowth and neuronal network activity." Overall, the findings gathered by this team of researchers suggest that the biological processes driving the development of imGCs are the same across species, yet the regulation of genes driving these processes varies significantly. These differences in gene expression could play a key role in the adaptation of the cells and their contribution to various brain functions. "Moreover, our work highlights the need for independent molecular and functional analyses of adult neurogenesis across species and the value of human cell-based models (human stem cell-derived cultures and surgical samples) in elucidating molecular, functional and regulatory traits of human imGCs," said Zhou. This recent study could soon inspire further cross-species analyses focusing on the processes driving neurogenesis and particularly the development of imGCs. Ultimately, it could also inform the development of therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the genesis of specific neurons in the hippocampus. "Owing to sequencing depth limitations in scRNA-seq, our analysis focused on highly expressed genes, leaving unexplored whether genes with lower expression that are enriched in imGCs exhibit cross-species similarities or differences," said Zhou. "In addition, we did not account for species-specific genomic features or isoform usage. Future research, with larger sample sizes, deeper sequencing and multi-omics integration, could reduce sampling variability and enable further investigation in different data modalities of imGCs across sexes, developmental stages and disease states." So far, the team's analyses have focused on imGCs, which are not yet fully developed. As part of their future studies, Zhou and his colleagues hope to use similar approaches to investigate other cell types in the brain of adult mammals, such as quiescent and active adult neural stem cells. Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information Yi Zhou et al, Cross-species analysis of adult hippocampal neurogenesis reveals human-specific gene expression but convergent biological processes, Nature Neuroscience (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-025-02027-9. Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Key medical concepts Neurogenesis 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The measles outbreak in southwest Kansas is officially over, but the threat of new cases remains, state health officials announced Thursday. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said that two full incubation periods42 dayshave passed since the last confirmed case. With no active outbreak in the region, the health department is no longer recommending early measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination for infants 6 to 11 months old. Health care providers should now follow the standard childhood vaccination schedule. "We are deeply grateful to all of the public health, health care and laboratory professionals who partnered with us and worked tirelessly throughout this measles outbreak," KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said in a news release. The outbreak began in January and affected 10 counties in that area: Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kiowa, Morton, Pawnee, Seward and Stevens counties. A total of 87 cases of measles have been confirmed in the outbreak. More than 80 percent of the cases were children, and more than 90 percent involved patients who were not vaccinated against measles, the health department said. Eight patients were hospitalized during the outbreak. There were no deaths. Statewide, three additional cases, reported in Reno and Sedgwick counties, were not linked to the southwest Kansas outbreak, bringing the state's total number of cases to 90 so far this year. The last new cases were reported the week of July 6. Threat of measles not over Even with the outbreak declared over, officials warn new cases could still be reported in Kansas this year as measles outbreaks continue both nationally and globally. The KDHE and local health department will continue to monitor for new cases. They urged medical providers to remain vigilant and test for measles if their patients have symptoms. With the new school year beginning, health officials also urge families to make sure everyone is up to date on their vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine, which remains the most effective defense against the highly contagious respiratory virus. Health care providers should report any suspected cases to the KDHE's Epidemiology Hotline at 877-427-7317, option 5, immediately, preferably while the patient is still with the provider. Number of new cases slow in the U.S. Nationally, the number of new measles cases has slowed, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Tuesday, a total of 1,375 confirmed measles cases have been reported so far this year, the highest number in more than 30 years. Measles cases have been reported in 41 states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. There have been 35 outbreaks reported this year, with 87% of confirmed cases outbreak-associated. That compares to 16 outbreaks reported in 2024, with 69% of cases outbreak-associated. There have been 173 hospitalizations and three deaths so far this year. 2025 The Kansas City Star. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Health officials in New Jersey are urging locals to stay up to date with the MMR vaccine and be on alert for symptoms after a NJ Transit rider tested positive for measles. The case involved a Hudson County resident who was infected after close contact with a confirmed measles case in a non-New Jersey resident, the state Department of Health announced in a news release. The "potentially infectious" individual, who has not been identified, traveled on public transportation from Aug. 13 to 15, leading officials to warn fellow riders of potential exposure to the highly contagious virus. Anyone who traveled on the following routes and stations during the specified times may have been exposed: NJ Transit Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, 8th Street, Bayonne to Hoboken branch: 911:30 a.m. and 69 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15; 8th Street Light Rail Station in Bayonne: 911 a.m. and 79 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15; PATH Newark on the World Trade Center Line: 9:1511:45 a.m. and 5:458:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15; Exchange Place Station in Jersey City: 9:1511:45 a.m., and 5:458:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, 14 and 15. Measles symptoms can include a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that usually appears within three to five days after other symptoms begin. Health officials warned that, if infected, exposed individuals could develop symptoms as late as Sept. 11. They urged residents to ensure they're up to date with their measles vaccinegiven as part of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) shotwhich is 97% effective at preventing the disease after two doses administered at least 28 days apart. As of last Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there had been a total of 1,375 confirmed cases reported across 41 states in the U.S. so far this year. It marks the highest number of measles infections in more than 30 years, despite the virus being declared eliminated in 2000. In New Jersey, seven individuals have tested positive for the virus in 2025, though officials say there's no known ongoing community spread in the state. In New York City, there have been nine confirmed cases and seven others in the state outside of NYC. A recent peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that measles vaccination rates among U.S. children fell after the pandemic in nearly 80% of more than 2,000 counties with available data. Key medical concepts Measles Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine 2025 New York Daily News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain It is no secret that people are often drawn to romantic partners who seem similar to themselves. This tendency, called assortative mating, has been established in humans as well as other species. Fish, for example, demonstrate the behavior frequently. Assortative mating has also recently been in focus on social media with the viral Siblings or Dating game, where people guess whether two individuals who look alike are related or a couple. The idea is well-founded in academic research. Humans have been observed to select partners with similar physical, personality, and demographic traits, which can impact the genetics of populationscreating subgroups that emphasize the presence of shared traits. But selecting a partner like ourselves may not be solely determined by personal choice. A new study soon to be published in Psychological Science suggests that assortative mating can be explained relatively simply by looking at the inheritance of preferred traits and corresponding preferences for those traits. Co-authors Kaitlyn Harper and Brendan Zietsch from the University of Queensland describe this scenario simply: If you are tall, you may have inherited tallness from one parent (say, your mother) and the preference for tallness in a romantic partner from your other parent (in this case, your father). The combination of those inherited traits means that you exist in the world as a tall person and are attracted to tall people. The idea that preference for a particular trait could lead to genetic correlations has been discussed in previous research but is a newer concept for evolutionary psychology, especially in the context of assortative mating. "The pieces were there, but they hadn't been connected in this way before," Harper said. "Agent-based modeling helped us connect the dotsby simulating populations, we could see that assortative mating naturally emerged without the need for additional assumptions or processes." She added that this research wouldn't have been possible without an interdisciplinary mindset. "The mechanism itself is familiar in evolutionary biology, but it wasn't thought of as an explanation for assortative mating," she said. "Making that connection only became possible when we looked across the two disciplines." To test this theory, the authors ran an agent-based model where partners are chosen according to heritable traits and preferences over 100 generations. They included models with and without selection pressure on the number of offspring within each generation to assess how the theory stands up under more naturalistic conditions. They found that even with up to 10 preferences for traits in a partner, clear genetic correlations formed between traits and preferences for those traits, which resulted in the agents choosing partners similar to themselves. Models with selection pressure generated less-stable correlations, which the authors attribute to reduced variance in traits. "The power of this finding is in its parsimonyit shows that a phenomenon which has puzzled researchers for decades can be understood through an explanation that was hiding in plain sight," Harper said. "And because the mechanism is so general, it can also apply to assortative mating in animals, where many of the explanations proposed for humans wouldn't make sense." More information Kaitlyn Harper et al, Assortative mating is a natural consequence of heritable variation in preferences and preferred traits, Psychological Science (2025). On PsyArXiv: DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/ycaxz_v1 Journal information: Psychological Science 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: Multimodal imaging of hyperreflective foci and ectopic RPE cells. Arrows in panels A and B show foci as observed through OCT and bright-field microscopy. Panels CE show native RPE cells, identified by the yellow arrows, and migrating RPEs, identified by cyan arrows. Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2503191122 When we think of the age-old adage about getting old, "What new ache or pain will each new day bring?" we often imagine ailments such as joint or bone pain, a hyperactive bladder, or even memory loss, but Kevin Schey, Stevenson Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, thinks a lot about the loss of eyesight. According to the National Eye Institute, most older adults who experience vision loss can blame it on age-related macular degeneration, and approximately 11 million people in the U.S. have the disease. Although AMD doesn't cause total blindness, it can significantly affect quality of life by blurring a person's central vision, making it difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks such as reading, driving, or even seeing other people's faces. One contributing factor in diagnosing AMD is the presence of "hyperreflective foci" in the retinathe light-sensing part of the eyeusing a technique called optical coherence tomography. The foci are small, discrete lesions in the retina that have high reflectivity and can be reliably tracked with OCT, serving as biomarkers for the disease. We sat down with Schey, one of the leading authors of a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (with Christine Curcio from the University of Alabama at Birmingham), who told us more about the research. What issue/problem does your research address? We set out to dig into the molecular and cellular nature of hyperreflective foci in OCT scans of retinas with age-related macular degeneration. We believe that retinal pigment epithelium or RPE cells can undergo changes and migrate from their normal positions in the RPE monolayer and become the source of clinically visible hyperreflective foci. There are other potential sources of hyperreflectance in the retina, but our work aimed to assess the role of RPE cells as a key source of this biomarker signal. What was unique about your approach to the research? We used near single-cell resolution imaging mass spectrometry, or IMS, to determine the molecular constituents of migrating RPE cells in human donor retinas. IMS was pioneered at Vanderbilt at the cutting-edge facilities within the Mass Spectrometry Research Center and it facilitated our analysis. What were your top three findings? We found that the molecular signatures of hyperreflective cells in AMD eyes are consistent with ectopic (migrating) RPE cells. As RPE cells migrate into the inner retina, changes in their molecular composition were consistent with transdifferentiation, a process that morphs the normally static epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, which are characterized by migratory and invasive properties. We also found that the ectopic RPE cells both gain some functions they didn't have in the RPE layer and lose some functions they had before, which we believe is caused by altered lipid metabolism in the ectopic cells. We believe that this change in lipid metabolism drives migration and the creation of the hyperreflective foci and leads to the progression of AMD. What do you hope will be achieved with the research results on the short term? Right now, we believe that this research confirms that some hyperreflective foci observed in OCT scans occur due to transdifferentiating RPE cells and that lipid metabolism is altered in these cells. What are your highest translational/clinical aspirations that might come from this research? New therapies for slowing or preventing AMD could come of our findings if we or other researchers could find ways to delay or prevent RPE transdifferentiation. Who or what made the difference in your research? Having access to human donor eyes with very short post-mortem times was critical for our work and was facilitated by a close collaboration with the Advancing Sight Network of Alabama. Additionally, a close partnership with Dr. Christine Curcio's lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was instrumental for sample preparation, histological analysis, and data interpretation. Finally, access to state-of-the-art imaging mass spectrometry technologies within the Vanderbilt MSRC was the gel that brought everything together. Where is this research taking you next? We will continue to examine AMD eyes with hyperreflective foci to identify other cell types, such as microglial cells, that may be involved in the disease. We will also be focusing on the cellular environment that can lead to RPE migration and transdifferentiation. More information Zhen Wang et al, Glycolipids implicated as mediators of clinically visible retinal pigment epithelial migration in age-related macular degeneration, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2503191122 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Cesarean delivery is the most common inpatient surgery in the U.S. but it also carries inherent surgical risks, including vascular, visceral, soft tissue, and nerve damage, which can lead to significant maternal health complications and even death. Despite the high frequency of cesarean delivery in the U.S., research into surgical complications from the procedure has been based on data that mixed medical and anesthetic complications with surgery-specific complications, making the data imprecise. To address this knowledge gap, researchers at UC San Francisco developed a novel, population-based measure to define and track severe surgical complications among patients undergoing cesarean delivery and used the measure to examine prevalence and risk factors in cesarean patients in California. Their research is published in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Using data from nearly 600,000 births in California, the researchers found that about 1 in 60 cesarean deliveries involve a serious surgical complication, with higher rates among patients undergoing intrapartum cesarean (during labor) or those with placenta accreta (a condition where the placenta attaches too deeply into the uterine wall). This is a striking rate given that roughly 1.1 million cesareans are performed each year in the U.S., translating to an estimated 18,000 patients annually who may experience serious intraoperative surgical complications. "The new measure relies on routinely collected hospital claims data and could serve as a foundation for monitoring surgical quality and guiding improvement efforts across hospitals," said study first author Alexander Butwick, MBBS, FRCA, MS, Professor and Division Chief of Obstetric Anesthesia at UCSF. "This work marks a major step toward better defining and addressing surgical risk in obstetric care." The study was conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients who underwent cesarean delivery in any California hospital between 2016 and 2021. The researchers constructed a composite index of severe perioperative surgical morbidity (SPSM) based on maternal discharge or claims data. Their measure included intra-abdominal or pelvic visceral and vascular injuries, hysterectomy, pelvic or retroperitoneal hematoma, wound complications, ileus or bowel obstruction, acute peritonitis, and shock. SPSM prevalence was calculated overall and stratified by pre-labor and intra-partum cesarean deliveries. Intrapartum cesarean deliveries usually happen after labor has startedeither spontaneously or through inductionwhen there's a concern for the mother or baby. Among 594,655 cesarean deliveries, 10,182 had SPSM. The most common categorized morbidities were wound complications; followed by bladder, genitourinary, or pelvic injury; ileus or bowel obstruction, and intraoperative bowel injury. SPSM prevalence was higher among patients undergoing intrapartum compared with pre-labor cesarean delivery. This may be related to increased risk of uterine atony (lack of muscle tone) and more complicated surgical delivery in patients who have attempted labor prior to cesarean delivery. Patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorder, a condition associated with major intraoperative hemorrhage, had the highest SPSM risk. This finding highlights the considerable surgical complexity, altered anatomy, and technical difficulties in the surgical management of patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorder. The authors observed that patients with other hemorrhage risk factors, such as placenta previa and chorioamnionitis, had an increased risk of SPSM, which may also be related to surgical complexity. "Prior studies of perioperative morbidity reported higher complication rates because they mixed in medical and anesthetic complications with surgery-specific complications," said Butwick. "Our approach isolates serious surgical complications, so we get a more accurate sense of the surgical risk for cesarean patients. These findings underscore the need for systematic measurement and evaluation of surgical quality of care among patients undergoing cesarean delivery to identify opportunities for morbidity reduction." 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: With a longtime vaccine critic leading the nation's health departments, you might be wondering whether there's a new flu shot this fall. There is and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says most Americans should get it. He's basing that recommendation on the advice of a board he appointed to advise the federal government on vaccines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people 6 months old and up should get a flu shot. That's pretty much the same advice the CDC has given in the past. This year's version of the flu vaccine should be widely available soon, according to KFF Health News. No shortages are anticipated. So when should you roll up your sleeve? The best time to take the jab is September, October or early November, doctors say. That not only gives your body time to build up antibodies as outbreaks begin, it also helps ensure your protection won't disappear before flu season ends. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, told KFF that flu outbreaks typically peak in February. This year's flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus. Scientists tweaked the formula, as recommended by the World Health Organization, to target a specific strain of the A/H3N2 virus that is expected to circulate this season. As always, though, other strains may emerge. Sometimes the shot is a good match for the virus; other times, it's been less so. In other words, KFF noted, a flu shot is not guaranteed to protect against the influenza strain that emerges each winter. Instead, the vaccine is intended to help keep people out of the hospital or the intensive care unit and prevent deadly infections. Very young children, pregnant women, the elderly and folks with weakened immune systems and some chronic health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, are at higher risk for complications. "A flu vaccine may not guarantee perfect protection against the flu, but skipping your flu shot simply guarantees you'll have no protection at all," said Dr. Benjamin Lee, a pediatric infection disease specialist at the University of Vermont Children's Hospital in Burlington. While this year's flu shot is expected to be available in ample supply, future seasons could be different, KFF reported. Kennedy recently canceled funding for the development of mRNA vaccines, including one that would have combined flu and COVID shots. There are no currently approved mRNA flu shots. Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. A week-long honeymoon that turned into a nightmare in Vietnam finally ended on a positive note for newlyweds Prasad and Dipti Chavan. The couple, who were left stranded in Phu Quoc after a flight booking blunder by MakeMyTrip, returned to Mumbai in the early hours of Sunday after the online travel company issued an apology and promised to reimburse all their expenses. The Chavans revealed that the turnaround happened immediately after their ordeal was reported by Mumbai Mirror. Just hours after the story appeared, we received a call from senior MakeMyTrip officials, who admitted the mistake and said the matter was escalated to higher authorities. They took all our details and assured us that both the return flight tickets and the hotel accommodation bills we paid for will be reimbursed at the earliest, Dipti said, after landing back in Mumbai. The couple explained that their troubles began when MakeMyTrip booked their return flight a day earlier than promised without informing them. Despite receiving a day tour itinerary for August 20 and even a drivers message confirming hotel-to-airport pickup for August 21, they were stunned to learn late on August 20 that their return flight had already departed. Left stranded, the newlyweds were forced to book an extra night at Palmy Resort and arrange their own tickets back home. Dipti, reflecting on the nightmare, pointed out a larger concern. We were just two people and financially capable of booking new flights ourselves. But what if it was a big family in our place, stuck on foreign land without financial backup? How would they manage the cost of multiple return tickets and hotel accommodation at such short notice? Situations like this can be devastating, she said. Her husband Prasad added: Such mistakes should not happen at all. No one should be left stranded like we were. The news article really helped us without it, we doubt MakeMyTrip would have acted so quickly. Despite repeated emails and calls from the couple during their ordeal, the company failed to respond until the Mirrors report went live. The Maharashtra governments flagship welfare programme the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin (MMLB) Scheme has been exposed as a goldmine for fraudsters, with lakhs of ineligible beneficiaries siphoning off funds meant to empower women in the state. From elderly women to college girls, government employees, and even men, thousands have lined up to exploit the scheme, draining the exchequer by a whopping Rs 3,000 crore. The Information Technology departments crackdown uncovered the magnitude of this fraud, revealing deep-rooted malpractices in what was touted as a progressive initiative. A tech-driven crackdown A forensic-style investigation, aided by AI-powered analytics, unearthed a wide network of fraudulent claims. By cross-verifying data from government systems like Food and Civil Supply (FCS), Sevaarth (payroll), and pension databases, the IT department flagged over 33 lakh ineligible claimants, among them a whopping 8,000 government employees. According to government sources, these fraudulent claims amounted to a staggering Rs 3,000 crore saved in just 10 months. As Mumbai braces for its high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, a seemingly quiet and locked office in Jogeshwari West has become a focal point of an escalating political showdown. Since January, the rival Shiv Sena factions Uddhav Thackerays (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led group have been fiercely staking claim to the premises, which was once a functional party office but now lies sealed under police watch. What began as a party defection by former corporator Rajul Patel snowballed into a symbolic battle over political legacy, party identity, and control over grassroots campaign machinery. With both camps gearing up for an aggressive poll campaign, the office space has become more than just a piece of real estate its now a contested battleground reflecting the deeper cracks within the Shiv Sena fold. The ground-plus-one structure in Jogeshwaris Behrambaug area has remained sealed since January, standing as a silent witness to a fierce political tug-of-war. Both Shiv Sena factions Uddhav Thackerays UBT and the Shinde camp continue to stake an aggressive claim to what each considers their rightful bastion. Talking to Mumbai Mirror, Patel, who joined the Shinde-led Shiv Sena group, said, I am not claiming the plot, but I have been running my office from this premises since 1997. I spent my own money to renovate it. Above all, the electricity bill is in my name. But still, my office has been sealed by Oshiwara police and deployed multiple policemen to prevent us entering the premises. Officials at the Oshiwara police station claim that the case files have been forwarded to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 9). However, the DCP appears reluctant to take decisive action, allowing the matter to remain unresolved and linger indefinitely citing Section 164 of BNS, alleged Patel. It was a non-operational garage when I got it cleared and converted it into an office in 1997. I invested money to construct and renovate it to make it my own office. But after I changed my party, the workers belonging to Shiv Sena (UBT) started to create chaos on January 27, desisting me from using the premises to run my office. So, I locked it and called the police, who sealed the office, Patel informed Mumbai Mirror. Initially, the Oshiwara police deployed nearly 25 personnel to prevent members of both political factions from accessing the disputed premises. Even today, the ground-plus-one structure remains under round-the-clock police surveillance. The continued deployment of resources for guarding a locked office has raised concerns over the needless drain on taxpayers' money. Many believe senior police officials should have intervened by now to resolve the deadlock and end this prolonged misuse of public resources, Patel underlined. Now, with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections drawing near, the locked office has once again become the political battlefield. Both factions are allegedly vying to use the premises as their campaign headquarters, intensifying the already bitter rivalry. This seemingly small property has now taken on symbolic significance a microcosm of the larger battle for control over the Shiv Sena's legacy, assets, and public perception. As civic poll campaigning kicks into gear, the sealed door stands as a stark metaphor for a party divided, and a city watching closely. I was using this property to run my political campaign when I was in Shiv Sena (UBT). Now, since the BMC polls are to be announced anytime, I have to gear up to kick off the political campaign for which I need an office. If the cops do not hand over this property to me, I will plan to enter it in the next few days as the keys to this property are still with me. It is my property as I got it renovated with my own personal money, vowed Patil. When contacted, the Shiv Sena (UBT) Shakha Pramukh of Behrambaug, Dayanand Sawant, said, The office was constructed on party fund. It does not belong to anyone. The matter is lying pending at DCP office. Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC, Anil Parab, said, Shiv Sainiks have contributed to the development of this property, and it rightfully belongs to both factions. Neither party can claim sole ownership. If necessary, we are prepared to take the matter to court to ensure a fair resolution. Sources at Oshiwara police station said that the contentious property, measuring around 450 sq ft at Behram Baug, has both parties called by the DCP office to submit related documents of the property. According to sources at the Oshiwara police station, a team of officers has been deployed outside the disputed office to prevent any escalation, as tensions between the two factions remain high. The controversy erupted after Rajul Patel, a former corporator and key local figure, defected from the UBT faction to join the Shinde camp. Patel oversaw the renovation of the office during her earlier stint with UBT. Her defection triggered a backlash, with UBT workers staging protests, asserting that the office was developed and financed by their party and therefore could not be claimed by the breakaway faction. As tempers flared and confrontations became inevitable, we had to intervene and seal the premises, locking both camps out in a bid to maintain law and order. Later, the DCP sir is looking after the issue as all the files are lying at his office, said an officer who is known to this issue since the beginning. When contacted, the zonal DCP Dikshit Gedam refused to comment on the issue. China, Pakistan to take partnership to new heights 08:10, August 25, 2025 By LIU JIANQIAO ( China Daily Ding Kan (left), head of the project management team of the China-aided new Gwadar International Airport, talks with airport manager Khalid Kakar at the airport in Gwadar, Pakistan, on Sept 13, 2024. AHMAD KAMAL/XINHUA China and Pakistan should take their all-weather strategic partnership into a new stage, with fresh momentum in modernization, regional connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor enters its next phase, experts said. At the sixth China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue on Thursday, the two sides pledged to upgrade the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor into a "growth, livelihood, green and open corridor", with a focus on industrial cooperation, agriculture, mining, connectivity through Gwadar Port, and infrastructure projects such as the realignment of the Karakoram Highway. In recent years, China and Pakistan have been dedicated to building CPEC 2.0. Several memorandums of agreement were signed to expand bilateral cooperation in various aspects, and the two nations agreed to launch the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement. According to data from the General Administration of Customs of China, the total bilateral trade in goods between China and Pakistan reached $23.1 billion in 2024, an increase of 11.1 percent from the previous year. Apart from collaborations in traditional areas, both countries have been working together to strengthen regional security coordination, emphasizing strategic trust, counterterrorism, security dialogue mechanisms and connectivity initiatives. Wang Zhimin, a researcher at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies under the University of International Business and Economics, said that economic cooperation between China and Pakistan has delivered tangible benefits to the Pakistani people and injected sustained momentum into the country's long-term development. "Pakistan was the first country to forge an all-weather strategic partnership with China, and it remains committed to building an even closer community with a shared future in the new era. The high level of trust and cooperation between the two sides has laid a solid foundation for advancing collaboration under the CPEC," he said. Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, said that the defining feature of China-Pakistan ties is that the relationship is "dynamic" rather than "static". Both countries have continued to adapt their ties to new realities based on brotherhood and win-win cooperation. Built on mutual trust, respect and support for each other's core interests, the partnership has become unique in the world, he said. He said the CPEC created 236,000 direct jobs over the past decade, with many more generated indirectly as more than 100 small and medium-sized enterprises benefited in its first phase. "These achievements highlight the vast potential for deeper cooperation in the new era, with both sides encouraged to invest in developing a skilled workforce and expanding STEM education to meet future demands," Ramay said. STEM education is a teaching approach that combines science, technology, engineering and math. Zamir Ahmed Awan, founding chair of Global Silk Route Research Alliance and a nonresident fellow at the Beijing-based Center for China and Globalization, said the friendship between China and Pakistan is characterized as "higher than mountains, deeper than oceans, and sweeter than honey". "The China-Pakistan partnership has become a stabilizing force amid growing global polarization and security uncertainties. Built on mutual trust and equality, the relationship is reinforced by frequent high-level exchanges that reaffirm strategic commitment and inject new momentum into practical collaborations," he said. Addressing challenges Awan further elaborated that such engagements enable the two sides to align their visions, address common challenges and push forward new initiatives in areas ranging from economic development and regional security to cultural exchanges. As the world is facing mounting challenges from frequent regional confrontations and rising unilateralism, experts said China and Pakistan should step up cooperation under the framework of multilateralism, amplify the voice of the Global South, and work together to tackle common challenges while safeguarding fairness and justice. Despite global uncertainties, China-Pakistan economic cooperation continues to present major opportunities. The CPEC has the potential to serve as a growth corridor for South and Central Asia by linking markets and unlocking trade, Awan said. "China and Pakistan also share a strong interest in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the wider region. Closer strategic communication through joint mechanisms and regular consultations enables the two sides to coordinate on counterterrorism, border security and economic reconstruction." Wang said that both countries have immense potential for cooperation on multilateral platforms. Within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the two nations advocate for regional stability, counterterrorism and economic connectivity. Pakistan's role as a bridge between South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East enhances SCO's inclusivity and effectiveness. "Their cooperation reflects a shared vision of building a more inclusive global order that prioritizes dialogue over confrontation and development over division," he said. Ramay emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries in building a community with a shared future. "In the new era of cooperation, China and Pakistan are placing greater emphasis on cultural exchanges and youth engagement. For many young Pakistanis, China is seen as a land of opportunity, offering access to development and innovation," he said. "Youth exchanges will not only help them pursue their aspirations but also cultivate future leaders who can carry the partnership forward. Such investment in youth is especially vital amid shifting global dynamics and the spread of misinformation." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) After 16 years at the helm of the nations top-ranked nursing school, Linda A. McCauley will retire as dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University, effective Dec. 31, 2025. Widely recognized as a transformative force in nursing education, research and policy, McCauley will remain on the faculty, continuing her pioneering research and work on national health care initiatives. To put it simply, Linda McCauley transformed the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing into the finest nursing school in the country, says Emory President Gregory L. Fenves. As dean, she has empowered nursing faculty to develop as innovators and prepared students to enter their profession fully ready to serve patients and communities. Her contributions to the field of nursing are unparalleled, and she will be known for elevating the school to extraordinary heights. Academic innovation and growth McCauley joined Emorys School of Nursing as dean and professor in May 2009. Under her leadership, the school has experienced unprecedented growth and national recognition soaring to the top of U.S. News & World Report rankings and becoming the nation's No. 1 program for both graduate and undergraduate nursing education. McCauley spearheaded the development and expansion of multiple high-impact academic programs, including: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP, 2014) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (2017) InEmory (2019) Master of Nursing (2020) Psychiatric Mental Health DNP (2021) Cardiovascular Perfusion Science (2022) PhD in Nursing Data Science and Analytics (2024) During her tenure, enrollment tripled from 475 to over 1,400 with graduates consistently outperforming state and national averages on licensure and certification exams. Leading the School of Nursing alongside its extraordinary faculty, scientists, staff and students has truly been the journey of a lifetime. Linda McCauleys visionary leadership has propelled Emorys nursing school to prominence on the national and global stage, says Lanny Liebeskind, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. She has brought to her role an entrepreneurial, strategic mindset as well as a deep sense of purpose, making lasting impacts on both the school and her field. Her unwavering commitment to excellence in education, groundbreaking research and policy advocacy has shaped the future of nursing and improved countless lives. Dean Linda McCauley has been a transformative leader whose visionary stewardship has elevated Emorys tripartite mission advancing academic excellence, pioneering innovative research and deepening our commitment to service, says Joon Lee, executive vice president for health affairs of Emory University, vice chair of the Emory Healthcare Board of Directors and CEO of Emory Healthcare. Her legacy is woven into the fabric of our institution and felt across the globe through the work of our nursing alumni who care for millions of patients. Lindas unwavering dedication to health equity and her strategic foresight have not only shaped the present but laid a powerful foundation for the future of nursing education and practice. We celebrate her extraordinary contributions with deep gratitude and look ahead with confidence, inspired by the path she has charted. Lee and Liebeskind will launch a national search for the schools next dean later this year, engaging faculty, students, alumni and partners. Details will also be announced this fall regarding interim leadership starting Jan. 1, 2026, and continuing until a permanent dean is appointed. Research excellence Under McCauleys leadership, the school has recruited more than 100 renowned research and clinical faculty whose work has advanced national and international discourse on aging, brain health, data science, oncology, pain management, womens health, cardiovascular care and climate-related health. Sponsored research grew dramatically: in 2010, the school ranked 38th in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, with under $2 million in awards. Today, it ranks third, with over $18 million in funding, according to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Researchs FY24 report marking a decade of sustained excellence among the top five U.S. nursing schools. Forging partnerships McCauley has cultivated a powerful culture of philanthropy, securing transformational gifts that launched the schools Center for Data Science, Integrated Memory Care Clinic, Center of Nursing Excellence in Palliative Care and Georgia Nursing Workforce Center. She has also generated millions in scholarship support for students. Driven by McCauleys bold vision for the future of nursing education, the Emory Nursing Learning Center opened in 2022, offering more than 80,000 square feet of cutting-edge simulation and instructional space. The center now delivers over 6,700 simulation hours annually, profoundly transforming the educational experience for students. Under McCauleys leadership, Emory Nursing forged transformative partnerships with Emory Healthcare advancing nursing professionalism, fostering lifelong learning and ensuring the seamless integration of knowledge generation with evidence-based practice. This model has positioned Emory Nursing as a national leader in building impactful academicpractice collaborations, earning the American Association of Colleges of Nursings Exemplary AcademicPractice Partnership Award. Beyond the classroom, McCauley expanded the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility, enabling students to engage in immersive service-learning experiences in rural Georgia, underserved U.S. communities and international settings. She also led the launch of the first PhD in Nursing Program in Ethiopia, developed in partnership with Addis Ababa University a milestone in global nursing education. A legacy of scholarship and advocacy McCauley earned a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of North Carolina, a master of science in nursing from Emory in 1979, and a doctorate in environmental health and epidemiology from the University of Cincinnati in 1988. A pioneer in nursing research, she has focused on environmental health issues such as pesticide exposure and heat-related risks for vulnerable populations, particularly children and farmworkers. Since 1985, she has maintained continuous research funding totaling more than $58 million, authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, and brought critical environmental issues to the public eye through national media outlets including The New York Times, NPR, TIME and The Weather Channel. Throughout her career, McCauley has advanced the health sciences while demonstrating the power of academic scholarship to shape policy and improve lives. Her contributions to research and public policy have had a lasting impact on the fields of environmental and occupational health. She has served as chair and editor for numerous National Academy of Medicine reports that have influenced clinical practice and health policy across the country. Her achievements have earned her election as a fellow of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Nursing, and an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Nursing. She is a recipient of the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Researchs Ada Sue Hinshaw Nurse Scholar Award and the National Academy of Medicines David Rall Medal and has been inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. Leading the School of Nursing alongside its extraordinary faculty, scientists, staff and students has truly been the journey of a lifetime, says McCauley. I am deeply proud to have served as the schools sixth dean, and I am confident our remarkable faculty and staff together with Emorys leadership and our devoted alumni will ensure that the next dean continues to prepare visionary nurse leaders and groundbreaking scientists. As a proud alum of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, I look forward to watching its reputation and impact continue to grow. PRNewswire Singapore, August 25: Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INSEAD, one of the world's foremost and largest graduate business schools, to launch the inaugural Ascentium-INSEAD Leadership Development Programme. This bespoke initiative is designed invest in our leadership within Ascentium, underscoring the company's commitment to building a resilient leadership pipeline. The full-time residential programme, tailored specifically for Ascentium's C-suite executives, will take place from 25-29 August 2025 at the INSEAD Asia Campus in Singapore. It will bring together top talents identified for their potential to assume senior business roles. The curriculum, developed in collaboration with INSEAD's Global Private Equity Initiative (GPEI), focuses on the theme "The Strategic Leader - Shaping Private Equity Success". Participants will engage in immersive workshops, simulations, and case studies covering topics such as strategic growth in a VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity) world, stakeholder expectations, and innovation in tech and AI. "As we navigate the complexities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by rapid technological change and macroeconomic uncertainty, our partnership with INSEAD is a strategic step to future-proof our leadership," said Lennard Yong, Founding Management & Group CEO of Ascentium. "Many corporations aspire to put people first, but at Ascentium, we turn that aspiration into action. By investing in our top leadership and sponsoring a residential programme at INSEAD, we empower our global talent to achieve competitive excellence." "Ascentium is a fascinating company. Only recently born, it already has achieved outstanding growth, despite operating in a highly competitive and mature industry with formidable competitors. Ascentium's leaders have a clear vision and strategy to achieve it, as well as a proven track record in doing so," said Professor Philipp Meyer-Doyle, Programme Director for Ascentium, INSEAD. "I am truly impressed by Ascentium's dedication to investing and developing its human capital resources which is outstanding in an industry that is often dominated by margins and short-term oriented mindsets. We look forward to our partnership with Ascentium, to these customised programmes, and to helping Ascentium scale greater heights." The Ascentium-INSEAD Leadership Development Programme is the first step in a multi-year partnership that reflects Ascentium's long-term commitment to professional development. It marks a milestone in the company's journey to build a culture of excellence, ambition, and stewardship, and is testament to the belief that investing in people is investing in the future. About Ascentium Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we empower extraordinary growth through specialised expertise and comprehensive one-stop solutions in corporate services, finance and accounting, HR services, and fiduciary and trust services. Our team of 2,300+ professionals spans 45 cities across 23 markets in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe, serving 50,000+ client entities across diverse industries. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and a collaborative approach, Ascentium drives transformative growth, helping clients navigate complex global environments. For more information, please visit ascentium.com. About INSEAD As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to develop responsible leaders who transform business and society. Our research, teaching and partnerships reflect this global perspective and cultural diversity. Our global perspective and unparalleled cultural diversity are reflected in our research, teaching, partnerships; as well as in our alumni network of over 71,000 members spanning 172 nationalities. With locations in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore), the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), and North America (San Francisco), INSEAD's business education and research spans four regions. Our 160 renowned Faculty members from 38 countries inspire more than 1,500 degree participants annually in our Master in Management, MBA, Global Executive MBA, Specialised Master's degrees (Executive Master in Finance and Executive Master in Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 18,000 executives participate in INSEAD Executive Education programmes each year. INSEAD continues to conduct cutting-edge research and innovate across all our programmes. We provide business leaders with the knowledge and awareness to operate anywhere. Our core values drive academic excellence and serve the global community as The Business School for the World. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], August 25: Millions globally and ~2 lakh people in India live with a life-limiting neurological condition called Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The disease affects their central nervous system, depriving them of their ability to perform simple everyday tasks like walking, cooking, bathing or the strength to hold a child. Their day-to-day struggle remains hidden and performing everyday tasks can feel like scaling an invisible mountain. One can't see and feel the burden MS patients carry. To bring a spotlight on MS, Roche Pharma India, in collaboration with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) presents Walk In My Shoes - a public health awareness initiative to highlight the often invisible struggles of individuals living with this life-limiting neurological condition. Visit the #WalkInMyShoes simulation zone installed at Select City Walk Mall (H&M Wing, Ground floor), Saket, New Delhi, from 22 to 24 August to experience what it means to live with MS. One can also visit the simulation zone in Bangalore at Brookfield Ecospace Park, Bellandur (Near 1C), from 20 to 22 August and at Mumbai Phoenix MarketCity, Kurla (Atrium 5, LG Floor), from 22 to 24 August. These simulation zones offer visitors 'education through experience' by re-creating a sensory experience of four of the most commonly occurring MS symptoms - loss of balance, motor impairment, blurry vision and loss of sensitivity, while bringing to the forefront the everyday hardships faced by MS patients. You can also lend your voice by sharing your support to their invisible struggles using #WalkInMyShoes Each post, tweet or reel helps shatter the silence around MS and ensure no one living with MS ever feels unseen. In addition to the sensory simulation kiosks, www.walkinmyshoes.in - a knowledge hub for authentic, credible and medically verified information on MS is also launched. www.walkinmyshoes.in aims to become a trusted digital platform, playing a crucial role in elevating public literacy about MS, while empowering individuals to understand and act upon evidence based health information. "At Roche, our mission goes far beyond medicines. We are deeply committed to reimagining how chronic and life-altering conditions like Multiple Sclerosis are perceived, diagnosed, and managed," said Rajji Mehdwan, Managing Director & CEO - India & Neighbouring Markets, Roche Pharma. "With #WalkInMyShoes, we are not just raising awareness, we are igniting empathy, amplifying patient voices, and driving meaningful change across the healthcare ecosystem. By partnering with MSSI, we are uniting science with compassion to break the silence around MS, champion timely intervention, and push for an inclusive, patient-centric approach where no individual living with MS is left behind. This is not just a campaign--it's a clarion call to action." MS often strikes between the ages of 20 and 40, a time when individuals are building careers, pursuing passions, and starting families. It is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability among young adults and, if untreated, can progress to severe and life-limiting disability. Women, who are two to three times more likely than men to develop MS, face additional worries: how the disease will impact their ability to conceive, carry a pregnancy, and care for a child. Bipasha Gupta, Chairperson MSSI - Delhi, stated, "Multiple Sclerosis is a complex neurological condition of young individuals and is considered a progressive disease, as symptoms tend to worsen over time causing disability. Early treatment is a must which can slow down disease progression and reduce the risk of irreversible disability. People living with MS in India face a multitude of challenges. From public awareness, absence of fair and comprehensive insurance coverage, to hurdles in accessing disability benefits due to lack of clear guidelines. Only a fraction of insurance plans cover chronic conditions like MS, leaving patients to bear overwhelming out-of-pocket expenses and navigate a system that fails to meet their needs. Public awareness initiatives like #WalkInMyShoes are imperative in raising voices, creating awareness, elevating societal understanding and advocating for change to deliver equitable care." "The MS care landscape in India is fragmented," stated Dr. Anshu Rohatgi, Vice Chairperson - Neurology at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. "Multiple Sclerosis remains a misunderstood condition. Symptom variability and non-specific presentation often lead to delayed or incorrect diagnosis. Timely and accurate diagnosis is critical, as initiating the right treatment early can significantly delay or prevent long-term disability. Campaigns like #WalkInMyShoes help drive meaningful conversations and bring spotlight on these issues. The primary goal in MS treatment is to reduce disease activity, thereby slowing the pace of disability progression. As clinicians, we have a pressing responsibility of early and accurate diagnosis and achieving the best treatment outcomes for our MS patients. High-Efficacy Therapies (HETs) are crucial, particularly for active or rapidly progressing cases, as they can significantly slow disease progression and prevent irreversible neurological damage; helping patients live independent, dignified lives," he added. (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) SMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 25: Somaiya Vidyavihar University's Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Art is redefining the landscape of arts and humanities education in India with a distinctive portfolio of postgraduate and liberal arts programmes that combine rigorous scholarship with immersive, real-world engagement. At the heart of this vision is the MA Art History and Visual Studies programme. This programme is Mumbai's first MFA-track initiative in the field which equips students with the skills, industry connections, and cultural fluency needed to thrive in the global art ecosystem. The MA Art History and Visual studies stands out for its unique blend of academic depth and professional immersion. Students are trained to critically engage with art across Indian, South Asian, European, American, and African perspectives, bridging the gap between traditional scholarship and contemporary practice. The MA Art History & Visual Studies is a programme that traces India's artistic heritage across classical, modern, and contemporary periods while exploring intersections with anthropology, literature, gender studies, semiotics, and sociology. Students gain archival and curatorial training, conduct original research, and examine how art forms evolve and communicate meaning across time and cultures. Together, these postgraduate degrees position SVU as a hub for cultivating the next generation of art historians, critics, curators, and cultural policy leaders. The MA Writing and Art Criticism course is the other special presence in the Somaiya bouquet. Imagine a course that teaches you Writing that is both Creative and Critical! This course is very relevant for professionals who want to be art writers and curators - the very best in the business will be teaching both the programs! This is the other great feature of these programs - the faculty has some of the finest practitioners, writers, critics, curators, gallerists, auctioneers, historians, sociologists, poets, translators, teachers anywhere in the country! The programme integrates publishing, curation, and museum experience into its core curriculum, with partnerships that give students access to leading museums, galleries, and media houses. This hands-on exposure is reinforced by innovative learning tools, including AI-powered initiatives, multilingual scholarships, and translation training. Complementing these specialised postgraduate tracks are SVU's BA (Hons) and MA Liberal Arts programmes, which are helping shift India's higher education narrative away from rote learning toward interdisciplinary fluency, critical thinking, and civic engagement. By blending literature, philosophy, social sciences, and creative practice, these degrees enable students to think across boundaries, engage with complex social issues, and participate meaningfully in India's cultural and intellectual life. This approach aligns with SVU's commitment to producing graduates who are not only industry-ready but also culturally literate and socially responsive. Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies offers Liberal Arts programmes at both undergraduate (Bachelor of Liberal Arts) and postgraduate (Master of Liberal Arts) levels. These courses bring together ideas from history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, literature, politics, law, science, and technology to help students understand the world from many different angles. The four-year Bachelor's programme allows students to major in fields such as Anthropology, Literature, History, Philosophy, Area/Asian Studies, and Political Science, fostering inquiry, critical thinking, and communication skills through seminars, expert lectures, and close mentorship. Building on this foundation, the two-year Master's programme, launching in 2025-2026, offers an in-depth exploration of disciplines like History, Anthropology, Area Studies, and Indian and World Literature from civilisational and critical perspectives, with a first-semester focus on close reading of seminal texts and creative-analytical responses. Both degrees prepare graduates for careers in academia, cultural institutions, publishing, civil services, diplomacy, media, and beyond, equipping them with interdisciplinary fluency, research expertise, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with global and regional issues. "At Somaiya Vidyavihar University, we believe that arts and liberal arts education must inspire curiosity,engage on contemporary issues and encourage cross-disciplinary thinking. Our programmes impart students with critical thinking abilities and practical skills. This empowers them to become thought leaders who will shape the future across sectors of journalism, policy making, creativity, and public service." Dr. Gaurav Gadgil, Associate Professor, Somaiya School of Civilisation Studies, Somaiya Vidyavihar University "At the Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Art, we see art education as a bridge between tradition and innovation. Through our Master's programmes in Art History and in Art Writing & Criticism, we equip students to engage critically with diverse cultural expressions while sharpening their analytical and creative skills. Our aim is to nurture thinkers, writers, and curators who can shape conversations around art and culture in India and beyond." Mr. Abhay Sardesai, Director, Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Art, Somaiya Vidyavihar University With its combination of scholarly rigour, industry integration, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Somaiya Vidyavihar University is setting a new standard for arts and humanities education in India. For more information on courses and scholarships visit https://admission.somaiya.edu/ (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) PRNewswire New Delhi [India], August 25: Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited ("Canara HSBC Life Insurance") in partnership with Policybazaar, today announced the launch of its newest offering, the EZ Pension Plan. This individual linked pension plan is designed to enable policyholders to achieve financial independence in their retirement years. With rising healthcare costs and limited awareness around retirement planning, many are unprepared for life after work. The EZ Pension Plan attempts to fill this gap by helping customers steadily build a retirement corpus. - With India's ageing population expected to nearly double by 2050, the new plan offers a disciplined approach to retirement savings. - EZ Pension Plan aims to combine growth potential with flexibility to build a secure post-retirement income. According to India Ageing Report 2023 (jointly prepared by UNFPA India and the International Institute for Population Sciences), India's demographic profile is shifting, with the share of citizens aged 60 and above projected to almost double by 2050. Longer lifespans and evolving lifestyles mean that the traditional sources of retirement income may no longer be sufficient for many. The EZ Pension Plan aims to provide a structured approach to help individuals accumulate funds over time while benefiting from the potential of market-linked growth. It also seeks to offer the flexibility to adapt to different life stages and financial priorities. To support this, the plan includes features such as: - Zero allocation charges ensuring 100% premium allocation to funds - Flexibility to choose retirement age and premium payment term as per individual needs - Unlimited free switches during the policy term Commenting on the launch, Mr. Rishi Mathur, Chief Distribution Officer - Alternate Channels and Chief Marketing Officer, Canara HSBC Life Insurance said, "We are delighted to introduce the EZ Pension Plan, a product designed to strengthen the long-term financial security of our customers. Retirement is a stage of life that should be lived with peace of mind. We at Canara HSBC Life Insurance want to make that possible by offering a solution that combines flexibility, growth opportunities, and disciplined savings. This plan is about giving individuals the tools to take charge of their future, so they can focus on enjoying life during their retirement." Vivek Jain, Chief Business Officer, Life Insurance, Policybazaar.com said, "Retirement planning in India has traditionally relied on personal savings or the support of family. Today, longer lifespans, rising healthcare costs, and evolving lifestyles are reshaping these expectations. At Policybazaar, we see a clear need for more structured financial solutions that can provide both growth and stability. Our partnership with Canara HSBC Life Insurance for the EZ Pension Plan reflects that vision, offering Indians a smart, flexible way to build a corpus and enjoy financial freedom in their golden years." The EZ Pension Plan is available on Policybazaar.com offering customers access to a structured, market-linked retirement solution. About Canara HSBC Life Insurance: Incorporated in 2007, Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited is promoted by Canara Bank and HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Limited. Punjab National Bank is also a shareholder of the Company. As a bancassurance led insurance company with its corporate office at Gurugram, Haryana and more than 100 branch offices as of the date of the DRHP (defined below), pan India, Canara HSBC Life brings together the trust and market knowledge of public and private banks. For more than 17 years now, the Company sells and services customers through multiple channels and well diversified network of Canara Bank and the Indian branch of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in multiple cities across the country. The Company has a vast portfolio of life insurance solutions and offers various products across individual and group space comprising of life, health, term plans, retirement solutions, credit life and employee benefit segments through partner banks, digital, and direct field force. With an aim to provide simpler insurance and faster claim process, the Company intends to keep the promises of their customers alive with their "Promises Ka Partner" philosophy. Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited is proposing, subject to receipt of requisite approvals, market conditions and other considerations, to make an initial public offering of its equity shares and has filed a draft red herring prospectus dated April 28, 2025 ("DRHP") with the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI"). The DRHP is available on the website of the Company at www.canarahsbclife.com/investor-relations/offer-documents , the SEBI at www.sebi.gov.in , the website of National Stock Exchange of India Limited at www.nseindia.com and the website of BSE Limited at www.bseindia.com and the respective websites of the Lead Managers at www.sbicaps.com , www.bnpparibas.co.in , www.business.hsbc.co.in , www.jmfl.com and www.motilaloswal.com . Investors should note that investment in equity shares involves a high degree of risk. For details, potential investors should refer to the RHP which may be filed with the Registrar of Companies, Delhi and Haryana at New Delhi, in the future, including the section titled "Risk Factors". Potential investors should not rely on the DRHP filed with the SEBI, but should instead rely only on the RHP, in making any investment decision. The equity shares proposed to be offered in the initial public offering may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. There will be no public offer of securities in the United States. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2739906/Canara_HSBC_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) The new Income Tax Act has been formulated using simple language to eliminate complicated legal challenges and make tax provisions more accessible to common taxpayers, according to RN Parbat, Member (Legislation) at the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). In an interview with ANI, Parbat explained that the apex income tax body has moved away from archaic terminology and complex explanations that previously made tax laws difficult for ordinary citizens to comprehend. "The common assessee, if he reads the provisions, he is able to understand what the law says in his case," Parbat said. "The common person will be able to know his rights. He will be able to understand the law under which he is paying income tax." The CBDT has adopted tabular formats and contemporary language to replace outdated legal terminology. Parbat emphasised that this approach will provide greater certainty to taxpayers and reduce the likelihood of future legal disputes. "The language is simple. We have used tabular forms. We have done away with archaic words and written in a more simpler language. This is definitely going to provide more certainty to assessees," he stated. CBDT member Parbat also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their leadership. A dedicated committee was constituted on February 13, the same day the Bill was introduced in Parliament, to work on simplification and formulation of new rules and forms. The committee completed substantial work and conducted public consultations, receiving thousands of suggestions from citizens. The committee had suggested a few changes, which were understandably accommodated in the new legislation. "The committee has been working day and night," Parbat noted. "All these new rules and forms are being sent to the TPL division in the CBDT where they will be examined and re-examined." According to CBDT, all new rules and forms would be ready for rollout by the end of this year, ahead of the Act's implementation on February 26, 2026. Addressing concerns about enforcement powers, Parbat clarified that the new Act explicitly mentions powers that were already available to income tax authorities, particularly regarding digital assets and online evidence collection. "Evidences are available online. They are kept in clouds, and undisclosed income is being invested in virtual digital assets. We need to have access to all of this," he explained. The CBDT will introduce new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling digital assets, with these powers being invoked only during search, seizure, and survey operations, which remain limited in number each financial year. Regarding pending tax litigation cases, Parbat assured that the CBDT is making full-fledged efforts to dispose of cases as quickly as possible through administrative preparedness. The Government had proposed in the budget in July 2024 that a time-bound comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act, 1961 would be undertaken to make the Act concise, lucid, and easy to read and understand. The Government had introduced the Income Tax Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on February 13, 2025, and it was soon referred to the Select Committee for examination. The Select Committee laid its report in the Lok Sabha on July 21, 2025, with suggestions. The BJP MP Baijayant Panda-headed 31-member Select Committee had suggested a few changes to the legislation. The previous Bill was withdrawn, only to be reintroduced and passed in the Parliament, with a few changes. (ANI) VMPL Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 25: Kauvery Hospital successfully hosted the Afib & Pacing Summit 2025, an academic symposium that brought together cardiac electro physiologists, cardiologists, and general physicians to share knowledge and build skills in managing atrial fibrillation (AFib) and advancing device therapies such as leadless pacemakers. The summit addressed the growing global challenge of Atrial Fibrillation, the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia affecting more than 37 million people worldwide. Atrial Fibrillation is associated with irregular and often rapid heartbeats, significantly raising the risk of stroke, heart failure, and reduced quality of life. With prevalence projected to double by 2050, the workshop underscored the urgent need for innovation in rhythm care and the central role of electrophysiologists in driving this progress. Over the course of the workshop, participants engaged in keynote talks, live case discussions, hands-on simulator sessions, and wet lab dissections. The academic sessions explored a wide spectrum of topics, from stroke risk reduction in AF and ablation strategies to the expanding role of leadless pacemakers, alongside practical training in single and dual chamber implantation. Designed to combine theory with real-world application, the program equipped physicians with both the latest insights and procedural skills to enhance patient outcomes. Dr. Deep Chandh Raja S, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, said: "The Afib & Pacing Summit has shown us how far rhythm management has progressed--from conventional strategies for atrial fibrillation to truly wire-free pacing. What makes this symposium special is that it's not just about technology, but about how these innovations can be translated into better outcomes for our patients." Speaking about Kauvery Hospital's vision, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Hospital, noted: "At Kauvery Hospital, we believe the future of cardiac care lies at the intersection of clinical expertise and technological innovation. Organising the Afib & Pacing Summit is part of our larger commitment to advancing medical education and empowering physicians with next-generation knowledge and skills. Through such initiatives, we aim to build stronger clinical networks, promote collaboration, and ultimately ensure that patients benefit from safer, smarter, and more effective rhythm management." By hosting the Afib & Pacing Summit, Kauvery Hospital has reinforced its role as a centre of excellence in cardiac rhythm care and its dedication to driving meaningful change in the wayarrhythmias are treated. (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) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Monday underscored that financial stability and price stability are vital for sustaining economic growth, as he urged banks and corporates to join hands in driving fresh investments and reigniting the nation's entrepreneurial spirit. "I look forward to working with regulated entities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our financial sector to ensure the benefits reach the people of our nation. On the demand side, I would urge the industry to invest boldly and champion the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our nation. Banks and corporates should come together and drive the animal spirit to create an investment cycle which is important at this juncture," he said at a banking-focused event. Addressing 'FIBAC 2025', organised jointly by FICCI and IBA, the Governor, while speaking on India's macro-economic conditions, said that India is currently at a critical juncture as we navigate the choppy global economic environment. "We need to push the frontiers of growth and seize the opportunities coming our way. Indian economy has expanded manyfold, and it continues to be a symbol of resilience and hope," he asserted, as per a FICCI press release. RBI Governor further stated that the primary objective of monetary policy in terms of price stability has significantly contributed to the strength of India's macroeconomic fundamentals. "At the same time, the Reserve Bank has not lost sight of the objective of growth. We will continue to conduct monetary policy with the primary objective of price stability, keeping in view the objective of growth," he noted. He also highlighted that RBI will endeavour to enhance ease of doing business. "We are in the process of consolidating all the regulations for various categories of regulated entities. In our pursuit of making a principle-based framework, we have given autonomy to the board of the respective entities to frame policies," said Governor Malhotra. The Governor added that RBI will propose to set up a Regulatory Review Cell with the mandate to review each regulation in a comprehensive, objective, systematic and structured manner. "The objective of the review shall be to assess each regulation with focus on efficiency; its impact in terms of cost and benefit; its requirement in the current context and market realities; consistency and clarity especially across different regulations; and potential of unaddressed or emerging risks, among other. The Cell shall organise its work in such a manner that each regulation is reviewed at least once in every 5-7 years. The Cell will interact with major financial sector industry bodies," he emphasised. CS Setty, Chairman, IBA and Chairman, State Bank of India, said that India is at an inflection point and it is time to accelerate inclusive growth along with a sustainable future by charting new frontiers. The financial services sector will have to play a pivotal role as a multiplier of growth, he added. Setty also stated that banks have to play a significant role in India's growth story by fuelling innovation, lending to newer sectors, and driving the next wave of long-term capex. "With a favourable demographic dividend, robust digital infrastructure, high growth potential, and a clearly articulated national vision under Viksit Bharat, India stands at an inflection point. This is the moment to accelerate inclusive growth, enhance global competitiveness, and shape a prosperous and sustainable future," he added. Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President, FICCI and Vice Chairman and MD, Emami Limited said that India stands at a turning point. The world may be volatile, but India stands firm and is poised to rise even further amongst the global comity of nations. Citing the findings of a recent survey undertaken by FICCI on Global Risks and opportunities, he said that the survey results show that despite the external challenges, industry is optimistic. "Indian businesses see India as a future global leader -- in renewable energy, in defence and aerospace, in AI, and in digital technology," he said. "Prudence must always remain the foundation of Indian banking, but ambition must be the driver. Our banks cannot just finance growth; they must engineer it. The future of finance is not to follow the economy. The future of finance is to lead it. Indian banking sector will further support the growth of our industries and support enterprises as we weather the current storm." (ANI) Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has congratulated the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) for enabling the first-ever export of three metric tons (MT) of GI-tagged Swadeshi Indi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, to the United Arab Emirates. Sharing the news on social media, Goyal wrote, "India's GI-tagged products are making their mark globally. Kudos to APEDADOC for facilitating the first-ever export of 3 MT of GI-tagged Swadeshi Indi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, to the UAE. This milestone unlocks fresh avenues for India's GI-tagged agri products in global markets & will create greater opportunities for our farmers & exporters." The Geographical Indication (GI) tag is granted to products that hold distinctive qualities linked to their place of origin, ensuring authenticity and recognition globally. The Swadeshi Indi Lime, known for its strong aroma and distinct taste, has now become part of India's expanding portfolio of exports under this category. This development comes shortly after Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal flagged off the first trial shipment of 1.2 MT of Garhwali Apples (King Roat variety) from Dehradun to Dubai, earlier this month. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the trial shipment was also facilitated by APEDA, underscoring the body's role in expanding the reach of Indian produce. The initiative aims to give farmers access to better markets, thereby improving incomes and strengthening India's agricultural economy. In addition to limes and apples, exports of apricots from Kargil have also found new markets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. The exports, amounting to 1.5 MT, were facilitated under the government's One District One Product (ODOP) initiative, which seeks to identify, promote, and brand unique products from each district. Sharing details of this achievement, Goyal wrote on X that the success of apricot exports demonstrates the growing international demand for Indian fruits. He added that the initiative was part of the "Vocal for Local, Global Outreach" campaign, reflecting the government's commitment to strengthening farmers' welfare through international trade. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) spearheads the ODOP scheme to promote balanced regional development across India. By identifying products such as Indi Lime, Garhwali Apples, and Kargil Apricots, the initiative seeks to connect local producers with international buyers, thereby boosting exports and creating sustainable opportunities for rural communities. (ANI) NewsVoir Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], August 25: Mangalam Worldwide Limited (MWL), one of India's leading integrated stainless-steel manufacturers, continues to expand its global footprint with a comprehensive product portfolio catering to pharmaceuticals, automotive, infrastructure, and chemical processing industries. The company exports to over 20 countries and has a strong presence in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, thereby positioning itself as a future-ready leader in stainless steel solutions. At the core of MWL's strength is its vertically integrated ecosystem, covering melting, rolling, bright bar finishing, and seamless pipe and tube manufacturing. The company has four advanced production facilities across Gujarat - Unit I at Halol for melting with AOD refinement, Unit II at Changodar for rolling, Unit III & IV at Kapadvanj for bright bars and seamless pipes. The company has built a fully integrated stainless-steel ecosystem delivering approximately 190,000 MT annually. MWL's stainless steel portfolio includes continuous cast billets and forging ingots, hot rolled and forged bars, bright bars (round, square, hex), and seamless pipes & tubes for critical applications such as cleanrooms, heat transfer, and precision engineering. All products meet leading global standards including ASTM, ASME, DIN, JIS, and GOST, and carry certifications like ISO 9001:2015, PED, CE, BIS, and IBR. Mr. Chandragupt Prakash Mangal, Managing Director, Mangalam Worldwide Limited said, "At MWL, our vision is not just to manufacture stainless steel, but to engineer solutions that empower industries across the world. With our fully integrated ecosystem, global reach, and strong focus on quality, we are committed to being a reliable partner in building the future of industrial innovation and sustainability." MWL reported a strong financial performance in Q1 FY26 with Profit After Tax (PAT) at Rs. 10.13 crore, a 68.40% increase from Rs. 6.01 crore in Q1 FY25. Total income grew 21.37% year-on-year to Rs. 279.41 crore, compared to Rs. 230.21 crore in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA stood at Rs. 19.72 crore, up 53.04% from Rs. 12.88 crore in Q1 FY25. Backed by over 80 years of legacy under Mangalam Group, MWL combines traditional business ethics with modern engineering. Guided by its philosophy "A Step Ahead," the company continues to invest in technology, sustainability, and supply chain resilience to support the evolving needs of global industries. For more information, please visit: Website: mangalamworldwide.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mangalamworldwide/ Mangalam Worldwide Limited, established in 1995, is a fully integrated stainless steel manufacturer, with operations ranging from scrap melting to the manufacturing of seamless pipes and tubes. The company also produces stainless steel (SS) billets, ingots, flat bars, round bars, bright bars, as well as seamless pipes & tubes, heat exchanger tubes and U-tubes. Its infrastructure includes steel melting shops, rolling mills, peeling unit with finishing machines and Seamless Pipes & Tubes unit, spread across four plants located in Halol (Unit I), Changodar (Unit II), and Kapadvanj (Unit III & IV), Gujarat. Together, these facilities cover over 1,25,000 square meters and have a total installed capacity of more than 1,90,000 MTPA. With a skilled workforce of 750+ people, Mangalam Worldwide is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for stainless steel products, including billets, ingots, bars, and seamless pipes & tubes. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) VMPL New Delhi [India], August 25: A groundbreaking Smart Mirror system design patented in India presents a revolutionary concept that could redefine global healthcare delivery by transforming ordinary household mirrors into advanced, AI-powered health monitoring platforms. This innovative design framework lays the foundation for future healthcare technology that could significantly impact patient care worldwide. The patented design concept envisions an AI-integrated system that, when fully developed and implemented, could potentially achieve remarkable healthcare outcomes. The design framework includes specifications for technology that could be trained on extensive health image databases, with the potential to detect early signs of strokes, heart conditions, and respiratory issues with high accuracy once AI integration is complete. The Smart Mirror design incorporates a federated learning framework concept that would protect patient privacy while enabling seamless adaptation across different healthcare systems. When implemented, this distributed monitoring network could identify health anomalies days before conventional methods, offering tremendous potential benefits for chronic disease management and preventive healthcare. Key potential benefits of the patented design when integrated with AI technology include: * Enhanced Independent Living: The system could extend independent living capabilities for elderly populations * Reduced Healthcare Burden: Potential to decrease caregiver responsibilities and hospital readmissions * Accessible Healthcare: Could provide diagnostic-quality support for underserved regions with limited healthcare infrastructure * Early Detection: Designed to identify health issues before they become critical * Continuous Monitoring: Framework for 24/7 health surveillance in home environments "This patented design represents more than just a concept--it's a blueprint for addressing universal healthcare challenges that every nation faces, from aging populations to physician shortages," said Kunwar Siddharth Tiwary, inventor of the patented Smart Mirror design. "By combining Indian innovation with global healthcare needs, this design framework could democratize access to quality healthcare and make advanced health monitoring available in every home, from urban cities to rural villages, once integrated with appropriate AI technology." Future Applications and Integration Potential The patented Smart Mirror design framework is positioned to become a valuable asset when integrated with advancing AI technologies. Potential applications include: Chronic Disease Management: The design could support continuous monitoring of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac disorders when paired with appropriate sensors and AI algorithms. Elderly Care Support: The framework includes provisions for fall detection, medication reminders, and emergency response systems that could significantly improve quality of life for aging populations. Preventive Healthcare: The design concept incorporates early warning systems that could alert users and healthcare providers to potential health issues before they require emergency intervention. Global Health Monitoring: In future pandemic scenarios, the distributed network design could provide valuable population health data while maintaining individual privacy through federated learning approaches. Rural Healthcare Access: The design framework specifically addresses challenges in underserved areas, potentially bringing diagnostic-quality health monitoring to regions with limited medical infrastructure. As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with rising costs and access limitations, this India-patented Smart Mirror design demonstrates how innovative thinking can create globally scalable solutions, establishing a foundation for bridging the gap between hospital care and everyday health management through future AI integration. About the Innovator Kunwar Siddharth Tiwary holds dual Master's degrees in Information Systems and Industrial Engineering, is currently pursuing a PhD in Information Technology, and brings over a decade of experience in healthcare analytics. His patented Smart Mirror design represents a breakthrough concept in AI-ready health technology with worldwide application potential, positioning it as a valuable intellectual property asset for future development and implementation. This patented design framework represents intellectual property that could become instrumental in the next generation of healthcare technology when integrated with advancing AI capabilities and appropriate hardware implementations. (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) Government e Marketplace (GeM) has crossed a historic milestone of Rs. 15 lakh crore in cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) since its launch in 2016, marking a significant leap in India's public procurement landscape. The information was shared through a press release issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The digital marketplace, created to make public procurement more transparent and efficient, has become one of the fastest-growing platforms in the country's governance framework. Over the past nine years, it has built a strong network connecting government buyers with a wide community of sellers. On this milestone, Mihir Kumar, CEO of GeM, said: "Crossing the Rs. 15 Lakh Crore GMV milestone is a testimony to the trust our stakeholders have placed in GeM. This success belongs to the lakhs of sellers and buyers who have transformed the way public procurement is carried out in India. Our focus will continue to be on deepening inclusivity, simplifying processes and fostering innovation so that opportunities reach every corner of the country. Together, we are building a transparent, accountable and digitally empowered procurement ecosystem aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat." Every transaction on the platform is designed to do more than complete a purchase. It ensures accountability, efficiency, and empowerment, with policies and technology reducing entry barriers and simplifying procurement processes. This approach has brought transparency to public spending and allowed opportunities to extend to the last mile, encouraging entrepreneurship and equitable growth. By expanding access to lakhs of sellers, strengthening the participation of small businesses and startups, and ensuring transparency in procurement, GeM has contributed to the government's push for digital adoption under the broader vision of Digital India. The Ministry emphasized that the achievement reinforces GeM's role as a vital instrument in shaping a digitally empowered and transparent economy, contributing to the larger vision of Viksit Bharat. Earlier this month, GeM marked its 9th Foundation Day, celebrating nearly a decade of transforming public procurement in India. Launched almost a decade ago, GeM has evolved into a cornerstone of transparent, inclusive and efficient governance, delivering on the Prime Minister's vision of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance." In nine years, GeM has become India's most trusted digital procurement platform, empowering sellers and service providers across the nation, including women entrepreneurs, startups, MSEs, artisans, SHGs and Divyangjans. (ANI) According to a statement from the state-owned company, this significant milestone reinforces ONGC's commitment to enhancing domestic energy production and strengthening India's energy security under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG). Located in Western Rajasthan, close to the Indo-Pak international border, the Chinnewala Tibba block covers an area of 73 sq. km and holds promising gas reserves. ONGC said it has commenced sales of 1.0 lakh standard cubic meters of gas per day (LSCMD), thereby contributing to the region's growing energy requirements. Gas evacuation to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL), Ramgarh, began on August 25, 2025, through ONGC's Gamnewala Gas Collection Station (GCS). "This accomplishment was enabled by the close collaboration between ONGC, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), GAIL, Oil India Limited (OIL), and RRVUNL, ensuring smooth integration of gas supplies into the regional power grid," ONGC said. Speaking on the occasion, ONGC officials highlighted that the commencement of gas production from Chinnewala Tibba reflects ONGC's focus on efficient resource monetisation and value creation under the DSF framework, while also reaffirming its role as a trusted partner of the Government of India in achieving national energy objectives. (ANI) Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Monday said the central government aims to build 350 airports across the country by the year 2047, as part of its long-term vision for a 'Viksit Bharat'. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Eastern Region Ministers' Conference on Civil Aviation, the Minister said India currently has 162 airports, and the government intends to more than double the number over the next two decades. "To achieve the target of 2047 Viksit Bharat, aviation is a very important sector. We are seeing that the biggest growth sector in the country is civil aviation. Nobody is growing like India is growing in civil aviation," Kinjarapu said. "We want to strengthen the states in civil aviation. In the coming days, we will give complete support to the states. Our aim is to build 350 airports by the year 2047." The conference aimed to support and guide Eastern Indian states in expanding their aviation footprint. The Minister highlighted the recent expansion in the sector. "In the last 11 years, we saw 88 new airports being built not only in the big cities, but also in tier two and tier three cities of the country." Kinjarapu announced new infrastructure projects in Odisha, including a new terminal building of the Bhubaneswar airport and an "in-principle approval" for an airport in Puri. "After construction starts for the Puri airport, it will take two years for it to be completed. The state government is very excited to move into the construction of that airport. So, we will support that also," the minister said. The Minister said there are 11 airstrips in Odisha, which, according to him, can be converted to airports. He added, "We will also provide support in building up FTOs (Flight Training Organisations) for bringing new pilots." On expanding connectivity beyond airports, Kinjarapu said seaplane operations have not yet reached their full potential. "We have streamlined some of the rules and guidelines. In October, we expect two seaplanes to arrive in the country, and we plan to initiate operations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh." He also emphasised the government's focus on developing heliports in regions where airports are not viable "Wherever airports can't be built, we want to start heliports there. In hilly regions and the Northeast region, we want to have at least one heliport in every district." On the AI171 plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Minister said, "The investigation is ongoing. There are multiple angles that need to be looked at. AAIB have done a thorough job, with a lot of commitment and accountability, and they have also produced a report. It will take 4-5 months more for the final report to be out." (ANI) Noting that the countries were busy doing politics based on their economic self-interests, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that his government will not let any harm come to the small entrepreneurs, farmers, and animal keepers and "whatever the pressure, we will keep increasing our power to withstand". The Prime Minister, who inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of development works worth Rs 5,400 crores in Ahmedabad, referred to Gujarat's association with Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi and said India is becoming stronger today by following the path shown by "Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan and Charkhadhari Mohan". He said Mahatma Gandhi has shown the path of prosperity for India through Swadeshi. "Today in the world, there is politics of economic self-interest, everyone is working to self. From this land of Ahmedabad, I will tell my small entrepreneurs, my small shopkeeper brothers and sisters, my farmer brothers and sisters, my animal husbandry brothers and sisters and I am saying this on the land of Gandhi. Be it the small entrepreneurs, farmers, or animal keepers of my country, for everyone, I promise you again and again, your interests are paramount for Modi," he said. "My government will never let any harm come to the small entrepreneurs, farmers, and animal keepers. No matter how much pressure comes, we will keep increasing our strength to withstand. Today, the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan is getting a lot of energy from Gujarat and behind this are two decades of hard work," he added. US President Donald Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods in July plus an unspecified penalty, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade deal that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. A few days later, he imposed another 25 per cent tariff, taking the total to 50 per cent, over India's imports of Russian oil. The secondary tariffs will come into effect from August 27. The US is keen on India providing greater access to its agriculture and dairy markets. During the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal made a statement in both Houses, affirming that the government is examining the impact of tariffs and will take all necessary steps to safeguard the national interest. In his remarks, PM Modi also spoke of the success of Operation Sindoor and took a dig at Congress. "Operation Sindoor has become a symbol of the valour of our army and the willpower of India of Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan. Charkhadhari Mohan, our revered Bapu had shown the path of prosperity of India through Swadeshi. Here we have Sabarmati Ashram. This Ashram is a witness to the fact that the party that enjoyed power for decades in his name crushed the soul of Bapu," he said. "What did it do with Bapu's mantra of Swadeshi? Today, you would not have heard the words Swachhata or Swadeshi from the mouths of those who drive their vehicles day and night in the name of Gandhi for the last several years. This country is not able to understand what has happened to their understanding?" he added. PM Modi referred to the efforts of the government to empower various sections of society, including the middle classes. "I wanted to work on Sabarmati Ashram at that time, but the central government was not in our favour. Perhaps it was not in favour of Gandhi ji either. Due to that, I could never take that work forward. But since you have sent me there...when the renovation work of Sabarmati Ashram is completed, our Sabarmati Ashram is going to become the biggest inspirational land of peace for the world... Many years ago, we took up the task of building permanent gated societies for slum dwellers in Gujarat," he said. "Over the past years, many such projects to build houses in place of slums in Gujarat have been completed, and this campaign continues unabated. The one whom no one cared for, Modi worships them... Our constant effort is to empower both the neo-middle class and the middle class," he added. (ANI) As per Variety, Adler breathed his last on August 23. His demise was confirmed by the Riverside Memorial Chapel in New York. Adler entered the acting world in his 60s. After years of working behind the curtain in Broadway and television production, he was on the verge of retiring when a casting director for the 1992 thriller The Public Eye--a friend of Adler's daughter--urged him to audition for director Howard Franklin. That performance marked the beginning of his long run as a highly in-demand character actor, as per Variety. Adler featured across all six seasons as Hesh Rabkin, a Jewish loan shark who was a friend of Tony Soprano's father and remains an advisor to James Gandolfini's lead throughout the series. Adler also featured on FX's firefighter drama 'Rescue Me' as the fire chief Sidney Feinberg, and played the lawyer Howard Lyman on CBS's 'The Good Wife'. He was also seen in 'Manhattan Murder Mystery', the JC Chandor period thriller 'A Most Violent Year' and 'Driveways'. Adler published a memoir, "Too Funny for Words: Backstage Tales From Broadway, Television and the Movies," in 2024. He is survived by his wife, Joan Laxman. (ANI) Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi unveiled her latest book, 'Zeba: An Accidental Superhero,' during the centenary celebrations of the India Chamber of Commerce (ICC) in Srinagar on Sunday evening and described its story as one about "a female superhero who changes the world." While speaking to the media at the event, the Gangs of Wasseypur actress expressed her happiness at being part of the occasion. She said, "The India Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its centenary here. They invited me to launch my book, Zeba: An Accidental Superhero. I am so happy to be here... This book is about a female superhero who changes the world... Kashmir has so many stories, cultures, and folklore. It should be promoted..." The book launch was attended by dignitaries, entrepreneurs, and literary enthusiasts. Meanwhile, on the work front, Huma Qureshi's starrer Bayaan has been selected for the world premiere in the prestigious Discovery Section of the Toronto International Film Festival 2025, to be held in September. Helmed by writer-director Bikas Ranjan Mishra, best known for his acclaimed feature film Chauranga, Bayaan is the only Indian film in the Discovery section. The movie was developed at Film Independent, Los Angeles, and is produced by Shiladitya Bora of Platoon One Films, India's film studio known for the multiple Filmfare award-winning Ghaath (Berlinale 2023) and National Award-winning Picasso (Amazon Prime's first direct-to-digital Marathi film). Bayaan is a co-production of Platoon One Films with Madhu Sharma (Summit Studios), Kunal Kumar, and Anuj Gupta as producers, with Switzerland-based Sadik Keshwani (Guidant Films) as co-producer. Huma Qureshi also serves as an Executive Producer on the film. The ensemble cast of the film includes Chandrachur Singh, Sachin Khedekar, Sand, Avijit Dutt, Vibhore Mayank, Sampa Mandal, Swati Das, Aditi Kanchan Singh, and Perry Chhabra. Filmmaker Bikas Ranjan Mishra describes Bayaan as a poignant reflection of contemporary India, where "power and gender intersect in volatile and often invisible ways," as quoted in a press release shared by the film's makers. (ANI) Veteran Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has added more glory to his illustrious career by being honoured with the World Book of Records UK, Gold Edition, for completing five decades in films. With this recognition, Balakrishna has created history as the first Telugu actor to achieve this milestone. Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani Nara was among the first to share the news on social media. Expressing her pride, she wrote how her father has always been a "true force of nature" and called him both "an icon on screen" and "a compassionate leader off it." She wrote, "A huge congratulations to my father, Nandamuri Balakrishna Garu! 50 years as a leading hero, a feat now in the World Book of Records! You are a true force of nature, an icon on screen, and a compassionate leader off it. So proud of this global recognition for your incredible journey. Our pride, our hero!" https://www.instagram.com/p/DNu3lEi5Fo-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Leaders from the political world also extended their wishes. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu praised Balakrishna's "dedication and passion for cinema," describing his 50-year journey as "a golden chapter in Indian film history." "#50YearsOfNBK Admired by people across generations and celebrated for his dedication and passion for cinema, Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Garu's journey as a lead hero for 50 years stands as a golden chapter in Indian film history. The recognition by the World Book of Records, UK is a testament to his extraordinary journey. Congratulations to our dear Balayya on this historic milestone," Chandrababu wrote on X. https://x.com/ncbn/status/1959607374857318462 Fondly known as Balayya by his fans, Balakrishna began his acting career in 1974 with Tatamma Kala. Over the years, he has acted in more than 100 films spanning various genres, including Annadammula Anubandham, Daaku Maharaaj, Veera Simha Reddy, and Bhagavanth Kesari. Earlier this year, Balakrishna was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours, for his contribution to cinema. Currently, he is working on Akhanda 2: Thaandavam and has another upcoming project with director Gopichand Malineni. (ANI) In a joint social media post on Sunday, the couple confirmed the birth of their daughter on August 23. https://www.instagram.com/p/DNvTcza2Hhf/ "Pink bows, tiny toes and a love that overflows. Welcome to the world, baby girl," their message read. They also confirmed that their daughter was born on Saturday, August 23. "From our Hearts to our Arms, Our Baby Girl is Here #babygirl #ourworld #babybagga," the couple wrote in the caption. Fans instantly took to the comment section and congratulated Malvika and Pranav for embracing parenthood. The 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham' actor got married in 2023 in Goa. She shared pictures from her wedding on Instagram and wrote, "Our Hearts are Full of Love and Gratitude." https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Q8U5QM6Pg/ They announced their engagement in August 2023 after a dreamy proposal in Turkey. It was in May this year that the couple confirmed Malvika's pregnancy. "You + Me = 3 #OurLittleSecret #BabyOnTheWay #MPbaby," the post read. https://www.instagram.com/p/DKEOnbJoq3Z/?img_index=1 They also shared a series of pictures, showing a positive pregnancy test result. Both Malvika and Pranav were dressed in matching white outfits, paired with "Mom" and "Dad" caps. Several celebrities, including Kriti Kharbanda, Ridhima Pandit, Tina Ahuja, Krishna Shroff, and Jamie Lever, extended their wishes on social media. On the work front, Malvika has also appeared in the action film 'Squad,' which featured Danny Denzongpa's son, Rinzin Denzongpa. The film premiered on the OTT platform Zee5. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, supported the bill to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and ministers facing serious criminal charges. He said the public wants such a law and that the Constitution is "for the people, of the people, and by the people," not for any political party. Adhikari added that corrupt leaders are going to jail and those trying to stop the bill are all united for their own protection. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Suvendu Adhikari said, "This bill should be implemented. The general public also wants the same. Whatever the public wants will happen. The Constitution is not 'For the party, by the party, of the party'; it is 'For the people, of the people, by the people'. The ministers of the corrupt parties are jailed, and the same will be in the future... All the corrupt have united and are trying to stop it... Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) lashed out at the Modi government's proposed the Constitution amendment bill that seeks the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers facing serious criminal charges, with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh charging that it is designed to jail opposition leaders in false cases and topple elected governments, a release said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday lashed out at the Modi government's proposed the Constitution amendment bill that seeks the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers facing serious criminal charges, with Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh charging that it is designed to jail opposition leaders in false cases and topple elected governments, a release said. The AAP MP asserted the law has nothing to do with fighting corruption, but everything to do with horse-trading and crushing opposition parties. The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks the removal of any Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister who is detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable with at least five years of imprisonment. If the arrested leader doesn't resign, the office will automatically fall vacant after 31 days. Interestingly, the bill allows for re-appointment post-release, providing a degree of flexibility. (ANI) According to Delhi Police, the mishap occurred on August 7, when the accused was speeding and ran over a motorcycle carrying two teenagers near Bhikaji Cama Place Metro Station, Ring Road. One of the injured, 19-year-old Pratyush, succumbed to his injuries at the AIIMS Trauma Centre on August 14, while the other 16-year-old victim is still in the ICU. The police traced the accused within 16 days. As per the police, to trace the unknown vehicle, they scanned more than 2,000 CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras across Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Noida with help from NHAI, traffic police, and expressway control rooms. Footage from the Delhi-Meerut Expressway finally led the police to the vehicle. The driver, Rajeev Ranjan alias Munna, was arrested and confessed that he hit the motorcycle while rushing to Nainital from Gurugram with a load of organic manure. Fearing arrest, he fled the spot, leaving the victims crushed under his vehicle. The case was registered at the RK Puram police station under FIR No. 306/25. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan participated in the "Centenary Year Celebrations - All India Speakers Conference" in the national capital, dedicated to Vithalbhai Patel, who was the first elected Indian Speaker. Vithalbhai Patel was elected the first Indian Speaker of the Indian Legislative Council in 1925. He made many reformative efforts in the parliamentary system, which are proving to be a guide for Indian legislatures even today. On this occasion, presiding officers and MPs of legislatures from across the country participated in the two-day conference held in Delhi on Sunday. Ahead of the event, Harvinder Kalyan met Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at his residence in New Delhi. On this occasion, many important issues were discussed during the meeting. The Haryana Assembly speaker sought guidance from the Union Minister and discussed a collaborative approach in the state and national interest. The two-day conference at the Delhi Legislative Assembly began on Sunday with Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurating the event. The valedictory session will be presided over by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The post stamp was released in the Delhi legislative assembly premises during the All India Speakers Conference 2025 by the Union Home Minister. Shah stated that the All India Speakers Conference provides an opportunity for leaders to work towards increasing the dignity and respect of the post of the Speaker. "It is an opportunity for all of us to work towards increasing the dignity and respect of the post of the Speaker. We should strive to offer an unbiased platform to raise the issues of the people of our country. An unbiased argument must be done by the government and the opposition. We must ensure that the functioning of the House is carried out as per the rules of the respective House... In our 13000-year-long history, whenever the assemblies have lost their dignity, we have had to face dire consequences," the Union Minister said. Shah commemorated the centenary of Vitthalbhai Patel's appointment as Speaker of the Central Assembly. (ANI) A massive landslide triggered by rainfall occurred near Balinallah on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur on Sunday, crushing a petrol pump under its debris. The owner of the petrol pump, Jai Pal Singh Jamwal, claimed that this incident happened around 6:30-7 pm. "This incident happened around 7 pm... There was a crack in the mountain nearby, which caused the load on the petrol pump to be very high. Due to which this whole collapse happened," Jamwal said to ANI. Jamwal further claimed that there were no casualties. He said, "There was no loss because we all could see that the mountain was cracking. So we had already taken out all the stuff. The shift boys had also moved aside. We had also shut down our sale and stopped the tankers. The fire brigade vehicle had also come here because we still have some stock lying with us..." Moreover, Fire Officer Sunil said that the fire department reached the petrol pump as soon as they received the call. "It was raining continuously since morning... We saw a huge landslide here, which caused the hill to fall down. There was no loss of life here, but there was a lot of damage to the HP petrol pump. The landslide is still going on," Sunil said to ANI. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday held a meeting with officials at Raj Bhavan in Jammu to take stock of the flood situation in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. JK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union MoS Jitendra Singh were also present during the meeting. This came after Singh visited a government hospital in Jammu to meet victims who sustained injuries in the Kishtwar cloudburst incident, and lauded the efforts of the doctors of the medical college for taking care of the injured with complete dedication. While addressing the reporters in the presence of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Union Minister stated that all patients were out of danger and were recovering well. "I also wanted to go to the spot, but due to bad weather, it is not possible to go there. And it has also been informed that there has been a landslide, so the vehicle could not move forward. All the patients have recovered and are recovering well. And I want to congratulate all the doctors of this medical college for taking care of all the injured people with full dedication, and all are in good condition," Singh said. A cloudburst occurred in Kishtwar during the Machail Mata Yatra on August 14, in which over 60 people were killed. The cloudburst led to sudden flash floods during the pilgrimage, resulting in widespread destruction and deaths. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, CISF, Indian Army and the local administration were engaged in rescue efforts. (ANI) Foreign nationals living in Gurugram on Sunday organised a cleanliness drive to clean the roads and drains in the city. Lazar, a foreign national from Serbia, urged citizens to clean at least a two-meter area beside their homes and shops. Explaining the motive behind the initiative, the Serbian citizen said that India is an amazing country, but its residents don't seem to care about the happenings outside their homes. "Everyone should keep the area within 2 metres of their house or shop clean. We can do this much for our country. This idea came because this land is beautiful. India is amazing. The only problem is that people also need to take care of things that are outside of their house. Indian people are among the cleanest on the planet," Lazar told ANI. Lazar further informed that he started the cleanliness drive ten days ago and has been part of small cleanups all across India. "But the moment it's about things outside their house, they think it's not their issue. We have to change that... I started this campaign only 10 days ago. Before that, I was doing small cleanups all over India, like in Tamil Nadu, Bangalore, and Rishikesh," he said. Meanwhile, Matilda, who is from France expressed her love for India and said that she was disappointed to witness the lack of cleanliness in Gurugram. "India is amazing. I love this country. But it is very sad that sometimes there is a lot of garbage everywhere," she told ANI. Earlier in July, the Haryana Government emphasised maintaining its commitment towards maintaining cleanliness and efficient drainage systems in Gurugram city, keeping citizens' interests in mind. In a meeting with Gurugram's prominent citizens, Haryana Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad directed officials to formulate new plans based on the suggestions received. (ANI) The apprehended associates include: Satnam Singh alias Satti, Gurpreet alias Guri, Sarm Singh alias Rinku and Deepak Singh. "During a naka operation, the accused opened fire on the police party, our personnel overpowered the assailants and arrested them along with their vehicle," as per the 'X' post from DGP Punjab Police. The police officials recovered four weapons from their custody, including one Zigana pistol, three pistols (.30 & .32 bore) with live cartridges. According to he police, Satnam Singh is a habitual offender with over 22 previous cases registered against him. These include murder, attempt to murder, Arms Act & NDPS Act. Sarm Singh and Deepak Singh are also linked to the narcotics trade. The agencies are conducting an investigation and interrogation of the apprehended. Earlier on August 23, the Punjab Police announced the arrest of two shooters of the Lucky Patial-Davinder Bambiha gang from Mumbai. The duo was allegedly involved in the July 2 murder in Pojewal village of SBS Nagar district. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the accused, identified as Karan Ganger (25), a resident of village Rod Majara, Hoshiarpur, and Jaskarandeep Singh alias Kallu (23), a resident of village Ramgarh Jhungian, Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur, killed Hardeep Singh alias Deepa Kulpuria in collusion with US-based gangster Jaskaran Singh alias Kannu. "The killing was the result of personal enmity, executed under the direction of Lucky Patial's associates in the Davinder Bambiha gang," the DGP said. He added that the arrests have not only solved the Pojewal murder case but also foiled several other potential criminal incidents that the accused had been tasked to execute by their foreign handlers. Sharing details of the operation, SBS Nagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mehtab Singh said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by the SP (Investigation) was constituted soon after the murder. With the support of advanced technical surveillance, Counter-Intelligence Jalandhar and SBS Nagar Police teams tracked the accused to their Mumbai hideout. (ANI) Heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday morning. Areas including Baba Khadak Singh Marg, ITO, and the Yamuna River witnessed intense showers. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi's forecast for today says, "Generally cloudy sky with moderate rain." Rainfall also caused waterlogging in several parts of Gurugram. According to the IMD, a "Heavy rain" warning has been issued for Delhi, Chandigarh, and Haryana for today and tomorrow. Rainfall also lashed several parts of Mumbai, causing waterlogging in Sion's Gandhi Market area and Eastern Express Highway. IMD has issued no warning for today, but a "Heavy Rainfall" warning has been issued for August 26-27. Moreover, heavy rains lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah, bringing normal life to a standstill. Continuous downpour triggered waterlogging in low-lying areas and increased the risk of landslides along hilly roads. Authorities have appealed to people to remain cautious, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay away from rivers and landslide-prone areas. The administration is closely monitoring the situation. Due to heavy rain, the administration ordered the closure of all government and private schools in Doda District. Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli-Pathankot & Bhaderwah-Chamba roads are also closed due to heavy rains, leaving yatris halted. Speaking to ANI, ADC Bhaderwah, Sunil Kumar Butyal said, "The higher access points, Padri Point, Guldanda Road, have been closed for travel till further orders. An unfortunate incident took place during a machail mata yatra recently. We do not want such an incident to happen again. People's safety is the first priority. The community hall is for those who are stranded." "All our roads are open, except one road. Bhaderwah-Chamba Road has experienced landslides at 2-3 places. The road enforcement agencies have been deployed there, and work is going on. The rest of the roads are open," he added. Moreover, the water level in the river of Banswara district of Rajasthan rose due to heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfall also led to the Sangameshwar Temple being submerged in the floodwater. Devotees climb to the top of the temple to perform aarti. (ANI) All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami praising the work done by his party raised questions on the work done by the DMK party. Addressing a massive public gathering at Tiruchirappalli, Palaniswami stated, "Even when not in power, AIADMK has always pressed the Union Government for projects that benefit the people. If the Nadanthai Vazhi Cauvery project announced under AIADMK had been implemented, river pollution could have been prevented. The cattle park project in Thalaivasal, too, has been shelved by the DMK. Most farmer welfare schemes introduced by AIADMK have been blocked. DMK has not implemented a single new scheme it promised before coming to power... In AIADMK's rule, people across all sections, including the elderly, benefited. But under DMK, it is always the Karunanidhi family that gains power and profit, whether at the state or central level. Do the people want such a rule to continue?" A day earlier, drivers of the "108" emergency ambulance service in the state submitted a memorandum demanding action against the AIADMK leader. The drivers approached the Sivagangai Superintendent of Police and submitted a petition for a case to be registered over Palaniswami's recent remarks at a public meeting in Vellore. At the meeting, Palaniswami earlier alleged that the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was deliberately deploying 108 ambulances during AIADMK events to create traffic congestion. He has also been accused of making remarks that intimidated an ambulance driver. Following this, the ambulance staff sought police intervention, urging that appropriate action be initiated against the AIADMK leader. Earlier on Thursday, Palaniswami took a veiled dig at Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay, asserting that AIADMK is the only party capable of defeating the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. (ANI) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to reach space, will be felicitated by Uttar Pradesh in his hometown in Lucknow on Monday. Earlier, Shukla arrived at Lucknow Airport amid a huge uproar by children and supporters. His family and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak welcomed him at the Lucknow airport. Afterwards, Shukla was headed to City Montessori School in Gomtinagar for the felicitation ceremony. Speaking to reporters, Brajesh Pathak said that the Uttar Pradesh government has organised an event to honour Group Captain Shukla. "The son of Lucknow and India, Shubhanshu Shukla's arrival is being awaited by the whole of Lucknow. We welcome our beloved as he comes home, and we feel proud of his achievements. Shubhanshu Shukla has shown a way to the world. The UP government has organised a big event to honour him today... He is an inspiration for the youth," he said. DyCM Pathak called it a "big day" for Lucknow as Shubhanshu Shukla returned after NASA's Axiom-4 space mission. "Today is a big day for Lucknow. The son of Bharat, the son of Lucknow, set foot in Lucknow. Ever since he returned to earth from space, the people of Lucknow were eagerly waiting for his arrival. Today, that moment is finally here. We welcome Shubhanshu Shukla with warmth and love," the Deputy CM told ANI. Meanwhile, people have gathered in large numbers in various parts of Lucknow to welcome Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Earlier on Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his colleagues, Group Captain P V Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan and Group Captain Angad Pratap. Speaking to reporters after the felicitation, Shubhanshu Shukla lauded the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, stating that the learning from the "big achievement" will pave the way for executing future missions of the country. He expressed happiness after being felicitated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and mentioned that India is on its journey of a human space flight- Mission Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and eventually, landing on the moon. "Raksha Mantri felicitated me, and I think this mission is a big achievement for our country, and it happened at the right time. India is on its journey of a human space flight- Mission Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and eventually, landing on the moon," Shubhanshu Shukla told reporters. Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing the Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in Delhi on August 17. (ANI) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, on Monday, arrived at his hometown Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where he was welcomed amid a huge uproar from children and supporters. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak received Shukla at the Lucknow Airport. Afterwards, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla headed to City Montessori School in Gomtinagar where a felicitation ceremony has been organised for him. Speaking to ANI, his mother stated that the entire family was visiting the airport to receive him, further stating that they were really excited to meet him after a long period of time. "My son is coming home after 1.5 years. I am very happy and excited to meet him after so long. We will welcome him warmly. The entire family is going to the airport to welcome him..." the mother told ANI. His sister stated that they had waited for this day for a very long time, further asserting that there was nothing merrier than him coming back home and being a motivation for several children in the country. "I am very happy and excited. We were waiting for this day for a long time. He is finally coming home to Lucknow... This is the biggest achievement. All children and the whole of Lucknow will be there to welcome him home. Nothing can be merrier than this. People are showing him so much love, and he is motivating children..." the sister told ANI. Shukla is the second Indian to reach space. He returned to Earth on July 15 after completing the NASA Axiom (AX-4) space mission and landed in Delhi on August 17. A day earlier, he lauded the mission to the International Space Station and stated that the learning from the "big achievement" would pave the way for the execution of future missions in the country. He expressed happiness after being felicitated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and mentioned that India is on its journey of a human space flight- Mission Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and eventually, landing on the moon. "Raksha Mantri felicitated me and I think this mission is a big achievement for our country and it happened at the right time. India is on its journey of a human space flight- Mission Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antriksh Station, and eventually, landing on moon," Shubhanshu Shukla told reporters. (ANI) Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Chief Mahesh on Sunday questioned the legitimacy of BJP MP and Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay's victory in Karimnagar, alleging it was achieved through fake votes. Speaking at the Janahita Padayatra on Sunday, Mahesh claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has exposed cases of fake votes elsewhere and expressed suspicion that similar tactics were used in Karimnagar. He said, "Will BJP MP Bandi Sanjay really win here? How did he rise from being a councillor to becoming an MP? It was only because of fake votes that he secured victory. Rahul Gandhi has already shown an example of fake votes, and similarly, here in Karimnagar, I suspect Bandi Sanjay also won through fake votes." He also alleged that "eight of the MPs who secured victory did so through fake votes." Mahesh also challenged Bandi Sanjay's claim of belonging to the Backwards Class, stating, "Bandi Sanjay claims to be from the Backwards Class, but I question him -- from where are you, Backwards Class, Bandi Sanjay Deshmukh?" The accusations come amid the allegations of "vote theft" claims made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on the Election Commission of India (ECI). The Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, later on August 17 refuted all the claims and termed allegations of bias by the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha an "insult" to the Constitution of India. CEC also asked Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to either furnish a signed affidavit or apologise to the nation for his remarks. "An affidavit will have to be given or an apology should be made to the country. Teesra koi vikalp nahi (There is no third option.) If the affidavit is not received within seven days, it means that all these allegations are baseless." CEC Gyanesh Kumar said while addressing the media persons. (ANI) Ahead of the Vice Presidential elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has targeted the INDIA bloc for nominating alleged "left wing" sympathiser Retired Supreme Court Judge B Sudershan Reddy saying that the latter's judgment on Salwa Judum was the sole reason that Left Wing Extremism, which was on its death bed, managed to survive for over two decades. In an interview with ANI, Shah also took aim at Rahul Gandhi and demanded that the Congress leader should give an explanation for the Opposition alliance deciding to pick a nominee who "sympathised with left-wing ideology" and whose ruling that "disbanded" the "armed civilian vigilante group" prevented the eradication of Naxals before 2020. The July 2011 judgment, that Justice Reddy co-authored with Justice SS Nijjar disbanded Salwa Judum in Bastar, Chhattisgarh for being illegal and unconstitutional. The ruling was delivered while BJP under chief minister Raman Singh was in power in Chhattisgarh. Justice Reddy's ruling said that the Salwa Judum was an "abdication of constitutional responsibilities of the State to provide appropriate security to citizens by having an appropriately trained professional police force of sufficient numbers and properly equipped on a permanent basis". In his interview with ANI, Shah said after the judgement, "Schools that were destroyed due to Naxals, the CRPF and security forces were deployed there. They were ousted within the night with the help of the order. Security forces were attacked in many places. More than Sudershan Reddy, Rahul Gandhi must answer on this as this is the reason he (Reddy) has been picked - the left-wing ideology. Due to this judgment, the Naxals have been protected." Shah said the Salwa Judum was formed by Adivasis who wanted education, roads and healthcare. "It was meant to protect them, which the Supreme Court disbanded," the Union Minister said. The Union Home Minister argued that by disbanding the vigilante group, Reddy had ended "self-defence" for Adivasis at a time when Naxalism was "gasping for breath." "It is there on the Supreme Court records. He disbanded Salwa Judum. He ended the right to self-defence for Adivasis. This is the reason that Naxalism has sustained for two more decades. At that time, Naxalism was on the verge of dying. This is in the apex court's record; it is their judgment," Shah told ANI. The 'INDIA bloc', which has also received support from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has said that they are putting up an "ideological fight" against the ruling NDA who has nominated CP Radhakrishnan for the Septermber 9 Vice Presidential election. Reddy, who served as Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court before being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2007, retired in July 2011. He filed his nomination on August 21 and will face NDA nominee CP Radhakrishnan in the September 9 Vice Presidential election. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday contrasted BJP's direct public interaction with Congress's outreach programs led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi saying that there is a "big difference" between the two. In an interview with ANI the Home Minister said, "There is a big difference between managing a program and communicating with the public." Shah also tore into the Congress saying that the party seeks to create "illusions" and faces growing "frustration" after electoral defeats. He said, "They (Congress) want to create a kind of illusion among the people. And they will definitely not succeed, because our direct interaction with the people is many times greater than theirs. We talk to the people. We haven't just come here and sat by chance. After losing three elections, I think the level of frustration is such that the normal sense of judgment, he (Rahul Gandhi) has lost it." He also affirmed that, contrary to allegations by the opposition, the presence of the CISF is not an attempt to stifle or suppress lawful protest within Parliament. "First, please understand this one point clearly. Inside Parliament, any force present there, is under the authority of the Speaker. The identity of the force itself does not matter. Earlier, it used to be personnel from the Delhi Police; now it is CISF," he said. He added, "But the moment they come within the security perimeter of the House, they are no longer considered CISF or Delhi Police personnel, they are regarded as Marshals. And they function under the Speaker's authority. Marshals enter the House only when the Speaker orders them to do so." Earlier on August 5, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the Modi government "has accepted" that CISF personnel were deployed in the Rajya Sabha and said whatever name is used for their presence in the House, "it is an insult to Parliament". In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh targeted the government and said Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was right in asking if Union Home Minister Amit Shah has "taken over control of the Council of States". "This is an insult to Parliament and the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha was right in asking today whether the Union Home Minister has taken over control of the Council of States," he added. "So finally the Modi Government has accepted today that CISF personnel were indeed deployed in the Rajya Sabha last week to prevent Opposition MPs from exercising their democratic right of protest. You can call them by whatever name but the fact remains that they were all from the CISF," Jairam Ramesh said. Amid noisy scenes in Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju refuted Kharge's allegations that CISF was brought to the House. "Only marshals can come to the House," he said. He alleged that Kharge had misled the House and written "a wrong letter" to the Deputy Chairman. He said members of the opposition are levelling wrong allegations in the media that the military, CISF, and Police had been brought to the House. (ANI) The Congress party has suspended Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from the party's primary membership following accusations of obscene conduct filed by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George. However, he will continue to serve as a legislator. The suspension came amid rising protests and growing calls for action and demands for his resignation. Mamkootathil had already resigned from his position as the State President of the Youth Congress. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India (CPI) have been protesting and demanding the resignation of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil over the allegations of 'obscene conduct.' On Sunday, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), carried out a protest march in Kerala's Palakkad, demanding the resignation of Rahul Mamkootathil from his MLA post. On Friday, BJP Council Party leader from Kozhikode Corporation in Kerala, Navya Haridas, alleged that there have been several more allegations against Mamkootathil. The Mahila Morcha State President alleged that many women and even transgender persons have levelled sexual harassment complaints against the Palakkad MLA. "There are many allegations against the current Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil. It's not a complaint from one woman; there are so many women complaining against him based on sexual harassment," Haridas told ANI. "More shocking events are coming when that list includes transgender individuals as well. So, these are not baseless allegations against Rahul; all these allegations are coming with proof, with a chat history, with voice messages and everything." The BJP leader has called for Mamkootathil's resignation. "Mahila Morcha is planning many protests in Palakkad district as well as in all the 30 districts of Kerala against this issue," she said. Earlier on Thursday, Kerala LoP and Congress leader VD Satheesan had addressed allegations against the Palakkad MLA and assured a thorough investigation by the Congress party, emphasising that no leniency will be shown if the allegations are found to be serious. "The Party will look into the allegations. We will check the gravity of the allegations. If it is very serious, we will take necessary action. There is a procedure; he will get an opportunity to present his side. Then only will we make a decision. We will make a decision immediately; there won't be any delay. There are no complaints before the party. If someone is making any allegation, we will look into it. We will take it very seriously, we will take proper action, there will be no mercy," he said. (ANI) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to reach space, received a grand welcome from students during a road show in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow on Monday. Students welcomed Group Captain Shukla to his hometown in Lucknow by waving the tricolour. Children showed enthusiasm and cheered for Shukla during the road show. He was headed to City Montessori School in Gomtinagar for a felicitation ceremony. Earlier today, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak received Shubhanshu Shukla at the Lucknow airport. Speaking to reporters, Brajesh Pathak said that the Uttar Pradesh government has organised an event to honour Group Captain Shukla. "The son of Lucknow and India, Shubhanshu Shukla's arrival is being awaited by the whole of Lucknow. We welcome our beloved as he comes home, and we feel proud of his achievements. Shubhanshu Shukla has shown a way to the world. The UP government has organised a big event to honour him today... He is an inspiration for the youth," he said. Dy CM Pathak called it a "big day" for Lucknow as Shubhanshu Shukla returned after NASA's Axiom-4 space mission. "Today is a big day for Lucknow. The son of Bharat, the son of Lucknow, set foot in Lucknow. Ever since he returned to earth from space, the people of Lucknow were eagerly waiting for his arrival. Today, that moment is finally here. We welcome Shubhanshu Shukla with warmth and love," the Deputy CM told ANI. Speaking to ANI, his mother stated that the entire family was visiting the airport to receive him, further stating that they were really excited to meet him after a long period of time. "My son is coming home after 1.5 years. I am very happy and excited to meet him after so long. We will welcome him warmly. The entire family is going to the airport to welcome him..." the mother told ANI. Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in Delhi on August 17. (ANI) Assam Police apprehended three individuals, Ubir Ali (30), Rajak Ali (26), and Moiz Ali (30), all from Darrang district, Assam. The police on Sunday seized 83 grams of heroin from their possession, valued at approximately Rs 41.5 lakh, officials said. Numal Mahatta, Senior Superintendent of Police of Cachar district, said that, based on source information, a team of Cachar district police launched an operation and caught three persons who were travelling in an auto transporting heroin. "The police team recovered and seized 83 grams of heroin from their possession. It was seized in the presence of independent witnesses. During the examination, it gave positive results by the drug detection kit," Numal Mahatta said. Further investigation is underway.. In a separate operation, the Sribhumi district police recovered 20,000 Yaba tablets worth over Rs 3 crore on Saturday night. Two individuals were arrested in connection with this seizure. Police arrested 2 people in this anti-drugs campaign. On August 5, Police recovered and seized 20,000 Yaba tablets and 216 grams of heroin in Assam's Cachar district, officials said. Five people have been arrested in connection with the case. Cachar Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta said that, acting on credible intelligence, the district police launched two special operations on the evening of August 4 to intercept the illegal transportation of narcotic substances. The operations were carried out at Sonabarighat under Silchar police station and Hmarkhawlen under Lakhipur police station. "During the operations, police recovered 18 soap cases containing heroin weighing about 216 grams and 20000 Yaba tablets respectively. During the operations, two vehicles used in the illegal transportation of narcotic substances were seized. In this connection, five persons have been arrested," SP Mahatta said. The arrested persons were identified as Ayesha Begum Chaudhary, Muslima Begum Mazumder, Jalal Ahmed Chaudhary, Rabijul Ali Chaudhary and Lalpu Singsit. "The price of the seized article is worth about Rs 7 crore in the black market. Both the vehicles and the narcotic substances have been seized in the presence of independent witnesses. During the examination, the drug detection kit showed positive results for heroin and methamphetamine. Further investigation into both cases has been on," Numal Mahatta said. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Pradeep Bhandari on Monday slammed Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, claiming that both are "Parivarvadi" who have nothing to do with Bihar. Speaking to ANI, Bhandari took a dig at Tejashwi Yadav, stating that he has been kept as a "driver" by Rahul Gandhi. He stated that the people of Bihar will not fall in their "anti-development and communal politics" agenda. "Two parivarvadi, one Tejashwi Yadav whom Rahul Gandhi has made his driver and the other Rahul Gandhi who has nothing to do with Bihar because the people of Bihar are not falling into the trap of his anti-development and communal politics, so every other day he is calling the poor, backward and poor of Bihar fake," he said. The BJP leader slammed the Congress MP, stating that he is against the democracy of the country. He said that Rahul Gandhi keeps on attacking constitutional institutions, including the Supreme Court and the Election Commission. "Rahul Gandhi is against the democracy of the country, that is why he attacks some democratic institutions every season, because the people of the country see Rahul Gandhi moving ahead with "anti-India" activities. That is why he sometimes attacks the Supreme Court, Election Commission," Pradeep Bhandari told ANI. Bhandari said that whenever Rahul Gandhi is supposed to verify his allegations, they always prove to be false. "When it comes to verifying allegations, all his allegations have been proven to be false. Now he is calling the people of Bihar fake," he said. Meanwhile, ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav are currently involved in the 16-day 'Voter Adhikaar Yatra', which aims to raise awareness about alleged irregularities in the voter list, which opposition leaders have termed a case of vote chori (vote theft). Covering over 1,300 km across 20 districts, the yatra is scheduled to conclude in Patna on September 1. Earlier on Sunday, Tejashwi Yadav said that the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' has become a "historic journey" and claimed it has exposed the "reality" of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission before the people. "A historic journey is underway; the reality of the BJP and the Election Commission has been exposed before the public," he told reporters. (ANI) Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Monday launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his remarks "Congress and opposition will support morality" on the 130th Amendment Bill, stating that Shah speaking about morality is the "greatest joke of the century." Sharpening his attacks, Tagore stated that Union Minister Amit Shah is "not qualified" to speak about morality. He further claimed that the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, is "vehemently" opposed by the BJP allies themselves. Speaking to ANI, Manickam Tagore said," The greatest joke of the century is who is speaking of morality. Mr Amit Shah is speaking about morality. The person who was sent out of Gujarat, the person who was responsible for organised attacks by the police. We all know that the bill has been vehemently opposed by many of the BJP's allies. This bill targets those in power. This bill will be defeated in the House....He is not qualified to speak about morality..." Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel also hit back at Union Minister Shah for attacking Congress over the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, and called it a "weapon" in the hands of the police officers. " The bill was brought on the last day. The Speaker was not even asked before introducing the bill... Amit Shah ji should not talk about morality," he said. In an interview with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed confidence that the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be passed, despite the opposition's fierce criticism. The bill proposes the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable by five years or more imprisonment. The bill has been referred to a JPC for detailed scrutiny, comprising 31 members from both houses of Parliament. The committee will examine the bill and provide recommendations before it is put to vote. Amit Shah defended the bill, stating it's aimed at upholding "constitutional morality" and public trust, emphasising that the bill would apply equally to all leaders, including those from the ruling party. "I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain the moral ground...," he said. "The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this... Earlier, Indira Gandhi had brought the 39th amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from judicial review by Indian courts)... Narendra Modi ji has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign...," said Shah on the 130th Amendment Bill. Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable with imprisonment of five years or more. (ANI) Reacting to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement, on the 130th Amendment bill, Congress leader Udit Raj said on Monday that there are a lot of people in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) who do not like this bill. Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, "...The government has been in power for more than 11 years, FIRs have been filed against so many cabinet ministers and chief ministers. This bill is to trap the opposition. This bill is against the Opposition." He further said that this bill is not going to affect the Prime Minister, as the entire system has become its slave. "And those who claim the PM has also included himself, who will elect the PM? This bill will not affect the PM. Who can touch the PM when the entire system has become its slave?" Raj said to ANI. Congress leader referred to former PM Manmohan Singh's time and said, "During Manmohan Singh's time, even cabinet ministers and MPs had to be sent to jail. Actions were taken against all officials, MPs and MLAs. Was anything done against the ruling party or the NDA? Modi ji himself has personally accused Ajit Pawar of committing a scam of Rs 75,000 crores; he will be sent to jail, but has been made the deputy chief minister." In an interview with ANI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence that the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be passed, despite the opposition's fierce criticism. The bill proposes the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable by five years or more imprisonment. The bill has been referred to a JPC for detailed scrutiny, comprising 31 members from both houses of Parliament. The committee will examine the bill and provide recommendations before it is put to vote. Speaking to ANI, Amit Shah defended the bill, stating it's aimed at upholding "constitutional morality" and public trust, emphasising that the bill would apply equally to all leaders, including those from the ruling party. "I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain the moral ground...," he said. "The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this... Earlier, Indira Gandhi had brought the 39th amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from judicial review by Indian courts)... Narendra Modi ji has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign...," said Union HM Amit Shah on the 130th Amendment Bill. Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable with imprisonment of five years or more. The bill has sparked intense debate, with the opposition alleging political motives to destabilise non-BJP governments. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party's Telangana spokesperson Rachna Reddy has responded sharply to "bogus voting" allegations made by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud who has raised questions over BJP MP Bandi Sanjay's victory in Karimnagar in the previous general election and has also challenged the authenticity of his Backward Class status. Rachna Reddy said, "The TPCC president, Mr Mahesh Kumar Goud has the audacity to question Sanjay ji and his victory in Karimnagar, claiming that all that Rahul Gandhi said is absolute Gospel truth and that there are hundreds of fake votes in Karimnagar and certain people voted in different constituencies and that is the only reason why Sanjay ji won." The BJP leader strongly condemned the TPCC leader's questioning of Sanjay's Backward Class status stating, "And he actually goes to the extent of questioning his BC status and calling him by another name that we do not know of." Reddy also accused the Congress Party of being "anti-India" and "sore losers" when facing electoral defeats, pointing out that Congress does not question election processes when winning. "Be that as it may, Congress Party will never win again because of the fact that it is anti-India. When the Congress Party wins elections in Himachal, in Telangana or Karnataka, absolutely everything is hunky dory. They don't question the EC, they don't question the votes, they don't question the EVMs, and they don't question the voters' list. But whenever they lose, they are sore losers." Refuting claims of "vote fraud", Reddy declared that "no matter how many times Congress indulges in fake voter manipulation, they will never win elections." Further targeting Rahul Gandhi, she said he had been repeatedly reprimanded by the Supreme Court for lying and was currently on bail. "Rahul Gandhi has been issued strictures by the Honourable SC again and again about the fact that he lies and that he has to apologise. He is on bail before the honourable SC itself. This man is going to teach us what Democracy is?" The BJP leader Reddy further said that there were allegations against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in a 'Vote for Note Case,' and said that party was "corrupt to the core." "Revanth Reddy is still out on the 'Vote for Note Case'. Corrupt to the core, that is what the Congress Party is, and that is what the Congress Party minions are about," Rachna Reddy said. Rachna Reddy criticised what she termed as a "generation" of Soros and the Trump administration's influence, invoking remarks by former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh. "Beware, this is the doubt that is the generation of Soros and the generation of the mad Trump administration. This is the kind of discord and the democracy that they are deliberately willing to sow, and they are using the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi as a weapon. Natwar Singh ji himself told that the UPA was completely governed under the instructions of the US and the CIA," she quipped. The reaction follows TPCC Chief Mahesh's claim at the Janahita Padayatra that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has exposed cases of fake votes elsewhere, raising suspicions that similar tactics were used in Karimnagar. He said, "Will BJP MP Bandi Sanjay really win here? How did he rise from being a councillor to becoming an MP? It was only because of fake votes that he secured victory. Rahul Gandhi has already shown an example of fake votes, and similarly, here in Karimnagar, I suspect Bandi Sanjay also won through fake votes." He also alleged that "eight of the MPs who secured victory did so through fake votes." Mahesh Kumar Goud had challenged Bandi Sanjay's claim of belonging to the Backwards Class, stating, "Bandi Sanjay claims to be from the Backwards Class, but I question him -- from where are you, Backwards Class, Bandi Sanjay Deshmukh?" (ANI) Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Monday hit back at Union Minister Amit Shah for attacking Congress over the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, and called it a "weapon" in the hands of the police officers. Speaking to ANI, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Baghel said that Amit Shah "should not talk about morality." "Amit Shah should not talk about morality...The Secretary General of the Lok Sabha was not even asked before presenting the Bill, and a copy was not even circulated. The Bill was brought in haste, and this tells us how much pressure Amit Shah is under," he said. Baghel added that the police officers will put public representatives in jail under such provisions where they do not get bail for at least six months. "You are giving a weapon in the hands of an inspector or a constable to bring down governments and control through this means. On one side, a constable will arrest a public representative under such sections that they will not be able to get out of jail for six months and will not get bail in the High Courts or the Supreme Court," he said. The Congress leader accused the Centre of strengthening the bureaucrats, while the elected representatives will have to live in fear after the Bill is passed. "On the other side, you have given so much power to the Election Commission that an FIR cannot be filed against them. Bureaucrats are fearless in the country, while the public representative will also be afraid of a police officer," Bhupesh Baghel said. This comes after Amit Shah defended the Constitutional Amendment, which states that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers, if jailed for more than 30 days for offences that attract a jail term of over five years, can be removed from office. In an interview with ANI, Shah accused Congress of double standards, saying the party now supports RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar despite previously opposing similar cases. He referred to the 2013 ordinance by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, which sought to provide relief to MPs and MLAs who had been disqualified or convicted of a crime. He said, "They are opposing this. However, during the UPA government, when Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister and Lalu Prasad Yadav was a minister who had been convicted, they introduced an ordinance stating that even a two-year sentence would not result in the cancellation of a member's membership until the appeal process was complete." "Rahul Gandhi publicly called that ordinance nonsense and even tore it up in a press conference. The decision made by their own Prime Minister was mocked, and the PM became a sorry figure in front of the world. But now, the same Rahul Gandhi, to form a government in Bihar, is hugging Lalu Yadav, who has been convicted. Isn't this a double standard?" Shah said. Meanwhile, a Joint Committee comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, to be appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairperson, will jointly examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on his two-day visit to Gujarat on Monday, where he will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth Rs 5,400 crores. The event will be held at Khodaldham ground in Ahmedabad at around 6 pm today. He will also address a public function. In line with his commitment to world-class infrastructure and connectivity, the Prime Minister will dedicate multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the Nation. It includes doubling of the 65 km Mahesana-Palanpur Rail Line worth over Rs 530 crore, gauge conversion of the 37 km Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road Rail Line and 40 km Bechraji-Ranuj Rail Line worth over Rs 860 crore. With the addition of broad-gauge capacity, these projects will ensure smoother, safer and more seamless connectivity in the region. This will significantly ease travel for daily commuters, tourists and businesses, while promoting regional economic integration. Further, flagging off the passenger train between Katosan Road and Sabarmati will provide improved access to religious destinations and stimulate economic activity at the grassroots level. The car-loaded freight train service from Bechraji will enhance connectivity to the state's industrial hubs, strengthening the logistics network and generating employment opportunities. Furthering his vision to improve connectivity, enhance commuter safety, and accelerate regional development, Prime Minister will inaugurate widening of Viramgam-Khudad-Rampura road. He will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of six-lane vehicle underpasses on the Ahmedabad-Mehsana-Palanpur road; a railway overbridge on the Ahmedabad-Viramgam road, among others. Collectively, these initiatives will boost industrial growth, improve transport efficiency and economic opportunity in the region. In a major boost to the power sector in the state, the Prime Minister will inaugurate power distribution projects in Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Gandhinagar under Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), aimed at reducing losses, modernising the network and strengthening infrastructure under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The projects, worth over Rs 1000 crore, will reduce power breakdowns and outages during adverse weather, improve public safety, transformer protection and reliability of the electricity supply network. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Development of Slums situated at Sector-3 of Ramapir No Tekro under the In Situ Slum Rehabilitation Component of PMAY (U). He will also lay the foundation stone for major road widening projects being implemented on the Sardar Patel Ring Road around Ahmedabad to ease traffic flow and improve connectivity. He will lay the foundation stone of key urban infrastructure projects to strengthen water and sewerage management systems. Strengthening administrative efficiency and public service delivery, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of key infrastructure projects in Gujarat. It will include the construction of a new Stamps and Registration Building in Ahmedabad West, aimed at improving citizen-centric services, and the establishment of a State-Level Data Storage Centre at Gandhinagar, designed to enhance secure data management and digital governance capabilities across Gujarat. On the second day of his visit (August 26), Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate localised production of hybrid battery electrodes and flag off Battery electric vehicle exports to 100 countries at Hansalpur, Ahmedabad, at around 10.30 am. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. On August 26, PM Modi will inaugurate two historic milestones at the Suzuki Motor plant in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad. Together, these landmark initiatives underscore India's emergence as a global hub for green mobility while advancing the Prime Minister's commitment to Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a major example of the success of Make in India, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and flag off the "e VITARA", Suzuki's first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). The Made-in-India BEVs will be exported to more than one hundred countries, including advanced markets such as Europe and Japan. With this milestone, India will now serve as Suzuki's global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. Taking large strides towards becoming Aatmanirbhar in the field of green energy, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the next phase of India's battery ecosystem with the start of local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat. The plant, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso and Suzuki, will boost domestic manufacturing and clean energy innovation. This development ensures that more than eighty per cent of the battery value will now be manufactured within India. (ANI) Union Minister for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, on Monday defended the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, calling it a step towards "good governance". Speaking to ANI, Meghwal said that the public wants the Constitutional Amendment to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Ministers from office if jailed for more than 30 days for a serious offence. "While introducing the Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah proposed a Joint Parliamentary Committee. If any minister, Chief Minister or even the Prime Minister is involved in an offence that attracts a jail term of over five years, and is jailed for 30 days, how will the state be governed? This is a step towards good governance, but was opposed by the Opposition. This is a progressive law and the public wants it," he said. Meghwal accused the Opposition of misleading the direction of the debate while opposing the Bill. He said, "The Opposition is taking the debate in the wrong direction. They said that if they were apprehended for a political protest and charged under a certain section...there is no provision for a punishment for five years in such cases." He claimed that some Opposition parties are planning not to send their members to the JPC and slammed Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for opposing the Centre's reforms. "The Bill has been sent to a JPC, let the discussion happen. I am hearing that some Opposition parties are planning not to send their members to the JPC. You (Opposition) always demand a JPC for scrutiny. Some members of the Opposition, including Rahul Gandhi, have decided that they will oppose even the good reforms by the Narendra Modi-led government. They should read the law properly," Meghwal told ANI. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lashed out at the 'Black Bill' protests against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill by Opposition parties and stated that both he and the BJP "completely reject" the idea that the country "cannot be governed without the person" who has been jailed. He asked whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could run the country from jail. Parliament witnessed protests with Opposition terming the legislation as "unconstitutional" alleging that it was a way for the ruling BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them in jail and destabilise State governments. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah said, "I want to ask the entire nation and the Opposition... Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy?" "Even today, they are trying that if they ever have to go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail. My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. This will not affect anyone's majority in the Parliament or the Assembly. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this?" he said. A Joint Committee comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, to be appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairperson, will jointly examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill. (ANI) Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday said that there may be more to the story than meets the eye after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said the Opposition should not make a fuss over Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation. The Congress leader further praised Dhankhar for being a stickler for norms, proprieties, and protocol, and for speaking fearlessly for farmers' welfare and judicial accountability. In a post on X, the Ramesh said , "Today the Home Minister has tried to say more. But he has only added to the mystery. There is simply no explanation why the irrepressible and ebullient Shri Dhankar - who championed the cause of farmers - has been completely incommunicado for well over a month." The Union Home Minister in an interview with ANI said that Dhankar resigned due to health issues and dismissed the opposition's claims that he was under "house arrest". "Dhankar Sahab's resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure." Dhankhar stepped down on July 21, citing health reasons, but according to Congress leader there's more to the former Vice President's "unexpected resignation". "Shri Jagdeep Dhankar suddenly and unexpectedly resigned as Vice President of India on the night of July 21st, 2025. This was unprecedented. A day later, the PM merely wished him good health," said Ramesh. In a veiled attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress leader wrote, "This entire resignation episode is actually bizarre and reflects how G2 function." Meanwhile, Shah cautioned against reading too much into Dhankar's resignation, saying "we shouldn't make a fuss out of all this." He encouraged people to respect Dhankhar's constitutional role and his decision to step down. He said that Dhankhar's resignation should be viewed through the lens of his official statement rather than through political interpretations. On claims of "house arrest" of Dhankar by some opposition leaders, Shah said, "It seems like your interpretation of truth and lies is based on what the opposition has to say. We shouldn't make a fuss out of all this. Dhankar held a constitutional post and discharged his duties as per the constitution. He resigned due to personal health reasons. One should not deliberate much on the issue." The opposition is speculating about the reasons behind Dhankhar's resignation, with some suggesting it was forced or due to differences with the government. However, the BJP has maintained that Dhankar resigned due to health reasons and dismissed suggestions of any differences with him. Dhankar resigned on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament on July 21, stating that he wanted "to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice." At the time, he was serving as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and had submitted his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu. (ANI) Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday said that railway stations in Telangana are being upgraded with modern infrastructure under the Centre's Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, citing an example of Mahabubabad Railway Station. In a post on social media platform X, Reddy said that the station, once completed, will offer world-class amenities to passengers. The redevelopment project, being executed at an estimated cost of Rs 26.49 crores, is in its final stages with 92 per cent of the work already complete. The social media post reads, "Railway Stations in Telangana getting world-class facilities under Amrit Bharat! Mahabubadad Railway Station in Telangana, is witnessing a complete makeover under the Amrit Bharat Scheme. The station is set to offer state-of-the-art amenities to the passengers. Project cost: 26.49 Crores Work Status: 92% Complete." https://x.com/kishanreddybjp/status/1959822566773944337 According to the Ministry of Railways, the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is a long-term plan of Central government to improve railway stations across India in a step-by-step manner. Under this scheme, detailed plans are made for each station and the work is done in phases, based on what each station needs. The goal is to make stations cleaner, more comfortable, and easier to use. This includes improving entry and exit points, waiting halls, toilets, platforms, and roofing. Facilities like lifts, escalators, and free Wi-Fi are added wherever needed. There are also better signs and information systems to help passengers. Some stations will have executive lounges and special areas for business meetings. Local products will be sold at kiosks under the 'One Station One Product' scheme, and efforts will be made to make stations look greener and more attractive. The Amrit Bharat Mission scheme also focuses on upgrading the station buildings, connecting both sides of the city through the station, and linking stations with other transport options like buses and metros. Special care is being taken to make stations friendly for persons with disabilities. Eco-friendly solutions, noise-free tracks, and better planning are also part of the improvements. In the long run, the aim is to turn stations into vibrant city centres that serve many purposes beyond just travel. The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme signifies a concerted effort by Indian Railways to modernize its infrastructure in order to elevate the travel experience for millions of passengers. The scheme envisages building modern passenger amenities like aesthetically designed facade, resurfaced platforms, beautiful landscaping, roof plaza, kiosks, food courts, kids play area among others. Efforts to ensure smooth access encompass widening roads, removing unwanted structures, installing well-designed signages, establishing dedicated pedestrian pathways, and enhancing parking facilities, alongside improved lighting arrangements. As per the Ministry of Railways, the origin of the Amrit Bharat Stations scheme can be traced back to 2021, when Gandhinagar became the first Railway station to undergo modernization, replete with all modern facilities and a five star hotel. Later on in the same year, Rani Kamalapati Railway Station, formerly known as Habibganj wore a new look. Indian Railways is committed to make its railway stations accessible for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility as part of "Sugamya Bharat Mission" or 'Accessible India Campaign' of Government of India. The guidelines include provisions of facilities for Divyangjans and passengers with reduced mobility such as entrance ramps, accessible parking, low height ticket counters/help booths, toilets, drinking water booths, subways/foot over bridges with ramps/lifts, standard signages including Braille signages and tactile pathways for visual impairment, etc. (ANI) Union Minister of State Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday hit out at Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, stating that there is a "huge contradiction" between his words and actions. Meghwal was addressing Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent remarks, where he referred to 2013 when the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had 'torn' an ordinance brought by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the sake of protecting RJD supreme Lalu Prasad Yadav. "There is a huge contradiction in Rahul Gandhi's personality between his words and actions. Rahul Gandhi says one thing but does another. There is so much contradiction in his personality," Meghwal told ANI. The Union Minister said that at one end, Rahul Gandhi talks about corruption and later opposes the Constitution Amendment Bill. "On one hand, he says that there should be no corruption, and on the other hand, he says that opposition leaders should go to jail and such laws should not be made. This is the contradiction in his thoughts," he said. Earlier, Amit Shah raised questions over the moral stance of Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, asking whether it has shifted after losing three consecutive elections. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah inquired, "Why did Rahul Ji tear the ordinance that Manmohan Singh brought to protect Lalu Ji? If there was morality that day, then what happened now? Just because you have lost three consecutive elections? Morality's standards are not connected with victory or loss in elections. They should be steady like the Sun and the Moon." In 2013, Rahul Gandhi tore up a copy of the Ordinance passed by then-PM Manmohan Singh, overturning a rule that disqualified convicted MPs and MLAs as members of legislative bodies. The Congress government at the time had to eventually scrap the Ordinance. The Congress-led UPA had brought the Ordinance to get around a Supreme Court judgment, barring elected representatives from being members of legislative bodies upon conviction in criminal cases. However, they were forced to roll back the Ordinance after a public remonstration from the Congress MP, who shredded the piece of paper in the presence of then PM Manmohan Singh, saying that it deserved to be dumped into the bin. During a hearing in the Lily Thomas vs Union of India case, the Supreme Court ruled that "any MP, MLA or MLC who is convicted of a crime and given a minimum of 2 years' jail loses membership of the House with immediate effect".The UPA government attempted to circumvent this judgment by retaining section 8 (4) of the Representation of the People's Act, which permits lawmakers to remain in office for three months despite conviction. Two months later, the UPA government passed an Ordinance negating the apex court order. It was seen widely as a move to protect RJD supremo and UPA ally Lalu Prasad Yadav from disqualification if proved guilty in the 'fodder scam' case. On September 27, Rahul made a surprise entry at a press event of the Congress in Delhi, days after the Ordinance was passed. Tearing up the copy of the Ordinance in full public view, Rahul called it 'complete nonsense', adding that it should be "torn and thrown out". (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party (SCP) MP Supriya Sule on Monday expressed concerns over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's endorsement of the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, emphasising that existing laws like the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) are sufficient. Sule, while speaking to ANI, highlighted constitutional principles underscoring the presumption of innocence. "The PMLA Act is also there. A new law is not needed. In our Constitution, one is innocent till proven guilty," she said. Criticising provisions related to the removal of ministers, she questioned the practicality of the bill and said, "Here, if anyone is jailed for 30 days, then that person would be removed. How will this work?" Sule also asserted, "The right to remove a minister is with the Chief Minister. How can you take that right away?" Supriya Sule also spoke about former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, saying, "The morning Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position as the Vice President, a lot of people met him as he had invited them for breakfast." Sule added that efforts were made to contact Dhankhar's family members for their response, but they could not be reached. Meanwhile, speaking to ANI amid growing speculation over former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said Dhankhar resigned due to health issues and dismissed the opposition's claims that he was under "house arrest". "Dhankhar Sahab's resignation letter is clear in itself. He has cited health reasons for his resignation. He has also expressed heartfelt gratitude towards the Prime Minister and other ministers and government members for his good tenure," he said. When asked about Dhankhar being under "house arrest", as claimed by certain opposition leaders, Shah said the interpretation of truth and lies should not rely solely on opposition statements and warned against making a fuss over the former VP's resignation. "It seems like your interpretation of truth and lies is based on what the opposition has to say. We shouldn't make a fuss out of all this. Dhankhar held a constitutional post and discharged his duties as per the constitution. He resigned due to personal health reasons. One should not deliberate much on the issue," Shah said. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shahzad Poonawalla on Monday targeted the opposition over their protest against the Constitution Amendment Bill stating that they don't support "morality" but nirlajjta (shamelessness). "When the whole country has welcomed the introduction of this weapon of morality and good governance, a handful of opposition parties are openly saying that they do not stand with morality but with shamelessness... a handful of opposition which says 'Hum toh Nirlajjta (shamelessness) ke Saath', 'Hum toh Power ke Saath'," Shehzad Poonawalla told reporters. The BJP leader further slammed the opposition stating that they boycotted the Joint Parliamentary Committee over the Constitution Amendment Bill because they sat with those people whom they wanted to sit in Tihar jail. Taking an indirect dig at former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Poonawalla said that they ran the government from Tihar jail for 150 days and now want to bring a revolution in politics. In March 2024, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the CBI in connection with the excise policy and was sent to jail. Kejriwal didn't resign from his post before being granted bail by Supreme Court in September. The AAP convenor later stepped down from his post after coming out of jail and Atishi was sworn as Delhi CM. "Some are even boycotting the JPC formed for this bill... They sit with those people who they wanted to see in Tihar, and say the government should be run from Tihar, and they did exactly that. They ran the government from Tihar for 150 days. They came to bring a revolution in politics, and look at them now," Shehzad Poonawalla said. Poonawalla further said that the opposition have developed a new working model of working from jail after everyone citizen worked from home during the COVID period. He stated that despite being "cut off" from the public, these people demand separate private room for public hearings. "During COVID, all of us used to work from home. Now they want this concept of work from jail for the first time in this country... Is it practical for a CM to hold meetings from inside the jail?... Where will the public hearings be held? Although these people are cut off from the public, but for public hearing, will you have a separate room in the jail?... It does not stand anywhere on morality. It does not stand even on practicality," he said. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah lashed out at the 'Black Bill' protests against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill by Opposition parties and stated that both he and the BJP "completely reject" the idea that the country "cannot be governed without the person" who has been jailed. He asked whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could run the country from jail. Parliament witnessed protests with Opposition terming the legislation as "unconstitutional" alleging that it was a way for the ruling BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them in jail and destabilise State governments. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah said, "I want to ask the entire nation and the Opposition... Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy?" "Even today, they are trying that if they ever have to go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail. My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. This will not affect anyone's majority in the Parliament or the Assembly. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this?" he said. A Joint Committee comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, to be appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairperson, will jointly examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill. (ANI) Saha, who is the MLA from Burwan constituency in Murshidabad district in West Bengal, was arrested during raids conducted at his residence, ED officials said. As Saha knew about the raid, he allegedly tried to flee his house by scaling the boundary wall of the premises, said the officials, adding "he also thrown his mobile phone in drainage which was recovered by ED team." Saha, his relatives and associates are accused in the money laundering case registered by the ED. Officials in the ED told ANI that Saha will be produced before a special court and the agency will seek his custody for further investigation in the case. As per the officials, the federal agency conducted searches at the premises of Saha following inputs about a monetary transaction by a man from Birbhum district linked to the alleged school teachers' recruitment scam, The ED team raided the residence of Saha accompanied the man from Birbhum. Earlier, the ED officials had also questioned Saha's wife in connection with the alleged school recruitment scam. (ANI) The Delhi police on Monday arrested two sharpshooters of Neeraj Faridpuria-Himanshu gang in connection with the firing case at YouTuber Elvish Yadav's residence on August 17. The two sharpshooters have been identified as Gaurav Singh alias Nikka (22) and Aditya Tiwari (19), who are residents of Faridabad. One pistol, four live cartridges, and a mobile phone have been recovered from their custody. As per the information, the two accused tried to flee towards the Indo-Nepal border but were instructed by the gang leader to return for a fresh assignment in Delhi. Earlier on August 22, Faridabad Crime Branch arrested the accused involved in the Elvish Yadav firing incident. The apprehended individual was identified as Ishant, also known as Ishu Gandhi. The accused was arrested after an encounter with the Police. The accused allegedly fired over six shots from an automatic pistol at police, which led to his hospitalisation due to a gunshot wound in the leg. This incident underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat crime in the area. On August 17, YouTuber and actor Elvish Yadav's Gurugram residence came under gunfire from unidentified men in the early hours. Elvish's father, Ram Avtar Yadav, shared that they feel scared after the firing incident at the house. While talking to the media, Ram Avtar shared the details of the firing incident outside the house, stating that more than 15 bullets were fired at the house at around 5:30 in the morning. "We heard a sound around 5.30 in the morning. When we came outside and looked, we saw that bullets had been fired here. Then we immediately checked the CCTV. We found that there were two people involved for sure, and probably a third one too. We informed the police. These people fired more than 15 rounds," said Ram Avtar Yadav. When asked about Elvish's whereabouts and his reaction to the gunfire incident at his house,Ram Avtar said that Elvish usually stays away from the Gurugram residence due to work. "Elvish comes here rarely. Usually, he stays away due to his work. Elvish is fine, I spoke to him. May God give wisdom to the people who did this. Naturally, we feel scared," added Ram Avtar. (ANI) Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth on Monday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for distrusting key institutions, including the Constitution, Parliament, Election Commission, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Income Tax department. Seth also took issue with Rahul Gandhi's foreign trips, where he has made statements critical of India. He attributed the opposition's electoral setbacks to Rahul Gandhi's leadership, stating that the Indian voters have rejected him due to his policies and actions. Speaking to ANI, Seth emphasised that the voters trust Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lead the country. "The Opposition trusts no one, neither the Constitution, the Parliament, any agencies, Election Commission, the ED, nor the Income Tax. They raised questions against Operation Sindoor, the surgical strike and the air strike. That is the reason no one takes him (Rahul Gandhi) seriously. He speaks against the nation every time he is abroad... This is the reason the people of the country have made you sit aside... He is attacking the constitutional structure of the country... The Indian voters trust PM Modi..." Seth told ANI. This comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in an interview with ANI, raised questions over the moral stance of Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, asking whether it has shifted after losing three consecutive elections. Shah referred to the incident in 2013 when the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi had 'torn' an ordinance brought by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to reprieve Lalu Prasad Yadav, contrasting it with his current resistance to the proposed bill to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Cabinet Ministers jailed for more than 30 days. Amit Shah inquired, "Why did Rahul Ji tear the ordinance that Manmohan Singh brought to protect Lalu Ji? If there was morality that day, then what happened now? Just because you have lost three consecutive elections? Morality's standards are not connected with victory or loss in elections. They should be steady like the Sun and the Moon." The ordinance gave convicted lawmakers a three-month reprieve to retain their seats following Lalu Prasad Yadav's conviction in the Fodder Scam. It effectively negated a Supreme Court order on the disqualification of convicted MPs and MLAs and was later withdrawn. Amit Shah expressed confidence that the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be passed, despite the opposition's fierce criticism. The bill proposes the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable by five years or more imprisonment. The bill has been referred to a JPC for detailed scrutiny, comprising 31 members from both houses of Parliament. The committee will examine the bill and provide recommendations before it is put to vote. Speaking to ANI, Amit Shah defended the bill, stating it's aimed at upholding "constitutional morality" and public trust, emphasising that the bill would apply equally to all leaders, including those from the ruling party."I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain the moral ground...," he said. Amit Shah also contrasted BJP's direct public interaction with Congress's outreach programs led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi saying that there is a "big difference" between the two. The Home Minister said, "There is a big difference between managing a program and communicating with the public."Shah also tore into the Congress saying that the party seeks to create "illusions" and faces growing "frustration" after electoral defeats. He said, "They (Congress) want to create a kind of illusion among the people. And they will definitely not succeed, because our direct interaction with the people is many times greater than theirs. We talk to the people. We haven't just come here and sat by chance. After losing three elections, I think the level of frustration is such that the normal sense of judgment, he (Rahul Gandhi) has lost it." (ANI) After a yellow alert for rain was issued by the Indian Meteorological Department, Chamoli Police on Monday sent people residing near sliding zones to relief camps located in Kulsari, where arrangements for both food and other essential facilities were made by the administration. In a post on social media X, the Police wrote that people residing near the sliding zones had been appealed to move to safer places. https://x.com/chamolipolice/status/1959871560736776693 "Under the yellow alert, the police have announced and are appealing to the people residing near the sliding zone to move to a safe place. Affected people are being sent to the relief camp located in Kulsari, where the administration has made arrangements for food and essential facilities," the post read. Meanwhile, the Uttarkashi Gangotri National Highway in the state has been blocked due to a landslide near the Naluna area, said the state government's Department of Information and Public Relations. Vehicular movement on the highway has been halted due to continuous landslides in the region. Uttarakhand DIPR wrote on X, "The Uttarkashi Gangotri National Highway has been blocked due to a landslide near Naloona. Continuous landslides are causing delays in restoring smooth traffic on the highway." "As a precaution, barricades have been set up to stop vehicles," the X post added. Meanwhile, residents of Tharali tehsil in Chamoli district faced challenges after a severe cloudburst on August 23 triggered a landslide, leaving homes buried and infrastructure damaged. An entire house was filled with debris in the landslide that followed the cloudburst. Restoration work is now underway to repair the damaged infrastructure. Local resident Bhaskar Pandey said it would be difficult to return to normal life. "After continuous rainfall on August 22, there was a loud explosion, and we ran away. The landslide filled our house with debris. The local administration and police asked us to move to a safe spot. They are helping us, but it will be a challenge to go back to normalcy," Pandey told ANI. (ANI) The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday arrested all four accused in Greater Noida's dowry murder case and informed that they will be interrogated, following which the investigation of the case will progress. According to the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Sudhir Kumar, the family of the victim is still in shock and all the visuals related to the case have become viral on social media. He said that the police have begun their investigation and they will proceed once they receive any kind of evidence related to the matter. "The case was registered by the deceased's sister... All four accused have been arrested... The family of the deceased is still in shock. Their statements will be recorded, and based on that, the investigation will proceed... All these visuals have become viral on social media, but the police have not recovered any such evidence. We have started the investigation, and it will proceed based on the evidence and facts that come forward... The husband of the deceased has been sent to judicial custody," the police official said. The Uttar Pradesh police on Monday made the fourth arrest in the Greater Noida dowry murder case by arresting the father-in-law of the victim. This comes after the police arrested the sister in law, mother-in-law and husband of the victim. Vipin Bhati, who is accused of murdering his wife, was shot in the leg by the police on Sunday and was later admitted to the hospital. He was sent to a 14-day judicial custody. Police said that the husband of the deceased was accused of setting his wife on fire, who later succumbed to her injuries. He was also accused of frequently assaulting Nikki. However, Bhati denied the allegations. Speaking to ANI, he said, "I did not kill her. She died on her own." When asked about the accusations of physical assault, he replied, "Husband and wife often have fights; it is very common..." The victim's father told ANI that she had 70 per cent burns and was pronounced dead at the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. "I reached there as soon as my elder daughter called me..The doctor told me she is 70% burnt..We took her to Safdarjung Hospital. The doctor told me to take her back because she would not be able to survive. He (her husband) should be hanged. They got married in 2016. He started harassing her a few days after marriage...They asked for Rs. 35 lakhs... She started her own work, and her husband began asking for the money she earned. I demand that the Court and CM give him the death penalty..." Earlier on Sunday, the family of the deceased woman, Nikki Bhati, held a protest outside the Kasana Police station, demanding justice. The father of the deceased woman alleged that her in-laws killed her over their demand for dowry. "Her mother-in-law poured kerosene while her husband set her on fire. They kept asking for dowry; now their demands have been met. I just married my daughter as per tradition. Their dowry demands have been met now that my daughter has died. They demanded a car and tortured my daughter for that," the father said. He also accused the husband of domestic violence. "That person is neither man nor human; he is a butcher. We once brought her home because of all this domestic violence, but because of societal pressure, they came and took her back on the promise of not repeating this. It continued. Now they have got what they wanted," he said. Reacting to the incident, Samajwadi Party women's wing national president Juhi Singh demanded that the strictest punishment be given in the case. "Strictest punishment should be given in this case... The parents should empower their daughters, keep them safe and raise voice for their rights... This is not worth an apology... There are laws for crimes against women, but the government is not implementing them..." Singh said. (ANI) Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Monday asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discuss the release of people of Jammu and Kashmir arrested under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Mehbooba Mufti held protests in Srinagar to demand the release of the prisoners jailed under the UAPA and raised the slogan "Bail, not jail". Speaking to reporters, she said, "We wanted to hold a protest today for the innocent people jailed in Jammu and Kashmir and elsewhere, especially those whose parents are not capable enough of fighting a case. We wanted to demand that Omar Abdullah speak to the Home Minister." The PDP chief said that if the prisoners cannot be released, they should be jailed locally, in Jammu and Kashmir, as their families suffer while fighting their cases in the courts. "If the innocent cannot be released, they should at least be jailed in the Jammu and Kashmir... Poor people cannot go to court. Who looks after them when they are ill? Who would listen to them? This is not about politics; it is about humanity," Mehbooba Mufti said. She asked CM Abdullah to constitute a team to reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir imprisoned under the UAPA in jails outside the Union Territory. She said, "We tried bringing a resolution in the Assembly, but the government did not entertain it. They (UAPA prisoners) do not get parole, while a rapist and murderer like Gurmeet Singh gets released on parole. I request Omar Abdullah to constitute teams of Ministers to reach out to prisoners belonging to Jammu and Kashmir." Replying to Mufti's demands, CM Omar Abdullah said that she should directly present her demands to Union Minister Amit Shah. "All of us are concerned about it. But protesting in Srinagar is not going to help. The decisions regarding the security of Jammu and Kashmir are taken in Delhi by the Home Ministry. She should go to Delhi, meet the Home Minister, and present her points in front of him, as we did. But if she wants to protest here for the show, she can. No one has an objection to it," the Chief Minister said. Meanwhile, regarding the ongoing demand for statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said, "Our government was formed more than 10 months ago, and we have been trying to get the statehood since. The first decision made in the first cabinet meeting was to pass the resolution on statehood... In the first meeting with the PM, I raised the issue of statehood... The Supreme Court is also not ready to hear the matter before October 10... We hope that the SC would take a decision, if the centre has not." (ANI) The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha on Monday held a protest at the Dak Bangla Chauraha in Patna while marching towards the residence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The motive of the march was to fulfil their various demands, which began from the Buddha Park in Kotwali area of Patna. The police used barricades to stop the protestors. The protest was joined by the Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Sudhakar Singh. While speaking to ANI, a protester said that they are waiting for the government to initiate talks. He said that either the government call the protestors for talks or let them come to have a dialogue with them. The protester stated that they are not terrorists or Naxalites and just want their demands to get fulfilled. "We are waiting for talks with the government. The government should either call us and talk or their representatives should come and talk to us. We are sitting for talks. We will sit here and wait for the talks to see which people of the government come or take us to them. The government has to choose any of the two ways. We have come here to talk; we are not Naxalites or terrorists. We have come to talk to the government, what problem do they have in talking?" he said. Meanwhile, the farmers from various districts of Bihar called for surrounding the Chief Minister's residence on Monday. The farmers demanded justice in land acquisition, fair and proper compensation to the affected farmers under the NH 119 A National Greenfield Bharatmala project. Assurance related to the crops and cases registered against the farmers should be withdrawn. The Bharatmala Pariyojana was approved by the central government in 2017. Bharatmala Pariyojana is envisaged to improve the logistics efficiency and connectivity in the country including connectivity to tribal, aspirational and Left Wing Extremist-affected districts while reducing accident on these Highways ensuring safer transportation networks. The development of high-speed corridors will also reduce the travel time substantially between key economic centres. (ANI) Over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday said that this bill is being brought to target the opposition. Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP said, "Why have you brought this bill? When this law is already in place, if a person is sentenced to 2 years, they will actually lose their post, and they will not be able to contest elections after that. Now it's 30 days..." "The whole world knows this, where you will file small cases, where you don't want a Chief Minister...say if tomorrow Tejaswi Yadav becomes the Chief Minister and you don't want him, then through this bill, no one gives him bail for 30 days, he will have to resign from his post," Warring remarked. He further said that this bill has been brought to target and break the opposition party. "The country's development is never the motive behind any bill for them...This bill has been brought to defeat Congress and other opposition parties," Congress MP added. He added, "Rahul Gandhi did not know that then these people will rule the country, that the maximum punishment for giving a speech will be 2 years in a defamation case, then they will take away their seats, then they will take away the house. This is not what happens in opposition parties..." Warring further said that there is no democracy inside the country, rather it is a dictatorship. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence that the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, will be passed, despite the opposition's fierce criticism. The bill proposes the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable by five years or more imprisonment. The bill has been referred to a JPC for detailed scrutiny, comprising 31 members from both houses of Parliament. The committee will examine the bill and provide recommendations before it is put to vote. Speaking to ANI, Amit Shah defended the bill, stating it's aimed at upholding "constitutional morality" and public trust, emphasising that the bill would apply equally to all leaders, including those from the ruling party."I am sure it will be passed. There will be many people in the Congress party and in the opposition who will support morality and maintain the moral ground...," he said. "The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this... Earlier, Indira Gandhi had brought the 39th amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from judicial review by Indian courts)... Narendra Modi ji has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign...," said Union HM Amit Shah on the 130th Amendment Bill. Shah introduced the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office if they are arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on charges punishable with imprisonment of five years or more. The bill has sparked intense debate, with the opposition alleging political motives to destabilise non-BJP governments. (ANI) Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Sunday criticised the opposition over its objection to the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and accused it of "maligning" the constitutional institutions. Amid the allegations of "vote theft" against the Election Commission in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Union Minister questioned the opposition on how they managed to win 99 seats despite these allegations, accusing them of "conspiring to demean democracy." Speaking to ANI, Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "Some people have the intention to malign the constitutional institutions of the country. This (opposing the SIR) is a part of it; maligning the Election Commission. How did Congress win 99 seats in the Lok Sabha elections? It was the same Election Commission. We did not win any seats in Tamil Nadu, Punjab. What is this? In which way are they trying to take the discussion? This is a conspiracy to demean democracy, but the people have understood now." "On one side, they say they respect the Constitution and will work according to that. The Constitution has given the right to the Election Commission under Article 324. Opposing it, means they do not want to function according to the Constitution. They consider themselves above the laws," he added. In a scathing attack on the Opposition, Union Minister Meghwal accused the Congress party of trying to dominate the monsoon session of Parliament by shifting focus from Operation Sindoor to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. He said, "The monsoon session began on July 21 and ended on August 21. On July 20, we had a meeting with the floor leaders of all parties. 90% of the Opposition demanded that Operation Sindoor should be discussed. We accepted it... Then they demanded that the Prime Minister must remain present... They demanded 16-hour discussions... The PM also gave a speech in the Lok Sabha and presented his side. There was a debate in the Rajya Sabha as well. It is not about wash out..." "Suddenly, it came to their notice that the ruling party scored more through Operation Sindoor. When his Congress MPs and Congress leaders reviewed it, they felt that it was not right... They thought about how the Opposition could dominate the monsoon session, so they brought up the SIR issue..." the Union Minister stated. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by one KA Paul, who sought a media gag order (to ban media coverage on the issue) in the Nimisha Priya case, an Indian facing death row in Yemen in a murder case. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the plea after the petitioner sought to withdraw the same. During the hearing, the Court acknowledged the Central government's stance that only the Government will hold periodic media briefings on the issue to ensure that other media coverage doesn't affect Nimisha's case. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed claims circulating on social media regarding monetary contributions being sought into a Government of India-designated bank account in connection with the Nimisha Priya case. In a post on X, MEA FactCheck wrote, "We have seen claims being made on social media seeking monetary contributions into a GoI designated bank account in the Nimisha Priya case. This is a fake claim." A post shared online had urged people to donate directly to what it claimed was a government account to raise funds for the case. The MEA clarified that such claims are false and warned against engaging with them. The ministry had earlier confirmed that Indian national Nimisha Priya's execution in Yemen was postponed, while appealing to the public and media to avoid unverified reports surrounding the matter. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the government is providing all possible assistance to Priya and her family, working closely with local authorities and friendly governments to resolve the issue. During the weekly briefing, Jaiswal responded to ANI's question, saying, "This is a sensitive matter. The Government of India has been extending all possible assistance in the case. As a result of our concerted efforts, the sentencing has been postponed. We continue to follow the matter closely and provide all possible assistance." The execution, initially scheduled for July 16, was postponed following diplomatic interventions and negotiations led by the Indian government. Jaiswal clarified that reports claiming her death sentence has been completely overturned are incorrect. "We are also in touch with some friendly governments on the issue... Reports claiming that there have been certain developments are incorrect. Please wait for an update from us. We urge all sides to stay away from misinformation," he said. Nimisha Priya, a 37-year-old nurse from Kerala, was convicted of murdering her business partner, Talal Abdo Mahdi, in 2017. She was sentenced to death in 2020, with the verdict upheld by Yemen's Supreme Judicial Council in November 2023. (ANI) According to a release from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government approved Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on February 15, 2023, for the comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks abutting northern border in 19 districts in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh. Initially, 662 border villages were identified for comprehensive development on priority under the programme. State-wise number of villages is as follows: Arunachal Pradesh-455, Himachal Pradesh-75, Sikkim-46, Uttarakhand-51 and Ladakh (UT)-35. In April, the Union Cabinet approved the Vibrant Villages Programme -II, furthering its commitment to the vision of safe, secure, and vibrant land borders. The programme would help in the comprehensive development of the villages located in the blocks abutting international land borders (ILBs), other than the northern border already covered under VVP-I. With a total outlay of Rs 6,839 crore, the programme shall be implemented in select strategic villages in the States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal till the 2028-29. The objective of the programme is to create better living conditions and adequate livelihood opportunities to ensure prosperous and safe borders, control trans-border crime and assimilate the border population with the nation and inculcate them 'as eyes and ears of the border guarding forces', crucial for internal security. The programme shall provide funds for infrastructure development within the village or a cluster of villages, value chain development (through cooperatives, SHGs, etc), border specific outreach activity, education infrastructure like SMART classes, development of tourism circuits and works/projects to create diverse & sustainable livelihood opportunities in the border areas. The interventions would be border-specific, state and village specific, based on Village Action Plans prepared in a collaborative approach. The programme emphasizes enhancing vibrancy in these villages by organizing activities including fairs & festivals, awareness camps, celebration of National days, regular visits by Ministers, senior Government officers from Central and State/UT Government & night stays in such villages. This would boost the tourism potential and promote the local culture and heritage of these villages. Technology would be leveraged and information databases like PM Gati Shakti shall be used for effective implementation of the project. (ANI) Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Constitution Amendment Bill. Kejriwal asked how many years of prison a person should face who includes "criminals" in political parties and later makes them PM and CM. "Should a person who includes criminals of serious crimes in his party, gets all their cases dismissed, and makes them ministers, deputy chief ministers, or chief ministers, also be required to resign from his position? How many years of imprisonment should such a person face?" Arvind Kejriwal wrote on 'X'. The former Delhi CM Further hit out at the Union Home Minister, questioning whether a minister who has been falsely framed and sent to prison, is later acquitted, then how many years of jail should that person face who falsely implicated the minister. "If someone is falsely implicated in a case, sent to jail, and later acquitted, how many years of imprisonment should the minister who falsely implicated him face?" Kejriwal asked. Kejriwal also justified staying on in power as Delhi Cm despite being in Jail. "Under a political conspiracy, when the central government framed me in a false case and sent me to jail, I ran the government for 160 days from jail. In the last seven months, the BJP government in Delhi has made such a mess of Delhi that today the people of Delhi are remembering that jail government. At least during the jail government, there were no power cuts, water was supplied, free medicines were available in hospitals and mohalla clinics, free tests were conducted, Delhi wouldn't be in such a bad state from one rain, private schools weren't allowed to act arbitrarily and with thuggery," he said Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has lashed out at the 'Black Bill' protests against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill by Opposition parties and stated that both he and the BJP "completely reject" the idea that the country "cannot be governed without the person" who has been jailed. He asked whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could run the country from jail. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah said, "I want to ask the entire nation and the Opposition... Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy?" "Even today, they are trying that if they ever have to go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail. My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. This will not affect anyone's majority in the Parliament or the Assembly. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this?" he said. Referring to the time when the UPA government was in power at the Centre, Shah said under the Manmohan Singh government, the Congress had introduced an ordinance to protect convicted MPs, which Rahul Gandhi publicly rejected by tearing it up. "In the Satyendra Jain (AAP leader) case, he was jailed in four cases, and in all those, the CBI filed a chargesheet. He is facing trial. You became a victim of AAP's propaganda. Now, let me talk about Congress. They are opposing this. However, during the UPA government, when Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister and Lalu Prasad Yadav was a minister who had been convicted, they introduced an ordinance stating that even a two-year sentence would not result in the cancellation of a member's membership until the appeal process was complete," Shah said. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on corruption charges while he was Chief Minister of Delhi, and he refused to resign after being jailed. Shah accused Congress of double standards, saying the party now supports RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar despite previously opposing similar cases. He referred to the 2013 ordinance by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government which sought to provide relief to MPs and MLAs who had been disqualified or convicted of a crime. "Rahul Gandhi publicly called that ordinance nonsense and even tore it up in a press conference. The decision made by their own Prime Minister was mocked, and the PM became a sorry figure in front of the world. But now, the same Rahul Gandhi, to form a government in Bihar, is hugging Lalu Yadav who has been convicted. Isn't this double standards?" Shah said. Meanwhile, a Joint Committee comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, to be appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairperson, will jointly examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill. (ANI) Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Constitution Amendment Bill. Kejriwal asked how many years of prison a person should face who includes "criminals" in political parties and later makes them PM and CM. "Should a person who includes criminals of serious crimes in his party, gets all their cases dismissed, and makes them ministers, deputy chief ministers, or chief ministers, also be required to resign from his position? How many years of imprisonment should such a person face?" Arvind Kejriwal wrote on 'X'. The former Delhi CM Further hit out at the Union Home Minister, questioning whether a minister who has been falsely framed and sent to prison, is later acquitted, then how many years of jail should that person face who falsely implicated the minister. "If someone is falsely implicated in a case, sent to jail, and later acquitted, how many years of imprisonment should the minister who falsely implicated him face?" Kejriwal asked. Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has lashed out at the 'Black Bill' protests against the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill by Opposition parties and stated that both he and the BJP "completely reject" the idea that the country "cannot be governed without the person" who has been jailed. He asked whether a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader could run the country from jail. Shah had during the just concluded monsoon session of Parliament introduced the bill which states that the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Ministers, if jailed for more than 30 days for offences that attract a jail term of over five years, can be removed from office. Parliament witnessed protests with Opposition terming the legislation as "unconstitutional" alleging that it was a way for the ruling BJP to misuse central agencies, frame non-BJP Chief Ministers, put them in jail and destabilise State governments. In an interview with ANI, Amit Shah said, "I want to ask the entire nation and the Opposition... Can a Chief Minister, Prime Minister, or any leader run the country from jail? Does that suit the dignity of our democracy?" "Even today, they are trying that if they ever have to go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail. My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there. This will not affect anyone's majority in the Parliament or the Assembly. One member will go, other members of the party will run the government, and when they get bail, they can come and take the oath again. What is the objection in this?" he said. He further explained, "I want to tell the entire country about the 130th Amendment. In this amendment, we have made a provision that if the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any leader from the central or state government faces serious allegations and gets arrested, and if they do not get bail within 30 days, then they must leave their position. If they don't resign, they will be removed from their post by law. This is what we have included in the 130th Amendment." The Home Minister highlighted that it was the Prime Minister himself who had insisted on bringing the office of the PM under the aegis of this bill. "The Prime Minister himself has included the post of PM in this... Earlier, Indira Gandhi had brought 39th amendment (of protecting the President, VP, PM, and Speaker from judicial review by Indian courts) ... Narendra Modi ji has brought a constitutional amendment against himself that if the Prime Minister goes to jail, he will have to resign... said Amit Shah. The Union Minister said that protests and sloganeering by the Opposition in Parliament while he was tabling the bill was not right and that the Opposition must answer to the people. "Let me make it clear, when an elected government brings a constitutional amendment in Parliament, protest is allowed. I've already said that this amendment will be sent to a joint committee of both Houses. Everyone can share their opinion there, and during voting, you can express your views. Since this is a constitutional amendment, it requires a two-thirds majority. But is it appropriate in a democracy that the bill is not even allowed to be presented in Parliament? Are both Houses meant for discussion or just noise and disruption?" Shah asked. "We have also protested on different issues, but stopping the presentation of a bill in Parliament is not democratic. The Opposition must answer to the people," he said. Referring to the time when the UPA government was in power at the Centre, Shah said under the Manmohan Singh government, the Congress had introduced an ordinance to protect convicted MPs, which Rahul Gandhi publicly rejected by tearing it up. "In the Satyendra Jain (AAP leader) case, he was jailed in four cases, and in all those, the CBI filed a chargesheet. He is facing trial. You became a victim of AAP's propaganda. Now, let me talk about Congress. They are opposing this. However, during the UPA government, when Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister and Lalu Prasad Yadav was a minister who had been convicted, they introduced an ordinance stating that even a two-year sentence would not result in the cancellation of a member's membership until the appeal process was complete," Shah said. Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal was arrested on corruption charges while he was Chief Minister of Delhi, and he refused to resign after being jailed. Shah accused Congress of double standards, saying the party now supports RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar despite previously opposing similar cases. He referred to the 2013 ordinance by the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government which sought to provide relief to MPs and MLAs who had been disqualified or convicted of a crime. "Rahul Gandhi publicly called that ordinance nonsense and even tore it up in a press conference. The decision made by their own Prime Minister was mocked, and the PM became a sorry figure in front of the world. But now, the same Rahul Gandhi, to form a government in Bihar, is hugging Lalu Yadav who has been convicted. Isn't this double standards?" Shah said. Meanwhile, a Joint Committee comprising members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, cutting across party lines, to be appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairperson, will jointly examine the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday said it would appoint an amicus curiae to assist it in the matter in which it took suo motu cognisance of the ecological imbalance in Himachal Pradesh. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta posted the matter for hearing after four weeks. Appearing before the court, the Advocate General and Additional Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh informed that the state had filed a report on August 23. On July 28, a different bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan had said Himachal Pradesh might "vanish in thin air" if the situation did not change. It was then dealing with a petition against an order of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which declined to entertain a plea challenging the state's June 2025 notification declaring certain areas as green areas. While refusing to interfere with the High Court's order, the top court had said the obvious reason for issuing the notification was to curb construction activities in a particular area. It had been observed that the situation in the state had deteriorated, and it was said that climate change was having a "visible and alarming impact". According to experts and various reports, the major causes of destruction in the state were hydropower projects, four-lane roads, deforestation, multi-storey buildings, etc., it had noted. The apex court had said that it was essential to seek the opinion of geologists, environmental experts and locals before undertaking development projects. It is also known as tourism, a major source of income in the state, but it has been flagged for its uncontrolled growth, which is straining the environment there. The bench had said the Centre also owed an obligation to ensure the ecological imbalance in the state did not deteriorate further or face natural calamities and directed the top court registry to register a writ petition in public interest on the matter. The apex court had asked the state to file a detailed response outlining whether it had any action plan to address the issue and what measures it proposed for the future. (ANI) The judgment, delivered by Justice Sachin Datta, quashed the CIC's order that had directed the university to permit inspection of records relating to students who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978, the same year PM Modi completed his course. The High Court had stayed the CIC order in January 2017, following Delhi University's challenge. The matter stemmed from an RTI application filed by one Neeraj, which led the CIC on December 21, 2016, to hold that universities are public institutions and their degree registers constitute public records accessible under the Right to Information Act. During hearings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, argued in support of the university. He contended that while records could be produced before the court if required, placing them in the public domain would serve individuals "seeking publicity or driven by political motives". He cautioned that an overly broad interpretation of the RTI Act could hinder the functioning of public authorities. Delhi University also maintained that the degree records were held in a fiduciary capacity and that disclosure without a clear demonstration of public interest was not justified under the RTI Act. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday in an interim order barred the Magistrate from taking cognisance of the charge sheet filed in an FIR against Ali Khan Mahmudabad, associate professor and head of the Political Science department at Ashoka University in Haryana, over his social media posts on Operation Sindoor, and asked why it was 'misdirecting itself'. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi's order came after Haryana Police informed it that it had filed a closure report in one FIR against Mahmudabad and in another FIR, a chargesheet was filed. Hence, it quashed the FIR in which the closure report was filed, and with regard to the other FIR, it barred the Magistrate from taking cognisance of it. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Mahmudabad, objected to the chargesheet filed in one FIR. On the last date of hearing, the top court had questioned the Haryana Police Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted to investigate the two FIRs lodged against Mahmudabad. It had been said that the SIT was formed specifically to investigate the two social media posts and asked why it was expanding the scope, as it was informed that the SIT had seized his devices and was asking about foreign trips for the last ten years. Earlier, the top court had granted interim bail to Mahmudabad while refusing to stay the two FIRs registered by Haryana Police against him in the matter, saying he has not made out any case for stay on investigation. However, the bench had released him on interim. Mahmudabad had approached the top court against his arrest over a social media post. He was arrested by the Haryana police at his residence in Delhi, following the registration of two separate cases. He was charged with, among other things, endangering India's sovereignty, unity and integrity for his comments on Operation Sindoor. The State Women's Commission had earlier termed Mahmudabad's social media comments as disparaging toward women officers in the Indian Armed Forces and said it also promoted communal disharmony. On May 13, Bhatia had dispatched the summons to the associate professor. He clarified that his comments had been completely misunderstood. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday hit out at former Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed over her remarks suggesting that "Bangladeshis can live in India", accusing her of legitimising illegal infiltrators in the state. The Chief Minister asserted that Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam, and said those sympathising with them may accommodate them in their own backyards. In a post on X, Sarma wrote, "People like Syeda Hameed, a close confidant of the Gandhi family, legitimise illegal infiltrators, as they seek to realise Jinnah's dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan. Today, Assamese identity is on the brink of extinction because of the tacit support of people like her. But we are the sons and daughters of Lachit Barphukan, WE WILL FIGHT till the last drop of our blood to save our State and our identity." "Let me make it very clear, Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam, it is not their land. Anyone sympathising with them may accommodate them in their own backyards. Assam is not up for grabs by illegal infiltrators, NOT NOW, NOT EVER," he further wrote. The remarks came a day after a public meeting was organised by Assam Civil Society and other social groups, which was addressed by Harsh Mander, Prashant Bhushan, and other dignitaries. In that meeting, some journalists took a byte from Syeda Hameed where she made the remarks that drew criticism. Reacting to Syeda Hameed's remarks, Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika said infiltrators will have to leave the state and the Congress can "keep crying". In the video shared by Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika, Syeda Hameed was seen saying, "What is wrong in being Bangladeshi? Bangladeshis are humans too, and the world is so big, they can live here (India), they are not depriving anyone of their rights... Saying that they are depriving someone of their rights is troublesome, extremely mischievous and detrimental to humanity." "After Jamiat, has the Indian National Congress in Assam imported another key strategist? Meet UPA-era Planning Commission member Madam Syeda Hameed. She comes to Guwahati and says, "Bangladeshi aaye to kya hua"...Madam -- infiltrators will have to leave Assam. Congis can keep crying," the minister said in a post on X. Meanwhile, Abdul Mannan, a member of Assam Civil Society, which had organised the event, clarified that the group does not endorse Hameed's views and they are totally against it. "This public meeting was organised by Assam Civil Society, social groups and this meeting was addressed by Harsh Mander, Prashant Bhushan and some other dignitaries. In that meeting, some journalists took a byte from Syeda Hameed and she said 'what is the problem with Bangladeshis living here?'. We do not support this view. We are totally against it," Mannan told ANI. Mannan reiterated that the society stands by the Assam Accord, which fixed March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for identifying foreigners. "According to us, 25 March 1971 is the cut-off date... All the political parties of Assam agreed to this. We are totally with the accord that was signed, and anything that disagrees with that accord, we oppose it," he added. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders have repeatedly raised their concerns multiple times over the "rising" population of "illegal immigrants" primarily from Bangladesh to the northeastern states of the country. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the increasing number of illegal immigrants in the country is a matter of concern and announced the launch of a demographic mission to address the issue. (ANI) Tourism industry workers and locals in Himachal Pradesh protested near the Vidhan Sabha on Monday against the decision to shift the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) head office from Shimla to Dharamshala. The tour operators braved the rains while staging a protest near Chaura Maidan, demanding that the issue be discussed in the Assembly and the relocation decision be revoked. The demonstration was organised by local tourism stakeholders and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Harish Vyas, President of the Shimla Guide and Travel Agents' Union, told ANI that the move was "politically motivated" and would adversely impact thousands dependent on tourism in Shimla. "The HPTDC head office has been shifted to Dharamshala, which is wrong. Secretariat offices are kept near the capital for public convenience, but this was shifted for political mileage. This affects small workers like porters, taxi drivers, travel agents, shopkeepers and hoteliers," Vyas said. "Today one office is being shifted, tomorrow others will follow. If this is not rolled back, we will take legal action," he added. Vyas also pointed out that Dharamshala has less tourist activity than Shimla, and essential HPTDC work will now require travel to the Kangra district, causing delays and losses. Vijendra Mehra, State President of CITU Himachal Pradesh, called the decision "administratively impractical" and said it would harm tourism businesses as well as HPTDC employees. "Shimla has been the tourism hub for nearly 200 years. The daily work of hoteliers, taxi operators, guides, and suppliers depends on proximity to HPTDC's office. Now, to get work done, one will have to go to Dharamshala. Even HPTDC employees will suffer, as many matters require coordination with Shimla-based offices," Mehra said. "Meetings will now require travel to Dharamshala, adding unnecessary costs when HPTDC is already facing financial challenges," he added. Mehra also noted that the new office is proposed to operate out of an HPTDC hotel in Dharamshala, the same hotel the government claims is running at a loss. "This is not in the interest of tourism or the corporation. We urge both ruling and opposition MLAs to discuss this in the Assembly and roll back the decision immediately," he demanded. Protesters warned they would intensify agitation and explore legal avenues if the government did not reverse the order. (ANI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in three districts of Himachal Pradesh, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi, for the next 48 hours. Orange and yellow alerts have also been issued for several other districts in the state. According to the IMD's latest forecast, a red alert has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi on August 25. For August 26, the red alert remains in place for Chamba and Kangra, while Mandi moves to orange alert along with Kullu. An orange alert has also been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu for August 25, while a yellow alert is in effect for Solan and Shimla. Senior Scientist at IMD Himachal Pradesh, Sandeep Kumar Sharma, told ANI that the monsoon has remained active in the state over the past 24 hours, particularly in Una, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, and Solan districts, with isolated areas receiving heavy to very heavy rainfall. "The highest activity was recorded in Bilaspur district, where five to six stations reported very heavy rainfall. The highest was 190 mm at Kongo, followed by 160 mm at Jot in Chamba district. Heavy rain was also recorded in Nadaun and Sundernagar," Sharma said. He said rainfall will continue across Himachal Pradesh from August 25 to 31, with the most intense spells expected between August 25 and 27. Some districts may experience extremely heavy rainfall during this period. Sharma added that flash flood guidelines are being issued regularly and shared with the state government in real time. From June 1 to August 25, Himachal Pradesh recorded 22 per cent above normal rainfall. Shimla district recorded the highest excess rainfall at 80 per cent above normal, followed by Una (62 per cent), Kullu (60 per cent), and Mandi (60 per cent). Only the Lahaul-Spiti district has received below-normal rainfall during this period. In August alone, the state has seen 45 per cent above normal rainfall. Solan, Kullu, and Una districts have received nearly double their normal rainfall, while Shimla is at 97 per cent above normal. Lahaul-Spiti remains the only district with below-normal rainfall this month. Sharma cautioned that all major water sources and rivers are running above normal levels. "We advise the public not to venture near water bodies. Visibility will remain poor in parts of Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, and Kangra, so people must drive carefully," he said. The IMD has clarified that the major alerts are for the next two days, after which rainfall intensity will decrease from August 27 onwards, although isolated showers will continue. The heightened activity, Sharma said, is due to the combined influence of the active monsoon and an upper-level western disturbance. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday strongly criticised the opposition government in Delhi for failing to take meaningful action to clean and rejuvenate the Yamuna River. He said that despite repeated claims and announcements, no visible improvement was made on the ground during their tenure, leaving the river in a severely deteriorated state. The Chief Minister made these remarks while responding to a question during the Question Hour in the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. He pointed out that the issue of Yamuna pollution has long been ignored, but the current government is working with determination to restore the river's health. Saini informed the Assembly that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally taken cognisance of the matter. Acting on the Prime Minister's instructions, a high-level meeting was recently convened in Delhi. The meeting was attended by CM Nayab Singh Saini, the Delhi Chief Minister, and the Union Minister for Water Resources. During this meeting, a joint committee was constituted to oversee the Yamuna cleanup drive and coordinate efforts between different states and agencies. The Chief Minister shared details of the progress made under this initiative, revealing that nearly 16,000 metric tonnes of waste have been removed from the Yamuna in the past four months. He said this large-scale cleanup marks a significant beginning in the long-term mission to rejuvenate the river. Along with waste removal, new sewage treatment plants (STPs) are also being established in Delhi to prevent untreated sewage from flowing into the Yamuna. These measures, Saini said, are expected to yield sustained results in reducing pollution levels and improving the river's water quality. "Maa Yamuna is now becoming cleaner, and this reflects the firm resolve of the Haryana government," he told the House, stressing that the state is fully committed to playing its part in ensuring a clean and pollution-free Yamuna for future generations. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Monday stated that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was enacted to ensure transparency in governance, not to serve as "fodder for sensationalism." Justice Sachin Datta observed that even seemingly innocuous disclosures could open the "floodgates of indiscriminate demands, motivated by idle curiosity or sensationalism, rather than any objective public interest consideration." Delivering the verdict in a case relating to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's undergraduate degree records, the Court held that marksheets, results, degree certificates, and other academic records of any individual constitute personal information. Importantly, it stressed that "the fact that a person holds a public office does not, per se, render all personal information subject to public disclosure." The ruling set aside a 2016 order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) that had directed Delhi University to allow inspection of its 1978 BA degree registers, the year PM Modi graduated. The Court further rejected arguments that information over 20 years old must be disclosed under Section 8(3) of the RTI Act, holding that exemptions under Sections 8(1)(e) and 8(1)(j) continue to apply to personal and fiduciary data even beyond that timeframe. Midway through the same judgment, the High Court also struck down a CIC order directing the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to reveal whether Union Minister Smriti Irani had cleared her Class 10 and Class 12 examinations in 1991 and 1993. The Court reiterated that such information also falls within the ambit of personal academic records, protected from disclosure under the RTI framework. The Court emphasised that the relationship between a university or academic board and its students is fiduciary in nature, with institutions acting as custodians of sensitive information. Disclosure of such data, it noted, is permitted only to the student concerned, not to third parties, unless a demonstrable overriding public interest exists. During hearings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi University, argued that indiscriminate disclosure would encourage politically motivated RTI applications. He pointed out that while records could be produced before a court if required, placing them in the public domain would erode the confidentiality framework of the Act. The case originated from RTI applications that led to CIC orders in 2016. While the Commission had earlier reasoned that degree registers were public documents, the High Court has now overturned those findings, making clear that academic records, even of public figures, remain protected under the law. (ANI) Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla on Monday said that it will be a huge moment for the country, the day an Indian on an indigenous space capsule travels to space from the country's soil. Shubhanshu Shukla recently completed the historic mission to the International Space Station as part of the crew in the Axiom 4 Mission. Speaking to reporters in UP's capital after meeting with CM Yogi Adityanath, Group Captain Shukla said, "Like I said, I consider this the golden period in our journey of space exploration. Soon, the day when we will see an Indian going into space, on an Indian capsule, taking off in an Indian rocket from Indian soil. I think that would be a huge moment for us as India will become the fourth country in the world which will have these capabilities." Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, who recently completed the historic mission to the International Space Station as part of the crew in the Axiom 4 Mission. In a post on X, UP Chief Minister Office wrote, "Today, at UP CM Yogi Adityanath's official residence in Lucknow, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla ji, the son of the nation, astronaut, and Group Captain, paid a courtesy visit after the successful operation of the historic Axiom4 mission and his safe return from the International Space Station." Group Captain Shukla also attended the felicitation ceremony at his alma mater, City Montessori School in Gomtinagar. Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in Delhi on August 17. He was a part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. (ANI) Samajwadi Party chief and MP Akhilesh Yadav on Monday criticised Union Minister Anurag Thakur's remark that "Lord Hanuman was the first to visit space," saying the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) always tries to take credit for everything. The Samajwadi Party leader also congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Speaking at a press conference in Lucknow, the SP leader said, "He has achieved a great feat. He must have worked so hard all these years and gone through rigorous training after which he has been able to achieve this success. It is a big achievement for the country, for him personally, and for his family. His visit to the space has made the country proud. The country's resources were used" The SP chief emphasised that such missions are the result of the dedication of scientists and the commitment of the astronaut, rather than any political party. Without naming Anurag Thakur directly, Yadav took a sharp dig at the ruling party. He said, "BJP tries to take credit for everything. Now they are saying our God Hanuman was the first to visit space. We always say all our deities live in the space." The controversy began after BJP MP Anurag Thakur shared a post on X in which he was seen interacting with school children on National Space Day, asking, "Who was the first person to travel to space?" When the students answered "Neil Armstrong," Thakur said, "I think Hanuman ji was the first person to travel to space." https://x.com/ianuragthakur/status/1959262559770689891 While interacting with students at Shri Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Una, Himachal Pradesh, the BJP leader argued that knowledge traditions should extend beyond what he described as "textbooks given to us by the British." He urged teachers to look towards "our veds, our textbooks and our knowledge," asserting this will allow students to see "a lot more." India's astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, arrived in New Delhi on August 17. Shukla was part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down off the coast of California. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manab Deka on Monday slammed the reported remarks made by activist and former Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed regarding Bangladeshi migrants, alleging that her remarks are part of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "agenda of spreading anarchy" in the country. Speaking to ANI, Deka stated that the statement was made by someone who has close ties with the Congress, noting the party's inability to come to power. "A woman like Syeda Hameed, if you see her history, is associated with Congress and is a close friend of Sonia Gandhi. These people want to create instability in the country. She was a member of the Planning Commission of Congress... Congress knows that it cannot come to power in India. So, Rahul Gandhi's agenda of spreading anarchy is being carried out now," he stated. Deka's comments come in response to Hameed's statement in a video, shared by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, in a post on X, suggesting that Bangladeshis can live in India. The BJP MLA from Assam also warned that such statements pose a direct threat to the indigenous people of the state, further asserting that Assam remains a top priority for the BJP-led governments both in the state and at the Centre. "The existence of the indigenous people of Assam is in danger. The lower Assam has already gone out of our hands... Assam is a priority... This is Himanta Biswa Sarma's government. This is Modi ji's government, Amit Shah ji's government; Assamese people will give a befitting reply to these people," he added. In the video shared by the Union Minister Rijiju, Syeda Hameed was seen saying, "What is wrong with being Bangladeshi? Bangladeshis are humans too, and the world is so big, they can live here (India); they are not depriving anyone of their rights... Saying that they are depriving someone of their rights is troublesome, extremely mischievous and detrimental to humanity." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, earlier today, also hit out at the former Planning Commission member over her remarks, accusing her of legitimising illegal infiltrators in the state. In a post on X, Sarma asserted that Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam and said those sympathising with them may accommodate them in their own backyards. "People like Syeda Hameed, a close confidante of the Gandhi family, legitimise illegal infiltrators, as they seek to realise Jinnah's dream of making Assam a part of Pakistan. Today, Assamese identity is on the brink of extinction because of the tacit support of people like her. But we are the sons and daughters of Lachit Barphukan; WE WILL FIGHT till the last drop of our blood to save our State and our identity," the post read. "Let me make it very clear: Bangladeshis are not welcome in Assam; it is not their land. Anyone sympathising with them may accommodate them in their own backyards. Assam is not up for grabs by illegal infiltrators, NOT NOW, NOT EVER," it added. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival at Ahmedabad Airport on Monday for a two-day visit to Gujarat. He was received by Governor Acharya Devvrat and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, according to a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The CMO release stated that during his visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth several crores, aligned with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Gujarat'. Union Minister and BJP State President C.R. Patil, Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, Director General of Police Vikas Sahay, Additional Chief Secretary of GAD Sunaina Tomar, Air Marshal S. Srinivas, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik, Chief Protocol Officer Jvalant Trivedi, Ahmedabad Collector Sujit Kumar, and other senior officials were also present to welcome the Prime Minister. After his arrival, PM Modi held a roadshow in Ahmedabad and will later address a public function. During the visit, the Prime Minister will inaugurate, lay foundation stones, and dedicate to the nation various development projects valued at Rs 5,400 crore at Khodaldham Ground in Ahmedabad. As per a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) dated August 24, PM Modi will also inaugurate localised production of hybrid battery electrodes and flag off battery electric vehicle (BEV) exports to 100 countries at Hansalpur, Ahmedabad. In line with his commitment to world-class infrastructure and connectivity, the Prime Minister will dedicate multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the nation. This includes doubling of the 65 km Mahesana-Palanpur Rail Line, worth over Rs 530 crore, and gauge conversion of the 37 km Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road Rail Line and 40 km Bechraji-Ranuj Rail Line, worth over Rs 860 crore. With the addition of broad-gauge capacity, these projects will ensure smoother, safer, and more seamless connectivity in the region. This will significantly ease travel for daily commuters, tourists, and businesses while promoting regional economic integration. Additionally, the PM will flag off the passenger train between Katosan Road and Sabarmati, providing improved access to religious destinations and stimulating economic activity at the grassroots level. The car-loaded freight train service from Bechraji will enhance connectivity to the state's industrial hubs, strengthening the logistics network and generating employment opportunities. Furthering his vision to improve connectivity, enhance commuter safety, and accelerate regional development, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the widening of the Viramgam-Khudad-Rampura road. He will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of six-lane vehicle underpasses on the Ahmedabad-Mehsana-Palanpur road; a railway overbridge on the Ahmedabad-Viramgam road, among others. Collectively, these initiatives will boost industrial growth, improve transport efficiency, and create economic opportunities in the region. In a significant push to the power sector, PM Modi will inaugurate distribution projects in Ahmedabad, Mehsana, and Gandhinagar under Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), valued at over Rs 1,000 crore. The projects aim to reduce losses, modernise infrastructure, and enhance reliability under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. These upgrades are expected to minimise outages during adverse weather, improve transformer protection, and increase public safety and network resilience. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ahmedabad on Monday for a two-day visit to Gujarat. The Prime Minister was warmly received and took part in a roadshow in the city. During the visit, PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate, lay foundation stones, and dedicate multiple development projects valued at Rs 5,400 crore at Khodaldham Ground today. He will also address a public gathering. Earlier, according to a release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) dated August 24, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the localised production of hybrid battery electrodes and flag off battery electric vehicle exports to 100 countries at Hansalpur, Ahmedabad. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. In line with his commitment to world-class infrastructure and connectivity, the Prime Minister will dedicate multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the nation. This includes doubling of the 65 km Mahesana-Palanpur Rail Line, worth over Rs 530 crore, and gauge conversion of the 37 km Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road Rail Line and 40 km Bechraji-Ranuj Rail Line, worth over Rs 860 crore. With the addition of broad-gauge capacity, these projects will ensure smoother, safer, and more seamless connectivity in the region. This will significantly ease travel for daily commuters, tourists, and businesses while promoting regional economic integration. Further, flagging off the passenger train between Katosan Road and Sabarmati will provide improved access to religious destinations and stimulate economic activity at the grassroots level. The car-loaded freight train service from Bechraji will enhance connectivity to the state's industrial hubs, strengthening the logistics network and generating employment opportunities. Furthering his vision to improve connectivity, enhance commuter safety, and accelerate regional development, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the widening of the Viramgam-Khudad-Rampura road. He will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of six-lane vehicle underpasses on the Ahmedabad-Mehsana-Palanpur road; a railway overbridge on the Ahmedabad-Viramgam road, among others. Collectively, these initiatives will boost industrial growth, improve transport efficiency, and create economic opportunities in the region. In a significant boost to the power sector in the state, the Prime Minister will inaugurate power distribution projects in Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Gandhinagar under Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), aimed at reducing losses, modernising the network and strengthening infrastructure under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. The projects, worth over Rs 1000 crore, will reduce power breakdowns and outages during adverse weather, improve public safety, transformer protection and reliability of the electricity supply network. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Development of Slums situated at Sector-3 of Ramapir No Tekro under the In Situ Slum Rehabilitation Component of PMAY (U). He will also lay the foundation stone for major road widening projects being implemented on the Sardar Patel Ring Road around Ahmedabad to ease traffic flow and improve connectivity. He will lay the foundation stone of key urban infrastructure projects to strengthen water and sewerage management systems. Strengthening administrative efficiency and public service delivery, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of key infrastructure projects in Gujarat. It will include the construction of a new Stamps and Registration Building in Ahmedabad West, aimed at improving citizen-centric services, and the establishment of a State-Level Data Storage Centre at Gandhinagar, designed to enhance secure data management and digital governance capabilities across Gujarat. On 26th August, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two historic milestones at the Suzuki Motor plant in Hansalpur, Ahmedabad. Together, these landmark initiatives underscore India's emergence as a global hub for green mobility while advancing the Prime Minister's commitment to Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a major example of the success of Make in India, the Prime Minister will inaugurate and flag off the "e VITARA", Suzuki's first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). The Made-in-India BEVs will be exported to more than one hundred countries, including advanced markets such as Europe and Japan. With this milestone, India will now serve as Suzuki's global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. (ANI) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman V Narayanan on Monday said that all satellites placed by the space agency played a vital role in Operation Sindoor, which was conducted by the Armed Forces in the month of May. Addressing the gathering at the felicitation event of IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow, ISRO chief informed that currently India has 58 satellites which are in operational mode in orbit. "During Operation Sindoor, I want to tell silently, all our satellites worked fantastically well. Through our satellites, we ensured the safety and security of every citizen of Bharat in Operation Sindoor. PM Modi has given the direction that in another three years, the number of satellites in orbit will be atleast three times the present number, which is 58," ISRO chief said. Operation Sindoor, initiated on May 7, 2025, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent civilians, showcased a calibrated, tri-services response that embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose. The operation was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan. As per an official release issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, dated May 14, the role of ISRO was highlighted in the Operation Sindoor. "At an event on May 11, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan mentioned that at least 10 satellites are continuously working round-the-clock for the strategic purpose to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the country," the release stated. "To ensure the safety of the country, the nation has to serve through its satellites. It has to monitor its 7,000 km seashore areas. It has to monitor the entire Northern part continuously. Without satellite and drone technology, the country can't achieve that," the ISRO chief said. V Narayanan also said that India will have its own space station by 2035, and an Indian will land on the Moon by 2040. "We are building a rocket to take man to the moon. By 2040, he (PM Modi) has given direction to take man to the moon and land an Indian there and bring him back safely," he said. ISRO chief also hailed the achievements of the Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla as a "national pride". "I am extremely happy that my colleague has returned safely. He is really going to contribute to the Gaganyaan program. First of all, we have to thank the PM, as it is his vision that this program was executed. I have to thank the PM and at least 500 people of ISRO who have worked behind the scenes. This entire thing will be useful for the Gaganyaan program. What is required is confidence-building and some exposure in the training. That is what we have given. He's a national pride," ISRO chief told ANI. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday met Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, who recently completed the historic mission to the International Space Station as part of the crew in the Axiom 4 Mission. Group Captain Shukla also attended the felicitation ceremony at his alma mater, City Montessori School in Gomtinagar. (ANI) As the Indian Air Force (IAF) prepares to phase out the MiG-21 fighter jet on September 26, 2025, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal is AP Singh on Monday flew a sortie in the iconic aircraft to commemorate its legacy and decades of operational service. The MiG-21, often referred to as the "backbone of the IAF", has been in service since its induction in 1964 and has played a pivotal role in shaping India's air power for nearly six decades. Recalling his personal association with the aircraft, the Air Chief said, "The MIG-21 has been the workhorse of the Indian Air Force. It was inducted in 1964 and has continued in service ever since. My first flight in a MiG-21 was in 1985. It was a simple yet remarkable aircraft to fly, though it demanded rigorous training." The aircraft saw extensive action in multiple operations, including the 1971 war with Pakistan, where it proved its combat effectiveness. Over the decades, it has trained generations of fighter pilots, many of whom recall it as both challenging and rewarding to master. However, with advancing technology and rising maintenance challenges, the IAF has decided to phase out the fleet. "Those who have flown it will miss it, but every platform has its time. Technology has moved ahead, and we must adapt," the Air Chief said. Looking ahead, Singh said that the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will take over the MIG-21's role. "Tejas was designed as a MiG-21 replacement. It is small, agile, and also inspired by the Mirage. Alongside Tejas Mk-2, Rafale, and the Su-30 fleet, it will form the core of the IAF's future combat strength," he explained. Singh also stressed continuous upgrades: "Just like the MIG-21 evolved into multiple variants, Tejas too must grow with new weapons and capabilities. We hope to see many versions of Tejas serving the IAF in the decades ahead." With the MIG-21's retirement, the IAF closes a historic chapter in Indian military aviation. The aircraft leaves behind a record of unmatched service and a legacy that will be remembered as India transitions to a new generation of fighter jets. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Monday stayed FIRs filed against psephologist Sanjay Kumar in a case concerning the wrong claims made by him over the election data of the State of Maharashtra. A bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice NV Anjaria made the aforesaid decision after the counsel appearing for Kumar submitted that his client is a respected figure with 30 years of service and integrity, who made a mistake, publicly apologised and deleted the wrong content. The bench also issued notice to the respondent State of Maharashtra, seeking their response to Kumar's plea. On August 17, Kumar, in a post on X, claimed that there are increases and decreases in the number of voters in specific constituencies. However, he subsequently apologised by making another tweet admitting that his earlier post was made on an erroneous analysis. Following the controversy, the Nagpur and Nashik Police registered First Information Reports (FIR) against Kumar. As per police officials in Nagpur, the FIR was filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including sections 175, 353(1)(b), 212, and 340(1)(2), indicating charges related to false information and potential election-related violations. The Nashik Police have also filed a case against Sanjay Kumar. "Sanjay Kumar from CSDS has posted misleading information of voters and an FIR is registered against him. It is requested of all citizens to verify the info only from the ECl website," District Election Officer Nashik posted on X. On Tuesday, Kumar issued a public apology on X, acknowledging the error in his original post. "I sincerely apologise for the tweets posted regarding the Maharashtra elections. An error occurred while comparing the data of 2024 LS and 2024 AS." Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) on Wednesday issued a showcase notice to the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) for allegedly manipulating data related to the Maharashtra elections. Kumar moved the top court seeking protection from the FIR lodged against him. Today, the top court issued notice on Kumar's plea and stayed the FIRs filed against him. (ANI) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday questioned the independence of investigative agencies and raised concerns over the validity of the proposed 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill. He also requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to include him in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) reviewing the bill. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20, proposes a framework for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers in the Union and State Councils of Ministers if they are jailed for more than 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges punishable with imprisonment of five years or more. The bill has been referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses of Parliament. Reacting to the recent remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the bill, Owaisi said that since the heads of investigative agencies such as Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), or the Income Tax (IT) are appointed by the central government, questions will be raised on the independence of the investigation, alluding to Opposition leaders being unfairly targeted with the proposed law. "The executive (central govt) appoints the investigating agencies, be it CBI, ED. Until appointments are made independently, questions will persist about how these agencies operate under government direction. Even during the time of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance), it was the same," Owaisi told reporters here. "Claiming that the proposed bill clashes with existing articles in the Constitution, especially Article 74 (1), which states that the President should act "in accordance with the aid and advice" of the Council of Ministers, which is headed by the PM. "The Constitution (Article) stipulates that the President of India will be guided by the advice of the Council of Ministers. The proposed bill says the President can remove the PM. But how? This bill clashes with that article. Can a President make a PM resign?" Owaisi asked. Notably, amid multiple Opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) (UBT), Trinamool Congress (TMC), boycotting the JPC, the AIMIM chief has openly requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to include him in the committee. "I don't know whether I will be a JPC member or not, but we will request the Speaker to include us in the JPC. It was already on the agenda that it would be sent to JPC, but what will happen to our apprehensions? In Maharashtra, you saw what happened. Our MLAs were broken; four of them left in Bihar, and then it happened in Karnataka too. Everywhere, the same thing is happening. You should make the investigative agencies independent. That government will not interfere with appointments. Does constitutional morality not come here?" Owaisi asked. Owaisi's remarks come amid the recent remarks of Union HM Shah attacking the Opposition for their 'Black bill' protests against the proposed rules. Shah defended the bill, questioning whether elected representatives in other countries can run the government from jail. "Does that suit the dignity of our democracy? Even today, they are trying to say that if they ever have to go to jail, they will easily form the government from jail. The jail will be made CM House, PM House and the DGP, Chief Secretary, Cabinet Secretary, or Home Secretary will take orders from the jail. My party and I completely reject the idea that this country cannot be governed without the person who is sitting there," said Amit Shah in an exclusive interview with ANI. The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025 were introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20 and have been referred to a Joint Committee of both the Houses which seek to provide for removal of the Prime Minister or a Minister in the Union Council of Ministers and the Chief Minister or a Minister in the Council of Ministers of States and UTs facing serious criminal charges which are punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 5 years or more and are arrested and detained in custody for more than 30 days. (ANI) A bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice NV Anjaria sought responses from both the ECI and SEC after a petition highlighted that nearly 587 Village Committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) have remained non-functional since March 2021, following the expiry of their tenure. The petitioners argued that the delay has deprived tribal communities of their constitutional right to participate in grassroots self-governance, while also paralysing local administration in the Sixth Schedule areas. Developmental activities in these regions have reportedly come to a standstill due to the absence of elected committees. Notably, in July 2022, the Tripura High Court had directed the state government and the SEC to complete the polls by November that year, but the order was not complied with. Political parties, particularly TIPRA Motha, which governs the TTAADC, have been consistently pressing for early elections to restore democratic functioning in the village committees. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday informed the state Assembly that the recently conducted Common Eligibility Test (CET) was held successfully across the state and was widely appreciated, with citizens celebrating it like a festival. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC), government officials, Roadways staff, teachers, and the people of Haryana for their role in the smooth conduct of the examination. He informed that a total of 13,48,893 candidates had registered for the CET, out of which 12,46,797 appeared, with several districts recording more than 92 per cent attendance. Saini explained that whenever examinations are held in multiple sessions, the process of normalisation is followed, as was done in 2022 when the test was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). He acknowledged that some biometric machines faced glitches on the first day, but those were rectified before the exams began. If any student still encountered difficulty, their results would be verified using photographs and CCTV footage. "No candidate was left stranded, if anyone was astray, it was only the opposition leaders," Saini remarked, taking a jibe at critics. He added that in cases where candidates reached the wrong examination centre, officials ensured their safe transport to the correct venue using government vehicles. He further said that the CET has been given a validity of three years, and the exam has been conducted accordingly. The Chief Minister also informed the House that 1.87 lakh students from the Backwards Class community had downloaded their caste certificates from the official portal, and a correction portal will be opened within one to two days to facilitate necessary updates. Responding to another question, Saini said that a compensation portal has been launched to address the issue of waterlogging in affected villages. Through this portal, farmers can upload details of their damaged crops, which are then verified by government officials before compensation is disbursed. He highlighted that the government recently disbursed Rs 78.50 crore in compensation to farmers. Drawing a comparison with previous governments, he said that between 2004 and 2014, farmers were paid only Rs 1,158 crore in compensation, whereas the present government has already provided Rs 15,500 crore so far. "The opposition tries to discredit the portal without reason, but it is through this very system that compensation has been delivered directly to farmers' homes in a transparent and efficient manner," the Chief Minister asserted. (ANI) The Bar Council of India (BCI) has come out in support of Delhi's bar associations, opposing the Lieutenant Governor's recent order that allows police officials to give their testimony from police stations through video conferencing. In a strongly worded letter to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, the BCI said the August 13 notification strikes at the heart of the principles of natural justice and undermines the right to a fair trial. The Council, led by Rajya Sabha member Manan Kumar Mishra, along with Co-Chairman Ved Prakash Sharma, urged the LG to withdraw the order with immediate effect. While acknowledging that technology can play a constructive role in speeding up criminal trials, the BCI said recording testimonies from police stations institutions controlled by the investigating agency itself risks eroding the credibility and independence of witness statements. "Evidence can only be recorded in the court in the physical presence of the witness," the Council wrote, stressing that the presence of police witnesses in a neutral courtroom is integral to ensuring fairness and transparency in criminal proceedings. The letter underlined three main objections. First, the right to a fair trial demands that testimony be given in an environment free from influence. Second, effective cross-examination, considered the "heart of criminal trial", is impaired when a witness is examined via video link, as lawyers lose the ability to properly confront documents, observe demeanour, and assess body language. Third, shifting depositions out of the courtroom reduces judicial oversight and heightens the risk of procedural errors. The BCI also criticised the government for bypassing key stakeholders, saying it was "surprised and disappointed" that the Bar was not consulted before issuing a directive with such far-reaching consequences. "We are committed to technological progress," the Council said, "but such changes must emerge through discussion involving the Bar, the Judiciary, and all stakeholders, so that efficiency does not come at the cost of fairness." The country's top statutory body for lawyers has made it clear that it views the notification as a step back for justice delivery, and one that must be rolled back without delay. (ANI) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday expressed concern over the declining decorum and dignity of legislative institutions, calling it a matter that demands urgent attention from all elected representatives. Speaking at the Delhi Legislative Assembly during the Valedictory Address at the Conference of Presiding Officers of States and Union Territories, Birla emphasised that the privilege and freedom of speech granted to Members should not be misused to undermine the House's sanctity. The event marked the centenary year celebration of the election of eminent freedom fighter, jurist, and scholar Vitthalbhai Patel as the first Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly. Birla urged that legislators must renew their commitment to ensure free, fair, and dignified discussions in legislative bodies, while underlining that all political parties must come together to ensure that the forthright expression of ideas continues in legislative bodies, strengthening democracy through both agreement and disagreement. Speaking about the conduct of Legislators, Birla noted that Members of Legislative bodies must uphold the rules, conventions and traditions of legislative bodies and that the makers of our Constitution gave Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies complete freedom to criticise the Government within the House as part of privilege. He also noted that this privilege must be tempered with proper conduct and called on all political parties to reflect on the importance of freedom of expression within legislative institutions. He added that the House must always be the voice of the people, and the laws made should be in the public interest. Birla also observed that the responsibility of the Presiding Officer is very significant in this regard and expressed confidence that present and future Presiding Officers will keep the proceedings of the House free, fair, and dignified. Noting the legacy of Vitthalbhai Patel, Birla said that traditions established by him were later included in the Constitution of India. Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have their own independent secretariats and said that on the occasion of the centennial year, the legacy of Vitthalbhai Patel will not only inspire the nation but also guide it towards a new direction. Also present at the event were Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Power Manohar Lal, Minister of Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya Scindia, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta, Presiding Officers from various State Assemblies and Councils, Members of Parliament, MLAs, and other dignitaries. Scindia also addressed the event, describing the Delhi Legislative Assembly as a "living pillar" of the country's democratic system and a powerful symbol of its evolving governance. He paid homage to Vitthalbhai Patel, hailing him as a "true architect of democracy," noting that under Patel's leadership, the Central Legislative Assembly established the independent Secretariat. "This is not just a building of bricks; it stands as a living pillar of India's democratic system. Today, we are present in this historic structure. Vitthalbhai Patel was a true architect of democracy. It was under his vision that the Central Secretariat was established. Today, it is our responsibility to fulfil the dreams of our forefathers. India's democracy has now become globally recognised. Even at the United Nations, it has been acknowledged that India is a land of immense diversity. The Delhi Assembly has now been made paperless, and it is functioning today with the support of solar energy," Scindia stated. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, in a post on X, stated that an exhibition, 'The Glorious Saga of Vithalbhai Patel', which depicts the journey of the first Indian President of the Central Legislative Assembly, Vithalbhai Patel, will remain open for the general public in the Delhi Assembly from August 26 to August 31. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, who is also the MLA from Kinnaur, has welcomed the Union Government's decision to revive the historic Old Silk Route trade through the Shipki La border between India and Tibet. The decision follows a recent visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India, during which he had meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. "Shipkila Pass in my district, Kinnaur, is one of the four important border passages of India. Trade with Tibet has existed here since ancient times. It was only suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, after the recent bilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of India and China, a decision has reportedly been taken to resume trade via this route," Negi told ANI. He added that talks are also underway for allowing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Shipki La, which he said would be the "most convenient and comfortable route" for pilgrims. "We have raised this demand before various governments for a long time. If it happens, it will be a big advantage for pilgrims and will boost tourism in Himachal," the minister said. During Wang Yi's meeting with Jaishankar, the two sides agreed to the re-opening of border trade through the three designated trading points, namely Lipulekh Pass, Shipki La Pass and Nathu La Pass. According to Negi, road connectivity has already reached Shipkila Top from the Indian side, while a road from the Chinese side also extends to the village of Shipki. "Only about 2 to 2.5 kilometres the stretch across the Line of Control needs to be connected. This will be beneficial for pilgrims and will certainly give a boost to tourism in Himachal," he noted. Negi further pointed out that along with the Nathu La Pass in Sikkim and passes in Uttarakhand, Shipkila would open up new avenues of trade and tourism. "This is not only for the Himachal government but for the people of Himachal as a whole. Many people in border areas have been migrating due to a lack of economic opportunities," he said, adding that the issue is linked to land-use restrictions in tribal and border areas. "Our proposal for relaxation in certain provisions of the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) is pending with the Governor for over two and a half years. Under Schedule 5 of the Constitution, the Governor has the power to amend, modify, or annul such provisions in tribal areas. If this is done, it will encourage settlement in border regions, which will strengthen our presence and reduce the threat along the frontier," Negi stressed. Highlighting the potential for "border tourism," the minister said that opening access in border areas has already created interest among adventure enthusiasts. "When border access is allowed, visitors can experience travelling from one border point to another. People are coming, and this is fulfilling the wishes of adventure lovers. Once dhabas, taxi services, hotels, and travel businesses start operating there, the tourism sector will definitely see a boost," he said. The minister urged the Centre to pay special attention to the needs of border residents and to expedite policy relaxations that would encourage habitation and economic activity in such areas. (ANI) The demand was made during the 159th Central Working Committee meeting of BMS held in Bhopal from August 22 to 24. A resolution passed during the meeting urged the Government of India, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Indian Labour Conference (ILC) to convene urgently and ensure swift enforcement of the pending codes. The meeting was chaired by BMS president Hiranmay Pandya, while General Secretary Ravindra Himte conducted the proceedings. Wage and Social Security Codes are historic legislations aimed at benefiting workers, particularly those in the unorganised sector. BMS is pressing for their immediate implementation. Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh opposed the exclusion of the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code and Industrial Relations Code, urging the government not to delay their enforcement. BMS also emphasised the importance of convening the Indian Labour Conference (ILC), which has not been held since 2015, despite being the highest decision-making body on labour issues. Welcomed the Haryana Government's move to regularise contract workers under the Kaushal Vikas Yojana, expressing gratitude to CM Nayab Singh Saini. Voiced concerns over the Face Recognition System (FRS) introduced for Anganwadi Workers under the ICDS scheme, citing harassment and practical difficulties. BMS demanded its withdrawal Announced that the 20th All-India Conference of BMS will be held in Puri in February 2026, with around 2,500 delegates representing 42 Industrial Federations and 28 State units. The BMS reiterated that implementation of all four labour codes is essential for worker welfare and industrial growth, and urged the government to act without further delay. (ANI) Representatives from the Coordination Committee of All District Bar Associations met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday regarding their ongoing demands. However, the meeting did not yield any concrete outcome, prompting the committee to continue its strike on Tuesday. Lawyers affiliated with various District Bar Associations in Delhi have been on strike since August 22. On Monday, after a meeting, the Coordination Committee issued a statement saying that a meeting had been held with the Chief Minister of Delhi, but no concrete result was received. Thus, it has been unanimously decided to continue to completely abstain from work on 26.08.2025, in all District Courts of Delhi, against the arbitrary notification dated 13.08.2025 issued by the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi in defiance of the circular issued on July 15, 2024, by the Union Home Ministry. Lawyers protested outside different court premises, including the Rouse Avenue Court. Advocate Vijay Bishnoi and other bar leaders stopped traffic at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg. Vijay Bishnoi said that the notification is against the public at large, and they will intensify the protest if the notification is not withdrawn. Lawyers also protested outside the Tis Hazari court, Rohini Court, Karkardooma Court and other courts. It was said that if the notification is not withdrawn by Monday, lawyers shall be compelled to intensify the protest, including 'gherao' of the LG house. Advocate Tarun Rana, Secretary of the New Delhi Bar Association (NDBA) and Additional Secretary General of the Coordination Committee, confirmed that the strike would continue on Tuesday and that protests would be staged outside all court complexes. (ANI) China's intelligent computing power to grow over 40% in 2025, driven by AI boom 08:17, August 25, 2025 By Chi Jingyi ( Global Times In 2025, China's intelligent computing power is expected to grow by over 40 percent on a yearly basis, according to industry forecast released at the 2025 China Computing Power Conference, which concluded on Sunday. Industry practitioners said the demand for intelligent computing power is surging, fueled by rapid artificial intelligence (AI) advancements in the country. Analysts said China's computing power industry is entering a new stage of high-quality and large-scale development. The projected 40 percent growth in intelligent computing power in 2025 signifies rapid progress in AI capabilities, supporting innovation across industries. It also highlighted China's focus on advancing AI technology to boost economic competitiveness, scientific research, and digital transformation, they said. As the foundation of AI advancement, computing power is a key arena in the global race for technological advancement, with China surging forward at an extraordinary pace, Zhang Xiaorong, director of the Beijing-based Cutting-Edge Technology Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday. Broadly understood as the capacity to process data, computing power encompasses infrastructure and technologies that enable data computation, storage, and network capabilities in the digital economy, according to Zhang. "The surge in the scale of computing power means that a significant shift is unfolding: AI is no longer limited to research labs or city centers but is swiftly spreading across Chinese society. Driving this AI transformation is a critical yet often unseen force: computing power," said Zhang. Rapid growth Data from the conference, held from Friday to Sunday, showed that China's total computing power has grown at an annual rate of about 30 percent, according to a report by CCTV News on Sunday. By the end of June, China's total computing power ranked second worldwide, Liu Liehong, head of the National Data Administration (NDA), told a press conference on August 14. Xiong Jijun, deputy minister of industry and information technology, said at the computing power conference that as of June 2025, China's intelligent computing power reached 788 EFLOPS (indicates system speed, equals one quintillion floating-point calculations per second). This represented significant increase in the scale of intelligent computing power, which stood at 90 EFLOPS by the end of 2024. Intelligent computing power accounted for 32 percent of China's total computing capacity of 280 EFLOPS in 2024, according to data from the NDA released in April. The rising demand of computing power partly came from an increasingly expanding scope of applications in China. So far, intelligent computing applications span generative AI models, autonomous driving, low-altitude economy, embodied intelligence, smart cities, and industrial manufacturing, Wang Peng, associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday. Over 23,000 innovative computing projects have been collected through computing power application competitions, with large-scale adoption in industries such as finance, healthcare, and energy, according to CCTV News, citing information released at the computing power conference. "These innovative projects demonstrated China's commitment to leveraging intelligent computing for high-quality development. And the potential for intelligent computing power is vast, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and agriculture," said Wang. For example, in healthcare, AI-driven medical imaging accelerates accurate diagnoses, assisting doctors effectively, Wang said. "In education, personalized learning systems customize content based on student progress, while VR and AR create immersive learning environments, both requiring robust computing support. In agriculture, precision farming integrates diverse data for optimized planting, and agricultural robots rely on intelligent computing for tasks like harvesting, driving significant demand," Wang said. Improving infrastructure The growing demand of computing power also demonstrate the advancement of China's computing infrastructure, supporting its digital economy and AI-driven innovation with robust, scalable, and efficient systems, Wang said. Currently, China's national computing power platform is accelerating development, with 10 provincial platforms now integrated, according to CCTV news, citing information revealed at the 2025 China Computing Power Conference. Research data showed that in 2025, the investment in computing power by domestic operators will maintain a growth rate of over 20 percent. The AI investment of leading internet enterprises in the next three years will exceed 500 billion yuan ($69.8 billion), which brings a broad space for the construction of information and communications technology infrastructure, Xie Junshi, executive vice president and COO of ZTE, was quoted as saying by the Xinhua News Agency in May. Xiong said at the conference that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is aiming to optimize intelligent computing infrastructure to meet the needs of emerging and future industries, while effectively enhancing the quality of computing resource supply. "The ministry will strengthen the supply-demand matching of computing resources across regions and industries, build a computing power interconnection system, and promote complementarity and coordinated interaction between the eastern and western regions," said Xiong. According to Xiong, the MIIT will accelerate breakthroughs in key core technologies such as GPU chips, and expand the supply of basic common technologies. Zhang highlighted the reinforcing cycle of computing power, chips, and AI. "AI applications fuel demand for computing power, which relies on advanced chip performance (driven by process and architecture innovations). In turn, chip advancements enable more powerful AI and efficient computing, creating a catalytic loop where each component accelerates the others' evolution," said Zhang. Given the close relationship between computing power, chip and AI, DeepSeek's newly announced DeepSeek-V3.1 model was also discussed at the computing power conference, chinastarmarket.cn reported on Sunday. On Thursday, in the comment section of its WeChat account article announcing its DeepSeek-V3.1 model on Thursday, DeepSeek stated, "UE8M0 FP8 is tailored for the upcoming next-generation domestic chip." Explaining what is FP8, Chen Zhi, AI Infra Director at Moore Threads, a Chinese GPU and AI-accelerator start-up, told chinastarmarket.cn at the conference that previously, AI models used FP32 (32-bit) and later FP16 (16-bit) to reduce storage and communication costs. "FP8 further compresses data to 8 bits, doubling computing efficiency and cutting network bandwidth needs. This enables larger model training or faster processing under the same power constraints," Chen said. However, FP8's smaller numerical range can cause errors in precision-sensitive tasks like accumulation. Thus, hybrid precision training is used, dynamically selecting precision to balance speed and accuracy, chinastarmarket.cn reported, citing an anonymous industry insider at the conference. Analysts noted that since the beginning of this year, open-source models represented by DeepSeek have sparked a new round of discussions in the industry regarding the evolution of computing power demand. Regardless of the function of DeepSeek's new model, one thing is for sure: the digital economy has also become a new driving force for China's economic development, through forming an ecosystem characterized by deep data mining, integrated applications, advanced algorithms, and high computing power, they stressed. "By 2035, AI is projected to contribute over 11 trillion yuan to China's GDP, accounting for approximately 4-5 percent of GDP. This could drive computing power demand to increase by tenfold or even a hundredfold," Rao Shaoyang, director at the China Telecom Research Institute, said at the conference. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday hailed his achievement of Lucknow-born astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as a matter of pride for the state and the entire nation, calling his journey an inspiration for the youth. After four decades, an Indian once again travelled to space, and this historic opportunity came to Lucknow-born astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who was felicitated in a civic reception at Lok Bhavan on Monday, a release said. During the event, CM Yogi honoured Shukla with a shawl and memento, while Deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak and Mayor Sushma Kharkwal extended felicitations to his family. A short film on Shukla's space mission, where he orbited the Earth 320 times in 18 days aboard the ISS, was also screened. According to the release, the Chief Minister announced a scholarship in Shukla's name for students pursuing careers in space technology and directed the State's Science and Technology Department to benefit from his expertise. Highlighting that UP now offers courses in space technology in over a dozen institutions, CM Yogi said this reflects the state's growing role in India's development journey. "Three to four years ago, there were no courses, syllabi, degrees, diplomas, or certificate programs in space technology in any university or institute of the state. Today, more than a dozen technical institutions are running such courses, reflecting Uttar Pradesh's growing role in India's development journey. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, and to achieve this, we must remain open to every area of progress. Shubhanshu Shukla's father served in the state secretariat, and by following his path, today his son has made not only Uttar Pradesh but the entire country proud. Orbiting the Earth 320 times in 18 days of space travel, Shubhanshu has shown the importance and purpose of this remarkable journey," the CM Yogi said. He underlined that Shukla's space experience will aid in addressing climate change, floods, droughts, agricultural crises, and disaster management through advanced technology. He said Shukla's success marks a step towards the upcoming Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and the expansion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education opportunities. "Shubhanshu Shukla's journey is not just a personal milestone but a source of inspiration and direction for our youth. His experience will help Uttar Pradesh and India face future challenges and harness space technology for progress," CM Yogi said. The CM said that there was a conversation with ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan about space travel, in which Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's journey, space mission and future experiments were discussed. He added, "In just 18 days, he toured the entire Earth, an incredible experience for any citizen. His achievements will serve as a lasting source of inspiration for the youth of Uttar Pradesh and the entire nation." Shukla also talked to the youth about making a career in space technology. He said that today's youth have countless opportunities to reach new heights, like space missions, which never existed before. Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared his experiences from space, explaining the impact of microgravity on the human body. "When you reach the space station for the first time, your body experiences microgravity. All the blood rushes to the head, making it swell. The heart slows down as it no longer works against gravity. Even the contents of your stomach start floating, leaving you confused about what's happening inside. You don't feel hungry, and survival itself becomes a challenge. We are sustaining life in a place where it shouldn't exist--amid vacuum, extreme temperatures, and no air. Yet, human engineering has made it possible. India is on its way, and when we launch our first mission, we will be the fourth nation in the world with this capability," a release said. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan praised the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a program in Lucknow, saying that the rapid development in Uttar Pradesh has become a source of inspiration for other states. He noted that under CM Yogi's initiatives and schemes, UP is touching new heights in multiple sectors, and the transformation is a matter of pride not only for the state but for the entire country. On this occasion, BJP State President Bhupendra Chaudhary, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brijesh Pathak, Minister Suresh Khanna, Anil Kumar, Girish Chandra Yadav, Ajit Pal, Manohar Lal Kori, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, MP Brijlal, Principal Secretary Home Sanjay Prasad were present. (ANI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday accused the opposition parties of 'spreading false propaganda' against the e-Kshatipurti portal, which "allows farmers to claim compensation for crops impacted by waterlogging. Speaking in the Vidhan Sabha during the monsoon session, Saini said that the benefits of welfare schemes are now reaching people's homes directly through the portal. He said that earlier, people had to wait a long time for compensation, and the funds often got lost or misused along the way. He added that during the assembly elections, the opposition spread false propaganda against the portal and even spoke of shutting it down if they came to power. However, the people rejected their agenda and ended their "business" in the elections. The Chief Minister said that through the e-Kshatipurti portal, farmers in villages affected by water logging can report their crop losses. These claims are then verified by the concerned departmental officers, according to an official statement. The Chief Minister added that during the Congress government's tenure, only Rs 1,158 crore was given to farmers as crop loss compensation, whereas the present government has released Rs 15,500 crore so far. Recently, an additional Rs 78.50 crore has been disbursed to farmers. Today, farmers are appreciating the state government's welfare schemes, he added. Earlier on July 31, CM Saini released a compensation amount of Rs 52.14 crore to 22,617 beneficiary farmers whose Rabi crops were damaged due to hailstorms and heavy rains during the 2025 season on July 31, 2025. The crop compensation has been calculated based on the comprehensive crop damage data collected through the "Kshatipurti portal," which was made operational between December 2024 and March 2025, a press release stated. Farmers across the state registered their losses on the portal, following which meticulous assessments and verifications were carried out. During the launch of the Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Department's website, Chief Minister Saini apprised that through physical verification, about 57,485 acres were found eligible for compensation. The assessment covered 15 districts namely Ambala, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Hisar, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Mahendragarh, Mewat, Palwal, Rewari, Rohtak and Yamunanagar in the state, and financial aid was sanctioned accordingly to support the affected farming communities. (ANI) According to an official release, the arrests were made at the Takkellapally Government Junior College on August 24 at around 2:30 pm, following complaints received on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Police said that the key accused, Boddu Sridhar, who operated a Mee Seva centre in Takkellapally, was approached by cybercriminals via the Telegram app. He was offered a commission to facilitate money transfers into various bank accounts. Subsequently, 12 other educated youths from Takkellapally Mandal also joined the operation. Together, they opened 60 bank accounts using fake documents and transferred money to different accounts in exchange for commissions. Investigators stated that transactions amounting to approximately Rs 8.5 crore had been carried out over the past six months, a release said. During the operation, police seized 12 mobile phones and one bank passbook from the accused. Authorities said that a total of 108 complaints from across the country had been registered against the bank accounts linked to the group. All 13 accused were produced before the court and sent to judicial remand. The police team that led the investigation and arrests included Tekulapally CI B Satyanarayana, Tekulapally SI A Rajender, Cyber Crime CI S Jitender, and their staff. They were congratulated for their efforts in apprehending the cybercriminals, the release added. (ANI) Sharing an inspirational message to the children about Indian space programs, Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, who recently completed a historic mission to the International Space Station, on Monday, said that India is currently witnessing a "golden period" in space exploration, adding that children of current generation would be ready by 2040 as country aims to send a human on the moon by 2040. Addressing the gathering at his felicitation ceremony in Lucknow, Shukla said, "I have a message for the children sitting at the back. We will send a human in the Gaganyaan mission, Bharatiya Antariksh Station will be built, and in 2040, someone will definitely go to the moon. You will be ready by then. I am not going anywhere; I, too, will be in the competition. I think this is our golden period for our country, for space exploration." Shukla appreciated the warm response he received from the people here following the success of his space mission. The felicitation ceremony was organised by the UP government. "Since 7.30-8 am this morning, after I reached Lucknow, I think I must have posed for over 2000 selfies. I understood the meaning of 'muskuraiye, aap Lucknow mein hain' today," said IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on a lighter note. Shukla further highlighted that doors to micro-gravity research have now been opened after the conduct of successful experiments in the mission. "The biggest achievement of these experiments was not their scientific accomplishment, not the data, but the doors to micro-gravity research that have now been opened," he added. Group Captain further said that soon, people will start talking about ISRO instead of NASA, and this aspect will soon turn into a reality. "Until two years ago, we had nothing called 'National Space Day'. We have been celebrating 'National Space Day' for the last two years. But with the excitement and enthusiasm I saw for the National Space Day this time, I am confident and, just like the Deputy CM said, that in the time to come, people will talk about ISRO and not NASA. This is not just a dream, but something that will turn into reality in some time," Shukla said. On the occasion, ISRO chairman V Narayanan highlighted the growth trajectory of India, sending foriegn satellites into space through Indian rockets. "In the next three months, we will launch a 6,500 kg US communication satellite from India purely on a commercial basis from an Indian rocket...That is the type of growth we have done," the ISRO chief said. "Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, we have even donated a communication satellite to South Asian countries. So far, 433 satellites of 34 foreign countries and 132 Indian satellites have been launched, out of which 93 per cent of the satellites were launched in the last 10 years," he added. V Narayanan also pointed out that an ISRO team detected the flaw at Kennedy Space Centre during the launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. "Originally, the mission was to be done on the 11th June, but on the 10th morning, we found an oxygen leak in the rocket. We fixed the issue and later launched successfully without any compromise on safety. Without this correction, the mission would have catastrophic failure," he said. He also added that the country was once again united, similar to the one during the success of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission in 2023. "Under PM Modi's leadership, after Chandrayaan-3's successful soft landing on the South Pole of the moon, the entire country was united, and it happened again when Shubhanshu Shukla successfully went to space and came back," he said. On the occasion, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that it was a great fortune that someone who got the opportunity to go in space after four decades was born and raised in Lucknow. "After 4 decades, India received the opportunity for one of its own to go into space. It is our great fortune that this opportunity was received by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who was born and brought up in Lucknow," CM said. "I was having discussions with Shubhanshu Shukla and the ISRO chief. Everyone is affected by climate change. This is affecting the crop cycle. There is also the loss of life and property due to lightning, flooding, and inadequate disaster management. Utilising this field would not only enable us to mitigate disasters but also play a significant role in increasing farmers' income. We now have an opportunity in the form of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla," he added. Chief Minister further said that India has rapidly moved ahead in Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. "PM has spoken of STEM Education. Opportunities for those youth who want to build a career in these fields, the necessities for those opportunities, how space technology can pave new paths to development and how challenges of the future can be easily faced - India has swiftly moved ahead in this direction in these 11 years," he said. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla arrived at his hometown Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on Monday, where he was welcomed amid a huge uproar from children and supporters. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak received Shukla at the Lucknow Airport. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday met Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, who recently completed the historic mission to the International Space Station as part of the crew in the Axiom 4 Mission. Students welcomed Group Captain Shukla to his hometown in Lucknow by waving the tricolour. Children showed enthusiasm and cheered for Shukla during the road show. He also attended the felicitation ceremony at the City Montessori School in Gomtinagar. Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after completing NASA's Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, landed in Delhi on August 17. He was a part of NASA's Axiom-4 Space Mission, which took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, on June 25. He became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space. (ANI) A fossil expected to be of a 201.4-million-year-old phytosaur, a crocodile-like reptile that coexisted with dinosaurs, has been discovered in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, with experts hailing the discovery as one of the most significant fossil finds in India's geological history. Calling the discovery a major paleontological breakthrough, Dean of the Faculty of Earth System Science at Jodhpur's Jai Narain Vyas University, VS Parihar, on Monday, stated that after England, India is the only country to make a Jurassic-era discovery. "It is a crocodile that lived with the dinosaurs, and it mostly lived in the forests near the river or the seashores... After England, only India has found such a Jurassic-era discovery... If this is the same creature, then we can give the exact age of it, which is 201.4 million years," he stated. The fossil was discovered earlier on Thursday, after fossilised vertebrate remains were reported from Megha village in Jaisalmer district; however, the exact age of the fossil was not confirmed. Senior hydrogeologist Narayan Das Inakhiya, on Thursday, stated that the remains, potentially related to the Jurassic period, include spinal structures, wing bones, and footprints, adding to the growing body of prehistoric evidence in the region. Earlier today, Narayan Das echoed the significance of the find, calling it a proud moment not just for Rajasthan but for the entire country. "After observation, it was found that it's a creature from the Jurassic era, and it's a fossil... To discover such a creature is a proud moment not only for Jaisalmer but for the whole nation. Such fossils provide a lot of information regarding human evolution," he said. He also noted that villagers have previously found multiple fossils in the region, including dinosaur footprints and bones, suggesting Jaisalmer is a treasure trove for palaeontologists and geologists alike. Beyond academic interest, experts believe this discovery could give a boost to geotourism in Rajasthan. Traditionally known for its forts and deserts, Jaisalmer may soon gain prominence as a fossil tourism destination. "This is not just a scientific achievement; it opens up new possibilities for tourism and education," Inakhiya said. A now-extinct genus that predates modern crocodiles and thrived during the late Triassic to early Jurassic period, phytosaurs are known for their elongated jaws and semi-aquatic lifestyle. (ANI) Haryana Vidhan Sabha today unanimously passed a resolution and paid tributes to Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, whose 350th Martyrdom Day anniversary will be observed later this year. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during the ongoing monsoon session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha. Paying his respects, the Chief Minister said that this year marks the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the ninth Sikh Guru and 'Hind Ki Chaadar', Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. The House expressed deep reverence for the supreme sacrifice made by Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and solemnly resolved to commemorate this historic occasion in a dignified and befitting manner. Reading out the resolution, the Chief Minister recalled that in November 1675, at Chandni Chowk, Delhi, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib gave the supreme sacrifice of his life to defend the right to freedom of faith and conscience. His devotees - Bhai Mati Das, who was sawn alive; Bhai Sati Das, who was wrapped in cotton and burnt alive; and Bhai Dayala Ji, who was boiled alive in a cauldron of hot water-- also embraced martyrdom with unshakable faith. Their sacrifices are eternal epitome of courage, righteousness, and steadfast devotion. He also recalled that Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji laid down his life to uphold the dignity of humanity and to safeguard religious freedom. When the Kashmiri Pandits approached him at Anandpur Sahib seeking protection from forced religious conversions, Guru Sahib chose to sacrifice his life so that they might live with honour and preserve their faith. A release said Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib shared a profound connection with the land of Haryana. During his travels, he visited Kurukshetra, Pehowa, Kaithal, Jind, Ambala, Cheeka and Rohtak, sanctifying these places with his presence and spreading the timeless message of truth, tolerance and fearlessness. "The sacred gurdwaras established at these sites such as Gurdwara Sri Dhamtan Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib in Jind and Gurdwara Sri Sheeshganj Sahib in Ambala stand as enduring reminders of his blessings and teachings," the release said. (ANI) Congress leader and Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Monday defended the state government's decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the 'Mysore Dasara' festival 2025 and urged critics not to communalise the event. Speaking on the controversy, Parameshwara told mediapersons, "It is not right to oppose this. This is not a religious issue. Dasara is a national festival." He stressed that Dasara celebrations represented Karnataka's heritage and culture, and not just a religious practice. Karnataka Minister HK Patil also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), saying this is one of the good decisions that the government has taken, and the BJP should reconsider their thought process. "Dasara is for all. It is a state festival. It is unfortunate that some people are trying to play politics...Nobody should do politics in this. This is one of the good decisions that the Government has taken. I feel that they (BJP) reconsider their thought process," Patil told reporters. Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain praised Banu Mushtaq for her achievement and said that nobody should have a problem with the decision. "Banu Mushtaq is a literary figure. She has been awarded Booker Prize. She is one of the very progressive writers of our state. If she is invited to inaugurate an event, nobody should have a problem. I think somebody is commenting on her; it is purely keeping in mind her religious background," the Congress MP said. Meanwhile, BJP MLA R Ashoka hit out at the Siddaramaiah government, alleging that the Chief Minister had insulted Hindu traditions by allowing Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate the festival. The BJP MLA said that the chief minister has a "Tipu mentality" and is "tarnishing the Hindu religion". "Dasara is a festival of Hindus. In Islam, idol worship is forbidden. If Banu Mushtaq does this, her religion will be opposed...Why should those who oppose Hindus worship Chamundeshwari? The Siddaramaiah government is tarnishing our religion. They are trying to tarnish it in a way. Siddaramaiah has a Tipu mentality," the BJP MLA said. Banu Mushtaq, an Indian writer and women's rights activist, scripted history by winning the International Booker Prize for the short story anthology Heart Lamp in 2025. It is the first Kannada book to win honours in London. Originally written in the Kannada language, the stories in Heart Lamp were translated into English by Deepa Bhasthi. (ANI) Narinder Singh, a teacher at Government Primary School, Jandiali in Ludhiana district, has been selected for the prestigious National Teachers' Award 2025. The honour is a recognition of his exceptional contribution to quality education and his tireless efforts to inspire and empower young learners. Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains congratulated Narinder Singh on his achievement and extended his best wishes for future endeavours. He said that Singh's recognition at the national level stands as a shining example for educators across the state. "Narinder Singh's innovative teaching methods, creative initiatives, and relentless dedication to instilling a love for learning among students truly reflect the transformative power of education," Bains said, adding that his accomplishment will inspire many others to follow in his footsteps. The National Teachers' Award ceremony will be held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on September 5, 2025. Narinder Singh will be honoured with a certificate of merit, a cash award of Rs. 50,000, and a silver medal, acknowledging his dedication and contributions to the education sector. Reacting to the announcement, Narinder Singh, who has been serving in the School Education Department since January 2002, expressed gratitude and humility. "I am deeply humbled to receive this national recognition. I attribute this achievement to the unwavering support of my students, colleagues, and the education department. I will continue to strive for excellence and make a positive impact on the lives of my students," he said. Singh also highlighted the pivotal role played by the village panchayat and the Punjab government in transforming the Government Primary School, Jandiali. Under their joint efforts, the school has witnessed remarkable developments, including the establishment of 15 smart classrooms, three libraries (including a mobile library), and three specialised theme-based parks, Sundar Likhai Park, Math Park, and IT Park. These facilities have not only modernised the teaching environment but have also enriched the overall learning experience of the students. (ANI) The ceremony was graced with the presence of Rifleman (Late) Bevela Lushai's daughter, Vanlalnghaki Chhakchhuak and other family members. The Ex-Servicemen of Assam Rifles and students of NIEDO also attended the ceremony, which coincided with the 'Purr Day', making it a memorable day. As per the release, on the occasion of 'Purr Day', Assam Rifles rechristened the NIEDO centre at Zokhawsang, Mizoram on 25 Aug 25. Major General Suresh Kumar Bhambhu, YSM, SM, IGAR (East), rechristened the NIEDO centre to BEVELA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE in commemoration of Rifleman (Late) Bevela Lushai of 14 Assam Rifles. On 25 Aug 1960, the Purr post in Phek district in Nagaland was attacked by over 500 armed insurgents. Air dropping supply missions were undertaken by the Indian Air Force to support the troops guarding the post, with one of the loads falling outside the post. With utter disregard for personal safety, Rifleman Bevela Lushai, along with two others, braved hostile fire, crawled outside the post and retrieved two ammunition boxes that assisted the troops to repulse the insurgent attack and save Purr Post. For displaying indomitable courage, Rileman Bevela Lushai was awarded the Ashok Chakra. Earlier on August 7, Assam Rifles recovered 69 cases and 10 loose cartons of illegal "ORIS" Cigarettes valued at approximately Rs 89.96 lakhs in Champhai, officials said. Based on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles on Thursday conducted a search in the general area of Chhungte, Champhai. During the search operations, the team recovered 69 cases and 10 loose cartons of illegal ORIS Cigarettes valued at approximately Rs 89.96 lakhs. The recovered items have been handed over to the Legal Metrology Department, Champhai. (ANI) In a series of joint operations across Manipur from August 18 to 23, the Indian Army and Assam Rifles formations under Spear Corps, in close coordination with Manipur Police, carried out precise, intelligence-driven operations across Jiribam, Pherzawl, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Imphal East. The operation led to the apprehension of 08 cadres from hill-and valley-based groups and the seizure of 10 weapons, grenades, ammunition, and other warlike stores. On August 18, Assam Rifles and Imphal West Police Commandos apprehended two active KCP (MFL) cadres during a joint operation in Lamphel, Imphal West. On August 19, a joint operation was carried out in the general area of Wangkhei Angom, Imphal East district, by Assam Rifles and Imphal West Police Commando, which led to the successful apprehension of a cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Federal League) who was linked to extortion and intimidation activities in Imphal town. On the same day, Assam Rifles and Imphal East Police Commandos carried out another successful operation, apprehending a cadre of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) in the Keirang area of Imphal East District, Manipur. Similarly, on August 20, Assam Rifles and Thoubal Police Commandos apprehended three cadres of the Revolutionary People's Front/ People's Liberation Army in the general area of Kshetrileikai, Thoubal District of Manipur. On the same day, joint teams comprising Indian Army, CRPF, local police and commando personnel launched a search operation in a suspected area of Sunusiphai Paton, near Loktak Lake. The recovered stores included one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one single-barrelled rifle, one smoke grenade, one Baofeng set, live rounds of assorted calibre, blank cases of 7.62 mm and 5.56 mm, six bulletproof jackets, four ballistic helmets and two gummy bags. On August 23, Assam Rifles and Bishnupur Police Commandos apprehended an active cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (Nongdrenkhomba) from Ningthoukhong Mayai Leikai, Bishnupur District. Also, a joint operation with Manipur Police and CRPF, Assam Rifles carried out Area Domination Patrol in the general area of Chaudharykhal and Savomphai villages in the Jiribam and Pherzawl Districts of Manipur on the same day, leading to the recovery of one 7.62mm AK47, one 5.56mm INSAS LMG, one .303 rifle, one single-barrel rifle, one 9mm pistol, two no 36 grenades, nine 5.56mm live rounds, 20 7.62 mm live rounds, seven 9mm live rounds, four radio sets, two INSAS magazines, one AK47 magazine, one .303 magazine, one 9mm pistol magazine. (ANI) Dryden Gold Corp. (CVE:DRY) (OTCMKTS:DRYGF) (FRA:X7W) is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and traded on the OTCQB. The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold acknowledges all Indigenous Peoples and that it is operating on the traditional homelands of the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Eagle Lake First Nation. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce. The overall toll of Israeli operations has risen to 62,686 deaths and 157,951 injuries since 7th October 2023. Between 18th March 2025 and today, the number of casualties has reached 10,842 deaths and 45,910 injuries. Hospitals in Gaza received 19 deaths and 123 injuries among those attempting to access humanitarian aid during the past 24 hours, raising the total number of such victims to 2,095 deaths and more than 15,431 injuries. Additionally, hospitals in the Gaza Strip recorded eight new deaths due to famine and malnutrition during the past 24 hours, including one child, bringing the overall total to 289 deaths, among them 115 children. (ANI/WAM) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected nine sorties of Chinese military aircraft and six Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Monday. According to MND, of the nine sorties, five crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. In a post on X, MND said, "9 sorties of PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 5 out of 9 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1959782779887255777 Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan's MND detected four sorties of Chinese military aircraft and five Chinese naval vessels operating around its territorial waters. In a post on X, the MND said, "4 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." Regular inspections are set to begin next year to address the issue of military personnel, civil servants, and public-school educators possessing Chinese citizenship or household registration, according to a report by the Taipei Times citing the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). Article 9-1 of the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area states that Taiwanese individuals who obtain Chinese household registration or a Chinese passport will lose their Taiwanese citizenship and be barred from working in the military, public service, or public education, as reported. In order to identify and prevent the unauthorised employment of individuals holding Chinese ID cards or residential permits, systematic inspections will be implemented starting on January 1 of next year, the council indicated, as noted by the Taipei Times. Recruits or transferred military personnel, civil servants, and public-school instructors must comply with these inspections. Failure to do so may result in the suspension of their qualification assessments and employment or reassignment, as per the regulations and their employment agreements, it was explained. Considering the size of the civil service and the diversity of its personnel, the regular inspection procedure will be introduced gradually, the council stated. In the initial phase, only essential personnel from the military, civil service, and public education institutions will undergo regular inspections, while others will be exempt, according to the report from Taipei Times. (ANI) Israel struck multiple military targets belonging to Houthis, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), said on Sunday. It struck a military site where the Presidential palace is located, two power plants, and a fuel storage site. Sharing the details in a post on X, the IDF said that the military targets included, "a military site in which the presidency palace is located, the Adar and Hizaz power plants, and a site for storing fuel--all used for the military activity of the Houthi regime." The strikes came in response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel by missiles and UAVs, the IDF added and also said that the Houthis continue to use civilian infrastructure for terror purposes. https://x.com/IDF/status/1959620385843925444 Al Jazeera, citing the Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV, reported that at least six people were killed and 86 others were injured in the strikes. AL Jazeera said that the Israeli strikes came two days after the Houthis claimed a missile launch against Israel. In a statement issued on Telegram, the IDF said that the strikes were conducted in response to repeated attacks by the Houthis against Israel, including the launching of surface-to-surface missiles and UAVs toward Israeli territory in recent days. The statement further added, "The presidential palace in the Sanaa area is located within a military site from which the military forces of the Houthi terrorist regime operate. In addition, the Hizaz and Asar power plants were struck, which served as a significant electricity supply facility for military activities." The IDF said that the strike on power plants damaged the production and supply of electricity for military purposes. The IDF also decried that the Houthis exploit the maritime domain to project force and carry out terror activity against global shipping and trade routes. "The IDF will operate against the ongoing and repeated attacks of the Houthi terrorist regime against the State of Israel, and remains determined to continue removing any threat posed to the civilians of the State of Israel, wherever it is required," IDF concluded in its statement. (ANI) COAS General Upendra Dwivedi began his official visit to Algeria, which is focused on strengthening the army-to-army ties and capability development. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Algeria said that the COAS began his visit with a welcome dinner hosted by Ambassador Dr Swati Vijay Kulkarni. This was attended by Algerian dignitaries, Ambassadors, Defence Attaches, Heads of Algerian chambers of commerce, think tanks, and academia. The post further highlighted that the visit of the COAS builds on the recent high-level visits between #India and #Algeria, typified in the spirit of South-South cooperation. https://x.com/indiainalgeria/status/1959760730904752438 The visit comes close on the heels of the recent visits by the President of India and the Chief of Defence Staff, underlining the importance accorded to strengthening India-Algeria relations, as per the statement. The visit aims to reinforce defence and security engagement between India and Algeria, with a focus on bolstering Army-to-Army cooperation, sharing perspectives on regional and global security challenges, and exploring avenues for defence industrial collaboration. During the visit, Dwivedi will hold high-level meetings with senior Algerian leadership, including General Said Chanegriha, Minister Delegate to the Minister of National Defence and Chief of Staff of the People's National Army; Lieutenant General Mostefa Smaali, Commander of Land Forces; and Swati Kulkarni, Indian Ambassador to Algeria. He will also visit prominent military institutions such as the School of Command and Major Staff, Tamentfoust; Cherchell Military Academy and pay homage at the Martyrs Memorial. As a precursor to the visit, Indian defence industries had showcased their capabilities at the Defence Seminar in Algiers from July 30 to August 1, laying the foundation for defence industry and technology collaboration, as per the statement.The visit of the COAS is expected to further deepen the historic ties between the two nations and provide impetus to advancing shared security interests, regional stability and defence cooperation, the statement said. His visit will also see the enhancement of bilateral defence cooperation between India and Algeria. (ANI) Fiji PM Rabuka commenced his official visit to India on Sunday and will remain until August 26. His visit is set to deepen the India-Fiji partnership across various sectors further. PM Rabuka was received by the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar, following his arrival in the National Capital. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Rabuka to India in his present capacity. On Sunday, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda met with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka. During the meeting, the Fijian PM was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and other senior officials. Union Minister Nadda held talks with PM Rabuka on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. In a post on X, he said, "Met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, in New Delhi today as part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. Our discussions focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, where I highlighted our party's ideology, organizational framework, and its role in driving India's development journey. We also had a detailed discussion on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to deepening our partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations." https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1959583477621477491 Fiji PM Rabuka and PM Modi will hold talks on Monday, and Prime Minister Narenda Modi will be hosting a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. He is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu. As per an MEA statement, Rabuka is also expected to deliver a talk on 'Ocean of Peace' at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in the national capital. (ANI) Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will not be able to appear in court on Tuesday due to ill-health, Daily Mirror Sri Lanka reported, citing hospital sources. As per Daily Mirror, Wickremesinghe was scheduled to be brought before the Colombo Fort Magistrate on August 26. However, hospital officials said that his prevailing health conditions would prevent him from appearing in court on Tuesday. Referring to a senior official of the Colombo National Hospital (CNH), Daily Mirror reported that the former Sri Lankan President has been advised to take medication and rest for the next three days. He was reported to be dehydrated on the previous day, which had caused an increased heart rate. Medical tests also revealed elevated kidney parameters, along with symptoms such as headache. "While the symptoms are not very serious at present, if complications develop, his condition could become critical," the official said, as cited by Daily Mirror. "With proper treatment, he may recover, but he requires rest and medication for the next three days." As a precautionary measure, doctors have decided to transfer him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Daily Mirror said. Wickremesinghe was remanded until August 26 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura. According to the Daily Mirror, Wickremesinghe was initially admitted to the prison hospital on Sunday, following his remand, but was later transferred to Colombo National Hospital, after medical assessments indicated the need for specialist treatment unavailable at the prison facility. Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested on Friday on allegations of state funds' misuse, as reported by Newswire Lanka. As per Newswire, his arrest is linked to allegations of using state funds to cover the expenses for a private visit to London, where he had attended a university graduation ceremony. It was further reported that the investigators claim the trip, which formed part of a wider overseas tour, was not an official engagement but was financed with government money. Ranil Wickremesinghe, a six-time prime minister, assumed office as Sri Lanka's interim president in July 2022 following Gotabaya Rajapaksa's removal. He lost the Presidential Elections to Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the leader of National People's Power, in September 2024. (ANI) PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the prime minister of Fiji. PM Rabuka also paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shared pictures of the tribute on X, and called the Fijian leader an "important Global South and FIPIC partner." In a post, the MEA said, "Welcoming an important Global South and FIPIC partner. PM @narendramodi received PM Sitiveni Rabuka @slrabuka of Fiji at Hyderabad House for delegation level talks." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1959871396340998371 The visit aims to deepen India-Fiji ties across multiple sectors, including strategic partnership and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to host a luncheon for the visiting prime minister. PM Rabuka was received by the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar, following his arrival in the National Capital. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Rabuka to India in his present capacity. On Sunday, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda met with Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka. During the meeting, the Fijian PM was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and other senior officials. Union Minister Nadda held talks with PM Rabuka on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. In a post on X, he said, "Met with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, in New Delhi today as part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. Our discussions focused on strengthening party-to-party relations, where I highlighted our party's ideology, organizational framework, and its role in driving India's development journey. We also had a detailed discussion on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to deepening our partnership for the mutual benefit of both nations." (ANI) The Fiji PM laid a wreath at Rajghat and offered flowers at the memorial. He also signed the visitor's book during his visit to Rajghat. Rabuka received books and a bust of Mahatma Gandhi. Later in the day, the Fijian PM met PM Modi today for delegation-level talks. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said, "Welcoming an important Global South and FIPIC partner. PM @narendramodi received PM Sitiveni Rabuka @slrabuka of Fiji at Hyderabad House for delegation-level talks." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1959871396340998371 Rabuka commenced his three-day official visit to India on Sunday. His visit is set to deepen the India-Fiji partnership across various sectors further. Upon his arrival, Rabuka was received by the Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the Northeastern Region, Sukanta Majumdar, following his arrival in the National Capital. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Rabuka to India in his present capacity. On Sunday, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda met with the Fiji Prime Minister. During the meeting, the Fijian PM was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Medical Services of Fiji, Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu, and other senior officials. Union Minister Nadda held talks with PM Rabuka on enhancing cooperation in the healthcare sector. Prime Minister Narenda Modi is set to host a lunch in honour of PM Rabuka. He is also scheduled to call on President Droupadi Murmu. As per a statement by the MEA, Rabuka is also expected to deliver a talk on 'Ocean of Peace' at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) in the national capital. (ANI) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced concern over the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's nephews in connection with the May 9, 2023, protests. Taking to social media platform X, HRCP stated, "HRCP is alarmed by the recent arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan's two nephews on charges related to their alleged involvement in the 9 May 2023 PTI-led protests, some of which turned violent. The fact that the arrests were made 27 months after the incident is difficult to understand for any independent observer, having occurred at a time when the trials of other accused persons have been long underway or already concluded." It further added, "HRCP is deeply concerned about the further backsliding of citizens' rights and expresses its disappointment in the policing and legal system, particularly when it comes to dealing with political opponents. We demand that the authorities ensure transparency and the rule of law in all such matters." According to a report by Dawn, Lahore police on Friday confirmed that another son of Aleema Khan, sister of PTI founder Imran Khan, was taken into custody from his residence, just a day after his brother was arrested in connection with the same riots. Deputy investigators told Dawn that Shershah Khan, like his brother Shahrez Khan, was arrested for his alleged role in the May 9 violence. Dawn quoted Aleema's lawyer, advocate Rana Mudassir Umar, as saying that Shershah was taken from his house after his appearance at a Lahore anti-terrorism court in relation to his brother's case. The PTI, in a post on X, denounced the arrests as an "abduction" and alleged that "the rule of law has been replaced with the law of the jungle." Dawn further reported that the development followed PTI's earlier claim that men in plainclothes had abducted Aleema's son from her residence. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced that India will extend support to strengthen Fiji's maritime security, including training and equipment assistance, as part of a broader action plan on defence and security cooperation. He made the remarks during a joint press meet with visiting Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in New Delhi. PM Modi said, "We have decided to strengthen mutual cooperation in the field of defence and security. For this, an action plan has been prepared. To enhance Fiji's maritime security, India will provide cooperation in training and equipment. In the areas of cyber security and data protection, we are ready to share our experience." The Prime Minister also underlined that both countries were united against terrorism. "We agree that terrorism is a big challenge for the whole of humanity. We express our gratitude to Prime Minister Rabuka and the Government of Fiji for their cooperation and support in our fight against terrorism," he added. Highlighting Fiji's role in the Pacific, PM Modi said India sees the island nation as a hub for regional cooperation. "We both support a free, open, inclusive, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister's vision of 'Oceans of Peace' is very positive. We welcome Fiji's decision to join India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative," he said. "India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat," PM Modi further said, adding that the two countries are partners in building a world order where the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South are respected. PM Modi also announced a slew of medical initiatives for Fiji, including the construction of a 100-bed super speciality hospital in Suva. He said, "In today's meeting, we took many important decisions. We believe that a healthy nation can only be a prosperous nation. We have decided that a 100-bed super speciality hospital will be constructed in Suva, Fiji. Dialysis units and sea ambulances will be sent to Fiji, and Jan Aushadhi centres will be opened there, so that affordable and high-quality medicines reach every home. A Jaipur foot camp will also be organised in Suva." Recalling the creation of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC), the Prime Minister said the initiative had strengthened India's ties not just with Fiji but with the entire Pacific region. "From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, our partnership is a bridge across the seas," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and the Fiji PM also held wide-ranging "productive talks" at Hyderbad House today, MEA informed. https://x.com/meaindia/status/1959898435835900157?s=46 In an X post, MEA wrote, "PM @narendramodi and PM @slrabuka of Fiji held wide-ranging & productive talks at Hyderabad House today. Discussions covered strengthening ties in defence, trade, healthcare, agriculture, mobility, people-to-people ties, & advancing a shared vision for a resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Both leaders witnessed the exchange of MoUs in areas including healthcare, capacity building, mobility, standardisation, ICET and business cooperation. PM @narendramodi also welcomed Fiji in the IPOI forum as a member country. (ANI) Michigan State Legislature Designates May As Chaldean American Month State Representative Tom Kuhn. LANSING, Michigan, USA -- The US city of Detroit, Michigan, is home to the world's largest concentrated Chaldean-Syriac-Assyrian diaspora, numbering more than 160,000 people. On August 21, the Michigan House of Representatives approved legislation officially designating May as Chaldean American Month. House Bill 4303, sponsored by State Representative Tom Kuhn (R-Troy), recognizes the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of Chaldean Americans to Michigan and the United States. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 99--1. The bill states: In recognition of Chaldean, Assyrian, and Syriac Americans, who have made significant and valuable contributions to this state and the United States, the legislature declares that the month of May of each year shall be known as 'Chaldean American Month.' "Michigan is home to one of the largest Chaldean communities in the nation, and their faith, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit have enriched our state in countless ways," said Kuhn. "From building businesses to strengthening our neighborhoods, Chaldean Americans have had an extraordinary impact on Michigan. This designation is a way for us to celebrate that legacy and ensure it is recognized for generations to come." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the deep bonds of friendship between India and Fiji and stated that the aspirations of the two nations "sail in the same boat." After Fiji PM Sitiveni Rabuka expressed interest of his country in joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), PM Modi welcomed the South Pacific ocean nation to join the partnership that was launched by India in 2019 with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain. "We see Fiji as a hub in cooperation with Pacific Island countries. We both support a free, open, inclusive, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister's 'Oceans of Peace' is a very positive thought. We welcome Fiji to join India's Indo-Pacific Ocean initiative," PM Modi said. Addressing a joint press conference following his talks with Rabuka in the national capital, PM Modi said, "India and Fiji may be oceans apart, but our aspirations sail in the same boat." Prime Rabuka highlighted the concept of the 'Ocean of Peace' which emphasizes building a peaceful, stable, secure, and sustainable future and well-being for the Pacific Region. Prime Minister Modi commended Prime Minister Rabuka for his leadership in championing 'Ocean of Peace' in the Pacific Region. Prime Minister Modi appreciated Fiji's active participation in the Voice of Global South Summits and thanked Rabuka for his participation in the Leaders' Session of the Summit. "We are also fellow travellers in the development journey of the Global South. We are partners in building a world order where the independence, ideas and identity of the Global South are respected. We believe that no voice should be ignored, and no nation should be left behind,"PM Modi said. Both leaders welcomed Fiji's continued engagement with the Global South Centre of Excellence, DAKSHIN, in finding unique development solutions rooted in the shared experience of Global South countries. PM Modi recalled his visit to Fiji in 2014 and shared how it was the first visit of an Indian PM to Fiji in 33 years. Subsequently, his visit saw the commencement of the action oriented Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC). "In 2014, after 33 years, an Indian Prime Minister set foot on Fijian soil. I am very happy and proud that I had this good fortune. At that time, we started the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation, i.e., FIPIC. That initiative has given new strength not only to India-Fiji relations, but also to our connection with the entire Pacific region. And today with this visit of Prime Minister Rambukaji, we are adding a new chapter to our mutual relations," PM Modi said. "FIPIC has not only reinforced India-Fiji ties, but also given a renewed strength to relations in the Pacific region," he said. The Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) is a part of India's multifaceted engagement in the Pacific. Recalling the outcomes of the 3rd FIPIC Summit held in May 2023, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to development partnership in the region through wide-ranging initiatives keeping priorities of Fiji at the centre. Reaffirming healthcare as a key priority area, both Leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of a 100-bedded Super Specialty Hospital in Suva which is the largest project undertaken by India under its Grant-in-Aid Programme in the Pacific Region. "In our extensive talks today, we took many important decisions. We believe that only a healthy nation can be a prosperous nation. Therefore, we decided that a 100-bed super specialty hospital will be built in 'Suva'. Dialysis units and sea ambulances will be sent. And, Jan Aushadhi Kendras will be opened, so that cheap and high quality medicines will reach every home. We want that no one's steps should stop in the race of dreams, hence, 'Jaipur Foot' camp will also be organized in Fiji,"PM Modi said. Further, PM Modi said that in the field of agriculture, Cowpea, or Lobia seeds sent from India, are germinating very well in the soil of Fiji. "India will now also gift 12 agri-drones and two mobile soil testing labs. We congratulate the Fijian government for accepting Indian ghee in Fiji," PM Modi said. PM Modi said that the visit of the Fiji PM marks a new chapter in the India-Fiji ties and lauded the declaration of 'Girmit Day' by PM Rabuka and said, "This is an honour of our shared history". He highlighted how over 60,000 Indians had travelled to Fiji in the nineteenth century as 'Girmitiyas', who have since then greatly contributed towards the growth and development of Fiji, by not only enriching their culture but also strengthening the unity of Fiji, continuously staying in touch with their roots. PM Modi highlighted the Ramayana tradition in Fiji as a living example of it. PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji. The visit aims to deepen India-Fiji ties across multiple sectors, including strategic partnership and people-to-people exchanges. Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled to host a luncheon for the visiting prime minister. (ANI) Authorities confirmed that over 325,500 residents across five coastal provinces are being relocated to schools and public buildings designated as temporary shelters. The typhoon is forecast to make landfall on Monday. Vietnam's Disaster Management Authority, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, warned that the situation is "extremely dangerous," posing serious risks to vessels, including tourist and fishing boats, as well as aquaculture facilities. (ANI/WAM) Fiji has reaffirmed its support to India for candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership for the term 2028-29, the India-Fiji joint statement shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. The two leaders highlighted the importance of global south-south cooperation and Fiji PM Rabuka appreciated the leadership role of India in Global South. As per the official statement, during the talks between the leaders, they agreed on the need for comprehensive UN reforms, including through the expansion of the UN Security Council in both categories of membership to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Fiji reaffirmed its support for India as a Permanent Member in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council as well as its support to India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership for the term 2028-29. On the front of South-South cooperation, India and Fiji reaffirmed their continued strengthening of it as a necessary step in effectively addressing contemporary global challenges. They agreed to work together on issues of common concern to the Global South, including enhanced, equitable representation in institutions of global governance. PM Rabuka appreciated India's initiative and leadership in organising the Voice of Global South Summits, which serve as a crucial platform to deliberate on shared concerns, challenges and developmental priorities of developing countries. PM Modi appreciated Fiji's active participation in the Voice of Global South Summits and thanked Prime Minister Rabuka for his participation in the Leaders' Session of the Summit. The Leaders underscored the importance of a free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They announced their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, contributing to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the statement observed. The statement also highlighted that the Leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and reiterated their shared commitment towards peace, climate justice, inclusive development, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. Prime Minister Rabuka appreciated the leadership role of India in Global South. They expressed appreciation for the valued mutual support extended in multilateral forums. PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji. The visit aims to deepen India-Fiji ties across multiple sectors, including strategic partnership and people-to-people exchanges. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel] August 25 (ANI/TPS): Israel has acknowledged the Lebanese Government's decision, led by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, to work toward the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of 2025. Benjamin Netanyahu's Office described the move as a "momentous decision" and a key opportunity for Lebanon to restore state sovereignty and strengthen its institutions, free from the influence of non-state actors. "The time is now for both nations to cooperate toward disarming Hezbollah and promoting stability and prosperity," the Prime Minister's statement said. Israel stated it is ready to support Lebanon in these efforts and noted that if the Lebanese Armed Forces implement Hezbollah's disarmament, Israel would consider reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF presence in coordination with the U.S.-led security mechanism. (ANI/TPS) India is ready to extend "necessary civil aviation support" to Indian private air carriers to facilitate direct air connectivity with Fiji, said Neena Malhotra, Secretary (South), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Monday. During a special briefing on the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, to India, Malhotra addressed the pressing issue of limited air connectivity between India and Fiji, while acknowledging the challenges stemming from the absence of a national carrier in India and the limited operations of Fiji Airways. "On the direct (flight) connectivity, I do realise that it's a major, major challenge. India doesn't have a national carrier as of now, and Fiji Airways has limited operations. As of now, no direct air connectivity because we do not have a national carrier, so it's essentially within the hands of private airlines," she said. The MEA expressed its readiness to assist any Indian private airline interested in establishing direct flights or code-sharing arrangements with Fijian carriers. "We are ready to facilitate if any of our airlines want to have a code-sharing arrangement or to fly directly. We will be very happy to facilitate and provide the necessary civil aviation support," she added. She also highlighted the avenues for enhanced economic cooperation, outlining four key sectors with "enormous possibilities" for collaboration between India and Fiji--agriculture, fisheries, construction, and tourism. In the agriculture sector, she pointed to the historical legacy of Indian indentured labourers working on sugar plantations in Fiji. She noted that with the decline of the sugar industry, Fiji became overly reliant on tourism, which hindered the development of other economic sectors. This overdependence, combined with the severe impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions, prompted the country to explore economic diversification in the post-pandemic period. "At least 3 or 4 sectors where we enormous possibilities. Agriculture, fisheries, construction, and tourism. In the area of agriculture, in Fiji, where people from India had gone as indentured labour for sugar plantations, now there (Fiji) sugar industry is going down... But over the years, tourism has evolved so much that the entire focus is on tourism... There is an overdependence on tourism, which is why the other sectors of the economy have not developed very well. That is the reason and this has also happened post-COVID when tourism took a big hit, that many of these countries are trying to diversify their economies and are looking for skilled labour and skilled professionals from abroad, so agriculture is an area where we see enormous possibilities," she stated. Regarding construction, Malhotra shared plans for significant infrastructure development, mostly centred around connectivity in the region. "Second, Prime Minister shared that there's a lot of construction that they're expecting would happen. They are planning to have a new airport; they're planning to have another port. They're also planning to construct tourism-related infrastructure like there are no hotels. Not enough hotels in that country. So that is another area where we see a lot of possibility," she noted. She also highlighted the potential for joint ventures in the fisheries sector, where India has established itself as a global leader in shrimp production and is venturing into pearl farming. "In the fisheries sector as well, they have some possibilities for tuna processing. India imports tuna from Fiji, but fisheries as an industry hasn't developed that much. I think we are really a big power in fisheries nowadays. We are the largest in the shrimp, uh, production. We are also venturing into pearl farming. Fiji do some pearl farming, but on a very small scale," she added. PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji. (ANI) India and Fiji on Monday condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stressed the need to prevent the exploitation of new technologies for terrorist purposes, with Suva keen that New Delhi takes a leadership role in the fight against terrorism. Addressing a press conference after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Fiji counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, Secretary (South) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Neena Malhotra, said Fiji has supported India in condemning terrorism. "Fiji has supported India in condemning terrorism. Even today, they have come up with their support to India against terrorism. Fiji wants India to take a leadership role in the fight against terrorism," she said. The joint statement issued after a meeting between PM Modi and his Fiji counterpart said the two leaders condemned in the strongest terms the Pahalgam terrorist attack. They rejected double standards on terrorism. "Both Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation against terrorism and condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Both Leaders condemned in strongest terms the Pahalgam terrorist attack which took the lives of 26 innocent civilians; reiterated zero tolerance to terrorism and rejected double standards on terrorism. Both countries acknowledged the need to counter radicalization; combat financing of terrorism; prevent the exploitation of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes and tackle terrorist recruitment and transnational organized crime through joint efforts and capacity building," the statement said. India and Fiji agreed to work together at the UN and other multilateral fora to combat terrorism. The Leaders exchanged views on regional and international developments and reiterated their shared commitment to peace, climate justice, inclusive development, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. Prime Minister Rabuka appreciated the leadership role of India in the Global South. They expressed appreciation for the valued mutual support extended in multilateral forums. Both Leaders agreed on the urgent need for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, including through the expansion of the UN Security Council in both categories of membership to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. Fiji reaffirmed its support for India as a Permanent Member in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council as well as its support to India's candidature for the UNSC non-permanent membership for the term 2028-29. The Leaders reaffirmed the continued strengthening of South-South cooperation as a necessary step in effectively addressing contemporary global challenges and agreed to work together on issues of common concern to the Global South, including enhanced, equitable representation in institutions of global governance. Both Leaders welcomed Fiji's continued engagement with the Global South Centre of Excellence, DAKSHIN, in finding unique development solutions rooted in the shared experience of Global South countries. Both Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to supporting an open, inclusive, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Fiji into this partnership with like-minded countries which seek to manage, conserve and sustain the maritime domain. He commended Prime Minister Rabuka for his leadership in championing 'Ocean of Peace' in the Pacific Region. (ANI) A young man previously subjected to enforced disappearances was allegedly shot dead along with his cousin by the government-backed death squad in Balochistan's Khuzdar district on Friday, claims the Balochistan Post. As per media reports, 29-year-old Naeem Shay, son of Shay Mohammad and a resident of Tehsil Gresha, was killed alongside his cousin, 19-year-old Iqbal Hakeem, in the Gresha Nadagi area. Both the deceased were on their way to visit relatives when they were intercepted by members of a government-backed militia, locally referred to as a "death squad", and shot dead on the spot, says the Balochistan Post. Naeem had previously been forcibly disappeared in 2022, when he was detained along with his father, brother, and three other relatives by Pakistani armed forces and intelligence agencies. The family members were released several months later, as per the Balochistan Post. His cousin, Iqbal Hakeem, was a second-semester student in the BA Education Department at the University of Karachi. Activists stated that he had long been subjected to harassment and surveillance by the same groups, and had been forced to abandon his studies due to ongoing threats, the Balochistan Post said. As per the Balochistan Post, rights groups and local activists described the killings as part of a broader pattern of extrajudicial violence in Balochistan. They said that enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of Baloch youth have become an ongoing issue in the region. The Balochistan Post also reported that unidentified assailants attacked the house of a man named Peer Bakhsh in the Buleda area of Kech district. The Balochistan Post, citing local sources, said that the attackers were allegedly members of the death squad who came on motorcycles and threw a bomb inside the house. Earlier this month, a similar grenade attack in Turbat injured several women. Other attacks on homes have also been reported in Tump and neighbouring areas, the Balochistan Post claimed. Human rights groups and activists have repeatedly accused Pakistani security forces of backing armed militias, locally referred to as "death squads," to crush the independence movement and silence dissent in Balochistan. Pakistani authorities deny these allegations, as per the Balochistan Post. (ANI) India and Fiji on Monday unveiled significant initiatives to bolster defence and maritime security cooperation between the two nations, including the creation of a Defence Attache post at the High Commission of India in Fiji's capital of Suva. According to the Joint Statement issued following the joint press conference by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka earlier today, there is growing momentum in bilateral ties aimed at promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, including a planned port call by an Indian Naval Ship to Fiji scheduled for this year. The Joint Statement highlighted the leaders' commitment to deepening defence collaboration, with PM Modi announcing the gifting of two sea ambulances to Fiji's Military Forces and the establishment of a Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji to address emerging challenges. "Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening defence cooperation through new initiatives aimed at accelerating bilateral defence efforts and designed to promote mutual benefits and advance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region," the statement read. "Prime Minister Modi announced the gifting of two ambulances to the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the establishment of the defence wing in the High Commission of India in Suva. In view of cyber security being an emerging area of cooperation between both countries, the Leaders welcomed the establishment of Cyber Security Training Cell (CSTC) in Fiji. They emphasised the significant potential for collaboration on addressing current and emerging challenges, particularly in the maritime, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and technology sectors," it further read. Prime Minister Rabuka also welcomed India's assurance to support the security of Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the planned naval port call, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability. "Prime Minister Rabuka stressed the significance of ensuring security of Fiji's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and welcomed India's assurance to extend assistance to meet the security needs of the Republic of Fiji. Prime Minister Rabuka welcomed the planned port call by an Indian Naval Ship to Fiji, which will enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability," the statement added. The statement also emphasised cooperation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Military Medicine, White Shipping Information Exchange, and capacity building for Fiji's military. "Both Leaders acknowledged the growing momentum in bilateral defence ties. They emphasised the importance of their shared interests in advancing regional peace, stability, and prosperity... The Leaders welcomed the outcomes of the inaugural Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence, including enhanced cooperation in areas such as United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), Military Medicine, White Shipping Information Exchange (WSIE), and capacity building for Republic of Fiji Military Forces," the statement read. The leaders underscored the importance of a "free, open, secure, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region", announcing their intent to collaborate on strengthening regional maritime security, the statement added. During a special briefing on the occasion of Prime Minister Rabuka's visit, MEA Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra also reiterated both nations' focus on defence and security cooperation in the region. "We are focusing on training and capacity building, and we have also had port calls by our ships, and we have also focused on HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief). We are essentially focusing on enhancing the maritime capabilities of Fiji so that they could deal with the challenges of security in the region, which is also disaster management because their countries are vulnerable to natural disasters and cyclones," Malhotra said. "Together, India and Fiji are committed to advancing our shared vision of peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region," Malhotra added, highlighting Fiji's role as a regional hub through its leadership in the Pacific Island Forum and its air and shipping links. PM Rabuka arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the start of his official visit to India, which will continue until August 26. This is his first visit to India as the Prime Minister of Fiji. The visit aims to deepen India-Fiji ties across multiple sectors, including strategic partnership and people-to-people exchanges. (ANI) Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA) has deported a Japanese social media influencer after he appeared in a controversial TikTok video declaring that "Taiwan belongs to China," according to a Focus Taiwan report. According to Focus Taiwan, the video filmed on August 18 at the iconic Ximending LGBTQ Rainbow landmark in Taipei showed two Japanese nationals, one identifying himself as Aira Todomi and the other as 42-year-old Hiroyuki Tanaka. In the clip, both men unfurled the flag of the People's Republic of China (PRC) while professing their "deep love for China". It was Tanaka's remark on Taiwan's sovereignty that triggered the backlash. The NIA stated that the video violated Item 13 of Article 18 of Taiwan's Immigration Act, which allows the government to deport or bar entry to foreigners deemed to endanger national interests or public security. While the agency did not detail how the video met these conditions, it stressed that the comments made were "inappropriate", Focus Taiwan stated. On Monday morning, Tanaka was expelled from Taiwan and banned from re-entry. Todomi, who had left the island immediately after the filming, has also been blacklisted, the NIA confirmed. The investigation further revealed that Tanaka, who is married to a Taiwanese national, admitted he participated in the video to boost his online following, particularly among viewers in China. In the TikTok footage, Todomi, speaking in fluent Mandarin and Japanese, said that any disputes between Taiwan and China should be resolved "between the two sides", while expressing hope for closer Sino-Japanese ties. Tanaka echoed his remarks before delivering the line that cost him his stay in Taiwan. Later, Todomi continued filming near Taipei Main Station, holding both the PRC and Japanese flags. The video drew sharp criticism from Taiwanese netizens and political influencers, with some reporting the incident to the NIA. The agency confirmed that both individuals had entered Taiwan under the Taiwan-Japan visa-free programme, Focus Taiwan noted. The NIA reiterated that while foreign visitors are welcome, statements or actions undermining Taiwan's sovereignty will not be tolerated, a point emphasised repeatedly in its statement. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of inaction against terrorism during its tenure, stating that while terrorists "shed our blood", Congress sat in Delhi and "did nothing". Speaking at an event here after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for multiple development projects, the Prime Minister said the situation has changed under the BJP-led government, which ensures that no terrorists or their handlers are spared, regardless of their location. He highlighted India's strengthened security stance, referencing the swift and decisive "Operation Sindoor" as a symbol of the nation's resolve as well as the valour of the armed forces, while drawing parallels with Lord Krishna's Sudarshan Chakra as a shield of justice and security. "Terrorists... they used to shed our blood, and the Congress government sitting in Delhi did nothing. But today, we do not spare terrorists or their masters, no matter where they hide. The world has witnessed India avenge Pahalgam. 22 minutes, and complete annihilation. Operation Sindoor... it has become a symbol of our army's valour and the willpower of Mohan, the wielder of the Sudarshan Chakra, for India," the Prime Minister stated. " The Prime Minister framed his remarks within Gujarat's legacy, describing it as the land of "two Mohans"--Lord Krishna, the "Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan", and Mahatma Gandhi, the "Charkhadhari Mohan"--and emphasised that India is growing stronger by following the paths of security and self-reliance shown by these figures. "This land of Gujarat is the land of two Mohans. One is Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan, our Dwarkadish Shri Krishna and the other, Charkhadhari Mohan, Sabarmati's saint Pujya Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi). India is continuously becoming stronger by following the path shown by these two. Sudarshan Chakradhari Mohan has taught us how to protect the country and society. He made the Sudarshan Chakra a shield of justice and security, which finds and punishes the enemy," he stated. "India today is continuously becoming stronger by walking on the path shown by Mohan, who wields the Sudarshan Chakra, and Mohan, who wields the spinning wheel," the Prime Minister added. PM Modi also criticised the Congress for abandoning Mahatma Gandhi's principles of Swadeshi and Swachhata, questioning the Congress's commitment to Gandhi's ideals. He also slammed the party for using Mahatma Gandhi's name to enjoy the "pleasures of power" for decades. "The spinning wheel bearer Mohan, our revered Bapu, had shown the path to India's prosperity through self-reliance. Here is the Sabarmati Ashram. This ashram is a witness to the fact that the party which, for decades, enjoyed the pleasures of power in his name, crushed Bapu's soul. What did it do with Bapu's mantra of Swadeshi? Today, you would not have heard the words 'Swachhata' or 'Swadeshi' from the mouths of those who have driven their vehicles day and night in the name of Gandhi for the last several years. This country is not able to understand what has happened to their understanding?" he remarked. Earlier in the day, PM Modi dedicated multiple railway projects worth over Rs 1,400 crore to the nation, including the doubling of the 65 km Mahesana-Palanpur Rail Line worth over Rs 530 crore, and the gauge conversion of the 37 km Kalol-Kadi-Katosan Road Rail Line and 40 km Bechraji-Ranuj Rail Line worth over Rs 860 crore. These projects aim to enhance connectivity and economic development in Gujarat, aligning with Modi's vision of self-reliance and infrastructure growth. (ANI) Need for Decentralized Governance in Syria: US Envoy U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack. When U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack recently suggested that the country may need to explore alternatives to an overly centralized state, his remarks reverberated beyond the halls of Daramsuq (Damascus). For Syria's mosaic of religious communities and ethnic peoples -- particularly the long-denied and disadvantaged Syriac (Assyrian--Chaldean--Aramean) people -- the comments offered az rare acknowledgment of their decades-long calls for local self-governance and cultural protection. "Not a federation but something short of that," Barrack told reporters last month, describing a political system that would allow communities "to keep their own integrity, their culture, their own language, and no threat of Islamism." The statement came in the aftermath of brutal violence in Suwayda, a Druze-majority province, where more than 1,000 were killed in unrest that highlighted once again the vulnerability of Syria's indigenous components. Centralization versus Decentralization President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, who took power in December 2024 after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, has pledged to unify the country through reconstruction and a renewed central state. Gulf allies have rallied to his side, and Washington until recently supported his approach. But growing unrest in regions with a large presence of indigenous components has exposed the fragility of that vision. Druze villagers in Arnah, speaking to the Washington Post, speak of fear and isolation. Talking to our SyriacPress reporter, Alawite families along the coast recount massacres at the hands of fighters aligned with the government itself. And in Syria's northeast, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East (DAARNES) is pressing for decentralization after years of controlling territory and defending it against Islamic State (ISIS) through its army, the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syriac leaders have joined that chorus. In Hasakah this month, a conference of minority communities included Syriac (Aramean-Chaldean-Assyrian) representatives, as a major component in DAARNES. The conference's final statement called for decentralization. Daramsuq swiftly dismissed the gathering as illegitimate. The Syrian Government pushed back this week by excluding Dayro Zcuro (Deir ez-Zor), Raqqa, Hasakah, (in the Region of North and East Syria), and Suwayda, effectively sidelining entire segments of the Syrian population from the parliamentary elections on the pretext of "security concerns." Christians and Syriacs The Syriacs' concerns are not abstract. During the ISIS onslaught of 2014--15, dozens of Syriac-Assyrian villages in the Khabur River Valley were emptied, their churches desecrated, and their residents kidnapped or displaced. Thousands fled abroad, accelerating a century-long exodus that has reduced one of the region's oldest Christian communities to a fraction of its former size. For Syria's Christians and the Syriac (Assyrian-Chaldean-Aramean) people, concentrated in villages and towns stretching from Zalin (Qamishli) in the northeast, along the Khabur River, to the valleys of Hmoth (Homs), Sadad, Wadi Nasara (Valley of Christians), Holeb (Aleppo), and Hemto (Hama), and the cities and mountains of the coastal region, reaching Daramsuq (Damascus), Barrack's words carried a deeper resonance. The upheavals of the last few months -- many of them by Sunni extremists, including some linked to the current Syrian Government and some who previously belonged to the terrorist Islamic State who assaulted the Nineveh Plains and the Nusra Front who attacked the Khabur River Vally, to recent violence in Suwayda and the Alawite coastal heartland -- have underscored how quickly Syria's components can be thrown into existential crisis. For many Syriac (Chaldean-Assyrian-Aramean) people, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's insistence on a strong, centralized government recalls bitter memories of Arab nationalist policies that eroded their rights, suppressed their schools, denied recognition of their Syriac (Aramaic) language, and tried to reduce them to mere Christians. Bassam Ishak, President of Syriac National Council of Syria (SSNC) and member of the Presidential Council of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) Mission in Washington, D.C. wrote in this regard and in defense of the "Unity of Components" Conference that "...Syria's stability, and the prevention of its relapse into authoritarianism or fragmentation, will only be achieved through a genuine decentralized governance system." Shift in Tone Barrack's remarks reflect a shift in Washington's tone, but the path forward remains uncertain. Prasident al-Sharaa has dismissed talk of partition or cantons as impossible, while indigenous components themselves remain divided between those who fear fragmentation and those who see decentralization as the only viable safeguard. Still, among Syriac (Assyrian--Chaldean-Aramean), the sense of urgency is unmistakable. For now, Syria's smaller components remain caught in a perilous limbo -- torn between the promises of central authority and the pressing need for local autonomy. In that tension lies the future not just of the Syriacs, but of Syria itself. Chinese President Xi Jinping made a rare visit to Lhasa on 20 August 2025, marking his first visit since 2021, ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Tibet Autonomous Region. He declared, "Tibet must fully implement the Party's strategy for governing Tibet in the new era," as reported by Free Tibet. Senior figures gathered in Lhasa for a grand celebration marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region, a political structure designed to reinforce Beijing's control over Tibet. The event was carefully choreographed: Chinese officials donned traditional Tibetan chupa garments, while Tibetans were instructed to offer ceremonial scarves and wave red flags as a display of loyalty. According to Free Tibet, citing local sources, plain-clothes agents closely monitored the crowd. Free Tibet claims that the visit comes as the Chinese Communist Party intensifies its efforts to erase Tibetan identity. On 5 August, Karma Tsering, Chairman of the so-called Tibet Autonomous Region, confirmed that from 2026, the Tibetan language will no longer be a compulsory subject in the national university entrance examination in Tibet. President Xi Jinping further underscored the drive to sinicise religion, stating, "We must systematically promote the Sinicisation of religion, strengthen the legal governance of religious affairs, and guide Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society." Free Tibet also reports that Xi Jinping reaffirmed the Chinese Communist Party's core priority: maintaining absolute political control. "To govern, stabilise, and develop Tibet, the first task is to maintain Tibet's political stability, social stability, ethnic unity, and religious harmony. We must deepen the fight against separatism and achieve significant progress in economic and social development," he declared. He also called for "forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation" and advancing the construction of a so-called "Chinese community", language which signals deeper assimilation, Free Tibet reported. According to Free Tibet, Xi Jinping claimed that the message is clear: China fears Tibet's distinct identity and enduring spirit of resistance. The CCP's obsession with control fuels its relentless campaign to assimilate the Tibetan people, erode their language, dismantle their cultural heritage, and assert total dominance over the plateau, all under the guise of promoting "stability." (ANI) Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan visited the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu and Lalitpur as she wraps up her three-day visit to the Himalayan Nation. Vice President Xuan toured the Bouddhanath Stupa and the Patan Durbar Square on the last day of her visit to Nepal. On the occasion, the Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Chiri Babu Maharjan, welcomed the visiting dignitary and presented her with a souvenir as a token of friendship. The visiting deputy-head from the Southeast Asian nation toured the Patan Museum and the Bouddhanath Stupa. Earlier in the day, the Vietnamese Vice President Xuan met President Ramchandra Paudel at the official residence, Sheetal Niwas, earlier in the morning. During the meeting, President Paudel said there was vast potential to expand bilateral economic ties in trade, tourism, investment, and technology transfer between the two countries. "Nepal is keen to accelerate bilateral cooperation for this," Kiran Pokharel, press adviser to President Paudel, quoted him as saying. The President added that Nepal is focusing on economic and social transformation through investment in agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and hydropower. He praised Vietnam for transforming itself into one of the world's most dynamic economies. Paudel also highlighted Buddhism as a strong cultural bridge between the two nations, saying it was encouraging that a large number of Vietnamese see Lumbini as a sacred place to visit once in their lifetime. Vietnamese Vice President Xuan noted Nepal's goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2030 and Vietnam's aim of attaining high-income status by 2045, stressing the need to build a broader cooperation framework between the two countries before 2030. She said there was scope for cooperation in culture, sports, and tourism, and lauded Nepal's role in promoting peace and its commitments on climate change. Earlier on Sunday, Vice President Ramsahaya Prasad Yadav also held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart. The two leaders reviewed bilateral ties since establishing diplomatic relations in 1975 and emphasised the importance of 2025, which marks the 50th anniversary of relations. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they agreed to hold the first meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism soon and discussed strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, and connectivity, including the possibility of a direct air link. Later in the day, Xuan called on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at Singha Durbar. According to Oli's chief adviser, Bishnu Prasad Rimal, the two leaders discussed expanding ties at government-to-government, business-to-business, and people-to-people levels and stressed the need to deepen diplomatic and cultural engagement. On Saturday, Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba called on the visiting vice president and sought her help to initiate flights from Vietnam to the Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa and the Pokhara International Airport. The visit comes as Nepal and Vietnam mark five decades of diplomatic relations. Both countries have long cooperated in multilateral forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77. Vice President Xuan is scheduled to return to Hanoi on Monday. (ANI) President Donald Trump is set to sign two executive orders aimed at increasing federal intervention in crime policies, focusing on two key areas: ending cashless bail policies and cracking down on flag desecration, The Hill reported. A White House official confirmed that Trump would sign an order threatening to revoke federal funding for cities and states that have implemented cashless bail policies. Earlier this month, Trump railed against cashless bail during a press conference where he also announced plans to federalise the DC police department and deploy the National Guard. Elise Stefanik, a close Trump ally, has pledged to introduce legislation aimed at abolishing cashless bail policies nationwide, according to The Hill. Trump spoke about ending the no-cash bail policy earlier this month, though he hinted that he was going to do it through Congress using Republican votes "because the Democrats are weak on crime, totally weak on crime," Fox News reported. "Every place in the country where you have no-cash bail is a disaster," Trump said at the time, specifically naming New York and Chicago. "I mean, bad politicians started it, bad leadership started it. But that was the one thing that's central. No-cash bail. Somebody murders somebody and they're out on no-cash bail before the day is out." According to Fox News, no-cash bail is generally considered a progressive approach to criminal justice. As such, reforms have been implemented in states like New York, and data shows that bail elimination can lead to higher recidivism rates. Further, Trump is also expected to sign an executive order directing the Attorney General to crack down on flag desecration, in which people desecrate the flag by identifying state and local laws they may have violated. This move comes despite the 1989 Supreme Court ruling that protects flag burning under the First Amendment. Trump has ramped up threats to get involved in cracking down on crime outside the nation's capital in recent days, telling reporters Friday that Chicago would be his next target. But unlike in Washington, where the federal government has more authority, Trump cannot take control of another city's police department. State and local officials have also pushed back on threats to send in the National Guard. (ANI) The Indian delegation includes senior BSF officials as well as officials from the Indian Home and External Affairs Ministries, it added. BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui welcomed the Indian delegation when they arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Monday (August 25) afternoon, the statement said. The 56th BGB-BSF Director General-level border conference will officially begin Tuesday morning at the BGB headquarters, Peelkhana, Dhaka. The four-day conference will conclude on August 28, the statement said. Earlier in February, the 55th Director General-Level Border Coordination Conference between the BSF and BGB commenced in New Delhi, with high-level delegations from both nations gathering to discuss critical border-related issues and enhance cooperation. According to a post on X by the BSF, the conference was formally initiated with a welcome extended by BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary to Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, DG of BGB, and the accompanying Bangladeshi delegation at Delhi Airport. The bilateral conference is a key institutional mechanism aimed at strengthening border management and maintaining peace and harmony along the Indo-Bangladesh border. "The 55th BSF-BGB DIRECTOR GENERAL LEVEL BORDER CO-ORDINATION CONFERENCE - 2025 scheduled at New Delhi from 17-20 February 2025. Sh Daljit Singh Chawdhary, DG BSF, received & welcomed Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, OSP, BSP, SUP, BGBM, ndc, psc, M Phil, DG BGB along with the Border Guard Bangladesh delegation at IGI airport, New Delhi today. DG BGB is heading the BGB delegation, to discuss & deliberate upon the border related issues and for better coordination between both the Border Guarding Forces," the post read. (ANI) Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement. Welcoming Prime Minister Rabuka and his delegation, the President fondly recalled her meeting with him during her state visit to Fiji in August 2024, as well as the traditional welcome extended to her by the indigenous tribal elders. She also recalled her interactions with members of the vibrant Indian-origin community and appreciated the vital role they play in deepening understanding and friendship between the two countries, the MEA said. Underlining the long-standing relationship between India and Fiji, characterised by strong people-to-people ties, the President said that the contributions of the Girmitiya community have been significant in not only upholding strong bonds but also shaping Fiji's multicultural identity, diverse society and economy. She added that as part of the modern and multifaceted partnership, India is privileged to partner in the socio-economic development of Fiji with a particular focus on Fijian priorities such as health, capacity building and training, and climate resilience. The President stated that India remains committed to strengthening its relations and development partnership with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs), among which Fiji remains a special partner. She was happy to note that an MoU on establishing a super-speciality hospital in Fiji was signed on Monday, marking a milestone in the shared vision for enhanced healthcare cooperation, the MEA release stated. She further said that capacity building has always been an important pillar of India-Fiji relations, including through the ITEC training programmes for Fijian officials in Indian institutions. She noted that digital technologies have brought about a revolution in financial inclusion in India, and that India would be happy to share with Fiji experiences in initiatives such as UPI payment systems, Jan Dhan, and Aadhar. The President also welcomed the fact that the government of Fiji has prioritised strengthening relations with India, which is evident in the strong momentum in recent engagements. Both leaders expressed confidence that the visit will open new avenues for cooperation, benefitting the people of both countries, the MEA added. (ANI) India has communicated details about possible flooding in Pakistan, officials said on Monday. The Indian High Commission in Islamabad conveyed the information to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, stressing that the communication was made entirely on humanitarian grounds. The warning comes as Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Pakistan ordered the evacuation of people from riverine and low-lying areas on Monday ahead of heavy rains and flood predictions, Dawn reported. According to the chief minister's office, Maryam Nawaz directed officials "to ensure timely evacuation of the stranded population in view of [the] arrival of flood torrents". She also ordered access to "all possible available resources" to prevent loss of life, relocate people to safe places, and take "prompt measures for the timely relocation of livestock", Dawn reported. The statement further said that CM Maryam asked authorities to "vigilantly monitor the flood situation of the Sutlej River and other rivers", while ensuring "accommodation, food and medical treatment" as well as "suitable temporary accommodation" for flood victims. She also directed immediate provision of snakebite vaccines in flood-hit areas, it added. Punjab has already been on high alert, with the provincial government evacuating thousands of people along the Sutlej River on Saturday after the river surged to a high flood level at Ganda Singh Wala, recording a dangerous flow of 129,866 cusecs, Dawn reported. The district administration, Rescue 1122 and other departments in Kasur, Pakpattan, Taunsa Sharif and other affected areas were instructed to remain "alert and vigilant". Meanwhile, the Ministry of Climate Change cautioned on X that heavy rains were expected in the Gujranwala, Gujrat and Lahore divisions over the next 48 hours, "with a high risk of both riverine and urban flooding". Citizens were advised "to stay alert, follow safety precautions, and remain prepared during this period". Earlier in the day, Pakistan's Foreign Office confirmed that India had issued flood warnings to Islamabad. Separately, the Pakistan Commission of Indus Waters reported "high flood level" in the Sutlej River at 10 am, according to an alert issued by the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). The PDMA instructed district administrations to maintain a "high level of preparedness and mitigation of the disaster", ensure accurate dissemination of information, and activate early warning systems. It also advised the pre-placement of earth-moving machinery at chokepoints, strengthening of embankments, deployment of additional staff and resources, establishment of relief camps with medicines and essential supplies, and relocation of livestock to higher ground. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) issued a flood warning for the Chenab and Ravi rivers during the next 48 hours. The advisory stated that "moderate rainfall has commenced over the upper catchments of the Eastern Rivers", warning that flows in the Chenab River at Marala, Khunki and Qadir Abad "may rise to high to very high flood levels during [the] next 48 hours". The PMD said flood intensity in the Ravi River would depend on "releases from Madhupur Barrage in India" but cautioned that due to heavy rainfall in downstream catchments, "medium to high flood conditions may develop in the river". It further said intermittent rainfall could trigger urban flooding in the Lahore, Gujranwala and Gujrat divisions. "It is further informed that the Indian reservoirs on the Ravi and Sutlej are already at danger level," the PMD added, urging authorities to take preventive measures, Dawn reported. (ANI) The German Foreign Office expressed shock over the killing of journalists, rescue workers, and other civilians in an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in Gaza, calling for an investigation into the attack. "We are shocked by the killing of several journalists, rescue workers, and other civilians in an Israeli airstrike on the Nasser Hospital in #Gaza. This attack must be investigated," the German Foreign Office said in a post on X. https://x.com/GermanyDiplo/status/1960008965460242810 Highlighting the role of media workers, it added, "#Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. We have repeatedly called on the Israeli government to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in #Gaza." https://x.com/GermanyDiplo/status/1960008967947710540 The statement came as press freedom groups and rights advocates expressed outrage over Israel's killing of five Palestinian journalists, including one from Al Jazeera, in an airstrike that killed 21 people at a hospital in Gaza. The journalists killed in the attack were identified as Hussam al-Masri (Reuters), Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera), Mariam Abu Daqqa (freelance), Ahmed Abu Aziz, and Moaz Abu Taha. Al Jazeera reported that a sixth journalist, Hassan Douhan (Al-Hayat Al-Jadida), was killed by Israeli forces in a separate incident in Khan Younis. Medical sources said Israeli attacks have killed at least 61 Palestinians across Gaza since dawn, while the UN has warned that malnutrition among children in the enclave is worsening. US President Donald Trump suggested that the war on Gaza could see a "conclusive end" within two to three weeks. According to updated figures cited by Al Jazeera, Israel has killed at least 62,744 people and wounded 158,259 in its military operations in Gaza. The network also reported that during Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, 1,139 people were killed in Israel and over 200 were taken captive. Al Jazeera said the killings of journalists have sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for greater protection of media workers covering the war. (ANI) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending warm greetings on Ukraine's Independence Day. "Thank you, Prime Minister @narendramodi, for the warm greetings on Ukraine's Independence Day. We appreciate India's dedication to peace and dialogue," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. He further said, "Now, as the entire world strives to end this horrible war with dignity and lasting peace, we count on India's contribution. Every decision that strengthens diplomacy leads to better security not only in Europe, but also in the Indo-Pacific and beyond." https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1960047627422060792 Zelenskyy also posted Modi's letter in which the Prime Minister thanked him for his message and kind wishes on the occasion of India's Independence Day. "I thank you for your thoughtful message and kind wishes on the occasion of Independence Day of India," Modi said in a letter addressed to Zelenskyy. Modi also extended his greetings to the people of Ukraine on the occasion of their Independence Day. "I also take this opportunity to extend my greetings to you and the people of Ukraine on the occasion of your Independence Day. I warmly recall my visit to Kyiv in August last year, and note the progress in the India-Ukraine bilateral relations since then. I look forward to working with you to further strengthen our mutually beneficial cooperation," he wrote. Highlighting India's commitment to peace, Modi said, "India has always stood on the side of peace. India remains committed to extending all possible support for sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy." He further conveyed his wishes for Zelenskyy's health and well-being. "I avail myself of this opportunity to convey to you my sincere wishes for your good health and well-being, as well as for the progress and prosperity of the people of Ukraine," the Prime Minister said. Both leaders underlined the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and strengthened bilateral cooperation. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) warned of "great consequences" if Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fail to hold talks, while asserting that the ongoing war would not have occurred under his leadership. On being asked if there will be consequences if the two leaders do not meet, Trump said, "... There will be great consequences... This war would have never taken place if I were President... We will see what happens over the next week or two, and at that point I will step in very strongly..." His latest warning follows remarks made last week when Trump said that he would be taking a "very important decision" in the next two weeks on the Russia-Ukraine war, hinting at the possibility of imposing "massive sanctions or tariffs" on Moscow or telling Kyiv that "it's not Washington's war." Trump said that his decision is dependent on what happens in the next two weeks and pushed for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking to the reporters at the Oval Office, Donald Trump said, "In two weeks, we are going to know which way I am going because I'm going to go one way or another. It's going to be a very important decision. I'm going to decide whether it's not massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or do we do nothing and say it's your fight?" "It takes two to tango. I wanted to have a meeting with those two. We'll see if they don't have a meeting, then why it was so, after I told them to have a meeting," he added. When asked about a US factory reportedly hit in Ukraine during recent Russian missile attacks, Donald Trump said, "I'm not happy about it, and I'm not happy about anything about that war. I've settled seven wars, and if you think about pre-wars, that'll be three, so 10 wars. Not happy at all. Over the next two weeks we are going to find out which way it's going to go." Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Vladimir Putin is ready to meet Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, provided all issues relating to the settlement of the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv are thoroughly worked out. Lavrov told RT on Thursday, "The Russian president repeatedly said that he is ready to meet, including with Zelensky, if there is an understanding that all issues that require consideration at the highest level have been worked out thoroughly" by experts and ministers. (ANI) HOKKAIDO, Aug 25 (News On Japan) - The most effective option when you encounter a bear and are about to be attacked is bear spray. Using capsaicin, it is expected to slow the animals movements and help avert an attack. In July 2024, a Tokyo-based company launched a bear-spray rental business headquartered in Makubetsu, Hokkaido. By reserving on the website, customers can have a can delivered to a designated hotel or rental-car outlet for 3,850 yen for one night and two days. At the delivery hub Honami Marche, Fujiwara said, "We receive about two to three orders a day." Shiraiwa, the companys representative who lives in Tokyo, has been climbing in the Daisetsuzan range for about a decade and has encountered bears almost every year. For hikers coming from outside Hokkaido, he says purchasing bear spray is a hurdle. "When I tried to bring bear spray, I couldnt take it on a plane. I had the same problem myself, and I thought many people were in the same situation, so I started this service," said Shiraiwa. A single can costs roughly 10,00020,000 yen, and carrying it on aircraft is prohibited, so demand for rentals is rising, especially among hikers from outside the prefecture. According to Shiraiwa, "When we started last year, total rentals were about 100 cans. This year, as of July 2025 we had already exceeded 100, and we currently have around 140 including reservations." Rental offerings have also begun at a Hokkaido-based reuse chain. Since April 2025, the "Nandemo Recycle Big Bang" chain has offered rentals at 21 stores across Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. The fee is 1,000 yen for one night and two days, with an additional 500 yen for each extra night. To date there have been roughly 300 rentals, about 80% by customers from outside Hokkaido, with many borrowing from the Chitose store near the airport. Bear-spray rentals are also available at visitor centers in Quasi-National Parks. Bear spray does not guarantee safety, but hikers are urged to carry it as a precaution whenever heading into the mountains. Source: HBC King Mohammed VI has made it clear that no viable order is possible without rules and compliance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. In a message addressed to the 82nd session of the Institute of International Law, which opened proceedings Sunday at the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat, the Monarch pointed out that Morocco has always based its external action on a legalistic, structured approach grounded in compliance with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. No viable order is possible without rules. My countrys diplomacy is firmly based on that conviction, said the Monarch in the message that was read out by the Institutes President Mohamed Bennouna. However, the king explained, no major progress can be made in isolation. International dynamics are not just balancing games between states. They are based on values, on consensual principles and on institutions that are capable of properly shaping cooperation and making sure these principles can withstand the test of time. The monarch who recalled that Africa had to wait for more than four decades to host a session of the Institute that is since the Cairo session in 1987 commended the Institute of International Law as a fervent advocate for the peaceful settlement of disputes, a position anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter, which has, over time, been able to listen to the world, to open itself up to diversity, and to accommodate all cultures, all sensitivities. Since it was created in 1873, the Institute of International Law has been more than just a witness to the deep changes affecting the world. It has been an astute observer, a resourceful analyst, a standard-setter and a strong voice for the legal conscience of the world, the Monarch stated, recalling that the Institute has been carrying out its mission with an admirable perseverance and that the Nobel Peace Prize it was awarded in 1904 is a recognition of the masterly work performed in serving international law. The King pointed out further that the institutes 82nd session in Rabat is taking place at a time when international law is being strongly challenged by violent headwinds. The world is changing ever rapidly, certainties are being battered, landmarks blurred, alliances called into question; international law now challenged in its very capacity to regulate international relations is too often abused, the monarch said. The Rabat session agenda will address a number of burning issues, including the question of pandemics. These global crises affect not only peoples health, but also the fundamental principles on which the world is founded. Given the tensions between national sovereignty, on the one hand, and international cooperation, on the other, between security imperatives and the need for solidarity, a systemic crisis does more than just disrupt the established order. It also lays bare its flaws and accelerates change, stated the King who urged the Institute members to keep in mind that their mission today is to identify these deep changes, not simply to understand the recent past, but also to sketch out the broad outlines of a more resilient system of international law one that can also rise to the challenges of the future. May Morocco be, therefore, a source of inspiration for you. May Rabat be a forum for exchange and emulation, and may this 82nd Congress be the one that puts international law back where it belongs: not a part of a disenchanted utopia, but rather a lighthouse shining through mist, stated the King. The institute was founded in Ghent, Belgium, in 1873 and its goal is to foster the progress and codification of international law. With just weeks to go before a highly contentious constitutional referendum, Guineas ruling military regime has suspended the countrys three largest opposition parties for 90 days, effectively silencing dissent ahead of a pivotal vote on 21 September. The suspended parties include the Rally of the Guinean People (RPG) of ousted president Alpha Conde, the Union of Democratic Forces led by ex-Prime Minister Cellou Dalein Diallo, and the Party of Renewal and Progress. This move comes as opposition groups and civil society prepare for mass protests on 5 September, denouncing what they describe as a power grab by junta leader General Mamadi Doumbouya. These parties have not fulfilled the obligations required of them, the order stated. For Guineas opposition parties, the latest suspension strips away any pretense that the transition was actually working to protect democracy, said one commentator. Doumbouya, who seized power in a 2021 coup, originally pledged a return to democratic rule. However, critics argue the upcoming referendum could open a path for him to run for president, despite an earlier military-imposed ban on junta members contesting elections. The proposed constitution does not clearly prohibit his candidacy. The junta has banned all protests since 2022 and continues to arrest or exile opposition leaders. International rights groups warn Guineas fragile democratic hopes are fading, with civil liberties increasingly suppressed. Analysts fear the latest suspension strips away any illusion of an inclusive political transition, potentially triggering further unrest in a region already destabilized by a wave of military coups. Burkina Fasos military-led government has suspended the controversial Target Malaria initiative, a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundationfunded project aimed at combating malaria through the release of genetically modified mosquitoes. Announced Friday (22 August) by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the decision halts all activities and orders the destruction of remaining mosquito samples. Project facilities have been sealed, ending more than a decade of field research. Launched in 2012 and led by Imperial College London, Target Malaria sought to limit the reproduction of malaria-carrying female mosquitoes via genetically engineered male mosquitoes. The first release occurred in 2019, with further releases as recently as August 2025. Despite securing national regulatory approvals, the project sparked widespread criticism. Civil society groups, including the Coalition for Monitoring Biotechnological Activities in Burkina Faso, warned of ecological risks, ethical concerns, and lack of transparency. Activists also raised alarms about foreign influence, framing the initiative as scientific neo-colonialism. Target Malaria defended its activities, asserting they were in compliance with the national laws of Burkina Faso. The Traore administration, which has revoked licenses for several foreign-funded NGOs since taking power in 2022, views the decision as reinforcing national sovereignty. This technology is highly controversial, unpredictable, and raises ethical concerns, warned Ali Tapsoba, a leader of a coalition against the project. More specifically, the impacts of gene-drive organisms on health and ecosystems remain unknown and potentially irreversible. While Target Malaria maintains it complied with all legal frameworks, Burkina Faso has drawn a line: experimental biotechnology backed by Western philanthropists wont be welcome for now. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced it has killed at least 35 militants in precision airstrikes near the countrys border with Cameroon, in a targeted operation responding to intelligence of an imminent assault on ground troops in Borno States Kumshe region. The strikes, carried out Saturday (23 August), are part of a broader military push against resurgent attacks from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), both of which have ramped up violence in Nigerias northeast. The military says communication was reestablished with troops following the strikes, stabilizing the area. This year alone, the Nigerian military claims to have killed nearly 600 insurgents. However, rights groups and security analysts warn that violence is surging once again after a period of relative calm. The United Nations estimates the conflict has killed over 35,000 people and displaced more than 2 million since 2009. The airstrikes come just days after the United States approved a $346 million arms sale to the West African country designed to improve Nigerias capability to meet current and future threats through operations against terrorist organizations, the U.S. State Department said. Meanwhile, growing criticism at home suggests the country is facing war-time levels of slaughter, with calls for stronger leadership and accountability. The military also reported operations against armed bandits in Katsina State, rescuing 76 hostages, highlighting Nigerias complex web of security challenges beyond the northeast insurgency. Moscow has accused the Algerian junta of facilitating the transfer of Ukrainian drones and military equipment to terrorist groups operating in the Sahel countries. The Russian accusation was made by Alexander Ivanov, director of the Officers Union for International Security and reported by Russian news agency TASS. Ukrainian special services are using the diplomatic cover of embassies to transfer military equipment and instructors to terrorist groups in Africa, Mr. Ivanov told TASS. The transfer of Ukrainian instructors and drones to the Islamist group Allied Democratic Forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is carried out through the Ukrainian embassy in Kinshasa. It has also recently become known that Ukrainian diplomatic staff in Algeria are overseeing the delivery of drones to Africa, he stressed. He also cited the poorly guarded sections of the border with Mauritania used to smuggle in Ukrainian weapons and fighters into Mali. According to Ivanov, Ukraine interference undermines the stability of African countries, especially Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, which have recently regained their sovereignty. Russian defence minister met lately in Moscow with his Malian, Nigerien and Burkina-Faso peers. Moscow has pledged to strengthen military cooperation with these Sahel countries and help them fight jihadist insurgency supported by Algeria. The three Sahel countries withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). U.S. congressmen Joe Wilson (Republican) and Jimmy Panetta (Democrat) have introduced in June a legislation designating Algeria-backed Polisario militias a foreign terrorist organization. On August 24, the 90-day deadline stipulated by H.R. 4119: Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act expired, setting in motion the legal process for branding the Polisario separatist group as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). The Bill includes details on the groups leadership, military activities, and foreign support. It lists compelling evidences on Polisarios ties with terrorist groups, Iran and its proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas) and the PKK/YPG terrorist organization. The Polisarios deadly rocket attacks targeting civilians in Samra and ties to Iran, including training with Iranian-linked groups and access to advanced military equipment like drones, have raised national security concerns for the United States. The Bill requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to assess whether the Polisario Front meets criteria for designation as a FTO and the imposition of sanctions under relevant U.S. laws and executive order The text also includes a provision allowing the President to waive the designation and sanctions if the Polisario Front accepts Moroccos Autonomy plan offered for the Sahara under its sovereignty. The Moroccan plan is supported by the UN and the United States. Labelling Polisario as an FTO will restrict its movements abroad, freeze the funds of separatists in international banks, confiscate their assets and ban any activities or gatherings related to them. Any entity or country such as Algeria or South Africa associated with funding, supporting, or cooperating with the Polisario will face criminal charges and economic sanctions. According to press reports, the United States, penholder of the resolutions on the Sahara, is exerting pressure on the Algerian regime to disband the Polisario militia and support the Autonomy plan, the ONLY realistic solution to the Sahara conflict. This means the self-determination referendum option has been buried definitively and a major diplomatic setback for the Algerian regime. The Sahara conflict, which has been locked in a stalemate for five-decades due to Algerias stubbornness, is finally edging closer to its final stage driven by the growing international recognition of Moroccos autonomy plan offered for the territory under its sovereignty. According to Africa Intelligence news platform, the Autonomy plan is on the table of close-door negotiations from Washington to Algiers, while the UN Chief Antonio Guterres has warned against the fallout of continuing deadlock and called for finding an urgent political solution to the Sahara issue. On the eve of a new UN Security Council resolution, the UN Secretary General actually presented to the UN General Assembly a report on the Sahara, offering an account that is both factual and alarming. While it notes significant diplomatic shifts, with Moroccos approach gaining growing international support, the document warns of a stalled political process and the risk of escalation, as well as a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Tindouf camps. Antonio Guterres called for an urgent solution, warning that the deadlock cannot last as the dispute nears its fiftieth year. The seven-page document, just made public, covers the period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and paints a grim picture of a conflict that has resisted decades of mediation efforts. The report provides a largely factual account of the events during that period, along with conclusions and recommendations. Diplomatic developments, however, were marked by fresh endorsements of Moroccos autonomy plan: France in July 2024, followed by the United Kingdom in June 2025, joining a trend already set by the United States and Spain. According to analysts, only U.S.-led efforts could break the deadlock. In this connection, U.S. Presidential advisor Massad Boulos discussed the Sahara issue with Algerian officials during his latest visit to Algeria within the frame of a Maghreb tour. He reiterated then U.S. recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory and support for the Autonomy Plan as the ONLY realistic solution to the decades-long conflict. In coordination with its major allies and veto holders at the UN Security Council, France and the United Kingdom, the United States is currently intensifying its efforts for the resolution of the Sahara conflict on the basis of the Moroccan Autonomy plan. Ahead of the October meeting of the UN Security Council, an American delegation of diplomats and military officers travelled to Laayoune, southern Morocco, where they met with MINURSO leadership amid reports that the UN Mission will be replaced by another body tasked with advancing the Autonomy plan, ditching definitively the self-determination referendum. After 34 years and billions of dollars spent, no progress has been made by the MINURSO and the UN-led political process is stalled due to the disengagement and procrastination of Algeria and the Polisario. According to experts, time has come to end MINURSO that, at best, does nothing and, at worst, preserves the conflict. The establishment of a new Mission is deemed as a major strategic breakthrough and victory for Morocco and international allies, particularly the United States and France to definitively close this five-decade-long conflict. The referendum, which was never held, was used as a political leverage by Polisario and Algeria to keep the conflict open to undermine Moroccos territorial integrity and regional stability. The autonomy plan offers a pragmatic solution, taking into account the new reality on the ground: a Moroccan Saharan territory, enjoying stability, inclusive growth and witnessing a major socioeconomic development, gateway to investment to African markets. While Algeria continues to refuse Moroccos calls for peace and seeks prolongation of a conflict undermining regional stability, Morocco, supported by its allies, offers autonomy solution conducive to shared development, security and stability. Officials in Tbilisi are cheering US President Donald Trumps peace plan for Armenia and Azerbaijan, even though the creation of a new transit corridor envisioned under the deal threatens to relegate Georgia to geopolitical and economic irrelevance in the eyes of the West. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze hailed the provisional Armenian-Azerbaijani accord soon after it was signed at the White House on August 8, describing it as a landmark peace deal and opening a new era of stability and economic development in the region. He went on to say that Georgia has always stood for regional peace and cooperation and will continue to support it unwaveringly. The Georgian Foreign Ministry echoed Kobakhidzes line, while also heaping praise on Trump personally for his outstanding contribution and efforts in the process of resolving the protracted conflict that has persisted for decades in the South Caucasus. Outside of ruling Georgian Dream party circles, many Georgians see the peace deal as a bittersweet development. While they welcome the prospect of an enduring peace between their closest neighbors, the deal also serves as a stinging reminder that their country, once labeled a beacon of democracy and progress, is now largely an afterthought amid Georgian Dreams abandonment of the European Union accession process and the partys efforts to foster closer ties to Russia and China. Georgia should have been an active architect of this new regional reality, shaping peace, driving connectivity, and securing our shared future with allies, but the pro-Russian Georgian Dream has left the country isolated from progress and prosperity, wrote Giorgi Gakharia, a former Georgian Dream prime minister who is now in opposition. Other government critics see irony in the fact that Georgian Dream officials are praising the deal as a way to improve regional trade when, in recent months, the government has faced criticism from Yerevan for deliberately disrupting Armenian trade, allegedly at Russias behest. Until recently, Georgia was seen as a key link in the Middle Corridor, the Trans-Caspian trade route connecting Europe to Asia. But under the Trump peace plan, Armenia and Azerbaijan are expected to serve as the prime conduit for East-West trade in the Caucasus. The centerpiece of the plan is the creation of a new transit corridor connecting Azerbaijan proper to its Nakhchivan exclave via Armenian territory. If built out to its fullest potential, the corridor would likely leave Georgia on the outside of Middle Corridor trade expansion looking in, making it harder for Tbilisi to attract investment while significantly reducing the importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway. The proposed corridor, dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity, or TRIPP, must clear some significant hurdles if it is ever to become a reality, namely determined opposition from Iran and Russia. Both countries are especially concerned about a provision in the peace deal that calls for American management of TRIPP. The specifics of who will operate the corridor and how it will function remain to be worked out. During an August 19 visit to Armenia, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian repeatedly voiced concerns about an American role in TRIPPs operations. Governance in the Caucasus region must remain Caucasian outsourcing the resolution of Caucasus issues to extra-regional forces will complicate regional stability, Pezeshkian said. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is trying to finesse the situation, needing to not only assuage Iranian and Russian worries, but overcome significant domestic opposition to TRIPP. He told Pezeshkian, for example, that speculation that American private military contractors would be providing security for the corridor was wrong: Armenian forces, not American, will be responsible for ensuring the routes security. Roads passing through Armenia will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of Armenia, and security will be provided by Armenia, not by any third country, the AFP news agency quoted Pashinyan as saying during the Iranian presidents visit. At an August 21 news conference, the Armenian prime minister again sought to downplay an American role in TRIPP, saying that a to-be-created Armenian-American entity will only manage commercial management of the trade route. Back in Georgia, the advent of TRIPP stands to complicate Georgian Dreams domestic position as the country prepares to hold municipal elections. Georgian Dream officials have long advanced a narrative that the West needs Georgia more than Georgia needs the West. That line is now faltering in the face of new regional dynamics. For the election campaign, Georgian Dream is falling back on another long-used meme that the United States and European Union supposedly want to open a second front in Georgia, embroiling the country in what government officials portray as a proxy war between the West and Russia playing out in Ukraine. Under this scenario, Georgian Dream leaders cast themselves as the sole defenders of Georgian stability. The party recently rolled out a campaign video contrasting images of devastated Ukrainian cities with footage of green parks in Tbilisi, branding Georgian Dream as the guarantors of peace. By Eurasianet More Top Reads From Oilprice.com A fire broke out at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia after Russian military forces shot down a Ukrainian drone flying near the plant, the press service of the plant said. The drone -- one of several reported on August 23 by Russian authorities -- fell on an auxiliary transformer, sparking the fire, which has been extinguished. There were no injuries, according to the press service's statement. "A combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Armed Forces of Ukraine was shot down by air defense systems near the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant," the press service said in a statement on Telegram. "Upon impact, the drone detonated, resulting in damage to an auxiliary transformer," the statement said. As a result of the explosion, unit three of the plant was reduced to 50 percent capacity, the press service said. Radiation levels at the site and in the surrounding area have not exceeded normal limits, it added. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine. Kyiv has increased its drones strikes inside Russia over the past several months in response to Russia's continued attacks on Ukraine. It says the attacks are aimed at destroying infrastructure that is crucial to Moscow's military efforts. The story was first reported by Russia's federal television network REN TV. It reported that the transformer is not a part of the nuclear section of the plant, citing the plant's press service. It was not immediately clear in which part of the plant the fire occurred. Kursk NPP is 40 kilometers west of Kursk city, the regional capital, on the bank of Seim River. The first unit was launched in 1976. Other units were added in 1979, 1983, and 1985, according to the press service. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the dangers of fighting around nuclear plants since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Earlier on August 23, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region were attacked by drones, regional authorities said, adding that six drones were shot down over the Leningrad region and two were shot down over St. Petersburg. St. Petersburg authorities said windows were shattered in a residential building in the Krasnoselsky district when the drone was "neutralized." There were no reports of injuries or deaths. The drone attacks led to flight delays and cancellations at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport. More than 30 flights were diverted to alternate airports during the day, and more than 50 flights were delayed. The airport resumed operations by in the evening. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported that a drone flying toward Moscow had been shot down. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Chinas thermal coal imports are set for a substantial rise this month, reaching 25.63 million tons, which would be the highest monthly increase since last December, Kpler reported, as cited by Reuters Clyde Russell. The estimated August total would compare to thermal coal imports of 22.77 million barrels daily for July. More than half of the August imports would come from top exporter Indonesia, at 16.13 million tons, which would be the highest in five months. Imports from Australia are seen at 5.84 million tons, marking their third consecutive increase, Russell noted. The increase in imports follows a dip in domestic coal production, which was down by 3.8% last month. Coal production at home over the first seven months of the year, however, was up by the same percentage. The July dip was the result of government intervention to curb oversupply and unfavorable weather, including heat and heavy rains that made production of coal problematic. Higher electricity generation rates from thermal power plants also helped reduce oversupply. Thermal power generation rose by 4.3% year-over-year in July. Chinas government has launched a campaign against overcapacity in numerous industries, which is leading to cut-throat competition, often referred to by the media as a race to the bottom. In coal, the government campaign has taken the form of mine inspections to make sure they are not producing over government-issued quotas. India, meanwhile, is importing less coal this month, as generation from other sources rises, the Reuters report noted. According to Kpler data, August coal imports to the subcontinent are set to slide to 9.74 million tons, which would be down from 11.99 million tons last month. It would also be the lowest import rate since February 2023. The decline was attributable to a 22.4% increase in hydropower generation and a 14.4% increase in wind and solar generation. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Kazakhstan insists that the international oil majors pay a hefty $4.4 billion fine for sulfur pollution despite a court win for Big Oil earlier this month. At the beginning of August, a Kazakh appellate court sided with the international oil majors operating the huge Kashagan oilfield, overturning the massive environmental fine over sulfur storage practices. The North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC)a consortium that includes Eni, Shell, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergieshailed the decision as confirmation that their sulfur handling meets both Kazakh legal requirements and global industry standards. The North Caspian Project is the first major offshore oil and gas development in Kazakhstan, covering three fields: Kashagan, Kairan, and Aktoty. The giant Kashagan field ranks as one of the largest oil discoveries of the past decades, with about 9-13 billion barrels of recoverable oil. However, Kazakhstan has been in a dispute with the international project partners. Kazakhstan claims that NCOC had improperly stored sulfur byproducts at the $55 billion Kashagan project, one of the most technically challenging and delay-ridden oil developments in the world. Authorities have sought 2.3 trillion Kazakh tenge (about $4.4 billion at the current exchange rate) in penalties, citing environmental violations. Kazakhstan has also taken the consortium to international arbitration over a jaw-dropping $160 billion in alleged damagesmostly tied to what it claims are lost revenues, but also including accusations of environmental harm and questionable contract dealings. Despite the early August appellate court decision in favor of the international majors, Kazakhstans environmental protection ministry has told the companies that the fine stands and they have 40 days to pay the $4.4 billion fine. The foreign firms also have 10 days to appeal the fine, sources familiar with the development have told Bloomberg. Earlier this month, a regional division at the Kazakh ministry said the department was addressing procedural deficiencies identified previously by the court. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Pakistan is preparing to ask Qatar to defer long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries as weak domestic demand collides with a heavy import schedule, according to local press and Bloomberg reporting. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) last week authorized the Petroleum Division to renegotiate contract terms, potentially pushing back obligations covering 177 cargoes between 2025 and 2031. The ECC decision reflects mounting pressure on Islamabads foreign exchange reserves and a $5.6 billion burden tied to the existing purchase agreements, the Daily Times reported. Pakistans 2016 contracts with Qatar set pricing at 13.37% of Brent crude, compared with Indias renegotiated rate of 12.66%. The Competition Commission of Pakistan has previously highlighted the cost differential, underscoring concerns that the deal placed Pakistani buyers at a relative disadvantage. As new LNG import terminals expand capacity, officials fear a glut could overwhelm local distribution and undermine fragile fiscal balances. Bloomberg noted that discussions with Doha may seek multi-year deferrals rather than short-term relief. The prospect of delaying contracted cargoes comes as Pakistan grapples with excess supply. Reuters reported in July that authorities were already exploring the resale of surplus volumes after curtailing domestic gas production. The negotiations also carry geopolitical weight. Qatar has long been Pakistans anchor supplier, with shipments running through Port Qasim under contracts extended in 2021. Deferral talks could ripple through regional LNG markets, as buyers across Asia reassess their exposure to long-dated agreements amid price volatility and uneven demand recovery. Islamabads strategy will be closely watched by other South Asian importers. Indias earlier success in securing lower-cost terms with Qatar remains a benchmark in the region, and Pakistans push for relief may reopen debate on the balance of risk in Gulf LNG contracts. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com By John A. Charles, Jr. Governor Tina Kotek has called a special session of the legislature to secure more funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). She wants to raise gas taxes by six cents per gallon, double vehicle registration fees, and increase titling fees. Both the governor and legislative leaders claim that ODOT revenue has been declining due to the improved fuel economy of cars, but ODOT financial reports online show the opposite, as does the Legislative Revenue Office presentation from March of this year. In 2024, revenue from motor fuel taxes, vehicle registration taxes, drivers license fees, business license fees, and investment income reached record levels. Total ODOT revenue increased by 30 percent between 2018 and 2024. Its not a revenue problem; its a spending problem. Since 2001, as part of by the Oregon Transportation Investment Act bond program (OTIA), the legislature has forced ODOT to spend most new gas tax monies on construction projects while ignoring highway maintenance. Thus, while gas tax revenue has increased, the amount going to operations has decreased. The legislature also voted to sell nearly $4 billion in bonds backed by gas tax revenues. While ODOT revenue increased by 30 percent from 2018 to 2024, debt service increased 41 percent. As a result, ODOT paid $358 million in debt service last year, consuming 55 percent of its gas tax revenue. In 2007 debt service was only $70 million. To paraphrase Warren Buffett, debt service is the tapeworm eating ODOTs gas tax money. When legislators meet on August 29th, they should repeal gas tax restrictions put in place by OTIA Programs I, II and III, allowing ODOT management the discretion to spend money where its needed the most. They should also begin paying down ODOTs remaining bond debt of $3.9 billion with lottery funds. This would free up gas tax revenue to be spent on road maintenance and avoid the need for any new tax increases. John A. Charles, Jr. is the President and CEO at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Scientists have devised a new method for mapping the spottiness of distant stars by using observations from NASA missions of orbiting planets crossing their stars' faces. The model builds on a technique researchers have used for decades to study star spots. By improving astronomers' understanding of spotty stars, the new modelcalled StarryStarryProcesscan help discover more about planetary atmospheres and potential habitability using data from telescopes like NASA's upcoming Pandora mission. "Many of the models researchers use to analyze data from exoplanets, or worlds beyond our solar system, assume that stars are uniformly bright disks," said Sabina Sagynbayeva, a graduate student at Stony Brook University in New York. "But we know just by looking at our own sun that stars are more complicated than that. Modeling complexity can be difficult, but our approach gives astronomers an idea of how many spots a star might have, where they are located, and how bright or dark they are." A paper describing StarryStarryProcess, led by Sagynbayeva, was published Monday, August 25, in The Astrophysical Journal. NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) and now-retired Kepler Space Telescope were designed to identify planets using transits, dips in stellar brightness caused when a planet passes in front of its star. This artist's concept illustrates the varying brightness of star with a transiting planet and several star spots. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center These measurements reveal how the star's light varies with time during each transit, and astronomers can arrange them in a plot astronomers call a light curve. Typically, a transit light curve traces a smooth sweep down as the planet starts passing in front of the star's face. It reaches a minimum brightness when the world is fully in front of the star and then rises smoothly as the planet exits and the transit ends. By measuring the time between transits, scientists can determine how far the planet lies from its star and estimate its surface temperature. The amount of missing light from the star during a transit can reveal the planet's size, which can hint at its composition. Every now and then, though, a planet's light curve appears more complicated, with smaller dips and peaks added to the main arc. Scientists think these represent dark surface features akin to sunspots seen on our own sunstar spots. The sun's total number of sunspots varies as it goes through its 11-year solar cycle. Scientists use them to determine and predict the progress of that cycle as well as outbreaks of solar activity that could affect us here on Earth. Similarly, star spots are cool, dark, temporary patches on a stellar surface whose sizes and numbers change over time. Their variability impacts what astronomers can learn about transiting planets. Scientists have previously analyzed transit light curves from exoplanets and their host stars to look at the smaller dips and peaks. This helps determine the host star's properties, such as its overall level of spottiness, inclination angle of the planet's orbit, the tilt of the star's spin compared to our line of sight, and other factors. Sagynbayeva's model uses light curves that include not only transit information, but also the rotation of the star itself to provide even more detailed information about these stellar properties. "Knowing more about the star in turn helps us learn even more about the planet, like a feedback loop," said co-author Brett Morris, a senior software engineer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. "For example, at cool enough temperatures, stars can have water vapor in their atmospheres. If we want to look for water in the atmospheres of planets around those starsa key indicator of habitabilitywe better be very sure that we're not confusing the two." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. To test their model, Sagynbayeva and her team looked at transits from a planet called TOI 3884 b, located around 141 light-years away in the northern constellation Virgo. Discovered by TESS in 2022, astronomers think the planet is a gas giant about five times bigger than Earth and 32 times its mass. The StarryStarryProcess analysis suggests that the planet's cool, dim starcalled TOI 3384has concentrations of spots at its north pole, which also tips toward Earth so that the planet passes over the pole from our perspective. Currently, the only available data sets that can be fit by Sagynbayeva's model are in visible light, which excludes infrared observations taken by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. But NASA's upcoming Pandora mission will benefit from tools like this one. Pandora, a small satellite developed through NASA's Astrophysics Pioneers Program, will study the atmospheres of exoplanets and the activity of their host stars with long-duration multiwavelength observations. The Pandora mission's goal is to determine how the properties of a star's light differs when it passes through a planet's atmosphere so scientists can better measure those atmospheres using Webb and other missions. "The TESS satellite has discovered thousands of planets since it launched in 2018," said Allison Youngblood, TESS project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "While Pandora will study about 20 worlds, it will advance our ability to pick out which signals come from stars and which come from planets. The more we understand the individual parts of a planetary system, the better we understand the wholeand our own." More information: Sabina Sagynbayeva et al, Polka-dotted Stars: A Hierarchical Model for Mapping Stellar Surfaces Using Occultation Light Curves and the Case of TOI-3884, The Astrophysical Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/adf6be Journal information: Astrophysical Journal 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: Study lead author Sophia Kenney, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Animal Science, samples a maternity pen for Salmonella Dublin. Credit: Pennsylvania State University Salmonella Dublin is a type of bacteria that primarily infects cattle, but some strains also can adapt to infect humans. It is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics, making it a growing public health threat, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers at Penn State have investigated how strains of the pathogenwhich can cause severe illness and death in cattle and blood infections and hospitalization in humans are evolving and spreading across humans, cattle and the environment in the United States. In findings published this week (Aug. 19) in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, the researchers reported that despite some genetic differences across 2,150 strains of Salmonella Dublin, the bacteria remained highly similar. This similarity shows potential for cross-transmission between cattle, humans and the environment, noted team leader and senior author on the study, Erika Ganda, associate professor of food animal microbiomes in the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. "That's important, because it shows that Salmonella Dublin is highly connected across humans, animals and the environmentso efforts to control it need to consider all three," she said. "This study's findings provide detailed genetic evidence that can help guide surveillancetracking the bacteria, intervention strategies such as limiting antibiotic use in livestock and public health policies." The team analyzed 2,150 samples of Salmonella Dublin collected from three sources581 from sick cattle, 664 from sick humans and 905 from the environment, accounting for cattle-derived food and on-farm sourcesin the U.S. from 2002 to 2023. The samples were identified through the National Center for Biotechnology Information Pathogen Isolate Browser, a publicly available aggregate of whole-genome sequenced pathogens, and the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System, a U.S. public health surveillance network that tracks antibiotic resistance in bacteria found in humans, retail meats and food animals. The availability of the whole-genome sequence of the pathogen strains means that the researchers could assemble, analyze and compare each gene and how it was expressed in each strain. Using the publicly available data, the team looked for genetic components associated with enhanced pathogenicity, such as virulencethe severity or harmfulness of a diseaseand antimicrobial resistance. They found that bovine strainsfrom cattlehad the highest prevalence of certain antimicrobial resistance genes, a higher prevalence of a small section of circular genetic material separate from the main genome called a plasmid with multidrug resistance and the greatest genetic diversity, indicating more variation among cattle strains. Despite some genetic differences depending on the strain source, the genetic componentscalled the genomic coreshared across all 2,150 strains, was highly similar regardless of source, the researchers said. "Humans usually get infected by eating contaminated beef, milk or cheese, but direct contact with cattle by farm workers, for example, is also a risk," Ganda said. "This study shows that to tackle antibiotic-resistant Salmonella Dublin, we must use a One Health approachlooking at how humans, animals and the environment are interconnected in the spread and evolution of this dangerous pathogen." This study took a different approach to Salmonella Dublin than past research, noted study first author Sophia Kenney, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Animal Science. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "Many past studies looked at specific sources such as only cattle, regions or time periods, but this study used all publicly available U.S. whole-genome sequenced strains from human, cattle and environmental strains," she said. "We wanted to get at the potential One Health dynamics of this pathogen in the U.S., a major beef and dairy producing country, by examining genomic differences and stability across strains from the different yet related sources and over time." The evolution of some Salmonella Dublin toward increased multidrug resistance is a concern and definitely something to keep an eye on, Kenney noted. "It complicates treatment for both cattle and humans, but knowing the genetic trends of Salmonella Dublin across multiple sources in the U.S. can better inform disease control and more targeted surveillance efforts," she said. Nkuchia M'ikanatha, lead epidemiologist for the Pennsylvania Department of Health and an affiliated researcher in Penn State's Department of Food Science, contributed to this study. More information: Sophia M. Kenney et al, Genomic evolution of Salmonella Dublin in cattle and humans in the United States, Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1128/aem.00689-25 Journal information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A participant pinches her nose to help her better perform a bird call at the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society's inaugural competition. The chirping of birds echoed through a packed lecture hall in Hong Kong, though there wasn't a feather in sight. Residents, some pressing the sides of their throats or contorting their bodies, imitated the rhythmic calls of the koel, brown fish owl and Asian barred owlet. One donned elaborate headgear to mimic the yellow-crested cockatooa bird that is among the world's most endangered species. About a tenth of the 1,200 to 2,000 left call the financial hub's concrete canyons home. Bob Chan, who took top prize at the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society's first-ever birdcall contest on Saturday, chose the tiny Eurasian tree sparrow, another longtime urban dweller. "I saw other contestants giving their all ... and imitating very well," he said admiringly of his nearly 100 fellow participants, each judged on their rhythm and tone. One judge, Hong Kong-based ecologist and ornithologist Paul Leader, told AFP he was thrilled the competition had gotten people like Chan thinking about the birds they share the city with. "If people don't care about birds, how are you going to get them to protect them and conserve them?" he said. "I'm just happy to see people who have a genuine interest in birds and wildlife. That's a great start," he said of the event aimed at raising ecological awareness. Bob Chan, who took top prize, imitates bird calls for the judges on Saturday. A winner beams over their trophy at Saturday's bird call competition in Hong Kong. Despite its relatively small size, more than 580 types of birdsabout a third of China's total specieshave been recorded in Hong Kong. That diversity is attributed to Hong Kong's status as a vital stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds, thanks to the city's varied habitatsfrom wetlands and forests to shrublands and coastal areas. In recent years, a mega-development plan in Hong Kong's north has raised concerns among environmentalists about the reduction of the wetlands. The government has said fears over the project's environmental impact are overblown. But Tom Li, assistant research manager of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, told AFP the wetlands were a "critical issue" for birds in the city. "Whether habitats like wetlands can be preserved over the next 10 to 20 years without being squeezed by large-scale urbanization development" will be key to maintaining biodiversity, he 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: Travis J. Bristol was a New York City public school student who later returned to the city as a teacher. Today he is an associate professor of teacher education and education policy at the UC Berkeley School of Education and directs Berkeleys Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity. Credit: Travis J. Bristol Millions of U.S. students are returning this month to schools that are struggling with strained resources, immigration crackdowns and divisive culture war fights. Teachers are under intense pressureand UC Berkeley scholar Travis J. Bristol says that stress often falls most heavily on Black teachers. In recent decades, initiatives to bring Black teachers into the classroom have achieved great success, according to Bristol, an associate professor of teacher education and education policy at Berkeley's School of Education. While that's been a plus for students, he says that classroom conditions, especially at urban schools, are at the same time driving Black teachers out of education. Bristol and co-author Desiree Carver-Thomas, of the Learning Policy Institute, surveyed the research in an essay last year and found striking insights: In classes led by Black teachers, Black students were more often happier and more academically successful, less likely to be suspended for infractions and more likely to enroll in honors courses. Black teachers had positive impacts on the achievements of other students, too. But there were troubling signals: While the number of Latinx and Asian American teachers rose, the proportion of Black teachers in the U.S. was 8.6% in 1990 but only 6.1% in 2020a decline of nearly one-third. Another study found that 41% of Black teachers would leave teaching for a higher-paying job, compared to 34% of white teachers. Too often, the authors write, school administrators slotted young Black teachers into the most challenging urban classrooms without sufficient training or support. Bristol is also the faculty director of Berkeley's Center for Research on Expanding Educational Opportunity and holds an appointment in the Department of African American Studies. A former student and teacher in the New York City public schools, he knows firsthand the conditions that produce success for Black teachers and their students, and the potential risks. In a paper you co-authored last year, the "second nadir" in American race relations was an essential context for considering the importance of Black teachers. What is the second nadir, and why is it important? "The nadir" and "second nadir" are not my ideas or my words. I'm just agreeing that we're living in this second wave of the lowest point of race relations since the end of chattel slavery in the United States. The first, of course, was the rise of the KKK, and the Supreme Court's "separate but equal" decision in Plessy vs. Ferguson. The second nadirI would say it began right at the moment that we elected the first Black president of the United States. Almost ironically, the very moment that this country awakens to a Black man, Barack Obama, being inaugurated and becoming the most powerful person in the world, it also awakens the cognitive dissonance with the racial order somehow shifting. The response has been a move to reestablish a racial order in which Black people are the lower caste, or one of the lower castes. In response to the election of President Obama, we began seeing this new wave of race relations in which people are more likely to be publicly lynched by members of law enforcement and by rogue vigilantes. We began seeing rollbacks of affirmative action, then the first and second elections of President Trump. President Trump says of Obama, "This Black man wasn't even born in the United States." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Why is that context important for understanding the role and importance of Black teachers today? While we're seeing this ascendance of Black people entering the power structure in the U.S., their presence in public schools simultaneously continues to decline. It's during the Obama administration that we begin to see the clear and convincing evidence that Black teachers improve outcomes for Black students. So that's one reason why this second nadir is particularly concerning, particularly when there continues to be an assault on the progress we've made as a country. Let's take a step back: When you think of the decades after the U.S. Civil Warreconstruction, Jim Crow, segregation enforced by lawwhat roles did Black teachers play in schools and in the wider community? Black teachers in segregated classrooms tried their best to equalize the kind of learning environments that white children may have been having. They tried to create rigorous academic spaces so that, at the moment that we became an integrated society, these Black children could compete and excel when compared to their white peers. In these segregated communities, in a country that Black people knew didn't view them as people, Black teachers provided a balm for their Black students. I imagine across the South, it was quite commonplace for Black children to know about and see Black people being lynched. And so what these Black teachers did was to create a safe space. It helped to reify messages that Black children probably heard at church, and that they heard in their homes and that they also heard at school: that you are not three-fifths of a person, even though you may be treated as such, but that you are Black and brilliant and gifted. On average, Black teachers continue to create this environment for Black children. Did that role change as civil rights and integration advanced starting in the 1950s and '60s? Once Black students integrated into schools serving exclusively white students, Black teachers, and primarily principals, did not follow them. We know that about a third of Black teachers lost their jobs. Most of those Black educators were actually men, because the misogynoir, or the sexism toward Black women, meant that Black women couldn't get these leadership positions. That meant that when Black students entered into these in many ways violent white spaces, that they didn't have this balm to help them navigate. That was the historic value of Black teachers before Brown vs. the Board of Education [the historic U.S. Supreme Court case that struck down segregation in 1954], and that is one of the consequences when we quote-unquote integrated schools. What has been the importance of Black teachers for the academic achievements of Black students? Before Brown, we didn't have robust data to make causal claims about Black teachers' impact, or to say that a Black teacher improved test scores relative to a white teacher. But we did have qualitative dataadults who point to the fact that they had these Black teachers who set rigorous environments, so that when they integrated into white spaces, into college or post-secondary spaces, they felt adequately prepared. Then, as we point out in our paper from last year, from the 1970s through the '80s, through the 2000s, the evidence is clear: Having a Black teacher meant increased likelihood that the student would come to school, increased likelihood of scoring higher on a standardized test when compared to having a white teacher, increased likelihood of going on to college. There's also a lower likelihood of being suspended when you had a same-race teacher. Do the benefits go beyond Black students? For people who hold anti-Black views, it's easy to dismiss those findings and not to support policies that seem to only benefit Black people. But there's other recent research that shows decreased suspension rates for Latinx students when they have a Black teacher, also for Asian American students. Or white students who look around and see that we live in a flat and interconnected world. White students prefer Black teachers when compared to other teachers. Why? Because, these white students say, Black teachers expect more from us in terms of academic rigor. This is the point that I often underscore in my work with policymakers: There is a value for all students when they have a Black teacher. You've said that, for students who aren't Black, one of the values of having a Black teacher is that they get a sustained look at Black competence and leadership. Having Black educators really allows people to experience that they live and function in a society that is interconnected. We do white children a disservice when they get to my class, freshman or sophomore year, and they say to me very quietly, "Professor Bristol, you're the first Black teacher I've ever had." If I have exposure as a high schooler, as an elementary school student, to Black people who are my intellectual superior, then I am more able to function in an interconnected global community where I see Black people as being like me, not being different or othered. So that when they become college professors at Cal, they've had a lot of exposure to Black people and they're able to imagine them as having the same rank, if not higher. A few years ago, a lot of your work was focused on Black men as teachers. Have you now expanded your focus? I do think the focus on Black men is important. The outcomes are clear: Black boys perform less well relative to Black girls in K-12 schools. And that's true, clearly, in higher education. There have been news stories this year about the disappearance of Black young men from historically Black colleges and universities. There's a space to continue to bring attention to the experiences of Black men and boys. I don't want that to be lost, and I want to be clear that my work in some ways perpetuated the focus on Black men. But this hyper-visibility prevents us from also thinking about the experiences of Black girls. When compared to Black boys, yes, they seem to be doing well. But when compared to Asian American young women and girls, white women and girls, Black girls are not doing so well. And so if we're focusing on Black boys and on programs like My Brother's Keeper, then who are my sisters' keepers, if you will? Would it be fair to say that in the last 10 or 20 years, it's been a difficult time for teachers generally, but a particularly difficult time for Black teachers? It's been a difficult time for teachers more broadly, and particularly teachers who are teaching in urban settings. We've also seen that there have been a lot of investments, public and private, into increasing the number of teachers of color. In some ways, those investments have paid off. I became a teacher in many ways because the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, a foundation started by the Rockefeller Group, gave me a $25,000 grant and loan forgiveness to go to Stanford to get my teaching credential. We're actually seeing more people of color enter the profession over the last 20 years. But what is also true, across these last 20 years, is that we've also seen a decline in Black teachers. We don't know necessarily what caused the decline, but what may have been some of the contributing factors were federal policies, dare I say, from a Black president that punished or closed underperforming schools. Who were the students who underperformed in these schools? They were disproportionately Black children. And who were the teachers who were attracted to those schools or tracked into those schools? Black teachers. When those schools closed during the Obama administration, just like during Jim Crow, those teachers lost their jobs and had difficulty being rehired. Particularly in urban settings, there have been policies and programs to increase the number of teachers, and teachers of color in particular, and those policies have been successful. So let's keep those policies, but let's also examine what's happening in schools. Once those Black teachers arrive, why is there a revolving door? That seems like a crucial question. Black teachers leave just like any other teachers may leavebecause of the working conditions in their school. Well-intentioned policymakers are attracting Black teachers and giving them incentives, and placing them in the most challenging schools, believing that just by dint of their race, that creates a superhuman-ness that might allow them to succeed. Black teachers are attracted to these kinds of schools because they want to return to places that were similar to those from whence they've come, and to uplift students. But the conditions aren't present for them to succeed. What can we, as a society, do to provide the support needed to retain the Black teachers who are recruited, and help them to have long, productive careers? This conversation has to start with leadershipessentially, the individuals who are running the school. We're doing some of that work in California. There's a grant program that provides a 90% scholarship for people to receive a high-quality credential to become a principal. So you're ensuring then that people who are becoming school leaders are adequately prepared to engage in that work. We need to continue focusing on high-quality teacher preparation. It's unfair that we're going to place the most novice teachers in the most challenging conditions and expect that teacher alone to address centuries of historic discrimination and marginalization. This means that we should be placing social workers in schools where students have a great deal of challenges. It means that if families don't have enough food, that we're ensuring that students have access to food so that they aren't hungry, they can pay attention and their teachers can teach them. We're seeing some of this with the community school model here in California. How optimistic are you that there's political will make a sustained commitment to these promising programs? I am forever an optimist. At this moment, however, the easiest thing to do would be to capitulate to the strongman and to these ideologies which seek to take us back in time. But if we keep front and center this idealized notion of what America could be or should bea society that is inclusive, diverse and equitablethen efforts to diversify the educator workforce should not be viewed as a threat. They should be viewed as means to fulfill the American project. That project centers diversity: E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. 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: Colony of flamingos with their chicks on the Fangassier pond, Camargue, France. Credit: Colonie poussins : C.Perrot / Tour du Valat Is aging inevitable? While most living beings age, some do so more slowly than others. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science addresses a fascinating question: what if migration influences the way we age? To explore this mystery, scientists turned their attention to the pink flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), a graceful migratory bird that is emblematic of the Camargue region of France. Birds do not all age in the same way. Thanks to a flamingo tagging and tracking program conducted for over 40 years by the Tour du Valat research institute, scientists have discovered a surprising phenomenon: migratory flamingos age more slowly than resident flamingos. In this species, some birds remain in the Camargue for their entire lives (they are called "residents"), while others travel every year along the shores of the Mediterranean (these are the "migrants"). At the beginning of their adult life, resident flamingos fare better: well-established in the lagoons of the French Mediterranean coast during the winter, they survive and reproduce more than migrants. But at what cost? As they age, residents decline more rapidly. With 40% greater aging, their ability to reproduce decreases and the risk of death increases faster than among migratory flamingos. On the contrary, migratory flamingos, those that leave to spend the winter in Italy, Spain or North Africa, pay a high price for these seasonal journeys early in life (higher mortality and lower reproduction rates) but seem to compensate for this by slower aging at an advanced age. Thus, the onset of the aging process occurs earlier in residents (20.4 years on average) than in migrants (21.9 years). Migration: An animal behavior that influences aging This study shows that seasonal migrationa behavior exhibited by billions of animalscan influence the rate of aging. In flamingos, deciding not to migrate offers advantages early in life that are associated with accelerated senescence at an advanced age. "This is probably linked to a compromise between performance when young and health in old age," explains Sebastien Roques, researcher at the CNRS and co-author of the study. "Residents live intensely at first, but pay for this pace later on. Migrants, on the other hand, seem to age more slowly." With their long lifespan (some live to be over 50 years old!) and behavioral diversity, flamingos are more than just an iconic animal of the Camargue. They also provide an ideal model for understanding aging in animals. "That's the whole point of having continued this study over the long term. Initiated in 1977 in the Camargue by tagging flamingos with rings that can be read from a distance with a telescope, this program still allows us to observe flamingos tagged that year," explain Arnaud Bechet and Jocelyn Champagnon, research directors at the Tour du Valat and co-authors of the study. "This is a unique dataset that is proving invaluable for understanding the mechanisms of aging in animal populations." Unraveling the secrets of aging, a scientific and existential quest This discovery is part of an exciting field of research: senescence, or biological aging. Hugo Cayuela, one of the study's co-authors and a researcher at the University of Oxford, comments, "Understanding the causes of changes in the rate of aging is a problem that has obsessed researchers and polymath philosophers since ancient times." He continues, "For a long time, we thought that these variations occurred mainly between species. But recently, our perception of the problem has changed. We are accumulating evidence showing that, within the same species, individuals often do not age at the same rate due to genetic, behavioral and environmental variations." By studying how certain animals are born, reproduce and die, scientists hope to unlock the secrets of aging... In doing so, they are attempting to answer one of the most existential and central questions in biology: why and how do we die? Provided by Tour du Valat This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Two years before its controversial videotaped capture of a giant manta ray last month, a Florida company seized two more of the rare creatures for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, one of which died in captivity, according to new records obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. The documents shed more light on the video that went viral last month and sparked debate over whether Florida should allow the apprehending of the threatened species from its waters, a practice permitted by no other state. State wildlife officials confirmed in July that the Florida Keys-based aquarium supplier, Dynasty Marine Associates, had a special license to capture the manta for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, located about 7,800 miles away from its Florida home. The video showed a crew pulling the creature from the sea off Panama City Beach and lowering it into a pool on their boat deck. The company captured two additional manta rays for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi in 2023, but one had to be euthanized after its health declined in a holding tank in the Florida Keys, the newly released records from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show. The manta ray died at a Dynasty Marine facility before it could be shipped overseas, according to an email sent to state wildlife officials by Frank Young, Dynasty's chief operating officer. The other manta ray was successfully sent to the marine park, along with 12 smaller lesser devil rays, Young's email said. The manta ray that was euthanized was an immature, moribund male, and it wasn't immediately clear why its health declined, according to an Oct. 4, 2023, report from Stephen Kajiura, a marine biologist at Florida Atlantic University. "Overall, the animal appeared to be in good health, and there was no obvious reason for its demise," he wrote. "I was not able to directly observe the animal prior to my arrival, but was told that it was swimming and feeding normally for several weeks and then experienced a dramatic decline in a short period of time." SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the theme park's parent company and Dynasty Marine have not responded to requests for comment from the Orlando Sentinel, so the fate of the manta ray captured in July is unclear. Other overseas aquariums also have sought to capture a manta ray in Florida waters in the past five years, the records show. State wildlife officials have granted licenses to the Nausicaa Center National de la Mer in France, Chongqing Andover Ocean Park in China and another facility in the United Arab Emirates, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi. So far, none of those aquariums have obtained manta rays under the licenses issued over the past five years, wildlife officials said. The Georgia Aquarium, the only U.S. aquarium to showcase the manta ray, received a license, too, but a spokesman said it has no plans to acquire another manta ray. Its permit was revised this month to remove the manta ray from the list of species the aquarium was seeking. Opened in May 2023, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi bills itself as the world's largest indoor marine life theme park. On its website, it promises that it is "committed to providing the highest standard of animal welfare" and is dedicated to marine research, conservation and education. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Nicknamed the "angel of the sea," the giant manta ray is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. It has a wingspan of up to 26 feet and can grow to 5,300 pounds, about as much as a car. Just a handful of aquariums in the world display them, and Florida is the only U.S. state that allows their harvest, according to a 2024 federal report. The special license allows for the capture of marine life for educational, exhibition and research purposes with the objective of increasing "the public's knowledge and awareness of Florida's marine resources." But Jessica Pate, founder of the Florida Manta Project, said she thinks manta rays should be left in the wild, given their intelligence and migratory patterns. Manta rays can travel hundreds of miles during seasonal migrations. "While I think aquariums can be a great way to educate the public, I don't support taking highly mobile, endangered species from the wild," she said. The Georgia Aquarium keeps three manta rays in a massive 6.3 million-gallon habitat, including two that were acquired "ethically and humanely" from Florida about 15 years ago, said Chris Coco, the aquarium's vice president of aquatic sustainability. The third was an injured, rescued, and rehabilitated manta ray that came to the aquarium in 2010 from South Africa, he said in a statement. Keeping the manta rays allows research to be conducted that will boost conservation efforts, he added. Scientists, for example, designed and tested multiple types of satellite tags, allowing them to be refined before being deployed in the ocean. "These manta rays not only serve as ocean ambassadors, providing exceptional public education benefits, but crucially, they also directly contribute to innovative conservation research that is helping protect manta rays in Florida waters," Coco said. 2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This undated image provided by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries shows a great white shark named Turbo. Credit: Atlantic White Shark Conservancy and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries via AP Rick Clough spent some four decades fishing for lobsters and sea urchins off the Maine coast before spotting one of the ocean's most recognized predatorsa great white shark. The approximately 8-foot (2.4-meter) shark, seen off the beach town of Scarborough in July, surprised Clough, but didn't make him fear the oceanthough he admitted, "I'm not sure I'd want to go urchin diving now." Boaters, beachgoers and fishermen like Clough who spend time in the chilly waters of New England and Atlantic Canada are learning to live with great white sharks, the creatures made famous by the 1975 film "Jaws." Sightings of the apex predators are up in places like Maine, where they were once very rarely spotted. Scientists link the white shark sightings to increased availability of the seals the sharks feast on, and say beachgoers are generally very safe from shark bites. The sharks can grow close to 20 feet (6 meters) long, though most don't get that big. David Lancaster, a commercial clam digger in Scarborough, used a drone to get a look at an approximately 12-foot (3.6-meter) shark near the town's famed beaches earlier this month. He described the animal as "magnificent" and "really amazing" to see. But he also said the shark's presence reminded him that swimmers need to look out for the big fish. This TV grab shows an aerial image of a great white shark off the coast of Scarborough, Maine, on Monday, August 11, 2025. Credit: David Lancaster via AP Why are great whites going north? Sightings of great whites off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, have become increasingly frequent in recent years, and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has documented hundreds of the animals over more than a decade. But new data shows the sharks are heading even farther north into New Hampshire, Maine and beyond, said Greg Skomal, a senior fisheries biologist with the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries and a veteran white shark researcher. The number of white sharks detected off Halifax, Nova Scotia, increased about 2.5 times from 2018 to 2022, according to a paper published by Skomal and others in May in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. Even farther north, the number detected in the Cabot Strait that separates Nova Scotia and Newfoundland increased nearly four times over, the paper said. Skomal said the average residency in these northern waters has also increased from 48 days to 70 days, suggesting that white sharks appear to be increasingly comfortable farther north. A key reason for the shift seems to be the successful conservation of seals off New England and Canada via laws such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which has allowed seals to thrive and provide a food source for the predatory sharks, Skomal said. "It could be a function of a growing prey base," Skomal said. "And that would be seals." David Lancaster, an avid fisherman who recently captured drone footage off a white shark off of Scarborough, Maine, motors out to sea, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Scarborough. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty Sharks are protected, too Great white sharks also benefit from protections, including a ban on fishing for them in U.S. federal waters that has stood since 1997. They are still considered vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. In Massachusetts, the marine fisheries department said it strengthened its fishing laws after fishermen in 2024 chose to target white sharks anyway. The state prohibited the use of certain kinds of heavy fishing gear in shoreline areas where white sharks are most commonly found. "We believe here in Massachusetts that targeting white sharks from the beach is not a safe practice," Skomal said. "Not only because it could result in the death of the shark, but because it could be a public safety issue." Despite the size and strength of the sharks, dangerous encounters between white sharks and humans are vanishingly rare. Worldwide, there have been fewer than 60 fatal great white shark bites on humans in recorded history, according to the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Visitors enjoy the summer weather not far from recent sightings of white sharks, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Scarborough, Maine. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty A harbor seal, a species favored by white sharks, rests on a small island Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, off of Portland, Maine. Credit: AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty Living with great whites The first recorded fatal shark attack in Maine happened in 2020 when a great white shark killed 63-year-old Julie Dimperio Holowach off Bailey Island. "It's an exceedingly rare event. But we're providing all of this information to mitigate human behavior and hopefully reduce any negative encounters between humans and sharks," said Ashleigh Novak, research coordinator with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. The growth of social media has made shark sightings go viral in recent summers. A smartphone app called Sharktivity also allows shark spotters to report their sightings. Lancaster, a surfer, said living with great whites is just something people in New England are going to have to adjust to. "It's crazy that they are around, as fishermen and surfers, and something we have to accept," Lancaster said. "It's in the back of your head, but you have to accept it." More information: Hassen Allegue et al, Systematic assessment of the increasing presence of white sharks in Atlantic Canadian waters, Marine Ecology Progress Series (2025). DOI: 10.3354/meps14855 Journal information: Marine Ecology Progress Series 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Graphs showing out-of-home care probabilities in Finland from 1993 to 2020. Credit: MPIDR Out-of-home care is the last resort in child welfare intervention, where a child is removed from their home and placed in alternative care to protect their well-being. The reasons for these placements are complex but may involve abuse, neglect, or mental health and behavioral problems by either the parents or the children. Measuring out-of-home care at the population level is challenging due to the complexity of the child welfare system. Aapo Hiilamo and Mikko Myrskyla at the MPIDR, along with colleagues at the University of Helsinki, used demographic methods to better describe out-of-home care at the population level. "Trends in out-of-home care are usually monitored by counting the number of children living outside their parents' home at a given point in time. However, these metrics can be misleading because they don't account for differences in age structure or important aspects such as the duration or stability of care, or the possibility of family reunification. We aimed to address these challenges," explains Hiilamo, the study's lead author. New metrics offer a nuanced view of child welfare The researchers tracked the daily living arrangements of all children in Finland throughout their childhood, calculating their probabilities of moving into and out of out-of-home care by age and year. Their findings are published in the journal Child Abuse & Neglect. For each year from 1993 to 2020, they calculated several metrics: the proportion of children who would have at least one out-of-home care episode, the expected duration of care, and the likelihood of returning to their family. These metrics were calculated as if the conditions that year would have lasted throughout their childhood. "It is important to measure many aspects of out-of-home care at once. We are interested not only in how many children enter out-of-home care, but also in their care trajectories: what type of care is provided, how long they stay, and whether they are ever reunited with their families. Our methodology provides a more nuanced picture of out-of-home care systems," Hiilamo says. Rising trends in Finland raise questions Given the conditions in 2020, about 6% of children are expected to be placed in out-of-family care at least once during their childhood a twofold increase since 1993. This rise was mostly due to an increase in residential care, although the risk of being placed in foster family also grew. Despite the increased risk of placement, the expected duration of care declined from 4.2 in early 1990s to 3.5 years in 2020. Additionally, the probability of sustained return to home by age 18 increased from 32% to 44%. "The rise in out-of-home care in general and in residential care in particular is both concerning and puzzling. Known risk factors, such as juvenile delinquency and alcohol consumption, have not changed in parallel, and similar trends are not seen across other Nordic countries. Further research is needed to understand why Finland has such high rates of out-of-home placements," explains Hiilamo. Demographic methods offer new insights for child welfare research The multistate models used in this study can be easily adapted for use in other countries and in other areas of child welfare. For example, they could be used to study transitions between referral to child and youth welfare services and the interventions provided, or the risk of running away from foster care. "Demographic research often focused on older populations due to aging societies, but these methods are equally valuable to studying children and youth. Demographic tools help quantify differences in child and youth welfare services across time and space, and thanks to new software developed at the MPIDR, these tools are now more accessible," concludes Hiilamo. More information: Aapo Hiilamo et al, Children's out-of-home care in Finland, 19932020: lifetime risks, expectancies, exit routes, and number of placements for synthetic cohorts, Child Abuse & Neglect (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2025.107626 GitHub: github.com/christiandudel/dtms Journal information: Child Abuse & Neglect This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The fossils lent by Ethiopia's National Museum landed in Prague under stringent security measures. The 3.18-million-year-old bone fragments of human ancestor Lucy, which rarely leave Ethiopia, went on display in Prague on Monday, with the Czech prime minister hailing the fossils' "first ever" showing in Europe. The ancient remains of the Australopithecus afarensis were discovered in Ethiopia in 1974. The find was, at the time, the most complete ever made and revolutionized the understanding of humanity's ancestors. At the Czech National Museum, Lucy's remains are presented alongside Selam, the fossil of a baby Australopithecus who lived about 100,000 years earlier than Lucy and was found in the same place 25 years later. The fossils lent by Ethiopia's National Museum in Addis Ababa landed in Prague on August 15, under stringent security measures. "Both skeletons rank among the most precious exhibits of the global heritage... they are exhibited in a European country for the first time ever," Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at the ceremonial opening with a military brass band. Lucy and Selam Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa said the exhibition was unique in that Lucy and Selam were displayed together for the first time, "outside of Ethiopia of course". "Ethiopia stands unparalleled for its continuous fossil record of human ancestors spanning six million years, with 14 specimens of human ancestors from Australopithecus to Homo sapiens discovered in Ethiopia," she added. The 52 fragments will be shown for 60 days as part of the 'People and their Ancestors' exhibition. The 52 fragments will be shown for 60 days as part of the "People and their Ancestors" exhibition. It will open to the public later on Monday. Donald Johanson, who discovered Lucy with his team, and Zeresenay Alemseged, who discovered Selam, also attended the opening in Prague. Johanson hailed Africa as the place where "we first separated from the African apes, it's where we first stood up, it's where our brains first grew large, where we first began to make art and specialized stone tools, and where we, as we call ourselves, Homo sapiens, evolved". "We all share a common ancestry, we are united by our past. And I think this is a tremendously important reminder for humanity today," he added. Inspired by The Beatles In her current shape, Lucy consists of fossilized dental remains, skull fragments, parts of the pelvis and femur. The National Museum of Prague already has hyperrealistic artistic reconstructions of human ancestors. The fossilized skeleton of the 1.1-meter-tall (three-foot seven-inch), 29-kilogram (64-pound) Lucy last left Ethiopia between 2007 and 2013, when it toured US museums. The hominid was named after The Beatles's song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", which the team that found her listened to after the discovery. Lucy walked on two legs and is thought to have died aged between 11 and 13considered an adult for this species. Long considered the oldest human ancestor ever found, Lucy was dethroned of that status in 1994 following the discoveryalso in Ethiopiaof Ardi, a female Ardipithecus ramidus who lived 4.5 million years ago. In 2001, Toumaia skull dated to six or seven million years oldwas found in Chad, suggesting the human family may go much further back than previously thought In a 2016 study, researchers said Lucy had strong upper arms, suggesting she regularly climbed trees and nested in branches at night. One sculptor made a rendering based on the remains of the hominid Australopithecus afarensis -- Lucy -- who was found in Ethiopia and rarely leaves the African state. She also had relatively weak legs that were not used for climbing and were inefficient for walking, the study concluded. An analysis of a fracture on one of Lucy's bones suggested that she probably died from a fall from a tall tree. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The invasive quagga mussels found in an Idaho river in 2023 were microscopic. But to state officials, their presence was enormous. Though the mussels couldn't grow much larger than a nickel, state officials said an infestation would devastate Idaho's economy and ecosystem, clogging water pipes and stealing food from native species. Biologists typically kill off the mussels with chemicals, adding just enough of a lethal dose to infested waters. But treating mussels in a river had never been done before. Moving water would let the toxic chemicals travel beyond the treatment area. State officials took the risk. Only two weeks after that first mussel detection, the state spent $3 million to flood the Twin Falls area of the Snake River with over 40,000 pounds of the prescribed copper-based poison. They had anticipated some of the impacts, like scores of sturgeon stocked from a hatchery, up to 8 feet long and 35 years old turning up dead. But other effects of the treatment, and the fate of the copper itself, were unknown until now. Two years after the treatment, a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey detailed that copper destroyed up to 90% of the invertebrates living in the area, putting at stake food resources for future fish populations in the river. Over 7,000 pounds of copper have settled into the riverbed, according to the study, potentially remaining toxic. The treatments also didn't eliminate the mussels. A year later, state officials found more quagga mussel larvae, and they applied another round of copper. The effects of the 2024 treatments are still being studied. "We understood the terrible gravity of what we had to undertake, but we also know ultimately what's at stake," Chanel Tewalt, Idaho State Department of Agriculture director, told the Idaho Statesman. "So we can't shy away from making these hard decisions just because there's difficult collateral. There is collateral either way." 'Fastest and most complex' mussel treatment in North America Since 2009, after quagga mussels were found in the Colorado River basin, Idaho has been testing its water and inspecting boats entering the state for signs of the mussels. Quagga are native to Eastern Europe but were introduced to North American waterways through the Great Lakes in the 1980s, according to Austin Baldwin, research hydrologist at the U.S. Geological Survey Water Science Center. They have spread to nearly all regions of North America aside from the Columbia River basin, where the Snake River drains. State officials planned their response to the mussels for years leading up to the 2023 detection, but the fact that it happened in the Twin Falls area of the Snake River meant the treatments would be "incredibly challenging," Tewalt told the Statesman. The river there was sandwiched by canyons, making the water difficult to access by boat and providing plenty of crevices for mussels to hide. "We had to stage chelated copper along canyon rims with hoses, airlifting boats, constantly moving copper product through a river system," Tewalt said. It was the "fastest and most complex" invasive mussel treatment that had ever been done in North America, she added. The copper product the state used is sold under the name Natrix, a treatment registered for invasive mussel control through the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the product's parent company, SePRO. Natrix is in a liquid form and is chelated, which helps it evenly distribute in water. In 2023, the state used a copper concentration of 1 part per million, Department of Agriculture spokesperson Sydney Kennedy told the Statesman. That amount falls below the Environmental Protection Agency's 1.3 part per million limit for drinking water, but is lethal to adult mussels and other aquatic species. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Copper poisoning had 'heartbreaking' collateral Baldwin was part of the team tasked with finding out, in the aftermath, what all that copper would do. It was "such an unprecedented treatment at this scale," he said, that it warranted a lot of questions about its impact. Baldwin, in his study, found that the effects of the copper on invertebrates, like native mussels and snails, were devastating. The number of invertebrates in the treatment area dropped by 5090% after the chemicals were deployed, though some species were more tolerant of the copper than others. "One thing that we don't know is how long those effects might last, the decreases in abundance," Baldwin said. "We don't know if those numbers would rebound within a few months, or if it would take potentially years." Baldwin added that the drops in invertebrate populations could shake up the food web for fishanother impact, on top of the chemical treatments that had already killed them off. Mike Peterson, regional fisheries manager at the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, told the Statesman that 48 white sturgeon out of a local population of 49 were killed directly by the copper treatment. While they also saw fish species like yellow perch and largescale suckers largely killed off, other fish species were minimally affected, he added. Then there's the fate of the copper. Baldwin said about half of the copper settled into its solid form or was absorbed by living things within the first 15 kilometers downriver of the treatment area. While he noted that the settled copper was less toxic than in its liquid treatment form, he said it could still harm creatures that live in the sediment of the river. "I think it's less toxic to at least a fish, but organisms that live in that sediment, they're definitely getting exposed to that copper," Baldwin said. "It's still there, and it could still be problematic to those organisms living in the stream bed." Tewalt described these impacts as "heartbreaking," but inevitable. Without the treatment, she told the Statesman, native Snake River organisms would have been killed off by the quagga mussels, which suck up nutrients from the water and alter entire ecological regions. David Wong, a quagga mussel management researcher at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, criticized Idaho's approach because of the environmental impact and the need for more poisoning just a year later. He called the treatments a "failure" for having such lethal effects without eliminating the quagga. Since officials didn't know where the adult mussels producing the larvae were, Wong told the Statesman, they could not have expected their treatment to succeed. Though state officials found one adult mussel leading up to the first treatment in 2023, mussel larvae were found upstream of that adult, so it couldn't have been the only source of the larvae, Wong added. In 2024, the state didn't find any adults before its treatments. "In order to do a rapid response, you have to have very basic data to support your rapid response plan," Wong said. Tewalt dismissed Wong's concern about missing adult mussels. Searching for them "doesn't serve a strong purpose" since their small size makes them difficult to find, and an abundance of adults would have indicated the infestation was too far gone for treatment, she said. The copper treatments were even more robust in 2024, Tewalt said, aiming to address any shortcomings of the first treatments. This time, they went further upriver and checked the copper concentrations to ensure consistency at different depths of the water. It was unlikely that there could have been adults even further upriver, she said, since it was hard to access by boatthe most common way they're transmitted. "This upriver discussion, I guess it's one that folks can have," she said. "I'm much more concerned about ensuring that copper got into every part of the river that it possibly could." Treating quagga mussels was 'absolutely critical' for Idaho An hour southwest of Boise, a small red shed waits at the intersection of U.S. 95 and Idaho 55, intercepting all watercraft entering the state. Employees man the building for 16 hours a day beginning at sunrise, serving alongside two dozen other stations in Idaho as the "first line of defense" against quagga mussels and other invasive water species, according to the state Department of Agriculture's website. Lloyd Knight, the agency's deputy director, told the Statesman that whenever a car holding a watercraft turns into the station, one worker will begin interviewing the driver to determine whether the boat had been in infested waters, while another inspects the watercraft. "They're looking for what it's carrying," Knight said. "Is it carrying aquatic weeds? Can they see mussels on it? They'll look on all the surfaces." Those inspection stations are intended to intercept another quagga outbreak before the mollusks even have a chance to enter Idaho waters. Officials said they hope to avoid more rounds of chemical treatments, but believe they'd be necessary if they find more of the mussels to avoid the consequences of an infestation. Through a spokesperson, Gov. Brad Little told the Statesman that a quagga infestation could mean "hundreds of millions of dollars in direct and indirect costs" for the state, having implications for drinking water, energy and agriculture. He characterized the treatments as "absolutely critical." Idaho Power biologist Michael Stephenson told the Statesman that the mussels can become clogged in hydropower water intake pipes. Managing them could result in power outages to Idahoans during peak seasons and increased costs passed down to customers, he said. "The treatment versus the long-term infestationthe juice is worth the squeeze on that one, in my opinion," Stephenson said. And Tewalt said if the mussels were to make their way into irrigation pipes, it would have a massive impact on the state's agriculture industry. "Idaho uses more acre feet of irrigation water than any other state in the nation except California," she said. "If we can't move irrigation water in this state, the lifeblood of our economy withers." For now, it's unclear whether the latest treatments removed the mussels. In a July news release, the state said it has yet to detect any new viable quagga mussels in the Snake River. But Idahoans can't rule out the possibility just yet. In previous years, quagga were not detected until the fall. "We behaved last year as if this was our last chance," Tewalt told the Statesman. "We fully believe that eradication is possible, or we wouldn't do this. I can confidently say we left nothing on the table in 2024." 2025 Idaho Statesman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The model of LIN-40 sensing mitochondrial stress via phosphorylation of T654. Credit: IGDB A new study by Dr. Tian Ye's group from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has revealed that mitochondrial stress coordinates chromatin remodeling and longevity through the phosphoregulation of Nucleosome Remodeling and Deacetylase (NuRD) complex component LIN-40 in Caenorhabditis elegans. This study for the first time clarifies the molecular mechanism by which the NuRD complex senses mitochondrial signals, providing a new perspective for understanding mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling and aging regulation. The results were published in Science China Life Sciences on August 13. Mitochondria are widely known as the energy centers of cells, but they can also serve as signaling hubs that influence aging, immunity, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Intriguingly, previous studies in multiple model organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and Mus musculus, have consistently shown that mild mitochondrial stress can promote organismal longevity. In C. elegans, such stress activates transcriptional responses in the nucleus, promoting the repair of mitochondrial damage, reprogram metabolism, and stress adaptation. A previous study by Tian's lab demonstrated that the NuRD complex, an epigenetic regulator of chromatin structure, plays a key role in mediating mitochondrial stress-induced longevity. However, how the NuRD complex senses mitochondrial signals remains unclear. To solve this puzzle, the researchers purified the NuRD complex under mitochondrial stress conditions and conducted a proteomic analysis. They identified stress-induced dephosphorylation at a specific site of LIN-40 (the C. elegans homolog of MTA), a core NuRD component. Genetic and biochemical analyses revealed that dephosphorylation of LIN-40/MTA promotes its interaction with the transcription factor DVE-1, which is essential for activating mitochondrial repair genes and chromatin remodeling, ultimately contributing to lifespan extension. Moreover, they identified the kinase PMK-3 and phosphatase GSP-2 as key upstream regulators of LIN-40 phosphorylation. This study reveals the functional and physiological significance of LIN-40/MTA dephosphorylation under mitochondrial stress, suggesting that novel mechanisms NuRD sense and respond to mitochondrial stress to promote longevity. It provides an important molecular basis for an in-depth understanding of mitochondria-to-nucleus signaling and aging regulation. More information: Jun Zhou et al, Mitochondrial stress orchestrates chromatin remodeling and longevity via phosphoregulation of the NuRD component LIN-40, Science China Life Sciences (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11427-025-2954-3 Journal information: Science China Life Sciences This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The lunar north pole, captured by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University How do you tell how old an astronomical object is? I mean, the next time the moon is in the sky, take a look at it. How would you even begin to answer that question? I won't leave you in suspense. Astronomers use a technique called crater counting and it's pretty much exactly what it sounds like. The idea is that worlds like the moon, Mercury, and many of the moons of the outer system are not active. They've been dead, in almost every sense of the word, for a very long time. And when a comet or asteroid strikes them, the crater they leave behind sticks around. There's no air to blow it away. No water to wash it down. No plate tectonics to pull it under the surface. And so craters just pile up, one after another, and often on top of each other. But not all dead worlds are created equal. Some of them were molten in the recent past, and lava is really good at covering up craters. So if you compare two worlds and count their craters, you can get a relative sense of which worlds solidified sooner. And some had molten parts alongside the solid parts for some time. Planets and moons don't always cool down all at once. There might be active volcanic regions over here and just plains of solid nothingness over there. So if you scan across the surface of a world, the places with more craters are probably going to be older (in the sense that they solidified in the more distant past) than the places where fewer craters. For example, on the moon we have those two broad regions: the dark basins, or mare, and the lighter-colored highlands. Just by looking at the craters you can tell that the maria are younger because they have fewer craters. Buthow old? If I see a world with tons of craters, how old is it? Not in a relative sense, as in this planet is older than this other one. But in an absolute sense. Like billions of years. Give me a number. The Apollo missions held the key to unlocking crater records not just on the moon, but across the solar system. That's because scientists have been able to apply radiometric dating to the moon rocks returned from the Apollo missions. If you're not already familiar, radiometric dating is where you look at the abundances of various radioactive elements and compare their proportions to the numbers of elements that they decay into. Since we know the half-life of those elements, we can calculate the absolute age of that sample. And since the Apollo missions visited many places on the moon, we've been able to build a detailed accounting of which parts cooled and solidified when. For example, the edge of the Sea of Tranquility, the site of the Apollo 11 landing, is just over 3.5 billion years old, while some other regions in the highlands reach right up to 4 billion years old. By far the youngest features on the moon are some of the large impact craters. The Copernicus, Tycho, and Cone craters are all less than a billion years old. The youngest crater of all is probably the Giordano Bruno crater, named after the Italian renaissance smart/crazy guy, and is only 4 million years old. These craters are so young because the impacts carry so much energy that they're able to erase everything in their vicinity, wiping the slate clean and starting the whole process over. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. With these absolute numbers in hand, we can now calibrate crater counts across the entire solar system. Now we can look at regions of Mercury or Callisto and know how old they are, even though we've never been there, thanks to the Apollo missions and their geologic handiwork. We also know thanks to the Apollo missions that the moon is slowly slipping away from us. This was hypothesized all the way back in the early 1800s when Sir Edmund Halley (of Halley's Comet fame) read through ancient eclipse records and realized we were slowly getting further and further apart. And we had a pretty good explanation for WHY the moon might be going awaythe tides raised by the moon get carried in front of it by the spin of Earth, and that extra gravitational tug pulls the moon into a higher orbitbut we had no good way of putting a precise number on this. In 1962, Princeton graduate student James Faller proposed placing reflectors on the moon's surface. This would allow us to more easily bounce lasers back and forth from the moon to here, and use that to measure a distance, the same way you can use one of those little laser measurement thingies tomeasure distances. While measurements had been taken before by just reflecting off the lunar soil, with the reflectors the measurements became much more accurate. We now know that the moon is receding from Earth at an average rate of 3.8 centimeters per year. Which isn't very quick, but over the course of, you know, an eon or two, it really adds up. In fact, in just a few hundred million years, the combined effect of the moon spiraling away from us and the sun getting brighter and larger (different article) will mean that total solar eclipses will become impossible. So enjoy them while they last. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain For three days this spring, Ken Lachnit and dozens of other volunteer firefighters labored to beat back a fast-growing wildfire as it advanced on his hometown of Woodridge, a hamlet 60 miles southeast of Winnipeg. Some plowed fire breaks with bulldozers. Helicopters dropped water along the edges of the blaze. Lachnit, a 66-year-old who normally works as the town's mechanic, was assigned to sprinkler duty, erecting a wall of sprinkler systems around Woodridge and nearby townsthe last line of defense. On the fourth day, when Lachnit set out to work, what he saw scared him. The fire was spreading too fast, growing seven-fold overnight. Just two miles from Woodridge, flames licked the treetops. The sky was bright orange, embers dancing in gusts of wind. "We chased it from Kerry, Badger, St. Labre, and then it was coming toward Woodridge," Lachnit recalled. "We lost one house in St. Labre. It was a family house. They just couldn't get to it, the smoke was too thick." Canada's wildfires have scorched more than 25,000 square miles of forest this year, spawning hurricane-sized plumes of smoke that have forced Minnesotans indoors, ignited political tensions and given the state some of the worst air quality in the world on several occasions this summer. But in Manitoba, which is experiencing its worst wildfire season in 30 years, the fires have devastated communities and taken a serious human toll. This year, more than 72,000 Canadians have been forced to evacuate their homes, with thousands of Manitobans still displaced, a government spokesperson told The Minnesota Star Tribune. The drama in Woodridge played out in May just 17 miles from the Minnesota border. On day six, with the wildfire two miles from Woodridge, Lachnit and his crew got the break they needed. "It started to rain, thank God," he said. "The way it was, it would have been ugly." Cornelia Jackson, one of roughly 300 Woodridge residents told to evacuate, called the rain their "saving grace," but noted that not every community shared their fortune. That same week, a separate fire tore through a neighborhood near the popular lakeside town of Lac du Bonnet, about two hours north of Woodridge. That fire burned dozens of houses and vacation cottages and killed a married couple trapped in their family home. "It would have been very different if people had lost homes," Jackson said. "We were luckyvery lucky." Four months after the wildfire fight, Lachnit was back at work in his auto shop. An electric drill whirred loudly in his hand, followed by the soft clink of a lugnut hitting the concrete floor. The summer months so far have been relatively wet, he said, but in May, the forests near Woodridge were primed to burn. Not only was Manitoba's spring especially dry, Lachnit said, it was also incredibly windy, with gusts reaching upwards of 40 miles per hour some days. "The winds were a big factor," he said. "That's how the fire got so big." Weather data from the Manitoba government shows that southern parts of the province received a meager half inch of rain for all of April. On top of that, a heat dome settled over the region on the same day the fire broke out, bringing temperatures as high as 98 degrees Fahrenheit that dried out the forest underbrush. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Scientists say that kind of spring weather will only become more common in Canada as greenhouse gases continue to raise the average global temperature. Canadian provinces have seen record-breaking wildfire seasons in six of the last eight years, said Lori Daniels, an ecologist with the University of British Columbia. "We've had low snow packs. We've had early starts to springs. We've had record-breaking temperatures," she said. "We're getting weather events that are exceeding anything that we have on record." Jackson, who moved to Woodridge 11 years ago, said she has seen at least three major fires nearby during that timein 2018, 2021 and now this year. Earlier this month, the smoky skies marring the Midwestern summer became a source of political tensions between Canada and the United States. In July, six Republican members of Congress, including four from Minnesota, wrote a stern letter to the Canadian government, urging it to do a better job managing the country's 1.4 million square miles of forestroughly 16 times the size of Minnesota. Since June, at least 33 days in Minnesota were smoky enough to trigger air quality alerts. The smoke blowing south is now largely coming from blazes in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, which continue to burn at alarming speeds. Minnesota has deployed 71 firefighters to Manitoba to help with those fires since the beginning of summer, officials said. Minnesota similarly experienced an active spring wildfire season, following a relatively dry winter, though summer rains have largely subdued the fires since June, according to a spokesperson for the state Department of Natural Resources. Robert Lachance, who lives near Woodridge in the neighboring town of La Broquerie, called the ongoing tension between Canada and Minnesota "mind-boggling," noting that people from rural Manitoba were just like anyone from "small-town America." "Do they think that they can wave a magic wand and put the fires out?" Lachance asked as he waited for Lachnit to finish tuning up his car. "People have lost their homes and livelihoods. It's not like we've gone around and started these fires just for the hell of it." Lac du Bonnet holds a special place in Neil Pellaers' heart. The lake in southeast Manitoba, popular for its fishing, cross-country ski trails and other outdoor recreation, has been a fixture in Pellaers' life for as long as he can remember. On May 13, a wildfire razed his cottage to the ground. It had been in Pellaers' family for more than 60 years. "It was a great place," the 55-year-old Winnipeg resident said. "We just redid the flooring last year, new windows last year, and then whoopsie daisy, the fire comes through." The blaze swept through the lakeside community overnight, destroying nearly 30 homes and cottages and taking the lives of Sue and Richard Nowell. They were trapped in their home when flames blocked the only road out. One of their three sons was also home when the fire broke out, but managed to flee, according to local media. The Nowells' deaths are the only ones linked to the fires this year in Manitoba. "The news of this loss of life changes what was an emergency into a tragedy," Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said at a news conference the next day, adding that the Canadian flags would fly at half-staff in their honor. Days later, when the fire died down and officials lifted the evacuation order, Pellaers returned to take stock of his losses. The cottage was gone. So were his boats, four-wheelers, rifles and a collection of irreplaceable family heirlooms, including his grandfather's vintage vinyl collection. Small chunks of burnt tree, roughly the size and shape of marshmallows, littered the plot of land. The fire caused about half a million dollars in damage, Pellaers said. His insurance will cover about half of it. Pellaers said he feels lucky that was the only thing he lost. "There's (three) kids who are missing their parents right now," he said. "I can't feel bad about this or that, or whatever I lost. I got a great family." Pellaers has begun construction of his new cottage. Behind the lot, rows of blackened aspens and pines stood in contrast to the blue sky. In the months since the fires that threatened Woodridge and swept through Lac du Bonnet, more fires have broken out across Manitoba. Thousands of refugeespredominantly Indigenous people from the northern part of the territoryfled hundreds of miles south to Winnipeg. Last week at the Winnipeg convention center, one of two massive ad hoc shelters run by the Red Cross for fire refugees, a handful of evacuees registered their names at the check-in table. Outside, families sat on benches chatting as their children played on the sidewalk. Beyond Winnipeg, the scale of Manitoba's forests, and the destruction, becomes clear. Two hours northeast of the city, charred trees, resembling burnt matches, lined both sides of the highway through Nopiming Provincial Park, the center of a wildfire that burned 1,386 square miles this year. That fire contributed significantly to Minnesota's poor air quality in June. It's now mostly out, and provincial officials reopened the park earlier this month. Here and there, patches of ground still smolder, the smoke slowly dissipating into the summer air. 2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A burnt car and house that was caught in Portugal's biggest ever forest fire that raged for 11 days. Nearly 1,000 firefighters remained mobilized Monday in central Portugal to prevent flare-ups of what authorities said was the biggest forest fire the country has seenravaging an area more than 10 times bigger than Manhattan island. The blaze was only brought under control on Sunday after raging for 11 days and having burned 64,451 hectares (160,000 acres), National Civil Protection Authority spokesman Commander Telmo Ferreira told AFP. That made it the largest fire ever recorded in Portugal, according to the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF). The previous biggest was 53,000 hectares devastated by a forest fire in October 2017. The blaze covered seven municipalities in Coimbra, Guarda, and Castelo Branco districts and was caused by lightning strikes, officials said. Ferreira said authorities still had nearly 1,000 firefighters and 300 vehicles on "surveillance operations" Monday though the numbers were expected to be gradually reduced. Monday brought some respite as the civil protection system recorded no fresh outbreaks from a summer which has seen Portugal and neighboring Spain suffer a slew of fires. Since July, forest fires have killed four people in Portugal, destroyed homes and crops, and ravaged some 278,000 hectares, according to European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) data. Four people have also died in the most recent fires in Spain. Portugal's worst year was in 2017, when more than 563,000 hectares were burned in wildfires that killed 119 people, according to EFFIS records. The government has announced a number of emergency measures to help affected areas, including funding for the reconstruction of destroyed homes and aid for farmers. The Iberian Peninsula has been severely affected by climate change, which is causing longer and more intense heat waves, according to experts. 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: Black-tailed prairie dogs eat vegetation, create burrows and clear ground. Do those habits impact the spread of wildfires? Researchers from the University of Arizona are calling for more investigations into the small mammal's role in fire management and mitigation strategies. Credit: Courtney Duchardt / University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences In the battle to manage wildfires, experts often turn to advanced technologies and evolving techniques for help, but could the next breakthrough in fire management be found right under their feet? If those experts are standing in the Great Plains, then the answer might be yes, said Courtney Duchardt, assistant professor in the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. Duchardt is the lead author of a new paper published in the journal BioScience arguing that historical fire patterns, current fire management strategies and unpublished data strongly suggest that black-tailed prairie dogs are likely to reduce wildfire spread and intensity. "Black-tailed prairie dogs are eating vegetation, creating burrows and bare ground," Duchardt said. "But they are not only eating vegetation. They are actively clipping it and keeping it short so that they can see predators, and their long-term occupancy leads to a shift in the types of vegetation that grows. You see a kind of shift from more grass to smaller, flowering plants and a lot barer ground that can act as a kind of fire stop." Duchardt discovered the impact prairie dogs have on their environment while researching fire, grazing and bird behavior across the Great Plains. Over time, she noticed a consistent factor across many of her sites: the presence of prairie dog colonies that appeared to alter the landscape in ways that made fire behave differently. Trail camera footage shows a wildfire burning across the Great Plains but stopping short of a prairie dog colony, leaving the area around the burrows unburned. Credit: Courtney Duchardt / University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences Intrigued, she and other researchers asked a simple question: Do prairie dog colonies actually affect wildfire behavior? When Duchardt and her colleagues began a review of previous research, only one of the 34 studies they found directly examined the effect of prairie dogs on wildfire. This newly observed connection between prairie dogs and wildfire places the small mammals in a larger discussion of something called "disturbance regimes," Duchardt said. Disturbance regimes are events like fires and floods that have shaped the Great Plains for millennia. It also includes more recent human activities like logging, mining and agriculture that have further transformed ecosystems. These disturbance regimes can sometimes degrade the environment, but in many cases, they play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. "While there are real conflicts when it comes to prairie dog management, this species and a lot of other wildlife species may be providing ecosystem services that we really haven't quantified yet," Duchardt said. "We want to really think about the potential ecosystem services of these species, because we might lose them and then run into problems that we didn't think about ahead of time." Different species of prairie dogs also manage the growth of mesquite trees and invasive lovegrass throughout Arizona, Duchardt added, potentially slowing the spread of wildfires. Duchardt collaborated with Jacob Hennig, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment, along with researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Smithsonian's Migratory Bird Center, Oklahoma State University, the University of Wyoming, Northern Illinois University and the City of Boulder. The group is calling for more research and an integrated approach to fire management. By incorporating prairie dog activity into fire behavior models, land managers could develop more effective strategies for fire prevention and mitigation, particularly in vulnerable grassland ecosystems. More information: Courtney J Duchardt et al, A disturbance triangle: The interactive role of prairie dogs with fire and ungulate grazing in the Great Plains, BioScience (2025). DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaf125 Journal information: BioScience This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Australian legal system is grappling with a disruptive new movement that is not only tying up the courts, councils and police, but also posing an unprecedented threat to democracy. In a new paper published in the Alternative Law Journal, UniSA Associate Professor of Law Joe McIntyre documents the rapid rise of pseudolawfalse legal theories that mimic the language and rituals of the law but without any real substance. Examples include "Bunnings Karen" citing Magna Carta to avoid a mask mandate during the COVID-19 pandemic; motorists using pseudo arguments to contest the legality of speeding tickets; and litigants accusing judges of treason and witchcraft. Common claims include insisting that courts lack authority because the wrong coat of arms is displayed, or that an individual is a "natural person" and immune from legal obligations. Characterized by so-called Sovereign Citizens who question authority, embrace conspiracy theories and co-opt legal language to create an "alternative" legal universe, pseudolaw cases have proliferated since COVID, now numbering hundreds of cases in NSW alone in the past six months. Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says the rise of the pseudolaw movementoften likened to a cultoverlaps with the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), threatening the justice system. "At its heart, pseudolaw mistakes the form of legal argument for its substance. It uses archaic language, ceremonial rituals and legal-sounding jargon to create the illusion of meaningan illusion that can be both compelling and deeply disruptive," according to Assoc. Prof. McIntyre. "It is also beginning to intersect with another emerging phenomenonthe widespread use of GenAI and particularly large language models in a manner that is particularly alarming." Litigants are increasingly using these language models to generate written legal responses as well as oral submissions to the bench in real time. "In both cases, the public is engaging with inherently complex and inaccessible forms of technology that produce outputs which can look plausible but are far from it." Assoc. Prof. McIntyre warns that the convergence of pseudolaw and AI could "turbocharge" misinformation in courts, overwhelming judges and administrators. Once on the fringes, pseudolaw cases are now a daily occurrence in Australian law courts, wasting judicial resources and holding up genuine litigation. "One South Australian judge recently described its impact as having changed the whole face of the civil justice system, noting the strain it places on registries and courtrooms," Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says. The UniSA law lecturer says that pseudolaw thrives because many people feel alienated from the legal system and lack the ability to distinguish genuine law from its imitation. "To the untrained eye, pseudolegal documents and arguments look authentic. In a system already burdened by archaic language and rituals, it's easy for people to mistake confidence and theatrical performance for competence." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Although pseudolaw can seem absurdeven comical at timesAssoc. Prof. McIntyre says it has serious consequences for our democracy. "It is undermining trust in our institutions, threatening judicial officers and harming vulnerable litigants who are misled by websites peddling promises of legal loopholes." Ironically, it is also a symptom of the existing legal system, which alienates the public due to its use of convoluted language, providing "fertile fields" for misinformation. "Pseudolaw is forcing us to reflect upon our own legal institutions and how we are contributing to this phenomenon," Assoc. Prof. McIntyre says. "The law matters, but so does meaningful public engagement. Pseudolaw is the consequence of 50 years of diminishing access to justice and a chronic underinvestment in civics and legal literacy education. It is time we addressed that." More information: Joe McIntyre, Pseudolaw and the illusion of legal meaning, Alternative Law Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1177/1037969X251362538 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Replacing doom-laden environmental reporting with hopeful, solutions-focused stories could be key to tackling the climate crisis, according to award-winning research from Charles Darwin University (CDU). CDU Lecturer in Linguistics (Faculty of Arts and Society) Dr. Awni Etaywe and CDU Lecturer in Media and Journalism (Faculty of Arts and Society) Dr. Jennifer Pinkerton have identified a reporting style that inspires action by framing environmental challenges through care, shared values, and possibility. The researchers term this "Positive Environmental Journalism" (PEJ). The study shows that when environmental stories emphasize possibility over catastrophe, it can strengthen public engagement with climate and biodiversity issues, encouraging readers to see themselves as part of the solution. Dr. Etaywe said PEJ offers a constructive alternative to the traditional alarmist framing often seen in mainstream environmental journalism. "If people are constantly told the situation is hopeless, they disengage," Dr. Etaywe said. "When we focus on solutions, shared values, and tangible actions, we open the door to lasting behavioral change." The research analyzed 30 digital news articles from outlets including ABC News Online, Guardian Australia and News.com.au. It found the most engaging stories used language that built eco-cultural bonds (a sense of belonging that links identity and action with the natural world) rather than relying on fear. Dr. Etaywe said the findings demonstrate the need for a deliberate narrative shift in how the media approaches climate and environmental reporting. "PEJ fosters hope, moral obligation and pro-environmental action," he said. "It's about building solidarity, not fear, in the face of our environmental crisis." Dr. Pinkerton said PEJ can also help readers better engage with environmental journalism and feel empowered to act on behalf of nature. "Audiences respond when they feel respected, informed, and part of the story. PEJ invites them into the conversation as active participants, not passive bystanders." The paper, "Building bonds and reader engagement through positive environmental journalism in Australia," received the Top Paper Award at the International Environmental Communication Association's biennial Conference on Communication and Environment (COCE 2025). Dr. Etaywe said the recognition was both humbling and affirming, with the study offering practical tools for journalists worldwide. "This is a roadmap for reframing climate and biodiversity reporting, about shifting the narrative from despair to empowerment," he said. "If we want audiences to act, we need to tell stories that show change is possible." More information: Building bonds and reader engagement through positive environmental journalism: Ideological positioning and ecocultural affiliation. www.researchgate.net/publicati cultural_affiliation This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This image shows the chemistry of one of the sample grains as measured at the TES beamline using tender-energy X-ray microspectroscopy, revealing the locations of phosphorus (P, in red), sulfur (S, in green), and silicon (Si, in blue) across the grain's surface. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory In 2020, the Hayabusa2 uncrewed spacecraft successfully returned small fragments from the near-Earth asteroid Ryugu, providing the first pristine samples from a carbonaceous asteroid. Grains from those samples were studied at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II), revealing new details into the asteroid's composition and origin. This insight could ultimately help answer big questions about how water and organic matter came to exist on early Earth, forming the building blocks of life. NSLS-II is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science user facility at DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory. This research collaboration includes scientists from Stony Brook University, Brookhaven Lab, the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, the Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Brown University. The Hayabusa2 mission was run by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), launching in December 2014 and touching down on Ryugu in February 2019. On Dec. 6, 2020, the spacecraft performed a fly-by past Earth to drop off hermetically sealed sample capsules that were kept safe by parachutes that deployed after plummeting through the atmosphere. The mission's goal was to retrieve samples from Ryugu so that scientists could achieve a better understanding of the origin and evolutionary history of primitive, organic-rich asteroids. In turn, this knowledge could tell us more about how our solar system's planets formed. Ryugu, which was discovered in 1999, likely originated from a larger proto-planetary body that formed in the frigid outer ranges of the solar system. As such, its makeup would have included water ice and carbon dioxide ice. This body was then mildly heated to nearly 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius) by short-lived radioactive elements, melting the ices and mobilizing fluids that interacted with and altered its original mineral and organic components, forming a slew of secondary compounds. These processes not only created novel minerals that are not found on Earth, but catalyzed complex organic molecules such as amino acids, essential building blocks for life. All this happened about 4.7 billion years ago, and the material has been essentially preserved in interplanetary space since then. The samples taken from Ryugu contain the signatures of these processes during the early days of the solar system. Earth is constantly changing, and, over time, its natural processes have erased most of the chemical clues about how the solar system first formed. Asteroids like Ryugu preserve this important piece of the solar system's history. This image shows the chemistry inside one of the sample grains as measured at the XFM beamline using pink-beam x-ray fluorescence computed microtomography, similar to a medical CT scan, revealing the locations of selenium (Se, in red), iron (Fe, in green), and manganese (Mn, in blue) in a virtual cross-section of a grain. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory Through a highly competitive process, the research group was allocated two tiny pieces of the asteroid: one grain from its surface and the other from the subsurface. At NSLS-II, the team studied the grains using a novel combination of X-ray techniques, which collectively yielded information on the microscale chemistry inside the samples, including the specific elements, how they are distributed, and their local molecular structure. Critically, these X-ray techniques are noninvasive and do not require that such precious samples be physically cut. As described by project lead Paul Northrup of Stony Brook University, "The beauty of these combined techniques is that we can measure the chemistry of both the exterior and the interior of a sample without damaging it. This is important to preserve such rare and unique samples, especially when hundreds of researchers are competing for access to so little material." The studies were conducted at two NSLS-II beamlines, the X-ray Fluorescence Microprobe (XFM) beamline and the Tender Energy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (TES) beamline. The group used two X-ray imaging techniques: pink-beam fluorescence computed microtomography at the XFM beamline and tender X-ray energy microspectroscopy at the TES beamline. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "It is a real treat to work with such a well-rounded team of scientists from different backgrounds to characterize materials collected from outer space," said Ryan Tappero, the lead beamline scientist at the XFM beamline. The team's results show that the asteroid grains are composed of a wide array of minerals and compounds containing elements such as selenium, manganese, iron, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, and calcium. This image shows the chemistry inside one of the sample grains as measured at the XFM beamline using pink-beam x-ray fluorescence computed microtomography, similar to a medical CT scan, revealing the locations of selenium (Se, in red), iron (Fe, in green), and manganese (Mn, in blue) in a virtual cross-section of a grain. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory For example, manganese primarily occurred in the form of manganese-bearing dolomite and ankerite, both carbonate minerals. Iron was present as a sulfide mineral, pyrrhotite, and an oxide mineral, magnetite. Copper was present as a form of copper sulfide. Phosphorus was found in two forms: as the mineral hydroxyapatite, better known as the mineral in teeth and bones, as well as a rare phosphide mineral not found on Earth. These clues begin to tell a story about the starting materials of the asteroid and their early interactions with fluids. In particular, tracking sulfur in its various forms in the samples is important because sulfur is a major player in fluid chemistry and a component of some organic compounds. In total, the results suggest that there were multiple stages of fluids that altered the asteroid. This information helps to better define the sequence of fluid activity and processes that led to the current composition of Ryugu and other carbonaceous asteroids. More recently, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission returned with samples collected from a different carbonaceous asteroid, Bennu. This same research group is looking forward to comparing these new samples to Ryugu using the imaging beamlines at NSLS-II. This research was published in the April 19, 2024, issue of Geosciences. More information: Paul Northrup et al, Chemistry in Retrieved Ryugu Asteroid Samples Revealed by Non-Invasive X-ray Microanalyses: Pink-Beam Fluorescence CT and Tender-Energy Absorption Spectroscopy, Geosciences (2024). DOI: 10.3390/geosciences14040111 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Vitaly Gariev from Pexels Nine out of 10 Australian teachers are experiencing severe stress, and nearly 70% say their workload is unmanageable, says UNSW Sydney research. The new studythe first to examine rates of depression, anxiety and stress in Australian teachershas found they experience these mental health issues at three times the national norm. The paper "Teachers' workload, turnover intentions, and mental health," published in Social Psychology of Education, surveyed nearly 5,000 primary and secondary school teachers across the country. Researchers found that 90% of teachers reported moderate to extremely severe levels of stress, while more than two-thirds experienced moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression and anxiety. The figures for depression and anxiety alone are more than double the national averages and point to a profession under immense pressure. "This is not just a well-being issueit's a workforce issue," said lead researcher Dr. Helena Granziera, from the School of Education at UNSW's Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture. "Our findings show that teachers are experiencing mental health symptoms at rates far above the general population, and that these symptoms are closely linked to their workload and intentions to leave the profession." Using validated psychological measures (the DASS test), the study revealed that teachers' average scores for depression, anxiety, and stress were in the "extremely severe" range. Compared to national norms, teachers scored three times higher for depression and nearly four times higher for stress. Causes of mental health issues The research also found that workload manageability was a key factor influencing teachers' mental health. Teachers who reported their workload as unmanageable were significantly more likely to experience depressive symptoms, which in turn were strongly associated with their intentions to leave the profession. Notably, 68.8% of teachers described their workload as largely or completely unmanageable. "Teachers are telling us they're overwhelmednot by teaching itself, but by the growing burden of non-core tasks," said Dr. Granziera. "Administrative duties, compliance requirements, and excessive data collection are taking time away from lesson planning and student engagement. This is leading to burnout and a sense of professional disillusionment." Impact on education The study's findings come at a time when Australia is facing a critical teacher shortage. According to recent data from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, up to 30% of teachers are considering leaving the profession before retirement age. The results shown in the paper add new urgency to these concerns, showing that poor mental healthparticularly depressionis a significant predictor of turnover intentions. "This research provides clear evidence that improving teachers' working conditions is not just beneficialit's essential," said Dr. Granziera. "If we want to retain skilled educators and ensure quality education for all students, we must address the root causes of teacher stress and mental health decline." The study also highlighted disparities based on location, with teachers in rural and remote areas reporting higher levels of depressive symptoms. Female teachers were also more likely to report depressive symptoms and turnover intentions, reflecting broader trends in occupational mental health. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What needs to change In response to these findings, the research team is calling for a multi-pronged approach to support teacher well-being, including: Policy reforms to reduce non-essential workload and streamline administrative processes School-level monitoring of teacher well-being and workload Investment in digital mental health programs tailored for educators, allowing flexible, self-paced support System-wide interventions to support teacher retention and reduce burnout. The study took place between October 2022 and May 2024, with recruitment via the Black Dog Institute website and social media channels using targeted social media outreach and teacher-specific platforms. "This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of teacher mental health in Australia," said Dr. Granziera. "It provides a clear and urgent message: our teachers are struggling, and they need support." The implications of these findings extend beyond the classroom. Poor teacher mental health has been linked to lower student achievement, reduced classroom quality, and diminished student well-being. "Teachers' mental health is intricately related to students' outcomes, both in terms of students' mental health themselves, but also students' academic achievement," says Dr. Granziera. "It's clear that improving teacher well-being should be a priority of policymakers not just for teachers but for our education system as a whole." More information: Helena Granziera et al, Teachers' workload, turnover intentions, and mental health: perspectives of Australian teachers, Social Psychology of Education (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11218-025-10113-w 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: Oak beds of artillery pieces recovered from the wreck of Gribshunden, curated at Blekinge Museum. Credit: Brendan Foley Lund University archaeologists have revealed details of late medieval artillery from the wreck of the royal Danish-Norwegian flagship, Gribshunden. The shipwreck is the only known example of its kind from the medieval periodas both ship and weapons are nearly identical to those of the early Spanish and Portuguese explorers. The new study tells the story of how early modern maritime adventurers were equipped to start the process of dominance and colonization across the world. The work is published in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology. "Diving on this late medieval royal shipwreck is, of course, exciting. However, the greatest satisfaction is when we can actually put the pieces of the puzzle together later on; combining Martin's castle expertise with Kay's deep understanding of artillery," explains Brendan Foley, the marine archaeologist behind the study, who worked closely with fellow LU archaeologist Martin Hansson and medieval artillery expert Kay Douglas Smith. Gribshunden, the flagship of the Danish-Norwegian King Hans, sank mysteriously in 1495 off the coast of Ronneby, Sweden. The wreck is internationally significant as the world's best-preserved ship from the Age of Explorationa proxy for the vessels of Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama. Ocean-going ships like Gribshunden and the artillery they carried were critical technologies for European explorers after 1492. The voyages to America and into the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope led to European colonization around the world. Gribshunden is a rare archaeological resource, as it is the most complete example yet discovered of a late medieval carvel warship. The ship carried 50 or more small caliber guns firing lead shot with an iron core. They were intended for anti-personnel use at close range, with tactics designed to injure or kill the enemy ships' personnel, followed by boarding to capture the vessel. Led by Lund University Professor Nicolo Dell'Unto, the Lund University team recreated the guns from 3D models of the artifacts. Phillip Short and Brendan Foley recover a gun bed from the wreck of Gribshunden, 2021. Image: Klas Malmberg. Credit: Klas Malmberg Gun bed GH2021-A100 discovered in 2021, with gun bed 29704:237 positioned behind. Powder chamber 29704:7 lies under the measuring tape. Credit: Klas Malmberg Viking Ship Museum archaeologist Marie Jonsson holds a crossbow stock recovered from Gribshunden in 2021. Credit: Staffan von Arbin A Danish 'floating castle' Gribshunden was built near Rotterdam between 148384. King Hans of Denmark and Norway had taken possession of the ship by spring 1486. The high cost of building and equipping these ships meant Gribshunden probably absorbed about 8% of the Danish national budget in 1485. Hans utilized his flagship differently from other monarchs; he personally sailed on it frequently, using it not for exploration, but to solidify his grasp on his kingdom. It was his floating castle, enabling royal travel to Sweden and all around the Danish realm, including Gotland and especially Norway. The king used this vessel in ways similar to a terrestrial royal fortification. This included several soft power functions: economic, diplomatic, social, cultural, and administrative. Underpinning all of these was the obvious hard power of the ship's martial purpose embodied by the guns and other weapons carried aboard. Gun bed 29812.45 on the wreck site immediately after discovery in 2022, and rendering from 3D model. Credit: Brett Seymour, 2022; Carolina Larsson, Lund University HumLab. Evidence of explosion Gribshunden served the crown for a decade before sinking while the king was en route from Copenhagen to a political summit in Sweden, where he expected to unify the entire Nordic region in a new Kalmar Union. Historical documents, including eyewitness accounts, relate that while Hans was ashore in Ronneby, an explosion and fire claimed the ship while it was anchored off the town. Among the 22-lead artillery shots from Gribshunden, several are flattened on one or two sides. This may be a result of the explosion that sank the vessel. Shot stored in the hold near the gunpowder ricocheted inside the ship. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. No Nordic expansion into North America So, given the existence of these warships, why didn't Denmark compete in expanding to the Americas? Denmark and Norway shared the long Viking and medieval Nordic history of exploration and settlement in the west, with colonies in Iceland and Greenland, and settlements in North America. Coupled with the adoption of this new enabling technology, Hans might have successfully competed with the Iberian rulers in global exploration and expansion to the Americas. However, Hans' primary concern was consolidating rule over the Baltic region. In pursuit of that goal, Hans himself sailed on Gribshunden into the Atlantic on several royal visits, and to Kalmar on the ship's final voyage. One reason for Denmark's inattention to the Americas might have been a 1493 papal bull signed by Pope Alexander VI. This granted Spain rights to the Americas, and a treaty between Spain and Portugal ceded the Indian Ocean to the latter. Prior to the Reformation, the threat of excommunication for ignoring the papal "Inter Caetera" was very real. The study was written by archaeologists Brendan Foley and Martin Hansson, with English medieval artillery expert Kay Douglas Smith. The project is conducted in collaboration with Blekinge Museum, Vikingeskibsmueet, and Ronneby municipality. The Gribshunden artillery artifacts are exhibited and curated at the Blekinge Museum facility in Rosenholm, with select artifacts on temporary display in Kallvattenkuren in Ronneby, and in Museet for Sfart in Helsingr, Denmark. Plans are underway to create a dedicated Gribshunden museum in Ronneby, where the artillery and other objects from the wreck may ultimately find a permanent home. More information: Brendan Foley et al, Late Medieval Shipboard Artillery on a Northern European Carvel: Gribshunden (1495), International Journal of Nautical Archaeology (2025). DOI: 10.1080/10572414.2025.2532166 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it wasn't just another stormit was one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history. Entire neighborhoods disappeared, families were scattered, and lives were split into "before" and "after." Nearly 20 years later, the haunting images of submerged rooftops and boat rescues remain vivid. The surge that shattered New Orleans On Aug. 29, 2005, early reports claimed New Orleans had "dodged the bullet." But offshore winds funneled water into the city's canals, triggering multiple catastrophic levee failures. The Lower Ninth Ward, where most fatalities occurred, was devastated as many residents, misled by comparisons to Hurricane Camille, chose not to evacuate. "Katrina's storm surge was exceptional," says Hermann Fritz, a civil engineering professor at Georgia Tech. "In some areas, we saw water levels over 27 feetthat's like a three-story building." While much attention focused on New Orleans' levee failures, Fritz points out that the surge's sheer height and energy would have overwhelmed even more robust defenses in some areas. "Katrina showed us that nature can produce forces beyond our engineering designs," he says. A disaster of inequality The storm didn't strike evenly; it exposed and deepened existing social and economic inequalities. "The disaster hit lower-income Black neighborhoods hardest," says Allen Hyde, associate professor of history and sociology. He notes how years of segregation, disinvestment, and discriminatory housing policies left these communities uniquely vulnerable. Hyde continues, "Many homes were in low-lying, flood-prone areas, and residents often lacked access to reliable transportation, making evacuation difficult or impossible." Georgia's changing landscape: Migration and impact Katrina displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed a staggering toll of more than 1,800 lives. Georgia quickly absorbed many evacuees, reshaping its demographics and infrastructure. "Hurricane Katrina led to one of the largest displacements of people due to a natural disaster," says Shatakshee Dhongde, a professor of economics. "It changed the demographics of Georgia in measurable ways, from school enrollment to the labor market." The U.S. Census Bureau tracked this migration, noting spikes in Louisiana-born residents in metro Atlanta. Local school districts enrolled hundreds of new students almost overnight, while housing markets saw increased demand from families looking for permanent homes. The arrival of so many displaced residents didn't just strain schools and housingit reshaped the state's economy. Dhongde notes that evacuees often brought new skills, business ideas, and networks. At the same time, the state and local governments faced the financial burden of expanding social services, health care, and housing assistance. Dhongde adds, "The impact of a disaster doesn't stop at the water's edge. It travels with people, and those effects can last for years." While the influx strained services, it also enriched Georgia's cultural and economic fabric. Hyde notes, "Gentrification made many neighborhoods unaffordable for former residents," and adds that many Black evacuees didn't return to New Orleans due to economic barriers and post-Katrina gentrification. Cultural communities scattered across cities like Atlanta, Houston, and Baton Rouge. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Lessons the levees still teach For Fritz, Katrina remains a wake-up call for coastal preparedness. "We can't stop hurricanes," he says, "but we can improve how we design and maintain our defenses, and how we evacuate people before it's too late." He warns that climate change, with its potential to intensify storms, makes those improvements even more urgent. Dhongde sees a parallel need for social and economic planning. "Disaster preparedness isn't just about sandbags and levees," she says. "It's also about ensuring the communities receiving evacuees have the resources and support systems to integrate them successfully." Finally, Hyde stresses the importance of engaging youth and communities in preparedness efforts. "Youth advocacy programs, like those we're piloting in Georgia, empower young people in marginalized neighborhoods with knowledge and agency to build long-term resilience. Disaster planning must be a community effort, inclusive and forward-looking." Pace of China's tech breakthroughs the true arbiter of chip competition Global Times) 08:32, August 25, 2025 Illustration: Chen Xia/GT The global semiconductor contest has long evolved from mere business competition into a high-stakes geopolitical race. Recently, Nvidia reportedly has told suppliers to suspend production of its H20 chip. At the same time, it is also reportedly working on a new chip for the Chinese market dubbed the B30A, which will be more advanced than the H20. Nvidia's setbacks with its H20 chip and its proposed China-specific B30 chip represent merely the tip of the iceberg in this great power rivalry. On the surface, this appears to be another round of US high-tech containment against China; at a deeper level, it reflects a significant shift in China-US technological competition - from "complete embargo" toward "controlled access" with conditions attached. In this protracted struggle, the decisive factor lies not in Washington's policy oscillations but in the pace of China's technological breakthroughs and indigenous innovation capabilities. American chip policy toward China exhibits a conspicuous "dual character" - simultaneously striving to maintain technological leadership while reluctant to forfeit the world's largest market. This contradictory mindset has led to frequent policy reversals. In April, the US government halted Nvidia's H20 sales to China; just a few months later, it reversed course by issuing export licenses with the condition of collecting a 15 percent revenue share. This shift doesn't reflect sudden American benevolence but rather economic reality forcing its hand Nvidia alone suffered losses estimated at $12.5 billion in the Chinese market during the first half of 2024. Nvidia's predicament isn't coincidental but inevitable as the China-US semiconductor rivalry reaches a critical juncture. Nvidia's challenges in China neither represent a simple corporate stumble nor the aftershocks of a policy misjudgment they reflect the visible collision of two forces: the US' attempt to establish regulatory "ceilings" versus China's accelerating upward momentum. The increasing difficulty for Nvidia to access the Chinese market actually signals the growth of domestic alternatives, a forming ecosystem, and the convergence of computing power with applications. What represents market resistance for Nvidia serves as a mirror reflecting progress for China's semiconductor industry. This isn't a technological choice, but rather a geopolitical engineering decision. More critically, this "threshold-based openness" reveals something significant: if catching up posed no pressure, such precisely calibrated thresholds wouldn't be necessary. The moment thresholds appeared, the pursuit was already underway. The US' adoption of the "special edition plus fee" model aims to strike a balance between technological containment and market interests. However, as regulations tighten and entry permits become more expensive, the calculus becomes increasingly complex and requires constant adjustment, and in turn US semiconductor regulations will become trapped in perpetual revision. Ultimately, the decisive outcome won't depend on how much the US can profit, but rather how China continuously advances indigenous, multi-layered, multi-directional and multi-nodal breakthroughs. Markets never erect barriers against inconsequential competitors. Nvidia's difficulties entering the Chinese market precisely confirm the rise of China's semiconductor industry. Compared with giants like Nvidia, domestic AI chips still show apparent gaps in computational density, ecosystem completeness and software optimization. China still faces "chokepoint" vulnerabilities, particularly in advanced processes, EDA tools and high-end materials. However, analyzing the development trajectory over the past two years reveals that China's semiconductor industry is forging a new path. First, the Chinese government is driving consolidation in the semiconductor industry, concentrating scattered resources into a few globally competitive enterprises. Second, domestic AI chips have begun achieving breakthroughs in specific segments. AI companies like DeepSeek are designing optimization standards for next-generation domestic chips, attempting to substitute imported chips in model training and inference domains. Meanwhile, AI technology applications across broader industrial sectors have achieved global leadership positions. This "focused breakthrough" strategy is showing results, most prominently in achieving self-sufficiency in key areas rather than attempting comprehensive coverage. The Chinese semiconductor industry's breakthrough won't happen overnight. Building a complete industrial chain from design through manufacturing to packaging and testing requires time. But confidence doesn't come from slogans but from verifiable timelines. Past trajectories demonstrate that continuous iteration, even in small steps, eventually produces compound returns. External single-source solutions are losing their irreplaceability; and emphasizing limitations reveals anxiety about the pace of catch-up. While challenges undoubtedly exist, the trend is clear: Self-sufficiency isn't a passing phase but a path that time will validate. What determines everything isn't how loud the slogans are, but how quickly tangible technological breakthroughs occur. As long as speed persists, ceilings remain merely temporary barriers. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has shared how "emotional" it was performing a "sacred" Samoan dance with his family. Dwayne Johnson performed a scared Samoan dance with his mother and daughters in Hawaii The 53-year-old wrestler-turned-actor has shared a video of the group - including his Samoan mother Ata and daughters - performing the Taualuga in Hawaii. The Black Adam star took his shirt off to proudly display his Polynesian tattoo and slapped the ground during the ceremonial performance, which symbolises the completion of something important. Dwayne - who is father to Simone, 24, Jasmine, nine, and six-year-old Tiana - penned alongside the clip on Instagram: "I was blessed to have this very special moment on stage with my mom, my daughters, and our aiga (family) dancing our Samoan cultures sacred dance, the Taualuga. "Its custom for Samoan men to take their shirts off to proudly show our Polynesian tatau (tattoo) and the intricate stories our ink tells. Also custom for Samoan women to lift their lava lavas up to proudly show their beautiful malu (tattoo) on their legs as well. "Im slapping the ground as a way to show my respect for how significant this is and how SACRED our ground becomes in this moment with our elders (and my daughters dancing next to me). "Its emotional. You cant help but feel it. The mana. "Life is busy for everyone - so special moments like this mean the world to me, to honor our family, our culture and always so good coming back home to Hawaii. Yesaah (sic)" Earlier this year, the WWE star shared how much he has loved showcasing Polynesian culture through the Moana franchise. Dwayne - who voices Maui in the Disney animated film franchise - told E! News: "The thing about 'Moana' - and I think the success about 'Moana' - and I wanna thank everybody out there, it's just been this global embrace of our Polynesian culture, and it's really cool." Dwayne also loves that the movies can inspire young girls. The actor - who has Jasmine and Tiana with his wife Lauren Hashian, and Simone with Dany Garcia - said: "Of everything that I love about Moana, the thing that I love most is my daughters, all three of my daughters, see themselves in Moana. And I think this idea of emboldening and empowering our young women and how important that is. "And I get to run around, with my long hair as Maui, and go, 'Cheehoo,' and embolden our young girls - it's awesome." Record solar growth keeps Chinas CO2 falling in first half of 2025 Posted on 25 August 2025 by Guest Author This is a re-post from Carbon Brief by Lauri Myllyvirta Clean-energy growth helped Chinas carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fall by 1% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, extending a declining trend that started in March 2024. The CO2 output of the nations power sector its dominant source of emissions fell by 3% in the first half of the year, as growth in solar power alone matched the rise in electricity demand. The new analysis for Carbon Brief shows that record solar capacity additions are putting Chinas CO2 emissions on track to fall across 2025 as a whole. Other key findings include: The growth in clean power generation, some 270 terawatt hours (TWh) excluding hydro, significantly outpaced demand growth of 170TWh in the first half of the year. Solar capacity additions set new records due to a rush before a June policy change, with 212 gigawatts (GW) added in the first half of the year. This rush means solar is likely to set an annual record for growth in 2025, becoming Chinas single-largest source of clean power generation in the process. Coal-power capacity could surge by as much as 80-100GW this year, potentially setting a new annual record, even as coal-fired electricity generation declines. The use of coal to make synthetic fuels and chemicals is growing rapidly, climbing 20% in the first half of the year and helping add 3% to Chinas CO2 since 2020. The coal-chemical industry is planning further expansion, which could add another 2% to Chinas CO2 by 2029, making the 2030 deadline for peaking harder to meet. Even if its emissions fall in 2025 as expected, however, China is bound to miss multiple important climate targets this year. This includes targets to reduce its carbon intensity the emissions per unit of GDP to strictly control coal consumption growth and new coal-power capacity, as well as to increase the share of cleaner electric-arc steelmaking in total steel output. If policymakers want to make up for these shortfalls, then there will be additional pressure on Chinas next nationally determined contribution (NDC, its international climate pledge for 2035) and its 15th five-year plan for 2026-30, both due to be finalised in the coming months. The falling trend in CO2 emissions and the clean-energy growth that is driving it could give policymakers greater confidence that more ambitious targets are achievable. Falling emissions from power, cement and steel The reduction in emissions in the first half of 2025 was predominantly driven by the power sector, aided by the building materials, steel and heating industries. Coal use in the power industry fell by 3.4% compared with the same period a year earlier, while gas use increased by 6%, resulting in a 3.2% drop in emissions for the sector overall. The reduction in CO2 emissions from coal use in the power sector is shown at the bottom of the figure below, along with the small rise due to higher gas-fired electricity generation. Other changes in CO2 emissions in the first half of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, are broken down by source and sector in the rest of the figure. Year-on-year change in Chinas CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement, for the period January-June 2025, million tonnes of CO2. Source: Emissions are estimated from National Bureau of Statistics data on production of different fuels and cement, China Customs data on imports and exports and WIND Information data on changes in inventories, applying emissions factors from Chinas latest national greenhouse gas emissions inventory and annual emissions factors per tonne of cement production until 2024. Sector breakdown of coal consumption is estimated using coal consumption data from WIND Information and electricity data from the National Energy Administration. Emissions from the building materials sector fell by 3% and from the metals industry by 1%, with cement falling 4% and steel output 3%. The reason for these reductions is the ongoing contraction in the construction sector, with real estate investment falling 11% and the floor area of new construction starts by 20%. Traditional targets of government infrastructure investment, such as transportation, also showed relatively slow growth. CO2 reductions resulting from the drop in steel output were limited by a fall in the share of electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking, a much less emissions- and energy-intensive process than the coal-based production of primary steel. The share of electric-arc output in total production fell from 10.2% in 2024 to 9.8% in the first half of 2025, despite a government target of 15% for this year. Excess coal-based capacity and a lack of incentives for shifting production mean that electric arc steelmakers, rather than coal-based steel mills, tend to absorb reductions in output, as their operating costs are higher and costs of shutting down and starting up production lines are lower. Shifting to EAF steel is one of the largest emission reduction opportunities in China over the next decade, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Elsewhere, consumption of oil products increased by 1%. However, this growth did not come from transport fuel demand. The production of petrol, diesel and jet fuel all continued to fall, with electric vehicles eating into road-fuel demand. Instead, growth was driven by demand for naphtha from petrochemicals producers, including newly commissioned plants. Gas use outside the power sector mainly heating dropped by 1%, after a fall in the first quarter due to mild winter temperatures and a smaller increase in the second quarter. Solar boom covers power demand growth The first half of 2025 saw a new record for the growth of clean power generation excluding hydro, made up of solar, wind, nuclear and biomass. Clean power generation from solar, wind and nuclear power grew by 270 terawatt hours (TWh), substantially exceeding the 170TWh (3.7%) increase in electricity consumption. Hydropower generation fell by 3% (16TWh), moderating the fall in fossil fuel-fired power generation. The rise in power generation from solar panels, on its own, covered all of the growth in electricity demand, increasing by 170TWh equivalent to the national power output of Mexico or Turkey over the same period. Wind power output grew by 80TWh and nuclear by 20TWh. As a result, the share of low-carbon sources reached 40% of the nations electricity generation overall in the first half of the year, up from 36% in the same period of 2024. The figure below shows how clean-energy sources excluding hydro (columns) have started matching the recent increases in Chinas electricity demand (solid line), as well as the average amount of growth in recent years (dashed line). Columns: Year-on-year change in quarterly electricity generation from clean energy excluding hydro, terawatt hours. Solid and dashed line: Quarterly and average change in total electricity generation, TWh. Sources: China Electricity Council; Ember; analysis for Carbon Brief by Lauri Myllyvirta. Strikingly, the record growth of solar and continued expansion of wind mean that both sources of electricity generation overtook hydropower for the first time in the first half of 2025, as shown in the figure below. Despite steady growth, nuclear power is a relatively distant fourth, at less than half of the power generation from each of the other three major non-fossil technologies. Electricity generation from non-fossil fuels in the first half of each year, TWh. Source: Ember; analysis for Carbon Brief by Lauri Myllyvirta. The growth in solar power generation was driven by record capacity growth. China added 212GW of new solar capacity in the first half of the year, double the amount installed in the first half of 2024, which itself had been a new record. For comparison, the worlds second-largest nation for solar capacity the US had only installed 178GW, in total, by the end of 2024, while third-ranked India had 98GW. Some 93GW of new solar capacity was added to Chinas grid in May alone, as the rush to install before a change in pricing policy culminated. This rate of installations translates to approximately 100 solar panels installed every second of the month. The acceleration was due to a change in the policy on tariffs paid to new wind and solar generators, which started in June. Previously, new plants were guaranteed to receive the benchmark price for coal-fired power output in each province, for each unit of electricity they generate. Under the new policy, new generators have to secure contracts directly with electricity buyers, causing uncertainty and likely putting downward pressure on revenue. The resulting surge in new capacity means that solar is poised to overtake wind this year and hydro this year or next to become the largest source of clean power generation in China. This is despite solar capacity additions slowing down in June and projections diverging widely on how much growth to expect for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, under the new policy. The consensus among forecasters has been one of a sharp slowdown in installations. After the new pricing policy was announced, the China Electricity Council (CEC) and China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) projected 210GW and 215-235GW for 2025 as a whole, respectively, implying plummeting additions in the second half of the year. In contrast, the State Grid Energy Research Institute expects 380GW to be added to the grid this year. After data for May installations became available, the CEC upgraded its forecast for the whole year to 310GW and the CPIA to 270-300GW, implying that 60-100GW would be added in the second half of the year. This would still be a sharp deceleration compared with the second half of 2024, when 173GW was added. For wind, the State Grid researchers expect 140GW and CEC 110GW, while 51GW was added in the first half of the year. Both numbers indicate larger capacity additions in the second half of 2025 and an increase for the full year compared with 2024. The State Grid should have detailed knowledge of projects seeking to connect to the electricity grid, so its projections carry extra weight compared with others. If its expectations for wind and solar growth are realised, this would result in around 850TWh of annual clean power generation being added to the grid in 2025, as shown in the figure below. This new clean power capacity would be more than enough to meet the entire electricity demand of Brazil (760TWh), or Germany and the UK combined (817TWh). With the State Grid also projecting demand to grow by 400-640TWh (4.0-6.5%), clean-energy growth should push down CO2 from Chinas power sector this year and well into next year. Annual electricity generation from clean power capacity newly added each year, terawatt hours by source. Three alternative projections for 2025 are taken from a range of different organisations. Power generation from new capacity is projected using average capacity factors for each technology over 20152024. Sources: Historical data from China Electricity Council; projections from China Photovoltaic Industry Association, China Electricity Council, State Grid and analysis for Carbon Brief by Lauri Myllyvirta. Chinas top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), is also taking steps to spur demand for contracts with solar and wind producers. A new policy published in July requires for the first time that steel, cement and polysilicon factories, as well as some new data centres, meet a certain percentage of their demand using renewable electricity. Previously, such requirements were only applied to provinces, power distribution companies and the aluminum industry. Their mandated renewable energy shares have also now increased. These changes boost demand for contracts with renewable electricity suppliers, just as new solar and wind plants are having to secure contracts directly with buyers, under their new pricing policy. The increase in demand for renewable power resulting from these measures broadly matches the low end of the growth projected in solar and wind this year. The renewable quotas therefore offer a backstop of support for the continued growth of clean power, which will be required to meet Chinas wider climate and energy targets. The increase in solar power generation from rising installations could be even larger, but is being limited by issues around grid management and capacity. The share of potential solar power output that was not utilised rose to 5.7% in the first half of 2025, from 3.2% a year earlier. While technical issues such as uncompleted grid connections could play a role amid the boom, this also implies a significant increase in curtailment. The average utilisation rate of solar panels fell by 12% in the first quarter of this year, compared with the 20202023 average, according to China Electricity Council data accessed through Wind Information. This is a much larger reduction than indicated by the reported curtailment rates. The flipside of this dip in utilisation is that improvements to grid operation and infrastructure will unlock even more generation from existing solar capacity. Coal power capacity is expected to surge this year, even as demand for power generation from coal contracts. The State Grid predicts 127GW of thermal power added. Some of this will be gas, but based on non-coal thermal power additions expected by the CEC, around 90-100GW is coal, while the CEC projects 80GW of coal power added. Data from Global Energy Monitor shows 93-109GW of coal-power projects under construction that could be completed this year, assuming a 2.5 to 3-year lead time from issuance of permits to grid connection. The largest amount of coal-fired capacity China has ever connected to the grid in one year is 63GW in 2008, so 2025 seems likely to set a new record by a large margin. A former senior official at one of Chinas largest power firms stated in an interview in June 2025 that companies are building coal power capacity due to central government pressure. There is little enthusiasm to invest and the target to expand coal-power capacity to 1,360GW in this five-year plan period, covering 2021-2025, is unlikely to be met. Operating coal-power capacity was 1,210GW at the end of June, up from 1,080GW at the end of 2020. The influx of coal-fired capacity will result in falling utilisation and profitability. However, oversupply of coal power could also weaken demand for contracts with solar and wind producers, undermining clean-energy growth. This makes measures that offer a backstop of demand for clean power, such as the sector quotas, all the more significant. Coal chemicals shooting up The only major sector that saw growth in emissions in the first half of the year was the chemicals sector. Coal use in the sector, both as a fuel and a feedstock, increased by a dramatic 20% year-on-year, on top of a 10% increase in 2024. Oil use in the chemicals sector increased as well, as reflected in a 9% increase in total consumption of naptha a key petrochemicals feedstock estimated from OPEC data. The growth is driven by the coal-to-chemicals industry, which turns coal into synthetic liquid and gaseous fuels, as well as petrochemical products. This is a sector that China has developed aggressively, to reduce reliance on imported oil and gas, as well as to promote the exploitation of coal resources in the countrys far west particularly Xinjiang where coal and coal power exports to the rest of China are limited by transportation capacity and costs. The sector consumed approximately 390m tonnes of coal in 2024, resulting in an estimated 690m tonnes CO2 emissions (MtCO2), making it responsible for 6% of Chinas fossil CO2 emissions and 9% of the countrys coal use in 2024. Coal use and emissions increased 10% from 2023 while total coal conversion capacity increased only 5%, implying that the utilisation of existing capacity increased as well. The coal-to-chemicals industry used 155m tonnes of standard coal in 2020 and CO2 emissions were estimated at 320MtCO2. The coal-to-chemicals industry therefore added around 3% to Chinas total CO2 emissions from 2020 to 2024, making it one of the sectors responsible for the recent acceleration in the countrys CO2 emissions growth and its shortfall against targets to control increases in CO2 emissions and coal use. Output from the sector reportedly replaced 100m tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of oil and gas in 2024, which implies 250-280MtCO2 emissions avoided from oil and gas use, depending on how the avoided demand breaks down between oil and gas. The net effect of the industry on CO2 emissions was therefore an increase of around 410-440MtCO2, or 4% of Chinas total CO2, highlighting that coal-based chemical production is much more carbon-intensive than its already carbon-intensive oil- and gas-based equivalent. The sectors growth in coal use and emissions reflects drastically improved profitability in most segments in recent years. Its profitability depends heavily on the oil price, so the sharp increase in oil prices from the 2015-2020 level in 2021-24 supported output growth, whereas the recent fall in oil prices could temper it. The chemical industry association still expects the sector to expand capacity for another decade, until 2035, even under Chinas CO2 peaking target. Analysis by Tianfeng Securities touts the years 2025-2030 as the peak period for investment in coal to chemicals, claiming that potential annual investment over the next five years could reach three times the 2021-23 level and that half of this potential investment is in Xinjiang province. Sinolink Securities projects that an average of at least 37m tonnes of coal conversion capacity will be added in the coal-to-chemicals industry each year from 2025 to 2029, with coal-to-oil-and-gas and coal-to-methanol dominating these capacity additions. This would mean a 40% increase in the industrys capacity from 2024 to 2029, with the potential to add over 250MtCO2 per year of emissions, increasing total CO2 emissions by over 2%. The figure below illustrates this potential increase, which would continue recent trends. Past and projected annual emissions from the coal-to-chemicals industry in China, MtCO2. Source: IEA World Energy Balances; from 2020 to 2024, news reporting; future projection based on capacity additions from Sinolink Securities, assuming constant capacity utilisation. If this further expansion takes place and assuming new chemicals plants are used at the same rate as the existing fleet is being used today then it would complicate Chinas carbon peaking target and make the CO2 intensity target for 2030 even more challenging to meet. However, this is not the first time that the industry has been predicted to boom. In 2014, the China Coal Association issued a prediction that the coal-to-chemicals industry would be using 750Mt of coal per year by 2020, converting to about 540Mt of standard coal. In reality, less than a third of this demand was realised in large part due to low oil prices and the sector was still only using half of this amount by the end of 2024. New targets on the horizon Given the major increase in solar capacity in the first half, as well as expected additions of wind and nuclear throughout the year, China is on track for a fall in emissions in 2025. This would continue a declining trend that began in early 2024 and leaves open the possibility that Chinas emissions could have peaked already, years ahead of its before 2030 target. The recent slide in Chinas total CO2 emissions is shown in the figure below, with the shallow decline illustrating the potential that this trend could be reversed. Chinas emissions from fossil fuels and cement, million tonnes of CO2, rolling 12-month totals. Note the truncated y-axis Source: Emissions are estimated from National Bureau of Statistics data on production of different fuels and cement, China Customs data on imports and exports and WIND Information data on changes in inventories, applying emissions factors from Chinas latest national greenhouse gas emissions inventory and annual emissions factors per tonne of cement production until 2024. Sector breakdown of coal consumption is estimated using coal consumption data from WIND Information and electricity data from the National Energy Administration. Even if Chinas emissions fall by a few percent this year, however, this is unlikely to be sufficient to meet the carbon intensity target for 2025 in the current five-year plan. Still, it would make the countrys 2030 carbon intensity commitment under the Paris Agreement easier to meet. A continuing fall in emissions, extending the fall that began in early 2024, could also affect target-setting for the next five-year plan which is being prepared for release in early 2026 by showing that China could peak and reduce its emissions well ahead of the 2030 deadline. Yet, despite rapid progress in 2024 and 2025, China is bound to miss multiple emissions-related targets in the 2021-2025 period, due to rapid CO2 rises during and after the Covid pandemic. These targets include improvements in carbon intensity, strict controls of the growth in coal consumption and new coal-fired power plants, as well as the share of cleaner electric arc steelmaking in total steel output. If Chinas policymakers want to make up the shortfall against these 2025 targets and get on track for their 2030 goals, then they would need to set out higher ambitions in the 15th five-year plan, covering 2026-2030. For example, this could include reducing the carbon intensity of Chinas economy by more than 20% over the next five years. Chinas new pledge (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, with targets for 2035, is due to be published in the next few months and will provide important indications of their intentions. The new pricing policy for wind and solar has also increased the importance of target-setting, by making contracts for difference available for the amount of capacity needed to meet the central governments clean-energy targets. An ambitious clean-energy target for 2035 would be a significant new backstop for clean-energy growth, with both climate and economic relevance. Another major question is how the government will react to the influx of coal-fired capacity, even as power generation from coal recedes. It could either move to close down older coal plants or to limit clean-energy additions. With respect to coal power plants, the key point remains, however, that as long as clean power generation keeps growing faster than electricity demand, then increases in coal and gas fired capacity will result in falling utilisation, rather than increased CO2 emissions. About the data Data for the analysis was compiled from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, National Energy Administration of China, China Electricity Council and China Customs official data releases, and from WIND Information, an industry data provider. Wind and solar output, and thermal power breakdown by fuel, was calculated by multiplying power generating capacity at the end of each month by monthly utilisation, using data reported by China Electricity Council through Wind Financial Terminal. Total generation from thermal power and generation from hydropower and nuclear power was taken from National Bureau of Statistics monthly releases. Monthly utilisation data was not available for biomass, so the annual average of 52% for 2023 was applied. Power sector coal consumption was estimated based on power generation from coal and the average heat rate of coal-fired power plants during each month, to avoid the issue with official coal consumption numbers affecting recent data. CO2 emissions estimates are based on National Bureau of Statistics default calorific values of fuels and emissions factors from Chinas latest national greenhouse gas emissions inventory, for the year 2021. Cement CO2 emissions factor is based on annual estimates up to 2024. For oil consumption, apparent consumption is calculated from refinery throughput, with net exports of oil products subtracted. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Its unclear whether Tiffany Trump has a job in the traditional sense, but the role she has served in American life for the past nine-ish years is that every so often she pops up to remind the world that she, President Donald Trumps only child with his second wife, Marla Maples, both A) exists and B) requires that we all feel kind of bad for her. In that sense, after taking some time off to have her first child this year, Tiffany is clocking back in. Last week, the New York Times published an article about the business dealings of Tiffanys husband of three years, Michael Boulos, that will give you new and innovative reasons to feel bad for Trumps most forgotten child. The Times investigation alleges that Boulos has been leveraging his connections to Trumpworld and status as Tiffanys husband to make money. These enterprises have included overcharging his brother-in-law, Jared Kushner, for a yacht (which, to be honest, we cant altogether disapprove of on account of it being so funny) and enticing a Saudi businessman with the promise of an invitation to his wedding in exchange for cash. The most generous interpretation of the article is to blame all the scheming on a cousin of Boulos, Jimmy Frangi, who at the very least sounds like the sort of pain-in-the-neck relation that many people will recognize from their own family dynamics. But it also sounds like Boulos was aware of much of it, as was his bank account. When the Kushner deal seemed to be going south, he took little time to pull the Tiffany card: When Mr. Kushners lawyer seemed to be slowing the deal down, for example, Mr. Boulos made his displeasure known inside the firm. Me and Tiffany, he wrote to associates, are pissed off. As the Times article reminded readers, Boulos is the son of Massad Boulos, a Lebanese American businessman who seems to have misrepresented himself as a billionaire for years but nonetheless served as a campaign surrogate and then adviser for President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont hear much about Tiffany or what shes up to. It was nice, though maybe unrealistic, to imagine that maybe she was somewhat removed from the Trump fray, on a steady stream of fancy vacations with her handsome husband. In April, People reported that her stepmother, first lady Melania Trump, skipped her baby shower, which was perhaps unsurprising considering Melanias increasing reluctance to show up anywhere these days. Tiffany gave birth, to a boy named Alexander, in May, for once providing a break in the poor Tiffany narrativetheres not much bad you can say about a woman having a baby, though I do wonder how it went when Donald Trump met him for the first time. In any case, now its back to poor Tiffany, and then some: It used to be that we all felt bad for her because she seemed like such an afterthought to her father, but now theres an alleged scammer husband to contend with, a husband who may only have been drawn to her in the first place because of that alleged scammer father. In their union, the Oedipus complex meets the concept of a dog attracting fleas. Advertisement Advertisement And so we engage in the semiregular ritual of feeling bad for Tiffany. We dont actually know whether shes worth feeling bad formaybe she knew about all of it, maybe it was even her idea to sell a yacht to Kushner for millions more than it was worth. Wouldnt we all take the opportunity to defraud Kushner if we could? This is the cesspool Tiffany was raised in. But somehow I dont think she signed up for this, to be used by a guy she reportedly met at Lindsey Lohans Beach Club in Mykonos. Still, even if she didnt sign up for it, were about to find out if shell stand for it, and Im guessing she will. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Friday, President Donald Trump said from the Oval Office that Chicago will be next, calling the city a mess and its mayor grossly incompetent. He claimed residents were screaming for him to come. At first, it sounded like another one of his casual provocations. But by Saturday night, the Washington Post reported that the Pentagon had been drafting plans for weeks to send several thousand National Guard troops into Chicago as soon as September, in a model already tested in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. This is not crime policy. Trump is overriding state sovereignty, occupying local streets with federal troops, and transforming constitutional limits into stagecraft for a national audience. It is the open demonstration of a governing philosophy that substitutes force for persuasion, imagery for reality, and political theater for democratic restraint. I live in Chicago, and I can see and feel how it would look if this unfolded in my city. A weekday morning on the South Side, kids waiting for the No. 3 King Drive bus to get to school, parents double-checking backpacks and lunch bags while helicopters churn the sky above. A corner bodega on 63rd Street with military trucks idling out front, soldiers scanning the block where neighbors gather for coffee. Bronzevilles historic churches, where choirs rehearse for Sunday service, flanked by Humvees stationed on the curb. A mural of lost teenagers on a viaduct wall, now framed by guards in fatigues holding rifles at rest. These are the kinds of images Trump wants broadcast into living rooms far from hereinto suburban Pennsylvania, into small towns in Georgia, into Wisconsin communities where families sit down to watch the evening news and see Chicago turned into a backdrop for order imposed by force. Trumps performance is meant to paint Democratic cities as broken places, their leaders stripped of authority, their people left defenseless. By placing soldiers where children wait for buses and families shop for groceries, he wants to make safety look less like a right of citizenship and more like a gift that only he can give. The images tell a simple story: that chaos hovers close at hand, and that order, however fragile, depends on him. This is not the work of government, but a choreography of fear, designed to make illusion feel like truth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As in Los Angeles and D.C., state and local officials have not asked for troops. There is no insurrection here. There is no governor refusing to enforce the law. What Chicago has are neighborhoods carrying grief, parents who fear their children will be caught in crossfire, churches that bury too many young men, and blocks hollowed by decades of disinvestment and shuttered schools. Chicago does have crime, as every major city in America does, but it is not an outlaw state or a failed territory. It is a living, breathing city where violence is fought every day with prevention programs, neighborhood interventions, and police investigations. The presence of shootings or robberies does not create grounds for federal occupation. As Mayor Brandon Johnson said, what Trump is proposing would be the most flagrant violation of our Constitution in the 21st century. Governor J.B. Pritzker was equally direct: There is no emergency that warrants the president of the United States federalizing the Illinois National Guard. What this moment creates is a pretext Trump can seize, the opportunity to claim extraordinary powers under the language of public order. Advertisement This is the authoritarian playbook. Around the world, strongmen have chosen cities as foils to consolidate power. Viktor Orban in Hungary, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil each portrayed major urban centers as unsafe or ungovernable, then used federal force to impose control, weaken opposition, and rally their rural and suburban bases. Related From Slate Democrats Keep Making This Mistake When It Comes to Trump Read More By threatening to send troops to Chicago, New York, and Baltimore, Trump is importing that script into American democracy, rewriting the balance between states and the federal government, and signaling to his supporters that he can turn a living city into a stage set for fear. As Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul warned, this is another step toward authoritarianism. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a combat veteran, was just as clear, saying Trumps actions are deeply disturbing, un-American, and have no place in any of our cities. Advertisement The legal structures meant to stop this are fragile. The Posse Comitatus Act bars federal troops from engaging in civilian policing. The Insurrection Act creates narrow exceptions, but only in cases of rebellion or complete breakdown of local government. These guardrails were designed for leaders who accepted limits, but Trump rejects limits as weakness. His governing principle is that he can declare emergencies where none exist, extend them indefinitely, and dare anyone to stop him. No U.S. city is safe from the same logic. Advertisement And so the stakes cannot be dismissed as abstract. To the parent in Georgia dropping a child at the school bus stop: Would you accept soldiers standing by the crosswalk in your neighborhood, watching as your son or daughter boards the bus? To the parishioner in Wisconsin arriving at Sunday service, would you accept military vehicles parked outside your sanctuary, cameras capturing the scene for national broadcast? To the family in Pennsylvania picking up groceries on a Saturday, would you accept a convoy stationed at the supermarket lot, anchors declaring that order had been restored? This is not safety. It is imagery designed to make Americans accept that their communities can be militarized at a presidents discretion. According to the Washington Post, the Pentagons plans are already drawn, awaiting only the presidents order. If he follows through, Chicago will become another proving ground for whether Americans will allow the erosion of federalism, the suspension of legal norms, and the use of cities as props in a campaign of control. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Abraham Lincoln once said that the greatest service of citizenship is jury duty. Each day, citizens throughout the United States receive letters summoning them to appear for jury duty. Such letters are not mere suggestions. Recipients are legally bound to report for jury duty, and failure to do so can result in fines and other penalties. A jury summons letter also typically includes instructions for seeking an exemption or excusal, and courts often excuse parents and primary caregivers of minor children from jury duty. Child care responsibilities are likely one of the most common reasons for jury excusal in the United States, and it raises the following question: When parents and other primary caregivers are excused from jury duty, do juries meet the standards of representativeness and impartiality enshrined in the U.S. Constitution? Do they truly constitute a jury of ones peers? This latter concept dates back to the Magna Carta, signed by King John in 1215 at Runnymede in England. The text states that no free man shall be seized, imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, exiled or ruined in any way, nor in any way proceeded against, except by the lawful judgement of his peers and the law of the land. Our Founding Fathers credited this clause as the origin of the right to a trial by a jury of ones peers. Today, courts differ in their approaches to jury excusal for caregivers of minor children. The 10th Judicial District of Suffolk County, New York, excuses caregivers of children under the age of 16 who can provide the childs birth certificate and explain why other arrangements cannot be made. The 8th Judicial Circuit of Florida only exempts caregivers of children age 6 and under. Conversely, the North Carolina Judicial Branch does not even mention caregivers in its list of excused parties. Similar to North Carolina, under Excuses, the federal court website does not specifically mention caregivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2021 report issued by the Equal Justice Initiative titled Race and the Jury: Illegal Discrimination in Jury Selection included a sidebar exploring the history of gender-based jury exclusion. According to EJIs research, it was not until 1975 that the U.S. Supreme Court determined that excluding women from jury duty violates the requirement that a jury be drawn from a fair cross-section of the community. Nonetheless, attorneys continued to eliminate both genders from juries using peremptory strikes until a 1994 U.S. Supreme Court decision determined that gender-based strikes violate the Fourteenth Amendment right to equal protection. Related From Slate Trump Is Trying to Take Benefits From Veterans That Theyve Already Earned Read More Well before these rulings, in Ballard v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court noted in 1946: If the shoe were on the other foot, who would claim that a jury was truly representative of the community if all men were intentionally and systematically excluded from the panel? The truth is that the two sexes are not fungible; a community made up exclusively of one is different from a community composed of both; the subtle interplay of influence of one on the other is among the imponderables. Advertisement Yet, a February 2021 study titled Unequal Jury Representation and Its Consequences indicates that jury representation in the U.S. remains unequal, concluding that a jurys race, age, gender, political affiliation, and experiences affect trial outcomes in the real world. The United States has made progress in ensuring gender equality in jury composition. According to a 2022 Michigan Journal of Gender and Law article titled Gentlewomen of the Jury, In recent decades, women now participate nearly equally alongside men on juries in most U.S. jurisdictions, in both state and federal courts. Still, according to a 2023 U.S. News and World Report article, mothers make up the overwhelming majority of stay-at-home parents. Advertisement For juries to truly be composed of ones peers, mothers and other primary caregivers must be included rather than simply being excused from their civic duty. Federal, state, and district courts should provide ways for such prospective jurors to obtain child care, whether it be actual care services, vouchers, stipends, or other accommodations. Advertisement Such solutions already exist in some places. In the Canadian province of British Columbia, for example, Jurors can receive up to $50/day in childcare costs as long as it is proven that the childcare was required to attend the trial and would not have been otherwise provided. This is not a great sum, but it may provide caregivers with the needed incentive to take part in, rather than avoid, this important civic duty. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps even more compelling, courts in the U.S. District of Columbia offer free childcare services to any member of the public that has in-person business with the Courts, including jurors. This provision lifts the burdens on parents and caregivers of children almost entirely. The National Center for State Courts issued a report titled Preserving the Future of Juries and Jury Trials in 2024, noting that fewer people are willing or able to serve as jurors, partly due to the inconvenience and financial hardship it can impose, and partly due to a decline in civic education and engagement. This has resulted in jury pools that are less representative of the communities from which they are selected, further diminishing public confidence in the system. The NCSC report shows that the problems plaguing juries and jury trials are multifaceted, and that child care issues are merely one aspect of a complex picture. Still, its well past time for courts across the country to offer uniform provision of vouchers or stipends for child care. Such a move would go a long way toward improving civic willingness to fulfill this historic duty. Freddie Starr is said to have died penniless and estranged from his six children. Freddie Starr is said to have died penniless and estranged from his six children Once one of Britains best-known comedians, the performer died in 2019 at the age of 76 from a heart attack, and at the time he was living alone in a one-bedroom flat on the Costa del Sol. The Daily Mail has now reported he was so broke when he died there were plans to give the stand-up a paupers burial in Spain before a stranger stepped in to pay for his repatriation and funeral. Funeral director Michael Fogg, from Sheffield, said he eventually covered the costs to ensure Freddies body could be returned to England. Michael was quoted by the Mail saying: Anyone who can make a funeral director laugh must be a bloody good comedian. And Freddie Starr could make me laugh. He shouldnt be buried in foreign land, he should be brought back to be in his own country. For those asking why I am paying, well it is my money, it is my business and that is what I want to spend my money on. He should be reunited with the people he loved and his family. Freddies carer Nelly, from Bulgaria, found his body and later told the Daily Record he had been out of contact with relatives for years. She said: Freddie had bad feelings about back home, he felt the British people had deserted him. It would be terrible if Freddie ends up being buried in a paupers grave. I dont want to see that happen but Im worried if I tried to do something about it his relatives would object. Born in Liverpool in 1943, Freddie fronted the Merseybeat group the Midniters in the 1960s before breaking through on Opportunity Knocks and the Royal Variety Performance. His career flourished during the 1970s and 80s with television shows including Freddie Starr (199394), The Freddie Starr Show (199698) and An Audience with Freddie Starr in 1996. In 1986 he became the subject of The Suns infamous Freddie Starr Ate My Hamster headline. He also hosted Freddie Starrs Variety Madhouse in 1979 alongside Russ Abbot, Mike Newman, Toni Palmer, Norman Collier and Bella Emberg. Known for unpredictable stunts, he sparked outrage in 1997 after throwing live chickens into an audience at the Britannia Theatre in Great Yarmouth. Audience member Kerry Duthie said: It was absolutely wicked. People were screaming and there were feathers flying in the air. The chickens were flapping about in a panic. I am not a big animal rights supporter, but to see that happen was so cruel. Freddie dismissed the criticism, saying: There is nothing wrong with what happened and it will be left in the video. It was not cruel at all. As far as the chickens go, it was a one-off. They have a professional handler and were kept in the cool outside the theatre before going on stage. Freddie married four times first to Betty, then to Sandy, later to Donna, and finally to Sophie in 2013 and fathered six children. The Empire Breeders Classic favourites, Unreasonable and Dandy Ideal, were victorious in their respective sophomore pacing divisions at Tioga Downs on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 24. Unreasonable won the $278,681 Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old pacing fillies, prevailing in a stretch sprint with The Last Martini in 1:50.2 for the father and son, training and driving duo of Erv and Marcus Miller. Sent postward as the favourite from post seven in the field of 10, Unreasonable landed in third behind The Last Martini (Jason Bartlett) with Shes A Streaker (Tyler Buter) firing out to the lead in a :26.2 opening panel then getting a second-quarter breather to the half in :55.4. Heading for the final turn, The Last Martini popped the pocket and raced alongside Shes A Streaker as they passed three-quarters in 1:22.4 with Unreasonable tracking that move. The Last Martini cleared to command turning for home but had Unreasonable to contend with as those two took off in the sprint to the wire, with the latter filly prevailing by a quarter of a length. Shes A Streaker stayed for third but was left nine lengths behind. Coming off back-to-back miles paced in 1:48.4 at The Red Mile, Unreasonable was the 1-2 favourite and paid $3 to win. The Huntsville-Roaring To Go filly has been a model of consistency in her sophomore campaign with six wins and two seconds from eight starts, good for seasonal earnings of $353,772 to send her lifetime bankroll well over the half-million dollar mark. She is owned by Ervin Miller Stable of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania and David J. Miller of Lake Mary, Florida. Dandy Ideal streaked to his sixth straight victory for trainer Hunter Oakes, topping stablemate Thirsty Thursday in the $264,791 Empire Breeders Classic for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings. With Meadowlands Pace winner Madden Oaks scratched sick, Hempt champion Dandy Ideal was the 1-9 favourite and took control of the short field of five from the inside post for driver Jason Bartlett with Thirsty Thursday (Tyler Buter) getting the pocket trip. The American Ideal-Ok Heavenly gelding cruised through fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:23.3 then used a :26.2 final kicker to keep one length clear of his stablemate at the end of the 1:50 mile. Courts On Fire (Mark MacDonald) finished six lengths back in third after a failed first-over bid to the final turn. Dandy Ideal, who's current streak includes three New York Sire Stakes divisions and a 1:48.2 career-best Hempt victory at Pocono Down last weekend, paid $2.10 to win. The lion's share of the purse lifted his seasonal earnings to $646,349 while his lifetime bankroll soared over $800,000. He is owned by Susan Oakes of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Wier of East Aurora, New York and Alan Johnston of Syracuse, New York. Bartlett also drove the Per Engblom-trained Fragment to a career-best 1:52 victory in a $155,694 division of the New York Sire Stakes for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Advancing from fifth down the backstretch and rallying three-wide from behind the pocket-popping Hunt Off The Press (Tyler Buter) turning for home, even-money favourite Fragment swept by in :28.1 to win by more than three lengths over inside closer Hard To Forget (Matt Kakaley) and pacesetter Knoxville (Mark MacDonald), who had led to three-quarters with fractions clocked in :27, :56 and 1:23.2. Fragment paid $4.30 to win. Now a five-time New York Sire Stakes winner, the Huntsville-The Show Returns colt has earned $292,776 in just seven career starts for owners Engblom Stable of Wrightstown, New Jersey and Douglas Sipple of Georgetown, Delaware. A pair of $27,777 divisions of the Excelsior Series for the rookie male pacers went postward on the undercard and those events were won by the Bartlett-driven Southwind Iron (American Ideal-Southwind Inertia), who collected his fourth series score with a 1:53 career-best effort for trainer Kevin Lare, and River Ranch Dawson (American Ideal-Dreamfair Eternal), a back-to-back Excelsior winner, in 1:56.1 with Tyler Buter driving for trainer Jenny Melander. (Standardbred Canada with files from Tioga Downs; photo of Unreasonable winning on Aug. 24) Bless Me Father stamped himself as the fastest trotter in the history of Summerside Raceway with a new overall track record of 1:57.1 in the lone $20,240 Lady Slipper Stakes dash for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings on an all-stakes card on Sunday, Aug. 24. Leaving from post two, Marc Campbell worked him around early longshot leader Dusty Lane Gus (Ryan Desroche) on the first turn to secure command in a :29.4 first split. Bless Me Father cruised to the half in :59 on a loose lead and opened up by four lengths to three-quarters in 1:28.2 with Longblacklimousine (Paul Langille) on the march first-over, narrowing the gap to two lengths with an eighth of a mile to go. He marched on under a drive down the stretch, but Bless Me Father was never in danger and cruised to the wire to triumph by 1-1/4 lengths. West River Jet (Ken MacDonald) was third, 10 lengths behind the winner. The time lowered the three-year-old gelding track record of 1:57.4 set by Irish Ray in 2023 and the overall trotting standard, formerly held by Osprey Impact, who went in 1:57.2 in 2017. Bless Me Father is unbeaten through six starts at three for owner-trainer Donna Van Meer of Mount Herbert, P.E.I. The son of Father Patrick-My Angel Heart improved to nine-for-13 lifetime and upped his earnings to $57,399. He paid $2.10 to win. Windemere Skye protected her perfect record in the $32,800 Lady Slipper Gold division for two-year-old pacing fillies, which headlined a program full of Lady Slipper Stakes and Joe O'Brien Memorial action. Marc Campbell placed the Earl Watts trainee on the front to a :28.4 quarter, then released rival Fitness First (Corey MacPherson) to the lead and sat the pocket through :57.1 and 1:26.4 middle fractions. Windemere Skye popped out on the final turn and kicked into high gear, soaring by the leader to a 3-3/4-length victory in 1:56.1. Fitness First held second, and Serenity Now (Jason Hughes) closed to complete the triactor. Windmere Farms of Springvale, P.E.I. shares ownership of the winning daughter of Somewhere Fancy-Howmac Missy with Matt Burke of Stratford, P.E.I. Windemere Skye ($4.10) has earned $33,640 with five victories in as many starts. Woodmere Kobe hit his shot as the gelding upset at 9-1 for a maiden-breaking win in the lone $28,800 Joe OBrien Memorial Gold division for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. He got a perfect pocket trip for Kenny Arsenault behind fractions of :30.1, 1:00.2, and 1:29 provided by favourite Sporty Anthony (Ken Murphy). Woodmere Kobe angled out as they turned into the stretch and collared the pacesetter to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:58. Zero Two Sixty (Danny Gillis) was third. Woodmere Kobe ($20.80) has earned $19,325 in four starts. The son of Tobago Cays-Princess Rusty is trained by Arsenault for Peter Smith of Stratford and Gerald Morrissey of Charlottetown, P.E.I. Little Louis ($2.10) coasted to a 2:04 win in the first of two $14,600 Lady Slipper divisions for rookie male trotters. One of two horses to stay on stride throughout the mile, he strolled through :32, 1:03.1, and 1:33.3 fractions and cruised home to win by 6-1/4 lengths over Hoponarocket (Mike McGuigan). Howmac Prime Time (Marc Campbell) was a distant third. Little Louis has won four straight stakes events since his place finish on debut. The E L Rocket-Go With Her gelding has earned $30,143 for trainer Kuri White and owner/breeder East Coast Captains of Cornwall, P.E.I. West River Karuna ($2.50) won the other Lady Slipper rookie colt trot contest in 2:02.3 for driver Ken MacDonald and trainer Clare MacDonald. He sat a gapped fourth to the quarter in :30.4 before inheriting third when leader Nikway Rocks It (Myles Heffernan) went off stride. With that rival looking to rejoin the field on the outside, West River Karuna moved first-over and went to battle with new leader Mr Old Home Week (Desroche) past the half in 1:02.1 and through three-quarters in 1:32.1. West River Karuna gained the upper hand on the final turn and powered to the front, drawing clear by 1-3/4 lengths to prevail in 2:02.3. Mr Old Home Week was second-best, with five lengths between him and show finisher Call Of Honor (Joey Pineau). West River Karuna, a son of Legion Of Honor-Pannacotta Hanover, is now three-for-six lifetime with $24,847 in earnings for owner Haley MacDonald of Stratford. Hallysgurl ($2.10) turned in a powerful 2:00.3 victory in her $14,600 Lady Slipper two-year-old trotting filly race with Barrieau driving for conditioner Darryl MacLean. She led all the way, carving out splits of :30, 1:00.3, and 1:30.1 and rolled home to a 4-1/4-length margin over Miss Gracie Ridge (Ambyr Campbell). Bonmati (MacPherson) completed the ticket. The winning daughter of Muscle Mass-Incredible Hally is now three-for-four with $17,661 in earnings for owners Calvin Larkin of Mermaid, P.E.I. and Erika Bradley of Charlottetown. Oceanview Nikki ($4.70) captured the $20,240 Lady Slipper three-year-old filly trot event in 2:00 for trainer-driver McGuigan. She forged to the front in a first quarter of :29.4, was unopposed through the half in 1:00 and three-quarters in 1:30.1, and she stormed home to score in a 6-1/4-length romp. Dusty Lane Kahlua (Desroche) was second over Dibsonthecaptain (MacPherson). Oceanview Nikki won her third straight race and raised her career totals to eight wins and $75,524 in earnings in 19 starts. The E L Rocket-King Kong Kate filly is owned by Blue Diamond Racing of Emyvale P.E.I., Josh MacDonald of Little Pond, P.E.I., and Gordon Coles of Charlottetown. The $16,400 Lady Slipper Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies were claimed by Elm Grove Uncannie ($3.70) in 2:00 for trainer Joe Baxter and driver Ken Murphy, Fallon ($3.70) in 1:58.4 for trainer-driver Adam Merner, and Hatchling ($3.60) in 1:58.3 and Bayonetta ($2.90) in 1:58.2 for a double for driver Marc Campbell and trainer Landon Campbell. The $14,400 Grassroots divisions of the Joe OBrien Memorial for two-year-old pacers went to Disko Bay ($2.20), stopping the clock in 2:00.2 for trainer-driver Paul Langille, Streakantonio ($5.60), wiring the field in 2:00 for driver Barrieau and trainer Ron Matheson, Rollwiththewarden ($2.80), dominating in 1:59 with trainer-driver Corey MacPherson, and St Patricks Morn ($21.10), scoring the upset in 2:01.1 with Ken Murphy steering for trainer Alan MacDonald. Live racing continues on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Summerside. To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Summerside Raceway. (With files from Red Shores) Outtathisworld Deo closed off a second-over trip to spring an 18-1 upset on Sunday, Aug. 24 at Rideau Carleton Raceway in the lone $140,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Leg 4 event for three-year-old pacing fillies. In doing so, she defeated Canada's 2024 Horse of the Year, Chantilly, who was sent off as the overwhelming 1-9 favourite and controlled much of the race but faded in the stretch for a third consecutive defeat. After sitting fifth while Chantilly (James MacDonald) muscled to the front in a :26.2 first quarter, Tyler Borth motioned Outtathisworld Deo out to follow Perfectly Chic (Bob McClure) second-over near the half in :55.2. Perfectly Chic towed Outtathisworld Deo forward while advancing to level terms with Chantilly past three-quarters in 1:23 before Outtathisworld Deo made it a three-across battle on the final turn. Chantilly bowed out at the head of the stretch, and Outtathisworld Deo out-kicked Perfectly Chic by a half-length for the victory in a career-best 1:52. Wicked N Single (Louis-Philippe Roy) split horses down the lane and was a closing third. Chantilly came home sixth. [The win] was obviously unexpected, Borth told Rideau Carletons Glenn Pearson in a post-race interview. [Outtathisworld Deo] had been racing really well and I thought she would be decent, but I thought there were some fillies in there that we couldn't beat. A couple of them didn't race up to their best and we capitalized on it. When I saw Chantilly start to stop she was actually running out a little bit in the turn I moved [Outtathisworld Deo] a little sooner than I wanted to, but she kicked home strong and was good. The win was the first career Gold victory for Outtathisworld Deo, a homebred daughter of Bettors Delight and the final foal out of $2.1 million winner Worldly Beauty. She is owned by her breeder, Deo Volente Farms LLC of Flemington, N.J., and trained by Chantal Mitchell. Outtathisworld Deo improved to 2-1-0 in 14 starts this year and 5-2-1 in 23 lifetime outings. The filly now has seasonal earnings of $108,180 and lifetime winnings of $153,870. She paid $38.70 to win. She's a sweetheart, said Mitchell. She does everything right. She's got a good character and she's just fun to have around. She's the last foal out of the great Worldly Beauty, so the owners, the breeders, they retained her to breed her afterwards. She's been tough, she tries hard and shes just not always had the best of luck. Things haven't always gone her way, but I was just hoping one day she might get there in one of these races, and here we are. Outtathisworld Deo is the third different Gold winner this year in the division. Chantilly won the Golds on May 24 and July 22 but scratched out of the leg on June 21 won by Perfectly Chic. The Gold event was complemented by a pair of $25,000 OSS Grassroots fourth-leg divisions for sophomore filly pacers. All My Wishes became the first half of a Mitchell stakes double as she captured the second split in 1:52.2. James MacDonald got her away third from the rail through the quarter in :27 before sending her to the top before the half in :56. She was faced with the first-over Promising Moment (Borth) to three-quarters in 1:23.4 but put her away on the final turn and sailed home to a 1-1/2-length win. Simply The Best (Roy) closed for place, followed by Something In Blue (Travis Henry). All My Wishes has won three straight legs of the Grassroots and is four-for-five in the series this year. The Mcwicked-Regal Wish filly has won six of 11 starts in 2025. She has earned $95,065 with seven wins in 21 lifetime attempts for owner Louise Guillemette of Trois-Rivieres, Que. She returned $3.70 to win. The first split went to Macapelo Seelster ($3.40), who went gate-to-wire with Borth aboard in a three-length victory in 1:53.4. Peter Brickman trains the daughter of Big Jim-Macapelo Rose, a three-time Grassroots winner this season, for Erin Swainson-Brickman of Sebringville, Ont. Southwind Sambucca nosed out The Light Speed in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot for a 9-1 upset. Major Fernco N (Daryl Thiessen) was first to the front but gave way to The Light Speed (Guy Gagnon) at the quarter in :26.2, who then released Whichwaytothebeach (Trevor Henry) in front of the stands. Marie-Claude Auger tipped Southwind Sambucca off the cones as they turned for the half in :55, prompting Major Ferno N to go first-over out of third. That rival rumbled forward down the backstretch, putting a head in front of the leader before three-quarters in 1:23.1, after which Southwind Sambucca moved three-wide. As he worked past the top two in the stretch, The Light Speed went up the passing lane and took aim, but Southwind Sambucca held on by a nose to win in 1:52.2. Whichwaytothebeach was third. The winner paid $21.20. Southwind Sambucca has won three straight starts, rising in class in each of the past two, and is five-for-24 on the year. The gelded son of American Ideal-Sisters Delight has won 14 of 93 career starts and has earned $156,556. Victor Puddy conditions the five-year-old for Gordon McDonald of Ottawa, Ont. and Chris Boland of St. Johns, Nfld. Sea Laird ($18.40) took the $20,000 Hard Rocking Summer Claiming Series final with a pylon-skimming effort at 8-1. Darcy Clancy secured him a pocket ride behind favourite Fancy Lettering (Gagnon), who put up fractions of :27.1, :56.3, and 1:24.3. With Docdor Mickey (James MacDonald) stalled on the rim, Sea Laird shot up the passing lane and rolled past Fancy Lettering to prevail by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.1. Beach Cowboy (Robert Shepherd) closed late and nabbed the place spot from Fancy Lettering. Clancy trains Sea Laird and co-owns him with Raymond Alport of Kingston, Ont. They claimed the nine-year-old gelding after leg two of the series, in which he finished fourth, and sent him out to another fourth-place finish in round three before Sunday's final. The gelded son of Custard The Dragon-Devil Likes It Hot has won 36 times and earned $299,225 in 202 lifetime appearances. He is six-for-22 this year. To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway. (Ontario Racing & Standardbred Canada) Mingus Reedus has pled not guilty after being arrested following an alleged assault. Mingus Reedus pleads not guilty after arrest The 25-year-old son of actor Norman Reedus and model Helena Christensen was arrested for alleged third-degree assault and obstruction of breathing after officers were called to a New York apartment on Saturday (23.08.25), according to TMZ. He was charged with reckless physical injury, aggravated harassment and second-degree harassment for the reported attack on a 33-year-old woman. However, Mingus has pled not guilty to all charges. His attorney Priya Chaudhry told TMZ that the prosecutors decision to charge her client with "misdemeanours or less ... speaks volumes, and much louder than the unsupported prosecutors in-court comments." She added: "Equally important, the judge released Mingus on his own recognisance, with neither bail nor supervision. That significant judicial decision amplifies the volume. Mingus is presumed innocent and has pled not guilty. As the facts emerge, his innocence will become clear." He is expected to appear in court next week. Mingus was previously arrested in September 2021 after being accused of assaulting a woman, who claimed he punched her in the face. He denied the allegations, telling the New York Daily News at the time: It was instinct. I was reacting to them swarming me and was afraid for the safety of my group. We didnt think anything of it, but these five girls followed us for two blocks, throwing food at us and yelling. We told them to leave us alone, but they kept following, threatening to hurt my girlfriend and her friend. He pled guilty to disorderly conduct and was sentenced to attend five counselling sessions. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Earlier this month, when OpenAI released its latest flagship artificial intelligence (AI) system, GPT-5, the company said it was "much smarter across the board" than earlier models. Backing up the claim were high scores on a range of benchmark tests assessing domains such as software coding, mathematics and health care. Benchmark tests like these have become the standard way we assess AI systemsbut they don't tell us much about the actual performance and effects of these systems in the real world. What would be a better way to measure AI models? A group of AI researchers and metrologistsexperts in the science of measurementrecently outlined a way forward. Metrology is important here because we need ways of not only ensuring the reliability of the AI systems we may increasingly depend upon, but also some measure of their broader economic, cultural, and societal impact. Measuring safety We count on metrology to ensure the tools, products, services, and processes we use are reliable. Take something close to my heart as a biomedical ethicisthealth AI. In health care, AI promises to improve diagnoses and patient monitoring, make medicine more personalized and help prevent diseases, as well as handle some administrative tasks. These promises will only be realized if we can be sure health AI is safe and effective, and that means finding reliable ways to measure it. We already have well-established systems for measuring the safety and effectiveness of drugs and medical devices, for example. But this is not yet the case for AInot in health care, or in other domains such as education, employment, law enforcement, insurance, and biometrics. Test results and real effects At present, most evaluation of state-of-the-art AI systems relies on benchmarks. These are tests that aim to assess AI systems based on their outputs. They might answer questions about how often a system's responses are accurate or relevant, or how they compare to responses from a human expert. There are literally hundreds of AI benchmarks, covering a wide range of knowledge domains. However, benchmark performance tells us little about the effect these models will have in real-world settings. For this, we need to consider the context in which a system is deployed. The problem with benchmarks Benchmarks have become very important to commercial AI developers to show off product performance and attract funding. For example, in April this year a young startup called Cognition AI posted impressive results on a software engineering benchmark. Soon after, the company raised US$175 million (A$270 million) in funding in a deal that valued it at US$2 billion (A$3.1 billion). Benchmarks have also been gamed. Meta seems to have adjusted some versions of its Llama-4 model to optimize its score on a prominent chatbot-ranking site. After OpenAI's o3 model scored highly on the FrontierMath benchmark, it came out that the company had had access to the dataset behind the benchmark, raising questions about the result. The overall risk here is known as Goodhart's law, after British economist Charles Goodhart: "When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure." In the words of Rumman Chowdhury, who has helped shape the development of the field of algorithmic ethics, placing too much importance on metrics can lead to "manipulation, gaming, and a myopic focus on short-term qualities and inadequate consideration of long-term consequences". Beyond benchmarks So if not benchmarks, then what? Let's return to the example of health AI. The first benchmarks for evaluating the usefulness of large language models (LLMs) in health care made use of medical licensing exams. These are used to assess the competence and safety of doctors before they're allowed to practice in particular jurisdictions. State-of-the-art models now achieve near-perfect scores on such benchmarks. However, these have been widely criticized for not adequately reflecting the complexity and diversity of real-world clinical practice. In response, a new generation of "holistic" frameworks have been developed to evaluate these models across more diverse and realistic tasks. For health applications, the most sophisticated is the MedHELM evaluation framework, which includes 35 benchmarks across five categories of clinical tasks, from decision-making and note-taking to communication and research. What better testing would look like More holistic evaluation frameworks such as MedHELM aim to avoid these pitfalls. They have been designed to reflect the actual demands of a particular field of practice. However, these frameworks still fall short of accounting for the ways humans interact with AI system in the real world. And they don't even begin to come to terms with their impacts on the broader economic, cultural, and societal contexts in which they operate. For this we will need a whole new evaluation ecosystem. It will need to draw on expertise from academia, industry, and civil society with the aim of developing rigorous and reproducible ways to evaluate AI systems. Work on this has already begun. There are methods for evaluating the real-world impact of AI systems in the contexts in which they're deployedthings like red-teaming (where testers deliberately try to produce unwanted outputs from the system) and field testing (where a system is tested in real-world environments). The next step is to refine and systematize these methods, so that what actually counts can be reliably measured. If AI delivers even a fraction of the transformation it's hyped to bring, we need a measurement science that safeguards the interests of all of us, not just the tech elite. More information: Reva Schwartz et al, Reality Check: A New Evaluation Ecosystem Is Necessary to Understand AI's Real World Effects, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2505.18893 Journal information: arXiv This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain In today's world, huge amounts of data are being created all the time, yet more than half of it is never used. It stays in silos, or isn't managed, or can't be accessed because systems change, or isn't needed because business priorities change. This "dark data" accumulates in servers and storage devices, consuming electricity and inflating the digital carbon footprint. It may appear harmless, but this growing mass of digital waste has consequences for the environment. Storing unused or obsolete digital data requires constant power for servers and cooling systems. This drives up electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Dark data alone is estimated to generate over 5.8 million tonnes of CO annually. This is the equivalent of emissions from 1.2 million cars per annum. Dark data also accelerates e-waste from hardware replacement and depletes resources through manufacturing, such as using recycled raw materials, and water-intensive cooling. Organizations collect vast volumes of information during routine operations. But it might never be analyzed or repurposed. System log files that track user activity, errors and transactions remain untouched after initial storage. We're talking about every email, photo, video, or unused spreadsheet saved on a server. Think of it like forgotten boxes stored in a warehouse, except this warehouse uses energy all the time. Managing dark data is not only a matter of working efficiently; it is a pressing sustainability issue. The solution lies partly in effective knowledge management practices. This means making an effort to reduce the environmental impact of digital systems, particularly those related to data storage and usage. Organizations should collect, manage and retain data with energy consumption and carbon emissions in mind. My research aimed to find ways to do this. I collected 539 quantitative and qualitative questionnaire responses representing North America at 31.9% (172), followed by Europe at 21.5% (116) and Asia at 19.9% (107). Africa (10.8%) and Australia (9.8%) were represented too, while South America (5.8%) and Antarctica (0.4%) had the smallest shares. The findings highlighted the need for data governance, data security and continuous learning within organizations. It showed the value of energy efficient information technology practices, centralized knowledge repositories and working across disciplines to address dark data risks. My research also provided organizations with guidelines to make digital decarbonization part of the way they operate and make decisions. This would improve organizational efficiency, reduce carbon footprints and promote the reuse of valuable data insights. The digital dilemma: more data, more emissions As digital technologies become more embedded in everyday operations, the demand for data storage and processing power surges. Globally, data centers already account for about 2% of greenhouse gas emissions, equal to the environmental impact of the aviation industry. The figure is expected to double by 2030 as digital adoption accelerates. But dark data isn't getting much attention. This is because it is mostly unstructured, hidden in legacy systems or backup servers. Information technology and sustainability teams tend to overlook it. It's expensive to manage and easy to ignore. But it consumes costly storage space and drives up energy bills for powering and cooling servers. It also requires ongoing backup, security and compliance measures despite delivering no business value. Knowledge management to tidy up dark data Knowledge management strategies can address the dark data problem. Knowledge management acts like a smart organizer for all the information that organizations hold. It makes it possible to find hidden or forgotten files buried in systems, understand whether the data is useful or outdated, and decide on the best course of action. That can be by turning valuable data into insights or securely deleting what's no longer needed. This reduces wasted storage, cuts costs, lowers the environmental impact and ensures that the information kept actually supports better decision-making. We recommend two things organizations can do: classification and streamlining. 1. Classification: Organize, tag, and unlock value Classification is the first step in bringing order to data chaos. It involves discovering, tagging, categorizing and assessing data to determine its relevance and value. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning can help with this. This approach not only reduces waste, but also unlocks hidden opportunities. For example, previously unused customer feedback data can be analyzed for product innovation, or old project documentation can inform new initiatives. 2. Streamlining: Stop hoarding, start reducing Streamlining is about developing leaner, cleaner data environments. It calls for robust data governance, including clear retention policies, regular audits and employee education on digital hygiene. Using AI tools, organizations can identify duplicated, outdated, or irrelevant files and automate their safe deletion. It's not just a technical process. It involves cultivating a culture that values purposeful data usage and discourages unnecessary hoarding. When employees understand the environmental cost of unmanaged data, they become more responsible stewards of digital information. The outcome is a more agile, cost-effective and sustainable data ecosystem. One example of an organization doing this is the car brand, BMW Group. It's made digital decarbonization part of its production processes. Google has invested in sustainable IT practices, including energy-efficient data storage and processing. The data centers of the company have been carbon-neutral since 2007, and it is working towards running its operations on 100% renewable energy. Let data work smarter, not harder Digital sustainability does not demand that organizations do less; it encourages them to do better. Rethinking dark data management is a step towards reducing digital emissions and conserving resources. Through knowledge management strategies like classification and streamlining, organizations can turn an overlooked liability into a strategic asset. Data should serve us, not burden us. More information: Hanlie Smuts et al, From dark data to insight: The role of knowledge management in promoting digital decarbonisation, South African Journal of Information Management (2025). DOI: 10.4102/sajim.v27i1.1967 This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A cradle-to-grave analysis from the University of Michigan has shown that battery electric vehicles have lower lifetime greenhouse gas emissions than internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrids in every county in the contiguous U.S. Credit: Dave Brenner/U-M School for Environment and Sustainability Choosing a more electrified vehicle will reduce drivers' greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of where they live in the contiguous United States, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. The analysis is the most comprehensive to date, the authors said, providing drivers with estimates of emissions per mile driven across 35 different combinations of vehicle class and powertrains. That included conventional gas pickups, hybrid SUVs and fully electric sedans with dozens of other permutations. In fact, the team created a free online calculator that lets drivers estimate greenhouse gas emissions based on what they drive, how they drive and where they live. The work is published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. "Vehicle electrification is a key strategy for climate action. Transportation accounts for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions and we need to reduce those to limit future climate impacts such as flooding, wildfires and drought events, which are increasing in intensity and frequency," said Greg Keoleian, senior author of the new study and a professor at the U-M School for Environment and Sustainability, or SEAS. "Our purpose here was to evaluate the cradle-to-grave greenhouse gas reduction from the electrification of vehicles compared with a baseline of gasoline-powered vehicles." In addition to helping drivers understand their emissions, Keoleian and colleagues said this information will be valuable to the automotive industry and policymakers. This chart shows how greenhouse gas emissions of different types of vehicles compare with a gas-powered pickup truck, according to new U-M research. Grams of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per mile are listed in parentheses. Powertrain abbreviations are as follows: ICEV = Internal combustion engine vehicle; HEV = Hybrid electric vehicle; PHEV = Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; BEV = Battery electric vehicle. Numbers after the powertrain abbreviation indicate the electric mileage range. Credit: E. Smith et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c05406) Used under a CC-BY license. While EVs are driving into headwinds from a federal policy standpoint, the industry is committed to electrification, Keoleian said. As an example, Ford Motor Co. recently announced plans for a more affordable electric vehicle platform in what it called a "Model T moment" for the company. "The government is backing off incentives, like the electric vehicle tax credit, but the original equipment manufacturers are heavily invested and focused on the technology and affordability of EVs," said Keoleian, who is also a co-director of the U-M Center for Sustainable Systems, or CSS. "EVs are becoming the dominant powertrain in other parts of the world and manufacturers recognize that is the future for the U.S." The research team at U-M also included CSS/SEAS research specialists Christian Hitt and Timothy Wallington, as well as postdoctoral fellow Maxwell Woody and Alan Taub, professor of materials science and engineering. Taub is also the director of the U-M Electric Vehicle Center. Hyung Chul Kim, a research scientist at Ford, was another collaborator and Elizabeth Smith is the lead author, who worked on the project as a master's student at U-M before graduating in May. A high trim level lifecycle analysis In their "cradle-to-grave" analysis, Keoleian and colleagues studied emissions numbers not just from driving vehicles, but also from making and disposing of them. In doing so, they considered an array of factors: powertrains, vehicle class, driving behavior and location. The powertrains included conventional internal combustion engines, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrids, and fully electric, or battery electric. Vehicles with these powertrains are abbreviated ICEV, HEV, PHEV, and BEV, respectively. For vehicle class, they considered pickups, sedans and sport utility vehicles (they considered "generic" versions of these vehicles produced in 2025, which are representative of new vehicles in the marketplace). Driving behavior included familiar factors such as highway vs. city driving, but also more modern considerations, like location of the vehicle and how often drivers of PHEVs were driving on battery power vs. gasoline. his chart shows how greenhouse gas emissions from pickup trucks hauling the listed weights compare with a gas-powered pickup truck, according to new U-M research. Numbers in parenthesis indicate grams of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted per mile. Powertrain abbreviations are as follows: ICEV = Internal combustion engine vehicle; HEV = Hybrid electric vehicle; PHEV = Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle; BEV = Battery electric vehicle. Numbers after the powertrain abbreviation indicate the electric mileage range. Credit: E. Smith et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2025 (DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c05406) Used under a CC-BY license Location affects emissions in two ways, Keoleian said. First, all vehiclesespecially BEVs and PHEVsuse more fuel at lower temperatures and have lower range in locations with lower temperatures. Second, power grid emissions vary by location, so charging EVs in a county with a cleaner grid would emit less greenhouse gas. In addressing all these variables in a single study, the researchers could make comparisons of emissions from different vehicles in an apples-to-apples way. This enables a detailed comparison of, say, a gasoline-powered pickup in Perry County, Pennsylvania, with a fully electric compact sedan in San Juan County, New Mexico. In addition to these detailed comparisons, the work also afforded important big-picture takeaways. The study showed for the first time that BEVs have lower emissions over their lifetime than any other vehicle type in every county in the contiguous U.S. On average, ICE pickup trucks were the highest emitters at 486 grams of carbon dioxide equivalenta measure of greenhouse gas emissionsper mile. Switching to a hybrid pickup would reduce that by 23%, while a fully electric pickup represented a 75% drop. Another eye-catching stat came in the team's analysis of how emissions changed while a pickup was hauling weight. A BEV pickup truck carrying 2,500 pounds still emitted less than 30% of an ICE pickup with no cargo. Overall, compact sedan EVs had the lowest emissions at just 81 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per mileless than 20% of the per mile emissions of a gas-powered pickup. The lowest emission vehicle class was the compact sedan BEV with the lowest range, 200 miles. The emissions associated with producing batteries for vehicles with longer ranges bumped up their lifetime greenhouse gas contributions. That also highlights another big take-away from the study, Keoleian said. Besides electrifying your ride, picking the smallest vehicle that suits your purposes will also reduce emissions. "The thing is really matching your vehicle with your needs," Keoleian said. "Obviously, if you're in the trades, you may need a pickup truck. But you can get a battery electric pickup truck. If you're just commuting to work by yourself, I'd recommend a sedan BEV instead." With the team's online calculator, people who are interested in vehicle emissions can get answers personalized for their situations. The research study is open access and free to read. More information: Greenhouse Gas Reductions Driven by Vehicle Electrification Across Powertrains, Classes, Locations, and Use Patterns, Environmental Science & Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c05406 Journal information: Environmental Science & Technology 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: ResilienX employees Angelo Niforatos, left, and Ryan Pleskach, right, overview the NASA safety tools integrated into the companys commercial system, July 11, 2025, at the ResilienX Headquarters in Syracuse, New York. Credit: ResilienX A future with advanced air mobility aircraft populating the skies will require the U.S. to implement enhanced preflight planning that can mitigate potential risks well before takeoffand NASA is working to develop the tools to make that happen. Preflight planning is critical to ensuring safety in the complex, high-risk environments of the future airspace. Timely, predictive, and up-to-date risk assessment within a single platform makes it much easier for drone or air taxi operators to check flight plans for high-risk concerns. NASA is working on tools to deliver those services, and in June, the agency and aviation safety company ResilienX Inc. demonstrated how these tools can be integrated into commercial systems. During a series of tests conducted at ResilienX's facility in Syracuse, New York, researchers used NASA services that allowed flight operators to submit flight plans prior to departure, obtain risk assessment results, and then decide whether to proceed with flights or change their flight plans and re-assess risks. Allowing operators to perform these tasks quickly reduces the safety risk to flight passengers as well as humans on the ground. The three NASA-developed services are intended to assess unique risks associated with highly automated aircraft flying at low altitudes over cities. The partnership was managed under a Phase III NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, which is an extension of prior work to assess weather-related risks. This collaboration is already leading to direct technology transfer of safety systems into ResilienX's platform. The partnership is also intended to provide indirect benefits for ResilienX partners and customers, such as the U.S. Air Force and regional operators, helping to advance the overall safety of future airspace operations. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: NEC NEC Corporation has developed an optical fiber sensing technology to monitor road conditions and accurately predict sudden traffic congestion in real time. By collecting data from existing optical fiber communications cables and analyzing real-time traffic flow data using a proprietary AI model, the researchers have reduced prediction errors by 80% compared to conventional methods. This technology enables effective traffic control, including the arrangement of detour routes, thereby contributing to the resolution of societal challenges such as logistics issues and CO 2 emissions. Technology overview Traffic congestion is a significant social issue, threatening safety and causing substantial economic losses. In particular, congestion on expresswaysthe backbone of many logistics networkshas a significant economic impact. Addressing this issue requires real-time understanding of road conditions for both immediate congestion mitigation and proactive avoidance, as well as highly accurate congestion prediction based on up-to-date data. Current monitoring approaches primarily rely on point-based instruments, including cameras and loop detectors, as well as probe vehicle data. However, both have limitations: the former is costly to install and maintain over entire road networks, and the latter only provides data when equipped vehicles pass by specific receiver points, limiting real-time and continuous coverage. Moreover, existing congestion prediction models heavily rely on long-term historical data, making it difficult to capture the emergence and propagation of sudden, unexpected congestion patterns. To address these challenges, NEC has developed a technology that utilizes optical fiber cablesoriginally installed for communications purposes alongside roadsas extensive, distributed sensors for collecting real-time, continuous traffic flow data across entire routes. NEC's unique AI-powered model then provides real-time, high-precision predictions regarding the development and clearance of sudden congestion. Credit: NEC Technical features NEC has developed a data assimilation algorithm that combines advanced model parameter optimization and data adapting techniques, enabling accurate simulations of real-time traffic flow using comprehensive data collected along the entirety of roadways. The team has created an algorithm to optimize theoretical model parameterssuch as driver behaviors (e.g., inter-vehicle distance adjustment)so that simulations faithfully reproduce observed traffic flow data for entire road segments. Data adaptation algorithm An advanced algorithm converts diverse traffic flow data, including "average speed" and individual vehicle "position/speed," into formats compatible with simulation inputs. This makes it possible to set the initial conditions for simulations based on comprehensive traffic flow data obtained on entire routes, significantly enhancing the reliability of simulation outputs. Through these innovations, the researchers have confirmedusing real-world datathat travel time prediction errors (a key indicator for congestion forecasting) can be reduced by approximately 80% compared to the existing method that relies on cross-sectional data from point sensors such as cameras. NEC is further advancing the realization of a dynamic road digital twin that enables real-time, network-wide traffic monitoring, the prediction of congestion evolution, and optimization of responsive measures. Real-world trials are currently underway in close collaboration with road authorities, with the goal of practical deployment by fiscal 2026. This technology was developed using data provided by Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO CENTRAL) and was presented at the Transportation Research Board 104th Annual Meeting held in Washington D.C. January 59, 2025 as a paper titled "A Novel Approach to Real-Time Short-Term Traffic Prediction based on Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing and Data Assimilation with a Stochastic Cell-Automata Model." It is available on the arXiv preprint server. A related paper will be presented at the 31st ITS World Congress in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. held August 2428, focused on enhancing the accuracy of traffic flow monitoring on expressways. More information: Yoshiyuki Yajima et al, A Novel Approach to Real-Time Short-Term Traffic Prediction based on Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing and Data Assimilation with a Stochastic Cell-Automata Model, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2501.03628 Journal information: arXiv Provided by NEC Most are working and paying taxes. Yet hundreds of thousands of women given refuge in Czechia must deal with public distrust and a shrinking pool of state aid. We cant build our future we dont know what to expect, said a Ukrainian woman during a mothers support group meeting at Svitlo, a Prague-based NGO that helps Ukrainian migrants. Her sentiments were echoed by two others. All three women traveled to Prague by themselves with their children just after the full-scale war began in Ukraine in 2022. Once a week, they gather with Ukrainian psychologist Anna Katruk, who tries to help them find support and land [on] their feet, she said. Three and a half years after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of refugees in Czechia, and millions across Europe, are still grappling with uncertainty about their futures. The Czech Republic has the highest per capita rate of refugees in the European Union, with 35 Ukrainian temporary protection holders for every 1,000 residents. As of February 2025, almost 400,000 Ukrainian refugees currently reside in the country, with most living in Prague, the capital. Housing shortages, language barriers, and finding jobs and childcare are among the top challenges that refugees in Prague overwhelmingly women with children navigate. Instability in Ukraine and political uncertainty in Czechia, where populist Andrej Babis is far ahead in the polls with elections set for October, colors refugees lives, making it almost impossible for them to make long-term plans. The Gender Perspective The vast majority of Ukrainian refugees are women and children, since martial law in Ukraine prevents nearly all men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. When the refugee wave began in 2022, almost 80 percent of Ukrainian refugees in Czechia were women, Jakub Andrle, a migration specialist with the refugee support program of the Czech aid charity People in Need, noted. Now, the figure hovers at around 60 percent. You have to consider the gender perspective here, said Iva van Leeuwen, a lawyer familiar with the issue and a former OSCE monitor in Ukraine. Its super high stress women are scared for their husbands and their families back in Ukraine. Single mothers carry a double burden, said Nataliia Borovska, who works with migrants at the Prague Integration Center, a city- and EU-funded support organization. Many are in the Czech Republic without their partners or relatives, meaning they lack support in everyday life. As a result, they have little time to study Czech intensively, look for a better job, or improve their situation. They are stuck in a vicious circle that is hard to break alone, she explained. As women who expected to stay in Prague for weeks watched their time extend to months, and then to years, the need for mental health resources has increased. Basically, all the work that is necessary [for the familys survival] is centered on them. And thats the hardest part. And after two or three years of this, its starting to take its toll, Andrle said. Research in the first year of the war found that 45 percent of Ukrainian refugees reported moderate or worse depression or anxiety, five-fold the level in the general population. This issue isnt going away anytime soon and if anything, the need for psychological assistance will only grow, as there are more and more people [seeking help for] PTSD, depression, anxiety, Andrle said. Borovska said the uncertainty that migrants face severely impacts their emotional well being. Ukrainian mothers often feel at a crossroads whether to learn the language, fully commit to integration, or to view the Czech Republic only as a temporary place of residence, she said. Nora Fridrichova, a former TV journalist whose NGO Satnik provides free clothes and goods to single-parent families including many Ukrainian women noted that when refugees first began to arrive, they didnt know where they would be in the next month. Job Challenges In addition to its emotional weight, living with so much uncertainty has practical challenges. Some employers do not want to sign work contracts for a period longer than the visas validity. The same problem occurs with lease agreements, said Borovska. Most Ukrainian migrants currently hold temporary protection visas, which can only be extended for one year. Job hunting can be frustrating given the language barriers that many migrants face; qualifications in the Ukrainian job market often dont translate to Czechias. Anna Katruk, the Ukrainian psychologist who provides counseling services to refugees, reflected, Many highly educated people doctors, lawyers, teachers are faced with the fact that they are not needed here and cannot support themselves. They have to work in low-skilled, physically demanding jobs, she added, leaving them physically exhausted and demoralized. According to a recent research report coordinated by the UN refugee agency, the employment rate for Ukrainian refugees in Czechia rose from 62% in 2023 to 76% in 2024, the highest in Central and Eastern Europe. Nearly a third of refugees in Czechia held more than one job, according to Vox Ukraine. Many mothers family commitments leave them little time for any kind of job. Olena Krasulenko, who used to be a chief marketing officer in Kyiv, said that she and the other Ukrainian mothers she knows spend the biggest part of time just caring about kids. We can find jobs. But not full-time jobs. Its not possible for us because we need to manage that unusual timeline, planning their schedules around their childrens, Krasulenko said. Mothers also often have difficulties getting their children into school in the first place, Krasulenko said. We are ready to integrate, but many mothers require support with getting our children into schools and kindergartens, where there are very few places and applying is often difficult because of the language barrier. Olena Krasulenko says she and other Ukrainian mothers spend much time just caring about kids. Declining Support Several sources familiar with work with Ukrainian migrants commented that public support has been steadily declining. Iva van Leeuwen noted that at the beginning of the invasion, there was an unprecedented wave of support for Ukrainians. And in the last three years 40% of Czech people have found ways to support Ukrainian migrants, whether through financial donations, offers of material assistance, or volunteering their time. Although the war and its repercussions are still covered in the media, the public is losing interest in the refugee situation. Van Leeuwen said that Russian disinformation campaigns have a role in declining public support. Several NGO workers remarked on a common misconception that Ukrainian migrants take more from the state than they receive, a narrative that has fueled antipathy toward recent Ukrainian migrants. On the contrary: Ukrainians pay more in taxes than they receive in social benefits. The same is true in Poland, where 1 million refugees now live, according to a March report by the countrys National Development Bank (BGK). The Czech government is also trimming the benefits paid to refugees. While it is true that Ukrainian refugees still receive a small cash stipend for the first six months, it is not enough to live on. (Elsewhere, support is declining as well: Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland have recently reduced or eliminated similar programs.) Roughly 66% of Ukrainian refugees in the country were either working or engaged in business as of a year ago, Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan stated in September 2024, and only about a third had ever applied for humanitarian assistance. Refugees themselves have noted the publics fatigue. The Ukrainian mothers interviewed for this article recalled being yelled at in public buses for speaking Ukrainian, stopped on the street, and treated condescendingly by people in work and school environments. Funding Cuts While the wars end is still not in sight, many NGOs are downsizing as they face budget cuts; the cutoff of funding from the U.S. aid agency USAID has had trickle-down effects. Svitlo, whose name translates to light in Ukrainian, has provided a wide variety of services to Ukrainian refugees in Prague since 2022, including classes that support integration, psychological counseling services, and various community activities. But according to Lenka Kachik, a project manager at Svitlo, the organizations big grant is set to expire soon and they are unsure where future funds will come from. The group says it has helped 18,000 refugees in the past three years. They have already had to downscale some of their services, including their free child care program, much to the dismay of the mothers in the support group. People in Need, a global aid organization, also anticipates having less resources in the near future. We dont know what the situation will be in two years and if there will be enough services for people who need them, said Andrle. He explained that U.S. aid cuts have indirectly affected People in Needs work with Ukrainian refugees. While their services in Czechia are funded by a public appeal that was unaffected by the loss of USAID funds, the organization has been forced to reorganize its finances more generally, with one result being less money available for projects involving refugees in Czechia. People in Need has already been forced to end some of their services, including a program to provide material aid for expectant mothers, which closed after operating for two years. Sooner or later, we will have to restructure or limit our services, Andrle said, even though, he added, the need for these services will not disappear. While People in Need has been the most generous contributor to refugee aid projects in terms of both finances and number of workers, Andrle stressed the collective effort of many groups in a wider, informal web of helpers. Other smaller nonprofits, like MinimimiUa, which focuses on helping expectant mothers, are also feeling the cuts. People in Need helped by paying its workers for more than two years but is no longer able to continue this assistance. We are looking for someone to support us, otherwise we will be forced to close our help, said the organizations founder, Karolina Ruppert. A Permanent Solution? Earlier this year, the Czech government approved a long-term residence scheme with the aim of providing migrants with a longer-lasting alternative to temporary protection. But the program is only available for refugees who dont receive state benefits and who earned more than 440,000 Czech crowns in 2024 (about 18,000 euros, roughly two-thirds the average salary). Those who qualify will be given five-year residence permits with a possibility of later applying for permanent residency. They will have free access to the labor market but will not be entitled to most non-contributory social benefits. According to media reports, less than 20 percent of Ukrainians living in the country are likely to meet the economic conditions required for the permit. Andrle noted that almost none of People in Needs clients mainly low-income mothers with young children earn enough to obtain a special long-term residence permit. From our point of view the criteria are absurdly strict. Other organizations supporting Ukrainian refugees see it the same way, he said. The current situation threatens to leave thousands in limbo once the fighting stops. The temporary protection scheme will expire once a ceasefire takes effect or the war ends, Rakusan said in February. Nonetheless, nearly two in three Ukrainian refugees plan to stay in Czechia when their temporary protection ends, according to a government survey of nearly 14,000 refugees in 2024. Anecdotally, Fridrichova noted that at Satniks warehouse, Ukrainian mothers increasingly pick up Czech books at the donation center, signaling a greater degree of integration. Alexandra, who attends Svitlos refugee support group for Ukrainians, said: My kids asked me every day for two years when they could return home. Now, after being integrated into school, they see opportunities in Czechia. Like many refugees interviewed, her husband remains in Ukraine. When Kateryna Bykova fled Kharkiv in March 2022, she was six months pregnant. Her child was born in August of that year. She said that when she first arrived in Prague, a few weeks after the war started, she did not know whether to devote the time and energy to integration. I thought about it every day I was very nervous because I didnt know which language to learn with my kid. Prepare him for kindergarten in what city? In what country? Its a very hard question, she said. But now, I understand that we will maybe stay here in Prague. [There is] no good progress in Ukraine. Olena Krasulenko, the former marketer in Kyiv, said it isnt clear what legal protections will still be in effect in a years time. I didnt know that I would stay here for a long time a lot of Ukrainians have no long-term plans at all. Sofia Cipriano recently completed an editorial internship at Transitions. She is pursuing a bachelors degree in English at Princeton University. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau fears societys obsession with youth and technology stems from worry over death. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau fears societys obsession with youth and technology stems from worry over death Best known for playing Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones, the 55-year-old has also opened up about his concerns on the use of artificial intelligence. Speaking to The Independent from New Jersey during promotional work for the BBC drama King and Conqueror, the Danish actor said: (Fear of death is) why we have an industry of things you can buy to pretend it doesnt exist, whether its facial treatments, hormone injections or plastic surgery. But its a waste of time trying to inject too much energy into that fear, because there still hasnt been anyone whos not ended up dead. Recalling the death of William the Conqueror, the figure he portrays in King and Conqueror, he added: He wanted to be buried in Cannes, in France, and they had this stone sarcophagus ready for him, but he was quite large at the end of his life, and it took time to get his body there. In the French heat, he became kind of like a whale, with the gases. They had to poke a hole in him, so he kind of exploded. Theres something really funny about it at the end of the day, hes just a big ball of rotten flesh. Turning to the rise of AI, Nikolaj added: For some reason, with AI, were being told that there is no choice, and only one way forward, and it has to be as fast as we can, in case someone else gets there first. But what are we aiming for? Our politicians are just going, Yeah, yeah, yeah, because we are told, The Chinese are coming, the Russians are coming, the Americans are coming! And in the meantime, you just see the stock prices of these companies going shooooop! Nikolaj, who has also been filming the second season of his Bloomberg TV documentary An Optimists Guide to the Planet, went on to link the themes of King and Conqueror to todays conflicts. He said: You look at these guys and their immense ambition, and of course you see today, all these men who want to rule the world, and all these wars happening. The irony, of course, is that this show is set 1,000 years ago, and nothing seems to have changed. We have rulers who manipulate, and very quickly they invoke some kind of religious supernatural power, on their behalf, to control people, and then people go along with it. He added: Leaders create all these f****** narratives about how their war is just. We do learn from history, but we also repeat a lot of things. This story is meant particularly for the people who know exactly what happened that afternoon 20 years ago, and why. Those with information are encouraged to make the call that may unravel the mystery of May 14, 2003. Edward Berger wont direct Oceans 14. Edward Berger turns down Ocean's 14 The All Quiet on the Western Front filmmaker admitted he was intrigued by the idea of working on the franchise but ultimately decided he couldnt add anything new to it. He told Deadline: We were talking at that time, Brad Pitt and I, and yes, was I seduced by the thought of making something like that. Im from a small place in Germany. Ive never had those opportunities. And suddenly Brad Pitt and George Clooney and Julia Roberts and Matt Damon, I would be able to make a movie with them. Ballad of A Small Player was a hard movie to make, and I felt like, wouldnt it be great to make a studio picture? The studio needs that movie, the stars want the movie, as does the audience. Everyone needs the movie. Its a franchise. I can pay my crew. I can have fun with them. Its a temptation. But deep down inside I knew its not my movie, its Steven Soderberghs movie. He invented that, beautifully. He made them, and Im just following in his footsteps. What is new for me? While stars Brad Pitt and George Clooney tried to encourage Edward to join the movie, he ultimately ended up persuading Brad to join another of his projects instead. He said: I went to bed, slept eight hours, and knew, its not me. I called Brad because we had talked a bunch of times. I knew he was open to doing something, and I basically said, Im sorry, I dont want to do Oceans and hope I havent offended you. But I have this great script [The Riders] that I would love you to look at because I think it might be a challenge for both of us. He read it in two days and called back and said, I want to do it. Its the best script Ive ever read. The one thing Im sure of is that early next year well shoot The Riders with Brad. The script is ready, the financing is there, and Brad is ready. Its just a beautiful journey, that movie. The Riders is a real character piece. Weve got, I would say, the biggest movie star in the world, making a real character movie and really going for it. In this film, we pick up his character on a journey that starts with him building a house. Hes a real man, man. Hes not like me. This guy can build a house. We meet him as he is building a house for his family, hes the real provider, the real traditional man, and then he is on the journey to find his wife whos gone suddenly. And all this manhood, all this masculinity just strips away and falls apart and all we are left with is a heap of a human being, a small human being with all his frailties. To dissect this person through Brad Pitt, I think is a beautiful task. To really see someone unravel and everything hes relied on up till here as a character is suddenly taken away from him. And just the core of his being is left behind, and he needs to find what that is. I think thats a great journey that touches on the history of Europe. We take him from Ireland to Greece, to Brussels to Amsterdam and back to Ireland. Its a massive odyssey throughout Europe, during which he falls apart. And I cant wait to see Brad do that. We are hearing a lot about the 10% to be paid to public servants, but nothing is said about The Smiths star Mike Joyce has announced his memoir, The Drums. The Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce is releasing a 'no-holds-barred' memoir The 62-year-old sticksman for the legendary Manchester group - which was also comprised of Morrissey, Johnny Marr and the late Andy Rourke - has put pen to paper to share his "no-holds-barred" account of being in the Bigmouth Strikes Again band. A description of the tome on HMV's listing reads: "As a band, the Smiths need no introduction. Formed in 1982 and disbanded in 1987, all five of their studio albums reached the top five in the UK charts. They are widely lauded as one of the most influential groups of all time. "Mike is the last member of the band to release their autobiography and this is his no-holds-barred story of what it was like to play the drums in the Smiths. Throughout his honest and witty reflections, Mike answers the question he and bassist Andy Rourke used to often ask each other: Where did it all go right? "A lot of the Smiths past is already canonised. Rather than retelling those well-documented iconic moments, in The Drums, Mike conveys the feeling of his time in the band. His off-piste, frank and witty perspective allows him to re-contextualise fan favourite moments through a beautifully vulnerable, human insight into his life. "The written history of the Smiths is not missing an encyclopedic account of everything that happened over the years; but Mikes honest, entertaining and deeply human memoir is what Smiths fans have been waiting for. This book truly conveys what it felt like to be a member of the Smiths. "In The Drums, Mike Joyce finally gives us the perspective of the self-confessed biggest Smiths fan in the world who from the start was just some lad from the suburbs of Fallowfield who played the drums." It means all band members, expect bassist Andy - who died in 2023, at the age of 59, following a battle with pancreatic cancer - will have published memoirs. Frontman Morrissey released the Autobiography, in 2013, while guitarist Johnny Marr dropped Set The Boy Free in 2016. The Drums is released on November 6. The Smiths disbanded in August 1987, just before the release of their final studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come. Despite countless reunion rumours over the years, Marr has insisted Morrissey's political opinions have put him off getting the band back together. HA NOI Vietnam Airlines will add more than 100,000 seats during the busy National Day travel period, raising the total number to 600,000 seats on close to 2,900 flights between August 29 and September 3. The figure represents a significant increase from the same period last year. The airline is ramping up its flight frequency on key domestic routes connecting Ha Noi with HCM City, a Nang, Cam Ranh, a Lat and Hue, offering almost 418,000 seats on over 2,100 flights, a year-on-year rise of 30 per cent. International capacity will also be boosted, particularly on services linking Viet Nam with India, China, Thailand and Australia. Nearly 177,000 seats will be available on more than 760 international flights, up 18 per cent compared to 2024. Passengers booking tickets on August 19, September 1 and September 2 will receive an e-voucher valued at VN290,000 (US$11) for Premium Economy and VN198,000 ($7.50) for Flexible Economy tickets. These vouchers apply to tickets issued between August 19 and November 30, with travel dates from August 19, 2025, to February 28, 2026, across all domestic routes. VNS A wide-ranging cooperation network with the most prestigious global medical facilities Hong Ngoc General Hospital is among the pioneering private healthcare providers in Viet Nam to advance in-depth international medical collaborations and develop personalised treatment plans for patients. It has established professional partnerships with leading medical organisations worldwide, including Facing the World (UK), Nuoy Reconstructive International (USA), GE HealthCare (USA), Samsung Medical Center (South Korea), Hoeikai Medical Group (Japan), Aijinkai Healthcare Corporation (Japan), Takatsuki General Hospital (Japan), and Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan, China), among others, to provide physician training and technology transfer. Through international collaborations, its doctors are trained at leading medical centres worldwide and apply advanced techniques in Viet Nam, delivering high-quality care to both local and international patients at reasonable costs. Thanks to close collaboration with embassies and international medical facilities, Hong Ngoc General Hospital provides cross-border transfer services. Patients can receive treatment in Viet Nam and then be transferred back to their home country for rehabilitation and physical therapy. This expansive cooperation network ensures a seamless, effective, and cost-optimised treatment process for patients. Remote consultations and connections with leading global experts Building on its international partnerships, Hong Ngoc General Hospital offers remote consultations with experts from Samsung Medical Center (South Korea), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan, China), and others. Medical images and records are shared in real time, enabling internationally standardised treatment plans. This allows patients to access advanced, world-class therapies at reasonable costs right in Viet Nam. Medical examinations and surgeries combined with tourism Understanding the need for short-term medical care among international visitors, Hong Ngoc General Hospital has developed a convenient medical tourism service. Patients can book appointments remotely, submit records online, and receive 1:1 multilingual interpretation throughout treatment. All medical documents are translated and standardised to international formats, ensuring smooth insurance claims in their home countries. Emergency response and urgent medical care for foreign patients With exceptional expertise, a highly experienced team of doctors, and a modern emergency care system, Hong Ngoc General Hospital is proud to be a trusted medical destination for the international community in Viet Nam during emergencies. The hospital has successfully handled thousands of complex emergency cases, ranging from traffic and workplace accidents to critical conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and severe infections. Beyond initial treatment, the hospital has also implemented international hospital transfer services by air, accompanied by a specialised medical team. This ensures maximum safety for patients throughout the journey, especially for cases requiring continuous and intensive medical care. Leading international-standard healthcare services for foreigners in Ha Noi With over 20 years of establishment and growth, Hong Ngoc General Hospital has affirmed its pioneering position in Viet Nams private healthcare system through a series of prestigious accreditations. The hospital is proud to be the first private healthcare institution in Viet Nam to achieve international accreditation from ACHS International one of the worlds most rigorous and prestigious healthcare accreditation systems, recognising its excellence in management, patient care, and operations in line with global standards. Beyond treatment quality, it has also been recognised by the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) as a Global Accredited Training Centre, affirming its capability in delivering advanced medical training and developing a high-calibre healthcare workforce in line with international standards. Hong Ngoc General Hospital currently operates seven facilities, including two hospitals and five modern general clinics strategically located in central areas across Ha Noi, such as Yen Ninh, Chau Van Liem, Nguyen Tuan, Keangnam, and Tay Ho, providing patients with convenient access and flexible options for medical care. In addition to medical expertise, the hospital invests in advanced equipment for accurate and effective diagnosis and treatment. Patients stay in a 5-star hotel-standard environment with premium amenities and personalised care services. These prestigious national and international accreditations stand as a clear testament to Hong Ngoc General Hospitals unwavering commitment to excellence. With a solid reputation and international-standard services, it has become the top choice for international patients seeking medical examination and treatment in Viet Nam./. Viet Nams premier furniture fair returns this August, uniting the best of Southeast Asias craftsmanship under one roof. The 3rd Vietnam ASEAN International Furniture & Home Accessories Fair (VIFA ASEAN 2025), themed Gathering All the Best Southeast Asian Furniture, will take place from August 26 to 29 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. More than a product showcase, it is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, featuring a wide range of engaging activities for visitors. VIFA ASEAN 2025 also launches Asias autumn series of major furniture fairs, including KOFURN (South Korea), MFFM (Malaysia), CIFF, Maison Shanghai, Furniture China (China), and IFFINA (Indonesia). This years fair gathers over 200 exhibitors from across Viet Nam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Noi, ong Nai, ak Lak, Hung Yen, Long An and ong Thap, as well as participants from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, the United States, China, India, Taiwan (China) and Hong Kong (China). Notable exhibitors include The One, Asiades, Hiep Long, Mega Home, Yibei Vietnam, Hai Lam, Fukui, Santang, Fuquiang, MMML, Craftsman, Bao Khang, NEFS, Go Leader Vietnam, Nhat Tuong, Lac Gia, Binh Hoa Bamboo, Homeyard, Guan Yiming Vietnam, CreAsia, Glory Light, Art Fabric, Yinghui Vietnam and many others. The event benefits from strong collaboration with government bodies, trade organisations, industry departments and associations from both domestic and international sectors. VIFA ASEAN 2025 showcases an exceptionally diverse range of products, including: Indoor and outdoor furniture Home decor, household items and handicrafts Interior design, architecture, construction and emerging trends Machinery, equipment, raw materials and supporting services The fair is expected to welcome over 10,000 visitors and buyers. To optimise their experience, the organiser provides a series of special support services: Direct assistance for visitors at Tan Son Nhat Airport (August 2427) A free two-way shuttle bus service between First Hotel, New World Hotel and SECC (August 2628) A free Factory Visit Tour (August 2728) to Hiep Long Furniture and Craftsman Kitchen Components factories, allowing buyers to observe production first-hand A seminar series (August 2728), covering two key topics: Export Markets & Global Policies and Green Standards & New Product Changes, offering the latest insights into global markets, sustainability and industry shifts Especially notable is the exclusive One-on-One Business Matching programme, introduced for the first time this year. Available in both offline (at SECC) and online formats, it helps exhibitors connect efficiently with international buyers, particularly those unable to attend in person. To make the experience even more memorable, the organisers are offering 2,000 special gifts at the ASEAN HOUSE (Booth No. AA16). Visitors can receive these by checking in, taking photos, posting reviews and following VIFA ASEANs social media channels. At the opening ceremony, Lien Minh Company the owner and organiser of both VIFA ASEAN and VIFA EXPO will be presented with a certificate from the Vietnam Records Organisation. This certificate recognises VIFA EXPO: the annual, long-established International Furniture & Home Accessories with the largest fair scale in Viet Nam (2008 -present). With its diverse showcase, exclusive networking opportunities and engaging activities, VIFA ASEAN 2025 reinforces its position as a must-visit destination for global buyers. It drives collaboration, promotes sustainable growth in the ASEAN furniture sector, and strengthens Ho Chi Minh Citys role as a regional hub for furniture trade. Find more details at: https://vifaasean.com/ RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Sum Ting Wong wants to see "more heart" and "lightness" in the upcoming series of the hit BBC Three show. Sum Ting Wong has called for 'more heart' on RuPaul's Drag Race UK The 36-year-old drag queen - real name Bo Zeng - appeared on the programme's first British season in 2019, and she thinks the show has recently lacked "the joy and the fun in drag". Asked what she would like to see in the seventh series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK - which comes out in the autumn - Sum exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I want to see more heart. I want to see the lightness. I want to see the joy and the fun in drag. "I miss that, and I want to see some more of that." Sum - who finished in seventh place after losing a lip-sync battle against Crystal (Colin Seymour) to the Spice Girls' 1997 hit track Spice Up Your Life - believes the case of people becoming drag queens to protect the LGBTQ+ community has been lost. Asked why she wants to see "more heart" in the seventh series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Sum explained: "When I started doing drag, I was always very much like, 'We're the figureheads. We're the spearhead of a like movement and protecting our community.' "That's just the mantle you take upon when you become a drag queen. "And I feel like that's not so much the case anymore, or few people feel that isn't the case." However, Sum continues to perform so that members of the LGBTQ+ community can "feel safe". She said: "I'm out here in a wig and heels to protect you. "I'm here being unabashed and unapologetically myself, in this role, so you can feel safe. "And I think like the seriousness of that mixed with, 'But we all love each other,' and the lightness that comes through our UK drag kind of mellows it out. "Otherwise, it's just too intense." Sum is taking part in Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale - where fan-favourite queens from previous seasons of Drag Race Philippines take on Asian queens from across the global franchise in a battle for the crown. And the star feels like she can be more of herself on Slaysian Royale in comparison to when Sum did RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Sum - who has ADHD and autism - explained: "I think [on RuPaul's Drag Race UK] I was really timid, really quite shy. "I didn't really understand a lot of my neurodivergences. "So going back on this time, I'm like, Oh, this was the reason I was like this the first time, this was the reason I was like this. "I can actually be a proper version of myself on TV rather than the version that I portrayed the first time." She added: "I try to be as authentically real as myself as possible, because it's too hard being someone else. "I was very it's part of my autism and ADHD, whenever I was I was stressed [on RuPaul's Drag Race UK], I would revert back to a very subservient, very not trying to rustle any feathers, like version of myself, just to get through situations. "But this time round, I'm very much the person that you will have seen if you've seen me in real life, but this is the version of myself that my friends are going to watch and be like, Oh my God, it's Sum. There she is." Catch brand new Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale every Wednesday from August 13 on WOW Presents Plus. HA NOI The EUViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has boosted the presence of Vietnamese goods in the European Union, yet fully unlocking its benefits will require exporters to move beyond tariff preferences and meet the blocs stringent rules, said economists and industry insiders. The EU is now Viet Nams second-largest export market after the US, with Vietnamese shipments spanning electronics, garments, furniture, agricultural produce, and handicrafts. After the EVFTA took effect in August 2020 through May 2025, two-way trade reached US$298 billion. Viet Nam remains the EUs largest goods trading partner in ASEAN. EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier said the agreement has boosted trade and delivered tangible benefits to both sides, adding that steady cooperation remains essential as global trade faces volatility and as both parties pursue a green, sustainable and prosperous future. Industry experts point to furniture and handicrafts as sectors with a lot of potential. Nguyen ac Boi Quynh, director of Trade Promotion for Vietnamese businesses at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Viet Nam, cited estimates putting the EU handicrafts market at $293 billion in 2024, with a projected rise to $576 billion by 2033, a compound annual growth rate of about 7.4 per cent. Consumer trends in the bloc increasingly favour unique, eco-friendly products with strong cultural identity, while e-commerce is reshaping how personalised and sustainable goods reach buyers. The same market dynamics, however, come with demanding requirements. For wood and handicraft exporters, compliance with standards applies to origin and legal-timber certification, environmental impact and labour conditions. Fast-changing tastes also force companies to refresh designs two to three times a year to stay competitive. Lawyer Chu Lan Phuong of Ceven Law noted that newer EU frameworks, such as the General Product Safety Regulation, the Product Liability Directive and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, require higher corporate responsibility, the appointment of an EU-based legal representative, and robust traceability of inputs, alongside adherence to other sector-specific rules. Textiles and garments continue to benefit from the EVFTAs tariff cuts, but market access increasingly depends on environmental performance and product safety. That pushes Vietnamese firms to invest in greener production, upgrade technology and raise the proportion of locally-made materials to satisfy rules of origin. Director of Market Development at Source of Asia Tra Le said that exporters should not only ship products but also convey identity and culture. That means putting money into creative designs that blend contemporary aesthetics with indigenous heritage, building transparent supply chains, and prioritising internationally certified materials. Shifts in European demand help make the case for Vietnamese craftsmanship. Surveys indicate that more than 60 per cent of urban consumers prefer handmade items to industrially produced goods. Items made from rattan, bamboo and leaves materials rooted in daily life in Viet Nam are drawing interest amid the green consumption trend. For many buyers, the story and experience behind a product matter as much as the object itself, creating an opening for Vietnamese enterprises to differentiate themselves on authenticity as well as compliance. With EVFTA momentum intact and the EUs appetite for sustainable, culturally resonant agricultural goods growing, Viet Nams exporters are well placed to expand their footprint. The next phase will depend on how quickly firms align with Europes regulations, deepen design and branding capabilities, and tell compelling product stories that travel as far as their goods, according to industry insiders. VNS Compiled by Mai Huong The Ministry of Industry and Trade has put forward a proposal that could see nearly VN44.8 trillion (US$1.7 billion) in Vietnam Electricity (EVN)'s accumulated losses added to retail electricity tariffs. The draft amendment to Decree 72 on electricity price adjustments, now open for public feedback, proposes allowing EVN to include past losses in future tariffs. These losses mainly came from soaring global fuel prices in 2022 and 2023 a period when domestic electricity prices were kept unchanged to support families and businesses after the pandemic. By the end of 2024, EVN still carried nearly VN44.8 trillion in losses, reducing State capital. If the plan is approved, consumers would gradually pay for this gap through their bills. EVN says the move is needed for the State-owned enterprise to stay financially stable and keep investing in power generation, but experts and the public have expressed concerns about fairness, transparency and future impacts. Economist Nguyen Minh Phong, former head of the Economic Research Department at the Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies, acknowledged that EVNs losses were partly driven by external shocks. However, he warned against simply raising tariffs whenever the utility faces difficulties. He said EVN should explain how much money the tariff change would bring in, how long it would take and if prices would drop again after the losses are covered. People also need to know whether the losses came from market conditions or poor management. Only with that clarity can the costs fairly be passed on to consumers. Others argue that even if EVNs books must be balanced, the burden should not fall directly on households and businesses. According to Le Xuan Nghia, former vice chairman of the National Financial Supervisory Commission and a member of the National Monetary Policy Advisory Council, Viet Nams electricity demand is expected to rise sharply as the economy expands and as new technologies, including data centres and artificial intelligence, increase power consumption. He noted that electricity demand often grows by 1.5 per cent for every 1 per cent of GDP growth. Meanwhile, Viet Nams economy is projected to keep expanding. For this reason, he supports a market-based pricing mechanism to attract investment in the sector, but strongly disagrees with shifting old losses into new tariffs. Those losses, he explained, were the result of State policy in the past to keep prices low for the sake of social stability. Instead of adding this loss to the average retail electricity price, the State should account for it separately and treat it as funding for electricity pricing policy, Nghia told viettimes.vn. He added that the Government should consider spreading the amount over several years as a special budgetary measure. Public worries For many members of the public, the prospect of higher tariffs so soon after the recent increase in May 2025 is causing unease. Businesses say electricity is taking up more of their costs, and warn higher prices could cut profits and workers pay. Khau Hai Nam, head of a food company in Chuong My Ward, Ha Noi, said his business spends around VN600800 million on electricity each month, or about 2 per cent of production and operating costs. If electricity prices rise, this expense will balloon while the consumer market remains unchanged, he noted. This could directly affect the companys revenue and workers incomes. We would once again have to struggle with calculations to strike a balance and retain our staff, Nam told vtcnews.vn. Still, some note that EVN is not a normal profit-driven company, and spreading the VN45 trillion loss over time would make the impact per unit of power easier to bear. Meanwhile, Government officials have sought to reassure citizens that there will not be a sudden jump in electricity prices. Ho Sy Quang, deputy head of the Electricity Price Management Division at the Ministry of Industry and Trades Electricity Regulatory Authority, emphasised that any adjustment would be moderate, within EVNs authority and aligned with the Prime Ministers instruction to avoid shocks and balance the interests of the State, enterprises and consumers. He said that EVNs losses were already audited and disclosed in its 2023 and 2024 financial statements, highlighting the impact of global fuel markets during a time when tariffs were frozen. Still, experts in pricing and regulation believe that clarity is essential before any decision is made. Chairman of the Vietnam Price Appraisal Association Nguyen Tien Thoa, who is also the former director of the Price Management Department at the Ministry of Finance, pointed out that electricity prices must in principle reflect real costs and ensure a reasonable profit to allow reinvestment. He argued that if losses were caused by policy decisions, they can legitimately be included in tariffs. However, he insisted that the Ministry of Industry and Trade must separate those objective costs from any inefficiencies in EVNs management. Independent auditing, removal of improper expenses, and full disclosure of the results would be necessary to build public trust, he said. Former vice president of the Central Institute for Economic Management Dr Vo Tri Thanh said that if losses come from poor management, the enterprise must take responsibility. But if the State keeps prices below costs for socio-economic reasons, leading to losses and reduced State capital, then a proper solution is needed. He added that gradually spreading such losses into tariffs is consistent with pricing principles, the Electricity Law and the 2023 Price Law. The debate highlights a delicate balancing act for policymakers. On one hand, electricity tariffs must be high enough to ensure financial stability for EVN and to attract investment in the energy sector, which is crucial for Viet Nams growth ambitions. On the other hand, steep rises would directly burden households and businesses, threatening economic recovery and social stability. VNS HA NOI C.P. Vietnam, a subsidiary of Thailands Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (C.P. Foods), has reported a significant drop in revenue for the second quarter of 2025. The companys recently published consolidated financial statements reveal a 21 per cent fall in revenue compared with the same period last year, amounting to 26.2 billion baht (about VN21.2 trillion). This decline highlights the challenges C.P. Foods faces in the Vietnamese market, which remains one of its three key markets alongside Thailand and China. For the first half of 2025, C.P. Foods revenue in Viet Nam reached around VN43.6 trillion (US$1.7 billion), representing a 15 per cent year-on-year decrease. The downturn was largely driven by significant drops in the livestock and feed segments. The farming sector, contributing the largest share, generated VN29.5 trillion but recorded a 19 per cent decrease from the previous year. Meanwhile, the feed segment also declined by 15 per cent to VN10.6 trillion. The only segment that showed positive growth was food, which, despite recent media scrutiny, managed a modest 1 per cent increase, reaching VN3.4 trillion in revenue. These financial results follow a public relations crisis in late May and early June, when images purportedly showing sick pigs at one of the companys processing plants went viral, triggering investigations by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. The controversy led to calls for a boycott of C.P. Vietnams products. In response, the Department of Agriculture and Environment in Soc Trang Province (now part of Can Tho City since 1 July) imposed fines exceeding VN100 million on three CP Fresh Shop outlets for operating with expired food safety certifications. However, by July, C.P. Vietnam issued a statement confirming that an investigation by Soc Trang police found no violations of food safety regulations and that no criminal charges would be pursued. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI The launch of CMC OpenAI (C-OpenAI) marks a new milestone in Viet Nams ambition to embrace a comprehensive AI era, where Vietnamese AI serves domestic citizens with top-tier reliability and data security, said Chairman and Executive President of CMC Corporation Nguyen Trung Chinh. C-OpenAI is built on 25 proprietary core technologies, from computer vision, natural language processing, to large language models, speech processing, and data lake house capabilities. It is running on CMC Cloud, keeping Viet Nams data sovereignty intact. These technologies have already gained commercial traction and earned recognition on international rankings. CMC aims to deploy AI across a wide range of sectors, including virtual assistants for legal and citizen services, education, healthcare, finance-banking, manufacturing, and public administration. Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung described C-OpenAI as a business model tailored for a knowledge-based economy. A developed nation derives 80 per cent of its assets from intellectual property, while an underdeveloped one relies on 80 per cent physical assets, he said, stressing Viet Nams shift toward intellectual capital. The ministry is urging more tech firms to adopt a hybrid model that blends capital with knowledge and physical assets with intellectual ones. According to him, C-OpenAIs advantage lies in its access to domestic data and knack for solving Viet Nams unique problems. Equally important are its reliance on open-source AI and, fundamentally, the ingenuity of Vietnamese talent and cultural adaptability. CMCs embrace of open-source AI is a strategic bet to foster nationwide creativity, slash costs, and broaden access to AI solutions for socio-economic issues. Globally, many governments are increasingly favoring open technologies for critical infrastructure investments like 5G and AI. Viet Nam is targeting a top-three ranking in Southeast Asia for AI research and development by 2030, as outlined in the Politburos Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024. AI tops the list of strategic technologies in the Governments Decision No. 1131/Q-TTg dated June 12, 2025, which details priority technologies and products for national development. VNA/VNS HA NOI The United States recently imposed a 20 per cent countervailing tax on goods originating from Viet Nam, a level that presents challenges but remains manageable for domestic enterprises. Many Vietnamese firms are responding proactively by restructuring operations, standardising production and diversifying export markets to maintain growth momentum amid these new trade barriers. Nguyen Phuong Lam, director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Mekong Delta branch, noted that the 20 per cent tariff is a significant reduction from the previous 46 per cent. He added that the gap between Viet Nam and other Southeast Asian nations is now only around one percentage point. Compared with regional countries, a 20 per cent tax is not excessively high and can be considered acceptable. More importantly, Viet Nams exports to the US have exceeded US$119 billion, far surpassing many Southeast Asian nations which only reach $3040 billion, Lam emphasised. Experts agree this outcome reflects the Governments effective negotiation efforts. However, enterprises must now adopt both short-term and long-term adaptation strategies to remain competitive. Many businesses have already taken steps. Minh Phu Seafood Corporation Hau Giang, which exports shrimp to 50 countries, reported that the US accounted for only 14.7 per cent of its sales, with Japan leading at 24.1 per cent. General director Le Thi Minh Phu said, We hope the Government will continue negotiations for further tax reductions. At the same time, we have expanded into other potential markets to maintain stable growth. In agriculture, Cuu Long Orchard JSC general director Le Van ong said: The US market values quality over quantity. The decisive factor is not the tariff rate but competitiveness through product quality. We are targeting the premium segment, where customers prioritise health and branding. Technology companies are also adapting swiftly. Deputy director of VNPT Technologys business centre Tran uc Hoa outlined four solutions: optimising supply chains, boosting localisation, diversifying markets and developing high-tech products to ease pricing pressures. Principal country economist of the Asian Development Bank in Viet Nam Nguyen Ba Hung highlighted that domestic reformsranging from institutional improvements to business environment upgradescould be undertaken immediately to enhance competitiveness. From an investment perspective, he added that the current tariff gap gives Viet Nam an advantage over China, making it a more attractive destination for international capital flows. VNS HCM CITY Many Vietnamese enterprises have successfully transformed agricultural by-products such as pandan leaves, coffee grounds, loofah fibres, and wild grasses into eco-friendly, high-value products that are increasingly popular in international markets. This was highlighted at a seminar titled Exploring Viet Nams Indigenous Resources with the theme When Grass Turns into Green Gold on Global Shelves held on August 24 in HCM City by the High-Quality Vietnamese Goods Business Association and the Business Study and Assistance Centre. Lai Tri Moc, general director of Vietnam Housewares, spoke about how his company successfully harnessed co nan tuong (bulrush), a wild grass growing along riverbanks and rice fields in the Mekong Delta, to produce handicrafts, household items and eco-friendly furniture and regularly export to Europe. The bulrush is not only environmentally friendly but also meets international chemical safety standards, making it suitable for markets with high entry barriers such as Europe, the US and Australia. With its ease of cultivation and steady supply, it helped delta residents develop sustainable livelihoods at low costs, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of Vietnamese handicrafts worldwide, Moc said. If you want to build an export-oriented manufacturing business, sustainable raw materials must be the top priority. In handicrafts, leveraging local resources is not only environmentally beneficial but also the key to successful commercialisation in global markets. o ang Khoa, founder of Lang Muop (Loofah Village), said 15 years ago, following a suggestion from a foreign partner, the company began experimenting with loofah fibre, a material that was abundant but underutilised. Since then Lang Muop had developed more than 20 product lines ranging from kitchenware and home decor to pet toys. Sesame husk and fruit peels had also been turned into household goods and decorative items. What farmers once burned as waste had now become export material, Khoa said. His company has been exporting loofah products to Japan for over a decade thanks to their durability and eco-friendliness. It is now expanding into Korea, Europe and soon Germany with loofah-based pet toys, he said. In the domestic market, Lang Muop boosted online sales, relying on natural livestreaming instead of aggressive advertising and received hundreds of orders daily, he added. Sustainability is also at the heart of Faslinks fashion innovations. CEO Tran Hoang Phu Xuan said her company produced textile fibres from pandan leaves and coffee grounds. "Pandan-leaf fibre is antibacterial, UV-resistant and odor-eliminating without the use of chemicals," she said. In July Faslink showcased these materials at Texworld USA in New York, the US, impressing international buyers and designers. The company exports coffee-fibre shirts to the US, handbags to Singapore and socks to the Middle East. The market is always in need of new materials, Xuan said. In the fashion industry, new materials create new user experiences. The current trend is lightweight, multifunctional clothing. European and some other developed markets now required products to demonstrate positive impacts on the environment and society, she said. If they fail to do this, Vietnamese exporters would remain stuck in poorer markets, she said. We need a new generation of entrepreneurs with global vision, sustainable thinking and true competitiveness. Vu Kim Hanh, chairwoman of the High-Quality Vietnamese Goods Business Association, said in recent years a trend of preferring natural materials and traditional products had become a powerful consumer movement. "Viet Nam has precious resources, which, if researched, innovated and commercialised properly, could truly become 'green gold', she added. VNS HA NOI Indias Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has issued its final determination in the anti-dumping investigation into hot-rolled coil (HRC) steel imports from Viet Nam. Under the decision, HRC produced by Hoa Phat Group will not be subject to anti-dumping duties. DGTR assessed Hoa Phats dumping margin in the 010 per cent band, resulting in no duty. Other Vietnamese producers were found to have margins of 2030 per cent and will face an anti-dumping duty of US$121.50 per tonne, recommended for a period of five years. The exemption gives Hoa Phat a competitive edge in the Indian market. Downstream manufacturers using Hoa Phats HRC can continue exporting to India without trade-remedy or origin-related barriers linked to this case. DGTR opened the investigation on 14 August 2024, covering alloy and non-alloy HRC uncoated, not plated or clad with thicknesses up to 25mm and widths up to 2,100mm, under HS codes 7208, 7211, 7225 and 7226. Hot-rolled stainless steel coils were excluded. The dumping period of investigation ran from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2024, with the injury analysis spanning April 2020 to March 2024. VNS HCM CITY Startups from Viet Nam and India are being given a chance to soar, thanks to the launch of the 'Startup Flight' initiative, a new cross-border innovation programme backed by the Vietnam National Startup Support Centre (NSSC), Indias Amity Innovation Incubator and airline partner Vietjet. In its role as co-founder, Vietjet is not only acting as an aviation bridge between the two nations but also positioning itself as a key driver in connecting talent, fostering investment cooperation and helping Vietnamese and Indian startups expand across the region and beyond. The unique programme links startup centres in Ha Noi, a Nang and HCM City with Indias most vibrant business hubs including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad all of which are connected via Vietjet routes. The initiative focuses on nurturing promising talent and advancing innovative solutions in four high-priority sectors: Software & Data/AI, E-commerce & Retail, EdTech, and Transportation & Logistics. Winning teams could go on to become future unicorns, with the programme aiming to make a meaningful contribution to Viet Nams innovation-led growth and Indias expanding digital economy. From now until September 15, individuals or teams of up to three members from either country are invited to submit proposals via TheStartUpFlight.vietjetair.com. Following an initial evaluation round, eight top teams two from each of the four sectors will be selected to join the 'Startup Flight' experience with Vietjet. These finalists will receive expert mentorship and guidance from respected founders and specialists from both Viet Nam and India. Finalists will pitch their ideas to potential investors, with the top team in each field awarded a cash prize of US$1,000 and a pair of Vietjet round-trip tickets between Viet Nam and India. Trade Counsellor and Head of the Trade Office at the Embassy of Viet Nam in India Bui Trung Thuong praised India as a global powerhouse of technology and innovation. With five out of six of Vietjets destinations in India listed among the worlds top 100 startup cities, we are proud that this is a technology platform that helps promote meaningful partnerships, cultural exchanges and inspire breakthrough ideas between Viet Nam and India, he said. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam on Monday officially launched three innovation and expert networks in quantum technology (VNQuantum), cybersecurity (ViSecurity) and aviation and aerospace (UAV Viet Nam), marking a major step in its strategy to master cutting-edge fields and join global value chains. The ceremony, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, took place as the nation prepares for the 80th anniversary of its founding in 1945. Officials described the launch as a milestone that reflects Viet Nams determination to build an independent and innovative economy through science, technology and the intelligence of its people. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung said Viet Nam had transformed dramatically over nearly 40 years of oi moi (Renewal), moving from a poor agricultural nation to one of the worlds 34 largest economies and ranking among the top 20 in global trade and investment. Per capita GDP has now passed US$4,800, placing Viet Nam in the upper middle-income group by World Bank standards, he noted. But to become a developed, high-income country by 2045, we must unlock all resources, ensure fast and sustainable growth, and put science, technology and innovation at the core. In todays context, Viet Nam cannot afford to lag behind, he added. We must seize opportunities, make breakthroughs and assert our national position. The three new networks are part of the Vietnam Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network under the National Innovation Centre (NIC). So far, the NIC has supported the creation of 10 networks across 22 countries and territories, connecting more than 2,000 experts, chief engineers and lead architects in key industries. Alongside them are five strategic technology networks working with universities, research institutes and businesses to tackle major challenges facing the country. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment o Thanh Trung said the initiative would build a strong community of Vietnamese talents worldwide. With these networks, we are gradually shaping a global Vietnamese intelligence ecosystem, he said. They will become a core force to help our country catch up, keep pace and even move ahead in several critical sectors. At the ceremony, NIC and its partners signed several cooperation agreements. Sovico Group pledged support to NIC in expanding the Vietnam Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network in 2025. VNQuantum, ViSecurity and UAV Viet Nam also reached agreements with domestic and international partners to promote research, development and application of strategic technologies. VNQuantum was launched with the vision of placing Viet Nam on the global quantum map. Executive Vice Chairman of VNQuantum Nguyen Quoc Hung said: Viet Nam can become an important link in the global quantum value chain if we have the right strategy and proper investment. Our priorities are pioneering research infrastructure, training top-level talent and building public-private partnerships. Meanwhile, ViSecurity aims to develop 'Make in Viet Nam' brand solutions to protect critical digital infrastructure. Its chairman, Ngo Tuan Anh, emphasised the urgent need for self-reliant security technology. Viet Nam is among the top 10 countries most targeted by cyberattacks. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for us, he said. ViSecurity will contribute to making Viet Nam a leading hub for cybersecurity innovation in the region and beyond. UAV Viet Nam wants to transform the country from a consumption market into a producer in the aerospace industry. Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Tran Anh Tuan explained: We face challenges, like dependence on imported technologies and limited testing facilities. But demand is rising, Government policies are supportive and our young enterprises are dynamic. This is the time for Viet Nam to take off. The networks are expected to become a solid platform, unlocking potential and connecting top minds to drive a knowledge-based, resilient and prosperous economy. Deputy PM Dung called the three networks extended arms of the Government, ministries and enterprises, participating in strategy-making, policy design and the promotion of research and application. Alongside the semiconductor and artificial intelligence networks launched last year, they will become nuclei of innovation in Viet Nams strategic technology ecosystem. VNS KUALA LUMPUR A cultural event titled Viet Nam Art Parade was held in Malaysias capital Kuala Lumpur on August 24 to mark the 80th anniversary of Viet Nam's National Day (September 2, 1945 2025) and the 68th anniversary of Malaysias National Day (August 31, 1957 2025). Jointly organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the MalaysiaViet Nam Friendship Association (MVFA), the event drew thousands of Malaysian residents along with a large Vietnamese community from Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Penang, and Johor. It was not only a cultural celebration but also a vivid symbol of the growing friendship between the two nations. A highlight of the event was the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) show. Particularly impressive was the Viet NamMalaysia Friendship Ao Dai collection by the Viet Nam Ao Dai Heritage Club in Malaysia, which incorporated the national flags and flowers of both countries, symbolising solidarity and cultural harmony. Visitors also had the chance to enjoy authentic Vietnamese coffee at cultural booths, further enriching their experience of Viet Nam's land and people. Speaking at the event, Kuala Lumpur Mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Vietnamese community to the citys cultural life. She was especially impressed by the friendship ao dai, saying its harmonious design was a testament to the strong ties between Malaysia and Viet Nam. She voiced her belief that the friendship between the two countries, as well as between Kuala Lumpur and Vietnamese cities, will continue to flourish. The Vietnam Art Parade stood as a clear testament to the sincere friendship between the two peoples. Through cultural exchanges and the presence of Vietnamese participants in traditional attire, the event conveyed a strong message of cooperation and unity. The joint celebration was not only a cultural activity but also an affirmation of the strategic partnership and friendship between Viet Nam and Malaysia, as well as their collaboration within the ASEAN framework. VNA/VNS Sir David Jason rejected Only Fools and Horses boss John Sullivan's idea for the iconic bar scene to make it funnier. Sir David Jason overruled Only Fools and Horses boss John Sullivan's idea for the BBC sitcom's iconic bar scene The legendary scene in the 1989 episode Yuppy Love saw David's character Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter fall over after a barman lifts the counter hatch before he goes to lean on it. Sullivan - who died aged 64 in 2011 - initially wanted Del Boy to stumble but David insisted that he went further, resulting in a moment that is regarded as one of the funniest scenes in the history of the beloved BBC comedy. David recalled, as quoted by the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "John told me he'd seen a bloke who went to lean on the bar and got embarrassed. "I said to John, 'I'll do it ... but I'll fall right the way through.' "He said, 'No, this bloke didn't do that.' "I said, 'I know, but I will do the fall." "When I was doing farces on stage, I always went to lean on the settee and after a couple of gos, I would fall. "I said, 'We'd got to do it that way.' "I said that to John, and he said, 'OK, if you think that's better, let's do it your way.'" The scene in the series six episode saw Del Boy and Trigger (Roger Lloyd Pack) trying to impress two girls in a posh wine bar before Del Boy falls through the hatch. However, a script for the scene found in 2024 suggests that Trigger was not originally meant to be in the sequence. Andy Stowe, the valuer, told The Mirror in 2024: "The rumour goes that the scene didn't originally feature Roger Lloyd Pack as Trigger." Andy claimed that Roger - who died of pancreatic cancer in January 2014, aged 69 - turned up unannounced on the shooting day, and John decided to include him in the scene. And late actor John Challis - who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses - backed up the claims. The star - who died of cancer in September 2021 aged 79 - told The Telegraph in 2023: "Roger happened to be at the BBC at the time and he had a break, so they found Trigger's blue suit and stuck him in this scene, which was almost improvised. "When I saw it, I thought it was just so brilliant. "The timing of it and Roger's take him circling around, looking for Del Boy, by which time Del Boy's got up again. "But I always say it wasn't very funny because I wasn't in it." HCM CITY Food fanatics in HCM City are looking forward to celebrating the citys vibrant taco scene at the Saigon Taco Fest 2025 on August 30 at Creo Customs in An Khanh Ward. The one-day event is launched by Hanoi Events, the organiser behind Ha Nois most talked-about Taco Festival, and Naco Taco joint. It is where six of Saigons best taco spots gather, offering the essence of Mexican food in one place, from smoky al pastor to crispy fish tacos. The vendors include Banh Mi Tay-Shawarma-will, Mamacita Thao ien, Cielito Lindo Vietnam, Taco Del Sol, The Taco King, and Naco Taco. Besides fueling themselves, visitors can also vote in the showdown for Saigons Best Taco, enjoy live bands and DJs, and immerse themselves in the lively fiesta atmosphere. Mexican Ambassador to Viet Nam Alejandro Negrin told the press conference that cuisine is among the strongest links that tie people of different cultural backgrounds together, which is true regarding the bilateral relationship between Mexico and Viet Nam. To celebrate the two countries 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Saigon Taco Fest connects the people and the culture and reinforces a stronger rapport in the most delicious and exciting manner, he said. Octavio Munoz, co-founder of NacoTaco and grand winner of Hanoi Taco Fest 2025, said his team is excited to bring their award-winning tacos and their special creation, Pulpo Inferno, to the south. This festival not only celebrates taco but also showcases the creativity and bold elements of Mexican cuisine, he stressed. The Saigon Taco Festival is family-friendly, with tickets available at hanoi-events.com. Traditional Mexican cuisine is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its diversity and delicacy. Mexican food has been gaining more popularity in Viet Nam, especially in recent years, with the appearance of many restaurants, pop-ups, and festivals. Events like the upcoming Saigon Taco Festival are expected to highlight and bring the bold cuisine and culture of Mexico closer to Vietnamese people. VNS After just six days since the 65-day fundraising campaign '65 Years of Viet Nam Cuba Solidarity' was launched on August 13 by the Vietnam Red Cross Society to support Cuba, more than 1.7 million contributors joined the efforts, raising nearly VN339 billion (nearly US$13 million). On the occasion, Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Khanh Chi spoke to Cubas Ambassador to Viet Nam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, seeking his comments on the special place that the Latin American nation holds in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Could you please share your thoughts on the Vietnam Red Cross Societys initiative to raise funds to support the Cuban people? How does it mean to you personally as well as to the Cuban people? A week ago, we attended the launch for this special initiative by the Vietnam Red Cross Society, under the auspices of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, social organisations and mass associations. This is a fundraising campaign for the Cuban people on the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Viet Nam and Cuba, and in the Viet Nam Cuba Friendship Year. We are deeply surprised and delighted by the swift and enthusiastic participation of the Vietnamese people, organisations and institutions. The entire nation has embraced this important initiative as a shared responsibility, wholeheartedly and sincerely expressing their warmest, most creative and unique wishes to the people of Cuba. For Cuba, we are deeply moved to share this historic moment on Vietnamese soil, witnessing the wholehearted participation of the entire nation, from offices to schools, in sending us messages of encouragement rich in humanistic value. These expressions powerfully convey the emotions of an entire people. Viet Nam is a nation to be admired and cherished, thanks to the enduring historical bond between our two peoples. In the old days when Viet Nam was struggling for national independence and reunification, the entire people of Cuba actively demonstrated their solidarity towards the Vietnamese people. This was a movement led by Fidel Castro, the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, mobilising support from every labour and student collective, with the goal of encouraging each Cuban to emulate the daily heroic spirit of the Vietnamese people. And in the same way he did for the Cuban people, our historic leader also called for the entire world, and all of humankind, to express solidarity with Viet Nam. At that time, solidarity with Viet Nam was the highest priority for the global community. Cuba stood firmly with that call, deeply moving the Vietnamese people when Fidel Castro, at a massive gathering in Revolution Square, expressed his unwavering belief that for Viet Nam, Cuba was willing to sacrifice even its own blood. Just as in the past, Cuba continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with Viet Nam, showing our deep affection for the Vietnamese people. Today, we have once again felt this warmth, as within just a few dozen hours, the campaigns target (at least VN65 billion) was met mobilising vital financial resources to help alleviate the devastating impact of the economic, trade and financial embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. We are profoundly moved to realise that we are embraced by the love and support of the Vietnamese people, our brothers and sisters. Based on the initial outcomes so far, how would you describe the overall sentiment of the Vietnamese people towards the Cuban people? We see the numbers are still rising. The number of donations has reached nearly two million, along with the funds contributed by so many people of all social strata. It has been incredibly moving to see the creativity, uniqueness and heartfelt dedication of groups and individuals. They have worked to send these funds through this initiative to the Red Cross Society, and from there, to the Cuban people in their time of hardship. We have seen donations from people of all ages and backgrounds across Viet Nam, from children and students to workers and the elderly. Some gave small, humble amounts, while others donated what they could afford from their earnings. No contribution is modest. What matters is not the amount given, although it truly surprised us and is a source of pride for the Vietnamese people, but the extraordinary spiritual, humanitarian and solidarity value that this message carries, as the people of Viet Nam have touched the hearts of the Cuban people through this important initiative. In these difficult times, when Cuba faces the impact of the economic blockade imposed by the US, causing human losses and hardships in the daily lives of our people, this is a profound source of encouragement from the people of Viet Nam. It helps us remain resilient and strengthens our belief in the ultimate victory of our two nations. For this, we will once again be forever grateful to our Vietnamese brothers and sisters. Could you please elaborate on the difficulties currently facing Cuba? What are the top priorities the most essential requirements to help the Cuban people overcome these difficulties in the short term? The people of Viet Nam are well aware that Cuba has been suffering under a harsh economic, commercial and financial embargo for six decades, which currently stands as the greatest obstacle to our country's socio-economic development. This embargo has been repeatedly condemned by the international community in all international forums. However, instead of being lifted as desired and called for by the international community, the US administration has intensified its sanctions against the Cuban people. These sanctions are being tightened even further today. This makes it extremely difficult for Cuba to access financial resources. The main constraints imposed by the embargo are first seen in our national energy shortage. The lack of access to financing has made the maintenance and repair of Cuba's energy system extremely difficult. Consequently, Cuba now faces severe limitations in energy production, hindering the country's socio-economic life. Furthermore, the embargo currently restricts investment opportunities in Cuba. All these factors significantly limit Cuba's access to foreign currency and greatly affect its ability to import food. A large portion of our food must be imported, and the current shortage of foreign currency for purchases is directly affecting the Cuban people's food consumption. At the same time, domestic food production is also severely restricted due to difficulties in acquiring raw materials, fertiliser and other products necessary for agricultural, forestry and fishery development. Furthermore, the capacity to produce medicine and procure raw materials and supplies for the National Health System has also been severely impacted. For many years, Cuba has carried out an international medical cooperation programme, training hundreds of thousands of doctors within Cuba, including tens of thousands from other countries, and sending Cuban doctors abroad to provide healthcare to local populations. However, these medical services have also become targets of US scrutiny, resulting in negative impacts on both healthcare delivery and the foreign currency revenues essential to meeting the needs of our people. As a result, Cuba is facing a true economic war, one without bombs, yet with clear and profound effects on the daily lives of the Cuban people. This is why, once again, the current acts of solidarity from the Vietnamese people are of immense value, helping to ease the burden of this situation. Aside from financial resources, how can Viet Nam as well as the international community support Cuba? Cuba has always received great solidarity from the international community. Since 1992, at the United Nations General Assembly, Cuba has consistently presented resolutions calling on the US government to lift the economic, trade and financial embargo imposed on our people. The international community, with the exception of one or two countries, most notably the US, has supported Cubas request for more than three decades. Many international organisations, countries, individuals and agencies have also called for the removal of the embargo. At the same time, Cuba has received significant and tangible support from around the world. Numerous solidarity events have been organised to channel vital resources to Cuba, helping to mitigate the impact of the blockade. However, the most important action the international community is taking today is to continue its firm, comprehensive and sustained demand that the US government end this illegal and unjust blockade. This global call is the most significant contribution toward establishing justice and allowing Cuba to develop normally, free from restrictions in its relations with the world. In this endeavor, Viet Nam has maintained a steadfast presence on the international stage, especially through the unwavering and persistent support of the Vietnamese people for the Cuban people. Over the years, Viet Nam has launched numerous initiatives aimed at enabling Cuba to develop its society independently and with sovereignty. Yet, the most important message from Viet Nam throughout these years has been this: Cuba has always enjoyed the close friendship and unwavering solidarity of the Vietnamese people, sustained over more than 60 years of bilateral relations. Therefore, in these moments when that solidarity shines ever more clearly across every corner of Viet Nam, we send an embrace, words of encouragement and our deepest gratitude to every Vietnamese citizen who has conveyed a message of love to the Cuban people during these difficult times. Thank you, Viet Nam. VNS GENEVA In todays turbulent world, the fact that a socialist country like Viet Nam is pursuing a peaceful path while maintaining an independent and non-aligned foreign policy holds great significance, according to Massimiliano Ay, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Switzerland (CPS). Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Switzerland on the 80th anniversary of Viet Nams National Day, Ay highlighted Viet Nam as a model of non-aligned diplomacy and balance, commending the countrys consistent efforts to promote dialogue among different systems while avoiding confrontation. He stressed that Viet Nam has demonstrated its capability and always played an active, constructive role in diplomacy, international affairs and within UN bodies. He affirmed that the Communist Party of Switzerland will continue its mission of raising awareness among the Swiss public of Viet Nams positive and constructive role on the global stage. He expressed his expectations for Switzerland-Viet Nam relations, hoping that the two countries would soon finalise a free trade agreement. Such a deal will be an important step forward for the Swiss economy, allowing it to diversify trading partners and reduce dependence on certain markets, while offering Viet Nam the benefit of closer engagement with Switzerland, he noted. According to the CPS leader, the potential for cooperation between the two communist parties is great in certain areas, suggesting that the two sides should maintain regular dialogue, exchange analyses, positions and viewpoints, and strengthen people-to-people ties. Tourism, he added, is another sector with significant potential. He reaffirmed that his party stands ready to contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation and to supporting Viet Nam in gaining a deeper understanding of Switzerlands realities. VNA/VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam has sent a letter of congratulations to the diplomatic sector on the occasion of its 80th founding anniversary (August 28, 19452025), in which he extended his sincere greetings and best wishes to all generations of officials, public servants, and employees in the diplomatic service, as well as to all collectives and individuals involved in foreign affairs. The Party leader wrote that over the past 80 years of development and growth, the diplomatic sector has overcome countless difficulties and achieved tremendous, historically significant accomplishments, making important contributions to the national construction and defence cause. From the very early days of the founding of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, now the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, and throughout the 30 years of resistance wars against foreign aggressors for national independence and reunification, under the wise and skillful leadership of the Party and the guiding light of President Ho Chi Minh's diplomatic thought, foreign affairs and diplomacy have been a key, pioneering force in successfully safeguarding the young revolutionary government and laying the foundation for the long-term development of the Vietnamese revolution, he noted. After national reunification, foreign affairs and diplomacy continued to take the lead in gradually breaking the blockade and embargo, promoting international integration, and opening up a favourable diplomatic complexion, thereby making important contributions to the successful implementation of the Partys Renewal (oi moi) policy. With the spirit of serving the Fatherland, foreign affairs - diplomacy have played a worthy role in establishing and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, steadfastly and persistently safeguarding independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, while contributing to building the nations strength, capacity, and elevating its international position and reputation as seen today, he affirmed, adding that many outstanding Vietnamese diplomats have taken on important roles in international organisations and have gained appreciations and praises. Commending their important achievements and contributions, the top leader stressed that the Party and State acknowledge the great contributions as well as the silent sacrifices of those who have remained steadfast and loyal to the revolutionary cause and the countrys foreign affairs over the years. For future tasks, the Party chief emphasised the need for the sector and those involved to serve the sustainable development of the country in the new era. General Secretary Lam expressed his belief that, with its proud 80-year tradition, the diplomatic service will continue to play a pioneering role, actively and proactively seize opportunities, turn challenges into advantages, and make significant contributions to the successful realisation of the strategic goals set forth by the National Party Congress's Resolutions. Foreign affairs and diplomacy must rise to new heights, truly become one of the key strategic forces in safeguarding the nation early and from afar, maintain a peaceful, stable environment, and firmly protect independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, he wrote, adding that diplomacy must continue to elevate the countrys international standing and reputation, and effectively contribute to the cause of national construction and protection. The top leader also highlighted the need for close and concerted coordination across all three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, under the leadership of the Party. VNA/VNS HA NOI Party General Secretary To Lam awarded the prestigious title of Hero of Labour to former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh on Monday, recognising her remarkable contributions to Viet Nams foreign affairs sector. The accolade was presented during a ceremony, held in the capital city Ha Noi, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the countrys diplomatic service (August 28, 19452025). Nguyen Thi Binh, also known as Madam Binh born in 1927 in the Mekong Delta province of ong Thap served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam from 1969 to 1976, and she was honoured today for her pivotal role as head of the negotiating delegation at the Paris peace talks (19681973). Reflecting on the historic talks with the United States aimed at ending the war in Viet Nam, Binh highlighted their profound significance in the nations 80-year diplomatic journey. At the four-party negotiations, Viet Nam was represented by two delegations: one from the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, led by Foreign Minister Tran Xuan Thuy with special advisor Le uc Tho, and another from the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam, led by Binh. These two delegations worked in close coordination, overcoming numerous challenges to unite their efforts and successfully fulfil their mission after nearly five years. The diplomatic victory at the negotiating table was crucial to the nations historic triumph, paving the way for the liberation of the South and national reunification in April 1975. Today, we live in peace, independence and reunification, with a new standing in the world and intensive international integration, aiming to build a prosperous and strong Viet Nam, Binh said. I believe that with its 80-year tradition and valuable historical lessons, our diplomatic service will continue to grow strongly and achieve major successes in the new era, worthy of the trust of the Party, State and people. Notably, during her tenure from 1969 to 1976, Nguyen Thi Binh made history as the first and only female diplomat to sign an international agreement with US government representatives amid wartime. VNS HA NOI With flags raised high and ambitions higher still, Viet Nams diplomatic service marked its 80th anniversary on Monday with a ceremony in the capital that celebrated both its revolutionary roots and its growing role on the world stage. Party General Secretary To Lam used the occasion to salute decades of achievement while laying out a forward-looking roadmap for the sectors future. The ceremony, which also saw the foreign affairs sector awarded the First-Class Labour Order, was a proud moment of reflection and renewal. General Secretary Lam praised the diplomatic corps for its contributions over eight decades and urged it to remain unified, innovative and creative as it faces increasingly complex international challenges. He emphasised that "Viet Nams diplomacy is now a historic mission", requiring a blend of tradition and transformation. The results of the diplomatic sectors work are crystallisation of revolutionary theory and practice that have shaped the maturity of todays diplomacy, he said. Going forward, he said the sector must be comprehensive in scope, grounded in three core pillars: Party foreign affairs, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy each closely linked with national defence, economic development, science and technology, culture and external communications. Lam also outlined the need for a modern approach, urging the sector to embrace digital transformation, big data and digital diplomacy, while building a professional force capable of navigating regional and global complexities. He called for greater skill in multilateral diplomacy and negotiation, along with a strong sense of national identity. "At the heart of Vietnamese diplomacy lies its defining quality: being firm in principle but flexible in strategy, always working to secure the highest interests of the nation and its people," he said. A vision grounded in peace and law General Secretary Lam underlined the importance of safeguarding national interests by adhering to the UN Charter and international law particularly in maritime and territorial matters. He reiterated the importance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as a basis for fairly resolving disputes. He urged the foreign affairs sector to both cooperate and struggle promoting dialogue, finding common ground and maintaining peace and stability as key conditions for national development. Diplomacy, he added, must also play a more active role in development, especially through economic and technological cooperation. He called for the expansion of markets, the signing of new-generation, high-quality free trade agreements and a stronger diplomatic presence in specialist fields such as science, technology, education and training. Another key priority is the protection and support of Vietnamese citizens abroad. Lam said the diplomatic corps must serve as a reliable support system for overseas Vietnamese communities, while also tapping into their intellectual and cultural capital to serve national development goals. Raising Viet Nams global standing The General Secretary called on the diplomatic sector to deepen Viet Nams global engagement by increasing its contribution to international institutions and multilateral frameworks. He said diplomacy must continue to uphold the nations values peace, humanitarianism and cooperation while helping build a more stable and equitable world. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son described the last 80 years of Vietnamese diplomacy as a story of bravery, intelligence and unwavering loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the people. He said diplomacy had opened the door to international integration, protected Viet Nams sovereignty and legitimate interests and provided vital presence during decisive moments in the nations history. The 80-year journey has witnessed the maturity and outstanding efforts of revolutionary Vietnamese diplomacy, he said. It has achieved many historically significant accomplishments, contributing to national construction and defence. Minister Son reaffirmed the commitment of todays diplomatic officers to continue that proud tradition. He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would dedicate itself to helping Viet Nam meet its centennial goals creating a nation that is strong, prosperous civilised and happy. VNS HA NOI The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Roadshow in Viet Nam not only provides young Vietnamese with opportunities to directly exchange and learn from international peers, but also confirms the important role of youth in building a united, creative and sustainable ASEAN Community, said Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairperson of the group of young National Assembly deputies. In his opening remarks at the event in Ha Noi on Monday morning, Tuan, who is also deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Policies and Strategies, stressed that participating parliamentarians were set to exchange experiences, share initiatives and build a strong network of cooperation, making practical contributions to a stronger, more innovative and prosperous ASEAN. Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee Nguyen Tuong Lam noted that with nearly 220 million young people, accounting for one-third of the blocs population, youths would serve as the bridge between the present and the future and are a key force in realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Through expert information-sharing sessions and multi-dimensional discussions among young parliamentarians at the AIPA Roadshow, Lam expressed his hope that Vietnamese youth would not only gain a better understanding of the regional parliamentary mechanism, but also be inspired to actively engage in socio-political life, develop critical thinking and enhance their global citizenship and international integration capacity. Addressing the event, AIPA Secretary General Siti Rozaimeriyanty Dato Haji Abdul Rahman stressed that in the face of an unpredictable global and regional environment, cooperation among young parliamentarians would play a crucial role in building the ASEAN Community, empowering youth to speak up and actively participate in shaping the regions future. Through interactive sessions with AIPA representatives, delegates shared ideas to deepen their understanding of AIPAs role in promoting regional cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy. They confirmed the importance of raising awareness and focusing on building a sustainable foundation to connect and accompany youth in the process of regional integration. The first AIPA Roadshow in Viet Nam was part of AIPAs comprehensive communication plan for 2018-2025 and strategic plan for 2023-2030, coordinated by its Secretariat and member parliaments, to enhance youth awareness of ASEAN and AIPA. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Home Affairs convened a national workshop in Ha Noi on Monday to prepare for the 18th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML). The Ministry of Home Affairs serves as the national focal point for ASEAN labour cooperation and a member of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW). The workshop brought together representatives from research institutes, international organisations, UN bodies and labourer sending enterprises. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) office for Asia and the Pacific also joined the event online. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy said Viet Nam possesses an abundant and industrious labour force. In 2024, the workforce aged 15 and above totalled 53 million, including nearly 24.7 million women. More than half a million Vietnamese are currently working overseas under contract. Vietnamese workers are now present in 43 countries and territories, with strong growth in key markets such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan (China). Opportunities are also opening in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada and Finland. However, Huy acknowledged that Vietnamese workers face stiff competition due to gaps in technical skills, foreign language ability and professionalism. He stressed that protecting the rights of migrant workers both outbound and inbound while strengthening training and human resources development remains a national priority. Viet Nam has been improving domestic policies to safeguard the rights of foreign workers and Vietnamese labourers abroad. These efforts include enhancing training quality and skills development, promoting human resource policies, and deepening regional and international cooperation, particularly through ACMW activities. As an active member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has fulfilled its commitments with initiatives recognised at both regional and international levels. These include a study on ASEAN laws and policies governing migrant labour, guidelines on gender mainstreaming in labour and employment policies, and regional research on reintegration support for returning migrant workers. Such initiatives aim to boost the skills, competitiveness and resilience of the regional workforce in the face of global shifts. He expressed his hope that the workshop would allow delegates to review Viet Nams follow-up to previous AFML recommendations and exchange views on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 8 on decent work for all and SDG 10 on safe, orderly and responsible migration. According to the ILO, the 18th AFML will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 910, under the theme Accelerating action towards the SDGs on safe migration and decent work for migrant workers in ASEAN. The ILO's representative Felix Weidencaff commended Viet Nams commitment to AFML, noting that while labour migration supports economic growth and cultural diversity, challenges remain in ensuring fair benefits for both migrants and host communities. At the workshop, participants reviewed Viet Nams implementation of recommendations from AFML 17 and discussed two priority topics for AFML 18: safe working conditions and protection from forced labour, and lowering recruitment and remittance costs. The inputs will help shape ASEANs efforts to promote safe migration and decent work for migrant workers in line with the SDGs. The AFML, held annually under the ACMW framework and hosted by the ASEAN Chair, produces recommendations that guide national and regional actions to promote and protect migrant workers rights. VNA/VNS HA NOI Politburo member and State President Luong Cuong on Monday chaired separate working sessions with the Standing Boards of the Party Committees of ien Bien and Gia Lai provinces to provide guidance on draft documents and personnel plans for the upcoming provincial Party Congresses for the 2025-2030 tenure. President Cuong urged the provinces to continue accquiring feedback from ministries, agencies, and Politburo members, particularly directions from Party General Secretary To Lam during his recent visits, to finalise the congress documents and personnel plans. He stressed that preparations should align with the provinces vision and development orientations, leveraging local advantages such as maritime resources, forests, seaports, and airports amid new development spaces. He also highlighted the need to build a strong political system at all levels, ensure firm national defence, maintain political stability and social order and safety, enhance effectiveness of foreign affairs, and improve living standards, especially for ethnic minorities and residents in remote or disadvantaged areas. The Politburo assessed that the draft documents and personnel plans are largely ready for submission to the provincial Party Congresses for the 2025-2030 tenure. President Cuong called on the provinces to swiftly develop an action programme to implement the congress resolution, detailing objectives, tasks, resources, responsibilities, timelines, and accountability, thus enabling implementation immediately after the congresses. The Party Central Committee's Office was assigned to gather proposals on the timing of the provincial Party Congresses to submit to the Politburo for approval. VNA/VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for the Liaison Committee of public security officers who were dispatched to support the southern battlefield during the war. The meeting was held on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day (19452025) as well as the 80th anniversary of the Peoples Public Security force (August 19, 1945 2025). From 1954 until the victory of April 30, 1975, that liberated the south and reunited the nation, in line with Party Central Committee resolutions and the spirit of All for the great frontline and All for the beloved South, the Ministry of Public Security dispatched more than 11,200 elite officers to the southern battlefield. They endured hardship and danger, working with local security forces to gather intelligence, guide operations, counter enemy campaigns and protect the Central Office for South Viet Nam. Their actions struck key American and Saigon regime targets and contributed decisively to the success of the revolution and the Spring 1975 Great Victory. In this struggle, 909 officers died, 46 were captured and tortured yet remained loyal, and thousands were wounded or affected by Agent Orange/dioxin. Their contributions were honoured on September 1, 2020, when the force was awarded the title "Hero of the Peoples Armed Forces". Twenty-one individuals received the same title, while many gained high decorations. Among them, Tran Quoc Huong was presented the Gold Star Order and Ho Chi Minh Order; Bui Thien Ngo and Nguyen Tai received the Ho Chi Minh Order. At the meeting, representatives of the Liaison Committee expressed pride in the nations development and renovation and in recent administrative reform initiatives, including the two-tier local administration model, and 250 infrastructure projects nationwide. They showed confidence in the countrys future and pledged to continue to uphold revolutionary traditions, foster gratitude activities and contribute to national development. Describing the force's sacrifice as a priceless source of inspiration for future generations, PM Chinh said that it is a treasured part of the heroic traditions of the Peoples Public Security force and of the Vietnamese nation as a whole. Reflecting on history, he recalled that the resistance war against US imperialists was among the most glorious chapters in Viet Nams revolutionary struggle, noting that the heroic People's Public Security force was present on every front, making immense contributions to the April 30, 1975 triumph. The Government leader honoured officers who gave their lives or endured capture and torture, enriching the traditions of both the force and the nation. He highlighted that in peacetime, many veterans continued to serve the nation, holding leadership roles and contributing through teaching, social work and policy advice. Now despite old age, they remain active in educating younger generations and engaging in charitable and community efforts. He affirmed that their sacrifices could not be fully measured, but the Party, State and people will always remember them. He instructed ministries, localities and the Ministry of Public Security to uphold gratitude policies for war veterans, martyrs families and those who served the nation, including the officers who were dispatched to reinforce the southern battlefield. Stories of sacrifice and heroism must be preserved to inspire youth, the PM said, encouraging the Liaison Committee to sustain regular activities, highlight the image of public security officers, and pursue initiatives such as building a memorial at the Peoples Security Academy and publishing new books, films and documentaries about the force. Underlining that Viet Nam is entering a new era of development with strategic goals for prosperity and happiness, he expressed his hope the veterans, with their steadfast, will continue contributing to policymaking, national security and social order, and above all, inspiring future generations to safeguard national independence and development. VNA/VNS Chipmaker Intel has agreed to give the US government a 10-percent stake in its business, the company and President Donald Trump announced Friday. The deal came after Trump's administration said Intel should give Washington an equity stake in exchange for large grants committed when Joe Biden was president. Under the agreement, the US government will receive 433.3 million shares of common stock, representing a 9.9 percent stake in the company, Intel said in a statement. This amounts to an $8.9 billion investment, funded partially by $5.7 billion in grants awarded but not yet paid under the CHIPS and Science Act -- a major law passed during Biden's term that Trump has criticized. The other $3.2 billion comes from an award to the company as part of the Secure Enclave program, Intel said. The $8.9 billion investment would be in addition to $2.2 billion in CHIPS grants Intel has already received, taking the full amount to $11.1 billion, the company added. "The United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL," Trump posted on Truth Social. He claimed that the country "paid nothing for these shares" after negotiations with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Intel noted in its statement: "The government's investment in Intel will be a passive ownership, with no board representation or other governance or information rights." Referring to a meeting with Intel last week, Trump told reporters Friday: "I said, I think you should pay us 10 percent of your company." "I said, I think it would be good having the United States as your partner... they've agreed to do it, and I think it's a great deal for them." Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Friday on X: "This historic agreement strengthens US leadership in semiconductors." Intel is one of Silicon Valley's most iconic companies, but its fortunes have been dwarfed by Asian powerhouses TSMC and Samsung, which dominate the made-to-order semiconductor business. The CHIPS and Science Act was aimed at strengthening the US semiconductor industry, and the Biden administration had unveiled billions in grants through it. It finalized a $7.9 billion award in direct funding to Intel in November 2024, according to a US Department of Commerce statement. "This is a slippery slope," independent tech analyst Rob Enderle said of the United States taking a stake in Intel. "This is one of those things that kind of brings chills because it's a step toward nationalizing private business." Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute, a Washington think tank that promotes limited government, said on X Friday that the government having a stake in Intel would be "a terrible decision, bad for almost everyone." He said it would be "bad for Intel's long-term viability, as politics, not commercial considerations, increasingly drive its decisions" and that "foreign governments might also target it." In a statement, Tan of Intel said it is "deeply committed to ensuring the world's most advanced technologies are American made." The company said it is investing more than $100 billion to expand its US sites. Earlier this month, Trump had demanded Tan resign after a Republican senator raised national security concerns over his links to firms in China. Japan-based tech investor SoftBank Group also recently said it would invest $2 billion in Intel. HA NOI Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee o Van Chien received Chairman of the Korea Viet Nam Economic and Cultural Association (KOVECA) Kwon Sung Taek in Ha Noi on Monday. Chien recalled the State visit by Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly to the Republic of Korea (RoK) from August 10 to 13, which deepened political trust and opened new opportunities for strengthening the countries' comprehensive strategic partnership. He expressed delight at the visits outcomes, including a tour arranged by KOVECA to an elderly care centre a model Viet Nam is considering to pilot, and welcomed the results of a workshop jointly held by KOVECA, the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), and the Viet Nam RoK Friendship Association. The VFF leader also noted the popularity of the books on President Ho Chi Minh in the RoK, and that he had received a Korean-language book about late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. He considered these as demonstrations of Korean peoples respect for Viet Nam and its leaders. He voiced confidence in the strong growth of bilateral ties, stressing that the VFF will continue working with KOVECA and other agencies of both countries to promote cooperation in business, culture, society, and charity activities. For his part, Kwon, who is on a visit to Viet Nam, highlighted that General Secretary To Lam was the first foreign leader to visit the RoK since President Lee Jae Myung took office, underscoring Seouls priority on the ties with Ha Noi as well as resolve to foster the comprehensive strategic partnership. He said KOVECA has long promoted people-to-people and business exchanges, and is planning an exhibition and seminar in Seoul this year to mark the 135th birth anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh. The association has also translated Ho Chi Minhs Prison Diary into three languages (Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean), with 500 copies to be presented to high-ranking Korean leaders and businesses. Chien thanked KOVECA for its efforts, affirming that people-to-people diplomacy is a key VFF mission and pledging to work with relevant parties to contribute to the success of the upcoming events. VNA/VNS HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has highlighted Viet Nams commitment to providing free hospital services and regular health check-ups, describing it as a strong demonstration of the Party and Governments determination to improve citizens quality of life. During a meeting with Dr. Saia Mau Piukala, Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Western Pacific Region, on Monday, Deputy PM Long appreciated WHOs support to Viet Nam, including policy advice and guidance on health planning as well as assistance in various programmes and projects. He reiterated the Vietnamese Party and States clear and consistent stance on public health, noting that health care is the responsibility of the entire political system, and that disease prevention will receive more attention to improve public health and reduce hospital visits. Noting ongoing health system reforms, the Deputy PM stated that despite the administrative consolidation of communes, the network of commune health stations remains intact. He also mentioned that the Politburo is set to approve a resolution on making breakthroughs in public health. Deputy PM Long expressed his hope for continued close cooperation from WHO in areas such as policy advice, workforce training, health policy communication, and disease prevention and control. He reaffirmed Viet Nams active and responsible participation in WHOs mission to improve health for all. For his part, Piukala congratulated Viet Nam on its recent impressive achievements and praised its leaderships vision for gradually reducing the financial burden of health care for citizens, aiming for universal free hospital care between 2030 and 2035. The WHO Regional Director also welcomed Viet Nams adoption of the amended Special Consumption Tax Law in June 2025, which raises taxes on alcohol, beer, tobacco, and high-sugar beverages and banned e-cigarettes. He noted the significance of these measures to protecting the health of young people and highlighted the presentation of the World No Tobacco Day Award to Viet Nams Minister of Health on August 25 as further evidence of the countrys commitment in this field. Piukala thanked the Government of Viet Nam for promoting cooperation with WHO and confirmed WHOs readiness to provide technical support to enhance the health of Vietnamese people. He also voiced his hope to further strengthen collaboration with Viet Nam in the future. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Politburo on Monday worked with the Standing Board of the Central Military Commission to review draft documents and the personnel plan to be submitted to the 12th Congress of the Party Organisation of the Viet Nam People's Army (VPA) for the 20252030 tenure. Under the chair of Party General Secretary To Lam, who is also Secretary of the Central Military Commission, the Politburo highly valued the proactive and thorough preparations by the commission, agencies, and Party organisations at all levels within the VPA. Congresses at the three levels under the commission were held in an exemplary manner, setting standards for other congresses across the army. The Politburo also praised the commissions comprehensive preparations, particularly on documents and personnel, for the 12th VPA Party Congress in line with Directive No. 45-CT/TW of the Politburo and guidance from the Party Central Committee. Regarding the draft political report, Politburo members commented that it is carefully prepared, scientifically structured, aligned with the draft documents of the 14th National Party Congress, and reflects new points. It reviews achievements and shortcomings, identifies causes, draws five lessons from the implementation of the resolutions of the 13th National Congress and the 11th VPA Party Congress, and sets clear objectives for military, defence, and Party building tasks in the 20252030 term. The draft report reviewing the VPA Party Organisation and its leaders' performance is frank and democratic, highlighting leadership strengths and weaknesses during 20202025, clarifying responsibilities, and proposing feasible solutions, they said. Meanwhile, the draft resolution is concise, focuses on core issues, and demonstrates the determination to reform and achieve breakthroughs in military, defence, and Party-building tasks. The prepared action plan for implementing the congress' resolution translates the orientations identified in the political report into feasible programmes, tasks, and projects to serve as a basis for implementation. Particularly, the personnel plan was basically approved by the Politburo, including nominations of military officers to the 14th Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and its Inspection Commission for the 20252030 term, as well as delegates to the 14th National Congress. The Politburo also agreed with the proposed plan to hold the 12th Congress of the VPA Party Organisation. It requested the Standing Board of the Central Military Commission to incorporate feedback from the meeting, further refine the draft documents and personnel plan, and ensure comprehensive preparations so that the 12th VPA Party Congress will be a successful and exemplary event, setting a model for the entire Party and armed forces. VNA/VNS Thu Trang HA NOI As the cultural centre of the country, Ha Noi was chosen as the heart of the revolution in the historic autumn of 1945. Since that sacred milestone, for more than eight decades, the capital has inherited and promoted its thousand-year-old cultural values while continuing to build and spread culture for today and tomorrow. In every major event, the capital almost always plays a decisive role, said Professor Vu Minh Giang, vice president of the Viet Nam Historical Science Association and also a member of the National Cultural Heritage Council. Regarding the August Revolution, preparations had been made for a long time, with gradual power seizures in some other localities, but the most crucial moment still lay in Ha Noi, he said. With careful planning, making use of opportunities and well-prepared forces, on August 19, 1945, under the leadership of the Viet Minh Front, tens of thousands of Hanoians simultaneously rose up to seize power. This success became a victory for Ha Noi as well as a symbol and a guidepost for the entire nation during that historic autumn. Deputy Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee Nguyen Van Phong noted that Ha Noi has been the birthplace of several revolutionary organisations since the early 20th century. Ha Noi's Party Committee was established on March 17, 1930, and was the first Party Committee established nationwide after the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. The city fully held the position and responsibility to take on a pioneering role during the August Revolution. At that time, the municipal Party Committee had only about 50 members, most of whom were between the ages of 20 and 30, said Phong. But they proactively seized the opportunity and decisively called for the entire population to rise up, demonstrating revolutionary bravery as well as the ability to grasp the chances given by history. Building the city According to Professor Giang, immediately after the milestone of August 19, 1945, Ha Noi clearly showed its role in subsequent steps. Specifically, when combating illiteracy was defined as an urgent goal, Ha Noi assigned many teachers and other literate people to join the 'Popular Literacy Campaign.' In November 1945, Ha Noi hosted the first opening ceremony for revolutionary higher education in Viet Nam, marking the establishment of Viet Nam National University. Associate Professor Bui Hoai Son, standing member of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education, said that respecting and valuing Ha Noi in the nations development process needs to be viewed from both historical and cultural perspectives. Regarded as the cultural centre of the whole country and associated with elegance and refinement in customs and lifestyle, Ha Noi is not only a convergence point but also a diffusion centre, playing a influential role in the common value system of the nation. Professor Giang said: "For Viet Nam, culture has always been an infinite strength, helping the nation overcome every difficult moment. It is not wrong to say that Ha Noi holds the deepest cultural bedrock in the country." "Nowadays, when culture is the driving force for sustainable development, Ha Noi has been and is transforming its assets into boundless strength and advantages in the new era, which prioritises intelligence as one of the decisive factors of power," he said. From the perspective of a city leader, Phong said that among the pillars of development, Ha Noi always places culture as the key factor, so that, alongside other sectors, the capital can move to uphold its position within Asia's urban network and also rise to become a global city. In other words, Ha Noi's culture and people are not only a foundation but also a major factor in the city's development. "Many countries rely on history, tradition and people to develop the cultural industry into a spearhead sector. Ha Noi in recent years has also taken its first steps, laying the foundation for the development of the cultural industry and tourism," said Phong. According to Sons analysis, in recent years, Ha Noi has made very good use of its available resources to grow. "We have not stopped at declarations, but in fact have achieved important accomplishments. For example, in 2019, Ha Noi officially joined UNESCOs Creative Cities Network, becoming the first capital in Southeast Asia to do so," said Son. "Many international experts have shared with me that Ha Noi should be proud to be the creative capital of the entire region," he added. Sustainable development Vietnam News Agency (VNA) last Friday collaborated with the Ha Noi Peoples Committee to organise a seminar titled '80 Years of Memories The Historical Autumn' in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution on August 19 and National Day on September 2. The event was an opportunity to pay tribute to and review the heroic journey of the nation, open deep perspectives on history and inspire every citizen, especially youths, to recognize their responsibility to work together to build the capital into a civilised, modern and sustainably developed urban centre. Speaking at the seminar, VNA Deputy General Director Nguyen Thi Su said that Ha Noi the capital city with a thousand years of cultural heritage has entered national history as a sacred symbol of the will for independence, freedom and the aspiration for peace, a place that embodies the quintessence of Vietnamese culture, intellect, bravery and spirit. The autumn 80 years ago ignited a revolutionary fire and patriotism throughout the entire country, demonstrating the determination to gain independence and freedom and creating a brilliant milestone in the history of the Vietnamese nation. Those memories will never fade in the nations history and remain the undying pride of the capitals people. The streets, houses and squares of Ha Noi still bear deep marks of the heroic historic autumn, when the people of the capital united wholeheartedly, firmly trusting the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, creating a shining golden chapter in history, Su said. The seminar left a deep impression, helping the public, especially younger generations, better understand the historical role, cultural identity and resilient spirit of Ha Noi's residents. It conveyed a strong message: Ha Noi is not only a city of memories, but also a city of the future where youths confidently commit and dedicate themselves, following in the footsteps of their predecessors to continue writing new chapters, building a beautiful, civilised and modern capital worthy of being the heart of the whole country. VNS HA NOI The August Revolution of 1945 not only gave birth to a new nation but also marked the beginning of Viet Nams health sector. On September 2, President Ho Chi Minh declared independence at Ba inh Square, Ha Noi, and introduced the Provisional Government, which included the Ministry of Health, affirming the role of healthcare in nation-building from the very start. Medicine in wartime From its earliest days, the health sector faced the dual challenge of combating disease while supporting the armed struggle. During the resistance wars against the French colonialists and later American forces, doctors, nurses and pharmacists embraced the motto: 'Everything for the front, everything for victory.' Medical workers set up makeshift field hospitals in jungles and mountains, carried surgical kits on their backs, and braved bombing raids to reach the wounded. Many were both doctors and fighters, simultaneously treating patients and taking up arms. Despite scarce resources, Vietnamese doctors pioneered innovations suited to the battlefield. Mobile surgical units, the development of antimalarial drugs and field blood transfusions saved tens of thousands of lives. These efforts helped reduce mortality rates on the front lines and sustained the fighting capacity of revolutionary forces until the nations final victory in 1975. Building a health system With reunification, the health sector faced a new mission of nationwide healthcare provision. Step by step, a network of facilities took shape from central hospitals in Ha Noi and HCM City to provincial and district hospitals, down to commune and village health stations. Prioritising preventive medicine, mass vaccination campaigns against smallpox, polio and other infectious diseases were launched, while health education promoted hygiene and nutrition. These measures laid the foundation for a robust primary care system, ensuring even remote communities gained access to basic services. The hospital system has also expanded dramatically. From a handful of institutions in the 1950s, the network has grown to 1,718 hospitals by October 2024, including 384 private facilities. Every year, they provide outpatient services for more than 170 million visits and inpatient treatment for over 17 million patients. Digital technology is transforming care by linking top hospitals with over 1,500 facilities nationwide, including remote highlands and islands. Patients in mountainous provinces can now receive consultations from leading specialists in Ha Noi or HCM City without leaving their homeland. Traditional medicine, deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture, has also been incorporated into the formal health system, complementing modern practice. From once-limited beginnings, Vietnamese medicine now commands world-class techniques. Surgeons have successfully performed liver, kidney, heart and lung transplants, robotic-assisted spinal and orthopaedic surgeries, artificial heart implantation and stem cell therapies. In vitro fertilisation centres in Viet Nam boast success rates comparable to international benchmarks. Where once Viet Nam sent doctors abroad to learn, its specialists now share expertise with peers from other countries. Confronting epidemics In 2003, Viet Nam became the first nation declared by the World Health Organisation to have successfully contained SARS, after 45 harrowing days of battling the epidemic. Progress in HIV/AIDS prevention has been equally significant. Since the early 1990s, Viet Nam has averted nearly one million infections and reduced AIDS-related deaths by around 200,000. In 2023, it became the Asia-Pacific leader in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, with more than 123,000 people accessing the service 80 per cent of them men who have sex with men. The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge. Mobilising the entire political system, businesses, communities and international partners, Viet Nam implemented strict quarantine, mass testing, rapid vaccination and innovative treatment protocols. Through sustained efforts, with preventive medicine at the forefront, Viet Nam has made remarkable progress in disease control. The country has eradicated smallpox (1978), vitamin A deficiency-related blindness (1995), poliomyelitis (2000), neonatal tetanus (2005), lymphatic filariasis (2018) and, most recently, trachoma (2024). Diseases that once spread widely, such as plague and cholera, have disappeared from national reports for many years. Other potentially devastating epidemics, including malaria, typhoid, acute diarrhoea, viral encephalitis, diphtheria, whooping cough and anthrax, have been kept firmly under control, preventing any major outbreaks. Life expectancy has risen dramatically, from 40 years in 1960 to nearly 74 in 2020. Child malnutrition rates have dropped, maternal mortality has been sharply reduced and the average height of young Vietnamese has risen steadily in recent decades. Expanding health insurance Access to care has widened alongside health insurance. In 2009, coverage stood at just 58 per cent of the population. By 2023, this had risen to 93.35 per cent, equivalent to more than 93 million people. The number of insured medical visits has surged, from 88.6 million in 2009 to 174 million in 2023. More than 12,800 facilities nationwide are contracted to provide services, including an increasing number of private hospitals and clinics. This expansion has helped ease the pressure on public facilities while giving patients more choice. General Secretary To Lam has emphasised that healthcare is both a goal and a driving force for sustainable development. The Government has been tasked with drafting a roadmap to gradually reduce patient costs, with the aim of universal free hospital care between 2030 and 2035. From 2026, all citizens will be entitled to annual health check-ups, with priority groups, such as the poor, war veterans, children and the elderly, receiving free treatment first. Minister of Health ao Hong Lan emphasised that the Party and State have consistently prioritised public health, making the protection, care and improvement of peoples well-being the foremost goal, with a commitment to ensuring 'no one is left behind.' Viet Nam is also recognised internationally as one of the few countries with a comprehensive healthcare network that extends to villages and hamlets, guaranteeing access to essential medical services for all. The minister said the healthcare sector will continue to push for innovation and comprehensive development in the coming years, with a stronger focus on training, scientific research, management capacity and service quality. She stressed that investment will be stepped up in grassroots healthcare and medical infrastructure to ensure equal access to services, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas. The ministry will also work to complete the institutional framework, tackling bottlenecks and creating more favourable conditions to better protect, care for and improve public health. VNS HA NOI Bus operators in the capital and the Ha Noi Metro One Member Limited Liability Company will provide free rides for residents and visitors during the celebration of the 80th anniversary of National Day (September 2). According to the Ha Noi transport management and operation centre, the policy will be applied from August 30 to the end of September 2 on 128 subsidised bus routes across the city and two metro lines Line 2A Cat Linh Ha ong and Line 3.1 Nhon Cau Giay. Earlier, on August 21, to facilitate public participation in a full-dress rehearsal for the upcoming National Day parade, Ha Noi Metro extended its operating hours by two hours until midnight. The two metro lines Cat Linh Ha ong and Nhon Ha Noi Station (elevated section) ran a total of 518 train trips, transporting more than 140,000 passengers. Passenger numbers that day were 250 per cent higher than on regular days and double those recorded during peak National Day periods in previous years. According to Ha Noi Metro, travel demand is expected to continue surging during upcoming rehearsals and the National Day itself. To best serve passengers, the company has adjusted its operation plan to accommodate increased demand, encourage the public to use public transport, and help ease road traffic congestion during peak days. VNA/VNS HA NOI Typhoon Kajiki, the fifth storm set to strike Viet Nam so far this year, was located around 140km east-southeast of Nghe An Province and 120km east of Ha Tinh Province at 9am on Monday, with sustained winds of 134-166km/h (level 13-14) and gusts reaching level 16. According to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the storm is expected to make landfall later Monday and has already forced the evacuation of thousands of people in high-risk areas from Ninh Binh to Hue. Local authorities in the north-central province of Thanh Hoa alone have relocated 1,800 households from Nghi Son, Quang Xuong and Sam Son, with further evacuations underway in Hoang Hoa. Ha Tinh Province has moved more than 14,000 residents, mainly in low-lying coastal communes like Thien Cam and Ky Anh. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, chairing an emergency meeting from the Governments forward command office at Military Region 4 (based in Nghe An Province), warned central provinces from Quang Tri to Thanh Hoa to complete evacuations before 11am on Monday and ordered residents not to leave their homes between 11am and 6pm. He said that the storm could be as strong as super typhoon Yagi, which devastated northern provinces in 2024. Level-four houses (those with tile, tin or asbestos roofs) could collapse, and even high-rise buildings may suffer serious damage. Ha urged localities to reinforce homes and strengthen communication with residents. Highlighting the critical role of communications in command and coordination, Ha instructed Viettel and VNPT to immediately check equipment for local leaders and disaster response officials. He assigned the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take overall responsibility for regulating reservoirs and dams. Local authorities were asked to conduct early inspections, make prompt proposals, and strictly prevent incidents caused by negligence. Flood risks Heavy rain is forecast to follow Kajikis landfall, with accumulations of up to 600mm in some areas. Authorities have raised concerns about severe flooding in low-lying urban centres, along with flash floods and landslides in mountainous districts. In Ha Tinh Province, six reservoirs, including Song Rac and Boc Nguyen, have begun emergency water discharges to ease pressure on dams. Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa has established a forward command post in Quan Hoa District to coordinate disaster response in the province's mountainous western area, where landslides and road blockages are expected. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment reported 43 weak points in coastal dikes from Ninh Binh to Hue. Most sea dikes are designed to withstand storms of only level 9-10, raising fears they could be overtopped by Kajikis winds and storm surges. Particularly vulnerable sections include Hai Binh in Thanh Hoa, which was breached in 2017, and dikes at Hoi Thong, Loc Ha and Cam Nhuong in Ha Tinh. By Monday morning, winds of level 5-6 and heavy rain had already been reported in southern and western Thanh Hoa, while stronger gusts swept the Ha Tinh coast. In Ky Anh, residents rushed to secure their homes with sandbags, ropes and makeshift reinforcements, while shops closed and streets emptied. Construction crews dismantled scaffolding and secured equipment ahead of the storm. Meteorologists explained that Kajiki has maintained its intensity close to shore due to warm sea surface temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius, favourable atmospheric conditions and additional energy from the southwest monsoon. Viet Nams meteorological agency said that international forecasters hold a similar view of the storms expected intensity at landfall, estimating it at level 13-14 in Japan and China, and level 14 in Hong Kong (China). Authorities have suspended the opening of schools in Thanh Hoa today and tomorrow, while work crews and hundreds of heavy machines have been mobilised to secure dikes, reinforce transport links and stand ready for search and rescue. The storm is forecast to strike between midday and late afternoon on Monday, with winds of level 12-14 and gusting to level 16, in southern Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and northern Ha Tinh provinces. Surrounding provinces may experience winds of level 8-11, with dangerous gusts extending far inland. VNS HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday instructed ministries, agencies and local authorities to take urgent action as Typhoon Kajiki, designated Typhoon No.5 in Viet Nam, rapidly approaches the countrys north-central coast. According to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the typhoon was about 120km off Nghe An Province and 100km east of Ha Tinh on Monday morning. Maximum sustained winds near its centre reached levels 1314 on the Beaufort scale (equivalent to 134166 km/h), with gusts up to level 16. Coastal areas from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh were already experiencing winds of level 78 (6074 km/h), gusting to level 9, with conditions expected to worsen as the storm makes landfall. Forecasters warned that Kajiki is likely to strike Nghe An and Ha Tinh by evening, bringing destructive winds, storm surges and large waves that could threaten sea dikes, coastal roads and river estuaries. Authorities also cautioned against deep flooding and erosion along coastal Thanh Hoa and northern Nghe An, while Hung Yen and Ninh Binh were advised to prepare for overtopping and potential breaches of sea and estuary dikes. Heavy rains could trigger flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas, as well as widespread flooding in low-lying communes and urban centres. In his directive, the Prime Minister called on all levels of government to maintain the highest state of readiness, expedite evacuations from dangerous areas and prepare for post-storm recovery. Protecting lives and property is the priority, he said, while emphasising the need to ensure the upcoming 80th anniversary of National Day on September 2 and the start of the new school year proceed safely. Provincial leaders in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Tri were ordered to urgently relocate residents from unsafe housing and areas at risk of landslides and flash floods. Local authorities must restrict travel on roads and rivers when winds and rain intensify, enforce strict traffic controls to prevent accidents and ensure essential supplies, electricity and communications are maintained. Provincial leaders were also instructed to oversee and inspect emergency efforts in key communes and villages, particularly those at risk of being cut off. The directive outlined specific responsibilities for ministries. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was tasked with providing timely forecasts, protecting dikes and reservoirs, and safeguarding agricultural production. The Ministry of Industry and Trade was asked to guarantee the safety of hydropower dams, the electricity grid and other energy systems. The Ministries of Defence and Public Security were directed to deploy forces and equipment, including helicopters, to assist evacuations and carry out rescue operations as needed. The Prime Minister also ordered state media Vietnam Television, the Voice of Vietnam and the Vietnam News Agency to expand coverage of Typhoon Kajiki, broadcast updates from central and local authorities and provide the public with guidance on coping with severe storms and flooding. The Office of the National Civil Defence Steering Committee was tasked with closely monitoring the situation, mobilising resources to support localities, and submitting daily reports to the Prime Minister. Any serious or unexpected incidents must be reported immediately. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha was assigned to oversee coordination between ministries, agencies and localities in the nationwide response. VNS HA NOI Thousands of officers, soldiers and citizens gathered at Ba inh Square as well as nearby streets on August 24 for the second full-scale rehearsal of the military parade and public procession, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19, 1945-2025) and National Day (September 2, 1945-2025). The official State-level preliminary review is set for 8pm on August 27, followed by the final rehearsal at 6.30am on August 30. The official ceremony will commence at 6.30am on September 2 at the historic Ba inh Square. Amid the patriotic atmosphere, Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Khanh Chi spoke with citizens and several individuals who have the honour of participating in the mass procession. Hoang Kim Chit, 93, from Gia Lam, Ha Noi She was joined by an extended family of over 20 members, including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, starting around 3pm on Cua Bac Street to wait for the rehearsal at 8pm. I feel so joyful and delighted right now. Many years ago, I went to Hoan Kiem Lake to watch the National Day parade on September 2. I truly hope that Viet Nam continues to grow and flourish. "Im deeply grateful to President Ho Chi Minh. Thanks to his tireless efforts, our country was liberated from foreign invaders and achieved independence, peace, and prosperity." Pham Thi Tuyet, from Hai Ba Trung, Ha Noi "Ive been waiting here since 2pm. I also attended the previous joint rehearsal. These days are truly significant and joyful, so my friends and I all came together to join in. Its such an exciting and cheerful atmosphere here, surrounded by everyone. People are thrilled and eager to get close and witness the parade and marching forces in person. I sincerely hope that all Vietnamese people will unite and work together to make our country more prosperous and beautiful." Nguyen Duy Hung, 23, from Ha Noi "I'm quite excited. This is my very first time seeing the military parade and tanks in person. I feel very proud of our ancestors, who devoted their efforts and sacrificed their lives for the national independence. I truly hope for a peaceful future for our country. On September 2, I will definitely watch the main ceremony and head to Ba inh Square very early." Pham Ngoc Oanh, 63, from Ha Noi "I watched the first rehearsal while standing at the Opera House, but today I went out to the Quan Thanh Street area near Ba inh Square. Emotions were overflowing, seeing my fellow citizens, overseas Vietnamese, and students here ready for the parade. Being in this atmosphere is so exciting and moving, especially with the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2. Well head out from 4am on September 2. I truly hope our country continues to move forward and thrive." Ha Anh, student, Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema "We are deeply honoured and proud. Were excited and ready to fulfill our mission, even though the long training sessions have sometimes been exhausting. But above all, we are prepared and looking forward to celebrating our countrys National Day on September 2. Our group of 67 members will be the final team to perform, dancing for the attending delegates." Nguyen Thi My Hanh, pharmacist, from Ha Noi "It is a great honour for me to take part in the public procession commemorating the 80th anniversary of August 19 and National Day (A80 Mission). This experience will remain an unforgettable memory. Through rain or shine, we gave our utmost effort to stay mentally and spiritually strong in service of our country. Our preparations began on August 12, and every moment was filled with pride and dedication. I sincerely hope that Viet Nam continues to embody a spirit of peace, so the world may see a nation that is vibrant, resilient, and ever-thriving." VNS HA NOI Typhoon Kajiki, the fifth to hit the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) this year, made landfall in the central provinces of Nghe An and Ha Tinh at 6pm on Monday, bringing maximum sustained winds of level 11 (117 km/h) and gusts reaching level 13, the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported. In the next three hours, the storm is forecast to move west-northwest at 10-15 km/h. From 5.30pm to 10.30pm, due to the impact of the storm, torrential rains are forecast to hit six northern and central provinces, including Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri. Rainfall reached 80-120mm in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh, even over 200mm in certain areas. Authorities have issued flash flood and landslide warnings across vulnerable wards and communes, including Vinh ward and mountainous areas in Ha Tinh. Meteorologists cautioned that flash floods and landslides could endanger lives, disrupt transport, damage infrastructure, and impact agricultural production. Local administrations were urged to reinforce inspections, clear drainage systems, and prepare emergency measures. According to the Directorate of Dikes and Disaster Prevention under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the impact of Storm No. 5 has so far left one person dead in Ha Tinh Province and eight others injured (four in Ha Tinh and four in Quang Tri). In Ha Tinh Province alone, 621 houses had their roofs blown off and 144 were flooded. The army has mobilised troops and equipment to support local residents in coping with the storm. The storm battered the mainland from Nghe An to Ha Tinh, while the Power Generation Corporation 1 carried out inspections at Ban Ve Hydropower Plant to ensure safe operations during the storm. Heavy rainfall caused flooding across 16,346ha of rice paddies (911 ha in Ninh Binh, 13,327 ha in Ha Tinh, and 2,108 ha in Quang Tri), 611ha of vegetables, and 2,058ha of fruit trees. A total of 4,443 roadside trees and 22 power poles were also toppled in Ha Tinh Province. Floods and landslides were reported at three sites in ong Le and Thuong Trach communes, Quang Tri Province. Localised flooding also disrupted several roads and spillways in Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri provinces. Across the provinces from Ninh Binh to Hue, 18,452 households comprising 44,313 people were evacuated to safer places. VNS China keeps 'doing right thing' 09:51, August 25, 2025 By He Yin ( People's Daily A foreign tourist poses for a picture during a visit to Haikou, south China's Hainan province, June 20, 2025. (Photo/Zhang Mao) Recent surveys by multiple international polling agencies show that global public opinion toward China continues to improve, with the country's image gaining wider recognition around the world. This growing recognition reflects China's commitment to "doing the right thing" and demonstrates the international community's affirmation of China's development path. Such acknowledgment stems from China's confidence in pursuing openness and international engagement. "Friendly, secure, and efficient," wrote a journalist from Argentine newspaper Clarin after a recent stay in China. Over the years, China has steadily advanced high-level opening up and streamlined policies to facilitate people-to-people and cultural exchanges. So far, China has introduced unilateral visa-free entry and mutual visa exemption agreements with 75 countries, and expanded the number of countries eligible for visa-free transit to 55 countries. In the first half of this year, foreign nationals made 38.05 million cross-border trips to and from China in the first half of 2025, up 30.2 percent year on year, with visa-free entries accounting for 71.2 percent, up 53.9 percent year on year. International audiences are increasingly experiencing China firsthand through growing visitation. These encounters reveal a multifaceted nation whose authentic reality travelers actively share through global social platforms. At the same time, Chinese cultural products, whether trendy toys, blockbuster films, or hit video games, are winning fans worldwide. With their unique blend of warmth and creativity, they bring people closer together, spark emotions that transcend borders, and write new chapters in cross-cultural exchanges. A boy plays Go with an AI-powered robot at a tourist site in Congjiang county, southwest China's Guizhou province, Aug. 9, 2025. (Photo/Wu Dejun) Recognition also comes from China's genuine commitment to sharing the benefits of development. The facts speak for themselves: China's contribution to world economic growth has stayed at around 30 percent over the years. In 2024, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP was 11.6 percent lower than in 2020 - equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 1.1 billion tonnes. The country has remained the world's largest manufacturing country for 15 consecutive years. Recent briefings on the 14th Five-Year Plan implementation further confirm that China's high-quality development paradigm energizes worldwide economic expansion, creating vast opportunities for modernization worldwide. China fundamentally integrates its development within humanity's broader progress and seeks to move forward together with others toward shared prosperity. Today, China is a major trading partner of over 150 countries and regions. High-quality Belt and Road cooperation has become a path of opportunity and well-being that is increasingly felt by people across the globe. According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, across the nine middle-income countries surveyed, a 72 percent median say Chinese companies are good for their country's economy. This result demonstrates that cooperation with China delivers real, tangible benefits that improve people's lives. Chinese and foreign merchants converse at the third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, July 17, 2025. (Photo/Tang Ke) Recognition further arises from China's sense of proactive role in global governance. As noted by Australian media, China increasingly engages as a stabilizing force in a fragmented world. It has promoted peaceful solutions to international hotspot issues and encouraged dialogue on the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the situation in Afghanistan, while also helping to broker reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran as well as among Palestinian factions. Looking ahead, China has pledged to announce its 2035 nationally determined contributions covering all economic sectors and all greenhouse gases before the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil. It has released the Global AI Governance Action Plan, established a global AI governance innovation center, and proposed the creation of a world AI cooperation organization. Together with 32 other countries, China also launched the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed), filling a gap in global mediation mechanisms. In a world of uncertainty and change, China has kept humanity's future and people's well-being at heart, demonstrating the responsibility expected of a major country. As one commentary observed, "China always focuses on doing the right thing." The rise of China's global standing is the outcome of decades of careful planning, peaceful development, sincere cooperation, and cultural confidence. By remaining committed to "doing the right thing," China will continue to engage the world with openness and inclusiveness, advance on the winds of win-win cooperation, and present itself as a nation that is trustworthy, admirable, and respectable, sharing opportunities for development with all countries and working together for a better future. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Bosnia's Serbian entity, whose president Milorad Dodik is defying a ban on him holding office, will stage a referendum on October 25 on the federal court verdict against him. Lawmakers in Republika Srpska's (RS) regional assembly voted late Friday for the referendum amid a worsening political crisis after Dodik's prime minister resigned this week. The action faced immediate international condemnation. The European Union delegation in Bosnia said that the court ruling against Dodik "must be respected". "Subjecting a court decision to a public vote runs counter to the rule of law and the independence of judicial authorities," it added in a post on X. "We expect the Republika Srpska authorities to de-escalate the situation and respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional and legal order of Bosnia and Herzegovina." Britain's ambassador to Bosnia, Julian Reilly, made a similar call, saying that any referendum on the court decision would be "illegal". Dodik, 66, was convicted in February by a Bosnian federal court of flouting decisions by the international envoy enforcing a peace deal that ended Bosnia's 1992-1995 war. Dodik avoided a one-year prison sentence by paying a 19,000-euro ($22,000) fine, but an appeals court upheld a ruling that he be removed from the RS presidency and banned from political office for six years. Dodik has vowed to block elections in Republika Srpska and to hold a series of referendums -- the first of which would be the vote on the court ruling. Bosnian Serb lawmakers voted to put the question: "Do you accept the decisions of the unelected foreigner (international envoy Christian Schmidt) and the unconstitutional verdict of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Court against the President of the RS, as well as the decision of the Bosnian Electoral Commission to revoke the mandate of the president of the RS, Milorad Dodik?" Of the 65 lawmakers present, 50 voted in favour. Opposition lawmakers refused to cast votes. "I won't get in your way... but you're walking on a minefield," warned one opposition RS lawmaker, Nebojsa Vukanovic, a fierce critic of Dodik. Dodik has said he expects the Serbian population of Republika Srpska to massively vote "no" to the referendum question. He has also threatened to hold a referendum on independence for the Serbian entity. The nationalist Bosnian Serb leader has been in power since 2006. He blames Schmidt, a former German minister who has been international envoy for Bosnia since 2021, for his ouster. The RS parliament also passed votes rejecting Schmidt's authority, demanding that Dodik continue as the statelet's president, and rejecting elections to choose a successor to him. Following the federal ban on Dodik, Bosnia's electoral commission is expected to call early elections for the RS presidency. Outgoing RS Prime Minister Radovan Viskovic did not give a reason for his resignation on Monday. He stated only that a new government would be formed. Viskovic and Dodik had been accused of undermining Bosnia's constitutional order after the RS parliament voted to bar federal police and the judiciary from operating in the Serb entity. Both have also been sanctioned by the United States for threatening the 1995 Dayton Peace Agreement and undermining Bosnia's fragile sovereignty. Bosnia has been split between Serbian and Bosnian-Croat political units since the 1990s war, in which tens of thousands died. The country is held together by weak central institutions. SEOUL The top leaders of South Korea and Japan announced the first joint statement between their countries in 17 years, pledging to build future-oriented ties during their second summit, as part of President Lee Jae Myungs visit to Tokyo, which resumed the lapsed shuttle diplomacy. At the joint press conference following the summit held at Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishibas official residence, the two leaders agreed to establish consultative groups to address common societal challenges such as the demographic crisis and sluggish regional economic growth. Seoul and Tokyo agreed to promote cooperation in the fields of hydrogen, ammonia and artificial intelligence, and to expand their bilateral working holiday program to further boost people-to-people exchanges, which are already at an all-time high. They also reiterated shared objectives of achieving the complete denuclearization of North Korea and enhancing trilateral coordination with the United States. The summit lasted two hours longer than scheduled and the meeting enabled the leaders to develop closer ties and build trust, Lees national security adviser Wi Sung-lac told reporters on Sunday. Tokyo marks Lees first overseas trip for a bilateral summit since his inauguration in early June. He is the first South Korean president since Park Chung-hee who made a brief visit to Tokyo in November 1961, before diplomatic normalization in 1965 to travel to Japan ahead of the United States, the countrys key ally. During their summit, Ishiba expressed gratitude for Lee being the first Korean leader to visit Japan so swiftly in the 60 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Lee, in turn, pledged to keep the hatchet buried between the countries and overcome challenges in regional security and the economy. We share a lot in common, we cooperate in a wide range of fields, but sometimes unnecessary conflicts occur because we are too close as neighbors, said Lee, who has often described the bilateral relationship as neighbors who share a front yard. The most desirable relationship between neighbors is one of correcting unnecessary things and cooperating to win mutual gains, Lee added. The need for cooperation between South Korea and Japan has grown larger in the wake of US protectionism, as the two countries face international turmoil due to trade issues and security matters, while holding similar ideological positions, Lee also said. Lee extended a verbal invitation to Ishiba to come to South Korea and resume their shuttle diplomacy, referring to a mode of diplomacy in which leaders of the two countries take turns traveling to their counterparts country frequently. Shuttle diplomacy between the two leaders has just begun, Lee told a press conference after their summit, signaling that the relationship between South Korea and Tokyo has quickly gotten back on track after the political crisis posed by former President Yoon Suk Yeols imposition of martial law in December. The meeting was followed by a dinner hosted by Ishiba that featured Japanese-style curry, Korean-style braised chicken, known as jjimdak, Korean-style grilled eel and Japanese peaches, accompanied by traditional Korean soju and local Japanese beer and wine. Wi said Sunday that signs of Korea-Japan harmony were observed during the dinner. On the sidelines, Lees wife Kim Hea Kyung spent more than an hour on Saturday with her counterpart, Yoshiko Ishiba, taking part in workshops together to learn about Korean and Japanese crafts, according to the presidential office. The two later joined the dinner hosted by Prime Minister Ishiba. Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last visited South Korea in September 2024 to meet then-President Yoon, who touted his frequent meetings with Japanese counterparts as a signal of easing tension and improving ties with Japan. Lee officially met Ishiba for the first time in June on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in Canada. Saturdays meeting was the second between Lee and Ishiba. Lee, formerly the chief of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, has been an outspoken critic of Japans failure to adequately apologize for past historical grievances and its decision to release treated wastewater off the eastern coast of Japan from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. However, in his Liberation Day speech on August 15, Lee asked his Japanese counterpart to meet with him frequently for frank dialogue. The South Korean president also proposed forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation based on trust, adding that one of the ways to restore bilateral trust is for Japan to squarely face up to painful history. Meanwhile, Lees interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun released on Thursday indicated that Seoul has no intention of reneging on previous accords struck in 2014 with Japan regarding historical issues such as wartime sex slavery and forced labour. The Korea Herald/ANN Prof. Wendy Umberger, CEO of ACIAR, and Dr. Pham Ngoc Mau, MoAE, after signing the agreement to help fruit farmers in the northwest digitalise production and improve market access The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Vietnams Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MoAE) have renewed their long-standing partnership, emphasising Vietnam-led priorities. The signing ceremony marked a key step in setting the agenda for future research aimed at boosting digital and green growth in the countrys agriculture sector. The new ACIAR-funded project, a four-year, $1.36 million bilateral research partnership, will focus on digitally monitoring VietGAP compliance in smallholder fruit value chains in northwest Vietnam. It is co-led by Australia's Applied Horticulture Research and Vietnams Fruit and Vegetable Research Institute (FAVRI). Researchers from FAVRI, the Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, and Vietnam National University of Agriculture are helping northwest Vietnamese farmers improve market access and boost the global profile of Vietnamese fruit. The work is part of ACIARs $12.07 million Vietnam portfolio for the next five years. "We wish to collaborate closely with ACIAR to achieve Vietnams goals of green growth, digitalisation, and innovation in the agriculture sector, leveraging both countries' strengths," said Deputy Minister of MoAE Tran Thanh Nam. "ACIAR has been a proud partner of Vietnamese farmers for over 30 years. We are pleased to see the integration of agriculture and the environment, which will support Vietnam in addressing pressing challenges through a more comprehensive approach. ACIAR is committed to helping Vietnam develop country-led initiatives, from identifying research needs to developing new projects," said ACIAR CEO Prof. Wendy Umberger. The dialogue also strengthened ACIARs bilateral partnerships with leaders and research institutions from the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Participants from Vietnam and Australia represented a diverse range of agricultural expertise, covering science, policy, human resource development, and trade. The event reinforced the commitment between ACIAR and MoAE to building a bilateral partnership of trust, shared accountability, and mutual benefits, as agreed in an MoU signed between ACIAR and the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in last year. The ACIAR is the Australian governments specialist agricultural research-for-development agency within the Australian aid programme. ACIAR delivers the knowledge and technology that underpins more productive and sustainable farming systems and more resilient food systems for developing countries and Australia. Since 1993, ACIAR worked with Vietnamese farmers, investing in more than 260 projects worth around $120 million, focusing on sustainable agricultural development and enhancing livelihoods. ACIAR has also granted more than 120 scholarships to Vietnamese scientists, enhancing research capacity and leadership development. Founder of Tam Khoe fresh food brand: keen on green agriculture A stage director with a record of more than 10 years in the field, Pham Cong Chinh found his passion for agriculture when he founded a firm specialised in providing ready to cook fresh agricultural produce under the Tam Khoe brand. Hong Phuc reports. An Giang pushing up efforts to accelerate project pace The government of the southernmost province of An Giang are taking a raft of measures to effectively support investors. Japanese property giant sets foot in northern Ecopark Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Nomura Real Estate Holdings in Japan) has just announced participating in a condominium project at the Ecopark mega-urban area. Nestle Vietnam enters multi-stakeholder partnerships in green agriculture Nestle has partnered with stakeholders to promote regenerative agriculture in Vietnam and contribute to the development of green, sustainable, and low-carbon agriculture. Overcoming challenges to unlock green agriculture in Vietnam Developing large-scale green agriculture in Vietnam faces several challenges, including land consolidation, infrastructure needs, and building market trust. Smart farming practices and supportive policies are crucial to meeting Vietnam's ambitious agricultural goals and expanding its export market. On August 22, DKSH Business Unit Consumer Goods announced an exclusive agreement with Point Grey Vietnam Company, under Point Grey Japan, to distribute its full portfolio of baby and personal care products in Vietnam. The partnership marks Point Greys official market entry, with DKSH providing comprehensive market expansion services to establish and grow the brand locally. The agreement covers Wonder Baby premium baby nappies, Wonder Free sanitary pants, Wonder Wear adult care products, and Wonder Wipes wet tissues, all adhering to the quality standards of the Japanese brand and reflecting Point Greys commitment to consumer wellness and safety-first design principles. Photo: DKSH Under the agreement, DKSH will implement an exclusive full-service distribution model, leveraging its expertise in modern trade and e-commerce channels to enhance product accessibility across Vietnam. The partnership aims to deliver Japanese manufacturing excellence to Vietnamese families seeking premium care solutions. Richard Hon, chief executive, Point Grey Vietnam said, "Partnering with DKSH represents a pivotal step in our growth strategy for Vietnam. DKSHs robust capabilities in distribution, combined with their in-depth market insights, will enable our product line to reach more Vietnamese families, advancing our mission to deliver exceptional care for babies, women, and the elderly." Kim Le Huy, vice president, Business Unit Consumer Goods, DKSH Vietnam, said, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Point Grey to bring premium, Japanese-quality care products to Vietnamese consumers. By leveraging our expertise in market expansion, DKSH is committed to fostering growth with Point Grey as their strategic growth partner in Vietnam." The partnership strengthens DKSHs consumer goods portfolio in Asia-Pacific while supporting Point Greys entry into Vietnam. Through DKSHs established distribution network, Point Greys range of baby and personal care products will be introduced to local consumers, expanding choice in the market. Point Grey, a subsidiary of Point Grey Japan, established its Vietnam headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City in 2024. The company applies advanced manufacturing technology, research-based development, and quality management systems to produce a range of family hygiene products. Its portfolio reflects Japanese quality standards and is designed to serve consumers across generations. DKSH has operated in Asia for 160 years, providing market expansion services across healthcare, consumer goods, performance materials, and technology. Its services include sourcing, market research, marketing and sales, e-commerce, distribution and logistics, and after-sales support. The company is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and follows its principles-based approach to responsible business. Listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, DKSH operates in 36 markets with 28,060 specialists, recording net sales of $13.85 billion last year. Its consumer goods unit focuses on fast-moving consumer goods, food services, luxury and lifestyle products, and hair and skin cosmetics. With 14,250 specialists, the unit generated $4.24 billion in net sales in 2024. DKSH Vietnam advances scientific access for students DKSH Business Unit Technology, a scientific solutions provider, has initiated UniTEC Connect, a platform to provide students and researchers direct engagement with insights into advanced scientific technology. Seeking to tap into Vietnams gene sequencing market With huge potential to become a genomics hub of the region, Vietnam has been urged to ready its infrastructure, and policies to create better conditions for businesses and partners. Paseo tissues go nationwide with DKSH partnership DKSH has joined forces with Grand Universal Trading Vietnam to bring the popular tissue brand Paseo to more Vietnamese households. What do you expect from the legal framework for digital assets in Vietnam? My hope is to see a business environment that offers clarity, security and transparency, and one that can genuinely attract global investors. Thuat Nguyen, founder and CEO of Kyros Ventures At the same time, I recognise the immense pressure on regulators. Unlike traditional assets, digital assets are inherently borderless. They circulate globally, often outside the established financial system. This makes regulation extremely complex. Policymakers need to strike a delicate balance between preserving financial sovereignty and leaving space for innovation to flourish. What I expect is a framework that not only protects Vietnams national interests, but also welcomes global institutions and technology startups to establish operations here. Such a framework would set the foundation for a thriving domestic industry, while positioning Vietnam as a credible hub in the global blockchain landscape. Many Vietnamese blockchain projects continue to register abroad. Why is this happening? It is a frustrating but undeniable reality. Vietnamese founders have proved their talent, and many projects led by them have raised tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars. However, most of these funds never reach Vietnam because the teams are incorporated in Singapore or Hong Kong, where regulatory clarity and tax regimes are more supportive. As a result, the country misses out on both capital and ecosystem benefits created by its own entrepreneurs. This is why I attach great importance to the proposed establishment of an international financial centre in Vietnam. If realised, it could be the catalyst to retain talent, anchor investment flows and foster a sustainable tech ecosystem at home. What criteria guide Kyros Ventures when choosing blockchain projects to invest in? The first principle is valuation discipline. In this industry, it is not unusual to see startups with zero revenue priced at $80100 million simply because they have a high-profile adviser on board. Kyros takes a different approach. We generally invest in projects with valuations under $10 million, where there is genuine room for growth. Equally important is the adaptability of the founding team. Crypto is volatile by nature. Products can fail to attract users, or security incidents can occur overnight. The key question is how the team responds. For us, resilience and agility matter more than the number of people or flashy credentials. A lean but flexible team often has far better odds of long-term survival than a large, rigid organisation. How much of your portfolio is invested in Vietnamese projects, and what has been the outcome? Roughly 4050 per cent of our investments are channelled into Vietnamese projects, with a particular focus on blockchain gaming. The success rate meaning projects that are eventually listed and achieve significant valuations is around 2030 per cent. But in this market, one or two outstanding successes can more than compensate for multiple failures. A venture that returns 100 or 200 times can offset an entire portfolio of losses. That is why we continue to back Vietnamese founders who show both vision and execution capability. How do you position Kyros Ventures within Vietnams blockchain ecosystem? I have never thought of us purely as an investment fund. Our role is broader: we see ourselves as connectors, educators, and community builders. Of course, we provide capital, but our mission goes beyond that. We work closely with teams to ensure they succeed and in turn, their success drives Kyros forward as well. This approach reflects how value is created in the long run. Capital alone is not enough in such a fast-moving sector. What truly matters is building an ecosystem where founders, investors and regulators can grow together. That is the role Kyros aims to play in Vietnams blockchain journey. Vietnams legislative breakthrough on digital assets With legal clarity on digital assets now in place, Vietnam is poised to draw in global capital. Tran Huyen Dinh, chairman of the Fintech Application Committee under the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) discussed with VIRs Hoang Oanh how the new law could reshape fintech, blockchain, and investor confidence. Digital assets now on a legitimate footing Vietnams robust regulatory framework for innovation, particularly in terms of digital assets, is expected to create prospects for foreign fundraising and nurture a forward-looking environment for the digital economy. Vietnam Blockchain Association rebrands to embrace digital assets The Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) has changed its name to the Vietnam Blockchain and Digital Assets Association, marking a pivotal step in redefining its strategic mission and positioning amid the countrys growing digital economy. The seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on August 25 explored how strong institutions and a fair legal framework can unlock private-sector growth and support Vietnams broader economic development. The session formed part of the legal-themed discussions in the Local Dialogues of this year's Vietnam Private Sector Forum (VPSF), running from July until September. The seminar, titled 'Enabling Institutions - Unleashing the Flow of Development' was held on August 25 In her opening remarks, Pham Thi Bich Hue, vice president of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association and head of the VPSF Organising Committee, highlighted the "quartet of pillar resolutions" 66-NQ/TW, 68-NQ/TW, 57-NQ/TW, and 59-NQ/TW noting that they have helped shape the nations ambitious development goals. "To turn our development goal aspirations into reality, we first need an institutional system that is transparent, fair, and predictable," Hue said. "Thats why todays thematic session is such an important part of the VPSF journey." According to Hue, nine local dialogues and a startup-focused session have already taken place, and todays second thematic session is helping lay the groundwork for the ministerial-level discussions and the high-level plenary set for September 1516. "I am confident that every voice in this room will contribute to strong, evidence-based, and practical policy recommendationsones that can remove obstacles and chart a sustainable path for private-sector growth," said Hue. Tran Dinh Chien from AVB Lawyers and a member of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, observed that in the current economic context, Vietnamese businesses and entrepreneurs are facing many challenges. "Among the biggest bottlenecks are overlapping legal frameworks, lengthy litigation processes averaging 400 days, and dispute resolution costs that can consume nearly 30 per cent of the claim's value," Chien said. Additionally, Chien added that the criminalisation of certain economic relations under Article 175 of the Penal Code has left many firms vulnerable and hesitant to pursue innovation. To address these issues, Chien recommended that the government expand the use of simplified legal procedures, pilot the 'loser pays' principle (where the losing party bears litigation costs), and limit the criminalisation of economic relations to protect enterprises from unnecessary risks. For business associations, he suggested establishing specialised legal committees, implementing regular legal training, building legal databases, and developing internal arbitration and mediation mechanisms to help businesses resolve disputes quickly and effectively. Sharing the same perspective, Dr. Nguyen Thi Anh Hong, lecturer at the Faculty of Criminal Law, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law, emphasised that criminal law is not just a tool to combat crime, it is also a vital component in establishing legal order. "Its purpose is to ensure safety for business activities and protect the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises," said Hong. "A transparent and fair legal system will serve as a springboard for sustainable private-sector development. However, the ongoing criminalisation of civil and economic violations has created a climate of apprehension among businesses." "Many economic disputes that could have been resolved through civil measures or arbitration have been escalated into criminal cases, paralysing business operations," Dr. Hong said. "This not only results in significant losses for businesses, but also erodes confidence in the investment environment," she added. To address these challenges, Dr. Hong suggested shifting criminal policy towards reducing the criminalisation of economic matters and clearly distinguishing civil, administrative, and criminal responsibilities. "Violations that can be resolved through civil or economic measures should not be subject to criminal proceedings. At the same time, genuinely harmful acts such as fraud, money laundering, or environmental destruction must be strictly prosecuted to protect fairness and maintain trust for legitimate businesses," she explained. From her perspective as vice president of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association, Luu Thi Thanh Mau, CEO of Phuc Khang Corporation, asserted that the role of the private sector has been clearly demonstrated, contributing up to 40 per cent of national GDP and driving both broad-based and in-depth economic growth. Therefore, the introduction of new policies should redefine the perception of the private sector's role while also recognising private enterprises not merely as entities to be managed, but as essential partners in building a modern, transparent, and effective economic institution. According to Mau, private businesses are directly exposed to market dynamics, meaning every policy or legal change has immediate effects. "Feedback, whether positive or negative, serves as a vital basis for legislators and regulators to make timely, flexible, and context-appropriate adjustments. In particular, the community of small and medium-sized enterprises, which accounts for the majority of the economy, bears the brunt of these impacts and requires greater support," Mau said. "I believe that with the government's companionship and the business community's determination for renewal, we can certainly build a transparent, fair, and highly competitive economy that contributes positively to Vietnam's international integration," Mau added. Following the merger of Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau, the city has attracted nearly $6.2 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first seven months of 2025, marking a 45.7 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. According to the municipal Department of Finance, more than 1,000 new projects have been licensed, with a total value of $1.3 billion. Additional growth came from capital increases, contributions, and share purchases. Much of the investment has been concentrated in export processing zones, industrial parks, and high-tech sectors. In the same period, Ho Chi Minh Citys export processing and industrial zones attracted $2.43 billion in FDI, including 133 newly licensed projects worth nearly $1.1 billion and 106 existing projects that increased their capital by $1.33 billion. Over $1 billion in foreign investment has flowed into Ho Chi Minh Citys high-tech sector, including BE Semiconductor Industries N.V.s semiconductor plant with a registered investment of $42 million, Amazon Data Services Vietnams additional $48 million injection, and GSK Vietnams $133 million capital increase. The Department of Finance noted that amid growing competition for FDI, the on-year growth of more than 45 per cent underscores strong investor confidence in Ho Chi Minh Citys business and investment environment. Localisation rate of FDI remains low The National Institute of Economics and Finance (NIEF) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung from Germany has announced a report on how FDI (foreign direct investment) inflows contribute to industrialisation in Vietnam. Providing blueprint for new era of FDI Vietnams foreign direct investment (FDI) landscape has never looked more dynamic than in the first half of 2025. From the manufacturing heartlands of the Red River Delta to the bustling commercial corridors of Ho Chi Minh City, the country is positioning itself as ASEANs most strategic investment gateway. Produced through the electrolysis of water using electricity sourced from renewables, green hydrogen is secure from trade disruptions (no fossil fuels imported) and clean (no carbon emitted). It is hoped to be a key solution for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, notably steel, petrochemicals, and long-haul transport, all large consumers of fossil fuels in Vietnam. (L-R) Senior associate Patrick Lenain and research officer Magd Shamashan from the Council on Economic Policies In addition to the local market, green hydrogen is seen as having a great export potential as consumers in Asia, North America, and Europe seek to bolster energy security and reduce their carbon footprint. The key ingredient of green hydrogen is clean electricity. Countries located near the equator are guaranteed to get stable solar radiation throughout the year, making it ideal for solar power generation. Countries with exceptional wind conditions are also promising, such as southern Chile where wind turbines operate about 70 per cent of the time, compared to just 30 per cent in Germany. Other economies, such as Indonesia, benefit from biomass resources and geothermal potential. With its significant hydropower, solar, and wind resources, Vietnam is well positioned to supply green hydrogen to the neighbouring Chinese market. The Tra Vinh green hydrogen initiative is a case in point. Already a renewable electricity leader, Vietnam hopes to become a key green hydrogen producer. Subsidies and costs In the rush for green hydrogen, all governments want their country to be in lead position. They offer generous subsidies to attract investors and support experimentation through pilot projects. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly $100 billion in public funding for hydrogen has been announced. Notable examples of government support include the United States, where the 45V tax credit provides up to $3 per kilogramme of green hydrogen (and 60 US cents for blue hydrogen produced from natural gas). The European Union is supporting hydrogen production with the European Hydrogen Bank, which allocates funding through regular auctions. Saudi Arabia has directed $2.75 billion since 2023 in below-market-rate financing to the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, part of a broader $8.4 billion package arranged with 23 international lenders. Germany is investing $5 billion in over 20 projects focused on green hydrogen production and storage. Meanwhile, Australia and the United Kingdom have launched contract-for-difference schemes worth around $2.5 billion each to support the production of green hydrogen. Vietnam has also launched a hydrogen energy development strategy, which targets the production of 100,000500,000 tonnes of hydrogen per year by 2030, rising to 10-20 million tonnes by 2050. The strategy has a focus on building a full hydrogen value chain for domestic use and export, and integrating hydrogen into key sectors such as power, transport, and industry, while aiming for hydrogen to account for 10 per cent of final energy consumption by mid-century. The 2024 Electricity Law envisions also that projects producing electricity from 100 per cent green hydrogen or green ammonia and supplying it to the national grid qualify for incentives. This includes three years of exemption on land and sea area use fees, followed by a 50 per cent reductions for up to nine years, as well as a minimum 70 per cent long term power purchase agreement. Electrolysers can be imported duty free. These provisions effectively reduce upfront and operating costs, enhancing the financial viability of emerging hydrogen projects and attracting investor participation. Whether these generous subsidies will result in a successful adoption of green hydrogen remains an open question. So far, global results remain unimpressive. Over 99 per cent of hydrogen is still coming from unabated fossil fuel methods (grey hydrogen) and only 1 per cent from low-carbon methods. According to BloombergNEF, clean hydrogen capacity reached 500,000 tonnes per year in 2024, a small fraction of the total production of hydrogen estimated at 97 million tonnes in 2023. This is a far cry from the IEA estimates that clean hydrogen should account for over 90 per cent of the total to keep the global emissions on a pathway consistent with the Paris Agreement and limit the risk of a much hotter planet. A key challenge is that low-carbon hydrogen is still too expensive for many customers. A recent techno-economic analysis puts the cost of green hydrogen at $4.50-6 per kilogramme. By contrast, grey hydrogen costs only $1.50-2 per kilogramme. This, for now, makes green hydrogen an uncompetitive alternative in the absence of large subsidies, which cannot be provided forever, or a high carbon tax. Further declines in the prices of electrolysers would reduce the production cost of green hydrogen. However, this would also lower the cost of hydrogen produced with carbon-intensive electricity, sometimes referred to as grey hydrogen via electrolysis. An increase in the use of this technology could be particularly problematic, as hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by coal-based electricity can emit more CO2 per kilogramme than conventional grey hydrogen generated through coal gasification. At the core of the problem is that grey hydrogen, produced with natural gas and coal, often escapes the restrictive policies targeting fossil fuels. In many countries, grey hydrogen is not subject to excise taxes or carbon taxes. Even within emissions trading systems, grey hydrogen is often shielded, at least partially, from carbon costs. For example, under the EU system, grey hydrogen facilities still receive free allowances. The EU, however, also offers free allowances for green hydrogen, thus providing an additional income stream as green hydrogen producers do not need to submit these allowances and can thus sell them. Raising carbon prices on grey hydrogen or, as in the EU, providing free allowances to green hydrogen are important steps to further uptake. International cooperation For now, the future of low-carbon hydrogen relies heavily on the provision of public support, such as subsidies and tax incentives. In times of high public debt and shifting priorities, the trajectory of such support measures is highly uncertain. Several countries, such as Australia, France, and the United States, have already cut down some of their support measures. In Vietnam, fiscal space is also limited, and extending sizeable long-term support is not a viable option. Instead of a subsidy race, a revival of international cooperation would help to secure the future of green hydrogen. Wealthier countries have much to gain from importing large volumes of green hydrogen to stay on track towards their net-zero targets. Sharing technology and expertise can go a long way in lowering costs and accelerating deployment, if done in a spirit of cooperation. This effort should be guided by the principle of comparative advantage: green hydrogen should be produced where solar, wind, biomass, or geothermal resources are most abundant. The same logic applies to blue hydrogen, which relies on capturing and storing CO2 from natural gas, an option more viable in countries with ample carbon storage capacity. With its strong integration into international trade, Vietnam can make a key contribution to international cooperation on green hydrogen, bringing together countries and firms willing to work together to develop a technology crucial for energy security and mitigating climate change. Building on existing work and initiatives of regional and international platforms, such as the Asian Development Bank, ASEAN, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership can be a key first step. Establishing further catalysts for collaboration can add further important pillars. Vietnam could also join the Hydrogen Initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial group of countries. Meanwhile, Vietnam should tread carefully with fiscal support measures. Allocating scarce resources to green hydrogen in the absence of an international framework is not the best option. Vietnam has a long list of priorities to build its energy future and to provide access to affordable, secure and clean energy. Replacing coal-fired power plants with solar and wind power is a case in point. Green hydrogen is likely to play a key role in global energy systems in the years ahead. Vietnam is right to plan and prepare for that future. But it should do so with caution. NextChem to upgrade BSR's Dung Quat hydrogen unit Italian engineering group Maire announced that its subsidiary NextChem, through its subsidiary KT Tech, has been awarded the licencing and process design package for a new hydrogen production unit by Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC. SK Group eyes investments in LNG, hydrogen, and data centres South Korean conglomerate SK Group is looking to develop large-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants, AI-ready data centres, hydrogen energy, and small modular nuclear reactors. On the morning of August 24, thousands of spectators gathered at Ba Dinh Square and along nearby streets to watch the rehearsal. The flight plan for the parade featured nine formations with around 30 aircraft, including helicopters, CASA 295, CASA 212i, Yak-130, L-39NG, and SU-30MK2 jets. Doc Lap street was already packed with people and vehicles from 7am Many visitors from other provinces joined in the excitement of the upcoming National Day's rehearsals Helicopters made their first pass over Ba Dinh Square around 8.am Three CASA C-295 aircraft, each over 24 m long with a wingspan of nearly 26 m and height of 8.6 m, and able to carry up to 71 passengers or 23 tonnes of cargo Four L-39NG aircraft appeared in a stepped formation The Yak-130 flew two different formations as they passed: first, six aircraft in an A-shaped formation, followed by three jets performing a split manoeuvre The Su-30MK2 squadron flew over Ba Dinh Square in a five-aircraft formation, then split off in three directions The middle aircraft performed a vertical climb straight into the sky 10 helicopters carrying Vietnamese national flags flew from Hoa Lac Airport to Ba Dinh Square for a second pass After 10 AM, the weather cleared up, allowing people to view the aircraft from all angles under a crisp clear sky New hospital facilities being inaugurated to mark 80th National Day Two major healthcare facilities in Hanoi will be inaugurated this month as part of nationwide celebrations marking the 80th National Day. Vietnamese forces conduct large-scale rehearsals for National Day Over recent weeks in August, more than 15,000 soldiers assembled at the National Military Training Centre 4 in Hanois My Duc district for a large-scale rehearsal, supported by artillery units, specialised vehicles, and police forces. Nguyen Tu Cong Hoang, Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Peoples Committee, has approved the results of the investor selection process for the Van Canh Binh Dinh wind power plant, with the company meeting all conditions to move forward. The plant will occupy nearly 49 hectares of land on a long-term basis and about 5.2 ha temporarily in Canh Lien commune, Van Canh district. It is scheduled for completion within 36 months of investor approval. Valued at over VND5.7 trillion ($216.6 million), the venture will have a designed capacity of 143 MW and multiple wind turbines, producing around 392 million kWh of electricity annually to supply local communities and industries with clean energy. Gia Lai Peoples Committee gave its approval on June 9, with investors invited to register for project implementation between June 25 and July 26. Registration results were announced in early August. In March last year, Binh Dinh (now merged with Gia Lai) signed an MoU for the development of the Nexif Ratch Binh Dinh 150 MW onshore wind initiative in Van Canh district during the Binh Dinh Investment Conference. Following the MoU, Nexif Ratch Energy installed a meteorological mast the following May to assess the sites wind potential, with initial findings showing very promising conditions. Nexif Ratch Energy signs an MoU for wind power in Binh Dinh Nexif Ratch Energy, a top renewable energy independent power producer in Southeast Asia, has signed an MoU with and the central province of Binh Dinh for the development of a 150MW onshore wind project in Van Canh district. Nexif Ratch Energy inks MoU with Khanh Hoa DPI on wind power project On November 26, Nexif Ratch Energy signed a MoU with Khanh Hoa Department of Planning and Investment to collaborate for the development of the 102MW Nexif Energy Khanh Hoa 1 Wind Power Project. BRG chairwoman Nguyen Thi Nga (middle) takes part in the groundbreaking ceremony The project, under North Hanoi Smart City Development and Investment JSC, is among 80 key developments nationwide launched simultaneously to mark Vietnams National Day on September 2. Located in the capitals Vinh Thanh commune and covering over 270 hectares, North Hanoi Smart City is envisioned as Vietnams first carbon-neutral urban area, setting a benchmark for sustainable, green, and modern city development. Speaking at the groundbreaking, Hirokazu Higashino, CEO and president of Sumitomo Corporation Asia & Oceania Group, emphasised that the undertaking is not only an advancement in smart urban technology but also a symbol of friendship and the close ties between Vietnam and Japan. The project will comprehensively develop a smart city focused on renewable energy use and energy-saving technologies to achieve carbon neutrality, integrate Japanese expertise in education and healthcare, apply disaster-resilient urban planning with advanced Japanese technology, and promote innovation to attract high-tech industries, said Higashino. Nguyen Thi Nga, chairwoman of BRG Group as well as vice chairwoman and CEO of North Hanoi Smart City JSC said, It will stand as a symbol of a green, intelligent, and modern Hanoi, enhancing the capital city and Vietnams global profile while creating a magnet for leading international investors. North Hanoi Smart City will be developed around six smart pillars: energy, governance, living, healthcare/education, mobility, and economy. An integrated management system will enable disaster prevention and response, flood and fire control, and comprehensive security. Residents will enjoy a green, eco-friendly living environment designed as a vast park with diverse vegetation, including species that help reduce air pollution. By harnessing renewable energy and environmentally friendly technologies, the area aims to become a model for digital-era urban planning and management, while contributing to the implementation of Hanois overall planning. Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of Hanoi Peoples Committee, stated that it carries significance in terms of planning and architecture and also holds strategic value as a driving force for development in the northern Red River area. The initiative will establish a modern hub for finance, commerce, and services, thereby creating tens of thousands of jobs, attracting high-quality scientific and technological human resources as well as international experts, and contributing to the socioeconomic development of both Hanoi and the country, Quyen said. He called on municipal departments, agencies, and commune authorities to work in close coordination, promptly addressing any obstacles during implementation while ensuring compliance with planning, investment, construction, land, and environmental regulations. Vinh Thanh commune authorities have been tasked with expediting site clearance for the remaining 3.3 hectares. Meanwhile, the investor is expected to mobilise resources efficiently, accelerate construction progress, apply advanced technologies, guarantee quality standards, and strictly adhere to environmental and social welfare requirements. North Hanoi Smart City strives to become first carbon-neutral urban area Property development players have signed a deal to help make North Hanoi Smart City the first carbon-neutral urban area in Vietnam. Hanois smart city vision hinges on data development Data has been identified as a cornerstone for unlocking new growth opportunities in digital government, the digital economy, and digital society. 2025 Smart City Summit and Expo and Net Zero City Expo The Ministry of Transportation and Communications is committed to promoting the "National Hope Project" governance goals, actively advocating digital technology and net-zero transformation for many years, and gradually creating a people-centered sustainable transportation ecosystem. Iran will meet next week with Britain, France and Germany on its nuclear programme, the parties said Friday, as the European powers warned Tehran to engage swiftly to avoid snapback sanctions. The Islamic republic suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency in July in the wake of its 12-day war with Israel, citing the UN nuclear watchdog's failure to condemn Israeli and US strikes on its nuclear facilities. The European trio -- parties to the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal -- have threatened to trigger a "snapback mechanism" by the end of August. The move would reimpose sweeping UN sanctions lifted under the 2015 agreement unless Iran agrees to curb its uranium enrichment and restore cooperation with IAEA inspectors. "It was agreed that Iran's talks with the three European countries and the European Union would continue next Tuesday at the level of deputy foreign ministers," Iran's foreign ministry said after a phone call between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and senior European diplomats. France confirmed the talks and cautioned that Iran faced a narrowing window of time. "We have just made an important call to our Iranian counterpart regarding the nuclear programme and the sanctions against Iran that we are preparing to reimpose," said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on X, noting he was joined on the call by his British and German counterparts and the EU's top diplomat. "Time is running out. A new meeting will take place next week on this issue," he added. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on X that his country remained "committed to diplomacy but time is very short". "Iran needs to engage substantively in order to avoid the activation of snapback," he said. "We have been clear that we will not let the snapback of sanctions expire unless there is a verifiable and durable deal." The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, made a similar statement. "With the deadline for the snapback mechanism fast approaching, Iran's readiness to engage with the US is crucial. Iran must also fully cooperate" with the IAEA, she said. It was not immediately clear where the talks, the second since the Iran-Israel war, would take place. Israel in June launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iranian nuclear, military and civilian facilities, prompting Tehran to respond with missile strikes on Israel. The United States also joined its ally Israel, targeting key Iranian nuclear sites deep within the country. Iran and the European trio -- known as the E3 -- held talks in late July at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul, which Tehran described as "frank". Iran's 12-day war with Israel derailed its nuclear negotiations with the United States and saw it suspend cooperation with the IAEA. The 2015 nuclear deal was aimed preventing Iran from developing an atomic bomb -- an ambition it has consistently denied. The deal was torpedoed in 2018 when Donald Trump, during his first term as US president, unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement and slapped crippling sanctions on its economy. Iran has ever since criticized Europe over failing to meet its commitments under the deal. Araghchi reiterated Friday the "lack of legal and moral competence of these countries to resort to the said mechanism" while warning about "the consequences of such an action". Iran has previously said it would leave the non-proliferation treaty -- or NPT -- if the mechanism, envisaged in the nuclear deal, is activated by the European parties. The deadline for activating the mechanism ends in October, though Europeans have set an internal target of the end of August to trigger it if diplomacy fails. They have also offered an extension to buy time for talks. Araghchi said Friday that "this is a decision that must essentially be taken by the United Nations Security Council; and while the Islamic Republic of Iran has its own principled positions and views in this regard, it is not involved in this process." The foreign minister said earlier this month that Iran was working with China and Russia to prevent the snapback of sanctions. How does ATX assess the potential of the cryptoasset market in Vietnam, especially when Vietnam is moving towards recognising and putting into trial operation the first crypto exchange this year? Bach Nghiem, co-founder of Vietnamese-developed ATX From the very beginning, many advised us to target the international market because developing technology abroad is often easier, as proven by Vietnamese names like Kyber and Sky Mavis, who have succeeded globally. However, we remain steadfast in Vietnamese market first, as the growth potential here is immense. Vietnam may have disadvantages in many traditional industries, but with blockchain, a new and attractive field, we are almost on par with the world in terms of timing of access. In mid-July, the US House of Representatives passed a bill to regulate US dollar-pegged stablecoins. In April, the European Parliament and the EU Council passed the first Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, considered the most comprehensive legal framework for digital assets to date. Vietnam is also developing laws related to digital technology and digital assets. The Digital Technology Industry Law, passed in June and effective from 2026, recognises digital assets and cryptocurrencies as legitimate assets under the Civil Code, while providing a regulatory framework to protect and encourage technological innovation. At ATX, we have experienced a growth of 7-8 times since September 2024. I believe that starting from 2026, when digital assets are officially recognised and licensed for trading, investors will feel more secure and the capital inflow into the market will surge significantly. What are the differences in behaviour and investment trends of crypto-asset investors in the Vietnamese market compared to countries in the region? The scale and purchasing power of the Vietnamese market are not inferior to any country in the region. Many businesses choose to register in other countries because the legal system and policies there are usually more open. Meanwhile, Vietnam applies more cautious and safe economic management principles, which also means there will be more barriers for businesses operating in the field of cryptocurrencies to register and operate directly in the country. I believe that users in Vietnam even have many outstanding advantages. In digital assets, the key factor is the widespread use of mobile devices and the internet. In Vietnam, the percentage of smartphone users and internet connectivity accounts for 88.7 and 79 per cent of the population, respectively, much higher than many other countries. This makes this asset class accessible to anyone with a phone and internet connection. Additionally, trading behaviour in Vietnam tends to favour high-risk products, which is a common characteristic of many fast-growing Southeast Asian countries. From the perspective of a unit developing innovative products, we consider Vietnam as a high-potential market for the development of cryptocurrencies, as users are willing to experiment and experience new products. Millions of people have already dabbled in cryptoassets in Vietnam. What advantages will this bring? It is difficult to verify the accuracy of reported figures, as in the field of digital assets, an individual can create multiple wallet addresses without the need for identity verification. With a strong understanding of technology, Vietnamese individuals can easily open wallets and actively participate in international projects, leading to a rapid increase in the number of wallets. Nevertheless, the scale and level of participation in Vietnam are significant. As the access to the digital asset market has become common, Vietnamese people will be willing to embrace blockchain products in the future. These solutions possess numerous advantages over traditional finance, from transparency, transaction speed to global accessibility. With millions of users already accustomed to trading digital assets, the level of acceptance for new products is projected to be high. This opens up opportunities for Vietnam to become an attractive market for international organisations, contributing to the governments goal of building a financial centre. How will Vietnamese digital asset firms like ATX leverage legal momentum to expand and formalise in the domestic market? We have registered our business overseas and also registered in Vietnam as a technology company. As Vietnam currently does not have a specific industry code for digital asset exchange activities, our operations are carried out in the form of providing services to another entity through a partnership contract, without a licence to operate an exchange domestically. We currently have 1.3 million users, with about 90 per cent in Vietnam and the remaining 10 per cent distributed abroad. In the past month alone, we have reached a milestone of 100,000 new accounts, demonstrating a very impressive growth rate. We are eager to find a suitable policy framework for Vietnamese digital asset businesses registered overseas to officially return to the country. This will enable companies like ours to directly access the domestic customer base and register businesses in Vietnam, creating a better advantage compared to international exchanges. A major advantage at present is that the Vietnamese government currently has a relatively innovative mindset, not monopolising management but empowering the private sector to take responsibility for market development. Furthermore, regulations on shareholder structure, such as the requirement for a minimum of two shareholders to be financial institutions or tech corporations, also create a mechanism for risk allocation and expand the number of participating entities, encouraging collaboration among multiple large enterprises and forming joint ventures eligible for licensing. New chapter arrives for digital asset firms Opportunities for international collaboration and attractive growth potential have turned the Vietnamese cryptocurrency market into a vibrant playground. Vietnam set to pilot five licensed digital asset exchanges Vietnams digital asset market is entering a new chapter, as regulators prepare a pilot scheme allowing more than one exchange to operate, paving the way for domestic players to join the digital finance ecosystem. Vu Viet Linh, vice president, Institutional Research Maybank Investment Bank Since the economic reforms in the 1980s, Vietnam has rapidly modernised by transitioning from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy. While being relatively young compared to more established markets, the country has indeed outpaced many developing peers in terms of growth. A key driver behind this robust performance has been its export-driven model, which attracted significant foreign investment and stimulated domestic demand. However, shifts in the global trade landscape marked by rising protectionism, and evolving supply chain dynamics have introduced a new wave of challenges. The export-driven model that has powered Vietnams rise is nearing a crossroads. There enters General Secretary To Lam, whose leadership has been marked by a bold reformist agenda. Since taking office, he has championed what is being called the Era of National Rise, a sweeping vision anchored in four strategic resolutions aimed at legal reform, private sector empowerment, technological innovation, and global integration. Vietnam is racing against its demographic time, and reform is the countrys urgent bid to seize that moment. In 1986, former General Secretary Nguyen Van Linh launched the doi moi reforms a historic pivot that transformed Vietnam from a centrally planned economy into a socialist-oriented market economy. Today, the agenda carries echoes of that same reformist spirit, but with a different mandate. While the 1980s reforms were born out of necessity, focused on survival and opening up, the changes today are underpinned by acceleration and elevation. At the heart of the vision to turn Vietnam into a high-income country by 2045 is the belief that the private sector must serve as the primary engine of national growth, empowered through streamlined administration and economic transformation. We can look at General Secretary Lams administrative streamlining efforts. Since taking office, he has prioritised trimming the public payroll, cutting approximately 10 per cent of total civil servant positions to date. This has been achieved through a combination of downsizing government apparatus and merging provinces, as part of a broader effort to reduce bureaucratic overlap and improve efficiency. This drive echoes the spirit of those reforms nearly 40 years ago, particularly the 19881992 period when Vietnam reduced public payrolls by around 11 per cent, yet saw a 36 per cent increase in public sector GDP a powerful example of doing more with less. Under todays admin overhaul, the number of provincial-level units is being cut from 63 to 34. By forming more viable provinces, the government aims to overcome long-standing issues of fragmented governance, overlapping jurisdictions, and inefficient resource allocation. In fact, according to Vietnams provincial GDP statistics, larger and more populous provinces like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Binh Duong, Haiphong, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau have consistently ranked among the top in terms of productivity, measured by GDP per capita. Vietnam is now entering a new phase of transformation guided by four strategic resolutions: on private sector development, science and innovation, global integration, and on legal and institutional reform. Together, these four resolutions are tightly linked to Vietnams 20262030 growth targets, which aim for annual GDP growth of 810 per cent. Achieving these targets will certainly require a decisive boost in private sector growth. By 2030, the private sector is targeted to contribute 5558 per cent of GDP, employ around 85 per cent of the workforce, and lead in digital transformation and global value chain participation. Yet, Vietnam must urgently address the persistent inefficiencies within its private sector, which employs over 80 per cent of the national workforce. While the private sector now contributes more than half of GDP, a substantial share around 31 per cent comes from informal household businesses. These enterprises, often unregistered and operating outside formal legal and tax frameworks, are marked by low productivity, limited access to finance, and minimal technological adoption. To meet its ambitious 20262030 growth targets and raise total factor productivity to 55 per cent, Vietnam must confront this challenge head-on. That means formalising the informal through simplified business registration, tax incentives, access to credit, and targeted support for micro and small enterprises. However, unlocking Vietnams next wave of economic growth will require more than just increasing the number of businesses it demands scaling them. Formal private enterprises are currently more than twice as productive as informal ones, and within the formal sector, large firms are nearly five times more profitable than small ones. Yet, formal enterprises employ only 22 per cent of the private sector workforce. If Vietnam can expand the footprint of formal enterprises to absorb 48 per cent of the private sector workforce, the resulting productivity gains could boost nominal GDP by as much as 12 per cent. Although the journey to high-income status is long and demanding, it holds immense promise. In this pursuit, patience is not only a virtue, but also a strategic asset. The third Vietnam ASEAN International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA ASEAN 2025), will run from August 26 to 29 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City, offering buyers and visitors a comprehensive view of the latest industry trends and a series of side events. VIFA ASEAN 2025 is more than a product showcase it is the regions must-see furniture event this August, featuring various engaging activities and standing alongside other major Asian fairs such as South Koreas KOFURN, Malaysias MFFM, Indonesias IFFINA, and Chinas CIFF, Maison Shanghai, and Furniture China. This years fair has drawn over 200 exhibitors from across Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Dong Nai, Dak Lak, Hung Yen, Long An, and Dong Thap. Participants from international markets also feature prominently, with companies from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, the United States, China, India, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Notable exhibitors include The One, Asiades, Hiep Long, Mega Home, Yibei Vietnam, Hai Lam, Fukui, Santang, Fuquiang, MMML, Craftsman, Bao Khang, NEFS, Go Leader Vietnam, Nhat Tuong, Lac Gia, Binh Hoa Bamboo, Homeyard, Guan Yiming Vietnam, CreAsia, Glory Light, Art Fabric, Yinghui Vietnam, and many more. VIFA ASEAN 2025 also sees active participation from numerous government and trade organisations, as well as industry associations from both Vietnam and abroad. The flagship event showcases an extensive range of products, including indoor and outdoor furniture, home decor, household items, handicrafts, interior design and architecture solutions, construction innovations, emerging trends, as well as machinery, equipment, raw materials, and supporting services. The fair is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors and buyers. To enhance the experience, organisers offer a range of support services, including: Direct assistance for visitors at Tan Son Nhat Airport from August 2427. Free shuttle service between First Hotel, New World Hotel, and SECC from August 2628. Free Factory Visit Tours on August 2728, giving international buyers a chance to see production at Hiep Long Furniture and Craftsman Kitchen Components. A series of seminars on two key topics 'Export Markets and Global Policies' and 'Green Standards and New Product Changes' on August 2728, providing the latest industry insights to guide production and business strategies. For the first time, VIFA ASEAN will launch an exclusive One-on-One Business Matching activity. Available both in-person at SECC and online, it will enable exhibitors to connect efficiently with global buyers, including international companies unable to attend the fair in person. To help visitors remember the event, organisers are offering 2,000 special keepsakes at ASEAN HOUSE (Booth No. AA16). Guests can claim a gift by taking photos, checking in, sharing reviews, and following VIFA ASEANs social channels, turning their visit into lasting memories while spreading the word about the fair. With its wide-ranging exhibits and engaging activities, VIFA ASEAN 2025 reinforces its status as a must-visit event, fostering collaboration, boosting regional industry growth, and strengthening Ho Chi Minh Citys position as Southeast Asias furniture trading hub. See more details of VIFA ASEAN 2025 at: https://vifaasean.com/ VIFA ASEAN 2023 - A must visit trade show for furniture The 2023 VIFA ASEAN trade show will attract nearly 200 prestigious wood and furniture exhibitors and will feature more than 600 booths from 12 Vietnamese provinces and 10 other foreign markets from August 29 to September 1. VIFA ASEAN 2024 entices exhibitors from Vietnam and beyond With the aim of establishing Ho Chi Minh City as a premier regional trade and commerce hub in Southeast Asia, the second Vietnam ASEAN International Furniture and Home Accessories Fair (VIFA ASEAN) will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7 on August 27-30. Desperate Palestinians clutching pots and plastic buckets scrambled for rice at a charity kitchen in Gaza City on Saturday, a day after the United Nations declared a famine in the war-battered territory. AFP footage from Gaza's largest city, which Israel plans to seize as part of an expanded military offensive, showed women and young children among the chaotic jostle of dozens clamouring and shouting for food. One young boy used his hands to scrape a few leftover grains from the inside of a cooking vat. Another young girl sat on the edge of a tent and scooped rice from a plastic bag on the ground. "We have no home left, no food, no income... so we are forced to turn to charity kitchens, but they do not satisfy our hunger," said Yousef Hamad, 58, who was displaced from the northern city of Beit Hanoun. Further south at a charity kitchen in Deir el-Balah, 34-year-old Umm Mohammad said the UN's declaration of a famine had come "far too late". The children are "staggering from dizziness, unable to wake up because of the lack of food and water," she said. The UN officially declared a famine in Gaza on Friday, blaming the "systematic obstruction" of aid by Israel during more than 22 months of war. The Rome-based Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) said famine was affecting 500,000 people in Gaza governorate, which covers about a fifth of the Palestinian territory including Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the report as "an outright lie". On Saturday, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said it was "time for the government of Israel to stop denying the famine it has created in Gaza". "All of those who have influence must use it with determination & a sense of moral duty," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini posted on X. The IPC projected that the famine would expand to Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis governorates by the end of September, covering around two-thirds of Gaza. Israel, meanwhile, kept up its bombardment of the Palestinian territory, with AFP footage showing heavy smoke billowing above the Zeitoun district of Gaza City as Palestinians picked through the wreckage of buildings. The spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal, called the situation in the Sabra and Zeitoun neighbourhoods "absolutely catastrophic", describing the "complete levelling of entire residential blocks". "We are trapped here, living in fear, with nowhere to go. There's no safety anywhere in Gaza. Movement now leads to death," said Ahmad Jundiyeh, 35, who was displaced to the northern outskirts of Zeitoun. "We constantly hear the sound of bombing... we hear fighter jets, artillery shelling and even drone explosions," he told AFP by telephone. "We're extremely afraid -- it feels like the end is near." Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed on Friday that Israel would destroy Gaza City as it has other parts of the territory if Hamas did not agree to disarm, release all remaining hostages in the territory and end the war on Israel's terms. Residents of Gaza City said the Israeli strikes targeting the area had been relentless for days. "Let them come and see what's happening to us here on the ground in Zeitoun district. We have been ruined," said Aymen Daloul, a 53-year-old from Gaza City whose home had been destroyed. "We shall sleep on the streets as if we were cattle. Have mercy on us." Mahmud Abu Saqer, 24, said there had been a quickening exodus of residents ever since Israel announced its plans to seize Gaza City. "Just this morning, more than 500 to 600 families left, and yesterday thousands left," he said. "The sounds of explosions since morning are forcing everyone to leave." Hamas's October 2023 attack that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's offensive has killed at least 62,622 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable. Llangollen Eisteddfod launches International Flag Appeal to keep message of unity flying year-round This article is old - Published: Monday, Aug 25th, 2025 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has launched an International Flag Appeal to help keep the flags of many different countries flying from the towns famous bridge all year round. Every summer, the ancient bridge across the River Dee is lined with the flags of multiple nations, welcoming performers and visitors to one of Waless most celebrated cultural events. This years Eisteddfod saw over 4,000 competitors from across the globe bring music, dance and friendship to the Dee Valley. Since its founding in 1947, the Eisteddfod has stood as a symbol of peace and reconciliation through music and dance. Created in the aftermath of war, it continues to unite nations, cultures and communities in a spirit of friendship that is as vital today as it was then. At present, the international flags are only displayed during July and August due to the cost of replacements and upkeep. The Eisteddfods organisers say they would love to see the bridge dressed in flags from around world throughout the year as a permanent message of welcome to the world. David Hennigan, a Board Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: In a time when flags are such a hot topic of conversation across the UK, Llangollens story is different. In a world where flags can sometimes divide, our international flags are a symbol of unity. They represent peace, friendship and the spirit of Wales as a country of sanctuary. If people want to celebrate flags, why not fly flags for unity? The Eisteddfod is inviting people across Wales and beyond to support its International Flag Appeal and help keep the towns message of welcome flying high. Donations to purchase flags can be made at: https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/support-us/make-a-donation/ Unseen records about Gresford Colliery Disaster on show in free anniversary event This article is old - Published: Monday, Aug 25th, 2025 Unseen records from The National Archives about the Gresford Colliery Disaster will go on show in Wrexham to mark the 91st anniversary of the tragedy. A pocket notebook with falsified air measurements ordered by mine manager William Bonsall after the explosion on 22 September 1934 will be among the items available to view. There will also be witness statements about the circumstances leading to the disaster, correspondence, interview records, and records from the inquiry. Previously unseen petitions and letters from grieving relatives will be included in the two-day Gresford: Voices from the Archives event at Wrexham Library. The display will start with transcriptions of urgent telephone messages to the Mines Inspectorate as the catastrophe unfolded. Emmajane Avery, Director of Public Engagement at The National Archives, said: These documents, permanently preserved at The National Archives, bear witness to the events surrounding this unimaginable disaster and the tragic loss of so many lives. Partnering with colleagues in archives in North Wales to bring this material to the community in Wrexham is a great privilege. The free community event is a collaboration between The National Archives, North-East Wales Archives and Wrexham Archives. NEWA will show letters about the immediate nationwide response to the disaster, which prompted gifts of kippers, apples and even lamb from Australia, as well as thousands of pounds in relief funds for the 162 widows and 220 children left fatherless. Wrexham Archives will display photographs and newspaper accounts of the disaster. Claire Harrington, Principal Archivist at North East Wales Archives (Hawarden), said: National newspaper appeals prompted a host of heartwarming letters in support of the victims families, usually accompanied by gifts either of money or in kind. We are delighted to share these records with the people of Wrexham, many of whom will have lost family in this catastrophic event. On Sunday, 21 September, a day of free family activities will take place at The Miners Rescue Station, Wrexham. The day will include talks from Alan Jones, former ventilation officer at Gresford Colliery, and from Sarah Castagnetti, Visual Collections Team Manager, who has researched the Gresford records in The National Archives. These activities are available to book on Community Day Gresford: Voices from the Archives Tickets, Sun 21 Sep 2025 at 11:00 | Eventbrite Free timeslots for Gresford: Voices from the Archives at Wrexham Library on Monday, 22 September from 10am-6pm and on Tuesday, 23 September from 10am-1pm can be booked on Eventbrite. Gresford: Voices from the Archives Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite. Walk in visitors are also welcome. Natalie Brown, Head of Audiences in The National Archives conservation team, will offer advice on preserving personal archives and family photos and will also run paper-making workshops for families. Tickets can be purchased onVoices from the Archives Tickets, Sun 21 Sep 2025 at 11:00 | Eventbrite (Wrexham.com was specifically told there was no paid promotion of this event, however they have placed ads on Meta. Thanks!) The National Weather Service in Reno has issued a Flash Flood Warning and a Flood Watch for much of northern Nevada and eastern California, warning of possible flash flooding this afternoon and evening. The Flood Watch is in effect from noon through 9 p.m. and covers the Greater Reno-Carson City-Minden area, Mineral and Lyon counties, the Lake Tahoe area, Mono County, and Lassen, Plumas, and Sierra counties in California. The Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 5:15 p.m. for central Lyon County, Storey County, and southern Washoe County. Doppler radar shows thunderstorms producing up to one inch of rain, with flash flooding already ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Some areas likely to experience flooding include Virginia City, Dayton, Six Mile Canyon, Gold Hill, and Junction U.S. 50 and Six Mile Canyon-Ft Churchill Road. The Storey County Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook, We are currently experiencing extreme weather conditions in the Virginia City area. Lightning, downpour, and hail. Please stay inside and be safe. Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible due to thunderstorms, the National Weather Service stated. Flash flooding is also possible over burn scar areas, including the Davis, Conner, Bear, Mill, Inn, and Tamarack burn scars. Forecasters said excessive runoff could lead to flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying areas. Urban flooding and poor drainage areas could also be affected. A Special Weather Statement was also issued Monday afternoon for a strong thunderstorm over Olympic Valley moving north at 5 mph. Radar showed wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail. The National Weather Service said gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects, while minor hail damage to vegetation is possible. Areas that could be impacted include Tahoe City, Truckee, Alpine Meadows, Northstar, Boca Reservoir, Prosser Creek Reservoir, and surrounding campgrounds and recreational areas. Officials advised anyone outdoors to consider seeking shelter inside a building. The concern for flash flooding continues today for much of the area, the agency said in an online post. Showers and thunderstorms today will be slow-moving, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall and flooding. Remember, turn around, dont drown! (The National Weather Service Reno and Storey County Sheriffs Office contributed to this story.) Nevada state offices remain closed Tuesday following a network security incident. The Nevada Department of Public Safety/State Police administrative offices and online services will be unavailable. NHP and dispatch phone lines are working and in service. Troopers and officers are on duty and will continue to provide public safety services. The Governors Technology Office is actively working to resolve the issue. AUGUST 25, 8:35 P.M. UPDATE: Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo's Press Office is advising people that government offices will likely be closed again on Tuesday as recovery operations continue following a network security incident. Critical employees and operations are expected not to be affected by the closures, according to a release from the Governor's Press Office. The press office will share more information and guidance on Tuesday morning regarding any closures. AUGUST 25, 12:47 P.M. UPDATE: Governor Lombardo ordered all state offices closed Monday today due to significant state network degradation affecting the ability to conduct normal business." The FBI is helping with the investigation. The governor's office says, "we anticipate resuming normal business tomorrow." All DMV appointments scheduled for Monday will be honored as walk-ins over the next two weeks. The incident was discovered early Sunday morning and remains under investigation. State representatives add, "at this time, there is no evidence that any personally identifiable information (PII) was compromised. The State will share verified information when appropriate." ORIGINAL STORY: The State of Nevada is continuing recovery from an early-morning network security incident. To minimize disruption while technical teams restore normal operations, state offices will temporarily pause in-person services today. During recovery, certain websites, online services, and office phone lines may be slow or briefly unavailable; 911 emergency call-taking remains available statewide. The Governors Technology Office operates 24/7, and teams are actively restoring service in coordination with agency partners. Because the state monitors systems around the clock, the public may see updates outside normal business hours. What this means for Nevadans * Offices will not offer in-person services today. Agencies will announce when counters reopen and any alternative options. * State websites and phone lines may be intermittently unavailable. If a site or line does not respond, please try again later. * NHP and the Dispatch phone lines are working and in service. Administrative in-office and Online services will not be available Monday due to a statewide network issue. * Emergencies: Call 911. For non-emergency questions, check the relevant agencys website or use email. What the State is doing * Working continuously with state, local, and federal partners to restore services safely. * Using temporary routing and operational workarounds to maintain public access where feasible. * Validating systems before returning them to normal operation and sharing updates as needed. (Office of Governor Lombardo) China is accusing the United States of damaging agricultural cooperation between the two countries through rising protectionist policies. In a recent speech, China's ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, said U.S. actions are creating major setbacks for farmers on both sides. "It goes without saying that protectionism is rampant, casting a shadow over China-U.S. agricultural cooperation," Xie told attendees at a soybean industry event in Washington, according to a statement from the Chinese embassy. Agriculture has become a major point of conflict in the long-running trade war between the world's two largest economies. In March, China responded to previous US tariffs by introducing new duties of up to 15% on $21 billion worth of American agricultural products. According to Reuters, the trade restrictions contributed to a 53% decline in US agricultural exports to China in the first half of the year, with soybean sales specifically dropping by more than half. "American farmers, like their Chinese counterparts, are hardworking and humble," he said. "Agriculture should not be hijacked by politics, and farmers should not be made to pay the price of a trade war." China says rampant US protectionism threatens agriculture, warns farmers shouldnt suffer over trade war https://t.co/oReEKoojkl pic.twitter.com/deTs9AFQLJ New York Post (@nypost) August 24, 2025 China Calls Out US Protectionism, Defends Agricultural Ties While the US and China have extended a truce on some tariffs for another 90 days, the future of trade talks remains uncertain. The ambassador emphasized that agriculture should serve as a strong link between the nations. He explained that China focuses on labor-intensive production, while the US specializes in large-scale, machine-based farming. This difference, he said, makes the two economies natural partners in agriculture. Tensions have also grown over farmland ownership and research security. Last month, US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the government would restrict farmland purchases by foreign countries considered adversaries, including China. The US also terminated contracts with 70 foreign researchers after a national security review, GulfToday said. Xie rejected these concerns, stating, "Chinese investors hold less than 0.03% of US agricultural land, so where does the claim of 'threatening U.S. food security' even come from?" He called the US restrictions "political manipulation." At the same time, China is continuing its trade dispute with Europe. Beijing has extended its anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy imports until February 2026, following recent EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Originally published on vcpost.com Theres a new reason to hop on the ferry to Treasure Island this fall. Starting Saturday, September 13th, Off the Grid launches a new weekly event at the soon-to-open Cityside Park on Treasure Island, transforming the waterfront into a Mediterranean-inspired escape complete with artisanal food trucks, aperitif culture, and jaw-dropping views of the bay. (Courtesy of Off the Grid) Every Saturday through November, from 11am to 4pm, the adventure includes lawn games on wide-open waterfront greens, live music channeling the spirit of coastal Europe, and a resident DJ spinning Italian summer mashups, and a full bar program will feature Mediterranean classics, San Francisco twists, and plenty of mocktails. Opening day of Off the Grid doubles as the launch of Cityside Park, the largest green space yet in Treasure Islands expanding park system. Sitting right at the waterfront with sweeping open spaces and brand-new walking paths, Cityside Park is designed for easy gatherings, weekend wanderings, and spontaneous sunsets just an eight-minute ferry ride from downtown SF. After Septembers grand opening, Cityside Park keeps up the momentum with its Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 5tha full day of autumn color and community spirit in which visitors will wander through rows of pumpkins, savor fall-inspired bites, and join in on hands-on crafts, games, and activities fit for the whole family. (Courtesy of Off the Grid) The calendar will remain full all season long with business and community events across the island: happy hour every third Thursday at Panorama Park; live jazz at Gold Bar and stand-up comedy on Merseas patio every Friday; and laid-back DJ sets at Gold Bar Distillery on Sundays as the sun drops below the horizon. For those seeking friendly competition, Bay Padel is hosting regular tournaments for players and spectators. Theres no better place to enjoy San Franciscos warmest months with good company, great food, and the bay views. Plan your visit and reserve ferry tickets to Treasure Island at tisf.com/ferry // Merger Completion, Placement and Consolidation Update Brisbane, Aug 25, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( DML:FRA ) ( SYAXF:OTCMKTS ) advises that further to the Company's announcement of 12 August 2025, the stockholders of Piedmont Lithium Inc. have approved the proposed Merger with the Company. Merger Update As previously announced, the Piedmont Special Meeting was adjourned from Monday, 11 August 2025 to Friday, 22 August 2025 at 11 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) (Second Adjourned Special Meeting) to provide Piedmont's stockholders with additional time to vote their shares and achieve the required stockholders' quorum and Merger approval. At the Second Adjourned Special Meeting, Piedmont achieved the required stockholders' quorum (being at least a majority of the voting power of shares of common stock present or represented at the Piedmont Special Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal) and Piedmont stockholders voted overwhelmingly in support of the Merger (with approximately 97% of the votes cast being in favour of the Merger). As such, Completion of the Merger is now scheduled to take place on 30 August 2025 and the date for the issue of the Conditional Placement Shares to Resource Capital Fund VIII L.P. (RCF) is scheduled for 4 September 2025 in line with the revised timetable set out below*. On 4 September 2025, and subject to RCF subscribing for the Conditional Placement Shares, Sayona also intends to issue the Tranche 1 Options as previously announced on 12 August 2025. Mr Lucas Dow, MD and CEO, said: "Today marks a defining milestone in our journey. The overwhelming shareholder support for our merger with Piedmont Lithium reflects a shared vision to create a leading, globally significant lithium company. Together, we are unlocking tremendous growth potential, strengthening our position in the global battery materials supply chain, and building long-term value for all stakeholders. I am excited for the opportunities ahead as we move forward as one team." To view the Merger and Conditional Placement Timetable Update, please visit: https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/1U5V69PM About Elevra Lithium Limited Elevra Lithium Limited is a North American lithium producer (ASX:ELV) (NASDAQ:ELVR) OTCMKTS:SYAXF) with projects in Quebec, Canada, United States, Ghana and Western Australia. In Quebec, Elevra's assets comprise North American Lithium (100%) and a 60% stake in the Moblan Lithium Project in Northern Quebec. In the United States, Elevra has the Carolina Lithium project (100%) and in Ghana the Ewoyaa Lithium project (22.5%) in joint venture with Atlantic Lithium. In Western Australia, the Company holds a large tenement portfolio in the Pilbara region prospective for gold and lithium. Related Companies TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP TO FAST TRACK ANTIMONY PROCESSING & UTILISATION IN THE USA Transformative Partnership to Fast Track Antimony Processing Perth, Aug 25, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Limited ( ASX:LKY ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce it has formally initiated its U.S. Critical Minerals and Energy Resilience Strategy in partnership with Rice University. The initiative supports the Trump administration's executive orders to secure domestic supply chains for critical minerals. Highlights - Locksley has formally initiated its U.S. focused downstream innovation strategy to maximise the potential of its high-grade antimony at the Mojave Project - Strategic collaboration with world renowned, Rice University, a global leader in materials science, nanotechnology and energy innovation - Rice University's proven capability in critical minerals programs, was most recently demonstrated through its collaboration with MTM Critical Minerals Ltd ( ASX:MTM ) on the Flash Joule Heating technology - Dual initiative agreement focusing on antimony processing and utilisation to accelerate "mine-to-market" deployment of this transformative, American made technology, ensuring a U.S. sovereign and independent supply chain - Antimony included as a critical material in President Trump's Executive Orders, focused on increasing domestic mineral production and reshaping supply chains, aligning our strategy to potential Government funding pathways - Antimony is critical to the U.S. Defense sector, essential for producing ammunition, explosives & propellant, armoured vehicles, missile & electronic components and flame-retardant materials - Locksley is positioning to establish the first domestic antimony processing capacity in the United States, addressing a critical gap where currently 90-95% of refined supply comes from countries outside the U.S. alliance network - The integration of upstream development with downstream innovation provides a rare opportunity to build a domestic mine-to-materials supply chain aligned with U.S. strategic needs, while positioning the Company to access a wide range of Government funding opportunities - Majority of antimony processing occurs in China, resulting in 79% of U.S. antimony imports being sourced from China, similar to other critical minerals like REEs and cobalt - China continues to further restrict exports to U.S.by tightening controls on transshipment of material via third-party countries Chairman Nathan Lude commented: "This strategic collaboration with Rice University, which has been formalised in a legally binding Sponsored Research and Development Agreement ("Agreement") marks a pivotal step in executing Locksley's U.S. strategy (mine to market). As a first mover advantage strategy, we are not just rapidly advancing our upstream strategy, we are helping rebuild downstream capacity through materials innovation which America urgently requires. Fast-tracking these two research Thrusts allows us to unlock value from our Mojave asset and play a direct role in sovereign independence of the US defense, energy and AI infrastructure sectors." Professor Pulickel M. Ajayan Rice University commented: "Rice University has a long tradition of advancing materials science from the laboratory into real-world applications, and this partnership with Locksley represents an important step in that journey. Developing scalable, domestic pathways for antimony processing is not only a scientific and engineering challenge but also a national strategic priority. By combining Rice's expertise in advanced materials with Locksley's resources, we can address a critical supply chain gap, accelerate commercialization and build global collaborations that strengthen both U.S. energy resilience and the future of sustainable technologies." The strategic collaboration with Rice University is centred around maximising the potential of the Company's Mojave Project. The program aims to develop pathways for domestic processing of U.S. sourced antimony to meet existing domestic demand in US Defense and other industries and advance its application in next generation energy storage systems, addressing a critical supply chain gap at a time when no commercial scale antimony processing exists in the United States. Building on Rice University's proven capability in critical minerals programs, most recently demonstrated through its collaboration with MTM Critical Minerals ( ASX:MTM ), Locksley's project will advance antimony capabilities through a dual initiative agreement ("Thrusts") in a fast-tracked program pursuant to the Agreement: - Thrust 1: Green Hydrometallurgical Extraction of Antimony from Mining Feedstocks Development and testing of low energy, environmentally benign solvent extraction processes for U.S. sourced antimony ores and concentrates from Locksley's Mojave Project and other sources. This work is aimed to support the re-establishment of U.S. based antimony processing capacity, which is currently non-existent in the U.S., despite rising strategic demand. - Thrust 2: Exploration of Antimony Based Materials for Energy Storage Applications Applied research on advanced electrode materials and composite architectures for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and hybrid power modules using antimony as a core component. The integration of upstream development with downstream innovation provides a rare opportunity to build a domestic mine-to-materials supply chain aligned with U.S. strategic needs, while positioning the Company to access a wide range of Government funding opportunities. The two Thrusts in the Locksley-Rice University collaboration Agreement aim to address two major systemic challenges in the U.S. critical minerals and energy sectors, specifically related to antimony. Other key material terms of the Agreement are: - All intellectual property developed jointly by Rice University and Locksley shall be jointly owned. - Locksley will advance project funding of US$550,000 over the next 12 months to support the development of the intellectual property under the Agreement. Rice University, Department of Materials Science & Nanoengineering, Rice Advanced Materials Institute and Professor Pulickel M. Ajayan Rice University in Houston, Texas is a global leader in materials science, nanotechnology and energy innovation. The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing, the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering (MSNE) and the Rice Advanced Materials Institute (RAMI) have pioneered transformative research in solid-state batteries, green chemistry, and advanced energy and defense materials. Rice translates cutting-edge research into real-world solutions through collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense and industry partners. Its commitment to sustainability and innovation positions Rice as a key contributor to the development of advanced antimony based energy technologies that align with national priorities. The MSNE department is internationally recognized for its multidisciplinary research in energy, defense and sustainability. Its strengths include solid-state batteries, nanomaterials, supercapacitors and eco-friendly extraction technologies. With state-of-the-art laboratories and strong partnerships with national labs, government agencies and industry, MSNE drives progress in U.S. manufacturing, clean energy and critical materials. RAMI serves as a hub for collaborative innovation, integrating expertise across disciplines to accelerate the development of next generation materials. Rice's partnership with Locksley Resources focuses on scalable antimony processing and advanced power systems, supporting the transition to sustainable and secure energy solutions. Professor Pulickel M. Ajayan, a distinguished professor at Rice, is a pioneer in nanotechnology and advanced materials, with more than 1,200 publications and 230,000 citations. His expertise includes energy storage, batteries, solid electrolytes, nanocomposites and green extraction. A fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Inventors, Ajayan has a strong record of translating research into industry applications, making him an invaluable partner for Locksley's antimony based materials platform. Next Steps - Appointment of U.S. Advisory Board - U.S. Government Engagement - Commercial Licensing Pathways - Industry Engagement and Strategic Partnerships - Technical Milestone Delivery - Pilot Project Development About Locksley Resources Limited Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (FRA:X5L) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across two key assets: the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development in this highly prospective mineral region. Mojave Project Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 250 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block/Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area. In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With significant surface sample results, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S. Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security. Tottenham Project Locksley's Australian portfolio comprises the advanced Tottenham Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales, focused on VMS-style mineralisation in a well established mining region. Locksley is committed to delivering value through discovery, development, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on securing access to U.S. aligned funding and downstream collaborations. Related Companies Heather Thiltgen Courtesy Presbyterian Healthcare Services Presbyterian Health Plan, the insurance arm of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, will get new leadership this fall. Heather Thiltgen, former president and CEO of WellSense Health Plan, Boston Medical Centers nonprofit health insurance system, will replace Tony Hernandez as president of Presbyterians insurance division starting Nov. 4, the organization said in a news release. Hernandez served as interim president of the health insurance system for the last 10 months, according to Presbyterian spokesperson Kourtney Munoz. In a statement, Presbyterian Healthcare Services CEO Rishi Sikka called Thiltgen a purpose-driven leader who understands the organizations commitment to caring for New Mexicans, as well as the critical role we play in helping our state meet the needs of the communities we serve. I am thrilled to announce that Heather will be our next health plan president, Sikka said. Thiltgen has 28 years of leadership experience in insurance, according to the release. Presbyterian Health Plan is one of four managed care organizations authorized to run the states massive Medicaid program. Presbyterian insures more than 540,000 total patients statewide, almost two-thirds of them through Medicaid and around a tenth through Medicare, Munoz said. It is a challenging, dynamic time in health care and I am excited to work alongside an incredible team as we make a difference for our community, Thiltgen said in a statement. The Presbyterian system includes nine hospitals, as well as urgent care and specialty clinics throughout the state. Presbyterian is the states largest private employer, with approximately 14,000 employees, according to hospital officials. Lusaka, Zambia (PANA) - African ministers of health on Monday opened the Seventy-fifth session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, the highest decision-making body on health on the continent, in the Zambian capital Lusaka Brian Colon Earlier this month, the Albuquerque Journal ran an opinion piece that exaggerated the support of gubernatorial candidate Sam Bregman based on a single endorsement. Moreover, the single endorsement distorts the question of who in this race has earned the support of most New Mexicans to date: That candidate is Deb Haaland. Lets look at the facts. Consider the endorsements in the race. Journal columnist Jeff Tucker claims a single endorsement for Bregman has caused a stir in the race for New Mexico governor. What Tucker failed to mention is that Haaland has already earned the endorsements from close to 100 leaders, including a critical tribal endorsement and endorsements of Conservation Voters of New Mexico Action Fund, Common Defense, and now, since its publishing, New Mexico Service Employees International Union, the largest health care union in the state. Haaland, wisely, has pushed forward with her focus on the real issues for New Mexicans: making life more affordable, helping more New Mexicans have a roof over their head, and protecting health care that is under threat from the federal government. Within the first six months of her campaign, shes already visited all 33 New Mexico counties, including rural communities that havent seen a Democratic gubernatorial candidate for a while. People have underestimated Haaland, time and again. And time and again, she has delivered for New Mexico. As a congresswoman, she helped deliver funds to thousands of New Mexico small businesses during the pandemic, fought for military families and leveled the playing field for Native entrepreneurs. As secretary of Interior, she created good jobs for New Mexicans building energy transmission lines, working on water projects that deliver clean water to rural communities, and cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells. Her work ethic and connection to our beautiful state coupled with her lived experience having struggled to make ends meet give her the grit and perseverance so many New Mexicans have. Her lived experience drives her commitment to improving peoples lives. When someone has been on the receiving end of unfair policies, bureaucracies and red tape, they know whats broken, and Haaland will fix it. With a proven track record of executive leadership, she understands what it takes to change the system and make it work for people, manage budgets and make tough decisions that improve lives. An unlikely candidate to be appointed to a presidential cabinet, Deb Haaland defied all odds and broke barriers not only for Native people, but for New Mexicans. There are very few people who have served in executive leadership at her level, have the story she has, and served our state and country honorably. In fact, shes the only one. Theres no other choice than Haaland in this race. From young people demanding bold change to long-time residents who are tired of politics as usual, they see in her what we all should a leader who listens, understands and delivers. And shes built movements before. People gravitate to her style of leadership because its different. She quietly listens and seeks to understand and then finds the bold solutions that people need. Hope is not naive. Its necessary. And Haaland offers a hopeful, unifying vision rooted in real experience. Her campaign isnt built on political calculations. Its built on communities coming together to demand, more and better, from our leaders. At a time when so many feel left behind, she offers a way forward. The choice is clear. We need a governor who knows what it means to lead, who has lived what it means to serve and who is ready on day one. Thats Deb Haaland. Brian Colon is a former New Mexico state auditor and managing partner of Singleton Schreiber Law NM. The Blue Whale AI Academy Inspired by the vastness and depth of the ocean, The Blue Whale AI Academy is transforming lives through comprehensive artificial intelligence education. We provide self-paced learning programs that unlock AI's transformative potential for our generation, guiding students through deep exploration of this revolutionary technology. 8 Dead, 40 Injured as Truck Rams Tractor-Trolley Carrying Pilgrims in UP's Bulandshahr 2 At least eight people were killed and over 40 others injured after a speeding container truck collided with a tractor-trolley carrying around 60 pilgrims in Uttar Pradeshs Bulandshahr early Monday, according to police. The tragic accident occurred around 2:10 am on the Bulandshahr-Aligarh border near the Arnia bypass when the truck hit the trolley from behind, causing it to overturn. The victims, who were traveling from Kasganj district to Rajasthan, included a child and two women. Bulandshahr SSP Dinesh Kumar Singh confirmed that eight people lost their lives, and 45 others are undergoing treatment. Three of the injured are on ventilator support, while the condition of the rest is stable. The truck has been seized, and the tractor has been removed from the spot, Singh told ANI. Police said 10 people sustained minor injuries, while others were taken to different hospitals 10 to Aligarh Medical College, 10 to Bulandshahr District Hospital, and 23 to Kailash Hospital in Khurja. The deceased have been identified as tractor driver E U Babu (40), Rambeti (65), Chandni (12), Ghaniram (40), Mokshi (40), Shivansh (6), Yogesh (50), and Vinod (45), all residents of Kasganj district. Among the 43 injured, 12 are children, PTI reported. Authorities, including senior police and administrative officers, rushed to the spot after the incident. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination. Amit Shah Clears Air on Jagdeep Dhankhar's Exit: "Don't Stretch It" 2 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday dismissed speculation surrounding former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhars sudden resignation, stating it was solely due to health concerns. Shah rejected the oppositions claims that Dhankhar was under house arrest and urged people not to create unnecessary controversy. Dhankhar sahabs resignation letter is clear in itself. He cited health reasons and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, ministers, and government members for a fulfilling tenure, Shah said in an interview with ANI. Responding to opposition allegations of Dhankhar being forcibly silenced, Shah said, Your interpretation of truth and lies should not depend on opposition claims. We shouldnt make a fuss about this. Dhankhar held a constitutional post and discharged his duties as per the Constitution. He resigned for health reasons. Theres no need to deliberate further. Opposition leaders, however, raised doubts over the timing of the resignation. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called it the first instance of a Vice Presidents resignation being linked to what he termed as silencing. Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP of taking India back to medieval times, alleging that the government removes individuals at will and uses investigative agencies to target elected representatives. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal even suggested filing a habeas corpus petition, citing Dhankhars absence from public view. The BJP has firmly denied these allegations, reiterating that Dhankhar stepped down voluntarily on health grounds. He resigned on July 21, the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, after submitting his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. Dhankhar, who also served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, said he wanted to prioritize his health and follow medical advice. Premanand Ji Maharaj vs Rambhadracharya: When Humility Outshines Hubris 2 Theres a brutal, raw power struggle boiling beneath the sacred soil of Vrindavan and Mathurawhere petty, envious pravachankars and self-styled saints swarm the limelight, chasing celebrities, politicians, and transient social clout, all because theyre rattled by the irrefutable magnetism of Premanand ji Maharaj. These opportunists spend their lives fathering superficial famebut ironically, its they who crawl to Premanand ji, drawn helplessly into surrender by his silent, overwhelming spiritual gravity. These opportunists may parade their knowledge of scriptures and flawless Sanskrit, but its empty bombast. They lack the one thing that truly matters: heart-deep wisdom. Premanand ji, conversely, uses an everyday language that slams into peoples lives, guiding them toward clarity, humility, and spiritual awakening. This is precisely why the establishment recoiled when Jagadguru Rambhadracharya dared to mock himcalling him no scholar, no miracle worker, go ahead, just utter one Sanskrit word before me. Petty arrogance masquerading as erudition. They may clutch tomes of Vedas, Puranas, and perfect Sanskrit at their puppetry fingertipsbut thats just hollow flex. They may speak polished verses, yet they lack the rare, soul-deep wisdom. Meanwhile, Premanand ji speaks to the heart of the everymannot in skyhigh Sanskrit, but in language crisp, real, brutally honestuplifting lives with unpretentious guidance thats touched millions. His simplicity isnt weaknessits his weapon. He lives humbly, quietly, yet his love seizes the heart of every age. But this jealously under the guise of piety spat its venom when Jagadguru Rambhadracharya dropped foul remarks, like a hot knife through sacred peace: Not a scholar, not a miracle workerprove youre even a word of Sanskrit, mocking Premanand ji. What arrogance! What desperation! Yet watch how the move backfired. The spiritual community rosebombardiers of outragecalling Rambhadracharyas outburst a betrayal of Sanatans deepest values. Deveshcharya Maharaj condemned the behavior as absolutely inappropriate, and Sitaram Das Maharaj lambasted it as narrow-mindednesspointing out that saints must unite, not ignite controversy. The public and media erupteddebates flooded news channels, social media churned with righteous fury, compassion for Premanand ji flooded the airwaves. But common sense? That seemed in chronically short supply among the voicessad but revealing. Sanatans tradition isnt blind to scholarshipbut it reveres the divine flame in simple vessels. We worship saints who possessed little bookish erudition but wielded mountains of wisdom to ignite true change in hearts and lives. True power isnt reciting shlokasits bearing that humility, living that love, transforming lives. Thats where real victory liesin silence, innocence, surrender. Or take Namdev, a tailor by castefar from an elite scholaryet his Marathi devotional songs, composed in the language of the people, stirred hearts across the subcontinent. His hymns even made their way into the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, Janabai, serving Namdevs family, penned abhangs straight from her uneducated yet fierce love for the Divinesome 300 verses remembered and revered, despite her lack of formal schooling. Sant Gadge Maharaj, a warden of villages, embraced voluntary poverty and crusaded for social reformcleanliness, compassion, changethrough simple poetry, kirtans, and unwavering living, not Sanskrit lectures When Rambhadracharya attempted to cut Premanand ji down with intellectual scorn, he didnt expose any lackhe exposed his own ego swelling under his ornate scholarship. Premanand ji needed no defensehis simple, radiant presence needs no proof. Sanatan Dharma doesnt honor who recites the most shlokasit reveres those whose lived purity ignites change, even without formal schooling or Sanskrit fluency. Look back: saint-poets like Kabir and Ravidas, born in oppressed castes, illiterate in Sanskrit yet luminous in wisdom and devotion, remain immortalized in the faith of millions. Kabirs blunt poetry dismantled religious hypocrisy. Ravidas inspired queens and commoners alike, not with grammar, but with grace and lived compassion. Sanatan knows this: real sanctity isnt measured by Sanskrit fluencybut by the depth of compassion, the reach of devotion, the resonance of transformative love. Premanand ji stands immovable, humble, unapologetically authentic. And that terrifies the envy-driven pretenders far more than any challenge could. Authorities have released the name of a teen killed in a Saturday shooting at a Birmingham apartment complex. The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as George Camarius Daniel. He was 16 and attended Huffman High School where he was a junior. The citys East Precinct officers were dispatched shortly after 4 p.m. to a report of a traffic crash in the 1000 block of Huffman Road. When police arrived, they found Daniel unresponsive outside of a vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced the young victim dead on the scene at 4:30 p.m. A second teen was found with a non-life-threatening wound. He was taken to UAB Hospital. Officer DeRell Freeman said investigators believe that multiple people met at the location for an unknown reason prior to shots being fired. The motive behind the deadly shooting has not yet been disclosed. The departments Special Operations Bureau took a suspect into custody and detained two others for questioning. No charges have been announced. Daniel is Birminghams 54th homicide this year. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Derek Marcus Burpo, 51, was shot to death in Birmingham on Jan. 1, 2025, while delivering Domino's pizza. (Special to AL.com) Dominos pizza deliveryman Derek Marcus Burpo was gunned down on the first day of 2025, yet his killer or killers remain free. The 51-year-old beloved employee, son, cousin and friend was shot to death just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, in the 400 block of Roebuck Drive on Birminghams east side. Officers arrived to find Burpo, affectionately known by family as Dink, unresponsive outside of his car in front of a house on a private road. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene at 9:42 p.m. Burpos car contained pizzas he was set to deliver. Area residents reported hearing multiple shots fired. This is one of the most heartbreaking homicides that we have witnessed in our city, Officer Truman Fitzgerald said at the time. Those who knew and loved Burpo described him as a model employee and a kind, compassionate man who was his mothers caretaker. Birmingham police on the scene of a homicide in the 400 block of Roebuck Drive on Jan. 1, 2025. Carol Robinson He was an ideal human being, Chris Daugherty, owner of the Roebuck Dominos, said of Burpo in the days following the murder. It doesnt seem possible that something like this would happen to someone like Derek. He was just good. He was a super quiet, gentle soul that never bothered anybody, he said. Were just lost. He was very kind, very hardworking, business-minded, said his first cousin, Daphne Ballard. He wanted to do something. Burpo graduated from Huffman High School in 1991 and then Alabama State University. He also had his MBA, and family said he was working toward a Ph.D. His brother, 36-year-old Darryl Burpo, was killed in a 2004 Birmingham homicide. Their mom has now lost both her sons, Ballard said. After college, Burpo worked for car dealerships and then began selling insurance. When the COVID pandemic slowed down sales, she said, he took a job with Dominos. That was about two years ago. He worked six days a week, from 4 p.m. until closing, whether that was midnight or 2 a.m., Ballard said. He was old school. He was not afraid, but he didnt mess with anybody. As a policy, Dominos drivers carry less than $20 in cash, usually less than $15. We already have pretty strict security, Daugherty said. I dont know what else to do except maybe go 100 percent cashless. I just dont know. Ballard said Burpo lovingly took care of his mother, who will turn 82 years old on Friday. It was just them two, she said. He recently surprised her with roses and perfume, and told her, I just want you to get better. Birmingham police investigate the fatal shooting of a 51-year-old man who was delivering pizza to home in Roebuck. (Carol Robinson) Burpo lived not even one minute away from where he was killed. His mama probably heard the shots, Ballard said. When Burpo left for work Wednesday, he made sure his mother knew he was leaving. He touched, shook her, and said, Im gone,' Ballard said. Burpos mother was a longtime seamstress for department stores Parisian and Gus Mayer before she became a caretaker herself. She fully retired last year amid health struggles. She was preparing, putting Dinks name on everything, thinking she was going to leave him first, Ballard said. That was her baby. It just shocked the whole family that it was him. Burpo, Ballard said, was soft-spoken and kind. He loved soft drinks and red apples. He didnt deserve this, she said. Police believe the case can be solved. They are asking anyone with information to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. A former Alabama Department of Corrections sergeant was convicted Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in the 2021 beating of an inmate with a baton. (Jefferson County Jail) A former state prison sergeant has been sentenced to prison for the assault of an inmate with a baton. A Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff jury in April convicted 60-year-old Joe L. Binder of first-degree assault. Circuit Judge David Carpenter sentenced Binder to 10 years in prison. The assault happened Jan. 30, 2021, at William Donaldson Correctional Facility, sending two inmates including Ephan Moore to the hospital with injuries. The other inmate injured was well-known prison activist Robert Earl Council. Binder and two other ADOC correctional officers two of which were injured during the altercation were immediately placed on leave and all three later charged with first-degree assault on Moore. The other two officers charged were Cordaro Melton, 38, and Daryl Brown, 40. They have not yet gone to trial. Binder, who was their supervisor, was fired. Melton and Brown resigned. Videos circulated on social media showing a large amount of blood on the prison floor and inmates coughing from lingering pepper spray, or another chemical agent, in the air, the Associated Press reported at the time. The FBI was brought in to assist in the investigation. The incident prompted officials to require ADOC supervisors to wear body cameras while on duty. Moore, a 33-year-old from Mobile, pleaded guilty in 2013 to first-degree robbery in Dale County and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was incarcerated at Donaldson when the altercation erupted that Saturday. Following the prison fight, Moore was charged with second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer for stabbing Brown with an inmate-knife. Moore last month pleaded guilty to that charge and was sentenced to 6 years in prison to run concurrent with his robbery sentence. Moore, who testified at Binders trial, is now held at Bullock Correctional Facility. Following his conviction, Binder was booked into the Jefferson County Jail. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Kaemi Calderon Velez and Brent Butler. Binder was represented by Birmingham attorneys Scott Morro and Brett Bloomston. Morro previously said Binder was wrongly convicted, and said the defense proved that the inmate lied about what happened and also said there was no blood evidence. Prior to sentencing, Bloomston asked that Binder be sentenced to a split sentence with time served for the 4 months he has spent in the county jail. In his request, Bloomston noted that Binder graduated from Parker High School and served decades in the U.S. Army as a decorated soldier. Binder joined the Alabama Department of Corrections in 1998, while still in the Army Reserves. Bloomston included letters from co-workers who described Binder as respectful and empathetic to inmates. While in the Jefferson County Jail since his conviction, the attorney wrote, he has logged 734 hours in the inmate education program. In addition, Bloomston wrote, Binder is particularly vulnerable in custody, as his career as a corrections officer could expose him to potential former supervised inmates and such other elements. As Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, once stated, Each of us is more than the worst thing weve ever done, Bloomston wrote. Allowing Binder to be defined by this one moment in time would be an incredible injustice to a man who has dedicated his life in service to our country and our state. Binder remains jailed awaiting transfer to prison. He is appealing. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The European Union (EU) delegation and the diplomatic missions of EU member states in Libya have welcomed the new political roadmap announced by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, at the UN Security Council last Thursday A 24-year-old Pennsylvania woman has pleaded guilty to the 2021 death of a woman who was kidnapped and pushed off a cliff. Jessie Kelly, of Union City, pleaded guilty Monday to the murder of 37-year-old Mary Elizabeth Isbell in Dekalb County, according to court records. Kelly was initially charged with capital murder but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of murder under the condition that she provides assistance in the prosecution of her mother, Loretta Kay Carr. The plea requires that Kelly testify against Carr truthfully during her capital murder trial, according to its text. A multi-agency search team discovered Isbells remains in Little River Canyon National Preserve in late June of 2023. Her ex-husband had reported her missing almost two years earlier, according to court documents. At the time of the report, Hartselle police were able to determine Isbell was in DeKalb County based on phone records, according to a previous release from the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said a search warrant of Isbells DeKalb County residence showed signs of a struggle. Months later, a credible tip, witness statements, and one of the defendants statements led investigators to charge Carr and Kelly in Isbells death, DeKalb County Chief Investigator Nick Brown told The Decatur Daily previously. An investigators affidavit filed in DeKalb County District Court alleges Carr and Kelly caused the death of Isbell on or around Oct. 18, 2021. They did so by pushing her off a cliff and during her abduction or attempt to abduct, according to the affidavit. Brown, who said Isbells cause of death appeared to be a result of being thrown from the cliff, previously said its one of the most heinous cases of his career. Kelly has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. Chick-fil-A restaurants across the Birmingham area are offering guests a free breakfast item as part of a limited-time morning giveaway. Monday, Aug. 25, through Saturday, Aug. 30, Chick-fil-A fans can redeem a free chicken biscuit or spicy chicken biscuit through the Chick-fil-A One App. We love rewarding our loyal Guests with special offers, said Scott Powers, local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Eastwood Village, in a press release. Were excited to brighten their mornings, and a complimentary breakfast is a simple yet meaningful way to show our appreciation. The promotion is only valid through the Chick-fil-A app during breakfast hours. Whats on the Chick-fil-A fall menu? The limited-time fall menu includes a new take on the chicken sandwich, a series of beverages, and two new snacks. Following a successful test in North Carolina, the new Pretzel Cheddar Club Sandwich is now available nationwide. The sandwich features a toasted, pretzel bun, lettuce, sliced tomato, cheddar cheese, and strips of applewood smoked bacon. The sandwich is available in original, spicy or grilled. Chick-fil-A also has an assortment of Cherry Berry Beverages: Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, stands in the company's shipyard in Coden, Ala., in this 2022 picture. Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com A Coden-based vessel and workboat manufacturer, Master Boat Builders, is receiving nearly $1.9 million in tax incentives to support a $7.8 million expansion and modernization project in Mobile County. The project includes several key components: a new fabrication shop, a floating drydock to support harbor tug contracts, workforce training initiatives, and various infrastructure improvements. The expansion project is expected to create 85 new jobs, bringing Master Boats total workforce to over 300 employees. This investment is about more than just expanding our ability to build more high-quality vessels, Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders, said. It underscores our commitment to increasing American shipbuilding capacity and were doing it right here along Americas Gulf Coast in Mobile County. He added, By modernizing our facilities and growing our skilled workforce, were positioning our team to deliver critical vessels that support U.S. commerce and industry, all while training the next generation of American shipbuilders. Under the incentive deal, the company is set to get $1.1 million in a jobs tax credit from the Alabama Department of Commerce. The Mobile County Industrial Authority is also granting $218,655 in non-educational sales and use tax abatements during construction, as well as $231,013 in a non-educational property tax abatement for 10 years. Bradley Byrne, president & CEO with the Mobile Chamber, said that Master Boat Builders project is a powerful example of how our business community is growing alongside the Port of Mobile and the maritime economy. The Mobile County Commission, on Monday, also approved a $250,000 incentive to support the construction of the companys new fabrication facility, a new employee training facility and for the floating dry dock. Mobile County Commissioner Randall Dueitt, in a media release, defended the incentive package by saying it was worth doing to secure and create jobs. He also said it was a worthwhile use of tax incentives to support a family-owned company. Master Boat Builders was born out of a hurricane about 45 years ago after Hurricane Frederick devastated the Alabama coast in 1979. That storm wrecked a seafood shop operated by the Rice family. James and Michael Rice grandfather and father, respectively, to Garrett Rice decided to go into a new line of work on their waterfront property, which included boat manufacturing. Mobile County Commissioner Randall Dueitt said in a statement that the company has employed thousands of people over that span from local communities and currently employ over 300 people. If we cant incentivize and support the growth of a business like Master, we shouldnt be incentivizing anyone. Work on the expansion project began last October. It is expected to be completed this coming October. Cracker Barrel unveiled a new logo that removes its iconic barrel and Uncle Herschel in favor of a simpler design. Cracker Barrel Cracker Barrel acknowledged the loud opposition to its new logo and remodel in a statement issued Monday, maintaining that Uncle Herschel is not going anywhere despite being removed from its updated design. If the last few days have shown us anything, its how deeply people care about Cracker Barrel. Were truly grateful for your heartfelt voices, the Tennessee-based company said in the statement on its Facebook page titled A promise to Our Guests. Youve also shown us that we couldve done a better job sharing who we are and who well always be, Cracker Barrel said in response to the public backlash, including from MAGA and conservatives who claimed the company has gone woke. Cracker Barrels value plunged more than 10% amid the backlash, according to Fox Business. Last week, Cracker Barrel unveiled its new logo, which ditched Uncle Herschel and the brown and yellow barrel in favor of a simpler design. We love seeing how much you care about our old timer. We love him too, the companys statement read. Uncle Herschel will still be on our menu (welcome back Uncle Herschels Favorite Breakfast Platter), on our road signs, and featured in our country store. Hes not going anywhere hes family," the statement continued. Cracker Barrels new look doesnt change whats under the hood, according to the company. While our logo and remodels may be making headlines, our bigger focus is still right where it belongs in the kitchen and on your plate: serving generous portions of the food you crave at fair prices and doing it with the kind of country hospitality that brightens your days and creates lasting memories," the statement read. We also want to be sure Cracker Barrel is here for the next generation of families, just as it has been for yours. That means showing up on new platforms and in new ways, but always with our heritage at the heart. We know we wont always get everything right the first time, but well keep testing, learning and listening to our guests and employees, it continued. Thank you for caring so much and come see for yourself the country hospitality that makes Cracker Barrel feel like home. A flesh-eating parasite has been confirmed in a human marking the first case in the U.S. According to CNN, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokesman, Andrew Nixon, said this rare case originated from the New World screwworm. This is the first human case of travel-associated New World screwworm myiasis (parasitic infestation of fly larvae) from an outbreak-affected country identified in the United States, Nixon said. Currently, the risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low. Nixon said the flesh eating screwworms were confirmed in a patient living in Maryland on Aug. 4 that had previously returned from El Salvador. The Maryland Department of Health has stated that the patient has recovered from the infection and there are not signs that the illness was transmitted to another person or animal. While there is no immediate public health threat the U.S. government has already been devising a plan to combat the larvae of the screwworm fly due to the disastrous impacts it can have specifically on the agriculture industry in the country. According to NBC News, an outbreak of the parasite could be catastrophic for Texas agriculture industry and a USDA report from 2024 found that an outbreak could cost the state at least $1.8 billion. Part of the plan to fight off the insect is to breed billions of sterile flies and release them into Texas and Mexico to prevent more eggs from hatching once the males mate with the females. Human cases of screwworm are rarely fatal and are most often treatable. Lowes has decided to buy a building material distributor for $8.8 billion with hundreds of location nationwide including Alabama, according to a recent release from the company. Lowes Chairman Marvin Ellison sees the acquisition of Foundation Building Materials, a company based in California, as a way to serve the professional builders market, those who make large, planned purchases. With this acquisition, we are advancing our multi-year transformation of the Pro offering, Ellison said in the release dated Aug. 20. Foundation Building Materials, which began operations in 2011, has 370 locations in the United States and Canada. It serves 40,000 professional contractors and builders who buy interior building products, including drywall, metal framing, ceiling systems, commercial doors and hardware, and insulation. FBM has seven locations in Alabama, with two in Huntsville, and one each in Alexandria, Auburn, Birmingham, Pelham, and Daphne. Lowes has 39 stores in the state. FBMs scalable, multi-trade distribution platform and strong leadership combined with our recent acquisition of ADG (Artisan Design Group) will significantly enhance our Pro offering, Ellison stated. Months after pleading guilty to burglary charges, a North Alabama man who was shot multiple times has filed a lawsuit against the shooter. Christopher Mitchell was shot four times at a reportedly abandoned home near Wall Triana Boulevard in Madison in August 2023. He pleaded guilty to burglary in the third degree (unoccupied building) in June 2025, according to Madison County Chief Deputy District Attorney Tim Gann. Eric Artrip, Mitchells attorney, said his client was unarmed and trespassed into the building before he was shot by the property owner four times. He said he wanted to take this case to protect Mitchells right to life. He was a trespasser, Artrip said. Obviously, if youre doing something wrong, you cant expect people to treat you well, but in doing the research, it also became very clear to us that Alabama elevates human life above property. In other words, there is no property, real estate or personal belongings that are worth more in the eyes of the Alabama law than human life. AL.com reached out to Sharp for comment. No comment, but needless to say, its unfortunate that criminals fabricate stories, Sharp said in a phone call. Reasonable alternatives available? According to the lawsuit, defendant James Sharp received a motion camera alert that someone had climbed through a window on his property. In the Madison County Sheriffs arrest report, Sharp was heading to the property to prepare it for a family outing. He received the notification and assumed that the person had already left by the time he arrived, 35 minutes after the alert. The lawsuit asserts, Defendant had ample opportunity during this period to contact law enforcement. Reasonable alternatives were readily available to Sharp, including announcing himself, issuing clear warnings, and calling 911 before any confrontation; he chose none of them. His decision to arm himself and confront the Plaintiff reflects premeditation and a disregard for non-violent resolution. In the police report, Sharp said he did not call law enforcement because in prior burglary incidents at the property, subjects were apprehended or left the area before deputies arrived. The police report stated Sharp told the person, later identified as Mitchell, to put his hands up and not to move. Mitchell kept his hands by his waist and Sharp heard a jingling noise, the lawsuit claimed. Thats when Sharp fired twice, the suit said. Meanwhile, the lawsuit claims Mitchell raised his hands and responded Yes, sir, when asked to leave. As Mitchell exited through the window. Sharp briefly turned away then pivoted back towards the window and began firing. They were approximately 10 feet apart. Artrip says Mitchell was incapacitated when Sharp shot him two more times. Clearly, at this point, the guy could not possibly have been a threat, Artrip said. Then, Sharp shoots him twice again. I think the bloom is off the rose as far as I was trying to protect myself from my property or anything like that. Mitchell was hit in the chest, back, left arm and knee. Deadly force is only protected by Alabama law if the shooter believes their life is in danger. Sharp said he feared for his life in the police report. James (Sharp) stated that he was in fear for his life and shot (2) two times quickly, at which time the subject said you hit me, stated the report. James stated that he continued to tell the subject not to move. James stated that he was attempting to grab his cell phone from his pocket when the subject started to get up, at which time he shot (2) two more times. Sharp called 911 for an ambulance and Mitchell spent six days in the hospital. The lawsuit reports that Mitchell still struggles with chronic pain, limited physical abilities and post-traumatic stress disorder. Mitchell is not allowed to reach out to Sharp and a no contact order is part of the guilty plea deal. Several pounds of food, necessary school supplies, toiletries and other essential items fill the interior of Grace Resendez McCafferys car. The items are donations that McCaffery, an immigration advocate along the Gulf Coast, often receives when she is notified of people in need of assistance then distributes to the affected individuals. McCaffery told AL.com this particular delivery was for two families with seven children between them that were struggling after the fathers and breadwinners of each household were detained and placed into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody recently in Baldwin County. Donated items inside of Grace Resendez McCafferys car. Patrick Darrington McCaffery explained how this is a prime example of families being affected by the nationwide immigration crackdown by President Donald Trumps administration. If you arrest a worker, youve taken away a breadwinner from somebodys household, McCaffery said. Schools starting, and a lot of kids are behind. I spoke to a woman that has six children, and shes terrified of whats going to happen and I want to try and give her some hopebut until then weve got to feed these kids and get them into school. Incidents like this have caused McCaffery to recently begin urging immigrants, documented or undocumented, to start writing phone numbers on their body so they can contact family if detained by ICE. McCaffery has been an advocate for 20 years across northwest Florida and south Alabama providing support through direct action or sharing general information through her bilingual newspaper, La Costa Latina. McCaffery is familiar with problems affecting her community and panics stirred by immigration but she said Trumps current administration has been more aggressive, even violent as federal agents enact the presidents mass deportation plan. In south Alabama, federal immigration agents and local law enforcement officials have pursued Trumps agenda with the most frequency in the state. We see fluctuations across the state, but specifically in Baldwin County, we have just seen a lot of repeat activity going on. A lot of construction sites have been raided, Allison Hamilton, Executive Director for the Alabama Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said. Numerous raids, primarily at construction sites, and operations involving traffic stops have resulted in hundreds of people being detained and placed into ICE custody in Baldwin County since Trump returned to the White House in January. But McCaffery contends much of this enforcement hinges on racial profiling and that Hispanic immigrants are being targeted for any reason. That is happening despite Trump promising during his campaign to primarily target violent criminals. According to Trac Reports, as of Aug. 10, 70.4 percent of all ICE detainees had no prior criminal conviction. Both FBI Mobile and Baldwin County Sheriff Capt. Daniel Steelman said that neither agency engages in any racial profiling but are just pulling people over based on probable cause. We dont engage in any racial profiling, Steelman said. We do make probable cause based traffic stops. But as far as stopping someone for being male, female, Black, white, Hispanic, sexual preference or whatever its not done. But McCaffery says probable cause is merely an excuse to pull over Hispanic people during traffic stings and the agencies are also targeting vehicles that appear to be work-related. Theyre taking a gamble that the driver is possibly undocumented, McCaffery said. The description that Im getting about these stops is that the officer will drive up next to their vehicle to a point that they can see the drivers face, then pull them over. Theyre not speeding, theyre not driving with any non functioning equipment. But even before someone is able to see a driver, they can see what kind of vehicle theyre driving. If theyre driving with equipment, a ladder, some tools, that kind of stuff to look like they are possibly construction workers. Hamilton also said that racial profiling is happening to Baldwin County citizens. If youre a citizen of Baldwin County who is not Latino, have you been stopped and asked for your immigration papers? Hamilton asked. The frequency of raids at construction sites have been attributed to Baldwin Countys growth, construction taking place because of that growth and tips that officials are receiving about undocumented laborers at the sites. But Hamilton wonders why the housing industry is being targeted so heavily. If the issue is really about criminality, then it shouldnt relate to any particular industry. According to McCaffery, the activity in south Alabama has caused the Hispanic communities in the area to become more distrustful and fearful. Immigration operations in the area do not appear to be slowing down. On Friday, FBI Mobile posted that law enforcement agencies detained 19 undocumented people last week. In late May it was reported by Axios that Stephen Miller, Trumps Deputy Chief of Staff, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem instructed immigration officials to arrest 3,000 individuals a day. McCaffery argues that this quota and willingness from local law enforcement agencies to work with ICE is fueling the raids on easy targets like construction sites. During the week of 8/18/25 immigration enforcement actions across Mobile and Baldwin Counties resulted in the arrest of... Posted by FBI - Mobile on Friday, August 22, 2025 It was reported in June that Mobile and Baldwin County sheriff offices had officially signed onto the federal 287g agreement which empowers local law enforcement to carry out the duties of federal immigration agents. Yet, McCaffery said the broader community in south Alabama is becoming disillusioned as they did not expect ICE to target my next door neighbor. McCaffery is committed to educating as many people as possible and help others understand the complex reality of immigration in the U.S. I am always offering meetings and town halls and whatever so that we can increase communication and we can have a better understanding, McCaffery said. And yes, we need to start with compassion for individuals, but we need to go beyond feeling sorry for our Hispanic community and actually start making just decisions so that we can all live equally. The Arc of Justice is a 22 foot tall carbon steel sculpture named after the words of Martin Luther King Jr. Alaina Bookman Birmingham artist Willie Williams said he hopes his art will encourage people to keep fighting the good fight. Williams 22 foot tall carbon steel sculpture, titled the Arc of Justice after the famous words of Martin Luther King Jr., will be the center of a local event reminding community members that even in times of unrest, justice will prevail. At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, Williams will open the doors of Studio 2500 to celebrate art, culture and unity. Its a reminder of whats at stake, whats on the line, using art and the Arc of Justice itself as a tool to catalyze change and keep people fighting, Williams said. Williams story Willie Williams transforms MLK's famous words into a monumental sculpture. Alaina Bookman Raised in Birminghams historic Smithfield neighborhood, where civil rights activists Arthur Shores and Angela Davis made their marks, Williams learned the importance of art and history. Williams recalled drawing at all hours of the day and taking trips to art and civil rights museums across the South as a child. His father, Willie Williams Sr., taught him how to paint with watercolors at just 4-years-old. Over time, his passion continued to grow. Having the honor to just be raised in Smithfield, and knowing the significance of that area inspired me to do this type of work, Williams said. It just inspired me to delve into that. It was like my second language. Williams honed his skill at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, then explored metalworking and sculpture at Birmingham Southern College. Willie Williams is a painter and metalworker. His gallery, Studio 2500, showcases his work. Alaina Bookman Today, in a studio nestled in North Birmingham, Williams bold, colorful art hangs on the walls. His metal sculptures are intricate and detailed, telling the story of those who came before him. My work primarily highlights heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, Williams said. Heroes of Black history and Black culture whose stories and impact and work that theyve laid in the past are actually resurfacing today through all of the social political changes that were experiencing. Willie Williams is a painter and metalworker. His gallery and workshop, Studio 2500, showcases his art. Alaina Bookman His work is all over Birmingham, from City Walk to the Mayors Office. But it doesnt stop there. Williams said his art can also be found in Georgia, Houston, Chicago and New York. While his art has been recognized nationally, Williams said his Birmingham studio holds a special place in his heart. From the mayor to the monks, different generations, old and young, are able to come and find an experience that connects them, Williams said. Were doing art to heighten Black culture, bring different cultures together and allow our cultural exchange to help us pursue better human relations. Wilhelmina Thomas, a civil rights researcher and textile artist, said the first time her art was displayed as an adult was when Williams gave her an opportunity to participate in his gallery. As he has these art shows, we are seeing more and more local African American artists, Thomas said. His work and his fathers work are very important to me. They inspire me in my work. And this is just a great space to be...We need to have all of that joy and all of that hope and creativity gives us that. Joy is a form of resistance, so thats what this is. The Arc of Justice Willie Williams said he created the Arc of Justice in response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Alaina Bookman In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement came to a head after the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery ignited the nation. That summer, Williams marched alongside other Birmingham activists demanding change. You could hear the frustrationbut you could feel the solidarity too, Williams said. It was that day with us walking through those streets, passing through Kelly Ingram, going and stopping at the police station, I was just thinking, My art needs to respond to this social ill right now. Justice is necessary, so how can my art reflect that? He found the answer in the words of Martin Luther King Jr. I saw Dr. King speaking and talking about how long justice would take to come. And he said, How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. From there, Williams got to work. From 2020 to 2022, he planned, designed, engineered, fundraised and created the Arc of Justice, a piece that he calls a global symbol highlighting how, more than 60 years later, the fight for social justice is ongoing. It made a moment that carries forward from then to now that keeps the goal of our society to get better and be more just and humane at the forefront, Williams said. The event The "Arc of Justice Day" event will include art, music, food and speeches from civil rights leaders. Alaina Bookman In a free, annual event, dubbed by Williams Arc of Justice Day, community members will come together for art, music, food and speeches from civil rights and local leaders including Shuttlesworth documentarian T. Marie King and poet laureate Salaam Green. Activist Sarah Collins Rudolph, who was injured in the 1963 bombing of 16th Street Baptist Church, will be honored at the event. Its a day of art, community and action, Williams said. The Arc of Justice is more than inspiring words from a speech, an art piece and an event. Williams has also created a foundation in its name to fund arts programming for local youth, including summer camps and after-school workshops. He also hopes to embark on a project to transport the arc to different parts of the world to represent the global effort and unity required to achieve justice and equality. We want the foundation to be able to use the art and arc to push for social change, Williams said. The artist said he hopes the event and his art will inspire community members to keep fighting for better. I hope that all 99 neighborhoods in Birmingham are filled with art, opportunity and access for the next generation. The Huntsville City Council will vote to add 572 more acres at its Aug. 14, 2025, meeting. City of Huntsville Huntsville residents will get the chance to voice their opinions about what should be done with the newest part of the Rocket City. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the annexation of 572 acres in the northern part of the city at its meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The commission will vote on the zoning for the annexed property following the hearing. The City Council approved the annexation of the property at its Aug. 14 meeting. The property is north of Bob Wade Rd and east and west of Mt. Lebanon Road along the North Bypass currently under construction. Residence 2, Residence 2-B and Highway Business C-4 districts are proposed for the property. The zonings, if approved, would allow for various types of housing, including single family homes, townhomes and apartments, as well as retail development. The land is expected to be developed through a master planning process for residential and commercial development. The city said the annexation aligns with the citys growth corridor in north Huntsville. The annexation will also help support and foster new retail development opportunities along the Northern Bypass, according to city officials. The Northern Bypass is currently under construction and was about 40% complete in May, according to an Alabama Department of Transportation report. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and other local officials will celebrate the completion of the first phase of the project on Friday. District 1 City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins said she felt comfortable with the annexation after discussions with Urban and Economic Development Director Shane Davis about the impact of the annexation on Huntsville City Schools. Watkins had been reluctant to support annexations with residential development planned over concerns the development could contribute to school overcrowding. But Davis said the development would be master planned and built in phases where it would not put a strain on city schools or city services. Davis said the frontage of the property would be commercial, with the remainder of the property being residential development. The Sam and Rosa Harris Family Farm LLC submitted the petition annexation before the councils vote. The city council must also approve the zoning before the zoning will go into effect. Also on the agenda Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A broad coalition of Sudanese civil society groups is preparing to launch a national campaign demanding a two-year extension for the UNs Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, citing unabated atrocities and a deepening humanitarian crisis Continuing his trolling of the Trump administration, California Gov. Gavin Newsom wished one of the presidents top advisors a happy birthday using a photo of Harry Potter villain Voldemort. Happy Birthday @StephenM!, Newsoms press office tweeted Sunday night, using the handle used by Trump Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller. Sorry we missed your big day yesterday. The tweet included a picture of Voldemort with a party hat: Happy birthday, @StephenM! Sorry we missed your big day yesterday. pic.twitter.com/e1cjLqcPsu Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) August 24, 2025 One of Trumps biggest critics, Newsom has recently used social media to hit back at the president and his administration, including mocking Trumps bombastic rhetoric in social media posts. Miller, who turned 40 years old on Saturday, is one of Trumps most trusted advisors. He is behind the presidents immigration policy and backs Trumps ICE raids and use of the National Guard as part of the federalization of Washington, D.C.s police force. Last week, Miller called the protesters demonstrating against Trumps actions in the nations capital stupid white hippies who need a nap. [W]ere gonna ignore these stupid white hippies that all need to go home and take a nap because theyre all over 90 years old, and were gonna get back to the business of protecting the American people and the citizens of Washington, D.C, he said. President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP President Donald Trump had a visibly black-and-blue bruise on his right hand as he met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday in the Oval Office. The bruise comes after the presidents hand was covered with a noticeable splotch of makeup on Friday that did not match his skin tone and a different-black-and-blue bruise on his other hand. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said Trumps hand bruising is consistent with irritation from his frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin. Leavitts explanation did not pass the smell test, according to social media users. Release the health records, tweeted the anti-Trump media organization MeidasTouch. Really? A bruised hand explained away as soft tissue irritation from frequent handshakes? The White House insists the president Trump is in excellent health. The question isnt the bruise its the trust deficit," added Stephen Mutoro. They want us to believe that Trump has bruises on BOTH HANDS from handshaking with his right hand, but his ear healed so perfectly after being shot that there was NO SIGN of it within weeks, tweeted liberal influencer David Pakman. Got it. If Joe Bidens hand had looked like it was covered in grey scale Fox would be running that s--- on a loop 24/7, added liberal influencer JoJofromJerz, real name Joanne Carducci. The Associated Press contributed to this report. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Multiple reports have suggested that Apple will launch its first foldable iPhone next year. Major Android phone makers already joined the fray years ago, and Apple will finally board the bandwagon in 2026. The device reportedly entered the testing phase last month. Now, a new report has revealed key details about the features of the handset. In a report for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman suggests that the first foldable iPhone will have a Touch ID sensor, among other things. The first foldable iPhone will be a book-style device and feature a Touch ID sensor According to Gurman, the first foldable iPhone, code-named V68, will be Apples first major shift in design in years. It will sport a book-style folding format similar to Samsungs Galaxy Z Fold range of devices. Also, Apple is moving from on-cell to in-cell display technology to minimize creases and improve responsiveness. Apples iPhones have shifted to Face ID sensors for security. However, Apple may revive the Touch ID sensor for the first foldable iPhone. The Cupertino tech giant could integrate the security feature into the power button or on the side of the device to keep the frame slim. The Touch ID sensor has a much smaller component, which makes it the obvious choice to shave off a few centimeters of a device thats bulkier than regular iPhones. Say hello to four cameras, say goodbye to the SIM card slot Furthermore, Gurman predicts that the first foldable iPhone will offer as many as four cameras. There will be one on the first, one inside the folding screen, and two on the back. Most foldables on the market also offer a largely similar camera configuration. Apple currently sells iPhones in either an eSIM-only configuration or with a physical SIM card slot, which depends on the region. However, with the foldable model, Apple is shifting to an eSIM-only configuration. Gurman also claims that Apple will equip the folding phone with its own second-gen C2 modem, the same chip rumored for the iPhone 18 range. Additionally, Gurman says Apples suppliers have already started working on the first foldable iPhone. The company has plans to ramp up production in early next year for a possible fall launch. Although Apple hasnt finalized the phones design yet, the company plans to offer it in white, black, light blue, and light gold color variants. NVIDIA has established itself as the premier AI processing hardware, and its latest chip, the Blackwell Ultra GPU, is being hailed by the company as its fastest chip for AI. It boasts an impressive 640 5th-gen Tensor cores and 15 PetaFLOPS of NVP4 compute power. NVIDIA is positioning this new GPU as a big upgrade over its current Blackwell AI chips. Based on current information from the company, it promises some pretty significant gains. The Blackwell Ultra features 208 billion transistors, which is 2.6 times more than what NVIDIA offered on the Hopper GPUs that came before it. One of the big benefits, NVIDIA says, is that this build structure allows a huge performance boost, but it also keeps the CUDA programming model familiar. NVIDIA says its the same programming model that developers have been using for almost 20 years. The NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPU is 50% faster than the non-Ultra GB200 Blackwell chip NVIDIAs new Blackwell Ultra GPU brings in more than a few upgrades over the non-Ultra models, and one of those upgrades is its overall performance. Its reportedly 50% faster than the Blackwell GB200, and thats a pretty noticeable jump. It also has 288GB of memory compared to the 192GB in the non-Ultra Blackwell chip. The GPU also features 160 streaming multicore processors, which NVIDIA breaks up into 8 different graphics processing clusters. In terms of performance, the new Blackwell Ultra can deliver higher throughput and lower latency for both dense and sparse AI workloads. Whether youre really piling on tons of tasks or doing something more mild, the Blackwell Ultra promises to push through more of those tasks to completion in less time. In other words, NVIDIA says this chip is what will allow businesses to effortlessly transition from proof-of-concept AI to production AI factories. According to the company, AI computations that were impossible before are now possible thanks to the Blackwell Ultra chip. While these are generally going to be more powerful than NVIDIAs gaming GPUs, theyre not designed or built for gaming. Not to mention the cost is likely to be much more substantial. In the semiconductor space, Intel is still very dominant. The companys chips can be found in desktop computers, laptops, and servers around the world. However, as the conversation shifts to mobile, Intel becomes less relevant. That space is dominated by the likes of Qualcomm. But the Trump administration doesnt want Intel to fall, and a recent report suggests it will help the company with the production of advanced chips in the US. Trump to help Intels advanced chips production in the US According to an exclusive report from the Wall Street Journal, it claims that the Trump administration is looking into helping Intel with its advanced chips production in the US. As you might know, Trump is hoping to bring more manufacturing back to the US. Seeing as how semiconductors are an incredibly hot market right now, it makes sense. Now, unlike Qualcomm, which relies heavily on TSMC for the production of its chips, Intel has its own foundry and fabrication facilities. The report claims that the US governments interest in the company is more than just about acquiring a 10% stake in the company. They are also looking to bolster Intels cutting-edge processes, like 18A, in the US. However, Intel has made it clear it needs huge incentives from the government if they are hoping to compete with TSMC. This report is interesting because of the change in tune. Just recently, US President Donald Trump called on Intels CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, to be fired. However, a few days later, both sides made up with Trump singing the CEOs praises. Tariffs on imported semiconductors Trump recently announced a plan to impose 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors. This is part of his bid to encourage companies, both local and foreign, to start building more in the US. This has resulted in companies like Samsung and TSMC to invest more heavily into its US operations. While this will help companies escape the tariffs, there is also the question of cost. Obviously, labor costs in the US differ greatly compared to countries like Taiwan and China. Even if companies can avoid tariffs, it is possible that labor costs and manufacturing costs stateside could end up being as expensive, if not more. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has bought a third home on the south coast for over 700,000 - which comes after she oversaw changes allowing councils to double council tax levies for second-home owners. Ms Rayner owns a property in her constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne, which she purchased for 375,00 in 2016 and is now valued at 650,000. She also has a grace-and-favour ministerial apartment in Admiralty House in Westminster. The Tories have now demanded she comes clean about her council tax arrangements, The Mail on Sunday reports. Ms Rayners new property is understood to be in Hove. Neighbours claim they have seen her walking in the are with former Labour MP Sam Tarry, who she was known to have been in a relationship with. Ms Rayner, who is also housing secretary, oversaw the changes in her department of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, first announced by her predecessor Michael Gove, which aim to deter rich homeowners from buying second properties. Councils have been granted powers to levy a 100 per cent tax premium - double the usual rate - on second homes since April. After Labour won last year's general election, Ms Rayner declared her constituency home to be her primary residence and was able to claim back 1,621 in council tax from the London flat as one of the permitted housing costs reimbursed by the Commons' authorities. The Mail on Sunday reports that Ms Rayner has not answered question about whether this is still the case. Her Hove property is reported to be Band D and would entail a 2,455 council tax bill for two people, or 1,841 for someone living alone, which doubles if it is a second home. Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly accused Rayner of failing to clarify her living arrangements before Parliament. He said: "Angela Rayner is responsible for housing policy, yet she wont even be straight about her own. Time and again shes been asked to declare exactly what properties she owns and where she pays council tax, and time and again shes dodged those questions. That matters, because this is the same deputy prime minister whos hiked taxes on family homes across the country. If shes not prepared to be open about her own affairs while taxing everyone else, the public will wonder what she has to hide. Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice accused Ms Rayner of being the Everest of hypocrisy. She laments a housing shortage, wants to soak the rich, whilst selfishly building her own property mountain, he said. Senior Tory Dame Priti Patel said: One rule for this condescending hypocritical Labour minister, and a totally different set of rules for the hard-pressed taxpaying silent majority of Britain. Allies of Ms Rayner defended her decision to buy the seaside apartment. A source close to Ms Rayner told The Mail on Sunday: "Angelas work means that shes often had to be in and around London for over a decade now but had always rented a flat for that purpose." A Labour spokesman said: We are not in the business of restricting people's ability to own property, but we're clear that rights come with responsibilities. The furore comes amid speculation the next budget could see Labour overhauling property taxes such as stamp duty and council tax. Earlier this week, it was reported Rachel Reeves may end the current exemption from capital gains tax for primary residences as she seeks ways to raise cash in the face of dire warnings about the state of the public finances. Such a move would see higher-rate taxpayers pay 24 per cent of any gain in the value of their home, while basic rate taxpayers would be hit with an 18 per cent levy. Under the proposals being considered for the autumn budget, the private residence relief would end for properties above a certain threshold. The threshold is still under consideration but a 1.5 million starting point would hit around 120,000 homeowners who are higher-rate taxpayers with capital gains tax bills of 199,973, the newspaper reported. WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With the number of confirmed Legionnaires' Disease cases rising in New York as well as the death toll, it is time for policy makers to address the problem at its source, according to the Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires Disease. Since July 25, 2025, more than 108 individuals have been diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease in Central Harlem. Tragically, six individuals have died. Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, is caused by the waterborne bacteria legionella found naturally in source water and soil. If not properly treated and filtered, legionella can escape water treatment plants, entering water distribution systems, and ultimately infecting building, facility, and home water systems where humans can become exposed. Proactive and comprehensive measures must be taken to address legionella from source-to-tap if we are going to succeed in preventing the serious disease it causes. "The current policies are not working," said Bob Bowcock, Alliance Board Member and water expert who founded Integrated Resource Management. "What is needed is a comprehensive approach that recognizes the waterborne pathogens infiltrate homes and buildings through the water supply. Focusing only on end use is only going to lead to more outbreaks and more deaths." Local Law 77 passed a decade ago, mandates registration, inspection, cleaning, disinfection, and testing of certain water-using equipment in buildings. However, despite these measures, the city continues to face elevated cases and outbreaks that remain unabated, impacting economically disadvantaged areas the most. The singular emphasis on end-user equipment is reactionary once the bacteria has already entered premise plumbing systems rather than a comprehensive or preventative water-quality strategy. In a recent op-ed in the New York Daily News (https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/24/erin-brockovich-harlem-legionnaires-disease-demands-real-action/), environmental activist Erin Brockovich wrote: "We need to move from reaction to prevention, and that means covering the whole water system from source to tap. New Jersey recently passed a law to require water management programs for both water utilities and buildings, stronger investigations, public education, and case tracking. Illinois has similar rules to mitigate risks upstreamEven the NYS Department of Health has issued a guide to reduce risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria at home and I couldn't agree more that the public deserves far greater education, awareness and transparency related to this disease and the waterborne bacteria that causes it." Further, numerous studies[i] have found a clear link between periods of heavy rainfall and an increased risk of contracting Legionnaires' disease. Intense rain creates environmental conditions that support the growth and spread of legionella bacteria. On July 14, New York City experienced heavy rain and flash flooding, with Mayor Eric Adams reporting that Harlem experienced some of the heaviest rainfall during the event. The City's Department of Environmental Protection called it one of the most intense rainstorms since Hurricane Ida. Given the well-documented connection between rainfall and Legionnaires' cases, New York City should carefully examine the likelihood that this storm disrupted the water distribution system by dislodging and dispersing legionella bacteria, contributing to the current outbreak with cases first diagnosed 11 days after (incubation period for Legionnaires' disease is 10-14 days). "This disease is preventable," Bowcock said. "But prevention begins at the water source and distribution system through proactive monitoring, management, and treatment to prevent the spread of the bacteria as water moves through the system to the end user. It is time to stop pretending that legionella bacteria magically fly through the air. It is spread through water and so logically the way to stop it is in the source of our water. The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaires' Disease calls on New York to look to the recent actions taken by its neighbors in New Jersey who passed a comprehensive, source-to-tap law for Legionnaires' disease prevention which takes effect in May 2026, and craft a workable policy that will stop these outbreaks and protect New York residents." The CDC reports that there are more than 8,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease reported annually, with individual cases comprising 96% and outbreaks accounting for only 4%. One in ten individuals who contract Legionnaires' disease will die from it and the fatality rate is higher among more susceptible populations. The Alliance to Prevent Legionnaire' Disease is a national nonprofit focused on preventing Legionnaires' disease through education, advocacy, and awareness. For more information, visit the Alliance's website: https://preventlegionnaires.org/. [i] Hicks LA, Rose CE Jr, Fields BS, Drees ML, Engel JP, Jenkins PR, Rouse BS, Blythe D, Khalifah AP, Feikin DR, Whitney CG. Increased rainfall is associated with increased risk for legionellosis. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2007. Chen N-T, Chen M-J, Guo C-Y, Chen K-T, Su H-J. Precipitation increases the occurrence of sporadic Legionnaires' disease in Taiwan. Scientific Reports. 2020. Garcia-Vidal C, Labori M, Viasus D, Simonetti A, Garcia-Somoza D, Dorca J, Gudiol F, Carratala J. Rainfall is a risk factor for sporadic cases of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia. PLoS ONE. 2013. For more information, visit the Alliance's website: https://preventlegionnaires.org/ SOURCE Prevent Legionnaires' Bukayo Saka is set to miss Arsenals Premier League clash with Liverpool and Englands World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. The winger sustained a hamstring injury in the Gunners 5-0 victory over Leeds and, according to reports, will be sidelined for up to four weeks. Captain Martin Odegaard is also doubtful for Sundays trip to Anfield after landing awkwardly on his right shoulder during Saturdays emphatic win at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, right, was also injured against Leeds (John Walton/PA) Arsenal remain optimistic neither issue appears to be long-term. Mikel Artetas side face the reigning Premier League champions ahead of the first international break of the new season. England host Andorra at Villa Park on Saturday, September 6 before playing in Belgrade three days later. Saka missed three and a half months of last season following surgery on his right hamstring. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is preparing for Sundays trip to Premier League champions Liverpool (Nick Potts/PA) His expected absence on Merseyside could open the door for Eberechi Eze to make his Arsenal debut after arriving from Crystal Palace. Gunners boss Arteta, who has already seen forward Kai Havertz suffer a knee problem this season, has more attacking talent at his disposal than last term. Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke arrived during the summer, with Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman providing competition, in addition to Gabriel Jesus, who is working his way back from an ACL injury. Police in Southaven, Mississippi, said officers found a critically wounded Reggie Carroll while responding to a shooting on 20 August. Photograph: JasonDoiy/Getty Images The Baltimore comedian Reginald Reggie Carroll has died after being shot in northern Mississippi, according to authorities and media reports. The entertainer was 52, and among those who have paid tribute to him was the Oscar-winning actor MoNique, who called Carroll a brother in comedy. Police in Southaven, Mississippi, said officers found a critically wounded Carroll while responding to a shooting on Burton Lane on 20 August. Though he underwent emergency treatment at a hospital in nearby Memphis, Tennessee, Carroll died from his injuries. Related: Suspect in murder of comedian Reggie Carroll was reportedly Katt Williamss security guard Southaven police said one man was arrested in connection with Carrolls killing and had been jailed on one count of murder. The police later identified the arrested suspect as Tranell Marquise Williams, 38, the Memphis news station WMC reported. Investigators had not discussed a possible motive in the standup comics slaying as of Monday morning, though they had made it a point to say it was isolated. The Memphis news station Fox13 reported Monday that a Burton Lane-based company that billed itself as the official site for merchandise of comedian Micah Katt Williams was evicted from its rented address in the wake of the shooting. A letter left at the companys address and addressed to multiple occupants including Tranell Williams cited criminal activity that occurred on or about the premises in violation of [its] lease agreement, Fox13 added. Fox13 said the letter went on to mention a shooting as well as an arrest made by Southaven police. The outlet reported that Carroll and Katt Williams, a fellow standup comic, had recently been on tour together. Carroll gained a following while performing in comedy clubs across the US, and word of his death had left that circuit in mourning. Thank you for being one of the OGs who supported us early on, Baltimores Mobtown Comedy said on social media. The Mobtown family and the Baltimore comedy community are very saddened by this loss of one of our citys great talents. Sending our prayers to Reggies family. On Instagram, MoNique who is from the Baltimore area and won the 2010 best supporting actress Oscar for her performance in Precious said she had an amazing time being on tour together previously with Carroll. This is why I always say treat people the best you can because you never know if youll get a chance to see them again, MoNique said. And the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together thats what it was, an amazing time being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing. Among Carrolls credits on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an episode of The Parkers, a sitcom which starred MoNique. As Deadline noted, he also appeared on the live variety series Showtime at the Apollo and more recently he was in the 2023 standup special Knockout Kings of Comedy as well as in the 2022 television movie Rent & Go. Southaven police additionally offered condolences to Carrolls loved ones, saying in a statement: our thoughts [are] with [his] family. The agencys statement also thanked the public for their patience and understanding as the investigation into Carrolls murder continued. Competitors take part in a 6.5 km swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) A search operation is underway in Istanbul for a Russian swimmer who disappeared during the annual cross-Bosphorus race on Sunday, according to state-run media. Turkish coast guard and maritime police vessels were deployed on Monday to locate Nikolai Svechnikov, identified by the Anadolu news agency. Mr Svechnikov failed to complete the challenging 6.5-kilometre (4-mile) event, which spans from Istanbuls Asian shore to its European side. The competition, which saw over 2,800 participants from 81 nations, is widely regarded as one of the worlds premier open-water swimming events. Swimmers face strong currents and choppy waves while traversing the waterway, which links the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara and divides Turkeys largest city. The strait was closed to maritime traffic for the event, which is organized by the Turkish National Olympic Committee. Competitors aboard a ferry heading to the start line of a 6.5-kilometer swimming race across the Bosphorus Strait, from the Asian side to the European side, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) SwimTrek, a company offering entry to the race, describes race conditions as challenging on its website, adding that experience of swimming in all sea conditions is essential. In a statement, the Olympic committee said it was deeply saddened by the disappearance of one of our athletes during the race. It said 100 vessels, including boats from various emergency services, were monitoring swimmers during the race. At the end, the route was scanned for stray competitors and none were found. Officials realized a swimmer was missing by comparing the lists of participants and those who finished, the statement said. Emmanuel Haros father, clad in prison jumpsuit, seen helping police search for babys body in California badlands The desperate search for 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro took an unexpected turn Sunday, when the babys father, dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, was seen alongside San Bernardino County sheriffs deputies combing through the rural fields of Moreno Valley, California. Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 23, were both arrested Friday on suspicion of murdering their son, but his body has still not been found. It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing, the sheriffs department said in a news release Friday afternoon. Emmanuel was first reported missing on August 14 after his mother Rebecca claimed that while she was changing his diaper outside a store in Yucaipa, she was physically assaulted by an unknown male and rendered unconscious, the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department said. She said that when she woke up, Emmanuel was gone. Emmanuel was first reported missing on August 14 after his mother Rebecca claimed she was attacked while she was changing his diaper outside a store (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department) I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, Hola, and I dont remember anything since, Rebecca tearfully told KTLA the day after the alleged attack. I woke up here on the floor, and I didnt see Emmanuel. But that account quickly unraveled. Investigators launched a massive search, deploying scent-tracking dogs in Yucaipa and interviewing multiple individuals in the case, including both parents. During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview, the sheriffs office said. On Friday, Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested at their Cabazon home on suspicion of murder (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department) Jake Haros lawyer, Vincent Hughes, told the Los Angeles Times that the mothers inconsistencies stemmed from being overwhelmed by her sons disappearance. She declined a lie detector test when authorities requested one. Detectives said they were unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel. In the days that followed, they carried out extensive searches in Yucaipa and Cabazon, served several search warrants at the Haro home, and reviewed a large amount of surveillance video from surrounding areas. Social workers also removed a 2-year-old child from the couples home. On Friday, Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested at their Cabazon home and booked on suspicion of murder. Rebecca Haro, who claimed she was attacked, stopped speaking to police when confronted about the inconsistencies of her story (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department) The investigation has also been shadowed by revelations about Jake Haros criminal history. Court records show he was convicted of willful child cruelty in 2023 following a case in which his infant daughter with a previous spouse suffered multiple severe injuries, including a skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, and broken ribs. Both Jake and his then-wife, Vanessa Avina, pleaded guilty. In that case, Jake was sentenced to 180 days in a sheriffs work-release program and ordered into a child abuser treatment program. As of Monday, the search continues for baby Emmanuel. His parents have been charged with murder and are being held at Riverside County jail without bail. Firefighter falls 13ft through floor of burning building - but survives with no major injuries This is the moment a volunteer firefighter falls 13ft through the floor of a burning building and survives with no major injuries. Shrewsbury Volunteer Fire Company were called to assist in an early morning blaze at a property in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania on August 3. Bodycam released on August 24 shows one of their members falling through a hole in the second floor of the building and landing on his back. He was quickly removed by colleagues and, after being checked out at York Hospital, was released the same day. The fire team had removed two bodies from the building before the fall. Both died from gunshot wounds to the head according to the coroner. A double Israeli strike on one of the last hospitals in southern Gaza has killed five journalists, including a reporter with The Independents partner publication Independent Arabia. Maryam Abu Daqqa, 33, who worked for Independent Arabia and Associated Press, was killed alongside Al Jazeera camera operator Mohammed Salam, Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri, and freelance journalist Moaz Abu Taha. Ahmed Abu Aziz, who worked for UK-based media outlet Middle East Eye, later died from his injuries, the organisation said. Independent Arabia said it mourns its courageous correspondent Abu Daqqa, who left behind an 11-year-old son, saying she worked around the clock to cover the horrors unfolding in the besieged Gaza Strip. The publication also condemned Israels flagrant violation of international laws that guarantee the protection of journalists. Israel claimed an inquiry had been opened into the strike, with the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Israel regretted what he sought to claim was a tragic mishap. The photojournalist was among 20 people killed, and 50 injured on Monday in what witnesses described to The Independent as two missiles in quick succession slamming into the Nasser Medical Complex the only partially functioning public hospital in the south of Gaza. Rights groups and the United Nations have repeatedly accused Israel of targeting medical facilities and Palestinian journalists since it launched its unprecedented bombardment of Gaza in October 2023. More than 240 journalists have been killed since then including five journalists just two weeks ago according to rights group Amnesty International, making this the bloodiest conflict for reporters in modern history. We were shocked there was strikes hitting the fourth floor of the main surgical building. The journalists use that side to do their interviews or to broadcast from the area, Khaled al-Serr, a leading Palestinian surgeon at Nasser Hospital, told The Independent. He said first responders, medics and journalists rushed to the scene to help the injured and killed. During the evacuation, while we were standing in front of the building and starting the work receiving cases to the emergency department, we were surprised by another bombing at the same spot. Until now, the treatment process is continuing, we cannot confirm the numbers, he added. Mohammed al-Qudra, 28, who also witnessed the attack, said the quick succession of missiles resulted in a massive massacre. The scene was terrifying, he said, still shaken. The area was a pool of blood, and the entire staircase of the building was covered in blood, from top to bottom. The Israeli military declined to comment to The Independent when asked why it launched a double strike on a hospital, a protected building, and did not acknowledge that it had killed journalists and first responders as they were tending to the injured. Instead, in a public statement, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani confirmed Israeli troops carried out a strike in the area of the hospital and added that the countrys chief of staff had instructed an initial inquiry as soon as possible. Abu Daqqa (left), a victim of Mondays hospital attack, leaves behind an 11-year-old son (AFP/Getty) He said the Israeli military does not target journalists and that the Israeli military acts to mitigate harm to uninvolved individuals. Mr Netanyahu later said that Israel valued the work of journalists and medical staff, adding that Israels war was with Hamas. But the United Nations says that strikes have killed at least 247 Palestinian journalists in Gaza since Israel launched its unprecedented assault in the aftermath of Hamass 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel. International correspondents are barred from entering the tiny strip by Israel, except on heavily controlled Israeli military embeds. Questioned by reporters at the White House, US president Donald Trump said he had not yet received news of the strike but added: Im not happy about it. I dont want to see it. He said, at the same time, we have to end that whole nightmare in Gaza, where Hamas is holding hostages seized in Israel. The United Nations humanitarian office (OCHA) said on Monday that Palestinian journalists are the eyes and ears of the international community and must be protected. The deliberate targeting and killing of journalists and medics constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law. The killing of journalists in Gaza should shock the world not into stunned silence but into action, demanding accountability and justice, said UN rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. Their killings, and those of countless other civilians, must be independently, promptly investigated and justice must follow. The Committee to Protect Journalists has repeatedly said the Israeli military has deliberately targeted Palestinian journalists and their families, including levelling unfounded accusations against them to manufacture consent to kill them and silence them. Israels airstrike on Nasser Hospital claimed the lives of (from left) Hussam al-Masri, Moaz Abu Taha and Abu Daqqa, in what was called a deliberate targeting of journalists (Reuters/AFP/Getty/AP) Israels broadcasted killing of journalists in Gaza continues while the world watches and fails to act firmly on the most horrific attacks the press has ever faced in recent history, said CPJs regional director Sara Qudah after Mondays strike. These murders must end now. The perpetrators must no longer be allowed to act with impunity. There are concerns the death toll among journalists will only rise as Netanyahu pushes ahead with plans to take Gaza City, which will also involve pushing the population south where Mondays strike happened. Abu Daqqa had worked with Independent Arabia since its inception in 2019 and freelanced with AP and Doctors Without Borders. MSF denounced in the strongest possible terms Israels deliberate targeting of journalists and health workers on Monday and said it was heartbroken by Mariams death. Maryam leaves behind a son who must now grow up without his mother, said Jerome Grimaud, MSF emergency coordinator in Gaza. As Israel continues to shun international law, the only witnesses of their genocidal campaign are deliberately being targeted. It must stop now. This is a loss, not just for me, but for all of Gaza because she was so beloved, said Riyad Daqqa of his daughter Maryam (Supplied) Abu Daqqas family told Independent Arabia she feared she might be killed as Israel had ramped up its attacks on reporters in Gaza, killing five journalists, including Al Jazeeras star correspondent Anas al-Sharif, just two weeks ago in a targeted strike that Israel celebrated as a strike on a militant. In fact, she had left a heartbreaking note in her tent with a friend for her son, whom she had made sure was evacuated to the UAE. In the note, which was shared with The Independent, she told him to pray for her but not to weep. Make me proud, she wrote, adding: You are my love, my heart, my strength, my soul, and my son who lifts my head high with pride. Speaking to Independent Arabia after the bombing in Khan Younis, Abu Daqqas father Riyad, who had received a kidney from his daughter, said she was beloved by everyone. This is a loss, not just for me, but for all of Gaza because she was so beloved. Abu Daqqas friends told The Independent she had even turned down an opportunity to travel to the UAE to be with her son, as she wanted to keep documenting the war and looking after her parents. Fellow reporter Mohammed Abu Shahma, from Khan Younis, said that along with donating her kidney to her father, she had desperately tried to get treatment for her mother, who died from cancer four months ago, as there was no way to secure proper care in Gaza. Maryam is known for being a neutral and professional journalist, whose goal is to convey both the image and the word. She is remarkable, he added, his voice cracking with emotion. Reuters also mourned its loss, saying it was devastated to learn of the killing of its cameraman Al-Masri, and the injury of photographer Hatem Khaled, also a contractor who it has asked to be evacuated. AP said it, too, was shocked. We are doing everything we can to keep our journalists in Gaza safe as they continue to provide crucial eyewitness reporting in difficult and dangerous conditions, the agency said. Al Jazeera said that the blood of its journalists killed just 10 days ago has not yet dried before another colleague was killed. Despite relentless targeting, Al Jazeera remains resolute in providing live coverage ... with occupation authorities barring international media outlets from entering to report on the war. Ten Al Jazeera journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza. A man holds holds up the equipment of Hussam al-Masri, a Palestinian cameraman who was killed in the strike on Nasser Hospital - Hatem Khaled/Reuters Benjamin Netanyahu described the apparent double-tap airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that killed 20, including five journalists, as a tragic mishap. The Israeli Prime Minister expressed rare regret over the deadly strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Monday while the Israel Defence Forces promised an immediate inquiry into the strike. The first strike hit the hospitals top floor at about 10.06am (8.06am BST) on Monday, killing cameraman Hussam al-Masri, a Reuters contractor, as he stood by a live broadcasting position, Palestinian health officials said. A second projectile hit ten minutes later as rescue crews and journalists arrived at the scene in a so-called double-tap strike. Credit: Al Jazeera A video, apparently filmed in the immediate aftermath and broadcast by Al Ghad TV, shows a group of nine men, three in rescue gear, on the stairs of the damaged building when a second projectile explodes immediately adjacent to them. Oh God, they killed the people, [Palestinian] Civil Defence has gone, they killed the Civil Defence crews, shouts one witness as the second projectile strikes. Multiple journalists were killed in the strike, including Mariam Dagga, 33, a visual journalist who freelanced for AP News, and cameraman Mohammed Salameh, who worked for the Al Jazeera network. All had been documenting the famine and other humanitarian issues in Gaza over the last two years. Benjamin Netanyahu described the apparent double-tap airstrike on a hospital in Gaza that killed 20, as a tragic mishap - Ronen Zvulun/Reuters In a statement on Monday evening, Mr Netanyahus office said: Israel deeply regrets the tragic mishap that occurred today at the Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Israel values the work of journalists, medical staff, and all civilians. The military authorities are conducting a thorough investigation. Mr Netanyahus statement came shortly after Donald Trump said he was not happy about the incident and called for the war in Gaza to end. I think within the next two to three weeks, youre going to have [a] pretty good, conclusive, conclusive ending, the US president said. Israeli media reports said the strikes came from a tank crew at the request of Division 36 whose forces are stationed in the area. Medics guide an injured man away from the scene in Khan Younis. Journalists working for Reuters and Al Jazeera were killed in the attack - AFP The Israeli Air Force, which operates drones and jets over Gaza, was quick to deny responsibility a rare breach of protocol which may suggest tensions within different arms of the Israeli military. The IAF operates jets and drones over Gaza and generally uses smart munitions that are precisely targeted and can be swerved away from targets once released if the pilots suspect it will cause disproportionate collateral damage. All Israeli drone operators have eyes on the target until the last moment and a lawyer and senior officer in the room during all live fire operations. This is not the case with tank crews or the troops that support them. Rescue workers and others at the scene died after the strike, taking the toll to at least 20. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved [civilians] and in no way directs strikes at journalists, the military said, adding that it works to minimise harm to them while safeguarding the security of our forces. Videos of the aftermath circulating on social media are too graphic to publish and showed a scene of carnage. A journalists camera stained with blood and dust following the attack - Abdallah F.S Alattar/Anadolu At least one senior NHS surgeon was due to be at the hospital this week but had his permission to travel to Gaza rescinded by the Israeli authorities on the day he was supposed to travel last week. Hadil Abuzaid, a programme officer for Medical Aid for Palestinians, was at the hospital when explosions tore through the operating theatre right next to us. The killed and injured were everywhere. The hospital was overflowing, and medical teams were racing against time to save as many lives as they could, he said. The scene was unbearable. My legs could barely carry me under the shock of it all. You feel helpless and heartbroken. A Palestinian medic injured in the strike - AFP The strike was widely condemned by world leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, who described the deaths as intolerable. Civilians and journalists must be protected under all circumstances, the French president said. The media must be able to carry out their mission freely and independently to cover the reality of the conflict. In a statement, Canadas foreign ministry said it was horrified by the Israeli strike, adding such attacks are unacceptable. Penny Wong, Australias foreign minister, called the attack horrific and called on Mr Netanyahu to heed the call of the world and agree to a ceasefire. Mr Netanyahus characterisation of the strike as a mishap is unlikely to cool tensions over the incident. The use of the word may be taken to minimise the incident. It also does not explain how two projectiles hit one after the other, the first naturally drawing journalists, medics and rescue personnel to the scene. Mondays strike occurred as the IDF continued to amass troops and armour for a takeover of Gaza City, one of the few remaining built-up areas of the Strip that has not yet been levelled. It also comes amid a growing war of words over conditions in Gaza in which the Israeli government has sought to blame fake Palestinian journalists for spreading false stories about the IDFs conduct. Ms Dagga had reported for AP on issues including child malnutrition in Gaza, and earlier this month reported on Nasser Hospital doctors struggling to save children with no prior health issues who were wasting away from starvation. Mariam Dagga worked as a visual journalist for AP News before being killed in the Israeli missile attack on the hospital - Jehad Alshrafi/AP The Foreign Press Association (FPA) said it was outraged and in shock after the five journalists were killed in the strikes. A group of journalists from several major international news outlets including Reuters, AP, and Al Jazeera have been killed together in Israeli military strikes, said the FPA, which represents journalists working for international media in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. This is among the deadliest Israeli attacks on journalists working for international media since the Gaza war began, it said. The association added: These strikes hit the exterior staircase of the hospital where journalists frequently stationed themselves with their camera. The FPA said that the strikes occurred with no warning. The organisation called on the IDF and the Prime Ministers Office to end the abhorrent practice of targeting journalists. This has gone on far too long. Too many journalists in Gaza have been killed by Israel without justification, it said, adding an appeal to world leaders: Do everything you can to protect our colleagues. We cannot do it ourselves. The Israeli missile went through the fourth floor of Nasser Hospital - AFP/Getty Two weeks ago, prominent Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif, 28, was killed alongside four colleagues in an Israeli strike. The IDF alleged that he was a terrorist who posed as a journalist, citing intelligence and documents found in Gaza as alleged evidence. Documents retrieved from Gaza by the IDF unequivocally proved his involvement as an active Hamas militant since 2013, it said. However, the documents shown to The Telegraph by the IDF appeared to be selected screen-grabs of electronic spreadsheets, and it was impossible to verify them independently. Note: this story has been updated to more accurately reflect the timings of the strikes on the hospital Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks during a rally and prayer vigil before his arrest on Monday - Andrew Harnik Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the illegal migrant who was wrongly deported by the Trump administration, has been re-detained by immigration officials in the US after his release from a Salvadorian mega-prison. Mr Abrego Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March and then sent back to the US, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Baltimore on Monday. ICE was processing him for deportation, Kristi Noem, the US homeland security secretary, said in a post on X. According to Mr Abrego Garcias lawyers, the government intends to deport him to Uganda. In 2019, a judge ruled that Mr Abrego Garcia, who entered the US illegally, should not be deported because he could be harmed in his home country. However, under Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented migrants he became one of more than 200 people sent to El Salvadors notorious mega-prison, Cecot. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March, before being sent back to the US before being charged with human smuggling - Stephanie Scarbrough After justice department lawyers admitted Mr Abrego Garcia had been wrongly deported to El Salvador, he was returned to US soil only to be detained again in Tennessee on human smuggling charges. Mr Abrego Garcia was released on Friday and permitted to return home to Maryland pending trial. He was required to check in with ICE in Baltimore on Monday as one of the conditions of his release. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Mr Abrego Garcias attorneys, said his client was taken into custody by ICE when he turned up for the appointment. The notice stated that the reason was an interview, Mr Sandoval-Moshenberg said. Clearly that was false. There was no need for them to take him into ICE detention. He was already on electronic monitoring from the US marshal service and basically on house arrest, he said. The only reason that theyve chosen to take him into detention is to punish him. Mr Abrego Garcia kisses his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura as he appears for a check-in at the ICE Baltimore field office - Elizabeth Frantz On Monday, a federal judge said she would order officials to ensure Mr Abrego Garcia is not removed from the US while she considers a legal challenge to the Trump administrations plan to deport him to Uganda. After Mr Abrego Garcia was taken into custody his lawyers filed a lawsuit asking Paula Xinis, a US district judge, to order his release and slow down the removal process. Judge Xinis said the government would be absolutely forbidden to remove Abrego Garcia from the continental United States, although it was not clear how long this order would remain. The attempt to deport Mr Abrego Garcia to Uganda in East Africa adds a new twist to a saga that became a test case for Mr Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration. The administration alleges he is a violent MS-13 gang member who smuggled other undocumented migrants into the country. Mr Abrego Garcia denies any wrongdoing. On Thursday, when it became clear Mr Abrego Garcia would be released the following day, government officials made him a plea offer to remain in custody, plead guilty to human smuggling and be deported to Costa Rica. He declined the offer. Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura enter a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Monday in Baltimore. Photograph: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Kilmar Abrego Garcia who has been thrust into the middle of an acrimonious deportation saga by the second Trump administration has been detained after reporting to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents in Baltimore on Monday, but a judge later ruled that he cannot be deported for now. His detainment comes just three days after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee. The only reason he was taken into detention was to punish him, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, an attorney representing Abrego, told a crowd of supporters outside a Baltimore Ice field office on Monday. To punish him for exercising his constitutional rights. The attorney also said his client filed a new lawsuit on Monday morning challenging his potential deportation to Uganda and his current confinement. Hours later, US district judge Paula Xinis issued a temporary halt to Abregos possible deportation. Xinis, who was appointed by former president Obama, told justice department lawyers that the government is absolutely forbidden from deporting Abrego until she holds an evidentiary hearing scheduled for Friday. Xinis further instructed that Abrego must remain at his detention center in Virginia. She then asked deputy assistant attorney general Drew Ensign whether her order was sufficient for the justice department to follow, which he agreed it was. Your clients are absolutely forbidden at this juncture to remove Mr Abrego Garcia from the continental United States, Xinis told Ensign. The judge also raised concerns about accusations that the justice department attempted to pressure Abrego by threatening deportation to Uganda if he did not plead guilty to human trafficking. Abrego faced threats of being deported to Uganda after recently declining an offer to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges, according to a Saturday court filing. The fact that they are holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick to try to coerce him to plead guilty for a crime is such clear evidence that they are weaponizing the immigration system in a matter that is completely unconstitutional, Sandoval-Moshenberg said. The lawsuit Abrego filed early on Monday asks for an order that he is not allowed to be removed from the United States unless and until he has had full due process, said Sandoval-Moshenberg. The main issue, aside from the actual conditions in that country is is that country actually going to let him stay there? the attorney said. They can offer to send him to Madrid, Spain, and unless Madrid, Spain, is going to let him remain in that country, essentially what it is is a very inconvenient layover on the way to El Salvador, which is the one country that it has already determined that he cannot be sent to. The Costa Rican government has agreed to offer Abrego refugee status if he is sent there, court filings from Saturday show. A judge in 2019 ruled that Abrego cannot be deported to El Salvador. Before walking into his appointment at the Baltimore Ice field office, Abrego addressed a crowd of faith leaders, activists, and his family and legal team organized by the immigrant rights non-profit Casa de Maryland. My name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this remember that I am free and I was able to be reunited with my family, he said through a translator, NBC News reported. This was a miracle I want to thank each and every one of you who marched, lift your voices, never stop praying and continue to fight in my name. After Abrego entered the building, faith leaders and activists rallied to demand Abregos freedom, chanting Si, se puede (roughly yes, we can) and we are Kilmar as well as singing the hymn We Shall Not Be Moved with an activist choir. Laws have to be rooted in love, because love does not harm us, a senior priest at Marylands St Matthew Episcopal church identified as Padre Vidal said through a translator. Related: Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from criminal custody after court order Abrego entered the US without permission in about 2011 as a teenager after fleeing gang violence. He was subsequently afforded a federal protection order against deportation to El Salvador. The 30-year-old sheet metal apprentice was initially deported by federal immigration officials in March. Though Donald Trumps administration admitted that Abregos deportation was an administrative error, officials have repeatedly accused him of being affiliated with the MS-13 gang, a claim Abrego and his family vehemently deny. During his detention at El Salvadors so-called Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot), Abrego was physically and psychologically tortured, according to court documents filed by his lawyers in July. Following Abregos wrongful deportation, the Trump administration faced widespread pressure to return him to the US, including from a supreme court order that directed federal officials to facilitate his return. In June, the Trump administration returned Abrego from El Salvador, only to charge him with crimes related to human smuggling, which his lawyers have rejected as preposterous. His criminal trial is expected to begin in January. Abregos detention comes amid growing concern about the Trump administrations accelerating mass deportations campaign. Protesters across the US are rallying against the federal governments crackdown on immigrants in Washington DC, the nations capital, while activists in Maryland and nationwide are pushing Democratic officials to end contracts with Avelo Airlines, which is the only passenger airline that conducts deportation flights for Ice. Shortly after Abregos detention on Monday, the US homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, said on social media that Ice had arrested him and was processing him for deportation. President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator to terrorize American citizens any longer, she wrote. Glenn Ivey, the Democratic congressman representing the Maryland district where Abrego and his family live, said his constituents detention was a total abuse of power by the federal government and a tactic to save them from being embarrassed due to a lack of evidence to find him guilty in court. Abregos mistreatment has become a flashpoint political issue within the district and beyond, Ivey said. I think if they [the administration] are waiting for people to forget about it or get tired of it, theyve gotten a big surprise on that front, Ivey said. This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Arabia Shaimaa believes it is too early to think about the Israeli plan to take over Gaza City. But she quickly changes her mind. Since the start of the war, the [Israeli] army has made no secret of its plans for Gaza, and it has unfortunately been implementing those plans with firepower. Its not too early to prepare for a catastrophe. Israels security cabinet has approved a plan by the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to occupy Gaza City. According to Israels Channel 14, the plan will play out in three phases: firstly, allowing increased humanitarian aid to enter Gaza City, followed by the relocation of its residents to centralised camps in the south of the Gaza Strip, and finally, a full blockade of the city, which will be placed under the control of the military. As soon as the cabinet approved the plan, the general mood in Gaza shifted, and the population became more pessimistic than ever. Residents anxiously keep up with the details of the planned takeover of the city, filled with dread for what they believe lies ahead: immense destruction, innumerable deaths and injuries, and devastating physical and human costs. Sitting outside her tent in Gaza City, Shaimaa is thinking about the occupations plans. She tells Independent Arabia: I am trying to prepare myself for a bleak future, but my brain isnt working right now. I dont know what to do. All I can think about now is making plans for how my family will live if the military operation begins. In the summer heat, a man gives a child water from a plastic bag he has just bought for one shekel, in Gaza City, 12 August 2025. (AP/Jehad Alshrafi) Shaimaa is not well versed in politics, nor can she understand military strategy, but she has read the Israeli plan. Im trying to understand what might happen to us. Nothing scares me more than the order to forcibly remove all of the residents of the city and transport them to the south. That is a horror we cannot bear. Death is kinder On 13 October 2023, Israel issued its first evacuation orders to the residents of Gaza City, telling them to move south. At the time, Shaimaa complied with the orders, leaving her house to move to the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. Life in al-Mawasi was very difficult for Shaimaa. She recalls briefly: We lost our shelter and lived in humiliating conditions inside the tent. We had no water, no power, no food and no life only terror and fear. That was a very rough experience, and the IDF is now preparing us mentally for this by destroying our morale. In any case, Shaimaa refuses to relive the experience of displacement. She explains that she would prefer to die in Gaza City than die in the south of the strip. She is preparing to relocate inside the city that the IDF plans on occupying, noting that she will stay put, even at the cost of living under occupation. To her, that is better than being displaced again. With around 1.2 million residents, Gaza City is considered Gazas most densely populated area. While Tel Aviv plans to relocate the citys residents to al-Mawasi, Palestinians are busy making their own plans in anticipation of the catastrophe that is to come. Waseem has come to terms with the idea of moving south to survive. He has already begun making arrangements for a shelter in southern Gaza, and is working around the clock to get it set up. Israel is going ahead with its war plans for Gaza, and as the sole provider of a family of 13, I have to protect them, he says. Waseem has set up three tents on a plot of land in the south of Gaza, with a separate toilet, a water tank, and some basic necessities. I hesitated before making this decision, but I concluded in the end that complying with Israeli orders might save my familys life, he explains. A group of Palestinians sit in the shade of their tent amid destroyed buildings on a hot summer day in Gaza City, 12 August 2025 (AP/Jehad Alshrafi) He knows displacement will be difficult, and that it will mean a far more primitive way of life than what he is used to. But he thinks that it is a matter of life or death, and that Israel will show no mercy on anyone who does not leave. If he stays, he could risk being killed or besieged. Waseem decided to make these preparations when he learnt that Israel was planning to impose another siege on Gaza, meaning famine would return. His children are already suffering from acute malnutrition, he adds, and he doesnt want to watch them die in front of his eyes for lack of food. He believes the IDF will allow goods into the humanitarian zone, so he has accepted the move. Hanadi slapped her face when she learnt of the impending occupation of Gaza City. Many negative emotions began closing in on me, she says, This was a shocking decision, especially after waiting so long for a ceasefire. The failure to reach a truce has brought an unfathomable catastrophe upon us. A doorway to more suffering Hanadi thinks the reoccupation of Gaza will pave the way towards an escalation of genocide. She says that Palestinians cannot afford the cost of displacement. While she sees the decision to flee as an individual choice, she cannot imagine leaving. Her first experience of displacement was so bad that she refuses to consider going through it all again. Hanadi believes the best option is to stay in Gaza. She thinks if people remain and refuse to comply with the evacuation orders, it will put a stop to Israels plans of destroying the enclave and achieving their stated aim of reoccupying Gaza. If Israel sets the planned occupation of Gaza in motion, then the next ground operation will surely be an immense humanitarian disaster, warns Sharif. We can no longer muster the energy to face the dreadful future awaiting us, he says, The world should act before the soldiers exterminate us. We are living in fear and anguish every day. In the summer heat, Palestinian children carry jerrycans after collecting water from a distribution point in Gaza City, 12 August 2025 (AP/Jehad Alshrafi) We are the first victims. Expanding the Israeli ground offensive will lead to even more death and destruction. Where should we go if Tel Aviv orders us to evacuate? I was shocked when I read that the deadline for evacuating Gaza City is the coming 7th of October. It was an unexpected shock. Netanyahu has set 7 October as the deadline to evacuate Gaza City completely of its residents. After that date, Israel is set to impose a siege on Hamas operatives who remain inside the city. According to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, the Gaza occupation operation will last between four to five months, and will be carried out by six military units. As for Tayseer, he tells Independent Arabia: The army has set the deadline of 7 October in the hope that it will make the people of Gaza forget the 2023 attacks, and that this will become the anniversary of our new Nakba, because it will take from us the whole of Gaza City, which is a piece of our hearts. The idea of Gaza City being destroyed before our eyes is terrifying. Nothing that we have endured can compare to what is coming. We are facing the planned extermination, elimination and burial of our very existence, history and future. We are in the midst of an uprooting, and any step we take to avoid the catastrophe will be hard. The catastrophe will be brutal as the IDF is coming to destroy and level the place, says Tayseer. When it leaves, we will have no street to walk on, and no building to defend, he predicts, imploring Hamas leaders to save Gaza before it is too late, announce the zero hour for exit, and demand the deployment of Arab and international forces and stop the bulldozer of destruction. Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Government Media Office of the Hamas-led administration in Gaza, warns the occupation of Gaza City endangers the lives of hundreds of thousands of its residents, who will face hunger, disease and the collapse of remaining health facilities. This means we are facing the most gruesome humanitarian and human rights disaster. Israel is trying to change the consciousness of Gazans by linking the occupation of Gaza with the anniversary of the al-Aqsa Flood operation, he adds. But Palestinians are demonstrating their determination and resolve to not leave their land and to thwart Israels plan. Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar NEW YORK, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP, a premier New York based family and matrimonial law firm, proudly announces its continued recognition in the latest editions of the Chambers Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth Guide New York and The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law. The Chambers High Net Worth Guide is the definitive and most comprehensive global resource for identifying leading firms and attorneys serving high-net-worth clients in their respective fields. The firm has again been ranked in the Chambers Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth Guide New York, affirming its reputation for excellence in complex family law matters. In addition to the firm's recognition, Eleanor B. Alter, Adam John Wolff, and Jenifer J. Foley are ranked individually. Chambers rankings are earned through an elite process that showcases the highest standards of legal excellencecombining in-depth research with expert interviews. The Best Lawyers in America is the oldest and most respected peer-reviewed recognition in the legal profession, with all AWFS partners appearing on the list for multiple consecutive years. This marks Eleanor B. Alter's 43rd consecutive recognition, having been included every year since the first edition in 1983. This year's edition represents Adam John Wolff's 9th, Jenifer J. Foley's 10th, Michael D. Stutman's 17th, and Dana M. Stutman's 15th consecutive recognition. Valerie H. Tocci, counsel at AWFS, makes her inaugural appearance in the 2026 edition, recognized for her outstanding work in Family Law. About Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP (AWFS) is a New York City-based law firm comprised of experienced and recognized family and matrimonial lawyers. Founded in 2016, AWFS brings distinguished experience, representing globally-known names from a wide range of backgrounds, including notable celebrity clients, as well as high-profile business owners, professionals, and their spouses. The team at AWFS discreetly and seamlessly addresses complex legal and financial issues for clients, including divorce, custody, child and spousal support, valuation and division of assets, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and mediation. The firm prides itself on its family-first approach and commitment to the overall well-being of its clients and their families. To learn more, visit www.awfs.nyc. Media Contact: Camille Placa [email protected] (212) 218-5375 SOURCE Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP Police in Mississippi have confirmed that beloved comedian Reggie Carroll was killed in a shooting that took place last Wednesday. He was 52 years old. The incident occurred in the community of Southaven, on the outskirts of Memphis. Local police have confirmed that a suspect is in custody. In a press release, authorities referred to the shooting as an isolated incident. Carroll was rushed to Regional One Hospital in Memphis, where he succumbed to his injuries, a police spokesperson said. The suspects identity has not been made public. Comedian and Oscar winner MoNique was among those who paid tribute to Carroll online (Getty Images) In a tribute, comedian MoNique referred to the Baltimore stand-up as her brother in comedy, reports Deadline. This is why I say treat people the best you can because you never know if youll get a chance to see them again, and the last time me and my brother Reggie, girl, was together... thats what it was, an amazing time, being on tour together, being on that road together, what a time, so I have no sad tears because all of our times together was amazing, the Oscar winner wrote on Instagram. Meanwhile, Baltimore club Mobtown Comedy wrote in a social media post, Rest in power @comedianreggiecarroll, thank you for being one of the OGs who supported us early on. The Mobtown family and the Baltimore comedy community are very saddened by this loss of one of our citys great talents. Sending our prayers to Reggies family. Comedian Reggie Carroll was shot dead in Mississippi last week (Instagram/Reggie Carroll) His brother, Jonathan Carroll, confirmed his brothers passing in a post on Facebook. To all who have expressed condolences on the passing of Reggie Carroll, your love has been well received thank you!!! he wrote in part. According to his IMDb page, Carroll appeared in the stand-up showcase series Showtime at the Apollo, as well as in an episode of the Moesha spinoff The Parkers opposite MoNique. In 2023, he produced and performed in the comedy special Knockout Kings of Comedy. Earlier this year, Carroll toured with renowned comedian Katt Williams on his Heaven on Tour. Williams has yet to comment publicly on the shooting. National Guard troops deployed to Washington DC in an effort to mitigate crime will begin carrying firearms, an official has said. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the authorisation of roughly 2,000 National Guard troops to begin carrying weapons. The majority of the guard members will carry M17 pistols, their service-issued weapons, while a small number will be armed with M4 rifles, reports Sky's US partner organisation, NBC News. The troops are authorised to use their weapons for self-protection. A White House official told NBC News that despite being armed, as of Saturday night, the National Guard troops in DC are not making arrests, and will continue to work on protecting federal assets. The troops were largely deployed from outside the state and were framed by President Trump as a concerted effort to tackle crime and homelessness in the nation's capital. Such deployments are not common, and are typically used in response natural disasters or civil unrest. Democrats have bashed the deployment as partisan in nature, accusing Mr Trump of trying to exert his presidential authority through scare tactics and said his primary targets have been cities with black leadership. Pentagon plans to deploy US army to Chicago Yesterday it was reported that the Pentagon was drafting plans to deploy the US army in Chicago, the largest city in the state. The governor of Illinois then accused Mr Trump of "attempting to manufacture a crisis" and "abusing his power to distract from the pain he is causing working families". Read more from Sky News: Man and boy arrested after restaurant fire Fast-track asylum appeals process to be introduced Officials familiar with the proposals told the Washington Post that several options were being weighed up by the US defence department, including mobilising thousands of National Guard troops in Chicago as early as September. Mr Trump had told reporters on Friday that "Chicago is a mess", before attacking the city's mayor, Brandon Johnson, and hinting "we'll straighten that one out probably next". National Guard now carrying pistols in Washington as troops enter third week deployed to capital National Guard members are now carrying firearms in Washington, D.C., raising concerns from civil rights groups and residents in the nations capital that armed troops could escalate growing tensions as Donald Trumps federal takeover enters a third week. As of Sunday evening, the troops will now be armed with handguns or rifles, just two days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the nearly 2,000 troops stationed in Washington to start carrying firearms, a Defense Department official told the Associated Press. The troops are authorized to use their firearms for self-protection, the outlet reported. The Independent has requested additional information from the Pentagon. Trump initially deployed about 800 National Guard troops on August 11 after he declared a crime emergency, despite reports of violent crime hitting a 30-year low. Six GOP-led states have since sent their National Guard troops to support the presidents efforts, adding more military presence in the nations capital. National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C. are now armed, raising alarm among civil rights groups and residents amid already-high tensions in the nations capital following Trumps federal takeover (AP) Civil rights and advocacy groups have condemned the Trump administrations decision to arm troops, warning that it could inflame already-high tensions between locals and the federal government. The president relied on a phony emergency as an excuse to overstep his power, and now we have a real emergency the threat of an unnecessary and disorienting flood of armed military forces on D.C. streets, according to Monica Hopkins, executive director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. Lets be clear: military troops have no place policing civilians in the United States, she added. Now, the people of D.C. face a dangerous escalation with armed National Guard troops patrolling our streets. Kris Brown, president of gun violence prevention group Brady, said arming National Guard members will contradict Trumps mission to reduce crime in the city. It doesnt take an expert to realize that more weapons on our streets wont decrease crime. If more guns meant less crime, then America would be the safest nation on Earth, Brown said in a statement. But the Trump administration is dangerously escalating its takeover of our nations capital by subverting D.C.s gun laws and militarizing our streets. Common Defense, an organization of progressive veterans, called the decision to arm troops reckless. Soldiers aren't trained for police work this only puts our communities at greater risk, the group said in a statement. Advocacy groups warn that arming troops is a dangerous escalation as the president brags about a drop in murders in the nations capital (AP) The president is reportedly weighing a radical expansion of the militarys footprint in American cities with plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks to support his immigration and crime crackdowns. In a Truth Social post Sunday, the president suggested troops could soon be sent to Baltimore. He has also signaled that he has his eye on Chicago to execute a similar plan, and the Pentagon has reportedly prepared for several weeks to begin an operation in the nations third-largest city. After we do this, well go to another location, and well make it safe also, Trump said in the Oval Office last week. That will be our next one after this. Virginia Giuffre pictured in 2020, when she was suing the Duke of York in a New York court - PA Media Virginia Giuffre, the sex trafficking victim who accused the Duke of York of sex crimes, has reportedly written an autobiography which will be published posthumously later this year. Ms Giuffre, who claimed she was forced to have sex with the Duke when she was 17, is said to have finished her memoir more than a year ago. She died by suicide at the age of 41 in April, with her family calling her a fierce warrior who will always be remembered for her incredible courage. Her book, called Nobodys Girl, will now be published in the US on October 21. Virginia Giuffre holds a photograph of herself as a teenager, when she claimed she was raped by the Duke of York - Emily Michot/via Getty Images The memoir, which is expected to detail Ms Giuffres experience at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, will place further pressure on the Duke, who made a multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement with his accuser. The claims of sexual abuse and rape have never been tested in a court of law, and the Duke has vehemently and repeatedly denied them. The Duke has already stepped back from public duty as a result of the fallout of his friendship with Epstein, and a television interview in which he denied meeting Ms Giuffre. On the night she said she had met him, he said he had been at Pizza Express in Woking with one of his daughters. His allies have claimed that a photograph of the Duke and Ms Giuffre together in London was falsified. Ms Giuffre was one of the most high-profile victims of paedophile financier Epstein, who died by suicide in prison in 2019, and Maxwell, a British socialite who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in the US for recruiting under-age girls. The mother of threes memoir will be published by Penguin Random House, which also published the Duke of Sussexs memoir Spare, according to The Sun. Sources told the newspaper publication was initially held back because of her health issues. A spokesman for Knopf, a division of Random House, confirmed they would be publishing the book despite Ms Giuffre previously having a seven-figure contract with Penguin Press. Ms Giuffre was pictured as a teenager with the Duke of York, with Ghislaine Maxwell looking on. Prince Andrew has said he has no recollection of the photo being taken - US Department of Justice The book is reported to feature more revelations about her time with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and their friends, including the Duke of York. Ted Doughty, from the publishing house, did not give details of which Epstein associates feature in the book, but did say Ms Giuffre made no allegations of abuse against Donald Trump. Jordan Pavlin, the editor-in-chief of Knopf, described the memoir as a raw and shocking journey and the story of a fierce spirit struggling to break free. A US source said: Virginias family have seen her maligned in life and in death, and they feel very strongly that her whole story should be told. The Duke has already stepped back from public life, no longer retaining royal patronages or honorary military roles, and appearing only on what the palace now describes as family occasions. On Sunday, he did not attend church at Balmoral with the Royal family. The King, Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, the Princess Royal and Duke of Edinburgh all attended Crathie Kirk during the familys annual summer holiday. The Duke of York, who has been staying with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, at Craigowan Lodge on the estate, was seen driving elsewhere. The Duke and Duchess have come under significant pressure this summer, after an explosive biography by Andrew Lownie revisited details of their complicated finances and sexual exploits. The new memoir, by Ms Giuffre, may cause further embarrassment for the Duke, despite the details of her allegations against him already being in the public domain. A recent poll found that two thirds of Britons would like Prince Andrew stripped of his titles. Maxwell pictured with Epstein - US District Court for the Southern District of New York On Friday, the US Justice Department released transcripts of an interview it carried out with Maxwell in prison. In the interview, Maxwell claimed Sarah, Duchess of York, tried to put the moves on Epstein. She said: I thought that Sarah was trying to put the moves on Jeffrey, if Im being honest, and I thought the whole thing was annoying and I was pd off. I think Sarah is the one that pushed that. And they met and hung out, I want to say two or three times that had nothing to do with me. I wasnt communicating with Andrew, I wasnt in touch with him. And I know this because I was annoyed and I felt left out, and I felt disrespected and I was like, this is weird. I couldnt even imagine Epstein and Andrew together. Spokesmen for the Duke and Duchess of York have not commented. Ministers say the biggest delay in the asylum system is with courts handling of appeals - Chris J Ratcliffe/Reuters Migrants will be waved through even faster despite Sir Keir Starmers plans to reform asylum tribunals, the Tories have said. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, plans to introduce a new fast-track process for asylum appeals to curb judges power and speed up deportations. But Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said tinkering with the appeals process will do nothing to prevent migrants trying to come to the UK in small boats. He said, despite the reforms, judges will still over-interpret human rights laws to let people in. Instead of meaning migrants are deported more quickly when they lose a case, he suggested the fast-track tribunals would simply mean that they get a faster ruling allowing them to stay in Britain because appeals are likely to be upheld. Mr Philps comments come as Sir Keir is under further pressure from within Labour to get tougher on migration. Lord Blunkett, who served as home secretary under Sir Tony Blair, said ministers should be willing to suspend the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Refugee Convention for a temporary period. Ms Cooper said completely unacceptable delays in the appeals process were leaving failed asylum seekers in the system for years. There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, with decisions taking a year on average. Because measures to speed up initial judgments have been put in place, appeal delays are thought to be the largest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system. Mr Philp said: These tweaks go nowhere near far enough. The underlying rights, which allow most illegal immigrants to stay here, are not changing. Simply waving illegal immigrants through even faster to full housing and welfare rights will not fix the problem. And immigration judges will still apply ever-expanding common-sense defying definitions of ECHR rights to allow foreign criminals and illegal immigrants to stay here. He added: This year has been the worst in history for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel and weve seen the highest number of asylum claims for a quarter of a century. These tiny tweaks will not change that. The Government is too weak to do whats really needed such as repeal the Human Rights Act for all immigration matters and deport all illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival, which Conservatives would do. Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, said: Labour have failed on all their promises on boats and asylum claims; no one believes another quango initiative will make any difference. This Government is in chaos, riddled with hard socialists who believe in open borders. Lord Blunkett said he did not favour leaving the ECHR permanently but backed temporary suspension as a blunderbuss measure. He told The Times: At the moment the issue is so toxic and beginning to get out of the Governments grip to the point it is very hard to bring it back. A further package of actions is absolutely vital to start controlling both the public narrative and the delivery. If this slips out of our hands, its incredibly difficult to pull it back. Once people have got it in their heads that the Government havent a grip and that this is an intractable problem, they will turn on you. That is meat and drink. Its the old cry, For Gods sake, do something. Under the new scheme, ministers will introduce a 24-week deadline for first-tier tribunals on asylum appeals by foreign offenders and those receiving accommodation support. They believe the current tribunal system, which covers a wide range of different cases, does not ensure failed asylum seekers can be returned as swiftly as possible or accommodate a fast-track system for safe countries. The Government will set out further details of planned reforms to the asylum system in the autumn, drawing on other European countries with faster appeal processes, including some that run independent appeal bodies similar to the one being proposed. Ms Cooper said the overhaul would result in a system that was swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place. She said: We inherited an asylum system in complete chaos with a soaring backlog of asylum cases and a broken appeals system with thousands of people in the system for years on end. That is why we are taking practical steps to fix the foundations and restore control and order to the system. We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels. Police officers clashed with people protesting against asylum hotels in London on Saturday - PA She continued: Already since the election we have reduced the backlog of people waiting for initial decisions by 24 per cent and increased failed asylum returns by 30 per cent. But we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited, which mean that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer. Earlier this month, official figures showed 111,084 people had applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025 the highest number for any 12-month period since records began in 2001. The record number of applications came as the backlog of claimants waiting for an initial decision dropped to 90,812 at the end of June. There were 32,059 asylum seekers in UK hotels by the end of June. Labour has promised to stop using the sites by 2029. PM handling issue badly A YouGov poll for The Times found that 71 per cent of voters believe the Prime Minister is handling the asylum hotel issue badly, including 56 per cent of Labour supporters. The survey of 2,153 people carried out on August 20-21 found 37 per cent of voters viewed immigration and asylum as the most important issue facing the country, ahead of 25 per cent who said the economy and 7 per cent who said the health service. Protests by groups opposed to the hotels and counter-demonstrations took place in towns and cities across Britain on Saturday. In Bristol, mounted police were brought in to separate rival groups in Castle Park, and officers clashed with protesters. A 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. Water use restrictions have been imposed for the first time in Scotland following a prolonged spell of dry weather that has left rivers at critically low levels. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) introduced curbs on water use in two areas Ythan, in Aberdeenshire, and North Fife which have reached the highest level of alert, known as significant scarcity. This means rivers have reached a critical level after being very low for 30 or more days. Restrictions are being put in place over the coming days that limit the removal of water from the natural environment around the rivers for industry and agriculture, a process known as abstraction. The restrictions will be lifted as soon as conditions allow, the agency said, adding that they were essential to safeguard the environment, wildlife and communities that depend on rivers. Rainfall data showed that every month of this year has been drier than average on Scotlands east coast. This years spring was the driest since 1964. Scottish Water has urged customers to use water as efficiently as possible in homes and gardens, such as taking shorter showers and avoiding using hoses, but stopped short of calling for a full hosepipe ban. Every month of this year has been drier than average on Scotlands east coast - Ken Jack/Getty Images Chris Dailly, Sepas head of environmental performance, said: The water environment in parts of Scotland is clearly under stress, and protecting it remains a top priority. We recognise the challenges that farmers and other businesses face, but no one should be caught off guard weve been speaking directly to licence holders across the summer. If you abstract water you should already have plans in place to reduce volumes, stagger abstractions and follow the conditions of your licence. The agency warned that, without a period of rainfall, other areas in Aberdeenshire could also escalate to the highest level of alert in the coming days. The Deveron, Don, Esk in Angus, Firth of Tay and Tyne in Lothian have been at moderate scarcity for an extended period, while the Spey, Almond and Tweed catchments escalated to that same level last week. Farms and businesses in these areas are being advised to manage abstractions carefully. Scottish Water said average reservoir levels in the east of Scotland last week were at 56 per cent. That figure was 24 per cent below the 81 per cent average for the time of year. Levels were healthier in the west of the country, where they stood at 76 per cent, five per cent lower than the late summer average. Scotland-wide reservoir levels were recorded as being 14 per cent lower than the average at 69 per cent, normally at this time of year they would be at 83 per cent. Dr Rebecca Wade, senior lecturer in environmental science at Abertay University in Dundee, told BBC Scotland: Our climate is changing, which means that sometimes we have a lot less water than were used to having. Also, when we do get rainfall it comes in a different pattern. So we might get a very intense short storm, and that could even cause localised flooding, but at the same time, it doesnt resolve the drought situations because its not recharging the groundwater. Its not filling up the reservoirs. Most Britons believe Sir Keir Starmer is failing to get a grip on Britains asylum crisis, a new poll suggests. A YouGov poll finds that 71% of voters think the Prime Minister is mishandling the issue of migrant hotels, which has sparked a wave of protests across the UK over the bank holiday weekend. The survey findings, revealed in The Times, mounts further pressure on the Government to tackle the deep and complex issues around the growing number of asylum seekers in the UK, which has sparked anger and division in communities the length and breadth of the country. The Prime Minister and his government have set out measures to speed up the asylum appeals system to aid the removal of people with no right to be in the UK. But Labour former home secretary Lord Blunkett said the Government had so far failed to offer a comprehensive answer or an understandable narrative on tackling the crisis. So far this year a record 28,076 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats, 46% more than in the same period in 2024. Protests at sites housing asylum seekers continued over the weekend and the Government is braced for further legal fights over the use of hotels. Lord Blunkett, who has suggested temporarily suspending elements of the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Refugee Convention to deal with the problem, said Sir Keir had to be radical in his approach. People demonstrating outside the Castle Bromwich Holiday Inn in the West Midlands on Sunday (Jacob King/PA) A YouGov poll for The Times found that 71% of voters believe the Prime Minister is handling the asylum hotel issue badly, including 56% of Labour supporters. The survey of 2,153 people carried out on August 20-21 found 37% of voters viewed immigration and asylum as the most important issue facing the country, ahead of 25% who said the economy and 7% who said the health service. Lord Blunkett told the newspaper: I think that the individual measures the Government has taken are extremely helpful in their own right but dont add up either to a comprehensive answer or an understandable narrative. At the moment the issue is so toxic and beginning to get out of the Governments grip to the point it is very hard to bring it back. A further package of actions is absolutely vital to start controlling both the public narrative and the delivery. People demonstrating outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Sunday (Gareth Fuller/PA) But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar rejected the idea of shelving human rights protections to tackle the problem. He said the situation was complex, its difficult and there is no one silver bullet. Mr Sarwar told BBC Radio 4s Westminster Hour: I think we have to accept the European Convention on Human Rights. I think we should be working with our international partners around how we strengthen each other and try and address some of the issues collectively. But we should be protecting the European Convention on Human Rights. We have got to fix the broader systemic issues, which is why we have a failed immigration system right now. He acknowledged the need to tackle underlying frustrations about a lack of housing and pressure on public services. Theyre all legitimate questions and pressures that we have to find a solution to. And I think, for those easy solutions some political parties want to have, to blame the migrants or blame the migrant hotels, I think, undermines the legitimate hard work that needs to happen to fix the immigration system, fix the asylum system, fix our NHS and build more houses across the country. Official figures released earlier this month showed a total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001. The record level of applications comes as the backlog of people waiting for an initial decision on their claims dropped to 90,812 at the end of June. There were 32,059 asylum seekers in UK hotels by the end of the same month. Labour has promised to end the use of the sites by 2029. On average, asylum appeal decisions take 53 weeks - delaying returns and costing taxpayers billions in asylum accommodation use. By introducing a new appeals body and requiring decisions to be made within weeks not years, we can clear the backlog, speed up returns and cut costs. Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) August 24, 2025 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said completely unacceptable delays in the appeals process left failed asylum seekers in the system for years. The Government has put forward plans for a new system where a panel of independent adjudicators, rather than tribunal judges, deals with appeals over asylum decisions. There are about 51,000 asylum appeals waiting to be heard, taking on average more than a year to reach a decision, with the backlog now thought to be the biggest cause of pressure in the asylum accommodation system. The Home Secretary said the overhaul would result in a system which is swift, fair and independent, with high standards in place. Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said Labour was clearing up the mess of the previous government. She wrote in the Daily Mirror: Our reforms will resolve appeals faster, get people out of hotels and cut costs to taxpayers. No gimmicks, no games, this real work is all part of our system-wide approach to delivering necessary, lasting change. However, the Refugee Councils Imran Hussain said: The fastest way to speed up asylum appeals is to get decisions right first time. But at the moment, nearly half of appeals are successful, meaning that the initial decision was wrong. Introducing a new kitten to your adult cat can feel daunting, but with some flexibility and time, you can help your fur babies get off on the right foot (or paw, in this case). Sometimes, however, two feline siblings just click! Philadelphia animal rescuer @pawswitharii hit the jackpot with her newest rescue kitten, Dakota, and her priceless relationship with her feral cat brother, Menace. This stray-cat-turned-rescue used to live up to his name, but everything changed the moment he met his little sister. As soon as he heard her cries, he transformed from curious brother to concerned dad! These fur siblings are the cutest! Menace's surprised hop had me smiling from ear to ear, but I nearly had tears in my eyes when he ran to Dakota in the bathtub. She was confused about how to get out, but her big brother came to her rescue. "Menace is, in fact, not a menace," one commenter pointed out. He just needed a kitten to take care of! After all, any cat, dog, or person would get a little distracted without any jobs or responsibilities. Now that he's making biscuits instead of making trouble, Menace is proving to be a great brother, or even dad, to the growing kitten. He grooms her, plays with her, and even shares his favorite napping spots. Pass the tissues, please! Menace adores his orange cat sister, and each clip of them is cuter than the last. Clearly, these two were meant to find one another! Hari was initially nervous to introduce her cats, but she quickly saw that Menace's soft side extended to kittens, and kittens alone. It shouldn't have been a surprise to see them bonding instantly, but they impressed everyone by growing closer and closer every day. How to Introduce a Kitten to a Cat Introducing cats of any age requires patience and time. Begin by letting the new cat out of their carrier in a room on their own. Many folks choose the bathroom thanks to its easy-to-clean tile, but any room with a door will do. Use a pet gate to let your cats slowly come closer, though don't force them to do anything before they're ready. As you saw with Menace and Dakota, many cats take the lead in this situation, but it's ok if it takes a while, too! Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips. This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Aug 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Riz Ahmed has officially confirmed that hes a dad. Ahmed mentioned that he and his wife, Fatima Farheen Mirza, have a young child whose age and gender he did not disclose during a conversation with Club Cine, posted on Substack Friday. While speaking about some of his biggest movie roles, including one in the upcoming thriller Relay, Ahmed was asked what role hes proudest of. Being a father. Because its not about me, he said. Ahmed and Mirza met in 2018, when the actor was preparing for his role in Sound of Metal, in a cafe in Brooklyn, New York. Riz Ahmed has confirmed he and his wife Fatima Farheen Mirza have a young child (Getty) I was writing a script. I was actually working on the thing that I'm editing now, he told CBS Mornings. She sat down opposite and started emptying her whole bag out because she'd lost her charger. You know, I just spotted an opening. 'Can I help you? He also acknowledged how his relationship has ultimately shaped his career. You know, at this point, anything that I do as an artist is facilitated by the support of my wife. So, it's definitely kind of made me realize the extent to which the people closest to you are actually the co-authors of your work, he added. The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in 2020. However, they have chosen to keep their child out of the spotlight. Still, Ahmed has spoken about the scary experiences hes had since welcoming a child. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Friday, he recalled a time when his family was robbed, resulting in his childs sentimental items being stolen. Ahmed and Mirza met in 2018 in a cafe in Brooklyn, New York. (Getty) All our belongings and prized possessions were robbed on a truck that was moving from California to New York, he said. We just had a baby, and so all of our photos and memory cards and really precious items were robbed. He also noted that the robbery happened right before he started filming Relay, where he plays Ash, who protects whistleblowers from corrupt companies through an anonymous call center. Ultimately, Ahmeds real-life difficulties after the robbery shaped his performance in the movie. Sometimes, I would have the assistant director read out the email or the list of things stolen, or the latest text message from the person that was investigating, he said. So that experience gave me a way into this character that was very visceral and honest. And Im just going to be real with you, thats partly why this film means so much to me, Ahmed added. We, as a family, were living through a similar version of loss and loss of control that my character was dealing with. The Scottish Tory leader criticised the public sector for being littered with SNP loyalists - Andrew Milligan/PA Wire The SNP has created a public sector stacked with yes men and women focused on protecting each others livelihoods and the failing status quo, the Scottish Tory leader has claimed. Russell Findlay said Scotland had become a one-ideology state that supported higher taxes, benefits and immigration and was overseen by a self-serving political elite in Edinburgh. In a keynote speech, Mr Findlay said civil servants dared not question the received wisdom of the SNP paymasters as they had a firm stake in protecting their highly-paid jobs. He said self-preservation is everything, with SNP ministers treating the public purse like a piggy bank for them and their pals and refusing to get rid of incompetent employees. The net result was that Scotland seemed to be run like a private members club with Left-wing lobbyists acting as gatekeepers hostile to any form of progress, he said. Mr Findlay alleged that a circular system of approval existed between the SNP Government and state-funded charities and academics reliant on the public purse for their income. The public sector is littered with SNP loyalists because the government bestows appointments and contracts to those who toe the line, he added. This has also led to Holyrood become a performative parliament that panders to a government which uses every sneaky trick to evade scrutiny, Mr Findlay claimed. Scottish Parliament irrelevant to most Scots The Scottish Tory leader used his speech to insist he was the best man to lead the Scottish Tories into next years Holyrood election after a second MSP quit the party. He said he was disappointed by Jeremy Balfours decision to resign from the Conservatives and rejected the MSPs claim that he was pursuing reactionary politics. The Scottish Tory leader said he was representing the concerns of mainstream Scotland rather than copying Reform UK, which polls have shown is cannibalising the Conservative vote. Mr Balfour will sit as an independent MSP for the Lothian region until next Mays Holyrood election. Jamie Greene, a West of Scotland MSP, defected from the Tories to the Liberal Democrats in April after complaining that his former party had moved too far to the Right. In his speech ahead of MSPs returning from their summer break next week, Mr Findlay argued that the Scottish Parliament had become irrelevant to most Scots because what happens there is often a waste of time and taxpayers money. Mr Findlay said Holyrood focused on fringe issues such as Nicola Sturgeons plan to allow people to self-identify their gender, while the SNP ran public services into the ground. He claimed the SNP had nurtured an obedient machinery of state to do their bidding over the last 18 years of being in power, adding: These yes men and women run Scotlands vast and powerful public sector. The SNP have moulded them in their partys image. Dissent is not tolerated, and you had better wear the right lanyard. The state sector pays very well indeed. Many of those on six-figure salaries, cushy hours and gold-plated pensions would get nothing like that in a real world of private sector meritocracy. He said this entitled political class decides what should be on the political agenda even if its at odds with the views of mainstream Scotland. Mr Findlay said those who deviate from accepted groupthink are shouted down and shut out, citing the treatment of feminists who opposed gender self-ID over concerns about the safety of womens spaces. The Scottish Tory leader said the SNP needed to control Holyrood to maintain their harmful grip on Scotland, with public sector witnesses appearing before committees given free rein to waffle uninterrupted. MSPs who ask straight questions are often treated with hand-wringing disdain, he claimed, adding that ministerial statements to Parliament were usually laughably light on detail. Although he said most civil servants were professional and conscientious, he said John Swinney had been allowed to use them to campaign for independence and a recent summit that was a nakedly party political stunt designed to promote the SNP. Mr Findlay claimed the First Minister had been allowed to use civil servants to campaign for independence - Gordon Terris/The Herald Picture Agency Mr Findlay concluded: Considering all of this, you could be forgiven for thinking Scotland has become a one-party state. Its not quite. But it is a one-ideology state. The Scottish political establishment believes that taxes must only go up, that benefits must also keep rising, that immigration is always good. He proposed devolving more power from Holyrood to local communities, including the ability to lower business rates, and a radical overhaul of transparency. The Civil Service must also be outlawed from agitating for the break-up of Britain, he said. A Scottish Government spokesman said: As across the UK, the Civil Service is required to support the elected government of the day in an impartial manner. We place the highest value on Scotlands public services and appointees to public bodies are likewise expected to adhere to high standards of behaviour and ethical conduct.